Thomas Davee
Thomas Davee, the subject of this sketch, was a resident of Blanchard while he was a member of the National Congress, and when that town was a part of Somerset County. Hon. J. W. Porter, editor of the Maine Historical Magazine, in a recent article regarding Mr. Davee (Vol. IX, page 90, Me. Historical Magazine), says that he was the founder of the town of Dover. He came from sturdy Pilgrim stock, being the son of Solomon and Jedidah (Sylvester) Davie, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, born there December 9, 1797. After arriving at the age of twenty-one years he went to Hebron, Maine, and remained there until 1821, when he removed to what is now Dover. While in Hebron he married Euth Barrows.

Loring's History of Piscataquis County, page 53, says: "In 1821, Thomas Davee put up a store and potash factory, and commenced to trade in 1822." He was the first merchant in Dover. He was town clerk for the year 1823, and for several years afterwards, Undoubtedly he was a fanner with his other avocations, for among the sheep marks in these records appears the following : " Thomas Davee, mark of sheep : a square crop off each ear, and a hole in each ear. Rec. and recorded Mar. 7, 1828."

Dover was then a part of Penobscot County, and the first deed to him is recorded in Penobscot records, Vol. IX, page 437, from Stephen Young. It conveyed lot No. 13, R. 4. He was an extensive owner of real estate in the new town at one time, and was for some years the largest land owner except the proprietors. He also acquired large interests in upper Pis- cataquis lands, owning considerable in common with the Vaughans, and Charles Blanchard of Portland.

In 1831, he and Charles Blanchard bought township No. 3, range 3, of the Bingham purchase: this was incorporated as a town March 17,1831, and called Blanchard in honor of Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Davee's joint partner in this enterprise. This was then a part of Somerset County. It is evident that his intention was immediately to unite his fortunes with the town where he was so large an owner, but his business interests at Dover were such that he did not move his family and permanently locate there until April, 1833. Blanchard and Davee for a time carried on a large lumber business there, besides trading and operating mills.

He was interested in political affairs, and while a resident of Blanchard and until his death was very successful in this respect. He belonged to the Democratic party, and was said to have been at one time the most influential and popular man in the party in Eastern Maine. He was a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1826-27, and of the Maine Senate 1830-32. In 1835 he was again elected to a seat in the Maine Legislature, and was chosen speaker of the House of Representatives. He was appointed sheriff of Somerset County by Gov. Dunlap, February 24, 1835, and resigned the speakership February twenty-sixth, Jonathan Cilley of Thomaston being elected in his stead. This was an important move in his career as a public man, for the office of sheriff was then of much local consequence, and he thus had the appointment of a large number of deputies. He immediately became a candidate in his party for Congress, and was nominated and elected, and served in the national House of Representatives in 1837-41. He served on the committee of invalid pensions, and on several important special committees while a member of Congress. During the session of 1839 he presented many petitions from his constituents in Somerset County, " praying Congress not to admit any new state into the Union, whose constitution tolerates slavery." One of the largest of these petitions was from Cyrus Packard, and others, of Blanchard, which Mr. Davee presented February 18, 1839.

From a perusal of the Congressional Records of that period, it does not seem that Mr. Davee took an active part in the debates, but his name appears with frequency in the presentation of petitions, claims, and resolves, affecting the material interests of his constituents, who were many of them poor settlers in sparsely inhabited communities. It is evident that he was diligent in his labors for them, and faithful to every trust. One of these petitions was for reimbursment for injuries received at Madawaska and was presented to Congress by Mr. Davee January 7, 1839 : it was from E. S. Greeley of Dover (now in Piscataquis County), who states therein that he was appointed by the commissioners of Penobscot County, by authority of law, to take the census of Madawaska, a portion of the disputed boundary between this country and Great Britain ; that he attempted to perform that service, and in doing so was imprisoned by the British authorities, for a great length of time ; that he suffered greatly in health and pecuniary resources, and therefore now prays Congress to allow him such compensation as they may deem proper.

Piscataquis County was incorporated in 1838, and Blanchard included therein. Having been elected to the National Congress two terms he was not a candidate for reelection from the new county. In 1841, he was elected once more to a seat in the Senate of Maine. His death occurred on the anniversary of his birthday, December 9, 1841.

Thomas S. Pullen was elected to fill the vacancy caused by his death. In the Senate, January 19, 1842, Senator Pullen introduced resolves relating to the late senator-elect, Thomas Davee, one of which says: " He presented an eminent instance of the successful performance of high and difficult trusts, and never fell short of the hopes of his friends. He was courteous, affectionate and pure."

He was not a public speaker in the common acceptance of the term, but it is said that he possessed executive ability to an eminent degree, and had the tact, sagacity, sound judgment, and magnetic qualities which are always essential in the leaders of men. All agree that he was of undoubted integrity and uprightness of character.

He was favorably mentioned by the party leaders in the state as a candidate for governor, and had he not been stricken down early in life he would undoubtedly have been elected to this high office.

Previous to his decease he acquired property in Monson, and was interested in business enterprises there, and intended to change his residence to that place. His remains lie in the old Monson burying-ground, near the Congregational church.
[Collections of the Maine Historical Society, By William Willis, 1897 - Submitted by K. Torp]

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