The little community that had started out as Hallowell was growing. Jonathan rented two of the houses on his farm to other families. Captain Purrinton bought the parcel of land beside Jonathan. It consisted of over 100 acres and during the next two years, he had cleared enough land for a house, barn, and garden. Captain Purrinton's wife and children finally joined him. They seemed to be a wonderful family and good neighbors.
However on July 9, 1806, Captain Purrinton injured two of his children, killed the remaining six, and then killed his wife and himself. The murder/suicide was brutal and shocked the whole community, but the direct neighbors were deeply affected and would never be the same. This included Martha, Ephraim, and Jonathan and his family. Religion helped Martha and others in the.....
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