PROCTOR Family - Falmouth ME Colonial History

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Falmouth was settled and abandoned several times before 1713, when peace with the Indians once again returned. The settlers who claimed land in 1718, when Falmouth was incorporated as a town, were of two types. The first were "old proprietors" whose families had settled the land before 1690 and were renewing their claims. The second were "new proprietors" who swiftly out numbered the old. This new group was primarily composed of soldiers who had been garrisoned at Fort Loyal (in Falmouth) during the previous war. These soldiers had served under Maj. Samuel Moody and his 2nd in command, Benjamin Larrabee. Many of these men are believed to have settled on "the neck" when the garrison was disbanded. These two groups of proprietors were at odds with each other until a compromise was made in 1732. Falmouth remained small and poor until 1728 when the first minister was settled and approx. 138 new families arrived. At this time a payment of 10 pounds (very cheap) and a promise to settle was all that was required to get a lot and a share in the common grounds. This last group was more typical of Mass. society and included professionals, craftsmans, and merchants. One historian writes, "The process was completed during the next two years, when families of such stock as Pearson's swiftly outnumbered the few Anglicans, sympathizers with the old Gorges regime, and plain heathens who remained."

From Smith's Journal

pg.55 (Smith's writing) About this time 1715, Mr. Skillin and Bracket settled on their father's old farms at Back Cove. now Came Capt. Coller and built a house, as did one Proctor, Doughty, Rounds, Mills, Hall, two Scales' (brothers), father Thomes, Wass (twelve in all) and John Barber and father Gustian (who died June 1718.)

pg.56 (Willis note 1849) Samuel Proctor, came from Lynn between Sept. 1717 and Nov. 1719; He married Sarah, a daughter of Anthony Brackett, by whom he had John 1715, Benjamin 1717, both born in Lynn, Samuel 1719, Sarah 1723, William 1724, Keziah 1727, and Kerenhappuck 1729. He built his house on Fore street, between Lime and Silver Streets, and owned the land from Middle Street to low water mark - a part of which remains in the hands of Mr. Warren and Mrs. Wyer his great grandchildren, through Benjamin. ... The one story house which Benjamin, the son of Samuel, built, and in which he died in 1781 is still standing on his father's old lot, and is one of the two oldest houses in town.

pg.204 (Willis note 1849) ... his sons John and Benjamin were born in Lynn, the former June 24, 1715, the latter Sept 6, 1717; his son Samuel was born here Nov.24, 1719. ... The house in which Benjamin lived, where his daughter Mrs. Warren was born, and where Peter Warren afterwards lived, is now standing on the paternal estate, in the rear of the brick stores east of Market street; It is the oldest house in town, unless the Moody house on the corner of Franklin street, built in 1740, be an exception: there was an orchard connected with this property extending nearly to Middle street. ... Anne, a daughter of Benjamin, ... whoses children, Thomas Warren and Mrs. Eleazer Wyer, now occupy a portion of the property granted to Samuel by the town in 1721 ... .

He was granted his lot by the town, extending from Fore St. nearly to Federal St. between Willow and Lime St. ... He built a one story house on Fore St. near where Willow St. joins it. [HP]

Abt. 1726 5 men were voted to gather provisions for the new Minister (Mr. Smith). Samuel Proctor and Thomas Millett represented the men from the "Casco side". [goold001:0284]

1730 Samuel Proctor with 11 others refering to themselves as "Twelve of the Proprietors of the common and undivided lands of the township of Falmouth" held a meeting under a warrant from John Gray of Biddeford, and against 19 other proprietors. They made grants, appropriated money, admitted persons, and assumed powers over the common domain of the town. [clayt001:0272]

08-Oct-1734 a tax was laid by North Yarmouth to raise funds for the cost of opposing the Stevens land claim in the York Court. Taxes on Lot 37 were to be collected by Benj. Prince of No. Yarmouth from Benj. Larrabee or Saml. Proctor. [OTNY] [An interesting aside here is that the Stevens descendants filing the claim against No. Yarmouth were also taxed - for the land the town disputed they had rightful ownership of!!! -NL]

"16-Mar Father Proctor died in the night, aged 85"

The section of Westbrook known as Cumberland Mills was originally owned by 7 men. Benjamin Larrabee and Samuel Proctor were two of those men.

Towards the beginning of the Revolutionay War the town of Falmouth suffered heavily. On October 18, 1775 Captain Mowatt of the English Navy bombarded the town from his ships in the bay. Much of Falmouth was turned to ash before the day was over.
The following map shows Falmouth in 1775, the extent of the destruction, where Proctor homesteads where located, and this is overlaid on a map of modern day Portland.
Map of Falmouth Maine 1775

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