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 7
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* His letter to Gov. Cranfield at this time will explain his situation and his fears, and may be regarded as a curiosity. The original is preserved in the Recor- der's office in N. H.
May 15th, 1685.
" Honour governor my friend,
You my friend I desire your worship and your power, because I hope you can do som great matters this one. I am poor and naked, and I have no man at my place because I afraid allwayes Mohogs he will kill me every day and night. If your worship when please pray help me you no let Mohogs kill me at my place at Mal- amake river called Panukkog and Nattukkog, I will submit your worship and your power. And now I want pouder and such alminishon, shott and guns, because I. have forth at my hom and I plant theare.
This all Indian hand, but pray do you consider your humble servant,
JOHN HOGKINS.
Simon Detogkom,
Joseph X Traske,
King _ Hary,
Sam y Linis,
[at,
Peter , Robin, Mr Jorge + Roddunnonukgus, Mr Hope X Hoth, John + Tonch, John à Canowa,
Wapeguanat 1 Saguachuwash Old Robin 1 Mamanosgues O Andra,
John x Owamosimmin, Natonill t Indian."
These were probably some of the principal men of the tribe. Two other let- ters from Hogkins to Cranfield are preserved in I. Belknap, 346.
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MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
complaint, be immediately redressed ; that infor- mation should be given of approaching danger from enemies ; that the Indians should not remove their families from the neighborhood of the Eng- lish without giving timely notice, and if they did, it should be taken for a declaration of war ; and, that while these articles were observed, the Eng- lish would assist and protect them against the Mohawks and all other enemies.
From this time, peace continued without inter- ruption till 1689, when a confederacy was formed between the tribes of Penacook and Pequawkett, and the strange Indians, (as they were called) who were incorporated with them, to attack the settle- ment at Dover. The Penacooks were among the four hundred Indians, who were seized at Dover by Major Waldron in 1676, and were dismissed at that time, probably on account of the friendly disposition of Wonolanset. Notwithstanding they experienced the clemency of Major Waldron, in be- ing permitted to depart in safety, they did not for- get the conduct of the Major to their allies, and were easily seduced to join the confederacy by those, who had, for about thirteen years, cherished an inextinguishable thirst of revenge against the brave, but unfortunate Waldron. The plot formed against the inhabitants of Dover was disclosed by two of the Penacooks to Major Hinchman, of. Chelmsford, who immediately informed Mr. Dan- forth, a member of the council of Massachusetts, by the following letter, the original of which is on file in the Secretary's office in Massachusetts. " Hon'd Sir,
This day, two Indians came from Pennacook, viz. Job Maramasquand and Peter Muckamug, who report that damage will undoubtedly be done with- in a few days at Piscataqua, and that Major Wal- dron, in particular, is threatened ; and that Juli- matt fears that mischief will quickly be done at
11
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MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
Dunstable. The Indians can give a more particu- lar account to your honor. They say, if damage be done, the blame shall not be on them, having given a faithful account of what they hear ; and are upon that report moved to leave their habitation and corn at Pennacook. Sir, I was very loth to trouble you, and to expose myself to the censure and derision of some of the confident people, that would pretend to make a sport with what I send down by Capt. Tom, (alias Thomas Ukqucakussen- num.)
I am constrained, from a sense of my duty, and from love to my countrymen, to give the informa- tion as above. So with my humble service to your honor, and prayers for the safety of an endangered people-I am, Sir, your humble servant,
THO: HINCHMAN.
June 22.
Hon. Thomas Danforth."
Mr. Danforth was detained from the meeting of the council. He however, on the same day, com- municated Major Hinchman's letter to Governor Bradstreet, who, with the council, ordered a mes- senger to be sent to Cochecho, with the following disclosure of the plot in a letter, written by Secre- tary Addington.
" Boston, 27 June, 1689.
Honble Sir,
The governor and councill haveing this day received a letter from Major Henchman of Chelms- ford, that some Indians are come in to them, who report that there is a gathering of some Indians in and about Penecooke, with designe of mischiefe to the English. Among the said Indians, one Hawkins is said to be a principal designer, and that they have a particular designe against yourself and Mr. Peter Coffin, which the councill thought it ne- cessary presently to dispatch advice thereof to give you notice, that you take care of your own safe-
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MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
guard, they intending to betray you on a pretention of trade.
Please forthwith to signify the import hereof to Mr. Coffin and others, as you shall think necessary, and advise of what informations you may at any time receive of the Indians motions. By order in Councill. ISA : ADDINGTON, Sec'y.
For Mr. Richard Waldron and Mr. Peter
Coffin, or either of them, att Cochecha ; these with all possible speed."
This letter was despatched from Boston by Mr. Weare; but some delay he met with at Newbury ferry prevented its arrival in season. The same day, after the mischief was done, the preceding let- ter fell into the hands of Maj. Waldron's son. Had it been seasonably received, it would probably have saved the lives of twenty-three persons, who fell a sacrifice to Indian cruelty, besides preventing the capture of twenty-nine others, and the destruction of much valuable property .*
Upon the depredations at Dover, vigorous meas- ures were immediately adopted. A party under Capt. Noyes was despatched to Penacook, to inflict summary punishment upon those who were con- cerned in the affair at Cochecho ; but the Indians all escaped. They, however, destroyed their corn.
It appears that after this, the Penacooks continu- ed to exist as a distinct tribe for many years ; though as a separate tribe, they ceased to be for- midable after this event. We find that they are mentioned in Penhallow's Indian Wars, (page 2,) where there is an account of a conference held by Governor Dudley at Casco, in 1703, with delegates from several tribes. The Norridgewocks, Penob- scots, Pequawketts, Penacooks and Ameriscoggins assured the governor, at this meeting, that " as high as the sun was above the earth, so far distant was
* For a particular account of the attack on Dover, see Belknap's His. N. H. vol. I, page 198.
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MEMOIR OF THE PENACOOKS.
their design of making the least breach of the. peace."
At the same time they made this declaration, they were meditating hostilities, which commenced on the 10th of August, 1703. After this period, we hear little or nothing of the Penacooks, as a sepa- rate tribe. Those of them who were hostile to the English, probably mixed with the eastern Indians, between whom and the Penacooks, was a close af- finity. As the governor of Canada had encouraged the Indians who inhabited the borders of New- England, to remove to Canada, it is likely that. some of them went thither, and were incorporated with the tribes of St. Francis. But those who con- tinued friendly to the English, of which there had always been a small number, remained here until 1725, and were highly useful to the first inhabitants, supplying them with food when almost in astate of starvation.
The Penacook Indians were a more warlike tribe than the Pawtuckett, or Wamesit Indians, who liv- ed around Pawtuckett Falls, in Chelmsford. They were opposed to the introduction of christianity a- mong them, and "obstinately refused to pray to God." Before the year 1670, a party of them went down the Merrimack, and built a fort at Pawtuck- ett. They also erected a fort on Sugar-Ball Hill, so called, in Concord, as a protection against the incursions of the Mohawks and other enemies. A considerable number of them joined in an expedi- tion against that formidable nation, and were prin- cipally destroyed. Tradition says, that there was once a very obstinate engagement between the Mo-, hawks and Penacooks on the river in this vicinity, but the time, place and circumstances are unknown to the present generation, The Indians of the most peaceful character among the Penacooks, were the Robin family, a part of which lived in Chelmsford, and owned a hill in that town, which, for almost two hundred years, has been known by the name of Robin's Hill.
APPENDIX.
[NO. I.]
THE ORDER OF THE GREAT AND GENERAL COURT.
The Committee appointed to consider what is proper for this Court to do on the petition of Benjamin Stevens and others, are humbly of opinion, that it will be for the interest and advantage of this Province that part of the lands, petitioned for by the said Benjamin Stevens and company, be assigned and set apart for a township ; provided, that the same be done in a good, regular and defensible manner, to contain seven miles square, and begin where Contoocook river falls into Merrimack river, and thence to extend upon a course east seventeen degrees south four miles, to be the northerly bounds of the said township ; and from the extreme parts of that line to be set off southerly at right angles, until seven miles shall be accomplished from the said north bounds. And that the petitioners may be encouraged and fully empowered to prosecute their intended settlements-Ordered, That the Hon. William Tailer, Esq., Elisha Cooke, Esq., Spencer Phipps, Esq., William Dudley, Esq., John Wainwright, Esq., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders, Eleazar Tyng, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Wilder, (any five of whom to be a quorum) be a Com- mittee to take special care, that the following rules and condi- tions be punctually observed and kept by all such as shall be ad- mitted to bring forward the proposed settlements, namely :
.
That the aforesaid tract of land be allotted and divided into one hundred and three equal parts and shares as to quantity and quality ; and that one hundred persons or families, such only as in the judgment of the Committee shall be well able to pursue and bring to pass their several settlements on the said lands within the space of three years at farthest from the first day of June next. That each and every intended settler, to whom a lot, with the rights and privileges thereto belonging, shall be assigned, shall pay into the hands of the Committee, for the use of the Province, at the time of drawing his lot, the sum of five pounds, and be obliged to build a good dwelling house, fit com- fortably to receive and entertain a family who shall inhabit the same ; and also break up and sufficiently fence in six acres of land for their home lot within the term aforesaid. And that the first fifty settlements shall be begun and perfected upon the east- ern side of the said river Merrimack, and the several houses shall be erected on their home lots not above twenty rods the one from the other where the land will possibly admit thereof, in the most regular and defensible manner, the Committee, in their best prudence, can project and order ; the houses and home lots on
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APPENDIX.
each side of the river to be alike subjected unto the above men- tioned conditions. That a convenient house for the public wor- ship of God be completely finished within the term aforesaid, for the accommodation of all such as shall inhabit the aforesaid tract of land, upon such part thereof as shall be agreed upon by the said Committee, for the ease of the community ; and that there shall be reserved, allotted, and laid out for the first minister that shall be lawfuly settled among them, one full right, share, and proportion of and in the aforesaid tract of land, with all rights and privileges thereto belonging. His house lot to be laid out next adjoining to the land whereon the meeting house shall stand. One other full right, share, and proportion of and in the aforesaid tract of land, to be appropriated for the use of the school forever ; and one other ministerial lot of equal value with the rest, the home lot appertaining thereto affixed near to the meeting house. And for the better enabling the intended settlers to perfect what they are hereby enjoined, and empower- ing them to remove all such lets and impediments as they may meet with in their progress and lawful undertaking, that when and so soon as there shall be one hundred persons accepted and allowed by the Committee to go on and improve those lands for the ends and uses above specified, upon application made to the aforesaid Committee, it shall and may be lawful for them to no- tify the undertakers to meet at some convenient time and place, they being seasonably notified of such meeting, who, when as- sembled, shall make such necessary rules and orders as to them shall be thought most conducible for the carrying forward and effecting the aforesaid settlement ; provided, that three-fourth parts of the persons present at such meeting are consenting to what rules or orders shall be then proposed and agreed upon, two or more of the Committee to be present at such meeting, who shall enter into a fair book, to be kept for that purpose, all such rules, orders, and directions agreed on as aforesaid, and give out copies thereof when required ; the whole charge of the Committee to be paid by the settlers. And that when they shall have performed the conditions above expressed, provided it be within the space of three years as before limited, that then the said Committee for and in behalf of this Court execute good and sufficient deeds and conveyances in the law, to all such settlers for the aforesaid tract of land, with all the rights, members, profits, privileges, and immunities thereon standing, growing, or being for the sole use of them, their heirs and assigns forever, with a saving of all or any former grant or grants.
By order of the Committee.
In Council, January 17th, 1725. Report be accepted.
Sent down for concurrence.
N. BYFIELD. Read and ordered that this
J. WILLARD, Sec'ry.
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APPENDIX.
In the House of Representatives, January 17th, 1725. Read and concurred.
Consented to,
WM. DUDLEY, Speaker. WM. DUMMER.
[NO. II.]
Names of the Original Proprietors of the town of Rumford.
Nathaniel Abbot John Austin Samuel Ayer John Ayer Jacob Abbot Obadiah Ayer
Zebadiah Barker, alias Edw. Abbot
Thomas Blanchard
William Barker
Nathaniel Barker, alias Solo. Martin
Joshua Bayley Moses Boardman
Nathan Blodgett
John Bayley, alias Samuel White
Nathaniel Clement
John Chandler
Benjamin Carlton
Christopher Carlton
Nehemiah Carlton
Richard Coolidge, alias Samuel Jones
Ebenezer Lovejoy Thomas Learned
John Merrill
John Mattis
Andrew Mitchel
Minister Benjamin Nichols
John Osgood
Stephen Osgood
Benjamin Parker Thomas Page
Ephraim Davis Ebenezer Eastman
Joseph Parker
Jacob Eames Stephen Emerson
John Foster Ephraim Farnum
William Foster Nathan Fisk, alias Zachariah Chandler John Grainger
Samuel Grainger
Benjamin Gage
William Gutterson
Nehemiah Heath
Ephraim Hildreth Joseph Hale
Moses Hazzen
Jonathan Hubbard, alias Daniel Davis
Richard Hazzen
Joseph Hall
Timothy Johnson
John Jaques
Nathaniel Jones
Robert Kimball
Samuel Kimball
David Kimball
Nathaniel Lovejoy
John Coggin Edward Clark Enoch Coffin Thomas Coleman
Nathaniel Cogswell Moses Day Joseph Davis Samuel Davis David Dodge
Robert Peaslee
Nathan Parker Nathaniel Page Samuel Phillips James Parker
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APPENDIX.
Jonathan Pulsipher Nathaniel Peaslee
John Pecker Joseph Page John Peabody Parsonage Samuel Reynolds Henry Rolfe
John Sanders Ebenezer Stevens
John Sanders, jr. Benjamin Stevens Nathaniel Saunders James Simonds Zorobabel Snow
Jonathan Shipley
Nathan Simonds School
Samuel Tappan
Bezaleel Tappan
Richard Urann
Ebenezer Virgin
John Wright
William White
Nicholas White
Ammi Ruhamah Wise
Isaac Walker
David Wood
William Whittier
Thomas Wicomb
Edward Winn.
[NO. III.]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New- Hampshire, in New-England, the Honorable the Council, and the House of Representatives, in General Court convened.
The Memorial and Petition of Benjamin Rolfe, in the name and behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Rumford, in said Province, humbly sheweth-That the said town has been settled by his Majesty's subjects about seventeen years, and a gospel minister ordained there about twelve. That the settlers had an eye at enlarging his Majesty's dominions, by going into the wil- derness, as well as at their own interest. That many thousand pounds have been spent in clearing and cultivating the lands: there, and many more in erecting mansion-houses, out-houses; barns, and fences ; besides a large additional sum in fortifica- tions, lately made by his Excellency the Governor's order. That the buildings are compact, and properly formed for defence, and well situated for a barrier, being on the Merrimack river, about fifteen miles below the confluence of Winnipishoky [Winnepisi- ogee] and Pemissawasset [Pemigewasset] rivers, both which are main gang-ways of the Canadians to the frontiers of this Prov- ince. That the breaking up of the settlement will not only ruin the memorialists, but in their humble opinion, greatly disserve his Majesty's interest, by encouraging his enemies to encroach on his direlict dominions, and be all-hurtful to the Province, by contracting its borders, and by drawing the war nearer to the capital. That it was by a long and importunate intercession of this Province, (and not of the memorialists' seeking) that they are cast under the immediate care of this government, which, they apprehend, gives them so much the better right to its pro- tection. That the memorialists have hitherto cheerfully paid
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APPENDIX.
their proportionate part of the public taxes assigned them by the general court, even without being privileged with a repre- sentative in said court. That, as war is already declared against France, and a rupture with the Indians hourly expected, your memorialists, unless they have speedy help, will be soon obliged to evacuate their town, how disserviceable soever it may be to the Crown, dishonorable to the government, hurtful to the Prov- ince, and ruinous to themselves. Wherefore your memcrialists most humbly supplicate your Excellency, the Honorable Council, and House of Representatives, to take the premises into your wise and mature consideration, and to grant them such season- able relief as may enable them to maintain his Majesty's domin- ions in so well situated a barrier, and so ancient and well regu- lated a settlement, as well as to secure their own lives and for- tunes against the ravages and devastations of , a blood-thirsty and merciless enemy. And your memorialists, as in duty bound, &c. (Signed) BENJAMIN ROLFE.
Portsmouth, June 27, 1744.
[NO .- IV:]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq. Governor and Com- mander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New- Hampshire, in New-England, and to the Honorable His Majesty's Council of said Province.
The Memorial of Benjamin Rolfe, in the name and behalf of the inhabitants of Rumford, in said. Province, humbly sheweth, That your memorialists are settled on a tract of land granted by the General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England, Anno Domini, 1725, and that the said tract of land was erected into a township by an act of said General Court, Anno Domini, 1733. The bounds of said township being as follows, viz. : Beginning where Contoocook river falls into Mer- rimack river, and thence to extend upon a course east seven- teen degrees north three miles, and upon a course west seven- teen degrees south four miles, which is the northerly bounds of the said township ; and from the other parts of that line to be set off southerly at right angles until seven miles and one hun- dred rods shall be accomplished from the said northern bounds. And that his Majesty in Council taking the said act into consid- eration, Anno Domini, 1737, was graciously pleased to declare his approbation thereof; and by the late settlement of the boundaries between the said Provinces, by his Majesty in Coun- cil, the said township is within this Province. And by an act of the General Assembly of this Province, of March 18th, 1741-2, Rumford aforesaid was made a district, it not being incorporated within any township or parish within this Province ; and by said act your memorialists were subjected to pay a tax towards the
12
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APPENDIX.
support of this government, which they have punctually and cheerfully done every year since, pursuant to acts of this gov-' ernment. And your memorialists, by power given them by the district acts, so called, for about six years last past, have annu- ally raised money for defraying our ministerial, school, and other necessary charges of said Rumford, and taxed the inhabitants ac- cordingly ; but the district act expiring sometime last summer, there is now no law of this Province whereby your memorialists can raise any money for the year current, for the charges afore- said. And your memorialists have abundant reason to think that the Rev. Mr. Timothy Walker, who has been settled with us as our minister for about twenty years, (unless we can speedily be put into a capacity to make a tax for his salary) will be neces- sitated to leave us, which will be to our great loss and inex- pressible grief ; for he is a gentleman of an unspotted character, and universally beloved by us. Our public school will also of course fail, and our youth thereby be deprived, in a great meas- ure, of the means of learning, which we apprehend to be of a very bad consequence. Our school-master, who is a gentleman of a liberal education, and came well recommended to us, and lately moved his family from Andover to Rumford, on account of his keeping school for us, will be greatly damaged and disap- pointed. And your memorialists, under their present circum- stances, are deprived of all other privileges which a well regu- lated town (as such) enjoy.
Your memorialists, therefore, most humbly pray, that your Excellency and Honors would take our deplorable circumstances into your wise and mature consideration, and afford us relief by incorporating us into a township by our ancient boundaries as aforesaid, and by endowing of us with such privileges as any of the towns in this Province by law do or ought to enjoy. And your memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pray.
BENJAMIN ROLFE.
Portsmouth, January 24, 1749.
[NO. V.] Documents relating to the Controversy between the Proprietors of Rumford and Bowe.
THE STATE OF THE CASE,
Lately decided at the Superior Court of New-Hampshire, between The Proprietors of Bow, Plfs. and John Merrill, Def. [1750.]
The action was ejectment brought by said proprietors against . him for the recovery of about eight acres of land, situate in Bow, and particularly described in their writ, with the buildings and appurtenances thereof, to the inferior court of con mon pleas, holden at Portsmouth, December, 1750, and at the defendant's request continued to the next term of said court, he being a pur-
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APPENDIX.
chaser of part of the land he holds, to vouch in his warrantor. But as he did not appear, the said John was obliged to defend himself, or give up the land demanded, on which some of his buildings stai. 1. He therefore gave an issuable plea, and there- upon obtained judgment, from which the plaintiffs appealed to the then next superior court, entered their appeal, and after several continuances, parties had an hearing, and judgment was rendered for the plaintiffs to recover the premises demanded. This judgment the defendant reviewed. But judgment was again rendered for the plaintiffs. From which judgment he would have appealed to the king in council, or to the governor and council here in a court of appeals ; but both were denied, as the premises demanded were not of sufficient value to allow either, according to the province law in such cases. But as there is much more than what is of value sufficient to allow either of those appeals, depending upon the same title, the defendant is aggrieved at the denial as well as at the judgment he would have appealed from. It is proposed here to take notice of the most remarkable things offered by each party. But as it is a known rule in these cases, that the plaintiff must recover (if at all) by the strength of his own title, and not by the weakness or defect of the defendant's, it may not be amiss more particularly to consider the title of these plaintiffs and the objections made against it on the part of the defendant ; and then briefly to mention the defendant's title, and the objections the plaintiffs offer to that, with what is said in behalf of the defendant in reply to those objections.
The plaintiffs urge, that the right to all the lands in the prov- ince was originally in the crown. That by a special clause in the governor's commissions for this province, from time to time, they were authorised to grant these lands to the inhabitants, with the advice of the council, in order to the regular settlement thereof. That in the absence of the chief governor, this power, with others contained in the commission, devolved upon the lieutenant-governor. That under the commission to governor Shute, this happened to be the case. And in his absence the late lieutenant-governor Wentworth, being commander in chief, on the 20th of May, 1727, at Portsmouth, with the advice of the council, by a charter of that date, granted to sundry of his Majes- ty's subjects, then inhabitants of the province, whose names were contained in a schedule annexed, a tract of land in said province, bounded as follows, viz. : " Beginning on the south- east side of the town of Chichester, and running nine miles by Chichester and Canterbury, and carrying that breadth of nine miles from each of the aforesaid towns south-west, until the full complement of eighty-one square miles are fully made up," with sundry privileges and limitations therein. That about twenty months after the date of this charter, a committee of the grantees entered, surveyed the land granted, and marked out the bounds, as appears by a return under their hands, in what manner they proceeded. And this transaction, they say, gave the grantees the
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