| Atwell's Creek | |
| Name Other: | Folly Creek |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Maine |
| Subdivision Type3: | Town |
| Subdivision Name3: | Yarmouth |
| Mouth: | Royal River |
| Mouth Location: | Yarmouth, Maine, U.S. |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 43.7898°N -70.1647°W |
Atwell's Creek is a former watercourse in Yarmouth, Maine, United States.[1] It is named for John Atwell, who married Elizabeth Maine, daughter of John and Elizabeth.[2]
Flowing into the southern edge of Yarmouth harbor, between today's Holy Cross Cemetery and Larrabee's Landing, it was formerly an important access point to the mainland.[3] It was used from the early 18th century to power various mills, the first being Massachusetts native Gilbert Winslow's sawmill in 1720.[4] The creek received its nickname of Folly's Creek at this time, because Winslow's venture was expected by many people to fail, but it proved to be "a profitable concern."[5] [6] The creek was "a considerable watercourse then"; now, though, it is nothing more than a tidal inlet.[7]
John Atwell Jr., son of John Atwell, married Margaret Maxe in 1693. They later lived beside Atwell's Creek on its western side.