History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 75

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

USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 75

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Joseph Parsons, Capt.

Rye, July 9, 1776.

I have received orders from Col. Josh. Wentworth for a mediate caul for the Committee to be together-you are desired to be at Mr. Abrm Libbee's this day at six of the clock afternoon-

Mr. Simon Garland.

Richard Jenness, Jun.

The twelve minute-men enlisted in May, 1775, of the Town of Rye, a list of whose names, it is much regretted, cannot be found, went to Cam- bridge, Mass.

It being soon after necessary to have more troops at Newcastle to protect Portsmouth Harbor, Capt. Joseph Parsons raised the following volunteer company in Rye, and was stationed at Great Island ( Newcastle ) that summer and fall. It was, I believe, the first company in service from Rye. Papers show that others served under Captain Parsons at Newcastle: Joseph Parsons, captain; William Seavey, first lieutenant; Nathan Goss, second lieu- tenant; Abraham Libbey, sergeant; Alexander Salter, sergeant; Timothy Berry, sergeant; Samuel Knowles, sergeant; Henry Shapley, corporal; Wil- liam Rand, corporal ; Joshua Locke, corporal; Jeremiah Berry, corporal; Peter Johnson, drummer; Michael Dalton, fifer, and twenty-nine privates.

A large portion of the above company enlisted under Capt. Joseph Parsons to go to Cambridge, Mass., until February 1, 1776. Captain Parsons having with the aid of Lieut. Nathaniel Gilman raised the following company to take the place of the former at Newcastle.

Return of what remains of Capt. Joseph Parsons' company, Newcastle, November 6, 1775: Nathaniel Gilman, first lieutenant; William Seavey, second lieutenant; Samuel Wallis, ensign; Abraham Libbey, sergeant; Josiah Hall Bartlett, sergeant; Joseph Seavey, sergeant; Simon Johnson, corporal; Benjamin Lang, corporal; Joseph Marden, drummer ; Nathaniel Marden, fifer, and forty-eight privates.

Roll of Capt. Joseph Parson's company in Col. David Gilman's regiment, commencing December 5, 1776, and ending March II, 1777, inclusive : Joseph Parsons, captain; Josiah Dearborn, lieutenant; Joshua Weeks, second lieutenant; John Leavitt, sergeant; Simeon Towle, sergeant; Daniel Smith, sergeant ; Simon Sanborn, sergeant ; Joseph Hutchins, corporal; Josiah Batch- elder, corporal; John Odiorne, corporal; Jesse Prescott, ocrporal; John San- born, drummer; Josiah Moulton, fifer, and forty-three privates.

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They went to New York and served three months and eleven days. The service in Rhode Island was from June 26, 1777, to January 6, 1778. One march of fifty miles was made in thirteen hours.

August 3, 1778, Captain Parsons marched a company of volunteers to Rhode Island, but was in service this time but thirty days. September II, 1781, Captain Parsons raised a company of thirty-two men by order of the Committee of Safety, to serve three months, and marched for No. 4, Charles- town, but served one month.

1782, April 19th .- Voted, Capt. Joseph Jenness and Mr. Richard Webster committee to get soldiers for the army.

July 8th .- Voted, Capt. Joseph Jenness, Capt. Joseph Parsons, and Mr. David Locke, shall be a committee to get soldiers for to fill up the battalions for three years or during the war.

Voted, Said committee shall pay in any sort of pay yearly as they shall agree with the soldiers for that purpose.

Voted, The constable shall go about and gather what money he can in order to hire soldiers and let the committee have it.

December 2d .- Lieut. Nathan Goss chosen representative for one year from their first meeting and to vote in the choice of delegate to the Continental Congress.

Voted, Ten men for the Constitution and seventeen against it.

1783, April 28th .- Voted, To preserve the present plan of government as it now stands by a vote of thirty-three for it and nine against it.

I find from examination of old papers in Rye that Rye men shipped and served on privateers during the Revolution, a few of the vessels of which I give, viz. :

1777, February 26th, the privateer Portsmouth, Capt. Robert Parker, sailed on a cruise March 25th; took a brig from New York of ten guns, and had a fight with two ships, one man killed and one wounded; March 29th, took a brig from Cork, which arrived into Portsmouth April 20th.

1778, January, schooner (brig) True Blue, Capt. Lawrence Furlong. 1778, February, ship Portsmouth, Thomas Roche, commander.

1778, April, ship Portsmouth, Thomas Roach, commander.

1778, May 15, schooner Hornet (or Friends' Adventure), Kinsman Peaverly, commander.

1778, July, schooner Rambler, Thomas Manning, commander.

1778, October, brigantine Platio, John Hill, commander.

1778, October, schooner numbered Six, Samuel Rice, commander.

1778, November, ship General Sullivan, Thomas Manning, commander 1779, May, ship General Sullivan, Thomas Manning, commander. 1780, November, ship Alexander, Thomas Simpson, commander.

1781, January, ship Alexander, Thomas Simpson, commander.

1781, May, ship Scourge, Timothy Parker, commander.

1781, April, ship America, of Newbury, for a four months' cruise; John Blunt, of Newcastle, mate.

1779, December, Continental ship Ranger, Thomas Simpson. commander. 1776, May 21, the New Hampshire frigate launched at Portsmouth.

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CIVIL WAR

Military Record .- The following list of soldiers from this town in the War of 1861-65 is taken from records in the possession of Hon. Thomas J. Parsons: Daniel D. Locke, captain, Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment; James Goss, captain, Seventh Regiment; John T. Blazo, First Regiment; E. D. Rand, Company F, Seventh Regiment ; J. A. Rand, Company F, Seventh Regiment ; William Caswell; Albert Caswell; Augustus Rand; John Caswell, navy; S. F. Foss, captain Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment ; J. J. Seavey, Massachusetts regiment ; Oliver Locke, navy; John H. Downs, navy; Charles Holmes, captain Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, killed at Bull Run; R. P. Shapley, Company M, First Cavalry; J. H. Shapley, Com- pany M, First Cavalry ; L. W. Hall, navy ; D. M. Foss, navy ; Daniel Webster, navy : Joseph Youngs, Company D, Third Regiment; H. Frisbee, Company E, Ninth Regiment; Francis Rand, Company E, Ninth Regiment, died July 20, 1864; Samuel Young; Benjamin Blazo, Company A, Lincoln Guards; J. Mow; George Hurdy; G. H. Lang; John Caswell; Emery Dow; G. N. Varrell; G. E. Caswell; John Poole; J. W. Berry, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment ; O. P. Philbrick ; Miller; W. N. Mace; C. A. Mace; Alfred Lang, Thirty-second Maine; George N. Lang, Seventeenth Massachusetts; R. V. Varrell; S. Tarlton; Charles R. Caswell; R. P. Shapley, re-enlisted; J. H. Shapley, re-enlisted; E. D. Rand, captain, re-enlisted; J. A. Rand, lieu- tenant, re-enlisted; G. W. Johnson, re-enlisted.

The following were enlisted and mustered into the service in 1862: Gil- man Johnson, George Hurnard, J. T. Blazo, Benj. Blazo, J. Young, R. P. Shapley, J. H. Shapley, D. D. Locke, Frank Foss, Capt. E. D. Rand, Lieut. J. A. Rand, F. W. Rand, Howard Frisbee, C. J. Mace, W. N. Mace. W. H. Shapley, A. Caswell, H. N. Caswell, J. Berry, C. R. Caswell, R. W. Varrell, W. T. Mathes, R. S. Foss, O. B. Philbrick, David Locke, Nathan Clough, S. B. Tarlton, Chas. H. Morse, E. Miller, J. Omerod, S. H. Parsley, H. G. Parsley, A. J. Jenness, J. H. Foye, G. B. Caswell, J. J. Seavey, D. M. Foss, J. W. Caswell, Daniel Webster, and L. W. Hull.

The following enlisted in the navy: O. Locke, D. Trefethen, J. W. Marden, D. W. Marden, G. Seavey, F. Marden, C. E. Garland, A. Locke, J. H. Locke, A. G. Locke, Chas. A. Abbott, A. M. Lang, and W. C. Green.

The following furnished substitutes: N. H. Jenness, C. A. Jenness, G. W. Jenness, A. D. Jenness, S. W. Jenness, S. Jenness, N. G. Jenness, John S. Remick, D. W. Philbrick, T. H. Philbrick, O. Drake, T. E. Latham, S. L. Chesley, C. W. Jones, J. W. Garland.

The following men were drafted August 21, 1863, and paid communta- tion : Cyrus S. Jones, J. J. Rand, E. P. Davis, J. L. Seavey, J. S. Foss, E. C. Jenness, C. A. Drake, D. Philbrick, C. Garland, J. D. Rand, G. H. Jenness, W. J. Holmes, B. B. Greene, P. C. Hutchins, A. M. Lang.

The following were also drafted at this time ( August 21, 1863), but were exempt : A. V. Seavey, H. D. Foss, H. Trefethen, A. P. Brown, G. Brown, C. R. Caswell, G. H. Seavey, O. P. Garland, G. W. Brown, J. H. Foss, J. J. Brown, J. H. Lear, A. Rand, J. S. Remick, J. W. Foye, A. Rand.

The following were mustered in October 22, 1862, for nine months : WV. S. Bigin, T. E. Hodgden, C. H. Stevens, G. W. Williamson, B. F. Parker, J. J. Smith, C. W. Greenleaf, George W. Batchelder, J. F. Hall, G. M. Swain, J. W. Brickett, William Tool.

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Six who entered the service from this town are known to have lost their lives. viz. : Charles Holmes, killed at the first battle at Bull Run; J. Harri- son Foye, killed May 3, 1862; William F. Mather, killed at Cold Harbor, June, 1864: David Locke, killed at Harrison's Landing, September 29, 1864; John H. Shapleigh, killed at Waynesboro', Va., September 28, 1864; Lieut. Robert P. Shapleigh, died June 2, 1865.

Gosport: Isles of Shoals .- By an act of the Legislature, approved July 20, 1876, the Town of Gosport, Isles of Shoals, was annexed to Rye. The territory of Gosport consisted of all that portion of the Isles of Shoals within the boundaries of New Hampshire, including Star, White and Lunging islands. The transfer was not asked by Rye nor the inhabitants of Gos- port; the transfer added but little to the valuation of Rye and nothing to its voting list or population.

From a very early period in the history of this section of country these islands have been known as quite famous fishing-grounds, and were settled at an early date.

For a long time the islands were a kingdom and government by them- selves, and had a constantly increasing prosperity, so that the number of inhabitants ran up to about six hundred, and even with a seminary of some repute, to which some families on the mainland sent their sons to be edu- cated. It was here that the three brothers Cutt first settled, removing to Portsmouth in 1647, but still carrying on business at the Shoals.

Star Island had so prospered that in 1715, by act of the Provincial Assem- bly of New Hampshire, it was created a town, by the name of Gosport; and in 1720, of every 1,000 pounds raised in the province by taxation twenty pounds was assessed upon Gosport, a proportion which was maintained with. but slight variations for many years. In 1767 the number of residents of Gosport was 284, of whom four were slaves.

In 1819 the number of inhabitants of the islands had become reduced to eighty-six, and in 1824 to sixty-nine; and from that time till the end came the number slowly dwindled, year by year, until the last family and resident of the old Shoals stock disappeared.

CHURCHES AND MINISTERS

Prior to 1640 Rev. Joseph Hull, who was settled at Accominticus (now York, Me.), visited the islands occasionally and administered the sacraments of the Episcopal communion in the chapel on Hog (called by some at that time Farm) Island, now Appledore. During the year 1640 Rev. Robert Jordan of Richman's Island, Me., officiated in a similar manner, about this time the first church at the Shoals being built on Hog Island; and in 1641 and 1642 Rev. Richard Gibson, the first minister of Strawberry Bank (now Portsmouth) was settled there.

A sound Puritan divine, Rev. John Brock, was the first of a long line of Congregational ministers who rendered noble and self-sacrificing service at the islands until the settlement went down in hopeless decay. Of him Cotton Mather said: "He dwelt as near Heaven as any man upon the earth."

Mr. Brock was settled at the Shoals from about 1650 to 1662, and was succeeded by Reverend Mr. Hall, and the latter by Rev. Samuel Belcher. About 1700 a new church was built on a lofty point of Star Island. It seems

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reasonable to suppose that there had previously been a church of some kind on this island for the population of the group had been centered there for years, and it is certain that the old church on Hog Island had long been abandoned. The new church was a substantial structure of wood, twenty- eight feet wide and forty-eight feet long, with a steeple or bell tower and bell; the tower, from the elevated position of the church, serving as a landmark for the fishermen by day, and the bell guiding them to safety in times of darkness or fog-services which continued to be rendered by the tower and bell of the present stone church on the same site up to the time that the fishing settle- ment at the island ceased to exist.

Rev. Samuel Moody was one of the first to minister in the new church. Rev. Daniel Greenleafe was there in 1705, the Massachusetts General Assem- bly that year granting him fourteen pounds, and the New Hampshire Gen- eral Assembly six pounds toward his support. Mr. Greenleafe was suc- ceeded in 1706 or 1707 by Rev. Samuel Moody, whose ministry continued to 1730 or 1731 ; and he was succeeded by Rev. John Tucke, who was the first minister regularly ordained to the congregation upon the islands. He was graduated from Harvard in 1723, and ordained July 26, 1732, the ordination sermon being preached by Rev. Jabez Fitch of Portsmouth, who took as his text Matt. 4:19: "I will make you fishers of men." He died in the latter part of August, 1773, at the age of seventy-one years, and was buried on Star Island. His grave was accidently discovered in 1800 by Dudley A. Tyng, collector of the Port of Newburyport, on a visit to the islands, and a free stone tablet suitably inscribed erected over it. During his long pastorate he was physician as well as religious teacher to the islanders, and his influence over them seems to have been very great, and wholly for good. A granite shaft, a lasting memorial, is to be erected by his kinsman, Edward Tuck, on a circular piece of land deeded by the owner of the island to the New Hampshire Historical Society.

Rev. John Tucke, Sr., was succeeded at the Shoals by Rev. Jeremiah Shaw, who remained until 1775, when the inhabitants were obliged to leave the islands on account of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. From that time to the close of the eighteenth century the ministrations of religion at the islands were suspended. The few people who remained at the islands, or who returned after the close of the war, were too poor to support a minister, if they had been disposed to do so; they neglected the annual choice of town officers; they had no regular schools, and paid little if any attention to the Sabbath ; the parsonage, constructed for Reverend Mr. Tucke, was taken down in 1780 by his son-in-law, and carried to York; and as appears from the Gosport town records, the meeting-house itself, which had stood nearly the whole century, was wantonly set on fire about 1790 by a party of drunken fishermen, who held a wild revel by its light while it was burning. Rev. Jedediah Morse, D. D., the distinguished geographer, historian and divine, who visited Star Island in 1800, made an entry as follows of this incident in the Gosport records under date of August 10th of that year.

"About the year 1790 some of the people of the baser sort, not having the fear of God before their eyes, pulled down and burnt the meeting house, which was a neat and convenient building, and had been greatly useful, not only as a place for religious worship, but as a landmark for seamen approach- ing this part of the coast. By means of the exertions and benevo-

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lence of the society for propagating the gospel, established in Boston, and some liberal minded gentlemen in Newburyport, Portsmouth, and other places, there is a prospect and hope that another place of worship will be erected on the site of the old one, and the means of religious and moral instruction be again afforded to the unfortunate and almost forsaken people of these islands.'

The new meeting-house, which cost about fourteen hundred dollars, was erected under the supervision of Mr. Dudley A. Tyng. It was somewhat smaller than the former one, being but thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide on the outside, the walls being of stone, two feet thick, and eleven feet high in the clear. The choice of stone as a material being advocated by Doctor Morse, as having, as he said, "two great advantages over wood: the inhabitants cannot burn it for fuel and it will be imperishable."

The new meeting-house was dedicated by Rev. Jedediah Morse on the 24th of November, 1800. The woodwork was partially destroyed by fire on January 2, 1826, but repairs were made through generosity of people on the mainland, and the church was rededicated in 1830.

For about seventy years after the new church was built the ancient "Society for Propergating the Gospell among the Indians and others in North America," with headquarters in Boston, sent to the islands a succes- sion of missionary ministers, some thirty in all, who followed each other at frequent intervals until the final extinction of the settlement. These pious and devoted men, beside their pastoral duties, often served as school teachers and in other capacities ; and they were supported partly by the society, partly by the contributions of other organizations or individuals on the mainland, and partly by the islanders.

The first of these missionaries sent out was Rev. Jacob Emerson of Read- ing. Mass., who in 1799 acted as pastor and schoolmaster for about three months, and it was his report which caused the society to send out, the follow- ing year, Reverend Dr. Morse; and it was the latter's report of the religious. moral and intellectual condition and needs of the islanders that resulted in the rebuilding of the church and the continued maintenance of missionary pastors at the island, a few of whom we will mention.

Rev. Josiah Stevens, one of the first missionaries, married in 1802, Susanna Haley, daughter of Samuel Haley, Jr., of Smuttynose Island, and engaged to serve as a permanent minister. A parsonage was built and fur- nished for him, on the spot where Mr. Tucke's house had stood, and he was commissioned a justice of the peace. His ministry promised to be produc- tive of much good, but he died in 1804 at the age of sixty-four years. Reuben Moody, a theological student, served as missionary for a few months in 1822; and Rev. Samuel Sewall served from early in 1824 until his death, which occurred in Rye, March 16, 1826.

Rev. Origin Smith went to the island in 1835, was joined there by his wife and family in 1837, and was settled as the minister, remaining until 1841 or later. Rev. Avery Plummer and others succeeded Mr. Smith, and in 1855 the missionary was Rev. J. Mason, who in his report to the society for that year said that among other duties personally performed by him had been the repairing and caring for the public buildings, making the fires on Sunday and for the day schools, sweeping the floors, ringing the bell, hoist- ing the bethel flag, and making coffins, filing saws, repairing clocks, etc., for

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the islanders, while his wife did much work on dresses and garments for them. Mr. Mason was succeeded by several other missionaries, one of the last of whom was Rev. George Beebe, whose wife for a time discharged the duties of schoolmistress. Mr. Beebe was succeeded in 1867 by Reverend Mr. Barber, and the latter was followed in 1869 by Reverend Mr. Hughes, who was the last of the long line of missionaries. The close of Mr. Hughes' pastoral service ended for all time the regular ministrations of the gospel at the Isles of Shoals, begun on Hog Island by Episcopal clergymen more than two centuries before. Since his retirement divine service has occasionally been held in the old church on Sundays in summer by clergymen of various denominations passing a season at one or the other of the island hotels ; and it has always been an object of interest to summer visitors. Services by candle lights are held by the Unitarians in the old church during the first weeks in July.

The tower which had become much dilapidated was a few years ago thoroughly repaired by voluntary contributions, and the little stone build- ing, which has now withstood the storms of more than a hundred years will not soon be allowed to go to ruin. Long may it continue to serve as a landmark for the passing mariner, and an interesting reminder to all beholders of other times and other conditions.

The islands are famous as summer resorts, and not often is it the fortune of the summer tourist to drift into pleasanter waters than those that break upon the Isles of Shoals. Here are located the Appledore and Oceanic hotels and a steamboat makes two trips daily from Portsmouth to the islands during the summer season.

Poetry and romance have chosen these rocks as favorite themes. Whittier, Hawthorne and Lowell have illuminated them with the magical light of their genius. Jenness has given us their history and above all the pencil of Mrs. Celia Thaxter has portrayed their sublimity and picturesque beauty with so much vigor and delicacy that nothing is left to be desired.

CHAPTER L SALEM

Geographical-Early History-Settling a Minister-The Meeting-House- The Burying-Ground-Civil History-Ecclesiastical History-Military Record.

Salem is in the southwest part of the country and is bounded on the north by Derry, on the east by Atkinson, south by Massachusetts and west by Windham.

The population is 2,117.

The Boston & Maine Railroad has three stations: Salem, Canobie Lake and Hampshire Road. Semi-daily mail stage from North Salem to Salem Centre, Hudson, Pelham and Salem Electric Railway to Haverhill, Ayer's Village, Salem Center, Salem Depot, Canobie Lake Park, Pelham, Hudson and Nashua ; connects at Pelham with Pelham and Lowell road, from Dracut, Collingsville and Lowell; connects at Point A Salem Depot with Methuen & Lawrence Electric Road.

In giving an account of the settlement and progress of the Town of Salem, it will be necessary to touch upon the history of a portion of the Town of Methuen, Mass., whose limits formerly extended, northward to and beyond what is now known as Salem Village. New Hampshire being annexed, in 1641, to the province of Massachusetts, made a royal province in 1679, again joined to Massachusetts in 1689, becoming a separate province in 1741, and the boundary between the two provinces severing the Town of Methuen in twain, that portion called the North Parish (now comprising a large part of the present Town of Salem) came under the jurisdiction of New Hamp- shire. The organization of the North Parish took place on the 25th of January, 1736. The meeting was called by Henry Sanders, acting under authority of the General Court of Massachusetts. It was held at Daniel Peaslee's house. This house was also a stockade, a place of refuge for the settlers in times of danger, and afforded accommodations for the parish- meetings as well until the meeting-house was built. The site of this primitive fort is at the present time marked by an old and shallow excavation at the base of Spicket Hill, a dozen rods from the road. At this first meeting David Clark was chosen moderator, and the following parish officers chosen : Peter Merrill, parish clerk; Joseph Peaslee, collector; Thomas Eatton, treasurer : Henry Sanders, Edward Clark, and Peter Merrill, assessors and to warn parish-meetings. Joseph Peaslee, John Bayley, and Abiel Kelly were chosen a committee to lay out a burying-place, and forty-five pounds voted to support of the ministry and other parish charges.

Thus began the career of a community destined to help in the work of developing the latent resources of the newly-opened settlement. The pioneers

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had come from the country about, but chiefly from Londonderry. Possessed of those fine traits of character that so distinguished the Scotch refugees of the north of Ireland, honesty, industry, and an indomitable perseverance, they were eminently qualified for the work before them. How well they succeeded in their task let the after-history of the town attest. With all their marked thriftiness of habit and life, they also manifested a strong religious fervor and zeal. This spirit entered into and held a controlling influence over the general affairs of the parish. The new settlement centered at a point on the west bank of "Spicut River" (as it was spelled by the old-time chroniclers ), near the bridge. This bridge was built a few years previouly, probably about 1730, as mention of it is made in the records of that time. At that time it was the only one in the neighborhood. There were, however, several ford- ing-places where men and animals waded from bank to bank, but this bridge was, par excellence, the grand objective point sought by travelers. The road now passing from this bridge, the Haverhill road, was then a mere bridle- path, accessible only on horseback or afoot.

Settling a Minister .- It is recorded under date of 1739, that "ye com- mittee shall treat with mr. abner bayley to come and preach with us on trial, in order for settlement in ye work of ye ministry among us." They had the temporary services of Rev. Daniel Greenleaf in 1735, Reverend Mr. Hale in 1736, and Rev. Samuel Chandler in 1737-38. At a parish meeting held November 13, 1739, "Mr. Abner bayley was made charge of by a vote of ye parish to settle in ye work of ye ministry," and a salary of £140 in bills of credit was voted to him, and soon thereafter a free gift of £150 was bestowed upon him by vote of the parish, with a further proviso that "as ye parish incres in welth and mr. bayleys needs Requier more, that there shall be an adition made to his salery.'

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 75

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