Robert Means

Biography

“The Means Family, 1718-1950” < PDF >

The Immigrant

Robert Means born ~ 1689 in Ireland. Came to America in 1718 and settled in Falmouth, and later removing to the Scotch-Irish settlement in Saco, Maine.

Married Jane (some accounts say Mary) Armstrong of Scarbourgh around 1718 or 1720. She was the daughter of James or John Armstrong, born 1700.. She died Feb. 18, 1769 at age 98 (some say 102). He died Dec. 29, 1768 (some say 1769) at Old Orchard, Maine at age 80. Buried at Old Orchard Beach cemetery that is now covered up.

“In autumn of 1718 vessels came from north of Ireland via Boston to Portland (then Falmouth) Maine. They were descendants of a colony, which went Argyleshire in Scotland and settled in the north of Ireland about the middle of the 17th century. They were rigid Presbyterians and fled from Scotland to North of Ireland to avoid persecutions of Charles I. Among them was James Armstrong with his sons, John, Simon, and Thomas, also Robert Means who married his daughter.

This colony with Rev. Mr. McGregor at its head left Ireland in five vessels containing 120 families and arrived in Boston August 4, 1718; part settled in Maine and Part in New Hampshire.
This company of immigrants, among other important services rendered to the land of their
adoption, introduced the potato plant which had not before been cultivated in this county; also the
linen spinning wheel, and the manufacture of linen. The spinning wheel had not appeared upon
our shores until the advent of these people, and it produced quite a sensation in Boston. Societies
were formed and schools established to teach the art of spinning flax and the manufacture of its
thread. At the first anniversary of its introduction ladies with their wheels paraded on Boston
Common for a trail of shill in spinning, and prizes were awarded. During four years this novelty
held its attraction and then gave way to some new excitement.”

(from 1913-Means Family History, prepared by John Means of Boston to William Means – descendants of John Means (1- 5).

The Scottish surname Means is spelled Main, Mains, Meins and Means in the early York County papers, but the Maine ancestor of these is Robert Means.

Robert came from the north of Ireland to Falmouth via Massachusetts with James Armstrong in 1718 at the reported age of 16. He was one of the Scotch-Irish immigrants bound for Londonderry, NH, but with Barbour and Armstrong stopped in Falmouth. He had married Mary Armstrong, a daughter of Armstrong’s and settled at Falmouth Neck (Portland) where he remained 5 years. For 2 years he dwelt in a log house near the Stroutwater meetinghouse. The log home stood opposite the Nathan Tibbetts House. Later in 1720, there is a record of Elizabeth Davis, widow, for a consideration of 30 pounds to Robert Means, 100 acres of land with 4 acres of marsh in Falmouth, Purpooduck side. Robert is recorded as one of the original member of the church organized at Portland in 1726. He then lived at the ferry on Purpooduck about 10 years.

By 1725, the total number of families at Spurwink and Purpooduck amounted to approximately seventeen. New settlers were arriving every day. The town of Falmouth, despite its large extent of territory and remote situation of many of its inhabitants, continued united in one parish until 1733. This year saw Spurwink and Purpooduck set off as the Second Parish of Falmouth. The church was formed by the dismissal of five persons for the First Parish along with their pastor, Benjamin Allen, for that purpose. They were John Armstrong, William Jamison, Robert Means, Robert Thorndike and Jonathan Cobb.

In 1735, he was taxed in Cape Elizabeth for land and personal property. In 1738, there was recorded considerations of 377 pounds for division of a large lot among Robert Means (formerly of Falmouth and Ireland, now in Saco, alias Biddeford) and others.

Robert finally removed to the Scotch-Irish settlement at Saco, residing near the beach (Old Orchard), where he died ‘suddenly’ Sept. 3, 1769 aged 79 years. (?) His widow died Feb. 18, 1789 aged 89 years. There is a conflict of evidence in the records since Burham’s papers record burial in the cemetery at Old Orchard Beach nearly opposite the Boston and Maine Railroad station covered up and not removed. Along with another person, the site includes Robert Means, died Oct. 30, 1769 in his 80th year and John Means, his son, died March 16, 1776 in his 48th year.

Jane Armstrong, wife of Robert Means, was the daughter of James Armstrong, and immigrated to American with that family in 1718 from Ireland. After living in Falmouth, her father settled in Saco, Maine where he was a cabinetmaker. She was a sister of James and John Armstrong, who were among the member of First Parish at Falmouth, now Portland Maine.

In 1738, the Robert Means family moved from Falmouth, Maine to Old Orchard, now Saco, where the Scotch-Irish settlement include her father. Jane and Robert had 8 children of record, all born previous to the move to Old Orchard.

Jane lived to be a very old lady, some say as old as 102, but Pepperell Records indicate she lived to be 98 years. She was believed to be a very pious old lady who sang Psalms at night to keep away the Tempter.

Children:

• 1. Thomas Means 1722-1756
• 2. Sarah Means b. 1726 (?); married to John Thompson on Jun 21, 1739 (?) died 1800 at 77 years old
• 3. Mary Means
• 4. Dorcas Means
• 5. John Means 1728-1776 born 1735
• 6. Jane Means
• 7. Elizabeth Means
• 8. Hannah Means Died 1759