Unlike today, in
1770 there were no roads from southern New England into central Maine, or from
Hallowell towards Winthrop and Farmington. The Kennebec River and
Cobbosseeconte waterway was utilized because all that even resembled a road
were some blazed trails left by the earliest trappers and scouts. So, how did
our forefathers manage to get to their new homeland in the “back country”, and
what were some of the challenges they faced?
In the Colonial era cargo schooners – called “wood coasters” - were the quickest and cheapest route from southeastern Massachusetts and Portsmouth towards the central Maine frontier. During the warmer months dozens of them plied the coastal waters carrying country goods to and from those ports to Maine – one being Hallowell. Those vessels were the work horses for coastal trade and carried everything from timber and coal to bricks, general cargo, or loads of hay. They also provided cheap transport for aspiring pioneers.
With good weather and favorable winds mid-coast Maine was a day’s sail away from Boston for a fare of about $2.00 - about a week’s wages. Most often the men folk went ahead first to pave the way and to prepare primitive homes for their wives and children.
They sailed to Phippsburg, and then up the Kennebec River to the head of tide at Hallowell. From there most of them stopped at Fort Western to purchase provisions, familiarize themselves with the area and to talk to local people about what they might encounter on the journey ahead.
Fully equipped with tools and whatever provisions they needed, they may have hired someone with an ox cart to haul their belongings. The trail into the backcountry was still rough and rugged at that time, so more than likely they rigged up some kind of primitive carriers and did their own lugging. From Hallowell they proceeded westward towards no man’s land.
Some newcomers had the benefit of following a marked trail, which was created sometime around 1766. It was a primitive pathway on which a few bushes had been cleared and a line of trees blazed, and it led to the more populated southern section of Pondtown (Winthrop). In the northern part of Pondtown (Readfield) it is reasonable to say another trail would have been used – the same one traveled by Indians from Bombahook (Hallowell) towards the Sandy River.
They climbed steep hills, forded streams and inched their way through dense forest until they reached their destination. There was no semblance of civilization when they stopped several miles west of the Kennebec River. The trail from Hallowell to northern Pondtown was described as a “tortuous road” by someone who used that route in 1799. Imagine what it must have been like in 1770 when the earliest adventurers passed through.
It was around this time that geographer Thomas Prentiss wrote of the mid Maine backcountry:
In the Colonial era cargo schooners – called “wood coasters” - were the quickest and cheapest route from southeastern Massachusetts and Portsmouth towards the central Maine frontier. During the warmer months dozens of them plied the coastal waters carrying country goods to and from those ports to Maine – one being Hallowell. Those vessels were the work horses for coastal trade and carried everything from timber and coal to bricks, general cargo, or loads of hay. They also provided cheap transport for aspiring pioneers.
With good weather and favorable winds mid-coast Maine was a day’s sail away from Boston for a fare of about $2.00 - about a week’s wages. Most often the men folk went ahead first to pave the way and to prepare primitive homes for their wives and children.
They sailed to Phippsburg, and then up the Kennebec River to the head of tide at Hallowell. From there most of them stopped at Fort Western to purchase provisions, familiarize themselves with the area and to talk to local people about what they might encounter on the journey ahead.
Fully equipped with tools and whatever provisions they needed, they may have hired someone with an ox cart to haul their belongings. The trail into the backcountry was still rough and rugged at that time, so more than likely they rigged up some kind of primitive carriers and did their own lugging. From Hallowell they proceeded westward towards no man’s land.
Some newcomers had the benefit of following a marked trail, which was created sometime around 1766. It was a primitive pathway on which a few bushes had been cleared and a line of trees blazed, and it led to the more populated southern section of Pondtown (Winthrop). In the northern part of Pondtown (Readfield) it is reasonable to say another trail would have been used – the same one traveled by Indians from Bombahook (Hallowell) towards the Sandy River.
They climbed steep hills, forded streams and inched their way through dense forest until they reached their destination. There was no semblance of civilization when they stopped several miles west of the Kennebec River. The trail from Hallowell to northern Pondtown was described as a “tortuous road” by someone who used that route in 1799. Imagine what it must have been like in 1770 when the earliest adventurers passed through.
It was around this time that geographer Thomas Prentiss wrote of the mid Maine backcountry:
“When a traveler
attains the summit of a hill, the whole around him appears like an ocean of
woods, swelled and depressed in its surface like the great ocean itself.”
The countryside was completely unsettled, and populated with animals such as bear, wolves, fishers and wildcats. The pioneers were constantly vigilant for any signs of marauding Indians – or worse yet - attacks. No one had warned them about the terrible onslaught of the tiny but virulent black flies and mosquitoes. The trekkers had no immunity to the venom of black flies. Their eyes swelled shut and the insects literally became embedded in their swollen, inflamed skin. would be so interesting to hear the settler’s stories first hand, but
those opportunities passed long ago. So, to put their trek into perspective just
imagine hiking into the wilds of Baxter State Park with no firsthand knowledge
of the area, without a map, compass, insect repellant or sufficient shoes and
clothing. Add to that vision - with all of your worldly possessions in tow.
Those men and women were truly courageous, adventuresome and eager for a new start. Those of us who live in beautiful Central Maine today can thank them for their sacrifices and for paving the way into the Central Maine back country.
This article was written by Dale Marie Potter-Clark who is the Historical Consultant for the Readfield Historical Society. She also offers community education about Readfield’s history, and organizes "Readfield History Walks". FMI visit www.readfieldmaine.blogspot.com.
(c) 2015 All Rights Reserved by Dale Potter-Clark
This story appeared in Lakes Region Reader, 10/9/2015
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