Ron Nowell and I began walking the area of Third Hill, in York, Maine, in the spring of 2022. We had been talking about documenting many of the points of historical interest around the Mount Agamenticus area for a few years. Ron’s knowledge of the area is extensive and rare. My role was to be an observer and recorder. Our first hike led to another and we documented many places, plants and features and we made some new discoveries.
I was particularly interested in the Third, Second and First Hill (Mount Agamenticus) area. I could trace my grandmother, Edna May Perkins, back to the early settlers on Old Mountain Road and beyond. As Ron showed me the remains of dwellings, wells and graveyards and knew their names, I could follow these names in my family tree. I became fascinated. Among the names were Welch, Ramsdell, Lewis, Plaisted, Bracy, Moulton, Fitzgerald. Ron also had many stories to go with each of the places, some first hand and many second or third.
There was a dichotomy that developed in my mind. How could people survive out here and why, and why did they leave? As Ron led the way through countless miles we often stopped, Ron would find a dry stone, sit, twist off the top of his thermos, take a few sips of coffee and we would begin to hypothesize about the circumstances that created this strange place. Never did it occur to Ron to not reach into his backpack, find a Devil Dog or Yodel, withdraw it and bring it into the presence of our conversation. And there we would sit, mesmerized with the names leading back to the past, under the spell nature’s beauty.
These walks eventually led us down to the Horse Hills, Old Bell Marsh Road, Linscott Road, Middle and Folly Pond, Smelt Brook, and the Second Parish Cemetery via Boston Post Road. As we moved our way south from Mount Agamenticus, Ron mentioned his seventh great grandfather, Peter Nowell1 had sold the Garey Mill to the Garey Family on Bell Marsh. We found the Garey graveyard and there were many headstones with no inscriptions. Ron naturally thought these may have been his ancestors.
Peter Nowell1 arrived in York in shortly after the Indian Raid in 1692. He purchased land in 1695. My sixth great grandfather, Nathaniel Freeman1 arrived in York, to teach school, in 1702. Ron and I realized we were likely related but my tree has no Nowells and his has no Freemans, otherwise we have many common ancestors that lived in early York.
As we hiked, Ron, would often refer to books that were in the vault at the York Town Hall. Among them the Proprietor’s book, the Constables’ book and the Town Clerk’s book. The Proprietor’s book is an early account of the division of the Stated and Outer Commons. The Constable’s book is a tally of town expenditures in the 18th century among other things and the Town Clerk’s book—I had never seen until recently. Nathaniel Marshall and George Plaisted, during their tenures as town clerk, had both created abstracts of the Clerk’s book. To my delight, a few weeks ago, James Kences, York Town Historian met Ron and I at the Town Clerk’s office and James assisted us with the Clerk’s book and the abstracts. Ron had an agenda, he was looking for roads on the McIntire property but I was there to browse. And browse I did. The handwriting of the early town clerks can be difficult to read quickly yet so compelling I could barely stop.
It was difficult to choose which to read; the abstract or the original (likely a copy) of the Clerk’s Book. The clock was moving closer to closing time for the Town Hall with each page I turned. It was impossible for me to consume so much information in such a short time. I knew I would be back and thought likely many more times. A few days had passed and I was reviewing some iPhone shots I had taken of the Clerk’s book. I saw a message from Town Clerk, Lynn Osgood. She wrote that her and James had completed uploading the clerk’s book to the Town of York website and included a link. I was enthralled and extremely excited. I called Lynn and James and asked if I could come to the clerk’s office and interview them both on video for York History Group. They were both excited and we proceeded with the interview.
As I pursue many interests in life, it is inevitable to make connections with like minded people. The field of local history is rich in this regard. Many acquaintances have become friends. Ron fits neatly into this category. After all, history is about our connection to something beyond ourself. Since the clerk’s records have been put online I began to browse over 500 of its pages. Soon, I saw that Capt. Peter Nowell had entered into a transaction with Nathaniel Freeman. Oh my! As I read I saw that my 6th great grandfather had sold Ron’s seventh great grandfather 60 acres of property in York that was previously owned by his father-in-law, John Peniwell and uncle, John Puddington. I had not seen this transaction previously documented in town deeds. There was no description of the property in the deed but another connection to Ron was made. Another connection to my community and I felt an even greater gratitude to Lynn Osgood and James Kences for providing the opportunity for me to discover this document with such ease, from my home.
Link to Early York Town Clerk’s Records
https://www.yorkmaine.org/635/York-Historical-Records
Link to Nathaniel Freeman to Capt. Peter Nowell deed https://www.yorkmaine.org/DocumentCenter/View/8633/0436_391