USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Portsmouth > Early Portsmouth history > Part 10
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On April 14, 1650, the record of a town meeting in Strawberry Bank reads: "It is ordered this town meeting that every ordinary keeper in this town for every pipe of wine they draw shall pay to the town, twenty shillings."1 April 5, 1652, "it is granted this day that Mr. Richard Cutt is to have a lot between the fresh marsh creek and the next freshet below the fall." 1 According to Adams, Richard Cutt succeeded Lane in occupation of the Great House. On May 3, 1652, land on Great Island was granted, and it was also provided "that each inhabitant of this town, with arms, meet for a foot company within the space - · after the date hereof, viz: by the 3rd of June next, for our defense if need require." 1 An entry dated May 17,
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
1652, reads: "Ambrose Lanne and James Johnson are chosen commissioners to the next court at Boston." This is important, as this was the first sending of commissioners from the lower Piscataqua settlements to the General Court of Boston, under the agreement by which these settlements came within the authority of Massachusetts, in 1641. On April 7, 1651, the town records read that, "Mr. Ambrose Lams, or his assigns, shall have full libertie to fell any timbere lieing in common for the use of his mills in Sagamore Creeke, and to lett any particular men in the limits of Straw- bery bank town to have boards on shilling in a hundred foot cheapper than the price that he selleth unto others, provided that it is for their own particular ues: except building of ships and barks or boats, they are to take the price curante." 11 At a town meeting held October 20, 1651, it was agreed that John Jones should have twenty shillings the year for making clean the meeting-house.1
May 17, 1652, "it is granted this day that Ellix- sander Bacheller is to keep the ferry from the Great Island over to the rendervous or the great house, to receive for each single person, four pence to the great house, and from goodman Sherborn's Point unto Stra- bery banke, six pence the man and two pence the man from the Great Island to goodman Sherborn's Point." 1 On August 10, 1652, "Goodman Sherborn" was chosen treasurer of the town, to be accountable unto the selectmen.1 September 13, 1652, "it is ordered that from henceforth all licensed persons shall give a just account of what wine they shall take into their house for sale, within three days after the receipt of the same, the which account is to be given unto the town treasurer, Mr. Henry Sherburne, upon forfeiture of such wines as shall be neglected. For French wines
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STRAWBERY BANKE
the rate is five shillings the hogshead, and for all other wines ten shillings the hogshead, and for all other smaller casks proportionately." 1
Earlier that same year, 1652, on January 13, the selectmen examined the old Strawberry Bank town book, and what was not approved in the old records was crossed out, and what was approved was left to be recorded "in this book, and to be confirmed by the present selectmen." 1 "It is probable that this was done in part to obliterate certain recorded transactions which might help the cause of Mrs. Mason." Under that same date, January 13, 1652, the selectmen granted George Walton "thirty foot of land, at the waterside, for the building of storehouse upon the eastern side of the gravelly cove next his house, so that it has not been another man's former right." 1 Under that same date, also, January 13, 1652, the fol- lowing entry appears: "It is granted that each inhabit- ant is to have out lots of [land] according unto the order under written:"
Acres.
Acres.
Mr. Brian Pendilton . 30
Richard Seward . 10
Mr. Richard Cut
45
Mrs. Mason's house . 10
Mr. Leaders Hous
45
Mr. Campion's house 10
Richard Commons
45
Goodman Chatterton house 10
Arcullus Humpkins
50
Nicholas Row 50
Walter Abbit
30
John Morgris
15
William Cotton
20
Mr. Ambrose Lane 25
John Jackson
10
William Brookins 10
William Hame
50
Thomas Walford 50
Edward Barton
20
Thomas Peverly
20
Captain Champernon
.
50
John Sherborne 30
John Webster 15
Henry Sherborn .
5
Renald Ffernald
50
William Sevy
5
Anthony Ellins
25
Willian Berry
3
Henry Berke
10
Thomas Sevy
1
William Euins
10
Ollyver Trimings
1
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
On September 13, 1652, Joseph Pendilton was granted one full acre upon the Great Island, by common con- sent, and George Walton was at that time also granted one acre upon Great Island "near unto his house." 1 It may have been that this grant to George Walton was because, under the same date "George Walton hath agreed with the town this day for all the wine he hath drawn before this day, and is to pay unto the town the full sum of six pounds." 1 This date of September 13, 1652, seems to have been a date of settlement. The records read, as of this date: "John Webster hath agreed with the town for all the wine he hath drawn before this day, and is to pay fifty shillings." 1
On December 7, 1652, Henry Sherborn and Renald Fernald were sworn commissioners for the year.1 At about this date appears the record that "it is gener- ally agreed upon that every wolf that hereafter shall be killed in this town, the party shall have twenty shill- ings of the town stock." 1 At the same time it was ordered, "that there shall be a court kept for the end- ing of small causes, upon the 28th of this present month." 1 This same meeting provided that Renald Ffernald "is this day chosen for to keep the town book, and to have for his pains twenty shillings for the year, and for all copies he shall be paid by whom shall em- ploy him." 1 A more important entry, resulting from this meeting, follows: "It is likewise agreed that Mr. Brian Pendilton, Mr. Richard Cutte and Renald Ffer- nald, are requested to confer with our neighbours of Dover and Kittery about sending unto the General Court about fortifying the river for our defence." 1 Also at this meeting it was "further ordered that Robert Pudington, with Philipe Lewis or some other,
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STRAWBERY BANKE
is to search out the nearest part to cut out a highway to meet that our neighbours of Hampton have made." 1
On January 30, 1653, Nicholis Row was granted the right to mow in the fresh marsh adjoining the plains.1 On March 27, 1653, grants occurred at Sandy Beach, Rye, to Francis Rands, Thomas Sevy, Anthony Brackit, John Sherborn, William Barry.1 On Decem- ber 5, 1653, it was generally agreed "that from hence- forth the minister's wages shall be paid by way of rate of the visible estates: the invoice shall be taken within two months hereof." Under this date arrange- ments were made for laying out the Plains and for a highway to be laid out northwest and southeast through the Plains.1 This highway made the first connection with Boston.
In 1653 the meeting-house and parsonage were re- ferred to.1 On March 27, 1654, seats for this same meeting-house were arranged for.1 On March 14, 1654, Captain Champernon, John Pickringe, Samouell Hains and Renald Ffernald were appointed "to lay out the heyways by goodman Pudington's to the plains."1 In 1653 the Winacout River was spoken of.1 The record of September 23, 1653, shows that Goodman Humpkins bought Roger Knight's house.1
In May, 1653, Strawberry Bank petitioned the Gen- eral Court at Boston to be called Portsmouth. The Massachusetts General Court acted on this petition as the town of Strawberry Bank wished, and in 1653 the name Strawberry Bank was officially changed to Ports- mouth, through act of the General Court of Massachu- setts, and as a result of this petition. The following entry occurs: "Whereas the name of this plantation at present being Strawbery banke, accidentally soe called by reason of a banke where strawberies was
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
found in this place, now your petitioners Humble desire is to have it called Portsmouth, being a name most suitable for this place, it being the River's mouth and a good (harbour) as any in this land." 15, 18 This was signed by Brian Pendleton, Richard Cutt, Renald Fernald, Samuel Gaines and John Sherebourn. 17 "The petition states that there were fifty or sixty families at Strawberry Bank." 18 "Although in 1631 eighty emigrants came into the colony, yet twenty-six years after, the citizens of Portsmouth over twenty-one years of age, and females unmarried over eighteen, numbered scarcely a hundred." 19 Though the peti-
tion does not say so, perhaps back of the thought ex- pressed in the petition was a wish of Capt. John Mason that the settlement on his land at the mouth of the Piscataqua be called Portsmouth, after Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. There was much association between the two localities.
Portsmouth, Lady of the River, Throned upon thy rocky seat, Ocean's strong arms thee encircle While the salt tides lave thy feet. Sweet to thee the breath of ocean When the soft fog veils thy face; Distant breakers make thee music When the hurtling storm-clouds race.
Strawberry Bank, thy restless river, With its eddying, hurrying tide, Floweth landward, seaward, ever Thy gray wharves and fields beside, Oftimes cold, forbidding, sullen, Yet at sunset hour, behold, Crimson fire that streams and ripples, Wavelets flecked with red and gold.
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STRAWBERY BANKE
Red men haunted once thy river; Roamed the forests, their demesne; Named Piscataqua this region Where thou sittest now as queen. Comely ships and gallant sailors Dropping seaward with the tide For adventure, warfare, treasure, Made thee famous far and wide.
From thy past the breath of romance Steals across these hueless days, Figures great, whose names are cherished, Ghost-like walk the ancient ways. Gentles, poor wights, live in legend, Still they haunt in quaint attire Market, tavern, hall and garden, Where they glowed with youthful fire.
Heaven bless thee, well-loved city, And in these thy later days For thy heritage give children Who shall bring thee no dispraise. Heaven set thy name in honor From the White Hills to the sea; Make thy homes the happy dwellings Of a people nobly free.
Portsmouth, rock-bound on thy river, Yet a mystic life is thine; In our grateful hearts we cherish Thee, an influence most divine. Purged of all thy dross we see thee With thy spires and towers most fair; Blazoned on thy walls, prophetic, Name of old, "The Lord is there."
- LUCIUS H. THAYER.
CHAPTER VIII
PORTSMOUTH, 1652-1682
P OLITICAL history in England made for the tak- ing over of Portsmouth by Massachusetts. This union would very likely have occurred apart from the effect of English politics, but the Common- wealth government in England held back encourage- ment and assistance from the Piscataqua settlements, and gave assurance to the rulers in the Massachusetts Bay government to extend their political and religious convictions over as large a sphere as possible. The history of Portsmouth was influenced in noticeable degree by the Puritan control emanating from Boston. Though especially true of the period now under con- sideration, the seed sown at that time developed into an important influence on the later history of Ports- mouth.
One of the more prominent men in Portsmouth at the beginning of this period was Capt. Brian Pendleton. In 1652 he was made leader of the "Train Band," 1 by which we understand is meant the armed force of the town. Brian Pendleton's name appears constantly in the town records for a considerable period at about this date. Later, in 1658, he was sent to the General Court as a deputy, and that same year he was chosen a third time treasurer of the town.1 He was, in 1658, also chosen commissioner and townsman.1 This same Captain Pendleton was one of those against whom, still later, certain of the townspeople of Portsmouth directed a petition, on the basis that he was one of the five or
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PORTSMOUTH, 1652-1682
six of the richest men of the parish who had "swaied and ordered all officers, both civill and military at their pleasures."
The question of a minister in the town of Portsmouth was a subject of general importance. In 1655 the in- habitants of Portsmouth wanted the Rev. Mr. Browne to serve them.5 He resided at Portsmouth from 1654 to 1656, and pleased his listeners so much that they asked him to continue with them, but he seems to have left the colony in 1656.2 On October 7 of this year it was agreed that Henry Sherburne was "to go to the westward in behalf of the whole town to seek and in- quire for an able and sufficient minister," 1 the town to pay Sherburne for his pains.1 The town records read November 10, 1656: "The townsmen have agreed that Mr. Dudlow [Dudley] is to be our minister and to come unto us this next spring and to have four score pounds the year."1 Mr. Dudlow, however, apparently did not put in an appearance as scheduled.5 Mr. Worcester (Woster) was called in 1657,1 but he does not seem to have accepted the invitation. "The quest was crowned with success," however, in 1658 or 1659, when the Rev. Joshua Moodey began his pastorate at Ports- mouth.2, 5 Mr. Moodey became a great power in the colony, and his sojourn at Portsmouth is one of the most picturesque lifework efforts that the history of the town has afforded.
In 1656 witchcraft appeared at Little Harbor. An outbreak of this epidemic had occurred in somewhat earlier years in Massachusetts, and the fear of witches had developed previous to this time on the Piscataqua River. No actual evil practice, however, had been previously called to the attention of the authorities. It seems that Susannah Trimmings, on March 30,
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
1656, the Lord's Day, as she was going home at Little Harbor with Goodwife Barton, separated from the said Goodwife Barton at "the freshet next her house." As Susannah Trimmings later deposed before Bryan Pendleton, Henry Sherburne and Renal Fernald, who signed her deposition, after she had left Goodwife Barton "she heard a rustling in the woods and pres- ently after, there did appear to her a woman whom she apprehended to be Goodwife Walford." "She asked me where my consort was," deposed Susannah Trim- mings, "and said, 'Lend me a pound of cotton.' I told her I had but two pounds and I would not spare any to my mother. She said I had better have done it, that my sorrow was great already but that it should be greater, for I was going on a great journey, but should never come there. She then left me and I was struck as with a clap of fire on the back, and she vanished towards the waterside, in my apprehension, in the shape of a cat." 11, 17
On the strength of this most serious accusation, Jane Walford was brought to court on the charge of witch- craft, June, 1656. Oliver Trimmings, husband of Susannah Trimmings, made deposition as follows: "My wife came home in a sad condition. She passed by me with her child in her arms, laid the child on the bed, sat down on the chest and leaned upon her elbow. Three times I asked her how she did. She could not speak. I took her in my arms and held her up. She forced breath and something stopped in her throat. I un- laced her clothes and soon she spake and said: 'Lord have mercy upon me, this wicked woman will kill me.' I asked her what woman. She said 'Goodwife Walford.' I tried to persuade her it was only her weakness. She told me 'No,' and related as above, that her back was
157
PORTSMOUTH, 1652-1682
as a flame of fire and her lower parts were numb and without feeling. I pinched her and she felt not. She continued very ill and is still bad of her limbs and complains daily of it." 11
Nicholas Rowe testified "that June Walford, shortly after she was accused, came to the deponent in bed in. the evening, and put her hand upon his breast so that he could not speak and was in great pain until the next day. By the light of the fire in the next room it ap- peared to be Goody Walford." 11 John Puddington deposed that "three years since, Goodwife Walford came to his mother's. She said that her own husband called her an old witch; 17 and when she came to her cattle, her husband would bid her begone, for she did overlook the cattle which is as much as to say in our country, bewitching." 11 It was also brought out in testimony that Goodwife Walford was at home when, as Goodwife Trimmings had deposed, she appeared to her.17 The case of Jane Walford was considered in court, but she was allowed to go free on her good be- havior.5 Apparently, the case was dropped, and the accused was never punished for her evil practices.11 In 1669 Jane Walford brought an action against her accuser, and recovered £5 damages and costs.5 The witchcraft of Goodwife Walford, as represented by Goodwife Trimmings, was famous, and Sagamore Creek became known as Witch Creek.6 "Later, before 1672, Mary Greenland, wife of Dr. Henry Greenland, then living at Kittery, was accused by some of the gos- sips of being a witch, but nothing came of it." 5 There was at least one other case of a suspected witch on the Piscataqua; but no convictions seem to have occurred. There is no record of any one having been put to death for witchcraft in New Hampshire.5
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
The case of Jane Walford calls attention to the titles of the period that were commonly used. Nathaniel Adams says, in "Annals of Portsmouth:" "The first settlers were careful not to give titles to persons who had no claim to them. The degree of Esquire was conferred on none but rulers and magistrates, and very few were addressed by the title of Mister. The common appellation between neighbors was Goodman and Goodwife, or Goody." 11
By 1657 new names were appearing in the town. The name of Odihorne appeared on the records as that of a landowner, in 1660.1 Also, at about this time, ap- peared the names of Thomas Peverlie and Tobias Langdon.1 The name of John Locke also appeared in 1656.1 The name of John Webster was prominent at about this date.1 In 1655 "the Great Bay" appears in the town records.1 In 1658 "upland" at the head of "Sagemore Creeke" was allotted.1 The chapel and parsonage house, then called the meeting-house, was, apparently, outgrown at this time. The town voted, in 1657, to build a new meeting-house and to repair the old one 1 so as to furnish it for a dwelling house for the minister.2 The new meeting-house was to be forty feet square, sixteen feet high and to have a flat "ruff." 2 Rev. Lucius Harrison Thayer, D.D., in his "The Story of a Religious Democracy during Two and One-Half Centuries," says, "It was not built without differences of opinion, for the General Court of Massachusetts, in response to a petition, ordered a commission of three to hear both sides and to decide where the new meeting house should be built." 2 Great Island, or Newcastle, which once had a larger population than Strawberry Bank, wanted it where the inhabitants from Great Island could reach it easily, claiming that "health, if
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PORTSMOUTH, 1652-1682
not life, was hazarded in coming to meetings." 2 The commission finally decided to locate the building some distance away from where the first meeting-house stood, and away from the glebe land.2 Dr. Thayer points out that the site chosen was back of where South and Marcy streets divide.2 Among other statements in connection with the argument over the site of the meeting-house, appears the declaration: "The meet- ing house was sett where 'tis principally for the con- venience of Great Island, and we never heard and hope never shall of any being lost in attempting to come to meeting."2 Some time later, in 1669, the town granted "to Mr. ffryer, the townes right of twentie foote square of land neere the meeting house, to sett up a house and keep wood in for to accommodate himself and family in winter time when he comes to meeting." 2 Dr. Thayer points out that Mr. Ffryer was from New- castle, and that this action "was an act of mercy since there was no fire allowed in the meeting house until long after that date." 2 He says that the house which Mr. Ffryer was to set up was one of the "Sabba-day houses," or "noon houses," "not common in the early days," and used by families and their friends to warm themselves before meeting and between services.2 In 1658 John Pickering was granted the mill privilege "at the outlet of the south creek, on condition that he should keep in repair a way for foot passengers over the dam in going to and from meeting." 11 A great earthquake occurred this year, 1658.11 The town rec- ords of the year about this period are of considerable historic interest. The "Winicunt" River was referred to in these records in 1655, and land was allotted near it as early as this date.1 This name, however, dated back much earlier, as is shown by the records during the
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
life of the Laconia Adventurers. In 1655, July 10, Capt. Francis Champernowne was granted "three hundred acres of upland meadow adjoining his dwelling house at Greenland." 1 It was from the name of this estate that the town of Greenland took its name.5 Cham- pernowne's house was on what became the farm of the late Col. Joshua W. Peirce.9 Captain Champernowne was one of the very large landowners in the district around Portsmouth.14 Champernowne owned land on both sides of the river, including Gerrish Island, then called Champernowne's Island. "Sir Walter Raliegh's mother was a daughter of Sir Philip Champernon, and it appears that Gorges was allied to the Champernons by marriage." 19 This fact probably accounts for Capt. Francis Champernowne coming to the Piscataqua.2
Walter Neall secured fifty acres of land in 1655.1 May 13, 1658, the records read: "this day William Evans hath delivered his wife into the towns disposal." 1 In 1658 the name of John Hart appears; 1 also that of Joshua Rogers.1 In 1659 John Cutt was given per- mission to set up a sawmill and corn mill "on the creek leading up to the fresh marsh." 11 He was to grind corn for the town, as required.1 Richard Cutt, brother of John Cutt, in 1660, was appointed to superintend the turning of the old meeting-house into a parsonage.1 He was given the right to call on the citizens to lend a hand in the work as needed.1 "John and Richard Cutt were merchants, sons of a Welsh member of Crom- well's Parliament. John later became President of the Province," Richard its richest man.2 Dr. Thayer has pointed out that John Cutt left £100 for a free school in Portsmouth. 2
By 1660 the town of Portsmouth seems finally to have settled the question of a minister. Mr. Moodey
The Boardman-Marvin House The Sherburne House
----
---
The Peirce House The Jacob Wendell House Published through the courtesy of Mr. II. P. Montgomery
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PORTSMOUTH, 1652-1682
had been tried out and found to be very satisfactory. On March 5, 1660, the town voted to settle on him as minister, though he was not formally installed until 1671.2 As has been stated, Mr. Moodey had a long and successful pastorate in Portsmouth, and was a power in the land. Also, this year, 1660, the town resolved to put itself on a firmer basis historically, and sent Henry Sherburne to Boston to search the records there which concerned the town.1 The townsmen and the citizens were making every effort to clarify land grants.1 In 1660 there were many grants of land and attempts to define exactly what these grants covered; also, this same year the town records show that any one fencing in common land without a license was to be fined £10.1
Among the landowners in Portsmouth in 1660 were 1
Toby Langdon
Mr. Moodey
Mr. Wallis
John Berry
William Seavey
Thom. Peverly
John Oddihorne
Nath. Drake
John Cutt
William Broken
Richard Cutt
Phill. Lewis
Samuel Hams
Anthony Bracket, Jun.
Fran. Rann
John Pickering
Wa. Abbutt
Jno. Jackson
Mark Hunkins
Richard Sloper
Richard Shortridg
John Moses
Chrispr. Sowden
Wm. Ham
Jno. Sherburne
Edw. Melcher
Roger Knight
Geo. Row
Geo. Walton
John Odiorne, in 1660, held and occupied forty-three acres in the vicinity of Odiorne's Point, which took its name from John Odiorne.
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EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
In 1661 the Rev. Joshua Moodey was granted eighty acres,1 and a short while after secured twenty more. Under date of 1661 the name of Robert Elliots appears. 1 In 1662 the town records state that it was voted, "That whosoever shall kill a woolfe in the bounds of this town and shall bring some of the next neighbors where such woolfe is killed, to testify it was done in this town's bounds, and shall nayle the head of such woolfe upon the meeting house, he shall have £5 for his paynes, to be paid by the treasurer, the proof thereof being made to the treasurer." 1
Discipline of town members was looked out for. In 1659 Thomas Everie was fined twenty shillings for his disorder in town meeting.1 In 1663 William Evenes agreed with the selectmen to be at one-half the ex- pense of keeping his wife both in clothes and in other charges.1 In 1662 Capt. Brian Pendleton, it was ar- ranged, was to be paid by the selectmen of Dover and Portsmouth £10, 8s. 4d. "as satisfaction for so much by him expended on a frozen person who came to the river, whose charity this Court judgeth it meet to encourage." 8
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