Stage Island Fort

Google Books useful for York County Research

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 09:50:22 -0500

Books in Sharon's library at Google Books

Search very early York County deeds. For recent deeds, set up a free account at the York County Registry of Deeds here http://www.york.me.us.landata.com/ and search their database. To see deeds in between you will have to visit the courthouse in Alfred, Maine. It is worth the trip though, as York County Probate records are kept there as well. For current information about home ownership and address use the Vision Appraisal Database here http://www.visionappraisal.com/databases/

Collections, Documentary History, etc. of the maine historical society are full of historical information about York County.

Collections of and Proceedings of the massachusetts historical society also contain a wealth of information about York County as it was part of Massachusetts 1653 through 1820 with a few early gaps due to territorial battles in England.

Two really good Gbooks that describe everyday life in Colonial New England are Social Life in Old New England by Mary Caroline Crawford http://www.google.com/books?id=RrLBiM9H-acC&printsec=frontcover&dq=label:%22colonization%22&lr=

and The Customs of New England by Joseph Barlow Felt http://www.google.com/books?id=tizU6dsA2p8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=label:%22colonization%22&lr=

Early issues of New England Historical Genealogical Register are on Google Books at nehgr

Studying Early sources for Maine History

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 00:29:51 -0500

Books in Sharon's library Google Books

deeds

maine historical society

massachusetts historical society

The Rev Thomas Prince (1687-1758) published a chronology of known New England history in 1736. The book was already extremely rare in 1826 when it was reprinted in A Chronological History of New England History .

The preface of the chonology cites the sources Thomas Prince used for his research. It reads

RELATING THE RISE, DESIGN, AND PROGRESS OF THIS COMPOSURE.
Next to the Sacred History, and that of the Reformation, I was from my early youth instructed in the history of this country. And the first book of this kind put into my hand, was The New-England Memorial, composed by Mr. Secretary Morton ; being the History of Plymouth Colony from the beginning to 1668. Gov.
Thomas Dudley's Letter to the countess of Lincoln, informed me of the beginning of the Massachusetts Colony. Mr. William Hubbard and Mr. Increase Mather's Narratives of the Indian Wars in, 1637, 1675 and 1676, with Mr. Cotton Mather's History of the Indian Wars from 1688 to 1698, gave me a sufficient view of those
calamitous times. Mr. Matthew Mayhew's Account of the Vineyard Indians, Mr. Increase Mather's Record of Remarkable Providences, Mr. Cotton Mather's Lives of Mr. Cotton, Norton, Wilson, Davenport, Hooker, Mitchel, Eliot, and Sir William Phipps, increased my knowledge ; and much more was it advanced, upon
the coming out of the last mentioned author's EcclesJastical History of New England, in folio, in 1702. Yet still I longed to see all these things disposed in the order of time wherein they happened, together with the rise and progress of the several towns, churches, counties, colonies, and provinces throughout this country.

Collections of the Maine Historical Society Vol I By Maine Historical Society

Treasure found at Richmond's Island 1855

Publications of the Prince Society

The Beginnings of Colonial Maine By Henry Sweetser Burrage

Sun, 25 May 2008 09:02:55 -0500

Articles by Sharon Cummins

Gosnold Sects and the Settlement

Search for the Stage Island Fort (in process) Sketch by Frank W. Handlen

Battle of Cape Porpoise Goat Island Light Sketch by Frank W. Handlen

What Maine was like in the Seventeenth Century First Hand

Sun, 25 May 2008 09:08:02 -0500

Narratives Contemporary to Events

Gosnold's Voyage 1602

BRIEFE AND TRUE RELATION OF THE DISCOVERIE OF THE NORTH PART OF VIRGINIA, 1602, BY JOHN BRERETON

http://books.google.com/books?id=khUOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA340&dq=brereton+gosnold&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=7f42SImzBJzkyASXpOzLDw#PPA323,M1

Martin Pring's Voyage 1603

A VOYAGE SET OUT FROM THE CITIE OF BRISTOLL, 1603, BY MARTIN PRING

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ka0CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA345&dq=martin+Pring+1603&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=DAY3SLWAFIKWzATrzfyiDw#PPA341,M1

Waymouth's 1605 Voyage

A TRUE RELATION OF THE VOYAGE OF CAPTAINE GEORGE WAYMOUTH, 1605, BY JAMES ROSIER

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ka0CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA345&dq=martin+Pring+1603&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=DAY3SLWAFIKWzATrzfyiDw#PPA353,M1

Champlain's Voyage in 1605 published in 1613

Map of Saco or Chauacoit http://www.usm.maine.edu/~maps/exhibit2/12.jpg

Voyages of Samuel de Champlain By Samuel de Champlain Published by the Prince Society

http://books.google.com/books?id=nqwBAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA151&dq=champlain+map+saco&as_brr=1&ei=6w83SNGdDIT6yASG8aXMDw#PRA1-PA63,M1

Narrative describing Chauacoit begins on page 63. The legend for his map is on pg 65

Writings of Fernando Gorges

Sir Ferdinando Gorges and his province of Maine: By James Phinney Baxter, Ferdinando Gorges,

http://books.google.com/books?id=itrlEojYnHEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22James+Phinney+Baxter%22&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=SQk3SLneDKHayATm3u3LDw#PPA18,M1

References to Richard Vines at Winter Harbor appear page 18

Christopher Levett's narrative of his experiences at Saco and Cape Porpoise in 1623

Christopher Levett, of York: The Pioneer Colonist in Casco Bay By James Phinney Baxter

http://books.google.com/books?id=gwKwEbZhv3cC&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=%22captain+christopher+levett%22+baxter&source=web&ots=UQCXGw7WEY&sig=TgI59Nu2JpyTwoClPFTvkl6hFPk&hl=en#PPR5,M1

Christopher Leavitt, who explored and described the coast of Southern Maine in 1623, ended up settling in Portland. This book by Baxter, (of the Maine Historical Society) first describes what is known about Leavitt's life and then includes an annotated copy of Leavitt's A Voyage into New England. He does not say much about Cape Porpoise, specifically but he talks about the active fishing that had been carried on in the years previous and he describes very friendly interactions with the Indians.

John Winthrop 1630-1649

Winthrop's Journal, "History of New England," 1630-1649 By John Winthrop

http://books.google.com/books?id=SBcOAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22john+winthrop%22&as_brr=1&ei=-hw3SLjpMoKWzATrzfyiDw

George Cleeve 1630-1667

George Cleeve of Casco Bay: 1630-1667, with Collateral Documents By James Phinney Baxter http://books.google.com/books?id=12QFAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=george+cleeve+baxter&as_brr=1&ei=SxU3SJOEDoGuywSYlq2XDg

Letters to John Winthrop re Vines vs Cleeves 1640-1646 Maine Historical Society

http://books.google.com/books?id=-1YMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA337&dq=%22richard+vines%22&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=v7gxSMu6EKqGzASAl4GqCQ

Narratives of the Indian Wars, 1675-1699

http://books.google.com/books?id=8wC6xlH73LwC&pg=PA5&dq=narrative+of+the+indian+wars+mather&as_brr=1&ei=sRY3SPaLNI28zATCronMDw#PPR5,M1

Edward Randolph 1676-1703

http://books.google.com/books?id=69pdVxw75cEC&pg=PA88&dq=puddington+saco&as_brr=1&ei=LK8xSKa0NKSMygT0jfnOAw#PPP9,M1

Andros Tracts Published by the Prince Society

http://books.google.com/books?id=n8MSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA32&dq=puddington+saco&as_brr=1&ei=LK8xSKa0NKSMygT0jfnOAw#PPR3,M1

Lieu. John Purington

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:45:00 -0500

History of Kennebunkport from It's First Discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602 to 1837.

"...Hath given, granted and confirmed and by these presents doth fully, clearly and absolutely give, grant and confirm unto the above mentioned John Barrett, sen. John Purrington and John Batson, trustees as above expressed, all that tract or parcel of land within the township of Cape Porpus, in said province, according to the bounds and limits of the sd. township, to them formerly granted by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Knight, or by any of his agents...." pages 44-45

"January 24th, 1688-9. Ten chosen five selectmen and a constable, at a legal town meeting, legally warned by Order, for selectmen and other officers. For selectmen, Lieu. John Purington, John Downing, John Miller, John Davis, Richard Randall. For constable Immanuel Haynes. For Town clerk, Lieu. John Purinton. For lott layers, and surveyors, Lieu. Purinton, Richard Randall, John Sanders, John Miller. William Barton, Jacob Wormwood." pages 48-49

"The frequent changes of government and the fear of the Indians, greatly retarded the growth of Maine. The inhabitants chose Concils of safety for their own protection...War was declared between France and England December 7th, 1689, which increased the expenses of the colonists to such a degree that Massachusetts issued bills of credit, which was the origin of paper money.

The year that war was declared Mr. Bussy, and Mr. Barrow with their families had been taken prisoners and carried to Teconnet. Six hundred troops were stationed at the different settlements in Maine for their protection. Of this number, 'a company of men under the command of Lieut. Puddington, were stationed at the fort at Kennebunk.'" pages 49-50

"The fort was on Stage Island, at Cape Porpoise, and was commanded by John Purinton, one of the selectmen and the town clerk of the town." page 50

"In consequence of the active measures of the colonists, 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 inhabitants of Cape Porpoise began to make preparations for returning to their homes.

Search was made for the town records without success. It being understood that they were amongst the effects of Lieut. Purinton, who was not dead, application 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 Porpus, 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." page 52

"Humphrey Scamman (who was probably the son of the Richard Scamman that was admitted freeman at Portsmouth in 1642) removed from Portsmouth to Kittery Point and afterwards to this town. He was chosen constable of the town in 1678. He went to Saco June 12th, 1680 and kept the ferry over Saco river. In 1693, he and his family were taken prisoner and carried to Canada. He died 1st January 1727. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. His children were Humphrey, Elizabeth, Mary, Hannah and Rebecca. Mary married Lieut. Purinton; and Hannah, Allison Brown. Scamman's descendants are very numerous in Saco." page 88

"John Purinton,-sometimes called Purrington and sometimes Puddington, was the son of George Purinton, one of the first aldermen of the city of Gorgeana, (York) which was incorporated in 1641. Mary, the wife of George, had to make a confession of her 'light carriage', and ask her husband's pardon, on her knees, in open court. After her husband's death (by his will he lift his wife a flock bed) in 1647 she married Capt. John Davis of Gorgeana. George Purinton left five children, John, Elias, Mary, Frances and Rebecca. John married Mary Scamman and removed to this town. He was on the grand jury in 1663; and town clerk and one of the selectmen until the town was deserted. In 1691, he had a grant of land from this town, to be laid out 'as convenient to his now dwelling house as it may be had (he lived at the turn of Kennebunk River above intervale point-Town Records).

Lieut. Purinton wrote a very good hand and was a man of good education and he took a very active part in the affairs of the town...In 1688 he was a Lieutenant and commanded a company of men stationed at the fort on Stage Island...He left the town when it was deserted in 1690 and died two or three years afterwards. He left three sons, John, James and Joshua and perhaps other children. John was a house carpenter and removed to Salisbury. James administered upon his father's estate; and was required by the court to produce the records of the town, which had been in the possession of the family. Joshua, who married a daughter of Philip Durrell, was a shoe maker and resided in Hampton in 1720. He had a grant of 100 acres of land, in 1732 and was made a proprietor of the town for producing Danforth's deed when the town was threatened with a lawsuit." page 89

In 1666 he lived in Cape Porpus
He wa spart owner of all the land between the carrying places upon the Merriconeag, Beginning at the head of the west branch of the Widegon Cove to West Bay. He also owned all the tract of land upon Grand Island and Jabeage Island. They were driven from this land by the Indian Wars of 1676. He took the "Oathe Of Allegiance" at Cape Porpus Plantation on 30 March, 1680.
On the Grand Jury 30th of June and on Jury Inquest August 1685. Town Clerk and Selectman until 1690 and died two years later.

Nicholas Moorey/Morey

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:56:05 -0500

Nicholas Moorey was born 1663 son of Thomas and Mary of East Worldham, co Hants. He emigrated in 1675. He had a Wells grant in Aug 1684. Married Mary Pendleton Cross between Oct 1684 and March 1685. He bought 150 acres at Cape Porpus Feb 1685-6. See http://www.mykennebunks.com/map%20settlers%201680-1700%20web.JPG . He had a tavern licence there Oct 1686-1687, was a grand jurer 1687 and a selectman 1688. His house, which was being Garrisoned, was burned by Indians in April 1689. After his heroic departure from Cape Porpus he moved to Taunton, MA by 1692, Freetown 1716 and Dighton 1722 where he died 4 Mar 1730-1. Letters from Nicholas Morey to his nephew in London were printed in thr NEHGS register vol 35:235. Also see his family home in England http://www.fieldclub.hants.org.uk/publications/news44/build44a.html

Legislators of the Massachusetts General Court, 1691-1780

Freetown HR 1721M; selectman 1688; M Mary (Pendleton) (Britton) Cross (c1653-1732) in c1685, no ch; innkeeper, carpenter; will. Three black slaves. Moved from Wells to Taunton, Freetown, and Dighton by 1722. No committees.

1956 Pendleton g 42-9; Torrey 518; Bristol Co Prob Abs 1:193, 195, Gen Dic of ME & NH

I just ordered Twelve Thousand Years: American Indians In Maine - Bruce J. Bourque

Mr. Bourque is the archeologist whose 1975 letter mentioned a drawing of the fort.

The Baxter Manuscripts

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 17:46:59 -0500

Vol V pg 57-59 and page 91 which lists Garrisons, Soldiers &c, in the Province of Maine as of April the 30th 1690.

#6 Winter Harbour Garrison Edw Sergent Com & 4 Soldiers

#7 Winter Harbour Neck pendleton fletcher Com noe Soldiers

saco falls, Cape porpus and Kenebunk all gone away

Vol 2 Documentary Series pg 331 another Cape Porpoise fort at Kennebunk River?

Vol iv pg 88

Who were the settlers?

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:33:34 -0500

This group of men assisted in building a mill in 1687:

John Loring, John Barrett, William Thomas, Richard Blancher, Thomas Mussey, Wm Barton, Jacob Wormwood, John Miller, Simon Cundy, Emanuuel Davis, John Sanders, Jr(def), John Batson, John Rennals.

Others who may have been here in 1690:

Nicholas Moorey, John Davis, John Rennals, John Purington, Thomas Boardman, Thomas Beers, Thomas Kimball, Samuel Scadlock

"January 24th, 1688-9. Ten chosen five selectmen and a constable, at a legal town meeting, legally warned by Order, for selectmen and other officers. For selectmen, Lieu. John Purington, John Downing, John Miller, John Davis, Richard Randall. For constable Immanuel Haynes. For Town clerk, Lieu. John Purinton. For lott layers, and surveyors, Lieu. Purinton, Richard Randall, John Sanders, John Miller. William Barton, Jacob Wormwood." pages 48-49

To Do and Status

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:40:32 -0500

I sent an email to Maine State Archives and Maine Historical Society in search of reputed drawing/map of the fort referred to by State Archiologist in 1975. Note in fort file. I await answers. Will post

I should go to Alfred and look up the deed from Thomas Stone to Electric Road Co. in 1897. It looks like Stone aquired the Island from Andrew Perkins in 1877 359-518, who got it from his grandfather 175-52 partial rights. Might be muddy.

I should go to Kennebunk Free Library to see what Andrew Walker had to say about the fort.

Andrew Walker does not mention the Fort or Nicholas Morey or John Puddington