1775-1789
1775
|
 Machias Bay 1785 Battle of Lexington and Concord begins the Revolutionary War. |
1776 |
Declaration of Independence, copies sent to all Maine towns to be read aloud. Incorporation of the town of Warren. |
1777 |
The Ranger, first American Warship, built at Kittery. Incorporation of the towns of Fryeburg and Thomaston. Population 42,241 |
1778 |
Maine constituted a district by the Continental Congress. Incorporation of the towns of Coxhall (Lyman) and Gray. |
1779
|
Birth of Governor William D. Williamson, second Governor of Maine (1821). Incorporation of the Town of Pittston. Penobscot Expedition is launched and defeated in an attempt to drive the British from Downeast Maine. |
1780
|
Maine Population: 65,000 |
1781 |
Incorporation of the town of Bath. Articles of Confederation go into effect. |
1782 |
First settlements in the towns of Hope, New Sharon, and Solon. |
1783 |
Birth in Hallowell of U.S. Senator (1837-1843) Reuel Williams. Treaty of Paris confirms American independence, sets Maine’s boundaries. Loyalist Tory homes in Maine were taken apart and moved to New Brunswick, Canada, and reassembled. |
1784 |
Incorporation of the town of Machias. Province of New Brunswick established, beginning long boundary dispute with Maine. |
1785
|
Movement begins to separate Maine from Massachusetts. Falmouth Gazette, first Maine newspaper, begins publication. |
1786 |
Incorporation of the towns of Portland, Turner, and Union. First attack of Daniel Shays Rebellion in Massachusetts in response to debtors’ grievances. |
1787 |
Stagecoach line opened between Portland and Portsmouth, later to Augusta. Incorporation of the towns of Limerick, Penobscot, and Waterborough. Second attack of Shays Rebellion in Massachusetts exposes weak Confederation. U.S. Constitution drafted, signed, sent to states for ratification. |
1788 |
U.S. Constitution ratified. Birth in Hebron of Governor (1822-1827) Albion Parris, elected U.S. Senator (1827-1828), served as Comptroller of the U.S. Treasury (1836-1850). Incorporation of the towns of Bowdoin, Canaan, Fairfield, Greene, Nobleborough, and Norridgewock. |
1789 |
District of Maine Established Birth of U.S. Senator (1833-1836) Ether Shepley, a justice of the Supreme Court of Maine and its Chief Justice (1848-1855). Hancock and Washington Counties formed. Incorporation of the towns of Blue Hill, Cushing, Deer Isle, Durham, Frankfort, Freeport, Gouldsboro, Islesborough, Mount Desert, Sedgwick, Sullivan, Trenton, and Vinalhaven. Slavery abolished in Massachusetts (therefore, Maine). U.S. Congress convenes in New York; Washington inaugurated President. |
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