Kennebec River
Petition of inhabitants of Somerset County -- 1826
"To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Maine in
Legislature assembled, January 1826
We the subscribers, inhabitants of the County of Somerset, would humbly
represent, that heretofore, Salmon and other fish have ascended the River
Kennebec and in the season of the year for said fish, the Inhabitants of
the County have been well supplyed and benefitted by said fish but of late
years, by reason of Mill Dams and other obstructions in said Kennebec River
said fish have been prevented coming up, so that said Inhabitants are deprived
of the benefit of said fish.
We therefore pray that your honourable body would take the subject into
your wise consideration and take such measures as will totally remedy the
evil above complained by totally removing the obstructions to the said Salmon
passing up Said River or making suitable sluiceways for said fish to pass
up in, and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Sept. 12, 1826"
Samuel Bunker and 150 others.
Source: Maine State Archives.
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