My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Joseph STORER, Lt.
Joseph STORER, Lt. (b. August 23, 1648, d. January 12, 1728/29)
Notes for Joseph STORER, Lt.:
Joseph and his twin brother, Benjamin, received their portion of their father's estate in 1670 from their stepfather, Samuel Austin, the administrator. They were partners and when Benjamin was killed by Indians 13 Apr 1677, Joseph administered his estate and inherited most of it. Perhaps it was Benjamin's death which influenced Joseph to build a "strong house" or garrison. The Storer Garrison was key to the survival of Wells, when, in June 1692, the men and women of the town and a handful of Massachusetts soldiers withstood there three days of attack by a force of 400 Indians. A bronze placque near the site commemorates that battle.
Joseph was an important citizen - ensign in 1680, lieutenant in 1691, deacon, selectman in 1713, and holder of a retail and tavern license many times.
Joseph was the first of the family to call himself definitely and always Storer. (Annals of the Storer Family, p. 23)
Lieutenant Joseph Storer of Wells was one of the heroes of Indian times. he was an equal partner with his brother Benjamin, whose estate he administered, and by agreement with the heirs had the house he had built, all cattle and moveables that were Benjamin's except a horse, and half the meadow. He exchanged farms with his step-father Samuel Austin in 1682.
He was an ensign in the French and Indian War and was called Lieutenant February 1690/91.
He took the Oath of Allegiance March 1679/80. Grand jury 1678, 1679, 1694, 1695; jury life and death 1693; Deputy 1681, 1684, 1685; Deacon; selectman 1713; retail and tavern license many times.
Aged and infirm, he made his will 20 February 1721/22 naming his wife and all his children but Joseph. His estate was inventoried at 1481 pounds.
"Storer's Garrison House, at Wells, was a noted point in the time of the latter Indian Wars. It was here that Capt. Converse made such a brave defence against a superior force of French and Indians in 1692; and where, the year before, 'fierce Moxus' was defeated, which caused the famous gasconade of Maddokawando; 'that he would have the dog Converse out of his hole.' In 1739, 'John Storer, Esq., and others, sons of their late father, Joseph Storer of Wells, deceased,' were petitioners to the General Court of Massachusetts, for some 'bounty' 'on account of their said father's services and sufferings in the late distressing Indian wars.'" (Signed S. G. D., NEHG Register Vol 6, p. 275.)
The Storer Park Monument in Wells, ME: To commemorate the defense of Lt. Joseph Storer's Garrison on this ground by Capt. James Converse, 29 Massachusetts Soldiers, the neighboring yeomanry of Wells and various historic women; June 9, 10, and 11 1692, whereby 400 French and Indians were successfully resisted, and Wells remained the easternmost town in the Province not destroyed by the enemy.
He was regarded as the richest man in Wells at the time of his decease, being in possession of real and personal property valued at five thousand dollars. His large landed property in Kennebunk appears to have fallen into the hands of his widow and his son John, born September 5, 1694, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Hill, in 1722. To him and his father-in-law were granted the three hundred acres of land and the water power on the Mousam originally granted to Sayword, and they built a saw-mill and perhaps a grist-mill on the site of Sayward's in 1730. "Storer's garrison in Wells," so often referred to as the refuge of fugitives from Indian atrocities, was built by his father soon after the commencemement of the Indian Wars and continued to be maintained as an effective stronghold under the management of his son to their close. John was distinguished for his bravery, patriotism and open-handed benevolence. He was at the taking of Louisburg, Cape Breton, in 1745. His valuable services to his townsmen and unfortunates driven from their homes in other places can scarcely be overestimated. (History of Kennebunk, pp. 534-535)
More About Joseph STORER, Lt.:
Notes (Facts Pg): See notes.
More About Joseph STORER, Lt. and Hannah HILL:
Marriage: Bef. May 23, 1681
Children of Joseph STORER, Lt. and Hannah HILL are:
- +Hannah STORER, b. May 06, 1680, d. May 21, 1765.