SEARSPORT – 2020 marks the Town of Searsport’s 175th birthday. A series of year-long festivities kicked off Thursday, February 13, which also happens to be the anniversary of when the town was incorporated, at the Searsport United Methodist Church Vestry, on Main Street.

It all began at 10 a.m. To get the full perspective it is necessary to take you back to 1845, which is exactly what the current select board did by donning period costumes and reenacting that town meeting when the name Searsport was voted on.

As of the 2010 census, Searsport’s population stood at 2,615. In 1845 it was just shy of that with a few hundred fewer people. The stretch of deep water bay would become home to a thriving shipbuilding trade and become world-renowned for its sea captains. 

Charlene Farris, Searsport’s official town historian, said the town opened its vault for archival accuracy.

“I found three town events that this reenactment is based upon, the town incorporation, the first town election, and the first town meeting,” she said. “The names, items of business and actions as far as possible are accurate.”

Farris added, “the words were as they might have been said,” based on the research she had done.

Audience participation was encouraged for the packed house. They didn’t let the reenactors down.

The cast included Jonathan Dickerson, played by Dick Desmarais, the town lawyer and justice of the peace, who successfully manipulated the passage of the act in which the Maine Legislature in 1845 incorporated the town.

John Pendleton, played by James Gillway, who was elected to moderate the 1845 town meeting.

Selectman Andrew Leach was portrayed by Mark Bradstreet; Selectman Shepherd Blanchard was portrayed by Dough Norman, and Selectman and postmaster Otis Black was portrayed by Linda Payson.

“I am Jonathan Dickerson and I call this meeting to order. It is my great pleasure to confirm today that the Legislature of the State of Maine has legally incorporated a parcel of land measuring 28 square miles to be taken from the present municipalities of East Belfast and West Prospect as a town, said town stating a current population of 2,000.”

John Pendleton as moderator, duly elected and sworn in, announced those men who were elected as town selectmen. Those men were directed to take their place.

The second order of business was to raise $850 to support local schools. It was a unanimous vote to approve. The third order of business was to vote to raise $2,000 for local roads. It was a unanimous vote to approve, though a male from the audience complained about a pothole in front of his house and would they please put some gravel in it.

Fourth-order was to raise $500 as aid to the poor. It was unanimously approved.

Order number five was to name the town and the chair entertained suggestions.

Otis Black: “Good citizens. It should come as no surprise to your ears that there are two names worthy of your consideration. And were discussed frequently as we seek to name our new town. To with, Maineport and Searsport. Before anyone makes a motion for either name, my fellow selectmen would like to share some thoughts on the subject.”

Andrew Leach: “The name Maineport has a fond ring to it. To name our town in honor of the state that many of us took so much pride to come to being here 25 years ago, will be a great source of pride through the years. I also believe it to be a name that some other town yet to be incorporated will gladly adopt if we do not. I say Maineport is the name that our citizens today and for generations to come will honor.”

Shepherd Blanchard: “The honorable David Sears, Massachusetts legislator, lawyer and man of means is without a doubt one of the most influential men in New England. As the owner of nearby Brigadier’s Island, I believe it is safe to say that in the not to distant future, Mr. Sears will build a summer estate on that island and if we are fortunate to become an active participant in our town’s life for at least part of each year.

“Who knows what that association could mean for our town? To honor him by naming the town after him can only create positive feelings on his part and ours. I urge you to select Searsport as the name of our new town.”

At this point, the debate was getting somewhat contentious. It was decided to adjourn for an hour to the local tavern, hoping that a time out (and some libation) might help cool things down.

During the lunch break, we caught up with Mike Nahme, Searsport resident who was vocal about the potholes during the selectmen’s debate over roads.

“The proceedings are wonderful,” he said. “It’s nice to recognize the history of the town and a great way to be able to make it out of the house.”

Asked why he was vocal about the pothole, Nahme responded: “In reality, I do have a pothole out in front of my house,” he said. “It made me feel better for the opportunity to bring it up. It’s not being taken care of, but maybe the whole road will be taken care of by the state this year.”

Lunch consisted of chicken, ham, and egg salad sandwiches, chili and corn chowder. Chips, pickles, and cookies. The social time lasted about an hour before the crowd assembled back into a meeting room.

“Your attention, your attention please,” Moderator John Pendleton (James Gillway) announced.

“As your duly elected moderator, I once again proclaim this town meeting to be in session. As you know, we have one remaining warrant item before us today. Article five, to see what name this newly incorporated town should be known as. Do I hear a motion on the article? I recognize Jonathan Dickerson.”

Dickerson (Dick Desmarais): “Mr. Moderator, I move that henceforth this 28 square miles formally part of East Belfast and West Prospect be known as Searsport in honor of David Sears, Esquire.”

Pendleton: “Do I hear a second on that motion?”

From the audience: “Yes, I second it.”

Pendleton: “Is there further discussion on this motion?”

Andrew Leach, selectman (Mark Bradstreet): “Once more I wish to speak in favor of naming our town Searsport after Mr. Sears. A new town struggling to survive is going to need a great deal of financial backing. Surly we can expect that a man of Mr. Sears means will be honored by the feelings of our community in naming the town for him and will want to show his gratitude in a way is monetary, as well as heartfelt.

“I feel that we can look forward to a long and happy relationship with Mr. Sears once he begins to think of our community as his namesake. We are going to need his support and I feel strongly that this is the way of getting it.”

Otis Black, selectman and postmaster (Linda Payson): “I wish too, to express this to this gathering that I support the name of Searsport for our town. As your postmaster, I get more of an opportunity to talk to many of our citizens and I can tell you that the views shared just now by selectman Leach are held by a very substantial number of the people of this town that I have consulted with.”

“I do believe that the name Searsport is the most beneficial, popular choice.”

Pendleton: “Is there anyone else who wishes to speak before we put this matter to a vote? If not, those voters who support Searsport as the name for our newly incorporated town, so signify by raising their right hand.”

“Those opposed.”

“The vote is overwhelming. It is, therefore, my privilege to announce that this day, February 13, in the Year of Our Lord 1845, this newly incorporated town, in the state of Maine, will be known henceforth as Searsport.”

Farris: “When the honorable David Sears was informed that the new town had been named for him, he was indeed pleased. He sent written congratulations and a gift of $1,000 to be used to build the first town hall. This was done immediately.

“The construction of a small brick building on the hill overlooking the harbor, across the street from the First Congregational Church was completed. Today that brick building is part of the Penobscot Marine Museum. It didn’t look then like it does now. The pretty façade on the building today wasn’t there.

“The selectmen were delighted with this gift, as were the townspeople who were sure the elected officials had been right in encouraging them to name the town for the wealthy and generous Mr. Sears.

“Hopes ran high that summer day when the selectmen proudly took Mr. Sears to see the completed town hall. Unfortunately, Mr. Sears took one look at the building and in disgust declared it to look exactly like a powder magazine. Apparently not impressed with the aesthetic tastes of the locals, he never again gave one cent of his money to the town that would bear his name.

“The name of Searsport was to go on to be one to bring honor to Mr. Sears and its citizens just as those people of the first town meeting hoped it would. During the illustrious days of the last century, one-tenth of all the United States deepwater sea captains were said to make this town their home.

“The name of Searsport was known all over the world. In fact, it was said that one could simply address a letter by writing the name of the person to whom it was to go, and the name Searsport on the envelope and it would reach its destination. Being then, as there is now, only one place called Searsport in the entire world.”