“There are large Salt marshes in Wells Scarborough, Falmouth and Machias, about the Islands of Sagadahock, and about Mount Desert where great quantities of salt hay are annually cut which, with that of the upland and fresh meadow, make exceedingly good fodder.” – “The History of the state of Maine: from its First Discovery, A. D. 1602 to The Separation, A.D. 1820, inclusive.” by William Durkee Williamson, Volume I, Section II – The Soils of Maine, p. 97 published by Glazier, Masters & Co., 1832.
"Marsh hay which was very fine and very good for cows grew on a big piece of marsh land at Bass Harbor. Oxen were used on the marshes as they would not sink into the muck as easily as a horse and had the ability to pull their feet out of the muck under conditions which would mire a horse. Cranberries were picked on the marsh and kept for the winter in big barrels partly filled with water from which they were dipped out with a big strainer." - “Recollections of Southwest Harbor, Maine 1885-1894” by Jesse L. Parker, p. 31-32, manuscript, 1955.
"Indians from Oldtown, Maine camped on the rocks across [Clark Point Road] from our house [the Parker house at 143 Clark Point Road] each summer. They lived in tents and sold baskets, moccasins and small birch bark canoes. Some of the baskets were made of wood and some almost entirely of sweetgrass which had a very pleasant odor. This grass was secured from the marshes at Bass Harbor and would be cured by being hung up in large bunches. They also cut some ash wood for use in making the wooden baskets. As the same Indians returned year after year we became well acquainted with them. In later years the older Indian boys played baseball with us." p. 40.
Jesse Lindon Parker (1881-1966) This valuable manuscript is a narrative of the early history of the town by an eyewitness. There are largely unknown or unreported facts on almost every page.
