My Family Stories
March 16, 2021
John, yours and Auntie Beth’s request is serving a dual purpose. I have often said that I needed to write down stories and facts told to me over the years about my family.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of family history shared with me while growing up centered around my paternal grandmother’s family. Luckily, people like you, Auntie Beth, and Ralph Gamache have undertaken the task of compiling family history before it is lost.
Perhaps I took it for granted knowing that a very detailed book existed for the Moulton side of my family, and I did not give much thought to the other branches. I would hope that, eventually, this exercise will motivate me to explore my paternal grandfathers’ families, as not much is known to me beyond the fact that Kashmer is not our original surname.
The name was shortened around 1900 because people could not pronounce or spell Kazmierchak. At least, that is what I was told growing up.
I have chosen two stories to share—those that stand out most in my memory. One is about a descendant known as a “great Indian fighter” (or, more appropriately, an Indigenous fighter). The second tells the history of the house in which I grew up.
As kids, we probably did not see these stories as history—only as fascinating tales to tell our friends during the era of Stephen King novels and other creepy stories that were popular at the time.
— Rebecca Kashmer Davis, Eliot, Maine
The Great Indigenous Fighter
Thomas Moulton was born in Ormsby, Norfolk, England, around 1614. He first settled in Newbury, Massachusetts (1637), then Hampton, New Hampshire (1639), and finally York, Maine (1654).
Thomas had seven children, one of whom was Jeremiah (born 1656). Jeremiah and his wife lived in York, Maine, during the Raid on York in 1692.
During the winter, Abenaki warriors launched a surprise attack on the village, killing many settlers and taking others captive. Jeremiah and his wife were killed while their young son—also named Jeremiah—watched.
The child was taken captive and sold to another Indigenous family. Roughly seven years later, he was returned to York by his captor. Determined to confront the tribe responsible for his parents’ deaths, Jeremiah later enlisted in the militia.
In 1724, English forces numbering over 200 soldiers were sent out under Captain Moulton. The village was surprised, and Captain Moulton ordered his men not to fire until fired upon.
Approximately half of the warriors were killed, while the chief and women fled toward the river. Captain Moulton was credited with the victory.
Captain Moulton was a brother to Joseph and a second-generation descendant of Thomas Moulton of York, Maine. My father traces his line to Joseph Moulton, making this the 11th generation.
Sylvester Moulton’s House
Image Placeholder: Sylvester Moulton House, Goodwin Road, Eliot, Maine
Sylvester Moulton was a seventh-generation descendant of Thomas Moulton. He was born in 1819 and married Mercy Hammond. Together they built an eight-room home between 1843