Pioneers on Maine rivers, with lists to 1651, Part 1

Author: Spencer, Wilbur Daniel, 1872-
Publication date: 1930
Publisher: Portland, Me., Printed by Lakeside Print. Co.
Number of Pages: 424


USA > Maine > Pioneers on Maine rivers, with lists to 1651 > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35



GEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02255 9337


Gc 974.1 Sp34p 1973 Spencer, Wilbur Daniel, 1872 - Pioneers on Maine rivers, with lists to 1651


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


WITH LISTS TO 1651


COMPILED FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCES


"The English in their severall patents are planted along the sea coast and have their habitations nere adjoyning to Rivers navigable for shippinge."


-ANONYMOUS, 1635


BY WILBUR D. SPENCER


GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC. BALTIMORE 1973


Originally Published Portland, 1930


Reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1973


Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Spencer, Wilbur Daniel, 1872-


Pioneers on Maine Rivers, with lists to 1651. Reprint of the 1930 ed. 1. Main-History-Colonial Period. 2. Pioneers-Maine.


3. Rivers-Maine. 4. Maine-Biography. I. Title. F23.S74 1973


974.1'02 72-10466 ISBN 0-8063-0532-0


Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270


Made in the United States of America


To Those Little Groups of Intrepid English Pioneers, Who Founded Maine, Under the Banner of Saint George and in Accord with the Tenets of The Church of England, Consistent in Their Conduct, Liberal with Their Countrymen, Devoted to Their Ideals and Irresistible for Achievement, This Book Is Most Respectfully Dedicated.


BRISTOL, ENGLAND, EARLY HOME OF MANY MAINE PIONEERS


5


CONTENTS


CONTENTS


PAGE


Dedication


3


Introduction


9


The Founders


12


Maine Visiting Lists Before 1630


13


English Proprietary Divisions 24


The First Plantations in New England


28


Chief Executives of Maine Under Gorges


29


The Location, Size and Character of the Settlements in Maine


30


Piscataqua River


33


Isles of Shoals


46


Pioneers


55


Laconia Plantations


56


Great Island


71


Dover


73


Exeter


79


Newichawannock (Berwick)


85


Pioneers


103


Eliot


103


Pioneers


111


Kittery 113


Pioneers 118


Agamenticus


121


York River 122


Settlement 125


Division of Land on the West Bank


135


Division of Land on the East Bank


137


Incorporation of Gorgeana


140


Pioneers 142


Cape Neddock River 146


Ogunquit River 147


6


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


Wells River


149


Pioneers 150


Maryland River


152


Pioneers


157


"Cape Porpoise"


158


Kennebunk River


159


Batson's River


162


Little River


163


"Winter Harbor"


164


Saco River


165


The Second Occupation


168


Division of Land in Biddeford


181


Division of Land in Saco


183


Massachusetts Supremacy


184


Saco Islands


186


Pioneers


186


Scarborough River


191


Stratton's Islands


191


Nonesuch River


193


Pioneers


197 198


Spurwink River


198 200


Pioneers


204


Fore River


209


"The Cabin at Casco"


215


Presumpscot River


216


The Second Occupation of Casco


222


The First Islands Occupied in Casco Bay


231


Pioneers 232


Royal River


234


Cousins Island


237


Pioneers 238


Bunganuck River


239


Pioneers


240


Richmond Island


Cape Elizabeth


7


CONTENTS


New Meadows and Pejepscot Rivers


241


"Imperial Kennebec" 256


Sagadahoc River 257


The Old Empire of Moashan


257


The First Colony 259


Sagadahoc, Lygonia or Plough Patent 266


The Parker Family


268


Pioneers


271


"The Vale of Cushnoc"


272


Kennebec River


273


The Dawn of Christianity on the Kennebec Employes


281


Sheepscot River 283


Pioneers 287


289


Damariscove Island


291


Pioneers


303


"The White Angel of Bristol"


Pemaquid River


304 307 324


Isle of Monhegan


330


Pioneers


352 353


Muscongus River


354


Pioneers 357 358


Saint George's River


363


Penobscot River


364


Pioneers


388


Machias River


390


Appendices :


(A) The Old Planters in Massachusetts 392


(B) The Thirty New England Patents 393


(C) Ancient Maps of Maine 395


(D) The Recall of Neal and Associates 395


(E) The Wannerton Deed 396


(F) The Anonymous "Relation" 397


(G) Indian Titles at Sagadahoc 399


(H) Sullivan's Historical Blunder 399


280


Damariscotta River


John Brown of Pemaquid


"Samoset"


"The Lost Province"


8


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


ILLUSTRATIONS


Bristol, England 4


Pascataqua, 1653


32


Laconia 57


Part of Wood's Map, 1635 66


The River below Newichawannock House


87


Chadbourne Estate, 1764


99


Eliot Lands


107


Point Christian, York River


133


York, 1653 141


Cape Porpoise, 1653 154


Dutch Map, 1631 167


Church Point, Saco River 178 Saco, 1653 185


View of Portland


216


Mackworth's Island


219


Casco, 1653


230


Simancas Map, 1610


257


Plan of Fort Saint George


262


Fort Weston, Augusta


276


Phipps Point 282


Damariscotta River below Newcastle


288


New Harbor 307


Sketch Map of Pemaquid


323


The Cliffs, Monhegan


331


Site of Brown's House, New Harbor


356


Saint George's River 360


Dochet Island, Saint Croix River 365


French Settlements in New France 374


9


INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION


Faint but convincing traces of ancient European occupation of the coast of Maine disclose attempts at permanent as well as transient settlement.


French colonists, who sought the island of Saint Croix in 1604, and again in 1611, and the pioneers of Mount Desert Island, in 1613, did not contemplate abandonment within a decade.


English projects for colonization can only be understood from careful analysis of the considerations which actuated them.


Of all "adventurers" who were interested in the successful evolution of New England, the name of Sir Ferdinando Gorges should be regarded as preeminent. It is true that he was not absolutely free from mercenary motive, but it is impossible, at this late date, to review his action and examine his personality without a sense of his dignity and sincerity. So large a share had he in all great preliminary movements for Northern Colonization of America, that he took occasion, more than once, to chide him- self that results had not been more satisfactory and conclusive.


A striking inference from a critical study of earliest Maine history, as presented by ancient and modern writers upon the subject, is that too much has been taken for granted and that the beginnings of first permanent settlement, in many localities, have been antedated.


A different perspective has been sought by the writer of this story of colonization, which has produced interesting results. The object has been to learn, if possible, how recent rather than how remote were the dates of settlements upon Maine rivers.


The proper position for the study of history is not to be found in the clouds, where all objects appear to attain the same altitude while viewed from above, but it should be taken at the level, so that the true relation of events may be observed in the cross section.


No apology is offered and no quarter is asked for either the substance or arrangement of this treatise. While some of the conclusions may appear to be unsupported by specific records, those particular statements, which a critic might feel disposed


10


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


to challenge, can be shown to be based upon credible authorities in all cases.


It was found impracticable to note all sources of information, but the extensive reference outline, which covers the important field of available published and unpublished materials, both in this country and abroad, may be given full confidence. Where several reprints of a rare book or manuscript are available for general library reference, the original pages of the more ac- curate edition have been cited.


Recent publication of ancient documents or letters, hereto- fore lost or inaccessible, makes possible a sure revision of many important details. For this reason Maine histories, which in- volve many misleading deductions, are seldom quoted.


Any ancient date in the book may be modernized by adding eleven days and, in case of a hyphenated year, by discarding all numerals between the third and final printed figures.


It is apparent that each primitive plantation was composed of a single household, occupying a common fortified habitation in the wilderness. The casual remark of Ambrose Gibbons, pro- prietor of Newichawannock House in 1633, "Our number com- monly hath bin ten," will apply equally well to all other early locations on the coast of Maine.


Many of the present cities of this State have wandered in- land from the original centers of settlement. For comparison they have been arranged in the following list, beginning at the westward.


Piscataqua River : Portsmouth.


Saco River : Biddeford and Saco.


Casco River : South Portland, Portland and Westbrook.


Sagadahoc River : Bath.


Androscoggin River: Auburn and Lewiston.


Kennebec River: Gardiner, Hallowell, Augusta and Water- ville.


Penobscot River: Rockland, Belfast, Bangor, Brewer and Old Town.


Union River: Ellsworth.


Saint Croix River: Eastport and Calais.


The term "Eastward," formerly used as an abbreviation for "Eastward Parts," meant Maine to early New Englanders. On


11


INTRODUCTION


account of its indefinite range the word has been found indis- pensable in this work.


It is the hope of the compiler that this story of Maine faith and perseverance may find a useful niche among the valuable archives of the State and help to inspire future generations with a desire to learn more about its first European visitors.


Great honor is due to Chief Justice Popham, the earls of Arundel and Richmond, to Sir George Calvert and Sir Ferdi- nando Gorges, as promotors, but the real founders of New Eng- land, and especially of Maine, were those indomitable spirits who, now unknown or almost forgotten, donated their humble lives and energies and mingled their dust with our soil as an earnest of their convictions.


What does it matter if for material needs some came thither merely to fish and trade, or if they were outcasts from Europe or the aristocratic colonies of New England! They were bold adventurers and for Maine and America have become pillars in the temple of a new democracy and some of them, possibly, corner stones in the eternal but ever-expanding tabernacle of God.


W. D. S.


12


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


THE FOUNDERS


Bold pioneers of bygone days,


Who left the homes they loved the best And sailed athwart the trackless maze To found an empire in the West.


Tried men and safe were those who steered The sea-worn craft among the riffs ; Brave men and true were those who reared Rough cabins on the northern cliffs.


Whatever dangers might assail, On hopes like theirs the world might wait;


With zeal like theirs no plan could fail, In faith like theirs was born a State.


Great motherland of stalwart men, Who greet incoming tides and times,


Who seek the mysteries again Of modern days and distant climes !


The restless sea roves in their blood, The living north wind stirs their breath,


Their souls reflect that motherhood That forms a part of them till death.


13


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


MAINE VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


1498


Sebastian Cabot, Venetian, from Bristol, England, with five ships and 300 men.


1524


John Verrazano, Florentine, with one ship and fifty men.


1556


Durand de Villegagnon, with a small colony established in a small fort at Norumbega on the Penobscot.


Andre Thevet, historian, in the expedition.


1602


Bartholomew Gosnold, sent by Bristol merchants from Falmouth, England, in the Concord, with thirty-two men.


John Angell.


Gabriel Archer.


John Brereton.


William Brown.


Bartholomew Gilbert.


Robert Meriton.


Martin Pring, of Bristol.


James Rosier.


Robert Saltern.


William Street, master of the Concord.


John Tucker.


1603


Martin Pring, of Bristol, in the Deliverance and Speedwell with forty-three men, surveyed Saco, Kennebunk, York and Pascataqua rivers. William Brown. Robert Saltern.


14


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


1604


Pierre du Guast, known otherwise as Sieur de Monts, settled at Saint Croix Island.


Samuel de Champlain, with twelve men, visited Monhegan Is- land and Sagadahoc River in a boat from Saint Croix.


1605


Sieur de Monts, of Saint Croix, with some gentlemen and twenty sailors, examined the whole coast of Maine and named Monhegan "La Nef," or Ship Island. Samuel de Champlain, official geographer.


Pierre Angibaut, alias Champdore, pilot.


George Waymouth, in the Archangel from Bristol, England, with twenty-nine men, set up crosses at Saint George's Island and at Thomaston ; he kidnapped five Indians, Tahanedo, Amoret, Skidwaros, Mannedo and Assacomoit, from the Pemaquid River region.


Thomas Cam. Owen Griffin. Thomas King. James Rosier. John Stoneham, pilot.


1606


Martin Pring, of Bristol.


Thomas Hanham, who released at Sagadahoc Tahanedo, other- wise known as Nahanada, one of the natives deported by Waymouth.


Jean de Biencourt, of Port Royal. Pierre Champdore, pilot. Samuel de Champlain, official geographer. Daniel Hay. Louis Hebert, apothecary. Robert Pontgrave. Jean du Val.


15


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


1607


George Popham, President of Sagadahoc Company, at Sagadahoc from Plymouth, England, with the Gift of God and Mary and John and 120 men.


Ellis Best.


Lancelot Booker, of Rotherham, York, born 1576.


Gome Carew.


James Davis, in the Gift of God.


John Davis.


Robert Davis, in the Mary and John.


John Diaman, of Stoke Gabriel, born 1553.


Robert Eliot.


John Fletcher, of Stephney, born 1581.


Raleigh Gilbert, admiral of the Mary and John.


John Goyett, of Plymouth.


Thomas Hanham.


Edward Harlow.


John Havercombe, master of the Gift of God. John Hunt.


Edward Popham, nephew of George.


Timothy Savage, of Saint Brigid, London, born 1563.


Richard Seymour, clergyman.


(Other members : Digby, Fosque, Patteson and Turner.)


1608


(All Sagadahoc settlers returned to England.)


1609


(No record of European visitation, but Hakluyt's description of Moashan was derived in part from data secured that year.)


1610


Jean de Biencourt sighted land near Monhegan Island.


Sir George Somers visited the Penobscot region from Virginia, where he had just settled.


Sir Samuel Argal, commander of one of Somers' vessels, ranged the southern coast of Maine.


16


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


1611


Jean de Biencourt, late in the year, with sixteen men from Port Royal examined the site of Fort Saint George on the west- erly side of Sagadahoc River, which the English had deserted; he found fishing boats left by Virginia fisher- men at Monhegan Island, then called Emetenic by the French.


Pierre Biard.


Robert Pontgrave.


(Captain Platrier, of Dieppe, living at Saint Croix Island.)


(Two vessels from Virginia.)


1612


English fishermen quartered at Monhegan Island during the summer.


1613


Sir Samuel Argal, from Virginia, raided Mount Desert Island, where the French had begun settlement early that year.


William Turnell, lieutenant for Argal, took as captives :


Pierre Biard.


Jean de Biencourt.


Isaac Bailleul.


Charles Fleury.


Enemond Masse.


Nicholas de la Motte.


Francis de Quentin.


Gilbert du Thet died in the conflict.


1614


John Smith, from London, with forty-five men and boys in two ships.


Michael Cooper, captain of Smith's flag-ship.


Thomas Hunt, master of Smith's other vessel, called the Long-Robert, kidnapped twenty-four Indians and sold some of them in Spain.


Samuel Crampton, and expert whale-fisherman.


(A vessel belonging to Sir Francis Popham.)


17


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


Edward Harlow, from the Isle of Wight, with five natives and under instructions from Sir Ferdinando Gorges to investi- gate a gold mine at Capawick (Martha's Vineyard.) Nicholas Hobson, captain of the vessel.


John Matthew, a relative of Gorges.


Two relatives of Gorges, named Sturton.


1615


Michael Cooper, for the Virginia Company, with four ships from London and Smith's trained crews of the previous year. Thomas Dermer, with one of Smith's vessels from Plymouth.


1616


Sir Richard Hawkins, president of the Plymouth Company, with the Garland and one other vessel, after wintering at the West Indies, arrived at Monhegan Island, where he found : Edward Brawnde, master of the Nachen from London, with a typical fishing crew of twenty men.


John Bennett, chief mate.


Brian Tocher, second mate.


William Treedel, owner of the ship.


John Edwards, merchant of the ship.


John Hill, boatswain.


John Downs, boatswain's mate.


William Gayne, gunner and pilot.


James Farre, gunner's mate.


John Barrens, Henry Batteshill, Nicholas Collins and Thomas Webber, quartermasters.


John Brimelcome, steward.


Nicholas Head and John Hutton, cooks.


John Hept, Thomas Roberts, Thomas Tobey, John Wiles and Philip Wiles, seamen.


James Edwards, master of the Trial from London. Arthur Hitchens, master of the Blessing from Plymouth. William West, master of the Judith from London.


John Winter, master of the David from Plymouth.


(Sir Francis Popham's vessel made a prosperous voyage.)


18


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


1617


English vessels, delayed too long by unfavorable winds, went di- rectly to Newfoundland instead of visiting New England.


1618


Edward Rocraft, alias Stalling, with about a dozen companions, left at Monhegan Island by a fishing vessel belonging to Gorges.


Richard Vines, with other Englishmen, abandoned at Winter Harbor (Biddeford Pool) by Rocraft, who went south for the winter.


1619


Thomas Dermer, who had resided for two years in Newfound- land, with a few other men, sent to cooperate with Ro- craft, landed at Monhegan Island by Gorges' vessel.


John Ward, in the Sampson from Virginia, with whom Dermer, bound for Virginia in a small pinnace, shipped his pro- visions.


1620


Thomas Dermer, returned to Monhegan Island in his pinnace and was fatally wounded by Massachusetts Indians.


1621


William Tucker, master of the Eleanor, of Orston, trading and fishing at Monhegan for Abraham Jennings, of Plymouth, and Ambrose Jennings and William Cross, of London, styled Jennings and Company. (Six or seven other vessels fishing and trading at Monhegan.)


1622


Barnstable masters and ships on the Maine Coast :


Christopher Browning. James Cook.


Mark Cook. John Hodge.


Adam Horden, master of the John.


19


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


John Lausey.


John Lucks.


Anthony Nichols.


John Penrose.


John Witheridge.


Richard Whilkey, in the Rebecca.


Other Englishmen :


Arthur Champernoone, in the Chudley.


John Gibbs, mate of the Sparrow from London, with a fishing crew under Captain Rogers at Damariscove Island.


Thomas Morton, passenger in the Charity bound for Massa- chusetts, where he was to begin a plantation for Thomas Weston, of London.


Phineas Pratt and five other persons associated with Weston. John Huddleston, from England, by way of Virginia, in the Bona Nova.


Thomas Jones, from London bound for Virginia in the Dis- covery.


John Pory, passenger for England, at Damariscove in the Discovery.


William Reynolds, master of the Charity, bound for Virginia. William Vengham, master of a vessel of Jennings and Com- pany.


Edward Winslow, of New Plymouth, at Monhegan for sup- plies.


(The Abraham and Nightingale, vessels of Jennings and Com- pany, were on the coast during the summer.)


1623


John Corbin, with a few passengers for Pascataqua and Vir- ginia, in the Providence from Plymouth.


David Thompson, at Pascataqua from Plymouth.


William Gibbons at Casco.


Richard Whilkey, from Barnstable in the Rebecca.


Thomas Weston, disguised as a blacksmith, arrived at Damaris- cove.


Employes of Weston at Damariscove in the Swan:


Edward Johnson.


Phineas Pratt.


20


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


John Sanders.


John Howbeck, at Damariscove from Virginia.


Thomas Squibbs, at Damariscove in the service of Lord Edward Gorges in the Katherine.


Joseph Stratton with Squibbs.


Francis West, admiral from England in the Plantation at Dama- riscove.


John Witheridge, at Pemaquid in the Eagle from Barnstable, owned by Melchard Bennett.


New Plymouth planters at the Eastward for supplies : Myles Standish. Edward Winslow.


Robert Gorges, from Wessaguscus, at Pascataqua and Casco in the Swan.


Christopher Levett, coasted late in the year with seven or eight men in boats, from Pascataqua to Cape Newagen.


(Five vessels from Plymouth and two from Dartmouth, without licenses, fished upon the coast during the year.)


1624


Prominent Englishmen at Casco :


Robert Gorges, governor for New England.


Christopher Levett, builder of the first house.


Thomas Weston, with 50 men and 17 guns, in the Swan. Fishermen in the Little James at Pemaquid Harbor :


Emanuel Altham, captain, from New Plymouth.


John Bridges, master.


Thomas Fell, carpenter.


Peter Morritt, drowned sailor.


William Stevens, gunner.


John Vow, drowned sailor.


John Witheridge, master of the Eagle from Barnstable, at Pem- aquid.


Traders at Monhegan Island :


Luke Edan, merchant in the Return, from Elizabeth City, Virginia.


Henry Hewett, factor for William Constable in the William and John.


William Reynolds, master of the William and John.


21


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


Factors for Jennings and Company at Monhegan :


John Corbin.


Edmund Dockett ("Doggett").


Thomas Piddock.


William Pomfrett.


William Vengham, resident on the premises.


Samuel Maverick, with Robert Gorges at Sagadahoc.


The crew of the Unity which arrived, via Canada, at Cape Ann June 25 :


Stephen Bolton, of Wapping, England.


James Boyden, who remained in New England.


Gregory Castle, who returned to England.


John Crookdeak, sailor.


William Edwards, chief mate, who remained in New England. John Harvey, part owner of the vessel.


William Holland, sailor.


Thomas Scott, sailor.


John Wallaston, captain of the Unity.


Tobias White, of Radcliffe, England, master of the Unity.


Passengers in the Unity:


John Anthony.


John Howard.


John Martin, Virginia planter.


Thomas Morton, of Mount Wallaston.


Abraham Pelletier, who removed to Virginia.


Humphrey Rastell, London merchant interested in Mount Wallaston.


Thomas Savage, a servant of Rastell who removed to Virginia. John Smith, bound for Virginia.


Sackford Wetherell, bound for Virginia.


(The Charity, fishing for New Plymouth adventurers at Cape Ann, and the ship of Captain Coke or Cook, visited Port- land Harbor on their return to England.)


1625


John Witheridge, of Barnstable, at Pemaquid Harbor.


Fishermen and traders at Damariscove Island :


Jeffrey Cornish, alias Williams, sailor from England.


22


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


Thomas Crispe, merchant from Virginia. Robert Newman, planter from Virginia.


The crew of the Swan at Damariscove :


Arthur Avelling, servant of Robert Newman, from Virginia.


Edmund Barker, seaman.


William Foster, who died in Virginia December 10, 1626.


John Giles, servant of Nicholas Row, of Virginia.


Nicholas Hodges, seaman.


Christopher Knolling, seaman.


Edmund Nevell, of Virginia, master of the Swan.


Nicholas Row, seaman.


John Saker, of Virginia.


Thomas Weston, London merchant and owner of the Swan. Edward Winslow, with colonists from New Plymouth, trading with the Indians on Kennebec River.


1626


Mariners at Casco : John Cousins, seaman.


Peter Garland, master of a vessel.


Traders on Kennebec River, from Massachusetts : Walter Bagnall. Edward Gibbons. Thomas Morton. John Peverly.


John Oldham, in the Happy Entrance, from Canada.


1627


Weymouth masters at Casco :


Arthur Guyer. William Lash. Henry Russell. Joseph Russell.


Other seamen in Casco Bay :


Ambrose Bouden, mariner, of Holberton, in the Consent. John Mills, seaman. James Randall, master of the Providence from Plymouth. John Taylor, of Jalme, fisherman with the Consent.


23


VISITING LISTS BEFORE 1630


Bennet Wills, boat-master with the Consent.


John Winter, in the Consent, from Plymouth.


Nathaniel Waters, master of the Return from Millbrook.


Traders on the Kennebec River :


Walter Bagnall. Edward Gibbons. Thomas Morton. John Peverly.


Traders at Monhegan Island : William Bradford. Abraham Shurt. David Thompson. Edward Winslow.


1628


Traders resident on Richmond Island : Walter Bagnall, from Wessaguscus. John Peverly, his companion.


Traders living with the Indians at Castine : Edward Ashley, from Bristol. John Deacon, his servant.


1629


Those who took a "vew" of the Maine Coast:


Richard Bonython.


Thomas Lewis.


Walter Neal.


John Oldham.


George Vaughan. Richard Vines.


Isaac Allerton at "The Eastward." Edward Winslow, with others from New Plymouth, at Cushnoc.


24


PIONEERS ON MAINE RIVERS


ENGLISH PROPRIETARY DIVISIONS


April 10, 1606, James I, of England, granted to the London and Plymouth Companies all of North America situated between the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth parallels of latitude.


November 3, 1620, James I allotted to the Council of Plymouth, in severalty, all of that part of North America comprised between the fortieth and forty-eighth parallels.


WESTERN DIVISION.


July 24, 1622, Ludovic Stewart, Earl of Richmond as well as Duke of Lennox, was granted a tract of land which ex- tended for fifteen miles eastward from the middle of Saco River and for thirty miles inland. An island, since known as Richmond Island, was included in this conces- sion. On the same date, Sir George Calvert was given a tract of equal proportions situated on the western bank of Sagadahoc River, together with the island of "Setquin" (Seguin) .


August 10, 1622, the entire district between Pascataqua and Sag- adahoc rivers was assigned to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason.


June 27, 1623, the twenty surviving members of the Council of Plymouth, including Calvert, Gorges, Mason and Stewart, renounced all former rights to individual concessions in New England and had their allotments on the Atlantic seaboard between the Hudson and Saint Croix rivers de- termined by lot in the presence of the king. Even after this agreement no lines of division between the patentees were ever defined, and seven years later the council began to confer lesser patents of a private character describing the following locations :




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