Franklin is a town in Hancock County, incorporated on January 24, 1825 from portions of plantations number 8 and 9. Between 1837 and 1857 it annexed land from the balance of Plantation Number 9, from Hancock, and from Plantation Number 10.
Moses Butler was the first settler in 1764 at Butler's point, a site of an earlier Indian settlement. In addition to shipbuilding, the quarrying and shipment of white granite dominated the local economy for a century beginning in about 1840.
Named for Benjamin Franklin, the town lies east of Ellsworth at the junction of Maine Routes 182 and 200. Though substantially inland, the extension of Sullivan Harbor expands to Taunton Bay and Hog Bay to give it a coastal flavor.
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Villages, Locations and Settlements |
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A Survey of Hancock County, Maine By Samuel Wasson 1876: Franklin.—Incorporated (16 town) January 24,1825. Population, 1,042. Decennary gain, 38. Wealth, per capita, $165. State valuation, $123,056. U. S. valuation, $177,310. Originally, Plantation No. 9. Named in honor of Dr. Franklin. First occupied by the French, at Butler's Point. Moses Butler and Mr. Wentworth came here in 1764, and are supposed to be the first English settlers. The next settlers were Joseph Bragdon, Mr. Hardison, Mr. Hooper and Abram Donnell. This is one of the eight towns in the county which shows a gain of population during the last decennial period. On Butler's Point are apple trees upwards of 100 years old. Union soldiers, 120; State aid, $5,804; town bounty, $12,280; cost per recruit, $150. |