Note to the History of Scarborough. As our volume had nearly got through the press we received from our attentive correspondent and corresponding member, J. Wingate Thornton, Esq., of Boston, a very valuable communication relating to the founder and origi nal patentee of Scarborough, Thomas Cammock, to which we cannot refuse a place. We give the communication entire. MY DEAR SIR 20 COURT ST., BOSTON, MAY, 2D, 1853. The Rev. Dr. Wm. Jenks, showed me the following extract from Morant's Essex, Vol. 1, pp. 323, 408, and consents that I may copy them, which I hasten to do, as a valuable note for the forthcoming history of Scarboro', as it relates to the noted Captain Cammock, the Founder of the town. To the words, "here is a noted ferry, (South Fambridge, Rochford hundred, Essex,) at which a very bold love adventure is said to have happened," is added a note "F." "F." "Mr. Malden, of Kayne, servant to the Earl of Warwick, gave this relation, which was taken in writing- The Earl of Warwick going from Leighes to Rochford-Hall, was attended by Capt. Cammock, who courted his daughter: He carried her off upon a horse and came to Fambridge Ferry, where the Boat was on the other side, and the tide violent [of the river Crouch]; they found themselves pursued, and had no shift but to swim over: The Captain advised her not to venture; but she said she would live and die with him, and took the water. When they were half over, the Earl's servant came to the water-side, and his horse neighed; upon which the horse that carried the lovers turned round, and with much difficulty was brought to keep his course. They rode to Malden, were wedded and bedded; and the Earl said, seeing she had ventured her life for him, God bless 'em.' Camocks is a capital mesuage and large brick house in the parish of Layer-Marney, Winstree hundred, Essex; so named from its ancient owners, the Camock family.' Of this family was Thomas, (son and heir of Robert Camock who died Mar. 1, 1585,) who md. first Ursula, dau'r of John Wyrley of Dodford in Northamptonshire; and had by her 4 sons and 5 da's. Liv ing in the Earl of Warwick's family, he ran away with his daughter Frances, (see p. 323,) and had by her 2 sons and 11 daughters. He lies buried in the chh. of all saints, Malden." Undoubtedly here is the pedigree of Cammock of Scarboro'gratifying enough to all Scarborough Antiquaries and Historians. Yours faithfully, TO WILLIAM WILLIS, ESQ., J. WINGATE THORNTON. PREFATORY NOTE. The compiler has met with the common difficulties in the preparation of these pages, which have hindered the progress of others in similar tasks. The loss of many valuable records, and the imperfectness of such as remain, prevent a full and connected narration of the history of any of the oldest towns of Maine. This account of Scarborough is as complete as any could be made under the circumstances. The ground work of it is derived from the manuscript notes of the Rev. Henry G. Storer, whose praiseworthy diligence for years past in collecting materials for the history of the town, has rendered the subsequent labor, one of enlargement and arrangement only. It is indeed to be regretted that one so thoroughly fitted for the task as he, did not complete what was so well begun. Whenever it was practible his notes have been transferred in full to these pages. The additional matter has been derived chiefly from the Province Records, and other original sources. Much help has been had also from Mr. Willis' excellent history of Portland. In addition to the names of those gentlemen, whose kind assistance in the preparation of these pages is elsewhere acknowledged, the compiler may be allowed to mention here that of the obliging Register of Deeds for York County, Francis Bacon, Esq, a native of "old Scarborough." If the publication of this account shall serve to rescue from oblivion any facts worth preserving, its most important object will be gained. |