Westcott, Reuben

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Post

Notes:

From: History of Gorham, ME by Hugh Davis McLellan
"Margaret and William Wescott settled in Scarborough on the farm since known as the Theodore Libby farm. They were the ancestors of the Gorham Wescotts."

"Mr Wescott was the famous "Post Wescott" of olden times, and during the Revolution was known to Every man, woman and child, on the road from Boston to Portland, and in all the region about the County of Cumberland. It is said he carried the first mail between Boston and Portland, was employed carrying letters to and from the soldiers in the army and their friends and families in New Hampshire and Maine., The writer of this notice (McLellen) has in his possession a letter written by his grandfather while in the army at Cambridge, and brought home to Gorham by Post Wescott in 1775. Some of his descendants now Have in their possession a cane given him by General Washington in the time of the Revolution. When he was about to start with dispatches in which the General took much interest, he was looking for a stick with which to urge forward his horse, when Washington told him to take his own cane, which was more substantial than a switch, and hurry off. This cane he religiously preserved till his death and it is now an heirloom highly prized."

"There are some of us yet alive who can remember the old gentleman. On all great days, more particularly general must day (military display being one of his hobbies he usually made his appearance at Gorham village, it being on his way to visit his two sons, Reuben and Edmund, who were settled in the north part of the town. He was the wonder of the young, always polite and courteous, and always with something pleasant to say to all. He always attracted attention, with his erect, stately figure, and fine horsemanship; his Washington cane, which he grasped in the old fashioned style a few inches below the top; dressed in the old continental style, with cocked hat, single-breasted coat with large brass buttons and standing collar, with long waist and wide skirts; short breeches, high quartered shoes with silver buckles four inches square, long stockings fastened to his breeches at the knee with large silver buckles -- this was his go-out dress, and he never abandoned it during his life."

William married Meserve, Margaret on 05 Feb 1757. Margaret was born in 1733 in Pearsontown Plantation, Cumberland Co., ME; died on 11 Jan 1827 in Gorham, Cumberland Co., ME. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptised: 23 Aug 1741, Standish, Cumberland Co., ME

William married Skillings, Dorcas about 1728 in Richmond, Lincoln Co., ME. Dorcas (daughter of Skillings, Samuel and Haley, Rhoda) was born on 19 Jun 1710 in Kittery, York Co., ME; died in Aug 1781. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Haley, Hannah/Anna in 1687. Hannah/Anna (daughter of Haley, Andrew and Wilson, Deborah) was born in 1670; died after 1725. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Haley, Rhoda on 25 Dec 1702 in Falmouth, Cumberland Co., ME. Rhoda (daughter of Haley, Andrew and Wilson, Deborah) was born in 1683 in Falmouth, Cumberland Co., ME; died in 1720 in Portsmouth, Rockingham Co., NH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]