Abraham Somes
Encyclopedia
Abraham Somes was the primary founder of English settlements on the scenic Mount Desert Island
, which is now part of Acadia National Park
in present-day Maine
. In 1761, Somes, a cooper
by trade, brought his wife (Hannah Herrick) and family from Gloucester, Massachusetts
to the island, along with James Richardson
and Richardson's family. Somes obtained the land for development on grants from Francis Bernard, the governor of Massachusetts
; who, in 1761, still maintained an interest in securing the property for Great Britain
.
Somes chose to establish a village at the North end of the fjord
which cuts through the center of the island. It would later be named after him as Somes Sound
, and it is the only natural fjord
on the east coast of the United States. Abraham named his settlement Somesville
and it would develop into an important trading location that largely allowed for the rest of the island to be permanently colonized in the years following the American Revolutionary War
.
During the American Revolution, Abraham Somes served his native land and was a 1st Lieutenant in Ezra Young's 7 Co., 6 Lincoln Co., regiment of the Massachusetts militia
. He also served in as the Capt. Daniel Sullivan's Company of Volunteers in 1779.
After fulfilling his duty in the military, Abraham returned to Somesville where he lived out his days. He had 13 children.
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
, which is now part of Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a National Park located in the U.S. state of Maine. It reserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands, off the Atlantic coast...
in present-day Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. In 1761, Somes, a cooper
Cooper (profession)
Traditionally, a cooper is someone who makes wooden staved vessels of a conical form, of greater length than breadth, bound together with hoops and possessing flat ends or heads...
by trade, brought his wife (Hannah Herrick) and family from Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
to the island, along with James Richardson
James Richardson
James Richardson may refer to:*James Richardson , Canadian businessman, Chief Marketing Officer of Cisco Systems*James Richardson , British...
and Richardson's family. Somes obtained the land for development on grants from Francis Bernard, the governor of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
; who, in 1761, still maintained an interest in securing the property for Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
Somes chose to establish a village at the North end of the fjord
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.-Formation:A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by abrasion of the surrounding bedrock. Glacial melting is accompanied by rebound of Earth's crust as the ice...
which cuts through the center of the island. It would later be named after him as Somes Sound
Somes Sound
Somes Sound is a body of water running deep into Mount Desert Island, the main site of Acadia National Park in Maine, United States. Its deepest point is approximately , and it is over deep in several places. The sound almost splits the island in two...
, and it is the only natural fjord
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.-Formation:A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by abrasion of the surrounding bedrock. Glacial melting is accompanied by rebound of Earth's crust as the ice...
on the east coast of the United States. Abraham named his settlement Somesville
Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine is the predominant village of the town of Mount Desert, Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island . The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island . It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries...
and it would develop into an important trading location that largely allowed for the rest of the island to be permanently colonized in the years following the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
During the American Revolution, Abraham Somes served his native land and was a 1st Lieutenant in Ezra Young's 7 Co., 6 Lincoln Co., regiment of the Massachusetts militia
Massachusetts militia
Militia of the Colony and later Commonwealth of Massachusetts.-List of Massachusetts militia units of the American Revolution:*Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts *Cogswell's Regiment of Militia...
. He also served in as the Capt. Daniel Sullivan's Company of Volunteers in 1779.
After fulfilling his duty in the military, Abraham returned to Somesville where he lived out his days. He had 13 children.