Norman Muller cc's me this email:
In going though my notes on the Lochmere "fort" in New Hampshire, I came across this old account of structures on an island in Silver Lake, just off Lochmere.
In going though my notes on the Lochmere "fort" in New Hampshire, I came across this old account of structures on an island in Silver Lake, just off Lochmere.
The first account is by Jacob Moore, in a letter/report he submitted to Isaiah Thomas, president of the American Antiquarian Society of Worcester, dated 1822:
"On the island in the bay, similar implements (at the "fort" Moore described "rock crystals cut in the shape of diamonds, hearts, squares, trines; also ornamented pipes of stone and of clay; coarse pottery, ornamented with figures, arrow heads, hatchets, chisels") have been found, and skeletons disinterred. This seems to have been a place of resort in cases of emergency, and within the recollection of many persons, before the island was cultivated, there were several large cellars within it, in which it is probable the natives preserved their maize, or deposited their weapons and utensils." Lochmere was settled in the 1760s, and so this account probably refers to a period in the late 1700s.
In 1850, E.G. Squier published an account of the Lochmere "fort" in the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, (Vol II, 1850, 87-89), along with an engraving of the "fort." On page 88, Squire presented an updated account from Moore (compiled in 1847), in which the latter wrote: "Before the island was cultivated, there were several large excavations, resembling cellars or walls discovered, for what purpose constructed or used, can of course only be conjectured" (emphasis mine). To me, "cellars or walls" imply structures of stone.
While we know that the Indians constructed pits to preserve their maze, "cellars" of stone could also be viewed as underground stone chambers.
Update:
A note from JimP (promoted from comments):
"It was his [Major Hanse Robinson's) lot, near McCobb's Narrows, we believe, that, when first taken possession of, there was found what has always been called the 'Old Cellar,' but which, from recent examination, made by Mr. I. S. Burton, appears to have claims to much greater interest than is usually attached to that class of ruins. The first huts of the settlers here, were usually without cellars, or, at most, with only a slight, unwalled, excavation, entered by a trap door in the middle of the room. But this was a deep and capacious structure, 40 feet in length, and at this day not less than 9 feet in depth; well walled, when first discovered, with hewn timber, since crumbled to dust; and situated on a point projecting into the river, with a cove on one side, to which a subterranean passage, with similar walls and depth, led from the main structure." (Eaton 1865:376)
EATON, Cyrus. 1865. History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, Vol. II. Hallowell: Masters, Smith & Co.
Also, from Ros Strong email:
The site referred to as Thomaston, really refers to one in Cushing (Thomaston is the larger town at the head of the peninsulas in midcoast Maine.) I have been aware of this for many years, some older NEARA people have looked for it unsuccessfully since the 70s at least. To my knowledge no one has found anything verifiable. I was taken there in 2000 by a local historian who has since died. There is only large pit filled with brush behind a house with a friendly owner (at that time). What is more interesting is some distance to the north on a; high bluff overlooking the narrows of the St. George River, there are remnants of what was most likely a fort, just a part of a stone wall and inland a bit is a substantial mound. I have copies of old historical references by Eaton and others beginning in 1865 in local town histories. I have a site report ending with a note that I need to contact the local historical society that as is usual around here, meets only in the spring and summer. I intend to pursue it next year. There are many stories along the Maine coast of tunnels running to the sea but none of them have been tracked down.
Update:
A note from JimP (promoted from comments):
"It was his [Major Hanse Robinson's) lot, near McCobb's Narrows, we believe, that, when first taken possession of, there was found what has always been called the 'Old Cellar,' but which, from recent examination, made by Mr. I. S. Burton, appears to have claims to much greater interest than is usually attached to that class of ruins. The first huts of the settlers here, were usually without cellars, or, at most, with only a slight, unwalled, excavation, entered by a trap door in the middle of the room. But this was a deep and capacious structure, 40 feet in length, and at this day not less than 9 feet in depth; well walled, when first discovered, with hewn timber, since crumbled to dust; and situated on a point projecting into the river, with a cove on one side, to which a subterranean passage, with similar walls and depth, led from the main structure." (Eaton 1865:376)
EATON, Cyrus. 1865. History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, Vol. II. Hallowell: Masters, Smith & Co.
Also, from Ros Strong email:
The site referred to as Thomaston, really refers to one in Cushing (Thomaston is the larger town at the head of the peninsulas in midcoast Maine.) I have been aware of this for many years, some older NEARA people have looked for it unsuccessfully since the 70s at least. To my knowledge no one has found anything verifiable. I was taken there in 2000 by a local historian who has since died. There is only large pit filled with brush behind a house with a friendly owner (at that time). What is more interesting is some distance to the north on a; high bluff overlooking the narrows of the St. George River, there are remnants of what was most likely a fort, just a part of a stone wall and inland a bit is a substantial mound. I have copies of old historical references by Eaton and others beginning in 1865 in local town histories. I have a site report ending with a note that I need to contact the local historical society that as is usual around here, meets only in the spring and summer. I intend to pursue it next year. There are many stories along the Maine coast of tunnels running to the sea but none of them have been tracked down.
2 comments :
This also might be of interest to you:
"It was his [Major Hanse Robinson's) lot, near McCobb's Narrows, we believe, that, when first taken possession of, there was found what has always been called the 'Old Cellar,' but which, from recent examination, made by Mr. I. S. Burton, appears to have claims to much greater interest than is usually attached to that class of ruins. The first huts of the settlers here, were usually without cellars, or, at most, with only a slight, unwalled, excavation, entered by a trap door in the middle of the room. But this was a deep and capacious structure, 40 feet in length, and at this day not less than 9 feet in depth; well walled, when first discovered, with hewn timber, since crumbled to dust; and situated on a point projecting into the river, with a cove on one side, to which a subterranean passage, with similar walls and depth, led from the main structure." (Eaton 1865:376)
EATON, Cyrus. 1865. History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, Vol. II. Hallowell: Masters, Smith & Co.
Thanks, Jim, for the link.
I sent this information to friends of mine in Maine who live fairly close to thomaston. Perhaps this feature still exists in part. Worth checking out.
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