USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Rye > History of the town of Rye, New Hampshire, from its discovery and settlement to December 31, 1903 > Part 11
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O
Joseph Yeaton,
I 4
0
Nathaniel Marden, )
I J O
Henry Shapley,
7
0
Simon Towle, I brothers,
7
O
Abraham Mathes,
6 O
Levi Towle,
6
0
Jotham Berry,
12
O
Samuel Morrison,
7
O
Samuel Berry,
S
o
Capt. Joseph Parsons,
16
0
George Randall,
I3
O
Samuel D. Foss,
17
C)
Joseph Hall,
S
O
Wallis Foss,
13
O
Job Foss,
I II
O
George Rand,
7
O
John Foss,
IO
O
Joshua Rand,
8
O
Robert Sanders,
1 15
o
Benjamin Marden,
I
12
O
Robert Saunders, jr.,
16
0
William Marden,
18
O
Edward Varrell,
6
William Trefethern,
IO
O
William Berry in Brack-
Richard Webster,
7
O
ett's Lane,
3 7 0'
Nathaniel Marden, jr.,
I
3
O
Residents from the Centre school-house through East Rye :
Alexander Salter,
17
o
Mark Randall,
13
0
Joseph Rand,
13
O
John Foye,
12
O
Levi Goss,
J
0
Samuel Libbee,
7
0
Thomas Lang,
6
0
Joshua Rand, jr.,
15
0
Paul Seavey,
I7 O
James Seavey, jr.,
17
o
Daniel Mason,
2 10
James Seavey, 3 6
O
John Webster.
I 16
O
James Seavey, 3d.
6
0
Ebenezer Wallis,
I
5 O
Samuel Wallis,
3 18
0
Solomon Verrill,
16
0
Amos Seavey, Esq ..
4 2
0
John Verrill,
6
O
William Seavey,
15
o
Joseph L. Seavey,
1
13
O
Nathaniel Foss,
6
O
Nathaniel Rand,
I
14
O
Job Foss, 3d,
6
0
Samuel Rand,
2
5
Edward Shapley,
6
Samuel Wallis, jr ..
I
17
O
Nathaniel Berry,
6
John Rand,
I
1.4
O
Samuel Murry,
6
Alexander Lear,
2 2
0
The following lived on " Grove road :"
142
HISTORY OF RYE.
L. s. d.
E. S. d.
John Page,
7
O
Peter Johnson,
2 8 0
Simon Johnson, 8
O
Peter Johnson, jr.,
14 0
Nathan Goss,
12
Nathan Knowles,
19
David Locke, I 17 o
David Locke resided in Drake's Lane.
Taxes About 1777.
Head.
House.
to Horses.
to Oxen.
a Cows.
+ 3 years.
u 2 years.
Land 180
92
IO
Richard Jenness,
I
35
8
15
Dea. Francis Jenness,
3
5
2
2
5
3
3 120
64
40
Israel Marden,
I
Solomon Seavey,
I
I
Henry Dow,
I
2
I
2
2
I
2 78
36
Joseph Brown,
I
?
I
2
4
3
105
49
15
Joseph Rand,
I
William Randall,
I
3
2
2
I
I
3 100
46
IO
Jonathan Towle, jr.,
I
3
2
18
13
IO
Francis Locke,
I
2
2
2
2
68
56
Amos Rand,
I
5
I
2
2
I 19
26
15
Wid. Hannah Dolbeer,
4
I
2
22
16
IO
Stephen Marden,
I
I
2
Nathaniel Rand,
I
Benjamin Jenness.
I
I
I
14
10
IO
Moses Seavey,
2
7
I
2
2
2
2
54
35
IO
Ozem Douce,
I
2
I
4
2
I
I
34
32
Ozem Dowce, jr.,
I
Samuel Seavey.
I
I
3
Samuel Seavey, jr.,
I
Samuel Wells,
I
I
I
4
1
Jonathan Goss,
2
2
2
I
I
I 42
23
Ephraim Rand,
I
I
2
I
IO
Jonathan Goss, jr.,
Ebenezar Berry,
I
4
90
48
IO
Merrifield Berry,
I
4.10
I
2
3
3
2
90
48
IO
Jonathan Locke,
I
4.10
I
2
+
I
3
50
30
10
Jonathan Locke, jr.,
I
60
15
David Locke,
I
3
I
2
I
26
20
IO
Noah Dow,
I
3
3
15
acres.
£.
s.
Richard Jenness. 3d, Esq.
2
5
Dea. Thomas Marden,
I
3
76
I
I
3
IO
Paul Randall,
143
TOWN AFFAIRS.
Head.
House.
Horses.
Oxen.
Cows.
3 years.
2 years.
Land
E.
S.
Wid. Mary Goss,
2
I
2
3
16
15
Benjamin Garland,
5
I
2
2
2
28
33
Elijah Locke,
2
1
I
2
3
I
I
72
ot
Peter Johnson,
2
1
I
3
I
3
175
67
5
Amos Knowles,
2
I
I
2
2
3
40
27
James Locke,
I
2
I
4
2
30
23
IO
Jonathan Brown,
I
3
I
2
3
2
I 175
40
I 5
John Locke,
I
4
I
120
37
Richard Locke,
I
[
1
3
IO
24
Capt. Joseph Locke,
Jeremiah Locke,
2
5
2
5
2
3
160
73
Job Jenness,
I
3
I
2
3
3
I
IIO
51
Joshua Jenness,
I
3
I
2
2
2
60
33
Joshua Jenness, jr.,
I
Joseph Philbrick,
I
3
2
50
19
IO
Ens. James Perkins,
I
5
I
3
80
34
James Perkins, jr.,
I
I
2
2
2
19
Joseph Jenness,
2
5
2
2
1
I
2
IIO
65
IO
Samuel Jenness,
I
4.10
I
2
5
3
88
56
IO
Wid. Abigail Philbrick,
5
I
4
4
2
5
140
71
List of the Rates for the Parish of Rye for the Year 1782.
L. s. d.
£. s. d.
Joseph Allen,
7
6
Col. Benjamin Garland,
3 3 0
Peter Ackerman,
6
O
James Goss,
16
12
Jeremiah Berry,
I IS
9
Lieut Nathan Goss,
I 12 6
Jacob Berry,
7
O
. Levi Goss,
I O IO
James Berry,
7
Esther Goss,
I
O
Jotham Berry,
I
18
James Hobbs,
II
0
Merrifield Berry,
3
Į
Jonathan Hobbs,
II
3
Timothy Berry,
8
O
Joseph Hall,
14
C
William Berry,
3
8
6
Dea. Francis Jenness,
2 19
O
Samuel Berry,
7
O
Francis Jenness,
9
6
Levi Berry,
6
O
John Jenness,
II
6
Nathaniel Berry,
6
0
Jonathan Jenness, Benjamin Jenness,
4 0
0
Jonathan Brown,
3 II
9
Lieut. Richard Brown,
2
I
0
Levi Jenness,
14
0
Nicholas Dolbeer,
I
O
Simon Jenness,
I 19
6
Ozem Dowrst,
2
6
0
Job Jenness, jr.,
I 7
6
2
3
2
I
I
3
60
30
IO
Joseph Locke, jr.,
acres.
1 44
HISTORY OF RYE.
L. s. d.
L. s. d. I 5 9
Samuel Davis,
6
0
Richard Jenness. jr.,
Isaac Dow,
1 18
0
Capt. Joseph Jenness,
3 10 4
William Davidson,
I
7
6 Richard Jenness, 3d,
6 0
Michael Dalton,
I
C
Jonathan Jenness,
6 0
Henry Elkins,
I
12
9
Samuel Jenness, Esq.,
3 12
3
Samuel Elkins,
I
2
0
Peter Jenness,
6 0
Samuel D. Foss,
18
O
John Jenness,
6
0
Wallis Foss,
12
I
John Jenness, jr.,
2
3
3
Nathaniel Foss, jr.,
6
9
Richard Jenness,
1 15
4
Job Foss,
I 12
3 Peter Johnson,
2
I
7
John Foss,
7
C
Peter Johnson, jr.,
I7
9
John Foye,
I
O
9
Simon Johnson.
7
3
Job Foss, jr.,
9
O
Nathaniel Johnson,
6
0
John Garland,
I 9 3
Samuel Knowles,
I IO
9
Peter Garland,
3 13 16
Widow Knowles.
IO
0
Nathan Knowles,
19
6
Levi Mace,
6
0
Jeremiah Locke,
3 13
2
William Norton,
12
O
Joseph Locke, jr.,
6
O
Joseph Philbrick,
I
+
6
John Locke,
I 9 O
James Perkins,
2 14
O
Richard Locke,
6
O
Reuben Philbrick,
I IO
I
Richard Locke, 3d,
I
9
0
Jonathan Philbrick,
7
9
Richard Locke, jr.,
8
0
Capt. Joseph Parsons,
19
O
Joseph Locke,
7
0
Widow Philbrick,
2
0
Deacon Locke,
I
3
6
Joseph Rand,
I 5
0
Elijah Locke,
I
3
9
Stephen Rand,
9
3
William Locke,
9
O
George Rand,
7
O
David Locke,
1 13
8
Joshua Rand,
3
6
Jonathan Locke,
2 19
3
Nathaniel Rand, jr.,
7
0
Jonathan Locke, jr.,
6
O
Samuel Rand,
6 0
Bickford Lang,
I 17
0
Israel Rand,
6 0
Thomas Lang,
6
O
Joseph Rand, jr ..
1 3
O
Abraham Libbee,
I
3
6
Lieut. Nathaniel Rand.
I
7
3
Samuel Libbee,
7
3
Samuel Rand,
2
O
5
Alexander Lear, jr.,
II
I
John Rand,
I I 5
0
Simon Lampere,
II
6 Joshua Rand, jr.,
16
3
Alexander Lear,
2 IO
O
Thomas Rand,
6
0
Nehemiah Moulton,
I
9
O
Nathaniel Rand, jr.,
Reuben Moulton,
19
6
George Randall.
I3
O
Benjamin Marden, jr.,
6
9 Moses Seavey,
1 17
6
Benjamin Marden,
I 12
6
Joseph Seavey,
7
0
Joseph Marden,
6
0 Joseph L. Seavey,
I 2 8
William Marden,
3
I
8 James Seavey, jr.,
16 8
5
Nathaniel Foss,
I7
4
Nathaniel Jenness,
145
TOWN AFFAIRS.
£. s. d.
£. s. d.
Nathaniel Marden,
12 0
James Seavey,
3 4 I
Nathaniel Marden, jr.,
I I 12
James Seavey, 3d,
6 0
Samuel Morrison,
7
O
Amos Seavey, Esq.,
4 6 1
Abraham Matthews,
7
O
Lieut. William Seavey,
16
4
Daniel Mason,
2 17
7
Paul Seavey,
13
8
David Smith, jr.
I
3
I
Solomon Verrill, I 2
7
Thurston Sleeper,
19
6
John Verrill, 6 0
Henry Shapley,
8
O
Edward Verrill,
6 0
George Saunders,
6
o
Samuel Wells,
15
6
Robert Saunders,
1 14
2
Josiah Webster,
7
O
Robert Saunders, jr.,
15
6
Richard Webster,
8
0
Alexander Salter,
16
O
John Webster,
1
18
3
Jonathan Towle, jr.,
9
O
Ebenezar Wallis,
I
5
3
Jonathan Towle,
13
7
Samuel Wallis,
4
3
3
Samuel Towle,
14
4
Samuel Wallis, jr.
1
14
I
Simon Towle,
7
3
Joseph Yeaton, I II
2
Levi Towle,
9
3
William Yeaton,
7
O
Nathaniel Tucker,
1 15
O
John Yeaton,
16 0
William Trefethern,
II
O
Peter Ackerman,
6 0
Widow Tucker,
2
O
And 17 Non-Residents.
Receipts and Expenditures for the Year 1833.
Paid the County tax,
Paid for Schooling,
412.00
" repairs on East School house,
.52
Center
6.68
West
.79
South 60
5.35
" South school lot and expenses,
17.60
Superintinding school committee,
7.00
Military expenses,
31.58
" for expenses of the mill road,
72.06
.. " killing Crows,
18.60
Foxes,
3.00
" Ebenezar Taylor for the widow Sally Rand for 1832,
5 00
" Sally Rand for 1833,
17.82
" for clothing for John Saunders,
12 98
" support of Joseph Tucker,
38.80
John Mace,
48.93
Mercy Shapley,
15.42
" Joseph Crooms for two children of E. Mow,
29.00
" Support clothing Betsey Mow, II
27.39
$129.06
146
HISTORY OF RYE.
Paid funeral expenses Josiah M. Batchelder,
" Doctor's bill, 8.50
" Nicholas Mason support of Daniel and Lucy Mason, 65.00
" Support and clothing Patience Saunders, 15.80
72.25
Mary Saunders,
35.29
.. Hannah Hall,
57 16
Olive Jarvice, 35.49
.. Joseph W. Downs,
17.00
Josh Rand Jr. as bid off,
11.75
Sam1 Rendall & Betsey Smith,
31.90
Geo & Reuben Shapley,
19.00
Judith Shapley,
23.48
.. Sarah Ann Shapley,
6.00
66 Doctoring of the Poor,
16.85
Wood for Widow Polly Philbrick,
10.75
" House lot for do,
3.00
Wood for Widow Jane Foss,
6.09
Mehitable Foss,
1.50
6. Sally Shapley,
3.03
" and candles for Meeting House,
9.25
" Repairs of
3.52
" Wood and candles for little
3.34
" Ringing and tolling the Bell,
10.75
" Repairs Pine tree Bridge 1832,
16.53
.. Joseph Seavey's Bridge,
10.45
White Rock
3.50
61 Locke's Mill
6.63
6 6
" Brown Mill
6.03
the Appraisers Bill,
57.00
" for Inventory Book and Copying,
.75
" Recording Inventory,
.50
" " Ichabod Bartlett's bill on Hampton Cause, 4 years,"
40.00
" " other expenses on Hampton Cause," 20.96
Guide Boards and Repairing,
2.47
" Repairing the Pound,
1.50
" Examining Road to E. Philbrick's,
1.50
" Selectmens Services,
18.00
" Letting out the poor at Stratham,
2.50
" letting out the poor,
4.00
" Examining Road to W. Sleeper's,
1.50
" Warning Jurors, 1.19
" Town Clerk Services,
5.18
Benjamin Lear and wife,
$11.00
5.00
1833,
I47
TOWN AFFAIRS.
Paid collecting Taxes,
$18.00
" Cloth for the Poor,
1.00
" Tools & Powder blasting Rocks, 3.72
" Collecting Paupers Money 1832-3. 3.34
" Advertising Town Paupers, 1.00
" Stationery,
.75
Thomas J. Parsons note,
58.29
4. Abatements in 1833,
8.79
" Expenses Olive Mow Complaint and committing Wm Rendall to gaol,
10.66
" Going to Hampton for Joseph Tucker, Money on hand,
28.47
4.60
$1,750 67
Amount of Notes due the Town,
$155.50
Money on hand,
28.47
$183.97
List of Money due the town by note due from Nathan Knowles for balance tax list,
46.12
Due from Thomas J. Parsons,
75.20
Sam1 Berry and J. M. Caswell,
25.00
Joseph L. Locke & Reuben Rendall,
9.18
$155.50
Notes for Literary Fund.
Due from Samuel J. Locke,
$35.00
William Sleeper,
51.67
Nathan Knowles,
53 74
Ebenezar Leavitt,
53.79
Joseph Trefethen,
39.40
66 do, 1
50.00
Money on hand,
28.55
$312.15
Literary Fund Received and Collected.
Recd from the State,
$44 29
Joseph Philbrick,
39.50
John A. Trefethen,
35.74
Samuel J. Locke,
18.00
66 Ebenezar Leavitt Interest,
1.32
٠٠ William Sleeper
5.94
.. Joseph Trefethen
7.22
$152.01
.50
148
HISTORY OF RYE.
Money Received by the Selectmen.
Raised by tax $1,522.11 and received,
$1,475.99
Recd of Joseph Caswell and S. Berry,
50.00
" of the State for Crows and Foxes,
17.25
" for old Plank,
1.44
" from the County ( Pauper money ) 1832,
64.35
.. " Court for licenses,
4.00
.. Hampton (Costs of Court) .
27.29
T. J. Parsons for Judith Shapley,
23.48
for John Saunders,
61.16
" from the County for Paupers, 1833,
13.17
" for interest of literary fund taken,
$1,750.67
Due Capt. Samuel Jenness, Jr., from the town,
$60.00
Balance in favor of the town,
123.97
$183.97
Amos Seavey, V Simon Jenness, jr., Selectmen.
Charles Green,
We certify, that we have examined the Selectmen's accounts, and find them correct and properly Vouched.
Samuel Jenness, jr. ? Auditors. Ira Brown,
.04
Nathan Knowles for note,
12.00
XI.
Ecclesiastical.
DISCOURSE.
Extracts from sermon delivered on Thursday, January I, 1801, at Rye, by Rev. Huntington Porter, on the settlement, increase, and prosperity of the town :
" The exact period when the first person fixed down as a set- tler within the bounds of Rye is not known, but is supposed to have been about the year 1635. The person who first became an inhabitant here, it is said, was by the name of John Berry. Others, who settled soon after, were of the names of Seavey, Rand, and Brackett. Those who soon followed them were of the names of Wallis, Jenness, and Locke, which names (except that of Brackett) are still retained among us, and most of them are numerous. For about ninety years the people of Rye had no settled ministry of the gospel among them, but attended public worship in some of the neighboring towns as it was most convenient, particularly at Portsmouth and Newcastle .*
" It has been observed that the inhabitants of this town were at first in very poor circumstances and continued so, or without much alteration for the better, for many years, and indeed that they never flourished or prospered to any considerable degree as to outward circumstances, until they formed a church, erected a house of public worship, and had the ministry and ordinances of the gospel among them. Although this increased their expenses, yet it was found that their wealth, numbers, and prosperity increased more rapidly than before, making it
*Rye was originally taken off from Portsmouth, Greenland, Hampton, and Newcastle (largely the latter) and was for many years styled the " Parish of Rye in New Castle." Only since the commencement of the Revolutionary war has it exercised town privileges; before that time it acted in conjunction with Newcastle in the choice of representatives and in usual town business.
150
HISTORY OF RYE.
evident that the support of the gospel ministry, though thought by many to be a needless burden, is no disadvantage to a people in general, even as to their temporal interest, but is really subservient, through the divine blessing, to their out- ward prosperity and reputation.
" We find that the first house of public worship was erected in this town about the year 1725,* although it was not com- pleted until 1729. A church was formed July 20, 1726, and the first minister settled here was the Reverend Nathaniel Mor- rill, I am sorry to say, of unworthy memory. He was ordained September 14, 1726, continued in the ministry about seven years, and was then dismissed. He was a man of acknowledged abilities, and considerable might be said respecting his charac- ter in life, both during his ministry and after his dismission, but it is best, perhaps, on the whole, that a veil should be drawn and left over it. No church records, if any were kept by him, are to be found at this day, and consequently but very little is to be collected respecting the church or its proceedings at that early period.
" After Mr. Morrill's dismission the people, as appears by the town records, were still desirous of having the gospel among them, and made considerable and honorable exertions to that end. Several candidates were applied to, and heard on proba- tion, particularly Mr. Solomon Page, Mr. Jeremiah Fogg, and Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, the last of whom it seems had a call to settle with them, but for some reason or other was not ordained.
" Application was then made to Mr. Samuel Parsons, who, after preaching a short time as a candidate, had a call to settle with them, in the sacred ministry. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained on the third day of November, 1736. Hc officiated in the important work until the year 1784, making nearly half a century. On the 29th of December, of that year, your present pastor was ordained, in colleagueship with this, his worthy and respectable predecessor. The Reverend Mr.
*It has been said that the people, when preparing to build the first meeting house, either through want of oxen for the purpose, or for some other reason, actually yoked in man with man, and hauled together the necessary timber. Some evidence this of their zeal and resolu- tion.
151
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Parsons, though in the latter part of his ministry and life very infirm, by reason of age and repeated paraletic shocks, contin- ued to the 4th of January, 1789, in the 78th year of his age, at
S.P.
THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE. (Drawn from descriptions given by Miss Abby S. Parsons.)
which time, as we trust, he fell asleep in Jesus and entered into the joy of his Lord. His consort survived him about seven years and nine months. She deceased October 15th, 1796,
152
HISTORY OF RYE.
leaving behind her a respectable character both as a companion and as a Christian. The memory of the Reverend Mr. Parsons, I am sensible, is still dear to those of you who sat under his ministry and can recollect his virtues and his usefulness.
" During the ministry of the Reverend Mr. Parsons we find by the church records that two hundred and six persons were ad- mitted into full communion with the church, sixteen hundred were baptized, and three hundred and ninety-one marriages were performed by him.
"From the close of the year 1784, forty-nine persons have been admitted to the table of the Lord and two hundred and fifty-four have been baptized.
"Our present communion consists of about eighty members. Since my residence among you twenty-seven members of the church have removed from this to other places and about the same number have died; so that several more, during that time, have died and removed from the church than have come into full communion with it. Let this be for a lamentation.
" The whole number of persons who in this town have been called off the stage of action and numbered with the congrega- tion of the dead during the last sixteen years, is one hundred and seventy-one, of whom ninety-six were adults and seventy- five were children, ten of whom deceased the year past. Solemn warnings all, to their friends and to the living, to suitably con- sider and to lay to heart what by divine appointment is the end of all men. While on this part of the subject it may not be improper to look back to those early times, when our progeni- tors were so much harassed by the savages of the wilderness, who made repeated and vigorous attempts to destroy their set- tlement. In those times this town experienced some share of their sanguinary deeds. In the year 1694 a person by the name of John Locke, living at the neck, was ambushed and killed by them as he was reaping grain in his field, against whom it seems they had sometime before formed a particular grudge, on account of his having been very active against them and instrumental in defeating them in several of their attempts to destroy the inhabitants on the sea-coast, and who at this
153
ECCLESIASTICAL.
time came eight in number, with an express design [as appears afterwards] to avenge themselves in his death. And having accomplished their bloody purpose returned again without do- ing any other material damage. In the year 1696, at one time twenty-one persons at Sandy Beach were either killed or carried away by them. About the same time a person by the name of Walford was killed in this town, as he was going with a message from Portsmouth to Newbury. The fatal eminence on which he received his death wound has ever since borne the name of Walford's hill.
" In the late American Revolutionary war, or war with Great Britain, this town experienced the loss of thirty-eight of its inhabitants ;* partly by sea and the rest by land, most of them young men dear to their friends; and for whom the tears of affection and condolence have yet scarcely ceased to flow.
" Situated as we are on the sea-shore it may not be thought improper to take some notice of the number of those unfortu- nate persons who, within present recollections, have lost their lives on this coast. According to the accounts of the most aged among us, twenty-six persons, chiefly strangers, have, at dif- ferent times, been drowned on or near the coast within the limits of this town, whose sepulchres in general are among us. To the most of whom, though strangers, a decent burial was given, attended with those solemnities which are usual on funeral occasions.
"Notwithstanding, the occurrences and events now related may serve to excite sensations that are sad and gloomy, yet we have, my friends, abundant occasion at this day to feel and ex- press sentiments of gratitude and joy on account of the present increasing wealth, growing numbers, and rising improvements of this town.
*Their names were Ephraim Rand, Christopher Gould, Michael Moulton, John Locke, Abner Locke, Samuel Knowles, Richard Goss, Tobias Trundy, John Rand, Edward Ren- dall, Robert Morrison, Joseph Hall, Samuel Rand, Robinson Trefethen, Stephen Rand, Ezekiel Lear, Jonathan Goss, Samuel Seavey, Jonathan Jenness, Joseph Trefethen, Will- iam Marden, John Odiorne, Ephraim Hall, Nathaniel Tucker, William Hall, Thomas Foy, Samuel Moulton, Richard Rand, John Lear, Abraham Cliffords, Job Foss, Aaron Seavey, William Foss, Josis Rendall, John Rendell, Richard Tucker, and two blacks, Nimshi and Prince.
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HISTORY OF RYE.
" At the beginning of the century just closed there was, it seems, but little appearance here of any cultivation of any com- fortable subsistence, or of any pleasing prosperity. The inhabi- tants, few in number, were low, destitute, and miserable. But now, through the blessings of God accompanying the industry and exertions of men, the change is very visible, and to be gratefully noticed. Where there was nothing then but a waste and dreary wilderness, there now are well fenced and well culti- vated fields. Where there was then abject poverty, there now is smiling abundance and wealth. Where there was wretched- ness and misery, there now is pleasing prosperity and happi- ness. Where there was nothing growing once but trees and shrubs, wild and fit only for fuel, there now are beautiful rows of trees, yielding fruit and wine to cheer the hearts of men ! Where there were once stagnated ponds and dark, miry swamps, there now are luxuriantly growing grass for cattle and herbs for the service of man. Where there was formerly great ignorance and scarce any means of instructions, there now are free schools and good instructions, to train the youths to knowledge and usefulness. Where there was no temple erected for the divine worship and honor, there now is " a house of God," and where there were very few in number, to convene at the sanctuary for public worship, there now is beheld an assembly that is large and respectable.
" The general affairs of this town, both of church and state, have for a considerable number of years, at least, been con- ducted with great peace and unanimity ; and public worship here, it has frequently been observed, is exemplarily attended, free from sectaries and in general of one sentiment. We have within ourselves enjoyed a good degree of peace and social hap- piness, as well as of outward increase and prosperity. It is asserted with confidence, and as worthy of remark, that no per- son ever died in the town of Rye whose estate has been repre- sented insolvent.
" When we take a retrospective view, and consider the toils and hardships of our forefathers in this country and in this town, the difficulties and dangers with which they had to con-
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
tend, and the great scarcity of the means and comforts of life under which they labored, together with the inconveniences many of them experienced with regard to attending public wor- ship and the ordinances of religion, and contrast our own situa- tion at this present time with that of theirs then, how evidently does it appear that we are highly distinguished from them and have much cause of gratitude and joy.
" The number of souls in this town, according to the census last taken, viz., in 1790, is 865. The probability is that the number, since that time, has somewhat increased; which with the addition of several families within a few years from the bounds of Newcastle would probably increase it to about one thousand.
" The principal cause of this town's not containing a greater number of inhabitants at present than it does (besides the deaths that have happened in it) are the removals from it into the country. These removals, you are sensible, have been frequent and numerous. It is an observation that has been made (and I am inclined to think a just one) that this town, according to the bigness of it, if not without exception, has furnished a greater number of settlers for the interior parts of the country than any other town in the state. Witness, Ep- som, Rochester, Barrington, Chester, and numerous other towns which recognize the origin of many of their inhabitants from this place. And the churches in a number of those towns were first formed, in part, by members removed from the church of Christ here. So that the connection between this town and the country, is very considerable; and, in many of the inland settlements, a traveler from this place may generally and pretty easily recognize a kinsman, cousin, father, son, or brother.
"This town has in times past been reputed unhealthy. Phy- sicians and some others have observed that sickness and mortality have been more frequent here, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, than in other places in general. Particu- larly rheumatisms, agues, asthmas, phthisics, consumption, palsies and some kinds of fever have been unusually prevalent. And if so, the predisposing cause may, perhaps, have been the
I56
HISTORY OF RYE.
large proportion of low, wet grounds and stagnated, miry swamps, with which this town has abounded, from which natur- ally arise noxious vapours and exhalations, injurious to the constitutions and healths of the people. But these low places being now more generally cleared and laid open to the genial influences of the heavens, than heretofore, the air is become more dry, pure and salubrious; and consequently the inhabi- tants in general more healthy than formerly.
" Since my residence here this town has not, I conceive, been very unhealthy. During the term of sixteen years there have been 173 deaths, which on an average falls a little short of eleven to a year ; and is something more than one person to an hundred. Which is not, perhaps, a much larger proportion, if any, than what is usual in other places. The number of bap- tisms during the same term has exceeded the deaths eighty- one; and, all the children not being baptized, it is calculated that the births have exceeded the deaths about one hundred and twenty.
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