Tidbits of History - Androscoggin County

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Tidbits of History - Androscoggin County ME

Last updated 3/20/2007

Androscoggin County & River - General Region
Merrymeeting Bay
Legends of The Great Falls of the Androscoggin River
Auburn ME - Ancient Village of Amitgonpontook
Durham ME - aka Royalsburg
Leeds ME - aka Littleborough
Lewiston/Auburn ME
Lisbon ME, Lisbon Center & Lisbon Falls
Poland ME, Minot, & Mechanic Falls - aka Bakerstown
Sabattus ME - Town, Pond, & River - aka Webster
Turner ME & Nezinscot River - aka Sylvestertown Plantation
Misc. Sources of Information - Androscoggin County

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Androscoggin County & River - General Region

See HENRY TUFTS on this web site
1775 Androscoggin Abenaki reaction to American Revolution
In 1775 there were Abanakis still in place in ancestral locations at Missisquoi, Memphremagog, Cowas and the upper Androscoggin River.
By the 1780's, Stinchfield relates that there were at least 500 [Abenaki] scattered along the upper Androscoggin.
"At Saint-Francais, from some of Zanghe'darankiac [Sagadahoc?], or people from the mouth of this river [Androscoggin], I learned that they call it, or rather its banks, Amilcungantiquoke, or banks of the river abounding in dried meat; that is, venison" (Kendall 1809 3:143)

Notes from "Above the Gravel Bar" - by David S. Cook & Misc. Sources on Indian Canoe Routes & Carries

Upper carry from above Brunswick Falls to Maquoit Bay
Below Brunswick Falls east to New Meadows River (Stevens Carry)
At Topsham a carry from Androscoggin River to Cathance Pond
Carry at head of Muddy River to Androscoggin and Cathance Rivers
To Sebago Lake and Casco Bay via Little Androscoggin River
Androscoggin River to Kennebec River, up Sabattus River, carry to Cochnewagon than into Cobbosseeconte waters.
Androscoggin River to Kennebec River down Dead River to Androscoggin Lake, carry to Wilson Pond then to Annabessacook Lake
To Rangeley Lakes by Ellis River with a long carry
Rangeley Lakes to Androscoggin River by Swift or Bear Rivers when water was up - too rapid & steep to be useful going up.
Rangeley Lakes to Kennebec River by South Branch of Dead River.
To Connecticut River or Megantic (Chaudiere watershed) from Aziscohos by Diamond Dead River or Cupsuptic
Carry from point east of the old ice house [Lake Auburn] to Taylor Pond

Lewiston Journal, 19-Dec-1928? Just Talks - On Common Themes
on "The Last of the Indians"

They always made two trips each year to the sea-coast. These were made for the purposes of visiting the graves of their fathers; to hunt sea-fowl; to buy and sell furs. Coming from up river they always paddled into Dead River of Leeds, and up to the old camping place. ... After awaiting their friends here and performing certain religious ceremonies, they divided. Part went over to Wilson Pond, worked along its waters to Cobbosseecontee; thence to the Kennebec. The other followed the Androscoggin. They reunited at Merrymeeting Bay; hunted ducks; fished and dried their fish and fowl. ... The last of these trips of record is in 1796.
Later a number of Androscoggin Indians lived in Rumford, Bethel and Canton. Near Auburn, Sabattus, Lisbon and Brunswick, scattered families continued to dwell. As late as 1778 six [Abenaki] were living in Poland and Minot. Their names were Philip, Swanton, Lazarus, Cookish, and Perepole. They were in absolute poverty and sadness. They dwelt in wigwams or shacks outside the village. They were friendly but aloof. They made baskets, fished, hunted, and raised a little garden-stuff. ...

Lewiston Evening Journal, starting 20-Jun-1959 from a series of articles the Androscoggin Indian History of Auburn

Through the years the [Androscoggin Abenaki] inter-mingled with members of other nations and the French, and eventually faded out of existence, although families of that area [he seems to be referring to Canada here] today may still unknowingly contain the [Androscoggin Abenaki] blood which was considered so vicious at the height of the war years.

[Note: The writer seems to be totally unaware of the fact that Abenaki still exist, have Reserves in Quebec, and know they are Abenaki. -NL]

News article found at Androscoggin Historical Society - unknown date, publisher, author ... It took 10 acres of land to support one warrior as they did not clear the forrest, but utilized natural meadows and had only primitive tools for planting. ...
Their hoes were made of clam shells and their spades were wooden or else made of moose horns. Rakes were made by shredding and binding bark fibers at the ends of saplings similar to our bamboo rakes of today. ... At Canton Point there was said to have been a 700 acre corn field on the river bottom soil. ...
With all that grain to be ground, the mortar and pestle were most important. The heavy pestle was often suspended from a branch with a leather thong to make it easier to use. ...
They chewed sweet flag root for a stomach ache. Dried powder from puff balls were used to stop the flow of blood. The bark from the stag-horn sumac also was used for this purpose as it puckered the skin because of its tannin. ... Spruce tea was enjoyed. ... White pine seeds were often cooked with meat. ...

[Note: The statement of 10 acres per warrior may be accurate if you take into account that each warrior/hunter probably supported a family of 3 to 7, which might include women, children, elders, widows, orphans, and disabled. -NL]

Merrymeeting Bay - General Region

See also Brunswick in Cumberland County
... a general council place for all the Indians in central and southern Maine was Abagudasset Point on Merrymeeting Bay.

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Durham ME - aka Royalsburg

Huge rocks with marked depressions in them were used to grind corn and wheat and these rocks can still be seen today in the Durham area where much of this work was done.
[caption under picture] ... [Mr. Garcelon] points to an area [in Durham] where Indians came from far and wide to gather sweet grass which they used in weaving baskets.

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
by 1779	Royalsborough	organized
1760	Lincoln County
1854	Androscoggin County
	local names	Shiloh South West Bend

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Leeds ME - aka Littleborough

In Littleborough in 1779, there was a wigwam village (on the site where Pocasset and his clan had formerly dwelt) occupied by the old chief, Sabattis, and certain [Abenaki] tribesmen.
You can see the carry-over on the Dead River at North Leads even today [1969] ... it is under an old iron railroad bridge.
In 1780 Indians were quite plentiful in Leeds
An encampment was located by the river near the place now [abt.1900] owned by the Deane Brothers
An encampment was located on land owned by Reuben Campbell [abt.1900] by the mouth of Dead River.
An encampment was located on the east side of the road, north of land now owned by D.P. True [abt.1900].
An encampment was located at the south end of the Lake, on land now owned by Herbert Parker [Abt. 1900]
An encampment was located at Stichfield Point

Lewiston Journal Magazine Section - Saturday, April 17, 1954 Lewiston's Industrial Growth Forerunner of Country's Birth

The first settlers in this area were Thomas Stinchfield and his younger brother, Robert [Roger ?], both of New Gloucester. ... He [Thomas] took a most unusual attitude for those days, towards the Indians. He held that by a more kindly attitude toward them and treating by acts showing honest purpose on the part of the white men, they could secure their confidence and friendship.
On Dead River near what is now North Leads was located an Indian Village of which Sabattus was Chief. They urged Thomas to settle among them and offered to give him the land occupied by their village. He accepted the offer and the Indians moved their village to another spot in the vicinity.

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
1801	Littleborough	organized
1760	Lincoln County
1854	Androscoggin County
	local names	Dead River Curtis Corner High Moor

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Lewiston/Auburn ME

see also Tidbits of Local History - Amitgonpontook

Col. William Garcelon recalled his father's stories of how he and other white boys used to play with young Indians whose families frequently visited the falls. The elder William Garcelon arrived in Lewiston with his parents in 1776 at the age of thirteen.

He said those Indian boys were smart and very active in the water and not willing to be outdone, but he told them he could go on the bottom of the river from the east shore & cross the channel to the shore of the Island in time of drought, which he and the Indians performed. But he could outdo the Indians as he used to pick up a stone in each hand which enabled him to keep the bottom while he crossed the channel and could perform the feat quite comfortably.

[Skinner Transcript, August 19, 1967]

Robert Taylor - Oral History

Some of Mr. Taylor's ancestors were the Jackson family that settled in the Ferry Rd. area in the 1780's. This is a story about that family which he passed on to one of our researchers.
"One day an Indian came to the house and asked to borrow a gun. The Indian explained there was a moose in the pasture which he would like to shoot. Mr. Jackson was a little reluctant to give a weapon to an Indian, but did so anyway. The Indian shot the moose, returned the gun, and left some moose meat for the family as a thank you." County Menu

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
bef 1788		organized
1760	Lincoln County
1854	Androscoggin County

Lisbon ME - Lisbon Center & Lisbon Falls

[After 1796] Near Auburn, Sabattus, Lisbon and Brunswick, scattered [Abenaki] families continued to dwell.
The chief [Sabattus] had formerly had encampments in what is now Sabattus, Lisbon, Auburn and various other places along the lower Androscoggin.
Lisbon field by the river - up to 30 Indians in groups lived there - maybe as late as the turn of the century. [which century is unclear -NL]

Lewiston Journal, 1864 The Indians of the Androscoggin
by N.T.Rrue, M.D. From Chapter XVII

Still farther up the river an English trading house was established which greatly annoyed Mr. Purchase by intercepting his trade with the Indian settlement on Sabattis river.

[Note: True gives us no idea of who or when, but it would have been before 1675, when Purchase fled to Boston and from the description we guess, in the vicinity of Lisbon. -NL]

The Lisbon Enterprise - August 7, 1952

photo of highway sign reading;
ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY
RIVER CALLED CROOKED
SITE OF OLD INDIAN VILLAGE
BURYING GROUND ACROSS THE
RIVER IN DURHAM
THOMAS PURCHAS HAD TRADING
POST AT FALLS BELOW IN 1650
CAPT. CHURCHS RAID IN 1690
BROKE THE INDIAN STRENGTH

caption under photo;
Tourists traveling the Lisbon-Lewiston Highway seldom pass this sign without stopping to read the inscription on it. Recently installed by the State, the sign calls attention to "The River Called Crooked" where the Androscoggin-Sabattus Rivers meet and the site of a once famous old Indian village, long since gone.

[Note: Purchase's trading post was at Brunswick, possibly as early as 1632. Church's raid in 1690 was at Laurel Hill in Auburn, his rank was Major, and his raid had only minor effects on the Abenaki. -NL]

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
1799	Thompsonboro	organized
1820	Lisbon
1760	Lincoln County
1854	Androscoggin County
	local names	Little River Plantation

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Poland ME - Poland Springs, Minot, & Mechanic Falls
- aka Bakerstown (which also originally included Auburn)

As late as 1778 six [Abenaki] were living in Poland and Minot. Their names were Philip, Swanton, Lazarus, Cookish, and Perepole. They were in absolute poverty and sadness. They dwelt in wigwams or shacks outside the village. They were friendly but aloof. They made baskets, fished, hunted, and raised a little garden-stuff.
large number of arrowheads, tomahawks, and other relics found near the spring [Poland Spring].

Lewiston Journal, 01-Apr-1889

Tradition and a manuscript of Moses Emery, the first settler of Minot and the third in Poland, tells us that for several years after the first settlements by the white people, several families who constituted a remnant of the once powerful tribe of Indians, the Androscoggins, continued to linger around their native haunts, subsisting as best they could by making baskets, hunting, begging, and occasionally playing the doctor.
The Indians, most of them, laid claim to much knowledge of roots and herbs, likewise their healing virtues, and most prevalent diseases of that day; and in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining the services of a regular physician, the assistance of some old squaw was often sought.
She was ever ready to officiate, and the wise looks, node of the head, and a constant muttering in an unknown tongue, in imitation of some professional soothsayer, would undertake the case, asking no other reward than her board and an occasional drink of "occuby" (fire water).
We never learned that these people were quarrelsome or particular thievish, but they were notorious beggars, and hard to shake off when they had formed the habit of visiting any particular place.

About the last to leave the town of Poland was an Indian and his squaw named Lockett. The husband died as early as 1780 or soon after the first white settler came to Bakerstown, as it was then called, and but little is known of him, but his wife Molly, lingered about for many years during which she was continually on the tramp from Poland to Canada and back. While in Poland her favorite haunt was in the vicinity of Ricker's or Range Hill, for the past thirty years so far-famed as being the site of the famous mineral spring and its medicinal properties.
Molly seems to have entertained some idea of the peculiarities of the spring and its medicinal properties, of which she often spoke. Still as she was nothing but an old drunken squaw no notice was taken of her pratling. ...

Maine History, Vol. 34, No. 2, Fall 1994 Article about Poland Spring Resort

Beginning in the 1890s and continuing into the 1920s the Rickers preserved a contrived and controlled semblance of the aboriginal landscape by allowing families of Penobscot Indians from Old Town to set up an encampment near the spring each summer. ... the Rickers confined them to a campground located near the spring ... Asked why he permitted the Indians on his property, Edward Ricker responded: "Well, they come here to sell their work and to a certain extent as long as they are quiet, they are an attraction." ...
"Newell Neptune sits in his tent, and makes the bows and arrows, or stands behind his display of baskets and tells you of his work. Examine the neat construction, inhale the fragrance of sweet grasses, ..."
The Indians appreciated that the spring was "nature's reservoir" and accordingly treated it as a "sacred fount." ...

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
1795	Poland from Bakerstown
1802	Minot from Poland
1893	Mechanic Falls from Minot & Poland
1760	Cumberland County
1854	Androscoggin County
	local names	Hacketts Mill Poland Springs Empire

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Sabattus ME - Town, Pond & River - aka Webster

[After 1796] Near Auburn, Sabattus, Lisbon and Brunswick, scattered [Abenaki] families continued to dwell.
The chief [Sabatas] had formerly had encampments in what is now Sabattus, Lisbon, Auburn and various other places along the lower Androscoggin.

Lewiston Newspaper - July 28, 1905 The tribe of Indians who have been camping on the shores of the Sabattus river for some time have left town. There were about ten in all and they had with them as many dogs. During their stay they made baskets, chairs, bows and arrows, etc. They sold these articles in the village and did a good business. The bows and arrows probably had the greatest sale and are still the sport of the small boys and girls as well.

Lewiston Journal, 1864 The Indians of the Androscoggin
by N.T.True, M.D. Addendum to Chapter VI

[a letter from a Sabattus resident, name unknown]

Sabattis, Feb. 9th, 1864
Dr. N.T. True - Dear Sir: - I know but little of the Aborigines that once inhabited the country, but I have been satisfied from early childhood that this place was a favorite locality with them. One reason why I think so is the number of tools that have been found of many shapes; some were fashioned like gorges, some something like an axe, and other forms, and all made of a peculiar kind of stone, different from and [un]common to this part of the country. They were even made of fine gritted stone, and were excellent for sharpening tools. I have found many of them myself and seen many that others have found, and I have often heard the remark that this vicinity must have been thickly inhabited by them, their implements were found in so plenty. Again, the land around the outlet and much of it on the west side on the pond, had been cleared before it was settled by the whites. In some places a second growth had sprung up, in others nothing remained but scattering oaks of large size. The lot, particularly that of Mr. Samuel Thompson settled, had been nearly all cleared at the time he came on it.

[Out of respect for our Abenaki friends and their ancestors - a section of this letter is intentionally left out, as it describes various graves which were found and disturbed.]

The pond was well stored with fish at the time the first settlements were made around it. Shad and salmon, before the dams were built, came into it, and I have heard some of the early settlers say that a boat-load of fish could be caught in a very short time, and I have seen a place, a few rods below the outlet of the pond, that was built, it was supposed, by the Indians, for the purpose of taking fish. It was built in the form of a V, with the point down stream, extended from shore to shore, and was formed of very large stones which must have taken the strength of many of them to move. It remained until a few years past, when it was removed to help construct a dam at the outlet of the pond. It has always been tradition around here that an Indian by the name of Sabattis had his home around the pond.

From Chapter XVII

... Still farther up the river an English trading house was established which greatly annoyed Mr. Purchase by intercepting his trade with the Indian settlement on Sabattis river.

[Note: True gives us no idea of who or when, but it would have been before 1675, when Purchase fled to Boston and from the description we guess, in the vicinity of Lisbon. -NL]

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
1840	Webster from Lisbon
1971	Sabattus
1760	Lincoln County
1854	Androscoggin County

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Turner ME & Nezinscot River - aka Sylvestertown Plantation

Lewiston Journal Magazine Section - Saturday, April 17, 1954 Lewiston's Industrial Growth Forerunner of Country's Birth

During one of his hunting trips he [Thomas Stinchfield] came upon an Indian village at the mouth of the Twenty Mile River (Nazinscot) in Turner. With the muzzle of his gun pointed downward, indicative of peace, he courageously entered the village where Chief Sabattus and his braves gave him a friendly welcome and invited him into their wigwams. Thus began a friendly relationship with them that served him in good stead in the following years. They named him Father Thomas and sought his services as arbitrator of their quarrels.

Lewiston Journal Illustrated Magazine Section, 25-Feb-1922 from an article on Rockemeke Farm in Turner

This ridge of land where Uncle Bradish [Turner] located was called Rockemeka Ridge because a tribe of Indians named the Rockemekas, frequented this spot as they roamed up and down the twenty-mile river, so called, but now the Nezinscot river. These Indians made their headquarters on the old Ricker place adjacent, (now George Newells farm) to Uncle Bradish Turner's farm.
Both of these farms border on the Nezinscott; ... Mother had a covered basket kept very carefully in the parlor closet. The strips of wood of which it was made were painted in spots, and she told me "the Indians who lived on the Ricker farm made it." It was among the things she treasured. ...

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
by 1779	Sylvestertown Plantation	organized originally Sylvester Canada
1760	Cumberland County
1805	Oxford County
1854	Androscoggin County
	local names	Chases Mills Keens Mills

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