USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 5
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
CHAPTER IV.
PIONEERING IN OLD NUMBER SEVEN.
An Error in Date-Hillsborough Settled Earlier Than Usually Believed -First Arrivals-A Stirring Scene-The Pioneers-Names of the New-Comers-No Evidence There Was a Woman Among Them- Philip and Mary Riley, Pioneers of Pioneers-A Yoke of Oxen ?- First Night "Under the Shadows of a Great Rock"-Locations of Lots of First Settlers-Hillsborough, the Outpost of Civilization - The First Mill on the Contoocook-The Meeting House-Cabin Homes-Work In the Clearings-Mr. Keyes Borrows Money and the Dates of His Securities Proves the Time of the Settlement of Number Seven-Deeds by Keyes to Caverly-Old and New Styles of the Calendar-The Meeting House Bell-Only Two Inhabitants During the Winter-Return of the Colonists the Following Spring -A Midnight Adventure-The Second Arrival-A Prayer of Thanksgiving-First Home-The Summer's Work-Coming of Mrs. Gibson with Four Children-Robert Fletcher Settles on West Hill -First Bride in Town-First Birth in Town-Little John Has a Fair Rival for Honors-First Death in Town-The Shadow of War -A Border Ballad-Indian Attack at Henniker-Flight of the Pioneers of Number Seven-A Deserted Town.
Hillsborough observed its centennial anniversary in 1841, but from documentary evidence available now this observation should have taken place, dating from the day the woodman's ax first proclaimed the coming of a new race to inhabit these wilds, at least three years before that date, or if it is preferable to consider the beginning of a settlement when women and children appeared upon the scene to complete the home circle, two years earlier.
However this may be considered it is certain that as soon as the spring of 1738 had fairly opened, half a dozen sturdy husbandmen appeared in the valley of the Contoocook not far from where the present industrial activities of Bridge Village are centered. With what feelings of mingled loneliness and determination to carry out their self-imposed task of fulfilling the obligations of Colonel Hill and themselves to lay the foundation of a town in this un- broken wilderness, may be imagined but has not been described. Standing at the foot of the falls, where they seemed to have ap-
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
proached their field of future conquest, the river swollen by the spring freshets-greater in volume than it has been in recent years-tumbling, foaming, roaring in between and over the huge bowlders, with the banks overhung with lichen-covered bushes bare of leaves but tasseled with white and yellow fringes of last summer's foliage, back from the banks' majestic pines and lordly oaks, graceful elms and widespreading maples, little wonder if they stood with uncovered heads for sometime in silence.
Then the leader spread out upon the trunk of a fallen tree the rude map or plan of the territory whither they had come-some of them one hundred and fifty miles-to make their homes. To the uninitiated it would have afforded little guidance or satisfac- tion. It is true the river was defined, even the waterfall and the bend where it swerved in its tortuous course.
"We must cross the river," declared the leader and spokes- man, "and as the day is nearly spent build us a bough house for the night. If I am not mistaken we shall be better able to ford the stream a little distance below here."
It is to be regretted that the names of all of these pioneers cannot be given. Mr. Charles J. Smith in his excellent address delivered at the centennial celebration already mentioned gives the names of the first settlers of Number 7 as Samuel Gibson, James McColley and his wife Margaret Moore, Robert McClure and James Lyon, all from Litchfield. But the information obtainable at that time jumbled somewhat the arrivals for the first and second year. It also ignores the leading spirits in the under- taking. The pioneer of these pioneers was Gershom Keyes, who had already experienced the hardships of opening up the wilder- ness in the grant of Halestown, now known as Weare. He had a greater pecuniary interest in the venture than any other man, next to John Hill, and was here to-day, not with any fixed idea of making a home, but to "build a meeting house and to erect Dwellings before June 1, 1740," as all the titles called for. Following him were Samuel Gibson, Isaac Baldwin, Andrew Bixby, and James Mayer, all of Boston; Alexander Turner of Worcester, James Maxwell of Stow, who was also there to look after the interest of Jabez Huntington of Norwich, Conn .; James McColley, Robert McClure and James Lyon of Litchfield. Mrs.
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JOHN CARSON AND PHILIP RILEY.
McColley may have been among these first-comers, but it is very doubtful.
While the information concerning him during those years is meagre, it is quite certain John Carson was among the earliest comers to Number Seven. He was an adventurous Scotchman, who had come to New England only a short time before. He was a capable man, of great powers of endurance, and what was of equal importance to Gershom Keyes and his associate, he was a carpenter and millwright. He remained here until finally the little band of pioneers decided to abandon their interests here, at least until the Indian troubles had been settled. According to tradition, with such articles of value as they could not take with them, Carson buried the mill crank in the mud near by the river bank, and marched away with the self-exiled pioneers.
When the cloud of war was lifting, John Carson wandered back to the wilderness comprised in the grant of Francestown at a spot since known as "Meadow Point," where he builded him a small cabin of logs as early as 1758. Nor was he alone, for his family seems to have been with him. Carson never came back to Number Seven, except to take away the mill crank which he concealed from the prying eyes of the red men in the retreat from the first settlement.
While it does not diminish the honorable record of this little band of pioneers, probably the earliest to seek permanent homes in the Contoocook valley, mention should be made of yet others who had come still earlier to found them a home in this region of rivers, and had settled not so far away but the sound of the ax, the pioneer's first weapon of offense in a peaceful occupation, would mingle the clarion note of the new-comers. The names of this couple were Philip and Mary Raleigh or Riley as the old records give it. If Mr. Raleigh came as a squatter or grantee no evidence has been found to show. But there is ample proof to place his name and that of his good wife among the first, if not the very first, to make a home in Hillsborough. There is little, however, to show that they associated very much with the gran- tees of the town. See Genealogical sketches in Vol. II for a more extended account of the family.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
No doubt the lost records of this first settlement of Hillsbor- ough would throw light upon scenes of those days which are somewhat obscured behind such fragments of description as we have left. No written evidence has been found to show under just what condition this little party of pioneers appeared at the close of that May day on the south bank of the Contoocook, but when it is remembered that they came not as explorers but as actual settlers it is easy to understand that they came prepared to meet definite ends. Not only were they expecting to build houses into which they were to move their families, but it was a part of their contract to erect a meeting house and a saw-mill. The last, of necessity, would require certain machinery to make it useful, while a few tools, axes, hoes, saws, etc., together with grain, pro- visions, seed for the planting, etc., would also be necessary to begin operations on the land. Hence, in order to carry on their heavy work, it seems certain they must have brought with them a yoke of oxen. This we are fain to accept as a fact in explana- tion of the rapidity with which they accomplished their under- taking.
Gershom Keyes must have been somewhat familiar with the country, having been with the surveyor, Daniel Campbell, in running out the township, and he now led the way across the river to the side of the hill overlooking the stream, selecting as their camping place for the night beside a huge bowlder which was removed within the memory of a few of the oldest inhab- itants in town. Sheltered by this and such barriers of brushwood as they could hastily cut, they built the fire with which to cook their simple supper and finally rolled themselves in their blankets to pass their first night in their new domains. The following morning it is assumed they were astir early to begin the settle- ment of a new town. It is evident they had chosen the locations for their future homes so as to be as nearly together as it was practical in order to better protect themselves from the depreda- tions of a marauding enemy.
Tradition, if not history, locates James McColley in what is now near the centre of Bridge Village, upon the site of the Marcy block, standing to-day, and beside the big rock already mentioned .* Samuel Gibson built his cabin on the west
*This big bowlder was removed about 1850.
59
THE FIRST DWELLING.
hand of the path blazed by this little body of men and leading to the highlands soon denominated as "The Centre," a name that clings to the hamlet to this day. Mr. Gibson's humble dwelling stood on the site of the Baker farm, and the depression in the earth left by the pioneer's cellar was distinguishable not many years since. Isaac Baldwin's "lott" included the Dutton farm of more recent time. The lots belonging to Alexander Turner and James Maxfield were located in the vicinity of Bible Hill, as it became known afterwards, but in those days was called "West Hill." Robert McClure and James Lyon both settled on top of the hill now known as the Centre. James Mayer pitched his tent between the Gibson lot and McClure's. The location of the Bixby lot is more uncertain, and there is a possibility that he did not come with this first party, though most of the early writers think he did.
This settlement was, with the exception of the little garrison at Number 4, now Charlestown, the most northerly outpost in New Hampshire, a fact that wants to be taken into consideration when coming to the sequel of the bold venture. The nearest settlements on the east and south were Hopkinton and New Boston.
Very little was placed on record, or at least has been pre- served, to show where and how the initial blow was struck in founding the town. While the lines of the township had been run, as has been said, and the homestead lots in the eastern and southern section had been laid out, no movement had been made to establish a form of government at this early stage. There would be time enough for such action when the handful of new- comers had established themselves in their new homes.
It seems reasonable to suppose that the first building-a log cabin-was built on the site of James McColley's homestead. Let it be understood that this was a community settlement, as all pioneer hamlets were to a greater or lesser extent. There was much that required the united efforts of all. This was espe- cially true in relation to building the meeting house and parsonage, while every one joined in toward building the saw mill, though some arrangement was made whereby this became the personal property of Mr. Keyes. Beyond doubt it stood on the north bank
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
of the river nearly if not quite where the Taggart mill stood when it was the nucleus around which Bridge Village was built. This was the bridge probably above and on the site of the "new mill" and a wing dam was built out to the middle of the river, a plan that was followed in the erection of most of the early mills, where the stream was of considerable size, or different parties owned the respective banks. Of course this was a rude structure, at first little more than a hewn frame, a rough flooring, a carriage for the logs and the old-fashioned up and down saw located near the middle of the building. Let it be ever so humble great pride was felt in its construction, and more or less quiet rejoicing expressed when the first board was sawed from this mill, the first to utilize the power of the Contoocook from its source to its entrance into that larger stream the Merrimack. A very decisive blow had been struck in the beginning of Hillsborough.
We can readily imagine that the next movement was towards the building of a meeting house, which work was greatly facil- itated by the mill. A parsonage or house for the prospective minister was also built that summer, arising like a beacon of light in the heart of the wilderness. This house of worship stood on the west side of the road to the Centre on what has since been known as "the Clark Farm," and where Mr. George Russell and his family now live. The parsonage stood just above the present buildings on the place. In addition to these buildings, the mill and the meeting house, half a dozen dwellings, humble yet habit- able, had been constructed before the gray days of November began to remind them of the approaching winter. There were no laggards among the pioneers of Hillsborough.
While constructing these dwellings several clearings of some size had been made and corn, potatoes and a few vegetables had been grown, while patches of winter rye were sown to furnish grain another summer. Altogether they had made a satisfactory beginning, and now most of them prepared to return to their families. At least two remained through the winter, Robert McClure and James Lyon.
Leaving a description of the experiences of a long, bitter winter to the imagination of the reader, we will now offer the proof of the undertaking hastily sketched. Gershom Keyes was
61
PROOF OF DATE OF SETTLEMENT.
a trader and a speculator and, as we have already said, did not pitch his tent in the wilderness expecting to occupy it for any length of time. His purpose rather was to encourage the others, so the stipulations of the several deeds given might be carried out, thinking no doubt to make an honest dollar by the transaction. Besides unloading as rapidly as possible his burden of unimproved real estate, Mr. Keyes was raising money upon it by borrowing upon mortgage notes. On December 22, 1739, which must have been soon after his return from Number 7, he gave a mortgage deed to John Hill to secure the latter for the sum of £360. In this document the mill and certain houses and lots that he owned were specifically described. This paper was legally executed and can be found in Middlesex County Deeds, Vol. 40. Less than a month later he gave the following mortgage deed :
MORTGAGE DEED BY GERSHOM KEYES.
Gershom Keyes of Boston, Trader, as security for the pay- ment of £1000 mortgage to Anthony Caverly of Boston, distiller, a 50 acre house lot lying in by the Meeting house with a house and Barn erected thereon lying in a Township called Hillsbury or Number Seven in the line of Towns, which Township was granted to Isaac Little Esq" and others of old Plymouth Colony, with all the said Keyes's interest in the Saw Mill and Dam erected on the Contoocook River in said Township, with the benefit of half of the Stream, and all the appurtenances whatsoever belonging to said whereof he is one half owner, together with all his other Lands in said Township in Common with John Hill yet to be divided whereof the said Keyes is one half owner at this day ; (excepting and reserving all his interest in fifty nine house lots that are to be settled with Six thousand acres upon an equal width lying on the west side of said Township Number Seven also the said Keyes doth except and reserve all his interest in four farms lying upon the East side of said Township and one lying upon the river below the sawmill containing Six hundred and eighty acres all the said farms were surveyed by Joseph Wilder Jun") to- gether with all and singular Houses, Edifices, Buildings Ease- ments, fences on all the said Keyes's Interest in said Township Standing, Ways Passages Waters Water courses Eights, Mem-
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
bers Profits privileges and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging ....
This deed was legally executed and dated January 20, 1739. (See Middlesex Co. Deeds, Vol. 40, p. 459.) The italics are our own and given to call attention to the fact that Messrs. Hill and Keyes must have begun immediately to build a sawmill and then a meeting house early in 1739 if not the year before. Further proof of this is found in the document executed by "Sam Brown" as stated in last chapter, either one of which would seem to establish the date of the first settlement of the town beyond question. In connection with the date of the mortgage given by Mr. Keyes to Mr. Caverly, January 20, 1739, it must be under- stood that then time was computed in New England by the "Old Style" or Julian Year, which began March 25. The " New Style" or Gregorian system used to-day was established among the Protestant people by the British Parliament in 1752. Thus the Keyes's deed was executed really January 20, 1740, only a few months before the limit in which the grantees were to make their settlement.
About this time Mr. Keyes seems to have parted with most of his interest in the settlement of Number Seven, and Colonel Hill again became the main owner, outside of the land that had been sold. No doubt he visited the town during the summer and time of building the meeting house, though there is no record to show it. He did buy a bell for the church, but it was never sent there on account of threatened molestations from the Indians, and it was finally sent to Groton, Mass., where it did long and faithful service.
While the beginning had been auspicious the sanguinary proprietor must have felt that although well satisfied with the work so far, yet a shadow hung over the forest-girt hamlet and that was ever the skulking figure of the savage. If new bidders for homes in this corner of the wilderness came forward slowly, let it be said that not one of the leaders weakened in his purpose.
As soon as the winter snow had fairly melted away in the forest, early in the following May the little party of Argonauts set forth upon their long and arduous journey through the wilder- ness to their new homes. The Scotch-Irish portion, at least,
63
THE FOREST TRAIL.
started from the home of Alexander McColley, a brother to James, in Litchfield. James McColley's wife, Margaret Moore, was determined to accompany him, though she had two small children, one a babe in her arms. Mrs. Gibson concluded to remain until later in the season before going. Mrs. McColley was the only woman in the party.
James Lyon had returned a few days previous, to see a certain young lady who will figure in the new settlement later on. Besides Mr. McColley and Samuel Gibson there were three other men in the company. Mr. McColley was taxed that year for two cows in Litchfield, but these he left with his brother at this time, returning for them later in the season. None of them were taxed for horses, so the journey was made on foot. A few household goods, with a small supply of provisions, completed the outfit of the party.
The distance lying ahead of them must have been over forty miles as the trail ran, and the last dwelling they passed was that of an adventurous pioneer in the town of Merrimack, where it is probable they stopped over night. Beyond this they entered the tenantless woods, where it is not possible for us to comprehend the hazard and peril that confronted them. No historian has recounted the particulars of that long, lonely journey, where the wild creatures peered from their coverts upon what must have seemed to them a strange sight, or lingered stealthily on their trail. They saw no signs of Indians, but there is a family tradi- tion that on the second night an adventure befell the party which was not speedily forgotten, while it portended something of the experiences ahead and at the same time proved the courage and confidence of a woman of the frontier.
It was the custom for one of the party to maintain a watch during the hours of the night, lest they be surprised by nocturnal beasts of prey. On this particular occasion it was James Lyon's turn at keeping vigil, but growing drowsy toward morning he fell asleep at his post. Of course he may not have slept long-prob- ably he did not- but it was long enough for a spirited adventure to take place. If he was neglectful of his duty, Mrs. McColley, awakened by the restlessness of the child in her arms, suddenly became conscious of the approach of a stealthy figure through
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
the undergrowth, and then she discovered a pair of gleaming eyes making two bright spots in the wall of darkness surrounding them. The campfire had burned low, while the sky was obscured by clouds, so not a star scintillated down through the canopy of the forest. A deathlike stillness hung over all, and in imagina- tion if not reality Dame McColley saw the lissom form of a panther or wildcat crouching in the darkness while it prepared to spring upon them! Nothing daunted by this startling situation, knowing that to arouse the men would be to precipitate a crisis that might prove disastrous, she reached quickly, but silently, for the ever-handy musket resting by the side of her husband. As she lifted the weapon she pressed the hammer back, the sharp click of lock arousing the cautious brute, which gave a low growl of rage, at the same moment stirring the underbrush where it crouched. Realizing the importance of prompt action, Mrs. McColley took quick aim at one of the blazing orbs, and, with a prayer upon her lips, fired point blank at the beast.
The report of the firearm was blended with a cry of pain and madness, while the form of the enraged creature came crash- ing through the thicket and struck at her feet! So closely did the brute come that its sharp claws tore a rent in her skirt, and for a moment her fate seemed sealed. But the leap of the wounded cat had been its death-struggle, and with another snarl of rage the creature expired within reach of her hand.
By this time the men were awake and on their feet, for a moment fearing an attack from an unknown enemy. But a few words from the brave woman and the body of the dead cat explained the cause of the alarm. It is needless to say that the campfire was replenished and that James Lyon slept no more at his post that night. In fact, though this was no uncommon ex- perience, none of them thought of sleeping.
The third day was drawing to a close-a beautiful spring afternoon-as the little party stopped on the bank of a swiftly- flowing stream, now running furiously with the aftermath of winter.
"Are we almost there, James?" asked Mrs. McColley, scan- ning sagely his countenance that she might read there some inkling of the answer she desired.
Photograph by MANAHAN.
LOON POND.
Photograph by MANAHAN.
CONTENTION POND.
65
FOUNDING THE FIRST HOME.
"Almost there, Maggie. Here is where we crossed last year, and see, Robert has felled other trees to make a bridge for us to cross over. At the top of the hill our journey has been reached." "Yes, and look, James! there he comes to welcome us."
Fifteen minutes later the entire party, now joined by the overjoyed Robert McClure from his lonely cabin where he had passed the winter, halted for the last time before the rough, but comfort-promising cabin by the big rock, that was to be their home, standing under the canopy of an aged oak lifting its arms over them like a Druid bearded and saintly.
"Our home, Maggie," said James McColley, simply; "at last !"
"At last," she repeated. "James, let us pray."
Then and there, under that forest sanctuary, the ancient oak, was sent up the first humble petition to the Giver of all good ever offered in the town, and though others may have come from more finished temples of worship it is doubtful if a more devout prayer was ever uttered, or under more striking and appropriate environ- ment.
That evening the first home in Hillsborough enlivened and sanctified by the presence of mother and children was founded, and we can safely say the beginning was auspicious.
It is to be regretted that we have only fragmentary records, enlivened here and there with flashes of tradition, from which to tell the story of the few following years. Built against such a background their history would have all the interest of romance. There were certainly no laggards among these pioneers, and without the loss of a day's time the season's work was begun on the succeeding morning, each man going to his abode with a deter- mined purpose to make his particular homestead to blossom "like a rose in the wilderness," though he may have expressed it in a more homely phrase. So the summer waxed and waned, bringing back the Massachusetts colonists who had come the year before, all except Mr. Keyes. In addition to the original number came a Robert Fletcher, who had taken a lot located on West Hill or Bible Hill as it has since been called. There are no records of others coming, excepting that the first week in September Mrs. Samuel Gibson came with her four children, so it could no longer
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