USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 5
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 5
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There were not many ministers near at hand to take part in the ceremony. At Penacook was Rev. Timothy Walker; at Sun- cook, Rev. Aaron Whittemore. The next nearest minister was Rev. Moses Hale, of Chester. There was a Presbyterian minis- ter at Nutfield (Derry), Rev. Wm. Davidson, just about being settled, who had married the widow of his predecessor. But Davidson was a Presbyterian ; and the war was hot between the Presbyterians and the Orthodox, as the Congregationalists were called. There was no fellowship between the denominations. The nearest minister following down the Merrimack was Josiah Swan, at Dunstable. At Exeter, the capital of the province, was Rev. John Odlin, who had been preaching a third of a century ; at Dover was Jonathan Cushing; at Durham, Rev. Hugh An- drews. But it would have been a round-about way for these min- isters to have come to the ordination,-south to Exeter, thence to "Charmingfare " (Candia), thence to Suncook and Penacook. At South Newmarket was John Moody ; at Stratham, Henry Rust ; at Plaistow, James Cushing; at Kingston, Joseph Secomb. The churches at Hampton and along the sea-shore were supplied with pastors, but it is not probable that they were called upon to take part in the council ; nor is it probable that either of the two ministers in the south-west part of the state-Rev. Jacob Bacon, of Keene, or Rev. Joseph Ashley, of Winchester-was invited. The records give no information as to who took part in the exer- cises in the little log meeting-house.
30
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1740.
ORDINATION EXPENSES.
The proprietors' records contain an account of the expenses of the ordination :
" An Accompt of the Expenses for the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Phineas Stevens at Contoocook Oct 29, 1740 For which Charge the Proprietors are indebted
"To Mr Edward Emery,
For five Bushels of Wheat at 12s per bush1 £3-0-0
16 lbs Pork at 18d 1-4-0
2 lbs Sugar 0- 4-0
for Crainberrys Cabbage & turnips 0-10-0
Eggs 1s Gd Trouble of his house 30s
1-11-6
Charge he has been at 26s & Trouble 12s 1-18-0
For bringing up the Boat 1- 0-0
9-7 -6"
The query arises, how a boat could be used at an ordination. The answer is plain : there was no bridge across the Merrimack. The ministers from the lower towns would come by the road lead- ing up the east side of the Merrimack : hence the need of a boat. "To Mr George Jackman,
For Edward FitzGerald's Service 1-6-0
for 2 women 2 days each 0-12-0
a Bushel of wheat 12s & a Bushel of Indian 6s 0-18-0
His Trouble 30s Cabbages & Turnips 59 1-15-0
4-11-0
"To Joseph Gerrish Esq
For 4 Barrels of Cider 41-12s & 20s for liis trouble 5-12-0
For 352 lbs of Beef at 6? 10- 5-4
90 lbs of Pork at 12p 4-10-0
27 lbs Salt Pork 40s GP & 301bs of butter 2s 5- 0-6
1} bushels of Wheat 18s Turnips &c 5s
1- 8-0
8 Turkies at 56 at 9p per lb 42s. Bringing the Boat 20s 3-2-0
Carting 10£ His trouble 30s
11-10-0
41-07-10
"To Mr John Coffin
For 30 lbs of butter 60s 4 bush1 of Malt 40s 5-0-0
31
CIVIL HISTORY.
1740.]
For 40} lbs Salt Pork 60$ 9P & 26 lbs of cheese at 28s 2p 4 8-11- S Geese 513 at 8P 348 4P & his trouble & charge 60s 4-14-4
14-3-3
"To Mr John Noyes Jun
For 2 Cases of Knives 40s for 10 lbs Sugar 20s & one lb pepper 9s
"To Mr Daniel Coffin
3-9-0
For 10 lbs of Raisins 35$ 5 lbs Currents 15$ 11 lbs of loaf Sugar 55s 4-15 0
30 lbs of Flower 10$ 6 Drinking glasses Ss 1-8-0
Biscake 20s, 1 doz Mugs 12s Carting Stores 12s 2-4-0
19 Gallons Rhum at 10$ per Gal 8-10-0
10-17-0
"To Mr John Adams
For 20 lbs Sugar 36s &P Chocolate 13 lb 21s 9p
2-18-5
Nutmegs 5$ 6P. Allspice 4s Pipes 4 doz Ss 0-17-6
3-15-11
"To Mr John Rolf Jun For one half barrel full bound & a 4 gallon Cask
0-12-0
"To John Brown
For Spices 9$ Pipes & Tobacco 12$ 6p
1-1-6
For a 50 gallon cask & a 4 gall bottle
0-7-0
For his trouble & charge
3- 0-0
4-08-6
"To Mr Eben'r Choate
For Wine
1-10-0
"To Mr Moses Gerrish
For 5 lbs of Sugar
0-10-0
"To Cutting Lunt
For four Gallons of Molasses
1-8-0
"To Richards & Titcomb
For Carrying up their Famls Each 20s 2-0-0
104- 0-0
"A true Accompt Errors Excepted Newbury Nov 5th 1740
JOHN BROWN."
32
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1740.
This in federal currency would be equal to $46.35. It repre- sented, however, much more than that, for the purchasing power of money was much greater at that period than at the present time.
An ordination in those days was a jubilee, a great event, one in which the whole community had an interest, and people from far and near came to attend it. That settlers from other towns were present is evident from the amount of provision prepared. Contoocook, in 1740, had less than one hundred inhabitants- probably the number did not exceed seventy-five; yet there was provision sufficient for dining a regiment. The wheat was suf- ficient to make 345 pounds, or a barrel and a half of flour. There were 352 pounds of beef, 1733 pounds of pork, 51} of geese, 56 of turkey, a bushel of Indian meal, 60 pounds of butter, to say nothing of the cabbages and turnips. The beef was equiv- alent to half an ox, and the pork to half a hog. Certainly there must have been many visitors from abroad. We may think of all Penacook and Canterbury and Suncook as being there, and probably a goodly number of the proprietors from Newbury,- thinking it no hardship to ride sixty miles on horseback through the forest to visit their friends and relatives in Contoocook.
It was the first week in October, when the great forest would be in all its glory,-the maples bright with the changing hues of autumn, crimson and magenta and vermeil dyes of every hue-the first leaves falling earthward. It was a great day for the young settlement. We may think of long lines of men and women, on horseback, arriving on the eastern bank of the Merri- mack, and being ferried across to the lower intervale, passing the fields of corn rustling in the autumn breeze. They wind up the pathway, ascend the hill to the level plain and the broad highway of King street, and come to the log meeting-house, standing on a knoll east of it. They fasten their horses to the trees, and congratulate the citizens of Contoocook on the auspicious event. They take off their hats to the reverend men in wigs, who have come to ordain Mr. Stevens.
The council assembles in the house of Edward Emery. The candidate is questioned in regard to "Fixed fate & Free will," God's sovereignty and man's inability. Then comes the ordina- tion service in the log meeting-house, the invocation itself long
33
CIVIL HISTORY.
1740.]
enough for a prayer, then reading the Scriptures, the longer prayer, the still longer sermon, and all the other exercises long drawn, till ministers and people are sharp set for the dinner,- the beef, pork, geese, turkeys, garnished with turnips and cabbages, bread and butter, and dessert of cakes prepared with currants and raisins. We see the reverend clergymen filling their glasses with wine, while the multitude refresh themselves from the four barrels of cider on tap, and the casks of beer, made strong with the four bushels of malt. There are bowls filled with punch, for that is the use to which the nineteen gallons of "Rhum " has been put. Possibly there are mugs of egg-nog, well spiced, for the clergy, and served up smoking hot, with a heated logger- head plunged into the foaming tankards. And then, when the repast is ended, come the pipes and tobacco. The dinner is served out of doors,-for there is not on King street, neither on Queen street, a log house capacious enough to feast the throng. The people sit on the stumps of the old oaks, or upon the log fence surrounding the meeting-house lot, and partake of the gen- erous repast provided for the occasion, and talk over the event, praise the sermon, the bearing of the young minister ;- may- be they carry on a little business, talk about swapping oxen, about friends at Newbury, and what is going on in the world, till the October sun sinks behind the "Mountain." Then the Can- terbury and Penacook and Suncook people take their departure- the wife on the pillion behind the husband-while the friends from Newbury accept the hospitality of the settlers, sleeping on bear- skins before the wide-mouthed fire-places in the log cabins.
COLONIAL JURISDICTION.
To whom do the settlers of Contoocook owe allegiance,-to Mas- sachusetts, or to New Hampshire ? It is the question of all oth- ers claiming their attention in 1740. Massachusetts was making strenuous efforts to extend her territory northward to the junction of the Winnepisaukee and Merrimack, and to "Endicott's tree," a large pine which stood on the bank of the river in the present town of Tilton.
The line claimed by Massachusetts began at the sea, three miles north of the "black rocks " at the mouth of the Merrimack; 3
34
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1740.
thence running parallel with the river as far north as the "crotch " or junction of the Merrimack and Winnepisaukee ; thence due north, as far as a certain tree known as "Endicott's," three miles distant from the " crotch ; " thence, as reads the char- ter, " due west to the South sea." This would have given Massa- chusetts jurisdiction from the town of Franklin westward to Oregon.
New Hampshire claimed, on the other hand, that the line should begin at the sea, three miles north of the middle channel of the Merrimack, and from thence should run in a straight line west, until it met, in the language of one of the charters, "the king's other government." This "other government " was the territory granted by Charles II to the Duke of York-supposed by the people of New Hampshire to be bounded by the Hudson ; but by the people of New York, at a later date, it was claimed that the Connecticut was the western boundary of New Hamp- shire.
To obtain a settlement of the boundary, a commission was ap- pointed consisting of one councillor from Nova Scotia, one from New York, one from Rhode Island, and one from New Jersey. The commissioners met at Hampton, August 1, 1737. The legis- latures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire met at the same time,-the first at Salisbury, the latter at Hampton Falls,-five miles apart. There was much pomp and parade; but the com- missioners were divided in opinion, and the question was referred to London. The New Hampshire interest was placed in the hands of John Tomlinson and Mr. Parris, while the attorneys of Massa- chusetts were Edmund Quincy, who suddenly deceased, 1738, leaving the affairs to Messrs. Wilks & Patridge.
On March 5, 1740, a decision was given by the King's Council, making the boundaries as they ever since have remained between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but making no decision in regard to the western boundary of the colony, which was not then in dispute.
By this decision, all the towns west of the Merrimack which had been granted to Massachusetts were transferred to New Hamp- shire, not only between the Merrimack and the Connecticut, but west of that river. From this time on-especially during Gov. Benning Wentworth's administration-grants were made by New Hampshire west of the Connecticut; and that region, up to the
35
CIVIL HISTORY.
1740.]
formation of Vermont as a state in 1777, was known as the New Hampshire Grants.
The settlers of Contoocook were attached to Massachusetts. They came from Newbury. The plantation had been granted by that colony, and they desired to remain under its jurisdiction. At a meeting held October 1, the following vote was passed :
" Voted that there shall be a petition sent to His Most Excellent Majesty Saying that we, the proprietors of Contoocook might be con- tinned to this province of Massachusetts Bay, & that Thomas Hutchin- son Esq. be our agent."
John Brown, Capt. Moses Gerrish, and Benjamin Lunt were appointed to prepare the petition. Probably, however, the peti- tion never was sent, as the matter had been decided seven months previous, though the intelligence had not reached Contoocook.
EXTENSION OF FISH STREET.
In Mr. John Brown's MS. field book is the record of the run- ning of a line from Contoocook to Franklin.
" May 16 1740. Jos. Gerrish, Nath1 Danforth, Edward Fitzgerald & myself Laid out a Highway of four Rods broad from King street in Contoocook to Pemichewasett."
The line was nearly identical with the present travelled road.
UNDER THE NEW JURISDICTION.
Up to this time New Hampshire had been a dependency of Massachusetts, having a deputy-governor as chief executive officer ; but now the colony became a separate commonwealth. Benning Wentworth was appointed governor. He was born in Portsmouth, but, being in England at the time, secured the ap- pointment. He assumed the duties on December 12, 1740.
The proprietors and settlers were desirous of continuing their allegiance to Massachusetts, but cheerfully gave in their adhesion to the new order of things.
PROPRIETORS' MEETINGS.
At a meeting held in Newbury, at the tavern of Edward A. Richardson, Lieut. Benjamin Lunt was chosen moderator, and Joseph Gerrish, Joseph Coffin, and Capt. Moses Gerrish "were
36
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1743.
chosen a committee humbly to beg the favor of His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., governor of His Majestie's province of New Hampshire, in New England, &c., & that he would please order & direct the same so as may be most advantageous both to the government & said proprietors."
May 20. Voted to raise £200, in bills of credit, to pay Rev. Mr. Stevens for "his sarvice " the year ensuing.
Voted, that a man shall be allowed five shillings a day, and four shillings for a " yoak " of oxen.
Voted, that £20 be worked out on the highway.
Voted, that John Brown, Lieut. Joseph Coffin, and Ensign Joseph Gerrish make sale of lands on which taxes have not been paid; that Capt. Ebenezer Eastman be empowered "to clear & brak up the ministry intervale lot-the said Lot to be cleared and brok up the summer following." Surveyors of highways, fence-viewers, a pound-keeper, and hogreeves were chosen, and £20 raised for highways and £200 for contingent expenses.
1742. At a meeting held September 8, £200 was voted to meet the minister's salary, and for other expenses ; and that the salary might be paid promptly, it was "ordered that each propri- etor give a Note of hand to pay his & their dues sum of said tax, and those proprietors and inhabitants that are obliged by contract to pay tax, are to give their notes to Ambros Gould, who is chosen to Gather said tax."
May 18, 1743. Josiah Bishop was chosen field-driver for the middle intervale, Nathaniel Danford for the upper intervale, and Joseph Eastman for the lower intervale. Thirty pounds was voted to the highways.
Voted, that the undivided meadows be divided for the year, as follows, -- viz., " that those men who are dwellers at said planta- tion, shall mow or cut their due proportion of said meadows, ac- cording to their rates; and the remaining part of said meadow shall be divided among the inhabitants in equality."
Sept. 14. Meeting at Contoocook; John Brown moderator.
Voted to lay out to each proprietor a lot containing one hun- dred acres of land. This was the third division. Richard Jack- man, John Fowler, John Coffin, Ensign Joseph Gerrish, John Brown, and Thomas Thorla were appointed a committee to make the division.
Abraham Burbank
37
CIVIL HISTORY.
1743.]
GETTING READY FOR THE INDIANS.
For a period of ten years the inhabitants had lived in compara- tive security, but now the Indians, stimulated by the French, were committing depredations all along the frontier. The citi- zens prepared for defence, and laid in a stock of ammunition, as will be seen by the record. Fourteen pounds of powder, fifty-six pounds of bullets, and twenty-four flints were obtained by George Jackman for the defence of the settlement.
[From the Records.]
" Newbury Oct 31, 1743. by the desire of the proprietors I make an entry of the request of Dea George Jackman for the warlike stores de- livered to him as followeth : Viz : we received of henry Rolfe, jr four pounds of gunpowder & fifty-six pounds of bullets and twenty-four flints, & we received of Benjamin pettengill ten pounds of powder. And the said stores are sent up by said Jackman for the use of Contoocook proprietors to be kept in some secure place together untill there be an Occasion for said stores to be used in a warlike manner then to be distributed out according to division of said George Jackman or some other person chosen for said service.
JOSEPH COFFIN
Prop. Clerk."
FIRST MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
The people of Hopkinton, and of other towns, were abandoning their homes ; but the settlers of Contoocook had no intention of leaving. They organized themselves into a military company, and petitioned the governor to appoint the officers they had chosen.
" To His Excellency &c
" We the Undersigned Being Soldiers of Contoocook Do Humbly Desire Your Excellency to Grant to Mr John Rollins of said town a Captain's Commission & Likewise a Left & Insins Commission to two other Men of said town whom he the sd Rollins shall Nominate the Performance whereof will Greatly oblige your Humble & Dutiful Ser- vants.
" Contoocook Nov ye 29th 1743.
Jacob Flanders Ambrose Goold Josiah Bishop Enos Bishop John Ellet [Elliot]
Thomas Cook
Benjamene Dudy
Thomas Eastman
Nathaniel Danford
Jesse Flanders
38
CIVIL HISTORY. [1743.
Thomas Manuel
John Flanders
William Dagiden
Moses Call
John Boin [Bowen]
Sinkler Bean
Jacob Flanders jun'or
Daniel Rolf
John Fowler
Daniel Barker
Ezekiel Flanders
William Danford
Richard Flood
John Call
John Johnson
Nathaniel Meloon
William Peters
Samuel Emmery
Andrew Bohonon
William Emmery."
Edward Fitzgerald
The name of John Rollins does not appear elsewhere upon the records. It may be supposed that he was a new comer, quite likely had seen military service, and was selected as captain on that account. It is not probable that he remained long in Con- toocook.
Oct. 17. Met at Contoocook, but without transacting any busi- ness, adjourned to Oct. 30.
"Voted that there should be raised £126 in old tenor exclusive of the then inhabitants to pay the charges arisen already in fortifying round the Reverend Mr. Phineas Stephens dwelling house in the year 1744."
PETITION TO GOV. WENTWORTH.
The inhabitants sent the following petition to Governor Went- worth :
"To His Excellency Benning Wentworth &c.
"The Petition of ye Inhabitants of a Plantation called Contoocook in ye sd province of New Hampshire Hereby Sheweth :
"That when as your Humble Petitioners being certainly informed of a Declaration of a war Between ye Kings of England & France, and There- fore Looking upon ourselves as exposed continually to ye attacks of ye Indians, who are subjects to ye King of France, and we would Beg Humbly to Lay our case before your Excellency :
"May it Please your Excellency we have Been at Great expense & Labor in Bringing to ye settlements in ye plantation so far as thay are at this time by settling a gospel minister, erecting Houses, subduing Lands, and Bringing too a considerable Quantity of Wilderness & in erecting proper Fortifications for Defense in case of an Indian war, one of which was built in ye year 1739, a building of considerable ex- pense to ye proprietors & of great consequence to ye inhabitants being
39
CIVIL HISTORY.
1744.]
100 feet square & all this to advance ye Kingdom of Christ in ye world & farther to enlarge & advance his Majesty's Dominions in the Ameri- can continent. We have likewise been at great expense & cost in erecting houses, to dwell in and in moving from our habitation, the most of us into sd part in order for our security till proper help shall ar- rive to us for want of which many persons have Removed & now are Removing from us to the Great Discouragement of those that tarry be- hind and all tho we might Defend our selves in our Fortification yet we can't support our selves because we have none to guard us in our Busi- ness and moreover the commanding officer in the place has so far neg- lected the people that they are very uneasy he never having called them together since he Reed his commission Refusing to Repair the fort or to take any care of the people in it never setting a watch or ward so that the Inhabitants are without a leader. Yet they have constantly kept a watch & ward in said fort or garrison. Those with many others are the Difficultys we Labor under two many to be here Enumerated of which we Humbly Beg Redress of your Excellency in such ways an maner as your Excellency in wisdom shall think Best & your humble Petitioners will ever pray.
" Contoocook, June ye 5, 1744.
Richard flood Richard Jackman John Cowsir [Corser ?] Joseph Easman John Fowler
William Emery
Moses Burbank
Nathaniel Meloon
Ezekiel Flanders
Josiah Bishop
Andrew Bohonon Jacob Flanders Daniel Rolfe
George Jackman
Samuel Emery "
THE FIRST ATTACK.
The first attack of the Indians upon Contoocook was made about this time, though the exact date is unknown. Josiah Bishop, who was at work in his field at the lower end of King street, was surprised by a party of Indians. They took him into the woods, probably up the rocky hill west of the lower end of King street. He made an outery, and quite likely preferred death to captivity. As was subsequently learned from the Indians, he resisted bravely, and they dispatched him with their tomahawks. The capture naturally threw the settlement into commotion ; but the citizens having located their homes, determined to defend them. The summer was one of great anxiety. The families took
40
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1746.
refuge in the garrisons, while sentinels were ever on the watch while the citizens were at work.
The committee appointed to lay out the third division of land- the one-hundred-acre lots-reported that they had performed the work assigned them. One hundred and twenty-two pounds, old tenor, was voted to defray the expense of the same.
Nov. 21. Meeting at John Mancher's tavern, Newbury. At this meeting no business was transacted except the choice of assessors and collectors.
THE CANTERBURY GARRISON.
Canterbury had erected a strong garrison. The settlers of that plantation were equally determined with those of Contoo- cook not to abandon their homes through fear of the Indians. The Canterbury settlement had made greater progress than that of Contoocook, and was much stronger in numbers. A garrison was established, and Jeremiah Clough, one of the energetie set- tlers, commissioned captain. Being on the east side of the river, and more accessible than Contoocook to Portsmouth, the residence of the new governor, it became the rendezvous for all scouting parties.
In the month of June, Capt. Clough had a force of twenty men under him, but as the summer waned it was reduced to six men,- one of whom was Philip Call, whose wife was murdered subse- quently, as we shall see, by the Indians. Another of his soldiers was Christo, a friendly Indian, whose wigwam once stood on the east side of the Merrimack, a short distance below the falls of Amos- keag, probably not far from the spot now occupied by the Print Works in Manchester.
June 4. The proprietors raised £250 for the salary of Mr. Stevens and other expenses, and the usual officers were chosen.
1746. Early in the year the Indians began their depredations.
THE OUTBREAK.
On April 27, the Indians entered the garrison at Hopkinton, which had been left insecure by some one going out early in the morning, and, finding everybody asleep, captured the entire house- hold, consisting of Samuel Burbank, his sons Caleb and Jonathan, and David Woodwell, wife, and three children.
41
CIVIL HISTORY.
1746.]
Governor Wentworth ordered a detachment of horse to proceed to Canterbury and Contoocook. Capt. John Goffe was ordered to raise fifty men. In six days he was on his way to Contoocook, leaving Derryfield on May 3, and reaching Penacook that night. But the Indians were ahead of him. They fell upon a party of men at work near Clay hill, and killed Thomas Cook, who had built a cabin on Little brook, about a mile north of the meeting- house on Corser hill, and for whom Cook's hill was named. He had fled from that locality for fear of the Indians. Another of the party was Cæsar, Rev. Mr. Stevens's slave. He was a strong, athletic man, and made a brave fight, and lost his life in conse- quence. Another of the party was Elisha Jones, who was taken captive, carried to Canada, and sold to a Frenchman. He died while a prisoner.
The attack was made on Monday, May 4. The news reached Penacook that evening, for we find Capt. Goffe at midnight writ- ing a letter to Gov. Wentworth.
CAPT. GOFFE'S LETTER.
" 5 May 1746
" May it please your Excelleney
" I got to Pennyeook on Saturday early in the morning & notwith- standing I sent the Monday after I left the Bank [Strawberry Bank, or Portsmouth?], yet my bread was not baked but there was about two hundred & fifty weight baken, which supply[ed] 20 men, which I sent to Canterbury as soon as I got here, & I kept the baker & several Soldiers to baking all Sabbath day & purposed to march on Mon- day as soon as possible ; but about midnight two men eame down from Contooeook & brought the unhappy news of two men being killed, & the two men that came down told me that they saw the two mnen lye in their blood, & one man more that was missing, & hearing that I was here, desired me to assist in making search; so that I am with all ex- pedition going up to Contoocook, & will do what I ean to see the en- emy. I shall take all possible care for the protection of the frontiers & destruction of the enemy. The Indians are all about our frontiers. I think there never was more need of soldiers than now. It is enough to make one's blood cold in one's veins, to see our fellow creatures killed and taken upon every quarter, & if we cannot catch them here, I hope the General Court will give encouragement to go & give them the same play at home. The white man that is killed is one Thomas Cook & the other is Mr Steven's the minister's negro. These are found & Jones,
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