Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-05-01
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1866. No. l8.


"oh had we some bright little Isle of our ownr
We are Indebted 10 the kindness of Capt.
Enoch Moore, OF Colts Island tor the fol-
lowing facts In regard to the early history
of that "Gem Of the Sea-"
ut was first settled by party of French
men, who liked the situation aud sent the
vessel back to France for money and other
things necessary to settle colony, but be-
fore the vessel returned LEFT the island and
went up to the head OF "Frenchman'y
Bay" (hence the name.l Not finding
those they had left at the island, the peo-
pie OF the vessel buried the money and 9TH
er valuables, sailed. and were probably
lost. man named Merrill, found quitea
large quantity OF coin about 40 years ago,
near where the French settlement was
supposed 10 have been. which was perhaps
the money buried by the Frenchmen.
There have also been Indian relics dug out
oi the ground, stone axes, etc.
Ia i77S Daniel Gott with his wife Han
nah, and his family moved from Norwoods
Cove TO this island. The said Daniel aud
Hannah were our informant's great grand
parents; aud the island derived Its name
from them. Its original name was Little
Placentia."
About the same time a Norwood, brother
of Mrs. Gott settled there. There was
then ouly small piece of land settled near
the pool, and that was covered two feet
deep with clam shells. \ few years amer
Daniel Gott plowed out twelve silver
mounted mGskets and some silver plate.
The iron part Of the guns was nothing but
rust. About this time huge bear entered
Mr. Norwood's hog pen, killed his hog.
got 1t out OF the pen and carried it into the
woods. Messrs. Norwood and Gott pursued
bruin, recovered the hog and drove the
bear into the water,then following him In a
small float succeeded in killing him. He
weighed six hundred pounds.
In l1s9, Daniel Gott and Nathaniel
lthe latter our informant's Grandfather
bought Little Placentia.ot the Common
wealth OF Massachusetts, paying Is pounds
go dollars for il aud Bar Island The
original deed Is still In our informants pos
session or in the hands OF his l1Ither-thc
venerable Mr.. Phillip Moore we'll knownln
Ellsworth >tamiIiarly called "Cncle
PM ) Daniel Goit had seven sons, four
ot whom settled on the island. He. with
TWO of his sous. was drowned by the up
settin. OF a boat, July 7th, 1914. Cots
Island i situated one mile South from
Bass Head Light House and contains
about $50 acres. There are thirteen houses
and the same number OF families. a good
schonhou>e aud about is weeks school per
year. One house and large boat house
are NOW in course OF construction. Twelve
years since, there were but 1 houses, and
five families on the island"
We have thus far quoted very nearly
Mr.. lor Capt.) Moores own language
Gam not certain as 10 bis title) condensirg
a ijttlr-auI will add that In our humble
opinion formed from q chance visit, too
brief for our own pleasure, and sanctioned
by all We have sounded upon the subject,
who know anything about it, this same
Cots Island is one OF the prettiest and
smartest OF little places beautiful for
situation, and tastelully adorued-truly a
germ! Its people are social, intelligent,
euterprlsng, alive to modern improve
ments, and as Is the wont OF most island
ers We beieve) very hospi.able. Schools
rank "a l." for department and studious-
ness, aud religious meetings are well at
tended Books, newspapers, musical In
struments and other modern indispensa-
oles are found in tair proportion at the
houses. Some fine large boats, manned
by successful fishermen are owned there.
Further We are not informed. Mail facil-
tiles are quite good there being DAILY
Mali at Bass Harbor not very far distant.
Colts Island seems yet too little known
70 the outside world, . Terra Incognita
indeed TO many, but it has a history only
few points OF which we have presented
60 anI see. HANCOCK