1769 - 1775

TIMELINE:

May 22, 1769:  Town Meeting – approved Paul Little and 16 Men, “to be excused from serving in

                           Any Town Office until March, 1775, in consideration of their taking care of and

                           Managing the Engine.”   (From copy of Falmouth book of records, 1718-1773, page 304)

                           Small wooden building built on Middle Street, near the northwest corner of King

                           Street, which was previously called Broad Street, and presently named India Street.

May 25, 1774   “Town house, school house and engine house removed.” (Dr. Deane’s diary, page 335)

                           This was the location where the old meeting house and town house stood.

                           This was to make way for a new court house built at the corner of Middle and

                           King Streets.  Left of the new building was a small structure and 2nd-left was the

                           Engine house, detailed on the map, “Falmouth in 1775.” (Portland)

June 15, 1775: “Stroudwater Meeting House in danger of being burned, the engine carried up”

                           (Dr. Deane’s diary, page 338)

October 16th:   “A fleet of five or six vessels of war anchored at the island with (Captain) Mowat, a cat

                           Bomb ship, two cutter schooners and a small bomb sloop.”    (Rev. Smith’s journal, page 230)

October 17th:   “They came up before the town, P.M.,  sent word that in two hours they should fire upon

                           The town, which was respited.” (Rev. Smith’s journal, page 230)

October 18th: “18. Wednesday.   The town destroyed: fine day.”   (Dr. Deane’s diary, page 339)

                           “At nine A.M. they began and continued until dark, with their mortars and cannon, when

                           With marines landing, they burnt all the lower part of the town and up as far as Mr.

                           Bradbury’s,  except Mrs. Ross’ two houses,   and son Thomas’ shop and stores,          my house

                           Being included. I rode to Windham just before the firing began, as did Mrs. Smith

                           Yesterday. A Solemn time!” (Rev. Smith’s journal, page 230)

                                   In Lieutenant Mowat’s report; “At the same time, the cannonade began from all the

                           Vessels and continued till six – by that hour the body of the town was in one flame.” 

                           * Engine House, Engine and a total of 414 buildings destroyed, when Falmouth

                           Neck was burned and bombarded by England’s ships, the Canceau and four other

                           Vessels under command of Captain Henry Mowat, a British Naval Lieutenant.

                           In addition to this, eleven Falmouth ships were burned and sunk in the harbor,

                           And 160 families were homeless.  It is indicated the engine house and engine

                           Were set fire early on, when 30 British Marines and Seamen came ashore to

                           Destroy the town in this bombardment during the Revolutionary War.

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