BEFORE THEY CAME...

In 1621 King James of England granted a large tract of land to the Plymouth Council in England to plan and govern New England. In 1629 the New Plymouth Colony received a grant from this council which included present day Readfield and other towns in this area of Central Maine (15 miles on both sides of the Kennebec River). In 1640 Governor Bradford of Massachusetts signed over the grant to all citizens of the New Plymouth Colony. Poor fur trade, land ownership disputes, and threats associated with the French & Indian Wars prevented settlement of this area, so in 1661 the Pilgrims sold this land to some Boston merchants for 400 pounds sterling. The merchants called themselves the Kennebec Purchase Company of the late New Plymouth Colony.

 The land remained unsettled, but in 1749 during a period of tranquility the Proprietors reorganized in hopes of developing this land and increasing the value of their investment. They promoted the construction of Fort Halifax in Winslow and Fort Western in Hallowell (later split and this part became Augusta) - both on the Kennebec River. Their plan was to secure this area from the threat of Indian attacks thus convincing settlers that this area was a safe place in which to live.

Fort Western 1754

 

They had the land survey done two settlers lots to one proprietors lot, so as this area developed and became more populated the proprietors share of land would sell at a higher price. In 1761 The Proprietors of the Kennebec Purchase ran a persuasive advertisement for free land. The ad was circulated in England and America. It read (in part) as follows: "...the Proprietors will grant two hundred acres altogether, to each family who shall become Settlers on Condition that they each build a house not less than 20 feet square, and seven feet stud; clear and make fit for tillage five acres within three years, and dwell upon the premises personally, or by their substitutes for the term of seven years or more. The Proprietors proposed to lay out in each township 200 acres for the first settled minister, 200 acres for the ministry, and 100 acres for a schoolhouse lot, training field and burying ground. They went on to say that this land was the best offer of any yet offered in any part of America, had "plenty of meadows and interval, and that many settlers have carried with them 20 head of cattle which they have been able to keep year round… It is well stored with great quantities of the best and most valuable timber..." They further exclaimed that the water-carriage made for ready access to the Boston market "24 hours with favorable wind", and the river and sea abounded with various kinds of fish. By this time several towns had been established on the lower Kennebec River.