USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Portsmouth > Early Portsmouth history > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Cranfield wrote: "Although the Massachusetts ex-
7
11.
The Larkin-Rice House The Athenæum
The Bowles House The Public Library Published through the courtesy of Mr. HI. P. Montgomery
193
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
ercise no authority in this province, yet they influence things as they please, there being a strict Confedera- tion between the ministers and church members of this province and those of the Massachusetts colony who govern and sway people as they please. No pope ever acted with greater arrogance than these preachers, who inflame the people to their fantastic humors and debauch them from their duty and obedi- ence to His Majesty and his laws." 5 On June 19, 1683, Cranfield said in a letter: "It will be necessary to dissolve their University of Cambridge for from thence all the several colonies in New England are supplied, the people looking upon their teachers as little less than apostles. It is incredible what an influence they have over the vulgar and do make it their business daily to excite and stir them up to rebellion, being professed enemies to the King's gov- ernment and church." 5
Harvard College survived this attack. Harvard opened its doors to scholastic pursuits probably in 1638.11 In March, 1639, it was ordered that the college should be called Harvard College, in honor of its great benefactor, the Rev. John Harvard, who was minister at Charlestown, and who, dying in 1638, left one-half of his estate, this half being £779 17s. 2d., toward the erection of a college.11
More and more Cranfield and the colonists became at odds with each other. A vessel had been seized by the government at Portsmouth. During the night she was quietly taken out of the harbor by other than government officers.4 Cranfield at once dismissed Capt. Elias Stillman, who had command of the fort at the harbor's mouth. This was ostensibly for let- ting the ship pass to sea. Cranfield appointed Capt.
194
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
Walter Barefoote, a citizen of Portsmouth, in his place as commander of the fort.1 Barefoote was also made a judge and Cranfield's deputy.1 It was this same Barefoote who, according to the records, in 1678 was to receive, for caring for Richard Harvey, who broke his leg, £20, or oak staves at £3 10s. per thousand, if he, Barefoote, perfected a cure. If he did not perfect a cure, Barefoote was to receive only 20 shillings, already paid him.3
The ketch, which had been quietly sailed or taken out of the harbor away from the hands of the govern- ment, became a considerable factor in Cranfield's increasing difficulties. When questioned, the owner swore he had not had a hand in the taking off of the vessel.4 Cranfield was apparently unable to prove that the owner had acted in defiance of his authority, and the owner found some means of settling the matter with him.4 After a time Cranfield passed over the incident. Not so did the Rev. Mr. Moodey, who went to Cranfield with proof that the owner of the ketch had lied to him. Moodey further stated that he would have no false swearers among his people, and as is told in "An Account of the Several Religious Societies in Portsmouth, New Hampshire," Moodey preached a sermon against false swearing and finally brought the owner of the ketch to public con- fession of his falsehood.4 At this Cranfield became bitterly angry, saying that he had forgiven the man, and that Moodey was meddling. At an extreme degree of friction Cranfield ordered Moodey to administer the Lord's supper,4 "according to the liturgy."1 As was to be expected, Moodey refused. Cranfield accordingly brought him to trial, as he could under a special statute, and had him put in
195
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
prison for thirteen weeks.4 Moodey was finally re- leased, in May, 1686, on condition that he should preach no more in the province.4 As a result he accepted a call to act as temporary assistant to the pastor of the First Church in Boston.5 The account goes on to tell of the misfortunes that, as if by divine providence, fell on those who condemned Mr. Moodey. 4
Meanwhile, an unruly citizen of Hampton, Edward Gove, who has been described as a fanatic, incited an armed rebellion against Cranfield's government in Hampton.1 He tried also to incite the citizens of Portsmouth to similar action.6 Gove was made a prisoner, tried and condemned to a terrible death by the court, for his traitorous action.8 He was sent to England, imprisoned in the Tower for about three years and then, after effort, was released.1 "In a country," says Belknap, "where the love of liberty had ever been the ruling passion, it could not be expected but that some forward spirits would break the restraints of prudence." 1 "The government be- came extremely offensive to the people, and they determined to petition the King for redress." They drew up remonstrances and sent Nathaniel Weare of Hampton to England with their petition, raising the money by subscription to pay his expenses.1,2 Weare went secretly from Boston, and made valiant, but not very successful, efforts in London in behalf of the New Hampshire inhabitants.1 Major Vaughan of Portsmouth had helped Weare and had accompanied him to Boston when he sailed. On Vaughan's return to Portsmouth, Cranfield suspected him of traitorous act, and demanded security for his good behavior. On Vaughan's refusing to give the same, Cranfield
196
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
threw him into prison.1 Another citizen of Ports- mouth, imprisoned by Cranfield, was John Amazeen.
The principal aim of the petitioners who had sent Weare to England was arrived at in a natural way in this country. Cranfield became discouraged at the resistance his authority met, and at his failure to secure money through his office.1 In 1685 he asked for leave of absence, and embarked shortly after, in 1685, secretly, on board a vessel bound for Jamaica. He went from the West Indies to England, where he secured the Collectorship of Barbadoes.1 He filled this office well, and is said to have paid particular attention to vessels hailing from Portsmouth.1 Cran- field seems to have lived a decent life in his new field. Mr. Stackpole says that many writers may have pictured him in too dark a hue.6
Cranfield's tenure of office was memorable for a number of events, but especially for the eviction of Mr. Moodey. After the Rev. Mr. Moodey left Portsmouth his name appeared frequently in the town records. On June 14, 1686, the town sent a delegation to Mr. Moodey, asking him to come back to Portsmouth; but, on his giving no explicit answer, the Rev. Gilbert Lourie, who had been preaching at Portsmouth in Mr. Moodey's absence, 4 was engaged for six months more, the town agreeing to pay him £36 for that period, plus the expense of his removal from Boston, and house room for him and his family. Mr. Moodey did not return. He wrote from Bos- ton March 29, 1691, to the town, an affectionate but diplomatic letter, suggesting that he return.3 The town answered, June 5, 1691, saying that Mr. Moodey's suggestion was too late, and that they had engaged the Rev. John Cotton to be their minister.3
197
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
Mr. Cotton, however, advised the town to try once more to secure Mr. Moodey,4 and on October 8, 1691, Portsmouth offered Mr. Moodey £80 a year in money and the use of a house and glebe land, if he would return.3 Mr. Moodey felt that the call was not unanimous and he did not accept. It is said that the Rev. Mr. Moodey was offered the presidency of Harvard College in 1684, and that he refused.4 Mr. Moodey died in Boston on July 4, 1697.4 His last sermon was numbered 4,070.4 Dr. Cotton Mather, in his funeral sermon said of Mr. Moodey, "Our breach is like the sea - who can heal it?" 5
At Cranfield's departure from Portsmouth in 1685, Deputy Lieutenant Governor Walter Barefoote became head of the provincial government in New Hampshire. 1 There was great opposition to Barefoote among the inhabitants. Barefoote acted as Governor for a short time only, but during that time one incident occurred which showed the temper of the people and the general situation between Mason and his party and the inhabitants of Portsmouth. Mason, having returned to England in 1681, came back again to Portsmouth, and was in Portsmouth in 1685, staying at Great Island with Walter Barefoote at the latter's house.1 One evening, while Mason was there, Thomas Wiggin, or Wiggins, Barefoote's brother-in-law,6 and Anthony Nutter called to see him. A heated discussion took place during this call, Wiggin and Nutter telling Mason in plain language what they thought of his claims. Then, as Mason later deposed in a personal statement as to what occurred, "Wiggins took hold of my cravat, and being a big strong man, pulled me to the chimney and threw me upon the fire. . . . I was no sooner
198
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
got out of the fire but the said Wiggins laid hands on the Deputy Governor, threw him into the fire and fell upon him so that two of the Deputy Governor's ribs were broken. I did with much difficulty pull Wiggins off the Deputy Governor." "' 6 "Two servant maids testified that Anthony Nutter did walk about the room in a laughing manner and gave no assistance to either Barefoote or Mason."6 "Yet Barefoote, in his will, 1688, gave nearly all his houses and lands to this same Thomas Wiggins," 6 as he put it, "my brother- in-law and to my sister, Sarah, his wife." 6 The quarrel just described was with Mason, not Barefoote.6
A word or two of collateral English history seems appropriate at this time. Charles II, who had been recalled to the British throne in 1660, died in 1685,15 being succeeded by his brother, who became James II. Prof. Edward Channing, in "A History of the United States," says: "The second Charles was not an admirable historic figure, but he shines in com- parison with his younger brother." 16 Moreover, James II was a Catholic, whereas "the English nation was Protestant to the core." '' 16 The reign of James II was short. In 1688 he fled from the country. Mary, who was Protestant, was the eldest daughter of James II. She had already married William of Orange.16 In 1688/1689 William and Mary were proclaimed the sovereigns of England.
The political changes in England, and the support which ex-King James II received in France, 16 brought on war between England and France in 1689. This war had its effect in America in increased ravages by the Indians, under French urging, against the English colonists.16 In 1697 the Peace of Ryswick brought an end to the war. 15 Mary had died in 1694.15
199
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
William died in 1702,15 being succeeded by Queen Anne, who reigned from 1702 till her death in 1714.15 Almost throughout her reign England and France were at war, from 1702 till the Peace of Utrecht in 1713,15 - a war that again had effect in Indian depre- dations against the English colonies in America. In 1714 George I succeeded to the throne, reigning till his death in 1727.15
In 1685 Massachusetts allowed her charter to be forfeited. This same year James II commissioned Joseph Dudley President of the Province of New England, which, under this commission, included Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.1 The new government, headed by Dudley, went into opera- tion May 25, 1686.1 This administration was pre- liminary to one of more rigid caliber. In May, 1686,6 Sir Edmund Andros was appointed Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of New England.1 Andros had been Governor of New York from 1674 to 1682.6 Andros arrived in Boston December 30, 1686, and at once began to function as head of the New England government.1 He had little to do directly with New Hampshire, but he had the power to grant lands in New Hampshire, which brought him into direct conflict with Mason, to Mason's disadvantage. Andros ruled arbitrarily and with utter lack of har- mony with the people of New England under him. For one thing he opened the Old South Meeting House in Boston on Good Friday, 1687, for those of the Church of England. This made him most un- popular in his Puritan environment.9 Belknap says, "The people of New Hampshire had their share of sufferings under this rapacious administration." 1
The overthrow of James II in England, in the
200
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
glorious revolution which brought William of Orange to the throne, "emboldened the people of Massa- chusetts to strike for freedom." 6 A rebellion oc- curred at Boston, April, 1689, which put an end to the Andros regime.6 Andros was imprisoned with others and sent to London, where he was acquitted; 6 but when he was imprisoned "the Stewart dominion in New England came to an end." Mr. Stackpole says that Andros was "a wise and trusted governor, and a man of unblemished character." 6
Left without government, in 1689, New Hampshire faced the Indian problem and other trials alone. An attempt was made to bring the four New Hampshire towns together in a convention in July, 1689, as has been stated, but Hampton was jealous of Portsmouth, and this particular convention was not held till the following year.8 A convention did meet at Ports- mouth, January 24, 1690, Dover, Hampton, Exeter and Portsmouth being represented. A simple con- stitution was drawn up and submitted to the four towns, "the first by popular initiative ever submitted to the people for adoption." 8 Hampton, still fearful of Portsmouth's larger share in the government, would not accept it.8 The attacks by the Indians, meantime, had created a crisis. Political leaders in Portsmouth desired to be reunited with Massachu- setts; 2 but this did not occur.
Portsmouth, in spite of her Indian and other troubles, was at this time gaining in power and im- portance. In 1690 the "Faulkland," a fifty-four gun ship, was built at Portsmouth, by order of the British government; in 1696 the "Bedford" galley, of thirty-two guns, was built.2 In 1692 an epidemic of smallpox occurred in Portsmouth. 2
201
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
The citizens of New Hampshire, probably fore- seeing further pressure from Mason's claims, peti- tioned to be joined again to Massachusetts; 6 but New Hampshire now seemed worthy, in the eyes of the King of England, of being maintained as a distinct royal province. This was furthered by the fact that Robert Tufton Mason's two heirs had sold their rights in New Hampshire to one Samuel Allen, a London merchant, for £750.1 Allen sued for his title in the courts, and as part of his effort to put himself in control of New Hampshire, he obtained a commission from the King as Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief in New Hampshire. In London, at about this time, was John Usher, who later became Allen's son-in-law,6 a citizen of Boston, a rich sta- tioner there,1 and a man who had been one of Andros' Council.6 Allen obtained a commission for John Usher as Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire. Usher arrived in Portsmouth with his commission August 13, 1692.1 He at once published his appoint- ment. 2
Usher is said to have been "intent on gains rather than a statesman and a courtier." 6 As had his predecessors, he found difficulty in raising money for salaries, including his own. He said the people of New Hampshire were not poor, but sullen,6 adding that, "to his own knowledge there were persons in Portsmouth who had £100 per annum, and were rated at only £20, yet they plead poverty." 6 Dr. Belknap says: "The transfer of title from Mason to Allen was only a change of names." 1 Usher early ran into difficulty. He demanded the papers relative to Mason's suit under his claims. Capt. John Pick- ering, a determined citizen, and in opposition to
202
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
Usher, had gone with a company of armed men to the house of the late clerk, and had taken those papers by force, carrying them to Kittery, where he secreted them. At last, under Usher's pressure, he gave them up.6
Usher continued disappointed as to monetary gain. Even Allen did not pay him as arranged.2 Again, the citizens were in more or less open rebellion against the government. The people finally agreed, in 1695, among themselves, to attempt to place William Partridge of Portsmouth in the office of Lieutenant Governor in place of Usher.2 Partridge went to England and came back with a commission as Lieu- tenant Governor, dated June 6, 1696.6 There is some question as to whether Partridge at once published this commission.2 Usher was in Boston at the time of his arrival. Though Partridge made known his appointment, it is said that he did not at once assume office.1,2 Usher styled Partridge's attempt to super- sede him as "The Piscataqua Rebellion." 1 He wrote to Allen urging him to come over "and take the reins of government in his own hands and try to drive unbroken steeds." Allen arrived in 1698.1 Mean- time, in the face of the general confusion as to who was in command in New Hampshire, - Allen, or, in his absence, Usher or Partridge, or the people them- selves, - the King, in 1697, appointed Richard, Earl of Bellomont, Governor General of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York.1 The Earl arrived in Portsmouth July 31, 1699.2 Great preparations had been made there to receive him. He established a government "in favor of the people, and they re- joiced in the change." 1 The respite was short-lived, for the Earl of Bellomont, of whom great hopes had
203
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
been nourished, died in New York March 5, 1701.1 His administration was noteworthy for the taking prisoner of Captain Kidd at Boston. Kidd was sent to England for trial, where he was condemned and executed.10 The ghost of one of Kidd's men was long supposed to haunt Appledore, of the Isles of Shoals, for years a favorite haunt of freebooters and smugglers.12 Immediately after Bellomont's death, the New Hampshire Assembly claimed the authority to govern, with Allen in controversy with them, and suing ineffectually in the courts. 1
King William died in 1702, and Queen Anne suc- ceeded him.1 She expressed her royal wish in con- nection with New England by appointing Joseph Dudley, former President of New England, as Gov- ernor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 1702.1 Under him and by Queen Anne, John Usher was confirmed as Lieutenant Governor. 2 He remained such from 1703 to 1710, during which interval Allen died, May 5, 1705.2 Allen, at the time of his death, was discouraged and poor. Belknap says that he had made an offer to the New Hampshire towns which had been refused by them.1 Later, Queen Anne wrote him hoping that he might find comfort in a settlement of his claims.8 The towns made a liberal offer of land and money, but Allen died just after this offer was made, and before accepting the same.8 "Allen is represented as a gentleman of no remarkable abilities, and of a solitary, rather than a social disposition, but mild, obliging and charitable." I He belonged to the Church of England, but attended worship in the congregation of Newcastle.1 He was buried in the fort at Newcastle.1 His son continued his suit for title to New Hampshire soil.1 It was in
204
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
this suit that the Wheelwright Indian deed, which has been claimed as a forgery, was produced as evi- dence.6,10 Allen's son, in turn, died in 1715, which put an end to this particular litigation.6
Governor Dudley was popular in New Hampshire, 1, 6 largely because "he favored the claims of the free- holders against those of Allen." 6 He pursued a policy of compromise, but his administration neither protected the church nor befriended his opponents, and his administration did not give general satis- faction. In Dudley's administration the charge for the carrying by mail of a letter from Boston to Ports- mouth was sixpence. 10
It was during Dudley's administration that a recurrence of Indian outbreaks near the Piscataqua River occurred, recounted in Penhallow's "Indian Wars." In 1707 the frontiers were kept in continual alarm. In 1707 two girls were taken prisoners by the Indians at Oyster River in May, and in July two others were killed near there.6 For years prior to that time, and following that time, as has already been described, there was much fear and actual loss of life as a result of the Indian outbreaks.6 During these, and in connection with other executive work, Usher, who had been again confirmed as Lieu- tenant Governor, "behaved as a faithful servant of the Crown," 1 going into New Hampshire as Governor Dudley directed, "yet his [Usher's] austere and un- gracious manners, and the interest he had in Allen's claim, prevented him from acquiring that popularity. which he seems to have deserved." 1
The Indian War did not disrupt business at Ports- mouth. "At a meeting of the Selectmen ye 3rd of May 1708," the town records read, "agreed with Mr.
205
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
Nathaniel Freeman for keeping a free schole on ye South Side of ye Mill Dam this year and to teach all such of ye Town Children as shall be capable of reading wrighting and speling according to his best skill and judgment." 3 Mr. Freeman had previously been an instructor of the youth of "Greenland, the Plains and Sagamore Creek." 13 It was in 1708 that the town voted to build a "scool house upon the land Mrs. Bridget Grafort lately deceased gave for a. scool house." 13
When, in 1715, King George I of England ascended the throne, New England looked for a change in their government. As an attempt to prevent this, a petition was sent King George, asking for Dudley's con- tinuance in office,1 but it was not long before the Crown appointed Col. Eliseus Burges Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.1 This occurred in 1715, and that same year George Vaughan was appointed Lieutenant Governor in New Hampshire.1 On reviewing the situation, just after Burges was appointed Governor, it was decided in England that he would not be suitable to the colonists. Burges was prevailed on to resign, on the promise of £1,000, and Col. Samuel Shute was appointed Governor in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in place of Burges.1 Governor Shute arrived in New Hampshire, publishing his commission there on October 17, 1716.1 In so doing he superseded Dudley who, in the mean- time, had not gone into New Hampshire, expecting to be replaced.1
Governor Shute and Lieutenant Governor Vaughan had differences of opinion as to who was in authority in New Hampshire when Governor Shute was out of that province. Before long, in 1717, Vaughan com-
206
EARLY PORTSMOUTH HISTORY
plained in London, seeking confirmation of his author- ity.1 As so often happened, the complaints on the part of one man resulted in the appointment of another. In this case the result was that John Wentworth of Portsmouth was appointed Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire in place of Vaughan. Wentworth's commission was published December 7, 1717,1 and he himself was handsomely received in Portsmouth as Lieutenant Governor. John Wentworth had been commander of a ship, and had accumulated a fortune through mercantile industry.1 He is said to have been of "a prudent, obliging deportment." 1 He is also said to have received or taken over 3,000 acres of land, and his family as much more.6
The administration of Lieutenant Governor Went- worth gave a dignified beginning to the administrative record of his family, which covered so large a part of the eighteenth century in Portsmouth. Incidentally, his administration was famous for a great snowstorm that brought, it is said, eight feet of snow on the level. John Wentworth served as Lieutenant Governor until he died, December 12, 1730.2 Governor Shute went back to England in 1723,1 after three years "of obsti- nate antagonism" between the citizens of Massachu- setts and himself. Belknap says that the people of New Hampshire were satisfied with Shute's adminis- tration.1 In New Hampshire, for six years after Shute's withdrawal, there was a separate government in that province, with Lieutenant Governor Wentworth at its head.10 From 1717 to 1725 there were important Indian outbreaks, and it was Wentworth's executive effort that was largely responsible for the way in which they were handled by the New Hampshire inhab- itants.2 Belknap says of him: "During the war the
207
EARLY INDEPENDENCE
Lieutenant-Governor managed the executive depart- ment with much prudence." 1 "The people were sat- isfied with his administration and entertained an affec- tion for him." 1 At length, in 1725, peace was made with the Indians, at Boston. The last effort of this enemy in southern New Hampshire had been made.
In 1728 Governor Burnet was appointed over Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire, Lieutenant Governor Wentworth still acting as the executive officer on the ground, his title being Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire.1 Governor Burnet visited Portsmouth in 1729.2 Burnet died shortly after, in September, 1729,2 Jonathan Belcher succeeding him as Governor of New Hampshire.2 Belcher was fond of display, and is reported to have had a troop of horse meet him on the road and escort him to Portsmouth, the capital city of the province. Under Belcher, at Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth's death, David Dunbar succeeded to the Lieutenant Governorship, June 24, 1731.2 Richard Wibird was appointed Collector.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.