Historical Markers

Eunice Farnsworth-Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter DAR

Historical Markers

Eunice Farnsworth Chapter, Skowhegan, has placed, two and one half miles below Skowhegan village, two markers by the roadside, to commemorate the spot where the first settlers of the town moored their boat on the shores of the Kennebec River, calling their new home East Canaan. The first is located near the old cemetery on the west side of the Kennebec River and gives the following information :

In this graveyard lie the early settlers of Old Canaan. The North West part of it was the site of the first Meeting House of the town built in 1788. South of the Church lot was the Common and Training Field.

Placed by the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter DAR

The second marker is placed on the same road about one fourth mile below the cemetery and reads :

Near the river opposite this spot, the first house in Somerset County,

a log cabin 20 feet square was built in 1771

by Peter Heywood and Joseph Weston.

In this cabin, Isaac Smith and Eli Weston, 16 and 11 years old,

passed the winter and to it the following April,

Joseph Weston brought his family.

Placed by the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter DAR

Marking Arnold's Trail

At the meeting of the Maine State Council, DAR held in Skowhegan, March 1909, the chairman of the Historic Marking committee brought to the members of the Council a request that they mark Benedict Arnold's Trail through the State.

[A] marker along this trail was placed by the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter of Skowhegan. This monument marks the notable spot where it is supposed that Arnold camped. It is a large mixed granite boulder that was taken from the farm of Levi W. Weston, a descendant of Joseph Weston who volunteered to aid Arnold's forces of about 1100 men up the river in batteaux on the expedition against Quebec. He aided in poling their boats from this place, which is about two miles below Skowhegan, to Skowhegan Island. The marker has been placed on the spot where Arnold encamped and is located on the southeast corner of the [former] Skowhegan High School Campus.

This marker now resides in the Arnold Trail Park on the Island.

The inscription :

September 29 - October 4, 1775

Eleven hundred Revolutionary Soldiers

Commanded by Colonel Benedict Arnold

Passed across this Island, Carrying Bateaux and Supplies

On their way to Quebec.

To commemorate their daring and ill-fated Expedition

This tablet is placed by

Eunice Farnsworth Chaper, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1912

Dudley's Corner School

"Municipal Center for Many Years Of

Milburn - Skowhegan

All annual town meetings but two 1829 - 1849

All state elections but three 1823 - 1848

And all Presidential Elections 1824 - 1846

Were held here."

Dudley's Corner School was an important spot during a considerable part of the history of the town, for it was a church center of the region, holding for years the First Christian Church, and was also the place of many town-meetings. In honor of its service to the town, it was in town-meeting of 1932 designated for preservation as a historic spot, and a bronze tablet, placed upon it by Eunice Farnsworth Chapter, DAR, in commemoration of its historical interest, was dedicated May 11, 1932.

from Skowhegan on the Kennebec by Louise Helen Coburn, 1941.

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This site created and maintained by

Eunice Farnsworth-Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter member, Kathy M. Palmer

Updated October 02, 2008

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