Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-02-20

""S ''Nym'u
Roster explored the Penobscot Bay, and
River, aud the arm OF the sea, known as
the Bagaduce river, which divided aDcieut
Pentagoet. Bagaduce in Indian dialect,
was something like Maisiabaga,cadous-et.
Pentakoet and its Great river OF Nor
umbegue. was the objective point OF the
first explorers, and one Of the first por-
tions Of the continent visited by them. Pc
nobscot bay and river are particularly deiin-
eated upon all the early charts. The Pc
nobscot river was variously named, show
ing that 1t was early explored by different
nations. Some OF its names are Agoucy,
Norumbegue. Rio Grande Rio de les Gamas,
Rio Hermoso, Rio de Gomez and Rio Santa
Maria. II Thevet, who visited Pentagoet
(Castfne) in 1855, is right In his statement OF
finding a fort erected there, this must have
been the first settlement OF Europeans ever
made on the coast OF Maine.
The year 1906 marks remarkable foot
print In the history of Maine, In Eugland's
first attempt to colonize the State. This
was by grant OF all the islands within
100 miles OF the coast. and all the mainland
South OF the 45' tn of latitude. This grant
covered all of the region, given to De
Monts, and is known In history, as "The
Plymouth Colony Charter" Two ships
were fitted out, the "Gift of God" com
manded by Geofge Popham, and the MARY
and John, by Capt. Gilbert, which after a
GO days passage, came TO anchor OF Penn
aquid, July 3lst, 1901.
The history OF this expedition, presents
four notable eyents-it planted the first or
ganized English colony on the shores OF
New England, which was at the mouth OF
the kennebec, on a peninsula within the
present limits OF the town Of Phippsburg.
on the spot now commemorated by For,
Popham the chaplain OF the expedition, an
Episcopal clergyman, preached the first
protestant. sermon, ever delivered upon
the shores OF Maine-the building Of Fort
George" the first English iott--the build
ing OF the vessel, named the ".Vlrginia,"
the first vessel built on this continent BY
European hands. Seven years later, the
"Restless." OF New York, was built
The winter, following the planting OF the
"Popham, or "Sagsdahoc Colony" proved
TO be, one of those hyperborean winters, Ia
which Maine occasionally Indulges the
colonsts became disheartened and dis
persed, some returning to Eugland, aud
some making their way 10 PeRGluld, where
Richard Vines had planted settlement.
Pemaguid, and lis settlement,
Long DER its silent dust
The storm, Of life have beat"
its Inception, precision cannot ok. Il was
the centre both OF law and trade; the me-
tropoIis Of New Englsnd, before Boston
was settled. Il was n walled city" Its
streets were paved. The outlines OF its
fort and other defcnces, are distinctly
traccablc, IN every curve and square. Al
almost every step, historic associations
meet the visitsnt. Here armies have gath
cred, an here the red man and white. have
bitten the dust together.
Popham's planting OF the English race
10 the New World. proved a miserable
failure. The location was on sAndbank
bleak and barren. The affairs OF the cot
ouy were not conducted with wisdom
Pophsm died, and the colony perished
Where, amid the sands Of the ocean shore,
he was buried, Il not known, aud the
wall OF the tempest, and the dash OF the
surge, have been for two hundred years
his mournful requiem"
In the mean time the French were watch
Ing. with great Jealousy. the attempts Of
England TO colonize our shores, aud In
1911. the French monarch confirmed a
charter OF the region granted to De Monts
Che having surrendered his claim, to Mad
ame de Guercheyille, a devoted catholic
who was strongly moved 10 convert the
Indians TO her faith. This French lady,
thus became nomiually the posse.sor Of
the seacoast from Philadelphia to Halifax.
In the spring OF 1913, she sent her agent
with % colonists to take possession, Pen
tagoet (Castlne) was the chosen spot to
establish the Jesuit Mission. A thick fog
stopped them at Mt. Desert, where they
landed. erected a cross, established a sta
ton, and called 1t "St. Sauveur" which
Is supposed to be at what is known as Ship
Harbor, fremont For 100 years, Mt
Desert was a French Province.