Works in Progress

These pages will be enhansed periodically as I have time to update them.

This history begins with the landing of James Harper and his family in October, 1720 at Casco Bay. This is the present site of Portland, Maine. More specifically, it was Merrymeeting Bay. At the time, lots in the towns of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell were being actively marketed and sold to the newly arriving Scotch-Irish as a protection or buffer against the French and ever present danger of the Abenakis.

These lots were forfeited, supposedly due to lack of improvement. The winters proved very harsh for the family.

Within a short time an Indian War broke out in the area and the Harpers were soon engaged in militia duty.