USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Canterbury > History of the town of Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1727-1912, v. 1 > Part 5
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Thom's Clough
beginning with ye 5th of Jan.
Ezek Clough $ 1747 to ye 8th of May following.
Henry Elkins beginning with ye 5th of Jan. 1747 to ye 12th of August following.
Sam'l Moor ¿ beginning with ye 9th of May Samuel Shepherd \ 1747 to ye 20th of November following.
James Shepherd beginning with ye 13th of August 1747 to ye 20th of November following.
"And faithfully & effectually performed all necessary Duties in said Garrison, according to our respective stations so that the Enemy never took any advantage to the Damage & Hurt of said Garrison, or of any that belonged to it, during the whole time above mentioned. And yet your humble Petitioners have never as yet been allowed any wages, or Billeting for our service, except £100 new tenor towards Billeting, received pr. Capt. Clough, tho' other Soldiers who served since we did have been paid both Wages & Billeting. Therefore we your humble Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency & Your Honours to take our Case into your wise Consideration, & to grant us Wages and Billeting, for the time which we have served, as afores'd. For which Goodness, your Humble Petitioners for your Excel- lency & your Honours, as in Duty bound shall ever pray."
The foregoing petition was not presented until 1754. The Council had it read and sent to the house of representatives. The latter body voted that it be dismissed.
The following is the muster roll of a company of twenty-three men on duty at Canterbury from July 4 to December 4, 1747. Most of the names will be recognized as those of Canterbury settlers.1
Jeremiah Clough, Capt.
Henry Ervin.
James Scales, Sergt.
Robert Thurston.
William Preston, Sergt.
Archelaus Moore.
Samuel French.
William Miles.
Henry Elkins.
James Lindsey.
Samuel Shepard.
Ezekiel Clough. Philip Call.
William Forrest.
Nathaniel Ladd.
James Head.
Thomas Clough.
Benjamin Blanchard.
Stephen Call.
John Gibson.
John Manuel.
Thomas Danforth.
Moses Evers.
N. H. Adj. Gen. Report, Vol. II, page 97.
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INDIAN TROUBLES.
All through the years 1747 and 1748 there were Indians lurking about Canterbury, Contoocook and Concord. Settlers were killed, their cattle slaughtered and various depredations were committed by the savages. The inhabitants were in constant fear of attack, but the people of neighboring towns suffered more than those of Canterbury. Scout and garrison duty were con- stantly performed by the settlers and by soldiers sent to the neighborhood by the provincial government.1 King George's War closed in 1748, and for the next four years the inhabitants of Canterbury were comparatively free from Indian alarms.
Although the French and Indian War did not begin until 1754, Indians were troublesome about Canterbury two years earlier. Christo, to whom reference has already been made, and Sabbatis appeared in town late in the spring of 1752. They were hospitably treated and Sabbatis lodged at the house of Josiah Miles for eight or ten days. On the 8th of May, the Indians disappeared carrying away with them two negro slaves belonging to Miles and his neighbor James Lindsey. These negroes were named Peer and Tom. Three days later Peer made his escape and returned to his master's house, reporting that Christo and Sabbatis had made them prisoners. Lindsey's slave was sold to the French in Canada and never came back.
A year later Sabbatis 2 returned to Canterbury with another Indian of the St. Francis tribe, named Plausawa.3 They re- mained in Canterbury several days. Calling at the house of Mr. Miles while he was in the field at work, Sabbatis was reproached by Mrs. Lindsey, who was present, with stealing her slave. Upon this the Indians assumed a hostile attitude and threatened the lives of both Mrs. Lindsey and Mrs. Miles if anything more should be said about the stolen slaves. At length their conduct became so menacing that some of the inhabitants gave them notice that, if they remained, they did so at their peril. Sabbatis and Plausawa then left Canterbury and took up their abode across the river in Contoocook (Boscawen). Here they contin- ued their insolent manner, boasting of the robberies they had committed in the neighborhood and of the murders they had perpetrated in previous wars and threatening to do the like again.
1 Prov. Records, Vol. V, pages, 120, 543, 573, 576; Vol. IX, pages 90, 91.
2 Sabbatis, a corruption of the French name, Jean Baptiste.
' Plausawa, a corruption of the French name, François.
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HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
While in Contoocook, these Indians were much in the company of two white men, Peter Bowen and John Morrell. The former 'was a reckless borderer, hunter and trapper, well acquainted with savages in general and Sabbatis and Plausawa in particular. There is little doubt that the inhabitants of Canterbury and Con- toocook were apprehensive of these Indians and that most of them felt that their only safety was in getting rid of them. Sensing this feeling of the people, Bowen proceeded to put it into execution. Obtaining liquor from Rumford (Concord) he gave it freely to Sabbatis and Plausawa. After they were intoxicated, they were taken into the woods, the charges drawn from their guns, and both of them killed by Bowen. The part Morrell had in the affair appears to have been that of an accessory both before and after the fact. Bowen freely acknowledged the deed, but claimed that it was done in self defence.1
The news soon spread, and as the colonies were at peace with the Indians, the governor of New Hampshire, upon complaint of the governor of Massachusetts, who feared trouble on account of this affair, took steps to have Bowen and Morrell apprehended on the charge of murder. They were arrested and lodged in Portsmouth jail to await trial. Their trial was fixed for March 21, 1754. The night previous, a party of men from Canterbury, Contoocook and neighboring towns, under the leadership of Simon Ames of Canterbury, appeared in Portsmouth, broke open the jail and released the prisoners. This act produced the greatest excitement. Governor Benning Wentworth made it the subject of a special message to the assembly. The sheriff was instructed to arrest all those participating in the affair, and rewards were offered for the recapture of Bowen and Morrell.
Ames was arrested in Canterbury as the ringleader of the con- spiracy. "I will go with you," was his prompt reply to the Sheriff, "but we will have dinner first." The latter was pleased to accept the generous hospitality of his prisoner.
"You will allow me to ride my own horse to Exeter," said Ames.
The sheriff had no objection, as he and his assistants were mounted. After dinner the party started and rode until nearly sunset, reaching Brentwood. The officers, one on each side, had
1 Chandler E. Potter's account in the Farmer's Monthly Visitor, September, 1853.
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INDIAN TROUBLES.
enjoyed the society of their prisoner. They were ascending a hill, the officers' horses were jaded, having been used since morn- ing, while that of Ames was comparatively fresh and very fleet.
"I declare," said Ames, "it is most sunset. Good evening, Gentlemen. I do not think I will go with you any farther to- night."
In an instant he was gone. At a touch of the rein the horse wheeled and the rider, bowing politely, disappeared. The officers were taken completely by surprise and sat upon their horses in blank astonishment. Pursuit was useless, for it would have been impossible to have overtaken Ames unless fresh horses could be obtained. This would have been difficult, as public sentiment was on the side of their prisoner.1
No further action appears to have been taken, except that Governor Wentworth, acting upon the advice of Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, made presents to the relatives of these Indians as an atonement for blood spilled in time of peace. Bowen and Morrill were never apprehended, although soon after their release they went openly about their business. They were considered to have performed a meritorious deed. Some of the most substantial men of Canterbury and Boscawen were engaged in their rescue, by act or advice, and the government would have found it difficult to have convicted them if they had been arraigned.2
That the inhabitants of Canterbury were constantly on the alert the first year of the war is shown by a petition3 to the provincial government "for the remission of their part of the Province tax for the year 1754 and until the pressing danger and difficulties of war are over" signed by the following settlers:
Jeremiah Clough, Thomas Clough, William Miles, Josiah Miles, John Bamford, Samuel Shepard, Solomon Copp, Benjamin Blanchard, John Gibbons, John Dolloff, James Gibson, James Lindsey, Samuel Shepard, Jr., James Shepard, Joseph Simonds, Joseph Elis, James Scales, Ezekiel Morrill, William Moore and Henry Elkins.
1 History of Boscawen, page 62.
2 For affidavits of Lieut. William Miles, Josiah Miles and wife and James Lindsey and wife regarding the stealing of the slaves, see Prov. Papers, Vol. VI, pages 301 to 306. For action of the Colonial Government in reference to the killing of Sabbatis and Plausawa and the rescue of Bowen and Morrill, see Prov. Papers, Vol. VI, pages 25, 262 to 266.
· N. H. Town Papers, Vol. IX, page 91.
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HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
In the spring of that year the Indians made an attack upon Contoocook (Boscawen), carrying off captives. The council advised the governor to enlist men to be sent immediately for the protection of Contoocook and Canterbury.1
In 1756 the selectmen asked for the remission of the province tax of Canterbury for the years 1755 and 1756.2 They set forth in their petition that, being a frontier town with few inhabitants, they are "exposed to the incursions and depredations of the enemy and that by reason of the war this year (1756) and last year with the Indian enemy, it is with great difficulty that they are able to maintain and support themselves."
The Rev. William Patrick gives the following account of an Indian attack the next year : 3
"In 1757, the people of this town having heard an alarm, re- tired to the garrison. After remaining for some length of time in this strong enclosure, and no Indians appearing, they began to feel less of their danger and to attend to the necessary labors of the field. But their peace was soon interrupted. Four Indians of the St. Francis tribe appeared near the house of Mr. Thomas Clough, which they entered and took from it a small quantity of meal, but their object being to take captives, they concealed themselves behind a long fence. They soon perceived a young lad, by the name of Moses Jackman, a nephew of Mr. Clough, and Dorset, the negro man of Mr. Clough hoeing in the orchard. They suddenly leaped over the fence, and two of them secured young Jackman, and the other two pursued Dorset, who fled to the woods. The poor fellow made an obstinate resistance, and received much abuse by their beating his face and head, but his cries of Murder! Indians! were heard by some lads, who had been sent on an errand to the low ground between this house and the fort, about the distance of half a mile from each other. The lads returned to the fort with the intelligence. Mrs. Clough narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Indians. Not apprehending danger, she went that day from the garrison to her house to bake and prepare for the return of the family. Going directly to her meal chest she discovered some traces of the Indians, and concluded that the enemy was near. With remark- able presence of mind she stepped to the door, and called aloud for the boys, saying come quickly! Continuing her calls as she advanced, still bending her course toward the garrison, she safely passed the ground of danger; ran to the fort, and confirmed
1 Prov. Papers, Vol. VI, page 27.
2 N. H. Town Papers, Vol. IX, page 92.
& Rev. William Patrick's Historical Sermon, October 27, 1833.
41
INDIAN TROUBLES.
the sad tidings. Exertions were made to recover the captives, but in vain.
"They were conveyed to Lake Champlain, thence to St. John's and to Montreal. At Montreal, they were imprisoned for a fortnight, while the Indians were employed in selling their furs. The prisoners were then, to their no small grief, separated -Dorset being sold in Montreal, and Jackman to a Frenchman in St. Francis, from whom, after a tedious captivity, he was released in 1761, after the restoration of peace. His widowed mother employed a person to go in pursuit of him, by whom he was conducted to his friends in Boscawen, where he was living in 1823. Mr. Clough, having received intelligence that for a moderate sum he could obtain his servant, sent and redeemed him; but on his return, Dorset missed his way, and from his exposure, to the severity of the cold, was so badly frozen that he lost both of his feet. He was, however, brought back to Canter- bury and his old master supported him comfortably until his death, which happened at quite an advanced age. We may form some idea of the situation of this people by an extract of a letter written to the inhabitants of this town, in answer to inquiries which they proposed to the convention of ministers in regard to the settlement of a man in the work of the gospel ministry. These Fathers in the ministry say,-'We are properly affected with your circumstances, as dwelling in the wilderness, and exposed to the insults and barbarities of a cruel and savage enemy.' This letter was dated September 28th, 1756.
" About this time, Samuel and George Shepherd, sons of Mr. Samuel Shepherd, were soldiers in the old French war, and were stationed near the frontiers of Canada. These young men, with others, were selected and sent upon an important despatch under the command of a Captain Burbank. The captain imprudently permitted his soldiers to shoot pigeons. The report of the guns gave notice to the Indians, who collected in superior numbers, and placed themselves in a situation where they could fight to advantage. They commenced the action which was warm and bloody, the English expecting no quarters, if overpowered. While fighting those in front, Samuel Shepherd was approached by an Indian in the rear, seized by the hair of his head, drawn back a few rods and bound to a tree. George narrowly escaped the blow of a tomahawk, which was aimed at his head. Missing his object, the force of the blow fell upon the Indian, who received a wound in his leg. Being made prisoners, these brothers, as they passed down the lake, recognized the scalps of their captain and comrades belonging to the little band. They were taken to Montreal and sold to the French. After the close of the war, they were permitted to return home and enjoy the tranquillity of peace."
42
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
That the year 1758 was full of anxiety to the people of Canter- bury is shown by the letter of Thomas Clough dated July 18 of that year. Referring to his appointment to acquire a gore of land between Canterbury and Rumford, he says that he "should® have forthwith waited upon said Lords Proprietors but the posture of our affairs is such at present that I can not possibly come down, our hay, Indian corn and other things being almost. spoiled for want of taking care of, being surprised almost every day on account of the Indians and hardly dare stir from one garri- son to another without a large company together."
This letter indicates that there was more than one garrison in Canterbury. Those outside of the main fort, built by the pro- prietors, may have been only stockades, but that there were several fortified inclosures, called forts, is shown by a vote at a town meeting March 16, 1758, when, in appropriating money for schools, it was provided, "that each fort's people shall enjoy the benefit of their own money in their own fort."
In this war Capt. Asa Foster of Andover, Mass., father of the five Foster brothers who settled in Canterbury, was in command of a company in an expedition against Ticonderoga in 1758. He was accompanied by his son Daniel, who was then twenty-one years of age. Captain Asa kept a diary during a part of the time he was on this expedition, which has since been published.1 The period covered by the diary was from June 10, 1758, to October 6 of that year. Captain Foster's command was stationed at or near Fort Edward. They appear to have participated in an engage- ment July 20 in which some of the company were killed. The inadequate provisions for quartering the troops, they being mostly without tents, produced much sickness, from which both Captain Asa and his sons were sufferers. Finally, they were sent back to Albany with others who were unfit for duty. While on this expedition, Captain Foster received news of the death of his wife. How or when he and his son returned home is not known. It is possible that, when upon this expedition, Captain Foster heard of the Canterbury settlement, to which his son, the Rev. Abiel Foster, was called as the minister two years later. Daniel fol- lowed his brother Abiel to this frontier town well equipped by his experience to become a pioneer in the wilderness.
Capt. Jeremiah Clough, who was authorized to take command 1 N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, April, 1900.
43
INDIAN TROUBLES.
of the inhabitants of Canterbury by vote of the proprietors in 1744, when provision was first made for their protection against the Indians, was undoubtedly the leading spirit of the town in colonial days. His influence continued until his death. Care must be exercised, however, not to confuse him with his son of the same name and military title who took part in the Revolution- ary War. The father was evidently a strong character, eminently fitted for the services of leader of the pioneers who had made their home in the wilderness. He possessed the confidence of the provincial government, as is seen by the votes of the House of Representatives and the orders of the council. The proprietors honored him with an election as selectman as early as 1738, a position to which he was repeatedly chosen by the inhabitants after they were permitted to take charge of their town affairs. He frequently served as moderator at town meetings and was a member of nearly all important committees selected to transact town business. It was he, rather than his son, who was a deputy with Rev. Abiel Foster to the Provincial Congress which met at Exeter May 17, 1775. In both civil and military life, he acquit- ted himself with credit. It is to be regretted that the archives of the town furnish so little information of this distinguished ancestor of a family who have ever been prominent in the history of Canterbury.1
In the midst of their troubles with the Indians it was discovered by the inhabitants that the transcript of the charter in the records of the town was without attestation. As many public documents had been destroyed at the time the house of Richard Waldron, the secretary of the Province, was burned, they were naturally apprehensive that the original charter was among these papers. Upon this charter rested the title to their estates. Knowing the litigation which had come to their neighbors of Concord because of a conflict of grants made by Massachusetts and New Hampshire, of the same territory, they were duly alarmed. Unless they could have their charter confirmed, they or their descendants might be ousted of their landed possessions
1 Capt. Jeremiah Clough removed to Loudon in 1785 or earlier for as "Jere- miah Clough, senior," he signs a petition that year as an inhabitant of Loudon. (N. H. State Papers, Vol. XII, page 488) and as "Jeremiah Clough," Esq.) he heads a recommendation for the appointment of a justice of the peace for that town under date of April 30, 1789. He died at Loudon between April 4, 1792, the date of his will and April 26, 1792, the date of its probate.
44
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
at the whim of the next governor of the Province. At once they took steps to repair this defect in their title as will appear by the following:1
"Humbly Sheweth Josiah Miles Yeoman and Thomas Clough Housewright both of said Canterbury in said Province & a Com- mittee appointed by the said Town to apply to your Excel- lency & Honours on the Following acc't viz: That the Township of Canterbury was Granted by the Late Hon'ble John Wentworth Esq'r Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Province dec'd to a number of persons whose names are in a Schedule herewith presented attested by the Late Sec'y Richard Waldron Esq'r dec'd as Clerk of that Council and said Grantees procured a Copy of said Charter and Recorded the same in their Town book of said Canterbury, a Copy of which Charter attested by the Town Clerk of said Canterbury is herewith also pre- sented, and as the Inhabitants of said Township have been at Great Trouble & pains in settling said Township and have been a Great part of the time since obtaining the Charter aforesaid Labouring under an Indian War (and many Rumors thereof when it was not an actual Warr) and said Township being a frontier the Inhabitants had as much as they could Subsist under to maintain their Respective familys without making any Enquiry into their Charter privileges. But at length some people found a Transcript thereof in their Town Book but without any attesta- tion and on further Enquiring Could not find the Original Charter nor any attested Copy thereof anywhere nor any Record thereof in the Sec'y office and as the aforesaid Secy Waldron's house was burnt with many publick papers of the Province they are apprehensive the said Original Charter was then burnt.
"Wherefore the said Josiah and Thomas as aforesaid pray that the said Copys aforesaid may be Recorded in the Secy's office and they confirmed in their Respective Estates as tho they now had the aforesaid Original Charter, and they as in Duty bound shall Ever pray.
"PORTSMOUTH Jany 16, 1756
"JOSIAH MILES Committee "THOMAS CLOUGH
"In Council Jany 17, 1756
"The Within Petition read & order'd that the Secy record the Copy said Charter & Schedule it appearing to the Council that the Copys are Genuine.
"THEOD. ATKINSON, Secy."
Thomas Clough, who served on this committee, was a brother 1 N. H. Town Papers, Vol. IX, page 92.
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INDIAN TROUBLES.
of Capt. Jeremiah Clough, Sr. He was as distinguished in the civic affairs of the town as his brother was in its defence. For many years he served as town clerk and selectman, besides acting upon important committees. Several times he was entrusted with missions that concerned the welfare of the com- munity, making journeys to Durham and Portsmouth. He appears to have discharged his duties with tact and discretion and to have succeeded in all his public undertakings. A house- wright by trade, his dwelling was probably the first frame struc- ture in Canterbury. His descendants have been prominent in the affairs of the town even to the present day.
Josiah Miles, the other member of this committee, was the son of Lieut. William Miles. The latter came as a pioneer to Canterbury from Dover. He was the ancestor of all those of the Miles name who settled in town. Both William and Josiah were selectmen prior to 1753, the latter being elected to the office several times. The town records show that the father died January 1, 1761.1 In 1759, Josiah was selected by the voters of Canterbury to present their claim to a gore of land in dispute between them and the proprietors of Bow.2 He was a large land owner and as such he was a strong factor in the community from the time of his arrival. A son of the same name was an early settler in Sanbornton. Other members of his family moved to that part of the original grant that was set off as Northfield in 1780, of which his son Archelaus Miles was the first town clerk. There are now no known descendants of Capt. Josiah Miles within the limits of either Canterbury or Northfield.
1 Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths.
: See Chapter IV.
CHAPTER III.
GROWTH OF THE TOWN. CENSUS RETURNS 1767 TO 1775. TAX PAYERS 1762 TO 1785. FACTS ABOUT EARLY SETTLERS. LOU- DON SET OFF AS A SEPARATE TOWNSHIP IN 1773 AND NORTHFIELD IN 1780. AN INVOICE OF 1769. THE MARK BOOK.
The fall of Quebec in 1759 removed the last apprehension of the settlers' at Canterbury of Indian raids. As a matter of fact, several months before the surrender of this stronghold to the English, it was proposed in town meeting to sell the fort which the proprietors had built, and, although the proposition was defeated at that time, the sale was authorized in August 1759, the proceeds to be laid out in mending the highways of the town.1 The people were now free to pursue their work in peace, which was an inducement for new settlers to come to Canterbury. King George's and the French and Indian Wars had discouraged emigration to the frontier towns and very few new settlers came to Canterbury between 1744 and 1759. What- ever the increase of population during that period, it came almost wholly from births. This is confirmed by an invoice of the polls, stock and improved lands of the town in 1761 returned by Ezekiel Morrill, Thomas Clough and Ephraim Hackett, the selectmen of that year.2 This invoice showed:
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