Maine Memory Network

Fort Kent December 1842 is the title of this cartoon that shows the blockhouse at Fort Kent, and the field, forest and riders nearby. This was matted back to back with the other part of the cartoon - showing Daniel Webster and Lord Ashburton shaking hands after the Webster-Ashburton agreement on the Northeast boundary lines of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. See #6643. Fort Kent was the last wooden blockhouse built in Maine erected to protect against the Canadians/British during the Aroostook War when the boundary line was in dispute.

The Blockhouse in Fort Kent was built in 1839 to defend the area against the British during the conflict called the "Aroostook War." It was later rented out for apartments. In the 1950's, Willard Jalbert rehabilitated the structure for a park commemorating the 19th century conflict that resulted in drawing Maine's present northern boundaries.

This letter from Governor John Fairfield to Rufus McIntyre, a land agent in Bangor, describes some of the problems arising with settlers in Madawaska.

The letter is dated Dec. 15, 1840.

Governor Fairfield refers to a letter he has received from Sir John Harvey, the Governor of New Brunswick, which lists insulting behavior to Francis Rice from the settlers and, particularly, Ian McLaughlin near Fish River.

March 5, 1839 orders from Isaac Hodsdon to send troops to the northern area of Maine to restore order between the Maine and New Brunswick residents in a border dispute.

The dispute became known as the Aroostook War.

A proclamation issued in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Feb. 13, 1839, noting that the government will take action against "armed persons" from Maine who were cutting timber on Canadian land.

The proclamation asks that New Brunswick residents who took Royal arms and ammunition to defend against the intruders return them and states that a militia will be formed to handle the problem.

David M. Coffin of Spring Hill, New Brunswick, sent the proclamation to Maine Governor John Fairfield.

Winfield Scott (1786-1866), who helped negotiate a truce in the Aroostook War, wrote from Augusta to Henry A. S. Dearborn (1751-1829) in Boston.

Scott notes that he must prepare for war if negotiations fail in the boundary dispute between Maine and Canada.

The Maine State Legislature passed this resolution to authorize troops to be sent north to deal with "trespassers" into Maine.

This military action is called the Aroostook War, although there was no bloodshed.

The Northeast boundary dispute was resolved by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842.

Isaac Hodsdon received a letter in 1837 about Ebeneezer Greely who had been conducting a census of Madawaska when he was arrested and jailed in Frederickton, New Brunswick. New Brunswick and Maine were in dispute over the boundary between the two.

The letter, from W. H. Robinson, notes that upon Greely's release from prison, he returned to the area and said he was an agent of the state of Maine and that if arrested again, another agent would be sent to finish the work, supported by an "armed force."

In a letter to Hodsdon from prison, Greely had advocated for troops to protect the border and the U.S. interests.

John Chandler, a U.S. Senator from Maine, wrote to Gen. Isaac Hodsdon of the Maine Militia, to report that troops would be sent to Houlton to establish a military post there to protect the residents on the Maine border.

Maine and New Brunswick did not agree on the lines of the border between the two.

Chandler expressed hope that a military road to Houlton would soon be approved as well.

Sen. John Chandler of Maine wrote to Maine Militia Adjutant Gen. Isaac Hodsdon to report that Capt. Russell, U.S. Army quarter master, was to arrive in Maine soon to determine the best route for a company of troops to take to Houlton where they would be stationed to protect residents of the area.

Maine and New Brunswick were involved in a border dispute and residents were concerned about their welfare and their ability to farm and to harvest timber.

Chandler also updated Hodsdon on the progress of getting a military road to Houlton, something many residents had petitioned Congress for.

Map of Northern Maine depicting the disposition of Maine Militia, U.S. Army and British troops during the border dispute known as the Aroostook War. The conflict was settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 establishing the present Maine border with Canada.

The positions were plotted by an eye witness, 1843.

Ebeneezer Stevens Greely (1797-1869), who was taking a census of Madawaska for the state of Maine in 1837, was arrested by Canadian authorities, an act that helped to precipitate the Aroostook War, a dispute over the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick.

The federal government required the census for distribution of funds.

Greely wrote to Maj. Gen. Isaac Hodsdon of the Maine militia, from the Frederickton, New Brunswick, jail. He tells Hodsdon, "It is high time that this boundary question should be settled -- If the state of Maine have any claims to this disputed territory she must maintain them ..."

He reported that his census so far had determined there were 1,247 residents of Madawaska, but the total probably was about 2,900, mostly French.

He wrote that the French "dread the calamities of war, and rather suffer than fight ..."

He noted that the people of Madawaska were suffering because New Brunswick prevented them from cutting timber and therefore making money. Weather was preventing the residents from raising crops to feed themselves.

He concluded, "Remembering that I am under the screws of British authority that I can not help squirming and speaking out to my friends in my humble way."

In 1828 Charles S. Davies of Portland, wrote Samuel Cook, land agent at Houlton, concerning State and Federal support for Aroostook settlers in the Border Dispute with New Brunswick, as well as other matters.

In the letter he refers to (John) Baker who, in 1827, raised a flag depicting an eagle partially surrounded by stars, in a community that was latter know as Fort Kent.

New Brunswick authorities arrested Baker because they considered the act to be seditious.

Davies also writes about some personal business matters.

Hodgdon farmer John Warren Jackins describes his employment cutting and driving timber on the Aroostook River during the winter and spring of 1838-1839 in this affadavit.

Jackins states Maine Militia Captain and Deputy Land Agent William Parrot refused to let the timber of S Cary and Company pass.

Jackins describes the difficulties and costs Parrot's interference caused. This action occurred against the backdrop of the so called "Bloodless Aroostook War."

The settlement of the boundary dispute under the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 allowed for compensation for losses and guaranteed free passage on the St John River.

This Calais Frontier Guard banner was made by Charles Codman in 1839 and accompanied the Guard to the border dispute with Canada which was called the Aroostook War. The banner is of oil and gold leaf on silk and shows George Washington and his generals, flanked by four flags. On the reverse is the Maine State Seal.