USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > Annals of the town of Concord, in the county of Merrimack, and state of New-Hampshire, from its first settlement, in the year 1726, to the year 1823 > Part 6
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63
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Rev. ISRAEL EVANS.
The reverend ISRAEL EVANS, the second clergy- man settled in Concord, was born in Pennsylvania in 1747 ; received his education at Princeton col- lege, where he graduated in 1772; was settled here July 1, 1789 ; resigned his pastoral charge July 1, 1797. He was engaged previous to his set- tlement here, in the capacity of chaplain in the rev- olutionary army, and was the only chaplain, who continued in service during the whole struggle. He was with Montgomery before Quebeck-at the capture of Burgoyne-accompanied Gen. Sullivan on his Indian expedition, and witnessed the surren- der of Cornwallis at Yorktown. His zeal in the cause of his country frequently led him to expose his life in battle ; particularly, in Sullivan's engage- ment with the Indians, where he acted as an aid to the general. He died on the 9th of March, 1807, at the age of 60 years.
Col. THOMAS STICKNEY.
Col. THOMAS STICKNEY died in this town on the 26th of January, 1809, in the 80th year of his age. He was a native of Bradford, Mass. and son of Lieut. Jeremiah Stickney, who settled in this town, when the former was but two years of age, about the year 1731. In common with others of his fel- low-citizens, Stickney was exposed to the dangers of Indian warfare, and was useful to the settlement in forwarding active measures of defence. His brother, William Stickney, was taken by the In- dians at the massacre of the Bradleys, in 1746, and was accidentally drowned on his return from cap- tivity. Thomas, at the dawn of the revolution, was appointed to the command of a regiment of militia ; and besides several local military services, he was at the battle of Bennington, under the heroic Stark, and acquitted himself as a man of bravery.
64
ANNALS OF CONCORD.
Col. GORDON HUTCHINS.
GORDON HUTCHINS was a son of Ephraim Hutch- ins, and born at Exeter in 1733. At about the age of 13, he accompanied his father, who commanded a company in the expedition against Louisbourg, in the capacity of waiter ; but subsequently, held a lieutenancy in the army. Returning from the war,he married and settled in Harvard, Mass. ; from which place, in 1773, he removed to Concord. On hearing of the battle of Lexington, Lt. Hutchins repair- ed to Cambridge; and soon afterwards, enlisted a company, which served an eight months' campaign. In 1777, on learning the perilous situation of the northern frontiers, Capt. Hutchins, who had again been at Cambridge, returning on a Sunday morn- ing, entered the meeting-house ; addressed the minister, (Mr. Walker,) and after briefly stating the intelligence he had received respecting the situa- tion of the northern armies, urged his fellow-citi- zens to volunteer in defence of their country. The appeal was seconded by their worthy and patriotic pastor, and a company of about thirty men was en- rolled, and with them, he sat out on the following morning. Before their arrival at Bennington, Stark had immortalized himself, and averted the threatened danger ; but they had the satisfaction to witness the surrender of Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga. Previous to this, Capt. Hutchins had been at White-Plains, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. From Saratoga, Col. Hutchins returned to domestic life, and died at Concord, December 8th, 1815, aged 82 years. He married two wives, and by them had twenty children.
Capt. NATHANIEL ABBOT.
Capt. NATHANIEL ABBOT was one of the earliest settlers of this place, and a very efficient citizen. He was born in 1696, at Andover. At the com- mencement of the French war, in 1744, he entered
65
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. .
the service, and joined the Rangers under Major Rogers. He was at the capture of Cape Breton in 1745-was subsequently in most of the san- guinary conflicts on the northern frontiers ; and endured almost incredible hardships .* He held a commission in the corps of Rangers, and was in every station, a brave and useful officer. He died in 1770.+
Capt. JOSHUA ABBOT.
Capt. JOSHUA ABBOT, son of the preceding, ac- companied his father during the latter part of his stay with the army. At the commencement of the revolutionary contest, he entered with zeal into the public service, and continued a firm and un- deviating patriot to its close. He was a man of fine constitution, enjoying uninterrupted health, and he made every exertion in his power, in com- mon with his compatriots in arms, for the achieve- ment of our independence. He died in this town in 1815, aged 74.
Hon. JOHN BRADLEY.
The honorable JOHN BRADLEY was a son of Sam- uel Bradley, who was massacred by the Indians in 1746. He was about two years of age at the time of his father's death. He settled in his native town, and amongst her citizens was distinguished as one of the most enterprizing and useful. Pos- sessing a sound mind, and great dignity of charac-
* A faithful picture has probably never yet been drawn of the species of warfare prosecuted by the Rangers-or of the hardships and privations endured by the soldiery in the old French wars. Mr. JOHN SHUTE, now living in this town, at the age of 89 years, and whose memory and faculties are unimpaired, was a soldier under Rogers in the ranging service ; and an hour spent in listening to his ac- count of that service, and his own sufferings and adventures, is by no one regretted. Mr. S. is a son of Jacob Shute, who came with the first family of settlers to Penacook.
+ George Abbot, the paternal ancestor of the families of that name. came out of England, and settled at Andover, Mass. about 1645, where he died Oct. 5, 1681. He had 10 sons and 3 daughters. Nathaniel, his youngest son, was born July 15, 1671 ; settled at Andover, and died Dec. 12, 1749. His son, Nathaniel, born in 1696, settled in Concord, and died in 1770. His son, Joshua, was born at Con- cord in 1741, and died in 1815. Nathaniel Abbot, his son, is now living in this town, and is of the fifth generation from Capt. George Abbot.
66
ANNALS OF CONCORD.
ter, as well as integrity of principle, he was frequently invited to public stations, and served in both branches of the legislature. In the discharge of his official, no less than his private duties, he was firm and consistent, acting independently, and according to his deliberate convictions of jus- tice. He lived to a good old age, and died on the 5th day of July, in the year 1815.
Deacon JOHN KIMBALL.
Deacon JOHN KIMBALL Was a native of Bradford, in Massachusetts, and born February 16, 1739. He settled here at an early period of his life, and soon became an active and valuable citizen. He discharged every official duty with promptness and fidelity, and in his private walks, was a pattern of christian meekness and charity. He was a mem- ber of the church for nearly sixty years, and sus- tained an office in the church in this place during about forty years. He died on the 31st of Decem- ber, 1817, aged 79. He had been married 52 years, and reared a numerous family, during which time no death occurred beneath his roof. Mrs. Kimball, his wife, died March 5, 1819.
Lt. RICHARD HERBERT.
Lt. RICHARD HERBERT died on the 17th July, 1823, aged 94. His father, James Herbert, a ship- carpenter, was a native of England, married his wife in Rowley, and settled at Salisbury, where Richard was born December 31, 1729. Mr. Herbert came to this town in 1752, and purchased the first lot of land sold by the proprietors on the street .* He was industrious in business, and soon became a use- ful citizen. He was among the first volunteerst
*This lot consisted of about two acres, and was the ground owned by the late Capt. Dearborn. Mr. Herbert gave $10 dollars for his land, then apparently a sand-heap, and was frequently rallied by his neighbor land-holders for his singular purchase. He lived, however, to profit by its increase in value.
t The first person in Concord who accepted a commission under the provincial congress, was Capt. REUBEN KIMBALL. He was a zealous friend to the revolu- tionary cause-raised a company, and was at Saratoga, when the army of Bur- goyne surrendered to the Americans. He died June 13, 1814, aged 84.
67
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
from this town in 1775-was an officer under Stark at the battle of Bennington, and proved himself a brave and useful man. After the victory, he re- turned to Concord, and spent the remainder of his life in industry, inoffensiveness and peace.
Churches and Religious Societies.
It will be perceived, that among the first objects of the early settlers of Concord, was the settle- ment of a minister of the gospel. A church, con- sisting of eight individuals,* was formed on the 18th of November, 1730; at which time the Rev. Mr. Walker was ordained. Their place of public wor- ship, was the log-house, erected in 1727, and used also as a garrison for refuge, in times of alarm and danger. Mr. Walker was a man well fitted to meet the sufferings and privations of the wilderness, and to build up, by sound precept and encouraging ex- ample, a united and prosperous church. He was a good farmer, an efficient citizen, and an exemplary christian. In common with his parishioners, he shared the difficulties of their situation, and met, without shrinking, every emergency of want or danger. The troubles which the inhabitants ex- perienced from 1730 to 1770, seemed to have pro- duced an habitual union, which continued for a long time after these troubles had ceased. During a period of more than eighty years, there were no visible differences among the people on religious subjects. For a few years previous to 1816, there had been a respectable society of Friends, who worshipped separately. In 1818, societies of Epis-
* Names of those who formed the first congregational church in this place, embodied Nov. 18, 1730.
Timothy Walker, John Merrill, Samuel Burbank, Jeremiah Stickney,
William Barker,
David Barker,
Aaron Stevens,
John Russ.
68
ANNALS OF CONCORD.
copalians and Baptists were formed, the latter of which is still in a prosperous state.
Rev. Mr. Walker continued the pastor of the congregational church until his death in 1782. From this period until 1789, the church was with- out a minister, though the ordinances were pretty regularly administered and attended. Rev. Mr. Evans was installed in 1789; continued to preach until the summer of 1797, when his pastoral rela- tion to the church was by mutual consent dissolved. The present incumbent, Rev. Dr. M'Farland, suc- ceeded to the care of the church in 1798.
This church is independent in its form-its gov- ernment agreeing with the principles of those who fled from persecution in England, to enjoy in this then inhospitable land their religious opinions. It admits the principle of a communion of churches according to the Cambridge platform; but it has never yet had occasion to call in the aid of other churches to settle difficulties. No ecclesiastical council has been called here, except for the pur- pose of ordaining or dismissing a minister. The church has a standing committee, whose duties are to assist the pastor in examining candidates for ad- mission, and in endeavoring to settle difficulties, that may arise between individuals, without an ap- peal to the whole body of the church. Every member has a right to the judgment of the whole body ; and, as a last resort, each has a right of ap- peal to a council of the neighboring churches.
This church, if not the largest, is one of the largest in the state-the number of communicants at present being about 340.
During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Walker, the recorded admissions to the church are 34 males ; 61 females-Total, 95; but this undoubtedly falls far below the actual number. Mr. Walker died in 1782; and of the admissions to the church during the ministry of his successor, Mr. Evans, from 1789 to 1797, no record can be found. The
69
TOPOGRAPHY.
following table, drawn from the records of Rev. Dr. M'Farland, will shew at a glance the number of baptisms, marriages, and admissions to the church, since his ordination, in 1798.
YEARS.
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
Baptisms,*
134|21|16|17|24|12|16|13;14:20|24|21|15|92|
Marriages,f
|13| 6| 8|11|12|22|23|22|17|26|26|20|23|14
|Admissions,}
| 5| 4| 3| 2|15| 1| 8| 3| 1| 5|10| 8| 8|59
YEARS.
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
TOTALS.
Baptisms,
(44|20|13|13| 82|35|12|12|78|34|18|15
715
Marriages, 23|14|19|21; 20|14|22| 9|19|14|11|15|
414
Admissions, (36| 6|12| 4|108|13| 6| 8|85| 9| 7| 9|
435
* There is a record of about 90 baptisms during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Evans, but probably imperfect.
+ There are only 8 marriages by Rev. Mr. Walker, on record-those previous to 1738.
# This includes those admitted in the usual form, and such as were added by let- ters from other churches.
Deacons in the Congregational Church, since its organization in 1730.
John Merrill, Ephraim Farnum, George Abbot, John Kimball, David Hall,
Joseph Hall, Jonathan Wilkins, Abiel Rolfe, Thomas W. Thompson, Nathaniel Ambrose.
Topographn.
This town comprises a tract of nearly 41,000 acres, of which 1800 are water. The surface is uneven, though it presents none of the rude accliv- ities or deep valleys seen in some of the neighbor- ing towns. There are five ponds in Concord, two on the east of the Merrimack, and three on the west. The largest is Turkey pond, in the south>
10
70
ANNALS OF CONCORD.
west part of the town, containing about 700 acres ; the waters of which form the Turkey river, a stream of some importance, passing east into Bow. Long pond, in the west part of the town, contains about 500 acres, the waters of which pass into the Merri- mack below Sewall's island. Turtle pond lies east of Long pond, and near the line of Loudon ; it con- tains about 200 acres, and its waters pass into the Merrimack through the valley east of the river. 'The others are Snow's pond, north-west of Turtle pond, and Horse-shoe pond, near the meeting- house. The river Soucook forms the south-east boundary of Concord, from Chichester to its junc- tion with the Merrimack below Garven's falls. The Contoocook is a considerable river, entering near the west corner of the town, and uniting with the Merrimack on the north-west line, forming at its junction the island celebrated as the spot where Mrs. Duston made a desperate escape from a party of Indians, in 1698. The design below pre- sents a tolerably accurate view of the island, though it rapidly changes in its appearance, from the action of the freshes of the river.
The Merrimack is the principal river of this region, and is not only the ornament and beautifier of the landscape, but the source of health and profit to the inhabitants. It meanders nearly through the centre of the town, enriching the tracts of interval on its borders. The intervals here are of considerable width, and of great value
71
TOPOGRAPHY.
"to the town ; though perhaps inferior in extent and beauty to those on the Connecticut. Soon after entering the town, the Merrimack passes over the rapids called Sewall's falls, below which is situated Sewall's island, thus called from an early propri- etor. The current of the river from this island is not rapid, and has no natural obstructions, until it reaches Turkey and Garven's falls at the south-east extremity of the town. Locks are here construc- ted, and the navigation of the river has been open during the boating seasons for several years. The river is here about 100 yards wide, but occasionally, the spring and autumn freshes have covered the interval adjoining the principal village, presenting to the eye a body of water of a mile in width. These freshes, though often destructive to crops, fences, &c. are of no disadvantage to the soil, on which they deposit a rich sediment. During the greatest freshes, the river has risen nearly 20 feet above the ordinary level, but this is uncommon. There are two bridges thrown across the river in this town : the Federal, or Upper Bridge, and Concord, or Lower Bridge. At these bridges, are situated the store-houses of the Boating Company on the river. The intercourse with Boston, open- ed by way of the canals on the Merrimack, has been of considerable advantage to the country. The navigation to this town was opened in 1815,* and the quantity of goods annually brought up has averaged 1000 to 1500 tons. The freight downward has been more extensive, consisting of the produce of the country, lumber, and other heavy or bulky - articles. For the first three years, the business on the river exceeded that for the three last ; but there is a prospect that it will hereafter be much increased. The principal village, and the seat of most of the business of the town, extends along the western bank of the Merrimack nearly
*The first boat of the Merrimack company, arrived at the landing here, June 23, 1815, in 3 1-2 days from Boston.
72
ANNALS OF CONCORD.
two miles from south-east to north-west. It is very pleasantly situated, and from its convenient situation has become a place of considerable trade. The state-house,* state-prison, court-house and meeting- house are situated in this village. There are 175 dwelling-houses, 20 stores, 8 taverns, several me- chanic shops, 5 printing-offices, 5 bookstores and 2 book-binderies. On the east side of the river, is another considerable village, very pleasantly situa- ted ; and a village is also forming in the west part of the town. The soil of this town presents all the varieties common to this region, and is in some parts fertile. The highlands extending back from the river are very productive, and were originally covered with oak,chesnut, maple, &c. The plains are alluvial, and covered with a growth of pine. Large masses of excellent granite are found in this town, and the public edifices here, are erected of this material. This granite affords an admirable ma- terial for building ; and large quantities, wrought at the State Prison, are annually transported to Bos- ton for architectural purposes. It derives its supe- riority over the granite of many other countries, from the circumstance that it contains no sulphuret of iron, which, by the action of atmospheric agents, produces an iron-rust stain, that destroys the beau- ty of the material. Iron ore is found here in small quantities, near the Soucook river, and on the branches of the Turkey river. It was wrought by the inhabitants during the · revolution ; but to no great extent. Excellent clay abounds in several places, and extensive potteries have for some years been established.
" See description of public buildings, p. 49.
Memoir of the Denacook Indians.
Whatever relates to the aboriginals of our coun- try, those early proprietors of the soil which we inherit, must be interesting to posterity. The lands which we cultivate, the forests, the rivers and mountains around us, once swarmed with a distinct race of the human family. They whose character once stood so lofty and independent, are hardly seen among us, and if seen, are seen “ beg- ging the price of their perdition."-They who might have exterminated the Europeans on their arrival, have themselves become exterminated, and most of their memorials have perished with them. Much is it to be regretted, that there has been no historical account of the various tribes residing on Merrimack river, and particularly of the one in- habiting the town of Concord, known at an early period of our history as acknowledging allegiance to the far famed sachem, Passaconaway. But there have been causes why this has not been done. " The horror proceeding from the cruelties of their warfare, forbade the calmness of investigation. As long as they were formidable, curiosity was over- powered by terror ; and there was neither leisure, nor inclination to contemplate their character as a portion of the human family, while the glare of conflagration reddened the midnight sky, and the yells of the savage, mingling with the shrieks of butchered victims, rode, as portentous messengers, on every gale. But that state of things has long ceased to exist. The white men of America have become too numerous to fear any longer the effects of savage barbarity, and the tales which once car- ried terror to the stoutest heart, are now scarcely heard beyond the precincts of the nursery. In the room of fear, there should now arise a sentiment of pity."*
* Rev. Dr. Jarvis' address before the New-York Hist, Soc.
74
MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
When our fathers arrived in this country, they found within the confines of New England, five principal nations of the Indians ; viz. the Pequots inhabiting Connecticut ; the Narragansetts, who inhabited Rhode-Island and the adjacent country ; the Pawkunnawkutts, who lived on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and in Plymouth colony ; the Massachusetts, who lived about Massachusetts bay; and the Pawtucketts, who constituted the "fifth and last great sachemship of Indians." "Their country lieth north and north-east from Massachu- setts, whose dominion reacheth as far as the Eng- lish jurisdiction or colony of the Massachusetts, doth now extend."*
To this general division, belonged the Penacooks, or those Indians, who inhabited Concord, and the country for many miles above and below on Merri- mack river. There were several “ smaller saga- moreships" which were included under the nation- al name of Pawtucketts-such as the Agawams, Naamkeeks, Pascataquas, Accomintas and some others. All these subordinate tribes formed orig- inally but one great nation, and acknowledged sub- jection to Passaconaway, who was called " the great sachem of Penacook."
The Penacooks were probably among the most powerful of these subordinate tribes, though their history is but little known, and at this distance of time, cannot be given with any degree of minute- ness. Passaconaway was the first sagamore of whom we find any account in our historians. If the Wheelwright deed be not a forgery, he was liv- ing as early as 1629, and it appears from Hubbard's narrative, that he was alive in 1660. In that year, the Indians had a great dance and feast, on which occasion, this powerful sagamore, being grown old, made his farewell speech to his children and peo- ple, in which, as a dying man, he warned them to
* Gookin, in Coll. of Mass. Hist. Soc. Vol. 1, page 149, first series.
75
MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
take heed how they quarrelled with their English neighbors; for though they might do them some damage, yet it would prove the means of their own destruction. He told them he had been a bitter en- emy to the English, and by the arts of sorcery, had tried his utmost to hinder their settlement and increase, but could by no means succeed.
Wonolanset succeeded his father as sachem of Penacook, and observed his dying advice. When the war with Philip commenced in 1675, he with- drew himself with his people to some remote place, that they might not be drawn into the quarrel. The Penacooks appear to have maintained a friend- ly disposition so long as they were under the con- trol of Wonolanset.
About the year 1684, Lieut. Gov. Cranfield form- ed the project of bringing down the Mohawks, from New-York, in order to destroy the Penacook and Eastern Indians. This measure had once before been resorted to, but proved very pernicious in its effects, as that ferocious and warlike people made no distinction between those tribes which were at peace with the English, and those which were at war. Some of the Penacook Indians, who had been to Albany soon after Cranfield made a journey to the province of New-York, reported on their re- turn, that the Mohawks threatened destruction to all the eastern Indians, from Narraganset in Rhode- Island to Pechypscot in Maine .* The Penacooks were about this time under the government of Hogkins, a sachem who succeeded Wonolanset. From the articles of Peace between the English in- habiting the province of N. Hampshire and Maine, and the Indians of these provinces, agreed upon the 8th day of September, 1685, it appears, that Kancamagus was his Indian name, and that Hog-
* " Four Indians came from fort Albany to the Fort at Pennicooke and informed em that all the Mokawkes did declare they would kill all Indians from Uncas at o unt Hope to the eastward as far as Pegypscut." Report to Walter Barefoote, 7. and Council.
76
MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
kins or Hawkins was the English name he had as- sumed.
In the spring of 1685, he informed Cranfield of the danger the Penacooks apprehended,* and implored assistance and protection, but was treated with neglect.
In August, 1685, the Penacook and Saco Indians gathered their corn, and removed their families, which gave an alarm to their English neighbors, as if they were preparing for war. Messengers be- ing sent to demand the reason of their movement, were informed that it was the fear of Mohawks, whom they daily expected to destroy them; and being asked why they did not come in among the English for protection, they answered, lest the Mo- hawks should hurt the English on that account. Upon this, they were persuaded to enter into an agreement; and accordingly the chiefs of the Penacooks and of the Saco Indians being assem- bled with the Council of New-Hampshire, and a deputation from the province of Maine, a treaty was concluded, wherein it was stipulated, that all- future personal injuries on either side should, upon
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