History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911, Part 2

Author: Fitts, James Hill, 1829-1900; Carter, Nathan Franklin, 1830-1915, ed
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Concord, N. H. [The Rumford Press]
Number of Pages: 881

USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Newfields > History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911 > Part 2

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).

Contrary to their expectations the Pilgrims made their ever- famous landing within the limits of the Plymouth Council. They had intended to settle within the boundaries of the Vir- ginia Company.

The first ship which followed the Mayflower in the interest of the Plymouth colony was the Fortune, arriving November 11, 1621, and bringing thirty-five colonists. Among these was Wil- liam Hilton, from London. His wife and two children came over in the ship Anne, which with the Little James, built for the Plymouth colony, arrived in July, 1623. The same year the lands at Plymouth were assigned in severalty to be cultivated by families. William Hilton, as coming in the Fortune, was allotted "one acre lying to the sea eastward." His wife and two children who arrived in the Anne received "three acres beyond the brook to Shawberry Hill." John Lyford and friends affirmed "that the first occasion of the quarrel with them was the baptizing of Mr. Hilton's child, who was not joined to the church at Plymouth." As Hilton's name does not appear among those present at the division of cattle in 1627, he must have removed from Plymouth, and was now at the settlements of the Pascat- aqua river.

The Plymouth Council, August 10, 1622, granted to Gorges and Mason the territory lying between the Merrimack and the

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND MINISTERS.

Kennebec, which they called Laconia. The year 1623 marks the establishment of a colony of fishery at Pascataqua.1

David Thomson and his companions landed at Little Harbor. The name Portsmouth was given this settlement by Capt. John Mason, who was treasurer and paymaster of the king's armies, and governor of Portsmouth castle in old Hampshire, England. The next year, 1624, Thomson, dividing his settlement, removed to the island now bearing his name in Boston Bay. His removal, however, did not break up the plantation at Portsmouth.

The settlement at Cocheco- Dover - was nearly coincident. The brothers Edward and William Hilton, "fishmongers of London," settled Dover Neck in 1623. These fish merchants must have had an artistic as well as commercial outlook. It is not easy to find a more beautiful location than Hilton's Point or Dover Neck. Both banks of the river and bay are charming. Though the beauties of the scene have been often sung, still fresh descriptions will not exhaust the theme. The Pascataqua settlements, however, progressed but slowly.

One of the earliest acts of friendly interest among the several New England plantations was the breaking up of the profligate establishment at Mt. Wollaston. Thomas Morton and his asso- ciates were disorderly, drunken and licentious. He also sold arms and ammunition freely to the Indians, besides teaching them the use of pistol and rapier. The Indians were ready pupils in the use of firearms and soon became more expert than the English. The infant settlements as far as Pascataqua were alarmed. A messenger sent to Morton "in a friendly and neigh- borly way to admonish him to forbear these courses," was re- pulsed. A second remonstrance was ineffectual. Morton proved utterly refractory and continued his scandalous practices. Nothing but force could avail. The third messenger sent was "Capt. Miles Standish and some other aid with him." Morton barricaded his house, defied the invaders, and fortified his men with drink. But they were disarmed and dispersed without bloodshed, and their leader was conducted to Plymouth, whence

1 One of Capt. John Smith's returning ships in 1614 was laden with dry fish for Spain, where the cargo brought "forty ryals" or five dollars the quintal.

"Therefore, honorable and worthy countrymen," said Captain Smith to the New Hampshire colonists, "let not the meanness of the word fish be distaste to you, for it will afford as good gold as the mines of Potosi, with less hazard and charge, and more certainty and facility."

HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.

he was sent to England by way of the Isles of Shoals in the ship Whale. This was a political expedient, not religious per- secution. Morton's extradition was a measure of self-defence in 1628. Edward Hilton of Cocheco showed his sympathy with the Plymouth colony by paying his proportion towards the expense of crushing out this growing mischief - one pound.

The Hiltons were not mere adventurers. They were merchant proprietors with a personal interest in their plantation. This is assigned as a reason for granting Edward Hilton, March 12, 1629-30, lands on the north and on the south of Pascataqua "up to the falls of Squamscot, and three miles into the main land for breadth." The grant sets forth that Hilton and his asso- ciates had, "at their own cost and charges, transported servants, built houses, and planted corn at Hilton's Point, and intend the further increase and advancement of the plantation." This grant was commonly called Bloody Point, Squamscot, or Hilton's Patent. William Hilton was one of the witnesses July 7, 1631, to the "liuery of seizin" to his brother, Edward Hilton, of the lands embraced in this Squamscot or Hilton's Patent.

In 1631 Hilton sold their languishing plantation at Cocheco to some merchants of Bristol, England. When Capt. Thomas Wig- gin came to look after the affairs of the new company he found only three houses on the spot. These had probably been occupied by the two Hiltons and Thomas Roberts. Three houses were perhaps the extent of Hilton's colony up to this date. Very little improvement had been made; only unwrought mines of iron had been discovered; no profit whatever had accrued to the proprietors. But the feeble settlement was about to be re- plenished. William Hilton writes the following letter to John Winthrop, Jr .:

PASCATAQUA, April 18th 1633

Ser,

There ariued a fishing shipe at Pascataqua about the 15th of this p'sant moneth wherein is one Richard ffaxwell whoe hath fformerly liued in this cuntery, he bringeth nuse yt there were tow shipes making ready at Barstaple whoe are to bring passingers & catell ffor to plant in the bay, he hath leters ffor Mr wearow & diuers others at Dorchester wch hee intends to bring in to the bay so soone as posible he can, like wise he heard from mr Merton whoe was making ready at Bristole ffor to come ffor this cuntery; other nuse he bringeth not that I can heare of, onely mr Borowes purposeth to come ffor this cuntery ffrom lon-

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND MINISTERS.

don. & soe desighing you to convey thes leters in to the bay wth what conveniency you can, desighing the lord to blesse you in your law- ffull, designes, I humbly rest

Your wo.r ashured to com.

WILLIAM HILTON.

Ser, I purpose eare long be if ye lord will to see you.

The masters name of the shipe is John Corbin of Plimouth.

To the wo.r m.r John Winthrope the younger, at aguawam give these.

October 10, 1633. The Cocheco patent has again been sold. But Thomas Wiggin is still agent. He visits the plantation a second time bringing with him about thirty persons from the west of England, "a part of whom haue been of good estate and of some account for religion." They take up small lots at Dover Point.

It is said the Pascataqua planters came here to fish and trade and search for mines of precious metals; that their main object was commercial rather than religious. This is true. But it is not all the truth. The London adventurers, on their part, were engaged in a commercial speculation. Even of those who sym- pathized, more or less, in religious sentiment with John Robin- son, considerations of pecuniary interest were preeminent. Gorges and Mason were in sympathy with the church of Eng- land. William Hilton, while at Plymouth, was of Episcopalian sentiments. The Plymouth Council would never have preferred to employ separatists in founding a colony and giving value to their land. The taunt that the colonists were Puritans would depress the value of their stock. But the option was not theirs. At that period no other persons than separatists were disposed to confront the hardships of emigration; none could be relied on like the Puritans to carry the business through. Hence the actual settlers were largely dissenters; the colonists of 1633 were Puritans.

The Hiltons were lovers of good men. Edward Hilton was the confidential friend of John Winthrop, ever opposed to the immoralities and political ambitions of bad men. Both Gov. John Wentworth and Lt .- Gov. Joseph Dudley held personal cor- respondence with him respecting these evils, October, 1638.

Among the colonists of 1633 was William Leveridge, a gradu- ate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, in 1625, receiv- ing the degree of A. M. in 1631, "an able and worthy Puritan

HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.

minister." During his ministry in 1633-34, the first meeting house in New Hampshire was built. It stood on a most invit- ing eminence at Dover Neck. In 1667 it was surrounded with an entrenchment one hundred feet square, with logs on top and plankarts at opposite corners. The building was occupied till 1720. Its foundations and fortifications are still pointed out. On December 9, 1880, the author first stood on the spot.

One of the exiles from Massachusetts, on account of the Anti- nomian controversy was John Wheelwright. He was born about 1592, the son of Robert Wheelwright of Salesby, Lincolnshire, England. He graduated at Sidney College, Cambridge, in 1614, and received the degree of A. M. in 1618, the classmate and friend of Oliver Cromwell. Wheelwright is generally supposed to have been brother-in-law of the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, having married for his second wife, Mary, daughter of Edward and Susannah Hutchinson. He was ordained vicar of Bilsby in 1623, and remained till silenced for non-conformity by Arch- bishop Loud in 1631. Records there mention four children - a son buried May 19, 1627; Catherine, baptized November 4, 1630; Mary, baptized May 19, 1632, and buried July 28, 1632; and Elizabeth, baptized June 9, 1633. A fugitive, like John Cotton, from the persecutions of Archbishop Loud, he arrived at Boston with his wife and children, May 26, 1636. Himself and wife were admitted to the church in Boston, John Cotton, teacher, June 12, 1636, seventeen days after their arrival. He soon be- came pastor of the church at Mt. Wollaston, Boston, October 30, 1636-37, "a gentleman of learning, piety and zeal." His famous Fast-day sermon, January 19, 1637, remained in manu- script till 1867. It was criticised as inflammatory and tending to sedition. Being produced in General Court, March 9, 1637, Wheelwright justified it, and proceeded to decry the New Eng- land ministry as "loyalists." After much deliberation the court adjudged him guilty of sedition and contempt of court. Gov. Henry Vane protested; the Boston church, of which Wheelwright was a member, petitioned in his behalf; the court deferred its sentence, and asked the judgment of the clergy.

The first General Synod of New England assembled at New- town, Cambridge, May 30, 1637. All the pastors, teachers and elders in the country were present. Eighty-two opinions were

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND MINISTERS.

condemned as erroneous. Prominent among these were the pecul- iar tenets of Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson.

Although after nine months delay, the General Court, Novem- ber 2, 1637, pronounced upon Wheelwright its sentence of dis- franchisement and banishment, Mrs. Hutchinson was, after long forbearance on the part of the church, excommunicated. She finally died by a Mohawk scalping-knife.

On leaving Boston Wheelwright came to Squamscot in 1638, and was pastor at Exeter from December 13, of that year, till the union with Massachusetts in 1642.

There is extant an Indian deed conveying land between the Merrimack and Pascataqua to John Wheelwright, for a consider- ation in "coats, shirts and kettles." It is signed by Passacona- way, chief sagamore of Penacook, Runawit, sagamore of Pen- tucket, Wahangnonawit, sachem of Squamscot, and Rowls, sachem of Nuchawanack. Thomas Wiggin, agent, and Edward Hil- ton, steward, of the plantation at Hilton's Point, were witnesses to the deed, May 17, 1629.

In 1633 the authorities of Portsmouth and Dover agreed with Wheelwright that his proposed town at Squamscot Falls should be called Exeter. The genuineness of the above transactions has been a matter of learned controversy. Perhaps the deed is gen- erally believed to be a forgery executed not far from the year 1700.

John Wheelwright, Philemon Pormout, and seven other men received letters from the Boston church to "the church at the Falls of Piscataqua," January 6, 1639. Thirty-five associates joined in the settlement at Exeter. These "combination" set- tlers were from the neighborhood of Wheelwright in Lincoln County, England. They organized a body politic October 4, 1639. Their civil compact was a pure democracy, and their church was among the first three in New Hampshire.

At the end of more than a year's negotiation, Portsmouth and Dover placed themselves under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts June 14, 1641. Exeter followed their example September 8, 1642. Hampton had been planted by avowed subjects of Massachu- setts. The settlement at Winnicummet1 September, 1638, was the fourth, and for more than half a century, the last in New

1 Incorporated Hampton, 1639.

HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.

Hampshire. Rev. Stephen Bachiler, who had been minister at Lynn, Mass., in 1632, more than any other person may be re- garded as the father of the church and founder of the town. It was incorporated May 22, 1639.

The year 1643 also marks the consummation of The New Eng- land Confederacy, or "The United Colonies of New England."

The Hiltons were still prominent men at Dover. On June 2, 1633, land is granted on the east side of Pascataqua River, "where William Hilton lately planted corne." October 4, 1639, "Will Hilton and goodm. Smart were to have lots on the other side of the river." In 1640 William Hilton was surety for Ed- ward Colcord of Dover, whose dignity was that of one of three commissioners for cases under twenty shillings. December, 1640, William Hilton is to enjoy marshes at Oyster River. September 27, 1642 the General Court at Boston appointed him commissioner to order small cases. That year he had a grant of twenty acres of land in Dover. He was a deputy from Dover to the General Court at Boston in 1644; also sold land and marshes at Oyster River. About this time William Hilton removed to Kittery Point; then to York, where he was selectman, 1652-54, and where he died in 1655 or 1656, leaving a widow Frances and several children.

In 1641 Edward Hilton of Dover, was magistrate of the As- sociate Court with the power of the quarter courts of Salem and Ipswich. Before this time he seems to have joined the planta- tion at Exeter, now Newfields. In 1639 a division of land was ordered. "A division of the upland from the cove against Rocky Point to the creek next on this side Mr. Hilton's." These lots are described as "On and abutting on the river eastward, and the other end running up into the maine sixty-four pooles in length." This division took place previous to 1643. Among the thirty-three names are those of several Newmarket families. About the same time, 1639-43, the marshes were divided. Wil- liam Hilton, probably a son of Edward, received marsh land. The Rev. John M. Whiton, D. D., in his History of New Hamp- shire, has the following sentence near the date, 1672: "Edward Hilton, the founder of Dover, died this year at Exeter, having lived in the Colony almost half a century."

When Exeter placed itself under the jurisdiction of Massachu-

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND MINISTERS.

setts, John Wheelwright, jealous of that Colony and still under its sentence of banishment, withdrew to the territory of Gorges. He gave to the tract of land he bought the name of Wells. In the quiet of his new solitude his past course presented itself un- der a different aspect from what it had worn in the ardor and pride of conflict. He soon sought a reconciliation with the Mas- sachusetts magistrates and elders. His confession is dated Sep- tember 10, 1643. He was offered a safe conduct to Boston. He re- sponded March 1, 1644, by a respectful and dignified letter which was considered satisfactory. At the next session of the General Court in 1645, without his appearance, the sentence of banishment was revoked and he restored to former rights and privileges. He returned to Hampton in 1647, where he was assistant pastor with Rev. Timothy Dalton about ten years. In 1656, Wheelwright visited England, where, like other ministers from New England, he enjoyed the special regard of Lord Pro- tector Cromwell. After the Restoration in 1660, he returned to America and was installed at Salisbury, Mass., in 1662, dying there November 15, 1679, aged 87, at the time the oldest minister in New England.

Upon the withdrawal of Wheelwright and his friends, the church at Exeter was regarded as extinct. The same year an attempt was made to form a church and settle a pastor. Their candidate now fourscore years of age, was the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, who had been dismissed from Hampton for irregular conduct. But the General Court at Boston in 1644, interfered. The following law had been enacted March 3, 1636 :

"Forasmuch as it hath been found by sad experience that much trouble and disturbance hath happened both to the church and civil state by the officers and members of some churches which have been gathered within the limits of this jurisdiction in an undue manner, and not with such public approbation as were meet, it is therefore ordered, that all persons are to take notice that this Court doth not, nor will hereafter, approve of any such companies of men as shall hencforth join in any pre- tended way of church-fellowship, without they shall first ac- quaint the magistrates, and the elders of the greater part of the churches in this jurisdiction, with their intentions, and have their approbation herein. And further it is ordered, that no person,

HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.

being a member of any church which shall hereafter be gathered without the approbation of the magistrates and the greater part of the said churches, shall be admitted to the freedom of this commonwealth."

At this time the freemen of Massachusetts probably did not constitute more than one fifth of the adult male population. Universal suffrage was not known in any of the colonies. But there was no such religious test in Plymouth, or in Connecticut. And by the act of September 3, 1642, the freemen and deputies of New Hampshire were specially exempt from the obligation of being church members. With respect to matters at Exeter the court affirms that the divisions there were such, they could not comfortably and with approbation proceed in so mighty and sacred affairs; the court therefore directs them to "defer gather- ing a church or any other such proceeding, till they, or the Court at Ipswich, upon further satisfaction of their reconciliation and fitness, shall give allowance therefor."

Rev. Thomas Rashleigh was admitted to the church in Boston in 1640, while a divinity student; was "chaplain" at Cape Ann, 1641; Exeter, spring of 1643, and granted a house lot, May 6, 1643; and stayed "something less than a twelvemonth.''1

In 1656 or 1657, the Rev. Mr. Bachiler went back to England where he died at the great age of 100 years.

In 1643, Hatevil Nutter was probably sometime minister at Exeter. He was an "exhorting elder" in the church at Dover in 1638, and owner of land at Lamprey river as early as 1645, which Exeter covenanted to enclose with fence. The inhabi- tants were ordered out several times to do their shares of fenc- ing. June 11, 1650, Mr. Nutter accepted the fence which the town "engaged by covenant" to set up for him, and he was heard of no more in Exeter.2

1 C. H. Bell.

2 This agreement was made at a town meeting held November 11, 1644, as shown by the record as follows : "It is agreed vpon by the Inhabitants of the Towne that the ground of Mr Nutters wch is att Lamperell Riuer containeing 60 rod of fencing shall be fenced for him att our Townes charge before the Next planting time." Samuel Grenefield and Anthony Stanyan were chosen to carry this agreement into effect.

For reasons not given, at a later meeting held November 27, 1644, the town chose Mr. Stanyan and James Wall to "Agree and bargain with Mr. Nutter of Douer to buye or purch - for the Towne that psell of Land lyeing by Lamprell

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COMMISSION OF JOSEPH DUDLEY.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND MINISTERS.

Rev. Samuel Dudley was the next minister of Exeter, who was born in England about 1610, and qualified for the clerical office as early as 1637, preached at Portsmouth in 1649, "a per- son of good capacity and learning." Having preached a short time at Dover, he settled at Exeter in 1650, "until such time as God shall be pleased to make way for the gathering of a church, and then to be ordained pastor and teacher according to the ordinance of God." Edward Hilton was chairman of the committee of six who made agreement with Mr. Dudley, May 13, 1650. "Its agreed June 26, 1650, that a meetinghouse shall be built of twenty feet square." Edward Hilton, Jr., was an overseer to see the meeting house finished forthwith, July 8, 1652; but was released from this service, October 23, 1652, on account of press of private business. Mr. Dudley received a call from Portsmouth, October 27, 1656, which he declined and remained in the pastorate of Exeter till his death, February 10, 1683. He was son of Gov. Thomas Dudley, son-in-law of Gov. John Win- throp, and brother of Gov. Joseph Dudley.1 It is evident such a man was a great acquisition to the little community of Exeter.

Rev. John Cotton, who was born May 18, 1658, son of Rev. Seaborn Cotton of Hampton, and a graduate of Harvard Col- lege in 1678, preached at Hampton in 1678, and at Exeter in

Riuore wch the Towne by A former order was Injoyned to fence for the sd mr Nutter."

It seems that they failed in their attempt to buy, as at a meeting held January 31, 1645, "It is ordered that Mr Nutter his 60 rod of Fencin att Lamprell Riuer shall be set up for him by the 17th day of next moneth by euery Inhabitant equal pportion, and whoseouer shall neglect to doe his ppor- tion or to cause it to be don by the Aforesay he shall pay 3s 4d the rod vnto him that shall dooe It for him."

The names of those who had done their share by March 6, 1645, were as follows : "Anthony Stanian, Will Mauer, Henr. Robey, John Legat, John Cram, Rob. Smith, Tho. Pettet, Ralph Hall, ath Boulton, Tho. Biggs, Drake, Godf Dearborn, George Barlo, Rowel, Francis Swaine, James Wall [Conner], Hempr Willson, Tho. King, Samuel Grenfeld [hilton], John [Manly], Thomas Jones, Bellshasur Willie, Thomas Weight, Robert hithar [ Hersy ]."

At a meeting held November 7, 1649, "It is Agred vpon by the Towne that euerey of the Inhabitants of the Towne shall goo downe to Lampell Riuor or send downe A sufficient man in his Roome vpon the first second day of Aprell for the sufficiant and seting vp of Mr Nutters fence ther for the prevention of further damage &c."

1 Rev. Samuel Dudley's first wife was Mary, daughter of Governor Winthrop, who died at Salisbury April 12, 1643. He had a second and a third wife. Among his descendants was the wife of Gen. Henry Dearborn, Rev. John Moody, John Burgin and Gen. James Sullivan.

For a list of Mr. Dudley's descendants, see Exeter News-Letter for August 31, 1846.

HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.

1684. He was invited to Portsmouth in 1691, but declined, and was ordained at Hampton, November 19, 1696, successor to his father till his death, March 27, 1710.

Rev. William Wentworth was baptized at Alford, England, March 15, 1616; signed the Exeter combination October 4, 1639; removed to Wells, Me., with Mr. Wheelwright, 1642; elder of the Dover church, 1650; officiated as minister at Cocheco in the winter of 1665-66, and was one of the committee to arrange with Dover Point for the ministry at Oyster River, April 1, 1657. He was asked to continue his ministry at Exeter, October 6, 1690. Further arrangements were made with him October 6, 1691, and he was requested, March 30, 1693, to "supply and per- form the office of a minister one whole year ensuing if he be able." He was now 78 years of age, and probably unable by reason of natural infirmities to comply with the request. He died at Dover, March 16, 1697, aged 81. From him several of the New Hampshire governors of the name were descended.

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History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911, Part 2

Author: Fitts, James Hill, 1829-1900; Carter, Nathan Franklin, 1830-1915, ed Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Concord, N. H. [The Rumford Press] Number of Pages: 881

Author: Fitts, James Hill, 1829-1900; Carter, Nathan Franklin, 1830-1915, ed
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Concord, N. H. [The Rumford Press]
Number of Pages: 881