The Republican journal., 1892-02-11
An Old House in Mort h Castine

The probabilities are that it was erected
Immediately after the close of the Revo-
lutionary War, either by John Perkins,
Esq, or Capt. Thatcher Avery, OF both
might have had part in building it. This
house has a history which if it could be
correctly written would possess more thar
local interest.
In 1914 the British occupied it as quar-
tiers for many of their officers Of rank
Under the mantelshelf in what was the
principal room, carved in fair large letters,
is the name, Lieut.. Henry Bishop, of the
British army. Hanging on the wall is a
fine picture of II. B. Ms man of-wal
Spencer, a seventyfour gun ship, which
lay at Averys wharf for the protection OF
the officers quartered at different places
in the country.
This picture is something of work OF
art and was done by Lieut.. r. NJ, one OF
the ships officers. Among many relics OF
past ages the most interesting are an old
clock. brought from London more than
.
4 pair of bellows, a powder horn and car
fridge box, a part of the equipment of a
soldier in 1776, a flax wheel and comb.
distatt, a knife box ma de by one of the
ancestors of the Avery family ON the coast
If Africa in 1712. Not the least interest
ing OF them all is a wooden mug used to
set ON the table with molasses for the
guests when Capt. Avery kept hotel
Be it known that this was from 1870 to
about 1920 a public house called Avery $
Inn, and for many years the only one in
this vicinity. And yonder fair and level
field was the place where the militia OF
Hancock county met annually in general
muster for review and inspection. The
register kept by Capt. Avery, of the Inn,
shows that it was a co mmon practice fol-
the Governor of the commonwealth of
Massachusetts to attend these military
gatherings in person, accompanied by his
honorable council and his staff.
The last of the Governors who made
his headquarters here was Gov. John
Brooks in 1918. Prior to this Gov. Caleb
Strong, Elbridge Gerry and others had
honored Avery's Inn with their presence.
Around his table gathered digniied
judges, pompous brigadier generals. law
yers who have made their mark on the
pages of their State S history.
The mansion is now owned by Mr.. AL
bert Dodge, who married granddaughter
of Capt. Avery. We are glad to learn
that Mr.. Dodge will put the outside of the
house in complete repair and keep it as a
landmark of the past.
Capt Thatcher Avery, who kept the
Inn, was born in Truro, Barnstable Co..
Mass, Feb. Is, 1857, and died in Castne,
Me-, May 4, 1927. 1t is quite possible
that some of his descendants who reside
in Portland may have u full family regis
ter HOSEA b. WARpwELI
With this sketch our correspondent.
uquarian. sends us two old documents.
One is the indenture by which DAME
: Bridges, of Castine a soldier in the l5tl
Regt. L. 5. A., binds his son JOIN
bridges as an apprentice to Thatcher
Avery. OF Castine, to learn the art
trade or mystery of Mariner on the Sc
day OF Oct, 1910. During all this time
1--WE quote from the indentures but do moi
retain the ancient spelhng) said appren
tice his said master will and faithful,
shall serve, his secrets keep, his Lawful
commands duly obey. He shall do nc
: damage to his said master. nor suffer it tc
be done by others, without giving reason
able notice thereof to his said master. II,
i, Shall not waste the goods of his said mas
ter, nor lend them unlawfully to any. A.
cards, dice or any other unlawful gam,
, he shall not play He shall not absen
himself, by day or by night from the
service of his said master without his
leave, nor haunt or frequent ale houses
taverns or gaming places. He shall no
contract matrimony within the said term
nor shall he commit any acts of vice OF
immortality which are forbidden by the
Commonwealth; but in all things and a
all times he shall carry and behave him
, self toward his said master, and all 9th
ers, as good and faithful apprentice
ought to do, during ali the term afore
said
The master, Thatcher Avery. on the
other hand, promises ''to teach and in
| struct, OF cause said apprentice to be in
e structed, in the art, trade OF calling of ;
: mariner by the best way OF means that 1t
may OF can Gf said apprentice be capabl,
: to learn) and during the said term to fin,
S and provide unto said apprentice good AM
4 sufficient meat, drink washing. lodgin.
: and apparel, both linen and wooden. suit
t able for such an apprentice during tn
said term, and at the expiration thereo
Il shall give unto said apprentice one suit o
= clothes suitable for everyday work. an,
e one suit of clothes for the Sabbath day."
u The document is duly signed scale,
:, and witnessed. On the back the tow
! clerk of Penobscot, under date of Marc