The Portland daily press., 1899-09-07
VISITED OLD SCARBOR 0.
Outing Maine Historical
Society.
Charming Blackboard Ride Through
The Town.
Followed by Dinner at
Checkley House.
---- y
Paper on scarboro's Early His.
tory By Hon. A. Z. Moulton.
Paper Oh Scarboro's Early His
tory by Hon. A. +. Moulton.

For the past ten years the Maine His
torical society has besn sinEnlarly fortu.
nate in its choice of dates for their ex-
eursions and this year proved no excep-
ton, for sesteFday was q perFact au-
tumnal day ard better one for an
open nir drive could not be expected. A
party of 80 ladies and gentlemen, under
the leadership of Hon. Augustus II Moul-
ton, took the train at 0 a. m and shortly
after took the fine buokboards al Pine
Point and had most delightful drive
to the Pine Point beach, thence to Blue
Point hill whero magnificent clear
prospect was enjoyed; thence to Dun
STAINS Corner, following the old turn
rike over Oak Hill, then to the Cheokley
house at Prouts Neck, where fine din
ner awaited the keen appetites of the
ing was held ON the south pnrtico. and
Hon. George f. Talbot took the chair.
MR.. MoULYoN's INTERESTING PA.
PER.
Mr.. Moulton read a most interesting
paper on the early history of Scnrboro.
winch was as follows:
Tho town of Scarborough has a shore
frontage in direct line of about six
miles, extending from the Spurwink
river, which separates it from Cape
Elizabeth on the east TO this so.oa led
Patent Line OF the Lewis a. Bonython
grants, which makes Its western boun-
dairy against Old Orchard and Seco on the
west. IL TeRcnes back from the shore
about eight miles, and includes within
it's limits the high land aud ridges
through which the Nonesuoh river pur-
sues its devious course to Join the other
streams which unite in the Scarboro river.
II Is one of the Oldest towns In Maine,
having been organized in 1868 and being
the sixth town organized. The reason
wby IL was an attractive place for early
settlers ls apparent. Tnay depended
almost wholly upon tho water for trans :
portation. The Spurwink river on the
ons side is easy of access for boats. The
smooth bay protected by the peninsula of
Sammock Neck and the islands fur
nishea a safe and capaoious harnor and
easy landing places. Tue Scarboro river
which pours its waters into this bay is q
hroad estuary sheltered by Pines Point
and the Ferry Rocks, and inside there Is
good anchoraRe and perfect shelter for
small craft. The rivers which unite to
fern this estuary flow through great
tract OF marsh land upon which salt hay
early days were teeming with water fowl
OF esery description. Along the sloping
banks of the rivers where the tide Gibbs
and flows, were fanssels and clans In
Unlimited quantities. Fish ahounded In
the riyerF, and the fame of Scarboro bay
as place for deep sea fishing was known
IN England before the ttins of the Plym-
outh settlament. Tae forests were Tiled
with game. Fish and sea weed furnished
easy and ahundanb fertilizers for planted
crops. The place was easy of access and
abundant In resources. 1t was place of
resort for the Indians who were always
anxious TO exchange their furs and peltry
Tor trinkete and utensile, and who were
hUspltable and friendly TO the white
man.
The first settler hers whose name is
known was John StrattoD, who lived
upon the Islands, scme three miles from
the shore which bears his name. Storer
puts Stratton down as having his estah-
iishment or plantation as early as 1f29
de and those With him were evidently
there for the purpose of trade with the