USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > Historical sketches of the discovery, settlement, and progress of events in the Coos country and vicinity, principally included between the years 1754 and 1785 > Part 13
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Now, it happened on a summer's morning, in the month of August, that the wife, Anna, found it convenient to visit her neighbor, and mounting at an early hour a fine Narraganset, a faithful and tried companion in adventures, the river was soon forded, and the whole distance was made, long ere it was high noon. Thé interview was such as characterized the first set- tlers in this new country, where warmth of affection more than supplied the place of a thousand ceremonies, and a sense of de- pendence promoted to the discharge of kinder offices than mere refinement would recognize as obligatory on her.
The hours passed swiftly away-they lived fast-they ate, they drank, they talked much, and blessed God and their king. Nor did a single occurrence tend to interrupt their festivity un- til about three past meridian, when all were suddenly aroused by a distant, though heavy, discharge of heaven's artillery. All rushed to the door to witness the aspect of the elements, when, lo ! it was most threatening and appalling ! Nature all around slept, or seemed to be awed into a deathlike silence. Not a leaf moved but when the foundations of the earth re- sponded to the voice of heaven. Already, from north to south, the whole western horizon was mantled in black, and the gath- ering tempest moved forward as slowly and sublimely as though conscious of its power to deride all resistance ! Not until this moment did anxious concern possess the breast of Anna for the objects of her affections, whom she had left in that lone, dear cell. In a kind of momentary distraction, she demanded that Narraganset should be pannelled, for she must return to her family that afternoon, whatever might be the consequence to herself. She had rather brave the tempest returning, than en-
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dure her forebodings with her sheltered friends. But a sudden change in the elements, did more to dissuade her from so rash an attempt than the entreaties and expostulation of her friends. From an apparent calm, nature now awoke and seemed to be rushing into ruin. As though the north called unto the south, and the west unto the east, the four winds came on to the con- flict. Clouds were driven hither and thither in angry velocity and all seemed to be propelled in directions counter to each other. The tempest soon burst upon them, and on the whole adjacent country, in an unparalleled torrent. Nothing was heard but the crack or roll of thunder, and the roar of winds and waters-nothing seen but the successive blaze of lightning !
" Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus æther."
The said Anna lived until rising somewhat of ninety years, and could remember distinctly more than eighty years ; but, in all this time, she never witnessed such a scene, nor could she relate any thing which seemed to raise such sublimity of feel- ing in her mind as this.
The tempest lay upon them with unabated force several hours, nor did it appear to spend itself until the sun was just sinking below the horizon, when it broke in upon drowned na- ture in all its smiles, and reflected its golden beams upon the black cloud at the east, in the most enchanting manner. This was the moment for Anna to renew her resolve of returning to her family that night ; and, contrary to all reasoning and per- suasions, she instantly put it in execution. She mounted her horse, and bidding adieu to her friends, she entered the twelve- mile forest just as the sun took his leave of her. She calculated upon a serene and starlight evening, and the extraordinary in- stinct of her beast, as well as her experience in the way and at the fords. But in regard to the former, she was wholly disap- pointed. The wind soon shifted, and rolled the same cloud back again ; the rain recommenced as the night set in, and the wind ceased.
At that season of the year, the time of twilight was short ; the earth being warmed and moistened, evaporation was rapid, and a dense fog arose, which soon obstructed vision, and, long ere she arrived at the fords, she was enveloped in total dark- ness. Her only guide now was her faithful Narraganset, and
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the beasts of the forest her companions. She, however, made the best of her circumstances. She entered into conversation. with her mare, as was her custom when riding alone ; and when her beast stopped suddenly and tossed up her head, and snorted at some wild animal crossing her track, as was sup- posed, Anna would exhort her to possess courage, assuring her "that nothing could harm her, for the beasts were mere cow- ards in the presence of a brave horse," &c.
After this manner, the long way to the fords was passed over in Egyptian darkness ; nor had the thought once occurred to Anna that so considerable a river as now rolled before her would be materially affected by a thunder storm of a few hours ; whereas, so great was the fall of water in this time that the river, although wide at this place, was bank full, and swept on with great rapidity. Nor could the rushing of the waters be heard by reason of the rain still pouring upon the forest around her. She therefore determined to give the rein to her experienced beast, believing that she would keep the ford, and land her on the opposite shore at the proper place. The horse entered the stream as soon as at the bank, and in a moment lost her foot-hold on terra firma, and was plunging in the waves at a full swim. Such, however, was Anna's presence of mind, that she made no exertion to rein her beast, but endeav- ored simply to retain her seat, which was now under water, whilst the waves beat against her waist. The faithful animal made for the opposite shore ; but so strong was the current, that she was either carried below the ford, or, in her exertions to resist it, she overacted and went above it, where, at one sweep of her fore feet, she struck upon a rock in the bed of the river, which suddenly raised her somewhat from the water forward ; but she as soon plunged again, for the rock was cleared the second sweep. This plunge was so deep that Anna was borne from her pannel by the gravity of the water, but pitching forward, she seized Narraganset's mane as she rose, nor did she quit her grasp, until they were both safely landed on the happy shore ! adjusting her clothes, she remounted, and soon found that her beast was in her accustomed track, and, in little more than one hour, she alighted at the door of her peace-
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APPENDIX.
ful cabin, where, by her well-known signal,* she broke the slumber of her husband and babes, and on entering related, in no purer gratitude or greater joy than they experienced in hearing, the result of that adventurous night.
* Capt. Powers and wife agreed on a peculiar rap, which served as a kind of countersign to inform the one within that the other had arrived and desired admission. This was necessary to prevent the intrusion of Indians, who would often rap at different hours of the night.
DEED OF THE COOS COUNTRY.
To all persons to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting :
Know ye, that I Philip, an Indian, a native of America now resident in upper Coos & Chief thereof,
For & in consideration of the sum hereafter named for which I have received security to my full satisfaction of Thomas Eames of Northumberland in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire & his associates namely, John Bradley & Jonathan Eastman of Concord, county of Rockingham & Nathan Hoit of Moultonborough in the County of Strafford all in the state of New Hampshire Esqrs, all my peculiar friends. I this day have given, bargained sold, released, conveyed & con- firmed & by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, convey & confirm to them the said Thomas, John, Jonathan & Nathan their heirs & assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land & waters situate within the following boundaries, Viz, Beginning on the East side of Conneetteecook now called Connecticut River at the mouth of Ammanoosuck River, then up said Ammanoosuck river to Head Pond to the carrying place, then across the carrying place to a small pond on the head of Peumpelussuck or dead river, then down said river to Andrew- scoggin river, then up Andrewscoggin River to the Lake Ham- bagog, including all the waters of said Lake & Islands from said lake up Andrewscoggin River to Allogunanabagogg Lake, including all the waters & Islands in said Lake, then up said Andrewscoggin River to Molleychungomuck Lake, thence along the easterly side of said Lake to the outlet of Mooseluk- megantick, then up said river to said Lake Mooseluckmegantick including all the waters & Islands thereof, then across the car- rying place Quasuktecuck, thence down said river till it emp- ties into Awsisgowassuck River, then up said river to Palmach- inanabagogg Lake including all the waters & Islands thereof, thence up Awsisgowassuck River to the carrying place that
t
236
APPENDIX.
leads into Awseecunticook River or St. Frances River, thence down said river till it falls into the branch which empties from Lake Mamsloobagogg, then up said River to Skessawannoock Lake, thence up said River to said Mamsloobagogg, including all the waters & Islands thereof, from thence up Masskeecoow- anggawnall River to the head thereof, then across the carrying place to the head of Nulpeagawnuck, then down said river to Conneeteecook or Connecticut river then down said river in- cluding all the Islands thereof to the mouth of Ammunoosuck river, the place began at, agreeably to a plan I have this day given to them, their heirs & assigns forever with the following conditions & reservations, namely that I reserve free liberty to hunt all sorts of wild game on any of the foregoing territories, and taking fish in any of the waters thereof for myself my heirs & sucksessors & all Indian tribes forever, also liberty of planting four bushels of corn & beans ; & this my trusty friend Thomas having given me security to furnish me & my Squaw with provisions & suitable clothing which I have accepted in full. I have for myself & in behalf of all Indians who hunted on or inhabited any of the foregoing lands or waters, forever quitclaimed & sold as aforesaid to them the said Thomas, John, Jonathan & Nathan as a good estate in fee simple, and do cove- nant with them that myself & my ancient Fathers forever & at all times have been in possession of the above described premises, & that I have a good right to & will warrant & de- fend the same to them the said Thomas, John, Jonathan & Nathan their heirs aud assigns forever against the claims of all or any persons whatever .- In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, seal & signeture, this twenty eighth day of June 1796.
his PHILIP + INDIAN CHIEF. [SEAL.]
mark
her
MOLLEY + MESSELL. [SEAL.]
mark
her MOOSELECK + SUSSOP. mark [SEAL.]
Signed Sealed & Dld in presence of Ely Buel Jeremb Eames.
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APPENDIX.
State of New Hampshire. Grafton, ss. June 30th, 1796. Personally appeared Philip Indian Chief, Molley Messell & Mooseleck & acknowledged the foregoing instrument by them respectively subscribed to be their voluntary act & deed. Before me
JERH EAMES, Justice Peace.
-
GRAFTON, SS. Nov. 22, 1796. Received, Recorded & examined.
Attest, JOHN ROGERS, Regr.
State of New Hampshire, -
GRAFTON, SS. December 9, 1879.
I, Charles H. Day, Register of Deeds, for the County of Graf- ton, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Grafton County Records, Libro 23, Folio 206. Attest, C. H. DAY, Reg. Deeds.
INDEX.
Bailey, Gen. Jacob ..... 35, 53 190, 213-218
Bailey, Col Joshua
.. 50
Baker's River.
171-174
Barnes, J., lost son.
171
Bradford, Vt.
160
Brook, Poole
46
Brown, Josiah.
170
Burton, D. D., Rev. Asa .... 83 134-141, 154-158, 159
Campton
169
Cart with two tongues.
.218
Chamberlain, John .. . 141-142
Charters
47
Claremont
129
Connel, John Mc.
113-116
Cornish.
129
Cow, instinct of a
.89
Crank, saw-mill
68-72
Dearborn, Samuel
165-171
Eastman, Amos
14
Elkins, Col. Jonathan
.191
197, 217
Elkins, Dea. Jonathan
.52
Fairlee, East
159
Fifield's, A., lost son
164
Flood.
110
Freeman, Col. Otis
78
Foreman, John.
50
Groton
169
Hanover .
.78-80, 130-133
Harriman, Polly
46
Hazen, Capt. John
36, 43
Hebron .
169
Hobart, Capt. James
165 ~
Holderness
169
Howard, Col. Joshua
43
Howard, Deacon
80-82
Hughs, John
43
Indians
172-186
Instinct of a cow
89
Johnston, Capt. Michael.
... 45
Johnston, Col. Charles ...... 45
91, 95-103
Johnston, Michael ... . 36, 40, 44 Johnson, Col. Thomas .. 47, 177 190, 217
Kent, Col. Jacob.
49
Kent, Mary
49
Ladd, Hon. Ezekiel
.52
Ladd, Mrs. Ruth
60, 67
Lancaster.
48
Lebanon
129
Living and Dress
119-120
Lyme ...
130
Mann, Esq., John
124-128
Morse, Uriah
.. 46
Norwich, Vt
134-144
Orford.
.126
Osmer, John
.160-163
240
INDEX.
Ox Bow, Great, old Indian
Settlement
36-39
Page, John ·· ·· · 49, 69, 71
Parker, Lieut. Z. 165
Peabody, Nathaniel.
.209
Peters, Esq., Andrew B .... 162
Pettie, John
36, 40, 44
Piermont
119-120
Pigeons.
.109
Plainfield
129
Plymouth
.165, 168-175
Plymouth, first ox-team
from
116
Powers, Capt. Peter, .... 15-32
84-87
Powers, Rev. Peter.
.53-57
75-88
Revivals
219-221
Rogers, Col. Robert
34-35
Rumney.
169
Sleeper, Samuel
40, 61-63
Sparks, Jared
.211
Stark, Gen. John
13-14
Strong, Joel .
.157
Thanksgiving
,74
Thetford, Vt.
141-159
Thornton
.169
Tyler, Jonathan
120-12:
Wait's River.
163
Walbridge
.78-80
Wallace, Mrs.
146-148
Wallace, Richard
91-94
113-118, 143-153
Warren
.169
Washington, Gen ..... 202-212 Ward, Rev. Nathan ... 166-168
Way, Mr
.56, 57
Weare, Meshech
.208
Webster, Ephraim.
.. 150-154
Webster, Lydia
.168
Wentworth,
169
Wheeler, Charles
181
Wheeler, Glazier,
40, 44
Willard, Oliver
.41, 42
Woodward, Hon. James. .. . 48
64-71
Worms.
103-108
Wright, Benoni
.62,63
OCKER NOV 2 0 1984
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