"Horrid Murder!" broadside, Augusta, 1806
Due to the murder’s horrific nature, the Purrinton tragedy appeared in newspapers along the east coast and overseas. On loan from American Antiquarian Society. Maine Historical Society
Suspect: James Purrinton
Accusation: Murder
Location: Augusta, Maine
Date: July 9, 1806
Victims: Polly, Martha, Benjamin, Anna, Nathaniel, Louisa, and Elizabeth Purrinton
Possibly spurred by financial distress, Captain James Purrinton (1759-1806) murdered his wife and six of their seven children with an ax and razor before dying by suicide. Two children, James (age 19) and Martha (age 15) survived the initial attack. Wounded, James escaped and alerted his neighbor Dean Wyman. Wyman and another neighbor, Jonas Ballard, investigated by candlelight—discovering the deceased Capt. Purrinton, his wife Polly, and five children. While Martha initially survived the attack, she died from her wounds days later.
Although attributed to financial concerns, Purrinton’s exact motives remain unclear. Evidence later surfaced that mental health challenges ran in his family, and prior to the murders, Capt. Purrinton worried about the state of his farm, expressing fear about being unable to provide for the future. Shortly before the crime, he wrote a letter to his brother implying he would soon be dead.
A jury of inquest found deceased Capt. Purrinton guilty of willful murder. Authorities kept his body separate from the family during the coroner’s inquest and buried him alone under the roadway along with the murder weapons. The family was buried together in the town cemetery, leaving James Purrington as the only surviving member.