Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-11-01
EEftNARD'S WORK
IN MT. DESERT ISLE
Prof. Sawtelle's Interesting Pam
phlet on Maine History,

pnleC on Maine H1SCOfy.
''Sir Francis Bernard and His
Grant of Mount Desert" is the title
of the latest in series of pam
phlets which are being published by
William Otis Sawtelle of Haverford
Pa, formerly of Bangor, who has a
summer home at Islesford. Prof
Sawtelle is doing important pioneer
work in chronicling the history of
Mt. Desert and the other islands Of
Frenchman's bay so rich in romance
and replete with personages and in
cidents that have been epoch-making
in the annals of old world countries
and America.
Previously Prof. Sawtelle has writ
ten of the Jesuit settlement at Fer
maids Point, of the Gilley family of
Mt. Desert and of various and inter-
esting events connected with the set
Elements on the shores of French
mans Bay. The pamphlet on Sir
Francis Bernard is a reprint Of a
paper presented before the Colonial
Society of Massachusetts which ap-
peared in the publication of the So
ciety.
Prof Sawtelle's paper is an ex
haustive treatment from document
airy sources showing the connection
of Sir Francis Bernard with the Mt.
Desert Island regions. The entire
territory of the island of Mt. Desert
was presented to Sir Francis Bernard
by George III of England, Sir Francis
being at that time royal governor of
the province of Massachusetts bay.
Because of his public acts" says
Prof. Sawtelle, 80 harshly has Gov
ernor Bernard been treated by
historians of the Stamp Act period
the part he played in the settlement
and development of Eastern Maine
territory on Penobscot and Passa-
maquoddy bays and on Mount Desert
Island; while of his efforts to prove
the title Of Massachusetts, to land be-
tween the Penobscot and St. Croix
rivers, but few~accounts are to be
found in print. AS the representa-
tive of his sovereign, he was in duty
bound to uphold the royal authority,
and had his lot been cast at times
less turbulent, he would, no doubt,
have made a good chief magistrate"
Francis Bernard was the Oldest son
of Francis Bernard, rector of Bright
well, Berkshire, and Margery, daugh-
ter of Richard Winlowe of Lewknor,
Oxfordshire. AS boy he attended
the Westminster school, and later
was student of Christ Church, Ok
ford, receiving the degree of Master
of Arts in 1886. He chose the law as
a profession and was called to the
bar at Middle Temple. Steward of
Lincoln, recorder of Boston, solicitor
at the Court of Chancery were some
of the positions which his eminence
as lawyer permitted him to fill He
was also a classical scholar of some
note. In 1853 he was appointed gov
ernor of New Jersey, position
which he held for two years, and so
successful was his administration
that his appointment to Massachu-
sets came in the nature of promo
ton.
Demands interest in the eastern
lands, therefore, was not confined to
the Mount Desert region. He made
three voyages thither, at his own ex-
pense going as far on one trip as the
river and bay of St. Croix. He was
instrumental in having accurate sur
veys made of greater part Of the
territory, some of them executed un-
der his own personal direction. These
surveying parties were sent out in
various directions and it is of inter-
est to note the work that they did.
One party, accompanied by Indian
guides went from Fort Pownall up
the Penobscot river, through the
Chaudiere to Quebec, and, returning
by a different route, made observa-
lions and drew plans of both pas
sages; while the same men afterwards
travelled from Fort POwnan, cross
country to Fort Halifax on the Ken
nebec; and still another party ex-
plored the Passamaquoddy and it's Is
lands as far as the mouth Of the St.
Croix and a few miles beyond. Ger
tain members Of this last mentioned
party assembled the PassamaquOddy
river to the head of the west branch
and thence through multitude Of
lakes to the Penobscot, meeting that
river some seventy miles above Fort
Pownall: then down the river to the
fort.
II have also rum" Bernard writes
to the Earl of Halifax, November 9,
1894, "a line from Fort Pownall to
Georges river, being the most early
settlement on that side of the Penob-
scot, and have had a horse-road cut
through the whole, being the length
of fifty miles; this addition makes a
clear land passage from Boston to
Fort Pownall, which will be soon
continued, whenever the settlements
on the east side of Penobscot shall
be allowed to be improved"
In October, 1852. Bernard visited
Mount Desert, made surveys of the
island and laid his plans for conn
try place for himself and a future
town at Southwest Harbor. For
tunately he has left a record Of this
visit in brief journal, from which a
few extracts show that the governor
and his surveyors spent busy week.
In concluding his interesting and
valuable contribution to Maine his
tory, Prof. Sawtelle writes:
UThroo t0wna 49, RarnardsVfll0 in