History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

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The following company of Derryfield men were at the siege of Fort William Henry :

Richard Emary, captain ; Nathaniel Martain, first lieutenant ; Pal- lata Russell, second lieutenant ; John Moore, ensign ; Darby Kelley, sergeant ; Joseph Pearsons, sergeant ; Benjamin Kidder, Sr., sergeant ; John Little, sergeant ; Caleb Emary, Sr., corporal ; Robert Murdock, corporal ; Micajah Wynn, corporal ; John Hutchenson, corporal ; George Berry, drummer ; Josiah Bean, Jonathan Prescutt, Benjamin Roberts, John Moore, Joseph Whicherweed, James Dunlap, Edward Bean, Wil- liam Batchelder, Edward Critchet, Joseph Hillayerd, Ebenezer Hutchen- son, Samuel Ilardie, Henry IIntchenson, Joseph Ekerson, Jonathan Melcher, Samuel Ring, Elijah Ring, Hezekiah Swainc, William Towle, Joseph Webster, John Burnes, Jonathan Corlis, Jr., Asa C'orlis, James Clough, Caleb Daulton, Caleb Emary, Jr., Daniel Emerson, Jolin Grif- fin, John Gorden, Thomas George, Thomas Kennady, Robert Kennady, Benjamin Kidder, Jr., John Kidder, William McDugall, (for B. Linkfield), John Merrill, James Patterson, Benjamin Pettingal, Ezekiel Stevens, James Titcomb, Leonard Blanchard, Timothy Barron, William Butter- field, James McCalley, Samuel Gibson, Thomas Lancey, Josiah Parker, Simon McQuestin, Peter Bussell, Samuel Chase, John Davis, Benjamin Davis, ;William Hutchenson, David Parker, Henry Parker, William Sil- laway, John Webster, (for D. Allen), William Drought, Lazarus Rowe, Daniel Darling, Stephen Gilman, Tristram Quimby, John Sandburne, Gideon Young, Samnel Young, Stephen Webster, Solomon Prescutt, Thomas Parker, Ceasar Nero, John Corlis, David Nutt, Ebenezer Coar- ston, Moses Chase, John Stell, Jacob Bridgham, Patrick Clark.

The first vote of the town in relation to the War of the Revolution was under date of January 2, 1775, when it was voted to call a meeting on the 16th of the same month, --

"2ly. To see if the town will chose a man or men as Deputies to go to Exeter the 25th Day of January Instant, in Behalf of said town in or- der to meet with the Deputies from the Neighboring Towns in said Province."

At this meeting it was

"Toted on the second article, not to send a man to Exeter, but that the Selectmen send a Letter to said Exeter, and insert in said Letter that the said town will bear their Equal proportion of money that shall here- after arise towards paying the cost of the General Congress, as any other town in the Province."

There were thirty-four men from Derryfiekl in the battle of Lexington, and there were but thirty-six men in the entire town capable of bearing arms. The names of the soldiers have not been procured, but the subjoined tax-list of Derryfield for 1775 shows that a large majority of the tax-payers were of the volunteers :

d. 1.

"Conl. John Goffe

John Rand, Esqr

() 13

Maj. John Moors

3 1.3 5

Ensin. Samuel Moors ()

James mc Night.

Capt. Nathaniel Merton

William Nutt

Timothy Mertion

10 5

John Griffen

John Griffen, Junr

Benjamin Baker.

()

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

8. d.

James McNight

Col. John Golfe

()

Mujr. John Moore

William Nutt

Julın Grillin

Benjamin Baker

Thomas Newman

Abraham Merrell

Joseph Farmer

Ensn. Sammel Stark

William Gamble

John Dickey

I 10

Ensn. Samuel Boyd

Michael MeClintock

Capt. Wm. Parham

Charles Emerson

John Hervey

John Hughs

Davidl Starret

Money Merrill .

Capt. Samuel Moor . .

Ensn. Abraham Merrill

Ezekiel Stavins

Daniel hall .

Levt. John Parham

James Garman

Joseph Sanders

Jonathan Merrill

Moses Crombie .

Nathaniel Merrill

Levt. Ebenezer Stavins

£ 44 19

The following sketches of Revolutionary patriots are taken from Judge Potter's "History of Man- chester."

MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN STARK was the third son of Archibald Stark, Esq., one of the early settlers of Derryfield. His father was a man of education, and imparted to his children such instruction, and such principles at the fireside as few others upon the frontier were able to confer upon their children. Dur- ing Stark's boyhood the remnants of the Pennacook Indians were still in the Merrimack Valley, and made Amoskeag their annual rendezvous during the fishing season, and, in fact, in the earlier Indian wars, some of them were employed as soldiers by our govern- ment, and were enrolled with other soldiers. In this manner, young Stark, a hunter from position and necessity, became well acquainted with the habits of the Indians. This knowledge gave him a superiority over most of his brother soldiers in the war with the Indians and French that followed. However, this knowledge would have been to no great purpose had it not been united in him with other qualities pecu- liarly befitting a soldier of those times. He was re- markable for the vigor and activity of the physical man, and hence for his capability in sustaining fa- tigue. Adding to these, quick perception, indomit- able energy and remarkable decision of character, he

was the soldier for the times in which he lived, and, in fact, such qualities are the elements of success at any and all times. His success as an officer in the noted Rangers of the Seven Years' War gave him a popu- larity among the people at large, and the soldiers in particular, that placed him in the front rank as a suc- cessful soldier upon the breaking out of the Revolution. It was this popularity among the soldiers that gained his services to the country, for if his appointment or promotion had been left to the politicians of the day, it is doubtful, from the way in which he was treated by them, whether he could have succeeded to any com- mand. Once at the head of a regiment, and in ser- vice, the battle-field told the story of his bravery. His brilliant achievements at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton and Bennington are well known.

Early in 1778 he repaired to Albany and assumed the command of the Northern Department, and re- mained there until ordered to join General Gates at Providence.

He passed the winter in New Hampshire, in urging forward recruits and supplies, but in the spring joined General Gates at Providence.

In November, by General Washington's orders, he joined him in New Jersey, and after a short time was sent by Washington to New England to make requi- sition for men and provisions.

In 1780 he was with Washington at Morristown, and took part in the battle of Springfield.

Soon after, he was ordered to New England, col- lected a body of militia, and marched them to West Point.

General Stark was one of the court martial who decided the fate of Major Andre, and reluctantly, though in obedience to his duty, and for his country's advantage, favored the sentence of death upon that brave but unfortunate officer.

In 1781 he again took charge of the Northern De- partment. The country was overrun with robbers and Tories, and he had but a weak and inefficient force, but his striet discipline and stern justice dealt out to spies and Tories soon brought things into better order.

The capture of Lord Cornwallis brought the war to a close, but General Stark was ordered to New Hamp- shire for men and supplies.

The most of 1782 he was afflicted with a rheumatic complaint, brought on by long exposure, and was not able to join his command.

In 1783, however, he joined Washington, and soon after aided by his counsels in allaying those feelings of disquiet excited by the treacherous Newburg letters among the officers and soldiers of the army. Upon news of peace, Stark bore the happy intelligence to New Hampshire, and forthwith retired to his farm at Derryfield to enjoy that repose he so much needed.

But his active mind could not be at rest, and he en- gaged in all of those plans for the advantage of the

James Pairce

Zacchens Richison

William met'lintock

Levi. John Hall

Capt. Alexr. mc murphy

Joseph George

12 0

William Parham, Junr

Satire Firmy

Sma she coted

kommeral tinte: at

man Mit i urging Trang joined

ofersthe mine was i wrde regii-

Isown, and

wo wad. col-

wo to West

who wi reluctantly, For mis country's

Th for that

- Select De- ut mbbers

patice dealt

better

wal to

- was not

Tocco Toscore letters wer A w .w . [ pon

somand to his

vor les much

@ hs wowiutment or the day,

his braverv. What I . tou,

- Mode and asted

John Start,

MANCHESTER.

town and State which were so necessary to be matured and carried out by clear heads and strong nerves.

The unjust claim of the Masonian proprietors to the lands betwixt a straight and a curve line, between the northeast and the northwest corner bounds of the Masonian grant was first successfully opposed by him, and to his exertions it was mainly owing that the Legislature took the matter in hand, and established the claim of the State to the lands in question, thus quieting hundreds of small farmers in the possession of their lands, and in the end adding largely to the funds of the State.

He was ever found upon the side of his country, and when, in 1786, discontent had ripened into open rebellion, and the Legislature had been surrounded by armed malcontents, the veteran Stark stood ready for the occasion, and would have volunteered his ser- vices had not the insurrection been repressed by the judicious councils and determined action of the gal- lant Sullivan, who was at that time, most opportunely, at the head of our State government.

He refused all civil office that would take him from his home, but in his native town he was ready to serve his townsmen in any capacity where he could be of advantage, and that did not trespass too much upon his valuable time.

Thus living not for himself alone, but for his country, the veteran Stark passed into the wane of life, ever ( taking, as long as life lasted, a lively interest in every incident in our country's history. At length, suffering from the effects of a paralytic shock, at the extreme age of ninety-three years, eight months and twenty- two days, the old hero departed this life on Wednes- day, the 8th day of May, 1822.

The Friday following his death his remains were interred, with military honors, in a cemetery he had inclosed upon his own farm, a large concourse of people being in attendance to witness the imposing ceremony, and pay their last respects over the body of the man who had contributed so largely in filling "the measure of his country's glory."

The cemetery is situated upon a commanding bluff upon the east bank of the Merrimack, and over his remains his family have placed a plain shaft of granite, indicative alike of his simplicity and hardi- hood, upon which is inscribed " Maj .- General Stark."

This simple stone points to his ashes alone, but his deeds are traced in deep-lined characters upon the pages of our country's history, while his memory is engraven upon the hearts of his countrymen.

Such a name needs no other monument.

MAJOR JOHN MOORE .- He had been an officer in the preceding French war, in which he had won the reputation of a man of courage and energy. After the conquest of Canada he quietly settled down upon his farm at Cohoes Brook. Upon the news of the battle of Lexington he led his neighbors of Amoskeag to the scene of action, and on the 24th of April was commis- sioned by the Committee of Safety of Massachusetts

as a captain in Stark's regiment. Thomas MeLaughlin, of Bedford, was commissioned as his lieutenant at the same time. He forthwith enlisted a company of fifty- seven men, mainly of Derryfield, Bedford and Goff's- town. His roll was as follows :

Jolın Moore, captain : Thomas MeLaughlin, lieutenant ; Nathaniel Boyd, sergeant ; John O'Neil, sergeant ; David McQuig, sergeant ; John Jordan, sergeant ; William Patterson, corporal ; Abraham Johnson, cor- poral; Joshua Page, corporal ; Samuel Palten, corporal ; Harry Glover drummer ; James Butterfield, fifer ; John Alld, Edward Bicksbey, Sammuel Barron, Benjamin Baker, John Callohan, John Cyphers, Samnel Cald- well, Jonas Cutting, Edmond Davis, Charles Emerson, George Emerson, Luke Egan, John Goffe, John Gregg, Benjamin George, James Gledder, James Gibson, James Hlogg, Arthur Hoit, Thomas Inse, Solomon Hutch- inson, John Ilunter, James Houston, George Hogg, Lemuel Harvey, Cal- vin Johnson, Samuel Martin, Timothy Martin, David Mcknight, James McPherson, John Caldwell McNeil, John Mills, Joseph Matthews, John McPherson, Goffe Moore, Thomas McClary, Sammel Moore, David Moore, John McMurphy, William Newman, James Orr, Archibald Stark, Caleb Stark, John Turner, John Wyer, Ilugh Campbell, Alexander Hutchin- son, William McGilway, James Moore.

Three of the men joined the company at a subse- quent date, viz. : Samuel Patten, of Bedford, June 17th ; James Gibson, probably of Londonderry and John McMurphy of Derryfield, July 16th. Samuel Patten enlisted on the 17th, and, with the fifty-seven others enlisted on the 24th of April, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. In that battle none did better service than Captain John Moore and his company of Amoskeag, as related elsewhere.

On the 18th of June, the day following the battle, Captain Moore was complimented with a major's commission, to take the place in Stark's regiment of Major McClary, who had been killed in the battle of the day preceding. Lieutenant Mclaughlin was promoted to the captaincy thus made vacant, and Sergeant Nathaniel Boyd, of Derryfield, was made lieutenant in his place. Major Moore remained with the army but a few months, when the state of his health obliged him to retire to his farm. He con- tinned, however, his active participation in all matters on foot in the town, county and State, to forward the patriot cause, until his removal from the State, in 1778. In that year he moved to Norridgewock, in Maine, where he ever maintained a most respect- able position in life. He died in January, 1809.

MAJOR JOHN GOFFE was a son of the noted Colo- nel John Goffe, of Derryfield. He resided in Bedford, just across the Merrimack from his father. In the Seven Years' War he was a lieutenant in Captain Martin's company, in Goffe's regiment. At the close of the French war he returned to Bedford and resumed his occupation as a farmer and miller. He received a captain's commission from Goy- ernor Wentworth in 1764, and 1768 was pro- moted to a majority. At the commencement of hostilities he volunteered, went to Cambridge, en- listed in Captain Moore's company as a private, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. In the summer after, he left the army and returned home, his business requiring his presence. Several of his sons served in the War of the Revolution, and two of them lost their

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

lives in that struggle-Stephen being lost at sea, and William killed in an engagement. But in civil life Major Goffe was active in the patriot cause, and was successful in furnishing recruits for the army. When General Stark called for more troops to assist in con- quering Burgoyne, Major Goffe at once volunteered his services as a private, and marched to the conflict, thus favoring the great cause by precept and exam- ple. Of a truth, the good that such men do lives after them. He died at Bedford, aged eighty-five years.

LIEUTENANT JOHN ORR was of Bedford, where, at the commencement of the Revolution, he was a suc- cessful farmer. He volunteered under Stark in his ex- pedition to Bennington, and was appointed a lieu- tenant in Captain MeConnell's company, in Colonel Stickney's regiment. This regiment was one of the two that were sent against the Tory breast-work on the right of the enemy's works, south of the Hoosac. Early in the fight Lieutenant Orr was wounded in the knee by a musket-ball. Unable to stand, he lay upon the ground some time before any one came to his assistance. Sergeant Griffin then came to him, and with the assistance of another soldier carried him to a place of safety, forced to drag him upon his back through a corn and flax-field to shun the sharpshoot- ers of the enemy. From want of skill the fracture was not properly reduced; but employing a private sur- geon he began to mend, but was unable to be removed until February. On the 4th of that month he started for home, riding upon a bed in a sleigh, and reached home in ten days, after much suffering. He was una- ble to step till the October following, with crutches even. In the end he recovered his health, and though ever lame, was able to resume the active duties of life. He was much in public business, and filled the offices of selectman, Representative and Senator in the State Legislature with credit to himself in town and district. Lieutenant Orr died in Bedford in Jan- uary, 1823, aged sixty-five years.

SERGEANT EPHRAIM STEVENS was another true soldier of Derryfiekl. He never knew fear. Whether driving the Hessians from their quarters, or attacking them without regard to disparity of numbers, as at Trenton, he was the same dauntless man. He was one who "snuffed the battle from afar," and was ready to engage in it. When relating his affair at Trenton, in beating up the quarters of the Hessians, lie was wont to say that the bayoneted Hessians, as they lay upon the floor, was the prettiest sight he ever saw. He was of powerful make, and had the reputation of being the "strongest man in the army." In the camp at Valley Forge, when, by the recommendation of the officers, the sokliers engaged in all manner of athletic sports, Sergeant Stevens was wont to "beat the ring " wrestling and lifting. The trial of strength was in shouldering and carrying of "oak buts;" he

could shoulder and carry the biggest "oak but of any man in the army." Such a man was invaluable as a soldier. Want of education prevented his promotion. After the close of the war Sergeant Stevens returned to Derryfield and became a successful farmer. He died in 1845, aged eighty-seven years.

SERGEANT THEOPHILUS GRIFFIN .- He was an- other brave soldier of Derryfield. He was with Stark at the battle of Trenton, and was one of the men who assisted Stevens in adventure with the Hessians, before related. The most of the day he went bare- footed through the snow, throwing off his worthless shoes soon after commencing the pursuit of the re- treating Hessians, and this without a murmur. No man fought better than Theophilus Griffin; but he must have a leader. He could execute, not direct. When the news came of the retreat from Ticonderoga he was one of the first to volunteer his services to meet the enemy, and was with Stark at Bennington, where, in addition to fighting bravely, he assisted with the greatest hazard in carrying Lieutenant Orr from the field when disabled by a severe wound. After the close of the war he settled down upon a small farm, but with indifferent success as a farmer. Habits fos- tered, if not contracted in the service unfitted him for steady employment. He preferred the exciting scenes of the camp to quiet labor, and, used to those, in the time of peace he sought excitement where it could be found, and, as was often the case with other soldiers, passed the last years of his life with little advantage to himself or society. He, however, fought nobly for his country, and his name deserves a place among the patriots of Derryfield. He died at Derryfield at an advanced age.

SAMUEL REMICK .- He was an apprentice in Bed- ford at the time of Burgoyne's approach from the north. He volunteered under Stark and was at the battle of Bennington. He stood by Lieutenant Orr, saw him fall and carried from the field. As he emerged from the corn-field he took a position behind an oak and commenced firing upon the enemy. He fired some eight or ten times, when, as he was loading his gun, an unlucky bullet from the enemy's works brought him to the ground. In this position he loaded and fired several times upon the enemy. At length, giving his gun to a man, the lock of whose gun had been broken by a ball, he dragged himselfto a fence near by, where he was taken upon a blanket and carried to the surgeon's quarters, an open field on the banks of the Hoosac. He soon recovered, and lived to a good old age, receiving the bounties of his country for his sufferings in the cause of liberty.

The following were also in the war from this town : Ephraim Stevens, David Merrill, James Thompson, Benjamin George, Isaac George, Ichabod Martin and Robert McNight.

MANCHESTER.

CHAPTER III. MANCHESTER-(Continued).

CIVIL HISTORY.

The Charter of Derryfield-Original Bounds-The First Town-Meeting- Otheers Elected-Portion of Harrytown Annexed in 1795-Town Named Manchester in 1810-List of Selectmen, Moderators and Town Clerks-The Town-Meeting of 1840-Much Excitement Prevails- Thirty Constables Chosen to Keep Order-The Waning Power of the Town-Strength of the " New Village "-First Town-Meeting in the "New Village"-Town House Erected-Incorporation of the City First City Election-Officers Chosen-Organization of First ('ity Gov- ernment-List of Mayors and Clerks from Organization to 1885.

THE town of Manchester, embracing portions of the towns of Londonderry and Chester, and a tract of land lying on the Merrimack River, belonging to the Masonian proprietors, called " Harrytown," was char- tered September 3, 1751, under the name of "Derry- field." This name is said to have been derived from the fact that the people of Londonderry had been ac- customed to pasture their cattle within its limits. The charter was as follows :

" PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

"[LS.]

"George the second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, &c., and to all whom these presents sliall come.

" GREETING :

" Whereas, our loyal subjects, inhabitants of a tract of land within our province of New Hampshire aforesaid, lying partly within that part of our province of New Hampshire called Londonderry in part, and in part in Chester, and in part of land not heretofore granted to any town within our province aforesaid, have humbly petitioned and requested to us that they may be erected and incorporated into a township, and infranchised with the same powers and privileges which other towns within our said prov- ince by law have and enjoy ; and it appearing to us to be conducive to the general good of our said province, as well as of said inhabitants in partic- ular, by maintaining good order, and encouraging the cultivation of the land, that the same should be done ; Know Ye, therefore, that we, of our especial grace, certain knowledge and for the encouragement and pro- moting the good purposes and ends aforesaid, by and with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved Bennington Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander in Chief, and of our Council of our Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, have erected and ordained, and by these presents, for ourselves and successors, de will and ordain, that the inhabitants of a (the) tract of land aforesaid, shall inhabit and improve thereon hereafter butted and bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at a pitch pine tree standing upon the town line, between Chester and Londonderry, marked one hundred and thirty-four, being the bounds of one of the sixty-acre lots in said Chester, being the South West corner of said lot ; thenee run- ning sonth into the township of Londonderry one hundred and sixty rods to a stake and stones ; thence running west to Londonderry North and South line ; thence running South upon Londonderry line to the llead line of Litchfield to a stake and stones ; thence running upon the head line of Litchfield to the Bank of the Merrimack river ; thence running up said river, as the river runs, eight miles to a stake and stones standing upon the bank of said river ; thence running East South East one mile and three quarters, through land not granted to any town, until it comes to Chester line ; thence running two miles and a half and fifty-two rods on the same course into the township of Chester, to a stake and stones ; thence running south four miles and a half to the bonnds first mentioned, all which lands within said bounds which hes within the townships of Londonderry and Chester aforesaid, are not to be liable to pay any taxes or rates, but as they shall be settled, and by these presents are declared and ordained to be a town corporated, and are hereby erected and incor- porated into a body politick, and a corporation to have continuance for- ever by the name of Derryfield, with all the powers, authorities, privi- leges, immunities and infranchises to them the said inhabitants and their successors forever, always reserving to us, our heirs, and successors, all white pine trees growing and being, or that shall hereafter grew and be 4

on the said tract of land, fit for the use of our Royal Navy, reserving also the power of dividing said town to us, our heirs and successors, when it shall appear necessary and convenient for the benefit of the inhabitants thereof, and as the several towns within our said province of New lamp- shire, are by law thercof entitled and authorized to assemble, and by the majority of votes to choose all said officers as are mentioned in tho said laws.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168