Memoir of Charles Frost

I

HoUinger

pH 83

MiU Run F03-2193

l^^Y^i^r,

/

/A^^

r~r-'

>■ r ~r

^0

*■ \}

^l

IN BXCHA.NG£

Bos. iiuiieii
Mar 2P ^^

« • •

I,

I i

-Ay

MEMOIR OF CHARLES FROST.

[By Usher Parsons, M. D., of rrovidcncc, E. I., Member of the N. England Historic
^> Genealogical Society.]

[Mr. Editor: The last two numbers of your journal contained copies
of ancient manuscripts relating to Richard Waldron, Charles Frost, and
others, who were among the first settlers about the Pascataqua. These I
have thought might serve to render a brief sketch of the life of Major Frost
interesting to your readers.]

Charles Frost was born in Tiverton, England, in 1632. He accom-
panied his father to the Pascataqua river at the age of three or four years.

His father, Nicholas Frost, was also a native of Tiverton, and resided
"near Lemon Green, over against Bear- Garden." He had one sister, who
"married Charles Brooks, a brazier in Crown Alley, London." He was
born about the year 1595, and arrived at Pascataqua about 1635 or 1636^
and settled at the head of Sturgeon Creek, on the south side of Frost's Hill,
where he died, July 20, 1663, and was buried in the rear of his house. He
brought over a wife and two or three children. The wife is not mentioned
in his will, dated 1650, from which it is to be inferred that she died before
that time. This will was examined in court of probate, and, from some
cause now unknown, was deemed "invalid and of none effect." The court
ordered that his estate be divided among his children equally, excepting that
Charles, the oldest, should have a double share, "for his care and former
trouble." This amounted to £211. Charles took the homestead, with five
hundred acres of land. To his second son, John, he gave three hundred
acres in York, with a marsh valued at £65, the rest in money. To William
Leighton, for his wife Catherine, personal property. To Elizabeth, when
she should arrive of age, personal estate. To Nicholas, a house and lot
adjoining Leighton's, and personal property ; he being a minor, was placed
under the guardianship of his brother Charles.

Catherine Leighton had a son and a daughter named John and Eliza-
beth. The latter died young. The son married Oner Langdon, and was
the ancestor of a numerous race, among whom were a grandson, Major
Samuel Leighton of Elliot, and his son. General Samuel Leighton, who
died in Alfred, Sept., 1848. Catherine married again, to Jose])li Hammond,
who was Register and Judge of Probate, and had children by him. She
died Aug. 1, 1715.

Jo]l71 settled in York and afterwards at the Isles of Shoals, where he
carried on fisheries. He died 1718, at Star Island, leaving a widow named
Sarah, and a son Samuel, who inherited the York estate, and two others,
named Samuel and Ithamer, and one daughter, who married William Fox,
and three grandsons, the sons of John, the eldest of whom was named John.

Elizabeth married William Smith.

Nicholas followed the sea, was bound an apprentice as sailor to Thomas
Orchard. He commanded a ship that sailed between Maryland and Ire-
land. He died at Limerick, Ireland, August, 1673, unmarried, and left his
estate to the children of his brother Ciiarles and sister Catherine. Ham-
mond claimed of Leighton's children a share of their uncle's legacy for his
own children, and, after a lawsuit, obtained it.

Mr. Nicholas Frost was an uneducated farmer. His signature to papers
was with a mark. He was, however, esteemed a trustworthy, judicious

2 3Iemo{r of Charles Frost. ^\H^

citizen, as appears from the fact of his appointment to responsible offices, as
constable and selectman.

Charles Frost, who succeeded to the homestead of his father Nich-
olas, at the head of Sturgeon Creek, became a distinguished man, both in
civil and military life. In narrating the events of his life, it will be neces-
sary to connect them with a brief sketch of the political history of Pascata-
qua, comprising the present towns of Kittery, Elliot, and South Berwick.
They were designated by the first settlers by local names, as Kittery Point,
Spruice Creek, now Kittery, Sturgeon Creek, in Elliot, Newichewannick,
extending from the mouth of the river at South Berwick to the mills at
Great Works, so called, Quampegan, still known as such, and Salmon Falls.
These names were applied to the villages or settlements near them, and
were all included under the plantation of Pascataqua. In 1G47 it was in-
corporated under the name of Kittery, after a town of that name in Eng-
land, where several of the emigrants formerly resided. Berwick was sep-
arately incorporated in 1723, being for some time previous designated as
Union Parish. Elliot was separated from Kittery in 1810, and South Ber-
wick from Berwick in 1824. In 1G36 the number of inhabitants in all these
towns was two hundred, the population of Maine being one thousand four
hundred. The grand highway of the inhabitants of Pascataqua was on the
river, to Portsmouth, Dover, and Exeter.

The first settlement of Pascataqua followed soon after that of Plymouth.
In 1G22 the Council of Plymouth (England) granted to John Mason and
Sir Ferdinando Gorges "all the lands situated between the rivers Merrimac
and Kennebec," by the name of "the Province of Laconia." These two
gentlemen, with some associates, constituting the company of Laconia,
erected salt works at Little Harbor, near Portsmouth, and carried on fish-
ing and furtradino; with the Indians. In 162 4 Ambrose Gibbons built a
mill at Newichewannick, (South Berwick,) which was soon after managed
by Humphrey Chadborne. The company appointed AValter Neal their
agent, who served till 1634, when he was succeeded by Francis Williams.
Failing of anticipated success, most of the company of Laconia became dis-
couraged, and sold out to Gorges and Mason, who, in 1634, divided their
lands, Mason taking New Hampshire, and Gorges taking all eastward of
the Pascataqua to Kennebeck, which he called JYciv ScnucrsetsJiire.

Settlements were made on the eastern shore of the river, at Kittery Point,
Spruce Creek, Sturgeon Creek, and Newichewannick. Gorges sold to
Mason a strip of land along the whole length of the river, three miles wide,
including the mills at South Berwick, but Mason soon died, and this revert-
ed back to Gorges, and was reannexed to Somersetshire. William Gorges,
nephew of Sir Ferdinando, was appointed governor, and served two years.
The courts were at this time held at Saco, which was settled earlier.

The agent of Pascataqua, Williams, was directed to encourage emigra-
tion from England; and, between 1034 and 1640, a large number of per-
sons arrived, among whom were Nicholas Frost and family. It is not
known precisely what year he arrived, but, from the fact that he was ap-
pointed to an important office in 1640, it is probable he came much earlier,
perhaps 1635 or 1636. The settlers were allowed to take up as much land
as they could fence, by paying two shillings and two and a half per acre, for
one hundred years. Nicholas Frost took four hundred acres.

In 1639 Sir Ferdinando Gorijes obtained a new charter under the name
of the Province or County of Maine. Another nephew of his, Thomas
Gorges, was appointed deputy governor, with six councillors. The courts
were held at Saco and York. In June, 1640, the governor and council

Memoir of Charles Frost. 3

held a court at Saco, where, among otlier ofiicers appointed, was NIcliolag
Frost, as constable of Pascatnqua. Sir Ferdinando caused Afi-amenticiis
(old York) to be erected into a borough, and soon after into a city, called
Georgeana, with mayor and aldermen. Being involved in the civil wars
now raging in England, and connected with the prostrated party, he was
imprisoned during his few remaining days, and his nephew. Governor
Thomas Gorges, becoming discontented, resigned his office at the end of
three years, wdien his commission expired, and returned home to England,
leaving Maine without a successor. The council appointed one of their
number, a Mr. Vines, as deputy governor, in 1G44.

A claim had recently been set up to the eastern part of Maine, from
Kennebunk river to Kennebeck, under what was called the Plough patent,
by one Kigby, of England, who appointed George Cleves as his deputy or
agent. Cleves made interest with Massachusetts, and with the commission-
ers of plantations in England, who decided that Rigby's title was undoubt-
edly good, and this decision left Sir Ferdinando in possession of only the
land between Kennebunk and Pascataqua rivers. He, however, died soon
after.

The whole province of Maine was badly governed, and, after a time, the
people became desirous of following the example of New Hampshire, whose
inhabitants, a few jenrs previous, (1G12,) applied for and obtained annexa-
tion to Massachusetts. This government was very willing to receive Maine
in like manner, and, "by a plausible construction of their own charter,"
claimed it as their property. The claimants under both Rigby and Gorges,
through tlieir agents, Cleves and Godfrey, though previously opposed to
each other, united now, in resisting the claim of Massachusetts. But the
inhabitants under Gorges were anxious for annexation, and it was soon ef-
fected. In 1652 four commissioners were sent from Boston to Pascatnqua,
or Kittery, as it was now called, where a court was held during four days,
and, after much discussion and altercation, they received the concession of
forty -one persons, among whom were jSTicholas Frost and his son, Ckadcs
Frost.

The other towns west of Kennebunk river immediately followed their
example, and, in process of time, the towns eastward, in lligby's patent,
submitted in like manner. In 1653 Kittery sent a representative to the
general court of Massachusetts, and, in 1658, Charles Frost, then 2(j years
of age, was chosen to'the office, which he held live years.

In 1660 Ferdinando Gorges, grandson of the baronet, laid claim to the
province as heir at law. King Charles II. sanctioned the claim, and, in
1664, ordered it to be restored to him. Nichols, Cai-r, Cartwright, and Mav-
erick v,^ere directed by the king to demand possession and to hold coui'ts. A
sharp altercation took place between them and the general court of jNIassa-
chusetts, and they left for Maine without effecting a reconciliation. The king
wrote a reprimand to the people of Massachusetts and Tdaine, and required
them to restore the province to Gorges forthwith. Archdale, an api)ointed
a'^Mit, made the demand of the Massachusetts government ; but instead of
com[)lying, they ordered a county court, consisting of Thomas Danforth and
others asjudges, to be lield at York. But on arriving at Portsmouth, the
court were forbid to enter IMaine. They therefore returned to Boston, fol-
lowed by the king's coraissioners, who were so insolent and overbearing to
the government as to prevent all further conference. They were soon after
recalled or dismissed from office.

The interrupted state of the courts caused by these contentions, left
Maine without suitable legislation or courts of justice. In 1668 Massachu-

4 Memoir of Oharles Frost.

setts sent four commissioners to hold a court in York, where they met the
justices appointed by the king's commissioners ready to hold a court also.
After much quarrelling those of Massachusetts prevailed, and a government
and court were organized in due form. The following year, 1609, the
province, after a suspension of three years, again sent representatives to the
general court, among whom was Charles Frost of Kittery.

The militia of Maine was now organized into six companies, one of which
was commanded by Charles Frost.

The Dutch war ensued, which engrossed the attention of the king, and
thus gave Massachusetts a short respite from his interferences. But after
a time the claim of Gorges's heirs was again renewed, and, to obviate all
further trouble from them, it was deemed the wisest policy to buy them
out. This was effected through the agency of John Usher, for the sum of
£1200. This procedure displeased the king, who was at the time trying to
negotiate for it with Gorges's heirs, intending it as a place for one of his
court favorites. He wrote a reprimanding letter to the government ; but
the bargain was made and completed, and Gorges's claim for ever extin-
guished.

Although Massachusetts had by purchase become "the assignee and pro-
prietor of Maine, yet it was contended that she must govern it according to
the stipulations in Gorges's charter," and not as a constituent part of her
own colony. Accordingly it was determined to restore the form of civil
administration established by Gorges, subject, however, to the general over-
sight and direction of her governor and assistants. They therefore appoint-
ed, in 1680, a president (Thomas Danforth) and six assistants or council-
lors, who were to act as judges of the courts. Among the six councillors
thus appointed was Charles Frost. He was also appointed at the same
time commander-in-chief of the Maine regiment.

Edward Randolph, the bitter enemy of the colonies, was appointed by the
crown as collector and surveyor. He acted as an emissary and secret in-
former against Massachusetts, representing her government and people as
enemies to the authorities in England, and presented grave accusations to
the throne against her best men, which threatened to result in the upsetting
of her charter. So imminent was the danger of this, that in order to avoid
it, she would willingly have relinquished her title to Maine. At length,
however, the fatal blow was struck. On the 4th of June, 1084, the charter
was adjudged to be forfeited, and the liberties of the colonies were seized
by the crown. Colonel Kirke, a brutal tyrant, was appointed governor, but
Charles II. died the following February, 1685, which annulled the appoint-
ment before his arrival, and his successor, James II., did not incline to
renew it.*^

The general court was soon after annihilated by the arrival (May, 1086)
of Joseph Dudley as President of New England, with the names of fifteen
councillors, among whom was John Usher and the odious Randolph. In a
few months Dudley was succeeded by Sir Edmond Andros, a man of des-
potic temper. He was* subsequently commissioned (1688) as President of
New England and New York, and New Jersey. His council consisted of
thirty-nine members, among whom were John Usher and Joseph Dudley.
His government was arbitrary and despotic. The people chafed under it
until they became desperate. In the spring of 1689 a rumor was spread
among them that the governor's guards were to be let loose on Boston.
This produced an explosion, and early in the morning of April 8, the popu-

* Williamson.

Memoir of Charles Frost, 5

lace rose in a mass, seized the governor and thirty of his more obnoxious
partizans, and confined them, some of them twenty weeks. Andros surren-
dered the keys, but not without some reluctance.

As soon as Andros was deposed, a general convention was held at Bos-
ton, which appointed a council of safety, consisting of Danforth, Bradstreet,
and thirty-four others. In about thirty days after this the joyful news ar-
rived, not, however, unexpected, that James had abdicated, and that Wil-
liam and Mary had ascended the throne. The council recommended that
delegates be chosen by towns, and, accordingly, fifty-four towns were repre-
sented at Boston, May 22d, who voted "to resume the government accord-
ing to charter rights," and they appointed Bradstreet governor, and Dan-
forth lieutenant governor.

Danforth had presided over Maine as a province, assisted by Charles
Frost, Francis Hooke, and others, for the term of six years. But JNIaine,
like Massachusetts, was involved in the overturning and arbitrary measures
of Dudley and Andros, under whose administration courts were held at
York by William Stoughton, John Usher, and others. The council of safe-
ty now reinstated the former governor and council of Maine, namely, Dan-
forth, Frost, Ilooke, and others. They also appointed and " commissioned
Charles Frost to command the western regiment, and Edward Tyng the
eastern regiment of Maine."

The province was soon after reannexed as a constituent part of Massa-
chusetts, and remained so for more than a century. Charles Frost wns
appointed in 1G93 one of the three councillors from Maine, which office he
held till his death, in 1697.

It may serve to illustrate the customs of early times in respect to drink-
ing, to insert an ordinance of the court in 1G90, soon after Danforth was
deposed, and to relieve the fatiguing detail of dates and events which we
have now passed through. "July 15, 1G90. In the court of sessions of the
peace for the Province of Maine, held at York before Major John Davis,
Deputy president. Major Charles Frost, Captain Francis Hooke, and John
Wincoln, Justices. Whereas, there is great complaint made of several
abuses taken notice of in ordinaries, by excessive drinking of rum, flip, and
other strong liquor, the ill consequences of which are seen in the misbe-
havior of several persons in the presence of authority ; for the preventing
of the like in future it is therefore ordered, that if any ordinary or tavern
keeper should sell any rum. Hip, or other strong drink, to an inhabitant of
the town, except in case of sickness or necessity, or more than one gill to a
stranger, he should forfeit his licence."*

The foregoing sketch of the political history of the western part of IMaine
during Major Frost's life, and of the services he rejndered in various re-
sponsible offices, exhibits clearly the high estimation in which he was held
by his fellow citizens and the government. His military services remain
to be noticed. Trained from childhood to agricultural employments and to
the still more invigorating toils of the hunter, and removed from the ener-
vating influences of polished life, he acquired the stamina of body and mind
which fitted him for the arduous and perilous duties of savage warfare.
The howling of wolves around his father's cabin was his evening enter-
tainment, and, from the neighboring hill-top, his morning vision could sur-
vey the curling smoke arising from numerous Indian villages on the tribu-
tary streams of the Pascataqua. The savage yell and war whoop awakened
no fearful throbbings in his youthful heart, but rather served to enkindle a

* Collections of the Maine Historical Society.

6 Memoir of Charles Frost.

zeal for daring and heroic achievements. He early evinced a fondness for
military exercises and parade, and being enrolled as a soldier at sixteen, he
gradually rose, through successive grades, to be commander-in-chief of the
militia of Maine.

His early fondness for the use of firearms led him, at the age of fourteen,
to an accidental deed which occasioned great sorrow to himself and others.
He unintentionally killed a comrade, named Warwick Heard. He submit-
ted himself at once for trial by a jury, which took place at Wells, July G,
1G4G. The jury were ordered by the court to inquire whether the killing
was from malice, or accidental, or a misadventure. They reported that
"they find that Charles Frost did kill Warwick Heard by misadventure,
and acquit him by proclamation."

It was the practice of the militia of Maine to train in companies six times
a year, and to have general musters once in two years. The county records
contain the following account of a sentence passed upon a soldier in 1G74
by the court, which may interest the reader. ''Richard Gibson complained
of for his dangerous and mutinous conduct towards his commander Captain
Charles Frost, which misbehaviour api)earing in court, the court order as
follows, 1. that the said Gibson, for striking Captain Frost at the head of
his company, is appointed to receive, by John Parker senior, twenty-five
stripes on the bare skin, Avhich were this day given him in presence of the
court. And further, considering the insolence of the said Gibson's behav-
iour in the premises, it is further ordered that Captain Frost shall have and
is empowered by warrant, to call beibre him the said Richard Gibson, the
next training day at Kittery, and whither he is to order him to be laid neck
and heels together at the head of his company for the time of two hours, or
to ride the wooden horse at the head of the company, which of these pun-
ishments Captain Frost shall see meet to appoint ; and, for the said Gib-
son's multiplying of oaths, he is fined 20 shillings ; and, for being drunk is
fined 10 shillings, and to pay all charges of court, and to stand committed
until the sentence be performed ; and further, the said Gibson is required
to give bonds for his good behaviour of £20. that the said Gibson shall be
of good behaviour towards all persons, and more especially towards Captain
Frost, until the next county court, and that the said Gibson shall appear at
Kittery, when required by Captain Frost, there to perform the order of
court, and further that he pay to the county treasurer 82 shillings. James
Warren, as abettor, is sentenced to ride the wooden horse."*

Military discipline was practised among the settlers, in anticipation of a
war on the seaboard, rather than against savages from the interior. Perfect
peace had existed with these during the first forty years of the settlement,
with the exception of.a short conflict with the Pequods, in the year IGoG, in
which the people of Maine scarcely participated. But the time was arriving
when a savage war was suddenly to break out in every part of New Eng-
land. Its approach was foreseen and predicted by the Indian Sagamore
Knowles, who resided at Quampegan, in South Berwick, and was Sachem or
governor of the tribe that previously occupied the shores of the Pascataqua.
"In 1670, when Knowles was bed rid of sickness and age, he complained
of the great neglect with which the English treated him. At length he
sent a message to some of the principal ]nen of Kittery to visit him. ''Being
loaded with years,' as he told them, 'I had expected a visit in my infirmi-
ties, especially from those who are now teiuuits on the land of my fathers.
Though all these plantations are of right my children's, I am forced, in this

* York County Records.

Memoir of diaries Frost, J

age of evils, humbly to request a few acres of land to be marked out for
them, and recorded as a pubHc act in the town books, so that when I am
gone they may not be perishing beggars in the pleasant })laces of their
birth. For I know that a great war will shortly break out between the
wliite men and Indians over the whole country. At first the Indians will
kill many and prevail, but after three years they will be great sufferers, and
finally be rooted out and destroyed.' This was sworn to by Major Ricliard
AYaldron, Captain Charles Frost, and, Rev. Joshua Moody, who were pres-
ent and heard it."

The war of King Phillip began in lG7o, five years after the date of
Frost's commission as captain, and of Roger Plaisted's as his lieutenant.
The former had immediate charge of the garrisons at Sturgeon Creek, (El-
liot,) where he resided, and the latter of Salmon Falls and Quampegan.
The first alarm of Phillip's war was in June, 1G7G, and spread like wildfire.
In twenty days the flame broke out on the Kennebeck river. Depredations
and murders were committed by numerous parties of savages in quick suc-
cession upon the scattered settlements. In September a party approached
Durham, near Dover, killed two and took captive two. A few days after
they attacked the house of one Tozier, at Newichewannick, (South Berwick)
which contained fifteen women and children, all of whom, with the exception
of two children, were saved by the intrepidity of a girl of eighteen. On
seeing the Indians approach the house, she shut the door and braced herself
against it till the others escaped to the next house, which was better secured.
The Indians chopped the door down with hatchets, and knocking her down,
left her for dead ; but she recovered. They murdered several other per-
sons, and burnt houses. The inhabitants were panic struck and fled to the
garrisons, where they lived in constant fear of an attack.

On the IGth of October, lG7o, they made an onset upon Salmon Falls.
Lieutenant Plaisted sent out a party of seven from his garrison to recon-
noitre. They fell into an ambush and three were killed, the rest retreated.
The next day, Plaisted, venturing out with his team to bring in the dead
for burial, was waylaid and fell into another ambush. He and his son were
killed, and another son mortally wounded. In the midst of the fight he
despatched messengers to his superior oificers, Major Waldron of Dover,
and Captain Frost, imploring their aid and their prayers, but their aid
came too late.* The gallantry of Plaisted arrested the progress of the In-
dians for a time, and Captain Frost had an opportunity to bury the dead
unmolested.

But the Indians soon returned, and, destroying other lives and dwellings,
they proceeded to Sturgeon Creek and burnt a house and killed two men.
The house of Captain Frost being a little remote from neighbors and un-
fortified, was marked out by them for destruction. "He was a short dis-

-^ The following? letter is preserved in Hubbard's most valuable History of the Indian
Wars, Part ii. p. 23, Boston edition, 4to, 1677.

'' Salmon Falls October 16. 1075. Mr. Rirhnrd Walihrn and Lient. CoJ/in, these arc to
inform you, that just now the Indians arc en^^aging tis with at least am hundred men, And
have slain four of our men ah-eadv, Richard Tozer, James Barny, Imack Bottes, and Tozers
/Son, and burnt Benoni Hodsdan's house; Sir,!? ever you have any love for us, and the
Country, now show your self with men to help us, or else we are all in great danger to be
slain, unless our God wonderfully appear for our Deliverance. They that cannot fight, let
them pray ; Not else, but I Kcst, Yours to serve you „, . ,

Signed by Bogcr Plaisted,

George. Brotighfon."

For more full accounts of these times oi" terror the reader is referred to the author above
cited, to Belknap's "New Hampshire," and Williamson's "Maine" — Ed.

8 Memoir of Charles Frost,

tance from it when attacked, and narrowly escaped the effect of ten shots
aimed at him. There were only three boys with him in the house," (prob-
ably his sons) "yet he had the forethought and prudence to give out audible
words of command, as if a body of Indians was with him — load quick! lire
there ! that's well ! brave men ! — a stratagem which saved themselves and
the house."*

The Indians proceeded down the shore of the Pascataqua, and thence
eastward through York, burning houses and killing people wherever they
found them unguarded, so that in the short period of three months, eighty
lives were taken, a great many houses plundered and burnt, and^ animals
killed.

Frost wrote to his commander, Major Waldron, at Dover, for permission
to garrison his house, which he was directed to do, and to keep a constant
guard and watch, as the following letter will show.

Capt. Trost and sergnt neall

Gentelmen I thought to have mett with you here at maior Sheply's [Shaplegh] l3ut un-
derstanding the guns were herd about Stargoon Crccck it is avcH you tooke your inarch as
you did — my dasier and order is that you garrison you owne liouse with 10 men and doe
your beste now the snow is vpon the grond which will be Aduantadge upon ther tracks.
Your letter I rescued about garrisoning your house. We have a party of men upon your
side coraanded by goodman iDanmore (?) and Jolm wingut [Wingate?] and Joseph Fild
are going out this night: and in Case you want men goe to the garrisons abouc and espe-
cially Samon fauU and take men for any expedition : and all the Comanders of the garri-
sons are hereby requierd to Atand your order herin and this shall be your surficant war-
rant.

dated this 8 nomber 1675 about 3 oclock.

Your servent Richard AYaldern

Sergeut Maior
I intend god willing to be at
nachwanack to morrow morning
therfor would dasier to her from you

R: W.

As the winter approached, the Indians found themselves destitute of am-
munition and provisions and in danger of starvation. All the neighboring
Sagamores, from Dover to Casco, sued for peace, which, being granted by
"Waldron, they were quiet for seven months, till August, 1G7G, in whicli
month the war at the west terminated by the death of King Phillip. Some
of his adherents fled from the conquered tribe to the eastward, and mixed
with their brethren of Penacook, (Concord, N. H.,) Ossipee, Pickwacket,
(Fryeburg,) and Saco. Others mixed with the Kennebeck and Amoriscogen
tribes, which were ravaging all the eastern settlements of Maine.

Waldron and Frost received orders this same month to kill and destroy
all hostile Indians, and two companies, commanded by Captains Hawthorn
and Sill, were sent from Boston to Maine with like orders. On their way
thither they came to Dover, September 6th, 167G, where four hundred
mixed Indians were assembled at the garrison of Major Waldron, with
whom they had made peace, and whom they considered their friend and
father. Hawthorn and Sill were for attacking them at once, but Waldron
objected*© it, and contrived to take them by stratagem. He proposed to
the Indians to have a sham-fight, and, on the following day, summoned his
men with Captain Frost and his men, who were at Pascataqua. They, in
conjunction, formed one party, and the Indians another. Having diverted
them a while in this manner with manoeuvres, and induced the Indians to
fire the first volley, tliey surrounded and seized the whole of them with pe-
culiar dexterity, excepting two or three, before they could form a suspicion

* Williamson's History of Maine.

Memoir of Charles Frost. 9

of what they intended, and disarmed them without the loss of a man on
either side. They then separated those known to be friendly, and dismissed
them. The strangers from the south and Avest, amounting to three hundred
were sent to Boston to be dealt with judicially, seven or eif^ht of whom be-
ing known to have killed Englishmen, were hanged ; the remainder were
sold into foreign slavery. Public opinion has ever been divided as to the
propriety of the whole affair. Be that as it may, the two leading oilicers
concerned in it, Waldron and Frost, after a lapse of many years, paid the
forfeit of their lives at the hands of savages, who always spoke of the strat-
agem as a base yankee trick.*

Two days after this surprisal the forces proceeded eastward, but they
found the settlements all deserted or destroyed, and they soon returned and
made an excursion to Ossipy ponds, which proved alike fruitless.

After a time an Indian named Mogg came in and proposed peace ; but
it was soon violated, and no alternative was left but to renew hostilities.
Accordingly in February following, 1677, Waldron and Frost, with one
hundred and fifty men, sailed from Boston eastward. Public prayers were
offered on the day of their departure. They landed at Brunswick, where they
held a parley with Indians, who promised to bring in captives that after-
noon. But no more was heard of them till the next day, when there was
seen a flotilla of canoes approaching, who menaced a scouting party sent
towards the place of landing. But Captain Frost attacked them from an
unexpected quarter, killing and wounding several. This led to another
parley, which resulted in the recovery of none of the promised captives.
They then sailed to the mouth of the Kennebeck, and held a parley with
an assemblage of Indians on shore. "It was mutually agreed to lay aside
arms, and to negotiate for the ransom of prisoners. The Indians demanded
twelve beaver skins for each, with some good liquor, but only three captives
could be obtained. Another parley was proposed, when Waldron, Frost,
and three others landed under a mutual promise that no weapons should be
M'orn on either side. But Waldron espied the point of a lance under a
board, and searching further, found other weapons, and taking and bran-
dishing one towards them exclaimed, Ferfidious luretches ! you intended to
get our goods and then kill us, did you ? They were thunder struck. Yet
one more daring than the rest seized the weapon and strove to wrest it from
Waldron's hand. A tumult ensued, in which his life was much endangered.
Captain Frost laid hold of Megunnaway, one of the barbarous murderers of
Thomas Bracket and neighbors, and dragged him into his vessel. Mean-
while an athletic squaw caught up a bundle of guns and ran for the woods.
At that instant a reinforcement arrived from the vessels, when the Indians
scattered in all directions, pursued by the soldiers. In this affray Sagamore
Maltahouse and an old powow and five otlier Indians were killed, five were
capsized in a canoe and drowned, and five others were captured. One
thousand pounds of beef were taken, and some other booty. Megunnaway,
grown hoary in crimes, was shot."t

They left a garrison of forty men near the mouth of the Kennebeck, un-
der Captain Davis, and returned to Boston, IMarch 11, without the loss of a
man.

A few days after they sailed from the Kennebeck, eleven of the forty
men they left tliere were cut off in an ambush, and the others were ordered
to otlier forts at Casco and Saco. Seventy men were now ordered eastward
from Pascataqua, under Captain Swaine, to afford relief On the 7th of

* Belknap. t Williamson's History of Maine.

10 Memoir of Charles Frost.

April, seven men were killed in the fields near York, and six in Wells,
three at Black Point, and in May, another attack was made on York, in
which four were killed and two taken prisoners. In June, (1G77,) two
hundred and forty men were sent to Black Point, under Miijor Swett, sixty
of whom, with their commander, fell in an encounter with the enemy. The
Indians next tried their fortune upon fishing vessels along the shore, be-
tween Wells and Casco, (Portland,) and succeeded in cr.pturing twenty.
During all this spring and summer Captain Frost was constantly engaged
in superintending the garrisons of the county of York. The following or-
der, now in the writer's possession, was given in May.

To Cfipt Charles Trost
You arc hereby Required in his ]\Iajtics name to Impressc six abl- Souldiers either of
Tor Own town or others compleatly flitted wth Armes & Araunition tt Attend ye Service
of ye Country in yor Garrison or otherwise as you shall see meet, & this shall be yor sufli-
cient Wartt from

Richard Waldern Serget maior
2: May 1677

In April he received the following, from General Dennison, the com-
mander-in-chief.

To Captain Charles Frost —

You are hereby authorised to take imder your command and conduct fifty foot soldiers
herewith sent you of the county of Essex and Norfold — commandiutr' them to obey you
as their captain, whom you are to lead and conduct against the common Enemy now in-
festing Yorkshire, whom you are with all diligence to pursue and destroy as also to succor
and assist the English of Wells, York Neechiwannick or elsewhere, as you shall have op-
])ortunity. And the said soldiers are hereby required to attend your orders and commands
for the prosecution of the enemy as abovesaid, according to the rules and orders of mili-
tary discipline, and you are to attend such orders & instructions as from time to time you
shall receive from myself or other superior authority and for so doing this shall be your
warrant.

Dated April 12 1677. Daniel Dennison Major General.

Instructions for Capt. Charles Frost

You must take notice that the party of souldiers now sent you arc designed cheifely for
the defense of Yorkeshire & the dwellinges on the upper j^arts of Pascatay. You are ihcr-
fore principally so to improve them, by your constant marches about the borders of Wells,
Yorke, Nochiwannick Cochecho Exeter liaueril &c. as you shal have intelligence of the
enemies' motion, whom you are upon every opportunity without delay to pcrsue & en-
deavor to take Capteve, kill & destroy.

Having notice of any partie of the enemy at any fishing place or other rendevous you
shall lay hold on such opportunity to assault the enemy.

If you shall luidcrstand the enemy to be too numerous for your smal partie you shall
advise wth Major Walderne and desire his Assistance to furnish you Avth a greater force
for a present service, but if you judg the opportunity or advantage may be lost by such a
delay you shall for a present service require the inhabitants or garrison souldiers of the
])lace where you are or so many as may be necessary for you & safe for the place imedi-
atcly to attend you upon such present service for destroying the enemy.

In all your motions & marches, silence & speed will be your advantage & security.

You must supply your present wants of victuals & amvmition for your souldiers out of
the tov.-nes & places where you come, especially from Portsmouth to Avhom I have writt
for that end, & if a larger supply be wanting you shal give notice thereof to my selfo or the
Governr & Cormsel.

The necessity &. distress of those parts & confidence of your Courage & industry doe
require your utmost activity in the management of this business wthout spending neede-
less expensive delayes up and be doing & the Lord prosper your endeavors.

You shall from time to time give intelligence of all occurrences of moment to Ma-jor
Walderne, h my selfe, & as much as may be wthout })rejudice of the service advise wth
Miijor Walderne & the Gentelmen of Portsmouth upon whom you must principally de-
pend for your ])resent supplyes

[Then follows in another hand :]

for Charles Frost

These ar the Instructions Received from ye Majr Gcnerall at the same time as his
Comiss of A])rill 1G77 & delivered to him "the 13th according to order

Yours llobt Pike

Sergt

Memoir of Charles Frost, ' 11

Such were the calamities and distresses in the spring and summer of
1G77, when an unexpected relief came, by the arrival of a force at Kenne-
beck, sent by Sir Edmond Andros, from New York, acting under a claim
to the territory from the Duke of York. Finding tlie Indians pacific, the
commander obtained the release of fifteen captives and some vessels. Dur-
ing the autumn and winter following, no further ravages were committed.
In the spring (April) a treaty was negotiated by Major Shapleigh, (who
succeeded Major Frost as commander,) at Portsmouth, in which it was
stipulated that all captives should be released without ransom; former in-
habitants to return to their homes and live unmolested, but were to pay a
peck of corn yearly, each family. Thus ended King Phillip's war in Maine;
a war in which two hundred and sixty were killed or taken captive east of
the Pascataqua, a vast number of houses burnt, animals slaughtered, and
property plundered.

The next year, 1G78, Charles Frost, with two others, represented Maine
in the general court, from which time he continued in the office and in at-
tending to his private affairs, until he was appointed by the governor and
council of Massachusetts one of the eight members of tlie provincial council
of Maine, to act under Gorges's charter, which Massachusetts had assumed.
The council consisted of Bryant Pendleton, Charles Frost, Francis Hooke,
John Davis, Samuel Wheelwright, Edward Tyng, and John Lincoln.

The arrival of Dudley and Andros, in 1688, as Presidents of New Eng-
land, superseded the provincial government of Maine, which had lasted six
years. Danforth and his council were proscribed, and very little is heard
of Frost until Andros w^as overthrown, April 18tli, 1689, after a reign of
one or two years. It was during the last year of this reign, 168*J, that
another Indian war broke out, which went by the name of King William's
w^ar, and lasted ten years. No sooner ^vas Andros deposed than the pro-
vincial government of Maine, consisting of Danforth, Frost, and others, who
had been proscribed by Andros, were reinstated, and the times being peril-
ous as in the former war, led to the appointment of Charles Frost as com-
mander of the military forces in Maine.

The war of King WilHam began in August, 1688, in North Yarmouth
and Kenneb( ck. In April following, Dover was taken by stratagem and
mostly destroyed. Major Waldron was inhumanly tortured, in a savage
manner. Tw^enty-three persons were killed and twenty-nine carried into
captivity. The seizure of four hundred Indians in that place "more than
twelve years before was a transaction never to be forgotten, never to be
forgiven by savages." Some of those sold in Boston as slaves and sent into
distant lands had probably returned, and v/ere bent on revenge. It was
unfortunate for Major Frost that he was obliged to aid Waldron in the cap-
ture of the four hundred, as it cost him his life ere the present war termi-
nated.

Being in command of the western regiment, and having the forts and
garrisons under his special care. Frost was not ordered eastward, that sec-
tion of Maine being placed under the more immediate command of Dudley
Tyng. Major Swaine was sent, with six hundred mditia, to tlie eastward,
accompanied by Colonel Church, who had signalized himself in King Phil-
lip's war at the west. He was appointed by Andros to lead the forces
against the Indians at Brunswick and Kennebeck, and was continued in the
same service after Andros was deposed. But Church's success in his five
eastern expeditions i'ell short of public expectation.

Major Frost's presence was greatly needed at the western part of Maine.
Only a few days belbre the date of his commission, August, 1680, the In-

12 Memoir of Charles Frost,

dians entered at Salmon Falls, (Berwick) under the command of Hart el, a
Frenchman, with a force of Indians and French, killed thirty-fonr brave
men and carried away captive fifty-four persons, mostly women and chil-
dren, and plundered and burnt the houses and mills. In the following
spring they revisited Brunswick and Dover, killing and destroying what
was left, and extending their ravages to Sturgeon Creek, where Frost re-
sided, and to many places on the opposite shore of the Pascataqua.

When Colonel Church left Boston for Casco, with two hundred and fifty
men, to join Colonel Swaine, he took with him a mandatory letter to the
military commanders in Maine, from President Danforth, (then in Boston,
as president of the board of commissioners of the united colonies,) requiring
them to supply him wi<h men and means, which Major Frost promptly
obeyed; and the following May, 1690, he received orders to detach one
hundred men for Port Royal, near Portland, to serve under Captain Wil-
lard, many of whom were drawn into an ambush and slain by savages. It
would seem, in fact, that Major Frost, residing as he did in the town nearest
to Boston, was employed as a sort of general agent, or secretary of war for
the province of Maine, all orders being transmitted through him. The fol-
lowing is his commission as commander of the Maine forces, which he con-
tinued to hold till his death.

The President of the Province of Mayne in New England.
To Major Charles Frost.

Whereas you are appointed Sergt. Major of the military fforces in the Province. These
are in their ^lajesties names to authorise and require you to take into your care and con-
duct the said military forces, and dilitrently to intend that service as Sergent Major, by
Governing and exercising the military forces of said Province as the Law directeth. Com-
manding the Militia of said Province that they observe and obey all such orders and direc-
tions as from time to time you shall receive from the president or other superior authority .

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the 23d day of August in
the year 1689. Annoque K. R. et Regina Willielmi et Marire Anglica primo.

Thomas Danforth President.

[Instructions accompanying the above.]

Province

of Mayne. To Major Charles Ffrost

Instructions as foUoweth
Pursuant to the Comission signed, & bearing same date with these prsents
You are with all care & speed to hasten gathering of your Soldjers together, and in case
Capt. Simon Willard be in any wise disinablcd that he cant attend yt service you are to
coniissionatc such other meet person as you shall Judge meet. & appoynt all other offi-
cers as you shall have occasion.

You shall in all places & by all waves & mcancs to your power take, kill, & destroy ye
enemy without limitation of place or time as you shall have opportunity. & you ar also
impowred to commissionatc any other person or persons to do the like.

You shall carefully inspect all the Garisons in yr Province, & reduce them to such a
numhcr, & appoynt such places as shall in yor wisdome most conduce to the preservation
of the people, &'yt ye great charge now expended for ye same may be abated.

Comitting you to ye Co & pe

. of God almighty u])on whom you

have all yor dcpendance

I subscribe
Ffeb. 17. 1689. Yor Loveing friend

Tho : Danforth. Presidt.
[Along the margin is written]

I have prevailed with Lt. Andrews to come back esteemeing him afitt man for your Lt.
and I would yt you accordingly entertcyn him.
[Superscription.]

To Maior Charles

pfrost in
P. Lt. Andros Q. D. C. Kitterv

By constant vigilance on the part of Major Frost, the cast shore of the
Pascataqua was preserved from savage incursions. His stldiers were con-

Memoir of Charles Frost. 13

stantly on the alert, scouting about the borders of the towns. The eastern
towns were deserted. Some removed to Salem, others to the fort at Wells,
but a great many were butchered or carried into captivity, so that before
the war ended, the number killed eastward of Pascataqua amounted to
four hundred and fifty, and two hundred and fifty were made captives. All
the towns and settlements except Wells and Pascataqua were overrun, the
former commanded by Major Converse, and the latter by Major Frost.

In 1693 the war raged with increased barbarity. Spies were usually
sent by the Indians to reconnoitre, before the enemy approached places in-
tended for destruction, who lurked about the woods, and required a constant
ward and watch. The following letter to Lieutenant Hill gives an idea of the
vigilance and circumspection necessary to be observed in these trying times.

April: 2: 1693
Leiut Hill

Last night a Litle after sun sett Noah Emory was coming from Kittery to Sturgion
Creke & by the waie sid herd som crackling of stickes : & herd a man whissell : upon wliich
he stopt under a bush : and went an other waie : John Smith coming after him saw a man
nere Sturgion Creke bridge who ran a waie down the creke : Smith being on horse back
came to my Garison — this morning I sent out som men who saw the Indian track at the
same place where Noah Emerey herd him whissell — Kepe out scouts about the borders
of the towne : I will send out from hence : all or souldiers at the banke are drawen of
those yt belong to you are sent up : dispose of them to such garisons at present as you
thinke titt : I have given two of them liberty to goe home for a few dayes :

In hast I Remaine yor : Lo : freind
[Superscribed] Charles Efrost major

Efor Leiut John Hill

At Newitchawoneck

Hast Post Hast

This Lieutenant Hill was soon after stationed at Fort Mary, in Saco, as
commander. The following letter was addressed to him while there, and
was written soon after the cowardly surrender of Fort Pemaquid, on the
Kennebeck, and when the combined force of French and Indians had de-
vastated the whole province of Maine, with the exception of Wells, York,
and Pascataqua, and when it was feared by the government in Boston that
even these would be destroyed by a merciless foe.

Wells August 13th : 1G96 —
Sonn Hill

I am now at Wei's with twenty horse Intending to Com over to you but hereing of sev-
erall guns about yor parts I have sent over three men to know how it is with you I have
an order from the ^{overnor to assist you in drawing of: and I have an order from tlie
Lent gouernor to draw of & bring a waie Avhat can be transported by Land: & to hide the
rest in the ground v.-ith the great guns : but or townes arc soe weake for want of men that
if the enemie be about you we fere wee are to weke to com and bring you of: I Avas in-
formd as I writ to jou that Major Church was com to or assistants but it is not soe but tis
said he is coming with three hunderd men: &, major Gidney with five hundred men to or
assistants :or people are much troubled that yor fort should be Demollished: Capt Chubb
gave up his fort without firing a gun against the Enemie, Let me here from you by the
barer here of my Love to yor selfe and wife: I pray god to keepe you from the Eage of
the Enemie: I Remaine

tis said six Indians Yor Loving ffather in Law

were sen here thi ; day Charles Efrost

[Superscribed]

To Capt. John Hill At Saco ffort

Hast post Hast

The fort at Saco was not surrendered by Hill, although all the inhab-
itants of the town were driven away or killed, and many of Hill's soldiers
were waylaid and murdered while venturing out of the fort.

In June foUovving a party of Indians placed themselves near the town of
Exeter, and world have destroyed it but for the firing of a gun by some
one who wished to frighten some women and children who had gone out to

14 Memoir of Charles Frost.

gather strawberries. It however alarmed and brought together tlie people,
with arms. The Indians, supposing they were discovered, after killing one
and taking another, made a hasty retreat and w^ere seen no more until the
4th of July, when they waylaid Captain Frost.

It would require a volume to describe the many ambuscades, encounters,
murders, conflagrations, and captivities that occurred during the ten years'
war of King William, and it would exceed our limits even to name them in
the brief manner we have those in King Phillip's war, which lasted only
three or four years. Major Frost was constantly and actively engaged in
military service till 1693, when he. was chosen one of the governor's council.
After this he was employed between sessions in guarding the forts and gar-
risons about Kittery, and in ordering out scouts and in transmitting the or-
ders of government to the various military stations throughout the province.
But the hour was approaching when his own life w^as to be offered a sacri-
fice to appease the long stifled and festering revenge of merciless savages,
for aiding in the Dover stratagem. He was always attentive to his duties
as a Christian professor, as well as those of the soldier and statesman, and
was constant in his attendance on public worship when other duties permit-
ted. On Sabbath morning, July 4, 1G97, he expressed an unusually strong
desire to go with his family to his wonted place of worship at Newichewan-
nick, a distance of five miles. His wife and two sons, Charles and John,
with some friends, accompanied him. On their return homeward, and with-
in a mile of his dwelling, a volley of musketry Avas suddenly discharged at
them, which brought several of them to the ground. It was the work of a
j)arty of Indians hid by the wayside under a large log, in which they had
stuck a row of green bougiis. The sons had passed ahead and escaped.

Several versions are given by historians of this closing scene in Major
Frost's life. One states that the Major, his wife, and two footmen were
killed; another that nearly the whole party were killed; and another that
three were killed and several wounded. A recent discovery of a letter
written by a ]-elative, Lieutenant Storer, immediately after the funeral,
which he attended, gives a particular account of the whole tragedy, which
can be relied on. It was w^ritten to Major Frost's son-in-laAV, Capt. Hill,
who command<3d the tort at Saco, and was found in an old chest of papers
that had lain seventy years in a garret in South Berwick. It states that
tlie Major, John Heard's wife, and Danes Downing were killed, and John
Heard wounded, and they next day killed the messengers who were sent to
Wells.*

* Brother Hill my Kind Love to you with my wifes : hoping these few Lines will find
yon in good health as wc are all at present Blessed be god for it; It hath pleased god to
take a Avay; Major Frost — the Indens waylad him Last Sabbath day as he was cominge
whom from meetting at night; and Killed him and John Hoards wife and Denes Down-
ing: and Jolin Heard is wounded; the Good Lord santitie it to us all; it is a Great Loss
to the whole Provinee: and Esj)esely to his famyley : and Last Monday the post that Cam
to Welis as they went to goe whom the Indens Killed them a bout the marked tree: namly
Nicholas Smitli Proper; and Hennery Simson ; Brother mistress Frost is very full of sory;
and a!l her Cliildrcn; Cousen Charles and John was with there Father: and Escaped won-
dm-fnly: and seuerall others with them; Capt Brekett went with som of his Company a
IMonday by the way of Nechewanack and I went with tliem — and was there at the Major's
Fun( r di ; and I see your wife full of greef : and your Child is well ; Mrs Frost and sister
& all your Brothers & sisters Remembers theire loue to you; and Ernestly desires you to
com over if you can possible without danger.

pray doe not venter In the day to Com ; Remember our Love to all our Brothers and
sisters and Cousens: and the good Lord Keepe us in these pei-reles times and santyfie all
his Awfull dispensations to us noe more at present

praying for you

your uery Louinge Brother

Wells the; 10th July 1697 Joseph Storer

Memoir of Charles Frost. 15

Such was the death of Major Charles Frost, after a career of clistin-
guished activity and usefuhiess, both civil and military. The incidents of
his life are gatliered from scanty records, authentic traditions, and from
descri[)tions of scenes and events in history, in which he is casually men-
tioned as having participated. To correct and arrange these materials in
chronological order, after a lapse of nearly two centuries, was a laborious
undertaking: and to present them free from errors, both of omission and
commission, is neither pretended nor practicable. We have done the best
our limited means would permit — to relate facts, in order to rescue from
oblivion the name of a prominent pioneer of the wilderness, whose memory
deserves the veneration of his numerous descendants.

It remains to speak of his ftxmily and descendants. He married, at the
age of forty-four, Mary, daughter of Joseph Bolles of Wells, who survived
him seven years, and bore him three sons and six daughters. He followed
the example of his father in naming his sons Charles, John, and Nicliolas.
His daughters, named Sarah, Abigail, Mehitable, Lydia, Mary, and Eliza-
beth, all settled and were prosperous in life.

Charles, the oldest son, married Sarah Wainwright, and had nine chil-
dren. By a second wife, who was Jane E. Pepperrell, widow of Sir Wil-
liam's brother Andrew, he had one child. He was deacon of a church,
Register and Judge of Probate, and commander of a regiment of miHtia.
He resided on die homestead of his father. Major Fi-ost, whose remains
repose in the re<'ir of his house, and the premises continue still in possession
of the name.

Bon. John Frost, second son of TJajor Charles, married Mary, sister of
Sir William Pepperrell, and had sixteen children. He died 1732. She
married again, tiie Rev. Dr. Colman of Boston, and afterwards Judge Pres-
cott of Dan vers. Mr. Frost commanded a British ship of war, afterwards
became a merchant at Newcastle, and was in political life, being one of the
governor's council. His son John was Register of Deeds for York county,
(Me.) and the oihce continued in the family nearly fifty years. He was
commissary in t'ne Revolutionary War, during which no less than four or
five of his family held oflices on land and sea, among whom was his son
John, usually called Brigadier, who was a colonel in the army, and who left
a numerous fiimily, John Frost, LL. D., of Philadel[)hia, being a grandson.
Two other sons of Hon. John Frost (William and Joseph) were merchants
at New Castle. Their descendants in Portsmouth and elscAvhere are higldy
respectable. Another son, named George, settled in Durham, and was a
judge and member of Congress. Another, named Charles, was a prominent
man in Portland; died while a representative. One daughter, Sarah, mar-
ried Rev. John Blunt of New Castle, and after his decease, Major John
Hdl of South Berwick, a judge of the court and member of the governor's
council.

The descendants of the Rev. Jolm Blunt are numerous ; many of them
reside in Portsmouth. One branch, consisting of Joseph and Nathaniel,
lawyers, and Edmond and George, merchants, resides in New York. A
daughter of Rev. John, named Abigail, married William Pai-sons, Esq., of
Alfred, whose youngest son prepared this account of the Frosts.

Nicholas Fw^i, the youngest son of Major Charles, died early in life and
left a widow, but no children.

Major Charles Frost left a large estate by will to his widow and children,
dated 1G90.

LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS

0 013 983 536 0 ^

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

0 013 983 536 0

Holling^