In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Pejepscot Proprietors Biographies

(Page 2 of 2) Print Version 

Later Proprietors, Heirs and Assignees

Colonel Moses Little

Moses Little was born on May 8, 1724, the son of Moses and Sarah Little of Newbury, Massachusetts. He was the Surveyor of the King's Woods in the 1750s. Moses was a colonel in the Revolutionary army and fought at Bunker hill and in New York.

Colonel Josiah Little

Josiah Little was the son of Colonel Moses and Abigail Little and born on February 16, 1747. He married Sarah Toppan, the daughter of Edward and Sarah Toppan of Newbury, on March 23, 1770. Josiah went into business with his father, and later took control of his father's real estate.

Josiah lost a hand in an explosion while supervising the blasting of a passage through the rapids in the Adroscoggin river.

Company (Check that HENRY) He remained active in overseeing his property until he was past eighty years old. Josiah was also involved in shipping in Newburyport with his cousin Jacob Little.

Josiah served as a representative to the Massachusetts General Court for twenty-five years & was a Trustee of Bowdoin College, where his son Josiah attended. He died on December 26, 1830 as a result of complications from a broken thigh.

Belcher Noyes

Belcher Noyes was the son of original Proprietor Oliver Noyes and Ann Belcher. While still very young his father died, and he was placed under the guardianship of his uncle Jonathan Belcher, who was an influential Boston merchant and Governor of Massachusetts (1730-1741.) Noyes graduated from Harvard College and also studied medicine after graduation. Once in office, his uncle appointed him to the official expedition to inspect the fortifications to the east.

Noyes owned a mansion in Dock Square, opposite the south side of Faneuil Hall, the Pejepscot lands left to him by his father, as well as other dubious land titles on Roanoke Island in North Carolina and the Bedford Plantation in Connecticut. In Boston, he was elected to the office of scavenger, clerk of the market, and hogreeve (hog constable) several times. He also served as assessor and justice of the peace for Suffolk County and the inferior court.

The greater part of his time, however, was spent as executive officer for the Pejepscot Proprietors. Over his active years within the company he served as its clerk, secretary, treasurer, and collector of taxes. Noyes is responsible for the creation of the majority of proprietor records within the Pejepscot collection.