USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Salisbury > The history of Salisbury, New Hampshire, from date of settlement to the present time > Part 19
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Hon. George W. Nesmith thinks that Bowen and Morrill had heard of the insolence and threats of the Indians, and went over to Canterbury to visit Miles and Lindsey, the owners of the stolen slaves; and in order to disarm the savages made use of occupe (rum ), and while the Indians were dazed with drink secretly withdrew the charges from their guns and prepared to meet their insolent threats as they deserved. Bowen and Mor- rill knew no fear, and it was said "had as lief fight an Indian as to eat when hungry." The next day, or soon after, these two savages visited Bowen and Morrill on this side of the river, and after a night's debauch, when on the way to another part of the settlement, their savage instincts overcame their cunning and
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they attempted to shoot Bowen with their unloaded guns. The two settlers took summary vengeance upon them for what they had done and what they intended to do. Bearing in mind the desire of the settlers to keep peace with the savages, who had dashed out the brains of innocent babes who fell into their hands, for some real or fancied wrong or for no wrong at all, and knowing that these two savages in return for hospitality had stolen the two slaves, and that these wild men of the forest had threatened vengeance upon the unprotected wife of Mr. Lindsey, we think Bowen and Morrill did what we should have done under the same conditions. But to the facts :
COURSE OF THE GOVERNOR.
Sabbatis and Plausawa were killed in a time of peace between France and England, and although one of the slaves was bought by a French officer, who must have known that the Indians had kidnapped him, rumors of murder went abroad, and Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, was apprehensive that the Indians would take revenge upon settlers along the frontier. The act of Bowen and Morrill became an inter-colonial question, and an earnest and memorable correspondence between Governor Shir- ley and Governor Wentworth grew out of it. Legislative action was resorted to and the arrest of Bowen and Morrill caused general excitement throughout the community. Many people will remember the arrest of fugitive slaves in Boston, during the presidencies of Fillmore and Pierce, and the excitement it caused. Governor Shirley began the correspondence. He sent a letter to Governor Wentworth, as follows:
BOSTON, February 4th, 1754-
SIR:
Y'our excellency may remember my letter to you, dated 17th of September last, wherein I acquainted you with an account we had of a barbarous Murther said to be committed within the Province of New Hampshire, upon two Indians of a tribe in amity with the English. I was afraid it had then come to the Knowledge of the Indians, & that complaint would have been made at the conference, but no notice was taken of it then. I have this day received a letter from C'apt. Lithgow, of Fort Richmund, [ in Maine, ] advising me that it is now come to their knowledge & that they are determined to revenge the murther.
I shall send your excellency copy of his letter so far as relates to this affair. It
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will probably be attended [ with disastrous ] consequences to the Frontier, of one or both of the Provinces, if this murther be not detected & punished. I will send Col. Minot who gave me the first information, & desire him to obtain all further information possible, & transmit it by next Post, until when your excellency has some knowledge of the Persons concerned so as to be able to secure them, I doubt not you will think it prudent to keep the affair as private as may be.
I am with great respect, Sir your Excy's most humb'l and most obedient sev't, W. SHIRLEY.
On the 9th of the same month Governor Shirley sent another letter to Governor Wentworth, urging that "justice be done to the Indians in this unhappy affair."
The action of Governor Shirley was influenced by the affi- davits of Thomas Barret and Ephraim Jones, and by one Elea- zer Melvin, three citizens of Massachusetts, who had been visit- ing in the vicinity of Stevenstown, and had interviewed Bowen in regard to the fate of these two Indians.
AFFIDAVITS OF THOMAS BARRET AND EPHRAIM JONES.
Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones, both of lawful age testify & declare that in the month of August 1753 being in the town of Rumford in the Province of New Hampshire at the house of Henry Lovejoy.
That two Indians one named Sabbatis & the other Plansawa came to said Con- toocook about the beginning of June & having the value of about two hundred Pounds Old Tenr in Beavers & other effects; that said Sabbatis being known to be one of the two Indians who took two Negroes at that settlement the year before & carried one of them to Canada, the other making his escape, the said Bowen pro- cured a gallon of Rum from Rumford & he with one or two others, whose names I do not remember gave said Indians rum very freely & took an opportunity to draw the charges out of the Indian's [ guns ] without their knowledge & then went with them into the woods & getting some distance apard said Bowen had an engagement with said Sabbatis who it is said flashed his gun at him & the sd Bowen struck his hatchet in sd Indian Head then chopped him several time in the Back & afterwards with a knife stabbed him to death. The other Indian coming up to him begged him that he would not kill him but sd Bowen without speaking to him struck him on the head & killed him on the spot & leaving him by the Path side till next morning it is said that Bowen with his son as it is supposed went & dug a hole by the Path side & threw them into it & covered them with earth but so shallow that the dogs or other creatures uncovered them & the bones have often been seen since.
THOMAS BARRET, EPHRAIM JONES.
Middlesex ss.
Concord Feb 9, 1754.
Then the above Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones came before me the subscrib- er & made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations.
JAMES MINOT, Justice of the Peace.
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Eleazer Melvin of lawful age testifieth & declares that he heard the substance of the foregoing Declaration or to the same purport in Aug last from Mr. Lovejoy & some others & further declares that about the same time in conversation with sd Bowen he asked him concerning the sd Indians whether they were certainly dead & he answered he would warrant it & that they never would do any more mischief to the English or to that effect & if he killed them he did it in his own defence as he could prove.
ELEAZER MELVIN.
Governor Shirley forwarded these affidavits to Governor Wentworth, who immediately sent up and had Bowen and Morrill arrested, taken to Portsmouth and confined there in jail. The time assigned for their trial was Thursday, the 21st of March, 1754.
The acts of Bowen and Morrill were doubtless justified in the eyes of the settlers who stood on the frontier and defended, as best they could, their persons and their property from savage violence and destruction. Not so the two governors, who sat by their firesides, feeling no alarm for their persons or property.
Quite a party from Contoocook, Stevenstown and Canterbury went to Portsmouth to be present at the trial. They were de- termined, like the Cornish men, "to know the reason why" their neighbors, Bowen and Morrill, must die. They were not at the trial however but put in an appearance before the trial. During the night before the court met, about one hundred stalwart men, armed with axes, crowbars and other instruments, broke open the jail, knocked the irons from the limbs of the prisoners, set them at liberty and conducted them back to their homes. The most noted of the men who made this raid upon the Portsmouth jail was Simeon Ames, of Canterbury. There were several who were afterwards well known in Salisbury - Jacob Hancock, whose son and grandson lived and died in Franklin; Edward Blanchard, the grandfather of Mrs. Stephen Kendrick, and Lindsey Perkins, the ancestor of some of the Perkins family who have lived in that vicinity.
GOVERNOR WENTWORTH'S MESSAGE.
The Governor brought this affair to the notice of the Coun- cil promptly on the following morning :
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HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
[ From the Council Records.]
His excellency acquainted the Council that the high sheriff of the Province had informed him that at two of the clock in the morning of this present day a number of persons to the amount of one hundred or more made an attempt upon the Province Gaol with axes, iron crows & broke open the doors of the prison & res- cued the prisoners indicted for the murther of two Indians said to be killed at or near Contoocook Vis- John alias Anthony Bowen & John Morrel & aided & assis- ted them the said Bowen & Morrel to escape- His Excellency then desired the Council what steps they thot necessary or proper to be taken in the affair in order to the apprehending the said Bowen or Morrel or either of them & bringing the persons who broke open the Gaol as aforesaid or was aiding or assisting in the said breach or rescous the Council apprehended that such a number of persons as were supposed to be the authors of the rescous must be many of them known & as it is suggested that some of them are known & may be brought to justice without offer- ing any reward - but with respect to the two Prisoners Bowen & Morrel that his excellency be advised and desired to issue a Proclamation offering a reward of two hundred pounds Old Tenr to any person or persons that shall apprehend the sd Bowen & the like sum of £200 in Old Tenr to any person or persons that shall apprehend the sd .Morrel & bring them or either of them to his Majesty's Gaol in Portsmo & all necessary charges in bringing the said prisoners or either of them to the said Gaol.
WHAT THE OTHER SIDE HAD TO SAY.
The citizens of Contoocook, Stevenstown and Canterbury had a little something to say on the subject, as well as the two governors, and Col. Joseph Blanchard, a Justice of the Peace in Bedford, took the testimony of the parties who knew the facts which led to the killing of the two Indians.
TESTIMONY OF ELIZABETH MILES AND MRS. LINDSEY.
Elizabeth Miles Wife of Josiah Miles of Canterbury in the Province of New Hampshire Testifies & Says-That some time in the month of May 1752 two St Fran- cis Indians ( as they called themselves ) named Sabbattis & Christo came to Canter- bury Sabbattis made his General Lodging at the said Josiah's House for Eight or Ten Days & was Treated with all Possible Friendship and Courtesy, Notwithstand- ing the said Sabbattis often Discovered a Restless & Malicious Disposition & Several Times ( Her husband being absent ) with Insulting threats put her in very great fear. Constantly kept a long knife Naked in his hand and on seeing any man come towards the House ( of which he kept a constant watch ) arm'd himself - That the evening after he went away a Negro man of the said Josiah's was taken
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( named Peer ) and another belonging to James Lindsey of Canterbury aforesaid Named Tom and carried away said Peer of the value of five hundred pounds Old Tenor at the least.
That the said Peer about three days after return'd pinion'd & Bound with Indian Lines and said that Sabbattis and Christo had taken them and that by accident he made his Escape.
That some time in the month of May 1753 she was going to the field and an Indian ( named Plansaway) spoke to her behind a Fence & asked for her husband who was there at work close by, her husband enquired what company he had and he said Sabbattis, he enquired what he came for or how he dare come ( meaning Sabbattis ) he evaded an answer, her husband Desired him to go into the house ( being vehemently suspicious they were designed for Further Mischief ) where he kept him that night and urged the appearance of Sabbattis. Plansaway said he was afraid that he or Lindsey would kill him for stealing their negroes the year Before.
That after assurance that if he made his appearance he should not be hurt. Next day searching in the woods found him and after a parley he came in -
The wife of James Lindsey a near neighbor, hearing the Indians was there came to the house (the Englishmen were all gone out to work ) and finding Sabbattis there said Lindsey's wife urged his ingratitude that after he had received so much kindness at their house to commit such a Villanous Act as to Rob her of her slave with some Few more words to the same Purpose Both the Indians immediately armed themselves with their guns Sabbattis with a long knife and Plansaway with a Hatchet and with a furious Gesture Insulted her holding the Hatchet over her head making attempts as if he would strike and told her if she said one word more about it he would split her brains out if he died for it the next minute - Sabbattis went out to her husband in the field and told him that if he ever see the said Lind- seys wife any more he would kill her be the event what it would ( as her husband then told her ) that the said Sabbattis insisted that the said negro was Lawful Plun- der the Deponent sold the said Indians two shirts & happened to see them when they shirted and there was next [their] skin Tyed a Number of small Metump Lines not such as are usually made for Tying Packs-a collar of a Length about suf- ficient to go around a Mans Neck and as she then apprehended was what is called Captive Lines -
That the Deponent and her husband frequently seeing them uncommon Lines Asked what Business Sabbattis and he could have there as they had not brought their packs for trade-at length Plansaway said he had a kinsman ( named Sabbat- tis ) who had at Cape Sable killed an Indian and that they agreed for his Redemp- tion (being held by them ) to pay five hundred pounds to get an English Slave.
That Sabbattis being his Namesake offered to assist him in the Redemption and said the Hunting was best this way.
That the Indian must be released by the money or other ways ( by Summer) or he must be put to Death.
Canterbury May 21st 1754
Before JOSEPH BLANCHARD
Jus of Peace.
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HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
In March, after receiving Governor Shirley's letter of Febru- ary 4th, Governor Wentworth sent a special message to the House of Representatives, as follows :
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly:
The breaking down of the doors of the Provincial Gaol & setting at liberty two Criminals Indicted for murther, in the most insulting and insolent manner, is so well known and particular circumstances attending the tumultuous outrage of the people that committed the fact, are so clearly evident to the respective members of the Legislature that I need not take up any part of your time to inform you of the incidents attending it. But Gentlemen, To show your abhorence and detestation of a crime so apparently destructive of government in general is injurious to socie- ty, so dangerous to our Constitution, so heniously aggravated, & even committed contemptuously during the Session of his Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature, merits your immediate attention, & I do in the most pressing terms recommend the consideration of this insult on the authority of Government, which threatens noth- ing less than total subversion of that Government his Majesty has been graciously pleased to Establish, as not worthy of your first care, and to which all other public concerns must, and ought to give place. Therefore that the honor, welfare, safety & peace of the Government may be preserved, as well as the guilt of blood re- moved from the Government, your assistance is required that the perpetrators, favor- ers, advisers or those that have been in any ways aiding or assisting in committing this hard crime may be brought to condeyn punishment & Such a Law Enacted as may prevent calamitys of the like nature for the future, otherwise I shall not think my presence safe in attending to the Kings business, & an end must be put to the administration of Government, until a representation can be laid before his Majesty for his further direction & commands herein.
Council Chamber in Portsmo, March 26, 1754.
B. WENTWORTH.
After the reception of this high-sounding message of the Governor, on the next day after the adjournment, in the fore- noon, the Council and House met in the House of Representa- tives and had a conference relating to the breaking open the prison at Portsmouth. The Journal of the Council and Assem- bly, of March 27, 1754, has the following :
The council took under consideration the subject matter of his Excellency's message to the House of yesterday the same having been communicated to the Board by the House, and are of the opinion, that 'tis necessary to make the utmost scrutiny into that affair, and therefore Ordered that the Secretary forthwith Issue Sumons directed to the High Sherif or his Deputy to summon the Several Inhold- ers on the road between Chester & Portsmo where a number of persons who hav- ing assembled in a tumultons manner, had the day preceeding the riotous Breaking of the Province Gaol stoped, and to any other Person or Persons that they be
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INDIAN HISTORY.
thought capable of giving any acct of the Persons connected in the before mention- ed riot.
LETTER FROM GOV. SHIRLEY.
On the first day of April following, Governor Shirley sent the following letter to Governor Wentworth :
BOSTON, April 1, 1754.
SIR :
I am favor'd with two of your Excellency's Letters by the Post before this ; and considering that part of your Excellency's Letter of the 22d of last month which relates to the riotons & violent Breaking open your Prison & carrying off the Prisoners indicted for the murther of the two St Francois Indians. I would sub- mit it to your Excellency's consideration whether it would not be of service for your Government to grant a Present to some of the nearest Relatives of the de- ceased Indians for wiping off the Blood as they term it; Which may possibly have a good effect, and in some measure soften the Resentments the whole tribe have of this great injury ; for the like method used by this Government after the murther of the Indians at Wiscassett had sucess for preventing a war at that time; and further I apprehend it may be of some advantage for alleviating the wrong done the Indians, to set before them the Provocation given their men by the Indians carrying off the two Negroes belonging to them ( & selling one of them at Crown Point ) at a time when they were rescued kindly by the English & thus themselves made a show of Friendship; Tho' this can by no means justify the barbarous act of the murther; It might likewise be proper to put the Indians in mind of the murther committed by them upon the English men near Merrimack River all which taken together is in full Reprisal of the wrong done them by the English, notwith- standing which, That it is your Excellency's full purpose upon the recovery of the Prisoners (for which you are using all proper means ) that they shall be brought to a legal trial for the murther they stand charged with in the Indictment of your Grand Jury.
I have more to say to your Excy but am obliged thro' a great hurry of business to postpone it until the next Post when I shall have the honor of writing you -
I am with much regard Sir Your Excy's most humbl and most ob serv't,
W. SHIRLEY.
His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
After all this manifestation of indignation by the two gov- ernors, Bowen and Morrill remained at their homes in undis- turbed quiet, and public sentiment in Contoocook, Stevenstown and Canterbury sided with them. The people manifested their thankfulness that these two Indian thieves, who had wantonly killed and scalped many captives, were beyond the possibility
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of doing the settlers further wrong. Governor Wentworth was determined to uphold the authority of the crown and the dig- nity of the law, and the sheriff and his assistants came to Can- terbury and arrested Simeon Ames, who was doubtless the ringleader of those who liberated the prisoners.
"Gentlemen," said Ames, when called upon by the sheriff and his posse, "I will go with you, but you will stop and take dinner with me before we start."
" Yes," said the sheriff, "we shall be delighted to accept your hospitality."
When about to start the prisoner said, "You will allow me to ride my own horse to Exeter."
The sheriff had no objection, as he and his assistants were mounted, and they started off, quite a pleasant party for an afternoon ride to Exeter. About sunset they had reached Brentwood, the town adjoining Exeter. Ames was a very entertaining man, and the officers as they rode along on either side of their prisoner enjoyed his society and conver- sation. As they were ascending a hill the officers' horses ap- peared jaded, while that of Ames was comparatively fresh and very fleet.
"I declare," said he, "it is most sunset. Good evening, gen- tlemen, I don't think I will go with you any farther to-night."
In an instant he was gone. At a movement of the rein the horse wheeled, and the rider bowed politely to his companions and disappeared. The officers sat upon their horses in blank astonishment and gazed at their prisoner as he went flying away from them, with his head half turned back, bowing his compliments and bidding them a graceful goodbye. They saw it was no use to attempt to pursue a man who was going away from them like the wind; besides, public sentiment was with Ames, and he was never again molested. Governor Wentworth took up with the advice of Governor Shirley and made some presents to the relatives of the Indians, and no further attempts were made to punish the offenders. The Indians were appeased and the matter dropped.
The Hon. Chandler E. Potter, in the Farmers' Monthly Vis-
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itor, September, 1853, gives an extended relation of Christo, Sabbatis and Plausawa, three Indians, of whom the two latter were slain. Mr. Potter says: "Both the murder and the res- cue, however, were generally justified in the community. And although rewards were offered by Governor Wentworth for the apprehension of Bowen and Morrill, yet in a short time they were openly about their business, without fear of molestation, and the men engaged in breaking the jail at Portsmouth, though well known, were never called to account, but on the contrary were considered as having performed a most merito- rious act. In fact, some of the most substantial men in the country were engaged in the rescue -by assistance or advice - and the government could not have made an arrest had they made the attempt. Presents were afterwards made to the rela- tives of the Indians, by the government of New Hampshire, and thus the 'blood was wiped away' to the satisfaction of the Indians."
INDIAN BRIDGE.
The following account is found in Farmer & Moore's Histor- ical Collections, published in 1824 :
"In the fall of the year 1753, Sabatis and Plasawa, two In- dians, were at a place where Deacon Sawyer now lives, in Can- terbury. There Joshua Noyes and Thomas Thorla, from New- bury, who were looking after cattle which had been turned into the woods the spring before, met them. Plasawa had been several times at Newbury and knew Noyes and Thorla, and they knew him. The Indians appeared not much pleased at seeing them, and began to put their baggage into their canoe, and to prepare to go away. Sabatis appeared sullen and disposed to do mischief, but was kept from it by Plausawa. Noyes and Thorla proposed to buy their furs. At first they refused to sell, saying they would not trade with the English, but would go to Canada. Afterwards they offered to sell furs for rum. These men had bought rum on purpose to trade with the In- dians, but seeing their temper, especially that of Sabatis, they refused to let them have any and concluded to go away and
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leave them. As they were departing, Plasawa in a friendly manner advised them to go home, and to avoid meeting with Indians lest they should be hurt. When they had gone a little distance from the Indians, Sabatis called them and said, "No more you English come here-me heart bad-me kill you." Thorla replied, "No kill- English and Indians now all broth- ers." They soon met Peter Bowen going towards the Indians, told him in what temper the Indians were and advised him not to go to them, and by no means let them have a drop of rum. He replied that he was not afraid of them, that he was ac- quainted with Indians and knew how to deal with them. The Indians had got into their canoe and were going up the river. Bowen called to them and asked them to go to his house and stay that night and he would give them some rum. It was then near night. They went with Bowen to his house, which was in Contoocook, at some distance below where they then were. He treated them freely with rum, which made them at first well pleased, but as they became more intoxicated they began to be troublesome. Bowen, who had every quality of an Indian, had lived much with them and knew perfectly well how they would conduct, fearing they might do mischief, took the pre- caution to make his wife engage their attention while he drew the charges from their guns, which were left behind the door in the entry. After this was done the night was spent in a drunken frolic, for which Bowen had as good a relish as his guests. The next morning they asked Bowen to go with his horse and carry their baggage to the place where their canoe was left the night before. He went and carried their packs on his horse. As they went, Sabatis proposed to run a race with the horse. Bowen, suspecting mischief was intended, declined the race, but finally consented to run. He however took care to let the Indian out-run the horse. Sabatis laughed heartily at Bowen because his horse could run no faster. They then proceeded apparently in good humor. After awhile Sabatis said to Bowen, "Bowen walk woods," meaning, " Go with me as a prisoner." Bowen said, "No walk woods-all we broth- ers." They went on together until they came near the canoe,
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