THE KENNEBEC VALLEY- Casco Bay S. H. Whitney 1887 Augusta: Sprague, Burleigh & Flynt, Printers to the State. 1887 pages 115-117 CASCO BAY. This bay receives the waters of the Ken- nebec River and its tributaries; it also con- tains may beautiful islands, some of which are inhabited. Casco Neck is the most charming spot to be found upon its shore. A party of gentle- men at Venice were discussing the relative attractions of localities visited by them. It was conceded that Italy abounded in lovely scenery, but one of them affirmed that the finest prospects he had ever enjoyed were at Portland and Casco Bay. The view that one obtains form the observatory on Munjoy Hill is perfectly delightful. About 1640, Sir Alexander Rigby pur- chased a tract of land, forty miles square, ly- ing upon the shore of Casco Bay. This was know as the Lygonian Patent; it also in- cluded the islands in Casco Bay. Great Island, Orr's Island and Bailey's Island are beautiful islands, near the main- land, forming the greater part of the town of Harpswell. Jewell's Island is about ten miles from the main, its southern shore being washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The oft-repeated story of Captain Kidd and his treasures, black Dinah and her divin- ing rod, invest those wild, rocky shores with peculiar interest. Peak's Island is about two miles from the city of Portland. Michael Mitton settled upon this island as early as 1637, and for sixty years it was known as Michael's Island. Chebeague Island. This island lies be- tween Long Island and Portland. It is about six miles long and three in breadth, and con- tains a population of about seven hundred. The shores of this island were a favorite re- sort for the Indian, it being located at a point in the bay that could easily be reached by the tribes who dwelt in the surrounding country. The symbolical number seems to be associ- ated with this island. From Chebeague to Portland it is about seven miles; from this island to Falmouth is seven miles; a distance of about seven miles intervenes between the island and Maquoit shore, and about the same number of miles lies between this island and Harpswell, so we see that this island was a convenient center for the Indians to meet and celebrate a joyful feast or join in the wild war dance, when a victory had been gained. Richmond's Island. This is a small island near Cape Elizabeth. It is about three miles in circumference, and contains some pretty good land. This island was embraced within the Lygonian Plantation. In 1628, a man by the name of Walter Bagnall took pos- session of this island without any title; his principal object in settling upon it was to trade with the Indians. Bagnall carried on an extensive trade with the Indian, and in a few years became a very rich man for those times. The historian says that Bagnall was an un- principled man and a very wicked fellow; he was known by the nick-name of "Great Walt," and became a terror to the natives of the surrounding shores. About 1635, and In- dian sachem by the name of Squidrayset, with a few warriors, visited the island, killed Bag- nall, plundered his house and reduced it to ashes. In early history this was a convenient place for fishermen to dwell, and at one time there was quite a settlement upon this island. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Me GenWeb Kennebec County Site ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ************************************************ * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.