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The Marquis de Lafayette Joseph-Désiré Court, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) was a French aristocrat and military officer who came to the aid of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. He developed a friendship with George Washington, who put him in command of American troops in several battles, including the Siege of Yorktown. His participation in the war symbolized our link to France, without whose support we might not have won our independence from Great Britain.
As the last surviving Major General of the Revolutionary War, Lafayette was invited by President James Monroe and Congress to visit the 24-state country in 1824 for what would become his Farewell Tour in the United States. As he traveled through the various states, he was greeted along the roadways and in towns and cities by large crowds of cheering citizens.
Scarborough was among the towns that graciously greeted Lafayette in 1825. On his first day in Maine, the general dined in Kennebunk before spending the night in Saco. On the morning of June 25, he was escorted by a large cavalcade to the village of Scarborough and received with high feelings of gratitude by the townspeople.[1]
A newspaper article that appeared in 1900, 75 years later, describes Lafayette’s visit: The citizens had an outrider to herald the approach of the illustrious Frenchman, and it was just a quarter before 8 when he appeared on the crown of the hill just beyond the village, swinging his hat and shouting, “The Gin’ral’s comin’!” Five minutes later the gorgeous coach that was presented Lafayette by the citizens of Philadelphia hove in sight drawn by four white prancing steeds, all resplendent in the dancing sunbeams of the early summer morning. When it rapidly bowled down the gentle declivity in full view of all the expectant townsmen a shout went up that Dunstan probably never heard before and from present indications will never hear again. The Dunstan people had erected a ‘noble arch’ (Dunstan was great on arches in those days, having erected one for Monroe seven years before and one for Jackson when he was expected), and the main street was thronged with spectators from miles around.
The General was entirely taken by surprise at the spontaneous demonstration and ordered a halt to hold a brief reception on the lawn in front of the residence of Dr. Alvin Bacon, where Judge Southgate, Dr. Bacon, Parson Tilton and other dignitaries of the town were presented to him. The General also called for a basin of water and a towel to bathe his face, as the morning was hot and the road somewhat dusty, and these together with a cake of soap were brought by a little daughter of Dr. Bacon’s, who always treasured the cake of soap while she lived, and it is still kept as an heirloom by the family.
The start was soon made and the General passed under the arch, upon which was inscribed, “Thrice Welcome to Lafayette.” The cheering was again renewed with added vigor, and Lafayette doffed his chapeau again and again. The visitors at Dunstan, many of whom were out for the day, filed in after the General’s coach and followed it to Portland, while many of the young men preceded the coach on horseback, all forming a procession nearly a half-mile in length that reached Portland shortly after nine o’clock.
Dr. Bacon’s house
Lafayette is reputed to have addressed the large group outside Dr. Bacon’s house under an impressive elm tree. While the tree is no longer standing, a piece of that tree – known as the Lafayette elm – is in the collections of the Scarborough Historical Society.
Dr. Bacon came from Charlestown, MA and settled in Scarborough around 1800, taking over the extensive practice of Dr. Southgate.[3] He was a favorite of all who knew him. When he rode out, he knew the names and personal history of the occupants of every house he passed.
He was present at almost every birth and tried to attend every burial. He sat many times with the minister beside a death bed. The doctor’s health eventually began to break down and he was obliged to gradually give up his practice. After a great deal of suffering in his last days, Dr. Bacon died in 1848 at the age of seventy-seven.[4]
[NOTE: This article is also available in PDF Format HERE.]
Endnotes
[1] John Francis Sprague, Sprague’s Journal of Maine History, p. 206
[2] Scarborough Historical Society, laminated scrapbook, 1884-1979, p. 68
[3] William S. Southgate, The History of Scarborough from 1633–1783, reprint, p. 207
[4] Dorothy Shaw Libbey, Scarborough Becomes a Town, p. 26
Persuant to a request of a number of inhabitance freeholders of the town of Scarborough to lay out a road from the town line betw said Scarb & Saco to go into Pains road at or near Enoch Libbys road so cald. We the subscribers select men of said town have lain out the road as follows [?] Began at the town line between Scarb & Saco about forty rods south east of Nonesuch Millpond on land belonging to the heirs of Richard Burnham Deceased, and run N 65 E 120 rods to land of Samuel Rice Theme on the same coars 4 rods to Nonesuch road. Thence on the same cours 24 rods across land of Ephraim Holmes to land of Joseph S. Jewett. Thence 14 rods across one corner of said Jewetts land to an old town road. Thence N 69 E 55 rods to one other piece of land belonging to said Ephraim Holmes partly on land of said Jewett, John Andrews & Robert McLaughlin & part by an old town road. Thence N 63 E 111 rods across said Eph Holmes land to land of Daniel Holmes. Thence N 58 E 96 rods to land formaly owned by Samuel Richards one half of the two last mentioned measurements is on old town road. Thence on the same coars 410 rods to the great sand gully so cald to land formaly owned by Jonathan Richards. Thence N 65 E 91 rods to Broadturn Road. Thence on the same coars 76 rods to the head of the gulley in the plain between Broadturn road & the Western beach [?] of road. Thence N 73 E 222 rods to the edg of Canada Swamp. Thence N 412 E 26 rods to B&D Harmons land. Thence 70 rods to Daniel Harmons land. Thence 60 rods to Robt McLaughlins land. Thence 36 rods to the eastern ridg road. Thence on the same coars 1416 ½ rods across land of Daniel Harmon to land of Jacob Mills. Thence 150 rods to land of Benj & Daniel Harmon. Thence 124 rods to Enoch Libbys road where it enters the swamp. Thence about S 73 E 214 rods to Pains road. Said road is to be four rods wide in every part, the line to be the middle of the road, said road is staked out & trees marked the whole distance.
Laid out Decem 12th 1822 Gideon Rich } Select Joseph Fogg } men
John Andrews } Surveyor
[Back of Page]
A return of a road from the town line to Pains road
[Transcription by Carole Plowman, Scarborough Historical Society, 19 February 2021]
[Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 52 – A return of a road from the town line to Paine Road – 12 Dec 1822.jpg”]
To John M. Parker Constable of the Town of Scarborough
Greeting
You are hereby required in the name of the State of Maine to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Scarborough qualified to vote in the town affairs to assemble at the meeting house in the 1st parish in sd town on Monday the ninth day of March next at ten o,Clock A.M. to vote on the following articles
1st To choose a Moderator to regulate said Meeting 2nd To choose a Clerk for sd town 3rd To Choose Selectmen [?] and Overseers of the poor 4th To Choose a Superintending School Committee agent 5th To Choose all town officers [?] treasurer Collection, Constable & Surveyors of highways [?] Fence Reviewers, Field Drivers, fish wardens if necessary. Tythingmen & Sealers of other measures and [?] of other Weights and measures. Se. 6th To raise such sums of money as they shall judge necessary for the support of schools, for the support of the poor and for other necessary contingent charges. 7th To see what sum of money the town will raise to make and repair the highway of said town pass any vote or votes relative to the same 8th To see what method the town will take to procure dwellings and dispose of the poor of said town. 9th To pass any vote or votes which the town may judge necessary for the directing, managing, and ordering, the presumptive officers of sd town as they shall judge most conducive to the peace, welfare and good order thereof.
Given under our hands this 20th of February AD 1829.
John M. Kenny { Selectmen { of Joseph Fogg { Scarborough
[Back Page]
Warrant Annual 1829 Recorded
[Warrant rotated]
Scarborough Feby 28th = 1829
Pursuant to the within warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of said town qualified as therein [?] to meet at the time and place and for the purposes therein mentioned.
John M. Parker } Constable
[Transcription by Carole Plowman, Scarborough Historical Society, 3 February 2021]
[Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 70 – Warrant Annual – 1829.jpg”]
Cn By Cash 65.50 “ Board 30.76 96.26 _____ ______ Due 96.67
The foregoing is a true statement of the amount due me for labor and materials performed and furnished in building a two story french roofed frame building and containing thirty five or forty finished rooms designed for a summer hotel and situated on Pine Point so called in the town of Scarboro being the last building on said Pine Point towards the sea owned by one Foss or if not so owned then owned by some person whose name is unknown and the Christian name of the owner is unknown. All just credit are given in said statement and I claim a lien on said building and the lot on which it stands for said labor and materials so performed was furnished in building said building.
Cumberland SS Migiel Levesque
The personally appeared the above named Migiel Leesque and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement this twenty ninth day of December a.D. 1877
Before me Ms. Frank Justice of the Peace
[Back of Page]
Satisfaction Recd
[Fold break]
Scarboro SS
Town Clerk Office
Rec’d Dec 31st 1877 at 10-H-AM-and Recorded in vol-J-Page 294
Attest John A. Milliken – Town Clerk
[Transcription by Carole Plowman, Scarborough Historical Society, 3 February 2021]
[Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 57 – Bill satisfied – 29 Dec 1877”]
Transcription of a 16 April 1835 warrant to inform individuals they had been elected to office. The warrant was completed 28 April 1835.
To John Donnell Constable of the Town of Scarborough
The Persons names in the ensuing list were chosen into office at a meeting of the inhabitants of said town held on the second day of March in 1835 with [?] Waterhouse, George Ward, David Libby, James Larrabee, Jonathan Fogg, Simon Milliken, Sam Coolbroth, Surveyors Lumber.
Daniel Bragdon John Jones Woodbury Libby Silas Libby
Seward Merrill Jacob Libby
John Jofs Stephen Waterhouse
Benjamin Milliken James Larrabee Thomas Fenderson Lok Libby
Collins Moulton Gene Deering Jr. Joseph Foss John M. Foss
James Small Jr Timothy Libby John Hearn Jonothan Fogg
[?] Milliken John Hunnewell Jr. Nathl Boothby
William Plummer Daniel Moulton John Jofo James Larrabee
William Jones Jr [?] Harmon John D. Fabyant Luthern Libby
Moses Chase Osgood Libby Joshua M. Kenny John Hunnewell Jr
William Moses Joseph Larrabee
Simon Milliken Sealer of Weights & measures
Moses Graffam Town Keeper Reuben S. Moulton Fish warden
You are hereby organized in the name of the State of Maine within this day from this night of this warrant to notify and summon each of the said Persons to appear before me within seven days from that time you shall give such notice to take the oath by law prescribed to the office unto which they are soundly chosen.
There of fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at or before the expiration of ten days from the time of your receiving the same.
Given under my hand this 16th day of Apr 1835
Abraham Millihemp Town Clerk
[Back of Page]
Warrant to Jon O/II Donnell Constable to notify Town officers 1835
Scarboro Apr 28 1835
Pursuant to the within I have notified the Persons within named Of there election to there respective offices & for there time to appear & take the oath
John Donnell/Constable
[Transcription by Carole Plowman, Scarborough Historical Society, 3 February 2021] [Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 56 – Warrant to Jon Dommell Constable – 1835”]
“Scrapbook 10.39.01“ consists of newspaper clippings that appear to have been scanned about 2015 but not OCRed until now. The clippings include the following articles:
Page
Article Title
Date
Key Person or Place
.01a
Eight Corners Church
First Free Baptist Church
.01b
Bridal Album: Shirley Eckler – Rev. John Pooler
Rev. John Pooler
.01c
Photo image of 5 women
Nancy Libby
.01e
Lida Libby Kept Abreast of Town News by Mail
Lida Libby
.01f
Mrs. Flora A Daley
1967
Skillin
.01f
Cocker Preaches at Blue Hill
Blue Hill Church
.01h
Gigantic Ship-Building Task Gains Momentum – Four Keels Laid at South Portland Site
(none)
.01i
Pomona Grange Honors 50-Year Member
Jennie Libby
.01j
Wedding of Shirley Neilson Held in Scarborough Church
24 Aug 1958
Shirley Nielsen
.01k
Mrs Littlejohn, Is Dead at 71
1962
Elizabeth Littlejohn
.01l
1,200 View Exhibits In North Scarborough Grange Hall, Attend Dinner and Witness Dog and Horse Races [Also see .01m]
Whereas a dispute has arisen between Nathaniel Joss of Scarborough and Ruben S Moulton of Scarborough about their respective rights in and obligations to maintain a partition fence in the line between their several lands from the high way running Northwest thirty one rods seven links to a corner thence Southwest five rods seven links to land of Jonathan Joss and whereas we the subscribers/fence viewers of the town of Scarborough upon application to us by said Nathaniel Joss gave due notice by each of said parties to attend if they saw cause at the time and place when and whence assignment should be made therefore by virtue of the statute in such cases provided and after having viewed the premises and duly considered the matter in dispute we have assigned and do hereby assign to each of said parties his share of said fence as follows to wit
The said Nathaniel Joss shall build and keep in repair a legal and sufficient fence from a stake by us this Day set up Northwest thirteen rods to a corner thence Southwest five rods seven links to land of Jonathan Joss and the said Ruben S Moulton shall build and keep in repair of a like fence on the other parte of said line via from the highway, running Northwest eighteen rods seven links to the above mentioned stake
Given under hands at said Scarborough this 24th Day of July 1830
Moses Case } Fence Jonathan Foss } Viewers
[Back of Page]
Joss + R S Moulton Recorded
[Transcription by Pam Ridley Keenan, Scarborough Historical Society, 13 January 2020]
[Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 54B – Joss and M L Moulton – 24 July 1830”]
To Joshua Libby one of the Constables of the Town of Scarboro
Greetings
You are hereby required in the name of the State of Maine to summon and notify the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said town qualifyed by law to vote in town meetings to assemble at the Meetinghouse in the first Parish of said town on Monday the twelvth day of March next at ten o’Clock in the fore-noon to act on the following articles [?] –
1 First to choose a moderator to regulate said meeting 2 Secondly to choose a Clerk 3ly – to choose all town officers for the year ensuing or untill others are chosen. School committee laid over till the adjournment. 4th – to choose a committee to settle with the Treasurer. 5th – to see if town will make any alteration in the school districts and vote accordingly. 6th – to see what method the town will take to make or [?] the highways and vote accordingly. 7th – to see what sum of money the town will excise for the support [?] and vote the same. 8th – to see if the town will accept of any return of roads that may be laid before them. 9th – to see if the town will allow any accounts that may be bid before them. 10th -to see what method the town will take to support their poor 11th -to see what sum of money the town will raise for the support of the poor and for contingencies. 12th -lastly to pass any vote or votes relative to the above –
Given under our hands & seals this Fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1821.
Gideon Rice } Selectmen Joseph Fogg } of Benjamin Lombeck } Scarborough
[Page Back]
Annual Warrant 1821 Recorded
Pursuant to the Within warrant I have summoned and notified the inhabitants of said town, qualified as therein prepared to assemble at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned.
Joshua Libby Constable
[Transcription by Carole Plowman, Scarborough Historical Society, 12 January 2020]
[Ref: “Encapsulated Collection 51 – Warrant Annual 1821”]
Pursuant to a request of the freeholders of the town of Scarborough to us directed to lay out a road from the County line between Scarborough & Saco near David Burnhams Bark Hous to the County road near James Parker. We the subscribers, Selectmen of said town have lain the road as follows N [?] = begun at the County Line in the old road near the above mentioned bark hous and run North [?] E 26 rods = Thence North by 20 rods cutting of a small piece of John McKenney’s share = Thence N 35 degrees E [?] = Thence N 45 E in the old road 160 rods to the [?] Line = Thence N 49o E 122 rods across D Moultons land – same cours 24 rods on Joseph Moultons land – same cours 10 rods on Jonathan McKenneys land. Thence N 64 E 400 rods on said McKenney’s land, same cours 45 rods on Joseph Foggs land = same cours 12 ½ rods on the before mentioned McKenney to the School Hous near Moses Libbys = N 50o E 53 rods on Elisha Collins land = same cours 58 rods on Nathaniel Joss Jr land = N 45o E 56 rods between said Collins & Jonathan Joss to between Mitchel and said Joss 312 rods = to between Capt Joshua Moulton & said Joss 25 rods = to between Jonathan Moulton #3 and land owned by the Widow Meserve 54 rods to between Isaac Harmon & John Meserve 59 rods – N 75 E 43 rods on Theophilus Waterhous land = to on Ephraim Libby 104 rods, to on Jeremiah Deering 32 rods = N 46 and 64 rods in the old road N 51 E 75½ rods on John Meserves Land = to on Wm B Larrabees land 72 rods – to 55 rods on Jacob Staples Land, to 27 rods on Joshua Freemans land to 69 rods on John Meserves Land to old road = N 45 E of the road in old road to 19 rods on James Harmons land to the county road leading from Buxton to Portland – said line is to be the senter of said road and said road is to be three rods wide in every part, which is staked out the whole distance.
Laid out by us the subscribers August 15th1823
John [???] } Selectmen of Moses Libby} Scarborough
[Back of page]
A return of the road laid out from the line between Saco & Scarbo to James Parkers
August 15, 1823
[Transcription by Pam Ridley Keenan, Scarborough Historical Society, 17 January 2021]
[Transcriber Note: The author used “hous” instead of the more common “house.”]
[Ref: “Encapsulated collection 55B – Return of a road laid out from town line”]
For questions regarding donations or research, please contact the society:
Scarborough Feby 28th = 1829
You are hereby required in the name of the State of Maine to summon and notify the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said town qualifyed by law to vote in town meetings to assemble at the Meetinghouse in the first Parish of said town on Monday the twelvth day of March next at ten o’Clock in the fore-noon to act on the following articles [?] –
Annual Warrant