History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 74

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390

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While the town records are very complete upon the important subject of ringing the bell, and while the town clerks have been commendably faith- ful in recording the names of all the great men who have filled the positions of "hog-reeve" and "fence-viewer," both leave us in blissful ignorance upon the vital subject of education. The earliest date that I have been able to find upon the regular town records concerning school matters is March 23, 1729, when it was "Voted at said meeting that the selectmen should be empowered to hire a schoolmaster and move him several times, as they see cause for the conveniency of the children's going to school."

In 1731 it was "Voted that the selectmen be empowered to hire a school- master one-half of the year."

In June, 1737, there was an article in the warrant "to see what you will do concerning a school," but as there is no action recorded, it is not probable that there was any school that year.

In 1739, "Voted that there should be a moving school, and that every party that hath the benefit of the school shall provide a house to keep school in, and that the moving school shall be at the discretion of the selectmen of the parish."

From 1739 to 1751 regular school appropriations were made, and in the latter year the question of a new schoolhouse was agitated, and was a "lively"

1 The following interesting article was contributed by G. H. Jenness, Esq., being an address delivered by him at the dedication of the town hall in Rye, November 19, 1863.

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issue at many subsequent town-meetings. In 1751 the people were invited "to see if they will do anything concerning building a schoolhouse in the parish," and in 1752, to see if they will vote to build two schoolhouses. It will be observed that the town is spoken of as the parish for many years after its incorporation, and were there nothing but the records of the town clerks to guide us, we should infer that Rye continued to be a parish of Newcastle long after it is known to have been separate.

In 1756 there were local dissensions and jealousies, and a first-class school row all over town. It finally culminated in a proposition "to see if the parish will vote the school money shall be divided, and let each party hire a school- master according to their liking," and in 1757, "To see if the parish will settle the school in two places or settle the school at the centre." The voting at the meeting was slightly contradictory, as will be seen by the following record :

Ist. Voted that the school should be kept in the center of the parish.

2d. Voted that the school be kept one-half of the year, to the eastward of the meeting-house.

3d. Voted that the school be kept in two places above the meeting-house.

Such voting as that sets at defiance the fundamental law of physics-that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time. How the difficulty was finally adjusted does not appear, but in March 23, 1761, it was "voted that the school should be one-half above and the other half below the meet- ing-house."

It is certain that there were two schoolhouses in town some time between 1764 and 1774, for in the latter year there was an article in the warrant "to see if the parish will build a schoolhouse or repair the old ones," and at a subsequent meeting the same year it was "voted that the selectmen repair the schoolhouses and put them in order." The school boys of those days were, in common parlance, a pretty tough set, for in two years from that time it was found necessary to build anew again, the repairs of 1774 being rather short-lived.

In 1786 it was "voted there shall be a new schoolhouse built where the old one now stands between Mr. Johnson's and Mr. Nathan Knowles'." The cost was £14 9s. 6d.

It was but partially finished, however, for in January, 1789, we find an article in the warrant "to see what the town will do to finish the schoolhouse by N. Knowles;" but as the schoolhouse fever had somewhat subsided, no action was taken upon the matter.

In 1791, "Voted to build a schoolhouse at the east end of the parish." Cost, £34 18s. 7d.

In 1796, "Voted the town shall be divided into two equal parts for to hire schools for each district."

In 1797, "Voted the selectmen shall keep eighteen months' school, the school to begin the Ist of May at both schoolhouses, and keep on five months, and shall begin the middle of November, and keep on four months." After this there are no recorded votes worthy of special mention until 1816, when it was "voted that no scholar below the meeting-house shall go to the upper school, and none above the meeting-house shall go to the lower school."

In 1826 two brick schoolhouses were built in what are now the South and West districts, and in 1827 two more were built in the Center and East

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districts, at an average cost of some four or five hundred dollars each. In 1827 the town was divided into two districts, each containing two school- houses. In 1833 the selectmen divided the town into four districts. In 1845 the town was redistricted, and the boundary lines defined. In 1854 it was "voted that the town convey by deed or otherwise to each school district the schoolhouses located in the same for their specific use," since which time every district has been entirely independent of the town in regard to the management of its local affairs. Within three years a new schoolhouse has been built in the West District at a cost of nearly two thousand dollars, and the South and East have been repaired at an aggregate cost of eleven hundred dollars ; they are all in good order now, and are a credit to the intelligence and liberality of our citizens.

Of the teachers the records furnish but little information. The only person mentioned is Christopher Gold (probably meaning Gould), who was in 1762 elected to keep school for six months. We hear no more of him until March, 1773, when it was "voted not to hire Master Gold any longer," from which I infer that he taught most of the school time during the inter- vening eleven years. Through the courtesy of Thomas J. Parsons, Esq., I am able to furnish from his private records the names of several of the teachers of previous generations. Among them may be mentioned Joseph Parsons and Richard Webster, who taught in 1786 and 1787; in 1789, '90, and '91, Peter Mitchell and John Carroll; in 1783, James Dane; in 1794, John L. Piper. After them came at various periods Samuel Willey, John French, a Mr. Sherburne, Noah Burnham, John W. Parsons, Richard Webster, Jr., Joseph Dalton, Joseph Dame, Levi Merrill, Noah Wiggin, Thomas J. Parsons, John A. Trefethen, and scores of others whose names are more or less familiar to you. The wages paid ranged from ten to twenty dollars per month exclusive of board, the earlier teachers being paid in the English currency.

Dr. John W. Parsons taught school and practiced medicine at the same time. Whenever he was called upon to attend the sick the children were dis- missed and sent home. Sometimes after teaching school all day he would walk over to North Hampton to attend his patients there, returning home on foot in the evening.

The schoolhouses of Rye are maintained in good condition. None of them are old or of antique pattern and the schools will in quality and efficiency compare not unfavorably with those of other towns in the state.

Pupils desiring more advanced instruction than the grammar schools of the town afford, attend the high school in Portsmouth, the town, under the state law, paying the tuition.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

The Town of Rye was so named by reason of some of its first inhabitants - coming from a town of the same name in England. It was incorporated April 30, 1726. Prior to this time the town was destitute of a settled ministry of the gospel, the people attending public worship in the neighboring towns as was most convenient. The first petition for the formation of a new dis-

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

trict, whereby they might enjoy the benefits of the gospel ministry, was under date of 1721, as follows :

"Petition for a new District or Precinct, 1721

"To his Excellency Samuel Shute Esqr Capt. Genl and Governor in chief in and over his Majties Province of New Hampshire &c. To the Honble the Council & House of Representatives, now conven'd in Genll Assembly in & for sd Province :

"The humble Petition of sundry the Inhabitants living about Sandy Beach, partly in New Castle, Hampton & Portsmouth, humbly sheweth:

"That your Petitioners, the subscribers hereof, have for these many years past lived under great inconveniences as to their having the free benefit of the gospell, most of us Living at great Distances from our Respective meet- ing-houses, especially those belonging to New Castle ;- for that besides the great Distance wee live from thence, there is the great Inconvenience of a Ferry, by the Reasons of which for near halfe the yeare, Wee the Masters of families that are best able cannot but now and then attend upon the pub- lick worship of God (as in Duty wee are bound) and when wee Doe, It is many times late within Night e're wee can reach our habitations; And besides this great inconvenience to ourselves, there is much greater happens to the greatest part of our families (viz.) our women and children, who can rarely attend at all or not above two or three times in the yeare, and then but those that are groun to years; for our younger children that should imbibe in the precepts of the gospell with their milk, cannot attend until groun to some years ; Wee having four, five & some more than six miles, besides the Ferry; And wee can now count amongst us above two hundred and forty or fifty souls, and not one third capeable to attend as wee are now circumstanced : And we think ourselves capeable to maintain a minister of the Gospel, and to give a Competent Liveing, as our neighbouring Pa'shes & precincts do:

"Therefore wee, your humble Petitioners prays that we may be set off a p'ticular precinct ( from Mr. William Seveys and westward by the seaside as far towards Hampton as the little Boars head or Little River, and back into the Country about three miles & a halfe or so far as in your wisdom shall see meet ) and that we may be impowered to make and raise all our own Taxes and gather them: So prays your humble Petitioners.

"John Lock and 51 others."

Congregational Church .- The first meeting-house was erected in the year 1725, the church organized July 10, 1726, and the first minister, Rev. Nathaniel Morrill, was ordained September 14, 1726. The following is a list of the pastors from the organization of the church to the present time : Nathaniel Morrill, ordained September 14, 1726-33; Samuel Parsons (aged eighty-two years, great-grandfather of Thomas J. Parsons), November 3, 1736, died January 4, 1789; Huntington Porter, December 29, 1784, colleague, died March 7, 1844, aged ninety-nine years; Bezaleel Smith, May 13, 1829, colleague pastor, dismissed July 12, 1841, died May 15, 1879; James F. McEwen, December 1, 1841, to April 8, 1846; Israel F. Otis, July 4, 1847, to April 24, 1866; Silas Leach, October 4, 1867, to December 11, 1870; Jere- miah K. Aldrich, May 14, 1873, to November 16, 1876; Willis A. Hadley, August 21, 1878, to January 1, 1879; J. W. Kingsbury, 1879-82; F. H.

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Boynton, 1882, to November, 1886; Robert Humphries preached for about a year; H. M. Holmes, May 1, 1888, to 1890; J. K. Aldrich, 1892-96; A. W. Mills, 1896; H. A. Barber, 1906-14.

The third and present church edifice was dedicated December 27, 1837. Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodist Episcopal Church in this town was organized March 1I, 1839, and October 9th following this house of worship was dedicated. The following is a list of the ministers: Moore McCurdy, Cushing, and Osgood, 1839; James T. Adams, 1840-42; Henry Deans, 1843; Abraham Palmer, 1844; - Blodgett, 1845; D. W. Barber, 1846; J. C. Allan, 1847; Mr. Wallingford, 1848; Mr. Blodgett, 1849; A. Heath, 1850-51; I. F. Adams, 1852; D. Macendo, 1853; John F. Adams, 1854; E. Lagro, 1855-56; J. W. Adams, 1857-58; N. F. Bailey, 1859-60; Mr. Chase, 1861-62; W. H. Stewart, 1863; G. W. T. Rogers, 1864-66; Abraham Folsom, 1867-68. Mr. Folsom was the last pastor of this church. The society became too weak for the support of a minister, and the church building was consequently sold to the town in 1873 and is now used as a town-house.

Christian Church .- This church was originally organized as a Baptist Church, May 1, 1820, as follows :

"We, the subscribers, hereby form ourselves into a Religious Society, to be known by the name of the first Baptist Society in. Rye, agreeably to a law of the State of Newhampshire, passed July 1, 1819, and have appointed Nathan Knowls clerk of the same."

The persons thus forming themselves into a Baptist Society were largely those who could not accept the positions held by the Congregational Church, which up to this time was the only church in the town. The Baptist Society being composed of such persons as were inclined to grow in knowledge, soon found that the limits of the Baptist faith were too narrow for them, and August 20, 1833, they reorganized themselves into a Christian Church. They at this time adopted the following covenant :

"We, the undersigned persons, agree to unite ourselves together as a religious body, to be called a Christian Church, and to receive the sacred scriptures as our rule of faith and practice, renouncing all allegiance to creeds and platforms of human invention. We do solemnly covenant to watch over each other for good, to build up ourselves in the most holy faith, to admonish each other in love and union, asking of our heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, to aid us in this important work, that we be led into all truth, which makes free."

The following ministers have preached at various times: Elders Ebenezer Leavitt, Ephraim Philbrick, and Pottle, 1827: Elder Philbrick, 1839; Elder Thomas F. Barry, 1840; Elder Abner Hall, 1842; Elder William H. Nason, 1843; Elder Mosher, 1845; Elder William H. Ireland, 1850; Elder Joel Wilson, 1855; Elders Rowell, Pain, Cole, Hall and Dixon, 1857-64; Elder Clark Simons, 1866; Rev. Alva H. Morrill, 1872; Rev. S. B. Bowditch, 1876; Rev. Ira S. Jones, 1878; Rev. Lewis Phillips, 1883; Rev. L. Walker Phillips, 1885; Rev. J. E. Everingham, 1889; Rev. H. J. Rhodes, 1893; Rev. J. A. Beebe, 1895; Rev. Joseph Lambert, 1899; J. B. Fenwick, 1905-14.

The Episcopal Church by the sea was built in 1876, largely by the summer residents, and the bell was hung in 1877.

The Advent meeting-house on the south road was dedicated May 23, 1872.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

Merchants .- The first merchant in Rye was John Carroll, an Irishman and school teacher, who began in a little room keeping needles, pins, etc., and afterwards kept a store at Jedediah Rand's. He subsequently associated with him his brother-in-law, Simon Goss, under the firm-name of Carroll & Goss. . Other traders have been A. Seavey, J. Drake, D. Wedgewood, Hamilton Locke, J. L. Locke, and Hon. T. J. Parsons. Mr. Parsons com- menced business in 1828 and conducted the business continuously at this place for more than half a century. Mr. Parsons was one of the prominent citizens of the town, and held various positions of trust within the gift of his fellow- townsmen. He was appointed justice of the peace December 30, 1828, and held that office continuously. He also represented the town in the Legislature and his district in the senate. Mr. Parsons also manifested much interest in the old militia, and rose successively from the rank of captain to colonel; was also an aide-de-camp to Governor Isaac Hill. He was born in Rye, January 4, 1804.

Physicians .- The first regular settled physician was Dr. Joseph Parsons. He was followed by Dr. John W. Parsons, father of Dr. Warren Parsons, who was in active practice in Rye for fifty years. Dr. C. F. Patterson came to West Rye in 1896 and to his new house at the Center in 1900. His death occurred October 16, 1911. Dr. H. A. White located in Rye in 1910.

Rye as a Summer Resort .-- To its location, away from any line of general public travel which made its inns and taverns in the early days of local interest and importance only, the Rye of the present day is undoubtedly indebted to a great extent for its popularity and fame as one of the most noted summer resorts in New England, attracting many hundreds of visitors annually from all parts of the country, and having a numerous and steadily increasing colony of summer residents whose private summer cottages, scat- tered all along the six miles of ocean front from Odiorne's Point to the North Hampton line, add greatly to the taxable property of the town, and not a few of which are of such size and cost as would have won them the title of "mansions" instead of "cottages" a century or less ago.

Very large and handsome new summer homes at Rye Beach are those of Edgar Champlain, George L. Allen, Ex-Gov. Francis of Missouri and Francis E. Drake, the latter one of the finest and most costly cottages on the New England Coast, having been completed in 1903.

The Abenaqui Golf Club was organized in 1899 and built its club house in 1900.

Hotels .- Ocean Wave, Sea View and Farragut.

Summer Boarding Houses .- S. S. Philbrick, C. A. Jenness, A. Drake, Horace Sawyer and S. W. Foss.

Postmasters .- Mrs. A. C. Walker; West, C. D. Garland; South Road, Rye Beach, C. W. Spear; Rye North Beach, F. P. Knox.

Societies .- Rye Grange; Jr., O. U. A. M.

Public Telephone .- Farragut House; Cable Station.

U. S. Life Saving Stations .- One at Straw's Point and one at Wallis Sands.

The cable of the Direct United States Cable Company was landed July 15, 1874, and opened for business in September, 1874, and is now owned by the Western Union Telegraph Company.

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The Boulevard .- Work on the State Boulevard commenced in 1900 near Wallis' Sands, and as funds were appropriated by the state, was continued to the North Hampton line; there remains to be built a section from Odiorne's Point to the Portsmouth line.

Rye Public Library .- Rye was the first town in Rockingham County to establish a public library. Oliver Sleeper left to the town by will, about eight thousand dollars, for a library with the proviso that if the town declined the bequest, it should go in equal sums to the two churches. At a special town meeting called for August 1, 1883, the meeting voted against accepting. In 1884 the town voted to accept. Litigation followed and in 1893 the court decided that the legacy, reduced by litigation, etc., to about three thousand dollars belonged to the two churches. Each year after the movement for pro- viding state-aided town libraries, an article was inserted in the election war- rant for Rye to take the sense of the voters on the question, "Is it expedient to establish a town library?" and every year the town voted "no," by a large majority, yet for years these same voters took advantage of the generosity of the Portsmouth Public Library, in allowing the inhabitants of Rye to take books from their shelves without charge.

Miss Mary Tuck Rand conveyed to the town on March 16, 1910, land for a library site. She also gave the sum of $7,500 for the erection of the building, which was dedicated June 22, 1911, and opened to the public the following September, with 500 volumes on the shelves and has since added 1,500 volumes.

During the year 1913 there were 7,600 books in circulation, the following funds having been given to the library: Miss Abby S. Parsons, $500; legacy J. Disco Jenness, $200; Benjamin F. Webster, $500.

A Submerged Forest (by L. B. Parsons ) .- Off the easterly or northerly, as the reader prefers, end of Jenness Beach can be seen at extremely low tides, 150 feet or more from high water mark, the remains of what was once a forest of large trees, in the shape of great stumps that in the course of many years, perhaps of centuries, have been ground down almost to their roots by the action of the sand-laden waves, but which are still held in the positions in which they grew by their huge, gnarled roots, with a tenacity which the mighty force of the ocean in its wildest moods has never been able to overcome. These stumps of cedar and other varieties of trees are hidden from sight at ordinary low tides; sometimes at very low tide but few of them are visible, the larger number being covered with a coating of sand, which will be washed clear of them by the next storm from the right direction. How far the stumps extend out under the sea is unknown, the tide never having receded far enough to disclose the outer edge of the group. That there was a heavy growth of trees there at some time, long ago, is evident ; but how long ago, neither history nor tradition informs us. The place where they grew was then dry land; dry, that is, so far as the ocean is concerned, for trees of their kind do not thrive or even live in localities where their roots are frequently covered with salt water. The forest must have dis- appeared before the advent of the first settlers, for had it been submerged after their arrival, even by the gradual encroachment of the sea upon its site, it certainly would have received mention in the writings of somebody. The submergence may be due to a sudden subsidence of the coast, but this is a mere speculation. All that can be said positively of the stumps is that

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they are still there. Even when they were first discovered is not known. One of Rye's oldest residents of fifty years ago, being asked about them replied : "Why, everybody in Rye always knew they were there."

MILITARY

Rye lost a very considerable number of its inhabitants in times of war, both by sea and land. The inhabitants suffered severely by the depredation of the Indians. In the year 1696 twenty-one persons were either killed or carried away captive by the vindictive savages. In the French war the town lost fourteen, who were either killed or died in the service. In the Revolu- tionary war the town responded promptly to the call of liberty, and twenty- eight of its inhabitants died in the service, most of them young men. In the War of 1812 there were twenty in the service, two of whom lost their lives. In the last war with Great Britain, March 18, 1813, an alarm list company of fifty-five officers and privates was formed in this town, of which Jonathan Wedgewood was chosen captain. Ninety-two from the Town of Rye were

engaged in this war, besides the alarm company. Eleven cavalry served under Capt. James Colman, and the others in two companies of infantry, under Capts. Ephraim Philbrick and Samuel P. Berry. Sixteen served as privateersmen; four were captured, two lost. Three-Robert Robinson, Richard R. Locke, and Nathaniel G. Lear-were put in Dartsmouth prison. Dr. Joseph Parsons served as surgeon's mate on the ship Orlando. Forty- eight applied for bounty land, under the act of March 3, 1855.

War of the Revolution.1-1770, July 16. Mr. Joseph Parsons chosen a committeeman for to stand by the Sons of Liberty.

Mr. Mark Randel and Joseph Brown chosen committeemen to stand by the Sons of Liberty.

1774, July 18 .- Voted, Mr. Samuel Knowles go to Exeter.

Voted, Mr. Samuel Jenness go with Mr. Knowles to Exeter.

Voted, That the selectmen shall raise three pounds towards paying the delegates that shall be chosen to go to the Continental Congress.

Voted, That the parish will defray the charges of the men that are going to Exeter.

1775, May 16 .- Voted, That Nathan Goss shall go to Exeter, and that Samuel Knowles shall go to the Congress with Mr. Goss.

Voted, Twelve minute men be enlisted to go on any expedition that a committee shall think proper.

Voted, That the minute men shall exercise one-half a day in a week, and have two shillings each for every day they exercise.

Voted, That the minute men shall have forty shillings per month from the time they are ordered on any expedition till they return.

December II .- Voted, Nathan Goss represent this parish in General Con- gress at Exeter.

1776, January .- Voted, That Richard Jenness, Esq., Emos Seavey, Esq., and Robinson Treferrin be a committee for to draw a petition to the Gen- eral Congress at Exeter, praying they would not assume government at present.

1 By Hon. T. J. Parsons.

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March 27th .- Voted, The Committee of Safety's expenses for the last year be allowed them.

Voted, Richard Jenness, Esq., Samuel Knowles, Samuel Wallis, Richard Jenness, Simon Garland, Abraham Libbey, Jeremiah Berry be a Committee of Inspection, and the major part of them to act.

Colony of New Hampshire, Rye, July 5, 1776.

Serjeant Samuel Elkins,-You are hereby required to warn all persons belonging to your district, to meet at Mr. Benjamin Garland's Innholder in said Parish on Monday next at eight o'clock before noon armed and equiped according to law in order to draft out soldiers to join the Northern Army- and it is hoped every person who values his life, liberty or property will punctually attend.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 74

Author: Hazlett, Charles A Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390