USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire. Comprehending the events of one complete century and seventy-five years from the discovery of the River Pascataqua to the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Vol 3 > Part 13
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TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHIS in Hampton, collected from the church records of the Rev. WARD COTTON.
Years.
Deaths.
Baptisms.
Ages.
Male.
Female.
under between
2 years.
62
1735
1,5
19
21
2 and
5
32
36
69
22
28
5
10
16
37
16
21
23
10
20
23
38
19
27
22
20
30
24
39
25
26
13
30
40
1740
14
20
15
40
50
1-
41
17
15
27
50
60
8
42
21
20
12
60
70
9
43
1 1
17
17
70
80
13
44
19
19
80
90
5
Total
216
206
199
-
Deaths 216
Adults
19
-
90
100
8
Baptisms
424
PASSATA
malins
179
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, Continued.
Years.
Deaths.
Batıtims. Female.
Ages.
2
years.
60
1745
32
22
20
under between
2
and
5
26
46
13
23
16
5
10
23
47
16
25
15
10
20
26
48
19
22
19
20
30
10
49
26
14
22
30
4.0
13
1750
17
16
17
40
50
5
51
15
18
13
50
60
10
53
16
11
20
60
70
13
53
14
18
15
70
80
16
54
53
19
21
80
90
16
Total
221
178
188
Deaths Baptisms
371
1755
32
13
17
55
36
19
16
5
10
14
57
13
20
16
10
20
13
58
23
20
12
20
16
59
21
14
18
30
40
13
1760
19
23
2!
40
50
11
61
12
19
18
50
60
5
62
15
13
18
60
70
21
63
16
16
14
70
80
30
64
no record
18
22
80
90
9
90
100
4
187
175
172
Deaths Baptisms
357
TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, by the Rev. EBEN- EZER THAYER.
Years.
Deaths.
Baptisms. Female.
under between
years. and
5
6
68
10
13
13
5
10
2
69
10
15
15
10
20
7
1770
14
20
16
20
30
13
71
7
8
11
30
4.0
5
72
11
9
15
40
50
7
73
12
19
17
50
60
9
74
8
15
14
60
70
8
75
12
11
7
70
80
17
76
24
16
13
80
90
15
90
100
3
115
156
135
Adults
3
Deaths Baptisms
115
394
.
Adults
10
.Ages.
23
1767
7
Male.
14
under between
2
years.
221
Adults
5
90
100
3
5
7
-
187
Male.
180
HISTORY OF
TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Hampton, continued.
Years.
Deaths.
Baptisms. Female.
under between
2
years.
26
1777
9
14
9
2
and
5
1
78
11
10
11
5
10
6
79
11
18
5
10
20
4
1780
9
11
3
20
30
7
81
7
16
8
30
40
2
82
6
17
4
40
50
6
83
14
14
16
50
60
1
84
9
12
10
60
70
&
85
12
7
8
70
80
16
86
11
9
8
80
90
10
90
100
3
99
128
92
Adults
2
Deaths Baptisms
221
under between
2
years
1787
13
13
11
2
and
5
88
12
10
15
5
10
89
13
8
9
10
29
90
5
10
12
20
30
91
3
9
5.
30
40
to October 31.
46
50
52
50
60
60
70
$
70
80
&
80
90
11
90
100
2
Death
46
Baptisms
120
7
-
99
Male.
Ages.
40
50
181
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN HAMPTON.
1735|1745 1755 -
Casualties.
10
to
to
1744 1754|1763
Accident
6
4
1
Apoplexy
2
2
Asthma
1
Cancer
3
2
4
Childbed
12
5
1
Cholic
2
3
3
Consumption
15
26
21
Convulsions
8
15
11
Dropsy
1
4
7
Fevers
16
30
41
Jaundice
1
1
King's evil
5
2
1
Mania
2
1
Measles
3
Mortification
1
2
Old age
12
12
9
Palsy
2
9
8
Pleurisy
2
1
2
Quinsy
I
1
2
Rheumatism
1
4
Sore mouth
1
3
3
Strangury
2
3
2
-
7
2
11
Throat Distemper
91
60
80
+ Unknown
28
28
13
Whooping cough
2
Total
216 221 3187
* The term long sickness is peculiar. It probably means the same with Consumption.
t In the class unknown are included the nameless disorders of young children, and the still-born.
-
Small pox
Suddenly
2
* Long sickness
3
2
Dysentery
-
-
182
'HSITORY OF
TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN HAMPTON, Continued.
Casualties.
to
to
to
1776 1786 1791
Accident
7
1
2
Asthma
1
Bleeding
1
Cancer
2
1
Childbed
1
3
Cholic
Consumption
27
21
9
Convulsions
5
13
2
Dropsy
1
5
Dysentery
9
2
3
Fevers
12
9
3
Gravel
Jaundice .
2
3
1
Measles
1
Mortification
4
4
2
Nervous head ache
14
6
7
Palsy
6
7
Quinsy
1
1
Rheumatism
1
Schirrus
1
Small pox
1
2
Sore mouth
Suddenly
3
3
6
Throat distemper
3
7
Violence
2
3
Worms
6
2
1
Unknown.
7
3
115
99
46
1
1
1
Lethargy
1
Old age
Scrophula
1
Whooping cough
--
|1767|1777|1787
183
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Newmarket, collected from the Records of the Rev. JOHN MOODY, by WENTWORTH CHESWILL, Esq.
Years.
Deaths.
Baptisms.
Ages.
1731
7
30
under between
5
37
32
9
14
5
and 10
Y
33
1
2F
10
20
3
$4
1
18
20
30
1
35
18
20
30
40
1
36
11
31
40
50
2
37
7
22
50
60
1
38
4
19
60
70
5
39
4
28
70
80
2
1740
1
22
80
90
1
90
100
63 225
above 100
1
age unknown
2
63
1741
9
29
42
9
44
under between
5
63
43
33
44
5
and
10
17
44
11
26
10
20
7
45
3
23
20
30
4
46
11
22
30
40
5
47
4
26
40
30
5
48
8
17
50
60
5
49
14
28
60
70
2
1750
12
24
70
80
2
80
90
114 283
90
100
age unknown
1
114
1751
25
27
under between
5
and 10
32
53
32
17
10
20
21
54
21
23
20
30
19
55
19
24
30
40
11
56
13
26
40
50
8
57
18
29
50
60
16
58
24
24
60
70
16
59
21
20
TO
80
5
1760
19
20
80
90
7
90
100
1
939
216
age unknown
5
5
98
52
47
36
239
1
184
HISTORY OF
TABLE of BAPTISMS and DEATHS in Newmarket, Continued.
Years.
Deaths.
Baptisms.
Ages.
1761
23
34
under between
5
and
10
5
63
8
28
10
20
6
64
13
24
20
30
12
65
12
16
30
40
5
66
25
19
40
50
8
67
18
16
1
TABLE of DEATHS in Dover-by JEREMY BELKNAP.
Years.
No. of Deaths ..
Ages.
No.
1767
9
under between
2
years.
46
6S
17
2
and
5
9
69
19
5
10
14
1770
16
10
20
6
71
10
72
17
30
40
15
73
15
40
50)
13
74.
10
50
60
6
75
13
60
70
22
76
47
70
80
28
80
90
13
185
90
100
2
abroad in ?
above
100
1
the war 5
185
193
2
years
47
73
16
under between
2
and
5
20
79
9
5
10
7
1780
20
10
20
12
81
8
20
30
14
82
22
50
40
9
83
23
40
50
14
84
50
60
1.3
85
33
70
15
86
8
70
80
20
80
90
18
19 2
90
100
3
abroad in ?
21
the war
5
192
8
7
60
70
13
69
9
13
70
80
17
1770
14
12
80
90
8
90
100
138
194
age unknown
4
138
5
53
62
8
25
1777
29
to Sept.
-
231
-
60
7
68
S
20
30
185
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Of unmarried females between 15 and 25 years of age, eight died in 20 years.
Of married females of the same age, four.
Still-born children are not reckoned in this table.
No account of Births could be obtained, many of the inhabitants be- ing Quakers ; and of the others, many did not bring their children to Baptism.
TABLE OF CASUALTIES IN DOVER.
Casualties.
1767 |1777 to 1 10
1776 1786
Accidents
11
10
Apoplexy
1
3
Ashma
3
Bleeding
2
Cancer
1
1
Childbed
7
3
Cholic
3
1
Cough and fever
5
Whooping Cough
1
10
Consumption
26
34
Convulsions
5
3
Decay of nature
19
16
Dropsy
6
14
Drunkenness
1
Dysentery
2
17
Felones de se
2
Fevers
25
17
Gravel
1
Jaundice
4
8
Iliac passion
1
King's evil
2
Mania
1
2
Measles
1
Children in the month
20
17
Mortification
5
Nervous head acho
3
1
Palsy
5
6
Quinsy
1
7
Rickets
2
Rheumatism
1
Strangury
3
Suddenly
4
2
Throat Distemper
1
11
Thrush
1
* Worms
19
185 192
· In the class of worms are included the nameless diseases of children.
X
-
186
HISTORY OF
TABLE of DEATHS in East-Kingston, collected from the records of the Rev. PETER COFFIN, by the Rev. ISAAC MANSFIELD.
Years.
No. of Deaths.
Ages.
No.
1740
4
under
1
year
19
4.1
5
between 1
and
3
20
42
6
3
5
8
43
8
5
10
6
44
21
10
20
8
45
6
20
30
7
46
18
30
40
47
6
40
50
5
48
14
50
60
8
3
-
49
6
94
94
under
1 year
25
51
6
between
1 and
3
14
52
6
3
5
8
53
13
5
10
6
54
13
10
20
10
55
20
20
50
5
56
12
30
40
5
57
7
40
50
13
58
11
50
60
4
59
6
70
80
6
99
80
90
1
1
99
1760
14.
under
1 ycar
20
61
8
between !
and
3
10
62
3
5
10
5
64
10
10
20
6
65
6
20
30
14
66
5
30
40
11
67
4
40
50
4
68
5
6
50
60
4
69
4
60
70
7
1770
15
70
80
5
71
1
13
80
90
A
-
. 90
90
:
60
70
2
3
5
1750
5
187
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
TABLE of BIRTHS and DEATHS in Wilton, by the Reverend ABEL FISKE.
Years.
Deaths.
Births.
Excess of births.
1784
11
47
36
85
7
49
42
86
6
38
32
87
11
49
38
88
14
29
15
89
2
37
35
90
20
32
12
71
281
210
Progress of POPULATIONin Wil -¡ TABLE of DEATHS in Exeter, by the Rev. ISAAC MANSFIELD.
ton.
Years.
Numbers.
Years.
Deaths.
1739
2
families.
1784
22
1755
70
persons.
85
27
1763
240
86
26
1775
623
87
31
1786
1013
88
20
1790
1105
126
TABLE of DEATHS and CASU- ALTIES in Conway, by the Rev. NATHANIEL PORTER.
under between
1
year
18
1 and
3
9
3
5
5
5
10
5
10
20
9
. 20
30
17
distemper,
30
40
10
Fevers
40
50
10
Mortification,
50
60
6
Dropsy
60
70
11
Asthma
70
80
12
Suddenly
80
90
12
Decay of nature Æt. 90
90
100
2
Consumption Æt. 48
1
Canker
Total 126
Felo de se
Accidents,
-
Total
55
3 3321211213 2 2 1 2 1 3
From Oct. 1778, to Oct. 1790.
under 9 years, chiefly Throat
188
HISTORY OF
TABLE of CASUALTIES in Exeter, by the Rev. ISAAC MANSFIELE.
Casualties.
No.
Casualties.
Accident
6
Fever mixcd
Apoplexy
1
-pulmonic
2
Asthma
2
- -putrid
1
Cancer
4
Gravel
1
Childbed
5
Mortification
1
Cholera morbus
1
Palsy
5
Complication of disorders
1
Quincy
3
Consumption
39
Scarlet fever
Convulsions
4
Schirrus
1
Decay of Nature
12
Scrophula
1
Diarrhea-
1
Throat distemper
6
Dropsy
5
Whooping cough
3
Epilepsy
1
Unknown
7
Fever-nervous
7
Total 125
Remarkable instances of Longevity.
In Dover, Howard Henderfon died in 1772, aged upwards of 100 years. In the former part of his life he was a feaman, and ferved on board the fleet of Sir Cloudefly Shovel, at the taking of Gibraltar from the Spaniards in 1704.
In Durham, John Bufs, a preacher of the gofpel for 33 years, but not ordained, alfo a practitioner of phyfic, died in 1736, at the age of 108. He was re- markably active and vigorous at a very advanced age.
The family of Col. James Davis, whofe name is mentioned in the preceding Hiftory, (vol. 1, pages 274, 332, 347) was remarkable for longevity as well as fuperior ftature.
.
L
1
1
189
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The father died in 1749, aged
88
2.
James
93
Thomas
88
Samuel 1788
99
Daniel
65
Sarah
91
Hannah
77
Elizabeth
79
Ephraim 1791,
847
Phebe ÆEt. 85, and the widow of Samuel Æt. 102, are yet living.
In Londonderry, the firft planters lived, on an av- erage, to 80 years ; fome to 90, and others to 100. Among the laft was William Scoby, who died in 1751, at the age of 110. The two laft heads of the fixteen families who began the planting of that town, died there in 1782, aged about 93 years each. They were women.
In Chefter, James Wilfon died in 1739, aged 100 years.
.. James Shirley in 1754, aged 105.
Another perfon of the fame name, aged 91, was living in 1790.
1
William Craigie and his wife died in 1775, each aged 100.
· In Newmarket, William Perkins died in 1732, aged 116. He was born in the Weft of England. Governor Burnet vifited him at Newmarket, and ex- amined him refpecting many facts and occurrences during the civil wars in England in the laft centu- ry. His fon died in 1757, aged 87. Several of his grand children have lived above 70 years.
In Barrington, fourteen of the firft planters were living in 1785, who were between 80 and 90 years of age. The fettlement began in 1732.
His children
190
HISTORY OF
In Atkinfon, Ebenezer Belknap died at the age of 95, and his wife at the age of 107.
In Wakefield, Robert Macklin, a native of Scot- land, died in 1787, at the age of 115. He lived feveral years in Portfmouth, and followed the occu- pation of a Baker. He frequently walked from Portfmouth to Bofton, 66 miles, in one day, and re- turned in another. This journey he performed, the laft time, at the age of 80.
In Salem, (a town adjoining the fouthern boun- dary) Abiel Aften, one of Lovewell's brave compa- ny, who behaved gallantly at the battle of Pigwack- et, in 1725, was living in 1790, aged 86.
The two eldeft minifters of the gofpel now living, are the Rev. James Pike of Somerfworth, aged 88, and the Rev. Ebenezer Flagg of Chefter, aged 87.
,
-
:
. 1 .
1
191
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
CHAP. XV.
Political Character, Genius, Manners, Employments and Diversions of the People.
IT is much lefs difficult and dangerous to defcribe the character of the dead than the living ; but in fo great a variety as the inhabitants of a whole State, there cannot but be fome general traits which all muft allow to be juft ; and which, however difa- greeable, if applied particularly, yet will not be dif- relifhed by any, when delivered only in general terms. It is not my wifh to exaggerate either the virtues or defects of my countrymen ; but as an American, I have a right to fpeak the truth, concern- ing them, if my language be within the limits of decency.
The genius and character of a community are in fome meafure influenced by their government and political connexions. Before the Revolution, the, people of the different parts of New-Hampfhire, had but little connexion with each other. They might have been divided into three claffes. Thofe of the old towns, and the emigrants from them. Thofe on the fouthern border, moft of whom were emigrants from Maffachufetts ; and thofe on Connecticut riv- er, who came chiefly from Connecticut.
Of the firft clafs the people might be fubdivided into thofe who, having been trained in fubjection to Crown Officers, were expectants of favours from government, and ready to promote the views of the ariftocracy ; and thofe who, from principal or habit, were in oppofition to thofe views. A long and in- timate connexion with Maffachufetts, both in peace and war, kept alive a democratic principle ; which,
1
bar perlitu
W
192
HISTORY OF
though it met with the frowns of men in office, yet when excited to action, could not be controled by their authority. The people of the fecond clafs were naturally attached to Maffachufetts, whence they originated, and where they were connected in trade. Some towns had fuffered by the interference of grants made by both governments and by contro- verfies concerning the line, which gave birth to law fuits, carried on with great acrimony and expenfe for many years. Thofe of the third clafs brought with them an affection and refpect for the colony whence they emigrated, and where the democratic principal had always prevailed. They entertained an inferior idea of the people in the maritime parts of the State ; whilft thefe in return looked with an envious eye on thofe emigrants to whom were fold the lands which had been promifed to be given to them as a reward for the exertions and fufferings of their parents and themfelves in defending the coun- try againft its enemies.
Another fource of difunion was the unequal re- prefentation of the people in the General Affembly. As late as the year 1773, of one hundred and forty- feven towns, forty-fix only were reprefented, by thirty-four members ; and feveral towns were claff- ed, two or three together, for the choice of one. The towns of Nottingham and Concord, though full of people, and of above forty years ftanding had not once been admitted to the privilege of reprefenta- tion ; and this was the cafe with many other towns ; which, though not of fo long fettlement, yet con- tained more inhabitants than fome others, which had always enjoyed the privilege. No uniform fyf- tem of reprefentation had been adopted. None could be eftablifhed by law, becaufe it was claimed by the Governor as part of the royal prerogative to call Reprefentatives from new towns ; and this preroga-
1
1
dledin
193
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
tive was exercifed without any regard to the rights, the petitions, or the fentiments of the people. 1
Before the year 1771 the Province was not divid- ed into counties ; but every caufe from even the moft remote parts was brought to Portfmouth, where i the courts were held and the public offices were fill- ed by a few men, moft of whom were either mem- v bers of the Council, or devoted to the intereft of the " Governor, or perfonally related to him. In the ad- miniftration of juftice, frequent complaints were made of partiality. Parties were fometimes heard out of court, and the practice of watering the jury was I familiarly known to thofe perfons who had much bufinefs in the Law. The dernier refort was to a court of appeals, confifting of the Governor and Council ; of whom feven were a quorum and four a majority. Here the final fentence was often paffed by the fame perfons who had been concerned in the former decifions ; unlefs the caufe were of fuch value as to admit of an appeal to the King in Council. During the adminiftration of the laft Governor, fome of thefe fources of difaffection were removed ; but others remained, for an experiment, whether a cure could be effected, by a change of governinent.
The Revolution which called the democratic pow- er into action, has repreffed the ariftocratic fpirit. The honors and emoluments of office are more gen- erally diffufed ; the people enjoy more equal privi- leges, and, after long diffention, are better united. Government is a Science, and requires education and information, as well as judgment and prudence. In- deed there are fome who have ftruggled through all the difadvantages arifing from the want of early ed- ucation, and by force of native genius and induftry, have acquired thofe qualifications which have ena-
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bled them to render eminent fervice to the commdu nity ; and there are others who have been favoured with early education, and have improved their op- . portunity to good purpofe. Notwithftanding which, the deficiency of perfons qualified for the various departments in Government, has been much regret- ted, and by none, more than by thofe few, who know how public bufinefs ought to be conducted. This deficiency is daily decreafing; the means of knowledge are extending ; prejudices are wearing away, and the political character of the people is manifeftly improving.
But however late the inhabitants of New-Hamp- fhire may be, in political improvement ; yet they have long poffeffed other valuable qualities which have rendered them an important branch of the American union. Firmnefs of nerve, patience in fa- tigue, intrepidity in danger and alertnefs in action, are to be numbered among their native and effen- tial characteristics. . :
Men who are concerned in travelling, hunting, cutting timber, making roads and other employ- ments in the foreft, are inured to hardthips. They frequently, lie, out in the woods feveral days or weeks together in all feafons of the year .. . A hut compofed, of poles and bark, fuffices them for fhel- ter ; and ,on the open fide of it, a large fire fecures them from the feverity of the weather. . Wrapt in a blanket with; their feet next the fire, they paf's the longeft and coldeft nights, and awake vigorous for labour the fucceeding day. Their food, when thus employed, is falted pork or beef, with potatoes and bread of Indian corn ; and their beft drink is wa- ter mixed with ginger ; though many of them are fond of diftilled fpirits, which, however, are lefs nox- ious in fuch a fituation than at home. Thofe who
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begin a new fettlement, live at firft in a ftyle not lef's fimple. They erect a fquare building of poles, notched at the ends to keep them faft together. The crevices are plaiftered with clay or the ftiffeft earth which can be had, mixed with mofs or ftraw. The roof is either bark or fplit boards. The chimney a pile of ftones ; within which a fire is made on the ground, and a hole is left in the roof for the fmoke to pafs out. Another hole is made in the fide of the houfe for a window, which is occafionally clofed with a wooden fhutter. In winter, a conftant fire is kept, by night as well as by day ; and in fummer it is neceffary to have a continual fmoke on account of the mufquetos and other infects with which the woods abound. The fame defence is ufed for the cattle ; fmokes of leaves and brufh are made in the paftures where they feed by day, and in the pens where they are folded by night. Ovens are built at a fmall diftance from the houfes, of the beft ftones which can be found, cemented and plaiftered with clay or ftiff earth. Many of thefe firft effays in houfekeeping; are to be met with in the new planta- tions, which ferve to lodge whole families, till their induftry can furnifh them with materials, for a more regular and comfortable houfe ; and till their land is fo well cleared as that a proper fituation for it can be chofen. By thefe methods of living, the people are familiarifed to hardfhips ; their children are early ufed to coarfe food and hard lodging ; and to be without fhoes in all feafons of the year is fcarcely accounted a want. By fuch hard fare, and the la- bour which accompanies it, many young men have raifed up families, and in a few years have acquir- ed property fufficient to render themfelves inde- pendent freeholders ; and they feel all the pride
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and importance which arife from a confcioufnefs oft having well earned their eftates.
They have alfo been accuftomed to hear their par- ents relate the dangers and hardships, the fcenes of blood and defolation through which they and their. anceftors have paffed ; and they have an ambition ; to emulate their hardy virtues. New-Hampfhire may therefore be confidered as a nurfery of fterni heroifm ; producing men of firmnefs and valor ; who can traverfe mountains and deferts, encounter hardfhips, and face an enemy without terror. Their martial fpirit needs only opportunity to draw it into action ; and when properly trained to regular mili- tary duty, and commanded by officers in whom they can place confidence, they form a militia fully equal to the defence of their country.
They are alfo very dextrous in the ufe of edge tools, and in applying mechanical powers to the el- evation and reinoval of heavy bodies. In the man- agement of cattle they are excelled by none. Moft of their labor is performed by the help of oxen ; horfes are feldom employed in the team ; but are ufed chiefly in the faddle, or in the winter feafon, in fleighs.
Land being eafily obtained, and labour of every kind being familiar, there is great encouragement to population. A good hufbandman, with the fav- ings of a few, years, can purchafe new land enough to give his elder fons a fettlement, and affift then in clearing a lot and building a hut; after which they foon learn to fupport themfelves, The home- ftead; is generally given to the youngeft fon, who provides for his parents, when age of infirmity in- capacitates them, for labour. An, unmarried man of thirty years old is rarely to be found in our coun- try towns. The women are grandmothers at forty,
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and it is not uncommon for a mother and daughter to have each a child at the breaft, at the fame time ; nor for a father, fon and grandfon, to be at work together in the fame field. Thus population and cultivation proceed together, and a vigorous race of inhabitants grows up, on a foil, which labor vies with nature to render productive.
Thofe perfons, who attend chiefly to hufbandry, are the moft thriving and fubitantial. Thofe who make the getting of lumber their principal bufinefs, generally work hard for little profit. This kind of employment interferes too much with hufbandry. The beft feafon for fawing logs is the fpring, when the rivers are high ; this is also the time for plough- ing and planting. He who works in the faw-mill at that time, muft buy his bread and clothing, and the hay for his cattle, with his lumber ; and he gen- erally anticipates the profit of his labor. Long cred- it is a difadvantage to him ; and the too free indul- gence of fpiritous liquor, to which this clafs of peo- ple are much addicted, hurts their health, their mor- als and their intereft, They are always in debt, and frequently at law. Their families are ill pro- vided with neceffaries, and their children are with- put education or morals. When a man makes huf- bandry his principal employment, and attends to lumber only at feafons of leifure ; and can afford to keep it for a market, and be his own factor, then it becomes profitable. The profits of the other gen -. erally goes into the hands of the trader, who fup- plies him with neceffaries at an advanced price, and keeps him in, a ftate of dependance.
Where hufbandry is the employment of the men, domeftic manufactures are carried on by the wo -. men. They fpin and weave their own flax and wool ; and their families are clad in cloth of their
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own making. The people of Londonderry, and the towns which are made up of emigrants from it, at- tend largely to the manufacture of linen cloth and thread, and make great quantities for fale. Thefe people are induftrious, frugal and hofpitable. The men are fanguine and robuft. The women are of lively difpofitions, and the native white and red complexion of Ireland is not loft in New-Hamp- fhire. 'The town is much indebted to them for its ' wealth and confequence.'*
The people of New-Hampfhire, in general, are industrious, and allow themfelves very little time for diverfion. One who indulges himfelf in idle- nefs and play, is Itigmatifed according to his demer- it. At military mufters, at Judicial Courts, at the raifing of houfes, at the launching of fhips, and at the ordination of Minifters, which are feafons of pub- lic concourfe, the young people amufe themfelves with dancing. In fome towns they have a prac- tice, at Christmas of fhooting geefe for wagers ; and on many other occafions, the diverfion of firing at marks is very common, and has an excellent ef- fect in forming young men to a dexterous ufe of arms. The time of gathering the Indian corn is always a feafon of feftivity. The ears are gathered and brought home by day ; and in the evening a company of neighbours join in hufking them, and conclude their labour with a fupper and a dance. In the capital towns they have regular affemblies for dancing ; and fometimes theatrical entertain- ments have been given by the young gentlemen and ladies. In Portfmouth, there is as much ele- gance and politenefs of manners, as in any of the capital towns of New-England. It is often vifited
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