USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > The history of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham country). 1719-1883. A Scotch settlement (commonly called Scotch-Irish), embracing nearly one third of the ancient settlement and historic township of Londonderry, N.H > Part 12
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EVENTS OF 1782.
The war was near its end. Though the danger was not great upon our frontier, yet as a precautionary measure, New Hamp- shire kept companies of Rangers in the northern part of the State to repel any foray from Canada, should one be made.
April 23, 1782 .- The town "Voted that the Selectmen pro- cure our Deficiency of Continental men, as cheap as may be, and lay their proceedings before the town."
July 1, 1782. - The Windham men mustered by Capt. Ebenezer Frye, in Col. JJoseph Cilley's regiment, were Robert Merrill, Edward Jones, Asa Kittredge, and received a bounty of £20 each.
LAST WINDHAM SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION.
The fall of Cornwallis, Oct. 19, 1781, was substantially the closing military act of the war. A few skirmishes alone indi- cated that the war was not at an end. But the Continental Con- gress very prudently kept the ranks of the regular army filled. Windham was short of one man to fill her quota on the last of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
July. Then it was that one who had repeatedly enlisted, and served his country in many campaigns, been wounded in her ser- vice, again stepped to the front, and was mustered into. the service July 30, 1782, and received a bounty of €20. This was David Campbell, Windham's last soldier in the war of the Revolution.
END OF THE REVOLUTION AND TREATY OF PEACE.
The Revolution was now an accomplished fact. A proclama- tion of the cessation of hostilities was made through the army the 19th of April, 1783. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, as commissioners of the United States, met at Paris, France, Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. Oswald as com- missioners of England, and the provisional articles of peace between the two governments were adopted Nov. 30, 1782, and the definitive treaty of peace was signed Sept. 3, 1783. Wash- ington issued his farewell orders to the army Nov. 2, the army of the United States was disbanded the 3d of November, 1783, and Dec. 23, 1783, Washington resigned his commission to Congress as commander-in-chief of the American army. Honored and beloved by Congress, his soldiers, and the nation, he retired to the sweet repose of his home at Mount Vernon, Va.
THE TOWN RECORDS.
I have given the military history of the town to 1783. During the forty-one years of Windham's incorporated existence, many of her sons had been called upon for military duty. Their record during the French and Indian wars, from 1744 to 1763, was a very honorable one, and when the storm of the Revolution burst upon them, one of the strongest traits of their character shone brightly forth. This was their love for, and adherence to, repub- lican liberty, and their dislike of hereditary power. They were always united and unwavering in their support of the patriots of the Revolution. Without hesitation they voted their quota of men, and liberal bounties. When some citizens petitioned to be freed from paying their military rates, the answer of the town was always an emphatic No!
The frequency of their town-meetings during this period com- mands attention ; also, their undeviating opposition to England.
The patriotie action of the town commenced with the first movement at Charlestown and Lexington, and the blood of her sons made sacred the field of Bunker Hill. It is instructive, and gives us glimpses of the character of the fathers, when we notice their legislation at the time of the formation of the Federal Con- stitution. It is interesting to observe the part each obscure town took in the formation of that instrument. Windham gave its representative instructions which article to oppose, and which to amend, and when to enter his protest.
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
The records indirectly show how firm and true the entire peo- ple of the town were in the Revolution. The acts are true and right in letter and spirit. They show the manner cach individual and town aided in forming the Federal Government. The small- est town was permitted to express its voice in the national councils. The records show the transition period, from a parish to a town, from a province to a colony, from a colony to a State.
At first " His Majesty's name" was always inserted in the town warrants. In 1777 they discussed the propriety of rejecting it, but voted to retain it till they had the advice of the Provincial Congress. In 1776, they style their territory " the Colony of New Hampshire," in place of " Province of New Hampshire," and is Colony still, JJuly 8; but in August of that year they say in their town warrant, "The State of New Hampshire." As soon as the news of the Declaration of Independence reached them, they took the name of State as one of the United States.
I have quoted freely from our meagre records, and have availed myself of all known sources of information, to have this war history authentic. Mistakes undoubtedly there are, for it is not within the range of possibility, with the meagre sources of infor- mation which were available, to prepare a perfectly accurate record. The last survivor of the Revolution long since passed away. One hundred years have gone since the close of the Revo- lutionary war.
In taking a retrospective view of those years which tried the souls of men, we can look with pride upon the doings of our ancestors. Nobly did they work, and what they accomplished was honorable to them, and a precious legacy to their successors. They were patriotic, earnest, faithful; they did their work well. Their annals glow with patriotism; and I have tried to tell the story of their sufferings, heroic fortitude, unyielding courage, constancy and faithfulness, which we all so much admire, that the men and women of the present and the future could, as it were, hear the voice of the far-away past, and that they might over the intervening years clasp hands with those of former generations.
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IIISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER VIII.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE. - OVERPLUS MONEY .- FIRST WRIT- TEN BALLOTS. - WINDHAM INSTRUCTS ITS REPRESENTATIVE IN 1783. -WAR LEGISLATION, 1784 .- WINDHAM'S LAST CONTINENTAL SOLDIER STILL IN THE ARMY, JANUARY, 1784. - WINDHAM PETITIONS TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE. - TROUBLE WITH THE CURRENCY. - FIAT MONEY FAVORED. - VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH, 1785. - THE POUND. - A STABLE POUND AT LAST. - A CURIOUS VOTE. - WAR OF 1812-15. - MEN FROM WINDHAM IN THE WAR OF 1812-15.
AFTER the achievement of our Independence, all male persons, from twenty-one years of age and upward, were required by the law to take the oath of allegiance to the State, and they who ' neglected or refused were to be deprived of voting at town- meetings.
At a town-meeting, Oct. 22, 1782, Isaac Cochran, Thomas Wilson, John Anderson, William Gregg, Jr., James Davidson, Robert Stuart, and Robert Morison took the oath. It is apparent that others did not, for in the warrant for a meeting, Dec. 2, 1782, they enter their complaint, that "they have Been Debard from Town Privileges By not taking the Oath of fidelity," and petition for a redress of grievances, stating that "fully four fifths of this town that do not see their way clear at present to take said oath." It was "filled with ambiguous words that we do not fully under- stand," and "the penalty for refusal is too high."
They also prayed for the passage of an act " for the suppression of the spirit of anarchy and confusion which seemed to prevail."
It is not known whether the law was changed in regard to the oath of allegiance so as to meet the wishes of our people or not. It is hoped, however, that they and all good citizens found it in their hearts at last to abide, without contention, by a law which was sensible and just, and which, though not framed by them, was good enough for the majority of the people of New Hampshire.
OVERPLUS MONEY. - FIRST WRITTEN BALLOTS.
As there was an overplus of money raised and paid out for soldiers, the town received a " draw-back " from the court, which was appropriated for payment of town debts. People that took the oath of allegiance at said meeting: Isaac Cochran, Thomas
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TROUBLE WITH THE CURRENCY.
Wilson, John Anderson, William Gregg, Jr., James Davidson, Robert Stewart, Robert Morison.
Nov. 26, 1782. - Adjourned meeting. Voted to choose by written ballot, and chose James Betton, Esq., representative.
THE TOWN INSTRUCTS ITS REPRESENTATIVE IN 1783.
Sept. 12, 1783 .- Voted to instruct their representative "to move at the next session of the General Assembly of this State that a remonstrance be sent by the said Court to the Continental Congress against the resolution passed in said body that the officers in the Continental Army have five years' pay after the conclusion of the war. And we your constituents farther instruct you that in case the foregoing motion is over ruled that you enter your protest against the said measure, As we judge the same to be oppressive and unjust."
Nov. 10, 1783 .- Chose Dea. Gain Armor, Representative, to represent this town till the 1st of June, 1784.
WAR LEGISLATION, 1784,
.Jan. 13 .- A committee of three was chosen to settle with George Wilson for the Beef promised him for war services.
Feb. 4. - Robert Morison, constable, was to collect and pay to the Selectmen, $16. 108. Lawful Money, it being to pay George Wilson for his service in the war.
WINDHAM'S LAST CONTINENTAL SOLDIER STILL IN THE ARMY, JANUARY, 1784.
David Campbell was still in the army; and Jan. 13, the town voted "that the Class that hired David Campbell Pay him for the first year agreeable to their bargain and the Rest to be Raised by a lown Rate for the Remainder of his Service in the Army Dur- ing the time they hired for unless his is Sooner Discharged."
WINDHAM PETITIONS TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE.
By her deficiency of population, the town was not entitled to a Representative, and Feb. 27, 1784, petitions for permission to send one, which is granted by the Legislature, March 31, 1784.
TROUBLE WITH THE CURRENCY. - FIAT MONEY FAVORED.
Copied from the records of 1786 :-
Aug. 10, 1786. - Chose a Committee, consisting of Deacon Dins- moor, Captain Hemphill, Captain Senter, Colonel Gilmore, and Samuel Morison, who reported Sept. 4, 1786, and accepted by the town: "You are hereby instructed to move at the next session of the General Court of this State, first to take in Consideration the Necessity of Writing to our Delegates at Congress to urge
.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a Discount on the old Continental money that is in the Treasury of this State more than our proportion thereof.
"You are farther instructed to move to send a memorial to Congress Requesting that body to fix on some plan as they in their Great Wisdom may think Best with foreign Powers to whom the United States are indebted, to pay said debt with the Produce of the several States, and this State in Perticilar Be Authorized to Build a Number of Ships and Load them with the Produce of this State such as may be Vendable at a foreign market, in order to Discharge the Debt Due to foreign Powers.
"The above done in Committee.
"Actuated by an absolute Necessity of having a circulating Cur- rency and heavy Presure of the Large annual Interest of a Sum on which we have not the advantage of Improvement. In order that the former be fully Removed and the Latter alleaveated, Totally exterpatted, we do further instruet you to move at the next setting of the General Court and use your utmost endeavor that a sum of money be struct off as soon as may be, exactly agreeing with the sum now Standing notes Isued by this This State and be put into Circulation as follows-(viz) that such of the holders of this State Securities as shall Choose to Bring in their Notes and receive payment in said money be allowed two months for that Purpose, from the time that offices" are prepared " for their Reception. That at the expiration of said time what ever sum may yet Remain unIsued, Be emitted on a well estab- lished Land Security, the Construction of Which we Resign to the Great Wisdom of that Honorable Body. That the sum emitted for the Discharge of State notes be Called in by Taxation in six years, an equal proportion Annually. That the principal Sum Isued on Land Security be paid on the eighth year after the emission thereof, the Interest Being paid Punctually annually and appropriated to the use of paying the interest of Notes yet Stand- ing against this State. That the above money be Rec'd in all State Tax and be by the forcibility of a Law made for that pur- pose a Lawful tender in all money payments within this State. You will at the same time move that it be passed into a Law that any person or persons who may be found actually Gilty of Coun- terfiting a Bill or Bills of the above Money be put to Death with- out the Benefit of Clergy,* and that this Law be Inserted on Said Bills. That any person or persons Who Shall Designedly Try to hurt by Words the Credit of Said Money or Shall make any Dif- ference between that and hard money In payments or Bargains which may tend to Depreciate the Same Shall on Conviction thereof Pay a fine of twelve pounds in money and be Rendered incapable of ever holding a post of Honor or profit in this State.
* The origin and history of the ancient popish plea of The "Benefit of Clergy " will be found in Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of Eng- land, vol. iv, p. 361.
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A STABLE POUND AT LAST.
That as we conceive the Real Value of paper money to consist in the Laws made for The Establishment thereof, We Do Injoin it upon you that Should your Superior Knowledge Suggest any fur- ther Laws Which may tend to the Same to use your utmost Influ- ence that they be Carried into efect."
VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH, 1785.
An act was passed by the Legislature, June 23, 1785, "for the better observance and keeping the Lord's day"; and on Dec. 17, 1788, the people of Windham petitioned the Legislature of the State, saying that they conceived "the true meaning and intent and meaning of said act is that every person or persons whatso- ever do carefully apply themselves to the duties of religion and piety publickly and privately on that day; but we find by daily experience that the contrary is often practiced; we see persons boldly driving their loaded teams, and also horses loaded with goods on that day." This failed of its desired and designed effect, and they wished it amended or repealed, and another one passed which would carry out the true intent of the law.
THE POUND.
In the warrant, May 3, 1753, "To see what method you will take to have a Pound to Pound Disorderly Creatures."
" Voted that Robert Park's Barnyard be the Pound, and s'd Park the Pounder this year."
After years of effort, the subject coming before the proprietors almost yearly, a vote was obtained, Oct. 18, 1762, "To build a Logg Pound on ye Parsonage Near to John Greggs to be built by the House-Holders of Windham, and forty Shillings old tennor of fine pr Day upon Each Man for None Attendance upon ye Days appointed." *
A STABLE POUND AT LAST.
Sept. 30, 1793. - " Voted, There shall be a pound built near Tim- othy Merrills, and built of Stone forty feet square within the wall, the wall to be 33 feet thick .at the bottom, 13 feet at top, 6 feet high, and top stone to reach across the wall, likewise to have a yel- low pine timber on the top of the sd wall, to rise 10 inches in height from the wall, to be mitered and bolted at the corners, and formed in shape of a common roof with 10 inches base. To have a gate 4 feet wide clear of the posts, the posts to be of white oak, the sap to be taken off, and the part to be sunk in the ground burned, the top to be tenented in the top timbers, the gate to be build wholly of white oak in a good workman like manner, to be hung with good iron hinges with lock & bolt, said pound to be sold
* Town Records, vol. i, p. 130.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
to the lowest bidder in one fortnight from this time at Timothy Merrills at four (?) o'clock r. M. Henry Campbell to furnish rum for said vendue. Voted that Cornet Dinsmoor be venduer, that the pound shall be completed by the first day of Decemr next, at which time the builder shall have his pay. Voted that the Select- men shall give and take bonds. Voted that the said pound shall be built in a workmanlike manner, the inside of the wall well faced." *
The pound was situated on or near the spot where James Coch- . ran's house now stands, and on the public street of the village. On this spot it stood, solid, firm, substantial, secure, and only oc- casionally used, till 1861, when James Cochran, wishing to obtain the land occupied by the pound, on which to place his buildings, offered to remove the walls and place them in as good position on the town's land, near the town house. The offer was accepted, as at the annual meeting in 1861, it was "Voted, To have the pound removed to the town land in rear of the old meeting-house, and the Selectmen are to decide upon location for the same, withont expense to the town."
On this spot it still stands, with broken gate, fallen wholly into disuse, existing as a monument of an obsolete law, as a memento of a period long gone by, and of a custom happily seldom or never followed.
A CURIOUS VOTE.
Lient. John Dinsmoor's negro was taxed in 1761, which was not satisfactory, so on Oct. 18, 1762, this vote was passed : " Voted to clear Lieut. John Dinsmoor's Negro Winch of Reats for ye year past."
May 30, 1728. - Each male negro slave was taxed at €20 in N. II.
WAR OF 1812-15.
The war of the American Revolution had passed, and the col- onies were free, but the best of feeling did not exist between England and her late colonies. The mistress of the seas was arrogant in her demands and in her treatment of lesser powers. The United States was jealous of its rights.
In 1794 war was apprehended, and in 1795 war was averted by a treaty made by Mr. Jay, United States envoy, which was ratified by the United States Senate, and received the signature of the President.
A controversy had long existed between the nations. The con- fiscation by the United States of property owned by the tories during the Revolution, and the pretensions of the English in regard to navigating the seas, were fruitful sources of contention.
America commenced to make preparations for the approaching
* Town Records, vol. ii, p. 59.
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SOLDIERS FROM WINDHAM IN THE WAR OF 1812-15.
conflict. In November, 1811, President Madison called an extra session of Congress, and by message laid before it the state of affairs with Great Britain, and recommended preparation for war. There seemed to be an itching on the part of the government to engage in the contest.
In the carly part of 1812, some new grievances were added to the list of injuries of the United States, and on the 18th of June of that year, Congress passed an act declaring war against Eng- land. Preparations had already been made. The militia of New Hampshire was never in a more flourishing condition. Memories of the. Revolutionary struggle were fresh in the minds of its people. Many were still living who had participated in that conflict, and they infused some of their ardor into the military organizations of the State.
In anticipation of war, President Madison made requisition upon the government of New Hampshire for its quota of militia to be detached under act of Congress of April 10, 1812, and Gov- ernor Langdon issued general orders under date of May 29, 1812, for detaching 3,500 men from the militia of the State, and organ- izing them into companies, battalions, and regiments, armed and equipped for actual service, and ready to march at the shortest notice.
Governor Plumer succeeded Governor Langdon on the fifth day of June, 1812, and he made representations to the National Gov- ernment that our seaboard and the public works in the harbor of Piscataqua were in a defenceless state, and liable to attacks from the enemy. This information secured a request from President Madison by the secretary of war for Governor Plumer to order into the service of the United States such part of the previously mentioned 3,500 men as he should deem necessary for the defence of the sea-coast of the State.
In compliance with this and succeeding orders, the following persons were drafted into the military service. There were few, if any, voluntary enlistments, as the war was denounced in unmeas- ured terms by the great majority of the people of Windham.
SOLDIERS FROM WINDHAM IN THE WAR OF 1812-15.
Benjamin Blanchard, enlisted March 9, 1812, during the war, in Capt. Charles Follett's company. Hle is the first soldier enlisted from Windham.
William Balch, enlisted Ang. 17, 1812; discharged Nov. 30, 1812; drafted for 6 months, unless sooner discharged, and was at Portsmouth, under command of Capt. John Leonard, of Londonderry.
Robert P. Dinsmoor, enlisted May 25, 1814, to July 26, 1814, in Capt. Allen Goss's company, at Portsmouth.
Samuel Dinsmoor, enlisted May 25, 1814, as substitute for Ira Dinsmoor, in C'apt. Allen Goss's company.
Thomas Nesmith, third lieutenant, enlisted Sept. 15, 1814, for 3 months, in Capt. Nathaniel G. Bradley's company.
Samuel Davidson, first lieutenant, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company.
Richard Dow, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan God- frey's company ; discharged Nov. 6, 1814.
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IHISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
David Campbell, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company.
Daniel M. Galt, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company. " Absent without leave since Nov. 7" appears upon the muster-rolls of this company against his name.
Knight enlisted for war. Name not found on muster-rolls.
Alexander Gordon, enlisted Sept. 23, 1814, 60 days, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
John Barnet Hilands, corporal, enlisted May 25, 1814, to July 16, 1814. Moses Sargent, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company.
Philip K. Wiles, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Captain Godfrey's company. "Absent since Nov. 7, without leave."
Rufus Patterson, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company.
Stephen E. Blaisdell, enlisted Sept. 26, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. Jonathan Godfrey's company.
Samuel Rowell,* enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Amos Dow, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Thomas Moore, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
David Durrer, musician, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Phineas Danforth, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
James Simpson, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Samuel Marshall, enlisted for 60 days, Sept. 23, 1814, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Aaron Senter, Solomon Corliss, John Webster, all enlisted Sept. 23, 1814, for 60 days, in Capt. David Haynes's company.
Matthew Clark, unassigned.
William Simpson, enlisted March 15, 1814, in Captain Hoklen's company. John Nesmith, then at Haverhill, served 2 months in a Massachusetts reg- iment, at Boston.
Woodbridge Cottle served in the war. Name not on the rolls in the Adju- tant-General's Report.
After various successes and reverses, the war which was so unpopular in New England was brought to an end. A treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, Germany, Dec. 24, 1814, and upon the subjects upon which the war was professedly waged, the treaty was silent. This treaty was ratified by the government, Feb. 17, 1815.
There was great joy when the news of peace reached Windham. Samuel Armour, Esq., on horseback, brought the news from Haverhill., Mass., in the shortest possible space of time. He pro- claimed the glad tidings on the road and in the eastern part of the town. Riding up to the people's houses he shouted, " Peace, peace, peace!" and with only a few words of explanation he reined his horse into the highway and was gone. So the report spread rapidly, and brought the greatest joy to the people.
* Adjutant-General's Report, 1868, p. 220.
ROYAL, GOVERNMENT AT AN END. - FIRST CONVENTION. 103
CHAPTER IX.
FORMATION OF INDEPENDENT STATE GOVERNMENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. - CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. - FIRST CONVENTION. - FIRST CONSTITUTION. - NAMES OF MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT CONVENTIONS.
IN 1774, the Revolution was at hand. Royal government was to be overthrown, and a government for the people and by the people was to be established.
That year many of the towns in New Hampshire sent delegates to a convention in Exeter. The second convention met early in May, 1775, to consult on the state of affairs, and was elected for six months. Before its adjournment it called a new convention, agreeably to the recommendation of Congress. This convention met on the 21st of December, and proceeded to form a temporary government, and the first Constitution of New Hampshire was adopted Jan. 5, 1776.
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