Ref:

"Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire"- p.727

2I. PETER (PETER 1)

b. 1618 Charfield, Gloucester
m.1. RUTH (3) GOOCH (b.c.1628, d. before 7 May 1667)
2. c.1667 Mary Puddington (bpt. 2 Feb. 1632/3 Tiverton, Devon, d. 29 June 1719
d. 25 Jan. 1691/2 killed in the York Massacre
inv. 18 Apr. 1692. His estate was valued in 1727 at £570/2/10 by a family settlement.

Peter was in America about 1638 when he and Thomas Brooks, alias Basil Parker, bought John Wilcox's land at the Great Works on the Asbenbedick River.(1) They were living there on 25 June 1640 when all residents of Kittery were cited to attend the first session of a proprietary court to be held at Agamenticus and to signify their acquiescence in the administration of the local government by Gorges.(2) Shortly thereafter they had a confirmation of their land from Thomas Gorges.(3)

There is a letter from a Peter Weare to Sir Richard Ducie, Bart. concerning estate matters in Gloucester dated 13 Apr. 1640, however, I have not seen the contents of the letter at this point.(28)

In the early years Peter travelled to Winnepesaukee and the Merrimack for furs. Of his early activities he stated in a deposition in 1665 that 27 years previously he had: "often times travailed the country, some of the natives allwaies with me, which hath from time to time affirmed that the lake called Winnepasaket issues into the river of Merremake, and having some Indians with me upon the north side of the said lake, upon a great mountayne, did see the lake which the Indians did affirme issues into the aforesaid river."(4)

Peter was on the jury for the first time in 1640. He settled at York by 1643 living first near the present meeting house on ten acres purchased from John Alcock in 1644.(5)

"Edw : Godfrey of Agamenticus, In y^e County of Deavon, in the Province of Mayne gentle:... doth... sell... unto John Allcocke of Agamenticus aforesayd Planter, tenn Acers of upland scituate lijng & being, on the east side of the River of Agamenticus... bounded with the Land of Joseph Gynkes... Land of Abraham Preble... the Commans... & the high way... & also one Prcell of swampe Land, lijng North East towards the high way... John Allcocke... paijng for all dues Issewing out of the pmisses... &... two days worke of a man yearly... the sixteenth day of March... 1642... Edw : Godfrey... Prsence of Oliver Godfrey, Edw : Johnson, Roger Garde"

... I John Allcocke of Gorgeana doth make over to Peter Weare, all my right & Title here in expressed, with all the P^rmisses there in expressed... John Allcocke... In the Prsence of Abraham Preble, Ric X Bankes"

I doe hereby Assigne over unto Mr John Gouch, all the appremisses herein expressed, with y^e building there unto Added, for a Certen Consideration by mee agreed upon-March 16 : 1650- Peter Weare... Witness Nicho : Davis, Nicho: X Greene"(35)

"I Tho: Gorges Depu^ty Gover of the province of Mayne, doe In behalfe of Sir Fardinad : Gorges K^t Proprietor of the sd Province, do give, grant, Confirme, unto Peter Weare of Gorgeana... a Necke of Marsh named y^e narrow Necke, being by estimation two Acers, or y^r abouts bee It more or lesse, yeilding y^rfore & paijng unto y^e sayd Sir Fardin : Gorges... one shilling at or upon the 29^th of Septemb^r yearly... this 15^th day of July 1643 : Tho : Gorges Dep^t Gover

I doe hereby at thie Prsent Assigne over unto Mr John Gouch my Marsh herein specifyd, with all my Marsh given mee In Agamenticus for a Consideration agreed on by mee- Peter Weare- March 16 : 50 : Witness Nicho : Davis, Nicho X Greene.

This Deponent sworne sayth, that little before Thomas Gorges, Esq^r, went out of New England wch was about 13 or 14 years agoe, this Deponent sayth, that hee was Prsent in the Marshes of yorke, wth the aforesd Tho : Gorges, & Peter Weare, at wch tyme, this Deponent sayth, that In his Prsence, hee did see Thomas Gorges give unto the aforesayd Peter Weare, full & free possession to y^e uss of the sayd Peter Weare... of a Certen poynt & Prcell of Marsh lijng on the South side of the River in the South West branch of the Marshes of yorke, wch poynt & prcell of Marsh was Called the norrow Necke, & now is Called known by the name of the Gurnetts Noose : And further this Deponent doth affirme that at y^e same tyme Tho : Gorgs Esq^r, in this deponents Prsence did give unto his two servants Christopher Rogers & Witt : Davess, two poynts of Marsh lijng next below the aforesd poynt of marsh given unto Peter Weare...

This Deponent doth affirme y^t Mr Thomas Gorges a little before hee went out of New England wch is about 14 or fiveteen years since, this Deponent being Prsent with the sayd Mr Gorges & Peter Weare; heard the aforesd Mr Gorges in this Deponents Prsence, give & grant unto the aforesd Peter Weare... one peece or Prcell of Marsh called the Narrow Necke & now commanly Called... y^e Gurnettss Noose... this 7th of Decemb^r 58 : before mee Edw : Johnson...

The Deposition of Peter Weare aged about fourty yeares, being in Company with Mr Tho : Gorges, upon the South West branch of yorke River, sometyms before the goeing of Mr Gorges out of New England, wch is about foureteen or fiveteene years since at wch tyme this deponent doth testify, that y^e sayd Mr Tho : Gorges, did give & grant unto Christopher Rogers & Willia : Davis, upon the South west branch of the aforesd River of yorke, one small poynt of Marsh Contayneing one acer & an halfe, & one Cricke of Marsh lijng on the lower side of the aforesd Poynt... this 7th of December 58"(6)

"These p^rsents witnesseth y^t w^ras Thomas Brookes, & Peter Wyre, were possessed of a parcell of ground, & a house & a cleared lott togeather, with the Grant of Tenn acers of Marsh from Mr Gorge, by vertue of a writeing from one Joⁿ Willcocke, & another from Mr Tho: Gorge, as by the sd writeings more at large appeareth : Now these p^rsents testifyeth, I Joⁿ Allcocke of Agamenticus, the executor of the last will & testament of the sd Tho : Brooks alias Basill Parker, have barganed & sould unto Rich : Leader his heyres or assignes all the sd house & ground, togeather with sd Marsh : ffor & in Consideration of ffoureteene pound starlg... the last day of Decemb : 1652 : Joⁿ Allcocke... in the p^rsens of Fran : Raynes, Samuell Allcocke".(30)

"I Mr William Hooke M^rchant dwelling in Sawlesbury in New England, doth give grant & Confirme unto Mr John Gouch of Gorgeana, & Peter Wyre of the aforesd Gorgeana... fourty Acers of Land begining at the side of the little River, on this side of Cape Nuddocke beach, y^t it to say Twenty Acers to Mr. Joⁿ Gouch, & Twenty Acers I do give unto the aforesd Peter Wyre... this 18... day of Octob^r : 1644 : William Hooke... Witnesse Hene HD Donell".(31)

Peter was on the grand jury in 1645. He was granted land with John Gooch by the town of York in 1646. Peter settled on the homestead on the north side of the Cape Neddick River by 1650 on land purchased 18 Oct. 1644. In December 1651 the Godfrey government incorporated Cape Neddick into a separate political entity with Thomas Wheelwright and Peter Weare ordered to make a survey of what marshes the inhabitants of Wells: "who formerly deserted this government" have lying in this jurisdiction, also that they shall pay 3d per year for every such acre.(7)

From the first Peter identified himself with the Massachusetts claims to the ownership of Maine and was used by them to bolster their claims. He signed the submission to Massachusetts 22 Nov. 1652(8) and was admitted freeman in the same year. Peter's grant of 100 acres of upland and meadow from Godfrey was confirmed to him by the General Court at Boston 20 April 1655.(9) Peter, along with many others, was not satisfied with the division of Godfrey's land and they signed a petition to the general court in Boston stating their opinion. However, the awards were never changed.

Map of York- showing the homes of the people who signed the submission to Massachusetts in 1652, Map of York Village- from Banks' History of York, Map of York- Alcock's Neck and the beach- from Banks' History of York

He signed the petition to Cromwell in 1656 which referred to the complaints presented to the Protector by "some gentlemen of worth" (ie. Godfrey) for restitution of their right of jurisdiction and asked that they be not heeded, intimating that they are instigated by: "professed Royalists whose breathings that way... have been so farre stifled."(10) In 1659 he represented York in the local legislature held by Wiggan and Danforth by virtue of a commission from Massachusetts. He was again at Boston in 1660 and in 1665 at the important session of the general court during the controversy with the Royal Commissioners.(11)

Trustie & Well beloved, Wee greete you well

W^ras wee have lately receaved an humble addresse & petition from the Generall Court of our Coloney of the Massachusetts In new England, psented to us by Symon Broadstreete, & John Norton Wee have thought It agreeable to our princely grace, & Justice, to lett you know that the same hath beene very acceptable to us, & that Wee are well satisfyd with those expressions of Loyalty duty & good affection made to us in the sd Addresse, Which Wee doubt not proceeds from the hearts of our good subjects : And Wee are therefore willing that all our good subjects of that plantatio: do know, y^t wee do receave them Into our gratious ptection, and will Cherish them with our best Incoragement, & that wee will p^rserve, & do hereby Confirme there Patentt, & Charter heretofore granted unto them by our Royall Father of blessed Memorie, & that they shall freely Injoy all the priviledges, & Lybertys granted to them In, & by the same. And that Wee will bee ready to renew the same Charter to them under our great seale of England, wⁿsoever they shall desire It

And because the Lycentiousness of these late Ill tymes, hath likewise had an Influence upon that our Coloney, In w^ch wee do gratiously Impute, rather to the Iniquity of that tyme, then to evill Intention of the haerts of those who exercised the Goverment there;

And wee do therefore hereby publish, & declare our free & gratious pardon unto all our subjects of that our plantaton for all Crimes & offences Comitted aganst us, dureing the late troubles (excepting onely such psons who stand Attaynted by our Parlament, here, of hie Treason) If any such psons have transplanted them selves Into those parts, the apprehending of whome & the transporting them Into this kingdome, & the delivering them up into the hands of Justice, Wee do expect from the dutie, affection, & obedience of our good subjects of that our Colonie, if they are found with In the Lymitts and Jurisdiction : provided always, & it bee our declared expectation y^t upon revew of all such Laws, or ordinances that are now, or have beene dureing these late troubles In practice there, & w^ch are Contrary & Derogatorie to our Authority & Government, the same may bee Anulled & repealed, & the rules & p^rscriptions In the sd Charter for Administration, & the takeing the oath of Allegiance, bee hence forward duely observed, & the Administration of Justice bee In o^r Name

Wee do hereby charge & require you, that y^t freedome & Lyberty bee duely Admitted & allowed : soe y^t such as desire to usse the Booke of Coman prayer, & pforme there Devotions In y^t manner as is established here, bee not denyed the exercize there of; or undergoe any praejudize or disadvantage y^rby, they useing there Lyberty peaceably, with out disturbance to others

And y^t all psons of good & Honest lives, & Conversations bee Admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords supper, according to the sd booke of Coman prayer, & there children to babtizme [this didn't work out as York, for example, didn't have an Anglican church in town for over 200 years!]

Wee Cannot bee understood hereby to direct, or wich y^t any Indulgence should bee granted to those psons Comanly Called Quakers, whose principles being Inconsistent with any kind of Govermt: Wee have found it necessary by the Advise of our parlament, here to make a sharpe Law aganst them. And are well Contented that you doe the like there.[although the king tolerated them in RI and PA]

Although Wee have hereby declared our expectation to bee, that the Charter Granted by our Royall father, & now Confirmed by us, shall be punctually observed, yett if the Number of y^e Assistants Injoyned thereby bee found by experience, & bee Judged by the people to bee Inexpedient, as wee are Informed it is, Wee do then dispence with the same, & declare our will & pleasure herein for y^e future to bee that the Number of the sayd Assistants, shall not exceede eighteene, nor lesse att any tyme then tenn, Wee assureing our selfe, & Comanding & obleidgeing all psons Concern'd, that In the Election of the Governer, or Assistants, there bee onely Consideration had of the wisedome, virtue, & Integrity of the psons to bee chozen, & not of anie faction, with reference to there opinions, & outward profession; And that all freehoulders of Competent estats, not vitious In Conversation, & orthodox In religion (though of different pswasions concerneing Church Govermt:) may have there voats In the Election of all officers both Civill, and Military

Lastly our will, & pleasure is, that at the next Generall Court of y^t our Coloney, this our letter & Declaration bee Comunicated & published, that all our Loveing subjects with in that our plantation, may know our grace & favo^r to them, & y^t Wee do take them Into our protection as our loveing, & dutifull subjects, and y^t Wee wll bee ready from tyme to tyme to receave any appylcation or Addresse, from them, which may Concern there Interest, & the good of that our Coloney, & that wee will Advance y^e benefitt & Trayd thereof, by our uttmost Indeavo^rs & Countenace psumeing that they will still meritt the same by there duty & obesdience.

By his Magestys Comand
Edward Nicholes

To the Constable of yorke who is hereby required to publish, or Cause the same to bee published at a Generall Towne meeteing there...

This is a true Coppy of his Magestys letter p^rsented by the much Hono^rd : Mr Symon Broadstreete, & Mr John Norton to the Govern & Generall Court, being read In y^e Generall Court at Boston the 8^the of Octob^r : 1662..." (32)

In 1668 he signed the "govern or get out" petition which was an indictment of incompetency with a notice that they would expect: "due & seasonable performance" of Massachusetts' obligations to maintain law and order. "Your tollerating such an inconsiderate number of opposers frequently to violate & trample upon yr authority & laws, as cannot be altogether unknowne to you, to the obstruction of Justice, infringeing our Lybertys, deviding our peace and if not speedily prevented by your Worships, may as the case stands, snarl us in the bonds of Inextricable & prejudiciall Injuries, upon whom, under God, & our dread sovereigne wee looke att our selves Ingged att present to depend for our security & releife."(12) Massachusetts could not attempt another subversion of their rights upon the theory that internal dissension should warrant her mediation as she had before pleaded in justification but, the opportunity for interference was again to be created by the old and always successful tactic... petition. Clandestine petitions in considerable numbers were obtained by a junta of professional agitators who hoped to welcome once more Massachusetts' authority in the Province of Maine. Peter "who hath been a principal actor in all these disturbances", was arrested in April 1668 by order of the Royal Justices for circulating petitions: "and his writeings taken from him wherein hee had pcured severall hands to the Genell Court for subverting our Governt for whose seditious practices hee was Imprysoned... & that night the pryson doores were staved In peeces by some of his confederates & being freed secunded his former actings with greater violence... repayering to the Genell Court in the midst of all for his security was their animated for the carrying on of the design."(13) Peter protested that he was "at last cast into prison where I found nothing but ye flore to ly upon".

Peter sent letters to the General Court appealing for assistance and enclosing petitions signed by as many York citizens as he had been able to convert. When these papers were read in the Court, legislation was passed to authorize another invasion into Maine. The General Court was to meet in May and these self-constituted reformers made it the occasion for ostentatious demonstrations. Memorials were circulated in every town asking for a return of the authority of Massachusetts over the distracted and suffering country. Less than 20% of the original submitters from 1652 until 1658 could be made to say that they would submit again. Nathaniel Phillips described these memorialists as "a Company of restles people... of noe Creditt or reputation, but living on Land of other proprietors."(14) The justices of Massachusetts supported by an armed force then appeared in York and seized the courts even after the warning sent by Col. Nicolls 12 June 1668: "I know you have force enough to compell most of your neighbours to submit to the government, but if you thinke that His Maties arme will never be strecht forth to defend his subjects from usurpation, you may attempt anything under the notion of setling peace and order... you will find that Province already setled by His Maties Commissioners in peace and order except, some few turbulent spiritts." He warns them that they "may cause blood to be shed, for it is both naturall and lawfull for men to defend their just rights against all invaders".(15) A delegation, with Court authority and: "attended with about twelve armed men on horseback, with a retinue of as many more or their friends with Swords, most being Captains and men of worth accompted among them" rode into York on the second Tuesday of July and again by show of superior force of arms brought Maine under the control of Massachusetts.(16) There was no reprisal, for England, beset with troubles of its own (the plague of 1665, the London fire of 1666 and another war with Holland) was unable to send troops to the support of the Royal Commissioners. This second military invasion of Maine in force was successful and Peter began to profit by his partisanship. In the bitter personalities engendered during the excitements of the usurpation he was called by Capt. John Davis, his wife's stepfather, a "bare knave and cripell cur".(17) In the paper of Edward Randolf (1680) was the following: "men that are enemies to M Gorges interest, living in the province of Mayne:... Peter Wyer of Yorke".(18)

Peter was commissioned as Recorder by the General Court: "if Mr. Edward Rishworth, the recorder of the said County of York, neglect or refuse his duty therein", which proved to be the case and Peter assumed the duties.(19) The editor of "York Deeds" states that Peter's "records show that he was poorly qualified for the office to which he was appointed. In an age when spelling was largely a matter of personal choice his orthography was lamentable and his handwriting was worse than his spelling. The labor of writing was so irksome to him that he frequently employed Rishworth to make the records to which he affixed his clumsy signature".(20) In 1669 Rishworth was again elected recorder, but the court set aside the election and reappointed Weare who held the office for another year to be succeeded by Rishworth.(21) Peter became a bitter rival to Rishworth and on at least one occasion, Rishworth, as magistrate, had Peter thrown into the gaol on the charge of sedition and Peter wrote a petition to get out. (21a)

Peter Weare's "Get Out of Jail Free" letter

York evidently found him useful as he was chosen selectman 18 times between 1653 and 1683. He was a York Commissioner (in place of selectman) in 1657, 1660 and 1664, representative to the General Court in 1660, 1665 and 1669, recorder in 1668, county treasurer in 1670, town clerk from 1654 until 1673 (despite his lack of qualifications), Clerk of the Writs in 1665 and town lot-layer in 1667.(22)

In July 1673 there was a verdict against Mr. Peter Weare for beating Thomas Crowly.(23) He had been in gaol for some reason in 1675 when George Norton sued the prison keeper John Parker for "not detayning Peter Weare in pryson". In defense Parker declared that "the pryson was not sufficient". The keeper probably meant that the prison was too cold for habitation. In 1674 by order of the court: "In regard of the Couldness of the present season and the Inconveniency and unfitness of the Pryson to entertayne prisoners this winter time, it is therefore ordered that until a more convenient pryson be erected or the season be more moderate it shall be lawful for John Parker His Majesty's Gaolkeeper at York to remove his prysoners to his house- Prysoners shall have their lyberty to come to the meeting on the Lord's Day with the keeper of the Gaol."

"I Peter Weare Senjo^r, of Cape Nuddacke in y Townshipe of Yorke... for & in Consideration of the some of Twenty pounds... payd by James Jackson... doe sell... a Certen Tract of fresh Meddow or Meddow Land lijing & being on the South East side of that fresh Meddow being on the North West side of Wells path, Commanly Called by the name of Cape Nuddocks Marsh, Contayneing the quantity of eight Acers... alsoe a small Tract of swampe lijng between Wells path & the sd Meddow, Contayneing two or three Acers... this eleventh day of March one thousand six hundred seaventy three or seaventy foure- Peter Weare Senjo^r... in the Prsence of James X Grant, Andrew Everest"(33)

"I Peter Weare senjo^r of Cape Nuttacke... doe sell unto James Jackeson of the sayd Cape Nuttucke a small stripp of upland next & Now Adjoyneing unto the sd Jackesons house lott...the Northward branch wch is part of a spring of water, wch sayd spring runneth into y^e head of y^e Cricke wch parteth y^e Land of y^e sayd Weare & the sayd Jackeson... for y^e full & Just some of foure pounds... this 16^th of June... One thousand six hundred seaventy five- Peter Weare, Mary X Weare... in y^e Prsence of Edw : Rishworth, Abra : Preble".(34)

Peter's second wife had been an inmate of his household as a housekeeper from 1649 until 1663. In Dec. 1715 age 80 his wife deposed that about 66 years before she had lived with her husband's first wife being then about 14 years old. This marriage did not turn out satisfactorily and she was indicted in 1675 for "liveing from her husband". Upon examination she explained that it was "be cause her husband was notwilling to have her company, neither did he provide helpe or necessary accomodations for her convenient reception which iff he would shee was willing to go to live with him". He was ordered to provide properly for her and she to return to her husband both upon a prescribed penalty.(24)

"October 6 1691... Whereas Elizabeth Carline was Justly Convicted of her great abuses Done to their Ma^ties Constable of yorke and was ordered to be gagged, M^rs Mary Weare became bound for her Good behaviour promising that If the sd Elizabeth shall in any ways act Contrary to their Ma^ties lawes with her tongue in abusing any person : she will suffer in her owne person for sd Elizabeth".(41)

In 1680 Peter sold a tract of land a mile east of the river to Thomas Averill (or Avery) of Wells.(25) Peter was then "granted 40 acres, west of ye brook running of ye fresh water marsh 1674, and lott enlarged and bounds renewed 1683".

"I Peter Weare senior of Yorke, with my wife Mary, for & in Consideration of the Just sume of fivetene pounds... payd by John Smyth Junjo^r of Yorke... do... sell... Twelve acres, Marsh & upland... lijng... on the Eastward side of Cape Nuttacke River, the first North Eastward Cricke, from the Harbours Mouth... Compassing a small Poynt of Marsh unto a Small Cove... being part of the sd Weares Lott of Land, given & granted by Mr Edw: Godfrey owneing him selfe a Pattentee & the sd lott of being & Improvement about Thirty yeares by the sd Weare... this eighteenth of July 1683 : Peter Weare, Mary X Weare... in the Presence of Samuell Bankes, John X Spencer"(36)

"I Peter Weare Senjor of Yorke... with the Consent of his wife Mary, for & in Consideration of foureteen pounds... payd... by Thomas Everell sometyms of Wells... in Consideration of a Tract of Land lijng & being about one Mile on the Eastward side of Cape Nuddacke River begining upon the South side of a Small pond of Water... unto a Percell of Low Land known by the name of the burnt Marsh brooke, & so bounded by the sea unto a Small Cove w^r the fresh water runnes into the sea [I suspect it is the area around Lake Caroline] Being a Necke of Land Contajneing about Twenty seaven Acres... granted by the Select men of y^e Town of yorke, unto the aforesd Weare... this tenth of July 1683: Peter Weare, Mary X Weare... In the Presence of Samell Bankes, Silvester X Stover"(36)

"I Peter Ware of Cape Nedock and Mary Ware... in Consideration of the sum of twelve pounds... paid by our sone Danielle Ware of Cape Nedock... doe... sell... sixty acres... bought of M^r John Gooch for a certaine sum of about fourteene pounds which land is Knowne by the name of Gooches Neck... being Neare Cape Nedock... begining at the seaside one the north East side of a small pond which the stormes wash over Into there being a small heape of stones... and to make and Maintaine a sufficient fence betweene my land & his land so bounded as above mentioned for the space of fifteene yeares... this 28th Day... 1687// Peter Weare, Mary X Weare... presen of us- John Penwill, John X Herman, Henry Godard"(38)

"In their Ma^ties names

A Court of pleas held at yorke the 16^th Day of July 1690 Before Major John Davese Dep^ty p^rsident Capt Francis Hooke Maj^r Charles Frost and John Wincoll Justices of the peace...

The Jury finds for the defendent Costs of Court".(39)

"February 25 1690/91... Henry Goddar by vertue of a letter of atturney from Elizabeth Stover Did in her name & behalfe appeare before this Court and acknowledge a Judgment of six pounds in mony to Peter Weare and Costs of Court allowed seven shillings nine pence"(40)

Plaque at Snowshoe Rock- Chase's Pond Rd., York

Peter was one of the settlers killed in the Candlemas Day Massacre in 1692 during King Williams' War when 150 French and Indians attacked the town and killed about 100 of the settlers, took about 80 captive and burned most of the buildings in the town. Rev. Shubael Dummer was shot at his front door and his wife and son carried away "though snows and hardships among those dragons of the desert she also quickly died".

Peter evidently was interested in literature since in 1692 he owned a "Key of the Bible" valued at £1 and "other Bookes" valued at 18/. Books at that time were expensive luxuries and were not widely available.(27)

"yorke Aprill 18^th 1692

An Inventory of the estate of M^r Peter weare lately deceased taken by us whose names are here underwritten

Inpro About 200 acres of land at Cape nedok and housing...................... 170 00 00
and thre acres and halfe of salt marsh...................................................... 015 00 00
3 brass ketles......................................................................................... 002 10 00
1 Ioyron pot & pot hookes & tramell...................................................... 000 16 00
a frying pan & Iron skile beame.............................................................. 000 17 00
2 axes & a Iron skillet............................................................................ 000 10 00
2 spits a brass morter an paesell watch bill.............................................. 000 10 00
Chaines & Churn augers & other things.................................................. 001 16 00
A bedsted a spining wheele and other things............................................ 01 16 00
on table a paile a cup.............................................................................. 00 10 00
on Mayre and six sheep.......................................................................... 03 00 00
for puter 43s and two brass candlesticks 13s.......................................... 02 09 00
on paire of streaked Curtings.................................................................. 01 04 00
on paire of Black curtings....................................................................... 00 07 00
on raper................................................................................................. 00 12 00
one booke called the key of the bible...................................................... 01 00 00
and other bookes................................................................................... 00 18 00
2 silver spons and a silver Cup................................................................ 01 00 00
2 Cushens and some linnen..................................................................... 00 17 00
on Coate................................................................................................ 00 10 00
2 great trunkes and a small one............................................................... 01 05 00
on bed and bolster and the bed cloathes to it........................................... 02 05 00
on old bed and bed cloathes belonging to it............................................. 01 10 00
on warming pan & a paire of stilards....................................................... 01 00 00
on bible.................................................................................................. 00 07 00
six swine................................................................................................ 03 10 00
in Cash.................................................................................................. 00 04 00
4 Cows 10� on hefer & 2 steres 4� 10s................................................. 14 00 00
3 yearlings 3� a saw & other things........................................................ 04 00 00
__________
231 13 00

Abra Preble
John Parker

M^rs Mary Weare tooke oath in Court that the above written is a true Inventory of the Estate of her deceased husband Peter Weare".(37)

"At a court of sessions of peace held at yorke... the first Day of Novem^br 1692... Administration granted to M^rs Mary Were on the Estate of her deceased Husband Peter Were late of yorke an sd Mary were as principle and John Harman as surety stand bound unto o^r soveraigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen in the sum of foure hundred sixty & two pounds that sd Mary were shall Administer on sd Estate according to law".(43)

"I Mary Weare of York... for & in Consideration of four pounds Annually to be paid me by y^e psons hereafter Mentioned dureing my Natural life... do... sell... to Peter Nowell & Hopewell Weare of york... a Certain parcell of Salt Marsh Containing 8 Acres... on y^e Northwest branch of york river Adjoining to the Marsh of Samuel Bragdon... this Twenty Sixth of Novemb^r one Thousand Seven hundred & Eight- Mary X Weare.. witness Joseph Heath, Caleb Preble"(44)

"M^rs Mary Weare Aged Eighty three years or there abouts Testifieth & Saith that She well rememb^rs m^r Henry Saywards building y^e Meeting house at York which was about fifty years ago and that he was to have Land for building s^d house & that her husband Peter Weare dec^d was About that time a Lot layer & was Improved by y^e Neighborhood often to Lay out land in y^e Town of York... Nov^r 23^d 1717"(44)

"In The Name of God Amen the 21st of Jan^ry 1718/19 I Mary Wear of Yorke... Widow being very weak of Body, but as yet Sound in Judgment and of Perfect Memory... Do make this as my last Will and Testament Revoking and Disannulling all former Wills whatsoevere...

And as for my Small Estate I do give my house and all my Land unto my Beloved Son Hopewell during his Natural life and at his Decease Equally to be divided betwene my other Three Children Daniel Wear Mary Roberts and Sarah Nowel Hopewell also to have my Household Stuff and Bedind.

Whatsoever else I have in moneys Goods Stock or any thing else Whatsoevere as well not mentioned as mentioned wheither in possession or Reversion, that is now or might ever be Justly due to me, I leave with my beloved Son in Law Nowel for the Payment of my Just Debts and funeral Charges Whome I do Constitute make and ordain my Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament Only my desire and will further is and was although I did not Express it so plainly to be brought in, in its proper Place I Say my will is that my Beloved Son Hopewell shall have all my household Stuff and Beding only my wearing clothes and trunk I give to my Daughter Nowel

in the Presents of us... Abiell Goodwin, Samuel Moodey, Hannah Moodey".

The will was probated 7 Apr. 1719 and the inventory amounted to �105:13:10 was taken by Joseph Banks, Nicolas Sewal and Benjamin Stone.(29)

"Peter Nowell for & in consideration of Two thousand five hundred of merchantable Pine Boards to him in hand pd by Joseph Ware of sd York yeoman... do... sell... one certain peice... of Meadow or Swampy Ground containing one Acre & three quarters... scituated upon y^e northeast side of y^e highway that leads from y^e Meeting house towards y^e Long sands so called being y^e Southeast ende of y^e Ashen Swamp... which... was granted unto m^r Peter Ware late of sd York Deceased at a Town meeting in Said York And is now sold to help pay funerall charge of m^rs Mary Ware the Widdow of said Peter Ware... this Twenty third day of March one Thousand Seven hundred and Twenty one Two... Peter Nowell... In y^e presence of us- John Sayword, Nath^ll Freeman".(45)

Ref:

(1) York Deeds- Vol. I, fol.30
(2) Maine Court Records- Vol.I, p.42
(3) "History of York, Maine"- Charles Edward Banks, Society for the Preservation of Historidcal Landmarks in York County, 1935- Vol. II, p.16
(4) Mass. Archives- Vol.4, pt.2, p.243
(5) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, p.17
(6) York Deeds- Vol. II, fol.179-80
(7) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, p.8
(8) Mass. Archives- Vol.3, p.199
(9) Ibid- p.238
(10) Ibid- p.242
(11) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, pp.17-8
(12) Mass. Archives- Vol.3, p.269
(13) Ibid- Vol.33, p.58
(14) Ibid- Vol.23, p.50
(15) Hutchinson Coll. 427, NY Col. Doc. III, 170
(16) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.1, pp.246-7
(17) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, pp.18-9
(18) "Documentary History of Maine"- Vol.4
(19) Mass. Col. Rec.- IV, pt.2, p.152
(20) York Deeds- Vol.II, p.8
(21) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.1, pp.214-5
(21a) Mass. Archives- Vol. 3, p. 279
(22) York Deeds- Vol.X, p.246
(23) Col. Banks' notes- Wilcox House, York
(24) "History of York, Maine"- Banks, Vol.2, p.19
(25) T.R. I, 79
(26) PCC 128,CANN
(27) York Probate- III, 250
(28) Gloucestershire Archives- D3401/C1/3
(29) Maine Wills- pp. 213-4 quoting York County Probate- Vol. III, p. 12
(30) York Deeds- Vol. I, fol. 30
(31) Ibid- fol. 101; also Vol. II, fol. 178
(32) Ibid- fol. 129-30
(33) Ibid- Vol. II, fol. 147
(34) Ibid- fol. 172
(35) Ibid- fol. 177
(36) Ibid- Vol. III, fol. 132
(37) Ibid- Vol. V, Part I, fol. 80
(38) Ibid- fol. 108
(39) Ibid- part II, fol. 6
(40) Ibid- fol. 8
(41) Ibid- fol. 12
(42) Ibid- fol. 15
(43) Ibid- Vol. VIII, fol. 247
(44) Ibid- fol. 33
(45) Ibid- Vol. XI, fol. 41

"Pioneers on Maine Rivers"- Wilbur D. Spencer
"New England Miniature- A History of York, Maine"- George Ernst
"Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire"- p. 727
"Weare Genealogy"- George Cabot Weare
"Hooper Lines"- Wilcox House, York, ME
"Maine Pioneer Settlements: Old York"- Herbert Milton Sylvester
"Pioneers of Maine & New Hampshire"- p. 225
"Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England"- Savage, Vol. IV, pp. 441-2