History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 92

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 92
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 92

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" STEPHEN WILLIAMS.

"Signed Sealed Delivered in Presence of ns " NOAH PEARIN,

" THEODAH WILLIAMS."

From this time to the present the most harmonious and pleasant relations have existed between the Nichols and Williams families. The young appren- tice served his time faithfully, acquired his trade, came to Kingston, married Catherine, daughter of Dea. Jonathan and Lydia Sanborn, about 1785. They had eleven children, of whom True W., Oliver P., Stephen W., Frederick G., Nicholas, Catherine (Mrs. Nath. Brown), and Jonathan S. attained ma- turity. They are all dead but Jonathan, who now resides in Haverhill, N. H. Mr. Nichols commenced tanning and currying on his first place in West Kings- ton. He, on April 13, 1795, purchased the farm of one hundred and eighteen acres now owned and oc- cupied by his grandson, Stephen F., enlarged the tannery already there, and for those days did a large business until his death. He was also a farmer, was

1 Thomas M. Brown was a soldier in the Mexican war under Gen. Scott.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

quite a business man, frequently making trips to Portsmouth, Salem, etc., for himself and others, for the whole neighborhood had the utmost confidence in his ability as well as his sterling honesty. Ile was always sought as a counselor by those needing advice, and was not only a wise counselor but a man of most kind heart, ever ready to respond to any call of charity or benevolence. He was erect in bearing, quick and decided in his movements. Of positive and energetic nature, he always led his laborers, and his remarkably loud and clear voice.showed no consumption, and was peculiarly adapted for the duties of his military po- sition, which he did with a zest showing great enjoy- ment. He was for years first lientenant, then captain in the militia, and belonged to the Congregational Church for many years. He fell victim to rheu- matism when only sixty-eight years old.

Frederic Gilman Nichols, born in Kingston, N. H., April 19, 1798, received common-school and academic education (Bradford Academy), learned his father's trade, and soon after was placed in charge of his father's business, also conducting the farm. He was, during his mature life, prominent in town affairs, town clerk for many years, frequently selectman, rep- resentative of Kingston for two terms in the Legisla- ture. Like his father, he was an active member of the ' anspices the settlement was begun. The house re- Congregational Church, and like him, also, had no- mained standing for many years. where an enemy. He combined an active, nervous The original designation was Great Island, hut in 1693 it was separated from Portsmouth and incorpo- rated under its present name. At the time of its in- corporation a large portion of land on the west was included within its limits, but in consequence of the incorporation of Rye in 1719its area was reduced to four hundred and fifty-eight acres. The soil, though thickly interspersed with rocks, has ever been made to produce abundantly, and owing to the plentiful supply of sea- weed the farmers need never fail for want of the proper means of enriching their lands. temperament with warm sociality and winning and agreeable manners, and was a power among his towns- people, and, indeed, a larger circle, in any cause to which he gave his services. IFe was often called to administer upon estates, and in the most complicated cases gave great satisfaction. Courteous in demeanor, affable, and with great kindliness of heart, he was respected and loved by all. He had the privilege of living to more than the allotted years of man, dying July 4, 1880, passing away amid the regrets of a large circle of friends, and without an enemy in the town The original copy of the ancient charter, written throughout in old English or black letter, can now be seen in the office of the selectmen, though the seal has been cut off by some individual ignorant of its real importance. It is a very interesting document, written upon parchment, and is one of the many relies of antiquity to be found in Newcastle. where his entire life had been spent, and with which his interests had been so largely identified. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of N. P. and Sarah (Nichols) Williams, of Roxbury, Mass., Jan. 27, 1823. Their children were Sarah W. (deceased), Stepheu F., Elihu T. (deceased). Stephen Frederic Nichols, born April 21, 1829, had common-school and academic education, Formerly a bridge was built on the southwest side of the town, forming a means of connection between Rye and Newcastle, and previous to the building of the new bridges in 1821 all travelers for Portsmouth went by way of the "Old Bridge." Owing to care- lessness and neglect nearly all signs of the "Old Bridge" have now vanished. learned the same trade of his ancestors at Roxbury, returned to Kingston after acquiring it in not good health, became a farmer, and always has followed it, succeeding first to the management and then to the possession of his father's estate, married, Feb. 20, 1861, Sarah E., daughter of Amos and Hannah P. (Hook) Chase. (See biography of Amos C. Chase.) Soon after the settlement of Great Island a fort was built upon Frost Point, to serve as a protection to the harbor. It was an earthwork " made with cer- tain great gunns to it," and in the year 1660 was mentioned in the documents of that day as the means These children are Perrin W., born Feb. 12, 1865; Clara, Aug. 31, 1867 ; Stephen W., Aug. 8, 1874. He is a very modest and unobtrusive man, is Republican in politics, and manifests the same social and chari- table characteristics as his father and grandfather, and is one of Kingston's most valued and worthy citizens.

CHAPTER L V 1.1

NEWCASTLE.

Geographical-Topographical-First Settlement-Great Island-The Fort of 1660-Fort William and Mary-Fort Constitution-Reminis- cences of Sixty Years ago-Prominent Men-The Wentworth- Mili- fary Record.

THE town of Newcastle is an island lying off the coast of Portsmonth, and was formerly called Great Island. The surface of this town is rocky. The follow- ing interesting sketch of this town is taken from the late Charles W. Brewster's " Rambles about Portsmouth," an invaluable contribution to the historic literature of the State :

The history of Newcastle is of some interest, as the first settlement in New Hampshire was made in 1623 upon its borders by a Scotchman named David Thompson. He was selected by the Company of Laconia, in England, to establish a permanent set- tlement in this province. Shortly after his arrival he built the first house on Odiorne's Point, a few rods distant from what resembles the remains of an ancient fort. It was afterwards called Mason Hall, in honor of a prominent member of the company under whose

1 See chapter x., History of Portsmouth.

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NEWCASTLE.

of distinguishing Great Island from other islands in Capt. William Marshall, who remained stationed at that post for several years. Nine guns, 6- and 9- pounders, were placed in position, and on several stationed there. the vicinity. It was several times remodeled, and for many years prior to the war of the Revolution was called Fort William and Mary, named in honor ' occasions full one hundred and twenty men were of the king and queen of England. In the eleventh year of the reign of Charles the First, of England, A short distance from this fort may be seen another fort, situated upon rising ground near the bridge lead- ing from Newcastle to Portsmouth. This post was not considered of much importance, yet several can- non were held in readiness to be placed upon it at short notice. the island, together with the fort, came into possession of Mistress Anne Mason, widow of John Mason, of London, who at the time of his death was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Portions of the island were afterwards deeded to Robert Mussel and other in- dividuals by her agent, Joseph Mason, of "Straw- berry Bank," on the river of the " Pascattaquack."

At the time of the passage of an act, in 1774, by George I11., forbidding the exportation of gunpowder to America, the fort was garrisoned by Capt. Cochran and five men, and the ships of war "Scarborough" and " Canseau" were daily expected to arrive with sev- eral companies of British soldiers to reinforce the garrison. On receipt of the news a company of citi- zens from Portsmouth determined upon seizing the arms and ammunition at the earliest period. They procured a gondola at midnight, and, anchoring a short distance from the fort, waded ashore and scaled the walls. Shortly after their arrival they encoun- tered the captain, who delivered to them his sword. It was, however, immediately returned, for which favor he tendered his thanks. Having taken one hundred barrels of powder, they started on their re- turn, and on leaving the fort were rewarded for the favor before shown to the commanding officer by his giving them a lunge with his sword. They tarried not at the insult, but hastened on board the gondola and rowed up the Piscataqua to Durham. On their arrival the ammunition was taken to the cellar of the Congregational Church, where it remained for some time; thence it was taken to Bunker Hill, where, on the 17th June, it was used to the disadvantage of the British. On the following day the fort was again entered, and " fifteen of the lighter cannon and all the small-arms taken away." The "Scarborough" and " Canseau" soon after arrived.

In the autumn of 1775, fearing an attack upon Portsmouth, Gen. Sullivan, at that time a resident of Durham, N. H., was appointed by Gen. Washington The following, copied from the graceful chirography a record of a winter excursion under unusual circum- stances to Newcastle : to take command of the militia of this State and to | of a former much-esteemed citizen of Portsmouth, is defend this harbor. Several fortifications had been thrown up, which he strengthened, and placed in them several companies of militia. In Fort William and Mary a company of artillery were placed, who " were allowed the same pay as soldiers of the Continental army."

In 1808 the fort was again rebuilt under the name i stopped at George Bell's, who furnished us with a

of Fort Constitution, and remained until a new struc- ture was commenced in 1863 upon the same spot.

The fort on Jaffrey's Point, at the entrance of Little Harbor, was once thought to be a very impor- tant post. It was garrisoned in the war of 1812 by citizens of this and other towns, under command of

During the visits of the English ships to this harbor, in 1775-76, a spirit of hatred seemed to prevail against the British seamen, but by the major part of the citi- zens they were respectfully treated. The sailors would often conduct badly, and if reprimanded would threaten to fire upon the town. Oftentimes the lives of the inhabitants were endangered, and on some oc- casion a committee of citizens waited upon the com- mander of the "Scarborough," offering an apology for some fancied insult to his men, to prevent him from permitting the threats of the sailors to be carried into execution. Owing to the state of public excite- ment at that early period of the Revolution, many citizens left the town and many more were prepared to leave at a moment's warning.

In the rear of the Congregational Church is a well, in which some of the citizens once placed their silver- ware for safe-keeping, and at another place may be noticed a depression of the ground, showing the site of an old Revolutionary house, which was then occu- pied by a Mrs. Trefethren, who was noted for refusing water to the British sailors on account of her hatred to them. It is stated that notwithstanding her posi- tive refusal to permit the sailors of the "Scarborough" to get water there, they once succeeded in filling their casks; and leaving them near the well, visited the central part of the town. No sooner were they out of sight than she emptied the casks. Upon their return they demanded of her why she had turned away their water. She promptly replied that she did not turn away their water; the water was her own. On re- turning to the ship they rewarded her by firing a ball through the room in which her family were sitting.1

"Feb. 17th, 1817 .- In consequence of the severe weather of last week, I was enabled to-day in com- pany with my brother-in-law, D **** M ***** , to walk to Newcastle on a substantial bridge of ice. We dinner of fine fresh cod, taken at the edge of the ice, 172 yards from the end of his wharf. We measured the ice on our return, and found it 18 inches in thick-

1 The foregoing portion of this ramble was prepared by Mr. Thomas B. Frost.

390

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ness, over which sleighing parties were merrily glid- ing on their way to the island. T. G. M."

Newcastle Reminiscences of Sixty-five Years ago. - Anterior to the erection of the bridges that now connect it with Portsmouth, many of the least culti- vated among the older inhabitants of Newcastle, iso- lated as they were from the outer world, especially during the inclement seasons of the year, were about as primitive in their ideas as the dwellers at the Shoals, and scarcely less peculiar in their dialect. Separated by some three miles of water communica- tion from Portsmouth, it was no uncommon occur- rence to hear quiet, stay-at-home bodies among the old ladies acknowledge that they " had not been to town" in ten to a dozen years, and inquiries would be made as to individuals they had once known, as if the place were a thousand miles away.

A more antique locality previous to the consum- mation of that achievement in the march of improve- ment. the construction of the bridges, could not have been found in all New England. While many of the dwellings were spacious and comfortable, there were very few of modern construction ; by far the larger proportion gave evidence of having been erected in the early part of the last century ; many were so di- | from the island. As a general thing, the values of lapidated by age as to be almost untenantable, and otbers had reached that point in their history, and were undergoing the process of being converted into firewood.

One of the most antique of these moss-covered structures of the olden time was the ancient church that occupied the site of the modern edifice. Though sadly fallen to decay, traces existed to show that taste had not been omitted in its construction. Erected originally for the service of the English Church, the chancel remained in good preservation, and relics sur- vived of ornamental devices that had once surmounted the creed and decalogue. The sills had gone to decay, and the floor had consequently sunk some inches be- low its original position, but the building served for summer nse, and the people, loving the old place of worship where their ancestors had been wont to gather, continued to occupy it every season until the cold winds of autumn drove them to the shelter of the less spacious but more comfortable structure, where on week-days

"The village master taught his little school."

At the time of which we write there was much of social and neighborly intercourse among the people of the island, as they met and discussed the news brought by some one who had returned from a trip to town, an event oftentimes not of daily occurrence in unpropitious weather, especially during a sharp, cold spell of mid-winter. The receipt of the Journal and Gazette were semi-weekly events of rare interest, and their contents from the title to the last line of the ad- vertisements on the fourth page were duly digested. A Boston paper was about as much of a novelty to

the inhabitants as is now one from Canton or Hono- lulu. .

The writer has some especially pleasant recollec- tions of the friendly intercourse referred to, that seemed in a measure a realization of the scenes in rural life so delightfully pictured forth by Goldsmith in the "Deserted Village," and in the London story- books that then formed so prominent a feature in juvenile literature. One place of sojonrn was at the residence of the village teacher, still in existence at the summit of a high bluff on the seashore. Oppo- site the house was a large and thriving garden, and higher up, on an elevation too rocky for culture, was a delightful spot, embracing a view of Portsmouth and the ocean far out to sea, where the youth of both sexes used to gather at the close of day and on moon- light evenings and participate in the ever-popular sports of childhood.

One of the incidents of life to the people of New- castle was the frequent appearance during the sum- mer season of a fleet from Kittery and Eliot upon their shores, for the purpose of bartering vegetables and fruit for dried codfish and halibut and other products of the brisk fishing trade then carried on articles on both sides were so well understood as to render the business a very simple one, but an amusing scene occasionally occurred between a pair of sharp bargainers, each affecting to depreciate the other's goods, that would have done honor to the parties in a horse trade. Such a scene between an attaché of Hannah Mariner's squadron, with a stock of green corn and whortleberries, and an old lady of the island with dried halibut to dispose of, each boasting, when the trade had been concluded, of having outwitted the other, left, in its oddity, an ineffaceable impres- sion upon onr memory.

Fort Constitution imparted much animation to the island, and not a little to Portsmouth, being still under. command of Col. Walbach, and with a larger force stationed there than at any other period within our memory.

Until 1693, Newcastle was a part of Portsmouth ; and if we can estimate the proportion which that part held to the whole from the standing of the early residents of the island, we must call it a valuable portion. As we pass the bridges which now unite the two places, the eye is feasted with the continual change of rich and refreshing land and water scenery, and we enter upon the spot where were once the homes of the ignoble Governor Cranfield and his associate, Judge Barefoot, of the no less celebrated Judge Charles Story, of Councilor Stileman, of those hon- orables, Sampson and Jacob Sheafe, Theodore At- kinson, George Jaffrey, and some other individuals whose names were conspicuous in their day.

Among the men of eminence in this ancient town early in the last century Hon. John Frost held a high rank. He was a native of Kittery, Me., born

391

NEWCASTLE.

in 1681, and was the son of Maj. Charles Frost (who was slain by the Indians on the Sabbath, July 4, 1697, as he was returning from meeting), and grand- son of Nicholas Frost, an emigrant from England, born in Tiverton about the year 1595, and settled at Sturgeon Creek, in Eliot, in 1636, where he died in 1663. This grandson, Hon. John Frost, in 1702 married Mary Pepperell, sister of Sir William, the baronet.

Hon. John Frost and his lady were early established at Newcastle, where he soon rose to eminence. He was a member of his Majesty's Council, at one time commanded a British ship of war, afterwards pur- sued the profession of a merchant, and was much dis- tinguished and highly useful in civil life. His place of residence was on an eminence westerly of the Prescott mansion, commanding a view of the spacious harbor, the river and its table-lands, with the lofty Agamenticus in the distance. Some remains of his extensive wharf may yet be traced.

His family was numerous and highly respectable, one of whom was Madame Sarah Blunt, born in 1713, consort of Rev. John Blunt, third pastor of the church in Newcastle, and after his decease the wife of Hon. Judge Hill, of South Berwick, Me. Hon. John Frost died Feb. 25, 1732, in the fifty-first year of his age. It is for their daughter that the above well-designed memorial was erected more than a century ago.

Near by it is another moss-covered monument, which bears unmistakable evidence that the same poet who sketched the above chaste epitaph has also, in as smooth and as strong lines, drawn another marked portraiture:

"To the memory of Rev'd JOHN BLUNT, Pastor of the Church of Christ of this Towo who died Aug. 7, 1748, in the 42d year of his age, whose body lies here interred, this stone is erected.

" Soft is the sleep of saints, in peace they lie,

They rest in silence, but they never die ;

From these dark graves, their flesh refined shall rise

And in immortal bloom ascend the skies.

Then shall thine eyes, dear BLUNT! thine hands, thy tongne- In nicer harmony esch member strung- Resume their warm devotion, and adore

Him in whose service they were joined before."

The Wentworth .- Beautifully located on this his- toric island is " The Wentworth," which is acknowl- edged to be the leading seaside hotel on the New Eng- land coast.

From the front of the house, looking south and south- east, can be seen the Isles of Shoals, eight miles distant, and a vast expanse of ocean ; to the northeast and north Kittery, Kittery Point, and Mount Agamenticus, in Maine; on the northwest the Ossipee and White Mountains, Portsmouth City, the navy-yard, and more than fifty islands; west and southwest the Pawtuck- away Mountain, in Nottingham, the Saddle-Back Mountain, in Deerfield, and the blue hills of Straf- ford; farther to the south the town of Rye and its beach-houses, five miles distant.

The high elevation of the house (seventy-five feet

above the level of the sea) affords prospects of the surrounding country unequaled by that of any sea- side resort upon the entire coast from Newport to Mount Desert. There is a never-ending variety for the pleasure-seeker, the student, or the scholar, while the atmosphere itself, combining land and sea breezes, is almost a panacea for all curable diseases.

On the north side is also a lagoon or inland pond of fifty acres, only two hundred feet from the house, shallow and sheltered by trees.

Towards the east, by a winding way through beau- tiful grounds, abounding with beautiful bowers and rural retreats, ramblers on the three-mile road to Portsmouth pass through Newcastle. Altogether, nowhere else on the coast has nature done so much for summer wanderers as at Newcastle. Its perfect appointments, its high situation, its healthful atmos- phere, its unequaled facilities for perfect drainage, the easy mode in which it may be reached, its advan- tages for boating, bathing, and fishing, the excellent drives and attractive walks in the neighborhood, all contribute to make it one of the most charming places of resort upon the coast of New England. It is owned by Hon. Frank Jones, of Portsmouth.

MILITARY RECORD, 1861-65.

John W. Bell, Co. K, 2d Regt .; eul. June 8, 1861; disch. May 22, 1862. George W. Wheeler, Co. D, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 23, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 23,

1864.

Thomas Halcrow, Co. I, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1863.

James Meile, Co. E, 3d Regt .; en1. Aug. 10, 1863.

Charles Moore, Co. F, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1863.

J. P. Bassett, Co. H, 3d Regt .; enl. Dec. 24, 1863 ; disch. Aug. 23, 1865.

John Eaton, Jr., Co HI, 4th Regt. ; enl. Dec. 24, 1863; disch. July 20, 1865.

Heary F. Edgerly, Co. H, 4th Regt .; enl. Dec. 24, 1863; died, date un- known.

William Harrison, Co. K, 4th Regt .; enl. March 1, 1865; disch. Aug. 23, 1865.

Peter Brown, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863.

William Burns, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863.

James Brean, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863.

Joseph Jones, Co. F,5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863; traos. to U. S. N. April 26, 1864.

Isaac Marcheso, Co. F, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863; not officially sc- counted for.

llenry Tracy, Co. G, 5th Regt .; eol. Dec. 9, 1863; absent, sick, June 3, 1864; no discharge furnished.

William Weinrich, Co. G, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863; absent, sick, Jude 3, 1864 : no discharge furnished.

Alfred A. Libby, Co. D, 5th Regt .; enl. Feb. 19, 1864; disch. June 28, 1865.

Thomas Finnigan, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 9, 1863.

William Oram, Co. G, 5th Regt .; ent. Dec. 9, 1863.

Albert P. Peakes, Co. A, 6th Regt .; enl. March 28, 1865; diech. July 17, 1865.

Dennis Sullivan, Co. K, 7th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 21, 1864; drowned March 25, 1865.

Michael Welch, Co. 1, 7th Regt .; eol. Sept. 6, 1864; disch. July 20, 1865. Thomas Antone, Co. G, 8th Regt .; enl. Ang. 10, 1863; trans. U. S. N. June 18, 1864.

Alonzo Gilson, Co. E, 9th Regt .; enl. May 15, 1862; discb. May 14, 1865. David Smith, Co. K. 9th Regt .: enl. Dec. 9, 1863.

John Geelan, Co. C, 10th Regt .; enl. Ang. 10, 1863; disch. Oct. 28, 1864.

Henry Thompson, Co. F, 10th Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1863.

William J. R. Burke, Co. G, 10th Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1863; absent, sick ; no discharge furnished.

Lewis Davis, Co. G, 10th Regt .; enl. Sept. 4, 1862; disch. Jan. 12, 1863.

Joha Il. Sullivan, Co. C, 10th Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1863 ; disch. Dec. 19, 1865.

392

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

William Clark, 11th Regt .; enl. Dec. 23, 1863.

Charles Davis, 11th Regt .; enl. Dec. 22, 1863.

Levi W. Curtis, sergt. Co. C, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; pro. to let

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 92

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