Maine Memory Network

Doggett's Castle, a steep metamorphic granite cliff reaching over one hundred feet in height above the Sheepscot River, is located on the east side of Westport Island.

Captain Samuel Doggett (1685-1745) reportedly anchored his vessel, the Dolphin, beneath this shear ledge to trade with the Native people of the region.

Since the only approach to this mooring spot was by water, Captain Doggett reportedly felt it was safe and called it his 'castle'. The name has remained.

"Rocks, that’s all you can see [at Doggett's Castle]."
Verlie Greenleaf, 1987

William "Billy" Post landed his Piper Cub–the first plane landing ever–on Westport Island in 1948. Pictured left to right are Billy Post, the pilot; Verlie Greenleaf; and Verlie's granddaughter, Asenath "Senie" Greenleaf.

Billy Post worked for Verlie's husband, Fred Greenleaf, on the family farm. Post landed his plane in Mosier's field (formerly the Rial Colby farm) adjacent to the Main Road. He stayed the night with Nina and Walter Greenleaf, and left early the next morning after performing stunt flying for the gathered townspeople.

"That’s when Billy Post landed in Rena's field in his airplane. … When he landed, we went over and took pictures."
Verlie Greenleaf, 1987

According to legend, this house was prepared for Queen Marie Antoinette of France, although there was no supporting historical evidence to confirm the statement.

The home was originally built for Captain Joseph Decker in 1774 on the head of Squam Island—"Squam", now Westport Island, was known as Jeremysquam. After Decker’s death in 1792, his son-in-law Captain Stephen Clough, acquired the property.

Captain Clough was the registered owner of the ship Sally in 1793, and was working in France. He hatched a scheme to stow Marie Antoinette aboard the Sally, and bring her to Maine for safety during the French Revolution.

The Sally was loaded with furniture and royal finery—possibly belonging to Marie Antoinette—but on the eve of sailing, the plan was foiled. Instead, Marie Antoinette was delivered to the revolutionary mob and executed, but according to legend, her possessions made it to Westport Island.

In 1838 owners moved the so-called Marie Antoinette house across the Sheepscot River to Edgecomb. In the 20th century, it became a destination for school groups, civic groups and history buffs interested in its possible role in the tale of Marie Antoinette. Tourist maps featured the house, and there were several postcard views printed.

"And then they went and took our Marie Antoinette house away from us, you see. They put that on a scow and paddled it across the river. It was up at Clough's Point. Captain Clough was going from here to France... Well, he got acquainted somehow with this Marie Antoinette. He built this house for her and the last trip he went over there to get her, it leaked out what she was doing and they beheaded her. Edgecomb wanted the house. It really belongs on Westport. It's really ours, our history, because Clough didn't belong in Edgecomb; he belonged on Westport."
Verlie Greenleaf, 1987

Camp Molly Hall was a dance hall operated by Everett "Ves" Sylvester and Melvin Cromwell starting in the 1890s, until the hall was torn down after Everett's death in 1912. Located on the shore of the Island's north end, Camp Molly was easily accessed by patrons from Edgecomb and Wiscasset during weekly dances.

The name "Camp Molly" came from an Island legend about a Penobscot woman named Molly Molasses who traveled in the vicinity of Westport in the 1840s. She reportedly saw a group of merrymakers having a clambake and stopped to share how the Penobscots prepared a clambake. The land where this exchange took place became known as Camp Molly. Molly Molasses was also known as Mary Pelagie (1775-1867).

"I don’t remember the first time [I met my husband Fred]. Most likely it might have been to a dance. …we had that dance hall up at the North end, up Camp Molly. [It was] right on the tip so they could come from Edgecomb or Wiscasset or wherever by boat... We ran dances from the Fourth of July to Labor Day."

Verlie Greenleaf, 1987