Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-02-21

spring OF cool water from which we drank,
where Joseph Perkins lived (another great
grandfather, and as an antiquarian,
familiar with the town, did us signal SER
vice.
! He pointed out the bounds OF great
grandfather Perkins land in the middle of
the town, his wharf frontage scaled the
embankments of Fort George through up
on land of Perkins,in which had, though
death Of my mother, small heirship and
interest which had taken my signature to
I perfect the title when sold in 1850.
Z He went with us to the old cemetery,
showed US the graves and stones where
such existed of our great-g grandparents,
their children and of British soldiers of
the wars of the Revolution and 1872, and
of other prominent men of the place. He
introduced us to many persons, and was
untiring in his attentions the few days Of
/ our stay. We never saw him after.
/ My wife snid of him, s'He is the most de-
voted man have ever met, and the most
untiring in his efforts; could kill regi-
/ ment of younger men almost in what be
did for US. He not only traced the
! boundary of the town, the lots therein,
the historic spots thereon, but he intro
duced us to all the living and started out
I for the dead.'
! Castine had been the most important
t town of the State east OF the Penobscot, a
| considerable port OF entry, a place of
4 large interests in shipping and cop-
mercial enterprises, had rope-wsl and
chain manufactures, and all tiourished.
/ Many eminent shipmasters it once con-
tanned, goodly number of whom 1 once
/ knew. But alasl how fallenl 1t is now
summer resort of idle pleasure, but its
early history, many of its ancient land
marks, the beauty of it's situation and its
! heaith-givinIng summer air remain.
The TarratInes, Modockawando their
chief, valued its situation; Baron de Cas-
I tin and the French Of his time and later
fought to retain it, the Dutch at one time
+ took it from the English, but did not long
I hold it; our people wrencbed it from the
! English; twice the English recaptured
/ and held it till close of those wars, then
I gave it back 1t has been the scene of
battle and bloodshed, and of the conflicts
/ OF centuries, but peace reigns at ancient
Peutagoet, and long may it do SO under
the sheltering flag and strong arm of the
United States.
Castine, the home OF our ancestors, in
situation, in history and romance, had
charm for us. The once favorite settle
ment of the aborigines; the seat OF power
of their chiefs and warriors; the chosen
place of Baron de Castin and his dusky
Indian wife, daughter of Modockawan 10,
( the powerful chief of the Tarratines; for
upholding French supremacy in North
America; the coveted OF other European
powers and wresteu from France by Eng
land; the scene of conflict, of wars and
bloody strife; Of occupation by British
land and sea forces in wars of the Revolu-
ton and 1872; of stirring activities in
peace after all its vicisitudes; in com
merce, shipping and manufactures, now
quiet place, interesting, health giving,
! summer resortl
Its history is more interesting than
romance, which il resembles in many
instances and is perhaps the most inviting
and interesting town in Maine for the
/ traveller to visit Castine anciently,
when Caucasian and Tarratine
Fought bloody battles on its shore.
/ Banners of England and of France
Have hoated DER the ancient town,
And that of Holland, by wars chance,
! For short time DER it was flown.
/ Now on that famed peninsula
Long held by sword and bayonet,
Floats the flag of Amoroso,
And peace reigns at Peutagoet"