By David Cole
Robert Cox, Chief Two Running Elk
A History of the Wainer Farm Property in Westport, Massachusetts
The Wainer Farm on Drift Road in Westport is included on the
Paul Cuffe Heritage Trail because it played an important role
in Paul Cuffe’s story. As described in this note, Paul Cuffe
purchased this property for his business partner and brother-
in-law Michael Wainer and sister, Mary Wainer in 1799. This
was an operating farm throughout the 19th and most of the 20th
century and owned by descendants of Michael and Mary Wainer.
Currently a new group of descendants is in the process of restoring
the 46 remaining acres of the property and transforming it into a
historical and educational site emphasizing its Native American
Heritage as personified by Michael Wainer, a Wampanoag, and
Mary Cuffe Wainer, who’s Mother was a Wampanoag. This brief
history of the property will be included in the proposal to re-
store this historic site.