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 17
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Mr. Chase at the age of eighteen was a volunteer in the New-Hampshire brigade, at West Point, in 1780, and a few weeks before his death related to the writer the fol- lowing incidents relative to General Arnold, who in that year deserted the cause of his country. Mr. Chase, with other soldiers not on duty, was on the shore of the Hud- son when the desertion took place. When General Wash- ington assigned to Arnold the command of West Point, he left his own barge, for his convenience in visiting the fortress from his headquarters, at Robinson's farm. A temporary hut had been erected near the river bank, for the accommodation of the four oarsmen who managed the boat. On the morning of his flight Arnold rode down to the shore very fast, as was his usual manner of riding, threw the reins to his attending orderly, and ordered the barge to be manned. He directed the men to steer for West Point, but on reaching the middle of the river the boat was observed to turn its course down stream, and move very swiftly through the water. The matter was explained by the returning boatmen. He hoisted a flag of truce, and ordered them to pull for the Vulture, sloop- of-war, then lying at anchor below, saying something of negotiating an exchange of prisoners, and promised, if
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they would row him down to her as soon as possible, to reward each of them with a guinea and a gallon of rum. When they arrived under the guns of the Vulture he disclosed his design, saying : "I have served the ungrate- ful scoundrels long enough;" and declared to the men that if they would go over with him they should have double pay and the rank of sergeants. One of them observed that "he did not understand fighting on both sides ;" to which his comrades signified their assent. " Then," said Arnold, "you are prisoners of war." He ascended the deck, and was received by the marines with presented arms. He ordered the oarsmen to come on board, and they obeyed. One of them said, "it was a shabby trick, after they had toiled to the utmost of their strength to get the boat along, to refuse the promised reward and make them prisoners to boot." The English captain heard their murmurs, and stepping forward ob- served : "General, I command this ship, and, while I walk the quarter deck, no such transaction shall take place." Addressing the men he said, " My good fellows, I respect your fidelity to your country, although you are enemies to your king. You are at liberty to go or stay, as you please. Here," taking them from his purse, "are your guineas. Steward ! put up four gallons of rum for these men." The boatmen thanked the generous sailor, and returned to report their adventure to General Wash- ington, who had just arrived in camp. Arnold, in rage and chagrin, retired, without a word, to the cabin.
After his discharge from service, Mr. Chase, with his knapsack, canteen and cartridge box (his private property), upon his person, in company with several militia men, started for home, on foot, from West Point. Some cause of delay detained Chase a short time behind the others, and while he was hurrying on to overtake his party, then out of sight, he passed in the road two soldiers of the Continental Army. The troops of the line generally considered the militia as their inferiors, and seldom allowed an opportunity to insult and ridicule them to
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pass unimproved. One of the two, in this instance, said to his comrade, as Chase passed them : " That is a likely youngster-I wonder if he has got any spunk." "Pull his ears," replied the other, " and we shall find out." Chase, upon hearing this, seized his cartridge box belt with both hands, and moved on slowly. He heard the footsteps of the man advancing behind him, to execute his intended practical joke. When he judged the soldier was sufficiently near for effect, his cartridge box was suddenly swung round with such force, that the blow received by the man behind him, on the side of his head, felled him senseless to the ground. Thinking he had killed him, Chase fled to overtake his friends, to whom he did not dare to men- tion the circumstance; nor did he ever tell of it, until many years afterward, when a witness at Amherst court. While with a company, sitting around an evening fire in a tavern bar-room, relating stories, he told his adventure. A man sitting near him, whom he had known several years, exclaimed, " Was that you, Chase ? Well, it took me several days to get over the effects of that blow; but I learned a good lesson-never to meddle with a stranger who did not offer to meddle with me. I'll stand treat for the whole company."
Ebenezer Chase died September 21, 1831, aged 68. Agnes, his wife, died February 18, 1839, aged 77. Their children were: Nancy, b. Dec. 1, 1786 ; John, b. August, 1788; Samuel Stewart, died an infant, 1790; Polly and Esther, b. May 14, 1792; Sabra, b. March 17, 1794 ; Han- nah, b. Jan. 9, 1796; Simeon, b. Oct. 18, 1798; male infant, died without a name; Calvin, b. Feb. 7, 1802.
Several families named Perkins were formerly consid- erable people in this town, but, with their descendants, have mostly disappeared. A similar observation will apply to many others whose names appear in the early records. The names of Colby, Emerson, Annis, Elliot, Hadley, Wheeler, Ordway, Worthly, and others, arc of frequent and familiar occurrence in the south-eastern part of the town.
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In that quarter, John Page owns the third or fourth mill erected in this town. His son, John Page, Jr., re- sides on the farm of the late Rev. Walter Harris.
WILLIAM SMITH occupied land in the valley, nearly a mile south-east of the meeting-house. His children, Archibald and Sarah, are still living.
CAPTAIN DAVID McGREGORE occupied for several years lot No. 14, in the second range, which passed from him to S. Palmer, and has since been owned by Messrs. Straw, Copp, Smith, Cilley, and Baker, the present occupant.
DAVID STORY, Esq., from Ipswich, Mass., (son of David Story, of that place), was well known in the early affairs of this town as a person of probity and respectable abili- ties. He for several years represented the classed towns of Bow and Dunbarton, and was the first representative elected by the latter town in a separate capacity. He filled several other offices, and faithfully discharged his duty in them all. He was seventeen times moderator, eleven years town-clerk, six years a selectman, and six times elected representative. He died March 20, 1834, aged 88. His son Warren was also engaged in public life as representative, selectman, and colonel of the ninth regiment New-Hampshire Militia. He was, in the prime of life, unfortunately killed by the kick of a horse. One of his sons, David, now worthily occupies the estate of his father and grandfather. Another son, Dr. Abraham, resides in Weare. The youngest son, La Fayette Story, has for several years been a resident of California. Abra- ham B., son of David Story, senior, was educated at Dartmouth College, and settled as an attorney-at-law at Washington, N. H.
Family Record .- David Story, Jr., b. August 21, 1771, (Ipswich); Thankful, b. June 17, 1773, (Ipswich) ; Abigail, b. (Dunbarton), March 8, 1775 ; Abraham B., b. March 22, 1777 ; Susannah, b. April 17, 1779 ; Sarah, b. April 14,
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1781 ; Warren, b. June 26, 1783 ; Lois, b. November 21, 1785. Children of Daniel and Ruth Story : Ruth, b. August 30, 1773, at Chebacco, Ipswich, Mass."; Sally, b. March 21, 1776; Betsey, b. June 30, 1778; Daniel, b. September 13, 1780 ; Molly B., b. March 6, 1785 ; Lucy, b. October 14, 1787 ; Thankful, b. June 15, 1791.
ALEXANDER GILCHRIST, from Goffstown, was a good far- mer, and an upright, obliging man, who died respected by all who knew him. He purchased the farm of John Stinson, 2d, where he resided until his death. The farm is now the property of Israel Straw, who is an industrious far- mer, as well as a liberal-minded citizen.
TRISTRAM BARNARD served in the ranger corps, and was an officer of the Revolution. . His grandsons, Reuben and Isaac Barnard, were both hard-working, industrious, hon- est men.
DOCTOR SAMUEL FLAGG.
Most persons of middle age in this vicinity may recol- lect that eccentric itinerant physician, Dr. Samuel Flagg, who, although not a native of Dunbarton, selected that, and several adjacent towns, for the principal scenes of his peregrinations for many years, through which he traveled on foot, with his pilgrim staff in his hand, and a small pair of saddle-bags, containing his stock of medicine, slung upon his shoulders. He had acquired a good Eng- lish education, and a tolerable knowledge of Latin. He studied for a time with an eminent physician of Salem, Mass.
His father intended that he should become a tailor, but his disdain for the occupation, the inattentive manner in which he received his instructions, and the careless indif- ference with which he executed them, soon procured his discharge as an unprofitable apprentice. He wrote a ditty
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upon the occasion of his return from the shop bench, of which we remember two lines :
" Samuel Flagg was such a blade He would not learn the tailor's trade."
He was not a surgeon, but an excellent practitioner in cases of wounds, chronic diseases, ulcers, fever sores, fevers, and other complaints common in every commu- nity. His remedies and applications were generally of a simple nature ; although he was well acquainted with the action of the most powerful medicines. Of these he oc- casionally made use, but with prudence and skill. He prepared various ointments and salves, of which roots and herbs were ingredients. The success attending their ap- plication was well known in the region over which he wandered. Had he left behind him recipes for all his prescriptions and appliances, we believe they would have proved of more value to the community than all the pa- tent commodities which have been crowded upon public credulity since the establishment of the United States Patent Office.
His habits, in the latter portion of his life, were some- - what intemperate, yet he was generally received with kindness and hospitality wherever he came. If treated otherwise, his memory was tenacious of the affront, and no entreaties, until due reparation was made, could in- duce him again to relieve by his skill the members of any family from which he had received cause of offence. While under the influence of liquor he would never pre- scribe for a patient, but could easily be persuaded to lie down and sleep a few hours, when he would recover his equanimity and attend to the case. Those who were able and so disposed paid him for his services, almost as they pleased. His demands were very moderate, compared with the overgrown bills made up by the medical riders of the present steam-driven era. His food and lodgings were free, his clothing was sometimes furnished as gifts from friends, and a little cash sufficed to supply his sad-
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dle-bags with medicine. The poor repaid his attentions with thanks and blessings.
Our first distinct recollection of Dr. Flagg was on the day of the great eclipse, in 1806, when we were by him led by the hand as a child, to Stark's mill pond. The phenomenon occurred while we remained there, and is the earliest prominent event in our memory.
The Doctor once went to Hanover, to visit Dr. Nathan Smith, already become celebrated as a surgeon and phy- sician, by whom he was kindly received. They conversed upon professional subjects, and Dr. Smith afterwards spoke of him as a person well versed in medical science.
The society of Shakers, at Enfield, wished him to reside with them as their permanent physician. He spent several winters with them. In the winter or spring of 1817-18 he was found dead by the road side between their vil- lages. He was supposed to be 77 years of age.
JAMES McCALLEY, a well known agent in promoting the progress of this town, died January 24, 1812, aged 66. His son James was a worthy man, and an undeviating democratic republican.
Children of James McCalley, Sen. : Mary, b. July 20, 1777 ; Alexander, b. January 27, 1782; Thomas, b. July 29, 1784 ; Charles, b. November 25, 1786 ; James, b. No- vember 30, 1790 ; Hugh, b. August 29, 1798.
DANIEL KIMBALL, once the proprietor of Woodbury's, or. Kimball's mills, died August 3, 1825, at an advanced age.
SAMUEL STEWART brought with him to this place a very considerable property. In 1775 he was chosen town treasurer, being the first elected under the charter ; the selectmen having, prior to that, performed the duties of that office. He was succeeded by James Clement, in 1781. He conveyed his farm, conditionally, to Ebenezer Chase, reserving one half of the produce during the joint and several lives of himself and his wife, Agnes. The latter survived Mr. Chase. She died in 1835-6, aged 93.
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While making a line fence, with other persons, Stewart observed a large bear passing a cleared place near them, and gave chase in advance of the others, crying out that he would " draw the first blood and have the bear." He came up behind the animal, and struck his axe into his back. The animal turned backward, and grasped Stew- art in his rough embrace, whom he hugged and severely wounded. As closely locked together, the " unloving cou- ple" rolled down a small declivity in front. The party coming up despatched the bear, and conveyed Stewart, with his prize, home upon a sled.
Mr. Stewart was, at times, generous and obliging ; at others, a perfect savage. He owned a fine lot of cherry trees, several of which he carefully watched until the fruit was perfectly ripe, when all in the vicinity were in- vited to the feast. His land being contiguous to that of John Hogg, Esq., (afterwards Raymond) the two proprie- tors were constantly at war. Their disputes were often carried to court, and high words and violence generally attended their meetings. At the funeral of Mr. Ray- mond, Stewart took a position near a door, fronting the coffin of his former antagonist, where, during the service, he stood nodding his head, looking steadily at the coffin. In the course of a fortnight afterward he was borne to his own long home, in the same burial ground. He died in 1803, aged 68 years.
He employed upon his farm three youths, whom, by fear, threats, and other influences, he compelled to swear to any story he should dictate to them, that might enable him to avoid legal punishment for his many acts of malice and violence. By these means he triumphed over Raymond in every legal contest whatever. Mr. William Leach, one of his boys, when he became of age gave a deposition which eventually restored Raymond to his rights at law, and enabled him to recover all he had lost by false testimony.
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THE BURNHAM FAMILY.
A stone in the central cemetery of Dunbarton bears the following inscription :
" Mrs. Hannah Burnham Died March 1, 1805 ; Relict of Lieut. Nathan Burnham, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, who fell at the defeat of the British army at Ticonderoga, A. D. 1758."
From an examination of several papers now in the pos- session of John Burnham, Esq., of this town, we infer that his great-grandfather, Nathan Burnham, was an inde- pendent husbandman, a man of intelligence and capacity, who possessed the confidence of his fellow-citizens, as also that of the provincial government. By the former he was intrusted with the management of important transactions, and by the latter appointed to a military office, upon equal rank with officers of the same grade in the line of the English army. His wife was Hannah Choate, of Ipswich.
On the thirteenth day of March, 1758, he was commis- sioned by Governor Pownall first lieutenant of a com- pany of foot, commanded by Captain Stephen Whipple, in the regiment of Col. Stephen Bagley, which consti- tuted a portion of the force furnished by Massachusetts for the expedition against Canada. Lieutenants Burnham and Low, of the same company, fell in the fatal attack upon Ticonderoga, July 8, 1758, where an army of sixteen thousand British and Provincial troops were shamefully repulsed by one fourth of their number of French and Indians, through the incapacity of their general. Sixteen hundred and eight regulars and three hundred and thirty- four provincials, killed and wounded, was a cruel penalty for General Abercrombie's rash attempt to carry by as- sault a strong position, without bringing up his artillery, of which he had a good supply.
Among the papers in Mr. John Burnham's possession are Governor Pownall's proclamation calling for volun- teers from the provincial regiments, Lieut. Burnham's
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commission, beating orders, forms of enlistment, orders to muster, words of command for the musket drill, order for the march, power-of-attorney to Lieut. B.'s wife to manage affairs during his absence on duty, a kind letter to her while on the march, and, lastly, the letter of a friendly comrade from the battle-field, narrating the mel- ancholy fate of her dearest friend-a fate which it has been the sad fortune of widows to hear since the time when man became the murderer of his brother man.
Yet shall memory mourn the day, When, with expectation pale, Of her soldier far away, The poor widow hears the tale.
In imagination wild, She shall wander o'er this plain, Rave, and bid her orphan child Seek his sire among the slain.
Gashed with honorable scars, Low in glory's lap they lie ; Though they fell like stars, Streaming splendor through the sky.
From the dust their laurels bloom, High they shoot and flourish free ; Glory's temple is the tomb ! Death is immortality !
MONTGOMERY.
HADLEY, June 7, 1758.
TO MY DEARLY BELOVED WIFE :
I hope, through Divine goodness, you are in health, as I am at this time, and I pray God be with you, and pre- serve you and our dear children from all evil. My duty to mother Choate. My love to all my friends. We came into town last Sabbath day, about two o'clock, and billeted the company at private houses, and we are very kindly entertained at the widow Porter's. Her husband was a
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member of the General Court about thirty years. Yes- terday the Captain, I, and Lieut. Low, went over Connec- ticut river to Northampton, to see about the affair, and returned at night. We expect to go over to North- ampton to-morrow, to take seven days' provisions, to march near to Albany.
I remain your loving husband, NATHAN BURNHAM.
P. S .- I should be glad to hear from you. I have had blisters on one foot, but they are better. Col. Bagley came to town yesterday. Col. Dooty's regiment is com- ing in, and it is supposed both regiments are to march to- gether. We have twelve of our own guns, and had twenty-two at Worcester, and other companies are much so. It is supposed there is no great danger. The arms are at Albany.
Directed, "To Nathan Burnham, of Chebacco, in Ips- wich."
MRS. BURNHAM : I send you these lines to let you know the heavy news that you have to hear from the camp, and I pray God give you grace and strength to hold up under such heavy tidings. The truth is, your husband, our lieutenant, Nathan Burnham, being in the fight at the narrows of Ticonderoga, July the 8th, 1758, received a ball in the bowels, which proved mortal. He came to me and told me that he was wounded, and that he should soon be in eternity. I desired him to retreat down the hill. I followed him, and found some help to carry him off the ground, namely, James Andrews, John Foster and Jeremiah Burn- ham. We carried him that night four miles to our boats. The doctor did what he could, but vain was the help of man. Next day, being the ninth day upon our passage up the lake, about eleven o'clock, after many heavenly expressions and prayers, he departed this life, and, I be- lieve, made a good exchange. Please tell Mrs. Low the
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same heavy news. Stephen Low, being in the same fight, was, without doubt, shot dead on the spot. We had not the opportunity to bring off our dead.
NEHEMIAH BURNHAM.
Lieutenant Burnham desired me to take care of some things that he had with him, which I will do in the best manner I can. Our Capt. Whipple is wounded in his left thigh. I hope he will soon be about again.
ASA BURNHAM, one of the children of the preceding, born in Ipswich in 1753, probably removed to this town with his widowed mother several years prior to the Revo- lution. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Cutler, who, ninety-six years ago (about 1764), settled upon the farm now the residence of David Story ; his daughter being then twelve years of age.
Inheriting property from his father, Mr. Burnham pur- chased a large farm, which he industriously cultivated, and became one of the most wealthy and respectable farmers in the vicinity. His name is first mentioned as selectman in 1789. He was, in 1790, collector, and often afterward elected to responsible offices and committees on town affairs. Possessing resolution and decision of character, he exercised an extensive influence over the inhabitants and affairs of this town. High spirited, libe- ral minded, and firm in his principles, he was honored by his political friends ; while his integrity and distinctly avowed sentiments commanded the respect of his oppo- nents. He was popular in the generation in which he lived, as is also his memory with all dwellers in his vicin- age, who respect the principles nobly sustained by their republican forefather.
Mr. Burnham strenuously opposed the compulsory pro- ceedings instituted against those who refused to pay the minister tax. His property, with that of other individ- uals, was distrained, and the tax levied, to be refunded, with cost, at a future day.
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Mr. Burnham, with seven other individuals (before mentioned), voted for Jefferson electors in 1796, and he supported the Democratic Republican administrations of his country until his decease, January 27, 1831, aged 79 years.
Besides the foregoing, the records exhibit, among the early settlers of this town, four other heads of families named Burnham, viz : Abraham, John, Nathan and Samuel. Four sons of Samuel graduated at Dartmouth College. They were Samuel, John, Abraham and Amos Wood Burnham. Abraham was pastor of the church at Pembroke. Amos was the first preceptor of Pembroke Academy, and is now the settled clergyman of Rindge. Bradford Burnham, his brother, is a respectable and ex- perienced farmer in this town. His son Abraham gradu- ated at Dartmouth College. His sons, Henry L. and Wil- liam B., have both held town offices creditably to them- selves. The former is an experienced teacher, and also an expert surveyor. He has the present year been elected one of the three county commissioners.
Family Records .- Abraham Burnham and Mary Per- kins were married February 11, 1762. Their children were : Betty, b. (at Hampstead) May 27, 1763; Hannah, b. August 26, 1765; Abraham, Jr., b. October 9, 1767 ; Hannah, b. October 7, 1769; Abraham, 3d, b. September 23, 1771 ; Molly, b. July 16, 1773 ; Thankful, b. July 13, 1775. Abraham Burnham, senior, died July 19, 1814, aged 72.
Samuel Burnham was married to Mary Perkins, No- vember 27, 1766. Children : Samuel, b. (Ipswich) August 30, 1767 ; Jacob Perkins, b. (Ipswich) July 5, 1769; Wil- liam, b. September 22, 1771; Elizabeth, b. October 4, 1773 ; Abraham, b. November 25, 1775; Mary, b. Au- gust 27, 1777; John, b. September 11, 1779; Sarah and Susannah, b. December 30, 1782; Martha and Hannah B., b. July 9, 1785; Bradford, b. February 14, 1788; Amos Wood, b. August 1, 1791.
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John Burnham's Children : John, Jr., b. (Ipswich) De- cember 22, 1777; Sally, b. (Ipswich) April 11, 1780 ; Daniel, (Dunbarton) b. April 26, 1782; William A., b. July 2, 1784 ; Curtis, b. October 8, 1786 ; Ruhammah, b. May 3, 1794; Harriet, b. March 7, 1797; Rodney, b. April 17, 1800.
Children of Capt. Nathan* and Hannah Burnham : Han nah, b. (Ipswich) December 26, 1768; Sally, b. June 6, 1771; Susannah, b. February 12, 1774; Nathan, b. Octo- ber 30, 1774; Benjamin, b. December 16, 1776 ; Francis, b. January 18, 1779 ; Fanny, b. September 2, 1780 ; Enoch, b. March 26, 1784; Niram, b. May 14, 1786 ; Betty, b. August 23, 1788 ; Tommy, b. July 30, 1791; Thomas, b. July 29, 1793.
Abraham Burnham is mentioned in the town record as one of the Committee of Safety, 1776. Nathaniel and Samuel, also, are recorded as town officers. The Burn- ham family came from Ipswich and its vicinity.
DANIEL JAMESON was the son of Hugh Jameson, whose name appears in the record as constable in 1767. He held other offices. The subject of this notice was born Feb- ruary 25, 1762. He was a person of much ability, as also capacity for business, and satisfactorily discharged the duties of several important stations, from 1787 until 1814. He was representative, town-clerk and selectman, hold- ing the two latter offices at the time of his deccase, in July, 1814. That he was a good scholar, penman, and man of business, the offices he at times held, and his records as town-clerk, afford ample testimony. He was elected selectman in 1787, and town-clerk in 1799, and for several years held both offices. He was elected repre- sentative in 1813. He died July 9, 1814, aged 52 years and 4 months. He was representative two years, select- man seven years, and town-clerk nine years.
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