USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > The history of Concord : from its first grant in 1725, to the organization of the city government in 1853, with a history of the ancient Penacooks ; the whole interspersed with numerous interesting incidents and anecdotes, down to the present period, 1885 > Part 52
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Mr. Walker was a patriot. Having encouraged his parishioners to join Gen. Stark's regiment, to oppose Burgoyne, he waited the issue with great solicitude. When the late Capt. Jonathan Eastman returned from Bennington, bringing intelligence of the victory, Mr. Walker came running out to meet him, eagerly inquiring, "What news, friend Eastman, what news ?" The captain related the joyful
* Moore's Annals.
t A confused tradition relates this story of Mr. Walker's negro, Prince, but it belongs to John Evans, as Mr. Timothy Walker affirms.
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tidings, and the old patriot exclaimed, " Blessed be God ! the coun- try is saved-I can now die in peace !"
Having one day hired a number of men to mow for him, they came, but seemed to hesitate on account of appearances of unfavora- ble weather. However, Mr. Walker directed them to go on to the island and begin their work. Perceiving from the hill that they still hesitated and were looking about, he went over to them and in- quired, " What is the matter?" They said they were observing the clouds. "Clouds, clouds," said Mr. Walker, " what have you to do with the clouds ? I hired you to cut my grass - He who made the clouds will take care of them !"
As a specimen of his prudence and good sense, it is related that the Rev. Elijah Fletcher, of Hopkinton, once requested an exchange with him on the Sabbath, and that he would preach upon the subject of witchcraft, which at that time was making trouble among some of Mr. F.'s parishioners. Mr. W. accordingly prepared a sermon for the occasion, and preached. He told the people " that the most they had to fear from witches was from talking about them ; that if they would cease to talk about them, and let them alone, they would soon disappear !" The hint had its desired effect.
A ludicrous story used to be told by the late Col. John Carter. Before the meeting-house was finished there was, opposite to the pul- pit, an elevated seat for the singers, where boys also sometimes took a seat. Dogs in those days attended meeting, but to keep them in due order was the business of " the dog-whipper." A huge dog had planted his fore paws on the top of the singers' seat, near where young John Carter was sitting, and thus stood looking over on the congregation. In the absence of the dog-whipper, John undertook to administer discipline. Looking carefully about, and supposing that no one saw him, he quickly seized the dog by the hind legs and threw him over, much to the astonishment and disturbance of the congregation. Nothing was said at the time, but soon after Parson W. called at the house of old Mr. Carter, and after conversing freely for some time with the father -John being present -turned to the latter and said in a low tone of voice, "John, I did'nt blame you at all for pitching that dog orer the seat, a few Sabbaths ago !"
Mr. Walker left a will, dated August 10, 1782, by which he made the following distribution of his property to his children :
To Mrs. Sarah Thompson, [wife of Count Rumford,] £10
To Saralı Thompson, his granddanghter, to be paid at her marriage,
or at the age of eighteen, 140
To Mrs. Mary Goss, [wife of Dr. Eben'r Flanders Goss, ] £150
150
To Mrs. Judith Rolfe, [wife of Nathaniel Rolfe,] . 150
(Both to be paid in one year after his decease.)
All the real and personal estate remaining, to his son, Timothy Walker, who was appointed executor of the will.
JOHN STEVENS.
John Stevens, or, as he was usually called, " Merchant Stevens," came to Coneord from Charlestown, Mass., and first went into trade
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with Col. Andrew MeMillan. When he brought his wife into town he rode about the village with her, and said, "Select the house or spot which you like best and I will buy it." She pointed out the house built by Stephen Farrington - David G. Fuller's - as the handsomest in Concord. Stevens bought it, with the adjacent field. He traded in the store on the corner of Pleasant street, build- ing an addition to it, and fitting up the upper story as a hall for the House of Representatives, which met there several times in after years.
Being suspected of toryism he was arrested, as related, in 1777,* and cast into Exeter jail. There he refused to take the oath of allegiance to his country, because, he said, he was as good a friend to his country as any, and felt that he had been insulted and abused. He aceused Capt. Benjamin Emery of setting a trap for him, by calling on him in the night and persuading him to sell tea and peuter plate -which were interdicted articles -on pretence that he wanted them for one of his daughters who was about to be married. The Legislature ordered his discharge from jail, but required him to keep within the limits of Concord for one year. He did so. The next Legislature gave him a full discharge, and, as a sort of compensation for what he had suffered, conferred on him a commission of justice of the peace. Stevens bore a bitter revenge towards Capt. Emery, and challenged him to fight. Stevens was small and slender, but quick and full of nerve. Emery was heavy and clumsy. They agreed to meet at Mother Osgood's tavern. Stevens, dressed in light clothes and coat off, was on the spot aforehand. As soon as Capt. Emery entered the front yard Stevens sprung upon him with such violence as to knock him over, and then leaped on him; but, being much stronger, Emery soon got him under. The bystanders then interposed and ended the fight.
Stevens never forgave the town for accusing and confining him as a tory. Some time before he died he said to his wife - " Wife, I am a justice of the peace, and I wish you to make oath, before me, that when I am dead you will see that I am buried between those two apple-trees in the garden - pointing them out - that no citizen of Coneord shall follow me to the grave ;- no minister be present ;- that you will pay one crown apiece to the four men who bear out my body and bury it." His wife demurred from taking the oath, but promised to do as he wished. He was buried accordingly. His bearers were Zenas Wheeler, Job Page, Daniel Page, and
Mr. William Manley, who was an Englishman by birth, and who was a trader in town, and one other foreigner, it is said, followed his corpse to the grave.t Several years afterwards, when the house owned by Col. Wm. Kent, (since by Col. Paul Wentworth,) was moved on to the spot where it stands, in digging a vault for a privy the bones of Stevens were dug up, put in a box and reïnterred in the back part of the same lot, where they remain unknown to this day.
* See pages 272-3. t Tradition by Benj. Gale.
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The following notice of his death appeared in the " Mirror," De- cember 25, 1792 :
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.
Died, on Tuesday morning, the 25th instant, after a short sickness, John Ste- vens, Esq., of this town, in the 45th year of his age He was a gentleman of good education, and possessed a general knowledge of manners and mankind ; the first he obtained by a liberal education at the University of Cambridge; the last, by leisure observations ; which, as he lived in affluent circumstances, he had uncommon opportunities to make, both in Europe and America.
We tender the tear of sympathy to a distressed wife and family, the one, by this unfortunate stroke of Providence, bereaved of an endearing consort ; the other, of an affectionate father. He was a firm and faithful friend.
By his partieular desire he was interred on his own land, by four men, whom he appointed himself while living, and ordered them a generous reward for their serviee. These four men were the only persons present at the interment.
JACOB SHIUTE.
Jacob Shute was the ancestor of the Shute family in Concord. There is a tradition in the family that his father was a French Protestant, or Huguenot, who formerly resided in Paris; but, on revocation of the ediet of Nantz, fled to Ireland to escape persecution. Jacob was born about 1702, and was apprenticed by his father to a stocking-weaver in Dublin. Disliking the trade, at about the age of seventeen he left, in company with one Dawen, and took secret passage in the hold of a ship for this country. They remained concealed until driven out by hunger. Arriving at Newburyport the captain demanded pay for their passage, but as they had nothing it was necessary to sell them- selves - that is, their service - for a time, in order to meet the de- mand. They were both bought by Capt. Ebenezer Eastman, of Ha- verhill, and served him till twenty-one years of age. Before he bought them, Eastman asked Dawen " if he would be a good boy and work well, provided he would pay his passage ?" Dawen said, "Yes ; the Lord bless him !" He then asked Shute; he said, "No-he would n't do any thing." On trial, however, Shute proved an indus- trious, faithful hand, while Dawen was indolent and deceitful .* Shute, as more fully related in another place, drove Eastman's team from Haverhill to Penacock, in the fall of 1727; the first that ever came into town. Here Mr. Shute settled. He married Sarah, George, of Haverhill, who had a daughter Sarah, born there, and John and Elizabeth, born in Penacook. His wife Sarah died in January, 1745, and, as appears from Rev. Mr. Walker's journal, was buried January 16. May 7, 1749, Mr. Walker says : " Abigail, second wife of Jacob Shute, admitted to full communion. She was widow Evans, mother of John." By his second wife he had two daughters, both of whom died young. Mr. Shute died February 16, 1794, aged 94 years.
COL. ANDREW MCMILLAN.
Col. Andrew MeMillan, whose name often occurs in the town records previous to 1775, was an intelligent, enterprising business
* Dawen settled in Pembroke, and lived and died there.
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man, and a worthy citizen. He came to this country from Ireland, about the year 1754 ; received a lieutenant's commission, dated Lake George, June 26, 1758, from Gen. James Abercromby, "in the inde- pendent company of rangers," of which Jonathan Burbank was captain, and is said to have been with Rogers in the expedition against St. Francois, in 1759. Ile married IIannah Osgood, of Rum- ford, daughter of the widow James Osgood, November 12, 1761. The same year he commenced trade in the store that now stands on the north-east corner of Main and Pleasant streets, which was then a small one-story shop, standing as it now does, partly on the street. Here he continued to trade for several years; one year in partnership with Timothy Walker, Jun., and afterwards with John Stevens, who added a second story to it. In 1767 or 1768 he and Gen. Stark received each a grant of land from the Provincial Gov- ernment, in consideration of their services in the old French war, located in the town of Conway and vicinity. In August, 1774, he removed to Conway, to take possession of his extensive landed prop- erty, where two of his wife's brotherst a few years before had pre- ceded him. Here, in the cultivation of one of the most valuable farms on Saco river, (where his only remaining son, Gilbert McMillan, Esq., now resides,) he passed the remainder of his life, - repeatedly representing the town in the State Legislature, and faithfully dis- charging his duty as a citizen and a magistrate. He died November 6, 1800, aged 70 years. His wife died in 1827, aged 84 .*
" MOTHER OSGOOD."
In this connection we must pay a compliment to our worthy host- ess, the widow Hannah Osgood, relict of Mr. James Osgood, as one of the distinguished personages of the times. Mr. Osgood's house,
* FLORENCE MCCAULLY.
Florence was a colored free man, a soldier in Capt. Joshua Abbot's company ; and as he had a strong attachment to Col. McMillan, it is but just in this connection to give him the meed of praise which is his due. When he came to Concord, or from whence, is unknown. lle probably lived with Col. McMillan some time before he joined the army. He could not write ; but just before he left Concord for the Continental service, he made a will in due form, and, in case of his decease, gave " a suit of clothes" to the Colonel, as a token of grat- itude fer past favors.
Florence survived his Continental campaign, and for many years was a faithful servant in Col. McMillan's family, where his devotion to its interests was in striking contrast with the less praiseworthy habits of the " boy Cæsar"- before mentioned as Col. McMillan's slave, (pp. 249-51,) - producing a state of feeling between them not always the most friendly. The fol- lowing anecdote is characteristic both of the cunning trickery of the one, and honest sim- plicity of the other. " Old Florence," as he was called, was very proud of his skill as a marksman - that he pretended to have acquired from Gen. Stark himself. The Colonel had a valuable bay colt that he was rearing with great care. Caesar, in passing the stable at twilight, saw through the open window this colt, in a position in which his tail only was distinctly visible. Ile told Florence to run for bis gun, as " there was something in the stable that looked like a fox." The report of Florence's gun that soon followed, convinced Cæsar that he had carried the joke too far - that his master's favorite horse was probably killed. The Colonel was absent, and would not return for several days. The result of the confer- ence between the parties in the stable was, that as the colt appeared to be mortally wounded, the only safety for Florence was in flight, and that Cæsar, the innocent party, should remain and make the necessary explanation to the family and the Colonel on his return, which he did so successfully as to throw, of course, all the blame on Florence. But such was Flor- ence's attachment to the family that he could not stay away, and in a few weeks returned, when Cæsar, fearing the effect of Florence's account of the affair, thought it most prudent for him now to decamp, and he never after was known as heretofore, a constant inmate of the family, but wandered wherever he could get employ.
t James and Benjamin Osgood, of Concord.
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when he kept tavern, in 1746, stood on the spot where Dea. Hosea Fessenden's house now stands,* (the remains of the old cellar being still visible.) Here the widow kept tavern a while after her hus- band's death. She afterwards built the house immediately north of Dea. Fessenden's, known as the old "Wiggin house," and but recently standing as a relic of olden times. There she kept tavern for several years. At a later period she occupied as a tavern, a house that stood where the " Merchants' Exchange" is erected, and which was the scene of much good cheer in those days of "punch" and " flip." The widow was highly respected in her vocation. She kept a good table, and maintained order in her house. Hearty in the American cause, she rejoiced in the victory of our arms. When the news of the capture of Gen. Burgoyne reached town, she partook so largely of the general joy, as to join in the shouts of her fellow- citizens, " Hurrah !" " Hurrah !" When very carnest in giving orders to persons in her employ, she would emphatically repeat, " Lord, help you !" " Lord, help you !"t
REV. ISRAEL EVANS.
Mr. Evans was a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Prince- ton College, New-Jersey, in 1772. His father and grandfather were settled ministers in this country, and his great-grandfather was a minister in Wales. He was ordained at Philadelphia, in 1776, as a chaplain in the United States army. From 1777 till the close of the war he was chaplain to the New-Hampshire brigade, at first under the command of Gen. Enoch Poor. His connection with this brigade was the means of his introduction to this place. The Rev. Joseph Eckley, of Boston, who preached the sermon at the installation of Mr. Evans, and who was his classmate in college, thus spoke of him to the people : "In consequence of the long acquaintance I have had with your pastor elect, I have the pleasure to congratulate you that we this day settle a gentleman with you who, added to the natural gifts and improvements of his mind, has afforded every reasonable evidence of his being a sincere friend of our common Lord." As Mr. Evans was stationed at different posts with the army during the war, he became acquainted with the principal officers, and was known to most of the soldiers. Several sermons which he preached and pub- lished while in the army, were distinguished for their patriotic spirit, and acquired for him an honorable reputation through the country. Of these, one was addressed "To the officers and soldiers of the Western army, after their return from an expedition against the five nations of hostile Indians." Another was " delivered near York, in Virginia, on the memorable occasion of the surrender of the British army to the allied forces of America and France," and was dedicated "To the honorable Major General, the Marquis de la Fayette, whose disinterested services in the cause of America prove him to be the friend of mankind, and whose well known amiable virtues render all
* This house was burnt in August, 1854. | Tradition, by Mr. Benjamin Gale.
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panegyric needless." Another was delivered in New-York, Decem- ber 11, 1783, on the day set apart by Congress "as a day of public thanksgiving for the blessings of independence, liberty and peace." He also delivered an oration on the occasion of the death of Gen. Poor, in September, 1780. In 1791 he preached the Election ser- mon, which was printed. These performances were at the time emi- nently popular. They were written in a flowing, redundant, martial style, full of patriotic ardor, and suited to the state of public opinion .*
With the feelings and habits acquired in a seven years' service in the United States army, Mr. Evans entered upon the duties of a pastor among this quiet, industrious and unostentatious people. His manners were a perfect contrast to those of his predecessor. His sen- timents and style of preaching were also different. After continuing his labors about eight years, Mr. Evans announced his "intention of resigning to the town their pulpit, and of finishing the work of the ministry in this place on the Ist of July," 1797. The proposal was accepted. An ecclesiastical council was called by Mr. Evans and the church, to dissolve the pastoral connection, "if it should be thought expedient." The council, "after solemn prayer for direction and assistance," dissolved the pastoral connection between Mr. Evans and the church ; and, " as no charges had been exhibited against his min- isterial or Christian character, they recommended him to the churches and to the work of the ministry, wherever God in his providence might open a door."
Mr. Evans bought of Stephen Kimball the house where Hon. Samuel Morril now lives, in which he resided till his death, March 9, 1807, in the 60th year of his age. Mr. Evans was a gentleman of fine personal appearance, of dignified and martial manners. On all public occasions he wore his tri-cornered hat. Was fond of a good horse, good music, and good living. Out of the pulpit he was less serious and devout than is usually expected of ministers, but a ready, fluent and earnest preacher. ; An excellent portrait of him is still preserved. When Gen. LaFayette visited Concord, in 1825, he was shown this portrait, and, on seeing it, immediately ex- claimed -" It is our worthy chaplain."
Mr. Evans married Miss Huldah Kent, sister of the late Col. Wm. A. Kent, of Charlestown, Mass., who survived him many years. After his death she purchased the Farrington house, still standing nearly opposite her brother's, where she lived with her venerable mother, Mrs. Mary Kent, who died December 5, 1827, aged 90 years.
She afterwards built the house on the corner of State and Pleasant streets, now occupied by Col. Wm. Kent. In the latter years of her life she drew a pension from the government, by virtue of her hus-
* These discourses, hound together, were carefully preserved by Mrs. Evans during her lifetime. See specimens of them in the author's Centennial Discourses, 1830, pp. 82- 83.
t Tradition affirms that his preaching was sometimes attended with violent action, so as " to make the dust fly from the old pulpit cushion ;" and there was, moreover, a suspicion that he was more spirited than spiritual. Old Lieut. Richard Ilerbert, in his characteristic way, would sometimes say, after meeting-" I wonder what Parson Evans eat for his dinner !"
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band's office as chaplain, and lived retired and cheerful, in elegant simplicity, highly esteemed by all who knew her. She died October 19, 1846, aged 84.
Madam Evans used to relate that, after their marriage, she rode in a chaise, with her husband, to visit her friends in Charlestown, Mass., it requiring then two days to make the journey. On returning they were belated, so that in approaching Concord, on the Bow road, by what is now called Rogers's Mills, it was so dark that Mr. Evans could not see his horse. She got out of the chaise, threw a white handkerchief over her bonnet, and thus walked in the road before the horse, to enable him to see where to drive. They had no chil- dren.
By his will, after giving legacies, amounting to about two hundred dollars, to a sister in Philadelphia, her daughter and grandchildren, and making suitable provision for his widow, he gave the balance of his property " to the trustees of Dartmouth College, for the support of a Professor at said College, to be called and known in his office as the EVANS Professor of Oratory and the Belles Letters."*
It is related of Mr. Evans that on one occasion, just before the army was going into battle, he prayed-" O, Lord of hosts, lead forth thy servants of the American army to battle, and give them the victory ! or, if this be not according to thy sovereign will, then we pray thee - stand neutral, and let flesh and blood decide the issue !"
He retained his military spirit even in death. In his last sickness his successor, Rev. Mr. McFarland, visited, and in praying with him, asked, " that when he should be called from this to the eternal world he might sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the king- dom of heaven." Mr. Evans, who was a great friend and ardent admirer of Washington, said, " and with Washington, too !" He could not bear the thought of being separated from Washington in the eternal world.
EPHRAIM COLBY.
The name of Ephraim, or, as commonly called, Eph Colby, is noted in traditionary history as a wrestler and fighter. His parentage is not exactly known. He appears to have been an ensign in Capt. Abbot's company, 1774, in the war of the Revolution, and spent most of his days in Concord. Ile was rather short, but a stout, broad-shouldered fellow, and was the " bully" of all the region, far and near. He served some time in town as a constable. He was sure to be present at all public gatherings, and gloried in such occa- sions as raisings and military musters. When a large building was to be raised it was customary to send an invitation to the strong and stout men of neighboring towns ;- such as the Heads and Knoxes of Pembroke, the Chamberlains of Loudon, Lyfords and Cloughs of . Canterbury, and Jackmans and Flanders of Boscawen. When the raising was completed they had a wrestling match ; and after all
* See copy of Will, on file in library of N. H. Historical Society.
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others who chose had entered the lists, and tried their strength, then Colby would step forward and defy them all. Being all well stimu- lated and warmed up with rum, that was free as water at such times, it was not uncommon to end the wrestling sport with a serious fight. Colby at such times was insolent and provoking. No one liked to engage him alone, and yet they could not well brook his insults. At the raising of Major Livermore's house, 1785, Colby got into a quar- rel with the Elliots, from the Borough-Joseph and his two sons, Barnard and John. The two latter attacked him together. John sprung upon him like a cat, clasping him round the waist, while Barnard seized him behind. In the wrestle they all fell together, when John Elliot bit Colby's nose half off. Pained and infuriated by the bite on his nose, Colby rose, shook John off and dashed him on the ground ; then, seizing Barnard by his neck and bottom of his pants, tossed him head first into West's brook ; and turning, kicked the old man off the ground. This fight is well remembered by Ben- jamin Gale and Richard Herbert, and was related as above by the late Isaac Shute.
At another time Colby had a fight in Pembroke with one of the Heads-a powerful man, yet not equal to the former in muscular strength. Enduring Colby's insolence for some time, Head's friends at last persuaded him to show resentment. Picking up a good sized stone, that he could cover with his hand, Head watched his chance, and struck Colby such a tremendous blow on the face as to fracture his jaw-bone. This laid him up for about six weeks, and pretty nearly cured Colby of his fighting propensities.
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