USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Northwood > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 40
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Nottingham > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 40
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Deerfield > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 40
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At this same meeting, it was voted to raise six pounds lawful money to hire preaching, and seven pounds four shillings for schooling. Accordingly, we find that there was paid that year five pounds and one shilling and ten pence to Mr. Timothy Brown for preaching, and to Mary Walton for school-keeping, two pounds ten shillings, while there were " paid to Volintine kenston five shillings for
₺
521
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
geting a Pare of Shoes for Scole Dame." And the same year it is recorded that the selectmen " paid to the Scoll Dame twelve shillings; " while the following year there were paid three shillings to Joshua Furber " for caring the scool Dame home," and Betsey Sanborn and others are paid various sums " for scooling," and Nicholas Dudley is paid for preaching. The money raised for schooling was ex- pended in five different places, since we find it divided into " Moreel's proportion," "Johnson's proportion," " Senter proportion," " Batchelder's proportion," and " Knolton's proportion."
Thus it will be seen that the early settlers began their work with religion and education. They had, in their towns whence they came, the benefits of the sanctuary and the school-house, and, though in a vast forest and among rude dwellings, they resolved that the sabbath should be re- spected, and the worship of God should not be neglected, and that their children should not grow up without knowl- edge. And it appears that the men who carly came to this town were both religious and intelligent ; and their piety and intelligence impressed themselves upon the incoming population, and prepared them, not only to establish perma- nent institutions for the moral and intellectual improve- ment of the town, but to take an honorable and high-minded stand in the great Revolutionary struggle already beginning to agitate the country.
REVOLUTION.
March 21, 1775, Benjamin Hill was appointed a delegate to the congress holden at Excter, and the question was earnestly discussed respecting their duty in the threatening aspect of affairs. The meeting was adjourned to April 22, when it was voted " to be equipt at a moments warning." A short time prior to this, a convention of deputies had met at Exeter to consult on the state of affairs, and appoint del- egates for the next General Congress to be holden on the
522
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
10th of May, at Philadelphia. Major Sullivan and Capt. Langdon, already great favorites of the people, were chosen, and the convention issued an address to the people, warning them of their danger, exhorting them " to union, peace, and harmony, frugality, industry, manufactures, and learning the military art, that they might be able, if necessary, to defend the country against invasion." Just at this time, Gen. Gage had destroyed the magazine at Concord, Mass., and sought to seize some of the prominent opposers of the objectionable acts of Parliament. Alarmed by this act of hostility, the people of New Hampshire, and of the other colonies, prepared themselves for war. Hence tlie action of Northwood, April 22. At this same mecting it was also further " voted to list eight minit-men ; " " that these men shall have one shillin and sixpense a week for exercising ; " that these men " shall have five dollars a month, and the town find them there Vitling." And to show the spirit of the men of that day, it is recorded that, " Volintears listed for this present distress," and these were " Samuel Johnson, William Woolis, Eliphalet Taylor, William Blake, Nathanel Twombly, Benjamin Johnson, jun'r, Simon Batchelder, and Abraham Batchelder." And only seven days later, " at a meeting notified by perticerly men for to chuse deputeys " to attend a convention called by Gov. Wentworth, Benjamin Johnson and Sherburn Blake were chosen deputies ; and Moses Godfrey was chosen " as a committy-man for to see if there is any powder for this parish ; " and " Increase Batchielder is chosen to take care of this powder."
ASSOCIATION TEST.
The following pledge, signed by the men of Northwood. is adapted to fill the hearts of their descendants with a just pride. It was agreeable to the following requisition : -
523
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
To the Selectmen of Northwood, -
COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, April 12th 1776.
In order to carry the underwritten resolve of the Honorable Conti- nental Congress into Execution, You are requested to desire all males above twenty one years of age (Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes ex- cepted) to sign to the Declaration on this paper; and when so done, to make return hereof, together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General-Assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
M. WEARE, Chairman.
IN CONGRESS, March 14th, 1776.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Con ventions, and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed, within their respect- ive Colonies, who have not associated, and refuse to associate, to de- fend by Arms, the United Colonies, against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.
(Copy) Extract from the Minites.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'ry.
In Consequence of the above resolution, of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to show our determination in joining our American Brethren, in defending the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the in- habitants of the United Colonies ;
We the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the risque of our lives and for- tunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies, against the United American Colonies.
Joseph Demerit
James Batchelder. Zabulon Norris.
(Capt. of the parish). Thomas Trowland.
Nathaneil Chandler.
Eliphalet Taylor.
Richard Garland. Jonathan Sanborn.
Joshua Furbur.
Benj. Johnson. Elias Philbrick.
Daniel Hoit.
John Durgin.
William Wallais.
Increase Batchelder.
Nathaniel Twombly. Elijah Carswell. Richard Carswell. Stephen Rawlians, Jonathan Knolton. Jonathan Clark.
John Wadleigh. Thomas Piper. Francis Jennes. John Sherburn. Samuel Sherburn. Reubon Morgin.
Israel Hodgdon.
Moses Godfree.
Abraham Batchelder. William Blake.
Benjamin Wadleigh. Shurborn Dearborn.
Sherburn Blake. Jonathan Blake.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
Levi Dearborn.
Benj. Hill.
Nath" Morrill.
Asahel Blake.
Valentine kinson.
John Bickford.
Henry Sanborn.
William Prescott.
Samuel Bartlett.
Henary Dearborn.
Moses Johnson.
Stephen Hoit.
Phinehas Blake.
Sam" Johnson.
Benjamin Johnson, junte
Nicolas Blake.
Solomon Bickford.
Timothy Caswell.
Simon Wadleigh.
Caleb Clough.
John Batchelder.
Robert Hill.
Norris Langley.
Joseph Durgin.
David knowles. Nathaniel Morril, junr. Thomas knolton.
Daniel Sawyer Refuses to Sine this, making plees that he is of a quaker Princabel.
CENSUS.
About this time, a census of the town was taken as re- quired by the Provincial Congress, as follows : -
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, NORTHWOOD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, August 25th, 1775.
Whereas it is necessary that an exact account of all the inhabitants of this Colony should be taken, in order to be transmitted to the Con- gress of United American Colonies; Therefore resolved that it be rec- ommended to the Select Men of the several towns Parishes and other Places in this Colony to take an exact number of the inhabitants of their respective Districts including every Soul in the same in separate Columns as follows :
Males under 16 years of age . 85
Males from 16 years to fifty not in the army
57
All males above 50 years of age
6
Persons gone in the army .
10
All Females
155
Negroes and slaves for life
0
Total
. 313
Powder
. 10 Pounds
SAMUEL JOHNSON SHERBUN BLAKE
And it is further recommended that no part of the aforementioned Business be delayed ; for its being as speedily done as possible, will be of great utility to the Colony . . . and it is further strictly enjoined upon all Selectmen & Committees to endeavour to prevent all persons from burning their Powder in shooting at birds & other Game.
By order of Congress,
MATTHEW THORNTON President.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
NORTHWOOD, agust the 18, 1775.
An exact acount of the fire arms and of those that are wanting
and their is thirty six fire arms .
36
And there is sixteen fire arms wanting . .
. 16
Dun by us
SAMUEL JOHNSON selek SHERBUN BLAKE 1 men
ROCKIHAM L. S.
September 26th, 1775.
Then Samuel Johnson, Shurborn Blake selectmen for Northwood all personaly appeard and mad solemn oath that they had taken an ex- act number of all the malle and femalles in the parish of Northwood persuent to a warrant from the Congres. Sworn Before
INCREAS BAT., Parish Clerk.
The whole country is aroused to a sense of danger, yet resolved to gain independence. Northwood shares in the agony and resolve. Samuel Johnson, Sherburn Blakc, Na- thaniel Chandler, Jonathan Knowlton, Benjamin Johnson, March, 1777, were chosen a committee of safety. Addi- tional soldiers are enlisted and ineans are provided for their remuneration.
And subsequently, March, 1777, Samuel Johnson. Sher- burn Blake, Nathaniel Chandler, Jonathan Knowlton, Ben- jamin Johnson, were chosen a committee of safety " for this year 1777."
FIRST VOLUNTEERS.
" By the old militia law, every male inhabitant, from six- teen years old to sixty, was obliged to be provided with a musket and bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets, and twelve flints. Every town was obliged to keep in readiness one barrel of powder, two hun- dred pounds of lead, and three hundred flints, for every sixty men ; beside a quantity of arms and ammunition for the sup- ply of such as were not able to provide themselves with the necessary articles. Even those persons who were exempted from appearing at the common military trainings. were obliged to keep the same arms and ammunition. In a time
526
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
of peace, these requisitions were neglected, and the people in general were not completely furnished, nor the towns supplied, according to law." This was the state of things in Northwood in 1775. But when the danger was seen. they vigorously met the demand, and put themselves in readi- ness for the struggle. And noble men hazarded their lives without hope of reward, and their names ought to be em- balmed in the memory of their descendants. Let the names of Samuel Johnson, William Wallace, Eliphalet Taylor, William Blake, Nathaniel Twombly, Benjamin John- son, jr., Simon Batchelder, and Abraham Batehelder, live forever, - live as long as the memory of our Revolutionary struggle shall last.
When Gen. Gage made his attack on Concord, the alarm immediately communicated from town to town through the whole country, and volunteers flocked from all parts. Some twelve hundred men marched from the nearest parts of New Hampshire to unite with those who had assembled in arms about Boston. Some of these men formed them- selves into two regiments, under the authority of Massa- chusetts. But when thic Provincial Congress of New Hampshire met, May 17, 1775, two thousand men were raised and formed into three regiments ; those already in the service to be accounted as two, and the third was to be enlisted. These inen engaged to serve till the last day of December, unless sooner discharged. These regiments
were placed under the command of Colonels Jolin Stark, James Reed, and Enoch Poor. The first two took part in the struggle on the heights of Charlestown, where they did fatal work for the " Red-coats." Upon this the third regi- ment was brought into service, being stationed at Winter Hill, under the command of Brig .- Gen. Sullivan.
In this Third Regiment a part of our brave boys served in Capt. Adams's company, in Gen. Poor's regiment and Sullivan's division. Hearing of the battle of Lexington, Simon Batehelder, Benjamin Johnson, Morrison, Willey.
527
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
and others started on foot, with their guns and knap- sacks, joined Cilley, Dearborn, McClary, and others at Nottingham, and reached Medford the following morning, traveling all night, eager to join their brethren in arms. Batchelder was only eighteen years old, and was after- wards at Newport, R. I., and Ticonderoga.
SACRIFICES.
The town voted " to pay twenty-four pounds lawful money to some soldiers for encouragement to go to the Northern army to join under General Sullivan." And during the progress of the war others were called into the service, and persevering efforts were made to encourage such as might enlist, and to relieve the families whence volunteers might go.
July 1, 1777, " Voted sixty dollars for each man as a hire for eight months." " Voted to get four men, and at any lay, and Nathaniel Chandler, Col. Joseph Demerret, Daniel Hoit, be a Committee to hire them and the Sclect- men are empowered to hire as much money as is wanting to hire them with."
The record of that period is full of proofs of the exist- ence of a spirit of patriotism, and of the practice of great public and private self-denial. The following, though ap- parently insignificant, entered on the records, illustrate this : " 1777 paid to Benjamin Johnson junior ten dollars for going to Ticonderoga which was added to his bounty." " The same to Joseph Caswell for the same purpose." " Paid to Simon D. Wadley five pounds as a bounty from the parish."
A population of a little more than three hundred, with small clearings and rude dwellings; with few cattle or sheep or horses ; with no market at hand, and with little or nothing to carry to market, or from which to realize money ; yet they contrived to put into the army their full quotas of able-bodied men, and to pay liberal bounties and provide
528
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
for the families of the needy. Husbands and fathers aban- doned their firesides and their civil occupations in spring- time and in harvest season, to join their brethren in the struggle for independence ; and wives and mothers has- tened husbands and sons to the field, to conquer or die. " The women," said the late Deaeon Simon Batchelder, to whom reference has already been made, " were worse than the men. They would not let them sleep a-night, but made them take their guns and knapsacks and go into the ranks, telling them they would take eare of the farms in their ab- sence. They even cut down the trees and eleared the land in many instances, so that some who were absent a number of years did not know their own homes when they re- turned."
Women strong and patriotic, women delieate and feeble, and girls cheerful, happy, and artless, not only plied the spindle and the loom to work the flax and the wool, but drove the oxen and guided the plow, hoed the corn, and gathered the harvests of hay and grain. During eold, dreary winters, the fire burned in their dwellings, because their own hands prepared and ministered the fuel. Desti- tution, of which we can form no conception, was in many a hamlet where weary hands and anxious hearts found little rest. If those who had already served returned, it was but to obtain a new outfit of clothing, and to receive a fresh baptism of the spirit of patriotism. And when they en- listed again, returned to their comrades in the field, and were welcomed to the ranks, and were addressed with the inquiry, "Well, old fellow, how came you baek again ?" each replied, " The old woman drove me off." It was the noble spirit of the wives and mothers, daughters and sis- ters, that filled the ranks thinned by disease and death. It was the influence of the angel spirits that worked won- drously at home, that nerved the heart and arm of the brave soldier in the field. And, while we commemorate the no- Ule daring and patient endurance of the warriors of that
1
529
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
eventful period, let us not forget the equally heroic and self- sacrificing women, who incited the men to dare, and en- couraged them to struggle in the holy cause. Women, in their plain, homespun dresses, toiling by torch-light as well as by sunlight, were a power behind the throne that could not be witlistood. And the Lord raised up these as indis- pensable auxiliaries to the men that fought in the field. and they together won the victory, each in an appropriate way, and to each belong the gratitude of descendants and the glory of achievement.
The fire of patriotism died not out with the achievement of independence. In those trying years that followed the cessation of hostilities, Northwood appears right upon the record, and when the second conflict arose between us and the mother country, Northwood responded effectively to the call for the sinews of war. Her voice was heard, de- manding no surrender of rights, but the fighting it out " on that line," until England should learn that the child she once ruled had grown into such stature that it was not safc longer to trifle with her strength. Fathers and sons girded themselves with courage, seized their rifles and bared their breasts to the weapons of the foe, cheered on by the same spirit in those at home which nerved the soldier's arm in the Revolution. And it is necdless at this period to say, that, in our recent encounter with treason, Northwood was not slow to respond to the call for aid. Her treasures flowed freely ; her sons, with a shout, leaped into the bloody arena, and sought victory or death, determined that North- wood should never tarnish her glory by being found want- ing in the hour of her country's peril. The records speak well for Northwood.
DOINGS OF NORTHWOOD DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
November 29, 1861. Voted, That the selectmen of the town be authorized to give aid to the families of volunteers who have been or shall be mustered into the service of the United States.
34
530
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
July 15, 1862. Voted, to raise one thousand dollars for the support or aid of the wives and families of those soldiers who are now or may be hereafter mustered into the service of the United States. The selectmen were appointed a committee to apportion the money so raised, and they were authorized to hire money for the purpose.
August 26, 1862. Voted, to pay two hundred dollars bounty to each volunteer from this town who shall be mustered into the service ; pro- vided such person shall enlist, or shall have enlisted, since the eleventh day of August, 1862. The selectmen were authorized to hire money for this purpose.
September 25, 1862. It was voted to add one hundred dollars to the bounty offered August 26, 1862, to volunteers for nine months.
October 27, 1862. Voted, to raise fourteen thousand dollars to en- courage voluntary enlistment.
Voted, that the town pay to Austin H. Tucker, Daniel W. Griffin, and Henry A. Fuller the sumu of two hundred dollars each as bounty, they having been mustered into the Ninth Regiment.
December 27, 1862. Voted, to raise fifteen hundred dollars for the aid of the families of volunteers.
July 17, 1863. Voted, to raise a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars for the aid of volunteers, or their families, who have beeu, or hereafter may be, mustered into service.
August 4, 1863. Voted, to pay a bounty not exceeding three hun- dred dollars to each person who may be drafted or conscripted from this town to serve during the war, or to the substitute of such con- script.
Voted, that a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars be raised and appropriated to this purpose.
December 5, 1863. Voted, to pay a bounty not exceeding two hun- dred dollars to each man who volunteers under the call of the President of October 17, 1863, for three hundred thousand men to be mustered iuto the service of the United States, to fill the quota of said town, be- fore the fifth day of January, 1864.
Voted, to cash the bounties offered by the General Government and State of New Hampshire when each shall be mustered into service.
Voted, to raise twelve thousand five hundred dollars for this pur- pose.
April 21, 1864. Voted, a bounty of two hundred dollars to each new recruit, re-enlisted veteran, conscript, or his substitute, who has been or shall be mustered into the service of the United States, towards filling the quota of the town under the present call of the President for two hundred thousand men, prior to April, 1865.
Voted, to raise ten thousand dollars for this purpose, aud the select- men are to see that the quota of the town is filled.
.
531
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
June 25, 1864. Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to hire two thousand dollars to be appropriated for the purpose of paying bounties to volunteers for the army and navy of the United States, to be credited to the town. Francis J. Hanson was chosen agent to carry said vote into effect.
August 13, 1864. Voted, to pay a bounty to each soldier who shall be mustered into the service, or who may have been mustered in since the passage of au act of the legislature, entitled, " An act to facilitate the raising of troops," to fill the quota of the town under the call of the President for five hundred thousand men, a sum of one hundred dollars for each one year's man, the sum of two hundred dollars for each two years' man, and three hundred dollars for each three years' man, and for each man drafted for one year who shall be mustered into the service as a part of the town's quota, the sum of two hundred dollars.
Five thousand dollars are to be raised, in addition to the amount heretofore appropriated for this purpose, and the state bounty is to be cashed by the selectmen.
September 3, 1864. The selectmen are authorized to pay a bounty of five hundred dollars to each (not exceeding nineteen) man who shall be mustered into the service for the term of one year. The selectmen are to hire six thousand dollars for this purpose.
November 8, 1864. Voted, to enlist nine men for the war service, and pay them, if they enlist, the same bounties as paid to those under the last call; and five thousand five hundred dollars are appropriated to this purpose; and to obtain men who shall be "credited to the town prior to a future call from the President for more men."
February 20, 1865. The selectinen are authorized to pay five hun- dred dollars to each inhabitant of the town who may enlist and be mustered iuto service and credited to the quota of the town to fill the quota under the call of the President, dated December 19, 1864, for three hundred thousand men ; and the selectmen are authorized to cash the state bouuty for three years' men who may or shall have been credited to the quota of the town. Ten thousand dollars are appropri- ated for this object.
William S. Ring was appointed agent to procure the requisite num- ber of men.
March, 1865. At the annual meeting it was voted to appropriate twenty-five hundred dollars to aid families of volunteers and drafted inen for the year ensuing, and the selectmen are authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars for one year's men, two hundred dol- lars for two years' men, and three hundred for three years' men, when mustered into the service to fill the quota of an anticipated call for
532
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD ..
more troops, and to cash the state bounty for one, two, and three years' inen to fill the town's quota.
Ten thousand dollars are appropriated therefor.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
CALVIN BAPTIST CHURCH.
During all these years our fathers are not unmindful of their spiritual needs, nor of the education of their children. Many of the first settlers were of the Baptist denomination, and some of them, being members of the churches in Stratham and Epping, united in sustaining worship, asso- ciated together, and requested to be organized as a distinct church. Accordingly this was done, on the 27th of July, 1773, and they chose Moses Godfrey clerk, and Edmund Pillsbury of South Hampton, who was a member of the Baptist Church in Haverhill, as teaching elder. But he was not ordained until November 17, 1779. A council of Baptist churches seems to have been called, and Elder Samuel Shepard presided and preached the sermon. Wil- liam Plumer of Epping was chosen clerk. Mr. Pillsbury received no stated salary, but was supported by the volun- tary contributions of his hearers, and by his own industry. Some part of the time of his ministry, the town, in its corporate capacity, employed him.
At a legal meeting Held at the House of Col. John Harvey Inholder in Said Parish on Monday the Eleventh Day of Augt 1788, Voted that Mr. Pillsbury Shall Preach in the Senter half of the time for one year with paying half as much as what the Baptis Gaves him Pr year.
Subsequently a committee was chosen to confer with Mr. Pillsbury and define his salary ; and April 27, 1789, they met according to adjournment.
Voted to hire Mr. Edward Pilsbury to preach for the whole parish for one year from the first of May next one half of the time at the upper meeting house and the other at the lower meeting house and that he have for Support fifty Bushels of Corn one hundred wait of
533
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
Beef and to keep three Cows ten Sheep and one Horse Sumer and winter and fifty Pounds of flax and five Barrels of Sider and twenty Cord of wood hald to his door wich is the Report of the Committe as witness our hands.
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