The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-07-18
A ROMANTIC CAREER.
Particulars OF the Life Of the Late
Greenfield Pote.

John Hallweyes in the July number Of the
Masonic Token gives the following interest
ing sketch of the late Greenfield Pote:
The life Of the late Greenfield Pote, who
gave the first dollar towards the payment OF
the debt Of the Grand Lodge Of New York,
was quite romantic one. Born in Eastport,
Me-, in 1892, and while yet child losing his
father took him IN charge, because he was
his favorite grandson. The old gentleman
was q slave owner, and his oldest slave,
Caesar, took charge Of his young Master
Greenfield. On the death OF his grand
father, few years later. who had made him
his principal heir, the administrator Of the
estate, his uncle, Of Portland, Me-. being ap-
pointed his guardian, brought him up, but
finally defrauded him Of nearly all his in
heritance. During his boyhood days he
spent great deal of his time with tribe Of
Indians, with whom he was a great favorite.
Being Of an adventurous disposition and
fond Of the water. be early went to
sea and became skillful and daring
sailor; so much so that he was
early age. and rendered valuable service
during the last war with Great Britain. In
one engagement he was taken prisoner by
Sir Thomas Hardy, having been dangerously
wounded, SO that he lay In the hospital In an
hs strong mHgssiS healthy and anu vgOGoass s
constitution pulled him through;
he was afterward exchanged.
When the war with England was 0ver,yOung
Captain Pote was commissioned by the
United States government to carry the des-
patches of peace to the governor of New
Brunswick. Upon the delivery Of the mes
sage. the governor tried to bribe the young
captain to keep the news from spreading
among the merchants and stockholders, but
no British gold would tempt this young
American navigator to give an advantage to
British official over his less fortunate
neighbors. He was shipwrecked several
times; once on an Isolated spot on the coast
Of Maine, whele 1t took him long time to
find single habitation, and that was occu-
pied by lone old woman, who, on hearing
his name, astonished him by proving herself
thoroughly acquainted with his family hist0-
ry; she told him about his ancestors, who
they were. and that they were among the
earliest settlers Of that part OF the state or
territory. A shipwreck never troubled him
much. as he would often say that partner
ship" was the worst ship he ever sailed In
a shipwreck being the consequence OF the
overpowering might Of the elements, but a
disaster in partnership the consequence OF
trusting to false friends.
A collegiate education having been pro-
vided for him by his grandfather, he gave up
the sea and went to college, but did not nm
ish his course. He met beautiful young
girl, the daughter Of one OF the judges Of
Massachusetts; the consequence was an
elopement, marriage, a reconciliation, and
then his starting In business In the city OF
Boston. This marriage, though a happy
one, was OF short duration; his wife being
OF delicate nature, lived but few years,
and soon after her death he wound up his
business and came to New York in 1922,
where in due time he was Initiated into
Mount M0riah Lodge, No. 132, Of which he
afterward served as Master. A Past Mas
ter's jewel was presented him which bears
date 1880, and Is now In the possession OF his
children. This jewel, after having been lost
for years, was found In Portland. Me. A
brother Mason bought 1t from an old Irish
woman and restored It, through. the late
owner. few years before his death. Bro.
Pote remained In New York in active life
until 1865, when he retired from business
and removed to New Rochelle, where his
children We'd with each other to make his
declining years the happiest Of his life. He
died in 1878. at the age OF Sc years. He never
knew what 1t was to be ON a sick bed, thanks
science. His end was peaceful; he quietly
went to sleep. surrounded by those who
loved him best-his children. His remains
were deposited In Beechwood Cemetery,
New Rochelle, by the aid of Huguenot
Lodge, No. 46, with p. G. NJ, James Jenkin-
son as acting chaplain-an intimate friend
Of his for over 40 years. His children have
placed a monument near the grave, which
marks the spot where rests loving father.
an upright man, and a Mason-the brother
who, in 1S42 subscribed the first dollar to
the fund, and the only dollar he then had In
this world. so that 1t may be said he virtual
ly placed the first stone upon which that
third street and Sixth avenue has been erect
ed. which, 1t Is hoped may stand for ages to
supply the revenue that Is to care for the
aged, the widow and the fatherleSs.