The Original Eight Proprietors
Thomas Hutchinson
Thomas Hutchinson was a wealthy merchant who had interest in Maine lands because of familial ties. His grandfather purchased lands near Saco in 1673 and his father married into land ownership in Maine. Both were councilors in the state.
Hutchinson’s political ties were crucial during the early days of the company. His brother, Edward was a member of the General Court’s Committee of Eastern Claims when the petition for the confirmation of title was originally received, and when it came before the house, Thomas was on the council, along with his father and uncle. Hutchinson sold his share to Colonel Thomas Westbrook in the late 1720’s.
John Wentworth
John Wentworth was Born in Portsmouth New Hampshire, was a Surveyor of the Kings Woods and served as Lieutenant Governor from 1717-1730. His son Benning bought John Ruck’s shares in 1727. Wentworth’s grandson David Jeffries became a member and clerk of the rival Kennebec Purchase Proprietors.
Wentworth's name is mentioned many times in both the Pejepscot and Kennebec Proprietors records. Notably, the Kennebec Proprietors pled with him to be reimbursed for the Crown appropriating large amounts of timber for the Royal Navy, which he seemingly had no interest in helping with.
Adam Winthrop
was the great-grandson of the first Massachusetts governor and arguably one of the most distinguished of the original proprietors. Until elected a Boston delegate to the house of the Representatives in 1714, his interests had centered on his mercantile career, the Artillery Company of Boston, and the town’s militia regiment.
Oliver Noyes
Oliver Noyes (1699-1720) was a physician and merchant by profession. Noyes graduated from Harvard in 1695 and was very active in Boston politics and infrastructure. He served as an officer in the Boston Militia, was selectmen for several years, and represented Boston in the General court 1714-6, 1719, and 1720. Oliver married Anne Belcher, sister of Massachusetts Governor Jonathan Belcher. Oliver’s son Belcher became the clerk of the Pejepscot Proprietors, giving him a tremendous amount of power within the company and New England politics as a whole.
John Ruck
John Ruck was the brother in law of Thomas Hutchinson and the father in law of Benning Wentworth. Like David Jeffries, a big part of his contribution to the company was financial. He was also a member of the executive committee for the proprietorship.
David Jefferies
David Jeffries was a wealthy Boston merchant who emigrated from England to Boston in 1677. Jeffries was adept in business and financial management, and in the years leading up to the Pejepscot Purchase managed a thriving waterfront business which was built on complex systems of credit and personnel management. Much of his waterfront business centered around the representation of London firms in the colonies. Because of his success, Jefferies role in the Pejepscot proprietors was most likely as a banker and investor.
Oliver Noyes, fellow proprietor, married the widow of Jefferies son David and his grandson David III went on to become an integral part of the rival Kennebec Proprietors.
John Watts
John Watts was the only Pejepscot Proprietor that actually seemed interested in living and settling on the company's Maine property. Watts focused his attention on Arrowsic Island and the improvement and fortification of the land. He died in 1717 in Maine. He accomplished the settlement of twenty families on the island.
Stephen Minot
Stephen Minot started from perhaps the most humble beginnings from work as a tailor, then as a Captain in the militia. He was responsible for the upkeep of the Wells-Brunswick road and helped transport soldiers to the Brunswick fort.