Historic Hallowell

Captain John Agry was born in 1763. He married Elizabeth Reed from Boothbay. Agry met Reed when he was forced to port during a severe storm at the mouth of the Kennebec River. In 1801, Agry moved with his new wife to Hallowell.

Agry built his house of bricks on Second Street, two houses north of the U.S. Post Office, which is on Winthrop Street and still stands today. Unlike most of the sailors of Hallowell, when Agry was only eighteen, he was the master of his own vessel.

For more that forty years, Agry sailed from Boston to England, France, and Mediterranean ports.  Agry’s wife accompanied him on many of his voyages and experienced thrilling sites from other places on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. At the outbreak of the Civil War 1861, Agry retired.

Captain Benjamin Gould was one of the first sea captains of Hallowell. In 1792, Gould built the lovely federal home on the corner of Winthrop and Middle Streets.

Gould only enjoyed his home for a short while, for he was killed at sea from yellow fever in the early 1800’s.