Archangel, when " his trump shall awake the dead to life."
The names of most of the prisoners who were carried to Canada
have been preserved. There were Sarah and her sister, daughters
of Lieut. Clark ; Capt. Sylvanus Davis, Lieut. Anthony Brackett,
' Hon. J. H. Drummond has furnished me with the following, viz.: "John
Parker was the second son of John Parker, " the fisherman," who came from
Biddeford in England, and was in Saco in 1636, but went afterwards to George-
town, and in 1650 bought Parker's Island of the Indians. The date of the
fathers' death is unknown, but it was before July, 1661. The son, John, was
born in Saco, according to tradition ; he married, Aug. 20, 1660, Mary Fair-
field, daughter of Daniel Fairfield, of Boston ; he purchased of the Indians
nearly all the territory that makes the present town of Phippsburg ; other
parties claimed, under other titles, and on July 15, 1684, Richard Wharton
made an indenture with him, in which it was recited that John Parker " for
twenty years past has been seized of lands between Kennebec river and Casco
Bay, bounded on the north by Winnegance Creek," and by which Parker's
land was conferred to him, in whole and in part. His son James was killed
with him ; his daughter Elizabeth, then unmarried, administered on his estate
in 1700; he left another son, Daniel, the great-grandfather of Isaac Parker, the
celebrated Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. According
to the deposition of John Phillips, John Parker had three other daughters, but
it is quite certain that he fell into the error of confounding another John Par-
ker, who had three daughters, with this John Parker.
^Thomas Cloice was the son of John and Julian Cloice. He married
Susannah, a dau. of Geo. Lewis. He had three children. (Willis, p. 292).
3 Seth and Anthony Brackett were the sons of Anthony, who with his brother
Thomas, were among the earliest settlers of Casco. They both came from
Portsmouth, N. H., and occupied an important place in our former history.
They are the ancestors of all of that name who reside with us. Anthony, the
elder, was killed at the battle on his farm in 1689. Of the children by his first
wife, Lieut. Anthony, was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Loyall, and
escaped in September following. He rendered the country very acceptable
service during the war, and finally settled in Boston. Seth. the second son, was
killed at the time of the capture of the fort. Thomas, the brother of the first
Anthony, was killed by the Indians in 1676, and his family carried into captivity.
(Willis, p. 290).
82 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
jr., James Ross,^ Thomas Parker,' Peter Morrill, James Alex-
ander, 3 Joshua Swanton (a boy), Samuel Yorke,'* Samuel Souter,
Thomas Baker (a boy), Hannah Wharton,5 or Swarton, and
George Gray.'
These were carried away by the French and Indians, and gen-
erally received good treatment from their captors. Some of them
in years after were restored to their former homes and friends.
Others could not resist the allurements of the Catholic church, be-
came devotees to that religion, and remained in their new homes
during their lives, and at their deaths, found their rest on the
banks of that beautiful river of the north.
I was very fortunate in finding in the Secretary of State's office,
Boston, the following paper, which has never been published, or I
think ever referred to :
[Hutchinson's Papers, Vol. 3, Leaf 401].
" A tru Relation giuen by Robert Watson Captaine before the Commanders
of the souilders at Wells the 25 of May, 1690:
Consarning the maner of the taking and distroying of Casco bay.
That on friday morning being the 16 day of May now last Past one Robert
Watson being wanting thare Isued out of seueriell garisons twenti six men in
sarche of him of which 20 was killed in uery litell time. Imediately the enemi
foute with the garison M'' Ingerson and stoutely resisted untill euening at which
time the aminition being dun thay of the s<^ garison Isued out and got to the
' "Among the names of English captives rescued by Mathew Gary at Quebec
in Oct., 1695, "^^''^ J^"^* Ross, Cascow, Jam^ Alexander do., Josp^* Swarton boy,
do. names of those Remaining still in the hands of the ffrench at Canada,
Sam" York of Cascow, Sara Dauis Cascow, gerll, Tho^ Baker boy, do. George
Gray Do. Do." (N. E. His. and Gen. Reg., 24, 289).
^ James Ross was born in Falmouth, 1662, son of James. He was taken pris-
oner with his father's family in 1676, and again in 1690 (at the capture of the
fort). He was a shoemaker by trade, and occupied his father's farm at Back
Cove. On his return from his second captivity he resided at Salem. He was
living in Salem in 1724." (Willis, p- 298).
3 John Gyles in the narrative of his captivity, speaks of meeting on the St.
John's river a captive named James Alexander, a Jerseyman, who was taken at
Falmouth. (Willis, p. 286).
* See statement of Samuel York, post.
5 See Hannah Swarton's account of her captivity, post.
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 83
fort withe ondl-y the damage of one man wounded at which fort the enemi as-
salted all nite the 17 daj' in the morning m' Laronce sent to Cap' Dauis for
supli of men which was refused with aduice giuen to s"* Larance that he shoulde
Come to the forte whiche he did without the los of a man whare the enemi
Continued thare assault untill untill munday morning at whiche time thay fired
two houses which stood ueari neare the forte and Continaied and Continued
thare assault untill tuesday untill 12 or one a Clicke at which time thay had
brought to Perfection trenches oute of whiche thay put Burche rines withe fire
arowes to the forte with sunie furi and dilegence that thay within ware not able
to resist and seing no other way but either yeild or end in the dredful flames
treated withe the enemi and upon solum Protestations to them made that all the
english thare should be safely Conducted without ani want of Prouision to Pis-
catoqua thay Pretended all was waste so far the forte was sorendered about thre
cures before sunset which being dun these Profidious Promesers Imediately
Captivated all and Caring them a litell way whare thay did after astrange and
Cruell maner binde them to stackse in the grounde streched as though on racks
the Cause of whiche is suposed by the approche of same uesills Rescind
whiche thay lay all alonge the shore excepte the guarde on the Captiues whiche
was aboute 500 the whole then being aboute 500: 300 Indians of which Hope-
hood was Ceinrell about 200 frenche of whiche one Burno (or Burns) Com-
mander the number of Canews thay had about two hundred in sum of whiche
the s^ Watson saw foure in sum thre the leaste two Indians besides the squaes
the said Watson giues an ace" of aboute 40 Persons killed and 68 Captiuated
of whiche Captiues there is 38 men was in the forte when surendred nine
women and twenti Children. Sam^i Sherbon Cap'
The Enemi dothe yet Remaine Shederike Waltin, Capt.
in wells make what haste you Can Joseph Storer ' Ljutanants
for oure Incuragement. Icobod Plaisted^
yourse to sarve in what wee may Richr"! Brior
Sam" Wheelwright
John litelfield
There is somewhat of a conflict of opinions as to how long the
' Joseph Storer was the son of Wm. Storer of Dover, and was born in 1648.
He was actively engaged at Wells in the manufacture of lumber. He was com-
missioned a lieutenant, had command of a garrison, but was not called into
any active service requiring his absence from the garrison. He married Han-
nah, dau. of Roger Hill of Saco, and had eight children He died in 1730.
At the period of his death he was the wealthiest man in Wells, leaving an es-
tate appraised at $5,000. (History of Wells, pp. 331, l^'^.
^ Ichabod Plaisted, sixth son of Roger and Olive ; was judge of Probate,
1716-15; married 5th of January, 1692, Mary, daughter of Christopher Jose, of
Portsmouth, and had four children. He died at Piscataqua, i6th of Nov.,
171 5, in his 52d year. (Wentworth Gen., I, 298). w. M. S.
84 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
siege of Fort Loyall lasted. All the accounts, both French and
English, that I have had access to, agree that it lasted five days
and four nights. Capt. Davis says: "The i6th of May, 1690,
about dawning began our fight, the 20th at 3 o'clock afternoon we
were taken."
My friend, Wm. M. Sargent, Esq., has kindly furnished me with
copies of some papers in reference to the capture of Casco and
Fort Loyall, which he has found in the Massachusetts archives,
and the following gives a somewhat different version from the
statements of Capt. Davis and others :
'• LETTER TO MAJOR VAUGHAN AT PORTSMOUTH.
Saco y^ 18* May 1690.
Maj'' vahan or Maj'' davis.
Sr these with respects to you and to acquant you that yesterday Casco fort is
taken and Burnd down : we have account pr 2 men went frome Spurwinks and
saw it a fire we hard fight 2 days and nights.
Our bubble Request to you is to send vesselles to Carry of our women and
children and what we have or else we perrish.
So I remain Your friend & St.
Edward Sargent.'
and if possible men to asist us carry of our cattle.
(Mass. Archives, 36, p. 70).
' Edward Sargent, son and oldest child of John Sargent (mentioned below),
born at Saco, 8th March, 1661 ; called " Captain R. D. C," in 1690 ; was early
entrusted with responsible positions by his fellow-townsmen; Dec. 3, 1681, ;
was chosen to agree on a highway, with Cape Porpoise men; 21st May, 1688, I
was chosen Commissioner for Saco and Cape Porpoise. The date of the birth j
of his fourth child shows that he removed his wife and family to Portsmouth >
for safety, at the outbreak of the Second War, but himself remained at his I
post as captain of the fort at Saco, as is shown by the mention of him and
his letter in New Eng. Hist. & Gen. Reg., V, 367 ; and Recorder, II, 139. The 1
record and the date of his election is unfortunately lost with the other Saco 1
records. After the war, he dwelt at Portsmouth, till his marriage with his sec- \
end wife, the widow Bradstreet, gave occasion for his removal to Newbury, ]
where he was living in 1721, when he sold his share of his father's estate at ,
Winter Harbor. His will was dated Feb. 12, 1735-6, and probated Sept. 6, .
1742. (Essex Prob. Office, 25-42.) John Sargent, father of the above Edward, <
first appears on record in 1658, calling himself "of the Isles of Shoals," from
which it is inferred he was the son of that Stephen Sargent whose Inventory was
there taken 29th Nov., 1649. I" 1661, he had removed to Saco, where he had
a land grant 1663, and where his four older children were born ; in 1666, had seats '
assigned him and wife in the meeting house there ; in 1668, constable ; 1669, ,
.he purchased more land from William Phillips; 1674, 1680, 1682, 1684, select- j
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 85
I have also to thank Mr. Sargent for another document from
the same source ; which, if a correct statement, shows that all the
garrison houses were not abandoned at the beginning of the at-
tack on Fort Loyall. This is a^letterfrom Wm. Vaughan, of Ports-
mouth, viz. :
" PoRTSM May 18 1690
Much Hon^'d
The Inclosed which I Just now rect. from Majo' ffrost advising of the
Enemies Assault upon Casco as pp information of Jonathan Clark (Inhabitant
of Casco) who S* y' he went out of Piscataqua river in a shallop on ffriday
Morning last bound for Casco bay where he discovered y' Enemy & saw Eleven
houses burning y^ Enemy disposing themselves in Sundry places & by their
shouting and firing of Guns, bespoke them to be numerous. They were very
Brisk in firing upon Engersons ' Garrison who made so briske a Return con-
tinuing to fire on Each other as long as they were in sight, y« Enemy Discover-
ing their shallop came Down to a point of land to prevent those Landing &
were so near them that their shot raked them. When they came to y^ Point
w*^ in ye shallop hearing they made 12 or 13 Cohoops intimating that they had
killed so many persons. The shallop Seeing the Enemy Soe thick about &
finding noe Sound Landing came away after they had been ab* an hour in view
of the place (Place) & Arrived at York last night, while they were vf*^ in sight
they saw noe Guns fired at from the fort but heard one Gun before they
came in Sight & 3 more after they come away when they came off Spurwink
river yesterday morning they saw a great smoke ffrom it. May be Jordans Gar-
rison. Wee were hopefull at y« return of Mess Hawthorn & Corum, y' yo''
hon" would have been Satisfied y* y« fforces then in ye Eastern ppts had been
man; 1675 with others, was grantee of a plantation six miles square, above Saco ;
in 1677, he was dwelling on Great Island, Piscataqua river, a refugee in the
first Indian war, and there his fifth child was probably born; in 1680, appointed
by the Court, Lieutenant at Saco and Cape Porpoise; same year, an Inferior
Magistrate; 1684, Representative to the General Assembly; July 3, 1686,
Captain John Sargent chosen one of a committee of three to engage Rev. Mr.
Milburn as minister, — and because of the loss of the Saco records, which
are wanting, 1688-1717, the above is the last entry relating to Captain John, ex-
cept the division of his estate long after his death, — unless Williamson (Hist,
of Maine, I, 608), be correct in saying it was he who " arrested eighteen or
twenty Indians on the warrant of Benjamin Blackman, in the fall of 1688, and
carried them to Falmouth ; " — but a comparison of dates and their respective
ages, makes it much more probable that this officer was the son. Captain
Edward.
w. M. s.
' Ingersoll garrison house, near the foot of now Exchange street.
86 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
small enough to have assisted the Inhabitants in their Defence Ag' ye Enemy
& wood Dreded to think of the fearful consequences of their Drawing off. Wee
also Humbly prayed by y* said Gent" to have some order about our Provinces
ye out places whereof are as much Exposed to y^ Enemy as anny others to j
which have as yet Reed no answer. As to what I Rote concerning y« The non \
observance of the order ye Embargo you may please to Know y* Mr. Graffort ]
had a Pink & a Small Kebec ' Sailed home work for w^^^ I understand i
has brought from ye Gouv"" at Boston w"^ out which they had been stopt. ;
Your Honners Hum^^^ Servt.
WM Vaughan."
(Vol. 36, page 68, Mass. Archives).
This statement makes it appear that the garrison houses were
defended by themselves separately from Fort Loyall, and in this it ;
in part agrees with the account of Robert Watson. j
The news of the capture of Fort Loyall and the destruction of
Casco carried terror and dismay to all the exposed white settle-
ments in Maine, New Hampshire and New York. The Massa-
chusetts Colony found when too late at what a fearful cost they
had neglected their own interests, and sacrificed the poor inhabi-
tants at Falmouth. Letters poured in from all the towns m Maine
and New Hampshire calling for protection, and urging immediate
measures. The settlements in Maine were so abandoned that
there were only the towns of Wells and Kittery left with a white
population. The following letters showing the country's alarm at
that time are to be found in the Massachusetts archives :
" Kittery 18* of May: 1690
Maj"^ Vaughan
Sir. This morning came the barer to mee from Yorke who
came in there Last night in a Shallop from Cascoe advising of the Eenemies
Attaque upon Cascoe fryday Evening Last I haue sent the baror to you to
give Account of what he knows there of which pray you to hasten away to the
Governor & Councill myself Designing forthwith to dispatch a way the sd Shal-
lop again to Cascoe with some Souldiers for their better defence to make a
further discovrie of that matter
I Remaine
S'' yo' Assured friend
c servant at Comand
Charles Ffrost MajoV
((Vol. 36, p. 69, Mass. Archives).
' Kebec (Xebec) according to Webster's definition, a small three masted ves-
sel, carrying lateen sails.
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 87
" Province of Mayne
1690 May the i8th day.
Major ffrost. Sir these are to inform you that
the Indians & freinch hath taken Casco fort and it is to be feared that all the
people are killed & taken ; therefore wee desire your company here with us to
put us in a posture of Defense for we are in a very shattered Condition. Some
are for removing and some are for staying Soe that we stand in great need of
your assistance, if we stay we must have more assistance, & if we remove we
must have help & assistance to gett away with what we have left not els. we
Remayne your Servants.
Sam^ Wheelwright
Joseph Storer
Jon*. Hammond.' "
(Vol. 36, p. 70, Mass. Archives).
"Much Hon<i. Portsm" May 19* 1690
yesterday advised you of the Enemy Assault upon Casco.
About two o'clock this morning came a man from Saco through the woods w*'^
the from the Coman^'' of the garrison there, he inform y' upon hearing of the
guns from Casco two men went from Spurwink Garrison on Saturday to make
what discovery they could & when they came near saw but two houses standing.
The fort on fire and the enemy very numerous thereabout. Those of Spurwink
& Black Point are got on board the sloops there in order to their remove, and
those of Saco pray reliefe of vessels w'=*^ we shall endeavor to send them.
So yt wells is now y« frontier Eastward who must necessarily remove forthw""
unless present relief be sent them & other the out places in both thare Prov-
inces. Wee were amazed ^ at the order for drawing off the Soldiers in the
Province of Mayne, after the gentlemen sent hither to inspect the state of those
Provinces were satisfied that all yt all the fforts there was too little for there
defence as too sad experience daly teacheth. And for this Province we have not
had aboue 12 or 14 men by whose assistance wee have prevailed with the two
Garrisons at Cocheco & and the out Garrison at Oyster River to stand their
Grounds in hopes of more help instead where of yesterday arrived yo"" order for
their Dismission, w<=^ will occasion the quitting of there Garrisons and then all
Dover will be lost. Soe I shall at present wait yo'' further pleasure thereabout.
The Enemy are now Powerful & prevalent & will carry all before them unless a
' Jonathan Hammond was the brother of Joseph Hammond before mentioned,
(p. 59, ante). He was appointed sergeant in 1694, and lieutenant in 1703, 1709.
He was killed and scalped in Queen Anne's war, near Jona. Littlefield's garri-
son. (His. of Wells, p. 233).
^So that the neglect of Massachusetts to defend its own people caused
amazement at that time.
88 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
stop be put to their proceedings. So yt it will be doubtless necessary to resolve
a stop some where & then to have a sufficient force to repell the enemy as well
as in all out places yt are liable to their assaults : The Lord direct you in all
yo"' arduous affairs is the prayer of
Much hon''<l yo^ humble Servts
Wâ„¢. Vaughan
Charles ffrost
Richd Martyn."
(Vol. 36, p. 71, Mass. Archives).
" Gent our sad Condition puts us vpon yo"" charity, the enemy is now very
near vs Sacoe is this day on fire. Wee expect them vpon us within a few
hours or days at Least ; and therefore wee humbly crave some assistants from
you, that wee may be in some measure able to stand a few days if it be ye will
of God till wee here from the Bay.' if we have not immediate help wee are a
lost people : so we pray that our good God may move yo' harts to pitty vs, &
bowing solely vpon the mercy of God now Subscribe ourselves yo'' most humble
and Greatly distressed servts.
Sam". Wheelwright
Wells y« 22th May, 1690 Jon"' Hamond
John Wheelwright
Joseph Storer."
(Vol. 36, p. 72, Mass. Archives).
"PORTSMO 22*11 i6go
Much Hon<i.
On Tuesday about Eleaven oclock wee sent two sloops
with about 50 men & 2 shallops ^ to make a full descovery of the State of Casco
who arrived there yt evening about half an hour after sun sett, and returning
hither this morning Say yt at their first appearance they heard the drum beat
many hours in the heart of the Town, & Saw at least part of the fort standing,
upon w'='i one of their shallops went pretty near the shore, but tacking about
again had a volley of small shot fired at him Supposed not less than 300 guns,
& 3 great guns but did them no harm & then the enemy forthwith Sett the Fort
or the remaining part of it, with sundry houses on fire, the next morning they
went as nearly as they dared adventure with a sloop, but could make no further
discovery, but the enemie burning the residue of the houses, so that all there
is certainly destroyed & not one alive, but what is in the enemies hands : at
* Massachusetts Bay, as that Colony was generally called.
^ These may have been considered by the French, vessels sent to the relief of
Casco.
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 89
their return yesterday they saw Black point Spurwink Richmans Island et.
burning so that nothing now remains eastward of Wells. Wee hope y' Honors
will at least see a necessity of giving a check to the progress of y"' Enemy by
dispatching away considerable forces forthwith Otherwise their succes
will more to pursoe their conquest till we are all overthrown. The Lord
help you to pitty the distressed and send speedy w""* we heartily beg who
are
Hon**'* your humble Servts.
Here are 3 or 400 most women & children come in from Eastward this week
who will perish unless assisted by the charity of others.
Charles ffrost
Nath' ffryer *
Richd Martyn
Wells will desert if not forthwith reinforced."
(Vol. 36, p. 77, Mass. Archives).
The result of these appeals for assistance and protection was
the following order of the Council :
Boston 23 May 1690
Att a Councill.
Present Simon Bradstreet Esqr Governo
John Richards ^ Tho : Danforth
Samuel Shimplin, >- Esq' James Russell
Samuel Sewall ) Elisha Hutchinson
John Phillips
Ordered that One Hundred and twenty Souldiers be forthwith detached out of
the Regiments of Militia hereafter mentioned in proportion following vizt.
Twenty five apiece out of the South and Middle Regiments of Essex Twenty
three out of the Lower Regiment of Midd'^ Twenty two out of Boston Regi-
ment and twenty five out of the South Regiment of Suffolk the severall Majors
of the aforesaid Regiments to order the detaching of their respective proportion
' Nathaniel Fryer was bom in Boston ; supposd to be the son of James of
Cambridge, removed to Portsmouth, and lived at Great Island. He was a rep.,
councillor, judge of probate, and filled many other important offices. He left
two daughters,"Elizabeth, who married Judge Hinckes ; Sarah, married Robert
Elliot. He died August 13, 1705. (See N. H. His. Coll., VIII, 353). Coun-
cillor James Fryer was his eldest son. (Wentworth Gen., I, 103). At the at-
tack on Richmond's Island, by the Indians, in Oct. 1676, a vessel was there
irom Portsmouth, belonging to Nathaniel Fryer, sent at the request of Walter
Gendall, to preserve the property on the island. The vessel was driven on
shore by the enemy, and the crew of eleven taken prisoners, among them was
James Fryer, son of the owner, a young man of Portsmouth, who afterwards
died of the wounds received in that engagement. (Willis, p. 211).
Esqrs
90 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
of Souldiers afores'^ well appointed with arms and ammunition to be forwarded
with all speed to the relief and Succour of York and Wells.
By Order of the Governor & Councill.
IsA. Addington Secy
(Vol. 36, p. 76, Mass. Archives).
The following letter was also sent to Sir Wm. Phipps, by a
sloop, hoping to intercept him on his way back from Nova Scotia :
LETTER TO SIR WM. PHIPPS.
Hon Sir
Boston May 23d 1690
We received yours yesterday by the hands of Capt°^ Welch, bringing us the
intelligence of the presence of God with you in giving you success, which we
desire to acknowledge with hearty thankfulness as a smile of providence. But
the solemn tidings of the loss of Casco give such an alloy to our rejoyceing as
fixes sorrow in all faces, and prevents us in necessity of sending forth this
small vessell in hopes that they may meet you on yor Return home in order
you to call in at Casco with some of the shiping and souldjers under yor com-
and to visit that place. And if advisable to land three hundred or more of your
ff orces there to seeke for and annoy the enemy ye endeavor a rescue of the cap-
tives. And to march home by land through the country ; whereby you may