History of Woolwich, Maine
From
A Gazetteer of the
State of Maine
By Geo. J. Varney
Published by B. B. Russell, 57 Cornhill,
Boston 1886
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Woolwich is situated in the eastern part of Sagadahoc
County, adjoining Lincoln County, whose towns of Westport and Wiscasset bound it on the east, and Dresden on the
north. It is separated from Bath by the Kennebec River, from Arrowsic and Georgetown by Back River and Moiisweag
Bay, and by Monsweag River from Wiscasset on the east. The extreme length of the town from north to south is about
8½ miles, and the width from east to west is near 5½ miles. The area is 20,000 acres. The surface
is much broken by low hills and projecting ledges, but has no great extent of low or marshy land. The soil is well
adapted to the growth of every kind of produce for which the state is noted. Originally there was a heavy growth
of timber in Ihe town. The trees common to the region flourish, especially the oak. Nequasset Pond, situated a
little south of the centre of the town, is a beautiful sheet of water. Its length is about two miles, and its width
varies from half to three-fourths of a mile. Its principal feeder, coming down from Dresden at the north, is marked
by a line of low hills; as is also its outlet, which runs southward, discharging into Back River. A considerable
bay makes up into the southern part of Woolwich at each side. At the extremity of the point between is Hockomock
Head, a high bluff with precipitous walls of rock, which has a legend. During the Indian wars some Indians who
had been committing depredations in Wiscasset were pursued, and one-said to have been a chief was closely followed
up this narrow bluff to its precipitous front. Discharging his gun, he flung it from him, cried "Hockomock!
Hockomoch!" and leaped down into the water. Thus runs the legend. In confirmation of it, there was found a
few years since in a crevice of the rocks near the top a gun, silver mounted, and evidently of French workmanship,
but so decayed as almost to fall in pieces at the touch. Eastward of Hockomock is Phips' Neck, forming the south-eastern
portion of the town. Near the point a bridge connects with Westport across a narrow part of the bay. |
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