Annexation of ‘gores’ part of Raymond history

By Ernest H. Knight

When a grant of land was made to the Beverly, Massachusetts Proprietors in 1765 by the Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony, it was stated that this grant was to be in the unappropriated lands of the colony adjacent to a settled town. They were called gores and were thereafter known as unclaimed pieces of land lying between two adjacent townships in Maine.

At its inception, the Town of Raymond had five
of what is known as 'gores,' or unclaimed
pieces of land lying between adjacent townships
as shown on this 1839 map. These areas were
eventually annexed by the town or nearby
communities. COURTESY PHOTO

The proprietors, after advice and assistance by a Captain Skillin and viewing at least one other site settled up the Royal River from North Yarmouth, settled on what became known as Raymondtown adjacent for a short distance to New Marblehead, soon to change its name to Windham.

Raymondtown, as originally requested by the proprietors and granted by Massachusetts, was to run from the northerly corner of Windham (by Lakin Brook on Route 302 today) on a northeast course 7 1/2 miles, then 7 1/2 miles northwest over Tenney Hill, also 7 ½ miles northwest from the starting corner of Windham on the general course of Sebago Lake. As there was little to go by except the starting point, the lines did not necessarily have much relationship to the lines of the other towns then laid out or soon to be, which resulted in many errors.

As land was settled and the town lines developed, there were many homesteads and farmlands ending up in these gores, which meant that the heads of families could not vote in the affairs of the town, children could not attend schools and there were no taxes paid.

The gores on Raymondtown’s borders included:

** The Gray Gore, settled by families named Mussey, Hayden, and Plummer and this area was not annexed by the town of Raymond until 1859,

** The Poland Gore, settled in the 1830s by Henry Tenney, who appealed to the Maine Legislature to be taken into Raymond so his children could go to the Mountain Schoolhouse and so he could attend town meetings in Raymond instead of in the Town of Poland. This was done and the Tenneys became residents of Raymond.

** The Standish Gore on Raymond Cape was left when the Standish line crossed Sebago Lake from the tip of Standish Neck near White’s Bridge. This gore was settled by families named Mains, Meserve, Hasty, and Shaw. It was annexed by Raymond in 1859 while Standish Cape became part of Raymond in 1869.

** The Songo Gore, which was also known as the “Thousand Acre Parcel,” between the original northwest Raymondtown line and the shores of Sebago Lake and Songo River was taken into the town of Casco at some time after the separation of Casco from Raymond in 1841.

** The Hubbard Gore was a piece of land similar to the Songo Gore but on the opposite side of the Songo River from the Songo Gore. It is now part of Naples and was formed in 1829 from parts of Raymond, Sebago, Bridgton, Harrison and Otisfield.

The term “gore” is currently in general use only in Gore Road in Raymond, which is one of the roads from Route 85 to the Gray town line, through what was once part of the Gray Gore, and on to Little Sebago Lake as Aquilla Road.

A Raymond real estate agent once told a story that a woman contemplating the purchase of a home on that road was somewhat distressed at the thought of that being her address, imagining that some gory Indian massacre had taken place there. After learning the true origin of the name, she was much relieved and no longer kept it on her list of pros and cons about the purchase. <

This article was written by the late Ernest H. Knight, one of the founders of the Raymond-Casco Historical Society and contained in his book “Historical Gems of Raymond and Casco.” It was submitted by the Raymond-Casco Historical Society and articles about Raymond history from the historical society will appear regularly in The Windham Eagle newspaper. To find out more about the Raymond-Casco Historical Society, call Frank McDermott at 207-310-0340.

Chess Club launches at Windham Public Library

By Masha Yurkevich

To many, chess may sound and seem intimidating. Have you ever thought about learning the game but found the strange looking pieces moving over the board, the competitive faces of the players, and the ticking clock frightening? Allow Roger Bannon to show you the game in a whole new way at the Chess Club.

Chess Club participants play a game at the Windham Public
Library on a Saturday morning. The new club is free and 
open to everyone who wishes to learn or play the game.
PHOTO BY MASHA YURKEVICH

Recently retired as an occupational therapist as well as a retired veteran, he recently moved to his wife’s home state of Maine from Georgia and has launched a Chess Club at the Windham Public Library that meets there at 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

“I wanted to start a chess group because I love to play because it gives me an opportunity to meet people that share a common interest,” says Bannon. “I’m fairly new to Maine and I don’t know too many people here. But through chess, I’ve met a couple of new people.”

Bannon said that he enjoys the game and enjoys teaching it.

“It’s a wonderful game and it has a long history,” he says. “Chess is a game with no luck involved. The game was invented in 600 AD and originated from India. It is the oldest board game known to civilization. It was a favorite pastime of royalty and those of the lowest socioeconomic level because it costs nothing. A board could be drawn on the dirt and stones or other objects would represent the pieces. The British Museum has a crude chess set dated in the 1200’s, the oldest chess set known.”

Bannon emphasizes the benefits of chess.

“Chess has many cognitive benefits and teaches abstract thinking, memory, planning, and many good skills for developing brains. It is also very beneficial for older people to keep their brains sharp,” says Bannon. “Henry Kissinger died at 101. When asked how he kept his mind sharp, he said chess.”

According to Bannon, some of the benefits include focusing by having to observe carefully and concentrate; visualizing by imagining a sequence of actions before it happens; thinking ahead using the concept of "think first, then act"; and weighing options through finding pros and cons of various actions.

Chess players also learn how to analyze concretely as logical decisions are better than impulsive; they think abstractly and are taught to consider the bigger picture; they develop long range goals and bringing them about through careful planning; and juggle multiple considerations simultaneously by having to weigh various factors during a game all at once.

“Many people go to the gym to exercise their bodies, but how many people exercise their minds? Chess is one way to do this,” Bannon says.

Whether you are there to play or just to watch, all are invited for brain exercising and socialization through chess.

“This is an opportunity to meet people with common interests and hopefully meet new friends. It is a game that is fun to play,” Bannon said. “We are here to socialize and have fun; you don't have to be good at the game and it’s not competitive. Chess can also be therapeutic.”

Chess is an exercise for the brain that can be played at any age. It helps to develop cognitive skills, particularly important in developmental childhood.

Bannon pointed out that chess is a way for children to join a team and get the same rewards as with sports. Being part of a group gives benefits of its own such as camaraderie and a sense of belonging; a place where you “fit in.”

Individuals on the spectrum can benefit greatly in a few ways, Bannon said. It can help by placing individuals in a social situation in a supportive environment. It can “draw out” those shy or socially awkward individuals. It gets people out of the house for a purposeful activity. Perhaps something positive to look forward to. The cruel reality is that those on the spectrum may not have any friends, loneliness leads to depression. This is a way to develop self-esteem and a step toward integrating into the community.

As people age, it’s important to exercise your brain. It is also good for children for developing their cognitive abilities.

“I would like to recruit those willing to teach others,” says Bannon. “Maybe those in the high school chess club can come out to teach those who want to learn the game or improve their skill.”

Those who love to learn and want to get out of the house to meet new friends over a common interest are encouraged to join the Chess Club and bring a board to the library on Saturday mornings if they have one.

“As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen how group and individual activity promotes improved mental health,” says Bannon. “I think we can all relate to activities that make us feel good. It can be in music, arts and crafts or anything you enjoy doing. For me, it is woodworking, that’s my own therapy.”

The Chess Club meets at the Windham Public Library at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings and everyone is welcome to participate. <