USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Newfields > History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911 > Part 20
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The inspector at Portsmouth, June 5, 1794, certifies that Philip Fowler had paid duty on one chaise - two dollars - to Septem- ber 30, 1795.
Edward Hilton, April 22, 1808, sold land to Philip Fowler for £30, formerly owned by his brother, Richard Hilton.
By his will, dated May 30, 1810, Philip Fowler, Jr., bequeathed to his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Plummer, 50 acres of land. The will was probated October 14, 1811.
Under date of April 23, 1812, William Plummer of Epping,
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husband of Sarah, leases the same 50 acres, received by be- quest, till March 1, 1813, for £40, to Thomas Drowne, "cord- wainer," and Hannah Fowler, widow of Philip. Certain con- ditions of tillage were made, the taxes to be paid, and the fences to be left in as good repair as when the lease was given.
Thomas Staples, October 15, 1813, agrees to fix John C. Fowl- er's "one story house in order to be moved from the spot where it now stands."
Hannah Fowler is appointed, December 12, 1814, by Nathaniel Rogers, judge of probate, guardian of Charlotte Fowler, a minor under 14, daughter of Philip Fowler, Jr.
John Cutts Fowler, grandson of Philip, January 29, 1818, for £46, receives from Joseph Pinder and wife, Mary, of Stratham, a quitclaim of the 13 1-2 rods of land of Philip Fowler bought of Richard Preson, with the buildings thereon. This land lay "on the Easterly side of the Road leading from the great Bridge to the main Road leading from Newmarket to Exeter."
Samuel Twombly, September 22, 1838, agrees to dig a well "near the North west corner of the cellar of the old garrison house," for which John C. Fowler is to pay "7 shillings for every foot in depth & 14 shillings for every foot it may be neces- sary to dig over or more than 45 feet."
Chapter XIV.
THE MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY, 1730-1778.
More than thirty persons in the north part of Exeter, in the autumn of 1727, petitioned that they might be set off for parochial purposes. The mother parish granted their request October 9, 1727,
Provided that the aboue said Parrish Do Settle an orthodox minister and pay the minister them Selues att their one Charge, that then the said new parrish shall be Excused from paying to the ministry of the old parrish.
The Legislature passed the bill of incorporation, December 15, 1727, the year of the earthquake, "Setting the North part of The Town of Exeter to be a parish by the Name off New Market." By act of incorporation Edward Hall, Andrew Glidden and Wil- liam Perkins, Jr., were appointed "selectmen" of the new parish till other parish officers should be chosen. In 1727 there were 78 ratable polls in Newmarket.1
The house of worship was already well under way. It stood in the burying ground at the old centre, one hundred rods south of the present railroad junction. Rev. Nicholas Gilman was invited to the ministry in February, 1728, but declined.
Exeter generously apportioned her officers to the two parishes, and, March 25, 1728, remitted the Newmarket school tax. Not only church but school affairs were now entrusted to the new parish. Other municipal affairs were still transacted at Exeter.
A call was extended August 12, 1729, to Rev. John Moody, who had been preaching at Biddeford, Me., since early in that year, and in April received an invitation to settle, but declined "by reason he was too young and wanted further acquaintance of
1 On November 7, 1738, the inhabitants of the west end of Exeter in their re- quest for a parish refer to "priviledges belonging to a Parish as Newmarket hath which they had by their Last Charter granted by the government."
About 62 petitioners of Portsmouth, representing 101 ratable heads and 450 souls or thereabouts, press their claim before Governor Belcher March 10, 1732, for an act of incorporation as a parish, by citing the fact that Newmarket had been thus incorporated as a parish with only 78 ratable polls.
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MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY.
learning at some college." He accepted the invitation to New- market, now Newfields. Joseph Hall, Jeremy Foulsom, Robert Pike, William Perkins and Joseph Smith were chosen a parish committee to make full settlement with him, June 29, 1730, and he was ordained, and perhaps the church organized, November 25, 1730, becoming one of the sixteen ministers then in New Hampshire. Some proposition was made to him August 7, 1730, but the agreement of February 9, 1730, was considered binding by both parties, and he continued minister there till his death, October 15, 1778. He married, April 5, 1730, Ann, daughter of Dea. Edward and Mary (Wilson) Hall, of Newfields, a descend- ant of Govs. John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley.
The agreement with Mr. Moody was as follows :
We, under written chosen a Committee for the Parish of Newmarket in Exeter in the Province of New Hampshire to treat and agree with Mr John Moody to settle with us in the work of the ministry upon his Excepting the invitation given him by the Parish, we as a committee in the name of the Parish Do promise to fulfill ye following Perticulars to him.
we Promise in the first, we promise to give him one hundred pounds in money or Pasable Bills of Credit pr year for the three first years of his abode with or amongst us, and the fourth year to give him one hundred and fiue Pounds, the fifth year one hundred and ten pounds, the sixth year one hundred and fifteen, the seventh year one hundred and twenty, and the Eighth year one hundred and thirty Pound's, and still to make further additions as his family shall stand in neaid,- and to pay the Salery Quarterly.
secondly we Promise to Bring to his house what firewood he shal stand in nead of for his family.
thirdly we Promise to give him twenty acres of Land we Purchased of Joseph Jacobs for his own, and one hundred acres or upwards or as much as any one of our Parish has for their Right in the Commons in the township of Exeter for his own.
fourthly we Promise to give him one hundred pounds in money or Bills of Credit towards Bulding his house and to pay it in three years, one third part per year; we also promise to pay and make his yearly salery good as money now Pases in this Province
Dated February 9th 1729-30. Sam! Doe, Joseph Hall, Thomas Young, William Perkins, Robart Smart, Richard Mattoon.
A committy in the Behalf of said Parish. a tru Coppey from a Coppey.
The following proclamation to the people was also made :
To all People to whom these Psents shal come Greeting.
Joseph Hall Jeremy ffoulsam Robert Pike Wm Perkins Joseph Smith 14
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HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
a Comitte Chosen by ye Parish of n-market In Exeter wthin ye sd Proe of n-Hampshr: In N-Engld at a Legal Parish meeting holden In n-market June ye 29 1730 & Impowerd In Behalf of sd Parish to take & Giue Deeds of Land in order to make a full Settlem: wth mr John moody ye minister of sd Parish Send Greeting
know ye yt whereas ye Inhabitants of ye Parish aforesd at a meeting Regularly Assembled on ye 18th day of augt 1729 did vote & grant unto Mr Jno moody (Besides other particulars) twenty acres of land for his own, Upon Condition he acceptd ye Call wch was then Given him to Settle a minister of ye Gospel In sd Parish & whereas ye sd Jno Moody hath Since acceptd of ye Invitation or Call given him by sd Inhabitants of sd Parish according to ye above mentiond Vote & wras we ye comtte: aforesd have Since Purchase of Jonathan Hilton twelve acres of Land for Mr Jno Moody In part of ye sd twenty acres of Land wch was votd him at sª meeting
therefore know ye yt we ye sd Jos Hall Jery ffoulsam Robt: Pike Wm Perkins Jos Smith In ye capacity aforesd & In ye name & on ye Behalf of ye Inhabitants of sd Parish for ye Consideration aforesd have Given & Grantedd & by these prsents do fully freely & absolutely Give & Grant unto ye sd Jno moody his heirs Exers & admrs & assigns forever a Cer- tain Tract or pcell of Land Scituate Lying & Being In n-market aforesd Buttd & Boundd as followeth, viz: Beginning at ye Cross Gutter by ye highway at ye head of Wm Perkins Land Running northeast half a point East to Robt Smarts Land & from thence running north West half a point more north to ye highway & so running Southwardly by ye highway til it comes to ye Bounds first mentiond wth al ye pvileges & appurtens thereunto Belonging or In any ways appertaining to ye Same.
To have & to hold ye sd grantd & Bargaind pmises wth al ye pvileges & appurtens Belonging thereunto to him ye sd Jno moody his heirs & assigns forever to his & their only Proper vse Benefit & Behoof for- ever; & ye sd Jos Hall Jery ffoulsam Wm Perkins Robt Pike Jo- Smith in ye Capacity Aforesd & In ye name & Behalf of ye Parishes aforesd Inhabitants now Being & for & In ye Behalfe of those yt shal there be & Suruive from time to time forever hereafter do Covent & Engage ye above given & Grantd pmises to ye sd Jno moody his heirs Exers admrs & assigns forever hereafter to Warrant Secure & Defend agt ye Law- ful Claims of al psons wtsoever
In Witness wrof we ye sd Jos Hall Jery ffoulsam Robt Pike Wm Perkins Jos. Smith In ye Capacity aforesd have hereunto Set our hands & Seals this Seventh day of August one thousd seven hundred & thirty & In ye third year of ye Reign of our Soveraign Lord George ye 2d King De- fender of ye faith &c
JOSEPH HALL (Seal)
JEREMY FFOULSAM (Seal)
ROBt: PIKE (Seal)
WILL: PERKINS
(Seal)
JOS SMITH (Seal)
signd seald & Dd In ye presence of us Edward Hall Joseph Jacob
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MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY.
Proe; of n-Hampshr: Stratham March ye 25th. 1734. then ye wthin namd Jos Hall Jery ffoulsam Robt Pike Wm Perkins & Jos Smith pson- ally appeard Acknowledgd ye foregoing Instrumt: to be their free act & Deed Before me
MOSES LEAVIT Just: Peace
Recordd According to ye Origll: ye 9th of Augt. 1734 JOSH: PEIRCE Recordr.
Quitclaim deeds of land within these identical bounds but containing "about fourteen acres & one hundred rods were also given to Mr. Moody by Edward Hall Gent™., March 26, 1734, and by Joseph Jacob Joyner, March 26, 1734." Edward Hall fur- thermore quitclaims to the parish one acre of land on which the meeting house stood and which we now recognize as the old burying ground in the same deed as follows:
Furthermore I ye sd Edwd: Hall do also by these Psents for my Self my heirs & assigns freely Clearly & absolutely Remise Release & for- ever Quit Claim for divers good Considerations me hereunto moving unto ye Parish of n-market In ye Town & Proe aforesd one acre of Land on wch ye meeting house now Standeth wch sd Parish have Purchasd of Joseph Jacob
In Witness wrof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal ye 26th day of march In ye Sixth year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George ye Second Annoq: Dom : 1733-4.
Signd Seald & Dd In psence of
EDWARD HALL (Seal)
ELIZA HALL MARY HALL
Mr. Moody added by purchase other lands to this gift by the parish, and the estate has since been in the possession of his grandson, John Moody Smith, Esq., Gen. James Hill, Capt. Charles Treadwell and Mr. Thomas J. Chesley, and is now owned by the Boston & Maine Railroad.
The salary of Mr. Moody, for the time and circumstances of his people, was far more liberal than any of his successors in the ministry have enjoyed.
A severe check was given to the growth of the parish in 1735, by the prevalence of a malignant throat distemper. This malady, previously unknown in medical schools, appeared first at Kingston in May, 1735, and spread rapidly through the coun- try. Its virulence baffled the skill of the most eminent physi- cians and proved very fatal, especially among children. In little more than a year, a thousand persons, chiefly children,
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HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
died in New Hampshire. Twenty families in Hampton Falls buried all their children. In Newmarket, during the fourteen months preceding July 26, 1736, there died of persons over thirty years of age, one; between ten and twenty, one; under ten, twenty - total twenty-two. In Exeter 127 died.1
The Newmarket parsonage became celebrated for culture and refinement, and dispensed its generous hospitality to all minis- terial travelers. Rev. Timothy Walker of Concord, a college companion, in his horseback journeys to and from Portsmouth, sometimes lodged there. Mrs. Moody died July 14, 1771, aged 62.
During the period of the Revolution the civil affairs of the community were perplexing, and the religious affairs dishearten- ing. The support of churches and schools became very preca- rious. An astonishing depreciation of the currency fell like an avalanche upon the ministry and swept away their salaries. Mr. Moody and Rev. Nathaniel Ewer, who is generally supposed to have been his colleague, joined 164 of their people in signing the celebrated Association Test, 38 refusing to sign. The pray- ers and discourses of the clergy of that day breathed the spirit of fervid patriotism. As the piety and integrity of the clergy had secured the confidence of the people, they had great suc- cess in advancing the patriot cause. To their exertions under the great arbiter of nations has justly been ascribed no incon- siderable share of the victory that crowned the American arms.
We do not know how much Mr. Moody did in the clerkly writ- ing of wills, deeds and other legal documents, but he probably wrote the codicil to the will of Philip Fowler, Sr., to which he was witness, July 25, 1764.
Tradition says Rev. Mr. Moody had a colored slave by the name of Scipio. The Moody-Hill-Treadwell-Chesley mansion had a second or lower cellar beneath the first and entered by a trap door. Here the parson used to keep his cider and West India goods. The first cellar was entered by a bulk head. Once upon a time men were getting a hogshead of cider through the bulkhead and down the trap door into the lower cellar. While the men were outside holding back, Scipio was inside and be- neath, when by some mishap he was crushed and killed by the rolling hogshead.
1 Belknap, 234-5.
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MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY.
Rev. John Moody well sustained the character of a "learned, orthodox minister." His scholarly and religious qualities gave him influence and reputation. He was a patron of sound learn- ing, and evinced a marked interest in general and higher educa- tion. As the original design of the New England college was to fit persons for the work of the Christian ministry, the New Hampshire Ministerial Convention was organized July 28, 1747, at Exeter for the establishing of a collegiate institution in New Hampshire. Mr. Moody took an active part in promoting the object. At an annual meeting of this convention, September 26, 1758, after disposing of sundry local religious matters, taking into consideration the great advantages which may arise both to the church and state from erecting an academy or college in the province, the convention unanimously voted to petition Gov. Benning Wentworth to grant a charter for said purpose. Rev. Messrs. Joseph Adams, James Pike, John Moody, Ward Cotton, Nathaniel Gookin, Woodbridge Odlin, Samuel Langdon and Samuel Haven were chosen to wait upon the governor, and further petition the General Court "for such assistance as they shall think necessary."
At the next annual meeting held at Newington, September 25, 1759, this committee made a verbal report that "notwithstanding some unwillingness to grant a Charter, agreeable to the Con- vention, yet there remains some hope that after mature con- sideration and advice of Council, his Excellency will grant such a Charter as will be agreeable to us and our people." It was therefore voted that "Messrs. Joseph Adams, James Pike, Ward Cotton, Samuel Parsons, Nathaniel Gookin, Samuel Langdon and Samuel Haven, or a major part of them, be and they hereby are a committee of this Convention to do every thing which to them shall appear necessary in the aforesaid affair in behalf of the Convention, and moreover consult upon any other measures for promoting the education of youth and advancing good litera- ture in the Province, and make report to the next Convention."
As Gov. Benning Wentworth was an ardent Episcopalian he took care in the grant of townships to reserve a glebe for the Church of England, and rights to the society for propagating the Gospel, of which he was a member. This explains his "un- willingness to grant a charter agreeable to the Convention." He
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HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
declined to charter the college unless it were put under the direction of the Bishop of London. This would necessitate the use of the liturgy, which was repugnant to the sentiment of the people. So the project of establishing a college during his administration failed.
Eleazer Wheelock, pastor of the second parish, Lebanon, Conn., 1735-70, early received Indian youths of superior abilities into his family for instruction, among them the noted Samson Occum of the Mohegan tribe, and in 1748 decided to open a school to educate Indian preachers and received two Delaware Indians as pupils. Joshua Moor, a farmer of Mansfield, Conn., donated a house and two acres of land adjoining Mr. Wheelock's house, and the institution was called Moor's Indian Charity School. Wheelock now associated with himself several gentlemen as trus- tees, and appealed to the public for funds. His petition to the New Hampshire Legislature was acted upon June 18, 1762, when it was "Resolved & voted That the sum of Fifty pounds Sterls be paid yearly by the Province for the term of five years unto the Rev. Eleazer. Wheelock or his order. When the plan of this school, commended by 25 Connecticut pastors. was brought before the New Hampshire Convention, September 28, 1762, it received their efficent cooperation. The convention at its meeting held with Rev. Mr. Langdon in Portsmouth, after considering the matter, chose a committee of four, consisting of Rev. John Moody, chairman, and Messrs. Langdon, Haven and Foster, to consider and make report, which was as follows:
We A Convention of Congregational Ministers assembled at Portsmo Sept 28, 1762, having read & considered the foregoing Attestation from a Number of Revd Gentlemen in connecticut, taking into consideration the Many obligations the Supreme Ruler has laid upon Christian Chhs. to promote his cause and enlarge the Borders of his Kingdom in this Land, the signal victories He has granted to our Troops, the entire Re- duction of all Canada, so that a way is now open for the spreading the Light and purity of ye Gospel among distant Savage Tribes, & a large Field white unto the Harvest is presented before us :- Considering the infinite worth of ye souls of Men, ye Importance of ye Gospel to their present and everlasting Happiness, and the hopeful Prospect that the Aboriginal Natives will now listen to Christian Instruction; consider- ing also the great expence which must unavoidably attend the Prosecu- tion of this great Design, Think ourselves obliged to recommend, in the warmest manner, this subject to the serious consideration of our Chris- tian Brethren & the Public.
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MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY.
It is with gratitude to ye Great Head of ye chh. who has the Hearts of all in his Hands, that we observe some hopeful steps taken by the societies founded for the Gospelizing the Indians, and that the Hearts of such Numbers both at Home & in this Land, have been disposed to bestow their Liberalities to enable such useful societies to effect the great Ends for which they are founded.
But as we wish to see every favorable method taken to forward so benevolent & Christian a Design, We therefore rejoice to find that the Revd Mr Wheelock has such a Number of Indian youths under his care & Tuition, and in that abundant testimony which his Brethren in the Ministry have born to his Abilities for & zeal & Faithfulness in his important undertaking.
And we do hereby declare our hearty Approbation of it as far as we are capable of judging of an affair carried on at such a Distance; and think it our Duty to encourage and exhort all christians to lend a helping Hand toward so great & generous an undertaking.
We would not indeed absolutely dictate this, or any other particular scheme for civilizing & spreading the Gospel among the Indians; but we are perswaded that God demands of the Inhabitants of these Colonies some Returns of gratitude in this way for the remarkable success of our arms against Canada, and that Peace & Security which he has now given us:
We must therefore rely on the wisdom & prudence of the Civil Au- thority to think it as a matter in which our Political Interests as well as the Glory of God are deeply concerned; and refer it to our Chhs. and all private Christians as peculiarly called to promote the Redeemer's Kingdom everywhere, to determine what will be the most effectual Methods of forwarding so noble & pious a Design, and to contribute to the utmost of their power either towards the Execution of the Plan which the Revd. Mr. Wheelock is pursuing, or that of the Corporation erected in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, or any other which may be tho't of here or elsewhere for the same laudable Purpose.
JOHN ROGERS, Moderator.1
This report, evidently the work of Mr. Moody, warmly com- mending Mr. Wheelock's plan to the Christian brethren, the pub- lic and the civil authorities, resulted soon after in the removal of Wheelock's school to Hanover, and by his persevering exertion and that of his friends, received from Gov. John Wentworth, December 13, 1769, its charter as Dartmouth College.
Mr. Moody was a moderator of a council held at Keenborough (Brentwood), December 2, 1747, for the ordination of Nathaniel Trask, the first minister of the town, and gave the "charge" to the pastor. He also represented the Newmarket church in a joint ecclesiastical council of the parishes of Keenborough and
1 Records of Convention, pp. 31-33.
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HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
"The Gulley" in Brentwood, February 22, 1751, O. S., respect- ing the united pastorate of Rev. Mr. Trask over the two societies.
By the year 1758 paper currency was greatly depreciated, ten pounds equalling only one in silver. In 1761 a committee con- sisting of Walter Bryent, John Burleigh, Hubartus 'Neal, Caleb Clark and Joseph Young were chosen to settle with Mr. Moody "as to his Sallery" and agreed to pay 1500 pounds old tenor1 for that year and "the two years Last past" in full, taking a receipt for the same. In 1762 Mr. Moody gave receipt in full to the selectmen for 225 pounds new tenor, March 25, 1761; for the same amount March 25, 1762. In 1763, 1764 and 1765 he gave one receipt each; 1766, two; 1767, four; 1768, twelve; 1769, fifteen ; 1770, twelve; 1771, seven; 1772, fourteen.
On July 3, 1738, John Moody, clerk, paid Samuel Rollins 32 pounds in bills of credit "for one Certain pcel of Salt Marsh," and August 3, 1738, "Edward Hall, Gent1 180 pounds passable Bills of Credt for one messvage of eleven acres by ye highway yt goeth to Exeter."
He bought, June 29, 1742, of John Downing one messuage of five acres, formerly belonging to Jonathan Hilton, paying him 100 pounds "in passable Bills of Credt." Also April 30, 1746, of Robert Smart and his wife, Ann, "30 acres with the Large Dwelling house joining sª Moody's land," paying £178, 10s., "lawful money," and of the same, April 13, 1747, an acre and a half and nine rods joining his land for £11, 10s.
Mr. Moody sold, April 22, 1747, to Hubartus Neal ten acres and a large dwelling house for £87, 10s.
He paid, April 9, 1754, 960 pounds, old tenor, currency to heirs of Daniel Barber for 20 acres of land which Robert Barber bought of Richard Hilton, April 17, 1705.
On April 22, 1755, "John Moody Clerk and Lt. John Burley paid James Pike Clerk and Sarah his wife 3614 Pounds Old Tenor, for all their Right to one half of Gilman's Neck."
1 The Province of Massachusetts, on which New Hampshire depended for its currency, between 1690 and 1741, having issued nine different emissions of bills of credit, or "fiat money," the provisional government in 1741 took measures to redeem them all, and decreed that they should be valued at only one fourth of their original face value, and they were styled old tenor. In 1742 the government made another issue of bills of credit, which were styled new tenor. Hence it was necessary in making a contract, or selling property, to state whether the debt should be paid in old or new tenor money, one pound of the latter being worth four of the former.
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MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN MOODY.
Mr. Moody, May 12, 1760, sold Joshua Wiggin for 2000 pounds, old tenor, 11 acres and 59 rods of land on the "highway which goes to Exeter," and John Wiggin, March 12, 1767, seven pounds "of lawful money for one acre of salt marsh and thatch ground."
Mr. Moody and Lieut. John Burley, April 20, 1768, bought of Paul and John Wentworth for £180, 14s., "all their right in one half of Gilman's Neck," containing 192 acres and 66 poles.
Mr. Moody paid Isaac Marston, September 7, 1769, 15 pounds for three acres of salt marsh, and March 4, 1771, 109 pounds to Joseph Merrill for 36 acres on the road from the "Newfield Landing Place (so called) to Nottingham," also, June 23, 1772, Joseph Merrill, £127, 10s., for 51 acres "on road from Newfields Landing to Pascassick River."
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