USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 75
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 75
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 75
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The location of Thomas Purchase's residence at Pejepscot is still a matter of doubt, notwithstanding that there are in the Pejepscot Papers over one hundred depositions in regard to it. The probabilities are greatly in favor of the supposition that he changed his abode several times.
Both the late John McKeen, Esquire, and Reverend Doctor Ballard were of the opinion that his earliest residence was at "Fish-House Hill" in the present village of Brunswick. Joshua Fillbrook, who moved to Bath in 1738, has, however, left on record a statement to the effect that Purchase lived near the head of Stevens, or New Mead- ows River.3
Williamson 4 and Sewall 5 make similar statements. No attempt has been made to decide the question by making a count of the various depositions preserved in the Pejepscot Papers, for the reason that a mere numerical preponderance of testimony would have no weight unless those who composed the majority of deponents could be shown to have more trustworthy sources of information than the others. Moreover, these depositions were probably not given to determine the exact abode of Purchase, but to put beyond cavil the fact that he had actually occupied the territory. They do, however, settle beyond a reasonable doubt the fact that he did, at different periods of his stay at Pejepscot, reside in two separate places.
It is not, perhaps, possible, at the present day, to determine with certainty whether his earliest residence was at Fish-House Hill or at New Meadows. We incline, however, to the opinion that McKeen and Ballard were right in supposing it to be at the former locality, for the reason that very early after his coming to the place, he engaged in the salmon fishery, which was of course carried on at the falls, and he undoubtedly had his residence near. The evidence that he at some time resided at the Ten-Mile or Lisbon Falls is entirely traditional, but is not altogether improbable.
Considerable confusion and uncertainty have existed in regard to the
1 The italics ure ours. 2 Sainsbury, Colonial Papers, 1, No. 52, p. 7.
8 .James Curtis's Journal in Historical Library.
4 Ilist. of Maine, 1, p. 33, note, and p. 690.
5 Popham Memorial Volume, p. 342.
791
BIOGRAPHICAL ..
date of Purchase's death, and some have even supposed that there were more than two of that name at Pejepscot.
W. Neale and several others depose that he died about 1654. Sav- age, referring to other authorities, gives the date as 1678. The will on record in Probate Court gives it at 1677. A Thomas Purchase is mentioned in Savage's " Genealogical Dictionary" as having sailed on a voyage in 1681, and never after being heard from. R. Collicutt de- posed that he went to England about 1677.
The record of the will is evidently more authoritative than all else. It is only necessary to show that it is the will of Thomas Purchase of Pejepscot, and not that of his son or of some other Thomas. The fol- lowing is a synopsis of the statements in the will, which is preserved at Lynn, and a copy of which is in the Probate Office at Salem. Thomas Purchase, Senior, died in Lynn, May 11, 1676-7, aged one hundred and one years. Left a wife, Elizabeth, and five children. His son Thomas was appointed executor of his will. The overseers of the will were Mr. Henry Josselin, Cozen, Mr. Oliver Purchase, of the firm of Hamersmith & Co., and Mr. Edward Allen, of Boston. The widow, who was admin- istratrix, made oath to the foregoing in 1678. In November of that years he married John Blaney. The date of her death is not known. In an account of Samuel Pike against the estate he charged for board of Mr. Purchase for seven months, of two children for a year and a half, of one child for one year, and of one child for fifteen months.
This will was without doubt that of Thomas Purchase, of Pejepscot. There is, however, in the same probate office, to be found the follow- ing document : -
AN INVENTORY OF THE GOODS AND ESTATE OF THOMAS PURCHASE, DECEASED, TAKEN THE TWENTY-SEVENTH OF JUNE, 1685, AS FOLLOWS.
Imp. to one fether bed and all the furniture belonging to it . £7 188. 6d.
To 3 pillow Cases, 12 napkins, 3 table Cloths, 6 towels, . 1 88. 0d.
To 1 wasswl (wash bowl?) 10/ one c b cloth 5 / 1 pr. shelves 3/ is .
0
188. Od.
In plate apprised at
6 10
0.
To 1 pr. andirons, fireshovel and tongs
0 13 0.
To 1 Iron pot, brass Skillet & Iron hake at
To 3 pewter platters, 3 basins, 3 porenges & 2 Sases
0
13
6.
To 1 pine table, 1 jug nd stove & 6 charge at .
0 15
0.
To 2 chests, 1 trunk, and 2 boxes at
1 0
0.
To 1 gun, 1 sword and belt at .
2
0
0.
To one warming pan, small one, at .
.
1 - 0.
To 1 mare and mare colt, 3 sheep and a lamb at
3
To money and goods of Mr. Wharton
18
8
0.
44
6.
0 14 6. To earthen ware at
0
3
0.
792
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
To 1000 acres of vacant land at eastward.
[The value of which is not assigned.]
Debts due out of the Estate is £2 13s. 6d. Debts due to the estate
2 50 . 0d.
Elizabeth Purchase, Administratrix, presented this | Inventory of ye Estate of her husband, Thomas Purchase, deceased, HENRY SKENEY, JunT.
with her oath | to itt & if anymore come
JOHN BLANEY.
to her knowledge | to give accountt of ye same at Salem Court holden I June 30th 1685.
Attest JOHN APPLETON, Hmle of Court |
On the outside of the schedule was written, in parenthesis,
" Purchis Thomas to Elizabeth Williams, Thomas b. Jan. 29, 1679."
This inventory was, in all probability, that of the estate of Thomas Purchase, Jr., who, it is to be presumed, went to England to obtain a copy of the patent, and was lost at sea. The inventory, it will be noticed, states the amount of land at Pejepscot at 1000 acres, which would be a reasonable amount of land for the son to own, but would be only a small part of the tract belonging to the father.
The depositions of Neale and Collicutt - the first that he died about 1654, and the second that he went to England in 1677 - are easily dis- posed of. Neale's testimony was only hearsay, and the mistake may have occurred in consequence of the death of Mary, the first wife, which took place in 1656. Collicutt's testimony was to the effect that Thomas Purchase, Senior, told him, in 1677, that he was going to Eng- land to obtain a copy of his patent, and that he took him "from the eastward to Boston," for that purpose. He says, moreover, that Pur- chase " took passage quickly after." There is nothing in this state- ment inconsistent with the supposition that Thomas Purchase, the first, of Pejepscot, died in 1766, and that his son was the one to whom Col- licutt referred, and who may have been lost at sea on his way back from England, in 1681, or who may have then been on his way thither.
The ground taken in this sketch is further corroborated by a deed from Thomas Purchase, the grandson, to Samuel Waldo, in which he states that he is the only son of the Thomas Purchase who was the eld- est son of Thomas Purchase who occupied Pejepscot from the third year of King Charles the First until 1675. This deed 1 is dated 1734, and must have been of part of the land set off by the Pejepscot proprietors.
Purchase, during his residence at Pejepscot, was probably engaged
1 York Co. Records, Vol. 16, p. 162.
793
BIOGRAPHICAL.
in different pursuits at different times. He is mentioned as a hunter, and trader with the Indians, as being engaged in the salmon fishery, and as a planter. The causes that led to his emigration can never be known ; but there is every reason for supposing that he came to Pejep- scot in pursuit of furs and peltry, which he acquired partly by his own exertions in the chase and partly by traffic with the natives. He was also engaged for the whole period of his residence in obtaining salmon and sturgeon, and packing them for exportation to London,1 and probably collected a number of settlers near him.
He also cultivated the soil, and at the time of the attack upon his house by the Indians, in 1676, he was possessed of stock, and proba- bly had what in those days would be considered a respectable farm.
His first house was destroyed by fire, and " by this disaster he lost in the flames the only copy of the patent by which he held his prop- erty. The original had been left with Mr. Francis Ashley, in Eng- land." 2 It was very likely soon after this fire that he changed his place of abode. At all events, he soon after erected " a small cottage for a present shelter," and it was while here that he was visited by Mr. Edward Rishworth.3 This structure was afterwards superseded by " a fair stone house," in which he is supposed to have lived during the remainder of his residence at Pejepscot.
Thomas Purchase must have been a man well known in the colony. He not only held at different times offices of trust and responsibility, but also made, it would seem, a frequent appearance in court.
The first account of him after his immigration to this country is of his appearance at Saco in 1630.
On June 25 of that year he was present with Isaac Allerton, Cap- tain Thomas Wiggen, and others, and saw Richard Vines take legal possession of the land granted him and John Oldham, on the south- west side of Saco River. 4
In 1631 he was at Pejepscot, where he was visited in July by Sir Christopher Gardiner, who remained with him about a year.5
In 1636 he was present as one of the commissioners, on March 25, at the house of Captain R. Boynthon, in Saco. His associates were Captain Boynthon, Captain W. Gorges, Captain Cammock, Messrs. H. Jocelyn, E. Godfrey and T. Lewis.6
1 Douglass, History. 2 Maine Hist. Coll .. 3, p. 330.
3 Pejepscot Papers.
4 Folsom, History of Saco, etc., p. 30.
6 Winthrop, 1, p. 68. Massachusetts Historical Collection, Third Series, 8, p. 220.
6 Folsom, Opus cit., p. 49.
794
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL.
This was the first organized court within the limits of the present State of Maine.1
On August 22, 1639, he made legal conveyance to John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts, of all his land, and put himself under the power and jurisdiction of that colony. He reserved, however, such a claim to the ownership of the land as practically annulled that part of the contract.2
In 1640, Purchase again appears in court at Saco, but this time not on the bench but before the bar, and also as a juryman. There were five indictments against him at this court. On July 14 of this year he was summoned to appear at court on the eighth of September follow- ing, and an order was at the same time issued to Robert Sankey of Saco, the provost marshal, to bring him before the court on Septem- ber 8, to answer to divers complaints not specified, and particularly that credible information had been given that he had conveyed the greater part of his goods and chattels out of the province, in conse- quence of his indebtedness to divers persons ; or to take sufficient security for his appearance at the session of the council established for the province. On his refusal his property was to be attached and brought to Saco. The first complaint was brought by Giles Elbridge, of Pemaquid, in an action of debt. Purchase made his appearance, but for some reason the case was not tried.
The second complaint against him was by Richard Vines in a simi- lar action. This case also was not tried.
The third complaint was by Richard Tucker, of Casco, and was to the effect that nine years previously Sir Christopher Gardiner had borrowed a warming-pan of him in Purchase's name, which was worth twelve shillings and sixpence, and had kept it. Also that six months afterwards he had bought a fowling-piece for forty shillings, and would not pay for the same, though often requested. The damages were placed at five pounds. Purchase denied that Gardiner did these things in his name, and declared that if he did he was not authorized to do so. Purchase further declared that the above facts were unknown to him, and that he had no recollection of any demand being made as alleged. " But Mr. George Cleaves had asked him causelessly for these articles ; but he being a partner with the defendant, had acquitted him from all causes of action whatever."
The issue was joined, the trial took place, and the jury decided that Purchase should pay two pounds twelve shillings and sixpence for
1 Williamson, 1, p. 265.
2 Folsom, p. 45. Williamson, 1, p. 290.
795
BIOGRAPHICAL.
the articles claimed, and twelve shillings and sixpence as costs of court. Judgment was given and execution ordered by the whole court. Whatever became of the warming-pan is not known, but it will be noticed that there was one mentioned among the articles embraced in the inventory of 1685.
The fourth complaint was a declaration of Arthur Browne, mer- chant, accusing Purchase of falsely charging him with perjury and bribery. Purchase denied the whole thing, but the jury brought in a verdict against him and fined him five pounds sterling, and twelve shil- lings for costs.
The fifth complaint is not given, but it is stated that he was required, on the third day of August preceding, to enter into a recognizance with Reverend Robert Jordan, and that he appeared at court to answer to Captain Thomas Young, Messrs. Abraham Shurte, George Davis, Richard Tucker, and others. At this same court Purchase also served as a juryman in the case of Mary Purington of Agamenticus.
In 1645 he signed a letter addressed to Governor Winthrop, the deputy governor, and court of assistants of Massachusetts Bay, and was also the one chosen to present the same. This letter was in regard to trouble between the inhabitants of Rugby's Province of Lygonia, and Jocelyn and others, and was dated " Casco Bay, this 18th ffebr ; 1645." William Ryall, Richard Tucker, and George Cleeve were the other signers.1
In 1653 he was sued by the colony government, "as appears by a record of the General Court of that year, and styled Of Pejepscot." What this suit was for we have not ascertained. At one time, date unknown, his children were required by the council to be brought for- ward for baptism, and on neglect of the same he was to be summoned before the General Court.
In 1654 he was chosen assistant to Prince, the commissioner at the first court ever held upon the Kennebec. There is no evidence, how- ever, that he ever held an assistant's court.
In 1657 he was called to answer before the county court of York- shire, to an action brought against him by the Widow Elizabeth Way for the purpose of determining whether Pejepscot was under the juris- diction of that court.
After the restoration of Charles II to the throne of England in 1660, probably in the year 1662, Purchase was commissioned as a magistrate under Gorges, or, at least, Mr. J. Archdale, agent of Gorges, offered him such a commission.2
1 Maine Historical Collection 1, pp 549, 550.
2 Williamson, 1, p. 403.
796
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
In September, 1675, his house was attacked by the Indians, an ac- count of which was given in Part I.
The foregoing cnumeration of the various events in the life of Pur- chase embrace a nearly continuous connection from the time of his migration to his death. It embraces a period of forty-seven years. During this long time the only intervals of any length, in which we have no accounts of him, are between 1645 and 1654, and 1660 and 1675. It is possible that these gaps may even yet be shortened.
Whether Purchase was a man of much property can only be sur- mised. It would scem that his opportunities of acquiring wealth were unusually good. He possessed a good field for traffic with the Indians, and had the monopoly of the best salmon and sturgeon fishery in New England. Notwithstanding this, the frequent suits brought against him show not only " the litigious temper of the times," but also that he was deeply in debt, and that his creditors were uneasy.
Of his real character nothing is known more than may be gathered from what has already been stated. That he was a man of consider- able enterprise is evident. That he failed to wholly conciliate the Indians is evident not only from the fact that his house was selected as the first one to be visited by them, but also that he was deemed unfair in his dealings with them, one of them remarking that he had paid a hundred pounds for water " from Purchase his well." This water was, however, presumably flavored with some alcoholic ingre- dient.
Notwithstanding these facts, the Indians could not have been entirely at enmity with him. or they would not have let him off with the mere robbery of his house when they had some of its inmates in their power.
Thomas Purchase must have been a man of considerable ability, or he would not have held the offices he did. Williamson says of him that " he was one of those flexible patriots who could accommodate his politics to the changes of the 'times."] This, it appears to us, is rather a harsh judgment. To which administration did he owe alle- giance? The question may be easy to answer now, but was it so easy for him to answer it? It must be remembered that it was not until the present century that the claim of the Plymouth Colony on the Kennebec to his tract of land was finally settled adversely.
That he did hold office under different and opposing governments is not to be denied ; yet Robert Jordan, Henry Joscelyn, and Edward
1 Vol. 1, p. 690.
Francis J. Purinton
797
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Rishworth did so likewise, though the author referred to does not speak of them in any such doubtful terms.1 Considering the unquiet times in which he lived and the little that is known against him, it is fair to presume that he was a man whose character was fully equal to · that of the great majority of his associates and neighbors.
PURINTON, HUMPHREY.
" Humphrey Purinton," says the writer of an obituary notice, " was one of our most useful and substantial citizens. As a man of business his conduct was always marked by the most scrupulous uprightness and integrity. With himself a verbal promise was as binding as a written obligation, and to others his word was as good as his bond. Occupied chiefly with his own affairs, and seeking his greatest happi- ness where he was accustomed to find it, - at home, - he mingled but little in general society, and concerned himself but little with political and other exciting topics of the day.
" Yet he was by no means indifferent to the welfare of others. His loss will be very sensibly felt in the community, and severely felt in the immediate circle of his family connections, friends, and acquaint- ance. Correct in all his habits, unassuming in his deportment, benev- olent and kind in his feelings, sincere and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, a constant attendant upon public worship, and a liberal supporter of religious institutions, his memory is one which they will all delight to cherish ; and his example in all these respects is one which may well be presented for general imitation." He died in Tops- ham, December 31, 1841, aged sixty-seven years.
PURINTON, FRANCIS T.
The subject of this sketch was a native of Topsham, and a son of Humphrey Purinton. Though interested in various business pursuits, he had a particular fondness for agriculture, and did all he could to promote it. He was chosen president of the Sagadahoc Agricultural and Horticultural Society in 1855, and the following notice of him appeared in the report of that society next succeeding the date of his death, which occurred May 21, 1857 : -
" At the time he was chosen president of the society he was nearly forty-two years old, in the vigor and prime of his life. He had been well educated for the time, had in his youth attended the academy at Farmington, and afterwards the seminary at Gorham. He early com-
1 Williamson, 1, pp. 680, 682, 691.
798
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
menced an active business life, however, and acquired the larger part of his education in the discharge of its duties. He was first a trader ; then with his brother, Woodbury B. Purinton, Esquire, succeeded his father in the lumber, ship-building, and general commercial business. He built the Topsham flour-mill, at the time one of the best in New . England. In 1843 he purchased of Governor King the fine residence and estate of the late Doctor Porter, which became his home the remainder of his days. In 1853 he was president of the Lewiston and Topsham Railroad Company, which led to the building of the Andros- coggin Road.
. After he was chosen president of the Sagadahoc Agricultural and Horticultural Society, he took a deep and lasting interest in agricul- ture. - in the cultivation and improvement of his own farm, as well as of all others within the limits of the society. He was a friend to the farmer everywhere, and to improved farming. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Maine State Agricultural Society. His name, influence, and assistance were sought in various directions, and seldom or never did he withhold them from a good cause when he thought he could perform any real service. He was called away from this world in the prime of life, when he was only forty-four years of age. He left a beloved wife and a large family of children. He was beloved and esteemed by all who knew him, for his indomitable energy, his inflexible integrity, and his large-hearted benevolence. He was one of the most public-spirited men of his town. He was a man of religious character, full of good works, free from bigotry, from envy, and self-love. He was a good citizen, and in the true sense an honest man. Frank and social in his intercourse with others, he was fond of society, strong in his attachments to his friends, a good neighbor, an affectionate husband and kind father, a true and sincere man."
PURINTON, NATHANIEL.
Nathaniel Purinton was a son of Humphrey Purinton, of Georgetown, now Bath, and married Priscilla Woodbury, of Portland, about 1756, and about the same time moved to Harpswell Island. His occupation was farming and milling. He was a part owner in the saw-inills at Tops- hamn. He is said to have built the first grist-mill and saw-mill in Harps- well, in the cove of his lot, which was the farm now owned by Stephen Purinton. He was a prominent man in town affairs, and was a select- man from 1766 to 1769 inclusive, in 1778, in 1780, and from 1783 to 1787, inclusive. He died suddenly at Topsham, February 9, 1788.
799
BIOGRAPHIICAL.
PURINTON, STEPHEN.
Stephen Purinton, a son of Nathaniel Purinton, was born in Harps- well, May 7, 1764. He succeeded to his father's business of farming and milling, and also erected a tannery. He was also engaged in the West India business. It is said that when twenty-one years of age, he went with the first team that ever entered the town of Bethel, hauling logs to the river to see if they would reach Brunswick. February 26, 1789, he married Mary, daughter of Jolin Merrill, Esquire, of Topsham. In 1816 he professed religion, and assisted in forming the first Free- Will Baptist Church in Harpswell. He was chosen deacon and church clerk, and held both offices until 1840. He was a representative in 1810, 1813, 1814, 1816, 1820, 1824. He was a man very generally esteemed in the community in which he lived. His wife died May 25, 1836. He died November 10, 1843.
REED, JOHN.
John Reed was born in Ireland in 1747, and was married to Rachel, daughter of William Thorne, in March, 1769. He came to this coun- try with his father, and settled in Topsham. He went into the Revo- lutionary war as an ensign, in a company commanded by Captain Blaisdell. of Portland. He went to Ticonderoga, where Hammond, the lieutenant, died, and was succeeded by him. He afterwards received a captain's commission, and served with reputation till obliged to retire in consequence of a wound received in an action a little preceding the capture of General Burgoyne's army (in 1777).
He so far recovered his health and activity that he was elected to and sustained the office of lieutenant-colonel till his death. He was lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment, First Brigade, Fourth Divi- sion of the Massachusetts militia which mustered in Bath in 1788. He died October 20, 1797, and was buried with military honors. The Bath artillery with their guns, two companies of infantry, and a troop of horse attended the funeral.
ROBBINS, AUGUSTUS C., ESQUIRE.
Mr. Robbins was born in Union, Maine, in 1815, and was a promi- nent business man of Brunswick. He was appointed cashier of the Brunswick Bank on November 1, 1841, and served in that capacity in the different banks in the town for eighteen years, with an interval of only thirty-four days between his resignation in the Union and his taking charge of the Maine Bank. During all this time he never lost
800
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL.
a day by sickness, and was absent only eighty days in the whole timne.
Mr. Robbins was a prompt, faithful, systematic, and energetic bank officer, and was well liked by the community. He was a man of fine education (a graduate of Bowdoin in 1835), and possessed a remarkably clear and logical mind. He was for several years one of the Board of Overseers of the college, and was always interested in its welfare. Common-sense was his predominating mental characteristic. Mr. Robbins was deeply interested in all town affairs, and especially in the welfare of the public schools. His efforts for the establishment of the high school and the grading of the village schools entitle him to the remembrance of the community.
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