Category: Press Release

📰 Local History Spotlight: Surveying Cornish, Ancient Times to Current

Tadd Stuart

December 4, 2025

We are excited to share an article from the December 4th edition of the Waterboro Reporter focusing on the history of Cornish land surveying, which heavily references the history of our namesake, Francis Small.

The article summarizes a recent presentation by Robert Yarumian II of Maine Boundary Consultants, covering the evolution of local land from its ancient roots to the present day.

  • Indigenous History: The presentation touched on the area’s original occupation by Native Americans, noting that the land we now know as Cornish was part of the Pequaket Trail, traveled by the Sokokis tribe.
  • The Francis Small Propriety: The history of Francis Small’s settlement and fur trading post in the 1600s was detailed, including the pivotal land exchange with Chief Wesumbe (Captain Sandy). This exchange, recorded in a 1668 deed, resulted in Small acquiring a vast tract of land between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, up to the Saco River.
  • Town Formation: The presentation explains that Francis Small’s heirs, known as the proprietors, later petitioned the courts to regain the land following the French and Indian Wars. This process led to the formation of the towns of Cornish (originally “Francisborough”), Limerick, and Parsonsfield. These three towns, along with Limington and Newfield, are believed to have been included in the original 1668 deed.

The article provides fascinating context on how the land was settled, surveyed, and developed into the modern communities of southern Maine. Read the full article in the Waterboro Reporter.

Governor Mills Announces Funding for Francis Small Heritage Trust Conservation Project

Tadd Stuart

September 16, 2024

The Francis Small Heritage Trust (FSHT) has been approved for funding through the revitalized Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program.

In total, Governor Janet Mills announced $3.8 million in LMF funding for 12 new conservation projects across Maine. Since the Governor proposed and the Legislature approved $40 million to reinvigorate the program, the LMF Board has approved 75 new projects, totaling $29.9 million.

The project supporting FSHT falls under the Conservation and Recreation Projects category:

Porter Hills Phase II Moody Road Parcel (Porter, Oxford County)
This crucial project protects 98.6 acres of critical wildlife habitat and prime outdoor recreational destinations. The new parcel will connect to FSHT’s existing 700 acres of conservation lands, all within the Town of Porter and the Porter Hills Focus Area of Statewide Ecological Importance.

Original Article: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13023962

Maine State Legislature recognizes two Trust Directors, and Governor Baldacci proclaims: Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby Day

Cristina

Press Release April 26, 2007:
Maine State Legislature recognizes two Trust Directors, and Governor Baldacci proclaims: Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby Day, Thursday, April 26, 2007

Trust directors & Speaker of the House
Trust Directors Lorraine and Sherwood Libby receive Legislative Sentiment from Speaker of the House, Glenn Cummings.

Augusta, Maine – The Maine State Legislature honored Trust Directors Sherwood and Lorraine Libby of Limington today in a Legislative Sentiment ceremony. Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings presented the sentiment. Senator Jon Courtney of York, Representative Philip Cressey of Cornish, and Senator Bill Diamond of Cumberland cosponsored the following action:

“Recognizing Sherwood and J. Lorraine Libby, of Limington, for their more than 40 years of tireless work to protect Maine’s environment and preserve our natural heritage. Mr. and Mrs. Libby have worked as a team to make major contributions to conservation in Maine. In 1966, they helped secure passage of the legislation that protects the Allagash Waterway. In 1971, they labored to secure passage of the legislation creating the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, known as LURC. They also worked for the establishment of the Saco River Corridor Commission. In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Libby became founding directors of the Francis Small Heritage Land Trust, which owns and preserves 1,400 pristine acres in the Sawyer Mountain Highlands for public use and enjoyment. Mr. Libby has served as commissioner for LURC, has been chair of the Shoreland Zoning Task Force, served on the Saco River Corridor Commission and has been an affiliated director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Mrs. Libby has served on the Limington Planning Board and the Limington Comprehensive Planning Committee. We acknowledge their dedicated service to their community and to the State of Maine, and we send them our appreciation for their good works.”