History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 63

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 63
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 63

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No sooner was the village relieved from their pres- ence than effectual steps were taken to suppress the rising. The Legislature having given the proper au- thority, the president at once sent orders into the neighboring towns to assemble the militia. A volun- teer company of the principal citizens of Exeter was immediately enrolled under the command of Nicholas Gilman, who had served in the Revolutionary army, and was afterwards a senator of the United States. By the next morning the village of Exeter was a scene of no small excitement and military display. A large body of troops, horse and foot, were assembled, and, under the direction of the president and the imme- diate command of Gen. Joseph Cilley, they marched with military music to meet the force of the insur- gents, the armed portion of whom were drawn up on the ridge beyond little river, on the Kingston road.

moved to within the distance of some forty rods from the opposing party, when Gen. Cilley, at the head of a small number of horsemen, dashed forward and across the stream, and by a coup de main seized and made prisoners of the leaders of the insurgents. The remainder broke and fled, but were pursued, and quite a number of them captured.

Joseph French, of Hampstead. James Cochran, of Pembroke, and John McKean, of Londonderry, were the principal persons engaged in the riotous demon- stration. Some of the prisoners were indicted, others were brought to a court-martial, and still others were dealt with by ecclesiastical authority, but while all were pretty thoroughly frightened and very penitent, none of them were severely punished.

The spirit of organized resistance to law and order received on this occasion a timely and effectual check, and the State authorities and people of Exeter are en- titled to no little credit for their judicious and spirited conduct.

In the afternoon of March 20, 1754, a troop of about thirty men, on horseback and carrying axes, made their appearauce in Exeter. They came from Can- terbury, Contoocook, and the vicinity, and their pur- pose was probably pretty well understood in Exeter and throughout the province.

Two trading Indians of the St. Francis tribe in Canada, Sabastis and Plansawa by name, had rendered themselves very obnoxious to the people of Canter- bury and Contoocook the preceding summer. Sabatis had been formerly concerned in spiriting away two blacks owned by inhabitants of Canterbury, and both Indians not only proclaimed the opinion that there was no harm in stealing negroes, but threatened and eveu offered violence to the wife of a white settler. They indulged in boasts of former deeds of bloodshed and robbery, and in threats of committing others, until the people were so alarmed and incensed that they sternly warued them to depart. The Indians would have done well to heed the admonition, but in complete infatuation they still lingered in the neigh- borhood, and abated not a jot of their blustering. Peter Bowen and one Morrill, with whom they were staying, at length undoubtedly concerted a plan to take their lives. Bowen, who was a rough and vio- lent man, procured a gallon of rum from Rumford and treated the Indians to it freely, uutil they be- came intoxicated. Meantime his confederates took the opportunity to draw the charges from the In- dians' guns, and then enticed them into the woods, where Bowen slew them almost without resistance.

Yet so great was the dread and hatred of the In- dians which prevailed throughout the province, and so favorably was the story related for the murderers, that when Bowen and Morrill were indicted for mur- der and imprisoned in Portsmouth jail to await their trial, the public sentiment was aroused most strongly in their behalf. Their trial was fixed for March 21,

The government column, with the Exeter volun- teer company holding the post of honor in the front, | 1754, and the cavalcade which appeared in Exeter on

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the preceding day, as already mentioned, was com- with those of the other colonies in such a measure, and posed of persons who were determined to rescue the accused persons from imprisonment.

A few of the people of Exeter are said to have joined the lawless band, but their names have not survived to our time. The party, thus reinforced, rode through mud and snow that night to Ports- mouth, beat down the doors of the jail, knocked off the irons from Morrill and Bowen, and set them free. Rewards were offered by the Governor for the rearrest of the prisoners, but they were never retaken, though they were at their homes again as usual soon after. Their course was justified by the popular voice, and it was not thought expedient to molest them or their rescuers. In no very long time the incidents would have been generally forgotten but for a song which some village poetaster composed on the occasion, and which preserved the memory of the transaction, being afterwards commonly sung at the huskings in Exeter.

Sixteen years afterwards an occurrence of a very dif- ferent character aroused the attention of the town. News was brought that George Whitefield, a preacher of world-wide celebrity, was to address the people of Exeter. It may easily be supposed that none would willingly lose the opportunity of hearing his eloquent voice. So, although the time appointed was the fore- noon of Saturday (Sept. 29, 1770), almost the entire population thronged to the church where he was to officiate, which stood nearly on the spot where Mrs. Cobbs' house now is.

The building was not capable of containing the crowd, and Mr. Whitefield determined to address them in the open air, a course he was often com- pelled to adopt. It is said that he at first essayed to speak from the meeting-house steps, but the sun shining in his face, he crossed to the other side of the street, where some boards laid across two barrels or hogsheads furnished him a stand, from which he ' preached to his out-door congregation a discourse nearly two hours in length, from 2 Corinthians xiii. 5.

This was the last sermon which that eloquent and devoted minister delivered. He went in the after- noon to Newburyport, Mass., where, the very next morning, he breathed his last. So that Exeter wit- nessed the closing effort in the career of one of the most distinguished divines of the world, whose name will be held in honor and reverence so long as zeal, piety, and self-denial shall be known and appre- ciated.

It was nearly six years after the death of the ear- nest and eloquent Whitefield. In that period an im- mense change had taken place in the opinions, feel- ings, and situation of the American colonists. From remonstrances and petitions against the exactions of the mother-country they had proceeded to open and armed resistance, and at length to the decisive step of declaring themselves independent of the British crown. In June, 1776, the Legislature of New Hamp- shire instructed her delegates in Congress to join

on Thursday, the 18th day of July following, the Declaration of the thirteen United Colonies of North America, authenticated by the bold signature of John Hancock, reached Exeter by express, having been fourteen days on the road from Philadelphia.

The Committee of Safety, sometimes called the Little Congress, was in session at the time, and we can readily believe that the startling but joyful in- telligence that the Rubicon was passed flew rapidly from lip to lip through the village. It was deter- mined that the immortal words should be read iu public, and the impatient citizens thronged in a dense mass about the front yard of the lower church-or "colony house," as it was termed when used for civic purposes-to witness the formality. The venerable president of the Council, Meshech Weare, with the members of the committee and other principal citi- zens of the town and county, made their appearance before the assembled people, with John Taylor Gil- man, who was selected for the honor of first pro- nouncing on New Hampshire soil the words of the charter of American liberty. As he read the impres- sive, solemn, and eloquent periods of the Declaration the great concourse before him listened in silence but with deep emotion, and he himself was so overcome with the tumult of his feelings on the joyful and mo- mentous occasion that he was for a time incapable of proceeding. The emotions of the hearers were too deep for applause, but the words found a response in their inmost hearts, and thenceforward there was no hesitation nor faltering. Nothing short of absolute independence was admissible, as the result of the contest, from that time forth.

Thirteen years later Exeter saw another sight not soon to be forgotten by its citizens. The war was happily concluded, independence won, and, the insuf- ficiency of the old confederation becoming apparent, a new form of government had been established. Washington, the savior of his country, had been elected its first Chief Magistrate, and after the new administration was fairly launched had set forth on a tour through the Northern States. It was known that he was to leave Portsmouth on the 4th day of Novem- ber, 1789, for Exeter, and the good people made their preparations to meet him with a cavalcade of citizens to escort him into town. But they mistook the hour of his departure from Portsmouth, or forgot his rigid habits of punctuality, for before the volunteers were in the saddle Washington made his appearance. He arrived here before ten o'clock in the forenoon, ac- companied by his secretaries, Col. Lear and Maj. Jackson, and a single servant. Washington rode in an open carriage, and is said to have worn a drab surtout and military hat. The street was lined with spectators as he drove up to the door of the residence of Col. Samuel Folsom, who, as was not unusual among the leading men of that day, kept a public- house. It was the same dwelling now occupied by

FRONT VIEW OF RESIDENCE.

REAR VIEW OF PREMISES.

RESIDENCE OF NATHANIEL GORDON, EXETER.,N.H.

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EXETER.

George W. Dearborn, at the easterly corner of Court Square and Water Street.

It is unnecessary to say that the whole population gathered eagerly to catch a glimpse of the distin- guished visitor. Col. Nicholas Gilman, who had been an officer of the staff under the commander-in-chief at Yorktown, and other officers of the Revolution and principal citizens, paid their respects to Wash- ington, and did the honors of the town. They in- vited him to remain and partake of a publie dinner, which his arrangements compelled him reluctantly, as his diary informs us, to decline. He, however, ac- cepted a breakfast or collation at the public-house, on which occasion a young lady related to Col. Fol- som waited on him at table. His quick eye dis- covered that she was not a servant, and tradition in- forms us that he called her to him, addressed her a few pleasant words, and kissed her.

The hour or two of his stay in Exeter were soon over, and he again resumed his journey by Kingston towards Haverhill, Mass. He was accompanied a part of the distance by some of the gentlemen of the town. When he reached the top of Great Hill he called on his driver to stop, and casting his eyes back over the wide and charming landscape he remarked in admiring tones upon its beauty, and with this pleasant word at parting he bade our town adieu.

Nine years later a ludicrous occurrence took place in Exeter, in connection with an expected visit from Washington's successor in the office of President. In the summer of 1798, while the court was in session and the public-houses filled to overflowing, two young men from Boston drove into town at a late hour, and attempted to obtain lodgings for the night. There was no room at any public-house, and the private houses were all closed and dark. The young men cast about for an expedient to rouse the people. It took but a moment to concoct a story. They informed the sitters-up at the public-houses that President Adams was coming on from Haverhill to Exeter that night, and would shortly arrive. They had ridden on in advance to give the information. The news spread like wildfire. Lights were soon visible in every house, and there was mounting in hot haste to form a caval- cade for the President's reception. Meantime the two young men who had caused all this commotion found a private house whose occupants being aroused were willing to give them lodgings, and were soon snug in bed; while the victims of their practical joke, after having waited and ridden for hours in vain, were fain at last to betake themselves to rest, with the consciousness of having been egregionsly hoaxed. It is doubtful whether it was any satis- faction for them to feel that though they were too late to escort Washington, they could not be said to be behind time with regard to Adams.

Annexation of Massachusetts .- The following inhabitants of Exeter petitioned in 1739 to be an- nexed to Massachusetts :

IN EXETER .- Daniel Gilman, Jona Norres, John Burgin, Robert Light, Trueworthy Gilman, Peter Gilman, Benja Thing, Nathl Webster, Daniel Gael, Jona Gilman, Simon Gilman, Josiah Gilman, James Leavit, Jr, Samll Thing, Israel Gilman, John Kinhal, Andrew Gil- man, John Light, Jacob Tilton, Samll Gilman, Nicholas Gilman, John Gilman, John Lord, John Odlin, Thomas Deane, Edward Hall, Moses Gilman, Nathì Bartlett, Thomas Lord, John Gilman 4th, John Leavit, Joseph Thing, John Marsh, Daniel Thing, Phillip Con- uor, Jona Gliden (his mark), Jona Foulsom (his mark), Jona Foul- som, Abraham Foulsom, James Gordon, Eph Foulsom this mark), Thos Gording (his mark), Benjamin Fifield (his mark), Benj. Jud- kins (his mark), Joseph Thing, Jr, Peter Thing, Jeremiah Gilman, Jr, Edward Gilman, Darbey Kelly, Almer Coffin, Joh Judkins, Benj. Foulsom (his mark), Nicholas Gorden, Jr ( his mark), John Quimby, James Gilman, Dudley Odlin, Ezekl Gilman, Nathl Bartlett, Jr, Joseph Scribner, Joshua Gilman, Abner Thriston, Peter Foulsom, John Haiues, Samll Conner, Daniel Tbirston, Benj'a Conner, Na- thaniel Gorden Hardy or Benja Rollins, Jr, Stephen Gilman, Nathl Thing, John Foulsom, Jr, Saml Stevens, Jr, Jethro -, John Gor- den, Jr, James Leavit, Ebenezer Light, Moses Swett, Samll Elkins, Jr, Jona Wadleigh, Dudley Leavit, Benja Smith, Jeremiah Calfe, Jeremia Calfe, Jr, Ssml Edgerly, Daniel Calfe, James Calfe, Benjamin Mead, Thomas Wilson, James Bean, Joshua Wilson, Nathl Ladd, Jahez Sanborn, Thomas Edgerly. Daniel Folsom, John Bowden, John Hutchinson, Ephraim Robinson, John Dudley, Edw. Colcord, Rich- ard Preson, Daniel Elkins, Jeremiah Veasey, Jona Gilman, Jr, James Folsom, William Doran, Elias Ladd, Coffin Thing, Abraham Folsow, Edward Thing, Jonathan Thing, Williami Lamson, Sanill Lamson, Daniel Young, Joseph Gorden, Daniel Homan, Jeremiah Conuer, John Looge, Johu Gilman, John Gilman, Humphrey Wil- son, John Rice, Thomas Lyford, Cornelius Conner, Samuel Dollof, Saml Stevens, Amos Dollof, Theophilus Hardy, Jr, Edward Stevens (his mark), Ephm Philbrok (his mark), Jona Dollof (his mark), Henry Marshall, Biley Hardy, Kinsley James, Francis James, Charles Ruudlet, Peter Folsom, Ben. Swain, John Baird, John George, Thomas Webster, Jr, Thomas Kimming, James Whidden, Nicholas Gorden, Henry Steel, Danl Giles, Jr (his mark), Thomas Robinson, Nathaniel Folsom, Jno Smith, Ebenezer Martin (his marki, Davison Dudley, Francis Bracket, Johu Robarts, Alex Roberts (his mark), Jonathan Young, Michael Bowden, Nicho Gilman, Jr, Nehemiah Gilman, John Steel, Joseph Graves, Edward West (his mark), Ed- ward Scribuer, John Scribner, William Graves, Geo. Roberts, Stephn Loal, Timothy Gorden, Job Kennison, Joseph Louncan, John Lov- ern, Joseph Giles, Ebenezer Colcord, Elijah Vickery, Nathan Taylor, James Dudley, Jr, Jonathan Smith, Jr, Daniel Lary, James Young, Benj. Scribner, Daniel Giles, Samuel Dudley, Jr, Israel Smith, Jolin Giles, Saml Young, James Dudley, John Brown, Josiah Moody, Zecha- riah Judkins, William Smith, Israel Smith, Daniel Gorden, John Rob- erts Jr, Nicholas Dollof, Joseph Atkinson (his mark), James Robin- son, Nicholas Dudley, Timothy Leavit, Stephen Leuvit, Samll Smith Cooper, Samnel Roberts, Sealey Lenvit, Benja Gilmatı, Daniel Warmall, Nicholas Dudley Jr, Waley Stevens, Josiah Thing, Carter Gilman, Joseph Taylor (his mark), John Farrar, Jonathan Dudley, Samuel Dudley, John Odlin, Jr, Philip Wadleigh, George Creston, Robert Young, Sammel Magoon, Benony Gorden, William Graves, Jr, Edward Ladd, John Lufkin, James Gorden, Jr, Israel Young, Samll Dudley, Jr, Clement Moody, Jeremiah Beean, Samll Rich- ardson, Jonathan Gorden, Joseph Leavit, David Smith, Ambros Hindes, James Norris, Daniel Lad, Josiah Lad, Caleb Gilman, Jr, Richard Dollof, Jr, John Leavit, Jr, Curtis Bean, David Dollof, Daniel Lary, Elisha Odlin, Peter Coffin, John Gorden, Nicholas Perryman, Theophilus Hardy, Jonathan Conper, John Canby, Stephen Lyford, Benjamin Dollof, Jona Gilman. Moses Con- nor, Nathì Gilman, Trueworthy Dudley, Jeremiah Bean, John Foul- som ters, Robert Patten, Jacob Smith, Jona Smith, Jr, Samll Smith, Samuel Lary, Jobb Norris, Dudley James, Francis James. Exeter, 262.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

EXETER .- ( Continued.)

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

First Congregational Church - The Second Congregational Church - The Baptist Church - The Methodist Episcopal Church - Episcopal Church-Roman Catholic-Unitarian-Advent.

which accompanied or followed John Wheelwright to , their minister. But as there was a division on the

First Congregational Church .- The little colony the falls of Squamscott in 1638, was essentially a relig- ious one. It was composed in great part of those who had been members of his flock in England, and of those who had suffered for adhering to his theological opinions in Massachusetts. It is not strange, there- fore, that a church was gathered within a few months after their arrival here. From the records of the church at Boston we learn that on the 30th of December, 1638, " dismission was granted to our brethren, Mr. John Wheelwright, Richard Morris, Richard Bulgar, Phile- mon Pormont, Christopher Marshall, Isaac Grosse, George Wayte, Thomas Wardhall, and William Ward- hall nnto the church at the falls of Pascataquack, if they be rightly gathered and ordered." It is probable that they all became members of the first church of Exeter, and that an equal or larger number of Wheel- wright's former English parishioners were also con- nected with it. Of the thirty-four persons who signed the "combination" with Wheelwright in 1639, we know from the preamble of the instrument itself that a part were brethren of the church, and the others in- habitants simply. It has been stated, upon what au- thority we know not, that the church was formed of eight members, comprising Wheelwright and those who, as his adherents, had been dismissed from the church in Boston ; but this is apparently erroneous. As no records are in existence to afford the informa- tion, the number of those who composed the original church can probably never be ascertained, but there is reason to believe that among them were at least one-half of the signers of the combination. It is evi- dent from the terms of the mode of government adopted by the settlers, and from their laws and or- dinances, that the religious element was the control- ling one in their little community.

Mr. Wheelwright remained in Exeter, as is sup- posed, until 1643, when all the settlements in New Hampshire having passed under the authority of Massachusetts, from which colony he had been ban- ished, he removed with a few connections and inti- mate friends to Wells in Maine. It is probable that he did this from an apprehension that he might be subjected to further annoyance if he continued within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, without having made his peace with the authorities of that colony. There is some reason to believe that Mr. Wheel- wright's removal was not expected to be permanent. There are votes upon the town records which indi- cate that the inhabitants understood that he might

return to Exeter. And before he had been very long at Wells, too, he took the first steps towards a recon- ciliation with the authorities of Massachusetts, which resulted in the reversal of the sentence of banishment against him.

When it became evident that Mr. Wheelwright was not to return, the people of Exeter made an attempt to call the aged Stephen Bachiler, who had been dis- missed from Hampton for irregular conduct, to become subject among the people, and as Mr. Bachiler was not thought to be a peace-maker, the General Court of Massachusetts interfered, and prohibited any ac- tion in the premises " until this court or the court of Ipswich, upon further satisfaction of their (the people's) reconciliation or fitness, shall give allow- ance thereunto." Divers petitions from Hampton and Exeter followed, and the court ordered two or three magistrates to go to Hampton with full power to hear and determine all differences there. The re- sult was that the intention of settling Mr. Bachiler was abandoned.

In 1646 another attempt was made to procure a minister in Exeter, and some of the inhabitants went so far as to bind themselves to pay what Mr. Wheel- wright should ask for his house and land, for the use of Mr. Nathaniel Norcrosse, who was a young min- ister and a "university scholar," in Massachusetts. It is not known that Mr. Norcrosse received a call ; if he did, it was not accepted. There were still divi- sions and dissensions among the people in regard to their spiritual affairs, and at least one petition was forwarded on that account to the General Court of Massachusetts, the great resort for the remedy of all grievances, and on the 27th of October, 1647, that body passed an order that Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, and Mr. Norton be requested and authorized "to examine the grounds of the com- plaint, and if it may be, to compose things among them (the people of Exeter), which if they cannot do, then to certify to this conrt what they find, and also think best to be done, which may conduce to peace and the continuance of the ordinances amongst them."

Possibly the labors of these gentlemen may have had a pacifying effeet upon the discordant elements, for on the 16th of November, 1648, it was voted by the inhabitants of Exeter that Mr. Thompson, of Braintree, be invited to become their minister, "and in case he can be attained to come, that he shall be allowed by the town thirty pounds a year and the profits that shall come to the town by the saw-mill, and the use of the house and land which was pur- chased of Mr. Wheelwright so long as he continues with us as a minister ; and Christopher Lawson, Ed- ward Gilman, and John Legat are appointed to act in the invitation to him if he may be attained, or if not, then to have power to act in the invitation of some other, with the counsel and advice of the elders of Boston, Charlestown, and Roxbury."

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EXETER.

It would appear that Mr. Thompson declined the ' parishioners lumber and such other articles as they invitation. could furnish.

At a town-meeting held the 22d of April, 1649, it was voted to invite Mr. Emerson, of Rowley, to come ' to Exeter as the minister; but he did not see fit to accept the call.

But the wishes of the people were at length grati- fied ; for at a town-meeting on the 30th of May, 1650, it was unanimously agreed between Rev. Samuel Dudley and the town of Exeter "that Mr. Dudley is forthwith, as soon as comfortable subsistence can be made by the town for him and his family in the house which was purchased of Mr. Wheelwright, that then the said Mr. Dudley is to come and inhabit Exeter, and to be a minister of God's word unto us until such time as God shall be pleased to make way for the gathering of a church, and then to be ordained our pastor or teacher according to the ordinance of God." The town agreed to fit np the Wheelwright house, and to fence in a yard and garden, and to allow forty pounds a year towards the maintenance ! of Mr. Dudley and his family, with the use and sole improvement of the house and lands and meadow bought of Mr. Wheelwright, during the time he, Mr. Dudley, should continue to be their minister. The town also agreed that "what cost Mr. Dudley should bestow about the said house and lands in the time of his improvement, the town is to allow unto him or his so much as the said house and lands are bettered either by death or some more than ordinary call of God other ways." And it was further stipulated "that the old cow-house which was Mr. Wheel- wright's shall by the town be fitted up fit for the setting of cattle in, and that the aforesaid pay of forty ponnds a year is to be made in good pay every half year in corn and English commodities at a price current as they go generally in the country at the time or times of payment."

hy it at the time of the said Mr. Dudley's leaving it, above all others, it was provided that " any man that

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 63

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