USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Durham > History of the town of Durham, New Hampshire (Oyster River Plantation) with genealogical notes, Volume 1 > Part 14
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5
+ Bickford, John E. K 5
+ Doeg, George P. D
3
Boudy, Anthony, I Cav.
+ Doeg, John H. A
9
Dority, John C. F 6
I3
Burns, Harry A
2
Carroll, John C
3
+ Chadwick, William B. D
15
+ Chapman, Joseph H. E 13
B
2
+ Chesley, Alfred E., U. S. Army 17th.
Chidsy, Fred S., V. R. C.
2
+ Dowe, George M. E
+ Edgerly, Charles E. B. D 12
+ Edgerly, George E.
+ Edgerly, Joseph D
3
Ellison, George W. H
6
+ Francis, Robert W. E 13
Gammon, Charles K 3
( C IO
Clayton, Wilton H. c 2
Cleves, John (alias John Averill) C 6
Conley, James F 14
+ Dame, Joseph W. G H
+ Davis, Alfred E. H 6 Davis, Charles K 5
+ Davis, Charles S., Co. M., I Cav.
F
5
+ Berry, Samuel
A
2
+ Bickford, Charles H. B
5
+ Bickford, Dudley P., Jr.
+ Britton, James (also in B Navy) K
17
2
Shoemaker
157
HISTORY OF DURHAM
NAME. CO. REGT.
+ Gerrish, Ferdinando E. E
Gleason, John F
Golliez, Edward K
5
+ Goodrich, John E
+ Goodwin, James L. A
+ Goodwin, Robert D 15
+ Grover, John H. L. H 6
Ham, Charles M. B IO
Hancock, Nath1., U. S. C. T.
+ Hanson, George W. H
+ Hanson, John A. K
II
Haughay, Peter B IO
+ Hayes, Charles W. H. H 6
+ Hewins, Otis W. (or Hawkins) G
10
Jackson, John KI
+ Jones, Charles P. K II
+ Jones, Samuel J. Jones, William B
H 6
IO
D
2 Roberts, John A. A
I2
Kelley, Patrick F
+ Keniston, George O. E
13
Kennedy, Michael K
5
+ Kent, Charles A. E 13
+ Kingman, Col. John W. 15
Laerny, William K II
+ Langley, George E., Co. K, Cavalry B
1
+ Langley, John F. H 6
+ Langley, Moses B., Co. B., S N. H. H. A. 7
+ Lees, Thomas B
2
+ Long, George W. E
13
+ Long, James H. K II
+ Long, Nicholas F
2
+ Long, Perry D
3
Maccaboy, James
E
5
Maloy, Dennis
B
10
+ Stimpson, Alfred
H
6
+ Stimpson, Curtis B
2
Malten, John
C
IO
Strunk, Isaac A
12
McDermott, F. C.
B
IO
McDonnel, John, (McDon- ald)
H
8
NAME. CO. REGT.
13 + Mellen, Henry B., U. S. Cav. 13 Moore, Wm. J. 14
+ Moring, Andrew D. K II
13 Morton, Charles G
5
+ Palmer, Asa D. H 6
+ Palmer, Ezekiel U. S. A., + Palmer, George W. F
+ Palmer, Henry S. F
7
+ Palmer, Joseph 2 ₫ K 3
+ Parker, Riley H. A
+ Paul, William E. K
II
+ Pendergast, George P. D
2
+ Philbrick, Charles W. B
2
+ Pinkham, Alphonso H
6
+ Pinkham, John H. H 6
+ Pinkham, Joshua K
3
+ Prescott, Benjamin F
7
+ Reynolds, Charles W. K
I
5
7 Rogers, John D IO + Ryan, Patrick, Co. H, Navy & Ist Cavalry
Saunders, George B
IO
+ Sanders, John B. B
6
Scales, Edward E
4
Scott, Austin G
5
+ Shepard, John E
2
+ Small, James R. G
7
+ Smart, Amos M. K Smith, Daniel F
Smith, James D
15
+ Smith, Samuel E. H 6
+ Starbird, James W. H 6
+ Stevens, Andrew J. I
6
+ Stevens, Samuel H 6
Stewart, Horace M. B
10
A
2
+ Thompson, S. Millet E
13
+ Tuttle, Andrew J. S. E 13
+ Tuttle, Freeman H. B
2
McWilliams, Thomas
C
2
9
7
6
I
I58
HISTORY OF DURHAM
NAME.
CO. REGT. B
NAME. CO. REGT. K 3
+ Tuttle, James H.
3 + Willey, Henry + Willey, Jonas M. H 6
Urnback, Adam
E
5 + Willey, James Warren K 3 Williams George E
5
Valley, Franklin? H 6
+ Vibbert, Luke R.
H
3 Young, Charles, negro C&G 10
D
2
+ Walker, James F. H 6 + Young, George B. K II
+ Walker, Thomas H., S D 2
K 5 + Young, John T. E 13
White, James
Youngblet, Friedrick E 12
Men born in Durham, who lived elsewhere when they enlisted in the Civil War.
NAME. CO. REGT.
Adams, John
B 12
Bryant, John S. B
3
Chesley, Joseph M. E 2
Maj. Mellen, Henry B., U. S. Cavalry
Colomy, Jacob, not born in D.,
lived here after war. I
3 Randall, Charles D. D 3
Reynolds, Charles W. K
I
5
Ellison, Geo. W. H
6 Speed, John A
II
Fernald, William J. G
2
Smith, Daniel1 F
S
7
Hill, Alfred H.
3 Stimpson, William
H
7
Keyes, Phylander
D
9
Long, Nicholas E
2 war. Venner, James M. D 2
Mendum, John, only lived here
after the war D
3
Willey, James K 7
Durham Soldiers who Enlisted During Civil War in Other States, as Shown by Town of Durham Records
NAME.
REGT. CO. STATE.
John Conroy
28 E Massachusetts Wisconsin
Wm. Dame
Daniel Walker
Ist Massachusetts
Edward Bickford
B Massachusetts Massachusetts
Michael Long
Robert H. Mathes
17
Maine
Lysander Richardson
Navy Massachusetts
Sept. 2, 1861
Charles Edgerly
12 E Massachusetts
Samuel T. Long
I G Massachusetts
NAME. CO. REGT. D 10 D
2
Dudley, Hollis O., not born in D. but lived here after war. Ist N. H. Regt. & C
II
Ricker, Joseph I
3
Farr, John B
5
Stevens, James, lived here after
Cavalry 45
1 See Genealogical notes, Smith family.
+ Young, James T. K II
159
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Names of men who volunteered for 9 months in other States.
NAME.
REGT. CO. STATE.
Edward Bickford
45
B Massachusetts Massachusetts
John Conroy
28
E Massachusetts Wisconsin Wisconsin
William Dame
Thomas Henney
13
H Maine
William Henney
5 B Maine
George Hoitt
Daniel Mathes
Cavalry Rhode Island Massachusetts
Durham Men in the Navy During the Civil War
NAME.
MUSTERED IN. NAVY.
TERM. AGE.
Chas. W. Reynolds
Apr. 25, Landsman 1861
3 reenlisted Aug.
19, 1864, 3 yrs.
Benjamin F. Jackson
May 13, Landsman 3 2I
Charles W. Davis
May 13, Landsman 3 21
1861
Charles B. Jenness
May 15, Landsman I 21
George F. Richardson
1861 May 16, Landsman 2 or 3 1861
27 reenlisted Oct. 12, 1862
Ebenezer S. Chapman
May 29, ordinary 1861
I 31
Albert B. Clement
July 29, Landsman 1861
3 21
Lysander Richardson
Sept. 2, 1861
James Britton
Oct. 14, Landsman
3 25 reenlisted Dec. 2, 1864. marine reenlisted 1863- I year, Aug. 19 1864-2 yr.
Sylvanus Chapman Nov. 20, Landsman I 2I
Luke Long
Feb. 19, Landsman 3 21
Patrick Ryan
July 24, Landsman I 19
Cephas Hepworth
I 21
John Denney (A. G. S.)
Aug. 9, Landsman 1862 Sept. 15, Navy 1863 Oct. 23, Scaman I 35 reenlisted Oct. 21, 1864, 2 years.
John Drew
1861
1861
1862
1862
1863
Charles B. Jenness
48
Lysander Richardson
1861
160
HISTORY OF DURHAM
NAME.
MUSTERED IN. NAVY.
TERM. AGE.
William Tuttle, Jr.
Aug. 6, Navy
I
Charles S. Davis
Oct. 29, Navy
2
Charles H. Bunker
Nov. 7, Navy
4
George W. Bunker
Nov. 8, Navy
2
James L. Goodwin
Oct. 22, Navy 2
1864
Henry Mathews (4 years)
July 6, Navy
I 25
1859
Wallace Halstead (4 years)
Aug. 23,
I 23
1859
Asa Mathes
The accompanying group of veterans, living half a century after their services in the Union Army, are now champions of peace and fraternity. They are here presented with the grati- tude and congratulations of fellow townsmen. Beginning with the upper row, at the left, they are: George P. Demeritt, Lieut. Co. K, IIth Regt. N. H. Vols .; John H. Doeg, Co. A, 9th Regt. N. H. Vols .; George P. Doeg, Co. D, 3rd Regt. N. H. Vols .; David O. Davis, Co. D, 2nd Regt. and Co. F, 5th Regt. N. H. Vols .; Silas Jenkins, Corp. Co. D, First Mass. Heavy Artillery. Those in the lower row, beginning also at the left, are: Samuel J. Jones, Co. H, 6th Regt. N. H. Vols .; True W. Lovering, Co. F, 13th Regt. N. H. Vols .; Riley H. Parker, Co. A, 9th Regt. N. H. Vols .; Joshua Pinkham, Co. K, 3rd Regt. N. H. Vols .; and David A. Stevens, Co. E, First Regt. of Heavy Artillery.
Earlier in this chapter has been presented the military record of some who were prominent in the struggle for national inde- pendence. The lapse of time has added to their laurels. Half a century has passed since the war for the preservation of the union, and perhaps this is perspective enough for history to make mention of their deeds. The following condensed state- ments of military services may interest some future generations even more than those who now read them.
Enoch G. Adams enlisted from Durham, 22 April 1851, at the age of 32, for three months. He reenlisted, 10 May 1861 for three years and was mustered in I June of the same year. He was promoted to sergeant, I October 1861, and was severely
1864
1864
1864
1864
SURVIVORS OF THE CIVIL WAR, LIVING IN DURIIAM AND VICINITY.
11
162
HISTORY OF DURHAM
wounded at Williamsburg. He was promoted to be second lieutenant, 10 August 1862, and was commissioned captain of Company D, First United States Volunteers, 30 April 1864. He was mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 2 November 1865, having been brevetted major for gallantry. From May to September, 1865, he was in command at Fort Erie, Dak., as ranking officer of the three regiments comprising its garrison. After leaving the service he spent some years on the Pacific Coast, being registrar of land under appointment of President Grant, at Vancouver, and published a newspaper there. He settled on a farm in Berwick, Me., where he died.
Capt. John B. Sanders was born in Effingham, August 1817, and at the outbreak of the rebellion was a traveling salesman with a good salary. He succeeded in enlisting sixty men and received a captain's commission from Gov. Berry and was presented with a sword by people in Durham. He was in the Burnside expedition, had a sunstroke at Newport News in July, 1862, and was forced by ill health to resign. He belonged to the famous Sixth New Hampshire Regiment of Volunteers, that fought in twenty-three battles and lost two thirds of its original number of men. Capt. Sanders after the war resided in Dover, where he died, having suffered much from disease contracted in the service.
The following is taken from the History of the Seventh New Hampshire Regiment:
Major Daniel Smith was a son of Winthrop Smith, Esq., of Durham. He was born at that place on the 27th of January, 1823. After graduation from the public schools of his native town he attended for several terms the acade- mies at Greenland and Pittsfield. In early life he adopted the business of landsurveyor, which to him proved eminently successful. In 1850 he was com- missioned lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of New Hampshire Militia, and besides filled many positions of honor and trust in his native town. In 1854 he removed to Dover and from 1855 to 1860 he was deputy sheriff for Strafford County, city marshal for Dover for three years, and a representa- tive from that city to the popular branch of the New Hampshire legislature in 1860 and 1861. For his character as a man and for the many desirable qualities he possessed for the position he was appointed and commissioned major of the Seventh Regiment on the 15th of October, 1861. He went with his regiment to New York city, thence to Fort Jefferson, Fla., where he served ably and acceptably as provost marshal, until the regiment moved to Beau- fort, N. C., where he was seized with fever. He was permitted to go home on a leave of absence, arriving at his house in a very enfeebled condition, and
163
HISTORY OF DURHAM
died on the 26th of August, 1862, leaving a widow and four children. As a citizen Major Smith was highly respected and discharged all official and public duties with intelligence and fidelity. While in the army his promptness, valor and uniform cheerfulness and kindness to the officers and men won for him the confidence, respect, and affection of all with whom he became as- sociated.
MAJOR DANIEL SMITHI
It may be added that he was a selectman in Durham in 1847 and chairman of the board in 1849 and 1851-52. He and his line of ancestry made four generations who held the rank of major. [See Genealogical Notes on the Smith family.]
Lieut. Stephen Millett Thompson was born in Barnstead, 27 April 1838. In youth he fitted at Phillips Academy, Exeter, for the sophomore year of Harvard and later studied medicine for one year. He enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment, from Durham at the age of 24. He was mustered in 19 September 1862, as first sergeant, and was promoted to
164
HISTORY OF DURHAM
second lieutenant, 10 June 1863. He was wounded severely, 15 June 1864, in the assault on Battery 5, Petersburg, Va., and was discharged on account of wounds, 4 October 1864. He wrote the history of his regiment. After the war he resided in Providence, R. I., where he died about 1910. [See Genea- logical Notes on the Thompson family.]
David O. Davis enlisted 30 April 1861 in Company D, Sec- ond New Hampshire Regiment, at age of 30. He was born at Alton. He reënlisted 10 May 1861 for three years and was must- ered in as corporal I June 1861. He was discharged for disabil- ity, 19 September 1862, near Fairfax Seminary, Va. In August, 1853, he was drafted and assigned to the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. He was wounded at Fort Steadman, captured at Farmville and again discharged for disability after the surrender. He lived after the war at Durham and was mail carrier and expressman. Later he removed to Newmarket. [See Genealog- ical Notes on the Davis family.]
Charles S. Davis, brother of Davis O. Davis, enlisted for three months, 13 May 1861, and was mustered into Company M of the New Hampshire Battalion of the First New England Cavalry, 24 December 1861. He was promoted to corporal and discharged for disability 27 June 1862. He enlisted for two years in the navy, 29 October 1864. He was buried in the Albert Young graveyard in Durham. [See Genealogical Notes.]
George P. Pendergast, born in Durham, enlisted 29 April 1861, at age of 21, in Company D of the Second New Hampshire Regiment. He reëinlisted 10 May 1861 for three years and was killed at the battle of Williamsburg, Pa., 5 May 1862.
Thomas H. Walker was born in Boston, Mass., but enlisted from Durham, where he was living with his sister, Mrs. James Monroe Smart, 25 April 1861, at the age of 23. He reënlisted 10 May 1861 for three years in the Second New Hampshire Regiment, and was mustered in as sergeant I June 1861. He was discharged for disability at Washington, D. C., I August of the same year. He reënlisted II September 1861 in Company K of the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment as sergeant and was promoted to second lieutenant 15 December 1862, which office he resigned II June 1863. After the war he lived at Hyannis, Mass.
Freeman H. Tuttle, son of John Landon Tuttle and wife,
165
HISTORY OF DURIIAM
Elizabeth, was born in Durham and enlisted at age of 21 in Company B of the Second New Hampshire Regiment, 1I May 1861. He was wounded 25 June 1862 at Oak Grove, Va., and was transferred to the Invalid Corps 15 August 1863. He was discharged at Washington, D. C., 10 June 1864. He was living in Dover in 1907. His brothers, Andrew J. and James H., were also in the service.
George E. Langley enlisted as a private in Company B of the First New Hampshire Regiment, at the age of 22. He was mustered in 2 May 1861 and mustered out 9 August 1861. He reënlisted in Company K of the First New England Cavalry, afterward called the First Rhode Island Cavalry, and was mus- tered in 24 October 1861. He reënlisted 2 January 1864 in Company K of First New Hampshire Cavalry and was promoted to corporal 1 July 1865. He was mustered out with his regiment at Cloud's Hill, Va., 15 July 1865. His brother, Moses B. Lang- ley, was in Company B of the New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, mustered in 19 August 1863 and discharged with his regiment II September 1865. [See Genealogical Notes on the Langley family.]
George P. Doeg was born in Durham and enlisted at age of 20 in Company D of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, 9 August 1861. He was wounded 18 July 1863 and was dis- charged by surgeon's certificate of disability 7 November 1863, at Norris Island, S. C.
Joseph Edgerly, born in Durham, enlisted 16 August, 1861, in Company D of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, at age of 26. He was discharged at Hilton's Head, S. C., 10 October 1862, by surgeon's certificate of disability. His brother, Charles E. B. Edgerly, was in Company D of the Thirteenth New Hamp- shire Regiment. They were sons of Jacob and Elizabeth Edgerly.
John Mendum, born in Lee, enlisted from Durham, where he was a resident for many years after the war. He enlisted, I August 1861, in Company D of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, at age of 34. He was discharged at Hilton's Head, 23 September 1863, for disability by reason of sickness. De- scribed as five feet, five inches, in height, of dark complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He reenlisted in 1863 and served through the war, having been in many severe battles. He was mustered out 19 December 1865. He received a pension for a long time and died at the Soldiers' Home at Tilton.
I66
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Joshua Pinkham was enrolled at Dover, 20 August 1861 and discharged at Bermuda Hundred, Va., 23 August 1864. He is described as five feet, nine inches, in height, of dark complexion, dark eyes and dark hair. His brother, Alphonso Pinkham, died in the service. [See Genealogical Notes on the Pinkham family.]
Samuel J. Jones was born in Lee, 29 April 1836. He enlisted, 19 October 1861 for three years in Company H, of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment. He was promoted from corporal to sergeant I April 1865, after having reënlisted 2 January 1864. He was mustered out 17 July 1865, and resides in Durham. He married at Newmarket, 22 January 1856, Eliza A. Berry of Strafford, who was born 5 February 1840. They had children, Orin F. born 10 January 1857, Marianna born 21 January 1859, and Samuel born 29 January 1862.
Samuel E. Smith, born at South Andover, Mass., enlisted from Durham 2 November 1861, at age of 30, for three years in Company H of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment. He reënlisted and was mustered in 2 January 1864. Captured I October 1864 at Poplar Springs Church, Va., and released. He died of disease at Durham 15 April 1865 and was buried in the village cemetery. The town records give his wife as Ann, aged 23, and children, Mary 6, George 4, and Cora 2, who became the wife of Clarence I. Smart of Durham.
James W. Starbird, son of John and Olive (Emerson) Star- bird, enlisted 30 October 1851, at age of 31, in Company H of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment, for three years, and was discharged for disability 27 November 1862 at Washington, D. C. Town records say he had wife, Angeline P., aged 27, and children, Mary 8, Martha 6, and George I.
George W. Palmer, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Leighton) Leathers, enlisted 9 October 1861 and served over three years. He was in Company F of the Seventh New Hampshire Regiment, and was appointed wagoner. He died at Durham 18 March 1905 and was buried in Dover. He had a brother, Henry S. Palmer in the same company, aged 29, who was promoted from corporal to sergeant. Another brother, Asa D. Palmer, was in Company H of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment. Henry S. Palmer removed to Maine. Their father was a brother to Ezekiel Leathers, who had sons, Ezekiel, George and Joseph in military service in the Civil War. All the Durham Palmers had their
167
HISTORY OF DURHAM
surname changed from Leathers to Palmer by the legislature before the war.
William E. Paul, son of James and Sarah (Jenkins) Paul, was born in Durham and enlisted 2 September 1862 in Company K of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, at age of 18. He was promoted to corporal and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, I September 1863, from which he was discharged II November 1863. He was killed near Shaw's House, Va., 16 January 1864.
Amos M. Smart, son of Enoch and Hannah (Glover) Smart, enlisted 18 August 1862, at age of 25, in Company K of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment. He died 6 April 1863, of typhoid fever, at Baltimore, Md., and was buried in the vil- lage cemetery at Durham.
Joseph W. Dame, son of Joseph and Maria, was born in Dur- ham and enlisted, at age of 18, in Company G of the Eighth New Hampshire Regiment, 16 December 1861. He was pro- moted to corporal 15 March 1863. He reënlisted 4 March 1864 and was transferred to Company B, Veteran Battalion, I Janu- ary 1865. He died at Durham, 18 May 1865.
John H. Doeg was a native of Durham. He enlisted 5 June 1862 in Company A, of the Ninth New Hampshire Regiment, aged 21. He was discharged at Washington, D. C., 13 November 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Silas Jenkins was born in Chatham, N. H., 30 March 1840. He was mustered into Company D of the First Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery, 4 April 1862, and was promoted to corporal 20 October 1863, near Fort Corcoran, Va. He was mustered out 3 April 1865. Described at enlistment as five feet, eight inches, in height, of light complexion, blue eyes, and sandy hair. After the war he lived at Natick, Mass., Greenland, N. H., and Durham since` 1871. [See Genealogical Notes on the Jenkins family.]
Charles H. Bunker was born in Durham, 24 February 1839, and enlisted in the navy, 17 October 1864 for two years, on the United States ship Vandalia in Portsmouth Harbor. He acted as assistant ship's cook, or landsman. He was discharged 18 May 1866; was a pensioner and lived on the Mast Road, dying 25 May 1903. He was son of Ephraim and Dolly (Merrill) Bunker.
168
HISTORY OF DURHAM
George W. Bunker, brother of Charles H. Bunker, was born in Durham, 13 October 1836. He also enlisted in the navy, 17 October 1864. He was assigned to the same ship as his brother, and was mustered out 18 May 1866. He died 29 November I866.
James M. Stevens was a soldier, enlisting from some other town. He lived in Durham many years and carried the mails, receiving back pay and pension. The old Kincaid land was acquired by him and sold to Prof. George H. Whitcher. See page 153 and genealogy of the Stevens family.
Thus have been brought together, with painstaking research by Col. Lucien Thompson, some details of the military records of some of the best known volunteers of Durham. Others have been noticed in other chapters of this history, or incidentally mentioned in the Genealogical Notes. Earnest effort has been made to present the names of all Durham soldiers in the preced- ing alphabetical list. If any name has been omitted uninten- tionally no one will regret this more than the writer.
SKETCH OF CHURCH HISTORY
The earliest inhabitants of Oyster River Plantation worshiped at Dover Neck with all the settlers of ancient Dover, whither they went in boats. Here Richard Pinkham beat his drum to call the people to church, and here they listened successively to Revs. William Leverich, George Burdett, Hanserd Knollys, Thomas Larkham, and Daniel Maud. All this has been told at length in Dr. Quint's First Parish of Dover.
An agreement was made, 14 July 1651, that two ministers should be employed, at a salary of £50 each, Rev. Daniel Maud to remain at Dover Neck and another to be called to Oyster River. April 16, 1655, the town voted that all the rents of the saw-mills and a tax of two pence in the pound be devoted to the "comfortable maintenance of the ministry of Dover and Oyster River." A meeting house was built by Valentine Hill in 1655, near the oyster bed, on the south side of the river, about half way between the Falls and the Point. March 30, 1656, the town voted that "thear shall be a house at Oyster Reuer Billd neier the meeting house for the use of the menestrey, the demen- shens as follareth, that is to say 36 feet long, 18 foett Broed, 12 foot in the wall, with too chimneyes and to be seutabley feneshed." This parsonage was burned by the Indians in 1694. The breadth of land on which it stood long remained parsonage land.
Rev. Edward Fletcher served as minister at Oyster River about one year and returned to England in 1657. He came back to Boston and died there about 1666.
In 1660 a committee chosen by the town and consisting of Valentine Hill, Richard Walderne, William Wentworth, Raphfe hall, Richard Otes, William ffurber, John Daues, Robert Burnom, William Willyames, and William Robords agreed that Oyster River should have for support of the ministry there twenty pounds from the rent of the grant at Lamprell River and two pence to the pound on taxes raised among its own inhabitants; that they should call their own minister and that he should be approved by the town or three elders; that the twenty pounds should be returned in case Oyster River were four months with- out a minister, they of Dover doing the like in a similar case; that fifteen pounds should be paid for preaching at Cochecho in
169
170
HISTORY OF DURHAM
the winter season; and that Valentine Hill's now dwelling house at Rocky Point should be within the line of division to Oyster River.
The Rev. Joseph Hull was preaching at Oyster River in 1662, as is incidentally learned from Quaker history. How long he had been there does not appear, and he soon after left for the Isles of Shoals, where he died in 1665. [See Hull family under Genealogical Notes.]
There is no record of any preaching at Oyster River for the next twenty years or so. Meanwhile disputes arose and some thought that the best way to settle them would be to make Oyster River a separate township. To this end the following petition was sent to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1669:
To the much honored General Court assembled at Boston, May 17, 1669, the humble petition of the inhabetants of Oyster Riuer is as followeth. The consideration of your prudent and pious care for the carriing on the main end of planting this colonie, in the settling religion and the promoting the welfare of souls in evrie part of it subject to your government, doth embolden us (who are also in some measure sensible of the great end we came into the world for the advancement of the glory of God in our own salvation) to present this humble address unto yourselues. It is not unknown unto some of you that the inhabitants of Dover (of whom for the present we are part) manie years taking into consideration the intolerable inconvenience of our traveil manie myles, part by land, part by water, manie times by both, to the publick wor- ship of God and the necessarie stay of manie of us from publick worship, who can not undergo the difficulties of travel to it, it was then publickly agreed and concluded that there should be two ministers at Douer, the one at Oyster Riuer the other at Douer neck, as appears by a town act bearing date the fourteenth of the fifth, fifty one, the means of calling and maintaining both which are one, yet while we continue with them there is noe power improued on our behalfe to that end, nor have we anie of ourselves, whereby we have a long time and at present groan under intolerable inconveniences, our minis- trie being greatly weakened, yea and hazarded thereby, having neither head nor hand to move in calling when without or settling and maintaining when obtained, and it being so difficult for us to attend civil meetings there that often most of us cannot be there, whence we are in danger to be neglected or not taken care of, nor our affairs so well provided for as if we were a township of ourselves, we being in all two hundred and twentie souls, near fiftie families, seventie and odd souldiers, a conuinient number of freemen, humbly request this honoured Court to grant us that so beneficiall a privilege of becoming a township with such bounds as haue been alreadie granted us, or shall be thought meet by this honored Court, and for this end we have sent John Woodman, an inhabitant among us, and give him power to join anie with him, as he shall see meet for ye managing of this our petition and prosecution of our further reasons committed to him. Should this honoured Court whose care we know extendeth to us among the rest of this colonie vouchsafe us favourable answer to this request, whereas now our hands and hearts are weakened in the work, prouision for the ministree at a stay, the old and young
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