Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-08-10

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The citizens OF North Deer Isle com
memorated the centennial anniversary OF
our national independence by assembling
at the Second Congregational Meeting
House. The opening prayer was made by
Rev. Mr.. Houston, pastor of the First Con-
gregstional Church, Deer Isle, aud the
Declaration of independents. was read by
Rev. J. I. Closson OF the Second Congre-
gational Church. An address was made
BY Charles w. Bryant OF Deer Isle. Of
which the following is an abstract OF the
towns early history:
In 1908. Mons. de Monts. Il French
man, received from his king, Henry w, a
commission as Governor-General OF Aca-
dia, the territory placed under his juris-
diciion. extending from Virginia TO Hud-
sons Bay. The special matter Of interest
To Is In his expedition Is, that his COLONY,
under the lead OF Jesuit Missionaries made
settlement on Mount Desert Island, estab-
lIshed a mission, ard remained there sew
eral years, until broken up by an .xpedi-
ton from the English Colony OF Virginia,
commanded by John Smith of Pocahontss
fame.
The same year, one Martin Prins cruised
in Penobscot Bay; he landed upon Fox
Island. and probably upon this island, and
if so, was the first white visitor.
Timothy Billings. who Was the first
child born upon Deer Isle, WAS born upon
the Torrey estate, and lived TO be ninety
years of age, dying In 1854.
The first settler here was Carney. an
Irishman, who located near the shore,
back of where George C. Hardy now lives,
and afterwards moved to Carney Island,
as il has since been called.
The first permanent settler was William
Eaton, who located on SCOTS point, in
l762. He came here from Haverhill, Mass.
His wife's name was Ruth wardwell. He
sold his place to Nathaniel Scott, whose
descendants still reside there.
In 1862, Johnathan and Charles Grinlow
settled OH what is now known as the
Campbell place. The Grinlows were ex-
treme loyalists and opposed to the war of
the revolution, and sfter our independence
was acknowledged In, 1888, went to Nova
Scotia. having sold their place to John
Campbell. While Here they gave one Kent
a deed of lot one mile square on both
sides OF warren's mill-pond.
In l76S, Nathan Closson. from old ork,
settled gu the shore OF Eggemoggin
Reach. near where the lme-kiln now is !;
his wife's name was Sallie Cain; they had
FIVE daughters, and were the progenitors
OF the numerous families of Blossoms scat
tered over the country.
Jonathan Torrey came here in 1894,
aud settled at the Reach, near where the
grist-mill now stands; he was the ancestor
of tue numerous Torreys now living here.
Benjamin Billings came about the same
time, and became permanent settler
His descendants are numerous. An Irish
man named Tinker was here 10 AGA, and
remained a year.
Thomas Thompson came here prior to
the revolutionary war; he was strong
Wing or Patriot. but finding the Tory feel
ing too strong for him to enjoy his politi-
cal feelings in peace. went West, and re-
turned here after the war. and became a
permanent settler. Many of his descend
ants still live here.
The first settlement at North West Har-
Dor was by John Pressy. in 1867 or l76S,
| on the South side OF the harbor. The
1 Il. Il lal L.,
Nathan Dow and Theophilus Eaton
Shortly after. Mark Haskell, grandfather
of squire Ignatius Haskell. settled OF, the
Aaron Haskell place. Francis Haskell
settled next below. Ezekiel Marshall be-
/ low him in l772. Mark Haskell and his
sou. built mill In North West HarbOl
In l772. .t<
Samuel Trundy settled and occupied q
house at South West Harbor, on the spot
where Geo. L. Hosmer now lives. The
same year Thomas Small settled neal
Small's Cove. at South East Harbor.
Joseph Colby, who came here in 1906
from NewburypOrt. had q child born at S
5. Harbor, in l76S. He bought from Kent
one.half of the mile square lot which Ken
bought of Jonathan and Charles Grinlow
aud the land was the subject Of litigation
while this town was part Of Lincoln Co
Thomas Stinson settled upon Stinsoni
Neck prior to 1850.
The original settlers before named hat
NO titles TO their land. and after the revolu
ton, the Legislature Of Massachusett
passed resolves granting to each settle
who should locate prior to Jan. LIST, 1854
one hundred acres of land, upon payment
of thirty shillihgs. and appointed JOSEPH
and George Tyler, commissioners to con
7 vey titles. George L. HOsmer, from whO'l
have obtained many of. tn. details Of thu
J early settlement OF this town, has one o
| fhoae dneds- In hin nosuesaiou The fY,