During York’s Colonial Period, like many other towns in Massachusetts, the settlers traded and enslaved persons of African descent. Enslaved people were also taken from Indigenous communities. One Enslaver of an Indigenous person was Peter Nowell.
There is little written account of Enslaved people in York, however, we do have anecdotal evidence and little doubt. One such story, written by Ralph Lowe follows:
DINAH ‘S HILL
Many years ago there was only one road between the Harbor and the Village, but more than sixty years back a new road was laid out from the top of Captain Sam Young’s Hill to the David Webber place, but the old road which ran down near the level of the mill pond is still somewhat used. About halfway down on the south side of what was then called “Dinah’s Hill” was a cold spring of excellent water. In cold weather it always overflowed the road so that it was very icy and slippery. It was a favorite place for us children to slide, but as the road curved slightly to the right there was danger that we would crash into the stone wall on the left, which rendered sliding here a hazardous sport. “Dinah’s Hill” received its name from a colored woman, named Dinah, possibly an escaped slave, who lived in a small cabin on the northeast side of the road about opposite the aforesaid spring. Tradition has it that the boys of her time would steal into her abode in her absence, set the dinner table on small blocks of wood, extend a strong string outside, then wait behind the wall till Dinah returned and was seated at the table which soon began to play antics as the boys manipulated the string. All of which goes to show that human nature, especially boy human nature, is always the same! Memories of York, Maine, Eighty Years Ago and Later, by Ralph Lowe, a Native, Published 1982.
Our Flora
Wed. 16 Fair and moderate A.M., but cloudy at night. Indeed we have had scarce anything that may be called winter weather.
From an old benefactor I received some material suitable for making shoes.
A small boy, Neb. Maci(n)tire84 by name, laughed at my uncle during the prayer. After the close of school he asked me again and again for permission to go out. Finally I was obliged to leave, but he wet himself. Curtis, in Cap. Nowell’s vessel,85 brings news from the East that Bassus Allen 86 has been
enrolled there as a soldier. I questioned our Flora87 to some extent about the customs of her nation. She told me that among her people there were certain old men who were able to bring dark matters into the light. They cover their faces with a disc, bound by a leather thong above; they walk about, repeatedly plunging their hands in water, and clapping with their palms. At length, the bond being loosed, they make clear the secret matters.
87 “Our Flora“ is probably a Negro servant in the Nowell household
Handkerchief Moody, the Diary and the Man, Philip McIntire Woodwell, p.125