Maine’s Wilderness Frontier and the Settling of Houlton

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Maine’s Wilderness Frontier and the Settling of Houlton

Maine’s Wilderness Frontier and the Settling of Houlton October 11

Camden’s Henry Lunn will present another historical tale about Maine’s frontier, “Lydia Trask Putnam and Sarah Houlton: Pioneer Women of Maine, 1804,” at the Camden Public Library on Tuesday, October 11, at 7:00 pm. Lunn’s presentation will be part of “Discover History Month” at the library. Lunn is a descendant of Lydia Putnam in the tale.

It is 1804, and a mother and daughter had arrived in Woodstock, New Brunswick, from Salem, Massachusetts, to seek a new home in the District of Maine wilderness with her husband. Lydia and her daughter Sarah were left in Woodstock while husband Joseph Houlton and young Amos Putnam went on to clear land and build a cabin in the new land across the border into the District of Maine, 25 miles east of Woodstook, N.B., Canada.

Being strong and independent women, Lydia and Sarah grew weary of being alone in Woodstock, New Brunswick; they gathered their belongings, mounted a horse, and trekked 25 miles through the wilderness to the area that would be called Houlton, Maine. Arriving at the camp site, the greatly surprised husband exclaimed: “What are you doing here?” Lydia replied: “I helped build a home in the wilderness of Massachusetts and I can do it again. I’m staying.”

Lydia Putnam became a leading force in settling Houlton, Maine in 1804 — one of the Pioneer Women of Maine.

Hank Lunn has delivered several historical presentations at the library, from his in-character representation of a Revolutionary War soldier to his family history of the German POWs in Aroostook County. He has always delighted his audiences and built an enthusiastic following.