The first enslaved person to arrive in Arundel was brought by Rev. Thomas Prentice in 1734. The funds required to cover his purchase of this enslaved person were provided by the Town of Arundel as part of an increase to Prentice's compensation.

After preaching three months, the town, June 27 [1730], voted to give him [Mr. Thomas Prentice] "a call to be a settled Minister in the town of Arundel." - Bradbury, p. 124

In 1734, "Mr. Prentice had gained the affections of his people, who appeared to treat him with much consideration. They gave him £20 a year in addition to his salary to furnish him with fuel, and £10 'more a year, and Every year for six years to Com[sic] to make up ye badness of his Sallery[sic] by Reson[sic] of his Complaining the money was Not so good as it was when he and the Town made their agreement.' After a long debate, they gave him £30 towards buying him a servant." - Bradbury, p. 137

Bradbury also states (p. 158) that "a few of the inhabitants of Arundel were able to hold slaves. Mr. Prentice bought the first one owned in town, in 1734."

"In 1734, when peace with the Indians again seemed uncertain, the townspeople voted to garrison the house of the then minister, Thomas Prentiss, and to fund a servant for him. The servant was a Negro slave - the first to live in Arundel. The minister's house stood at the head of Folly Harbor (#1CP Pier Road). When Prentiss left in 1738, the house remained the property of the town and was lived in by subsequent ministers, including John Hovey, who came in 1741. He, also, owned a slave." - Butler, p. 28

Bibliography:

History of Kennebunk Port from its First Discovery (1602-1837) - Charles Bradbury

Kennebunkport - The Evolution of an American Town (Volume I - 1603-1923) - Joyce Butler