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Linda Snow McLoon, left, and Rodney Laughton of the Scarborough Historical Society stand by the new King family monument sign. Contributed / Scarborough Historical Society Two largely unrecognized native sons have recently been honored in Scarborough. Born in the family home at Dunstan Landing in Scarborough prior to the Revolutionary War, American Founding Father, Rufus King, and Maine’s first governor, William King, were brothers, sons of the wealthy merchant and land owner, Richard King.
Both men made outstanding contributions in support of their country and state. Informative signage was recently unveiled by members of the Scarborough Historical Society at the little-known King Burial Ground, where it is displayed beside a plaque on a boulder listing the historical roles of Richard King and his sons. The monument was originally placed at this site on Susan Avenue off the Broadturn Road near Dunstan Corner in 1902 by a descendant of the King family, Edward King, to acknowledge Richard King and his noteworthy sons for their remarkable achievements.
At that time, he deeded the burial ground to the Maine Historical Society for safe keeping, but in 1973 the property was turned over to the Scarborough Historical Society. Richard King was was appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Shirley in 1744 to be commissary of subsistence of the British troops destined for the successful capture of Louisbourg, the French stronghold in Nova Scotia, during Britain’s contest with France for North America.
Later he became a well-to-do community leader in Scarborough. Goodwill between Richard King and his fellow citizens didn’t continue. As tension between the colonies and mother country grew more intense leading up to the Revolutionary War, he voiced little hope that America would be successful in breaking ties with the powerful Great Britain.
Consequently, he was considered a Loyalist to the Crown, and came to be in disfavor by people in Scarborough. When it was learned that lumber from King’s sawmill was shipped to Boston to build barracks for British soldiers, members of the Sons of Liberty raided his store and home at Dunstan Landing. Richard King hid under the bed of one of his slaves in the attic when the rioters came searching for him, but when they saw that the old woman was sick, they left and looked no further.
Further humiliation from Scarborough townspeople led to Richard King’s ill health, and he died in 1775, just before actual fighting broke out in the Revolutionary War. He was buried in what was a remote spot in the King family burial mound that few people today are aware of. From Richard King’s correspondence, it appears he was planning to build a family tomb at the Scarborough burial ground, but due to his untimely passing at age 57, this was never done.
The only recorded names of those interred there are Richard King and his two wives, Isabella Bragdon King and Mary Black King, but it is known that the mound was used as a burial lot for other members of the King family. No headstones were erected to mark the graves, and one can only wonder if perhaps some of the seven slaves Richard King owned might also have been interred at that place. The former home of the King family on the Dunstan Landing Road in Scarborough is no more, but the King burial ground and its commemorative monument serve as reminders of the King family and Scarborough’s two outstanding native sons.
The ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling were presided over by society President Rodney Laughton, with celebratory remarks offered by Linda Snow McLoon. Laughton said, “The people of Scarborough and Maine can take pride in their native sons. Unfortunately, over time the memory of the historically significant King family has for the most part faded.
Today few people are aware of this burial ground and the accomplishments of the family. We hope this new signage will encourage visitation and expand visitors’ knowledge of the accomplishments of Rufus and William King.” This article will be continued next week, providing details of the lives and contributions of Rufus and William King, Scarborough’s unsung native sons.
Linda Snow McLoon is a director of the Scarborough Historical Society. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors.
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