USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 23
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HENRY ROBIE, son of Ichabod, was born in 121 :. He married Abigail Butler. He was a prominent man, having been parish clerk from 1158 to 1162, and a number of times selectman and rep- resentative. He polled into Seabrook in 1768, and was one of the members from that town to the first and second conventions held at Exeter in 1124 and 1425, and was elected representative from the two towns in 1246 and 1:17. He died in 1807. His children:
DANIEL, born in 1734: lived in Raymond.
ICHABOD, born in 1:36; lived in Candia.
SUSAN, born in 1138; married William French of Seabrook.
JOHN, born in 1740: died young.
SAMUEL, born in 1245: lived in Chester.
JOHN, born in 1742: lived in Weare.
ANNA, born in 1:48: died unmarried in 18441.
ABIGAIL, born in 1749; died unmarried in 1839.
HENRY, born in 1752; died in 1788.
NATHAN, born in 1:58; died in 1842.
Nathan lived on the homestead and was father of Henry, who died about 18:7. and grandfather of Nathan H. Robie, who died January 16, 1898.
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MILITARY RECORD.
SIEGE OF LOUISBURG.
LOUISBURG is situated on the southeast side of the island of Cape Breton, in latitude 45° 54', longitude 59º 52'. After the sur- render of the French settlements in Nova Scotia to England by the peace of Utrecht in 1:18. emigrants from those settlements occu- pied the coasts of the neighboring island of Cape Breton, and Louis- burg, a town named in honor of Louis XIV., began to be fortified by the French government upon a gigantic scale, with the inten- tion of making it the strongest fortress in America and a command- ing naval fishing and commercial station. The town was about two and one half miles in circumference and stood upon a neck of land on the south side of the harbor, an extensive land-locked basin . with an entrance half a mile broad. It was fortified with a wall thirty-six feet high, which was surrounded by a ditch eighty feet in width. The main works mounted sixty-five heavy cannon and sixteen mortars. On either side of the entrance were batteries of thirty guns. A lighthouse on a high cliff near the entrance was visible for fifteen miles at sea. The town was laid out in regular squares, with broad streets. The buildings were mostly of wood, but there were many built of stone. The fortifications were nearly thirty years in building, and had cost the French government up- ward of five million dollars. The fortress of Louisburg when com- pleted was so strong that it was called the Dunkirk of America. At the time of its capitulation it contained five thousand people, exclusive of the soldiers.
The neighborhood of Louisburg caused great uneasiness in New England, where important interests in the fisheries were threatened with entire ruin by the privateers who found refuge in its spacious harbor. In 1:45, Great Britain being at war with France, Gov- ernor Shirley of Massachusetts devised a plan for taking Louis- burg, which was adopted by the legislature of that province in a secret session by a majority of one vote. Forces were promptly
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MILITARY RECORD.
raised and William Pepperell, a merchant of Kittery, was appointed commander .. Massachusetts furnished 3,200 men, one third of whom were from the district of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. New Hampshire furnished a regiment of ten companies, which nuin- bered 502 men at the time of sailing. In addition to this regiment 120 recruits from this state accompanied the expedition, all under the command of Colonel Moore. The names of 496 of these men have been found, leaving 126 still unknown. There are no rolls known to be in existence of the men's names who went from this state. The names which have been collected were obtained from other sources. It has been said that at the close of the war the rolls containing the names of the men engaged in the Louisburg expedition were taken to England to be used as vouchers. The Society of Colonial Wars in the state of New Hampshire are taking measures to find those rolls if they are still in existence.
A number of ineffectual attempts were made to raise men in Hampton Falls. Meetings had been held at Swett's tavern for the purpose of raising men, but had proved unsuccessful until Edward Williams, who was a popular young man. offered to lead the men who would volunteer as their captain. After this a full company of forty-five men were recruited. We have succeeded in getting the names of about two thirds of the men who went from this town, and regret our inability to get the remainder. The long time which has since elapsed and the absence of direct infor- mation render it impossible for us to get the names of all.
The distance from Portsmouth was six hundred miles. Rhode Island and Connecticut, by legislative authority, furnished troops: New York sent a supply of artillery: Pennsylvania and New Jersey sent provisions and clothing. The forces were successfully landed near Louisburg, April 30, 1:45, and by successful maneuvering the city was surrendered with little fighting, June 11, on the forty- ninth day of the siege. The French reported a loss of two hun- dred men during the siege. Much sickness and many deaths oc- curred, owing to the unhealthy surroundings where the men were encamped. At the end of January, 1146, 561 men had died. In May, 1746, Governor Shirley wrote that 890 men had died during the winter. Outside the gate. near the old limekiln. the forgotten bones of more than five hundred New England men lie to this day, under the coarse, neglected grass. We have the names of five Hamp- ton Falls men (and there are probably more) who died there. Among them is Captain Edward Williams.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
The men from New Hampshire, here as everywhere else, gave a good account of themselves and did their full part toward the suc- cess of the expedition. The officers of the New Hampshire troops on their return presented a bell, which had been captured from the fortifications, to Queen's chapel in Portsmouth, which bell was recast and still does duty upon St. John's Episcopal Church. The pay of the soldiers was less than six pence a day sterling. Each sol- dier furnished his own clothing and gun.
Puritan zeal is said to have had a potent effect toward reducing the fortress belonging to a papal power. The capture of Louis- burg caused great rejoicing in England and the government reim- bursed the colonies to a large extent for their money outlay.
By the peace of 1148 Louisburg was returned intact to France, to the dissatisfaction of the people of New England. In 1757, during the seven years' war. the place was again easily taken by the English under the lead of General Wolfe. The fortifications were destroyed and it has since been a place of no military sig- nificance. There are but few inhabitants there at the present time.
A monument erected near the site of Louisburg, by the Society of Colonial Wars. was unveiled June 12, 1895, to commemorate the capture of Louisburg one hundred and fifty years before, A. D. 1:45.
The following are the names which we have obtained of the men who went from Hampton Falls:
Captain Edward Williams (died)
David Lowell
Timothy Blake
James Lowell
Jonathan Bond
Robert Miller (arm shot off)
Ensign Edmund Brown
Caleb Norton
John Brown (died)
Joseph Prescott
Nason Cass
Nathan Row
Benjamin Cram
Robert Row
Daniel Cram
Abner Sanborn (died)
John Ellard
John Sanborn
William Fifield
Ebeneazer Sanborn
John French (died)
Benjamin Shaw
Jacob French
Robert Swett
.John Green Ebeneazer Gove (died) Joseph Gove
James Taylor
Benjamin Tilton
Jeremiah Gove
Daniel Tilton
Lieut. Bradbury Green
Jonathan Watson
Peter Ingalls
Nathaniel Weare
Jonathan Leavitt
William Swain
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MILITARY RECORD.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
There is very little recorded upon our town records in relation to the action of this town during the Revolutionary War. It is much to be regretted that such is the case. But very few of the men's names who entered the country's service are recorded in any way upon the town books. The annexed list was taken from the state papers, and quite likely some who should have been credited to us do not appear upon the state rolls. We are much pleased to present so many names, and feel confident that we have nearly a correct list. There were a number of calls for men: some for a longer term of service than others. So many having served for a short time may account for the large number of men credited to us. We find the names of what appear to be the same men from different towns which are situated near each other. This may be accounted for in the short-term service. When the men were discharged they enlisted to fill the quotas of other towns which were behind. This town appears to have furnished all the men called for, and to have voted bounties to those who would enter the service. In all these things they appear to have acted generously toward the soldiers. It was found necessary to resort once, at least, to a draft to fill our quota. We find no record of this draft, but make the state- ment from authentic tradition, the writer getting his information from a person who was living at the time the draft was enforced. and who related circumstances in connection with it. Since writ- ing the above we have come into possession of the notice which was served upon David Batchelder, which is as follows:
State of New Hampshire. In Consequence of orders from General Congress the Committee of Safety of this State have required that one sixth part of our Regiment not already in the war Including the alarm list that are able to bear arms. and able to March to be Draughted, or otherwise Engaged. to march from their Homes by the 15th of this instant at fartherest, Accordingly Mr. David Batchelder you are Draughted to march and be well equipped for the defence of this and the neighboring States, to serve until the Last Day of No- vember next, unless sooner discharged. & join Yourself to the army under General Stark's, or the Commanding officer of that Department. -Dated at Hampton falls Sept. 11th 1777
JONATHAN CRAM, Capt.
Mr. Batchelder probably furnished a substitute. as did Cornet Nathan Brown, who was also drafted.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
We give a few extracts from the records of what was voted at that time:
July 12th 1776. Voted to give Jonathan Miller equal with the other soldiers that is a going in the Canada service for the Parish of Hamp- ton falls the present Campaign, Viz until the first day of Dec. next.
Jonathan Miller was probably a negro or mulatto, which may have been the reason why he required a vote of this kind. At the same meeting,-
Voted-That the Selectmen be impowered to raise Ninety nine pounds Eight Shillings, lawful money, for the soldiers of Hampton falls that is a going in the Canada service, Over and above the bounty and wages that is allowed them by the Colony for their en- couragement in said service until the first day of December next-Pro- vided said Soldiers do their duty to the best of their skill and ability in said service.
The selectmen were made a committee to pay this money to the soldiers.
March 27th 1777. Voted to give those men who belong to this Parish, Forty five pounds lawful money, including the bounty that is already given by the state and congress to list into the service for the term of three years or during the war .- Mr. Nathan Brown, Col Jonathan Burnham, Isaiah Lane, & Capt. Jona Cram, were voted a committee to hire these men that this parish is called upon for, to go into the service for the term of three years or during the war.
At a later meeting,-
Voted. To give those soldiers that are to be enlisted into the ser- vice, for the term of three years or during the war, One hundred dollars each, over and above the State bounty, That shall enlist after this date for the parish of Hampton falls-and that the Selectmen be impowered to raise money upon the Polls and Estates of the free holders and inhabitants of the parish of Hampton falls, to fulfil said judgment and answer said demand.
May 12th 1777 Voted To make a reasonable allowance toward those men that have done anything toward the war, by way of turn, or paid money toward the war, since it commenced. A committee was chosen to average to every man, who had done a turn or paid money toward the war, since it commenced, and average it as equal as possibly it can be to every man.
These are a sample of the votes passed during the time the Rev- olutionary War was carried on. Men and money were freely voted,
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MILITARY RECORD.
and everything goes to show that our people were in earnest and willing to make any sacrifice to gain their independence.
We find an article in a warrant for a meeting in 1780, to see if the town would furnish eight thousand four hundred and seventy- nine pounds of beef for the use of the United States. In the rec- ord of this meeting we do not find any action taken upon this article, but it is reasonable to suppose that this, as all other de- mands made upon the town during the war, was promptly met.
The people were often alarmed by false reports that the British soldiers were coming and were near by. This did much to frighten the women and children, who in some cases left their homes to go to some place of safety. It is related that an old man who lived on Morton hill, who had been told that the Redcoats had crossed the Merrimack river and were coming this way, sat in his doorway, gun in hand. ready to receive them as they should come up the hill.
The following is a list of the men who entered the country's service as soldiers from Hampton Falls during the Revolutionary War. The most of them were found in the Revolutionary War papers published by the state and edited by Hammond. A few names have been added. to those found there, as we have authentic information that they were in the service from this town, and from some reason were omitted from the state rolls. There are some names in the list which do not appear upon the records. These were probably either transient persons, or were hired from other towns by the committee to fill the quota.
James Allard Stephen Atkinson (drummer)
Capt. John Clifford
Enoch Dow
Samuel Barker
Enoch Drew
Daniel Davidson
Thomas Batchelder Mark Batchelder Phinneas Batchelder
Nathaniel Dodge
Jonathan Eaton
Capt. John Blaisdell
Daniel Felch
Christopher Blake
Samuel Fifield
Enoch Blake Joshua Blake
Jeremiah Fogg Eaton Green Bradbury Hardy
Jonathan Brown Philip Burns
Jonathan Hardy Job Haskel Hussey Hoag
Benjamin Burnham
Jonathan Burnham Daniel Carr Isaac Chandler
Benjamin Hilliard Zebulon Hilliard
Thomas Hooper
Caleb Brown
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
Samuel James
Eliphalet Rollins
Joshua Jenness
John. Rollins
Lowell Lang
Pain Row
Jonathan Leavitt
Abner Sanborn
Levi Lamprey
James Sanborn
Luke Libbey
Meshech Sanborn
Samuel Lock
Theophilus Sanborn
Gideon Marshall
David Scott
Robert Marshall
Timothy Shaw
Richard Middleton
Gilbert Sharpe
Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Stickney
Richard Mace
Jonathan Steward
Daniel Morgan
Benjamin Swett
Redman Moulton
Thomas Swett
John Mobbs Moulton
Caleb Swain
William Nudd
Reuben Swain
Josiah Pervear
Ensign Tuck
Noys Pervear
Capt. Richard Weare
Elisha Prescott, Jr.
Lieut. Nathan Weare
James Prescott, 3d.
Melcher Ward
John Prescott
Edward Wade
James Randall
Jonathan Wedgwood
John Rawlings
Peter Williams
Lient. Nathan Weare and Captain Richard Weare were sons of Gov. Meshech Weare. Capt. Richard Weare was killed at Fort Ann, New York, while on the retreat from Ticonderoga, August 4, 1777.
Some of the soldiers from this vicinity were at the battle of Bennington. The majority saw service in New York state at Ti- conderoga, and were present at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. These men went from home on foot, walking all the way through the wilderness, and when discharged walked home. In going and coming they subsisted upon the food obtained from the few inhab- itants along the route- sometimes taking it forcibly-and upon such game as could be killed, suffering in some cases from hunger so that a squirrel was considered a godsend. People at the present time have little idea of the hardships these men endured.
DIARY OF LIEUT. NATHAN WEARE KEPT AT TICONDEROGA AND DURING THE RETREAT, 1777.
Ap. 29. A very rainy night. About day it began to snow and con- tinued until about 9 A. M. 6 inches fell and then some rain. About 11 A. M. it slacked.
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MILITARY RECORD.
30 Raining, very windy, squally & chilly. It looks like a very cold night. A frost on the 28th inst. Our field pieces came in from Read- ing. Its expected that we shall march from this ground on a private expedition but where is not known at present.
May 1 A fine pleasant day. Capt. Frye, Adj. Wilkins & Joseph Gray, came in to bring a flagg, and to bring the word out from Mr. Clinton to Gen. Dunster, to have him give up West Point in ten days or he would come with all the fire that he could make for to take it, but if he comes I think that he will find himself mistaken. Its reported that Eight regts of Georges Bull doggs are at Monmouth in the Jer- seys. Considerable large betts are made by the officers as to the place of our spending the summer Campaign. Its said that Old Hazen, is at Bishops with his regt, & that Lieut. Me. Cauley has orders to proceed to Charlestown in New Hampshire with the officers baggage, & some say to Fort Ipswich. I think to neither of them. Provisions very scarce. All salt, we draw one day at a time, and 1/2 ration of whiskey today. A party was sent off this morning, that was seen in front last night as expected.
2d A cloudy, rainy morning, rained all the last part of the night. Its reported at camp, as it cleared off warm, that we shall march off this ground very soon for the northward: Its reported that Gen. Johnson, with a party of tories have taken possession of Fort Hannah. At 12 M had orders to parade at half after 12 for prayers when we had a discourse from those words in Timothy "Indure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ" which was delivered by Mr. Even the Chaplain. David Clifford of the Batl. of Cavalry was confined for in- sulting language to the Commisary. James Floyd of Capt. Gilmans company Sargent Heath & David Moss of Capt. Stones company for stealing a calf from one of the inhabitants.
3d A fine pleasant day. The above persons mentioned were tried by a Regt Court Marshall, of which Capt. Frye was President.
4th 1 fine pleasant day. Drew 5 days ration of fresh beef. Con- siderable rain this morning. Some very heavy thunder at roll call. The prisoners above mentioned were brot. on the parade and had their sentence read with the finding of the Court. Clifford was found guilty. He plead that he was ordered to insult the Commisary. Ile was ordered to make his acknowledgment in the presence of the commanding Officer and ask forgiveness. Floyd, Heath & Moss were found guilty of their crimes, & sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on their bare backs well laid on. Heath & Moss also tried for stealing a steer from one of the inhabitants, found guilty, sentenced to receive one hundred lashes, Each, and go and settle with the man, and bring a receipt in full to the commanding officers of the Regt To be put on proper stoppage until the value of the calf is made up, for what the calf was bot for. Heath received one hundred lashes and to receive the other hundred this evening at roll call. Moss received only 50. He was taken down to receive the other 50 at Roll call. Floyd being tyed up, asked forgiveness of the commanding Officers,
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
and released. The others sent back to the guard house. Its reported that Eight Regts. of the Enemy are at Monmouth in the Jerseys, And that we are to be joined by Gen. Laman's Brigade & to march to the Green wood in Pensylvania, but I believe it is uncertain where we shall go at present, but expeet for to march on the 8th or 10th inst. Deserters came out of New York on Sunday, by forging a pass and inform that there is only 4000 of the enemy there, & that they lay between the city & New York City. One of them is a Capt. and in- forms that about 20 of one company have deserted in about a fort- night & that they are very much missed by their officers.
5 A fine warm day but very windy. At troop meeting Heath was brot. on to the parade and received 50 lashes. Moss received 25 lashes & both were sent back to the guard house. About 10 A. M. Heath, Moss, & Clifford were released. Searj. Hetsey and his guard are in from Fredonia burrough. Grows very cold, with a high wind, looks like a frost. A retreat beating. Had orders that tomorrow is ap- pointed by Congress to be a day of fasting and prayer, throughout the United States & a Brigade order that the Divine service to begin at 11 A. M. near Capt. Cilley's Regt.
6 A very cold, windy, chilly morning. At 11 A. M. paraded and marched about a mile to hear prayers, and had a fine diseourse deliv- ered by Mr. Even from Jeremiah 18th ?th and Sth verses. "That city against whom I have pronounced, etc." Corp. Godfrey of the 2d Carl Company & Walker of this Dist. sent to the state store to guard all the Comd from the N. H. line, and all ordered in a small detachment, that went to head quarters. Col. Dearborn again takes the charge of the Brigade. The detail mentioned that went to King Ferry came in this afternoon.
Tth A fine pleasant day. This afternoon the Detateht from the line that went out with Capt. McGregor came in. The 1st N. H. Regt. to march tomorrow to Fort Pitt, though not known by the soldiers where they are going.
Sth A fine pleasant day. The 1st N. H. Regt. mentioned that was to mareh today is not to march until tomorrow morning.
9th \ fine pleasant day. The N. H. Regt. marched and closed the N river. This morning about day killed a rattle snake with 5 rattles the first that I ever saw.
10 \ fine pleasant day. This afternoon Searj. Barker eame into camp and brought with him a camp Fagit.
11 \ pleasant day. There is a bet laid of 1000 dollars that the enemy will leave New York the 25th inst and that our people will be in possession of it. An Express this afternoon came from Col. Hazen to Gen. MDudle for more troops to go and join the Congress Regiment & that Col. Courtland is to join our Brigade to his Regt. Four tories were carried by here under guard. Three of them were above 60 years of age. They were catched in the Jerseys.
12th 1 fine pleasant day. Nine tories were carried by here under a strong guard. they were brot. from the Jerseys, some of them very old men. Looks like rain.
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MILITARY RECORD.
13 A very rainy day. Now at four P. M. this afternoon 6 of the quarter guard were confined on suspicion of stealing 5 pairs of overalls & also four of Col. Reeds Regt. on the same acct.
14 A fine pleasant day. At about 11 A. M. Mustered for the month of April. by Mr. Lamson. After mustering. we are to be practiced every day after Roll call. Our Commander of the Regt. at present is Col. Dearborn.
15 A fine pleasant day, nothing new. At 10 A. M. drew one shirt, some overalls & shoes and some canteens. Col. Cilley's Regt. to march to Eastown, Pennsylvania, then to be joined by a Regt. from some brigade in the continental army, for to go against the enemy. Col. Dearborn went around himself today with very strict orders.
16 A fine pleasant day. The soldiers not obeying the Cols. orders, he took it in his head to confine all the disorderly in the Regt. for the neglect of the orders. This continued until he had orders to march next morning at 6. P. M. when the men were released without punishment. In the morning all the truant boys were baek in the Regt.
17 A fine pleasant day. The Gen1 Regt. at C. o. f. Paraded at 7 A. M. Marched at Eight, and marched to Fishkill. Halted at 12 then marched to the landing and crossed the river to Newbury Lodged in hay barns.
18 Looks something like rain. A considerable warm day. Marched 18 miles on retreat. At 12 m. marched 2 miles to New Winsor, thence to Bethlehem 11 miles. A very good road. Lodged in a barn. At sunset looks considerable like rain. Gen. Poor, Col. Cilley, Gen. Stark and Capt. Chase came up.
19 A rainy day. The Genls marched at 5 A. M. at ? at Blooming Grove 5 miles then to Chester 5 miles. Then to Sugar Loaf 3 miles and halted at 10 P. M. Rained fast all day.
20 A rainy day. Marched as yesterday to Wanish 7 miles. Thenee to Warden ? miles, & halted at West Kingston at 6 P. M. It rained all day. Very good land and a good road, 27 miles into Jersey state. A bad day for to march. Continued raining all day & all night.
21 A rainy day. At 3 A. M. ready for marching which we expected to do every moment. Its reported that our army have taken 400 Indians & killed 300 between Pensylvania & Fort Detroit. Some troops were sent with a flagg to our men to surrender in ten days or they would destroy them all, but our men had got information the day before which enabled them to gain the vietory or they would all have been destroyed, as the enemy was twice their number. I had this day one dollar given me by an old country man. that I never saw before. Continued raining all day and all night.
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