Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-08-25
Allotment Of Trustees,
From Zion's Herald.
First Religious Worship held
in New England.
BY REV. JOHN l.. LOCKE.

Near the cmbouchurc oil the SAINT
Croix river-which serves as the bound
ary between southeastern Maine and the
corresponding part New Brunswiek-a
small islald is to be seen. with which is
associated an event of sacred interest to
the student of American ecclesiastical
history. 1t was Oh this island where was
held the first Chrintian worship ever OBJ
screwed in New England, which, in point
of time, was sixtcc, years anterior to
the !andin. Of the Delft Haven Pilgrims
on plymouth Rock, and three years prior
to the founding OF the Colony of James
town.
ST. CIoIX ISLAND
A description of this interesting spot,
together with the details of the traLsac-
ton connected with it,may not be uninter
esting to the reader. This island is
embraced within the limits of the town of
Ro5binston, Maine, and is eight miles be-
low the city of Calais. On the opposite,
or British side of the river, lies the town
of St. Andrews back of which gradually
rise the Schoodic Mountains. by an
carly explorer, De Mouts, this isle was
named the Saint CroiS, because that two
leagues higher, were brooks which "camo
crosswise to fall within tho large branch
Of sea, lin which it was situated. While
the eastern boundary question in some Of
its details was undetermined between
England and the United States, it was
undecided as to which nation this insular
spot belonged, and in the meantime it
went by the appclation Of Neutral Is
land but owing to its nearer proximity
to the American territory it was finally
annexed to Maine. AS though two
names were insufficient for the modest lit
tie isle. it was subsequently honored with
third-Dosher, or Dotier Island. Some
hstoriogaphers have manifested n pref.
ercnce for the second appcllation, al
though in view fthc Treaty decision,
this, in its Specification, is now inappro-
pirate. As the original name is the cur
rent one among the people dwelling near
by, we shall adopt that.
! st. Croix Island is half a mile from
Robbinston, and three fourths Of mile
from st. Andrews, and contains an area
of about six acres. Its surface is hilly,
the most elevated portion being in the
middle. At the southern end is quite a
prominent knoll, and few rods below
this is an islct, which evidently was once
connected with the island. On the south
crn extremity is a considerable coppice
| of forest trees, while on the northern end
but Il few scattered trees are seen. In
the opening in the central part, which
consists of pasture and arabic land, two
buildings are observed. On the top of
the larger one was formerly cupola or
tower. which served the purpose of a
lighthouse until it was discontinued three
years since, after having been in opera
tion some five years. The smaller build
ing was then used as an oil house. One
half of the island belongs to the United
States, and the residue to the heirs OF
Samuel Brewer. At tke present time,
Mr.. J ohm Barber. who divides his time
between fishing and farming, dwclls there
with his family. Withal, St. Oroix
Island is charming place Of resort, and
viii ever be an attractive spot to thost
who love to dwell upon the historic mem
ores which cluster around it, 10 thi,
latter phase Of the subject We will nov
direct our attention.
| EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
The carly part of the 18th century il
noted i'll tie history of North America fol