Did You Know Maine Was Owned by Massachusetts, Even Though New Hampshire Already Existed?

You know those historical facts that make you go "Huh?"

Well, I got one for you. You probably already read it in the headline, but here it is anyway: Maine was once owned by Massachusetts.

Now this may not come as a shock initially, as Massachusetts was ratified in 1788 and Maine was not ratified until 1820. BUT...New Hampshire was ratified in 1788 too.

So how the heck was Massachusetts like, "Yeah we'll take all that land next to you New Hampshire"?

And why didn't New Hampshire claim that area first? I mean New Hampshire completely borders Maine, whereas Massachusetts doesn't even touch Maine, right?

How could New Hampshire let this happen?

Well, according to a World Atlas article,

During the 1740s, the British defeated the French and part of Maine's territory fell under the control of Nova Scotia, a Canadian province. During the American Revolution as well as the War of 1812 American and British forces constantly fought over the territory of Maine. During the conflict, the British regularly occupied the eastern half of Maine. After the end of the revolution, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Maine's territory was transferred to the control of Massachusetts.

Just saying, that's a LOT of territory for Massachusetts. Probably too much for one state to control. So, in 1842, resolutions needed to be made between British North America and the United States.

That year, 1842, leaders from the US and British North America met to resolve several border disputes including a dispute over the border between Maine and New Brunswick.

The dispute had led to a conflict between the two countries that was referred to as the Aroostook War. The British and US leaders finally agreed to share the disputed territory between them. Maine became a state in 1820 and inherited part of Massachusetts' border with New Hampshire. Part of the boundary between Maine and New Hampshire traces the path of the Piscataqua River.

And now Maine is Maine and Massachusetts is Massachusetts. But did you know this previously? I had NO IDEA.

I guess people in Maine calling people in Massachusetts "Massholes" is not such a good look. After all, those are your roots too, Mainiacs!