Lieu. John Purington
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.
Posted by kennebunks
at 7:45 PM EST
lucky
quizzical
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.
