Jim Fabiano: Who needs Salem when we have Old Yorke

There have been many strange citizens of York who used to live and wander around Old Yorke during its early history. The Reverend Joseph Moody is one of the strangest and saddest of all. He was born in 1700 and graduated from Harvard at 18. Soon afterwards, he was made Register of Deeds of York County. In 1730 he became Judge of the County Court.

His father wanted to have his son enter the ministry so that he could devote his life to God as he had. Joseph obliged his father by resigning his civil office and then became an ordained pastor of the Congregational Church of the Second Parish of York in 1732. Many say that the brilliant young minister’s mind became impaired soon after. Perhaps he regretted having given up a civil profession that promised a brilliant career. Since he had many responsibilities, overwork may have destroyed the equilibrium of a delicately balanced mind. Many historians believe it was the memory of an unfortunate accident of his boyhood when he had accidentally shot his hunting companion when they were out hunting one day.

It was probably the combination of them all because soon he resigned his pastorate by stating that he was unfit to enjoy the fellowship of men. He then covered his face with a black handkerchief. Many citizens of York were in awe and most of the children were afraid when they saw the ghost-like figure with the veiled face wandering about the streets of York. In fact, the old table upon which he took his solitary meals is one of the more interesting items shown in the Old Gaol today.

It is said the day before he died, he lifted his voice in song. Through the closed door of his room was heard the hymn, “Oh for an overcoming faith to cheer my dying hours!” The next morning, he was found dead in his room.

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Another interesting citizen of York was the mysterious St. Aspinquid, who was an Indian missionary. In colonial York, he was a familiar sight. It is written he was a native of York, England, who came to Maine and lived with the Indians who surrounded colonial York. They knew and loved him because he became both a father and a teacher. No one knew his real name. Most assumed he was an English Jesuit priest exiled by the destruction of the monasteries by Cromwell’s Puritans. He adopted the dress and manner of the savages he came to Christianize. He told stories of angels, martyrs, and saints from his life’s work. He was so popular with the Indians that they gave him the name, “Saint Aspinquid.” When he died his followers brought a sacrifice of 6,511 animals.

Another story of Old Yorke speaks of an evil fisherman who lived at Bra’boat Harbor and laid curses on those he disliked. It is said these curses could not take effect until he had bound a certain amount of sand with a rope. According to folklore before a storm, he would carry the sand and used to be heard saying, “More rope, more rope.” It is said that if you wander out into the sands of York during a storm you can see the figure of an old man with shaggy hair flying in the wind and carrying a bag of sand on his back crying, “More rope, more rope!” His bible, that is said to be haunted, is one of York’s most cherished treasures.

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Not all of Colonial York’s citizens were odd. Some became famous for their strange deeds. Before 1832, Mistress Betty Potter and her friend Mistress Esther Brooks were popular citizens. These spinsters lived on the line between York and Kittery. Because of this, they did not have to pay taxes to either town. When President Jackson had the nation’s surplus revenue divided among the inhabitants of the United States, Betty and Esther were the only people in America who failed to receive any payments. So much for beating the system.

Thomas Bradbury who came to York in 1639 as the agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges wrote another one of York’s stranger tales. Mary Perkins, the wife of Thomas Bradbury, was tried and condemned for witchcraft. This occurred after Mary and her husband Thomas moved to Salisbury, Massachusetts. Elder John Bradbury was the grandson of Thomas Bradbury. He was a staunch supporter of the King and owned and resided in the old Bradbury house in York. By the way, Mary Perkins escaped her execution, but this strange story belongs more to Salisbury than it does to York.

York is not only known for some of its stranger citizens, but also for being the home of many odd curios. One of which is the witch’s grave in the old burying ground. Witches by some unwritten laws were almost never married and when they died, they were buried either at low-water mark or at the junction of three roads. Mary Nason, wife of Samuel Nason, died August 28, 1772, at age 29. Her grave does not seem to fit the requirements of a bona fide witch, but it does seem to support the superstition that she was. It is a side tablet slab lying between two upright head and footstones.

One of the early lighthouse keepers at Boone Island was Captain Eliphalet Grover who spent most of his time making bass violas. On June 4, 1834, he presented one to the First Congregational Church. His successor was also a musician who played this instrument for many years after. 

Many of York’s legacies own their existence to the energy and good judgment of the ladies of York Village who saved the historic Old Gaol from the ravages of time, rats, and tramps. The seed of this idea came from William Dean Howells, a novelist, who passing the Old Gaol one day asked, “Why can’t anyone save the old house?” The ladies of York Village not only saved the old Gaol but also the colonial relics, some of which not only had great value but also showcased the rich history of Colonial York. The ladies of York Village then established a museum at the Old Gaol.

Mrs. Newton Perkins, who owned the ancient Pell House just above Sewall’s Bridge, gave a lawn party to inaugurate “doing something to get funds for that project. “Thomas Nelson Page, John Fox, and Mr. Howells read their work at this occasion. This began the wonderful work of the “Village Historical and Improvement Society.”

Even some of our landmarks have odd historical significance. Sewall’s Bridge is said to be the first pile bridge built in the United States. Its architect was Major Samuel Sewall. He finished the bridge in 1761 and soon after was commissioned to build a similar bridge between Boston and Charlestown. The Pell House is said to have possessed the dignity of antiquity and the charm of modern comfort. In other words, it was an ideal country home. All the distinguished old colonial families helped to preserve the rich history of York. These names include Moulton, Bradbury, Sewall, McIntyre, Dennett, Moody, Barrell, Varrell, Donnell, Bragdon, Dummer, Stacey, and Jenkins. There were also many others who should be named with this group of people who made up aristocratic York with all its legends, traditions, and historic associations. I am not saying they were all strange. They were just people who loved and wanted to preserve the town we all call home.

Jim Fabiano is a retired teacher and writer living in York, Maine. You can contact Jim at james.fabiano60@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jim Fabiano: Who needs Salem when we have Old Yorke