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0R6ANIZAT
GOYERSMSNT IN 1853
THE ANCIENT PENACOOKS.
THE WHOLE LNTEKSPERSPJD WITH
•US INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES,
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the generations to come.
ONCORP
BENNIK
1856.
TOJfKS, PEIHTJ-r.S.
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THE
HISTORY OF CONCORD,
FROM ITS
FIRST GRANT IN 1725,
TO THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT IN 1853,
WITH A HISTORY OF
THE ANCIENT PENACOOKS.
THE WHOLE INTERSPERSED WITH
NUMEROUS INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES,
DOWN TO THE PRESENT PERIOD, 1855;
EMBELLISHED WITH MAPS;
WITH
PORTRAITS OF DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS, AND VIEWS OF ANCIENT AND MODERN RESIDENCES.
" This shall be written for the generations to come."
BY NATHANIEL BOUTON,
Pastor of the First Congregatioual Church in Concord,
CONCORD: PUBLISHED BY BENNING W. SANBORN.
1856.
MoFAKLAND & JENKS, PRINTERS.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1855,
By Nathaniel Bouton,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of New -Hampshire.
THE INHABITANTS OF CONCORD
TO THE DESCENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS.
AND TO ALL WHO FORMERLY HAD RESU)ENCE HERE,
BUT ARE NOW LOCATED IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS OP OUR COMMON COUNTRY,
THIS HISTORY
IS VERY RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
BY THEIR FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.
LIST AND LOCATION OF ENGRAVINGS.
1. PORTRAIT OF THE' AUTHOR, (facing title page.) page,
2. MAP OF CONCORD, (unbound — following title page.)
3. FIRST SURVEY OF HOUSE AND HOME LOTS, 121
4. FAC-SIMILE OF PETITION, 1744, 152
5. THE BRADLEY I\IONUMENT, 167
6. PLAN OF RUMFORD AND BOW, 207
7. VIEW OF LOG MEETING-HOUSE, 1727, 230
8. PLAN OF MAIN STREET, 1798, 297
9. THE OLD TOWN-HOUSE, 306
10. THE OLD NORTH MEETING-HOUSE 341
11. THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, 407
12. JUDGE UPHAM'S HOUSE, 410
13. METHODIST MEETING-HOUSE, 413
14. SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE, 437
15. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, 443
16. FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 447
17. NORTH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE, 451
18. MAJ. DANIEL LIVERMORE'S, OR DR. BOUTON'S HOUSE, . . . .517
19. JACOB HOYT'S HOUSE, 519
20. SNOW-SHOES, 527
21. OLD HAY-SCALES, 539
22. HOUSE OF SAMUEL COFFIN, ESQ. ; THE ELM TREE, ... 548
S3. View of the stickney house and elms, 549
24. VIEW OF THE ANCIENT WALKER MANSION, . . . . . .557
25. COUNT RUMFORD'S BIRTH-PLACE, WOBURN, MASS., .... 570
26. PORTRAIT OF "THE COUNTESS," 572
27. THE "GAMBREL ROOF," OR BRADLEY HOUSE 576
28. PORTRAIT OF REV. ASA McFARLAND, D. D., 582
29. PORTRAIT' OF JONATHAN EASTMAN, ESU., 590
30. PORTRAIT OF COL. WM. A. KENT, 593
31. PORTRAIT GOV. ISAAC HILL, 600
32. PORTRAIT OF MR. ABEL HUTCHINS, 603
33. VIEW OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 611
34. VIEW OF PLEASANT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, 618
35. PORTRAIT OF ISAAC DOW, ESQ., 644
36. PORTRAIT OP CAPT. JOHN EASTMAN, 647
37. PORTRAIT OF OLD MRS. ELLIOT, 651
38. PORTRAIT OF MR. BENJAMIN GALE, 663
39. THE HERBERT HOUSE, 665
40. PORTRAIT OF MR. RICHARD HERBERT, 668
41. PORTRAIT OF DEA. JOHN KIMBALL, 675
42. PORTRAIT OF MR. WILlilAM LOW, 678
43. PORTRAIT OF MR. ARIEL WALKER, 690
44. COL. BENJAMIN GROVER'S HOUSE, 743
TO THE READER.
Ln preparing this Histoiy, I have availed myself of all the information I could gather— from whatever source — during a residence and ministiy in Concord of more thaii thirty years. My attention was first directed to the subject of a liistory of the town, while collecting materials for a centennial discourse preached in November, 1830. Many of the facts embodied in this History were treasured up at the time of their occurrence ; others have been carefully collected from the recitals of aged citizens and others, well acquamted with the affaii-s of the town, and from newspapers of the cm-rent period ; but the greater part was derived from original records and docu- ments in the office of the To^vn Clerk, the Secretary of State, or in the ai-chives of the New-Hampshu-e Historical Society, and from choice family papers which have been generously placed in my hands. For the aid and encouragement I have had in prosecuting the work, I acknowledge my obli- gations to my fellow-citizens, for the Hberal appropriation of three himdred dollars, in March, 18o3, towards the pubUcation of portions of " the original Proprietors' and Town Records." I am imder especial obHgations to the Committee, at that time appointed, \iz.: Hon. Nathaniel B. Baker, Jona- than Eastman and Joseph B. Walker, Esqrs., for their counsel and coope- ration ; also, to his Honor the first Mayor, General Joseph Low, and the City Comicil, for appropriating the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to procure maps and engra\ings for the illustration of the work. I hereby express my particular obUgations to all those who have commimicated to me, verbally or m ^writing, information on various topics. Especially I am indebted to Richard Bradley and Nathan Stickney,* Esqrs., and General Robert Davis, for valuable information relative to the cIvU affau-s of the to-ivni, with which they have long been intimately acquainted; to Capt. Benjamin Parker and Stephen C. Badger, Esq., two experienced surveyors, for the exact description they have given of locaHties and distances— to the latter of whom belongs the honor of the beautiful and accurate Map of the City, which accompanies this History. I am greatly obhged to Moody Kent, Esq., for an account of the ancient trees which are the ornament of
* Mr. Stickney deceased Oct. 29, 1855— an eminently useful, respected and honored citizen. See " List of Officers."
A TO THE READER.
our main village, and for many important facts respecting professional men who are deceased ; to William Prescott, M. D., for his contributions to the chapter upon Physical History; to Jacob Hoyt and George Abbot, Esqrs., Mr. Simeon Abbot and Mr. Benjamin Rolfe, for the entertaining incidents and anecdotes they have furnished relative to ancient times ; and to the gentle- men who have aided me in the difficult work, of preparing the genealogy of families, whose names I have the honor to mention in that connection. The genealogy of the Eastman family was chiefly prepared by Rev. Daniel Lancaster, who also aided in preparing the account of lawyers, physicians and graduates. My acknowledgments are due to Hon. Chandler E. Potter, of Manchester, for friendly aid m furnishing me copies of original docu- ments, and even more to a yoimg lady of our owii city, for results of her careful researches into our Indian history, and for her cheerful services in examining and copying ancient papers and records. I owe many thanks to George Kent, Esq., of Bangor, Me., for some entertainmg reminiscences of ancient men, who have passed off the stage, but whose "words" and "works" live after them. As I am, personally, so are all the readers of this History, indebted to the individuals who have gratuitously furnished views of residences or portraits of the distinguished citizens that adorn the pages of the volume. The cost of all the engravings executed expressly for this History and presented for insertion in it, amounts to more than seven hundred dollars. I have the honor to acknoAvledge the Uberal dona- tion of James F. Baldwin, Esq., of Boston, of twelve himdred lithographic prints of the " Rumford House," in Woburn, Mass., and also an equal number of copper-plate portraits of " the Countess," lately deceased. "Whatever value may be attached to the engraving in front of the title, must be accredited to ladies of the parish, at whose request and by whose generous subscription it was procured. This volume is said to be the larg- est and most costly original Avork ever issued from a New-Hampshire press. A discerning public need not be told to whom they are indebted for the superior style of typography in which the volume is presented to them. Last, but not least, the author is grateful to the compositors, for their patience and skill in decyphering much " bad copy."
In the arrangement and execution of the work, I have aimed at perspi- cuity, precision, impartiahty and accuracy. That no errors will be fomid in it, would be almost presumptuous to expect. Some have already been detected, and marked as errata, which the reader is desired at once to cor- rect. The work is arranged so as to correspond with the changes in the name and civil relations of the toAvn, while the chronological order is observed. Each portion of the History is designed to be complete in itself. For example, the Indian History, the Proprietary History, the Bow Controversy and the Revolutionary Period, form each a distmct chapter — and so of the rest. It Avill also be perceived that in the several decennial periods I have given in each chapter, 1. The Civil History of the ToAvn, authenticated by records ; 2. Miscellaneous matters, and, 3. A list of toAvn officers within the same period.
TO THE READER. d
In preparing the index of names at the end of the volume, I have in- tended to put down every name mentioned in the body of the work, from the Indian Histo7-y to the beginning of the Genealogical Section, p. 619, except those in the List of Officers. If a reader wishes to ascertain what OFFICE a particular jjerson held in the to-rni, he must examine the Ust per- taining to the period in which the person was engaged in the duties of civil life ; or, if one wishes to find a particular family name, he must turn to the Genealogy, and examine it in its alphabetical order. So of Lawyers, Physicians and Graduates. The Table of Contents in the fu'st part of the volume will exhibit the leading subjects of each chapter and section.
I have only to add, that as the preparation of the work has cost much labor, in addition to the duties of my profession, so it ■will afford me great pleasure, should it meet the reasonable expectations of my fellow-citizens ; especially, should it enhance our estimate of the privileges and blessings derived from the original proprietors and settlers of the town, and attach us more strongly to the moral and religious principles and habits which distinguished them. Verily, " Our lines are fallen unto us in pleasant places ; yea, we have a goodly heritage." Be it our aim, with the Divine blessing, to transmit it to future generations !
Nathaniel Bouton.
Concord, N. H., 1855.
Note. Upon a careful revision of the printed pages of this History, the author has discovered a number of errors — some of which it is very impor- tant to correct. They are all noted as " errata," on the last page of the volume, before the Index, to which readers are respectfully requested to turn and make the necessary corrections. Should readers discover other errors, they are requested to make them known to the author. His chief fear is, that he may be censured for the omission of facts of which he had no means of knowledge.
In transcribing the Proprietors' Records, a few, mostly imimportant, mis- takes occurred, which will also be found corrected on the last page. The certificate from Jonathan Eastman, Esq., Proprietors' Clerk, entitles the printed Records to authority, as legal evidence.
INTRODUCTION.
The author begs leave to introduce the His- tory of Concord to his readers, by requesting their attention to the beautiful and accurate iVIap which accompanies it, and to observe the boundaries, prominent localities and ob- jects there laid down, a brief explanation and description of which here follows.
Penacook was the ancient name of a tract of country extending along the Merrimack river about ten or twelve miles on both sides, from the Soucook, or perhaps Suncook, to the Contoocook river, but of undefined width from east to west.* The name in ancient re- cords and documents is variously spelled ; — for example — Penny Cooke, Penny Cook, Pen- necooke, Pennccook, Pennicook, Penicook, Pen- kook. The late John Farmer, Esq., uniformly wrote it Penacook, and as the name, thus spelled, is now incorporated into various pub- lic works t of standard vahie, I have adopted the same orthography.
Concord, the modern name for the ancient Penacook, is at this time a city; the shire town of Merrimack County, and Capital of the State of NeWfHampshire. It is situated near the centre of the State from east to west ; about fifty miles from the Atlantic coast, and the same distance to the Connecticut river. Its latitude is 43'' 12' north ; longitude 5° 47' 30" east from Washington city, and sixty- two miles north, 22° west of Boston. Its boundaries and extent, as laid down on the map, are as follows: Commencing at the north-west corner, thpnce north 75° east, on Boscawen, 4 miles and 91 rods to the south- east bound of Boscawen ; thence, commenc- ing at the south-west bound of Canterbury, on the east bank of the Merrimack river, north 72° east, 3 miles and 124 rods ; thence, on Canterbury line south 18° east, 192 rods, to Loudon line ; thence, the same course on Lou- don line, 2 miles and 3 rods, to the ancient Bow gore ; thence, south 45° east, 2 miles and 284 rods, to the Soucook river| : thence, the middle of said river to its junction with the
* See Document for Chap. II., No. 1 ; com- pare with p. 55.
•f See Farmer's edition of Belknap's Hist, of New-Hampshire ; his Genealogical Register, &c.
I Some surveys make this lino a few rods more, and some'a few rods less.
Merrimack ; thence, following wp the Merri- mack river to the old Rumford line, about two miles and a half; thence on Bow, south 72" west, 4 miles and 134 rods ; thence, on Bow north, 18° west, 328 rods ; thence north, 17° west, on Hopkinton line, 3 miles and 251 rods, to Beach Hill road ; thence north 16>i° west, 2 miles and 201 rods, to Contoocook river; thence north 15° west, 234 rods, to the first bound. More concisely. Concord is bounded north-westerly by Boscawen and Canterbury ; north-east by Loudon ; south-east by Pem- broke ; south by Bow ; south-westerly by Hopkinton, and contains about 40,000 acres.
LOCALITIES,
JVames and description of Localities on tlie west side of Merrimack river.
1. HoRsE-HiLL, is the name of the territory included in School District No. 1, lying north- erly of Contoocook river ; — so called from the practice, in early times of the settlement, of turning young horses and cattle there to pas- ture, in spring and summer. Oliver Hoit was the first settler there, in 1772.
2. Mast-yabd, on the Contoocook river, about a mile and a half from Horse-hill bridge ; so called from the heavy timber that used to be hauled thither from adjacent forests and rolled into the river, to be floated thence into the Merrimack and down to the Atlantic ocean. Opposite Mast-yard, about a mile southerly, is Broad Cove, in School District No. 4.
3. Daoodt, or Dagodon Hill and Brook, on or near the northerly boundary line be- tween Concord and Boscawen; — so called from a n)an named Dagodon, who formerly resided there. The brook is famous for trout fishing Lieut. Marshall Baker, when a young man, on a fishing excursion to this brook, in his haste to catch a large mess, took off his pants, tied a string around the bottom of the legs, buttoning the waist-band and opening them with sticks, set them for a fish-pot at the moutli of a little dam which he threw up : then driving the fish down the stream, he caught in a short time about ninety fine trout, one weighing over three pounds.
INTRODUCTION.
4. Within the Horse-hill territory, partly in Boscawen, is a Little Pond, sometimes call- ed Catamount, abounding more with snakes and turtles than with fishes.
5. The Borough, School District No. 2, settled originally by the Elliots : now the res- idence of old Mrs. Lydia Elliot, at the age of 102 years. Among the ancient men distin- guished in this locality in former times, and known by their honorary titles, were " Gov- ernor Elliot," " Lawyer Elliot," and " Judge Baker," grandfather of His Excellency Na- thaniel B. Baker.
6. Hovt's Brook, which crosses the road to Boscawen, about one mile south of Fisher- ville.
7. Beater-meadow Bkook, about a mile south of Hoyt's Brook. Near this is Beaver- meadow hog road to Horse-hill.
8. Sand-banks, about a half mile easterly from Hoyt's brook, where logs and timber were rolled into Merrimack river. Capt. Jo- seph Pratt, of Orford, with a two-horse sleigh, drove ofl" this bank one night, by accident, and, though precipitated to the bottom, es- caped without material injury.
9. HonsEiNG-DowNs, was the name given to a long, narrow neck of land, lying at the foot of sand-banks, on the east side, as the river formerly run, but since cutoff by turning ,the river for the track of the Northern rail- road ; better known now as Ooodwiti's Point.
10. Dustin's Island, at the mouth of Con- toocook river — the scene of the famous exploit of Mrs. Hannah Dustin, who killed and scalp- ed her Indian captors.
11. Sewall's Island and Falls, so called from Judge Samuel Se wall, of Massachusetts, who formerly owned the premises.
12. Rattlesnake Brook, running from Long Pond through West village.
13. Rattlesnake Hill, so called on ac- count of the snakes of this species that for- merly had their dens here — well known now as Granite Hill, about two miles north-west- erly from the main village.
14. Parsonage Hill, so called from the eighty acre lot laid oft' to the parsonage right, west of Isaac Farnum's.
15. Long Pond. [See ponds, page 542.]
16. Pine Hill, belonging to the farms of Nathan K. and Jeremiah S. Abbot, west of Long Pond ; is estimated to be the highest point of land in Concord.
17. South and westerly of Long Pond is a range of hills, of which the highest is "Jer- ry's Hill," so called from Jerry, or Jeremiah Bradley, who formerly owned the land. From the summit of this hill a grand and pictur- esque view is had far to the north and east, taking in the Franconia Mountains, White Hills, Red Hill — and on the south-west the grand Monadnock. North of Jerry's is a hill having a large and curious cave on the south- west side of it.
18. " Ljttle Pond," or District No. 6, is so called from a small pond, situated north- east of Nathan Ballard's, Esq. This neighbor- hood was settled about 1789, by Nathan Bal- lard, Nathan and Henry Chandler, and Eben Fisk, on farms bought of the estate of Col. Paul Rolfe.
19. Beach Hill, on the westerly line be- tween Concord and Hopkinton ; — so called from the abundant beach wood there found.
20. Dimond's Hill, about four miles west- erly of the main village, on Hopkinton road ; so called from Ezekiel Dimond, a large land-
owner, who formerly resided on or near the place where Joseph S. Abbot now lives. In 1828 Mr. Nathan Call moved a two-story dwelling-house, thirty by forty feet, on wheels, with forty yoke of oxen, from Hopkinton to Concord.* In descending this hill, then much steeper than at the present time, ho put three yoke of oxen before, and the remainder be- hind, to hold back. It took four days to move the house — the distance was about five miles.
21. Ash Brook, running at the foot of Di- mond's hill, through the farm of Atkinson Webster, Esq., into little Turkey pond.
22. FusH Market, on the Hopkinton road, three miles from Main street ; origin of name not known. Long distinguished for excellent brick and earthen ware there manufactured.
23. Powell's Hook — at the ravine near the upper mills, in Millville ; so called from one Powell, a drummer, who lived near there.
24. Millville, a name recently given to the settlement where Moses Shute, Esq., re- sides, including the house and land of Dr. Geo. C. Shattuck, of Boston :— which house was the first of brick in Concord, and was built by Jacob Carter, father of Jacob Carter, now Post-master. This house and farm were recently given by Dr. Shattuck for the pur- pose of a School, to be called " St. Paul's School."
25. RuNNELLs' Mills, were situated on the stream from Great Turkey to Little Turkey pond, on the road to Stickney's Hill. For- merly well known, these mills have fallen into entire decay. Stickney's Hill, about a mile south-west of Runnells' mills, so call- ed from settlers of that name.
26. Bog Road, running from Concord thro' the bogs of Turkey Pond to James Hall's ; thence to Dunbarton. Before reaching Mr. Hall's this road crosses Tiiry brook and Pe- ter's or Bela's brook, — the latter so called from former owners of land.
27. Rum Hill, including the high land N. westerly of road to Hopkinton, owned by Benjamin Gale and others, about a mile and a half from the Slate House ; so called from a drunken carousal and fight which took place there in early times, at a coal-pit.
28. Eleven Lots, extending, according to the first survey, from the residence of the late Countess of Rumford to near the old Bow line.
29. The Bend, (that is, in Merrimack riv- er,) near the southern boundary line, and tak- ing in a small section of Bow. On the bank at this bend is a beautiful view, north, of the Main village.
30. Iron Works, south-west part of the town, including Sch. District No. 18. In the Revolutionary War the " Iron Works" were owned by Daniel Carter, Daniel Gale and Dr. Philip Carrigain. A forge was built in the lot easterly of the bridge which now crosses Turkey River, where iron was wrought from native ore.
31. Frog Ponds, on the interval east of th» residence of the late Gov. Hill, who owned the premises and made various experiments to improve them. Name derived from the " se- renades" of their principal inhabitants.
32. Hale's Point, the extreme point of land on "Ferry Road," by Richard Herbert's— named from Joseph Hale, who in early times owned the land. From the "Point" across
This house now stands on the east side of State street, second house south of Pleasant street.
INTRODUCTION.
the river was formerly a ferry, extensively known as KimbalPs Ferry. Hale's point was cut off by a great freshet about 1831, and the ferry is discontinued since the opening of the Free Bridge road.
33. FoBT Eddy, about half a mile north of Hale's Point, on land owned by Richard Brad- ley—opposite Sugar Ball. According to tra- dition this was the location of an old Indian fort.
34. The Fan, a tract of land bordering the river, north of Fort Eddy ; valuable for natu- ral mowing, and derivingits name from a fan- cied resemblance in shape to a lady's fan. Chiefly owned by the late Abiel Walker.
35. Wattanummon's Brook, the princi- pal feeder and outlet of Horse Shoe Pond on the east — crossed by a bridge, and so called from the name of an Indian chief* who owned and cultivated the land adjacent. There is an outlet from both ends of tlie Pond.
36. Horse Shoe Pond, at the head of Main street. [See Ponds.]
37. Wood's Brook, the little stream from " little pond," crossing the Boscawen road north of Richard Bradley's, and formerly turning the " dry saw null," which was built there ; deriving its name from David Wood, original proprietor.
38. Paradise, about forty rods northerly from Wood's brook— so named from a beauti- ful grove and the scenery around it, including a charming view of the interval and meander- ing of the river on the east. It was owned by Capt. E. S. Towle. The grove being re- cently cleared away, it may be called " Para- dise lost."
39. Blossom Hill, a pleasant eminence, covered with a fine growth, opposite " Para- dise."
40. The Gulf, or steep hill bridge, on the main road to Boscawen, about twenty rods south of the railroad crossing, near Benjamin Farnum's. East of this Gulf is Farnum's Eddy, so called from a current or whirl in the river. , ,,„ .
41. West's Brook, formerly "Meeting- house Brook," rising in swamp land west of the State Prison, crossing Main street near the house of the late John West, senior — whence the name. The space between this brook and "Tan-yard Brook" was neutral ground between the north and south end
42." Clay-Pits, and tan yard brook, which runs (under the road,) in the valley by Mr. Ivory Hall's house. The late Capt. Richard Ayer carried on an extensive tannery on the west side of the road ; !ind clay of good qual- ity was formerly dug here. Opposite the tan- yard stood the old hay-scales,i and here was " the great elm tree," marked on the Plan of Main street. „ , t -..i
43. Bow Brook, partly flows from Little pond, runs along by the new Jail and the In- sane Asylum, and empties into Turkey river.
44. Free Bridge and Free Brid're Road, across the Merrimack and interval, nearly opposite Center street.t This road was first opened and bridge built in 1839.
* Often spelled Waternummon. See Chap. 1., Indian History, t See Chapter of Ancient Matters, p. 539. X See Free Bridges, p. 741.
Localities on the east side of the River, begin- ning on the northern line at Canterbury.
1. Burnham's Brook, running from Canter- bury by Chandler Choate's to Merrimack river, opposite the eastern point of Rolfe's in- terval.
2. Hackett's Brook, so called from a man of that name who once leaped across it, and then turning around, said to himself — "I'll bet a mug of flip you can't do that again, Hackett." Then attempting to leap it again, as his feet struck the opposite bank, he fell backwards into the brook. The brook has its principal source in " Hot Hole pond," easterly on the Loudon line; empties into the Merri- mack just north of Sevvall's Falls bridge. On this stream is situated Lovejoy's Mills, so called, and also a saw-mill near its mouth.
3. Snow's Pond, [see Ponds.] Oak Hill is a high eminence east of Snow's pond, or north- erly of Turtle pond. [See page 543, 544.]
4. Hot Hole Pond, [see Ponds.]
5. SNAPTowN,thesection comprising School District No. 14. in the north-easterly part of the town, near Loudon line. The origin of the name is uncertain. One tradition is, that it is derived from a man by the nanae of Blanch- aid, who had a habit of snapping his eyes, or winking quick : on which a woman re- marked, that " she should think all the chil- dren in the neighborhood would ' snap.' " Another tradition is, that an early settler in the locality, thinking himself crowded by oth- ers who moved in within half a mile of him, was cross, or snappish.
6. The Mountain, comprising School Dis- trict No. 21, and extending from the dwelling- house of Jacob Hoit to the residences of Abra- ham Bean and John L. Tallant.
7. Bowen's Brook, crossing the road to the Mountain in the valley near Meshech Lang's; origin of name not ascertained.
8. Turtle-town, comprising School Dis- trict No. 15, derives its name from the large pond in that vicinity, which abounds with turtles. See " Ponds," page 543.
9. Apple-town, southerly of Turtle pond, supposed to derive its name from the abund- ance and excellence of apples there raised.
10. Leather-lane, the section from the fork of the road to Apple-town, to the old burying-ground in the East village.
11. The Fort— including the East village- deriving its name from the "Irish Fort," or from the garrison of Capt. Ebenezer Eastman, which stood directly west of the residence of Israel W. Kelly, Esq.
12. SquAW Lot, westerly of Federal bridge. [See Indian History.]
13. Mill-bbook, the outlet of Turtle pond, affording a fine water power in the East vil- lage, on which the first saw and grist-mill were built, in Concord, 1729.
14. Death's Hill, on the Portsmouth turn- pike, near the school-house on " Dark Plain," a short, steep ascent, which the road now runs around on the south and east side, de- rived its name from the circumstance that a traveller, with a loaded team from Ports- mouth, was killed in going over it by a hogs- head of molasses rolling from his wagon.
15. Sugar Ball, the first prominent sand bluff northerly of Kimball's Ferry, or Sam- uel Clifford's residence, and opposite Fort Eddy. On this, according to invariable tradi- tion, stood the old Penacook fort.
IG. Mount Pleasant, a high and steep
INTRODUCTION.
sand bluff", about eighty rods north-westerly of Sugar Ball, recently so called from the ex- tensive and beautiful view it afftirds of the interval of the Merrimack, and the main vil- lage ; of hills of the West parish, and scenes more distant.
17. Garvin's Falls, formerly the residence of the Garvin family, including a portion of the " southern Bow gore." In the ancient re- cords it is known as the Penny Cook Falls, and not, as on the map, " Soucook Falls."
18. Head's Mills, on the Soucook river, near the old line of Concord, a little north of the old road to Pembroke, about two miles from Concord bridge.
19. '• Placer," a favorite place of resort in the summer, at a great bend in Soucook river.
Villages. Besides the foregoing localities, the reader will please observe that in Concord are four villages, or principal settlements, of which the first is the Main village, frequent!}' called " the Street," from the circumstance that for- merly the houses were all built on one main street, extending, as may be seen by the map, nearly one mile and a half. This village is the central place for business — containing, by estimation, a population of about 6,500 souls. Here, also, are the principal public buildings: ten churches, post oflice,*seven taverns, sev- eral of which are reckoned among the largest and best kept in the State. Here, also, are the principal stores for trade, and shops for almost every variety of mechanical pursuit.
2. West, or West Parish Village, about three miles from the State House, is a place of con- siderable manufacture of flannels and blank- ets, and has a thrifty population. Here is a station of the Concord and Claremont railroad, meeting-house, two school-houses, a post of- fice, and near the village, southerly, is the town farm and poor-house.
3. The East Village, extends from Federal bridge, north, to the vicinity of the meeting- house. Here is a station of the Boston, Con- cord and Montreal railroad, two stores, a meeting-house and two school-houses, with an industrious population of about three hun- dred.
4. Flsherville, lies chiefly in Concord, about six miles from the Main village, on both sides of the Contoocook river, near its junction with the Merrimack. It derives its name from the Messrs. Fisher, of Boston — Freeman and Francis — who own the larger portion of the water power. It 1840 the population did not exceed one hundred ; it is now estimated at about fifteen hundred. In 183G the Fishers erected the first mill, called the Contoocook mill, of stone, ninety-six by forty-two feet, five stories high. In 1846 the Penacook mill was built, three hundred by forty-eight feet, three stories high ; including the two wheel-houses, the entire length is three hundred and seventy feet. In 1847 Dea. Almon Harris erected a stone mill on the north side of the river, sev- enty-five by forty feet, three stories, for the manufacture of woolens, &c. The village is thrifty and growing ; here are small factories and machine shops of various kinds ; a post office, two large school-houses, one on each side of the Contoocook river ; here, also, is a Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Christian and Universalist Society, with suitable edi- fices or halls for worship. On the Concord side, east of the main road, the land was for- merly owned chiefly by the Rolfe family.
Rev. Edmund Worth, pastor of the Baptist church, was settled there in 1845, and still re- mains. At this time there is no other sctdcd pastor.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Respecting the public buildings, some of which are also distinctly marked upon the map, the following description may here suf- fice, beginning at the north end of main street.
The Methodist General Biblical Insti- tute, established and incorporated in 1847, occupies the " Old North Church," which was fitted up by the liberality of citizens of Concord, at a cost of about $3000, in 1846, and conveyed to the trustees of the Institute for the purposes of instruction. The first Professors in this Institution were Rev. John Dempster, D. D., Rev. Osmon C. Baker, D. D., now a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Charles Adams. The pres- ent Board of Instructors are Rev. Stephen M. Vail, A. M., and Rev. J. W. Merrill, D. D., and Rev. D. Patten, D. D. The number of students has steadily increased from year to year; in 1854 it was sixty-eight.*
The old Town Hall and Court Hocse was first built in 1792, and enlarged in 1823. This, together with the County building of brick, built in 1844, is soon to give place to the new and splendid City Hall, on the same location.
The State Prison, near the north end of iMain street— first built in 1811-iy, but greatly enlarged and improved— is mainly sustained by the labor of the convicts. The number in prison in 1854 was one hundred and five. Its present warden is William W. Eastman. [See annual reports of wardens.]
The State House, whicli was commenced in 1816, and completed in 1819, stands about the middle of Main street. The grounds, ex- tending from Main to State street, contain about two acres, beautifully ornamented with a variety of shade trees. The center of the building is fifty feet in front by fifty-seven in depth; the wings are each thirty-eight feet in front by forty-nine in depth ; the whole making a parallelogram of one hundred and twenty-six feet in length, by forty-nine in width, with the addition of a projection in the center of each front of four feet. The outside walls are of hammered granite. The lot on which it stands is enclosed on two sides with a solid wall of hammered stone, about five feet high ; the front fences and gates are of iron castings, with stone posts and sills. The expense of building, including the land, the fence, and the furniture of the house, amounted to $82,000.
In this building are a chamber for the Rep- resentatives, with an arched ceiling rising thirty feet from the floor ; the Senate cham- ber, eighteen feet in height; the Council chamber, and offices for the secretary and treasurer, the adjutant and attorney-generals, with a spacious room occupied as the State library.!
The County Jail, located near the junc- tion of Pleasant and Washington streets, about one mile west of the State House, was erected in 1852, at a cost of $11,000. fSee page 492.
* See Appendix to Prof. Vail's book on Min- isterial Education, p. 231.
t See p. .366. In J^Tote, for " Miscellaneous" read " Introductory."
INTRODUCTION.
The New-Hampshire Asylum for the In- sane is situated on Pleasant street, upon an eminence half a mile south of the State House. As enlarged and improved since its first erec- tion in 1841, it is a noble edifice— an ornament to the city and an honor to the State. The whole number of patients admitted since the opening of the institution in 1842, to June 1, 1855, is 1284. The present Superintendent is John E. Tyler, M. D.
The Railroad Passenger Depot, located east and near the centre of JMain street, is a large and commodious building, erected in 1849. In the second story is a spacious liall, together with convenient and even elegant rooms for offices. Near this building on tlie south is an extensive Freight Depot, and in the immediate vicinity are all the necessary buildings for engines and cars, and for ma- chine and repair shops. At this general depot the following Railroads centre, viz.:
The Concord Railroad, extending from Nashua to Concord, 34>^ miles ; opened in Sept., 1842; whole 30st, $1,450,000.
The Northern Railroad, from Concord through Franklin, to Connecticut river, C9 miles. The first section of it opened in 1846, and the residue in 1847 and 1848. The capi- tal stock amounts to $2,770,000.
Boston, Concord and Montreal Rail- road, chartered in December, 1844, extends from Concord to the Connecticut river, through Haverhill, to Woodville, opposite Wells Riv- er, in Vermont. This road was first opened as far as Sanbornton Bridge May 10, 1848 ; next to Plymouth, and then on to Warren and its present terminus, 99)^ miles from Concord. Capital paid in, $2,271,478. Every train in suninier connects at the Weirs with the steamer Lady of the Lake, Capt. Wm. Walker.
Concord and Claremont Railroad, was incorporated in 1848. It extends to Bradford, a distance of 29M miles. Amount expended to April, 1853, was $698,258. Contoocook Valley Railroad connects with the Concord and Claremont at Contoocookville.
Portsmouth and Concord Railroad, in- corporated in 1845. Length of road, about 48 miles.
BANKS IN CONCORD. Merrimack County Bank, first incorpo- rated in 1826 ; renewed in 1845, with a capital of $80,000. Francis N. Fisk, President ; E. S. I
Towle, Cashier. Directors, 1855— Francis N. Fisk, Samuel Coffin, Nathan Stickney, Rich- ard Bradley and Joseph B. Walker.
Mechanicks Bank, incorporated in 1834. Capital, $100,000. Joseph M. Harper, of Can- terbury, President ; Geo. Minot, of Concord, Cashier. Joseph M. Harper, Seth Eastman, Josiah Minot, D. M. Carpenter, Ezra Carter and George B. Chandler, Directors in the year 1855.
State Capital Bank, incorporated in 1852 ; has at this time a capital of $150,000. Samuel Butterfield, President; Edson Hill, Cashier. The present Directors are — Samuel Butter- field, Enos Blake, Abraham Bean, Hall Rob- erts, Asa Fowler, Robert N. Corning and Ebenezer Symmes.
New-Hampshire Savings Bank, in Con- cord, was incorporated in June, 1830. Its business is under the direction of eighteen trustees. Samuel Coffin, President ; Samuel Morril, Treasurer. In 1855 there were 7.824 depositors, and the "means" of the bank amounted to $402,704.
The valuation of estates in Concord, made in the returns of the United States Census in 1850, was :
Real estate, $3,015,286
Personal estate, .... 573.624
Total, $3,588,910
The growth of Concord in business and population since 1816, has been steady and healthful. The population in
|
1767 |
was 752 |
1820 was 2838 |
|
1775 |
" 1052 |
1830 " 3702 |
|
1790 |
" 1747 |
1840 " 4903 |
|
1800 |
" 2052 |
1850 " 8584 |
|
1810 |
« 2398 |
1855 estimat. 10.500 |
The number of names on the check-li^ts of the several wards of the city, as first laid out in 1853, was as follows :
|
Wardl. . |
. 184 |
W^ard 5. |
. 509 |
|
" 2. . |
. 282 |
" 6. . |
. 436 |
|
" 3. . |
. 136 |
" 7. |
. 301 |
|
" 4. . |
. 477 |
||
|
Total, |
2325 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INDIAN HISTORY.
PAGE.
Five Principal Nations, 17
Penacooks — Fight with Mohawks, 18
Passaconaway, 21-26
Wonalancet, 27-30
Wanuchus — Montowampate, 30-34
Tahanto, 34
Kancamagus, 37
Hope-Hood, 39
Wattanummon — Anecdote of Capt. Eastman, 40
Fight at Baker's River, 41
Mrs. Dustin, 42
Mr. Dustin—" The Father's Choice," ; . . 44
Squaw Lot — Peorawarrah's Gun, 46
Pehaungun — The Last of the Penacooks, 48
CHAPTER IL
PENACOOK BEFORE SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES.
Sources of the Merrimack River, 1638, 49
Survey, 1652 — Inscription on Rock at " The Weares," 50
Petition from Dover and Newbury, 51
Order of Court, 52
Petition from Chelmsford — from Salem, 53
Petition from Inhabitants of Essex County, 1721, .53
Survey, 1722 — Petition, 1725, 55
" L-ish People,"* 56
CHAPTER III.
PLANTATION OF PENACOOK. — 1725 TO 1733.
Proprietors' Records, 57-121
Order of the Great and General Court, 57-64
Admission of Settlers, 1725, 59
Letter of Rev. Christopher Toppan, 60
Letter of Rev. Samuel Phillips, 61
Survey of House and Home Lots, 62
Journal of Committee, 64
Additional Grant, 1728, 64
List of Settlers, 68
Surveyors at Penacook, 66
Committee of New-Hampshire — ""Warn Off," 68
Orders and Rules of Settlement, . . . >. 70
* See Document, for Chapter II., p. 745.
10 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
House and Home Lots — drawn, 72
Opposition from New-Hampshire Government, 77
Letter from Henry Newman, Agent, 82
Building a Block House, 80-85
Second Division of Interval surveyed, 81-86
Capt. Eastman's Team, driven by Jacob Shute, 88
Grant of Bow, by New-Hampshire, 88
Samuel Aver and Team, 89
Rights forfeited — Delinquents, 86-90-98
Committee to agree with a Minister, 86-100
Tirst Saw-mill and Grist-mill, 89-97
Call to Rev. Timothy Walker — Salary, &c., 95-106
Laying out Burying-ground, 98
Ferry, by John Merrill, 90-102
Blacksmith — Cutting Noyes, 101-114
Benjamin Rolfe, Clerk, 102
Petition for Town Rights — Order of Court, 95-104
School — Money raised for, 106
Grist-mill and Saw-mill on Turkey River, 109-113
Mills on "Mill-brook" — Nathan Simonds, 112
Mill on " Rattlesnake Brook," 114
Henry Rolfe's Petition for Incoi'poration, 115
Names of Proprietors, 122
Explanation of " First Survey," &c., 121
" of Second Survey, 125
" of " Twenty Acre Division," 127
" of Emendation Lots, 128
" of Eighty Acre Division, 128
Special Grants, 128
State of Settlement, 1731. — Expenses, 128
Brief Notices of Proprietors, . 132
CHAPTER IV.
RUMFORD INCORPOR.\TED. — 1733 TO 1742.
Act of Incorporation, 141
School. — Various Proceedings, 142
A House for Rev. Mr. Walker, 142
Essex County — Meeting-house repaired, 144
Garrison around Rev. Mr. Walker's House, 144
Controversy between New-Hampshire and Massachusetts, 1740, . . . 145
"The Crotch" — Meeting of Commissioners, 145-146
Decision of His Majesty, 148
CHAPTER V.
RUMFORD A DISTRICT. — 1742 TO 1750.
Indian Hostilities — Jonathan Eastman's Wife taken, 151
French War — Louisburg, 152
Petition — facsimile — Garrisons, &c., 125-6
The Massacre, 1746, 157
Notices of Persons massacred, 162
The Monument, Erection, Procession, &c., 166
Garrisons — New Arrangement, • ... 174
Capt. Lovejoy's Mill — Petition, l^S
Anecdotes — Philip E.astman, Estabrooks, &c., 177
Dr. Ezra Carter's Petition — Abner Hoyt, 177
Benjamin Al)])ot, Joseph Pudney, &e., 178
Reuben Abbot— Stephen Farrington, 180
Capt. Lovcjoy — Depositions, &c. 181
List of Officers from 1763 to 1749, 182
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 11
CHAPTER VI.
PAGE.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS, IN WHICH THE INHABITANTS OF RUMFORD TOOK AN ACTIVE PART. — 1754 TO 1760.
Robert Rogers, John and William Stark, 189
Capt. John Chandler, 1754 — Capt. Joseph Eastman, 189
Capt. John Goff's Company, 1756, 191
Amos Eastman, Benj. Bradley, Stephen Hoit, 192
Fight at St. Francis, 1759, 19.3
David Evans, Nathaniel and Stilson Eastman, 194
John Shute and Joseph Eastman, 196
" Bill Phillips," Daniel Abbot, 202
Mr. Nutter, Enoch Bishop, 204
CHAPTER VII. CONTROVERSY WITH BOW. — 1750 TO 1762.
Grant of Bow — "Associates" — Plan, &c., 205-6
Suit against John Merrill — Defence, 208
Assessment on Bow — Selectmen — Petition, 212
Rev. Mr. Walker first sails for England, 213
Petition to the King — Second Visit, 214-216
"Bow Act" — Inhabitants c/oomec/, 217
Inventory by Selectmen of Canterbury, 219
Letter from Rev. Mr. Walker, 1762, 220
King's Decision, 222
Settlement of Canterbury bounds, 226
Miscellaneous, Items, Anecdotes, &c., 230-38
Letters from Rev. Mr. Walker, 1754, '55, . 231
Iron Crane, 231
Timothy Walker, Jr.'s License to Preach, 232
Andrew McMillan's Store— "Old Ledger," 232
A Young Fawn — Wolves — Rattlesnakes, 236-38
CHAPTER VIIL
1765 TO 1775.
Incorporation of the " Parish of Concord," 239
" Bow Gores," — Concord — Name, 242
First Legal Meeting, 243
" The School"— Phineas Virgin, 244-45
Petition of Selectmen of Bow, 245
Census of Concord — Town Proceedings, 246
Address to Gov. Wentworth, 248
Rumford, in Maine, 249
Miscellaneous Facts and Anecdotes — Slaves — Bears — Militia — Town
Accounts, 249-59
List of Officers from 1766 to 1775, 259-62
CHAPTER IX.
PERIOD OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Benjamin Thompson — Battle of Lexington, 263-64
Congress at Exeter — Battle of Bunker Hill, 264
Capts. Hutchins, Abbot and Kinsman, 265
Census of Concord 266
New-Hampshire " Declaration of Independence," 267
Prisoners of War — Committee of Safety, 268-69
"Association Test"— Signers, 269
Oliver Hoit — Gun-powder — Tories an-ested, 272
Col. Hutchins — Soldiers for Bennington, 274
Convention to form a Plan of Government, 276
12
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Currency — another Convention,
Article Eighth of the Confederation — Peace, Miscellaneous Items and Anecdotes.
Small Pox — Andrew Stone's House — Lottery,
Kichard Potter and Dr. Carrigain, ....
Death of Eev. Mr. Walker, 1782,
Meeting-house — General Court, ....
Annexation to Concord — Change of Name,
The New Constitution, 1783,
PAGE.
. 277 281
. 282 . 283
. 284
285-87
. 288
. 288
List of To\^ii OfiScers, &c., 289
CHAPTER X.
1785 TO 1795.
Tucker'sFerry— "Call" to Jonathan Wilkins, 293
Laying out Main street — Plan — Map, 295
Paper Money — Federal Constitution, &c., 298
" Call" to Rev. Israel Evans, 303
School Lot — Town House — Anecdote, 304
" Warning Out" — Revision of the Constitution, 307
Rev. Mr. Evans — "Minute-men," 308
Miscellaneous Items and Anecdotes.
Dauphin of France — " Concord Herald," 309-10
Post-riders — " Clothes make Men," 310
Sacred Music — School — Stages, 312
List of Town Officers, . • 314
CHAPTER XL
1795 TO 1805.
Singing Society — Rev. Mr. Evans resigned, 319
" Call" to Rev. Mr. McFarland 320
Anecdote of Capt. Ayer — " Oxford War, 322
School Districts — A Bell — Meeting-house, 324
Annexing part of Bow to Concord, 325
Burying-ground at Horse-hill, &c., 325-6
Miscellaneous ItejHS and Anecdotes.
Concord Bridge — Federal Bridge, 326
Persons drowned — Thunder Storm — Lihrary — Fire, . . . 329
Blazing Star Lodge — Mill burnt — Post Office, 330
List of Town Officers, 330
CHAPTER XII.
1805 TO 1815.
New Map — Concord Bank — School Districts, 337
A Bell — Meeting-house — State street, 1809 — Swin^, .... 340-41
Washington Street laid out — State Prison, 342
Extinguishment of F'ires — War of 1812, 343
Disturbance at Town Meeting — Col. Kent 344
Scarlet Fever — Deaths — Lieut. Marshall Baker, 345
Soldiers — Volunteers — Exempts, &c., 347
Miscellaneous Incidents.
Maj. Chandler's House burnt — Mad Dog, &c., 349
Extraordinary Calf — Fire — Marriage — Capt. Roach, .... 350 Fourth of July, 1811 —" Shipping Memoranda"— Post-rider, . . 351 Capt. Charles Emery's decease — Hannah Shapley — Fire, &c., . 353 Concord Price-current — Ej)hraim Farnum's son killed, . . . 354 Moral Society — Concord F'emale Charitable Society, .... 3.54
Francis Thompson drowned, 355
List of Town Officers, &c., from 1805 to 1815, 355
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 13
CHAPTER XIII.
1815 TO 1825.
PAGE.
Intermission " One Hour" — September Gale, 363
State House — Location — Ballots — Hearses, 363
School Committee — Timothy Abbot's Land — Temperance — Bridges, 366 Town Expenses — Support of Poor — Lancasterian School, .... 367
Cows and Sheep — Town House (/ffffi)i//(e(i — Suit, 368
Premium to Engine-men — Lease of Parsonage Lot, &c., 369
A new County — Schools — A History of the Town, &c., 370
Toll on the Sabbath — New-Hampshire Turnpike, 371
Miscellaneous Items and Anecdotes.
Middlesex Canal— Cold Summer^ White Beans, 371
Benj. Thompson drowned — President Monroe's Visit, . . . 372 Mrs. Mary Calfe — Abigail Kimball — Hannah Bradley, . . . 373 Ebenezcr 'Chickering drowned — Earthquake — Abel Hutchins'
House burnt, 374
Mad Dog — Transportation to Portsmouth — Fire Engine, . . .375 F>eshct — Eagle on the State House ~ Sunday School, &c., . . 375-6
Steamboat — Dark Days — Col. McNeil, &c., 376
Card of Thanks — Episcopal Chapel — Meteor, &c., .... 378 Pres. Tvler's Election Sermon — Death of Mrs. Abigail Hoyt, &c., 381 Celebration of Fourth of July — Thunder Storm, &c., . . . .382
Death of Eev. Joshua Abbot — Deaf and Dumb, 383
Large Hogs — Deaths in 1824 — Notes, 384
CHAPTER XIV. 1825 TO 1835.
Dr. McFarland's Resignation— Call to Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, . . . 385
Sale of Parsonage Lands — Meeting-house — Fourth of July 386
Security against Fires — Poor Farm — Rocky Pond Lot, 389
Town Funds — Fire Buckets — Schooling for Poor Children, . . . .391
Bridewell — Horse-sheds— Cholera, 392
Laying out and naming Streets, 395
" Concord Directory," 1834 — List of Stages, 397
Miscellaneous Items and Anecdotes — [too numerous to be all men- tioned, hut to be 1-ead.]
Visit of Gen. LaFayette, 399
Dedication of First Baptist Church — " Liquors," 401
Gen. Jackson's Victory — Death of Mrs. Harriet S. Bouton, . . 403
Death of Ezekiel Webster — Ordination of Rev. M. G. Thomas, 405
Park street — Judge Upham's house — Last Election Sermon, . . 410
Four Days' Meetings — Revival of Religion — Col. Ambrose killed, 412
Methodist Meeting-house — Escape of Convicts, 412
Visit of Gen. Jackson — Death of John Estabrook, .... 414
Mrs. Elizabeth Haseltine's death — Lydia F^arnum's, 418
Mechanicks Bank — Prescott's Trial for Murder, 421
Death of old Mrs. Willey— New Prison,. 422
CHAPTER XV.
1835 TO 1845.
Speculation in Land — Security against Fires, 423
Schools — Small-pox — West Parish Burying-ground, 424
Railroad Stock — Insane Hospital — Surplus Revenue, 425
Location of Insane Hospital — Railroads, &c., 427
Concord Bank Failure — Cemetery — Keeping the Peace, .... 428 Lot for Burying-ground, by Charles Smart — Police Regulations, . . . 430
Committee before Legislature — Reservoirs, 431
Question on abolishing Capital Punishment, 432
14 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Altering the Constitution — Parsonage Lot sold, 432
Miscellaneous Items and Anecdotes, numerous, entertaining and of great variety, • . 433^62
CHAPTEE XVI.
1845 TO 1853.
Fire Department — Bowling-Saloons — Town Funds, 463
Union School Districts — Support of Poor, 464
Hall Burgin's Estate — Burying-ground, East-Concord, 465
Nuisances removed — Burying-ground, Millville, 465
Prohibiting tlie sale of Spirituous Liquors, 465
Col. Palmer's Resolutions — Reservoirs — Sickness, 1849, .... 466
Railroad Crossings — Fire Engine — Hearse, &c., 467
Delegates to Constitutional Convention, 468
Tolling of Bells — Night Watch — License, &c., 469
Reservoirs — New Town House — Public Library, 470
City Charter — Last Town Proceedings — Town History, .... 471-2 Miscellaneous items and anecdotes relative to the period from 1845 to
1853, 472-498
CiTT OF Concord.
City Charter — Vote on its adoption — First Election of City Officers, 499
Organization of City Government, 501
Address of the Mayor, &c., 502
List of principal Town Officers and Representatives from 1815 to 1853, 505-9
CHAPTER XVII.
ANCIENT MATTERS.
Grave-stones — Burials — Monuments — Vehicles, 510-13
Old Clocks — Dwelling-houses — Customs, 514
Maj. Livermore's House — Ancient Wells, 517
Jacob Hoyt's House — Anecdote — Food — Drinks, 517
Cider — Flip — Toddy — Egg-nog — Liquors — Reformation, . . . 522
Ancient Furniture — Dress — Snow-shoes, 524
Work of Females — Hours of rising and retiring, 527
" Going to Meeting" — Old Men's Seat — Intermission, 528
Ancient Horse-block — Singing — Musical Society, 530
Baptisms — Visiting — Amusements — Raisings, 533
Ancient Travel — Masting — Pork Barrels, 536
Ancient Pear-tree — Old Hay Scales, 538
DESCRIPTIVE AND PERSONAL,
IN SECTIONS.
No. 1. PHYSICAL HISTORY.
Rivers — Merrimack, Contoocook, Soncook, 540
Ponds — Turkey, Horse-shoe, Long, Little, Turtle, Snow, .542
Intervals —" Dark Plains" — Up-lands, 543
Granite — Anecdotes — Iron — Clay, 544
Quadrupeds — Birds — R,eptiles — Fishes, 549
Fruit — Ornamental Trees — Elms — F'orest Trees, 549
Climate and Temperature, 550
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 15
No. 2. BIOGEAPHY,
IN THE ORDER OF DECEASE.
PAGE.
Capt. Ebenezer Eastman, 551-3
Dr. Ezra Carter, 553
Benjamin Rolfe, Esq., 555
Rev. Timothy Walker — Note — The Walker House, 556
John Stevens, 563
Jacob Shute, Andrew McMillan, " Mother Osgood," Florence McCauley, 565-6
Eev. Israel Evans, 567
Ephraim Colby, the Wrestler, 569
Sir Benjamin Thompson, or Count Rumford, 570
Sarah, Countess of Rumford, 572
Hon. John Bradley— His Grandfother's Will — House, 573
Joseph Wheat, the Stage-driver — Reuben Abbot, 577
Hon. Timothy Walker, 579
Rev. Asa McFarland, D. D., 582
Nathaniel Haseltine Carter, Esq., 584
George Hough, Esq., 587
Capt. Richard Aver, 589
Jesse Carr Tuttle — Jonathan Eastman, Esq., 590
Stilson Eastman, 591
John Farmer, Esq., 592
Col. William A. Kent, 593
Philip Carrigain, Esq., 596
Gov. David Lawrence Morril, 598
Abiel Chandler, the Donor of Dartmouth College, 599
Gov. Isaac Hill, 600
Mr. Abel Hutchins, 603
No. 3. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY,
IN THE ORDER OF ORGANIZATION.
First Congregational Church, 604
Friends' Meeting — Episcopal Church, 606
Methodist Episcopal Church, 609
First Baptist Church, 610
Second Congregational, or Unitarian Church, 612
West Congregational Church, 613
South Congregational Church, '....... 614
East Congregational Church — Universalist Society and Church, , . . 616
Freewill Baptist Church, ' 617
Pleasant Street Baptist Church, 618
Christian Baptists, 619
Second Advent Society, 619
Besides the foregoing, there is a Baptist, Congregational and Methodist Church in Fisherville ; also a Universalist Society.
NO. 4.
GENEALOGICAL.
HISTOHT OR REGISTER OP FAMILIES THAT SETTLED IN CONCORD, MOSTLY PREVIOUS TO 1800, ALPHABETICALLY AKBANGED IN TWO CLASSES, VIZ. :
First Class, furnished wholly or in part by individuals, .... 619-701 Second Class, copied from Town Records, 701-17
[These names are too numerous to be repeated. Any particular name must be looked for under the family head.]
PAGE.
16 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
No. 5. PROFESSIONAL HISTORY,
Including, (1.) The names of all the Lawyers who are known to have practiced in Concord, arranged in the order of their graduation, or of entering their profession, .... 718-723
(2.) The names of all Physicians who have resided or practiced in
Concord, 724-729
No. 6.
The names of Graduates at College from Concord, 729-736
[As the List of Professional Men and Graduates may be easily referred to and examined, it is deemed unnecessary to repeat them, either here or in the Index of Names.J
No. 7.
Miscellaneous Matters, 737-745
Printing, 737 — " Election Day," 738
Ministers wlio have preached the Election Sermon, .... 739-40 Concord Literary Institution — Boating Company, . . . 740-41
Free Bridges — Coh Grover's House, 741-42
Carriage Manufacture, 742
Contest about an old Gun, 744
Indian remains — remarkable discovery, 745
No. 8.
Documentary and Statistical Chapter, 745
Document for Chap. II., (see p. 56,) 745
Documents for Chap. III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIIL, . . . 746-47
Act of Incorporation of the Parish of Concord, 747-49
Names of Grantees of Rumford, Me., 749-50
Documents for Chap. IX., — Prices of Articles, &e., . . . 750-51 Names of Concord Men in the Revolutionary War, . . . 751-53 Bounties paid to Soldiers in the Revolutionary War, .... 753
Soldiers killed, or who died in the War, 754
Soldiers who lived and died in Concord, belonging to other towns, 754
Documents for Chap. IX. and X., 755
Names of Men from Concord in the War of 1812-15 — Doe. No. 1, Chap. XII., p. 347, — Doc'ts for Chap. XIIL, pp. 369, 547, 550, 755
Catalogue of Fishes, 756
STATISTICS.
Monies raised at different periods, 756
Ratefor Rev. Ml-. Walker's Salary, 1755-6, 757
Town Rates for 1778, 758
Table of Division of Parsonage Fund, from 1830 to 1853, 760
School Statistics for 1 855, 761
Schools and School-masters, 762
Post-masters in Concord — Military and Field Officci's, 763
Captains in Military Companies, 764
Adjutants with the rank of Captain, 765
Table of Mortality in Concord, 1825 to 1853, 766
Deaths by Consumption, 767
Persons deceased eighty years of age or upwards, 767-69
Criminal Statistics of Concord for the year ending February 1, 1854, . 770
Report of the Police Justice, 770
Extracts from a Diary kept by Benjamin Kimball, 771-72
Extracts from the Meteorological Register, kept by Wm. Prcscott, M. D., 773
The "Dark Day," Fridav, May 19, 1780, 773
Snow that fell in Concord, from September, 1841, to June, 1853, ... 774
Errata — Proprietors' Records, 774
Index of Names, 776
INDIAN HISTORY
CHAPTER I,
The history of the Penacooks, a powerful Indian tribe that formerly occupied this soil, is full of interest. Our sources of information concerning them are much more reliable than is commonly supposed. Some things are merely traditionary : others are authenticated by ancient historians, and by official documents on record or on file, both in the Secretary's office of Massachusetts and of New-Hampshire.
At the first settlement of New-England, there were five prin- cipal nations of Indians. 1. The Pequots, of Connecticut; 2. The Narrac/anseits, of Rhode-Island ; 3. The PawJcunnaivkuts, in the south-eastern parts of Massachusetts, including Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard ; 4. The Massachusetts, situated about the Bay ; and, 5. The Paivtucketts, which, says the historian Daniel Gookin, 1674, " was the last great sachemship of Indians. Their country lieth north and north-east from the Massachusetts, whose dominion reacheth so far as the English jurisdiction or colony of the Massachusetts doth now extend ; and had under them several other smaller sagamores ; as the Pennakooks, Agowames, Naamkeeks, Pascataways, Accomintas, and others. They were a considerable people heretofore, about three thousand men, and held amity with the people of Massachusetts. But these were almost totally destroyed by the great sickness that prevailed among the Indians, (about 1612 and 1613,) so that at this day they are not above two hundred and fifty men, beside
18
INDIAN HISTORY,
women and children. This country is now inhabited by the English, under the government of Massachusetts."*
That the Penacooks occupied the soil which is now Concord, all historians and pviblic documents agree. The name itself is thought to indicate the locality ; for Penacook means, " the crooked place ;^''-\ having reference to the broad sweeps and wind- ings of the Merrimack as it flows through the township. Here, when first known by the Enghsh, were the head-quarters of the Penacooks, under a powerful chief whose name was Passacona- WAY, and who extended his dominion over subordinate tribes, along the river, from the Winnepissiogee to Pawtucket Falls, and as far east as the Squamscots and Piscataquay.ij: In 1631, Gov. Thomas Dudley, in his letter to Lady Lincoln, estimates the Indians under Passaconaway, along the Merrimack, " at four or five hundred men." On the east side of the river, upon a bluff called " Sugar Ball," northeast of the main village, and in full view, was an ancient Indian fort. Tradition has so preserved and fixed the identity of this location with " Sugar Ball," that it is presumption, at this time, to call it in question. Near the fort, a little to the north, is the spot which probably was their ancient burying-ground — as a considerable number of human skulls and bones have been dug and ploughed up, or washed away by the rains, and been picked up on the side or at the bottom of the bank.§
At this fort, according to tradition, there was once a terrible fight between the Penacooks and Mohawks. The traditionary
*Gookin's Hist, of Indians. Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. 1, p. 147-9. 1st series.
f "From Pennaqui, (crooked,) and Alike, (place,) — a name strikingly appropriate to their fertile grounds embraced within the folds of tlie Merrimack at Concord." Hon. C. E. Potter.
X For a more minute notice of Passaconaway, the curious reader is referred to Hon. C, E. Potter's account, in the Farmers' Montlily Visitor, vol. 12, No. 2. He there shows that Passa- conaway's name is on the famous Wheelwright Deed of 1729, and which Mr. P. does not believe to be a forgery. In the same article Mr. P. adventures the opinion that the Concord Indian fort was on the south side of Sugar Ball intervale — an opinion which we cannot entertain for a moment, in opposition to clear, unbroken, invariable tradition. The widow of the late Benjamin Kimball, now 88 years of age, who has lived on the said interval more than sixty years, points to the north bluff as the only supposablo location of the fort. Robert Bradley, Esq., of Fryeburg, a native of Concord, now 83 years of age, says, " the tradition always and invariably was, that the old Indian fort stood on Sugar Ball,— the Sand Bluff, on the east side, nearly opposite his brother Richard's house."
$ Several of these skulls and bones are now in the possession of Hon. Chandler E. Potter, of Manchester, a native of Concord, who has made diligent researches into our Indian history.
THE PENACOOKS. 19
account of this figlit accords so exactly with what Gookin says of the Mokawks, that its correctness can hardly be questioned. In his history, 1674, he says : " These 3Iaquas are given to rapine and spoil : they had for several years been in hostility with our neighbor Indians, as the Massachusetts, Pawtucketts, Pennacooks — and in truth, they were in time of war so great a terror to all the Indians before named, though ours were far more in number than they, that the appearance of four or five Maquas in the woods would frighten them from their habitations and cornfields, and seduce many of them to get together in forts ; by which means they were brought to such straits and poverty that had it not been for the relief of the English, doubtless many of them had suffered famine. * * * * r^y^Q Maquas' manner is, in the spring of the year, to march forth in parties several ways, under a captain, and not above fifty in a troop. And when they come near the place that they design to spoil, they take up some secret place in the woods for their general rendez- vous— then they divide themselves into small parties, three, four or five — and go and seek their prey. They lie in ambushments by the path-sides in some secure places, and when they see pas- sengers come, they fire upon them with guns ; and such as they kill or wound, they seize on and pillage, and strip their bodies ; and then with their knives take off the skin and hair of the scalp of their head, as large as a satin or leather cap ; and so, leaving them for dead, they pursue the rest, and take such as they can prisoners, and serve them in the same kind."
The tradition of the bloody battle between the Penacooks and Mohawks is substantially this : The Mohawks, who had once been repulsed by the Penacooks, came with a strong force, and encamped at what is now called Fort Eddy, opposite Sugar Ball, on the west side of the river. Thence they watched their prey, determined either to starve the Penacooks, by a siege, or to decoy them out and destroy them.
Having gathered their corn for the season, and stored it in baskets around the walls of their fort, the Penacooks, with their women and children, entered within and bid defiance to their foes. Frequent skirmishes occurred between individuals of the parties. If the Penacooks went out of the fort, they were sure
20 INDIAN HISTORY.
to be ambushed ; if a canoe was pushed off from one bank of the river, others from the opposite side started in pursuit. Some time had thus passed, and no decisive advantage was gained by either side. The Penacooks dared not adventure a fight in the field, nor the Mohawks to attack the fort.
After a day or two of apparent cessation from hostilities, a solitary Mohawk was seen carelessly crossing Sugar Ball plain, south of the fort. Caught by the decoy, the Penacooks rushed out in pursuit : the Mohawk ran for the river. Band after band from the fort joined in the chase, till all were drawn out and scattered on the plain, when the Mohawks, who had secretly crossed the river above, and by a circuitous route approached in the rear, suddenly sprung from their hiding-place and took pos- session of the fort. A shriller war-whoop than their own burst on the affrighted Penacooks : they turned from the chase of the solitary Mohawk, and long and bloody was the battle. The Penacooks fought for their wives and children — for their old men — for their corn — for life itself; — the Mohawks for revenge and for plunder. On which side the victory turned, none can tell. Tradition says the Mohawks left their dead and wounded on the ground ; and that from that fatal day the already reduced force of the Penacooks was broken into fragments, and scattered. A diversity in the sculls which have been dug up in the ancient bury- ing-ground has induced the belief, that in it the dead of both the savage tribes were promiscuously buried.
What remains to be said of the Penacooks can best be nar- rated in connection with the biography of their principal chiefs or sagamores, as gathered from authentic historical documents.
Over the track of the Concord and the Northern Railroad, at this time, (1853,) are daily seen running three powerful engines, named Passaconaway, Wonalancet and Tahanto. A stran- ger to our history reads these names with wonder, and asks their origin. We are almost proud to answer, They are the names of three of the noble chiefs of the Penacook tribe — tried friends of the English in prosperity and in adversity — and one of them a bold advocate of temperance, against lawless traffickers in rum. These names are almost the only visible mementos of the race that has perished from our soil.
PASSACONAWAY.
This name is supposed to mean in the Indian tongue, " tlie child of the lear^' from Papoeis, child, and Kumiaivay^ a bear. How far the name corresponds with the character of the famous sagamore, must be judged by the sequel.*
The ancient historians, Wood, Thomas Morton, and Hub- bard, all agree that he was regarded with the highest venera- tion by the Indians, on account of the wonderful powers which he possessed. He was a Powoiv, sustaining at once the office of chief, priest and physician, and having direct communication with the Great Spirit. Wood, in his " New-England Prospect," says : " The Indians report of one Passaconnaw, that hee can make the water burne, the rocks move, the trees dance, meta- morphise himself into a flaming man. Hee will do more ; for in winter, when there are no green leaves to be got, he will burne an old one to ashes, and putting those into the water, produce a new green leaf, which you shall not only see, but substantially handle and Carrie away ; and make of a dead snake's skin a living snake, both to be seen, felt and heard. This I write but upon the report of the Indians, who confidently affirm stranger things."
Thomas Morton writes : " If we do not judge amisse of these salvages in accounting them witches, yet out of all question we may be bound to conclude them to be but weake witches : — such of them as wee cal by the name of Powahs,t some correspon- dency they have with the Devil, out of al doubts, as by some of their accions in which they glory is manifested ; — Papasiquineo,
'■ Hon. C. E. Potter, on Indian names. Farmers' Visitor, (Language of Penacooks,) Vol. 13, No. 11.
f Powahs are said to be " witches, or sorcerers, that cure by the help of the devil." After Rev. Mr. Elliot began to preach to the Indians with success, "divers sachems and other principal men amongst them, met at Concord, Ms., in the end of Feb. 1G46, and agreed "that there shall be no more Powwowing amongst the Indians. And if any shall hereafter Powwow, both he that shall Powwow and he that shall procure him to Powwow shall pay 20.s. apiece."
22 INDIAN HISTORY.
that sachem or sagamore, is a Powah of great estimation amongst all kinde of salvages ; — there hee is at their Revels — (which is the time when a great company of salvages meete from severall parts of the Country, in amity with their neighbours) — hath advanced his honor in his feats or jugling tricks, (as I may right tearme them,) to the admiration of the spectators whome he endeavored to persuade that he would goe under water to the further side of a river too broade for any man to undertake with a breath, which thing hee performed by swimming over and de- luding the company with casting a mist before their eies that see him enter in and come out, — but no part of the way hee has been scene ; — likewise by our English, in the heat of summer, to make Ice appear in a bowle of faire water ; — first having the water set before him, he hath begunne his incantations according to their usual accustom, and before the same has bin ended a thick clowde has darkened the aire, and on a sodane a thunder clap hath bin heard that has amused the natives ; in an instant hee hath showed a firme piece of Ice to flote in the middle of the bowle in the presence of the vulgar people, which doubtless was done by the agility of Satan, his consort." Such was the reputation of Pas- saconaway, when first known by the English.
He seems to have exercised his powers in vain against the English, on his first acquaintance with them : at least, he had the sagacity to perceive that opposition would be not only useless but ruinous : and hence he showed himself friendly, and sought in various ways to conciliate their favor. In 1632, he delivered up an Indian who had killed a white man by the name of Jenkins, who went into his country to trade. In 1642, upon an alarm of an Indian conspiracy from Connecticut, the government of Mas- sachusetts sent a force of forty men to disarm Passaconaway. Failing to reach his wigwam, on account of a violent rain, they entered that of Wonalancet, his son, and seized him, together with his squaw and child. Tying him with a rope, they led him along ; but Wonalancet, watching his opportunity, slipped the rope and made his escape into the woods. The court fearing that this unjust assault upon the family of Passaconaway would provoke his displeasure, sent a messenger to apologize to him and invite him to come to Boston and speak with them : whereupon he
THE PENACOOKS PASSACONAWAY. 23
made the manly reply — " Tell the English, when they restore my son and his squaw, then I will come and talk with them."
Notwithstanding this provocation, Passaconaway cherished no resentment ; but desirous of peace, " about a fortnight after, he sent his son and delivered up his guns " to the authorities. In 1644, Winthrop says, " Passaconaway and his son desire to come under this government. He and one of his sons subscribe the articles ; and he undertook for the other." Soon after this, Winthrop again records, " Passaconaway, the Merrimack sachem, came in and submitted to our government."
At this period Passaconaway was an old man — his age vari- ously estimated from eighty to one hundred. Hitherto he had stood aloof from Christian instruction, and from all the usages of civilized life. But the famous John Elliot, known as the Ajjostle of the Indians^ had previous to this gathered companies of praying Indians in various places in Massachusetts, and in pursuance of his apostolic labors, in 1647, he visited Pawtucket Falls, (now Dracut,) where he met Passaconaway with two of his sons. The result of this and a subsequent interview in 1648, is thus told by Elliot himself, under date of Nov. 12, 1648. " This last spring I did there meet old Papassaconnaway, who is a great sagamore, and hath been a great witche in all men's esteem, (as I suppose yourself have often heard,) and a very politic, wise man. The last year he and all his sons fled when I came, pre- tending feare that we would kill him : But this year it pleased God to bow his heart to hear the word ; — I preached out of Mal- achi 1 : 11, which I thus render to them : ' From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, thy name shall he great among the Indians ; and in every place prayers shall he made to thy name, — pure prayers, — for thy name shall he great among the Indians.'' * * * * After a good space this old Papassacon- naway speak to this purpose — ' That indeed he had never prayed unto God as yet, for he had never heard of God before as now he doth :' and he said further, ' that he did helieve what I taught them to be true ; and for his own part, he was purposed in his heart from henceforth to pray unto God ; and that he would per- swade all his sonnes to do the same,' pointing at two of them who were there present, and naming such as were absent. His sonnes
24 INDIAN HISTORY.
present, especially Lis eldest sonne, (who is a sachem at Wad- chusett,) gave his willing consent to what his father had prom- ised, and so did the other, who was but a youth : And this act of his was not only a present motion that soon vanished, but a good w'hile after said that he would be glad if I would come and live in some place thereabouts and teach them ; and that if any good ground or place that hee had would be acceptable to me, he would willingly let me have it." *****
Again, 1649, Elliot Avrites : " Papassaconnaway, whom I men- tioned unto you the last yeere, who gave up himself and his sonnes to pray unto God, this man did this year shew very great affection to me, and to the word of God ; he did exceedingly earnestly, importunately, invite me to come and live there and teach them ; he used many arguments, many whereof I have for- gotten ; but this was one, ' iliat my coming tJdther but once in a yeere did them hut little good, because they soone had forgotten what I taught, it being so seldom, and so long betwixt the times ;' further he said. That he had many men, and of them yiany nought, and would not believe him that praying to God was so good, but if /would come and teach them, he hoped they Avould believe me : He further added, ' That I did, as if one should come and throw a fine thing among them, and they earnestly catch at it, and like it well, because it looks finely, but they can- not look into it to see what is within it, and what is within, they cannot tell whether something or nothing, it may be a stock or a stone is within it, or it may be a precious thing ; — but if it be opened and they see what is within it, and see it precious, then they should believe it — so, (said he,) you tell us of praying to God, (for so they call all Rehgion,) and we like it well at first sight, and we know not what is within, it may be excellent, or it may be nothing, we cannot tell ; but if j^ou would come unto us, and open it unto us, and show us what it is within, then we should believe that it is so excellent as you say.' * * *
" Such elegant arguments as these did he use with much grav- It}^, wisdome and affection ; and truly my heart much yearneth towards them, and I have a great desire to make an Indian Towne that way."
Of Passaconaway we hear but little more till IGGO. He
THE PENACOOKS PASSACONAWAY. 25
seems to have been at the Penacook fort, which was visited by Maj, Waldron, of Dover, in 1659 ; but in 1660 he met the Indians subject to his authority, with their sachems, at Pawtucket Falls, and there made to them his farewell speech. An English- man was present, probably Daniel Gookin, " who was much conversant with Indian affairs along the Merrimack," and who was a witness of the scene. The substance of the speech, as reported by Hubbard, was this : " I am now ready to die, and not likely to see you ever met together any more. I will now leave this word of counsel with you, that you may take heed how you quarrel with the English ; for though you may do them much mischief, yet assuredly you will all be destroyed and rooted off the earth, if you do : for I was as much an enemy to the English on their first coming into these parts, as any one whatsoever ; and I did try all ways and means possible to have destroyed them ; — at least to have prevented their sitting down here ; but I could no way effect it, [meaning by his incantations and sorce- ries,] therefore I advise you never to contend with the English nor make war Avith them."
With a freer rendering of this Farewell Speech of the Great Sachem, we may imagine that the venerable old man, tremulous with five score years, stood in a circle of a thousand of his chil- dren and said : " Hearken to the last words of your dying father : I shall meet you no more. The white men are sons of the morn- ing, and the sun shines bright above them. In vain I opposed their coming : vain were my arts to destroy them : never make war upon them : sure as you light the fires, the breath of Heaven will turn the flames to consume you. Listen to my advice. It is the last I shall ever give you. Remember it, and live !"
It is a sad conclusion of the noble old chief's history, that two years after this — his tribe reduced and scattered — his possessions encroached upon on every side, his physical force abated, and waiting only to die, — he was obliged to petition the General Court of Massachusetts in these humiliating terms :
" The humble request of yr petitionr is that this honord Courte wolde pleas to grante vnto vs a parcell of land for or comforta- able cituation, to be stated for our Injoyment ; as also for the comfort of oths after vs ; as also that this honerd Court wold
26 INDIAN HISTORY.
pleas to take into yr serious and grave consideration the condi- tion and also the request of yr pore suplicant, and to a poynte two or three persons as a Committee to [assist] sum one or two Indians to vew and determine of some place and to Lay out the same, not further to trouble this honored Assembly, humbly crav- ing an expected answer this present session I shall remain yr humble servante
Wherein yu Shall commando Boston, 9 : 3 mon. 1662.
Papisseconewa."
The order of the Court upon this petition is as follows, viz. : " In answer to the petition of Papisseconneway, this Court judg- eth it meete to grant to the saide Papisseconneway and his men, or associates about Naticot, above Mr. Brenton's lands, where it is free, a mile and a half on either side Merrimack river in breadth, three miles on either side in length, provided he nor they do not alienate any part of this grant without leave and license from this Court first obtained."
This grant included two small islands near Thornton's Ferry, now known as Reed's Islands. The whole tract afterwards reverted to the government, and was granted in 1729 to John Richardson, Jos. Blanchard, and others.
Here, however, probably Passaconaway closed his long and eventful life, in weakness and poverty, but a firm friend to the English, and praying to God. The date of his death is unknown. Drake says, there can be no doubt that he was dead some years before Phillip's war. His son Wonalancet was chief of the Pen- acooks in 1669, and his dying charge — as this son testified — was : " Never he enemies to the Englnli ; hut love them and love their God also, because the God of the English was the true God, and greater than the Indian gods.''
Passaconaway left four sons and two daughters, viz. : Nana- mocomuck, sachem of the Wachusetts ; Wonalancet, sachem of the Penacooks ; Unanunquoset ; Nonatomenut ; a daughter that marri( Saugu
WONALANCET.
Though Wonalancet was the successor of Passaconaway as sagamore of the Penacooks, yet his history belongs as much to Amoskeag, Chelmsford or Pawtucket as to Concord.* In his pacific temper and friendliness to the English, he resembled his father ; but his life seems to have been one of trial, disappoint- ment and sorrow. He was wronged by the whites ; distrusted by the Indians ; a wanderer in the wilderness, in unknown but re- mote places from Penacook ; at one time a prisoner at Dover ; for many years under the watch and supervision of Col. Tyng, of Chelmsford ; and at last he died, like his father, in poverty. The first notice we have of him, as connected with Penacook, is in 1670 : " He moved to Pawtuckett and built a fort on the heights southeast of the river." Hutchinson thus notices this event : " The Penacooks have come down the river and built a fort at Pawtuckett Falls. They were opposed to Christianity, and obstinately refused to pray to God. They joined in the expedition against the Mohawks, and were almost all destroyed. Since that time the Penacooks were several of them become pray- ing Indians."
In 1674, Wonalancet embraced the Christian faith. His con- version was regarded as an event of great importance, of which Gookin gives the following account : " May 5, 1674, Mr. Elliot preached from Matt. 22 : 1-4, the marriage feast. We met at the wigwam of one called Wonnalancet, about two miles from the town, near Pawtucket Falls, and bordering on Merrimack river. This person Wonnalancet is * * a sober and grave person, and of years between fifty and sixty. He hath always been loving and friendly to the English. Many endeavours have been used several years to gain this sachem to embrace the
* See Hon. C. E. Potter's notice of Wonalancet, in Farmers' Visitor, 1852.
28
INDIAN HISTORY.
Christian religion ; but he hath stood off from time to time, and not yielded up himself personally, though for four years past he hath been willing to hear the word of God preached and to keep the Sabbath. A great reason that hath kept him off, I conceive, hath been the indisposition and averseness of sundry of his chief men and relations to pray to God ; which he foresaw would desert him, in case he turned Christian. But at this time. Ma}' 6, 1674, it pleased God so to influence and overcome his heart, that it being proposed to him to give his answer concerning pray- ing to God, after some deliberation and serious pause, he stood up, and made a speech to this effect :
" Sirs, you have been pleased for four years last past, in your abundant love, to apply yourselves particularly unto me and my people, to exhort, press and persuade us to pray to God. I am very thankful to you for your pains. I have all my days used to pass in an old canoe, (alluding to his frequent custom to pass in a canoe upon the river,) and now you exhort me to change, and leave my old canoe, and embark in a new canoe, to which I have hitherto been unwilling : — but now I yield up myself to your advice, and enter into a new canoe, and do engage to pray to God hereafter."
Brother Elliot was desired to tell this sachem, " that it may be, while he went in his old canoe, he passed in a quiet stream — but the end thereof was death and destruction to soul and body : But now he went into a new canoe, perhaps he would meet with storms and trials ; but yet he should be encouraged to persevere, for the end of his voyage would be everlasting rest." Since that time, says Gookin, " I hear this sachem doth persevere, and is a constant and diligent hearer of God's word, and sanctifieth the Sabbath, though he doth travel to Wamesit meeting every Sabbath, which is above two miles ; and though sundry of his people have deserted him since he subjected to the gospel, yet he continues and persists."
During the period of Phillip's War, as it is called, 1675, Won- alancet, to avoid being involved in any way in the war, withdrew Avith his men from the banks of the Merrimack into the woods, which excited the suspicions of the English ; and messengers were dispatched to search him out and invite him back. The
THE PENACOOKS WONALANCET. 29
Court of Massachusetts assured him of a safe pass, if he would come back ; but " he could not be persuaded on to return, but travelled up into the woods still further, and kept about the heads of Connecticut river all winter, where was a place of good hunting for moose, deer, and other wild beasts, and came not either to the English, or his own countrymen, our enemies."
Gookin says, that about the time Wonalancet withdrew into the woods, " Capt. Mosely, with a company of about one hundred soldiers, was sent to Penacook, where it was reported there was a body of Indians ; but it was a mistake, for there were not above one hundred in all of the Penacook and Namkeg Indians, whereof Wonalancet was chief. When the English drew nigh, whereof they had inteUigence by scouts, they left their fort and withdrew into the woods and swamps." But under these circum- stances Wonalancet evinced his friendly disposition to the Eng- lish ; for he would not allow his men either to lie in ambush, nor in any case to shoot at them, although the English burned their wigwams and destroyed some dried fish.
Returning from his retreats, in 1676 he went to Dover, and submitted himself, with his men, to Maj. Waldron. He also brought back from captivity six English captives — a Widow Kimball and her five children, of Bradford — whom, it seems, he was the means of saving alive, after they had been condemned to death, and fires made ready to burn them. This year, also, Wonalancet and his men were, according to order of the court, placed near Mr. Jonathan Tyng's, at Dunstable, and under his inspection. He also resided next year awhile on land which had been granted him, at Chelmsford, and there he conducted him- self, says Gookin, like " an honest Christian man, being one that in his conversation walks answerably to his knowledge. He prays in his family, and is careful of keeping the Sabbath ; loves to hear God's word, and sober in conversation." Being par- ticularly friendly to the minister of Chelmsford, Rev. Mr. Fiske, it is said that Wonalancet called on him after his return, at the close of the war, and asked him " if the town had sufiered much from the enemy." Mr. Fiske replied, " they had not, for which he desired to thank God." "Ife next,'^ said Wonalancet, with a
30 INDIAN HISTORY.
The last we hear of Wonalancet was in 1697, when he was agahi placed under the care of Jonathan Tjng, and the General Court allowed .£20 for keeping him. The time and place of his death is unknown. But he never committed an act injurious to the English.
WANUCHUS,
THE DAUGHTER OF PASS AC ON A WAY; OR,
"THE BRIDAL OF PENACOOK."
The following story is related by Thomas Morton, in his " New English Canaan," 1632:*
" The Sachem, or Sagamore of Sagus, made choise, (when hee came to man's estate,) of a Lady of noble discent, Daughter to Papasiquineo, the Sachem or Sagamore of the territories neare Merrimack River — a man of the best note and estimation in all those parts, (and as my Countryman, Mr. Wood, declares, in his prospect,) a great Nigromancer. This Lady the younge Sachem, with the consent and good liking of her father, marries, and takes for his wife. Great Entertainment hee and his receaved in those parts at her father's hands, where they weare fested in the best manner that might be expected, according to the Cus- tome of their nation, with reveling, and such other solemnities as is usuall amongst them. The solemnity being ended, Papasi- quineo causes a selected number of his men to waite upon his Daughter home ; into those parts that did properly belong to her Lord and husband — where the attendants had entertainment by the Sachem of Sagus and his Countrymen. The solemnity being ended, the attendants were gratified.
*See Hist. Tracts, by Peter Force, voi. ii., 1838.
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THE BRIDAL OF PENACOOK. 31
" Not long after, the new married Lady had a great desh-e to see her father, and her native country from whence shee came. Her Lord, wilHng to pleasure her, and not deny her request, (amongst them) thought to be reasonable, commanded a selected number of his owne men to conduct his Lady to her Father, where, with great respect, they brought her ; and having feasted there a while, returned to their owne country againe — leaving the Lady to continue there at her owne pleasure, amongst her friends and old acquaintance : where she passed away the time for a while, and, in the end, desired to returne to her Lord againe. Her father, the old Papasiquineo, having notice of her intent, sent some of his men on ambassage to the younge Sa- chem, his sonne-in-law, to let him understand that his daughter was not willing to absent her selfe from his company any longer ; and, therefore, (as the messengers had in charge,) desired the younge Lord to send a convoy for her ; but hee, standing upon tearmes of honor, and the maintaining of his reputatio, returned to his father-in-law this answere : that when she departed from him, hee caused his men to waite upon her to her father's terri- tories, as it did become him ; but, now shee had an intent to returne, it did become her father to send her back with a convoy of his own people ; and that it stood not with his reputation to make himself or his men so servile to fetch her againe. The old Sachem, Papasiquineo, having this message returned, was in- raged, to think that his young son-in-law did not esteeme him at a higher rate than to capitulate with him about the matter, and returne him this sharpe reply ; that his daughter's bloud and birth deserved no more respect than to be so slighted, and, therefore, if he would have her company, hee were best to send or come for her.
" The younge Sachem, not willing to under value him selfe, and being a man of a stout spirit, did not stick to say that he should either send her, by his owne Convey, or keepe her, for hee was not determined to stoope so lowe.
" So much these two Sachems stood upon tearmes of repu- tation with each other, the one would not send her, and the other would not send for her, lest it should be any diminishing of honor on his part, that should seeme to comply, that the Lady (when I
32 INDIAN HISTORY.
came out of the Country) remained still with her father ; which is a thinge worth the noting, that Salvage people should seeke to maintaine their reputation so much as they doe."*
The poet Whittier has made the above story the foundation of a beautiful poem, called the " Bridal of Penacoolc," whom he names " Weetamoo;" and the Sagamore-groom he calls " Win- nipurkett." The real name of the bride was Wenuchus, or WanuncJius, and of her husband, Montowampate. His English name was James^ brother of John, of Lynn. Governor Dudley, in his letter to the Countess of Lincoln, March 12, 1631, says: " Vpon the river of Mistick is seated Saggamore John, and vpon the river Sawgus, Saggamore James, his brother, both so named by the English. John is a handsome young [a line missing,] conversant with us ; affecting English Apparell and bowses, and speaking well of our God. His brother James is of a perworse disposition, yet repaireth often to us. Both theis brothers com- mand not above thirty or forty men, for aught I can learne. Near to Salem dwelleth two or three families, subject to the Saggamore of Agawam. This Saggamore is himself tributary to Saggamore James — having been before the last yeare in his [James'] minority." This determines the age of the Saugus- groom to be about twenty.
How long his bride was absent, or how she got back, is matter of conjecture. Whittier, with poetic license, represents her as leaving her father's home at Penacook in the spring, alone, in a canoe. She was seen going over the Falls of Amos- keag, Avhere her frail bark was dashed in pieces, and the bride seen no more.
" Sick and a-weary of her lonely life, Heedless of peril, the still faithful wife Had left her mother's grave, her father's door, To seek the wigwam of her chief once more.
" Down the white rapids, like a sear leaf whirled, On the sharp rocks and piled up ices hurled. Empty and broken circled the canoe. In the vexed jiool below — But where was ' Wetamoo ?' "
*See "New English Canaan," by Tliomas Morton, 1632, in second volume of Tracts, by Peter Force, 1838, pp. 27, 28.
THE BRIDAL OF PENACOOK. 33
Then follows the responsive dirge, chanted by the " Children of the Leaves :"
" The dark eye has left us, The spi-ing bird has fiown ; On the pathway of spirits She wanders alone — The song of the wood-dove has died on our shore ; Mat iconch Kunna-monee ! * We hear it no more !
" Oh, dark water spirit ! We cast on thy wave These furs which may never Hang over her grave ; Bear down to the lost one the robes that she wore ; Mat wonck Kunna-monee ! We see her no more !
" Oh mighty Sowanna ! t
Thy gate-ways unfold,
From thy wigwam of sunset
Lift curtains of gold !
Take home the worn spirit whose journey is o'er,
' Mat wonck Kunna-monee! We see her no more !' "
This is indeed beautiful poetry ; but the fact is, that " We- tamoo," alias Wanuclms, found means to get back alive to her sagamore lord. The remaining incidents in her history, and that of her husband, James, are thus related by ancient historians :
" On the 8th of August, 1632, about one hundred Tarrotines landed from their canoes, at Ipswich, in the night, and killed seven of Masconomo's men, wounded Monohaquaham and Monr- towamjjate, who were on a visit to that place, and carried away Wanuchus, the wife of Montowampate, a captive." Hubbard says: "About the same time, [5th of August, 1632,] came a company of Eastern Indians, called Tarrotines, and, in the night, assaulted the wigwam of the sagamore of Agawam. They were near a hundred in number, and they came with thirty canoes. They slew seven men, and wounded John and James, two sagamores that lived about Boston, and carried others away captive, amongst whom was the wife of the said James, which they sent again (that is, returned,) by the mediation of Mr. Shurd, of Pemaquid, that used to trade with them ; and
* Indian phrase — fVe shall see her no more, f The south-west Heaven. 3
34 INDIAN HISTORY.
sent word hj him that they expected something in way of ran- som." On the 4th of September following, there is recorded a sentence of the court on Richard Hopkins, of Watertown, " for selUng a gun and pistol, with powder and shot, to Montowampate, the Lynn sagamore" — to "be severely whippt, and branded with a hot iron on one of his cheekes." Winthrop writes, De- cember 5, 1633 — "John Sagamore died of the small-pox, and almost all his people — above thirty buried by Mr. Maverick, of Winiscemit, in one day." ^^ James, Sagamore of Saugus, died also, and most of his folks."
But what finally became of Wanuchus, the " Bridal of Pena- cook ?" It is unknown ; but possibly, after the death of Mono- wampate, in 1633, she returned to her aged father; for that she had two grand-daughters living at Penacook, in 1686, appears from the following testimony: " September IT, 1686. Thomas Guakusses, alias, Capt. Tom, now living at Wamesit, neare Paw- tucket Falls, aged about seventy-five years, testifieth and saith — ' I know two squaws were living about Pennicooke, one named Pahpocksit, and the other's name I do not know ; and I knew the grandmother of these squaws, named Wanunchus. She was a principal proprietor of those lands about Naumkeage, now Salem.'"*
TAHANTO.
In the first notice we have of Tahanto, he stands before us the earnest opposer of the rum traffic. In the summer of 1668 an Englishman, by the name of Thomas Dickinson, was mur- dered at Penacook by a drunken Indian. The particulars of the murder, with the evidence relative thereto, are detailed in official papers published in the third volume of the N. H. Historical Collections. The summary of the affair is this : By virtue of a
* History of Saieni, by Felt
THE PENACOOKS TAHANTO. 35
warrant from Gov. Bellingliam, of Massachusetts, Thomas Hinks- man, with a sufficient aid, the 18th of August, 1668, " repaired to the trucking house of Capt. Richard Walderne, at Penny- cooke, to make enquiry concerning the kilhng of an Enghshman at the said trucking house, and, also, of what strong liquors have been sold there, and by whom, and when, taking the Indians' evidences therefor, about and concerning the same." Among others examined by Mr. Hinksman, was Tahanto, sagamore, and Pehaungun, sagamore ; and they say " that one Thomas Payne and the Englishman that is slain, sent several Indians to their masters, Capt. Walderne's and Mr. Peter Coffin's, to Pis- cataque, who told those Indians that they should bring from them guns, powder, shot and cloth ; but instead thereof, Capt. Wal- derne, and the said Peter Coffin returned those Indians back to Pennycooke, loaded only with cotton cloth and three rundletts of liquors, with which liquors there were at least one hundred of the Indians drunk for one night, one day and one half together ; in which time of their being so drunk, the Examinants say, that all the Indians went from the trucking house except one, who re- mained there drunk, and who killed the Englishman — the other Englishman being at the same time in the fort."
The Indians who were examined, further testified, " that an Indian, hearing the slain Englishman cry out, he swam over the river, and went to the trucking house, where ho found the Englishman dead ; and presently after he saw the Indian who killed the Englishman going towards the fort with his knife bloody in his hand. The murderer being examined why he had killed the Englishman, said that he was much sorry, and that he had not done it had he not been drunk. When told that they must kill him for it, the murderer answered, he was willing to die for it, and that he was much sorry for the death of said Englishman."
" The Indians then belonging to the fort held a council what to do with the said murderer, who, after some debate, passed sentence that the said murderer should be shot to death ; which sentence was accordingly performed the then next ensuing day, about noon. The said murderer died undauntedly, still saying that he was much sorry for the Englishman's death."
In further investigations, it was testified by John Page, Robb.
do INDIAN HISTORY.
ParriSj Thomas Tarball and Joseph Blond, October 27, 1668, " That going to Pennycooke on or about the month of June last, and riding to the fort there, they -were told that an Eng- lishman was killed by an Indian, and that all the Indians were drunk, else it had not been done. And further, they testify, ' That Tahanto, a sagamore, heing afraid that ive had brought liquors to sell, desired us, if u'e had any, that ive would pour it upon the ground, for it would make the Indians all one Divill.^ "
In the sequel it appeared that the chief blame in this mur- derous affair was thrown upon Thomas Payne, who was in Peter Coffin's employ, and upon his associate, Dickinson, who was murdered. Capt. Walderne cleared himself, upon his oath, of having any participation in it ; but Peter Coffin, who, it seems, was "licensed to trade with the Indians" — though he must do it according to law — was so far implicated with his man Pajme, that he confessed " his grief for the miscarriage, and more especially for the dishonor of God therein ;" and " I doe, there- fore, cast myself upon the favor of this honored court, to deal with mee therein as in pytie they shall see cause." Accordingly the court, finding that " said Coffin hath traded liquors irreg- ularly, and contrary to Law, do therefore Judge that he shall pay as a fine to the Country the sum of fftg pounds, and all charges which hath accrued thereby." The next year. May, 1669, it appears from the court record " that Thomas Payne, trader among the Indians at Pennecook, confessed he sold rum to the Indians ; said he did this when Thomas Dickinson was killed by an Indian, and was fined <£30,"
In honor of Tahanto, for his noble-hearted remonstrance against the rum trade, 'a temperance society was formed in Concord, in 1835, under the name of Tahantoes, and his fame celebrated in the following stanzas, written by George Kent, Esq. :
Chieftain of a wasted nation !
Thine no luords of promise were — But-, in hour of dark temptation,
Thine to do, and thine to dare ! When the white man, hovering round thee,
Tempted oft thy feet to stray, Indian shrewdness nobly bound thee
To the straight and narrow way.
THE PENACOOKS KANCAMAGUS. 37
'With Jire-water when invaded,
Thine the evil to foresee — Nature's light alone pervaded
Minds that ranged the forest free ; But — shame on thy Christian brother!
He, with " light of life " endow'd. Sought, with " liquid fire," to smother
Life's true light in death's dark shroud.
When approaching with temptation,
Thine to see and shun the snare — Thine to utter, from thy station,
Firmly the prevailing prayer : " Were, of liquor, they the vender,
" On the ground at once to pour — " For the Indians it would render
"All one devil, o'er and o'er."
Honor to the chieftain ever !
High his name by fame enroll'd — From his bright example never
Be our own departure told ; — Meet for Penacook to rally
Under his tee-total name. Whose resolve, in her fair valley,
Quench'd the demon's liquid flame !
KANCAMAGUS.
Kancamagus, known by the English name John Hoghins, or Hawkins, was the last sagamore of the Penacooks. He was a grandson of Passaconawaj, and probably son of Nanamoco- muck. He is first mentioned in 1685, when some of the Pena- cooks, who had been to Albany, reported, on their return, that the Mohawks threatened to destroy all the Indians from Narra- gansett to Pechypscot, in Maine. He seems to have possessed some of the worst traits of Indian character — cunning, deceit, treachery and revenge. Conceiving himself slighted by Gov.
38 INDIAN HISTORY.
Cranfield, on his report against the Mohawks, he ever after — even amid professions of friendship, and when begging protec- tion— cherished a spirit of revenge against the Enghsh. He seems to have acquired some education, and was able to write. Some letters, reputed to have been written by him, are pre- served;* the first of which the following is a copy, addressed to Gov. Cranfield, of New-Hampshire :
'^ May 15, 1685. " Honour GtOvernor, my friend, —
" You my friend I desire your worship and your power, because I hope you can do som great matters this one. I am poor and naked, and I have no man at my place because I afraid allways Mohogs he will kill me every day and night. If your worship when please pray help me, you no let Mohogs kill me at my place at Malamake river, called Panukkog and Nattukkog, I will submit your worship and your power. And now I want powder and such alminishon, shott and guns, because I have forth at my bom, and I plant theare.
" This all Indian hand } but pray do you consider your humble
servant, t tt j;
' John Hogkins.
[Signed also by fourteen other Indians.]
Under pretence of fear of the Mohawks, Hogkins removed, in the fall of the same year, with the Penacooks, to the eastward ; and soon after, together with the Saco Indians, entered into a treaty with the Council of New-Hampshire, of mutual aid and protection against the Mohawks and all other enemies, agreeing, also, to return and live near the English. Yet, with the old poison of revenge rankling in his bosom, he entered into a con- spiracy with other Indians, in 1689, to make the attack on Dover, which ended in the death of Maj. Waldron and about twenty others. Through the friendship of two Penacook Indians, Maj. Hinksman, of Chelmsford, had notice of this conspiracy, and in- formed the government of Massachusetts, who hastily dispatched a letter to Maj. Waldron, giving him warning ; but unfortunately detained on the way, it was too late to save him from savage revenge. In this letter they say there is a report of " a gath- ering of some Indians in and about Penecooke, with designe of mischiefc to the English. Among the said Indians one Hawkins is said to be a principal designer ; and that they have a particular
*Seo Appendix, Belknap's Hist, of N. II., Fanner's od., vol. i., p. 508.
THE PENACOOKS HOPE-HOOD. 39
(lesigne against yourself and Mr. Peter Coffin, which the Council thought it necessary presently to despatch advice thereof, to give you notice, that you take care of your own safeguard — they intending to betray you on a pretention of trade."
Next we hear of Hawkins in a fort on the river Androscoggin, at a place (Pechypscott) which was attacked the 12th of Sep- tember, 1690, by Maj. Benjamin Church and a body of soldiers, and was taken and burnt. Several Indians were captured, among whom was a brother-in-law of Kancamagus, and a sister of his was slain. On the 29th of November, 1690, a truce or treaty of peace was made by the government of Massachusetts " with the eastern Indian enemy, sagamores," among whom was John Saivhins. The sagamores, six in number, " covenant, promise and agree for themselves, and all the eastward Indians now in open hostiUty with the English — from Pennecook, Win- nepesseockeege, Ossipe, Pigwocket, Amoscongin, Pechepscut, Kennebeck river" — to keep the peace, &c. This treaty "was signed and sealed, interchangeably, upon the water, in canoes, at Sackatehock, (Maine,) when the wind blew;"* and this is the last we know of Kancamagus !
HOPE-HOOD.
The name of this Indian is connected with the Penacooks, not as one of the tribe, but as acting with them in hostilities to the English, in 1685, and afterwards. In April, 1689, Col. Bar- tholomew Gidney, of Salem, is instructed by the Council of Massachusetts to dispatch a messenger to Penacook, to ascertain the number and situation of the Indians there, and to concert measures for securing Hope-Hood, and other hostile Indians. He is described as one of " the most bloody warriors of the
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 3(1 series, vol. i., pp. 112-114.
40 INDIAN HISTORY.
age." "A tiger," "killing, burning and destroying in every place where he found the people unguarded." He was killed, in 1690, in a fight with an Indian party, which he mistook for hostile Indians, but who were his friends and confederates.
After this the Penacooks continued to exist as a distinct tribe for many years, but their power was gone. They are mentioned in Penhallow's Indian Wars, in 1703, in a conference held by Gov. Dudley, at Casco, with delegates from several tribes. Those of them who were hostile to the English probably mixed with the eastern Indians, between whom and the Penacooks was a close affinity. As the Governor of Canada had encouraged the Indians who inhabited the borders of New-England to re- move to Canada, it is likely that some of them went thither, and were incorporated with the tribes of St. Francis. But those who continued friendly to the English — of whom there had always been a small number — remained here until 1725, and after, and were highly useful to the first inhabitants ; supplying them with food in the winter, when almost in a state of starvation.
WATTANUMMON.
Wattanummon is the name of an Indian chief who, at the time the first settlers came to Penacook, lived in a wigwam on the knoll or rise of ground on the south side of the brook which is the outlet of Horse-shoe Pond — where the Concord and Montreal Railroad now crosses. He was a friendly Indian, and owned the land which lies east of said brook, from its junction with the Merrimack, westward, to what is called Farnum's Eddy. This brook and field arc called by his name. A tradition is well preserved, that soon after Capt. Ebenezer Eastman came hither, in the summer of 172G, he crossed over from the east side with his men, and began to cut the grass on Wattanumraon's field:
THE PENACOOKS WATTANTOIMON. 41
Seeing Avhich, the old Indian went forth with a gun and two of his sons, to prevent the trespass. As he approached, Eastman and his party ceased their labor and saluted him : " How do ? how do ?" His reply, in broken English, was : " My land ! my grass ! No cut ! no cut !" and drew up his gun. Eastman rephed : " Yes, this is your land, and your grass. Come, boys, put aside your tools and rest." Sitting down under a shade, the lunch and the bottle were brought forth and offered to the old chief. "Won't you take a drink?" "Yes, yes; me drink!" Capt. Eastman drank a httle himself, and then offered a cup to one of Wattanummon's sons. The old Indian interposed, saying, " He no drink ;" and taking the cup himself, drank it, exclaim- ing : " Hugh ! good !" By this time the old Indian began to be very generous and friendly ; and, stretching forth his arms, ex- claimed : " My land ! my grass ! — all mine ; every thing ! You may cut grass — all you want !" After this friendly interchange of property — rum for grass — Capt. Eastman and Wattanum- mon lived in peace on opposite sides of the river. What finally became of old Wattanummon is unknown.
Some interesting facts are related, either of him or another of the same name, previous to this period. In May, 1689, mention is made of Watanum, " one of the chief captains " of Wonalaucet. In 1689, March 5th, "a company of thirty or forty Indians made an attack on Andover, and killed five persons ;" and Col. Dudley Bradstreet and family were preserved by the friendly interference of " Waternummon, an Indian who lived at New- bury." In June, 1703, Waternummon is mentioned as one of the chiefs of Penacook and Pigwacket who was at the conference in Casco.
"About the year 1720, (or 1712?) Capt. Thomas Baker, of Northampton, Massachusetts, set off with a scouting party of thirty- four men ; passed up Connecticut river, and crossed the height of land to Pemigeswasset river. He there discovered a party of Indians, whose sachem was called Waternmnmiis, whom he attacked and destroyed. Baker and the sachem levelled and discharged their guns at each other at the same instant. The ball from the Indian's gun grazed Baker's left eye-brow, but did him no injury. The ball from Baker's gun went through the
42 INDIAN HISTORY.
heart of the sachem. Immediately upon being wounded, he leaped four or five feet high and then fell instantly dead. The Indians fled, but Baker and his party pursued and destroyed every one of them." This affair took place, it is said, at the confluence of a small river with the Pemigewasset, (between Plymouth and Campton,) and hence has ever since had the name of Baker's river."* If the above story is correct, the Waternummus above named, said to have been killed in 1720, or earlier, could not be the Wattanummon of Penacook, 1726. It seems, however, probable that the person mentioned as " one of the chief captains" of Wonalancet, in 1689, and the one friendly to Col. Bradstreet, of Andover, was the old sagamore- farmer who lived, in 1726, on the bank of the stream, and culti- vated the field that bears his name.*
MRS. DUSTIN.
At the junction of the Contoocook river with the Merrimack, on the north line of Concord, and near where now is the flour- ishing village of Fisherville, is an island, known by common tradition as the scene where the captive woman from Haverhill, Mrs. Hannah Dustin, performed the daring exploit of killing and scalping ten, Indians, and making her escape. The Northern Railroad now passes directly across this island, and by many a traveler it is looked at as an object of strange curiosity. A monument ought to be erected on the island, to commemorate the deed of the heroic woman.
A part of the history of Mrs. Dustin belongs to Haverhill ; yet, as the scene of her exploit lies chiefly in Penacook, we are re- quired to give it a conspicuous place.
The attack on Haverhill was made by the Indians on the 15th
*See Hun. C. E. Putter's notice in tlie Farmer's Visitor, Vol. 13, No. 9.
MRS. DUSTIN. 43
of Marcli, 169T. Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. Thomas Dusthi, was confined to her bed with an infant child, seven days old, and attended by a nurse, Mary Neflf. Hearing the war-whoop of the savages as they approached, Mr. Dustin ran from the field where he was at work, to his house, and ordered his children — seven in number — to flee ; while he seized his gun, and finding it impossible to remove his wife and infant, mounted his horse and rode after his children — defending them against the savages who were in pursuit. Supposing it impossible to save them all, his first thought was to catch up one of them — even the one that he loved the most — and save that ; but he was unable to make a choice ; and, keeping in their rear, he retreated and fired, sometimes with fatal effect, till the Indians gave over their pursuit.
In the meantime a small party of Indians entered the house, took Mrs. Dustin and nurse prisoners, and set the house on fire. The babe was snatched from the arms of the nurse, and its brains dashed out against an apple tree. Feeble, and with but one shoe on, Mrs. Dustin was compelled to travel through the wilderness, in this inclement season, till they reached the home of her Indian captors, on the island above named. The Indians on the island were twelve in number: two men, three women, and seven children ; and with them an English boy, named Samuel Lannardson, who was taken prisoner about a year before at Worcester.
After a few days the women were informed by the Indians that they would soon start for a distant settlement, and when they arrived there would be obliged to submit to Indian customs — of which one was to run the gauntlet, naked, between two files of Indians. On learning this, Mrs. Dustin formed her deadly plan. She told the boy Lannardson to ask his master ivhere he would strike a man if he wished to kill him instantly, and hoiv he would take off a scalp. The Indian laid his finger on his temple — "Strike 'em there," said he; and then in- structed the boy how to scalp. Engaging the nurse and the boy in her plot, they waited the midnight hour for executing it. With tomahawks in hand they struck the fatal blows on the heads of the Indians as they lay fast asleep. Ten were killed at
44 INDIAN HISTORY.
once. Mrs. Dustin killed her master, and Samuel Lannardson despatched the very Indian who told him where to strike and how to take off a scalp. A favorite Indian boy was spared, and one of the squaws whom they loft for dead, jumped up and ran into the thicket. Mrs. Dustin, gathering up what provisions there were in the wigwam — taking the gun of her dead master, and the tomahawk with which she killed him, and, to prevent pursuit, scuttling the Indian canoes, except one — she embarked in that, with the nurse and boy Lannardson, on the waters of the Merrimack, to seek their way to Haverhill. They had not pro- ceeded far, however, when Mrs. Dustin, perceiving that they had neglected to take the scalps, and fearing lest her neighbors — should she ever arrive at her home — would not credit her story, hastened back with her companions to the scene of death, took off the scalps of the slain, put them " into a bag, and, with these bloody witnesses of their feat, hastened again on their downward course to Haverhill. There they safely arrived." On the 21st of April following, Mrs. Dustin and her two attendants went to Boston, carrying, as proofs of their exploit, the gun, tomahawk, and ten scalps, and received as a reward from the General Court, fifty pounds, besides many valuable presents from others.*
Mr. Dustin's heroism in defending his children has been com- memorated by Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, editor of the Ladies' Mag- azine, in beautiful stanzas, called the " Father's Choice."
" Now fly, as flies the rushing wind ! Urge, ui-ge thy lagging steed ; The savage yell is fierce behind, And life is on thy speed.
" And from those dear ones make thy choice ; The group he wildly eyed : When — "father" — burst from every voice, And — "child" — his heart replied.
" There 's one that now can sluire his toil, And one he meant for fame ; And one that wears his mother's smile. And one that bears her name.
*Scc a more detailed and very interesting narrative of tlie whole affair in Mcrick'ts Hist, o) Haverhill.
MRS. DUSTIN. 45
'And one will prattle on his knee. Or slumber on his breast ; And one whose jojs of infancy Are still by smiles expressed.
" They feel no fear while he is near ; He '11 shield them from the foe ; But oh ! his ear must thrill to hear Their shriekings should he go.
' In vain his quivering lips would speak ;
No words his thoughts allow ; There 's burning tears upon his cheek, Death's marble on his brow.
' And twice he smote his clenched hand — Then bade his children fly ! And turned, and e'en the savage band Cower'd at his wrathful eye.
' Swift as the lightning, winged with death, Flashed forth the quivering flame ! Their fiercest warrior bows beneath The father's deadly aim.
' Not the wild cries that rend the skies.
His heart of purpose move ; He saves his children, or he dies The sacrifice of love.
' Ambition goads the conqueror on ;
Hate points the murderer's brand — But love and duty, these alone Can nerve the good man's hand.
' The hero may resign the field, The coward murderer flee ; He cannot fear, lie will not yield. That strikes, sweet love, for thee.
' They come, they come — he heeds no cry
Save the soft child-like wail, ' Oh, father, save !' ' My children, fly !'
Were mingled on the gale.
'And firmer still he drew his breath,
And sterner flashed his eye. As fast he hurls the leaden death, Still shouting — ' Children, fly !'
46 INDIAN HISTORY.
" No shadow on his brow appeared,
Nor tremor shook his frame,
Save when at intervals he heard
Some trembler lisp bis name.
" In vain the foe — those fiends unchained — Like fomished tigers chafe ; The sheltering roof is near'd, is gain'd — All, all the dear ones safe !"
It may here be added that Mrs. Dustin was the daughter of Michael and Hannah Emerson, and the eldest of fifteen children. She was born December 23, 1657, and married to Thomas Dustin December 3, 1677. She had thirteen children. She was forty years of age when captured by the Indians. Her descendants of the name of Dustiih and also her family con- nections of the name of Emerson^ are numerous in New-Hamp- shire. Mr. Thomas Dustin, of Henniker, N. H,, a descendant who has retained the name, is said to have in possession the identical gun which his heroic maternal ancestor took from her Indian captor.
"SQUAW LOT."
On the east side of Merrimack river, due west from Federal bridge, and bordering the river, is a lot known as the " Squaw lot." The eastern bound — a dark stone — may be seen, close to the fence, on the road that runs by the house of Mr. George W. Moulton, and about one hundred paces from said house. The western bound of the lot — a stone — is also visible, about forty rods further on the same road. The lot now belongs to the heirs of the late Jeremiah Pecker, Esq. The tradition respecting this lot is, that soon after the first settlement of Pen- acook, an Indian chief, named Peorawarrah, enamoured of the wife of another Indian, ran away with her from a settlement
"squaw lot." 47
below Penacook; and passing up the Merrimack in a bark canoe, had lodged for the night on Sewall's island. Missing his wife, the Indian, jealous of the cause, with his gun in hand, started in pursuit. Assured that he was on the track of the guilty pair, he sped his way on foot till near night fall, when he discovered the canoe, and saw the place of their landing on the island. Secret- ing himself in the bushes directly opposite, on the east side of the river, and near the late residence of Henry S. Thatcher, Esq., he impatiently waited the dawn of morning, to execute his pur- pose. At early dawn, Peorawarrah pushed off his canoe, to pursue their flight up the river. The revengeful husband watched his opportunity, and as a current in the river turned the course of the canoe, the guilty pair were brought within the range of his deadly aim. He fired, and both were killed — fell overboard and sunk. The report of the gun was heard by one of the settlers — tradition says, Ebenezer Virgin — who afterwards met the Indian who had satiated his revenge. The Indian told him what he had done, and said — '-'• Peorawarrah had good gan.'^ A few days after, the body of the squaw, with the mark of a bullet shot on it, was found washed up on the shore of the river. It was buried on the adjacent land, and ever since the lot has been called " the Squaw lot."
Tradition further says that Ebenezer Virgin made search in the river for Peorawarrah's gun, and found it ; that at his death the gun descended to his son John; then to his grandson John* from whom it was obtained, by exchange for another gun, by Jonathan Eastman, Esq., about forty years ago, and is still in his possession, as fit for good service as ever. This gun, bearing mai'ks of antiquity, identically the same "good gun," except the stock, as when in the hands of Peorawarrah — the writer has seen and handled, and has no doubt of the substantial truth of the tradition. It is carefully kept, though in frequent service, by Esq. Eastman, now seventy- two years of age, and called " Peorawarrah's gun." f
*This was the " Old John Virgin " whose life and death are noticed in anotlier place. tMr. Eastman informed me that he intended the gun should go, after his death, to his; grandson, Jonathan Eastman Pecker.
THE LAST OF THE PENACOOKS.
PEHAUNGUN.
TRADITION says that the last Penacook who died here was named Pehaungun, a celebrated warrior, whose wigwam and planting grounds were on the east side of the river, upon the land afterwards owned and occupied by Stilson Eastman ; subsequently, by John Miller ; then by the late Mr. Samuel Blake, and now by two of Mr. Blake's sons. Pehaungun is mentioned in connection with Tahanto, at the trial of the Indian for the murder of Thomas Dickinson, in 1668. He is there called an " ancient Indian^ He is supposed to have died about 1732, at the advanced age of one hundred and twenty years or more. The tradition respecting his death is, that the Indians had a "big drunk" at his wigwam — that they drank from the bung-hole of a keg of rum. Capt. Eastman, hearing the drunken revel and outcries, went to see what was going on, and was invited to drink ; but, hoisting the keg to his mouth, he let more run out than ran in; seeing which, Pehaungun threatened to kill him. Capt. Eastman withdrew, and the next morning this " ancient Indian " was found dead. The Indians who partook of the revel feared that the spirit of the old warrior would come back and punish them ; therefore, in burying him, they placed his body in a hollow trunk of pine, covered over with a slab ; bound it round with withes, and, laying it in the ground, threw in dirt, and then stamped it down hard — crying out, " He no get out ! he no get up I" They then stuck up willow boughs about the grave : some at the same time dancing, wailing, howl- ing and tearing their hair. The whole ceremony was concluded with another " big drunk," which laid them all low on the "round.
CHAPTER II.
NOTICES OF PENACOOK PREVIOUS TO ITS SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES.
By virtue of her original charter, obtained in 1628, Massa- chusetts claimed all that part of New-England lying between three miles to the northward of Merrimack river, to the source of the same, and three miles to the southward of Charles river ; and in length, within the described breadth from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea. Accordingly, in 1638, men were sent to discover the sources of the Merrimack, and found some part of it above Penacook to lie more northerly than forty-three and a half degrees.
In 1652 the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a survey, to ascertain the northern bound of the colony ; and for this pur- pose appointed Captains Edward Johnson and Simon Willard commissioners. Capt. Johnson, accompanied by John Sherman, of Watertown, and Jonathan Inee, of Cambridge, surveyors, together with several Indian guides, went up the river Merri- mack, to find the most northerly part thereof, which the Indians told them was Aquedocktan, the outlet of lake Winnepissiogee. Capt. Johnson was the author of " The Wonder-Working Provi- dence of Zion's Saviour." John Sherman was the ancestor of the distinguished Roger Sherman, of Connecticut ; and Jonathan Ince was a graduate of Harvard college. The surveyors, on the 1st of August, 1652, decided the head source of the Merrimack " where it issues out of the lake called Winnapusseakit," to be in " latitude forty-three degrees, forty minutes and twelve sec- onds, besides those minutes which are to be allowed for the three miles north which run into the lake." At this point, which is
50 HISTORY OF PENACOOK
now called the Weares, a rock was discovered, a few years since, with its surface but little above the water, and about twenty feet in circumference, on which the following letters were found sculptured :
|
EI |
S W |
||
|
WP |
lOHN |
||
|
ENDICVT |
|||
|
GOV |
Col. Philip Carrigain, of Concord, who carefully examined these letters in 1834, gives the following explanation: "The E I, are the initials of Edward Johnson ; S W, of Simon Wil- lard — the two commissioners. W P are on the same line, and immediately precede lOHN ENDICVT, and it is not improbable they stand for worshipful — a title often given, in those Puritan- ical times, to the governor and magistrates." The surveyors on this expedition passed through Penacook " in a Bote," and occu- pied nineteen days ; and the whole expense attending it was about £84.*
*" Accoumpt of Disbursments about Jorney to the head of the Merrimeck : Ipr. for makeing the Bote & Ores, with all the Boards & Stuff,
for one man for the Jorney & his worke in preparing levall, for 5 pound of powder 4 pond of shott match and Indian flowes, [? for 3 yooke of oxen and a horse, [t. to James Prentise for the jorny,
Reseaved in parte of this Accoumpt, Ipr. for the Sayles, pieces of Rope & two Blockes the Bote & some Ruff&c, that were left, Remaynes to me still on this Accoumpt, Due to Good. Bull for carting
Sum total due to Capt. Johnson, 08 06 00
«*The Deputies consent this bill should be satisfyed to Capt. Johnson.
"Daniel Denison. " The Deputies consent that Capt. Johnson be paid for his Journey, 13 6 8
"Daniel Denison.
" The Magists. consent hereto. Edward Raw-son, Secret'y.
" Consented to by the deputyes. Wm. Torret, Cleric.
" The Magists. desire tliose accompts may by the Auditor and the psons concern'd drawne
& put into such a way as may stand on record. Edw. Rawson, Secr'y."
In the other account are charged, among other things, " 6 gal. & 3 quarts of liquers ; 38% lbs. of Bacon ; payd one of our pilatts ; paid two other Indians, and payd for ells in our jorny," &c., &c. The whole expense of the expedition could not be less than £84 10s. lOd.
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
03 |
01 |
00 |
|
03 |
03 |
00 |
|
00 |
12 |
00 |
|
00 |
11 |
00 |
|
03 |
00 |
00 |
|
10 |
07 |
00 |
|
02 |
17 |
00 |
|
07 |
10 |
00 |
|
00 |
16 |
00 |
BEFORE SETTLEMENT. 51
While Massachusetts was thus fixing the bounds of her colony at the head waters of the Merrimack, the General Court of New- Hampshire also had an eye on the same, and claimed that the said territory was within their patent and jurisdiction. This claim of New-Hampshire was founded on a patent obtained by Capt. John Mason, in 1629, " under the common seal of the Council of Plymouth," which conveyed the land " from the middle ijart of Merrimack river ; and from thence, northward, along the sea coast, to Piscataqua river, and up the same to the farthest head thereof; and from thence, north-westward, until sixty miles from the first entrance of Piscataqua river ; and also through Merrimack river to the farthest head thereof; and so forward up into the land westward, until sixty miles were fin- ished ; and from thence, to cross over land to the end of the sixty miles accounted from Piscataqua river, together with all islands and islets within five leagues distance of the premises." This territory was called New-Hampshire. But, owing to the unsettled state of affairs, the towns settled at this period in New- Hampshire agreed, for their better defence and security, to place themselves under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts ;* which con- tinued from 1641 till 1680. Hence, being under one govern- ment, in 1659 a petition was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts, by inhabitants of Dover and Newbury^ in the words following :
To the Moncrd Gencrall Courte, now assembled at Boston :
The humble petecyon of us whose names are underwritten, beinge inhabytants of this jurisdiction, and beinge senseable of the need of multiplyinge of townesbippes for the inlargement of the contrey, and accommodateinge of such as want opportunity to improve themselves, have taken into consideration a place which is called Pennecooke, which by reporte is a place fit for such an one. Now the humble request of your petitioners to this honred Courte is, that we may have the grant of a tracke of land their to the quantity of twelve miles square, which, being granted, we shall give up ourselves to be at the cost and charge of vewinge it, and consider fully about it, wheather to proceed on for the settlinge of a towne or noe, and for that end shall crave the liberty of three yeares to give in our reso- lution ; and, in case that wee doe proceed, then our humble request is, that we may have the grant of our freedome from publique charge
*See Belknap'a Hist., vol. i., p. 30, Farmer's edition.
62 HISTORY OF PENACOOK
for the space of seaven yeares after the time of our resolution given in to this Honerd Courte for our encorragement to settle a plantation soe furre remote, as knowinge that many will be our inconvenyences (for a long time,) which we must expeckt to meet with, all which desires of ours beinge ansered, your petetioners shall ever pray for the happyness of this Honred Courte, and rest your humble pete- tioners,
Richard Walderne, John Bayley,
Vail: Hill, John Cheiney,
Peter Coffin, Nathaniel Weare,
John X Hird, Robard Coker,
William Ffurbur,
John Poore,
Ro-er Plaisteed ' ^*'^^''* Imagers,
Edward Woodman, Edward Richardson,
John Pike, William Cotton,
Abraham Toppan, John Wolcott,
Benia : Swett,^ John Bond,
George Little, William Titcomb.
18 (3) 59 : [that is — 18^/i 3%, 1659.] The Committee do judge meet that the petitioners be granted a plantation of eight miles square, upon condition that at the sessions of the General Court, to be held in Octo., 1660, they make report to that Court of their reso- lution to p'secute the same with a competent no. of meet persons that will ingage to carry on the work of the said place in all civill and eclesiasticall respects, and that within two years then next en- suing there be 20 families there settled. Also, that they may have imunity from all publique charges (excepting in cases extraordinary) for seven yeares next ensuing the date hereof.
Tho : Danforth, Edward Johnson, Eleazar Lusher.
The Deputies approve of the returne of the Committee in answer to this petition, with reference to the consent of the honored magis- trates thereto. WiLLlAM ToRREY, Cleric.
6, 3: 1662 — [that is — Ma^ 6, 1662.] Upon informacon that Penicooke is An Apt place for A Township, and in consideration of the lord's great blessing upon the countrie in multiplying the inhab- itants and plantations here ', and that Allmost All such places are Allreadie taken up : 'Tis ordered by this Court, that the lands at Peniecook be reserved for a plantation till so many of such as have petecioned for lands there or of others shall present to settle A plan- tation there.
The Deputies have past the same : desiring the consent of the Honob'e magistrates thereto. William Torrey, Cleric*
* Mass. Col. Records.
BEFORE SETTLEMENT. 53
It appears, also, from the records of the Massachusetts colony, that a petition was presented, in 1663, by inhabitants of Chelms- ford, for the grant of a township at Penacook. In October, 1663, the court " granted the inhabitants of Salem a plantation of six miles square at Pennicook, if getting twenty families on it within three years."
The conditions not being fulfilled, the foregoing grants, it would seem, were forfeited. In June, 1714 — fifty-one years after their first petition — the people of Salem again petitioned that the grant of a plantation of six miles square to them at Pennecook, in October, 1663, may be confirmed to them. They stated that since the first was made, they had been embarrassed by Indian wars, and that " some of the inhabitants of the town had erected a trading house at Pennicook forty years since." Whether this trading house was the same as that of Waldron and Coffin, in 1668, is not clear ; but, from the concurrence in the dates, most likely it was. One trading house, it is believed, stood on the east side, on or near the farm of Judge Sewall.
PETITION FOR PENNYCOOK— 1721.
To his Excellency, Samuel Shute, Esq""-' Cap*^- GerJ- and GovcrnT in Chief in and over His 3Iajesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay; and to the Ilon^^^ the Council and House of Jiejjresentatives in Gen^ Court assembled, this 31*' day of May, Anno Domini 1721. The Petition of the subscrihers, Inhabitants of the County of Essex —
Humbly sheweth, That y" Petif^ being straitned for iVccommo- dations for themselves and their posterity, have Espied a tract of Land, scituate on the River of Merrymake, (the Great River of the said Country,) whereon they are desirous to make a Settlement and form a Town, if they may obtain the favour and countenance of this Great and Hon'^'s Court therein : Y"^ pef^ therefore humbly pray this Great and Gen' Court to grant them, under such Restrictions, and on such Conditions as y"" Excellency and Honours shall think fit, a Tract of Land for a Township, which lies at the lower end of Pen- niecook : to beginn three miles to the Eastward of Merrimake River, at the place nearest to the mouth of Conduncook [Coutoocook] River — to extend to Merrimake River, and over it, to and up Conduncook River, eight miles ; from thence, to run Southerly seven miles, par- rellel with Merrimake River ; and at the End of the s"^ seven miles, to run directly to the mouth of Sun coot River ; and then up Sun coot River till it comes to the distance of three miles from Merri- make River ; and then to, on a Strait Line, to the first mentioned
54
HISTORY OF PENACOOK
bound and Station : Which Tract of Land is Computed to Contain about the quantity of Eight miles Square, whCi Request your peti- tioners are the more Imboldened and necessitated to make, inasmuch as They are informed the Three Townships h^st Granted are all laid out and Taken up, and They cannot be accomodated in either of them.
And yi' pef^ shall, as in Duty Bound, ever pray.
Stephen Barker,
His
John X Granger,
Sam" Phillips, John Osgood, Timothy Johnson, Ebenezer Eastman, Joshua Bayley, James Fales, William Wliite,
Eia
David X Kimbel,
Moses Day, John Hall,
His
Sam^i ^ Run ills,
Jerath""Hug, Nathaniel Abbot, John Chandler, Stephen Abbot, James Black, Benjamin Stephens, William Marten, Stephen Osgood, Thomas Blanchard, Eben Lovejoy, Thomas Abbot, John Wright, Joseph Parker, James Stephens, James Bayley, John Astin, Same' Kimbel, Jona. Chadwick, Benj^- Calton, Nehemiah Calton, Nathaniel Clemons, John IMuleekin, Sam"' TIazeltine, Rich Hall, James Smith, William Wickar,
Matthias Cowdry, Tho's Scihegsar, Joseph Work, Nicholas White, Sam<^' White, Eben Thornton, John Saunders, Elezar Crocker, Nath«' Lovejoy, John Merrill, Samel Chandler, Robert Kimbell, Job Hinkley, Jonathan Clark, John Sandars, Henry Wook, [?] Benjamin Gage,
Tim X Hogg,
Andrew AUin, David Stephens, William Barker, Eben Stephens, Annaniah Barker, John Barker, Samel Barker, Nathan Barker, James Parker, John Foster, Aaron Foster, Christopher Colton, Robard Peslcy, Daniel Astin, John In gals, Jon'! Gage, Dane! Jaqucs, Richard Jaques, William Gutterson, Jonathan Rolande Zebediah Barker, Tho« Page,
Nath' Page,
His
John X Mattis,
David Cragg, Sam' Aires, James Barker, Eben"- Barker, Ed. Clark, Samel Clark, Sami Granger, John Pecker, John Loel, [?] Wm. Davis, Joseph Davis, Nehemiah Heath, Samel Kimbal, Abraham Coole}', John Goterson, Samel Borbank, Andrew Mitchell, Jon^ Page, Ephraim Farnon, John Hastins, Samel Davis, Ephraim Davis, Nathaniel Morrill, Stephen Morill, Tho*! Kingsbery, John Bayley, Same' Granger, Nathei Sanders, Sam' Ela, Ebenr Gill, Benj^ Smeth, Joseph Page, Stephen Emerson, John Morden, Jon^ Corlis, Moses Aboott, John Osgood, Nathe' Peasley.
BEFORE SETTLEMENT. 55
In the House of Representatives, June 9"*, 1724.
Read and Ordered, that Captain Shipley, Co" Buckminster and M^ Winslow, be a Committee to view the said Land, and to make their Report y next Session.
Copy Examined per j ^,^^^^^^ gec^y.
In May, 1722, however, a survey was made of Penacook by William Ward and John Jones, " according to the direction of the committee appointed by the Honorable House of Repre- sentatives in y® former sessions" — comprising in the whole 69.500 acres of land. The interval land was 2.000 acres.
This survey — a copy of which I have from the original plan in the Secretary's office, Massachusetts — was as follows :
The south line, crossing the Merrimack river at its junction with Shoo-Brook [Soucook,] was eleven miles, viz.: 1530 perches east, and 1990 west side.
The yiortli line, crossing the Merrimack at " the river called Contucuk or Conduncook" — 1450 perches east, and following the course of the Contucuk west.
The east line, drawn from the eastern terminus of the south line to the eastern of the north line, was ten miles.
The west line, drawn from the western terminus of the south line, northerly, till it struck the Contucuk, was 2930 perches, or nine miles and fifty rods.
Another petition was presented June 17, 1725 :
To the Hon^^^ Wm. Dummer, Esq":, Lieut. Governor , and Com- mander in Chief in and over His Majesties province of y^ Mas- sachusetts Bay, in New England, to the Hon^^'^ His Majesties Council and House of Representatives in Gen. Court or Assembly convened at Boston, June 17*^, 1725.
The petition of Benj^ Stephens, Andrew Mitchel, David Kimball, Ebenezer Eastman, John Osgood and Moses Day, a Committee appointed by and in behalf of the petitioners formerly for a Tract of Land at a place called Pennycook —
Humbly sheweth. That whereas y"" petioners have at two sev®' times petitioned the Great and Gen^i Court for a grant of the afore- said tract of Land at Pennycook, with resolutions fully inclined to make a speedy settlement there, w"^'^ they conceive, under the divine protection, they are able to go on and through with ; and the Hon''''' House of Representatives having been pleased twice so far to take their petition under consideration as to grant the prayer under such
66
HISTORY OF PENACOOK.
conditions as by y^ vote of the s^ Hon'''^ House may more fully ap- pear, which conditions, though they be expensive, yet y'' petitioners have well weighed the same, and would willingly have undertaken the settlement, if it had been the pleasure of the Hon''''' Board to have concurred in the aforesaid vote. But as y'' petitioners are in- formed it did not meet with a concurrence : Wherefore, y*" petitioners are emboldened, with great submission, to renew their pet" to y"" Hon- our, and this Great and Gren' Court, that you would please to take the premises again into y'' wise and serious consideration ; and as the building a Fort there will undoubtedly be a great .security within and on Merrimack Biver, and y' your petitioners are still willing to build and maintain it as afore propos'd, at their own cost, y^ they may have the countenance and authority of this Court therefor, and that they woud pledge to luake them a grant of it accordingly.
¥■■ petif^ wou'd also suggest to y"" Honnours, that many applica- tions have been made to the Government of New Hampshire for a grant of the s'' Land, which, though it be the undoubted right and property of this Province, yet it is highly probable that a parcel of Irish people* will obtain a grant from New Hampshire for it, unless some speedy care be taken by this great and Hon'^'e Court to prevent it. If that Government should once make y^" a grant, tho' the pef'* conceive it wou'd be without right, as in the case of Nutfield, yett it wou'd be a thing attended with too much difficulty to pretend to root y"™ out, if they shou'd once gett foot hold there. Your petitioners therefore pray that the vote passed by the Hon'''® House may be revived, or that they may have a grant of the Land on such other terms and conditions as to the wisdom of this Court shall seem best. And for y"" Hon"^, as in duty bound, y"^ petitioners shall ever pray, &c.
Benj^ Stephens, Andreav Mitchell, David Kimbel, Eben'' Eastman, John Osgood, Moses Day.
In the House of Representatives, June 17'^, 1725.
Bead, and the. question was put whether the House wou'd revive their vote above refer' d to — Besolved in the affirmative.
Copy examined per ^ Millard, Sec'y.
*"lrisli people," as tliey were called, from Nutfield, had already built a fort side of the river, as will fully appear in the sequel.
CHAPTER III
THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
The period had now arrived, in the order of Divine Providence, when the territory which had so long been desired and sought for a settlement, should become the abode of civilized hfe — when the " wilderness should be made glad," and the desert become vocal with the praises of God. In this chapter we shall narrate all the measures that were adopted for the settlement of the place, and detail every incident of importance that attended the enterprise. While, for the general reader, we give a con- nected narrative of events, with original documents, anecdotes and illustrations, we would direct particular attention, also, to the Records of the Proprietors,* which were kept with great accuracy and care, and which are exactly copied and transferred to the printed page, except, in some cases, the notifications of
"PROPRIETORS' RECORDS.
THE ORDER OF THE GREJkT AND GENERAL COURT.
The committee appointed to consider what is proper for this Court to do on the petition of Benjamin Stevens and others, are humbly of opinion, that it will be for the interest and advantage of this Province that part of the lands peti- tioned for by the said Benjamin Stevens and company, be assigned and set apart for a township : provided, that the same be done in a good, regular and defensi- ble manner, to contain seven miles square, and begin whei'e Contoocook river falls into Merrimack river, and thence to extend upon a course east seventeen degrees north three miles, and upon a course west seventeen degrees south four miles, to be the northerly bounds of the said township ; and from the extreme parts of that line to be set off southerly at right angles, until seven miles shall be accomplished from the said north bounds. And that the petitioners may be encouraged and fully empowered to prosecute their intended settlements — Or-
58 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
meetings are left out. The records embraced in this chapter extend through the period — about seven years — that Penacook was a plantation, and until incorporated into a township. It will be perceived that the dates of the records are according to the old style, when the year commenced the 25th of March instead of the 1st of January.
The petition of June, 1725, it appears, was successful. On the 17th of January following "the Great and General Court" decided " that it will be for the interest and advantage of this Province, that part of the Lands petitioned for by the said Ben- jamin Stevens and Company be assigned and set apart for a Township — provided that the same be done in a good, regular and defensible manner — and to contain seven miles square." A committee of nine, of whom the Hon. William Tailer, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, twenty-seven years, was chairman, and John Wainwright, Esq., clerk, was at the same time appointed by the court to take special care that the rules and conditions on which the grant was made should be punctually observed and kept by all such as shall be admitted as settlers — particularly that the land be allotted and divided into one hun- dred and three equal parts and shares, as to quantity and quality, and that one hundred persons or families — such only as in the judgment of the committee shall be well able to pursue and bring to pass their several settlements — should be admitted. Each settler to pay five pounds for his lot ; be obliged to build a good house for his family within three years ; break up and sufficiently fence in six acres of land within the same time ; that the houses should be erected within twenty rods of each other, on the home lots, and in a regular and defensible manner ; and that a con- venient house for the public worship of God should be completely
dercd, That the Hon. William Tailer, Esq., Elisha Cooke, Esq., Spencer Phipps, Esq., William Dudley, Esq., John Wainwright, Esq., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders, Elcazar Tyng, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Wilder, (any five of whom to be a quorum,) be a committee to take special care, that the following rules and conditions be punctually observed and kept by all such as shall be admitted to bring forward the proposed settlements, namely :
That the aforesaid tract of land be allotted and divided into one hundred and three equal parts and shares, as to quantity and quality ; and that one hundred persons or families be admitted, such only as in the judgment of the committee
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 59
finished within the three years. The settlers were also to pay twenty shillings each for the privilege of admittance, and to defray the whole expense of cutting a road through the wilder- ness to the plantation ; of laying out the land into lots by sur- veyors and chainmen, and also the charges of the committee of the Great and General Court. The remaining three rights were reserved : one for the first settled minister ; one for a par- sonage, and one " for the use of the school forever."
The grant of the township being made, the next object was to begin and carry forward the settlement safely, but as expedi- tiously as possible. Accordingly, on the 2d of February, 1725, the committee of the General Court met at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, for the purpose of admitting settlers. In this matter they proceeded with great care and caution. Persons were not admitted merely because they had petitioned for it ; but the committee inquired into their character and their abihty to fulfil the conditions. To aid them in this they officially invited some of the principal inhabitants of the towns to which the generality of the petitioners belonged, to attend and give the committee information of the circumstances of the petitioners and others, " i;t order to the admitting of such as shall he thought most suitable.^'' After such careful inquiry and examination, the requisite number — one hundred — was admitted. Among this number, as appears in the list on record, were the Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Andover, Rev. Bezaleel Top- pan, son of Rev. Christopher Toppan, of Newbury, and Rev. Enoch Coffin, then a young preacher, also of Newbury. The
shall be well able to pursue and bring to pass their several settlements on the said lands within the space of three years at farthest from the first day of June next : That each and every intended settler to whom a lot, with the rights and privileges thereto belonging, shall be assigned, shall pay into the hands of the committee, for the use of the Province, at the time of di-awing his lot, the sum of five pounds, and be obliged to build a good dwelling-house, fit comfortably to receive and entertain a family who shall inhabit the same ; and also break up and sufficiently fence in six acres of land for their home lot, within the term aforesaid : And that the first fifty settlements shall be begun and perfected upon the eastern side of said river Merrimack, and the several houses shall be erected on their home lots not above twenty rods the one from the other, where the land will possibly admit thereof, in the most regular and defensible manner, the com- mittee, in their best pi-udence, can project and order ; the houses and home lots
60 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
following letters from Rev. Mr. Toppan and Rev. Mr. Phillips will evince the deep interest which was felt in respect to the admission of settlers.
LETTER OF REV. CHRISTOPHER TOPPAN, OF NEWBURY.
Newb: Febr: 2, 1726. May it please your Honors :
It was my design to have waited on your Honours and the other G-entlemen appointed to be a Committee for Granting Lotts at Penny- Cooke, but being at present bodily Indisposed, durst not venture so far from home, have therefore sent my Sons to wait on you, and, in my name, to Request y* you'd be pleased to Grant me or them a Lott amongst the Rest, and the Conditions of y^ Grant shall be per- formed by my Self or them. And if your Honours would give
me leave, I''' mention a few things relating to the Affair now before you, as
1. That it seems Just y* Consideration be had to one Town as well as another, and that there be some Proportion, in that respect, as to the Number of Persons in each that the Lotts are granted to.
2. Tliat those who have at any time before had Lotts allowed them in any New Township, should be excluded now.
3. That the Persons to whom the Lotts are granted be obliged [if it may be] to keep their Lotts and not sell y™ to others, at least not without the leave of the maj'' part of the Society to whom the rest of y" Lotts belong. Some, no doubt, will desire Lotts under no other view than to make gain by Selling of y™ afterwards, [and 'tis pitty such should have any.] Besides, if the Lotts should be presently bought and sold, it will be likely some of y"^ at least may fall into the hands of Persons very undesirable for the first Settlement of a place.
4. That the Persons to whom the Lotts are granted be obliged, at their first Settling on the place, to build a Garrison or Block-House for their defence, and so live as near it as with Convenience may be ; for it will be very unsafe at first for enny one to build and dwell on his own Lott. This will too much expose y™ to y^ Indians, in whom little trust is at any time to be putt ; besides, we may expect they '1
on each side of the river to he alike subjected unto the above-mentioned condi- tions. That a convenient house for the public worship of God be completely finished within the term aforesaid, for the accommodation of all such as shall inhabit the aforesaid tract of land, upon such part thereof as shall be agreed upon by the aforesaid Committee, for the ease of the community ; and that there shall be reserved, allotted, and laid out to the first minister that shall be lawfully settled among them, one full right, share, and proportion of and in the aforesaid tract of land, with all rights and privileges theieto belonging : his house lot to be laid out next adjoining to the land whereon the meeting-house shall stand. One other full right, share, and proportion of and in the aforesaid tract of land.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 61
not a little resent it, when y>' come to understand tliat we are Settling upon a former noted Settlement of theirs.
5. That in case the Tract of Land at Penny-Cooke [the Settlement whereof is Designed] was formerly purchased of y" Indians [as I have heard it was, tho' I know not by whom,] it seems but Just that He or They so purchasing, should have reasonable allowance made y"" out of the Lotts that shall be granted, as shall be to their satisfaction ; for that Right I take to be the best in y" Eye of Concience, what ever it be in the Eye of the Law; besides, I know not how the Title can fairly be Justifyed against the Indians, if at any time they should demand it, but under the consideration of a former purchase.
Many other things might have been added, but ^tis not for me to direct your Honours. Begging therefore pardon, for my boldness in offering what I have, I take leave, so Subscribe my Self your Hon- our's most humble and obedient Servant,
Christopher Toppan.
REV. SAMUEL PHILLIPS' LETTER FOR ADMITTANCE.
For Ms Honour William Tailor, Esqy, and y" other Honorable Gentlemen of y^ Committee for Pcnnecoohj noio at Haverldll.
For the Honorable members of y^ Board and House w" constitute
the Committee for y® Settlement of Pennecook, now Convened at
Haverhill : Gentlemen, —
Having Intelligence y^ the Great and General Court have allowed of y^ Settlement of Pennecook, and made choice of your Honours to Effect and Complete the Same; and I the Subscriber, being one of y® Petitioners [and having Expended somew^ already,] humbly pray y' your Honours will please to Enter me one of y^ Proprietors.
I have Sons* growing up, and the Land w<^'i I am here setled upon is Parsonage land.
The Articles I hope to fulfill, altho' I may not be an Inhabitant there.
to be appropriated for the use of the school forever ; and one other ministerial lot of equal value with the rest — the home lot appertaining thereto affixed near to the meeting-house. And for the better enabling the intended settlers to per- fect what they are hereby enjoined, and empowering them to remove all such lets and impediments as they may meet with in their progress and lawful under- taking, that when and so soon as there shall be one hundred persons accepted and allowed by the Committee to go on and improve those lands for the ends and uses above specified, upon application made to the aforesaid Committee, it shall and may be lawful for them to notify the undertakers to meet at some con-
* Two of these sons, John and Samuel, were founders of Andover Academy, and the former was the founder of Exeter Academy and of the Phillips' Professorship of Divinity in Dart- mouth College.
62 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
Pray Excuse my not waiting upon your Honours in person, being oblig"! tljig (\.^j j-Q attend part of y^ Duty and Business of my office.
Intreating that y^ Direction and Benediction of Heaven may al- ways accompany you, I ask Leave [Grentlemen] to subscribe my Self your Honours' most humble and
Obed» ServS
Andover, Feb : 2 : 1725/6. Samuel Phillips.
The persons who had the honor of being admitted on such conditions as settlers, proceeded with energy, and with entire unanimity, to forward their object. To save the committee of the General Court the trouble and expense of coming again from Boston, upon application of the admitted settlers, another meeting was held on the 7th of February, at which, with the approval of the committee, the settlers unanimously agreed and resolved to fulfil all the conditions and orders of the Court re- specting the settlement; and in case of any settler failing to comply with said conditions and orders within two years and a half from the 1st day of June next, such settler shall absolutely forfeit the lot or lots bv him drawn, with all the improvements thereon, to the other settlers. Also, it was agreed and resolved ^^that no alienation of any Lott shall he made ivitliout the consent of the Community ,^^ on penalty of forfeiting the same. This regulation was in accordance with the suggestion of Rev. Chris- topher Toppan, and probably with special reference to the exclusion of the " Irish people,^^ against whom a strong preju- dice then existed.
At this meeting, moreover, the committee of the court voted to appoint surveyors, and chainmen to attend them when they should go, to allot the said tract of land into one hundred and three shares, according to order ; to meet at Dunstable, on the
venient time and place, they being seasonably notified of such meeting, who, when assembled, shall make such necessary rules and orders as to them shall be thought most conducible for the carrying forward and effecting the aforesaid settlement ; provided, that three fourth parts of the persons present at such meeting arc consenting to what rules or orders sliall be then proposed and agreed upon, two or more of the Committee to be present at such meeting, who shall enter into a fair book, to be kept for that purpose, all such rules, orders, and directions agreed on as aforesaid, and give out copies thereof when re- quired ; the whole charge of the Committee to be paid by the settlers. And that when they shall have performed the conditions above expressed, provided it
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. Oo
5th of April next, at the house of Col. Tyng, in order to proceed thence to Penacook to lay out the land into lots ; that Col. Tyng be desired to prepare fifteen days provisions for twenty men, and that the settlers be notified to pay the sum of forty shillings for defraying the charges of the committee, and " that the money he ready at Col. Tyng' 8^ at Dunstable, on or before the 5th day of April nezt.^'
1726.
On account of engagements as members of the General Court, the committee found it necessary to postpone the laying out of the lands at Penacook until the second Tuesday (10th) of May, 1726. They then started from Haverhill, with surveyors and chainmen, and " a number of admitted settlers attending them," and proceeded to Penacook and laid out one hundred and three home lots, or divisions, on the ivest side of the river, instead of the east side, as at first proposed. This was done with consent of the General Court, for reasons assigned, viz. : That " upon view and strict survey of the Lands on the East side of Merrymack, we find that there is little or no water ; the Land near the River extream mountainous and almost impassible, and very unfit for and uncapable of receiving fifty famihes, as the Court has or- dered ; more especially, considering that near the centre of the Town, on the East side of the River Merrymack, the Honourable Samuel Sewall, Esq., has a farm of Five Hundred acres of good
be within the space of three years, as before limited, that then the said Commit- tee for and in behalf of this Court execute good and sufficient deeds and con- veyances in the law, to all such settlers for the aforesaid tract of land, with all the rights, members, profits, privileges and immunities thereon standing, grow- ing or being, for the sole use of .them, their heirs and assigns forever, with a saving of all or any former grant or grants.
By order of the Committee. N. Byfield.
In Council, January 17 th, 1725. Read and ordered that this Report be ac- cepted. Sent down for concurrence.
J. WiLLARD, Sec'ri/.
In the House of Representatives, January 17, 172.5. Read and concurred —
Wm. Dudley, Speaker. Consented to— ^m. Dummer.
*See Documentarj' Chapter — Endicot Grant, &c., No. 1, cliap. iii.
64 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
Land, formerly granted by this Court and laid out to Gov. En- dicot."* This description refers chiefly to the high banks and bluffs that border the Interval on the east side of the river. Judge SewalFs farm embraced the island known by that name, and the intervals, with some upland east of it, including the farms now owned by Mr. Samuel B. Larkin, Samuel B. and John Locke, and what is known as the Thatcher farm.*
The first survey and laying out of the house and home lots, with the incidents connected therewith, are graphically related in the journal kept by John Wainwright, Esq., clerk of the General Court's committee, of which the following is an exact copy — every word of which is interesting to read.
A Journal of the 'proceedings of the Cummittee apjiointed hy the Great and General Court or Assemhli/ to lay out a Neio Township of seven miles square, at Penny Cook, on each side of Merrimack Itivcr :
1726. Tuesday, May 10'/' This Day, the Committee met at the House of Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, in order to go to Penny Cook to lay out the Township according to order.
Wednesday, May IV'} Present — The Hone's William Tailer, Esqr, Jno Wainwright, Esq"-, Capl Jn^ Shipley, Eleazer Tyng, Esqf, and M^ Joseph Wilder. This day, the Committee received of several of y^ Setlers forty shillings each, a list where of was taken : being to defray the charge of surveying the Lands, &c. ; and prepared the necessary provisions for their Journey and their Attendants to Penny Cook. Lowry Weather, with some rain.
Thursday, May 12'.'' Early this Morning, the Committee above named, with M"; John Sanders, one other of the s"* Committee, begun their Journey from Haverhill, in order for Penny Cook, being at- tended by twenty six persons, including the Surveyors, Chainmen, and such of the intended Settlers as were disposed to take a view of the Lands. About half ways between Nutfield and Haverhill, at a
ADDITIONAL GRANT TO PENNY COOK, AUG'T 1, 1728.
At a Great and General Court, or Assembly, for His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England, began and held at Boston, upon Wednesday, the twenty-ninth of May, 1728, and continued by prorogation to Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of July following, and then met August 6, 1728 —
In the House of Representatives, upon a motion made and seconded in behalf of the Penny Cook settlers — Resolved, That in consideration of the five hun- dred acres of land formerly confirmed by this Court to satisfy a grant made to the late Governor Endicott, which falls within their boundaries, the settlers be
* For plan of the farm, see large Map.
PKOPRIETARY RECORDS. 65
place called Providence Brook, we bated : About eleveu or twelve of the Clock we arrived at Nutlield, alias Londonderry, and refreshed Our Selves and Horses with our own provisions at the House of one John Barr, an Irish Tavern keeper, as we were informed ; but we had nothing of him but Small Beer. Expences for our Trouble at y'' House, 5^. About one or two, we proceeded on our Journey. This afternoon wc forded two Brooks or Rivuletts, call Great and little, which proceeded from Great Massa Beseck and little Massabeseck Ponds and Empty themselves into Merrimack ; and about Five a Clock we arrived at a place called Amoskceg Falls, on Merrimack River, and there Encamped that night.
At Amoskeeg Falls we found several Irish people catching fish, which that place affords in great abundance. We travelled in a Cart path from Nutfield to Amoskeeg, but it was very indifferent travelling. Cloudy Weather.
Friday, May 13'^ This morning we proceeded on our Journey. Very Hilly and Mountainous Land. About Eight a'Clock we puss'd by a Fall called Onnahookline, in Merrimack River, which is taken from a Hill of the same name. About Nine a'Clock we forded a pretty deep Brook or Rivulett, called [a blank,] and soon after we came upon a large Tract of Intervale Land, joining to Suncook River, where we baited and refi'eshed our Selves and Horses. About ten or eleven a'Clock we forded Suncook River, which is a rapped Stream, and many loose stones of some Considerable Bigness in it, making it
and hereby are allowed and empowered, by a surveyor and chainman, on oath, to extend the south bounds of that township one hundred rods, the full breadth of their town, and the one hundred rods of land is accordingly granted and con- firmed unto them as an equivalent for the aforesaid five hundred acres. In Council : read and concurred.
Consented to : "W. Bdrnett.
A true copy :
Examined by Thad. Mason, Deputy Sec'ry. A true copy :
Examined by Benja. Rolfe, Proprietors' Clerk.
At a meeting [held in the Council Chamber in Boston, the eighteenth day of January, Anno Domini 1725,] of the Committee of the Great and General Court or Assembly, appointed at theii- session began and held at Boston, upon Wednesday, the third day of November, 1725, Anno y R. Georgii. Mao-. Brittan- nise, &c. duodecimo, for bringing forward and settling a tract of land at a place called Penny Cook, on each side of Merrimack river, to begin where Contoo- cook empties itself into Memmack :
PRESENT,
The Honorable William Tailcr, Esqr., Elisha Cook, Esqr., William Dudley, Esqr., John Wainwright, Esq., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders, Eleazar Tyng, Esqr., and Mr. Joseph Wilder.
Voted, That John Wainwright, Esq., be Clerk. 5
66
THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
difficult to pass. One of our men going over, having a heavy load on his Horse, was thrown off into the River^ and lost one of the Baggs of provisions, M'hich we lost, not having time to look after it. Another of our men fell into y" River. Here we met with two men Col'i Tyng sent up before us with some stores, [Benj'l Niccolls and Eben"; Virgin, two of y^ setlers;] and about one a'Clock we passed Penny Cook River, [cdias Shew Brook or Sow Cook ;] pretty deep and very rocky. Here one of our Men tumbled into the River. In a short time after we came up as fur as Penny Cook Falls, on Merri- mack River, and then we steered our Course North, and travelled over a large pitch pine plain, [indifferent Land,] about three miles at least in Length, and proceeded on our Journey : and about five a'Clock, afternoon, we arrived at Penny Cook, and Encamped on a piece of Intervale Land or plain called Sugar Ball plain, which takes its name from a very high Head or Hill, called Sugar Ball Hill, ■whereon was the first Indian Fort, as we were informed, which the Indians in old times built to defend themselves from the Maquois and others their Enemies. — Just as we were making up our Camp,
Voted, Tliat a book be bought for entering the votes and orders of the com- mittee, and for the use of the community.
Voted, That the committee meet on Wednesday, the second day of February next, at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, inn-holder, in Haverhill.
Voted, That the clerk prepare advertisements of the above said meeting of the committee, in the words following, viz. :
" Pursuant to an order of the Great and General Court, or Assembly, at a session began and held at Boston, upon Wednesday, the third day of November, 1725, appointing a committee to bring forward a settlement of a tract of land at a place called Penny Cook —
" Public Notice is hereby given that the said committee have appointed to meet at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, inn-holder, in Haverhill, on Wednesday, the second day of February next, to treat with a number of per- sons, petitioners for the said tract of land, and others, in order to bring forward a settlement thereon according to the directions of the General Court. By order of the Committee,
John Wainwright, C. Clerh.
Dated at Boston, 18th day of Jan'ry, 1725.
At a meeting of the committee of the General Court for bringing forward the settlement of a tract of land at Penny Cook, begun and held at the house of Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, the second day of February, 1725 —
Present, John Wainwright, Esqr., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Sanders, Eleazar Tyng, Esqr., and Mr. Joseph Wilder.
There being but just a quorum of the committee present, and Mr. Chairman, with tlic remainder of the committee, being detained on the road by reason of the extremity of the weather, — Ordered, That the meeting be adjourned till to- morrow morning, ten o'clock.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 67
there came up a smart Thunder Shower, and we had enough to do to save our Bread from the Rain. This Sugar Ball plain is a pretty large Tract of Land, encompassed on all parts with very high and mountainous Laud, as steep as the Hoof of an House ordinarily: only where the River runs round it, which encompasses the other parts of it. It is altogether impracticable for a Team, or indeed HorsG Cart to get on y® plains, y" land is so mountainous round it : and there is no Spring on it, as we could find.
Satunlai/, 3Iay 14'.^ This Morning Early we got together the Surveyors and Chainrnen, and set them to Survey the Township ac- cording to the General Court's order. M"". Jonas Houghton, Sur- veyor, with Jonathan Shipley, Josiah Cop, Moses Ilazzen and Benj'} Niccolls, Chainmen, being first Sworn truly and faithfully to discharge their respective Duty and Trust in taking the Survey, were sent to run the line of the Township, according to y® Court's Grant : to begin on y« East side the River, where Contoocook falls into Merri- mack. M"; Josiah Bacheldor, Surveyor, with John , Ens. John
Chandler, Chainmen, being first duly sworn, were appointed to Survey the Interval, on the East side of the River; M*; Richard Hazzen, Junf, Surveyor, with John Ayer, John Sanders, Juny, Chain-
Thursday, Feb'rij 3d, 1725, At a meeting of the committee —
PRESENT,
The Honorable "William Taller, Esqr., Elisha Cook, Esqr., John Wainwright, Esqr.. Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders, Eleazar Tyng, Esqr., Spencer Phipps, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Wilder —
Agreed and Voted, That some of the principal inhabitants of the towns to which the generality of the petitioners belong, be desired to attend the commit- tee, and inform them of the circumstances of the petitioners and others, in order to the committee's admitting such of them as shall be thought most suitable for bringing forward the settlement of Penny Cook. Capt. John White, Mr. Oba- diah Ayer and Capt. Joshua Bayley, of Haverhill ; Capt. Benjamin Stevens, Messrs. John Chandler and John Osgood, of Andover ; Messrs. Moses Day and David Kimball, of Bradford, did accordingly attend the committee.
Then the committee adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock.
Friday, Feb'ry 4th, 1725. At a meeting of the committee : Present the same as yesterday.
The committee proceeded to inquire further into the circumstances of the petitioners and others who appeared and were desirous to be admitted to bring forwaad the intended settlement, and admitted several of them.
Then the committee adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock.
Saturday, Feb. 5th, 1725. At a meeting of the committee : Present as before. The committee further proceeded to admit settlers, and completed the number according to the order of Court. A list whereof follows, each of whom paid
68
THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
men, being first duely Sworn, were appointed to survey the Intervale on }'« West side of the River Merrimack, in which Service thej sev- erally proceeded. About Twelve of the Clock this day, Mess";^ Nath| Weare, lliehard Waldron, Junf, and Theadore Atkinson, a Com- mittee appointed by the L^. Gov', and Council of New Hampshire, came up to our Camp, [being attended with about half a score Irish men, who kept some Distance from the Camp,] and acquainted us that the Governm' of New Hampshire, being informed of our Busi- ness here, had sent them to desire us that we would not proceed in appropriating these Lands to any private or particular persons, for that they lay in their Government ; and our Governments making a
twenty shillings to Mr. Chairman, upon their admittance to pay and defray the
charge of the committee, • Zebediah Barker, John Osgood, Benjamin Parker, Moses Day, John Sanders, Robert Kimball, Nathaniel Abbott, Stephen Osgood, John Wright, Ebenezer Stevens, Thomas Page, Eobert Peaslee, John Grainger, Timothy Johnson, Wilham White, Samuel Reynolds, Nath'l Lovejoy, John Saunders, jun., John Chandler, Thomas Blanchard, Joseph Parker, Nathan Parker, John Foster, Ephraira Farnum, Mr. Samuel Phillips, Eben'r Eastman, David Kimball, Nicholas White, John Merrill, Samuel Grainger, Benja. Stevens, Esqr., Eben'r Lovejoy, William Barker, James Parker,
Christopher Carlton, John Austin, Samuel Kimball, Nath'l Clement, Samuel Ayer, Joseph Davis, Nehemiah Heath, Nath'l Sanders, Abraham Foster, Nath'l Barker, Samuel Davis, Samuel Toppan, Am mi Ruhamah Wise, Jonathan Pulsepher, John Ayer, Thomas Perley, for Nath'l Cogswell, David Dodge, Benja. Carlton, Nath'l Page, Edward Clark, Ephraim Davis, Stephen Emerson, Andrew Mitchell, Benja. Gage, Nath'l Peaslee, William Gutterson, Enoch Coffin, Richard Urann, Ephraim Hildreth, Thomas Colman, David Wood, Joseph Hale, Nehemiah Carlton,
John Mattis, William Whittier, Joseph Page, John Bayley, Joseph Hall, Benjamin Niccolls, John Jaques, Bezaliel Toppan, Nathaniel Jones, Eben'r Virgin, Thomas Wicomb, John Peabody, Jona. Hubbard, for
Daniel Davis, Jacob Fames, Joshua Bayley, Richard Coolidge, Isaac Walker, James Simonds, John Coggin, Jacob Abbott, Moses Hazzen, Moses Bordman, Nathan Fiske, Zerobbabel Snow, Nathan Blodgett, John Pecker, Richard Hazzen, jr., Isaac Learned, Jonathan Shipley, Edward Winn, Nathan Simonds, Obadiah Ayer, Henry Rolfe. 100.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS.
69
Grant might be attended with very 111 Consequences to the Settlers, when it appeared the Lands fell in New Hampshire Government — and then they delivered a Copy of an order pass'd by th'' Honour, the L^. Gov^. and Council of New Hampshire, respecting the Setling
of the L:uid at Penny Cook, to which we refer. We made them
answer, That the Government of the Massachusetts Bay had sent us to lay the Lands here into a Township; that they had made a Grant of it to some particular men, and that we should proceed to do the Business we were come upon, and made no doubt but our Govern-
Tlie committee received the following application from the admitted settlers, viz. :
To the Honorable Committee of the General Court, for brinrjinj forward the settle- ment of Penny Cool:
We, the subscribers, being admitted settlers at Penny Cook, and being very desirous that the settlement may be brought forward with the greatest expedi- tion, according to the rules and directions of the General Court, do therefore request that the community may be notified to appear at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, on Monday, the seventh day of this instant, February, at twelve of the clock in said day, in order to make such necessary rules and orders as shall be thought most conducible for the bringing forward our intended settlements, agreeable to the order of Court.
Benjamin Stevens, Jonathan Hubbard, Robert Kimball, Ammi Rbuhamah Wise, Thomas Pearley, Samuel Reynolds, Ephraim Hildreth, John Sanders, Joseph Hale, Obadiah Ayer, John Pecker, Thomas Wicomb, Joshua Bayley, Nathan Blodgett, Ebenezer Eastman, Edward Clarke, Thomas Colraan, Nathan Simonds, Andrew Mitchell, Enoch CofSn, James Simonds, Zerobbabel Snow, Nehemiah Carlton,
Jacob Abbott, John Coggin, Bezaliel Toppan, John Jaqucs, John Peabody, Nehemiah Heath, Benjamin Gage, Stephen Emerson, Epbraim Farnum, Nathaniel Page, Henry Rolfe, William Barker, Jacob Eamcs, William White, Samuel Kimball, Benja. Carlton, David Dodge, Isaac Walker, Samuel Ayer, John Grainger, John Osgood, Nath'l Barker, Ebenezer Stevens,
Thomas Page, Joseph Page, Benja. Parker, Samuel Toppan, Nath'l Clement, John Mattis, Richard Hazzen, jun'r, David Kimball, Moses Hazzen, Nathaniel Sanders, Edward Winn, Joseph Davis, John Foster, Samuel Davis, Ephraim Davis, John Merrill, Nathan Parker, Nath'l Peaslee, John Chandler, Nicholas White, Nath'l Lovcjoy, Moses Day.
And the committee having considered thereof, and for the avoiding considera- ble charge to the settlers, did concede to make the following order, viz. :
70
THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
ment would be always ready to Support and Justifie their own Grants, and that it was the Bisness of the publick and not ours to Engage in, in order to determine any Controversy about the Lands. We sent our Salutes to the JJ. Gov', of New Hampshire, and the Gent'." took their Leave of us and w' homeward this afternoon. The Surveyors and Chainmen returned to us in Safety about Sun down. Fair Weather.
Sahhath day, May 15'.* This day M"". Enoch Coffin, our Chaplain, performed divine Service both parts of the day. Fair and Cool.
At a meeting of the committee for bringing forward the settlement at Penny- Cook —
PEESENT,
The Honorable William Tailer, Esq., Elisha Cook, Esq., Spencer Phipps, Esq., John Wainwright, Esq., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders, Elcazar Tyng, Esq., and Mr. Josej^h Wilder.
Agreed and Voted, That proper notifications bo given to the intended settlers now admitted, to assemble and convene in order for the making the necessary rules and orders, and at the time and place as within mentioned and requested. Attest: John Wainwright, C. Clerk.
Dated at Haverhill, February ye 5th, 1725.
Then the clerk published the said order to the settlers. Then the committee adjourned till Monday, ye, 7th curr't, at 10 o'clock before noon.
Monday, February ye 7(h, 1725. At a meeting of the committee — present, the same as last.
Agreed and Voted, That there be two surveyors and four chainmen to attend the committee upon the next adjournment, to allot out the said tract of land into one hundred and three equal parts and shares, according to the order of the General Court.
The settlers came into the following orders and rules for their future regula- tion and proceedings in tlieir intended settlement, viz. :
At a meeting of the subscribers, admitted settlei'S of the land at Penny Cook, held at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, the seventh day of February, 1725, the committee of the General Court for bringing forward the said settlement being present, and the subscribers being duly notified, the follow- ing rules and oi'ders were unanimously agreed on and resolved, viz. : That the settlers will well and truly fulfil the conditions and orders of the Great and General Court for bringing forward the settlement at Penny Cook to all intents and purposes ; and for the eficctual accomplishing the same, it is agreed and resolved. That such and so many of the intended settlers as shall fail of plowing, fencing or clearing of one acre of land within twelve months from the first day of June next, shall each of them forfeit and pay to the community or settlers the sum of five pounds, to be used and employed for tlieir service as they shall direct and order.
In case of failure of complying with the aforesaid article for bringing forward the intended settlement within two years from the said first day of June, and of
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 71
Mondo)/, Maij 16'.'' This morning at Sun Kising, according to Notification, we choose a Representative, ncm. con., vizj, M"; Jnl San- ders. Early this morning the Surveyors and Chainmen went out to their Business respectively. Four of" the Company that came out with us returned to Haverhill this day. At night the Surveyors returned. M": Ilougton's Company brought in a Bever. M^. Haz- zen's acquainted us they had caught a Hedge Hogg. Fine clear Weather.
Tuesday, May 17'/' This morning Early M'. Houghton and Com- pany went over to the West side of the River, in order to run the Line of the Town on that side, and took two days' provision. Mr Bacheldor and Company went on with Surveying the Interval on y East side of the River. M^. Hazzen and Company went on with Surveying y^ Interval on y" West side of y® River. At Night the two last Surveyors and their Corapanys returned, and gave an acco* that they had Surveyed the Interval on each side of the River. M'. Bacheldor informed the Committee that he was of opinion that Gov": Endecott's Grant of 500 Acres of Land claimed by the Hon*"* Judge Sewall, lay on y^ Interval on the East side the River ; that he discovered an Island in y" River very much like that in the plan of ye s'J 500 acre Grant. Fair pleasant Weather.
each settler having a sufficiency of timber felled, hauled, and adapted for build- ing his house within six months after the direction of the committee of the Gen- eral Court for building the same, sucli defective settler or settlers shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten pounds each, to be used and employed as aforesaid.
And in ease of any settler or settlers failing to comply with the orders and directions enjoined him or them respectively, by the General Court, for bringing forward and effectually completing the settlement within two years and a half from the said first day of June next, such settler or settlers shall absolutely for- feit the lot or lots by him or them drawn, with all the improvements that shall be made thereon to the other settlers ; and in such case it shall be in the power of the other settlers, with the consent of the committee of the General Court, to appoint and admit such person or persons to bring forward the settlements or allotments of the deficient persons as aforesaid, as may be judged will effectu- ally bring forward the settlements according to the Court's order.
Agreed and Resolved, That no alienation of any lot shall be made without the consent of the community ; and if any of the intended settler or settlers shall alienate his or their lots or settlements, to any person or persons, without the consent of the community first had and obtained, such sale shall be declared void of itself, and the settler that shall so pretend to alienate his lot shall forfeit the same to the community.
Agreed and Voted, That Messrs. Timothy Johnson, Moses Day and Joshua Bayley be a committee, in the name of the settlers, to wait on the Honorable Committee of the General Court for giving out notifications proper for the set- tlers to assemble and convene for the future, as shall hereafter be thought neces- sary.
Agreed and Voted, That ilr. Obadiah Ayer be desired and empowered, in the
72
THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
Wednesday/, May y^ 18'^ This morning Early some of y^ Com- mittee went over to y^ West side of the River with M"; Hazzen and Company, and some of them with M'. Batcheldor and Comp^, to lay out the Home Lotts according to the order of y® General Court. On ye "Wegt side the Committee and Surveyor met with Great Difficulty to find a tract large enough to lay out the Number of Lotts and their contents agreeable to the Court's Act, but at length agreed they should be lay'd out on the Great Interval, over against Sugar Plain and the Land next adjoining thereto, having first made a Beginning on the Upland next adjoining to the Interval : but found it imprac- ticable if not impossible to lay out the Land there into Six Acre Lotts so as to be fenced and broken up within Three Years : the con-
name of the settlers, to examine the General Court's Records, and see if there be any former grant made of any of the lands now granted and ordered to be settled at Penny Cook, and report to the settlers at their next meeting.
Benjamin Stevens, Henry Rolfe, Enoch Coffin, Edward Clark, Stephen Osgood, Zerubbabel Snow, Timothy Johnson, William Barker, John Osgood, David Kimball, Joseph Davis, David Dodge, Ammi Rhuhamah Wise, John Chandler, Moses Day, Ebenezer Eastman, John Pecker, Isaac Walker, John Saunders, junr., Nathan Simonds, John Coggin, Obadiah Ayer, Nehemiah Carlton, Ephraim Hiklreth, Jacob Eames, Nehemiah Heath,
John Peabody, John Sanders, Benja. Carlton, Samuel Kimball, Andrew Mitchell, Joshua Bayley, Nathan Blodgett, Thomas Blanchard, James Simonds, Robert Kimball, Ephraim Farnum,
Bis
Saml. X Reynolds,
mark.
Richard Hazzen, jun, Nath'l Sanders, Joseph Hale, Sam'l Grainger,
His
Edward X Winn,
Benjamin Parker,
John Merrill,
Nath'l Barker,
Robert Peaslee,
Benja. Gage, iiis Abraliam X Posters,
Jonathan Hubbard,
Josepli Parker,
His
John X Mattis, A true copy of the original. Attest : Then the committee adjourned till to-morow morning, ten o'clocli
Bezaliel Toppan, William Gutterson, Nicliolas White, Thomas Wicomb, Thomas Page, John Grainger, Nath'l Abbott, Ebenezer Lovejoy, Moses Hazzen, Nathan Lovejoy, Nathan Parker, Joseph Hall, Jonathan Shipley, Richard Urann, Thomas Colman, Joseph Page, Ebenezer Stevens, Nath'l Clement, John Wright, John Austen, Stephen Emerson, John Jaques, William White, Nath'l Page, Nath'l Peaslee, Samuel Ayer.
John Wainwrigut, C. Clerk.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 73
tents being too large wlioUy to be lay'd out there. Towards Evening M"; Houghton and Company returned to y" Camp from the Line on the West side of the River, and at Evening the other two Surveyors and Comp'7 returned. M'. Bacheldor informed they had taken y^ Copy of Gov": Endicott's Grant, and been upon the Land they supposed to be the Land laid out formerly and Surveyed to satisfie the s** Grant ; that it agreed Exactly with the plan, and consisted principally of In- terval L^md, and that the Grant extended down the River within Eighty pole of the place where the Irish people had lately built a
Tuesdai/, Februart/ ye 8th, 1725. At a meeting of the committee — present, the same as before.
Mr. Wainwriglit, clerk, to the committee, was sworn to the faitliful execution of his office.
Coram : Elisha Cooke, J. Pads.
A true copy of the original :
Examined by John Wainwright, C. Clerk.
Agreed and Voted, That the committee meet at the iiousc of Col. Tyng, at Dunstable, on Tuesday, the fifth day of April next, in order to proceed to Penny Cook, to lay out the land into lots, according to the Court's order.
Agreed and Voted, That Col. Tyng be desired to prepare fifteen days' provis- ions for twenty men.
Ordered, That the clerk put up notifications that the committee expect and direct each of the intended settlers to pay into the hands of the committee they have appointed for application for calling of meetings, the sum of forty shillings, for defraying the charge of the committee, the money to be ready at Col. TjTig's, at Dunstable, on or before the fifth day of April next.
Attest : JoHX "VYainwright, C. Cleric.
March ye 2&h, 1726. Upon advice from Mr. Chairman, that the General Court would sit on the thirteenth of April next, and the committee being mem- bers of the Court, notifications were given out that the committee could not meet at the time proposed to go to Penny Cook.
At a meeting of the committee for bringing forward the settlement at Penny Cook, held at the house of Francis Holmes, in Boston, April 14, 1726 :
PRESENT,
The Honorable William Taller, Esqr., Spencer Phipps, Esqr., William Dud- ley, Esqr., John Wainwriglit, Esqr., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Sanders, Eleazar Tyng, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Wilder.
Agreed and Voted, That the committee proceed to Haverhill on the second Tuesday of May next, in order to go to Penny Cook to lay out the lots and settlements, agreeable to the General Court's order.
Agreed and Voted, That Mr. Wilder provide one sun-eyor and Mr. Wain- wright provide the other.
Agreed and Voted, That the settlers' committee, viz., Messrs. Timothy John- son, Moses Day and Joshua Bayley, be desired to notify the settlers to get ready
/4 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
fort : so that there remained but a small quantity of Interval, which would accommodate not half a score Home Lotts : so they had not laid any Lotts out that side the River. This day, fine pleasant Weather. It may be observed that divers Rattle Snakes were killed dayley by the several Companys in Surveying, but Thanks be to God no Body received any Harm from them.
Thursday/, May if 19'.'* This Morning the Com^^^ agreed to send M"". Houghton and M^ Hazzen, with y® Cliainmen, (some of the Com- mittee concluding to be with them,) to finish the laying out the Lotts
fifteea dajs' provision for the committee and their attendants, whicli will be about twenty persons, with the committee.
Agreed and Voted, That the settlers' committee be desired to notify the settlers that the committee expect and direct each of them to pay forty shillings to their Committee, to be ready at Haverhill on the second Tuesday of May next, which is to defray the charge of the committee, surveyors and chainmen, &c.
Attest: John Wainwright, C. Clerk,
At a meeting of the committee for bringing forward the settlement at Penny Cook, held at Haverhill the tenth day of May, Anno Domini 1726 —
PRESENT,
The Honorable William Tailer, Esqr., John Wainwright, Esqr., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Sanders, Eleazar Tyng, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Wilder.
The committee, with the surveyors and chainmen, and a number of the admitted settlers attending them, proceeded to Penny Cook, and laid out one hundred and three home lots or divisions on the west side of the river, in equal proportion, according to quantity and quality, as near as the land would admit thereof, agreeable to the order and last direction of the Great and General Court, and then they returned to Haverhill, to receive the payment of two hun- dred pounds, to defray the charges of the survey of the town and laying out the home lots, as above said, and the said committee defrayed the said charges accordingly.
The settlers of the township at Penny Cook are hereby notified and warned to assemble and convene at the house of Mr. Francis Crumpton, at Ipswich, on Tuesday, the sixth 'day of September, at eleven of the clock before noon, to draw their respective lots according to the General Court's order, and raise the sum of one hundred pounds, to defray the charge of laying out a way to the township, and other necessary charges, which may be thought reasonable to be allowed. By order of the committee :
JouN Wainwright, C. Cleric.
Boston, August ye 27th, 1726.
At a meeting of the connnittee for bringing forward the settlement at Penny Cook, held at the house of Mr. Francis Crumpton, at Ipswich, the seventh day of September, Anno Domini 1726 :
I'RESENT,
The Honorable William Tailer, Esqr., Spencer Phipps, Esqr., John Wain-
rROPRIETARY RECORDS. ib
on the "West side the River, agreeable to the Court's order. About Six of the Clock Col" Tailer, M": Wainwright and Col<J Tyng, with M"; Coffin and 13 others, took their Leave of y® remaining part of the Committee and set out on their Journey back to Haverhill. Cloudy Weather and some small Showers. We baited on the Intervale to the Eastward of Suncook River, a few minutes, and then steered our Course for Amoskeeg Falls, where we arrived about Eleven a' Clock, and found abundance of Irish men catching fish. By the account we could get of them, we supposed they killed in the season Seven or
wriglit, Esqr., Capt. John Sliipley, Mr. Jolui Siuulers and Eleazar Tyng, Esqr.
The settlers came into the following orders and rules for the bringing forward and effecting the settlement which the committee received from them, viz. :
At a meeting of the proprietors of the town of Penny Cook, assembled at Ipswich, September ye 7th, 1726 —
Agreed and Voted, That Capt. Benjamin Stevens, Esqr., be and is appointed treasurer, to receive of the Honoral)le General Court's committee the money which they have received from said admitted settlers, and not expended in defraying their own charges, the said money to be disposed of in marking out and clearing a way to Penny Cook.
Agreed and Voted, That there shall be three men chosen a committee to go out and clear a sufficient cart way to Penny Cook, the nighest and best Avay they can from Haverhill. For said committee were chosen, Ensn. John Chandler, of Andover ; John Ayer, of Haverhill, and Mr. William Barker, of Andover.
Agreed and Voted, That the said committee be paid out of the money which may be in the treasurer's hands, so far as that will go, [for their said service,] the remainder, if any be wanting, to be defrayed by the community.
Agreed and Voted, That Mr. Obadiah Ayer be paid out of the treasury forty shillings, money for his service in searching the province records, in order to find out any former grant of Pennj' Cook.
Agreed and Voted, That Mr. Obadiah Ayer make application to the Honorable General Court at their next session in belialf of the admitted settlers of Penny Cook, in order to ha^-e the five hundred pounds abated, and the five hundred acres, [being an equivalent for Mr. Sewall's farm,] added to said township.
The settlers completed their payment of twenty shillings each, making in the whole the sum of one hundred pounds to Mr. Chairman, inclusive of what orders were given to their treasurer for the delinquents to pay him.
1 7 ^2 G .
At a meeting of the committee for bringing forward the settlement at the township lately granted at Penny Cook, held at the Council Chamber in Bos- ton, the third day of January, Anno Domini 1726 :
PRESENT.
The Honoral)Ie William Tailer, Esqr., William Dudley, Esqr., Jolm Wain- wright, Esqr., Capt. John Shipley, Eleazar Tyng, Esqr., and Mr. Joseph W^ilder. Agreed and Voted, That the charge of the settlers hitherto necessarily arising
76 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
Eight hundred Barrells of Shad. After some short tarry we set out for Nutfield, and in our way there we over took abundance of the Irish with loaded horses returning from Amoskeeg, and met a many of them going to the Falls for their Loads. About two a' Clock, af- ternoon, we arrived at Johny Barr's, at Nutfield, where we refreshed our Selves and our Horses, and made a considerable tarry there, and then sot out for Haverhill. We stoped a little while at Providence Brook, and about Sun down we arrived at M"". Eastman's in Safety, by Divine protection. M*; Bacheldor, the Surveyor, came back with us.
for laj'ing out a cart-way from Haverhill to the aforesaid township, &c., and be laid before the committee appointed by the settlers, viz. : Lt. Timothy Johnson and others, for their perusal and examination, and that they report their opinion to Benjamin Stevens, Esqr., of Andover, treasurer to the settlers, what charges ought to be allowed and paid, who is hereby ordered and directed to pay the same accordingly out of the settlers' money in his hands.
Agreed and Voted, That the Honorable William Tailer, Esqr., William Dud- ley, Esqr., and John Wainwright, Esq., be desired to meet at the dwelling-house of Benjamin Stevens, Esqr., in Andover, on Tuesday, the seventh day of Feb- ruary next, in order to receive of each settler a bond, with sufficient surety, for the sum of five pounds, that so they may draw their respective lots, and proceed on the premises granted, and effectually bring forward the said settlement, according to the grant of the General Court.
Attest : John Wainwright, C. Clerk.
At a meeting of the committee for bringing forward the settlement of the township at Penny Cook, held at Andover, the 7th and 8th of February, 1726 :
PRESENT,
The Honorable William Tailer, Esqr., William Dudley, Esqr., John Wain- wright, Esqr., Capt. John Shipley, Mr. John Saunders.
The committee proceeded to take a bond of five pounds from each of the admitted settlers, under hand and seal respectively, for the payment of five hundred pounds for the use of this province, when the General Court shall order the committee to demand the same of them, on peralty of forfeiting their title and interest, &c., in and to the lands respectively, as by the said bonds lodged in the hands of Mr. Chairman, and the clerk may fully appear, reference being there- unto had.
The committee then allowed the settlers to draw their lots, which was accord- ingly done, as appears by the following list of their names and the lots entered to them :
Enoch Coffin, N. 36, 26.
John Peabody, N. 37, 27.
Richard Urann, 42, 6, 3d range.
Andrew Mitchell, N. 19, 13.
Mr. Samuel Phillips, N. 25, 38. 2d range.
Samuel Ayer, N. 5, 9, island range.
John Grainger, N. 1, 62, 2d range.
Henry Rolfe, N. 45, 9, 3d range.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 1(
The Andover men parted from us after we refreshed our selves at Johny Barr's, at Nutfield.
Fridai/, Mai/ if 20'/' This Morning cloudy, Lowry Weather, and very Sultry hot ; Wind Southerly. We sent for M'. Browne, the Minister of y® Town, to dine with us. M"! Bacheldor, the Surveyor, was Employed in making a fair plann of the Interval on y® East side of the River, which he surveyed.
Saturdai/, May if 21f Fair Weather.
The order of the Council of New-Hampshire, referred to in the foregoing journal, with other proceedings respecting Pena- cook, will be read with interest in the following documents, viz. :
Extracts from the Message o/ Lieut. Gov. Wentworth to the General AssemUy, held at Portsmouth, April 11, 1726.
'' The Massachusetts are daily encroaching on us. A late instance we have in voting a Township should be erected and settled at Pen- nycook, which will certainly be in the very bowels of this Province, and which will take in the most valuable part of our Lands.
"I would therefore recommend this matter to your mature consid- eration ; and am pursuaded that you will consult such measures that
John Sanders, junr., N. 21, 15.
Thomas Page, N. 3, 49.
William Barker, N. 36, .59, 3(1 range.
Isaac Walker, N. 28, 33, 2cl range.
Joseph Davis, N. 44, 8, 3d range.
John Coggin, N. 10, 71, 3d range.
Benjamin Parker, N. 37, 1, 3d range.
Edward Clarke, N. 7, 4, island range.
Stephen Osgood, 8, 3, island range.
Benjamin Gage, N. 8, 0, lowest range.
Moses Day, N. 25, 19,
David Kimball, 24, 18.
Benjamin Stevens, Esqr., N. 1, 5, island range.
John Chandler, N. 7, 68, 2d range.
Ebenezer Virgin, N. 6, 10, island range.
John Pecker, 23, 17.
Moses Hazzen, N. 31, 37.
William Gutterson, N. 27, 21.
Joseph Hale, N. 29, 45.
Ephraim Davis, N. 10, 2.
John Wright, N. 33, 29.
Jacob Eames, N. 33, 40, 2d range.
Jacob Abbott, N. 12, 47.
Christopher Carlton, N. 5, 7.
Nathaniel Page, N. 34, 28, 2d range.
78 THE PLANTATION OF PENACOOK.
may be not only serviceable, but for the honour of His Majesty's Province, which I assure you I shall cheerfully embrace.
" I have lately represented this affiiir to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, and have transmitted the best and exactest draught of this Province, Merrimack River and situation of Penni- cook to their Lordships, praying their favour in obtaining a settlement of the lines, giving instances where in it highly concerns the interest of the Crown."
The General Assembly, in reply to this part of the Governor's
message, say :
" As to the settling the lines between the Governments, we shall take it under our serious consideration."
Pro : or \ At a CounciUield at Portsmouth, May 10«*, 1726.
N. HaMP. I PRESENT,
His Honour Jno : Wentworth, Esq., L*. Gov": Mark Hunking, ") Rich"? Wibird,
Geo : Jafprey, [-Esq^. Joth: Odiorne.
SnADt Walton, )
It being reported to the board that in Pursuance of a late vote of the Gen' iVssembly of the Province of Mass'i sundry persons are go- ing or gone to lay out and take possession of and settle upon some of
Samuel Kimball, N. 18, 103, 2d range.
Nathan Simonds, N. 31, 31, 2d range.
David Dodge, N. 4, 48.
Robert Peaslee, N. 26, 20.
Eichard Coolidge, right drawn by Sam'l Jones, N. 39, 3, 3d range.
Thomas Wicomb, N. 14, 55, 2d range.
liobert Kimball, N. 43, 7, 3d range.
John Saunders, N. 13, 54, 2d range.
Nathaniel Clement, N. 6, lowest range.
Ebenczer Lovcjoy, N. 4, 8, island range.
John Osgood, N. 11, lowest range.
Zerobbabel Snow, N. 35, 61, 3d range.
Ebenezer Eastman, N. 9, 70, 2d range.
Jonathan Shipley, N. 5, 66, 2d range.
John Austin, N. 7, 5.
Edward Winn, N. 34, 25.
Ebenczer Stevens, N. 17, 58, 2d range.
Joseph Page, N. 29, 32, 2d range.
Samuel Davis, N. 46, 10, 3d range.
Ephraim Hildreth, N. 10, lowest range.
James Parker, N. 28, 22.
Nathan Lovejoy, N. 22, 16.
Samuel Reynolds, N. 16, 10.
John Foster, N. 20, 14.
PROPRIETARY RECORDS. 79
his Majesty's lands witliin the limits of this Province, at or near a Place called Pennecook, without the consent of this Governm' for so doing; which is not only,unneighborly, but unjustifiable, and has a tendency to the destroying the mast trees fit for His Majesty's ser- vice that may be growing thereon; which the Lieu'. Gov"; and Council in faithfulness to His Majesty, and in discharge of the trust reposed in them, cannot pass by without bearing testimony against : It is therefore
Ordered, That a Committee in behalf of this Govern*, viz. : Messrs. Nath' Weare, Theo'J Atkinson and Richard "VValdron, jun., immedi- ately repair to s** Pennecook, and forewarn any persons whom they may find there or thereat from laying out, taking possession of, or settling at or near the place called Pennecook, or presuming to ap- propriate any other of His Majesty's lands within this Province, till they shall have the countenance and grant of this Govern'^ for so
James Simonds, N. 41, 5, 3d range. Joseph Parker, N. 24, 39, 2d range.
Nathan Fisk's right drawn by Zech. Chandler, N. 4, 65, 2d range. Zebediah Barker's right drawn by Edw'd Abbott, N. IC, 57, 2d range. John Bayley's right drawn by Samuel White, N. 14, 8. William Whittier, N. 6, 6. Joshua Bayley, N. 33, 24. Ammi Rhuhamah Wise, N. 26, 35, 2d range. William White, N. 7, lowest range. Nathaniel Peaslee, N. 1, lowest range. Thomas Colman, N. 8, 4. John Jaqucs, N. 17, 11. Obadiah Ayer, N. 5, lowest range. Abraham Foster, N. 3, 64, 2d range. John Mattis, N. 20, 43, 2d range. John Merrill, N. 27, 34, 2d range. Thos. Pearley, for Nath'l Cogswell, N. 38, 2, 3d range. David Wood, No. 9, 2, island range. Nathaniel Abbott, N. 12, 53, 2d range. John Ayer, N. 2, 6, island range. Nathan Blodgett, N. 15, 56, 2d range. Benja. Carlton, N. 18, 12. Jona. Hubbard, for Daniel Davis, N. 30, 36. Ephraim Farnum, N. 15, 9. Stephen Emerson, N. 9, 3. Timothy Johnson, N. 10, 1, island range.
Nath'l Barker's right dra\^^^ by Solomon Martin, N. 19, 44, 2d r. Nehemiah Heath, N. 3, 7, island range. Nathaniel Sanders, N. 32, 30, 2d range. Nathaniel Jones, N. 6, 67, 2d range. Samuel Grainger, N. 22, 41, 2d range. Thomas Blanchard, N. 21, 42, 2d range.
80 THE pla:ntation of penacook.
doing; and to direct them in an amicable way forthwith to withdraw themselves from the s^ land, and their Pretensions to it by virtue of the aforesaid vote of the Gren' Assembly of the Massachusetts.
R. Waldron, Clerk Couns.
In obedience to an order of His Hon., tlie Lieu\ GovF, and the Hon'J'e the Council, made the lO^h Instant, appointing us a Com- mittee, with directions to repair immediately to Pennecook and forewarn any