Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution
1875 antique HISTORY WELLS KENNEBUNK genealogy BOOKPLATE Pvt VICKERY 3d Reg Mass
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Portrait op the Author, Frontispiece.
Indian Marks, 22
Sergeant Larrabee's Garrison, 317
Lyman House, , 495
Portrait of Rev. Daniel Little, ....... 708
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
The coast of Maine — general aspect — marine border of Wells — first settlement— infant baptism— gorges' charter— thom as gorges appointed deputy governor — gorges' house — kev. george burditt — indictments against him — a court organized — permits to Hutchinson and others to take up land — commission to John Wheelright and others to allot lands— first settlement under Gorges, , 1
CHAPTER II.
Grant to Thomas Gorges— Grant to Wheelright— Lygonia patent — Claim of Col. Alexander Rigby— Decision in his favor— Edward Godfrey — Courts held at Wells and Gorgeana — Claim of Massachusetts— Compact between Gorgeana, Kittery, and Wells — Character of Godfrey — Commissioners sent by Massachusetts into Maine— Address to Godfrey— His reply— Incorporation of Gorgeana—Indian deed to Wadleigh— Various names of the plantation —Origin of the name Wells — House of Bowles burnt — Names of inhabitants of the plantation, with brief sketches— Massachusetts COMMISSIONERS REQUIRE SUBMISSION TO HER AUTHORITY — THEIR court at Kittery and Wells— Jurisdiction of Massachusetts acknowledged— Ogunquit joined to Cape Neddick — Commissioners grant corporate powers to wells— commissioners appointed to settle boundary between wells and york. .... 14
CHAPTER III.
Officers appointed by the commissioners -First church in Wells — Names of members, brief sketches of — Church dissolved by the commissioners 35
CHAPTER IV.
Submission of Cape Porpoise and Saco to Massachusetts — First road laid out in Wells— Ferry over Kennebunk river— Wm. Reynolds — First houses in Wells — Scarcity of corn — Littlefield's Mills — First settlers in Wells— Wheelright's mill — Sketch of his LIFE 45
CHAPTER V.
Opposition to jurisdiction of Massachusetts — Petition to Oliver Cromwell— Indictments— Laws relating to religious opinion— Order for erection of jail— first county tax in wells— mllitia orGANIZED— Report of committee of parliament against the claim of Massachusetts — Agent sent over by heir of Gorges — Council appointed — Demand of Massachusetts upon councilors — Their reply—General COURT HELD AT LlTTLEFIELD'S HOUSE— POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS— Indictments— Order of King Charles— Commissioners APPOINTED BY HIM — PETITION OF INHABITANTS OF CASCO — COURT HELD AT SACO UNDER AUTHORITY OF KING'S COMMISSIONERS — FAST DAY APPOINTED— Court held at York by commissioners of Massachusetts — Conference of the two boards of commissioners — Conflict between them— Thomas Wheelright's letter to the governor— Petition TO THE GENERAL COURT— WELLS MADE A SHIRE TOWN. . 57
CHAPTER VI.
Henry Boade— Edmund Littlefield— Stoby of Francis Littlefield, sen.— John Gooch— John Gooch, jr.— James Gooch— Anthony Littlefield—Jonathan Thinge— Thomas Miles— John Barret— John White— John Bush— Robert Wadleigh— John Wakefield— William Cole— List of inhabitants afteb the incobpobation, and prior to 1670 72
CHAPTER VII.
First settlers in kennebunk— john sanders— mousam river ferry— John Cheater— Little river ferry— First public house in Kennebunk— George Buckland— William Symonds— Daniel Piebce— Boundary established between wells and cape porpoise— road along the sea wall— First bridge — brian pendleton appointed surveyor— Cape Porpoise river ferry— First road to Kennebunk. . 84
CHAPTER VIII.
LOW CONDITION OF THE CHURCH— REV. SETH FlETCHEB EMPLOYED TO PREACH — ORDERS OF THE GENERAL COURT IN RELATION TO CHARGES AGAINST HIM— INJUNCTION AGAINST HIM— PETITION OF INHABITANTS TO DISSOLVE INJUNCTION — ORDERS OF GENERAL COURT TO THE INHABITANTS TO PROCUBE A MINISTEB— INHABITANTS INDICTED FOR NOT PROVIDING A PLACE OF WORSHIP — JOSEPH EMERSON ENGAGED— REV. JEREMIAH HUBBARD ENGAGED— THE CONNECTION DISSOLVED. . . . . .93
CHAPTER IX.
Origin of the name Kennebunk— Henky Sayward— Gbants to Sayward, Johnson, and Patty— First house in Kennebunk village — mousam mills — conflict of titles to the mills — henby brown and James Caeb — Avalanche on Kennebunk biveb— Discontent toward Massachusetts 108
CHAPTER X.
Grant to Israel Harding — Indictments against Harding and wife — Legislative enactments — Meeting house and parsonage built — first pauper — Ducking stool — Mordan's cave — Nathaniel Boston — Liquor laws 124
CHAPTER XI
King Phillip's war— Wanton upsetting of a canoe — Indian Barbari-
TIES — Order OF THE COUNCIL TO LlEUT. WHEELBIGHT — MASSACRE AT Portsmouth and Berwick—Fast appointed— Indian attack on Wells — Four hundred Indians captured — Death of James Gooch and wife — Destruction of Cape Neddock — Attack of Mugg on garrison at the "town's end "— treaty with mugg— death of Mugg— Treaty at Canso 137
CHAPTER XII.
Judiciary system— Various indictments— Grand jurors, their compensation— The court drummer— Court at Wells— Names of members—Expenses—Indictments—Punishments— James Adams—" The Devil's Invention "—Story of the Simpson children. . . 152
CHAPTER XIII.
Rev. Robert Paine— John Buss— Rev. Perctval Green— Rev. Richard Martin— Rev. George Barrows— His trial for witchcraft— William Severn. . 164
CHAPTER XIV.
Action of the town in relation to jurisdiction of Massachusetts, &c. — Gorges' title purchased by Massachusetts— First colony tax — Grants to various persons — Order of town to proprietors to lay out grants — indictments against the town — manufacture of rosin and tar— Dishonest tax payers— Disaffection toward Massachusetts—Tax on Mills— Various grants— List of residents in Wells from 1641 to 1687 179
CHAPTER XV.
King William's war — Letters of Wheelright, Storer, and others — Location and description of garrisons — Letter of Capt. Andrews — a truce signed, and disregarded, by the indians — appeals to the government for aid — contributions— attack of the indians under Moxus— Massacre at York— Death of Rev. Shubuel Dummer and wife — Successful defence of two sloops against the attack of five hundred of the enemy — attack upon llttlefield's garrison — Narrow escape of Littlefield — Treaty entered into with the Sagamores — Attacks upon Dover, Kittery, and York— Death of Major Frost — Rumsellers prosecuted — Modes of punishment — The stocks— The cage— Grant of Great Falls to John Wheelright and others — Grants to various persons— Defective condition of the early records— Vote of the town relative thereto — Samuel Wheelright— William Hammond 193
CHAPTER XVI.
Social life of the early inhabitants— Their houses and furniture 234
CHAPTER XVII.
Queen Ann's war— Letter of John Wheelright to the governor- Attack upon Wells— Escape of Harding and wife— Brief accounts of the victims of the assault— Petition of the inhabitants to the general court for abatement of tax— indians seen on drake's Island— Their ingenious device for escape— Death of Nicholas Cole and others— Lewis Allen, the spy— Tidings from the captives in Canada— Exchange of prisoners— Attack upon Kittery, York, and Wells 243
CHAPTER XVIII.
Queen Ann's war continued— Indian raids— Drowning of Wakefield and others — capture of lleut. josiah llttlefield — hls letters — His release and death— Indian atrocities— Two marriages celebrated at the garrison— Sambo's capture and escape— Garrison attacked— Capture of Plaisted — Francis Littlefield. . . 265
CHAPTER XIX.
Rev. Samuel Emery — Meeting-house rebuilt — Church organized — Ordination of Mr. Emery— Letter of Rev. Samuel Moody— Suspension of Deacon Wells— Death of Mr. Emery. - . . 284
CHAPTER XX.
Close of the war- Prosperous condition op the town— Grants to various persons— William Larrabee— Houses built in Kennebunk — "Grandfather Poke" — John Gillespie— Plum Island— Harding's mill— Kennebunk named— Title to the territory claimed by the inhabitants — Boundary between Wells and Kittery controverted — Committee appointed by general court to settle the line- Pounds and impounding— Schools— Teachers, Martin, Treadwell, Lynn, and Led yard — Claims of Daniel and Simon Eppes of title to Kennebunk— Second attempt to manufacture tar— Cape Porpoise RE-ORGANIZED UNDER THE NAME OF ARUNDEL — FIRST BRIDGE OVER Kennebunk river— Immigration from Ireland. . . . 298
CHAPTER XXI.
Lovewell's war— Indian raids— Various persons killed— Sergeant Larrabee's garrison — Death of C apt. Felt and others— Destruction of Norridgewock— Soldiers from Wells — Indian cowardice— Wheel- right's EXPEDITION TO LOVELL'S POND — ATTACK UPON THE DURRELL family— Indians resident at Wells— Their characteristics — Ambereuse — Indian pow-wow— List of Inhabitants in 1726— Joseph Storer 314
CHAPTER XXII.
Grants to various persons — Confirmation of titles by the proprietors—Ferdinando Gorges— Batcomb — The Littlefield and Winn controversy— Bn.LS of credit authorized by the legislature- ShiPBuilding at Wells 334
CHAPTER XXIII.
The meeting-house— Collection op mill bents —Parsonage built —
Stockade built abound it— Alterations of the meeting-house —
paupers — Daniel Tuckeb — Throat distempeb — Schools — Richard
Dean— first school-house— first school in Kennebunk— Nathan-
iel Habbington— Andbew Tyleb— John Lesteb — Wolves— Joseph
Hill 345
CHAPTER XXIV.
New candidates fob the ministry— Rev. Samuel Jefferds ordained
— Church discipline— Biography of Mr. Jefferds— Invitation to
Rev. Samuel Fayrweather — Unsuccessful attempt to ordain him
—Rev. Gideon Richardson ordained — His death— Rev. Moses Hem-
menway ordained 357
CHAPTER XXV.
Expedition to LouisbuRG — List of volunteebs fbom Wells— Lettebs
of Gen. Peppebell, Col. Stobeb, Rev. Samuel Jefferds, Mbs. Bul-
man — List of soldiebs tvho died at Cape Bbeton — Fears enteb-
tained of an attack by the fbench fleet — shd7wbeck on mt.
DeseRT— Indian attacks upon Bbunswick, Falmouth, Scabbobo,
and Saco— Anecdote of John Butland— Murdeb of Mbs. Walkeb —
Attempt to subPRise Labbabee's gabbison — Biogbaphical sketch
of Col. John Wheelkight 369
CONTENTS. XV11
CHAPTER XXVI.
Effort to inaugurate a second parish— Meeting-house built at the
landing— Incorporation of the "Second Congregational Society
in Wells" — Invitation to Rev. Daniel Little— His reply— Fast
appointed— Church consecrated — The covenant and list of mem-
bers subscribing— Ordination of Mr. Little— Baptismal covenant
—Covenant for full communion— Female members admitted— An-
nual contribution for charitable purposes— Contribution in aid
of Boston— Location of certain dwelling houses— First retail
store in kennebunk — extracts from the tax lists of the new
parish — Taxes — Valuation of Wells— Slavery in Wells— Old
Tom. 392
CHAPTER XXVII.
General use of intoxicating liquors— Introduction of tea and cof-
fee—Costume of the inhabitants— Titular distinctions— Christian
names— Marriage ceremonies— Funerals— First bell in Kennebunk
— Superstitions of the age— George Jacobs— his trial and execu-
tion 411
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Increase of inhabitants of Kennebunk — Mills and houses built—
The great freshet— Throat distemper— Earthquakes— Fears en-
tertained OF ANOTHER INDIAN WAR— REMOVAL OF THE ACADIANS —
Names of those located in Wells— War declared against France
—List of Volunteers from Wells— Escape of Rev. Mr. Little from
the Indians — More houses built — First painted house in Kenne-
bunk— Additions to the Kennebunk meeting-house — Schools — Sam-
uel Moffat and Rev. Mr. Little, teachers— Increase of Inhabi-
tants— New road laid out from the sea to the Landing — Ship-
building commenced at Kennebunk— First school-house in Kenne-
bunk— Distribution of school money — Names of teachers, and
where located — first female teacher— llst of aged persons. . 430
XV111 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The old parish— Controversy in relation to boundaries of farms-
Agreement OF THE LANDHOLDERS ESTABLISHING LINES — PETITIONS TO
DIVIDE THE PARISH— NEW MEETING-HOUSE BUILT — APPRAISAL OF PEWS—
Report of the committee to assign pews — A great drouth — Peti-
tion OF THE INHABITANTS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR AID. . . 444
CHAPTER XXX.
Taxation of Colonies— Opposition of the people of Wells and York
— Resolutions passed by the town of Wells— Jonathan Sayward —
Tea party at York — The Boston port bill — Contribution of sec-
ond parish in Wells in aid of the poor of Boston—" York county
congress " holden at wells — resolves — john sullivan's harangue
—Court broken up— Adam McCulloch— Dr. Abiather Alden— Dr.
Ebenezer Rice — Joseph Churchill— Bulletin of York county con-
gress—Delegate CHOSEN TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS AT CAMBRIDGE
— Instructions to him — Action of the town of Wells in relation
to war measures — roll of capt. james hubbard's company — capt.
Jesse Dorman's company — Intense excitement of the people -List
of soldiers who re-enlisted in capt. sawyer's company— gather-
ING of [ministers at York — Committee of safety appointed — In-
structions OF THE TOWN TO THE REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS TO VOTE
for independence — Declaration of Independence read in the
churches at wells and kennebunk — joseph sayer— ebenezer
Sayer— Waldo Emerson— Samuel Hitchcock — Theodore Lyman— Jo-
seph Moody— Dr. Oliver Keating— Theodore and Honestus Plum-
mer 456
CONTENTS. XIX
CHAPTER XXXI.
Revolutionary war— Bounties raised for soldiers — Vote of the
town of Wells on the adoption of the Constitution— Agents chos-
en TO PROSECUTE TORIES — ABRAHAM CLARK— LlST OF WELLS MEN
killed near tlconderoga and crown point— tariff of prices es-
tablished by the selectmen — manufacture of salt — iron works
at Kennebunk — Shipping — Celebration of the surrender of Bur-
go yne — Yote of Wells on the articles of Confederation, etc. — Ad-
ditional bounties voted — Opposition of Wells to the State Con-
stitution— Contributions of clothing for the army — Increase of
bounties — Penobscot expedition — Poverty of the people — Commit-
tee ON CORRESPONDENCE — THE DARK DAY — OBJECTION OF THE TOWN TO
the Bill of Rights and the Constitution — Another quota of sol-
diers required — High bounties voted — Efforts to enlist men — Re-
joicing AT THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS— PEACE. . . . 498
CHAPTER XXXII.
Opposition to return of Refugees — The currency — First vessel
built on kennebunk river — flrst grocery store — flrst public
house— List of prominent business men— New road located— First
regular Post-office in Maine— Oldest tombstone in Kennebunk —
Stephen Larrabee— Prosperous condition of Kennebunk— Election
of State officers — Convention at Falmouth to consider question
of separation— Opposition of Wells— Question submitted to the
people — The Brunswick convention — Yote of Wells relative to
annexation to new hampshire— convention of other towns fav-
oring annexation — separation — convention at portland to form
a Constitution— One-third of town meetings held at Kennebunk
— Meetings opened with prayer — Great freshet — Abatement of
taxes by General Court— Mails— Public houses— Where located
— Delegates to Convention for adoption of Federal Constitution
— John Bourne 524
XX CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Roads laid out — Road near the house of Oliver Perkins— Road
from the Mile Spring to Peabody's— Cat mousam road— Road from
Mousam Landing — New meeting-house built by the second parish
— Assignment of pews — Meeting-house built at Alewdje — Petitions
for aprpopriation of money there— baptist church organized
there— Baptist church organized at Maryland — Ordination of
i Rev. Nathaniel Lord — List of members of the Society — Petition
to the General Court for division of the Parish — Remon-
strance of First Parish — Agreement as to money raised— Rev.
Joseph Eaton ordained— New meeting-house built. . . 544
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Wolves — Bears — Anecdotes of William Butland — Deer and moose
—Beavers— Birds— Salmon— Bass and shad 559
CHAPTER XXXV.
Navigation — First vessels owned in Wells— First vessel built on
Mousam river— The proprietors of Mousam River Canal — Course
of the river changed— first vessel built on kennebunk river—
Prominent business men — Insurance by individuals — Marine dis-
asters— The French claims — Pier built at the mouth of Kenne-
bunk river— Small-pox— Hospital established. . . . 566
CONTENTS. XXI
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Jay treaty — Memorial of citizens op Wells relative there-
to—Address OF THE INHAITANTS TO PRESIDENT ADAMS— HlS REPLY
—Political parties— Opposition of Wells to the Embargo— Pe-
tition to the President — Resolutions passed at Town Meeting
— Memorial to the General Court— The non-intercourse Act-
Memorial OF THE INHABITANTS OF WELLS TO THE PRESIDENT ON THE
war question — war declared — american vessels captured — the
privateer Gleaner— Rejoicing over the taking of the Guerierre
— Convention at Kennebunk to nominate candidate for Repre-
sentative to Congress — Toll-bridge built over Kennebunk river
— Bridge made free— Fishermen taken by privateers— The" Horse
Marine List " — Capture of the privateer Alexander — Bank
established— Public dinner to Hon. Cyrus King — The ship Bul-
wark off Kennebunk harbor— Soldiers called out— Sloop Julia
recaptured — committee of safety chosen — "company of exempts "
—Privateer McDonough captured— The privateer Ludlow— Peace
declared— Great rejoicing at Kennebunk— Vote of the inhabi-
tants of Wells on the fire proof question — Another great
freshet — Temperance — Court records kept at Kennebunk —
Custom House moved to Kennebunkport — Death of Judge
Wells— Death of Thomas McCulloch— Biography of Nathaniel
Wells 584
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The First Parish— Rev. Benjamin White ordained as colleague
with Dr. Hemmenway — His retirement and death — Revision of
the creed — invitation to rev. david oliphant— rev. jonathan
Greenleaf ordained — The Second Parish— Additions to the meet-
ing-house—Steeple ERECTED AND BELL PURCHASED^-DESCRIPTION OF
interior of the meeting-house— slnging— musical instruments —
Organ introduced— Stoves set up— Infirmity of Rev. Mr. Little —
XXU CONTENTS.
Rev. Nathaniel H. Fletcher ordained as colleague— His address
—The creed — Marriage of Mr. Fletcher — Joseph Smith — His
attempt to overturn the meeting-house — jacob cockran — letter
of Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf to Rev. Mr. Fletcher — Action of
the Parish relative thereto— Sunday School organized. . 616
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Agriculture— The crops— Corn and potatoes— The stock— Descrip-
tion of the early houses in Kennebunk 646
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Vote of the inhabitants establishing the proprietary of the
town — Organization of the proprietors — Boundary line between
Wells and Coxhall renewed— Grant to proprietors of Coxhall
—Proprietary law suits— Yote of proprietors to divide — Lots
assigned by lottery — Controversy in relation to thatch-beds —
Donation of certain lots by the proprietors — Votes confirming
titles — Carriages introduced 652
CHAPTER XL.
Roads — When and where located — Price of labor on roads in
various years — By-law of town relative to cattle [going at
LARGE. . 663
CHAPTER XLI.
Industry of the early settlers— Amusements— Dancing — Esquire
Brown's school— The first ball— Huskings — Card playing — Check-
ers—Keels and bowles— Costume. . » . . . . 672
CHAPTER XLII.
Death of Washington—Services at the churches—Fourth of July
celebrations at kennebunk— dinner to hon. cyrus klng— recep-
TION of President Monroe 684
CHAPTER XLIII.
Prosperity of the town — Newspapers established— "Annals of the
Times" — "The Kennebunk Gazette "— " The Weekly Visitor "—The
Wells social library — The Kennebunk Fire Society— Engine pur»
chased 691
CHAPTER XLIV.
Military history of the town — The cav alry — Artillery — Flag Presentation— General muster 695
CHAPTER XLV.
Division of the town — Kennebunk incorporated. . . . 699
Biographical Sketches. 707 Author: Edward E. Bourne, LL.D.
Excellent original early family and/or town genealogy, history, antique, collectible heirloom and/or ephemera.
