Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-03-17
For the Ellsworth American.
Ancient Trenton.
Ny Dear Mr.. Chacott:

| ieiouie' say something through the columns
OF your paper in regard to the early settle
ment and history of ancient Trenton
Hancock county, which was formerly
known as township No. /. or Thorndike
township, lying east Of Union river and
which, before Trenton was Incorporated
was also called 1hornbury. am admon.
ished If | wait for that period to arrive
1t will be doubtful if my promise will ever
be fulfilled, and will defer it no longer, il
1t is still your desire TO publish the infor-
nation which | am able to give from
ancient records, letters, papers and docu.
ments in my possession; and if you think
| You have readers who will take an interest
in the early history of the territory which
| is now Trenton. Lamoine and portions Of
Ellsworth and the town of Hancock. or
that there are descendants of the old set
tiers of ancient Trenton, who would care
| to read something about when and how
their ancestors came to settle there, if
only to corroboraie the knowledge they
already possess.
The facts have, relate to township No.
|, or Thorndike township, between the
years l16l and the beginning of the pres
ent century. period Of nearly forty years ;
which time its history, to some extent,
seems to be shrouded in mystery, or only
traditional, and the published accounts re.
garding which are meager and very CON
fiicting.
The authorities seem to differ in regard
to some material facts and dates; for
instance, The Year Book and the HancocS
County atlas, and also one or two writer's
in the ELLSWORTH AMERICAN say that
Trenton was granted to Eben Thorndike
and Others in l152, while in one history of
Maine which is, and always has been Justly
noted for its accuracy, it is stated that .ihe
original grant wa any -, 1864. See re-
solve Another liter takes the first set
tiers upon the tow nship about the wear
l.14, while still another carries them there
some years later, all of which, think, the
record viii show are errors.
N1ga-tIi", where the writer in speaking
of some of the settlers on Union river,
and on that part Of the territory now in
cluded in Ellsworth, says they were ali
s4aauerS, aud adds 'as all the first settlers
were east Of PenobScot river" that they
(thc Union river srttlers) afterwards had
title to their lands from the State or De
Grcgore under his grant. | think that in
this statement, injustice has been done the
first or early settlers Of the six township,
lying next east Of Union river of which
Trenton was No. |, a the word "sQuatter
is now generally understood. | certainly
can furnish what believe will be con-
sidered good evidence, that the townships
which are now Trenton, Steuben, Har-
ringtoD. Milbridge and Addison and part
of Cherry held, viz. townships Nos |, 4,
and g. were first settled by the proprir-
tors Of said townships under contracts
made With the Great aud General Court OF
the Province OF Massachusetts, and em
bodied in their grants, and that there were
very few, If any. "squa;trrs" among them
at that time, but legitimate, honest set
tiers, induced to 60 there by the proprie-
tors, and many of whom were proprietors
owning rights or shares in the township in
which they settled. For the other town
ships, viz. Nos. and3, now sullivan and
Gouldsboro, which were also included in
the six townships lying east of Union
river, | have not as strong testimony to
show, but believe it can be shown that
of the General Court Of Mass sachusetts in
precisely the same way.
The ancient French settlements, of
course, are not taken into the account
Their occupancy was long time previous
to 1862, and they had been abandoned many
years prior to that date, although the
Gazetteer Of Maine quotes Hon. W. King
and Capt. Berry as authority for the state
ment that the French came subsequent to
Isaac Gilpatrick and family whom they
allege settled on what is known as GIL
patrick's Point, Lamoine in l774 1t has
been. think, well established by historians
that the French settlements were made,
occupied and deserted a great many wears
prior to that date, that the only doubt was
as to the exact time of their coming and
going. | think Capt. Berry must have had
in mind the coming of Madame Laval and
her party in l79l, which tiud stated AS
the date III an interesting little book, on
Lamoiue, by Prof John G. Winterbotham
The doubt and uncertainty which rest
over the true history of the first settle
ment of Trenton, Hancock county, and
many things connected with that history,
have prompted ME to give to those of your
readers who are interested in such mat
tiers, the historical materials have, while
they are yet in existence and | am able to
do so, with the hope that they may Nil
some of the gaps which have long been
open, correct some of the errors which
! We're fast becoming historical facts, estab-
lish some things which some OF the in
habitants of Hancock county have held in
| doubt. and bring to light others which it
is believed are not now known, and pos
| sbly to aid the descendants of some early
| settlers to trace back their lineage by sup
| plying some missing link in their gene
| alogy, in short, to furnish facts which may
| partially. at least, aid in writing up the
history of Trenton in the last century.
The matter l propose to send you will
have but little interest for the general
reader. 1t will consist almost entirely of
| written evidence of ancient date, dry and
uninteresting to the public, but all of
which will relate directly or indirectly to
the early history and ownership of the
township and its settlement by the hardy
pioneers who first made homes on Union
and Jordan's river, and from whom many
of your citizens in Hancock county have
| sprung. Yours truly,
| WIN. FREEMAN.
Cherry1eld, Mar. I, 1892.
Al.