The above image comes from page 70 of the book Old Kittery and Her Families by Everett S. Stackpole, published in 1903. It was copied from an original map, which did not have any names attached to the buildings, but were later added based on land deed research. In the center of the image is the garrison house of JOSEPH CURTIS, my 7th Great-Grandfather. In 1720, the townspeople of Kittery had selected certain households throughout the settlement to be used as garrisons and, at meetings dated the 15th and 17th of Sept, 1722, the selectmen and military officers made a list of 36 homes [Old Kittery, pg 179-182] that were to be made defensible. No. 24 was Joseph Curtis, with the families of "James Stariot, James Stariot Junr, Peter Stariot, Nathaniel Fernald, James Brideen (Breeden) Junr, William Wilson, John Crocker, and Samuel Johnson Junr" to be housed there when the need arose.
This property had passed onto Joseph from the estate of his father, Joseph Curtis (son of Thomas of York), who had purchased 135 acres from John Hoole on 12 Nov 1684. Two years earlier (12 Jun 1682), he had bought 80 acres north of Hoole on Spruce Creek. He was also deeded land to the east of this by Henry Bodge, a lot called "Pudding Hole".
Joseph Curtis, who had been born 22 Jun 1678, died on 20 Aug 1751. An inventory and appraisal of his estate took place on 1 Jan 1751/2. At the time of his death, his homestead was comprised of 113 acres, plus he also had two 100-acre lots in Berwick (which were his portions of the common lands, divided up while still a part of Kittery). Several parcels, including the Berwick tracts, were sold off by his widow to pay off debts of his estate. On 2 Jul 1754, a division of his estate took place, with the widow SARAH receiving her thirds, and the remaining 2/3 going to their only son, JOSEPH CURTIS [York County Probate File #3811]. She died on 4 Dec 1757, and her son, Jonathan Mendum (from her first marriage to Jonathan Mendum), was appointed administrator [York County Probate #3837].
None of the structures on the above map are still standing. I took the photo below, in April 2008, while I was investigating a cellar hole (and well) located on Picott Road. In the background is the former Curtis property, the house on the left (built in 1980) probably sits in the same spot where Joseph had his homestead.
This property had passed onto Joseph from the estate of his father, Joseph Curtis (son of Thomas of York), who had purchased 135 acres from John Hoole on 12 Nov 1684. Two years earlier (12 Jun 1682), he had bought 80 acres north of Hoole on Spruce Creek. He was also deeded land to the east of this by Henry Bodge, a lot called "Pudding Hole".
Joseph Curtis, who had been born 22 Jun 1678, died on 20 Aug 1751. An inventory and appraisal of his estate took place on 1 Jan 1751/2. At the time of his death, his homestead was comprised of 113 acres, plus he also had two 100-acre lots in Berwick (which were his portions of the common lands, divided up while still a part of Kittery). Several parcels, including the Berwick tracts, were sold off by his widow to pay off debts of his estate. On 2 Jul 1754, a division of his estate took place, with the widow SARAH receiving her thirds, and the remaining 2/3 going to their only son, JOSEPH CURTIS [York County Probate File #3811]. She died on 4 Dec 1757, and her son, Jonathan Mendum (from her first marriage to Jonathan Mendum), was appointed administrator [York County Probate #3837].
None of the structures on the above map are still standing. I took the photo below, in April 2008, while I was investigating a cellar hole (and well) located on Picott Road. In the background is the former Curtis property, the house on the left (built in 1980) probably sits in the same spot where Joseph had his homestead.
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