Person:George Dodge (10)

His work as a mason

The first Wiscasset Customs House was built by George Dodge (and designed by Alexander Johnston, Jr.). "The lower part was of stone and the upper part of brick with a master coating of brown. The work was done by George Dodge, a native of Wiscasset and a superior mason from his earliest youth, whose only absence from this town was the time spent in Boston, completing his trade."^{S5, p. 120}

The First Parish Church in Wiscasset was rebuilt in 1908 after a fire; workmen found a time capsule sealed in the cornerstone of the church: a "sealed bottle containing a copy of the New York Daily Express, June 7, 1839, published by Townsend and Brooks; a copy of the Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot, June 26, 1839, edited by Nathan hale; a written list of thirty six 'young men in Wiscasset, 1839, unmarried between the ages of 18 and thirty,' [and] a letter...and the pen with which it was written."^S5

Here's the letter:

Town of Wiscasset

July 2d A D 1839

Greeting:

This bottle with its contents was deposited this day, in the North East corner of the foundation of the new church, belonging to the first Parish & contains two newspapers, this note and the pen with which it is written. In a southwest direction, 5 (five) feet distant from this bottle is another, containing fruit which was gathered yesterday (July 1st) by me.

The foundation was laid between the 25th of June and the 4th of July by Messrs. David & George Dodge assisted by their Father Thomas Dodge. The building will be completed next November, by a Mr. Melcher of Brunswick who contracts to build the same for $5,500 or thereabouts.

Our village contains at present about 3,000 Inhabitants. There are three Meeting Houses, 1 Court House, Town House, 1 Bank, Poor House and Jail. Five ships, 1 Barque & about 15 Brigs and Schooners are owned here. There are two Steam Saw Mills in active operation & 1 Foundry. We are 1 day in getting news from Boston 3 from New York & 12 from Savannah (Geo.)

The Atlantic steamers have been in operation about 16 months running from Liverpool & Bristol (Eng.) to N. York. Average passage out of N. York 16 1/2 days home 13 days. The cultivation of silk begins to attract attention. Thousands have already embarked in it but many doubt. Things look squally beyond the sea; in Europe, Asia & India. Spain is torn with civil dissensions as also the South American Republics.

The astonishing changes that have taken place within a century, yea, within even my own recollection, have induced me to make these few remarks, to call your attention to the difference between your time and the present.

It is a solemn thought that I write to a generation yet unborn: that when your eyes see this, mine eyes will be closed forever: the heart that now beats will then be still: the hand that now writes will be turned to dust, & the mind that now animates this perishable frame will have gone to God who gave it, & naught will remain, save this scroll perchance, to tell that I have lived and died. There is truly much food for reflection here.

God bless you, all. Farewell.

Alexander Johnston, Jr.

Born Dec 20th, 1815.

Aet. 23 yrs. 6 months.

1. ↑ Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedules. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432)
   Database online. Wiscasset, Lincoln, Maine, roll M432_260, page 372, image 100.

   Record for George Dodge

2. ↑ Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Database online. Edgecomb, Lincoln, Maine, post office Edgecomb, roll M653_442, page 0, image 136.

   Record for George Dodge

3. ↑ Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Database online. Newcastle, Lincoln, Maine, post office Newcastle, roll 549, page 587, image 358.

   Record for George Dodge

4. ↑ Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Database online. New Castle, Lincoln, Maine, ED 126, roll T9_483, page 523.4000, image 0738.

   Record for George Dodge

5.   Chase, Fannie S. (Fannie Scott). Wiscasset in Pownalborough: a history of the shire town and the salient historical features of the territory between the Sheepscot and Kennebec rivers. (Wiscasset, Maine: [s.n.], c1941)
   p 238-239, p. 120.

   See text

6. ↑ George Dodge, in Wiscasset (Maine). Town Clerk. Town and vital records, 1739-1929. (Wiscasset, Maine)
   Online database, FamilySearch Record Search, Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Accessed 24 Aug 2010.

   Name: George Dodge
   Gender: Male
   Birth Date: 29 Apr 1804
   Birthplace: Wiscasset, Lincoln, Maine
   Father's Name: Thomas Dodge
   Mother's Name: Phebe
   Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C52118-1
   System Origin: Maine-EASy
   Source Film Number: 12309
   Reference Number: v 3 p 470
   Collection: Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900

7. ↑ Dodge, George, in Maine, United States. Maine Death Records, 1617-1922. (Augusta, ME: Maine State Archives)
   online database, Ancestry.com.

   Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; Pre 1892 Delayed Returns; Roll # 30.