Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 67

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 67
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 67

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).

Sarah to Thomas Babb.

1816. Dec. 24, Rebecca to Cyrus Milliken.

1817. May 4, Mary to Fred Milliken.

1818. May 14, Sally to Joseph Leavitt.

1819. July 4, Eliza to Silas Harmon.

1821. Oct. 3, Paulina to Thomas Ladd.

1834. June 25, John M. to Mary Foss.

1844. Sept. 5, Joseph to Rhoda Coolbroth.

1848. May 21, Abigail to Samuel Newcomb.

1851. Aug. 23, Rebecca A. to Simon K. Lowe.

1852. July 18, Joseph to Harriet Richards.

1854. Jan. 7, Elijah to Jane Seon (?).

1875. Oct. 6, Elmira to John M. Koler.

BIRTIIS.

1798. Dec. 29, Elizabeth, dau. of John and Rebecca.

1803. May 2, John M.

1838. Mar. 2, Mary W., dau. of John M. and Mary.

1855. Jan. 6, Eben, son of Elijah and Jane.

DEATHS.

1838. May 20, Mary, wife of John M.

1842. Jan. 13, Ebenezer.

1850. Oct. 30, Ebenezer, aged 60.

1855. Feb. 25, Elmira, wife of James, aged 32.

Cousins Family.

This English surname has been found on old documents spelled Curzon, Cozzen, Cousin, Cosen, Cousens, and Cousins ; the two latter forms have been generally adopted by the New England families. They are supposed to have been descended from Geraldine de Curson or Curzen, who was a follower of the Conqueror and of Breton origin. He was Lord of the Manor of Locking, in Berkshire, and held, by grant of the king, many other manors and lands in

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COUSINS FAMILY.

the county and in Oxfordshire. He was a great benefactor to the Abbey of Abington. His three sons were STEPHEN, RICHARD, and GERALINE. The family has held a prominent rank in England from a very early period, and has risen from one degree to another until 1758, when the head, Sir Nathaniel Curzon, was raised to the peerage with title of Baron Scarsdale. The seat of this family is Kedleston Hall, and is one of the most magnificent in Great Britain.

ARMS OF COSENS-Ar. on a bend between two dragons heads couped gu. three doves of the field. (Yetminster, County Dorset)-Az on a bend or. between two lions ramp. arg. three martletts of the first. CREST-A cockatriee, wings erect or.

The first of the name to settle in Maine, and perhaps in New England, was JOHN COUSINS, who settled at Westgustego, now North Yarmouth, born in England, 1596, and lived on an island near the mouth of Royal river, still called by his name. This island was purchased by him, in 1645, of Richard Vines. He lived there thirty years, but was forced to remove in consequence of the Indian war and retired to York. He served in the Assembly under Cleve in 1648, while he was deputy president of Lygonia, his name being under his mark on a decree against the Trelawny estate in favor of Robert Jordan, by which all the property of said Trelawny in this state was lost to his heirs. The date of death of Cousins has not been ascertained, but he must have survived to a great age. His descendants lived in York, Wells, Kenne- bunk, Lyman, Saco, Biddeford, and Hollis, and are now scattered through the state. ISAAC COUSINS, killed by the Indians, in Wells, 1675, was evidently a son of John. THOMAS COUSINS, who was an inhabitant of Wells before 1670, was probably another son of John, the emigrant. He had a grant of land consisting of one hundred aeres on Little river. He had a family that can be traced.

I. HANNAH, dau. of Thomas, was m. to George Jacobs, grandson of the George who was burned for witcheraft at Salem in 1692, on Dec. 16, 1701.

2. ICHABOD, son of Thomas, m. Ruth Cole, of Kennebunk, July 26, 1714, and had a numerous family, as will afterwards appear. He spent his early years in Wells, but moved to Kennebunk in 1745. He was a sol- dier in the old French war, and d. from small-pox contracted while in the army. He had a log-house surrounded by flankers during the In- dian troubles on the coast. His children's names as follows:

I. CATHERINE, b. June 25, 1715; m. John Wormwood.

II. THOMAS, b. Sept. 26, 1717; m. Ann Goodwin in 1740.

111. ICHABOD, b. Nov. 10, 1719.

IV. JOHN, b. Nov. 16, 1722 ; m. Sarah Davis in 1759. He built a small house at Kennebunk in 1756, and probably spent his life in town.

V. BENJAMIN, b. Sept. 28, 1724; m. Hannah Simpson in 1753. He was a soldier under Gen. Abercrombie at the time of his attack on Fort Niagara in 1758. Mr. Cousins was cast away on Mount Desert is- land, when there was no house there, and suffered great hardships, being one of the small number who survived the disaster when more than seventy perished. These built a rude boat and embarked for

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COUSINS FAMILY.

Townsend, where they secured assistance, and returning to Mount Desert, rescued their companions who had been left behind. But for a gun and some ammunition saved from the wreck, with which some wild fowls were killed, they would have perished from starvation and exposure.

VI. SAMUEL, b. 1726: m. Susan Watson in 1754.

VII. JOSEPH, b. Sept. 2, 1728; m. Hannah Edgecomb, 1754.

VIII. RUTH, b. Oct. 19, 1731 : m. John Wakefield in 1748.

IX. NATHANIEL, b. in 1739. This man learned the carpenter's trade, and was much employed as a mill-wright and in building vessels. He served in the French war, and was with Gen. Abercrombie at the attack on Fort Niagara; was at work on the breastwork at the time. He was for four or five years in the army during the Revolution, serv- ing as ensign, lieutenant, and adjutant, and after returning home be- came major of the militia; also served as selectman, assessor, and parish clerk. Being possessed of a retentive memory and a great interest in local events, he was qualified, when in old age, to impart · much valuable and interesting information relating to the early his- tory of his town. He was a man of gigantic physical strength; lived to be 95.

Elisha Cousins, b. in Wells, Nov. 20, 1735; m. Dec. 3, 1758, Bathsheba Hamar, who was b. in Sheepscot, Mar. 1, 1742. Their first child was b. Dec. 24, 1759, and d. same day. Other issue :

1. RUTH, b. in Arundel, Feb. 1, 1761.

2. JOHN, b. in Arundel, Mar. 21, 1764, and had a family named as fol- lows: Mary, Reuben, John, Bathsheba, Jerusha, Joseph, and Elisha. A second wife had Levi, Eunice, Irene, Nehemiah, and Mary Ann, while a third wife added Thomas and Williamson. Thomas, now an old man, lives in Surry, Me.

3. EPHRAIM, b. Aug. 1, 1766 ; d. young.

4. BATHSHEBA, b. May 27, 1768, in Harpswell.

5. SARAH, b. Sept. 4 .. 1770, in Mt. Desert.

6. ELISHA, b. May 23, 1773, in Mt. Desert; m. and had Nahum, Joseph, Elisha, and daughters.

7. EPHRAIM, b. Dec. 11, 1775; m. and had children, Ephraim, William, Reuben, Maria, Susan, Sarah, and one who m. Joseph Card.

8. JOSEPH, b. Nov. 24, 1779; m. and had Nathaniel and Mary, the former now living.

9. JOANNA, b. Dec. 10, 1783.

Joseph Cousins, descended from the family in Wells, is said to have come from Mt. Desert island to Cornish. He settled in the " Estes neighbor- hood," so-called; was a mill-wright and ship-carpenter; built the first saw- mill in Cornish; died when a young man, leaving three children. There is some discrepancy between the descendants of this man relative to his origin and history. He must have removed from Cornish to Kennebunk, as one, if

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COUSINS FAMILY.

not all, of his children was born there. Having a wish to find the records of birth and parentage of Mr. Cousins, I communicated with the Hon. Eben M. Hamor, of Mt. Desert, a gentleman who is familiar with the history of the old families, and he informed me that he could find no mention of such man there. He may have been only a nominal resident before coming back to York county.

Benjamin Consins, said to be a brother of Joseph, just mentioned, came from Mt. Desert at the same time, settled in Lyman, and had issue and numerous descendants.

Abram Consins, eldest son of Joseph, was born July 9, 1784, in Kenne- bunk, and being a small boy at time of his father's death he went to live with a Mr. Rumery at Bonnie Eagle, and remained there until seven years of age, when he went to live with Major Meserve in Limington, where he made his home until old enough to clear a farm for himself, in the west part of the town, now in Limerick. He served in the war of 1812; married Annie, dau. of Robert Libby, who was born July 9, 1783, and died July 20, 1869. He died while on a visit in Scarborough, in company with his son, Aug. 24, 1854. She lived with her son Robert after her husband's death. These were buried in the public cemetery near Limington Corner. There were eight children.

I. ELIZA, b. Apr. 27, 1807 ; m. Samuel Meserve and lived in Sebago; both deceased.

2. ROBERT, b. May 12, 1810; m. Betsey Emmons, of Lyman, and resided in Limington, where his son Benjamin now lives; d. Dec. 3, 1884.

3. ANNIE, b. May 23, 1812; m. Nathaniel Norton, of Limington, and lived there till after her husband's death, in April, 1872, when she went to live with her dau., Mrs. Townsend, at West Buxton. She was alive in 1892.

4. JOSEPH, b. June 11, 1814; m. Hannah Durgin, of Porter, and lived in that town ; both died about the same time, in the spring of 1893.

5. ELIZA, b. July 17, 1816; m. Hiram Wormwood, of Limington, and re- sided in Porter.

6. DAVID, b. Aug. 2, 1818 ; m. Sylvia Marr, of Limington, for first wife, and Sarah Meserve for second ; residence, Limington.

7. SABRA, b. Sept. 5, 1823: m. Benjamin Perry and lives in Boston.

8. ABRAM, b. Jan. 2, 1826; m. Elizabeth, dau. of Capt. Joseph D. Small, of Limington, and resides there.

Enoch Cousins, second son of Joseph, born in Cornish, Me., March 24, 1788; married Ruth, daughter of Eben Cousins, of Lyman, May 30, 1813, and settled in Porter, Me. He was left fatherless when a small boy and went to live with relatives in Lyman. He early entered upon a sea-faring life and was a sailor about fourteen years. He came to Porter about 1819, and cleared the farm now occupied by his son, about a half mile from the village of Kezar Falls, a beautiful location with a sunny exposure protected on the northwest by wooded hills and fronted by a fine sheet of water, where an abundance of fish can be taken in summer and winter. Mr. Cousins died May 4, 1879, aged 93 years. His wife predeceased him, Dec. 6, 1861 (she was b. June 29, 1790). at the age of 71 years. Children's names will follow :

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COUSINS FAMILY.

I. EBENEZER, b. Feb. 2, 1814; d. Feb. 6, 1814.

2. SARANI D., b. Nov. 20, 1817; m. Greenleaf Parker, of Saco, where she resided; both deceased.

3. EBENEZER, b. Jan. 11, 1820; m. Jemima, dau. of Josiah Weeks, of Porter, Me., Dec. 29, 1842, and had issue, twelve children. Mrs. Cousins d. Aug. 7, 1883. He is living on the old homestead with his two daugh- ters, an active, hard-working man. He is a wheelwright and carpenter, and when not cultivating his farm keeps busy in his shop; an honor- able, plain-spoken man. Issue as follows :

I. MARY E., b. Feb. 18, 1844; unmarried.

II. ELIZABETH A., b. June 21, 1846 ; d. Oct. 9, 1847.

III. RUTH A., b. Oct. 7, 1848; m. Silas McKeen, and lives in Brewer, Me.

IV. ELIZABETH, b. Apr 7, 1850; d. Aug. 1, 1865.

V. MARTHA A., b. Oct. 28, 1851 ; unmarried.

VI. WINFIELD S., b. July 9, 1853; m. Katy Mann, Fryeburg.

VII. IDA C., b. Mar. 30, 1855; m. Andrew Lord, and since his death in the West, lives at Kezar Falls.

VIII. NETTIE H., b. May 18, 1857; d. Mar. 1, 1879.

IX. CLARA E., b. Dec. 24, 1859; m. Walter S. Fowler, of Kezar Falls ; lives there.

x. OSCAR L., b. Jan. 14, 1862; m. Louisa Chaplin.

XI. ULYSSES G., b. Apr. 23, 1865; m. Mary Haggerty.

XII. BYRON, b. June 14, 1870; d. Sept. 25, 1872.

4. RICHARD, b. July 22, 1823; m. Cordelia Nutter, and lives at Winnecona, Wis.

5. ELIZABETH, b. Dec. 25, 1826 ; d. unmarried.

6. ENOCH, b. Nov. 18, 1829; m. Lydia Cox, June 16, 1850, dau. of Jere- miah W. and Lydia (Cotton) Cox, of Holderness, N. H., who d. Oct. 4, 1891, and had nine children.

I. SALOMA, b. Mar. 10, 1851 ; d. same day.

II. RUTH S., b. July 1, 1853 ; m. John L. Shaw, of Rumney, N. H., Aug. 19, 1871.

III. HERBERT E., b. June 24, 1855.

IV. J. WARD, b. Sept. 10, 1859; d. Mar. 23, 1862.

V. L. GRACE, b. Nov. 5, 1863 ; d. Aug. 31, 1866.

VI. CYNTHIA M., b. Mar. 19, 1865 ; d. Aug. 25, 1874.

VII. LUCINDA, b. Oct. 21, 1868; d. same day.

VIII. ALICE M.,

IX. ALVAH C., ) twins, b. Sept. 27, 1870. ALICE m. Lewis E. Brown, Ash-

7. ANN, b. May 11, 1831 ; m. Samuel Tasker, of Saco, Me.

land, N. H., Jan. 18, 1893.

8. JOSEPH,

9. ELLEN, twins, b. June 14, 1833; d. in infancy.

Ichabod Cousins, a native of Kennebunk, said to have been a son of Ichabod, settled in the plantation of Little Falls, now Hollis, about 1780, be-

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COUSINS FAMILY.

ing one of the seven purchasers of the "Dalton Right," so-called, which tract bordered on the Saco and extended from the northwestern boundary of a "twenty-rod strip " near the brick house of " Uncle David Martin." He cleared a field and built a barn on the rear end of his lot near the Caleb Kimball place, but lived afterwards near the Robert Ridlon homestead on the Bonnie Eagle road. near the burying-ground. He married Dolly Cole. and by her had six children. He m., second, Susanna, widow of Tobias Lord, Sept. 15, 1808, and she had three children. Mr. Cousins lived to old age.

I. ICHABOD, b. in 1788 (?); intention of m. recorded Jan. 27, 1816, to Mary Wiggin. He settled in Baldwin, and had a family, of whom here- after. "Uncle Ichabod," like nearly all of the name, was a "mechanical man," and built barns and farm implements with facility.

2. SALLY, b. July 14, 1790; m. Robert Ridlon, of Hollis.

3. MARY, b. Mar. 21, 1791.

PRISCILLA, b. Feb. 29, 1796; d. May, 1798.

5. HANNAH, b. Sept. 7. 1797.

6. NATHANIEL, b. Feb. 2, 1798 ; in. Margaret Davis, in Hollis, and moved down east.

7. DOLLY, b. Jan. 9, 1808.

8. FANNY, b. Jan. 3, 1810; m. Thomas S. Hanson, who d. Oct. 1, 1837, aged 31 years. She m., second, John Sawyer, son of Jabez, called " John Jeff"; d. Apr. 26, 1883. Mr. Sawyer was killed by the cars at Saco.

9. JOSEPH, b. May 28, 1812; m. and has lived many years at Steep Falls ; has issue.

Hannah Consins, m., in Hollis, Feb. 15, 1807, to Elisha Berry.

Nathaniel Cousins, of Hollis, whose wife's name was Nancy, had chil- dren's names recorded in that town as follows. I do not know the history of this family; think they lived at Salmon Falls. Mr. Cousins d. Aug. 24. 1873.

I. NATHANIEL, b. Jan. 20, 1840 ; d. Oct. 10, 1842.

2. SAMUEL, b. Aug. 22, 1843.

3. DANIEL L., b. July 16, 1845.

1. MARY E., b. Aug. 27, 1847 : d. Feb. 25, 1852.

5. JANE M., b. Mar. 8, 1849.

6. SARAH A., b. July 16, 1851.

7 . ALONZO, b. Mar. 8, 1855; d. July 27, 1856.

8. DORCAS A., b. Feb. 2, 1856; d. Sept. 17, 1858.

Jonathan Cousins, whose origin I do not know, was an inhabitant of Buxton. His wife was named Elizabeth. Children's names as follows :

I. CAROLINE A., b. June 4, 1823.

2. JOEL M., b. Aug. 2, 1824.

3. ABRAHAM F., b. Aug. 19, 1827.

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COUSINS FAMILY.

4. BENJAMIN F., b. May 10, 1830.

5. GILBERT G., b. Dec., 1836; d. Feb., 1837.

6. ADRIAN, b. June 28, 1837.

7. MARY E., b. Sept., 1838.

Samnel Consins, of Kennebunk, probably a son of Ichabod, m. Abigail Deering, for a second wife, and had a family. Some of his descendants as will follow:

James Consins, son of preceding, b. Dec. 16, 1774; m. Hannah Webber, who was b. Oct. 31, 1788, and d. in 1845, aged 56. He d. in 1834, aged 49. There were fifteen children in this family and three pairs of twins. They were never all together but once, and then the father placed them in a line in the order of their ages. Issue as follows :

1. THOMAS, m. Patience Stevens ; second, Mary York.

2. SAMUEL, m. Sarah Goodwin.

3. WILLIAM, m. Mary Sawyer.

4. CHARLES, m. Abigail Pindar ; second, Caroline Downing.

5. JOHN, m. Sylvia Haley; settled in Poland, Me., and became wealthy. He had a family consisting of the following children :

I. COL. HUMPHREY, an early stage-driver and many years conductor on the Portland & Rochester trains; now living in Gorham.

II. WILLIAM.

III. THOMAS.

6. JAMES G., b. in Kennebunk, July 13. 1816. He was educated at the common and select schools of his native town, and at the age of 21 left home. After spending three years in Massachusetts and Georgia, he returned home, in 1840, and, in partnership with Bradford Oakes, engaged in mercantile business. At the end of two years Mr. Cousins had purchased his partner's interest and assumed the exclusive man- agement. He soon added a department of merchant-tailoring, in which he gave employment to a number of hands. He was also interested in vessels and shipped wood and lumber to Boston. He was appointed a justice of the peace in early life, and has done considerable probate business; also civil engineer and surveyor; prominent in Masonry and Odd Fellowship. He married, Apr. 13, 1842, Maria, dau. of David and Sarah Littlefield, of Kennebunk. No children of his own. The suc- cessful career of Mr. Cousins, won by his integrity and close applica- tion to his business, is a worthy example for the emulation of other young men who must fight the battles of life with only such resources as self-reliant ability can supply.

7. HON. ENOCH, b. in Kennebunk, Nov. 9, 1818; m., June 5, 1842, Bet- sey B., dau. of Nathaniel Lowe, Esq., of Lyman, by whom he had seven children. His wife d. Aug. 11, 1861, and Jan. 27, 1864, he m. Mary E., dau. of Andrew Luques, Esq., of Kennebunkport. Mr. Cousins re- ceived his education at the common schools and the academy in his native town. In 1827 he opened a country store at the lower village. In 1842 he removed to Kennebunkport, where he engaged successfully in business, and where he has continued and acquired wealth. He

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DAVIS FAMILY.

was commissioned captain of Infantry at the age of twenty; commis- sioned lieutenant-colonel of Ist Maine Regiment in his twenty-fourth year, but resigned. He was appointed postmaster in 1842, and served till 1849. In 1853 he was appointed deputy collector of customs for the port, his brother John being collector; these held the office till 1861 ; was several terms in the state legislature, and proved a very ef- ficient and useful member of that body, being a ready and forcible speaker. He has been identified with all affairs of local improvement for many years; class leader in the Methodist church for more than forty years. Seven children. He graduated his sons at the Wesleyan University and fitted his daughters for teaching. Children of Enoch :

I. WILLIAM F., b. July 28, 1844; d. Mar. 25, 1849.

II. MARIA E., b. Sept. 9, 1846 ; d. Oct. 23, 1849.

III. WILBER F., b. July 31, 1848; graduate Wesleyan University.

IV. FRANCIS H., b. Apr. 9, 1851 ; graduate Wesleyan University.

v. CLARA E.

VI. ELLA F.

VII. LUCY M.

8. HANNAH.

9. MARY.

10. ABIGAIL, m. George Shackley, of Portsmouth, N. H.

11. SUSAN E., m. Benjamin A. Brown, of Cambridgeport, Mass.

12. CATHARINE.

13. LUCv,

14. MALINDA. twins; d. in infancy.

Robert Cousins, son of Ebenezer, of Lyman, m. Priscilla, dau. of James and Hannah (Cousins) Ridlon, of Hollis. He was for many years a very prominent and useful citizen; chosen deacon in Congregational church, in 1834, and served in that office till 1862, when he probably died. He was one of the selectmen nearly all the time from 1818 to 1843; town clerk in 1830 and 1833. He had sons, JACOB and PAGE, and daughter PRISCILLA, who m. Benjamin Richards. A sister of Robert was the wife of Benjamin Tibbetts, of Lyman.

Davis Family.

This is an ancient Welsh surname usually spelled Davies by the numerous families in Wales; in England, mostly Davis. In Glamorganshire, Carmarth- enshire, Cardiganshire, and Monmouthshire, families named Davies are abun- dant. Among those who came early to the New World were DOLAR DAVIS, of Cambridge, Mass., 1634, proprietor in Groton, 1656; DANIEL, of Kittery, admitted freeman, 1652: GEORGE, of Boston, freeman, 1645; GEORGE, of Lynn. 1647; JAMES, of Haverhill, 1660, and THOMAS, of Saco, who was assessed for the support of public worship in 1636.

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DAVIS FAMILY.

Prominent among the New England representatives of the family was CAPT. SYLVANUS DAVIS, designated as "of Sheepscott," who was wounded by the Indians in 1675. He seems to have been an inhabitant of Arrowsic, where, as superintendent of the affairs of Clark and Lake upon the island and vicinity, he had an eminent character for integrity, prudence, and busi- ness enterprise. When the island was laid waste he removed to Falmonth and was in command of the garrison there when, by the combined forces of the French and Indians, it was attacked and taken, May 20, 1690. He was taken prisoner and marched twenty-four days through the wilderness to Que- bec, where he remained four months and was exchanged on Oct. 15th for a Frenchman who had been captured by Sir William Phipps. He was a worthy member of the Council under the Charter of William and Mary; represented as "a gentleman of good capacity and great fidelity." There is an interesting report of his adventures and captivity by Capt. Davis on file in the Massa- chusetts office of state. In his will of 1744 William Vaughan mentions "half a tract of land sold by Sonobus, Indian Sagamore, to Sylvanus Davis."

Another conspicuous member of this family was CAPT. JOHN DAVIS, who was a councilor from York in 16So; member of the first General Assembly under Massachusetts. As councilor, in 1685, he signed a treaty with the Indians which was confirmed under Danforth, 1689. He lived at York, where he had been commanding officer of a military company, and in the Revolu- tion had distinguished himself as a brave and discreet officer. In his will of Apr. 27. 1667, NICHOLAS DAVIS, of York, called Capt. John Davis " my loving friend," and appoints him an overseer of his will. I suppose these men were relatives, but do not know the degree.

We have now to do with a different character. JOHN DAVIS, blacksmith, moved from York to Saco in 1653. In 1656, then called " the smith of Win- ter Harbor," he was sentenced to receive thirty lashes, which punishment was inflicted by John Parker, and to pay a fine of fio. He soon after re- moved to Kennebunkport, for as an inhabitant of Cape Porpoise he was admonished, in 1670, for meddling with the affairs of his neighbors, and re- quired to either live with his wife or provide for her. His wife, Catherine, was also "presented" and fined "for reviling and slandering her neighbors and calling them rogues, and other vile speeches." At a court held in Wells, 1680, John Davis, of Cape Porpoise, was prohibited from publicly exercising upon the Lord's day, upon his peril, without some special allowance from authority. Shortly after, however, he was presented by the grand jury "for presuming to preach or exercise publicly since prohibited." He owned that he had "only preached privately" and was pardoned. The following year he was presented as living within Cape Porpoise and his wife at Winter Harbor :- "the said Davis not taking care of her maintenance, the woman being destitute of food and raiment, being constrayned to fetch rockweed to boil and eat to sustain life." On July 19, 1684, an agreement was made with John Davis, of Cape Porpoise, for his care of Francis White and diet, he to have fit in current pay. He was the deputy from Saco who " was disac- cepted as a scandalous person." In 1688 he was one of the selectmen and agreed with the town or inhabitants of Cape Porpoise to build a corn-mill in said place near the house of Richard Randall, "to be perfectly fit and suffi- cient to grind the people's corn, not to exceed for toll the 16th part of what he grindeth; and to tend said mill daily that the people might not suffer." In consideration of what he had undertaken the inhabitants obligated them-

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DAVIS FAMILY.

selves to furnish labor, money, or provisions toward erecting the mill. This agreement was recorded in the town books. In consequence of the Indian war the town was deserted shortly after, and before the resettlement Davis had died without accomplishing his purpose.

John Davis had a son, named EMANUEL, who seems to have been a " chip of the old block." In 1680 he was convicted for taking a false oath. He retired to Massachusetts when driven away by the Indians. In 1695, he and wife Mary, of Cape Porpoise, "now of New Town, Middlesex," sold forty acres of land to Samuel Hill, joining land of Richard Young: also a piece of marsh near "Prince's rock." It is not certain that Emanuel returned to Kennebunkport, but one of his descendants is said to have done so.

Nicholas Davis, of York, mide his will Apr. 27, 1667. His daughter m. Matthew Austin. The inventory of his estate was {102: 10: 6.

John Davis, "Gentleman," of Biddeford, made his will May 25, 1752 ; mentions his saw-mill and grist-mill on the eastern side of Saco river, and salt marsh at Little river ; wife's name, Elizabeth. He mentions ten children, some of whose descendants will be traced.

Jacob Davis, as "eldest son," received a "double portion" of his father's estate. He m. Elizabeth, and had, b. in Biddeford, children as follows :

I. ELIZABETH, b. Apr. 26, 1740.

2. RUTH, b. May 8, 1742.

3. JOHN G., b. July 21, 1747; served in the Revolution.

4. MARY, b. July 26, 1750.

5. JOSEPH, b. Sept. 10, 1753.

Ezra Davis is mentioned in his father's will. He was born in Biddeford, Feb. 20, 1720; m. and had a son of his name, but I cannot find any other mention of his family.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 67

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424