Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-10
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From the Lewiston J0HrHd
OLD YORK.
The Mnine Editors on their Annual E1-
Cursion.

No, being able TO attend the recent ed
i;oral excursion. we cut the following
interesting account from the Lewiston
Journal -
The annual excursion OF The Maine
editors and publishers came oil last week
occupying from Tuesday ill Friday
Heretofore the excursions have been TO
distant points, neceSsi,aling almost con-
slant travel. This year, however, the
Marshall House. at old York. one of The
iiTst settled towns on the coast of Maine,
was made the abiding place ot the party
aud excursions were made 10 localities Of
interest near Ly--such As the Isle oi
Shoals. K,ttery Point, &c. &c.
Il was not our good fortune 20 remain
long enough with the party to visit these
localities. but We found sufficient OF in
terest in the old town OF York 10 make
Us wish that we could have had a week
longer there. The Marshall House,
where we were pleasantly domiciled dur'
ing our stay. is at,racIively situated on
narrow neck of land facing the broad
Atlantic, with the York river in the rear,
and on the west cove which at high
tide almost forms an island. As its
name indicates. the hotel is owned by
Hon. y. G.. Marshall and his two sons.
and is Kept in a most satisfactory manner
by the latter. Few more attractive points
can be found on the coast for tourists
I seeking q retired summer retreat.
The first permanent settlement in York
WAS made at the mouth Of the river. on
the north shore, about 1923. under the
auspices OF Sir Ferdinand Gorges, who in
1922 had been granted by the Plymouth
company that portion Of Maine lying be-
tween the Piscataqua and kennebec
rivers. Kittery was settled at The same
time. As early as l6lG there were tenn
porary settlers at this and other points
on the coast, engaged 10 fishing. fur trad
ing and numbering. In 1889 King
Charles confirmed the grant 10 Gorges,
md il was erected into the county oI
York. The settlement at York thrived
so well under the immediate direction ol
William Gorges, nephew of Ferdinando
and Edward Godfrey. that in l6il Ferd
inando gave the. settlement city charter
with the euphonious designation o.
"Gorgeana. >" which thus became the firs
incorporated English city in America
The city charter is spread on the Iori
,scords from which We learn that eigh
aldermen, twelve common councilmen
with William Gorges as Mayor, were
elected March %. 1912. This ancien
'ety" probably contained population
OF but a few hundred. but yet had mum
eorus streets. wharves. block-house as
defence against Indians and thriving
trade.
Ia I647 Ferdinando Gorges died, wheI
the Massachusetts Bay Company lai'
claim to his possessions in Maine by VII
tue of some concessions made by Crom
well 10 the company. Godfrey and hi
associates resisted the claim. but weT'
forced to yield; and in 1862 the authori'.
Of Massachusetts Bay was acknowledge
and in 1868 the city charter was revoked
or5 The town given the name OF York ant
the county (Which comprised all o
Msine) the name OF Yorkshire. with or
ss the shire. occasionly courts oeinI
, holden at Saco. The county record
show that the first court was held at for
, Right worshipful Richard Bellinghsm
assisted by four associates, presiding
The court was holden in the meeting