Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec

Augusta, Maine

— The Museum in the Streets® —

Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

1. Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Pilgrims' trading post at Cushnoc had enjoyed a monopoly of fur trade with local Abenaki since 1628. In the spring of 1634 a vessel commanded by John Hocking of Portsmouth challenged that monopoly. Arriving at Cushnoc, Hocking was ordered by John Howland to leave, but Hocking ignored him and continued up river. Howland, John Alden, and nine other men pursued the vessel and again ordered Hocking to leave. After many ill words, Howland sent men to cut Hocking's anchor cables. After one was cut, Hocking shot and killed Moses Talbot. Hocking in turn was fatally shot, which ended his voyage but not the case. Both Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies investigated the incident. Howland and the Pilgrims were exonerated for defending their Crown-given patent rights.

Le comptoir commercial des Pèlerins (Pilgrims) à Cushnoc avait le monopole du commerce de la fourrure avec les Abénakis de la région depuis 1628. Au printemps 1634, un vaisseau commandé par John Hocking de Portsmouth contesta ce monopole. A son arrivée à Cushnoc, John Howland ordonna à Hocking de faire demi-tour, mais Hocking

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passa outre et continua à remonter le fleuve. Howland, John Alden et neuf autres hommes poursuivirent le vaisseau et exigèrent à nouveau qu'il parte. Après des échanges verbaux houleux, Howland envoya des hommes couper les cordes d'ancrage de Hocking. Lorsqu'un cordage fut coupé, Hocking tira sur Moses Talbot et le tua. Hocking fut à son tour blessé mortellement, ce qui termina le voyage mais pas le débat. Les deux colonies de Massachusetts Bay et Plymouth enquêtèrent sur l'incident. Howland et les Pèlerins furent disculpés car ils défendaient leurs droits attribués par la Couronne.

Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Augusta, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1628.

Location. 44° 18.945′ N, 69° 46.289′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is between the west wall of Old Fort Western and the Kennebec River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 Cony Street, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cushnoc Trading Post / Le Comptoir Commercial De Cushnoc (within shouting

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

2. Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec Marker

Looking north toward the Old City Hall

distance of this marker); 1775 Quebec Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Cushnoc Trading Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Birds and Fish of the Kennebec (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fort Western / Le vieux Fort Western (about 300 feet away); First Kennebec Bridge / Le premier pont du Kennebec (about 300 feet away); Sousa the nonpariel / L'incomparable Souza (about 300 feet away); Augusta, Maine (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . .
1. John Howland, "Mayflower" Passenger (Family History). (Submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

3. Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec Marker

Kennebec River in background

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.