USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > First era in the history of Haverhill, Mass.; comprising the period from the settlement of the plantation of Pentuckey (1640) to the conclusion of permanent peace with the Indians > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
At the annual meeting of 1686, the town directed, that Mr. Chad- wick, or some one else, be hired to keep school for the ensuing year.
During the spring, a road was laid out between Rowley and Haverhill.
The selectmen were empowered by the court to "bind out" children, subject to the app oval of Maj. Sal- tonstall.
*Merrill.
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
In 1687, the bounty on wolves was restored. Sheep had been intro- duced into the town some years be- fore, and it is probable the abolition of the bounty had resulted in an in- crease of wolves, and the consequent greater hazard of sheep-husbandry.
The town refused to permit the erection of dams, or other obstruc- tions to the passage of fish up the streams within the town's limits.
On the 27th of October, Richard Singletary died, aged 102 years.
In 1688, the Indian troubles gave signs of breaking ont anew. The treaty of ten years previous was in reality little more than an agree- ment to suspend hostilities. The feelings of resentment and revenge which existed between the two races were controlled for a time, but were certain to burst forth into the fierce flames of war whenever provocation was given or opportuni- ty offered. The condition of the colonists was deplorable, as the tyl- anny of Andres, the crown's got- ernor of the colony, added a burden which, to the fierce spirit of the Puritans, was more unbearable than the horrors of a frontier war. Town- meetings, for the purpose of delib- eration, were declared to be acts of sedition; and Andros boasted, that there was no such a thing as a town in the whole country.
Joseph Emerson and Jacob Whit- taker, of Haverhill, were pressed in- to the service of Andros, to take part in an expedition against the Indians, undertaken in November, 1088. They were ill treated while engaged in this service, in common with the rest of the soldiers. Other acts of oppression were numerous throughout the colony.
Mirick thinks there must have been an epidemic in town during the year, the deaths of many people being mentioned by the recorder.
In April, upon the reception of news of the dethronement of James II. by the Prince of Orange, the people of the colony seized Andros and others, imprisoned them, and organized a council of safety. This council forwarded a circular to the several towns, advising the election of delegates to attend a convention to be holden in Boston, for the pur- pose of deliberating with the coun- cil.
Peter Ayer was chosen to repre- sent Haverhill in this convention.
Meanwhile, rumors of Indian at- tacks on surrounding towns contin- ned to alarm the inhabitants of Hla- verhill. On the 13th of August, savages appeared in the North Par- ish. After killing Daniel Bradley, they approached a field in which Nathan Singletary and his son were at work, shot the father dead, and captured the boy. Scalping Single- tary, the Indians retreated in such haste that their captive eluded their vigilance, and escaped.
The General Court, upon appeal of the inhabitants of H werhill, sent soldiers to reinforce the settlers; but the savages again appeared in the North Parish, on the 17th of Octo- ber, wounding and taking prisoner Ezra Rolfe, who died three days later.
Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, of New- bury, came to Haverhill during the latter part of the year, as an assist- ant to Mr. Ward.
Jan. 20, 1690, a meeting was held to take action upon the matter of
23
PREPARING FOR WAR.
procuring an assistant pastor; and it was voted to give Mr. Rolfe a salary of forty pounds, payable in "wheat, rye, and Indian," for one year's service. He was also allowed . his board; and Mr. Ward was to have his full salary, provided he would board Mr. Rolfe.
Rumors of Indian massacres con- tinued to arrive with the coming of spring. Despondency fell upon all hearts. A meeting to devise means for defence was held on March 24th; but little seems to have been done, except to vote the selectmen full Dower to take action in regard to the matter. Indeed, it seems to have been seriously debated whether or not to abandon the settlement, and remove to some less exposed local- ity.
The selectmen fitted up six garri- sons and four "houses of refuge." One garrison, commanded by Ser- geant John Haseltine, was situated on what is now Broadway, about half way up Pecker's Hill," on the north side of the road. Haseltine's command consisted of seven men- Onesiphorus Marsh and son of the same name, Nathaniel Haschine, Eben Webster, Joseph Holt, Thom- as Ayer, and Joseph Bond. The " house, and land in the vicinity, were owned by Mr. Marsh, who was the ancestor of those of the name in town. The locality was long known as Marsh's Hill.
Another garrison, which stood some distance east of Haverhill bridge, was under command of Ser- geant John Webster, whose force consisted of eight men -Stephen Webster, Samuel Watts, Nicholas Brown, Jacob Whittaker, John
Marsh, Robert Ford, Samuel Ford, and Thomas Kingsbury.
A third garrison, owned and com- manded by Jonathan Emerson, was located on the west corner of Harri- son and Winter Sts. (I believe a portion of this structure is still standing, but so metamorphosed by additions thereto and alterations as to be mndistinguishable.) A fourth was commanded by Captain John Ayer, and was located on Kenoza Ave. A fifth was in the North Par- ish, and was commanded by Joseph Bradley; while the remaining one stood on Mill St., being the property of Captain John White, and under his command. This last named was garrisoned by six men besides the captain, as follows: Stephen Dow and son of the same name, John Dow, Edward Brumidge, Israel Hendrick, and Israel -, Jr.
The "houses of refuge" comprised two brick structures in the easterly part of the town, owned by Joseph and Nathaniel Peaslee, together with the houses of Major Nathaniel Saltonstall and Captain Simon Wain- wright. Each was commanded by its owner, and garrisoned by five soldiers.
As an additional precaution, two watch-houses were erected, one standing on Main St., and the other on the river's bank, Water St. The schoolhouse also was utilized for the same purpose. These watch-houses were occupied by soldiers, who kept a lookout night and day.
Householders fortified their dwell- ings as best they could, and prepared for an emergency.
These garrisons and "houses of refuge" commonly were built of
24
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
brick, with exceeding thick walls. Those constructed of wood had a course of bricks laid between the outer and inner walls. They were usually two stories in height, not only because such mode of construc- tion was favorable to maintaining a lookout, but also for the reason, that, in case the enemy obtained posses- sion of the ground floor, the garrison could retreat above, draw up the ladder communicating between the two stories, and make a final stand for life. The solitary door was low and narrow, making it impossible for more than one to enter at a time, and then only by stooping. It is no wonder that the Indian, proverbial for his distaste for open warfare, hesitated to attempt an entrance where lay armed and desperate men who, in the inevitable struggle, would have every advantage. In- deed, the history of Indian warfare shows, that the red man depended almost entirely upon surprise for success, and rarely, if ever, tried to carry a well defended position by direct assault.
The windows of the houses were about thirty inches in length by eighteen in breadth. They were guarded on the inside by iron bars. Diminutive diamond-shaped panes of glass, fastened to the sashes by lead in lieu of putty, allowed the light to enter.
On the 7th of April, another meet- ing was held, in which it was voted to petition the General Court for a force of at least forty men, to serve as scouts, the expense to be borne by the county. In response, sol- diers were despatched to Haverhill, Amesbury, and Salisbury.
On July 5th, eight persons were slain at Exeter and three at Ames- bury. On the reception of the news at Haverhill, a special 'messenger · was immediately despatched to Bos- ton, with an appeal for instant aid.
Meanwhile, families in the more exposed localities had moved to the vicinity of the garrisons.
On the 31st of August, Samuel Parker was killed. He, in company with his son, a lad, was curing hay in East Meadow, when he was shot dead. His son, crouching low in the tall grass, and directing his course by the sound of the Indian guns, made his escape.
No more raids were made during the season in this vicinity. The In- dians, as was their custom, with- drew toward Canada at the ap- proach of winter. Troops, which had been sent ont from Boston, were recalled, and many garrisons soon afterward disbanded.
Then, amid all other horrors, the smallpox appeared. This foe was more dreaded than the savages. But it seems, at this time, to have been of a mild type; for the names of but six who died of the disease are known - Abraham Hendrick, Mary Ford and daughter of the same name, Josiah Starling, Ruth Harts- horne, and Thomas March. John Stockbridge is said to have gone to sea, and there died of the smallpox.
But, in the midst of these troubles, a meeting was held on the last day of the year to secure the continued services of Mr. Rolfe in the minis- try. He had been with them a year, and was so liked that it was unani- mously voted to induce him to re- main, if possible; and a committee
25
1 1
FRONTIER LIFE.
was chosen to confer with him con- cerning the matter.
CHAPTER VII.
FRONTIER LIFE.
r
IN the spring of 1691, while the inhabitants were awaiting, almost in despair, the expected attack of the savages, they were thrown into con- sternation by murder in their very midst On the 10th of May, twin babes, killed and abandoned, were discovered. The deed was soon traced to its author. Their mother was Elizabeth Emerson, single-wo- man, and the children had been born on the eighth of the same month. Their father was Sammel Ladd, a married man. The mother had pre- viously-in 1686-given birth to a child. She was the daughter of Michael Emerson, and the same he had so brutally maltreated in 1674. She was imprisoned, and subse- quently executed for murdering the infants.
On June 16th, the Indians made their first appearance of the year. Their first victim was John Robie, wl:o, while returning from a "house of refuge" in the North Parish, whither he had been to leave his family of seven children in a place of safety, was shot dead. His son, Ichabod, who accompanied him, was captured, but subsequently escaped.
On the same day, Nathaniel Ladd was mortally wounded.
In October, a family at Haverhill were killed by the Indians .* What family this was is not known.
In 1692, Haverhill escaped a visi- tation by the savages till the 18th of * Hutchinson.
July, when Hannah Whittaker was killed.
One day in August, while John Keezar was mowing in Pond Mead- ow, carelessly leaving his gun under a tree while at work, an Indian, who had been lying in ambush, stealthily crept up, and secured the weapon. Exultingly facing Keezar, who had discovered his peril, he cocked and leveled the gun, ex- claiming, "Me kill you now!" But he had mistaken his man. Swing- ing his scythe in glittering circles, and with a yell that would have done credit to the red man himself, Kee- zar, without hesitating an instant, plunged at his foe. It was too much for the Indian's nerves. He dropped the gun, and fled, only to be over- taken and disemboweled at one stroke of the seythe in the hands of the infuriated settler.
On the 1st of November, twelve soldiers arrived from Newbury to assist in protecting the town; but no more attacks were made during that year.
Dec. 6, 1692, at a meeting held for the purpose, it was voted to settle Mr. Rolfe as minister.
It was during this year that Sus- anna Martin, of Amesbury. was convicted of being a witch, and subsequently executed .* Through all the horrible epidemic of misery and crime perpetrated in the name of justice, which prevailed like a plague in the greater part of the colony, inflicting everlasting dis- grace wherever it touched, Haver- hill kept herself pure. Nay, more: one of her citizens, a judge on the
*Those who wish to read a minute account of this trial I refer to Merrill's History of Amesbury.
.
26
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
supreme bench, resigned his seat rather than countenance the crimes he was powerless to prevent.
Jan. 30, 1693. another meeting was held, which repeated the vote of its predecessor in regard to the settlement of Mr. Rolfe.
On the 19th of March, Jonathan Franklin was killed by the Indians .*
At the annual meeting of this year, which was the first held under the new charter of the colony, the title, "town-recorder," was changed to "town-clerk."
At this meeting. Joseph Peaslee was granted permission to build a sawmill or gristmill on East Meadow Brook, near Brandybrow. The mill was erected at the place since known as Peaslee's Mills.
Another meeting was held on the Sth of May to make preparations for the ordination of Mr. Rolfe. A committee was appointed to find how much Mr. Ward would abate from his maintenance after Mr. Rolfe should be ordained. Mr. Ward agreed to abate all, except, annual- ly, ten pounds each of merchantable wheat and maize. and fifty cords of oak and walnut wood, corded, at his house.
This offer the town accepted; but the time during which it had to be paid was brief. On Dec. 27th, Mr. Ward died.
Eleven days later,-Jan. 7, 1694, -Mr. Rolfe was ordained, although it seems many were opposed to set- tling him as minister.
This year, for the first time, the duly elected officers of the town were "sworn" to perform their du- ties, a practice since grown univer- sal.
The first assessors of the town were chosen, "by command of the county," at a meeting held the 30th of Jnly. They were Capt. Simon Wainwright, Ensign John White, and Cornet Peter Ayer.
Rumors of Indian massacres again alarmed the inhabitants; and, on the 4th of September, Deputy Sher- iff Joseph Pike, and Richard Long both of Newbury, were ambushed and killed while traveling between Amesbury and Haverhill.
The annual meeting of 1695 was held on the first Tuesday in March, according to an act of the assembly.
This year, the first town-treasurer was chosen, Lieut. Samuel Aver be- ing the person selected.
The old dispute concerning the boundary between Amesbury and Haverhill was again revived. The town ordered the selectmen to set- tle it directly.
Two people were wounded by In- dians in this town sometime during the month of August. Chase be- lieves they were the children of Abraham Whittaker.
In early fall, two boys, named Isaac Bradley and Joseph Whitta- ker, aged respectively fifteen and eleven years, were captured by In- dians while working in a field near Bradley's house in the northerly part of the town. The Indians in- mediately took their prisoners to Lake Winnepiseogee, whereabouts some of their tribe dwelt. Here the lads were received into an Indian family, and acquired their language. Learning that it was the Indians' intention to convey their prisoners to Canada at the coming of spring, the boys planned an escape. An
*Mirick.
27
FRONTIER LIFE.
:
opportunity to execute their plan occurred in April. One night, while their captors were sleeping, the boys, securing some provisions, left their wigwam, and, taking a southerly course through the forest, ran at the top of their speed till the break of day. They then crawled into a hollow log, and lay concealed. But their savage master was on their track. His dogs followed the trail, and soon came to the log that hid the boys from view. Throwing their meat to the hungry animals, and speaking kindly, induced the dogs to quit barking, and devour the proffered breakfast. Meanwhile the Indians passed by, in plain view, without noticing the occupation of their dogs, which, as soon as they had finished the meat, trotted quiet- ly after their master
For nine days, these boys wan- dered through the wilderness, al- most famished, with mangled feet and limbs and gradually weakening bodies. Finally, on the ninth day, they arrived at the fort at Saco, and were among friends.
As soon as his strength permitted, Isaac started for Haverhill, and ar- rived safely. Joseph was seized with a fever; but, on his recovery, returned home with his father, who had set out for Saco immediately on the arrival of Isaac at Haverhill.
In May, 1696, the scheme of build- ing a new meeting-house was lur- thered by the election of a commit- fee to look for a workman who would contract to build the same "by the lump."
July 28th, the committee reported that Serg. John Haseltine would contract to ereet a suitable struc-
ture, fifty by forty feet, and eight - een feet stud, finishing the same complete, for four hundred pounds in money. The bargain was not closed at that time, however.
Early in August, Serg. John Hoyt and Mr. Peters, both of Amesbury, were killed by Indians while jour- neying between Andover and Ha- verhill.
On the 15th of the same month, Jonathan Haynes and his four chil- dren-Mary, Thomas, Jonathan, and Joseph-were made prisoners by the savages. The children were pick- ing beans in a field near Bradley's Mills, West Parish; their father be- ing engaged in reaping near by. The Indians immediately started for Penacook (Concord, N. II.). At that place, they divided into two parties, each taking a portion of the prisoners. One division, possessing the father and Joseph, started for their home, which was in Maine. The remainder took up their march for Canada, where they subsequent- ly sold the three remaining children to the French.
Meanwhile, the father and son, watchful of every opportunity, suc- ceeded in escaping; and, after much hardship, reached the settlement of Saco.
Of the children carried to ( anada, only Mary ever returned. She was ransomed; and she afterwards mar- ried, and moved to Connecticut .* The boys virtually became Cana- dians; and, in after years, when discovered by a relative, they spoke only French, and would not return to their native town.
-
*Chase.
1.
28
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FIRST GENERAL INCURSION.
ON March 15, 1697, occurred the first general attack on the town. Previous forays had been the work of small bands of Indians, who, de- pending upon surprise for success, accomplished their work quickly, and were beyond pursuit before the news of their raid had spread. But Haverhill was not destined to es- cape the horrors which other fron- tier towns had experienced.
On the above date, a party of about twenty Indians swooped sud- denly down upon the western por- tion of the town; and, almost with- in an hour, nine houses were in ashes, twenty-seven of their ocen- pants were slain, and thirteen made prisoners.
The habitation of Thomas Dustin, standing in the near vicinity of the highway now known as Monument St., was the first attacked. Mr. Dustin, while at work, perceived the Indians approaching, and has- tened to his house. Bidding his seven children to run for some gar- rison, he rushed to the assistance of his wife, who was in childbed with 'a babe six days old. But he saw the savages would reach his home before him; and, with breaking heart, he hastened to overtake his children, which he succeeded in do- ing when forty rods from the house. It had been his intention, when he reached them, to take the one he loved best upon his horse, and es_ cape, leaving the others to their fate. But his resolution was thrown to the winds when he overtook the frightened flock hurrying in the di-
rection of the garrison, huddled to- gether for protection, the older ones guiding the stumbling footsteps of the younger, and all implicitly trust- ing to their father for safety. Leap- ing from his horse, with leveled gun Mr. Dustin faced the pursuing sav- ages. A charge would have made the destruction of the little band certain; but it did not come. To face an armed and desperate man was not to their liking; and Mr. Dustin, partially sheltering himself behind his horse, conveyed his chil- dren in safety to the garrison, which was probably that of Onesipherous Marsh.
While Mr. Dustin was covering his children's retreat to the garri- son, the savages were at work else- where. Entering Dustin's home, they forced his wife to arise from bed. The nurse, Mary Neff, having tried to escape with the infant, had already been captured. After rifling the house, they set it on fire; and, with Mrs. Dustin, fceble with ill- ness, accompanied by ten or a dozen other captives, the northward march was begun. But hardly were the party started when one of the Indi- ans brained the baby against an apple-tree, and flung its body aside.
See them! The sun of coming spring has thawed the snow on ex- posed southern slopes and along the roadways, where black mud ankle deep stands. But in the wood the crystal garb of winter still remains, a dead level of crusty coldness in the morning, softening at noon so that the traveler slunips to his knees at every step, and at night resuming its frosty rigidness. Over a coun- try like this the captives are driven.
29
THE FIRST GENERAL INCURSION.
The characteristic lope of the Indi- ans, rapid and tireless at all times, is accelerated by a fear of pursuit; and the prisoners are hurrying at the top of their speed. Through brambles and undergrowth, up . rocky hillsides and across ravines and swamps, push the savages and their captives, the weaker straining every nerve that they may not fall behind and be tomahawked. Some are without coats or frocks, some without hats, and some-in the chil- ling snow !- even without shoes or stockings. They are tough as the native hickory itself, these early settlers, man and woman. Their constitutions are of iron, else they would sink by the way, and die. Bye-and-bye, in about a month, we shall learn of some of them who have hearts of steel; but, until then, we shall believe they are dead or condemned to a long captivity.
Let us now attend to attacks be- ing made on other dwellings in the town. After firing the Dustin house, the main body of the sav- ages, separating into small parties, directed their attention to other domiciles in the vicinity, as I pre viously mentioned, massacring or making prisoners of the inmates. The following were killed: John Keezar, with his father and his son George; John Kimball and his mother, Hannah; Sarah Eastman; Thomas Eaton; Thomas Emerson, Elizabeth, his wife, and two chil- "dren, Timothy and Sarah; Daniel Bradley, Hannah, his wife, and two children, Mary and Hannah; Mar- tha, a daughter of Stephen Dow; Joseph, Martha, and Sarah Bradley, children of Joseph Bradley; Thomas
and Mehitable Kingsbury; Thomas Wood, and his daughter Susannah; John Woodman, and his daughter Susannah; Zachariah White; and Mrs. Dustin's infant, which was named Martha.
The Indians retreated with so much precipitation, that the armed body of men, which left the village in pursuit immediately upon the ar- rival of tidings of the massacre, failed to overtake them.
Col. Saltonstall was by some ac- ensed of neglecting his duty in re- gard to the defense of the town and the pursuit of the savages, and a com- mittee was appointed by the assem- bly on the 22d of March to investi- gate the matter; but it is probable the charge was without foundation.
Energetic measures were immedi- ately taken to prevent a repetition of this terrible visitation. Armed men were stationed in many of the dwell- ings: and a new brick house belong- ing to Thomas Dustin, before un- ocenpied, was ordered to be garri- soned, and Mr. Dustin was appoint- ed commandant. He was given a force of six men -- Josiah Heath, and son of the same name; Joseph Brad- ley; John Heath; and Joseph and Thomas Kingsbury.
Mr. Dustin was a brick-maker; and the men at work in his clay- pits, although only a short distance from the house, had constantly to be gnarded by soldiers, on account of the enemy's boldness.
But no further attack was made during the year.
Sometime in the early part of May the community was thrown into in- tense excitement by the arrival down the river of Hannah Dustin,
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHIÇAÇO
30
HISTORY OF HAVERIIILL.
with Mary Neff and a boy. She was believed to have perished; for the fact that she had arisen from a sick bed to make a forced march over weary miles of wilderness, half clad, in the bleak March weather, was considered sufficient reason for abandoning hope. But here she was, and it is easy to imagine the eagerness with which the recital of her adventure was heard by the peo- ple of Haverhill.
The house of the Indian who had claimed Mrs. Dustin and Mrs. Neff as hls property was on Contoocook Island, which lies at the junction of the Contoocook and Merrimack riv- ers, near Concord, N. H.
Some time after the arrival of the savages and their prisoners at the island, and near the end of March, the captives-who consisted, in ad- dition to Mrs. Dustin and Mrs. Neff, of a boy taken the preceding year in Worcester-were informed that soon they were to be taken to an Indian settlement some distance up coun- try, and that, on arrival at that place, they would be stripped naked and forced to run the gantlet of the inhabitants. This determined Mrs. Dustin to make an effort to es- cape. She instructed the boy to in- quire of his master the mode of tak- ing a scalp, and also how to strike a blow so as to cause instant death. This the lad did, and the the Indi- an unwittingly gave the information which cost his life.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.