History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 138

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 138
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 138

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).

The General Court of Massachusetts received, May 31, 1727, a petition from the survivors and the heirs of those killed, who were with Captain John Love- well on his several expeditions against the Indians, for the grant of a township adjoining and south of Penacook, to repay them for their services in behalf of the colony. The petition was taken into consid- eration June 27, 1727, and the township of Suncook, or Lovewell's township, was granted.

There is reason to believe that the first movement toward a settlement of Suncook was in the summer of 1728. It was the custom for the young men to start early in the spring for the newly-granted wild lands, build a rude log shanty for temporary shelter, and proceed at once to clear away the forest growth from their lots. The axe and firebrand were the means employed. Not unfrequently the crop of the first season nearly paid for the land. After the har- vest the toilers would return to a more settled com- mnnity in which to pass the winter.

Tradition asserts that Francis Doyne and wife were the first white inhabitants who ever wintered in the township (1728-29), and they may be said to have been the first permanent settlers. Their log hut is said to have been located about in the middle of the field west of Pembroke Street, just north of the road lead- ing toward Garvin's Falls. After a severe snow- storm they were visited by a party from Penacook, who were anxious as to their safety, and were found in a roughly-built cabin, comfortable, contented and protected against the inclemency of the weather. Doyne was one of Captain Lovewell's soldiers. Dur- ing the same summer, 1728, the property was proba- bly visited both by many of the original grantees, their heirs and others wanting to purchase. The amount of work accomplished during this first year

562

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

toward effecting a permanent settlement is unknown, but in the following spring (1729) the ingress of set- tlers was rapid.

Besides James Moor and Francis Doyne, there is reason to believe that the township was occupied in the summer of 1729 by James Mann, Samuel Gault, Thomas Cunningham and Noah Johnson. Contem- porary or a very little later came Benjamin Holt, Richard Eastman, David Lovejoy, Abner Gordon, Benjamin Chandler, David Chandler, Stephen Holt and Dudley Broadstreet.

In a general sense, the settlers of the township dis- placed the Indians, but no particular tribe is known to have occupied the territory save as a hunting- ground and fishing rendezvous. The name of one Indian only has come down to us as having any con- nection with the place, and his record is very tradi- tional and vague. Plausawa, in whose honor the hill in North Pembroke is named, is said to have had his wigwam in that locality. With his comrades, Sabatis and Christi, he was frequent visitor to this and neigh- boring sections until war was declared, when he cast his lot with the St. Francis tribe. The three are charged with having led or instigated the attack upon Suncook and Epsom in after-years. During a cessa- tion of hostilities Plausawa and Sabatis were killed while on a friendly visit to Boscawen, in 1753.

At a meeting of the grantees or proprietors of the township of Suncook, held at Chelmsford, December 10, 1729, Lieutenant David Melvin, Mr. Eleazer Davis and Lieutenant Jonathan Hubbard, unani- mously, and Dr. William Ayer and William Cum- mings, by a majority, were chosen a committee of five to order the affairs of the new settlement, and to admit the thirteen men of Captain Lovewell's early command who would actually settle upon their rights. At an adjourned meeting the next day, December 11th, it was voted that the committee of five already chosen should view the lands in the township, and, with the assistance of an able surveyor, lay out sixty lots, " the least to contain forty acres if the land will con- veniently allow thereof; . .. the lots to be qualified by adding a larger quantity of land where the land shall appear to be of less value than the best, so that the lots be all equal in value in the judgment of the committee." It was also ordered that the intervale land, which was of especial value to new settlers, being already cleared of forest, should be equitably divided; that a plat of these lots should be made and distinctly numbered; and that, at a convenient time after this survey had been accomplished, the pro- prietors should be notified to meet and draw lots. The committee were enjoined to lay out an additional lot, "as conveniently as may be," for the first settled minister, and a " convenient portion of land reserved for the ministry."

A list of the first forty-seven grantees or proprietors of the township of Suncook, together with the thir- teen who were admitted as equal sharers, takeu

December 11, 1729, is here given, together with the number drawn by each proprietor in the first division of lots subsequently made, --

Upland Inter-

FIRST DIVISION OF LOTS.

lots. val lots.

Captain John Lovewell (d.) 1. . . . 55 33

Lieutenant Josiah Farwell (d.)1 .. . 34 26

Lieutenant Jonathan Robbins (d.)1. . 31 44

Ensign John Harwood (d.)1 . 35

Noah Johnson.1. 46

Of Dunetable . . .

Robert Usher (d.)1. 9

Samuel Whiting 1. . 17

Jonathan Cummings 27

William Cummings

Benjamin Hassel .

Edward Lingfield 1

Nathaniel Woods, Jr . 60

Daniel Woods (d.)1. 40

John Jefts (d.)1. . 48

Thomas Woods (d.)1. 24

Joseph Gilson, Jr. 1.

Of Groton

John Gilson 19

John Chamberlain.

Isaac Lakin1. 43

John Stevens. 38

Benjamin Parker. 21

Ebenezer Wright.

Of Chelmsford .

Moses Graves.

Of Dracut

Joseph Wright

42 35

Of Lancaster

Jonathan Houghton

John Pollard.

Of Billerica. .

Jeremiah Hunt.

Jonathan Kittredge (d.)1

Captain Seth Wyman!

Thomas Richardson 1

Of Woburn.

Josiah Johnson 1

Ichabod Johnson (d.)!

Timothy Richardson 1.

Of Andover

Mr. Jonathan Frye (d.)1 12

40 50

Of Penacock . .

Francis Doyen . 11

Ebenezer Ayer1 52

Of Haverhill

Abiel Austin 1 63

Zebadiah Austin 62

Of Weston.

Jacob Fullam (d.) !. 58

Of Londonderry. .

John Goffe . 18

Of America.

Toby, Indian. 45

Edward Spooney 20

Of Dunstable.

Ebenezer Halburt 32

Samuel Moore . 47

Lieutenant David Melvin 1 41

Isaac Whitney . 61

Zachariah Parker 28

Joseph Farrar1

Of Concord

Eleazer Melvin1.

Josiah Davis (d.)1.

Eleazer Davis1 6

Josiah Jones 1

Jacob Farrar (d.)1

Of Stowe .

Jacoh Gates

Robert Phelps

Joseph Wheelock.

Dr. William Ayer

Benjamin Kidder. 26

Of Marlborough. .

Solomon Keyes1

Elias Barron (d.)1 61

The inroad of settlers in 1730 was probably rapid. The giants of the forest fell before the woodman's axe, and the log cabin was rendered homelike by the presence of women and children. The few scattering Indians remaining in the neighborhood were indiffer-

1 In the fight at Pigwacket, Fryeburg. (d.) deceased.

563

PEMBROKE.

ent or friendly, and doubtless the settlers received occasional calls from them.

The log houses built by the pioneers of the last century are unknown to-day in this vicinity, but their type may still be seen in the logging camps of Grafton and Coos Counties, and in all new countries. In summer the life was not unpleasant,-the river teemed with shad, salmon, and trout ; the deer and the

In 1737 the first road to Rumford was laid out. It bear wandered in the neighboring forests; the virgin led diagonally across the lots very directly from the soil yielded wonderful harvests. Their fare was simple, but with prudence and foresight one could provide for the family during the long winter months with ordi- nary exertion. Fuel was at their very doors, to be had for the chopping, and pitch pine knots answered for candles and gas.

Wolves, lean and hungry, might howl about their safely-barred windows, but could not enter their dwellings ; nor could the cold affect them, with logs hospitably piled in the open fire-place. The Bible and New England Primer might form their thoroughly read library, but tradition was a never-failing source of interest to them.

James Moore probably erected his house this year, said to have been the first framed building in the township, and the frame to-day forms a part of Samuel Emery Moore's house. Neighbors from Buck- street and Concord assisted at the raising, and a few Indians are said to have helped. Tradition asserts that one of the latter was worsted in a friendly con- test and trial of strength, usual from time immemorial on such occasions, and became very angry at his over- throw, threatening vengeance. His wrath was ap- peased by a potation from a brown jug which had already come into use. Moore was very sagacious in his treatment of the Indians, and gained their friend- ship; his place was avoided by them in after-years during hostilities, though fortified to repel an attack.

In April, 1733, it was "Voted that a meeting-house, twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long, be built as soon as may be, and set upon or near a lot of land, No. 3, the said house to be of good hewn logs, ten or eleven feet stud, the roof to be well covered with long shingles, well laid and nailed, and one door well inade and hung, ye ends of ye house to be closed with good clapboards or boards, all to be done sufficiently workmanlike by the last day of June" ensuing.

The contract for erecting this structure was awarded to Timothy Richardson for the sum of "fifty-five pounds, in good bills of credit," provided he found all the nails and gave bonds for the faithful performance of the work.

This church, which was built in accordance with the above vote, stood at the northeast corner of the graveyard, on Main Street, near the residence of Hon. Aaron Whittemore, not far from the Meeting-House Brook, to which it gave the name. It answered the purpose for which it was built for more than a dozeu years, when it was replaced by a more pretentious framed building occupying the same site.

At a subsequent meeting, at the same place, Septem- ber 19th, a grant of fifty acres of laud and a sum of money not to exceed sixty pounds, was voted to en- courage the person or persons who should build a good and suitable saw-mill and corn-mill in some conve- nient place in the township, acceptable to the pro- prietors' committee.

first meeting-house, at the northeast corner of the cemetery, over intervening land to the bridge; thence by the river-bank to the great bend in the Mer- rimack, where a ferry was carly established, about a mile below the lower bridge in Concord, and nearly as far above the railroad bridge.

At this period the township of Suncook included a part of the present towns of Pembroke, Hooksett, Allenstown and Bow, as may be seen by consulting the plan. Buck-street and North Pembroke were not included. The former was probably settled by the Cochran, McLucas, Sinckler, Martin, McGaffey, Fullerton and other families. The north and east parts of the town were then a wilderness, covered by the primeval forest. The Suncook settlers, for the most part, were on the home lots, which were on each side of what is now Pembroke Street. Their meadow lots, on the Suncook and Soucook Rivers, were reached by winding paths through the forest, and were valuable to the pioneers from the wild grass that grew upon them. The interval lots along the Merrimack are said to have been open at the first settlement, from inundation of the river, or kept so by the former occupants of the land, the Indians, as corn-fields.

An old man once said that the pioneers settled on high land, not on account of its fertility, but to avoid the trails of the savages, which were made by the river- bank; that the Indians would never turn from their march to do malicious injury, except when on the war-path; and because from an elevation the clear- ings could be better protected by a stockade and garrison-house.

Mention has been made of the dispute between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire as to their boundary line. To settle the conflicting claims, an appeal was made to the King, who appointed a board of commissioners, selected from the councilors of Nova Scotia, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, with power to settle the question. This com- mission first met at Hampton, August 1, 1737. A few days later the Assembly of New Hampshire met in the same town, while in the neighboring town of Salisbury, across the line, the Assembly of Massa- chusetts was gathered. Jonathan Belcher was the Royal Governor of both provinces; David Dunbar was Lieutenant-Governor of New Hampshire. This Assembly of the Great and General Courts was at- tended with much pomp and ceremony. Evidently the legislators were acting the part of lobbyists on a

564

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

grand scale. The decision of the commissioners was not satisfactory to either party, and they had to again refer the subject to the King.

In this appeal New Hampshire had the advantage of the most skillful advocates, who represented the " poor, little, loyal, distressed province of New Hampshire " as crowded and oppressed by the " vast, opulent, overgrown province of Massachusetts; " and New Hampshire won the case. The question was settled by His Majesty, in council, March 5, 1740, and the present southern boundary of New Hamp- shire was established. With many other townships granted by Massachusetts, Suncook was found to be without the jurisdiction of the province that had granted the charter, and within a province governed by different laws, and under a proprietary system where the wild land was owned by individuals and not by the State.

This was the more bitter to the inhabitants of Suncook because of the Masonian claim. This hung over their heads and affected their ownership in the lands which they had recovered from a wilderness by years of toil and exposure. They had become attached to the beautiful locality, and would not give it up, at least without a struggle. They stood in the places of those heroes who had dislodged the Iudians from this region and rendered the whole habitable. Some of the num- ber were in their midst, and they clung to their lands and hoped for the best. This act of the King led to a more serious contest, which lasted a score of years, to the detriment of all engaged. In Suncook and Rumford it was generally known as the Bow contro- versy.

To certain of the settlers, whose families for over a century had shared the fortunes of Massachusetts and imbibed its prejudices, this change in jurisdiction must have been unwelcome. To the Presbyterians it was objectionable only so far as it affected their prop- erty rights. As individual preferences were not re- garded, all had to submit to the inevitable.

In 1744 the long-expected war between France and England was declared, and the New England settle- ments were exposed to the merciless and treacherous attacks of the Indians along the whole frontier. These foes were armed and rewarded by the French author- ities in Canada. Four block-houses were erected in Suncook,-one where Mr. Moody K. Wilson lives, one on the farm of Mr. Edward Elliot ( formerly occupied by Colonel James Head, and later by Deacon Hazel- tine), one where Mrs. Mary A. Vose lives (formerly occupied by Rev. Aaron Whittemore) and one where Mr. Samuel E. Moore lives,-as places of refuge in case of an attack. These block-houses, or forts, were constructed of green logs, two stories in height, the upper story projecting, and affording port-holes through which the sides of the structure could be protected by those within. Moore's house was protected by a stockade. Aware of the danger which surrounded them, arms were carried on every occasion, even to

the meeting-house, where they were stacked, ready for instant use, in case of a surprise.

The New Hampshire Assembly was petitioned in June, by Moses Foster, in behalf of the inhabitants, for a garrison of soldiers to act as a protection. The whole province was in arms all through the year.

The good people of Suncook became dissatisfied with their log meeting-house in 1746, and resolved to replace it with a frame structure better adapted to their wants. The frame of timber was accordingly prepared, and the whole town turned out to the rais- ing. So important was the movement that citizens from the neighboring townships gave their presence and assistance to the work, and tradition affirms that among others were the Bradleys, from Concord, who, within a short time after, perished by the hands of the Indians.

The building was interfered with by the Indian dis- turbances, but at length it was finished, and answered . for a meeting-house and town-house for over half a century. It stood at the northeast corner of the cemetery, on Main Street, until about 1806, when it was moved to its present position. Its solid frame, having been converted into a barn, is now owned by Hon. Aaron Whittemore, a great-grandson of the first settled minister in town.

In August the Indians made a successful attack upon a party of seven men in the neighboring settle- ment of Rumford, killed five and carried two captives to Canada. The inhabitants of Suncook were justly alarmed, and took extra precautions to escape a sur- prise. The firing of three guns in quick succession was the signal of alarm, when men, women and chil- dren would hasten to the garrison-houses as places of safety. A commissioned officer was stationed in each of these for command in its defense. Rev. Aaron Whittemore, who occupied one of the block-houses, was thus commissioned. The planting and harvesting were attended with peculiar danger, yet, as they were necessary exposures, these hardy pioneers ventured all rather than desert their new homes. Companions of the dreaded Captain John Lovewell or their descendants, they kept their foes at a respectful dis- tance by fear of their unerring rifles and attested bravery.

The following petition is of interest :

"To his Excelency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief ju and over His Majesty's Province of New Hamp- shire, and to the Hon'bl Majesty's Council and House of Repre- eentatives of said Province, in General Court assembled :

" The humble petition of the inhabitants of Suncook, in Said Prov ince humbly sheweth,

" That on Monday the twentieth of this instant May, about two hours after sun rise, the Indians set on two men in ye lower part of this town, and killed one of them, and the other narrowly escaped, and they fired at a house but was repuleed, and toward evening of the same day, the Sun about two hours high, they robbed two or three houses and fired on four men going to the pasture for their cows, within about half a mile from the meeting house, a considerable number of the enemy, we believe they intend to destroy ye place, and ever since we have heen penned close in our garrisous and can do no work abroad, so that with- out speedy help we must all move off.

" May it therefore please your excelency and honors, in your great

565

PEMBROKE.

wisdom, to send us such such speedy help and protection as in your great wisdom you shall think fit, and your Petitionors, as in duty bouod, shall ever pray.

" Dated at Suncook this 26 of May, 1747.

" Moses Foster, Benjamin Holt, Elias Whittemore, Richard Eastman, Caleb Lovejoy, Moses Tyler, Joseph Baker, David Abbott, John Noyes, Robert White, John Fife, John McNeil, Thomas Russ, David Lovejoy, John Man, John Knox, Samuel Gault, Patrick Gault, Andrew Gault, Andrew Ocherson, James Ocherson, Samuel Smith, James Moor, James Rogers, Joseph Brown, Francis Doyen, William Moor, James Man, Wil- liam Knox, John Coffrin, William Knox, Thomas Cunningham, James White."

The Indians who led the attack are supposed to have been Sabitas, Plausawa and Christi, who were familiar with the localities.

After this event the General Court of New Hamp- shire were pleased to order a garrison of eight good men to be stationed at Suncook through the summer and fall for the protection of the settlement.

The three assessors appointed by the proprietors have left on record a document of considerable inter- est, as it gives the name and residence of each of the possessors or claimants of the several original rights January 30, 1748. Each right was assessed twenty- two pounds.

The Original Grantees.

Possession January 30, 1748.

John Chamberlain, Edward Spooney,

Mr. John Barnard, of A· duver.

§ William McLaughlin and

John Jufts,

( James Man, of Suncook.

Isaac Whitney, Eleazer Davis, Joseph Wheelock,

Jonathan Kitteridge

James Kitteridge, of Tewksbury, and William Kitteridge,

Mr. Jonathan Frye,

Abial Austin,

John Goffe,

Braviter Gray, of Billerica.

( Stephen Merrill, of Andover, and the heirs of

Zebediah Austin,

(Richard Hardy, of =

John McNiel, of Amoskeag. James Burbeen, of Boston.

John Pollard, of Billerica.

Joseph Gilson,

Joseph Jackson, of Boxford.

§ Joseph Mullikin,

{ Robert Mullikin,

Joshua Andros and others, of Boxford.

Elias Barron,

Elias Barron's heirs, of Concord.

Jacob Farrar,

Jacob Farrar's heirs, =

Joseph Wood's " =

Deacon Noah Johnson, of Duostable.

Josiah Santle, of Groton.

Captain Peter Ayer, of Haverhill. = 14 Benjamin Gale, of Haverhill.

Benjamin Chandler, of Ilaverhill.

Thomas Richardson, of Malden.

Ebenezer Ayer, of Methuen.

Lieutenant Nathan Adams, of Newbury.

Joseph Baker, of Suncook.

Captain Moses Foster, of Suncook. = =

Duvid Abbott, ol Suncouk. Samuel Gault, of Suncook.

Thomas Russ, of Suncook. James Moore, of Suncook.

§ Thomas Cunningham, of Suncook, and

James Burbeen, of Boston. Moses T'yler, of Suncook. f Robert White, of Suncook, and

Ebenezer Wright,

James White, of Suncook.

Deacon Elias Wbittemore, of Suncook, and

Samuel Moore,

Robert Phelps, Jonathan Houghton, Josiah Johnson,

Ichabod Johnson,

Francis Doyen,

William Ayer, Richard Eastman, of Suncuok.

Benjamin Kidder, Andrew Otterson, of Suncook. William Knox, of Suncook.

Solomon Keyes,

Lieutenant Josiah Farwell, Captain John Chamberlain, of Souhegan East.

Jacob Gates,

Timothy Richardson,

Jeremiah Swain, of Roding. (?) Timothy Richardson's heirs, of Woburn.

Edward Linkfield,

Jacob Fullam,

§ Jacob Fullam, of Needham, and

Elisha Fullam, of Weston, and others.

It was voted in the General Court of New Hamp- shire, January 31, 1753, that "Whereas there are sun- dry persons inhabiting within the province of New Hampshire upon a tract of land" called Suncook, who were "within no township," they should be, with a part of Pennycook, in one district, and be com- pelled to pay their proportion of the province tax.

Rev. Timothy Walker, as agent for Rumford and Suncook, crossed the ocean to lay the case of these two townships before the King in Council in 1754. It may be here stated that Mr. Walker was eminently successful in his mission, when it came to a final hearing, and the claims of the proprietors of Rumford and Suncook were supported against those of Bow, and, behind them, the officials of the provincial gov . ernment of New Hampshire. This decision was not reached, however, until 1762, too late to be of ad- vantage to the inhabitants of Suncook, who had en- tered into a compromise before that time with the proprietors of Bow.

War with France was again declared in 1754, which involved a war with the Canadians and their Indian allies. In the previous war the people of New Hampshire had depended upon block-houses for a defense against their savage foes, were constantly surprised, and paid dearly for their want of care and watchfulness. They had been goaded to desperation, and resolved to carry the war into the country of the enemy, and inflict some of those crueltics to which they had been subjected. From the first it was a terribly offensive war on the part of New En- glanders. They aimed at the conquest of Canada, and its rednetion to a royal province. Robert Rogers and his trusted lieutenant, Jolın Stark, with their fearless rangers, became a terror to the Canadians and a scourge to the Indians.

The terms of settlement between the proprietors of the township of Suncook and the proprietors of the

Josiah Davis, Ebenezer Halbert, Robert Usher, Jonathan Cummings, William Cummings, John Pollard,

( Samuel Hardy, of Bradford.

John Stevens,

David Melvin,

Joseph Wright, Noah Johnson, Ensign John Harwood, John Gilson, Daniel Wood, Isaac Lakin, Benjamin Hassel, Toby, Indian,

Zachariah Parker,

Thomas Richardson, Ebenezer Ayer, Moses Graves, Captain John Lovewell, Jeremiah Hunt, Samuel Whitney,

Mr. Samuel Phillips, of Andover.

Jonathan Abhot, of Andover. Stephen Holt, of Andover.

Josiah Chandler, of Andover.

Nathan Holt, of Andover,

{ Captain William Lovejoy and

Captain James Stevens, of Tewksbury. Henry Lovejoy, of Tewksbury.

[ Oliver Holt and

Nathaniel Wood, Thomas Wood, Seth Wyman, Benjamin Parker, Joseph Farrar,

Eleazer Melvin, Jusiah Jones,

Benjamin Holt, of Suncook. Ephraim Blunt, of Suncook.

[ Thomas McConnell, of Suncook, and

Benjamin Johnson, of Woburn. Francis Doyen, of Suneook.

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.

History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 138

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520