USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunkport > History of Kennebunk Port, from its first discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602, to A. D. 1837 > Part 10
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At a meeting held September 25, " Andrew Brown and Thomas Perkins was chosen to agree with John Eveleth minister for to carry on the work of the minis- try with us for a quarter of a year next, and what they
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HISTORY OF [A. D. 1719.
doe agree with him for, the town will stand by and allow." A committee was also chosen to collect " debts, dues, rents, and Reariges of rents," and to prosecute trespassers on the town commons.
The warrants for calling the first two meetings were not recorded. The third one was called by the follow- ing brief notice from the selectmen.
" Arondell November, the 5th, 1719.
" The inhabitants of this town are to take notice' that there is to be a town meeting on Wensday the eigh- teenth day Instant at ten of the Clock in the morning at the house of Mr. James Tyler, to Rectifye and Re- form some things that have been acted in said town, and some other things which may be for the benifit of said town,-by order of
ANDREW BROWN JOSEPH BAILEY Selectmen."
At this meeting the inhabitants discovered that their doings, before the town was reincorporated, " ware not so Leagall as they would have had them to be," and therefore voted to " disanull all the old papers and begin att this meeting to confirm and grant land, allways alowing themselves convenient highways to be laid out as the selectmen seas meet." The first grant was to James Mussy, the town clerk, of 100 acres, in exchange for 100 acres he had deeded to the town. The land Mussy conveyed to the town, was a lot his father bought of John Bush in 1673 .* Another road was also located " at or near the stepping stones so. called and so up on the south side of the said stepping stone creek, at the head thereof, and so a few rods to the southward of James Tylers mill, at or near the place where John Badsons old way went over by the next beaver dam, att the head of James Tylers millpond, and so up into the country to Kenebunk fals." Several grants of fifty acres were made, to induce settlers to remove to this town, upon condition of their remaining here five years, " if not driven by the Enemye." Fifty acres were granted to Mr. Eveleth, upon condition of his building a house in the town within a year.
*Town records. This however must be a mistake, as Bush died in 1670.
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1719.]
In consequence of the loss of the Cape Porpoise rec- ords, several claimed land to which they were not entitled ; and others had great difficulty in establishing their titles to land which was absolutely their own. To obviate these troubles they passed the following vote. " Wharas Dilligent serch and enquiry has been made for the antient Records of the town, and nothing of them are to be found, whare by several are or may lose their rights ;- for prevention whare of a vote pased and the affirmative given, that the sucksesors of the Antient Settellours belonging to this town, should have all our Right and tittle or interest that we have unto the several settlements or sales of land, or antient . grants and posessions which was sould or conveyed or granted att or before the year 1681 : Even to as many as can make it apear either by deed, grant, or by suffician witness, or any other lawful conveyan ce from the antient posessors of this town, and are to be laid out according to the comon course or cus- tom of other lots."
Induced by grants of land, settlers began now to flock in ; and the town was more flourishing, and more popu- lous, than at any former period. A committee was chosen to select a place to build a meeting house, and measures taken to provide for schools, 100 acres of land being granted for that purpose. The ferry over Kennebunk river was re-established; and the right of the town therein, with 50 acres of land, was granted to Stephen Harding of Wells, " provided he and his heirs or assigns do well and truly from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter keep and maintain a good feary boot in said River, and Carry All the Inhabitants of Arondell from side to side, feary free at all times, and whatsoever they have to transport ; Excepting it be good and safe Riding said River, and not to lett people wait on Either side for the booat if it can Posiablely be goot off." Many other grants of land were made, but from the obsolete names of places, used in description, it is now extremely difficult to find where the lots were located. They were described as being bounded by "Stepping stone creek"-" a salt water cove"-" Clay cove"-" Long cove"-" Batson's mill pond"-" the lower mill pond"-" the lower falls
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on Andrew Brown's mill river"-"the lower falls on Middle river"-" a brook that comes from the north- ward, running into an old beaver pond"-" a beaver dam"-" the new causeway"-" the little cosway"- " the little river that runs into Coneybunck river"- " Miller's creek"-" the swamp that James Tyler's mill brook comes out of"-" Puddington's marsh"- " the Indian planting ground"-North river"-" Vaugh- an's neck"-" Bandigo meadow"-" Danforth's hill" -" the wonder"-" Palmer's Island"-" the cursed fruit"-" Long creek"-" Desert marshes" -- " Card Brook"-" Huff's neck"-" Dorman's mill brook"- " William Taylor's falls"-" Princes rock"-" Miller's brook"-" the great brook"-" Duck brok"-" New meadow"-" Getchell's brook"-" Deering's bridge"- " the grove"-" Baxter's brook"-Sanderses brook"- " cowcumber brook"-" gravelly brook," &c.
The committee chosen to agree with Mr. Eveleth, gave him &26, but the next quarter of a year, the town voted him &30, and 50 acres of land ; and " made his house comfortable for him to live in, and the People to meet in a Sabath days." The next year [1720] they gave him " the sum of ££50 for to Dispence the woord of god unto them for one wholl year."
The prosperity of the town and province, was check- ed by the suspicious conduct of the Indians, who had been quiet for six or seven years. Forty soldiers were sent from Massachusetts to Maine, ten of whom were stationed in Arundel. Ralle, a French Jesuit, was thoughit to be the principal instigator of these troubles ; and Col. Walton was despatched to apprehend him. More than 100 of the inhabitants of Maine, enlisted with Walton in this expedition, which left the province weak and exposed. In consequence, an order was passed by the General Court, that no more soldiers should be enlisted from Maine, and the places of those already enlisted should be supplied by soldiers from Massachusetts. The inhabitants of Maine were only required to do military duty in case of alarm.
Fears were still entertained [1721] that there would be a war with the Indians, and many of the inhabitants began to remove from the province. Governor Shute issued a proclamation ordering " the inhabitants to re-
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TO 1723.]
main upon their estates, and keep possession of the country." The fears of many, however, were too strong to be restrained by an edict.
Although business had generally declined in this town, [1722] there was an attempt made to manufac- ture tar and pitch, which were articles of export from the province. Ebenezer Taylor had liberty to use all the pitch knots he could find on the ground, between Batson's river and Bezaliel Gatchell's house, for that purpose, by paying to the town one shilling a barrel for all he should make.
All the efforts of the whites to prevent a rupture with the Indians proved unavailing, and the fourth, com- monly called Lovewell's war, commenced. The Indians openly began hostilities in June, but war was not formal- ly declared by the English till the 25th of July. Besides the fort, there were now several garrisons in town, to which the inhabitants could flee in times of danger. Mr. Huff had erected his at Huff's neck ; but subse- quently removed it to the spot where the house he occupied now stands. Mr. Major had one where the house stands, which was formerly occupied by John Hovey, Esq. Mr. Harding also had one on the east side of Kennebunk river, near the ferry, the cellar of which is still to be seen. There were many built du- ring this and the subsequent wars with the Indians. There was one on the hill where Israel Stone lives, and another in the field near Millet's bridge. John Millet's house, when occupied by Mr. Prentice and Mr. Hovey, was also a garrison house. There was one on the hill near where John Rhodes lives, and one near James Cleaves's house. Thomas Perkins had one near Butler's rocks, on Kennebunk river ; Jacob Durrill one near Durrill's bridge ; John Merrill one near Goff's mill ; John Burbank one near the old meeting house. There was one near Seth Burnham's* and the one built by order of the proprietors on Saco road.
Although the Indians [1723] had been for some time very troublesome at the eastward, they did not commit any depredations in this town till August, when a man
*Built by Tobias and B. M. Lord in 1747.
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was either killed or carried off by them .* In October, two men belonging to Huff's garrison, Fitz Henry and Bartow, being on Vaughan's Island for wood, were surprised and wounded by three Indians. In order to compel them to tell how many there were in the garri- son, the Indians bit off their finger nails, one by one. Although there were but seven men in it, they persist- ed in declaring it was full. The little creek in Vaughan's Island, into which their bodies were thrown, still bears the name of Fitz Henry's ditch. After mur- dering these two men, the Indians went towards Mr. Major's garrison, and assaulted Joseph Baily, an aged man, who was hunting for his cow. The people in the garrison, who saw his danger, shouted for him to return, but being deaf he did not hear their warnings. He lingered some time after the Indians had taken off his scalp and left him. The rock on which he was murdered is of a reddish color, and is said, by the in- habitants living in its neighborhood, to be stained with his blood. There being but a few men in the garrisons, the women put on inen's clothes to make the Indians believe they were well guarded.
These three Indians belonged to a company of twenty under the command of Wahwa,t one of the two chiefs, who commanded at Lovewell's celebrated fight. Wall- wa was brought up in an English family, but was induced to join the French and Indians, by the offer of the command of a company. He was well known in this town, having visited it frequently, both in times of war and peace. While these Indians, without his orders, went to Cape Porpoise, he was planning to surprise Harding's garrison in which were thirty women and children. Mr. Harding himself was absent on a hunting expedition, and Thomas Wormwood, an inhabitant of the town, had charge of it. Not expecting an attack from the Indians, who had not extended their ravages to this quarter, he took a boat to go on board some coasting vessels, that were lying in the river, loading with lumber.
Startled by the report of the alarm gunst from Ma-
*Hutchinson's Hist. p. 274. Wahwa, or sunrise.
Alarm guns, were three guns discharged in quick succession.
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1724.]
jor's garrison, he returned and closed the gates, when Wahwa and his company were within twenty yards of him. Wahwa was extremely irritated with his men for alarming the garrison, merely for the scalp of the white headed old man, Mr. Baily. He afterwards placed the scalp on a pole in view of the people of the garrison. Although disappointed in their plans, they committed many depredations, killing the cattle, destroying the remaining crops, and annoying the whites whenever they left their houses.
The whites were very unsuccessful this season, against the Indians, who continued their ravages till late in the fall. They, however, finally went into winter quar- ters, and the English enjoyed a short respite from war. Three hundred soldiers were sent into Maine, one half of whom were divided into ranging parties, and the other half stationed at different forts and garrisons.
This town had never till this year, sent a representa- tive to General Court, when Allison Brown was elected. The following year [1724] Jabez Dorman was chosen, but there was no record of it made on the town book.
Mr. Eveleth continued to preach for £50 a year till the 4th of March, when a committee from the town of Saco invited him to preach half the time in Winter Harbor. The inhabitants of Arundel, finding it diffi- cult to raise his whole salary, consented to the arrange- ment.
The savages recommenced hostilities early in the spring ; and Smith a sergeant was killed, March 23, at the fort on Stage Island. The April following, a num- ber of vessels, lying near the mouth of Kennebunk river, got under weigh to go out, but the wind coming from the southward, they were obliged to anchor again. Capt. John Felt of a Lynn sloop, engaged two young men, William Wormwood and Ebenezer Lewis, who were stationed at Harding's garrison, to assist him. The spars were lying afloat in Gooch's creek, near the mill dam .* While standing on the raft, Capt. Felt was shot dead. Lewis fled to the mill brow, where a ball struck him on the back of his head, and killed
*The mill was near where the bridge crosses the creek. It stood fifteen years. The remains of the dam are still to be seen.
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him instantly. "The ball was afterwards found to be flattened .* Wormwood ran ashore closely pursued by several Indians, and, with his back against a stump, defended himself with the but of his musket till he was killed, having several balls fired into him. When he left the garrison, instead of taking his own musket, by mistake he took one belonging to a soldier of the gar- rison. In attempting to defend himself against the Indians, the gun missed fire. He told them if he had had his own gun, he would have had the satisfaction of killing at least one of them before he died. His gun is now in the possession of one of Thomas Worm- wood's descendants in Kennebunk. They were all buried in the field, near Butler's rocks ; and Capt. Felt's grave-stones were standing but a few years since.t
The most noted events of this year, were the expe- dition against Norridgewock, which was destroyed, and the death of Ralle, the chief promoter of this war. The next year [1725] Lovewell's memorable battle at Peg- wacket or Fryeburg, was fought, in which the Saco tribe of Indians was nearly destroyed. The war how- ever continued, but the whites were so well guarded against the attacks of the enemy, that they received but little injury in this part of the province. Lieut. Pres- cott, who belonged to Casco, had been taken prisoner, and exchanged and carried to Boston. In crossing Harding's ferry, about the middle of April on his return home, he was recognized by some Indians commanded by Capt. Nathaniel, who were lying in ambush. They were anxious to take him prisoner, and carry him to Canada again. He stopped at Mr. Perkins's garrison, and Mr. Perkins, Mr. Whitten, Mr. Walker, Mr. Fair- field, and a number more of the inhabitants of the town, and a friendly Indian, offered to escort him to Cape Por-
*The same circumstance was observed in the late Seminole war in Florida.
tPenhallow, page 102, says that, April 17, 1724, " the Indians fell on a sloop at Kennebunk which belonged to Lynn and killed the whole company." Hutchinson's Hist. p. 274, April 1724, says "John Felt, of Lynn, William Wormwood, and Ebenezer Lewis were killed at a sawmill on Kennebunk river." Subsequent histo- rians have supposed these versions referred to different events, and have quoted them both. See Williamson, vol. ii. p.125.
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1725.]
poise. Instead of keeping in the road which crosses the south side of Crow hill, they intended, as it was low water, to cross the flats to Huff's garrison. Just before getting to the marsh a dozen Indians started up, and giving a war whoop, fired at the company. A ball pass- ed through Mr. Prescott's leg and entered his horse's side. The horse however did not fall, but ran as far as Mr. Major's garrison, before he died. Mr Prescott received several wounds, but none of them were dan- gerous. His escort, when they were assailed, leaped from their horses, and returning the whoop of the Indians, stood upon the defensive. Those in ambus- cade, fearing there might be Indians in the neighborhood friendly to the whites, did not repeat their fire .*
The General Court, at the May session, determined to prosecute the war more vigorously. The garrisons were well supplied with provisions and ammunition, large bounties were offered to volunteers, and many friendly In- dians were enlisted on the side of the English. In conse- quence of these measures, the Indians began to entertain thoughts of peace. They nevertheless continued to be troublesome through the season ; but so well were the inhabitants of Arundel on their guard against them, that they suffered comparatively but little injury. It was however very hazardous to attend to their ordinary occupations, having constantly to go armed, in order to defend themselves against the attacks of the Indians, to which they were daily exposed.
tA daughter of Mr. Huff, was milking but a short distance from the house, when her father, accidentally looking out of the window, saw two Indians within a few feet of her, one of whom had his hatchet raised just ready to strike. He halloed to them and they retreated. At another time, wishing to obtain the milk, an Indian caught hold of her, but she knocked him down with her
*" A party of Indians waylaid Lieut. Prescott and others, as they were passing the highway at Cape Porpoise, and by particular aim wounded him in several places." Williamson's Hist. Me. vol. ii. p.135.
tThe datos of this and the following traditionary anecdotes, cannot be ascertained.
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milk pail, and made her escape. The prostrate Indian was carried off by his companions. The Indians were very fond of milk, and were constantly watching in the neighborhood of farm houses to obtain it ; but were easily frightened if discovered. One morning as a girl was milking near Mr. Major's garrison, her father, not being able to find a bottle of rum he was hunting after, inquired loudly of her where it was. An Indian who had already got into the yard, thinking he was discover- ed, fied with such precipitancy, as to leave his blanket, which had caught against a stake, behind him.
They one day attacked the house of John Watson, who was formidable to them on account of his great strength. One of them had partly forced himself through the door, while Mr. Watson was pressing against it on the other side. The contest was very doubtful, when one of his daughters, with an axe, wounded the Indian badly in the leg, who was glad to make his escape. Samuel Littlefield, usually known by the appellation of " Fat Sam," of whose wonderful strength and daring many incredible stories are told, was rafting some boards down Kennebunk river, when he discov- ered several Indians on the bank. He immediately pushed his raft ashore on the opposite side, and hid under a large wind-fall. The Indians soon crossed the river, and passed directly over the tree, under which he was lying. As soon as they were out of sight, he returned to his raft, and proceeded safely down the river with it.
The Indians frequently, however, succeeded in taking life. A man was killed near where the present post road crosses Kennebunk river. Another was killed near Goff's mill. A Mr. Smith, who belonged to Huff's garrison, discovering some Indians, dived immediately under water, but on rising, was shot through the head. The wife of James March was shot in the back with an arrow, while standing near her own door ; and a Mrs. Batson was killed near Tyler's brook.
A boy was sent from Stage Island to drive some cows from Trott's Island, but not returning seasonably, his father sent a second son, and then a third, neither of whom returned. The next morning their heads
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1726.]
were discovered elevated on poles, and seven Indians were tracked from the island.
The Indians themselves, although cautious, and even cowardly in open ground, sometimes lost their lives in these excursions. A squaw called Dinah, in endeavor- ing to escape from her pursuers, got the edge of her snow shoe in the crevice of a rock, and was unable to extricate it before she was taken. She cried for quar- ter, but the whites with as little mercy as the savages, put her to death. The rock, near the house of George Bickford, still bears the name of Dinah's rock.
A noted chief, named Capt. Nathaniel, who was extremely troublesome to this town, was supposed to be an English child, stolen by the Indians in his infancy. One dark night, wishing to know if there was a watch kept at Huff's garrison, he flashed his gun to see if it would cause any alarm. Mr. Huff himself was on guard, and discharged his musket in the direction of the light. His ball went so near one of Nathaniel's eyes as to destroy its sight. An Indian attempted to ap- proach the garrison by carrying a slab before him, but it not being of sufficient thickness, he was shot dead through it.
Late in the fall four delegates from the eastern In- dians arrived in Boston to negotiate a treaty of peace. After considerable delay they effected their purpose, and the treaty was signed December 15th, 1725.
Encouraged by the hopes of a lasting peace, the inhabitants of Arundel again ventured [1726] more boldly from their garrisons ; and began again to look for- ward to more prosperous times.
A road was " laid out three rods wide, from ye head of the cove by Mr. Benj. Majors to a creeck Called and known by the name of Turbits Creeck, as may be found by staks and marked Trees, only against the head of the Long Cove it is Left Eight rods wide for a Landing Place,-and from the Sd. Turbits Creek to Kenne- bunk river as the way is Now untill a more Convenient way be found and Laid out." Two hundred and twenty acres of land were granted " for the use of the ministry in the town of Arundel forever." Mr. Eveleth, who for the last three years had preached in this town but half
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the time, was now employed the whole year ; and bu- siness was managed with much more energy.
The Sagamores of the eastern tribes, were generally satisfied with the treaty of December, usually called Dummer's treaty, and met at Falmouth, August 6th, and ratified it. The French, however, who were great gainers by these wars, endeavored to induce the Indians to violate the treaty. They succeeded in sending out several parties, one of which in October, attacked the house of Philip Durrill, who lived near where Dur- rill's bridge now is. The following extract of a letter from Col. Wheelwright of Wells, to the Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts, dated October 27th, 1726, a few days after the family was carried off, probably gives a correct account of the affair.
*" Phillip Durrill of Kennebunk went from his house with one of his sons to work, the sun being about two hours high, leaving at home, his wife, a son twelve years old, and a married daughter, with a child 20 months old.t He returned home a little before sunset, when he found his family all gone, and his house set on fire, his chests split open, and all his clothing car- ried away. He searched the woods and found no signs of any killed."
Mrs. Durrill who had been taken captive by the In- dians, in 1703, had an impression that they would never trouble her again, and therefore took but little pains to guard against them. Mrs. Baxter, the daugh- ter of Mr. Durrill, on the contrary was very unwilling that her husband, who had gone down to the mouth of the river to assist in loading some vessels, and her father, should leave them that morning, being apprehensive of an attack from the Indians. They assured her there could be no danger, as it was a time of peace with them. Her fears were however prophetic. The Indians had been waiting and watching for some time, for Mr. Dur- rill to leave his house, being unwilling to attack him on account of his well known courage.
*Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. vol. vi. p. 103.
tSmith, in his journal, says 8 women and 2 children were carried off.
A. D. 1726.] KENNEBUNK PORT. 121
Soon after he left, they rushed in and seized the inmates, taking every thing they could conveniently carry, and attempting to burn the house, by piling the chairs in and about the fire.
When Mr. Durrell returned at night, he had some misgivings as to the safety of his family, from not see- ing his little son, as usual, coming out to meet him. His fears were confirmed, by noticing the feathers, which the Indians had thrown away, flying about the road. He immediately gave the alarm and pursued them. The Indians encamped the first night near where Sherburn's meeting house now is. In the morn- ing, finding they were hotly pursued,* and Mrs. Durrell being lame and Mrs. Baxter not being in a situation to keep up with them, they cruelly and brutally killed them both. John, Mrs. Baxter's child, being rather troublesome, two Indians took it, one hold of each leg, and dashed its brains out against a tree. They were killed near Duck brook. John Durrell was carried to Canada, and exchanged in about two years. He had however so far acquired the habits of the savages, that he ever after appeared more like an Indian than a white man. After peace was firmly established, Wah- wa used unfeelingly to describe to Mr. Baxter, the inhuman manner in which his wife was killed, and boast of his agency in her murder. Mr. Baxter's friends advised him to roll the savage into a well, as he was lying intoxicated near its brink, but he refused to do it. A bible belonging to Mr. Baxter, was left by the In- dians, in the woods where they encamped ; and it was found the next spring but little injured. The leaves were taken out separately and dried, and the book re- bound. It is now in the possession of a great-grand-son of Mr. Baxter.
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