Devonshire County, District of Maine, Massachusetts Bay Colony facts for kids
Devonshire County, Massachusetts was a special area created a long time ago, in 1674. It was like a temporary county during a time when two big colonies, the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Province of New York, were arguing over who owned certain lands.
This county only existed for a short time, from 1674 to 1675. It covered land that Massachusetts claimed. This land was located between the Kennebec River and Penobscot Bay, which is now part of the state of Maine. However, the Province of New York also claimed some of this land. Their claim stretched from the Kennebec River all the way to the Saint Croix River, which is Maine's eastern border today.
Life in this area was tough. Settlements there were attacked during a big conflict called King Philip's War (1675-1676). Because of these attacks, people left the area, and it became empty until the 1700s. Later, in 1692, this land became part of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. At first, it was managed as part of York County. Today, this historical area is divided into several different counties in Maine.
Contents
What Was Devonshire County?
Devonshire County was a temporary county set up by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was created to help manage lands that the colony claimed as its own. This happened during a time when different English colonies in America were trying to expand their territories.
Why Was It Created?
The main reason Devonshire County was created was because of land disputes. The Massachusetts Bay Colony wanted to control the land between the Kennebec River and Penobscot Bay. By forming a county, they were trying to show that this land belonged to them. It was a way to organize and govern the area, even if it was only for a short time.
Who Claimed the Land?
The land that became Devonshire County was claimed by two powerful English colonies:
- The Massachusetts Bay Colony wanted the land between the Kennebec River and Penobscot Bay.
- The Province of New York also claimed land in the same region. Their claim went further east, all the way to the Saint Croix River.
These overlapping claims led to arguments and made it hard to settle the area peacefully.
Life in Devonshire County
Life in Devonshire County was very challenging for the early settlers. The area was far from the main settlements of Massachusetts. It was also a frontier, meaning it was on the edge of settled lands, close to Native American territories.
The Impact of King Philip's War
A major event that affected Devonshire County was King Philip's War. This was a very serious conflict between Native American tribes and English colonists. It lasted from 1675 to 1676.
- During this war, many settlements in the Devonshire County area were attacked.
- People living there had to leave their homes for safety.
- The attacks made it impossible for the county to continue functioning.
Why Was the Area Abandoned?
Because of the constant danger and destruction from King Philip's War, the settlements in Devonshire County were abandoned. People moved to safer places. The land remained mostly empty for many years, until the 18th century.
What Happened Next?
After Devonshire County was abandoned, the land remained part of Massachusetts's claims. However, it wasn't formally organized as a county again for some time.
Becoming Part of Massachusetts Bay
In 1692, a new and larger colony was formed called the Province of Massachusetts Bay. This new province included the land that had once been Devonshire County.
- Initially, this land was governed as part of York County. York County was a much larger area that covered most of what is now southern Maine.
- Over time, as more people moved back to the area, new counties were created.
Modern Day Maine Counties
Today, the land that was once Devonshire County is no longer a single county. Instead, it is divided into several different counties in Maine. This shows how the borders and organization of land can change a lot over hundreds of years.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Devonshire para niños
