Cumberland County ME Archives Biographies.....Leavett, Christopher  
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Tina Vickery tsvickery@adelphia.net March 29, 2007, 4:12 pm

Author: Sprague's Journal of Maine History 

Christopher Leavett was the first European who discovered,
appreciated and wrote about Casco Bay, now Portland and its
harbor Sprague's Journal of Maine History No.  II Vol.  VII
AUG. SEPT. OCT 1919 pages 93

Christopher Leavett was the first European who discovered,
appreciated and wrote about Casco Bay and what is now Portland
and its harbor.  

He landed at the Isles of Shoals from England in 1623.  He
visited Piscataqua and then sailed with two boats and several
men to Cape Elizabeth, Casco Bay and on to Boothbay.  King
James had given him six thousand acres of land to be located
where he might choose east of the Piscataqua.  He was
exploring for a site for a city.  His first view of the spot
where is now the city of Portland convinced him that it was
the place he was seeking.  In this he certainly exhibited
sense and good judgment.

He built a house there, lived in it about a year and then
returned to England, expecting to bring back a colony to
settle at Casco.  For some reason he never returned.

He published a narrative of his journey and a description of
the country entitled, "A voyage into New England, begun in
1623 and ended in 1624, performed by Christopher Levett, his
majesty's Woodward of Somertshire, and one of the Council of
New England, London, 1628."

(c) 1998
Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society

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