Baker Of Madawaska

DiscoverMaineMagazine.com

Baker Of Madawaska

by Charles Francis

A story of true Maine loyalty

Late in February of 1828 Mrs. John Baker received the following brief statement from Amos Nichols, Maine Secretary of State:

“Madam: ...I am authorized... to inform you, that any supplies that may be necessary for the support of your family during the imprisonment of your husband... at Fredericton... will be paid out of the Treasury of this State.”

While there was a bit more to the note to Mrs. Baker from Amos Nichols regarding the fact she needed to keep records of her purchases, the brief missive must have come as something as a relief to the distraught wife and mother whose husband was being held in a foreign jail for simply standing up for his rights as an American citizen.

John Baker was one of the earliest settlers from southern Maine to venture into the St. John Valley to build a life for himself and his family. Unfortunately, the portion of the valley that he chose to settle in was not clearly accepted as a part of the United States at the time he went there. The British also laid claim to it. When Baker had run up the American flag to celebrate the 4th of July and claimed to be within his rights to do so because he was on American soil, he was arrested by officials from New Brunswick. And he was arrested not once but twice.

What is important about the letter Maine Secretary of State Amos Nichols wrote to Mrs. Baker is not that the Maine State government was prepared to help her family during her husband’s incarceration, but rather that the State had taken an official position regarding its responsibilities to the Bakers. In short, Maine was treating the Bakers as if they were on American territory that was a part of the State of Maine. Previously when Baker had gone to Portland — which was then the capital of Maine — Governor Albion K. Parris had refused to see him and listen to his problems. Now, however, Maine had a new governor in the person of Enoch Lincoln, and he was more than willing to entertain Baker’s position favorably. In fact, he would eventually take a pub(cont. on page 20)

__ _ ________________________ ___ _ _______________________ Your care is in our hands 40 Village Road, Fort Kent, ME 04743 Tel: 207.834.3701 | Fax: 207.834.2895

426 U.S. Rt. 1, Frenchville, ME 04745 480 Ridgeview Ave., Madawaska, ME 04756 Tel: 207.543.6648 Tel: 207.728.6324 | Fax: 207.728.7261

madtownclothing@yahoo.com

Custom Printing & Embroidery Retail Store 207-316-1133

LEVESQUE business solutions _______

Bangor • Caribou • Madawaska

Serving Maine Since 1963 Proudly Serving Central and Northern Maine since 1963

Authorized Dealer

Copiers, Printers & Digital Imaging Solutions Founders: Reno and Eva Levesque PH: (800) 439-3382 • FAX: (207) 493-4449 www.levesquesupply.com

Fine Jewelers Since 1955

312 MAIN STREET MADAWASKA, Me 207-728-4301

www.robertsjewels.com

Your Premier Source for Earth & Lab-Grown Diamonds

Largest Collection of Estate Jewelry in Northern Maine GIA Graduate Gemologist GIA Trained Goldsmith Expert Instore Repairs We Buy Gold, Silver, Diamonds & Coins

(cont. from page 19) lic position that the area where Baker settled was Maine territory.

Governor Lincoln’s position would, in fact, make John Baker something of a hero. In fact, a poem entitled Baker of Madawaska would acquire more than a small degree of popularity in the State of Maine. The poem, which was written by a Mabel True of Foxcroft, was most decidedly of an inflammatory nature. Typical of its lines is the following, which purports to be Baker’s thoughts as he sits before his cabin door pondering the claims of George IV to his land.

“‘George IV of England,’ Baker thought, ‘His realm is fair and wide,

But to our Madawaska he’s no claim, say what they may; and we, Americans, have a right that shall not be denied

To celebrate as we see fit, our Inde pendence Day!’”

From a quick reading it is easy to see why John Baker became something of a Maine hero, even after the socalled Aroostook War ended with more fuss that actual confrontation. And it is quite possible that Baker deserves to be looked upon as a hero.

John Baker came to the disputed Madawaska Territory from Moscow, Maine in 1817. He and a group of other pioneers settled around Meriumticook Lake. Among other things, Baker built a mill on the stream that still bears the Baker name. In 1825 Baker petitioned the State of Maine to legally recognize the settlement.

In the meantime Maine authorities began to become concerned over alleged depredations by New Brunswick loggers in Maine territory. By this time Enoch Lincoln was Governor of Maine. Lincoln wrote to the governor of New Brunswick as to whether there was any truth to the allegations. In response, New Brunswick sent a man named George Moorehouse to the disputed territory. Moorehouse, accompanied by several constables, proceeded to confiscate the American flag Baker had put up. Baker’s wife immediately made another to replace it. Then Moorehouse arrested Baker and took him to Fredericton.

When he learned of the arrest, Governor Lincoln sent an angry protest to Fredericton. In addition, he dispatched

Hotel comfort and hospitality in the beautiful and historic St. John Valley Premium Comfort Beds • Fitness Room Luxurious Rain Showers • In-Room Coff ee Complimentary Continental Breakfast

Lounge & Restaurant

A few samples from our menu:

Honey Almond Trout • Chicken or Steak Pad Thai

5 Cheese Ravioli w/ Red Pepper & Gouda Sauce Marinated Steak Tips and much more!

Your Lifelong Financial Partner

Serving YOU Since 1941

Serving Aroostook & Northern Penobscot Counties with 6 Locations and 9 ATMs in: MADAWASKA, VAN BUREN, EAGLE LAKE, ASHLAND, FORT KENT & PRESQUE ISLE www.norstatefcu.org 1-800-804-7555

HUBER ENGINEERED WOOD, LLC

De ning Innovation 207-488-2051

Town of Madawaska Economic & Community Development Offi ce

Most Northeasternly Town in the USA ~ One of the Four Corners! ~

Located in the St. John Valley... the Crown of Maine! 728-6351

several companies of militia to Houlton. At this point Secretary of State Henry Clay, a War Hawk who had visions of annexing Canada, wrote Governor Lincoln expressing his full support.

There the whole matter simmered until the United States and Great Britain submitted it to the King of the Netherlands for arbitration. The decision, which was reached in 1831, was rejected by both sides. The issue would finally be settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

John Baker died in 1868. His remains lie in Fort Fairfield.

Some years after Baker’s death the State of Maine erected a memorial at his grave. It reads “Erected by the authority and resolve of the Legislature of Maine, A. D. 1895, to commemorate the Patriotism of John Baker, a loyal son of Maine in Maintaining the Honor of his Flag during the contentions on the disputed territory 1834-42.”

Aroostook State Normal School in Presque Isle, ca. 1930. Item # 6572 from the collections of the Maine Historical Society and www.VintageMaineImages.com

Expertise with Integrity

Serving Mainers since 1979 INSURANCE • FINANCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

207-764-5639

34 North Street, Suite 1 • Presque Isle, ME 04769 ~ Also serving you from Bangor ~ www.BarresiBene ts.com

Leisure Gardens & Leisure Village

Retirement Center with Personal Care 24/7

~ 137 Apartments ~

Douglas Cyr, Manager 4 & 6 Dewberry Dr., Presque Isle, ME 04769 207-764-7322 • www.leisuregardens.me