The two most complete sets of historic maps of the area are from 1856 and 1872, when maps were created for all York County towns. The 1856 set, Map of York County Maine from Actual Survey, was published by J.L. Smith Co., based on the work of the surveyor, J. Chase. The 1872 set were […]
– That People of Color were enslaved by many of the area’s most prominent citizens? They included Col. John Bourne, Hannah and Capt. John Fairfield, Capt. Tobias Lord and Lt. Tobias Lord, Margaret and Rev. Samuel Emery, Edward Emerson, Waldo Emerson, John and Elizabeth Goodale, Joseph Hill, Nathaniel Hill, Joseph Hobbs,Rev. John Hovey, Samuel Jefferds, […]
Dear Friends, Starting this year, I’ll be writing quarterly insider updates on the Museum’s operations and strategic planning, so you can stay informed about what’s happening now and what’s on the horizon for us. I hope you will send along questions, thoughts or ideas you may have – your input and advice is always appreciated! […]
We have included in the database as much information about Indigenous individuals as we’ve been able to locate, including entries for Ramanascho, Sasagohaway. and Wane Doney, along with those with more recent ties to our area, including Joseph Nicolar, Lucy Nicolar Poolah, and Leslie Ranco. Yet the stories of most of the Indigenous people who […]
In 1780, when the Massachusetts Constitution went into effect, slavery was legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of which Maine was a part until 1820. During the years 1781 to 1783, in three related cases known today as “the Quock Walker case,” the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court applied the principle of judicial review to abolish […]
The Brick Store Museum preserves over 55,000 objects and archives relating to the history, art and cultures of Kennebunk and the surrounding communities. Nearly a year ago (March 2024), the Museum hosted a “March Madness” competition, during which museum visitors voted for their “favorite” piece of art from the Museum’s list of conservation projects. In […]
Here are some examples of how slavery was not uncommon amongst the prominent businessmen of early Wells (which included Kennebunk until 1820). “In 1728, a grant was made, by the ‘proprietors,’ of the old mill lot to Joseph Hill and John Storer, which was laid out and the bounds renewed, “as formerly of three hundred […]
On March 20, 1830, the following statement came forth from the White House: “Whereas it has been represented to me that the American Brig Volant … belonging to Adam Stone and Asa Fairfield, citizens of the United States residing in Kennebunk, State of Maine, has been seized by the Customs House Officers of the United […]
Thomas Wells (1672-1737) and John Wells (1670-1748) were brothers, and the sons of John Wells. They were prominent citizens of the town of Wells. They both enslaved “servants” and passed this “property” to their heirs. The story of Jeff is particularly notable as it involved several generations of the Wells family. Thomas Wells “was chosen […]
Speaking a name and telling someone’s story is a remarkable feeling. Especially if that person is “lost to time” – just a name scrawled in a payroll book, or a letter signed only “your loving son,” or even nothing at all – only a mark on a census sheet. Then step-by-step and page by page, […]