USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 2
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Pool Pond derives its name from its circular form and its crystal waters. The greater portion is in the fifth lot in the eighth range.
Grassy Pond, so called on account of the water-grasses which appear above its surface, is in the ninth and tenth lots in the eighth range.
Bullet Pond takes its name naturally from the outline of the shore, and "round as a bullet " was a comparison early associated with the pond. The drainage is into Grassy Pond, thence into Pool, and thence into Long Pond. The original course of the stream from Grassy Pond was in a northern direction to Long Pond. The diversion of the stream from its natural channel was for the benefit of the mills at West Rindge.
Hubbard Pond, situated in the fourth and fifth lots in the eighth and ninth ranges, was known by its present name previous to the incorporation of the town, and several years before any person of this name resided in Rindge. Jonathan' Hubbard, Esq., never resided here, but he was one of the proprietors, and assisted in surveying the grant. Tradition says he fell from a log into this pond, and that the name preserves the story of his mishap. It is probable that the name of the pond is associated in some way with this gentle- man. As it is said to be easy to roll off a log, the tradition may be founded upon fact. Situated near, is Little Hub- bard or Mud Pond. A dam has been built near the outlet of the latter. and in high water the two ponds are united in one. The drainage is into the eastern extremity of Long Pond.
In addition to these, there are several reservoirs or arti- ficial ponds in this town. Some of them, except in dry
18
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
seasons, overflow many acres, and might properly be classed with the other ponds. At a former period there were other bodies of water in this town, the basins of which are now filled with deposit. The level of hard bottom in the Con- verse and in the Emory meadow is several feet lower than the natural outlet; and until the deposit accumulated to the height of water-level they must have been submerged. Fragments of wood, impressions of leaves, and other vege- table growth, found at a considerable depth beneath the surface, are evidence that these basins have been filled at a comparatively recent period. Theories concerning a glacial period, and the action of ice upon the hills and valleys of Rindge, are not here advanced. The evidences will remain, and the student of the present or of the future can draw his own conclusions. All the ponds and reservoirs abound with the fish common to the waters of this vicinity, and the fame of the enticing sport here afforded to the disciples of Izaak Walton has a wider celebrity than would any description contained within these pages. For future reference the varieties found here at present are given: the pickerel (Esox reticulatus) ; brook trout (Salmo fontinalis) ; perch (Perca flavescens) ; shiner (Stilbe chrysolencas); bream or sunfish (Pomotis vulgaris); chub or cheven (Leuciscus chephalus) ; black sucker (Catostomus); chub sucker, an- other of the same genus; the minnow, or minim, a very small fish, and a specie of Leuciscus; cat fish or horned pout (Pimelodus catus). The common eel (Anguilla tenu- irostris), and the lamprey eel, a species of the Petromyzon, although rare, are sometimes taken from the ponds.
The town was originally heavily wooded. Around the ponds were forests of an immense growth, which were the haunts of many wild animals common to the locality. The bear, wolf, and deer, which have a decided antipathy to civil- ization, and, either from instinct or sorrowful experience, a wholesome fear of man, were once abundant, and have visited
19
INTRODUCTION.
their former retreats within the memory of many persons now living. Evidences of the presence of the beaver are numerous. The last one killed in this town was by Jeremiah Russell, about 1780. The otter has not been exterminated. Several have been shot within the past twenty years, and their paths in the snow are still frequently seen. The mink, not as numerous as formerly, is found upon the borders of the brooks, and not a few are annually taken in traps, or become the mark of the successful sportsman. Muskrats are abundant. and their rounded houses of mud and sticks are found in many of the ponds. Foxes remain in great num- bers, and many are killed during the fall and winter months of each year. The woodchuck, the common varieties of the squirrel, the hare, and the cony rabbit are abundant, and oc- casionally the sleepy porcupine is found in his quiet home within a hollow tree. The sly looks and cunning face of the raccoon have not disappeared. These animals are proba- bly more numerous than at some former periods. A well- trained dog and the moonlight of an autumn evening are the conditions of success in hunting these sagacious animals. The coon has been employed as a symbol in American politics, and whoever has studied their habits must acknowl- edge that by them the fox is excelled in cunning, and the cat in sly movements.
The birds found here are such as are common to central New England, and need not be particularized. The wild goose, the black and gray duck, of migratory habits, visit the ponds in their spring and autumn transits. The wood and dipper duck not unfrequently nest here, and can be found in their retreats during the summer and autumn. The loon or northern diver ( Colymbus glacialis) during the summer months and early autumn is daily seen floating upon the lakes, or in its passage from one pond to another. They annually nest upon the islands, or upon the shore of Mono- monock Lake, and occasionally at Emerson Pond. The
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
sonorons whistle of the quail ( Ortyr virginianus) is some- times heard, but this bird seldom nests in this latitude. Partridges ( Tetras umbellus, or the Bonasa umbellux of Linnæus, ) are abundant, and the loud whirring sound of their wings, as they burst away at the approach of visitors to their' haunts, is the frequent accompaniment to a walk in the forests or partially-wooded wild lands. Their flesh is held in high esteem, and they are constantly pursued by the sportsman, and beset with many snares. The wild pigeon is much less abundant than formerly, and the plover, never very numerous, is rarely seen; while the presence of the red- headed woodpecker, whose loud rapping upon the trees, mingled with the sound of the woodman's axe, is no longer of frequent occurrence. Other species of the genus Picus are still numerous.
The prevailing arboral products are white pine, hemlock, spruce, maple, beach, and birch, which are found in all portions of the town. There are three varieties of the maple : the rock or sugar maple, white, and red; the latter is found in the swamps and low lands. The birches are of the white or silver, gray, yellow, and black varieties. Groves of red oak were found in several localities, and isolated trees throughout the town; but an increasing demand for this wood has greatly reduced the quantity. Pitch pine is not generally distributed, but is found in considerable quantity in several localities. Juniper, or tamarack, is found in all parts of the town, and maintains its relative abundance in the forests. Chestnut is abundant, and white and black ash cannot be considered of rare growth. White poplar is found in many forests, and is more plentiful than formerly. White willow, of rapid growth, lines the borders of the lakes, and mountain ash is as frequently discovered in the swamps as upon the highest elevations. Fir balsams are scattered here and there throughout the town. Leverwood, hornbeam, basswood, elm, black and wild or pigeon cherry, balm of
21
INTRODUCTION.
gilead, and wild pear are found in smaller quantities. Moosewood, with its large, broad leaves, flourishes beneath the shade of the forests. Black alder, bearing red berries, is seen upon the roadside, and tag alder lines the shore of the brooks and the margin of low lands. Red and poison sumac, or dogwood, are rare. Clusters of withe, whitewood, witch and nut hazel, and laurel are found in many places. A few locust -two varieties. - butternut or white walnut, and Lombardy poplar have flourished as shade-trees, but are not natives here. It is probable that the gray birch and white poplar are of secondary growth, having succeeded the orig- inal forests. The usual varieties of fruit trees are cultivated, but many of the old orchards of apple trees, from age and decay, are rapidly disappearing, while trees of a younger growth are coming forward to supply their places.
Any notice of Rindge, however brief, would be incomplete without reference to the matchless beauty of the scenery. The charming diversity of the general landscape presents many features of interest to persons of varied tastes, which none can witness without the excitement of the warmest admiration.
""Tis born with all : the love of Nature's works Is an ingredient in the compound Man, Infused at the creation of the kind. And, though the Almighty Maker has throughout Discriminated each from each, by strokes And touches of His hand, with so much art Diversified, that two were never found Twins at all points, -yet this obtains in all, That all discern a beauty in His works,
And all can taste then; minds that have been formed And tutor'd, with a relish more exact,
But none without some relish, none unmoved."
Monadnock is the monarch of mountains in central New England, whose towering height and symmetrical form make
4
22
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
a grand feature in the landscape, and the views obtained of it from the elevations in this town are unsurpassed. Far away to the north the distinet outlines of the Kearsarge mark the horizon, while the intervening space is charmingly diversified with hill and valley, with forest and plain. The range of New Ipswich mountains at the east is terminated at its southern limit by the rounded form of Watatic, and to the south at a distance of thirty miles rises the summit of Wachusett.
The shining surface of numerous lakes, and, in a clear atmosphere, the dim and softened outlines of the Green Mountains, contribute variety and a most enticing attraction and completeness to the landscape. The surrounding scenery has a living influence upon the character of the people inhab- iting among scenes of such sublimity and matchless beauty ; and allied to the ties of kindred will remain, to the absent sons and daughters of Rindge, glowing recollections of the beautiful in Nature, which delighted their youthful vision.
" Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege, Through all the years of this our life, to lead From joy to joy; for she can so inform The mind that is within us, so impress With quietness and beauty, and so feed With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men, Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all The dreary intercourse of daily life, Shall e'er prevail against us or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold Is full of blessings."
CHAPTER I.
THE GRANT OF ROWLEY CANADA BY THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Sir William Phipps. - Expedition to Canada, 1690 .- Its Influence upon the History of Rindge .- First mention of Abel Platts. - The Char- ter .- Plan and Description of the Boundaries of Rowley Canada. - Ezekiel Jewett. - Location of the Boundary Line between the Provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. - Forfeiture of the Charter.
SIR WILLIAM PHIPPS was a man of brilliant fortunes. Born about 1750 in an obscure hamlet in Maine, early in life he removed to Boston, where for several years he pursued the business of a smith, to which occupation he had been instructed by his father. Subsequently he followed the seas. Hearing of a Spanish ship richly laden with silver which had been lost near the Bahamas, he gave such an account of it. the English government gave him command of a ship to search for the treasures buried in the sea. A second voyage was successful, and he carried to England about three hun- dred thousand pounds in treasure. For this important service the king conferred on him the honor of knighthood. He was soon after appointed High Sheriff for New England, and subsequently Governor of Massachusetts.
In 1690 he commanded an expedition to Canada, which met with small success and experienced the severest losses.
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
The first effort to settle the territory included within the boundaries of Rindge had its origin in the ill fortunes of this expedition ; and thus the only apparent failure of Governor Phipps had a most powerful influence over the destiny of the settlement.
The soldiers who participated in this ill-fated expedition were paid by the Colony of Massachusetts for this service with an emission of paper money, the first which was ever issued in New England, which soon depreciated in value, and caused great loss to the soldiers. Forty or more years later these sufferers petitioned the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts for additional compensation. These re- quests appear to have been granted in all cases.
The persons who composed the company from Dor- chester, or the legal heirs of those deceased, received a township of land, which, for the reason that the grantees were from Dorchester, and the service for which the grant was made was in Canada, was called Dorchester Canada, now Ashburnham; about the same time and in the same manner was granted Ipswich Canada (Winchendon), and Rowley Canada, which is now known as Rindge. The history of this latter grant will be briefly stated. The sol- diers from Rowley, Topsfield, Boxford, and Newbury, composed three companies under command of Captains Philip Nelson, John March, and Stephen Greenleaf. The officers and privates composing these companies, or the heirs of those deceased, were granted two townships of land now known as Boscawen and Rindge. The former township was laid out in 1739 by Richard Hazen, surveyor, and is described as " being westerly of the Merrimack, and northerly of and adjoining to the Contoocook River."
The other township, which took the name of Rowley Canada, was surveyed by Nathan Heywood, and was bounded
25
GRANT OF ROWLEY CANADA.
so as to contain a tract of land equivalent to six miles square. It included a part of Jaffrey and Sharon on the north, which was a broken line, and did not extend on the south to the State line, as subsequently established. In this survey an allowance of ten thousand acres was made for "ten large ponds," and for "a large shrub swamp, " which at present is familiarly known as "Tophet Swamp." This low ground was included in Rowley Canada as bounded by this survey, but now constitutes a part of Sharon. The bounds of the township were established under the direction of a committee appointed by the General Court, which consisted of Hon. Thomas Berry on the part of the Council, and Charles Peirce and John Hobson on the part of the House of Representa- tives. The surveyor and chainmen were sworn to the faith- ful performance of their duty, November 1, 1738, and their return of the survey with the endorsement of the committee was made to the General Court on the twentieth of January following. Between these dates the boundaries of Rowley Canada were first traced out and established; but the town- ship at this time was not divided into lots, nor any division of the lands made among the proprietors, each of whom owned one or more undivided shares. For this survey Abel Platts. who was the earliest settler of the township, was appointed one of the chainmen, which introduces him upon the scene of his active life at an early date.
In the expedition referred to, the town of Rowley fur- nished one captain, one lieutenant, and thirty non-commis- sioned officers and privates. The lieutenant was Abel Platts, whose appointment as ensign of the Rowley foot was dated July 15, 1689. Subsequently he received from the town of Rowley thirteen pounds, one shilling, and two pence for services in Canada. He was the grandfather of Abel Platts, of Rindge. Deacon Ezekiel Jewett was paid
26
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
five pounds and three pence for the service of his son Ezekiel Jewett. Deacon Jewett was the great-grandfather of Ezekiel, Stephen, and Jonathan Jewett, who were early settlers in Rindge. The names of nearly all the soldiers are preserved upon the Rowley records, and among them also occur the names of Todd, Wood, Crosby, and Boynton, whose descendants have been residents of this town.
At the time the grant of Rowley Canada was made, the dispute between the provinces of New Hampshire and Mas- sachusetts concerning the location of the dividing lines had commenced. It appears to have been the policy of Massachu- setts to fortify her claim to a large tract of the controverted territory in New Hampshire by possession and occupancy, in the hope thereby of maintaining a claim to the domain after all diplomacy had failed. In this spirit a large tract of unappropriated lands in this vicinity was hurriedly granted, and vigorous efforts made to effect a settlement and secure the adherence of the people in each grant. In the following proceedings relating to the grant of Rowley Canada it will be seen that a petition which for some time had been suffered to remain unanswered was now revived, and acted upon in a most hurried manner. The following map of the township and documents relating to the grant are copied from original papers among the Massachusetts State archives : -
In answer to the petition of John Tyler, Joseph Pike and 1 others In the House of Representatives December 9 1736 read and ordered that this Petition be revived and voted that two Tracts of the unappropriated Lands, of this Province of the contents of Six Miles Square each, be and hereby are granted to the Peti- tioners, the officers and soldiers of the Companys under the Late Capt. John March, Capt. Stephen Greenleaf, Capt. Philip Nelson, deceased, Anno 1690, there Heirs and assigns respectively and the
27
GRANT OF ROWLEY CANADA.
Heirs Legall Representatives Dependants of such of them as are Deceased and there Heirs and assigns forever, for two Townships to lay in some Sutable Place. that the Grantees be and are obliged to bring forward the settlements of the said Townships in as Regular a manner as the situation and circumstances of said Townships will admit of in the following manner viz that each grantee his Heirs and assigns build an House on his Respective Lot or share of the contents of eighteen feet square. and eleven feet stud at the Least and Plow or bring to grass fit for mowing six acres of Land and that they settle in each Town a Learned and orthodox minister and build a convenient Meeting House for the Public worship of God, and that a sixty third part of the said Townships be and hereby is Granted to the first settled minister, the like quantity for the use of the ministry and the like quantity for the use of the School, in all the Divisions of the said Townships that the grantees be and hereby are obliged to Give Bonds of twenty Pounds for the fulfillment of the Conditions aforesaid, within five years after the Return and Confirmation of the Plan of said Townships and that Capt. John Hobson and Major Charles Peirce be a Committee with such as the Honourable Board shall Join to lay out said Townships and Return Plots thereof within one year for Confirmation and the Said Committee to observe such Rules and Directions for the taking of Bond and admission of the grantees agreeable to the order of Court in March Last and said Committee to receive thirty three Pounds six shil- lings and eight pence of the New Projected Bills - Sixteen pounds thirteen shillings and four pence for each of the said Townships out of the Public Treasurer to enable them to Lay out said Town- ships.
In Council February 3d 1736 Read an Concurred and Thomas Berry Esqr is Joined in the Affair.
Consented to
J. BELCHER.
It was nearly two years before the committee to whom the business was intrusted by the General Court were ready
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
to proceed with the survey of Rowley Canada, as appears from the following record : -
MASSA ss. Nov. 1. 1738.
Then Nathan Heywood, as surveyor, Ephraim Wetherbee and Abel Platts, as chainmen, personally appearing made solemn Oath that in Surveying the Township granted John Tyler, Joseph Pike and others officers and soldiers in the expedition to Canada, Anno 1690, they would proceed according to their Best skill and Judge- ment.
Before
THOMAS BERRY J. P.
A return of the survey, with a plan or outline map of the township, was made to the House of Representatives, and confirmed on the twentieth of January following. An allowance of ten thousand acres for ponds and waste lands, made by the surveyor, was approved by the Legislative Com- mittee and adopted by the House. The Council reduced the number of acres to five thousand. In this amendment the House subsequently concurred. If any copy of a reformed plot ever existed it has not been discovered. The following official proceedings will need no further explanation : -
We the subscribers appointed a committee to Lay out a town- ship of the Contents of six miles square to John Tyler, Joseph Pike and others are of opinion that the allowance made in this Plat surveyed by Nathan Heywood and returned to this Court being about Ten Thousand Acres is but a reasonable and Just alowance.
THOMAS BERRY, CHARLES PEIRCE, Committee. JOHN HOBSON,
GRANT OF ROWLEY CANADA.
29
NORTH.
W. 30 S. 5 mile & 180 pole.
N. 3 mile & 220 pole.
W. 4 mile.
S. 1080 pole.
N. 1 mile.
N. 22 E.
4 mile.
E. 41 S. 2500 pole.
N. 32 E. 2 mile
Maple.
and 100 pole.
N. 12 E.
one mile.
Heap of Stones
SOUTH.
For the convenience of these pages the plan has been reduced in size. Within the outlines of the original occurs the following written description : -
A Plat of a Tract of Land of the Contents of Six Miles Square laid out by Nathan Heywood, Surveyor, and chainmen on Oath to satisfy a Grant made by the Great and General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay held at Boston the 24th of Novemr 1736 to John Tyler, Joseph Pike and others that were
5
Wild cherry tree.
30
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
either officers or soldiers in the Canada expedition Anno 1690 or the Descend's of such of them as are Decd- Which Tract lieth to the Southward of the Grand Monadnuck so called and adjoining to the Township lately granted by sd Court to Samuel Haywood &c. Beginning at a Maple Tree the Northeasterly [Northwest- erly] Corner of Dorchester Canada Township from thence run- ning North 32 degrees East two Miles and one Hundred poles to a Heap of Stones Thence North 22 Degrs East four miles, Thence North one Mile till it meets with the sd Township granted to Sam" Haywood &c thence West four Miles by the said Township to the Southwesterly Corner thereof thence North by the said Township Three miles & 220 poles thence West 30 Degrs South five miles & 180 perch to a Wild cherry Tree on the Southward of the Grand Monadnuck aforesd thence South one Thousand & eighty Perch Thence East 41 Degrs South Two Thousand five Hundred Perch to a Heap of Stones Then North Twelve Deg. East one Mile to the Northeasterly [Northwesterly] corner of Dorchester Canada Township being the Maple Tree first men- tioned. With the allowance of One Rod in Thirty for uneven Land & Swag of chain; And there is a further allowance within the said Tract for Ten large ponds and a large Shrub Swamp about four mile in Length & a mile in wedth.
NATHAN HEYWOOD, Sur :
Examined & approved EBENR BURRILL.
In the House of Reptives Janry 20th 1738.
Read and Ordered that the Plan be accepted and the lands therein delineated and described be and hereby are Confirmed to the Grantees their heirs and assigns Respectively forever, they effectually complying with the Conditions of the Grant provided yc Platt exceeds not the Contents of six mile square with ye allow- ance of Ten Thousand Acres for Ten large ponds and ye Large shrub swamp Included therein and does not Interfere with any former Grant.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. QUINCY, Speaker.
31
GRANT OF ROWLEY CANADA.
In Council Janry 23d 1738.
Read and Nonconcurred and ordered That five thousand Acres only be allowed for Ponds &c. and that the Committee be directed to reform the Plan upon the spot accordingly at the charge of the Grantees and report to the Court at the next May session.
Sent down for Concurrance
J. WILLARD, Secy.
In the House of Reptives Jan 23'y 1738. Read and Concurred
J. QUINCY, Spkr.
24th Consented to
J. BELCHER.
In the House of Representatives Jan. 23 1738.
Ordered that Thomas Berry Esqr. be and hereby is Impowered to assemble the Grantees of the Township granted to John Tyler and Joseph Pike and others officers and soldiers under the Com- mand of Capt. Stephen Greenleaf and Philip Nelson in the expe- dition to Canada Anno 1690 In such Place and at such time as He shall think Fit Then to choose a Moderator and Proprietors Clerk To agree upon Rules Methods and Orders for the Division and Disposall of the said Propriety in the Most Proper Method for the speedy fulfilment or the Conditions of this Grant and agree upon the Proper Method for calling future meetings
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