Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- p.355
History of Kennebunk Port- Charles Bradbury, Kennebunk, 1837, p.91
New England Marriages Prior to 1700- Torrey, p.399

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b.c.1675
m. 2 Jan. 1700/1 Kittery, GRACE FERRIS d. of Aaron & Grace Ferris of the Isles of Shoals
living in 1755

Thomas was a master of a sloop from 1709 until 1712, a house carpenter in 1715, and a mariner in 1732. He was listed as being the master and part owner of the sloop Blessing of Boston in Nov. 1706: "Nov. 1706 Gregory Sugar of Boston... Mariner, That the Sloop Blessing of the Port of Boston whereof Thomas Huffe is at present Master, being a Square Sternd Vessell of burthen about Twenty Tuns was built at Boston in or about the year 1702. And that the said Thomas Huffe, Samuel Thorne are at present owners thereoff..."(1)

Thomas was living at Spruce Creek in Kittery in Feb. 1708/9 when Grace's parents deeded them the homestead and 1/4 of a sloop for life support.

In Mar. 1714/5 he mortgaged 18 acres to William Pepperell in Kittery where he formerly dwelt and sold to Henry Barter in Mar. 1717 after moving to Cape Porpoise.

Andrew Brown and Thomas bought five acres on the south corner of Montague's Neck in Cape Porpoise and built a garrison house there about 1714.(2)

"A generall Town Meetting of the free holders... of the Town of arundell held att arondell als cape porpus on the 31 day of march 1719... Thomas Huff was chosen Constable for the year Ensuing..."(3)

"Arundel March 21st 1719/20 laid out to Thomas Huf 50 acors of land which sd huf bought of Ebenezar Barton... near Cow hill..."(4)

"Arondel December ye 26: 1719: then layed out to Thomas Huff fifty akers of land..."(5)

"At a generall Town Metting held at Arundell allias Cape Porpus March ye 29th 1720... Thomas Huff Sr and James March was chosen Survaers of highways for the year Ensuing..."(6)

"At a leagall Town Meeting... held at Arondel may the 30th 1720. Then was Given & Granted fiftey acers of land a pece to the Persons here named viz... Thomas Huff... provided they do build and settle in said Town within one year..."(7)

"At a leagall Town Meeting... on may ye 30th 1720 then given and Granted unto Thomas Hoff all the Town Right & title to the land ye Said hoff is now in the posestion of..."(8)

"March 7th 1721 Then laid out unto Thomas Huff one hundred acres of Land beginning at... the Land that was the widow Mary Coles..."(9)

Thomas was moderator of the town meeting in 1721 and was the town surveyor in 1722, 1723 and 1725.(10)

"At a leagall Town Meeting March ye 29th 1725... Humphrey Deering, Thomas Huff & Thomas Perkins was Chosen Selectmen for the year & Sworn."(11)

Thomas was granted another 100 acre lot on 27 Mar. 1725. This was laid out to him 1 Jan. 1728/9 and bordered Mr. Eveleth's lot.(12) He was granted three acres of salt marsh in Arundel 11 Sept. 1737: "it being part of a grant given to Said Hufs father by the Town of Cape Porpus bounded (by)... Jeffreys Ten acres by the River... to Thomas Hufs marsh..."(13) This last grant may refer to Thomas Jr.

At a proprietor's meeting 14 Feb. 1726 Thomas was made a proprietor in right of his father Ferdinando Huff.

Thomas was elected a Selectman as well as Surveyor in 1727.(14) He was the surveyor again in 1728.(15) He was moderator of the town meeting in 1729.(16)

"At a Generall Town Meeting in Arundel March ye 17th 1730. Then given & granted liberty unto Thomas Huf & Benjamin Downing to Erect and build a Dam a Cross the Cove between mr. Hufs house and Vaughns Neck on Condition they build a grist mill there for the benefit of the sd Town and have flood gates of twelve feet wide."(17)

Thomas received another 100 acre grant from the town on 2 Mar. 1729/0 "by vertue of an old grant to his father beginning... in Allison Browns line..."(18) He was then granted 1 3/4 acres of marsh on Batsons River "it being a part of one Hundred acer grant by Said Town to Said Hufs father..."(19)

In 1740 Thomas was elected tythingman and also to be on a committee to choose as minister.(20) He is last seen in a public capacity in 1745 when he was on a committee to see "how many pews may Conveniantly be built in the Mettinghouse and who shall have them."(21)

"The deposition of Thomas Huff, aged 75 years testifyeth that he knew John Landers of Cape Porpoise, now Arundel... and in the year 1703, when the Indian war broke out in Queen Ann's reign, the Indians wounded the said Landers so bad that he was some days agoing through the woods to Wells and there died of that wound and it hath been called Lander's place ever since..." The deposition was dated 30 July 1750 but, was not recorded until 28 Aug. 1805.(22)

Thomas Huff Sr. of Arundel gave to his son Thomas Jr. and his two grandsons (Thomas' children) George and Thomas, 50 acres of land in Arundel and 108 acres on the Upper Road from Wells to Biddeford 26 June 1755. The deed was witnessed by Benjamin Burbank and James Deshon Jr.(23) George later sold his portion to Jonathan Sayward, Esq. of York for £10/5 on 9 Jan. 1765.(24)

(1) Mass. Archives- Vol.7, p.305
(2) History of Kennebunk Port- Charles Bradbury, Kennebunk, 1837, p.109
(3) Kennebunkport Town Records- p.18
(4) Ibid- Book I, p.23
(5) Ibid- p.36
(6) Ibid- p.25
(7) Ibid- p.32
(8) Ibid- p.33
(9) Ibid- p.48
(10) Ibid-
(11) Ibid- p.57
(12) Ibid- pp.58,79
(13) Ibid- p.68
(14) Ibid- p.69
(15) Ibid- p.75
(16) Ibid-
(17) Ibid- p.84
(18) Ibid- p.85
(19) Ibid- p.96
(20) Ibid- p.124
(21) Ibid- p.131
(22) York Co. Deeds- Vol.73, p.185
(23) Ibid- Vol.42, p.193
(24) Ibid- p.194

Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- p.355
New England Marriages Prior to 1700- Torrey, p.399
George Huff's notes- MSS, Maine State Library

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b. 18 Aug. 1703 Kittery, ME
m.1. 8 Nov. 1729 Portsmouth, NH, HEPHSIBAH BANFIELD
2. 14 Apr. 1746 York, Sarah Bowdy

"At a Lawfull Town Meeting September ye 2d 1734... the following bills of Charge was allowed for work Don abought Mr. Prentises Garrison viz...

Thomas was elected tythingman in 1751, but he "Refuted ye oath".(3) He was on jury duty in May 1757.(4)

Thomas had received a release of a mortgage from Sir William Pepperell, Bt. on 23 Mar. 1767 for £125. This was witnessed by Thomas & Susanna Perkins.(5)

"At a Town meeting at arundel august ye 16. 1768 the Town then voted to Raise the sum of one Hundred Pounds to be Laid out in finishing the meeting house... and the men hear after named Entered there Disent against sd vot for the Reasons following because the sd house stands in a place whare the major Part of sd Inhabitants Do not Live and a grate Part of sd Inhabitants not Present when sd Vote Past which if they had been Presant sd Vote would not have obtained... Thomas Huff..."(6)

Thomas Huff, George Huff and Thomas Huff 3rd all of Arundel sold to Thomas Perkins Jr. of Arundel, 24 acres in Arundel 15 Dec. 1768 for £17/6/8. Sarah, wife of Thomas and Susanna, wife of George released their dower rights. The deed was signed by George, Susannah and Thomas Huff and witnessed by Samuel Hutching and Samuel Smith.(7)

Thomas and Thomas Jr. both of Arundel sold for £41 to Richard Downing of Arundel 24 Sept. 1772, 35 acres of marsh in Arundel on the river. The deed was signed by Thomas Huff, Thomas Jr. & Sarah Huff and witnessed by Benjamin & John Downing.(8)

(1) Kennebunkport Town Records- Book I, p.107
(2) Ibid- p.136
(3) Ibid- p.143
(4) Ibid- p.166
(5) York Deeds- Vol.39, p.233
(6) Kennebunkport Town Records- Book I, p.194
(7) Ibid- Vol.46, p.44
(8) Ibid- Vol.43, p.16

Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- p.355
George Huff's notes- MSS, Maine State Library

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b.c.1710
m. Ruth Averill
mistress REBECCA (3) MORGAN

From a warrant for the arrest of Rebecca Morgan issued to the Sheriff of York Co. 19 Jan 1744: "Rebecca Morgan... She having had a bastard Child born of her body at Arundel aforesaid about two months before the Date of Said presentment (Oct. 1738) & also for committing the second Crime of Fornication & having one other Bastard Child born of her body in Arundel aforesaid Some time in or about ye beginning of the Month of June 1742..."(1)

"Rebecca Morgan, of Arundell in said County singlewoman appearing and being Convict of fornication in having two Bastard Children viz: one born of her Body at Arundell aforesaid some time in or about the beginning of June 1742 ordered she pay a fine to the King of Twenty shillings Lawfull money & fees of court or receive ten stripes on her Naked back at the Post & pay fees as aforesd & to Stand Committed till Sentence performed"(2)

July 1747: "Rebecca Morgan of Arundell in Said Count Singlewoman appeared to answer a sd presentment of the Grand Jury Exhibited against her for being Guilty of the Act of fornication She having had a Bastard Child in Arundell aforesaid some time in or about the month of May 1745 and being thereof convict and it appearing to the Court that this is the Second Bastard Child she has been convicted of having before this court Ordered by the court She receive Eight Stripes on her naked Back at the Post and pay cost of Court thirty three shillings & Six pence or pay a fine to the King of Twenty Shillings & cost as aforesaid."(3)

"At a Lawfull Town Meeting augt. ye 27th 1749 mr. Moses Foster Chosen Moderator for the meeting then ye Town agreed with mr. John Murphy to take the child which Rebecah Morgan left in the Town when She was Carried to York Gaol in June 1747 which becom a Town Charge and the sd Murphy was to Recover Twenty pounds old Tenner & give Security to ye Selectmen to Save ye Town from any further Charges a bought it. and at this sd meeting Samll Williams was alowed Six pounds old Tenner for keeping Rebechah Morgans child Thomas 8 weeks..."(4)

"At a Lawfull Town Meeting January ye 8th 1747/8 Then Mr. Jacob Wildes was Chosen moderator for that meeting and then the Town voted mr. Samuel Robinson fourty Pounds old Tenner he Taking Rebecca Morgains child known and caled by the Name of Thomas Huf until he Cometh to ye Eage of one & Twenty years the Said Robinson freeing the Town from any further Charge a bought that voted... and... Samuel Williams was voted Eighteen pounds old Tenner for his keeping Rebecca Morgains Child known by the Name of Thomas Huff..."(5)

"Rebecca Morgan appeared to answer a Presentment of the Grand Jury Exhibited against her for fornication She having a Bastard Child born of her Body in Arundell within three months before April 1749 and She Declaring She is now above Six months gone with Child and not able to pay the fine nor to receive the Corporal Punishment which might be laid upon her Ordered She be Dismist for the present upon her promising to appear at the next Court."(6)

Rebecca was unmarried in July 1748 when she deeded her brother Samuel's grant on the Saco Road to her brother-in-law Samuel Wildes.(7)

Thomas Huff has been an elusive figure to several researchers. At this point, there seems to be several people who could be possibilities, however, they are all eliminated except for the child of Rebecca Morgan. If we look at the children of Thomas Huff Sr. we can eliminate all of these people. Of the children of Thomas Jr., George moved to Edgecomb and left no descendants in the area, and Thomas III moved to Parsonsfield and then to Hartland (a complete list of his children is given by George Huff in his notes at the Maine State Library) leaving no descendants in the area. Of the children of James, he may have been the father of Thomas who married Lavinia Hutchins, however, there is no evidence to support another child of James by this name (a complete list of his descendants is given in the NEHGR Vol.116, pp.176-86). If we look at the children of Charles, they too are eliminated by George Huff's research and by the research done by William Thompson in his Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families, Vol.III, pp.834ff. If one looks carefully at all the available information (which is sketchy at best) it points to our Thomas being the son of Rebecca Morgan. I believe the effort to place him as a child of James by previous researchers was due to their desire to make Thomas "legitimate". We must remember that many people would not want to admit that their ancestor was born out of wedlock.

So, who was the father of Thomas Huff? At this point I have not been able to determine that. A search of the court and town records does not reveal his identity. Perhaps he actually was a son of James by his mistress Rebecca Morgan? If this were the case why would the town give Thomas to Samuel Robinson and not to his natural father? Another unanswered question concerns the identity of the other children. As Thomas was the only child mentioned in the town records we may assume that the first two had died before that time or they had been placed with other families previously. The identity and fate of the last child is unknown.

Ref:

(1) York Co. Court of Sessions- file 10-366
(2) Ibid- Vol.10, p.366 Apr. 1745
(3) Ibid- p.496; warrant in file 10-425
(4) Kennebunkport Town Records- Book I, p.135
(5) Ibid- p.136
(6) York Co. Court of Sessions- Vol.10, p.496
(7) Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- Noyes, Libby, & Davis, pp.491-2

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b. May 1745 Arundel, ME
m. LAVINA (4) HUTCHINS

On 21 Mar. 1794 Thomas Hutchings of Waterborough, Simeon Hitchins of Arundel and Lucy his wife, and Thomas and Lavina Huff of Arundel sold to David Hutchings Jr. and Moses Hutchings of Arundel, blacksmith for £3/12, 9 acres of land in Arundel at Dearings Bridge. The deed was signed by Thomas Hutchings, Thomas & Lavina Huff, Simeon & Lucy Hutchins and was witnessed by Thomas Perkins 4th, and Esther Perkins.(1)

The following day Thomas Huff and Simeon Hutchings of Arundel, and Thomas Hutchings of Waterborough appointed James Perkins of Arundel their Power of Attorney for the estate of Levy and Rebecca Hutchings of Arundel. This was signed by Thomas Hutchings, Levina Huff, Thomas Huff, Simeon Hutchings and Lucy Hutchings.(2)

The family evidently had some problems with this property as on 20 Oct. 1801 Joshua Murphy of Arundel recovered a judgement to the title to the land in Arundel against Thomas Hutchings of Waterborough, Elizabeth Bailey of Pepperrellborough, widow, Simeon Hutchings of Arundel and Lucy his wife, and Thomas and Lavina Huff of Arundel. The damages of $171.63 was paid 21 Oct.(3)

Thomas Huff of Arundel sold to Joseph Thomas of Arundel 7 acres of land in Arundel for $100.00 on 22 Dec. 1804. The deed was signed by Thomas & Levina Huff and witnessed by Thomas Perkins 3rd and Esther Perkins.(4)

Ref:

(1) York Co. Deeds, Vol.55, p.346
(2) Ibid- Vol.59, p.244
(3) Ibid- Vol.67, p.140
(4) Ibid- Vol.73, p.81

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b.c.1778
m.1. 14 Dec. 1800 Kennebunkport, Anna Hutchins
2. int. 15 Jan. 1820 MARTHA (13) GOODWIN (b.c.1785, m.1. 5 Nov. 1807 Rufus Russ 2. 3 Mar. 1814 Henry Flanders, 3. 6 Sept. 1817 James Young)
d. 17 May 1866 Kennebunkport

Thomas "Jr." is listed in the vital records as marrying Anna Hutchins.

Tobias Lord and Henry Clark of Arundel had a judgement against Thomas Huff of Arundel, blacksmith, for $170.93 damages and $7.79 costs on 20 Sept. 1814. His house on the land of William Barters was appraised for $150.00 on 1 Nov. 1814.(1)

On 23 Jan. 1835 Thomas Huff of Kennebunkport sold to Jethro W. Smith of Kennebunkport, mariner, for $150.00, 1 acre in Kennebunkport on the road to Harrison Murphy's. Martha released her dower rights. The deed was witnessed by Jason N. Langdon, and Nancy N. Langdon.(2)

Thomas, age 73, is listed in the 1850 census for Kennebunkport as being a farmer. Martha, age 65, Ephraim, age 25, Susanna, age 23, Lucy J., age 4, and James, age 1, are also listed along with William Wildes, age 42, fisherman. Their property was valued at $300.00.(3)

Ref:

(1) York Deeds- Vol.90, p.231
(2) Ibid- Vol.150, p.128
(3) 1850 Census for Kennebunkport- p.111, house 33

Kennebunkport V.R.

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b.c.1820
m. 5 Apr. 1846 SUSANNA (5) DESHON of Sanford (b. 28 May 1822, d. 24 Nov. 1909 Kennebunkport)

Issue-