Fourth Generation


25. James Winslow was born on Aug 6, 1725 in Freetown, Lincoln County, Mass, died on Nov 16, 1802 in Farmington, Franklin Co., Maine, and was buried in Farmington, Franklin, Maine.

General Notes: Excerpts from Winslow Memorial regarding James Winslow(1725-1802)

JAMES4, (James3, Job2, Kenelm1,) b. 6 Aug. 1725, Freetown, Mass.; d. 16 Nov. 1802, Farmington, Me., and was buried there. He “with his brothers, who lived in Falmouth, received a large tract of land, from their father, at Broad Bay, and moved there in 1752. His daughter Sarah was born there in 1754. They designed to remain, but the Indian troubles forced them back to Falmouth.” He and his wife and three children were among those who “set sail from Falmouth in the fall of the year, 1760, and proceeded to what was then called Dr. Gardiner’s estates at Cobbiseconte, or Gardinerstown. They were a Mr. Thomes, who was a builder of grist-mills; Benjamin Fitch, a saw-mill wright; Jacob Loud, a house carpenter; James Winslow a wheelwright; and Ezra Davis, James and Henry McCausland, and William Philbrook. They arrived in safety, with the families of Winslow, Davis, Philbrook, and the McCauslands, and run their vessel into a wide creek, formed by the mouth of the stream, which was then navigable to the sites now occupied by the saw-mills, and there, on the northern bank of the stream, the craft lay all winter. James Winslow’s wife took her little daughter Sarah, then six years old, by the hand, and went ashore, and they are the first two white females known to have set foot within the limits of Gardiner or Pittston. They immediately threw up some log huts, and passed the winter in making preparations for the coming summer. The McCauslands and Winslows occupied the same cottage, and, on the 23d of March, 1761, Jonathan Winslow was born, the first white child native in ancient Pittston. The house stood exactly where now (1852) is the Widow Esmond’s store.

James Winslow was a wheelwright by trade. and his family were among the first settlers in Gardinerston, now Pittston, Me. The Winslows and McCauslands built a log cottage which they occupied together. Jonathan Winslow, born in March, 1761, was the first child of white parentage born in that town. Mr. Winslow worked on the mill which was built in the spring following their arrival. For his labor he received a deed of ninety acres of land from Dr. Gardiner, which had been previously cleared by the Indians. It is said that this is now the north-western lot in the town of Pittston. After the completion of the mill at Gardinerston, Mr. Winslow went to Damariscotta and worked on the mill at that place. While he was away Mrs. Winslow and her daughter did all the work on the farm, such as planting corn, potatoes, etc. They took a batteau and repeatedly crossed the river and went to the Great House, owned by Dr. Gardiner, where they obtained dressing which they applied to their land, and in the fall, as a part of their crop, harvested forty bushels of corn. Mrs. Winslow, or ” Granny Winslow,” was the only physician in whom the settlers believed, and she frequently went long distances to visit the sick. When a young man, James Winslow was a drummer in a fort at Portland, but he became converted to the principles of the Friends. He carried out his Quaker principles, and refused to serve in the Revolutionary War. When his son Jonathan was drafted his father did not object, but the distress of his mother caused the lad to escape by pleading Quaker education. His son James, Jr., an early settler in Industry, was born in Pittston, April 28. 1774. In 1787 the family moved to Farmington Falls, and were among the early settlers in that town.

“James Winslow had been a drummer in a fort at Falmouth, while a young man, but he became a convert to the principles of the Society of Friends, and as such, abhorred war and all its preparations. Yet it was found necessary to erect a block-house immediately, for defense against the Indians. This was done in 1763. It was a substantial, bulletproof fort. It stood on the side of the hill, near the site of the Universalist church. In the autumn of 1765 there was an Indian alarm. Several of the settlers heard mysterious sounds in the night, as of footsteps, and the dogs were clamorous, and one was heard to cry out as if struck. The settlers became very much alarmed, and fled to the block house. The Winslows, who then lived where Amos Lyon now (1852) dwells, fled across the river, and a Bullen family from Hallowell, and others of the settlers with them, until the settlement was entirely deserted, and thirty or forty families were congregated in the humble fort. Jonathan Winslow was then four years old. A little dark cloak was thrown around him, to make him the color of the ground, and he trotted along in the procession to the place of safety. They remained here several days. The next day all went out together well armed, and harvested Winslow’s crops, and thus they worked, with their arms, and in company, until the crops were all gathered. The alarm seemed to be false, and gradually the settlers resumed their homes again.

“James Winslow carried his Quaker principles with him and refused to serve in the Revolution; and Jonathan was once drafted and escaped serving, offering as a reason that he was educated a Quaker. James always took occasion to speak against the efforts of the Americans, though he and his son Jonathan made fifty paddles for Arnold’s expedition. He used every effort to dissuade the men of the town from entering the contest against England, which he declared was foolhardiness. When Arnold passed up the river, many of his soldiers wore on their caps the motto, ‘Liberty or Death,’ and Winslow said, ‘you’ll all get the latter.’ Without being exactly a Tory, he was evidently a prudent, careful man, who thought it not best to strive against so formidable an adversary as Great Britain. He had ‘rather bear the ills we have, than fly to others that we know not of He did not object to the drafting of Jonathan, but the tears of the mother caused the boy to offer his plea of being a Quaker.

“In the course of the Revolution there were so many roving parties constantly passing and repassing, and the Winslows were so liable to be disturbed, that they moved from the house they occupied into another in the orchard back of the house, where they remained until more peaceful times. “On one occasion in 1778-9, a British scouting party of six entered the house, and demanded food. Mrs. Winslow said she had none cooked. They then said, ‘boil us hasty pudding, or we will shoot you.’ She obeyed the order, and soon the Yankee dish was smoking on the board. Before they had quite finished their repast, the party was alarmed by an unwonted noise without, and decamped, leaving a silver spoon, which one had taken from his knapsack to eat with, and a huge iron-handled sword. The latter is now (1852) in the possession of Mrs. Lyon, [12389] the granddaughter of James Winslow, and is a venerable relic of antiquity.

In the Valuation List of 1785, we find that he had 100 acres of land, and that his property was estimated at œ72. He resided at that time in what is now Pittston “very near the Hallowell line, where is now a two story brick house.”

Who’s Anna’s parents?

In the Winslow Memorial: James Winslow with James and Henry McCausland left Broad Bay and moved to Gardinerstown ( Pittston). The McCausland’s and Winslows occupied the same cottage. James Winslow married Anna McCausland Huston, a widow of Isaac Huston and daughter of maybe James and Sarah McCausland (per William Huston of Falmouth book).

From McCausland documents, James McCausland of Falmouth on 12/18/1729 sold part of his property to William Huston Jr. and signed by James and Mary McCausland (his wife). Which James is Anna’s father Was James married to Mary then Sarah or vice versa?

Anna “Granny” (McCausland) Huston Winslow was very energetic. She was the first white woman ashore in Pittston on 3/23/1760. She gave birth to Jonathan Winslow, the 1st white child born in Pittston. She was much relied on in case of sickness. “Granny W” was only physician in whom early settlers believed.

Henry McCausland and James McCausland were from Ireland, and had been several years in America. They were brothers, and received two settlers’ lots, comprising a part of the present village in Gardiner, and extending from the river back of the residences of Messrs. Evans, Kimball, etc.** James McCausland was drowned quite early, and those who bear the name now are mostly descendants of Henry.*

June 13, 1764, Henry McCausland received two lots on the eastern side of the river, containing 250 acres. This he sold to Benjamin Fitch, July 9,1765. He procured other land, and his descendants are numerous in this vicinity.

It is said that the McCauslands originally received the soil occupied by the center of the village, but that Dr. Gardiner, who foresaw what the place would probably become, persuaded them to remove across the stream, where they lived for many years, on a larger, though less valuable tract than they at first owned.

Noted events in his life were:

  • Military: As A Quaker Did Not Do Military Service In The Revolutionary War; But Was A Supporter Of American Cause..
  • He was employed in Wheelwright (Grist Mill).
  • He had a residence in Bef 1752 , Freetown, Mass.
  • He had a religion in Quaker.
  • Misc: Marriage Intention 14 May 1753 In Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine.
  • He had a residence in 1752 in Broad Bay, (Portland), Maine. moved to Broad Bay (Portland) from Falmouth with his brothers for land given to them by their father
  • He had a residence in 1760 in Falmouth, Maine After Indian Troubles.

James married Anna McCausland Huston on Jul 5, 1753 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, daughter of James ? McCausland and Sarah McCausland. Anna was born in 1734 in Falmouth , Cumberland Co., Maine, died on Feb 15, 1827 in New Sharon, Franklin Co., Maine, and was buried in Farmington, Pittston, Franklin, Maine.

General Notes: Sarah and James McCausland had a daughter, Anna who married first a Houston and then James Winslow. Anna was born 1734 and probably in Falmouth, Maine but moved to Kennebeck area/Gardiner, Maine. She was a midwife. James Winslow was son of James Winslow 1687-1773, from Freetown, Massachusetts and Job Winslow, son of Kenelm Winslow. I also have Sarah Winslow born 1754, daughter of James and Anna, marrying Ebenezer Church 1742-1810 of Farmington, Maine. A concern would be her age at first marriage and how long it lasted She is 19 at 2nd marriage

Noted events in her life were:

  • Widowed: Initially Married Isaac Huston According To Book Of Descendants Of William Huston Of Falmouth Maine
  • Misc: Marriage Intention 14 May 1753 In Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine

Children from this marriage were:

+ 44 M  i. Carpenter Winslow was born on Mar 22, 1766 in Pittston, Lincoln (now Kennebec) County, Maine, died on Nov 19, 1827 in Gaskill Township, Jefferson Co, Pa, and was buried in 1827 in North Findley Street Cemetery, then Circle Hill cemetery.

+ 45 F  ii. Sara Winslow was born on Jul 20, 1754 in Broad Bay(Portland), Cumberland, ME, died on Apr 13, 1838 in Searsport, Waldo, Lincoln Co, ME, and was buried in Searsport, ME.

+ 46 M  iii. Jonathon Winslow was born on Mar 23, 1761 in Pittston, Kennebec, Maine and died on Nov 10, 1845 in Pittston, Kennebec, Maine.

+ 47 M  iv. John Winslow was born in 1764 in Pittston, Kennebec, Maine and died after 1805.

+ 48 F  v. Betsey Winslow was born on Jun 20, 1770 in Pittston, Kennebec Co, Maine and died in Mar 1840 in Industry, Franklin Co, ME.

+ 49 F  vi. Anna Winslow was born in 1770 in Pittston, Kennebec Co, Maine and died in Feb 1827 in (maybe Ohio)New Sharon, Franklin Co, Maine.

+ 50 M  vii. George Winslow was born about 1772 in Pittston, Kennebec Co, Maine and died in 1788 in drowned skating on Kennebec River, Maine.

+ 51 M  viii. James Winslow was born on Apr 28, 1774 in Pittston, Kennebec Co, Maine and died on Jul 22, 1844 in New Sharon, Franklin Co, Maine.

26. Mary Winslow was born on Jun 20, 1709 in Freetown, Bristol, Mass.

27. Nathan Winslow was born on Apr 1, 1713 in Freetown, Bristol, Mass and died on Nov 22, 1772 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine.

Nathan married Charity Hall.

28. Job Winslow was born on Mar 30, 1715 in Freetown, Mass and died in 1736.

Job married Margaret Barbour.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 52 F  i. Lorana Winslow

+ 53 F  ii. Ruth Winslow

29. Benjamin Winslow was born on Jun 19, 1717 in Freetown, Bristol, Mass and died on Apr 24, 1796 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine.

Benjamin married Hope Cobb in 1738. Hope was born on Mar 24, 1716 in Middleboro, Plymouth, MA and died on Mar 20, 1797 in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME.

30. Elizabeth Winslow was born on May 6, 1721 in Freetown, Bristol, Mass and died in 1747 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine.

Elizabeth married David Torrey on Oct 15, 1738 in Falmouth, Maine. David was born in 1715 and died in 1780.

31. Sybil Winslow was born on Oct 3, 1727 in Freetown, Bristol, Massachusetts and died on Jul 29, 1779 in Topsham, Maine.

Sybil married Samuel Staples on Dec 22, 1752 in Falmouth, Maine. Samuel was born about 1727 in Falmouth, Maine and died in 1804 in Topsham, Maine.

32. William Winslow was born in 1718 in Freetown, Ma and died in Ohio.

William married Elizabeth Merrick. Elizabeth was born in 1718.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 54 M  i. Luther Winslow was born in 1747 in Freetown, Ma and died in 1831 in Falls River , Ma.

33. Abigail Baker was born on Dec 23, 1693 in Marshfield Mass and died on Sep 25, 1753 in Marshfield Mass.

34. Hezekiah Keene was born on Aug 6, 1702 in Duxbury , Plymouth, Mass and died on Dec 27, 1770 in Duxbury , Plymouth, Mass.

General Notes: Edward K. & Mildred True, and James D. True

Last update May 27, 1999

Elsie Keene, in her paper Brief History of the Keene Family wrote,

“Much of the information concerning the early Keens came from a record … kept by Hezekiah Keen, youngest son of Josiah Keen, Jr. This book was bound in board covers, hinged with iron hammered out on an anvil, and had the name Hezekiah Keen in brass letters on one side, and on the other his monogram, also in brass. The first record in it was made on 1763, but it contained information far previous to that date. … The book was passed from father to son until it came to a daughter who did not have an interest in it and who sold it for, at that time, the goodly sum of $50 to the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. A few leaves have been lost, but there are still 478 pages, 214 of them blank except for the page numbers.”

An excerpt from Hezekiah’s book says, “Hezekiah Keen this Book Ret by me in March ye 10th 1763 who then lived in Duxborough and then was In his Sixty first year of my age, etc.” Another excerpt, “September ye 26 Day 1770 Hezekiah Keen & Alice Keen my wife then we had all our Children to Se up at our house & there was Eleven of them all in health Bot only Alice & She was about house & all Set Down at ye table to Soper to gather & fed of honey.”

In 1761, Hezekiah Keen deeded his homestead in Duxbury to “my son Prince Keene of Duxbury, blacksmith.”

Hezekiah and his wife Alice (Howland) Keen had eleven children, all born in Duxbury:

  • Prince, b. 20 Feb. 1730 (in ye 7 day of ye weak a Lettel Before Day); m. Elizabeth Ford, dau. of Joseph and Hannah (Nichols) Ford.
  • Charles, b. 25 Jan. 1732 (in ye 5 Day of the weak a lettel Before Day); d. Providence, RI.
  • Mark, b. 13 March 1735 (in ye 5 Day of the weak about ye Braken of ye Day); d. 7 Jan. 1807; unmarried; lived in Bristol, ME.
  • Robert, b. 18 Dec. 1736 (in ye 6 Day of the weak about 11 of the Clok Before noon); m. —- Loudon.
  • Alice, b. 4 June 1739 (in ye 2 Day of the weak about 1 of the Clok after noon); d. 3 Oct. 1771.
  • Diana, b. 31 Aug 1741 (in ye 2 Day of ye weak about 11 a Clok Before noon); d. 7 March 1773.
  • Bethiah, b. 14 Dec. 1743 (in ye 4 Day of the weak a Lettel Before Day); d. 19 May 1781.
  • Hezekiah, b. 25 Sept. 1746 (in ye 5 day of the weak about Braking of Day); d. 8 Dec. 1809; m. Hannah Ford; lived in Bristol, ME.
  • Daniel, b. 30 Dec. 1748 (in ye 6 Day of the weak a Lettel Before Day); d. 23 July 1827; m. Lucy Freeman; lived in Bristol, ME.
  • Mary, b. 27 Feb. 1750 (in ye 4 Day of ye weak ye Son one our hie at night); d. at age 95 or 100; unmarried.
  • William, b. 8 May 1753 (in ye 3 Day of the Weak the Son about two ouers hie in ye morning); d. 16 July 1821; m. Celenah Wadsworth; lived in Bristol, ME.

Noted events in his life were:

Other: Mayflower Descendent Of Richard Warren.

Hezekiah married Alice Howland on Apr 10, 1730 in Newberry, MA, daughter of Prince Howland and Deborah Barker. Alice was born on Nov 12, 1709 in Duxbury , Plymouth, Mass and died on Oct 13, 1785 in Duxbury , Plymouth, Mass.

Noted events in her life were:

  • Other: Mayflower Descendent Of Richard Warren.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 55 M  i. William Keene was born on Apr 27, 1753 in Marshfield, Plymouth , MA, died on Jul 21, 1821 in Bristol, Lincoln, ME, and was buried in Keene/ Hillside Cemetery , Bremen , Lincoln Co, ME.

+ 56 M  ii. Prince Keene was born in 1730.

+ 57 M  iii. Charles Keene was born in 1732.

+ 58 M  iv. Mark Keene was born in 1735.

+ 59 M  v. Robert Keene was born in 1736.

+ 60 F  vi. Alice Keene was born in 1739.

+ 61 F  vii. Diana Keene was born in 1741.

+ 62 F  viii. Bethiah Keene was born in 1743.

+ 63 M  ix. Hezekiah Keene was born in 1746.

+ 64 M  x. Daniel Keene was born in 1748.

+ 65 F  xi. Mary Keene was born in 1750.

35. Benjamin Keene was born on Jul 26, 1682.

Benjamin married Deborah Barker in 1710, daughter of Robert Barker and Alice Snowe. Deborah was born on Nov 7, 1686 in Duxbury, Mass and died on Oct 7, 1736 in Duxbury, Mass.

General Notes: Here it is interesting to note that Prince’s widow, Deborah, married Benjamin Keen, older brother of Hezekiah, the husband of her daughter, Alice. This made her not only Hezekiah’s mother-in-law but also his sister-in-law. This does not seem odd when one realizes that Benjamin was 20 years older than Hezekiah, Benjamin being the first born of the eleven children of Josiah and Lydia Keen and Hezekiah being the last born.

Noted events in her life were:

  • Other: Mayflower Descendent Of Richard Warren.

36. Abigail Keene was born on Apr 3, 1685 and died on Apr 22, 1715.

37. Eleanor Keene

38. Lydia Keene was born about 1689.

39. Nathaniel Keene was born on Nov 11, 1692.

40. Bethiah Keene

41. Samuel Keene

42. Isaac Keene

43. Josiah Keene was born on Sep 27, 1683.