USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Durham > History of the town of Durham, New Hampshire (Oyster River Plantation) with genealogical notes, Volume 1 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
There were fifteen in the Drew family at the time of the mas- sacre. John Drew was put out of the window and escaped, proba- bly to be killed by Indians a few years later. Benjamin Drew was about nine years old. He was carried over Winnipiseogee and made to run the gauntlet till he was cut down with toma- hawks. Thomas Drew and his wife, Tamsen, lived to very old age and, dying about the same time, were buried in the same grave.
The Matthews, or Mathes, garrison seems to have resisted attack and probably sheltered some of the neighbors. All houses between this and the Burnham garrison were, doubtless, burned.
The Adams garrison stood south of the road to Durham Point and not far from the ruins of the brick house built by Washington Mathes. This garrison was burned, and Charles Adams and wife, his son, Samuel, and wife, and eleven others were killed. The wife of Samuel Adams, being then pregnant, was ripped up. They were all buried in one grave, near the Mathes Cemetery. A son, Charles Adams, survived his father but a few months, and so this branch of the Adams family ceased to transmit the sur- name, though descendants of the first Charles Adams are many in the Tasker, Nock, Durrell and Bickford lines.
After setting fire to the Adams garrison the Indians attacked the garrison of Thomas Bickford at the extremity of the Point. Bickford's defence of his house seems to have been about the only item of special interest in this massacre that the Rev. Cotton Mather thought worthy of being recorded in his Magnalia Christi Americana. He says:
Several persons remarkably escaped this bloody deluge, but none with more bravery than one Thomas Bickford, who had an house, a little pallisadoed, by the river side, but no man in it besides himself. He dexterously put his wife and mother and children aboard a canoe, and, sending them down the river, he alone betook himself to the defence of his house, against many Indians that made an assault upon him. They first would have persuaded him with many
95
HISTORY OF DURHAM
fair promises, and then terrified him with as many fierce threatenings, to yield himself; but he flouted and fired at them, daring 'em to come if they durst. His main strategem was to change his livery as frequently as he could; appearing sometimes in one coat, sometimes in another, sometimes in an hat and sometimes in a cap; which caused his besiegers to mistake this one for many defendants. In fine, the pitiful wretches, despairing to beat him out of his house, e'en left him in it; whereas many that opened unto them upon their solemn engagements of giving them life and good quarter, were barbarously butchered by them.
Abigail, Judy and Elizabeth Willey were captured and were still in captivity in 1699.
John Edgerly, grandson of the first Thomas Edgerly, is the authority for the statement that his uncle, Thomas Edgerly, lived at Ambler's. That must mean that he lived where John Ambler afterward lived, who bought, in 1703, the place where now lives the Hon. Jeremiah Langley. This Thomas Edgerly, Jr., married Jane Whedon in 1691. The above named authority relates that "upon hearing the Indians he, his wife, and her sister jumped out of bed and got down cellar, leaving their children in bed; the Indians came in, killed the children, and one or two persons living in the other end of the house were taken; they looked into the cellar, but did not go down. They rifled the house and fired it; as soon as they were gone he put the fire out." This Thomas Edgerly removed to Exeter in the year 1700.
Thomas Edgerly, senior, sent a petition to the Governor and Council at Strawberry Bank. It has no date but it was consid- cred in Council 20 July, so that it must have been written the next day after the massacre. It is as follows:
Whereas it has pleased God to cast affliction upon him and his Neighbours by the sudden incursion of the Indian Enemyes, having his Son wounded, now Remaining at Strawbery Bank under Capt. Packers hand, and his dwell- ing house burned, and his goods Destroyed.
Humbly Desires your Consideration of his Low Condition and that you would Graunt him and his Neigh~ Liberty to make the house of John Rand Deceased a Garrison ffor the Security and defence of some of the Remaining ffamilies adjacent, and to Graunt us supply of six men, and we shall always pray ffor your happiness and Prosperity. [N. H. State Papers, Vol. XVIII, p. 640.]
John Rand, mentioned in this petition, married Remembrance, daughter of John Ault, and sister to Rebecca, wife of Thomas Edgerly. The old farm of John Ault, bordering on Plum Swamp brook, had been divided between Edgerly and Rand. It stretched
96
HISTORY OF DURHAM
from Little Bay back into the woods, and on this farm was the Rand-Edgerly garrison, wherein soldiers were quartered after the time of the massacre, soldiers impressed from Hampton. The Probate Records declare that administration on the estate of John Rand and Remembrance Rand was granted to John Rand, probably their son, and that his bond, dated March 1694/5, had for sureties Thomas Edgerly and Edward Leathers. It is proba- ble that John Rand and his wife, Remembrance, perished in the massacre. A boy, named Samuel Rand, was redeemed from captivity in 1695 and Remembrance Rand was still a captive in 1710. Thomas Edgerly, senior, his son Joseph and a daughter were taken captive. The rest of the family got into a canoe and as they were setting off the Indians fired upon them and mortally wounded his son, Zechariah. Among the captives returned, 17 January 1698/9, were Elizabeth Edgerly and Susanna Edgerly, while Joseph Edgerly was then remaining in captivity. He returned in 1706. See Coll. of the Maine Historical Society, 2d Series, Vol. V, 516.
Early tradition records that one Kent (it must have been Joseph Kent, if the tradition be true), upon hearing firing, got up and looked out, when he saw Indians waiting for him. He was so surprised that he did not stop to awake his family, but secured himself in a drain that led from the house, where he lay all day. His family were soon after aroused by the firing, about which time the Indians that were around the house retired to assist their companions, who were besieging the Drew garrison. This gave Kent's wife an opportunity to escape with her children.
It seems that the Indians also molested at this time the inhabi- tants along the shore of Great Bay and those living on the road from Oyster River Falls to Lamprey River. Peter Denbow was carried into captivity, where he yet remained in the beginning of 1698/9. The Indians seem to have hastened back by the same way they came, the main road leading from Bickford's Ferry to the Falls. They assembled with their captives in the meadow west of the Burnham garrison and, making some insulting signs, one of them was shot at long range.
The following petition implies that the Indians attacked another part of the town :
97
HISTORY OF DURHAM
January 8th 1694/5
To ye honored President & Council now sitting at New Castle, in ye Great Island.
The humble Petition of William Graves humbly sueeth yt your honours would please to take into your consideration ye distressed estate and condition of your poor Petitioner, who at ye last desolation at Oyster River was wounded by ye enemie & his e tate demolisht, who since hath been a long time with the Chirurgeon for cure & by ye blessing of God hath arrived to a good measure of health; but hath not wherewithall to answear ye Doctor, nor to help him- self, humbly craveth some succour & reliefe therein ; whereby you will do a very charitable Deed and oblige him to pray for your honours prosperity,
Your humble Petitioner
WILLIAM GRAVES.
[N. H. Province Papers, II, 147.]
There was another petition, without date but considered in Council 20 July, 1694, together with that of Thomas Edgerly, so that both must have been written 19 July 1694, the next day after the massacre. It shows that all the families at Lubberland were driven away, perhaps through fear of an attack. It shows, too, that in 1694 the whole shore line from Mathes', or Crummett's Creek, to Lamprey River was known as Lubberland.
The condition of Luberland is such: we had a good Garrison last summer but was cut down and Burnt, and for want of a Garrison the Inhabitants are forced to leave the place and flie for Refugg. If itt were possible to save the place wee who know the vallue vallues itt at about four hundred pounds of provisions and movables: provided the cattle Breaks in ye Corn, itt will be much damage. It is ye generall vote yt Capt. Matthews should comd the Garrison. Our request is for 15 or 20 souldiers to assist this place.
Belonging to the place, Betwixt Capt Matthews and Lamp . . River,
the contents as follows:
Capt. Mathews
Wm Durgin and three sons.
Fran: Mathews
Tho. Morris
Jon Piner [Pinder]
Jou Benicke [Bennett] Jon Doe
Hen. Marsh
Samson Doe
David Davis
Abra Benicke [Bennett]
Elias Critchett
Jon Cromwell [Crommett]
[N. H. Prov. Papers, II, 147.]
Jeri Cromwell [Crommett]
Now we may follow the other party of Indians in their work of slaughter and burning on the north side of the river. Remember that all this savagery was justified under the name of war between Christian nations and their allies and was about as civilized and "glorious" as any wars have been till within recent years. We
7
98
HISTORY OF DURHAM
do not tomahawk and burn enemies now; we blow them to pieces with shells and bombs.
In the Jones family the tradition has been preserved that Ensign Stephen Jones "in the night heard the barking of dogs and thought the wolves were about. He got up and went some distance from the house to take care of swine. Returning he went into a flanker, got on the top of it and sat there with his legs hanging down on the outside. An Indian fired at him; he fell back, and the bullet entered the flanker betwixt where his legs hung. A band of Indians from behind a rock a few rods from the garrison kept firing on the house." The inhabitants of ungarrisoned houses in that vicinity fled to Jones' garrison. Some were killed in the attempt, among them a woman named Chesley. Tradition says that Hester Chesley, who married John Hall, escaped by jumping from an upper window, with a babe in her arms. One account says that five by the name of Chesley were shot, but these may have been killed in subsequent raids, tradition not being careful as to chronology. Robert Watson, who lived about a quarter of a mile away on land he bought of Walter Jackson, was killed with others of his family. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Kent, returned from captivity and married Dea. John Ambler. Accompanying the inventory of her first husband's estate are items of expense, among which are twenty pounds "for my ransom " and two pounds" to a french- man who promised to redeem my son therwith," "besides Cloathing my self when I came naked out of Captivity."
In connection with this the following information, found in the records of Canada, is of interest. On the 8th of April 1697, there was baptized, "sous condition," an Englishman named Joseph Houatson, aged 17. On 3 June 1715, the curate of Boncherville baptized Marie Josef Robert Ouetsen, daughter of Joseph Robert Ouetsen and Marie de Mers. On the 11th of April 1717, J. R. Ouatsenne, son of Robert Ouatsenne and of Anne hesemenne (?) an Englishman of the village of Piscataqua was married to Angclique Benard Carignan. Here we may have a clue as to who was the first wife of Robert Watson of Oyster River, and we learn that Robert's son, Joseph, married and remained in Canada.
The wife of Edward Leathers was killed and some of her
99
HISTORY OF DURHAM
children. A woman named Jackson was slain, perhaps Ann, wife of Walter Jackson.
Edward Small found refuge in Jones' garrison. He married Mary, daughter of Capt. John Woodman, and soon after this massacre removed to Monomoit, now Chatham, Mass. The following letter is of historic interest:
1Son Edward and daughter mery Smalle: A store of Love to you: by thes you may knowe that I received yours and that we ar not without feres of further trobeles by the Indons: by Reson there of : I cannot yet aduyss you : to macke Anny preparation : Hom ward: until wee heve further proued: thayr keeping of the peace: Lest your Returen should be so unsesonebl that it might be As much dameg to you : as your Remouing thether : thay haue not as yet: yousd anny Hostilety : tourds ye Englesh I have sent you A thousend of good bords by William Eldrege your brother Jonathan cannot yet sell your Hors: any thing Lick to the worth of Him : senc His order to sell Him wee ar all in Resonebel good Halth threw gods marsy: your brothers and sisters Remember thayer Loues to you:
from your Louing father JOHN WOODMAN
Oyster River
July 26: 1700
This for Edward Smalle at monamey
Mrs. Judith (Davis) Emerson was taken and held in captivity several years. Tradition says that her aged mother, whose maiden name was Jane Peasley of Haverhill, Mass., was captured and dismissed by one band of Indians. She hid in a field of corn and another band discovered and slew her. Among the captives remaining in the hands of the Indians, 17 January 1698/9, was Judah [Judith] Emerson. See Coll. of Maine Historical Society, 2d Series, Vol. V, p. 516.
The tradition is still told in Durham that Judith Emerson was redeemed from captivity by a Mr. Morrill for two shirts, one of which he took from his back. , Samuel Emerson, thinking his wife was dead, went to Portsmouth to complete arrangements for a second marriage. There he met an old acquaintance and told him his designs. The acquaintance, knowing that some captives had just arrived from Canada and that Mr. Emerson's wife was among them, said, "I bet a double drink of grog your wife is in
1 In 1889 Mr. Lucien Thompson learned of the existence of the original letter in the pos- session of Mrs. M. A. Sanborn of Barnstead. Her grandfather was Samuel Pitman of Durham, who married Sarah, daughter of Edward Small, and removed to Barnstead. Mr. Thompson had the letter photographed and has presented a copy of it to the N. H. Historical Society.
100
HISTORY OF DURHAM
town." The bet was taken, whereupon Mr. Emerson was con- ducted into the presence of his wife. It is needless to say that the second marriage was indefinitely postponed, and it faded into a traditionary possibility. The Emerson family were living at this time at Back River, Dover.
Old Mr. Robert Huckins, many of whose family had been slain in the massacre of 1689, was killed at this time. The Jones garrison was burned before 1732.
Below Jones' garrison were those of Bunker, Smith and Davis, all of which were successfully defended. Lieut. James Davis sent his family away by water and with the help of his brother, Serg. Joseph Davis, defended his garrison, extinguishing the fire applied to it. Sergt. Davis was fired upon by three Indians. He stooped and a bullet split a sappling just above his head. He shot an Indian, whose bones were found in a swamp soon after.
The Meader garrison was abandoned and was burned. The family escaped by boat. Near by a man named Clark was shot and another man named Gellison, while he was going from one house to another for powder. A brother of the latter jumped into a well for safety and was unable to get out. He died next day soon after having been rescued from his hiding place.
Three Indians were sent to attack the house of William Tasker, at the foot of Moharimet's Hill in what is now Madbury. An Indian looked into a small window and inquired if it was not time for them to get up. Mr. Tasker replied with a shot from his gun which mortally wounded the Indian, who with bitter screeches was carried off by the other two. The family immediately fled through the woods to the Woodman garrison.
Probate Records inform us of another family broken up at this time, not mentioned in any of the traditional accounts. It was that of John Derry, who lived near William Tasker, in Madbury. Administration on his estate was granted, 18 May 1698, to his widow, Deliverance, who married Nathaniel Pitman before 7 January 1698. Her petition of the latter date "humbly showeth, that in the years 1694 yor petition's House was burnt by the Indians and our cattle killed, as also most of our children; my husband, one child, and yor Petition' taken Captives, in which Captivitye my husband dyed; none but your Petition" returned." The child was Joseph Derry, and what became of him is not known. John Derry's name is among the list of captives returned
IOI
HISTORY OF DURHAM
17 January 1698/9, but this may be an error, since there is no subsequent mention of him.
Both parties of Indians met at the Falls after their raids on the south and north sides of the river and made an attack on the garrison of Capt. John Woodman, which resisted the attack and remained, with bullets in its timbers, till 1896, situated at the head of Beard's Creek.
The following letter, dated 21 July 1694, adds some historical touches to the picture. It tells us who the Indian was that got drunk on "occapee," at the suggestion of Mrs. Dean. Mass was said by each of the two priests, who accompanied this expedition, just as Chaplains went with British and American regiments, and for a similar purpose. We may suppose they did what they could to prevent cruelty and to soften the ferocity of savages. We know on good evidence that some Roman Catholic priests and missionaries among the Indians in Maine were kind to cap- tives, bought them out of slavery, and secured their release. The place where mass was said is thought, by Miss Mary P. Thompson, and with good reason, to have been on a ledgy hill- top, not far from the Woodman garrison. The tradition that the priests made chalk-marks on the pulpit of Parson Buss' church is interpreted by her as the writing of some verse from Holy Writ or from the Credo. The fact that the meeting house was not burned during this raid is evidence that they had some respect for the place.
To Gov. Phipps,
May it ples yor Excell.
Since the Lft Govern" of 18th inst anothris come to our hand. The Indians verie numerous. Not less than three hundred. Douie who signed the Peace was there, a woman who was Douies servant made her escape, by reason of his being drunck. Saith Douie did tell her that they did expect 600 Indians more, that the Mangwaits were joined with them, and judge some Southern Indians were there. There is two Fryars among the Indians who after victory said Mass twice, the Indians did spred 6 or 7 miles and engaged all at once. Oyster River in a manner Ruined, only about 20 houses left, the rest layd waste. Unless we have a supply of men from yourself Oyster River must be de- serted. If Oyster River be deserted, the Enimie will have an inlett to the whole Country, for the Majest. Service and Security of the Country desire you would forthwith Supply us with one hundred men, with ammunition & Provision to be posted for preservation of these Out places. We are dis- patching some souldiers into our Outward garrisons, according to the ability of this Province upon the alarms with all expedition. We dispatched from the Severall Towns one third of the Militia in this Province for Releafe of
I02
HISTORY OF DURHAM
Oyster River, but before they came here the Enimie was drawn of and could not be met with; its judged Eighty persons killed & taken, abund- ance of cattle killed. Last night three Indians seen, severall Guns fired. Judge the Enimie is still bordering upon us, but we want assistance to pur- sue them, the Enimie being so numerous. Desire that orders may be given to Justices and all Constables for the Dispatch of Expresses. Not doubting of yor Rediness to assist us, we being ready to afforde our assist- ance, according to our ability, to your parts in case the Enimie should invade yours,
We crave your answer by this-ers.
By order of the Lt. Govern' & Councill WM. REDFORD: Dept. Secry. ยท [N. H. Province Papers, II, p. 129]
To sum up the results of this Indian raid, it may be positively stated that the houses of the following persons were burned, three of them being garrisons, viz., house owned by Nathaniel Hill and occupied by John Dean (The houses of Nathaniel Hill and Bartholomew Stevenson near by were not destroyed), houses of Ensign John Davis, Ezekiel Pitman, Stephen Jenkins, Rev. John Buss, Charles Adams, Thomas Edgerly, Joseph Meader, Robert Watson, John Derry, William Leathers, John Drew, William Jackson, and probably houses of the Chesley, Steven- son, and Willey families. Thus we have the sixteen houses and garrisons mentioned by the Rev. John Pike in his Journal.
Among the slain were John Dean, Robert Huckins, Robert Watson and two or more children, the mother of Mrs. Judith Emerson (who was Jane Peasley Davis), sister of Mrs. Emerson, Ensign John Davis, wife and two children, Widow James Smith and two sons, a Mr. (Abraham?) Clark, two men named Gellison, Stephen Jenkins and child, Francis Drew and wife, Lydia, Ben- jamin Drew, fifteen in the family of Charles Adams, two children of Thomas Edgerly, Jr., grandmother of Stephen Jenkins, Mrs. Edward Leathers, Mrs. Jackson, Zacheriah Edgerly, several children of John Derry, and probably Thomas and Joseph Stevenson and John Rand and wife, Remembrance. Thus forty-nine or more are known.
Among those carried into captivity were certainly John Derry and his wife and son, Joseph, Hannah Watson and her son, Joseph, Sarah Davis and her sister, Mary, Ursula Adams, Mrs. Ann Jenkins, Thomas Drew and wife, Tamsen, Abigail and Judy and Elizabeth Willey, Elizabeth and Susanna and Joseph Edgerly, Mrs. Judith Emerson, Peter Denbow and Remembrance Rand,
103
HISTORY OF DURHAM
making twenty known captives. Thus sixty-nine or more out of the ninety-four reported by the Rev. John Pike are accounted for. There were probably some captives, unknown by name, who never returned.
Twenty soldiers were sent to defend garrisons at Oyster River, and Capt. John Woodman reported, 6 January 1695/6, that they were posted as follows: at his own garrison, 2; at Meader's, 3; at Davis', 2; at Smith's, 3; at Burnham's, 2; at Bickford's, 4; at Edgerly's [where John Rand had formerly lived], 3; at Durgin's, 2 ; at Jones', 2 ; at David Davis', 2.
In his fourth return, 5 February 1695/6, he reports soldiers posted as follows: at Meader's, 2; at Smith's, I; at Bunker's, 3; at Jones', 2; at Burnham's, 2 ; at Edgerly's, 2; at David Davis', 2.
The account of Oyster River people for their maintenance of soldiers from 24 May 1697, unto 4 October 1697, was rendered by Capt. John Woodman as follows:
Joseph Smith for 2 soldiers, 18 weeks,07:04:00; James Buncker for 1 soldier, 18 weeks, 03:12:00; Ensign Jones for I soldier, 18 weeks, 03:12:00; Mr. Thomas Edgerly, I soldier, 18 weeks, 03:12:00; John Woodman, 2 soldiers, 18 weeks. 07:04:00. [See N. H. Province Papers, II, 253. ]
The Indians seem to have had a special spite against the inhabitants of Oyster River, or their attacks there were so little opposed that they returned often for easy spoils. We are indebted to Pike's Journal for the following brief items of subse- quent molestations :
August 27, 1696, "David Davis killed by the Indns at Lubber- land."
November 15, 1697, "Tho: Chesley Sen : slain by ye Indians not far from Johnsons Creek. Will Jackson taken at the same time & at same time made his escape."
April 25, 1704, "Nath. Meader was slain by ye Indians at Oyster River, not far from the place where Nicholas Follet form- erly lived."
June 1, 1704, "Samuel Tasker was slain by 8 or 9 Indians at Oyster River."
August 19, 1704. "Joseph Pitman slain by the Indians, as he was guarding some mowers, not far from Oyster River Meeting- house."
November 4, 1705, "Sab. Nath Tibbetts of Oyster River was carried away by the Indians about sun-set."
104
HISTORY OF DURHAM
April 27, 1706, "The Indians came in upon the south part of Oyster River, by the Little Bay, & killed ten persons, the chief whereof were bro: John Wheeler & his wife, John Drew, etc. Tis thought this was done by Bommazeen." Belknap says that two children of John Wheeler were slain and four sons escaped by taking refuge in a cave by the bank of the Little Bay.
May 22, 1707, "Two young girls were carried away by the Indians from Bunkers Garrison at Oyster River, viz. the daughter of Thomas Drew (near 13 years old) & Daughter of Nath1 Laimos (Much younger). This was the first mischief done by them in ye year 1707." Marie Anne was baptized in Canada, 12 September 1709, as daughter of Thomas and Mary (Bunker) Drew, and she was naturalized there 25 June 1713. Elizabeth Lomax was baptized in Canada, II September 1707, as daughter of Nathaniel and Deliverance (Clark) Lomax. Thus the two little lost girls are found, and we learn incidentally who their mothers were.
July 8, 1707, "John Bunker & Ichabod Rawlins (both of Dover) going with a cart from Zech : Fields Gar : to James Bunkers for a Loom were assailed by many Indians & both slain. The enemy (supposed 20 or 30 in num.) slaughtered many cattel for the Jones's (at same time) to the number of 15 or more."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.