V

Verrill, Nathaniel
Death notice of Nathaniel Verrill, aged 68, keeper of Wood Island Light. U & J 05/09/1856, p.3 c.3.

VETERANS
See also: “Veterans Buried in Biddeford (Revolution-WWI)“

Vetromile, Eugene, S.J.
(1820-1881) B. Gallipoli, Italy on Feb. 22, 1820. Third priest of St. Mary’s church, from 1859-1868. Father Vetromile is best known for his work as a Catholic missionary who lived with the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy of Maine, and wrote catholic religious materials in their own languages. In 1856 he published “The Indian Good Book” – described as a “Roman Catholic prayer book, including service for mass, catechism, hymns, etc., in various dialects of the Abnaki”. The street on which St. Mary’s church stood in Biddeford was named Vetromile Street in his honor. Other writings include: The Abnakis and their history, or Historical notices on the aborigines of Acadia (1865), which was written in Biddeford; and A Tour in both hemispheres: or, travels around the world (1880), which he wrote from Machias. He died while visiting Italy, August 21, 1880. His papers are held by the Maine Historical Society. Vetromile Street was renamed “St. Mary’s Street” in 1907 after Father Timothy Linehan of St. Mary’s led a petition drive to have it changed. See: Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society, Ser.1 V.7, p.339; Ser.2 V.1, p.309; & Ser.1 V.6, p.207. See also Yorke’s History and stories of Biddeford, p.52-3.

Vincent, Rose
Murdered by jilted beau Alfred Savage while sailing on the Saco River in the area of the Narrows in April 1878. Story of the murder in the Biddeford Daily Journal, 05/13/1908, p.5 c.1-4.

Vines, Richard (Captain)
One of the “founders” of Biddeford, employed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges to stay at “Winter Harbor” in 1616 to prove the climate suitable for settlement. Was granted land by Gorges and returned around 1630. Died in Barbados. See Yorke’s History and stories of Biddeford and Folsom’s History of Saco and Biddeford.

VITAL RECORDS