Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-07-25

Prior to ffso he county OF Lincoln ex-
tended to tue east line OF the State, taking
in the shore settlements. That year two
new counties were ormed-iIancock aud
Washington. Hancock county embraced
the most OF What IL now Waldo county
and Penob-cot aud rtseatsquis counties.
The town OF Penobseot, now Csstine,
was made shire town and a courthouse
and jail built. The first term of the
court OF common p'e4s was held June,
1870. There were no terms of the SUI
preme court held In the eastern counties
until an act was passed in 1901 giving one
term In every year.
Hardly uad tue machinery OF The new
county got N working order WHEN, in l7s2,
movement was made tn remove the shire
town to some more accessible place. The
town of Belfast voted Mot to have the
courts removed from the peninsula where
they are nov heidi
In 1893 Gen. John Crosby, OF Hampden,
who was then in the heydey OF prosperity,
conceived the idea OF making Hampden
the shire town, Gen. Crosby was said 10
be at that time the largest importer OF
West indian products for the State OF
Maine. His attempt Was unsuccessful.
Bucksport wanted IL, and in 1890 the
town sent n petition TO the general court
for removal OF the courts from Castine
to Bueksport, stating therein that the
people OF the whole county would be bet
ter accommodated.
Belfast aud Frankfort icomed up rs
possible shire towns. and demonstrated
very strongly against Bucksport and
Hampden.
The town Of Bluehiil protested. give
copy from the town records which is
substantially the protest of other towns:
This town having assembled agreeable 10
notification OF the s}i Deer. last. proceeded to
the following business, viz
Capt'n Joseph Wood Jun'r. chosen moderator
10 said meeting.
Voted the sense of this town
Let. That additional town for holding the
court of common pleas Ia the county of Han
cock will be very prejudlciai TO the well dis
posed part OF said county.
~. That the situation OF Hampden is far
from being the most convenient for the shire
town OF this county.
Sd. That TO have two or more places for hold
Ing the court of common pleas In this county
at this period. will operate against the interest
OF the good people OF this county.
9TH. That the town of Castlne, in point of
situation and accommodation. Is the most con
Tculent for The shire town OF this county at
present
5th. That the county groaus under an un-
accountable burthen Of county taxes, which
burthen would bc greatly alieviated should the
honorable, the general court, lie pleased to
satisfy themselves with the true expenditure of
the fourteen thousand dollars which has been
Drawn from the citizens OF said county In the
short term of ten years.
Voted, That Mr.. Robert Parker, Ebenezer
Floyd, Captn Joseph Wood. jun'r Messrs, John
Peters and Andrew William be committee
to draugh, "a petition to the honorable the
general court OF this commonwealth setting
forth this towns opinion of the improperly of
having additional town of common pleas in
this county. and their opinion against the town
Of Hampden being the shire town. and their
wish that the court of common pleas and general
sessions of the peace for said county, may con
'inue TO be holden for the present in the town of
Castine. the usual place of holding the same,
ana TO use their best cndeayors TO have the bur-
thensome county charges In future reduced
% the abilities OF the poor citizens of said
county, together with such other observations
ana remarks as may tend TO the good order and
true interests OF the community"
Voted, That the said committee be author
'zed to sign said petition on behalf Of this town
and forward the same to Job Nelson, esqr.,
agent for the to wn of Castine, and request HIN
GOSHEN, ILL.