YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 07089 0232 1*5. '-" ' ^^&n5'^ ''¦'' . . <^' ^'>4' }^ ^*'' '^ Banks, Charioa S. Captain Walter Gendall . Yarmouth, 1880. *•'.'?• 4> 'T"- ,-, /- "_ 1 l>*<-,-*<,i Ail ' '•' V "'". ..J,. J -^3w-, ? > I '¦t -' ^ .J -r. ,. ..J :v Ir Cffi8.^^-5 'YAiM^'^mwmmMmY- 1919 GAPTAIH WALTER GEiq^DALL, Ki)ET^ mmmmr mmx A BIQPRAPHIGAI. SKETCH, By , - ©OCTOE Chaeles E. Banks . S^OLD TIMES". OFEICE, YARMOUTEL, TiAESTE. CAPTAIN WALTER 6ENDALL, OF NORTH YARMOUTH, MAINE, A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, BY Doctor Charles E. Banes. "OLD TIMES" OFFICE, YARMOUTH, MAINE. 1880. CAPT. WALTER GENDALL. [Dr. Charles E. Banks.] Biography is the^ key-stone of history ; or to state the proposition in another form, histories are collective biographies. The com bined story of individual action makes up the complete measure of a national chronicle. Without the personal element history -would become miserably dry and sink into justified oblivion ; for motives that only arise in the individual constitute the charming seductive ness of philosophic historical study. In direct ratio to the fulness of biographical kno-wledge proceeds the complete picture of histori cal effects. The motives of love, jealousy, avarice and pique play more imporant parts in the tragedies of historical climaxes than the higher factors of state-craft. He is the keener student of his tory -who masters contemporary biography. Upon this basis the life of one of the most prominent men in the annals of North Yarmouth seems to suggest minute inspection so that the chronicle of the old town may approach the perfection which we desire. The romantic story of his career, his banish ment and tragic death offers enough stimulus to learn more of him, were these alone the cause of his prominence. But as the first representative of the town in the provincial legislature, as one of her earliest selectmen, as an enterprising business man, as an honored citizen of the commonwealth holding important oflBcial trusts he naturally invites our attention. The short sketch of Captain Gendall which appeared in one of the earlier issues of this magazine, (pp. 76-78) though substantially correct, is deficient in many essential particulars and erroneous in other of its statements and inferences. It is the purpose of this paper to deal -wholly with biography of captain -WALTER GENDALL. facts which will be reinforced by verbatim extracts from -ancient records never before printed, and to offer such comments and con jectures on doubtful points as seem to be warranted by circum stances. I present it to the readers of OLD TIMES with the words of Montaigne : — —"Here is a nosegay of cuUed flo-wers to which I have brought nothing save the string that tanas them. — Walter Gendall came to this country about 1640, the records of the Trelawney Plantation at Richmond's Island containing evi dence of his residence in this region at that early period. It is concluded, with reasonable hope of proof, that he was a native of England and possibly a Cornishman, as persons of that name have resided in the parishes of Penzance and Madron (County Corn wall) for several hundred years. These two towns are about fifteen or twenty miles from Falmouth, England, a fact that may be of some importance when it is remembered that he was a lead ing planter in Falmouth, Maine, for many years. The possibility of his influence in naming the new settlement in this country sug gests itself readily. After the collapse of the Trelawney Plan tation, which shortly followed the death of John Winter, its prime- mover, we hear no more of Gendall for twenty years. He was un doubtedly a minor when he emigrated, and from that time to his first re-appearance on the province records he was quietly attend ing to his own affairs. What that business was we may conject ure from the foUowin g deposition : — "Walter Gendle sweareth y' about 3 years since he did make up a fence for John Tinney ; and Michael Maddiver and his wife came and looked upon it and said that it was sett as straight if it had been sett by a line, and that no man in the countrey c" have done it better : but about two months since I did see Michael Maddiver pluck down some of y^ same fence. June 11"> '64 Coram Rd Foxwell." This would seem to indicate that he was familiar with the use of carpenters' tools, and, according to the testimony of the belliger ent Maddiver, could handle them quite skilfull3^ The probability is that he was a bright, smart, young colonist, who was ready to earn an honest shilling, be it at the joiners' bench or behind the plough, or bartering for skins with the dusky denizen of the forest. The court records of the province for the year 1666, at the session holden at Falmouth July 26th, report him as a grand juror for that town, and bondsman for James Robinson, of Scarboro, who was charged with murder. The next scene in the story of his life is that incident which determines the future happiness of the man, and we are enabled to give in frigid forms that act -which gave him so much joy. From the subjoined extract we shall learn the maiden name of his -wife, and to obviate unnecessary repetition we must look ahead many (l^aJhfQ gti. .^^ PAC-SIMILB OF WALTER GENDALL 8 SIGNATURE, 1685. BIOGRAPHY OF OAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 3 years, when, after the death of her first husband, she became the wife of Theodosius Moore, of Bridgewater, Mass. In one of her transfers of property she discloses her christian name, Joan, and thus we learn that the -wife of Walter Gendall's heart was Mistress Joan Guy. York Registry ) .lohn Guy, Falmouth, flisherman, to "my of Deeds >- loving son-in-law Walter Gendall of y^ same XI-60 ) place. Planter. 2 Dec. 1668. Consideration £25. "one hundred acres of land * * * in Falmouth * * * next adjoin ing to the lot of Thomas Standford, and on the south side thereof, commonly known bj' the name of Papooding point," which he bought of Rev. Robert Jordan, 10 May 1662. "The above written was with the consent of Nicholas Guy." This property was situated at what is now Ferry Village, in Cape Elizabeth, directlj- across the harbor from the noisy wharves of the city of Portland. It was not reckoned among the real es tate which be possessed at the time of his death, and it is probable that he sold it, though no transfer is recorded. Walter Gendall was an Episcopalian, and as such did not sanction or acknowledge the usurpation of the rights of Sir Ferdinando Gorges by the Massachusetts Bay authorities. The Puritans who came to this country for religious freedom and toleration of conscience, sadly forgot these purposes before long. Scarce ten years had passed over their heads ere they were banishing Quakers, bullying Episco palians and branding Baptists in the name of religious liberty. Gendall knew the unrelenting persecution with which thej' pursued all who refused to subscribe to their tenets of belief. And when they came to push their claim of territorial possession into Maine, about 1652, he bitterly opposed the scheme. But the majoritj' of the inhabitants thought it best to submit, and the whole province came under Puritan control in 1658, but not -without many protests and murmurings of discontent. Some of the prominent opponents of the trick were arrested for treasonable utterances, among them Rev. Robert Jordan, of Spurwink, the pastor of Gendall. This discontent lasted for years, for although the province had a good civil government, yet the planters were slow to forgive the means of gaining authority over their possessions. So late as 1670 we find Gendall insubordinate, and at the session of the court held at York April 25th, the following charges were brought against him : "We p'sent Walter Gyndall for villifying & abuseing y"' Com- misson"- of Falmouth & Scarborogh Commisso" Court by saying they had no power to try above fourty shilUngs : with other abu sive words, which was sometime in Aprill last. Sentenced to bee admonish* and pay five shillings." "Walter Gyndall was secured under an officers' hand for refus ing to take the oath of fidelity, w"" oath afterwards hee tooke In Court." BIOGRAPHY OF OAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. Rut these summary proceedings did not check his contempt for the Puritan officials, for at the session of the court held 4 April 1671 , we find him forcibly resisting the constituted authorities : — "Walter Gyndall & Nathan Bedford being Complayned of by Anthony Roe, Constable of Scarboro, for obstructing him in his office cfc'y'^ execution of it, & for sleighting of Authority, proveing the same by his & other evidences w"'" were in Court, for whose ofiences this Court concludes that y" s" Wal : Gyndall and Nath : Bedford for y'' offences are fined Three pounds each p'son and to paj- 24 s. costs, & they are hereby Injoyned either to make a pub- liqiie acknowledgem' of theire offences in open Court, -with p'miss of amendment, or to give in 20 £ bond, with good security, for good behavior unto y" next Court houlden for this County." They preferred to give bonds. Finding that discretion was the better part of valor, Gendall forthwith paid an enforced respect to the civil authorities. At least we have no further record of his treasonable carriage. Another incident gleaned from the court records, viewed in con nection with his fence-building for John Tinney, under date of 19 Sept. 1671, confirms in a measure the supposition offered above as to the occupation of Gendall : — " A complaynt of Walter Gyndall against Ambrose Boaden for illegal takeing away of a p''cell of posts w'h 3 mortised Holies in them, without his consent, about 60 odd posts. The court finds for y'^ Complaynant 60 odd posts & costs 40s 6d of Court or paj"^ a equivolent, and for his trespass against the county we find him Twentj' shillings and Fees tis." Like the large majority of the colonists who went through the same experience at some time in their lives, Gendall was brought before the august tribunal of justice and indicted for absenting himself from church. The records of our early courts are so full of these entries that it would seem as if the whole population had relapsed into heathenism. Undoubtedlj' it was the popular methoa of "getting even" with some hostile neighbor after all other means of irritation had been employed. The offense was punishable by a small fine, and the informant, after receiving a fee as a -witness, had the satisfaction of seeing his enemy mulcted in the sum of five shillings. The saints elect suffered frequently in this respect, and so we shall not be surprised to read this indictment against him, found by the grand jury at the court holden 2 July 1672, although at the same session he was a trial-juryman : — "We p'sent Walter Gyndall for not attending the publiqe place of meeteing to worship god on the Lord's days. Jury : non-appearance." Again he went throtigh the same farce, 10 July 1674, but this time we have a little insight into the circumstances. His answer must have been exasperating to the rigidly religious Puritans who BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. had but lately arrested and fined the Rev. Robert Jordan for bap tizing children according to the rites of the Church of England ! "We p sent Walter Gyndall for not frequenting the place of gods' publique worship on the Lord's day. , Being questioned upon y" p'sentm' he answered that he did Attend M'' Jordan's Meeteing frequently upon y'= Lord's days." During these years, as evidence subsequently testifies, he was gradually accumulating a goodly share of this world's goods. The first record of any purchase of property occurs under date of June 3, 1673, when he bought fifty acres of land of his pastor and friend : — York Registry") Robert Jordan, of Spurwinke, clerk, — ofDeeris, r to 11-275 ) Walter Gyndall, of Spurwinke, yeoman, — Consideration : "three pounds tenn shillings in worke payed, as also for 2 days worke or foure shillings to be paj'ed annually." "A parcel of land contayneing fivety acres, in a square Ij'ing & bounded on y" Eastward side of Spurwinke River from the utter most poj'nt of a certain brooke commonly known by the name of Jonas his brooke on the one side and on the sayd river on the other side, proceeding upon a square to the compleating of the same." This property was sold by the administrator of his estate for £30. The character of the original transfer smacks consider ably of a tenantry system, but the rental must have been subse quently adjusted by full payment of the value of the land. This year (1673) at the July term of the court, beginning on the 1st of the month, he mad§ his appearance as a grand-juryman, and at the October term, which began on the 3d, he was appointed ad ministrator of the estate of John Mills, deceased. The character of the man may be judged from the number of times he was select ed to execute trusts of this nature. Here we are called upon to record a curious incident, and the only one of the kind that occurs in his life. The extract from the proceedings of the court fully sets forth the enormity of the pre sumption entertained by Gendall, and the penitent man acknowl edged his action as reprehensible, but craved their indulgence, probably, "being y^ first tyme." "We p''sent Walter Gyndall for presumeing the office of Com missi"- to carry vots for Magistrats from y' Town of Falmouth to y'= Shyre Town, then Declaring hinlselfe a Commissioner for y'= Town of Falmonth, hee being not Chosen by the say* Town. The p'-sentment owned by Walter Gyndall, being y"^ first tyme, to be admonished & pay costs 5s." We offer no explanation or extenuation, for he was evidently detected in the crime of counting himself into office, and acknowl edged it too. The bald fact is quite patent, and we unhesitating ly scratch a big black mark against his name. This was an un- 6 BIOGRAPHY OF OAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. fortunate year for him, as it will recalled that at this same term of the court he was indicted for not attending public worship. At the next session, beginning October 6th of this same year, he ap- ¦ pears as the attorney for one of his neighbors who still retained confidence in his integrity : — "Walter Gyndall,/ Attirney for M' Walls, craves his Charges Contra Rec : Foxwell for not prosecuting his action w'unto he at tached him. Costs for y" Defend'." Even the courts recognized the culprit of Julj- 10 1674, and he was appointed the legal guardian of a minor, April 9, 1675, as ap pears bj- the following document. Evidently they had no regard for the moral aspects of the appointment or respect for their own opinions : — "In order to the disposeing of the child of Caleb Beale, a father less Child, this Court thinks meete to Committ her into the hands & care of Walter Gyndall for her Education & mantenance as a servant out, to bee keept untilj the full tearme of thirteen yeares be expired from y'' date hereof, the child being now about 5 yeares of age, & in Case y" s* child have any Estate, It is hereby order-' ed to bee delivered unto the possession of Walter Gyndall who is to Improve it for the best advantage of the Child, who is required to render an Accop' of his doings y in w" Authority' of this County or Province shall see meete to require it." About this time the Indians throughout New-England were be coming dissatisfied with the English management. Ever since the landing at Plymouth, the white settlers had been graduallj' en croaching upon their territory, and many injijstices were heaped upon the patient redmen. Advantage was taken of their weak ness, which resulted from tribal divisions, and the traditional inch was usually stretched to the customary ell in every instance by the greedy settlers. This state of affairs was the occasion of angry protestations from the Indians, and culminated in the sanguinary strife between the two races in 1675-6, known in history as "King Philip's War." Here the Indians of all tribes made common cause in their desperate attempt to exterminate their avaricious enemies. The frontier settlements were the first to be alarmed, and in the fall of 1675 the inhabitants of Spurwink came under military super vision. The following letter indicates the position held by Gen dall, and may be the occasion of the title of "Captain," which he bore throughout his subsequent career : — "To Walter Gendall, Com"- of y« Gard at Spurwink : These are in His Ma'ties name to require you to send four able men, compleat in armes and amunicion, unto y^ maine gard this day before sunset to attend such orders as they shall receive in order to the destrojang of y" barbarous enemy : and hereof not to fail as you will answer it at your peril. from y main gard : 4 9ber 1675. Josh : Scottow, Capt"." BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 7 The inhabitants at the eastward however suffered but little during the fall of that year, and after an attack on the garrison at Black Point the Indians drew off, contented with occasional preda tory excursions. He attended the session of the court, held at York, 4 July 1676, and was appointed appraiser of the estate of Ambrose Boaden, deceased, who died 8 Feb. 1675. It will be re membered that this Boaden was the person who stole "a p''cell of posts" from Gendall five years before. He also presented himself as security for Thomas Cummings and John Harmon, administra tors of the estate of Richard Cummings, at the same court, and received the appointment of administrator of the estate of John Richardson, deceased. This would seem honor and onerous enough for one man at a single session, but he did extra duty, serving as a trial-juryman. When he returned to his home the news of fresh massacres to the westward told the settlers to be wary, and he was soon at his post in the garrison at Black Point. The following extract from a letter complaining of the difficulty of governing the militia, indi cates his position in the summer of 1676, two days before the horrible butchery at Falmouth : — "Cap'. Joshua Scottow, — ^Wee, underwritten, being of y" Com mittee of y" Mellicia w"' Sergiant Tippen * * * * Aug. 9, 1676 Henry Jocelyn. Walter Gendall." The Indians fell suddenl}- upon Fort Lojall, Falmouth, August 11th, and in a short time that prosperous settlement merited the name given to it by one of the survivors, "deserted Casco." The savages ventured no'further this time, but took their captives to wards the Kennebec. Finding that the furious natives were bent upon the gradual extermination of the feeble eastern garrisons, Captain Gendall sent word to the authorities at Boston for re inforcements and they granted a detachment of 130 soldiers. They came to Falmouth and remained about three weeks ; but the wily redskins kqew better than to invite attack while they staid in this vicinity. The troops then returned to the region of Piscataqua, and Gendall sent word to his friend Nathan Fryer, of Portsmouth, for the use of one of his vessels to assist in the removal of goods. Captain Gendall saw that it was of no use to wage warfare against the treacherous enemy, and he thought best to embark for Ports mouth or Boston with the women and children. The warning was not early enough, for while a part of the Black Point garrison with Gendall were at Richmond's Island loading the ketch gen erously loaned by Mr. Frj-er, the Indian warriors attacked the remaining soldiers in the garrison. This assault was led by oi;e of their most renowned chieftains, Mugg, an able leader, who h^ been intimate -with the whites in peace. He called upon the com mander, old Henry Jocelyn, to surrender, promising them certain conditions of immunity. Captain Jocelj'n left the fort to hold a O BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. conference with him, and when he returned he found the garrison deserted, — the inmates, except members of his own household, having fied to the shore and pushed out in their boats. Jocelyn was then taken prisoner, and the unsated savages proceeded to Richmond's Island where the detachment of fifteen men were load ing Fryer's ketch with the household effects of the settlers. The men immediately boarded the vessel and attempted to run her out of the harbor, but unfavorable wind put a stop to this plan, and the deadlj' fire of the Indians made it unsafe to come on deck. In this predicament thej- let go of the anchor to prevent being blown ashore by the strong south-east wind. But the Indians, not to be out--witted, put out in their canoes and cut the cable, and the ketch was soon stranded on the beach. James Fiyer, a son of the owner, was lying upon the cabin floor, mortally wounded. The savages shouted out to them that, if thej' did not surrender, the}- would set the vessel on fire and burn them to death. After some parley, they agreed to surrender upon condition they should be allowed to ransom themslves by the payment of a stipulated amount of goods -within a given time. Then Captain Gendall found himself a prisoner in the hands of a people with whom he had enjoyed peaceable relations for j-ears. He had visited them in their settlements and traded with their chiefs for skins, and was much esteemed by all the tribes. But under the goading of re venge, these natives had become madmen, and they brought down their frenzied hands upon the heads of the innocent and guilty. Two men were released to fetch the ransom, and Mugg with his tribe, retaining Gendall and eight others, proceeded westward. On the 18th of October they appeared before Wells and demand ed the surrender of the garrison. This being refused, thej' sent Captain Gendall to fully explain to the commander the power of the Indians. Mugg who had now in his charge sixty valuable psisoners, really desired more their ransoms than their scalps. If he could not get the former he secured the latter. With this mo tive the Captain went as a friend of both parties, knowing well the determination of the Indians, their strength and their valor. He presented the case fairly to the post commander, urging capitu lation, with pri-vilege of ransom, rather than needless sacrifice. Bourne, in his History of Wells, gives a purely imaginary and bombastic account of the above affair, in which he manufactures the indignant refusal of the commander who spurns the proposal, and says something about somebody "passing over his dead body" before he will surrender. For some reason Mugg decided not to force matters, as the town of Wells had two garrison-houses, and he withdrew his warriors. Possibly Captain Gendall may have in duced him to refrain from the attack by setting forth the impregna ble character of the fortresses. Whatever the circumstandes that led him to this conclusion, it placed Captain Gendall in a peculiar BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 9 predicament. Frdm his positive assertion as to the insatiate de termination of the savages, the soldiers at the Wells garrison supposed that they were inviting a bloodj' battle upon their refusal to surrender themselves. When hours and days passed without an encounter, and scouts reported that the enemy had retreated, the action of Gendall became forthwith a topic of conversation.. Undoubtedly' it was haid for them to reconcile his eager explana tion of the situation with the subsequent contradictory acts of the savages. Treacherous motives were at once assigned to the Cap tain who had just been made a prisoner while fighting against his ^dctors. These conclusions of the gossiping garrisons soon found tangible expression, as we shall presently observe. The two prisoners who were released at Richmond's Island, returned with specified ransoms before the appointed time had elapsed, but those Indians who had agreed to the terms of the capitulation had de livered the remaining captives into other hands. These savages took the ransoms, killed one of the bearers and refused to deliver the prisoners. The chieftain Mugg was mortified and indignant that the vagabond Indians should have acted so treacherously, and with Captain Gendall started for Piscataqua. He believed in honest dealing in this matter, and undertook the responsibility of representing his superior sagamore, Madockawando, in a propo sition for peace. He took back the young James Fryer who was so seriouslj' wounded at the fight oft' Richmond's Island. As to subsequent events, after arrival at Piscataqua, the au thorities differ. Drake, in his vsAuaMe Book of the Indians, Paxt III, p. 102, says: — "General Gendall, of Massachusetts, being there, forced Mugg on board his [vessel] and carried him to Bos ton ; for which treacherous act an excuse was pleaded that he was not invested with sufficient authority to treat with him. Madocka- waildo's ambassador, being now in the power of the English, was obliged to agree to such terms as the English dictated." On the Other hand it is argued that Mugg went of his own vo lition. At any event he went to Boston and made a treaty with the Governor and Council of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in be half of Madockawando, on the 6th of Nov. 1676. Two vessels were sent to the Penobscot to obtain from the great sagamore his sanction of the articles of agreement, which was obtained. The fifth article of the covenant was as follows : — "That if it doth ap pear that Walter Gendal and the men sent with him in the vessels from Piscataway with goods from Mr Fryer for the redemption of captives, according to agreement, or any of them are surprized and slain by any of their Indians or any other whom they can bring under their power, that they shall forthwith execute such murderer or murderers or otherwise deliver them up into the hands of the English." From this it appears that Captain Gendall was commissioned to purchase all the captives in the "late unpleasant- 10 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. ness," some sixty in number, with ransoms furnished by the government. For the safety of his expedition, as well as for all other articles of the treaty, Mugg offered himself as a hostage. /The mission was successful ; the captives returned to their desolat ed homes, and Mugg left for his native wilds to mature plans for another campaign. The affair at Wells must not be forgotten by the reader, because the soldiers in the garrison there treasured up the recollection of that circumstance with great aceuracj'. At least some few did. They thought it of sufficient importance to inform the authorities at Boston, who, remembering the hostile attitude which Captain Gendall had alwaj's maintained towards their assumption of au- thoritj', were glad to press the charges. Accordingly the witness es were requested to relate their versions of the affair before some competent magistrates. With a sufficient number of such ready tale-bearers who could give a fanciful coloring to the story, the grand jury found an indictment, and he was arrested and carried to Boston and brought before the bar of justice, but his case was deferred till the next term, as appears below : — ( "Record of the Court of Assistants' Court ( holden at Boston 6 Mar. 1676-7 fp. 64.] Walter Gendall } "VValter Gendall was called & several evidences bound over j Read y' were produced ag* y"', others not being present, he was by mittimus sent to the keeper of the prison in Boston in order to his triall next Court of Assist ants." The following evidences were offered to the honorable court : "The deposition of Peter Bass, aged about 27 years. Being examined maketh oath y' hee heard the same for substance y' Phyneas Hull and Benj" Barnard testifyeth two, onley hee re- membereth not that Walter Gyndall saj-d y' y= Indians at Wells were as numerous as trees and stumpes, but Gyndall tould this deponent that y"- were one thousand Indeans double armed about the Town, and five hundred french ready to backe them when they had occasion, and y''fore would Advise them to surrender there Garrisons, for hee looked at his condition better then ours for Mogg sayd if they would not resigne y' Garrisons hee would by here this Moenth but he would have y« Town, and the sayd Gyndall further saj'd that hee and those 1 1 Indeans, Mogg and y= rest, lay within shot of Joseph Storer's garrison that night before they came to demand Fran : Littlefield's, and y'^ say* Indeans were soe sleepy in the morneing that he had much adoe to wake y™ and was forced to kicke them round before hee could do it, and after wards w° the sunn was up they came into y« Town and did mis- cheefe and demanded our Garrrisons, and further sayth not. Taken upon oath this 3d day of March, 1676-7 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 11 before mee, Edw : Rishworth, Asso'te. It will be noticed that at- the preliminary trial Gendall was bound over because the testimony of "others not being present" Avonld be needed. We are able to give the evidence of one other witness, Lieut. Henrj' Harwood, who was an inhabitant of Boston, and a shoemaker bj' trade. During the Indian wars he took an acti^¦e part, being at one time in command of Fort Loyal, Fal mouth, as will appear by some later papers. "About the 16" of October Henry Horwood, this Deponant, being att Wells, vnder comand of Lif ' Edward crick, thar cam Indians & fell vpon some, kil'd one Antient man and A youth about 16 yeare old, & wound 3 as they war in y'= * * * *. I being in the garrison called the mill garrison, ^after Seaueral Shott shutt in vppon us, came in one waiter gendle to treat with vs. his first salutation was with tears, that he was A poor captiue and y' he was sent by genarall mogg toiknow wliar we wold surrender our garriso '. the said gindle came Derectly from ffranees Littlefield's garrison, that same time wharof Lif ' cricke was then coraander. the said gendle told vs that thar was one kild, and that he was sent for to [ ] for old frank Littlefield whar he was att that gariso'n becaus that his wife had A desire to haue hime com home. the quistion was asked by me how he shold gitt home, gendle Answared that he wold ingag his life if tenn of vs wold goe from garison to garison or any p' of the town if he went with vs hold ing vpp A stick with A whit cloth one itt, if we war without Armes he wold ingage his life to convoy vs without any molesta tion, & further beged that we wold surender our garison for gods Sake and y" poor women & childrens Sake, that itt was his chief end in getting leaue of mogg to parswad vs that we meight not be cut of, he said further y' they had many Inventions with burche Rinde & brimstone & other combustables that they wold com in the neight & burn our fortifications & houses within them and de stroy vs if we war A hundred in A garison, & if he had 20"' to pay his Ransome they wold nott kill hime, & if it was his case as itt was ours if he had A 100 houses he wold giue them all, & fur ther said y' y'* high ways war al waylaid & the sea side and the woods Round y" town, & that if we did send any post he wold certainly be cut of lilcewis. I desired him to cary A letter for vs, Ms answar was that if he had moor than his own or moggs con cerns, if taken they wold kill him & the Rest of the captiues, for he had nine ingaged for Mm, and further that he Did convoy frances littiefleld and his sone from the mill garrison to Sam' •Littleflelds hous & witMn a Rhod of the Indians, the s* Littlefield haueing noe arms, nor Ms son that went with him. Like wis the s* gendle told me thar was 140 Indians lying in the goly between frauds Littiefields & the mill garison, & that they wold fight vs euery Day in A month but they wold haue vs, fur- 12 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN "WALTER GENDALL, ther said that he neuer saw moor than 11 Indians togeather, and mogg was one of the 11, & further s* when he had his hberty for 4 days to goe to pascattaqua to fetch his Ransame and m"- friors he did not question but his -word wold pass with them for a 100', and that thar was in A bagg Aliout 30 waight of ponder att black point which the Indians made s* gendle cary and the Indians took the ponder A way from him & hid itt. I asked him how he knew thar was 140 Indians in that gully, the s* gendle answared by the number of 3'" cannons [canoes?] This was sworne to in open Court, j-e prisiner being att the barr, by Henry Horwood & Thomas Richardsen, y^ saj'd Richardsen excepting y' of y'' bagg of pouder. E. R., S''. 13 March 1676. ¦ Sworne to in Court by Henry Hoiwood 7 "'» 7 '77 [Sept. 7, 1677]. E. R. S^" Of Peter Bass we know but little. He resided in York at one time, and was jail-keeper of the town. He married a daughter of George and Hannah Parker, of that place. He died about 1684, leaving a son Peter. He was convicted of selling beer without a license, in 1682, and that is all the public can ascertain of the character of this ready witness. A Peter Bass was taxed at Pema- quid in 1687. Captain Gendall was remanded to jail to await the action of the court, which would meet in the following September. At the designated time he was summoned to hear his indictiiient : — "Court holden at Boston, 4 September 1677. Walter Gendle \ Walter Gendall, of or near blacke point, being his indictment J presented & Indicted by the Grand Jury & left to tryall was brought to the Barr & was Indicted bj' the name of Walter Gendall for not having the feare of God before his eyes & being Instigated by the Divill in the tj-me of the warr w"' the Indians, in a perfidious & treacherus way against the Inhabitants of this CoUonye's peace and safety sought to betray them to the enemj-e's hands by his Indeav"- & Counsell, Contrary to the peace of our soverign Lord the King his Crown and dignitj- & the law of this Comon .-wealth, to w'^'' Indictment he pleaded no' Guiltj' Refferd himself for his tryall to the Bench. The magis trates Having duly weighed the Indictm' & euidences in the Case produced against him found him Guilty & doe therefore sentence ^ you to Runn the Gantelop thr° the millitary Com- his Censure Vpaneyes in Boston on the 10"' Instant w"' a Roape ) about his necke, that he forfeit all his lands to the Country and be banished out of this Jurisdiction, to be gonn hy y" 6"' of October next on penalty of perpetual Imprisonment if he Return Again, & discharging the Costs & charges of the prosecu tion." Captain Walter Gendall a convicted traitor ! Doomed, and BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 13 upon such evidence ! In three days the man who had lost all his property bj' the fiendish torches of the frenzied redskins, — who had been made a prisoner while fighting.; them in hand to hand combat, — who had suffered the privations of hunger and cold, — was to run the gauntlet, -with a rope around his neck, between hun dreds of jeering militiamen ! His friends who had watched the progress of the trial, the character of the testimony and the enmity of the Puritan judges, were determined that the sentence should not be executed! And it was not executed, for in one of the three intervening days, probably at midnight, he made his escape from the prison, running the gauntlet of the jailor instead of the soldiery. Of course the particulars of his escape will never be known, nor the direction of his flight. The first intimation the Governor and Council had of his whereabouts came from Nathl. Fryer, of Piscataqua, Gendall's old friend. Probably Gendall went to Scarboro by some roundabout course, and remained se creted there till the excitement attendant upon his escape had subsided. What part Nathaniel Fryer took in the performance we are unable to say, but he soon addressed this letter to the authorities of the Massachusetts government : — , "To the Hono"'^ Gov"- & Council sitting ) in Boston, Decemb' 27 : 1677. j Nathaniel Fryer of Piscataqua is humbly bold to informe yo' Hono'^' that hee hath received a Letter from Walter Gendall, late a prisin', who doth therein acknowledge his Error and folly in making his escape from the prison before he had satisfied the judgement of this Hono'^* Court of Assistants, whereas yo' Hono" had been so favourable to him : his temptation was the poor neeesi- tous condition hee was in and utter inability to procure mony for the present Satisfaction thereof: which I am well assured to bee true : knowing the great losses hee sustained by the Enemy and being acquainted with the very necessitous state of his poor wife and family : I am therefore bold (throughout his importunity) to mediate with j-o"" Hono''* on his behalfe and to Supplicate yo"^ for giveness of his Escape from prison : and if from the consideration of his poverty you may bee moved to moderate the fine imposed upon him, and allow some time for paj'ment thereof, I shall willing ly become ingaged to see it satisfied, and shall in behalfe of him and his poor family acknowledge yo"- great favo'' therein. Yo"- Hono''* humble Servant, Nath' ffryer." The reader will notice the satire employed by the writer when he says, "whereas yo'' Hono'''' had been so favourable to him ! The Council took the horn of the dilemma which Gendall's friend presented to them, and concluded that they were wilUng to have the money although they could not make him run the gauntlet. 14 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. So thej' passed the following order : — "Boston, 27 December 1677. In Ans'- to this petition of Nathaniel ffryer relating to Walter Gendall's escaping out of prison and paying his fine. The Council Judgeth it meete to order y' in the sayd m' Nathaniell ffrj'er Guing in Ms bond to y^ Securetary for y° Treasure% 80' '' for payment of 20"' w"'in 6 mo & y'' other 20"' 'in 6 months after, w"" when its Donn y= saj^d Gendall is ffreed. By y^ Council, E. R., S^." Accordingly Mr. Fryer immediately drew up the bond as his part of the agreement. Thus ^nded the famous farce. It may be supposed that the penalty was remitted in due season, and his friend had the satisfac tion of practicallj' assisting him out of Ms difficulties. All this dramatic scene is in strange contrast to the subsequent action of the Massachusetts people toward Gendall. Scarce five 3-ears had passed before they were heaping honors upon him and trusting to him the duties of important executive schemes ! Peace between the Indians and whites was secured by a treaty dated at Falmouth, 12 August 1678. when three English com missioners met Squando and two other sagamores at Fort Loyal. We hear nothing more of Gendall until March 30, 1680, when ac cording to the article in OLD TIMES, before alluded to, he was the Deputj' from Falmouth to the General Assembly at York, but was deprived of his seat as he had no certificate of election. We have never seen anj- confirmation of this statement in the Court Records at York. However, that same year he received another kind of a certificate from Falmouth, as appears by the town records : — "It is concluded Mr. Gendall shall have a grant of one hundred acres of land to begin at our outmost bounds and so to come this way till 100 acres be ended." This land was, we think, adjoining to the North Yarmouth boundary line and contiguous to the prop erty which he owned in the new town later. On the 23d of June, 1680, he purchased of old George Felt, whose life had been spent in tilling his great farm in Westcustogo, "One hundred acres up land lying & being on the Westward side of George Felt's ould house in Casco Bay, about eighty rodd from s* house : Beginning at a three forkjed bla[c]k oake tree near the highwa}', being mark ed on both sides, & so down to y" water side, and then to runne upon a square untill the whole hundred acres be fully compleated & accomplished, with priviledge & full propriety & benefitt of the sea down to lowe water mark : breadth of his s* tract of land with foure acres of fresh meddows lying about three miles from Felt's ould feild & two acres of sault meddows at the head of the great Cove w"- Walter Gyndall pleaseth to lay it out, with all the med dows belonging to the hundred acres of upland, with all mines BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 15 minerals, wood, underwood, profetts, priviledges or lybertys, ease ments & all other appurtenances to the premises belonging or any way appertaining." About three weeks later he added to his real- estate some valuable property on Chebeague Island, which he pur chased of the heirs of his old pastor. Rev. Robert Jordan. The deed reads as follows, and is dated 12 July 1680 : — Dominicus Jordan, Samuel Jordan and Jeremiah Jordan, sons of Rev. Robert Jordan, once of Falmouth, deceased, to Walter Gendall, of Spurwink, "one half part of an island commoply call ed Jebeague, or Geboag, or the Islands commonly called Cousens' his islands, to the seaward, all in the town of Westco.«togoe. These islands being at high water as two islands, yet altho' called Little and Great Gaboag or Jabeague yet is but one island, and the one half thereof is the property of Dominicus, Samuel and Jeremiah Jordan." These two purchases brought Captain Gendall into the town of North Yarmouth as a tax-payer for the first time, and we may date his citizen-ship in the place from this period. On the 12th of July, 1681, he purchased of Hon. Bartholomew Gedney the afterwards noted mill-privilege on Royall's River, which was sold to Thomas Stevens by the Indian sagamores, 19 Jan. 1673. Not having the money to pay for this immense tract of land, two miles square, he gave in payment, July 12, 1681, the following agreement of mortgage : Walter Gendall, of Cascoe, and Joane, his wife, and Bartholomew Gedney, of Salem, Mass.,' "that tract of land lying on Casco Bay, in North Yarmouth, same land granted bv several Indian Saggamores to Thomas Stevens, of Kennebec, bearing date 19 Jan. 1673, one moiety of which s* Stevens conveyed to s" Gydney Oct. 12, 1674, and another moiety granted by said Stevens to Henerey Say ward and by Mm mort gaged to said Gydney. Also another parcel on Cascoe Bay, on a certain point called RyaU's Poynt, containing two acres, being the premises conveyed by s* Gydney to the s* Gyndall." On the next day after this transaction the first entries in the North Yarmouth town records were made. Then, in pursuance to the act of incorporation of the town by President Danforth, 2l2d of Sept. 1680, Messrs. Bartholomew Gedney, Joshua Scottow, Silva- nus Davis and Walter Gendall, who were appointed Trustees of the town under this act, proceeded to attend to their duties. Among other provisions for the re-settlement, they made the fol lowing : — "91y : Mr. Walter Gendell having by allowance of the Committe built A house and begun A plantation -within the Township of North Yarmouth Aforesaid, neere to Falmouth bounds, Mr. Anth ony Bracket & Mr. George Pearson are appointed to lay out A farm there for him, not exceding two hundred acres." 16 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. The Bounds of Wee, whose names are here under- Walter Gendell' s Farm written, being appointed and chosen by of 200 Acres. the Committee to lay out two hundred acre of Land neeire to ffalmouth bounds, to M'' Walter Gendell, wee began at a double reed oak tree Stand ing by the sea side, from thence ranging South & bj- west nine Chains, then Southwest to a Cove called ffreshet Cove, twent}' four chains, thence across said cove, three chains, thence from the other side of the said cove, so. so. east, sixteen chains, then South east & be south, eleven chains, then South east, eight chains, then Southwest & by South al by y' sea side to a chestnut tree, forty four chains, then north west & by west to a hemlock tree, twenty eight chains, then north & bj' East to another hemlock tree, fiftj' chains, thence northeast to a nother hemlock tree, 25 chains, thence East north east four degrees thirtj' minutes Easter ly, twent3' seven chains [and] a half, to the place first begun ; being bounded on [the] East with the Sea or baj- called Casco bay, as witnes our hands this 10 day of april, 1682. Anthony Bracket ) o » Georg Pearson } S^^'ejors. This large farm remained in his possession till his death, when the administrator sold it with the Felt farm for £81, as appears by the accounts hereafter annexed. Gendall was now a large landed proprietor, with estates in Falmouth, Scarboro and North Yarmouth, the care of which must have occupied a large share of his attention. The officials, too, were ever ready to recognize Ms fine business tact and executive ability, and at the November term of the court held at Wells in 1681 , under Major John Davis, Deputy President of the Province of Maine, they entrusted to Mm the management of the Indian trade for the eastern section, as in dicated in the subjoined letter : — "To Walter Gyndall :— Mr. Walter Gyndall, Wee haveing taken the Management of Fort Loyall into o' own hands who by the order of the Proprietor and President have y" revenew of the Indean Trade given into o'' disposeing for the mantenance y'of. These are y'fore^to order you on sight hereof to pay or Cause to bee payd Twenty pounds in silver or what you Can to M'' Fran : Hooke, Treasurer of this Province, whose "receipt shall be y' discharge : & hereof fayle you not. Dated 3* NoveV 1681, Edw : Rishworth, Secr'^, p'^ order of y" Councill." His mills on Royall's River proved remunerative, and, accord ing to Shepley, 100,000 feet of merchantable lumber was produced there yearly. By the tax- warrant of April 10, 1682, his property was rated at £6 for the support of Fort Lovall, and but three BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 17 other establishments in the Province contributed a like amount. It may be interesting at tMs juncture to look in upon the Caj^tain and see what kind of a plantation he had at North Yarmouth. For this purpose we will listen to the testimony of one his em ployees : — "The Deposition of Oliver Waswall, aged about 69 years, testi- fj'eth & sayeth that about 50 years ago he well remembers that Cap' Walter Gendall of Casco, in the Province of Main, in New England, had one dwelling house, one grist mill & one saw mill on a certain tract of land and Falls in the ancient town of North Yarmouth, commonly called the first falls in Roj'all's River, which s"* lands, house and mills, streams and falls, & all other buildings tht;reon he possessed, enjoyed and improved as Ms own right, and that the s* ancient town of North Yarmouth never disputed s* Walter Gendall's claim or title to j-' s* lands, stream, fall, house, mills, or buildings thereon, but that it was alwaj"s reputed to be the property of s* Walter Gendall, and that I, the Deponant, lived and worked -with s'' Gendall for some considerable time. Boston, D"' 21, 1733. Oliver Wiswall." The next eye-witness to the Captain's plantation is old Tobias Oakman, who frequently appears in North Yarmouth history as the "oldest inhabitant" to testifj' in relation to boundarj- lines : — "The Deposition of Tobias Oakman, aged about seventy one, testifyeth & saith that about fifty years ago he, the Depon', lived with Cap' Walter Gendall, in North Yarm ', in Casco Bay, & well remembers that Cap' Walter Gendall cleared, fenced in and im.- pi-oved, above or near the first or lowermost falls, houses & mills of Cap' Walter Gendall's buildings on Royall's River, about eight acres of land, that is to saj' about four acres of land on the south west side of said Royall's River, & about four acres of land on the Northeast side ef s^ river where said Gendall keept eight or "ten yoak of cattle which s* Gendall improved in logging to said Gen dall's saw mill, and also improved part of said land on both sids of s* river for other improvements, as turnips & other garden roots for the use of s* Gendall's servants & workmen that logged for s* Gendall, & also s" Gendall stacked up severall stakes of hay for several years together upon s* land -with which s* Gendall fodder ed his cattle, and also improved s* cattle to draw logs to s* Gen dall's saw mill, which cattle were afterwards killed by y" Indians : which lands & improvements said Gendall enjoyed & possessed without any molestation or interruption from the inhabitants of Northyarmouth that he the Depon' ever heard or knew of. Boston, March 17, 1735. Tobias Oakman (T his mark.") This interesting narrative, with its minute and explicit state ments, gives us a pleasing insight into the busy farming and manufacturing operations of Gendall. It also serves to distinguish 18 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. - some of the transient inhabitants of the old town, and to this list we are enabled to add the following : — "16 June 1739. John Boden, of Marblehead, in y" County of Essex, shoreman, aged about sixty nine, Deposeth and saith that he was born at Spurwinke River, in y" County of Yorke, and live there for about twenty seven j-ears : when he. was about eighteen years old he went to live with Captain Gendall and was in his service about two j'ears." At the June session of the court, 1683, beginning on the 27th, he appears as the first accredited representative from the old town upon the petition of its inhabitants. The court records saj' : — "In answere to y° Town of North Yarmouth who desirs y'' pri-vi- lidg in sending of a Deputj- as well as any [an ?] Iniunction [In junction?] to pay y'' rates. Therefore the p'misses considered y' Court ordereth that from hence forward y* Town of North3-ar- mouth shall have power to make choyce of a Deput3'- yearel3' as other Towns of 3''^ Province have, w''of the Secre''' is to give y'" legall notice for 3'' cho3'ce b3' his warrants from t3'me to tyme, & M'^ Walter Gyndall is now accepted as 3''' peput3' for y' yeare Insewing." The honor of acting in this capacity for the first time clearlj' \ belongs to him, and it was again his piivilege to be chosen by the town for the next year as deputy for the session of June 25th. At the next court he was entrusted with the following duties : — "It is hereb3' ordered y' M'' Walter Gyndall, Major Davess, M'' Wheelwright, Cap' Jo' 'Scottow, Cap' 'Ed* T3'ng and M'' Benj^ Blakeman are appoynted a Committee to treate with y^ Indeans at Sacoe & to settle the affa3'res therein and make return y'of unto the adiournement of the Generall Assembly in Septemb'' next." Evidently the Maine people were not afraid that he would be tray them into the hands of the Indians. He was also at the same session appointed administrator of the estate of Thomas Brackett, deceased. It will be noted in the next paper that Henry Harwood, who told such an elaborate story of the treachery affair business, finally became a subordinate of the man whom he tried to ruin. "In answer y" petition of Henry Harwood Leef of ye foots Company of Falmouth **»**«**. Iq case s* Cap' Brackett accept not y'^of then M'' Walter Gyndall or whom he shall appoynt is hereby Impowered to take y" command of the foote company of Casco, & all y^ Souldgers 3''in required to y« obedience to him or his order as y'^ Comander during the Court's pleasure. And if Cap' Brackett refuse Jo accept of their p'-posal made for keepeing y° fort loyall, then s* M' Gyndall is hereby Impowered BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 19 to take & to keepe y^ s* Fort for 3'° yeare Inse-wing, Or to agree with any p'-son or p'sons to do it, they being such as y° Councill shall approve off." In the tax-list issued in the warrant to the constable to collect from the inhabitants of Spurwink, Richmond's Island, &c., 15 Oct. 1683, "M' Gendal" is rated £1:9:4. This is the largest individual tax in the list, and is inserted here chronologicall3- to Show Ms material progress from time to time. At the court held June 25, 1684, the officials appointed him, with five others, to be a "committee to take care of Fort Lo3'all & to settle a cheife officer over y'* same." From this we may presume that Gendall could not at:tend to the duties longer, owing to the extension of his own business. But the public sentiment was averse to his retirement from the service of the people. Accordingly in the scheme for the resettle ment of the towns that had been desolated by the incursions of the aborigines, he was designated for Falmouth and Scarborough on the 26th of July, 1684. He had already served on the board of trustees for North Yarmouth, and now at one session the court placed the fortunes of two more towns in his hands ! One almost wonders how he found time to attend to all these duties, and the question becomes still more complicated when we find him, Nov. 24th of this same year, acting as one of the select men of Falmouth ! But now we are seeing the beginning of the end, and the busy life we have been studying is soon to pay the death penalty under the most tragic circumstances. For four years we hear nothing from him in public, and conclude that he had become tired of the many honors heaped upon him by his friends and had retired to the quiet of private business affairs. The Indians, who had been comparatively quiet for ten 3'ears, now began to show signs of malicious intentions. To bring mat ters to a crisis, Capt. Blackraan arrested fifteen or twenty peace able Indians, at Saco, and held them as hostages for some others who had been committing depredations in the region of the Kenne bec. TMs impolitic proceeding greatly incensed the natives, and, although the prisoners were soon released, they were dissatisfied, and the white people were warned by the authorities to take all necessary precautions for safety. The services of Capt. Gendall were in demand, as usual, and he was ordered to strengthen the fortifications on Roj'all's River. He had a large crew of men at work in his mill, and he proceeded to the task as a private enter prise. While engaged in this duty, they were surprised and cap tured by the Indians in the first week of September. The particu lars of this affair were related under oath by one Moses Ayer, a servant of the Captain, and we resign the narration to him :— "The Exacacon of moses Eyers, of Dorchester, in y'= County of 20 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. Suffolke, aged twent3' one 3'eares, or thereabouts, y° 22"' day of October, 1688. Thfi s* examinant sa3th that about y" beginning of September last he went in a Canoe with Cap' Walter Gendall & two other men & a Negro of y" s^ Gendall's, & t-wo men more in a Bourch Canoe, Intending to goe to 3'' s'' Gendall's house, & roweing neere the same both cannoes putt ashore, & it beginning to Raine Cap' Gendall sent this Examinant & y" Negroman to goe to his house & fetch a Bagg of Gunpowder w'^'' he had Hung out to Dry, & by the way as the3' were goeing to y" house they heard a man (who Cap' Gendall had sent to bring' up his Cows) cry out Indians, & therefore this Exain' & 3-'^ negro man Runn back to wards y'^ Canoes, but before they could reach them this exain' was taken b3' 3'"^ Indians & thej' went towards the other men that soe soone as y'= Indians were scene by Cap' Gendall & y* others 3'^ two men that came in y^ Burch Canoo Launched her & went away, but Cap' Gendall & the two men with him staj-ed, & Gen dall p''sented his Gunn at 3-'^ Indians : that thereupon 3-'* Indians layd down their arms & Called to Cap' Gendall to Come to them, saying thej' Come to heare News & would Doe him noe harme : that then y" s* Gendall putt his Gunn into y' Canoe & went to them & the Indians asked him what was the Reason that y'^ En glishmen went from their houses, & wh3' Cap' Blackman tooke y* Indians at Saco & sent them away, and y" s? Gendall told him that there was News come from the westward that severall Indians & English were lately Killed by Indians on Conechicott River, at Northfield, w^'' the Indians sayd the3' knew nothing off. And while they were in discourse some other of y^ Indians went downe to y' Canoe & took the Armes w'"" belonged to Cap' Gen dall & y^ other men with him and fired them off, & then seized & bound them all & carryed them about two miles into y" woods from s'^ Gendall's house to a swamp, where the3' lett Cap' Gendall goe, but kept tMs Exain' & other three persons all that night & the next day carryed them to a place ab' twenty mile from y" water side, where there Wigwams were. That y^ Indians that tooke them were about Twelve in number, & that amongst them were Ned Higgins, who was their Captaine, Neconumby and his Sonne called Young Neconumby, Sorry Ned, Saragnmby, Peece- nose his Brother, Amoscogin Sam & Asamewes, whom this Exain' knew. That about tenn days after they were taken, & y^ Indians sent to Boston from Saco were come back againe, two Indians & two Englishmen wei-e sent from Lieu' Co" Tyng att Falmouth to the place where this Exain' & y^ others were kept, to speak to y« Indians & Demand those English taken by them & to tell them that if they would deliuer the captiues & what other things they had taken from the English, the, Indians should be sett att Liberty & desired y** Sachems to goe doune & speake with y« English. Whereupon y" Indians Released this Exain' & more that was with BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 21 him (the other two haueing before made their Escape) & three Indians, by name Hope Hood, Ned Higgins & Young Neconumby, came with them to Falmouth to speake with y" English : & further sayth not. Moses Eyares. Sworne y= day & yeare before written, before me, E'' Randolphe." Many interesting points may be gleaned fi-om. this important document. It gives us as a new fact the preliminary capture of Gendall before his murder a few weeks later. The Captain was an old Indian trader, and relied too much on his friendship with the savages for safe passage. His willingness to trust them is shown when they engaged him in conversation previous to taking him a prisoner. The news from other sections confirmed the charitably-inclined man in the opinion that they were bent on mischief. Accordingly on his release he went to Falmouth and returned with a detachment of soldiers to guard his valuable property and complete the fortifications alread3' begun. Again we resign the narration, this time to the venerable and famous Mather : — "When one captain Sargent had seized some of the principal Indians about Saco by order of Justice Blackman, presentl3- the indians fell to seizing as man3' of the English as the3' could catch, Captain Rowden with many more in one place and captain Gendall with sundr3' more in anolher place particularly fell into the hands of these desperate man catchers : but Gendal -with his got a release, one can scarce tell how, upon the return of those which had been detained in Boston. Hitherto there was no spilling of blood ! But some time in September following, this captain Gendall went up, with soldiers and others, to a place above Casco called North Yarmouth, having orders to build stockados on both sides the river for defence of the place in case of any sudden invasion. While the3' were at work an English captive came to them with informWion that seventy or eight3' of the enem3' were just coming upon them : and he advised them to yield quietly, that they might save their lives. The soldiers that went thither from the southward being terrifi ed at this report ran with an hasty terror to get over the river : but with more haste than good speed : for^hey ran directly into the hands of the indians. The indians draggmg these their prison ers with them came up towards the Casconians : who having but a very little time to consult, yet in this time resolved, first, that the3' woiild not be seized by the Salvages : next, that they would free their friends out of the hands of the Salvages if it were possible : thirdl3', that if it were possible the3' would use all other force upon the Salvages without coming to a downright fight. Accordingly they laid hold on their neighbors, whom the Sal- 22 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. vages had seized, and this too with so much dexterit3' that they cleared them all, except one or two : whereof the whole number was about a dozen. But in the scuffle one sturd3' and surly Indian held his prey so fast, that one Benedict Pulciler gave the Mastiff a blow with the edge of his broad ax upon the shoulder, upon which they fell to't with a vengeance and fired their guns on both sides, till some on both sides were slain. These were as one may call them the scower pit of a long war to follow. At last the Ilnghsh victoriously chased away the Sal vages, and returned safely upon the other side of the river. And thus was the vein of New England first opened, that afterwards bled for ten years together !" (Magnalia, II., 509.) To comprehend the situation thoroughly we will take a look at the battle-ground. John Royall's house, which was a garrison, was on the east side of the river, in that tongue of land that termi nates in Brown's Point, as indicated in the coast survey charts. Captain Gendall was ordered to build stockades on the western side of the river at Callen Point, directl3' opposite Roj'all's house. Earlj- in the morning of September 13, two of the men were sent across the river to yoke up the oxen and make preparations for the day's work. When the3' had arrived on the other side the3' were suddenl3' surrounded bj' a party ' of Indians and hurried into ambush before the3- had time to give an alarm. In due course the rest of the workmen were ferried acioss, supposing that eveiything was in readiness. Nothing had been prepared, and the two sent earlier were missing ! The Indians suddenly made their second appearance, and being charged with kidnapping their men, answer ed with threats and insults. Finding these means ineffectual to provoke a quarrel, one of them attempted to hinder 3'oung Larrabee in his work. The exasperated 3'outh seized his gun and shot him dead, at which the contest became general. This alarmed Capt. Gendall, who was ignorant of the state of affairs, being engaged at Rpyall's, and he rushed tothe river onl3' to see his men retreat ing along the opposite banks, seeking shelter behind the trees. TMs kind of skirmishing lasted about all da3', and the Captain knew that it would be impossible for him to get across, exposed to the sweep of the savages' rifles. Shots were exchanged occasion ally, at . short intervals, till dusk', when through a cessation of firing, and signals from his men, he knew that their ammunition was expended. Then came the moment for tMs brave man to act, and procuring a fresh supply of powder and bullets he ordered his colored servant to row Mm across. Against the entreaties of his wife and friends, he determined to risk the chance of death to save his men, and the float started on its mission. They managed to get safely by the middle of the stream, "iDut as the float touched the shore he was shot through the body and expired, ha-ving only time to throw the ammunition on shore and to say ^he had lost his BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 23 life in their service.' The partj' were now enabled to maintain their ground till night came on and the Indians retieated." {Sulli van, page 186.) Thus perished the soldier and hero of Ancient Westcustogo ! Who shall say that death did not relieve him of another malicious prosecution at^the hands of the Massachusetts Puritans? But his life. and the circumstances of his death amply justify the conclusion that he was an honest man and a conscientious, patriotic citizen, in spite of the malice of partisan spirits. His long intercourse with the Indians, which came from extensive business relations, enabled him to judge of their character minutely, and we do not hesitate the conjecture that his opinions were opposed to extreme measures. Perhaps he favored delay longer than the hot-headed aristocrats of the Bay Colony cared to sanction. He knew the perils of warfare by extended personal experience, but many of the fancy soldiers from the Bay region were too desirous of mili tary fame to brook any conservative counsel. Mather, quoted above, tells us how the3' behaved at the crack of the flrst rifle-shot. But when war came, a braver man never led troops against the enemy than Walter Gendall, and had he been a citizen of Boston his political and military career would have been assured. As it was, he arose to the surface by force of his own abilit3', and the men who had tried to disgrace him were compelled to stultify their own edicts by sanctioniiig his elevation to many important positi ons. His appointment to the delicate and difficult duties as Trustee for the re-settlement of Falmouth, Scarborough and North Yarmouth is sufficient attestation of his character and judgment. No other person on either of the committees was so honored. Captain Scottow served on two of. the boards, but he was a Bos- toman by birth, and had influence at the courts. But we abstain from further comment, fully confident that the student of history wiiraccord to him the thrice-earned eulogium, — _"WeU done, good and faithful sei-vant!" But few more things remain to be noted, and we then proceed to those post-mortem documents that legally finish human life in this world. His death produced great depression in this section of the country, and was universally noted. Judge Sewall in a letter to Rev. Increase Mather, dated 8 Oct. 1688, speaks of the death of "Justice Gendale," though we are ignorant of the reason for calling him a magistrate. In regard to his wife, we only know that she married Theodosius Moore, of Bridgewater, soon after this event, but no date is obtainable. The question of descendants hangs on the the interpretation given to Nathaniel Fryer's letter to the Council, before quoted, wherein he speaks of the impoverished condition of Gendall's "wife and family." This may mean child ren or persons dependant on Mm, as Ms wife's relatives. The fact that no heirs appeared in the probate accounts would seem to 24 BIOGRAPHY OP CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. favor the theory that he had no issue, or the3' maj- have died young. Two 5'ears after Ms death, the following Inventory of his house hold and personal property was made at Marshfield, the residence of Moore : — "A true and perfect Inventory of Such Goods, Chatties and Testamentary Estate of Walter GendaU, late of North yarmouth , in the Province of Maine, Esq'', Deceased, which he dyed possess ed of, as they were bro' to us to be app''sed . and are apprised b3' us in manner and form following : — Imp" one Board and furniture £04 : 00 : 00 one ditto. 03 : 00 : 00 3 old Chests & one Trunk. 00 : 06 : 00 2 Tables Cloths & 18 Napkins 1 : 10 : 00 9 Chairs, old 00 : 09 : 00 5 guns 05: 00: 00 Some old Tables, &".. 0 : 02 : 00 2 p' of Andirons 00 : 06 : 00 15 oz of Pewter, att 6-8 04 : 17 : 06 6 Barrens Pork 09 : 00 : 00 6 Platters 00 : 18 : 00 2 Doz Plates 01 : 00 : 00 Two Looking Glasses 00 : 02 : 00 T^o Brass Kettles 02 : 00 : 00 Two Iron ditto 00 : 06 : 00 Two Iron Pots 00 : 08 : 00 3 Small Brass Kettles 00 : 15 : 00 2 Pewter Basons 00 : 03 : 00 8 Cows & Heifers 16 : 00 : 00 4 Oxen •. ..12: 00: 00 4 Steers 06: 00: 00 3 Brass candle sticks 00 : 06 : 00 1 Chafin dish 00 : 01 : 00 1 Spit & fender 00 : 02 : 00 1 old fire shovel and Tongs 00 : 02 : 00 £64 : 13 : 06 Marshfield, Apprisers, Edward Thomas. Aug : 28 : 1690 Thomas Paris." The Indian war prevented any active measures being taken to administrate upon his estate, and it was not till ten years after the taking of the inventory, and twelve after his death, that tMs functionary was appointed : — "Theodosius Moore, lawfully Admitted & Sworn Administrator to y" Estate of Walter GendaU, by y* Hon'''' W" Stotighton Esq', Judge of Probate for y'= County of York. Npv. 22, 1700.'' Twent3'-one years afterwards he returned the following accounts BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 25 as Administrator : — To Cash p* for Letter of Administration "i £1 : 00 : 06 & other charges | To Cash p* Simon Stoddard, Esq., his demand. .44 : 10 : 00 To Cash p* John Watson, his demand 60 : 00 : 00 To Cash p'^ Tobias Oakman, his demand 100 : 00 : 00 To the freight of Cattle & Goods from Casco ) .20 : 00 : 00 and for my time & trouble, the sloop failing of her expected freight £215: 10: 06 A. By 300 of land at or near Gendal Point ) £8t : 00 : 00 in Casco Bay : sold for j 50 lai)d at Spurwink in Casco Bay : sold 30 : 00 : 00 One half of an Island called Chebague ] 150 : 00 : 00 lying in Casco Bay j By the deceased right in a small island ) 20 : 00 : 00 & sundry Parcels of Land contain- \ ing about ( ) acres : Casco Bay j The Accompt and chargeth himself -with ) 64 : 13 : 06 debts of his amounting to the sum j £345 : 13 : 06 B. And pra3's Allowance for C[harges] ) £215 : 10 : 06 of his former acct j Paid for copy of Letter of Administration, &c 05 : 00 Paid the charge of sending Aneas Salter to ^ Casco Bay and getting the Estate ap praised by 3 men by order of the Hon. Judge Sewall, as follows: To Mr. Salter expenses going from Boston to ) .2 : 14 : 04 Casco Bay j To expenses at Casco Bay with Justices I 3 : 09 : 00 & Seletmen of y^ Town | To cash p* M'' Samuel Bucknam, one of | 1 : 05 : 00 the Apprisers, 5 days J Tod°p*Mr. Salter, 5 days 25s 1 : 05 : 00 To d" p* Mr. Collier, 5 days 25s 1 : 05 : 00 To hire of his Boat & Negro 10s : 4 Gall of | 16 : 09 Beer 2s : Bread 4s 9d j Pork, Sugar & Rum lis 8d : John Bish & ) 1 : 03 : 08 Lewes Tucker to go in Boat 12s 2d J To Ms expenses from Casco to Boston 2 : 08 : 08 To cash p* M'^ Calf for Ms Horse for M'' Salter. .3 : 00 : 00 26 BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. To cash p* for Swearing the Apprisers 2s & p* the ) 9 : 00 the Judge of Probate office in the County of [- York for Entering the apprizement 7s J To Cash for Petition to the Sup Court for Power ") . .2 : 00 to sell the land j To Cash p* the Court Fees 18 : 00 To d° p^ W Rolfe for Copy of Petition & Court order. 4 : 00 To d" p* M' Auchmuty's Fee Attending Court ) ... 10 : 00 to get the Petition granted j To the Difference between Silver Money with") 192 : 03 : 00 Paper Monej-, being £150 : 17 which I > paid in Silver Money in 1702} To Proving, Allowing & Registering this Account. .18 : 00 £432: 16: 11 Errors Excepted : Boston, April 20, 1725. Theodosius Moore." At the Maine Probate Court about this time the following trans actions took place :— "York, SS., Aprill 4: 1721. To Cap'" Richard CoUor, M'' Sam" Bucknam & M' William Scales : You are hereb3' Authorized and Impowered to take a True and perfect Inventory of all and Singular y" Estate, Goods, Chat tels, Rights or Credits of Cap'" "Walter Gendal, late of North Yarmouth, in Casco Bay, Deceas', and make a true and just Ap- prisal thereof, under oath, and exhibit y" same unto 3'" Register's office for Judge of Probate and Granting Adminis'""', &". John Wheelwright, Judge Prob""." "York, ss., Falm'" 19 Ap'^ 1721. The above named Rich* Coller, Sam" Bucknam & W" Scales appeared and ware Sworne to act as above Specified according to y" Directions of y"^ Judge of Probate. Cor: me, Sam" Moodey, J. Peace. Recorded from y^ Original, and Compared, p'' Charles ffrost, Regis'' "Api-ill 25, 1721. We the Subscribers, being appointed b3' y' Hon'''" John Wheel wright, Esq", Judge of Probate of Wills, to Apprise y'= Estate of M'- Walter Gendal, late of North Yarmouth, Deceased, have ap prise y'= Land called Gendal's Point by Estimation three Hundred acres at five shillings p' acre, and Great Jebege, y' Island, at one shilling p"- acre, and y'^ fifty acres of Land to y° Eastward of Spur winke River at 10 sMllings p'' acre. Samuel Bucknam. Richard Collier. William Scales." "Aeneas Salter, Atirney to M" John Smith, which s* Smith was otr " BIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN WALTER GENDALL. 27 Aturney to M' Theodosius Moore, Administrator to Walter Gen dal, of North Yarmouth, Dec*, made Oath that 3-'' above apprise- ment is all that is come to his knowledge, which I accordingly al low and approve of. John "Wheelwright, J. Probate. Recorded from y" Original, and Compared, Charles ffrost, Regis''^." TMs sketch of the career of Walter Gendall closes with the simple notice of the lot drawn by his representatives in the division of June 16, 1727, when the new proprietors of North Yarmouth partitioned their common lands. This lot was known for years as the "Gendall Farm," and the point of land that jutted therefrom into Broad Cove retained the name of Gendall's Point. But soon these appellations gave place to modern nomenclature, and to-day not a sign or sj'mbol remains in the limits of the old town to re mind the inhabitants or. passing strangers of him who was its chief citizen two centuries ago. "W"ith truth Parson Shepley says of him, "no other inhabitant had done so much as he to forward the interests of the town," but his name is now unknown save to the musty antiquar3'. The lapse of time and the sleepless wear of decay have leveled the last vestiges of his famous plantation on the "Westcustogo. The farm-houses, the ship-j'ards and the manu factories live another and a noisier life over the ruins of his bus3- mills. We search in vain for his burial-place among the sunnj- fields of Yarmouth Foreside, where for twice an hundred years the sighing of the winds and the melancholy murmur of the ocean have been Ms mournful requiem. (383 1 '80) Note— The author desires to express his thanks to W. P. Courtney, Esq., of 15 Queen Ann's Gate, Westminster, London, S. W., England, for many valuable sug gestions in the foregoing compilation. To him is tie especially indebted for the probable birthplace of Captain Gendall, first calling his attention to the clues -which point in that direction. The kindly interest manifested in ascertaining the Captain's ancestry, is greatly appreciated, if not -wholly productive of definite results, and the author desires an opportunity to reciprocate. Mr. Courtney is one of the authors of Bwliotheca Comubiensis, a work -which should find a place In the llbrarj; of every historical student. It gives much fresh information about the early emigrants to this country, especially of their trans atlantic antecedents. Caylord Bros. Makers Syracuie, N. Y. PAT. MN. 2 1, 1808 ,) V - . >• > 1-). f, »' ^ y ^.. >>^. A <^ * ^^ ^ ""r " t "^ ¦^ A' _^ ;¦ J^-u ^v ^¦v '. ' f' "V;n » ¦ ^''-' i"fiS ,'." ,1- i "^ '^'.-'^^'^^V,; Al , »• s^ '<- '' > 'J . , ^ , 1/ -u "t*-^ V > -^*- ' ' -^' '. ' !'M''i ^-^ ' r- ¦**' "^'iC^':' '-^ -^A , . A . 1 ( '