Notes for Abiel Sprague: "History of Early Baileyville"
There were three Spragues involved in frontier building in Washington County, Maine. Abiel No. 1 ( born 1710) came from Scarboro, Maine to Machias in 1763 in Capt. Buck's vessel of first settlers. "Supplement to Sprague Families in America" by W V Sprague, 1941 P 188
Abiel Sprague appears in records variously as Abiel, Abial, Abral and Ebial. 15 Aug 1759: Abial Sprague of Harpswell in the County of York, Cordwainer, and wife Hannah sold for 72 pounds, a certain island in Harpswell, commonly called Great Sebascodegan Island, where he had lived for more than 20 years past [Cumberland Co Deeds]. 1763, May. Sailed with other settlers to Machias on Capt. Buck's vessel. 1765. His name appears on a petition for a grant of land in Machias, NB [Folder 61, "The Machias Men," Book 1, PANB]. 24 Aug 1767: Abiel Sprague, Yeoman, of Machias sold to Joseph Thompson about 300 acres in Boothbay [Lincoln Co Deeds 5:232]. In 1769, there were about 74 settlers on a large tract of land called Machias, which they had believed to be Crown Lands in New Brunswick. They had been there six years making improvements. However, this proved to be in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. A petition was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts at Boston to recognize their rights and establish a township. Among those who signed were Abial Sprague and Abial Sprague Jr. The request was granted and 250 acres apiece was given them [Machias Memorial]. 20 May 1774: Abiel Sprague (Jr.), yeoman of Machias, representing the heirs of Abiel Sprague, late of Machias, deceased, sold the lands containing about 250 acres on the south side of the Machias River, beginning at a spruce tree, marked A: S:, then running by the side of the river, easterly 100 rods, morre or less, to a creek * * * * with dwelling house and fences, free of incumbrances. Recorded 31 Jan 1786 [Washington Co Deeds 1:28]. 9 Aug 1786. Abiel Sprague of Passamaquoddy was appointed administrator of the estate of Abiel Sprague Sr., late of Machias, yeoman, deceased. Heirs not cited [Washington Co Probate].
More About Abiel Sprague and Elizabeth Ashley: Marriage: 18 Jun 1730
More About Abiel Sprague and Hannah Getchell: Marriage: 02 Jun 1744
Children of Abiel Sprague and Elizabeth Ashley are:
+Ruth Sprague, b. 17 Jul 1739, Scarborough Cumberland Maine, d. 03 Oct 1829, Standish Maine.