Philip Lynch resided as a servant with William and Oreville Waterhouse, them enlisted in the Navy in 1864, and re-enlisted in 1866. He was the only person of color from Kennebunk to enlist in the armed forces in the Civil War.

The 1860 Census for Kennebunk listed Philip Lynch as 20, Black, servant, place of birth: Boston. He was residing in the household of William L and Oreville A Waterhouse, with 3 children aged 9, 11 and 15. William was listed as 36, a farm laborer, born in Kennebunk.

The 1870 Census for Kennebunk listed Philip Lynch as 34, Black, a Seaman, place of birth: Mass., residing in the household of William L and Oreville A Waterhouse, with family members aged 19, 21 and 24. William was listed as 46, a farmer, born in Maine.

Lynch was listed (on p. 23) in Walker's 1868 booklet of Kennebunk's Civil War enlistees, and is the only person of color listed.

Lynch enlisted in the Navy for a 2 year terrm on Oct 12, 1864; bounty $100; previous naval service 2 yrs; resides in Maine; born in Mass; age 25; occupation Cook; complexion: Negro

Lynch re-enlisted in the Navy for a 3 year term on Oct 2, 1866; general service; previous naval service 2 yrs; resides in Kennebunk, Maine; born in Boston, Mass; age 26; occupation Tanner(?); complexion: Negro.

He was a blackjack on the Brig Florida per Kennebunk Town Historian Kathy Ostrander Roberts, who has the log book for that ship.

Bibliography:

Military and Naval History of Residents of Kennebunk who Enlisted During the Late Civil War - Andrew Walker (1868)

1860 US Census for Kennebunk

1870 US Census for Kennebunk

United States Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891 - available online via familysearch.org