Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-11
Why WinslOw Is
Called Winsl0W

AA0 P1oN4ACS OIL maine, SO-nameQ De-
cause Of its being the main land in
distinction form the many islands
bordering it, was purchased from the
English proprietor. Gorges, for 1850
pounds sterling by Massachusetts.
The commonwealth extended religious
and civil authority over the entire
region. ordering attendance at divine
worship and the erection of stocks
and a cage by each town. The Cen
eral Court, fearing French invasion
acceded to the request Of settlers and
traders along the Kennebec and de-
cided to build fort at Ticonic Falls
If the Plymouth Company would build
and garrison a fort at Cushnoc.
In 1854, General Winslow with 500
soldiers came to Falmouth, now Port
land. and was met by the Abenakis
Indians in a conference. They un-
availingly protested against the forts,
though they agreed to give up the
Land. But, as usual, the English paid
no attention to their rights or desires
General Winslow and his men came
up the kennebec, constructed a fort
and named it Halifax in honor of the
Earl of Halifax, at that time secre-
tary of state Of the Kingdom Of Great
Britain. Governor Shirley personally
inspected it and was much pleased
with the construction. He left Sc
soldiers with Capt. William Lithgow
in command. Being poorly pro-
visioned and lacking ordinary COM
forts, the garrison had hard time
Indians killed and captured some
many fell sick and at last only sc
were fit for active duty. Drawings
have been made showing the general
plan of the four block houses, the
one now standing being at the south
west corner. AT the northeast corner
another block house was erected 20
feet square. and two others on high
ground commanding the SebasticoOk
All were connected by palisade OF
posts. Inside the enclosure were one
story barracks, two story officer s
quarters, a fort house and armory
The corner stone is now at Augusta
in the State House, and bears this
inscription, This corner stone laid
by order of Governor Shirley, 1854"
In 1868 the peace of Paris was
signed and it was no longer neces
sary to guard the fort. About this
period the Plymouth Company made
u grant of 1860 acres, covering the
territory of Winslow, on certain con-
ditions, to five men, Gamaliel Brad
ford, John Winslow, Daniel Howard
Fathcr of Silence Howard iayden)
Nov 1.,t-
OF many such grants this was tho
only one to succeed and thus King
field plantation came into being. This
was its name until 1111, when through
the energy and capability of its
people, it was incorporated as the
town of Winsiow named i'll honor OF
the Winslow family, which had cen
prominent in it's history and came
within the Lincoln county jurisdiction
until 1873 when Kennebec county was
established.
The first town meeting was held al
Fort Halifax on May 20, 1711, just
about 144 years ago. Winslow, whose
Indian name was Ticonic, somewhat
differently spelled by various writer's
at this time comprised both banks OF
the Kennebec, the Emerson stream
now called Messalonskee, and the
Sebasticook; land covered by the
finest forests with fertile soil and well
provided with game and fish. FOR 81
years, during which period there was
a steady increase in business facili /
ties and population the town con-
tinued under the name of WlnsloW.
Everyone who knows OF the Fort
Halifax Gift shop, conducted by Mrs
Eva G. Newell, will be interested TO
learn that in her cellar is a spring
that is bricked up with bricks brought
over here by the British. These bricks
are l. inches long. SIX inches wide
and six inches thick, and are in the
form Of Il crescent. \ piece Of tn"
wooden pipe now stands that carried
water from the spring down TO the
stockade where the old Fort Halifax
was. This spring was active in this
work in 1854. A great many people
have visited Mrs. Eva Newell and
seen this wonderful historic sight.