The Cornish area was on the path of the Pequawket Trail. The word “Pequawket” is believed to mean “sandy land”. The Almouchiquois (Sokokis) Indians traveled the trail seasonally between Biddeford Pool on the ocean and the Mount Washington valley in search of food. The Sokokis were members of the highly respected Tortoise Clan of the eastern Algonquins. During the 1600s French fur traders bartered with the Indians, exchanging highly prized fur pelts for blankets, beads and other handicrafts made by the tribe. The French traders respected the Native Americans and the trade arrangements worked well. The Sokokis Indians living in the area were led by chief named Captain Sandy (also called Captain Sunday).
The first white settler in the Cornish area was a fur trader named Francis Small, who operated a small trading post. He became fast, trusting friends with Captain Sandy.
In the mid-1600s the British entered the scene and upset the balance of trade enjoyed between the French and the Indians. The British were less compassionate with the Indians. The so-called Indians Wars erupted because the Indians perceived that they were being taken advantage of by the British and complained about the manner in which they were being treated. The Massachusetts-based British regarded the Indians as savages and responded to the grumbling by marching on a Sokokis fortification, which was located just across the river in Hiram, at the meeting place of the Saco and Great Ossipee Rivers. Finding no Indians there, the British burned it to the ground and proceeded to another Indian fort on Ossipee Lake in New Hampshire. Where they took a couple of prisoners and headed back to Massachusetts.
Some members of Captain Sandy’s Sokokis tribe sought to take their revenge by torching Francis Small’s home. Captain Sandy was helpless to prevent the conflagration, but he did warn his friend and Small fled to the Kittery settlement near Portsmouth. Regretting the unfortunate loss that Small had suffered, Captain Sandy decided to trade a large tract of land with Francis Small. Cornish was part of the tract of land.
During the 1700s, the village that grew up was first called Francisborough, then Cornishville. The town center was originally located on the High Road and the town was incorporated as Cornish in 1794. A stage route was established along Main Street arrived in 1846. Handsome Victorian and Colonial homes were built along Main and Maple Streets and, between the years 1850 and 1860, teams of 80 oxen moved many homes down from the High Road to where the town center is today. It took 160 oxen to haul one house over the icy Saco River from the banks of Baldwin.
Because much of the history of early Cornish was lost in a fire, all of what you read in this column was gleaned from the works of authors and researchers Addie Small, Dr. William Teg, G.T. Ridlon Sr., Michael Chaney, and the Cornish Historical Society.
*Reproduced with thanks to Cornish Association of Business.*
Cornish Historical Society at 40 Main Street (next to the Library)
Mailing Address: PO Box 404 Cornish, ME 04020
Hours of Operation: July-September Some Saturdays from 1PM to 3PM and by appointment.
Research room is available during open times also.
The purpose of the Cornish Historical Society is to collect and preserve the history of the town of Cornish, Maine. We were incorporated in 1993, just prior to the town’s Bicentennial. One of our first projects was to edit and re-publish the town history book – accomplished in time for the Bicentennial Celebration held in 1994. See a member to purchase a copy.
The Cornish Historical Society meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. spring summer and fall meetings are held at our home at 40 Main Street. Winter meeting are held at the office of Cote & Howe Realty, 81 Maple Street. We’d love to see you!
Here are the names of our Officers as of March 2023. Feel free to contact any of them for further information about the Cornish Historical Society.
President: Sandy Howe (207) 625-4813
Vice President: Diann Perkins (207) 625-3281
Treasurer: Cynthia Mason (207) 671-6354
Secretary: Cynthia Mason (207) 671-6354
Historian: Linda Carr Griffin (207) 650-7484
Even though it may seem like a sleepy little town, Cornish has a long and interesting history, and was once busy with the railroad passing through, clothing manufacturing, and commercial production of corn and apples. It was considered the hub of the surrounding area. We are proud to say that Cornish was chosen in 2016 by Downeast Magazine as one of the sixteen most desirable towns to live in Maine.
A visit to our small town during any season will provide you with great overnight accommodations, a variety of well-known eateries and lots to do to fill the hours. Cornish is close to skiing, has many snowmobile trails, near ponds, rivers and lakes for all season hunting and water sports, a variety of unique shops, and hospitable people.
Once you have visited, you may well want to make Cornish your home. Local realtors can help find the perfect home. Amenities are bountiful and even though there are no big “box stores”, you can find everything you would need right here.
The local Code Enforcement Officer can help with any building or business needs. The Town Clerk can direct new residents in getting settled in. Shop owners are helpful in finding anything you need. Most of all, ask anyone you meet and you will discover the wealth of services available to you.
The single sort recycle bins are located on School Street near the Rt 5 intersection. A list of acceptable items is available by clicking here or at the Town Office.