William Wingate Sewall at Bible Point, c 1921
TRC 560.12-109 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Update 7-11-2026
May 31, 2026, Joe Banavige released this wonderful American 250 Tribute to William W " Bill" Sewall, TR's Maine guide (along with Wilmot Dow, Bill's nephew)
Click here to see Joe's Substack post
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, I oversaw the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914). This initial research piqued my curious nature. I wanted to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and his various visits to Maine.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed into the development of what is the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, and there is a meaningful connection to Roosevelt
in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people.
And/or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we describe "Star 26" shown on the list (key) above - Bible Point/South Aroostook
Bible Point photo by Hermann Hagedorn, circa 1921
TRC 560.12-079 Houghton Library, Harvard University
I first learned of Bible Point in Island Falls (ME) from Maine author Andrew Vietze. Andrew's 2010 book, Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President.
Theodore Roosevelt's first trip to Island Falls was in September 1878. His father, Theodore Sr, had died earlier that year, and TR was still feeling the loss when he arrived in Island Falls. In TR's personal diary, he mentions reading his Bible while in Island Falls. And, on occasion, would take his Bible on treks into the woods to read.
A great resource for TR's diaries 1877-1886 - A Most Glorious Ride
Edited by Edward P. Kohn
In Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President. Author Andrew Vietze, through TR's entry in his diary, addresses how Roosevelt used the site while in the Maine woods in the Island Falls area on Sunday, March 2, 1879. (paragraph on page 48).
Hardcover first edition copy of Andrew Vietze's "Becoming Teddy
Roosevelt - PWM
On Sunday, he read his Bible, as was his custom, though he didn't allow himself to be housebound by his habit. He trudged out to a point near the south end of the Mattawamkeag Lake, near the confluence of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River and First Brook, where the huge water body narrows back into a river. Roosevelt found this lakeside grove, sloping down to the water, especially picturesque and peaceful, and he returned there so many times during his stays in Island Falls that it has been designated a Maine Historic Site called Bible Point.
A few years back, I headed up to Island Falls to check out Bible Point for myself. Bible Point is mostly in the South Aroostook boundaries, just outside the property lines of Island Falls.
Below is a YouTube video, or click here. The video of the adventure along Merriman Road and the mile hike to reach the site. A total of just under ten miles.
This video story is made up of stills and video clips of the trek to the site. The description below fails to mention that Merriman Road was a gravel road with an active logging harvest at the time. The permits for the harvest were posted along Merriman Road. This made for a very interesting expedition to Bible Point.
The description of the site at Maine.gov:
Location: From Island Falls, take the Merriman Road to its end, then follow the hiking trail along the western shore of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River for approximately one mile.
Bible Point, a 27-acre property near the south end of Mattawamkeag Lake, was made famous by Teddy Roosevelt, who visited the area beginning in 1878. As a young man under the guidance of his lifelong friend and guide, Bill Sewall, Roosevelt camped at the southern end of Mattawamkeag Lake and hunted and fished throughout the area. It is reported that each day, Roosevelt would take his Bible and hike to a beautiful point of land at the confluence of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River and First Brook, where he would read the bible. A plaque was erected in 1921 by Roosevelt's biographer Hermann Hagedorn, and it reads:
Within this kiosk is a copy of Theodore Roosevelt's letter,
dated March 20, 1918, titled My Debt to Maine.
TR buttons, courtesy of the Theodore Roosevelt Association
The buttons were removed after photo ops. PWM image
This plaque commemorates Theodore Roosevelt's love for the area.
PWM image
"This place, to which a great man in his youth liked to come to commune with God and with the wonder and beauty of the visible world, is dedicated to the happy memory of THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Stranger, rest here and consider what one man, having faith in the right and love for his fellow man, was able to do for his country." Hermann Hagedorn (TR biographer)
Below, or click here for a video walk-around at Bible Point.
Walk around Bible Point video
Straight ahead to the point where First Brook
(on the right, just out of sight) merges with the West Branch
of the Mattawamkeag River (seen on the right). PWM image
Bible Point. PWM image
William Sewall is sitting on the chair between two tree trunks.
Looks like at Bible Point Photo by Hermann Hagedorn
TRC 560.12-076 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Notice the pair of trees with a seat between them :) I believe it's in
the same spot as the above photo. Bible Point. PWM image
PWM image
Mattawamkeag River. PWM image
Bible Point. PWM image
The seat between the trees. Bible Point. PWM image
Blogger selfie at Bible Point along the Mattawamkeag River.
PWM image
First Brook as it enters the Bible Point area. PWM image
Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point. PWM image
Evidence that a Pileated Woodpecker paid a visit? PWM image
Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point. PWM 10-6-2015
Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point. PWM image
Some images along Merriman Road
PWM image 10-6-2015
The left arrow had black letters has Bible Point written on it. PWM image
Collection area for harvested logs. Logs that have been delivered
by a skidder are then stacked by the machine seen in the
background here. PWM image
Harvested logs are stacked in a collection area. PWM image
Starting at the top, the first star is in Island Falls.
The star below Island Falls is the beginning of Merriman Road.
It is about 7 miles along Merriman Road, heading southeast, that you
come to the next star. This represents where you turn left and travel
for about a mile. At the next star, Merriman "Road" ends, and a trail
for ATVs or Snowmobiles begins. Follow this trail for about a mile,
and you come upon Bible Point, the final star. The only time I saw any
signs of Bible Point was when turning left, about 7 miles in, there were
a couple of plastic signs with an arrow and Bible Point handwritten on
the sign. - Screenshot 10-9-2015
After having traveled along Merriman Road, these "veins" and small,
cleared areas along the road are known. The veins are trails made by
a skidder as it harvests and drags trees to the collection areas along
the road. These collection areas are cleared areas along the road where
the trees are stacked for loading. Screenshot 10-9-2015
An expanded view of harvesting trails and collection areas.
Screenshot 10-9-2015
.jpg)
Sign in the yard at the original Sewall homestead in Island Falls,
where Theodore Roosevelt stayed during his three visits in 1878/79.
PWM image
The original Sewall homestead, where Theodore Roosevelt stayed during his three
visits to Island Falls in 1878/79. PWM image
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View
We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
More than a century old, the stately "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivate, fascinate, then generate interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by donating today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher Phil Morse,
holding the Gold Book Award Winner plaque
Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
