Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-28
(Continued from fret page.l

Germans, who came TO Boston and were induced
70 settle here BY the Plymouth Company. The
town was first called Frankfort, but when it was
incorporated and made the ID re town, IN 1850, 1t
was called Pownsboro, IN honor OF Gov. Powual.
The town formerly included Alma, Wscasset and
Swan Island. In l194 il was shOru of much of its
territory and incorporated as Dresden, that being
the name of the city from which some of the early
settlers came. Wiscasset took the name of Pow
nalboro until 1902, when IT took its present name
The settlement of that part of ancient Pownalboro
now called Dresden, was the advance guard Of the
settlers which soon crowded up the Keunebec
nVer. In lio4 the outpost extended from
r OFT richmond to Cusbnoc, now Augusta. and the
following year to Taconnet, now Winslow. 10
LOU, there was no longer any necessity for out
posts, and no bar TO the advance Of civilization ex
isted- Mr.. Bailey, the pioneer protestant Mission
airy on the kennebec above Merrymeeting Bay,
was q most excellent man. With the poor settlers
OF PownalOoro he lsbOred and suffered, often
times being destitute of the actual necessaries of
life. he was deeply religious and conscientious,
and at this date, when the bitter partisan feeling
which the war engendered has worn away, we can
do him justice. That he espoused the cause OF the
King was unfortunate, but more so for him than
for any of his people for it resulted In his being
expelled from his home and becoming a fugitive,
to Nova Scotia, where he died in 1905. There is
no doubt that be believed his course was in the
line Of duty, and in this view, was he not fully
justified In dong as he did
Passing down the river to the ferry, we parted
from our oohging friend, Capt. Goodwin. ant
crossed over and visited the site OF Fort Rich
mond. This fort situated Cd p0in- of land
which extends into the river just above the ferry,
. few feet from where the Parks House WAS
burned some years ago. IL is commanding po-
sition. over looking the hennebec, and from 1t both
branches OF the river they pass around Swan
Islands can be seen for some distance. 1t was
built as q trading outpost IN l7l9. aud an
important station a. Swan Island was the place of
residence of the chiefs OF the kennebec Indians
for many generations, and place to which the
Indians were very strongly attached. II dis
maptled in l75i-5 when the outpo.t- were erected
farther up the flver. Capt. james Carney au
intelligent retired sea Captain whose grandfather
came from France and was one of the early set |
tiers OF Pownalboio, where the captain was also !
born, but has resided many years IN Richmond |
and is about eighty year. of age, informed US that
be could remember when portions of the old for |
hhcstions were remaining IN place. But all has
been removed now, and the ground has been
pioughed over so many times that il Is difficult to
nx upon the precise spot where the block houses
stood. The tort and parade ground enclosed with
palisades, occupied large part of this point OF
land. Fort Richmond named for the Duke Of
Richmond. and in 1923 part OF Bowdoinhsm was
set on and incorporated by the name of Richmond,
being named for the fort. W.B.L.
Augusta, Aug. 23d, 1873.