History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 6

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 6
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 6

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).

The inhabitants remained in the fort until March or April, 1747. About this time they passed an informal vote, releasing Mr. Bacon, their minister, from all his obligations to them, and resolved to abandon the settlement, which resolution was immediately executed. Soon after, a party of Indians visited the place and burnt all the buildings, except the mill on Beaver Brook and the house in which the miller had resided.

The next day inquiry was made for Mark Ferry, the hermit. As he did not reside among them, and had never performed the duties of relation, friend or companion to any of the settlers, they felt little solicitude for his fate ; but, Colonel Pomeroy offering to send a party of men, they agreed to send a pilot to It has been already mentioned that Mr. Blake, when captured, was pinioned and con- dueted by an Indian into the woods. After traveling about two miles they came to a small, stony brook. The Indian stooped to drink, and, as Blake's hands were not confined, he thought he could easily take up a stone and the place where they supposed he might be found. This was Ferry meadow, on the stream called Ferry Brook, within the present limits of Sullivan, whither he had repaired, as to a place of safety, when driven by the flood from his eave from Bullard's Island. They found his horse confined under the shelter of | beat out his brains. He silently prayed for

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

direction, and his next thought was that he should always regret that he had killed an Indian in that situation, and he refrained.

No particulars of his journey to Canada have been obtained, except that he passed by Charles- town. At Montreal he, with another prisoner of the name of Warren, was compelled to run the gauntlet. Warren, receiving a blow in the face, knocked down the Indian who gave it, upon which he was assaulted by several, who beat him unmercifully, making him a cripple for life. Blake, exhibiting more patience and fortitude, received no considerable injury. He was then conducted to Quebec, and thence to an Indian village several miles north of that place, called Conissadawga. He was a strong, athletic man, and possessed many qualities which procured him the respect of the savages. He could run with great speed, and in all the trials to which he was put, and they were many and severe, he beat every antagonist.

Not long after his arrival at the village the tribe lost a chief by sickness. As soon as his deecase was made known the women repaired to his wigwam, and, with tears, sobs and elamorous lamentations, mourned his death. The funeral ceremonies performed, the men sought Blake, dressed him in the Indian costume, and invested him with all the authority and privileges of the deceased, as one of the chiefs of the tribe and as husband of the widow. In the family to which he now stood in the relation of father there were, as he has often remarked, several daughters of uncommon beauty. Yet, notwithstanding this good fortune, he still had difficulties to encounter. The tribe was divided into two parties, his friends and his enemies. The former consisted of the great mass of the tribe, who respected him for qualities to which they had not equal pre- tensions ; the latter, of those who were envious of his success and had been worsted in their contests with him. These, to humble his pride,

sent far into the northern wilderness, and pro- eured a celebrated Indian runner to run against him. At the time assigned, the whole tribe assembled to witness the race, and a French- man, from Quebec, happened to be present. Perceiving the excitement among then, he ad- vised Blake to permit himself to be beaten, intimating that fatal consequences might ensue if he did not. The race was run, and Blake, as advised by the Frenchman, permitted his antagonist to reach the goal a moment before he did. He persisted, however, after his return from captivity, in declaring that he might have beaten him if he had tried. The event of the race restored harmony to the tribe, and Blake was permitted to live in peace.

But, remembering the family he had left, he felt anxious to return to his home. After much intercession, the tribe proposed that if he would build a house like those of the English, he should be permitted to go to Quebec. Pre- suming that, when there, he could more easily obtain his liberty, he gladly acceded to the proposition. With such tools as the Indians possessed he prepared the necessary timber, splitting the boards from the tree, and soon completed his task. He then went to Quebec and gave himself up to the French. He had been there but a short time, when his Indian wife came in a canoe to reclaim him. He re- fused to return, but, she soliciting and even demanding him, he declared to her that, if he should be compelled to set out with her, he would overturn the canoe and drown her, upon which she concluded to return without him. In the fall the French commandant gave Blake his election to pass the winter, as a laborer, with a farmer in the vicinity of Quebec, or be confined in the common gaol. He chose the latter, and had no reason to regret his choice, as he had a comfortable room and sufficient rations assigned him. He remained in confinement until spring, when his liberation was procured.

KEENE.

CHAPTER II. KEENE-(Continued).

Close of the Indian Troubles-Return of the Settlers-Up- per Ashuelot Again Occupied-Incorporation of the Town-Captain Jeremiah Hall Appointed Agent-The First Petition for Incorporation, in 1751, not Granted -- The Petition of 1753-Charter Granted April 11, 1753 -First Meeting of Proprietors-The Town Revisited by Indians.

THE year 1750 witnessed the return of the settlers to the Upper Ashuelot, from whence they had been driven a few years previously by the merciless Indian war which was carried on by King Philip.

Upon the reoccupation of the place the set- tlers at once decided to present a petition to the Governor for the incorporation of the territory, and the first movement for the incorporation of the town by the State of New Hampshire was under date of February 11, 1750, when Captain Jeremiah Hall was appointed to pre- sent the case to the Governor as follows :

" We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed In- habitants of the upper Ashuelot for a Long time Labour under many Great Difficulties for want of Town Priviledges we Do Therefore Hereby Constitute and Impower our Trusty friend Capt Jeremiah Hall to Represent our Difficulties to his Excellency the Governor of New Hampshire and to Any Others Con- cerned In that affair that we may be Incorporated Into a Town and Likewise ·we give power to him to Chuse a man to assist him In the affaires

" Upper Ashuelot February ye 11th 1750

" William Smeed Ebenezer Day

Ebenezer Nims Gideon Ellis

David Nims Michaell Medcalf

Ephraim Dorman Michaell medcalf jr

Nathan Fairbanks Oliver Medcalf

Joseph Elles Abijah medcalf

Jonathan Underwood Jabez Hill

John Rogers

Nathan Blake

David Foster Amos Foster "

"We the Subscribers Do hereby Impower Capt Jeremiah Hall to Pertition In our behalf for the Upper Township on Ashuelot River where we Dwell to his Excellency the Governour of New Hampshire and all Concern'd in that affair In the same form that it was laid out by the Massachusetts

" Upper Ashuelot Febry 11th 1750

" William Smeed Jabez Hill

Ebenezer Nims

Jonathan underwood

David Nims John Rogers

Ephraim Dorman

Elijah Dorman

Nathan Fairbanks David Foster

Joseph Elles

Oliver medcalf

Nathan Blake Michaell medcalf jr

Ebenezer Day

Abijah medcalf

Gideon Ellis

Samuell Hall

Michael Medcalf

Jesse Hall "

February 20th, Benjamin Guild was chosen to assist Captain Hall in " Petitioning His Ex- cellency " as follows :

" We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed Being Propriators of the Upper Ashuelot Township so called Do hereby Impower Mr Benjamin Guild to joyne with Capt Jeremiah Hall in Petitioning His Exelency the Govoner of the Province of New Ham- shire He observing the Instructions Given by others of the Propriators to the said Capt Hall

"Wrentham Febr 20th 1750

" John Whiting William Hancock

Daniel Haws

Samuel Danils

Joseph Fisher Esther Messenger

Samuel Fisher Jonathan Whiting

Benjamin Guild Jacob Bacon

Obediah Blake Nath" Fairbnks

Ebenezer Daniells Abigail Guild

Nathaniel Ware Robert Blak

Hannah Dale

Seth Heaton

Abner Ellis

Elijah Blake

Asa Richardson

Josiah Fisher for the

Sarah Greene hares of Aaron

Joseph Richardson Fisher

Daniell maceene Nathan Bucknam "

The following is the first petition for the in- corporation of the town, 1751 :

" To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq" Gov- ernor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of New Hampshire and to the Honorable his majestys Councill for said Province

" The Petition of Jeremiah Hall and Benjamin Guild in behalf of them Selves and others Inhabitants Setlers and Proprietors of a certain Tract of land Called the upper Township on Ashuelot River in the Province of New Hampshire on the East side of Con- necticut River (a plan of which Tract of land is here- with presented) most humbly Sheweth, that in the year 1737, in virtue of a Grant from the massachusets Government, a plantation was begun on said Tract of land-That in the year 1738 a minister was settled there and a meeting house built-That beforethe last Indian War with the Indians there were Thirty one Dwelling houses built on said Tract of land Sundry barns and a Fort of near a hundred foot square having eighteen fire Rooms within said fort a Saw mill and Grist mill built-that the setlers and others who were preparing for setling there before the Indian War had made large Improvements there and laid out their Substance in doing the Same-

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

"That in the Spring of ye year 1747-The Indians burnt down all the dwelling Houses there except four -- also burnt down all the Barns but one also burnt down the meeting house and the Fort also muel houshold Stuff and killed Considerable Cattle Horses Sheep and Swine That the sd Settlers and Proprietors are returned and returning on to the said Tract of land in order to cultivate and Improve the same and in case a peace Continues with the Indians in a few years there will be forty or fifty familys in case there was an Incorporation-Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours to Incorporate the sª Traet of land agreeable to the bounds thereof by the plan annexed and grant to your Petitioners and others their Constituents such Im- mutys and Privileges as other Towns Enjoy in this Province & your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c

" March ye 4th 1750-1

" JEREMIAH HALL.

" BENJAMIN GUILD."

This petition, however, was not granted, and, February 2, 1753, the following petition was presented and a charter was granted April 11, 1753, under the name of Keene, probably in honor of Sir Benjamin Keene, of England, who at that time was minister from England to Spain :

" UPPER ASHUALOT Feb" ye 2ª 1753

" We whose names are underwritten Do hereby Authorize and Impower our Trusty Friend M' Ephraim Dorman to Prefer a Petition to his Excel- lency the Governour of New Hampshire for a Town- ship known by the Name of the Upper Ashuelot and to Pray his Excellency to Grant a Charter of this Land to the Inhabitants and others Concerned in said Lands and to Insert a Clause in said Petition Praying his Excellency that if it might be Consistent with his Pleasure he would Insert a Clause in his Charter whereby every man may be Intitled to those Lands which he Thought himself to be the Honest owner of he Paying the Charges that have arisen on said Lands to Prevent Endless Law-Suits and other Difficulties Impending over us and to set forth in said Petition the Great Cost and Expence we have been at in Build- ing two Forts and Defending the Kings Lands and the Great Losses we have Sustained by the Enemy as set forth in the Petition Lodged with M' Atkinson Secretary and to take the Names Lodged with M' Livermore and annex to said Petition

"Jeremiah Hall

David Nims

William Barnes

Ebenezer Day

Ebenezer Daniells

William Smeed

Ebenezer Nims

Isaac Clark

Nathan Blake

Michael medcalf ju

Titus Belding

Samuel Reed

Benjamin Larrabee

Eleazer Sanger

David Foster

Jonah French "

Benjamin Twitchell

Joseph Elles Gideon Ellis

The first meeting of the proprietors, under this charter, was held at Keene, on the first Wednesday of May. Votes were passed grant- ing to Benjamin Bellows one hundred and twenty-two Spanish milled dollars for his ser- vices and expenses in obtaining the charter ; and to Ephraim Dorman eight dollars for going to Portsmouth ; raising one hundred and twenty- two pounds, old tenor, to procure preaching : and granting to Theodore Atkinson, the sec- retary of the province, three hundred acres of land.

The first town-meeting was held May 2, 1753, and the following officers were chosen: Selectmen, Ephraim Dorman, Michael Metcalf and William Smeed; Town Clerk, David Nims; Treasurer, David Nims; Constable, Ebenezer Nims ; Surveyors of Highways, Gideon Ellis and Isaac Clark; Hog-Reeves, Jonah French and William Barran; Fence- Viewers, Lieutenant Setli Heaton and Nathan Blake ; Field-Drivers, John French and Samuel Hall. Benjamin Bellows was moder- ator of this meeting.

The inhabitants immediately directed their attention to the concerns of religion. As a place for public worship, they erected a building of slabs, the earth serving as a floor ; and with the inhabitants of Swanzey they made a joint arrangement for the settlement of a pastor.

In the warrant calling a town-meeting, to be held June 13th, is the following article : "To see if they (the freeholders, etc.) will make choice of the Rev. Mr. Carpenter for our minister." From the expressions here used it is probable the church had already acted on the subject. At the meeting Mr. Carpenter was chosen; the sum of "fifty pounds, silver money, at six shil- lings and eight-pence the ounce, or equivalent in our own province bills," was offered him as a settlement; and the town engaged to find him, yearly, twenty cords of fire-wood. A contract was subsequently made with Mr. Carpenter, which was to continue in force three years, and

Jabez Hill Timothy Harington Daniel Twitchel

Amos Foster

KEENE.

in which it was stipulated that he should receive were lurking in the vicinity and that they fol- from Keene a salary of twenty-six pounds, lowed home the party from Keene is probable, lawful money. He also officiated as the minister as the next day they captured Benjamin Twitchell. of Swanzey.

In December the inhabitants voted to build a meeting-house, forty-five feet long and thirty- five wide, and agreed to set it at "the crotch of the roads, so called, one road leading up the river, and the other across the river to Ash Swamp."

But in January, 1754, " in consideration of the unfitness of the ground, and the exposedness to fire, and to the enemy, in case of a war," they voted to set the house "on the road that goeth from the town street to the mills, on the highest ground, between the causeway, by William Smeed's, and the bridge, by the clay-pits,'' Smeed lived where Dr. Twitchell, Sr., resided, and the bridge was north of what was known as Colonel Perry's store.

In this year the savages again committed acts of hostility. Some time in the fall an express arrived at Keene bringing information that a party of the enemy had appeared in the vicinity of Penacook (Concord), where they had killed and captured several whites. This was in the afternoon. The inhabitants imme- diately assembled, and appointed several persons to keep guard through the night, directing them to walk continually from the house of David Nims (near Lewis Page's house, in Prison Street) to the meadow gate (near Mr. Carpenter's), and agreed immediately to com- plete the fort, the rebuilding of which had already been commenced. The next day every one able to labor went to work upon the fort, and soon prepared it for the reception of the settlers.

He had been to Ash Swamp ; on his return he took with him a tub, which, it is supposed, he carried upon his head. This tub was afterwards found on the east bank of the river, near where the mills now stand ; and there the Indians probably seized him. He was conducted up the river ; in the meadows west and north of Dea- con Wilder's the Indians killed several oxen, a horse and colt. The colt was cut up and the best pieces of meat carried off. In this meadow they left a bow, made of lever-wood, and sev- eral arrows. They encamped for the night in McCurdy's meadow, in Surry, where four crotched sticks were discovered driven into the ground in such positions as led to the belief that to each was confined one of the limbs of the prisoner. The party then proceeded to Que- bec, where Twitchell met with Josiah Foster and his family, who were captured at Winches- ter. For the honor of Foster, the particulars of his capture should be recorded. Returning home one evening, he found his house in the possession of Indians, who had captured his wife and children. He could have escaped ; but he determined to give himself up, that he might share their fate and have an opportunity to alleviate their sufferings. He accompanied them to Quebec, carrying his wife on his back a great part of the way. There they remained until, being ransomed, they were sent by water to Boston. Twitchell was put on board the same vessel ; but, being taken sick, he was set on shore and died in a few days.

A month or two afterwards a party of In- dians were discovered in the meadow south of the town line by the people of Swanzey. They, with four soldiers to guard them, were coming in a body, and armed, to work in the north meadows. The soldiers, who were in advance, heard a rustling in the bushes, and one, suppos- ing it to be caused by a deer, fired his musket at the spot. The Indians, supposing they were discovered, rose and fired at the soldiers, who, frightened, ran to the quarter now called Scot-

When traces of Indians were discovered near any of the frontiers it was the custom to fire, as an alarm to all within hearing, three guns in regular and quick succession. If heard at any of the posts, it was answered in the same man- ner ; if not answered, the alarm was repeated. In June the people of Westmoreland, discover- ing traces of Indians, fired an alarm, which was heard at Keene. A body of men was im- mediately sent to their relief ; but they returned without discovering the enemy. That they , land. The people, coming up, saw the Indians,

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

attacked them, and drove them to the plain west of the factory. An express was instant- ly sent to Keene, and a party of fifteen men under Captain Metcalf went out to meet them.

This party went first to the foot of the hill, beyond Mr. Heaton's, supposing the Indians would there cross the Branch. Remaining there a short time without discovering any In- dians, a Mr. Howard proposed to go to another ford still farther np. Josiah French, a shrewd man, observed, "Those who wish to meet with the Indians had better stay here ; I feel no de- sire to see them, and will go over the hill with Howard." It was agreed to go over the hill ; but no sooner had they reached the top of the nearest eminence than they discovered nine In- dians crossing at the ford they had left. They lay in wait for them a few hours, but did not see them afterwards. Returning to the fort, Howard received no mercy from the men, women and children within it. Several days afterwards the men went in a body, and armed, to hoe Mr. Day's corn, near Surry, and discov- ered that an old house in that neighborhood had been burnt ; it was supposed to have been set on fire by the same party of Indians.

Afterwards, but in what year is not recol- lected, another, and the last, party of Indians made a visit to Keene. The inhabitants had cleared and fenced a large common field consist- ing of about two hundred acres, which was used as a cow pasture, and the access to it was by a path which led southwardly along the high ground east of the place where the turnpike and Baker's lane unite. When driving their cows to this pasture, it was the custom of the inhabitants not to go in the path, for fear of a surprise, but on one or the other side of it. Early one morning they came suddenly upon a party of Indians, concealed in thick bushes and busily engaged in mending their moccasins. They instantly started up and escaped. It was afterwards ascertained that the leather with which they were mending their moccasins had been stolen the night before, from a tannery at Walpole (or Charlestown).

CHAPTER III.

KEENE-( Continued).

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.I

First Reference to the War in Town Records-Vote to get Stoek of Powder, Lead and Flints-Keene in the Battle of Lexington-Tories-Bohea Tea-Various Resolutions - List of Patriots -- Battle of Bennington-Captain Mack's Sortie - Elijah Williams-His Return to Keene - Un- pleasant Reception - List of Foot Company in Keene in 1773-Aların-List of 1774.

THE first reference on the town records to the War of the Revolution is under date of 1774.

In a warrant calling a town-meeting to be held the 26th of September the following articles were inserted : "To see if it be the mind of the town to provide ammunition for a town stock, and grant money for the same;" and "To see if it be the mind of the town to sign the covenant and engagement, which was sent and recommended by the committee of corre- spondence, relating to the non-importation agree- ment."

Upon the first article the town " Voted, to get a stock of ammunition for the town, viz .: 200 lbs. of good gunpowder, 400 lbs. of lead, and 1200 flints; and to raise twenty-four pounds, lawful money, for providing said articles."

Upon the other article the following pream- ble and vote were adopted : " Whereas the towns in this province have chosen members to rep- resent them in a General Congress of all the colonies, now sitting at the city of Philadelphia, to consult and determine what steps are neces- sary for the colonies to adopt, Voted, therefore, not to sign the non-importation agreement until we hear what measures said Congress have agreed upon for themselves and their constitu- ents."

October 17th, Captain Isaac Wyman and Lieutenant Timothy Ellis were chosen delegates to attend the County Congress at Walpole. No information concerning the object or proceed- ings of this Congress has been obtained.

In the winter of this year Elijah Williams, Esq., instituted a suit against a citizen of Keene, the writ being in the form then usual, commenc-

1Extracted from "Hale's Annals."

KEENE.

ing, "George the Third, by the grace of God, King," etc. Immediately afterwards a large number of people, many coming from the neigh- boring towns, assembled at Keene, seized Wil- liams and took him with them to their place of meeting, which was a barn standing by itself in a field. They required him to stop the suit, and to promise that he would issue no more writs in the name of the King. Perceiving he had no alternative, he complied, and was then set at liberty.

On the 4th of January, 1775, at a legal town- meeting, the inhabitants " Voted, to come into the measures recommended by the Continental Congress, in their association agreement." They chose, agreeably to said advice, Isaac Wyman, Timothy Ellis, Thomas Baker, Dan Guild and William Ellis a Committee of Inspection. They also chose Isaac Wyman to represent the town at the meeting to be held at Exeter on the 21st day of said January, for the choice of dele- gates to the Continental Congress.

At a town-meeting held February 23d, Cap- tain Isaac Wyman was chosen "to represent the town in the General Assembly, holden at Portsmouth, on the said 23d day of February, and so, day by day, during their sessions."

On the 19th of April was fought the battle of Lexington. The instant that news of the battle arrived in town, which was in the fore- noon, Captain Dorman, who then commanded the militia, called upon Captain Wyman. "The regulars," said he, "have come out to Concord, have killed six men, and the battle was raging when the messenger started. What shall be done ?" "Send expresses," said Cap- tain Wyman, " to every part of the town, notify- ing the inhabitants to meet, forthwith, on the green, and be governed by their decision." Ex- presses were sent, the citizens met in the after- noon, and a vote was unanimously passed that a body of men should be sent to oppose the reg- nlars. The question was asked, "Who shall lead them ?" Captain Wyman was nominated, was chosen, and, though far advanced in years, cheerfully consented to go. Volunteers were then called for, and about thirty presented them- selves. Captain Wyman directed them to go home immediately and prepare provisions for

their use, "for," said he, "all the roads will be full of men, and you can procure nothing on the way ;" and he then appointed sunrise the next morning the time, and his house the place of rendezvous. At sunrise they met, and im- mediately started for Concord. In the after- noon General Bellows, Colonel John Bellows and Thomas Sparhawk arrived from Walpole, and, riding to his house, inquired for Captain Wyman. Being answered that he had started at sunrise, at the head of a company of men, they exclaimed, "Keene has shown a noble spirit !" and hastened onwards. They were soon followed by a party of men from Walpole.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 6

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200