The first permanent white settlers were the Abraham Somes family and the James Richardson family from Gloucester, Massachusetts. They arrived separately in Chebacco boats in the summer of 1761 and settled along the Sound. Somes built a log cabin along the shore in what is now known as Somesville. Richardson built his home further down the shore near what is now called the Sound. James and Rachel (Gott) Richardson had eleven children and Abraham and Hannah (Herrick) Somes had thirteen children.
According to Paul S. Richardson in The Creation and Growth of Acadia National Park, “Abraham Somes and James Richardson not only started the development, but were leaders in the governmental life of the island for many years. Governor Bernard’s choice of these two men to be founders of the township would serve him well.”