Francis Carr (District of Maine politician)

Francis Carr (c. 1751 – February 4, 1821) was an American politician and military officer who served in the Massachusetts General Court representing the District of Maine, and later in the first Maine State Senate after Maine achieved statehood.

Early Life and Military Service

Born around 1751 in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, Francis Carr relocated to Bangor in the District of Maine, then part of Massachusetts, in the late 18th century. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as a captain in the Massachusetts Militia. He notably participated in the Penobscot Expedition in 1779, a failed American naval and military expedition conducted by Massachusetts to dislodge a British garrison from Castine, Maine.

Political Career

Carr had a long and distinguished political career, primarily representing the interests of the District of Maine within the Massachusetts government.

Massachusetts General Court

He served numerous terms in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court:

• Massachusetts House of Representatives: Representing Bangor, he served multiple terms, including in 1792, 1794, 1797, 1800-1801, 1803, 1805, 1807, 1810-1811, 1813-1814, 1816, and 1818-1819.
• Massachusetts Senate: Representing Hancock County (which encompassed Bangor), he served in 1802, 1806, 1808-1809, 1812, 1815, and 1817.

Maine State Senate

After Maine separated from Massachusetts and gained statehood in 1820, Francis Carr was elected to the inaugural Maine State Senate. He served as a member of this first legislative body of the new state.

Other Roles

Beyond his legislative duties, Carr also held judicial office, serving as the Judge of Probate for Hancock County from 1803 to 1804.

Personal Life and Death

Francis Carr was married to Sarah Field. He died on February 4, 1821, in Bangor, Maine, shortly after the establishment of Maine as a state and during his term in the first Maine State Senate.