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 53
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 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
NICH. GILMAN."
This was called the "New Emission" and was received with coolness. It soon began to depreciate, but not with the rapid- ity of the old issues. In 1781, it had so depreciated, as that £4 of it only passed for £1 of silver. The peace that follow- ed in 1783, had a tendency to sustain the value of the curren- hy, and it continued at the point of four for one until the time of its redemption in 1786.
The notes issued by New Hampshire from 1775, when the "copper plate notes" as they were called, were issued, remained in part unredeemed as late as 1794. The legislature in the June session of that year at Amherst, enacted a law for the re-
*See Felt, p. 187 and 188.
,
487
THE DARK DAY.
demption of all their previous issues. By this law it was pro- vided, that all state notes or orders should be redeemed at the rate of fifteen shillings to the Pound ; all bills of the "new emmission" at five shillings to the Pound ; and all "copper plate notes" or any other bills issued by New Hampshire, at the rate of five shillings for every one hundred dollars !
To meet this draft upon the treasury, the treasurer was au- thorized to borrow twenty-five thousand Pounds for two years, at six per cent. interest. All bills of a less denomination than three dollars were to be paid in specie, and all of a higher de- nomination were to be paid one half in specie and the remain- der in state notes, payable in eighteen months and bearing in- terest at six per cent. This law was promptly carried into ef- fect, and thus this depreciated currency was completely drawn from circulation, after a baneful existence of near twenty years.
May, 19, 1780 has been noted as "The Dark Day.". The morning was cloudy and rainy. Near eleven o'clock it began to grow dark as if night was approaching. Fowls went to roost, and cattle returned to barn-yards, as if it had been night. At noon it was too dark to read without lights, and they were necessary to perform the ordinary duties about house. Judge Patten, in his Jonrnal has made the following entry as to it ;
"19th, was a Thunder shower in the morning and was fol- lowed by an uncommon darkness such as is not remembered, it was so dark That one would not known a man but at a small distance, and were obliged to keep a light in the chimney to see to go about and the night was Extraordinary dark until one o'clock, that a person could not see their hand when held up nor even a white sheet of paper, the day and night was cloudy, the clouds in the day did not seem thick and was of a light- ning up couler our almanack makers have given no account of the matter the cause unknown."
The greatest alarm prevailed among all classes at this singu- lar phenomenon. The more excitable ran about exclaiming that "the day of judgment was at hand ;" while the more phlegmatic were filled with astonishment and surprise, not to say, alarm. The darkness was owing to natural causes. Fires had been raging in the wilderness northwestward, for a long time. Smoke and cinders filled the air, the west wind pre- vailing. On the night of the 18th and 19th, the wind chang- ed and blew form the eastward, bringing in from the Ocean a
488
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
dense fog. The fog and clouds meeting, loaded as it were with smoke, soot, and cinders, formed an impenatrable stratum in the atmosphere, that for hours shut out the light of day.
Early in 1783 news had arrived that provisional articles of peace had been signed, betwixt England and the United States.
Meantime during the spring of the same year, Congress had ratified the provisional articles of peace, and had ordered the same to be promulgated in the States by the Executive officers thereof. The Committee of Safety for New Hampshire, there being no Executivo officer, appointed Monday the 28th day of April for proclaiming the same, and it was read by the Sheriff's of the Counties, in the several shire towns. The proclamation was attended with great pomp and ceremony at Portsmouth. Mr. Weare, Pesident of the Council, and Chairman of the Committee of Safety, with other officers of the government, at- tended the reading of the same by the Sheriff, from the balcony of the State House ; a collation was furnished at the Council Chamber, speeches were made and sentiments given, and in the evening there was a grand display of bonfires upon the parade, and many of the public and private houses were illuminated.
In this neighborhood, the 10th of July was set apart by general consent for noticing the pleasing event ; and the people of this vicinity celebrated it by a general merry-making at Amoskeag Falls, where and when it was doubtless celebrated with quite as much heart and feeling as at the Capital.
But peace put an end to the provisional government of New Hampshire, as it was to continue only "during this unnatural war." But agreeable to a resolution of the Legislature at its preceding session, and the vote of the towns upon that reso- lution, the same plan of government was continued by Proc- lamation of the Committee of Safety, until the 10th day of June 1784. This Proclamation was publised, april, 16, 1783, and the old form of government was continued in operation.
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS.
Robert Rogers was the son of James Rogers of Londonder- ry. From boyhood he was exposed to all the perils and hard- ships of a frontier life, and six feet in height, and of fine pro- portions, he was noted as one of the most active and athletic men of his time. He early took part as a volunteer in the French and Indian wars, and in 1755 was in command of a company from New Hampshire, in the expedition against Crown
489
MAJ. ROBERT ROGERS.
Point. Necessity as well as inclination led Rogers to join this expedition. He had engaged to enlist some soldiers in this neighborhood for Capt. Joseph Frye of Massachusetts, and while in this service, had become implicated with some others in counterfeiting the paper money of the Colony. He was arrested and put under bonds for his appearance at Court. The government was in want of troops, and an arrangement was soon made with Rogers, that the proceedings should be stayed against him and his companions, provided they enlisted for the war. Rogers was commissioned as a Captain, and in a very short time had his full complement of men, and was on his way to Albany. He preferred the risks of Indian warfare to the prospect of a hempen knot. Possessed of much presence of mind, intrepidity, and perseverance, he soon attracted the at- tention of his superior officers, and was appointed to the com- mand of the noted Rangers. In this position, he gained great reputation, as has been developed in the preceding pages. Af- ter the reduction of Canada, he returned to this state, and lived on his half pay as a Major. He passed some time in Ports- mouth, where he married a Miss. Browne. He soon after went to England, where in 1775, he published a volume of "Reminiscences of the French War." As a reward of his services, he was appointed Governor of Michillimacinack, in 1766.
In this position, he was accused of plotting the plunder of his own fort, and desertion to the French, and was arrested and sent to Montreal in irons He managed to get rid of this diffi- culty, and in 1769, went a second time to England to prefer his claim upon the government for his services, and for money advanced to his soldiers on various occasions. While in Eng- land he published the second volume of his "Reminiscences of the French War." At the breaking out of the Revolution, he returned to America. After his return his conduct was very supicious, and although some of his former companions thought him favorably inclined to the patriot cause, yet there can be little doubt that he was a spy of the British Government. His move- ments were very erratic for one on an honest errand. Near the close of 1775, he was reported to have been in Canada, and · had entered the patriot camp as a spy, in the habit of an Indian.
This he persisted in denying, but soon after he was in Hanover in this state, where he called upon Dr. Wheelock, and one can hardly imagine why he should have been there, unless he were on his return from Canada, or sounding the people of the
490
THE HITTORY OF MANCHESTER.
N. H. Grants who were supposed to favor somewhat the royal cause. Dr. Wheelock immediately informed the Committee of Safety, of Roger's visit, saying in his letter ;
"The famous Major Rogers came to my house, from a tav- ern in the neighborhood, where he called for refreshment. I had never before seen him. He was in but an ordinary habit for one of his character. He treated me with great respect ; said he came from London in July, and had spent twenty days with the Congress in Philadelphia, and I forget how many at New York ; had been offered and urged to take a commission in favor of the Colonies ; but, as he was on half-pay from the crown, he thought proper not to accept it ; that he had fought two battles in Algiers under the Dey ; that he was now on a design to take care of some large grants of land made to him ; that he was going to visit his sister at Moor's Town, and then to return by Merrimac river to visit his wife, whom he had not seen since his return from England ; that he had not got a pass, or license to travel, from the Continental Congress," &c .*
"Major Roger's account of himself and his plans was not probably wholly true. He actually had a pass from Congress, but he had been a prisoner of that body, and had been released on his parole, and on signing a certificate, wherein he "solemn- ly promised and engaged on the honor of a gentleman and a soldier, that he would not bear arms against the American United Colonies in any manner whatsoever, during the Ameri- can contest with Great Britain."+
From Hanover Major Rogers went to Cambridge and at- tempted to visit the American camp, but Gen. Washington would not permit him to come within the lines. He put up at a Tavern in Medford, where Gen. Stark and others of his old companions visited him. Gen. Sullivan waited upon him and questioned him as to his motives for visiting the country. This account of himself seems to have been satisfactory. About this time Major Rogers wrote Gen. Washington a letter, filled with his regard for America, and Washington requested Gen. Sullivan to examine him more particularly. In answer, Gen. Sullivan writes under date of Dec. 17, 1775, "Agreeably to your orders, I have again waited upon Major Rogers, and strict- ly examined him." * * *. He owns everything in Mr. Wheelock's letter, except his being in Canada ; this he denies."
*Forces Archives.
+Sabin's Loyalists.
491
MAJ. ROBERT ROGERS.
Gen. Sullivan suggested, "as he was once Governor of Michil- limacinack, it is probable that he may have a commission to take that command, and stir up the Indians against us." From Cam- bridge Rogers proceeded to Albany where Gen. Schuyler sent for him anu examined him closely. In a letter to Washington, under date of January 5, 1776, Gen Schuyler says, "Since the receipt of your Excellency's of the 18th, Major Rogers has come into this town. I sent to him, and among a variety of papers he produced a late one from the Committee of New Hampshire, to pass unmolested to New York, for which place he starts to day." Gen. Schuyler placed no reliance upon the information given by Dr. Wheelock. Neither did Washington, for in January, he writes, "I am apt to believe the intelligence given to Dr. Wheelock respecting Major. Rogers, was not true." Yet he would have him strictly watched. In February, Rogers was in New York and made application to the Congress to be permitted to visit the "Duches of Gordon" the Governor's ship, then in the harbor, upon particular business connected with his own private matters. Leave was granted him. He continued in and about New York during the Spring and early part of the Summer, under suspicious circumstances. At length Gen. Washington ordered his arrest, and he wes taken at south Am- boy. Washington says of his arrest ;
"Upon information that Major Rogers was travelling through the country under suspicious circumstances, I thought it neces- sary to have him secured. I therefore sent after him. He was taken at South Amboy, and brought to New York. Upon ex- amination he informed me that he came from New Hampshire, the country of his usual abode, where he had left his family ; and pretended he was destined to Philadelphia on business with Congress.
"As by his own confession he had crossed Hudson's River at New Windsor, and was taken so far out of his proper and direct route to Philadelphia, this consideration, added to the length of time he had taken to perform his journey, his being found in so suspicious a place as Amboy, his unnecessary stay there on pretence of getting some baggage from New York, and an expectation of receiving money from a person here of bad character, and in no circumstances to furnish him out of his own stock, the Major's reputation, and his being a half-pay officer, have increased my jealousies about him. The busi- ness, which he informs me he has with Congress, is a secret offer of his services, to the end that, in case it should be reject-
492
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
ed, he might have his way left open to an employment in the East Indies, to which he was assigned ; and in that case he flatters himself he will obtain leave of Congress to go to Great Britain."
Washington sent him to the Congress at Philadelphia under the charge of an officer for their disposal, but Congress could not rid themselves of their suspicions, and they ordered him back to New Hampshire, to be at the disposal of the Provincial Congress. It is probable that he made an offer of his services to Congress, and that his offer was rejected on account of their want of confidence in the man. From this time Rogers, either despairing of obtaining employment in the patriot service, or finding it impossible to maintain his double character any long- ar, openly espoused the royal cause, and on arriving at New York broke his parole of honor, accepted the commission of a Colonel, raised the corps known as the Queen's Rangers, and was for a time the scourge of the country in the neighborhood of Long Island Sound. In October 1776, Rogers and a portion of his command made an attack upon one of the American out- posts near Mamarroneck. and was badly beaten, and he himself came near being made prisoner. A Hartford paper, of October 28, 1776, gives the following particulars of the defeat. "On Monday last, (October 21,) a party of tories (about 100 in number,) some of whom came from Long Island, under the command of the infamous Major Rogers, made an attack upon an advanced party of our men, when a smart engagement en- sued, in which the enemy were totally routed, about 20 killed on the spot, and 36 taken prisoners, who were safely lodged in the goal at the White Plains; the gallant commander with his usual bravery, left his men in time of action and made his es- cape." Soon after this time Col. Rogers left his command and went to England, and the noted Col. Simcoe took command of the Queen's Rangers.
In 1778, he was proscribed and banished by the Legislature of New Hampshire. It is probable that he never intended to return to his native land when he left for England in 1777. His wife was divorced from him by an act of the legislature, and married Capt. John Roach of Concord. Nothing is known of Col. Rogers after he left .America for the last time, and the time and manner of his death, whether in Algiers or the East Indies, by the bowstring or the sword, is equally unknown. His son Arthur, lived with his mother at Concord, and after her death inherited the property in Concord, now known as the
RESIDENCE OF J. T. P. HUNT, ESQ ..
493
DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT.
"Rogers Farm." He died in Portsmouth about 1841, leaving three children, two sons and a daughter, who occupied most re- spectable positions in life in the Republic of Hayti.
CHAPTER XXI.
Derryfield under various forms of government .- Choose an executive commit. tee .- Committee of Safety .- Committee of Congress .- Convention of Dec., 1775 .- Meeting for choice of Delegates in Derryfield and Goffstown .- Form of Government .- Officers appointed .- Committee of Safety .- Plan for a State government .- Vote in Derryfield .- Convention propose a plan in 1779 .- Its provisions .- Vote upon it in Derryfield .- Rejected .- Convention of 1771 .- Their plan .- Vote in Derryfield .- Plan rejected .- The Legislature propose to continue the government to June 1784 .- Vote upon this proposition in Derryfield .- Convention adjourns .- Address of the Prseident .- Committee of Safety issue a Proclamation .- Plan objectionable to the people .- Conven- tion meets .- Send out plan again with an Address .- Vote in Derryfield up- on plan .- Vote on 8th article of Confederation .- Constitution accepted .- Provisions .-- Meeting in Derryfield .-- First President .-- Insurrection of 1786 .- Leaders in it .- Go to Exeter .- Surround the court house, then the meeting house .- Militia called upon .- Insurgents retire to North River .- The ringleaders arrested .- Manner of their arrest .- General Booez .- Trials of offenders .- Convention to act upon the plan of government for the United States .- Finesse of Judge Walker .- Convention of 1791 for altering the state constitution .- Send out their plan and adjourn .- Vote in Derryfield upon it .- Is adopted .- Its provisions.
It will have been seen that the people of this town have been under various kinds of government. While a portion of its territory, from 1719 to 1740, was under the government of New Hampshire, a portion of it was subject to "squatter sover eignty" and nearly all of it was claimed and occupied by Mas- sachusetts, from 1734 to 1740. In this last year, the claim of Massachusetts was disallowed by the King in Council, and this town soon settled down quietly under the government of New Hampshire, a part belonging to Chester, a part to Lon- donderry, and part being still unincorporated. This state of things continnod until 1751 whon as we have seen, the town
36
494
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
was incorporated by the name of Derryfield. New Hamp- shire continued under a Provincial government and Derryfield a part of it, until 1775, when upon the departure of Governor Wentworth from the Province, the royal authority was at an end, and the people assumed to govern themselves. The people of Hillsborough County in the month of May, of that year, by delegates, met in Congress at Amherst and formed a temporary system of government, by which the people were mainly gov- erned through the summer and fall of 1775. The people of Derryfield were thus governed, and they refused to send any delegate to the Provincial Convention at Exeter. They con- tinued their town organization as usual, and when an extra- ordinary occasion demanded, the 15th of May, 1775, they chose a kind of executive committee, to act for them in all matters pertaining to their "libertys." This committee con- sisted of Capt. Alexander McMurphy, Lieut. James McColley, Ensign Samuel Moore, Ebenezer Stevens and John Perham. On the 27th day of June following, they chose a Committee of Safety "agreeable to the order of Provincial Congress" consist- ing of John Harvey, Lieut. James McColley, Samuel Boyd, Ensign Samuel Moore, and John Hall. Those Committees for the time being, had the management of all matters pertaining to "the libertys" of the people, while the Committees appoint- ed by the Congress at Amherst, seem to have exercised all ju- dicial authority within this and the other towns of the County. This state of things continued until the organization of the State Government in January 1776 by the Convention of the State in session at Exeter. Committees of Safety continued to be chosen in this town till 1779, after which time there is no record of any choice of such committee. It was by no means a desirable state of affairs, but still we are not aware but the people in this and other towns in the state, passed along as peaceably as under the former or succeeding governments.
However, the necessity of an effective government became obvious to the entire people of the state, and means were taken to meet this necessity. The Convention in existence, and which had been in session much of the time during the sum- mer of 1775, ordered a new convention to be called. Accor- dingly, circulars were sent to the various towns to choose dele- gates to meet in a Convention, to be held in Exeter on the 21st dayof December 1775. For this purpose Derryfield and Goffs- town were classed together. The order was sent to the select- men of the towns. It does not appear from our records that an order was sent to this town, that any warrant was issued by
495
MEETING IN GOFFSTOWN AND DERRYFIELD.
the selectmen of the town in obedience to any such order, or that any proceedings were had in the matter. But never- theless such an order was sent, and the people of Derryfield were notified, Joseph George, one of the selectmen of Der- ryfield for 1775, uniting with the selectmen of Goffstown, in issuing a warrant for that purpose. All of which appears from the records of Goffstown. Their warrant was as fol- lows :
"Colony of These are to warn all the legal inhabi- New Hampshire. S tants paying taxes in the town of Goffs- town aud Derryfield to meet at the Meeting house in Goffs- town, on Monday the eighteenth of December next, at one o'clock in the afternoon.
lly, to choose a Moderator to Regulate said meeting.
2ly, to see if they will choose one Person to Represent them in Gennerall Congress to be held at Exeter December ye 21st 1775, and to impower said Representative for the term of one year from their first meeting, to transact such Business, Pursue such Measures as they may Judge Nessesary for the publick good, it being the order of the Provential Congress, Novem'r, 14, 1775.
Given under our hands and seals at Goffestown this 27th of Novem'r, 1775.
Moses Kelley, Thos. Shirla, Joshua Martin, Joseph Geoge,
Selectmen."
The meeting was duly held on the 18th of December, and the record of its proceedings is thus ;
Colony of At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of New Hampshire. S Goffestown and Derryfield at the Meeting- house in Goffestown on Monday the 18th day of December 1775.
Voted, Major Moses Kelley Moderator.
Voted, to chuse a person to attend the Congress at Exeter for the Insuing year.
Voted, that the choice be by polling.
Voted, that Major Moses Kelley be chosen to attend the Pro- vential Congress at Exeter for the Insuing year.
496
THE HITTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Voted, that their be a Committee chose to Give Instruct- ions.
Voted,
Coln. John Goffe, r Thos. Shirla, John Harvill, Robert McGregor, David Starit, Capt. James Karr,
be Said Committee,
Voted, that the meeting be dismissed."
It would be interesting to read the instructions of the com- mittee, but they have not been preserved.
The Convention met on the 21st of December, 1775, and after due deliberation on the 5th day of January, 1776, adopt- ed a form of government. The act was as follows ;
"In Congress at Exeter, January 5, 1776.
WE, the members of the Congress of the colony of New- Hampshire, chosen and appointed, by the free suffrages of the people of said colony, and authorized and impowered by them, to meet together and use such means and pursue such measures, as we shall judge best for the public good ;- and in particular, to establish some form of government, provided that measure should be recommended by the Continental Congress ; and a recommendation to that purpose having been transmitted to us, from the said Congress-have taken into our serious considera- tion the unhappy circumstances, into which this colony is in- volved, by means of many grevious and oppresive acts of the British parliament, depriving us of our native and constitution- al rights and privileges ; to enforce obedience to which acts, a powerful fleet and army have been sent into this country, by the ministry of Great Britain, who exercise a wanton and cruel abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and properties of the colonists, in many places, with fire and sword, taking the ships and lading from many of the honest and industrious in- habitants of this colony, employd in commerce, agreeable to the laws and customs a long time used here.
The sudden and abrupt departure of his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq., our late governor, and several of the council, leaving us destitute of legislation ; and no executive courts be- ing open, to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and properties of the honest people of this colony, are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men :---
497
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF 1776.
Therefore, for the preservation of peace and good order, and for the security of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the necesity of establishing a form of government, to continue during the present and unnatural contest with Great Britain, protesting and declaring, that we never sought to throw off our dependance upon Great Britain ; but felt ourselves happy under her pro- tection, while we could enjoy our constitutional rights and and privileges-and that we shall rejoice, if such a reconcilia- tion, between us and our parent state, can be effected, as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.
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.