USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Atlas of Strafford county, New Hampshire > Part 5
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Tho town of Dover, in these days, included, in addition to itu present limit, Modbury, Durham, Lee, Somersworth, Rollinsford, and a part of Newington. About 1640 Richard Waldron began the first settlement at Cocheco Lower Falls, and bero he huilt a saw-inill, and a shart time after a grist-mill ; and for a long term of years Waldron's was the frontier house and trading post. The principal occupation of the people was out- ting and exporting mnats, plunks, boards and atoves in addition to the fishing. We find that Edward Cranfuld in 1682 was appointed lieutenant- governor and commander-in-chief of New Hampshire. The counsellom nomed in Cranfield's commission wero Mason, Waldron, Vanghen, Daniels, Martyn, Gilman, Stillman and Clements. The sword of Job Clements, ono of the counsellora, is shown at this day by his descendoots at Dover Neek.
Very fow settlements suffered more from Indian depredntions than Dover. During the summer nud winter of 1675, the people were obliged to abandon the pursuits of business, and take the gun in defence of their homes and families, Many of tha houses were placed in a state of defence by in- olosing them with an intrenchment, and building sentry boxes on the roofs. It was in 1676 thnt Major Waldron committed n deed that thirteen years nfter cost him his life. Two companies of soldiors, uoder command of Captains Syll and How thoreo, were passing through Cocheco, where they met four hundred Indians of different tribes assembled at the house of Alsjor Waldren, with whom they had just formed a trenty of penco. Syll nod his colleague were determined to attack them, hut wore prevented by Waldron who proposed to take them hy stratagom. Their ping succeeded, and two hundred of the most friendly Indians were released ; the othera taken te Doston and from thenee " sold inta slavery for the foreign trade." A peace was declared in 1677.
For twolvo yours they had lived in comparative peace with the Indians. Though troubles of a lesser form heset them, they increased in population and power ; the wealthy grow moro wealthy and the poorer were prosper- ing. The Indians came and went at their pleasure; trading with the whites, or seeking food and sholter. Dut, true to their natural tempera- ment-the Indiao rarely forgiven a wrong done him. Tho moisuro of the four hundred, thirteen year before, still rankled in their breasts, Those who wore released thought it a breach of hospitality, and many of these that were sold iuto slavery had found their way back to their native wig- wam only to stir up a spirit of vengenace against the whites, In the fore- noon of June 27, 1489, the Indians were observed to be gathering in nousual numbern. Many an unknown face was seen among them, and, as the afternoon wore apace, the number seemed to multiply. Some of the people were suspicious, and suggested to Waldren that the Indians medi- tatod some mischief. In a laughing monnor he replied : "Go plant your pumpkins, and I will tell you when the Indiann will break out." A young man told him during the evening that the town was full of Indiana. lle answered : " I know the Indiaes well enough, and there is no danger." Some squaws had thrown ont dork hints some time previous, hut they were not heeded. Mesandowit, white supping at the Waldren house, said : " Brether Waldron, what would you do if the strange Indians should come ?"" " I could assemble n hundred men by lifting up my finger," the major carelessly replied.
There were fivo garrisoned honses ahout Cocheco, viz., Waldron's * Hall'a Spring, whare the first settlara obtained their water, is pointed out at the present day.
(which stood near the present corner of Second and Franklin Sircoln), Heard's nud Otis' on the north side of tho river, anul Peter Catlin's und sou's on the south sida. In the course of the evening two iquawn applied at each of the five houses for pormission to spend the night by the fire, ns was frequently the custom ; and they wore nilmitted to all savo the younger Coflin's. Near the midnight hour, when overything was still save the hoot of the owl or the rear of the falla, the squaws carefully opened the doors of the different houses, und gave ono prolonged whistlo, omul ere the last cehoen of the whistle had died away, tho Indiana aprang from their hiling places and begun the attack. After metting a gunnil at the door of tho Waldron houno they pushed their way to tho major'n apartment, who, though 78 years of age, seized his sword and vigorously defended him - self until ho was stunned by a blow from behind. They dragged him to the ball, placed him In a chair, and dancing orouml bim, cried: " Who shall judge Indians now ? After compeiling the family to set forth some ontables, ench successively out bim neross the breast, exclaiming: "1 oromn out my accounts !" and then they out off his nose and ears, placed them In his mouth, and at last dispatched him with his own aword. Otis was killed nud his family captured, as was also the Waldron family. Both housen woro burned, Heard's garrison was waved by tho barking of n dog. Elder Wentworth shut the door, and falling on his back placed his fect against it just before the Indians arrived, thus moving the ocoupnuta, Coffin's house was entered, but, bearing him no mallee, they only searched the house for valuables, The younger Coffin refusoil to surrender, hint they brought his pareuta und threatened to kill them before bis fueo, when parental affoction conquered, and he opened the duor. Deth of the Cuffia families were taken prisonera, but they all eseuped before morning, Mrm. Heard, her three nonos, o doughter, with others, were returning from Ports- mouth at the time of the attack, and hearing tho nolno, they all caenped but Mrs. Heard, who, being tou weak from fright, crawled to tho nenrest bush, where she remained until moreing Towards morning on Imliun with a pistol come aud looked at her several times, and after gazieg nt her would retire, At Inat she recognized in him an Iodian whom she had cooccaled thirteen years before, whon the four hundred were taken, who then had declared timt he would not barin her por her family lu nny future war. Twenty-three people were slalu and twenty- nine juken prisoners ; the mills and six boumen were destroyed, News of the intended attnok had reached Boston some time before, amt a messenger was dispatched to Inform the people of Cochoce of the Impcoding danger, but was detained, ond arrived twenty-four hours too late.
This was followed by a long and protrooted Inilian war, In which Dover was a continual mufforer. On the 40th of July, 1693, those living about Cocheco were attacked as they wore returning from church at the neck, and three were killed, threo wounded, anel three taken prisoners, l'enco was declared in 1000.
Two meeting houses had beon built on the nesk, the Grat In 1638, Iho other in 1068. In 1666, It was "ordored that mr. l'etter Colin should be empowered by this meitting to A Gree with some workmon to Build n Terrett upon the meltting house for to hang the Bell wich wee have Bought of Capt. Walhlren." Business for a number of yours having con- tred ahout Cocheco, a voto was taken to build a meeting house on l'ing Hill. Niobolan Sravor was pastor at that time.
Again the Inhabitants of this frontior towa enjoyed a neamon of pence and plenty, Children grew up who knew nothing of an Indian war savo what was told them an they sat uromml the evening freshle. Another, the fourth war with tha mayoges, opened In 1723, and almost the frit place that suffered won Dover, where Jos, Ilam was killed, ami three of his obll- dren taken captives; and not long after they killeit Trintrem Heard,
Among the families of Dover were many Quakers, who, not unlike the followers of Penn, refused to protect themselves againat Indians. One family, that of Jobn Ilanson, n Quaker, who lived In Knox-marsh, ball n mile wont from where the fair ground la now loonted, were attackeil whlle be was owny with his eldest daughter attending a weekly mectlog, and two small children were killed aud scalped. Ilis wife, with her infant fourteen days old, her nurse, two dnighters, and a sen were tokon enptive and carried lo Conadn. The following summor Honson redeemed bis wife, three younger children, the nurse, and Ebenezer Downs, another Quaker that was taken about the enme time. The oblest daughter, seven- teen years of age, bad married n Frenchman, John Siherolx by name, and rofused to return. On the loth Soptember, 1726, the same Indiaus that had taken the llanson family returned, intouding to capture them again, but heing discovered, their plou was frustrated.
From the close of the Indian war to the Revolution nothing peculiar marks the history of Dover. Durham (Including Len) was taken from the town in 1782; Somersworth (lactudieg Rollinsford) in 1764, and a portion of Madhury lu 1708. In 1716 Dover had a population of 1600, Including 1ºº slavas.
During the Revolution the town bore itn part, furnishing Its full sharo of both men and money. A whole regiment marched from Dover under the command of Col. John Waldron, and joined the army nt Cambridge. The town paid bounties to all who eulisted. As we look back through the loog dark years of the Revolution-on the battlefelda of Bennington, of Saratoga, in Rhode Island and in New York, wherever corthere men wore found, wo smo Dover men In the midst of the fight ; and again, following that father of our oavy-John Paul Jones-over the trackiena oocan, we see the forms of Dr. Ezre Green and others imperillleg their lives for the benefit of future generations ; and when the strife la done we seo those who are left wend their way to a quiet New England village-to their own native Dover.
From the close of the Revolution to the Introduction of cotton manufac- turen, the town grew slowly. There had been saw-mille, grist-mills, full- ing-milla, oil-mills, a nail factory, ond shipyarda, which had stretched
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through a succession of 180 yenre, ending in 1821, when the Bover Fnetory Company was Incorporated, whileh wna afterworde mergod into thn Cocheco Manufacturing Company. Tho latter company was Incorporated In 1836. Al the present time they bavo four mitta, and tho print works which mann- facturo tho well known Cocheco printa. Il bas in operation nt the mitla 60,000 spindles and 1200 looms, ond menufactores 11,000,000 yards of cloth per nonum. Dovor roeelved its city charter September 1, 1856.
During the Inst few years Dover has commenced a rapid growth, ond will, cro long, murpass ber neighbor by the sen.
Tho moufnoturing of hooth and stions is an important bronch of lo- dustry.
If you nek, What did your city during the Rebellion ! we will reply, Go count tho liltlo Blogs waving in tho breezo on the summit of Pino Hill, and they will tell.
A few rollos of the Indian wars ore to ho seen at the present dny. Ro- mains uf the Intrenchments and bastions mark tho pince wbere tho old meating honso stood on Bover Neck. Two old garrison houses still remain in " Baek River"-the Brew and Harvey. The former wos built in 1086, and bullet-holos aro distinctly seen in its massivo sides. It is said that iluring an nitack of the Indinos ono woman defended It by placing different bnls on a polo, anıl showing thom throngti n flun in the roof, in the menn. timo keeping up a rapid defence by loading and firing as fost as possible. The savoges, supporting the house to be strongly guarded, abandoned tho culerprinc.
Scattered over different parts of the town nre springs (mostly ferruginous and sulphur) valuable for medicinal purposes. At one ilino iron ore was mined in the westero part of the town, but it not being remunerolive, wne abandoned.
DURHAM.
Abont twelve yenro after the filltone settled ut Bover Point, & num- ber of familles found their way up n branch of the Piscataqua, ond settled on what Is now called Durham Point, at the mouth of Oyster River. They were lacluded in the Itmit ef Dover, und wero called Oyster River Sotilement. There are now several farms that buvo remained in the same foinity and nomo, sinoo their first occupation by whito people, for six or Bovon generations, during a period of moro thon two hundred years. Such is the Woodmon pinco, owned by Prof. Woodman, of Dortmouth Cetlego ; nino tho Smith place, owoed by Joseph Smith, who bears in full tbe onme of the original settler. 1 suppose, Ilkewiss, that lands owned by men bearing the names of Burobom, Bunker, Smith, Mnthe's, and others, buvo come down in tho sama succession. The unmes Mothows, Williams, God- dard, Bmort, and Canny, aro also mentioned omong the first nettlero.
In 1640 Valentine Smith, o merchant from Boston, and Thorns Beard, chlalood n gront of tho falls on Oyster Hiver (now the nite of Burham village) und erected a sow-mill. lo o few years " the folle" bnd monopo- lized tbo business of the vicinity. Durhist, boing ono of the frontier sot- tlements. auffered much from the Inroads of the savages. But they were bol molestod to any consideroble extent till 1694, during tho " French and Indian War," when the settlement at the falls was surprised by nboul two hundred Indians from tho Norridgwog tribe, of Motne, and the l'enncooks, of Amoskeng Folla ond vicintty. Twelvo garrison-houses defended the Bottlement, but for years the people hind grown careless, and many spent the nighta In their unprotected dwellings and thono in the garrison-houses bnd but a amoll supply of ammunition.
Thursday evening, July IT, the peaceful inhabitants sought their couches, lhonking their Creator for their many blessloga, the old man lo drent of his children, the manid of her lover, little thinking of tho relentless foo that only owaited the rising sun to commence their work of destruction ond donth.
The following moroing, the signal gun being fired, tho lodlons rusbed from their biding-places, and commenced n general oltnek on tto houses. Of the twelve gorrison-houses, firo were destroyed, vis., Adams', Brow's, Fitgrrly's, Meodlar's, and Benrd's. In Adomos' they killed fourteen persons. Drow surrendered his on the promise of security, but wns nfterwords killed ; the other three wero abandoned, and the occupants escapeil to the woods. The other gorrinoos, viz., Woodman's (which has been an inba- bited dwelling all the time since, and Is now in good condition), Smith's, Davis's, Jones's, Bunker's, and Bickford's, were premorved by tho vigorous efforts of the lomaten. Blekford's house beiog situated by the river, he sent his family off in a hoot before it was ottneked, nnd roliring to his house, defended il by keeping up a coulinual fro nt the enemy, changing some portion of his gorments every time, and giving orders in a loud voice, om if n number of men were thore. The defoneeless bouses were all set on fire, some of the occupnols csesped to the woods, ofhoro were shot in the attempt. The Frenoti Priest went to their little house of worship, and spent tho timo in defuelog the pulpit. Tho wife and child of John Drow wero enplured nod Inken two miles op the river nod left in care of nn lodinn. The Indian feeling sick asked Mrs. Drew what was good for him; who replied, " accapee" (rum). Not disliking the remedy, he drew forth a bottlo which he hal stolen, took a large done, and soon fell asleep, and Birs. Drow and child escaped. Thomas Drow and wife-n rroently wedded couple-wero Inken prisoners. llo wns entrled to Canada, sho to the Indinn villogo of Norridgwog, In Maine. Four years after they roturned ond tived together until who was 89 nad ho 90 years of ago. After ber onptivity she wos the mother of fourteon chililron.
An interesting story comes down to us from those olil colonial times, which we will relato. It was customary in those days for those living back from the mottlement, to collect on the Sabbath, and, for protection, proceed in n body to the settlement to worship. Thomas Chesley, n young man, wos botrothed to a Miss Randall, roshling in what is now Leo. As the people were returning from church one Sabbath, tho old people on horseback, the younger onen ofoot, Chosloy and the young Indy loitercui behind. As they woro talking of their future prospects in life, an arrow froro tho bow of momo lurking Indinn pierced tho nock of the girl, and abo fell back, a corpse, into the arms of her tover. A shout from Chesley brought the others back, and they boro the dead girl to the nonrest house. As they entered somo blood foll to the door-stono, and to this day tho stono is pointed out, with the blood-marka of two hundred yenra ngo Mill visible. From that timo young Chomley swore vongennco agnlost the Indians, and ended his days 6ghting them. It Is osserted that nt ono timo, mecliog lwelvo skinuing n heifer. he killed cleven of thor.
In 1704, noother Indion war broke out, in which tho Oyster River set- llement suffered moro ibnn nny of the neighboring colonies, moro thing fifty porsons wore killed, and es many more wero Inken prisoners. Nn- thaniel Meader, Eilw. Taylor, Win. Tasker, John Wheeler, his wife and two children, and Copt. Chestoy were among the killerl.
The 15th of May. 1782, Oyster River Settlement, including Lee, wns taken from Dover and incorporated as the town of Durham, from n towu hy tunt anno In England. Leo wus Inken from Durham and inourpo- raled Jan. 17, 1760, and a part of Modbury in 11G8.
During the last session of the Legislature, about 800 acres of land with nhout 200 inhabitants were set off from Burham, and annexed to New Market, Itockingham Co.
From the oleno of tho lodian wors till the brenking ont of the Revolution, we look back and see the settlement growing In importance and strength ; wo nce old men, who buvo llved through trinl and nfffiction, pass away to join their fathero; wo mro the young lawyer-Sullivan-appear on the reeno, and, by his many noble qualities, win his way into the conthtence of the people and to places of trust. The aceno olinnges. A black cloud approaches from the east ; a storm that is to shake tho whole new world from enst lo west, from north to mouth, gothers ovor tho land. A ery of " lo arms" awoken the people from their penceful occupations. Wo meo the mothers of Burham, with teors in their eyes, bid their mon go and defend their liberlies. At the council bord wo neo the forms of Ebenezer Thompson nmil Juilgo Frost, whilo in the feld aro Minj .- Ocnerol Sullivan onil Col. Adamn, with over fifty of their bravo townsmen, twenty of whom found o grovo ou the battlefield. Years after, wo neo the town of Durham
losing its commerciot importance ood gradually pushing forward until it stands n tending agriculturii town of the county.
Of tho mouy distinguished men who have hind their homes in Burhatn, perbops none ore held in moro gratoful remembrance Ibon Major-General Sullivan, of Revolutionary notoriety. In the beautiful village of Durham may be seca bis residenco (sec pago ;G), and neor by bis resting place.
ECCLESIASTIOAL ILIRVORY .- The people of Oyster River, nfler a severe struggle with theno of Dover, obtained n meeting house of their own in 105t, and ogreed to phy n ministor £60. Previously, through mud and mow, over bill and stream, unless prevented by mickness, they bnd been obliged to attnad meeting nt Dover Neck. Men, women, and children would gather on the Sabbath, and, through tho crooked Intricote patha find their way to the banks of tho Bollamy River, and crossing in canoes, climb to the littlo meeting bouso on the bill.
The first minister that preached in Darham-Rev. Mr. Fletcher-wos procured in 1656, but ho left the following year. In 1662 or 1663, Roy. Mr. llall was thero, but only romained a sbort time. Bissensions in ecclesiastical affoira occurrad until the establishment of the Oyalor River Parish in Dovor by the Genornt Court of Minem. in 1676. From nemr that dato John Buss, a physicino, was the preacher for wora than thirty years. llo had bis valuable librory burned by tho ludians in July, 1694. He is mid to bove died in 1780, aged 108 years.
The Congregationnl eburch was organized Mlnreb 26, 1718, under tho ministry of Rev. Ilugh Adams, which continued till 1789.
Rev. Nicholas Oitmsn, from Exeter, was the second pastor, from 1741 till bis denth In 1748. He wos greatly beloved by the people.
The third pastor was Rey. John Adams, o nephew of the first. His ministry continued neorly thirty yeora, and ended in 1718. Ho hnd A lively imngiuntion, was a writer of ability, and at times, it is moid, was very eloquent.
Rev. Curtis Coo was ordained pastor in 1780, and dismissed in 1800, a goud mso, but not greatly successful.
Till this time, the pastor of the Congregational church was the minister of the town, and supported by tox. But this continued no longer.
The next pastor, after an Interval of eleven yeurs, was Rov. Federai Burt, ordainod June 18, 1817. Tho church Was very stonl ood wenk, but was much increased during his ministry of nearly eleven years. 1Io died Feb. 0, 1828.
Rev. Robert loge was the pastor from Deo. 3, 1828, to March 81, 183t, a short, useful, but not quiet ministry.
Rov. Atvan Tobey began to prenob here on the first Sabbath in October, 1881; was ordained pastor Nov. 20, 1883, and bom continned to tbo premont timo. The prosent neat and commodious house of worship wos dedicated Sept. 13, 1840.
For shout sixty years past, there has been a Baptist church of the class enlled Christians, under the ministry of Etder Willioin Demnoritt and othera sinen his death in 1841. It is now called " Tho Church of the Disciples, " Rev. W. R. Splodler, Pastor.
FARMINGTON.
Farmington was formerly part ef Rochester, but was incorporated as n dintiuot lowa December 1, 1798. It lies thirty-six miles E. N. E. from Concord, neveoleen milee W. N. W. from Bover, and eighty six miles from Boston. It lins an area of 28,000 neres. Al tho time of its formation there was a population of 1000. The population in 1868 woa 3800. The surfoco is unevon and billy, in some instances arriving at the dignity of mountains. Blue Job Mountain, one of the range of tho Bluo Hills, in situated in the southwestero port of the town. lis summit affords a very extensive view. Ships con bo seon off Portsmouth Horbor with the naked eyo; while to the north and west tho White Mountains nud tho Monad- nocks, with many smaller mountains, meet the eye. The town is well sup- plied with strentos ond rivera, among which are the Cocheco, Mad, E.la, noij Woidren. These afford manufacturing facilities which are a never- failing source of profit to the iuhabitants.
The Cocheco is formed by tho unlon of the Waldron, Els, ond Mnd rivers in the northenst part of Farmington Village, and is made available as a volunble water privilego by the construction of two ennals, one of which is three-fourths of a mile in length, furnishes n full of thirty feet, the other, nbout one-half muilo in length, a fall of ten feet.
The soil is well adapted for the roising of all agricultural products odapled to this elimato.
Tho Dovor and Winnipiscogeo Itnilrond, a branch of the Boston and Mnino Railroad, passes through the eastern part of the town, nffording every modern convenience for travelling and the interchange of generat mer- chnodine.
Not far from Farmington viliego is a rock supposed to weigh from sixty lo oigbly tons, which till recently was so nearly poised on other rocks that it could bo maile to vibrate several inches by pushing it with tho lands, but during the visit of a party of young peopto to see this enriosity, some enterprising genius suggested the idea of inserting a lover uniler ono side lo sco how far it could be moved by their combined efforts, which being ooted upon, it slipped from ito position which it had so long occupied, and is now as firmly fixed as its neighbors.
Among tho firal who settled in this section wero Benjamin, Samuel, and Richard Furher, Samuel Jones, Bonjamin Chesley, and l'aul Dotneritt, who located near Merrill's Corners from 1770 to 1788. On the Ten Rod Rond, Joseph and Levi Leigblon werelocated; on Chostout Ilill, Moses Horoe, Caleb Varney, Juilge Wingate, anil othors in various parts of the town, which, owing to the difficulty in getting nomes and dates, wo nro obligeit to omit. Among the men from this town who bovo held publio positions in the Sinto and United States Legislativo halls, now deceased, nro Nehemiah Eastman, Esq., who hold a distinguished position ut the bar for munny years. 1Ec Was elected to the Stato Senate and also a member of the Nineteenth Con- gress. llo died January 10, 1856. Dr. Joseph Hammond was a member of the Stote Legininturo and also of the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Congress. llo died March 28, 1886. Among those now living is Georgo L. Whitehouse, who was a dopoty sheriff six years, n Judge of rho Court of Common I'leas for the county of Strafford for fourteen years, siso a member of the House of Representatives three years. Judgo Whitehouse hus nlmo been extensively engaged in railroad survoys in this and other counties. Jereminh Dame, John D. Lyman, Geo. M. Herring and Alonzo Nulo woro members of the State Senate ; Thomas T. Eilgerly und Josiah D. Edgerty wero register of deeds; Josiah B. Edgerly is now Julgo of Police Court at Farmington Villago. Among others who merved in tbe Sinle Legislature were Mark Demeritt, Miles Scruton, P. W. Horne, Jere- minh Jonen, nud lsnao Merrill. Tho Inst named served ns justice for thirty years and as collector three years. Ile tias also been engaged in trailo for over thirty years at Merrill's Corners, in a storo ealled Furber'n sloro, which was tho firat used for that purpose in tho loww.
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