Governor Edwin Chick Burleigh

Maine Ghost Hunters — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:51:33 +0000

Governor Edwin Chick Burleigh

Edwin C. Burleigh: A Legacy of Leadership

Edwin C. Burleigh, the 42nd Governor of Maine, was more than just a political figure. His life and career were characterized by a deep commitment to the people and the state he served. Born into a family of politically active men, Burleigh’s upbringing laid the foundation for his future as a leader at both the state and national level.

Early Life and Career

Born in Linneus, Maine, on November 27, 1843, Edwin C. Burleigh was the son of Parker P. Burleigh, a prominent figure in his time. Edwin’s early education took place in the town school and at Houlton Academy. After completing his academic course, he taught for a time before taking up land surveying. His knowledge of the public lands of the state was unparalleled, leading to his appointment as a clerk in the land office in Augusta in 1870. He later served as Land Agent, Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives, and State Treasurer.

A Governor’s Legacy

Burleigh’s tenure as Governor of Maine was marked by significant reforms and additions to the state’s laws. His administration saw the creation of a state department for agriculture and a forestry commission. He also implemented tax reforms that increased the State valuation by $104,000,000 and reduced the State tax to two and one-fourth mills. His efforts led to the refunding of the six per cent. State bonded debt at three percent., resulting in an annual saving to the State of $71,530.

Under his leadership, the State appropriation for pensions was increased, a permanent muster field was purchased and equipped, and the Australian ballot law was adopted. His administration ensured that no class of Maine’s population was neglected. Farmers, soldiers, scholars, merchants, workmen, rich and poor, all shared in the increased benefits of wise government and judicious conservation of Maine’s resources.

Ten Things to Know About Edwin C. Burleigh

Timberland Owner: Burleigh owned vast amounts of timberland and was instrumental in passing the anti-forest-fire law, which imposed heavy penalties for purposely or carelessly setting forest fires. He also made the land agent Maine’s “forest commissioner” with wardens in every section.
Investor in the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad Company: His investment helped open up the most northern and wooded areas of Maine.
Owner of the Kennebec Journal: Along with his son, Clarence B. Burleigh, he ran the Kennebec Journal, a central point of communication for the Republican Party.
Advocate for Mental Health: As Governor, he appointed the commission to find a suitable location for a second State Hospital in Bangor.
Congressman: As a Congressman, he was a major reason the U.S. Government handed over the Arsenal in Augusta to the State of Maine.
Lighthouse Builder: He secured appropriations of $140,000 for the building of Isle au Haut Lighthouse, also known as Robinson Point Light.
Supporter of the National Guard: He is the primary reason Camp Keyes became a central muster point for the Maine National Guard.
Saver of the Capitol: The Capitol was not moved to Portland because of Burleigh, saving the State of Maine over $2 million.
Advocate for Representation: Burleigh is why Maine has two Representatives in the U.S. Congress instead of one.
A Loving Husband: He died only one month (five weeks) after his wife, a testament to their deep bond.

Edwin C. Burleigh’s legacy continues to impact the state of Maine and its people. His life and career serve as a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and a deep love for one’s community.

The post Governor Edwin Chick Burleigh first appeared on Maine Ghost Hunters.

Maine’s Lost Governor

Maine Ghost Hunters — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:56:03 +0000

Maine’s Lost Governor

Who Was Enoch Lincoln?

Born into a politically powerful family in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1788, Enoch Lincoln was destined for greatness. His father, Levi Sr., and his older brother Levi Jr., both held prestigious political positions, including the roles of State Representative, Lieutenant Governor, and even Governors of Massachusetts.

Enoch himself was a highly educated and capable individual. After graduating from Harvard and receiving an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Bowdoin College, he studied law with his brother Levi Jr. and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1811.

By 1815, Enoch was serving as the assistant U.S. district attorney, and by 1818, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. His political career culminated in 1827 when he was elected as Maine’s 6th governor, a position he held for three terms, winning over 90% of the votes cast in his re-elections.

Enoch Lincoln was not just a political player; he was a man of wide-ranging interests and a champion for those in need. He opposed slavery, appreciated Native American culture, and advocated for women’s education at a time when such views were unheard of.

The Legacy of Enoch Lincoln

Enoch Lincoln left an indelible mark on the state of Maine. He is the reason Maine’s capital is Augusta, not Portland. He commissioned Charles Bullfinch to design Maine’s new statehouse in 1827. He was also a poet, having published a poem in 1816 called “The Village,” which earned him the title of “Maine’s 1st Poet.”

One of his most significant achievements as Governor was to protect Maine’s Northernmost boundary when it came under scrutiny by England. Despite pressure from the federal government, Enoch stood his ground, ensuring no boundary change occurred under his watch.

The Mystery of Enoch Lincoln’s Disappearance

However, a mystery surrounds Enoch Lincoln. In 1986, a work crew entered the vault where he was supposedly buried to do some restoration work, only to find it empty. So the question remains – where did Enoch Lincoln go?

Some speculate that he was buried under the tomb, not in it, because the state legislature didn’t approve a monument dedicated to him until 1842. Others suggest his body was removed during an earlier cleaning of the vault back in the 1950s and never put back. There’s even a nearly forgotten rumor that his body was removed from the crypt on purpose and re-interred in his ‘home state’ of Massachusetts.

Five Things to Know About Enoch Lincoln:

He was betrothed to Mary Chadbourne-Page of Fryeburg, Maine for a few years, set to be married only a few months after he died.
He was expelled from Harvard for engaging in the Rotten Cabbage Rebellion of 1807.
He was in the process of collecting materials and documentation for writing a book on Maine history, and another on the language & history of the Aboriginals.
He once challenged another lawyer to a duel when he lived in Fryeburg.
He knew he was dying and was buried with Military Honors.

Enoch Lincoln was a man ahead of his time, a champion for those in need, and a figure who left an indelible mark on the state of Maine. His life, his achievements, and the mystery surrounding his final resting place continue to intrigue us to this day.

The post Maine’s Lost Governor first appeared on Maine Ghost Hunters.

Representative - Maine Ghost Hunters

Governor Edwin Chick Burleigh