USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Henniker > History of the town of Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, from the date of the Canada grant by the province of Massachusetts, in 1735, to 1880 with a genealogical register of the families of Henniker > Part 5
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Wiggin's. He had proceeded but a little way, when he dis- covered an Indian lurking behind a tree in his path. The Indian fired, but missed his man, who immediately fired his musket, and the Indian lay dead. He hurried up to the saw- mill, informed his companions of what had taken place, who immediately prepared for an evacuation of the mill, having already learned that a small band of Penacooks were en- camped near "Ridge Hill pond," now "Gove's pond," in the east part of the town.
The mill was within a few hours of its completion for run- ning, but, fearing an attack, they immediately took the saw and its most valuable machinery, secreted them in the heavy woods near by, and hurried to their homes in Londonderry. Before they had passed out of the limits of the township, the loud warwhoop was heard around their saw-mill; and the smoke of the burning of their brush house was seen ascend- ing to the fleecy heavens. No further attempt was made to set it in operation.
In the spring of 1760, the Rev. James Scales, having come into possession of some land in the easterly part of the town, built a log cabin under the hill now known as the Foster hill, and in a northerly direction from the residence of Mr. C. F. Gove. Mr. Scales was a native of Boxford, Mass. He graduated at Harvard college in 1733, and settled in Con- cord, this state, in 1737, and was the teacher of the first school taught in that town. He was shortly afterwards licensed to preach, and was the first minister at Canterbury. He moved from that town to Hopkinton. He was the first preacher there, being ordained as pastor of the church, Nov. 23, 1757. He was ordained in the fort on Putney's hill, there being no meeting-house in the town at that date. It was while settled in Hopkinton that he built his cabin in this town. He resided here some six months, for most of the time, when he sold his claim, as is supposed, to Mr. James Peters of Hopkinton, and returned to Hopkinton, where he resided the remainder of his days. He occasionally preached
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NAMES OF SETTLERS.
here in after years. He was the first justice of the peace for the town, and was the first to execute deeds for the peo- ple of this town. His remains lie buried in the old burial- yard on Putney's hill in Hopkinton. The hill near his cabin was known for half a century as "Scales hill."
In the spring of 1761 Mr. James Peters and his family moved into town from Hopkinton, and built a log house a little westerly but close by the cabin which had been built by Mr. Scales. The town was then an almost unbroken for- est. There were no roads, and but few trails, even, save those that had been cut by the surveying parties in laying out the town. There were no neighbors nearer than Put- ney's hill in Hopkinton, and no mill or store nearer than Concord. To the westward, a few families had commenced a settlement in Hillsborough, while to the north there was an unbroken forest for more than fifty miles. In this wil- derness Mr. Peters resolved to make himself a home. It is said, and generally credited, that Mrs. Peters saw no white woman for eighteen months, after coming here, save a hired girl she brought into her wilderness home with her. He resided here several years, then returned to Hopkinton with his family, and afterwards moved to Vermont, where he spent the remainder of his days.
In June, 1763, Eliakim Howe, Amos Gould, and Thomas Stone moved into town from Marlboro', Mass. They set- tled in the south-east part of the town,-Mr. Howe a little easterly from the residence of the late David Plummer. Mr. Gould and Mr. Stone located northerly, and nearly on a line with him.
In September of the same year, Jonas Bowman moved into town from Lexington, Mass., and located southerly from Mr. Howe upon the place now known as the Stephen Kim- ball farm. After residing there a few years he exchanged his land for some near the foot of Craney hill, upon the north side, and known in later years as the Hardy place. From there he removed to the spot which Thomas Brown's
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
residence now occupies, where he passed the remainder of his days.
Capt. Howe was one of the most prominent men of the town for years. He built the first frame house in the town, in 1765. It was one story and a half in height, in front, the long slanting roof upon the back side reaching nearly to the ground. It had but few windows, and those very small, the glass being six by eight inches in size, and very strong and heavy.
In the same year, 1763, William Peters, a son of James, the first settler, moved into town from Hopkinton, and set- tled in the easterly part of the town upon the farm now known as the Jacob Peters place. He and his family passed their first night in town under a rock, near which he built his cabin. He was a prominent man in town, and often as- sisted the proprietors' committee in laying out roads, and in other improvements. He was killed by the falling of a tree, July 5, 1775.
Josiah Ward and his family came in September, 1763, from Marlboro', Mass., and settled in the valley about a mile south from the common, as now known. His wife was the first white woman that came into town over Craney hill. The next day after their arrival Mr. Ward felled a very large maple-tree, to make one side of his cabin : his wife persuad- ed him to leave the stump high enough to answer for a table, which he did. He built his cabin around it, and for years it was the only table they had. Mr. Ward became quite an ex- tensive farmer, making a large amount of butter, for which he found a market in Amherst and Dunstable. A road passed out over the south part of the town, which was then and ever since, known as the "Butter road," so called in con- sequence of Mr. Ward's carrying out over it so much butter.
In 1764 quite a number of families came to town. Dea. Ebenezer Harthorn came in the spring from Marlboro', Mass., and settled where Josiah W. Emery now resides. There were no settlements then near him, and no clearing, save a
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NAMES OF SETTLERS.
little meadow near by, from which he said he used to " cut hay enough to keep a cow and a pair of oxen until he could cut some from his cleared land, or else he would have been obliged to have abandoned his place."
William Presbury came from Stowe in 1766, and settled near the residence of Robert Clark. This year came the Giles,-Ebenezer, Noah, and Joshua, three brothers,-from Marlboro'. They settled upon what is known to us as the "Noyes hill," and were all substantial citizens.
The Ross brothers, Timothy and Jesse, came from Stowe, and settled where the Huntington brothers now reside.
The Whitcomb brothers, Charles and Jacob, came during this year from Stowe, and settled in different parts of the town. Charles settled where Oliver A. Newton resides, and Jacob near the present residence of John K. Connor.
During this same year Francis Withington moved into town from Stowe, and settled on the hill below the " Bick- ford place," in the south-west part of the town. Mr. With- ington was the seventeenth settler.
Early in 1765, Annas Campbell came to town from Hawke, now called Danville, and settled where Warren S. Childs now resides. He became a large land-owner and a prosperous farmer. Mr. Campbell erected the first two story frame house in this town. It was built in 1767. A Mr. Flanders, from Warner, was the builder. Two days were consumed in raising it, there being only some ten men then in town able to assist in the raising. The large, heavy timbers went up slowly and heavily, and glad were those old pioneers when they were in position. The night after it was finished was spent in drinking and in wrestling. We will let Dea. Harthorn, who was present, tell the story :
" Mr. Campbell had been down to Hawke, and when he returned he brought with him plenty of rum to be used in raising the new house. It took us two days to raise the building, and after it was up we went over to Mr. Camp- bell's log hut and got something to eat and drink. We
5
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
were not much used to drinking rum, and it soon began to work upon us. During the night we commenced scuffling and wrestling. Mr. Campbell and myself wrestled until we nearly tore one another's shirts off of us. It was quite warm, and a little before day I started for home, hardly knowing whether I was going backwards or forwards.
" I did not like to let Rhoda [his wife] know how bad off I was ; so when I reached home I pulled off my vest and laid down awhile, but was up as soon as it began to be light, slipped out of the house, and went over to the beech plain, easterly from my house, and commenced to chop, but soon found I could do nothing. I sat down by the side of a tree until Rhoda called me to breakfast, when I put the best foot forward, and went up to my cabin, ate a little breakfast, and then back to the lot. I sat down behind a tree, in the shade, and slept until I heard the call for dinner. After that was over I went back to the lot, and slept on the other side of the tree until night. I went to bed, slept well, and the next morning came out all right."
Such was a raising in those olden times. These practices were kept up for many years, and many lively times must those stout old pioneers have indulged in.
In the spring of this year Alexander Patterson, and his sons Isaac and Joseph, came up from Pembroke to "fall a piece of wood " preparatory for a clearing. They came into the south part of the town, and by spotted trees worked their way up to, and across, the river. They had never been in the township before, but knew about where their land must lie. Learning that there must be a brook near where they were to commence their clearing, they followed up the river until they reached the one running westerly from W. S. Childs's. They followed this up until they reached the vicinity of where Obadiah Wilson's house now stands, and under that hill commenced their labors. After accomplish- ing their task, they returned to Pembroke to do their hay- ing. After this was done they came up to burn and clear
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NAMES OF SETTLERS.
the piece which they had fallen. They crossed the river as before, followed up its bank, and instead of following the first brook as before, they crossed it, and soon found themselves upon the brook near the present residence of Carlos Childs : they then came to the conclusion that they were lost. It being then dark, they lay down under a tree and passed the night. In the morning they ascended the hill easterly of them, when Alexander requested his son Isaac to climb a large tree near by and see what was ahead. Isaac did so, and to the joy of all, their clearing lay directly in front of them. They built themselves a log cabin, put in a stock of provi- sions, brought up Mrs. Patterson and the remainder of the family, and prepared to spend the winter. The snow came very deep. For six weeks they saw no person, and were much pleased, when, at the expiration of that time, Dea. Har- thorn made his appearance upon snow-shoes, who told them he had "come up to see whether they were dead or alive." Mr. Patterson and his son Joseph afterwards resided where Barak Colby lives, and his son Isaac where Mr. Wilson lives.
This year came Ezra Tucker, who settled where Cyrus R. Bacon now resides. Mr. Tucker came from Marlboro' here.
Cornelius Bean settled in the westerly part of the town, near the present residence of James M. Colby. He came here from Marlboro', Mass. The next year came Silas Barnes, who settled where Ezra Eastman resides. Mr. Barnes came from Marlboro'. After residing here several years, becoming quite a prominent man, he returned to Marlboro', where he passed the remainder of his days. His descendants remained in their new home.
Ezekiel Smith came to town and settled on the place now owned by Alden Rowe. Mr. Smith came from Westboro', Mass.
Hezekiah Newton came from Marlboro', and settled near the four-corners, easterly from Mr. Smith. Between this time and 1768, quite a number more of families moved into town.
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Solomon Childs came from Grafton, Mass., in 1767, and settled where Carlos Childs now resides.
Ephraim Morrill, who came from Stowe, Mass., in 1766, and settled where Harrison Morrill now resides, was one of the sturdy old settlers of the town.
The brothers Adonijah and Jephthah Tyler came in 1767, from Marlboro', and settled below Mr. Morrill's, near Mr. Ward's.
Thomas Howlett, who came from Stowe in 1766, settled in the south-west part of the town, south from what is known as the Gould Harriman place.
William Powers came from the same place, at about the same time, and settled near Mr. Howlett, on the east of him.
William Eastman came from Marlboro' in 1765, and set- tled near the residence of Mrs. W. H. Gilmore. He was a tanner by trade, and operated the first tannery in town, on the little brook northerly from the Noyes place.
David McKillip came here from Weare, and lived just over the line in this town, below where J. G. Matthews now resides.
Thomas Pope settled on the south side of Craney hill. Where he came from is not known.
Samuel Powell settled in the south-west part of the town, near Mr. Howlett's. It is not known where he came from.
David Connor, who came, as is supposed, from Hopkin- ton, in 1766, settled where Benj. Colby and his son reside.
Neither the north-east part of the town, nor the east part north of the river, contained a single settler at that time. Almost an unbroken forest was that part of the town. One morning Mrs. Connor announced to her husband that she had cooked the last mouthful of meal in the cabin. Mr. Connor hardly knew what to do, as there was no corn to be had in the town. He had heard that a man down in Rum- ford (now Concord) had some corn,-so, taking a meal-bag in one hand and his hoe in the other, he started for Rum- ford, where he found the owner of the corn. He told him
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NAMES OF SETTLERS.
he had left his family up in No. 6 without a mouthful of meal in the house ; that he had no money, but something to eat his family must have; that if he would let him have one bushel of corn, he would go into the field and hoe for him as long as he requested, to pay for it. He worked for him the remainder of that day, and the next day until the sun was about one hour high, when he was told he had paid for his corn. Mr. Connor took his bushel of corn, went one mile out of his way to have it ground, and then started for his home. After entering the easterly part of the town, the darkness became intense, and he became lost. He laid down his bag of meal and sat by it all night, the forest re- sounding with the cries of the wild beasts. In the morning he found the right trail and soon reached his home, much to the joy of his starving family.
In 1767 Ephraim Goss, then a single man, came from Lancaster, Mass., and commenced a clearing upon Colby hill, so-called. He afterwards cleared where the present residence of Robert D. Rice stands. After a few years he exchanged places with Samuel Wadsworth, and moved upon the hill now known as the Goss hill, where his grandson now resides.
In 1768, Samuel Wadsworth, then a single man, com- menced a clearing upon Goss hill, and shortly afterwards exchanged places with Mr. Goss, where he lived and died. He came from Grafton, Mass.
Abraham Morrison came about this time, and settled in the east part of the town, where George Colby now resides.
Moses Duston came, in 1768, from Hopkinton, to which place he had come shortly before from Newbury, Mass., and settled where Alexander W. Connor now resides. In a short time he exchanged farms with Mr. Morrison, where he pass- ed the remainder of his days.
Moses Huse came in 1766, and settled upon the place now and for many years known as the Gould Harriman
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
place. Where he came from here is unknown. His wife was of Indian extraction.
The following were residents of this town at the time of its incorporation, with their families :
Rev. Jacob Rice, Dea. Ebenezer Harthorn, Eliakim Howe, Ezekiel Smith, Thomas Stone, Amos Gould, Moses Huse, Ezra Tucker, John Johnson (who resided near where Nor- man Matthews now lives), Adonijah Tyler, Jephthah Tyler, James Peters, William Peters, Josiah Ward, Jacob Whit- comb, Charles Whitcomb, Timothy Ross, Jesse Ross, Eben- ezer Gile, Joshua Gile, Francis Withington, Silas Barnes, Thomas Pope, Jonas Bowman, Samuel Powell, Annas Camp- bell, William Powers, William Presbury, Moses Duston, Will- iam Eastman, Ezra Tucker,-thirty-one families.
The first child born in the township was Persis, daughter of Capt. Eliakim and Rebecca Howe, Dec. 3, 1763. She af- terwards married Fortunatus Wheeler, of Marlboro', Mass., and settled in Hillsborough.
Another of the earliest settlers was Joseph Clisby, who resided near Mr. Whitcomb's. He remained here but a few years. Where he came from is not known, as there is no record of him or of his family. He made the first potash in town.
FIRST HIGHWAYS LAID OUT IN TOWN.
Province of Number Six November ye 1, 1765.
New Hampshire
We the Subscribers being Chosen at a Legal Meeting of the Proprietors of said town as a Com-tee to Lay out Highways in said town Where the Land that is reserved for highways is not Pasable on the Lins and we have Laid out or altered as fol- lows to Wit: One Laid out Begining at Hopkentown Line, one the Line Betwixt the Mint & ten Reanges thence Norterly on said Line two hundred Rhods to the Nor East Corner of Elia- kim Hows Land thence Norwest and angling on Widow Boyses land to a new bridg thence on a straight Point to a Place Com- only known by the Name of the Nussery Near the river then up said River Bank as near as Good Ground will alow through
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FIRST ROADS LAID OUT.
Joseph Willsons Land and Pairt of James Mcgregorys Land, then Running Westerly by Marke trees trough William East- mans Land the Southerd of his house, then ACros James Wal- laces Land by Marked trees to Southerd of his Improvements thence Westerly acros Adonijah tilars to the Norard of his Dwel- ing hous.
Note. Said Highway is four Rhods Wide.
James Wallace Prop's Thomas Wallace § Com-tee.
The next is a continuation of the same laid-out highway :
Number Six June ye 23, 1766.
then laid a highway begining at the Laid out highway about twinty Rhods East of Adonijah Tylers south west Corner thence Runing a cros a small Corner of Mr. Presberys Land and a cros a small Corner of John McMurphee Esq Land then Run- ing Westerly as the Path Goos till it Coms to a Grait Rock against Mr. Whitcoms fild Runing to the North Sid of Said Rock a cros the lotts about eight Rhods above the Pot ash to Joseph Clisbes East Lin then straght along by his hous then by Marked trees to Joseph Willson's East Line then across his Lot by Marked trees till it croses a Grait Brook then by Mark- ed trees till it Streacks the South Line of the Senter Lott thir- tey Rhods east from the southwest corner.
Note. Said Highway is four Rhods wide.
Amos Gould,
James Wallace
Prop'rs
Com-tee
Josiah Ward,
The road was soon continued, as follows :
Province of Number Six October ye 23ª 1766.
New Hampshire
then Laid out a highway, begining at the Laid out highway about thirty Rhods from the Southwest Corner of the Center Lott and thence Runing Westerly on the South end of the Sen- ter Lott and John Stewart Lott and so Westerly as the Road know Gos to Josiah Wards Land thence Westerly acros said Wards Land to the North of his Dwelling hous till it comes to John Wintworth Land, thence Westerly acros said Land and Peter Hows land til it comes to William Powers Land then South westerly by marked trees Acros said Powers to the North of his Dwelling hous to the Line betwixt James Wallaces Land and said Powers thence Westerly on the line Betwixt said Wal- lace and Powers and tacking a small Corner of the North West
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Corner of Said Wallaces Land till it Coms to James Mcgregore Land and Mr Marshes Land and Moses huses Land til it Coms to Hilsburrow Line.
Note Said Highwy is four Rhods wide.
Eliakim How, Prop-rs Com-te.
James Wallace,
Josiah Ward
This was for years the main road running between Hills- borough and Hopkinton. A portion of it still runs where it was laid out. The road came down through the Patten district, and down past where John K. Connor now lives, but instead of coming out near the "Noyes stand," so-called, it struck off towards the river, and ran down its bank to the little bridge near the foot of the hill westerly of Hazen K. Plummer's. It was the only road laid out four rods wide.
The settlers of the town were largely upon the line of this road. Some few were in the westerly and easterly parts of the town, north of the river, and a very few near the centre. The following year a road was laid out as follows :
Number Six, September ye 17, 1767.
then Laid a highway Begining at hopkentown Line on the East side of John Wintworth Esqr. Loot and Running Westerly across said Loot to Alexander Craigs lott and acros said lott and James Mcgregore to thomas Wallace Lott thence Westerly acros Said Loot and James Wallaces loot and Alexander Craigs to John Jonstons Loot then Sutherly tacking a Corner of said Jonstons Loot to Benjamin Hails and sutherly by Marked trees on said Loot to an old Camp then South East as near said hails Line as Good Ground will alow, Across the Brook below the Saw Mill then turning Westerly acros said Hails Loot by Marked trees to Robert Wallace Loot then Westerly acros said Loot by Marked trees to Joshua Tylor Loot and Westerly acros said Loot by Marked trees to Robert Kenedys Loot and West- erly acros said Loot and the tenth Loot in the Sixt Reange by Marked trees to a Small Brok then Nor Westerly to Anas Campbells North Line of the Eleventh Loot then Westerly on the line Betwixt said Campbell and Newton and Westerly by Marked trees to M' Hathorns Loot and across said Loot by Marked trees on the North Line to his Norwest Corner.
This road commenced on Cass hill, at the east side of the
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FIRST ROADS LAID OUT.
town; then westerly partially as it now runs until it reached the place now owned by Mr. Wiggin ; then it struck off tow- ards the river, and followed it up to what is now the centre of the town; then north-westerly, as the road is now trod and used, past George W. Rice's, and terminating at the three-corners just below Carlos Childs's. This gave the set- tlers one road the entire width of the town, the south side of the river, and one two thirds of the width on the north side of the river.
At the same time the above road was laid out, another road was laid out, as follows :
And Likwis another Highway Begining at ye aforsaid Saw Mill and Runing Southerly as near said Hailes East Line as Good Ground Will alow to the free way and Sutherly Acros the River to the Line Betwixt John Mofat Esq. & Robert Wal- laces Loots thence Sutherly on said Mofats Lin to the Lin betwixt James Wallaces and William Easmans then Suth- erly on Said Line to the Leading Highway betwixt Hopken- town and Number Seven or Hillsboro, And also a nother Pice of a Highway begini'g at the Norwest Corner of James Mcgregore third Loot in the fift Reang thence Runing Sutherly on the Lin Betwixt said McGregores Loot and Thomas Wallace Loot to the Leading Road Betwixt hopkintown and the Saw Mill.
The first-named road is wholly discontinued. It ran down through the woods and crossed the river on the place now owned by Greely D. Tucker, or very near it, and followed down the river until it reached the Hopkinton road. The second piece of road mentioned was laid out in the east part of the town, leading out from "Gove's pond," so called, and must have been between the two roads now leading south to the main road of Hopkinton.
Three days before these roads were laid out, a road was laid out as follows :
Province of Number Six, September ye 13 1767.
New Hampshire
Then Laid out a Highway Begini'g at the North End of . Eleiakim Hows Loot that he know lives on at the Leading Road Between Hopkintown and number Seven from thence
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Runing Sutherly Between said hows Dwelling hous and baren and so Sutherly through said hows Land as the Road now Goes, to M' Bowmans Land by Marked trees on Said Bowmans Land by the East end of his hous and through said Bowmans Land as the Road know Goes to Noah Guile Land to David Mc. Killips Land and thence Sutherly through said McKillips Land by Marked trees to Healstown Line.
Eleakim how, Prop-rs James Wallace Com-te.
This road commenced at the corner westerly of H. K. Plummer's, thence ran down past the Plummer and Kimball farms on to Weare line. The road has been discontinued for a long time.
In October, 1766, the following road was laid out :
Province of Number Six October ye 22, 1766.
New Hampshire
then Laid out a Highway begining at the nor East Corner of thomas Ricker Esq Loot which is the twelft Loot in the Eight Reang thence Runing Sutherly through Said Rickers Loot thence Runing Sutherly near the East Line through Alexander Craigs Loot to the North East Cornor of Capt. Robert Wallace Land thence Runing Sutherly on the Lin betwixt the Said Wal- lace and John Reang and so Sutherly on the east Line of Mr. Michals Loot to the South East Cornor then taking a small Corner of Mr Livermors Loot to the Southwest Corner of thomas Wallace Loot then taking a small corner of thomas Coyles Lot to the west line of Thomas Popes thence Runing South on Said Popes Land to hailstown Line.
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