Cape Porpoise, Maine

[2] In 1602, the time of contact with Europeans, it was occupied by communities of the Almouchiquois people, who referred to the area as Nampscoscocke and had settlements at Gooch's Beach and Great Hill in Kennebunk 3 miles south of Cape Porpoise.

English fishermen began making seasonal residences in the area beginning about 1619 until a year-round European settlement was established in 1629, based on a land grant from the Plymouth Colony.

During King William's War in 1689, Indians forced the settlers off the mainland and onto Stage Island until rescued by the English.

Active hostilities only stopped when France, the Indians military ally, ceded southern Maine to England after King George's War.

All combined, more than 20 men were killed during the battle, including Captain James Burnham, one of the town leaders, and the only American casualty.

Goat Island Light
York County map