belfast index

Waldo County, Maine Gen Web Site

BELFAST, MAINE

Early Settlement

The territory comprising Belfast was a part of the Muscongus or Waldo patent. The first settlers here purchased their lots in 1769 at the low price of twenty-five cents an acre. A surveyor named John Mitchell seems to have been the founder of the town. The next year a company of Scotch-Irish extraction, but last from Londonderry, N H. arrived; and the place was from this time permanently inhabited. It is said some of the pioneers, on their arrival became discouraged and returned in the vessel which brought them. Among those who remained were James Miller and wife, two Sons and a daughter, who first landed at the foot of the Frothingham lot. Years later the descendants of Miller, for a considerable period held annual celebrations on the spot of the landing. In 1773, the inhabitants numbering 200, the town was incorporated under the name of Belfast, at the wish of Mr. Miller whose native town in Ireland bore that name. When the war of the Revolution commenced the inhabitants of Belfast took a decided stand on the side of independence; some refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the King, they were driven from their homes, and did not return until Peace was declared. In the war of 1812, the inhabitants again suffered from the enemy, but not so seriously as in the Revolution. The first settlement in Belfast was on the eastern side of the river, but the greater convenience for communication with the country southward diverted business to the site of the present city proper.

Life in Belfast