As promised, this will be a short blog. I spent most of the day at my computer editing grants and getting ready for 3 federal uploads. I did have time to read through a history of Falmouth (now Portland), Maine.
John Tukey arrived in 1744. By then, Falmouth was becoming a bustling port. In 1725 there were only 45 families in the town, living in log homes. Two years later there were 65 families and by 1730 there were over 100. There were 30 vessels in the harbor plus a number in dry dock. By the time John arrived, his services as a shipwright (wood worker on ships) would have been in high demand.
It is interesting to note that men were not admitted as inhabitants without paying 10 pounds to the town government. Residents were fined if they did not attend church. Problems with the Indians persisted until the Revolutionary War with whole families killed and most everyone staying close to the stockade. All in all, a difficult life.
As with much of North America, the land was covered in forests. Our pioneers were not allowed to cut large trees, suitable for ship masts, for their own use. Trees more than 24" 12" from the ground were the property of the king. Pioneers were employed to cut the trees, haul them to water with teams of 10-20 oxen, and send them down the waterways to the coast. These trees were so valuable that the cutters were expected to create a cushion of trees and branches for the pine to fall on to ensure it wouldn't crack.
So much for the history lesson. More grants and organizing genealogy tomorrow!
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