The Mass Murder Mystery of Augusta

The Purrington Family

Augusta, Maine

 

Augusta is the capital city of the state of Maine. Even today it is far from being a bustling metropolis and is smaller than Portland, which is Maine's largest city. Travelers to Augusta will find it to be a quaint historic town, whose skyline is dominated by the Maine State house, but Augusta wasn't always like this. During the late 1700's and early 1800's Augusta was little more than an up and coming community. It would likely have been overlooked by many if it was not for the presence of Fort Western, a small military outpost along the Kennebec River. Despite all this in 1809, Augusta found itself the site of what is probably the most gruesome murder in the city's entire history. The murders centered around the Purrington family who lived out on the Old Belgrade Road.

 

 

On the night of July 9, 1809, Capt James Purrington killed most of his family to include his wife and seven of his eight children. He is said to have entered his house on that night and using a combination of an axe and a razor committed the murders. His eldest son James was the only one to escape, but not without receiving a blow to the back from his axe wielding father. One of the daughters who sustained significant injuries managed to survive for about three weeks before she also perished. Upon completion of the deed, Capt Purrington took the razor and slit his own throat. The eldest son after escaping ran to a nearby neighbors house and informed them of the mayhem which had just recently occurred. The neighbor accompanied by a few other men arrived to find the gruesome scene. I will spare you the specific details of what they found, except to say that the razor was used to kill many of the younger children and the axe the rest of the family. If you should be the type of person curious as to the specific gruesome details (as I was), if you do your research a newspaper of the time recorded the first hand account of the scene which greeted those who ran to investigate.

 

 

So what does this have to do with cemeteries, stones, and burials?  Some interesting things surround the burial of both the victims and the perpetrator. Due to some beliefs about suicide, the funeral and burial were done differently. Mrs. Purrington and the seven children were buried in a mass grave at the corner of what was to become the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Augusta. In more recent years the grave which was before rumor and conjecture has been discovered and a stone marker with a brass plate telling the story now marks its location. I had the interesting fortune to see it for myself and comprehend that below my feet were the remains of eight persons who had been brutally murdered.

You will note that the Capt Purrington was not interred in the mass grave. The story of his burial is much more mysterious and intriguing. It is said that during the funeral his coffin was forced to stay on the porch due to his death being a suicide and was displayed with the axe and razor which he had used to commit the murders. Later it is reported that Capt Purrington was buried outside the cemetery grounds. The most detailed reports say his remains were placed at the corner of Winthrop and High Streets. I was able to find this intersection just down the street from the cemetery. Today it is a regular urban housing area. Several rumors abound about Capt Purrington's body. One conspiracy says that persons associated with Bowdoin College secretly exhumed the body for research. Another story I read says that at one point an owner of the property using a metal detector found an axe head which dates to the period of the murders. This however, has not been substantiated.

This was my first visit to Mt. Vernon Cemetery, but I am already intrigued by it. I am sure that the Purrington grave is only the beginning of interesting discoveries to be made here. If you should desire to have a look for yourself, you will find the cemetery located on the corner of Winthrop and Granite Street. The entrance is just up past this intersection. There are several cemeteries that make up this area collectively known as Mt. Hope Cemetery, but Mt. Vernon is the oldest. If you desire to see the Purrington grave simply travel a short distance down Granite Street and you will see the monument clearly in the bottom corner of the cemetery. You also may be interested in the location of the Purrington farm where the murders occurred. Although the house no longer exists, it is believed to be the location of the Greyhound Clinic on Old Belgrade Road just across from the Veteran's Cemetery. 

Riverside Cemetery

Lewiston, Maine

 

Due to my work, I visit the Lewiston / Auburn area about once a month. I recently decided to see what kind of unique cemeteries or burial areas I could find in the area. After a little research I discovered a few, but the largest is know as Riverside Cemetery. As its name suggested, this cemetery is located along the banks of the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine and offers beautiful views of the river.

Riverside is so large, I have only begun to explore it, and will likely have more to share later on, but I found it to be a peaceful place with a lot of history. Even in my initial exploration I discovered a few gems. You will also find some beautiful stones and even a few mausoleums with interesting architecture. What little research I could dig up on the cemetery was people claiming it is haunted. It turns out that the cemetery has a bad history of vandalism. It has over the years gained some reputation as a hang out for vandals, vagrants, and thrill seekers. This is upsetting as such persons are simply desecrating and destroying historical markers. I will admit that I took some interest in the tales of haunting. Most of them center around the Libbey Mausoleum. I was determined to catch a glimpse of this place to appease my own curiosity. Even though it is a huge mausoleum it is not necessarily easy to find. It sits nestled in the back right corner of the cemetery. As soon as I saw it, it was easy to see why some have attributed it to paranormal activity. It is a large mausoleum, almost big enough to be a small house. Interestingly enough it sits so that the entrance is in the woods. As you approach through the cemetery you will come upon the back. You then need to follow a small path into the woods and around the side to get a glimpse of the front. As you peer up at the large structure you are completely surrounded by trees. Even though I think such paranormal stories when it comes to cemeteries are based in one's own imagination, I will admit that it created an uneasy feeling and as something dropped from a tree in the woods nearby I just about jumped out of my skin.  This monument though should be viewed for it's architectural beauty. I was not able to learn much about the Libbey family except that they seem to have been factory owners in Lewiston.

 

 

Below I have included a few of the interesting stones I discovered in my short whirlwind visit.

This young man was 21 when he was drowned in the Fraser River in British Columbia. One cannot help but wonder about the circumstances surrounding his death. Did he leave Maine as a pioneer set on making his fortune?  One cannot also help but wonder if he is really buried here. After all, Maine and British Columbia are on opposite ends of the continent.

 

 

Notice the "Custer 7" marker. I can only assume this means Custer's 7th Cavalry, yet the stone clearly states "5TR ME INF". INF means infantry. Still working on this one.

 

 

This man was a member of the 10th Maine Band during the Civil War. Interestingly enough this band was from Portland and known as Chandler's Band. They are still in existence today and you can go to one of their concerts. Do your research and you will see what I mean.

 

Should you desire to visit this interesting cemetery you will find it located a short distance from downtown Lewiston. The easiest way to get to it is via Riverside Street. You won't miss it.....just look for the stone pillars and cast iron gate. 







 

The Resting Place of a Conquistador

Juan Ponce de Leon

San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

 

If you should find this blog of interest in any way, you will discover that most of my posts will concern cemeteries found in Maine. However, on occasion it has been my privilege to venture elsewhere. When doing so it has been of great excitement to me to explore cemeteries and places of interment. One such place has been the tropical island of Puerto Rico. It has been called the gateway to the Caribbean and sits east of the Dominican Republic. Should you ever get to go to Puerto Rico you will discover that it is a place not only of great beauty, but also of great historical significance. I am sure I have only begun to scratch the surface of the many stories the island has to tell, but one is that of Ponce de Leon, who you will find buried in the capital city of San Juan.

 

 

 

If you are not readily familiar with him, you need do little more than pick up any history book which chronicles the early Spanish exploration of the New World. Perhaps the mention of the mythical fountain of youth will jog your memory. Ponce de Leon was one of the first Spanish explorers to set foot in the new world. His tale should you choose to research it is one of adventure and also cruelty. I will endeavor to tell the short version here. Ponce de Leon probably came to the New World for the first time with Christopher Columbus on one of his later voyages. His journey would begin on the island then known as Hispanola. Here he became wealthy through the oppression of the native population in agricultural endeavors. Eventually he would move on to what is now Puerto Rico and build a settlement there. Once again he would rely on the oppression of the native population. Despite his cruelty, Ponce de Leon can be accredited with much of the exploration of Puerto Rico. In fact the modern day city of Ponce bears his name. However, his time in Puerto Rico was not to last. Due primarily to claims of Columbus' son Ponce de Leon lost control of the island. This was one of the driving forces that sent him to explore and settle Florida. In fact it was Ponce de Leon that gave Florida its name.

 

 

Many stories have arisen over the centuries about Ponce de Leon and his search for the fountain of youth. While these are probably mostly based in myth, they have captured the attention of many. The truth is that Ponce de Leon's interest in Florida was probably for his own monetary gain and that of Spain. Still it is fascinating and sobering that the man who is most associated with pursuing youthfulness now lies dead and buried. You can find the resting place of Juan Ponce de Leon in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. This church is located right in the middle of the Old San Juan district. It should be noted that this has only been his resting place since 1836. Before this he was buried in the crypt of another church in San Juan. Unfortunately, I have never been able to get in to see his former resting place, but who knows, maybe on my next trip to Puerto Rico.

As you enter the Cathedral you need simply to look to your left along the wall to find the tomb of Ponce de Leon. If you are like me you may also enjoy exploring this old Catholic Church.  

 

 



 

A Tea Party Member Among Us?

 

Robert Hichborn

 

 

Stockton Springs, Maine

 

 

 

 

In mid coast Maine sits the little sleepy town of Stockton Springs. It is easy to miss as you drive down Rt. 1. Most people notice it because of signs for Fort Point Lighthouse. If you are brave enough to venture out on the winding Cape Jellison road you will not only be greeted by scenic views but by local landmarks of historical significance including the Lighthouse and what little remains of old Fort Point. Both are part of a state park. However, just before you get there on your right side you will see Mt. Recluse Cemetery. I have often driven by this cemetery as I wandered out to Fort Point to enjoy a walk, picnic, or some historical exploration. Considering that this part of Maine has been settled for some time, I thought it might be prudent to explore this little cemetery. Fortunately I was not disappointed. In fact I discovered what was certainly a first for me.

 

Located near the front of Mt. Recluse Cemetery is the grave of one Richard Hichborn. Interestingly enough his stone reads "One of the historic Boston Tea Party". Few acts leading up to the struggle for Independence have become as iconic as the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, men mostly of the group called the Sons of Liberty snuck down to the Boston harbor. Many were dressed as Native Americans. In an act of protest for the British tea tax, they threw an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor. It was one of the first real acts of rebellion against the crown. Today you can even see replicas of the tea ships in Boston Harbor and visit a museum dedicated just to this event.

 

 

 

So who was Robert Hichborn? I was not able to drudge up extensive information about him, but here is what we do know. At the time of the Boston Tea Party he was a sailmaker who lived on Anne Street in Boston's North End. He was also a member of the Sons of Liberty. After conflict officially began between the British and the Colonist, Hichborn joined in the fight. he is listed as having served as a 1st Lieutenant in Col. Henry Bromfeld's Massachusetts Militia. This also makes Robert Hichborn a veteran of the American Revolution. It appears that in 1791 after the war he relocated to the area that is now Stockton Springs and began a packet line (not sure what this means) between Cape Jellison and Boston.

 

He died in the year 1800, just as the United States was beginning establish itself as a nation.  However, you can still see the final resting place of this great patriot nestled on the quiet Cape Jellison Road in Stockton Springs, Maine. While you are there, I recommend also stopping at Fort Point State Park. In the photos below you can see the original stone as well as the one erected later by his ancestors.

 

 

 



 

Jeremiah O'Brien

 

Machias, Maine

 

  

 

 

 

Recently I took a little trip up to Machias, Maine. To put it in perspective for you I live in midcoast Maine and I never go to Machias because it is two hours away from where I live and a short jump to the Canadian border. However, I needed to go there for an event for work, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to search for the grave of Jeremiah O'Brien. I have been fascinated with Jeremiah O'Brien since as a child in school a teacher handed me the book Minutemen of the Sea by Tom Cluff. The book retells the story of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War. Most people have forgotten Maine's role in the American Revolution, but interestingly enough the state played host to both the first naval battle and later the greatest naval defeat our country had seen prior to Pearl Harbor.

 

So where does Jeremiah O'Brien fit into all this? Well, I will give you the shortened version of the story and encourage you to do some research on your own. Jeremiah was one of five O'Brien brothers involved in the lumber trade at Machias. In June of 1775, the British sent two sloops to Machias to collect lumber and masts for the British Navy. The two sloops were accompanied by a warship by the name of the Margaretta. Machias inhabitants were livid and energized by the news of what had happened at Lexington and Concord. They hijacked one of the sloops names the Unity. Then a group of rag tag colonists set out to attack the Margaretta. Few of them had guns and most carried clubs or farming tools. The leader of this band was none other then Jeremiah O'Brien. All five of his brothers were also present, but Jeremiah was elected to be the leader. The amazing part is that the Unity pulled along side the Margaretta and the colonists boarded and engaged in a hand to hand combat with the British. In the end it would be the men of Machias that would be victorious. Jeremiah O'Brien went on to lead an interesting life including commanding other vessels in defense of the then fledgling United States and being captured by the British. He would spend time on a prison ship off the coast of New York before being transferred to a prison in England. He would eventually manage to escape and come back to Maine by way of France, another fascinating story if you do your research right.

The little O'Brien cemetery can be found nestled in the back corner of Bad Little Falls park in Machias, Maine. I imagine that at one point it was a beautiful place to be buried overlooking the waterfalls of Machias. However, now the trees have grown up, obscuring the view.  If you should ever find yourself up in that neck of the woods, I suggest that you stop in and pay a visit. Along with Jeremiah, you will also find other members of the O'Brien family to include Jeremiah's father Morris O'Brien a native of Ireland and Gideon O'Brien one of Jeremiah's five brothers.  Jeremiah O'Brien may well be acknowledged as one of the most unsung heroes of the American Revolution and yet he is resting peacefully in small family cemetery in Machias, Maine.

 



 

Introduction

 

I suppose everybody has hobbies or things that they enjoy. For some time now, it has been my habit to wander through cemeteries. I can spend hours if time permits, simply reading the stones and being fascinated by the stories that they hold. Although you may not realize it, you likely pass by cemeteries all the time in your car. If you are like most people, you have grown so accustomed to seeing them that you may not even notice them as you pass by. Other people find themselves weirded out by cemeteries. They fear some supernatural force will come down and scoop them up if they should even dare to venture by, let alone go in. I however, choose to view them differently. For me a cemetery is a place of wonder and excitement. When I enter a cemetery for the first time, it is like opening a new book or hearing someone tell you a story for the first time. Around every new corner I might find something fascinating, forgotten, or obscure. What do I mean by this? Well, the truth is that a cemetery is a memorial of many lives in one place. Each life has a story to tell that is unique and often fascinating in its own right. When I walk into a cemetery I am walking into a field of stories that are waiting to be told. Sometimes I just browse and see what little discovery I can make and other times I have the express purpose of seeking out a specific grave. You see, I am what they call a lover of history. I love the past and the stories it holds of men and women I would love to have met. Even as a child my world consisted of reading children's history books I borrowed from the library and day dreaming about meeting people like Joan of Arc, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin or Joshua Chamberlain. As I grew older I became fascinated with my family history and with the history of my home state of Maine. There is a certain fascination with walking where famous men and women have walked and imagining them sitting where they once sat. When I walk into a cemetery and find the grave of someone who fascinates me, I realize that I am standing on their final resting place. I understand that beneath the earth I stand on is nothing more than the bones of that person. They are no longer present in Spirit, or so that is my theological belief. None the less there is some mystery and fascination to be standing where the remains of their physical bodies rest. It is not only that, but I love to see the stones. They are so unique, just as each life is unique. Cemeteries are one of the best museums that exist and as an added bonus they do not cost anything to enter. So it is with apprehension that I have decided to enter the blog world. I enjoy writing, but have never seen myself as much of a blogger. Yet, everywhere I go I seem to meet at least a few people who share my fascination. So I suppose that there are others out there on the internet who also share in this very unique hobby. If you are someone interested in ghost stories or tales of horror, I am afraid this is not the blog for you. While stories may sometimes include this, that is not the purpose of this blog. I plan to use this as a posting place to share my discoveries with people of like minded fascination. I hope it will bring enjoyment to some and perhaps renew in others a love for history and a desire to search out stories that have been lost.