Our earliest permanent settlers began arriving on Jeremysquam island in the 1740s, after hostilities with the natives subsided. Where did they live and what remains of their home sites? In 1751, there were four home sites on the island, based on a map drawn by Col. John North for the Kennebec Proprietors. Many more settler families arrived during the subsequent 20 years.

The goal of the Cellar Hole Project was to find these early home sites. We get a good clue as to the locations of our earliest settlers’ homes by looking at the earliest detailed map, drawn of Jeremysquam island (Westport Island) in 1772. It was made by cartographer Ensign George Sproule for the British Lord Commissioners for Trade and Plantations by the Royal Navy. There were 52 buildings noted on this map, representing approximately 31 home sites (other buildings were barns, no doubt). Some of these sites are well known today; others have yet to be identified.

In subsequent years, we will expand the search for homes or cellar holes noted on the 1878 map, when Westport Island was booming. There were 303 buildings noted on that map which represent about 193 likely home sites plus barns and outbuildings.

Historic building sites have been indexed to the Westport Island GIS database and located on aerial imagery. The map on the left shows existing home sites; those from the 1772 map (red dots) and those from the 1878 map (blue dots). The red lines are the existing roads in 1878.

To view these historic sites on Westport Island’s Tax Map and GIS database go to the Westport Island Tax Maps–Historic Reference. In the Layers Tab, select Property Data > Historic Reference.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Members of the History Committee have compiled the known information from 1772. The document Historic Home Sites – 1772 lists all 52 buildings indicated on the 1772 Sproule map. For a more detailed history and images of specific cellar holes, see Settler Home Sites.