USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 12
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Londonderry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 12
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About the same time, a small party of hardy and enter- prising men, joined by some of their countrymen from Lunenburg, Mass., attempted to form a settlement at "Peter- borough, and though at first repulsed by the difficulties and dangers which attended it, they ultimately succeeded.
About the year 1760, a number of families emigrated from Londonderry to Nova Scotia, soon after its evacuation by the French, and settled in the towns of Truro and Londonderry.
In 1767, a settlement was formed by Londonderry emi- grants in Antrim. Soon after, another company planted themselves in Henniker, a neighboring town; and still an- other in Deering, and laid in each of these places the foundation of a valuable and flourishing community.
In 1766, a small party removed to Acworth, in this State, and united with a few families from Connecticut, in forming that township. About the year 1774, a few families removed from this town to a tract of country in Vermont, which had been purchased by a Mr. James Rogers. It was subse- quently incorporated into two townships, Londonderry and
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CIVIL HISTORY.
Windham, as the early settlers were mostly from those towns. Among these were James Rogers, S. Thompson, James Patterson, Edward Aiken, John Woodburn, and James McCormick.
New Boston was settled by a colony from Londonderry still earlier, and was, more exclusively than either of the other settlements, confined to those of Scotch-Irish descent. In addition to these, many other towns in their early settle- ment received accessions from this town, as Litchfield, Hud- son, Amherst, Dunstable, and Chester. Thus, during the period of twenty-five years preceding the Revolution, ten distinct settlements were made by emigrants from London- derry, all of which have become towns of influence and im- portance in the State. And while the town afforded colonists to form other settlements, the church here proved a hive, from which most of the churches, which now constitute the Presbytery of Londonderry, derived their origin. It also contributed largely to the organization, strength, and stability of other religious societies. Most of the Congregational churches in the vicinity, and many in the more distant parts of the State, have received accessions from this. Wherever a Londonderry man was found, there, with few exceptions, was found a steadfast supporter of the gospel, as well as of civil institutions. No subjects were more obedient to the authorities appointed by the mother country, or more ready to sustain them, than the citizens of Londonderry.
While we were colonies, it appears that the officers of government, who derived their appointment from the crown, not unfrequently received from individuals and communities gifts, which were regarded, not perhaps as bribes, but as per- quisites attached to their office, and which they were at liberty to receive as such. Yet the practice was regarded as rather disreputable, and required at times concealment, as appears from the following record.
One article of the warrant for a town meeting in 1774,
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
" was to see if they will allow a small gift to be given to a special friend to the town," no name being mentioned. On being considered, it was voted " that the selectmen purchase one hundred weight of butter, at the charge of the town, to give to the aforesaid special friend." We find also frequent charges against the town for venison and for salmon that was sent to Portsmouth, the seat of government at that time.
In the town accounts, as early as 1727, is this item : " To John Barr, for wine when the Governor was here, £0, 15, 6."
Charges of a similar character for wine, venison, mutton, do not unfrequently occur, showing the hospitality of the town to strangers, and characters of distinction, who visited the place.
In 1729, is the charge: -
" To John McMurphy, for cloath to Governor Bur-
£4,10,0." . nett,
In 1736, " To John McMurphy, for linen to give to
the Governor, £6,10,0."
Upon the accession of George the Second, in 1727, Wil- liam Burnett, son of the Bishop of Sarum, was appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He had been popular as a governor of New York and New Jersey. He was received in Boston with great pomp, being met there by the Lieut .- governor of New Hampshire, and a committee of the council and assembly. An address was communicated to him from this town by the Rev. Mr. MacGregor, as ap- pears from the following charge in the accounts for 1727.
" To James Reid, to give to Mr. MacGregor, when
he went to Boston with our address to Gov. Bur-
nett, .
£2,0,0."
In 1741, Benning Wentworth succeeded Mr. Belcher as governor of New Hampshire. He was received with great satisfaction by the people, and was highly regarded by the inhabitants of this town, being the son of their early patron
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CIVIL HISTORY.
Lieut .- governor John Wentworth. The following charge appears in their town accounts for that year :-
" To Robert Cochran, for going to the Bank, to con- gratulate his Excellency to the Province with ye Rev. Wm. Davidson,
£3,4,0."
But while the bold and hardy sons of the older times were thus rapidly forming settlements throughout New England, and the wilderness and solitary place was made glad ; while the colonies, long harassed and depressed by their wars with the Indians, were now increasing in population and strength, and everything indicated prosperity, their bright visions of peace and security in the enjoyment of their posses- sions, and the fruit of their labors, were suddenly overcast.
The intention of the British ministry to quarter troops in America, and tax the people, without their consent, for their support, was announced. The colonies at once understood the purport of this intelligence : it was to subjugate and make them vassals of the British crown. They had expended their best blood and treasure in putting the British nation in pos- session of a territory of full twice the dimensions of all their possessions in Europe, and were they to be requited thus ? Wonder not at their determined spirit of resistance ; at their resolute, and, in the view of the world, rash purpose " to bur- ish their arms anew, and gird them on single-handed against the most powerful nation of the world, rather than resign to her oppressive grasp their rights and their liberties."
Twelve years passed away in strifes and melancholy fore- bodings. Every day the storm gathered blackness, and now the time drew near for it to burst upon these infant colonies. Among the most decided in resistance to the oppressive acts of British domination, were the descendants of those. men who resisted, unto blood, against the encroachment upon their civil and religious rights in the mother-country. This was particu- larly the case with the Presbyterian colonists. Not only the spirit of civil and religious freedom, nurtured and strength-
9*
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
ened by the persecutions endured for conscience' sake in Ire- land, but the form of their church polity served to prepare them to espouse, and steadily to maintain, the cause of Amer- ican Independence.
In confirmation of this statement, the following testimony, from writers of known and acknowledged ability, may be adduced.
Mr. Reed of Philadelphia, himself an Episcopalian, re- marks : " The part taken by the Presbyterians in the contest with the mother-country, was indeed, at the time, often made a ground of reproach, and the connection between their efforts for the security of religious liberty and opposition to the oppressive measures of Parliament, was then distinctly seen. A Presbyterian loyalist was a thing unheard of."
Says Dr. Elliot, speaking of the Revolution, "The Presby- terians, of every class, were ever foremost in achieving the liberties of the United States. And they have been all along the leading supporters of the constitution, law, and good order. They have been the pioneers of learning and sound knowledge, from its highest to its lowest grade, and are now its principal supporters."
" And after the conflict was over," says a writer on the subject, "and the sages of America came to settle the forms of our government, they did but copy into every constitution the simple elements of representative republicanism, as found in the Presbyterian system. It is matter of history that can- not be denied, that Presbyterianism, as found in the Bible, and in the standards of the several Presbyterian churches, gave character to our free institutions."
Nor must it be forgotten that the Pilgrim Fathers, after witnessing the sad effects of simple independency in their own land, had been nursed in the bosom and drank of the spirit of Presbyterian Holland and Geneva, before they reached the rock of Plymouth, and, from the very first, their institutions partook of the Presbyterian form.
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CIVIL HISTORY.
We have the authority also of the late Chief Justice Tilgh- man, for stating that the framers of the Constitution of the United States were, through the agency of Dr. Witherspoon, who was one of them, much indebted to the standards of the Presbyterian church in Scotland, in modelling that admira- ble instrument under which we have enjoyed, during three- fourths of a century, unparalleled national prosperity.
And still further, the Hon. W. C. Preston, of South Caro- lina, has made the following declaration : " Certainly, it is the most remarkable and singular coincidence, that the constitu- tion of the Presbyterian church should bear such a close and striking resemblance to the political constitution of our coun- try. This may be regarded as an earnest of our union. We fondly regard our federal constitution as the purest specimen of republican government that the world ever saw ; and on the same pure principles of republicanism, as its basis, we find established the constitution of this republican church. The two may be supposed to be formed after the same model." An inquiry into the matter would show that a large number of the distinguished veterans of the Revolution were members of the Presbyterian church. . Without attempting to make such an investigation, the following facts may be stated : From the State of South Carolina, it appears that ten officers of distinction, among whom were generals Mor- gan and Pickens, and colonels Campbell, Williams, Shelby, and Sumpter, were Presbyterian elders; all bearing rule in the church of Christ, and all bearing arms in defence of our liberties. And from New Hampshire, were General Stark, and colonels Reed, McCleary, and Gregg, of the Presby- terian colony, here planted. The names of braver or better officers cannot be found in the annals of our country ; nor were there braver or better troops in the American army, than those furnished by the Presbyterian communities at the North, or at the South.
As in the previous wars in which the colonies were in-
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
volved, Londonderry afforded her full proportion of troops, and bore promptly her full share in every conflict, so was it in the war of the Revolution. - Not only an ardent love of liberty, but a spirit of daring, was a strong feature in the character of its inhabitants. They never shrunk from peril, but were ever prompt to repair to the scene of action. The very first act of open and bold resistance to British author- ity and arms, was exhibited by a small party of undaunted men of this town, although the fact never received public notice. The writer had it from an aged veteran who was prominent in the adventure.
While the British were quartered in Boston, and before the encounter at Lexington, four of their soldiers deserted and came to Londonderry. Notice was given by a tory who resided in the town, of their place of residence. An officer with a number of soldiers, was dispatched for their arrest. The deserters were discovered, secured, and marched towards Boston. No sooner was the fact known in the town, than a party of young men rallied, and, led by Captain James Aiken, a bold and energetic officer, pursued and overtook them a few miles north of Haverhill. Captain Aiken, quickly passing them, drew up his men in front of the party, and commanded them to halt and deliver up their prisoners. The British officer, overawed by this unexpected and bold resistance, at once complied, and they returned with the lib- erated men, who became residents in the town, no further attempts being made for their arrest.
When the news came that General Gage was marching troops from Boston into the interior, New Hampshire at once took up arms and hastened to the scene of action. Twelve hundred of her sons instantly repaired to Charlestown and Cambridge. Among these was a large company from Lon- donderry, under the command of brave and experienced officers. The tidings had no sooner reached the town, that the conflict had actually commenced, than the whole com-
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CIVIL HISTORY.
munity were seized with a warlike frenzy. A number of men, dropping instantly their implements of husbandry, hastened from one section of the town to the other, to spread the news; and in a few hours, all who could bear arms were assembled on the Common, at the meeting-house. There a few brief and patriotic appeals were made, in reference to the impending struggle, and the sacrifices of life and treasure which would be required, to defend and preserve those privi- leges, for the sake of which many of them, with their fathers, had come to this country.
As a community they needed, on such an occasion, no incitement to duty. They were prepared to act. From the two companies of militia in town, a large company of volun- teers was at once formed ; and, being allowed to select from the officers of the two companies, those under whom they would march to the conflict, they chose George Reed, captain, Abraham Reed, lieutenant, and James Anderson, ensign. They started instantly, on being organized; their provisions, ammunition, and whatever was necessary for their encamp- ment and future wants, being afterwards forwarded by express.
On the organization of the troops that had assembled at Cambridge, Capt. Reed received the commission of colonel. Hle served during the whole of the war, was in most of the distinguished battles, and received repeated tokens of appro- bation, for his valor and military skill, from his commander- in-chief. Confidential communications from Washington, in his own handwriting, are now in the possession of his de- scendants.
The convention which met at Exeter, April 25, 1775, a few days after the fight at Lexington, formed the men from New Hampshire, who had joined the army around Boston, into two regiments, which were placed under the command of Colonel, afterwards General Stark, and Colonel Reed, both of Londonderry. Shortly after the battle of Bunker
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
Hill, another regiment from New Hampshire, under the command of Colonel Poor, joined the army at Cambridge.
The two regiments under Stark and Reed were stationed, previous to the battle of Bunker Hill, at Medford, and thus formed the left wing of the American army. "These troops," says one, in his narrative of the battle, " were hardy, brave, active, athletic, and indefatigable ; almost every soldier equalled William Tell as a marksman, and could aim his weapon at an opposer with as keen a relish. Those from the frontiers had gained this address against the savages and beasts of the forests. The country yet abounded with game, and hunting was familiar to all, and the amusement most fashionable and universal, throughout New England, was trial of skill with the musket."
On the landing of British troops at Charlestown, the two New Hampshire regiments were ordered to join the forces on Breed's Hill. A part were detached to throw up a work on Bunker Hill, and the remainder, under Stark and Reed, joined the Connecticut forces under General Putnam, and the regiment of Colonel Prescott, at the rail fence. "This was the very point of the British attack, the key of the American position. To be stationed there, in the post of danger, was a high honor, and well did the New Hampshire troops merit it, although not a few paid for the distinction with their lives." The New Hampshire regiments lost 19 men killed, and 74 wounded. None of the company from this town were killed.
To all the actual engagements on this memorable year, the town contributed its full proportion of men and means, as appears from the following minutes from the town records.
April 23, 1775. " Voted in town meeting, to give our men that have gone to the Massachusetts government, seven dol- lars a month until it be known what our provincial Congress will do in that affair ; and that the officers shall have as much pay as those in the Bay government."
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CIVIL HISTORY.
April 29. " Voted that a committee of nine men be chosen to inquire into the conduct of those men that are thought not to be friends to the country. Capt. Moses Barnett, John McKeen, John Aiken, John Gilmore, Capt. John Moor, Ensign James McGregore, George Duncan, Jr., Capt. Rob- ert Moor, and John Bell, were this committee. Voted that the aforesaid committee have no pay." At this meeting, " Voted that twenty more men shall be raised immediately, to be ready upon the first emergency, as minute-men."
May 22. " Voted that twenty more men be enlisted in Capt. James Aiken's company, as minute-men."
July, 1775. " Voted, that six more be added to the com- mittee of inspection, viz., Robert McMurphy, Lieut. John Pinkerton, John Nesmith, Capt. William Alison, James Ramsey, and Peter Patterson."
Though there were but few tories in the town, yet the appointment of so large and respectable a committee, shows the deep interest and close vigilance with which they guarded the sacred cause of freedom. Col. Stephen Holland, a gentleman of respectable family in Ireland, had some years before emigrated, when a young man, to America, and settled in this town. He here married into a family whose connec- tions were rather numerous. He was a gentleman of educa- tion, easy address, and of influence. He had been represen- tative of the town, and intrusted with the management of its interests. But holding, as he did at the commencement of the Revolution, offices both civil and military, under the crown, he was early suspected of inclining to the cause of royalty, and of not being truly friendly to the movements of the colonists. Knowing the deep and strong feeling of the town on the subject, lie took measures to allay their jealous- ies. At a town meeting called for the purpose, he presented a strong disclaimer in reference to the reports then in circu -* lation, as to his attachment to the British cause. The town, by a vote, expressed their satisfaction, and he was invested
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
anew with certain offices of trust. But events not long after transpired, which induced him to join the British at Boston. He left a valuable estate, situated near the first meeting-house, which was confiscated and sold. He returned, first to Eng- land, and from thence to Ireland, where he died, soon after the declaration of peace. No other loyalist of any influence was found in the place.
The professional and influential men of the town were unitedly and ardently engaged in supporting the struggle for independence ; and they were sustained in all their proposed measures by the almost unanimous voice of their fellow- citizens.
April 23, 1775. The town " Voted to send a delegate to represent us in the Provincial Congress, which is to meet at Watertown on the 31st of May." "Voted, that Col. Matthew Thorton is the man to be sent." At an adjourned meeting, James McMurphy, Esq. was also appointed to act with him in behalf of the town.
In Nov. 1776, in consequence of the great depreciation of paper money, the exorbitant prices demanded by speculators who had forestalled the markets, and the consequent dis- couragement to the exertions of those who were laboring to sustain the heavy public burdens, a meeting was held at Dracut, to petition Congress, and the State legislatures, upon the subject ; and to devise such other measures as might be necessary for the protection of the people. A large number of delegates were present.
Londonderry was represented by Deacon Samuel Fishef. The convention met Nov. 26, 1776, at the house of Major Joseph Varnum, and, after passing a number of resolves, prepared a petition to the general courts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, that the resolves of the continental Congress, respecting the prices of articles of necessary consumption, might be enforced more strictly.
The three regiments which had been raised in New
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CIVIL HISTORY.
Hampshire, amounting to two thousand men, which were placed under the command of colonels Stark, Reid, and Hale, were, in 1776, sent to New York, to join the army under Gen. Sullivan, for the invasion of Canada. They proceeded up the Hudson, and down the lakes to Canada, but were obliged to retreat to Ticonderoga. They suffered severely, and lost one third of their number by sickness and exposure.
Dec. 17, 1776. "It was voted that, at the desire of our delegates chosen to represent us in the Assembly of this State, a committee be chosen to give them instruction from time to time at this calamitous day, that they may know how to act the minds of their constituents, as well as their own. The following were this committee : John Moor, Robert Moor, John Aiken, Thomas Taggart, John Nesmith, John McKeen, John Gilmore, Robert McMurphy, Peter Patterson, Samuel Morrison, and Capt. William Duncan."
The resolutions adopted by the Assembly of New Hamp- shire against the proceedings of the British Parliament, and the proposals for a colonial Congress at New York, were all approved by the freemen of this town.
" Voted, in town meeting, that the remainder of the stock of powder shall be divided out to every one that hath not already received of the same, as far as it will go, provided he. produces a gun of his own, in good order, and is willing to go against the enemy, and promises not to waste any of the powder only in self-defence ; and provided, also, that he shows twenty bullets to suit his gun, and six good flints."
"March, 1777. Voted to raise £18 bounty for each man that is now wanting to make up our complement of men." In April following, £12 was added, "so as to make thirty pounds bounty for each continental soldier who enlists for three years."
In January, 1778, " It was voted, that the selectmen make provision for the families of the soldiers belonging to this
10
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
town, who are engaged in the continental army, agreeable to an act of our General Court for that purpose."
1778. The thirteen articles of the confederation proposed by Congress, were referred by this town to a committee, of which Matthew Thornton was chairman, to report thereon. Their report, containing certain strictures on these articles, was adopted by the town, and humbly recommended to the consideration of the Honorable Congress. In 1778, Col. Matthew Thornton and John Bell, Esq., were appointed to attend the convention at Concord, for framing and adopting a form of government.
These extracts are sufficient to testify to the zeal and promptness with which the town met the calls of that trying period, and the efficiency with which they sustained the cause of American independence. During the entire struggle of eight years, not only did this town furnish her full proportion of regular troops, but the repeated emergencies which called for special aid, were here met with readiness.
From a return of the number of the inhabitants in the several towns of New Hampshire, with the number of sol- diers, firearms, ammunition, etc. taken by order of the con- vention, during the war, it appears that in this town there were four hundred and four males, from the age of sixteen to fifty, and of these, sixty-six were in the army ; a larger number than from any other town in the county. Ports- mouth sent but fifty men. According to the returns thus made, but one town in the State afforded more soldiers than Londonderry ; that town was Amherst, which sent eighty-one. It appears from the army-rolls, in the office of the Secretary of State, that Londonderry paid for bounties a larger sum than any other town, and it is believed that, including volunteers and recruits for the continental line, this town furnished the greatest number of soldiers. Nor should it be forgotten, that the victory at Bennington, which arrested the progress of the British arms under Burgoyne,
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CIVIL HISTORY.
and turned the tide of war, was achieved by her gallant son, Stark, sustained by New Hampshire and Vermont troops. In this famous battle were also Col. William Gregg, Capt. Daniel Reynolds, and lieutenants McClary and Adam Taylor, with a select band of soldiers from Londonderry. Lieutenant McClary was slain in the action. He was a brave and active officer ; a man of piety and of patriotism. The Sabbath before the engagement, as he passed through the tents of the soldiers composing his company, he remarked, " Boys, remember this is the Lord's day." He was foremost among the assailants of a redoubt which the enemy had thrown up, and while leading on his men to the attack, he was shot down by a musket-ball. The Bible which he had carried with him to the camp, and from which he had that morning re- ceived divine encouragement, and also the ball which pierced him, have been preserved as sacred relics, by his relatives. It is a most remarkable fact, that Lieut. McClary was the only man from Londonderry who was slain in battle during the war, especially considering the number in constant service, and engaged in many of the most sanguinary encounters. A number, however, died in consequence of sickness during the campaigns in which they were engaged.
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