Editing Robbinston, Maine (section)

==History==
Robbinston is in Washington County, the easternmost of the United States. As it was settled, the areas, or "Plantations" were numbered, and then became villages and cities. It was named for [[Edward Robbins|Edward Hutchinson Robbins]] and Nathaniel J. Robbins who received a land grant for the area on October 21, 1786, and became the third and fourth family settled there.<ref name="masshist">{{cite web |title=Murray-Robbins Family Papers, 1658-1944 |url=http://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0343 |website=www.masshist.org |publisher=[[Massachusetts Historical Society]] |access-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref> A post office was established by 1796, and Robbinston was incorporated on February 18, 1811.<ref>George Jones Varney, ''A Gazetteer of the State of Maine'', p.479</ref>

The area near Robbinston was first settled by the French explorer Pierre de Monts from 1604 to 1605 and then abandoned when the colony lost 36 people that first winter.<ref name="Williamson">William D. Williamson, ''History Of The State Of Maine: From Its First Discovery, A.D. 1602''</ref> That island, once called De Mont's Island, then the Neutral Island, is now the [[Saint Croix Island, Maine|St. Croix Island International Historic Site]]. It marks the boundary between the United States and Canada as set out by treaty in 1783.<ref>George Jones Varney, ''A Gazetteer of the State of Maine'', p.525</ref> Traces of the fort were first excavated in 1798, then the St. Croix Lighthouse was installed in 1856 at the head of [[Passamaquoddy Bay]] where it meets the [[Saint Croix River (Maine – New Brunswick)|St. Croix River]]. It now has seven life-sized historical statues as part of the park walk.

The river is {{convert|3|mi|0}} wide separating Robbinston from the town of [[St. Andrews, New Brunswick]], Canada. Still saltwater, the tidal range is {{convert|27.5|ft}}. Because of the abundance of wood, much of the early industry centered around shipbuilding. For example, in 1856, 17 vessels, ranging from 100 to 1000 tons each, were built at Robbinston.<ref>George Jones Varney, ''A Gazetteer of the State of Maine'', p.567</ref> When steam-powered ships arrived, Robbinston returned to fishing and farming potatoes, which escaped the blight found in warmer areas. The granite quarry in Red Beach also was a local industry. The seven lakes and streams in Robbinston boasted pickerel, trout, perch and salmon.

During the mid-19th century, Robbinston was a last stop for the [[Underground Railroad]] where escaping slaves would cross over into Canada and freedom. One of the houses that supported them still stands, the John N. Brewer Sr Mansion.   Built in 1785 with an addition added around 1821, it is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The John N. M. Brewer Jr  House built in 1826 is across hwy 1 and is now operated as a B&B. Other historical sites in Robbinston are the Grace Episcopal Church, James S. Pike Racing Milestones, Pulpit Rock, [[Henrietta Brewer House|Henrietta Brewer]] Cottage (wife of John Brewer Jr) (Redclyffe Shore Motel) and Sewall Memorial Congregational Church, with its roots in 1817.

Up five miles along [[U.S. Route 1 in Maine|Coastal Route 1]] is Devil's Head, a high rocky bluff overlooking the river and landmark for watercraft. There is a nice trail and picnic site next to the water. The highest lookout point, at {{convert|300|ft}} above sea level, is Trimble Mountain, off Brewer Road. The three islands are accessible by boat, which can be rented or hired. <!-- This would be a good place for local input for activities and events. -->

Many people have family historical roots in the area and visit for business as well as pleasure. The Washington County Historical Society is best contacted in advance, since many of the records are held in the larger towns and are more easily navigated with a little direction.