A History of Swan's Island, Maine
Upon the very
threshold of this historical sketch I found myself quite
destitute of early public records. For over half a century from
the settlement of this island until its organization as a
plantation no municipal records were kept. But I have been
fortunate in bringing to light many private family records, old
deeds showing what lots were occupied by the pioneer settlers;
and written mutual agreements, which seem to have been often the
result of arbitration on any disputed point where different
claims to land conflicted with one another.
A great deal
of the information which I have received concerning the early
settlers was obtained from the oldest inhabitants of the island,
many of whom were children of the first settlers, and in a few
instances the latter of the pioneer settlers themselves. In this
part, which I have obtained from the memory of aged people, some
errors may appear, but in the main it will be found correct, as
a great deal of pains has been taken to verify these records.
I feel that
no apology is necessary for occasionally going beyond the limits
of this town and bringing in the sketch of some person directly
connected with the family under consideration, for a book of
this kind must necessarily be excursive in its character.
|
