Vaughan and Hallowell families

abridged timeline

Based on full timeline from Vaughan Homestead website.

Prior to the 1600’s the lands of Hallowell were the home of the Wôban-aki people, also variously called the Abenaki, Wabanaki and locally the “Cussenocke”

1600-1660. Kings of England stake claim to lands of the Kennebec Valley and grant rights to the lands to wealthy European man and Plymouth Colony.

Plymouth Colony eventually sells its lands to group of 4 wealthy businessmen, a deal known as the Kennebec Purchase.

1640. William Hallowell comes from England to work in Benjamin Ward’s Boston shipyard. Hallowell eventually takes over and it is the Hallowell Shipyard for 140 years—one of the most successful shipyards.

William Hallowell’s grandson Benjamin takes over the shipyard and uses enslaved laborer to build ships, including some ships for slave trade.

Benjamin Hallowell becomes successor to Kennebec Proprietor , inheriting lands along Kennebec River.

1736. Samuel Vaughan established with first plantation in Jamaica. He becomes very wealthy with several sugar plantations worked by over 700 enslaved people.

1750-60’s. Samuel Vaughan and Benjamin Hallowell form partnership. Hallowell providing ships and lumber for barrels to ship Vaughan’s sugar from his plantations.

1751. Samuel Vaughan marries Sarah, Benjamin Hallowell’s daughter and their first some Benjamin Vaughan is born.

1753. The descendants of original Kennebec Purchase, reincorporate and become the Kennebec Proprietors, Benjamin Vaughan one of the largest shareholders.

1750’s. Most of the indigenous people of the area by this time have been driven upriver to Norridgewock and Canada.

1762. Deacon Pease Clark and family purchase land from Kennebec Proprietors and are first to settle in what is now Hallowell.

1771 Hallowell incorporated as a town on April 26, named for Benjamin Hallowell.

1780-90’s Charles and Benjamin Vaughan, Samuel and Sarah’s sons settle in Hallowell.

1852. Hallowell incorporated as a city on February 17.