Early History of Orrington and Brewer

From a letter written by Hon. David Perham to Hon. William D. Williamson, now in possession of the Maine Historical Society

Brewer, Nov. 20, 1820

The Settlement Before Incorporation

John Brewer, of Worcester, in Massachusetts, afterwards Colonel Brewer, wishing to remove and form a new settlement, where he could find a good situation for a mill, came up Penobscot river in the month of September, 1770, and landed upon the east side at a cove and stream, emptying into the same, called by the natives Segeunkedunk, which have since been known by the names of Brewer’s cove and stream. After examining the land and streams on both sides of the river for a considerable distance, he returned to the place where he first landed, went to work, and laid the foundation of a mill-dam. This was the first beginning of a settlement in the township, which was afterwards surveyed and laid out, and called the plantation of “New Worcester,” after the name of the town which Col. Brewer, the first settler, came from. Having made this beginning he went back in April, 1771, to Worcester, and in April following returned with workmen, erected a mill, and the house where he now lives; and being joined by others, in all twenty-two, formed a company and run out a township, beginning at No. 1, or Buck’s Ledge, and extending about twelve miles up the river, to the head of the tide, including Brewer’s settlement. This township was called New Worcester, as has been above stated, and was afterwards incorporated into a town by the name of Orrington and Brewer. This company presented a petition to the government of the province of Massachusetts Bay, praying for a grant of this township; but amidst the troubles of the government, which ended in the revolution, this petition was overlooked, and remained unacted upon. They also prepared a petition to his Majesty, then king of Great Britain, praying for a grant of their township, which, together with a plan of the same, were presented by Dr. Calf, of Ipswich, who went out to England for that and other similar purposes; and in case of success he was to receive for this service a guinea from each of the grantees. This petition was graciously received, and the grant to have been made and executed the next day; but previous to the time appointed, news reached England of the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, which frustrated the business, and the Dr. returned to America without having accomplished his object.

This company seem to have made no further efforts for a grant, nor to have obtained any title to their land, other than possession, till after the conclusion of the war; during which time some of the inhabitants remained, occupied their land, and were subject to all the inconveniences and exactions of the enemy, who extended their authority from Castine. Others removed with their families (among whom was Col. Brewer) and did not return till peace was restored. But the settlement seems at no time to have been broken up or discontinued.

In 1784, after the peace, Barnabas Dodge surveyed this township, and returned a plan of it, under authority of the government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This service having been done, and before the settlers were made acquainted with what was going on, in 1785 a company known by the name of Moses Knapp and Associates purchased and obtained a grant of this township from government. When this was known to the settlers, they, by their agents — Col. Brewer aforesaid, and Simeon Fowler, esquire — made representation of their case to the government, and a negotiation was opened between those two companies under the sanction of the government, which ended in a mutual agreement between them, by which Brewer and Fowler, and the settlers, were to have 10,804 acres, being the front or river lots in said township, extending 400 rods back, and running at that distance parallel with the river, including also a gore at the lower end of said township, containing 2,500 acres, called the Bevel. By this agreement certain privileges and reservations were made for the common use and benefit of both companies. Brewer & Fowler & Settlers were to reserve three convenient landings or lumber yards, with suitable roads leading to the river; and the privilege of taking fish was to be common between said companies. Knapp and Associates were to reserve and lay out in their purchase “200 acres for the use of the first settled minister; 200 acres for the use of the ministry; 280 acres for the use of a grammar school; and 200 acres for the future disposition of government.” The deed of this township, first given by the committee for the sale of eastern lands, to Moses Knapp and Associates, not having been recorded, it was given back by the committee, who, in pursuance of the resolve of the legislature, and of the agreement between those two companies, made a deed (29th June, 1785) to Knapp and Associates, of the residue of the town, after deducting the 10,804 acres, and likewise a deed (25th March, 1786) to Brewer & Fowler & Settlers of their share, who became bounden to government in behalf of themselves and others, for their proportion of the purchase money, which was £3,000 of the consolidated securities of the Commonwealth. These grants having been completed, the settlement progressed, under both of these companies, till they were united and made one incorporated town.

The Town Of Orrington Before Division

The plantation of New Worcester, or No. 9, was incorporated Nov. 21, 1788, into a town by act of the legislature, with the name of Orrington. The selection of this name seems accidental. The agent of the petitioners for incorporation, while ruminating upon a name, happened to open a book (what book is not recorded), saw the name Orrington, and being pleased with it, caused the town to be incorporated by that name. * * * The first town meeting was held April 7, 1788.

Nov. 22, 1788, an additional act was passed exempting Knapp and Associates from all town taxes for seven years from that date. There were laid out about 12 miles of road (County) running through the town nearly parallel with the Penobscot river, beside town roads. £60 were raised. Repairs of roads, then, from that up to $2,500. The improvement on the road was gradual, as the river was much used, and considered the great highway through the settlements in this part of the country, which were principally on the banks of the river.

In 1798 Oliver Leonard was chosen the first representative to the General Court from this town. The town has since been represented by Joseph Carr, Timothy Freeman, Col. Joshua Chamberlain, and Rev. Phinech Mudge. Controversies arose about the fishing privileges; both sets of grantees claimed them; individuals owning land contiguous claimed them as their private property. The General Court (Feb. 6, 1807) passed an act regulating them. The action, Nathan Nickerson, treasurer of Orrington, vs. Brackett, the Supreme Judicial Court decided that all the fisheries were corporate property. Mass. Rep., vol. 10, p. 212.

Soon after the town was incorporated two meeting-houses were built, so situated as to be six miles between them, and three miles from each end of town. The inhabitants of the lower part were mostly Methodists, among whom the Rev. Enoch Mudge was located. He continued his useful labors among them 20 years, much esteemed and respected by his people, when he removed to Lynn. The Methodist church was organized 1796.

In the upper part of the town the inhabitants were generally Congregationalists, and in 1791 Rev. Seth Noble was installed pastor of Bangor and this part of Orrington. He was afterward, by mutual agreement, discharged. Afterward Rev. James Boyd was installed over the church of Bangor and Orrington. The inhabitants being divided in their religious sentiments, two meeting-houses having been built for the accommodation of the respective denominations, and the town being 12 miles long in extent upon the river, they began to think of dividing the town, which was effected by an act of the Legislature, Feb. 22, 1812. The act made no provision for division of property or debts. The town had much trouble relating thereto. The whole matter was afterward amicably adjusted by a committee of both towns. The debts and assets were in proportion — Brewer 13-24, Orrington 11-24.

By act of the Legislature, June 22, 1816, the upper part of Buckstown, adjoining Orrington, with the inhabitants, was set off and on to Orrington.

The first post-office was established in 1800. Col. John Brewer was appointed post-master, and held the office 18 years. When the division took place, this office was transferred to Brewer. A new post-office was established in Orrington in 1813. Benjamin Nourse was appointed post-master, which office he now holds (1820). John Wilkins was chosen representative, 1813–1814, when he was elected register of deeds. This town has since been represented by Rev. Enoch Mudge, Warren Ware, and Ben Nourse. Under the new constitution (1820) Orrington, Brewer, Eddington, and adjacent plantations were classed as a representative district. Benjamin Nourse was the first representative in the Maine Legislature.

In the town are two traders, three saw-mills, two grist-mills. A large proportion of the inhabitants are seamen, fishermen, ship carpenters, and other mechanics, and few who follow the occupation of agriculture, but as a secondary object. In the valuation and enumeration of the direct tax of 1816, the town returned 7,952 acres, 103 dwelling-houses, 104 barns and out-houses. Total valuation, $74,712.

The Town of Brewer

Was incorporated 1812, Feb. 22, and named for the first settler, Col. John Brewer. The first town meeting was held March 12, 1812. In May following, John Farrington was chosen representative; in 1813 Gen. John Blake; since which the town has not been represented (1820). There are seven school districts. A female cent society was formed previous to 1820, and has between 70 and 80 volumes of social library. A taste for reading and literature does not generally prevail. There is a clergyman, a physician, and a lawyer. In 1812 the town raised $80 for the support of the gospel. Rev. Thomas Williams, of the Congregational order, was then preaching in this part of the country as a missionary, who was requested to preach in this town. He complied, and the inhabitants were so well pleased with him that they invited him to settle with them; and thinking themselves unable to give him a full support, it was agreed that he should settle with them eight months in each year, and receive of them a salary of $400 in two semi-annual payments. Each party, however, reserved the liberty of putting an end to the contract by giving the other six months’ notice. In January, 1813, he was ordained over the church and congregation in this town, and has continued pastor ever since. The church consists of 59 members. For the residue of each year he has been employed as a missionary. The inhabitants are so scattered and detached from each other that it is inconvenient for them to meet in one place. The religious meetings are therefore held, in certain proportions, in four different places in town. In this town are three traders, one tan-yard, two saw-mills, two grist-mills, a clothier’s establishment, including machines for carding wool, and a nail factory, erected in 1816, but not yet in operation. The inhabitants pursue various occupations; a few farmers. In 1816, for the direct tax, the town returned 23,582 acres, 86 dwelling-houses, 85 barns. Valuation, $107,517.

Source

Perham, David. “Early History of Orrington and Brewer.” The Bangor Historical Magazine, vol. 1, no. 2, Aug. 1885, pp. 33–38. Published by Joseph W. Porter, Benjamin A. Burr, Printer.