Tidbits of Local History

Arundel & Kennebunkport ME

aka Cape Porpus

Last Updated 09-Jan-02

A 1666 deed describes a local feature as "an old Wigwame that once Goody Trot did make and liue in"
A 1681 deed mentions "at the upper falls, near the Indian planting ground."
An Indian squaw named Dinah was "an occassional visitor, tolerated by the community and in no way dangerous". She was murdured by an inhabitant.
[perhpas abt.1724] A squaw called Dinah, in endeavoring to escape from her pursuers, got the edge of her snow shoe in the crevice of a rock, and was unable to extricate it before she was taken. She cried for quarter, but the whites with as little mercy as the savages, put her to death. The rock, near the house of George Bickford, still bears the name of Dinah's rock.
[1724] Lieut. Prescott, ... In crossing Harding's ferry, about the middle of April on his return home; he was recognized by some Indians commanded by Capt. Nathaniel, who were lying in ambush. ... inhabitants of the town, and a friendly Indian, offered to escort him to Cape Porpoise. ... His escort, when they were assailed, leaped from their horses, and returning the whoop of the Indians, stood upon the defensive. Those in ambuscade, fearing there might be Indians in the neighborhood friendly to the whites, did not repeat their fire. [Even in time of war, there are 'friendly' Indians at Cape Porpus.]
A noted chief, named Capt. Nathaniel, who was extremely troublesome to this town, was supposed to be an English child, stolen by the Indians in his infancy. One dark night, wishing to know if there was a watch, kept at Huff's garrison, he flashed his gun to see if it would cause any alarm. Mr. Huff himself was on guard, and discharged his musket in the direction of the light. His ball went so near one of Nathaniel's eyes as to destroy its sight.
[abt 1722 Samuel Sayer] with Ebenezer Lewis, John Felt and William Wormwood, while rafting timber upon Gooch Creek, were surprised and killed by a party of savages led by Tom Wawa, a Pequaket chieftain.
Wahwa (or Sunrise) was brought up in an English family, but was induced to join the French and Indians, by the offer of the command of a company. He was well known in this town, having visited it frequently, both in times of war and peace.
Wawa dwelt for a portion of the time on Great Hill, in this vicinity. During the fifth Indian war (1745) Wawa was wounded by a shot from Larrabee's fort. Larrabee, who was extraordinarily watchful, noticed something strange about a cart which had been left near the fort, and tried the effect of a charge of buckshot among the shadows. Retreating footsteps were heard, and in the morning marks of blood were discerned. Wawa after the war confessed to having been the person wounded. He asserted that nothing but Larrabee's watchfulness had saved the garrison on several occasions.
After peace was firmly established, Wahwa used unfeelingly to describe to Mr. Baxter, the inhuman manner in which his wife was killed, and boast of his agency in her murder. Mr. Baxter's friends advised him to roll the savage into a well, as he was lying intoxicated near its brink, but he refused to do it.
[abt 1728 a] Wedding party included a chief's daughter in gay native costume as one of the brides maids, and her father, who brought a deer as his contribution to the feast. Other Indians were undoubted present, but the chief and the princess were the conspicious guests. [This ceremony was by Mr. Eveleth the 1st pastor - does anyone know who the happy couple might be?]

Local Indians Named in Area Deeds

Flewellen "the only son of late Sosowen" - 1660
Segeweha & his wife - 1660
Mary Megonusqua - 1660
Mogg Heigon / Hegone "of Sacoe River sunn & heyre to Walter Higgon Sagamore of sayd river ... now deceased" - 1669

Special Section on Cape Porpus Indian Raids & Captives

The Phillip Durrell Family

10-Aug-1703
[Indians] 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 August, 1703, the Indians came up the river in his absence and carried off his wife and their children, Rachel, Susan, Benjamin and the baby Philip. At Pigwacket Mrs. Durell persuaded her captors to allow her to return with her baby, and an Indian kindly carried the child as far as Fort Mary in Saco.
[There is evidence that this first Mrs. Durrell was an Indian woman - which would explain why the Indians gave her up so easily.]
The others reached Canada and are on the list of 1710/11 prisoners as "Benjamin Dudy, Rachel Dudy, Sarah Dudy" (an error for Susan). [the History of Kennebunkport says that the girls married Frenchmen and refused to return when the war was ended. Coleman found no record of them in Canada. Benjamin returned from captivity about 1711.]
Oct-1726
Mrs. Durrell having been kindly treated in 1703 feared nothing during this disturbed period, but Mrs. Baxter was apprehensive and had that day begged her husband not to go to the river's mouth with her father. They tried to reassure her, but no sooner had the men gone than the Indians rushed in. [We have good reason to believe that this Mrs. Durrell is of the Purrington family and is NOT the same woman taken in 1703.]
Mrs. Durell was again taken and with her, her son John, daughter Sarah (married to John Baxter) and Sarah's little child.
Philip Durell of Kennebunk went from his house with one of his sons to work, the sun being about two hours high, leaving at home his wife, a son twelve years old and a married daughter with a child twenty months old. A little before sunset Philip returned to find all his family gone, his house set on fire, chests split open and clothing gone; he searched the woods and found no one killed.
When Durell came back at the end of the day he was first alarmed because his boy did not run to meet him; his fears were strengthened by seeing feathers - from the bed sacks - flying all about, and in the empty house he found chairs piled within and around the fireplace. He raised an alarm and in quick pursuit the Indians were followed.
Mrs. Durell was lame; Mrs. Baxter's condition made it impossible for her to keep up; the baby was in the way; the two women they cruelly and brutally murdered, the child was dashed against a tree trunk. This was near Duck Brook.
[the next April] "We hear from the Eastward that the poor people who were taken from Kennebunk last fall were all killed except the boy, and that there were nine from St. Francoise did it and pretend they would not have killed them had not our English followed them so closely."
The day after the tragedy Col. John Wheelwright sent a letter to Boston, ... he says that three suspected Indians had been seized and secured in Fort Mary and it was decided "to send 'em round to Boston for further examination." There they were shut up at the Castle and closely examined, whereupon they presented a Memorial proposing that one be allowed to return on his Parole that he might try to discover the author of the mischief and to have the captives restored. Two Indians were permitted to go on their promise to make "Restitution for ye Creatures they killed" and a reward was promised if they succeeded. ... A young son of one was kept as hostage ... The Two Indians ... Ogickfando, who had left the hostage boy, and Quinoise. The first had wounded his leg, which with other things had hindered their errand. One said "I heard When the Indians took that family, the English pursued them very quick, and the Indians were afraid of being Discovered and so they kill'd three of the English and the Boy they carried away."
After peace was firmly established, Wahwa used unfeelingly to describe to Mr. Baxter, the inhuman manner in which his wife was killed, and boast of his agency in her murder.
John aged twelve was exchanged in about two years. His father prayed for some Consideration "on the Account of his Son John Dorrels being carried away Captive by the St Francois Indians, who at the same time carried away his Wife, Daughter & her Child, & destroyed much of his Substance, his Son being now returned from Captivity almost naked." In answer on June 5, 1729, ten Pounds was allowed for Cloathing the Petitioner's Son.
It is said that John "ever after appeared more like an Indian than a white man."

The Stephen Harding Family

Mr. Harding was a pilot (guide) during Dummers War "having hunted many yrs. from the Saco to the Winnipesaukee Ponds."
Harding was a very athletic man, but remarkably good natured. He always treated the Indians kindly in times of peace; and his life was frequently spared by them, when they had an opportunity to shoot him. He was fond of hunting, and would frequently be gone from home a fortnight on a hunting expedition; and wander as far as the White Hills. So much had he become accustomed to the Indian mode of warfare, that he was a match for them, in their own peculiar method of fighting.
[1703] 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 themselves. ... 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, where his services as a blacksmith were much needed.
... it was supposed that Tabitha Littlefield of Wells, a child, was killed [in a 1703 raid]. Some years afterwards, when Mrs. Harding, who was a relative of hers, was trading with the Indians at her own house, a young squaw, who was standing near her, asked her if she did not remember Tabitha Littlefield, and immediately darted from the house. Search was made for her and every inducement offered the Indians to influence them to give her up, but without success.

Important Facts About This Place For Researchers
Date	Fact	Notes
by 1646	area settled	as Cape Porpus (Cape Porpoise)
1719	Incorporated	as Arundel
1821	name changed	to Kennebunkport
1915	set off & Incorporated	North Kennebunkport included modern Arundel
1957	renamed	No. Kennebunkport to Arundel
from the beginning	York Co.
	local names	Cape Porpus Bartlett Mills Goose Rocks Turbat Creek Alewife Days Mill

Local History Menu

Arundel & Kennebunkport ME

aka Cape Porpus

Local Indians Named in Area Deeds

Special Section on Cape Porpus Indian Raids & Captives

The Phillip Durrell Family

10-Aug-1703

Oct-1726

The Stephen Harding Family