USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Portsmouth > Early Portsmouth history > Part 11
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It was in 1662, also, that it was ordered "that a cage be made or some other means invented by the selectmen to punish such as sleepe or take tobacco on ye Lord's Day out of ye meeting in time of the public exercise." 1 This helpful measure was not carried into effect until some time later. 4
On September 25, 1662, the town records read: "It appearing too apparent to the town that George Walton had neglected to renew his license at the last countie court, and being very remiss in keeping the ordinary, it was propounded to him whether he were willing to keep up his ordinary or lay it down. He answered he
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would keep it better than ever he had done. It was asked him if he and his wife would be resident at home to keep a decorum in their house and to give attendance to their guests. He answered he would not promise that but for himself. He would have inspection over those he should put in. Thereupon it was voted in this meeting whether this poynt did give satisfaction, and the negative was voted. Then it was voted whether another should be chosen, and the affirmative was voted, and left to the selectmen to choose another, and the commissioners to confirm him according to the order of the last countie court." 1
Across the river in Kittery, at the Point, John Bray built his house, probably in 1662.14 This house is still standing, and is the oldest house in Kittery. In 1661 Christian Remmick was granted land near Boiling Rock, up the river, on the Eliot shore.14 In 1659 Thomas Spinney owned land on the end of Eliot Neck. 14 Still other early Kittery settlers were Thomas Langley, Robert Wadleigh, Hugh Gunnison and John Lander. 14 "Brave Boat" Harbor, the entrance of the creek beyond Sea Point, towards York, that bears this name, was so called as early as 1645.14
William Hilton lived in Kittery where Shapleigh first built on Warehouse Point, at Kittery Point. Hilton turned his house into an inn about 1648, and was in turn succeeded by Hugh Gunnison as keeper of the ordinary.14 He had a rival in Kittery in Robert Mendum, who was licensed as keeper of an ordinary, or pub., as early as 1644.14
While speaking of Kittery it is interesting to note that Humphrey Chadbourne, who settled at Newich- wannock, took a deed from the Sagamore Rowles in 1643; also that, according to Mr. Stackpole, " Frank's
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Fort," from which Frankfort Island opposite Green- acre, is named, is "a very ancient name." 14
The source of the names Gerrish Island and Chauncey Creek seem also worthy of mention. In 1709 Timothy Gerrish and his wife obtained a grant of the west end of Champernowne's Island, since known as Gerrish Island.14 The easterly end, separated from the other by a marsh, was sold to Richard Cutt, and has since been known as Cutt's Island.14 Francis Champernowne had another estate, on the Kittery mainland, at the mouth of the creek separating the mainland from Ger- rish Island. This creek was first known as Champer- nowne's Creek, but later, when Champernowne's house on this more westerly estate of his in Kittery became the residence of Charles Chauncy, the creek took the name of "Chauncy" Creek. 14
In 1666 George Wollis was granted thirty-seven acres "beginning at the lower end of a pond by the sea- side called Cow-hall pond," 1 showing that land was then being taken up to a still further degree some distance out from the town of Portsmouth. On Octo- ber 10, 1663, it was decided to lay out a highway from "Winecote" River Falls eastward, and also to build a passable road "through the Great Swamp, near Green- land." 1 Highways on Great Island, that is, New- castle, were also planned during this same year.1 In 1663 the highway to Sagamore Creek was referred to in the town records.1 In 1660 there was a grant of eight acres near "the boyling Rock." 1 In 1667 Edward Randle was granted land.1 In or about 1664 the Jackson house on Christian Shore, still standing, was built.3
It was not by any means a simple life that the citi- zens led at Portsmouth. Charles II had hardly taken
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his throne before, in November, 1660, Robert Tufton Mason, the grandson of John Mason, commenced petitioning for a confirmation of his rights in New Hampshire.5 This was not to the liking of Massa- chusetts, and it was, also, not to the liking of Ports- mouth. On the other hand, there was a strong party in Portsmouth opposed to Massachusetts, considerable friction resulting. There were many conflicting groups and parties in the Puritan colonies, and to try to settle all of their reported difficulties Charles II sent over, in 1665, three commissioners, named Carr, Cartwright and Maverick, to hear grievances and to report back to the throne. 10, 11 They reached Portsmouth in June, 1665.11 They were promptly met with a mass of infor- mation.11 In July, 1665, a petition was presented these royal commissioners, "for the affairs of New England in America," by inhabitants of " Portesmouth," stating that they, "for several years past have bin kept under the government of the Massachusetts by a usurped power, which power five or six of the ritchest men of this parish have swaied and ordered all offices, both civill and military at their pleasures." 13 Thirty- two men signed this petition, among them Edward West, Henry Savage, John Ffrost, John Tanner, Sam. Ffernalle, Abraham Corbet, Ffranceis Cham- pernoune, Ffrancis Drake, Mark Hunking, Joseph Attkinsin.13 The five or six of the richest men re- ferred to as having usurped power were Joshua Moodey, Richard Cutt, John Cutt, Elias Styleman, Nathaniel Ffryer and Bryan Pendleton.13 The petition stated that these same five or six men had kept the petitioners under hard servitude and denied them common prayer sacraments and decent burial of the dead, all contrary to the laws of England. The petition further asked
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that this procedure be rectified.13 A later petition, in 1665, signed by sixty-one inhabitants of Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter and Hampton, begged that they might be joined with Maine, which was then under the direct rule of England, and not subject to Puritan regulation. 13
The commission heard all sides in the consideration of Mason's claims and other collateral petitions, but came to no decision, excepting that the commissioners informed the inhabitants of Portsmouth that they would release them from Massachusetts.11 They ap- pointed Justices of the Peace. One of them, Abraham Corbett, took office on the strength of this appoint- ment.11 Massachusetts, which, from the beginning, had not made life too easy for the commissioners from England, promptly declared Corbett's act in taking office on the strength of his commission one of high misdemeanor, fined him £5, and committed him until the £5 was paid.11 Massachusetts found Corbett guilty "for his tumultuous and seditious practices against government." 11 He was sentenced to find sureties for his peaceable behavior and obedience to the law. He was prohibited from retailing liquors and disqualified from holding office.11 In 1666 the King's commissioners were recalled. Although they reported on the situation in New England, there was so much else of importance confronting the English court, that their visit, for the time being, had no practical result. As soon as they had gone, Massachusetts again, in all essentials, regained her jurisdiction over the towns in New Hampshire, including Portsmouth. 11
Massachusetts had, also, in 1665, sent a commission to Portsmouth to hear grievances.11 The records show that the majority of the townspeople had said
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at that time that there was no cause to complain, and declared their satisfaction with the Massachusetts government. 11 While the royal commissioners were in Portsmouth, they had received notice from the King to have the harbors fortified. Massachusetts promptly forbade any action in this connection.11 On June 19, 1666, however, the town voted as follows: "For the bettering and carrying on of the fortifications at fort poynt, it was consented unto and voted that every dweller and liver in the towne, above the age of six- teen years, whether householder, children, servants or any other residing in the towne shall and do here promise to worke at the same one whole week betwixt this and the last of October next ensuing, and shall appeare upon such days as they shall have notice given them from time to time, untill they have ac- complished their several sayd week's worke, and to be allowed out of their subscriptions three shillings per day, and to be at the fort by seven a'clock in the morning and to give over at six in the evening, to begin on the Great Island and so round by Sandy Beach, and thence through the whole towne." 1
With the royal commissioners back in England, and Massachusetts once more in command, there was less incentive for civic disturbance, and the life of the town rolled on more smoothly. About 1666, eighty- six men subscribed to the maintenance of the minister.1 Among the names on the list were those of Hunking, Walford, Weeks, Brookin, Moses, Batchelder, Peverly, Jackson, Langdon, Mason, Cutt, Hart, Ffernald, Hill, Griffin, Ham, Walker, Hall, Elliot, Cotton, Knight, Webster, Locke, Smith, Pickering, Pendleton, Atkins, Brackett, Broughton and Paull.1 In 1667 the following was voted: "for the better and more regular providing
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of Mr. Moodey's maintenance and discharge of our duty towards him for his great paynes and labour in the work of the ministry amongst us in this towne, and that as the way has been hither unto by way of volluntary subscription, which hath been and is most pleasing unto him, its voted that the towne will and doe hereby promise to make good unto him all and every sum or sums subscribed by the several inhabit- ants from yeare to yeare, so long as they shall see meete to goe on in this way of subscriptions, provided that such be not suffered to subscribe that are pen- cioners in the towne. Furthermore, the selectmen are hereby desired to see that all and every inhabitant and dweller in the towne doe subscribe to the min- isty." 1 This happy backing up of the minister's salary put Mr. Moodey on a firm basis, of which ap- parently he took full advantage. In 1664 the town voted to hang the meeting-house bell.1
The town was growing rich. In 1669 the inhabitants subscribed £60 towards a new building at Harvard College, the same to be subscribed for seven years.7 Dover subscribed only £30; Exeter, £10.11 This build- ing was burnt in 1764.10 On May 12, 1669, Goodman Glanfield was allotted £4 per year, according to the town records, for ringing the bell and keeping the meeting-house clean.1 Under the same date Goodman William Cotton was to look after the furnishing of the schoolhouse near the meeting-house, and again, at the same time, Henry Dering, constable, was given a warrant to give Mr. Henry Russell warning "to be gon out of this town unless he doth give the town good security" that he would keep the town harmless from being burdened in any way as a charge on the town.1 On March 17, 1670/71, it was voted to permit a
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The Austin-Lyman House The Abraham Wendell House
The Langdon House The Warner House
Published through the courtesy of Mr. H. P. Montgomery
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bridge to be built from "Strawbery Banke to the Great Island."1 In 1672 it was voted that Mr. Nicho. Hogkins "have full liberty to teach schoole in the Great Island." 1 In 1667 it was voted "that a pound be made." 1 In 1671 the town records referred to the Isles of Shoals as a subdivision of Portsmouth.1 There were allowances made at about this time for poor per- sons in the town.1 On March 24, 1669/70 a school- house was arranged for, to be forty feet long and twenty broad.1 The selectmen, March 24, 1669, were instructed "to get an able schoolmaster to teach school therein." 1 It was arranged with Richard Cutt to build the frame of the schoolhouse. 1
Robert Tufton Mason, Capt. John Mason's grand- son, who, as soon as Charles II came on the throne, had begun to petition to be confirmed in the rights he claimed in New Hampshire, was a biased witness as to the prosperity of Portsmouth at this time. It is interesting, though, to read his point of view, as re- flected in 1671, when he wrote urging his claim, as follows: "The people live generally very comfortably and happy and having a great trade to all parts and store of shipping of their town [Portsmouth] which exports and imports yearly some thousands of tons of goods, of their own growth and foreign. Goods ex- ported yearly twenty thousand tons of deals and pipe staves, ten thousand quintels of fish, ten shiploads of masts and several thousand of beaver and otter skins. Imported three hundred tons of wine and brandy, two hundred tons of goods from the leeward islands, and two thousand tons of salt." 13
The term "township of Portsmouth" appeared in the town records on May 12, 1669.1 On July 24, 1671, the town agreed with Goodman John Pickerin to make
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shutters for the meeting-house windows. He was to be allowed thirty shillings for the same.1 Under the same date the town agreed with the same citizen "to build a Kage of twelve foote square and seven foote stud in height, the studs of the said kage is to be six or seven inches broad and four inches thick, and but three inches asunder, the studs are to be round the said kage and at the bottom, and overhead, and all the studs round the kage are to be framed into the sills and plates with tennants, and to make a good strong door, and to make a substantial payre of stocks and place the same in the said kage, and to build upon the rough of the said kage a firm pillory, all of which kage, stocks and pillory is to be built and raised some convenient space from the westerly end of the meeting house." 1 Pickering was to receive £5 for his labor.1 One hundred and sixty persons subscribed, in 1671, to the subscription list for Mr. Moodey,1 who was much in evidence in town affairs at this time. New names appearing at this period were those of Richard Short- ridge, John Holmes, Jno. Bandfield, Edward Randle, Tho. Guptell, Edward Melcher, Robert Eliot, William Graves, Joakin Harvey, John Amaseen, Samuel Went- worth, Tho. Wakeham and Edward Bickford.1 Samuel Wentworth was the founder of the famous Wentworth family, later so prominent in Portsmouth.3 Samuel Wentworth first kept the Dolphin Inn on Great Island, and afterwards built a great tavern "across the ferry in Portsmouth." 5
In 1671 more of the common lands were granted.1 In 1673 John Preston was hired to ring the bell of the meeting-house and to keep the meeting-house clean. He was awarded this contract at £4, 10s. for the year.1 That same year, John Preston, according to the town
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records, was to keep the key of the pound for that year, and to have the fees belonging to the pound keeper.1 Taxes were commonly paid, in this period, in lumber or provisions.11 On March 13, 1672/3, the town voted that the £60 annually to be subscribed to Harvard College, as arranged in 1669, was to be levied on the rest of the inhabitants if not paid by the subscribers. At the same time it was stated that payments might. be made in goods.1 This is particularly interesting, as it is to be noted that Harvard College for many years permitted its term bills to be paid in merchandise ..
The fort on Great Island was in the minds of the townspeople, and the General Court at Massachusetts. was asked, in 1672, to send a company of soldiers to take charge of it.1 About 1672 Christopher Banfield or Banefield was a settler on the outskirts of Kittery. 14 In 1674/5 there was a schoolhouse on Great Island, I and as of this date the "widow Lock" was granted permission to teach the children to read and "sow." 1 In 1676 the name of Capt. Thomas Daniel appeared in the town records.1 In 1672 it was voted that "if any shall smoke tobacco in the meeting house in any public meeting, he shall be fined five shillings." 1 On May 12, 1669, Joshua Moodey received one hundred and fifty acres, which the town assigned to him in consideration of the townspeople being behind with their subscrip- tions.1 Throughout this period the town records fre- quently referred to the Great Swamp and also to Sandy Beach.1 In 1679 the town records referred to the "Piscattaqr" River, spelling the word as stated.1 In 1680 an agreement was entered into by the town, with Goodwife Sampson, "for the maintaining of John Rayne, viz .: to pay him from this day each week 2 bush. of corn, and 1 gal. of molasses."1 That same
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year Splan Lovell, so the town records show, was to ring the bell at the meeting-house on every public day's meeting, and at every burial, this for one hour.1 He was also to ring the meeting-house bell every night "at nine of the clock." 1 In 1678 it was arranged with Dea. Samuel Haynes to keep an orphan child. At about this time complaint was made regarding the way that Hampton maintained the highway. Again, in 1678, appeared on the town records applications for places in the meeting-house.1 On May 30, 1680, it was ordered that Mary Richards should be prosecuted on suspicion of having stolen a serge petticoat.18 That same year Edward Colcord and his wife were brought before members of the Council "for scratching and fighting." 18 On March 22, 1683, occurred the highest tide ever known. The bridge to "Grete Island broke off in the middle, to the great joy of many." 16 In 1689 it was arranged that a pound should be built to herd straying cattle.1 A pound was standing until recently in Portsmouth, a little way out on the Green- land road. On June 7, 1692, Aaron Moses informed the town that he had killed two wolves the past year, asking for the bounty.1
It was at about this time that Boon Island was named. On a coastwise voyage in April, 1682, a small vessel, the "Increase," was wrecked on Boon Island rock. A portion of the hull and spars, with three white men and one Indian elinging to it, drifted on the main island. The men were forced to remain there for a month, subsisting on shellfish and rain water. In May they observed smoke rising from the top of Mt. Agamenticus. It was the day of the funeral of St. Aspinquid, and the fire was in homage of the saint.
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The castaways, presumably, had flint and steel. They built a fire, the smoke of which was seen by Indians on the mountain. These Indians paddled out to the island and rescued the castaways, who "named the island Boon Island, for it had proved a boon to them." 12
St. Aspinquid, who died in 1682, was an Indian convert of the Rev. John Eliot. He was buried on the top of Mt. Agamenticus. On his death the following animals are said to have been sacrificed to his departed spirit: "25 bucks, 69 does, 99 bears, 36 moose, 240 wolves, 82 wild cats, 900 musk rats, 59 woodchucks, 482 foxes, 520 raccoons, 501 fishes, 38 porcupines and 112 rattlesnakes." 12
At a town meeting in Portsmouth "held on the twenty-second of March 1677/78 it was voted that. the selectmen appoint some. honest men to inspect their neighbors, as the law directs, for preventing drunkenness and disorders." Under this authority the following so-called "Tythingmen" were appointed, each to look after a specified list of citizens: Mr. Wallis, Sergt. Brewster, Tho. Jackson, Jno. Light, Jno. Den- nitt, Dr. Fletcher, Obadiah Morss, James Leech, John Lewis, Robert Eliot, Phineas Rydor, George Bram- hall, Sam'l Raise, Lt. Neale, Ens. Drake.1 In 1680 the town agreed with Nicholas Bond "to look after the demeanor of the boys at meeting, at twenty shillings per annum." 1 There were many complaints as to improper fencing at this period, and the town records are full of efforts to rectify this fencing situation. 1
In 1676 further effort on the part of Robert Tufton Mason to regain his claimed rights in New Hampshire brought Edward Randolph, a relative of Mason, to
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New England.10 He reached Portsmouth in July of that year, and published there a letter from Mason to the inhabitants, claiming New Hampshire as his, Mason's, territory.11 This letter caused much alarm in the town.11 On October 22, 1677, fifty-six Ports- mouth citizens petitioned that the town might remain under the government of Massachusetts.13 Among those signing this petition were William Vaughan, Tobias Leare, John Brewster, Leonard Weeks, Richard Tucker, Richard Shortridge, Samuel Wentworth and William Hamm. 13
Robert Tufton Mason was now at about the peak of his effort to gain title over Portsmouth and New Hampshire. Through 1678 he was working vigorously to this end.10 In 1679 Randolph, who had been at Portsmouth in his behalf, returned to England, con- firming Mason's complaint against the government of Massachusetts. The English courts having decided in favor of Mason, and the earlier report of the royal commissioners sent over in 1665 giving additional strength to Mason's argument, King Charles II deter- mined to make New Hampshire a separate province, under a President and Council appointed by the King, the reins of government to rest in the King's hands. On July 24, 1679, notice was sent to Massachusetts, informing that government that New Hampshire was to be made a royal province. 10
Edward Randolph was the moving spirit in England concerned with this result.5 Randolph was promptly sent back to New Hampshire to bear the King's proclamation and to inaugurate the new government. Randolph arrived at Portsmouth, December 27, 1679,5 and on January 1, 1680, proclaimed at Portsmouth
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the royal commission which made the territory of New Hampshire a royal province.11 The commission covered Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter and Hampton and all lands extending from three miles north of the Merrimac to the Province of Maine.10 The Isles of Shoals were not included, and were not under any government till 1682, when "it was held by construction" that the south half was under the jurisdiction of Cranfield.15 Under this commission Randolph appointed John Cutt of Portsmouth President for a year, or until another should succeed him. 10, 11 Elias Stillman of Great Island, Samuel Dalton of Hampton and Joe Clements of Dover were elected to the Council.11 The four towns of New Hampshire, Portsmouth, Dover, Hampton and Exeter, were to be represented in a General As- sembly.11 Portsmouth, at this time, had seventy-one voters; Dover, sixty-one; Hampton, fifty-seven; and Exeter, twenty.11 John Cutt did not wish to serve as President, but finally took office. Cutt was an elderly man at the time. He is described as "an ancient and infirm man," 13 and at the same time "a very just and honest man." 13
John Cutt did not live long after he had taken the position of President. He died April 5, 1681, esteemed by all who knew him. Richard Waldron, in due order, succeeded Cutt, appointing Elias Stillman his deputy.11
Robert Tufton Mason came over in late 1680, but was not well received at Portsmouth, as was quite natural, and did not stay, returning March 27, 1681. He left the town in an unhappy state. Mason de- manded rent, which the town had no desire to pay. Portsmouth, with the neighboring New Hampshire towns, Dover, Hampton and Exeter, then wished to
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remain under that authority which would give them most freedom of individual government. They saw no aid in this direction from a Masonian-Royal arrange- ment such as was inaugurated. 10, 11 Mason never suc- ceeded in his effort to become the landed proprietor of New Hampshire; but his attempt to this end was responsible for a definite era in the history of New Hampshire, and contributed towards its being an in- dependent state today, apart from Massachusetts.
2
Middle Street State Street
Published through the courtesy of Mr. Philip B. Green
CHAPTER IX
INDIAN DIFFICULTIES
W HILE Portsmouth was undergoing the political inroads referred to at the hands of Robert Tufton Mason and those associated with him, Ports- mouth citizens and their neighbors in the surrounding territory were undergoing far greater physical dep- redations. The Indians in the near-by country were becoming far more hostile, and were burning and killing in considerable degree. This was a result of King Philip's War, waged to the south of Boston.
Philip had retired, in 1675, to a great swamp in Rhode Island, where he was finally killed.3 Numbers of the southern Indians at his death fled and took refuge with the Pennacooks and other tribes to the north.1 It was chiefly through these refugees that the war in the north was fomented.3 The New Hampshire settlers may or may not have treated the Indians fairly, but at any rate they lived at peace with them for many years, and the war that came was not simply the result of friction between the New Hampshire settlers and the original possessors of New Hampshire soil.
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