USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Newfields > History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911 > Part 7
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4. John Goddard, a servant of Capt. John Mason, came in the ship Warwick to the Pascataqua with Walter Neale, Septem- ber 9, 1631. He went first to Newichwannock; then settled on Lubberland side of Lamprey River, and remonstrated in 1643 against being assessed at the Pascataqua patent. He had a grant of land on Great Bay, and held lot No. 14 at Cocheco marsh in 1648. He was on Dover tax list in 1648, only three persons rating higher. The settlement of the line, September 8, 1652, left him in Exeter, apparently the first settler at Lubber- land, Lamprey River. In October, 1653, he, with others, was arraigned before the court in Boston, and a verdict rendered against him in October, 1655, for trespass in "entering upon the lands and houses, disposing of the goods and cutting down the timber without permission" of the Mason proprietor of New Hampshire. This was doubtless considered willful trespass, as on July 5, 1653, notices had been posted on the meeting house doors in Dover, Exeter and Portsmouth, and other places protest- ing against the proceedings of the Massachusetts government, "forbidding all persons to feed upon the lands, cut the grass or fell any timber without license or composition first had or ob- tained from the said Joseph Mason," he being the agent of Anne Mason, widow of John Mason.
He was rated at Oyster River precinct, September 22, 1659. When the line between Dover and Exeter was established, April 14, 1657, the land of John Goddard was to belong to Exeter. In 1657 he held goods to the value of twenty-five pounds of Mrs. Anne Mason, executrix to Capt. John Mason, for which his estate was attached by Edward Colcord, who held a claim against Walter Neale, agent for said Mason.
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John Goddard died in 1660, leaving a widow, Welthena, who married (2) in 1667, Michael Symonds, and children. Mrs. Symonds was living August 8, 1705, being non compos mentis "through much infirmity and exceeding old age." An inven- tory of Goddard's estate made June 27, and returned Septem- ber 16, 1667, mentions 100 acres of land joining to John Wood- man's above the Falls; "3-8 of pascasick mill" and "50 acres of upland at the further end of the township of Douer joining to Robert Smarts land in Exeter."
The division of his estate, dated Lubberland, May 10, 1670, and approved by court, June 10, 1670, mentions Welthena Symonds, her son, Benjamin Goddard, and her sons-in-law, John Gilman, Arthur Bennick and James Thomas. Goddard's Cove and Creek now point out his name and location. The cellar of the God- dard Symonds garrison is mentioned March 16, 1736, when Abraham Bennick conveyed to his son Abraham, a "messuage in Lubberland being part of the estate of John Goddard, be- ginning at the old garrison cellar."
By an agreement between "Goodwife Simmons" and her chil- dren, approved in court at Portsmouth, June 25, 1678, John Goddard was to have two thirds of the farm; Mrs. Arthur Ben- nick and her children, the part of the sawmill that was John Goddard's and the sixty acres of land belonging to it; James Thomas, forty pounds which was his wife's portion; John Gil- man, his wife's portion; and Benjamin, 100 acres of land lying at the second falls and sixty acres near Mr. Symonds' sawmill.
5. John Goddard, Jr., a selectman in Dover in 1661, had been, absent in 1662, from public worship on the Sabbath four days and had heard the Quakers twice, for which he paid the penalty, - absence from church five shillings each day, attending a Quaker meeting ten shillings. He was joint administrator of his father's estate, June 25, 1667, and died about 1675, without wife or children.
6. Edward Starbuck was born in 1604, and was an elder in the church at Dover in 1638; was at Dover as early as 1641, and had a grant on Great Bay in 1643; with Hatevill Nutter was granted by Dover, December 27, 1647, "accommodation of the upper and lower falls of Lamprill Riuer for the erectinge or settinge up a sawmill"; received Lot No. 14 "ouer ye Back
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Riuer"; protested against union with Massachusetts, March 4, 1641; was taxed at Dover in 1648 and 1659; deputy to the Gen- eral Court in 1643 and 1646; was recognized to appear Octo- ber 3, 1648, with Thomas Joyes at the Court of Assistants at Boston, "to answer for such offences and misdemeanors as have been by him committed against Anabaptists; and furthermore, he will be of peacable and good behaviour towards all man, and especially towards the Reverend Teacher of Douer"; was granted a mill-site at Cocheco second fall, July 4, 1650. In 1653 he conveyed his estate to his son-in-law, Peter Coffin, and retired to Nantucket in 1659. He died December 4, 1690, aged 86 years.
7. Hatevill Nutter was "exhorting elder" in the church at, Dover in 1638, and probably sometime minister at Exeter; was assigned Lot No. 20, "ouer ye Back Riuer," recorded 1642; and was owner of land at Lamprey River as early as 1645, which Exeter covenanted to enclose with fence. In carrying out this covenant the inhabitants were ordered out several times to do their shares between 1645 and June 11, 1650, when he formerly accepted the fence which the town "was engaged by covenant" to set up for him. He had Lot No. 11, at Cocheco marsh in 1648 and 1649; was taxpayer at Dover and grand juror, 1649. In 1652 "the meeting house on the hill neer Elder Nutter's" was erected and he makes deposition August 18, 1652, "that in 1636 the land on both sides of Lamprey River was in the posses- sion of the inhabitants of Dover for fishing, planting and fell- ing of timber." He was zealous against the Quakers, 1662. He died in 1675. His will dated December 25, 1674, gives "to my son Anthony Nutter, my mill graunt at Lamprell Riuer." The inventory of his estate, June 25, 1675, mentions "right in Lamp- rell Riuer for the erection of a sawmill in partnership." This mill-site had been granted him and Elder Starbuck by Dover, as mentioned above.
8. George Barlow joined the Exeter combination, April 2, 1640; petitioned the governor, deputies and magistrates, May 3, 1643, "to appoint the bounds of our town" and also "that we may still peacbly enjoy those small quantities of marshes which are at Lamperel riuer"; was allowed September 5, 1643, one bushel of corn from John Bursley for "corne spoyled by
5
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swine"; received lands November 4, 1647, forty acres, March 4, 1648, four acres; perhaps was preacher at Exeter, certainly so at Saco in 1652, where he was forbidden to "prophesy" in 1653. He was a lawyer at Plymouth in 1660.
9. Francis Swain is first mentioned in town books, March 31, 1645; received grants of land in 1646, 1647 and 1650, some of them in connection with Nicholas Swain; received of the parish, June 26, 1650, twenty shillings for his pains and time "in going into the Bay to receive Mr. Dudley his pay;" and committee of the parish, December 5, 1650, "to bargain with some able merchant, in the Bay to furnish Mr. Dudley forty pounds worth of English commodities."
10. John Warren is first mentioned in town books in the grant for sawmill and lot, April 22, 1649; received lands in 1650 and, 1664; was appointed September 1, 1651 "to go to the Bay to re- ceive the town's pay of Mr. Kimball for Mr. Dudley ;" and com- mittee of town on boundary in 1661 and 1668.
11. Thomas Pettit was allotted uplands December 4, 1639; joined the combination April 2, 1640; petitioned that Exeter be joined to Massachusetts in May, 1643; held office and was on a committee June 13, 1655, to make a new agreement with Mr. Dudley respecting his support. He had a wife, Christian, and daughter, Hannah, born in February and died in December, 1647.
12. Edward Gilman, Sr., the emigrant ancestor of the family in America, came from Hingham, Norfolk County, England, to Hingham, Mass .; seems to have been in sympathy with the Puritan movement, and came to Hingham, Mass., with Rev. Rob- ert Peck in the ship Diligent, August 10, 1638, with his wife, three sons, two daughters and three servants; was admitted free- man, December 13, 1638; was granted, with others, the township of Seekonk, now Rehoboth, Mass., 1641, and his estate was rated at £300, in 1643. His name appears in Ipswich in 1646, and soon after in Exeter, where his sons, Edward and John, had pre- viously located, where he is first mentioned in connection with a mill grant; was "accepted, with his son Moses, at their request, to become inhabitant of Exeter and to come and live amongst us," May 10, 1652; with his sons, John and Moses, and John Legat, was granted July 8, 1652, "200 acres of swamp towards
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Mr. Stanyan's meadow lying about a brook that way in distance about two or three miles from the town;" signed in favor of continuing with Massachusetts in 1677. With others he was al- lowed, February 18, 1679, "to erect a gallery at the end of the men's gallery for their wives;" also "the gallery wherein they. do sit, and have upon their own proper charges built, we do fur- ther confirm and allow of." He died June 22, 1681.
13. Edward Gilman, Jr., was accepted as an inhabitant of Exeter November 4, 1647, with the privilege of setting up mills "in any Riuer within the liberty of Exeter." He had a saw- mill in operation at Squamscot Falls by the summer of 1648; was on a committee to present the call of the parish to Rev. William Thompson of Braintreee, Mass., November 16, 1648; to agree with Rev. Mr. Dudley, May 13, 1650; committee on bounds of Exeter, May 10, 1652; and to oversee the building of the meet- ing house July 8, 1652, from which service he was excused October 23, 1652, because about to sail for England. He was lost at sea in 1653. He was a capable, enterprising and trusted man.
14. Edward Colcord was born in 1609; came to the Pascata- qua in 1631, finding there only three houses; received the deed of Wehangnonawit, and other sagamores of "Paschataquacke," with John Wheelwright and others, April 3, 1638; joined the Dover combination October 22, 1640; signed the protest against annexation to Massachusetts, March 4, 1641; received one hun- dred acres of land at Exeter, April 26, 1645, where he was ac- cepted an inhabitant in 1646, and again as early as May 10, 1652, "to come and live amongst us;" was in Hampton in 1644, and received grant of land, 1646, but soon returned to Exeter; was chairman of a committee to call to account the owners of saw- mills for such boards or plank as were due the town, 1652-54; trusteed John Goddard for goods of Capt. John Mason in God- dard's hands, 1657; testified, 1668, "that the northern bounds of Exeter, mentioned in an agreement made with Wehangnonawit, the chief sagamore of the Indians located here, was the westerly part of Oyster River, about four miles northerly beyond Lam- periele River;" made deposition August 25, 1676, that he was "aged 67 years living in ye country about 46 years," was one of three commissioners to end small cases under 20 shillings in
.
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value; petitioned with Hampton men, October 22, 1677, to be continued under the government of Massachusetts.
Court records prove him to have been incorrigibly litigious. Some of the trouble arose from the fact that he was a sturdy op- ponent of Massachusetts, up to a certain date. William Hilton was once his surety. Notwithstanding his litigiousness he was one of the most prominent men in the province. On June 10, 1680, the governor and council after a full hearing, made the following order and decree :
Edward Colcord and Ann his wife, being bound over to appear before the council for their disorderly living, upon a full hearing of the case, the council doth order that the said Edward Colcord and Ann his wife shall stand bound to the treasurer of this province in the sum of 5 £ a piece to be of good behavior each to the other during the pleasure of the council, and that the said Ann do attend her duty toward her said husband in the use of the marriage bed according to the rule of God's word, which, if she refuses so to do, upon complaint to the next court at Hampton, the council doth order that she shall be whipped to the number of ten stripes.
Having a case in court with Henry Williams, the issue depend- ing on the "equal judgment" of the president and council "of his Majesties Province of New Hampshire," he petitions them, April 20, 1681, if they shall "see meet to cause myself to be once possessed of ye estate yor honours judge mine" "to Appoint Cap : Gillman Cap : Hussey & Sam1 Dalton Esquires & ye Rev- erend Mr Sam:1 Dudley and Mr Seaborn Cotton to give me peaceable possession of my estate violently detained from me that I may both enjoy myne own & justly pay others their due." He died at Hampton, February 10, 1682.
15. John Smart came, with his wife and two sons, John and Robert, from Norfolk County, England, to Hingham, Mass., in June 1635, where he received a grant of land, and drew his house lot September, 1635. Goodman Smart was allotted plant- ing land at Exeter, on the east side of the river, December 4, 1639, with marshes on Squamscot and "at Lamproue Riuer." He petitioned in May, 1643, that Exeter might be received within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts; also petitioned the governor, deputy governor and magistrates "to appoint the bounds of our Towne," "to establish three men among us to put an Ishew to
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small differences amongst us" and "that we may still peaceably enjoy thouse small quantities of meddows which are at Lamperell riuer," May 12, 1643; his house is mentioned in 1644; received ten acres of meadow between Piscassic and Lamprey Rivers beyond the great swamp, January 16, 1645, which was re- surveyed July 21, 1680; joined in the agreement to purchase Mr. Wheelwright's house to be used for a parsonage, May 3, 1646; was granted 300 acres of land, May 25, 1646, "a mile in Breadth reserving six Rods in Breadth for a highway," on Squamscot River between Newfields and Lamprey River, becom- ing Edward Hilton's first and adjoining neighbor on the north. The six rods in breadth for a highway was voted April, 1705, to "belong to those now in possession of said marshes Lying or butting against said Land." It seems that half of this 300 acres was given to his son, John, and August 4, 1682, was laid out by Ralph Hall and Moses Leavitt, town lot-layers, to William Vaughan for his daughter, Mary, as a gift from her Grandfather Cutt, coming to him from John Wedgewood, nephew of John Smart, Jr., through Edward Hilton. John Smart, Jr., had a son, Robert, and a daughter who became the mother of John Wedgewood.
16. Humphrey Wilson was the son of Thomas Wilson, who came to America in June, 1633, and to Exeter with Mr. Wheel- wright in 1638, where, in the first division of lands, he was allotted uplands towards Mr. Hilton's and marsh at "Lamp : Riuer;" joined the combination, April 2, 1640; erected the first mill at Squamscot Falls, the town regulating "the millers toll," November 2, 1640; was elected "ruler" October 20, 1642; and died in the summer of 1643.
After the death of his father, Humphrey Wilson became proprietor of the gristmill; petitioned the governor, deputies and magistrates, May 3, 1643, "to appont the bounds of our town," and also "that we may still enjoy peacably small quan- tities of marshes which are at Lamperel riuer;" and that Exeter be joined to Massachusetts, May, 1643; is first mentioned in Exeter records, 1645; with John Legat bought land of the sagamore, May 8, 1646; was on the committee to agree with Mr. Dudley respecting his settlement, May 13, 1650; on the jury of trials at Salisbury Court, 1651, and one of a committee appointed
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to make an agreement with Hampton and Dover, and, if they could not agree, to apply by petition to the General Court; rated on his sawmill for the support of the ministry, April 28, 1656; was forewarned not to set his dam over the highway, October 25, 1670; granted 400 acres of land by the town, 1674; signed in favor of continuing with Massachusetts, 1677; juror for the trial of Edward Gove, 1683; was sued by heirs of Capt. John Mason, 1684; and on committee to purchase house and land for Rev. John Clark, April 20, 1694. A place for a pew was as- signed February 3, 1698, "To Mr. Wilson and his wife, and his son Thomas, and two daughters, Martha and Mary Wilson, and Elizabeth Gilman, joining to Richard Hilton's pew on the east side of the meeting house." Humphrey Wilson married, De- cember 21, 1665, Judith, daughter of Willian Hersey, Sr. Their son, Deacon Francis Wilson, was born May 20, 1672.
17. Valentine Hill, called deacon, was granted by the town of Dover, June 7, 1652, "the whole accommodations of Lamprell Riuer for the erectinge & settinge up saw mill or mills, Poushasicke graunt excepted." He was of Boston in 1636, where he was made freeman, May 13, 1640. He was one of the most enterprising of the proprietors of Oyster River as early as 1646. The falls at Oyster River and 500 acres of land was granted him November 19, 1649, where he had set up a saw- mill by July, 1652, which his son Nathaniel conveyed to others, September 13, 1697. Reference is made to "Mr Hill's works" which "stood at high water mark below Lamper Eel Riuer falls." In behalf of the town these grants were made subject to rates for the support of worship to provide for "the erection of a meeting house upon the hill neer Elder Nutters," December 5, 1652. He was deputy for Dover, 1652-55; appointed one of a committee to arrange with Dover Point for the ministry at Oyster River, April 1, 1657; was appointed, with Edward Hilton "to settle the line" between Dover and Exeter, April 14, 1657; resided at Oyster River Point, near the mouth of Oyster River, where a meeting house was built in 1655, with Edward or Seth Fletcher, minister up to 1657; and was taxed at Oyster River precinct November 20, 1659. He married (1), Frances and (2), Mary, daughter of Gov. Theophilus Eaton of New Haven, and died in 1661.
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18. Robert Wadleigh, son of John Wadleigh of Saco, Me., was granted by Dover, May 3, 1669, "accommodations for the erecting and setting up of a Sawmill or Mills at the vppermost falls uppon Lamperele riuer comonly called by the name of ye Ileand falls ;- he to pay vnto the Towne of douer the some of ten pounds per an : in Marchanta : pine bords at price Currant at the ordinary Landing place by Lamperele riuer lower falls." He was of Wells, Me., and bought land at Island Falls in 1666, and received a grant of ten acres from Exeter, March 16, 1668, both possessions divided with Nicholas Listen. He had a saw- mill at the falls as early as April 21, 1668, and Dover confirmed his right May 3, 1669. He was accepted as an inhabitant of Exeter, September 20, 1676, and received large grants, January 31, 1681, 200 acres March 14, 1682, and 120 acres of it laid out at "Spocasoick" December 28, 1688, and March 14, 1689, 200 acres about Lamprey River. He excused himself for having spoken against the President and council, March 9, 1681. He was sued by Capt. John Mason in 1683, but won the verdict of the jury, from which Mason appealed to the king, and Wadleigh himself visited England in 1683. Robert Tufton Mason, as Lord proprietor, February 14, 1683, issued writs of ejectment against Richard Waldron and other land holders. Walter Bare- foote, Mason's agent, was put in possession of Wadleigh's land and sawmill at Lamprey River, and by will October 9, 1688, con- veyed the estate to his sister, Sarah, wife of Thomas Wiggin. He was nominated by Edward Cranfield for commissioner of the peace, January 6, 1684; delegate from Exeter to the convention which decided it best for New Hampshire to return to the union with Massachusetts, January, 1690; and appointed justice March, 1690. He was on the committee to treat with Rev. John Clark respecting the terms of his settlement, September 18, 1693, and to buy house and land for Rev. Mr. Clark, April 20, 1694. A place for pew in the meeting house was assigned, February 3, 1697 "to Capt. Robert Wadleigh and his wife and his son Jonathan Wadleigh, at the south side of the meeting house, Joining to the wumins stares." He was delegate in 1690, justice in 1693, and judge, 1693-97. He died about 1700.
Three of his sons, Joseph, John and Robert, were indicted for high treason in connection with Edward Gove, February,
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1682. His grandson, Philip Wadleigh, was tithing-man in 1732.
19. John Gilman, son of Edward Gilman, was born at Hing- ham, England, January 10, 1624, and appears first on the Exeter records, January 12, 1649. He received large grants and also bought lands at Squamscot Falls, Newfields, Piscassic, Washucke, Great Oak Hill and the Plains; was chosen to oversee the work on the meeting house, October 23, 1652; to make a new agree- ment with Mr. Dudley, June 13, 1665; signed in favor of con- tinuing with Massachusetts, 1677; built the "log house" opposite to Great Bridge, Exeter, which is still standing; was selectman, 1652, and fourteen subsequent years to 1680; on committee to settle the bounds between Exeter and Dover, 1657, and to run the line between Exeter and Hampton, March 29, 1668; captain of Exeter Military Company, October 12, 1669; on committee to run the line between Exeter and Dover, July 10, 1671, and to adjust all difficulties between Exeter and Hampton concerning bounds, April 29, 1672; councillor, 1680-82; judge of court of common pleas, 1682; relieved of both offices by Governor Cran- field, 1683; petitions for the government and protection of Massachusetts as formerly, February 20, 1690; on committee to assess the expenses of the Indian War about 1692; represen- tative, and speaker of the House, 1693; chosen to purchase house and land for parsonage, April 20, 1694; representative, 1697; joined the church in covenant and confession of faith, Septem- ber 21, 1698; was captain, selectman, representative, counsellor and judge; town measurer of land, 1700; received December 1, 1664, 600 acres, laid out June 22, 1703, beyond the Piscassic between the road from Lamprey River landing to Wadleigh's and Lamprey River on the Plains; also ten acres, September 20, 1673, between Hilton's creek and Griffin Montague's lot and be- tween the Exeter road and Squamscot River known as "Gil- man's pasture" and perhaps a portion of "Nicholas Gilman's farm," the south line of which formed the boundary between Newmarket parish and first parish of Exeter, October 9, 1727; also 600 acres for a farm at Washucke, March 30, 1674, willed July 16, 1700, with upper mill to sons, John and Nicholas, but liberty was granted April, 1703, to lay out this grant at the Great Oak Hill - said Gilman to relinquish "the land formerly laid out at Washucke ye bounds not to be found;" also 50 acres
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of swamp at Washucke, February 3, 1698; and 100 acres, April, 1702. Capt. John Gilman and William Moor, town measurers of Exeter, certify, May 8, 1705, to their laying out 600 acres of land of Moses Gilman.
John Gilman died July 24, 1708. His will dated July 16, 1700, gives son Nicholas one half of the 600 acres at Washucke and one half of all his meadow flats at Lamprey River ; gives son John interest in upper sawmill, and half of the 600 acres at Washucke, with "half of my land at Lamprey river ;" and makes his wife, Elizabeth, sole executor.
Administration on the estate was granted his sons, John and Nicholas, May 2, 1709, inventory ordered July 1, and taken July 9, 1709. It mentions land and marsh at Lamprey River, salt marsh at Bray's, Temple meadow, and 700 acres granted by the town.
20. William Badger, son of William and Abigail, was born in 1752. Sold land in Portsmouth for £6,300 to Nathaniel Melcher, boatbuilder, November 11, 1780; became an eminent shipbuilder at Newfields and on Badger's Island in Pascataqua River, the island having previously been called Langdon's and Governor's Island. Tradition places his shipyard and that of William Shute on the Stratham side of the Squamscot. The island had been previously used exclusively by the government for naval purposes, 1775-1800, when the present navy yard was established. At the two places in time Mr. Badger launched a fleet of 100 ships, giving to the last one his own name.
He bought, February 8, 1785, of Nathaniel Lord, feltmaker, for £95, 1 1-4 acres and 15 square rods of land on the highway leading to Newfields Landing, with the buildings thereon, which estate Lord had purchased February 26, 1771, of William Odiorne; also, October 24, 1786, for £60 of Zebulon, son of John Neal, 1-8 acre of land, together with the mansion house thereon, on the highway from Durham to Exeter, and sold the same, January 14, 1790, to Ebenezer Wilson of Newmarket, mariner; petitioned the selectmen, March 10, 1791, with reference to the location of the new meeting house, and bid off gallery pew No. 36; was approbated by the selectmen, November 7, 1801, as a retailer of spirituous liquors.
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