The inhabitants north of Saco about Casco Bay remained independent for several years after. Cleves and other leading inhabitants would not submit, and they tried to secure the interference of Cromwell. When they failed in this attempt, the people of Casco Bay, in 1658, recognized the authority of Massachusetts. It was at this time that the plantations at Black Point, at Spurwink, and Blue Point were united and received the name of Scarboro and those at Casco Bay received that of Falmouth.[41 ]
Whatever judgment we may pass on the motives of Massachusetts in thus enlarging her borders to the farthest limits of settled territory north of Plymouth, it must be acknowledged that her course inured to the benefit of all parties concerned. The unruly settlements of the north received in time an orderly government, while each successive addition of territory weakened the power of the religious aristocracy in Massachusetts by welcoming into the body politic a new factor of population.
1 ([return])
[ Maine Hist. Soc., Collections, 2d series, VII., 65-72.]
2 ([return])
[ Cal. of State Pap., Col., 1574-1660, p. 210.]
3 ([return])
[ Mass. Hist. Soc, Proceedings (year 1876), 358.]
4 ([return])
[ Belknap, New Hampshire, 20.]