USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunkport > History of Kennebunk Port, from its first discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602, to A. D. 1837 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
*There were more pews built in 1744.
133
KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1731.]
or men as the Gentlemen of Boston shall appoint, who Clame the Land here as there undoubted and Indisput- able right, So far as to Show them by what right we are settled here and know by what right the Gentlemen Clame it, in order to lay it before the Town for the Matter to be Accommadated without the rigour of the Law, if the Town think it best."
This claim was founded on a deed, of which the following is a copy.
" Know all men by these presents, that I, Mogg He- gone, of Saco river in New England ; son and heir to Walter Higgon, Sagamore of said River, but now deceased, do for and in consideration of a certain sum received by me, well and truly paid in goods by Maj. W. Phillips of Saco, the receipt whereof I do acknowledge myself being fully satisfied and paid, have given, grant- ed, bargained and sold, and by these presents do aliene, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Major W. Phillips of Saco, a tract of land being bounded with Saco river on the northeast side, and Kennebunk river on the southwest side, in breadth from the one river to the other river aforesaid, and in length beginning at the sea side and running up the east river unto Salmon falls, on Saco river, and as far up Kennebunk river until it be opposite Salmon falls, which falls is to be understood falls about fifteen miles upward from the saw mills at Saco falls, He the said Phillips to have and to hold the said land with all timber land, marshes, and all the growth thereon for him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, freely and clearly acquited, exonerated and discharged from all manner of mortgages, sales, engagements or incumbrances whatsoever. Also I, the said Mogg Hegon, do for my- self, my heirs, executors and assigns, warrant, save and keep harmless the said Phillips, his heirs or assigns from any manner of persons that shall lay claim there- to; for the true performance of the premises, I have this last day of May subscribed my hand, and fixed my seal. A. D. 1664,-In presence of John Wakefield, Mary Wakefield."
There was an Indian, noted for his cunning and du- plicity, called Mugg, who lived from a child in English families. In 1676 he was in Boston as agent for Ma-
M
134
HISTORY OF
[A. D. 1731.
dockawando and Cheberrina, sachems of Penobscot, and made a treaty in their behalf.
There was another one called Old Mogg, who with his family, was killed by some Mohawks, who had joined the English in their attack upon Norridgewock, in 1724. Which of these two Indians gave this deed to Phillips, is not known, but it was probably the latter.
When Sir Ferdinando Gorges, grandson of the orig- inal proprietor of Maine, conveyed his interest in the province to Massachusetts, in 1676, he reserved to Phillips all the land he had purchased of the Indians. It was probably under this reservation that the land in this town was claimed ; for he held Waterborough, Sanford, and Alfred, by virtue of this grant ; and Ly- man, and the Ossipee towns were also possessed by deeds from the natives.
The agent of the town, after investigating the subject, advised the town to effect a compromise if possible, as he considered it an even chance that the claimants might make good their title. They therefore, at a subsequent meeting, voted " that if Gentlemen of Bos- ton which Clame the land here, viz. Mr. Anthony Stoddard, the Rev. Mr. John Webb, the Rev. Mr. Thomas Foxcroft, Mr. Samuel Adams, * Mr. Edward Bromfield, jun. Mr. Thomas Cushing, jun. Mr. Thomas Salter and Mr. John Wheelwright, Do Sett off to the proprietors and Inhabitants of the Town of Arundel a Straight Line Southwest from the first falls in Little River to Kennebunk River, And so according to the bounds of the Town of Cape Porpous, Ales, Arundel, as the General Court hath bounded it out for a Town- ship, Eight miles into the Contery from that line North- west ;- That then upon the afore Named Gentlemens giving of a quit Clame of all their Intrust and Right to all Lands between the head line and the Sea, Excepting one Thousand acres of Land at the Northwest end of sd. Town, To the Inhabitants of the Town of Arundel, or their agents for them, then the Town will lay out
* In 1720, Major Phillips's heirs sold out part of their patent " to Edward Bromfield, jr., Thomas Salter, Samuel Adams, (father of Gov. S. Adams,) and Henry Hill, all of Boston." Folsom, 207.
135
KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1731.]
the aforesaid Thousand acres to the aforesaid Gentle- men, as a Reward for their Sevillity towards them Rather then have any further Troble about it."
By the bounds above given, the 1000 acres would have been on the western side of Kennebunk river, where the claim of this town was considered doubtful, and of which they never did get possession. Whether the inhabitants of the town intended to deceive the claimants, by getting a quit-claim from them of all the land in town excepting the northwest corner, or wheth- er they really meant to give them 1000 acres, in what was undoubtedly a part of the town, is not known. The offer was not however accepted ; nor was the claim further prosecuted at this time, but it was re- vived sixty or seventy years afterwards.
During the progress of this controversy, the town offered Joshua Purinton, son of the old town clerk of Cape Porpoise, 100 acres of land, and to make him a proprietor, if he would give up President Danforth's deed, which, it was understood, was in his possession. He probably found it amongst his father's papers, and availed himself of the situation of the town, to turn it to his own advantage. At a subsequent proprietor's meeting, he was voted a proprietor, and the land grant- ed him .* The deed was then recorded.
Some dispute having arisen between Biddeford and Arundel as to the bounds of the towns, the selectmen of this town and a committee from Biddeford, met, and agreed that " a Island Lying in the middle of the first falls in little River, whare the Saw mill now Stands, a Little below the Lower Saw mill upon ye said falls, be the first bounds between the said Towns, and so to run from the middle of the aforesaid Island upon a Due Northwest Line Eight miles into the Counterey to a pitch pine Tree marked upon four sides, and with the Letters B. A. which tree we have measured to and Marked, and according to our measu- er is Eight miles from ye said Island, and is three miles and a half above the uper Rode that is laid out · from Wells to Biddeford."
" The land was probably laid out at the eastern part of the town, at what is known as ' Puddington's Meadow.'
136
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1731
A road was laid out this year, " Beginning at Saml. Littlefields house, and so Running Down said River, (Kennebunk,) as may be found by several Marked Trees, to Mr. Durril Sen. before his Dore; and from thence Down to Mr. Fairfields Mill, below said Mill ; and from thence to the Maine Rode Coming out upon the Northwest side of Crow Hill." Another was also located " from Saco rode, to be two rods wide, to the Meeting House, and be Laid out as the way is, from Lt. Jabez Dormans to the other Highway on the South- east of Mr. Burbanks house, there to joyne in one waye."
It does not appear by the town records, that there had been a school kept in town, or any provision made for one, till 1733. It was "voted to have a Scool Master for the year Insuing, and left it with the Selectmen to Provide one at the Charge of The town and to order whare it should be kept, as Convenient as can for the advantage of the Town." The selectmen employed Mr. Hicks, for £2 8 10, for the year. It is probable that the children had heretofore had no means of education, except what little instruction Mr. Eveleth imparted to them. Mr. Prentice refusing to follow the multifarious pursuits of his predecessor, the town was compelled to incur the additional expense of an in- structor.
New settlements having grown up in various parts of Maine, [1734] gave offence to the Indians, who began to manifest signs of hostility. Besides this cause of complaint, unprincipled traders, in violation of the treaty which confined the traffic with the Indians en- tirely to truck-houses, sold them intoxicating liquors, and, taking advantage of their inebriation, practiced frauds upon them.
To guard against the threatened rupture, the Gov- ernor advised the General Court " to put the Province into a good posture of defence, in case it should unfor- tunately be again visited with the scourge of war." The alarm spread to this town, and a committee was chosen " to Discourse with ye Revd. Mr. Thomas Prentice Conserning ye Garrisoning of his house." The labor and materials for the garrison were furnished by the people of the town, according to the valuation of
137
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1735.]
their property. Six shillings a day were allowed for a man, and four shillings for a yoke of oxen ; and ten shillings per hundred for plank.
Mr. Prentice had gained the affections of his people, who appeared to treat him with much consideration. They gave him £20 a year, in addition to his salary, to furnish him with fuel; and £10 " more a year, and Every year for six years to Com to make up ye badness of his Sallery by Reson of his Complaining the money was Not so good as it was when he and the Town made their agreement." After a long debate, they gave him £30, towards buying him a servant ; and " allowed seven shillings for mending ye Meeting House doore that the winde might not blow up on Mr. Prentice."
A road was located from Capt. Perkins's saw mill to the meeting house, [1735] and the town was indicted for not having the Saco road kept in repair. Four pounds were voted to be given to "any Person that should kill a grone woolf in the town, besides what the Province gives." Thirty shillings were allowed apiece for the selectmen. Money continuing to depre- ciate, Mr. Prentice's salary was raised to £180, this sum being only equal in value to E120, at the time of his settlement. Thirty pounds were likewise raised for schools, and the town was fined for not having a suita- ble bridge over Kennebunk river. These expenditures must have been a heavy tax upon the town, it being, with the exception of North Yarmouth which had been more recently resettled, the poorest incorporated town in Maine. The Province, which then consisted of nine towns, was taxed £47, of which Arundel paid but £2 01 00. The population of the county was 9000, and of this town about 300.
This small number was considerably reduced by the throat distemper, which first made its appearance in Kingston, N. H. in May. It soon extended into Maine, where it carried off more than 500 inhabitants. The Rev. Mr. Smith* says, October 21, "We had a fast on account of the sickness, which broke out in Kings-
* Smith's Journal, p. 26. This disorder was not confined to the throat, but seized the limbs also, and sometimes caused the whole body to swell.
MM
138
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1736
ton, and which is got as far as Cape Porpoise, and carries off' a great many children and young persons, and alarms the whole country." It raged in Maine more than three years, and carried off entire families. George March of this town lost seven children in one week. Joseph Averill also lost several, and many other families were swept off.
Business having revived in the province, and there being a demand for lumber, for the West India and European markets, timber lands became of more value. Their increased worth caused the proprietors of the common land in Arundel, to divide it amongst them- selves, in proportion to their taxes.
The Indians, [1736] who had been uneasy several years on account of the encroachments of new settlers, now became still more restless. Reports of muskets were heard in the forests, and it was rumored that they intended to attack Winter Harbor. The Gen- eral Court, however, listened to their grievances, and by presents and timely acts of kindness, pacified them. This disquietude on account of the Indians was follow- ed by an unusual scarcity of provisions. [1737] Many had no corn for several months, and it was said that a peck of potatoes could not be bought in Maine. All the hay was expended in April. This famine extended over the whole country. To add to their sufferings, the pluretic fever prevailed to an alarming degree, and the throat distemper still continued its ravages .*
Owing to the poverty of the town, [1738] and the difficulty with which he collected his salary, Mr. Pren- tice asked his dismission. Mr. Smith, in his journal, says "September 19th, There was a council to day about Mr. Prentis's leaving his people." November 7, the town voted to dismiss him, " upon condition that he made a Deed of his House, Barn, and land whereon they stand," and 150 acres of land, the town paying him therefor £150 ..
The following account of the family of Mr. Prentice, is from the Worcester Magazine and Historical Journal. " Rev. John Prentice was born in Newton, Mass .. His father was Mr. Thomas Prentice of Newton, and:
* Smith's Journal:
139
KENNEBUNK PORT ..
To 1738.]
married Mary Staunton. He had been, according to tradition, one of Oliver Cromwell's Body Guards. He died Nov. 6, 1722, Æ. 93. His son John graduated at Cambridge in 1700. In 1705, he commenced preach- ing in Lancaster, Mass. where he remained to his death. He died much lamented, Jan. 6, 1746, Æ. 66 years, after a life of much service and faithfulness."* He was twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Mary Gardner, widow of his predecessor. Their children were Staunton, Thomas, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Sa- rah, and Rebecca. The last mentioned daughter was born September 22, 1727, and married the Rev. John Mellen of Lancaster, and died in 1802. The late Chief Justice Prentiss Mellen of Maine is her son. Thomas, the second son of John Prentice, graduated in the class of 1726, and kept school in Lancaster in 1729. The next year he was settled in Arundel. Although very haughty, he is said to have been a very popular minister, and his church and society gave him his dismission with much reluctance. After his dis- mission, he removed to Charlestown, Mass. where he was residing in 1762. His wife was a daughter of Jo- seph Swett of York. His son Joshua was ordained at Holliston, Mass. May 10th, 1743, and remained there till the time of his death, in 1786. He, as well as his father, visited this town several times, and preached for Mr. Hovey.
The house that Mr. Prentice built at Cape Porpoise,
* The following account, differing slightly from the one above, is from Farmer's Genealogical Register. "Prentiss Thomas, Cam- bridge Village, (Newton,) whose name is usually spelled Prentice, although he wrote it Prentiss, was admitted freeman in 1652, had children by Grace his wife, Grace, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, and John. He was representative in 1672, 1673, and 1674, command- ed a company of troop, which rendered essential service in Phil- lip's War. He died 7. July, 1710, Æ. 89. His son Thomas m. a daughter of Edward Jackson, senr. and d. 1730, Æ. 55; his son John also m. and died 1689, Æ. 35.
The epitaph on the grave-stone of Capt. Prentiss is as follows.
' He that's here inter'd needs no versifying,
'A virtuous life will keep the name from dying ;
' He'll live though poets cease their scribbling rhyme,
' When that this stone shall moulder'd be by time.
Homer, Hist. Newton, 1. Coll .. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 27L"
140
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1739
was enlarged by Mr. Hovey, and is now occupied by John Millet. Mr. Prentice first introduced potatoes into the town, but they were not extensively cultivated till many years afterwards. Benjamin Downing, one year raised ten bushels, which was considered a very great quantity, and it was a matter of wonder how he could consume so many in his family.
Although Mr. Prentice left the town on account of its poverty, there had been no one so poor as to be- come chargeable to the town, after its reincorporation, till 1739, when Noah Baily became the first town pauper.
By an existing law, every town was required to furn- ish a pair of stocks for the punishment of slight offences. Jonathan Stone provided a pair, and was allowed £18 for them. They were probably never used. A bridge was likewise built this year " over Batson's river near the lower saw mill."
After Mr. Prentice's dismission, Mr. * Joshua Tufts preached a short time ; and May 1st the town and church gave him a call. He however did not accept it, and they sent " for one +Mr. Moses Persons, Concur- ing with the church, and made Choic of Thomas Perkins to goe in behalf of the Church and Town to the said Mr. Persons, who had been a Scoole Master for som time at Manchester, to agree with him for four or five Sabboths to Depence ye word of God unto them, being advised thereunto by sevoral of the Neibour- ing ministers." Mr. Parsons continued here seven weeks, and was succeeded by Mr. John Hovey of Cam- bridge, who had been keeping school in York, and who preached but a few sabbaths.
War commenced this year between England and Spain, and a snow, called the Prince of Orange, was built for the protection of the coast of Maine. Five or six hundred persons were enlisted in the Province, in the unfortunate expedition against Cuba, most of - whom never returned.
*Mr. Tufts graduated at Harvard College, in 1736, and was the first settled minister in Litchfield, New Hampshire.
I Probably the Rev. Moses Parsons of Byfield.
141
KENNEBUNK PORT.
To 1741.]
After Mr. Hovey had preached a short time, [1740] *Mr. Samuel Webster had an invitation to settle in the town, but he declined it. He preached however a short time, and was succeeded by tMr. Barnard, who remained here 14 weeks.
March 3, 1741, the town voted to give Mr. Hovey, who preached a short time the last year, " a Call to be a settled Minister here, and to offer him ££180 a year Sallery, and the land with the House they had of ye Reverand Mr. Prentice, Mr. Hovey Paying to the Town £150 for it." He returned the following answer to the proposal.
" In answer to the town of Arundel's proposals to the subscriber in order to his settling in the work of the ministry, viz. his paying the town £150, and receiving of the said town the building and land Mr. Prentice conveyed to them. As there is a great prospect of a French war, which will very much affect the interest of the town, he would choose to pay the aforesaid sum of £150 to the town in manner and form as follows, viz. £100 of the aforesaid sum to be taken from his salary the first year, and the other ££50 the second year ; and that the town keep up a contribution, and all mon- ey contributed and unmarked to be his over and above the salary, and what is marked he will give credit for, towards the rates ; in compliance with which, he knows nothing at present that may hinder his acceptance of your invitation to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry. ¿JOHN HOVEY."
*John Webster came from Ipswich, England, as early as 1634. He had several children, of whom Nathan was the father of Sam- uel, who was the father of the Samuel who preached in this town. The latter, Samuel Webster, D. D. afterwards of Salisbury, Mass. was born 1718, graduated 1737, died June 18, 1796. Daniel Webster of the U. S. Senate belongs to this family .- Farmer.
tHe was probably the Rev. John Barnard of Marblehead, who died Jan. 24, 1770.
#The following is a copy of the title page of the sermon, that was preached at Mr. Hovey's ordination, which was published and is still extant. " The minister of God approved, a sermon preached at Arundel at the ordination of Mr. John Hovey, a few weeks be- fore the death of the author; by the late Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, pastor of the church in Biddeford : to which is added the life and character of Mr. Willard, by the Reverend Mr. Prentice
142
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1741
It was usual, when strangers attended meeting, to have a contribution, the proceeds of which were gen- erally given to the minister in addition to his salary. Mr. Willard, when settled in Biddeford, had &£110 a year and the " strangers' contribution." This usage, instead of being considered an imposition, was deemed a compliment, the misobservance of which was sure to give offence. The money collected at such times, even if mostly contributed by members of the parish, was considered as " strangers' contribution ;" but Mr. Hov- ey was only to have what was really given by strangers, allowing his own parishioners to mark the pieces put in by themselves.
" March 11th. The following act or by Law was made, viz. that no Dog should be suffered to be at or in ye Meeting House upon ye sabbath day in time of Di- vine Service, but the owner of such Dog should pay a fine of 5s."
Impressment of men* for the Spanish war, and the withdrawal of the Indians to Canada, now gave the in- habitants of Maine cause of uneasiness. There was also at this time, so great scarcity of provisions, that many families were compelled to live almost wholly upon clams.t
The paper money of Massachusetts being of but lit- tle value, there was a new emission this year, called new tenor, to distinguish it from the two former emis- sions, called old and middle tenor. These bills, by law, were made a tender for the payment of debts, but they soon began to lose their value, and finally became worth no more than the old tenor bills, by which name they were afterwards known .¿
In consequence of the depreciation of money, [1742]
of Charlestown. Heb 11. 4. He being dead yet speaketh." Mr. Willard's text was, " But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God." 2 Cor. 6. 4.
*It was at this time that Thomas Huff of this town was impres- sed.
tSmith's Journal.
$One ounee of silver was worth, in 1702, 6s 10d; in 1713, 123 ; in 1723, 18s; in -1730, 20s; in 1737, 26s; in 1741, 23s; and in 1749, but 60s ; making a pound, which was nominally worth three dollars and a third, but of 37 cents value.
143
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1743.]
it was extremely difficult to fill town offices with suitable persons. The fine for refusing to accept them, although nominally a large one, was in the depreciated currency but a mere trifle, which most chose to pay, rather than to lose their time, in attending to the duties of a disagreeable town office. Nearly every man in Arun- del was chosen constable, but no one would accept the situation, till one was selected, who was too poor to pay even the small penalty. In order to induce selectmen to serve, they were about this time first compensated for their services.
Although the currency of the country was in an un- sound state, yet ship building, fishing, and business generally were in a very flourishing condition. Forty top-sail vessels were building at one time in Maine. There was, however, but one vessel owned in this town, " Huff's old sloop," which, Mr. Hovey in his manu- script journal, frequently mentions as running from Cape Porpoise 10 Boston. In fact the inhabitants had always been too poor to attend to any other business than farming, fishing, and sawing lumber. The wealth of the richest consisted in land, which they pertina- ciously retained, both to their own injury and that of the town. There had been a few innholders and tra- ders licensed for several years, but their business was conducted on a very small scale. Stephen Harding, Thomas Perkins, John Watson, and John Fairfield were licensed in 1734, and about the same number con- tinned to obtain licenses up to this time.
By the septennial valuation of property taken this year, Arundel paid less than ££2 of a tax of £53. The tax was assessed at the rate of twelve pence on every male citizen of sixteen years of age and upwards, and of one penny on 20s valuation. The population of the county, containing eleven towns, was nearly 12,000, and that of this town about 350.
A road was laid out in 1743, " from the meeting house to or neer whare abouts Capt. Perkins his saw mill now standeth over the River Caled Batsons river, to Jacob Wildes, and so to ye out bounds of the town, and three rods wide." Several other roads were like- wise laid out, and others widened.
144
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1744.
Serious apprehensions were now entertained of a war with France, which would again bring with it the horrors of an Indian war. Garrisons and forts were put in a state of repair, and soldiers were sent from Massachusetts to the principal towns in Maine. Min- ute men were also enlisted in the county of York to be in readiness for a rupture with the Indians. War was actually declared against them in 1744, and they began to be troublesome to the eastward. The following year [1745] an expedition was fitted out fromNew England, which resulted in the capture of Louisburg.
A company of men from this town were engaged in the enterprise, commanded by Capt. Thomas Per- kins, Lieut. John Burbank, and Ensign John Murphy. Some of the privates returned August 1, a few weeks after the battle, but the officers remained at Cape Breton till the next year .* Several on their return to Massachusetts also came in Cape Porpoise for a har- bor, amongst whom, Mr. Hovey mentions Capt. Ives and Lieut. Abbot.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.