USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 7
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1710-An expedition (to which New-Hampshire contributed 100 men, under Col. Shadrach) was sent against Port-Royal. This place surrendered October 5th, and was afterwards called . Annapolis. Col. Winthrop Hilton was this year killed in that part of Exeter, which is now called Epping. Some other per- sons were killed in Exeter, Dover, and Kingston.
1711-The depredations of the Indians increased in audacity and violence. Another expedition was prepared against Cana- da, which failed. Eight transports were this year wrecked on Egg Island, in the river St. Lawrence, and a thousand people perished.
1712-This year was remarkable for accumulated cruelties from the Indians. Many people were killed at Dover, Dur- ham, Kingston, &c.
1713-Peace was now made between the colonies and the In- dians, and ratified by their chiefs at Portsmouth, on the 15th of July. Queen Anne died and. George 1st was crowned. During these Indian hostilities, which were called King Phillip's war, and which continued from 1675 to 1714, Massachusetts and New-Hampshire lost 6000 young men and male children, including the killed and those who were made captive, without ever being recovered.
1714-Governor Dudley was removed, and colonel Burgess appointed in his place.
1715-Governor Burgess sold his commission, and Col. Sam- uel Shute was appointed his successor over both provinces.
1717-A dispute. happened between the governor and his council as to the best mode of defence against the French and Indians.
The greatest snow ever known in New-England fell in the latter part of April of this year. It was so deep, that people
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were obliged to walk from their chamber windows. It was said to be eight feet on a level, and has ever since been called the great snow.
1722-John Wentworth was appointed governor and com- mander in chief. A declaration of war against all the hostile tribes of Indians was published at Portsmouth and Boston, and a bounty of 100/. was offered for every Indian scalp. This, which was called Lovell's war, was bloody and distressing, and con- tinued until December 15th, 1725, at which time articles of peace were signed at Falmouth.
1726-From this date, New-England enjoyed a long and prosperous peace. Massachusetts granted to certain persons Peunacook, now called Concord.
1727-This example was followed by New-Hampshire, and grants were made of Epsom, Chichester, Barnstead, Canterbu- ry, Gilmanton, and Bow.
This year was remarkable for a violent and extensive earth- quake which commenced on the 29th of October, A. M. It was announced by a loud and alarming noise ; this increased until the shaking began, which continued about three minutes. Cellar walls were broken in, and chimneys were thrown down, but no houses were destroyed. Smaller shocks were felt for several months afterward.
On the 10th of June, George 1st died, and on the 27th, George 2d was proclaimed.
1728-William Burnet was appointed governor of Massa- chusetts and New-Hampshire, and he was succeeded by Mr. Belcher.
1734-On this year New-Hampshire was erected into a sep- arate government. Boundary lines were run and established, but all disputes on this subject were not finally adjusted un- til 1741.
1735-During this year New-England was visited by a de- structive and very extensive epidemic, called the throat-distem- per. The throat swelled, white or ash coloured specks ap- peared in the fauces, and an efflorescence on the skin, accompa- nied by a general debility and a strong tendency to putridity. Its ravages commenced in May, 1735, at Kingston, N. H. The first victim was a child, who died in three days. In the course of a week it appeared at a place four miles distant, where three children died on the third day. Of the first forty who were seized not one recovered. At Exeter it destroyed 114 persons ; at Hampton Falls 20 families buried all their children.
In the province of New-Hampshire alone, which had only fifteen towns, it carried off 1000 people, of whom 900 were un-
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der the age of 21. The same disorder has made its appear- ance in this state at several subsequent periods. (For particu- lars see the towns.)
1741-Benning Wentworth was appointed governor of the province. There was no lieutenant governor for a period of twenty-five years.
About this time an extraordinary religious conversion took place in the province, which was for the most part, owing to the arrival of the Rev. George Whitefield, and other celebrated pulpit orators.
1745-On the 17th of May of this year Louisburg was taken. This was a severe loss to the French and inflamed them to obtain retribution. The amount of New-Hampshire troops engaged in. this expedition was about 500 men. In July the Indians made their appearance at Fort Dummer, and at the great meadows near Westmoreland. (See Hinsdale.)
1755-Hostilities continued and New-Hampshire raised 500 men under Col. Joseph Blanchard for an expedition against Crown Point. This regiment was stationed at Fort Edwards, and on the eighth of September, it was attacked by a body of French regulars. The enemy was beaten off with severe loss, and on their retreat they were met by Capt. Nathaniel Folsom, who had been on a scouting expedition, and was now returning. Capt. Folsom stationed his men among the trees and kept up a well directed fire until night, at which time the enemy retired with loss, and Folsom returned to the camp. A short time after this, another'regiment was raised in New-Hampshire, and put under the command of Capt. Peter Gilman of Exeter. These men were as active and persevering as their brethren, although they had not such favourable opportunities of exhibiting their courage. The expedition was given up and late in the fall the soldiers were disbanded and sent home. These designs against Crown Point incited the Indians to new projects of depreda- tions on the frontier of New-Hampshire.
This year was memorable also for an earthquake, which hap- pened on the eighteenth day of November, about four in the morning. Smaller shocks were felt for about a fortnight after.
The soldiers of New-Hampshire were so well qualified for every service which required alertness, and so familiarized to fatigue and danger, that, by the express desire of lord Loudon, three ranging companies were formed of them, who continued in service throughoutwinter and summer. The com- mand of them was given to Robert Rogers, John Stark, and William Stark.
1757-Another expedition against Crown Point was planned by lord Loudon, and New-Hampshire on this occasion raised
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two regiments, under Cols. Meserve and Goff. The latter reg- iment was captured at Fort William, and eighty of the men were massacred by the Indians. A reinforcement of 250 sol- diers was raised, and entrusted to major Thomas Tash, who was stationed at No. 4, (now called Charlestown.)
1758-Another unsuccessful campaign marked this year. The frontiers of the province were severely harassed by the In- dians. New-Hampshire made a new contribution of 1000 men towards the reduction of Crown Point, Ticonderoga, &c. This force was entrusted to Col.Zaccheus Lovell, son ofthe cel- ebrated partisan who was killed at Pigwacket. The victories of this year were splendid indeed, Niagara, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Quebec surrendered to the English.
1760-This year New-Hampshire raised 800 men and plac- ed them under the command of Col. John Goff .* This regi- ment marched to Montreal, where they were reinforced by Col. Haviland. With this year the war ended, and George 3d was now proclaimed king.
1761-The ability which the American colonies had dis- played throughout the war, inspired the British parliament with a spirit of jealousy against them, which discovered itself before the declaration of peace. This year and the year af- ter were remarkable for severe droughts. John Temple was appointed lieutenant governor but never officiated. About 60 townships were laid out during this and the last year, some on the east and some on the west side of the Connecticut river.
1768-From this year may be dated the flourishing con- dition of New-Hampshire. Population and cultivation pro- gressed with unprecedented rapidity.
1765-The stamp-act which passed this year, roused the indignation of New-England. Every method was used to in- form and excite the people on this subject. At Portsmouth the bells were tolled. A coffin was carried about, on the lid of which was inscribed " Liberty aged 145." A procession was formed and moved with muffled drums, ininute guns were fired, and an oration pronounced at the grave. The coffin was afterwards taken up, signs of life were discovered in the corps. The inscription "liberty revived" was substituted, the bells struck a cheerful peal, and joy reillumined every countenance ; the whole was conducted with decency and or- der.
1766-The obnoxious act was repealed on the 19th of March of this year, but such was the infatuation of the parliament, and the chagrin of the authors of the act, that they framed
* The population of New-Hampshire was at this time 34,000.
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another, imposing heavier duties on trade, under the specious pretence of raising a revenue for the support of the provin- cial governments.
1767-John Wentworth was appointed deputy governor of New-Hampshire, and surveyor of the king's forests in North America.
The act above alluded to was a duty on paper, glass, tea, and painters' colours. A board of commissioners and a court of admiralty were also established with unlimited powers. The colonies were unanimous in their opposition to the revenue act, and they employed every expedient to interrupt the royal officers in the execution of their business. Three of the commissioners escaped from the populace with the hazard of their lives, and others sought refuge in the forts.
1770-Authentic information was received, that the revenue act was so far repealed, as to take off all the obnoxious du- ties except that of three pence per pound on tea. This gave no satisfaction to the colonies ; they considered the principle of that small tax as dangerous as that of a larger one. On the 5th of March the work of bloodshed commenced. The king's soldiers stationed in Boston fired upon the inhabitants, killed three and wounded five. more.
1771-Governor Benning Wentworth died and was succeed- ed by his nephew John Wentworth.
1774-General Gage arrived at Boston with a large force of British troops, and the town of Boston was blockaded. The general assembly of New-Hampshire, at their meeting in the spring, in conformity to the example of similar bodies in the other colonies, appointed a committee of correspondence, and transmitted letters to all towns in the province, requesting them to send deputies to a general convention at Exeter, where del- egates were to be chosen for a general congress. Eighty-five deputies assembled at Exeter, where they chose Nathaniel Fol- som and John Sullivan, esquires, to attend the proposed con- gress to be holden the next September at Philadelphia.
An order having been passed by the king in council prohibit- ing the exportation to America of gun-powder and other mili -. tary stores, a copy of it was brought by express to Portsmouth at the moment when a ship was daily expected from Boston with a party of troops to take possession of Fort William and Mary at the entrance of the harbour. The committee of Portsmouth, with all possible despatch, collected a company from that and the neighbouring towns, and before the governor had any suspicion of their intentions they proceeded to New- castle and attacked the fort. The whole garrison (consisting of five men besides the Capt.) were captured, and one hundred
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barrels of gunpowder were carried off. Another party re- moved fifteen of the lightest cannon and all the small arms, be- sides some military stores. Maj. John Sullivan and Capt. John Langdon signalized themselves as the leaders of this af- fair. The next day the Scarborough frigate and Cansean sloop of war, with several companies of soldiers, took possession of the fort and of the heavy cannon which had not been re- moved.
1775-On the 25th of January a second convention of depu- ties assembled at Exeter to consult on the existing affairs, and to appoint delegates to the next general congress to be held at Philadelphia on the 18th of May. Maj. Sullivan and Capt. Langdon were chosen.
At this time every thing bore the appearance of war, but no actual blow was struck until the 19th of April. On this memorable day an armed British force marched from Boston to Lexington. Meeting here with some hostile treatment from a few Americans in arms, they unsheathed the sword and shed the first blood of the revolutionary contest. On the alarm of this event, the people of New-Hampshire flew to arms, and to the assistance of their brethren. A party of Americans at- tacked a battery on Jersey's Point on Great Island and carried off eight pieces of cannon, some of which were twenty-four and others thirty-two pounders, all which they brought to Ports- mouth. Governor Wentworth finding his authority disregard- ed and his person insulted, retired to the fort.
On the second meeting of the assembly he sent a message to them and adjourned them to the 28th of September ; they however never met after that. He remained in the fort under the protection of the Scarborough and another ship of war un- til all the cannon were taken on board : he then sailed for Bos- ton. In September he stationed himself on the Isle of Shoals, and at that place issued a proclamation adjourning the assem- bly, to the next April. This was the last act of his adminis- tration and his last visit to the province. Thus terminated the British government in New-Hampshire where it had existed ninety-five years.
On the first alarm of hostilities about twelve hundred men marched from the adjacent parts of New-Hampshire to the as- sistance of their fellow citizens near Boston, who had already taken arms. A part of this number returned immediately, the remainder formed themselves into two regiments under the authority of the Massachusetts convention. On the first meeting of the Provincial Assembly of New-Hampshire, it was voted to raise and equip two thousand men, to be formed into three regiments, which were to be under the command of col-
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onels, John Stark, James Read, and John Poor. The two for- mer were present at the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, where they were posted on the left behind a fence ; here they sorely galled the advancing bodies of the British, and cut down whole ranks of them. In their retreat they lost several of the number, among whom was the gallant Maj. Andrew M'Clary, who was killed by a cannon shot after he had passed the isth- mus of Charlestown. After this time brigadier-general Sullivan commanded the New-Hampshire troops. Forts were soon erected on the points of two islands which form a narrow chan- nel about two miles below the town of Portsmouth. One of these was called Fort Sullivan and the other Fort-Washington. A company of artillery was stationed on duty here, and a company of rangers was posted on Connecticut river. Be- sides these two companies more were raised to be under the immediate orders of the committee of safety. The whole mi- litia of the state was divided into two regiments ; the field of- ficers were to be appointed by the convention, and the inferior officers to be elected by the companies ; out of the militia were selected four regiments of minute men who were constant- ly trained to military duty.
In the next winter when the Connecticut regiments withdrew from the camp, their term of service having expired, six com- panies, each containing 61 men, were sent to supply their place until the British evacuated Boston.
1776-A temporary government was established in New- Hampshire, to continue during the war, consisting of a house of representatives and a council of twelve, with the addition of an executive committee to act in the recess of the legisla- ture. The number of this committee varied from six to sixteen. The president of the council was also president of the execu- tive committee. ' To this office was called the Hon. Meshech Weare, a man of experience, talents, and fidelity. He was al- so appointed chief justice of the superior court. So unbounded was the public confidence in this gentleman that no hesitation was felt to invest him at once with all authority, legislative, exec- utive, and judicial, in which he was continued by annual elec- tions throughout the war. For the service of this year two thousand men were raised and organized under the officers of the preceding year. Three hundred men were stationed in the forts ; and supplies of fire arms and ammunition were sent to the western parts of the state. A regiment was rais- ed. in that quarter and placed under the command of colonel Timothy Bedel, with orders to be prepared for a march to Canada. These three regiments marched with Gen. Washing- ton to New-York, thence they were ordered up the Hudson
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and down the lakes into Canada, under the command of Gen. Sullivan, who met at the mouth of the river Sorel the American army retreating from Quebec. Here Gen. Sullivan took the command of the whole, and finding the retreat una- voidable on account of the small-pox among the New-Hamp- shire troops ; he conducted this movement with great skill and prudence. Not only the small-pox but the dysentary, and pu- trid fever raged among our troops, and it was computed that out of the New-Hampshire regiments nearly one third were car- ried off this year by sickness. When all apprehensions of an attack on Ticonderoga were over for the season, the surviving part of the New-Hampshire troops marched by the way of the Minisinks into Pennsylvania, where they aided Gen. Washing- ton in the glorious capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and were also with him at the victorious battle of Princeton.
1777-Over the army which was raised this year the officers were appointed by congress, and the men were enlisted for that term or during three years. The New-Hampshire regiments were commanded by colonels Joseph Cilley, Nathan Hale, and Alexander Scammel. These troops were supplied with new French arms, and their rendezvous was appointed at Ticonderoga. The whole body was to be under the immedi- ate command of Brig. Gen. Poor. They remained at Ticon- deroga until the approach of the British army under Gen. Bur- goyne rendered it expedient to abandon the post. Col. Hale's regiment was ordered to cover the rear of the invalids, on which account he was several miles behind the main body. The next morning after the march commenced, he was at- tacked by an advanced part of the enemy at Hubbardston. In this engagement major Titcomb was wounded ; Col. Hale, cap- tains Robertson, Carr, and Norris, and adjutant Elliot with some other officers, and about 100 men were made prisoners. The main army continued their retreat to Saratoga. At Fort Ann they had a skirmish with the enemy, in which captain Weare was mortally wounded. When the intelligence of this retreat reached New-Hampshire, the assembly had finished their spring session and had separated. An immediate sum- mons from the executive committee reassembled them, and in a short sitting of three days they organized the most effectual means for common defence. They formed the militia of the state into two brigades, the first of which they entrusted to the command of William Whipple, and the second to John Stark. One fourth part of Stark's brigade and one fourth of three regiments of the other brigade, were immediately despatched under the command of Stark, to arrest the progress of the ene- my against our western frontiers.
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The officers of the militia were instructed to take away the arms of all those persons who scrupled or declined assisting in the defence of the country. And a day of public fasting and prayer was appointed which was observed with devotion and solemnity.
The above mentioned appointment of Stark with the pay of a brigadier-general in the continental army was peculiarly sat- isfactory to the public and not unpleasant to his own feelings. In the arrangement of the general officers the preceding year, a junior officer had been promoted while Stark was neglected. He had written to congress on the subject, but his letters were suffered to lie on the table. He therefore left the army and returned home, he was now by the unanimous voice of his fel- low citizens, invested with a separate and honourable command, and the orders he received were these, "to repair to Charles- ton on Connecticut river, there to consult with a committee of the New-Hampshire grants, (now Vermont) and to act in con- junction with the troops of that new state or any other of the states, or of the United States, or separately, as it should ap- pear to him most expedient for the protection of the people and the annoyance of the enemy." In a few days he proceeded to Charleston, and as soon as his men arrived, he sent them for- ward to join the forces of the new state, under Col. Warner, who had stationed himself at Manchester, twenty miles north of Bennington. At this place Stark joined him, and here he met Gen. Lincoln, who had been despatched from Stillwater by Gen. Schuyler (commander of the northern department) to conduct the militia to the west side of the Hudson river. Stark informed him of his orders and of the dangers which the peo- ple of the grants apprehended. He further observed, that he had consulted with the committee, and that if he (Stark) joined the continental army and left them exposed, the people were resolved to retire to the east side of Connecticut river and thus leave New-Hampshire a frontier. He therefore expressed his determination to remain on the enemy's flank, and watch his motions. He accordingly mustered his forces at Bennington and left Col. Warner at Manchester. A report of this deter- mination was transmitted to Congress. The orders, upon which it was founded, were there disapproved, but the wisdom. of them was attested by subsequent events.
Gen. Burgoyne, with the main body of the British army, was now at Fort Edward. From that station he despatched Lieut. Col. Baum, with about 1500 of his German troops and 100 In- dians to spread themselves over the Grants as far as Connect- icut river, with orders to collect horses and cattle for the use of the army and to return immediately with their booty.
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GENERAL VIEW.
The Indians, who preceded this attachment, were discover- ed about 12 miles from Bennington. Stark despatched Col. Gregg with a body of 200 to arrest their progress. On the evening of that day he was informed, that a body of regular troops with a train of artillery was in full march for Benning- ton. The next morning he advanced with his whole brigade and some militia from the Grants, to the support of Gregg, who found himself unable to cope with the superior force of the en- emy. Having marched about a mile, he met Gregg retreating and the main body of the enemy within a mile of his rear.
On discovering the approach of Stark's column, Gregg halted on an advantageous position and drew up his men in full view on the eminence, but could not bring them to an engagement. He then fell back about a mile and encamped, leaving a small party to skirmish with the advance, who killed thirty of the en- emy besides two of the Indian chiefs.
The next day was rainy. Stark kept his position and sent out parties to harass the eneiny. Many of the Indians improv- ed this opportunity to desert, declaring that the woods were full of Yankees. On the following morning Stark was reinforced by a militia company from the Grants, and by another from the county of Berkshire in Massachusetts. This raised his force to 1600 men. He despatched Col. Nichols with 250 men to the rear of the enemy's left wing; and Col. Hendrick with 300 to the rear of their right ; and stationed 300 to oppose their front and keep them in play. Then ordering colonels Hubbard and Stickney with 200 men to attack their right wing, and 100 more to reinforce Nichols in the rear of their left ; the attack commenced on that point precisely at three o'clock in the after- noon. It was immediately followed up by the other detach- ments, Stark himself advancing with the main body. The en- gagement continued two hours, by which time he had forced the enemy's line and breast-works, taken two pieces of brass can- non and a number of prisoners, and had compelled the remnant to retreat. Just at this moment he was informed that another body of the enemy was within two miles of him. This was a reinforcement for which Baum had sent when he first knew the amount of the force he was to oppose. It was command- ed by Col. Breyman. Fortunately Warner's regiment from Manchester met them and arrested their march. Stark rallied and renewed the action and it was warm and desperate. He employed with great effect the cannon he had captured, and at sunset compelled the enemy to retreat. He pursued them until night, at which time he halted to prevent his men from injuring each other in the dark. Stark took in this action two other pieces of cannon, together with all the enemy's baggage,
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