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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00055 5463
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/bicentennialsouv00curt 0
chestan No. Curtis
BI-CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR
1693-1893
NEW CASTLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
COMPILED BY
CHESTER B. CURTIS
1.78960
1693
893)
Bi-centennial ofouvenir Ver Parte New Hampshire
51694
3
F 84262 .2
Curtis, Chester Bickford, 1966- comp.
Bi-centennial souvenir, 1693-1893: New Castle, New Hampshire, comp. by Chester B. Curtis. Concord, N. H., Republican press association. 1-93.
51 p. illus. 23°m.
Part of the extracts are taken from "New Castle, historic and pictur- esque." by John Alle. "Historical address, by Frank Warren Hackett": p. (33 ;- 51.
1. New Castle. N. H .- Hist. 2. New Castle, N. II .-- Centennial celebra- tions, etc. 1. Hackett, Frank Warren, 1841- 11. Title.
1-8045 Revised
Library of Congress
F44.X6C9
5.342.6
1
PRINTED AND ILLUSTRATED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION, CONCORD, N. H.
53420
F
INTRODUCTION.
This little book is, necessarily, a hasty compilation. Its first object is to preserve, in tangible form, a record of our bi-centennial celebration, together with a few facts, culled from history, bearing more or less directly upon this event. Furthermore, it is intended to convey to absent sons and daughters an idea of the New Castle of to-day.
Our social position acquired during the past decade, necessitates a brief statement of our present flourishing con- dition. It is hoped the numerous illustrations will supply that which is lacking in the few paragraphs here given. To Mr. John Albee, the compiler expresses his appreciation of the use of " New Castle, Historic and Picturesque," from which a part of the following extracts are taken, some verbatim. Also to those citizens who have contributed the illustrations, and to the authors of the literary exer- cises of the day, the compiler expresses his thanks.
C. B. C.
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF NEW CASTLE.
SELECTMEN.
FRED BELL, Chairman. AMBROSE CARD. CHARLES H. BECKER.
HOWARD M. CURTIS, Clerk and Treasurer.
COMMITTEE ON CELEBRATION.
WILLIAM EDWARD MARVIN, President.
EXECUTIVE BOARD.
JOHN ALBEE, Chairman.
CONRAD PUSH.
FRED BELL.
AMBROSE CARD.
CHARLES H. BECKER.
MOSES R. CURTIS.
CONRAD PUSH, CHESTER B. CURTIS,
Secretarics.
OFFICIAL PROGRAMME.
August 17, 1893.
6 A. M.,
Ringing of bells. 12 M., 6 P. M.
National salute fired from Fort Constitution.
Il A. M.
Procession and Flag-raisings.
Speech at Grammar School by Col. T. E. (). MARVIN.
Speech at Primary School by
EXERCISES AT FORT CONSTITUTION.
Address of Welcome,
FRED BELL, Chairman of Selectmen.
Address by JOHN ALBEE, Chairman of Exec- utive Board.
Oration by FRANK WARREN HACKETT.
I P. M. Dinner in Stone Shed.
2 P. M. SPORTS.
Io-oared boat race.
New Castle, Portsmouth, and Kittery Point crews.
Bicycle race.
Potato, obstacle, and sack races.
100-yards dash.
Yacht race by Piscataqua Yacht Club.
7 P. M.
Band concert. Bonfire, fire-works.
Music furnished by the Dover Cornet Band.
NEW CASTLE, FROM CLARK'S ISLAND.
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NEW CASTLE, N. H.
It is difficult to separate the history of New Castle from the general affairs of the Province of New Hamp- shire in the early times. We may naturally claim whatever transpired here, as the building of forts, the entry and clearance of vessels, the residence of gov- ernors, and the meetings of councils and assemblies, as a part of the town's history. New Hampshire has forgotten that story ; or, when she remembers, is apt to locate it at Portsmouth. The fact is, that the settle- ment of New Castle was prior to that of Portsmouth; and that for the first seventy-five years it was the cap- ital of the province, and two thirds of the provincial officials were citizens of the town.
There are two aspects, two periods, that chiefly make the history of New Castle interesting : the first is the town as the centre of all the principal events of the earliest provincial period ; the other is when, left only to its own local affairs, it gradually became insular, clannish, and peculiar. In regard to the causes of its early importance and subsequent obscurity, they were altogether natural. As soon as the colonists found out what were likely to be the natural resources and business of this part of New England, they planted themselves on this island, directly at the mouth of the
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Piscataqua, where the facilities for maritime affairs, for fisheries and Indian trade, were most convenient. But in those days it was necessary to protect your property and your person by defences of some sort at exposed points. Now an island affords the most natural and easiest opportunities of defence. The form of this island was already that of a fort, very nearly square, with jutting points of land at the four angles, like bastions. Rude fortifications were early built on these four corners, which immediately gave the island still more the appearance of a great coast defence. The first was constructed by Capt. Walter Neale, between 1630 and 1640, at Fort Point. It was the duty of New Castle to keep a constant guard at the main Fort or Castle, of from four to six men ; and also a watchman on Jaffrey Point, and one or two in the vicinity of the free bridge. On this account the town was generally exempted from the levies for other mili- tary duty. New Castle was the pet of the province ; looked upon as a common possession, a barrier town, a place of refuge in case of extreme danger or disas- ter. So much for the military situation.
No actual local government, independent of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, was put in operation in New Hampshire before 1680-'S1, so that there is very little doubt the very first representative body ever con- vened in the state was at New Castle. The date of the first Council meeting is "Great Island, January 15, 1683," and every one of its meetings was here until · the year 1697. All the members of this first recorded Council, including the governor, Edward Cranfield, lived at New Castle.
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Their first meetings were in the private houses of some of its members. The Jaffrey cottage, now owned and occupied by John Albee, Esq., and the residence of Jotham Emery, Esq., formerly the Prov- ince House, have been the scenes of these assemblies.
New Castle became a port of entry about 1686 ; and for one hundred years thereafter the shipping interests
THE JAFFREY COTTAGE, OWNED BY JOHN ALBEE, ESQ.
were extensive. In the olden time, merchant vessels carried guns, and often as many as the old fort mounted. But the little fort sent a shot across the bows of any vessel which had not paid its dues, and if the vessel submitted, she was obliged not only to pay them, but also the cost of said shot.
From 1682 to 1693 several petitions were offered
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by the people of this island for a township charter ; but, being opposed ·by Portsmouth, as well as by the dwellers of Sagamore creek, it was not granted. For some years before 1693 the people had refused to pay any tax assessed by Portsmouth; and at length the Governor and Council decided that such assessment was illegal. Having obtained this important conces-
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THE OLD BOS'N ALLEN HOUSE.
sion, the procuring of a charter was no longer difficult, and followed almost immediately. The first vote was taken 17th March, 1693, and was a tie on the part of the Council, but Lieutenant-Governor Usher decided it by voting yea. When the matter came up again, the grant meanwhile having been prepared and engrossed, there was but one dissenting vote upon its being
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signed and executed by the lieutenant-governor. So on the 30th day of May, 1693, Great Island became " a Towne Corporate, by the name of New Castle, to the men and inhabitants thereof forever," on the pay- ment to the king, or his successors, yearly, on the 20th October, of one peppercorn.
The following is a transcription of probably the old- est New England royal charter which has been pre- served. The parchment is uninjured, and the writing is still easily decipherable :
CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF NEW CASTLE.
William and Mary, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King and Queen, Defend- ers of the Faith, &c., to all people to whom these presents shall Come Greeting. Know yee that Wee of our especiall Grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, have Given and Granted And by these presents as farr as in us lyes, Doe give and Grant to our beloved Subjects, Men and Inhabitants, within and upon Great Island, within our Province of New Hampshire, in New England, and the lands to them belonging, Running from a point of Land there on the South side of Saggamores Creek, called Sampson's point, and from thence Southwest by the out- side of the fenced land of Saggamores Creek to the head of Aaron Moses field to an old Hemlock Tree by the side of the Road way, and from thence upon the aforesaid South- west point to the Road way, between Sandy Beach and Greenland, leaving Greenland about three miles to the Westwards soe forwards upon the same point to Hampton Bounds, and then East to the Sea, that the same be a Towne Corporate by the name of New Castle to the men
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and Inhabitants thereof forever. And Wee doe by these presents Give and Grant unto the said Men and Inhabitants of our towne of New Castle, all and every, the streetes, lanes and highways within the said Towne, for the Pub- lique use and service of the Men and Inhabitants thereof and travellers there, together with full power, lycence and authority to the said men and inhabitants within the said town forever, to establish, appoint, order and direct the establishing, making, laying out, ordering amending and repairing of all streetes, lanes, highways, ferry places and Bridges, in and throughout the said Towne, necessary, needful and convenient for the Men and Inhabitants of the said towne, and for all travellers and passengers there : Provided always that our said Lycence soe as above granted for the establishing, making and laying out of streetes, lanes, highways, ferry places, and Bridges, be not extended or constructed to extend to the taking away of any person or persons Right of Property without his, her, or their consent, or by some knowne law of our Province : To have and to hold and enjoy, all and singular, the prem- isses aforesaid, to the said Men and Inhabitants of the said Towne of New Castle and their successors forever, Render- ing and paying therefore unto us, our heirs and successors, or to such other office or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same yearly, the annual quitt rent or acknowl- edgement of Owne Peppercorn in the said Towne, on the five and twentieth day of October, yearly, forever. And for the better order, rule and government of the said Towne Wee doe by these presents Grant for us and our succes- sors, unto the men and inhabitants of the said Towne, That yearly and every year upon the first Tuesday of March, forever, they, the said men and inhabitants of our said Towne shall elect and choose by the major part of them, two sufficient and able men, householders in the said Towne, to be Constables to the next Quarter Sessions of the
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Peace, to be held for the said Province, there to take the accustomed oaths appointed by Law for the Execution of their offices, under such penaltyes as the Law of our said Province shall appoint and direct upon refusall or neglect therein. And Wee doe by these presents Grant for us, our Heirs and successors, unto the men and Inhabitants of the said Towne, That yearly and every year upon the said first Tuesday of March, forever, they, the said men and Inhabitants of our said Towne, or the major part of them, shall elect and choose three men, Inhabitants and house- holders, within our said Towne, to be overseers of the poor and highways, or selectmen for our said Towne, for the year ensuing, with such powers, privilidges and authorities as any overseers or selectmen within our said Province have and enjoy or ought to have and enjoy. And wee doe further by these presents Give and Grant for us, our Heirs and successors, unto the men and inhabitants of the said Towne and their successors, forever, That they shall have and enjoy the use of the Ferry the days of the Fairs of New Castle, aforesaid, forever, to be held there every Wednesday, and one Fair for two dayes, to witt, on the first Tuesday and Wednesdayes of July, forever, together with all issues and profits to the said Market and Fair accrewing or happening, and all liberties and free customs, priviledges and emoluments to the said Market and Fair belonging or appertaining : To have and to hold said Market and Fair with issues and profits and liberties and free customs privilidges and emoluments to the same or either of them accrewing or happening, belonging or appertaining to the said men and Inhabitants of our said Towne of New Castle and their successors, forever.
In testimony whereof Wee have caused the Seal of our Province to be hereunto affixed.
Witness, John Usher Esqr., our Lievetennt. Governor and Commander in Chiefe of our said Province at our
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said Towne of New Castle, the thirtyeth day of May, in the fifth year of our Reigne, Annoque Domi 1693. Jn. Usher.
By the Lievt. Governours Command
Theo. Davis Sec'ry.
"In regard to the name of the town, there is no positive proof of its origin. It would be most natural
PORTCULLIS AT FORT CONSTITUTION.
to suppose it was borrowed from an English place, name, or from the baronial title. But this Province had no association with the English New Castle; and it was not until long after that any duke of New Castle became connected with American colonial affairs.
" Having eliminated those two sources of the proba- ble origin of the name, what have we left? Only this :
15.
that, in common allusions to the fort, it was often called 'The Castle,' and had its first distinctive name of Fort William and Mary not until one year after the incorporation of the town, that is, in 1694. It was then so named, probably, because about 1692 the king made the colony a present of some great guns, which were mounted on the old fort. In addition to this new ordnance, the fort was at about the same time repaired.
"My argument then," says John Albee, "is simply this: The fort had been called and known for a long period as 'The Castle ;' at the date of incorporation, it was furnished with new guns and substantially rebuilt, becoming a new castle. What more natural presumption, under these circumstances, than that the citizens and officials should give to the words con- stantly on their lips, the dignity of capital letters, New Castle, and thus establish a name, significant of the town's military importance-'the key,' or 'castle' as they always called it, of the province."
With the exception of a few years during the Revolutionary period, our town records are now com- plete. Until 1873, the records from 1693 to 1726 were missing. In the autumn of this year, the post- master, Howard M. Curtis, Esq., received a letter from Mr. Henry Starr, of London, informing him that one of his neighbors, a Captain Bokenhan of Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, had in his possession two volumes of the town records of New Castle.
The letter was cautiously answered, and the reply was the volumes themselves, by the next English mail. They proved to be our long-lost records of the
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first thirty-three years of the town's corporate existence, in perfect preservation. The town, at its next annual meeting (March, 1874), passed a handsome vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had discovered and presented the volumes, which was engrossed on parch- ment and forwarded to them in due time.
New Castle was the scene of the first important aggressive armed action of the Revolutionary patriots.
Before Paul Revere's ride to Lexington and Con- cord, he had taken a much longer one, if not as celebrated. On the 13th of December, 1774, he rode express from Boston to Portsmouth, dispatched by the Boston Committee of Safety, to inform the similar organization in Portsmouth of the new order of the British, that no gunpowder or military stores should be exported to America. No doubt this infor- mation was coupled with advice to secure the gun- powder at Fort William and Mary, before the arrival of a large garrison, reported also, by Paul Revere, to be on its way. Therefore, the next night, or next day, (the 14th), the Portsmouth "Sons of Liberty," with the patriots of New Castle, in all about four hundred, under Maj. John Sullivan and Capt. John Langdon, proceeded to the fort by water, as there was then no bridge, invested it, and summoned Capt. John Cochran and his five soldiers to surrender. However, it was not the officers and men, nor yet the fort they came for, but its one hundred barrels of powder, which they carried away and secreted under the Durham meeting- house. The subsequent history of this powder is equally interesting with its capture, for most of it was used at Bunker Hill, being carted there by oxen all
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the way from Durham town, just in season to be served to the soldiers on the eve of engagement ; and the last ounce of it was fired in 1800 from the shotgun formerly belonging to Sir William Pepperell, and found as fatal to the Madbury gray squirrels as it had been to King George's red-coats.
The Martello Tower, a little west of the fort, is the most picturesque object in New Castle. It is built on the ridge of a high ledge, anciently called Jourdan's Rocks. Artists have painted it, and poets love to relate its story, relying upon each other for imaginary embellishments. Its date is so recent and its history so small, that it is almost necessary to invent some facts in order to properly celebrate so rare a ruin. The annals say that the Tower was built during the last war with England, and when an immediate attack was expected by an English fleet. Its purpose was to guard more effectually the so called Town Beach, to the south, from landing parties, and to reinforce the batteries of Fort Constitution. It was planned and constructed under the care of Colonel Walbach, whose name it has always borne. He was a German count, who had seen service in the Prussian army and had fought against Napoleon in twenty-six battles.
He was long in the service of the United States, and in command of Fort Constitution from 1806 to 1821 Colonel Walbach summoned the company of sixty men under Captain Marshall, who garrisoned the earth- works on Jaffrey's Point, at the eastern end of New Castle, to assist his own soldiers in building the tower; and all the citizens of the town also aided. It was rapidly completed ; but no enemy appeared, and soon
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the tower grew a ruin. It is so small as to suggest a fortification in miniature or model, rather than for actual use. It is the size of the round towers of the Middle Ages ; and on this account, perhaps, appears of greater antiquity-of the age the imagination easily renders it. Walbach Tower is of brick ; the terreplein was of peat, which has become like grassy turf. The
WALBACH TOWER.
tower is difficult of access now, as the entrance is obstructed by fallen bricks and mortar. Within is a rude pintle-stone, on which to swing a thirty-two pounder. There are three casemated embrasures for small cannon or muskets, in case of assault; and a Lilliputian magazine.
One feels that if it has not a legend it ought to have.
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THE LEGEND OF WALBACH TOWER.
(NEW CASTLE, N. H., A. D. 1814.)
If you should turn your feet from yonder town, Intent to bathe your eyes with healing sight Of open sea, and islands rising through, Mere heaps of shattered ledge that have outstood Eternal storm, though gray, defiant still, The river shows the path that you must go; Its stream engrails the shores of twenty isles, And pleasant is the way as is its end ; For you will idle on the bridges three, And loiter through the ancient village street, That crowns the harbor mouth. Then you will come To beaches hard, and smoothed by each new tide Rolling between the low, port-cullised rocks, Rocks bare a-top, but kirtled at the feet With sea-weed draperies that float or fall, As swells or sinks the lonely, restless wave. There, just above the shore, is Walbach Tower, Its crumbling parapet with grass and weeds O'ergrown, and peaceful in its slow decay. Old people always tell strange tales to us, A later race-always old tales are strange. And seems the story of this ancient tower A marvel, though believing while I hear, Because who tell it do believe it true.
Three English ships lay under Appledore, And men in groups stood on the rocks, intent If they the fort could mean to cannonade, Or land along the coast and inland march To sack and burn the wealthy Portsmouth town. The morning dawned and twice again it dawned, And still the hostile ships at anchor swung ; But now a rumor ran they meant to land ; At once brave Walbach was resolved to build A tower which all the beaches should command, And mount thereon his sole tremendous gun. He summoned all the villagers at dusk
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Of one September Sunday, when the days Are shortening and the nights are bright and cool. Men came and boys, and with them women came, Whose dauntless mothers helped our fathers win In that rebellious time against the king, The freedom which, forgetful of its cost, We toss to any hand raised o'er the crowd, And pushing hardest, or with loudest voice. They wrought as never men and women wrought, And in one night the tower completed rose. But lo, the miracle ! for unseen hands Alternate with the mason's dextrous craft, As voice repeats and catches up the voice In song, laid on the workmen every course Another course, and they no presence saw, But thought they heard the chiming trowels ring. The morning glimmer showed that labor done For which two nights were counted scarce enough ; Then well their awed but joyful hearts confessed Some present deity their champion friend, To whom they knelt upon the dewy grass, As in the east, the sun returning, built A tower of gold along the ocean floor, And offered up subdued and grateful praise. The hateful ships approached the river mouth, Stood off and on and tacked about ; at last, Firing a gun to stern, they sailed away.
Still stands the tower. Long may it stand, disused ! Without a blow, one foe it put to flight, And when another comes it will arise And in its ruins keep its legend good. For while I told this tale one summer night, Leaning a weary head on fondest breast, We heard the sea-maids on the outer rocks Splash in the falling tide, and dimly saw What seemed their tresses, undulating there ; And felt, around, below, above, the power, Not human, but the help of human hands, When set to labor in some noble cause.
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New Castle is not without its story of witchcraft, though that supposed practice never flourished exten- sively in New Hampshire. Here is given a title page of a rare pamphlet published in London by Richard Chamberlain, at one time a guest of George Walton, whose house was the scene of action.
Lithobolia : or, the Stone-throwing Devil. Being an Exact and True Account (by way of Journal) of the various actions of infernal Spirits, or (Devils Incarnate) Witches, or both : and the great Disturbance and Amaze- ment they gave to George Walton's Family, at a place called Great Island, in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, chiefly in throwing about (by an Invisible hand) Stones, Bricks and Brick-bats of all sizes, with several other things, as Hammers, Mauls, Iron-Crows, Spits, and other domestic Utensils, as came into their Hellish Minds, and this for the space of a Quarter of a Year. By R. C. Esqr., who was a sojourner in the same Family the whole Time, and an Ocular Witness of those Diabolick Inventions. The Contents hereof being mani- festly known to the Inhabitants of that Province, and Persons of other Provinces, and is upon record in his Majestie's Council Court held for the Province. 4to Dedi- cation 2, and pp 16. London : Printed and are to be sold by E. Whitlook near Stationers-Hall. 1698.
Many interesting pages might be written of the early church in New Castle. We learn from records, that as early as 1704 the meeting-house was so old it was ordered sold for 50s. ; and a vote was passed to build a new one. Here is a significant extract from the record of the first town meeting under the charter : The date is December 20, 1693 : It was called to be held in ye
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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meeting-house. Voted : "A gallery to be made in the lattermost end of the meeting-house for the women to sit in."
We can trace the line of settled clergymen as far back as 1682.
In the Congregational church there is a marble tablet bearing the following inscriptions :
Rev. JOHN EMERSON died Jan. 21, 1732. Aged 62. Rev. WILLIAM SHERTLEFF died May 9, 1747. Aged 58. Rev. JOHN BLUNT died Aug. 7, 1748. Aged 42. Rev. DAVID ROBINSON died Nov. 18, 1749. Aged 33. Rev. STEPHEN CHASE died Jan. - 1778. Aged 72. Rev. OLIVER NOBLE died Dec. 15, 1792. Aged 56.
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