USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > History of York, Maine, successively known as Bristol (1632), Agamenticus (1641), Gorgeana (1642), and York (1652) Vol. II > Part 32
USA > Maine > York County > York > History of York, Maine, successively known as Bristol (1632), Agamenticus (1641), Gorgeana (1642), and York (1652) Vol. II > Part 32
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It should be said that most of our Indian place names are survivals of the inevitable mangling and transforma- tion consequent upon the English methods of representing in Roman letters the complicated sounds of Algonquin speech. Prefixes and suffixes are lost and some of the gut- tural notes of Indian pronunciation have disappeared in this process of transfer. Again there is to be considered the confusion incident to an Englishman's attempt, when ignorant of the language, to localize the Indian's name for a place, whether it were limited to a definite area or cov- ered a large territory. Adding to this situation the differ- ences in conception of terms, for the Indian named places according to his standards of life, whether good or bad for his purposes in hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, fording, planting or eating, while these qualities had no actual significance from the English point of view, and it will be seen that the opportunities for errors are both numerous and fundamental.
There are, however, certain generic components of place names which give them definite meanings, and wher- ever found they are easily distinguished and can be segregated. Based upon this method of analysis it is clear to the writer that the word we now know as Agamenticus has no connection, etymologically considered, with the mountain bearing that name. Nothing in the composition of the word has the generic Algonquian words for hill or mountain, which were either atan (atin, adin, ottin, uttan, etc.) or wadchu (adchu, atchu, achu, etc.).1
But there is in Agamenticus a generic syllable which is common to many of our New England names of Indian origin and it is always unmistakable when placed, as this is, at or near the end of a word. Reference is made to the italicized syllable in Agamenticus. This word in the Abenaki forms of tik, tek, tuk or teg as diagrammatically expressed by our letters, is generic for "river" and espe- cially signifies "tidal rivers." The word Connec-tic-ut contains it and there are numerous examples such as Mys-tic, the former meaning "long tidal river" and the latter "great tidal river." With this as the foundation it remains to analyze the prefixed letters and syllables which
1 We find the former generic in the local name "Wonnatonamy" abbreviated to "Tonemy" Hill, but in the complete form would be Wunnam-atan-o me, the trans- lation of which is simple. The generic wadchu or wachu enters into the name Massa- chusetts and Wachusets to establish their well known meaning.
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HISTORY OF YORK
should be descriptive of this tidal stream according to the Indian conception of its character.
The name as found in the earliest documents of the period of discovery and settlement is Aguamenticos (1631), Agquementicus (1655), and it became either Acco- menticus or Agamenticus, the latter prevailing to the pres- ent time. In this primitive, and therefore truer form, Aguamenticos, is believed to be the germ of the Indian definition. Pronouncing each vowel, as then first written in 1631, we have "Ag-oo-am" as the adjectival prefix. An example of this Algonquian word is the aboriginal name for the marshes of Ipswich, "Agawam," as well as for the low, frequently over-flowed meadows of Spring- field, and thus we can write "Agwu-wom-n-tic-us" and obtain a perfectly legitimate compound noun which is easily reduced to the sound of our Agamenticus when spoken rapidly or with careless articulation of the full tone values of all its vowels and consonants.
" Agwu-om" or "Aga-(w)om" as an Indian place name is found in numerous localities throughout New England where there are marshy meadows. The word has the sig- nificance in its component parts, "agwu"-under, and "wom"-a going, meaning a "going under place" referring to the meadows or marshes that may go under water, or as we would say "overflowed," like the low flat marshes bordering on salt creeks. The significance should now be clear that we have not only restored the name to its probable Amerind form, but have obtained the necessary corallary to a conclusive result in a word which describes the topographical characteristics of the locality. York River is essentially a tidal stream for some seven miles of its length, bordered by low marsh land that is over- flowed by the tide as far up as the "partings." Indeed one section of it was called "the sunken marsh" in early days and the name Aguamenticus is perfectly applicable to York River in its physical features. The locative terminal es or us, with the probable loss of the final et, common to most place names, completes the restored word Agwu-(w)om-n-tic-us-et, whose definition would be literally, "overflowed-marsh-tidal-stream-place," or freely rendered, "where the tidal river overflows the marshes," and thus we are enabled to conclude that this Algonquian word belonged to the river which flows through the town
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ANCIENT LANDMARKS
and in its tidal movements covers the adjacent marshes. It is to be regretted that this word has become attached to the hill to which it has no connection.
Agamenticus Pond. This great pond first bo're this name, presumably as it had its rise at the foot of Mount Agamenticus; in 1699 it was first mentioned in the Town records as Cape Neddick Pond (i, 119), and it continued to be known by that name until about 1768 when Josiah Chase acquired the property for mill purposes and it soon came to be called Chase's Pond and is known as such to the present time.
Alcock's Neck. Named for John Alcock who settled here in 1640 and lies between York and Little Rivers. Norwood Farms is the modern designation.
Alewife Brook. A tributary of New Mill Creek, east of the bridge which crosses the latter stream.
Ashen Swamp. First mentioned in the Town Records 1675. It is situated east of the Burnt Plain and Sentry Hill.
Averill's Pond. Mentioned in 1696 as east of Cape Neddick River but not now shown on the map. Situated near Phillips's Cove, west of the Shore Road to Ogunquit, and now known as Lake Caroline.
Baker's Spring. Situated at the northeast corner boundaries of York and Wells. First mentioned in 1695. Now set off to South Berwick.
Bald Head. High cliff on the seashore near the Wells boundary. First mentioned in 1700 (Deeds vi, 152).
Banks' Rocks. A cluster of rocks off the shore opposite the mouth of Little River.
Banks' Brook. A brook rising near Beech Ridge on the south side emptying into the southwest branch near the Kittery line.
Barberry Marsh. First mentioned in 1653 as a name for the low marsh land east of Little River near the sea- shore on the road to Cape Neddick.
Barberry Cove. A small cove in the Old Mill Creek on the south side.
Bass Cove Creek. The tidal creek forming the north bounds of Gorges Neck and the Cider Hill settlement.
Bass Cove. The small inlet of the main river just north of Sewalls Bridge. First mentioned in 1636 (Deeds i, 118).
Beech Hill. Mentioned in 1735 (Deeds xvii, 268), as
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HISTORY OF YORK
on the land of Joseph Holt, south side, which he donated to the town for, cemetery purposes.
Bell Marsh. First mentioned in 1679 and so known at the present time. Situated on northwest corner of York near the Berwick boundary. Bell Marsh Brook derives its name because it drains this locality.
BANKS' ROCKS, LONG SANDS
Beeson's Cove. A small cove on the south side of the river about one hundred fifty rods below the mouth of Old Mill Creek. Mentioned in 1699 (T. R. i, 150).
Birch Hill. Mentioned in 1702 as in the northwest corner of the town between the two branches of the York River (T. R. i, 158).
Brandy Brook. A small stream of fresh water so called in 1721 emptying into the ocean on the road from Cape Neddick to Wells (Deeds x, 171). Nearly every New England town had a "Brandy" Hill, Corner or Brook.
Brave Boat Harbor. This name appears in Provincial Court Records 1649 as "Bray Bote Harber" and in the Town Records 1691 as "Brobote Harbour" (i, 96). A discussion of the name of this landmark is to be found in Chapter XIX of this volume.
Bray's Brook. Mentioned in 1735 as at the north corner of John Carlisle's land near the Country Road, crossing Ferry Lane.
Bristol. This was an early name of York so called from
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ANCIENT LANDMARKS
the preponderating influence before 1640 of merchants from that city in the settlement of the town.
Brixham. First mentioned in 1678 as "Brickesome," a name given by John Frost of Brixham, Devon, who owned property in the Scotland district (Deeds iii, 33; Comp. ix, 1099; x, 1, 17, 47, 85, 252).
Burnt Plain. First mentioned in Town Records 1658, when it was granted to Edward Rishworth, John Alcock and John Davis. It is just east of Sentry Hill.
Burnt Marsh Brook. A small brook emptying "into the Sea at a Small Stony Cove" just East of Cape Neddick Harbor (T. R. i, 77).
Busses or Bussey's Creek. First mentioned in 1716 as emptying into Brave Boat Harbor (Deed xi, 79).
Cape Neddick. This prominent landmark is one of the earliest survivals of Indian origin in the town. It has retained its form with little variation from the beginning of recorded history, appearing as Neddock, Nuddicke, Nuddocke, Neddicke, Nuttacke, Noddocke, Nadick and Natick in the course of three centuries. Prof. W. F. Ganong of Smith College, Northampton, Mass., an authority on the language of the Eastern Indians, has kindly furnished the results of his study of the word for this chapter. Comparing the characteristic topographical features of this point of land with its sepa- rated "nubble," with like formations on the coast of Nova Scotia, particularly one at Minas Basin, which bears the Mic-mac Indian name of Neadich, he infers that this dialectal form of the Algonquin tongue refers to the "nubble" or island detached from the main Cape. The Nãe is the root Nãoo, meaning solitary. It seems probable, he thinks, that Neadich (the last syllable pronounced "dick", is a form of Nāoo(k)tāj, a solitary object. The "k" in the middle of Micmac words is often elided in place names. The word Cape was an addition by the English settlers for their own purposes. A pulpit rock of sandstone in Passamaquoddy Bay, detached in like manner from the point is called Plok-mā-nă'-dook, the last two syllables being the same as our own.
Card's Rock. A large glacial boulder on the shore near the Country Club, where Roger Garde's home lot was situated. The Card family later occupied this lot and the
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HISTORY OF YORK
name of Card was undoubtedly substituted for that of the original owner of the land and rock.
Caskoe Marsh. Mentioned 1698 in a grant to Joseph Pray, and laid out in Bass Cove Marsh in Scotland (T. R. i, 96, 235). Origin of name unknown, perhaps from Casco.
Chase's Pond. See Agamenticus Pond.
Christian Point. In 1642 this name occurs in a deed describing land on the "path leading from the Plantation to Christian Pointe" (x, 175), and refers to the Point of Land on the southwest tip of Gorges Neck.
Christopher's Point. Probably so-called from Christo- pher Rogers, a servant (Deeds ii, 179), and first mentioned in 1653 (Deeds i, 29), and later called Kit's Point, 1718 (Ibid ix, 214). It was situated on the southwest branch of York River.
Cooper's Lane. The narrow road leading from the Country Road to the River at York Corner. So-called from the Walloon, Philip Cooper, who lived on land bounded by it. Discontinued as a town road a few years ago.
Country Road. The name given to the first road through the town, laid out in 1699 and extending from the Wells bounds to Berwick bounds as described in the Town Records (i, 344).
Curtis' Cove. A "cove of marsh," on the southwest side of the Country Road on the northwest branch of York River (vii, 184).
Cranberry Marsh. North of Mt. Agamenticus (1731).
Dead Point. A point of land on the southeast side of Brave Boat Harbor, so-called in 1716, on the property of Francis Raynes (Deeds xi, 79).
Dinah's Hill. So-called from Dinah, the wife of Prince, a negro pair who lived here during the Revolution. Located in York Harbor, near the end of Barrell Lane.
Dolly Gordon's Brook. A small rivulet on the west side, rising across the border in Kittery near the Main farm and running into Old Mill Creek. Probably derives its name from a daughter of Robert Gordon who lived in that vicinity. It is the only brook running northerly in the town and seems to be running up-hill. See Fulling Mill Brook.
Devil's Invention. A stockade built against a large
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ANCIENT LANDMARKS
boulder in 1679 by James Adams to imprison the children of Henry Simpson. It was in the region of Scituate, east- erly from the main highway through that settlement. Nothing remains of it, except the tradition of the location.
1
THE DEVIL'S INVENTION
Dummer's Cove. A cove of marsh on the Southwest branch of York River, so-called in 1702 (Deeds, 142), probably the minister's marsh.
East York. This was a name applied to this town in 1672 and later, to distinguish it from New York, when that name was given to New Amsterdam following the defeat of the Dutch.
Eddy Point. Just above the head of Long Reach at the ox-bow turn of the York River.
Fall Mill Brook. A small brook draining into New Mill Creek to the eastward of Cider Hill and first men- tioned in 1653 (T. R. i, 25).
Fresh River. The "little fresh river" mentioned in 1659, draining the marshes on Alcock's Neck, and emptying into the York River near Stage Neck (T. R. i, 22). It was also called the "Fresh Water" (Ibid i, 76, 159). It has dried up these many years.
Folly Pond. A small pond, two hundred thirty-six feet above sea level, to the northwest of Chase's Pond,
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HISTORY OF YORK
draining into Middle Pond, and thence into New Mill Creek. As early as 1707 it was "vulgarly called by the Inhabitants of the town of York, the Folly pond" (Deeds vii, 98). At that time it had a dam at its outlet and the brook was then called the Folly Brook, renamed from the Fall Mill Brook. It had borne the name of "folly brooke" as early as 1680 and probably derived its name from the erection of a mill at the dam which proved a failure (Deeds iv, 67). It is the present source of water supply for Kittery Water District.
Freethy's Cove. A cove of marsh on the southwest side of the northwest branch of the York River (Deeds viii, 18), so-called in 1712.
Fulling Mill Brook. A small brook, tributary to Old Mill Creek, on the southwest side, on which Thomas Traf- ton had built a fulling mill before 1715 (Deeds ix, 94). It is now called Dolly Gordon Brook.
Galloping Hill. A small sharp rise of land on the south- east side of New Mill Creek, near the mills, first mentioned in 1700 (Deeds vii, 256, xv, 49).
Gallows Point. "A Certen Parcell or Tract of Marsh, comanly Called & known by the name of Gallows poynt," in 1661 (Deeds iii, 24). It was on the land originally owned by Thomas Moulton and by him sold to Alexander Maxwell, who disposed of it to Moody by will. The origin of the name is unknown. It may have been used in the early years of the settlement as the place of execution of criminals.
Gallows Neck. This was a name given to Stage Neck in the eighteenth century and was in use as late as 1794 in an official map of the town.
Gard's Rock. See Card's Rock.
Godfrey's Cove. The first cove to the westward of West- ern Point and so called because it was on the property owned by Mrs. Anne (Messant) Godfrey, the wife of the Governor.
Godfrey's Pond. A small pond separated from God- frey's Cove by a rocky beach and so called for the reason above given.
Godmorrock. A tract of land sold by Gorges to Arthur Champernowne, 1636, "on the North East side of the sd River of Brave boate Harbour, here after to bee known or Called by the name of Godmorrock" (Deeds iii, 97-98).
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This was an early name of the Castle of Kingsweare, Devon, the home of the Shapleighs. The name, however, did not stick, but it should be revived.
Gooch's Neck. A small section of land jutting into the sea to the Eastward of Cape Neddick River "on the North East side of a small pond which the stormes wash- over Into" (Deeds v, pt. i, p. 108).
Goose Cove. A small indentation on the south side of the river just below Scotland bridge.
Gorges' Creek. The first name given to New Mill Creek and called by his name as early as 1652 (Deeds i, 19; ii, 179; xii, 265 and T. R. i, 80).
Gorges' Neck. The neck of land between the New Mill Creek and Bass Cove (Deeds i, 107; iii, 22).
Gorges' Point. The southerly point of land on New Mill Creek and the river "which land formerly belonged to Sir Ferdinando Gorges as Proprietor" (Ibid. vi, 27).
Gurnett's Nose. This was a "Certen poynt & parcell of Marsh lijng on the South side of the River, in the South West branch of the Marshes of yorke" (Deeds ii, 179), so called in 1657 and formerly had been called "the Narrow Neck."
Gurnet's Breast. Another name for the Gurnet's Nose (Deeds ix, 214), as well as Kit's Point.
Gussell Brook. "A Small brook that Emptys it Selfe into York river" opposite Bass Cove (Deeds vii, 148).
Gravelly Point. On the south side of the river where Scotland bridge rests (T. R. i, 406; Deeds xi, 12).
Ground Nut Hill. A hill about one hundred feet above sea level on the east side of Cape Neddick River between it and Josiah's River. It was so called in 1711 and later became known (1732) as Ground Root Hill. It was called by the latter name in 1794 on the official map of the town. It undoubtedly refers to the growth of the orange red lily, the bulb of which was used by the Indians as a food. The Indian name for a like place on Martha's Vineyard was called M'squeppunocquat and signifies "where the red ground nut grows." Probably this hill had a like name given to it by the Indians.
Great Gate Hill. On the south side of the Country Road about sixty-five rods northwest of Cooper's Lane (Deeds vii, 256; xiv, 129).
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HISTORY OF YORK
Half-way Rock. Mentioned in 1731 as on the way to Brave Boat Harbor (T. R. i, 479).
Harker's Island. One of the marshy islands near the mouth of York River. Harker's Point is also mentioned in 1718 as being on "the other side of York River adjoin- ing the island."
Harmon's Point. The point of land originally called Point Bolleyne (q. v.) forming the southern end of the opening of Meeting House Creek now closed by the dam. Mentioned in 1715 (Deeds ix, 148).
Hasty's Mill Brook. This was in that part of York set off to Berwick. It arose in the swampy land north of the Third Hill (Agamenticus), emptying into Great Works River.
Hay Yard. A public landing for the marsh hay har- vested on the New Mill River (Gorges' Creek), on the property of Angevine W. Gowen (Deeds iv, 154).
Hilton's Cove. A shallow indentation on the south side of the river opposite the mouth of Meeting House Creek, later called Whitney's Cove.
Holt's Cove. On the south side of the river just above Sewall's Bridge.
Hooke's Farm. Originally the property of William Hooke, one of the patentees of Agamenticus. It was situated in Scotland and was of undetermined size cover- ing the location of the Meeting House in the Second Parish.
Huckleberry Plains. A tract of land mentioned in 1700 in the northwest part of the town above York Bridge (T. R. i, 184).
Joan's Spring. An ancient landmark on the upper side of Gorges' Creek on property now owned by Angevine W. Gowen, C. E. (Deeds xii, 228). The origin of the name is not known.
Josiah's River. The long, winding stream draining the marshes to the East of Chase's Pond and Mt. Aga- menticus, emptying into the ocean about a quarter of a mile east of the York boundary in Wells. Named for Josiah Littlefield about 1700.
Judicature Brook. A name appearing on the official map of the town in 1794 to designate Gorges or New Mill Creek. The origin of this name is not known.
Kerswell's Neck. A name given to the point of land 376
ANCIENT LANDMARKS
between Meeting House Creek and the river, in use shortly before 1800 when a Kerswell family lived there. It was only a temporary designation and is not known to the present residents.
Kit's Point. This was originally called Christopher's Point in 1653 (Deeds i, 29) and the name was shortened to Kit's in 1718 (Ibid. ix, 214). It was a point of marsh land on the southwest branch of the York River.
Labor-in-Vain Marsh. Situated on the northeast side of York Hill (Agamenticus) near the dividing line of York and Wells, in the Winn Neighborhood (Deeds xv, 12).
Log House Point. Located on the south side of the river near the marshes, probably where Captain Clarke had a "Logg" hut in 1660.
Long Reach. That part of York River, so called in 1637, between the mouth of Meeting House Creek and Long Cove, an almost straight course of the stream giving a clear view from end to end before modern obstructions were built. Sewall's Bridge is located at about the middle of the Reach.
Long Sands. First mentioned in 1674 (Deeds iii, 12).
Market Place. Mentioned in 1713 and 1727 (Deeds vii, 267; xii, 200). The location of this market place was in the open space on the riverside where the New Bridge crosses the river, it being a convenient location for delivery of merchandise by boats and farm products brought down the river.
Meeting House Creek. First mentioned in 1675 (Deeds ii, 187).
Micum's Cove. A parcel of marsh land on the southeast side of the southwest branch of York River (Deeds viii, 124).
Milberry's Point. Now called Roaring Rock Point.
Mill Plain. A tract of land on the southeast side of New Mill Creek, midway between the river and Country Road. Ferry Lane runs through it (Deeds xviii, 8).
Moore's Island. Now called Bragdon's Island at the mouth of the river.
Mossy Marsh. Mentioned in 1674 (Deeds ii, 147). A small marsh on the old path to Wells, just east of Cape Neddick River.
Muddy Marsh. On the northeast side of Brave Boat Harbor in 1685 (Deeds iv, 36).
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HISTORY OF YORK
Newtown. First mentioned in 1728 (T. R. ii, 63). A small settlement about a mile southeast of Scituate Pond. The Samuel Preble house was one of the early buildings there.
New Boston. A settlement of about ten houses a mile northwest of Scituate Pond fifty years ago. It is now a "deserted village."
Narrow Neck. A strip of marshland on the southwest branch of the river so called before 1657 when it had acquired the name of Gurnet's Nose (Deeds ii, 179). .
New Mill Creek. This creek, which empties into the York River opposite Old Mill Creek, was so called about 1650 when mills began to be erected on its course to dis- tinguish it from the first mill creek. It has borne the names of Gorges' Creek and Judicature Brook (q. v.).
Old Man of the Sea. A curious rock formation on the Nubble, resembling the human face.
OLD MAN OF THE SEA
Palmer's Cove. Now called Lobster Cove. The origin of this name is unknown. Only one person of the name of Palmer lived in York and he was killed by the Indians in 1677, but there is no record of his ownership of land in that region or elsewhere. It was first called Palmer's Cove in 1713 (Deeds viii, 90), and if named for this John
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Palmer it is an instance of the name of a transient resident being applied to a locality while the names of old families are rarely perpetuated in that way.
Paignton. A settlement of a few houses on the Country Road to Berwick about two miles from the Eliot line. The name is derived from a parish of that name near Brixham, England. It was called Pentons in 1711 (Mass. Arch. Ixxi, 871) and in 1713 (Deeds vii, 257). It was later called Payneton.
" Pegonasabam, now known as Chase's Lake," is found in the historical novel, by Edward P. Tenney, "Agamenti- cus," and is here entered for what it is worth as a possible survival of an Indian word, though of doubtful origin.
Plains. The tract of land northeast of the "Scituate Mens Lots" (see Scituate Row) so called in 1653 (Deeds ii, 178). It extended from the head of their lots to Little River.
Planting Field. A tract of land in one of the divisions of the Grand Patent originally owned by William Hooke, by him sold to Henry Simpson 1640 and by the latter to George Puddington 1641 (Deeds iii, 84-85). It was the Puddington home lot bordering on Meeting House Creek and may have been originally an Indian cornfield.
Point Bolleyne. The point of land forming the south- west boundary of Meeting House Creek so called in 1648 (Deeds i, 4). This name was undoubtedly bestowed by Godfrey on his property in honor of the Godfreys of Bouillon or "Bolleyne," famous in the annals of the Crusaders. Godfrey bore the arms of this family as shown by his seal, but it is not known how his descent was derived.
Point Ingleby. First mentioned in 1643 in a deed from Deputy Governor Gorges to the town of York (Deeds iv, 46). It was a point of land on the southwest side of the river opposite Point Bolleyne. Named for John Ingleby, an early settler on this tract.
Point of Land. An early name for a locality which has not been identified.
Point Christian. A name for the southerly point of Gorges' Neck and the name given to the Manor and Manor House of Sir Ferdinando Gorges (Deeds i, pt. 3, fol. 5). (See Vol. I, Chapter VI.)
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