USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 22
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They then marched without any unusual incident, to Ossipee · lake, where one of their number, Benjamin Kidder of Nutfield, now Londonderry, being sick, they built a small fort, as a place of refuge, in case of mishap. While the fort was building, a portion of the men were kept out on scout duty, and discovered the tracks of Indians. After a tarry of two or three days, leav- ing the sick man, the doctor to take charge of him, and Ser- geant Nathaniel Woods, of Dunstable, with seven men to hold the fort, Lovewell and his men, now reduced in number to thirty-
*Fox's History of Dunstable.
153
LOVEWELL'S SECOND EXPEDITION.
four, boldly marched for Pequauquauke, distant some twenty miles. The names of these thirty-four men were : Asten, Abiel, Haverhill.
Ayer, Ebenezer,
Barron, Elias,
Groton. 66
Chamberlane, John,
Davis, Eleazer,
Concord.
Davis, Josiah,
Farrah, Jacob,
Farrah, Joseph,
Farwell, Josiah, Lieut.
Dunstable.
Frye, Jonathan, Chap.
Andover.
Fullam, Jacob, Serg.
Weston.
Gilson, Joseph,
Groton.
Harwood, Jno., Ensign,
Dunstable.
Hassel, Benjamin, Corporal,
Jefts, John,
Groton.
Johnson. Ichabod,
Woburn.
Johnson, Josiah,
66
Johnson, Noah, Serg.
Dunstable.
Jones, Josiah,
Concord. Billerica.
Kies, Solomon, Kittredge, Jonathan,
Groton.
Lingfield, Edward, Corp.
Nutfield.
Lovewell, John, Capt.
Dunstable.
Melvin, Daniel,
Concord.
Melvin, Eleazar,
Robbins, Jona., Ensign,
Dunstable.
Richardson, Thos., Corp.,
Woburn.
Richardson, Timothy,
Usher, Robert,
Whiting, Samuel,
Dunstable. 66 Groton.
Woods, Daniel,
Woods, Thomas, Ensign, Wyman, Seth,
Woburn. 34
The company continued their march in a northerly direction, with great caution, fancying they had been discovered by the Indians. On Friday, the 7th of May, they heard a gun as they approached the Saco, but coming to the river, they met with no Indians, although they discovered their tracks. They struck the Saco, probably in the eastern part of Conway. Taking an easterly course they passed upon the high ground down the Saco, and diverging south, struck the basin of Pe-
Lakin, Isaac,
154
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
quauquauke, south of what is now called Stark's hill. Here they had a full view of the basin, and of Saco pond, just at their feet. This was near night, and they cautiously descend- ed the hill and encamped upon the shore of the pond. In the night the sentinels thought they heard the noise of Indians about the encampment, and alarmed their companions, but it was very dark, and they could make no further discovery. It was probably the noise of some wild animal, a moose perhaps, as they were near the spot where these animals usually took to the water. This incident confirmed their suspicions that the Indians were dogging them, and these suspicions led to a fatal error, as the sequel will show.
On the next day, May 8th, (May 19th new style) about 10 o'clock in the morning, while at prayers, they heard a gun across the pond, and Capt. Lovewell discovered a solitary In- dian upon a stony point of land running into the pond from the east. This Indian was hunting ducks. It is possible he might have gone from the village to the pond, duck-shooting, but it is quite as probable, that he was one of a scout of Indians that had been down the Saco, and was returning, and had been sent forward to this point to get a shot at ducks in sight. Be this as it may, Lovewell and his men, supposing they had been dis- covered the night previous and before, at once suspected that he was sent out as a decoy, and popular tradition has kept up the suspicion, as the point on which the Indian stood is called " Decoy Point" to this day.
They accordingly held a consultation to determine whether they would proceed to attack the enemy, which they supposed was in waiting for them on the north shore of the pond, or whether they should retreat.
The question being put, the men boldly answered, says the Rev. Mr. Symmes, " We came to see the enemy ; we have all along prayed God we might find them ; and we had rather trust Providence with our lives, yes, die for our country, than try to return without seeing them, if we might, and be called cowards for our pains."
It was determined, unanimously, to fight, and they com- menced preparations in earnest. In order to be entirely disen- cumbered, Lovewell ordered his men to leave their packs be- hind, and they were accordingly left in the woods, but without a guard. The spot where they left their packs was some thirty rods west of the little brook that empties into the pond, south- east of the present village of Fryeburg. Lovewell then led on his men cautiously towards the Indian, who was seen upon
155
BATTLE OF PEQUAUQUAUKE.
the point, a distance of about a mile and a half, principally, for the first half of the way, through a pitch pine wood, clear of underbrush, and the brakes but just started. The Indian got within five or six rods of them before they discovered him, having two guns and a brace of ducks in his hands. Upon discovering him, Lovewell and his men squatted upon the ground ; but as they did so, the Indian discovered them, and dropping his extra gun and his game, he quickly fired upon them and with fatal effect ; for his gun being charged with large shot, he wounded Capt. Lovewell and Mr. Whiting, the former severely. Ensign Wyman then fired upon the Indian and killed him, and Mr. Frye, the chaplain, and another scalped him. Tradition says that young Frye fired at the Indian and missed him, and this misfire made him the more zealous to take his scalp. Meantime, a scout of Indians, some forty in number, under Paugus and Wahowah, coming up the pond from a scout down the Saco, crossed the trail of Lovewell's men, and following it, discovered their packs, and finding their numbers less than their own, they at once determined to attack them. Accordingly, securing their packs, they proceeded to the brook before described, and under its banks, formed an am- buscade for Lovewell and his party. Passing east from this brook, you immediately come upon the highest part of the pitch pine plain, lying north of the pond. This part of the plain, terminates at the pond, in a ridge or bold shore, against which are piled up boulders of rock, evidently the effect of ice. East of this point of rocks, is a ridge of sand, extending parallel to the water, some 50 or 60 rods to another brook, emptying into the pond from the north-east, and now known as "Fight Brook." This sand ridge was from 4 to 6 rods wide, having upon it some scattered pines, and limited on the north, the most of its length by a swamp, extending west from the aforesaid brook, and which, in the spring, is filled with water, forming of this sand ridge, a long, narrow peninsula, only accessible from the plain at its western extremity, in the vicinity of the aforesaid point of rocks.
Lovewell and his men were leisurely returning upon their trail, and probably with less caution than usual, as they had not found the enemy they went out to meet, when coming to the bank of the little brook before named, the Indians rose from their ambush and fired upon them in front and rear, rushing upon them with shouts and yells of defiance.
Capt. Lovewell was killed the first shot, and our men were struck with surprise at the suddeness of the attack. But they
1
156
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
immediately returned the fire with deadly effect, killing nine of the enemy upon the spot. The company then dispersed, each one getting behind a tree, and firing upon the enemy as he got a chance. The firing continued brisk ; but soon, Capt. Lovewell and eight others being killed, and Lieut. Farwell and two others being wounded, and the Indians attempting to sur- round them, the party determined to retreat to the shore of the pond, " hoping to be sheltered by the point of rocks that ran into the pond." Here, behind this "ridge of land," and barrier of rocks they continued the fight to advantage, gradually ex- tending themselves across upon the sand before described, and protecting themselves behind the scattered pines. Here was an excellent position for an attack, but a very bad one for a siege, and had the Indians known their advantage, they could easily have destroyed the whole company. If, instead of im- mediate attack, they had quietly seated themselves at the only approach to the peninsula, hunger would have done its work, and not a man of Lovewell's gallant band could have escaped. But the Indians could not brook delay, and confident of success from superior numbers, they continued the attack, firing at any one of the little band who happened to expose a part of his body. Under the direction of Ensign Wyman, the firing was kept up with spirit on the part of our men, and with decided effect. The Indians kept up a continual shout, at one time howling like wolves, again barking like dogs, or mimicking oth- er wild beasts. And the English were nothing loth in this kind of defiance, but returned their howling with shouts and huzzas. Towards mid-afternoon, the Indians ceased firing, and drew off among the pines, at a little distance, to pow-wow over their success. They had got earnestly engaged in the ceremony, dancing, jumping, howling and beating the ground, in a word, pow-wowing, when the intrepid Wyman crept up behind the rocks and trees, and fired upon the principal actor, killing him upon the spot. This man may have been Wah- wah, or Wahowah, as we hear nothing of him afterwards. Be this as it may, the fight was renewed with greater ferocity, un- der the immediate direction of Paugus. Ensign Wyman con- tinued to cheer on his men, and they fought with all their skill and the energy of desperation, but with terrifying disadvantage, as the Indians were near twice their number, and had them completely at their will, To add to their misfortune, their chaplain, Jonathan Frye, about this time fell mortally wounded, as also Lieut. Jonathan Robbins, who had been wounded at the first fire, and Jacob Farrar. Young Frye, though unable
1
157
BATTLE OF PEQUAUQUAUKE.
to stand, continued to pray audibly for the success of his companions, at intervals, during the remainder of the fight. Thus disheartened, the firing on their part became less brisk ; and the Indians, confident of their success, came forward, and holding up ropes, to show they had them in their power and ready to be bound, offered them quarter. The intrepid Wy- man replied that " they would have no quarter but what they won at the point of their muskets." The fight was then re- newed, and towards night the enemy succeeded in getting up- on the peninsula or beach, some of them at least. Among this number was Paugus their chief, who took refuge behind a pine within talking distance of John Chamberlain, one of the best shots in Lovewell's party. They looked at each other from behind their trees, each endeavoring to detect an exposed part in the person of the other, and at length, each one think- ing he had the other at an advantage, aimed his musket to fire ; each gun flashed in the pan, and their attempts were in vain ! Their guns had become foul from frequent firing during the day, and were useless. In this dilemma, these bold men, who were acquainted with each other, agreed to go down to the water's side, and cleanse their guns, and then take their places and renew the fight. No sooner said than done, and they de- liberately went down to the water, and commenced washing their guns, the warriors on both sides understanding their mo- tives and leaving them to themselves!
In cleansing their guns and charging them, Paugus got the advantage ; his ball was so small as to roll down his barrel, while Chamberlain had to force his down with his rod. Pau- gus seeing his advantage, quickly said, " Me kill you," and took up his gun to prime ! Chamberlain threw down his rod, and bringing the breech of his gun a smart blow upon the hard sand, brought it to his face, and fired! Paugus fell pierced through the heart ! Chamberlain's gun being worn from long use, primed itself, and the knowledge of this, saved the bold hunter's life. After the death of Paugus, their Chief, the In- dians gradually ceased firing, and soon after sunset drew off in- to the woods, leaving the field to our men, who remained quiet for some time, fearing their return, or that they were lying in wait for them. It was supposed and confirmed by reports afterwards, that the Indians' loss, in killed and wounded, in- cluded the entire party except about twenty.
About midnight, our men hearing no more from the Indians,
15
158
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
assembled together, and inquired into their respective situa- tions. It was then found that there were twenty-three men upon the peninsula, of whom Jacob Farrar was just " expiring by the pond," and Lieut. Robbins, and Robert Usher, were unable to travel. The Rev. Mr. Symmes says :
" Lieut. Robbins desired his companions to charge his gun and leave it with him, which they did; he declaring that, " As the Indians will come in the morning to scalp me, I will kill one or more of them, if I can."
There were eleven more of the English, who were badly wounded, viz : Lieut. Farwell, Mr. Frye, Sergeant Johnson, Timothy Richardson, Josiah Johnson, Samuel Whiting, Elias Barron, John Chamberlain, Isaac Lakin, Eleazer Davis and Jo- siah Jones ; but they, however, marched off the ground, with the nine others who received no considerable wounds, viz : Ensign Wyman, Edward Lingfield, Thomas Richardson, the two Melvins, Ebenezer Ayer, Abial Asten, Joseph Farrar, and . Joseph Gilson. These all proceeded on their return to the fort, , and did not perceive that they were way-laid or pursued by the «enemy, though they knew our men had no provision, and must therefore be very faint.
Four of the wounded men, viz : Farwell, Frye, Davis and JJones, after they had traveled about a mile and a half, found themselves unable to go further, and with their free consent, the rest kept on the march, hoping to find a recruit at the Fort, and to return with fresh hands to relieve them.
As they proceeded on, they divided into three companies one morning, as they were passing a thick wood, for fear of making . a track by which the enemy might follow them. One of the · companies came upon three Indians, who pursued them some- time : meanwhile Elias Barron, one of the party, strayed from the others, and got over Ossipee river, by the side of which his gun case was found, and he was not heard of afterwards. Elev- en, in another party, reached the fort at Ossipee; but to their great surprise found it deserted. The coward who fled in the beginning of the battle, ran directly to the fort, and gave the men posted there such a frightful account of what had happen- ed, that they all fled from the fort, and made the best of their way home.
Solomon Keyes also came to the fort. When he had fought in the battle till he had received three wounds, and had become ;so weak by the loss of blood that he could not stand, he crawled up to Ensign Wyman in the heat of the battle, and told him he was a dead man,; but (said he) if it be possible, I will get out
159
BATTLE OF PEQUAUQUAUKE.
of the way of the Indians, that they may not get my scalp. Keyes then crept off by the side of the pond to where he prov- identially found a canoe, when he rolled himself into it, and was driven by the wind several miles towards the fort ; he gain- ed strength fast and reached the fort as soon as the eleven before mentioned ; and they all arrived at Dunstable on the 13th of May at night.
On the 15th of May, Ensign Wyman and three others ar- rived at Dunstable. They suffered greatly for want of provis- ions. They informed that they were destitute of all kinds of food, from a Saturday morning till the Wednesday following ; when they caught two mouse squirrels, which they roasted whole, and found to be a sweet morsel. They afterwards killed some partriges, and other game, and were comfortably supplied till they got home.
Eleazer Davis arrived at Berwick, and reported, that he and the three who were left with him, waited some days for the re- turn of the men from the fort, and at length, despairing of their return, though their wounds were putrified and stank, and they were almost dead with famine, yet they traveled on several miles together, till Mr. Frye desired Davis and Farwell not to hinder themselves any longer on his account, for he found him- self dying, and he laid himself down, telling them he should never rise more, and charged Davis, if it should please God to bring him home, to go to his father, and tell him that he ex- pected in a few hours to be in eternity, and that he was not afraid to die .- They left him, and this amiable and promis- ing young gentleman, who had the journal of the march in his pocket, was not heard of again.
Lieut. Farwell, who was greatly and no doubt deservedly ap- plauded and lamented, was also left by Davis within a few miles of the fort, and was not afterwards heard of. But Davis getting to the fort, and finding provisions there, tarried and re- freshed himself, and recovered strength to travel to Berwick.
Josiah Jones, another of the four wounded who were left the day after the fight but a short distance from the scene of action, traversed Saco river, and after a fatiguing ramble, arrived at Saco (now Biddeford) emaciated, and almost dead from the loss of blood, the putrefaction of his wounds and the want of food. He had subsisted on the spontaneous vegetables of the forest, and cranberries, &c., which he had eaten. He was kindly treated by the people of Saco, and recovered of his wounds.
Lieutenant Josiah Farwell of Dunstable, and Elias Barron
160
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
of Groton, were wounded, and died by the way in attempting to return home."*
The soldier who fled from the battle field so ingloriously, was Benjamin Hassel, a corporal in the company. Hassel was of Dunstable, and a grandson of Joseph and Anna Hassel, who were killed by the Indians at Dunstable, in September, 1691. His uncle Richard Hassel had also been taken prisoner by the Indians. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that Has- sel should not care to fall into the hands of the Indians. So, in the earliest of the fight, seeing Capt. Lovewell fall by his side, the company surrounded by the Indians, and becoming separated from his companion in their retreat to the pond, he made the best of his way to the fort, and by his imperfect and exaggera- ted intelligence, so wrought upon the fears of the soldiers left in charge of the same, that they at once determined upon a re- treat.
This probably was an act of prudence under the circumstan- ces, although as it turned out, it was very unfortunate. Accord- ing to Hassel's account, the entire command of Lovewell had been cut off, and the Indians in overwhelming numbers were in full pursuit. The fort was a mere temporary affair, with no provisions, forty miles from any white inhabitant, no prospect of relief in case of attack or siege, and the little garrison in- cluding Hassel, Kidder the sick man, and the physician, amounted to but eleven persons all told. Under such circum- stances, retreat was the only alternative. At first, some little blame was attached to Hassel, but people soon began to think that he should be excused, and only two years after, when the grant of Suncook was made to those who were in this expedi- tion under Lovewell, Hassel was one of the grantees, without any exception being taken on account of his conduct in, or subsequent to the battle. The men who were left in the fort with Kidder, were Nathaniel Woods, of Dunstable, sergeant ; Doctor Wm. Ayer, of Haverhill ; John Goffe, of Londonderry, brother-in-law of Kidder; John Gilson, of Groton; Isaac Whitney, and Zachariah Whitney, of Concord; Zebediah Aus- tin, of Haverhill ; and Edward Spooney, and Ebenezer Hal- burt, of Dunstable.
The party probably arrived at Dunstable on the 11th of May, 1725.
Upon hearing of this disastrous news, Gov. Dummer forth- with despatched a company under Col. Eleazer Tyng of Dun-
.Farmer & Moore's His. Coll. Vol. 1, pages 31 and 32.
161
BATTLE OF PEQUAUQUAUKE.
stable, to search for the enemy and to find and bury the slain.
Col. Tyng marched with his company on the 17th of May, and encamped at Namaoskeag, now Manchester, the first night. The next day being rainy, they continued at their encampment. Col. Tyng, having taken all the effective men from Dunstable, leaving the settlers in an exposed situation, wrote to Governor Dummer the following letter informing him of their condition, and asking protection for them :
" May it please your Honor.
This day I marched from Amos- keag, having 55 of my own men, and 32 of Capt. White's. (?) The men are well and proceeded with a great deal of life and courage.
Yesterday I was forced to lie still by reason of the rain. I would humbly offer something to your Honor in the behalf of our people who are left very destitute and naked, that you would be pleased to consider their circumstances and order what you shall think proper for their defence till we return.
I am Your Honor's Most Ob't Servant, ELEAZER TYNG.
Amoskeag, May 19, 1725."*
Governor Dummer, it seems, had anticipated Col. Tyng's re- quest, and issued the following order.
" To Col. Flagg.
Sir, These are to empower and direct you forthwith to de- tach or impress out of the Reg't whereof you are Lieut. Coll., A Sergeant and Twelve effective able bodied men, well armed for his Magisteys service, for the Security and Reinforcement of Dunstable, until the return of Col. Tyng and his company. They must be posted at the Garrisons of Joseph Bloghead, Nathl. Hill, John Taylour, and John Lovewell, and three Cen- tinels in each Garrison, and the Sergeant in that of the four that is nearest the Centre.
The Sergeant must be very careful to keep the men well upon their duty, so as to be a good Guard and protection to the People, and you must give him directions in writing accordingly. Let this matter be effected with all possible despatch.
WILLIAM DUMMER.
Boston, May 19th. 1725."+
Gov. Dummer had also written Gov. Wentworth at Ports- mouth, informing him of the mishap to Lovewell's party, and
*See Letter Secretary's Office, Mass.
+See order in Secretary's Office, Mass.
162
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Gov. Wentworth, by advice of the Council, dispatched a com- pany to Pequauqnauke, under Capt. Chesley, but they did not succeed in meeting with any of the wounded men. They went as far as Ossipee lake, and found Lovewell's fort, into which they hastened, having on Thursday, the 20th of May, discovered the trail of a large party of the enemy as they sup- posed. Under these circumstances, Capt. Chesley and his men were fearful they should " meet the same fate" of Lovewell's party, and they returned forthwith to Cocheco, from whence an express was dispatched to Portsmouth, to inform the Gov- ernor of the failure of the expedition.
But Col. Tyng and his party were more successful. They " went to the place of action where they found and buried the following men, viz :-
Capt. John Lovewell, Ensign Jonathan Woods, Ensign John Harwood and Robert Usher, of Dunstable : Jacob Fullam, of Weston ; Jacob Farrar, and Josiah Davis, of Concord ; Thom- as Woods, Daniel Woods, and John Jefts, of Groton ; Ichabod Johnson, of Woburn ; Jonathan Kittredge, of Billerica.
Col. Tyng found where the Indians had buried three of their men which were dug up, and one of them was known to be the bold Paugus, who had been a great scourge to Dunstable .*
Dr. Belknap observes of "Lovewell's Fight," " This was one of the most obstinate battles which had been fought with the Indians. 'They had not only the advantage of numbers, but of placing themselves in ambush, and waiting with delib- eration the moment of attack. These circumstances gave them a degree of ardor and impetuosity. Lovewell and his men, though disappointed of meeting the enemy in their front, expected and determined to fight. The fall of their comman- ders, and more than one quarter of their number, in the first onset, was greatly discouraging ; but they knew that the situa- tion to which they were reduced, and their distance from the frontiers, cut off all hope of safety from flight. In these cir- cumstances, prudence as well as valor dictated a continuance of the engagement, and a refusal to surrender : until the ene- my, awed by their brave resistance, and weakened by their own loss, yielded them the honor of the field. After this en- counter, the Indians resided no more at Pequawket, till the peace.
*Farmer's edition, page 212.
163
INDIANS LEAVE PEQUAUQUAUKE.
CHAPTER X.
Indians retire from Pequauquauke to Coos .- To St. Francis .- Settlements ex- tended .-- Great Earthquake .- First Constitution of New Hampshire .- A tri- ennial Assembly .- Reforms .- Difficulty between &Lt. Gov. Wentworth and the Assembly .- Gov. Burnet .- His death .- Gov. Belcher .- Quarrels with Lt. Gov. Wentworth .- Lt. Gov. Wentworth's death .-- His friends unite against Belcher .- First settler at Namaoskeag Falls .- John McNeil -- Rer. Mr. McGregore visits the Falls .-- First fish given to Minister .-- Road to Namaos- keag .-- People from Massachusetts at Namaoskeag .-- Vote as to them .-- Fer- ry established at Namaoskeag .- Massachusetts people here .-- Benjamin Had- ley, Benjamin Stevens, Nathaniel Martin, Ephraim Hildreth, Charles Emer- son, William Perham, Edward Lingfield, Benjamin Kidder, Benjamin Blod- gett, and John Goffe, Jr .- First inhabitants within the present limits of Manchester .- Londonderry people .- John Riddell, Archibald Stark, John Hall, Thomas Hall, Wm. Mcclintock, Alexander McMurphy, David Dickey. Biographical sketch of John Goffe, Esquire .- Major Gen. Wm. Goffe .- Of the Court to try Charles I .- Comes to America with Gen. Edward Whalley. Their wanderings, concealment and death .- John Goffe of Londonderry not a lineal descendant of the regicide .- Moves to Cohas Brook .- Death .- Ed- ward Lingfield .- In Lovewell's Expedition .- Commissioned as Ensign for his conduct at Pequauquauke .- Benjamin Kidder .- In Lovewell's Expedi- tion .- Sick .- Probable death .-- Archibald Stark .- Settles at Londonderry .- Removes to Harrytown .- Builds a fort .- His children, and death .- John Hall .- Moves to Harrytown. - His services and death .- John McNeil .- Dan- iel McNeil .- Of the Council of Londonderry .- John flees to America .- His strength .- His wife Christian .- " Old McNeil."-He moves to Suncook .- Death .- Daniel his son .- John his son .- Mortally wounded at Bunker Hill. Major Gen. Solomon McNeil .- Brig. Gen. John McNeil .- His services .- Leads his regiment at the battle of Chippewa .- Wounded at the battle of Niagara .- Difference in manners and customs of the people of Derryfield .- Disadvantage to the settlement .- The throat distemper.
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