Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-12-12

without q postofiice. Mail came to Sedg-
wick, Penobscot or Castine as the case
might be. One neighbor going to either
Of these centers would bring back the
mail for the neigh borhood. Postage dur
ing some Of the early years was IS cents,
usually paid by the one receiving the letter.
A letter was an event shared by the whole
community.
About the year 1880 postoffice was
esta blished at Bucks Harbor. John x.
Redman was the first postmaster. Man
ming Ellis, the frst Congregational
minister at West Brooksville, was the first
post master in that section OF the town.
The postoffice was in the David varnum
house. John Lord was the first maii-car-
brought it from there once week. Mr..
Ellis moved to Brooksville little later,
and an office was esta blished there. Then
David WATSON became postmaster at
West Brooksviile and the Office was at his
house. John Lord succeeded him, and
the mail was brought from North Castine
and went down through south Brooksville
and on to Sedgwick. For many years
there were but two mails week.
With the next change Luther Tapley
became postmaster and served for many
years. The service was increased to three
mails, and Brooksviile wondered how any
reasonable people could ssk for anything
more. The North Brooksville postoffice
came at q later date and there was no
other until the esta blishment OF an Office
on Cape Roster.
The shipbuilding and shipping OF
became an important indus
try early in the history OF the town. The
frs; vessel was probably built BY Prank
at Goose Falls. She was full
rugged ship OF about one hundred tons.
The second was the schooner Bertha, built
by Jerry Jones on the shore OF the place
now owned by Charles Jones' My father,
Thomas Tapley, when very small boy,
was apprenticed out TO this man, Jerry
Jones, and he has entertained his children
many times with tales Of the life they
lived in these early days.
After these two vessels, several werc
built at the Jonathan Dodge shipyard.
The brig Harrison and the WATSON were
two important ones among the number.
Then this enterprise was transferred to
the shore Of the John WATSON place, and
vessels OF different sizes were buiit there.
The thirties, forties and fifties saw ship
in . thriving condition in
and vicinity.
Beginning in the hfties, several vessels
we're built ct North brooksvilie. The
John Lymburner, large schooner for the
West Indies trade was perhaps the
largest, and it was the last OF any con-
siderable size. AT the same time there
were . goodiy number built and owned
at West Brooksvilie. For many years
Wasson's wharf was . busy place because
Of its shipbuilding and shipping. At
North Brooksville John Lymburner was
the man at the head of the business, as
John WATSON was on Wssson hill and
David WATSON at the point known a.
Wasson's wharf. David WATSON built
more vessels than any other man who
ever lived in the town.
The Brooksviile feet at one time
numbered thirty -eight. These vessels
were owned wholly or in part at Brooke
willie, all were commanded BY Bfooksviile
captains and manned BY sailors from
Brooksviiie and vicinity.
The harbors OF Castine and Brooksville
are one, and It ID interesting IN passing
to note Castine's importance in this line.
Castine has built, bought and owned a
least sixteen full-rigged ships, besides
banks, brigs, schooners and . large nsh.
ing fleet. For . number Of years their
were landed ct Csstine four cargoes oil
salt direct from Liverpool. A feet Of moi
less than two hundred fishing vessel
fitted out from there every spring. Thss'
the immediate vicinity.
These early settlers were the people WHIT
left tho old country and all they held dsa
TO seek land where they could worshi]
God - they thought right. The early 10
ligious life In interesting. The hrst mis-
esun&1y W tn0sks "a WHOsAs W hovS -
record, was Father Biard, . French divine
He came to these shores to minister +
the few people who had preceded hin
In 1911. Two years later others came on
like mission. In 1els, Capuchin prissl
Friar Leo, erected chspsi, probably IN
same ediflce referred to In the desd Z
surfsnssf OF Fort Psntagost. Baron On
tine was Roman Catholic. and durin
his residences in Csstipe, several Cstholi
priests came to minister in holy things.
The hrst Peotsstans minister to fsac
this scattered community was Rsv. lsaa
Csss in the year 17sl. Daring the oocs
pancy Of Castins By Tbs British, ct q
time Of the Ksvolutiou, the only rsligios
services known 70 have bssn held, va