as escheatable in part as not
having been fully settled. It was shown, however, that Nathaniel
Gallop and others had made improvements, built dwellings, barns and
out-houses, but the Indians had burned the houses and destroyed the
crops and finally driven the settlers away. Owing to the distracted
state of the country at the time of the Revolution, no settlement was
practicable near the mouth of the river. Governor Parr used his
influence in Col. Glasier's behalf, assuring him that every effort
would be made to preserve his lands in view of his efforts to promote
the settlement of the country. General Coffin succeeded, after he had
purchased the manor, in getting some valuable settlers to take up
lands at the Nerepis, among them Capt. Henry Nase, a brother officer
in the late King's American regiment, whose descendants still live at
Westfield. In the course of the first year's residence General Coffin
expended more than L1,200 sterling in improving his property. He built
on the Nerepis stream an excellent mill and displayed much enterprise
in other ways.

CHAPTER XXIX.

AT THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION--AFFAIRS CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS.

After the establishment of Major Studholme's garrison at Fort Howe, in
the fall of 1777, the settlers on the river found adequate protection.
The Indians occasionally assumed a hostile attitude it is true,
especially when they were stirred up by Allan's emissaries from
Machias, but they were rather overawed by the proximity of the fort
and were for the most part peacefully disposed. The privateers
continued their depredations on the coast, but kept clear of Fort
Howe. The condition of the settlers on the river had gradually
improved and they were now able to live within themselves. Money too
began to circulate more freely, owing to the development of the
masting industry. In several of the townships primitive grist and saw
mills were to be found, and there was even a small tannery, owned and
operated by one Nathaniel Churchill of Gagetown. Among the artificers
of Maugerville were Sylvanus Plummer, joiner and housewright; James
Woodman, Shipwright; John Crabtree, weaver; Israel Kenny, blacksmith;
Jonathan Whipple, cooper; Benjamin Bailey, housewright; Abel English,
blacksmith.

Among the glimpses of Portland Point, during the closing year of the
Revolution, a rather interesting one is to be found in the diary of
Benjamin Marston, a loyalist of Marblehead, who visited the place in