The Republican journal., 1905-07-06
THE YARMOUTH CfLfBRAnON.


Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Land
ing Of Sir George Weymouth. Interest
ing Facts in Early Maine History.
Fondly cherished dreams of American
| colonization which were INDUCED nv
the several nations of Europe at thu
beginning of the 18th century led Eng
land to send forth several expeditions
one iof which was in Sir George Wav'
mouths ship, the Archangel He sailed
from Dartmouth Haven March 81. 1905
accompanied by James Roster, an Eng,
fish gentleman of scholarly tastes, who
made the voyage for the express pur
pose of recounting the explorers ad.
that might be discovered. "Rosier's
Narratives" which were published and
widely circulated after the expedition
had returned to England crowned with
success, described graphically the vow
age of exploration, and leaves no doubt
that the first cross of English occupa-
ton in the new world was planted on
what is now known as Aliens island.
at the mouth of the St. Georges river.
The first island sighted by Weymouth
was Nantucket, as Rosters narrative
clearly indicates. Fate, in the form of
difficult shoals and an adverse wind.
prevented his landing there, and alter
ing the direction of the ship he next
sighted Monhegan, where Weymouth
and II men landed May IS, 1905. Two
days later the ship arrived in what the
explorer named Pentecost harbor, now
known as st. George harbor The river
was explored by the use of a shallop,
and friendly overtures were made to
the Indians, five of whom were taken
back to excite the wonder and curiosity
of all London.
In the three centuries which have
ensued since these momentous events,
their Importance have come to be more
fully appreciated by the people who re-
side in the vicinity of St. Georges river
and preparations are complete for
in character-England and America
sharing honors.
The affair is under the auspices of the
Maine Historical Society, but it was
conceived, and has been arranged with
infinite labor, by Hon. Joseph E. Moore,
prominent Thomaston attorney and
scholar. England is to be officially rep
scented by Vice Consul ]. B. Heating Of
Portland and Naval Attache De Chair
of, Washington. The historical socie-
ties Of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
and Massachusetts will also be repre-
scented.
The celebration take, place today,
Thursday, July 6. In the morning the
L. S. revene cutter Woodbury. will
make an excursion down the river to
Aliens island, carrying the members
of the historical societies, distinguish
ed guests and committee members.
On the island large granite cross
will be erected on headland, where it
may be seen miles distant. The sail on
this picturesque river is delightful
one and fleet of excursion boats will
accompany the cutter. Returning to
Thomaston in the early afternoon,
shallop will be lowered at the entrance
of the harbor, and manned by crew
arrayed in ancient costumes, will be
rowed to the wharf. The impersonator
of Sir George Weymouth will be DR.. w.
j. Jameson of Thomaston.
The tablet in honor of Weymouth
will be dedicated at Thomaston in the
afternoon. The inscription is secret
with chairman Moore and will not be
affixed to the boulder until the day of
the unwilling.
The boulder itself weighs II TONS and
the task of unearthing it and transport
ing it to the mall in the centre of the
town was performed by II. L. Linnell
and W. E. Vinal. Dedicatory speeches
will be made by Gov. William L. Cobb
EX-Gov. J. L. Chamberlain, Congress
man c. E. Littlefeld, Vice Consul Keat-
ing and possibly others. In the evening
there will be historical address by
Rev. DR.. H. S. Burrage, chaplain of the
soldiers home at Togus. The celebra-
ton committee comprises J. E. Moore,
chairman W. j. Jameson, secretary;
w. E. Vinal, George Prince, J. G. Lev
ensaler, J. H. H. Hewett, c. H. Wash
burn, Richard Elliott, H. r. Linnell, J.
A. Levensaler, c. A. Creighton, j. E.
Walker, \. c. Strout, E. S. Stearns, E.
Dillingham;, Erastus Lermond, A. n.
Linscott and Capt. E. c. Colley, active
ly assisted by F. B. Miller and E. A.
Butler Of Rockland.
The ST. Georges river as it pursues its
course from Thomaston to the group of
l3 islands which lie at its mouth, passes
a number of points of historic interest,
all of which, through the instrument
tally of Frank B. Miller, local his
torian, will be conspicuously inscribed
on the day of the celebration.
First of these is the site of fort St.
George, which is also the site of Mont
pelier," the palatial home of Gen. Henry
Knox, secretary of war under President
Washington. Fort and mansion were