Asa Faunce House

Asa Faunce House

Asa Faunce House (currently at 43 High Street) Asa Faunce House, 1875 George M. Harding, architect The Faunce house is of Italianate design with a center dormer and double pitched roof, an elaborate entry porch with incised details, bracketed cornice, bay window. Asa Faunce was active in various commercial businesses and served as President of the Belfast Savings Bank. ASA FAUNCE BIOGRAPHY: 1841 - MEMBER OF TEMPERENCE SOCIETY In 1841, a new impulse was given to the cause of temperance, by the "Washingtonian 2 movement, which, originating in Baltimore, soon extended throughout the country. Its basis was love and humanity ; an appeal made to the understanding and to the heart. Moral suasion took the place of legal compulsion. On such a laudable foundation, the " Independent Temperance Society of Belfast " was established on the 19th of May, 1841. Two pledges were adopted ; the first limiting the period of total abstinence to one year, and the second continuing for life. After a few weeks, it was perceived that the last embraced the only true principle, and the first form was annulled. Semi-weekly meetings were held during the summer, and many confirmed drunkards were reclaimed Asa Faunce was a member in regular standing, Nov. 11, 1841 1844 - FIRE CAPTAIN The Fire Dept. Captains (called foremen from 1844) which succeeded Mr. Marshall included, Asa Faunce 1849 - PART OWNER OF THE BARK SULIOTE BOUND FOR CALIFORNIA DURING THE GOLD RUSH Following the discovery of gold in California, in 1848, many persons from- this vicinity started for the new El Dorado; the more venturesome by the uncertain and dangerous route of the Isthmus ; others with ox-teams, overland, through a pathless wilderness. The first direct voyage from Maine was projected in and started from Belfast. Early in 1849, the bark "Suliote," of 263 tons, just launched, owned by Asa Faunce and others, and commanded by Captain Josiah Simpson, was announced for San Francisco, provided forty passengers were obtained. To the surprise of the owners, the requisite number soon applied. The freight that offered was of curious and miscellaneous kinds.' Old stocks in the stores were sifted, and the less marketable portions sent out as ventures. Dry goods, groceries, clothing, medicines, and all imaginable articles went. Many of the passengers were forecasting enough to provide small frame buildings ready to put up, and these proved the best investments. In order to fill the hold of the vessel to a suitable height for the construction of passenger accommodations, a large lot of hemlock boards, the readiest thing that came to hand, was bought on ship's account, and taken in. This lumber, which cost about $10 per thousand, was sold in San Francisco at $300 per thousand,-a crowded and shelterless population having forced building materials up to that enormous figure. Towards the end of January, everything was in readiness. The event was one of no small importance, and created much excitement in all this region. The Bangor passengers, on their arrival, were met by a deputation of citizens, and escorted into town with a band of music.. On the 27th, a meeting was held in Washington Hall, on High Street, where a collation was spread and partaken of by the voyagers and their friends. Ex-Governor Anderson presided. Speeches were made by Rev. Dr. Palfrey, Rev. Mr. Cutter, W. H. Weeks, Esq., Captain Simpson, Benjamin Griffin, Esq., W. O. Poor, and others. And it is remarkable to note the fact that, notwithstanding the adventurers were about to sail to an almost unknown land, the future foreshadowed in their speeches was almost precisely what California is to-day, - a region of wonderful resources, great development and unbounded wealth, pervaded by New England enterprise, and controlled by its regard for law and order.1 On Tuesday afternoon, January 30, at two o'clock, the bark set sail ; and, although the day was bitterly cold, a large crowd witnessed her departure. The passenger list numbered fifty. After a passage of one hundred and sixty days, in the course of which. she touched at Cape de Verde Islands and Valparaiso, the vessel1 reached San Francisco on the 19th of July. In a gale off Cape Horn, April 16, Edwin P. Simpson, son of the captain, was washed overboard and lost. This was the only death or accident during the voyage. Soon after the "Suliote " left, Charles B. Hazeltine and Justus G. Miller started by the Isthmus route. They arrived at Chagres March 1, and were until the following September in reaching San Francisco. 1854 - ONE OF THE FIRST DIRECTORS OF THE BANK OF COMMERCE The Bank of Commerce, with a capital of $75,000, incorporated in 1854, commenced business July 1 of that year, over Furber & Bean's store, west of the American House. Hiram O. Alden, Alfred W. Johnson, James P. Furber, John W. White, Asa Faunce, Columbia P. Carter, and W. H. Hunt were the first directors. 1874 - DIRECTOR OF THE RAILROAD The directors of the railroad for 1874-75 were C. B. Hazeltine, William McGilvery, Philo Hersey, J. W. White, William M. Woods, Edward Johnson, Daniel Faunce, Josiah Mitchell, J. G. Dickerson. Charles B. Hazeltine was chosen president, Asa Faunce treasurer, and John H. Quimby clerk. The whole number of passengers carried on the road in 1874 was 17,244; tons of freight, 11,036. In 1840, several of the principal buyers of wood, among them Asa Faunce, gave notice "that, after the 1st of January next, they will not purchase or receive wood as merchantable, unless cut three and a half feet front one peak to the other, and none received unless the refuse wood is culled out, as the character of " Belfast wood" has suffered much from its bad quality and shortness." The price then averaged three dollars per cord.