USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 12
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John's river crosses the northerly part of the town, and
Blake's pond forms its E. cor- ner bound. Dalton contains a meeting-house, 3 corn-mills, 2 saw-mills, and 1 mill for dress- ing cloth.
DANBURY, situated in Graf- ton county 6 or 8 miles from Merrimack river. It was in- corporated in 1795, and con- tains 345 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Alexandria, S. E. by New-Chester, S. W. by the line of Hillsborough county which separates it from Wilmot, and N. W. by a cor- ner of Orange. It contains 19,031 acres. Smith's river waters this town and the Graf- ton turnpike leads through its western extremity to Orford bridge.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (Vide. Hanover.)
DEERFIELD, a township in Rockingham county, incorpo- rated in 1766. In 1810 it contained 1851 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Northwood, S. by Candia, E. by Notting- ham, and W. by Allenstown and Epsom, and contains 23, 254 acres. Pleasant pond is situated in the northerly part of this town and is about a mile in length and half a mile in width. There are here sever- al other smaller ponds, one of which is the source of the wes- tern branch of Lamprey river, the northern branch of which passes from Northwood and unites with the western near the centre of Deerfield. The
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soil of this town is for the most part fertile, producing the va- rious kinds of grain and grass in abundance.
Eliphalet Smith was the first ordained minister in this town and removed soon after the re- volutionary war. His success- or was the Rev. Timothy Up- ham, who died in the year 1811, and was succeeded by the Rev. Nathaniel Wells. There is also a baptist church increasing in numbers under the pastoral care of Elder Peter Young. Each of these socie- ties has its house of public worship. At the part of this town called the parade there is a pleasant village of 15 or 20 houses, a small academy, sev- eral stores, mechanics' shops, &c. Deerfield contains 4 grain- mills, 4 saw-mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 1 carding-ma- chine, 1 oil-mill, and 13 school- houses. The average yearly number of deaths in this town since 1802, has been about 20. The present year an epidemic fever prevailed of which about 20 persons died.
Formerly, moose were plen- ty in and about this town. In 1767, Mr. Josiah Prescott kill- ed four within a short time near the same spot.
DEAD RIVER rises in the northerly part of a tract of land granted to Gilmanton and Atkinson academies. After passing through those lands in a number of , streams and also through lands granted to Dartmouth college, it unites
with Dimond river and falls in- to the Margallaway river ou the casterly side of the state, near the S. E. extremity of Wentworth's location.
DEERING, a township in Hillsborough county, incorpo- rated in 1779. Its population in 1810 was 1363. It is bounded N. by Henniker and Hillsbor- ough, E. by Weare, W. by the southerly branch of Contoo- cook river which divides this town from Antrim, and S. by Francestown and Green- field. It contains 20,057 acres. Pecker's pond, in this town, is 180 rods long and 50 wide and forms the source of the norther- ly branch of Piscataquog river. The 2d New-Hampshire turn- pike passes through the south- ยท westerly part of this town. The Rev. William Sleigh is the set- tled minister of the place. There is here 1 meeting-house, 2 corn-mills, 1 saw-mill, 1 clothing-mill, 2 carding-ma- chines, 1 distillery, and 2 trad- ing shops.
DIMOND RIVER. Its wes- terly branch has its rise in a pond of that name in Stewarts- town. Thence its course is through Dixville, and after re- ceiving some tributary streams from the lands granted to Dart- mouth college, it empties itself into Dead river which flows from the easterly part of those lands.
DIXVILLE, a township in Coos county, incorporated in
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1805, and in 1810, containing 12 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by the college lands and lands granted to Gilmanton and Atkinson academies, E.by the second grant to Dartmouth college and Wentworth's loca- tion, S. by Millsfield and Er- ving's location, and W. by Columbia, Colebrook,and Stew- artstown. It contains 31,023 acres. Near its western bor- der is a ridge of mountains, from which flow several ponds forming the sources of two riv- ers, viz. Clear stream and Di- mond river. This town contains a grist-mill and a saw-mill.
DORCHESTER, a township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1761, and containing 537 in- habitants. It is bounded N. by Wentworth, E. by Groton, S. by Dame's Gore, which sep- arates it from Canaan, and W. by Lyme, and contains 23, 617 acres. There are two large ponds in this town, viz. Slown's pond, which is 500 rods long and 450 wide, and Fowler's pond, which is 300 rod's long and 250 wide. The southerly branch of Baker's river flows through the eastern part of this town, and a branch of the Mascomy passes' its western part. A large moun- tain lies near its S.E. extremi- ty, and another called Smart's mountain in the N. W. part of the town. Dorchester contains 3 mills.
- DOVER, a considerable town- ship in Strafford county, situat- ' tor.
ed at the head of the tide on Cochecho. It was incorporated in 1633, and in 1810 it con- tained 2,228 inhabitants. It is bounded N. E. by Somers- worth, S.E. by Piscataqua riv- er, S.W. by Madbury, and N. W. by Rochester and a corner of Barrington ; it comprises 15,112 acres. Cochecho river flows through the whole length of this town, and Bellamy bank through its S. E. extremity. A turnpike road passes from the compact part of this town through Somersworth to Ber- wick in Maine.
The Indians called this place Winichahanat and Cochecho, and the first settlers named it Northam. Its public build- ings consist of two houses for public worship, one for congregationalists and one for quakers, a court-house, print- ing-office, a gaol, and a bank, which was incorporated in 1803. There is a handsome village, containing about 70 houses, 18 stores, several offic- es, and mechanic shops. A packet boat, while the river is open, passes from this town to Portsmouth, every day except Sundays. Dover contains 3 grain-mills, 2 saw-mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding- machines, an oil-mill, and a woollen factory. The Revs. John Reyner, John Pike, Nich- olas Seaver, Jonathan Cushing, Jeremiah Belknap have suc- cessively been the ministers of this place. The Rev. J. W. Clary is their present pas-
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Edward and William Hil- ton came over from London and commenced the settlement of this township in 1623. In 1630, they obtained a patent from the council at Plymouth conveying to them that place on the Piscataqua, known by the name of Hilton's point, to- gether with a tract 3 miles wide extending up the S.side of the river as far as Swamscot falls (now Exeter.) Within this tract are now comprised the towns of Dover, Durham, Stratham, a part of Newing- ton and Greenland. In 1633, that beautiful neck. of land (now Dover) was surveyed and incorporated. A meet- ing-house was at the same time erected there and surrounded with intrenchments, the traces of which are still visible.
In the year 1675, immediate- ly after the invasion of Dur- ham, a large body of the east- ern Indians negociated a peace with Maj. Waldron at Dover, but, as the war had not ceased in the south, many of the In- dians from that quarter min- gled with their brethren of the east, and under the false ap- pearances of friendship con- trived to sow the seeds of fresh hostilities. In a short time captains Joseph Syll and Wil- liam Hawthome were ordered to march eastward in pursuit of these insidious enemies. On their march they arrived at Dover on the 6th of September, 1676, where they found 400 In- dians assembled at the house of Maj. Waldron, most of whom
were of the peace party and who regarded him as a benefactor and friend. The two captains would have attacked this body immediately, having orders to seize all Indians who had joined in the war. Maj. Wal- dron dissuaded them from this, and planned the following stratagem. He proposed to the whole Indian party a train- ing and sham-fight after the English custom. He then formed another party consist- ing of his own men and those under Capt. Frost of Kittery. Having diverted the Indians a short time and permitted them to fire the first volley, he made a dexterous movement and before they could un- derstand his intentions sur- rounded their whole body, seized and disarmed them without shedding blood on ei- ther side. They were imme- diately separated. Wonolancet, with the Penacook tribe who had made peace the preceding win- ter, were amicably dismissed, but the strange Indians (as they were called,) to the num- ber of 200 were secured and sent to Boston. Seven or eight of them who had been guilty of former murders were hanged, and the rest were sold as slaves in foreign parts. The Indians who were discharged by Wal- dron, regarded his conduct as a breach of faith and swore a- gainst him eternal and implac- able revenge.
In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years since Waldron's strata- gem, during which time the
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400 Indians who were dismiss- ed had not suffered their rage against him to cool, and many of those, who had been sold'in- to slavery, having escaped and returned home with a burn- ing thirst for revenge, enter- ed into a confederacy to sur- prize the major and his neigh- bours, with whom the former party had been living on terms of peace and friendship.
In that part of Dover situat- ed near the first falls in the river Cochecho, there were five garrisoned houses, Wal- dron's, Otis', and Heard's, the two others(Coffin's and his sons) were on the south side of the river. These houses were sur- rounded with timber walls, the gates of which as well as the doors of the houses were se- cured with bolts and bars. The Indians, as they passed through the town, trading with the inhabitants, scrutinized with attention those wooden fortifications. Some intima- tions of mischievous plots had been given by certain squaws, but in such an ambiguous man- ner as not to be comprehend- ed. Many of Waldron's men had early apprehensions, but he laughed at their fears and told them to " plant their pumpkins and he would take care of the Indians." The ve- ry evening before the alarm he was informed by a young man, that the town was full of In- dians and the people very un- easy, but he answered, " that ence the family retired to the Indians behaved very well rest.
and that there was no dan- ger."
The plot which was concert- ed was, that two squaws should go to each of the garrisoned houses and ask leave to lodge by the fire, and that in the night, when all the men were asleep, they should open the doors and gates and give the signal by a whistle, upon which the strange Indians, who were within hearing were to rush in and gratify their long meditated revenge.
The plan having been thus arranged, on the evening of the 27th of June two squaws ap- plied to each of the garrisons for lodging, as was not unusual in time of peace, and they were admitted to all but young Coffin's house. They were taught by their own request how to open the doors in case they should wish to go out during the night. Mesandowit was then in Waldron's garri- son and hospitably entertained there as he had often been be- fore. The squaws told the major that a number of In- dians were coming to trade with him the next day ; and Mesandowit, while at supper, in his usual familiar manner said, " Brother Waldron what should you do, if the strange Indians should come." The major carelessly replied that he would assemble one hundred men by the motion of his hand. In this unsuspecting confid-
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In the stillness of midnight several others were put te the gates were opened and the signal was given. The Indians immediately entered, station- ed a guard at Waldron's door, and rushed into his apartment, which was one of the inner rooms. Awakened by the tu- mult the major sprang from his bed, and though now bur- dened with the weight of 80 years, he retained so much of his youthful vigour as to drive them with his sword through two or three doors, but as he was returning for his other arms, they levelled him with a blow from behind which left him senseless. Having drag- ged him into his hall, they placed him in an elbow chair upon a long table, and insult- ingly asked him, " who shall be the judge of Indians now." They then compelled the peo- ple in the house to provide them food, and when they had finished their repast they cru- elly inflicted gashes on differ- ent parts of Waldron's body, saying, " we thus cross out our account ;" till at last exhaust- ed with loss of blood he was falling from the table, when one of the Indians, holding his own sword under him, in this manner relieved him from his sufferings.
They also put to death his son in law Abraham Lee, but made captive his daughter and several others, and then having plundered the house set it on fire. Otis' garrison, which was next to Waldron's, met the same fate. Otis himself with
death, and his wife and chil- dren were taken prisoners. Heard's garrison was saved by the barking of a dog at the moment the Indians were. en -. tering. Elder Wentworth was awakened by the noise. He repelled those who first enter- ed, and falling upon his back, he kept the door closed with his feet, till he had given the alarm. Two balls were fired through the door, but missed him. Coffin's house was also attacked, but as the Indians had no particular enmity a- gainst him they spared him and his family and contented themselves with pillage. Hav- ing found a bag of money they compelled him to throw it in handfulls on the floor, while they amused themselves in a scramble for it. They then proceeded to the house of his son who had refused to admit the squaws, and promising him quarter they summoned him to surrender. He withstood their offers and resolved to defend his house, but the Indians brought forward his father and threatened to put him to death. Filial affection overwhelmed his courage and he surrender- ed. They put both families into a deserted house, intend- ing to make prisoners of them, but they all escaped while the Indians were engaged in their work of plunder.
In this affair 23 people were killed and 29 made captive. Five or six dwelling-houses together with the mills were
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burned, and so rapid were the - toward her with a pistol in his Indians in their operations, hand, who looked in her face that they escaped with their and went away. He immedi- prisoners and booty before the 'ately returned and looked at people could collect from the her again. She then spoke to him, but without making any answer, he went off and she saw no more of him. She continued in her concealment till the conflagration was over and the Indians were gone. She then went to her house and found it safe. This won- derful preservation of Mrs. Heard was a remarkable dis- play of the power of grati- tude in an Indian. At the time of Waldron's stratagem in 1675, a young Indian es- caped and took refuge in her house. In return for her kind- ness in concealing him he promised that he would never in any future war, injure her or any of her family. This Indian was known to be the one who found her concealed on this eventful night. town to oppose them ; as they passed by Heard's garrison in their retreat, they fired upon it, but the people within having resolved to defend it, and the enemy being in haste it was saved. The preservation of its owner was still more re- markable. Elizabeth Heard with her three sons and a daughter and several other per- sons were returning in the night from Portsmouth. They passed up the river in their boats unperceived by the In- dians who then had possession of the garrisons. Apprehend- ing danger from some noise, which they heard, they landed and bent their steps to Wal- dron's garrison, where they observed lights, which they supposed were held out to those who were seeking refuge. On the 25th of January, 1691, a young man in the woods near Dover was fired upon by a party of Indians. Lieut. Wilson immediately as- sembled a body of 18 men and went in pursuit of the aggress- ors. He succeeded in his search and killed or wounded the whole party except one. This caused a temporary ter- ror among the Indians, but its effects soon ceased. They knocked and entreated admission, but no answer be- ing given, one of the party as- cended the wall, and to his as- tonishment and alarm, saw an Indian stationed with his gun at the door of the house. Mrs. Heard in the agony of fright lost all power to escape, but she implored her children to fly and save themselves, they left her with heavy hearts. She soon recovered herself and On the 26th of July, 1696, the people of Dover were at- tacked as they were returning from public worship. Three of them were killed and three crept into some bushes and there lay concealed till day- light, at which time she per- ceived an Indian approaching
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carried to Penobscot, who af- terwards escaped and returned home. In August, 1704, a man by the name of Giles was killed, and the people were a- gain waylaid on their return from meeting. In 1706, Wil- liam Pearl and Nathaniel Tib- bets were killed, and in 1710, Jacob Garland met the same fate.
In the spring of 1711, this town was again attacked by the Indians, and several people as they were returning from meeting fell into an ambush. John Horn was wounded and Humphrey Fass. was taken priscner ; but by the resolute courage of Lieut. Heard he was recovered from the hands of the enemy. In April, 1712, ensign Tuttle was killed, and in the July following an am- bush was discovered, but the enemy escaped. While the people were absent in pursuit of them, two children of John Waldron's were taken and Were cruelly put to death. Al- though there was no man at the time in Heard's garrison, a woman who was stationed as guard called for help with such a resolute and commanding voice that the Indians suppos- ed the men were near and they therefore departed without do- ing farther mischief.
Qu the 29th of August, 1723, the Indians again made their appearance at Dover, where they surprised the house of Jo- seph Ham, whom they put to death, and three of whose chil- dren they carried off.
In May, 1724, a party of 13 Mohawks marked the house of a Quaker by the name of Han- son for plunder, and they lay several days in ambush wait- ing for the favourable moment of attack. While Hanson with his eldest daughter were absent at a Quaker meeting and his two eldest sons were working in a distant field, the Indians entered his house, killed and scalped two small children, and made captive his wife, her in- fant and its nurse, two daugh- ters and a son. The next spring Hanson redeemed his wife, the three young children and the nurse, but could not obtain his daughter, although he was permitted to visit her. He made a second attempt in 1727, but died at Crown Point on his journey to Canada. The girl afterwards married a Frenchman and never return- ed.
In September, 1725, while the people were absent at work in a neighbouring field, a party of Indians concealed themselves in a barn in preparation for an attack. Two women passed by the barn at that moment, and had just arrived at the gar- rison, when the Indians com- menced firing. They killed two men of the name of Evans and wounded another slightly in his breast. The Indians, supposing from the copiousness of his bleeding that he was dead, proceeded to strip and scalp him. He bore this operation without betray- ing any signs of life, and thus
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he continued the appearance of death while they struck him many blows with their guns and departed, supposing that they had despatched him. He then arose and walked back naked and bleeding to the garrison. Fainting with his wounds, he dropped at the feet of one of his friends who met him and who carried him to his house." He recovered and lived fifty years afterwards. The Indians also at that time carried off to Canada a lad of the name of Evans, who was afterwards re- deemed.
A female of the name of Christina, who was born at Dover in the year 1688, was carried captive with her mother to Canada soon after the des- truction of Dover by the In- dians. In Canada she was edu- cated in the Roman Catholic faith, and she was there marri- ed. Upon the death of her husband she became very anx- iaus to revisit the land of her nativity, and an exchange of prisoners taking place in 1714, she returned and married Capt. Thomas Baker, then of North- ampton. She renounced the Catholic religion and removed to Dover, where she lived a bright example of piety, and died on the 23d of Februa- ry, 1773. The number of her posterity of three generations was 72, of whom 57 survived her.
On the 25th of June, 1773, died the Hon. George Guage in the 72d year of his age. Having distinguished himself
as a philanthropist and patriot in the most important public stations, he received the high- est honours in the gift of his country. He was several times a member of the general as- sembly of the province, and a colonel of the 2d regiment of militia, which was particularly exposed during the war. On the establishment of the coun- ty of Strafford, he was appoint- ed the first judge of probate a few months before his death.
In May, 1770, died Friend Joseph'Estes in the 74th year of his age, who for a period of 40 years was a public speaker in the quaker meet- ings at Dover and elsewhere. He was universally respected and lamented.
In 1772, died Howard Hen- derson at the advanced age of more than 100 years. He was present at the capture of Gib- raltar from the Spaniards in 1704. The annual average number of deaths in this town from 1767 to 1815,has been 19. The largest number was 50 and the sinallest 8. During the above period thirty died be- tween the ages of 70 and 80, six between 90 and 100, and one over 100.
DUBLIN, a township in Ches- hire, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1184 inhabi- tants. It is bounded N. by Nelson and Hancock, S. by Jaffrey, E. by Peterborough, and W. by Marlborough and a part of Roxbury, and contains 26,560 acres, 600 of which are
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water. Centre pond, a few rods There is here 1 saw-mill and 1 S. W. of the meeting-house, is grist-mill. 300 rods in length and 160 in width. North pond is about 400 rods long and 140 wide. There are also several smaller ponds in this place. A branch of the Ashuelot river and two branches of the Contoocook have their rise in Dublin. The form- er falls into the Connecticut, and the latter into the Merri- mack. In the southerly part of this town is situated the grand Monadnock mountain. Dublin has 6 corn-mills, 8 saw- mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 1 carding-machine, a distille- ry, and 11 school-houses.
The first minister here was the Rev. Joseph Farrar, a con- gregationalist, who was ordain- ed on the 10th of June, 1772, and dismissed in June, 1776. Rev. Edward Sprague, the pre- sent minister, was settled over the same church in1777. There is also a baptist church here, over which Elder Elijah Wil- lard was ordained in 1794. Each of these societies has a meeting-house. Dublin is com- posed of two small villages be- sides many scattered houses.
DUMMER, a township in Coos county. It was incorporated in 1773, and now contains only 20 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Millsfield, E. by Cam- bridge, S. by Paulsburgh, and W. by Kilkenny and some un- granted lands, and contains 27,562 acres. The Ameris- coggin and Amonoosuck riv- ers both pass through this town.
DUMMER FORT. (See Hins- dale.)
DUNBARTON, a township of an elevated situation in Hills- borough county, bounded N. and N. E. by Hopkinton and Bow, E. by Merrimack river, S. by Goffstown, and W. by Weare, containing 20,966 a- cres. It was incorporated in 1765, and in 1810 its popula- tion was 1256. There are here four small ponds, viz. Purga- tory, Woodbury, Long, and Gor- ham ponds ; the waters of all which fall into the Merrimack. This town is connected with Chester by a bridge thrown over the Isle of Hookset Falls, by which the Londonderry turnpike passes the river. The Rev. W. Harris was ordained here in 1789, and is the present minister. There are in this town 1 meeting-house, 2 grist- mills, and 7 saw-mills.
DUNSTABLE, a township lying in the southeasterly extremity of Hillsborough county. It was incorporated in 1746, and in 1810 it contained 1049 in- habitants. It is bounded N. by Merrimack, E. by Merri- mack river, which separates it from Nottingham West, S. by the state line, which divides it from Dunstable in Massachu- setts, and W. by Hollis, and comprises 18,878 acres. At this place Nashua river emp- ties itself into the Merrimack,
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forming an island and the place called Nashua mouths. Pennychuck brook constitutes the northern boundary of the town.
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