M. (1) about 1658
Wife: (probably) Sarah Gridley
M. (2) before 1700
Wife: Mary Waters
D. after 1706 in (probably) Boston, Massachusetts
The life of John Dollen is tied to the early history of Pemaquid, Maine, a settlement established in 1631, and of Monhegan Island, 12 miles off the coast. These places were not part of a Puritan colony; they were founded by Englishmen interested in fishing and fur trading. Because they were so remote, neither place had much protection from enemy invasion. In addition, Monhegan Island was exposed to pirates who sometimes attacked and plundered it.
Into this wild place came John Dollen (also spelled Darling), an Englishman born in about 1626. How exactly he migrated to Pemaquid, whether he moved directly from England, or from one of the American colonies, isn’t known. By the 1650s, he was married to a woman who was believed to be Sarah Gridley of Boston. Together, they had several children that included three daughters. In around 1656, John purchased most of Monhegan Island (totaling 400 acres) from Thomas Elbridge, a son of one of the original patent holders. He paid for the land with three gallons of liquor, presumably a valuable thing in 17th century Maine.
The rugged landscape of Monhegan Island.
For the next 20 or so years, John seems to have divided his time between Pemaquid and Monhegan, but became more identified with the island. He was said to be the “principal inhabitant” of Monhegan. His primary occupation was as fisherman, but he also ran a tavern on the island (in the records it was called a "house of public entertainment"). It's likely that the tavern served men passing through on ships.
In 1675, Pemaquid was drawn into King Philip’s War which was playing out to the south in Massachusetts. John served as a sergeant under Thomas Gardiner in a company called the “Devonshire Militia.” Pemaquid was vulnerable because it was so far away from major English settlements, and the Indians could easily raid the town. Tensions rose after one English ship owner tried to enslave some Indians, causing the Indians to attack Pemaquid. It was said that the town was “enveloped in one devouring mass of flame.”
John was among the people who returned to Pemaquid in 1678 to rebuild it. He was made constable of Monehgan and a justice of the sessions court. Ten years later, another war broke out, this time with France. Once again the Maine coast was targeted by enemies, and in August 1689, the French and Indians destroyed Pemaquid, killing and capturing the people who lived there. John’s married daughter Grace was one of the victims who was hauled away by the Indians; her young daughter was probably murdered.
It’s believed that in his old age John moved away from Pemaquid and Monhegan. His first wife had died and at some point he married a woman named Mary Waters. John was listed as living in Boston in 1700 and 1706. His second wife’s death was recorded at Boston on November 4, 1717, and John had died maybe several years before she did.
Children by (probably) Sarah Gridley:
1. Grace Dollen — B. 1659, Pemaquid, Maine; D. 19 Jan 1734, Flatbush, New York; M. Denys Hegeman, about 1680, (probably) Pemaquid, Maine
2. Joanna Dollen — M. (1) Reynald Kelly; (2) James Mander
3. Patience Dollen — M. Walter Mander
Sources:
Letter from Maine Historical Society librarian, Marian B. Rowe, 12 Jul 1949
Soldiers in King Philip’s War, George Madison Bodge, 1906
Genealogy website of John Blythe Dobson
