History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 110
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W. A. Bigin.

C. W. Greenleaf.

T. E. Hodgden. George W. Batchelder.

C. H. Stevens.

J. F. Hall.

G. W. Williamson.

G. M. Swain.

B. F. Parker.

J. W. Brickett.

J. J. Smith.

William Tool.

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. Harrison Foye, killed May 3, 1862.

William F. Mather, killed at Cold Harbor, June, 1864.

David Locke, killed at Harrison's Landing, Sept. 29, 1864.

John H. Shapleigh, killed at Waynesboro',, Va., Sept. 28, 1864. Lient. Robert P. Shapleigh, diedl June 2, 1865.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. EMMONS B. PHILBRICK.

Hon. Emmons B. Philbrick was born in Rye, Nov. 14, 1833. His ancestor was Thomas Philbrick, who came with his family from Lincolnshire, England, about 1630, in company with Sir Richard Saltinstall, in the ship " Arabella," and with him settled in Salem, Mass., but soon moved to Watertown, and in a short time went with his family to Hampton, N. H.

Thomas had seven children. One daughter, Martha, married John Cass, and became the ancestor of Lewis Cass. His grandson, Joseph, married Triphena Marston, of Hampton, and built a house about 1700, a few rods from the present residence of Emmons B. Philbrick. Ephraim, the third generation in direct line from Joseph, married Sally Webster. He was an active man, giving employment to many men in

fishing and on his large farm. He was a Christian minister, and widely known as Elder Philbrick. He was one of the founders of the Christian Church in Rye. His eldest son, Josiah Webster, continued on the homestead farm. He was a man of intelligence and a zealous Christian. He married Sarah A. Brown, a descendant of the old Brown family in Rye. They were the parents of Emmons B., Horace F., and Ella F. Philbrick.

The subject of this sketch received an academical education at Hampton, N. H., his course of study being scientific preparatory to civil engineering. At the age of nineteen his studies were cut short by the death of his only brother, and at the earnest desire of his parents he relinquished the idea of following his chosen occupation, and came home to care for them. The winters of the next ten years were spent in teaching, in which he was particularly successful, bis services being in constant demand, especially in schools that were considered difficult to manage, for he was a man above six feet in height, finely pro- portioned, and of commanding presence, and invari- ably succeeded in controlling his schools without corporeal punishment.

He continues the management of the farm, and by the acquisition of an adjoining farm has become one of the largest and most successful farmers in town. He is also largely interested in the summer boarding business that has made Rye Beach so noted.

In 1856 he was appointed justice of the peace, and ever since has performed the duties of a country jus- tice. ITis early studies fitted him for land surveying, and in this branch he has become quite an expert.

He is a man of marked force and integrity of char- acter, very tenacious in his purposes (a characteristic of the Philbrick family), successful in his undertak- ings, foremost in public improvements and educa- tional interests, and although the town is strongly opposed to him politically, yet he has been called to fill the most important town offices. In 1878 he was a member of the State Senate, when under the old Constitution that honorable body consisted of twelve members, and again in 1879 and 1880, under the amended Constitution, when the Senate consisted of twenty-four members. His district in both cases was nominally Democratic, while he has always been a strong, though consistent, Republican.

He has been a trustee in the Piscataqua Savings- Bank, in Portsmouth, from its formation, and at the organization of the Rye Beach Railroad Corporation was chosen president; is also a director in a manu- facturing company ; for years has been an earnest and worthy member of the I. O. O. F., and has attained a high standing in the order.

He was married in 1859 to Vianna M. Dalton, of North Hampton, who died in 1869. By this marriage he had two sons, one of whom is deceased. He was married again in 1875, to Mary C. Seavey, of Rye, by whom he has one son and one daughter.

1 Afterwards enlisted.

Emmons B. Philbrick

y Diver genness

469

SALEM.

JOSEPH DISCO JENNESS.

Joseph Disco Jenness, son of Joseph and Anna Knox Jenness, was born on the old Jenness home- stead, which he and his brother Sheridan own, in the town of Rye, N. II., Sept. 30, 1818. His father was born on the same place, and was two years of age when the old house was built in which all his children were born, and where he continued to live until his death, at the advanced age of seventy-four years and six months.

Joseph was four times married, his fourth wife be- ing Anna Knox. Of this union the following chil- dren were born, viz.,-Joseph Disco, Elizabeth (Mrs. William Rand), and Sheridan, all of whom still re- side in Rye.

He was a Democrat in politics, and at one time was a lieutenant in the State militia. He was a man respected at home and abroad. He was kind and obliging, charitable toward all benevolent institutions, and hospitable to the poor.

Joseph Disco Jenness remained at home working on the farm and receiving the advantages of a common- school education. On the 9th of December, 1841, he married Mary E., daughter of Nathaniel G. Foye and Martha E. Dow, of Rye, N. H. By this union two children were born, viz., Susan L. and Emma J., both of whom died young. Mrs. Jenness died Aug. 30, 1881.

Mr. Jenness is a Democrat in politics. He never has sought political honors, preferring the society of bis family and the comforts of domestic life. He is an earnest advocate of good schools and churches, and though not a member of any denomination, yet a liberal supporter of the ministry and a well-wisher toward all organizations which have for their object the elevation of society.

CHAPTER LXX.

SALEM.1

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 prov- ince 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 com- prising a large part of the present town of Salem) came under the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. 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 Gen- eral 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 IIill, on the farm of Silas Carey, 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 the 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 had come from the country about, but chiefly from London- derry. Possessed of those fine traits of character that so distinguished the Scotch refugees of the north of Ireland, honesty, industry, and an indomitable perse- verance, 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 heroic fidelity to the simple and severe faith of the Cov- enanters of old Scotland relaxed not a whit in the hearts of these stern old pioneers amid the novel and distracting scenes around them. The new settlement centred 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 pre- viously, probably about 1730, as mention of it is made in the records of that time. It still remains, and crosses the stream near Joseph Webster's house. At that time it was the only one in the neighborhood. There were, however, several fording-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 .- The important matter of securing a suitable person to enter upon the work of the ministry among them agitated the parish from the very first. Moving cautiously, they treated with several ministers in view of settlement, and until the autumn of 1739, when it is recorded that "ye commit- tee 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 tempo-

1 By Abraham Hedding Merrill.

470

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

rary services of Rev. Daniel Greenleaf in 1735, Rev. Mr. Hale in 1736, and Rev. Samuel Chandler in 1737-38. At a parish meeting held Nov. 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 one hundred and forty pounds in bills of credit was voted to him, and soon thereafter a free gift of one hundred and fifty pounds was bestowed upon him by vote of the parish, with a further pro- viso that " as ye parish incres in welth and mr. bay- leys needs Requier more, that there shall be an adi- tion made to his salery." On Dec. 24, 1739, the parishi voted that "John Bayley, Henry Sanders, and Thomas Eatton should be a committee to seek to ye ministers in order for a fast in ye parish." This was thought necessary in view of the forthcoming ordi- nation of Abner Bayley. The solemn fast was ap- pointed to be held "ye next wensday come three weeks."

The Meeting-House .- Going back a year we find recorded that on the 15th day of November, 1738, the frame of the first house of worship was raised on the west side of Spieut River, near the bridge before mentioned. The frame was not covered until the year following, and no pews put in prior to 1749.

The Burying-Ground .- Mention has been made of providing a burying-place for the parish; for this and the meeting-house an acre of land was procured on the parish charge. The location corresponds with the inclosed park known as the common, which then included the old burying-place, and reached to the river. In this burying-ground the "rude fathers of the hamlet sleep" side by side with the genera- tions that have sinee lived and died. Quaint head- stones, inscribed with names and memories now held in reverence, thickly rise all over the consecrated ground. Scores have partially sunk beneath the yielding sod. until it is difficult to read the inscrip- tions. Conspicuous among humbler stones may be found several slabs and monuments of slate or granite bearing names dear to the memory of their descend- ants. The most unique and ancient stone now above the surface bears the following inscription sculptured rudely upon its rough face : " In memory of Eliza- beth ye dau of Mr Joseph Cresy. Died July 30, 1725." Next in age is a quaint old headstone rudely chis- elled, "Benjamin Webster, who died Dec. yo 12, 1732." But one of the older stones bears any senti- ment ; this one we give in full :

"Lieut. Thomas Runnels departed this life Oct. ye 8, 1798 Ætat 56. " Death, thou hast conquered me And by thy dart I am slain, But Christ hath conquered thee And I shall rise again."

A curiously-wrought stone bearing a coffin on one corner and a heart upon the other is inscribed: "Here lies ye body of Isaiah Ayer. He Died September 25, 1772, aged 23 years." The mortal remains of Rev. Abner Bayley, the first pastor of the old North Par-

ish, lie in this hallowed spot. The grave is on the outskirts of the grounds near the publie road north of the hearse-house. It is marked by a plain large slab of slatestone six feet in height and two wide, and bears the following tribute to his reverend memory : " To perpetuate the memory of the Rev. Abner Bay- ley, who, like a shock of corn fully ripe, departed this life March 10, 1798, in ye 83d year of his age, and 58th of his ministry. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.' "

Most of the remaining stones put up in "ye olden times" are illegible by reason of age and neglect. Many have long since been buried beneath the sur- face. The spade and pick may yet unseal their buried testimonies, and the heart and will of some future "Old Mortality" reprodnee the forgotten records of the slumbering dead.

With regard to the civil history of the North Parish of Methuen, little else is known beyond what the meagre records show. The proceedings of the parish meetings embraced almost every interest of the peo ple, from the weighty cares of church and State down to the most ordinary and trivial matters of daily life. We cannot do better than to follow the record and present such details as affected the body politic of the prospective township.

Resuming the account of the building of the meet- ing-house, and following along until the structure is fitted for use for public worship and parish meetings, viewing the work as of such importance to the de- mands of the infant township, we shall include it in the general mass of purely civil interests and acts. The frame being up, and roof put on, the task of fin- ishing the exterior progressed slowly. The parish treasurer, Thomas Eaton, was instructed to receive " 4492 feet of bords, which ye committee have pro- vided as money for three pounds seven shillings pr thousand ;" "voted to Henry Sanders for framing ye meeting-house and hewing timber that was wanting of ye frame, 33-5-0;" " to Richard dow, 1-2-6;" voted to daniel peaslee, 5-7-0) ;" " to Ebenezer ayer, 3-4-0;" " to Jolin Ober, 2-9-0;" "to David Clark, 4-4-0;" " to thomas Eatton, 1-4-0;" "to peter merrill, 1-11-6;" " to Richard Kimball, 3-9-0;" "to Ephraim clark, 2-0-0."

April 3, 1739, " Voted henry Sanders for one thou- sand and one hundred of bord at ye mill, 3-1-0;" "to henry sanders for haling bords from ye mill to ye meeting-house 10 shillings pr thousand ;" "to oliver sanders for one thousand and one hundred of bords at ye mill, 3-17-0;" " to benony Rowell for one thou- sand bords, 3-10-0;" " to samuel Rowell for 283 feet of bord, 0-19-8;" " to John Rowell for a hundred and half of bords, 0-10-6."

Nov. 13, 1739, " Voted to Richard dow for going to Chaster and for bords three pounds."

December 17th, "Voted to abiel kelly for bords, 1-3-0;" " to thomas Eatton for underpining, 1-10-0;"

471

SALEM.

"to John bayley for underpining, 1-10-0;" " to John moulton for underpining, 1-7-0;" "to Edwd clark, Jun"., for a day's work, 0-6-0."

Dec. 23, 1739, " Voted to Peter merrill for speek (spike) and hinges, 2-18-0;" "voted to Peter merrill for bords 2-0-0;" " to henry sanders for bords 2-6-3."

May 6, 1740, " Voted henry sanders for making a pulpit 0-16-0;" "to henry sanders for 7 thousand of nails 10-16-0."

Aug. 10, 1741, " Voted to Richard dow for gutters for ye meeting-house two Pounds and Eight shillings."

Oct. 29, 1748, " Paid to jeremier Eatton out of ye treasury for joynery work 9-0-0;" "payd out of ye treasury for bord nails four pounds ten shillings."

May 6, 1749, " Paid out of ye treasure to mathe reed for glas Eighteen pounds forteen shillings."

At this date the meeting-house was still unfinished inside, having no "puse" built, and at a meeting the subject came up, when "it was pot to vot to see wheather thay Lay out ye body of ye house, and it was voted down." Up to this time there had been an out- lay of £419 198. 6d. Great difficulties had laid in their way in assuming and carrying forward the work. The parish was burdened by other important demands, but the spirit of zeal and liberality evinced commends itself to all who justly estimate their endeavors. The collectors of rates and taxes labored under great dis- advantages in securing them. The county was cut up into districts and grants vaguely bounded, and frequently intermixed by the clashing claims and sur- veys of neighboring parishes and towns. No years passed but that the parish was defrauded of its just dues, with no means of redress. The province line settled between New Hampshire and Massachusetts cut the parish from the rest of the town to which it belonged, plunging it into a turmoil of excitement and apprehension, affecting seriously and menacing its peace and prosperity. Numbers of disaffected in- habitants located along the boundary refused to pay taxes to the parish, and a troublesome class of settlers living by the shores of Policy Pond (called in the records "oirish") defied the constables in their efforts to collect the rates, insomuch that the parish subse- quently voted to instruct the officers to let them alone. The collectors themselves were sometimes remiss in their duties, and more than one paid the penalty of his neglect in the remorseless and bitter indignation of the outraged parish. An instance is cited.

On Jan. 3, 1744, a vote was taken "that there be two hundred and eighty Pounds of money, old tenor, raised to pay Mr. Bayley ye menester ;" but the se- lectmen took upon themselves the risk of evading the execution of levying the rates. The collectors were inquired of respecting their part in the neglect, and they stated that the selectmen had not placed the col-

| lection of the minister's rates in their hands. An outburst of popular indignation followed, and on the 26th of December, at a parish meeting, a committee was chosen "to Descourse with ye old Selact mau consarning their Difact in not making ye rats and giving them forth to ye constable as ye law diracks ;" "it was also voted that Ebenezer ayer, and Daniel Cressy Should be ye comite to Descorse with ye mane on that a fayer." By the following year the public feeling had somewhat subsided, and the parish grew more lenient after threats of prosecution.

Oct. 10, 1745, a parish meeting was "warned to meet and determine what course to pursue in the case, the second and third articles being: "to see whether ye parish or District will proseed to prosicut

March 10, 1749, " Rackning mad (reckoning made) up with ye comitte march ye 10 on ye a count of ye ye former selact man for their neglact in not making meeting-house in sashes and glas and work and Divers other things 248-2-6."

ye rats for mr bayley in season, too wit : Leautenant Isie Clow and insin John Ober and mr Josiah gag" (Gage) ; " to see what course ye parish will proseed in to make things easy a mongst them So mr bayley may have his money and live in pees a mongst us so that ye God of pees may Dlight to Dwell a mongst us and bless us in all laful under takings." At the meeting it was put to vote whether these men shoukl be prosecuted, and it was voted they should not. In this decision the kindly forbearance and good will of the pastor, influencing and directing the public mind in peaceful counsel and forgiving spirit, evidently shines forth,-a tribute to the power of his calling and the hold he kept on the hearts and confidence of his parish.

The last entry of the acts and transactions of the old North Parish of Methuen stands recorded April 24, 1749, when the venerable Daniel Peaslee, Esq., was moderator. The subsequent pages of the old book contain miscellaneous records,-births, mar- riages, deaths, criers' notices, ponndkeepers' records, etc. The family records entered include the names of Sanders (Oliver, William, and Henry), Lowell, Gage, Thorndike, Clough (or Clow), Hastings, Bayley, Rowell, Kimball, Woodbury, Giles, Bedel, Young, Hall, Silver, Morgan, Wheeler, Kelly, Duston, Web- ster, Pattee, Merrill, Austin, Peaslee, Ames, Elling- wood, and Davis. Here we reluctantly close the record of the old North Parish, for the little settle- ment is now on the eve of a new era in its history, and is about to be honored by incorporation as a town, giving increased importance and dignity to the aspiring community. It was conferred in compliance to a petition of the inhabitants presented to the royal Governor and Council of the province, praying that a township be granted it. The charter of the town | bears date of May 11, 1750, the following being a copy, verbatim et literatim :

" Province of } George the Second by ye grace of god of great Brit-

New Hampshire S tain, France and Ireland King, Defender of ye faith &c.

" To all to Whome these presants Shall Come greeting. . .. Where as our Loyall Subjects, Inhabitants of a tract of Land within our Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, Lying partly within that part of our

472

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Province of New Hampshire Called Haverhill Destrict, have humbly Petitioned and Requested to us that they may be Erected and Incorpo- rated into a township & Infranchised with ye same powers and Privleges which other towns within our Sd province by Law have and Injoy, and it appearing to us to be conducive to ye general good of our Sd Province as well as of ye Sd Inhabitants in particular by maintaining good order and Encouraging the culture of ye land that ye same Should be done, Know ye Therefore, that we of our Espesial Grace, Certain knowlege, and for ye Encouragement and promoting ye good purposes and End afure Sd, and by aod with ye advice of our Govinour and commander in Chief and of our Counsell for Sa Province of New Hampshire have Erected and ordained by these presents for us, onr Heirs and Successors, do will and order that ye Inhabitants of ye tract of Land afore &d or that shall Inhabit and Improve thereoo hereafter, Butted and bounded as follows, viz .:

" Begining att a stake by ye Capu pond in ye Province line which is a bond of ye towa of Plastow; thence north 221/2 Degrees west about 3 miles and a half Excluding ye whole of Theodore Atkinsons Esqre farm Sit- uate lying and being on y. Sd Line to a blak oak tree near Joseph Palmers Land in Londonderry Bonnds. then South 90 Degrees west by London Derry Bounds one mile aod three quarters to a white oak. Standing in an angle of London Derry Line thence two hundred ninety-six Rods by London Derry Line to a stake Standing in Sd Line thence South 39 Degrs west Nine hundred and fifty two Rods to a Stake and Stones theace South 20 Degrees East one hundred and fifty two Rods to a pitch-pine Marked thence South 3 Degra East Seven hundred and twenty Rods to a white oak in ye Province Line thence as ye Province Line Runs to ye Stak by ye Capt pond first mentioned. And by these presents are Declared and ordained to be a town Corporate and are hereby Erected and Incorpo- rated into a body politick and a corporation to have Continuance forever by ye name of Salem with all ye powers and authoritys Priviledges Im munities and Infraochise to them y. Sd Inhabitants and their Successors for Ever allways Reserving to us our Heirs and sucsors all white pine trees growing aod being or that Shall hereafter grow and be on ye Sa tract of Land fit for ye Use of our Royall Navy, Reserving also the power of Dividing ye sd town to ns our heirs and successors when it shall ap- pear Nessasary and Convenient for ye Benefit of ye Inhabitants thereof. It is to be understood and it is accordingly hereby Declared that > . pri- vate property of ye Soile is in uo manner of way to be Effected by this Charter and as ye several towns within onr $d Province of new hampshire are by ye Laws thereof Enabled and authorized to assemble and by ye Majority of votes to chuse all anch officers as are mentioned in ye Sd Laws We do by these presents Nominate and appoint Capt Richard Kelly to call ye first Meating of ye Sd Inhabitants to be held within thirty Days from ye Date hereof Giveing Legal notice of ye time place and Decine (design) of holding Such meating after which the annual meating iq Sd town Shall be held for ye choice of town officers &c for Ever on ye last wednesday in March Annualy In Testimony whereof we have Caused ye seal of our Province to be hereunto affixed, Witness Benniog Wentworth Esqr-our govinour and Comander-in-Chief of our Sa Province the Eleventh day of May in ye yr of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and fifty and in ye twenty third yr of our Reign By his Excellency's Command, Benning Wentworth with ye advice of Counsel.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714