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 41
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On the day following the capitulation, Gen. Amherst gave orders to Major Rogers to proceed with 200 Rangers and take possession of the French forts in the west as far as Michilimack- inac. On the 13th of September, Rogers embarked at Mon- treal on this hazardous duty having Lieut. Brheme of the En- gineers and Lieut. Davis of the Royal Artillery, in company. The detachment performed this service in whale boats, and reconnoitred all the points of interest up the St. Lawrence and through lakes Ontario, Erie, St. Clair to Huron. On the shore of Lake Erie, Major Rogers met with various tribes of Indians, and smoked the calumut with the far-famed warrior Pontiac. This chief refused permission at first for the party to pass through his country, and treated Rogers with the haughtiness of an Emperor whose territory had been invaded. At the second interview, however, he was very complaisant and smoked the calumut and furnished Rogers with an escort of warriors.
On the 29th of November, Rogers and his party came with- in a few miles of Detroit, and sent a flag to the commander of the Fort informing him of the capitulation. On the 30th he landed his party within a half a mile of the Fort, and immedi-
247
SOLDIERS OF AMOSKEAG.
ately formed in front of it. Upon this Capt. Beleter the com- mander, sent an officer to Major Rogers informing him that the garrison was at his command. Possession was immediately taken of the Fort and the French colors taken down, and the British flag run up in its place,-amid the shouts of a large number of Indians who were looking to witness the result of the unlooked for visit. At the entrance of Lake Huron, Major Rogers, who was proceeding to Michilimackinac with Lieut. Mc Cormick and 37 men, found ice making in the Lake. This was on the 12th of December. He proceeded up the Lake for 100 miles, when the passage of the boats became so obstructed by the ice, that he was forced reluctantly to aban- don the expedition and return to Detroit. Leaving Capt. Camp- bell in command at Detroit,on the 23d of December, Major Rog- ers and his party started down the Lake for Pittsburg, where thery arrived Jan. 23d, 1961. Hence, Lieut McCormick marched to Albany with the Rangers, while Rogers proceeded over the mountains to Philadelphia and thence to New York, where on the 14th of February, he reported to Gen. Am- herst the proceedings of the first English expedition to Detroit.
It was no small credit to old Amoskeag, that the Command- er in this important expedition and many of his party, should have been from among her sons. But through the entire " Seven Years War," she received repeated distinctions of the kind, and it is not assuming too much to say, that during that war, and the Indian war preceeding it, she furnished more fighting officers, and fighting men, than any other place or ter- ritory of equal extent in New England.
348
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
CHAPTER XVII.
Thrift of the Colonies .- Settlements extend .-- People of Derryfield do not thrive .-- Causes. -- Fishing and strife .- Vote to build a Meeting House .- Diffi- culty as to location .- People divide into parties .- Meeting House located. - Frame of house raised .- Boarded and shingled .- Vote to hire money to pay bills for same .- Vote to record names and amount paid .- Hall accused of retaining money .- Vote not to have preachnig .- Vote to have preaching through the year .- Quarrel personal .- The Hall Party elect Town officers. Petition to the Legislature to vacate the Town officers .- Bill of the Legisla- ture .- Warrant for Town Meeting .- Return on same .- Town Meeting .- Officers chosen .- Hall Party succeed .- Another Town Meeting. - Opposition succeed .- Annual Meeting in March .- Officers chosen .- Vote to settle with Mr. Hall .- He presents a claim .- Town votes not to pay it .- He brings a suit .- Town vote to settle the suit .- Last of the suit .- Town second best in the suit. Ill effects of quarrel .- Rev. Mr. Pickle's preaching.
After the submission of the French power in Canada, the people of the colonies had a season of rest. Thrift followed in the footsteps of peace. Nowhere was this result more appa- rent than in the Province of New Hampshire, Its people had had little respite from the horrors of Indian war since it had been made a separate Province,-a period of twenty years. Of course there had been little opportunity for developing the re- sources of the Province, or the advantages sanguinely foretold and anticipated from its separation from Massachusetts. On the contrary, its settlements had been curtailed, its resour- ces restrained, and its treasury depleted. But no sooner did per- manent peace arrive than the Province assumed more than its wonted prosperity, Settlements were extended in every di- rection. The various scouts, and expeditions that had travers- ed the Province in every direction during the late wars, had made known the good lands in the upper valleys of the Salmon Falls, Saco, Amariscoggin, Merrimack and Connecticut, were soon teeming with a hardy and industrious population. The people of Derryfield shared less in this prosperity than most other towns, for obvious reasons. The fisheries at the Falls took up a large share of the attention of many of the iuhabitants at a time, when their labor could ill be spared from their farms. Hence their farms became neglected. Excitement, and money in hand at the Falls, was too often thought better than money in prospect from the farm. Thriftless farms were too often the result. Then the old element of discord, difference of races, had full play. Fear of the Indian and hatred of the French
349
PROPOSE TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
had led Scotch Presbyterian and English Puritan to march shoulder to shoulder up to the cannon's mouth ;- this fear aside, they had leisure, opportunity and disposition to quarrel with each other, and there is not wanting proof to show that they embraced the opportunity.
As early as 1752, the subject of settling a minister in this town seems to have been agitated, and in the Warrant calling the annual March meeting, of date, February, 12, 1753, there was the following article ;
"6thly. to see if the town will Joyn with the town of Bed- ford In Giving mr. mc Doel a Call to the worke of the ministry Between the two towns and to Do and act in that affair that the town shall think proper."
At the meeting March 5, it was
"Voted, to give mr. mcDouell a Cauell to the work of the ministry, Eather to Joyen woth Bedford or by our selves.
Voted, John Ridill Alexander mcmurphey, John Hall, a Comitey to prosequt the given of mr. mcDoul a. Cauell to the work of the minestery to Joyn woth the town of Bedford or seprat and Distink by our selves."
At another meeting held April 26 1753, the town
"Voted, tow Houndred poundes old tenor for yearly solery to mr. mcDowall Provied he Excpts of our Call to Joun woth the town of Bedford."
Nothing further appears on our town records relative to this call to Mr. McDowell.
By the records of Bedford it appears that a call was given by Bedford to Mr. McDowell. March 28, 1753, It was unani- mously
"Voted, to present a call for Mr. Alexander McDowell to the Revd Presbytery for the work of the ministry in this town."
But the records of the town show nothing further in relation to him.
He had probably been employed to preach [some time be- fore this in these two towns. The name of no other minister employed in this town is found in our records to this time.
As early as 1754 the town voted to build a meeting house, and to locate the same on the land near John Hall's house. 27
350
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
This location produced much ill-feeling, and on the 3d of February, 1755, thirty of the inhabitants petitioned the Se- lectmen to call a meeting on the 20th of the same month, to reconsider the vote locating the meeting house and raising money to build the same ; but the majority of the selectmen refused to call the said meeting, thus denying the aforesaid in- habitants a plain and legal right. This refusal of the se- lectmen produced great excitement, and the inhabitants ag- grieved, petitioned Joseph Blanchard and Matthew Thornton, Esquires, two Justices of the Peace for the Province, to call a meeting of the inhabitants as provided by law.
They complied with the wishes of the petitioners and issued the following warrant to the Constable of Derryfield.
"Province of
S New Hampshire.
To Benja. Hadley of Derryfield in the sd Province, Constable of said town,-Greeting,
Whereas it has been mead to appeer to us the Subscribers, two of his Majestes justes of the Peace of sd Province, Qurom Unues that Thirty of the freeholders and Inhabitants of the sd town of Derryfield, by their Request signed by ye sd In- habitants and freeholders made to the maj'r Part of the Select- men of Derryfield aforesaid. When together did on ye third Instant Deliver and present such application in writing for the Calling a meeting of the Inhabitants of sd town to be held on the 20th Day of Feby, Cur't for the following Articles.
First to see if the town would Reconsider ye Vote, Relating to the choice of a meeting house place and make the same null and void.
Also to see if the town would Reconsider that vote for Rais- ing mony for Building a meeting house and order that ye Constable Omit his Collecting the Same and discharge the Sev- erall freeholders and Inhabitents from such part of the Taxes in some proper method as shall then be thot Best and that the sd Select'n did on the said 3d day of Feby, Cur nt Unreasonably refuse and deny the Calling a meeting for the Propritors aforesd and ye sd freeholders and Inhabitants have applyed unto us for warnt, for the Calling of a meeting of the freeholders and Inhabi- tants of Derryfield aforesd for ye doing of the Busness afore- sd to be held on ye first Day of march next,-at ye house of John Goffe, Esqr.
These are Therefor in his majyt name to Require and Command you the sd Constable to Notifie and warn the free-
351
PROTEST OF CERTAIN INHABITANTS.
holders and Inhabitants of sd town of Derryfield, that they as- semble at the house of John Goffe Esqr. in Derryfield, afores'd on Saterday the first day of march nixt at ten o'clock, forenoon then and there to act on the following artrcles.
First to see if the town will Reconsider the Vote Relating to the choice of a meeting house place and make ye same null and void.
Also to see if the town will Reconsider that vote for Raisaing money for Bulding a meeting house and order the Constable omit his Collecting the same and discharge ye Severall free- holders and Inhabitants from such part of the taxes in Some proper method as Shall then be thot best here of faile not and make due return, Given Under Our hands and Seal at Merrymac this six day of Feb. 1755.
Joseph Blanchard, Matthew Thornton, Qromus Unes."
Jusces of ye peace.
The meeting was duly held on the first day of March, 1755, and it was voted to reconsider the vote "making choice of a meeting house place", and also to reconsider the vote raising money for building the meeting house.
The following protest was presented and enterd upon the re- cord.
"Derryfield, March, ye 1st 1755.
Wee ye under Subscribers freeholders and Inhabitants of ye town of Derryfield, for Divers and weighty Reasons do Enter our Desent against the proceedings of this meeting which wee will make apeear at time and pleace Convenent.
Robert Dickey.
Robt. Anderson.
Alexe. McClintock.
Nethenell Boyd.
Willm. Elott. Willm McClintock. John Cochran. Walter Macffarland. Saml Macffarland. Willm Gamble. James Mac Neall.".
The majority at this meeting were not opposed to building a meeting house, but they were opposed to locating it near Mr. Hall's, and would have it at some more convenient place, near-
352
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
the Merrimack. The war soon claimed their attention and limited their resources, and nothing was done towards build- ing a meeting house until 1758 when the following paper was presented to the Selectmen.
"Derryfield Anguest ye 27 1758.
To the selectmen of the town of Derryfield, Gentlemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of said town, We the under Subscri- bers loking upon ourselves as under a great Disadvantage for want of a pleace of Public Worship, as we have rising fameleys which cannot atend at other places and as it would be encor- agement to ministers to Com and preach unto us if we were forward in getting a place for the public worshipe of God our- selves.
Capt. Alexr. Mc Murphy. Mickell McClintock.
John Hall. Robrt Dicky.
Robert Andrson. John mirrall.
James Riddell. James Pitirs.
Samuel Boyd.
William Petiers.
John Dickey. William Nutt.
Binjimin Stivens. James peirse.
John Riddell. . John Harvey.
James humphrey. Wm perham, Jr.
Hugh Stirling,
Thoms Hall."
On the second of September, 1758, a warrant was issued for a town meeting, at the barn of John Hall, on the 21st, of the same month :
"To see if the freeholders and inhabitants of the town would vote to build a meeting house this present year.
To see what spot of ground the town would vote to build said meting house on.
To see how much money the town would vote to raise for building the said meeting house.
To see what dimensions they would vote to build said meeting house.
To see if the town would vote to choose a committee to carry on the building of said meeting house.
To see if the town would vote to raise any money for preach- ing this year and how much."
At the meeting Captain Alexander Mc Murphy was Modera- tor, and it was
"Voted to build a meeting house this present year.
Voted to build the meeting house on John Hall's land joining
353
BUILDING MEETING HOUSE.
the road leading to Thomas Hall's ferry, and the Amoskeag Falls.
Voted to raise six hundred pounds to carry on the building the said meeting house.
Voted to raise the said meeting house forty feet in length, and thirty-five feet in breadth.
Voted Capt. William Perham and Lt. Hugh Sterling and John Hall the committee to carry on the building of the above said meeting house."
The Hall party prevailed and he was placed upon the Build- Committee. The committe proceeded with the work and put up a frame, but nothing e' se was done. People neglected or refused to pay their taxes, and the committee could make no farther progress. Portions of the taxes were to be paid in labor and lumber, and those opposed to the location of the meeting house ,continued to leave their taxes unpaid.
At a meeting July 15, 1759-It was
"Voted to collect five hundred pounds old tenor this present year to be applied towards Boarding and Shingling of our meeting house, said sum is to be taken out of the five hundred pounds new tenor that was voted in the year 1757 for building the above said meeting house.
Voted Capt. William Perham, Lieut. Hugh Sterling and John Hall a committee to spend the five hundred pounds old tenor, towars boading and shingling the meeting house.
Voted that John Hall apply to the Gentlemen that have land not cultivated or improved in Derryfield, for money to help us in building our meeting house in said town.
Voted that whoever pays any money to the above said meet- ing house shall have their names and sums of money they pay recorded in Derryfield town book of records."
Among other gossip, the Building Committee was accused of mismanagement and at a meeting Nov. 15, 1759,
"Voted 3 men a committee to examine the accounts of the committee that was chosen to build our meeting house in said town.
Voted Michael McClintock, John Harvey, and David Starrett, the committee to examine the accounts of the meeting house so far as they have proceeded in building of said house.
Voted to record the six hundred pounds old tenor that was collected in 1753, and the following sums as they are col- lected for building the aforesaid meeting house and each man's name and sum what he pays to the aforesaid house.
354
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Voted to allow all the committee's accounts, as they brought them in be before the town, in time and money spent by them in building our meeting house in said town, so far as they have proceeded in said building.
Voted not to underpin our meeting house at present but to make one door this year."
At a town meeting Dec. 3, 1759, it was
"Voted not to collect any more money from the town this year towards the meeting house.
Voted to borrow what remains due for the meeting house to clear off the committee's accounts, and to pay the interest for the same.
Voted that the present Selectmen for the year 1759 borrow money to pay off the committee for building the meeting house so far as they have proceeded, and the Selectmen in the year 1760, shall be equally bound to pay the money borrowed as the present Selectmen and shall have full power in law to collect the said money from the freeholders and inhabitants of the town."
At an adjourued meeting
It was "voted to reconsider the vote that the Selectmen borrow the money, and voted that Capt. William Perham, Levt. Hugh Stirling and Levt. John Hall are impowered by the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Derryfield to borrow the sum of four hundred and twenty three pounds six shillings old tenor, and to pay interest such as they can hire the above money for, and all their time and expenses paid by the said town as well as the above sum of four hundred and twenty three pounds six shillings old tenor.
N. B. Till such time as the above sum is paid to them by the aforesaid freeholders and inhabitants of said town."
The money was hired, and the accounts paid off.
In August 1760, the Selectmen were authorized to under- pin the house and to put doors in the same. December 15, 1760, the town voted that the names of those should be re- corded who had paid for building the meeting house, and the amount paid by each. The record is as follows.
Agreabel to a vote of the free houlders and Inhabitantes of Derryfield at a meeting held in the meeting House of Sd town, Novm. 15, 1759, Voted, one ye third artical of the Warrent to Record the moneay that was Corlected In the year 1758 and the following Soumes as they are Corlected for the Bulden the meeting houes In Derryfield and eache mans name & Some of
355
TAXES FOR BUILDING MEETING HOUSE.
monay what hie Peayes to the a for Sd meeting houes which Eache mans and Soum is hiear Set Down In the followe or- der.
this fierst colome is for ye year 1758.
for ye year 1759.
This is for ye year 1760.
£
S
d
48
s d
£ s
d
Capt. Wm. Perham,
18
4
15
3
21 10
2
Capt. Alex. McMurphy, 29
23 16 4
23
17
6
Capt. John Starks,
10 10
10
7 1
19
3
2
Lieut. Hugh Shirlea,
10 14
9 15 4
9
0
6
Lieut. John Moorrs,
7
4
7
4
8 10
Ens. Daniel Niell,
22
13 7
13
3
8 6
Ens. Robt. Andrson,
13
13
18
1
5
Sergt. Abraham Miral,
30 10
24
7 4
18
L
Sergt. Ebenr. Stivins,
14
5
12 11
12 13
8
Sergt. James Ridell,
7
8
9 10
9
1
4
Binjmin Stivens,
22 10
15
94
13
1
2
Binjmin hidley,
23
10
18 10
Wiliiam Quimby,
10
2
8
4
7 12
Mikel McClinto,
9
8
9 9 4
9
5
6
Chairels Emerson,
11 12
10 14 5
11
7
4 10
Elizer Robiens.
9
6
8 19
10 12
10
James McNight,
23 12
19 2 4
20
2
2
William Tagourt,
20 15
18 16 8
18
3
10
William Gemble,
16 15
14 1 9
18 11
6
John Harve,
19
2
15 15 9
17
5
10
Neehmie Mc Nill,
10 15
11
2
12
2
8
James Umphra,
10 15
7 13 4
8 18 10
Adam Dickey,
10 15
9
1 4
9
0
S
Thomas Gillis,
10
5
John Dickey,
10 16
9 17 1
8 13 10
James Pirces,
7 17
7 14 8
James Piters,
16 10
14 18
9
6 10
Joseph Gorge,
9
5
8 14
2
David McNight,
7 10
6
7
8
Willram Nutte,
10 14
10
1 4
9
8
8
Robrt Dicky,
8
8 15 5
7 6 8
John Cunagham,
9
8
Moses Carnerd,
9
8
6 19 1
7 6 8
Coln. John Goffe,
30 18
19
7
Sergt, Wm. McClintock, 21 12
20 2
24 11 10
John Ridell,
13
5
3
Thomas Russ,
9 10
8 17 5
11
£
.
21 13 10
356
-
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Widow Boyd,
3 18
4 7
2
1 2
Samul Boyd,
10 19
6 17
8 6 8
Alex. McClintock,
10 15
6 8
7 17 2
William Perham,
10
3
9 16 5
10 14
4
John Secomb,
7
8
6
6
6
8
Levt. John Hall,
16
2
15 8 10
12
8
Thomas Hall,
11
10
8
12
8
Levt. John Goffe,
13
17
4
19
William Smith,
9
16
8
11
2
James Moors Ears, (heirs)
17
5 8
1
4
5
Sizer Grifen,
8
3
7
8 9
8 10
Ezekiel Stevens,
6 64
8
2
James Willson,
10 8
Davit Stiret,
6 7
9 13
5
John Mirall,
6 6 8
Samuel Quimby, 18 11 11
John Tagourt,
6 6 8
Obide Huess,
6 19 4
Wm. Willson,
8 17 4
Stifen Gorge,
6
6
8
Mr. Thomas Parker of Litchfield,
6
James Willson in Lo. Derry, pd. if South, 10
John Stuard in Lo. Derry, haf a thousand of Boards 10 Recorded per me,
JOHN HALL,
Town Clark.
March ye 2, 1761."
Still the house remained unfinished. Meanwhile Mr. Hall was accused of retaining the money given by the non-resi- dent land-holders, and at a special meeting held the 15th of December, a committee was chosen "to call John Hall to ac- count for the money that he received from gentlemen that has land not settled in Derryfield."
As this committee made no report, and there was no further action upon the subject, it is fair to presume, that they found no such money in Mr. Hall's hands.
Thus there was a continual quarrel kept up between the par- ties, sometimes one controlling the affairs of the town, and sometimes the other, as the partisans happened to be present at the town meetings, matters pertaining to the meeting-house, and to preaching being the subjects of contention. And at
357
TAX LIST OF DERRYFIELD.
an adjourned meeting held April 2, 1764, the opposition on these subjects was carried so far, as to vote not to raise any money for preaching for the year, and not content with this vote, at a special meeting on the 29th of October following, they voted to apply the money already raised for preaching the preceding year, and in the hands of a committee, to pay the debts of the town. Their opposition to the location of the house, not only prevented the finishing it, but they would not have preaching in it ! However, the other party mustered at the annual meeting March 4, 1765 in full force, and carried things with a high hand, voting that the Selectmen furnish preaching for the current year, at the cost of the Inhabitants. Thus there was more preaching in the house for 1765, than ever before.
Such continual strife had a most deleterious effect upon the prospects of the town. Emigrants of respectable character were very careful to avoid a place of so much contention, and the inhabitants themselves had less inducement, and less time for industrious pursuits. What with the spring fisheries, neigh- borhood canvassing, personal altercations, and town meetings, there was little attention paid to agricultural pursuits.
At this time there were sixty three polls in the town, as ap- pears from the tax list, which was as follows.
"The copay of the Lieste In Lawfull mony,
1765.
John Hall,
1 15
8
Ebnezer Stavens,
11
I
Joseph Masten,
9
9
Levt. Daniel McNieal,
12
1
Samuel Stark,
6
3
Ensign James McCallow,
9 2
Capt. John Stark,
1
8 8
Levt. Archabald Stark,
9 10
John Riddell,
6 9
James Riddell,
7 8
Thomas Russ,
10
8
Johnathan Russ,
9
5
Parash Richordeson,
6
6
Henry Blasdel,
7
8
Benjamin Steaviens,
9
9
Ezekile St vens,
9
7
Sergt. Abraham Merrell,
10
5
£
S
d
Widdow Sarah Andrson,
6
358
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Abrham Merrell, Junr.
7 10
Josephe Gorge,
7 7
John Griteng,
7 4
William Nutte,
7 7
Capt. John Moors,
14 11
Conl. John Goffe,
1
6
Samuel Moorrs,
7
6
Thomas Newman,
6
6
William Tagert,
11
James McNight,
12
1
David McNight,
8
5
William Hall,
6 10
Elizer Robens,
9 6
William Pirham,
12 11
John Pirham,
- 7
7
Charless Emerson,
16
9
John Harvey,
11
2
William Pirham Junr.
9
5
Michael McClintock,
14
5
Samuel Boyd,
8
1
Nathainel Boyd.
7
4
Widdow Marget Boyd,
6
Isabeld McFarlon,
5
Capt. Alixander McMurphy,
19
James Hornor,
6
1
Alexander McClintock,
7
1
William Gembel,
13
4
John Heron,
9
7
James Perces,
6
7
Davit Stiratt,
10
6
Sergt. William McClintock,
18
9
John McClintock,
8 15
William McClintock Jun.
9
5
Davit Been,
6
Davit Been, Junr.
6
James Ramiesy,
Londonderry,
6
En. William Bller,
2
William Smith,
6
John Eacken, Londonderry,
5
Robt. McCluer, Londonderry,
4
Capt. John Goffe, Jun. Bedford,
6
Edward Barry,
6
Johnathan Mirall,
7 10
.
6
John Dickey,
369
MEATING HOUSE QUARREL.
John Crown,
6
John McCallon,
6
Joseph Moorrs,
6
Ebinezer Noyes,
4
6
James Graves,
1
6
Joseph Quimby,
1
6
Samuel Quimby,
1
6
Joseph Jouens,
1
6""
But a year of preaching did not produce any better state of feeling, and both parties prepared for a severe contest at the annual meeting in March, 1766.
The quarrel had now become almost entirely personal, and the object of both parties was to elect certain leading men to office. True, these men were in favor of, or against certain measures, but the men of one party at least, seem to have been more cared for than measures. On the 3d of March, the annual meeting came off at the meeting house, and the Hall Party taking time by the forelock, were present in force at the time appointed for the meeting, and proceeded to organize and to choose officers.
The following officers were chosen, viz ;
John Hall, Moderator.
John Hall, Town Clerk.
Alexander McMurphy,
Ebenezer Stevens, Selectmen.
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