Caleb Strong (1745-1819) served as governor to Massachusetts from 1800-1807 and 1812-1816. He was one of the first U.S. Senators from Massachusetts, elected in 1789 and serving for four years.

On Aug. 5, 1812, during the War of 1812, he ordered a small militia to an area in northern Maine to defend against a British attack. After 1814, when British troops actively invaded Maine, Strong failed to convince the Massachusetts Legislature to intervene, effectively leaving Maine to defend itself against the enemy. These actions contributed to Maine's successful separation from Massachusetts in 1820.