History of Winthrop, Maine, USA

Winthrop, Maine
Kennebec county. This town is finely situated, having a fertile soil, an undulating surface, and comprising six beautiful sheets of water; the Cobbessecontee and some of its tributaries. The largest of these lakes or ponds is ten miles in length, and from one to three in width. These waters give to Winthrop a valuable water power, and which is partly improved by a large cotton mill, a flour mill, carding and cloth dressing establishments, saw mills, &c. There are also in the town extensive manufactures of leather, boots, and shoes.

The principal village is delightfully located, in the form of a crescent, at the union of the North lake, extending into Readfield, about six miles, with the South lake extending into Monmouth, about the same distance. This village is 10 miles W. from Augusta. The East village likewise is pleasantly situated at the northern extremity of the large lake, and is about 6 miles from Augusta.

These villages are neatly built, and are...

Winthrop, a post-township of Kennebec co., Maine, intersected by the Androscoggin and Kennebec railroad, about 12 miles W. by N. from Augusta. The principal village is situated at the S. end of a large pond, the out let of which affords water-power, and on the railroad, 63 miles N. by E. from Portland. It is a place of active business, and contains a bank. Pop. in 1840, 1915; in 1850, 2154.

Winthrop, a thrifty agricultural town, lies in the southwestern part of Kennebec County, 10 miles west by south-west from Augusta. It is bounded on the east by Manchester, and has West Gardiner at the south-east and Monmouth at the south, Wayne on the west and Readfield on the north. Winthrop has an area of 25,540 acres, a portion of which is water. The greater part of Cobbossee Contee Great Pond, of Annabessacook, Maranocook, Wilson's and several smaller ponds lie within the limits of the town. Maranocook Lake has now become a place of much resort in summer. It has a pretty steamer; and on the shores are convenient buildings for the regattas, musical and other entertainments held here. The lake is about 8 miles in length. The Maine Central Railroad, back route, has a station here. The numerous places where Indian relics are found show these ponds to have been favorite resorts of the aborigines. The surface is quite hilly, forming with the ponds much variety and beauty of scenery....

The earliest name of the present town of Winthrop was "Pond Town." It was included in the "Plymouth Grant," or "Kennebec Purchase" of land in the District of Maine. Its original size was about five miles by eight. The first white known to have visited this spot was a hunter named Scott, who, about the middle of the eighteenth century, built a hut here and spent several years trapping and fishing in this vicinity. The first permanent settler was named Timothy Foster. He bought Scott's hut about 1764, but was troubled by creditors whom he seems to have sought to avoid by coming hither. They followed him up, sued him and succeeded for a time in imprisoning him, though as the law for imprisonment for debt was very severe at that time, it is probable that he was more unfortunate than guilty. Among the families which now began to come and build up the pioneer town, the most prominent were the Needhams, Wyrians, Halls, Waugha, Blunts, Howes, Floyds, Blys, Snows, Boyntons, Hopkins and...

Winthrop, a post-village in Winthrop township, Kennebec co., Me., on Cobbosseecontee Waters and the Maine Central Railroad, 10 miles W. of Augusta, and 19 miles N.E. of Lewiston. Winthrop contains a national bank and a hotel. Pop. in 1890, 2111.

Winthrop, a banking post-village in Withrop township (town), Kennebec co., Me., on Cobbossecontee Waters and on the Maine Central R., 10 miles W. of Augusta. The town has manufactures of blankets, oil-cloth, etc., and a packing-house. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2088.