Author: Robert V. Chandler
"Somewhere in the area of what is now Germany, my fifth great grandfather, Peter OTT, Sr., born about 1731/3, responded to the recruitment effort (Waldo Patent) by Samuel Waldo and with about 1,500 others emigrated in 1752/3 from the Rhineland to the settlement of Broad Bay (Waldoborough/Waldoboro), Lincoln County, Maine.
Dissatisfied because of severe problems with Indians allied with the French, political intrigues about land ownership and poor land quality, Peter, in 1763/4, sold out and moved over the mountain to a settlement at Goose River (Rockport) on Penobscot Bay between Camden and Rockland. Here he homesteaded with his wife, Elizabeth, raised two children, Peter, Jr., and Elizabeth, established and ran the local tavern and cattle pound while becoming prominent in local affairs.
When the Lexington/Concord war news reached the area, “Peter Ott’s Tavern” was the local hot spot for news, mail and heated discussions because numerous Tories were in residence, too. Many of the men immediately left for the Boston area to join the fight. Most of the remaining men formed into militia units. Peter’s son, who also served in the war, and daughter both have interesting tales of adventure during the war era.
Peter had three known military deployments: His first, as a Private, was with Captain Plumber’s Company which was stationed at St. Georges for six months in 1776 for defense of seacoast. This service was primarily for watching out for small British craft carrying “coasters” (marauders) who fired buildings, stole weapons and supplies, killed livestock, and physically harassed the residents. These local men who served as such became the first revolutionary coast guards.
The second deployment was in July 1777 as a Sergeant in Captain Crosby’s Company which was raised for a six-month expedition against St. John ’s River, Nova Scotia. However, he served only 45 days as the expedition was severely defeated by British forces and sent scurrying over sea and land to safety.
His last deployment came in the summer of 1779 as a Private again in Captain Ulmer’s Company which participated in the ill-fated Penobscot Expedition. This Expedition was an attempt to drive the British out of that part of Maine because the British garrisoned at Halifax, Nova Scotia, had established a foothold and were trying to bribe and incite the Indians and Tories to “cause mischief”.
Peter died December 20, 1825, and is interred at Camden’s Mountain View Cemetery beside his wife and son. His and Peter, Jr.’s sites both are marked with DAR markers and had American flags when I visited. I was pleased to see these patriots were being remembered, their final resting places well cared for and their services appreciated.
Today’s “Peter Ott’s (Steakhouse and) Tavern” is neither the original building nor site but, instead, a modern restaurant ($$$) in downtown Camden on a side street by the water. However, Peter’s home (and original tavern) still stands occupied on the “ol’ Rockland Road” (US 3) with a large American flag flying high over the front yard. I daresay he likes that—he certainly did earn it.
Postscript: During the war of 1812, a British naval party commandeered Peter’s boat and forced him and the local fisherman with him to row the party up the river to Belfast so they could scout the target they were planning to attack. During the night both escaped and warned local American military units of the British presence, which information prevented the attack. At this time, Peter was 74 years young and nearly blind. "