USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunkport > History of Kennebunk Port, from its first discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602, to A. D. 1837 > Part 5
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*Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll.
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1690.]
but a small supply of ammunition. After having sus- tained the attacks of the Indians for some time, and being fearful of being surrounded, if they remained in the fort after their ammunition was expended, they withdrew. to the southern point of the island, which being narrow, left them exposed only on one side.
In this condition they remained exposed to the con- stant annoyance of their savage enemies, almost destitute of provisions, with no means of escape, and no expectation of any aid to relieve them from their critical situation ; and expecting nothing but captivity or death. Nicholas Morey, who was lame in conse- quence of having broken his leg, remarked to his friends, that if they remained where they were, they would certainly all be killed or taken prisoners ; and he offered to take the old canoe, and seek assistance, Accordingly, as soon as it was dark, he embarked, and by keeping at the whole end of his little boat, was ena- bled to keep the defective part out of water.
Although it was a pleasant time of the year, there was but little chance of his reaching Portsmouth in safe- ty ; but with this forlorn hope, they continued to defend themselves the next day without provisions, till their last charge of ammunition was in their guns, and they even had to cut up their bullets to complete it. Night coming on, without provisions or ammunition, and be- ing closely besieged by a cruel blood-thirsty foe, their situation was indescribably trying. Slight as the pros- pect of relief was, they continued to look eagerly towards Portsmouth, when late in the afternoon, they discovered a small sloop, standing directly towards the cape. Mr. Morey had arrived in safety at Portsmouth, and returned with this unexpected assistance. When the, sloop came into the harbor, the crew discharged a small swivel from her at the Indians, who immediately fled from the island. The inhabitants were taken on board the sloop, and did not return for ten years.
*During this war, an attack was made on Storer's Garrison at Wells by 500 French and Indians, who were repulsed with great loss by Capt. Corverse and fifteen men.
*Mather's Magnalia, vol. ii. p. 582.
52
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1691
The celebrated charter of William and Mary receiv- ed the royal sanction October 7th, 1691, which was the foundation of civil government for eighty-nine years, and under which the connection between Massachusetts and Maine lasted one hundred and twenty-nine years. Sir William Phips was appointed royal governor under this charter.
In consequence of the active measures of the colo- nists, the Indians were induced to make a treaty of peace, which, however, was soon after violated by them. Another truce was agreed upon, in 1695, and the in- habitants of Cape Porpoise began to make preparations for returning to their homes.
Search was made for the town records without suc- cess. It being understood that they were amongst the effects of Lieut. Purinton, who was now dead, applica- tion was made to the county court for an order to have them returned. The court, in compliance with this request, passed the following order. " Whereas the Record or Town books of Cape Porpus are not to be found, for want whereof, several of the proprietors of land there are very like to come to damage. The Court being advised that they are in the hands of the administrators of John Puddington late of Cape Por- pus, hereby order his son James to send them to the next court."
This order produced no effect, as the records were never found. The attempt to conclude a peace with the Indians proving unavailing, the inhabitants did not return till 1699.
Scarcely had they repaired their decayed dwellings, fenced in their fields, now overrun with bushes, and be- gan to erect their mills, and enjoy their little remaining property in peace and safety, when the French again endeavored to excite the Indians to acts of hostility against the long harrassed colonists.
War between England and France was declared, May 4th, 1702, which was sure to lead to an Indian war ; and the year following hostilities recommenced.
Previous to this war, the French had succeeded in drawing the remains of the Indian tribes that survived the former wars, to two settlements in Canada, to which they could retreat, after assailing the English colonies.
53
KENNEBUNK PORT.
To 1703.]
These tribes formed what were called the St. Francoise Indians.
Five hundred of them, mostly commanded by French- men, divided themselves into six or seven parties, and attacked all the principal settlements in Maine, August 10th, 1703, and *' Cape Porpoise, being inhabited only by a few unshielded fishermen, was wholly laid deso- late.' How many of the inhabitants of this town were killed or taken prisoners, it is now impossible to ascer- tain ; but it is probable, that having so long been expecting an attack, most of them had made prepara- tions for escaping in their boats. Wells was assailed by a much larger force than attacked Cape Porpoise ; and the loss of the whites, was thirty-nine, killed and taken prisoners, besides a considerable number of wounded. Stephen Harding, then living on the west- ern side of the river, heard the firing at Wells, but supposed it was a company of soldiers exercising ; and he prepared the next morning to go a hunting. His wife was extremely uneasy, and endeavored to prevail upon him to stay at home. He assured her there was no danger ; but, fancying she had seen two men look- ing into their window the night before, she was too much frightened to cook breakfast. Impatient at what he thought his wife's ungrounded fears, he went towards his shop to wait till his breakfast was ready, when on Oaks's rocks, at the extremity of Gooch's beach, he des- cried a large number of men, women, and children coming directly towards his house. Mr. Harding, in his turn, now became alarmed, and told his wife to take her child, then about a year old, and carry it across Gooch's creek, and remain under a particular oak, till he could ascertain who these persons were. He was still in hopes they were not enemies, and that the females and children had taken the opportunity of visiting their friends, under the protection of the soldiers. He went into his shop, which was not boarded on the back side, and thumped on the side of it with an axe,
*So little was Cape Porpoise regarded by the chroniclers of that period, that these few lines, from Penhallow's Indian Wars, is the only notice taken of the total destruction of the town. The tradi- tionary account of Mr Harding's escape, is abundantly supported by his numerous descendants, with but slight discrepancies.
E E
54
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1703
at the same time giving an Indian whoop. Immediate- ly four Indians started up from their hiding places, and rushed towards the shop, thinking it had but one door, and that they had made sure of their prisoner. Mr. Harding, however, escaped at the back part of his shop, into a field of corn, where within a few rods of his house, he found his wife, who from fright and faintness was unable to make her escape. He caught her under one arm, and the child under the other, and ran to- wards the creek. It being flood tide, it was with difficulty he forded it. He crossed it, however, and left his wife under an oak tree; till he could go back and ascertain the intention of the Indians, still hoping it might be friendly. He had not gone far on his return, before he met an enormous bear, the largest, he said, he had ever seen. Unwilling to leave his family ex- posed to this new danger, he returned and commenced his march towards one of the Wells garrisons. He was obliged to kill a small dog that followed them, for fear he should betray them to the Indians, by his barking. The first night, they got as far as the hill, where the stage tavern now is, in Kennebunk, and remained there all night, having subsisted upon berries. Late the next evening they reached Storer's garrison, the inmates of which were asleep. Mr. Harding then concluded he had left his house without sufficient cause, or there would have been a better watch kept ; and mortified on account of his cowardice, he was on the point of retra- cing his steps. At the solicitation of his wife, he con- sented to make one more attempt to arouse them, when the lamentations of the women and children, for the loss of their relatives, convinced him he had not yield- ed to a false alarm.
The Indians, when discovering Mr. Harding had made his escape, and having pulled up all his corn in order to find him, said it was no use to extend their hunt for him, as he was as good an Indian as them- selves. They killed his hogs, and took all his clothing and bedding, even to the ticks, throwing away the feathers, but did not injure his house ; leaving that standing, as they afterwards told him, for a trap to catch him in at some future time. Their object was to take him alive, and carry him to their settlements in Canada,
55
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1713.]
where his services as a blacksmith were much need- ed. The Indians afterwards crossed the river, and killed the wife and three children of William Larra- bee, who lived in the field, near what are called Butler's rocks. Larrabee himself was at work on the marsh, near where the ropewalk now is, and, on per- ceiving two Indians running towards him, he concealed himself in the bushes. After they had given up the search, he crept towards his house, and saw the Indians regaling themselves upon the provisions they had taken from his house, and his wife and two of his children ly- ing near them, dead. The other child was not quite dead, but raised its head twice while Mr. Larrabee was looking at it. He said if it had moved again, he should have rushed out upon them, although he knew it would have cost him his life. The child however remained motionless, and Mr. Larrabee went to Storer's garrison, where he arrived before Mr. Harding, and, having seen the hogs lying near the house, mistook them for the family and reported they were dead.
After these murders, the Indians proceeded up the river, to the house of Philip Durrill, which was near where Durrill's bridge now is, and carried off Mrs. Durrill, her two daughters, Susan and Rachel, and two sons, one of whom, Philip, was an infant. Mr Durrill himself was not at home. The Indians carried their prisoners as far as Peywacket or Fryeburg, when Mrs. Durrill persuaded them to let her return with her infant. One of the Indians carried her child for her to the stone fort at Saco, from which place she returned home. Her daughters married Frenchmen, and refused to return after the war was over. The'son was accidentally drowned in Saco river.
In a few years, [1706] the Indians got tired of fight- ing, but as the English and French war was not over, the inhabitants of Maine did not venture to return to their deserted settlements. The next year [1707] the ·Indians renewed hostilities, and there were several se- vere skirmishes at Saco, Wells, Kittery, and Berwick.
The war continued, with slight occasional relaxa- tions, till 1713, when a treaty was made with all the eastern tribes. During these two last wars, Maine suf- fered greatly. Cape Porpoise, being twice depopulated,
56
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1713.
probably lost many of its inhabitants. Sullivan, how- ever, says ' it being sheltered by Wells and Saco on a neck of land stretching into the sea, did not suffer much at an early period by the hand of savages.' Sub- sequently to the period when the county road was located through the upper part of the town, from Wells to Saco, this might be the case ; but it is difficult to un- derstand how these towns could afford any protection previous to that time, when they were barely able to keep possession of their own forts; and the only road then travelled, passed directly through Cape Porpoise village.
Although by an order of General Court, passed in the year 1714, no towns in Maine, except York, Kittery, Berwick, and Wells, were allowed to be settled with- out a license from the Governor and Council, yet sev- eral of the inhabitants of this town returned, soon after the treaty of peace was ratified, and commenced anew their business of milling, fishing and farming. * ' Though Cape Porpoise had never before its destruction, com- pared with its neighbors in wealth and population, it had been inhabited by a bold and spirited people ; and in 1716, they and the proprietors joined in a prayer to the Legislature, for a restoration of town privileges.'
*Williamson's Hist. Me.
57
KENNEBUNK PORT.
то 1716.]
CHAPTER IV.
Number of inhabitants .... Schools and the ministry .... Cape Por- poise united with the parish at Saco .... Employments .... Extracts from the old town records .... Notice of the inhabit- ants ..... Scadlock .... Howell .... Bolls .... Frost .... Spurrill ..... Batson .... Clay .... Jeffery .... Potum .... Lux ..... Warner ..... Montague .... Ba- ker ..... Renols ..... Turbit ..... Hix ..... Walker ..... Roberts ..... Davis .... Cole ..... Barrett ..... Bush .... Palmer ...... Young .... Jones ..... Hather- ly .... Wormstall .... Ellson .... Alger .... Clarke .... Harmon ..... Barton .... Saunders .... Trott .... Ball .... Moore .... Tilly .... Barrow .... Cook .... Penniwell .... Scamman .... Purinton .... Morey .... Huff .... Springer .... Perkins .... Boardman .... Thomas .... Merrill .... Randall ... Mussy .... York ..... Downing ..... Haynes .... Blanchet .... Miller ..... Norman ... .Larrabee ...... Fletcher ..... Pendleton ..... Littlefield ...... Worm- wood .... Harding .... Notice of the Indians.
How many inhabitants Cape Porpoise contained, or what was the state of society, previous to its being de- serted, in 1703, it is now impossible to ascertain with any degree of certainty. It probably never contained over 200 inhabitants.
Towns were obliged by law to maintain free and common schools, and it is therefore probable, that there was some provision made for the instruction of youth, although from the complaint against the town, in 1675, and their subsequent negligence, it would seem that they were very remiss in that duty. Towns were also required, by an order passed in 1668, either to maintain a settled minister, or to pay £50 annually towards the support of one in the neighboring town. On account of the poverty of Cape Porpoise, they probably did neith- er ; but it is likely that they had occasional preaching, and perhaps were in the habit of meeting together on the sabbath, as early as 1653, as Baker's prophecying and railing at the ministry, was said to disturb ' public assemblings.' It might have been that the inhabitants generally attended public worship at Winter Harbor, and that Baker's speeches were directed against the minister at that place .* This supposition is strength-
*Edward Rishworth, in a letter to Governor Endicott, dated Aug. 14, 1656, says " Saco and Cape Porpus are in a greate
58
HISTORY OF
[A. D. 1716.
ened by the circumstance of Peter Turbat's leaving a steer as a legacy to that church ; and also from Saco and Cape Porpoise being connected in the same com- plaint, in 1658, for not making suitable provision for the ministry. The complaint was renewed, in 1662, against Cape Porpoise alone, and the inhabitants were ordered, either to go to Winter Harbor to meeting, or assemble at the house of John Bush. Those residing near Little river, went to Winter Harbor, as Goody Scadlock had a seat assigned her, in the meeting house at that place, in 1666. Several years after- wards, however, there were none from this town accommodated with seats, unless Goodwife Wormstall was an inhabitant. They probably continued to meet at the house of Mr. Bush for some time, for John Davis was presented in 1672 for preaching at another place.
In 1674, some one thought an effort ought to be made to maintain regular preaching, and a complaint was en- tered against the town for 'living without an orthodox minister.' The court probably thought the town still too poor to maintain one, as the presentment was dis- charged, after hearing the town agent, Mr. Batson. It is, however, very certain, that they never had a meet- ing house, nor an ordained minister. Every town in the county had occasional assistance from the General Court, to support their minister, except Cape Porpoise, which was by far the poorest one in the county. If they had had a settled minister, there can be no doubt that aid would also have been extended to them. The want of regular religious and moral instruction, was very manifest, from the frequent complaints made against the citizens of the place for violations of the sabbath, and other immoralities. These expedients for maintaining public worship, proving unavailing, the in- habitants of the town were permanently joined to the parish at Winter Harbor, in 1680, as appears by the fol- lowing order passed " at a meeting of freeholders of the Province of Mayne, March 17th, 1679-80."
strayte for some godly minister ; for his maintenance they pro- pound £50 per annum besides a house and some other conveniences, touching which I was moved to write to your wor - ship, which I cannot well be so forward in till the people of Newgewanacke be supplied, altho' I cannot but be sensible of the deepe necessity thereof."
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1716.]
" It is ordered by this Court, that Winter Harbour alias Sacoe and Cape Porpus is, and shall be hence for- ward, united and shall joyne together as one society in procuring of a Minister to preach the word of *god un- to them ; for the procuring of whome, John Sargent, John Barrett, John Harmon, and John Abbot are Im- powered and appointed in behalfe of sd. Winter Harbour and Cape Porpus, any two of them to use their best In- deavours to that end, with all convenient speed, and to rais fourty pounds" for that purpose. The parishes continued united till the desertion of this town.
From the nature of the soil where they first settled,- on the islands, and round the harbor of Cape Porpoise, -the inhabitants of the town could not have paid much attention to agriculture, raising perhaps only Indian corn, pumpkins, beans, and a few other vegetables that were cultivated by the aborigines. They had rather large stocks of cattle, that were wintered on salt and meadow hay. Their principal employment was fish- ing, and after the trade with the West India Islands commenced, sawing lumber. These articles of expor- tation were carried off by vessels from Massachusetts, the inhabitants being too poor to ship them themselves. Schooners, which were first built in 1714, were soon after principally used for this business.
During the last war, which lasted more than ten years, Maine had lost nearly a third of her inhabitants. Cape Porpoise being wholly unprotected in the onset, and afterwards exposed in common with other towns of the state, probably lost its proportion. Many probably had died natural deaths ; and others, having acquired a new residence, did not again return to their exposed situations in this town. Those that did return, having lived in garrisons in other towns and spent all their property in maintaining their families, came back poor and destitute, and found their houses dilapidated and their cattle killed. After the war had ceased, a ship being sent to exchange prisoners, many returned, who were thought to have been murdered by the Indians.
*Although the county and town records abounded in capital let- ters, it is remarkable that the word God, was generally written with a small one.
60
HISTORY OF
[A. D. 1716.
After the resettlement of the town in 1714, its history can be more distinctly traced, than prior to that time. The inhabitants, not taking an active part in the politic- al changes of the previous century, were but little noticed in general history, which, together with the loss of the early town records, renders it impossible to produce any thing like a conjoined history of the town, unconnected with the general history of the country, till its second incorporation.
The records which were missing in 1695, were either never found, or were again lost when the town was de- serted the second time. One of the first entries on the town book, after the reorganization of the town, says that diligent search had been made for the ancient records, and nothing of them could be found. They were not however wholly lost. A few of the latest leaves were found, which were frequently referred to, in the Arundel Book of Records, and the Proprietors Book of Records ; but most of them have since been destroyed. Seven or eight pages only now remain, from which the following extracts are taken.
" February 14th, 1678-9-At a legal town meeting holden at Cape Porpus, John Barret, sen. chosen Grand Jury man for the year ensuing,-Humphrey Scammon chosen constable for the year. John Batson, John Sanders, John Purinton, these three being chosen *Townsmen for the year."
" At a legal Town Meeting holden at Cape Porpus the 17 of February 1678, Given and Granted unto William Frost priviledge for to build a Saw Mill at the falls at the Head of the triver lying and being at the Head of the river that runs up along between John Barret and the Lott that was formerly Stephen Batsons, with one Hundred Acres of upland and twenty Acres of Meadow, in any place that is not granted'-' the said Frost does engage for to build a mill within sixteen months after this grant, with a Grist mill also fourteen months after that this former contract is performed ; and for want or nonperformance, this grant shall be of no effect, but it shall be void, unless hindered by Warr that may arise in the land.'-' The town is to have for their own use,
*Selectmen.
tMiddle river, or Goff's mill brook.
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KENNEBUNK PORT.
A. D. 1716.]
boards twelve pence in a Hundred under Price Current. Witness my hand, The mark (W.) of William Frost.
JOHN SAUNDERS,
JOHN PURINGTON."
" 9th day of April 1680-1. The inhabitants of the town of Cape Porpus granted to Joseph and Edmund Littlefield, one hundred acres of upland, on the North- east side of Kennebunk river, as near as may be to the upper falls, near the Indian Planting Ground"-" for the purpose of building mills, for each saw mill they are to pay a yearly rent of Fifty shillings in boards, and al- low the inhabitants to saw their own boards at the halves"-" Liberty was also given to build a Gristmill at the same place in two years, under the penalty of Twenty pounds"-" and the inhabitants are enjoined not to build another grist mill within their town so long as this said mill will grind."
Land was also granted to John Miller, up at the " Desert Marshes upon the south side ;" and at the same place to William Thomas, and William Burton ; and to John Batson, " free liberty was given to build a saw mill at the third falls on Middle river ;" and to John Purinton, Isaac Cole, and Samuel York to build mills on Middle river, and to cut timber " anywheres on the town's commons."
Land was also granted to Richard Randall, on Ken- nebunk river, " over against the Wonder, so called ;" and to several others.
The following are the only names found on what re- mains of the old Cape Porpus records.
John Barrett, Humphrey Scammon, John Batson, John Saunders, William Frost, Joseph Littlefield, Ed- mund Littlefield, John Miller, John Miller, Jr. William Thomas, William Barton, Richard Randall, Thomas Mussey, Isaac Cole, Samuel York, John Downing, John Davis, Immanuel Haynes, Jacob Wormwood, Nicholas Moorey, John Runnels, John Loring, Richard Blanchet, Simon Cundey, Emanuel Davis, John Purinton and John Purintón, Jr.
The following additional names of persons belonging to the town, are taken from the Massachusetts and Maine records, and from other sources. Ambrose Berry, John Baker, William Reynolds, William Reynolds,
F
62
HISTORY OF
[A. D. 1716.
Jr. Stephen Batson, Peter Turbat, Peter Turbat, Jr. John Turbat, Nicholas Bartlett, Phanea Hall, Gilbert Endicott, William Roberds, Richard Hix, John Bush, Griffin Montague, Charles Potum, Richard Palmer, Richard Young, Edward Jones, Henry Hatherly, Ar- thur Wormstall, John Ellson, Samuel Oakman, James Carry, Andrew Alger, Jonas Clay, Morgan Howell, Stephen Batson, 2d. Edward Clark, Gregory Jeffery, Edward Barton, Ferdinando Huff, Jonathan Springer, Christopher Spurrill, Thomas Warner, John Cole, Simon Teoft, Simon Bussy, Jenkins, Thomas Perkins, Thomas Dorman, Thomas Boardman, Seth Fletcher, John Dyament, Thomas Merrill, John Sanders, Jr. Thomas Sanders, John Scadlock, Samuel Scadlock, John Jeffery, John Lux, Walter Penniwell, Robert Cook, -Barrow, Samuel Johnson, John Rose, John Webber, Francis Beggar, Anthony Littlefield, Francis Littlefield, sen. John Cirmihill, William Kindall, Thom- as Mussell, John Trott, William Norman, Richard Ball, Henry Singleman, Roger Willine.
*William Scadlock, a planter, was one of the first, who was positively known to have settled in Cape Porpoise. He came over with the company of Vines, in 1630, and settled on the west side of Little river, then considered within the Saco patent. He was fond of litigation, his name appearing very often- on the county records, as a party in lawsuits ; and he was fre- quently presented by the grand jury for misdemeanors. In 1636, he had an action of debt against Morgan How- ell, and at the same court was fined 5s for getting drunk. In 1640, he " was presented for misdemeanor in his house, and fined 20s which upon his humble pe- tition was remitted by the court." This offence was in allowing Thomas Heard to get drunk at his house, who afterwards assaulted Joseph Boles and several other persons. In 1653, Scadlock signed the submission to Massachusetts, as an inhabitant of Saco, and was ap- pointed clerk of the writs, (or town clerk ;) but in 1659, when the line between Saco and Cape Porpoise was established, his house was found to be in this town. The next year, he was chosen by the town one of the commissioners to agree upon the line between Cape
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