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| Misc. Notes | ||
| George Ingersoll came to America as a child with his parents in 1629. He was allotted 40 acres of land in Enon (Wenham), and was granted another 40 acres on 29 September 1642. These grants were presumably made in anticipation of his marriage. In 1646 he sold his land and moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he kept an ordinary. He was elected Selectman there in 1652. He moved to what is now Maine, settling at Back Cove in Casco Bay, perhaps as early as 25 June 1657. He bought 55 acres from George Cleaves for 55 shillings and an annual tribute of one shilling and one day's labor. He became a prominent citizen. He was petitioner to the General Court in 1660, and a juryman in 1666 and 1668, and a Selectman of Falmouth (now Portland, Maine) in 1668. In 1668 Massachusetts was attempting to establish its disputed authority over what is now Maine. A commission was set up with power to appoint civil and military officials. On 4 July 1668 George Ingersoll, acting as Selectman on behalf of Falmouth, forwarded a petition on the situation to the General Court of Massachusetts. He was sent to York to meet with the commission, which appointed him a lieutenant and placed him in command of the Falmouth Militia. The Indians of the northeast, alarmed by the spread of English settlements, launched King Philip's War in 1675. As commander of the local militia, George had to deal with the problem. During this time he wrote the following letter: Leif: Augur,-- Yesterday morning, being the 9th of September, was heard three Guns and was seen a great smoke up in the River above Mr. Mackworth's. Whereupon I caused an alarme, but could not get the Souldiers together by reason of which I was uncapable for that day to know the cause thereof, and what the issue might be; but this day, being the 10th of the said month, having strengthened myselfe, I went up with two fils, and when I came to the place, I found one house burnt downe, and six persons killed, and three of the same family could not be found. An old man and woman were halfe in, and halfe out of the house neer halfe burnt. Their owne son was shot through the body, and also his head dashed in pieces. This young man's wife was dead, her head skined, and she was bigg with child, two children having their heads dashed in pieces, and lay by another with their bellys to the ground, and an oake planke laid upon their backs. While we were upon this discovery we saw a smoke, and heard two Guns about one mile or more above, in the same quarter. We judge there be a company of Indians, but how many we know not: therefore I would entreat Major Middleton and yourselfe to send me, each of you, a dowzen men. I shall then goe to see whether it be according as we thinke or noe. Pray post this away to Major Walden. Thus taking my leave, I subscribe myselfe, Your loving friend, Leif: George Ingersoll Sept. 10, 1675 The Abnaki attacked Falmouth in October. The Ingersoll plantation was destroyed, the house was burned, and an unnamed son of George Ingersoll was killed. In all, 34 people were killed or taken captive in the Falmouth area. The survivors withdrew to Andrew Island. George Ingersoll, as commander of the militia, was in the field until December. At the beginning of December 1675, he decided to return to Salem, Massachusetts with his family and his sons' families. His departure was criticized by those who remained. The Ingersolls returned to Falmouth in 1680, and settled at Stroudwater (now Westbrook). George was Deputy from Falmouth to the Provincial Assembly of Maine in 1683 and 1685. He was one of the commissioners appointed to lay out a new townsite of 1,000 acres and make allotments. There were further Indian disturbances in 1689. George, then 71, returned again to Salem, and escaped the second destruction of Falmouth in 1690. George Ingersoll made his Will on 22 June 1694. | ||
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| Last Modified 22 Jan 1997 | Created 29 Oct 2000 by Reunion for Macintosh |