The Maxwell family has been involved in vegetable and fruit growing in Cape Elizabeth, Maine for at least SEVEN generations!
1st Generation: James Maxwell (unknown date of birth)
According to US Land Records, James Maxwell is listed as a grantor and husbandman on this Deed, located and dated “Cumberland of Falmouth May 7, 1762.” He is referred to as a grantor (someone who transfers real estate to another individual) and husbandman (a centuries-old term for farmer).
“Know all men by these presents that James Maxwell of Falmouth in the county of Cumberland and province of Massachusetts Bay in New England Husbandman for and in consideration of the sum of two pounds six shillings and eight pence lawful money by me already to full satisfaction received by Peter Starrat of Falmouth…in the township of Falmouth aforesaid and on the Northside of Pond Cove containing by estimation twenty-five acres…”
2nd and 3rd Generations: Mystery Maxwells
According to life expectancy data from the late 1700’s, most white males lived only into their mid to late 30’s. Per Massachusetts Bay Colony standards, one had to be age 21 to own/sell property during that period. Recognizing this context, there are two Maxwell generations missing from our timeline. We still continue to research for this information.
4th Generation: Walter Maxwell (born 1854)
Local historical deed records refer to Walter as a husbandman. Walter once grew cabbage off the coast of Maine on Richmond Island and upon harvesting his produce, he would row-boat his crops to shore in a dory to sell.
5th Generation: Harvey Maxwell (born 1877) & Francis Maxwell
Harvey grew peas on land he leased on Richmond Island which he would occasionally ship to Boston on the old Boston Boat. He was occasionally referred to as the “Cabbage King of Cape Elizabeth” and was quoted in the local press as saying “my lifelong ambition has been to bring beauty from the soil.”
6th Generation: James Maxwell (born 1902) & Evelyn Maxwell
Known as J. Howard or Howdy, he grew and wholesaled cabbage, squash and iceberg lettuce in Cape Elizabeth. Not only was J. Howard a farmer, he was also a lobsterman whom loved to golf and in his retirement he once played golf with legendary Boston Red Sox baseball player Carl Yastrzemski.
7th Generation: Ken Maxwell (born 1929) & Elsie Maxwell (born 1928)
Ken took over the farming business from his father, growing vegetables for commercial sale. Initially Ken grew iceberg lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, winter squash and cauliflower. In 1973, with a desire to sell directly to consumers, he opened Maxwell’s Farm Market in Portland with the motto ‘The Farm Has Come To You’. Ken expanded from those 5 main vegetables to growing over 100 different varieties, and that same year, he planted the first strawberries for pick-your-own!
In 1990 Ken moved the market to Cape Elizabeth where it was successfully run by Ken’s son and daughter in-law Nate and Kathy Maxwell till its closure in 2007. It was common to hear Ken described “if you nailed one of his feet to the floor, Ken would still run in circles.”
8th Generation: Bill Bamford (born 1955) & Lois (Maxwell) Bamford (born 1954)
Lois and her three siblings grew up on the farm, working at various times in various capacities. Bill and Lois began dating in the mid-1970’s and soon after he too was working on the farm. They continued learning the business while simultaneously raising four incredible children of their own. In 2007 Bill and Lois officially took the reins over from Ken Maxwell to maintain the family legacy, continuing with pick-you-own strawberries as well as growing corn, peas, beans, and raspberries.
9th Generation: Siblings Joel & Joy Bamford (born 1981 & 1984)
From junior high through college, siblings Joel and Joy grew up working on the farm. They each established their own separate careers, however in 2016 they committed to continuing the family tradition of farming pick-your-own strawberries in Cape Elizabeth.
The Rodriguez Family:
For three generations the Rodriguez family have been an important part of the Maxwell’s Farm family. In the 1960’s Ken Maxwell established a relationship with families from the small town of Patillas, Puerto Rico. Since then they have been an intricate part of farm operations, each summer leaving their homes and families in Puerto Pico to come and work with our family here in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Maxwell’s Farm would not be what it is today without their agricultural talents, tenacious work ethic, and their familial labor of love.
The Maxwell namesake is represented in two geographic locations in Cape Elizabeth; Maxwell Cove and Maxwell Point (see map below).