Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-11-23
GOULDSBORO.
BnR1F HISTORICAL SKETCH or
THE TOWN.

susu OF rHn rIoNnxn sETTLRRs- oLD-
1unB SRA CAPTAINS - TEE MIN
NE CRAZE.
lFrom the Lesessto~ Jouvnat.i
Awsy down ON the coast OF Maine lies
~ old town Of Gouldsboro, that was
gyanssd 70 Nsthan Jones', Francis shaw
ana Robert Gould in 1764. The grant OF
A1ains township in those days was very
simple AFFAIR, - the Indian owners were
never consulted in the transaction and
ths msu to whom such grants were given
wsRs never expected to become actual set-
tiers. 1t was On easy method Of paying
cid debts, and many was the township
handed over TO some Spectator in this
mmnss.
0ouldsboro was one Of this class, and
thsss u no evidence that the new owners
svse saw their Maine possessions. These
were dolsd out to the other spectators,
and then came more or less trouble with
ths squsttsn. Many of this class hsd
besn there for more than half century,
and certainly were more entitled to the
Lard than some one in Massachusetts, who
hsa never seen the country. This 10 only
another illustration of the injustice Of
ear land titles and the methods BY which
they were acquired.
Here wss new country owned and oc-
cupisd By the original natives. Settlers
che in and were kindly recsived by the
indiana and given land to cultivate.
The rolled ON, and then some favorits
politician in another section Of the
country sent them word that be owned
ths town sud they must pay him .
mesopuly price or get Oh. The ''law" was
on the side Of the robber, and justice had
no plsce or influence in the transaction.
There il abundant evidence that the
flfss settlers came to Gouldsboro in the
opening years Of the eighteenth century.
Possibly there were French adventures
thsrs ct IN even earlier date, for there may
still Be son the ruins Of an old fortifica-
ton on what 10 known % Ash's point.
Ths nryt known settlers we're from the vi
cinity Of Biddeford and Saco, and some
Of their descendants ere still living in the
town. At later date came Nathan Jones
and Thomas Hill, and directly after the
closs Of the Revolution came Major Gem
erAl David Cobb, one OF the tried and
trusty aids OF Washington.
Among the early settlers the name Of
Jonathan Tracy may be called the most
conspicuous. This pioneer came from
New Hampshire in 1762, bringing with
him his Wits and two sturdy sons. The
family settled u Gouldsboro point, and
the land that they cleared has never since
bssn held BY any other name. His son
Isaac built the FIRST framed house in the
town, and this is now owned by the Tracy
Family association and 10 kept for their
annual reunions.
Jonathan Tracy IVES . marked character.
He wss we'll educated for those days, and
was . man OF strong personality. He was
} descendant Of one OF the most noted
and ancient families OF Europe, and ON
The maternal side could trace his ancestry
back TO the days Of the half mythical
King Odin. Of the third cen-
tury. On the fathers side the pedigree ran
in an unbroken line to the earliest days of
the Saxon rule in England. or long before
the days Of King Egbert. The pedigree
runs through long line Of titled nobility,
among whom were many who attached
thenselves 70 the Norman, william the
CoDqueree.
Shortly after the battle Of Hastings, .
nephew Of William married Grace Tracy,
. daughter and heiress OF the feudal lord
Of Barnstope. This was in the year 110l,
and since than the line Of Tracy can b dis
tinctly followed. The coat OF arms 10 one
Of ths oldest in Europe - well - the most
vensfatsd. Il haa been borne by dukes
and lords, generals and statesmen, and
more than one member Of the family was
kni9htsd in person BY Queen Elizabeth.
In fact, not until . branch OF the family
came to America were the titles dropped,
but the stern blood remained and the
members became noted for their energy
and intellectual force.
Jonathan Tracy died in 17s6, leaving .
large number OF descendants TO perpetuate
his name. One Of the most conspicuous Of
Of these to-day 10 Hon. Bedford e. Tracy,
Of Winter Harbor, who has filled many
positions Of honor and trust. Another
md well known defendant Of this family
10 N. B. Tracy, Of Auburn, who 10 noted
lor his studies in minsfalogy.
II il always interesting to circle around
one OF these old towns and come into
touch with its ancient landmarks. Il was
he good fortune Of the writer recently to
make this trip, and donbly fortunate in
having such guides and companions ~
Hon. Bedford e. Tracy and Dr.. A. E.
Small. rhe tour OF the town was made in
he doctors big Ford automobile, and q
70 whiried along from place to place the
diflsrent objects OF interest were pointed
out and explained.
II was largely matter of personalities
rsther than places, ~ Gouldsbofo contains
verv MANY intaRaaf iuw chap~rfar Th1