Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

260 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
the property of Capt. Daniel Fernald, had not the right of
primogeniture been abolished by the laws of Maine. The old
gentleman informed us that at the time the United States purchased the island, in 1806, (when it was purchased of Capt.
Wm. Dennett for $5,500,) lawyer Mason searched the records
ta Alfred, Maine, for the title. He found by the records that
the island was to descend to the oldest male heir from generation to generation, " so long as the grass grows and the
waters run." Had not the laws of Maine annulled all entailments, Mr. Mason said he could put Capt. Fernald in possession of the island at the time for not more than ten
dollars expense. He looks with some interest yet upon the
yard, for one of those great ship houses is erected over
the grave of his father and family. Dr. Reginald Fernald,
the original proprietor, says he was buried near the Brown
place, on the main land near the Navy Yard.
When a young man, Capt. Daniel Fernald participated in
the Revolutionary War, and also in the war of 1812.
He was ever a kind-hearted, humble man, and was
treated with respect by every one. In the war of 1812 he
was in command of the schooner Sally, a coaster, and might
sometimes take a freight to Boston, and at others down east.
It was in the dangerous days of that War, when the British
men-of-war were off our coast, and sometimes in sight from
the land, that Capt. Fernald took on board at Portland two
24-pound cannons needed at our Navy Yard, and 13,000
lbs. of powder, [130 kegs of 100 lbs.]-100 boarding pikes
and cutlasses. The guns were placed in the keelson, and
the kegs of powder around them. He then heaped spruce
wood around them, and piled some cords on deck over the
hatchways. With a speed far inferior to steam he left
Portland for our harbor. Off Saco he was becalmed. The
British 74 Spencer hove in sight. A tender commanded
by a lieutenant was soon sent alongside. After inquiring,
" Where from?" -Portland.'"Where bound?" - Ports