Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-16
LANDMARK IMPERlLED.
Proposal to Tear Down Capen house
in Dorchester.

Unless active measures are soon taken
TO save the Barnard Capen house in Dor
chester it will be razed. Already plans
have been made to sacrifice TINS ancient
landmark before February Il in order TO
make way for an apartment house. TINS
old mansion, which stands near Washing
ton street, opposite Melville avenue. was
erected some time between 1880 and 1858
1t was one of the first houses built in the
town after the arrival of the colonists
who emigrated from England under the
guidance of Rev. John White, so often
called father of the colony"
This house is the second oldest in New
England With the exception of one year
it has always remained in the possession
of the family. The west end OF the
house was built first one Side OF ..,t
original building shows an arrangement
whereby the inmates could better protect
| themselves from the willy and unruly
tribe of Indians. known as the Massa,
chusetts. whose hostilites the wise and
| judicious chief, Chickatabot often found
! }, Innossihe to control. Several arrows
sent into this early New England home,
| I've oeen 1ound as q reminder of those
troublesome days. Inside the living
rooms the ceilings are very low, the hsn-
est measuring not more than seven 1eel'
The beams, projecting below the plaster,
| clapboards and lumber for the floors.
| Originally the house contained but two
| rooms. the larger having an immense
! fireplace, which carried the major por-
ton of heat up the chimney. The east
| end of the house was erected 100 years
| after the main building, and contains
what then called many modern i'm,
| provements" These somewhat altered
| the primitive aspect of the building. con-
| cealing the hugh brick chimney, which III
those days was considered a decided
ornament. Through all these years the
| hepn
| When planning for the embarkaton OF
| the party of colonists which left Ply
| mouth. Eng. the Mary and John.
| March 80. 1920, great care was taken to
| select men of sound mind and body.
| Two members of the English government
| We're chosen: also young and active men
like Israel Stoughton and others. sew
eral people well advanced in years were
| included in the party. selected for their
| integrity and wisdom. Among this last
| number Barnard Capen figured conspicu-
ously. Being 6S years of age upon M. ms
| arrival. he was unable to endure the
| severe hardShipS of a new-found country
and died November 8. 1893 He was the
first of the colonists to be placed IN the
hams corner. Not many years ago the
stone which marked his grave was found
deeply buried in the earth. A new head
stone was erected, on which the old m
stone. greatly defaced. is now in the
possession of the Historical Society.
Many people believe Barnard Capeh
grave the oldest recorded in the United
| States, with possibly one exception Ill
jamestown
1t is greatly to be regretted that no
measure has been taken to preserve the
Capen house. so important in the history
not only Of Dorchester. but Of New , Ens,
to lberate the building from its uh,
impeded fate. it will soon he but Il
memory .-Boston Transcript.