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Friendship, Maine.
The town of Friendship is situated in the south-western part of Knox County, Maine, about fourteen miles from Rockland, the county seat. Waldoboro lies to the northwest and Cushing eastward; the Friendship River forms boundary line the larger part of the distance. The town contains about 8000 acres of mainland; Long Island, about three miles long and Morse’s Island about half as large contains eighty-five acres. Friendship was a part of Waldo Patent and original deeds are from General Waldo. The Indian and plantation name of the town was Meduncook and it was first settled in 1750. About this date a fort was erected on an island in the southern part of the towns which has since been known as Garrison Island. It is connected with the main at low water. James Bradford was one of the first inhabitants and he settled near the fort. In 1754 twenty-two families resided here. Among these early settlers may be mentioned the names of Jameson, Cook, Morton, Bickmore, Wadsworth, Davis, Lowry, Gay, Cushing, Bartlett and Demorse. In the war of 1755 all moved with their families within the garrison, except Bradford, who believed himself safe, having sometime previous rendered valuable assistance to the chief in which the life of the latter was in danger while crossing the river which was frozen over. One morning, however, the people within the fort saw Indians approaching and fired their guns to warn Bradford. It is said he did not hear the alarm. The Indians killed Bradford and his wife; their daughter twelve or fourteen years of age hid under the bed with an infant. After the Indians had gone some distance from the cabin the young girl, with the infant in her arms started for the fort. The Indians saw her and gave chase. As she neared the garrison tomahawks were thrown at her, one of which struck her in the side making an ugly wound. She bravely held on to the infant and reached the fort where her injury was carefully attended to. She recovered and lived to a ripe old age, after having brought up a large family.
The last notable attack of the Indians upon the settlements of Maine was in the fall of 1758 when the fort on Garrison Island was attacked by the savages who captured eight men but failed to take the stronghold. The Abnaki, Etcehemin and Mikmak have ever since been peaceful subjects. The early town records of Meduncook have been destroyed or lost. Records in very good condition but somewhat faded are now in possession of the town. The first entry appearing in the oldest volume bears date Oct. 22, 1755 and informs us that Sedate Weymouth and Mary Smith were married on that day then follows names and dates of birth of large family of children. The next entry was March 15, 1770 and reads "At an annual meeting held as heretofore the following men were chosen to the following offices in Meduncook, viz John Demorse, Moderator Sedate Wadsworth, Clerk Richard Adams, Jonah Gay, and Sedate Wadsworth, Assessors John Demorse, Sen. Collector. Allowed as in 1768 to the collector 12d on the pound for collecting."
One of the early settlers was Paul Jameson who was born in Cape Elizabeth Oct. 17, 1728 and moved to Meduncook in 1748 and built log cabin on what is now known as the Jameson place. He married Elizabeth Peoples, Nov. 30, 1749. They had ten children, viz Martha, Robert, Jean, Diana, Charles, Paul, William, Isaac, Jeremiah and Sarah. A large number of their descendants are now living, five generations being found in one family. In 1770 Elijah Cook and Micah Drinkwater bought the crop of hay on the ministerial lot for £2 16s. At the annual town meeting held March 18, 1771 the following officers were chosen: C. Richard Adams, Moderator Sedate Wadsworth, Clerk Richard Adams, Jonah Gay, and Sedate Wadsworth, Assessors Elijah Cook, Collector.
Under date of Sept. 1st, 1773 Sedate Wadsworth, Clerk, recorded as follows "After weeks notification some of the inhabitants met at my house to consult what to do in consequence of printed letter sent from the town clerk of Boston to the clerk of Meduncook, inclosing printed copies of certain letters sent from Govs. Hutchinson and Oliver to their confidents in England, slanderous and abusive to this province and tending to destroy our civil and religious liberties and privileges. When in conclusion letter was written to the Town Clerk of Boston of which the following is an exact copy:
Meduncook, Sept. 1, 1773.
Sir: I received yours in print dated Boston, June 22nd 1773 with the Governor’s letter inclosed, and in consequence thereof notified the inhabitants appointing this day to assemble and act something thereupon. But, we are not incorporated and consequently have no town officers,no committee of correspondence, and but the smallest part of our inhabitants are met. Can act nothing legal or in form, but as few individuals do hereby express our good wishes to our brethren of Boston in all salutary measures which they in their superior wisdom shall see fit to adopt and execute, concerning the support of our civil and religious liberties and privileges. May Heaven inspire you with wisdom and afford you blessing on all endeavors for that end is the hearty prayers of us the subscribers while we submit the planning to your wisdom."
The above is addressed to "Mr. Wm. Cooper, Town Clerk of Boston, to he communicated to your town, sir, as you shall think proper." The document was signed by ''Sedate Wadsworth, Clerk Jacob Davis, John Demorss, Cornelius Morton, Ebenezer Morton, Jonah Gay, Zach. Davis, Wm. Davis, Joshua Collamore, Ebenezer Davis, John Brazier, John Demorss, Jr., Joseph Davis," and signed after the meeting by "Richard Adams, Elijah Cook, Samuel Demorss, James Cook and Jesse Thomas."
