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OEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01816 0884
Haverhill's
Historic
Highlights by Harold K. Davison
GENEALOGY 974.202 H29D
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Haverhill's Historic Highlights
by Harold K. Davison
PRINTED IN U. S. A. 1963 BY COURIER PRINTING CO., INC. LITTLETON, N. H.
"H. K."-THE AUTHOR
Harold King Davison, the author of these sketches concerning events and personalities of the early days of the Town of Haverhill, is himself an integral part of the town. Not only has it been his life-long home, but he and his grandfather, Henry F. King, for whom he was named, have had a continuous record of 125 years of residence in Woodsville.
Professionaly, H. K. has been well known throughout New Hampshire for many years. A graduate of Woodsville High School and Dartmouth Col- lege, a student at Harvard Law School for two years before serving in the First World War, he has practiced law in Woodsville since being admitted to the New Hampshire Bar in 1920. During these years he has also had an outstand- ing career of service to New Hampshire. While a member of the General Court from 1921 to 1930 he served a term as Speaker of the House, and another as President of the Senate. Ten years later he was a member of the Governor's Council, and in 1944 and 1945 was the Attorney General of New Hampshire. In January 1951 H. K. became a member of the Public Utilities Commission, a position which he held for over ten years, being Chairman of the Commission after the first year until he retired July 1, 1961.
H. K.'s life long interest in his native town of Haverhill has borne fruit in this volume, the material for which was gathered from many sources over a period of years. The citizens of the town are fortunate to have these tales collected and preserved in such readable form.
ELIZABETH T. McGAW
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FOREWORD
Undoubtedly the last prediction the writer of this booklet would have made 40 years ago, would have been that he would ever write anything of a historical nature. History was one of the least enjoyed courses on his educa- tion menu. It now appears that an interest was aroused in the subject from reading historical books, especially biography, also by an occasional high- grade movie based on some well known personality or outstanding event in history which aroused a desire to dig out old and almost forgotten facts. This urge seemed to crystalize about ten years ago into a desire to prepare a series of brief articles on the early history of Haverhill and vicinity to preserve some facts in such form that they would interest future generations. They should be informed about what happened in Haverhill 100, 150, 200, even 250 years ago.
By January 1953, much of the material in this booklet was assembled; many articles were completed and had been published, others were in various stages of preparation. Then the disastrous fire of the fire-proof I.O.O.F. block on Pleasant Street in Woodsville, January 13, 1954 completely destroyed near- ly all the material already prepared and dampened his enthusiasm in an interesting hobby. It seemed like much time had been wasted and to start all over again was folly. The ambition to prepare a booklet of this sort was almost extinct. Then some very kind friends urged that the job be undertaken again. A few new articles were prepared, and copies of other highlights were found in old papers. Finally the old fire started up afresh and the following is the finished product.
The subjects covered are not all that could be dealt with, but they are the ones which had the most appeal. Possibly they will have some general interest to citizens of this town in years to come. Possibly the author may continue his hobby but to publish this much in book form now will prevent the destruction of this material and the waste of the many hours of reading and investigation which have been necessary to get this result.
Source material has been gathered from the following: Historical sketches of the Coos Country by Rev. Grant Powers; History of Haverhill by J. Q. Bittinger; History of Haverhill by Wm. F. Whitcher; History of Newbury, Vt. by Fred P. Wells; History of Ryegate, Vt. by Fred P. Wells and Miller; Pillsbury's History of New Hampshire; Squires' History of New Hampshire; Papers of the late Frank R. Rogers, and Autobiography of a Bell, to mention a few.
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A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR
This booklet is dedicated to all who have contributed material to make the result possible.
Readers will appreciate that no effort has been made here to write a Town History. It is rather an endeavor to present available information about out- standing events and people in the early History of Haverhill, to stimulate an interest in them and possibly to preserve them in easy reading form for future years and for all friends of Haverhill.
In brief, this is a record of the past for the present with the hope that it will be preserved for the future.
Possibly the 200th Anniversary of the Chartering of the town to be ob- served in 1963 has furnished the final impetus to publish this material at this time.
One note of explanation for readers is that there are several instances of repetition as the same dates and names are mentioned in connection with more than one of these Historical Highlights.
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A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY
1704-Rev. John Williams (first white man) came here as Indian captor from Deerfield, Massachusetts.
1704-Hix and Holt died here.
1709-Thomas Baker captured-Second Deerfield raid.
1708-09-25-Captain Benjamin Wright here.
1741-Hampstead, N. H. set off from Massachusetts. Not officially named until 1749.
1752-John Stark brought here as captive of Indians.
1753-John Stark marked route from Rumford (Concord) to Haverhill.
1754-Captain Peter Powers explored "Great Valley" Coos area.
1759-Rogers' Rangers return here from Canada.
1760-Fall of Montreal-Hazen and others came to Haverhill.
1760-Blanchard surveyed No. 4 to Coos area.
1761-Hazen visited Haverhill in summer.
1761-Michael Johnston, John Pattie and Abraham Webb came to Haverhill in Fall.
1762-Hazen and others back in Haverhill again.
1762-Joshua Howard and others came to Haverhill.
1762-M. Johnston drowned at Olcott Falls.
1763-Haverhill Charter granted May 18.
1763-Proprietors first Town Meeting at Plaistow.
1763-Hannah Harriman died in Haverhill.
1765-Rev. Peter Powers here.
1766-Uriah Stone-first ferry operator near South Newbury bridge. 1766-J. Woodward and H. Clark-Marriage.
1768-First Town Meeting in Haverhill at Hazen Home.
1769-Charles Johnston came to Haverhill Corner.
1794-Haverhill Academy opened.
1796-First Bridge built-Haverhill to Newbury (Keyes Bridge).
1802-Ladd Street Bell brought here.
1807-Coos Turnpike opened (Haverhill to Warren) .
1830-John Ledyard steamboat came here.
1840-Town Clock at Haverhill.
1852-Railroad built to East Haverhill.
1853-Railroad built to Woodsville.
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FIFTY-FIVE FIRSTS
First white man to visit Haverhill (Coos)-Rev. John Williams as cap- tive of Indians from Deerfield Massacre in 1704.
First white men buried here-Daniel Hix and Jacob Holt, came here as captives with Rev. Williams 1704.
First organized expedition known to have explored the region, Capt. Benjamin Wright 1708-1709 with 60 men, and again in 1725.
First route from Rumford (Concord) to Coos region (Haverhill) marked by John Stark in 1753.
First survey of area made by Tom Blanchard, 1760.
First cows brought here by M. Johnston, J. Pattie, & A. Webb, 1761.
First white men to spend a winter here, Johnston, Pattie & Webb, 1761- 1762.
First sawmill & gristmill on Poole Brook set up by John Hazen, 1762.
First family to settle in Coos, Uriah Morse & Wife, June, 1762.
First name on Haverhill Charter, John Hazen, 1763.
First meeting of Proprietors in John Hall Tavern, Plaistow, N.H., June 13, 1763.
First moderator, John Hazen, 1763.
First Town Clerk, Jesse Johnson, 1763.
First town settled in northern part of Grafton County, 1763.
First clergyman to hold religious services in Haverhill, Rev. Silas Moody.
First settler to die here, Hannah (Polly) Harriman, 18 years old, buried at Horse Meadow, 1763.
First house of sawed lumber built by John Hazen on the Ox-bow, 1764. First resident preacher, Rev. John Peter Powers 1765-1783.
First tavern built by Uriah Morse on Poole Brook, 1765. (John Hazen built the next one, 1766, at same location.)
First ferry operator, Uriah Stone, about 1766.
First wedding, James Woodward and Hannah Clark, Dec. 30, 1766.
First town meeting in Haverhill, at John Hazen home, April 1, 1768. First recorder of deeds of Grafton County, John Hurd, 1773.
First judge of probate for Grafton County, John Fenton, 1773.
First register of probate for Grafton County, Jonathan M. Sewall, 1773.
First court house and jail built near Green's Gun Shop at North Haver- hill.
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First chief justice of Grafton County Court, John Hurd, 1773.
First school master, Timothy Curtis, 1774.
First lawyer to settle here, Moses Dow, 1774.
First cemetery set out-Ladd Street, 1774.
First piano brought here by Moses Dow, (now Keyes Farm).
First man elected to New Hampshire Legislature from Haverhill, James Woodward, 1783
First postmaster, Joseph Bliss 1790-92-95-1802.
First church in Haverhill, at Ladd Street, 1790.
First academy in North Country, Haverhill Academy, 1794.
First meeting house near middle gate of present Horse Meadow Cemetery.
First preceptor at Haverhill Academy, Moses P. Payson, 1794.
First charter for toll bridge over Connecticut River (Wells River) 1795. First school house, Brier Hill, a marker there today.
First toll bridge built across Connecticut River between Haverhill and Newbury at location of present Keyes Bridge, 1796.
First Masonic Lodge, Union Lodge #10, at Haverhill, June, 1799.
First weekly newspaper in town, by David Coverly, 1799.
First library at Haverhill, 1801.
First bell in Grafton County, Ladd Street Bell, 1802.
First bank at Haverhill, Coos Bank, 1803.
First turnpike, Haverhill to Warren (Coos Turnpike), 1807.
First post-rider, John Balch, Haverhill to Portsmouth.
First steamboat "John Ledyard" up Connecticut River to Haverhill, 1830.
First U.S. Senator from Haverhill, John Page, 1837.
First Governor from Haverhill, John Page, 1839-40-41.
First town clock at Haverhill on brick meeting house, 1840.
First Congressman from Haverhill, John R. Reding (only one to date) 1841-45.
First railroad to East Haverhill, 1852, to Woodsville, 1853.
First church at Woodsville, 1877.
First hospital-Woodsville Cottage Hospital, 1904.
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CHARTER
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
George The Third By The Grace of God of Grate Britean France and Ireland King Defender of The Faith &c &c
To all Parsons to whom These Presents shall (come) Greeting-
Know yee that we of our special Grace Certain Knowlige and mere motion for the Due Encouragement of Setting a New Plantation within our said Province by and with the advice of our Trusty and well Beloved Benning Wentworth Esq Our Govenor and Commander in Chief of Our said Province of Newhampshire in New England and our Council of the said Province, Have Upon The Conditions and Reservations, herein after made Given and Granted and by These Presents for us Our Heirs and Successors Do Give and Grant in Equal Shares unto Our Loving Subjects Inhabitants of Our said Province of Newhampshire and Our Other Governments and thier Heirs and assigns for Ever whose Names Are Entered on this Grant to be Divided to and Amongst them into Eighty one Equal Shares all that Tract or Parcel of Land Situate Lying and being within Our said Province of Newhampshire Containing by Admeasurement
Acres which Tract is to Contain more Than Six Miles Square Out of which an allowance is to be made for high Ways and unimprovable Lands by Rocks Ponds Mountains and Rivers One Thousand and Forty Acres free according To a Plan and Survey thereof named by Our Said Governors Order and Returned into the Secretary's Office and here unto anexed Budtted and Bounded as follows viz. Begining at a Tree marked Standing on the Bank of the Eastern side of Connecticut River and on the southerly and or south westedly side of the mouth of the Amonuck River Opposite to the South westedly Corner of Bath from thence Down Connecticut river as that runs Till it comes to a marked Tree Standing on the Bank of the River and is about Sevn (7) Miles On a straight Line from the mouth of Amonuck River aforesaid from thence south Fifty Three Degrees East five Miles and Three Quarters to a Stake and Stones Thence North Twenty Five Degrees East about Eight Miles Until it Coms upon a line with the Lro (lower) Side Line of Bath Thence North Fiftey Five Degrees West as Bath Runs to the Tree by the River the Bounds began at-and that the Same be and hereby is Incorporated into a Township by the name of Haverhill and the inhabitants that Do or Shall hereafter inhabit the said Toundship are hereby Declared to be Enfranchized with and Intitled to all and Every the Priviledges and Immunities that Other Tounds within our Province by Law Enuse and injoy and further that the said Tound as soon as thire Shall be Fiftey Families Resident and settled Thereon shall have the Liberty of Holding Two Feares one of Which shall be held on the
Longer than the Respective
and the Other on the annually which Fairs are not too Continue Following the said
and that as soon as the said Tound shall Consist of Fiftey families a Market may be Opened and kept one or More Days in Each Week as may be Thought most advantageous to the Inhabitants also that the first Meeting for the Choice of Tound Officers agreable to the Laws of our said Province Shall be held on ye Second Tuesday in June Next.
Which sd meeting Shall be Notifyed by Capt John Hazzen who is hereby also appointed the Moderator of the said First Meeting which he is To Notify and Govern agreeable to the Laws and Customs of Our said Province and that the Annual meetings forever hereafter for the Choice of such officers for the said Tound Shall be on the Second Tuesday of March annually-
To Have and To hold the said Tract of Land as above expressed together with all Privileges and appurtennance to them and Thire Respective heirs and assigns forever upon the following considerations viz-
1. That Every Grantee his heres or assigns shall Plant and Cultivate Five acres of Land within the Term of Five Years for Every Fiftey acres Contained in his or Thire
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Shares or Propotion of Land in said Toundship and Continue to Improve and Settle the Same by additional Cultivations on Penalty of Forfeiture of his Grant or Share in the said Toundship and of its Reverting to us Our Heres and Successors to be by us and them Regranted to Such of Our Subjects as shall Effectually Settle and Cultivate the same-
2ly. That all White and Other Pine Trees within the Said Toundship Fit for Mast- ing Our Royal Navy be carefully Preserved for that Use and not to be Cut or felled with Out our special Licence for so Doing First had and Obtained upon the Penalty of the Forfeiture of the Right of sutch Grantee his Hiers and assigns to us Our Hiers and Suc- cessors as well as Being Subject to the Penalty of an act or acts of Parliament that Now are or here after shall be Enacted-
3ly. That before any Division of the Land be made, To and among the Grantees, a Tract of Land as near the Centre of the s (said) Toundship as the land will admit of: Shall be Reserved and marked Out for Tound Lotts one of which shall be allotted to Each Grantee of the Contents of One Acre-
4ly. Yielding and Paying therefor to us Our heirs and Successors for the Space of Ten Years to be Computed from the date hereof the rent of one Ear of Indian Corn only on the Twentey Fifth Day December annually if Lawfully Demanded the First Payment To be made on the Twentey Fifth Day of December; 1763.
5ly. Every Proprietor Settler or Inhabitant Shall Yield and pay unto us our Heirs and Successors-yearly and Every Year forever from and After the Expiration of Ten years from the above sad Twentey Fifth Day of December Namely on the Twentey Fifth Day of December which will be the Year of Our Lord 1773 One Shillings Proclamation Money for Every Hundred acres he so owns Settles or Possesses and So in Proportion For a Grater or Lesser Tract of the said Land; which money shall be Paid the Respective Parsons abov-said thire Hiers or assigns in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth or to sutch Officer or Officers as shall be appinted to Receive the same and This To Be in Lieu of all Other Rents and Serviceses Whatsoever-
In Testimony whereof we have Caused the Seal of Our said Province to be here- unto affixed Witness Benning Wentworth Eqr Our Governor and Commander in Cheaf of Our said Province the 18th Day of May in the Year of Our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Three and in the Third Year of Our Reign-by his Excellencys Command With the advice of Council-
B Wentworth
T Atkinson Junr. Secry-
Province of Newhampshire May ye 18 1763 Recorded in the book of Charters Page 397 & 398
T. Atkinson Junr. Secry-
THE NAMES OF THE GRANTEES OF HAVERHILL.
John Hazzen
Jassiel Harriman
Jacob Bayley Esq
Jacob Kent
Ephraim Bayley
Eleazer Hall
James Philbrook
Samuel Hubbart
Gideon Gould
John Haile Esq
John Clark
Maxey Hazelton
John Swett
Thomas Johnson John Mills John Trusial
Benoney Colbourn
Abraham Dow
John Hazzen Junr
Uriah Morse
Edmond Cobley
Enoch Hall
David Hall
Jacob Hall
Lemuel Tucker
Benoney Wright
Edmond Moores Esq Tohn White
Josiah Little
Beniamin Moores
Tohn Taplin Esq
William Hazzen
Jona Foster
Moses Hazzen
Joseph Blanchard Esq
Robert Peaslee
Richard Pettev
Thomas Emery
Reuben Mills
John Page
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Timothy Bedel John Spafford Enoch Heath William Page Joseph Kelley Aaron Hosmer John Harriman John Lampson Stephen Knight John Hall David Hulbart Simon Stevens John Moores William Toborn David Page James White Benj Merrill Nathaniel Merrill
John Church
Moses Foster
The Honorable
James Nevin Esq John Nelson Esq
Theodore Atkinson Junr Nathaniel Barrel Col William Symes William Porter John Hastings Capt George Marsh
Maj Richard Emery
Capt Nehemiah Lovell
Hon Henry Shorbern Esq
Maj John Wentworth
Saml Wentworth Esq of Boston Bypeld Loyd Boston And his Excellency Governor Barnard
His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq a Tract of Land to Contain Five Hundred Acres as Marked B: W: in the Plan which is to be accounted two of the within Shares One Whole Share for the Incorporated Society For the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts one whole Shaire for a Glebe for the Church of England One Share for the First Settled Minister of the Gospel and One Share for the Benefit of a School in said Tound-
Province of New Hampshire May the 18th 1763 Recorded in the Book of Charters Page 399 &c T Atkinson Junr Secry
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THE DEERFIELD MASSACRE
Over 250 years ago (February 29, 1704) 200 French soldiers and 142 Indians attacked the pioneer village of Old Deerfield, Massachusetts at 2 A. M. Of the 291 residents and garrison troops in the village, 48 were killed, 111 captured, and the remainder escaped. Of the captives, nine were later killed by their captors, 12 perished on the forced march to Canada, many unharmed returned later.
This event has a direct connection with the later settlement of this vicinity, especially the towns of Haverhill, New Hampshire and Newbury, Vermont, the reason being that among the captives were Rev. John Williams, Daniel Hix, and Jacob Holt. These three men were among the Deerfield captives brought up through the Coos Meadows enroute to Canada. Others were taken by another route along the White River to Canada.
It appears quite probable that Williams, Hix and Holt, together with the other captives, were the first white men ever to visit this area, or any part of Grafton County. It probably took several days for this group to reach "Coos," so it may be assumed that these involuntary visitors were here around March 9, 1704, over 250 years ago.
Authority for these statements is an account in "The Redeemed Cap- tive," later published by Rev. John Williams who lived to return to Old Deerfield from his captivity. Williams may quite properly be called the orig- inal booster for this region, as he described it in very flattering language. He also tells of the death of Daniel Hix and Jacob Holt at the "Coos Meadows." They probably were the first white men to die and be buried in the area.
This bit of early history should be of interest to everyone now living in Haverhill and Newbury. One must consider this a very definite connection, historically, with the Deerfield Massacre, one of the bloodiest and most destructive Indian battles in America's early history.
The author recently visited "Old Deerfield" to verify some of the facts about this historic event. In the cemetery was found a large mound where 48 bodies were buried in a common grave. A modern marker has been placed on the spot. In the same burying ground are many other graves marked by old slate headstones of the 1704 period. One has been restored which indicates the last resting place of Rev. John Williams who died June 12, 1729.
Williams' wife was a descendant of the famous Rev. Cotton Mather of Massachusetts, and a grandson of Williams became Episcopal Bishop John Williams of the state of Connecticut.
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Near this cemetery is a well preserved, very old house, properly identified as the Williams Home. It was built by Deerfield residents for their minister after he returned from captivity. It is adjacent to the site of the original Williams home, burned by the Indians during the 1704 raid.
A brief stop-over at "Old Deerfield" will thrill anyone from this vicinity who travels Route 5. In not over fifteen minutes it is easily possible to view the last home for over 20 years and the final resting place of Rev. John Williams who viewed the Coos Region over two and a half centuries ago.
Some additional information has been obtained from a copy of "The Redeemed Captive" recently purchased by the author. Williams was held a captive by the Indians and by some French officials for over 21/2 years. He was first held by the St. Francis Indians as their prisoner, then transferred to Montreal and placed under guard of a French officer where he was kept in much better quarters. Later he was transferred to Quebec still under guard of the French. From there he was allowed to return by boat to Boston. arriving there November 21, 1706.
After a hero's welcome in Boston where he preached a memorable sermon on December 6, he returned to Old Deerfield where, during 1707, he wrote and published his book. "The Redeemed Captive," a factual, gruesome, religious report of his experiences in captivity.
From the 6th edition of his book and footnotes which were added, it is made clear that his two sons and a daughter were captured and taken to Canada in different groups. Stephen, the older son, probably was held at Cowass for a time and later was allowed to see his father in Montreal. He returned to Boston with his father and later entered Harvard from which he was graduated in 1713. John Williams had preceded him by 30 years, having received his degree in 1683. Stephen later became the preacher for Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
The other son, Warham, was in Canada, too, but probably returned to Boston on a later boat than the one which brought John Williams and Stephen. Warham also graduated from Harvard (1719) and became a minister in Waltham, Massachusetts.
It is recommended that the book of John Williams be read to get a realistic insight into what is so often referred to as "The Good Old Days!"
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CAPTAIN BENJAMIN WRIGHT
Information recorded in Newbury and Ryegate, Vermont histories, and in that of Northampton, Massachusetts, indicates positively, and beyond con- tradiction, that Captain Benjamin Wright deserves much credit for the early settlement of Newbury and Ryegate. It is believed that as early as February, 1708, he led a small scouting party up the Connecticut River from Northamp- ton, Massachusetts to the Wells* River. Again, in May, 1709, he made the same trip, and was later paid a bounty by the Massachusetts General Court for two Indian scalps. Also, in 1725, he led a party of 59 to the Wells River and thence to the big lake (Champlain) and back via the Wells River, and home September 2, 1725 (Miller and Wells History of Ryegate has copy of Benjamin Wright's own diary).
The Wright family record has a widespread local interest as there are literally hundreds of direct descendants in Newbury, Ryegate, Bath, Haver- hill, and other nearby towns. Only a few can be mentioned in this brief report.
Benjamin Wright's grandfather was Deacon Samuel Wright, an English- man, who is known to have come to this country in 1639, or earlier. He and his wife Elizabeth had seven English-born children and two born here (1642 and 1644).
Benjamin Wright's father was Sergeant Samuel Wright (born in England in 1629), who married Elizabeth Burt in Springfield, Massachusetts, Novem- ber 24, 1653, and became an early settler of Northfield, Massachusetts, where he was killed by Indians in September, 1675.
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