“Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record; while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks...” – Will and Ariel Durant, The Story of Civilization

“And that is the story of Edgecomb.” – Chip Griffin

Local historian Chip Griffin opened his Jan. 14 talk on Edgecomb history with a reminder that the town’s life is tied to the banks of the Damariscotta and Sheepscot rivers. Griffin spoke to over 100 people packed into the Merry Barn, launching a celebration of the town’s 250th birthday this year with the talk hosted by Edgecomb Historical Society.

“Edgecomb has remained remarkably significant throughout its history and established myriad relationships with its neighboring towns and around the world ...,” Griffin said.

However, Griffin said Edgecomb’s history is often overlooked and hard to find – overshadowed by Wiscasset’s bustling port and the Boothbay region’s busy shipbuilding, fishing and tourist industries. Its early written history is also scarce except for four volumes of detailed records from Katherine Chase Owen. In addition, Native Americans, who had long occupied the region, did not keep written records. Griffin said indigenous people played a significant role in the area, but their history is outside the scope of this particular work, focused on the town of Edgecomb.

Griffin presented the talk in a series of anecdotes, dating back to the 1600s. Among them:  

• Edgecomb was incorporated as a town in 1774 when inhabitants “Do Promise and Ingage our Selves to work on building a Bridge over Sheepscot River at The grate Rock by ye turn of ye River by Benjamin Stickney’s Lot.”  
• Conflicts with the indigenous peoples marked much of the region’s early history, especially from the mid-1600s to mid 1700s. On July 19, 1745, attacks were recorded in Newcastle, Topsham and St. George, and the Provincial Government declared war on the eastern tribes Aug. 23 with bounties for captives or scalps. In what is now Edgecomb, settlers risked their lives going out of garrisons to gather firewood and tend to farms or other duties, and many livestock died. Mrs. Hodge, a farmer who owned a farm in Edgecomb and Sheepscot, pastured her cows daily on Dyers Neck, paddled the float that carried them across the Dyer River and milked them once every 24 hours, returning to the garrison each night.  
• In 1744 or 1754, three men from Boston arrived in an already settled Edgecomb, challenging local deeds from Native Americans for land along the Sheepscot. A Boston lawyer represented the settlers for free and won. In recognition, the settlers named their plantation Freetown. It kept that name until it was incorporated and renamed in honor of Lord George Edgcumbe, who supported the colonies during the Revolution.  
• According to local legend, a piece of Marie Antoinette’s dress worn at her execution was found at Captain Steven Clough’s Edgecomb home, previously known as the Marie Antoinette House. The execution, which Clough said he attended, was on the eve of a plan in collusion with French royalists to rescue her and send her to America.
• In 1820, as the district of Maine separated from Massachusetts, Captain Jotham Parsons of Edgecomb stood up to more powerful men linked to Boston at the statehood convention. According to Griffin, Parsons swayed the convention to name the state “Maine” instead of “Columbus” or a Massachusetts-style commonwealth. 
• According to Griffin, the 1800s were marked by worldliness in Edgecomb and surrounding towns, largely due to vast technological advancements. He said more men and women from Maine traveled around the globe and returned with stories and goods. “In the 1800s particularly, I am convinced that people were much more savvy and pragmatic, but also much more aware of worldwide events than they are today ...,”  he said. 
• In 1815, William Emmerson celebrated the birth of his son and the end of the War of 1812 by planting a willow sprig the day the news of peace arrived. The tree became a landmark on the road from Boothbay to Wiscasset for over a century. It was referenced in several publications, often those noting the poor travel conditions on what is now known as Route 27.  
• In 1875, a mutiny occurred on the Jefferson Borden, captained by William M. Patterson of Edgecomb, joined by two family members. A few days into their voyage from New Orleans to London, a sailor named Miller was put in irons for insubordination. This was in part due to Patterson starving and abusing his crewmen so they would desert at port and not get their pay. Miller eventually killed the captain’s brother and another sailor killed his cousin. When the vessel arrived in England, the murderers were sentenced to be hanged. The sentence was reduced to life in prison once Patterson’s treatment of his crew was revealed.  
• Also in 1875, novelist Blanche Howard wrote about quiet rural life – bird eggs, boats and the search for trout streams and mackerel. “Nothing so startling and unexpected as an emergency ever did or will happen in Edgecomb ...,” she wrote.
• In 1932, someone stole $10,000 worth of liquor from a truck in Edgecomb, according to law enforcement. Some of the liquor came from a jail cell where it had been placed for safekeeping. Someone entered the jail cell and cell room by picking the lock and escaped undetected.  
• The Edgecomb Post office closed on Dec 31, 1971 after serving the town for 161 years.  
• In March 1981, Edgecomb elected Junellen Brault as its first female selectman. 
• In 1985, thousands of dead pogies caused a revolting scene as they polluted waterways and washed ashore. The stench and sight, combined with summer heat, raised havoc with tourism and business as they clogged waterways and nostrils for days.  
• In 1988, Edgecomb applied to create a new school. At an October meeting in 1989 where 75 people showed up, some showed concern about the total cost of the building and right of way on the school property.                           

Overall, Griffin said Edgecomb illustrates the power of place and connections. He said the history of Edgecomb reflects a life that almost forces people to know their neighbors well and share experiences, and this continues. “Edgecomb folks continue to soar in what is more valuable: Striving to listen, give feedback, understanding and uplifting each other in truly meaningful and heartfelt ways,” he said. “All along we’re near the banks, where the stories of civilization continue to flourish and endure.”  

The talk was one of several events planned for Edgecomb’s 250th year. The next, on Fort Edgecomb, is Jan. 21 at the Merry Barn. A full list is published in the Register.