^O FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



of March 3, 1820, and Maine became an Independent State of 

 the Union March 15, 1820. 



During its connection with the Commonwealth of Massachu- 

 setts, six new counties were incoq^orated within the District of ' 

 Maine, viz. : Hancock and Washington, May 2, 1790, by act of 

 June 25, 1789; Kennebeck, April i, 1799, by act of February 20, 

 1799; Oxford, by act of March 4, 1805; Somerset, June i, 

 1809, by act of March i, 1809; Penobscot, April i, 1816, by act 

 of February 15, 1816. 



Since its independent existence, seven other counties have 

 been organized in Maine, viz. : Waldo, July 4, 1827. by act of 

 February 7, 1827; Franklin. May 9, .1838, by act of March 20, 

 1838; Piscataquis, May i, 1838, by act of March 23, 1838; 

 Aroostook, May 2, 1839, by act of March 16, 1839; Andros- 

 coggin, March 31, 1854, by act of March 18. 1854; Sagadahoc, 

 April 2, 1854, by act of April 4. 1854; Knox, April i, i860, 

 by act of March 5, i860; being in all sixteen counties. 



In conclusion it may be said that private land titles in Maine 

 are derived from six principal sources. 



I — Possession. 



II — Indian deeds. 



Ill — The patent of the French King Louis XIV, in 1603. to 

 Monsieur de la Motte Cadillac, substantially confirmed by a 

 Resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts Bay passed July 



6, 1787. 



IV — The Great Charter of New England granted by James I, 

 King of England, to the North Virginia or Plymouth Colony, 

 issued November 3, 1620; through divers grants from the 

 Plymouth Council before the surrender of its charter in 1635. 

 viz. : — between 1622 and 1632. 



V — The Provincial Charter granted by Charles I, King of 

 England, to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, April 3, 1639; through 

 sundry grants from Gorges prior to the sale of his charter by 

 his grandson Ferdinando Gorges to the Massachusetts Bay 

 Colony, in 1677, ^'""^^ through grants directly from the Colony 

 of Massachusetts Bay and the Province and state of Massa- 

 chusetts after said sale. 



VI — The Royal Charter issued by Charles I to the Colony of 

 Massachusetts Bay, March 4, 1628 ; through grants directly 



