The Database for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel

Unknown


Enslaver: Thomas Wiswall

Status (enslaved, free or both): enslaved

Town: Arundel (now Kennebunkport)

Known dates: mid-18th century

One of the first enslaved people in Arundel (now Kennebunkport) was enslaved by prominent trader Thomas Wiswall.

"A few of the inhabitants of Arundel were able to hold slaves. Mr. Prentice bought the first one owned in town, in 1734. Mr. Hovey also owned one, and probably sold him in 1747. Robert Cleaves, Thomas Wiswall, Samuel Hutchins, John Fairfield, Gideon Walker, Andrew Brown, and Jonathan Stone each owned a slave. Several of them were living in the town, but a few years since, the last two of whom died in the poor house, or which the son of the former master of one of them was an inmate." - Bradbury, p. 158

"Thomas Wiswall, who had already made his fortune in shipping, built himself a fine new house and a store in 1787" on Union Street." - Butler, p. 35

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

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