USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume I > Part 65
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 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
At the end of so important and propitious a period, this sketch of historic evolution for six generations comes to its close, and fastens its threads of continuous narrative at the opening portals of the Twentieth Century ; while, through these portals, come gleams from the smiling face of a kindly Providence to promise a bright future for Concord.
NOTES.
Number and Official Tenure of Water Commissioners. An ordi- nance was passed in 1891, making the number of water commissioners eight instead of six, and their term of office four years instead of three. Until 1885 the term had been two years.
Detached Facts as to the Fire Department. In 1880 James N. Laud- er held the office of chief engineer; his associates being Nathaniel H. Haskell, Charles M. Lang, William D. Ladd, Daniel B. Newhall,
1 See Census, in note at close of chapter.
605
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
George L. Lovejoy (Precinct), George W. Corey (Ward 1), Cyrus R. Robinson (Ward 2), and Harrison Partridge (Ward 3). The appar- atns of the department was enumerated as follows: Two steamers,- Kearsarge and Governor Hill, the latter out of commission ; the Eagle Hose, the Alert Hose, the Good Will Hose, and the Hook and Ladder; with Pioneer (Ward 1), Old Fort (Ward 2), Cataract (Ward 3), -all hand machines. The total value of houses, lots, engines, hose, implements, clothing, in short, everything belonging to the entire de- partment, was $67,595.50. Another item of valuation, not included in the foregoing, was that of public reservoirs. Of these there were twenty-three : the largest and most important being the huge recepta- ele in the high school yard, with a capacity of three thousand cubic feet, and valued at seven hundred dollars. The importance of this reservoir consisted in the overflow it supplied to several other reser- voirs in the vicinity. But the largest and most indispensable water supply was found in the tank of the great gas-holder in the rear of Rumford block, whose capacity was estimated at forty-four thousand cubic feet. The number of men on the rolls was one hundred eighty- seven, only seventy-five of whom belonged to the city proper. The cost of maintaining the department at that time came to about seven thousand dollars annually.
By 1880, Concord had outgrown Article 7 of the Regulations, which provided that the bells (church and Board of Trade) should at first ring a general fire alarm, and when the locality of the fire was known the number of the ward should be struck and repeated for at least ten minutes. Under the chieftaincy of John M. Hill, 1882- 1885, the fire department was kept at a high standard and strength- ened by improvements. From his boyhood Mr. Hill had manifested an active interest in it, and had served for many years as a volunteer fireman. He came to the office of chief with well-defined ideas con- cerning his duties and the nature of the service. The number of assistant engineers for the city proper was reduced to three, one to each central ward. They were Joseph S. Merrill, Daniel B. Newhall, and Benjamin F. Tucker. These officers carefully inspected business blocks and public buildings, examined dangerous localities, and pre- pared themselves to meet the unlooked for emergencies of fire. The "Governor Hill," having been in commission for twenty-one years, now made way for a modern successor of the same name. The " Kearsarge " underwent thorough repairs, new hose wagons were added and also a supply wagon for the steamers ; while at Penacook a brick engine-house was built and the hand machine replaced with a Silsby steamer. During Mr. Hill's term of office the "Alert Com- pany " introduced the hose wagon, an innovation which was soon to
600
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
supersede the old-fashioned hose reel and to contribute greatly to the efficiency of the department. To maintain the department during these years cost the people of Concord not far from eleven thousand dollars annually.
In 1896 the force and apparatus of the department were as follows : at the Central station a first-class Amoskeag steamer, "Eagle," with hose wagon, thirteen men; a second-class Amoskeag steamer, " Kear- sarge," similarly equipped; a relief Amoskeag steamer, "Governor Hill," in charge of an engineer and fireman ; a double 60-gallon tank Holloway chemical engine, with two men ; a Hook and Ladder Com- pany, twenty-one men; and nine horses with swing harnesses, and six permanent men. At the "Alert " house on Washington street was a modern hose wagon, a horse, and a permanent man, the company num- bering eleven members. The "Good Will " house on South State and Concord streets contained a wagon and equipment and company membership similar in every respect to the "Alert." At Penacook, the steamer "Pioneer," a fourth-class Silsby, mustered a force of twenty-eight men who furnished the motive power in case of fire. West Concord had a Hunneman 6-inch cylinder hand machine and a four-wheeled reel. Here a horse was kept. The "Cataract" com- pany numbered thirty men. The "Old Fort," in East Concord, had au engine not unlike that at West Concord. Of fabric hose the pre- cinct had eighty-six hundred feet; Penacook, twenty-two hundred ; West Concord, seven hundred fifty ; and East Concord,-partial to home industry,-four hundred fifty feet of leather hose. The valu- ation of all property belonging to the department, including build- ings, engines, fixtures, tools, hose, and fire alarm, was inventoried in 1896 at the sum of one hundred two thousand dollars.
Earlier Street Lighting. Before the introduction of electricity, the city essayed to light its streets with gas for a sum seldom exceeding $2,500. On moonlight nights the lamp-lighter generally cancelled his rounds. The hours of lighting within the precinct, exclusive of Main street, usually comprised the time from sunset to eleven o'clock.
Shakespeare Clubs. By the deed of gift of the Fowler Public Library building, a room was devoted "to the accommodation of the numerous Shakespeare clubs of Concord." Therein was recogni- tion of the gratifying fact that, in the Eighties and Nineties, a most commendable interest in the study of the best English literature pre- vailed in the community. By the many who enjoyed the refreshing privileges of the club seasons, such names as Stratford, Avon, and Warwick were ever to be remembered with delight.
Bands, etc. Fisherville early had its cornet band, later designated as Brown's ; the city proper its brass bands, under various special
607
LIQUOR AGENCIES.
names. Upon the establishment of the New Hampshire National Guard, the organization, at first known as the Third Regiment Band, but, after the Spanish-American War, as the Second Regiment, was formed, and, under the leadership of Arthur F. Nevers, outlived the century, as also did Blaisdell's Orchestra, dating from 1865. Subse- quently other orchestras, such as Stewartson's, and vocal combina- tions, such as the Schubert Quartette, arose to meet musical demands in Concord and elsewhere.
Liquor Agencies. When the Prohibitory law went into effect in 1855, two liquor agencies were established in Concord,-one in the city proper, the other in Penacook,-where might be lawfully sold liquors for medicinal, mechanical, and chemical purposes. These continued in operation until 1876, when they were closed: the one at Penacook, by the refusal of the board of mayor and aldermen to appoint an agent at that place ; the one in the city proper, by an ordinance of the city council passed April 29, instructing Mayor Pillsbury and the committee on police and licenses "to close out and abolish the City Liquor Agency on or before July 1, 1876." The ordinance was carried out on the day appointed, and the liquors and other property of the agency were removed to the basement of the City Hall building. Concord, thenceforward for twelve years, had no liquor agency. On the 31st of March, 1888, the city council resolved " that it " was "inexpedient to appoint liquor agents for the city of Concord at present." But on the 28th of April, a joint reso- lution was passed repealing that of March, and requesting, in view of " the public necessity," the board of mayor and aldermen to appoint a liquor agent "at the present meeting." This action was hastened by a petition signed by all the clergymen of Concord. Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed agent,-entering upon duty in June, 1888.
Labor Day. The legislature of 1891 established a new holiday, en- titled Labor Day. This was first celebrated in Concord by employed labor mostly organized; on Monday, the 7th of September, 1891, a procession of labor unions, with inscribed banners, passed through the streets in the morning, and was reviewed in front of the Eagle hotel by Governor Tuttle and Mayor Clapp. A trip was then taken by railroad to Lake Shore Park, where a programme of sports was carried out, and two concerts were given by the Third Regiment Band. There was also dancing at the pavilion, with music by the Capital City Orchestra. Thus was spent in much enjoyment the holiday, as similarly would be many another.
Baseball. This game dates back, in Concord, to 1869, when, and in the immediately subsequent years, Concord teams met such fa- mous champions as the " White Stockings" and the " Rockfords." In
60
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
1884 the games were at first held on the camp ground across the river; but on the 4th of July the grounds at Fosterville were opened. Notable games were played, in 1885-'86, with Manchester. Two thousand people witnessed some of them, and the players, when they won, were honored with parades, fireworks, and banquets. Not much was done in the intermediate years till 1889, when new grounds were prepared and some professional games were played. By 1892 the Wonolancet Club, recently organized, had put a good team a-field, and, the next year, fine matches were played with the Young Men's Christian Association. The latter organization had, in 1894, an ex- cellent " nine on the diamond." After a year's rest, a city league was formed, which played in 1896 and 1897.
Personnel of the Concord Post-office in 1900. The official list of persons employed in the central or home office of the Concord Post- office system was, in 1900, as follows ; Postmaster, Henry Robinson ; assistant postmaster, William I. Leighton ; superintendent of delivery, William A. Nutter ; secretary to postmaster, William M. Haggett ; chief letter distributer, William W. Elkin ; paper distributer, Edward Saltmarsh ; registry clerk, James J. Quinn ; stamp clerk, John F. Cahill; letter distributer, John H. Wason ; money order and regis- try clerk, Frank L. Lane; stamper, John W. Allen; general utility clerks, Harry H. Chase, Joseph G. Jones ; registry clerk, Joseph D. Pendergast ; substitute clerk, Edward F. Brooks.
Mayoralty Vote. The vote for mayor at the election in November, 1898, stood as follows: For Nathaniel E. Martin, Democrat, 2,269; John B. Abbott, Republican, 1,948; scattering, 70; Martin's majori- ty, 251; total vote, 4,287.
Concord Men in Official Positions, 1880-1900. Secretary of Navy, William E. Chandler, 1882-'85. United States Senators, Edward H. Rollins, William E. Chandler, Jacob H. Gallinger. Member of Congress, Jacob H. Gallinger. Naval Officer of Customs, James O. Lyford. Governor, Frank W. Rollins, 1899-1901; Councilors, Lyman D. Stevens, 1881-'83 ; Benjamin A. Kimball, 1885-'87 ; John C. Linehan, 1887-'89. State Senators, John Kimball, 1881-'83; Charles H. Amsden, Henry Robinson, 1883-'85; Lyman D. Stevens, 1885-'87; Enoch Gerrish, 1887-'89; Charles R. Corning, 1889-'91; George A. Cummings, 1891-'93; Joseph B. Walker, 1893-'95; Frank W. Rollins, Edmund HI. Brown, 1895-'97; Gardner B. Em- .mons, 1897-'99; Charles C. Danforth, 1899-1901. Presidents of the Senate, John Kimball, Frank W. Rollins. Speaker of House, Samuel C. Eastman, 1883. Secretaries of State, Ai B. Thompson, Edward N. Pearson. State Treasurer, Solon A. Carter. Bank Com- missioners, James O. Lyford, Thomas J. Walker. Insurance Com-
609
DEDICATION OF ODD FELLOWS' HOME.
missioners, Oliver Pillsbury, John C. Linehan. Labor Commissioners, John W. Bourlet, Lysander H. Carroll. State Librarians, William H. Kimball, Arthur H. Chase.
The Census. The following figures show the population of Con- cord from 1790-when the first national census was taken-to 1900 : 1790, 1,747 ; 1800, 2,052; 1810, 2,393; 1820, 2,838; 1830, 3,727; 1840, 4,903; 1850, 8,576; 1860, 10,896; 1870, 12,241; 1880, 13,843: 1890, 17,004; 1900, 19,632.
Dedication of Odd Fellows' Home. In 1886 the historic site called the "President Pierce property," containing about five acres, passed into the ownership of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of New Hampshire. Work was at once begun on a State Home for aged members of the Order and was com- pleted in the spring of 1887. The formal ded- ication took place on Thursday, the 16th of June. Great prepar- ations had been made for the occasion, and the crowds streaming along the sidewalks brought to mind rec- ollections of the old- Odd Fellows' Home. time Election Day. The Order was represented by organizations from all parts of the state.
The long parade started from Railroad square soon after eleven o'clock, under the chief marshalship of Captain S. S. Piper of Man- chester, and marched directly to the Home. A platoon of Manches- ter policemen led the procession, consisting of high officers of the Patriarchs Militant of New England, the First Regiment, Patriarchs Militant of New Hampshire,-Loren S. Richardson, colonel,-Can- ton Wildey of Concord, Third Regiment Band, Canton Pawtucket of Lowell, with band, which, together with cantons from Manchester, Dover, Suncook, Laconia, Newport, Nashua, Keene, Portsmouth, and St. Johnsbury, Vt., composed the first division. The second division, commanded by William K. Norton, was made up from cantons rep- resenting Concord, Hillsborough, Laconia, Hooksett, Deerfield, Sun-
40
610
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
cook, Warner, and Candia. In this division were several bands of music. Then followed carriages filled with distinguished guests and national officers of the Order. Among the guests were Governor Charles H. Sawyer and his council, U. S. Senator William E. Chand- ler, Frank D. Currier, president of the state senate, Alvin Burleigh, speaker of the house, Daniel Barnard, attorney-general, Grand Sire John H. White of New York, Deputy Grand Sire John C. Under- wood of Kentucky, John Kimball and George A. Cummings, trustees of the Home, Grand Master John A. Glidden of Dover, John H. Albin, judge advocate on the staff of General Underwood, Joseph Kidder of Manchester, grand secretary, Colonel H. W. Pond of Kansas, Luther F. Mckinney, Horace A. Brown, Lorenzo K. Pea- cock, Benjamin A. Kimball, Peter Sanborn, and many others. On arriving at the Home, whither a large concourse of spectators had been drawn-the procession having formed in review-the carriages passed through the long lines to the platform erected beneath the shade of the beautiful oak grove. After music by the bands and the singing of an ode, John Kimball delivered an address of a his- torical nature, telling of the inception and building of the Home. Grand Master Glidden was the next speaker, who closed with intro- ducing ex-Governor Underwood of Kentucky, deputy grand sire of the Order. An original dedicatory ode written by Benjamin P. Shillaber, "God Bless Our Home," was then sung, after which the speaking was continued. Grand Sire John H. White delivered an impressive address, which brought to conclusion the dedicatory exer- cises of the home. The procession then reforming proceeded to City Hall, where a banquet was served. So numerous were the guests that a large tent was pitched west of the building, capable of accom- modating several hundred diners. In the evening a reception to the invited guests was given by the Odd Fellows of Concord, after which an exemplification of the secret work was performed in Odd Fellows' Hall.
Presidential Visits. Concord had, down to 1900, been visited by seven presidents of the United States while in office, namely, in order from the first, Monroe, Jackson, Polk, Pierce, Grant, Hayes, and Harrison. The visits have been fully described in sketch and special chapter.
Change of Names. In the Forties Long (earlier Rattlesnake) pond ·began to be known as Lake Penacook. In the Eighties the name Penacook began to be applied to the precinct known as Fisherville.
Long-Lived Societies. The Female Charitable, the Female Benev- olent, and the Seaman's Friend are the oldest benevolent societies living to the end of the century, and bidding fair to live many years
611
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
beyond. The first was founded in 1812; the second in 1835, the third in 1834. The purpose of the last mentioned organization is denoted by its name. Its social features have always been attractive, while, under its auspices, excellent occasional lectures upon miseella- neous topics have been heard.
The Bridewell. By a vote of the town, in 1830, the selectmen provided a bridewell. Its cost was thirty dollars and seventy-eight cents. It was situated in the basement of the wooden building oppo- site Gass's American House. This inexpensive place of detention for vagrants and disorderly persons arrested answered its purpose for years.
Tithing-men. Almost from the earliest years of Concord into the Twenties of the nineteenth century, tithing-men (or tything-men as anciently written) belonged to the list of town officers annually elected. They constituted a sort of Sunday police force, having the special function of helping to enforce Sunday laws and to preserve order during divine service. For some reason, at the town-meeting of 1807, no " tything-man " was elected distinctively as such ; but care was taken to provide for the performance of one of the duties of such an officer, in the following final vote before adjournment: " That Samuel Butters take care of the boys in the meeting house on Sundays."
Corrected Military Lists. Here are added to the names of Revolu- tionary soldiers, as given in the notes of Chapter VIII of the Narra- tive Sketch, the following that may possibly belong there: John Anderson, John Austin, Benjamin Cate, Lieutenant William Cham- berlain, Solomon Chapman, Pratt Chase, Josiah Eastman, Philip Har- riman, Barnes Hesseltine, John Hinkson, William Lyons, Nathaniel Martin, James Moulton, William Perkins, Lieutenant Asa Potter, Jr., Ephraim Potter, William Ramsay, James Robinson, John D. Robin- son, Benjamin Rollins, William Stone, William Symms, James Thomas, Cæsar Thompson, Henry Thompson, James Whittemore.
In the tabulated list of Concord men serving in the Civil War, printed with the present chapter, the name of George A. Parker, assistant surgeon, United States Navy, who died on the De Soto, does not appear. His name is in the Adjutant-General's Report, but his residence is unfortunately given as "New Hampshire " only, "Con- cord " being omitted, consequently the name of Surgeon Parker was not found by the compiler of the tabulated list.
Erratum. On page 386, near middle of the fifth line from bottom, read Tahanto for Rumford.
.
612
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
CONCORD SOLDIERS IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, 1898.
Ahern, Charles B. F.
Gauthier, Alfred Gee, Allen M.
Pitkin, Harry L., 2d Lieut.
Angwin, John H., Sgt.
Quinn, James J.
Atwood, Scott W.
Gibney, Frank E.
Quinn, William
Badger, Albert F.
Gienty, Daniel H., Lieut.
Reed, Harold S.
Barnes, William
Giles, John S., Corp.
Batchelder, Luther H., Sgt. Glennon, Edward J.
Battis, Ernest A.
Goff, Charles A.
Bean, Willis S.
Goodhne, Clarence A., 2d Roberts, Nathan A.
Bennett, Harry P., Co. Q. M. Sgt.
Lieut.
Goodchild, Joseph
Brown, Frank G.
Green, Fred L .. Corp.
Brown, Frank W., 2d Lieut. Halloran, Edward A.
Brown, William J.
Hammond, Otis G., Capt.
Sanders, Herbert M., Corp.
Bullock, Isaac N.
Hartshorn, Grant R., Corp. Sawyer, Willis J., Corp.
Burnham, William F., Sgt. Herter, Fritz
Burnside, William E.
Henry, William
Himes, Vaughan V., 1st Sgt. Secord, Herbert W., Corp.
Buzzell, Herman H., Arti- Hinds, Jesse G.
Seely, Henry A.
ficer.
Hinds, William L.
Seely, John P. Shaughnessy, Thomas
Carpenter, Alfred W.
Jones, Richard, Corp.
Smith, James W.
Carroll, William J.
Jordan, John E.
Smith, John J.
Carter, John
Keeler, Fred W., Corp.
Smith, Sydney F.
Clark, Edgar D., Sgt.
Clifford, Thomas F., Capt. King, Thomas E.
Cochrane, Robert W.
Lane, Harry N. Stanley, Charles E., Corp.
Codner, James
Leighton, Archie M., Co. Swenson, Omar S. Q. M. Sgt. Sprague, Fred A.
Colby, Harry
Lewis, Stacy A.
Tracy, William E., Corp.
Cole, Frank O., Sgt.
Lydon, Robert E.
Trenoweth, Alfred L., 1st Lieut.
Cote, Lonis
Marcie, Rodolph
Trenoweth, William C., Lient .- Col.
Corser, C. Herman
Mason, Charles L., Ist Lieut. Truchon, Frank
Createu, Joseph A.
McDonald, William F.
Tucker, Warren L.
Crockett, Micah D. MeKellar, Arthur F., Capt. Tutherly, William, Major.
Cnrrier, Arthur A.
McKenna, Frank P. Maclean, James T.
Voyer, Napoleon P.
Day, Arthur K., Asst. Surg. MeLaughlin, John C.
Desaulniers, Philemon
McNulty, Frank J.
Donovan, Charles .W.
McPhillips, Frank E.
Waldron, Robert E.
Donovan, Henry
Miner, George W. Miner, Napoleon N.
Webster, Albert, J.
Downing, George H., Corp. O' Neil, Engene. Corp.
Driscoll, James II.
Palmer. Harry E. Pack. H. Leon
White, Elwin B.
Elliott, Fred W.
Parkinson. John T.
Wilcox, John W. L.
Emerson, Leon H.
Parsons, Frank L.
Wilkins, Russell, Asst. Surg.
Faucher. George J.
Patterson, Allan B.
Wilmot, James, Corp.
Ferrin, John E.
Patterson. Joab N., Capt.
Wilmot. Willie C.
Foster, Reginald S., Corp.
Perkins, Orrin
Wood, Clarence N.
Fyfe, James E.
Perry, Charles A.
Woodbury, Charles R.
Gage, Clarence J.
Woods, George H.
Gault, Arthur L.
Phalen, Frank L .. Chap. Phillips, George S.
Wright, Charles
Brooks, Charles T.
Hill, Frank A.
Cain, Juston H., Co. Q. M. Johnston, James H. Sgt.
Shea, James W.
Jones, Henry J.
Shricker, John F.
Chase, John D.
Kimball, Willis G. C., Jr., Spaulding, Thomas, Jr. Sgt.
Spead, George E. Staniels. Charles H., Capt.
Colbert, Daniel E.
Corbett, William J.
Malanson, Henry
Cotter, William M.
Marshall, Albert D.
Tucker, Harry S.
Currier. Edgar L.
Waldron, George D., Adju- tant.
Walke, A. Carter, Corp.
Dow, Levi S.
West, Solomon B., Sgt .- Major.
Dudley. Gale
Roberts, John F.
Rolfe, Robert H., Col.
Roers, Charles J., Corp.
Rowe, Frank A.
Scales, Albert F. Scales, William O.
Burt, Clarence A.
Richardson, Edward W., 2d Lieut. Robbins, Joseph C., Corp.
END OF NARRATIVE SKETCH,
CHAPTER XVII. MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT.
CHARLES R. CORNING.
In the following petition, presented to the provincial assembly at Portsmouth in May, 1745, one finds an early and quaint description of Rumford as the settlement then appeared :
" The Memorial and Petition of Benjamin Rolfe in the Name and Behalf of the Inhabitants of the Town of Rumford in said Province -Humbly Sheweth, That the said Town has been settled by his Maj- estys subjects about eighteen years, and a Gospel Minister ordained there upwards of Fourteen. That the Settlers had an Eye at En- larging his Majestys Dominions, by going into the Wilderness, as well as their own Interest : That many Thousand Pounds have been spent in clearing and cultivating the Lands there, and many more in erecting Mansion Houses, Fortifications, Out Houses, Barns and Fences; That the Buildings are mostly compact and properly form'd for Defense, and well situated for a Barrier, being on Merrimack River about a Days March below the confluence of Winipishoky and Pemissawasset Rivers both which are main gangways of the Cana- dians to the Frontiers of this Province, and within a weeks march at farthest from a very strong Fort built within these few years by the French at Crown Point which will be a place of Constant Retreat and Resort for the French and Indians in all their Expeditions against the Englith Settlements; That the breaking up of the Settle- ment will not only ruin the Memorialists, but in their humble opin- ion greatly disserve his Majesty's Interest by Encouraging his Enemies to encroach on his direct Dominions, and be also hurtful to the Prov- ince by Contracting its borders and drawing the war nearer to the Capital : That it was by a long and importunate Intercession of this Province and not of the Memorialists seeking that they are cast under the immediate care of this Government, which they apprehend gives them so much the better Right to its Protection : That as War has been declared against France for some time and a Rupture with the Indians has been hourly Expected, many of the Inhabitants of said Town by Reason of their being so much exposed to imminent Dan- ger from their Enemies, have already moved from said Town, and the season of the year being such as to give the Indians an opportu-
614
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
nity of disturbing the Frontiers and the Dutch Mohawks having lately given occasion to fear that they would joyn in a War against his Majesty's settlements as mentioned in some late News Papers, your Memorialists unless they have speedy help will be soon obliged to Evacuate said Town how disserviceable so ever it may be to the Crown, dishonorable to the Government, hurtful to the Province and ruinous to ourselves. Wherefore your Memorialists most humbly supplicate your Excellency, the Honorable Council and House of Representatives to take the Premises into your wise and mature con- sideration and to grant them such constant and seasonable aids both with Respect to men and Military Stores as may enable them to main- tain his Majesty's Dominions in so well situated a Barrier, and so ancient and well regulated a settlement, as well as to secure their own lives and Fortunes against the Ravage and Devastation of a Blood-thirsty and Mercyliss Enemy, and your Memorialists as in Duty bound will Ever pray."
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.