In the last presentation of the current winter lecture series sponsored by Lincoln County Historical Association, place based historian Jay Robbins of Richmond will present "Pownalborough Courts, Cases and Characters (1761-1794)." The illustrated talk will be held on Sunday, March 6, 1 p.m., in the Lincoln County Communications Center behind the County Court House in Wiscasset. 

Covering sundry details of proceedings held at Pownalborough Court House, Jay will discuss judicial culture and tradition, the evolving state of the law and its adjudication, and the role the courts played in our local community. “Is it a coincidence,” he asks, “that court was almost always held above a tavern, and that lawyers organized themselves into a bar association?”

Jay promises that “we will get a close look at each of the three levels of court that met here: the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, the Court of Common Pleas and the MA Supreme Judicial Court (1786-1794). In each instance we will examine the men who took the stage as judges, jurists, lawyers, accused, etc. and learn a bit about them as individuals.” 

“We will examine typical court dockets to see what types of cases were being taken up, and will look at specific cases and their outcomes. At least eight murder trials were held here with three hanged on site soon after conviction.”

Robbins has been digging out local history for over 40 years. His primary focus has been the Tidewater Kennebec and early Lincoln County. A former president and executive director of the Lincoln County Historical Association, Jay has also been active with the Arnold Expedition Historical Society, the Friends of Swan Island and many other similar local organizations. Jay also undertakes paid historical research for attorneys and private clients. Robbins Historical Research, Inc., P.O. Box 9, Richmond, ME 04357; RobbinsHistorical@gmail.com.

Admission to the winter lecture series is free. A donation of $5 is suggested. Coffee and pastries will be served. For more information about the lecture, call Christine Hopf-Lovette at 207-522-6397. 

The Lincoln County Historical Association is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For a complete listing of 2015 Winter Lecture Series presentations, please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org.