To the Editor:
Colin Woodard in Parallel 44 (WWF Aug. 2003) states that William Bingham “acquired 3.5 million acres of Hancock and Washington counties from Henry Knox.” It appears Woodard is continuing to rewrite America’s history (see letter by Mark P. Reed in above referenced WWF/II News). The facts are that Bingham purchased 1,255,112 acres (not 3.5 million) in Hancock and Washington counties from the State of Massachusetts (not Henry Knox) in 1793. Bingham also purchased another million acres along the upper Kennebec River. Sadly, when errors appear in print they take on the impression of authenticity.
Thomas C. Mayer
Winter Harbor
Woodard responds: Henry Knox and a partner, William Duer, purchased nearly 3.5 million acres of Maine from Massachusetts in 1791-92 but were soon unable to make the required payments. Duer wound up in debtor’s prison and Knox sought and found a new partner, William Bingham, who ultimately took over what became known as the Bingham Purchase. (see Alan Taylor’s Liberty Men and Great Proprietors, p. 41.) The reader is correct that only about half of this tract was in Washington and Hancock County and the correction is appreciated.