USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Dunbarton > History of the town of Dunbarton, Merrimack County, New-Hampshire, from the grant by Mason's assigns, in 1751, to the year 1860 > Part 12
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Now the true intent and meaning of the above Obliga- tion is such, that if the above said Archibald Stinson and William Tenney, or either of them, their heirs or assigns, shall build and finish said meeting-house, and deliver said house to the said committee, with a good bill of sale of every pew, to the purchasers of said pew, at or before the first day of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, to the acceptance of said committee, then this bond, or obligation, to be null and void ; otherwise, if not, said bond to remain in full force and virtue.
ARCHIBALD STINSON, [L. S.] WILLIAM TENNEY. [L. s.]
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
TIMOTHY LADD, JOHN MILLS.
A true copy-attest : DAVID STORY, Town-Clerk.
PROTEST OF MAJOR JOHN STINSON TO THE MEETING OF 1801.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE .- HILLSBOROUGH SS.
To DAVID STORY, Moderator of an Annual Meeting held at Dunbarton on the third day of March, Anno Domini cight- een hundred and one : GREETING :
We, the subscribers, complain and say that said meet- ing is illegal, as a number of minors and others came forward and cast their votes for a representative for said town, who were not legal voters. And therefore we hum- bly pray that said meeting may be reconsided, and that we may [have] the liberty of a new choice of officers ;
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otherwise we object to said meeting, and the proceedings thereof.
JOHN STINSON.
The foregoing delivered to me, and requested to be put on record. DANIEL JAMESON, Town-Clerk.
We have examined the proceedings of the meeting above named, but find nothing explanatory in regard to the above protest.
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS.
The wife of John Mills was frozen to death, while pro- ceeding from Capt. Oliver Bailey's house, over the hill, east of the place where Oliver Bailey, Jr., once dwelt. This happened many years ago.
Mrs. Archelaus Colby wandered from home while in- sane, and died in the woods. She was missing several months. Her bones were found by a hunter, in Goffs- town. Her husband was drowned in Kimball's pond, while crossing on the ice.
Mrs. Eleazer Butters was killed by being thrown from a horse, between Goffstown and Dunbarton.
James Rogers was shot by a hunter, having, on account of his bear-skin dress, been mistaken for a bear.
Dr. Jeremiah P. Tenney, Leonard Parker, Stephen Stark, Ebenezer Butler, (at Stark's mill-pond, June, 1821,) Parmlee Holmes, a son of Paltiah Brown, Esq., drowned.
Jeremiah Stinson, in 1809, died of injuries received by falling upon a pitch-fork; Capt. Joseph Leach, being crushed by a cart-wheel; Col. Warren Story, by the kick of a horse ; Mrs. John Page, by being thrown from a wagon. Ebenezer Bailey died of injuries received on the Lawrence Railroad ; old Mr. Andros was injured by a cross cow, and died. Mr. Benjamin Perley, senior, was burned in his house. Dr. James Stark, son of the late Dr. S., of Hopkinton, was, in 1847-8, found dead in Dun- barton woods. He came to hunt, with only his dog for a
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companion. His horse he had tied by the roadside, where it remained all night and part of the next day. He was not known by those who found him. His horse, how- ever, took a direction, when loosed and a driver was in the seat, towards home. His death was probably caused by the accidental discharge of his own gun. His faithful dog was found watching his remains. He went to the road occasionally, barked, and returned to the woods. He was found by two persons hunting for squirrels. It was an afflicting accident, and his untimely fate was deeply la- mented. The wife of Captain Oliver Bailey died in con- sequence of a fall down the cellar stairs. Mr. Clark Bai- ley, who had been for several years in a state of mental despondency, hanged himself. The wife of Darius M. Richards committed suicide by hanging herself in a barn, now the property of Capt. B. Whipple.
DISAPPEARANCE OF M'CARTHY.
During the severe winter of 1832-3, an Irishman, and temporary resident of this place, disappeared in a singu- lar manner. He left Concord, where he worked as a jour- neyman tailor, for Dunbarton, where his family dwelt with his father-in-law, Henry Hemphill. He started from Con- cord on foot, during a stormy afternoon, and was not again seen by any person, unless, perhaps, by his own family. In the course of the winter his children related at school, in the Page Corner district, that their father came home intoxicated, (not an uncommon occurrence) that a quarrel commenced, during which Hemphill stabbed him several times with a knife, and the blood ran out upon the floor, where he fell; that their grandfather and mother then dragged him down cellar, and they saw him no more. A portion of the old Page house, then occupied by the par- ties, had some time previously been removed, leaving the cellar uncovered. In the course of the Spring of 1833 Hemphill filled the cellar with stones, which he covered with earth, where he planted cucumbers. During the
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winter of 1833-34 a rumor of the circumstances appeared in a Boston paper before many persons in the town knew that such a person as McCarthy existed. This notice „ caused much conversation upon the subject, and induced a search of the premises, in which probably more than one hundred and fifty persons assisted. The house and cellar were searched ; a well, partly filled with stones, cleared out, and the cellar which Hemphill had filled was also cleared of its contents. But no vestige of human re- mains or clothing appeared. The search was continued for a whole day, about the first of February, 1834, during which persons questioned the children. One little girl repeated the story told at school, and shew the place on the floor where, she said, the blood had been, and that it was wash- ed away after the affair was over. This was while Hemp- hill was out of the room. When he returned she was desired to tell the story again, and show the place. She would not speak, but went to the place she had previously pointed out, and danced upon it.
It was well known that the parties quarrelled often, and people had been called in to separate them several times when engaged in these fights. But being persons of not much consequence in the vicinity, they were not troubled greatly by the notice of the neighborhood. Hemphill had been in the Vermont State prison for stealing a horse or something else. Nothing, however, turned up during the search, to sustain the suspicions of foul play.
The man's disappearance, (he has not since been seen or heard of) the tales of the children, the character of the parties, the fact that the old man took from his pocket a quantity of silver change, to divert the little girl from giv- ing information, when told in his presence to relate the story, and shew the place* on the floor where the blood flowed. These circumstances are the only explanation of the mystery we possess.
* When the little girl stood upon the place she had designated, Hemp- hill, with change in his hand, said, "See here, dear; you know what I am going to give you, if you will be good."
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March 17, 1854. Mr. ELIJAH LYMAN HARRIS was acci- dentally drowned in the Ohio river, at Maysville, Ken- tucky The particulars are stated in another portion of this book. The following extract from his journal may be interesting to his friends in this vicinity. The facts he has stated are doubtless correct, and, with corroborative testimony from others present at the trial of the pirates, in Savannah, in 1819, exempt his conduct from censure during his compulsory and unfortunate intercourse with them in their brief and lawless cruise.
EXTRACT FROM A JOURNAL KEPT BY MR. E. L. HARRIS.
"In the latter part of December, 1815, (then 17 years of age,) I went to live with William Green, then a mer- chant of Orford, N. H. He sold out his stock, and in March following I returned to Dunbarton. In June, 1816, Mr. Green having commenced business at Sanbornton, I returned to his employment. The season was remarkably cold with a frost in all the summer months, in consequence of which corn and other crops came near a total failure. In March, 1817, I returned to Dunbarton, and in April went to live with Dea. Farwell, at Hopkinton. Returned home in August. Went to Londonderry in September, and studied navigation with Capt. Choate. Returned in Octo- ber. Same month went to Salem, Mass., where I resided with cousin Nathaniel Gerry.
" Early in November I shipped on board ship Andrew Jackson, Edward Richardson master, bound for New-Or- leans. Off the Bahama islands we were boarded by pi- rates from an armed schooner, who took from the vessel provisions, a coil of rigging and a spy-glass. Although we had several passengers, all of whom had considerable money, none of them were robbed, no private property was disturbed, and no person suffered violence.
" The Andrew Jackson was an English built vessel, and a dull sailer ; in consequence our passage occupied sixty- three days, arriving at New-Orleans about January 1, 1818. Dissatisfied with the ship I left her near the last of Feb-
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ruary, and went on board the schooner Two Brothers, George Rapphel master, bound for Boston.
" We arrived at Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, after a rough, stormy passage of twenty-seven days from the Balize. In April left the Vineyard for Boston, but when off the cape a thick N. E. snow-storm obliged us to put back. We got into the breakers, and brought the vessel to anchor. At 4 P. M. lost the anchor. Brought to with the other anchor. Next day the weather became clear, and we got into Holmes' Hole, Martha's Vineyard, where, after waiting a few days, we obtained a breeze, and arriv- ed at Boston, after a lengthy passage of forty-five days.
"In April I shipped in the coasting trade, on board schooner -, Trefethen master, and sailed for Lubec, to which port made two trips. On the first took a load of plaster to Richmond, and on the second to Baltimore, where I left the vessel, and about the last of August went to the seamen's hospital, where, being sick, I resided some time. In November I left the hospital and shipped on board schooner Harriet, Kerlie master, for Havana, and made a very good passage of eight days from Baltimore. I left the Harriet at Havana, and shipped to go to Key West, to cut wood. Sailed in schooner Francisco, Ives master. Key West is about one hundred miles from Ha- vana, but in consequence of a mistake of the pilot we were twenty-five days in making the passage. Having arrived there, those who were shipped for the island were put on shore, and the vessel sailed for Havana. Mr. Obed Wright and a Mr. Manson had charge of those who were attached to the island. Found at the island a Mr. Palmer, Mr. Fitz, and a man they had hired. These men were employed in getting sponges and catching turtle. Our crew, with the exception of Wright, Manson and myself, were foreigners, not used to the business for which they were employed, and became so dissatisfied that all of them, with the exception of Johnson, a Swede, took one of the boats and put to sea. They arrived at Havana, and re- turned the boat to the vessel. Some three weeks after
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our vessel left she returned with stores and two more men for the island-Owens, and Jeffreys, a free colored man ; a few days after which the schooner, taking a load of wood, sailed again for Havana.
" A short time after the Francisco sailed, two small ves- sels, with lateen sails, under Venezuelian colors, arrived. They were manned by twenty or twenty-five men each, were well armed with muskets, cutlasses and pistols. The vessels I think carried some small pieces of ordnance. They were not backward in letting us know who they were. They appeared well satisfied with their business, and confessed without reluctance that they were pirates.
" Next morning they left the harbor in chase of a brig. A short time after this the Franciso arrived, took in a load of wood and coal, and left for Havana. Owen went in her as a passenger, Mr. Manson having left here the last trip to Havana.
" A few days after this the pirates returned, but remain- ed only a few minutes, by reason of a vessel appearing in the offing, to which they gave chase. A few days after this the sloop Lawrence, Atwick master, arrived from Charleston. Atwick was a native of Maine. Chase, his mate, belonged to Dover, N. H. In an indirect way the Lawrence, in connection with Atwick's conduct, became instrumental in my subsequent embarrassments with the pirates.
" A short time after this Johnson, the Swede, was mur- dered by Wright. We were at this time employed in drawing coal from the coal-pit, and for a day or two had not been constantly employed. In consequence of this indulgence Johnson had become hard to govern, from be- ing in a state of intoxication. Johnson was ordered to go to work, which he refused to do. Wright having be- come very angry, ordered him again to work, and he again refused. Wright then seized a stick, one inch and a half in diameter, with which he struck Johnson several times over the head, and fractured his skull. This hap- pened in the afternoon, and Johnson did not complain
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much of his injuries, but throughout the next day appear- ed to be exercised with great pain in the head. He expir- ed in the night, some thirty-six hours after having been thus unmercifully beaten by Wright. On the night the unfortunate Johnson died, Wright lodged on board the Lawrence. After the latter had returned to the shore I reported to him the death of the former. Agreeably to Wright's order I went for Jeffreys, who, with myself, pre- pared a grave, and we in presence of Wright saw John- · son's remains committed to their final resting-place.
"Shortly after these events the Francisco arrived, took in a load of wood and coal, and sailed again for Havana, with Wright as a passenger. When Ives left at this time he told Jeffreys and myself that he would return for us in six weeks, and take us off the island. I have never seen or heard from Wright since he left us.
" Two or three weeks after the Francisco sailed, the buccaneers returned to our harbor, having, beside their two schooners, a Spanish sloop, with a number of slaves on board. The pirates stated that since they last left here they had visited Cuba, and robbed several planta- tions there, taking from them slaves and specie. A few hours after the arrival of the pirates they went on board the Lawrence, and treated Atwick very cruelly, thinking thereby to obtain considerable money from the vessel, as Furlong, one of Atwick's crew, had reported a large amount to be on board. The result of the search proved, to the satisfaction of the pirates, that Furlong made a ma- licious report against Atwick, and that there was not a dollar in money on board the Lawrence. After remain- ing in the harbor two days the pirates left, and I have not seen or heard of them since.
" A few days after these transactions, as Jeffreys and myself were short of provisions, and hearing that the Francisco would not return for some time to come, I ship- ped on board the Lawrence, intending to go in a few days on a "wrecking voyage." In a few days afterward we sailed for Florida Reef, and when half way between Key
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West and Key Vaccas, we fell in with sloop Mary, of Mo- bile, Henry S. Neale, master. In consequence of falling in with this vessel we put back to Key West, where we an- chored in the evening.
In the course of the afternoon we had ascertained to a certainty that we were once more among pirates ; also, that Furlong and Shelton, two of Atwick's crew, had joined them. Next day took in water and sailed in company for Key Vaccas, where we arrived next morning. Brought the Lawrence to anchor, and ran the Mary ashore to clean her bottom. During several days all hands of both crews were employed in fitting the Mary for sea. During this time the Mary's name was erased, and she was painted black. It was generally understood by this time that both crews were to be united, and attached to the pirate. I forgot to mention that Jeffreys had been enticed on board the pirate at Key West, and very much against his will.
"The pirate being prepared for the cruise, both crews were mustered on board, the evening before sailing, where all of them were sworn and made to sign an agreement. Next morning we sailed, leaving Atwick on board the Lawrence as ship-keeper. Our crew consisted of Neal, Miller, Johnson, Smith, and a colored cook-5: the original crew. Chase, Reed, Shelton, Furlong and my- self, of Atwick's crew - 5, and Jeffrey from Key West. Whole crew, 11. We sailed, as nearly as I recollect, from Key West on the 25th of June, 1819.
On the second day spoke a large schooner from Mobile, bound to New-York. Neal purchased of the master a very fine boat, and we set ours, an old one, afloat. In the afternoon of this day fell in with the ship Rising States, from New-Orleans, bound for Holland. From this vessel took some provisions, and suffered her to pro- ceed on her voyage.
"Third day at sea, June 27, at meridian, saw a sail ahead. At 1 P. M., it being calm, sent off the boat, which took possession of her at 4 P. M., our vessel being three miles astern. A breeze springing up, however,
12
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soon brought us up with the captured vessel. Neal hailed, and learned that she was recently from Cuba, bound to Cowes. She proved to be the brig Ann, of Scarborough, England, Thomas Sanley master. She was deeply laden with sugar and coffee.
" During the afternoon captain Sanley was sent on board the pirate with his papers, and, after they were examined, returned to the brig. Four of the brig's crew, in the afternoon, were brought and detained on board the pirate. Neal had an interview with them, in the cabin of the pirate, and informed them what was to be done on board the brig.
" After dusk, Sanley, his mate, and three of the brig's crew were killed and thrown overboard by Miller, John- son, Furlong, Smith and Shelton. While the pirates were killing the brig's crew, a boy hid himself among the cargo. He was soon found after the decks had been cleared of the dead bodies. His life was spared, and also those of four of the brig's crew. Thomas Newton, San- ley's nephew, three others of the crew and the boy were released. Five were massacred and five were spared.
" At the time the brig's crew were killed we were in the Gulf of Florida, ninety miles from land. After these transactions we shaped our course W. by N., steering for the nearest land of East Florida. Next morning we saw the land, and coasted through the day south-westerly, and at sunset ran the brig on shore. The sloop was brought alongside the brig, and most of the crew were employed throughout the night in loading the sloop with coffee. Next day finished loading the sloop, and sent a boat's crew to inform Atwick of the result of the cruise; sent two of the brig's crew, and Chase, Reed, Shelton and Johnson - six in all.
"Next day Neal sailed with the sloop, taking with him Miller, the cook of the vessel, and the boy above referred to. Furlong and Smith were left in charge of affairs on board the brig, with Thomas Newton, another of the brig's crew, Jeffrey, and myself - six in number. Some
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ten days after Neal left us, we discovered a sail running along shore, standing southward. She was brought to an anchor, by the orders of Furlong and Smith, and proved to be the schooner Francisco, Capt. Ives, last from St. Augustine, now bound to Havana, intending to call at Key West to take from thence Jeffreys and myself. Ives brought his vessel alongside the brig, discharged into the sea a considerable portion of his cargo of salt and flour from her, and took on board coffee. A gentleman on board the Francisco was robbed of several hundred dol- lars, of which Furlong and Smith took charge. When the Francisco was loaded, Jeffreys and myself, having liberty to leave, went on board the schooner and left the brig.
" The same night anchored fifteen miles south of the brig. This afternoon we saw Atwick's vessel bound for the brig. We had on board two deserters, who, with myself, left the vessel, went on shore, and resided for a time at the camp belonging to other deserters. Having remained there ten days, in the middle of July we left for the brig. Our party consisted of six individuals, four of whom were deserters from the army. Having arrived opposite the brig, we found rolling in the surf a boat and several oars on the beach - cleared the boat and went on board -no person was found on board - but two thirds of her cargo still remained. The same evening sent two men to Cape Florida for a wrecking vessel.
"Next morning I left for St. Augustine, distant 250 miles. Late in the morning of the third day after leav- ing, I arrived at a river some 70 or 80 miles from the vessel, where, not finding either boat or canoe, I com- menced my journey back.
"In the evening of the third day I arrived at the brig, and found there five Seminole Indians - three men, one woman and a child - friendly Indians -learned from our people that those who went for a wrecker succeeded in procuring an American vessel, which next morning arrived. She was the sloop, " Sailors' Rights," of Savan-
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nah, Levi James master. She was brought alongside of the brig and loaded with coffee, after which we endeav- ored to lighten the vessel, so as to get her afloat ; and sent on shore several hogsheads of coffee and hove overboard boxes of sugar. The vessel remained with us until appearances indicated a gale of wind, when, for the safety of the wrecker, she sailed early in the morning for Savan- nah, leaving on board the brig several of the crew, besides the deserters and myself.
" When the "Sailors' Rights" left us, Capt. James said, should it become necessary, we must cut away the masts, and at 11 A. M., the vessel laboring in a heavy sea-way, we cut away both masts. In the afternoon the vessel stove a hole in her bottom, and in the first part of the night we were driven before the sea upon the beach. Next morning the weather had become calm, and at low water we left the vessel, and made from her sails a camp on shore, in which we lived. At low water we could go aboard at the bows without wetting our feet, while at the stern the water was five or six feet deep.
" Before the vessel gained the shore she was nearly half filled with water, which at the stern continued at that depth. One half the cargo was destroyed.
" Some two or three weeks after Capt. James left us, a small schooner, which had been chartered for the pur- pose, arrived and took a load with which she sailed for Savannah. Soon afterwards the "Sailors' Rights," James, master, arrived, took in the remainder of the brig's cargo, all the iron, copper, &c., that could be collected, burnt her to the water's edge, and sailed for Savannah. The desert- ers and myself took passage on board of her. The deserters were returned to the army, and I was committed to Savannah jail. This happened about September 7, 1819.
" Before this, Furlong, Smith, and one of the brig's crew, had been apprehended at Savannah, and those who were with Atwick had been taken at Charleston. Smith
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died in prison before trial. Furlong was tried in Decem- ber, and found guilty .*
"I was honorably discharged from prison towards the latter part of December, 1819, having been a prisoner three months and nineteen days. I was allowed $1.25 per day as State evidence, "and received for the check, from Hon. I. H. Morel at the bank, $136.
" Some time in February, 1820, I went to Augusta, where for a time I was employed by the steamboat com- pany. From thence I went to Columbia, S. C., near which I was employed on the west side of the Congaree river, upon the Charleston turnpike. I left this place for Charleston, thence for Savannah on board a coaster. From the latter place shipped on board the brig Alba, Capt. Smith, for Salem, where we arrived about the mid- dle of July. I forgot to mention that Furlong was hung at Savannah a few weeks before my return thither. From Salem I proceeded to Boston, where, having worked along shore a short time, I walked to Dunbarton, having been absent two years and nine months. I reached home in August, and in September - went to Pembroke, where I attended the academy two months, under the instruction of Mr. Voset an expe- rienced teacher."
Mr. Harris was more than two months under the age of twenty-one, when he returned home after the adven- tures herein before recorded.
* A relative of the writer, Mr. John Mckinstry, formerly a merchant at Boston, who well knew the Rev. Walter Harris and his family, being fortunately at this time at Savannah, was, on reference to him being made by Mr. E. L. Harris, summoned to court. He testified that the father of Mr. Harris was a highly respectable clergyman at Dunbarton, N. H., as his son had declared. This testimony, his youth, with other circumstances tending to corroborate the truth of his statements, induced the court to admit him as a State witness; and upon his testimony principally, the pirates were convicted.
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