Settled in 1774, Sabattus was incorporated on March 7, 1840 as the Town of Webster, named for the famous statesman and orator, Daniel Webster. During the 19th century, the town swapped land with Lisbon and Lewiston, and annexed land from Wales and Greene. In 1971, the name of the town was changed to Sabattus, after an Anasagunticook Indian chief who had been killed in the area.
On maps, Sabattus appears almost to be an extension of Lewiston. The portion located at the southern end of Sabattus Pond is part of the urban center of the town, while the eastern portion of Sabattus consists largely of open space and farmland.