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GENEIALOGY COLLECTION

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CONTRIBUTIONS

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD.

OCCUPATION AND SETTLEMENTS.

EARLY OCCUPATION AND FIRST SETTLEMENTS CONTINUED— HOME LIFE-
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.— THE DERRYFIELD SOCIAL LIBRARY-
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

BY WILLIAM E. MOORE.

X PAPER READ BEFORE THE

MANCHESTER HISTORIC ASSOCIATION.

PART V.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

P/?/CE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.

Entered according to Act of Congress

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington,

District of Columbia.

1897.

1212371

CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD.

BY WILLIAM E. MOORE.

k

CHAPTER X.

EARLY OCCUPATION AND SETTLEMENT CONCLUDED.

In the preceding chapter the attempt was made to present a
long-distance view of the times preceding and immediately fol-
lowing the first permanent settlements in New England. Con-
tinuing the inquiry it will be our endeavor to ascertain and set
forth in order the dates of the first authorized expeditions into
New Hampshire.

The first patent granted by the London Company to the May-
flower Pilgrims was applied for in 1617 and granted in 1619.
Landing and luncheon over, like cats in strange garrets, these
colonisis sent out exploring parties in every direction, and were
not long in discovering the Merrimack, which they approached
in the neighborhood of Haverhill, the course of the river at that
point being nearly due east. Disregarding an earlier patent of
1606, under which some abortive attempts at colonization took
place, we come next to the Gorges and Mason patent of 1620,
superseded in 1621 by what was then known as the "Mariana"
grant. It is only necessary for our purpose to remember that
the grantors were so ignorant of the territory granted that they
had supposed the east and west course of the Merrimack contin-
ued to its source, which was thought to be Lake Champlain. In

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1622, however, another patent to Gorges and Mason conveyed
what was known as the Laconia grant, including land "situated
between the Rivers of Merrimack and Sagadehock, extending
back to the great lakes and rivers of Canada." Under this last
grant settlements were simultaneously made at Portsmouth and
Dover Neck, in the spring of 1623. In March, 1627, a grant to
Henry Roswell conveyed "the territory between a line running
from the Atlantic ocean three miles south of the mouth of the
Charles River, and every part thereof, and a line extending from
the Atlantic ocean, three miles north of the Merrimack river and
every part thereof," How far inland this great paralellogram
extended from the sea no one knew, and at that time no one be-
lieved, not even the grantees, that the northern limit extended
more than three miles beyond an east and west line projected
from Newburyport to Haverhill. The last fatal misconception
was the source of much subsequent trouble and disagreement,
the last echo of which did not die for two hundred and seventy
years, when the boundary line between New Hampshire and
Massachusetts was finally and definitely agreed upon — in favor
of Massachusetts.

Up to this time every grant and patent, and all the territory
held or claimed to be held under them, as well as every occupa-
tion and settlement, were made in entire disregard of the right
or ownership of the Indians to any of the territory in question.
In the spring of 1629, however, the famous Wheelwright deed
was executed by Passaconaway and three other owners of the
soil in fee simple, conveying an extensive tract of land for a con-
consideration of ten or twelve pounds in lawful money. This
deed was subsequently pronounced a forgery, but no sufficient
proof has been produced to show that it was not a genuine con-
veyance. Our interest in the question is mainly historical and
especially in the local trend of the northerly line, described in
the instrument as passing through the present towns of Straf-
ford, Northwood, Deerfield, Candia, Hooksett and Manchester,

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. lOI

thus covering the whole of our title to Derryfield and the lands
immediately adjoining. It is of further interest to remember
that the identical territory thus acquired by purchase under this
deed was afterwards, in November of the same year, granted to
Mason by the " Council of Plymouth," at his request. No con-
sideration was mentioned, but the obvious inference is, in the
light of all the known subsequent facts, that this new grant was
designed not only to repudiate the Passaconaway deed but to
forever disallow an Indian claim of ownership anywhere. Thus
early did these god-fearing and land-loving people of Massachu-
setts covet the soil, and from that time on they grabbed what
was in sight and claimed the remainder.

In the meantime the Roswell patent of 1627 had been merged
in an exclusive and inclusive charter from King George to the
"Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England." It is scarcely necessary to explain that this charter
included Boston. About this time the authorities discovered
what had long been known to hunters and rangers in the north
country that the Merrimack made a great right-angled bend at
Dracut and thereafter ran northerly, whereupon not only their
maps but the plan of possession was modified accordingly, and
a new boom of geographical discovery and exploration was born.
Scouts and surveyors were at once privately commissioned to
spy out the land and report. Some years passed, during which
a number of expeditions were quietly set on foot to explore the
country in various directions, some of which followed the coast,
some the Merrimack and others the Connecticut valley.

From these various sources of information the Massachusetts
Bay people took their cue, and in 1638 openly sent out " a com-
mittee to find out the most northerly part of the Merrimack
River." The committee reported that "some part of it above
Penacook was more northerly than forty-three and a half de-
grees." This means literally, allowance for error considered,
that upon reaching Franklin the committee took the Pemige-

102 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

wasset branch, which they followed beyond Plymouth and past
Baker river to the neighborhood of Woodstock. Here they
would naturally halt for two reasons : First, the Pemigewasset
near this point divides into a net-work of headwater streams, of
which the East Branch, Hancook, and Franconia are the chief.
Second, the explorers would find themselves in a veritable cul
de sac formed by the mountains ; on the right the water-shed of
Sawyer and Swift rivers, tributaries of the Saco ; on the left the
water-shed of Baker river, and in front the steep dividing crest,
down whose northern slope the Wild Ammonusuc tears down
to the Connecticut. On the other hand the committee may
have followed the valley of Baker river to Warren. Here they
would have been surrounded by a circular sweep of mountains,
among them Mt. Carr, Mt. Kineo and Moosilauke ; it is likely
the way by Baker river would be chosen, rather than that of the
Pemigewasset, as the old Indian trail followed the former. On
the other hand they must have halted before reaching the height
of land at Warren summit ; had they climbed to this point they
would have seen the white foam of trout-streams tumbling down
toward the north, might have caught glimpses of the frightful
precipice of Owl's Head, and could not have failed to see spread
before them the broad valley of the Connecticut, with the great
ox-bow in Haverhill. None of these things were alluded to in
the report of the 1638 committee. It is equally certain they did
not follow the Winnepesauke, since the lake would have been
encountered before the parallel of 435^ ° was reached, but the
lake is likewise unmentioned. So that we are forced to con-
clude either that this committee followed the Pemigewasset,
that they were themselves mistaken as to the distance traversed
or that they made a false report.

In 1639 another committee was sent "to find out the north-
ernmost part of Merrimack river." This committee must have
made a lame and inconclusive survey, for they established the
line at a great pine tree three miles north of the junction of the
Pemigewasset and Winnepesauke,

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. IO3

Early in 1652 still another commission was appointed by the
General Court of Massachusetts, to establish the north head of
the Merrimack, and on the first of August, 1652, it was formally
fixed at 43° 40' 12" — namely, at the outlet of Winnepesauke,
with an allowance of three miles more north, " wch run into tlie
Lake." Thus, with rare forecast, the surveyors drove all other
contrary-thinking people into deep water. This was the famous
" Endicott Rock" expedition, concerning which there has been
much misdirected enthusiasm. Upon the soil of the Bay Slate
the shaft at Bunker Hill bears witness to the unselfish heroism
and self-sacrifice of the sons of New Hampshire ; the monument
at the Wiers commemorates an act of Puritan greed and perfidy,
committed against men of their own blood and lineage. The
heirs of Mason, the assigns of Gorges, the possessors by pur-
chase, arYd every claim of occupancy whatsoever was for years
stubbornly denied by Massachusetts. Forced construction of
charters, chicanery, indirection, falsehood and fraud failing to
be suf^cient, the General Court resorted to threats of force, in
turn followed by arrest or banishment. The whole history of
this usurpation, however, is too black to be painted.

All of these expeditions, with others set on foot by other par-
ties in interest, passed directly through Derryfield and around
Amoskeag Falls ; and yet we are soberly told that these were
first discovered in 1739, a hundred years later than the excur-
sion of the first Massachusetts committee.

We should be glad to believe that the Apostle Eliot preached
and taught at Amoskeag. Potter labors to show that he came
here by invitation of Passaconaway a little later than 1650, and
asserts that here were a number of praying Indians who were
preached and prayed to, and that schools for the youth were also
established. In 1648 Eliot wrote, with undoubted reference to
Amoskeag, " There is another great fishing place about three
score miles from us, whether I intend (God willing) to go next
spring." In 1649 he again writes, " I had and still have a great

104 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

desire to go to a great fishing place, Namaske, upon the Merri-
mack river." In the same letter he adds, " But in the spring
when I should have gone, I was not well, so that I saw the Lord
prevented me of that journey." There is no direct evidence that
Eliot ever carried out his intention, or that he came farther in
this direction than Nashua. But it is important to note this
cumulative evidence that Amoskeag was not oidy thus early
known, but that it had been long familiarly known as a great
fishing place.

Let us now briefly trace the course of advancing settlements
in this direction from Massachusetts. Many towns contiguous
to Boston were early settled, several of which, like Rehoboth,
embraced extensive tracts afterwards formed into three or more
townships. The date of settlement is given for Beverly, 1630;
Andover, 1634; Newburyport, 1633; Salisbury, 1639; Haver-
hill, 1640, and Dunstable in 1659. A considerable number of
other towns in Massachusetts were settled between the latter
date and 1700, but few in southern New Hampshire. This was
mainly owing to the fact that comparatively few emigrants came
to New England during the period following 1640, and it is said
that for a century and a quarter thereafter more people went
back to England than came hither. These facts have been too
often overlooked by historical students, who found it difficult to
account for the delay in making settlements in this part of New
England. The rigor of the climate, the fear of wild beasts and
Indians, even necessary hardship and privation, had less effect
in checking the tide of immigration than the disillusion of the
dream of wealth in which many of the earlier adventurers had
indulged. The golden bubble had been pricked, no longer com-
pelling by its false and glittering allurements.

Old Dunstable, a portion of which was settled as early as 1659,
embraced more than two hundred square miles, and out of this
seven entire townships and parts of several others were subse-
quently carved. Litchfield was one of these, where a claim of
settlement is made as early as 1656.

HISTORY OF DEKKYFIELD. 10$

Following the list of (owns referred to above we find Pelham,
1721 ; Amherst, 1728; Goffstown and Bedford, 1733, and Derry
and Londonderry, 1719.

Looking to the east we see the settlers creeping toward us
in much the same order, from Exeter atid Dover. From these
towns the people came to the Merrimack valley and became ac-
quainted with its fisheries long before 1650. As to this western
extension of our sea-coast towns most historians begin with the
records and not with the facts. They agree in assigning 1719
as the date of settling the "Chestnutt Country," afterwards
" Walnut Hill," " Cheshire," and finally Chester. Charles Bell's
notes are extremely valuable, although written when he was but
eighteen years of age. He died young, as the editor's preface
naively says, "at the early age of 29^ years," and in his death
the state lost a born historian! The courts have always claimed
that records make the best witnesses — but there are others —
and although we are historically limited to 17 19 we shall attempt
to project the reverted eye to an earlier date. For some years
many towns not included in Ancient Dover were within the lim-
its of Exeter, and those not in either were included in Chester,
which embraced Epping, Raymond, Candia, Auburn, Hooksett,
and parts of other territory known to the geography of guess-
work. The early surveyors ran lines hither and yon, forcing a
balance among the figures read from their rickety transits, but
being always careful to add, include and reckon enough, with an
extra allowance for error. So these early surveys, reinforced by
conjecture, allotted the whole woodland acreage about us, with
the exception of Derryfield, which was providentially reserved
for greater things.

Here we are impertinent enough to inquire, Why not Derry-
field ? Let these four points be remembered : That the first step
was discovery, the second occupation, the third either grant and
survey or survey and grant as it might happen, and fourth an
actual settlement. In the case of Derryfield the surveyors hes-

I06 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

itated and finally halted, not because they were weary nor at the
command of conscience, nor elsewise by any claim of prior grant
or survey, but because they found the soil occupied and actual
settlers in possession. This fact alone strongly reinforces our
claim that the accepted dates must be revised and put back to
a time certainly not later than the year 1700 and undoubtedly
much earlier,

A society was formed in 1719 "for settling the Chestnutt
country." The members were familiar with the land they de-
sired to erect into a township, for they had hunted and fished in
it for years and had eaten of its nuts. The record recites that
a previous petition had been preferred in the autumn of 1718,
by virtue of which the petitioners claimed some rights, setting
forth that they had "been at a vast expense of blood and treas-
ure to maintain the same against the enemy." No precise de-
scription is given of the enemy, but it was intended that those
to whom they ever prayed should believe them to be Indians,
though we are inclined to think them certain down-country peo-
ple from Haverhill, who then claimed to have an Indian deed to
the whole territory. In any event nothing is more certain than
the fact that a considerable number of hunters, trappers, fisher-
men and scouts, if not actual settlers, had ranged back and forth
for years before the society was formed and that the organiza-
tion was only a step taken to keep what they already had, and
at the very least to prevent others from getting it.

There was at this time and had been from time immemorial
what was known far and wide as the "Pennacook Path," which
ran all the way from Exeter through Chester, passing over the
east shoulder of Mine Hill and so on by "Jake Chase his house,"
to the present highway in Auburn ; thence, skirting the Auburn
shore to Sucker Village, the trail turned west, making a detour
northward around the Merrill brook swamp, and again easterly,
leaving the Massabesic to the south, thence to Amoskeag and
by way of the Merrimack valley to Concord. We are informed
that the nearer easterly section of this path ran through " Sam

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 10/

Bell's orchard," and down over Wilson Hill south of the poor-
farm to the old falls road. There was a similar path to King-
ston, another to Haverhill by way of Tyngsborough. At about
the same date the bridge over Exeter river was only passable
for foot-passengers or riders in single file, but was made "con-
venient for carts " in 1720. It is said the incorporators of old
Chester had no shadow of right upon which to base their peti-
tion, which was only granted by preference over earlier combin-
ations, although the secretary credited himself with five shillings
for a "copy of an Indian deed." This was one of the pretences
early employed by our forefathers, as it was an easy matter to
induce any Indian under the seduction of Jamaica rum to affix
his mark to a deed or any number of them, and the wily settlers
were quick to employ these opportunities.

That the soil of Chester was occupied by actual settlers long
before 1719 is sufficiently shown by the action of the new pro-
prietors at their first meeting, when the selectmen were empow-
ered to eject all trespassers upon the land covered by Governor
Shute's charter, and a committee was subsequently chosen for
the same purpose.

In August, 1737, Chester had a visit from Goverror Belcher,
and in the earliest account of his tour we read that " His Excel-
lency was much pleased with the fine soil of Chester, the extra-
ordinary improvements at Derry, and the mighty fall at Skeag."
This was two years before the date of Secombe's famous sermon
at the falls, and conclusively shows that even at that date there
were good bridle-paths from Portsmouth to Amoskeag and from
the falls to Derry. As a matter of fact nearly every part of the
territory under consideration was much better known and easier
of access than the historians would have us believe.

In May, 1739, John McMurphy was granted a privilege to
build a grist-mill at " Massabesic River," below the great fall,
"provided said McMurphy shall not stop or impede the course
of the fish up the said river, but shall and will leave, continue
and make sufficient passage for that purpose." This allusion

108 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

to "great falls" upon what we now know as Cohas Brook very
clearly indicates that a much heavier volume of water commonly
flowed from the lake at that date than has been known for two
generations. The cause of the present greatly decreased and
diminishing flow is obvit usly to be attributed to the disappear-
ance of the great forests. The object of this old provision for a
fish way was to protect the ale-wives in their run to the lake, as
they furnished a considerable food-supply to the settlers. Laws
were also passed to prevent the killing of deer and " Deer In-
spectors " were duly appointed. On the other hand a bounty of
twenty shillings was offered for each head of "a full-grown
wolfe." In this year more than twenty wolves were killed in
Chester and Derryfield, of which John Stark killed two.

In 1745 a man by the name of Bunten was killed by Indians
in Hooksett. He was from Pelham and on his way to Penacook,
following the old path to which reference has been made.

The 1719 Chester petition before referred to was "signed by
about 100 hand," and modestly asked for a tract " on the east to
Kingston and Exeter, on the south to Haverhill, and on the
West and North to ye woods." This elastic piece of " waiste
land," originally intended to be eight miles square, was after-
wards increased to ten and finally to fourteen, which was under
the limit, and extended from the Exeter line westerly to the
Merrimack north of the Derryfield reservation. This latter ap-
pears to have been first known as Harrytown or Henrysburg,
and originally consisted of about eight square miles, but in 175 1
eighteen square miles from Chester and nine from Londonderry
were added.

At various dates between 1639 and 1733 — the Massachusetts
century of dishonor — that commonwealth made an extensive
series of land grants in the disputed northern territory, ranging
as far north as Lake Winnepesauke. These grants were of two
classes, those given to friends and supporters of her claims and
those made to soldiers. It was well understood that none others

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. IO9

need apply. Many of the grants issued to soldiers who had en-
gaged in the old French and Indian wars were hastily made, the
bounds illy defined and the land hard to locate. Whole town-
ships were granted by guesswork. Of these the record remains
as to Bow, Todds-Town, Beverly-Canada and Bakerstown. Of
other early grants known to have been made one was of a part
of Derryfield, but the records are lost, and we are inclined to
believe this to have been the original Harrytown grant. The
charter for Derryfield was not issued till 175 1, and did not even
then include that part of old Harrytown near Martin's Ferry,
which was added later. The evidence as to Bow and Dunbar-
ton is conclusive and the lines stand.' Some grants were early
settled while others were not ; but the Derryfield grantees came
without delay, the fishery alone presenting the principal induce-
ment, much of the soil being very poor.

Not a few towns changed names from three to six times in ten
years, were granted and regranted to differing parties, lines and
bounds over-ran, fell short or conflicted, and order only came
after the Revolution, when the original claimants, like Gridley,
had died out of court and chancery. The history of those old
claims and counter-claims, though full of stirring incidents, can
never be written ; many a settler defended his homestead gun
in hand against the emissaries of the Great and General Court
of Massachusetts, and his dogs were trained to discover in the
wind the smell of Boston. In the general absence of fences, cat-
tle and hogs ranged at long and at large, and we read of farmers
who turned out cows to graze in Haverhill and the next day
found them in Hooksett. Thus here and there are caught brief
glimpses projected upon the scene by the side-lights of history.
The most patient research and scholarship is in our day engaged
in unravelling the tangled threads of our early colonial annals,
and in this task any contribution, however slight, must be of
value, and to this end we have labored.

The date of the settlement of Salisbury, for instance, is given
as 1748, and yet it is traditional that as many as eight families

no CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

resided in the township before that year, the " Mink Hills " hav-
ing been known and named in 1737, and Kearsarge certainly as
early as 1657. A similar state of facts is generally true of all
the earlier townships.

Nutfield gives a good example of historical uncertainty, the
probable occupation ranging from 1629 to 17 19, the latter date
alone standing for settlement. But it is known that not less
than four Indian deeds previously passed to the whole or a por-
tion of that territory, one of which from Indian John was dated
March, 1701, In one deed the description recites "a certain
tract of land about thirty miles square, to run from the Merri-
mack river eastward and so up the country." In another the
"northerly bound was the westerly part of Oyster river, which
is about four miles northerly beyond Lampereele river." As
Oyster river is in Durham and the Lamprey in Raymond it is
easy to see the Nutfield people had a good margin.

Finally, the first presence of white men in Derryfield must be
put not later than 1636, the date of a probable survey by Bur-
det, under instructions from Governor Winthrop, carried out by
Captain Wiggin, and even at that time the route was familiar to
hunters and scouts, to which the record adds "artists," which
term was probably intended to mean surveyors. Waldron's
testimony is conclusive as to this point. Peter Weare says that
since 1637 ^^ ^^^ "i" ^^^ same way become familiar with the
same region," he having "oftentimes travelled the country," and
"some of the natives always with him." He adds that he had
been on "a great mountain north of Lake Winnipicioket." All
these expeditions went up the Merrimack because that river was
the bone of contention, and without doubt followed and contrib-
uted to make the famous " Pennacook Path." We find also the
record of Woodward and Stratton's survey in 1638, of Wood-
ward, Hovvlet, Jacob Clarke and Manning, in 1639, ^"d after
that a deluge of expeditions by opposing factions. Some of these
long-lost records may yet be brought to light.

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. Ill

The earliest map of the Merrimack river from its source to its
mouth is also the latest discovered, but is unfortunately without
dale. It is finely drawn and certainly the work of an "artist."
The " plot " gives the photography of the river, with lakes and
mountains on either side. It shows the islands, bends and falls ;
the Uncanoonucks, Massabesic Lake and Amoskeag Falls are
laid down, and the Suncook river is put where it belongs. The
work is of such a character that the whole valley from Dun-
stable to Penacook is seen to have been pictured from an actual
survey, probably the first undertaken by competent hands.

We cannot now further prolong our researches in this field of
inquiry. We have purposely abandoned the beaten route hith-
erto followed by historians, and have hazarded an attempt to
revise some of their conclusions by methods of historical deduc-
tion. Wherever possible ascertained dates have been assigned,
and whenever by reasonable inference these were found to be
misleading the known facts have been compared and the logical
interpretation followed. In concluding our pictures of the past
we may be pardoned for renewing the suggestion that we claim
for them nothing not included in the title chosen, and that they
pretend to be no more than contributions. Should these serve
to awaken a new dawn of inquiry and rouse the spirit of research
the writer will be well contented.

CHAPTER XI.

HOME LIFE, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS — THE DERRYFIELD SOCIAL LIBRARY
— SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

The home life of the first settlers of Derryfield, so far as the
direct testimony can be relied upon, was in marked contrast to
that of most New England settlements, and outwardly presented
few characteristic Puritan features. All accounts agree in pro-
nouncing them generally a rough lot, much more closely resem-
bling the frontiermen of our own day than the traditional relig-
ious community of that age. The negative evidence as to this
point is still stronger, as the record discloses no movement or
organized effort to provide for preaching or religious teaching of
any sort whatever; public means of grace and an active spread
of the gospel were of so little importance as utterly to escape
the notice of local historians. If gospel privileges were enjoyed
the opportunities were wide apart. There were no settled min-
isters, no stated supply, and occasional preaching was as rare as
earthquakes. Before Secombe's salmon-sermon in 1739 it is not
certainly known that any religious exercise or exhortation what-
ever took place within the limits of Derryfield, nor for rather
more than a quarter of a century thereafter.

The religious record — or non-record — would be amusing if it
were not distinctly disgraceful. Potter says McDowell probably
preached here now and then before 1754, in which year the
town voted to build a meeting house, but this was the next year
reconsidered. In 1758 the frame was raised and the building
boarded and shingled in 1759, though still without underpinning
and having but one door, one layer of rough flooring and no
pews, and this skeleton of the visible church was then badly in
need of repairs. Fifteen years later, though some preaching in-
tervened and the Rev. George Gilmore was called, the call was
not answered, and the ravages of decay continued to affect both
God's house and peo|)le.

1 242371'

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 1 13

The Revolution now became matter of concern to the exclus-
ion of a multitude of interests ; there was no Sunday for soldiers
or citizens, and the cause of Zion languished. In 1780 an effort
to repair the building failed, three years later the repairs were
not completed, and this state of affairs continued without better-
ment until 1790, at which time the "pew-ground" of the main
floor was sold at public auction, and the gallery area similarly
disposed of three years later. But the gallery pews were never
built and no part of the house ever finished. In the thirty-five
years which had elapsed the progress of decay had outstripped
the process of repair. Potter says, "The house was fit for a
place of worship at no time, but in summer and of a fair day it
answered better than a barn." The old, weather-beaten struc-
ture is well remembered by the writer, and remained in a dilap-
idated condition in Hallsville till 1853, when it was sold, moved
a short distance, and converted into a dwelling-house block,
which is still standing.

Throughout this entire period we hear next to nothing about
schools. It is said there were none in Derryfield before or dur-
ing the Revolution, and Dr. Wallace asserts that no steps pro-
ductive of actual results were taken until some years later than
1788, and adds that "for nearly a century after the settlement
of the town there was neither lawyer, physician or minister
among its permanent inhabitants." It is certain there was no
schoolhouse untill 1795, and even that was built by private sub-
scription, none being built by vote of the town earlier than the
year 1798, possibly later.

In such a community the morals of the people must have kept
pace with their ignorance and inattention to godliness. The
pursuits of fishing, hunting and river-rafting were not calculated
to favor a devout frame of mind, and the conventional restraints
of the church were lacking. A considerable number of the ear-
lier inhabitants were rollicking, devil-may-care roysterers, who
spent their spare time in wresting, bowling, or pitching horse-
10

114 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

shoes for pennies, accompanied with a daily diet of rum. The
records show frequent brawls and fighting, sometimes among
themselves, sometimes with kindred spirits from Londonderry,
who were not averse to liquor at home or abroad. The annual
reproduction of Donnybrook Fair by our Scotch-Irish neighbors
included the more lively features of its old-world model. The
reverend historian of Londonderry, with an unusual devotion to
truth, says that this fair " proved a moral nuisance, attracting
chiefly the more corrupt portion of the community and exhibit-
ing for successive days in each year scenes of vice and folly in
some of their worst forms." These fairs were attended by large
delegations of the rougher element of Derryfield. Our limits
permit us to give no more than the setting and outline of the
picture ; details are not difificult to be supplied, since the same
causes and like effects still surround us.

DERRYFIELD SOCIAL LIBRARY.

An opportunity has been afforded us to examine the book of
records of the "Social Library," which has never been printed.
Contrary to our first design, which contemplated a mere epito-
me, we have thought best to reproduce the entire record, with
the exception of the charter, which may be found in the first
number of the published papers of the " Manchester Historic
Association." A verbatim copy follows :

At a Library Meeting held December 12th, 1796

Voted to form a society by the name of the Proprietors of The Social Li-
brary in Derryfield —

Voted To Raise Two Dollars on each Right or share

Voted Capt John Goffe Clerk to said Meeting

Voted Daniel Davis Receive the money & purchase the books

At a Library Meeting held January 12th 1797
Voted Capt John Goffe Moderator
Voted Daniel Davis Librarian & Clerk
Voted Capt John Perham Daniel Davis & John Goffe Inspectors

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. Il5

At a Library Meeting held on the 6th November 1797
Voted Capt John Goffe Moderator
Voted Daniel Davis Librarian & Clerk
Voted That the Proprietors keep their books three months
Voted Capt John Perham, Daniel Davis, & David Young Directors
Voted to accept Capt John Goffe book at 50 Cents

Voted To Raise Fifty Cents annually as an increasing fund to support
said Library

At the Annual Meeting Held on Monday the 5th November 1798 At 4
oClock P M

Voted Daniel Davis Moderator

Voted William Farmer Librarian & Clerk

Voted Samuel P. Kidder, Daniel Davis, & William Farmer Directors

Voted That the Words ( DcDyfield Social Libra7y Annual Meeting First
Monday in JYoveniber) be printed in each book belonging to said Library

Voted That the Fifty Cents as an increasing Fund be Omitted the ensu-
ing year —

Voted that the Two Vollumes of the Magazene shall be taken out & Re-
turned as one other Vollume

At the Annual Library meeting on the First Monday of November 1799
at Four O Clock P M

Voted Daniel Davis Moderator

Voted Daniel Davis Librarian & Clerk

Voted To Raise Fifty Cents on a share the present Year

Voted Samuel P. Kidder, Daniel Davis & William Farmer Directors

Voted that the Fifty Cents be paid to the Clerk by the 20th December next

Voted That Daniel Davis Purchase the books

Voted That new subscribers be admitted the year ensuing at two Dollars
Each share

Voted that no Proprietor that keeps a book three months shall take it out
again at Return.

[ Here follows the Charter.]

At a Meeting Legally Warned and holden on Monday 3d Novr i8co
Voted Capt John Perham Moderator
Voted William Farmer Librarian & Clerk

Voted Samuel P. Kidder, Benja F. Stark & Daniel Davis Directors
Voted To Raise Fifty Cents on each share for purchasing New Books
Voted Daniel Davis be the Person to purchase said Books
Voted to allow Danl Davis 5i.6o Cts for Paines writing
Voted to Purchase two Blk Books one for the purpose of Making Records
the other for accompts —

Voted that the Clerk make the proper Records in said Books

Il6 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

Voted that Fifty Coppys of the Constitution be printed
Voted that Benjn F. Stark be the person to hire the aforesaid printing —
Voted that any person may be admitted the ensuing year For two Dollars
Voted that the Directors be authoris'd to purchase a book Case for the
use of the Proprietors.

At the Annual Meeting holden on the First Monday in Novr 1801 at the
House of Wm Farmer

Voted Lft Benja F. Stark Moderator

Voted Daniel Davis Librarian & Clerk

Voted Samuel P. Kidder Daniel Davis & John Perham Directors

Voted To Raise Fifty Cents on a share

Voted that the Librarian Collect all arrearages by the First Day of Janu-
ary next ensuing

Voted that Daniel Davis Purchase the Books

Voted that New Proprietors Come in at Two Dollar the year Ensuing

The Subscribers Finding it necessary to Call a special Meeting do hereby
Notify and warn the Proprietors of Derryfield Social Library to meet at the
Dwelling House of Daniel Davis in said Derryfield On Monday the Fif-
teenth Day of March next at Four O Clock P. M to Act on the Following
Articles (Viz)

ist To Choose a Moderator to Regulate s'd Meeting

2d To Choose a Clerk Librarian & one Director for the Remainder of
the present year A punctual attendance of the Proprietors with their Books
are Requested —

Derryfield 24th Febry 1802 John Perham "j

Daniel Davis > Directors

Sam'l P Kidder )

At a Special Meeting Legally Warned & Holden on Monday 15th March
1802 at the House of Daniel Davis-
Voted Benja F. Stark Moderator
Voted Saml P. Kidder Clerk & Librarian
Voted David Flint Director

We the Subscribers acknowledge ourselves to be members of the Derry-
field Social Library Company and promise to Conform to all rules and regu-
lations which may at any time be adopted by the society while we remain
members of said society

James Griffin paid Asa Haseltine sold his rights to his son

Philip Haseltine Jr Asa

John Dickey Jr paid David Flint

Stephen Worthley Reuben Sawyer

Peter Hills Ephraim White

Moses Davis interest of John G. Moor Joseph Farmer Jr

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. II7

James Parker Wm Walker

Jesse Baker Israel Webster

Moses Heseltine for Pingrey James Nutt

Amos Weston William Perham

Isaac Huse David Webster Jr

John Proctor Job Rowell

Elijah A. Nutt John R.»y

John Hall Saml McAllaster

John Frye paid By Book No 30 David Adams

Nathan Johnson paid Phinehas Pettengail

Daniel Hall Jr Ephraim Stevens

John Dwinell Paid Jacob Chase

Samuel Jackson John Stark Jr paid

Nathaniel Conant Saml Moor Jr paid

Phinehas Bayley Stephen Moor

John Perham Joseph Moor paid

Benja F Stark Robert Hall in lew of John Gammel

Saml P Kidder Asa Heseltine 3rd

[ These names were all signed in the handwriting of the subscribers. The
following names were also written, but for some unknown reason were after-
wards crossed out with a pen: " Benjn Leslie, Ann E Couch Paid Stephen
Pingrey Wm Farmer transferd to John Gambel Mrs Edna Davis".]

At a Library Meeting held on the first Monday of November 1802
Voted Lt Benj F Stark Moderator
Voted to admit new members at two Dollars Each
Voted to Relinquish John Tufts fines
Voted Saml Moor Jr Clerk and Librarian

Voted Saml P Kidder Saml Moor Jr Capt John Perham Benj F Stark and
David Adams directors
Voted to except the Constitution in lue of the old one that was lost
Voted that all fines due be paid the first of January 1803

At the annual Library meeting held on 7th Novr 1803
Voted, John Stark Moderator.

Voted, to excuse Philip Heseltine Jr his taxes and fines for the Book case
Voted, Philip Heseltine Jr Librarian —
Cash on hand six Dollars and seventy two Cents

Philip Heseltine J
Voted, Samuel Hall > Directors

William Farmer j
Voted, to buy Gordens History and Rollins,s antient History

At the annual meeting of the members of Derryfield social Library held
on the fifth of November AD 1804
Voted, to adjourn the meeting until the 12th of Novr

Derryfield 12th Novr 1804 meeting being opened according to adjournment
Voted, B F Stark Moderator
Voted, to admit new members at two Dollars each down

Il8 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

Voted, Samuel P Kidder Treasurer —

B F Stark 1

Samuel Moor Jr |
Voted, Capt John Perham }> Directors

John Stark Esq I

Ephraim White J
Voted, the Directors meet the first Monday in February May and August
Voted, Benjamin Leslie Librarian and Clerk

Voted, that the Librarian collect all the Debts and fines that now is or
may become Due the year ensuing

Voted, to give Lieut Daniel Davis two Dollars in full of all accounts he
hath against the society —

Voted, to abate Samuel Hall his fine of twenty five Cents

Derryfield, November 4th 1805 at a Libraiarys Meeting held for the pur-
pose

Voted Saml P Kidder Moderator

Voted to Choose three directors

^ Nathaniel Moor

Voted directors > Ephraim White

) Capt John Perham

Voted Samuel P Kidder Treasurer

Voted New members be admitted for two Dollars

Voted to Choose an agent to Collect the tax and the fines that are due

Voted Capt Perham Collect the above tax &c

Voted the Money be Collected in thirty days

Voted the directors overhall the Books and Select out such as they think
proper and sell them to the highest bidder this night

Voted to Choose an agent to lay out the money and purchas the new books

Voted Saml P Kidder purchas the Books

Voted Saml Moor Jr Librarian and Clerk

Derryfield November 3d 1806 Annual Meeting

The proprietors of the Derryfield Social Library Met Novmr 3d agreeable
to Constitution and acted on the following articles

ist Voted Capt Joseph Moor Moderator

2d Voted John G Moor Librarian and Clerk

3d ) Lt Job Rowell

Voted [ Benjamin Leslie

Directors ) John G Moor

4th Voted that Each man pay the Money which is due Before he recev a
Book

Voted New members Come in at 2 Dollars Each

Voted to reconsider Capt Perham as Collector

Voted John G Moor Collector of the whole

Voted the Librarian Purchase the Books

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. I IQ

Voted the Librarian Call on the last years treasurer for Money which be-
longs to the Library

Derryfield November 2nd 1807
At an annual Meeting of the proprietors of the Derryfield Social Library,
holden at the house of John G Moor's in sd Derryfield, proceeded as follows
Voted ist Lt Job Rowell Moderator

2nd To ajourn this Meeting to the 2nd Monday in November to Meet at
John Hall's Jr in sd Town at four of the Clock Afternoon

Novemr 9th Mett according to ajournment
Voted Mrs Farmer Clerk & Librarian

James Nutt )

Voted John Stark, Jr [ Directors

Job Rowell )
Voted the Directors Collect all Taxes & Moneys that shall be found due
Voted not to raise Money the present year

Voted the Directors sell all such Books as they may think proper
Voted to Reconsider the 4th article in a Meeting of the year r8o6

At a meeting of the proprietors of the Derryfield Social Library holden at
Mrs Farmers house on February 8th 1808

Voted Joseph Moor Moderator

Voted To Excuse Mr Flint one Dollar for the two first Taxes Charged to
him

Voted to relinquish 50c of Capt Moor's fine

Voted The remainder of the fines be Colected

Voted to Disolve this meeting

Mrs Farmer Clerk &C

Derryfield Novr 7th 1808
At an anual Meeting of the proprietors of the Derryfield social Library,
holden at the hous of Mrs Farmer's in sd Derryfield proceded as follows
Voted ist Robt Hall Moderator

Voted 2d To ajourn this Meeting to the ist Monday in December next at
four of the Clock P. M.

December 5th 1S08
Met according to adjournment and Chose Amos Weston Clerk and Li-
brayan

Samuel Moor Jr f
Amos Weston j
Voted Joseph Moor <; Directors
John Adams |

Robert Hall ^

Voted the Directors Collect all the Money that shall be found due to Li-
brary by the next annual meeting Voted the directors lay out the Money
due to the Library and purchase the Books

I20 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

Derryfield 6th of November 1809 the proprietors of Derryfield social Li-
brary met and voted as follows

I St Voted to adjourn the meeting the 13 day of this month at 6 of the clock
P M

November 13th 1809 then met according to adjournment and Voted as fol-
lows ist Amos Weston Clerk and Librarian the present year

2nd Voted Amos Weston Collect all moneys due to the society and be
treasurer

3rd Voted Isaac Huse Esq Robert Hall & Saml Moor Jr be Directors the
present year

4th Voted that new proprietors be admited to the society on paying two
Dollars

5th Voted that the Laws of the State of New Hampshire be bought for
the society

6th Voted that the Laws of New Hampshire be returned within forty five
days from the time it is taken out

7th Voted the Directors purchase such Books as they see proper

Manchester 5th of November 1810
At an annual meeting of the proprietors of the Derryfield Social Library
holden at the house of Amos Weston in S'd Manchester proceded as follows
Voted ist Isaac Huse Moderator of sd Meeting
Voted 2nd Amos Weston Clerk and Librarian

Isaac Huse )

Voted 3d Samuel Moor Jr > Directors
Robert Adams )

Manchester November 4th 181 1
At an anual Meeting of the Proprietors of the Derryfield Social Library
holden at the house of Mr Amos Weston in said town proced as follows
Vot ist Isaac Huse Moderator
Vot 2nd to adjourn this Meeting to the last Monday in November

November 15 1811
Met according to adjournment Voted Isaac Huse Librarian and Clark

Job Rowell 1
Voted Robert Adams > directors

John Perham )
November 2d— 1812 Four of the proprietors met and agreed to ajorn our
anual meeting to 16 Novr ins at 4 oclock P M

Novr i6th 1812 Met agreable to ajournment '

Voted Samuel Moor Moderator

Voted Moses Haseltine Librarian & clerk —

Voted Capt Perham Job Rowell & Robert Adams directors

Voted to Relinquish to Mr Ephraim White a claim of 50 cts

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 121

Voted Isaac Huse Agent to Collect what appears to be due to the Incor-
porators

Manchester November ist 1813 Isaac Huse Moderator the proprietors
Met and Agreed to ajorn our anuel meeting to the 15 of November Instant
at Six oclock P M

November the 15 1813 Met according to adjournment and voted to ajourn
to the twenty Ninth of November Instant Met acrding to ajournment and
procded as follows Voted Robt Perham Libirian and Clark

Robert Adams )

Samuel Moor > Directors

Job Rowell )

November Manchester November 7th 1814 this Being the Day of the
anual Meatting For the Proprietors of the Manchester Socel Library Not a
Nuf to hold a meaten or to Do Buseness Chose John G Moor Moderator
and adyourned the meating to this Day Fortnight at the house of Robert
Perrams at four Clock P M

November 21th this Day Met accordang to adjournment and Chose John
Dwinnell Clark and lybrarein

And
Samuel Moor (

Samuel P Kidder < Durectors
John Stark Esq (

November 6 — 1815

The Members of Manchester Social Library Met and proceeded to the
Choice of officrs for the year ensuing

Choose John Stark Moderator John G Moor Clerk protem

Choose; John Dwinel Clerk & Librarian

! Isaac Huse
John Stark
Job Rowel
Voted John Frye be Treasurer

Voted that the directer be authorized to examin the Books and sell at auc-
tion all such Books as they shall think propper for sale

Voted that new propritors be admitted for the usual price of $2.00
Voted to adjourn the meeting to the 20th November

attest John G. Moor Clerk p t
November 4tti 1816
At a meating of the Proprietors of the Derryfield Library holden at the
house of John Dwinell on Monday the 4th of November 1816 and proceded
as follows

1 Chose John Stark Esq Moderator

2 Chose John Dwinell Librarien and Clark and Colector and treausury
Chose I Isaac Huse (

< John Frye < Drectors
f James Nutt (

122 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

November Monday the 3th 1817
at a meatin^ of a number of the Proprietors of the Manchester Library
holden at the house of John Dwinells and Chose Isaac Huse Esq Moderator
and Voted to agorn said meetino^ till the 17th Day of November instant at
4 oclock afternoon

November 17th 1817 the proprietors of the Social Library met according
to a agournment and Voted that Isaac Huse Esq stand Moderator of said
meeting and Chose John Dwinell Clerk and libarien and Chose

John Dickey )

John Stark Esq [ Directors
and Nathan Johnson )
and Chose Isaac Huse Colector and tresurer and Voted that all the fiens
Due on the Book be Corlected

Voted not to have anything to do with any Books of Elijah Nutt Except
that one which was Excepted and that was the Columbian orator Price
$o=ys John Dwinell Clark

November Monday 2th 1818
the members of the Manchester Sochal Library met and

1 Chose James Griff en Moderator

2 Chose John Dwinell Clark and Libaran

3 Chose James Nut )

Capt Ephraim Stevens Jun > Derectors

John Proctor )

4 Chose Israel Webster 3 (?) treasury

5 Chose James Nut Collecttor

6 Voted to adjorn this meeting till the first Mondy in febury Nex at 4
oclock at the hous of said Dwinells

Monday Febary ist 1819 Som of the Propritors Met according to agorn-
ment and Chose John Dicken Moderator Protem and Did adjorn said meet-
ing till the first Monday in march next at 4 oclock

Novembr Monday the ith 1819
At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Manchester Library Holden at the
House of John Dwinell and Quimby and Chose Isaac Huse Esq Moderator
and Chose John Dwinell Clark and librarien and Voted that the Clark Be
autherized to Examon all the Books that are taken out of the Librey from
time to time and to Examon them when taken in and to see if any Damiges
are Don to any Book and to Prise the Damige Done and to keep a true a
Count of Said Damage and make a Return of the same to the Directors at
Each of their meetings and the Directors are to Exhibit the same at the
aneuel Meeting and Chose Isaac Huse i

and Jobe Rovvell } Directors

and John Dickey (

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 123

Novembr Mondy the Sixth Day 1820
This Day a full Number met at the house of John Dwinells and Elijah
Quimby of the members of the Sochal lybry in Manchester and Voted John
Dwinell Moderator of said meeting

Voted John Dwinell Clark and lybarin and Voted Elisha Quimby for
Clark Protem

Chose Jams Grifin ( r),v„„tors

Samuel P Kidder Esq ^he Prest year
Capt Joseph Moor ( ^'^^ ^^^"^^ ^^^^
Voted adjourn this Meeting until the ith Monday of Feb Next 182 1 5 Day
at 4 oclock

John Dwinel Clerk

Met agreeably to the adjournment and Read the Constitution and Voted
as Follows

ily to excuse Saml P Kidder from the office of Director

Chose Robt Adams in his stead

Voted to excuse said Adams

Chose Capt Ephraim Stevens 2nd Director

Voted to dismiss this Meeting

John Dwinell ^Clerk

Manchester Nov 5 182 1
Met at the Annual Meeting a Few of the Members and Voted to adjourn
this meeting until Saturday the first day December Next at 4 Oclock P M

Saturday December i. 1821 met according to adjournment
ist voted Capt Dwinell Moderator
2d voted Samuel Jackson Librarian
3d voted John Dickey ^

John Gamble f Directors

John Proctor )
4th voted to adjourn the meeting until the 4th Instant at three OClock P.
M. to be holden at Dwinell & Quimbys tavern

Tuesday December 4th met agreeably to adjournment and voted to make
a further adjournment until Tuesday the i8th of December instant at 4
O. Clock P. M. to be holden at Dwinell & Quimbys tavern

December 8th 1821

We the directors met and examined the Library and found in said Library

Seventy four Books besides those that are taken out —

John Gamble \ r):^^^.^^^
John Dickey ( ^'i^ectors

Manchester, December 18th 1821
Met agreeable to adjournment
Voted Coll Nathl Moor Moderator
Voted S P Kidder Clerk and Librarian

124 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

Voted J. G. Moor Assistant Clerk
Voted John Dickey )

Robert Hall V Directors
Robert Adams )
Voted Capt John Dwinell Collector
Voted Samuel Jackson Treasurer

Voted That an Inventory of all the Books be taken by the Directors pre-
vious to the Removal of the Library

S. P. Kidder, Clerk

Manchester December 2th 1822
this Day the Members of the Sochal Librey a Greeable to agornment

1 and Chose John Stark Moderator

2 and Chose John Dwinell Clark and Librarian

the moderator has withdrawn

3 Chose Jese Bakar moderator in the Room of said Stark

4 Chose Ruben Sawyer ^

Nathan Johnson [ Directors
Job Rowell )

5 Voted that the Director shall Be Colectors of all moneys Bac

6 Votted to Give mis Elize Stark hir fine
Voted to Desolve said meeting

Manchester November 3th 1823
this Day a Number of the membrs of the Sochal Librey met but not a Nuf
to act Business only to open the meeten, and Chose John Proctoter modera-
tor and adjorned said meeting untill the 17 Day of this Present month at 5
oclock afternoon

Manchester November 17th 1823
this Day a nomber of the Proprietor met But not a Nuff to act Busies But
have a Gorned said meeteen untill the first monday in November Next

John Dwinell Clark

Manchester November i Day 1824

and a fool meeting of the Propriertors and held thir meeting and Voted as
follows

first Chose Israel webster moderator

secontly Chose John Dwinell Librain and Clark

thirdley Chose Capt Ephraim Stevens John Gambel and Isaac huse Di-
rectors

forthly Chose John Gambel Corlector

fifthly Chose John Dwinell tresurer John Dwinell Clark

1824 at a meeting of the Directors of the Derryfield Social Library Decem-
ber II, 1824
Examined the Records and found due to the said Library from sundrys
persons— fines — ^2,62

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. I25

Manchester December 25 1824

This day settled with Lieut Job Rowell and found due to the Social Lybra

seventy eight cents John Gamble I nji-ectors

Isaac Huse j

Manchester January 14th 1823 this Day Receved of Lieut Job Rowell the
Sum of Seventy Eight Cents Receved by me John Dwinell

November 7th 1825
this Day a number of the Proprietors of the Social Library in Manches-
ter met but not a nuf to hold a meeting But Called the meeting and Chose
Isaac huse moderator and ajorned said meeting untill the 28 Day of Novem-
ber instant John Dwinell Clark

November 28th 1825 this Day the Proprietors of the Sochall Libre met ac-
cording to ajornment tho not a Nuf to transact Busines and Voted to aGorn
said meeting untill the first monday of November in the year 1826 at four
oclock after Noon at the place whear the Libra is kept

Manchester December nth 1826 this Day I the Subscriber have taken the
Sochall Librey and 92 Books from John Dwinell which I am a Countabel
for as witness my hand Daniel Hall

Received December 8th 1827 the Social Library consisting of 81 volumes
and it appears by Lieut Daniel Hall's account there are eleven Books out

Samuel Jackson, Librarian
Attest Ephraim Stevens Jr ) r'^^^Uf^,^
Job Rowell [Committee

[The foregoing include all the meetings of the proprietors. Meetings of
the directors were held during this time in November, 1817, December, 1819,
January, 1823, November, 1823, February, 1824, September, 1825, and Novem-
ber and December, 1826. Subsequently to the last meeting of the proprie-
tors the directors held two meetings in 1828, and one each in 1829, 1830, 1831
and 1832. The following books were bought in 1823 : " The holy War Price
$0 80, Gaseteer Price 1-67, the life of Eaton 1-75 and one VoUom on the
World to Come which we have receved of Mr finis Baley for a shear in the
librey $2-00." In addition to the list of fifty-four subscribers before given
on pages 116 and 117, we give the following additional names : John Goffe,
Daniel Davis, David Young, John Tufts, Samuel Hall, Nathaniel Moor,
John Adams, Isaac Huse, Robert Adams, Elizabeth Stark, Mrs. Farmer,
Israel Webster, Thomas Stickney and Elisha Quimby. The whole number
of names of proprietors as shown by these records appears to have been sixty-
eight. Of these but four have middle names ; nine have military titles ; two
have the title of " Mr." and two — John Stark and Isaac Huse — are honored
with the title of "Esq." The whole number of books on hand in 1826 was
eighty-seven, with "one Book misen."]

126 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

Eight additional names are given by Mr. William H. Huse,
from records in his possession, which names appear in the paper
before referred to. He gives also a list of books which exhibits
some inaccuracies. In the copy of the charter which he repro-
duces the attesting signature is given as " Philip Carrigian," but
in the copy engrossed in our record-book it is given as " Nathl
Parker, Depy Secy." The appended lists give the titles of all
the books bought, with the cost of each in pounds, shillings
and pence up to the close of 1798, after which the accounts were
kept in federal currency :

The Proprietors of Derryfield Library Bot of E Larkin Boston 4th Jany
1796 I Spectator 8 Vol ^1.16.0 i Fool Quality 3 V 15.0 i Newton on Proph-
ecies 2 V 136 I Christian & Farmers Mag 2 V 18.0 i Cooks Voige 2 V
15.0 I View of Religion lo.o i Watts on the Mind 6.00 i Pleasing Instruc-
tor 5.3 I Franklins Works 6.0 i Valuable Secrets 6.0 i Burtons Lectures
5.3 I Farmers Letters 4.6 i Carvers Travels 50 i Female Jockey Club
4.6 I Looking Glass for the Mind 4.6 i Forresters 6.0 i Pomfrets Poems
4.0 I Medical Pocket Book 4.6 i Ovids Art of Love 3.9 i History of Amer-
ica 2.3 I Bold Stroke for a Wife 1.6 i Provoked Wife 1.6 i Agreeable
Surprise 0.9 I Arabian Nights Entertainments 2 V 10.6 i Winchester's
Dialogues 4.6 [This amounted to /9.I3-9.] Deduct 10 pr Ct 19.4 — leaving
/8.14.S I Blank Book 3.0 Equal to $29 57 Seven Wise Masters Rome 06
Howards Life 72 Priest Craft 3 Vol 2.09 Infant Baptism 50. Total ^2.94

The Proprietors of Derryfield Library Bot of E Larkin

I Morses Geography 16.6 i Don Quixote 12.0 i Dyers Titles 6.0 i Ers-
kines Sermons 6.0 i Doddridge Rise & Progress 5 3 i Ditto Sermons 3.3
1 Ditto Ditto 3.0 I Ditto on Regeneration 5.3 i Boyles Voyage 4.6 i Re-
ligious Courtship 4.6 i Saunders Journal 3.0 i Ladys Miscellany 4.6 i
Gentlemans Ditto 4.6 i Hive 46 i Rassalas & Dirabus 5.3 i Browns Ora-
cles 3.9 I Christian Life 4 o ^4 17.9 Discount 10 pr Ct 9.9 ^4.8.0 Equal
to $14.67 Deer 1797

The Proprietors of Derryfield Library Bot of E. Larkin Deer 26 1798
I Josephar 6 Vol ^i.io.o i Mores Journal 106 i Robinsons Proofs 10.6
^2.11.0 Discount 10 pr Ct 5.2 ^2.5.10 Equal to $7.65

The Proprietors of Derryfield Library Bot of E. Larkin 26th Deer 1799
I Goldsmith's Animated Nature 4 Vol 9 00 i Morses Gazetteer 2.50 i
Pilgrims Progress 75 i Herveys Meditations 87 1-2 i Maria Cecilia 87 1-2
14.00 Disct 10 pr Ct 1.40 $12.60

HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 12/

Derryfield Social Library Salem Feb 12th 1802 Bot of Gushing & Appleton

Adams History of England 2 25 Davis Sermons 2 Vol 4.00 Hunters Sa-
cred Biography 3 V 6.00 Adams Flowers of Travels 2 V 2.00 Lendronis (?)
American Revolution 2 V 2.00 Ortans Discourses to the Aged i.oo Life
Joseph 62 1-2 Petitpierre on Divine Goodness 87 1-2 Phillip Quarll 75 Re-
pository 75 Dickinsons Five Points 75 Female American 75 i Blk Book
2.00 I ditto I 00 24.75 Disct 10 pr Ct 2.47 1-2 $22.27 1-2 the Washing-
tonia I ct (?)

Manchester January ist 1813
Mr Thomas Stickney Brot forward i Book Exercises of Piety i An Expli-
catory Catechism i a Short and Easy Method with Deists

In addition to the foregoing five volumes were subsequently-
bought of Capt. John Dwinell ; three of Job Rowell, one of Mr.
Phineas Bailey and five volumes of Washington's Life, bought of
Job Rowell ; two books were added in 1800 and one in 18 17. It
appears from these records that the whole number of titles was
eighty-two and the number of separate volumes not less than
one hundred and twelve. In 1825 Betsey Kidder executed a
deed to the Library, conveying her right and title to Jonathan
Young. These names should be added to the list of proprietors
previously given. It is probable that all the books were finally
sold at public vendue. As each volume, by vote of 1798, was
inscribed "Derryfield Social Library," etc., it is probable that
some of these books are still in possession of the descendants of
original proprietors or purchasers and may thus be identified.
The suggestion is made that should any volumes of this curious
collection be brought to light that they be deposited with the
Manchester Historic Association for safe keeping.

CONCLUSION.

With this number we conclude the series of contributions to
the early history of Manchester, throughout which we have kept
up the pleasant fiction of Derryfield. The work has already
outgrown our first design, but the field of inquii-y is still inviting
additional research. We have scarcely more than covered the

128 HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD.

period antedating the first actual settlements in Derryfield, and
in the events occurring from 1750 to the date of the city charter
much matter of inter'est remains to be made of record.

We may attempt the task of gleaning the field already reaped,
gathering perchance here and there a straw which has been jolt-
ed from the historical wain, and prolonging a little further the
search amid fast disappearing annals. For the period following
1841 the writer will have the advantage of personal recollection,
and he has already reached that over-ripe stage of life in which
the pictures of past events are more vivid than those of recent
occurrence. We should be permitted to add that the work is a
labor of love, undertaken and published wholly at the expense
of the writer, with little prospect of reward, but he is abundantly
satisfied if he has succeeded in casting an added light upon the
fading pages of the past.