anyways…

History: MAINE AND THE SEA ESSAY

Written February, 2006

The assignment was to write an essay on the following:
You have arrived in the Falmouth, Massachusetts (now called Portland, Maine) area in 1660. Describe the maritime aspects of your new settlement. Include information about the living conditions, maritime businesses, possible dangers, and politics of your new hometown. What types of vessels are in the harbor and how are they used?

———-MY RESPONSE———-

As I open my mind’s eye in 1660 Falmouth, Massachusetts, I notice myself in a small, but growing settlement – slightly unstable (about 30 years old), but pressing on to overcome both environmental and external forces. The port is calm (protected by the deep, but surrounding harbor), and there are carracks (for longer sea worthy, less maneuverable voyages) and shallops (for maneuverable and shorter explorations). Both fishing and agriculture are “business as usual” – what I’d expect in territory newly discovered.

Falmouth is surrounded by family-settled colonies. They bring with them the hope of creating a new life. Fishing is a prosperous industry and someone who establishes fishing trade through this port will find a comfortable vivacity previously unknown to farmers and peasants. Hard work, yes – but rewarding in its own right.

Gender roles are clearly defined, with males working their land and prospering their trade. Women typically were the underpinning of social life and child rearing. They kept the household organized, were ready to process and store food, cook, clean, barter and deal in daily, local exchanges for the sustaining of her family. Class stratification is evident – with some wealthier, affluent upper class trading land holdings, and mid-class agriculture based families keeping their original grants. People seldom broke social class and changed their heritage and future. Religious life bubbled and Maine communities resisted Puritanism. This was great, but very limited. Settlements still “chose” their religious leaders as a group.
Dangers surrounded them from all sides. Native American confrontations, Falmouth being recently annexed, King Charles II ascendancy. Gorges had taken interest in retaking some of the settlements, but to futile ends. One danger in particular was something we take for granted: roads. They were quite impassable. Travel to other colonies was sometime impossible. This supported maritime transportation of goods and people to other regional destinations, as far as Boston, but as close as Saco or Machias. Another concern for local governments to wrestle with was defense. Each colony was to maintain their own militia, but the communities were so spread out that a quick call to arms would be vain. Even Falmouth contributed (though insufficient at best) to things like arms supplies to the Bay Colony.

Economy, religious, political and industrial needs are being met. Relations with neighbors are being forged (or smashed). Maritime trade is key in developing the region’s population and solidarity.