Formed Jan. 27 1789 and named "Easton". Name changed to Lincoln 17 Apr 1806 and to Gorham 6 Apr 1807.
The first settlement was made in 1789 at Reed's Corners by James Wood. Other early settlers in this area were Silas Reed, John McPherson, Jeremiah Swart and one Gurnsey nearly all of whom left children.
In the extreme northwest part of the town there dwelt at an early day James Wood, son of the pioneer; Alexander Sampson; Jonathan Stearns and other families by surname of: Koomer - Sackett - Wilson - Mead - Davis - Fisher - Carson - Gulick. South of Reed's Corners were pioneers Silas Reed, Harvey Stone, Jacob Young, Mr. Wilson, Royal Stearns, Thomas Tuffs, John Tuffs and others. Further south dwelt Nathan Pratt, Elisha Pratt, Charles Russells, Benjamin Washburn, Daniel Treat, Eben Harwood, Archibald Armstrong, G. Merrell, and Charles Headgar.
East of Reed's Corners there settled at an early day Darius Miner in 1812; Ebenezer Lewis in 1798; Levi Sortell in 1810; Wm. Howe and Frederick Spaulding in 1811.
In the eastern part of the town is the village of Gorham. At Flint Creek Levi Benton built the first grist mill in the town. The first lumber mill on the creek was built in 1808 by one named Craft. Those by surname Pettit; Phillips; Perkins; Pickett; Harris; Sherman; Arnold and Hogeboom are named as heads of families who settled in this part at an early day.
The village of Rushville is located in the south part of Gorham. Early pioneers were Ludin Blodget, Daniel Gates, proprietor of Gates' tavern, Henry Green, Chester Loomis, Samuel Torrey, Timothy Moore, Capt. Harwood, Zebediah Morse, Daniel White, John Catlin, Curtis Chatfield, and Oliver Chatfield. A little farther east were Richard Westbrook, William Bassett, James Lewis, Lemuel Moore, Soloman Blodget, William Blodget, Samuel Reed, Horatio Gates, and Lewis George. West of Rushville village the earliest settlers were: Christian Fisher, Abraham Garrison, John Ferguson, the Franciscos, Briggs, Van Brankens, Martins, Sheep, Bascoms and Abner DuValle. North and along the lake were Otis Lincoln, Southwick Cole, Amasa Gage and Henry Elliott.