1636 - List of the Settlers

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The colonists chiefly settled near the sea along the northern margin of the Poolj where Mr. Vines passed the winter of 1616-7.

Andrews and Scadlock were on the west near Little River, and T. Williams and West on the other side of the principal settlement, the latter above the mouth of Saco river.

The traces of ancient habitations may be still seen in all these places.   One spot, near the head of the Pool, is a little more noticeable than the others in the area.

A point of land juts out here, long known as Leighton’s point, on which, apparently, a court-house stood in the early days of Saco.  Whether it is simply tradition, or a matter of fact, is not known, but it is plain enough that a considerable number of the first inhabitants dwelt near this spot.  Several cellars, now filled up and overgrown with antiquated shrubbery, are still discernible; and the mouths of two or three wells may also be seen.

Apple trees rotten with age, and the English cherry, grow here in the midst of oaks and sumacs.  A golf course and a bird sanctuary now occupies the site of what was the earliest portions of the Settlement.

Tradition marks out this deserted spot as the seat of the earliest settlement. 

Captain Bonython settled further up river, at about where the City Sewer in Biddeford currently stands.  When excavation was done for a set of buildings there in the 1770's, several articles were dug up, such as spoons, candlesticks, and other antiques.  These were supposed at the time to have been buried in the ruins of the house, which was burned and sacked by the Indians in 1675.

Here we may safely suppose Richard Vines passed that memorable winter when there was scarcely a "civilized" being in any other part of New England, and afterwards resided in the midst of his little colony.