Princeton’s Oldest Resident, 1979

Robert Carle, 88, (“Bobby” to all his friends) lives on, and still farms the land cleared from the wilderness by his grandfather, John Carle.

His great grandfather Peter Carle, who came by boat to Machias and from there to Princeton, build the old “Princeton House” hotel which burned some years ago. At this time there was no road from West Princeton to Princeton and all travelled by way of South Princeton. When the new road was built Abigail Carle, Peter’s wife, was the first one to ride to Princeton over the new road (in an oxcart, yet). Robert Carle’s house was the first frame house built in West Princeton.

Robert’s mother was a Sprague - a great-granddaughter of Captain Eli Sprague one of the early settlers of Sprague’s Falls.

Robert Carle’s uncle, Joshua Carle, once owned the land where the area known as “Little Woodland” is, before the mill was built. Joshua’s wife, Vesta was the first post mistress of Baileyville.

“Bobby” remembers his “Uncle Josh” as the one who planted the maple tree by the graves of John Carle, his first wife, and their five children. These children died of diptheria and their father had to dig their graves and bury them, as no one in the community dared to come near. The maple tree now towers over every other tree in the area.

Robert Carle is the oldest resident of Princeton and as noted by the article, is still active, alert and making plans for this summer’s garden.