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NOTABLE   EVENTS 

IN   THE 

HISTORY   OF   DOVER,  N.  H. 


NOTABLE    EVENTS 


IN  THE 


HISTORY    OF    DOVER 


NEW    HAMPSHIRE 


FROM   THE   FIRST   SETTLEMENT   IN    1623   TO    1865 


Bv    GEORGE    WADLEIGH 


DOVER,    N.  H. 
1913 


Copyright,  1913 
By  G.  H.  Wadleigh 


THE  TUFTS  COLLEGE  PRESS 
1913 


3?7 


PREFACE 

This  record  of  Events  in  the  History  of  Old  Dover  has  been 
gathered  from  many  sources  and  with  considerable  labor.  It  is 
not  intended  to  take  the  place  of  any  history  of  this  ancient 
town  which  may  be  and  it  is  hoped  will  sometime  be  written, 
but  is  designed  merely  to  place  in  a  connected  and  accessible 
form,  a  record  of  such  events  as  have  been  deemed  worthy 
of  preservation,  and  to  which  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  may 
occasionally  wish  to  refer. 

George  Wadleigh 
Dover,  April  1882. 


NOTICE 

It  was  the  inteution  of  the  collector  of  these  notes  to  com- 
plete them  to  a  later  date,  then  to  revise  and  publish  them,  but 
he  did  not  live  to  do  so.  They  are  now  published  without  the 
revision  the  collector  would  have  made,  in  order  that  his  work 
may  not  be  entirely  lost. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter   I 
Settlement.     1623-1641.  i 

Chapter   II 
Under  Colony  of  Massachusetts.     1642-1679.       .  23 

Chapter   III 
Under  Province  of  New  Hampshire.     1680-1775.  86 

Chapter   IV 
Under  State  Government.     1775-1865.  .         .         162 

Errata 297 

Index 299 


NOTABLE    EVENTS 

IN  THE 

HISTORY    OF    DOVER,   N.    H. 


CHAPTER    I 

SETTLEMENT 

1623 

Dover  Point  —  Its  First  Settlement 

The  first  settlement  of  Dover,  as  well  as  of  New  Hampshire, 
is  involved  in  some  obscurity.  Unlike  the  "  Pilgrim  Fathers  " 
who  landed  on  Plymouth  Rock,  no  records  have  been  found 
which  fix  beyond  doubt  the  time  when  or  the  manner  in  which 
the  settlers  upon  the  Piscataqua  first  landed  on  its  shores. 

For  more  than  two  hundred  years,  on  the  authority  of  Hub- 
bard, Prince,  and  other  early  historians,  followed  by  Belknap, 
the  facts  in  relation  to  these  settlements,  briefly  stated,  and 
generally  accepted,  were,  that  Sir  Ferdinand©  Gorges  and 
Captain  John  Mason  having  obtained  from  the  Council  con- 
stituted by  the  King  of  England,  "for  the  planting,  ruling  and 
governing  of  New  England,"  a  grant  of  all  the  land  between 
the  Rivers  Merrimack  and  Sagadehock,  extending  back  to  the 
great  lakes  and  river  of  Canada,  formed  a  company  with  several 
merchants  of  London  and  other  cities,  and  styling  themselves 
"the  company  of  Laconia,"  attempted  the  establishment  of  a 
colony  and  fishery  at  the  mouth  of  the  Piscataqua  river.  For 
this  purpose  in  the  spring  of  1623,  they  sent  out  David  Thomson 
and  Edward  and  William  Hilton,  who  had  been  fishmongers  in 
London,  with  a  number  of  other  people,  in  two  divisions,  fur- 
nished with  all  the  necessaries  for  carrying  out  the  design. 
Thomson  landed  at  the  river's  mouth  at  a  place  which  he  called 
Little  Harbor,  where  he  built  a  house,  afterwards  known  as 
"Mason  Hall,"  erected  Salt  Works,  and  made  other  prepara- 
tions for  carrying  on  his  business,  but  the  Hiltons  set  up  their 
fishing  stages  eight  miles  further  up  the  river  on  a  neck  of  land 
which  the  Indians  called  Winnichahannet,  but  they  named  it 
Northam  and  afterwards  Dover.     Thomson,  not  being  pleased 


2  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1623 

with  his  company  or  situation,  removed  the  next  spring,  or  in 
a  short  time  after,  to  an  island  in  Massachusetts  ba}',  where  he 
subsequently  lived  and  soon  after  died,  while  the  Hiltons  and 
their  associates  remained  and  made  a  permanent  settlement  in 
Dover. 

All  efforts  to  ascertain  the  precise  date  of  their  arrival,  or 
the  ship  in  which  they  came,  had  proved  unavailing.  The  day 
of  the  month  and  the  month  wxre  unknown.  In  1823,  at  the 
celebration  of  the  200th  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the 
State,  at  Portsmouth,  when  it  was  considered  desirable  to  fix 
upon  the  day  of  their  arrival,  if  possible,  for  the  purpose  of 
suitably  observing  it,  all  efforts  to  do  so  were  found  to  be  in 
vain.  It  was  then  authoritatively  stated  by  Mr.  Savage,  the 
most  learned  antiquarian  of  that  day,  that  "Prince,  the  most 
laborious  of  all  antiquaries  in  New  England,  in  1736,  could 
give  no  precise  date,  and  no  discovery  of  documents  since  has 
made  it  more  definite  "  than  that  they  arrived  in  the  spring  of 
the  year.  From  the  fact  that  no  vessel  was  known  to  have 
arrived  from  England  in  that  year  until  about  the  ist  of  June, 
it  was  conjectured  that  the  colonists  might  have  been  landed  at 
the  Piscataqua  late  in  May,  and  the  23rd  of  that  month  was 
accordingly  selected  for  the  celebration. 

These  statements  remained  unquestioned  and  were  incorpo- 
rated into  all  our  histories  and  school  books,  until  a  document 
found  in  1875  among  the  ancient  papers  of  Governor  Winthrop, 
then  in  possession  of  his  descendant,  the  Hon.  Robert  C.  Win- 
throp, gave  a  different  reading  to  our  early  history.  This 
document  is  an  indenture,  dated  Dec.  14,  1622,  between  David 
Thomson  on  the  one  part,  and  three  merchants,  Abraham 
Colmer,  Nicholas  Sherwill  and  Leonard  Pomroy,  all  of  Ply- 
mouth, England,  on  the  other  part.  A  copy  of  it  was,  soon 
after  its  discovery,  published  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Society,  with  notes  by  Charles  Deane,  Esq., 
an  eminent  antiquary. 

The  indenture  recites  that  the  Council  for  New  England  had  granted 
to  Thomson  (Oct.  16,  1622),  6000  acres  of  land  and  one  island  in  New 
England,  and  that  Thomson  had  conveyed  one  quarter  part  of  the  island 
to  the  three  merchants  named  and  agreed  also  to  convey  to  them  one 
quarter  part  of  the  6000  acres,  on  these  conditions: 

I.  That  the  three  merchants,  at  their  own  charge,  should  provide  and 
send  that  present  year  two  men  with  Thomson,  in  the  ship  Jonathan  of 
Plymouth,  to  New  England,  with  such  victuals,  provisions,  &c.,  as  shall 
suffice  them  till  they  are  landed. 


1623]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  3 

2.  The  three  merchants,  at  their  own  charge,  were  also  to  provide 
aud  send  the  same  year,  three  additional  men  in  the  ship  Providence  of 
Plymouth,  if  they  could  so  soon  be  gotten,  or  in  some  other  ship,  to 
New  England;  the  charges  of  these  three  men  to  be  borne  equally  by 
all  the  parties. 

3.  Two  other  men  were  also  to  be  sent  the  same  year  in  the  Jonathan  ; 
the  charges  to  be  borne  by  all  the  parties  equally. 

4.  Thomson  with  the  seven  men  as  soon  as  landed  was  to  find  a  fit 
place  and  make  choice  of  6000  acres  of  land  and  a  fit  place  to  settle  and 
erect  buildings. 

Further  provision  was  made  for  dividing  the  property  at  the  end  of 
five  years  agreeably  to  the  indenture,  three  fourths  to  Thomson  and  one 
fourth  to  the  other  three.  Three  fourths  of  the  charge  for  planting, 
building,  &c.,  was  to  be  borne  by  Thomson,  and  one  fourth  by  the  others. 
All  the  profits  from  fishing,  trading,  &c.,  were  to  be  divided  equally,  the 
three  merchants  having  liberty  to  employ  the  ships  to  fish,  at  their  own 
charge,  if  Thomson  did  not  choose  to  bear  his  share  of  such  charge. 

From  this  agreement  it  appears  reasonably  certain  that 
Thomson  did  come  over  as  stipulated,  arriving  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Piscataqua  sometime  in  the  spring  of  1623,  as  Hubbard  has 
recorded.  By  the  indenture  he  was  to  proceed  "  this  present  year  " 
(1622).  By  the  method  of  reckoning  at  that  time  the  year  ended 
on  the  24th  of  March  following.  It  is  equally  certain,  however, 
that  he  did  not  come  out  as  the  agent  of  the  Company  of 
Laconia,  for  that  company  was  not  then  in  existence,  not  having 
been  formed  until  163 1.  This  error  appears  to  have  originated 
with  Dr.  Belknap,  who  knew  that  Mason  and  Gorges  had  a 
grant  (Aug.  10,  1622),  embracing  the  territory  between  the 
Merrimack  and  Sagadehock,  which  they  intended  to  call  the 
Province  of  Maine,  but  of  which  they  never  made  any  use,  as 
the  council  afterwards  made  other  grants  covering  the  same 
territory.  Dr.  Belknap  also  knew  that  Mason  and  Gorges  with 
other  persons  were  members  of  the  Company  of  Laconia.  From 
this  and  some  statements  of  Hubbard  he  doubtless  concluded 
that  the  grant  of  1622  was  the  Laconia  grant,  and  that  the 
associates,  under  the  name  of  the  Company  of  Laconia,  began 
the  settlement  at  Little  Harbor  and  Hilton's  point  in  1623.  It 
is  now  known  that  the  Laconia  patent  was  not  issued  until  Nov. 
17,  1629,  and  the  company  was  formed  soon  after. 

There  is  no  evidence  in  the  indenture  that  the  Hiltons  were 
associated  with  Thomson  in  the  enterprise,  either  as  partners  or 
servants.  From  this  fact  an  attempt  has  been  made  by  Mr. 
Deane  and  others  to  discredit  the  statement  of  Hubbard,  and  it 
lias  been  contended   that  the   Hiltons  never  saw   Dover  until 


4  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1623 

five  or  six  years  after  Thomson  and  his  party  landed  at  L,ittle 
Harbor,  or  at  least  that  no  settlement  could  have  been  made  in 
1623  as  has  been  generally  believed. 

To  establish  this  position  it  is  alleged  that  no  such  place  was 
known  to  or  once  spoken  of  by  any  of  the  visitors  of  Thomson, 
of  whom  there  were  several,  during  the  years  1623  and  1624; 
that  it  is  absurd  to  suppose  that  Edward  Hilton,  without  any 
colony  to  assist  him,  should  have  gone  so  far  from  the  succor  of 
his  friends  into  the  wilderness  in  the  midst  of  treacherous  and 
cruel  savages  when  the  whole  country  practically  lay  open 
before  him  to  go  in  and  occupy  where  he  would  ;  that  the 
"stages"  which  it  is  alleged  were  set  up  at  the  Point  were 
"large  and  expensive  structures"  intended  for  use  in  the 
fishing  business,  and  that  "no  experienced  fisherman  would 
have  selected  such  a  site  for  a  fishing  establishment,  five  or  six 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Piscataqua,  a  stream  of  such 
rapidity  that  it  is  often  impossible  for  a  boat  to  contend  against 
it,  while  the  great  cod  fisheries  are  several  miles  out  at  sea, 
which  a  fisherman  leaving  Hilton's  Point  at  the  very  turn  of 
the  ebb  tide  could  not  reach  and  return  from  the  same  day,  if 
he  stopped  to  cast  his  hook."  (/.  >S.  Jemiess's  Notes  071  the  First 
Settlements  on  the  Piscataqtia.) 

As  to  the  fact  of  priority  of  settlement,  if  a  mere  fishing  and 
trading  post  is  to  be  regarded  as  such,  it  may  be  admitted  that 
at  lyittle  Harbor  ( now  in  the  town  of  Rye)  the  first  planting  of 
New  Hampshire  was  commenced.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
Thomson  and  his  men  first  disembarked  at  or  near  that  place, 
and  pitched  their  tents  or  erected  such  huts  as  were  requisite  for 
shelter.  The  question  is,  who  came  with  him?  We  only  know 
that  seven  men  were  to  be  furnished  to  assist  him.  Four  were 
to  come  over  with  him  in  the  Jonathan,  and  three  more  were  to 
be  provided  the  same  year. 

It  is  admitted,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  conclude,  that  Edward 
Hilton  may  have  come  over  from  England  in  one  of  the  vessels 
which  brought  David  Thomson  and  his  men  to  the  Piscataqua, 
on  his  own  account,  if  not  as  an  assistant  of  Thomson,  as 
Hubbard  asserts.  The  Hiltons  had  been  fishmongers  in 
London,  and  were  acquainted  with  at  least  one  branch  of  the 
business  in  which  Thomson  was  to  engage.  They  were  just 
the  men  who  would  be  selected  to  assist  in  the  enterprise. 
William  Hilton  had  previously  been  in  America.  He  came  to 
Plymouth  in  162 1,  and  his  wife  and  two  children  came  over  in 


1623]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  5 

1623.  He  may  have  gone  back  and  returned  with  them,  or 
they  may  have  come  over  to  join  him  here.  Hubbard,  who 
wrote  in  1680,  is  supposed  to  have  been  personally  acquainted 
with  the  Hiltons,  and  must  have  had  some  knowledge  of  their 
history  and  movements.  William  Hilton  had  a  grant  of  land 
in  Plymouth  in  1623,  but  he  left  that  place  soon  after,  apparently 
on  account  of  some  disagreement  in  relation  to  church  matters, 
and  is  found  next  at  Piscataqua  with  his  brother. 

As  the  business  of  Thomson  and  his  assistants  was  to  be 
fishing,  and  trading  with  the  Indians,  it  is  not  probable  that 
they  would  all  remain  permanently  in  the  same  place.  The 
Hiltons,  with  one  or  more  of  the  party,  after  seeing  the  others 
safely  established  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  may  have  come  up 
to  the  Point,  as  Hubbard  records.  Or,  as  the  party  is  said  to 
have  come  over  in  "two  divisions,"  it  is  more  probable  that 
they  did  not  arrive  until  after  Thomson  and  the  four  men  who 
came  in  the  Jonathan  had  established  themselves  at  Little 
Harbor.  Of  the  other  three  who  were  to  be  provided  and  sent 
over  in  the  Providence,  the  Hiltons  may  have  been  two.  The 
tradition  has  always  been  that  Thomas  Roberts  was  one  of  the 
original  emigrants  with  them.  If  he  was  this  would  complete 
the  number  which  was  to  be  provided. 

The  distance  between  Little  Harbor  and  the  Point,  as  the 
crow  flies,  is  but  six  or  seven  miles  and  the  location  at  the  Point 
was  doubtless  at  first  selected  for  the  convenience  of  trading 
with  the  Indians  about  the  falls  of  the  Cochecho,  a  favorite 
resort  with  them.  It  was  also  in  the  vicinity  of  good  fishing 
ground,  for  the  various  branches  of  the  Piscataqua,  up  to  their 
first  falls,  must  at  that  day  (as  they  did  long  after  and  do  now 
at  some  seasons),  have  swarmed  with  fish,  and  there  was  no 
need  of  going  far  to  cast  the  hook  and  obtain  them. 

It  is  not  supposed  that  a  party  of  three  men,  at  the  most, 
would  go  miles  at  sea  to  the  great  fishing  grounds  to  obtain  fish 
when  there  was  an  abundance  of  fish  so  near  them,  or  that  large 
and  expensive  stages  were  required  for  curing  them.  By  the 
terms  of  the  indenture  the  owners  of  the  Jonathan  were  to 
pursue  the  fishing  business  independently  of  Thomson  and  his 
men,  if  he  did  not  choose  to  bear  part  of  the  charge.  It  is 
probable  that  the  vessels  from  England  attended  to  the  deep 
sea  fishing,  while  the  parties  on  shore  confined  their  operations 
to  the  harbor  and  rivers. 

If   the  Hiltons  were  never  mentioned  by  visitors  to  Little 


6  NOTABLE  EJ'ENTS  IN   THE  [1623 

Harbor  in  1623  and  1624,  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  other 
men  who  were  with  Thomson.  The  name  of  no  man  who  was 
with  him  —  and  there  were  seven  —  is  known  unless  we  accept 
the  statement  of  Hubbard. 

It  may  have  been  that  the  fishing  and  trading  post  at  the 
Point  was  at  the  outset  regarded  rather  as  a  temporary  than  a 
permanent  settlement,  a  place  to  which  at  first  they  resorted 
only  during  the  day,  returning  at  night  to  the  common  rendez- 
vous at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  But  its  advantages  must  have 
been  soon  seen  and  appreciated.  The  "whole  country  was 
open  before  them  to  go  in  and  occupy  where  they  would,"  and 
they  could  hardly  have  found  a  more  inviting  place  than  the 
Point,  either  for  fishing,  planting,  or  trading  with  the  Indians, 
exchanging  such  articles  as  they  brought  with  them  from  Eng- 
land for  the  Beaver  skins  and  other  peltries  of  the  Indians. 
For  safety  no  resort  could  have  been  better  than  this  narrow 
neck  of  land,  and  from  which  by  their  boats  there  were  such 
immediate  means  of  escape,  if  escape  was  at  any  time  necessary. 
For  planting  also,  in  which  they  were  to  engage,  so  far  at  least 
as  they  could  contribute  to  their  own  wants,  the  Point  was  of 
all  places  the  spot  which  they  would  select,  far  preferable  to 
any  land  nearer  to  Little  Harbor. 

Thomson's  enterprise,  it  appears,  was  not  a  success.  He 
abandoned  it  after  about  three  years'  residence  (by  some 
accounts  "the  next  year"),  and  removed  to  Massachusetts,. 
Hubbard  says,  "out  of  dislike  either  to  the  place  or  his 
employers."  He  never  set  up  any  claim  afterwards  to  the 
patent,  nor  does  it  appear  that  his  partners  in  England  reaped 
any  advantages  from  it.  Thomson's  men  are  supposed  to  have 
remained  at  Little  Harbor  after  his  departure,  but  even  this  is 
uncertain.  The  only  evidence  that  it  was  occupied  is  that 
there  was  a  settlement  somewhere  at  "  Pascataquack,"  besides 
Hilton's  in  1628,  and  that  such  settlement  paid  two  pounds  ten 
shillings  as  its  contribution  for  expelling  Morton  from  Merry 
Mount.  What  is  there  more  probable  than  that  the  Hiltons 
may  have  remained  at  the  Point  or  in  its  vicinity,  with  some  of 
the  other  men  of  the  company,  after  Thomson  left  ? 

If,  as  it  is  alleged,  there  is  no  authentic  information  of 
Edward  Hilton  being  in  this  vicinity  previous  to  1627  or  1628, 
the  information  which  we  get  of  him  at  that  time  is  sufficient  to 
show  that  he  must  then  have  been  settled  here  for  some  years 
and  that  he  had  a  considerable  stake  in  the  country.     In  1628, 


1623]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  7 

as  recorded  by  Bradford,  he  was  assessed  one  pound  towards 
the  expense  of  the  war  upon  Morton  of  Merry  Mount,  already 
alluded  to,  the  whole  expense  of  the  campaign  being  twelve 
pounds  seven  shillings,  of  which  the  Plymouth  colony  paid  two 
pounds  ten  shillings,  or  but  little  more  than  twice  the  amount 
contributed  by  Hilton.  It  is  also  evident  that  the  Hiltons  must 
have  been  among  the  men  that  the  partners  of  Thomson  provided 
and  sent  over  in  1623,  from  the  fact  that  we  find  them  settled 
so  near  to  Little  Harbor,  on  territory  which  must  have  been 
included  within  that  which  Thomson's  patent  covered,  or  was 
supposed  to  cover,  where  they  would  not  have  been,  by  any 
right,  had  they  not  been  connected  with  Thomson's  company, 
and  that  when  in  1630  Edward  Hilton  obtained  a  patent  from 
the  Council  of  Plymouth  of  the  land  upon  which  he  had  settled, 
he  had  been  for  some  considerable  time  established  thereon. 
So  long,  in  fact,  that  the  place  had  come  to  be  known  by  his 
name,  for  we  read  that  his  patent  included  "  all  that  part  of  the 
river  Piscataqua  called  or  knoivn  by  the  name  of  Hiltoti' s  Point, 
with  the  south  side  of  said  river,  up  to  the  falls  of  Squamscot 
and  three  miles  into  the  main  land  for  breadth,"  and  it  sets 
forth  that  Hilton  and  his  associates  had  transported  thither  serv- 
ants, built  houses  and  planted  corn,  and  intended  the  further 
increase  and  advancement  of  the  plantation. 

It  is  asked  if  it  can  be  believed  "  that  Hilton  founded  a  plan- 
tation at  Hilton's  Point  in  1623,  seven  years  before  he  got  a 
deed  of  the  land"  ?  In  reply  it  may  be  said  that  if,  as  it  is 
presumed,  he  came  out  with  or  soon  after  Thomson,  we  have 
seen  for  what  purpose  he  came.  He  was  one  of  the  men  sent 
out  by  Thomson's  partners,  the  merchants  in  England,  to  assist 
in  the  enterprise,  if  not  as  a  representative  of  their  interest  in 
it.  He  had  no  legal  claim  in  his  own  name  to  the  soil  under 
the  patent.  Thomson  gave  up  his  claim  and  went  off  before 
the  expiration  of  the  five  years  when  the  profits  of  the  enter- 
prise as  well  as  the  land  were  to  be  divided  between  the  parties. 
The  patent  granted  was  evidently  regarded  by  him  as  of  little 
value,  because  neither  he,  or  his  heirs,  ever  afterwards  set  up 
any  effective  claim  to  it.  All  the  interest  which  they  possessed 
at  Eittle  Harbor  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Laconia  company 
of  which  Gorges  and  Mason  were  chiefs,  under  a  new  grant 
from  the  Council,  when  Edward  Hilton,  it  xna.y  be  assumed, 
finding  himself  abandoned  by  Thomson,  for  his  own  security 
and  that  of  the  company  by  which  he  had  been  employed,  obtained 


8  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1623 

(in  1630)  a  new  patent  for  the  settlement  at  the  Point.  This 
patent  he  afterwards  sold  in  part  to  other  parties,  who  appointed 
Captain  Thomas  Wiggin  their  agent,  by  whom,  in  1633,  a  con- 
siderable acquisition  was  obtained  to  the  population. 

The  Laconia  company,  in  the  meantime,  having  obtained 
possession  of  the  lands  granted  to  Thomson  at  Little  Harbor, 
appointed  Captain  Neal  as  their  agent,  not  for  the  settlement  of 
a  colony,  but  for  the  management  of  a  fishing  and  trading  com- 
pany, a  speculation  similar  to  that  in  which  Thomson  had  been 
engaged.  At  or  about  this  time  (1631)  the  headquarters  of  the 
company  were  removed  from  Little  Harbor  to  Portsmouth,  or 
the  "Bank,"  as  it  was  called,  where  the  "  Great  House"  was 
built  and  occupied  by  those  employed.  In  a  few  years  this 
company  broke  up  and  the  servants  were  discharged  ;  the  whole 
scheme  proving  a  failure.  On  a  division  of  the  property  Mason 
bought  the  shares  of  some  of  his  associates  and  sent  over  a  new 
supply  of  men,  set  up  saw  mills,  and  soon  after  died. 

The  Thomson  house  erected  at  Little  Harbor  in  1623,  though 
built  of  stone,  could  have  been  no  such  substantial  structure  as 
has  been  assumed  for  it.  It  is  not  probable  that  "it  presented 
the  general  appearance  of  the  dwelling  houses  of  the  time  of 
James  I,  vast  numbers  of  which  still  remain  in  good  preserva- 
tion all  over  the  old  country."  {Jcnuess.)  Had  it  been  of  this 
character  it  would  hardly  have  been  reduced  to  the  dilapidated 
condition  in  which  it  was  found  by  Hubbard  in  1680,  less  than 
sixty  years  after  its  erection,  when  only  "the  chimney  and 
some  parts  of  the  stone  wall  were  standing."  It  is  probable 
that  as  it  must  have  been  hastily  built,  it  only  sufficed  for 
the  immediate  needs  of  Thomson  and  his  little  party,  as  a 
shelter  from  the  elements.  "Mason  Hall,"  or  the  Great  House, 
as  it  has  been  styled,  was  located  at  Strawberry  Bank  (now 
Portsmouth),  probably  as  a  more  suitable  location  for  carrying 
on  the  business  of  the  settlement,  while  the  station  at  Little 
Harbor  was  abandoned.  Such  as  it  was,  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Mason's  men,  and  was  sometimes  called  his  "stone 
house,"  though  it  is  now  conceded  the  term  "Mason  Hall" 
was  never,  as  has  been  popularly  supposed,  applied  to  it. 

This  summary  account  of  the  early  settlement  of  Hilton's 
Point,  written  in  1876,  is  now  fully  corroborated  by  additional 
cumulative  evidence.  This  as  well  as  the  substantial  accuracy 
of  Hubbard's  narrative  is  confirmed  by  the  discovery  in  the 
Court    files    of    Suffolk    County   of    the    Petition    of    William 


1623]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.  H.  9 

Hilton,  sou  of  the  first  settler  of  that  name,  dated  June  i,  1660, 
to  the  Honored  General  Court  then  assembled  in  Boston,  in 
relation  to  some  lands  bought  by  him  and  his  father  of  the 
Pennacook  Indians  in  1636.  In  this  petition  William  Hilton 
says,  that  "your  petitioner's  father,  William  Hilton,  came 
over  into  New  England  about  the  year  Anno  Dom.  1621, 
and  3^our  petitioner  came  about  one  year  and  a  half  after,  and 
771  a  little  time  follozvins;  settled  ourselves  upon  the  rive?-  of  Pis- 
cataqua  with  Mr.  Ed7v.  Hilton,  -who  icere  the  first  English 
planters  there.'' 

These  settlements  on  the  "  Piscataqua  "  went  on  but  slowly 
for  several  years.  In  1629  there  were  but  three  houses  or 
settlements  in  all  this  region,  namely,  at  lyittle  Harbor  or 
Portsmouth  at  the  "Bank,"  at  Dover  Point  and  at  Newich- 
wannock.  Their  occupants  turned  their  attention  chiefly  to 
trade  and  the  fisheries,  the  cultivation  of  the  grape  and  the  dis- 
covery of  mines  ;  in  the  latter  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that 
they  did  not  meet  with  much  success.  Very  little  improvement 
was  made  on  the  lands,  and  bread  was  either  brought  from 
England,  in  meal,  or  from  Virginia  in  grain,  and  then  sent  to 
the  windmill  in  Boston  to  be  ground.  That  they  fared  hard,  if 
they  did  not  work  hard,  is  evident.  One  of  theui  (Ambrose 
Gibbons)  in  a  letter  to  the  proprietors  in  England,  complains 
that  for  himself,  wife  and  child,  and  four  men,  "an  have  but 
half  a  barrel  of  corn"  ;  "beef  and  pork  I  have  not  had  but  one 
piece  this  three  months,  nor  beer  this  four  months."  "  I  nor 
the  servants  have  neither  money  nor  clothes,"  etc.  These 
complaints  were  made  at  a  time  when  very  little  sufficed  for 
the  support  of  life,  the  expense  per  man  for  a  year  not  ex- 
ceeding what  could  be  bought  for  about  ten  or  fifteen  dollars  at 
the  present  time. 

The  dwellings  of  the  early  settlers  for  nearly  a  hundred  years 
were  hastily  constructed  and  of  the  rudest  character.  Their 
houses  had  but  one  or  two  rooms.  Very  few  of  them  had  other 
than  block  windows.  Their  furnishing,  beyond  a  few  necessary 
cooking  utensils,  was  of  the  most  meagre  description.  Of  the 
dwellings  of  the  settlers  at  Plymouth,  at  about  the  same  time, 
we  collect  here  and  there  (says  Palfrey)  a  hint  as  to  their  con- 
struction. A  storm  on  the  4th  of  February,  1621,  "caused 
much  daubing  of  our  houses  to  fall  down  "  ;  this  was  the  clay 
or  other  earth  which  filled  the  chinks  between  the  logs.     Wins- 


10  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1629 

low  wrote  to  persons  proposing  to  emigrate,    "  Bring  paper  and 
linseed  oil  for  your  windows." 

The  earliest  houses  on  Cape  Cod  were  built  by  selecting 
large  logs  of  the  right  dimensions  for  sills  and  plates.  In  these, 
holes  were  bored  about  six  inches  apart  and  poles  were  inserted 
as  a  sort  of  studding,  intervals  being  allowed  for  doors  and  win- 
dows. The  spaces  between  them  were  filled  with  stones  and 
clay.  The  most  thoroughly  built  were  plastered  with  clay.  The 
roofs  were  thatched  with  long  grass.  The  chimney  was  built 
of  sticks,  arranged  like  a  cob  house  and  plastered  with  clay 
inside.  The  windows  were  supplied  with  oiled  paper  instead  of 
glass.  The  floors  were  nothing  more  than  the  bare  earth  or  per- 
haps in  some  cases  flat  stones  covered  with  straw,  for  as  late  as 
1623  the  cottages  of  the  common  people  in  England,  of  whom 
the  emigrants  were  chiefly  composed,  were  no  better  finished. 


1629 

The  "Wheelwright  Deed,"  if  authentic,  belongs  to  this 
period  of  the  town's  history.  This  document,  which  purports 
to  be  dated  on  the  17th  day  of  May,  1629,  conveys  to  Wheel- 
wright and  others  all  that  part  of  the  main  land  between  the 
Merrimack  and  Piscataqua  rivers,  and  extending  into  the  coun- 
try so  as  to  embrace  that  portion  of  the  State  included  within  a 
line  from  the  present  town  of  Amherst,  and  crossing  the  Merri- 
mack near  the  falls  of  Amoskeag,  passing  through  Chester, 
Nottingham,  Barrington  and  Rochester,  and  striking  the 
Salmon  Falls  river  about  a  dozen  miles  above  the  Cochecho. 
The  conditions  of  this  grant  were  that  Wheelwright  should 
within  ten  years  begin  a  plantation  at  Squamscot  Falls  (Exeter); 
that  other  inhabitants  should  have  the  same  privileges  with 
him  ;  that  no  plantation  should  exceed  ten  miles  square  ;  that 
no  lands  should  be  granted  but  in  townships  ;  and  that  these 
should  be  subject  to  the  government  of  the  Massachusetts 
colony,  until  they  should  have  a  settled  government  among 
themselves  ;  that  for  each  township  there  should  be  paid  an 
annual  acknowledgment  of  one  coat  of  trucking  cloth  to  Passa- 
conaway,  the  chief  sagamore,  or  his  successors,  and  two  bushels 
of  Indian  corn  to  Wheelwright  and  his  heirs.  The  Indians 
reserved  to  themselves  free  liberty  of  fishing,  fowling,  hunting 
and  planting  within  these  limits.  This  deed  was  signed  by 
Passaconaway  and   three   other   Indian   Chiefs,   and    duly  wit- 


1630]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  U 

nessed  and  delivered  by  Edward  Hilton,  Thomas  Wiggin, 
Ambrose  Gibbons  and  others.  It  included,  as  will  be  seen,  all 
that  portion  of  the  State  then  known  to  the  English  settlers, 
and  of  which  Thomson  and  others  had  alreadj^  received  grants 
from  the  Crown.  That  they  did  not  regard  it  as  conflicting 
with  their  own  rights,  but  rather  as  confirming  them,  is  evident 
from  their  signatures  as  witnesses  of  the  transaction. 

The  authenticity  of  the  deed  has  been  much  controverted, 
and  ingenious  arguments  have  been  advanced  to  show  that  it 
was  an  impossibility  that  it  could  have  been  given  at  the  time 
of  its  date.  But  the  inadequacy  of  the  motives  ascribed  for  its 
fabrication,  together  with  the  fact  that  it  was  believed  to  be 
authentic  for  nearly  two  hundred  years  after  it  was  given,  must 
be  regarded  as  outweighing  all  that  can  be  adduced  against  it. 

These  Indian  deeds,  it  is  well  to  remember,  were  considered 
at  no  time  as  conveying  to  the  settlers  a  fee  in  the  soil,  because 
this  was  a  right  which  belonged  to  the  home  government,  not 
to  the  savage  tribes  who  merely  roamed  over  this  country.  The 
Indian  conveyance  was  nothing  more  than  a  quit  claim  of  ex- 
clusive right  on  their  part  to  this  privilege,  with  the  acknowl- 
edgment of  an  equal  right  on  the  part  of  the  English  settlers 
and  the  assurance  of  peace  and  amity  on  their  part,  an  assur- 
ance which  soon  proved  to  be  of  little  worth. 


1630 

Edward  Hilton,  having  obtained  a  grant  of  the  patent  in  his 
own  name  (March  12,  1630),  acted  as  his  own  agent  until  he 
disposed  of  a  portion  of  his  interest  to  others,  when  Captain 
Thomas  Wiggin  was  appointed,  Mr.  Hilton  being  made  one  of 
the  commissioners  for  the  affairs  of  New  England  by  the  Lords 
of  the  Council,  and  as  such  was  attorney  for  the  delivery  of 
possession  of  Saco  and  Biddeford  to  Richard  Vines. 

This  grant  from  the  Council  conveyed  to  Edward  Hilton  and 
his  associates  all  that  part  of  the  river  Piscataqua  called  by  the 
natives  Wecanacohunt,  and  by  the  settlers  Hilton's  point,  with 
the  south  side  of  said  river  up  to  the  falls  of  Squamscot,  and 
three  miles  into  the  main  land  for  breadth.  This  grant  now 
contains  within  its  limits  Dover,  Durham,  Stratham,  and  parts 
of  Newington  and  Greenland. 

From  the  date  of  this  grant  we  must  undoubtedly  reckon  the 
change  of  Dover  from  a  trading  and  fishing  post  to  an  organized 


12  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1630 

community.  All  rights  previously  had  been  those  of  "  squatter 
sovereignty."  No  records  had  been  kept,  and  no  forms  of  gov- 
ernment adopted.  The  same  was  true  also  of  the  settlement  at 
Little  Harbor.  Thomson  had  abandoned  it  within  a  year  or 
two  after  his  arrival  and  removed  to  his  island  in  Massachusetts 
bay,  and  whether  any  of  his  men  kept  the  settlement  alive  till 
new  patents  were  granted  to  the  lyaconia  associates,  in  1630,  is 
uncertain. 

The  colonization  of  the  Piscataqua  was  a  private  commercial 
enterprise.  There  is  no  evidence  that  the  patentees  or  grantees 
designed  to  provide  an  asylum  for  a  discontented,  disaffected  or 
persecuted  people,  or  for  any  who  were  obnoxious  to  the  laws  of 
the  realm.  Nor  is  there  the  slightest  evidence  that  at  the 
outset  of  the  enterprise  its  promotors  even  so  much  as  dreamed 
of  founding  a  self-governing  State,  or  a  community  in  any  es- 
sential degree  independent  of  the  Imperial  sovereignty.  They 
were  XoyaX  to  the  Crown  and  the  Church  of  England.  But  as 
no  scheme  of  this  kind  could  be  expected  to  succeed  without 
local  superintendents,  so  we  find  that  the  colony  had  its  "  gov- 
ernors," agents  of  the  chief  adventurers  and  overseers  of  their 
interests.  The  first  settlers,  mostly  servants  in  the  employ  of 
the  grantees,  were  ruled  by  these  overseers,  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  their  principals.  All  were  governed  by  the  laws  of 
England. 

As  the  population  increased  a  more  efficient  government 
became  necessary.  This  necessity  was  the  more  pressing  after 
Portsmouth  and  Dover  became  distinct  centres  of  population. 
In  the  absence  of  records  it  is  impossible  to  fix  upon  the  exact 
time  when  these  two  communities  set  up  government  for  them- 
selves, but  it  was  at  an  earlier  period,  most  likely,  than  has 
generally  been  assigned. 

The  settlers  of  Exeter  formed  themselves  into  a  body  politic 
July  4,  1639.  Dover  followed  Oct.  22,  the  same  year.  Whether 
their  action  was  followed  or  preceded  by  that  of  Portsmouth  is 
uncertain.  Hampton,  which  was  claimed  by  Massachusetts, 
was  made  a  town  in  1639.     Population  at  that  time  about  1000. 

There  is  no  evidence  that  prior  to  1641  either  Portsmouth  or 
Dover  had  adopted  a  formal  code  of  laws.  Still  it  is  not  to  be 
inferred  that  these  communities  were  lawless  or  destitute  of 
some  kind  of  regulations  for  the  conduct  of  their  public  affairs. 
They  certainly  had  the  laws  and  customs  of  England  which  they 
brought  with  them.     {Hoyt's  Notes.) 


[1633  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  13 

1633 

Captain  Wiggin  entered  upon  his  duties  as  Governor,  and 
after  about  one  year's  residence  in  the  country,  made  a  voyage 
to  England  to  procure  more  ample  means  for  carrying  on  the 
plantation.  In  the  meantime  the  grantees  at  Bristol,  the  asso- 
ciates of  Hilton,  had  sold  their  interest  to  the  Ivords  Say  and 
Brook,  George  Willys  and  William  Whiting,  who  continued 
Wiggin  in  the  agency  and  procured  a  considerable  number  of 
families  in  the  west  of  England,  "  some  of  whom  were  of  good 
estate  and  of  some  account  for  religion  to  come  over  and  increase 
the  colony."  The  heads  of  the  principal  families  now  added 
by  Captain  Wiggin  to  the  settlement,  in  addition  to  Edward 
and  William  Hilton,  were  John  Ault,  Thomas  Beard,  Thomas 
Canney,  Edward  Colcatt,  John  Dam,  William  Furber,  John 
Goddard,  John  Hall,  Thomas  Johnson,  Henry  L/angstaff, 
Thomas  Layton,  William  I^everidge,  Francis  Matthews,  James 
Nute,  Hatevil  Nutter,  James  Ordway,  Richard  Pinkham, 
William  Pomfrett,  Thomas  Roberts,  Henry  Tebbetts,  John 
Tuttle  and  Richard  Waldron. 

While  these  events  were  in  progress,  conflicting  claims  to  the 
patent  had  arisen.  The  Government  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
whose  charter  was  granted  in  March,  1629,  set  up  claims  which 
not  only  covered  the  whole  of  the  New  Hampshire  settlements, 
but  a  considerable  part  of  Maine.  These  claims,  after  much 
controversy,  were  ended  for  the  time,  by  the  extension  of  the 
Massachusetts  government  over  all  the  settlements  on  the 
Piscataqua.  Many  collisions  occurred  while  the  controversy 
was  going  on,  not  only  between  the  settlers  and  the  emissaries 
of  Massachusetts,  but  between  the  settlers  of  the  different  towns 
on  the  river  themselves.  Captain  Wiggin  of  the  Dover  patent 
and  Captain  Walter  Neale  of  the  Strawberry  Bank  settlement 
made  preparations  for  a  fight,  if  they  did  not  come  to  open  hos- 
tilities, the  fame  of  which  has  come  down  to  us.  Hubbard  in- 
forms us  that  Wiggin,  being  forbidden  by  Neale  "  to  come  upon 
a  certain  point  of  land,  that  lieth  in  the  midway  betwixt  Dover 
and  Exeter,  Captain  Wiggin  intended  to  have  defended  his  right 
by  the  sword,  but  it  seems  both  the  litigants  had  so  much  wit 
in  their  anger  as  to  wave  the  battle,  each  accounting  himself  to 
have  done  very  manfully  in  what  was  threatened ;  so  as  in 
respect  not  of  what  did,  but  what  might  have  fallen  out,  the 
place  to  this  day  retains  the  formidable  name  of  Bloody  Point." 

Mingled  with  the  dispute  as  to  territorial  rights   there  was 


14  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1633 

also  a  bitter  controversy  always  going  on  of  a  political  and  re- 
ligious character.  The  settlers  of  Massachusetts  were  Puritans  ; 
those  on  the  Piscataqua,  so  far  as  they  had  any  religion,  ad- 
hered to  the  Church  of  England ;  the  former  had  come  over  to 
found  a  new  settlement  for  conscience  sake  ;  the  latter  to  fish 
and  trade  with  the  Indians.  When  Edward  Hilton  sold  his 
patent,  it  went  into  the  hands  of  the  friends  of  the  Puritans  in 
England,  and  Captain  Wiggin  was  appointed  to  conduct  it  in 
their  interest.  On  his  return  from  England  he  accordingly 
brought  with  him  besides  settlers  of ' '  some  account  for  religion, ' ' 
a  "worthy  puritan  divine,"  the  Reverend  William  Leveridge, 
who  arrived  Oct.  lo,  1633,  and  continued  till  1635,  when  he 
left  for  want  of  adequate  support.  The  Puritan  element  in  the 
settlement,  though  strong,  was  not  able  to  maintain  itself 
against  those  of  a  different  sentiment.  Captain  Wiggin,  its 
ruler,  was  not  able  to  stand  up  against  it.  After  Mr.  Eeveridge 
left,  the  Reverend  George  Burdet  came  among  them,  and 
between  1637  and  1640  the  settlement  was  a  scene  of  confusion 
and  trouble,  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical. 

Burdet  came  to  Dover  from  Salem,  where  during  a  year  or 
two  he  had  preached  at  different  times  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
people.  Whether  he  was  then  playing  a  part,  or  whether  he 
afterwards  changed  his  mind,  is  not  altogether  certain  ;  but  he 
turned  out  at  last  to  be  a  spy  of  Archbishop  Eaud,  the  most 
inveterate  enemy  of  the  Puritans.  In  Dover  he  began  to  preach 
and  also  to  intrigue.  He  aspired  to  be  a  sort  of  Pope,  uniting 
in  himself  both  the  spiritual  and  the  temporal  leaderships. 
Addressing  himself  to  the  anti-Puritan  interest,  he  prevailed  on 
a  majority  of  the  settlers,  after  receiving  him  as  their  minister, 
to  make  him  their  ruler,  which  they  did  by  deposing  Wiggin, 
who  had  acted  as  agent  for  the  English  patentees  from  1631. 
Burdet  remained  at  the  head  of  affairs  for  about  a  year,  when 
Captain  John  Underbill,  who  had  found  it  necessary  to  leave 
Massachusetts,  came  to  Dover  to  establish  himself,  and  by  his 
superior  address  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  place  of  Burdet. 
Underbill  became  commander  of  the  military  and  also  procured 
a  church  to  be  gathered  who  chose  Hauserd  Knollys  for  their 
minister.  He  had  come  over  from  England  the  year  before, 
but  being  an  Anabaptist,  of  the  Antinomian  cast,  was  not 
well  received  in  Massachusetts,  and  came  here  while  Burdet 
was  in  office,  who  forbade  his  preaching.  But  Underbill  agree- 
ing better  with  him  prevailed  to  have  him  chosen  minister. 


1638]  HISTORY  OF   DOVER,  N.  H.  15 

1638 

Hubbard  says  :  — 

About  the  year  1638,  they  attempted  to  gather  themselves  into  a  church 
estate.  But  for  want  of  discretion,  if  not  of  something  else,  in  them 
that  were  called  to  this  solemn  work,  they  soon  after  fell  into  factions, 
and  strange  confusions,  one  part  taking  upon  them  to  excommunicate 
and  punish  the  other  in  the  church  and  in  the  court ;  an  ordinary  effect 
of  loose  and  pragmatical  spirits  under  any  popular  government,  whether 
civil  or  ecclesiastical. 

The  disreputable  character  of  Burdet  soon  manifested  itself 
and  he  left  Dover  and  went  to  Agamenticus,  now  York,  Maine, 
where  his  reputation  followed  him  and  his  career  was  but  a 
repetition  of  the  practices  of  which  he  had  been  guilty  in  Dover. 
He  was  indicted  for  adultery  and  fined  twenty  pounds  sterling, 
on  repeated  occasions. 

Dr.  Belknap  says  in  his  MS.  History  of  the  First  Church  :  — 

Being  cleared  of  Burdet,  it  (the  plantation)  was  ridden  by  another 
churchman,  Thomas  Larkham,  Coming  to  New  England,  and  not  favor- 
ing the  discipline,  he  removed  hither  (1640),  and  the  people  of  Dover 
were  much  taken  with  his  public  preaching,  he  being  of  good  parts  and 
well  gifted.  But  not  being  able  to  maintain  two  ministers,  they  resolved 
to  cast  off  Mr.  Knolles  and  embrace  Mr.  Larkham.  Whereupon  Mr. 
Knolles,  making  a  virtue  of  necessity,  gave  place,  and  the  other,  soon 
after  he  was  chosen,  discovered  himself  by  taking  into  the  church  all  that 
offered,  though  never  so  notoriously  immoral  and  ignorant,  if  they  would 
but  promise  amendment ;  and  moreover  fell  into  contentions  with  the 
people,  taking  it  upon  him  to  rule  all,  even  the  magistrates  themselves. 
This  occasioned  a  sharp  dispute  between  him  and  Mr.  Knolles,  who 
either  yet  retained,  or  upon  this  occasion  reassumed  the  pastoral  office. 
Whereupon  they  were  neither  able  quietly  to  divide  into  two  churches, 
nor  live  peaceably  together  in  one.  The  more  religious  sort  still  adher- 
ing to  Mr.  Knolles,  he,  in  their  name,  excommunicated  Mr.  Larkham, 
who,  in  return,  laid  violent  hands  on  Knolles,  taking  the  hat  from  his 
head,  pretending  it  was  not  paid  for  ;  but  he  was  so  civil  as  to  send  it  to 
him  again. 

In  this  heat  it  began  to  grow  to  a  tumult,  and  some  of  the  magistrates 
joined  with  Mr.  Larkham  and  assembled  a  company  to  fetch  Capt. 
Underhill  before  the  Court ;  he  also  gathered  some  of  their  neighbors 
together  to  defend  themselves  and  keep  the  peace,  and  so  marched  out 
to  meet  Mr.  Larkham,  one  carrying  a  Bible  on  a  halberd  for  an  ensign, 
Mr.  Knolles  being  armed  with  a  pistol.  When  Mr.  Larkham  saw  them 
thus  provided,  he  withdrew  his  party,  and  went  no  further,  but  sent 
down  to  Mr.  Williams,  Governor  of  Strawberry  Bank,  for  assistance, 
who  came  up  with  a  company  of  armed  men  and  beset  Mr.  Knolles  house 
where  Capt.  Underhill  was,  kept  a  guard  upon  him  night  and  day  till 
they  could  call  a  Court,  and  then  Mr.  Williams,  sitting  as  Judge,  they 
found  Underhill  and  his  company  guilty  of  a  riot,  and   set  great  fines 


16  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [163S 

upon  them,  and   ordered    him  and   some  others   to   depart  out  of   the 

plantation.  -,1.1 

The  cause  of  this  eager  persecution  was  because  Capt.  Underhill  had 
procured  a  good  part  of  the  inhabitants  to  offer  themselves  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  Massachusetts;  and  being  then  prosecuted  they  sent  a  peti- 
tion to  them  for  aid.  The  Governor  and  assistants  commissioned  Mr. 
Bradstreet,  Hugh  Peters  of  Salem,  and  Mr.  Dalton  of  Hampton,  who 
came  hither  on  foot  to  inquire  into  the  matter  and  endeavor  to  make 
peace.  They  succeeded  so  well  that  Mr.  Larkham  was  released  from 
his  excommunication,  and  Capt.  Underhill  and  the  rest  from  their 
sentences. 

Another  account  of  these  troubles  is  given  by  Lechford  :  — 

They  two  (Larkham  and  Knollys)  fell  out  about  baptizing  children, 
receiving  of  members,  burial  of  the  dead;  and  the  contention  was  so 
sharp  that  Knollys  and  his  party  rose  up  and  excommunicated  Mr. 
Larkham  and  some  that  held  with  him  ;  and  further,  Mr.  Larkham, 
flying  to  the  magistrates,  Mr.  Knollys  and  Capt.  Underhill  raised  arms, 
and  expected  help  from  the  Bay,  Mr.  Knollys  going  before  the  troop 
with  a  Bible  upon  a  pole's  top,  and  giving  forth  that  their  side  were 
Scots  and  the  English.  Whereupon  the  gentlemen  of  Sir  F.  Gorges' 
plantation  came  in  and  kept  court  with  the  magistrates  of  Piscataqua, 
who  fined  all  those  who  were  in  arms  for  a  riot,  by  indictment,  jury  and 
verdict,  formally;  nine  of  them  were  censured  to  be  whipped,  but  that 
was  spared;  Mr.  Knollys  and  the  Captain,  their  leaders,  were  fined 
100  pounds  apiece,  which  they  were  not  able  to  pay. 

Soon  after  (1640)  Mr.  Knollys  left  the  scene  of  confusion,  and 
in  1641,  Mr.  I^arkham  left  to  avoid  the  shame  of  a  scandalous 
sin  it  was  found  he  had  committed. 

From  the  conflicting  accounts  which  have  come  down  to  us 
of  these  religious  and  political  controversies  it  is  difl&cult  to 
extract  the  exact  truth.  Both  Ivarkham  and  Knollys  were 
charged  with  gross  immorality.  Both  it  is  believed  were 
unjustly    accused. 

Says  the  Rev.  Dr.  Spalding  in  his  250th  anniversary  sermon 
of  the  Settlement  of  Dover  and  the  organization  of  the  First 
Church  :  — 

The  early  settlers  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  were  attached  to  the 
Church  of  England,  and  had  little  connection  with  the  Puritans  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, though  there  were  those  in  Dover  whose  sympathies  were 
with  the  Bay  Company  and  the  independent  ideas,  both  civil  and  reli- 
gious, which  the  Puritans  represented.  These,  for  the  most  part,  were 
the  men  who  came  over  with  the  Puritan  minister,  Mr.  Leveridge.  The 
fact  that  there  existed  here  in  Dover  these  two  parties,  representing 
principles  and  politics  thus  antagonistic,  is  the  true  key  for  our  solution 
of  the  strange  events  which  occurred  during  this  turbulent  period  of  the 
town's  history.  The  conflict  which  was  fought  out  within  the  walls  of 
the  old  church  and  along  the  single  street  of  Dover,  was  the  same  in 


1638]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  17 

character  with  that  which  had  been  raging  for  half  a  century  in  Eng- 
laad,  and  which  was  yet  to  soak  with  the  blood  of  its  noblest  citizens 
many  of  its  fair  fields.  Hanserd  Knollys  was  a  Puritan.  Hatred  of  the 
English  established  church  had  been  generated  in  him  by  the  persecu- 
tions which  began  to  be  brought  against  him  from  that  quarter  from  the 
day  when  he  renounced  the  ordination  which  he  had  received  from  its 
hands.  Thomas  Larkham  had  been  an  Episcopal  minister  at  Northam, 
England.  Finding  the  Massachusetts  Puritanism  uncongenial  to  him, 
he  came  to  Dover.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth,  and  buying 
some  of  the  shares  of  the  plantation  company,  he  became  greatly  influ- 
ential. This  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  he  persuaded  the  people  here  to 
change  the  name  of  their  town  to  Northam,  this  last  being  the  name  of 
his  English  home.  He  was  a  man  of  brilliant  speech  and  popular 
address,  and  having  supplanted  Knollys,  manifested  his  church  notions 
at  once  and  in  a  very  marked  way,  and  which  led  to  the  contentions 
which  have  been  related. 

The  church  which  was  founded  in  these  "troublous  times," 
survived  them  all  and  lives  to  this  day,  as  the  "  First  Church  in 
Dover,"  as  it  was  the  first  in  New  Hampshire.  The  first  meet- 
ing house  was  undoubtedly  built  in  1634,  soon  after  Mr.  Lever- 
idge  came  to  Dover.  The  church  itself  dates  from  Jan.  13, 
1762,  Old  Style. 

Of  the  first  meeting  house.  Dr.  Belknap  says  :  — 

It  appears  from  ancient  records  that  Capt.  Wiggin  had  a  power  of 
granting  lands  to  the  settlers,  but  as  trade  was  their  principal  object, 
they  took  up  small  lots,  intending  to  build  a  compact  town  on  Dover 
Neck.  On  the  most  inviting  part  of  this  eminence  they  built  a  meeting 
house,  which  was  afterwards  surrounded  with  an  entrenchment  and 
flankarts. 

It  was  not  the  first  but  the  second  meeting  house  which  was 
surrounded  by  intrenchments,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  records  of 
1652. 

Of  the  location,  as  well  as  the  materials  of  which  the  first 
meeting  house  was  constructed,  we  have  no  definite  informa- 
tion. The  first  meeting  house  in  Boston,  built  about  the  same 
time,  is  "said  to  have  had  mud  walls  and  a  thatched  roof" 
{Palfrey).  It  is  reasonable  to  conclude  that  in  the  absence  of 
other  material  the  Dover  meeting  house  was  of  a  similar  char- 
acter. As  no  reference  is  made  to  the  first  meeting  house,  in 
the  vote  of  the  town  for  building  the  second  house,  it  is  not 
certain  whether  it  stood  in  the  same  place,  or  further  down  on 
the  Neck.  Had  the  location  been  the  same,  reference  to  the 
old  edifice  in  the  vote  for  building  the  new  one  it  would  seem 
could  hardly  have  been  avoided. 


18 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[1640 


1640 

The  ' '  Combii  ^Jon  of  the  People  of  Dover  to  Establish  a 
Form  of  Government"  was  entered  into  this  year.  The  original 
was  in  existence  upon  the  Town  Records  about  1665,  when  it 
was  quoted  by  Hubbard,  but  it  could  not  be  found  when  Dr. 
Belknap  wrote  his  History.  A  copy  made  by  Governor  Cranfield 
in  1682  has  since  been  found  in  the  Public  Record  office  in 
London  ;  of  which  the  following  is  a  transcript  : 

Whereas  suudry  Misclieifes  and  inconveniences  have  befaln  us,  and 
more  and  greater  may  in  regard  of  want  of  Civill  Government,  his 
Gratious  Matie  haveing  hitherto  setled  uo  Order  for  us  to  our  Knowl- 
edge : 

Wee  whose  names  are  underwritten  being  Inhabitants  upon  the  River 
Piscataquack  have  voluntarily  agreed  to  combine  our  Selves  into  a  Body 
Politique  that  wee  may  the  more  comfortably  enjoy  the  benefit  of  his 
Maties  Lawes.  And  do  hereby  actually  ingage  our  Selves  to  Submit  to 
his  Royal  Maties  L,awes  together  with  all  such  Orders  as  shalbee  con- 
cluded by  a  Major  part  of  the  Freemen  of  our  Society,  in  case  they  bee 
not  repugnant  to  the  Lawes  of  England  and  administred  in  the  behalfe 
of  his  Majesty. 

And  this  wee  have  mutually  promised  and  concluded  to  do  and  so  to 
continue  till  his  Excellent  Matie  shall  give  other  Order  concerning  us. 

In  Witness  wee  have  hereto  Set  our  hands  the  two  ,S:  twentieth  day 
of  October  in  the  Sixteenth  yeare  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord 
Charles  by  the  grace  of  God  King  of  Great  Brittain  France  &  Ireland 
Defender  of  the  Faith  &c  Annoq  Domi:  1640. 


Samuel  Haiues 

William  Jones 

John  Dam 

Bartholmew  Hunt 

Thomas  Canning 

John  Heard 

Fran:  Champernoon 

Henry  Beck 

Henry  Lahorn 

Richard  Waldern 

Anthony  Emery 

William  Furber 

John  Crosse 

Bartholmew  Smith 
This  is  a  True  Copy  compared  with  ye  Originall  by  me 

Edw  Cranfield 
(Endorsed) 
New  England  N.  Hampshire 
The  Combination  for  Govern- 
ment by  ye  people  at  Pascataq. 

1640 
Reed  abt  13  Febr.  82-3 


John  Follett 
John  Underbill 
Phillip  Swaddow 
Steven  Teddar 
William  Bowden 
John  Phillips 
John  Hall 
Hansed  Knowles 
Robert  Huggins 
Edward  Starr 
William  Waldern 
Richard  Laham 
Tho:  Layton 
George  Webb 


Robert  Nanney 
Peter  Garland 
Richard  Pinckhame 
John  Upgroufe 
John  Wastill 
Tho:  Dunstar 
Abel  Camond 
Edward  Col  cord 
Thom.  Ivarkham 
James  Nute 
William  Storer 
William  Pomfret 
Tho:  Roberts 
James  Rawlins 


1641]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  19 

Some  of  the  names  were  no  doubt  copied  inaccurately  for 
Governor  Cranfield.  Phillip  Swaddow  is  Siuaddni  on  the  pro- 
test of  1641.  Abel  Ccuiioid  is  conjectured  to  be  the  Caniock 
named  Abel.  Steven  Teddar  is  doubtless  the  Stephen  Kidder 
of  Berwick  in  1632,  if  Belknap  gives  the  name  right.  Thomas 
Can7ting  was,  later  Cannie,  but  Camiing  was  doubtless  the 
original  form.  Thomas  Dunstar  is  somtimes  given  as  Durstin. 
Edward  Starr  was  doubtless  the  Edward  Starbuck  of  that 
period.  The  name  sometimes  given  as  Robert  Varney  is  clearly 
Robert  Nanney,  but  may  have  become  Varney. 

This  combination  was  entered  into  from  the  fact  that  John 
Underhill  had  become  a  strong  advocate  for  the  union  of  the 
plantation  with  Massachusetts,  as  related  by  Belknap,  while 
pretending  to  be  hostile  to  that  government  from  which  he  had 
been  banished.  This  duplicity  produced  the  utmost  confusion 
in  the  colony.  Underhill  attempted  to  ' '  rend  this  combination, ' ' 
and  contrary  to  his  oath  and  fidelity  went  from  house  to  house, 
and  for  his  own  ends  by  flattering  and  threatening,  got  some 
hands  to  a  note  of  their  willingness  to  submit  themselves  to  the 
government  of  Massachusetts.  This  led  to  the  violent  pro- 
ceedings of  both  parties  as  related  by  Belknap,  and  to  the 
decree  banishing  Underhill  from  the  colony. 


1641 

In  March,  1641,  the  leading  inhabitants  of  Dover  sent  the 
following  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  explanatory 
of  Underhill' s  conduct,  and  of  their  objections  to  coming  under 
the  government  of  Massachusetts. 

Nortliam,  4,  imo  (  March  4,  1640-1) 

Honoured  Sir:  —  We,  the  inhabitants  of  Northam,  make  bould  to 
trouble  you  with  these  few  lynes,  Certifyinge  you  that  whereas  wee 
suppose  Captaiue  Underhill  hath  informed  you  and  the  rest  of  your 
brethren  of  the  Matechusheth  baye,  that  wee  are  all  willinge,  volun- 
tarily to  submit  our  Selves  to  your  Government  upon  fformer  Articles 
propounded  ;  truth  it  is  wee  doe  very  well  aprove  of  your  judicious 
wayes,  and  shall  be  very  ioyful,  yu  please  God  to  enlarge  us,  that  wee 
may  be  free  from  other  ingagements  and  promises  wch  some  of  us  are 
obliged  in  to  the  owners  or  patentees,  from  whom  under  his  Mat's  Letter 
Patents  we  enjoy  our  free  liberty,  wch  causeth  us  not  for  present  to  sub- 
mit to  any  other  government  than  that  wch  wee  have  already  entered 
into  combination  to  observe  according  to  the  King's  Mat's  Lawes,  until 
such  time  as  the  owners  come  over  to  us,  which  wee  suppose  will  be 
about  three  months  hence,  and  then  our  prpositions  Considered  as  the 


20 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[1641 


Lord  shall  direct  us,  wee  will  labour  more  to  satisfy  you.  But  for  the 
prcedings  of  Captain  Underhill  seeking  to  Undermyne  us,  and  contrary 
to  his  oath  and  fidellyty  as  we  suppose  intrusted  to  him,  hath  went  from 
house  to  house,  and  for  his  own  ends,  by  flattery  and  threatining,  gotten 
some  hands  to  a  note  of  their  willingness  to  submit  themselves  under 
your  government,  and  some  that  have  no  habitation,  to  bring  his 
purposes  to  pass;  we  doubt  not  but  you  are  to  well  acquainted  with  his 
stratagems  in  plotting  his  owne  designs,  wch  wee  refer  to  your  grave 
iudgments.  Some  of  those  that  subscribed  to  his  note  have  this  day 
utterly  prtested  against  their  owne  act,  for  he  hath  raysed  such  a 
mutinie  amongst  us  wch  if  we  take  not  Course  for  the  stoping  thereof  it 
may  Cause  the  effusion  of  blood,  by  reason  he  hath  by  his  designes 
privately  rent  the  combination  as  much  as  in  him  lyeth.  Contrary  to  his 
Act,  that  is  that  wee  should  continue  him  in  the  same  govmnt,  except 
an  agreement  or  cause  shewed  to  the  Contrary  in  open  Court,  agreed  on 
by  the  maior  p'ts.  thus  Much  we  thought  good  to  acquaynt  your  wor'p, 
wthall  beseeching  your  favorable  construction,  hoping  you  will  weigh 
our  Case  in  Equity  and  conscience,  and  not  any  way  to  enforce  us  to  any 
act  whereby  wee  should  break  pr'mise  or  Covenant  with  the  patentees 
or  amongst  ourselves  whehin  soe  doinge  we  should  sinne  greatly,  we 
heartyly  desire  your  prayers  for  us,  and  comit  you  to  the  pr'tection  of 
the  Almightye  at  yor to  be  comanded. 


Thorn  Larkham 

William  Jones 

John  ffollett 

Robert  Varney 

Thomas  Durston 
Thomas  Roberts 
Samuel  haines 
Bartholmew  Smith 

John  Dam 

Barthol'ew  r+)Hunt 


William  Waldern 
sign 

John  (+;  Tuttle 

of 
henry  beck 

mark 
Thos  (T)  Layton 

of 
Edward  Starbuck 
William  Pomfrett 
William  furbur 
William  Storer 

mark 
John  (H)  Hall 

of 

Phillip  Swaddon 


Richard  Waldern 
Edward  Colcorde 

sig 

Robert  (R)  huckins 
of 

Richard  Pinkcom 
Thomas  Tricky 


The  final  result  of  these  proceedings  was  that  the  people  of 
Dover  were  willing  to  agree  to  the  surrender  of  their  jurisdiction 
to  Massachusetts,  as  soon  as  the  agent  of  the  new  proprietors 
who  had  recently  purchased  the  rights  of  Edward  Hilton  in  the 
colony  should  arrive  in  the  country.  This  act  was  accordingly 
soon  consummated. 

Having  placed  itself  under  the  protection  of  Massachusetts, 
Dover  as  well  as  Portsmouth  was  substantially  a  part  of  that 
colony  for  nearly  fifty  years.  Governed  by  its  laws.  New  Hamp- 
shire, of  which  these  two  towns  formed  the  component  parts,  had 
virtually  no  history  of  its  own,  for  Hampton  had  always  owed 


[1641  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  21 

allegiance  to  the  Bay  and  Exeter  was  but  an  outlying  parish 
over  which  guard  had  been  constantly  placed  to  keep  John 
Wheelwright  and  his  heresies  at  bay.  Thus  situated  little  prog- 
ress was  made  in  its  settlement,  though  extensive  grants  were 
constantly  made  to  men  of  influence  in  this  country  and  in  Eng- 
land, the  favorites  of  the  home  government.  It  was  indeed 
graciously  allowed  that  the  inhabitants  should  enjoy  the  same 
liberties  with  their  own  people,  and  have  a  court  of  justice 
erected  among  them  ;  that  they  should  be  exempted  from  all 
public  charges,  except  what  should  arise  among  themselves,  or 
for  their  own  peculiar  benefit ;  that  they  should  enjoy  their  for- 
mer liberties  of  fishing,  planting  and  selling  timber  ;  and  that 
they  should  send  two  deputies  to  the  General  Court  sitting  in 
Boston.  These  terms  were  indeed  liberal,  though  Massachusetts 
could  well  afford  them,  and  leading  men  in  New  Hampshire 
were  allowed  to  hold  prominent  places  below  the  highest  in  the 
management  of  affairs.  That  "stalwart"  leader  in  the  Dover 
settlement,  Major  Richard  Waldron,  represented  his  people  for 
more  than  twenty  years  in  the  General  Court,  of  which  on  seven 
successive  occasions  he  was  chosen  the  Speaker. 

The  historian  of  New  England  {Palfrej),  after  reciting  the 
terms  of  the  union  and  the  disorderly  conduct  in  the  settlements 
which  led  to  it,  remarks:  "Experiences  of  this  kind  taught 
them  that  they  were  not  in  a  condition  to  go  on  comfortably  by 
themselves  ;  the  territorial  claim  of  Massachusetts  was  always 
hanging  over  their  heads  ;  the  state  of  affairs  in  England  pre- 
cluded the  expectation  of  any  present  attention  from  that 
quarter  ;  and  the  communities  were  too  dissimilar  from  each 
other,  as  well  as  singly  too  feeble  and  heterogeneous,  to  find 
sufiicient  strength  in  a  union  together.  The  natural  and  pru- 
dent resource  was  to  seek  the  protection  of  Massachusetts." 

However  advantageous  this  union  may  have  been  at  the 
start,  in  cleaning  out  the  disorderly  elements  which  prevailed 
in  the  settlements,  the  chain  soon  began  to  gall.  As  early  as 
1646,  or  in  about  five  years  after  the  connection  was  formed, 
dissatisfaction  with  government  by  Massachusetts  began  to 
manifest  itself.  The  inhabitants  of  Dover,  by  "humble  pe- 
tition," complained  to  the  General  Court  that  they  were  sub- 
jected to  inconvenience  and  wrong  in  being  compelled  to  defray 
all  their  own  court  charges,  while  subjected  to  the  courts  of 
Massachusetts  in  matters  which  it  was  agreed  should  be  left  to 
their  own    jurisdiction.      They  complained   that  while  it   was 


22  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  [i64i 

stipulated  that  in  all  minor  matters  they  should  answer  only  to 
their  own  courts,  which  had  power  to  punish  all  offenders 
except  for  "  life,  limb  or  banishment,"  they  had  warrants  served 
upon  them  to  appear  at  Boston  about  selling  of  wine,  and  had 
been  arrested  divers  times  for  small  sums  and  been  forced  to 
travel  as  far  as  Boston,  Salem  and  Ipswich  for  a  debt  of  ten 
shillings,  &c. 

In  answer  to  this  petition  the  General  Court  decided  that  the 
complainants  "  had  no  other  liberties  concerning  trials  and  suits 
in  law  than  the  inhabitants  of  Salem  and  others  of  other  parts 
of  this  jurisdiction  have."  "  Nevertheless  the  Court  being  sen- 
sible of  the  great  burthen  which  may  fall  upon  the  inhabitants 
of  the  river,  if  they  shall  be  forced  upon  small  occasions  to 
travel  to  Boston,  or  other  courts  far  off,  ordered  that  they  should 
not  be  compelled  upon  any  original  process  to  travel  out  of  the 
limits  of  Norfolk  to  answer  in  any  civil  action  of  less  than  loo 
pounds  debt  and  damage,  or  have  liberty  to  call  any  person  out 
of  any  other  limits  to  answer  in  any  like  action  to  be  holden  in 
Norfolk  under  the  same  value." 

With  these  and  other  concessions  the  union  went  on  until 
1679,  when  New  Hampshire  was  made  a  province  and  left 
mainly  to  its  own  guidance.  The  revolution  in  England,  com- 
plications growing  out  of  the  Mason  claim  and  repeated  Indian 
massacres  of  the  defenceless  inhabitants  induced  (1689-90) 
a  majority  of  the  harassed  people  to  ask  to  be  restored  to  the 
protection  of  Massachusetts.  Measures  to  that  end  were  in 
progress,  but  before  the  union  had  been  fully  consummated, 
after  a  nominal  control  of  affairs  for  about  three  years,  Massa- 
chusetts relinquished  its  authority  in  1692,  and  New  Hampshire 
ever  after  remained  a  separate  province,  though  the  boundary 
line  between  them  was  not  finally  settled  until  1741. 


CHAPTER    II 

Under  Colony  of  Massachusetts 
1642 

Jan.  2. — At  a  town  meeting  it  was  ordered  that  if  any  turbu- 
lent person  shall  molest  any  of  the  Townsmen  appointed,  or 
quarrel  with  them,  or  contest  against  any  of  their  lawful  actions, 
done  according  to  town  order,  he  shall  be  first  admonished,  and 
the  second  time  fined  5s.  and  the  third  time  los.  for  every  such 
offence. 

("Townsmen  "  was  the  term  used  for  Town  Officers.) 

June  i.^ — It  was  ordered  that  no  inhabitant  should  fall  above 
ten  trees  for  clapboards  or  pipe  staves  till  he  had  wrought  them 
up.  Anyone  having  above  ten  trees  fallen  at  any  time  not 
wrought  up  was  to  forfeit  for  every  tree  ten  shillings. 

Same  date. — It  was  ordered  that  "Mr.  Daniel  Maud  and  Mary 
his  wife  shall  enjoy  the  house  they  now  dwell  in  during  their 
lives  provided  he  continue  amongst  us  as  Teacher  or  pastor  if 
please  God  to  call  him  to  it." 

Mr.  Maud  was  the  fifth  minister  of  Dover.  He  came  to  this 
country  as  early  as  1635,  and  was  admitted  a  freeman  by  the 
Massachusetts  Colony,  Oct.  25,  1635.  He  settled  in  Boston  and 
was  a  schoolmaster  there  several  years.  He  came  to  Dover  this 
year  and  continued  here  till  his  death  in  1655.  "  He  was  a 
good  man,  of  a  serious  spirit  and  a  quiet  and  peaceable  dis- 
position." 

7th  mo. — It  is  ordered  that  the  Associates  at  Piscataqua  shall 
have  power  to  try  any  cause  under  20  pounds,  though  no  other 
be  sent  to  them.  Mr.  William  Hilton,  William  Waldron  and 
Edward  Colcott  had  authority  to  end  differences  under  i  pound. 

Ordered,  that  the  Elders  be  desired  to  take  the  case  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Strawberry  bank  into  their  consideration  and 
afford  their  help  for  providing  a  minister  for  them. 

The  inhabitants  of  Northam  (Dover)  upon  their  petition  were 
granted  the  liberty  other  towns  have,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Dudley, 
Mr.  William  Paine,  Mr.  Winslow^  and  Mr.  Boyse  were  appointed 
to  settle  their  limits. 

(The  above,  7th  mo.,  &c.,  though  appearing  on  the  Town 
records,  was  doubtless  the  action  of  the  Massachusetts  Assembly, 
under  whose  government  the  Piscataqua  towns  had  placed 
themselves.) 


24 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[1643 


A  barrel  of  powder  was  granted  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  by 
the  Massachusetts  government  on  their  delivering  dry  fish  for  it 
in  Boston  by  agreement  with  the  surveyor  general. 

Twenty  acre  lots  were  laid  out  this  year,  on  the  west  side  of 
Back  river,  to  the  following  inhabitants  (the  lots  being  described 
as  "in  breadth  at  the  water  side  40  poles,  and  in  length  80 
poles  up  in  the  woods  " ) : 

Thomas  Roberts,  Barthy  Srney, 

Richard  Rogers,  John  Ugroiie, 

Henry  Tebbetts,  John  Dam, 

Mr.  Larkham,  Wm.  Pomfrett, 

Edward  Colcord,  Wm.  Hilton,  sen, 

George  Webb,  Edward  Starbuck, 

John  Tuttle  Samuel  Haines, 

William  Storey,  Robert  Huggins 


John  Croesse, 
Tho.  La3'ton, 
John  Hall, 
Hatevil  Nutter, 
Henry  Beck 
John  Westell, 
Richard  Pinkham 


1643 
The  inhabitants  of  Bloody  Point,  who  had  been  severed  from 
Dover  and  annexed  to  Portsmouth,  by  the  Commissioners 
appointed  by  Massachusetts  to  define  the  boundaries  after  the 
union  with  that  government  in  1641,  petitioned  to  be  re-annexed 
to  Dover,  assigning  as  reasons  that  it  was  done  altogether 
without  their  consent ;  that  they  had  promise  from  you  ( Massa- 
chusetts) to  enjoy  all  their  lawful  liberty  of  felling  timber 
and  the  like,  but  from  which  they  are  now  debarred  ;  that 
Strawberry  Bank  was  four  miles  from  them,  or  thereabouts, 
whereby  they  were  all  debarred  from  hearing  the  word  by 
reason  of  the  tides  falling  out  so  that  they  could  go  but  once  a 
fortnight  and  then  stay  but  a  part  of  the  day,  making  it  rather 
a  day  of  toil  and  labor  than  rest  unto  the  I,ord,  and  yet  they 
were  forced  to  pay  for  the  maintenance  of  their  minister.  And 
it  was  further  alleged  that  "  sithence  the  Court  they  have  laid 
out  to  themselves  50,  100,  or  200  acres  a  pts  (apiece)  round 
about  us,  penning  us  up  and  denying  us  falling  of  any  Timber 
without  their  leave  and  making  every  one  that  will  have  of  the 
said  land  to  pay  yearly  50s.  for  a  C  Acres  and  so  after  the  rate 
for  more  or  less,  they  being  some  fourteen  or  fifteen  families 
living  remote  from  one  another  scattering  upon  the  river  2  miles 
and  4,  5,  or  6  miles  from  us,  yet  have  taken  to  themselves  all 
our  best  land  adjoining  to  us."  The  petitioners  conclude  by 
"  Humbly  beseaching  your  good  Worpps  to  be  pleasrd  to  take 
our  case  into  your  pious  consideration  and  to  take  some  order 


[1643  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  25 

for  us  that  we  may  enjoy  our  former  liberties  and  continue  in 
the  same  Township  we  were  of,  and  that  the  order  of  Court 
may  be  confirmed  which  was  that  our  Neck  should  be  in 
Dover  Town,  otherwise  we  shall  be  forced  to  remove  with  (our 
families)  to  our  undoing,  being  12  poor  families."  &c.  The 
signers  of  the  petition  were  John  Godard,  James  Johnson, 
Thomas  Canning,  Henry  I^angstaff,  Thomas  Ffursen,  John 
Payer,  William  Fray,  Oliver  Trimings,  William  Jones,  Philip 
I^ewis,  Thomas  Trickey  and  another  whose  name  is  unread- 
able.    The  result  was  that  — 

March  10.  It  appearing  to  the  Court  that  the  Commissioners 
appointed  to  lay  out  the  bounds  between  Dover  and  Strawberry 
Bank  did  not  consider  Strawberry  Bank  as  a  Town,  nor  so 
exactly  viewed  the  land  on  that  side  of  the  river  as  was  needful 
and  thereupon  laid  out  certain  lauds  to  Dover  which  is  most 
convenient  for  Strawberry  Bank,  and  certain  lands  to  Straw- 
berry Bank  which  is  most  convenient  for  Dover,  it  was  ordered 
that  all  the  marsh  and  Meddow  ground  lying  against  the  Great 
Bay  on  Strawberry  Bank  side  should  belong  to  Dover,  together 
with  four  hundred  ackers  of  upland  ground  adjoining  and  lying 
as  may  be  most  convenient  for  the  imprisoning  and  fencing  in 
of  the  said  meadow,  the  remainder  of  the  said  ground  to  belong 
to  Strawberry  Bank,  reserving  the  due  right  to  every  one  that 
hath  property  in  the  same. 

6th  mo.  31.  George  Webb  was  presented  by  the  Court  "  for 
living  idle  like  a  swine." 

Warrant  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Dover  to  redress  their  two 
mistakes  of  sending  a  new  deputy  and  sending  an  imperfect 
number  of  males  from  16  years  old  to  60  years.  It  was  also 
ordered  that  an  admonition  should  be  sent  to  Dover  for  sending 
a  new  deputy  without  leave,  or  new  summons,  and  not  allowing 
means  to  the  former  deputy,  whereby  he  was  hindered  from 
coming.     {Mass.  Records.) 

William  Pomfret  was  appointed  in  Edward  Colcott's  place  to 
assist  in  ending  small  causes  at  Dover.     (  Mass.  Records.) 

Sept.  30.— It  was  ordered  that  William  Pomfrett  should  have 
the  neck  of  land  between  the  mouth  of  Cochecho  river  and 
Newichwannock  river  with  the  marsh  thereupon  to  the  first 
narrow. 

Dec.  8. — It  was  ordered  that  no  man  should  fall  any  timber 
for  clapboards  or  pipe  staves,  plank  or  boards  (on  public  land) 
without  the  approbation  of  the  Townsmen. 


26  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1644 

1644 

April  20. — It  was  ordered  that  Mr.  Edward  Starbuck,  Richard 
Walderne  and  William  Furber  be  Wearesmen  for  Cotcheco 
falls  and  river,  during  their  lives,  or  so  long  as  they  continue 
inhabitants  in  the  town  and  at  any  one  of  their  deaths  or 
departure  out  of  the  town  the  said  falls,  wears  and  fishing  to 
return  again  to  the  disposing  of  the  town,  to  put  in  another, 
paying  yearly  six  thousand  Alewives  for  rent  to  the  town.  The 
first  fish  they  catch  are  to  be  employed  for  the  use  of  the  Church 
and  what  fish  is  wanting  for  the  Church's  use  to  be  delivered  at 
common  price,  that  is  to  say  three  shillings  a  thousand  at  the 
utmost,  and  the  first  Salmon  they  catch  to  be  given  to  the  pastor 
or  teacher,  and  none  are  to  fish  in  the  said  falls  or  weares  but  the 
above  written.  And  further  said  wearsmen  are  bound  to  use  all 
diligence  in  catching  fish,  sdly.  The  said  wearsmen  are  to  have 
six  thousand  of  fish  each  of  them  for  their  ground.  3d,  Church 
officers  are  to  be  served  with  fish.  4th,  All  that  bear  office  in 
the  commonwealth,  and  sthly  the  most  ancient  inhabitants  to 
be  served  with  fish,  and  so  every  man  a  thousand  of  fish  equally 
divided  or  so  many  as  every  school  of  fish  affords  and  every 
man  to  go  up  for  his  fish  and  tend  there  for  it  in  fishing  season, 
and  for  the  odd  fish  that  come  before  the  school  to  be  the  wears- 
men's  if  they  exceed  not  above  two  or  three  hundred.  After 
the  Church  have  had  six  thousand  of  fish  the  next  to  be  served 
are  the  wearsmen.  Those  men  who  do  not  use  the  fish  them- 
selves it  shall  be  at  the  disposing  of  the  wearmen.  And  those 
that  neglect  to  take  their  turn  shall  lose  their  fish  for  that  time. 
And  it  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  molest  the  said  Wearsmen 
in  their  fishing  upon  pain  of  nineteen  shillings  for  every  default. 

Aug.  2. — It  was  ordered  by  the  Court  that  Elisabeth,  wife  of 
Mathew  Giles,  be  whipped  or  redeemed  with  a  fine  of  20  shil- 
lings for  reviling  words  against  some  of  the  members  of  the 
church. 

Ordered,  that  William  Jones  shall  make  a  public  acknowl- 
edgement to  Elder  Starbuck  and  others  he  hath  reviled  upon 
Lord's  day  come  sennitt. 

"Anthony  Emery,  of  Dover,  his  petition  is  referred  to  the 
next  court  at  Dover  and  he  is  allowed  to  draw  out  his  wine  in 
the  meantime."     {Mass.  R(Xords.) 

On  the  report  of  Richard  Bellingham  and  Richard  Saltonstall, 
appointed  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  examine 


1645]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  27 

the  case  concerning  a  certain  quantity  of  land  in  question  be- 
tween Dover  and  Strawberry  Bank,  it  was  ordered  that  the  land 
should  be  laid  to  Dover. 

1645 

July  10.— John  Baker  was  fined  ten  shillings  for  drawing  his 
sword  and  running  after  Indians  with  it  drawn,  and  to  pay 
2S.  6d.  fees.  He  was  also  admonished  for  trading  with  Indians 
on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  ordered  to  pay  2s.  6d.  fees.  He  was 
further  presented  for  beating  Richard  Nason  so  that  he  was 
black  and  blue,  and  for  throwing  a  fire  shovel  at  his  wife  ; 
5  shillings. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  should  pay  John  Rosse,  due  for 
ferrige  of  the  magistrates  to  Dover,  and  demand  the  one  half 
of  the  Treasurer  of  Dover.  Mr.  Bradstreet  and  Mr.  Symonds 
are  appointed  to  keep  courts  at  Dover  for  the  year  ensuing. 
Capt.  Wiggin,  Mr.  Williams  and  Mr.  Smith  are  appointed  a.sso- 
ciates  with  them.     {Mass.  Records.) 

Oct.  7. — It  is  ordered  that  Strawberry  Bank  and  Dover  be 
sent  to  for  what  they  stand  indebted  to  the  country  for  their 
deputies'  diet  and  court  charges,  and  course  taken  for  it.  {Mass. 
Records^ 

The  Massachusetts  General  Court  granted  to  Dover  the  entire 
neck  of  land,  known  as  Bloody  Point,  bounded  on  the  south- 
ward by  a  line  drawn  from  Canney's  creek  to  Hogsty  Cove. 

1647 

Oct.  27. — It  was  ordered  that  Mr.  Ambrose  Gibbons,  William 
Pomfrett,  Anthony  Emery,  Richard  Waldron  and  Thomas  L,ay- 
ton  treat  with  Mr.  Hate  Evil  Nutter  and  Company  of  Elders, 
concerning  the  erecting  and  setting  up  of  a  saw  mill  at  Campron 
river,  and  as  the  parties  should  agree  it  would  be  the  act  of  the 
town. 

By  the  agreement  which  follows,  the  ' '  Company  of  Elders ' ' 
aforesaid,  which  seems  to  have  consisted  of  Elder  Nutter  and 
Elder  Starbuck,  were  granted  a  commodious  and  fit  place  at 
the  upper  or  lower  fall,  for  the  setting  up  of  a  saw  mill,  with 
what  timber  and  wood  should  be  necessary  for  that  purpose. 
They  were  allowed  to  fall  either  oak  or  pine  for  sawing,  and 
were  to  pay  for  every  tree  six  pence  to  the  town,  either  in 
boards  or  plank. 


28  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1,647 

The  inhabitants  of  Dover  were  granted  exemption  from  serv- 
ing at  the  General  Court,  except  at  the  Court  of  election,  and 
their  fine  for  not  appearing  was  remitted.     ( Mass.  Records.) 

Nov.  I. — William  Pomfrett  chosen  town  clerk. 

Nov.  II — Town  Marks  agreed  upon  by  the  General  Court 
for  Horses,  ordered  to  be  set  upon  one  of  the  nere  quarters  : 
"  S  (trawberry  banke),  N  (ortham),  H  (ampton),  E(xiter.)." 
{Mass.  Reco7'ds.) 

The  Court  took  order  for  the  administration  of  the  estate 
of  William  Waldron,  deceased,  by  decreeing  that  said  estate 
should  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Capt.  Wiggin  and  Edward 
Rawson,  who  were  to  settle  the  same  and  make  an  equal  dis- 
tribution of  the  proceeds  to  the  several  creditors,  making  return 
of  their  doings  to  the  next  Court. 

The  following  ordinance  in  relation  to  the  valuation  of  prop- 
erty for  the  purpose  of  taxation  was  adopted  this  year  :  — 

"  Vicesimo  Septimo  die  loth  mo  Anno  Domini  '47." 

"  Memorand.  it  is  this  day  ordered,  constituted,  concluded  and  agreed 
upon  that  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  doe  and  shall  constitute  and  agree 
unto  a  form  of  levieing  (levying)  of  Rates  and  Assessments  for  raising 
of  public  charges,  According  to  an  order  of  Court  made  and  held  at 
Boston  dated  13th  of  the  9th  nio.  (1647)  as  followeth  viz  :  — 

1st.  That  the  Selectmen  and  one  man  more  chosen  by  the  inhabitants 
aforesaid,  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  make  rates  and  to  follow 
this  forme  as  followeth. 

2nd.  That  they  take  and  make  an  exact  and  perfect  List  of  all  the 
male  Inhabitants  within  this  Township  from  the  age  of  sixteen  yearesand 
upwards.  According  to  a  true  valuation  and  Estimate  of  all  the  Estate, 
as  well  reall  aspersonall  of  houses  and  Lands  of  all  Sorts  unbroken  uppas 
others.  Except  such  as  shall  bee  comou  for  free  feeding  of  cattell  to  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants  in  generall  whether  belonging  to  Townds  or  par- 
ticular persons  viz:  — Mills,  shypps,  merchantable  goods.  Cranes, wharfes 

and  all  other  sorts  of  cattell  and  other goods  or  estates  either  at  Sea 

or  land.     The  which  said  persons  and  estates  are  by  the  said  selectmen 
and  commissioners  to  be  assessed  and  rated  as  hereafter  followeth,  viz  : 

That  evie  (every)  person  aforesaid  ( Magistrates  only  excepted)  two 
shillings  and  six  pence  per  head  and  all  estates  both  Reall  &  personal 
at  one  penny  for  evie  twenty  shillings  According  to  the  rate  of  cattell 
hereafter  mentioned  viz  :  — 

That  evie  cowe  of  foure  yeares  and  upwards  shall  be  valued  at  five 
pounds. 

That  evie  heifer  and  Steirs  betweene  three  and  foure  yeares  old  shall 
bee  valued  at  foure  pounds,  betweene  two  and  three  yeares  at  fifty  shil- 
lings and  betweene  one  and  two  yeares  old  at  thirty  shillings. 

That  evie  Oxe  at  foure  yeares  old  and  upwards  shall  bee  valued  at 
sixe  pounds. 


1648]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  29 

That  evorie  horse  and  mare  at  foure  years  old  and  upwards  shall  bee 
valued  at  Seaven  pounds,  and  of  three  yearesold  at  five  pounds,  betweene 
two  and  three  yeares  old  at  three  pounds  and  of  one  yeare  old  forty 
shillings. 

That  evie  sheepe  above  one  yeare  old  shall  bee  valued  at  thirty 
shillings  and  evie  Goate  above  one  yeare  old  at  eight  shillings. 

That  evie  swine  above  one  yeare  old  shall  bee  valued  at  twenty 
shillings  and above  one  yeare  old  at  forty  shillings. 

All  sorts  of  Cattell  under  one  yeare  old  are  exempted. 

That  all  such  persons  as  by  their  Arts  are  inabled  to  carry  along  public 
charges,  As  Bakers,  Brewers  and  Artificers,  are  to  bee  rated  according  to 
the  valuation  of  their  said  Arts  and  Imployments. 


1648 

Feb.  22.— It  was  ordered  that  George  Smith,  William  Pom- 
frett  and  John  Hall  being  chosen  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  to  put  an  end  to  all  controversies  that  shall  at  any 
time  arise  for  the  space  of  one  whole  year. 

Aug.  3. — The  Grand  Jury  presented  Elder  Starbuck  for  dis- 
turbing the  peace  of  the  church,  and  for  refusing  to  join  with  it 
in  the  ordinance  of  baptism  ;  for  which  he  was  admonished  and 
discharged. 

Sept.  27 — It  was  ordered  that  all  such  person  or  persons  that 
shall  be  found  absent  without  lawful  cause  from  the  town  meet- 
ing shall  for  such  default  pay  a  fine  of  six  shillings. 

Same  date. — It  was  ordered  that  Richard  Pinkham  shall  beat 
the  drum  on  Lord's  day  to  give  notice  for  the  time  of  meeting 
and  to  sweep  the  meeting  house  for  the  which  he  shall  be 
allowed  six  bushels  of  Indian  corn  for  his  pay  this  year  and  to  be 
freed  from  rates. 

Oct.  12. — There  was  granted  to  Richard  Waldron  fifteen  hun- 
dred trees,  either  oak  or  pine,  for  the  accommodation  of  a  saw 
mill  which  he  intendeth  shortly  by  God's  permission  to  erect 
and  set  up  at  or  upon  the  lower  fall  of  the  river  Cochchechoe. 
The  said  Richard  Waldron  is  to  pay  three  pence  per  tree. 

Oct.  29. — It  was  ordered  that  George  Walton  should  pay 
twenty  shillings  for  every  pipe  of  wine  drawn  either  by  him  or 
his  appointment  to  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever  since  the 
time  of  his  keeping  an  ordinary,  and  also  for  the  price  of  two 
pipes  and  one  hogshead  of  wine  since  the  last  Court  the  sum  of 
fifty  shillings  upon  demand. 

lyOts  were  assigned  this  year  in  Cochecho  Marsh  to  the  follow- 
ing persons:   Anthony  Emery  12  acres,  the  Church  12  acres. 


30 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[164S 


and  to  George  Walton,  John  Hall,  John  Hurd,  Henry  Beck, 
William  Waldron,  John  Newgrow,  Henry  Langstaff,  John 
Goddard,  James  Nute,  Robert  Huckins,  James  Rollins,  William 
Furber,  Richard  Waldron,  John  Baker  and  Mr.  Belley,  6  acres 
each.  Mr.  Nutter  was  also  assigned  6  acres,  which  was  after- 
wards exchanged  with  Edward  Colcord  for  his  six  acre  lot  of 
marsh  in  the  Great  Bay.  And  it  is  further  recorded  that,  "next 
joining  these  lots  there  is  lo  acres  given  to  John  Baker  and  the 
rest  of  the  marsh  to  Richard  Waldron  by  a  town  meeting,  and 
all  the  marsh  is  divided." 


Town  Records 
A  town  rate  of  4d  ou  a  pound  was  made  igtli  loth  mo.  on  the  following 
persons : 


Joseph  Austin 
Charles  Adams 
John  Alt 
William  Beard 
Jonas  Binns 
John  Bickford 
John  Baker 
Henry  Beck 
Tho.  Beard 
Geo.  Branson 
Tho.  Canney 
Philip  Chasley 
John  Damme 
William  Drew 
Antho.  Emery 

more  to  pay  for  a  bull 
William  Furber 
Darby  Field 
Tho.  Footman 
Tho.  Fursen 
John  Goddard 
Ambrose  Gibbons 
Matthew  Gyles 
Samuel  Haines 
Jo.  Hall 
John  Hilton 
Robt.  Hetliersey 
John  Hall 
Tho.  Johnson 
Oliver  Kent 
Henry  Langstaff 
Tho.  Layton 
Francis  Littlefield 


lO. 
lO. 


Pd. 
91. 

31- 
69. 
76. 

42. 

115- 
92. 
40. 
62. 

30- 

84. 

78. 
104. 

70.       o. 

108.     10. 

2.     10. 

81. 

81. 

60. 

16. 
129. 

86. 
194. 

65. 

79- 

46. 

60. 

42. 

40. 

70. 

75- 
156. 

60. 


10.  o. 

10.  o. 

o.  o. 

10.  o. 

o.  o. 

10.  o. 

10.  o. 

16.  o. 

o.  o. 

o.  o. 


10.  o. 

o.  o. 

o.  o. 

o.  o. 

10.  o. 

o.  o. 

10.  o. 

10.  o. 

12.  O. 

O.  O. 

O.  O. 

O.  O. 

O.  O. 

10.  O. 

o.  o. 

10.  o. 

15.  o. 


Rate 
II.       2, 


4- 
o. 
6. 

4. 

6. 

10. 

7. 
8. 
o. 
o. 
6. 
10. 

4- 
o, 
10. 
2. 
o. 
o. 
o. 

2. 

O. 

2. 

10. 

8. 

4- 
o. 
o. 

4. 

o. 
o. 
o. 
3- 


1648] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


31 


Pd. 

s. 

d. 

Mrs.  Matthews 

139- 

10. 

0. 

2. 

John  Martin 

41. 

10. 

0. 

Hatevill  Nutter 

78. 

6. 

0. 

I. 

James  Nute 

83- 

0. 

0. 

I 

William  Pomfrett 

71. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

Mr.  Roberts 

69. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

William  Roberts 

46. 

10. 

0. 

James  Rawlins 

60. 

0. 

0, 

I. 

Jeffrey  Ragg 

4. 

0. 

0. 

William  Storey 

66. 

4- 

0. 

I. 

Edw.  Starbuck 

45- 

10. 

0. 

Tho.  Stephenson 

50- 

0. 

0. 

Mr.  Seeley 

8. 

0. 

0. 

Francis  Small 

10. 

0. 

0. 

George  Smith 

32- 

8. 

0. 

John  Ture 

35- 

0. 

0. 

Henry  Tibbetts 

87. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

John  Tattle 

■        69. 

0. 

0. 

I 

Thomas  Trickett 

104. 

10. 

0. 

I 

Thomsons  point  house 

4- 

0. 

0. 

George  Webb 

46. 

0 

0. 

George  Walton 

84. 

0. 

0. 

I 

Tho.  Willey 

71- 

10. 

0. 

I 

Rich.  Walderne 

141. 

0. 

0. 

2 

more  to  pay 

— 

— 

— 

Richard  Yorke 

72. 

8. 

0 

I 

Rate 


0' 

i3- 

10. 

6 

3- 

7 

8. 

3 

8. 

3 

2. 

15 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I 

4. 

2 

I. 

15 

4- 

16 

4- 

2, 

8. 

3- 

4- 

10 

9- 

I 

8. 

9 

2. 

3 

0. 

8 

4- 

I 

4. 

12 

8. 

7 

•       4- 

3 

6. 

3 

.       4. 

3 

•       4- 

4 

0. 

The  first  column  of  figures  was  the  estimated  value  of  the 
estate  taxed  ;  the  second  the  amount  of  the  tax. 

The  rate  here  specified  was  to  be  paid  in  these  commodities, 
at  the  time  and  place  following  : 

One  fourth  part  in  corn  to  be  paid  and  brought  in  at  the  rates  as 
follows,  viz:  Indian  corn  at  4s.  per  bushel,  wheat  and  peas  at  5s.  per 
bushel,  and  to  be  paid  by  the  loth  day  of  the  next  mo.  at  the  house  of 
Wm.  Pomfrett,  and  ye  rest  of  the  rate  to  be  pd  in  by  the  loth  day  of 
March  next  ensuing,  at  the  saw  pitt  below  Tho.  Canny's  for  one  place  of 
receipt  for  part  of  the  said  rate,  and  ye  other  to  be  paid  in  at  the  back 
cove,  to  the  Constables  or  his  assignes.  All  pipe  staves  are  to  be  deliv- 
ered in  at  the  rate  of  3  pds  10  s  o  d,  and  hh  staves  at  2  pds  5  s  o  d. 
And  for  default  of  payment  in  either  or  any  of  the  said  payments  in  part 
or  in  all  contrary  to  the  form  aforesaid,  we  do  hereby  authorize  and  give 
uuto  the  Constable  full  power  to  arrest  and  attach  the  goods  of  such  per- 
son or  persons  as  shall  make  denial. 

Witness  our  hands  this  19th  day  of  ye  loth  mo.  '48. 

Ambrose  Gibbons,  Hatevil  Nutter, 

William  Pomfrett,  Antho.  Emery, 

Tho.  Layton. 


32  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1649 

1649 

Aug.  23. — The  privilege  at  Bellemy  Bank  was  granted  to 
William  Pomfrett,  Thomas  I^ayton  and  John  Dam,  for  the  erect- 
ing of  a  saw  mill,  and  also  1500  trees,  oak  and  pine,  to  be 
"  failed  "  in  the  swamp  above  the  falls.  Pomfrett  and  his  part- 
ners also  had  liberty  to  fall  timber  in  any  place  on  the  river  out 
of  other  men's  lots,  paying  the  town  3d.  for  every  tree. 

Sept.  19. — Oyster  river  falls  were  granted  to  Valentine  Hill 
and  Thomas  Beard. 

Oct.  18. — The  Court  being  informed  of  a  great  misdemeanor 
committed  by  Edward  Starbuck  of  Dover,  with  profession  of 
Anabaptism,  for  which  he  is  to  be  proceeded  against  at  the  next 
Court  of  Assistants,  if  evidence  can  be  prepared  by  that  time, 
and  it  being  very  far  for  witnesses  to  travel  to  Boston  at  that 
season  of  the  year,  appointed  Captain  Thomas  Wiggin  and  Mr. 
Edward  (George?)  Smith  to  take  the  testimony  of  the  witnesses 
for  the  prosecution  of  Starbuck,  whose  offence,  apparently,  was 
the  wearing  of  his  hair  beyond  the  statute  length,  "  after  the 
manner  of  ruffians  and  barbarous  Indians,"  which  had  been 
decreed  by  the  Court  to  be  "  sinful." 

1650  ) 

Jul}'  4. — Thomas  Wiggin  and  Edward  Starbuck  received  per- 
mission for  erecting  a  saw  mill  at  the  second  falls  of  Cochecho 
river,  with  accommodation  of  timber  adjacent,  paying  ten 
pounds  rent  per  year  after  the  mill  is  at  work  ;  and  if  they  did 
not  build  it  and  set  at  work  within  one  year  after  the  first  of 
July  ensuing,  they  were  to  pay  ten  pounds.  They  also  had 
land  given  them. 

Same  date. — Thomas  Wiggin  and  Simon  Bradstreet  were 
granted  accommodation  for  a  saw  mill  to  be  erected  and  set  up 
by  them  in  the  River  Newichwannock  above  the  first  fall,  or  at 
Quamphegan.      Also  accommodation  of  timber,  10  pounds  rent. 

The  above  is  recorded  as  follows  : 

At  a  toweu  meting  heilld  the  foerth  of  the  fifeth  mo  50 
Giuen  and  granted  unto  Mr.  Thomas  Wiggieu  and  Edward  Starbuck, 
their  heires  and  asignes  for  euer  acomedation  for  the  Ereicteing  or 
setting  downe  a  sawe  mill  at  the  secont  fall  of  Coechechae  Reuer  with 
acomedation  of  tember  near  adjasent  as  the  sayd  miell  shall  improue  with 
acomedation  of  land  as  the  townsmen  shall  see  fett  or  such  as  shall  be 
depeuted  and  for  the  foernamed  Grant  the  afoersayd  mr.  Toomas  Wig- 
gine  and  Edward  Starbucke  aer  to  pay  to  the  towne  of  Douer  the  soem  of 


1650] 


HISTOR  Y  OF  DO  VER,  N.  H. 


33 


tenn  pounds  starling  by  the  year  after  it  is  sett  to  worke  and  if  theay 
shall  not  sett  up  the  sayd  mill  to  worke  with  in  one  yeare  the  afoersayd 
parties  ar  to  pay  to  the  towne  tenn  pounds  for  the  fierst  yeare  after  the 
fierst  July  wich  will  be  in  the  year  51  or  likwise  if  theay  shall  desert  it 
theay  are  to  pay  10  lb  for  the  kiping  of  it  and  not  improuing  it  acording 
to  the  intent  of  the  towne  and  that  thear  shall  noe  mill  bee  set  up  aboue 
theim  to  hinder  them. 

At  the  same  time,  is  given  and  granted  mr  Thomas  Wiggin  and  his 
heres  &  asigns  one  hondred  Ackers  of  upland  ajasent  to  the  mill  at  the 
second  fall  of  Coechechaue. 

At  the  same  time  is  giuen  and  granted  to  Edward  Starbucke  his  hieres 
and  asyneys  50  Ackes  of  upland  near  ajasent  alsoe. 

At  a  Publique  Towne  meetinge  10  5  Mo  50 

Giuen  &  Granted  unto  Captaine  Thomas  Wiggins  one  hundred  Acres 
of  up  Land  neer  adjacent  to  the  aforementioned  Mill. 


A  rate  was  made   this 
the  following  persons: 


Thomas  Roberts 
Ralph  Hall 
Thomas  Beard 
A.  Emery 
John  Tuttle 
William  Storey 
John  Hall,  sen. 
Elder  Nutter 
John  Roberts 
Anthony  Nutter 
James  Nute 
William  Furber 
Thomas  Canny 
Henry  Tebbitts 
Isaac  Nash 
Thomas  Clayton 
Rice  Howell 
John  Dam 
Thomas  L,ayton 
William  Pomfrett 
Henry  Langstaff 
Thomas  Trickey 
John  Martin 
John  Hall,  jr. 
John  Laues 
Richard  Keatler 
James  Rollins 
Wm.  Weutworth 
Joseph  Austin 


Town  Records 
year,  for  the  public  charges  of  the  town,  upon 


Pd. 

S. 

d. 

I. 

00. 

6. 

I. 

2. 

6. 

13- 

4. 

6. 

19. 

I. 

00. 

4. 

I. 

4- 

6. 

I. 

15- 

6. 

13- 

8. 

14. 

6. 

I. 

0. 

8. 

I. 

14. 

I. 

7- 

6. 

I. 

II. 
10. 
10, 

2. 

I. 

14. 

8. 

2. 

12. 

5- 

I. 

2. 

2. 

I. 

3- 

4- 

I. 

II. 
17- 

12. 

6. 

14. 

I. 

5- 

4. 

17- 

2. 

I. 

2. 

8. 

I. 

17- 

4- 

Richard  Waldron 
Abraham  Radford 
Peter  Coffin 
Valentine  Hill 
William  Beard 
Philip  Chesley 
Thomas  Johnson 
John  Hall 
Ambrose  Gibbens 
William  Roberts 
Thomas  Steunson 
William  Drew 
Matthew  Giles 
Oliver  Kentt 
Charles  Adams 
Mrs.  Mathes 
James  Bines 
John  Bickford 
Thomas  Willey 
John  Allt 
George  Webb 
George  Branson 
Philip  Lewis 
William  Follet 
Thomas  Footman 
Richard  York 
John  Hill 
Goodie  Feild 


Pd. 
3- 


d. 


2. 
10. 
10. 

2. 

4- 


I. 

2. 

14. 

8. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

4- 

8. 

17- 

2. 

16. 

0. 

12. 

4- 

2. 

13- 

2. 

I. 

0. 

10. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

14. 

4- 

I. 

17- 

4- 

I. 

13- 

2. 

I. 

3- 

4. 

3- 

4- 

10. 

0. 

18. 

8. 

10. 

0. 

12. 

8. 

I. 

0. 
10. 

6. 

I. 

0. 

0, 

61. 

12, 

I. 

34  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1651 

Although  this  list  of  tax-payers  contains  the  same  number 
as  paid  taxes  in  1648  viz.  57,  there  is  considerable  variation  in 
the  names  ;  many  persons  had  left  the  settlement,  whose  places 
had  been  taken  by  others. 


1651 

]y[a^y  ^ — yYt  a  town  meeting  it  was  voted  to  raise  100  Pounds 
by  the  year  towards  the  maintenance  of  two  ministers,  one  to 
live  at  Oyster  River  and  the  other  at  Dover.  Only  one  minister 
thus  far  had  been  supported,  and  the  Oyster  river  folks  objected 
to  paying  their  rates  on  account  of  the  distance  which  they  had 
to  travel  to  reach  the  meeting  house  on  the  Neck.  The  above 
rate  was  to  meet  this  objection.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  two 
ministers,  when  one  was  provided  for  Oyster  river,  should 
changeably  exercise  their  duties,  sometime  at  one  place  and 
sometime  at  the  other,  according  as  they  shall  agree.  And  it 
was  further  agreed  that  Mr.  Maud  should  have  his  50  pounds  a 
year  till  the  Oyster  river  minister  was  settled,  after  which  the 
100  Pounds  was  to  be  equally  divided  between  them. 

]yjay  16.— William  Pomfrett  of  Dover,  planter,  deeded  to 
William  Follett  and  Philip  IvCwis,  "for  the  sum  of  4  Pounds, 
two  thirds  of  the  acomedation  of  a  saw  mill  given  to  me  at 
Bellemies  Bank  Fall  by  the  town  of  Dover,"  Aug.  23,  1649. 

J^ly  g — George  Walton  was  presented  for  abusing  the  lyord's 
day  in  carrying  boards  and  going  to  the  Isle  of  Shoals. 
Admonished. 

Philip  Chesley,  Thomas  Footman,  Thomas  Johnson  and  Wil- 
liam Roberts  presented  for  going  in  the  time  of  meeting  to  the 
ordinary  on  the  afternoon  of  the  25th  of  May  last.     Admonished. 

Thomas  Footman  was  presented  for  abusing  the  constable, 
Thomas  Beard,  and  fined  13  s.  4d. 

j^ly  J4  _Xhe  town  granted  Thomas  Wiggin  500  acres  of 
upland  for  a  farm  at  the  second  falls  of  Cochecho,  to  be  laid 
out  as  convenient  as  may  be  both  for  the  inhabitants  and  Mr. 
Wiggin. 

Oct.  14.— The  town  of  Dover  was  fined  10  Pounds  for  neglect- 
ing to  send  a  Deputy  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  at 
two  successive  sessions.  Upon  the  request  of  Mr.  Maud  the 
fine  was  ' '  respited  and  not  to  be  levied  till  the  next  Court  of 
Election,  that  the  Court  may  judge  of  Dover's  answer." 


1652]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  35 

1652 

Some  difficulties  having  arisen  between  the  grantees  of  the 
different  mill  privileges,  in  consequence  of  disputed  bound- 
aries, the  town  appointed  Ambrose  Gibbons  and  Elder  Nutter 
to  join  with  the  selectmen  in  fixing  the  bounds  of  the  several 
grants,  by  whom  the  matter  was  amicably  settled. 

Aug.  8.— James  Nute  was  presented  for  abusing  the  Town 
Clerk  in  saying  that  "  he  was  a  deceitful  man  and  had  a  deceit- 
ful heart."  Thomas  Fursen  was  presented  for  over  much 
drinking. 

Major  Waldron,  who  had  extensive  grants  covering  all  the 
lower  falls  of  the  Cochecho,  with  much  timber,  in  consideration 
thereof,  besides  a  rent  of  12  Pounds  per  year  in  boards  or  plank, 
bound  himself,  his  heirs  and  administrators,  to  erect  a  Meeting 
House  upon  the  hill  near  Elder  Nutter's,  the  dimensions  of 
which  were  to  be  forty  foot  long,  twenty  six  feet  wide,  sixteen 
foot  stud,  with  six  windows,  two  doors  fit  for  such  a  house,  with 
a  "  tite  "  covering,  and  to  plank  all  the  walls,  with  glass  and 
nails  for  it,  the  whole  to  be  finished  "betwixt  this  and  April 
next  come  twelve  month,  which  will  be  in  the  year  1654." 

This  was  of  course  the  second  meeting  house,  though  we 
have  no  record  of  the  building  of  the  first,  except  the  statement 
of  Dr.  Belknap  that  "  on  the  most  inviting  part  of  this  eminence 
they  built  a  meeting  house,"  &c.  That  must  have  been  erected 
soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Eeveridge  in  1633.  Whether  it 
stood  upon  the  site  of  the  one  built  by  Major  Waldron  appears 
to  be  uncertain,  though  it  has  generally  been  supposed  that  it 
did.  The  entrenchment  or  fort  which  was  built  around  the 
second  house  was  not  constructed  until  1667,  as  will  be  seen  by 
referring  to  the  record  of  that  year.  From  the  fact  that  no  ref- 
erence is  made  to  the  old  meeting  house,  in  this  vote  for  build- 
ing the  new  one,  the  inference  is  that  it  did  not  stand  in  the 
same  place  where  the  new  one  was  to  be  built,  viz.  "  upon  the 
hill  near  Elder  Nutter's."  Had  it  been  so,  it  is  reasonable  to 
conclude  the  fact  would  have  been  mentioned. 

Fresh  Creek  mill  privilege  was  granted  to  William  Furber, 
William  Wentworth,  Henry  Eangster  and  Thomas  Canney,  at  a 
rate  of  six  Pounds  for  the  wood,  besides  ten  shilling  for  every 
such  mast  as  they  make  use  of. 

Eittle  John's  Creek  privilege  was  given  to  Joseph  Austin,  at 


36  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1652 

a  rent  of  6  Pounds  for  the  timber  he  needs,  and  lo  shillings  for 
every  tree  above  24  inches  through  cut  for  masts. 

(Little  John's  Creek  crosses  the  road  to  Dover  Neck.) 

The  Quamphegan  falls  privilege  was  confirmed  to  Capt, 
Thomas  Wiggins  and  Simon  Bradstreet,  with  the  trees  on  land 
a  couple  of  miles  long  and  one  mile  broad.      10  Pounds  rent. 

Valentine  Hill,  located  at  Oyster  river,  had  a  grant  of  timber 
and  land  half  a  mile  to  the  eastward  of  Thomas  Johnson's  creek, 
at  a  rent  of  10  Pounds.  Mr.  Hill  was  also  reminded  that  he 
had  "permission  to  build  mills  at  Lamprey  river,  but  has  not 
yet  done  it." 

The  inhabitants  on  the  Neck  were  granted  ' '  all  the  land 
below  the  Town  which  is  called  the  swamp,  and  so  to  Hilton's 
point,  for  to  make  an  ox  pasture."  Also,  the  land  that  lieth 
waste  on  the  west  side  of  the  Neck  to  make  them  a  calves'  pas- 
ture from  the  lot  of  John  Hall  and  Philip  Lewis  to  the  water 
side,  to  be  fenced  in  by  them. 

Val.  Hill  and  Richard  Waldron,  in  behalf  of  the  town,  com- 
plained to  the  Court  that  ' '  some  we  have  formerly  betrusted 
and  employed  at  the  General  Courts  have  neglected  wht  we 
betrusted  themwith,  among  other  things  in  a  special  manner  the 
recording  of  our  township  according  to  the  grant  of  said  court." 
They  therefore  craved  the  favor  that  "  the  said  limits  according 
to  our  grant  may  be  confirmed  to  us."  And  for  the  settling  of 
the  rights  and  bounds  of  the  town  the  Court  was  asked  to  "  con- 
sider these  things  ": 

I.     A  purchase  from  the  Indians  of  Lampereel  river  1635. 

2.  Possession  and  use  of  it  by  planting,  fishing,  and  felling  of  timber. 

3.  When  taken  into  the  Government  of  the  Bay  the  agreement  that 
they  should  enjoy  all  such  lawful  liberties  of  fishing,  planting  and  fell- 
ing of  timber  as  formerly.  4.  The  liberty  granted  to  Dover  which  other 
towns  have.  5.  The  bounds  of  Dover  as  settled  by  commissioners 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  upon  which  the  town  had  granted  several 
properties.  6.  The  bounds  of  Lampereel  river  as  by  consent  of  Dover 
and  Exeter  men,  a  neck  of  land  being  reserved  to  Exeter  on  the  north 
side.  7.  The  distance  from  the  river  to  each  town  being  about  six 
miles.  8.  Dover  cannot  be  enlarged  as  Exeter  may,  for  the  river 
between  Kittery  and  Dover  bounds  them  northward,  and  Lampereel 
river  and  Exeter  bounds  them  southward,  and  the  commissioners  have 
bound  them  eastward  and  southward.  9.  Exeter  besides  the  bounds 
towards  Lampereel  river  may  be  enlarged  westward  and  southward. 
10.  Between  Lampereel  river  and  Oyster  river  Dover  had  settled  a 
ministry,  which  ere  long  is  like  to  be  a  town  of  itself,  in  respect  of  the 
accommodation  of  Lampereel  river,  it  being  but  about  3  miles  between 


1654]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  37 

the  two  rivers,  ii.  That  Exeter  purchased  of  the  Indians  in  1638,  and 
began  to  be  a  town  after  they  submitted  to  the  Bay  in  1644  with  the  same 
conditions  as  other  towns,  and  that  Dover's  former  rights  were  con- 
firmed to  them  before  that  time. 

7th  mo.  8th. — A  committee  consisting  of  William  Payne, 
Samuel  Winslow  and  Matthew  Bo3'se  was  appointed  by  the 
General  Court  to  lay  out  the  bounds  of  Dover,  who  reported 
' '  that  the  utmost  bound  on  the  west  is  a  creek  on  the  east  side 
of  Lamperill  river,  the  next  creek  in  the  river,  and  from  the  end 
of  that  creek  to  L,amperill  river  first  fall,  and  so  from  the  first 
fall  on  a  west  and  by  north  line  six  miles  from  Newichannick 
first  fall  on  a  north  and  south  line  four  miles  from  a  creek  next 
below  Thomas  Canney's  house  to  a  certain  cove  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Great  Bay  called  the  Hogsty  cove,  and  all  the  marsh  and 
meadow  ground  lying  and  butting  on  the  Great  Bay,  with  con- 
venient upland  to  set  their  hay." 

Oct.  10. — It  was  ordered  that  William  Furber  should  be 
steward  of  the  town  for  the  coming  year,  to  receive  all  such 
rents  as  should  become  due,  with  full  power  to  collect  by  dis- 
tress all  such  sums  as  were  not  paid  on  demand. 

Oct.  19. — The  General  Court  ordered  that  the  northern 
bounds  of  Dover  should  extend  from  the  first  fall  of  Newiche- 
wannick  river  upon  a  north  and  by  west  line  four  miles. 

The  freemen  of  Dover  had  increased  to  that  number  that  they 
were  authorized  to  send  two  Deputies  to  the  General  Court, 
instead  of  one  as  heretofore. 

5:   10  mo  (16)52. 

Giuen  »&  granted  unto  Mr.  Richard  Walderne  his  Heires 
Executors  &  Assignes  the  Accommodations  of  the  north  side  of 
Cocheche  second  falls  with  the  Accommedations  of  Timber,  all 
that  is  aboue  the  Grant  of  Captaine  Wiggins  &  Elder  Starbucke. 

1654 

Commissioners  were  appointed  this  year  to  "lay  out  the 
dividing  bounds"  between  Dover  and  Kittery,  whose  decision 
follows  : 

Whereas  we  whose  names  are  here  under  written  are  made  choyce  of 
by  the  towns  of  Dover  and  Kittery  to  lay  out  ye  Deviding  bounds 
between  ye  said  Towns  we  have  mutually  concluded  and  agreed  that  the 
great  River  at  Newichawanuk  shall  be  and  remain  the  deviding  bound 
between  ye  aforsd  Towns,  the  one  half  of  ye  sd  River  to  appertain  and 
belong  unto  ye  Town  of  Dover  on  the  South  and  ye  other  half  unto  ye 
Town  of  Kittery  on  ye  North. 


38  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1655 

In  confirmation  hereof  we  have  interchangal)ly  set  to  our  hands  this 

fourth  of  Aprill  1654. 

Nic  Shapleigh 

A  true  copie  taken  ye  13th  Richard  Waldron 

day  of  Aprill  1654  Edward  Starbuck 

by  me  Nicholas  ffrost 

Humphrey  Chadborn  Richard  Nason 

Town  Claicus  William  Ffurber 

(Frost  and  Nason  "set  their  hands"  to  the  document  by  their  marks.) 

At  the  reqtiest  of  the  town  lyieut.  Pomfret  was  appointed  by 
the  Court  to  join  in  marriage  such  as  should  be  published 
according  to  law. 

The  town  again  complained  of  infringements  upon  its  bound- 
aries, and  asked  the  protection  of  the  Court,  especially  that 
some  order  might  be  taken  to  restrain  such  as  disturbed  and 
molested  them  in  their  habitations,  claiming  that  they  were 
trespassing  upon  their  lands  and  that  they  must  pay  rent  for 
cutting  grass,  timber,  &c. 

1655 

pgb_  j5_ — por  the  "comfortable  maintenance  of  the  ministry" 
of  Dover  and  Oyster  river,  it  was  agreed  that  "  all  the  rent  of 
the  saw  mills  shall  be  set  apart  into  a  town  stock,  with  two 
pence  upon  the  pound  to  be  rated  upon  the  estates  of  all  the 
inhabitants,  and  all  such  estates  so  appointed  are  to  be  put 
into  the  hands  of  any  that  shall  be  chosen  Treasurer  by  the 
said  town  to  receive  the  same,  which  sum  that  hath  respect  to 
the  rate  is  to  be  paid  in  money,  beaver,  beef,  pork,  wheat,  peas, 
mault,  butter,  cheese,  in  one  or  any  of  these.  This  order  to 
take  place  the  25th  of  June  next  and  to  continue  one  whole 
year." 

On  the  Exeter  records  is  found  the  following  curious  inquest 
held  in  Dover  at  this  time. 

The  names  of  the  Jury  panneld  Coroners  Inquest  upon  the  body  of 
Thomas  Tuttell,  the  sonne  of  John  Tuttell  of  Dover,  the  first  month, 
1655,  viz:  Thomas  Roberts,  Thomas  Laiton,  John  Hall,  William  Furber, 
John  Roberts,  Anthony  Nutter,  Thomas  Beasel,  Job  Clements,  William 
Story,  James  Newett,  Joseph  Austin,  Jeremy  Tibbetts.  Wee  whose 
names  are  subscribed  do  testifie  how  wee  found  Thomas  Tuttell,  the  son 
of  John  Tuttell,  by  the  stump  of  a  tree  which  he  had  newly  fallin  upon 
another  tree  rebounding  back  and  fell  upon  him  which  was  the  cause  of 
his  death  as  wee  consider;  this  was  found  the  last  day  of  the  last  March, 

1654. 

A  true  coppie  from  the  original  by  me, 

Renald  Fernald. 


1656]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  39 

1656 

Jan.  10. — It  was  agreed  that  there  shall  be  no  more  grants  of 
lands  made  either  to  any  of  the  present  inhabitants  or  to  any 
others  until  all  the  grants  that  are  already  made  be  laid  out  and 
bounded,  and  likewise  that  commonage  be  laid  out  to  all  our 
inhabitants  in  our  several  respective  places.  Also  that  no 
further  grants  of  land  shall  be  made  to  any  but  by  the 
consent  of  every  inhabitant,  reserving  power  for  the  present 
selectmen  till  the  last  of  February  next  to  accommodate  any 
inhabitant  further  as  in  their  wisdom  they  see  meet  if  any  shall 
desire  it,  which  time  being  expired  the  present  acts  are  hereby 
ratified  and  confirmed. 

The  same  day  the  town  confirms  all  previous  grants  and 
further  agreed  that  "whereas  there  are  several  grants  of  land 
made  by  the  town  to  the  inhabitants  of  which  some  are  in  con- 
troversy," to  appoint  Elder  Wentworth,  John  Heard,  John 
Bickford,  William  Furber  and  Left.  Hall  to  "bound  any  of  the 
lands  which  are  or  shall  be  in  controversy  betwixt  us  and  any 
of  our  inhabitants  or  neighbors,"  engaging  to  "rest  satisfied 
with  their  decision  whether  it  be  more  or  less  than  our  grants 
provide,  the  persons  acting  herein  to  be  upon  their  oaths  to  lay 
it  out  according  to  every  man's  grant  as  near  as  they  can  to  their 
best  judgment  and  understanding,  which  being  done  by  them 
or  any  three  of  them  aforementioned  shall  stand  for  a  current 
act,"  and  they  were  to  continue  in  this  service  till  others  were 
chosen. 

Jan.  30. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  house  at  Oyster  river, 
near  the  meeting  house,  for  the  use  of  the  minister,  of  the  fol- 
lowing dimensions,  viz:  36  feet  long,  10  feet  wide,  12  feet  in  the 
wall,  with  two  chimnies,  to  be  suitably  finished. 

June  27. — James  Rollins  was  presented  for  neglecting  to 
attend  meeting,  and  was  admonished  and  ordered  to  pay  the 
fees  of  the  court,  2  shillings  and  6  pence. 

Nov.  14. — The  people  in  arrears  as  to  saw  mill  rents  are 
ordered  to  settle  up. 

Dec.  4. — Mr.  Valentine  Hill  and  "one  or  two  more,"  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  run  the  line  between  Dover  and  Exeter. 
Mr.  Hill  also  had  permission  to  turn  part  of  the  water  of  Lam- 
pereel  River  into  Oyster  river  for  the  supply  of  his  mills. 

The  town  again  petitions  to  be  protected  in  their  rights 
against  certain  claims  and  divisions  of  patents  grounded  upon 


40  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1657 

some  former  act  of  the  Court,  which  disenabled  them  from  their 
continued  upholding  of  the  ministry,  for  which  by  their  utmost 
endeavors  they  had  raised  170  Pounds  per  annum  and  "upon 
which  the  welfare  of  society,  whether  ecclesiastical  or  political, 
doth  much  depend." 

1657 

Jan.  30. — It  was  ordered  that  the  Deputy  chosen  to  go  to  the 
General  Court  should  have  30  shillings  for  his  charges  going 
and  coming  and  his  diet  borne  by  the  town  during  his  attend- 
ance, and  2  shillings  and  6  pence  per  day  for  his  time.  Which 
order  was  to  stand  till  the  town  see  cause  to  alter  it. 

March  30. — John  Hall,  Thomas  Footman  and  Peter  Coffin 
were  chosen  to  call  the  townsmen  to  account  for  all  accounts 
belonging  to  the  town  for  the  time  past,  to  stand  till  others  are 
chosen,  and  to  notify  the  inhabitants  thereof  at  a  public  town 
meeting. 

Mr.  Valentine  Hill  rendered  his  account  for  "Deputy 
charges,"  as  follows  : 

For  himself  7  times  21  weeks  to  the  General  Court 
"    his  charges  in  going  to  and  again  2  times  in  the  spring 
"    6  times  at  the  fall 
"    his  horse  7  voyages 
"    his  horse  charges  at  the  spring 
"    his  horse  charges  at  the  fall 
"    charges  in  going  3  times  about  Mr.  Flecher 
"    charges  about  him  and  his  bringing 
"    extraordinary  charges  in  expense  in  Boston 
"    charges  in  raising  the  meeting  house  at  Oyster  river 
"    men's  hire  for  underpinning  the  meeting  house 

51-       5.       6. 

A  tax  of  6d  upon  a  Pound  was  assessed  this  year  to  be  paid 
in  provisions,  merchantable  pipe-staves,  and  hogshead  staves, 
boards  and  fat  cattle,  for  the  clearing  of  all  the  engagements  of 
the  town,  at  the  prices  following  :  pipe- staves  4  Pd  per  M,  hogs- 
head staves  2  Pd  10 s  per  M,  boards  at  50s,  wheat  5  s  per 
bushel,  pease  at  4  s,  beef  2  i/2d  per  lb,  pork  3  1/2  d,  Indian  corn 
4  s  per  bushel.  To  be  delivered  at  Bloody  Point,  Sandy  Point, 
and  the  Back  Cove,  and  at  John  Bickford's  at  Oyster  river. 
Where  any  man  was  "defective"  the  constable  had  power 
to  take  the  tax  by  distress. 

Charles  Buckner  was  chosen  by  vote  a  schoolmaster  for  the 


Pd. 

s. 

d. 

21. 

00. 

00. 

6. 

00. 

00. 

4- 

10. 

00. 

7. 

00. 

00. 

0. 

14. 

00. 

I. 

04. 

06. 

3- 

GO. 

00. 

2. 

00. 

00. 

4- 

00. 

00. 

17- 

00. 

I. 

05- 

00. 

1657]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  41 

town,  and  all  tradesmen  were  exempted  from  paying  rates  for 
their  trade,  "  for  the  rate  now  past." 

The  following  agreement  between  Dover  and  Kxeter  in  rela- 
tion to  boundaries  was  made  this  year. 

At  a  meeting  at  Exeter  between  certain  men  of  Dover  and  others  of 
Exeter  deputed  by  the  Towns  for  the  settling  of  the  bounds  between  the 
towns,  it  was  concluded  by  them  whose  names  are  here  under  written, 
that  the  west  and  by  north  line  from  the  lower  falls  of  Lampereel  river 
running  up  into  the  country  six  miles  shall  stand,  with  these  considera- 
tions following,  to  say,  that  the  lower  falls  of  Puscassicke  with  the  mill 
thereon  shall  belong  to  Exeter  with  accommodation  of  timber  belonging 
thereto,  being  a  mile  and  a  quarter  from  the  mill  towards  the  upper  fall 
within  the  line,  and  the  neck  of  land  possessed  by  John  Godard,  except- 
ing the  marsh  possessed  at  present  by  Exeter  men,  to  belong  to  Dover. 
And  for  the  land  within  the  line  with  the  rest  of  the  timber  to  belong  to 
Dover,  provided  that  Exeter  shall  have  free  commonage  for  their  cattle 
upon  the  same  land.  And  also  the  owners  of  the  mill  shall  have  the 
neck  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  Puscassicke  river  down  to  Lampreel 
river  (only  six  pole  by  the  river  side  excepted.)  And  also  convenient 
cartways  from  the  upper  fall  to  the  lower  fall  of  the  said  river,  as  also 
the  owners  of  the  mills,  to  say,  Mr.  Thomas  Kemball,  William  Hilton 
and  Robert  Smart  shall  have  sixty  acres  of  land  apiece  for  tillage  to  lie 
adjacent  to  their  mill  on  the  norwest  side  of  the  said  river.  To  hold  and 
to  have  the  said  land  to  them  and  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  without 
paying  any  rates  to  Dover  either  for  the  mill  or  the  said  lands. 

Witness  our  hands  the  14th  of  April,  1657. 

Edward  Hilton, 

Val:  Hill, 

John  Bickford,  sen. 

John  Gillman, 

Wlliam  Furber. 

May  6. — Capt.  Rich.  Walden,  a  deputy  for  Dover,  having 
urgent  occasion,  upon  his  request  is  dismist  the  Court.  {Mass. 
Records.) 

May  15. — Bryan  Pendleton  and  Peter  Coffin,  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  court,  laid  out  200  acres  of  land  for  Mr. 
Edward  Rawson,  secretary,  100  acres  of  which  were  on  the  east 
side  of  Quochecho  river,  and  100  on  the  west  side,  a  little  below 
the  Indian  path,  the  said  path  being  about  three  miles  above 
Cofnn's  house. 

June  17. — It  was  ordered  that  whoever  should  kill  a  wolf  or 
wolves,  whether  English  or  Indian,  within  the  town  should  have 
for  so  doing  four  pounds  for  every  wolf  killed,  the  head  to  be 
brought  to  the  meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck  or  delivered  to 
the  constable  and  be  by  him  publicly  declared. 

Same  date. — It  is  recorded  that  "  Mr.  Fletcher  and  the  town 


42  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1657 

having  had  some  discourse  whether  he  will  leave  them,  he  will- 
ingly manifested  that  he  was  not  minded  to  stay  any  longer  but 
to  prepare  himself  for  old  England,  and  could  not  justly  lay  any 
blame  upon  the  town." 

Mr.  Fletcher  was  the  minister  at  Oyster  river,  where  he  seems 
to  have  been  settled  in  1656,  though  no  distinct  record  appears 
to  have  been  made  of  the  fact.  The  meeting  house  was  built 
there  in  1655  and  the  minister's  house  as  already  stated  in  1656. 
His  departure  appears  to  have  had  something  to  do  with  the 
difficulties  which  were  constantly  existing  between  Oyster  River 
and  Dover  Neck.  For  quite  a  number  of  years  after  his  de- 
parture the  Oyster  River  folks  refused  to  pay  "rates"  for  the 
support  of  the  ministry. 

August — It  is  recorded  that  "  the  propositions  of  Mr.  Rayner 
in  his  writing  bearing  date  the  i8th  of  the  4th  mo.  1657,  con- 
cerning his  yearly  allowance  from  the  town  is  granted  and 
accepted  upon  the  terms  therein  he  hath  expressed  himself." 

Mr.  Rayner's  "terms  "  are  not  distinctly  stated  in  the  records 
under  this  date,  but  it  may  be  inferred  from  subsequent  pro- 
ceedings that  he  claimed  an  addition  to  his  salary  of  50  Pounds 
from  the  fact  that  Oyster  River  was  now  without  a  minister,  and 
it  was  ordered  that  the  inhabitants  there  should  contribute  to 
the  support  of  the  minister  on  the  Neck  whenever  they  were  with- 
out one  above  four  months,  the  Neck  people  to  "do  the  like  by 
them  in  the  like  case." 

Oct.  21. — It  was  ordered  that  all  the  inhabitants  should  have 
a  respect  to  the  order  made  concerning  the  falling  of  timber, 
which  was  that  no  man  should  fall  above  five  trees  for  clapboards 
or  pipe  staves  before  he  had  wrought  theui  up  into  those  articles. 
Whoever  violated  this  order  should  be  liable  to  the  penalties 
before  specified,  and  Joseph  Austin  was  chosen  for  Dover  Neck 
and  Thomas  Footman  for  Oyster  River  to  see  that  the  order  was 
enforced,  being  allowed  one  half  of  the  fines  which  were  in- 
curred. Any  other  inhabitant  who  should  inform  and  prove 
violations  of  the  order  should  have  the  like  part  of  the  fines. 

Thomas  Crawlie,  presented  for  living  idle  in  his  calling,  was 
admonished  with  2s  6d  fees.  Elizabeth  Gils,  presented  for 
calling  John  Alt,  constable,  "constable  Roge,"  was  admonished 
with  2  s  6  d  fees. 


1658]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  43 

1658 

Feb.  5. — It  was  agreed  that  20  Pounds  per  annum  should  be 
raised  for  the  maintenance  of  a  schoohnaster  for  teaching  all  the 
children  of  the  town,  he  having  the  privilege  of  all  strangers  out 
of  the  town  ;  reading,  writing,  latin  and  casting  accounts  to  be 
taught  as  the  parents  should  require. 

Feb.  19. — The  town  instructed  Capt.  Richard  Waldron, 
Deputy  to  the  General  Court,  not  to  consent  to  the  passage  of 
an}'  act  infringing  upon  their  privileges  concerning  customs  or 
the  Beaver  trade,  or  any  privileges  which  formerly  they  had 
enjoyed.  He  was  to  enter  his  dissent  to  all  such  acts  as  took 
away  their  rights  and  was  to  bring  home  all  such  laws  as  were 
made  as  other  Deputies  do. 

Same  date. — It  was  "voted  by  the  inhabitants  in  general  a 
second  time,  that  the  first  engagement  and  promise  of  the  town 
unto  Mr.  Rayner  of  120  Pounds  yearly  is  ratified  and  confirmed 
to  be  made  good  unto  him,  only  with  annexing  thereto  such 
provisions  and  limitations  as  will  stand  with  the  true  meaning 
thereof  and  may  secure  the  town  from  such  burthens  and  pres- 
sures as  are  feared  to  come  upon  them  thereby." 

These  "  provisions  and  limitations  "  were  :  — 

1st. — That  "  he  accept  of  the  ministry  and  ofJfice  in  this  church  and 
continue  therein  according  to  the  rule  of  God's  word." 

2d. — That  "men's  estates  generally  in  the  town  be  not  observably 
decayed  nor  the  rents  belonging  to  the  town  impaired,  neither  the  one 
or  the  other,  from  what  they  are  in  the  town's  present  undertaking  for 
120  Pounds  yearly,  but  if  so  be  the  town  be  impaired  and  decayed  at  any 
time  in  their  estates  and  rents,  then  accordingly  for  such  time  and  no 
longer,  the  yearly  stipend  may  by  the  town  be  lowered,  only  if  thereby 
the  maintenance  fall  below  100  Pounds  yearly  without  probability  of  its 
rising  afterwards,  and  that  he  cannot  therewith  comfortably  carry  on 
family  occasions,  he  may  make  use  of  some  other  help  for  his  comfort- 
able continuance  here,  or  removing  to  some  other  place  without  offence." 

3d. — "  In  case  it  be  testified  to  him  by  the  town  or  the  major  part 
thereof  that  their  expenses  for  this  or  that  present  year  are  above  what 
they  are  usually  in  respect  to  more  than  ordinary  or  urgent  occasions, 
and  that  the  use  of  their  estates  is  not  such  as  they  can  comfortably  bear 
it  and  yet  make  good  the  sum  agreed  upon,  in  such  case  the  town  may 
be  at  liberty  to  take  off  from  the  same  sum  with  respect  to  such  expenses 
for  the  present  time  as  may  seem  meet  to  them,  provided  it  be  not  above 
20  Pounds  per  annum." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Selectmen  ye  26:  2  mo.  58. 

It  is  agreed  upon  that  the  Rate  that  was  made  for  the  Cleeringe  of  the 
Towne  debts  shall  goe  forthwith  to  be  leued  &  gathered  in  by  the  Con- 
stables, or  whome  the  select  men  shall  depute. 


44  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1658 

2ily.  that  if  in  Case  it  doth  aappeae  ye  forty  pounds  wch  is  to  be 
paid  for  the  agreement  with  the  owners  be  made  appear  to  belouge  to 
the  propriators  of  the  Marshes,  although  it  now  be  paid  by  the  whole 
Towne,  thet  then  the  propriators  of  the  Marshes  shell  pay  the  said  forty 
pounds  backe  againe  to  the  Towne. 

3dly.  that  Wee  the  Selectmen  do  make  Choyce  of  Leiftenant  Hall, 
&  Robert  Burnam  to  put  up  a  petition  to  the  next  Courte  at  Poachmouth 
for  their  Solution  Concerning  Rateinge  of  Saw  Mills,  &  other  visible 
estates  belonginge  thereunto. 

4thly.  If  any  of  the  inhabitants  doe  finde  the  marshes  to  be  over 
Rated,  they  may  repaire  to  the  present  select  men,  or  any  three  of  them, 
upon  just  Cause  they  shall  haue  Relief,  8:  likewise  if  it  be  found  that 
any  of  our  Inhabitants  be  not  Rated  accordinge  to  their  Reall  &  visible 
estates,  as  they  were  at  the  makinge  of  the  Rates,  they  are  to  be  brought 
into  the  Rate  now,  and  that  the  persons  whome  this  Order  concerneth 
shell  appear  at  Dover  at  Liefenant  Halls  house  upon  ye  loth  of  May  at 
nine  of  the  clock  in  the  morninge. 

At  the  same  time  granted  unto  Thomas  Turner  &  William  Hilton 
Liberty  to  gather  seauenty  Loade  of  pine  knotts  upon  the  Commons 
upon  the  Neck  of  Lande  betweene  Oyster  &  the  Backe  Riuer,  provided 
they  come  not  into  any  mans  grants,  &  in  Consideration  of  the  said 
Grant  the  foresaid  Thomas  and  William  haue  Ingaged  themselves  to  pay 
unto  Thomas  Canny  the  summ  of  three  pounds  tenn  shillings  between 
the  date  hereof  &  the  nine  and  twentyeth  of  September  next. 

At  the  same  time  giuen  Lieftenant  Hall  order  to  receiue  the  Rents  of 
the  Mills  &  the  Arrearges  of  Masts  due  to  the  Towne,  &  to  pay  where, 
the  Towne  is  Indebted. 

Nov.  lo. — It  was  voted  that  the  charges  for  "  fitting  the  two 
meeting  houses  of  Dover  and  Oyster  River,"  should  be  borne 
by  each  place  respectively,  each  place  taking  care  of  its  own 
house  ;  an  indication  that  the  two  parishes,  as  they  could  no 
longer  agree,  had  agreed  to  disagree. 

Dec.   21. — It  was   voted    that   the   meeting  house  on    Dover 

Neck  be   underpinned,  and  catted   and  sealed  with  boards,   a 

pulpit  and  seats  convenient  be  made,  and  a  bell  purchased,  to  be 

paid  for  by  a  rate  upon  each  man's  estate  according  to  the  law 

of  the  country. 

Town  Records 

A  Rate  maed  the  12th  8th  ( 16)58  for  mr  Reyner  his  preuetione 


Isake  nash 

0 

12 

3 

Tho  Downes 

0 

8 

II 

Job  Clements 

I 

9 

I 

Mr.  Roberds 

0 

7 

i>^ 

William  Pomfrett 

0 

8 

9 

Tho  Beard 

I 

12 

8 

Tho  lay  ton 

2 

12 

6 

John  Hall  Decon 

0 

16 

0 

John  Dam  sinyer 

I 

II 

yA 

John  Tuttell 

0 

II 

9 

John  Dam  Juner 

0 

II 

I 

left  Hall 

0 

13 

^}i 

William  Storey 

0 

16 

9 

Elder  nutter 

I 

8 

i>^ 

Josephf  Astin 

I 

5 

II 

Tho  Caney 

I 

16 

2 

1659] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


45 


John  Roberds 

I 

lO 

ID 

John  Hilton 

o 

7 

2 

Ralphf  Twomly 

o 

9 

4 

James  Nutt 

o 

12 

6 

Jeremy  Tebetts 

0 

12 

o)i 

Henrey  Tebetts 

I 

i6 

2 

Tho  nocke 

o 

8 

7 
Blo. 

William  Tomson 
Poynt 

o 

5 

O 

James  Rallins 

o 

12 

6 

Richard  Catter 

I 

I 

6 

Tho  Trickey 

I 

O 

4 

John  Bickford 

o 

13 

ID 

Henry  Lankster 

r 

II 

6 

William  ffurber 

I 

4 

IlK 

Antoney  nutter 

I 

5 

I 

Tho  Roberds 

o 

12 

6 

Michiell  Brane 

o 

6 

o 

Cochechae 

Edward  Starbuck 

I 

3 

^% 

Capt  Wiggin 

1 

i6 

8 

Fetter  Coffin 

o 

II 

8 

Mr  Broughton 

o 

i6 

8 

Henrey  hobes 

o 

5 

o 

Phelep  Cromwell 

o 

6 

4 

Richard  Sloper 

o 

I 

8 

Nathanell  Starbuck 

o 

6 

8 

Tho  Hanson 

o 

i8 

o 

Edward  Paterson 

o 

5 

o 

Ickeabod  Shiffilld 

o 

5 

o 

William  Shiffilld 

o 

9 

o 

Roberd  Jones 

o 

19 

8 

Campt.  walldern 

3 

3 

4 

Charll  Buckner 

o 

5 

O 

Gorge  Goldwier 

I 

5 

2 

John  heard 

I 

9 

4>^ 

Richard  Otes 

o 

15 

2 

paid  in  bef 

I 

8 

ii;^ 

John  Curtes 

o 

5 

2 

John  louring 

o 

5 

o 

William  haket 

o 

5 

o 

Elder  Wentworth 

I 

4 

ID 

William  loue 

o 

5 

4 

James  Grant 

o 

8 

4 

henrey  magoune 

o 

5 

2 

Barthellme  lippincott 

o 

5 

o 

William  ffollett 

9 
48 

3 
19 

4* 

♦Evidently  a 

mistake. 

1659 

March  26. — Ordered  that  all  waste  land  upon  the  Neck  and 
at  Back  river  shall  be  held  in  common  for  our  cattle. 

April  4. — David  Leudecoes,?  Ed  I^ine,  John  Hance  and 
Humfrey  Varney  received  as  inhabitants. 

April  6. — It  was  voted  that  all  inhabitants  who  had  taken  the 
oath  of  fidelity  should  "  have  their  free  vote  "  in  the  choice  of 
selectmen  and  all  other  town  officers,  and  "  that  the  former  act 
of  the  choice  of  selectmen  made  the  17th  4th  mo  '57  in  point  of 
time  is  nullified  and  of  no  effect."  John  Hall,  "  Deacon,"  was 
chosen  town  clerk,  and  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  receive 
the  town  books  from  the  former  clerk  and  deliver  them  to  the 
new  clerk  "after  he  hath  taken  his  oath."  A  new  clerk 
appears  to  have  been  chosen  because  "  the  court  would  not  give 
the  then  chosen  clerk  his  oath."  The  selectmen  also  had  power 
to  "  furnish  the  town's  house  that  Mr.  Rayner  liveth  in   accord- 


46  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1659 

ing  to   covenant  and  to  sell  the  said  house  to  Mr.  Rayner  or 
any  other  man  as  they  see  cause." 

April  13. — Isaac  Stokes  and  John  Wingate  received  as 
inhabitants. 

April  28. — The  Jury  presented  the  Town  of  Dover  for  the 
"  wayes  "  between  Hilton's  point  and  Cochecho,  and  enjoined 
them  to  mend  the  same  before  the  next  Court,  on  penalty  of  5 
Pounds  and  fees.  They  were  also  notified  to  ' '  mend  their 
wayes"  between  Oyster  River  Point  and  Mr,  Hill's  mill,  and 
at  the  head  of  Thomas  Johnson's  creek. 

With  a  due  regard  for  the  public  welfare  the  Court  also  pre- 
sented all  the  ordinaries  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  for  the  crime 
of  selling  wine  at  8s  and  rum  at  i6s  per  gallon.  They  also  regu- 
lated the  time  in  which  and  the  persons  to  whom  liquor  should 
be  sold,  on  "  hearing  of  this  suffering  of  persons  to  continue 
drinking  to  excess,  as  also  unto  drunkenness,  quarreling  and 
fighting,"  &c.  and  "  accounting  it  their  duty  by  all  due  means 
to  prevent  the  like  abuses  for  the  future,"  did  order  that  "hence- 
forth no  Wine  Tavern  shall  either  directly  or  indirectly  permit 
or  suffer  any  person  to  have  any  wine  on  the  Sabbath  Day, 
neither  shall  they  at  any  time  sell  any  wine  for  more  than  iSd  a 
quart,  on  penalty  or  forfeiture  of  the  licenses,  and  5s  a  pint  for 
selling  any  on  the  Sabbath  day,  or  on  evenings  of  the  Sabbath, 
excepting  only  to  fishermen  if  they  lodge  at  their  houses  on 
Saturday  night,  half  a  pint  a  man,  or  to  sick  persons;  "  and  no 
ordinary  or  house  of  common  entertainment  was  to  sell  any 
strong  liquor  on  any  pretence  whatever.  The  Court  made  a 
further  order  that  henceforth  only  one  Wine  Tavern  should  be 
licensed  at  Dover. 

July  7 — It  is  recorded  that  "at  a  public  town  meeting  the 
inhabitants  of  Oyster  river  do  deny  (refuse)  to  give  in  a  list  of 
their  estates  for  the  provision  rate  as  formerly  the}'  have  done." 
This  rate  was  for  the  support  of  the  minister  and  the  refusal  of 
the  Oyster  river  people  to  contribute  to  it  soon  led  to  a  decree 
that  the  Townsmen  (selectmen)  should  "make  distress  upon 
them  for  the  rents  and  revenues  and  rates  due  to  the  town  since 
Mr.  Fletcher  went  away  and  the  town  is  to  bear  them  out." 

Oct.  10. — Ordered  that  the  place  called  Huckleberry  hill, 
which  was  laid  out  for  a  sheep  pasture,  be  a  public  training 
place  for  the  township  of  Dover. 

With  a  due  regard  to  the  proprieties  of  life  the  authorities 
convicted  and  punished  the  following  persons  for  not  "  going  to 


1659]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  47 

meeting:"  William  Roberts  of  Oyster  River,  who  had  been 
absent  28  Sundays.  William  Williams,  sen.  8  days.  William 
Follett,  16  days.  James  Smith,  14  days,  and  one  day  "  con f est 
to  have  been  at  a  Quaker  meeting,"  for  which  he  was  fined  10 
shillings.  John  Goddard,  4  days  and  twice  at  the  Quakers. 
Thomas  Roberts,  13  days.  James  Nute,  sen.  and  wife  and  son, 
26  days,  "and  for  entertaining  Quakers  4  hours  in  one  day," 
he  was  fined  40  shillings  an  hour,  "according  to  law." 
Humphrey  Varney  "  pleaded  non-conviction  "  for  his  absences, 
"  unto  whom  the  law  was  this  day  read  and  he  admonished." 
Mary  Hanson,  13  days.  Richard  Oates,  wife  and  servant  maid, 
13  days.  Robert  Burnura  who  had  been  to  Strawberry  Bank  to 
meeting  and  explained  the  matter  which  "shewed  him  to  the 
Court  not  to  be  obstinate."  Jellian  Pinkham,  13  days.  Her 
husband  refused  to  pay  the  fine,  which  was  five  shillings  per 
day  in  each  case,  and  she  was  adjudged  to  be  set  in  the  stocks 
one  hour. 

Oyster  Riuer  Prouition  Rate  rnaed  the  22:  9:  (16)59. 

the  great  Rate 


Mr.  Hill 

Pd 
2. 

s 
12. 

d 

8. 

Thomes  umfirie  the  stiller 

0. 

8. 

4- 

John  meader 

0. 

13- 

4. 

William  Graues 

0. 

5- 

0. 

Einain  lonhn  Daues 

0. 

15- 

0. 

Juner  william  willyams 

0. 

8. 

0. 

James  Bunker 

0. 

8. 

0. 

Will  follett 

I. 

0. 

0. 

Thomes  Jonson 

0. 

13- 

4- 

Phellep  Chesley 

I. 

12. 

8. 

Roberd  Junkes 

0. 

8. 

4- 

James  Jackson 

0. 

5- 

0. 

Walter  Jackson 

0. 

5- 

0. 

William  Beard 

2. 

7- 

8. 

John  woodman 

0. 

IS- 

0. 

Patrick  Jemeson 

0. 

IS- 

0. 

Henrey  Browne 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Thomes  Dowty 

0. 

10. 

0. 

James  Oer 

0. 

10. 

0. 

James  medellman 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Edward  Arwin 

0. 

10. 

0. 

John  Barber 

0. 

5- 

0. 

Edward  Patterson 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Roberd  Bernom 

I. 

6. 

8. 

william  Pitman 

0. 

10. 

0. 

William  Roberd s 

0. 

10, 

0, 

Pd 

s 

d 

5- 

5- 

4. 

0. 

16. 

8. 

I. 

7- 

4- 

0. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

10. 

0. 

0. 

16. 

0. 

0. 

16. 

0. 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

6. 

8. 

3- 

5- 

4- 

0. 

16. 

8. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

4- 

15- 

4- 

I. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

2. 

13- 

4. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

48 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[1660 


William  Willyams  sin 

I. 

5- 

8. 

2. 

II. 

4- 

Thomes  Steuenson 

o. 

13- 

4- 

I. 

6. 

8. 

William  Drew 

o. 

II. 

8. 

I. 

4- 

4. 

Rice  howell 

o. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Joseph  filld 

o. 

8. 

4- 

0. 

16. 

8. 

Mathew  Gills 

I. 

6. 

8. 

2. 

13- 

4- 

24. 

I. 

6. 

47- 

6. 

0. 

mathew  willyams 

0. 

10. 

6. 

I. 

I. 

0. 

Beniamen  mathews 

I. 

5- 

0. 

2. 

10. 

0. 

Charlls  Adames 

0. 

13- 

0. 

I. 

6. 

8. 

John  Bickford 

I. 

6. 

8. 

2. 

13- 

4- 

Thomes  welley 

0. 

18. 

4- 

I. 

16. 

8. 

John  Allt 

0. 

19. 

10. 

I, 

19. 

8. 

Richard  Braye 

0. 

6. 

10. 

0. 

13- 

8. 

John  Hill 

0. 

6. 

8. 

0. 

13- 

4- 

Thomas  footman 

I. 

3- 

4. 

2. 

6. 

8. 

Richard  yorke 

0. 

19- 

4- 

I. 

iS. 

8. 

John  martin 

0. 

18. 

0. 

I. 

16. 

0. 

John  Godder 

I. 

14. 

8. 

3- 

9- 

4- 

Beniamen  Hull 

0. 

8. 

4- 

0. 

16. 

S. 

John  Hilton 

0. 

6. 

8. 

0. 

13- 

4- 

James  Nutt  Juner 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Olleuer  Kent 

0. 

8. 

4- 

0. 

j6. 

8. 

John  hance 

0. 

5- 

0, 

0. 

10. 

0. 

John  Dauill 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Roberd  Hussey 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

William  Risbey  (Risley?) 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Thomas  Ginu  (Green?) 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Steuen  ye  (westinman?) 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

Will  Jones 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

14. 

0. 

2. 

28. 

II. 

4- 

1660 

March  25. — The  Deputy  to  the  General  Court  was  instructed  : 
ist.  To  endeavor  to  procure  for  the  town  a  "  commission  court 
as  high  as  Portsmouth."  2d.  To  "take  care  to  reverse  the 
order  that  Capt.  Pembellton  hath  concerning  the  frosen  man." 
3d.  To  "stand  to  maintain  our  privileges  concerning  military 
affairs,  that  we  may  not  be  drawn  out  of  our  county  of  Dover 
and  Portsmouth,  according  to  our  first  agreement."  4th.  To 
"  desire  the  solution  of  the  General  Court  concerning  the  choice 
of  town  officers,  whether  or  no  all  that  have  taken  the  oath  of 
fidelity  have  liberty  to  choose."  5th.  To  "  stand  to  maintain 
our  privileges  by  virtue  of  our  articles  of  agreement,  and  to 
bring  the  proceedings  of  the  Court  that  concern  us,  in  writing." 


1660]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  49 

The  following  receipt  given  by  Rev.  Mr.  Rayner  shows  that 
he  had  some  difficulty  in  collecting  his  dues,  probably  on 
account  of  the  "  secession  "  of  the  Oyster  river  folks. 

"  Mr.  Rayner  his  receipt,  Dover  12-4-60. 

Rec.  of  the  treasurer  and  selectmen  for  the  town  of  Dover  for  the 
three  first  years  of  my  abode  there  and  being  exercised  there  in  way  of 
ministry  the  whole  salary  for  the  said  years,  viz.  six  score  pounds  per 
annum.  Also,  received  of  the  selectmen  for  the  town  the  fourth  year 
towards  the  salary  there  of  the  sum  of  four  score  and  nine  pounds,  eight 
shillings  and  six  pence.  I  say  received  towards  the  fourth  year's  salary 
89-8-6,  the  rest  of  the  salary  for  the  aforesaid  fourth  year  remains  due  to 
me  from  the  town  at  the  date  hereof,  neither  is  there  any  account  made 
between  me  and  the  selectmen  for  the  fifth  year  which  begins  in  July  or 
thereabouts  1659  ^^^  ends  the  same  time  of  the  year  1660,  either  as  con- 
cerning the  provision  rate  or  any  part  of  the  salary  for  the  said  year. 

Witness  my  hand,  John  Rayner." 

April  13. — It  was  voted  hereafter  in  the  choice  of  Prudential 
men  that  two  should  be  at  the  Neck  and  one  in  every  respective 
place  of  the  town. 

After  this  vote  five  Prudential  men  were  chosen,  two  upon  the 
Neck,  and  one  each  for  Cochecho,  Oyster  River,  and  Bloody 
Point.  Before  this,  no  particular  numbers  appear  to  have  been 
chosen,  sometimes  but  two,  both  of  which  probably  were  from 
the  Neck.  Robert  Burnham  and  twelve  other  inhabitants  of 
Oyster  river  entered  their  protest  against  this  vote. 

Same  date. — Richard  Waldron  sold  to  Richard  Russell  of 
Charlestown,  for  120  Pounds,  one  fourth  of  a  saw  mill  at  Belle- 
mies  Bank  which  he  had  lately  purchased  of  Philip  I^ewis, 
Thomas  Bird  and  Thomas  Scruton,  with  timber,  &c.  On  Nov. 
26,  Waldron  leased  the  other  three  fourths  of  the  same  mill  to 
Philip  Cromwell. 

July  17. — Another  effort  was  made  to  reconcile  the  differences 
between  Dover  Neck  and  Oyster  River  in  relation  to  the  support 
of  the  ministry,  as  appears  by  the  following  document  on 
record  : 

We  whose  names  are  hereunder  written  being  chosen  by  the  Town  of 
Dover  are  appointed  by  their  order  to  hear  and  determine  all  such  differ- 
ences as  appear  betwixt  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  thirds  of  the  Town  of 
Dover  and  the  one  third  of  the  town  in  Oyster  River,  do  conclude  at 
present  as  foUoweth,  that  is  to  say  : 

ily.  That  from  the  first  of  April  1657  and  so  forward  from  year  to 
year  it  is  hereby  mutually  agreed  upon  that  the  neighborhood  of  Oyster 
River  shall  enjoy  full  right  and  interest  of  twenty  pounds  out  of  the 
rents  of  the  town  to  be  from  Lamperill  River  grant  rent  performed,  as 
also  two  penny  rate  rising  from  within  themselves,  both  which  twenty 


50  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1661 

pounds  and  two  penny  rate  is  for  the  supply  of  the  ministry  within  them- 
selves and  to  be  ordered  by  themselves  for  the  end  expressed. 

2ly.  It  is  agreed  and  determined  that  the  said  neighborhood  shall 
have  liberty  from  time  to  time  to  make  choice  of  a  ministrey  for  their 
accommodation,  provided  that  they  have  the  approbation  of  the  said 
town  or  any  three  adjacent  Elders. 

3ly.  That  in  case  the  neighborhood  of  Oyster  River  shall  be  without 
a  ministrey  above  four  months  they  shall  return  the  twenty  pounds 
abovesaid  unto  the  common  treasury  with  proportionable  contribution, 
they  of  Dover  doing  the  like  to  them  in  proportion  in  the  like  case,  and 
this  mutually  to  be  done  so  long  as  there  is  defects  of  either  side. 

4ly.  It  is  ordered  for  the  ministrey  of  Dover  Neck  there  is  set  apart 
fifty  five  pounds  of  town  rents  with  the  two-penny  rate  upon  all  the 
inhabitants,  except  Oyster  River  is  set  apart  for  the  ministre}'  there, 
and  in  case  this  do  not  make  up  the  salary,  then  to  be  made  up  by  a  rate 
upon  the  said  inhabitants,  Bloody  Point  excepted  only  paying  the  two 
penny  rate. 

sly.  It  is  ordered  for  the  supply  of  Cochecho  there  is  set  apart  fifteen 
pounds  of  town  rents  for  the  ministrey  there  in  the  winter  season. 

61y.  It  is  agreed  that  the  house  of  Mr.  Valentine  Hill  which  is  his 
now  dwelling  house  at  Rocky  Point  shall  be  within  the  line  of  division 
to  Oyster  River. 

Witness  our  hands  this  17th  of  July  1660. 

Valentine  Hill,  Richard  Waldron, 

William  Weutworth,  Ralph  Hall, 

Richard  Otis,  William  Furber, 

John  Davis,  Robert  Burnham, 

William  Williams,  William  Roberts. 

At  the  same  time  ordered  by  the  town  that  there  shall  be 
forthwith  a  rate  made  of  a  hundred  pounds  for  fitting  up  the 
meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck. 


1661 

April  5. — Captain  Richard  Waldron  and  Mr.  Edward  Hilton 
were  chosen  "  Associates  for  the  Court,"  and  Elder  Nutter, 
Williain  Pomfrett  and  John  Dam,  senior,  ' '  Commissioners  for 
small  cases."  Other  town  officers  were  chosen  and  Thomas 
Hanson  and  Thomas  Humphreys  took  the  oath  of  fidelity. 

The  following  inhabitants  had  right  of  commonage  to  the  ox 
pasture  and  calves  pasture  on  Dover  Neck,  where  they  were 
land  owners,  though  all  of  them  did  not  live  there  :  Thomas 
Kimball,  Job  Clements,  Thomas  Downes,  Thomas  Roberts,  The 
Minister's  house,  Charles  Buckner,  William  Pomfret,  Thomas 
Beard,  John  Tuttle,   sen.   Deacon  John  Hall,  Thomas  I^eigh- 


1661] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


51 


ton,  John  Dam,  sen.  Lieut.  Ralph  Hall,  Elder  Nutter,  Joseph 
Austin,  Philip  Cromwell,  William  Furber,  Jeremiah  Tebets, 
Humphrey  Varney,  James  Nute,  Richard  Pinkham,  Thomas 
Canney,  John  Roberts,  Thomas  Roberts,  jr.  Jedediah  Andrews, 
Henry  Tebets,  Thomas  Nock. 

April  14. — The  town  voted  that  the  grant  made  to  Valentine 
Hill  to  erect  a  saw  mill  on  lyamprill  river  be  revoked  unless 
some  person  should  appear  within  six  months  to  hold  and 
improve  the  same. 

(Mr.  Hill  died  previous  to  this  time.  He  came  from  Boston 
and  went  largely  into  business,  being  one  year  the  largest 
tax-payer.  He  left  his  affairs  in  disorder,  and  the  above  vote 
was  passed  by  the  town  to  straighten  them  out,  so  far  as  it 
operated.) 

June — .Tho.  Canney  of  Dover,  desiring  the  Court  to  free  him 
from  common  training  by  reason  of  losing  his  eyesight,  his 
request  was  granted. 

Aug.  7. — Dover  and  Portsmouth  were  presented  for  want  of  a 
suflScient  bridge  for  horse  and  foot  over  Cochecho  river.  The 
Court  ordered  a  committee  to  be  chosen  from  the  two  towns  to 
view  the  same  and  if  they  found  it  needful  to  make  a  bridge. 

Tax   Lists. 

(The  first  group  of  figures  iu  this  list  is  headed  :) 
Oyster  riuer  3d  Raet.     4:  gmo  in  the  yeir  61. 

(The  second  group  was  probably  in  the  same  year,  but  another  levy, 
and  headed  :  ) 

Oyster  Riu in  ye  yeir 


lb 

£ 

d 

lb 

John  Godder 

3- 

14 

I. 

1/ 

/2 

I. 

9 

5- 

Einsin  John  Daues 

I. 

?. 

3- 

0. 

19 

2. 

John  Meader 

I. 

I 

0. 

0. 

14 

0. 

John  Martin 

I. 

? 

9- 

0. 

19 

6. 

Richard  Yorke 

2. 

5 

6. 

I. 

10 

4- 

Joseph  filld 

0. 

? 

•       7- 

y^ 

0. 

12 

5- 

hew  doeun 

0. 

9 

•       9- 

0. 

6 

6. 

Mr.  hills  mill  and  house  and 

lands 

?. 

15 

0. 

5- 

16. 

0. 

Will  Willyams  juner 

0. 

12 

6. 

0. 

8. 

4- 

James  Bunker 

0. 

7 

6. 

0. 

5- 

4- 

William  foUett 

I. 

17 

6. 

I. 

5- 

0. 

The  estat  of  Tho  Jonson 

0. 

12 

6. 

0. 

8. 

4- 

Phellep  Chesly 

2. 

17 

6. 

I. 

18. 

4- 

Jams  and  wat  Jackson 

r. 

7 

6. 

0. 

18. 

4. 

Will  Beard 

3- 

II 

I. 

2. 

7- 

5- 

John  woodman 

I. 

7 

6. 

0. 

18. 

4- 

52  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1661 

Patrick  Jemson 
heurey  Browne 
Thomas  Dowty 
James  Oer 
James  Medlton 
Edward  Eirwing  ? 
John  Barber 
Elexsander  mackdouell 
Elexsander  Gowing 
Edward  Patterson 
John  hance 
Roberd  Burnam 
William  Pittman 
William  Roberd s 
William  Willyams  sinyer 
Thomas  Steuenson 
William  Drew 
Rice  Howell 
mathew  willyams 
mathew  Gilles 
Benjamin  hull 
Benjamin  mathews 
Charles  Adams 
John  Bickford  sinyer 
Thomas  Welly 
John  Allt 
henrey  hollawaye 
John  hill 
Thomas  footman 
John  hilton 
Oleuer  kent 
Teackge  Riall 
Josephf  Smeth 
Dauey  Danell 
Steuen  Jones 
John  Collman 

John  Di ell 

Roberd  — isley 

Steuen binson 

Will  J(ones) 

Samew iamin 

Will  Shu 

The  plase the  Raet unto  is  Ei  (nsin)  John  (Daues] 

Josephf  lessen  forgot  7s  6d  yet  down  in  the  Constables  Rate. 


I. 

2. 

6. 

0. 

15- 

0. 

I. 

12. 

4- 

I. 

I. 

8. 

I. 

12. 

4- 

I. 

I. 

8. 

I. 

12. 

4- 

I. 

12. 

4- 

I. 

I. 

8. 

I. 

12. 

4- 

I. 

I. 

8. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7. 

6. 

0. 

5- 

4- 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

5- 

0. 

15- 

0. 

0. 

II. 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

6. 

8. 

0. 

IS- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

0. 

IS- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

5- 

8. 

I. 

0. 

0. 

0. 

13- 

4- 

0. 

17- 

6. 

0. 

II. 

8. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

6. 

6. 

0. 

12. 

6. 

0. 

8. 

4- 

2. 

0. 

0. 

1. 

6. 

8. 

0. 

17- 

6. 

0. 

II. 

8. 

2. 

0. 

0. 

I. 

6. 

8. 

I. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

18. 

4- 

I. 

9- 

9- 

0. 

19- 

10. 

0. 

10. 

10. 

I. 

6. 

9- 

0. 

17- 

6. 

0. 

II. 

8. 

I. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

18. 

2. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

12. 

6. 

0. 

8. 

4- 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

5- 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7- 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

7. 

6. 

0. 

5- 

0. 

0. 

15- 

0. 

0. 

10. 

0. 

1662]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  53 

1662. 

Feb.  3. — Capt.  Waldron  and  Capt.  Pike  were  chosen  "  Asso- 
ciates for  the  Court."  Capt.  Waldron,  Elder  Nutter  and  L,eft. 
Hall  "  Commissioners  for  small  cases."  Constables  and  other 
town  ofScers  were  also  chosen,  and  the  Constables  were  upon 
complaint  "  remitted  from  their  fines  which  the  Court  did   fine 

them  for  want  of measures  ' '  which  from  a  defect 

in  the  record  does  not  clearly  appear. 

Capt.  Walter  Barfoott  was  granted  four  score  foot  in  breadth 
of  flats  below  high  water  mark  at  Sandy  point,  and  24  foot  of 
upland,  not  intrenching  upon  any  former  grant,  to  be  built  upon 
within  one  whole  year  from  date  or  else  to  be  void. 

Capt.  Richard  Waldron  was  also  granted  24  foot  of  upland  to 
join  his  former  grant  of  flats  at  Sandy  point,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  Captain  was  chosen  Deputy  to  the  General  Court. 

April  15. — Richard  Ros  (?)  was  accepted  as  an  inhabitant  and 
Peter  Cofl&n's  grant  at  Sandy  point  renewed  till  the  29th  of  Sept. 

May  22. — The  selectmen  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  were  or- 
dered to  pay  Capt.  Brian  Pendleton  10  Pd.  8s.  4d.  out  of  the 
treasury  of  each  town  "  as  satisfaction  for  so  much  by  him  ex- 
pended on  a  frosen  person  some  years  past,  that  came  into  the 
river,  whose  charity  this  court  Judgeth  it  meet  to  encourage." 
{Mass.  Records^ 

Capt.  Richard  Waldron  was  impowered  by  the  Court  to  marry 
such  as  shall  be  published  according  to  law  within  the  precincts 
of  Dover. 

At  a  town  meeting  holden  this  year,  it  was  "ordered  that  a  cage 
be  made  or  some  other  means  invented  by  the  Selectmen  to  punish 
such  as  sleep  or  take  tobacco  on  the  Lord's  day  out  of  the  meet- 
ing, in  the  time  of  the  publish  exercise."  "Voted,  that  whoever 
shall  kill  a  wolf  within  the  bounds  of  this  town,  and  shall  bring 
some  of  the  next  neighbors,  where  such  wolf  was  killed,  to  tes- 
tify that  it  was  done  in  this  town's  bounds,  and  shall  na3^1e  the 
head  of  such  wolf  killed,  upon  the  meeting  house,  he  shall  have 
five  pounds  for  his  paynes,  to  be  paid  by  the  treasurer,  the  proof 
thereof  being  made  to  the  treasurer  in  being." 

In  answer  to  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dover,  "  hum- 
bly craving  relief  against  the  spreading  &c.  the  wicked  errors  of 
the  Quakers  among  them,"  &c.  the  General  Court  ordered  "  that 
Capt.  Richard  Waldron  shall  and  hereby  is  empowered  to  act  in 
the  execution  of  the  laws  of  this  jurisdiction  against  all  crimi- 


54  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1662 

nal  offenders  within  the  said  town  of  Dover,  as  any  one  magis- 
trate may  do,  until  this  Court  shall  take  further  order." 

In  pursuance  of  this  order  the  following  warrant,  under  the 
hand  of  Captain  Waldron,  was  issued  : 

To  the  constables  of  Dover,  Hampton,  Salisbury,  Newbviry,  Rowley, 
Ipswich,  Wenham,  Linn,  Boston,  Roxbury,  Dedham,  and  until  these 
vagabond  Quakers  are  carried  out  of  this  jurisdiction, 

You,  and  every  one  of  you  are  required  in  the  King's  Majesty's  name, 
to  take  these  vagabond  Quakers,  Ann  Coleman,  Mary  Tompkins  and 
Alice  Ambrose,  and  make  them  fast  to  the  cart's  tail,  and  driving  the 
cart  through  your  several  tovpns,  to  whip  their  naked  backs,  not  exceed- 
ing ten  stripes  apiece  on  each  of  them,  in  each  town  ;  and  so  to  convey 
them  from  constable  to  constable,  till  they  are  out  of  this  jurisdiction  ; 
as  you  shall  answer  it  at  your  peril ;  and  this  shall  be  your  warrant. 

Per  me 

Richard  Waldron. 

At  Dover,  dated  December  22,  1662. 

The  manner  in  which  this  order  was  executed  is  described  in 
Sewall's  History  of  the  Quakers  : 

*  *  *  Now  in  a  very  cold  day,  the  deputy  at  Dover,  caused  these 
women  to  be  stripped  naked  from  the  middle  upwards,  and  tied  to  a  cart 
and  then  whipped  them,  ivJnle  the  priest  looked  on  and  laughed  at  it. 

*  *  *  The  women  being  thus  whipped  at  Dover,  were  carried  to 
Hampton  and  there  delivered  to  the  constable,  who  having  understood 
by  the  constable  of  Dover  what  work  he  had  in  bringing  them  through  a 
deep  road,  thought  to  have  daunted  them,  and  said,  "  you  must  not  think 
to  make  fools  of  men."  To  which  they  answered,  "  They  should  be  able 
to  deal  with  him  as  with  the  other."  The  constable  the  next  morning 
would  have  whipped  them  before  day,  but  they  refused,  saying  they  were 
not  ashamed  of  their  sufferings.  Then  he  would  have  whipped  them 
with  their  clothes  on,  when  he  had  tied  them  to  the  cart.  But  they  said, 
"Set  us  free,  or  do  according  to  thine  order."  He  then  spoke  to  a 
woman  to  take  of  their  clothes.  But  she  said  she  would  not  for  all  the 
world.  Why,  said  he,  then  I'll  do  it  myself.  So  he  stripped  them,  and 
then  stood  trembling  whip  in  hand,  and  so  he  did  the  execution.  Then 
he  carried  them  to  Salisbury  through  the  dirt  and  snow  half  the  leg 
deep  ;  and  here  they  were  whipped  again. 

*  *  *  Indeed  their  bodies  were  so  torn,  that  if  Providence  had 
not  watched  over  them,  they  might  have  been  in  danger  of  their  lives. 
But  it  so  fell  out  that  they  were  discharged  ;  for  the  constable  at  Salis- 
bury, who  must  have  carried  them  to  Newbury,  was  desired  by  one 
Walter  Barefoot,  to  make  him  his  deputy,  who  receiving  the  warrant  set 
them  at  liberty;  though /c/;«  Wheelwright  the  priest  advised  the  consta- 
ble to  drive  on  as  his  safest  way. 

"It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  in  Dover,  where  only,  within 
this  Province,  the  Quakers  were  persecuted,  that  sect  has  flour- 
ished perhaps  to  a  greater  extent  than  in  any  other  town  in  New 


i662]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  55 

Hampshire."     At  one  time,  according  to  the  estimate  of  Belk- 
nap, they  constituted  one  third  of  the  population. 

A  tax  rate  was  made  this  year  over  the  whole  town  to  pay 
Mr.  Rayner  the  amount  due  him  as  salary,  in  provisions,  at  the 
following  prices  :  Beef  3  1/2  pence  per  lb,  pork  4  1/2  d,  wheat 
6  shillings  per  bushel,  malt  6  shillings,  barley  6  shillings,  peas 
5  shillings. 

At  this  time  28  tax  payers  lived  on  Dover  Neck,  29  lived  at 
Cochecho,  12  at  Bloody  Point,  42  at  Oyster  River  and  one, 
William  Follet,  at  Bellamy  Bank. 

Town  Records. 

A  Rate  maed  the  19th  of  9  Month  1662  for  Mr.  Rayners  Prouition. 

Thomas  Kemble 
Capt  Walter  Bar  foot 
John  Dam  sinyer 
Thomas  layton 
Thomas  Beard 
D(e)acon  hall 
Job  Clemant 
Thomas  Roberds  sinyer 
John  Tuttell  sinyer 
Thomas  Umphres  stiller 
Elder  Nutter 
left  hall 
henrey  Tebbett 
Thomas  Nocke 
Jeremey  Tebbett 
James  Newtt  sinyer 
Jam  Newtt  Juner 
Bartholomew  leppincutt 
humfrey  Varney 
Nicholas  Vutter 
Edward  Waymoeth 
Isake  Stokes 
Christopher  Batt 
Thomas  Roberds  Juner 
Sar  John  Roberds 
Thomas  Caney 
Jeddediah  Andrees 
William  Pomfrett 
Charles  Buckner 
lasaries  Permett 

II      13 


0 

5 

? 

0 

5 

6 

0 

14 

0 

I 

4 

6 

00 

15 

6 

00 

IG 

6 

00 

7 

0 

00 

3 

iK 

00 

6 

2 

00 

7 

6 

00 

14 

6 

00 

6 

6 

00 

2 

6 

00 

6 

8 

00 

7 

TO 

GO 

II 

9 

0 

2 

0 

0 

2 

6 

0 

2 

II 

0 

2 

6 

0 

2 

9 

0 

2 

II 

0 

12 

6 

0 

IG 

rA 

00 

16 

2V2 

0 

17 

(^% 

GO 

6 

8 

0 

5 

8 

0 

4 

12 

G 

2 

6 

56 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 


[1662 


This  Rate  is  to  be  payd  in  Beffe  at  3d  >^  p  lb,  Pork  at  4  ;4,  Wheat  at 
6s  p  boshell,  ( Ma)llt  at  6s,  (  B)arley  at  6s,  Pease  at  5s. 

(Margin)     This  Rate  charge  to  the  old  ace. 
Cochechae  1662. 
Capt  Walderne 
Petter  Coffin 

James  Coffin  Roberd  Euens  John  Chirch 
Thomas  Payne 
John  Scruen 
Josephf  Sanders 
Thomas  Wiggin 
henrey  hobes 
John  louring 
Roberd  Jones 
Richard  Ottes 
Thomas  Downes 
Elder  Wentworth 
Samewell  Wentworth 
John  heard 
James  keyd 
Phellep  Cromwell 
Clemant  Raphf 
John  Adams 
Will  home 
Thomas  hanson 
Tobey  hanson 
Raphf  Twamley 
George  Waldern 
Ouamphegon  Mill 
Josephf  Astin 
Thomas  Rallines 
William  FoUett  at  Bellemes  banke 


I 

9 

10 

I 

13 

II 

0 

12 

6 

0 

2 

6 

00 

3 

7 

00 

2 

0 

00 

14 

3 

00 

5 

II 

00 

9 

8 

00 

4 

I 

00 

II 

4 

00 

4 

5 

00 

9 

0 

00 

4 

2 

I 

00 

1 

00 

3 

4 

01 

I 

4 

00 

3 

4 

00 

2 

6 

00 

4 

0 

00 

12 

II 

00 

4 

0 

00 

3 

3 

00 

2 

7 

00 

16 

8 

00 

10 

4 

00 

2 

6 

00 

4 

2 

Blode  poynt 

henrey  lankester 
Richard  Catter 
Michill  Brane 
Thomas  Trickey 
James  Rallines 
William  Shuckford 
Sargant  hall 
william  Furber 
Antoney  Nutter 
John  Bickford  Juner 
Richard  Rooe 
John  Dam  Juner 


I 

00 

^y^ 

00 

10 

3 

0 

7 

I 

0 

14 

8 

00 

8 

2 

00 

5 

4 

I 

5 

i>^ 

00 

16 

^% 

I 

2 

9% 

00 

6 

II 

00 

4 

0 

00 

7 

? 

1662] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


57 


A  Prouition   Rate  made  the   igtli  of  the  9th 
iuhabetauts  in  Oyster  Riuer  at  a  penny  apon  the 


month   (1662)  apon  the 
pound. 


lb 

S 

d 

Richard  Yorke 

00 

15 

^y^ 

John  martin 

00 

12 

A% 

John  Godderd 

I 

5 

6 

hew  Donn 

00 

3 

4 

Edward  Erwin  and  Conipey 

02 

17 

12 

Patrick  Jemeson 

GO 

9 

9 

Walter  Jackson 

00 

15 

I 

Edward  Patterson 

00 

5 

9 

Roberd  Burnum 

00 

14 

2 

William  Pettman 

00 

5 

5 

William  Willyams  sinyer 

00 

13 

4 

Josephf  Filld 

GO 

4 

2 

William  Roberds 

GO 

3 

7 

Phellep  Chesley 

I 

00 

5 

John  Woed 

00 

6 

10 

John  hance 

00 

3 

4 

Thomas  Johnson  his  Estate 

in  the  hands  of  William  Furber 

and  William  FoUett 

00 

6 

II 

William  Drew 

OG 

II 

2 

Mathew  Gills 

00 

13 

9 

Beniaman  hull 

00 

8 

7 

mathew  williams 

00 

2 

II 

Charles  Addams 

00 

5 

9 

Dauey  and  Phellep  Cromwell 

00 

9 

9 

Mrs  mathews 

00 

I 

4 

Thomas  Welley 

00 

7 

3 

John  Bickford  sinyer 

GO 

16 

2 

Thomas  Footman 

00 

14 

7 

John  Allt 

00 

9 

10 

henry  holloway 

00 

5 

3 

william  Perkens 

00 

2 

10 

william  willyams  Juner 

00 

4 

8 

Einsin  John  Daues 

GO 

8 

3 

Josephf  Smeth 

GO 

6 

I 

william  Beard 

00 

19 

10 

John  woodman 

00 

9 

10 

James  Smeth 

00 

2 

6 

John  Smeth 

00 

2 

6 

John  hilton 

00 

3 

7 

Olleuer  Kent 

00 

I 

8 

Teage  Reiall 

00 

2 

II 

Steuen  Jones 

GO 

2 

6 

William  Jones 

00 

2 

6 

58  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1663 

1663 

April  18.— Capt.  Waldron  was  chosen  Deputy  to  the  General 
Court  at  Boston,  and  instructed  not  to  "  condecend  to  anything 
concerning  the  town  of  Portsmouth  but  what  was  acted"  at  a 
previous  meeting,  which  was,  that  the  County  Court  should  be 
altered  so  as  to  be  holden  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  8th  month ; 
likewise  for  a  special  Court ;  also  a  commissioners  Court  for  20 
Pound  cases,  as  "formerly  granted  to  our  Associates  at  our 
coming  in  under  the  Government." 

The  town  apparently  obtained  what  it  demanded,  for  it  is 
recorded  that  "the  Court  allows  Mr.  Rayner's  daughters  20s 
for  their  pains  in  attending  the  Magistracy  at  their  father's 
house  the  time  of  the  Court  and  order  that  the  Treasurer  of 
Dover  pay  it  in  to  them."  James  Nute  was  also  chosen  to  be 
steward  for  the  town  at  the  Ordinary  at  the  Court  time. 

Toll-end.  or  "  Tolend,"  as  it  is  sometimes  spelt,  which  is  still 
known  as  a  local  name,  appears  in  the  tax  list  of  this  year  for 
the  purpose  of  designating  the  residence  of  some  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, a  proof  of  its  respectable  antiquity,  though  why  so  called 
is  not  known  to  this  day. 

A  Prouition  Rate  made  the  7th  loth  month  1663  Apon  all  the  Inhabe- 

tants  of  this  townshep  (of)  Douer  at  a  peney  apon  the  pound. 

lb       s      d 

Mr.  Thomas  Wiggin 

Capt  Barffoott 

Thomas  Roberds  siny 

Fetter  Glanfilld 

William  Pomfrett 

John  hall  Deacon 

Thomas  layton 

John  Dam  siny 

Elder  Nutter 

Thomas  Beard 

left  hall 

wedoew  Tutell 

Thomas  Nock 

Thomas  whitehouse 

Jeremie  Tebbettes 

Nichles  Vtter 

James  Newtt  siny 

Thomas  Caney 

Sar  John  Roberds 

Thomas  Roberds  Juner 

Judediae  Androes 

Isake  Stokes 

Edward  Waymoeth 

Saraie  Astin 

Humfrey  Varney 


0 

3 

3 

0 

6 

3 

0 

6 

0 

0 

2 

II 

0 

9 

I 

0 

10 

5 

I 

6 

7 

0 

14 

6 

0 

13 

6 

0 

14 

8 

0 

4 

II 

0 

3 

I 

0 

7 

2j 

0 

2 

6 

0 

8 

10 

0 

2 

10 

0 

II 

9 

0 

19 

I 

0 

18 

2; 

0 

9 

I 

(No  figures) 

0 

4 

7 

0 

3 

3 

0 

10 

4 

0 

2 

II 

1663] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


59 


Blodie  poynt 

heurey  laukster 

I 

2 

iV^ 

Mickell  Brane 

ou 

7 

7 

Thomas  Trickey 

CO 

13 

lo 

Richard  Catter 

GO 

lo 

8K 

John  Bickford  Juner 

C)0 

6 

4 

James  Rallens 

oo 

14 

TO 

Christafer  Batt 

t)0 

2 

8 

william  Shuck  forth 

oo 

8 

2 

John  Dam  Juner 

oo 

8 

8 

Antoney  Nutter 

I 

2 

I 

Richard  Rooe 

(Fig 

ures  crossed  ou 

t.) 

William  Furber 

I 

o 

4 

Sargant  John  Hall 

I 

lO 

1% 

John  Woddin 

(No  figures.) 

(Cochecho.) 

Capt  walldern 

I 

9 

2 

Mr  Fetter  Coffin 

I 

i6 

5 

John  heard 

I 

OO 

9 

Elder  wentworth 

oo 

i8 

II 

Richard  Otes 

oo 

13 

I 

Thomas  hanson 

oo 

12 

9 

John  Scriuen 

oo 

5 

6 

Thomas  Downes 

oo 

3 

II 

James  Coffin 

oo 

4 

5^ 

Roberd  Euens 

oo 

4 

by^ 

John  Chirch 

oo 

4 

5% 

william  home 

oo 

4 

rA 

John  kiniston 

oo 

2 

6 

Samewell  wintworth 

oo 

3 

7 

Thomas  Payne 

oo 

4 

2 

George  walldern 

oo 

2 

7 

Richard  Seaman 

oo 

2 

6 

Josephf  Sanders 

oo 

2 

6 

Christin  Dolack 

oo 

3 

4 

lasares  Permitt 

oo 

2 

6 

John  Addams 

oo 

2 

6 

Tobey  hanson 

oo 

2 

6 

Raphfe  Twamly 

oo 

6 

8 

Thomas  Rallins 

oo 

2 

6 

Clement  Rafe 

oo 

4 

2 

Antoney  Page 

oo 

2 

6 

John  Sharpe 

oo 

3 

4 

Phelep  Cromwell 

I 

5 

7 

Abraham  folets  man 

o 

2 

6 

william  layton 

o 

3 

4 

henrey  hobes 

o 

6 

8 

John  louring 

o 

lO 

lO 

o 

i6 

b 

o 

4 

2 

o 

lO 

OO 

o 

4 

2 

oo 

4 

2 

60  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1663 

ye  mill  at  quamphigou 
wm  follet  at  Belli  bank 
capt  wiggin  at  tollend 
capt  Clark  at  tollend 
tnr  nathaniell  frier 

14     16 

(Oy)ster  R  Prouetion  Rate  made  throwe  the  hole  towneshep  the  7th 
loth  month  1663 

Roberd  Burnum 
william  Pettman 
William  willyams  siny 
Thomas  morrise 
Tho  steuensons  estat 
William  Drew 
matthew  Gilles 
Charles  Addams 
Thomas  welley 
John  Bickford  si 

Tho  Fottman 
John  Allt 
William  Pirkins 
William  Dergin 
Josephf  filld 
Dauey  Danell 
Phellep  Cromet 
Thomas  Dowty 
John  Godder 

Richard  Yorke 

John  martin 

hew  Donn 

John  hillton  040 

Beiniamen  hull  o      8      o>^ 

Phellep  Chesley  1       5       0% 

Elexsander  mack  Donnell  (Mackdaniel)  ? 
his  estat 

waiter  Jackson 

Pattrick  Jamison 

Edward  Patterson 

Henrey  Browne  and  Compeney 

John  meader 

Thomas  humfries 

Steuen  Jones 

will  willyams  Juuer 

william  follett 

william  Roberds 

James  Bonker 

Thomas  Jonson  his  estat 

Steuen  Robinson 


17 

6 

5 

9 

12 

I 

3 

4 

4 

3 

8 

ii>^ 

13 

8 

5 

10 

8 

i>4 

15 

6 

13 

2 

II 

7 

2 

9 

3 

4 

5 

9 

8 

8,'^ 

3 

2 

13 

e% 

9 

11V2 

15 

9% 

12 

4 

3 

4 

0 

5   3 

0 

12   9 

0 

9   9 

0 

5  10 

2 

17   2 

0 

9   6 

0 

II   4 

0 

4   2 

0 

5   2 

I 

00  10 

(No  figures.) 

1664]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  61 


James  Smeth 
Williain  Beard 

Smeth 

Daues 


John  woodman 
mr  hills  estat 
Tage  RiaU 
mathew  willyams 
Roberd  Chapman 
Pattrick  Denmark 


o 

2 

6 

I 

2 

I 

o 

4 

VA 

lO 

ii'A 

;2 

CO 

3 

o 

9 

ID 

I 

5 

o 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

II 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

6 

2 

5 

3 

22 

CO 

3 

2 

5 

3 

.        5       6 
Theis  Rate  is  to  be  payd  in   Beff  at  3d  •<  p  lb,   Porke  at  4d   A  per  lb, 
wheat  at  5s  p  boshcll,  malt  at  6  s  p  boshell,  Barley  at  6s  p  boshell,  Pease 
at  4s  p  boshell.      If  aney  shall  denie  to  pay  the  Constabells  ar  to  take  it 
By  way  of  destres. 

1664. 

Jan.  17.— Thomas  lyay ton  and  John  Roberts  were  chosen  to 
"  appraise  goods  taken  by  distress,"  and  Robert  Burnuni  and 
William  Follett  to  "go  in  preambulation  of  the  towns  bounds  " 
between  Dover  and  Exeter.  Philip  Chesley  was  also  chosen  to 
look  after  "  persons  that  do  trangress  the  town's  orders  about 
the  cutting  of  timber  for  pipe  staves,"  at  Oyster  river. 

Feb.  28.— Philip  Chesley  and  Patrick  Jemison  were  chosen  to 
lay  out  the  highways  from  Oyster  River  to  Cochecho,  make 
them  fit  for  horse  and  foot,  and  bring  an  account  of  their  charges 
to  the  Townsmen.  Left,  Hall  and  John  Hall,  Deacon,  were  ap- 
pointed to  lay  out  the  highway  from  Lamperill  falls  to  the  water- 
side betwixt  John  Godder  and  John  Martin.  Thomas  Beard 
was  chosen  to  keep  an  Ordinary. 

From  the  tax  list  of  this  year  it  appears  that  white  oak  pipe 
staves  were  worth  4  Pounds  per  thousand,  pine  boards  45  shil- 
lings, hogshead  staves  50  shillings,  red  oak  pipe  staves  3  Pounds, 
and  barrel  staves  40  shillings. 


62  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1665 

1665 

The  care  which  was  taken  to  repel,  instead  of  inviting  immi- 
gration in  these  early  days,  is  shown  in  the  order  made  by  the 
Selectmen  at  a  meeting  held  the  15th  of  the  2d  month,  in  this 
year,  that  "  no  person  coming  into  the  town  as  a  servant  or  by 
purchasing  of  lands  should  be  accepted  as  an  inhabitant  until 
he  was  allowed  or  accepted  by  the  town  or  the  selectmen." 

The  selectmen,  at  the  same  time,  authorized  Peter  Coflfin  to 
agree  wath  some  workmen  to  build  a  "  terrett  upon  the  Meeting 
House  for  to  hang  the  bell,"  which  they  had  bought  of  Capt. 
Waldron,  the  cost  to  be  paid  out  of  what  credit  the  Neck  had 
in  Mr.  Coffin's  hands,  and  if  it  cost  more  they  engaging  to  pay 
him  on  the  town  account. 

Feb.  17. — Capt.  Waldron  was  chosen  Deputy  to  the  General 
Court,  and  was  instructed,  as  usual,  to  "stand  to  mayntaynour 
preveledges,"  and  to  bring  the  proceedings  of  the  Court  in 
writing.  Also,  "that  whereas  we  are  informed  that  several 
persons  have  made  some  writing  in  way  of  complaint  against  us 
or  some  of  our  proceedings,  we  know  no  cause  they  have  to  do 
so,  and  do  desire  you  to  make  all  the  defence  j^ou  [can  against 
them."  They  also  requested  that  "  as  our  parts  are  so  far  dis- 
tant from  Boston  and  the  law  doth  enjoin  all  that  will  be  made 
freemen"  to  appear  there  for  that  purpose  that  their  Deputy 
would  "petition  the  Court  that  those  that  are  capable  to  be 
made  free  may  be  at  our  County  Court." 

July  10. — Thomas  Whitehouse  was  received  as  an  inhabitant 
on  condition  that,  "the  town  not  being  of  a  capacity  to  give 
accomodation  as  heretofore,"  he  was  to  have  no  other  privileges 
than  what  he  had  purchased  for  cattle.  That  is,  he  was  to  have 
no  rights  of  pasturage  upon  the  commons.  William  Layton 
was  received  at  the  same  time  upon  the  same  "farms,"  and 
"Gorg  Gooe "  was  "forewarned  (forbidden)  to  stay  or  have 
any  habitation  in  the  town  of  Dover."  This  appears  to  be  the 
first  instance  in  which  a  person  was  "warned"  out  of  the 
settlement. 

July  28. — The  treasurer  was  ordered  to  pay  for  the  killing  of 
a  wolf  in  the  year  1663,  "as  appeareth  in  a  note  under  the  Con- 
stable's hands,  in  the  hands  of  John  Hall,  Deacon,  under  the 
selectmen's  hands,"  the  money  to  go  to  the  said  John  Hall, 
Deacon,  and  fifteen  other  persons,  each  to  receive  an  equal  por- 
tion. As  the  price  for  killing  a  wolf  was  but  5  Pds.  the  share 
of  each  could  not  have  been  large,  though  it  was  very  proper, 


1665]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  63 

as  the  town  had  given  its  note  for  the  amount,  that  the  same 
should  be  paid. 

Oct.  ID. — The  heirs  of  Mason  about  this  time  having  procured 
the  signatures  of  some  disaffected  persons  to  a  petition  for  dis- 
solving the  union  of  the  New  Hampshire  towns  with  Massachu- 
setts, the  principal  citizens  of  Dover  signed  a  remonstrance 
against  the  movement  and  directed  it,  in  town  meeting  assem- 
bled, to  be  presented  to  the  General  Court  as  the  town's  act. 

Oct.  25. — The  selectmen,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  "many 
persons  do  fall  timber  and  make  staves  without  order,  whereby 
the  town  and  the  settled  inhabitants  are  much  injured,"  em- 
powered John  Roberts,  Thomas  Nock  and  Philip  Chesley,  or 
any  two  of  them,  to  make  diligent  search  into  all  the  woods  for 
such  transgressors  of  the  town's  order,  and  to  seize  their  spoil 
for  the  use  of  the  town,  the  informers  to  have  one  half  for  their 
pains. 

At  the  same  time  it  was  ordered,  that  as  there  are   "several 

differences  apprehended  to  be  betwixt  the  inhabitants  of  Dover, 

and  are  principally  with  our  neighbors  at  Oyster  River,"  it  was 

desired  of  all  having  any  grievances  "to   meet  together  and  to 

propound  what  matter  of  difference  there  is  and  to  state  the  case 

against  the  next  public  town  meeting,  on  the  third  Monday  in 

March,  at  the  meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck,  there  to  discover 

the  said  differences  for  the  settling  of  peace  amongst  us,  or  if  it 

cannot  be  there  agreed  then  to  choose  some  others  to  hear  and 

determine  the  same."     And  the  constables  were  ordered  to  give 

notice  to  all  the  neighbors  at  their  respective  places  to  meet  for 

the  end  aforesaid. 

Town  Records 

voted  at  a  Publick  Towne  melting  holden  the  14th  2tli  moneth 
166 I  (5?) 

that  whereas  thear  was  a  grant  made  to  mr  vallintin  hill  of  doner  of 
a  Riuer  Called  lamprill  Riuer  in  the  Towneshep  of  doner  for  to  Erekt 
Sawemill  worke  and  to  Contunew  his  or  his  assignes  soe  longe  as  he  or 
theay  kep  posietion  thearof  nowe  know  all  to  whome  this  may  Conserne 
that  in  Case  noe  man  doe  appeier  to  whold  posseistion  and  make  it  knowne 
to  the  Sellecktmen  of  the  sayd  towne  within  6  months  after  the  date 
heirof  that  then  the  towne  doeth  Resolue  to  take  it  in  to  thear  owne 
hands  and  despose  of  it  or  sell  it  for  the  use  of  the  Towne  to  Clear  all 
Rareges  (arrearages?  ) 

and  that  a  Copey  of  this  be  set  up  at  som  Publick  plac  at  Boston  and  a 
nother  at  Doner. 

By  the  Seleckmen  at  A  meittinge  holden  the  15th  2th  mo  (65, 

Odred  that  noe  Parson  that  Cometh  into  this  Towne  as  a  saruant  or 
By  Perchising  of  lands  shall  not  be  Exsepted  as  An  inhabetant  in  town 


64  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1665 

of  Dover  untell  he  be  Alowed  or  Exsepted  by  the  Towne  or  the 
Selleckmen. 

By  the  sellecktmen  the  15th  2th  mo  (65. 

Ordered  that  mr  Fetter  Coffin  shall  be  Impowered  by  this  meitting  to 
A  Gree  with  some  workmen  to  Build  a  Terrett  upon  the  meitting  house 
for  to  hang  the  Bell  wich  wee  haue  Bought  of  Capt  walldern  and  what  it 
Cost  to  pay  out  of  what  credet  the  Neck  of  land  hathe  in  your  hand  and 
if  Cost  moer  wee  doe  iuGage  to  pay  you  apon  the  Towne  a  Compt. 

Richard  Wallderue 
Will  Wentworth 
John  Roberds. 

At  A  Publick  Towne  meitting  holden  the  17th  2th  moneth  (65. 
voted  that  Elder  nutter  and  william  Pomfrett  ar  to  mett  with  Porch- 
moueth  men  to  open  the  vottes  for  asotates. 

At  ye  same  tim 

John  Danes  Chosen  Constabell. 

John  louring  Chosen  Constabell. 

Richard  Catter  chosen  Constabell. 

Jurey  of  Trialls. 

Petter  Coffin,  Rafe  Twamly,  Antouey  nutter,  John  marttin, 

John  Robberds,  Thomas  Nocke,  Roberd  Burnum. 

Gran  Jurey, 

Jobe  Clements,  John  Meder,  John  heard,  John  Bickford  sinyer, 

John  woodman,  Thomas  Wiggin,  John  hill. 

At  The  same  time, 

Capt  walldern  Chosen  Depety  for  the  Generall  Courte  for  this  yeir. 

At  A  Metting  of  the  selecktmen  the  29tli  2th  month  1665, 

Orders  for  Capt  walldern  Debety  for  the  Generall  Courtt. 

1.  ordred  that  wold  stand  to  mayntayu  our  preueledgs  by  vertu  of 
our  Articklers  of  agrement  and  to  bring  the  proseding  of  the  Court  in 
writing. 

2.  that  you  move  the  Generall  Courtt  that  our  County  Court  may  be 
Altred  for  time  of  it  untell  September. 

3.  that  we  desire  thankfullness  may  be  Returned  unto  the  Court  for 
ther  Caer  and  Gouerment  under  his  maijsty. 

4.  that  whereas  we  ar  informed  that  seuerall  persons  haue  made  som 
writing  in  way  of  Complaynt  against  us  or  som  of  our  prosedings  we 
know  noe  Case  theay  haue  so  to  doe  and  doe  desier  you  to  make  all  the 
Defence  you  Can  against  them. 

5.  and  that  whear  as  our  parts  ar  soe  fer  destant  from  boston  and 
the  lawe  doeth  Injoyne  all  that  will  be  maed  freemen  to  appeir  at  boston 
that  you  wold  peteshone  the  Court  that  those  that  ar  Capabell  to  be 
maed  free  may  bee  at  our  Countey  Courte. 

Asotiates  for  this  Countey  Courtt  that  is  to  Be  holden  the  last 
Tewsday  in  June  1665  at  Doner  was  Chosen  by  openning  the  votes  the 
5th  3th  mo  1665. 

Capt  Pendellton  29 

Capt  walldern  36 

mr  Richard  Cutt  33 


1666]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.  H.  65 

Capt  Picke  35 

Mr  John  Cutt  18 

Test 

Johu  Cutt 
Hatevil  Nutter 
Henrie  Sherburne 
William  Pomfrett 
(  These  last  four  names  are  autographs.) 
At  A  Meitting  of  the  selecktmen  the  28th  July  1665. 
All  ACounts  mad  up  with  Thomas  Beard  for  the  Acounts  Boeth   for 
the  Charges  of  the  asochaett  Courtt  and  the  Countey  Courtt  last  with 
all  their  Expenses  that  the  sellecktmen  haue  Expended  unto  this  day 
wich  some  doeth  Com  to  thirty  three  Pounds  and  doe  order  the  Tres- 
serer  to  pay  the   same  in  Action  money  and  fines  of    the   Courte   and 
place  it  to  the  Towns  aCount  as  witness  our  hands  the  day  and  yeir 
above  written. 

Richard  walldern 
henrey  lankster 
John  Danes 
John  Roberds. 

1666 

March  10. — The  town  at  a  public  meeting  voted  that  all  dif- 
ferences and  grievances  which  the  inhabitants  might  have  with 
one  another  should  be  referred  to  Capt.  Robert  Pike,  Mr. 
Wencoll  and  Mr.  Elias  Stillman,  and  what  these  arbitrators 
should  determine  by  the  last  of  the  month  the  town  engaged  to 
"stand  to."  Capt.  Richard  Waldron  and  six  other  citizens 
were  chosen  to  lay  the  grievances  before  the  arbitrators,  and 
Capt.  Waldron  was  desired  to  notify  them  of  their  appointment 
and  request  them  to  attend  to  the  duty. 

Thomas  Edgerley,  James  Coffin,  John  Church,  John  Fost, 
Robert  Evans  and  Stephen  Robinson  were  received  as  inhabi- 
tants, "  upon  the  same  terms  that  Thomas  Whitehouse  and 
others  were  received,"  i.e.  without  the  right  of  commonage  for 
their  cattle.  At  the  same  time  there  was  "given  unto  Walter 
Jackson  20  acers  of  land  at  the  head  of  his  own  lot  betwixt  the 
cow  path  and  the  swamp." 

April  2, — The  selectmen  were  requested  to  "  take  any  oppor- 
tunity to  treat  with  the  selectmen  of  Portsmouth  about  the 
affairs  of  the  country,  and  what  they  shall  see  useful  for  us,  to 
present  at  the  next  town  meeting."  The  selectmen  with  a  com- 
mittee of  citizens  were  also  requested  to  "  draw  up  something  in 
writing  to  present  at  the  next  town  meeting  concerning  the 
right  of  commonage  and  other  things  concerning  the  town 
affairs." 


66  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1666 

William  Pomfrett  was  requested  to  give  Rev.  Mr.  Rayner  an 
order  for  the  rents  due  from  the  mills  towards  his  salary,  and 
also  to  Elder  Wentworth  an  order  for  15  Pounds  "  for  his  pains 
at  Cochecho  the  last  winter." 

Aug.  19. — Captain  Waldron  was  chosen  Deputy  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  and  instructed  not  to  consent  to  anything  infringing 
upon  the  town's  privileges,  or  "  act  anything  for  the  hinderance 
or  stopping  of  any  person  or  persons  that  his  Majesty  hath  sent 
for." 

Sept.  26 — The  selectmen  gave  orders  that  Thomas  Turner  be 
warned  out  of  the  town  by  Ensign  John  Davis  and  John  Bick- 
ford,  and  that  he  depart  according  to  law.  Also,  that  the  wife 
of  William  Risley  be  warned  out  of  town  by  Anthony  Nutter. 

Henry  Kerk  was  appointed  to  keep  an  Ordinary,  and  to 
"  stand  till  the  next  County  Court  upon  his  good  behavior." 

Many  inconveniences  and  damages  coming  upon  the  town  in 
consequence  of  the  practice  which  had  been  adopted  by  the 
inhabitants  of  ' '  taking  in  several  persons  both  men  and  women, ' ' 
the  selectmen  gave  orders  that  none  should  henceforth  admit  or 
entertain  any  inmate  or  sojourner  or  servant  to  be  hired  or  taken 
into  their  houses  without  giving  notice  to  the  selectmen  within 
thirty  days,  upon  the  penalty  of  nineteen  shillings  fine  to  the 
town,  besides  making  good  all  other  damages  which  the  town 
might  suffer. 

The  town  at  this  early  day  had  become  somewhat  crowded, 
or  inhabitants  had  been  taken  in  who  could  not  be  accommo- 
dated, whereupon  it  was  voted  that  no  more  persons  should  be 
admitted  until  all  former  grants  had  been  laid  out  and  duly 
recorded  on  the  town's  book,  and  a  list  made  out  of  all  inhabi- 
tants so  that  ' '  the  town  may  see  how  many  we  are  to  take 
care  of." 

At  this  time  the  w^hole  number  of  tax  payers  on  record  was 

At  Dover  Neck  22         At  Bloody  Point  16 

"  Cochecho  20  "   Fresh  Creek  21 

"  Oyster  River  54     — 133  families,  or  a  population  of 

about  530,  according  to  the  estimate  of  the  present  time,  when 
four  voters  or  polls  are  usually  found  in  every  1 5  to  20  inhab- 
itants. 

Dover,  this  year,  gave  32  Pounds  towards  erecting  a  new 
brick  building  at  Harvard  College. 


1666]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  67 

A  Prouetion    Rate  maed  the  2th   loth   month  i666  for  mr  Rayner  at  a 
peney  in  the  pound  throwe  the  hole  townshep. 
Doner  neck 
Thomas  layton 
John  hall  Deacon 
John  Dam  sinyer 
Thomas  Beard 
Jeremie  Tebetes 
Thomas  Roberds  Juner 
Thomas  Caney 
Elder  nutter 
henrey  Tebtes 
John  Roberds 
James  Newtt  Juner 
Capt.  Barfoot 
Tho  Roberds  siny 
henrey  kerke 
mr  Job  Clemants 
John  Tuttell 
Thomas  Whithouse 
Judediae  Androes 
John  Pinkoem 
James  Newtt  siny 
Isake  Stokes 
William  Pomfrett 

blode  poynt 
henrey  lankster 
William  furber 
Richard  Catter 
John  hall  sargent 
James  Rallins 
Thomas  Trickey 
John  Bickford  Jun 
Michill  Brane 
Rich  Rooe 
John  Dam  Juner 
William  Suchforth 
Antoney  Nutter 
Abraham  Newtt 
Eexsander  Wallden 
Thomas  Pinkom 
Phellep  Cromwell 

Cochechae 
Capt  walldern 
leften  Coffin 
Samewell  hale 
Nathell  Stuens 
John  willson 
Samewell  Seward 


lb 

s 

d 

I 

7 

A% 

C) 

12 

lo 

o 

15 

4K 

o 

15 

8 

o 

9 

6>^ 

o 

12 

ID 

I 

2 

7 

o 

15 

lo 

o 

7 

1% 

u 

14 

II 

o 

5 

9 

o 

4 

2 

o 

5 

O 

o 

5 

o 

o 

19 

5 

o 

4 

2 

o 

2 

8 

o 

3 

9 

o 

2 

6 

o 

15 

o 

o 

4 

7 

o 

ID 

II 

I 

6 

6 

o 

17 

VA 

o 

12 

i;^ 

o 

15 

8 

o 

12 

7 

o 

i8 

lO 

o 

6 

II 

o 

8 

lO 

o 

5 

lo 

o 

11 

2 

o 

9 

4 

I 

4 

AYz 

o 

3 

I 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

6 

o 

15 

GO 

3 

9 

^% 

I 

13 

9 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

6 

o 

2 

6 

68 


NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1666 


John  Chirch 
Autoney  Page 
lazearus  Permit 
Jolin  ham 
Jnkin  Jones 
Clarke  Gilles 
Biniamen  heard 
Thomas  Downes 
wedowe  hanson 
Tobias  hanson 
Thomas  hanson 
Robert  Euens 
Ralphf  Twamly 
John  winget 


humfrey  varney 
Jeriemey  hodsdon 
John  heard 
Josephf  Sanders 
Thomas  Payne 
Richar  Bowell 
Thomas  hamacke 
william  home 
William  Ceiam  (?) 
John  Addams 
John  Scriuen 
Quamphigone  Mill 
John  louring 
henrey  hobbes 
John  foste 
.William  lay  ton 
Elder  wentworth 
Samewell  wentworth 
Mr  George  wallderne 
Richard  Otes 
James  Coffin 

8     17     10 
Oyster  Riuer 

William  follet  i       5      o 

Will  Roberds  3      6 

Will  Willyams  Juner  5         ' 

John  Meader  9      3 
Steuen  Jones 

Nicloes  harrise  3 


3 

10 

2 

6 

2 

6 

3 

4 

2 

6 

2 

6 

3 

II 

5 

1% 

10 

0 

4 

0 

4 

2 

5 

2 

7 

I 

8 

ID 

19 

4 

4 

II 

3 

4 

15 

i% 

3 

9 

3 

4 

2 

6 

3 

7 

8 

^y^ 

3 

4 

2 

6 

7 

5>^ 

16 

9 

12 

8 

16 

4 

6 

8 

4 

II 

I 

10 

5 

10 

9 

3 

15 

10 

8 

4 

I 


Einsinejohn  Danes  ^3  4X 

henrey  Browne  ^7  1° 

Roberd  watson  ^ 

Pattrick  Denmarke  ^  ° 

waiter  Jackson  °  4 


1666] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


69 


Matthew  willyams 

3 

7 

John  Smeth 

3 

4 

Josephf  Semethe 

4 

2 

James  Smeth 

2 

6 

William  Drew 

15 

8 

William  Beard 

i6 

8 

Mathew  Gilles 

13 

lo 

William  Pitman 

6 

o 

Josephf  Steunson 

8 

7 

Salathell  Denboe 

2 

6 

William  willyams  sinyer 

12 

4 

John  woodman 

lO 

7 

Thomas  morise 

5 

o 

William  Dergin 

5 

o 

John  hilton 

3 

3 

Richard  Yorke 

15 

lO 

John  Martin 

II 

5^2 

John  Godder 

I 

6 

ii>^ 

Arter  Bennett 

2 

o 

Charells  Addames 

6 

5 

Thomas  welley 

8 

6 

Thomas  Edgerley 

oo 

2 

9 

William  Perkines 

oo 

3 

lO 

Abraham  Collines 

ot> 

2 

6 

John  Allt 

oo 

12 

5 

John  Bickford  siny 

oo 

i6 

5 

Sachrey  filld 

oo 

3 

4 

Mickall  Simonds 

oo 

3 

4 

Teag  Riall 

oo 

3 

2 

James  huggins 

oo 

2 

II 

Edward  lethers 

oo 

2 

6 

Phellep  Chesley 

OI 

2 

3 

Thomas  Chesley 

oo 

4 

5 

Josepf  filld 

oo 

4 

2 

Tage  Danell 

oo 

3 

4 

Pattrick  Jemeson 

oo 

12 

3 

Roberd  Burnum 

oo 

lO 

O 

Dauey  Danell  and  Phellep  Cromett 

oo 

7 

3 

Thomas  footman 

oo 

15 

2 

Tho  feloes,  John  Parnill,  and 

ther  men  and  Vassell 

OI 

lo 



Steuen  Robinson 

oo 

2 

6 

8  05  6 
This  Rat  made  at  a  peney  in  the  pound  for  mr  Raners  proution  and  is 
in  part  of  his  sallerey  for  the  last  yeir  and  to  be  reterned  to  his  hand 
by  the  Constabell  and  if  in  Case  aney  shall  Rfuse  to  pay  apon  demand 
thear  in  his  maighteys  name  to  Empower  you  to  take  it  by  way  destres 
witness  our  hands. 

Bef  at  3d  p  lb,  Pork  at  4d;4  p  lb,  wheat  at   5s  p  boshell,  Indan  Come 
4s  p  boshell,  pease  at  4s  p  boshell 


70  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1667 

1667 

May  7. — A  meeting  of  the  selectmeu  of  Dover  and  Ports- 
mouth was  held  in  Portsmouth,  for  "  remedying  several  incon- 
veniences," and  it  was  mutually  agreed  and  ordered  between 
them  that  as  by  custom  the  public  charges  both  of  Court  and 
County  had  been  carried  on  bj^  each  town  distinctly  for  the  time 
past,  for  the  future  all  charges  should  be  borne  jointly  by  the 
County,  and  a  County  Treasurer  chosen  according  to  law. 

Captain  Waldron,  Deputy  to  the  General  Court,  was  in- 
structed to  make  known  to  the  Court  the  papers  received  from 
Major  Shapleigh,  and  also  not  to  engage  the  town  by  compul- 
sion to  build  fortifications.  lyikewise  to  consult  with  the  Depu- 
ties of  Portsmouth  concerning  the  enlargement  of  the  County. 

The  selectmen  ordered  the  three  half  penny  rate  made  over 
the  whole  town,  to  be  delivered  to  Captain  Waldron  by  the  sev- 
eral constables,  and  for  him  to  dispose  of  the  same  according  to 
the  selectmen's  order  from  time  to  time. 

June  25. — Goodman  Kirke  of  Dover,  licensed  to  keep  a  house 
of  entertainment. 

July  4. — The  selectmen  "  agreed  with  Left.  Cofl&n  to  build 
the  fort  about  the  meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck,  (built  in  1652) 
one  hundred  foot  square  with  two  sconces  of  sixteen  foot  square, 
and  all  the  timber  to  be  twelve  inches  thick  and  the  wall  to  be 
eight  foot  high  with  sills  and  braces,  and  the  selectmen  with  the 
military  officers  have  agreed  to  pay  him  100  Pds.  in  days  works 
at  2S  6d  per  day,  and  also  to  all  persons  concerned  in  the  work 
one  day  to  help  raise  the  work  at  so  many  one  day  as  he  shall 
appoint." 

This  fort  was  constructed  upon  the  mound  of  earth  the  relics 
of  which  still  remain  and  are  plainly  visible  on  the  Neck. 
(1872.)  The  building  of  this  fort  is  the  first  intimation  we  have 
of  the  construction  of  any  defences  against  the  Indians.  The 
colonists  of  Cochecho  had  been  unmolested  as  yet,  although 
there  had  been  troubles  in  the  south  at  an  early  period  ;  nor  did 
any  open  act  of  hostility  occur  here  until  the  breaking  out  of 
Philip's  war  in  1675.  But  the  construction  of  these  defences 
implies  that  at  this  period,  1667,  suspicions  were  entertained  as 
to  the  disposition  of  the  savages. 

The  selectmen  "  reckoned  with  Stephen  Jones  about  keeping 
Mrs.  Hill  and  her  child  the  year  past,"  and  acknowledged 
themselves  debtors  in  the  sum  of  25  Pds.  which  he  was  to  have 


1668]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  71 

in  part  pay  for  Thomas  Johnson's  estate  at  Oyster  River  when 
the  deeds  from  the  town  were  made  "according  to  the  law  of 
estates." 

Mrs.  Hill  was  the  widow  of  Valentine  Hill  who  was  of  Boston 
about  1643  and  came  to  Dover.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable 
property,  being  at  one  time  the  highest  tax  pa3'er  in  town.  He 
lived  at  Oyster  river  where  he  had  extensive  grants  of  mill 
privileges,  land  and  timber.  He  was  Representative  in  1653-5 
and  7,  and  died  about  1660.  The  child  here  spoken  of  was  his 
only  one,  and  was  born  about  the  time  of  the  father's  death. 
The  arrangement  for  its  support  and  that  of  its  mother  by  the 
town  would  imply  that  the  selectmen,  in  their  capacity  as  towns- 
men, had  the  settlement  of  the  estate. 

Sept.  3. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  ordered  that  everj^ 
Indian  who  should  kill  a  wolf  and  bring  the  head  to  some  public 
officer,  should  have  thirty  shillings  and  no  more,  and  the  former 
order  concerning  Indians  killing  wolves  was  annulled. 

At  the  same  time  it  was  "  ordered  that  the  selectmen  are  to 
treat  with  John  Church  concerning  Naomie's  child  and  to  put 
the  child  to  him,  agreeing  with  him  for  the  taking  of  the  child 
and  satisfying  him  in  land,"  provided  it  does  not  exceed  sixty 
acres. 

Sept.  15. — -The  grand  jury  presented  the  town  for  want  of 
stocks,  whipping  post,  standard  weights  and  measures,  a  sealer 
of  leather,  a  pound,  a  watch  house,  powder  match  and  bullets. 

The  Court  enjoined  the  town  to  provide  themselves  wdth  these 
accompaniments  of  civilization  "by  y^  next  court"  or  pay  a 
fine  of  5  Pounds  and  2s  6d  fees. 

1668 

Feb.  20. — Capt.  Waldron  and  Robert  Burnum  were  chosen  to 
oversee  the  work  of  the  minister's  house  at  03'ster  River,  and 
lycft.  Coffin  and  William  Follett  were  instructed  not  to  "act 
anything  "  without  their  consent,  and  "  what  they  shall  consent 
unto  shall  be  the  act  of  the  town  for  finishing  the  house." 

March  5. — Voted  that  Capt.  Waldron,  Ensign  John  Davis 
and  Mr.  Job  Clements  are  empowered  to  treat  with  the  select- 
men of  Portsmouth  about  running  the  line  from  Canney's  Creek 
and  Hogsty  Cove,  and  what  they  shall  do  shall  be  a  final  deter- 
mination of  that  difference  and  stand  as  a  town  act  as  if  the 
town  were  all  present. 


72  NOTABLE  EVENTS   IN    THE  [1669 

July  14. — Ordered  by  the  selectmen  that  forthwith  the  Con- 
stable shall  take  of  William  Williams,  sen.  by  way  of  distress 
the  sum  of  19  shillings  for  a  fine  for  breach  of  a  town  order  for 
entertaining  Naomi  Hull. 

The  selectmen  also  ordered  that  John  Hance  should  have  4 
pounds  for  killing  a  wolf.  Nicholas  Doe  was  received  as  an 
inhabitant  upon  the  same  terms  as  Thomas  Whitehouse  in  1665. 

The  town  for  want  of  a  pair  of  stocks  was  again  sentenced  to 
' '  get  a  pair  by  the  next  Court  of  Associates,  or  pay  a  fine  of 
5  Pds.  and  fees." 

A  Trucking  House  was  built  at  Penacook  (Concord)  this  year 
by  Capt.  Waldron,  which  was  enclosed  by  a  fort,  and  was  prob- 
ably the  first  house  ever  erected  there.  Waldron  with  Peter 
Coffin  and  others  designed  making  a  settlement  and  had  ground 
broken  up  to  be  improved,  but  in  June  one  Thomas  Dickinson 
was  murdered  by  an  Indian,  which  caused  great  excitement. 
It  appeared  on  investigation  that  liquor  had  been  sold  to  the 
Indians,  which  was  contrary  to  law.  Waldron  and  his  son 
Paul  were  charged  with  the  deed,  but  both  denied  it  under  oath 
and  were  acquitted.  Peter  Coffin  was  also  charged  with  the 
offence,  and  was  obliged  to  confess  that  the  liquor  came  from 
his  store,  and  was  sold  to  the  Indians  by  his  agent,  though  with- 
out his  knowledge.  He  was  accordingly  fined  50  Pounds  and 
all  charges.  This  affair  appears  to  have  broken  up  the  Pena- 
cook settlement  at  this  time,  and  no  other  was  made  there  until 
1726,  more  than  half  a  century  after. 

1669 

Jan.  15. — The  selectmen  ordered  all  that  have  been  constables 
who  had  not  a  discharge  from  the  towai  for  the  rates  which  they 
had  collected,  to  appear  and  make  up  their  accounts  at  Left. 
Pomfrett's  house,  on  the  Neck,  on  the  22d  of  the  month,  upon 
penalty  of  such  fines  as  they  should  impose. 

Jan.  29. — Peter  Coffin,  Anthony  Nutter,  Wm.  Follett,  Robert 
Burnum,  William  Roberts  and  Richard  Otis  were  appointed  to 
go  to  Lamperill  river  to  meet  with  Exeter  men  to  perambulate 
the  lines  and  set  bounds  between  the  two  towns. 

May  3. — Robert  Wadleigh  was  received  as  an  inhabitant 
"according  to  the  tenure  of  the  last  inhabitant  received."  At 
the  same  time  he  received  this  grant: 

At  A  Generall  towne  Meeting  held  at  Dover  the;  3:  3:  1669 

Giuen  and  granted  unto  Robert  Wadleigh  An  accommodations  for  the 


16f;9]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  73 

erecting  and  setting  of  a  Sawmill  or  Mills  at  the  oppermost  falls  uppon 
Lamperele  riuer,  Comonly  called  by  the  name  of  ye  Ilelaud  falls  :  wth 
an  accomedation  of  timber  there  vnto  belonging  ye  bounds  of  the  timber 
are  as  followeth  ;  yt  is  to  :  say  all  ye  timber  on  ye  south  side  aboue  the 
sd  falls  as  farr  as  ye  towne  bounds  doth  goe,  and  on  the  north  side  all  ye 
Timber  that  is  within  one  Mile  of  the  Riuer  aboue  ye  sd  falls  as  farr  as 
the  towne  bounds  doth  goe,  with  one  hundred  acres  of  land  on  ye  south 
side  of  ye  sd  Riuer  and  twenty  acres  of  Land  on  the  north  side  of  the 
riuer  Adjacent  unto  the  said  falls  one  both  sides:  all  which  falls  timber 
and  Land  is  granted  unto  ye  sd  Wadleigh  and  his  heires  executors 
Administr  :  and  assignes  prouided  it  doth  not  Itrench,  upon  any  former 
grant  either  in  pt :  or  the  whole.  In  Consideration  of  the  sd  grant  of 
falls  Timber  and  land  ;  the  sd  Rob:  Wadleigh  doth  Ingage  himselfe  his 
heires  executrs  and  Administr  to  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  vnto  the  Towne 
of  doner  the  some  of  tenn:  pounds:  peran:  in  Marchanta:  pine  bords  at 
price  Currant  at  the  ordinary  Landing  place  by  Lamperele  riutr  lower 
falls  ;  as  long  as  he  or  they  doe  keepe  posession  thereof  wch  paymt:  is 
to  begin  the  last  of  August  next  Insueing  this  Instant :  to  be  made  unto 
the  selectmen  of  doner  or  theire  order,  and  farther  it  is  agreed  and 
ordered  that  if  any  pt:  there  of  be  taken  away  by  any  former  grant  then 
the  towne  is  to  abate  of  the  rent  proportionablely  And  also  the  town 
doth  reserue  free  eagrasse  and  Regrasse  for  ye  transportation  of  timber 
either  by  land  or  water  :  and  the  Inhabitants  have  ye  same  Liberty  in  this 
grant  as  they  haue  in  other  Mill  grants 

Hatevil  Nutter,  who  had  an  interest  in  a  former  grant  at  or 
near  the  same  place,  entered  his  dissent  to  this  grant. 

At  the  same  time,  at  the  request  of  Elder  Wentworth  and 
some  of  the  brethren,  Left.  Coffin,  Ensign  Davis,  Thomas  Beard 
and  Anthony  Nutter  were  chosen  to  ' '  join  with  the  church  in 
their  agitation." 

May  22. — For  the  accommodation  of  the  ministry  on  Dover 
Neck  the  town  voted  to  set  apart  40  Pds.  of  mill  rents  and  a 
penny  rate  in  provisions  upon  the  estates  of  all  the  inhabitants, 
excepting  Oyster  river,  the  vote  to  stand  for  one  year,  the 
penny  rate  to  be  paid  in  October  or  November,  or  "  a  free  con- 
tribution what  every  man  will  free  give." 

At  the  same  time  it  was  voted  to  build  a  Minister's  house 
upon  Dover  Neck,  44  feet  in  length,  20  feet  wide,  14  feet  be- 
tween joist  and  joist,  with  a  stack  of  brick  chimnies  and  a  cellar 
16  feet  square;  the  house  to  be  built  "at  the  charge  of  the 
whole  town  in  general." 

At  a  "training,"  the  21st  June,  the  following  persons  are 
recorded  as  taking  the  "oath  of  fidelity:" — Samuel  Went- 
worth, Tho.  Caney,  Tho.  Edgerly,  Benja.  Heard,  John  Foste, 
Tho.    Hanson,  John  Gerrish,  James  Smith,  John   Wentworth, 


74  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1669 

Robert  Evans,  Charles  Adams,  Beuja.  Mathews,  Richard  Row, 
John  York,  Will.  Perkins,  Tho.  Welley,  Tho.  Perkins,  Will. 
Shuckford. 

July  22. — The  town  gave  Mr.  John  Rayner,  junior,  a  call  to 
"  officiate  in  the  ministry  "  until  the  22d  July  next  ensuing,  and 
at  a  meeting  held  the  27th  Sept.  Mr.  Rayner  "gave  in  his 
acceptance  to  that  service." 

Rev.  John  Rayner,  senior,  died  April  20th  of  this  year,  hav- 
ing been  assisted  in  the  last  few  years  of  his  ministry  by  his  son, 
who  was  now  called  to  succeed  him. 

The  difficulties  between  Dover  Neck  and  Oyster  River  broke 
out  afresh  this  year,  and  petitions  to  the  General  Court  were 
got  up  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  latter  place  to  be  set  off 
into  a  town  by  themselves.  To  counteract  these  proceedings, 
Left.  Peter  Coffin  was  chosen  in  behalf  of  the  town  to  go  to  the 
General  Court  and  "answer  the  complaints."  After  several 
public  meetings  had  been  held  and  sundry  resolutions  passed,  a 
temporary  accommodation  of  the  difficulties  appears  to  have  been 
made.  Oyster  River  was  to  build  a  meeting  house  on  their  own 
account  and  at  their  own  charge,  and  Dover  Neck  was  to  build 
a  minister's  house  on  the  same  terms.  Neither  was  to  call  on 
the  other  for  "  any  help  for  the  future  ;  "  but  as  the  Ivamperill 
river  grant  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  at  Oyster  River  could 
not  be  collected,  for  the  reason  that  no  person  could  be  found 
there  to  pay  it,  it  was  voted  that  they  should  have  10  Pds.  per 
annum  from  Robert  Wadleigh's  grant  in  addition  to  the  10 
Pds.  from  their  own  grant,  and  when  anything  was  recovered 
from  the  lyamperill  grant  it  should  be  ordered  and  disposed 
of  by  the  whole  town. 

At  the  second  session  of  the  General  Court  held  at  Boston, 
Oct.  18,  the  Court  judgeth  it  meet  to  appoint  John  Gerrish  to  be 
Quarter  Master  to  the  Troop  raised  in  Portsmouth  and  Dover. 

Also  "in  answer  to  the  petition  of  Robert  Wadleigh  com- 
plaining of  being  illegally  dispossessed  of  a  house,  mill  and 
other  estate  by  virtue  of  an  execution  on  a  judgment  against 
Nicholas  Leeson  at  the  County  Court  in  Norfolk  in  April  1668, 
Henry  Roby,  Attorney  to  and  for  Robert  Wadleigh,  appeared 
and  publicly  engaged  himself  and  his  heirs  to  stand  to  and  sat- 
isfy the  charge  of  this  Court  in  and  for  the  hearing  of  this 
case.  The  Court  on  a  full  hearing  of  the  case  and  what  hath 
been  alledged  by  the  parties  therein,  do  judge  that  the  petitioner 
hath  been  illegally  dispossessed  and  order  that  he  be  repossessed 


ir,71]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  75 

iu  the  said  estate  and  have  the  cost  of  this  Court  fifty  four  shil- 
lings besides  the  charge  of  the  court." 

The  town  made  a  donation  of  32  Pds.  to  Harvard  College  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  brick  building,  the  old  wooden 
one  being  small  and  decayed. 


1670 
From  the  tax  list  of  this  year  we  learn  that  the  prices  of  beef, 
pork,  &c.  remained  "firm,"  to  adopt  the  language  of  modern 
times,  and  also  that  butter  was  worth  4  pence  per  pound,  cheese 
6d,  and  that  Indian  corn  brought  4  shillings  per  bushel. 

167 1 

April  28. — At  a  meeting  of  the  selectmen,  it  was  ordered  that 
all  timber  found  cut  and  carried  to  the  water  side,  either  at 
Oyster  river,  or  Fore  river,  or  Bellamey's  bank  mill,  belonging 
to  the  Little  John's  creek  grant,  shall  be  seized,  and  notice 
given  to  all  persons  who  have  cut  the  timber,  or  lay  claim  to  it, 
to  appear  before  them  and  make  answer  thereto,  on  the  15th  of 
May  ensuing,  at  the  house  of  William  Pomfrett  on  Dover  Neck. 
The  constable  and  Philip  Cromwell  were  empowered  to  give  the 
notice  and  carry  into  effect  the  order  in  regard  to  seizing  the 
timber. 

At  the  same  time  it  was  ordered  that  as  there  were  several 
rates  in  the  hands  of  the  constables  of  many  years  standing, 
and  rents  and  other  revenues  behind,  whereby  the  town  was 
much  injured  and  lieth  in  debt  to  several  persons,  Philip  Crom- 
well was  appointed  to  demand  and  receive  the  same  and  pay  the 
persons  to  whom  the  town  was  indebted. 

May  15.— Richard  Waldron  and  Richard  Coocke  chosen  dep- 
uties to  the  General  Court. 

July  5. — Mr.  John  Rayner,  jr.  ordained  Pastor,  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  his  father. 


76  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1673 

1672 

March  19. — At  a  meeting  of  the  selectmen  all  delinquent  con- 
stables were  ordered  to  "make  up  their  accounts  with  the 
Treasurer"  for  "all  old  arrears,"  and  in  case  of  neglect  they 
might  expect  to  hear  from  the  selectmen  forthwith  and  be  dealt 
with  according  to  law.  At  the  same  time  the  Treasurer  was 
directed  to  "repair  the  glass  about  the  meeting  house,"  and 
place  it  to  the  town's  account. 

lycft.  Cofhn,  who  had  been  ordered  to  "  provide  ammunition 
for  the  town  according  to  law,"  is  credited  with  delivering  to 
Capt.  Waldron  on  the  2 2d  of  the  month  "  too  baralls  of  Powder 
and  mach." 

The  selectmen  agreed  with  Dea.  John  Hall  to  "sweep  the 
meeting  house  and  ring  the  bell  for  one  whole  year,"  for  the 
sum  of  3  Pds. 

April  16. — Philip  Croniet  had  liberty  to  keep  a  ferry  at  lyam- 
perill  river,  to  charge  2d  for  every  person,  and  6d  for  every 
horse  and  man  passing,  which  order  was  "to  stand  until  the 
County  Court  take  order  about  it." 

For  "the  better  encouragement  of  Mr.  John  Rayner  in  the 
ministry,"  it  was  voted  that  the  40  Pds.  of  mill  rents  with  the 
penny  rate,  should  be  paid  him  yearly  so  long  as  he  continued 
minister  of  Dover ;  this  penny  rate  to  be  levied  on  the  inhab- 
itants of  Dover  Neck,  Cochecho,  Bloody  Point  and  Oyster  River 
"  according  to  their  articles." 

The  selectmen  also  had  power  to  treat  with  Mr.  Rayner  and 
to  "  agree  with  him  for  his  building  for  himself  convenient 
housing  not  exceeding  70  Pds."  Twenty  acres  of  swamp  land 
were  at  the  same  time  laid  out  for  the  use  of  the  ministry,  in  the 
great  swamp  upon  the  Neck,  which  was  not  to  be  alienated 
without  the  consent  of  every  inhabitant. 

Richard  Waldron  and  Peter  Coffin  were  chosen  Deputies  to 
the  General  Court. 

1673 
Jan.  25. — John  Roberts  and  Jeremie  Tebbets  had  liberty  from 
the  selectmen  to  improve  six  acres  of  land  in  the  common  lying 
off  the  east  side  of  the  path  that  ' '  doeth  go  unto  the  watering 
place  on  Dover  Neck  near  unto  Thomas  Perkins'  house,"  which 
land  was  to  be  improved  by  them  seven  years  for  their  use,  and 
then  to  be  returned  for  the  town's  use,  and  left  plains  for  feed- 
ing ground. 


1675]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  77 

1674 

March  2. — In  choosing  town  officers  this  year,  the  town  voted 
that  Nicholas  Hanson  should  "  officiate  no  longer  as  a  seller  of 
pipe  staves."  The  surveyor  of  highways  for  last  year  was  to 
stand  for  this  year. 

June  18. — A  committee  consisting  of  Ensign  John  Davis, 
Sargent  Robert  Burnum,  Deacon  John  Hall,  John  Gerrish  and 
John  Wingate  was  appointed  to  run  the  line  from  Newichwan- 
nock  river  unto  the  utmost  bounds  on  the  south  side  of  lyam- 
perill  river. 

Upon  the  complaint  of  James  Nute,  sen.  that  Philip  Cromwell 
was  "taking  in  his  highway  and  trespassing  on  the  common," 
Sargent  John  Roberts  and  Deacon  John  Hall  were  appointed  to 
"  go  to  the  place  and  take  notice  of  what  is  done  and  give  an 
account  at  our  next  meeting  that  we  may  regulate  the  same 
according  to  equity."  At  the  next  meeting,  on  report  of  the 
committee,  Philip  Cromwell  was  ordered  to  remove  his  fence 
forthwith  and  set  it  according  to  his  own  bounds  that  "we  may 
have  our  old  ways  to  pass  in  upon,  on  penalty  of  having  his 
fence  pulled  down  and  also  fined." 

Under  date  of  14th  12th  mo.  of  this  year,  Rev.  John  Elliot's 
Church  Records  of  the  First  Church  in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  says  : 

A  lishermau  about  Pascatoway  had  2  servants,  who  in  anger  conspired 
to  kill  yr  master,  did  so,  tooke  his  mony  &  fled,  but  were  taken  &  both 
executed. 

This  is  the  first  record  of  the  execution  of  white  men  in  any 
of  the  Piscataqua  plantations,  so  far  as  noticed. 

1675 

May  12. — In  answer  to  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Oyster  river  Philip  HoUet,  Jno.  Bickford,  Robert  Burnhams, 
John  Woodman  and  others,  the  General  Court  ordered,  "that 
the  petitioners  shall  have  liberty  yearly  to  choose  three  select- 
men, who  shall  have  power  to  make  such  rate  or  rates  as  they 
shall  see  the  necessity  for  the  maintenance  of  the  ministry,  to 
be  collected  by  the  constables  according  to  law." 

July  15. — William  Furber,  Anthony  Nutter  and  John  Wood- 
man were  chosen  "  to  treat  and  discourse  with  the  selectmen  of 
Portsmouth  and  of  the  Isle  of  Shoals  or  other  meet  persons," 
about  ' '  raising  money  for  the  relief  of  those  who  have  suffered 
either  by  their  estates  or  services  in  the  present  war  with  the 
Indians." 


78  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1675 

Another  indication  of  the  troublous  times  upon  which  the 
colonists  had  entered   appears  in  the  record  :  — 

Whereas  the  selectmen  neglected  the  making  a  provision  rate  this 
present  year,  according  to  the  former  order,  by  reason  of  the  troubles  of 
the  times,  it  is  voted  that  the  selectmen  shall  make  provision  rate  for 
this  present  year  according  to  the  last  year's  rate,  making  abatement  of 
such  men's  estates  as  they  see  just  cause  for  at  their  discretion. 

Sept. — . — Two  houses  belonging  to  two  persons  named  Ches- 
ley  at  Oyster  River  were  attacked  and  burned  by  the  Indians, 
two  men  in  a  canoe  were  killed,  and  two  made  prisoners,  both 
of  whom  soon  after  made  their  escape.  A  few  days  afterwards, 
five  or  six  houses  were  also  burned  at  Oyster  River  by  the 
Indians  and  two  more  men,  William  Roberts  and  his  son-in-law, 
killed. 

To  make  reprisals  for  these  daring  and  murderous  assaults, 
about  twenty  young  men,  chiefly  of  Dover,  obtained  leave  of 
Major  Waldron,  then  commander  of  the  militia,  to  try  their  skill 
and  courage  with  the  Indians  in  their  own  way.  Having  scat- 
tered themselves  in  the  woods,  a  small  party  of  them  discovered 
five  Indians  in  a  field  near  a  deserted  house,  some  of  whom  were 
gathering  corn,  and  others  kindling  a  fire  to  roast  it.  The  men 
were  at  such  a  distance  from  their  fellows  that  they  could  make 
no  signal  to  them  without  danger  of  a  discovery;  two  of  them 
therefore  crept  along  silently,  near  to  the  house,  from  whence 
they  suddenly  rushed  upon  those  two  Indians  who  were  busy  at 
the  fire,  and  knocked  them  down  with  the  butts  of  their  guns  ; 
the  other  three  took  the  alarm  and  escaped. 

Soon  after  this,  the  Indians  assaulted  a  house  at  Oyster  River, 
which  was  garrisoned.  Meeting  with  a  good  old  man  without 
the  garrison,  whose  name  was  Beard,  they  killed  him  upon  the 
place,  and  in  a  barbarous  manner  cut  off  his  head  and  set  it  on 
a  pole  in  derision.     {Hubbard'' s  Eastern  Wars.) 

Oct.  13. — The  General  Court  "for  the  better  security  of  the 
County  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  and  of  Yorkshire  and  the  parts 
adjacent,  ordered  that  there  should  be  forthwith  40  able  men 
raised  and  sent  to  Major  Waldron  to  be  by  him  disposed  of  for 
the  end  aforesaid,  and  not  to  be  called  off  without  the  said 
major's  consent,  or  else  by  order  of  the  General  Court  and 
Council." 


1675] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


79 


Town  Records 
Provision  Rate  1675 
Of  Dover  Neck  and  Cochecho 


Mr.  Nutter 
Deacon  Hall 
Deacon  dam 
Joseph  Canie 
Thomas  Canie  Junior 
Henery  Tibit 
Philip  Benmore 
John  Pinckham 
Jeremi  Tibits 
Tho:  Beard 
Tho:  Perkins 
Isaac  Stockes 
Tho:  Roberts 
Jo:  Tuttle 
Philip  Crumell 
Rich:  Pinckham 
Tho:  Wliitehouse 

nine  names 

John  Roberts 
Leiftenant  Pomfrit 
James  Newt  Junior 
Mr.  Clements 
Johnathan  Wattson 
Tho:  Leighton 
Thomas  Paine 
John  Deues 
John  Heard 
Mr.  George  Waldern 
Ralf  Twamlie 
Ezekiel  Wentworth 
William  Taskett 
widdow  Hanson 
John  Church 

Of  Bloody  Point 
Sargant  Hall 
william  ffurber 
Antony  Nutter 

and  eight  names 

Of  Oyster  Riuer 
(Ensign  D)avis 
(Ja)mes  Huckins 
John  Alt 
John  Bickford 
Tho:  Willie 
Joseph  Smith 


James  Newt  Senior 
Mr.  Clements 
Abraham  Newt    » 
John  Hall  Junior 
Richard  Rich 
John  Dereie 
Tho:  Teare  (?) 
Ralph  welch 
Zacharie  ffeeld 
Nathaniell  Stephens 
ginkin  Jones 
John  Ham 
William  Home 
Tho:  Harnett 
John  Elis 
Humphire  Varnie 

missing 
david  L,arkin 
Tho:  Austyn 
Tho:  Haines 
Capt  walden 

George  Ricker  and  brother 
Richard  Otis 
John  gearish 
Tho:  Hanson 
Robert  Evens 
gershom  Wentworth 
James  Coffen 
Tho:  downes 
Mark  Giles 
Benjamin  Head 


Henerie  Langster 
william  ffurber  Junior 
Edward  Allin 
are  missing 


(- 


-) 


Tho:  Edgerlie 

John  Hill 

John  Meader 

William  Williams  Junior 

Philip  Cheslie  senior 


80  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1676 

Steephen  Jones  waiter  Jackson 

Robert  Watson  Edward  Leathers 

John  Davis  Junior  James  Smith 

William  Hill  Tho:  and  Philip  cheslie 

John  york  John  Godard 

Nicholas  dow  Benjamin  york 

Charles  Adams  Samuel  willie 

Joseph  Stimson  Nichlas  Haris 

Steephin  Willie  Stimson 

Joseph  ffeild  John  dow 

Tho:  Moris  william  durgin 

Nicholas  Follett  John  woodman 

Robert  Burnum  William  Williams  senior 

Mr.  John  Cutt  (Non  Resident,)  Nathaniel  Lummack 

Salathiel  Denbow  davi  daniel 

Benjamin  Mathews  ffrancis  drew 

william  perkins  william  Pittmans 

george  goe  william  Follett 
This  provisions  is  to  be  paid  att  ye  price  followeth 
wheat  5s  6d  p  bushel,  Indian  Come  4s  p  bushel,  pease  4s  p  bushel,  beif 
2d>^   p  pound,  pork  4  p  pound,  barlie  4  p  bushel,  butter  5d  p  pound. 

There  were  other  names  on  the  list  to  which  the  word  '•  nothing  "  had 
been  added  :  viz  : 

Isaac  Stockes  Capt.  Barfoott 

Rich:  Pinckham  Elder  Wentworth 

ffrances  hyuck  (of  Bl  Pt) 

John  Migel  (O.  R.)  Joseph  Bickford  (O.  R.) 

Teage  Reall  (O.  R.)  Philip  Cromell  (O.  R.) 

The  highest  tax  payer  on  the  above  list  was  Capt  Waldern 
who  paid  Pds.  2-7-4 ;  the  second  was  John  Roberds  who  paid 
Pds.  i-i6-3><5;  the  third  Job  Clements,  paying  Pds.  i-i5-6>^; 
the  fourth  Richard  Otis,  paying  Pds.  1-5-7/^.  The  lowest  on 
the  list  were  John  EHs  and  six  or  seven  others,  each  of  whom 
paid  2s  6d. 

1676 
A   treaty  was  made  this   year  by  Wonolancet,   chief  of  the 
Penacooks,  with  Major  Waldron  in  behalf  of  the  Province,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

Piscataqua  River,  Cochecho, 

3  July- 

At  a  meeting  of  ye  Com  appointed  by  ye  Houd  Genl.  Ct.  for  to  treat 
ye  Inds.  of  the  Eastern  parts  in  order  for  ye  procuring  an  Honll  Peace 
with  ym.  Wee  wth  ye  mutll  consent  of  ye  Sagamores  l^nderwritten  in 
behalfe  of  themselves  and  ye  men  —  Indians  belonging  to  them  being 
about  300  in  Number,  have  agreed  as  followeth  : 

ily.     That  hence  forward  none  of  ye  said  Indians  shall  offer  any  vio- 


1676]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  81 

lence  to  ye  persons  of  any  English,  nor  doe  any  Damage  to  theyre 
Estates  in  any  kind  whatsoever.  And  if  any  Indian  or  Indians  shall 
offend  herein,  they  shall  bring  or  cause  to  bee  brought  ye  offender  to 
some  English  authority,  there  to  be  prosecuted  by  ye  English  Lawes 
according  to  Nature  of  ye  Offence. 

2ly.  That  none  of  said  Indians  shall  entertain  at  any  time  any  of  our 
enemies,  but  shall  give  psent  notice  to  ye  Coute  when  any  one  come 
among  them,  ingaging  to  goe  forth  with  ye  English  against  them  (if  de- 
sired )  in  order  to  ye  seizing  of  them.  And  if  any  of  sd  Indians  shall  them- 
selves at  any  time  bring  such  or  Enemies  vnto  vs,  they  shall  for  their 
reward  have  3  Pds.  for  each  they  shall  so  bring  in. 

3ly.  The  Indians  performing  on  their  part,  as  is  before  expressed, 
wee  ye  committee  doe  ingage  in  ye  behalfe  of  ye  English  not  to  offer  any 
violence  to  any  of  their  persons  or  estates,  and  if  any  injury  be  offered  to 
said  Indians  by  any  English  they  (their)  complaints  to  authority,  ye 
offender  shall  be  prosecuted  by  English  Lawes  according  to  ye  nature  of 
ye  offence  ; 

In  witness  to  each  and  all  ye  promises  we  have  mutually  shaken 
hands  and  subscribed  our  names. 

Richard  Waldern         X  Wanolucet,  Sagamore 
Committee   Nic.  Shapleigh  X  Sampson  Aboquecemoka 

Tho:  Daniels  X  Mr  Wm  Sagamore 

X  Squando,  Sagamore 
X  Dony 
X  Serogumba 

Samll  Numphow 
The  mark  X  Warockomec 

After  this  treaty  many  of  the  Indians  who  had  joined  in 
Philip's  war  upon  the  English  joined  themselves  to  the  Pena- 
cooks  hoping  that  by  means  of  Wonolancet's  influence  to  escape 
punishment.  By  the  invitation  of  Major  Waldron  this  sagamore 
had  come  to  Cochecho,  and  with  him  many  of  these  Indians  to 
the  number  of  three  or  four  hundred.  These  had  the  promise 
of  good  usage  and  had  the  advice  of  Major  Waldron  been  fol- 
lowed, good  faith  would  have  been  kept  with  them.  But  the 
renewal  of  hostilities  by  other  Indians,  occasioned  the  sending 
of  two  companies  of  soldiers  from  Massachusetts,  under  Captain 
Joseph  Syll  and  Captain  William  Hathorne.  In  the  course  of 
their  march,  they  came  to  Cochecho,  on  the  6th  of  September, 
where  the  Indians  were  met  at  the  house  of  Major  Waldron. 
The  two  captains  would  have  fallen  upon  them  at  once,  having 
it  in  their  orders  to  seize  all  Indians,  who  had  been  concerned 
in  the  war.  The  major  dissuaded  them  from  that  purpose,  and 
contrived  the  following  stratagem.  He  proposed  to  the  Indians 
to  have  a  training  the  next  day,  and  a  sham  fight  after  the 
English  mode  ;  and  summoning  his  own  men,  with  those  under 


82  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1676 

Captain  Frost  of  Kittery,  they,  in  conjunction  with  the  two 
companies,  formed  one  party,  and  the  Indians  another.  Having 
diverted  them  a  while  in  this  manner,  and  caused  the  Indians 
to  fire  the  first  volley,  by  a  peculiar  dexterity  the  whole  body  of 
them  (except  two  or  three)  were  surrounded,  before  they  could 
form  a  suspicion  of  what  was  intended.  They  were  immediately 
seized  and  disarmed,  without  the  loss  of  a  man  on  either  side. 
A  separation  was  then  made  :  Wonolancet,  with  the  Penacook 
Indians,  and  others  who  had  joined  in  making  peace  the  winter 
before,  were  peaceably  dismissed  ;  but  the  strange  Indians  (as 
they  were  called)  who  had  fled  from  the  southward  and  taken 
refuge  among  them,  were  made  prisoners,  to  the  number  of  two 
hundred  ;  and  being  sent  to  Boston,  seven  or  eight  of  them  who 
were  known  to  have  killed  any  Englishmen  were  condemned 
and  hanged  ;  the  rest  were  sold  into  slavery  in  foreign  parts. 
{Belknap.) 

This  is  the  account  of  the  affair  as  given  by  Dr.  Belknap, 
who  wrote  while  people  born  at  the  time,  the  children  of  some 
of  those  who  were  participants  or  eye  witnesses  of  it,  were  on 
the  stage  and  must  have  been  familiar  with  all  its  details. 

Tradition  adds  to  this  that  the  Indians  were  furnished  with 
a  cannon  mounted  upon  wheels,  which  pleased  them  very  much. 
They  were  ignorant  of  its  management  and  were  furnished  with 
gunners  by  the  English.  The  Indians  manned  the  drag  ropes, 
and  the  sham  fight  commenced.  In  changing  the  direction  of 
the  cannon,  the  English  gunners  ranged  the  piece  along  a  file  of 
the  Indians  upon  one  of  the  drag  ropes,  and  fired,  killing  and 
wounding  a  large  number.     This  was  attributed  to  accident. 

Major  Waldron,  it  is  evident,  was  deserving  of  praise  instead 
of  censure  for  his  prudent  course  in  this  matter,  and  had  the 
Indians  known  of  his  influence  in  their  favor,  it  would  doubtless 
have  prevented  the  massacre  that  took  place  13  years  afterwards, 
when  the  Major  was  sacrificed  to  avenge  the  wrongs  erroneously 
attributed  to  him.  Having  promised  them  good  usage  it  is 
clear  that  he  did  all  in  his  power  to  redeem  his  promise  and  by 
his  advice  saved  many  of  the  Indians  from  certain  death. 

The  heirs  of  Mason  revived  their  claims  to  the  Province  this 
year  by  petition  to  the  King,  and  at  a  public  town  meeting  in 
Dover,  in  July,  it  was  "unanimously  agreed  upon,  voted  and 
ordered  that  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Richard  Walderne, 
sarjent  Major,  do  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  our  town  petition 
his  Maj'te  that   he  would   interpose  his   Royal   authority  and 


167  7]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  83 

afford  us  his  wonted  favor,  that  we  be  not  disturbed  by  said 
Mason  or  any  other,  but  continue  peaceably  in  our  present  just 
rights  under  his  Majesty's  Massachusetts  Bay  government." 

They  further  declared  that  they  had  bona-fide  purchased  their 
lauds  of  the  Indians ;  recognized  their  subjection  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts,  under  whom  they  had  lived  happily,  and 
by  whom  they  were  now  assisted  in  defending  their  estates  and 
families  against  the  savage  enemy.     {Belk?iap.) 

The  General  Court  ordered  that  a  committee  of  militia  in  the 
towns  and  county  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  should  be  required 
to  "make  nine  several  rates  on  the  inhabitants  thereof,  accord- 
ing to  law,"  to  defray  the  charges  of  the  war. 

Dec.  21. — "Mr.  John  Rayner,  jr.  minister  of  Dover,  died  of  a 
cold  and  fever  that  he  took  in  the  field  among  the  soldiers." 
{HuWs  Diary ^  The  soldiers  composed  the  expedition  which 
arrived  in  Dover  Sept.  6,  and  those  under  the  command  of 
Major  Waldron,  who  joined  them  here.  Mr.  Rayner  doubtless 
acted  as  chaplain  while  they  were  in  service  here,  and  in  their 
march  eastward. 

1677 

March  30. — Indians  being  discovered  in  the  woods,  Major 
Waldron  sent  out  eight  of  the  Indians  in  his  employ,  one  of 
whom  was  called  Blind  Will,  to  obtain  further  information  in 
relation  to  them.  Those  sent  out  were  all  surprised  together, 
by  a  company  of  Mohawks;  two  or  three  escaped,  the  others 
were  either  killed  or  taken.  Blind  Will  was  dragged  away  by 
his  hair,  and  being  wounded,  perished  in  the  woods  on  a  neck 
of  land  formed  by  the  confluence  of  Cochecho  and  Ising-glass 
rivers,  which  still  bears  the  name  of  Blind  Will's  Neck. 

May  24. — The  Court  ordered  that  the  Indians  about  Piscataqua 
should  be  settled  about  Quochecho,  and  to  prevent  the  incon- 
venience by  Indians  travelling  the  woods  with  their  guns  it  was 
further  ordered  that  all  "neighbor  Indians  and  friends"  should 
be  enjoined  on  the  sight  of  any  English  person,  or  being  called 
unto,  to  immediately  lay  down  their  "  gunns,"  and  no  Indian  had 
liberty  to  travel  in  the  woods  on  this  side  of  the  Merrimack 
river  without  a  certificate  from  Major  Waldron. 

Oct.  22.— The  inhabitants  of  Dover,  opposed  to  Mason's 
claim  and  desirous  of  continuing  under  the  government  of 
Massachusetts,  addressed  a  petition  to  the  Home  government 
as  follows : 


84 


NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE 


1679] 


To  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty  —  The  humble  petition  of  your 
Majesty's  subjects  the  householders  of  the  towu  of  Dover  upou  the  Pis- 
cataqua  river,  New  Euglaud. 

That  forasmuch  as  through  the  goodness  of  God  and  the  favor  of  your 
Most  Excellent  Majesty  (which  like  the  sweet  influences  of  superior  or 
heavenly  bodies  to  the  tender  plants, )  hath  cherished  us  in  our  weaker 
beginnings,  having  been  continued  through  your  special  grace  under 
your  Majesty's  protection  and  government  of  the  Massachusetts,  to  which 
we  voluntarily  subjected  ourselves,  many  years  ago,  yet  not  without 
some  necessity,  in  part  felt  for  want  of  government,  and  in  part  feared 
upon  the  account  of  protection  which  hath  been  more  apparent  since  ; 
the  happy  event  or  issue  of  which  doth  cause  us  to  be  humble  and 
earnest  supplicants  to  your  Majesty  at  this  time,  that  we  may  be  continued 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Massachusetts  as  formerly,  our  full  acquiesc- 
ing wherein  and  ample  satisfaction  wherewith  we  do  hereby  make  our 
serious  profession  of,  and  do  therefore  beg  your  royal  assent  thereunto, 
which  favor  of  your  Majesty's  we  shall  account  as  a  cloud  of  the  latter 
rain  and  be  further  quickened  to  pray  for  all  manner  of  prosperity  upon 
your  Majesty's  person  and  councils  as  becomes  your  loyal  subjects. 

Dated  at  Dover  the  22d  October  1677. 

They  pray  to  be  continued  under  ye  Massachusetts  government. 


John  Evans  Richard  Waldron 

William  Shukford  William  Wentworth 

Isak  Trackie  John  Davis 

Gershom  X  Wentworth  John  Robearts 


John  Hill 
John  Rann 
Wm  Ffurber,  jr 
John  Gerrish 
George  X  Bacon 
JohnX  Winget 
Stephen  Jones 
Richard  X  Roe 
Thomas  X  Canney 
Thomas  X  Hamock 


Ezekell  X  Winford 
Thomas  Downes 
Joseph  Canne 
John  Church 
Thomas  Edgrly 
John  Dam 
John  Ham 
John  Hall,  jr 
William  Ffurber 
Henry  X  Langtof 
John  Hall,  senior 


Anthony  Nutter 
John  X  Hud 
John  X  Bickford 
Thomas  Beard 
Charles  X  Adams 
Job  Clements 
John  Bickford 
Nathaniel  Stones 
Ginkin  X  Jonnes 
Thomas  X  Roberts 

Those  with  an  X  made  their  marks. 


1678 
Under  this  year  Rev.  John  Pike  has  the  following  memoran- 
dum among  other  personal  "occurents"  in  his  journal: 

John  Pike  came  to  Dov^er  for  ye  work  of  the  ministry  Nov.  i. 


1679 
May  28. — In  answer  to  the  petition  of  Mrs.  Frances  Rayner, 
widow  of  Rev.  John  Rayner,  the  Court  ordered  that  the  select- 
men of   Dover    "do  take  effectual  care  to  settle  the  accounts 
between  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  and  Mrs.  Rayner,  admin- 


1679]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  85 

istratrix  to  the  estate  of  the  deceased  Mr.  John  Rayner,  relating 
to  his  salary,  and  the  payment  of  such  arrears  as  are  yet  unpaid, 
and  that  this  be  done  at  or  before  the  last  day  of  September 
next." 

May  30. — The  Court  ordered  the  County  Court,  next  to  be 
held  at  Dover,  to  "take  effectual  care  for  the  levying  of  the 
public  rates  payable  and  due  from  the  inhabitants  of  that  Court, 
as  well  those  on  the  Isle  of  Shoals,  as  elsewhere,  that  so  the 
dues  belonging  to  those  that  have  done  service  in  the  late  war, 
and  disbursed  their  estates  for  the  public,  may  be  paid  as  in 
equity  we  are  bound." 

Sept.  18. — The  union  of  New  Hampshire  with  Massachusetts 
was  dissolved  at  this  time  by  royal  proclamation.  John  Cutt 
was  appointed  President  of  the  Province  with  a  council  of  six 
of  the  principal  inhabitants,  of  whom  Richard  Waldron  of  Dover 
was  one.  Agreeably  to  the  royal  direction  they  chose  three 
other  gentlemen  into  the  council,  of  whom  Job  Clements  of 
Dover  was  one.  The  President  nominated  Major  Waldron  to 
be  his  deputy  or  vice-president  and  John  Roberts,  marshal. 


CHAPTER    III 

Under  Province  of  New  Hampshire 

1680 

Writs  were  issued  for  calling  a  General  Assembly,  the  persons 
in  each  town  who  were  judged  qualified  to  vote  were  named  in 
the  writs,  and  the  oath  of  allegiance  was  administered  to  each 
voter. 

The  number  of  qualified  voters  in  Dover  at  this  time  was  61, 
in    Portsmouth  71,  in    Hampton  57,  in  Exeter  20;  in  all   209. 

The  Assembly  met  at  Portsmouth  on  the  i6th  of  March.  The 
members  from  Dover  were  Peter  Coffin,  Anthony  Nutter  and 
Richard  Waldron,  jr. 

1681 

May  5. — Rev.  John  Pike,  the  minister  of  Dover,  married 
Sarah,  the  second  daughter  of  Mr.  Joshua  Moody,  the  minister 
of  Portsmouth.  Took  office  Aug.  31,  following,  being  a  stormy 
da3^  the  same  in  which  Mr.  Moody  with  his  wife  and  others 
were  overset  in  a  canoe,  and  in  some  danger  of  drowning. 
{Pike:) 

Another  attempt  of  Mason  to  revive  his  claims  was  success- 
fully resisted.  Having  come  over  from  England  with  a  man- 
damus, requiring  the  council  to  admit  him  to  a  seat  at  the  board, 
he  soon  endeavored  to  persuade  some  of  the  people  to  take 
leases  from  him,  threatening  others  if  they  did  not,  forbidding 
them  to  cut  firewood  and  timber,  asserting  his  right  to  the  prov- 
ince and  assuming  the  title  of  Lord  protector.  The  council 
having  prohibited  these  proceedings,  Mason  refused  to  hold  his 
seat  with  them,  and  a  warrant  being  issued  for  his  apprehension, 
he  suddenly  returned  to  England.  During  these  transactions 
President  Cutt  died,  and  Major  Waldron,  as  vice  president,  suc- 
ceeded him.  The  vacancy  made  in  the  council  by  the  death  of 
President  Cutt  was  filled  by  Richard  Waldron,  jr. 


1683]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  87 

1682 

Jan.  3. — Colonel  Waldrou's  mills  burnt  down  in  a  very  rainy 
night.      {Pike.) 

The  following  order,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Provincial 
Records,  shows  up  one  of  the  neighborhood  quarrels  of  the 
time  : 

To  the  Constable  of  Dover: — You  are  hereby  required,  in  his 
Majesty's  name,  to  summon  Ephraim  Trickie  to  appear  before  the  court 
to  morrow,  being  the  5th  instant,  to  answer  to  the  complaint  of  Mary 
Carter,  for  pulling  down  her  fence,  about  her  cornfield,  some  time  the 
last  week,  and  for  swearing  many  oaths.  And  you  are  also  hereby 
required  to  summon  Thomas  Bickford  to  appear  at  the  same  time  before 
the  court,  to  answer  for  his  swearing  many  oaths  at  the  same  time ; 
and  you  are  hereby  required  to  summon  Henry  Langstare,  sen.  to  appear, 
to  give  in  his  evidence  to  what  he  knows  about  the  fence  above  said 
being  thrown  dovyn.  Hereof  fail  not,  and  so  make  a  return  under  your 
hand. 

Dated  at  Portsmouth,  September  4th,  1682. 

By  me  :   Richard  Martyn  of  the  Council. 

I  have  summoned  the  persons  above  mentioned,  Ephraim  Trickie, 
Thomas  Bickford,  and  Henry  Langstare,  sen.  according  to  law,  to  give 
iu  evidence  in  the  case  intended. 

Sept.  4.  Will.  Henderson,  Constable. 

A  tax  of  four  pence  on  a  pound  was  laid  by  the  court  this 
year,  payable  in  merchantable  pine  boards,  at  "  any  convenient 
landing  place  in  Piscataqua  river,"  at  26s.  per  M.,  white  oak 
pipe  staves  at  50s.,  Red  oak,  35s,  beef  2d  per  lb.,  pork  3d,  corn 
3s  per  bush.,  wheat  5s,  peas  4s,  malt  3s,  fish  at  price  current; 
and  whoever  paid  their  rates  in  money  were  to  be  "  abated  one 
third." 

1683 

The  trial  of  Edward  Gove  for  "  high  treason  "  occurred  this 
year,  being  the  first  and  last  trial  of  the  kind  in  the  colony  or 
province  of  New  Hampshire.  Gove,  who  lived  in  that  part  of 
Hampton,  now  Seabrook,  was  a  leading  man  as  well  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  assembly,  and  was  very  active  in  his  opposition  to 
Mason's  claims  and  to  the  Governor  who  favored  them.  He 
finally  carried  his  opposition  so  far  as  to  visit  Dover,  Ports- 
mouth and  Exeter,  and  raised  men  to  rebel  against  the  govern- 
ment. Warrants  were  issued  for  his  arrest  and  when  a  justice 
and  a  constable  attempted  to  arrest  him  he  resisted  and  they 
failed  in  his  arrest.     He  with  his  followers  rode  from  Exeter  to 


88  NO  TABLE  E  VENTS  IN  THE  [  1 684 

Hampton  with  trumpets  blowing  and  drawn  swords.  At  Hamp- 
ton they  were  surrounded  and  taken,  all  but  the  trumpeter  who 
broke  through  and  escaped.  Gove  was  taken  to  Portsmouth 
and  a  special  court  was  summoned  Feb.  15,  1682-3,  when  he 
was  tried  for  high  treason,  found  guilty  and  sentenced  to  be 
hanged,  drawn  and  quartered.  Sentence  was  deferred  to  learn 
the  King's  pleasure.  He  was  sent  to  England  and  confined  in 
the  tower  of  lyondon  for  three  years,  was  pardoned  Sept.  14, 
1685,  returned  home  and  his  estate  was  restored  to  him. 

July  19. — Foul  weather  set  in  after  something  of  a  drought, 
and  continued  till  the  beginning  of  September,  to  the  great 
damage  and  almost  ruin  of  husbandry.     {Pike.) 

Oct.  8. — Writs  were  issued  on  the  complaint  of  Robert  Mason 
for  attaching  the  goods,  or  for  want  thereof,  taking  the  bodies  of 
Major  Waldron  and  other  inhabitants,  and  taking  bond  for  their 
appearance  at  the  court  of  pleas  to  be  held  at  Great  Island,  to 
answer  in  an  action  of  trespass  for  illegally  keeping  said  Mason 
out  of  possession  of  certain  lands  and  tenements  in  Cochecho, 
Dover,  and  other  places  in  the  said  province,  and  felling  his 
woods,  to  the  damage  of  three  thousand  pounds,  &c. 


Feb.  3. — An  earthquake  was  sensibly  observed  by  many, 
though  not  universally  perceived.  This  happened  Sabbath  day, 
4  o'clock  afternoon. 

March  13. — The  Governor  and  Council  ordered,  "that  the 
meeting  house  at  Dover  be  immediately  fortified,  and  a  line 
drawn  about  it,  which  meeting  house  shall  be  the  main  garrison 
for  defending  the  inhabitants  against  the  attacks  of  the  enemy; 
also  that  the  house,  formerly  called  the  watch  house,  be  a  by- 
guard;  likewise,  that  the  houses  of  Peter  Coffin,  Esq.  and 
Richard  Otis,  be  by-garrisons  for  Cochecho,  for  securing  the 
inhabitants  that  dwell  thereabout." 

March  22. — A  prodigious  tide,  rising  some  feet  higher  than 
the  observation  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  this  place,  did  great 
damage  to  wharves  and  warehouses  in  Boston  and  Pascataqua. 

April  22. — Happened  a  tide  a  little  inferior  to  the  former,  and 
in  some  places  flowed  somewhat  higher. 

Nov.  8. — Was  exceeding  dark,  from  ten  in  the  morning,  till 
two  in  the  afternoon,  which  might  be  occasioned  by  a  very  black 
and  thick  cloud  passing  over  very  low.  It  seemed  as  though  the 
sun  had  been  greatly  and  totally  eclipsed. 


1685]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  89 

1685 

The  attempt  of  the  heirs  of  Capt.  Mason  to  obtain  possession 
of  the  lands  claimed  by  them,  and  the  countenance  which  the}' 
received  from  the  courts  at  the  instigation  of  Gov.  Cranfield,  led 
to  forcible  resistance  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  inhabitants. 
Executions  were  issued  for  the  arrest  of  Major  Waldron  and 
other  principal  men.  An  attempt  being  made  to  serve  the  exe- 
cution in  Dover  a  number  of  persons  forcibly  resisted  the  officer, 
and  obliged  him  to  relinquish  his  design.  Warrants  were  then 
issued  against  the  rioters,  and  the  sheriff  with  his  attendants 
attempted  to  seize  them,  whilst  the  people  were  assembled  for 
divine  service.  This  caused  an  uproar  in  the  congregation,  in 
which  a  young  heroine  distinguished  herself  by  knocking  down 
one  of  the  officers  with  her  bible.  They  were  all  so  roughly 
handled  that  they  were  glad  to  escape  with  their  lives.    (Bclkyiap.) 

Mason  then  brought  suits  by  writ  against  Major  Waldron, 
who  had  always  distinguished  himself  in  opposition  to  his 
claim,  for  holding  lands  and  felling  timber,  to  the  amount  of 
four  thousand  pounds.  The  Major  appeared  in  court,  and 
challenged  every  one  of  the  jury  as  interested  persons,  some  of 
them  having  taken  leases  of  Mason,  and  all  of  them  having 
lands  which  he  claimed.  The  judge  then  caused  the  oath  of 
voire  dire  to  be  administered  to  each  juror,  purporting  "  that  he 
was  not  concerned  in  the  lands  in  question,  and  that  he  should 
neither  gain  or  lose  by  the  cause."  Upon  which  the  Major 
said  aloud  to  the  people  present,  "  that  his  was  a  leading  case, 
and  that  if  he  were  cast  they  must  all  become  tenants  of  Mason  ; 
and  that  all  persons  in  the  province  being  interested,  none  of 
them  could  legally  be  of  the  jury."  The  cause  however  went 
on  ;  but  he  made  no  defence,  asserted  no  title  and  gave  no  evi- 
dence. Judgment  was  given  against  him,  and  at  the  next  court 
he  was  fined  for  "mutinous  and  seditious  words." 

Suits  were  instituted  against  many  other  land  owners  and 
decided  in  the  same  summary  manner.  In  Dover,  besides 
Waldron,  there  were  John  Heard,  sen.  William  Home,  Jenkin 
Jones,  William  Furbur,  jr.  John  Hall,  jr.  Joseph  Field, 
Nathaniel  Hill,  James  Huckins,  William  Tasket,  Zachery 
Field,  Philip  Chesley,  jr.  Thomas  Chesley,  Robert  Burnham, 
Anthony  Nutter,  Williajn  Furbur,  sen.  Thomas  Paine,  Charles 
Adams,  Thomas  Edgerly,  Henry  Langstaff,  Thomas  Stevenson, 
John  Meader,  John  Woodman,  John  Windict,  John  Davis,  sen. 
Joseph  Beard,  John  Roberts,  Joseph  Stevenson,  Samuel  Hill, 


90  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1689 

Philip  Lewis,  John  Gerrish,  John  Hill,  Joseph  Hall,  Thomas 
Roberts,  sen.  and  perhaps  others,  who  were  thus  declared  dis- 
possessed. From  seven  to  twelve  cases  were  dispatched  each 
day.  Some  executions  were  levied  ;  but  the  officers  could 
neither  retain  possession  nor  find  purchasers,  so  that  the  property 
soon  reverted  to  its  owners. 

1686 

Sept,  13. — At  a  general  town  meeting  the  selectmen  were 
empowered  to  layout  highways  for  "  his  Majisty's  and  country's 
use"  in  all  parts  of  the  township  of  Dover. 

It  was  also  voted  to  pay  the  minister  of  Dover  60  Pounds, 
and  the  minister  at  Oyster  river  40  Pounds  for  the  year  ensuing 
from  the  loth  June  last,  ' '  in  such  species  and  prices  ' '  as  follows  : 
pine  boards  20  shillings,  pork  3d  per  lb,  wheat  5s  per  bush, 
peas  4s,  barley  3s,  corn  3s. 

John  Evans  was  voted  20  shillings  per  year,  besides  his  fees, 
so  long  as  he  shall  supply  the  office  of  town  clerk. 

1687 

April  27. — It  was  voted  that  the  selectmen  have  power  to 
make  a  rate  to  the  value  of  15  Pds.  for  the  relief  of  wadow 
Dorothy  Roberts  and  to  be  employed  for  her  use  ;  to  be  "  paid 
in  such  species  as  followeth  :  "  wheat  5s  per  bushel,  Indian 
corn  3s,  peas  4s,  pork  3d  per  lb,  beef  2d.  "  For  the  use  of  the 
poor,"  is  added  to  the  vote  in  parenthesis. 

This  winter  was  productive  of  few  snows,  and  those  very 
shallow.  It  seldom  fell  above  an  inch  at  a  time,  and  perhaps 
all  together  would  not  have  amounted  to  above  a  foot  or  a  foot 
and  a  half  deep  ;   but  many  rains  in  lieu  thereof.      {Pike) 

Sept.  3. — Pheasant  Eastwick,  coroner,  makes  return  of  an 
inquest  held  at  Oyster  river,  on  the  body  of  Elizabeth  Jenkins, 
wife  of  Stephen  Jenkins,  planter,  that  "she  wilfully  destroyed 
herself  by  casting  herself  into  the  water." 

1688 

"This  year  ye  meazells  raged  thro  out  ye  country,  beginning 
at  Boston  and  so  coming  eastward."     {Pike) 


June  27. — The  "destruction  of  Cochecho,"  as  it  was  called 
for  many  years,  occurred  at  this  time,  the  particulars  of  which 
are  mainly  from  Dr.  Belknap's  History. 


i689]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  91 

Thirteen  years  had  almost  elapsed  since  the  seizure  of  the  400  Indians, 
by  Major  Waldron.  During  all  tliis  time  an  inextinguishable  thirst  of 
revenge  had  been  cherished  by  them  which  never  till  now  found  oppor- 
tunity for  gratification.  Wonolaucet,  one  of  the  sachems  of  Penacook, 
who  was  dismissed  with  his  people  at  the  time  of  the  seizure,  always  ob- 
served his  father's  dying  charge  not  to  quarrel  with  the  English;  but 
Hagkins,  another  sachem,  with  some  of  those  Indians  who  were  seized 
and  sold  into  slavery  abroad  and  had  now  found  their  way  home,  could 
not  rest  till  they  had  revenge.  There  were  five  garrisoned  houses  at  the 
time  around  the  falls  where  are  now  situated  the  works  of  the  Cocheco 
Manufacturing  Co.  three  on  the  north  side,  viz.  Waldron's,  Otis'  and 
Heard's,  and  two  on  the  south  side,  viz.  Peter  Coffin's  and  his  son's. 
These  houses  were  surrounded  with  timber  walls,  the  gates  of  which,  as 
well  as  the  house  doors,  were  secured  with  bolts  and  bars.  The  neigh- 
boring families,  living  in  houses  not  fortified,  retired  to  these  houses  by 
night,  "  but  by  an  unaccountable  negligence,  no  watch  was  kept.  The 
Indians,  who  were  daily  passing  through  the  town,  visiting  and  trading 
with  the  inhabitants,  as  usual  in  time  of  peace,  viewed  their  situation 
with  an  attentive  eye.  Some  hints  of  a  mischievous  design  had  been 
given  out  by  their  squaws,  but  in  such  dark  and  ambiguous  terms  that 
no  one  could  comprehend  their  meaning.  Some  of  the  people  were 
uneasy,  but  Waldron,  who  from  a  long  course  of  experience,  was  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  Indians,  and  on  other  occasions  had  been 
ready  enough  to  suspect  them,  was  now  so  thoroughly  secure,  that  when 
some  of  the  people  hinted  their  fears  to  him,  he  merrily  bade  them  go 
and  plant  their  pumpkins,  saying  that  he  would  tell  them  when  the 
Indians  would  break  out.  The  very  evening  before  the  mischief  was 
done,  being  told  by  a  young  man  that  the  town  was  full  of  Indians  and 
the  people  were  much  concerned ;  he  answered  that  he  knew  the  Indians 
very  well  and  there  was  no  danger." 

The  plan  which  the  Indians  had  formed  was,  that  two  squaws  should 
go  to  each  of  the  garrisoned  houses,  in  the  evening,  and  ask  leave  to 
lodge  by  the  fire  ;  that  in  the  night  when  the  people  were  asleep,  they 
should  open  the  doors  and  gates,  and  give  the  signal  by  a  whistle ;  upon 
which  the  strange  Indians,  who  were  to  be  within  hearing,  should  rush 
in  and  take  their  long  meditated  revenge.  On  the  evening  of  Thursday, 
the  27th  of  June,  two  squaws  accordingly  applied  to  each  of  the  garri- 
sons for  lodgings,  as  they  frequently  did  in  time  of  peace.  They  were 
admitted  into  all  but  the  younger  Coffin's,  and  the  people  at  their  request, 
showed  them  how  to  open  the  doors,  in  case  they  should  have  occasion 
to  go  out  in  the  night.  Mesandowit,  one  of  their  chiefs,  went  to  Wal- 
dron's garrison,  and  was  kindly  entertained,  as  he  had  often  been  before. 
The  squaws  told  the  Major  that  a  number  of  Indians  were  coming  to 
trade  with  him  the  next  day,  and  Mesandowit  while  at  supper,  with  his 
usual  familiarity,  said,  "Brother  Waldron,  what  would  you  do  if  the 
strange  Indians  should  come  ? "  The  Major  carelessly  answered,  that  he 
could  assemble  an  hundred  men,  by  lifting  up  his  finger.  In  this  unsus- 
pecting confidence  the  family  retired  to  rest. 

When  all  was  quiet  the  gates  were  opened  and  the  signal  was  given. 
The  Indians  entered,  set  a  guard  at  the  door,  and  rushed  into  the  major's 


92  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1689 

apartment,   which    was  an   inner  room.      Awakened    by   the    noise,    he 
jumped  out  of  bed,  and  though  now  advanced  in  life  to  the  age  of  eighty 
years,  he  retained  so  much  vigor  as  to  drive  them  with  his  sword  through 
two  or  three  doors,  but  as  he  was  returning  for  his  other  arms  they  came 
behind   him,  stunned  him  with  a  hatchet,  drew  him  into  his  hall,  and 
seating  him  in  an  elbow  chair,  on  a  long  table,  insultingly  asked  him, 
"  Who  shall  judge  Indians  now  ?"     They  then  obliged  the  people  in  the 
house  to  get  them  some  victuals,  and  when  they  had  done  eating  they 
cut  the  major  across  the  breast  and  belly  with  knives,  each  one  with  a 
stroke  saying,  "I  cross  out  my  account."     They  then  cut  off  his  nose 
and  ears,  forcing  them  into  his  mouth;  and  when  spent  with  the  loss  of 
blood,  he  was  falling  down  from  the  table,  one  of  them  held   his  own 
sword  under  him,  which  put  an  end  to  his  misery.     They  also  killed  his 
son-in-law  Abraham  Lee,  but  took  his  daughter  Lee  with  several  others, 
and  having  pillaged  the  house,  set  it  on  fire.     Otis's  garrison,  which  was 
next  to  the  Major's  met  with  the  same  fate  ;   he  was  killed  with  several 
others,  and  his  wife  and  children  made  prisoners.     Heard's  was  saved  by 
the  barking  of  a  dog,  just  as  the  Indians  were    entering.     Elder  Went- 
worth,  who  was  awakened  by  the  noise,  pushed  them  out,  and  falling  on 
his  back,  set  his  feet  against  the  gate  and  held  it  till  he  had  alarmed  the 
people.     Two  balls  were  fired  through  it,  but  both  missed  him.     Coffin's 
house  was  surprised,  but  as  the  Indians  had  no  particular  emnity  to  him, 
they  spared  his  life  and  the  lives  of  his  family  and  contented  themselves 
with    pillaging   the   house.     Finding  a   bag  of  money,   they  made  him 
throw  it  by  handfuls  on  the  floor,  while   they  amused  themselves    by 
scrambling  for  it.     They  then  went  to  the  house  of  his  son,  who  would 
not  admit  the  squaws  in  the  evening,  and  summoned  him  to  surrender, 
promising  him  quarter.     He  declined  their  offer,  and  determined  to  de- 
fend his  house,  till  they  brought  out  his  father  and  threatened  to  kill 
him  before  his  eyes.     Filial  affection  then  overcame  his  resolution  and 
he  surrendered.     They  put  both  families  together  into  a  deserted  house, 
intending  to  reserve  them  for  prisoners,  but  while  the  Indians  were  busy 
in  plundering,  they  all  escaped.    Twenty-three  people  were  killed  in  this 
surprisal,  and  twenty-nine  made  prisoners.     Five  or  six  houses  with  the 
mills  were  burned.     So  expeditious  were  the  Indians  in  the  execution  of 
their  plot,  that  before  the  people  could  be  collected  from  the  other  parts 
of  the  town  to  oppose  them,  they  fled  with  their  prisoners  and  booty.  As 
they  passed  Heard's  garrison  in  their  retreat,  they  fired  upon  it,  but   the 
people  being  prepared  and  resolved   to  defend  it,  and  the  enemy  being 
in   haste,  it  was   preserved.      The  preservation  of  its  owner  was  more 
remarkable. 

Elizabeth  Heard,  with  her  three  sons  and  a  daughter,  and  some  others, 
were  returning  in  the  night  from  Portsmouth.  They  passed  up  the 
river  in  their  boat  unperceived  by  the  Indians,  who  were  then  in  posses- 
sion of  the  houses ;  but  suspecting  danger  by  the  noise  they  heard, 
after  they  had  landed  they  betook  themselves  to  Waldron's  garrison, 
where  they  saw  lights,  which  they  imagined  were  set  up  for  direction  to 
those  who  might  be  seeking  a  refuge.  They  knocked  and  begged  earn- 
estly for  admission,  but  no  answer  being  given  a  young  man  of  the 
company  climbed  up  the  wall  and  saw  to  his  inexpressible  surprise,  an 


1689]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  93 

luiliau  standing  in  the  door  of  the  house  with  his  gun.  The  woman 
was  so  overcome  with  the  fright  that  she  was  unable  to  fly,  but  begged 
her  children  to  shift  for  themselves,  and  they  with  heavy  hearts  left  her. 
When  she  had  a  little  recovered,  she  crawled  into  some  bushes  and  lay 
there  till  daylight.  She  then  perceived  an  Indian  coming  toward  her 
with  a  pistol  in  his  hand  ;  he  looked  at  her  and  went  away  ;  returning  he 
looked  at  her  again,  and  she  asked  him  what  he  would  have;  he  made 
no  answer,  but  ran  yelling  to  the  house,  and  she  saw  him  no  more.  She 
kept  her  place  till  the  house  was  burned  and  the  Indians  were  gone,  and 
then  returning  home  found  her  own  house  safe.  Her  preservation  in 
these  dangerous  circumstances  was  more  remarkable,  if,  as  is  supposed, 
it  was  an  instance  of  justice  and  gratitude  in  the  Indians.  At  the  time 
when  the  four  hundred  were  seized  in  1676,  a  yoving  Indian  escaped  and 
took  refuge  in  her  house,  where  she  concealed  him  ;  in  return  for  which 
kindness  he  promised  her  that  he  would  never  kill  her,  nor  any  of  her 
family  in  any  future  war,  and  that  he  would  use  his  influence  with  the 
other  Indians  to  the  same  purpose.  This  Indian  was  one  of  the  party 
who  surprised  the  place  and  she  was  well  known  to  the  most  of  them. 

The  same  day,  after  the  mischief  was  done,  a  letter  from  Secretary 
Addington,  written  by  order  of  the  government,  directed  to  Major  Wal- 
dron,  giving  him  notice  of  the  intention  of  the  Indians  to  surprise  him 
under  pretence  of  trade,  fell  into  the  hands  of  his  son.  This  design  was 
communicated  to  Governor  Bradstreet  by  Major  Hinchman  of  Chelms- 
ford, who  had  learned  it  of  the  Indians.  The  letter  was  despatched 
from  Boston,  the  day  before,  by  Mr.  Weare ;  but  some  delay  which  he 
met  with  at  Newbury  ferry  prevented  its  arrival  in  season. 

The  prisoners  taken  at  this  time  were  mostly  carried  to  Canada,  and 
sold  to  the  French,  being  the  first  that  were  ever  carried  there.  One  of 
these  prisoners  was  Sarah  Gerrish,  a  remarkably  fine  child  of  seven 
years,  and  grand-daughter  of  Major  Waldron,  in  whose  house  she  lodged 
that  fatal  night.  Some  circumstances  attending  her  captivity  are  truly- 
affecting.  When  she  was  awakened  by  the  noise  of  the  Indians  in  the 
house,  she  crept  into  another  bed  and  hid  herself  under  the  clothes  to 
escape  their  search.  She  remained  in  their  hands  till  the  next  winter 
and  was  sold  from  one  to  another  for  several  times.  An  Indian  girl  once 
pushed  her  into  the  river,  but  catching  hold  by  the  bushes,  she  escaped 
drowning,  yet  durst  not  tell  how  she  came  to  be  wet.  Once  she  was  so 
weary  with  travelling  that  she  did  not  awake  in  the  morning  till  the 
Indians  were  gone  and  then  found  herself  alone  in  the  woods,  covered 
with  snow  and  without  any  food.  Having  found  their  tracks  she  went 
crying  after  them  till  they  heard  her  and  took  her  with  them.  At  another 
time  they  kindled  a  great  fire  and  the  young  Indians  told  her  she  was  to 
be  roasted.  She  burst  into  tears,  threw  her  arms  around  her  master's 
neck  and  begged  him  to  save  her,  which  he  promised  to  do  if  she  would 
behave  well.  In  Canada,  she  was  bought  by  the  Intendant's  lady,  who 
treated  her  well  and  sent  her  to  a  nunnery  for  her  education.  But  when 
Sir  William  Phipps  was  at  Quebec  she  was  exchanged  and  returned  to 
her  friends,  with  whom  she  lived  till  she  was  sixteen  years  old. 

The  wife  of  Richard  Otis  was  taken  at  the  same  time,  with  an  infant 
daughter  of  three  months  old.     The  French  priests  took  this  child  under 


94  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1690 

Iheir  care,  baptized  her  by  the  name  of  Christina,  and  educated  her  in 
the  Romish  religion.  She  passed  some  time  in  a  nunnery,  but  declined 
taking  the  veil,  and  was  married  to  a  Frenchman,  by  whom  she  had 
two  children.  But  her  desire  to  see  New  England  was  so  strong,  that 
upon  an  exchange  of  prisoners  in  1714,  being  then  a  widow,  she  left 
both  her  children,  who  were  not  permitted  to  come  with  her,  and 
returned  home,  where  she  abjured  the  Romish  faith.  She  was  married 
afterwards  to  Capt.  Thomas  Baker,  and  lived  in  Dover  till  her  death  in 
1773- 

Oct.  28. — At  a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  meeting  house 
on  the  Neck,  lyieut.  John  Tuttle  was  chosen  to  open  the  votes 
at  Portsmouth  for  the  choice  of  a  commissioner,  for  the  joining 
with  the  commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  to  join  with 
the  rest  of  the  representatives  of  the  Province,  in  giving  such 
instructions  to  the  said  commissioners  as  shall  be  thought  meet, 
for  the  vigorous  management  of  the  present  war. 

1690 
Jan.  I. — At  a  public  town  meeting  the  following  proceedings 
took  place  in  reference  to  the  government  of  the  Province  which 
had  been  thrown  into  disorder  by  the  revolution  in  Massachu- 
setts, whereb}'  the  Andros  Government  had  been  overthrown: 

Whereas  this  Province,  since  the  last  revolution  in  the  Massachusetts 
Colony,  has  been  destitute  of  government,  and  has  hitherto  waited 
their  Majesties'  order  for  a  settlement  thereof,  which,  not  yet  arriving, 
and  seeing  a  present  necessity  of  falling  into  some  method  of  government, 
in  order  to  our  defence  against  the  common  enemy  : 

Voted,  nemine  contradicente,  that  six  persons  be  chosen  in  this  town, 
as  commissioners,  to  meet  with  the  commissioners  of  the  other  towns  of 
the  Province,  to  confer  about  and  resolve  upon  a  method  of  government 
within  this  Province,  and  what  the  said  commissioners  of  the  whole 
Province,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  conclude  upon,  and  agree  as 
to  the  settlement  of  government  among  us  :  we,  the  inhabitants  of  Dover, 
shall  hold  as  good  and  valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes;  hereby  obliging 
ourselves  to  yield  all  ready  obedience  thereiinto,  until  their  Majesties' 
order  shall  arrive  for  the  settlement  of  the  government  over  us. 

The  persons  chosen  by  the  majority  of  votes  of  the  town  are  Capt. 
John  Woodman,  Capt.  John  Gerrish,  Lieut.  John  Tuttle,  Mr.  Thomas 
Edgerly,  Lieut.  John  Roberts,  Mr.  Nicholas  Follett. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  commissioners  from  the  towns  of 
Dover,  Portsmouth  and  Exeter,  they  came  to  no  conclusion;  but 
afterward,  they  thought  it  best  to  return  to  their  ancient  union 
with  Massachusetts.  A  petition  for  this  purpose,  signed  by  392 
persons,  being  presented,  tTiey  were  readily  admitted  till  the 
King's  pleasure  should  be  known;  and  the  members  were  sent 
to  the  general  court  which  met  there  in  this  and  the  two  follow- 


1690]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  95 

ing  years.  The  gentlemen  who  had  formerly  been  in  commission 
for  the  peace,  the  militia  and  the  civil  oflSces,  were  by  town 
votes,  approved  by  the  general  court,  restored  to  their  places, 
and  ancient  laws  and  customs  continued  to  be  observed. 
{Belknap.) 

In  addition  to  this  statement  of  Belknap,  the  following  from 
C.  W.  Tuttle,  Esq.,  published  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Society  gives  details  of  interest. 

"When  the  memorable  year  1689  ended,  the  four  towns  in  New 
Hampshire  were  still  without  union  and  without  government.  The 
prospect  of  having  a  provincial  government  set  over  them  by  William 
and  Mary  was  no  better  than  when  the  government  of  Andros  was 
withdrawn  from  them,  more  than  eight  months  before.  *  *  *  At 
this  juncture  of  affairs,  Portsmouth,  Dover  and  Exeter  came  to  an 
understanding  that  each  should  choose  commissioners  with  full  power 
to  meet  in  joint  convention  and  devise  "some  method  of  govern- 
ment in  order  to  their  defence  against  the  common  enemy."  Hamp- 
ton, at  first  reluctant,  finally  joined  with  the  other  towns.  Each 
selected  six  delegates,  with  the  exception  of  Exeter,  which  elected 
four,  making  22  in  all.  They  were  the  chief  persons  in  the  four 
towns  of  the  Province,  and  heads  of  families.  The  commissioners  met 
in  Portsmouth  on  the  24th  Jan.  1690.  How  they  organized  and  who  their 
officers  were,  is  unknown.  The  Convention  unanimously  adopted  a 
simple  form  of  government,  substantially  like  that  set  over  the  Province 
by  the  royal  Commissions  of  Charles  II,  to  President  Cutt  and  also  Lt. 
Gov.  Cranfield.  To  give  their  act  the  greatest  force  and  authority,  each 
and  every  member  of  the  Convention  set  his  hand  to  the  instrument  on 
which  was  drawn  the  form  of  the  new  provincial  government.  This 
celebrated  document,  the  only  remaining  record  of  the  Convention  now 
known,  is  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Pickering,  a  lawyer  of  Portsmouth, 
and  a  member  of  the  Convention.  Having  finished  its  labors,  the  Con- 
vention adjourned  to  meet  again ,  after  the  election  of  officers  for  the  new 
government,  and  count  the  votes." 

This  venerable  document  came  to  Mr.  Tuttle's  hands  several 
years  since  among  the  papers  of  John  Tuttle,  a  member  of  the 
Convention  and  his  paternal  ancestor.  It  had  never  before 
appeared  in  print  and  no  copy  of  it  was  preserved  in  the  public 

archives. 

Form  of  Government. 

New  Hampshire  in  New  England. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  chosen  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
respective  towns  within  this  Province  for  the  settlement  of  a  method  of 
order  and  government  over  the  same,  until  their  Majesties  take  care 
thereof,  held  in  Portsmouth  the  24th  of  January  1689-90. 

Whereas,  Since  the  late  revolution  in  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  no 
order  from  their  Majesties  has  yet  arrived  for  the  settlement  of  govern- 
ment in  this  Province,  and  no  authority  being  left  in  the  Province  save 


96  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1690 

that  of  the  late  Justice  of  Peace:  which,  considering  our  present  circum- 
stances, cannot  answer  the  end  of  government,  viz.  the  raising  of  men, 
money,  &c.  for  our  defence  against  the  common  enemy. 

Resolved,  That  a  President  and  Council,  consisting  of  ten  persons,  as 
also  a  Treasurer  and  Secretary,  be  chosen  in  the  Province,  in  manner  and 
form  following:  viz.  for  the  Council,  three  persons  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Portsmouth,  three  persons  of  the  inhabitants  of  Hampton,  two 
persons  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dover,  and  two  persons  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Exeter;  which  persons  shall  be  chosen  by  the  major 
vote  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  where  they  live,  and  the  President, 
Treasurer  and  Secretary  to  be  chosen  by  a  major  vote  of  the  whole 
Province,  which  President  shall  also  have  the  power  over  the  militia 
of  the  Province  as  major,  and  the  President  and  Council  so  chosen,  or 
the  major  part  thereof,  shall  with  all  convenient  speed  call  an  assembly 
of  the  representatives  of  the  people  not  exceeding  three  persons  from 
one  town,  which  said  President  &  Council  or  the  major  part  of  them, 
whereof  the  President  or  his  Deputy  to  be  :  or  together  with  the  repre- 
sentatives aforesaid,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  from  time  to  time  shall 
make  such  acts  and  orders,  and  exert  such  powers  and  authority  as  may 
in  all  respects  have  a  tendency  to  the  preservation  of  the  peace,  punish- 
ment of  offenders,  and  defence  of  their  Majesties'  subjects  against  the 
common  enemy,  provided  they  exceed  not  the  bounds  his  late  Majesty, 
King  Charles  the  Second,  was  graciously  pleased  to  limit  in  his  royal 
commission  to  the  late  President  and  Council  of  this  Province. 

Robt:  Wadleigh     John  Woodman       Henry  Green  Nathanll  Fryer 

Willm  Hilton         John  Gerrish  Nathll  Weare  Wm.  Vaughn 

Samuel  Leavitt      John  Tuttle  Samuel  Shurbern  Robt  Elliott 

his 
Jonathan  Thing     Thomas  Edgerly     Morris  X  Hobbs     Richd  Waldron 

mark 

John  Robearts        Henry  Dow  John  Pickerin 

Nich.  Follett  Edward  Gove  Tho.  Cobbett 

Jan.  30. — A  town  meeting  was  held  in  Dover  to  choose  two 
members  of  the  Council,  and  to  vote  for  President,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  Capt.  John  Gerrish  and  Capt.  John  Woodman  were 
elected  members  of  the  Council.  The  votes  for  the  other  Pro- 
vincial officers  were  given  and  sealed  up  to  be  opened  by  the 
commissioners  and  counted  with  the  votes  of  the  other  towns. 

About  the  same  time  a  meeting  was  held  in  Hampton  for  a 
similar  purpose,  when  a  majority  agreed  not  to  vote  for  any 
provincial  officers,  to  the  great  surprise  of  the  whole  Province, 
the  six  commissioners  from  that  town  having  agreed  in  Conven- 
tion to  the  form  of  government.  This  action  put  an  end  to  the 
attempt  to  form  a  provincial  government,  and  a  union  was 
formed  with  Massachusetts  as  related  by  Dr.  Belknap. 

March  18.— Salmon  Falls  was  surprised  by  the  Indians  and 
French,   just  after  the  manner  of  Cochecho.     The  whole  place 


1692]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.  H.  97 

was    destroyed    by    fire;     27    persons    slain,    and    52    carried 
captive. 

The  party  which  came  from  Trois  Rivieres,  was  under  the 
command  of  Sieur  Hertel,  an  ofl&cer  of  great  repute  in  Canada, 
and  consisted  of  52  men  of  whom  25  were  Indians  under  Hoop- 
hood,  a  noted  warrior. 

July  6. — Two  companies  under  the  Captains  Floyd  &  Wiswall, 
who  were  scouting,  discovered  an  Indian  track,  which  they  pur- 
sued till  they  came  up  with  the  enemy  at  Wheelwright's  Pond, 
in  Ivce  (then  a  part  of  Dover),  where  a  bloody  engagement 
ensued  for  some  hours;  in  which  Wiswall,  his  lieutenant, 
Flagg,  and  sergeant  Walker,  with  twelve  more,  were  killed, 
and  several  wounded.  It  was  not  known  how  many  of  the 
enemy  fell,  as  they  always  carried  off  their  dead.  Floyd  main- 
tained the  fight  after  Wiswall's  death,  till  his  men,  fatigued  and 
wounded,  drew  off;  which  obliged  him  to  follow.  The  enemy 
retreated  at  the  same  time  ;  for  when  Captain  Convers  went  to 
look  after  the  wounded,  he  found  seven  alive,  w^hom  he  brought 
in  by  sunrise  the  next  morning,  and  then  returned  to  bury  the 
dead.      {Belkyiap.) 

1691 

The  heirs  of  Mason  having  sold  their  title  to  lands  in  New 
Hampshire  to  Samuel  Allen,  a  London  merchant,  the  latter  pro- 
cured a  commission  for  government  of  New  Hampshire,  in 
which  his  son-in-law,  John  Usher,  was  named  as  lieutenant 
governor,  with  power  to  execute  the  commission  in  Allen's 
absence.  The  people  of  Dover  and  the  other  towns  in  the 
province  again  submitted,  with  extreme  reluctance,  to  the 
unavoidable  necessity  of  being  under  a  government  distinct 
from  Massachusetts.     {Betkjiap.) 

1692 

Nov.  28. — The  Provincial  Council,  to  prevent  the  drawing  off 
of  the  soldiers  from  Cochecho  and  Oyster  river,  ordered  the 
Treasurer  to  disburse  twenty  or  thirty  pounds  to  supply  said 
soldiers  with  provisions,  and  to  enable  them  to  continue  at  their 
posts  for  the  better  defence  of  the  Province.     {Pivv.  Records.) 

Dec.  25. — A  doeful  and  tremendous  noise  was  affirmed  to  be 
heard  in  the  air  nigh  Capt.  Gerrish's  garrison,  which  continued 
with  a  little  intermission  near  half  an  hour.     {Pike.) 


98  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1694 

1693 

Jan.  21.  —  Another  small  earthquake  happened  about  two 
hours  before  day. 

May  10.  —  Tobias  Hanson  killed  by  the  Indians,  as  he 
travelled  the  path  near  the  west  corner  of  Thomas  Downs' 
field. 

Oct.  15.  —  Sabbath  day,  about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a 
great  rumbling  noise  was  heard  by  many  towards  the  northeast, 
supposed  to  be  a  considerable  earthquake.     {Pike.) 

The  General  Assembly  in  ordering  that  every  town  in  the 
Province  should  provide  a  schoolmaster  for  the  supply  of  the 
town  on  penalty  of  ten  pounds,  excepted  Dover  during  the  war 
wnth  the  French  and  Indians  from  the  provisions  of  the  act. 
This  exemption  was  doubtless  in  consequence  of  the  desolation 
of  the  town  in  1689,  from  which  it  had  not  yet  sufficiently 
recovered  to  support  the  charge  of  a  school. 

1694 
The  settlement  at  Oyster  river  was  attacked  by  the  Indians, 
under  the  lead  of  Villieu,  a  French  missionary,  in  this  year.  A 
body  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  them,  collected  from  the 
tribes  of  St.  John,  Penobscot  and  Norridgewog,  approached 
the  place  undiscovered  and  halted  near  the  falls  on  Tuesday 
evening,  the  17th  of  July.  The  settlement  was  on  both  sides  of 
the  river  and  the  houses  chiefly  near  the  water.  There  were 
twelve  garrisoned  houses  in  all,  sufficient  for  the  defence  of  the 
inhabitants,  but  apprehending  no  danger,  some  families  remained 
at  their  own  unfortified  houses,  and  those  who  were  in  the 
garrisons  were  but  indifferently  provided  for  defence,  some  being 
even  destitute  of  powder.  The  Indians  were  formed  in  two 
divisions,  one  of  which  was  to  go  on  each  side  of  the  river 
and  plant  themselves  in  ambush,  in  small  parties,  near  every 
house,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  the  attack  at  the  rising  of  the  sun  ; 
and  the  first  gun  was  to  be  the  signal.  John  Dean,  whose  house 
stood  by  the  saw-mill  at  the  falls,  intending  to  go  from  home 
very  early,  arose  before  the  dawn  of  day,  and  was  shot  as  he 
came  out  of  his  door.  This  firing,  in  part,  disconcerted  their 
plan  ;  several  parties  who  had  some  distance  to  go,  had  not  then 
arrived  at  their  stations ;  and  the  inhabitants  in  general  being 
alarmed,  some  of  them  had  time  to  make  their  escape,  and 
others  to  prepare  for  their  defence. 


1694]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  99 

Of  the  twelve  garrisoned  houses,  five  were  destroyed,  viz.  Adams', 
Drew's,  Edgerly's,  Header's,  and  Beard's.  They  entered  Adams'  with- 
out resistance,  where  they  killed  fourteen  persons;  "the  grave  is  still  to 
be  seen  in  which  they  were  all  buried."  Drew  surrendered  his  garrison 
on  the  promise  of  security,  but  was  murdered  when  he  fell  into  their 
hands.  One  of  his  children,  a  boy  nine  years  old,  was  made  to  run 
through  a  lane  of  Indians  as  a  mark  for  them  to  throw  their  hatchets  at, 
till  they  had  dispatched  him.  Edgerly's  was  evacuated.  The  people 
took  their  boat,  and  one  of  them  was  mortally  wounded  before  they  got 
out  of  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot.  Beard's  and  Meader's  were  also 
evacuated  and  the  people  escaped.  The  defenceless  houses  were  nearly 
all  set  on  fire,  the  inhabitants  being  either  killed  or  taken  in  them,  or 
else  in  endeavoring  to  fly  to  the  garrisons.  Some  escaped  by  hiding  in 
the  bushes  and  other  secret  places.  Thomas  Edgerly,  by  concealing  him- 
self in  his  cellar,  preserved  his  house,  though  twice  set  on  fire.  The 
house  of  John  Buss,  the  minister,  was  destroyed,  with  a  valuable 
library.  He  was  absent;  his  wife  and  family  fled  to  the  woods  and 
escaped.  The  wife  of  John  Dean,  at  whom  the  first  gun  was  fired,  was 
taken  with  her  daughter,  and  carried  about  two  miles  up  the  river, 
where  they  were  left  under  the  care  of  an  old  Indian,  while  the  others 
returned  to  their  bloody  work.  The  Indian  complained  of  a  pain  in  his 
head,  and  asked  the  woman  what  would  be  a  proper  remedy;  she 
answered  occapee,  which  is  the  Indian  word  for  rum,  of  which  she  knew 
he  had  taken  a  bottle  from  her  house.  The  remedy  being  agreeable,  he 
took  a  large  dose  and  soon  fell  asleep,  and  she  took  that  opportunity  to 
make  her  escape,  with  her  child,  into  the  woods,  and  kept  herself  con- 
cealed till  they  were  gone. 

The  other  seven  garrisons,  viz.  Burnham's,  Bickford's,  Smith's,  Davis', 
Bunker's,  Jones'  and  Woodman's,  were  resolutely  and  successfully  de- 
fended. At  Burnham's,  the  gate  was  left  open.  The  Indians,  ten  in 
number,  who  were  appointed  to  surprise  it,  were  asleep  under  the 
bank  of  the  river,  at  the  time  the  alarm  was  given.  A  man  within, 
who  had  been  kept  awake  by  the  toothache,  hearing  the  first  gun, 
aroused  the  people  and  secured  the  gate,  just  as  the  Indians,  who  were 
awakened  by  the  same  noise,  were  entering.  Finding  themselves  dis- 
appointed, they  ran  to  Pitman's  defenceless  house,  and  forced  the  door 
at  the  moment  that  he  had  burst  a  way  through  that  end  of  the  house 
which  was  next  to  the  garrison,  to  which  he  with  his  family,  taking 
advantage  of  the  shade  of  some  trees,  it  being  moonlight,  happily 
escaped.  Still  defeated,  they  attacked  the  house  of  John  Davis,  which 
after  some  resistance,  he  surrendered  on  terms ;  but  the  terms  were 
violated  and  the  whole  family  was  either  killed  or  made  captives. 
Thomas  Bickford  preserved  his  house  in  a  singular  manner.  It  was 
situated  near  the  river  and  surrounded  with  a  palisade.  Being  alarmed 
before  the  enemy  had  reached  the  house,  he  sent  off  his  family  in  a  boat, 
and  then  shutting  his  gate,  betook  himself  alone  to  the  defence  of  his 
fortress.  Despising  alike  the  promises  and  threats  by  which  the  Indians 
would  have  persuaded  him  to  surrender,  he  kept  up  a  constant  fire  at 
them,  changing  his  dress  as  often  as  he  could,  showing  himself  with  a 
different   cap,  hat   or  coat,   and  sometimes  without   either,  and   giving 


100  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1694 

directions  alond  as  if  he  had  a  number  of  men  with  him.  Finding  their 
attempt  vain,  the  enemy  withdrew,  and  left  him  sole  master  of  the  house, 
which  he  had  defended  with  such  admirable  address.  Smith's,  Bunker's 
and  Davis'  garrisons  being  seasonably  apprised  of  the  danger,  were 
resolutely  defended.  One  Indian  was  supposed  to  be  killed  and  another 
wounded  by  a  shot  from  Davis'.  Jones'  garrison  was  beset  before  day. 
Captain  Jones  hearing  his  dogs  bark  and  imagining  wolves  might  be 
near,  went  out  to  secure  some  swine  and  returned  unmolested.  He  then 
went  up  into  the  fiankhart  and  sat  on  the  wall.  Discerning  the  flash  of 
a  gun,  he  dropped  backward;  the  ball  entered  the  place  from  which  he 
had  withdrawn  his  legs.  The  enemy  from  behind  a  rock  kept  firing  on 
the  house  for  sometime  and  then  quitted  it.  During  these  transactions, 
the  French  priest  took  possession  of  the  meeting-house,  and  employed 
himself  in  writing  on  the  pulpit  with  chalk,  but  the  house  received  no 
damage. 

Those  parties  of  the  enemy  who  were  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
having  completed  their  destructive  work,  collected  in  a  field  adjoining 
Burnham's  garrison,  where  they  insultingly  showed  their  prisoners  and 
derided  the  people,  thinking  themselves  out  of  reach  of  their  shot.  A 
young  man  from  the  sentry-box  fired  at  one  who  was  making  some 
indecent  signs  of  defiance  and  wounded  him  in  the  heel  :  him  they 
placed  on  a  horse  and  carried  away.  Both  divisions  then  met  at  the 
falls,  where  they  had  parted  the  evening  before,  and  proceeded  together 
to  Capt.  Woodman's  garrison.  The  ground  being  uneven,  they  ap- 
proached without  danger,  and  from  behind  a  hill  kept  up  a  long  and 
severe  fire  at  the  hats  and  caps  which  the  people  within  held  up  on  sticks 
above  the  walls,  without  doing  any  other  damage  than  galling  the  roof 
of  the  house.  At  length,  apprehending  it  was  time  for  the  people  of  the 
neighboring  settlements  to  be  collected  in  pursuit  of  them,  they  finally 
withdrew;  having  killed  or  carried  away  between  ninety  four  and  a 
hundred  persons,  and  burned  about  twenty  houses,  of  which  five  were 
garrisons.     {Belknap.^ 

The  names  of  the  killed,  so  far  as  preserved,  are  these :  John 
Dean,  James  Huckins,  five  Chesleys,  Robert  Watson  and  others 
of  his  family,  Mrs.  Emerson's  mother  and  sister,  Ensign  John 
Davis  and  wife  and  several  children,  and  his  sister  Smith  and 
two  sons,  a  Clark,  a  Gellison,  a  brother  of  the  last  named  who 
jumped  into  a  well  and  there  died,  Samuel  Adams,  his  wife  and 
twelve  others  of  his  family,  Edward  Leathers'  wife,  a  woman 
named  Jackson,  some  children  of  Thomas  Edgerly,  jr.  Zackariah, 
son  of  Thomas  Edgerly,  sen.  Francis  Drew,  his  wife  and  son 
Benjamin.  Of  the  captured  were  two  daughters  of  Ensign 
John  Davis,  one  of  whom  never  returned  ;  one  or  two  of  Samuel 
Adams'  family,  one  or  two  persons  in  the  house  of  Thomas 
Edgerly,  jr.  Thomas  Edgerly,  a  daughter  and  his  son  Joseph, 
Thomas  Drew  and  his  wife.  The  names  of  the  others,  killed 
or  captured,  are  lost. 


1696]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  101 

The  Provincial  Council  took  measures  to  relieve  the  sufferers, 
sending  soldiers  for  their  protection  and  provisions  for  their 
subsistence. 

William  Furber,  on  his  petition,  was  authorized  to  keep  a 
ferry  from  his  house  at  Welchman's  cove,  to  transport  travellers 
over  to  Oyster  river,  and  to  receive  of  passengers,  viz.  for  a  man 
three  pence  and  for  horse  and  man  eight  pence,  to  land  at 
Mathews'  neck ;  for  those  landing  at  Durgin's,  six  pence  for  a 
man  and  twelve  pence  for  horse  and  man ;  and  the  same  for 
returning.  The  said  Furber  "to  keep  attendance  and  a  suffi- 
cient boat  or  gundaloa." 

1695 

April  3. — The  inhabitants  of  Dover  and  Oyster  river  having 
been  at  the  charge  of  subsisting  the  soldiers  sent  from  Massa- 
chusetts for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers,  the  Provincial  Council 
directed  the  Treasurer  to  give  orders  to  the  respective  constables 
of  those  places  to  forbear  collecting  taxes  from  such  persons  as 
had  been  thus  charged. 

Nov.  14. —  Orders  were  issued  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Province 
to  pay  the  bills  for  ' '  billeting  soldiers  ' '  as  follows  :  To  Cochecho 
from  the  15th  May  to  nth  June  and  from  15th  July  to  14th  Oct. 
excepting  14  days  of  the  time,  16  pds.  is.  4/^d.  To  Oyster 
River  from  i6th  May  to  nth  June  and  from  15th  July  to  14th 
Oct.  wanting  10  days,  81  pds.  os.  6d. 

1696 

Feb.  17th. — The  Provincial  Council  having  information  that 
the  bridge  over  Cochecho  river  was  broken  and  gone,  whereby 
relief  to  Heard's  Garrison  would  be  hindered  in  case  of  an 
attack  from  the  enemy,  ordered  the  Secretary  to  give  notice  to 
Capt.  John  Woodman,  Capt.  John  Tuttle  and  the  Selectmen  of 
Dover  that  they  with  all  convenient  speed  call  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  together  and  make  a  sufficient  bridge  over  the 
same. 

April  27. — Capt.  Tuttle's  account  for  subsistence  of  soldiers 
at  Cochecho  and  Dover,  16  pds.  6s.  iid.  and  Capt.  Woodman's 
account  for  similar  services  at  Oyster  River,  51  pds.  5s.  od.  were 
ordered  by  the  Council  to  be  paid. 

May  7. — John  Church,  sen.  slain  by  the  Indians,  as  he 
travelled  to  seek  his  horse,  upon  a  little  hill  betwixt  Cochecho 
and  Tolend.     {Pike.) 


102  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1698 

July  26. — The  people  of  Dover  were  waylaid  as  they  were 
returning  from  the  public  worship,  when  three  were  killed, 
three  wounded,  and  three  carried  to  Penobscot,  from  whence 
they  soon  found  their  way  home. 

The  persons  killed  were  Nicholas  Otis,  Mary  Downs  and 
Mary  Jones;  those  wounded  were  Richard  Otis,  Anthony  Low- 
den  and  Experience  Heard ;  those  captured  were  John  Tucker, 
Nicholas  Otis,  jr.  and  Judith  Ricker. 

As  these  persons  all  appear  to  have  lived  between  Waldron's 
Garrison  and  Garrison  Hill,  it  is  probable  that  the  attack  was 
between  the  upper  falls  and  the  brow  of  the  hill  before  reaching 
Otis'  Garrison. 

Aug.  27. — David  Davis  killed  by  the  Indians  at  Ivubber-laud. 

(Pike.) 

^  ^  1697 

April  15. — The  Provincial  Council  ordered  Major  Wm. 
Vaughn  to  send  six  men  to  Heard's  Garrison  at  Dover  for 
strengthening  the  same,  the  men  to  be  equally  divided  between 
Portsmouth  and  Hampton. 

Also  —  "Ordered,  that  Thursday  the  29th  of  this  inst.  April, 
be  kept  as  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving  through  out  this  Prov- 
ince and  all  servile  labor  to  be  forbidden  thereon :  Major 
Vaughn  and  Richard  Waldron,  Esq.  appointed  to  draw  up  the 
proclamation  and  to  be  sent  by  the  Sheriff  to  the  ministers  of 
each  town  to  observe  it  accordingly." 

The  bills  of  inhabitants  of  Dover  for  subsistence  of  soldiers 
amounting  to  37  pds.  14s.  3d,  and  of  inhabitants  of  Oyster  river  for 
the  same,  amounting  to  25  pds.  4s,  were  examined  and  allowed. 

F'rom  the  Council  Records  at  Concord,  in  the  office  of  Secre- 
tary of  State : 

"These  may  certify  whom  it  may  concern  that  Samuel  Snell  a  soldier 
hath  served  his  Majeste  in  garrison  in  Dover  since  ye  last  account  from 
ye  2ist  of  June  1697,  till  the  20th  of  July  following  being  four  weeks  and 
one  day.  Test.  John  Tuttell,  Capt." 

Nov.  15. — Tho.  Chesley,  sen.  slain  by  the  Indians  not  far 
from  Johnson's  Creek;  Will  Jackson  taken  at  the  same  time, 
and  at  the  same  time  made  his  escape.     {Pike.) 

1698 
This  summer  was  generally  wet  and  pretty  hot,  especially 
from  the  first  week  in  June  ;  but  from  the  middle  of  August  it 
proved  exceeding  wet,  to  the  great  hindrance  and  damage  of 
husbandry.     {Pike.) 


1699]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  103 

Sept.  30. — A  violent  southeast  storm  that  blew  down  many- 
fences,  and  shattered  the  tops  of  some  houses  and  barns. 
{Pike.) 

Oct.  13. — A  violent  northeast  storm  produced  the  like  effects 
—  nearer  the  sea,  it  fell  rain,  higher  up  the  country,  snow. 
{Pike.) 

Oct.  19. — A  violent  northeast  storm  of  rain,  which  melting 
the  aforementioned  snows  caused  an  extraordinary  freshet, 
flowing  higher  than  the  observation  of  the  oldest  standers  in 
these  parts  —  carried  away  many  logs  and  boards,  and  endan- 
gered the  very  mills.      {Pike.) 

1699 

Jan.  31. — A  considerable  earthquake  happened  about  i  o'clock 
this  day,  and  another  the  night  following,  if  it  was  not  a  clap  of 
thunder. 

Feb.  8. — Experience  Heard,  alias  Jenkins,  who  was  scalped 
by  the  Indians  July  26,  1696,  recovered  and  lived  to  have  one 
child,  died  chiefly  of  her  wounds  bleeding.     {Pike?) 

Feb.  19. —  "The  lyt.  Governor  was  pleased  to  give  the  Council 
to  understand  that  this  day  Capt.  John  Tuttle  of  Dover  with 
some  other  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  had  been  to  inform 
him  that  the  Indians  late  conversant  at  Cochecho  were  all  sud- 
denly withdrawn,  and  that  they  departed  on  Thursday  night 
last,  supposed  to  be  occasioned  by  an  Indian  that  came  that 
afternoon  out  of  the  woods,  and  made  all  dispatch  to  gather  all 
the  Indians  together,  with  whom  he  went  away  that  night. 
Some  of  the  squaws  who  seemed  to  be  well  affected  to  the 
English  discovered  a  great  deal  of  sorrow,  saying  they  should 
never  see  them  again,  and  by  their  whole  carriage  gave  occasion 
for  suspicion  that  the  Indians  designed  mischief  against  us,  and 
therek)re  desired  the  Council's  advice: — who  thought  meet  that 
the  Lt.  Governor  forthwith  issue  out  his  order  to  the  Major  of 
the  Militia  of  this  Province,  wath  all  expedition  requiring  him  to 
command  all  the  Captains  of  the  several  towns  that  they  immedi- 
ately appoint  Watch  and  Ward  in  their  several  precincts,  and 
that  they  continue  so  till  further  order ;  and  likewise  take  care 
that  if  any  Indians  come  into  any  of  the  towns  in  a  peaceable 
manner  they  may  be  civilly  treated."     {Prov.  Records.) 

From  March  25-29  was  a  continued  .storm  of  snow,  rain,  hail, 
thunder  and  extreme  wind.  It  began  with  snow  and  ended  with 
snow.     {Pike.) 


104  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN     THE  [1701 

May  i6. — The  Treasurer  of  the  Province  was  directed  to  pay 
Capt.  John  Tuttle  of  Dover,  one  half  of  his  account  for  soldiers 
wages  and  subsistence  out  of  Dover  rates,  the  whole  sum  being 
92  pds.  6s.  lod. — and  the  other  half  to  be  paid  out  of  the  first 
money  raised  by  the  Assembly,  after  Major  William  Vaughan 
hath  adjusted  his  account  as  Treasurer. 

1700 
Sept.  6. — Travelling  in  Amesbury  woods  with  two  more  in 
my  company,  we  killed  a  rattlesnake  near  Hunt's  new  field, 
which  had  three  rattles  in  ye  end  of  his  tail,  with  which  he 
made  a  prodigious  and  terrible  noise.     {Pike.) 

1701 

Jan.  30. — The  L,t.  Governor  laid  before  the  Assembly  a  letter 
from  John  Bridger,  Surveyor  of  his  Majesty's  woods,  dated  at 
Boston  the  21st,  in  which  he  states  that  he  had  "  prepared  a 
great  many  thousand  trees  in  order  to  make  tar  for  the  use  of 
his  Majesty,  in  the  river  Piscataqua,  particularly  on  the  commons 
of  Dover,  on  that  side  next  to  Suhawannick  ?  river,  and  in  the 
woods  next  Quamphegan  mill,  and  in  the  woods  by  John  Win- 
gett's,  and  on  a  point  below  the  house  of  Wm.  Henderson,  sen  ; 
all  of  which  land  being  common  and  by  act  of  assembly  open 
to  the  improvement  of  any  person,  he  presumed  his  Majesty 
might  when  no  injury  to  the  subject  —  yet  some  envious, 
malicious  and  Unthinking  people  had  felled  many  of  the  said 
trees  which  he  had  prepared  to  the  great  disappointment  of  the 
project  he  was  on,  and  his  Majesty's  interests  at  home  as  well 
as  here.  He  therefore  makes  these  unlawful  actions  known  to 
the  Lt.  Governor  and  asks  for  the  punishment  of  the  offenders, 
which  done  will  prevent  his  asking  redress  from  other  places  or 
persons;  otherwise  he  must  seek  to  put  a  stop  to  such  pro- 
ceedings by  the  best  and  momentous  care  he  is  capable  of." 

This  letter  the  I^t.  Governor  and  Council  regarded  as  a 
reflection  on  their  loyalty,  and  in  reply  "did  much  admire" 
the  writer's  different  sentiments  concerning  the  government  of 
the  Province  from  what  they  were  at  his  first  coming  hither.  And 
as  for  the  persons  complained  of  they  thought  it  his  duty  to 
prosecute  such  offenders  that  they  may  receive  condign  punish- 
ment according  to  their  demerits  ;  promising  that  nothing  should 
be  wanting  on  their  parts  to  prevent  any  prejudice  to  his 
Majesty's  interests  therein. 


1702]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  105 

Committees  were  chosen  by  the  freeholders  to  survey  and  lay 
out  convenient  highways  in  the  several  parts  of  the  town  ;  in 
pursuance  of  which  it  was  ordered,  that  the  highway  to  the 
spring  near  the  back  cove  should  be  left  open  clear  through  in 
to  the  swamp  by  the  bed  of  the  creek  as  in  ancient  times;  that 
a  convenient  highway  four  rods  wide  should  be  laid  out  from 
the  mast  path  to  Chesley's  mills  on  Oyster  river  and  over  the 
freshet  and  by  Edward  Small's  clear  through  to  the  old  way 
formerly  laid  out  into  the  commons  by  Edward  Small's  and  so 
to  Eamperill  second  falls,  maintaining  the  same  width ;  that  all 
the  land  at  the  head  of  Oyster  river  formerly  used  for  a  landing 
place  should  be  left  open  for  the  conveniency  of  the  people  for 
transportation  of  goods  and  the  mast  path  from  Oyster  river 
falls  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  township  as  it  now  goes  should 
be  a  stated  highway  4  rods  wide,  &c. 

Dec.  3. — Commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  Council  to 
run  the  lines  between  the  several  towns  of  the  Province  and  to 
"  make  good  and  sufficient  bound  trees  or  bound  marks"  — the 
Dover  commissioners  consisting  of  Capt.  John  Tuttle,  Lt.  James 
Davis  and  Lt.  William  Furber. 

1702 

March  4. — The  Indians  "  by  their  late  carriage  having  given 
occasion  for  suspicion  that  they  design  mischief,"  the  Lt.  Gov- 
ernor gave  orders  that  scouting  parties  should  be  organized 
from  Kings  Town  to  Salmon  Falls  river.  Capt.  Woodman  of 
Oyster  river  was  required  to  send  two  men  from  that  place  to 
lyamperill  river  and  back,  and  two  other  men  to  Toll  End  falls 
to  the  house  of  John  Ham,  jr.  and  Capt.  John  Tuttle  of  Dover 
was  required  to  send  two  men  from  Ham's  to  Salmon  Falls  to 
the  house  of  Capt.  Ichabod  Plaisted  :  this  scout  to  be  daily  kept, 
unless  on  such  days  as  the  weather  will  not  admit  of  travel. 
{Prov.  Records.) 

April  6. — Mr.  Richard  Waldron,  son  of  the  Major,  received 
by  vote  of  the  town  a  grant  of  the  falls,  in  Cochecho  river, 
"commonly  called  Hayes's  falls,  with  due  regard  to  the  falls 
below;"  said  Waldron  paying  thirty  shillings  a  year  therefor, 
the  rent  to  begin  June  24,  1704. 

Rev.  John  Pike  having  several  times  signified  to  the  town 
"that  he  was  minded  to  remove  to  Salisbury"  and  by  the 
removal  of  his  family  had  given  just  cause  to  expect  the  same, 
it  was  voted  that  Capt.  John  Gerrish,  Mr.  Richard  Waldron  and 


106  NOTABLE  EVENTS   IN   THE  [1704 

Capt.  John  Tuttle  be  invested  with  full  power  to  join  with  the 
Selectmen  to  settle  with  Mr.  Pike  for  the  payment  of  arrears, 
and  also  to  treat  with  him  for  his  further  continuance  in  town. 

1703 

The  Selectmen  this  year  laid  out  a  convenient  highway  to  the 
mill  erected  at  the  "second  falls  of  the  Cochecho "  (upper 
factory)  and  also  ways  for  accommodation  to  the  falls  at  Tolend 
—  showing  that  the  water  power  at  these  falls  had  thus  early 
been  improved. 

Oct.  30. — One  Christopher  Patrick,  a  soldier,  was  slain  by 
the  Indians  betwixt  Quamphegan  and  Salmon  Falls,  about  half 
an  hour  after  sunset.  He  had  five  guns  discharged  upon  him, 
and  was  shot  with  many  bullets.     {Pike.) 

First  snow,  Sept.  28,  very  cold.  Winter  began  Oct.  31,  and 
ended  March  7.     {Pike.) 

1704 

Jan.  15. — Happened  the  highest  tide  that  ever  was  observed 
in  these  parts  of  the  country.  Did  great  damage  to  warehouses 
and  cellars  ;  carried  away  some  houses  and  many  stages  at  Isle 
of  Shoals ;  transported  many  hay  stacks,  and  in  some  places 
tore  up  great  quantities  of  marsh  and  removed  it  far  off  into 
other  places.     {Pike.) 

Jan.  27. — Volunteers  being  called  for  to  "go  forth  against  the 
Indian  enemy,"  Lt.  Samuel  Chesley  adviseth  the  Council  of  40 
or  50  as  ready  to  list  under  his  conduct  as  captain  from  Dover 
and  Oyster  river  :  that  they  have  upwards  of  30  pair  of  snow 
shoes  and  rackets  already  made  :  and  that  their  principal  want 
will  be  for  a  further  supply  of  snow  shoes  and  some  bread. 

March  27. — Capt.  John  Woodman,  Capt.  John  Tuttle  and 
Capt.  John  Knight  of  Dover  were  ordered  to  muster  their  sev- 
eral companies  at  the  meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck  on  Wed- 
nesday the  5th  of  April  by  10  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  Capt.  John 
Tuttle  then  and  there  was  to  take  a  list  of  such  as  shall  enter 
themselves  volunteers  in  the  service  against  the  French  and 
Indian  enemy. 

April  25. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  voted,  "  forasmuch 
as  it  is  found  by  experience  that  it  is  very  grievous  to  the  select- 
men to  be  exposed  to  the  great  trouble  of  going  from  house  to 
house  to  take  an  inventory  in  order  to  make  an  assessment,  for 


1704]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.  H.  107 

redressing  said  grievance  for  time  to  come,"  the  selectmen 
should  post  an  order  in  the  public  meeting  places  in  the  respec- 
tive parts  of  the  town  and  this  should  be  accounted  sufficient 
notice  to  the  tax  payers  to  bring  in  their  accounts,  and  those 
who  neglected  to  do  so  it  should  be  lawful  for  the  selectmen  to 
rate  by  doom. 

Nathaniel  Header  was  slain  by  the  Indians  at  Oyster  river, 
not  far  from  the  place  where   Nicholas  Follet  formerly  dwelt. 

April  26. — Edward  Taylor  was  slain  by  the  Indians  at  L,am- 
per-eel  river.     His  wife  and  one  child  carried  away.     {Pike.) 

April  28. — Thamsin  Mesarvey,  Mr.  Waldron's  maid  servant, 
was  taken  by  4  Indians,  betwixt  sunset  and  dark,  at  a  spring  in 
the  Major's  pasture,  between  his  house  (formerly  burnt)  and 
barn;  and  after  examination  was  knocked  down  and  left  for 
dead,  but  recovered  again.  The  enemy  flying  hastily  away  at 
the  outcry  of  the  watch,  by  which  means  Mr.  Waldron  escaped, 
that  was  then  coming  over  the  Boom.     {Pike.) 

The  Boston  News  Letter  oi  May  8,  1704,  contained  this  account 
of  the  affair  from  its  correspondent  at  Portsmouth  : 

Piscataqua,  April  29. — By  Letters  thence,  acquainted,  that  on  Fryday 
the  28,  four  Indians  Seized  a  Servant  Maid  of  Richard  Waldron's  Esq.  at 
Cochecho,  who  went  about  150  yards  from  the  Garrison  to  a  Spring,  for  a 
Jugg  of  Water,  about  half  an  hour  after  Sun  down  :  Supposed  to  be  the 
same  Indians  that  did  the  mischief  mentioned  in  my  last,  upon  Natlianiel 
Header  and  Edivard  Taylor:  They  askt  her  many  Questions:  viz  — 
Whither  there  was  not  a  French  Shallop  put  on  Shoar  in  Nerv  England 
in  a  Storm  ?  And  what  was  become  of  the  Frenchmen  ?  Whither  or  not 
we  had  any  Forces  going  out  against  the  French?  What  number  of 
Souldiers  was  in  the  Garrison?  What  Mr  Waldron  had  been  doing  in  his 
Field  all  day?  What  he  designed  to  do  with  that  new  Timber  hal'd  to 
the  side  of  his  House?  They  told  her  that  they  had  lyen  near  his  House 
all  that  day,  and  a  week  before  to  wait  to  catch  him,  whom  they  saw  to 
pass  over  his  Boom  towards  Capt.  Gerrishes  two  Houses,  by  Sun-set ;  and 
that  they  might  take  him  on  his  return,  they  had  crept  down  to  the  foot 
of  the  Boom,  as  near  as  possible:  at  which  time  the  Maid  came  along, 
and  were  forced  to  take  her,  otherwise  they  must  have  been  discovered  : 
They  told  her  also  that  they  had  been  so  near  him  in  the  Field,  that  one 
had  cock'd  his  Gun  at  him,  and  going  to  discharge,  another  persuaded 
him  to  forbear,  he  would  presently  have  a  better  Shot  at  him  :  They  like- 
wise told  her  'twas  never  the  near  (of  no  use?)  for  him  to  build  his  For- 
tifications round  his  House,  for  they  would  certainly  take  him,  and  that 
'twere  in  Vain  for  him  to  Plant  his  new  Orchard  in  his  Field,  for  he  should 
neither  eat  the  apples,  nor  drink  the  Cyder,  for  that  they  would  have 
him  by  &  by,  and  roast  him,  and  She  should  see  it.  In  the  Interim  Mr 
Waldron  coming  over  the  Boom,  the  Watchman  on  the  top  of  his  House, 


108  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1704 

not  knowiug  who  it  was,  call'd  Stand ;  which  the  Indians  hearing,  being 
frightened  ran  all  away,  one  slept  back  and  with  the  head  of  his  Hatchet, 
knock't  the  Girl  down  and  left  her  for  Dead,  who  lay  in  the  Spot' two 
Hours,  till  being  found  wanting,  was  enquir'd  after  and  search'd  for  at 
the  spring,  where  she  was  found,  a  little  come  to  her  self;  hope  she 
may  do  well,  for  her  skull  is  not  broke.  Thus  Mr  Waldron  narrowly 
escap'd. 

A  manuscript  note  attached  to  this  article,  in  the  handwriting 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott,  by  whom  the  volume  of  the  Neivs  Letter 
was  formerly  owned,  says  "  this  story  was  invented  by  the  girl 
to  conceal  her  staying  too  long  at  the  spring  with  a  young  man." 
But  this  report  was  doubtless  itself  an  invention.  Rev.  Mr. 
Pike,  as  quoted  previously,  recorded  the  event  without  expressing 
any  doubts  of  the  girl's  story,  and  Penhallow,  who  resided  in 
Portsmouth,  gives  the  same  account  in  his  Indian  wars.  Dr. 
Belknap,  whose  accuracy  and  research  are  well  known,  when 
he  wrote  his  history  75  years  after,  in  this  town,  had  never 
heard  the  truth  of  Thamsin's  story  questioned.  After  he  removed 
to  Boston  he  appears  to  have  heard  of  the  manuscript  "elucida- 
tion "  attached  to  the  News  Letter,  and  added  a  note  to  that 
effect  in  an  interleaved  copy  of  his  History. 

April  30. — Persuant  to  an  order  from  John  Pickering,  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  for  the  choice  of  "  two  princi- 
pal men  to  join  with  the  Representatives  to  debate  and  determine 
matters  relating  to  Mr.  Allen's  claims,"  the  town  made  choice 
of  Richard  Waldron  and  John  Tuttle. 

May  28. — Sacrament  day — an  ambush  of  four  Indians  lay 
betwixt  Tristram  Heard's  and  Ephr.  Wentworth's,  upon  the 
north  side  of  the  hill,  but  were  happily  discovered  and  escaped. 
{Pike.) 

The  following  from  the  Boston  News  Letter  oi  June  i,  probably 
refers  to  the  above  : 

"On  Sabbath  last,  some  of  the  sculking  Enemy  lay  in  ambush  for 
people  at  Cochecho,  going  to  Public  Worship,  and  narrowly  escap't  being 
on  Horseback,  ran  safely  by  them,  scouts  went  out  immediately  after 
them,  and  found  some  dryed  Beef  and  pewter  bullets  in  the  thickets 
where  they  lay." 

June  I. —  Samuel  Tasker  was  slain  by  eight  or  nine  Indians 
at  Oyster  river.     {Pike.) 

Aug.  II. — Mark  Giles,  sen.  of  Cochecho,  and  his  son  John, 
slain  by  seven  or  eight  Indians  as  they  were  passing  a  corner  of 
their  field.     {Pike.) 

Aug.    19. — Joseph   Pitman   slain    by   the  Indians  as  he  was 


1705]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  109 

guarding    some   mowers,    not    far    from    Oyster    river   meeting 
house.     {Pike.) 

Information  having  been  received  from  the  eastward  that  600 
Indians  designed  an  attack  on  the  settlers  at  the  head  of 
Piscataqua  river,  orders  were  issued  to  the  several  captains  to 
call  every  person  into  garrison,  and  if  possible  to  bring  in  their 
cattle,  and  observe  all  other  duties  of  watching  and  warding 
that  might  be  of  advantage  for  their  security.  No  such  great 
force  as  this  appeared,  but  small  parties  kept  hovering  on  the 
outskirts,  who  committed  the  outrages  above  mentioned. 

1705 

June  28. — John  Hewland,  a  young  man  that  came  out  of 
England  with  Major  Vaughan,  was  drowned  at  Cochecho. 
{Pike.) 

July  18. — Mr.  Henry  Longstar  of  Bloody  point  deceased  after 
10  days  sickness,  occasioned  by  a  fall  into  his  leanto,  4  stairs 
high,  whereby,  being  grievously  bruised,  it  brought  an  inflamma- 
tion upon  him.  He  was  about  100  years  old  —  a  hale,  strong, 
hearty  man.     {Pike.) 

(The  name  of  this  man  sometimes  appears  in  the  records  as 
IvOngstaff,  and  again  as  Lancaster,  which  probably  is  the  correct 
orthography.) 

"Upon  the  humble  application  of  Capt.  John  Knight  of  Dover,  near 
Bloody  Point,  setting  forth  that  the  ferry  there  kept  to  Hilton's  Point 
belonging  to  Dover  Neck,  and  the  other  from  the  said  Bloody  Point 
to  Kittery  Neck,  were  always  holden  by  the  inhabitants  of  Trickey's 
farm,  which  now  is  his  by  purchase,  and  thereupon  humbly  prays  that 
the  right  of  said  ferrys  may  be  conferred  upon  him. 

It  is  accordingly  agreed,  that  the  Governor  be  desired  to  give  him  a 
patent  for  the  said  ferrys,  he  not  demanding  more  than  twelve  pence  for 
every  horse  and  man  at  each  ferry,  and  three  pence  for  every  single 
person  without  Horse,  he  always  taking  care  that  there  be  Boats  always 
ready,  that  there  be  no  complaint  thereupon.     {Assembly  Records.) 

This  year  the  winter  began  to  set  in  hard  about  Nov.  19  — 
began  to  break  up  Candlemas  day.  Most  part  of  April  and 
May  was  stormy,  wet,  cold,  cloudy  weather.  The  summer 
following  pretty  hot.  The  coldest  was  Dec.  25,  the  hottest  day 
was  June  29.      {Pike.) 


no  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1706 

1706 

March  26. — The  town  of  Dover  was  ordered  by  the  Provincial 
Council  to  pay  James  Ball  4  pds.  4s.  for  his  services  as  a  soldier 
at  her  Majesty's  Fort  Wm.  and  Mary,  from  13th  June  1705,  to 
20th  Sept.  1705,  there  being  a  neglect  of  said  town  in  making 
an  exchange  of  soldiers  every  ten  days  according  to  order  of 
Governor  and  Council. 

April  22. — At  the  meeting  for  the  election  of  town  officers, 
the  committee  formerly  chosen  to  lay  out  highways  was  con- 
tinued, and  the  districts  for  the  surveyors  to  keep  in  repair  were 
thus  defined:  "The  inhabitants  of  Dover  Neck  from  Hilton's 
Point  to  Abraham  Clark's;  the  inhabitants  on  the  North  side  of 
Oyster  river  from  said  Clark's  to  Oyster  river  falls;  the  inhabi- 
tants on  the  South  side  of  Oyster  river  from  Oyster  river  falls  to 
lyamperill  falls;  Cochecho  from  Cochecho  to  Salmon  falls." 

April  27. — The  Indians  came  in  upon  the  south  part  of  Oyster 
river,  by  the  little  bay,  and  killed  ten  persons,  the  chief  whereof 
were  brother  John  Wheeler  and  his  wife,  John  Drew,  &c.  It  is 
thought  this  was  done  by  Bombazeer?     {Pike.) 

Belknap  says:  "The  garrison  was  near,  but  not  a  man  in  it: 
the  women,  however,  seeing  nothing  but  death  before  them, 
fired  an  alarm,  and  then  putting  on  hats,  and  loosening  their 
hair  that  they  might  appear  like  men,  they  fired  so  briskly  that 
the  enemy  apprehending  that  the  people  were  alarmed,  fled 
without  burning  or  even  plundering  the  house  which  they  had 
attacked.  John  Wheeler,  meeting  this  party  and  mistaking 
them  for  friendly  Indians,  unhappily  fell  into  their  hands  and 
was  killed  with  his  wife  and  two  children.  Four  of  his  sons 
took  refuge  in  a  cave  by  the  back  of  the  Little  Bay,  and  though 
pursued  by  the  Indians,  escaped  unhurt." 

June  4. —  George  Ricker  and  Maturin  Ricker  of  Cochecho, 
were  slain  by  the  Indians.  George  was  killed  running  up  the 
lane  near  the  garrison.  Maturin  was  killed  in  his  field,  and  his 
little  son  carried  away.      {Pike.) 

Aug.  10. — Nicholas  Peaslee  was  slain  by  the  Indians  in  the 
day  time,  at  his  cave,  some  miles  above  Oyster  river,  where  he 
had  dwelt  night  and  day,  summer  and  winter,  from  the  last 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  precisely  three  years,  though  he  was 
in  the  very  wake  and  way  where  the  enemy  used  to  pass.  He 
was  a  man  of  strange  confidence,  and  would  not  be  persuaded 
to  leave  his  place.      {Pike.) 


1708]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  Ill 

1707 

July  8- — John  Bunker  and  Ichabod  Rawlins,  both  of  Dover, 
going  with  a  cart  from  Lt.  Zachariah  Field's  garrison  to  James 
Bunker's  for  a  loom,  were  assaulted  by  many  Indians,  and  both 
slain.  The  enemy,  supposed  to  be  20  or  30  in  number,  slaught- 
ered m^any  cattle  for  the  Jones's  at  the  same  time,  to  the  number 
of  15  or  more.      {Pike.) 

Sept.  17. —  Capt.  Samuel  Chesley,  his  brother  James  Chesley, 
and  six  more  stout  young  men,  were  slain  by  the  Indians,  as 
they  were  cutting  and  hauling  timber,  not  far  from  Capt.  Ches- 
ley's  house.  The  Indian  that  killed  James  Chesley  was  slain 
upon  the  spot  by  Robert  Torason.  Phillip  Chesley  and  three 
more  escaped.      {Pike.) 

Sept.  30. — Old  Widow  Horn  was  taken  by  the  Indians  near 
the  lower  corner  of  Capt.  Gerrish's  field,  as  she  travelled  the 
road.  The  same  day  several  troops  passed  the  road,  both  before 
and  after  she  was  taken.      {Pike.) 

Nov.  17. — At  a  public  town  meeting  at  the  meeting  house  on 
Dover  Neck,  Capt.  John  Gerrish,  moderator,  it  was  voted  that 
Mr.  Pike  have  15  pds.  per  annum  added  to  his  salary  of  65  pds, 
one  third  part  thereof  to  be  paid  in  money,  the  other  two  thirds 
in  provision  as  formerly,  and  that  the  mill  rents  as  they  shall  be 
received  be  a  part  of  his  salar}'. 

This  winter  began  to  set  in  hard  about  19th  of  December — 
began  to  break  about  27th  of  January  (though  we  had  some 
winter-like  weather  till  the  latter  end  of  March).  Snows  not  so 
deep  nor  many  this  winter  as  formerly,  but  the  weather  extreme 
cold.  Spring  wet,  cold  and  backward.  Summer  following  very 
hot  and  dry — so  likewise  was  the  fall :  by  which  means  hay  and 
corn  were  cut  exceeding  short.      {Pike.) 

1708 
May  10. — Philip  Chesley,  Ezekiel  Wentworth,  John  Downing 
and  John  Tuttle  were  appointed  a  committee  to  join  with  the 
selectmen  for  the  repairing  or  building  of  such  bridges  as  were 
thought  necessary  over  such  river  or  rivers  as  belong  to  the 
town.  It  was  also  voted  that  as  "several  persons  made  scruples 
about  paying  their  mill  rents  according  to  the  conditions  made 
with  the  town,"  John  Tuttle,  the  treasurer,  was  "empowered 
to  use  all  lawful  means  by  action  or  other  ways  about  recovering 
the  same." 


112  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1709 

Sept.  i8. — David  Kincaid  of  Oyster  river  was  assaulted  by 
three  Indians  at  his  house,  some  considerable  distance  from 
Woodman's  garrison;  —  3  guns  were  fired  at  him  and  his  lad,  but 
through  mercy,  both  escaped  well.     {Pike.) 

Scouting  parties  were  organized  by  the  Council  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  people  on  the  frontiers.  Capt.  Robert  Coffin,  with 
the  troop  under  his  command  was  ordered  to  "march  from 
Exeter  to  Kingstown  and  thence  to  Oyster  river,  and  there  take 
up  their  quarters  the  first  night,  and  from  thence  to  Cochecho 
and  so  up  towards  Whitehall,  and  so  to  return  to  Cochecho  the 
next  night,  and  there  quarter;  and  thence  to  return  the  third 
day  to  Exeter  again  and  there  lodge,  and  to  continue  this  march 
from  day  to  day  till  further  order,  unless  diverted  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  enemy;  where  upon  the  first  advice  he  is  to  repair 
immediately  to  give  present  relief  to  any  part  that  may  be 
assaulted;  and  that  the  Treasurer  supply  the  said  Troop  with 
provision  for  their  constant  subsistence,  unless  such  as  will  sub- 
sist themselves,  who  shall  be  allowed  the  same  that  the  Massa- 
chusetts Troopers  have." 

A  Ivatin  free  school  was  established  by  an  act  of  the  Assembly 
this  year.  It  was  to  be  kept  at  Portsmouth  for  the  benefit  of  all 
the  towns  in  the  Province.  The  salary  of  the  master  was  fixed 
at  50  pds,  of  which  Portsmouth  was  to  pay  28  pds,  Hampton  8 
pds,  Dover  6  pds,  Exeter  6  pds,  Newcastle  2  pds.  This  was  the 
first  lyatin  free  school  established  by  law  in  New  Hampshire, 
though  Dover  as  early  as  1658  had  required  its  schoolmaster  to 
teach  the  language,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  record  of  that  year. 

1709 

May  9. — As  complaint  had  been  made  that  the  pound  on 
the  Neck  was  not  sufficient  to  accommodate  other  parts  of 
the  town,  it  was  ordered  that  the  inhabitants  or  any  part  of 
them  living  at  Cochecho,  Oyster  river,  or  Bloody  Point,  should 
have  liberty  to  build  a  pound  in  all  or  each  of  said  places, 
at  their  own  cost  and  charge,  the  same  to  be  holden  and 
accounted  the  town  pound  or  pounds,  and  the  keepers  thereof 
and  their  fees  were  to  be  appointed,  ordered  and  directed  by  the 
selectmen. 

June  30. — Bartholomew  Simpson,  jr.  of  Oyster  river,  was 
slain  by  an  ambushcade  of  Indians,  near  Capt.  Woodman's 
garrison.     {Pike.) 


1710]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  113 

Aug.  22. — Jeremy  Tibbetts,  sen.  was  accidentally  shot  in 
ye  thigh  by  his  bro.  John.  The  wound  shortly  began  to 
gangrene  (and  mauger  ye  physician)  issued  in  his  death  Aug. 
31.     i^Pike) 

1710 

Rev.  John  Pike,  the  minister,  died  on  the  loth  of  March  of 
this  year,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  town  at  a  public 
meeting  held  on  the  22d  May  voted  to  advance  10  pds.  towards 
defraying  the  charge  of  his  funeral.  In  order  to  procure  a  suc- 
cessor "as  soon  as  may  be,"  Capt.  John  Gerrish,  Richard 
Waldron,  Esq.  Capt.  John  Knight,  Capt.  John  Tuttle,  Capt. 
Nath.  Hall,  Mr.  Ezekiel  Wentworth  and  Eieut.  Thos.  Tebbetts, 
by  a  vote  of  the  town,  were  "desired  to  take  care  as  often  as 
they  can  to  procure  a  person  to  preach  on  the  Lord's  days  and 
as  soon  as  possible  to  write  or  send  to  Mr.  Sever  to  endeavor  to 
obtain  his  company  a  month  or  more  to  a  constant  settlement 
among  us  as  we  shall  agree  :  and  for  his  encouragement  to  let 
him  know  that  if  by  God's  providence  he  do  settle  amongst  us 
his  salary  shall  not  be  less  than  80  pds.  per  annum  money,  and 
100  pds.  payable  in  two  years  towards  the  purchase  of  house 
and  land  as  he  sees  meet,  and  that  whoever  preaches  among  us 
until  a  settlement  shall  have  twenty  shillings  every  day  and 
subsistence  for  himself  and  horse  paid  out  of  the  town  treasury." 
•At  another  meeting  held  Dec.  18,  it  was  voted  that  "the 
minister  that  it  shall  please  God  by  his  providence  to  settle 
among  us  shall  have  ten  acres  of  land  for  his  encouragement  to 
build  a  house  on  over  and  above  the  100  pds.  voted  in  order 
to  his  settlement,"  and  6  pds.  added  to  his  salary  to  procure 
him  wood.  It  was  also  voted  that  "  fifty  or  sixty  acres  of  land 
on  the  Bloody  Point  side  should  be  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the 
ministry  when  it  shall  please  God  to  erect  a  settlement  of  that 
kind  among  them  there." 

Jacob  Garland  w^as  killed  by  the  Indians  this  summer  when 
on  his  return  from  public  worship  on  the  sabbath. 


114  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1712 

1711 

Rev.  Nicholas  Sever,  was  ordained  on  the  nth  April  as  the 
successor  of  Rev.  John  Pike,  and  remained  the  minister  of  Dover 
until  the  spring  of  1715,  when  he  was  dismissed  "on  account  of 
an  impediment  of  his  speech." 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  the  Indians  renewed  their  ravages 
on  the  frontiers  in  small  parties.  Thomas  Downs,  John  Church, 
a  son  of  the  John  Church  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  1696, 
and  three  others  were  killed  in  Dover  ;  and  on  a  sabbath  day 
several  of  the  people  of  the  town  fell  into  an  ambush  as  they 
were  returning  from  public  worship.  John  Horn  was  wounded, 
and  Humphrey  Foss  was  taken,  but  by  the  determined  bravery 
of  Lieut.  Heard,  he  was  recovered  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

In  consequence  of  these  ravages  the  House  of  Assembly 
passed  the  following  vote  : 

"Voted  for  Incouragement  of  Volunteers  to  Kill  and  Destroy  the 
Indian  Rebels  in  the  province  of  New  Hampe  for  every  man  shall  be 
paid  sixty  pound,  for  every  woman  forty  pound,  for  every  child  thirty 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  said  Volenteers  shall  Re- 
main in  that  service  at  least  four  months,  not  leaving  any  Garrison  i:n- 
armed,  but  have  the  consent  of  the  comitte  of  Meletia  for  there  so 
Inlisting. 

10  May,  1711,  by  order  of  the  house.  Sam'l  Keais,  Clark." 

May  II. — The  town  "  voted  and  ordered  that  from  and  after 
the  first  day  of  April  next  ensuing  no  person  shall  presume  to 
turn  any  geese  upon  the  commons  in  Dover  on  penalty  of  for- 
feiting the  same,"  and  it  was  made  lawful  for  any  person  to  kill 
such  geese  as  he  should  find  on  the  commons  as  well  as  his  own 
land,  "  for  they  shall  be  accounted  as  wild  geese." 

1712 

April. — About  this  time  the  Indians  renewed  their  hostilities. 
Ensign  Tuttle  was  killed  in  Dover,  and  Jeremiah  Crommet  at 
Oyster  river.  In  July,  an  ambush  was  discovered,  but  the 
enemy  escaped;  and  while  a  party  was  gone  in  pursuit  of  them, 
two  children  of  John  Waldron  were  taken,  and  for  want  of  time 
to  scalp  them,  their  heads  were  cut  off.  There  being  no  man 
at  that  time  in  Heard's  garrison,  a  woman  named  Esther  Jones 
mounted  guard,  and  with  a  commanding  voice  called  so  loudly 
and  resolutely,  as  made  the  enemy  think  there  was  help  at  hand, 
and  prevented  farther  mischief. 


1713]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  115 

Dec.  15. — The  town  voted  that  a  suflScient  boom  should  be 
erected  over  Cochecho  river,  (above  the  lower  falls,  probably,) 
and  that  bridges  should  be  built  over  Bellamy  Bank  and  Oyster 
rivers,  and  also  voted  20  pds.  towards  the  building  of  a  boom 
over  Ivampril  river  ' '  for  passage  of  man  and  horse  till  further 
order." 

1713 

May  25. — Nath.  Roberts  "refused  to  serve  in  the  constable's 
office,  being  chosen  thereunto,"  and  paid  his  fine  of  5  pds. 
James  Heard  also  refused  a  similar  honor  and  paid  a  like  fine. 
John  Hanson  who  was  chosen  in  his  stead,  refused  to  serve,  and 
was  let  off  with  a  fine  of  4  pds.  los. 

The  inhabitants  of  Bloody  Point,  with  a  portion  of  those  ad- 
joining them  in  Portsmouth,  petitioned  the  General  Assembly 
to  be  made  a  separate  and  distinct  parish  from  Dover  and  Ports- 
mouth. The  parties  were  heard  on  the  i6th  of  July,  and  it  was 
"ordered  that  the  petition  be  granted,  and  the  place  made  a 
parish  by  themselves,  and  that  they  forthwith  establish  an  able, 
orthodox,  and  learned  minister  among  them,  and  be  henceforth 
acquitted  from  the  support  of  the  ministry  of  Dover  and  Ports- 
mouth." His  Excellency  Governor  Dudley  named  the  parish 
at  Bloody  Point,  Newington. 

Aug.  17. — At  a  town  meeting  legally  called  at  the  meeting 
house  on  Dover  Neck,  Capt.  Tebbets,  Ens.  Heard  and  Samuel 
Emerson  were  chosen  to  represent  the  town  at  the  next  session 
of  the  General  Assembly  to  show  reasons  why  the  meeting 
house  at  Cochecho  should  not  be  the  stated  place  of  public 
worship  for  the  future. 

A  new  meeting  house  had  been  built  at  Cochecho  about  this 
time,  not  by  the  town,  but  by  individuals.  It  stood  on  Pine 
Hill  a  few  rods  north  of  the  ancient  Gushing  tomb,  and  the 
above  vote  indicates  that  it  had  been  opened  for  public  worship. 
This  was  the  third  meeting  house  erected  in  Dover,  separate 
from  those  at  Oyster  river  and  Bloody  Point. 

Although  no  record  has  been  found  of  it,  it  is  probable  that 
the  Pine  Hill  burying  ground  began  to  be  used  for  burial  pur- 
poses at  this  time.  Previous  to  this  the  ancient  Waldron  bury- 
ing ground  near  the  Methodist  church,  and  the  still  more  ancient 
cemetery  not  far  from  the  old  meeting  house  on  the  Neck,  must 
have  been  in  use.  No  monuments  exist  of  the  dead,  if  any 
were  ever  raised,  (as  they  probably  were  not)  for  the  first  hun- 
dred years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town.     The  dead  of  that 


116  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1714 

early  period  probably  were  buried  without  much  ceremony,  and 
in  some  cases  all  marks  of  sepulcher  were  concealed  to  prevent 
their  desecration  by  the  Indians.  In  that  early  day  nothing 
was  read  nor  any  funeral  sermon  made  at  a  burial,  but  at  the 
tolling  of  the  bell,  or  some  other  signal,  all  the  neighborhood 
came  together,  and  after  bearing  the  dead  solemnly  to  the  grave, 
stood  by  until  it  was  closed.  The  ministers  were  commonly, 
but  not  always,  present. 

1714 

May  17. — The  town  meetings  continued  to  be  held  at  the 
meeting  house  on  Dover  Neck,  as  the  most  populous  part  of  the 
town,  but  other  sections  had  now  become  strong  enough  to 
demand  and  obtain  some  of  the  privileges  which  had  up  to  this 
time  centred  at  the  point.  Accordingly  after  the  choice  of  town 
officers  this  year,  it  was  voted  that  "  Mr.  Sever  preach  the  next 
Lord's  day  at  Cochecho  and  so  every  other  Lord's  day  this 
summer  and  till  a  final  settlement  be  directed." 

This  arrangement  not  proving  satisfactorj^  appeal  was  made 
to  the  Council  who  advised  the  choice  of  a  committee  of  three 
persons  on  the  part  of  the  town  to  treat  with  those  of  Cochecho 
that  were  at  the  charge  to  erect  the  meeting  house  there,  in 
order  to  settle  the  matter,  and  if  they  could  not  come  to  an 
agreement  to  appear  at  the  next  session  of  the  Assembly  and 
make  their  report,  the  meetings  in  the  meantime  "to  be  kept 
one  sabbath  day  at  Dover  Neck  in  the  old  meeting  house,  and 
the  other  at  Cochecho,  in  the  new." 

Considerable  difficulty  seems  to  have  been  met  with  about  this 
time,  in  finding  persons  willing  to  serve  as  constables,  for  we 
find  it  recorded,  Sept.  27,  that  at  a  public  meeting  for  the  choice 
of  constable  to  supply  Cochecho  part  of  the  town  by  reason  of 
Joseph  Hanson's  refusal,  John  Richards  was  chosen  in  the  room 
of  Hanson,  and  Benedictus  Tarr  in  Joseph  Jenkins's  room.  At 
another  meeting,  Oct.  29,  John  Hayes  was  chosen  to  supply  the 
vacancy  made  by  John  Ricker's  refusal,  and  Samuel  Emerson 
in  the  room  of  Benedictus  Tarr. 

The  frame  of  a  meeting  house  built  in  Kittery  this  year  was 
hewn  out  in  Dover  and  floated  down  the  river. 


1715]  HIS  TOR  Y  OF  DO  VER,  N.  H.  117 

1715 

April  II. — At  the  choice  of  Assembly  men  this  year  Capt. 
Timothy  Gerrish  received  19  votes,  Ens.  Stephen  Jones  19,  and 
Capt.  John  Downing  29.  For  selectmen  Capt.  Tebbetts  75, 
Tobias  Hanson  53,  Joseph  Meder  86,  John  Ambler  78,  and 
Sargt.  Thomas  Roberts  89. 

Complaint  being  made  that  "  there  had  been  from  time  to 
time  sundry  trespassers  upon  the  Town's  Common  hy  fencing 
in  the  same  without  any  grant  from  the  town  to  the  prejudice  of 
the  several  inhabitants,"  it  was  voted  that  Capt.  John  Tuttle 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Emerson  prosecute  at  law  all  such  trespassers 
and  offenders  and  do  the  utmost  the  law  will  allow  that  the 
town's  rights  and  privileges  may  be  preserved,  and  the  select- 
men were  directed  to  pay  any  extraordinary  charge  they  might 
be  at  in  the  affair. 

At  the  above  meeting  for  the  choice  of  Assembly  men,  it  was 
voted  that  in  future  no  votes  should  be  received  but  "  such  as 
are  delivered  by  the  hand  of  the  voter  and  not  sent  by  the  hand 
of  another  man  :  "  from  which  it  would  seem  that  voting  by 
proxy  was  not  uncommon  in  those  days. 

April  22. — The  Council  and  General  Assembly  appointed  a 
committee,  consisting  of  John  Plaisted,  Mark  Hunking,  Sam- 
uel Thing  and  Peter  Weare,  to  "go  to  Dover  and  view  both 
meeting  houses  there,  and  make  report  which  of  the  two 
houses,  since  the  separation  of  Newington,  best  suits  the  re- 
maining inhabitants  to  meet  constantly  to  attend  the  public 
worship  of  God  on  the  Eord's  day  " — the  committee  appointed 
by  the  town  being  unable  to  come  to  any  agreement. 

April  26. — The  above  committee  reported  that  they  had  at- 
tended to  the  duty  assigned  them  and  "do  find  that  the  new 
meeting  house  hath  73  inhabitants  as  convenient  to  it  as  the  old 
hath  23,  which  renders  the  difference  three  to  one,  and  we  are 
of  opinion  that  the  new  meeting  house  at  Cochecho  is  the  most 
suitable  place  for  the  public  worship  in  that  town." 

Whereupon  it  was  ordered  that  the  meeting  should  be  held 
hereafter  at  the  new  meeting  house,  and  that  all  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  pay  in  proportion  towards  the  maintenance  of  the 
minister  there. 

Nov.  II. — Fifty-five  of  the  inhabitants  of  Oyster  river  by 
petition  to  the  Assembly  complain  that  either  by  the  neglect  of 
the  constable,  or  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  or  both,  no  provi- 


118]  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1716 

siou  has  been  niatle  for  the  support  of  their  minister  ;  so  that 
either  some  few  of  them  must  maintain  him  or  they  must  be 
without  one  and  return  to  Dover  again,  which  was  thought  a 
hardship  more  than  forty  years  ago,  and  would  be  much  more 
so  now  when  they  were  increased  to  double  the  number  they 
then  were.  They  therefore  pray  that  the  constable  and  select- 
men may  be  called  to  answer  for  their  neglect.  Also  that  they 
may  have  power  to  choose  annually  suitable  persons  to  assess 
and  tax  the  inhabitants  of  their  parish  for  the  support  of  their 
minister,  and  also  to  choose  and  settle  a  schoolmaster,  "  without 
any  other  regard  to  the  town  in  general  than  that  the  constable 
annually  chosen  at  the  general  town  meeting  for  collecting  the 
Province  tax  in  our  district,  may  also  collect  our  parish  dues." 
{Assembly  Records.) 

The  Assembly  in  answer  to  the  petition,  ordered  the  select- 
men of  Dover  to  proceed  forthwith  to  call  to  account  Joseph 
Davis,  the  delinquent  constable,  and  see  to  it  that  he  make  up 
his  accounts  and  pay  the  money,  and  in  case  of  his  neglect  to 
do  so,  to  treat  him  as  the  law  directs,  and  that  the  selectmen 
forthwith  make  an  assessment  as  formerly  on  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Parish  of  Oyster  River  for  the  support  of  the  present  minis- 
ter, Mr.  Buss,  until  another  minister  shall  be  called  and  settled 
in  his  room. 

Dec.  24. — The  "  multiplicity  of  public  houses  occasioning 
many  disorders,"  the  Assembly  enacted  that  there  should  be 
but  six  taverns  in  Portsmouth,  three  in  Hampton,  two  in  Dover, 
one  at  Oyster  River,  two  at  Exeter,  two  at  New  Castle,  and  one 
in  the  parish  of  Newington,  and  that  "  all  other  tippling  houses 
be  suppressed." 

1716 

May  4. — The  Assembly  voted  "that  the  agreement  of  the 
town  of  Dover  with  that  part  of  the  town  called  Oyster  River 
about  maintaining  a  minister  among  them  at  their  own  cost  and 
charge  be  confirmed  :  and  that  the  new  meeting  house  built 
there,  be  the  place  of  the  public  worship  of  God  in  that  Dis- 
trict," and  established  a  distinct  district  with  all  rights  and 
privileges  belonging  to  a  Parish,  with  full  power  and  authoritj^ 
to  call  and  settle  a  minister  there  and  make  assessment  for  the 
payment  of  his  salary  and  all  other  Parish  charges,  equally  on 
the  several  inhabitants  within  the  district,  and  annually  to 
choose  five  persons,  freeholders  within  said  Parish,  to  make  the 
tax  and  manage  all  affairs  of  the   Parish,  and   that  persons  so 


1716]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  119 

chosen,  with  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  Province,  shall, 
whenever  they  see  cause,  call  a  Parish  meetiug  to  transact  any 
matters  concerning  the  Parish,  and  that  the  first  meeting  be  on 
Monday  the  14th  inst.  at  the  aforesaid  meeting  house,  and  that 
John  Thompson,  the  present  constable  of  that  District,  notify 
the  inhabitants  thereof ;  and  further  that  all  persons  that  have 
of  late  years  paid  to  the  minister  there,  shall  continue  to  pay 
their  proportion  to  him  that  shall  succeed  in  said  office. 

The  "unhappy  differences"  between  the  inhabitants  of 
Dover  Neck  and  Cochecho,  in  relation  to  ministerial  affairs, 
having  been  settled  by  the  Council  and  Assembly  as  before 
stated,  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  both  sections  reconciled  them- 
selves thereto,  as  appears  by  the  following  record  :  — 

Whereas  there  has  been  of  late  an  unhappy  difference  between  the 
inhabitants  of  Dover  Neck  and  Cochecha  with  Refference  to  the  ministry 
and  meeting  house  there  in  order  an  amicable  union  and  for  maintaining 
of  Peace  and  Christian  Love  Amongst  us,  the  subscribers  hereto,  viz. 
Richard  Waldron,  Esq.  Capt.  Timo  Gerrish,  Ltt  Tristram  Heard,  Ens 
Paul  Wentworth,  Sergtt  John  Ham  and  Mr  Will  ffost  on  the  behalf  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Cochecha,  and  Captt  Thomas  Tebbetts,  Ltt  Joseph 
Roberts,  mr  Sam'U  Tebbets,  mr  Thomas  Robbarts  senr.  and  Ens  Joseph 
heard  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  dover  neck  have  unanimously 
agreed  to  Joyn  together  in  Calling  a  minister  to  preach  at  new  meeting 
house  at  Cochecha  Every  sabbath  day  in  the  month  of  november,  december, 
Janry,  february,  march,  April,  and  Every  other  sabbath  in  the  months  of 
may,  June,  July,  August  and  September,  October  and  the  Remainder  of 
the  year,  viz.  that  Every  other  sabbath  in  the  Last  six  months  mentioned 
he  preach  for  the  people  at  the  old  meeting  house  in  dover  and  that  in 
the  same  Rate  made  for  the  ffinishing  the  new  meeting  house  money  shall 
be  Raised  not  Exceeding  tenn  pounds  for  the  better  Repairing  of  the  sd 
old  meeting  but  In  Case  at  the  public  Town  Meeting  the  Town  by  a  major 
voat  of  the  Inhabit  consent  not  to  this  agreement  Then  we  the  subscribers 
in  the  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  dover  neck,  viz.,  Capt.  Thos.  Tebbets, 
Ltt  Joseph  Robbarts,  Mr.  Samll  Tebbets,  Mr.  Thos  Robbarts,  sen.  and 
Ens  Joseph  heard  do  hereby  oblige  ourselves  to  Joyn  with  the  Inhabit- 
ants of  Cochecha  to  Call  a  minister  and  pay  our  proportion  of  his  yearly 
sallarey,  and  further  upon  due  compliance  with  this  agreement  b}-  the 
Town  in  general  the  new  meeting  house  at  Cochecha  to  become  the 
Towns  meeting  house  they  paying  in  Equal  proportion  towards  the  decent 
finishing  the  same  with  proviso  that  who  so  Ever  is  granted  the  privilege 
of  building  a  pew  there  for  the  accommodation  of  himself  and  family 
shall  pay  ten  pounds  towards  the  building  and  finishing  of  the  sd  meet- 
ing house. 

In  witness  whereof  we  the  parties  before  named  oblidg  ourselves  Each 
to  the  other  to  perform  on  our  parts  Every  article  in  the  foregoing  agree- 
ment, to  which  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  this  eleventh  day  of 
may  1716. 


120  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1717 

Tho  Tebbets  Richard  Waldrou 

Tho  Robl)arts  Timo  Gerrish 

Jos  Robbarts  Tristram  heard 

Samll  Tebbets  william  fost 

Jos  heard  Jno  ham 

paul  Wentworth 

At  a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  meeting  house  on  the 
Neck  on  the  28th  May  it  was  "voted  a  concurrence  with  the 
foregoing  articles  and  that  the  same  be  recorded  in  the  Town 
book."      "John  Tuttle  descented  from  the  vote." 

Joseph  Roberts  and  Samuel  Tebbets  of  the  Neck  and  Timothy 
Gerrish  and  Tristram  Heard  of  Cochecho  were  joined  with  the 
selectmen  as  a  committee  to  call  a  minister  in  order  to  a  settle- 
ment according  to  the  agreement. 

1717. 

Jan.  7. — The  committee  formerly  chosen  for  calling  a  minister 
in  order  to  a  settlement  was  authorized  to  offer  him  90  pds.  a 
year  salary  for  his  "  Incuridgment."  To  which  Samuel  Emer- 
son and  five  others  entered  their  "  docents." 

March  25. — At  a  meeting  called  for  the  choice  of  Assembly 
men,  it  was  voted  that  for  the  future  they  should  have  four 
shillings  a  day  for  their  services  in  the  General  Assembly. 

May  20. — The  town  voted  that,  as  the  money  granted  for  the 
glazing  and  seating  of  the  new  meeting  house  at  Cochecho  was 
found  insuflScient  to  "do  it  for  conveniency,"  if  any  gentlemen 
would  be  so  kind  as  to  advance  twenty  or  thirty  pounds  for  that 
service  and  trust  the  town  for  the  same  till  next  year  the  money 
should  then  be  raised  to  reimburse  them  and  they  first  paid. 

At  the  same  time  "  the  inhabitants  commonly  called  Quakers  " 
were  granted  ten  acres  of  land  for  a  pasture,  for  the  purpose  of 
enabling  them  the  better  to  accommodate  their  travelling  friends, 
to  be  "laid  out  in  some  convenient  place  between  the  watering 
place  or  gutt  and  Cochecho,"  not  intrenching  upon  any  former 
grant. 

Nicholas  Harford  had  liberty  to  keep  a  ferry  from  Beck's  slip 
to  Kittery,  with  a  sufficient  boat  or  gundalo  for  the  safe  trans- 
portation of  man  and  horse,  for  which  service  his  fee  was  to  be 
2d  for  a  single  person,  and  6d  for  man  and  horse. 

Sept.  18. — Rev.  Jonathan  Cushing  was  ordained  as  the  minis- 
ter of  Dover,  being  the  successor  of  Rev.  Nicholas  Sever. 


1718]  HIS  TORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  12 1 

1718. 
Feb.  2. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  substantial  standing 
bridge  over  Lamperill  river,  and  appointed  Capt.  Samuel 
Emerson,  Capt.  Samuel  Tebbets,  Capt.  Paul  Gerrish  and 
Lieut.  Joseph  Jones,  with  the  selectmen,  a  committee  to  view 
the  place  and  agree  with  workmen  to  build  the  same,  the 
selectmen  to  raise  money  in  the  next  town  rate  to  defray  the 
charge  thereof. 

March  7. — "  We  are  informed  from  Dover  that  the  snow  lies 
two  feet  deep  on  the  ground,  and  that  several  parts  are  bare  on 
the  Neck,  where  last  week  were  seen  swarms  of  grasshoppers, 
some  hopping  and  some  flying,  which  considering  the  season  of 
the  year  and  the  nature  of  the  creatures  seems  verj' strange." 
{Boston  News  Letter.^ 

The  following  notice  also  appeared  in  the  News  Letter  : 

At  Oyster  River-  Parish  in  Dover,  March  26.  This  day  (through  the 
smiles  of  Heaven  upon  us)  we  had  a  Church  gathered  here,  in  the 
Decency  and  Order  of  the  Gospel,  and  our  Teacher  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Hugh  Adams  was  then  consecrated  and  established  the  Pastor  thereof  : 
who  then  preached  from  the  Text  in  Cort.  3,  11.  We  being  thtn  favored 
with  the  Presence  and  Approbation  of  some  Reverend  Pastors  of  ihe 
next  Neighboring  Churches,  with  the  Honored  Messengers  thtreof,  at 
the  said  Solemnity,  in  our  New  Meeting  House,  wherein  they  gave  the 
Right  Hand  of  Fellowship. 

As  Witness  Our  Hands,  Nathaniel  Hill, 

Stephen  Jones. 

Oct.  8. — Mr.  John  Buss,  the  late  minister  at  Oyster  River, 
petitioned  the  Governor,  the  Council  and  Representatives,  to 
"order  a  competent  maintenance  for  him  during  life  " — where- 
upon it  was  voted  "  that  the  Selectmen  of  Dover  be  advised  to 
do  their  duty  and  take  care  of  the  said  John  Buss,  and  supply 
him  with  what  he  is  in  necessity  of,  according  to  the  law  of  this 
Province;  and  that  the  selectmen  of  Dover  pay  him  twenty 
pounds  out  of  the  town  stock  to  be  paid  quarterly  from  year  to 
year." 

Oct.  II. — The  clerk  of  the  Council  was  ordered  to  send  noti- 
fications to  Dover  and  Exeter,  to  be  published  on  the  meeting 
house  doors,  that  an}^  person  that  has  any  objection  to  make 
against  cutting  off  the  entail  on  the  land  of  Peter  Coffin,  Esq. 
deceased,  made  to  his  grandsons  Eliphalet  and  Tristram  Coffin, 
their  heirs,  &c.  may  appear  at  the  next  spring  sessions  of  the 
Assembly  and  object  accordingly. 


122  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1722 

1719 

The  aurora  borealis  was  first  noticed  in  New  Hampshire  this 
year,  causing  much  consternation  in  some  places,  many  believ- 
ing that  the  end  of  the  world  was  at  hand. 

1720 

May  26. — For  the  "  conveniency  of  the  inhabitants  to  go 
down  to  Oyster  River,"  the  Selectmen  laid  out  a  highway  "  be- 
ginning on  the  south  side  of  Edward  Euines  house  and  so  to 
go  southerly  between  John  Bussell's  land  and  Joseph  Daniels' 
twenty  acre  lort  and  running  down  to  Et.  Joseph  Jones'  land 
and  so  turning  west  and  be  south  by  said  Jones'  line  keeping 
the  same  breadth  of  two  rods  and  so  running  to  said  Jones' 
norwest  corner  bound  mark  then  turning  south  and  by  east  by 
said  Jones'  line  taking  off  a  corner  of  Thomas  Willies'  land 
keeping  the  same  breadth  till  it  comes  to  ye  highway  that  leads 
to  the  King's  thoroughfare  road  between  the  two  white  pines 
standing  by  the  said  road." 

1722 

The  town  of  Barrington  was  granted  by  George  I.  this  year, 
"to  our  loving  subjects  the  present  proprietors  of  ye  Iron  works 
lately  set  up  at  lyampry  river,"  Hon.  John  Wentworth  and 
others  for  their  encouragement  and  accommodation  to  carry  on 
and  maintain  the  aforesaid  works.  Among  the  conditions  were 
that  they  were  to  build  fifty  dwelling  houses  and  settle  a  family 
in  each  within  seven  years  and  break  up  three  acres  of  ground 
for  each  settlement  and  plant  or  sow  the  same  ;  build  a  meeting 
house :  and  reserve  two  hundred  acres  of  land  for  a  parsonage 
and  one  hundred  acres  for  the  benefit  of  a  school. 

Feb.  6. — The  Provincial  Council  having  heard  that  there  were 
a  considerable  number  of  Indians  at  Dover  whose  words  and 
actions  gave  just  grounds  of  suspicion  of  an  ill  design  against 
that  town,  requested  the  Governor  to  cover  the  inhabitants  there 
with  fifty  men  for  six  days  :  and  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  sup- 
ply them  with  three  hundred  weight  of  bread.     {Prov.  Records.) 

May  2. — The  inhabitants  of  Dover,  by  their  Committe,  Col. 
Waldron,  Capt.  Jones  and  Capt.  Paul  Gerrish,  petitioned  the 
Assembly  ' '  that  Cochecho  River  and  Lamprey  River  might  be 
bridged  at  the  province  charge."  They  also  petitioned  for  a 
tract  of  land  above  the  town,  and  it   was  ordered  that   "Col. 


1723]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  123 

Waldron  and  Capt.  Wentwortli  might  collect  out  of  the  said 
petitioners  such  persons  as  they  thought  proper  to  be  proprietors 
and  present  the  same  to  the  board  for  approbation." 

June  28. — Men  were  impressed  for  scouting  and  cutting  a 
road  from  "Winnipishoky"  pond  to  Dover,  and  the  Treasurer 
was  directed  to  supply  them  with  provision  and  ammunition, 
and  that  no  sons  under  age  or  servants  be  admitted  to  take  up 
any  of  their  wages,  without  their  parents  or  masters  consent. 

Aug.  29. — On  petition  of  the  representatives  of  the  town  of 
Dover  for  a  special  act  to  "exempt  the  town  from  keeping  a 
gramar  school  during  the  Indian  warr,"  it  was  voted  that  the 
prayer  be  allowed,  provided  they  keep  a  school  for  reading, 
writing  and  arithmetic.     (^Assembly  Records.) 

As  the  petitioners  represented  that  the  circumstances  and 
situation  or  settlements  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  such, 
"the  houses  being  scattered  over  the  whole  township  so  that 
in  no  one  place  six  houses  were  within  call,  by  which  inconven- 
iency  they  could  have  no  benefit  of  a  gramar  school,"  that  "  as 
the  time  fit  for  children  to  go  and  come  from  school  was  gen- 
erally the  chief  time  of  the  Indians  doing  mischief,  and  that 
they  were  afraid  to  send  the  children  to  school  and  the  children 
dare  not  venture,  so  that  the  salary  of  the  schoolmaster  was 
wholly  lost,"  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  vote  of  the  Assembly 
was  such  an  answer  to  their  request  as  they  desired.  We  judge 
that  they  wished  to  dispense  with  all  schools  for  a  time,  and 
that  they  did  so,  for  it  will  be  seen  that  in  1723  Humphry 
Sullivan,  the  schoolmaster,  petitioned  the  Assembly  to  require 
the  town  to  pay  his  bill  for  services  rendered. 

The  following  notice,  duly  recorded  on  the  Town  books, 
shows  the  law  or  usage,  at  the  time,  in  regard  to  estrays  : 

Advertisement — These  may  Certify  whome  it  may  Concarne  that  John 
Smith  of  Ivouberland  has  got  in  his  Constity  A  Stray  mare  of  a  black 
Roone  Coller  In  defferent  Large  and  if  aney  Person  Cann  lay  A  Just 
Clame  to  the  same  Paying  the  Charg  of  Keepping  and  Crying  may  obtaine 
the  same  mare. 

December  the  13th  1722. 

1723 
March  13. — At  a  meeting  of  the  selectmen  liberty  was  given 
to  John  Parell  of  Dover  to  keep  a  ferry  over  the  Back  river  from 
his  house  or  landing  place  over  to  Sargt.  Drew's  usual  landing 
place,  and  for  his  services  he  was  to  receive  one  penny  for  every 
inhabitant  carried  over  the  river  and  two  pence  for  strangers. 


124  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1724 

May  20. — Ordered  that  two  schoolmasters  be  procured  for 
the  ensuing  year  and  that  their  salary  exceed  not  30  pds.  apiece, 
to  attend  the  directions  of  the  selectmen  for  the  service  of  the 
town  in  equal  proportions. 

At  the  same  time  Mr.  Sullivan  accepts  to  serve  the  town  as 
schoolmaster  three  months  certain,  beginning  his  services  the 
2ist  day  of  May;  promising  the  selectmen  if  he  left  sooner  he 
would  give  them  a  month's  notice  to  provide  themselves  with 
another,  and  the  selectmen  were  also  to  give  him  a  month's 
notice  if  they  disliked  him. 

July  22. — The  committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly 
to  fix  upon  the  most  commodious  place  for  building  a  bridge 
upon  lyamprill  river,  between  Dover  and  Exeter  reported  that 
the  picked  rock,  so  called,  a  little  above  the  first  dam,  was  the 
most  proper  place.  The  clerk  w^as  directed  to  notify  the  select- 
men of  said  towns  thereof,  and  further  ' '  that  his  Honor  the 
Lieut.  Governor  and  Council  expect  that  a  suitable  bridge  be 
built  as  soon  as  possible  at  the  place  mentioned  in  said  report." 

On  the  petition  of  Humphry  Sullivan  for  50  pds.  to  be  paid  him 
by  the  town  of  Dover  for  his  services  as  schoolmaster,  &c.  the 
Assembly  ordered  that  the  selectmen  be  served  with  a  copy  thereof 
and  directed  to  give  answer  thereto  before  the  15th  of  March  next. 

(What  answer  the  towm  made  does  not  appear.) 

The  unnecessary  firing  of  guns  during  the  present  Indian  war 
was  prohibited  in  Dover  and  the  other  towns  on  penalty  of  40 
shillings. 

1724. 

The  following  record  establishes  the  main  highway  to  Dover 
Neck  and  the  Point,  the  same  substantially,  no  doubt,  as  it 
exists  at  the  present  time  : 

March  28. — At  a  meeting  of  the  selectmen  this  day,  thej  finding  noth- 
ing upon  record  of  a  highway  ever  laid  out  from  Cochecho  to  Dover, 
which  they  think  necessary  to  be  done,  and  accordingly  order  that  the 
said  highway  shall  begin  at  the  country  road  that  comes  over  Bellamy 
Bank  river  on  the  western  side  of  the  meeting  house  at  Cochecho,  and 
from  thence  Dover  Neck  down  to  the  spring  near  Capt.  Millets  house, 
and  from  thence  between  the  land  of  Capt.  Millet  and  the  land  of 
Capt.  John  Tuttle  late  deceased,  down  to  Hilton's  Point,  as  it  has  hith- 
erto been  in  use,  keeping  the  breadth  of  four  rods  throughout  the  same 
and  something  more  where  the  badness  of  the  way  requires  it. 

Stephen  Jones,  1 

John  Smith,  ^  1     4. 

Benjamin  Wentworth,      Selectmen. 

Nicklas  Harfutt,  J 


1724]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  125 

June  12. — Robert  Burnham  was  admitted  into  the  Council 
Chamber,  and  presented  an  Indian  scalp  to  the  board,  and  made 
oath  that  it  was  bona  fide  the  scalp  of  an  Indian  slain  two  days 
before  at  Oyster  River  by  a  party  of  men  under  the  command 
of  Mr.  Abraham  Bennick  and  that  he  believed  the  said  Indian 
was  an  enemy  Indian,  &c.  Whereupon  it  was  ordered  the 
slayer  be  paid  loo  pounds  out  of  the  treasury. 

Aug.  27. — The  house  of  John  Hanson,  at  Nock's  Marsh,  was 
attacked  by  the  Indians,  two  of  his  children  killed,  and  his 
wife,  maid  servant  and  four  children  carried  into  captivity. 
Being  a  Friend  he  refused  to  leave  his  exposed  position,  as 
advised  by  his  neighbors  in  the  more  compact  part  of  the  settle- 
ment. Thirteen  Indians  and  French  Mohawks  lay  for  several 
days  near  his  house  in  ambush  waiting  until  Hanson  and  his  men 
were  away.  When  he  had  gone  to  the  weekday  meeting  and 
two  sons  were  at  work  at  some  distance  the  Indians  entered  the 
house.  Mrs.  Hanson  with  the  servant  and  four  children  were 
in  the  house,  of  which  one  child  the  Indians  immediately  killed 
to  terrify  the  others  ;  two  other  children  were  at  play  in  the 
orchard  and  would  have  escaped  but  that  just  as  the  Indians 
had  finished  rifling  the  house  the  two  came  in  sight  and  made 
such  noise  that  the  Indians  killed  the  youngest  boy  to  stop  the 
alarm.  They  then  started  for  Canada,  with  Mrs.  Hanson  (who 
had  been  confined  but  two  weeks  previously,)  her  babe,  a  boy 
of  six  years,  and  two  daughters  of  14  and  16  years,  and  the 
servant  girl.  They  all  reached  Canada  and  Mr.  Hanson,  soon 
after  the  attack,  went  there  to  ransom  them.  This  he  succeeded 
in  doing,  with  the  exception  of  his  daughter  of  16,  whose  ransom 
he  was  unable  to  obtain,  as  the  Indians  would  not  release  her 
on  any  terras.  Mr.  Hanson  got  home  Sept.  i,  1725,  but  he 
could  not  content  himself  while  his  daughter  was  in  bondage, 
and  about  the  19th  April  1727  started  in  company  with  a  kins- 
man who  with  his  wife  was  bound  on  a  similarly  sad  errand  to 
redeem  children  ;  but  he  was  taken  sick  and  died  on  the  journey. 
The  daughter  married  a  Frenchman  and  never  returned.  (An 
interesting  account  of  Mrs.  Hanson's  capture  and  residence  in 
Canada  was  published  in  1780.) 

Sept.  18. — The  town  appointed  Capt.  Paul  Gerrish  and  Capt. 
Benjamin  Wentworth  agents  or  attorneys  to  prosecute  all  actions 
of  trespass  upon  the  town's  commons  "  already  begun  or  here- 
after to  begin  and  to  substitute  attorneys  under  them  as  they 
see  cause." 


126  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1725 

1725 

Feb.  20. — The  bloody  fight  with  the  Indians  by  Capt.  t,ove- 
well  and  his  men,  at  the  pond  in  Wakefield  which  has  ever  since 
gone  by  his  name  took  place  at  this  time.  On  the  24th,  the 
brave  company  with  the  scalps  of  the  enemy  ten  in  number, 
stretched  on  hoops,  and  elevated  on  poles,  entered  Dover  in 
triumph,  and  proceeded  thence  to  Boston,  where  they  received 
the  bounty  of  100  pds.  for  each  scalp. 

May  20. — Rev.  Mr.  Hugh  Adams,  the  minister  at  Oyster 
River,  having  addressed  a  manuscript  to  his  Hon.  the  Lieut. 
Gov.  and  General  Assembly  "  Entitled  a  Theosophical  Thesis, 
&c.  with  an  appendix  under  the  title  of  remarkable  Instances," 
&c.  praying  the  countenance  and  grant  of  the  Government  for 
the  publication  thereof  —  the  Assembly  voted  forasmuch  as  the 
contents  of  said  manuscript  are  principally  controversal  points 
of  Divinity  and  some  Enthusiastical  accounts  of  God's  Judge- 
ments, &c.  and  therefore  more  properly  the  object  of  considera- 
tion for  an  Ecclesiastical  than  a  Civil  Council,  the  Reverend  the 
Gospell  Ministers  of  this  Province  be  desired  to  take  the  said 
whole  manuscript  under  their  consideration  and  report  their 
opinion  thereon  to  the  end  that  the  publication  thereof  may  be 
countenanced  or  discouraged,  and  the  said  manuscript  disposed 
of  as  may  be  most  for  the  glory  of  God. 

The  Reverend  gentlemen  to  whom  the  manuscript  was  re- 
ferred, made  their  report,  at  a  later  day,  received  the  thanks  of 
the  government  for  the  same,  and  it  was  ordered  that  the  said 
manuscript  be  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  office  and  that  the  clerk 
of  the  Council  be  directed  not  to  give  a  copy  of  it  or  any  part 
thereof  directly  or  indirectly  to  any  person  on  any  pretence 
whatsoever  without  the  consent  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  character  of  Mr.  Adams's  production  which  the  Assembly 
so  carefully  excluded  from  the  public  eye,  may  be  gathered 
from  the  report  of  the  Reverend  gentlemen  who  sat  upon  it, 
which  was  as  follows  : 

To  the  honble  the  Liut.  Governor  &  Comander  in  chief  in  and  over 
his  Majties  Province  of  New  hampshire  in  New  England  and  the  honble 
the  Councill  &  the  Representatives  of  the  Said  Province. 

Tho  we  are  loth  to  Expose  the  weakness  of  our  Brother  the  reverend 
mr.  Hugh  Adams,  yet  inasmuch  as  he  has  so  Publickly  Exposed  himself 
by  addressing  to  your  hour  &  the  Generall  assembly  a  Manuscript  so  full 
of  Enthusiasm  &  Impertinence,  In  obedience  to  your  Desire  we  have 
considered  the  contents  of  the  said  Manuscript  and  have  made  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  — 


1725]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  127 

i)  Wee  are  sorry  to  See  that  mr  Adams  has  therein  Discovered  such 
au  affectation  of  finding  out  new  and  Strange  doctrines  in  Divinity. 

2)  That  he  Should  So  wretchedly  pervert  the  Sacred  Scriptures  to 
Support  his  odd  extravagant  Notions. 

3)  That  he  has  so  little  Modesty  as  confidently  to  Set  up  his  Single 
oppinion  in  Many  Instances  in  opposition  to  the  Judgment  of  all  the 
famous  divines  in  the  world. 

4)  That  he  layes  So  great  a  Stress  on  his  groundless  opinion  as  to 
Make  fundamentall  articles  of  faith  and  Such  an  unchristian  unchari- 
table Spirit  in  complaining  to  the  almighty  agt  Som  verry  worthy  Psous 
for  Crossing  his  unreasonable  Humor. 

On  these  &  Severall  other  accounts  that  Might  be  Mentioned  wee 
Judge  the  above  Said  manuscript  unworthy  of  the  Least  countena  from 
the  Government. 

So  recomendiug  yr  honr  &  this  honble  house  to  the  Divine  Conduct  in 
all  the  Important  affairs  that  lie  before  you  wee  Subscribe  our  Selves 
your  most  humble  &  obedint  Servants. 

Jabez  Fitch 
William  Shurtleff 
In  the  name  and  at  the  Desire  of  the  Ministers  of  the  Province. 

Mr.  Adams  continued  the  minister  at  Oyster  River,  after- 
wards Durham,  until  1750,  when  he  died,  at  the  age  of  74.  He 
was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1696.  A  very  curious  petition  of 
his  to  the  Provincial  Assembly  in  1738,  complaining  of  the 
delinquency  and  trespasses  of  his  parishioners,  has  been  pre- 
served. In  this  petition,  Mr.  Adams  represents  Durham  "as 
an  Achan  in  the  camp  :  and  as  the  seven  sons  of  Saul  in  the 
days  of  King  David  :  and  as  Jonah  in  the  ship  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  the  Province."  And  he  prays,  not  only  for  justice  to 
himself,  but  that  a  neglect  to  pay  a  minister,  may  be  made 
penal,  and  presentable  by  the  grand  jury,  as  it  was  in  Massa- 
chusetts, which  he  considered  the  principal  reason  why  the 
people  of  that  Province  had  been  "proportionably  spared  from 
the  throat  pestilence,  and  other  impoverishing  more  than  New 
Hampshire."  The  old  gentleman  appears  to  have  had  singular 
notions  of  the  efficacy  of  his  prayers  ;  and  among  other  things 
which  he  had  accomplished  by  prayer,  he  informs  the  Assembly 
that,  being  provoked  by  the  injustice  of  his  people,  and  their 
robbing  him  of  the  50  pds.  addition  to  his  salary,  he  prayed 
while  it  was  yet  more  than  three  months  to  the  harvest,  that  "it 
might  not  rain:  and  it  rained  not  for  three  months  after;" 
when  some  of  his  friendly  brethren  prevailed  upon  him,  and  he 
"appointed  and  conscientiously  sanctified  a  church  fast  from 
evening    to    evening    and   abstained    three  meals   from    eating, 


128  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1726 

drinkhig  and  smoking  anything,"  and  the  Lord,  he  says,  was 
pleased  to  hear,  and  granted  such  plentiful  and  warm  rains  as 
to  produce  "  a  considerable  harvest;  so  as  was  then  remark- 
able." He  concludes  his  petition  by  importunately  asking  for 
justice,  and  expressing  his  firm  belief  that,  afte)-  he  had  obtained 
it,  God  will  be  entreated  for  the  land  in  New  Hampshire.  What 
impression  his  petition  made  upon  the  Assembly,  or  what 
answer  it  received,  is  not  recorded.     {N.H.  Hist.  Coll) 

Aug.  16. — At  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  of  Dover  Parish, 
at  Cochecho  meeting  house,  Col.  Waldron  moderator,  it  was 
"  voted  that  our  minister  Mr.  Jonathan  Cushing's  salary  that 
the  town  gave  him  of  100  pds.  in  the  year  1717,  shall  be  made 
as  good  to  him  as  it  was  at  his  first  settlement  amongst  us." 

1726 

March  26. —  On  the  petition  of  Nicholas  Hartford,  who 
"humbly  sheweth  "  that  his  grant  of  liberty  to  keep  a  ferry 
over  the  fore  river  from  Dover  Neck  to  Kittery,  made  in  1717, 
had  been  of  little  profit  at  present  nor  likely  to  be  for  many 
years,  and  as  he  had  been  at  great  charge  in  building  conven- 
iences, and  had  no  assurance  of  said  ferry  any  longer  than  his 
own  life,  the  said  ferry  was  confirmed  to  him  and  his  heirs. 

Capt.  Samuel  Emerson  was  chosen  in  the  room  of  Capt.  Ben- 
jamin Wentworth,  deceased,  to  join  with  Capt.  Paul  GerrLsh  to 
prosecute  at  law  any  person  or  persons  that  trespass  on  the  Town 
commons. 

April  25. — Through  the  backwardness  of  the  Spring,  and  the 
great  want  of  hay,  a  great  many  cattle  have  perished  for  want 
of  fodder;  which  is  the  general  complaint  throughout  this 
Province  and  the  County  of  York.     {Boston  Paper.) 

May  20. — The  Assembly  voted  to  build  a  Court  House  and 
Prison  in  Dover  for  the  use  of  the  Town  and  Province. 

Sept.  2.— By  order  of  the  Council,  Dover  and  the  other  towns 
in  the  Province  were  served  with  a  copy  of  a  Proclamation  of 
Peace,  which  was  sent  to  "ye  Chief  Military  Officer  in  each 
town,  to  be  proclaimed  by  beat  of  Drum." 


1728]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  129 

1727 

May. — . — The  polls  and  estates  of  the  Province  were  assessed 
as  follows  : 

Polls,  1 6  years  old  and  upwards,  5  ;  Income  upon  trade,  per 
Pd.  I  penny;  OflBcers'  income  per  Pd.  i  penny;  Houses  and 
lands,  valued  at  6  years  income,  per  Pd.  i  penny  ;  Oxen  4 
years  old  and  upwards  4  Pd  ;  Cows  3  years  old  and  upwards  2 
Pd.  ids;  Horses  3  years  old  and  upw^ards  4  Pd ;  Swine  i  year 
old  i6s;  Sheep  free  for  encouragement;  Indian  and  Negro 
slaves,  ad  valorem,  16  to  40  years  of  age. 

Oct.  29. — An  earthquake  occurred  of  which  it  is  recorded 
that  "the  shake  was  very  hard,  and  was  attended  with  a  terrible 
noise,  something  like  thunder.  The  houses  trembled  as  if  they 
were  falling;  divers  chimneys  were  cracked  and  some  had  their 
tops  broken  off. ' ' 

Rev.  Hugh  Adams,  in  his  Church  Records  at  Oyster  River, 
under  date  of  Nov.  7,  says,  "Tuesday.  At  Oyster  River  Parish. 
On  our  Parish  Fast  Day  on  Account  of  the  Awful  Earthquake, 
which  had  been  on  Sabbath  night  about  1/2  hour  after  10— So 
in  all  our  Land.    Then  I  baptized  Mary  Hix,  daur.  of  Joseph." 

1728 

May  24. — The  several  towns  in  the  Province,  in  the  valuation 
of  their  lands  for  the  purpose  of  taxation,  having  adopted  the 
practice  of  valuing  them  in  one  town  at  one  rate  and  in  other 
towns  at  not  half  that  value,  the  Assembly  voted  for  the  purpose 
of  making  a  more  equal  proportion  that  in  Dover,  Portsmouth, 
Exeter,  and  other  towns,  with  the  exception  of  I^ondonderry 
and  Kingston,  the  valuation  should  be  six  shillings  an  acre, 
and  in  the  two  latter  towns  five  shillings  per  acre.  Also  that 
all  Negro,  Indian  and  Mulatto  slaves  be  valued  at  20  Pds.  per 
head. 

June  23.— Rev.  Hugh  Adams  in  his  Church  Records  notes 
the  baptism  of  "  Phillis,  our  servant  child,  born  in  my  house  of 
Maria,  our  Indian  Woman  Servant;" — showing  that  Indians 
were  sometimes  employed  as  servants,  as  many,  it  is  well  known, 
were  also  held  and  sold  as  slaves. 


130  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1729 

1729 
April  4.— Howard  Henderson,  Elisha  Clark,  James  Wellmet, 
Joseph  Canne  and  Abigail  Blackston  made  complaint  to  the 
Governor  and  Council  that  having  been  settled  on  a  certain 
tract  or  neck  of  land  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  of  which  they 
had  been  put  in  peaceable  possession  by  the  freeholders  of  the 
town,  and  all  of  which  time  had  been  partly  spent  in  subduing 
the  Indian  enemy  and  partly  in  subduing  and  cultivating  the 
wild  land,  Richard  Waldron  as  administrator  of  his  father's 
estate,  had  brought  an  action  against  them  to  recover  possession 
of  the  same,  pretending  that  one  half  thereof  was  granted  to 
his  father  in  1652  and  the  other  half  to  William  Furber  and 
others ;  that  said  grant  to  Waldron  having  been  made  when  the 
town  was  under  the  government  of  Massachusetts  was  esteemed 
by  many  of  no  validity,  but  the  court  having  put  him  in  posses- 
sion of  the  half  which  he  claimed  and  a  jury  had  set  off  the 
upper  part  to  him  and  the  lower  part  to  them  where  their  settle- 
ments, orchards  and  improvements  had  been  made,  but  that 
Waldron  being  dissatisfied  with  the  award  had  procured  another 
jury,  which  had  given  him  the  lower  half  where  the  petitioner's 
houses,  barns,  &c.  stood,  so  that  after  thirty  years  labor  and 
the  expense  of  much  blood  and  the  sweat  of  their  brows  they 
with  their  wives  and  children  were  now  drove  into  the  wild 
wilderness,  and  for  all  this  injustice  they  asked  such  relief  as  to 
law  and  equity  did  appertain. 

What  action  was  taken  upon  this  petition  does  not  appear. 

April  25. — The  inhabitants  of  the  north  east  of  Dover  (Somers- 
worth),  petitioned  the  Assembly  to  be  set  off  as  a  parish  for  the 
benefit  of  the  ministry. 

May  13. — The  petitioners  appeared  and  were  heard  by  their 
counsel,  resulting  in  the  appointment  of  a  committee  "to  go  on 
the  spot  and  view  the  several  districts  and  settle  a  dividing  line 
according  to  their  best  judgments  and  that  the  petitioners  in  the 
meantime  be  free  from  being  rated  to  the  minister  of  the  old 
town,  &c.  and  the  major  part  agreeing  shall  be  accounted  suffi- 
cient to  make  return  at  the  next  session  for  confirmation." 

Oct.  10.— The  committee  reported,  and  it  was  voted  that  the 
petitioners  have  liberty  to  bring  in  a  bill  accordingly,  "varying 
the  bounds  from  the  head  of  Fresh  Creek  to  a  white  oak  tree  as 
the  road  goes."  The  bill  incorporating  the  Parish  passed  the 
Assembly  in  December. 


1730]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.  H.  131 

A  petition  from  several  Quakers  in  behalf  of  themselves  and 
their  friends  at  Dover,  praying  to  be  exempted  from  gathering 
the  Minister's  rates  as  Constables,  was  presented  to  the 
Assembly. 

The  Rev.  Hugh  Adams  also  presented  a  petition  praying 
"for  some  remedy  in  regard  to  ye  debasedness  of  ye  paper 
currency,  &c." 

Dec.  15.— Capt.  Paul  Gerrish  preferr'd  a  petition  signed  by 
near  three  score  of  the  principal  men  in  Dover  praying  an  order 
to  rectify  some  abuses  suffered  by  Dover  Town  book  of  Records 
by  the  fault  of  the  late  Town  Clerk,  as  they  apprehend.  Where- 
upon it  was 

Voted,  That  the  clerk  of  the  said  town  of  Dover  for  the  time  being  be 
hereby  prohibited  entering  any  old  Committee  Grants  that  are  suspected 
not  to  be  legally  obtained  and  to  enter  only  such  grants  as  have  been  or 
may  be  allowed  by  said  Town  or  the  selectmen  thereof  until  the  next 
sitting  of  the  General  Assembly  and  that  there  be  a  committee  chosen 
by  the  General  Assembly  to  go  to  the  Town  Clerk  for  the  time  being  who 
is  hereby  required  to  show  unto  such  Committee  such  entrys,  matters 
and  things  as  he  or  any  of  the  said  Town  suppose  to  be  done  by  ill  prac- 
tice, and  the  said  Committee  shall  by  virtue  hereof  summon  before  them 
all  such  persons  that  can  give  any  light  in  explaining  any  matters  or 
things  which  they  may  see  occasion  to  examine  into  for  discovering  the 
truth  and  detecting  such  vile  practices  and  to  give  such  person  or  per- 
sons their  oaths,  and  to  make  return  of  their  doings  therein  to  the 
General  Assembly  next  session,  and  that  Nathl  Wear,  Esq.  and  Theo. 
Atkinson,  Esq.  be  a  committee  of  this  House  to  join  such  as  shall  be 
appointed  above  for  that  end  and  that  the  Petitioners  pay  the  charges. 

Jam  Jaffrey,    Cler  Assem. 

1730 
March  24. — The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to  examine 
the  Dover  Town  Books  was  in  substance  that  they  found  by  the 
said  Town  book  that  great  forgery  and  fraud  had  been  used  and 
frequently  practiced  by  entering  grants  many  years  back  in  the 
inter  spaces  of  the  book  and  that  the  book  had  often  been 
exposed  and  lay  open  to  many  persons  to  enter  what  grants 
they  saw  proper  therein  and  that  they  found  many  of  the  said 
original  grants  in  the  former  Town  clerk's  hand  which  appeared 
to  be  fraudulent  and  deceitful ;  that  great  quantities  of  land 
had  been  laid  out  by  virtue  of  said  grants  by  which  the  town, 
they  imagined,  had  been  stripped  of  at  least  fifteen  thousand 
pounds  worth  of  land. 

Oct.  28. — The  Rev.  James  Pike  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Somersworth  parish.     The  ceremony  was  opened  by 


132  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1730 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Tufts,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wise  preached  from  the  gth 
chap,  of  Matt.  37  «&  38  verses.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Gushing 
gave  the  charge  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers  the  Right  Hand  of 
Fellowship. 

Mr.  Pike  was  born  in  Newbury,  Mass.  March  i,  1703  ;  grad. 
H.  C.  1725.  He  taught  school  in  Berwick,  by  which  means  he 
became  acquainted  with  Somersworth  people  and  began  to 
preach  there.  He  was  ordained  and  remained  until  his  death 
March  19,  1792.  The  first  Somersworth  meeting  house  was 
built  in  1729  and  taken  down  in  1773. 

Dec.  30. — Upon  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Town  Books,  made 
March  24,  it  was  voted  that  another  committee  be  chosen  to  make  a  more 
exact  and  particular  inquiry  into  the  several  grants  and  returns  in  said 
book,  supposed  to  be  corrupt  and  vicious  ;  and  that  they  have  full  power 
to  summon  and  examine  any  person  or  persons  upon  oath,  in  order  to  dis- 
cover the  truth  as  far  as  may  be,  and  any  person  or  persons  duly  convened 
by  summon  before  the  said  committee,  and  refusing  to  declare  upon  oath 
what  he  or  they  know  of  the  affair,  shall  be  committed  to  prison  by  said 
committee,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  there  to  remain  till  they  comply 
to  take  their  oaths,  and  that  then  the  said  committee  give  public  notice 
on  all  the  meeting  houses  in  Dover  (with  convenient  time  for  all  persons 
that  have  any  claims  to  any  land  by  virtue  of  the  aforesaid  supposed 
vicious  grants  or  returns)  to  make  out  the  same  before  the  said  com- 
mittee, at  a  certain  day  and  when  the  said  committee  have  made  a 
strict  examination  in  the  Town  book  and  fully  heard  all  the  claimers 
upon  their  grants  and  returns,  then  to  make  a  particular  report 
how  many  corrupt  and  vicious  grants  and  returns  they  find  on  the  said 
book,  with  the  dates  thereof,  in  what  folios  of  the  book  they  stand 
recorded,  and  who  are  the  respective  granters,  and  what  quantity  of 
acres  is  mentioned  in  each  grant  and  return,  in  order  to  the  General 
Assembly's  proceeding  thereon  as  to  justice  doth  appertain  ;  and  that 
Mr.  Odiorn  and  Mr.  Sherburne  be  of  the  committe  from  the  Council  to 
join  with  such  as  the  House  shall  appoint  to  act  in  the  above  affair. 

R.  Waldron,    Sec. 

The  House  concurred,  with  an  amendment,  that  the  whole 
town  of  Dover  pay  the  charge  of  the  committee,  and  appointed 
Nathl  Weare  and  Theo.  Atkinson  as  the  committee  on  their 
part. 


1732]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  133 

1731 

April  30. — The  committee  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to 
examine  the  Dover  Town  Book  made  a  detailed  report  which 
is  now  on  file  in  the  Secretary's  office  and  is  published  in  the 
9th  Vol.  of  State  Papers.  They  found  fifty  four  cases  of  land 
grants  entered  on  the  books  "fraudulent,  corrupt  and  vicious," 
for  reasons  given.  They  also  report  that  "  many  things  appear 
very  dark  by  the  record  which  we  have  omitted  because  we 
could  not  come  at  the  original  grants  nor  find  any  particular 
information  about  them."  Also  that  "by  James  Barnum's  own 
oath  he  purchased  a  bundle  of  those  grants  from  the  widow  of 
William  Furber,  the  former  clerk,  and  sold  them  to  many  per- 
sons, who  have  got  them  recorded." 

By  a  vote  of  the  town  this  year,  one  and  a  half  acres  of  laud 
at  Pine  Hill,  near  the  meeting  house,  were  set  apart  as  a  public 
burying  ground. 

May  3. — Thomas  Millet  and  the  Proprietors  of  Hilton's  Point 
in  Dover  petitioned  the  Assembly  for  a  Gate  Way,  and  an  order 
was  passed  that  the  petitioners  serve  the  selectmen  with  a  copy 
to  appear  to  show  cause,  &c. 

Capt.  Mathes,  a  selectman  of  Dover  appearing  and  not  object- 
ing, the  petitioners  had  leave  to  set  up  a  gate  at  the  entrance 
into  the  highway  that  leads  up  from  the  water's  side  by  Capt. 
Millets  over  Huckleberry  hill,  &c. 

The  "people  called  Quakers"  again  petitioned  to  be  ex- 
cused, when  constables,  from  gathering  Minister's  rates  ;  and 
the  Assembly  excused  them  by  enacting  that  such  persons  shall 
be  exempted  from  gathering  such  rates  of  any  other  persuasion, 
and  that  the  town  should  make  choice  of  those  who  were  not 
Quakers  to  gather  the  same. 

1732 
March  —  "On  the  8th  of  this  month  Doctor  Alden  was  found 
Dead  in  the  High  Street  of  Dover  at  his  Horses  Feet.  He  had 
a  deep  Wound  in  his  Head  supposed  to  be  received  in  his  Fall 
from  a  Glass  Bottle  he  held  in  his  Right  Hand  :  One  of  his  I^egs 
was  broke,  and  he  was  frozen  stiff."     {Boston  News  Letter^ 

List  made  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  Seven  hundred  and 
thirty  two  of  all  ye  trained  soldiers  at  ye  South  side  of  Oyster  River  in 
Dover  ye  third  comppenney  in  Coll  Gilmans  Regiment  and  under  ye 
command  of  John  Smith  Junner  our  preasant  Captain  May  ye  fifth. 

Peter  Mason,  John  Smith  ye  third,  Samuel  Smith,  Benjamin  Smith, 
Joshua  Crumit,  Robert  Kant,  Joseph  Thomas,  William  Shepard,  Daniel 


134  NOTABLE  EVENTS   IN   THE  [1733 

Doo,  Abraham  Beiinet,  Solomon  Davies,  Jabues  Davies,  Jeremiah  Davies, 
John  Moor.  John  Laski,  William  Randal,  John  Randal,  John  Petman,  Na- 
thaniel Meader,  Thomas  Drew  Junuer,  Eli  Clark,  Eleazer  Benet,  John 
Genkens,  John  Gra,  John  Jenkens  Junner,  George  Gray,  Jacob  Wormwood, 
Richard  Denmore,  Joseph  Daveis  Junner,Beniamin  Daveis, Samuel  Daveis, 
Salathiel  Denmore  Junner,  Hezekias  Marsh,  Stephen  Willie,  Benjamin 
Durgin,  John  Drew,  Joseph  Chesly,  John  Durgin,  James  Durgin,  Thomas 
Chesley ,  James  Smith,  Joseph  Durgin,  Joseph  Woodman , Thomas  Langley , 
John  Davies,  Jonathan  Durgin,  Joshua  Davies,  John  Runls,  Joseph  Worm- 
wood, John  Daveis  Junner,  Jeremiah  Pender,  Ebenezer  Daveis,  John 
Doo,  Joseph  Doo,  Benjamin  Doo,  TheoderWille,  Francis  Drew,  Francies 
Footman,  Thomas  Drew  ye  third,  Eliphalet  Daniel,  John  Langley 
Stephen  Genkins  Junner. 

May  8. —  Stephen  Jones  of  Oyster  river  made  application  to 
the  Assembly  for  relief,  on  the  ground  that  "when  his  father's 
house  was  burnt,  he  had  burnt  in  his  chest  in  said  house  forty 
two  pounds  of  this  Province  money."  It  was  voted  that  he  be 
paid  that  sum  "out  of  the  money  now  to  be  burnt."  (The 
Assembly  at  every  session  was  in  the  habit  of  ordering 
"  brought  in  to  be  burnt"  all  the  paper  money  issued  by  the 
Province  which  had  been  received  for  taxes,  &c.) 

Paul  Gerrish,  Esq.  one  of  the  Dover  representatives  had 
"liberty  to  be  absent  on  Extraordinary  occasions." 

May  15. — The  Assembly  voted  that  Oyster  River  be  a  Parish 
by  the  name  of  Durham,  and  the  act  was  approved  by  Gov. 
Belcher  on  this  day. 

1733 

Feb.  6. — A  petition  of  226  inhabitants  of  Dover  to  Gov. 
Belcher  and  his  Majesty's  Council  represented  "that  there  was 
a  very  considerable  tract  of  land  very  commodious  for  settlement 
lying  nigh  Winnepessocay  Pond,  and  these  humble  petitioners 
not  having  a  competency  of  land  to  afford  them  a  comfortable 
subsistence,  prayed  that  their  honors  would  be  pleased  to  grant 
them  said  tract  of  land  for  a  township  of  such  dimensions,  and 
with  such  limitations,  restrictions  and  conditions  as  they  in 
their  great  wisdom  should  think  proper." 

The  petition  was  ordered  to  "lye  for  consideration." 


1735-6]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  135 

1734 

Oct.  18. — A  petition  of  Christian  Baker,  praying  for  liberty 
to  keep  a  House  of  public  entertainment  was  read  ;  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioner  granted,  with  liberty  to  bring  in  a  bill  accord- 
ingly,     {Asscjnb/y  Records.) 

(Mrs.  Christina  Baker  was  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Richard  Otis, 
and  with  her  mother  and  others  was  taken  captive,  in  infancy,  by 
the  Indians,  in  their  attack  on  Dover,  as  related  in  1689.) 

David  Dunbar,  Lieut.  Governor  of  New  Hampshire  and  Sur- 
veyor of  the  King's  Woods,  at  this  time,  had  marked  some 
timber  in  Dover  as  the  "King's  Own."  Paul  Gerrish,  who 
had  Major  Waldron's  blood  in  his  veins,  thought  he  had  a 
better  right  to  it  than  Dunbar  or  the  King  either,  and  deter- 
mined to  maintain  it.  He  sawed  the  timber  into  boards,  with- 
out any  reverence  for  or  regard  to  the  King's  mark.  Dunbar 
on  hearing  of  his  audacity,  forthwith  came  to  Dover  with  a 
boats  crew  to  seize  the  boards.  He  found  Gerrish  at  the  mill 
at  the  head  of  a  goodly  number  of  workmen  prepared  to  dis- 
pute his  claims.  But  Dunbar  was  fearless,  and  blustered  and 
threatened  and  looked  big.  Gerrish  and  his  men,  however, 
feared  neither  law  nor  the  sword.  When  Dunbar  threatened 
they  threatened,  and  when  he  swore  they  swore  back  again, 
until  he  concluded  that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor, 
and  retreated  without  effecting  his  object,  and  without  the 
boards. 

1735-6 

The  country  was  visited  with  a  new  epidemic  which  obtained 
the  name  of  the  "  throat  distemper,"  and  which  was  very  fatal 
to  children.  It  prevailed  extensively  in  almost  every  town  in 
New  Hampshire,  and  many  families  lost  all  their  children. 
About  one  thousand  died  in  fifteen  towns.  The  number  of 
deaths  in  Dover  was  eighty  eight,  seventy  seven  of  which  were 
children  under  ten  years  of  age. 

From  July  1735,  to  September  1736,  in  Hampton,  55  persons 
died  of  throat  distemper  ;  99  in  Portsmouth;  88  in  Dover  ;  127 
in  Exeter;  11  in  Newcastle  ;  37  in  Gossport;  44  in  Rye  ;  18  in 
Greenland;  21  in  Newington;  22  in  Newmarket;  18  in  Stratham  ; 
113  in  Kingston  ;  100 in  Durham  ;  22  in  Chester;  210  in  Hampton 
Falls.     {Belknap.) 

There  was  published  in  Boston  a  pamphlet  of  17  pages  of 
rhyme,  concerning  the  ravages  of  the  throat  distemper.  The 
two  following  verses  are  a  specimen  : 


136  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1738 

"  To  Newbury  O  go  and  see 
To  Hampton  and  Kingston 
To  York  likewise  and  Kittery 
Behold  what  God  hath  done. 

The  bow  of  God  is  bent  abroad 

Its  arrows  swiftly  fly 

Young  men  and  maids  and  sucking  babes 

Are  smitten  down  thereby." 

1737 
This  year  we  had  a  hard  winter,  backward  spring,  and  hay 
exceedingly  scarce  ;  many  cattle  died.  In  the  summer  there 
was  a  scarcity  of  corn  also,  so  that  many  people  went  about 
begging  people  to  sell  them  at  almost  any  price  a  quart  of  corn, 
to  keep  them  from  starving.  A  good  crop  of  English  hay,  and 
afterwards  of  corn,  put  a  stop  to  this  severe  suffering. 

1738 

Feb.  25. — At  Oyster  River  Mr.  Pere's  house  was  burnt  down, 
&  himself  and  four  children  consumed  in  the  flames.  His  wife 
jumped  out  of  a  chamber  window,  but  is  scorched  to  such  a 
degree  that  her  life  is  despaired  of.      {Boston  paper.) 

The  following  deposition  of  Christine  Baker  is  given  in 
Bourne's  History  of  Kennebunk  as  used  in  a  suit  brought  by 
Aaron  Littlefield  against  the  executors  of  his  father's  will  to 
recover  his  portion  of  the  estate.  He  had  been  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Indians  and  carried  to  Canada  where  he  was  detained 
several  years.  When  he  returned  the  other  heirs  objected  to 
his  claim  on  the  ground  that  he  had  become  a  Catholic,  and 
therefore  had  no  rights  which  the  court  was  bound  to  respect. 
Bourne  mistakenly  says  that  "  Captain  Christian  Baker  in  1714 
discovered  that  L,ittlefield  was  at  Quebec  and  gave  such  infor- 
mation to  the  Governor  as  succeeded  in  securing  his  return," 
&c.,  whereas  "  Christian  "  was  the  "Christine  Otis  "  whose 
captivity  is  related  under  the  head  of  1689. 

The  deposition  of  Christen  Baker.  All  that  I  can  say  concerning 
Aaron  Littlefield  Who  Whares  taken  by  the  Ingons  from  Calebunk  in  ye 
Province  of  Massitusetts  to  the  Best  of  My  knowledge  is  as  follows, 
that  I  Very  Well  knew  him  in  Canady,  and  that  he  was  baptized  Peter 
and  that  he  was  A  papist  by  Profeshon,  and  his  Living  and  his  Marige 
was  in  a  place  called  Bashervell  in  Canady,  Nine  Miles  from  Mount 
Royal,  and  that  I  See  his  Sister  in  the  Nunnery  in  Canady  About  fifteen 
or  Sixteen  years  ago.     And  this  is  ye   Hull  truth  of  What  I   know,  as 

witness  my  hand. 

Sworn  to  Before  Paul  Gerrish,  J.  P. 
Dover,  April  1738. 


1742]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  137 

Sept.  9. — In  the  Assembly,  it  was  ordered  that  the  clerk  send 
to  Dover  and  Exeter  representatives  that  have  been  absent  this 
session,  to  appear  Monday  next,  to  attend  to  his  Majesty's  ser- 
vice at  their  peril. 

A  moderate  winter ;  all  sorts  of  provisions  plenty  and  a  good 
crop  of  corn  and  hay. 

1739 
An  exceedingly  hard  winter  ;    hay  scarce  and  dear.     In  the 
summer   a    great  crop  of  hay  and    grain,   but  a  short  crop  of 
Indian  corn. 

1740 

July  21. — "A  list  of  the  training  men  under  Thos.  Millet, 
Capn.  of  Dover,"  published  in  the  State  Papers,  Vol.  9th,  gives 
the  number  as  97  ;  and  ' '  a  list  of  ye  Second  foot  Company  of 
Dover,  July  24,  1740,"  published  in  the  same  volume,  gives  the 
names  of  153.  Attested  by  John  Wingate,  Left.  The  "List 
of  the  Troopers  under  the  command  of  CopU  Tristram  ColEn 
in  Dover,  July  ye  29,  1740,"  also  published  in  the  same  volume, 
gives  the  names  of  40.  Stephen  Robarts,  dark.  Making  a 
total  of  290. 

Moderate  winter;  a  great  crop  of  corn,  but  very  green.  In 
the  fall  a  long  storm  of  twenty  days,  in  which  there  was  not 
one  whole  fair  day.  Many  mills,  bridges  &c.  were  carried 
away  ;  cellars  were  full  of  water,  and  corn  being  green,  rotted 
in  the  chambers. 

1741 

A  hard  winter ;  deep  snows,  scarcely  any  passing  except 
through  fields  and  on  snow  shoes.  Hay  scarce  in  the  spring. 
In  the  summer  good  crops  of  hay,  grain  and  corn. 

1742 

Among  the  acts  of  the  Assembly  this  year  was  an  act  for 
"  Docking  an  Intail  "  of  a  certain  parcel  of  Land  containing 
ninety  seven  acres,  situate  in  Dover,  given  and  devised  by 
Thomas  Hanson,  in  and  by  his  last  will  and  testament,  unto  his 
two  sons  Manl  and  Jonathan. 

The  widow  of  Thomas  Pinckham,  late  of  Dover,  complained 
to  the  Assembly  that  her  late  husband  "did  inlist  himself  in  his 
Majesty's  service  for  the  late  Cuba  expedition,  and  that  there 
was  allowed  him  the  sum  of    2  pds.    14s.    for   his  subsistence 


138  NOTABLE  EVENTS   IN   THE  [1744 

money,  which  was  never  paid  him  or  her  " — whereupon  the 
Assembly  voted  that  the  said  widow  be  paid  the  sum  claimed 
"old  tenour  in  full  of  all  demands." 

The  proportion  which  Dover  paid  at  this  time  upon  every 
looo  pds.  of  Provincial  taxes  was  86  pds.  The  only  towns 
which  exceeded  it  were  Portsmouth  and  Exeter,  the  former  pay- 
ing 140  pds.  and  the  latter  89  pds. 

A  moderate  winter  and  fruitful  summer.  The  throat  distem- 
per prevailed  this  year,  and  95  persons  died  in  a  population  of 
about  800. 

1743 

The  Provincial  Assembly  this  year  appointed  a  committee 
"  to  take  a  draft  of  the  whole  township  of  Dover,  and  to  set  off 
that  part  that  is  set  off  to  Durham,  and  likewise  set  off  what  is 
Somersworth  and  to  set  off  what  they  think  is  necessary  for  a 
new  Parish  at  Madbury  and  to  represent  the  quantity  and  quality 
of  the  lands  in  the  Parish  of  old  Dover  and  that  proposed 
for  Madbury,  in  the  best  manner  they  can  and  to  make  their 
report  at  the  next  session." 

The  Assembly  voted  that  Capt.  John  Gage  (one  of  the  Dover 
representatives)  be  paid  the  sum  of  7  pds.  old  tenor  for  a  pair 
of  blankets  supplied  Capt.  Cowas  and  his  squaw,  per  the 
Governor's  order. 

Members  of  the  Assembly  who  did  not  attend  promptly  to 
their  duty  w^ere  fined  or  had  their  pay  docked.  June  29,  it  is 
recorded  that  "  the  question  was  put  whether  Capt.  Wallingford 
(a  Dover  member)  shall  be  allowed  a  day  for  the  24th  curr't,  he 
only  appearing  in  the  forenoon  about  an  hour.  It  past  in  the 
negative,  and  that  the  clerk  strike  that  day  out  of  entry."  At 
the  same  session  the  fine  for  absence  without  leave  was  increased 
from  five  to  ten  shillings. 

A  moderate  winter.  In  the  summer  a  multitude  of  devouring 
worms  appeared,  so  thick  in  some  places  as  to  make  people  sick 
while  mowing  their  grass,  and  the  hay  stunk  after  being  put 
into  the   barns.     Grasshoppers  also  devoured   much  corn   and 

grass. 

1744 

Feb.  15. — Col.  Thomas  Wallingford,  a  member  of  the  Assem- 
bly from  Dover,  made  complaint  to  the  House  that  on  the  13th, 
during  the  session,  Cyprian  Jeffrey,  of  Portsmouth,  storekeeper, 
made    an  assault  upon  him  and  drawing  his   knife  said   "he 


1745]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  139 

would  cut  his  (Wallingford's)  throat,  if  he  got  forty  men  to  do 
it."  The  House,  considering  that  Jeffre}^  in  so  doing,  did 
greatly  affront,  insult  and  offer  great  indignity  to  them,  issued 
a  warrant  for  his  arrest,  and  on  his  being  brought  before 
them  he  acknowledged  himself  to  be  in  fault  and  declared  that 
he  had  no  design  to  affront  the  House  or  Col.  Wallingford  and 
prayed  for  forgiveness,  which  was  granted.  Col.  Wallingford 
declaring  himself  satisfied,  and  the  offender  dismissed  on  paying 
costs. 

"A  hard  winter,  but  fruitful  summer.  Provisions  were 
plenty,  and  people  complained  because  they  could  not  find  a 
market  for  their  produce.  Many  people  driven  out  of  the  woods 
this  year  by  the  Indians." 

1745 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  this  year,  Thomas  Millet, 
Esq.  and  Capt.  John  Wingate  appeared  before  the  House  and 
represented  that  no  proper  return  had  been  made  by  the 
selectmen  of  Dover  of  the  election  of  Col.  Thomas  Walling- 
ford, John  Gage,  Esq.  and  Major  Thomas  Davis,  who  claimed 
seats  as  members  from  that  town  ;  and  that  four  of  the  select- 
men had  made  a  return  on  the  precept  for  three  other  persons. 
Upon  this  representation  the  House  sent  for  the  sheriff  to  pro- 
duce his  precept  and  returns,  who  appeared  and  alleged  as  the 
reason  why  he  returned  the  sitting  members  was  because  he 
was  at  the  town  meeting  and  thought  the  gentlemen  he  had 
returned  were  the  proper  persons. 

On  examination  it  appeared  that  four  of  the  selectmen  out  of 
the  five  had  made  a  return  on  the  precept  for  three  other  per- 
sons. The  question  was  then  raised  whether  an  election  "  can 
be  due  unless  the  qualifications  of  the  electors  be  judged  of  by 
the  selectmen  and  moderator  or  the  major  part  of  them  as 
directed  by  the  triennial  act."  The  majority  of  the  House 
decided  that  the  question  "  ought  not  to  be  put,"  and  then  after 
considerable  debate  it  was  voted  that  the  sitting  members  were 
legally  elected  to  represent  the  town.  From  this  decision 
Meshech  Weare  and  five  other  members  ' '  pray 'd  leave  to  dissent 
and  accordingly  did  dissent." 

At  the  capture  of  Louisburg  this  year  Dover  furnished  a 
company  of  soldiers  which  was  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron,  and  afterwards  of  Samuel  Hale. 


140  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  1745] 

The  muster  roll  of  this  company,  which  has  been  preserved 
by  William  Hale,  a  grandson  of  Capt.  Samuel  Hale,  contains 
the  following  names  : 

Samuel  Hale,  Captain,  Dover.  Entrance  Feby  13.  In  the  service 
till  Octr,  I, —  32  weeks,  6  days.  Received  of  the  Commissary, 
19  shillings,  6  pence. 

Moses  Wingett,  Ivieutenant. 

Clement  Ham,  Ensign. 

Eleazar  Young,  Sergeant. 

Benjamin  Lebby,  Sergeant,     a. 

Samuel  Heard,  Sergeant,     a.  c. 

John  Bussell,  Sergeant. 

John  Giles,  Corporal,     a.  c. 

Samuel  Tibbets,  Corporal,     c. 

Thomas  Perkins,  Corporal.     Rochester. 

Reuben  Gray,  Corporal,     a. 

John  Hubbard,  Drummer.  , 

Samuel  Merrow,  Rochester. 

Jacob  Bussell.     Father,  John  Bussell. 

Ichabod  Hill.     a.  d. 

John  Titcomb.     c. 

John  Hussey. 

Benjamin  Stanton.     Father  Ben  Stanton,     a. 

Josiah  Clark.     Father,  Josiah  Clark,     a. 

R.  Kenny  Waldron.     a. 

Stephen  Evans.     Master,  Elihu  Hayes,     a. 

Ebenezer  Cook.     c. 

Joseph  Abbot. 

Samuel  Watson,     c. 

Daniel  Wingett. 

Thomas  Ash.     b. 

Archibald  Smith. 

Daniel  Lebby.     Master,  David  Danels.     a.  d. 

William  Glidden. 

John  Forse.     a. 

William  Thompson.     Rochester. 

Nicholas  Grace.     Master,  William  Gerrish.     a.  d. 

Joseph  Berrey.     a. 

Paul  Nute. 

L,ove  Kenney, 

Morrice  Fowler. 

David  Kinket.     Master,  Wm.  Damm.     a. 

Zebulon  Drue.     c. 

John  Gowell. 

Richard  Harris,     a. 

Jacob  Hossom.     a.  c. 

John  Smith,     a. 

Thomas  Roberts.     Master,  Samuel  Roberts,     a.  d. 

Nathaniel  Perkins,  Master,  Samuel  Roberts,     a.  d. 


1745]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  141 

D.     Henry  Sleeper.     Portsmouth.     Master,  Joseph  Buss. 
D.     Sam.  Indian,  Portsmouth.     Master,  Richard  Salter. 
D.     Samuel  Hunt.     (  Huntress  on  another  slip).     Portsmouth. 
D.     Eliphalet  Ring.     Portsmouth. 

D.     Joseph  Nelson.     Portsmouth.     Master,  Charles  Holt. 
D.    Jonathan  Stoodley,  Portsmouth. 

D.     George  Damm.     Portsmouth.     Master  Solomon  (PReede). 
D.     Theophilus  Damm,  Newington. 
Benjamin  Bunker,  Clerk,  Durham,     a. 
Louisburg.  Octr  ist,  1745. 

Errors  Excepted.  Saml  Hale 

Wm  Wi Commissary. 

a.  In  service  until  October  i,  — 32  weeks,  6  days. 

b.  In  service  until  May  20, — 13  weeks,  5  days. 

c.  Received  of  the  Commissary,  one  pair  of  Mogasons. 

d.  Received  of  the  Commissary,  one  pound  four  shillings. 
D.     "  Draughted  Men." 

Belknap,  speaking  of  the  New  Hampshire  vohinteers,  says  : 
"  By  the  17th  of  February,  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  were 
enlisted  for  the  service."  New  Hampshire  furnished,  in  all, 
three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  under  command  of  Col.  Samuel 
Moore ;  not  including  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  raised  in  our 
Province,  but  in  the  pay  of  Massachusetts.  New  Hampshire 
furnished  one  eighth  of  the  entire  force  raised  in  New  England  ; 
a  less  proportion  than  at  Bunker  Hill,  where  more  than  one  half 
were  from  our  State. 

The  throat  distemper  prevailed  this  year.  A  letter  from 
Benja.  Hanson,  jr.  to  I^t.  Moses  Wingate,  who  was  in  the 
army,  gives  this  local  intelligence  : 

Wm.  Twombly  3d  has  lost  2  children  and  Joseph  Twombly  has  lost 
one,  his  only  son.  We  have  had  very  violent  thunder  and  lightning, 
such  as  you  and  I  never  saw  hardly  in  our  lifetimes.  Your  brother  John 
Drew  was  killed  by  lightning  in  the  month  of  May  on  Sabbath  day. 
*  *  *  We  had  a  hard  trial  for  Assembly  men,  such  as  you  never  saw  in 
this  town  though  you  are  an  older  man  than  I  am.  *  *  *  They  have  got 
John  Gage,  Esq.  Thomas  Wallingford,  Esq.  and  Thomas  Davis.  Major, 
my  loving  friend,  I  have  writ  the  heads  of  all  the  news  and  concerns  of 
our  town.  Your  wife  has  often  been  at  my  house  and  she  bears  your 
absence  as  well  as  you  or  I  can  expect  any  woman,  considering  their  cir- 
cumstances. I  write  in  short,  having  no  opportunity  but  this,  being 
from  home  at  Capt.  Hanson's,  without  any  jacket  on  my  back,  but 
thanks  be  my  credit  and  purse  I  have  a  good  bowl  of  punch  in  my  hand 
and  I  wish  you  was  with  me  to  take  a  part  with  me. 

A  very  moderate  winter  and  fruitful  summer.  Provisions 
plenty  and  cheap,  but  merchants'  goods  very  dear. 


142  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1746 

In  1842  the  New  Boston  Artillery  had  in  its  possession  an 
ancient  piece  of  ordnance  which,  it  is  stated  : 

Is  a  handsome  French  piece,  cast  at  Paris  in  1743,  and  has  upon  it  the 
French  Colonial  Arms,  and  an  appropriate  inscription.  The  marks  upon 
it  evince  that  it  has  seen  other  service  in  its  day  than  that  of  stirring  up 
the  echoes  among  the  New  Boston  hills  at  annual  Regimental  Musters. 
An  abrasion  upon  its  knob  shows  that  it  has  been  struck  by  the  shot  of 
an  opposing  gun,  and  sabre  hacks  liberally  distributed  over  it,  mark  it 
as  the  trophy  of  some  desperate  conflict.  It  was  captured  by  the  New 
Hampshire  troops  under  command  of  Sir  William  Pepperell  at  the 
seige  of  Louisburg  in  1745,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  presented  by 
him  to  the  Province  through  Governor  Wentworth. 

Two  other  guns,  which  were  captured  at  the  same  time,  after 
being  used  by  the  Portsmouth  Artillery  until  they  were  con- 
sidered dangerous,  were  exchanged  with  some  brass  founder  for 
old  bronze. 

1746 

June  27. — A  party  of  Indians  came  down  to  Rochester,  where 
seeing  live  men  at  work  in  a  field  with  their  arms  at  hand,  the 
Indians  concealed  themselves  and  one  of  them  fired  his  gun  for 
the  purpose  of  inducing  the  men  to  discharge  their  pieces, 
which  they  did.  The  Indians  then  rushed  upon  them  before 
they  could  load  again  and  the  men  retreated  to  a  small  deserted 
house  and  fastened  the  door.  The  Indians  tore  off  the  roof,  and 
with  their  guns  and  tomahawks  despatched  Joseph  Heard, 
Joseph  Richards,  John  Wentworth  and  Gershom  Downs.  They 
wounded  and  took  John  Richards,  and  then  crossing  over  to 
another  road,  came  to  some  men  who  were  at  work  in  a  field,  all 
of  whom  escaped  ;  but  they  took  Jonathan  Door,  a  boy,  as  he 
was  sitting  on  a  fence.  Richards  was  kindly  used,  his  wounds 
were  healed,  and  after  eighteen  months,  he  was  sent  to  Boston 
in  a  flag  of  truce.  Door  lived  with  the  Indians  and  acquired 
their  manners  and  habits,  but  after  the  conquest  of  Canada 
returned  to  Rochester.     {Belknap.) 

Thursday,  Oct.  16,  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  with 
advice  of  Council,  as  a  day  of  public  fasting  and  prayer  on 
account  of  the  French  fleet  now  upon  or  near  our  coast,  the 
shortness  of  our  harvest  of  corn,  &c. 

Moderate  winter.  A  terrible  drought  in  the  summer,  which 
cut  short  both  the  corn  and  grass,  so  that  corn  which  had  been 
selling  at  ids.  per  bushel,  now  sold  at  26s. 


1749]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  143 

1747 
Jan.  7. — A  portion  of  the  regiment  which  had  been  raised  for 
the  reduction  of  Canada,  set  out  on  their  march  from  Dover  to 
Winnipiseogee  pond  this  day.  Walter  Bryant,  who  accompanied 
the  expedition  as  surveyor  and  guide,  records  the  starting  of  the 
expedition  as  follows  : 

Wednesday,  January  7th,  A.  D.  1746-7— Major  Davis,  Capt.  Goffe,  and 
Capt.  Shackford  with  sundry  of  their  men  marcht  from  Cochecho  to 
Rochester. 

On  a  Sabbath  morning  in  the  spring  of  this  year,  at  Rochester,  the 
wife  of  Jonathan  Hodgdon  was  taken  by  the  Indians,  as  she  was  going  to 
milk  her  cows.  She  called  aloud  to  her  husband.  The  Indians  would 
have  kept  her  quiet,  but  as  she  persisted  in  calling,  they  killed  her, 
apparently  contrary  to  their  intentions.  Her  husband  heard  her  cries 
and  came  to  her  assistance  at  the  instant  of  her  death.  His  gun  missed 
fire  and  he  escaped. 

A  tedious  hard  wnnter;  drifting  snows  and  diflBcult  passing, 
but  a  fruitful  summer.  This  year  the  value  of  paper  money 
sank  extremely  low,  making  it  difficult  to  transact  business. 

1748 

Petitions  for  the  new  town  of  Somersworth  were  presented  to 
the  Assembly  this  year,  and  the  House  voted  to  set  it  off  from 
Dover  "  invested  with  all  the  privileges  and  powers  of  a  town, 
distinct  from  Dover,  except  the  managing  of  the  common  lands," 
but  in  the  Council  the  bill  was  "  read  and  debated  and  ordered 
to  lay  for  consideration." 

A  hard,  cold  winter,  the  most  severe  ever  known.  The  severe 
cold  began  on  the  27th  of  November,  and  on  the  3d  of  Decem- 
ber the  deep  snows  began  to  come,  and  continued  storms  soon 
made  it  very  difficult  to  pass  even  across  the  fields  or  on  the 
rivers.  It  was  estimated  that  twelve  feet  of  snow  fell  during  the 
winter.  This  large  body  of  snow  went  away  strangely,  without 
any  rain  or  flood.  A  terrible  drought  followed  in  the  summer, 
which  cut  short  the  English  grain  and  grass,  but  the  Indian  corn 
stood  it  wonderfully.     Much  damage  done  by  fires  in  the  woods. 

1749 

Great  excitement  was  occasioned  at  this  time  by  a  controversy 

between  the  Governor  and  the  Provincial  Legislature  in  respect 

to  the  prerogatives  of  the  former,  who  claimed  the  privilege  of 

granting  writs  for  the  election  of  members  independent  of  the 


144  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1750 

consent  of  the  Assembly.  The  party  in  opposition  to  the  Gov- 
ernor elected  Richard  Waldron  Speaker.  The  Governor  nega- 
tived his  appointment  and  ordered  the  house  to  admit  the  new 
members  and  choose  another  speaker.  This  they  refused  to  do, 
and  as  neither  party  would  yield,  no  business  was  transacted. 
The  Assembly  met  about  once  in  a  month  and  was  kept  alive, 
by  adjournments  and  prorogations,  for  three  years.  The  public 
credit  suffered  greatly  by  this  controversy.  No  taxes  could  be 
laid  or  collected.  The  public  records  were  shut  up.  No 
authenticated  papers  could  be  obtained.  The  soldiers  who 
guarded  the  frontiers  could  not  get  their  pay. 

A  comfortable  winter,  but  in  April  came  a  most  distressing 
drought,  which  cut  off  the  English  grain  and  grass,  and  cattle 
were  ready  to  perish  for  want  of  feed.  Indian  corn  seemed 
almost  past  recovery,  but  a  fine  rain  on  the  6th  of  July  revived 
the  corn  so  that  we  had  the  best  crop  ever  known,  which  was 
the  principal  support  of  both  man  and  beast.  Many  people 
went  from  forty  to  sixty  miles  into  the  woods  to  cut  meadows, 
and  others  drove  their  cattle  into  the  woods,  to  browse  them. 

1750 

Aug.  26. — A  singular  and  splendid  appearance  in  the  heavens 
was  noticed  at  this  time  which  is  thus  described  by  one  who 
witnessed  it.  "This  evening  I  was  suddenly  surprised  by  an 
explosion  in  the  air.  It  was  a  quarter  after  nine,  and  the  sky 
as  free  from  [clouds  and  thick  of  stars  as  I  ever  saw  it.  It 
appeared  as  if  the  sky  opened  in  the  south  about  half  way  from 
the  horizon,  as  large  as  the  broadside  of  a  house,  and  the  flame 
as  deep  a  color  as  any  fire  I  ever  saw.  It  closed  up  gradually, 
and  was  near  two  minutes  before  it  disappeared."  {I>ite?ieaved 
almanac  .^ 

Sept.  26. — An  Indian  named  Nambrous,  belonging  to  the 
Penobscot  tribe,  was  arrested  for  attempting  to  kill  Moses  Win- 
gate  of  Dover  by  stabbing  him  with  a  knife ;  but  there  being 
no  evidence  to  convict  him,  the  court,  Hon.  Ellis  Huske,  Chief 
Justice,  considering  that  the  Indian  natives  were  making  war 
upon  the  people  of  New  England,  referred  the  question  of  his 
discharge  to  the  Council,  which  body  advised  the  Governor  to 
give  orders  to  the  sheriff  to  detain  the  Indian  and  his  squaw  till 
further  orders. 

A  hard  winter,  which  made  it  difficult  keeping  cattle  alive. 
This  was  done  chiefly  by  corn  and  browse.  The  summer  was 
a  fruitful  one. 


1753]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  145 

1751 

"New  Year's  day  "  commenced  this  3'ear  on  the  21st  of 
December,  according  to  the  old  style  of  reckoning,  and  January 
I,  instead  of  March  21,  as  heretofore,  was  made  the  beginning 
of  the  year  or  "  first  month  "  for  all  future  time. 

An  uncommonly  moderate  winter,  so  that  the  ferry  boat 
crossed  the  salt  river  every  month  in  the  year,  but  a  cold  and 
backward  spring,  and  a  wet  summer.  Great  crops  of  hay,  and 
a  middling  crop  of  corn. 

1752 

The  time  for  which  the  Assembly  was  elected  having  expired, 
a  new  one  was  called  in  the  same  manner,  which  came  together 
with  a  spirit  of  moderation  and  a  disposition  to  transact  the  long 
neglected  business.  Meshech  Weare  was  elected  Speaker,  and 
all  things  went  on  smoothly. 

We  had  a  more  than  common  cold,  close,  hard  winter;  the 
severe  cold  continuing  for  two  full  months,  and  frozen  so  hard 
that  it  was  the  common  practice  to  go  with  sleds  and  sleighs 
from  Boston  to  Castle  William,  and  vessels  were  all  frozen  in. 
A  very  dry  spring;  in  the  summer  wet,  and  a  great  crop  of  hay, 
and  a  good  prospect  for  a  crop  of  corn,  but  on  August  29th 
there  was  a  severe  frost,  w^hich  killed  the  corn  and  almost  every 
green  thing.  There  was  scarcely  any  sound  corn  raised  and 
people  were  put  to  great  diflficulty  for  seed  corn  in  the  spring, 
and  in  the  spring  following  there  was  such  a  scarcity  of  provi- 
sions, both  corn  and  meat,  that  it  would  make  the  hardest  heart 
ache  to  hear  the  complaints  of  the  multitudes  of  people  ready 
to  perish  for  want  of  food,  and  begging  for  a  handfuU  of  corn. 
In  the  summer  corn  was  brought  in  vessels  from  over  the  sea, 
and  many  were  able  to  get  a  supply  at  45s.  per  bushel. 

{Lane' s  diary.) 

1753 
The  "  Friend's  meetings  "  which  had  begun  to  be  allowed, 
if  not  fully  tolerated,  in  various  places,  at  this  time,  became 
greatly  annoyed  by  outsiders  who  took  this  measure  to  prevent 
the  spread  of  the  "heresy."  At  Brentwood,  where  a  meeting 
was  allowed,  complaint  was  made  that  "several  persons,  men 
and  women  are  speaking  at  onetime,"  also  "  saluting  each  other 
men  and  women,  old  and  young  pretending  it  to  be  a  kiss  of 


146  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1755 

charity  which  will  prove  of  ill  consequences  if  you  continue 
therein."  This  complaint  resulted  in  the  discontinuance  of 
the  meeting  for  a  time. 

An  open  winter,  a  favorable  season,  and  good  crops  of  corn 
and  grass.     Very  sickly  throughout  the  country. 

1754 

Feb.  22. — Petitions  for  a  new  parish  in  Dover,  by  the  name  of 
Somersworth,  were  presented  again  this  year,  and  the  Assembly 
appointed  a  committee  "  to  take  a  view  of  such  part  of  Dover 
as  may  be  necessary  in  order  to  judge  whether  the  prayer  of  the 
petition  ought  to  be  granted  or  not,  and  make  report  thereof  as 
soon  as  may  be,  the  petitioners  to  be  at  the  cost  and  charge 
thereof." 

April  22. — The  act  for  incorporating  the  parish  of  Somers- 
worth into  a  town  was  passed  by  the  Assembly — the  town  taking 
the  name  which  the  parish  had  formerly  borne,  and  possessing 
the  same  boundaries. 

A  moderate  winter,  remarkable  for  an  uncommonly  cold  day 
coming  up  suddenly,  the  22d  January,  in  which  many  people 
out  a-fishing  and  otherwise  employed,  perished.  A  fruitful 
summer. 

1755 

Madbury  was  disannexed  from  Dover  and  made  a  parish  for 
the  support  of  a  minister  this  year  ;  being  as  they  alleged  at  a 
distance  from  the  meeting  houses  in  Dover  and  Durham,  and 
having  some  years  since  at  their  own  cost  built  a  meeting  house 
situated  more  conveniently. 

Two  companies  were  raised  this  year  in  Dover  and  the  towns 
formerly  a  part  of  it,  for  the  expedition  to  Crown  Point,  and 
another,  under  Capt.  Paul  Gerrish,  for  Albany.  New  Hamp- 
shire furnished  in  all  500  men. 

Nov.  18. — "About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  was  an  ex- 
ceeding shock  of  ye  earthquake  which  shock  was  nere  as  much 
as  that  in  ye  year  1727,  Oct.  29,  but  ye  noise  was  not  so  loud." 

{Kelly's  diary.) 

John  Winthrop,  Hollis  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Philoso- 
phy at  Harvard  College,  described  the  "  great  earthquake  which 
so  lately  (Tuesday,  Nov.  18,  1755)  spread  terror  and  threatened 
desolation  throughout  New  England,"  in  a  lecture  delivered  in 
the  chapel  of  the  college  on  the  week  following  the  earthquake. 


1757]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  147 

The  shocks  were  sufficient  to  throw  bricks  from  the  professor's 
chimneys  with  a  velocity  of  twenty-one  feet  per  second,  to  burst 
a  distiller's  cistern  by  the  agitation  of  the  liquor  in  it,  and  to 
break  off  the  spindle  of  the  vane  on  Faneuil  Hall  in  Boston. 
This  spindle  was  a  pine  stick,  five  inches  in  diameter  and  ten 
feet  in  height,  and  carried  a  weight  of  thirty  pounds  on  its  top. 
A  moderate  winter,  a  middling  crop  of  hay  and  a  light  crop 
of  corn.     A  troublesome  year  on  account  of  the  war. 

1756 

A  regiment  was  raised  in  New  Hampshire  this  year  to  operate 
against  Crown  Point,  the  command  of  which  was  given  to  Col. 
Nathaniel  Meserve,  and  Hon.  Thomas  Westbrooke  Waldron  of 
Dover,  was  appointed  a  commissioner,  to  reside  at  Albany,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  charge  of  the  stores. 

In  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point,  Samuel  Gerrish  led 
one  of  the  Dover  companies  and  John  Titcomb  another. 

"A  fourth  open  winter  in  succession.  Many  people  plowed 
and  fenced  in  the  month  of  February,  and  as  good  carting  as  in 
summer.     We  had  a  fruitful  summer." 

1757 

June  20. — At  a  public  town  meeting  held  for  the  purpose  of 
seeing  if  the  town  would  take  any  measures  "to  provide  a 
meeting  house  suitable  to  attend  the  public  worship  of  God  of 
which  we  are  destitute  at  present,"  it  was  voted  that  the  town 
would  provide  a  suitable  place.  Also  that  the  old  meeting 
house  be  pulled  down  and  applied  towards  the  building  of  a 
new  one  as  far  as  it  will  go ;  that  the  new  house  be  set  up  either 
where  the  old  one  stands  or  near  by  on  the  Town  privilege, 
either  on  the  hill  or  under  the  side  of  the  hill  as  the  Town  shall 
think  most  proper,  and  that  a  committee  be  chosen  to  draw  a 
plan  for  the  house,  to  take  proper  advice  as  to  the  bigness  and 
model  of  the  same,  and  to  "  serve  at  their  own  cost." 

July  4. — It  was  voted  that  a  plan  of  Berwick  lower  meeting 
house  taken  by  the  committee  be  accepted,  that  Thomas  W. 
Waldron,  Stephen  Evans  and  Dudley  Watson  be  appointed  to 
sell  the  pew  privileges  and  take  other  means  for  building  the 
house.  Laboring  men  in  building  the  house  to  have  thirty 
shillings  old  tenor  per  day,  finding  themselves,  and  the  same 
for  their  oxen  in  hauling  timber,  &c. 


148  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1758 

Dec.  23. — Samuel  Heard  of  Dover,  a  soldier  in  the  Crown 
Point  Expedition,  in  Col.  Nathl  Meserve's  regiment,  having 
represented  to  the  Assembly  his  indigent  circumstances  and  his 
not  being  able  to  subsist  himself  by  reason  of  the  loss  of  his  leg 
in  May,  1756,  and  the  late  grant  made  him  by  the  government 
being  spent,  it  was  voted  that  he  be  allowed  the  sum  of  thirty 
pounds,  to  be  delivered  him  as  occasion  may  require,  by  Capt. 
Thomas  Wk.  Waldron. 

A  hard  winter,  much  snow  and  a  great  scarcity  of  hay.  A 
very  sharp  drought  in  summer,  which  cut  short  the  fruits  of  the 
earth.     The  season  a  very  sickly  one. 

1758 

March  27. — At  a  public  town  meeting,  among  other  officers, 
Stephen  Evans  and  George  Hanson  were  chosen  "  Informers  or 
Inspectors  against  killing  Deer  out  of  season." 

Thomas  W.  Waldron  and  Howard  Henderson  were  chosen 
representatives  this  year. 

The  Assembly  passed  a  bill  this  year  limiting  the  number  of 
taverns  in  the  State.     The  number  allowed  to  Dover  was  three. 

April  28. — "  We  hear  from  Dover  that  at  a  late  regimental 
muster  an  enlisting  officer  had  part  of  one  of  his  feet  shot  away 
by  the  carelessness  of  a  soldier."     (A''.  H.  Gazette?) 

(Enlisting  was  going  on  at  this  time  to  raise  soldiers  for  the 
French  war — of  which  New  Hampshire  furnished  800.) 

June  5. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  voted  that  the  new 
meeting  house  be  built  on  the  bilinear  the  old  one.  At  another 
meeting,  held  July  10,  this  was  reconsidered,  and  it  was  voted 
to  set  it  upon  a  lot  purchased  of  Joseph  Hanson,  against  which 
Thomas  Millet  and  seven  others  (living  on  Dover  Neck)  entered 
their  dissent.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  and  make 
suitable  provision  for  raising  the  new  meeting  house. 

Nov.  27. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  voted  that  Rev. 
Mr.  Gushing  for  this  winter  season  shall  preach  and  hold  forth 
the  public  worship  of  God  in  the  new  meeting  house  and  there 
continue  said  service  for  the  future  and  that  he  begin  the  public 
worship  there  by  preaching  one  or  more  sermons  on  Wednesday 
the  13th  of  Dec.  next. 

The  selectmen  were  directed  to  take  care  of  the  old  meeting 
house  "  so  that  it  may  not  be  exposed  to  be  torn  to  pieces  this 
winter." 


1760]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  149 

' '  A  very  hard  winter,  deep  snows  and  the  most  difficult  passing 
we  have  had  for  ten  years.  The  latter  end  of  March  the  snow 
lying  3  or  4  feet  deep  was  as  hard  as  ice  and  people  sledded 
upon  it  over  fences.  Hay  was  scarce.  A  wet  summer,  the  corn 
being  very  green  stank  in  our  chambers.  Corn  sold  at  4  pds.  a 
bushel." 

1759 

March  26. — At  a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  old  meeting 
house  on  Pine  Hill,  Col.  John  Gage,  Capt.  Howard  Henderson 
and  lyieut.  Dudley  Watson  were  chosen  a  committee  to  petition 
the  General  Assembly  for  liberty  to  raise  money  by  a  lottery  to 
build  a  bridge  over  Cochecho  river. 

It  was  also  voted  to  have  two  schools  in  town,  exclusive  of  a 
grammer  school  and  the  school  in  Madbury  part.  (Madbury 
was  still  a  part  of  Dover.)  Also  to  pay  the  constables  at  the 
rate  of  20  shillings  for  every  100  pds.  for  collecting  the  taxes, 
instead  of  their  rates  being  given  in  as  heretofore,  provided 
they  make  up  with  the  selectmen  at  the  end  of  the  year. 

July  7. — At 'a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  new  meeting 
house,  it  was  voted  that  2500  pds.  old  tenor  be  raised  and  paid 
to  the  committee  for  building  the  house.  Also  that  Rev.  Mr. 
Cushing  have  1000  pds.  old  tenor,  for  his  salary.  Mr.  Cushing 
being  present  at  the  vote  accepted  the  same. 

Sept.  I. — Nicholas  Powers  coming  up  the  river  on  his  way 
home  from  Elliot  was  drowned.  He  was,  it  is  said,  a  school- 
master and  was  returning  from  his  school  at  Elliot  to  his  home 
on  Dover  Neck  when  his  boat  was  upset. 

Nov.  26. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  sell  the  old  meeting 
house  and  pay  the  proceeds  thereof  to  the  committee  for  build- 
ing the  new  house.  Also  voted  that  the  vacancy  left  "  in  front 
of  the  front  gallery  in  the  new  house  be  for  pew  privileges." 

"A  comfortable  winter,  a  very  wet  summer,  and  in  general 
the  most  plentiful  year  for  all  sorts  of  provisions  and  fruits  of  the 
earth  that  I  ever  knew."     Corn  sold  at  half  a  dollar  a  bushel. 

1760 

March  31. — At  a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  old  meeting 
house  on  Pine  Hill,  it  was  voted  that  there  be  no  more  schools 
for  the  year  ensuing  than  by  law  is  required. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  settle  the  lines  between  Dover 
and  Barrington  and  empowered  to  prosecute  or  petition  to  the 


ISO  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1761 

General  Assembly  if  needful  and  carry  on  the  same  to  a  final 
issue. 

(This  appears  to  have  been  the  last  "public  town  meeting 
held  at  the  old  meeting  house  on  Pine  Hill.") 

Oct.  13. — At  a  public  town  meeting  held  at  the  Quaker  meet- 
ing house,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  sell  the  old  school 
house  standing  on  Pine  Hill  and  pay  the  proceeds  thereof  to 
the  selectmen. 

The  Assembly  this  year  passed  an  act  granting  the  town  lib- 
erty to  raise  two  thousand  pounds,  new  tenor,  by  way  of  IvOt- 
tery,  to  rebuild  their  Great  Bridge  over  Cochecho  river — the  act 
to  be  in  force  three  years  and  no  longer. 

Another  comfortable  winter  and  fruitful  summer. 

1761 

Jan.  28. — The  Quakers  of  Dover,  by  Joseph  Austin,  Thomas 
Tuttle  and  Samuel  Austin,  for  and  on  behalf  of  themselves  and 
the  rest  of  their  brethren  and  by  order  of  their  monthly  meeting 
held  at  Cochecho  the  i8th  day  of  the  loth  mo.  1760,  petitioned 
the  Assembly,  setting  forth  that  they  were  burthened  with  a  tax 
to  hire  soldiers  into  the  service,  and  praying,  for  reasons  assigned, 
to  be  relieved  therefrom.  The  Assembly  assigned  a  day  for  a 
hearing  thereon,  and  ordered  them  to  cause  the  chief  ofl&cer  of 
the  Regiment,  &  the  selectmen  of  the  town  to  be  served  with  a 
copy  of  the  petition  and  order  thereon,  at  their  own  cost  and 
charge,  that  they  might  appear  and  shew  cause,  if  any  they 
had,  why  the  prayer  should  not  be  granted. 

Feb.  6. — It  was  voted  that  the  prayer  thereof  be  granted  and 
that  the  tax  ordered  by  the  Treasurer's  warrant  to  be  assessed 
on  the  people  called  Quakers  in  the  towns  of  Dover,  Durham, 
Somersworth,  Rochester  and  Barrington  in  the  year  1760,  be 
remitted  and  that  the  same  be  added  to  the  Province  Tax  of 
said  towns  for  the  year  1761. 

March  30. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  voted  to  petition 
the  General  Court  for  a  law  to  empower  the  First  Parish  to 
transact  their  affairs  exclusive  of  the  other  town  business. 

July  27. — The  committee  for  building  the  new  meeting  house 
having  complained  that  the  money  for  that  purpose  had  not  been 
fully  paid  them,  that  many  persons  who  had  agreed  to  do  so,  by 
the  purchase  of  pew  privileges,  had  neglected  it,  &c.  a  town 
meeting  was  held  at  which  the  committee  for  examining  their 
accounts  made  report   that   the   whole  amount  expended  was 


1762]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  151 

ii248pds.  1 8s.  4d,  old  tenor:  which  report  was  accepted  and 
the  building  committee  was  empowered  to  sue  those  men  who 
owe  money  towards  building  the  house. 

Aug.  27. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  over  the 
Cochecho  in  place  of  the  old  one,  the  latter  "not  being  fit  to 
repair  on  any  account  so  as  to  be  passable  for  man  or  horse." 
Three  thousand  pds.  old  tenor,  were  raised  for  building  the 
bridge. 

The  drought  was  so  severe  this  summer  as  to  cut  short  the 
crops  and  render  supplies  from  abroad  necessary.  During  the 
drought  a  great  fire  raged  in  the  woods,  in  the  towns  of  Barring- 
ton  and  Rochester,  burning  with  irresistible  fury  for  several 
weeks,  and  was  not  extinguished  till  a  plentiful  rain  fell  in 
August.  An  immense  quantity  of  the  best  timber  was  destroyed 
by  this  conflagration. 

1762 

June  II. — The  First  Church  was  incorporated  as  a  Parish  dis- 
tinct from  the  town  at  this  time. 

Oct.  4. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  over  Bellimons 
Bank  river,  at  or  near  the  place  where  the  old  bridge  was  stand- 
ing, and  raised  1200  pds.  old  tenor,  for  that  purpose. 

Howard  Henderson  and  Thomas  W.  Waldron  were  chosen 
representatives  to  the  Assembly. 

Oct.  30. — A  boat  was  upset  in  the  river  near  Dover  Point  and 
four  persons,  viz.  Mr.  Walton  and  wife,  her  brother  Hunking 
Moses,  and  Walton's  sister,  were  drowned.     (A".  H.  Gazette.^ 

We  had  the  most  severe  cold  long  winter  ever  known,  with 
deep  and  drifted  snows,  which  made  it  exceedingly  difficult 
passing  and  difficult  browsing  cattle  in  the  woods,  which  many 
people  depended  on  doing  for  want  of  hay.  The  spring  being 
backward,  many  cattle,  horses,  swine  and  sheep  died.  People 
were  put  to  great  difi&culty  to  get  their  plowing  done,  and  hay 
sold  for  100  pds.  per  ton.  In  the  upper  towns  especially  by  the 
month  of  February  there  was  scarcely  any  corn  to  be  bought, 
and  the  people  were  obliged  to  come  to  the  lower  towns  begging 
and  pleading  for  a  quart  of  corn.  Those  people  who  had  corn 
were  obliged  to  deal  it  out  little  by  little,  as  long  as  they  had 
any,  and  to  depend  for  a  supply  from  abroad  when  the  vessels 
should  come  in.  The  vessels  began  to  come  about  the  middle 
of  March  and  people  came  from  the  upper  towns  and  lugged  the 
corn  up  through  the  snow  drifts,  leading  their  horses.     Corn  at 


152  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1763 

first  was  sold  at  3  pds.  15s,  but  afterwards  as  high  as  6  pds.  a 
bushel.  When  the  spring  came,  all,  rich  and  poor,  were  buyers 
of  provisions.  But  the  discouraging  circumstances  of  the  people 
did  not  end  here.  They  had  no  sooner  planted  their  ground 
than  the  worms  appeared  and  it  seemed  as  if  they  would  destroy 
everything.  Many  planted  over  the  second  and  third  time. 
Gardens  were  wholly  eaten  up  and  ruined.  Then  a  most  dis- 
tressing early  drouth  came  on  in  the  month  of  May,  exceeding  that 
of  last  year,  for  we  had  but  little  rain  in  the  spring,  not  enough 
to  settle  the  ground  after  the  frost  was  out.  The  drouth  was  so 
sharp  and  grass  dried  up  so  fast  that  people  began  to  mow  what 
little  they  had  in  June,  and  there  was  not  more  than  half  or 
two  thirds  as  much  as  last  year.  It  sold  for  120  pds.  a  ton. 
English  grain  grew  strangely  and  we  had  a  pretty  good  crop, 
especially  winter  grain.  Indian  corn  stalks  dried  up  and  it  was 
thought  after  the  middle  of  August  that  we  should  have  little 
or  no  Indian  corn,  for  most  of  it  was  quite  dead  ;  but  Aug.  18 
we  had  a  plentiful  rain,  followed  by  seasonable  weather,  which 
remarkably  renewed  the  face  of  nature  and  recovered  most  of 
our  Indian  corn,  so  that  some  people  had  a  middling  crop. 
Grass  grew  remarkably  and  the  poor  cattle  came  to  good  beef. 
People  also  gathered  abundance  of  acorns  and  nuts  and  fattened 
their  pork  on  these,  thus  saving  their  corn.  During  the  severe 
drouth  of  this  summer  terrible  fires  prevailed  in  many  places, 
destroying  an  immense  amount  of  property,  filling  the  inhabi- 
tants with  terror  and  dismay.  Many  buildings  were  destroyed 
and  fields  laid  waste  by  the  fires.     {Lane' s  Journal^ 

1763 

March  28. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  over  the 
river  near  Capt.  Paul  Gerrish's  mill  in  Madbury. 

Oct.  7. — As  two  men  were  running  horses  in  Dover  one  of  the 
men  was  hove  off  and  instantly  killed.     {N.  H.  Gazette.') 

"  We  had  a  third  hard  winter,  deep  snows  and  difficult  travel- 
ling ;  (hay  scarce,  120  pds.  a  ton;)  and  a  very  wet  summer. 
Much  hay  cut,  but  mean  and  flashy,  sold  for  20  pds.  a  ton. 
Middling  crops  of  English  grain,  good  crops  of  flax  and  Indian 
corn,  and  abundance  of  Spanish  potatoes,  and  tho'  every  thing 
has  been  scarce  the  two  years  past,  yet  everything  is  very  plenty 
this  fall  except  money." 


1765]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  153 

1764 

A  comfortable  winter  and  provisions  plenty,  but  a  very 
unfruitful  summer,  short  crops  of  Indian  and  English  corn. 
Indian  corn  being  eaten  by  worms  and  planted  over  again,  was 
very  late  and  backward,  and  early  frosts  killed  abundance  of  it. 

1765 

March  25. — The  town  voted  to  have  five  schools  for  the  term 
of  six  months,  increasing  the  number  from  that  required  b)' 
law,  which  appears  to  have  been  three  including  Madbury, 
which  was  still  a  parish  of  Dover. 

Howard  Henderson  and  Thomas  W.  Waldron  were  chosen 
assembly  men. 

July  22. — The  vote  passed  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March 
"  to  hire  five  scliools  for  the  space  or  term  of  six  months,"  was 
reconsidered  at  a  meeting  called  at  the  request  of  thirty  free- 
holders hy  a  constable,  the  selectmen  having  declined  to  do  it. 

There  were  no  organized  school  districts  required  by  statute 
law  until  after  1800;  hence,  but  few  schoolhouses  were  erected 
and  but  few  instructors  were  required. 

In  December,  1771,  Governor  Wentworth  in  his  message  to 
the  legislature  called  their  attention  to  this  important  subject  in 
these  words : 

The  promotion  of  learning  obviously  calls  for  legislation.  The 
insufficiency  of  the  present  laws  is  evident,  seeing  that  nine-tenths  of 
our  towns  are  wholly  without  schools  or  have  such  vagrant  foreign  mas- 
ters as  are  much  worse  than  none,  being  for  the  most  part  unknown  in 
their  principles  and  deplorably  illiterate. 

This  picture  may  have  been  too  highly  colored,  but  it  was 
true  that  in  many  of  our  towns  no  money  was  rai.sed  for  the 
support  of  schools  until  after  the  peace  of  1783.  The  towns  in 
those  days  had  large  taxes  to  pay,  but  moderate  means  to  pay 
them,  and  all  their  energies  were  required  to  obtain  the  com- 
forts of  life  and  carry  on  the  war. 

A.  hard,  cold  and  difficult  winter,  with  deep  snows  and  as 
difficult  passing  as  ever  known.  Corn  scarce  and  beef  plenty. 
A  very  good  crop  of  ha)'  and  corn  this  summer.  The  land  is 
in  great  commotion  b)'  reason  of  the  Stamp  Act. 


154  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1767 

1766 

Jan.  16. — Lee,  part  of  the  original  territory  of  Dover,  and 
afterwards  of  Durham,  set  off  and  incorporated  as  a  town. 

June  2. — The  town  voted  to  erect  a  dwelling  house,  stable, 
ferry  ways,  &c.  at  Hilton's  Point  for  the  convenience  of  trav- 
ellers and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  obtain  subscriptions  to 
defray  the  expense. 

July  31. — Rev.  Jeremy  Belknap  was  invited  to  preach  in 
Dover  as  an  assistant  of  Rev.  Mr.  Gushing,  and  after  he  had 
preached  "  as  a  probationer"  for  a  month  it  was  unanimously 
voted  by  the  parish  to  pay  him  one  hundred  pounds  lawful 
money,  yearly  or  every  year,  as  a  salary.  It  was  also  voted  to 
give  him  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  to  be  paid  at  the  follow- 
ing periods  :  5opds.  in  three  months,  and  50  pds.  in  six  months, 
and  50  pds.  in  nine  months  next  after  his  ordination,  to  provide 
him  with  a  convenient  house  to  dwell  in  during  his  ministry  ; 
or,  instead  of  said  150  pds.,  that  the  parish  shall  provide  him  a 
convenient  house,  barn  and  garden  ;  and  that  it  be  left  to  his 
determination  and  choice  which  to  accept.  Mr.  Belknap 
decided  to  accept  the  150  pds. 

Dr.  Belknap  afterwards  purchased  of  Charles  Clapham  the 
house  on  Silver  street  where  he  lived  during  his  ministry  in 
Dover,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Belknap  school  house, 
and  was  taken  down  when  the  school  house  was  built  in  1854. 
The  Belknap  lot  originally  comprised  the  adjoining  lot  on 
which  the  house  built  about  1776  by  Dr.  Ezra  Green  stands, 
where  Dr.  Green  lived  until  his  death  in  1847,  and  which  did 
not  pass  out  of  the  hands  of  his  descendants  until  1876. 

A  moderate  winter  and  plentiful  crop  of  all  the  fruits  of  the 
earth  this  summer.     Health,  Peace  and  Plenty. 

1767 

April  13. — The  town  voted  to  appoint  a  committee  "  to  search 
the  Town's  former  accounts  to  see  if  there  is  any  mistake  in  said 
accounts  and  if  they  find  any  to  endeavor  to  have  them  recti- 
fied ;  "  40  pds.  were  raised  for  the  support  of  schools.  Capt. 
Shadrach  Hodgdon  had  leave  to  hang  a  gate  near  the  house  of 
Joseph  Hodgdon  at  his  own  cost ;  Elijah  Estes  was  indemnified 
for  the  loss  he  sustained  in  the  weight  of  gold  as  purser  for  the 
selectmen  ;  and  it  was  voted  not  to  purchase  a  Town  House. 

Thos.  W.  Waldron  and  Otis  Baker  were  chosen  represen- 
tatives. 


1767]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  155 

The  population  of  Dover  as  found  by  the  census  taken  this 
3'ear  was  1614,  viz  :  Unmarried  men  from  16  to  60,  186  ;  Married 
men  from  16  to  60,  217;  Boys  16  years  and  under,  347;  Men 
60  years  and  above,  39;  Females  unmarried,  500;  Females 
married,  239;  Male  slaves,  19;  Female  slaves,  9;  Widows,  58; 
— the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  State  being  52700.  By  this 
census  it  is  seen  that  in  the  previous  century  the  population  of 
the  town  had  increased  from  about  500  to  more  than  1600, 
though  Oyster  River  had  been  detached  from  it  and  incorporated 
in  part  as  Durham  in  1732  and  Lee  in  1766,  Bloody  Point  as 
Newington  in  1764  and  Fresh  Creek  as  Somersworth  in  1754. 
This  part  of  the  territory  of  the  old  town  set  off  from  the  parent 
stock  contained  in  1775,  Durham  12 14,  I,ee  954,  Newington 
332,  and  Somersworth  965,  a  population  of  3465  in  all,  or  more 
than  double  that  of  Dover  in  1770. 

This  population,  the  third  and  fourth  generations  in  descent 
from  the  original  settlers,  was  mainly  dependent  upon  what  they 
could  produce  from  the  soil  for  support.  Some  additional 
grants  of  land  had  been  made  to  outsiders  in  the  outlying  parts 
of  the  town  where  there  was  timber  and  water  power,  as  to 
Robert  Wadleigh  and  others  in  1669,  near  the  boundaries  of 
Exeter,  from  which  an  attempt  was  made  by  previous  settlers 
to  eject  them,  but  which  the  courts  in  Massachusetts,  which  had 
then  assumed  jurisdiction,  confirmed  to  them. 

The  following  correspondence,  honorable  to  both  parties, 
preserves  an  incident  in  Town  history,  or  of  that  of  some  of  its 
prominent  citizens,  the  occasion  for  it  being  the  fact  that  Rev. 
Mr.  Belknap,  in  returning  from  his  wedding  tour  to  Boston  had 
injured  a  neighbor's  horse,  of  which  he  had  had  the  use  : 

From  Mr.  Belknap  to  Capt.  Waldron. 

Sir  :  — 

I  never  heard  till  this  day,  that  your  horse  was  dead  of  the  wound 
which  he  got  by  my  riding  him  from  Boston.  Justice  demands  and 
gratitude  obliges  me,  to  offer  a  compensation.  I  therefore  sincerely  and 
readily  make  you  an  offer  of  my  horse  (valued  at  12  pds,  which  is  the 
sum  I  gave  for  him),  and  will  give  you  a  promissory  note  of  as  much 
more  as  you  shall  judge  will  make  an  equivalent. 

I  am  very  sorry  for  jour  loss,  and  that  I  was  the  occasion  of  it ;  but 
can  truly  say,  I  shall  be  glad  if  you  will  accept  what  I  have  offered 
above. 

I  am.  Sir,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
Your  obliged,  humble  servant, 

July  15th,  1767.  Jer.  Belknap, 


156  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1768 

Capt.  Waldron  replied  as  follows: 

Rev.  Sir :  —  My  horse  slipped  his  wind  the  20th  June  last,  under 
the  care  of  Farrier  Coleman.  If  some  unconcerned,  officious  gabbler 
had  not  blabbed  the  secret,  I  trust  a  jubilee  year  from  that  Hegira  would 
have  passed,  without  its  reaching  your  ears. 

I  never  had  the  slightest  thought  of  your  making  any  satisfaction  for 
him,  and  now  freely  declare,  that  I  disclaim  any  demand  that  could  be 
made  relative  thereto  on  Mr.  Belknap  by  his 

Most  respectful,  humble  servant, 

Julv  16,  1767.  Thomas  W.  Waldron. 

The  following  account  of  the  wedding  journey,  taken  from 
the  Doctor's  interleaved  almanac,  as  given  in  his  biography,  is 
a  model  of  brevity  : 

June  I2th.     Set  out  for  Boston,  lodged  North  Hill. 

i3tli.  Travelled  to  Ipswich  ;  met  Governor  Wentworth  on  the  road  ; 
he  entered  Portsmouth  this  day. 

14th.     Preached  at  Ipswich. 

15th.     Reached  Boston  ;  evening  married. 

i8th.  Set  out  on  our  return,  rode  through  the  rain,  and  lodged  at 
Hampton,  Mr.  Thayer's. 

iglh.     Got  home  to  Dover  in  the  evening  safe  and  well. 

Deaths  in  Dover  this  year,  by  the  Record  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Belknap,  9. 

Middling  winter  ;  in  summer  a  short  crop  of  hay  ;  plenty  of 
Indian  corn,  but  no  demand  for  it  for  the  last  two  years.  Duties 
laid  on  glass,  tea,  paper  &c.  at  home,  makes  uneasiness  here. 
Money  is  scarce. 

1768 

March  14. — The  town  voted  that  there  was  no  objection  to 
the  Parish  of  Madbury  being  set  ofif  as  a  town,  according  to  the 
prayer  of  their  petition  to  the  Governor,  Council  and  Assembly. 

March  28. — The  selectmen  were  empowered  to  purchase  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  common  land  for  landings  on  each  side  of 
Cochecho  river. 

May  27. — Final  and  complete  separation  between  Madbury 
and  Dover  was  made  by  an  act  of  the  Assembly  passed  at  this 
time,  which  gave  the  parish  all  the  town  powers  and  privileges 
which  were  not  given  it  previously. 

Deaths  in  town  this  year,  17. 

A  moderate  winter  and  not  a  ver}'^  fruitful  summer.  An 
army  and  fleet  sent  over  to  bring  us  into  subjection. 


1771]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  157 

1769 

May  II. — When  the  apple  trees  were  in  bloom  this  day,  there 
was  the  unusual  sight  of  snow  covering  them  in  the  afternoon, 
and  continuing  till  the  next  morning.     (^Dr.  Belknap.') 

Deaths  this  year,  19. 

Very  cold  weather  this  winter  after  the  middle  of  January, 
which  held  more  than  a  month  and  froze  harder  than  for  several 
years.     In  summer  a  good  crop  of  hay  and  corn. 

1770 

Jan.  22. — The  town  voted  to  build  anew  bridge  over  Cochecho 
river  "  at  the  upper  ware  next  below  Capt.  Waldron's  mills  at 
the  lower  falls."  200  pds.  was  raised  by  tax  for  the  purpose 
and  2S.  lawful  money  was  to  be  paid  per  day  to  the  men  work- 
ing on  the  same,  finding  themselves.  A  meeting  was  held  Feb. 
26,  to  see  if  the  town  would  reconsider  the  above  vote,  when 
"  by  polling  "  ii  was  voted  not  to  reconsider. 

March  26. — It  was  voted  to  build  a  Town  House  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  for  that  purpose,  who  were  to  do  it  in  the 
best  and  cheapest  manner. 

Deaths  this  year,  16. 

A  moderate  winter  ;  a  terrible  drouth  in  summer  so  that  about 
the  middle  of  August  there  was  but  little  prospect  of  a  crop  of 
corn.  The  worms  ate  the  corn  in  the  spring  and  a  very  uncom- 
mon sort  of  worm,  called  the  canker  worm,  ate  the  corn  and 
grass,  all  as  they  went,  above  ground,  which  cut  short  the  crops 
in  many  places. 

1771 

The  building  of  the  bridges,  above  and  below  the  falls,  was 
the  subject  of  some  contention  this  year,  and  the  cause  of  an 
appeal  to  the  Assembly,  which  body  thereupon  voted  that,  "  it 
appearing  that  there  was  a  Town  vote  for  building  the  Lower 
Bridge  it  is  thought  to  be  just  that  the  charge  thereof  should  be 
paid  by  the  whole  Town.  But  it  appearing  that  the  Upper 
Bridge  is  more  useful  for  the  public,  therefore  voted  that  said 
Upper  Bridge  shall  hereafter  be  maintained  at  the  charge  and 
expense  of  said  Town,  and  that  the  petitioners  have  leave  to 
bring  in  a  bill  accordingly." 

Otis  Baker  and  John  Gage  chosen  representatives. 

Deaths  this  year,  23. 


158.  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1773 

An  open  winter  and  several  great  freshets,  which  carried  away 
mills,  bridges,  &c.  In  summer  very  hot  weather  and  a  middling 
crop  of  hay  and  corn. 

1772 

Nov.  10. — This  day  Rev.  Mr.  Belknap  preached  a  sermon 
before  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth,  Esq.  governor  of  His 
Majesty's  province  of  New  Hampshire,  at  a  review  of  the  second 
regiment  of  Foot,  at  Dover,  in  said  province;  and  met  so  favor- 
able a  hearing,  that  the  ofl&cers  requested  a  copy  for  the  press, 
which  was  granted. 

(Life  of  Dr.  Belknap?) 

Deaths  this  year,  17. 

1773 

The  first  courts  in  Strafford  county  were  holden  in  Dover  this 
year.  Previous  to  this,  in  consequence  of  the  sparseness  of  the 
population,  the  county  had  remained  annexed  to  Rockingham 
for  judicial  purposes  and  all  the  courts  were  held  at  Portsmouth. 

The  following  incident,  recorded  in  a  memorandum  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Belknap,  occurred  about  this  time  : 

After  the  laudable  example  of  the  ladies  in  divers  towns  of  this  and 
the  neighboring  provinces,  on  Thursday  last,  about  forty  ladies  met  at 
the  minister's  house  in  Dover,  some  of  whom  brought  with  them  fiax 
and  cotton  to  spin,  and  others  the  yarn  ready  spun  ;  and,  after  spending 
the  day  in  a  very  industrious  and  agreeable  manner,  they  generously  pre- 
sented to  Mrs.  Belknap  the  fruits  of  their  labor,  which  amounted  to  242 
skeins  of  seven  knots  each,  beside  the  surplus  of  their  materials,  which 
the  time  did  not  allow  them  to  spin.  They  behaved  with  the  utmost  order 
and  decency,  and  were  entertained  with  the  best  refreshments  the  season 
afforded,  which  were  kindly  and  plentifully  supplied  by  those  who  were 
well-wishers  to  industry. 

On  the  petition  of  Otis  Baker  and  others  that  the  town  would 
give  or  sell  the  county  a  lot  for  a  jail,  it  was  voted  that  the 
town  could  not  give  one,  but  that  the  selectmen  might  sell 
one  in  some  suitable  place.  The  selectmen  were  also  authorized 
to  pay  Benjamin  Geer  4  pds.  6s.  6d.  to  satisfy  the  claim  of 
Dr.  Atkinson  for  curing  a  wound  he  received  in  his  knee. 

Deaths  this  year,  15. 

The  number  of  polls  in  Dover  this  year  was  338,  value  of 
rateable  estates  530  pds.  and  its  proportion  of  each  1000  pds.  of 
the  Province  tax,  as  fixed  by  the  General  Assembly,  25  pds.  13s. 


1774]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  159 

1774 

The  following  document  copied  from  the  Town  records,  shows 
the  stand  taken  by  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution  against  the 
arbitrary  proceedings  of  the  British  Gov^ernment,  whose  iron 
rule  had  begun  to  lead  many  of  them  to  think  that  independence, 
if  not  inevitable,  was  desirable.  This  eloquent  protest  against 
the  tyranny  of  the  Mother  Country  and  its  "good  and  gracious 
king"  (as  they  still  called  him)  is  among  the  first  mutterings 
of  the  Revolution  which  was  soon  to  follow.  It  appears  to  have 
been  a  general  protest  adopted  by  the  several  colonies  of  New 
England,  and  Dr.  Belknap,  the  Minister  of  Dover,  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  the  patriot  cause,  and  contributing  by  his  writ- 
ings for  the  press,  and  his  exhortations  from  the  pulpit  and  on 
other  public  occasions,  to  hasten  the  crisis  which  led  the  colonists 
to  take  up  arms  to  vindicate  their  rights,  may  have  been  its 
author. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  town  of  Dover,  this 
tenth  (lay  of  January,  1774,  convened  at  the  Friend's  meeting  house,  in 
said  town  on  purpose  to  consider  of  the  innovations  attempted  to  be  made 
on  American  privileges. 

Col.  Otis  Baker  was  chosen  moderator. 

Although  we  deprecate  every  thing  -which  in  its  infant  motions  tends 
to  alienate  the  affections  which  ought  to  subsist  among  the  subjects  of 
the  same  King,  yet,  we  can  not  longer  behold  the  arts  used  to  curtail  the 
privileges  purchased  with  the  blood  and  treasure  of  British  America, 
and  of  New  England  in  particular,  for  their  posterity,  without  bearing 
our  testimony  against  them. 

As  these  colonies  have  ever  recognized  the  Protestant  Kings  of  Great 
Britain  as  their  Lawful  Sovereign,  and  we  in  this  Province,  the  man  whom 
the  king  has  pleased  to  send  us  as  his  representative.— We  acknowledge 
this  representative  from  our  first  formation  into  a  Government  has  had 
a  negative  voice  on  all  Bills  proposed  for  Laws  in  the  manner  his  Majesty 
has  at  home. 

And  as  it  doth  not  appear  that  any  Parliaments  have  been  parties  to 
any  contracts  made  with  the  European  settlers  in  this  once  howling 
wilderness,  now  become  a  pleasant  field,  we  look  on  our  rights  too  dearly 
bought,  to  admit  them  now  as  Tax  masters. — Since  (by  laws  as  firm  as 
the  honor  of  crowned  heads  can  make  them,  and  which  we  have  no  ap- 
prehension so  good  and  gracious  a  King  as  we  obey,  will  suffer  to  be 
abridged)  we  have  Parliaments  of  our  own, — who  always  with  the  great- 
est cheerfulness  furnished  his  Majesty  such  aids  as  he  has  been  pleased 
to  require  from  time  to  time  according  to  the  abilities  of  the  people,  and 
even  beyond  them  ;  of  which,  none  but  themselves  could  be  adequate 
judges. 

Why  the  King's  subjects  in  Great  Britain   should  frame  laws  for  his 
subjects  iu  America,  rather  than  the  reverse,  we  cannot  well  conceive,  as 


160  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1774 

we  do  uot  admit  it  to  be  drawu  from  any  Pact  made  by  our  ancestors, 
or  from  the  nature  of  the  British  Constitution,  which  makes  Represen- 
tion  essential  to  Taxation,  and  this  supposed  power  of  Parliament  for 
taxing  America  is  quite  novel,  some  few  instances  for  the  better  regula- 
tion of  trade  excepted,  which  no  more  prove  their  supposed  right,  than 
the  tortious  entry  of  a  neighbor  into  the"  infant's  field  does  that  of  the 
intruder.  But  if  superior  strength  be  the  best  plea,  how  would  they 
relish  the  alternative  ?  which  if  political  arithmetic  deceives  not  advances 
with  hasty  strides  ;  tho'  nothing  but  downright  oppression  will  ever 
effect  it. 

Therefore,  Resolved  ist,  That  any  attempt  to  take  the  property  of  any 
of  the  King's  subjects  for  any  purpose  whatever  where  they  are  not  rep- 
resented, is  an  infraction  of  the  English  Constitution,  and  manifestly 
tends  as  well  to  destroy  it,  as  the  subject's  private  property,  of  which 
recent  proofs  are  plenty. 

Resolved  2d,  That  we,  and  our  American  brethren,  are  the  liege  people 
of  King  George  the  Third,  and  therefore  have  as  full  and  ample  a  claim 
to  all  the  privileges  and  immunities  of  Englishmen,  as  any  of  his  sub- 
jects three  thousand  miles  distant,  the  truth  of  which,  our  demeanor 
clearly  evinces. 

Resolved  3d,  That  the  Parliament  in  Britain  by  suffering  the  East 
Indian  Company  to  send  us  their  Teas  subject  to  duty  on  landing,  have 
in  a  measure  testified  a  disregard  to  the  interests  of  Americans,  whose 
liberal  services  ill  deserves  such  ungenerous  treatment. 

Resolved  4th,  That  we  are  of  opinion  that  any  seeming  supineness  of 
this  Province  in  these  very,  very  interesting  matters,  hath  proceeded 
from  a  consideration  of  their  smallness  among  their  brethren,  rather 
than  from  any  sensibility  of  impending  evils. 

Resolved  5th,  That  this  town  approves  the  general  exertions,  and 
noble  struggles  made  by  the  opulent  colonies  through  the  continent,  for 
preventing  so  fatal  a  catastrophe  as  is  implied  in  taxation  without  repre- 
sentation, viz.  slavery,  than  which,  to  a  generous  mind,  death  is  more 
eligible. 

Resolved  6th,  That  we  are,  and  always  will  be,  ready  in  every  consti- 
tutional way,  to  give  all  the  weight  in  our  power  to  avert  so  dire  a 
calamity. 

Resolved  7th,  That  a  dread  of  being  enslaved  ourselves,  and  of  trans- 
mitting the  chains  to  our  posterity  (by  which  we  should  justly  merit  their 
curses)  is  the  principal  inducement  to  these  measures. 

And  whereas,  our  House  of  Commons  have  a  committee  for  corre- 
sponding with  those  of  the  several  colonies  on  these  matters,  and  the 
committees  of  the  several  towns  in  this  Government  to  correspond  with 
each  other  at  the  necessary  time,  may  be  subservient  to  the  common 
cause, — therefore  resolved,  that  a  committee  to  consist  of  five  persons 
be  chosen  for  that  purpose. 

Voted  that  Col.  Otis  Baker,  Capt.  Caleb  Hodgdon,  Capt.  Stephen 
Evans,  Capt.  Joshua  Wiugate,  and  John  Wentworth,  Jr.,  or  either  three 
of  them  be  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  this  town. 

Voted  that  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  entered  in  the  Records 
of  this  Town,  and  that  an  attested  copy  thereof  be  sent  to  the  Committee 


1774]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  161 

of  Correspondence  at  Portsmouth,  to  assure  them  and  all  coucerned, 
that  our  hearts  are  knit  with  those,  who  wish  the  weal  (as  it  is  constitu- 
tionally fixed)  of  our  most  gracious  Sovereign  and  all  his  numerous 
subjects. 

These  votes  and  resolves  after  being  maturely  considered,  were 
unanimously  passed  by  the  voters  present  at  said  meeting  —  after  which, 
followed  a  dissolution. 

Otis  Baker,  Moderator. 

Recorded  agreeably  to  the  proceedings  at  said  meeting. 

Pr.  John  Wentworth,  Junr.  Clerk  p  Tem. 

Jtily  1 8. — A  committee  of  five  consisting  of  Capt.  John  Wal- 
dron,  Capt.  Caleb  Hodgdon,  Capt.  Joshua  Wingate,  Capt. 
Stephen  Evans  and  Nathaniel  Cooper,  was  chosen  to  represent 
the  town  at  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  Exeter  for  "appointing 
Delegates  to  join  in  a  General  Congress  of  the  Provinces  for 
considering  of  and  advising  to  the  most  conciliating  methods  of 
establishing  their  rights  and  harmony  among  all  the  subjects  of 
our  gracious  Sovereign,  which  meeting  is  proposed  to  be  held 
on  the  ist  Sept.  at  Philadelphia."  And  6  pds.  lo  s.  were  voted 
as  the  proportion  of  Dover  towards  paying  the  expenses  of  the 
delegates,  which  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  advance. 

The  following  tho'  not  occurring  in  Dover  is  worthy  of  preser- 
vation. 

1774,  July  21. — The  delegates  from  the  several  towns  in  the  Province 
of  New  Hampshire  met  at  Exeter,  and  chose  John  Sullivan,  Esq.  and 
Colonel  Nathaniel  Folsome,  to  join  the  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia 
the  first  of  Sept.  next.     {Boston  ttewspaper.) 

Nov.  7. — A  town  meeting  was  held  to  see  if  the  inhabitants 
would  raise  anything,  either  "in  money,  fat  cattle  or  sheep," 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor  of  Boston,  then  suffering  from  the 
operations  of  the  Port  Bill.  And  it  was  voted  that  the  town 
would  "give  something." 

Deaths  this  year,  10. 


CHAPTER    IV 

Under  State  Government 

1775 
Jan.  2. — At  a  town  meeting  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lutions were  adopted :  — 

The  Designs  of  the  Continental  Congress  holden  at  Philadelphia  being 
so  humane  and  benevolent,  the  result  of  their  proceedings  so  salutary 
and  effective  as  justly  to  attract  the  notice  of  the  millions  of  freemen  in 
America,  this  town  on  mature  consultation  are  fully  convinced  that 
nothing  (under  Heaven)  will  so  evidently  tend  to  preserve  the  rights  of 
Americans  or  frustrate  the  attempts  already  made  for  their  destruction 
as  carrying  the  same  into  full  execution.     For  which  purpose, 

Voted,  That  Messrs.  Otis  Baker,  Shadrach  Hodgdon,  Stephen  Evans, 
Joshua  Wingate,  John  Waldron  3d,  Caleb  Hodgdon,  Job  Wentworth,  jr. 
John  Kielle  and  John  Gage  be  a  committee. 

Voted,  they  have  the  following  instructions,  viz : 

ist.  We  expect  that  to  the  utmost  of  your  power  you  carefully  intend 
the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order  in  the  town  so  far  as  the  same 
may  be  endangered  by  a  discussion  of  sentiment  relative  to  political 
matters. 

2d.  We  enjoin  you  that  by  every  lawful  means  you  see  the  recom- 
mendations and  proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress  steadily  com- 
plied with  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  so  far  as  we  are  therein 
concerned. 

3dly.  As  examples  you  are  to  encourage  every  kind  of  Temperance, 
Frugality,  Industry  and  Economy,  and  to  discountenance  every  species 
of  Vice,  Immorality  and  Profaneness.  Neither  to  use  any  sort  of  Game- 
ing  or  unlawful  diversions  yourselves,  nor  suffer  it  to  be  done  within 
your  knowledge  without  intimating  your  own  dislike  and  the  displeasure 
of  the  town  thereat. 

4ly.  Whereas,  Hawkers,  Pedlars  and  Petty  Chapmen  are  continually 
strolling  through  the  Country  with  Goods,  Wares  and  Merchandize 
(much  of  which  was  undoubtedly  forwarded  by  the  enemies  of  America) 
in  order  to  vend  the  same  to  the  great  hurt  and  decay  of  trade  and  in 
defiance  of  a  good  and  wholesome  law  of  this  Government— You  are 
therefore  not  knowingly  to  harbor,  conceal  or  entertain  any  of  them, 
nor  purchase  any  of  their  wares,  nor  permit  any  within  your  knowledge 
to  do  it,  and  in  case  any  Taverner,  Innholder,  or  Retailer  within  this 
town,  after  being  duly  informed  thereof,  shall  be  knowingly  guilty  of 
either  the  acts  in  this  instruction  mentioned,— You  are  to  take  every  legal 
measures  to  prevent  their  ever  hereafter  being  licensed  by  the  Court  of 
Sessions  either  as  Taverners  or  Retailers. 

5ly.  Notwithstanding  any  persons  may  be  so  daring  and  hardy  as  to 
counteract  the  sense  of  the  town  expressed  by  these  instructions,  you 
are  by  no  means  to  suffer  any  insult  or  abuse  to  be  offered  to  either  per- 
sons or  estates,  but  use  your  utmost  endeavor  to  prevent  the  same. 


1775]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.   H.  163 

61y.  Of  all  breaches  of  these  instructions  you  are  as  soon  as  may  be 
to  inform  your  neighbors  and  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  that  whenever 
it  may  be  necessary  the  town  may  be  convened  in  order  to  consult  and 
advise  thereon. 

May  15. — Capt.  Shadrach  Hodgdon  and  Capt.  Stephen  Evans 
were  chosen  to  represent  the  town  at  the  Provincial  Convention 
to  be  held  at  Exeter,  to  continue  in  office  six  months  if  the 
Convention  shall  so  agree,  with  full  power  to  act  for  the  town 
in  the  best  manner  they  can  devise,  subject  to  such  further 
instructions  as  the  town  may  think  proper  to  give  them. 

The  Convention  met  at  Exeter  April  21,  and  continued  in 
session  till  May  2,  though  it  is  not  certain  that  it  adjourned  on 
that  day,  the  journal,  which  appears  to  have  been  imperfectly 
kept,  not  taking  note  of  it.  John  Wentworth  was  its  President. 
Another  Convention  met  May  17,  composed  in  part  of  the  same 
members,  who  held  over  from  former  elections,  and  of  others 
newly  elected.  Matthew  Thornton  was  chosen  President.  It 
continued  in  session  until  Sept.  2,  when  it  adjourned  till  Oct. 
31,  when  another  session  of  17  days  was  held,  closing  its  work 
finally  on  the  i6th  of  November. 

May  31. — Madbury  set  off  from  Dover,  and  incorporated  as  a 
town,  Population  677. 

June  3, — A  Committee  of  Safety  was  chosen  by  the  town  and 
it  was  voted  that  the  recommendations  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress to  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony  be  a  general  rule  for  the 
conduct  of  the  committee  and  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
do  strictly  conform  to  the  same. 

Thirty  one  companies  of  soldiers  were  raised  in  New  Hamp- 
shire at  this  time  and  marched  to  Medford,  Mass.  to  reinforce 
Gen.  Sullivan.  The  company  raised  in  Dover  constituted  the 
i8th — John  Waldron,  Captain;  Ebenezer  Ricker,  ist  Eieut ; 
John  Goodwin,  2d  L,ieut. 

July  22. — At  a  town  meeting  held  on  the  petition  of  31 
inhabitants,  to  see  if  the  town  would  vote  to  "  let  the  schools 
drop  this  present  year  for  the  reason  of  extraordinary  charges 
other  ways,"  29  voted  to  "let  them  drop"  and  28  against.  A 
poll  was  demanded  when  37  voted  for  and  37  against  schools, 
the  moderator  then  added  his  vote  to  one  side  and  the  clerk  to 
the  other,  making  the  poll  38  for  and  38  against,  when  a  motion 
was  made  to  adjourn  to  the  7th  of  August,  which  was  carried,  at 
which  time  it  was  "voted  nemine  contradicente  that  there  be  no 
schoolsthis  present  year,  ten  being  the  number  of  hands  therefor. ' ' 


164  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1776 

Rev.  Mr.  Belknap  having  been  chosen  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety  to  serve  as  Chaplain  to  the  New  Hampshire  troops  sta- 
tioned in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  notified  them  of  his  readiness 
to  perform  his  part,  if,  as  he  was  led  to  infer,  the  ministers  in 
the  other  parts  of  the  vState  were  to  snpply  the  army  by  turns; 
but  to  reside  there  constantly  in  the  chairacter  of  chaplain  was 
what  many  considerations  besides  the  precarious  state  of  his 
health,  concurred  to  forbid. 

Dec.  9. — Otis  Baker  and  Stephen  Evans  were  elected  to  rep- 
resent the  town  in  the  body  which  now  assumed  the  name  of  the 
Provincial  Congress.  Col.  Baker  declined  and  John  Wentworth, 
jr.  was  elected  in  his  place.  This  Congress  met  at  Exeter  Dec. 
21,  being  styled  in  the  records  the  "  Fifth  Provincial  Congress." 

The  Committee  of  Safety,  being  required  to  take  charge  of  a 
company  of  tories  sent  from  New  York,  ordered  19  of  them  to 
be  sent  to  Dover  jail,  28  to  Exeter,  14  to  Amherst  and  7  to 
Portsmouth. 

By  a  census  of  the  State  taken  this  year  "  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  an  adequate  representation  of  the  people,"  Dover 
was  found  to  contain  males  under  16  years  of  age  410,  males 
from  16  years  of  age  to  50  not  in  the  army  342,  males  above  50 
years  of  age  74,  persons  gone  in  the  army  28,  all  females  786, 
negroes  and  slaves  for  life  26  —  total  1666.  Also,  180  stand  of 
arms,  60  wt  of  powder. 

1776 

Jan.  14. — Johnson,  an  Indian,  preached  in  Dover,  for  whom 
a  contribution  was  made  amounting  to  5  pds.  4s.  9d.  {Nath. 
Cooper' s  almcDiac.) 

Jan.  16. — Hon.  Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron,  having  been 
appointed  by  the  "  Honorable  Congress  or  General  Assembly," 
a  Councillor  for  the  County  of  Strafford,  declined  the  office,  in 
consequence  of  having  been  ' '  little  able  to  leave  home  for  three 
winters  successively." 

Jan.  29. — Fast  through  the  State  of  New  Hampshire. 

May  17. — Continental  Fast. 

July  9. — The  key  of  Peter  Mitchell's  store  in  Dover  was  taken 
from  him  by  the  Committee  of  Safety,  agreeably  to  a  requisition 
of  the  colonial  authorities,  and  the  goods  therein  afterwards 
confiscated.  Mitchell  appears  to  have  been  the  servant  or  book- 
keeper of  one  James  McMarster  of  Portsmouth,  a  suspected 
person,   who    petitioned  the    Assembly    to    have    his  property 


1777]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  165 

restored.  This  was  refused  and  Mitchell  was  ordered  to  confine 
himself  within  the  town  of  Dover  till  further  orders,  afterwards 
modified  to  "  leave  to  travel  anywhere  within  twelve  miles  of 
Dover." 

A  regiment  of  soldiers  was  raised  at  this  time  for  operations 
in  Canada  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Joshua  Win- 
gate  of  Dover.  Timothy  White  also  of  Dover  was  Quarter- 
master. The  compan}^  raised  in  Dover  was  officered  as  follows : 
Caleb  Hodgdon,  Captain  and  Major ;  Abraham  Perkins,  Capt. 
and  Lieut.  ;  Tobias  Leighton,  Lieut.  ;  Samuel  Stagpole,  Lieut.  ; 
John  Starbord,  Ensign. 

July  13. — It  was  voted  that  forty  two  shillings  be  given  by 
the  town  to  each  of  the  soldiers  enlisted  and  that  shall  enlist 
since  the  nth  inst.  and  proceed  in  the  present  expedition  to 
Canada  not  exceeding  fifteen  or  sixteen  men,  and  that  the 
Selectmen  hire  the  money  (and  pa}'  the  same)  in  the  best  man- 
ner they  can  immediately  on  the  town's  account. 

Nov.  21. — Thanksgiving  through  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

Dec.  21. — A  Convention  met  at  Exeter  and  formed  a  tempo- 
rary Constitution,  to  continue  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain, 
under  which  Constitution  Meshech  Weare  was  elected  Presi- 
dent. This  was  the  first  Constitution  formed  in  any  of  the 
Colonies  after  the  Revolution  commenced. 

Deaths  this  5"ear,  47  —  of  which  8  were  "  abroad  in  war." 


1777 

Jan.  23. — Theophilus  Dame,  Esq.  sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Strafford,  received  orders  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  to 
"  liberate  from  prison  all  such  of  the  New  York  prisoners  as 
gave  bonds  with  two  sufficient  sureties,  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
House,  to  remain  true  prisoners  within  the  town  of  Dover  — 
such  sureties  being  inhabitants  of  this  State." 

March  27. — The  committee  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to 
examine  into  the  condition  of  the  goods  seized  as  the  effects  of 
James  McMarster  and  to  nominate  some  person  to  dispose  of 
them,  made  a  report  recommending  Nathaniel  Cooper,  "whose 
hands  the  goods  are  now  in,"  and  that  he  pa}'-  the  net  proceeds 
into  the  treasury,  after  deducting  five  per  cent  commission  for 
all  trouble  and  expense. 


166  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1777 

April  22. — Mr.  John  B.  Hanson  was  ordered  to  deliver  to 
Theophilus  Dame,  Esq.  "as  much  beef  as  he  shall  desire  for 
the  use  of  the  New  York  prisoners  confined  in  Dover  Goal." 

May  I. — Snow  storm. 

May  5. — Voted  that  Col.  Otis  Baker,  Capt.  Thomas  Young, 
and  Capt.  John  Hayes  be  empowered  to  enlist  what  men  are 
wanting  to  make  this  town's  quota  of  men  for  completing  the 
Battalions  to  be  raised  in  this  State,  on  the  best  terms  they  can. 
It  was  also  voted  that  the  selectmen  furnish  the  committee  with 
money  to  hire  said  men  and  raise  the  same  in  the  next  tax  bill. 

May  15. — John  Wentworth,  Esq.,  Col.  Wingate,  J.  Kielle,  S. 
Heard,  Andrew  "Wingate,  J.  B.  Hanson,  Capt.  Gage,  Capt.  J. 
Hayes,  Nathl.  Cooper,  chosen  Committee  of  Safety. 

Voted  that  the  Alarm  and  Train  Band  Lists  have  three  shillings 
a  day,  and  one  shilling  and  sixpence  a  half  a  day,  allowed  them 
by  the  town  for  each  day  they  train  in  a  year  more  than  the  law 
requires. 

Sept.  10. — It  was  voted  that  "thirty  dollars  be  given  to  each 
soldier  who  enlists  for  the  Continental  Service  until  the  last  of 
November  next,  and  that  the  Selectmen  pay  each  soldier  said 
sum  when  mustered." 

Dec.  12. — Small  flight  of  snow  being  the  firsf  of  this  season. 
{Nathl.  Cooper's  interleaved  alma7iac.) 

The  town  this  year  petitioned  the  Assembly  for  the  privilege 
of  raising  money  by  lottery  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  bridge, 
and  Josiah  Bartlett,  the  chairman  of  the  committee,  reported 
that  "although  they  esteem  Lotteries  in  general  to  be  preju- 
dicial to  .society,  yet  considering  the  unhappy  disputes  that  have 
arose  and  still  subsist  in  the  town  of  Dover  on  account  of  said 
bridges,"  that  an  act  be  passed  enabling  the  town  to  raise 
150  pds.  by  lottery  for  that  purpose.     The  act  was  passed. 

The  "institution  of  slavery"  existed,  (though  it  could 
hardly  be  said  to  flourish)  in  Dover,  until  after  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  Dec.  6,  1773,  Col.  Otis  Baker  bought  of 
Henry  Ward  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  "a  negro  boy  named 
Cato,"  which  boy  the  aforesaid  Ward,  for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  "  one  thousand  four  hundred  pounds,  old  tenor," 
promised  the  said  Baker  to  ' '  defend  to  him  and  his  assigns 
forever,  against  the  lawful  claims  of  all  persons  whatsoever." 
June  4,  1777,  Col.  Baker  gave  Cato  his  freedom,  the  certificate 
of  emancipation  being  signed  by  Jeremy  Belknap  as  a  witness. 


1779]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  167 

As  already  stated,  by  the  census  of  1775  there  were  "  26  negroes 
and  slaves  for  life  "  in  Dover  in  that  3'ear.  These  were  mostly 
emancipated  by  their  nominal  owners  during  the  revolution,  or 
all  became  free  by  general  consent  and  the  adoption  of  the 
State  Constitution  soon  after.  Many  of  them,  however,  re- 
mained for  life  in  the  families  which  they  had  faithfully  served 
as  slaves,  preferring  the  protection  of  their  old  masters  to  the 
larger  liberty  which  was  offered  them. 

1778 

March  14. — The  Assembly  voted  that  "it  is  offensive  to  this 
house  that  any  member  should  play  at  cards  or  any  other  un- 
lawful game  in  public  houses  and  that  they  be  desired  to  desist 
therefrom." 

March  30. — The  town  voted  that  "  a  committee  of  two  per- 
sons be  chosen  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  our  quota  of  Conti- 
nental troops,  and  if  we  are  found  lacking  to  take  the  most 
effectual  measures  for  filling  up  the  same." 

June  15. — Voted  that  Mr.  John  Bm.  Hanson,  Col.  Joshua 
Wingate  and  Major  Caleb  Hodgdon  be  a  committee  to  hire  six 
men  as  soldiers  to  go  to  Rhode  Island  to  reinforce  General 
Sullivan's  Division. 

1779 

March  18. — The  committee  on  estates  of  absentees  (tories 
who  adhered  to  the  royal  cause)  having  advertised  for  sale  in 
Dover  sundr}^  articles  as  part  of  the  estate  of  Gov.  John  Went- 
worth,  among  which  were  named  a  large  and  valuable  collection 
of  books,  and  two  fine  weather  glasses,  the  Assembly  "  consid- 
ering that  they  would  be  more  likely  to  sell  at  much  greater 
advantage  in  the  town  of  Exeter,  where  there  was  a  constant 
resort  of  people  from  other  towns,  especially  when  the  General 
Court  is  sitting  there,  than  in  Dover,"  ordered  the  committee 
to  adjourn  the  sale  to  that  town  on  the  25th  inst. 

These  articles  were  the  "spoils"  of  the  Governor's  seat  at 
Wolfborough,  and  so  far  as  appears  from  the  records  of  the  time 
he  was  the  only  loyalist  who  was  so  dealt  with  in  the  county  of 
Strafford,  with  the  exception  of  the  servant  of  James  McMarster, 
previously  mentioned. 

May  4. — One  of  the  most  violent  thunder  storms  which  was 
ever  known  in  the  maritime  parts  of  New  Hampshire,  occurred 
this  day,  at  noon.     A  cloud  rose  in  the   N.  W.  and  another   in 


168  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1780 

the  S.  W.  at  the  same  time:  they  crossed  each  other,  and  the 
former  passed  very  near  the  earth ;  a  very  black  darkness  came 
on,  the  lightning  was  an  incessant  glare,  and  the  thunder 
a  continual  peal  for  about  an  hour.  Many  trees,  several  barns, 
mills  and  dwelling  houses  were  struck  ;  cattle  and  sheep  were 
killed  in  the  pastures  in  several  towns  ;  and  a  valuable  new 
house  built  for  religious  worship,  at  Somersworth,  was  set  on 
fire  and  consumed.  Its  steeple  had  a  metallic  vane  and  spindle, 
but  no  conductor  to  the  earth.  The  bell  was  melted  and  fell 
while  in  a  state  of  fusion,  and  no  piece  of  it  larger  than  a  mus- 
ket ball  could  be  found.     {Dr.  Belknap.) 

May  ID. — The  town  voted  "  that  the  Selectmen  advance  the 
Continental  and  State  bounty  agreeably  to  a  request  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  if  they  have  it  in  stock,  and  if  not  the 
Selectmen  are  empowered  to  hire  money  for  said  purpose." 

July  5. — Voted,  "  that  the  selectmen  advance  the  Continental 
bounty,  being  60  pds.  and  State  bounty  of  30  pds.  and  travel  for 
five  men,  and  if  they  have  it  not  in  hand  that  they  hire  the 
same  and  have  power  to  raise  it  in  the  next  year's  tax."  Also, 
that  a  committee  be  chosen  to  hire  eight  men  for  the  Continental 
Army  one  year,  and  five  men  for  the  service  of  Rhode  Island 
six  months. 

Aug.  30. — Voted  "that  a  hundred  dollars  a  month  be  given 
nine  men  to  serve  as  soldiers  at  Portsmouth,  &c.  including 
what  the  State  is  to  pay  them." 

On  the  question  of  accepting  the  declaration  of  rights  and 

plan  of  government  for  the  State,  as  transmitted  by  the  committee 

of  the  Convention  at  Exeter,  it  was  unanimously  voted  that  the 

town  does  not  approve  of  the  same. 

Deaths  this  year  9. 

1780 

During  the  winter  of  1779-80  snow  lay  on  the  ground  from 
the  middle  of  November  to  the  middle  of  April,  four  feet  deep 
everywhere.  In  December  and  January  a  snow  storm  continued 
seven  successive  days,  and  the  snow  fell  to  four  feet  on  a  level, 
with  drifts  eight  and  ten  feet  high.  Sheep  were  buried  in  the 
drifts  many  days,  and  even  men  and  animals  perished  with  cold. 
Long  Island  Sound  was  crossed  by  heavy  artillery  on  the  ice. 
It  was  followed  by  a  backward  spring.      <yOId  record.) 

May  19. — The  unusual  darkness  of  this  day,  which  has  ever 
since  caused  it  to  be  known  as  the  "  Dark  Day,"  is  thus 
described  by  Dr.  Belknap,  then  a  resident  of  Dover  : 


1781]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  169 

Fires  had  spread  very  extensively  in  the  woods,  and  the  westerly  wind 
had  driven  the  smoke  over  all  the  country.  It  was  so  thick  near  the 
horizon,  for  several  preceding  days,  that  the  sun  disappeared  half  an 
hour  before  its  sitting  ;  and  in  the  low  grounds  it  was  almost  suffocating. 
The  morning  of  the  19th  was  cloudy,  with  some  rain  ;  and  a  black  cloud 
appeared  in  the  south  west,  from  which  thunder  was  heard.  The  rain 
water,  and  the  surface  of  rivers,  was  covered  with  a  sooty  scum.  The  re- 
mains of  a  snow  drift,  which  had  been  raked  clean,  the  preceding  day, 
became  black.  Several  small  birds  flew  into  the  houses,  and  others  were 
found  dead  abroad,  being  suffocated.  About  an  hour  before  noon,  the 
clouds  assumed  a  brassy  appearance ;  after  which  their  color  became  a 
dusky  grey;  at  one  hour  after  noon  it  was  necessary  to  light  candles. 
At  the  time  of  the  greatest  obscuration,  the  smoke  of  a  chimney  was 
observed  to  rise  perpendicularly,  and  then  incline  to  the  west.  A  thick 
fog,  which  came  in  from  the  sea,  moved  aloug  the  hill  tops  in  the  same 
direction.  A  light  gleam  was  seen  in  the  north.  The  extent  of  this 
darkness  was  more  than  200  miles,  from  north  to  south.  To  the  westward 
it  reached  beyond  Albany,  and  it  was  observed,  by  a  vessel  at  sea,  15 
leagues  beyond  Cape  Ann.  The  darkness  varied  its  appearance,  in  some 
places,  through  the  afternoon  ;  but  in  the  maritime  parts  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, there  was  no  cessation  or  interruption  of  it;  and  the  evening  pre- 
sented a  complete  specimen  of  as  total  darkness  as  can  be  conceived. 
Before  midnight  the  vapors  dispersed,  and  the  next  morning  there  was 
no  appearance  of  them. 

June  26. — The  town  voted  "  that  the  selectmen  be  a  commit- 
tee for  the  purpose  of  getting  eight  men  for  the  Continental 
service  on  the  best  terms  they  can." 

July  4. — Voted  "that  the  Selectmen  with  the  two  Captains  of 
the  companies  in  Dover  be  a  committee  to  get  our  quota  of 
militia  men  for  the  Continental  service." 

Joshua  Wingate  and  John  Kielle  were  chosen  representatives 
to  the  Convention  to  settle  a  plan  of  government  for  the  State. 

1781 

Jan.  22. — The  town  voted  "  that  Mr.  Andrew  Torr,  Capt,  John 
Gage  and  Maj.  Benja.  Titcomb  be  a  committee  to  get  the  pro- 
portion of  men  wanting  from  this  town  to  fill  up  and  complete 
the  Continental  Army  in  the  cheapest  and  most  expeditious 
manner  possible." 

March  5. — Voted  "that  each  recruit  from  this  town  as  their 
quota  of  men  for  completing  the  Continental  Army  have  and 
receive  as  wages  fourteen  bushels  of  Indian  corn  per  month 
during  their  stay  in  the  service,  and  that  the  selectmen  give 
their  security  for  the  payment  of  the  same  accordingl}'." 

July  16. — On  the  petition  of  Capt.  Thomas  Young  and  Capt. 


170  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1781 

James  Calef,  stating  that  they  had  been  "ordered  by  Col. 
Stephen  Evans  without  loss  of  time  to  enlist  or  draft  fourteen 
able  bodied  effective  men  to  serve  three  months  if  not  sooner 
discharged,  wherever  the  Commander  in  Chief  shall  order  as 
soldiers,"  it  was  voted  "  Capt.  Young  and  Capt.  Calef  be  a 
committee  to  raise  the  fourteen  men  required,  and  that  they 
give  thirty  shillings  silver  money  to  each  man  that  enlists, 
which  they  shall  have  whether  called  on  to  go  into  service  or 
not,  and  when  they  march  each  man  shall  receive  thirty  shillings 
more  like  money." 

Sept.  19. — At  a  town  meeting  held  for  raising  soldiers,  it  was 
voted  "that  nine  men  now  to  be  raised  for  three  months  be 
given  ten  silver  dollars  each  as  bounty  and  paid  fourteen 
bushels  of  merchantable  Indian  corn  per  month  by  the  town 
in  Jan.   1782." 

Oct. Theseige  and  surrender  of  Yorktown,  the  crowning 

event  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  was  concluded  this  month, 
at  which  the  gallant  Colonel  Alexander  Scammell,  one  of  the 
bravest  and  most  distinguished  officers  of  the  war,  who  went 
from  Durham  in  command  of  a  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  was 
foully  murdered  by  the  enemy. 

"  On  the  morning  that  the  enemy  evacuated  their  advanced  redoubts, 
he  being  officer  of  the  day,  reconnoitered  rather  too  far,  and  fell  insensi- 
bly among  a  number  of  horsemen  who  were  patrolling  in  front  of  the 
lines  they  had  retired  to.  Two  of  them  addressed  him  in  rather  harsh 
terms,  the  one  seized  his  bridle  and  the  other  presented  a  pistol  to  his 
breast.  Thus  situated  he  acknowledged  himself  a  prisoner,  when  a  third 
rode  up,  presented  his  pistol  close  enough  to  burn  his  coat,  and  shot 
him  in  the  back  ;  a  fourth  made  a  stroke  at  him  with  his  sword,  but  the 
shot  having  weakened  him,  he  fell  from  his  horse,  and  the  intention  of 
the  villains  was  frustrated.  They  plundered  him  of  everything  he  had, 
and  hurried  him  into  their  lines.  The  officers  who  were  present  never 
interfered,  nor  even  after  he  was  carried  in  did  they  treat  him  with  any 
kind  of  civility  or  respect.  He  was  released  on  parole  the  next  day,  and 
died  six  days  afterwards  of  his  wounds.  Col.  Scammell  was  but  33  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  Much  of  his  early  life  was  passed  in  this  vicinity. 
At  one  time  he  kept  school  in  Berwick,  and  afterwards  studied  law  with 
Gen.  Sullivan  at  Durham,  from  whose  office  he  went  into  the  war  at  its 
commencement.  Of  great  stature,  six  feet  two  inches  in  height,  he  was 
not  only  a  conspicuous  figure,  but  universally  beloved  for  the  amiability 
of  his  character,  as  well  as  admired  for  his  daring  bravery." 


1782] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 
1782 


171 


Jan.  II. — The  General  Assembly  in  granting  a  tax  on  the 
polls  and  estates  of  the  inhabitants,  this  year,  of  i  loooo  pds, 
specified  the  following  articles,  in  addition  to  silver  and  gold,  in 
which  it  might  be  paid : 


Good  New  England  Rum 

West  India  Rum  ...... 

Beef  Cattle,  first  payment  by  last  of  June 
2d  "  Sept. 

"         "  3d  "  Nov. 

Men's  neat  leather  shoes,  good 

"       yarn  hose,  of  best  quality 
Cotton  or  cotton  &  linen  cloth  ^  wide 
Good  tow  &  linen  cloth  i  yd  wide 
Good  white  woolen  cloth  )i  wide 
Linen  cloth  '/%  wide  for  shirting  for  officers 
Good  felt  hals  ..... 

Good  8  quarter  blankets,  for  soldiers 
Good  wheat  flour         ..... 


at  2S. 

6d. 

per  Gallon 

4s. 

do. 

3>^d 

lb. 

3d 

do. 

2>^d 

do. 

6s 

per  pair. 

5s. 

do. 

2S. 

per  yd. 

IS. 

6d 

do. 

7s 

do. 

5S. 

do. 

5s. 

2IS. 

42s. 

per  cwt. 

Some  of  the  towns  which  were  delinquent  in  their  payments 
were  notified  by  John  Wentworth,  in  the  Portsmouth  and  Boston 
papers,  that  they  would  be  proceeded  against,  with  the  amount 
of  rum  or  Spanish  milled  dollars  respectively  due,  viz  :  Tufton- 
borough  II  Gallons  of  W.  I.  or  16  1/2  Gallons  N.  E.  or  i 
Spanish  milled  dollar  for  each  gallon.  The  rum  was  to  be  de- 
livered at  Boston  or  Haverhill,  Mass.,  or  Portsmouth. 

Feb.  17. — An  unusual  kind  of  hoar  frost  was  observed.  The 
wind  had  been  northerly'  on  the  preceding  day,  with  some 
appearance  of  snow.  The  morning  was  calm  and  foggy.  The 
trees  and  bushes  were  white  with  frost,  which  appeared  on  the 
north  sides  only  of  the  twigs  and  smaller  branches ;  but  on  the 
larger  limbs  and  trunks,  there  was  none.  Nor  was  any  seen  on 
the  houses  or  fences,  excepting  on  the  sharp  edges  of  boards, 
but  every  point  of  a  stick  or  nail,  and  every  rope  and  string, 
which  was  exposed  to  the  north,  was  covered.  The  spiculae 
were  of  all  lengths,  from  an  inch  downward,  and  about  the 
thickness  of  a  knitting  pin.  They  increased  in  number  and 
size,  for  about  two  hours  after  the  rising  of  the  sun,  and  in 
about  an  hour  after  this  began  to  fall  like  snow  on  the  ground ; 
they  did  not  all  disappear  till  two  hours  after  noon.  {Dr. 
Belknap?) 


172  NOTABLE  EVENTS    IN   THE  [1784 

Dec.  9. — The  town  voted  to  accept  the  plan  of  government 
for  the  State  as  proposed  by  the  Convention,  being  of  opinion 
that  "it  was  as  perfect  as  the  present  state  of  affairs  would 
admit." 

1783 

March  31. — The  town  voted  that  the  present  form  of  govern- 
ment be  in  full  force  till  a  better  plan  is  established. 

May  26. — The  town  voted  to  procure  a  piece  of  ground  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  county  (court)  house  and  to  raise  two 
hundred  dollars  towards  building  the  same. 

Oct.  13. — The  town  voted  unanimously  to  adhere  to  the  former 
vote  respecting  a  plan  of  government  for  the  State  without  the 
alterations  proposed  in  the  late  address  of  the  Convention ; 
(referring  to  the  Convention  held  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
Constitution.) 

Oct.  31. — The  new  State  Constitution  was  finished  this  day. 

1784 

March  29. — The  first  election  of  State  Officers  by  the  people 
took  place  this  year,  and  at  a  legal  meeting  held  at  Dover  this 
29th  day  of  March  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare  received  155  votes 
tor  President,  General  Sullivan  11,  and  Wiseman  Clagett  2. 

June  2. — The  new  Constitution  went  into  operation  this  day, 
and  Meshech  Weare  was  duly  inaugurated  as  President  of  the 
State,  having  been  found  elected  to  that  office  by  the  people  at 
the  State  election  in  March. 

The  chief  magistrate  was  styled  "President"  from  1784  to 
1793,  when  the  term  "Governor"  was  substituted  under  the 
amended  Constitution  of  that  year. 

Dr.  Belknap,  this  year,  made  a  journey  to  the  White  Moun- 
tains, leaving  Dover  July  20th  and  returning  on  the  31st,  in 
company  with  Rev.  Mr.  Little  of  Wells,  Mr.  Cutler  of  Ipswich, 
Dr.  Fisher  of  Beverly,  and  Mr.  Heard  of  Ipswich.  The  journey 
was  made  on  horseback,  and  the  diary  which  he  kept  has  been 
published,  the  original  being  among  the  Belknap  papers  in  the 
Mass.  Historical  Society. 

The  number  of  soldiers  lost  by  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
from  Dover,  is  stated  by  Dr.  Belknap  to  have  been  29.  Having 
taken  much  pains  to  collect  the  returns  from  the  several  towns, 
he  found  that  the  loss  from   27  towns  in   different  parts  of  the 


17S5]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  173 

State  amounted  to  377.  From  this  he  estimated  that  the  num- 
ber lost  from  the  whole  State  amounted  to  1362,  and  if  a  farther 
allowance  was  made  for  the  sailors,  &c.  the  number  would  reach 
1400. 

Deaths  this  year,  24.     "  Abroad  in  war  "  from  1777,  21. 

1785 

March  28. — At  the  annual  town  meeting  the  vote  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  State  was  for  George  Atkinson  124,  John  Sullivan 
36,  John  Langdon  7.  Party  distinctions  were  not  very  clearly 
defined  at  this  time,  but  the  votes  for  Atkinson  were  doubtless 
cast  by  those  who  subsequently  ranked  with  the  Federalists. 
The  whole  vote  of  the  State  this  year  was  7079.  George  Atkin- 
son had  2755,  John  Langdon  2497,  John  Sullivan  777,  Josiah 
Bartlett  720,  scattering  330.  There  being  no  choice  by  the 
people,  John  lyangdon  was  chosen  by  the  Senate. 

The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  sell  lots  on  the  Ivanding  for 
the  purpose  of  promoting  and  encouraging  trade,  &c.  100 
pounds  was  raised  for  the  support  of  schools.  John  Waldron 
chosen  representative. 

April  3. — Died,  Thomas  Westbrooke  Waldron.  He  was  the 
fourth  in  descent  from  Major  Richard  Waldron,  and  was  born 
July  26,  1 72 1.  He  inherited  the  large  landed  possessions  of  his 
family  in  Dover,  and  was  for  many  years  its  most  important 
citizen.  He  served  with  distinction  as  Captain  in  the  I,ouisburg 
expedition  under  Sir  William  Pepperell ;  was  Commissioner  at 
Albany,  Provincial  Representative,  Councillor,  &c.  and  after 
the  establishment  of  the  State  Government  held  many  town  and 
county  offices. 

April  9. — This  day  a  schooner  of  fiftj^  tons  burthen,  built  at 
Garrison  Hill,  by  Capt.  Richard  Tripe,  was  hauled  and  landed 
on  the  ice  a  few  rods  below  the  lower  bridge.  The  snow  cover- 
ing the  earth  at  this  time  was  not  less  than  three  feet  deep. 

October  — . — A  great  freshet,  carrying  off  all  the  bridges  in 
the  town,  and  covering  the  Landing  with  water. 

October  31. — The  town  voted  to  build  a  bridge,  this  fall  if 
possible,  below  Waldron's  falls,  where  the  lower  bridge  formerly 
stood. 

Deaths  this  year,  33. 


174  NOTABLE  EVENTS   IN    THE  [1787 

1786 

March  26. — The  vote  for  President  of  the  State  was  for  Major 
General  Sullivan  228;  all  others  12.  The  whole  vote  of  the 
State  this  year  was  8567,  of  which  John  Sullivan,  who  was 
elected,  received  4309,  John  lyangdon  3600,  scattering  658. 
John  Waldron  chosen  representative. 

Dr.  Ezra  Green  and  others  petitioned  the  town  to  appropriate 
some  of  the  money  which  the  Landing  lots  were  sold  for  to  the 
purchase  of  a  bell,  inasmuch  as  Dover  was  the  only  shire  town 
in  the  county  and  was  in  much  need  of  a  bell  for  its  own  accom- 
modation and  for  that  of  the  court  when  in  session.  The  town 
voted  in  the  negative. 

Sept.  II, — The  pastoral  relation  of  Dr.  Jeremy  Belknap  with 
the  First  Church  ended. 

Oct.  26. — At  a  town  meeting  held  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
the  minds  of  the  people  on  the  plan  for  emitting  a  paper  cur- 
rency agreeably  to  the  requisition  of  the  General  Court,  17 
voted  for  accepting  the  plan  as  sent  out,  2  for  not  having  any 
paper  currency,  and  i  for  having  100,000  pounds  emitted  to 
redeem  public  securities  at  twenty  shillings  on  the  pound  and 
said  money  to  pass  in  all  payments. 

Deaths  this  year  to  September,  8. 

1787 

Jan.  10. — Died,  John  Wentworth,  jr.,  the  first  lawyer  in  Dover 
and  an  eminent  and  useful  citizen.  He  was  born  July  14,  1745, 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  1768,  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and 
a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1 778-1 780. 

Feb.  28. — Rev.  Robert  Gray  settled  as  the  successor  of  Rev. 
Jeremy  Belknap.  Mr.  Gray  was  a  native  of  Andover,  Mass. 
where  he  was  born  in  1761,  and  after  serving  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1786.  His  con- 
nection with  the  Parish  was  regularly  dissolved  May  20,  1805. 
He  was  never  resettled  in  the  ministry  and  died  at  Wolfborough 
in  1822. 

March  26. — The  vote  for  President  of  the  State  was  for  John 
Sullivan  243,  John  lyangdon  i.  The  whole  vote  of  the  State 
was  for  Sullivan  4642,  lyangdon  4034,  Josiah  Bartlett  628, 
Samuel  Livermore  608.  There  being  no  choice  by  the  people, 
John  Sullivan  was  elected  by  the  Senate. 


1788]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  175 

1788 

Jail.  7. — Dr.  Ezra  Green  was  elected  to  meet  the  Convention 
to  be  held  at  Exeter  Feb.  2,  to  consider  the  proceedings  of  the 
Federal  Convention  for  forming  a  Constitution. 

March  31. — At  the  annual  town  meeting  John  Sullivan  re- 
ceived 178  votes  for  President  of  the  State,  John  Langdon  14. 
The  vote  of  the  State  this  year  was  for  John  Ivangdon  4421, 
John  Sullivan  3366,  scattering  1053  ;  whole  vote  8840,  neces- 
sar}'  for  a  choice  4419.  Langdon,  having  two  majority,  was 
elected.     John  Waldron  was  chosen  Representative. 

It  was  voted  to  grant  a  lot  of  land  for  the  erection  of  a  hay 
market. 

June  3. — Elisha  Thomas  was  executed  in  Dover  for  the  mur- 
der of  Capt.  Peter  Drown  at  New  Durham,  in  the  preceding 
February.  This  being  the  first  execution  in  the  county  of 
Strafford,  a  large  concourse  of  people  were  present  from  Dover 
and  all  the  neighboring  towns  to  witness  it.  The  scaffold  was 
erected  near  the  foot  of  the  hill  leading  from  Central  street  to 
the  river,  on  ground  now  enclosed  in  the  yard  of  the  Cochecho 
Print  Works. 

It  is  recorded  of  the  execution  that :  — 

The  very  peculiar  circumstances  of  this  unhappy  man's  fate  induced 
a  vast  concourse  of  spectators  to  attend  his  execution.  He  appeared  to 
be  much  affected  with  his  situation,  and  employed  the  few  moments  then 
allotted  to  him,  in  exercises,  but  did  not  address  the  spectators.  Indeed, 
the  melancholy  catastrophe,  which  his  rash  conduct  had  occasioned, 
operated  so  powerfully  upon  his  senses,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  he 
supported  himself  to  the  fatal  moment,  which  was  to  cut  the  thread  of 
his  existence,  had  arrived.  The  Sheriff  treated  the  criminal  with  a 
degree  of  tenderness  and  humanity  which  did  him  honor;  nor  did  he 
hurry  him  out  of  the  world,  but  let  him  live  till  the  last  moment  ; 
which  having  arrived,  after  shaking  hands  with  the  sheriff,  he  was 
launched  into  eternity.     {N .  H.  Gazette.^ 

The  murder  for  which  Thomas  was  executed  took  place  in 
the  tavern  of  Mr.  Randall  in  New  Durham,  where  Thomas  got 
into  an  altercation  with  another  man,  and  Capt.  Drown,  in 
endeavoring  to. separate  them,  was  stabbed  with  a  knife  by 
Thomas  and  died  in  a  few  hours.  Thomas  left  at  home  a  wife 
and  six  children.  Some  days  after  he  was  committed  to  jail  his 
wife,  taking  her  youngest  child  to  one  of  the  neighbors,  set  out 
for  Dover  to  see  her  husband.  In  the  night,  the  other  five  chil- 
dren being  in  bed,  the  house  caught  fire  and  was  burnt,  and 


176  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1788 

four  of  the  children  were  burnt  with  it,  the  oldest  only  escap- 
ing. While  in  jail,  and  a  few  days  before  his  execution, 
Thomas  attempted  to  escape,  having  removed  his  chains  and 
penetrated  the  chimney  almost  sufficient  to  pass  through,  before 
he  relinquished  his  design.  During  his  imprisonment,  he  was 
allowed  on  Sundays  the  privilege  of  attending  church,  being 
guarded  by  the  vSheriff  and  his  posse  to  the  meeting  house  which 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  edifice  at  the  ' '  corner. ' '  The  jail 
at  that  time  was  on  what  was  long  known  as  "jail  hill,"  the 
ground  later  occupied  by  the  house  of  Daniel  Niles. 

July There  was  great  rejoicing  all  over  the  country  at 

this  time  in  consequence  of  the  ratification  of  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution by  the  requisite  number  of  States  to  enable  it  to  go 
into  effect.  New  Hampshire  was  the  ninth  State  which  gave 
its  assent — the  number  required  to  secure  its  adoption.  The 
Constitution  was  ratified  by  the  State  Convention  at  Concord, 
June  21,  and  expresses  were  immediately  sent  off  to  carry  the 
news  to  the  country. 

The  New  Hampshire  Gazette,  at  Portsmouth  of  July  i,  gives 
the  following  account  of  the  celebration  in  Dover  "in  conse- 
quence of  having  the  most  Important  Pillar  in  the  Federal  Edi- 
fice Erected  in  New  Hampshire." 

In  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday  last,  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  that  town 
assembled,  and  being  embodied,  nine  cannon  were  discharged,  at  the 
distance  of  nine  minutes  from  each  other  —  the  nifie  States  of  the  Union 
were  given  as  toasts,  one  immediately  preceding  each  cannon,  in  the 
order  they  adopted  the  Constitution,  and  were  succeeded  by  nine  cheers. 

The  corps  of  Light  Horse,  and  a  company  of  foot  were  joined.  The 
member  of  the  Convention  from  Dover,  was  then  waited  on,  and  a  toast 
was  given  as  a  testament  of  thanks,  for  his  services  and  was  succeeded 
by  musick  and  &feu  de  joy  from  horse  and  foot. 

After  passing  the  town  (in  procession)  animated  by  the  approving 
smiles  of  the  ladies  present  —  a  semicircle  was  formed  near  the  meeting 
house,  where  nine  cannon  were  again  discharged,  and  nine  toasts  were 
publicly  given. 

After  repeated  cheers  and  expressions  of  unaffected  joy,  the  company 
received  an  invitation  to  the  Hall  Chamber  —  where  ;/z;/t' flowing  bowles, 
and  four  empty  stood  prepared  for  their  reception,  and  wzw^ social  Songs 
were  sung,  which  closed  the  evening  in  harmony. 

(The  "four  empty  bowles  "  were  of  course  symbolic  of  the 
four  States  which  at  that  time  had  not  ratified  the  Constitution.) 

As  an  illustration  of  the  spirit  of  the  times  it  is  stated  that 
in  the  neighboring  town  of  Berwick,  a  delegate  to  the  Conven- 
tion having  bargained  with  a  trader  for  the  cloth  for  a  suit  of 


1788]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  177 

clothes,  to  wear  on  the  occasion,  being  asked  his  sentiments  in 
relation  to  the  Constitution,  and  letting  it  be  known  that  he 
intended  to  vote  against  it,  was  compelled  to  go  without  his  new 
suit,  the  patriotic  trader  refusing  to  let  him  have  it  when  he 
called  for  it. 

Aug.  19. — A  violent  hurricane  destroyed  hundreds  of  acres 
of  woodland  in  New  Hampshire,  unroofed  many  barns,  and  did 
much  other  damage. 

Sept.  13. — The  vote  of  Dover  for  Presidential  Electors,  for 
choosing  the  first  President  under  the  Constitution,  is  thus 
recorded  :  For  John  Sullivan  30  votes,  John  Parker  38,  John 
Pickering  27,  Judge  Dudley  20,  Gen.  Bartlett  17,  Col.  Dame  10, 
Col.  Toppan  10,  Paine  Wingate  2,  Gen.  Cilley  2,  Daniel  Rindge 
I,  Dr.  Cutter  i. 

The  whole  number  of  votes  cast  in  the  State  was  20142.  No 
person  having  the  requisite  number  for  a  choice,  the  Legislature, 
Jan.  7,  1789,  made  choice  of  Benj.  Bellows,  John  Pickering, 
Ebenezer  Thompson,  John  Sullivan  and  John  Parker,  they 
having  the  largest  number  of  votes.  They  cast  their  votes  for 
George  Washington  and  John  Adams,  the  first  President  and 
Vice  President. 

The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  sell  as  many  of  the  town's 
lots  on  the  Landing  as  would  be  sufficient  for  the  purchase  of  a 
Bell,  and  no  more. 

Nov.  4. — The  Congregational  Society  in  Dover,  New  Hamp- 
shire, have  lately  received  for  the  use  of  their  meeting  house, 
and  of  the  town,  an  elegant  bell  of  considerable  size.  The 
Society  of  Friends,  in  that  town,  propose  furnishing  a  clock  at 
their  expense.     {Salem  pape?'.) 

This  story  about  the  "  Friends  "  and  the  clock  was  doubtless 
intended  for  a  joke  upon  them,  or  it  was  perhaps  a  sly  hit  of 
their  own  upon  the  "  world's  people,"  who  had  been  spending 
the  town's  money  upon  such  a  useless  article  as  a  bell.  So  far 
from  purchasing  a  clock,  the  Friends  in  Dover,  who  at  that 
time  constituted  perhaps  nearly  one  half  of  the  population,  then, 
as  in  subsequent  years,  needed  neither  clock  or  bell  as  a  remin- 
der for  them  to  assemble,  on  the  Sabbath,  or  at  any  other  time, 
at  their  place  of  worship.  They  accordingly  objected  to  being 
taxed  for  the  purpose  of  buying  bells  for  the  "steeple  houses  " 
of  other  denominations.  But  they  were  out-voted  in  town 
meeting— Church  and  State  —  the  Parish  and  the  Town  —  being 
then  one  and  indivisible.     Like  peaceable  folks  they  submitted, 


178  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1789 

though  doubtless  with  some  strong  remonstrance  ;  for  the  town, 
to  reconcile  them  to  the  purchase,  and  perhaps  with  some  con- 
sciousness that  it  was  their  due,  voted  to  pay  them  a  certain 
sum  annually  for  the  use  of  their  Society  as  an  equivalent  for 
what  they  were  required  to  pay  towards  the  bell.  This  subsidy, 
however,  did  not  continue  many  years  —  the  vote  was  either 
repealed  or  conveniently  forgotten  —  and  the  music  of  the  bell 
was  thereafter  free  to  all,  as  it  had  been  paid  for  by  all,  if  it 
was  not  regarded  by  all  as  "  its  own  exceeding  great  reward." 
The  truth  of  history  perhaps  requires  that  it  should  be  added 
that  the  bell  thus  obtained  did  not  prosper.  A  few  years  after 
(1796)  through  some  flaw  in  its  manufacture  or  hard  usage  in 
ringing  it  for  fires,  on  the  4th  of  July,  or  other  occasions,  it 
became  cracked,  was  taken  down  and  recast  into  its  successor, 
which  has  since  done  duty  on  the  First  Congregational  meeting 
house,  and  which  from  the  long  service  to  which  it  has  been 
subjected  may  be  regarded  as  tolerably  safe  from  any  similar 
accident. 

Dec.  17. — John  Burnham  Hanson,  a  citizen  of  prominence, 
holding  the  offices  of  town  clerk,  county  treasurer,  &c.  was 
found  dead  in  the  river,  supposed  to  have  drowned  himself  in  a 
fit  of  temporary  insanity. 

Dec.  18. — On  the  petition  of  a  large  number  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  to  have  the  vote  for  purchasing  a  Bell  reconsidered, 
the  town  voted  not  to  reconsider — yeas  no,  noes  120. 

1789 

March  30. — Vote  for  President  of  the  State,  John  Pickering 
138,  John  Sullivan  107.  Parties  this  year  began  to  assume  the 
distinction  of  Federal  and  Republican.  There  was  no  choice  of 
President  by  the  people.  John  Sullivan,  who  was  supported  by 
the  republicans,  had  3657  votes,  John  Pickering,  who  was  the 
federal  candidate,  3488,  Josiah  Bartlett  968,  Joshua  Wentworth 
89,  scattering  332.     John  Sullivan  was  elected  by  the  Senate. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Court  of  Sessions  to  report 
a  plan  for  a  Court  House,  reported  that  the  House  be  erected 
near  where  the  Pound  stood  ;  that  a  grant  be  made  to  the  town 
of  $300,  for  that  purpose,  the  Town  to  finish  the  same  by  the 
time  of  the  setting  of  the  Court  in  November  next. 

April  6. — The  old  Court  House,  at  the  Corner,  was  erected 
this  year,  the  court  previously  having  held  its  sessions  in  the 
meeting  house.      The   County  granted  $300  for  the  purpose. 


1790]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  179 

The  town  gave  the  land  and  voted  to  sell  so  much  of  the  com- 
mon Landing  as  would  be  sufficient  to  complete  the  building  in 
addition  to  what  was  subscribed  by  individuals  and  granted  by 
the  county.  Richard  Tripe  was  the  contractor  for  building. 
When  the  Court  House  was  completed,  some  difficulty  occurred 
in  effecting  a  settlement,  Capt.  Tripe  having  charged  for  some 
work  not  contained  in  the  specifications  and  which  the  Town 
declined  to  pay  for.  He  brought  an  action  against  the  Town 
for  the  amount  claimed,  and  the  Town  appointed  a  Committee 
to  defend  the  suit. 

Nov.  2. — The  town  voted  to  allow  the  Society  of  Friends 
13000  feet  of  boards  for  their  proportion  of  the  money  paid  for 
the  purchase  of  a  bell,  as  soon  as  the  same  could  be  collected 
from  the  persons  who  bought  the  lots. 

Nov.  23. — The  selectmen  with  Col.  Amos  Cogswell,  Mr. 
Charles  Chapham  and  Mr.  Stephen  Sawder  were  a  committee 
to  settle  with  Mr.  R.  Tripe  including  what  he  has  done  more 
than  was  required  by  the  Court. 


1790 

Jan.  18. — Voted  "That  if  Mr.  Tripe  has  any  proposals  of 
accommodation  to  make  to  the  Town  respecting  the  action  he 
has  now^  brot  against  said  Town  that  the  Committee  be  impow- 
ered  to  hear  the  same  and  lay  it  before  the  meeting  at  their 
adjustment." 

Feb.  9. — Voted  not  to  receive  Tripe's  proposals. 

March  29. — At  the  annual  town  meeting  the  vote  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  State  was  for  John  Pickering  126,  Joshua  Went- 
worth  85,  Josiah  Bartlett  2.  There  was  again  no  choice  of 
President  by  the  people,  John  Pickering  who  was  again  run  by 
the  federalists,  had  3189  votes,  Joshua  Wentworth,  republican, 
2389,  Josiah  Bartlett,  republican,  1676,  scattering  528.  Josiah 
Bartlett  was  elected  by  the  Senate. 

April  26. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  see  if  the  terms  on 
which  the  mill  privileges  at  the  falls  had  been  granted  to 
Richard  Waldron  in  1653,  viz  :  the  payment  yearly  of  12  pounds 
in  boards  or  plank  so  long  as  the  same  were  occupied,  had  been 
complied  with,  and  if  not  why  not.  The  committee  were 
directed  to  search  the  Salem  Records  for  evidence  of  the  con- 
tract, who  subsequently  reported  through  Dr.  Ezra  Green,  that 
nothing  could  be  found  there  about  it. 


180  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1792 

July  12. — The  first  newspaper  published  in  the  town,  entitled 
"  The  Political  and  Sentimental  Repository  or  Strafford  Regis- 
ter," appeared  this  day. 

Aug.  30. — Voted  to  build  a  Pound  near  the  Gravel  Pit  at  the 
foot  of  Pine  Hill.  Afterwards  reconsidered  and  erected  on 
Pine  Hill  back  of  Anthony  Hanson's  house. 

The  following  "marriage  in  high  life"  appeared  in  "The 
Political  and  Sentimental  Repository  or  Strafford  Register," 
under  date  of  December  9,  1790  : 

Married  in  this  town,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gray,  on  Sunday  morning  last, 
Mr.  David  Boardman  to  the  agreeable  &  accomplished  Miss  Nabby 
Waldron,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron, 
Esq. 

Where  friendship  full  exerts  her  softest  power, 

Perfect  esteem  enlivened  by  desire 

Ineffable,  &  sympathy  of  soul : 

Thought  meeting  thought,  &  will  promoting  will, 

With  boundless  confidence  :     For  nought  but  love 

Can  answer  love,  &  render  bliss  secure. 

Dec.  13. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  remonstrate  against 
the  division  of  the  County  of  Strafford,  by  the  setting  off  of 
Dover,  Durham,  Lee,  Madbury  and  Somersworth  to  the  County 
of  Rockingham,  a  plan  which  was  agitated  at  this  time. 

1791 

March  28. — Vote  for  President  of  State  Josiah  Bartlett  159, 
scattering  7.  There  was  no  opposition  to  Bartlett's  election 
this  year.  He  received  all  the  votes  cast  (8699)  but  288,  which 
were  counted  as  scattering. 

July  4. — Independence  was  celebrated  this  day  and  an  oration 
delivered  by  Wm.  King  Atkinson,  which  was  afterwards  printed 
by  E.  I^add. 

1792 

Jan.  14. — The  printing  oflSce  of  EHphalet  I^add,  situated  at 
the  Corner  was  burnt,  which  caused  for  a  short  time  the  sus- 
pension of  his  paper.  In  less  than  a  month  however  it  reappeared 
with  the  title  of  "The  Phoenix."  The  number  for  Feb.  14, 
which  is  apparently  not  the  first  of  the  new  issue,  and  two  or 
three  succeeding  numbers,  contained  communications  reflecting 
upon  citizens  for  delinquency  in  not  assisting  in  extinguishing 
the  flames,    until  in   the   paper   of    Feb.    29,   the  editor  says : 


1792]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  181 

"Several  pieces  are  received  respecting  the  fire,  but  as  there 
has  been  too  much  already  published  concerning  that  accident, 
we  forbear  troubling  our  readers  with  anj^  more  on  the  subject, 
—  as  it  has  become  too  personal  and  abusive  to  be  admitted." 

March  26. — Vote  for  President,  Josiah  Bartlett  138.  Whole 
vote  of  the  State  8389,  of  which  Bartlett  received  8092. 

May  7. — At  a  town  meeting  held  at  the  Court  House  to  take 
into  consideration  the  Constitution  of  the  State  with  the  amend- 
ments thereto,  it  is  recorded  that  "  the  town  voted  against  the 
larger  part  of  said  amendments." 

June.—  The  State  Legislature  held  its  first  and  last  session  in 
Dover  this  year.  The  Phoenix  of  June  7  says:  "Yesterday 
the  Hon.  General  Court  of  this  State  assembled  in  this  town, 
when  John  S.  Sherburne,  Esq.  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  —  and  they  proceeded  to  business. 
This  day  at  11  o'clock  they  repaired  to  the  Meeting  house  where 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Morrison  of  Londonderry  delivered  an  ingenious, 
spirited  and  animating  discourse  from  Romans,  chap.  13, 
ver.  3,"  &c. 

The  Legislature  sat  in  the  Court  House,  then  just  built. 
The  number  of  members  was  about  100.  Josiah  Bartlett 
Governor. 

Among  the  amusements  of  the  day  The  Phoenix  advertises 

the  following : 

Theatre  —  At  the  Theatre  in  Dover,  on  Friday  evening  the  8th  inst. 
will  be  presented  an  Opera,  called  the  Beggar's  Opera.  To  which  will 
be  added  Garrick's  Satyrical  Farce  called  Lethe  or  Aesop  in  the  Shades. 
Tickets  is  6  may  be  had  at  this  office. 

The  Legislature  continued  in  session  until  June  22,  when  "  in 
the  afternoon  his  Excellency  left  this  town  on  his  way  to  his 
seat  at  Kingston." 

July  5. — "  We  are  informed  from  good  authority  that  a  canal 
is  to  be  dug  from  Winnepissiokee  pond  to  unite  the  waters  with 
Cochecho  river  —  and  that  a  subscription  is  filling  for  that 
purpose  —  and  we  hear  that  a  gentleman  of  Property  in  Ports- 
mouth has  offered  500  pounds  towards  the  undertaking  —  and 
considering  the  rage  for  Canal  cutting  —  it  will  be  accomplished 
with  ease  —  as  'tis  said,  that  the  water  in  the  pond  at  the  time 
of  the  great  freshet,  a  few  years  since,  overflowed,  and  found 
their  way  into  Cochecho  river." 

A  correspondent  of  the  Phoenix,  in  the  issue  of  July  19,  offers 
to  "  communicate  "  the  waters  of  the  pond  and  the   Cochecho 


182  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1792 

for  one  hundred  dollars,  though  he  says  "  to  make  it  navigable 
for  rafts  of  lumber,  &c.  from  Merry  meeting  river  to  Norway- 
plain  in  Rochester,  it  will  undoubtedly  cost  several  thousands." 

Aug.  15. — There  has  been  as  great  a  drought  in  this  part  of 
the  country  for  this  three  weeks  past,  as  was  ever  known  in  this 
county,  there  not  having  been  any  rain  of  consequence  these 
four  weeks,  till  last  Sunday  evening,  when  we  had  a  very  severe 
shower  attended  with  as  heavy  thunder  and  sharp  lightning  as 
has  been  known  here  these  several  years  ;  it  broke  in  a  number 
of  places  in  this  town,  but  we  have  not  as  yet  heard  of  its  doing 
any  damage.  The  corn  in  dry  places,  we  apprehend,  is  too  far 
gone  to  be  recovered  by  the  refreshing  shower.     {Phoenix?) 

Aug,  22 — I^ast  Monday  afternoon  several  countrymen  w^ere 
running  horses  in  the  centre  of  this  town,  when  Mr.  Joseph 
Burnham  running  into  the  street  one  of  the  horses  ran  him 
down,  threw  his  rider,  and  went  down  over  the  hill.  Mr.  Burn- 
ham  was  taken  up  to  all  appearance  dead,  but  by  the  exertions 
of  the  citizens  and  doctors  of  the  town,  by  rubbing,  bathing, 
&c.  he  was  in  some  measure  recovered,  his  shoulder  was  put 
out;  and  his  left  ear  nearly  torn  from  his  head  —  he  was  other- 
wise verj'  much  hurt,  but  w^e  hope  not  mortally.  The  rider 
received  no  damage,  and  we  hope  this  accident  may  prove  a 
warning,  and  prevent  in  future  the  bad  practice  of  running 
horses  in  this  town.      {Phoenix .) 

The  following  is  the  first  notice  which  we  have  of  a  regular 
post  for  the  conveyance  of  letters,  &c.  No  post  office  had  yet 
been  established  in  the  town  : 

The  subscriber  having  undertaken  to  ride  post  from  the  Printing- 
office  in  Dover  through  Rochester,  Wakefield,  Wolfboiough,  Middle- 
town,  New  Durham,  the  Gore  to  Gilmantown,  and  to  return  through 
Barnstead,  Barrington,  North  wood,  Lee,  Durham  to  Dover- — Would 
inform  the  public  that  he  will  supply  them  with  the  Dover  Newspaper, 
at  8s  per  year  in  produce  or  6s.  8d.  in  cash.  Those  gentlemen  who  may 
think  fit  to  employ  him  on  any  private  business,  may  depend  on  his 
exertions,  his  punctuality  and  fidelity  —  (being  under  bonds,  with  suffi- 
cient sureties  for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  undertaking) — and  he 
proposes  to  go  to  Portt mouth  should  sufficient  encouragement  offer  — 
the  above  rout  will  be  performed  weekly  (extraordiuaries  excepted)  — 
and  those  gentlemen  who  live  on  the  road,  who  thick  fit  to  take  the 
papers,  he  shall  leave  their  papers  weekly  at  their  houses  and  he  hopes 
by  this  means  to  give  general  satisfaction — as  they  will  receive  the 
freshest  intelligence  directly  from  the  press. 


1793]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.   H.  183 

He  will  Jeave  the  Printing  Office  in  Dover  everj'  Wednesday  morning 
at  8  o'clock,  and  as  soon  as  possible  will  inform  the  public  of  his  several 
stages  and  the  times  and  places,  where  he  may  be  found  on  the  rout. 

All  letters  and  papers  will  be  conveyed  at  the  rate  established  by 
Congress.  Josiah  Paine. 

Dover,  Aug.  29,  1792. 

Sept.  12. — It  is  a  fact  that  the  lightning  during  the  past  sum- 
mer has  struck  as  much  as  fifteen  times  within  a  mile  and  a 
half  of  this  ofiice.      {Phoenix.) 

Sept.  26. — Died  in  this  town  Mrs.  Stacpole  aged  loi. 

On  Saturday  morning  last  about  2  o'clock  this  Printing  Ofi&ce 
was  again  threatened  with  fire,  a  Blacksmith  Shop  belonging  to 
Mr.  Samuel  Estes,  nearly  opposite  the  office,  was  discovered  in 
flames  and  entirely  consumed.      {Phoenix?) 

Nov.  — The  following  persons  were  chosen  Electors  of  Presi- 
dent &  Vice  President,  whose  votes  were  again  cast  for  Wash- 
ington and  Adams :  Josiah  Bartlett,  John  Taylor  Oilman, 
Jonathan  Freeman,  John  Pickering,  Ebenezer  Thompson, 
Benja.  Bellows.     Whole  vote  of  the  State  25564. 

The  vote  of  Dover  was  as  follows :  43  for  each  of  the  candi- 
dates. 

Dec.  26. — The  rage  for  Bridge  building  has  increased  to  such 
an  amazing  height  that  we  learn  it  is  in  contemplation  to  erect 
one  from  this  town  over  Bloody  point  ferry  to  Newington  —  and 
that  lots  are  now  selling  to  build  a  city  on  the  beautiful  peninsula 
leading  to  the  ferry.      {Phoenix?) 

1793 

Jan.  26. — "  On  Thursday  last  the  gentlemen  of  this  town  met 
at  Capt.  Shannon's  tavern,  and  celebrated  the  complete  estab- 
lishment of  the  Liberty  of  the  French  Nation,  when  after  an 
elegant  entertainment  patriotic  toasts  were  given."   &c. 

March  4. — Vote  for  Governor,  Josiah  Bartlett  187,  John 
Langdon  12,  scattering  6.  President  Bartlett  was  this  year 
elected  the  first  Governor  under  the  amended  Constitution, 
receiving  7388  votes.  John  Eangdon  had  1306,  John  Taylor 
Oilman  708,  Timothy  Walker,  382,  scattering  70.     Whole  vote 

9854- 

March  23. — "  Died  in  this  town  Mr.  Benjamin  Deane  in  the 
31st  year  of  his  age  —  an  useful  and  active  citizen.  During  the 
late  revolution,  he  was  captured,  while  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  and  was   confined  in  Forton   prison  for  the  space  of 


1.S4  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1793 

eighteen  months:  during  which  he  four  times  with  others 
effected  his  escape  from  the  prison,  by  digging  beneath  the 
walls,  but  unfortunately  was  retaken  before  he  could  get  with- 
out the  realms  of  despotism.  He  has  left  a  wife  and  two  small 
children  to  bemoan  his  loss. 

While  man  is  growing,  Life  is  in  decrease, 

And  Cradles  rock  us  nearer  to  the  Tomb. 

Our  Birth  is  nothing  but  our  Death  begun. 

As  Tapers  waste  the  instant  they  take  Fire. 

July  2. — No  Post  Ofl&ce  being  established  in  Dover  at  this 
time  letters  were  held  for  delivery  at  the  Portsmouth  office,  and 
those  not  called  for  within  the  prescribed  time  were  advertised 
in  the  Portsmouth  papers.  The  Portsmouth  Oracle  in  its  adver- 
tised list  of  this  date,  has  the  following  for  Dover  people  : 
Eliphalet  I^add,  Freeman  Perry,  Edward  Thomas. 

July  6. — "The  Fourth  of  July  was  celebrated  in  this  town 
by  the  inhabitants  with  their  usual  vivacity.  The  day  was 
ushered  in  by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  discharge  of  cannon. 
The  morn  appeared  for  a  short  time  overspread  with  clouds  and 
darkness,  truly  like  the  morn  of  '76,  but  it  was  but  momentary. 
We  soon  saw  the  clouds  and  darkness  disperse  and  beheld  the 
bright  sun  of  Independence  beaming  its  rays  upon  us  in  all  the 
splendor  of  meridian  day,"  &c. 

Aug.  5. — Last  Wednesday  evening,  at  8  o'clock  a  fiery  Meteor 
of  uncommon  size  was  seen  in  this  and  neighboring  places. 
Its  apparent  diameter  when  first  observed  was  small  but  in- 
creased until  it  appeared  larger  than  the  sun.  {Newspaper  of 
the  day.) 

Aug.  13. — Died,  Mrs.  Elisa  Mellen,  aged  21,  the  amiable 
consort  of  Henry  Mellen,  Esq. 

The  petition  of  Samuel  Wentworth,  collector  of  taxes,  repre- 
sented that  from  motives  which  originated  partly  in  his  own 
private  interests  and  partly  from  his  attachment  to  the  town, 
he  was  induced  to  undertake  the  labor  of  collecting  the  town 
taxes  "  at  a  lay"  that  was  more  favorable  to  the  town  than 
was  ever  before  known,  in  fact  that  he  paid  the  town  a  small 
consideration  for  the  office,  but  that  finding  great  difficulty 
and  trouble  and  having  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  the  work, 
and  being  called  upon  by  the  selectmen  for  money  which  he 
had  been  unable  to  collect,  he  prayed  that  the  town  would 
make  him  such  allowance  as  their  great  wisdom  should  deem 
just.     The  town  voted  to  pay  him  9  pounds. 


1794]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  185 

The  town  voted  to  sell  six  lots  on  the  I,anding  ;  the  money 
arising  therefrom  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury.  Also,  to  build  a 
bridge  over  Back  river,  near  Libbey's,  agreeably  to  the  report 
of  a  committee,  the  common  laborers  to  have  3  shillings  a  day, 
and  the  committee  the  same,  they  finding  themselves. 

Aug.  26. — Theophilus  Dame,  Sheriff,  gives  notice  that  "the 
noted  Henry  Tufts  broke  out  of  goal  on  the  night  of  the  25th." 
He  was  "  confined  for  his  old  offence,  that  is,  /^//, "  (sic)  and  is 
described  as  "about  six  feet  high,  and  forty  years  of  age,  wears 
his  own  hair,  short  and  dark  coloured,  had  on  a  long  blue  coat." 
Five  dollars  reward  is  offered  for  his  arrest. 

Tufts,  who  was  a  native  of  Lee  or  that  vicinity,  was  the  most 
noted  vagabond  of  his  day,  and  spent  much  of  his  time  in  Dover 
and  other  jails  for  the  petty  offences  of  which  he  was  guilty. 
A  history  of  his  life  and  misdeeds  was  published  about  the  year 
1800  from  the  Dover  printing  office,  written  by  Major  Thomas 
Tash  of  New  Durham,  from  Tufts  dictation.  Tufts  lived 
many  years  after  this  time,  and  died  in  Maine  about  the  year 
1825  under  an  assumed  name. 

Oct.  15. — Many  people  are  now  complaining  of  a  distemper 
arising  from  an  uncommon  cold,  the  effects  of  which  visibly 
proclaim  it  a  species  of  the  influenza,  though  in  operation  not 
so  severe,  nor  lasting.     {Nezvspaper  of  the  day.) 

1794 

March  3. — Vote  for  Governor,  Ebenezer  Thompson  133,  John 
Taylor  Oilman  69,  scattering  3.  John  Taylor  Oilman  was 
elected  Oovernor,  receiving  7629  votes,  and  there  were  2841 
votes  cast  for  various  other  candidates.  He  was  subsequently 
chosen  for  ten  successive  years,  for  the  most  part  with  little 
opposition. 

The  spring  of  this  year  was  very  early  ;  apple  trees  were  in 
blossom  April  23.  The  "  great  frost  "  occured  the  night  of  the 
17th  of  May,  the  apples  which  were  as  large  as  pistol  balls  and 
the  rye  and  flax,  which  were  headed  were  all  killed.  The  can- 
ker worms  were  also  killed.     {Chase's  Diary.) 

Piscataqua  Bridge,  leading  from  Durham  to  Newington,  and 
connecting  Dover  with  Portsmouth,  was  built  this  year.  It 
was  begun  in  April  and  finished  in  December. 


186  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1796 

1795 

March  2. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Oilman  186,  scattering  7. 

The  selectmen  were  empowered  to  send  the  bell  on  the  meeting 
house  to  Europe  to  the  foundry  where  it  was  cast,  to  get  it  cast 
over  again.  It  was  also  voted  not  to  build  a  work  house  for 
the  employ  of  the  town's  poor. 

On  the  petition  of  Walter  Cooper  to  have  the  town  "  account- 
able for  the  future  maintenance  of  a  poor  negro  woman  now  in 
his  family,"  the  town  voted  that  it  would  not  be  accountable. 

The  summer  of  this  year  was  remarkably  wet.  Throughout 
ten  weeks,  from  the  middle  of  June  it  rained  more  or  less  more 
than  half  of  the  days.      {Chase's  Diary.) 

1796 

March  28. — Vote  for  Oovernor,  John  T.  Oilman  177,  scatter- 
ing 3.  Voted,  to  divide  the  town  into  Districts  and  compel 
each  District  to  build  a  school  house  within  six  months.  If 
any  District  refuses,  the  selectmen  were  to  build  the  house  at 
the  expense  of  the  District. 

July  18. — The  town  voted  to  lay  out  roads  4  rods  wide  across 
the  Landing,  and  sell  the  lots  at  auction. 

Aug.  29. — Dr.  Ezra  Oreen  was  appointed  agent  to  dispose  of 
the  town  bell  and  procure  a  new  one  of  nearly  the  same  magni- 
tude as  the  old  one,  at  his  discretion.  It  was  afterwards  voted 
not  to  release  the  Society  of  Friends  from  paying  their  propor- 
tion of  the  cost  of  the  last  bell. 

Nov.  7. — The  vote  of  Dover  for  President  this  year  was  39 
for  the  Electors  who  subsequently  voted  for  John  Adams  and 
Oliver  Ellsworth.  Adams  and  Jefferson  being  chosen  President 
and  Vice  President.  The  whole  vote  of  the  State  was  but  4374. 
The  electors  chosen  were  Oliver  Peabody,  John  Taylor  Oilman, 
Benja.  Bellows,  Timothy  Farrar,  Eben  Thompson,  Timothy 
Walker. 

Dr.  Dwight,  in  his  travels  through  New  England,  visited 
Dover  this  year,  and  records  the  following  as  his  impressions  of 

the  town  : 

The  site  of  Dover  is  chiefly  a  declivity.  The  buildings  are  substan- 
tial and  decent,  but  formed  with  very  little  taste  or  beauty.  A  small 
number  of  them  only  are  painted :  and  most  of  these  with  a  dull  dis- 
agreeable color.  There  is  nothing  sprightly  in  the  appearance  of  the 
town,  except  the  activity  of  its  inhabitants.  The  commerce  of  Dover 
consists  chiefly  in  lumber.  The  material  is  daily  diminishing,  and  in  a 
short  time  will  probably  fail.  Whether  a  substitute  can  be  found  by  the 
inhabitants,  I  am  ignorant. 


1798]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  187 

1797 

March  27. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Oilman  147  —  no 
opposition. 

Aug.  28.— Voted  to  allow  Dr.  Jacob  Kittredge  to  open  a  hos- 
pital to  innoculate  for  the  small  pox,  and  that  the  selectmen, 
with  Dr.  Ezra  Green  and  William  Hale  be  a  committee  to  locate 
the  same  and  order  when  it  should  be  opened  and  closed. 

Sept.  13. — Voted  that  the  land  for  a  burying  place  on  Pine 
Hill  be  laid  out  and  a  plan  be  returned  to  the  Town  Clerk. 

Pine  Hill  had  been  occupied  as  a  burying  ground  from  the 
time,  probably,  of  the  erection  of  the  meeting  house  there  in 
1 7 13,  and  in  1 73 1  one  and  a  half  acres  were  by  vote  of  the  town, 
ordered  to  be  laid  out  for  that  purpose.  The  action  of  the  town 
at  this  time  would  indicate  that  the  previous  order  had  not  been 
complied  with,  or  no  return  thereof  had  been  made. 


1798 

March— Vote  for  Governor,  John  Taylor  Gilman  177,  no 
opposition. 

The  following  Proclamation,  signed  by  some  of  the  "first 
citizens  "  of  Dover,  appears  in  the  Sun  of  April  4 : 

To  whom  it  may  Concern.— Know  ye  that  we  the  undersigned,  being 
duly  appointed  to  the  care  of  all  the  Hogs  of  the  ancient  and  honorable 
town  of  Dover,  going  contrary  to  the  Laws  of  the  Land,  for  the  current 
year,  deeply  penetrated  with  a  sense  of  the  importance  and  exfensive- 
ness  of  our  office  and  thinking  we  may  say  without  vanity  that  no  men 
are  better  qualified  therefor  than  ourselves  (as  some  of  us  have  hereto- 
fore sustained  the  same  office  and  had  the  honorable  testimony  of  the 
approbation  of  our  constituents,  by  being  dismissed  for  being  ovetzealous 
in  the  performance  of  our  duty.) 

We  shall  therefore  immediately  after  the  publication  hereof,  on  our 
part  according  to  rules  of  true  bienseance  pay  our  respects  to  all  the 
multitude  of  swine  thus  committed  to  our  care,  and  if  on  theirs  we  do  not 
find  their  necks  properly  decorated  with  a  certain  piece  of  machinery  vul- 
garly called  a  Yoke,  somewhat  larger  than  a  modernpudding,  that  is  to 
say,  equal  to  the  swine's  neck  above  the  neck,  half  as  much  below,  with 
the  bottom  thereof  three  times  as  long  as  the  thickness  of  the  neck, 
together  with  a  ring  in  the  Nose;  for  this  offence  against  the  rules  of 
Decorum,  we  shall  not  spit  at  them,  nor  challenge  to  private  duel,  but  we 
shall  (even  if  a  majority  of  us  shall  agree  to  it)  positively  expel.  We 
shall  join  in  grand  alliance  with  their  old  and  arch  enemys  the  Jews, 
and  shall  prosecute  and  persecute  them  without  discrimination  of  age  or 
character. 


188  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1798 

Given  under  our  hand  in  Town  Meeting,  this  aytli  day  of  March,  1798. 
Amos  Cogswell,  \ 

Henry  Mellen,  I 

Wm.  K.  Atkinson,  t.   i^^'u^i*  ^t  +v,^ 

^,         IT     i  I       In  behalf  of  the 

Thos.  rootman,  \ 

John  Remich,  /  Hogreeves. 

Sam'l.  Wentworth,  I 

Sam'l.  Bragg,  Jr.  1 

N.  B. — As  an  encouragement  to  the  owners  to  pay  the  small  fees 
attached  to  our  office,  with  promptitude  and  alacrity  we  inform,  that  we 
have  it  in  contemplation  to  appropriate  the  net  proceeds,  to  the  purchase 
of  an  ENGINE. 

April  II. — The  body  of  Mr.  Peter  Man,  who  had  been  missing 
almost  eight  weeks,  was  found  in  the  pasture  of  Mr.  Ezra 
Young.  It  appears  that  he  was  disordered  when  he  left  his 
home,  and  having  wandered  about  one  mile  and  a  half  through  a 
very  deep  snow,  it  is  supposed  that  he  was  taken  in  a  fit  and 
expired. 

May  30. — The  following  address  from  the  President  of  the 
United  States  appears  in  the  Sun  newspaper  : 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Dover  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  : 

Gentlemen: — I  thank  you  for  your  Address  to  the  President  and  Con- 
gress, which  has  been  presented  to  me  by  your  Senator  in  Congress,  Mr. 
L/ivermore.* 

The  present  alarms  do  indeed  presage  events  of  the  highest  import- 
ance, not  only  to  the  wealth,  dignity,  and  glory,  of  the  nation,  but  to  the 
existence  of  the  American  name  —  the  machinations  of  force  and  fraud 
have  been  so  long  practiced  upon  the  United  States,  that  they  must  be 
dead,  to  every  sense  of  honor,  and  feeling  of  resentment,  against  insult 
or  injury,  and  every  prudent  precaution  of  self  preservation,  if  they  are 
not,  at  length  aroused,  to  unanimous  and  manly  resistance. 

The  indignation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dover,  at  the  conduct  of  the 
French  Republic  towards  these  States,  is  as  natural,  as  their  approbation 
of  the  measures  taken  to  appease  its  unjust  and  implacable  outrages  — 
and  their  exultation  in  the  enjo3'ment  of  the  rights  of  Freemen,  are 
honorable  to  the  government  they  have  instituted  and  chosen. 

Your  resolution  that  while  patriotism  shall  be  esteemed  a  virtue,  and 
the  love  of  freedom  continue  to  warm  the  human  heart,  no  nation  under 
heaven  shall  rob  you  of  your  rights,  is  in  the  genuine  style  of  freemen, 
and  determined  Republicans. 

JOHN    ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  May  17th,  1798, 


*  No  copy  of  this  address  has  been  preserved  on  the  Town  Records. 


ISOO]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  189 

June  6. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Gray  of  Dover  delivered  before  the 
Legislature,  which  sat  at  Hopkinton,  "an  ingenious  and  patri- 
otic Discourse,  which  discovered  at  once  the  true  Patriot  and 
able  Divine."  The  House  voted  that  500  copies  be  printed  and 
50  presented  to  Mr.  Gray. 

July  4.— "That  Day  ever  memorable  in  the  annals  of  Ameri- 
can glory,  was  duly  celebrated  in  Dover.  An  Oration  was  pro- 
nounced by  Daniel  M.  Durell,  Esq.  in  which  were  united  an 
elegance  of  style  and  that  glow  of  energetic  patriotism  which  is 
so  highly  congenial  with  the  feelings  of  every  one  who  deserves 
the  name  of  an  American,"  &c.      {Su?i.) 

Aug.  27. — At  a  town  meeting  for  the  choice  of  Representa- 
tives to  Congress,  Peleg  Sprague  received  48  votes,  Abiel 
Foster  48,  William  Gordon  47,  Jonathan  Freeman  38,  James 
Sheafe  7,  Joseph  Dennie  4. 

Sept.  8. — Mr.  Joseph  Young  went  on  board  a  loaded  gondola 
at  the  Landing,  in  order  to  watch  her  till  high  water,  but  being 
tired,  he  went  into  the  cuddy  and  there  fell  asleep  till  the  tide 
came  up  and  filled  her,  by  which  he  was  drowned. 

Sept.  27. — On  Thursday  the  27th  inst.  His  Excellency  John 
T.  Oilman  reviewed  the  troops  belonging  to  Col.  Fisher's  Regi- 
ment in  Dover. 

Dec.  3. — Voted,  that  the  roads  be  broken  out  and  the  labor 
in  doing  it  be  paid  for  as  other  labor  on  the  highways. 

1799 

March  25. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Taylor  Oilman  188,  no 
opposition. 

On  the  petition  of  Joseph  Clements  and  others  for  liberty  to 
build  a  school  house  on  meeting  house  hill  (so  called),  the  town 
voted  that  it  had  "  no  objection." 

"Meeting  house  hill"  was  the  elevation  on  Dover  Neck 
where  the  second,  if  not  the  first,  meeting  house  was  built. 

1800 

Jan.  I. — Intelligence  of  the  death  of  Washington  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Dover  Sun,  which  was  dressed  in  mourning  on  the 
occasion. 

Jan.  10. — Died,  Colonel  Theophilus  Dame,  aged  73.  He  was 
a  Canadian  by  birth,  and  had  been  an  officer  in  the  British  ser- 
vice, but  became    a   citizen  of    Dover   about    1768.       He   was 


190  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1800 

Sheriff  of  the  County  froui  its  formation  in  1773  till  the  time  of 
his  death,  and  as  such  had  charge  of  the  Jail,  and  was  at  all 
times  a  leading  citizen. 

March  6. — "Arrived  at  Portsmouth,  schooner  Fanny,  Capt. 
John  Riley  of  Dover,  29  days  from  Martinique.  Feb.  12,  was 
brought  to  by  a  French  privateer,  called  the  Hasard  from  Porto 
Rico,  who  ordered  the  Fanny's  boat  to  be  hoisted  out,  in  which 
Capt.  Riley  and  two  men  went  on  board  the  privateer  —  the 
boat  soon  returned  with  five  Frenchmen,  who  searched  the  vessel 
and  took  away  property  to  the  value  of  about  400  dollars,  and 
left  her."     {Dover  Siui?) 

March  31. — The  votes  for  Governor,  cast  this  day  in  Dover, 
were  for  John  Taylor  Oilman  117,  Timothy  Walker  109.  Joseph 
Gage  was  elected  Representative  to  the  General  Court.  At 
this  time  Barrington  and  Rochester  were  both  larger  than 
Dover,  each  electing  two  Representatives. 

July  4.  — "  The  day  was  celebrated  in  a  manner  worthy  the 
occasion,  and  such  as  reflected  great  honor  upon  the  citizens. 
At  12  o'clock  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  place  convened  at 
Mrs.  Dydia  Tebbets'  where,  after  cooling  punch  and  a  good 
dinner  they  drank  the  following  toasts,"  &c.  The  12th  toast 
was  as  follows  : 

"The  Bright  Star  of  Federalism — At  the  approaching  elec- 
tion may  it  conduct  the  wise  men  of  the  west  to  Qimiey,  the 
American  Bethlehem,  the  residence  of  our  political  Savior"  — 
Three  cheers. 

Aug.  25. — Voted  to  lay  out  and  lease  a  tier  of  lots  on  the 
Landing  for  one  year,  and  the  proceeds  go  towards  the  purchase 
of  an  engine. 

The  L,egislature  chose  Presidential  electors,  this  year,  viz  : 
Oliver  Peabody,  John  Prentice,  Ebenr.  Thompson,  Timothy 
Farrar,  Benjamin  Bellows  and  Arthur  Livermore,  who  cast  the 
vote  of  the  State  for  John  Adams  and  Charles  C.  Pinckney  — 
Thomas  Jefferson  and  Aaron  Burr  being  subsequently  elected 
by  the  House  of  Representatives  President  and  Vice  President. 


1802]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  191 

1801 

March  30. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Taylor  Oilman  59,  Tim- 
othy Walker  130. 

Voted,  to  divide  the  centre  school  district  into  two  districts. 

Oct.  27. — Died,  Colonel  Otis  Baker,  aged  75.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  during  the  Revolution,  and  a  Justice  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  from  1773  to  1785. 

1802 

Jan.  I. — John  Wheeler  appointed  Postmaster  vice  Dr.  Ezra 
Green  resigned. 

March  29. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Oilman  66,  John 
Langdon  213.  The  Republicans  or  Jeffersonians,  this  year 
brought  out  John  Langdon  as  their  candidate  for  Governor  and 
made  a  vigorous  opposition  to  the  election  of  Gov.  Oilman,  but 
he  was  chosen  by  a  vote  of  10377  to  8753  for  Langdon.  Dover, 
at  this  time,  after  giving  the  federal  ticket  almost  an  unani- 
mous vote  for  several  years,  appears  to  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Republicans. 

Voted,  that  William  Hale,  Joseph  Smith  and  Mark  Walker 
be  a  committee  to  examine  the  Landing  and  find  a  suitable 
place  for  building  a  slaughter  house. 

April  3. — Notice  is  given  that  the  Postmaster  General  has  it 
in  contemplation  to  convey  the  mails  from  Boston  to  Portland, 
passing  through  Dover,  in  24  hours. 

April  7. — Died,  much  lamented,  Mr.  Joseph  Gage,  merchant. 
The  offspring  of  virtue,  the  child  of  humanity,  have  lost  a 
friend.  The  grief  of  his  numerous  friends  and  relations  may 
be  great,  but  the  world  will  mourn  the  loss  of  an  "  honest  man." 
{Dove?'  Sun.) 

Died,  at  sea,  on  his  passage  home  from  the  West  Indies, 
Captain  David  Boardman,  aged  34.  Candor  and  strict  honesty 
in  his  behavior  through  life  entitled  him  to  true  respect,  and  an 
affectionate  wife  and  five  young  children  will  long  feel  the  loss — 
as  will  his  numerous  relations.     (Dover  Sun.) 


192  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1804 

1803 

March  7. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Gilman  86,  John 
Langdon  114.  The  vote  this  year  was  the  largest  ever  cast  in 
the  State,  being  21317.  Gilman  received  12263,  Langdon 
901 1,  scattering  43. 

The  town  voted  to  adopt  by-laws  against  swine  running  at 
large  under  a  penalty  of  $3.30  for  each  offence,  and  also  adopted 
an  act  of  the  General  Court  in  relation  to  the  extinguishing  of 
fires. 

Dec.  17. — Notice  is  given  of  the  organization  of  the  Strafford 
Bank,  the  first  established  in  town.  Subscribers  to  the  stock 
are  notified  by  Win.  King  Atkinson,  President,  that  One  hun- 
dred dollars  on  each  share  will  become  due  on  the  fourth  Tues- 
day of  January,  and  that  "one  fourth  part  at  least,  and  as  much 
more  as  may  be  convenient,  will  be  expected  in  gold  and  silver, 
and  the  residue  in  bills  of  the  banks  of  Massachusetts." 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  this  year  the  Proprietors  of 
Piscataqua  Bridge  were  authorized  to  raise  $15000  by  lottery 
for  the  purpose  of  repairing  ^the  bridge.  loooo  tickets  were 
issued  at  $5  each.  The  bridge  at  that  time,  it  was  stated,  had 
been  erected  by  individual  enterprise  at  an  expense  of  nearly 
$70000,  and  had  never  netted  three  per  cent  interest. 

1804 

Feb.  8. — A  shock  of  an  earthquake  about  2  o'clock  in  the 
morning.     Uncommon  quantity  of  snow  for  the  season. 

Feb.  25. — William  Hurd  and  John  Jones,  for  passing  coun- 
terfeit ten  dollar  bills  of  the  New  Hampshire  Bank,  were  sen- 
tenced by  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  held  in  Dover,  "to  sit 
one  hour  in  the  pillory,  pay  a  fine  of  $200  each,  and  costs  of 
prosecution,  and  to  stand  committed  until  sentence  be  per- 
formed." 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Gilman  86,  John 
Langdon  160.  Whole  vote  of  the  State,  Gilman  12246,  Lang- 
don 12009,  scattering  27. 

A  committee  of  eleven,  including  the  selectmen,  was  ap- 
pointed to  examine  the  several  school  districts  and  agree  with 
the  inhabitants  how  and  where  to  build  school  houses. 

Aug.  27. — A  committee  w^as  appointed  to  agree  with  some 
man  or  men  to  run  out  the  town  and  make  a  plan  of  the  same. 


1805]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  193 

Oct.  9. — A  most  violent  and  destructive  storm  occurred,  occa- 
sioning the  loss  of  many  vessels  and  lives  on  the  coast.  The 
weather  was  so  cold  that  farmers  lost  large  quantities  of  pota- 
toes by  being  frozen  in  the  ground.  The  snow  was  greatly 
drifted  and  much  of  it  remained  by  the  side  of  fences  until 
April  1805. 

Nov.  5. — Vote  for  Presidential  Electors  in  Dover  this  year, 
in  favor  of  Thomas  Jefferson  75,  opposition  140.  The  State 
was  carried  by  the  Republicans.  Whole  vote  17452.  Requisite 
for  choice  8727.  John  Goddard,  Levi  Bartlett,  Jonathan  Steele, 
Robert  Alcock,  Timothy  Walker,  George  Aldrich  and  William 
Tarlton  were  chosen  by  votes  varying  from  8995  to  9088.  They 
cast  the  vote  of  the  State  for  Thomas  Jefferson  and  George 
Clinton,  who  were  subsequently  elected  President  and  Vice 
President. 

1805 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Gilman  109,  John 
Langdon  202.  After  a  sharp  contest,  and  with  the  largest  vote 
ever  cast  in  the  State,  the  Republicans  succeeded  in  unseating 
Gilman  and  electing  Langdon  Governor.  The  whole  vote  was 
28443.  Langdon  received  16097,  Oilman  12287,  and  there  were 
59  scattering. 

April  6. — The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  Dover  Sun  : 

IMPORTANT  DISCOVERY.— A  number  of  men  digging  up  the  earth,  in 
this  town,  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  aqueduct  through  Mr.  Daniel 
Waldron's  land,  discovered  a  vein  of  dark  brown  sand  running  from 
east  to  west,  much  impregnated  with  Quick-silver  of  the  best  quality. 
Upon  close  inspection  globules  of  this  metal  were  found  dispersed 
through  this  vein  from  the  size  of  the  smallest  grain  of  sand  to  that  of  a 
duck  shot — which  leaves  no  room  for  doubt,  but  upon  further  attention, 
larger  quantities  may  be  discovered,  and  prove  beneficial  to  the  owner  of 
the  land. 

May  17. — The  Dover  Turnpike  road  from  Dover  to  South 
Berwick  was  opened  this  year.  In  the  Sun,  of  this  date,  John 
Wheeler,  Treasurer,  gives  notice  to  stockholders  that  the 
Directors  have  ordered  the  fourth  assessment  to  be  paid,  and 
Stephen  Sawyer  advertises  for  "30  or  40  stout  able  bodied 
young  men  "  to  work  on  the  road. 


194  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1806 

July  4. — The  day  was  noticed  with  "uncommon  festivity." 
"Its  early  dawn  was  liberally  saluted  by  Capt.  Henderson's 
company  of  Artillerists,  which  performed  the  occasional  evolu- 
tions with  great  spirit  and  precision."  At  11  o'clock  the  com- 
pany collected  at  Mr.  Ela's  tavern  "where  the  parched  throat 
was  agreeably  slacked  with  cooling  punch."  An  elegant 
dinner  was  prepared  in  "  Union  Hall  upon  the  hill  opposite  the 
great  falls." 

1806 

March  4. — A  new  line  of  stages  for  the  accommodation  and 
convenience  of  passengers  who  wish  to  travel  between  Boston 
and  Portland,  the  upper  road,  was  established  at  this  time.  It 
left  Boston  &  Portland,  Mondays,  Wednesdays  &  Fridays  at  6 
o'clock  A.M.,  met  at  Richardson's  tavern  in  Durham  the  same 
evening,  exchanged  passengers,  and  returned  next  day. 
' '  Those  persons  who  put  their  names  down  first  for  a  passage, 
before  the  stage  starts,  will  have  the  preference,  and  no  more 
than  nine  passengers  will  be  taken."  Nathl.  W.  Ela,  Dover, 
was  one  of  the  ten  proprietors  issuing  the  notice. 

March  11. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Langdon  199,  John  T. 
Oilman  i,  Michael  Read,  Esq.  9.  The  federal  party  made  but 
feeble  opposition  to  the  election  of  Eangdon  this  year  as  is 
indicated  by  the  vote  of  Dover.  The  whole  vote  was  20573,  of 
which  Ivangdon  received  15277.  Of  the  remainder  Timothy 
Farrar  had  1720,  John  T.  Oilman  1553,  Jeremiah  Smith  902, 
Oliver  Peabody  866,  scattering  255. 

Voted,  to  give  a  premium  of  ten  cents  to  any  person  killing 
a  crow  within  the  limits  of  the  town  the  present  year. 

Oct.  II. — The  wife  of  Mr.  Roberts  of  Dover,  N.  H.  was 
lately  delivered  of  three  beautiful  &  perfect  boys,  each  weigh- 
ing 7  pounds  :  who  with  their  prolific  mother  are  all  in  perfect 
health.     {Oracle.) 

Nov.  I.— On  Wednesday  last,  at  the  request  of  the  Church 
of  Christ  in  Dover,  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  convened  in  that 
place  for  the  purpose  of  ordaining  Mr.  Martin  L.  Herlbut,  their 
Pastor  elect. 


1808]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  195 

Though  the  council  were  fully  satisfied  with  the  quality  of  the  candi- 
date, literary,  moral  &  ministerial,  though  they  approved  the  ardor  and 
engagedness  manifested  by  his  friends  in  endeavoring  to  obtain  his  set- 
tlement with  them  :  yet,  such  was  the  determined  spirit  of  remonstrance 
that  was  presented,  such  the  number  of  names  affixed,  and  so  solemn  the 
protestations  of  its  supporters,  that  it  was  their  zais/i  to  have  a  settled 
minister  among  them,  if  they  could  be  gratified  in  the  man,  that  it  was 
thought  expedient  by  the  council  not  to  proceed  to  ordination,  but  to 
give  those  who  professed  themselves  dissatisfied  an  opportunity  to  show 
the  sincerity  of  their  zeal  in  endeavoring  to  obtain  a  candidate.  And 
we  fervently  pray  that  one  may  be  obtained  whom  God  will  honor  as  an 
instrument  of  softening  the  prejudices  that  seem  to  exist,  and  enkindling 
the  dying  embers  of  social  and  religious  affection  in  that  respectable 
village  whose  present  state  in  a  social  and  religious  view,  excites  painful 
and  anxious  apprehensions  in  the  breasts  of  all  who  are  the  friends  of 
piety,  peace  &  order  !     {Portsmouth  Oracle,  Nov.  15,  1S06.) 

1807 

March  10.— Vote  for  Governor,  John  Langdon  180,  no  opposi- 
tion. Vote  of  the  State  16861,  of  which  Langdon  received 
13912,  scattering  2949. 

July  15. — Died,  Dr.  Jacob  Kittredge,  aged  76  years  —  an  old 
and  much  esteemed  physician. 

Aug.  19. — Mr.  Watson,  while  tinloading  a  gundalo  in  the 
evening,  accidentally  fell  overboard  and  was  drowned. 

Oct.  8. — A  comet   which  attracted  much  attention  was  seen 

about  this  time. 

1808 

March  8. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  L,angdon  133;  no  oppo- 
sition. The  selectmen  were  "  empowered  to  point  out  a  lot  of 
land  suitable  for  a  gun  and  engine  house  where  they  may  think 
the  most  proper."  They  selected  a  lot  near  the  Court  House 
which  after  much  opposition  from  adjoining  property  holders 
was  finally  occupied  for  the  engine. 

June  26. — At  20  minutes  past  2  o'clock  in  the  morning  the 
shock  of  an  earthquake  was  sensibly  felt.  Its  duration  from  i 
to  i^  minutes. 

July  4. — "  On  this  day  the  Federalists  of  this  town  celebrated 
the  anniversary  of  the  day  on  which  America  became  inde- 
pendent in  the  true  spirit  of  Freemen.  The  day  was  ushered 
in  by  the  discharge  of  cannon  and  ringing  of  the  bells.  At 
ID  o'clock,  A.M.  a  procession  was  formed  at  Mrs.  Tebbetts'  by 
Ezra  Green,  Esq.  the  Marshal  of  the  day  ;  consisting  of  about 
sixty  gentlemen  of  this  and  the  neighboring  towns  who  (pre- 
ceeded  by  a  number  of  gentlemen  musicians  of  this  town  who 


196  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1808 

generously  volunteered  their  services  in  promoting  the  amuse- 
ments of  the  day)  marched  to  the  Meeting-house.  The  public 
exercises  commenced  with  an  appropriate  ode,  composed  for  the 
occasion  by  Henry  Mellen,  Esq.  which  was  sung  and  played 
by  a  select  band  of  musicians  in  a  style  of  superior  excellence, 
after  which  an  interesting,  patriotic  and  elegant  oration  was 
delivered  to  a  brilliant  and  highly  gratified  audience  by  Moses 
Hodgdon,  Esq.  in  which  the  orator  forcibly  and  correctly 
traced  to  their  sources  the  causes  of  the  democratic  faction  in 
our  nation,  the  various  measures  by  which  they  ascended  to 
power,  and  the  causes  of  the  present  deplorable  situation  of  our 
beloved  country.  The  performance  being  closed  by  another 
ode  prepared  for  the  occasion,  the  company  repaired  to  the 
Court  House  and  partook  of  an  elegant  dinner  which  was  pro- 
vided for  the  occasion  by  Mrs.  Lydia  Tebbetts,  the  hall  and 
table  being  ingeniously  and  elegantly  decorated,  after  which  the 
following  toasts  were  given  accompanied  by  discharge  of  cannon 
and  appropriate  music  and  among  the  rest  that  much  admired 
one  entitled  the  "  Embargo  "  was  sung  by  Henry  Mellen,  Esq. 
The  utmost  harmony  prevailed  through  the  day  which  was 
closed  in  the  full  expectation  of  a  glorious  resurrection  of  the 
cause  of  truth  and  federalism." 

The  following  specimen  of  the  toasts  drank  on  the  occasion 
with  one  stanza  of  Mr.  Mellen's  ode,  will  suffice  : — 

77^1?  President  on  the  flats— ihe  tide  of  a  "successful  experiment" 
being  out. 

/.  Q.  Adams — When  political  dancers  rigadoon  at  the  top  and  change 
sides— ih^y  ought  to  attend  to  the  tune.     "There  is  no  luck." 
Dear  sirs,  it  is  wrong 
To  demand  a  Nezu  Song  : 
I  have  let  all  the  breath  I  can  spare  go; 
With  the  muse  I've  conferred, 
And  she  wont  say  a  word, 
But  keeps  laughing  about  this  Embargo. 

]^ov.  4. — The  vote  for  Presidential  Electors  was  for  the  Madi- 
son ticket  headed  by  John  Langdon  172;  for  the  opposition 
headed  by  Jeremiah  Smith  133. 

The  federal  party  at  this  election  regained  the  State.  Their 
Presidential  electors  were  chosen  by  votes  varying  from  13929  to 
14006  :  the  whole  vote  of  the  State  being  26721,  and  13361  being 
requisite  for  a  choice.  They  cast  the  vote  of  the  State  for  Charles 
C.  Pinckney  for  President  and  Rufus  King  Vice  President — 
James  Madison  and  George  Clinton  being  subsequently  elected. 


1810]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  197 

1809 

March  14. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Langdon  173,  Jeremiah 
Smith  131.  The  federal  party  this  year  brought  out  Jeremiah 
Smith  for  Governor  and  elected  him.  He  received  in  the  State 
15610  votes,  John  Langdon  15241,  scattering  132. 

It  was  voted  to  "  purchase  a  lot  of  land  of  Capt.  Moses  Ham 
to  set  the  gun  house  on  if  he  would  sell  for  $30,  which  he 
agreed  to  do  in  town  meeting." 

1810 

Jan.  19. — The  memorable  "  Cold  Friday  "  occurred,  of  which 
mention  is  frequently  made  by  New^  England  historians.  The 
thermometer  ranged  all  day  long  from  15  to  20  degrees  below 
zero  while  the  wind  attained  to  the  proportions  of  a  hurricane. 
A  family  in  Sanbornton,  whose  house  was  prostrated  by  the 
gale,  perished  before  its  members  could  reach  the  nearest  shel- 
ter, a  half  mile  away.  A  stage  driver  on  the  route  from  Boston 
to  Salem,  was  found  frozen  stiff  upon  his  box  with  the  reins  in 
his  hands,  when  the  horses  halted  before  the  hotel  door  in 
Ivynn. 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Langdon  176,  Jeremiah 
Smith  135.  The  Republicans  this  year  recovered  the  control 
of  the  State,  electing  Langdon  by  a  vote  of  16325  to  15 166  for 
Smith,  with  84  scattering. 

Aug.  27. — Voted  that  the  selectmen  be  empowered  to  sell  the 
uncurrent  bank  bills  now  in  the  town  chest  to  the  best  advan- 
tage. 

Dec.  26. — This  Wednesday  evening,  at  9^  o'clock,  the  in- 
habitants of  Dover  were  alarmed  by  the  cry  of  fire.  It  com- 
menced its  destructive  progress  in  a  large  building  owned  by 
Samuel  Bragg,  jr.  printer,  in  the  bindery  on  the  lower  floor, 
the  upper  story  of  which  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Bragg  as  a  Print- 
ing Office  and  Bookstore,  and  the  remainder  of  the  ground  floor 
was  tenanted  by  Messrs.  Philemon  Chandler,  shop-keeper,  and 
Jesse  Varney,  morocco  shoemaker.  On  the  first  discovery  the 
Bindery,  which  was  full  of  books,  and  loose  paper,  appeared 
completely  enveloped  in  flames  and  before  means  could  be  pos- 
sibly taken  for  alarming  the  citizens  the  stair-case  leading  to 
the  Printing  Office  and  Bookstore  were  shrouded  in  a  sheet  of 
fire.  The  conflagration  from  room  to  room  was  rapid  beyond 
conception  :  and  although  the  inhabitants  who  were  in  large 


198  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1810 

numbers  assembled  in  a  few  minutes  made  every  exertion  in 
the  power  of  mortals  to  arrest  the  velocity  of  this  devouring 
element,  the  whole  building  soon  exhibited  one  column  of 
flame,  ascending  in  awful  grandeur  to  the  clouds.  The  dwelling 
house  of  Samuel  Bragg,  the  elder,  standing  within  a  few  paces 
of  the  Printing  office,  after  having  had  the  fire  frequently  extin- 
guished upon  it  in  various  places,  at  last  yielded  to  the  fury  of 
the  raging  flames  and  in  a  few  minutes  became  aheap  of  smok- 
ing ruins.  A  small  dwelling  house  situated  near  the  south  end 
of  the  Printing  office,  belonging  to  a  Mrs.  Marshall,  was  also 
consumed.  A  large  dwelling  house,  in  one  end  of  which  was  a 
store,  occupied  by  Mr.  Horace  Parmele  and  family,  standing 
near,  was  almost  wholly  destroyed  by  attempts  to  pull  it  in 
pieces  in  order  to  save  the  stores  and  buildings  on  the  opposite 
sides  of  the  streets.  Providentially  the  evening  was  very  calm. 
Not  a  single  article  was  saved  from  the  Printing  office  and 
Bookstore.  A  few  articles  from  Mr.  Chandler's  shop,  and  a  few 
articles  with  his  account  books  from  Mr.  Varney's  shoe  store, 
were  rescued.     Mr.  Parmele's  loss  was  also  considerable. 

The  grateful  thanks  of  all  interested  are  due  to  the  prompt, 
judicious  and  persevering  exertions  of  the  citizens  and  Engine 
company  in  their  united  endeavors  to  rescue  the  property  of  the 
sufferers  from  destruction  and  to  prevent  a  more  general  devasta- 
tion. The  Engine  company  of  Berwick  deserve  great  praise 
for  their  manly  endeavors  to  afford  assistance  at  this  awful 
period.  Fortunately  throughout  this  scene  of  consternation  and 
amazement  no  life  was  lost,  nor  limb  broken. 

The  christian  and  philanthropist,  the  wealthy  of  all  denomi- 
nations, are  earnestly  besought  to  afford  from  their  abundance 
liberal  assistance  to  these  unfortunate  sufferers.  No  claims 
can  be  stronger  on  the  feelings  of  humanity  than,  those  of  the 
honest  and  industrious  whose  hard  earnings  have  been  swept  to 
destruction  in  a  moment  by  the  maddening  power  of  this  master 
of  the  elements.  {Letter  from  Dover  on  the  vioj-ning  after  the 
fire,  to  the  Portsvioidh  Oracle^ 


1812]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.    H.  199 

i8ii 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Langdon  184,  Jeremiah 
Smith  106,  scattering  2.  Another  hard  contest  for  the  Govern- 
orship and  the  Republicans  successful,  Langdon  receiving 
17554,  Smith  14477'  scattering  65. 

It  was  voted  by  the  town  to  give  a  premium  of  20  cents  for  each 
full  grown  crow  that  may  be  killed  in  the  town  the  ensuing  year. 

Dec.  8. — Died,  Mr.  Samuel  Bragg,  jr.  editor  and  printer  of 
the  Dover  Sun.  "In  the  death  of  Mr.  Bragg  the  town  of  Dover 
has  experienced  a  great  loss.  He  was  a  very  industrious  and 
enterprising  man  of  steady  habits  and  attention  to  his  business. 
He  had  by  his  assiduity  and  great  diligence  acquired  a  very 
handsome  property,  when  about  twelve  months  since,  while 
absent  on  a  journe3^  he  was  in  a  moment  stripped  of  almost 
every  dollar  by  the  all-devouring  element  of  fire.  This  disaster 
took  such  hold  of  his  mind,  as,  after  a  while,  to  produce  a  de- 
jection of  spirits,  and  invite  a  complication  of  disorders  which 
has  thus  early  put  a  period  to  his  mortal  existence." 

Dr.  Dwight,  who  again  visited  Dover  about  this  time,  says  : — 

"  I  found  Dover  considerably  improved  since  my  last  visit,  and, 

what  was  not  a  little  gratifying  to  me,  furnished  wdth  a  good 

Minister  of  the  Gospel."     This  was  the  "  pious  and  judicious 

Clary." 

1812 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  Taylor  Gilman  156, 
William  Plumer  155,  scattering  2.  Both  parties  brought  out 
new  candidates  for  Governor  this  year,  and  the  Federalists, 
aided  by  the  unpopularity  of  Madison's  administration  and  the 
war  which  was  impending,  succeeded  in  outvoting  the  Republi- 
cans, but  did  not  regain  the  State.  John  Taylor  Gilman,  their 
candidate,  who  was  again  brought  forward  as  their  strongest 
man,  received  15613  votes,  William  Plumer,  the  republican  can- 
didate 15492,  and  there  were  877  scattering.  There  being  no 
choice  the  lyegislature,  which  was  republican,  elected  Plumer. 

Sept.  2. — A  meeting  of  sundry  persons  from  almost  all  the 
towns  in  the  county  of  Strafford  was  holden  in  Dover  and  it  was 
voted  "to  call  a  public  meeting  of  the  friends  of  peace  who 
disapprove  of  the  present  premature,  impolitic  and  unnecessary 
war,  at  Gilmanton,  on  the  7th  of  Oct.  to  take  into  consideration 
the  present  alarming  state  of  our  public  affairs  and  to  adopt 
such  prudent  legal  and  constitutional  measures  as  will  most 
effectually    promote   the   interests,   welfare   and   honor   of    the 


200  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN' THE  [1812 

nation.  All  persons  of  the  foregoing  description  were  requested 
punctually  to  attend."  The  notice  was  signed  by  "  Moses 
Hodgdon,  Secretary  for  Com.  of  Arrangements." 

The  meeting  was  held  at  Gilmanton  as  notified  and  largely 
attended,  some  3000  persons  being  present.  Resolutions  and 
an  address  in  opposition  to  Madison  and  the  war  were  adopted, 
and  candidates  for  Presidential  Electors  and  Members  of  Con- 
gress nominated.  Among  the  latter  was  Daniel  Webster,  who, 
with  the  other  candidates  on  the  Federal  ticket,  was  subsequently 
elected.  New  Hampshire  at  this  election  voted  for  De  Witt 
Clinton  giving  him  8  votes  to  o  for  James  Madison.  The  vote 
of  Dover  was  236  for  Clinton,  87  for  Madison. 

Oct.  12. — Military  inspection  and  parade  in  Dover  of  the  2d 
Regiment,  upon  the  area  fronting  the  Court  House,  the  appear- 
ance of  the  soldiers  being  highly  commended  in  the  ' '  Sun ' '  news- 
paper. "Major  Edward  Sise  appeared  equipped  cap-a-pie  for  the 
exercises  of  the  day  and  proceeded  with  great  dignity  and  mili- 
tary precision  to  dispose  his  company  in  battalion  array.  After 
which  he  moved  them  to  an  elevated  and  spacious  field  on  the 
western  side  of  Dry  Hill  (so  called)  where  he  formed  them  in 
line,"  &c.  &c. 

]sq-oy  2. — The  vote  for  Presidential  Electors  was  232  for  the 
Clinton  ticket  and  73  for  the  Madison  ticket.  This  election 
was  sharply  contested  and  the  vote  of  the  State  increased  to 
34800.  The  federal  party  made  choice  of  their  electoral  ticket 
by  votes  varying  from  18839  to  20386.  They  cast  the  eight 
votes  to  which  the  State  was  then  entitled  for  De  Witt  Clinton 
for  President,  and  for  Jared  Ingersoll  for  Vice  President  7,  and 
for  Elbridge  Gerry  i.  Madison  and  Gerry  were  subsequently 
elected. 

Dec.  26. — John  Wheeler  notified  the  proprietors  of  the  Dover 
Cotton  Factory  to  meet  at  Mrs.  Eydia  Tibbetts'  dwelling  house 
on  the  19th  of  Jan.  1813,  at  5  o'clock  P.  M.  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  under  their  ^ct  of  incorporation. 

The  ' '  Dover  Cotton  Factory  ' '  which  was  incorporated  this 
year,  with  a  capital  of  $50000,  was  the  first  attempt  at  manufac- 
turing on  an  extensive  scale  in  the  town.  As  the  lower  falls 
were  supposed  to  be  fully  occupied  with  the  saw  and  grist  mills 
which  then  stood  thereon,  the  first  Factory  was  built  two  miles 
up  the  river  and  was  long  known  as  the  Upper  Factory.  Like 
most  new  enterprises  it  was  but  moderately  successful  to  its 
projectors.     John  Williams  was  agent  of  the  corporation. 


1813]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  201 

1813 

March  9. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Oilman  184,  William 
Plumer  164.  The  vote  of  the  State  was  Oilman  18107,  Plumer 
1 7410,  scattering  212. 

March  31. — Died,  John  Waldron,  senior,  aged  about  90,  and 
on  the  28th  his  wife  Hannah,  aged  85;  having  lived  together 
in  a  married  state  67  years  and  5  months. 

April  24. — Daniel  L.  Currier  and  Richard  Oove  inform  the 
public  that  they  will  carry  on  the  Cloth  Dressing  and  Colouring 
business  at  Currier's  mills  near  the  Landing,  and  "for  the 
accommodation  of  their  customers,  at  this  critical  moment, 
when  MONEY  appears  to  have  takeyi  wijigs,  they  will  gladly 
receive  in  payment  for  their  labor  such  good  things  as  the  Earth 
bii7igs  forth." 

May  3. — The  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Woodman  Colman  burnt. 

June  19. — ^William  H.  OriflSn  advertises  his  Nail  Factory  at 
Waldron's  falls,  for  sale,  with  all  the  machinery.  This,  so  far 
as  appears,  was  the  first  Nail  Factory  established  here.  The 
business  was  pursued,  in  a  small  way,  for  several  years,  until 
it  was  superseded  by  the  superior  inventions  of  Jacob  Perkins, 
by  which  cut  nails  were  furnished  much  cheaper. 

Same  date — A  painter  residing  in  a  neighboring  town,  adver- 
tises for  emplo3^ment  in  Dover,  payment  for  which  may  be 
"  made  in  wood,  lumber  or  cash  as  maybe  most  agreeable." 
This  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  painting  business  was  still 
unrepresented  in  Dover,  as  it  was  seventeen  years  previously, 
according  to  the  note  of  Dr.  Dwight.     (See  1796.) 

July  3. — Ezra  Oreen,  L,ibrarian,  advertises  the  books  missing 
from  the  Dover  Library,  among  them  the  following  :  indicating 
that  "light  reading  "  was  not  one  of  the  follies  of  the  times: 
Adams's  View  of  Religion,  Chauncey  on  Universal  Salvation, 
Fordyce's  Sermons  to  Young  Women,  Hoadley's  Forms  of 
Prayer,  &c.  The  nearest  approach  to  the  "sensational"  is 
Lady  Montague's  Letters  and  the  Life  of  Dean  Swift. 

Sept.  4. — Yesterday  detachments  of  U.  S.  troops,  recruited 
in  the  District  of  Maine,  amounting  to  about  350,  passed  through 
this  town  on  their  way  to  Burlington,  Vt.  They  were  fine 
hardy  looking  men. 

Sept.  9. — This  da}'  was  observed  as  a  National  Fast  bj'  Pro- 
clamation of  President  Madison,  on  account  of  the  war  with 
England  then  in  progress. 


202  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1814 

Oct.  27. — The  General  Court  convened  in  extra  session  at 
Concord,  on  the  call  of  Gov.  Gilman,  principally  to  consider 
the  difficulty  then  existing  in  relation  to  holding  the  Courts. 
The  Legislature,  at  the  June  session,  had  remodeled  the  Judi- 
ciary, by  which  operation  sundry  Judges  had  found  themselves 
out  of  office.  Instead  of  submitting  quietly,  as  in  later  times, 
they  persisted  in  holding  on,  and  the  Governor  in  his  message 
states  that  v^rhen  the  regular  Judges,  their  successors,  opened 
the  court  for  Strafford  County,  at  Dover,  Richard  Evans  and 
Clifton  Claggett,  two  persons  who  were  Judges  of  the  old  Court, 
pretended  also  to  open  a  court,  having  a  person  of  their  own 
appointment,  whom  they  called  a  clerk,  and  proceeded  to  make 
speeches  and  do  other  acts  in  defiance  of  law. 

The  Collector  of  Direct  Taxes  was  about — one  of  the  ways 
and  means  for  carrying  on  the  war — and  the  Dover  newspaper 
feelingly  complains,  that  "for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the 
license  tribute  our  little  town  was  visited  last  week  and  the  sum 
of  about  $600  was  received  of  the  retailers  and  inn-keepers." 

J.  Mosely,  "  Fashionable  Hair  Dresser,  Cutter,  Shaver  and 
Boot  Blacker,"  offers  his  services  to  the  public,  and  assures  his 
friends  of  his  "  assiduous  endeavors  to  prove  himself  worthy  of 
their  patronage."  ly.  S.  Parmly,  a  travelling  dentist,  offers  to 
furnish  "  durable  enamel  artificial  teeth,"  and  perform  various 
dental  operations.  All  who  desire  his  services  are  requested  to 
call  at  Mrs.  Hodgdon's  tavern  for  three  days.  About  this  time, 
also,  William  Palmer,  a  well  known  mason  for  half  a  century 
afterwards,  offers  to  build,  at  the  shortest  notice,  "Russian 
Stoves,  on  a  new  and  improved  plan,  with  or  without  fireplaces." 
All  of  which  furnishes  indications  of  the  progress  which  Dover 
was  making  in  "  modern  "  fashions  and  improvements. 

1814 

Feb.  23. — A  barn  belonging  to  John  Tebbetts  was  burnt  by 
an  incendiary  and  with  it  13  head  of  cattle,  50  tons  of  hay,  and 
a  quantity  of  cider. 

March  8.— Vote  for  Governor,  John  T.  Gilman  176,  William 
Plumer  192.  Vote  of  the  State,  Gilman  19695,  Plumer  18794, 
scattering  73. 

April  30. — Proposals  were  issued  for  building  the  Dover  Cot- 
ton Factory  and  Dam,  at  the  falls  near  Jona.  Kimball's — the 
building  to  be  100  feet  in  length,  32  feet  wide  and  three  stories 
high. 


1814]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  203 

Same  date — John  T.  Hanson,  aged  24,  died  from  injuries  re- 
ceived in  assisting  in  the  removal  of  a  house.  May  i. — Died, 
Col.  Caleb  Hodgdon,  aged  82.  "  He  bore  an  active  part  in  the 
war  which  gave  independence  to  the  country."     (Sun.) 

May  20. — A  violent  hail  storm  and  tornado  occurred,  doing 
much  damage  to  crops,  buildings,  &c.  in  some  towns  in  New 
Hampshire.  The  violence  of  the  wind  may  be  estimated  by 
the  report  that  a  pair  of  oxen  were  taken  up  by  it,  carried  some 
distance,  thrown  into  a  pond  and  one  of  them  Killed  ! 

May  21. — In  consequence  of  frequent  alarms  from  Portsmouth 
that  British  ships  of  war,  hovering  on  the  coast,  designed  to 
attack  that  place,  the  militia  of  Dover  with  others,  was  ordered 
by  Gov.  Oilman  to  assist  in  repelling  the  enemj^  The  Dover 
company  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Andrew  Peirce,  and  con- 
sisted of  66  men,  rank  and  file,  who  continued  on  duty  from 
May  24  to  July  3.  The  only  fighting  recorded  is  reported  by 
the  Sun  of  June  4:  — 

Skirmish  at  Rye. — Reports  are  circulating  of  a  skirmish  at  Rye, 
between  an  English  barge  and  a  party  of  the  militia.  We  know  not 
what  foundation  there  is  for  the  report,  but  thus  it  stands  :  A  coasting 
vessel  was  chased  into  Rye  on  Monday  last  by  a  barge  from  one  of  the 
British  frigates,  manned  with  from  40  to  50  men.  A  small  party  of 
militia  (15)  lay  concealed  behind  a  stone  wall  with  their  muskets  well 
charged  with  ball  and  buckshot :  —  they  awaited  the  appearance  of  the 
British  to  within  good  ducking  distance,  when  they  poured  a  most  deadly 
fire  into  the  barge,  which  compelled  her  instantly  to  pull  for  the  frigate, 
the  militia  firing  upon  them  with  sportsmanlike  aim  until  out  of  reach. 
A  Mr.  Haley  was  afterwards  on  board  the  frigate,  who  states  that  he  was 
informed  by  one  of  the  officers  that  the  barge  lost  16  men  in  her  rencontre 
with  the  militia. 

If  true,  this  engagement  must  inspire  our  foe  with  a  due  respect  for 
stone  walls  and  Yankee  marksmen. 

Aug.  29. — The  town  appointed  a  committee,  of  which  Daniel 
M.  Durell  was  chairman,  to  examine  into  the  situation  of  the 
common  lands  of  the  town  and  whether  any  encroachments  had 
been  made  thereon.  The  committee  reported  that  sundry  roads 
had  been  fenced  in  by  adjoining  landholders  and  much  common 
land  that  formerly  belonged  to  the  town  had  also  by  some  means 
become  included  in  the  lots  of  private  individuals.  The  report 
was  accepted,  but  no  other  action  appears  to  have  been  taken 
upon  it. 


204  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1815 

Sept.  lo. — A  public  meeting  was  held  at  which  it  was  re- 
solved :  — 

That  at  the  present  alarming  crisis  we  will  to  the  utmost  of  our  power 
exert  ourselves  to  assist  the  constituted  authorities  in  providing  the 
means  necessary  for  the  defence  of  our  coast  and  every  other  part  of  the 
country  that  may  be  in  danger  of  invasion. 

That  a  committee  of  12  persons,  of  whom  the  selectmen  shall  be 
three,  be  chosen,  which  shall  be  called  the  Committee  of  Defence,  and 
that  said  committee  be  authorized  at  the  expense  of  the  town  to  repair 
such  arms  and  accoutrements  of  the  militia  of  this  town  as  may  be  de- 
fective, and  to  provide  suitable  necessaries  and  conveniences  for  such  as 
are  or  maybe  called  into  active  service,  having  particular  regard  to  the 
ability  of  the  individuals  who  own  such  arms  and  accoutrements. 

That  in  compliance  with  the  recommendations  of  the  Committee  of 
Defence  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  it  is  recommended  to  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  town  to  repair  to  Fort  Sullivan,  and  labor  to-morrow  or  on 
Monday  next,  and  every  man  who  shall  faithfully  so  labor  for  eight 
hours  and  provide  his  suitable  implements  shall  be  paid  |i.go  by  the 
town. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  all  able  bodied  men  of  this  town  who  are 
by  law  exempt  from  military  duty  to  meet  at  the  Court  House  on  Mon- 
day next  at  3  o'clock,  P.M.  in  order  to  form  themselves  into  a  military 
company  for  defence. 

That  Wm.  King  Atkinson,  Amos  Cogswell,  Oliver  Crosby,  John  Wil- 
liams, John  Waldron,  D.  M.  Durell,  Walter  Cooper,  Joseph  Smith  and 
Robert  Rogers  with  the  selectmen  be  the  Committee  of  Defence,  and 
Amos  White  overseer  of  the  men  going  to  the  fort  to  work. 

1815 

March  14. — Vote  for  Governor,  William  Plumer  193,  John 
T.  Oilman  165.  Vote  of  the  State,  Oilman  18357,  Plumer 
17799,  scattering  38. 

March  25.— Died,  after  a  short  illness,  John  Phillips  Oilman, 
aged  49.  Mr.  Oilman  maintained  through  life  a  reputation  of 
unspotted  integrity.  He  was  for  a  number  of  years  (1793  to 
1803)  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Strafford,  which  office 
he  filled  with  honor  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  He  was  born  in  Exeter  and  received  his  name 
at  the  request  of  Hon.  John  Phillips  founder  of  Exeter  Acad- 
emy, who  made  him  a  handsome  present. 

The  first  block  of  brick  stores  on  the  lyanding  was  built  this 
year  by  Joseph  Smith  and  Rogers  &  Patten.  It  was  still  stand- 
ing, on  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  in  1872. 


1S16]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  205 

1816 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  William  Plumer  196,  James 
Sheafe  163.  Governor  Gilman  having  declined  a  re-election 
this  year,  the  federal  party  brought  out  James  Sheafe,  as  their 
candidate,  and  received  their  final  defeat  in  the  State.  The 
vote  was  for  Plumer  20338,  Sheafe  17994,  scattering  75. 

The  representatives  to  the  General  Court  were  instructed  to 
procure  the  passage  of  a  law  to  prevent  the  seining  of  alewives 
in  Cochecho  river. 

The  committee  appointed  to  purchase  a  town  farm  for  the 
poor,  reported  that  they  had  bought  one  from  the  heirs  of  Richard 
Waldron :  price  $4824. 

Nov.  4. — Vote  for  Presidential  Electors,  136  republican,  95 
opposition.  In  the  State,  republican  15188,  federal  13367.  The 
8  votes  of  the  State  were  cast  for  James  Monroe  and  Daniel  D. 
Tompkins,  for  President  &  Vice  President. 

Nov.  25. — Voted  to  sell  the  public  land  on  the  south  side  of 
the  road  leading  over  Pine  Hill  and  apply  the  proceeds  towards 
the  expense  of  fencing  the  burying  ground. 

This  year,  (1816),  commonly  called  the  "cold  year,"  was 
thus  described :  "  The  whole  face  of  nature  appeared  shrouded 
in  gloom.  The  lamps  of  heaven  kept  their  orbits,  but  their 
light  was  cheerless.  The  bosom  of  the  earth  on  a  mid-summer 
day  was  covered  with  a  wintry  mantle;  and  man,  and  beast, 
and  bird,  sickened  at  the  prospect.  On  the  6th  of  June  the 
snow  fell  several  inches  deep,  followed  by  a  cold,  frosty  night, 
and  on  the  two  following  days,  snow  fell  and  frost  continued. 
On  the  I  ith  of  July  a  deep  and  deadly  frost  came  which  killed 
most  vegetables ;  corn  which  had  the  appearance  of  maturity 
was  destitute  of  its  natural  taste  or  substance ;  rye  was  good  and 
supplied  the  article  of  bread  for  the  inhabitants." 

The  following  is  extracted  from  a  Diary  kept  at   the  time  : 

May  15:  froze  hard  enough  on  plowed  land  to  bear  a  man.  June  6: 
snow  squalls.  June  8:  a  snow  squall.  June  10:  frost.  June  11  :  a  heavy 
frost,  killed  a  great  deal  of  corn — some  pieces  of  it  were  entirely  dead, 
and  five-sixths  of  the  apples  killed.  June  22  :  ice  remained  in  Wason 
tan  yard.  August  20  :  a  squall  of  rain,  but  snow  on  the  mountains  in 
Goffstown.  August  22  :  a  heavy  frost  which  killed  a  great  deal  of  corn 
and  potatoes. 


206  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1817 

1817 

March  11. — The  vote  for  Governor  was  for  William  Plumer  177, 
James  Sheafe  1 1 1 .  The  vote  of  the  State  was  William  Plumer 
19088,  James  Sheafe  12029.  Jeremiah  Mason  3607,  Josiah 
Bartlett  539,  scattering  112. 

July  17. — President  Monroe,  who  took  his  seat  on  the  4th  of 
March  of  this  year,  made  a  visit  to  New  England,  going  from 
Boston  to  Portsmouth  and  Portland,  and  returning  by  way  of 
Dover,  which  he  reached  this  day.  He  was  received  at  the  line 
of  the  State  by  the  committee  appointed  by  the  town  authorities, 
conducted  by  the  Marshals  and  select  escort,  when  the  following 
address  was  made  to  him  by  the  Hon.  D.  M.  Durell:  — 

Mr.  President — In  the  progress  of  your  national  visit  you  confer  an 
additional  honor  upon  New  Hampshire,  by  this  day  re-entering  the  first 
State  upon  the  records  of  our  union. 

Your  fellow  citizens  of  the  vicinity  eagerly  seized  the  occasion  for 
again  paying  their  respects  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  and 
happy  nation. 

We  cheerfully  present  you,  sir,  the  tribute  of  our  most  affectionate 
regards,  and  pray  you  to  accept  it,  as  the  pledge  of  our  veneration  and 
esteem,  both  for  yourself  and  for  the  government  over  which  you  are 
called  to  preside. 

The  President  was  then  escorted  by  the  principal  inhabitants 
of  Dover,  a  part  of  Capt.  Ivjniian's  troop  from  Rochester  & 
Milton,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Edward  Sise,  and  a  great 
cavalcade  of  citizens,  to  this  town.  On  his  arrival,  he  received 
a  national  salute  from  the  artillery.  After  passing  a  few 
moments  at  Wyatt's  Inn,  the  President,  attended  by  his  suite, 
proceeded  to  an  eminence  arranged  for  the  purpose,  near  Col. 
Cogswell's,  decorated  with  the  rural  simplicity  of  evergreens 
and  roses,  where  he  was  addressed  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  King 
Atkinson,  as  follows: 

Mr.  President — Sir:  Forming  a  small  but  component  part  of  the 
great  nation  over  which  you  preside,  permit  us  in  behalf  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  ancient  town  of  Dover,  to  express  the  lively  sensibility,  with 
which  it  receives  within  its  borders,  a  personage  so  distinguished,  in 
obtaining  and  perfecting  the  independence  of  our  common  country. 

Believe  us,  sir,  we  duly  appreciate  your  eminent  services,  in  the 
various  high  and  honorable  departments  assigned  you  by  the  public 
voice.  These  we  consider  as  the  surest  pledges  of  love  of  country. 
These  must  receive  the  gratitude  of  the  nation ;  your  best  reward ; 
indeed,  sir,  you  now  receive  it. 


1817]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  207 

As  to  ourselves,  we  enter  into  no  competition  with  other  places,  in 
external  demonstrations  of  respect ;  yet,  sir,  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you 
that  the  interest  we  take  in  your  happiness,  as  well  on  your  own  account, 
as  for  the  high  and  honorable  station  to  which  you  have  been  called  by 
the  voice  of  your  fellow  citizens,  is  no  less  sincere  than  theirs. 

We  have  no  fortifications,  no  attractions,  for  your  view.  Our  pursuits 
are  principally  agricultural.  The  little  commerce  which  we  /lad,  has 
suffered  the  depression  incident  to  that  on  the  Atlantic  shore.  We  turn 
in  part  to  domestic  manufactures. 

We  now  give  you,  sir,  'tis  all  we  can,  a  most  cordial  welcome  to  this 
part  of  New  Hampshire.  A  similar  pleasure  has  been  unknown  to  her 
citizens,  except  in  the  instance  of  one  of  your  illustrious  predecessors, 
whose  arms  you  followed  in  youthful  life,  in  the  perilous,  but  glorious 
contest  for  the  freedom  of  your  country. 

We  humbly  implore  the  Great  Parent  of  the  Universe,  with  whom  is 
the  destiny  of  nations,  to  take  you  into  His  holy  keeping ;  that  under 
your  auspices  and  fostering  care,  this  great,  free  and  independent  nation 
may  increase  in  splendor,  and  its  government  be  administered  for  the 
best  interest  of  its  citizens  ;  that  your  health  may  be  preserved  and 
invigorated  by  your  present  tour,  and  that  you  may  have  a  happy  return 
to  the  bosom  of  your  friends  and  family.  We  wish  you  long  life,  health 
and  a  prosperous  administration. 

To  this  address,  the  President  made  an  elegant,  appropriate 
and  particular  answer.  He  with  great  modesty,  observed,  that 
he  considered  this  attention  not  paid  to  him  as  an  individual, 
but  to  his  oflBce  ;  that  he  had  little  or  no  claim  for  the  services 
that  he  had  been  enabled  to  perform  towards  the  happiness  of 
the  nation  ;  that  the  depression  of  our  commerce  ought  to  be 
borne  with  fortitude,  and  must  have  been  expected  on  the  return 
of  peace  ;  that  he  felt  himself  honored  by  the  attentions  paid 
him  in  this  section  of  the  union,  and  united  with  us  in  fervent 
prayer  that  our  government  might  be  administered  for  the  best 
interest  of  the  nation. 

The  President  and  suite,  were  then  escorted  back  to  Wyatt's 
Inn,  by  the  Committee,  with  whom  he  dined,  and  soon  after,  he 
gratified  a  great  concourse  of  attending  citizens  by  making  his 
appearance  in  our  streets.  He  passed  the  evening  and  night 
with  the  Hon.  William  Hale  who  invited  many  respectable 
citizens  and  ladies  to  spend  the  evening,  and  they  were  intro- 
duced to  the  President,  and  were  highly  gratified  by  his 
dignified  affability. 

The  President  and  suite  left  Dover  on  the  i8th  for  Concord. 

Wyatt's  Inn,  in  1817,  was  the  old  Dover  Hotel,  and  Colonel 
Cogswell's  house  stood  opposite,  where  the  New  Hampshire 
House  was  built  later. 


208  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1818 

1818 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor  in  Dover,  William  Plumer  152, 
William  Hale  49.  Plumer  was  re-elected,  receiving  18674 
votes  in  the  State,  with  feeble  opposition  from  the  federal  party, 
who  divided  their  votes,  giving  Jeremiah  Mason  6850,  William 
Hale  5019,  scattering  922. 

A  Sabbath  School  was  opened  for  the  first  time  in  Dover, 
Aug.  16,  at  the  Court  House,  pursuant  to  a  notice  signed  by 
Rev.  Joseph  W.  Clary,  John  W.  Hayes,  Amos  White,  Andrew 
Peirce  and  Wm.  Woodman,  Committee.  Parents  were  re- 
quested to  send  such  of  their  Children  as  were  reading  in  a 
class.  The  books  to  be  used,  the  Bible,  or  Testament,  Psalms 
and  Hymns,  Catechism,  &c.  Parents  not  able  to  furnish  their 
children  with  suitable  clothing  were  requested  to  send  them 
dressed  in  the  best  clothes  they  had,  and  ladies  connected  with 
the  society  would  furnish  them  with  such  additional  clothing  as 
was  found  necessary.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  the  school  was 
suspended  for  the  winter,  when  the  following  report  was  made  : 
Average  number  of  scholars  no;  number  of  verses  of  scripture 
recited  9934;  verses  in  hymns  6029;  answers  in  catechism  5366. 
A  little  girl  7  years  of  age,  recited  544  verses  in  scripture,  99  in 
hymns,  361  in  catechism. 

Nov.  6.— Died,  Capt.  John  Riley,  aged  66.  His  death  was 
occasioned  by  a  fall  from  the  staging  of  a  ship  building  in  this 
town,  two  days  previous,  by  which  both  his  thighs  were  broken 
and  mangled  in  the  most  shocking  manner.  He  has  left  a 
numerous  family  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  kind  husband  and  father 
and  true  friend.     {Strafford  Register.) 

The  Dover  Franklin  Academy  was  incorporated  this  year, 
receiving  a  liberal  endowment  for  the  times  from  public  spirited 
citizens,  the  chief  of  which  was  in  the  land  on  which  it  stands 
and  several  lots  on  Central  street  adjoining,  the  gift  of  Daniel 
Waldron. 

Dec.  8.— "We  are  happy  to  be  able  to  inform  the  public  that 
the  Academy  in  this  place,  so  much  needed  and  so  long  ex- 
pected, was  on  Saturday  last  solemnly  dedicated  to  God  and  to 
Science  ;  that  it  is  now  opened  for  the  reception  of  students, 
and  that  about  25  have  already  commenced  their  studies  in 
various  departments  of  literature  and  science.  The  dedicatory 
services  were  commenced  by  appropriate  sacred  music,  per- 
formed in  scientific  style  by  a  select  choir.     This  was  followed 


1820]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.   H.  209 

by  a  very  devout  and  appropriate  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Clary. 
Mr,  Andrew  G.  Thayer,  the  preceptor  elect  of  the  institution, 
then  delivered  to  a  numerous,  brilliant  and  highly  gratified 
audience  an  Address,  in  which  were  portrayed  in  true  glowing 
colors,  the  blessings  of  religious,  moral,  literary  and  scientific 
education,  and  the  several  duties  of  teachers  and  pupils,  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  evince  his  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  sub- 
ject, and  to  afford  a  flattering  expectation  that  his  election  to 
the  office  of  preceptor  will  be  a  lasting  blessing  to  all  who  may 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  his  instruction." 

Dec.  31. — Observed  as  a  day  of  Thanksgiving  throughout 
the  State  by  proclamation  of  Gov.  Plumer,  who  was  somewhat 
censured  by  the  people  for  putting  off  the  time  honored  festival 
to  the  last  day  of  the  year. 

1819 

Jan.  7.— Whittier's  mills,  at  Tolend,  (Whittier's  Falls)  con- 
sisting of  a  fulling,  and  grist  mill,  and  a  building  used  for  cloth 
dressing,  were  destroyed  by  fire.    lyoss  between  $2000  and  $3000. 

Jan.  19. — "Our  bleak  and  inhospitable  winters  have  been 
this  year  exchanged  for  vernal  weather  and  delicious  westerly 
winds.  Our  December  and  January  have  resembled  our  old 
fashioned  May  and  June,  and  the  ground  has  not  yet  been  cov- 
ered with  snow.  On  the  contrary  our  Southern  brethren  have 
been  visited  by  one  of  our  rigorous  winters  and  are  everywhere 
whining  about  snow  and  frost."      {Newspaper  report.) 

At  March  election.  Vote  for  Governor,  Samuel  Bell  no,  no 
opposition.  In  the  State,  Bell  received  13761,  William  Hale 
8660,  scattering  1844.  This  was  the  last  rally  of  the  federalists 
as  a  party. 

June  9. — A  hurricane  blew^  down  Mr.  Ford's  barn. 

{^Emerson's  Diary.) 

1820 

March  14. — Vote  for  Governor,  Samuel  Bell  254,  scattering  8. 
Governor  Bell  received  22212  votes  in  the  State  and  2559  were 
counted  as  scattering. 

Aug.  20. — There  was  a  severe  drought  ihis  summer  and  veg- 
etation was  also  much  injured  by  grasshoppers — corn  and 
potatoes  on  the  higher  ground  being  almost  entirely  cut  off. 


210  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1821 

Sept.  29. — Died,  Hon.  William  King  Atkinson,  aged  56.  He 
was  born  in  Portsmouth,  and  was  a  nephew  of  George  King, 
who  inherited  the  property  of  Theodore  Atkinson  who  died  in 
1779.  George  King  was  a  relative  of  Atkinson  and  changed 
his  name  to  George  Atkinson  when  he  became  his  heir.  He 
died  without  issue,  and  the  large  entailed  Atkinson  estate  be- 
came the  property  of  his  nephew,  William  King,  who  also 
assumed  the  name  of  Atkinson.  William  King  Atkinson  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  College  in  1783,  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  in  Dover  about  1786,  was  Register  of  Probate  from  1787  to 
18 19,  Attorney  General  of  the  State,  and  Judge  of  the  Superior 
Court,  and  from  his  large  wealth  and  official  position  was  for 
many  years  one  of  Dover's  most  eminent  citizens. 

Nov.  . — At  the  Presidential  election  there  was  no  opposition 
in  the  State  to  Mr.  Monroe.  It  was  the  "  era  of  good  feeling." 
The  Presidential  Electors  in  Dover  received  from  58  to  26  votes 
each. 

The  town  voted  $800  to  repair  the  Court  House,  raising  it  3 
feet  from  the  foundation  and  adding  15  feet  in  length. 

1821 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  Samuel  Bell  276,  scattering 
II.     In  the  State,  Bell  22582,  scattering  1866. 

The  Dover  Cotton  Factory,  having  obtained  possession,  this 
year,  of  the  Lower  Falls,  so  long  the  property  chiefly  of  the 
Waldron  family,  enlarged  their  operations  by  increasing  their 
capital  to  $500000,  and  building  the  first  Cotton  Mill  erected  in 
that  locality.  This  mill  was  called  and  was  long  known  as  No. 
2,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  mill  at  the  Upper  Falls. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  P'actory  was  laid  on  the  4th  of 
July  with  masonic  ceremonies,  when  Col.  Andrew  Peirce  deliv- 
ered an  appropriate  and  pertinent  address.  The  brethren  after- 
wards partook  of  a  collation  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Tebbetts,  and 
spent  the  evening  in  characteristic  harmony    {Strafford  Register^ 

A  Nail  Factory  was  also  set  up  at  the  Lower  Falls  this  year, 
at  which  1000  tons  of  Iron  were  rolled  and  700  tons  manufactured 
into  nails  annually,  but  the  business  becoming  unprofitable,  it 
was  abandoned. 

vSept.  14. — The  commissioned  and  non-commissioned  officers 
of  the  Dover  military  companies  formed  a  volunteer  association 
under  the  title  of  "  Soul  of  Soldiery,"  and  under  command  of 
Capt.  Brewer  made  their  first  public  appearance  this  day  in  a 


1822]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  211 

neat  uniform.  The  numerous  manoeuvres  performed  were  prin- 
cipally of  the  Light  Infantry  Drill,  and  were  executed  with  a 
correctness  and  rapidity  highly  gratifying  to  the  numerous 
spectators  :  their  firing  in  line,  in  square,  and  in  chain,  were 
admirably  well  done,  considering  this  was  their  first  effort  in 
public.      {Strafford  Register^ 

The  month  of  September  was  long  remembered  as  a  season 
of  uncommon  storms  and  tempests.  On  the  3d,  a  most  violent 
storm  raged  on  the  whole  Atlantic  coast,  from  Portsmouth  to 
Charleston,  in  which  many  lives  and  a  great  amount  of  property 
were  destroyed.  On  the  9th  a  tornado  occurred,  by  which  in 
New  Hampshire  and  other  New  England  States  several  persons 
were  killed  and  wounded,  numerous  houses,  barns,  &c.  demol- 
ished, and  many  domestic  animals  destroyed. 

1822 

Jan.  15. — Died,  Mr.  Dover  Gage,  a  respectable  black  man,  at 
a  very  advanced  age.  He,  and  his  sister,  was  stolen  from  his 
parents  in  Africa,  while  playing  a  short  distance  from  his  home, 
by  some  of  those  miscreants  in  human  shape  who  violate  the 
rights  of  their  fellow  man  and  make  slaves  of  those  whose  com- 
plexions the  God  of  all  may  have  tinged  with  a  darker  hue 
than  their  own.  He  lived  in  this  town  from  his  youth,  useful 
and  respected  ;  but  it  seems  to  have  been  the  peculiarly  hard 
fate  of  Mr.  Gage  to  have  been  denied  a  home  where  his  own 
choice  or  that  of  his  friends  would  have  fixed  him  :  for  scarcely 
had  he  been  placed  in  his  grave  ere  his  body  was  again  stolen, 
and  it  may  be  by  his  unrelenting  white  persecutors. 

{Strafford  Register?) 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  Samuel  Bell  166,  no  opposi- 
tion.    In  the  State,  Bell  22934,  scattering  1046. 

June  5. — On  petition  of  the  officers  of  the  2d  Regiment,  the 
Regiment  was  divided  by  the  Legislature,  and  a  new  Regiment, 
the  39th,  constituted,  composed  of  soldiers  in  Rochester,  Farm- 
ington,  &c.  leaving  to  the  2d  the  towns  of  Dover  and  Somers- 
worth  only.  As  an  argument  in  favor  of  the  division  it  was 
represented  that  those  towns  alone  had  631  enrolled  men,  and 
that  as  Rochester  was  the  territorial  centre  where  the  regiment 
usually  mustered,  it  was  a  great  hardship  to  compel  the  largest 
portion  of  the  men  to  go  from  ten  to  twelve  miles  to  attend  it, 
occupying  the  best  part  of  three  days,  during  which  they  were 


212  NOTABLE   EVENTS    IN    THE  [1^22 

allowed  by  their  respective  towns  "beef  and  bread  enough  for 
one  dinner  only  and  a  drink  of  rum." 

July  23. — Drowned  in  the  river,  near  the  falls,  Mr.  Jedediah 
Hanson,  aged  63.  He  had  been  reaping  grain  in  a  field  near 
the  river  through  the  day,  and  went  into  the  water  to  bathe. 
He  was  observed  by  those  who  had  been  at  work  with  him  to 
swim  with  "extraordinary  lightness"  some  rods  from  the 
shore,  when  he  very  suddenly  sunk.  His  body  was  recovered 
the  next  day. 

Aug.  25.— Died  at  Wolf  borough,  Rev.  Robert  Gray,  aged 
61;  a  Revolutionary  pensioner  and  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Dover  from  1787  to  1805. 

Sept.  9. — An  accommodation  stage  between  Dover  and  Ports- 
mouth commenced  running,  three  days  in  the  week,  fare  50 
cents. 

Oct.  30. — Died  after  an  illness  of  eight  days,  the  Hon.  Charles 
Woodman,  aged  31  years.  He  was  interred  Nov.  i.  with  the 
masonic  honors.  A  great  number  of  masonic  brethren, 
together  with  a  large  collection  of  people  testified  by  their 
attendance  at  the  funeral,  their  respect  to  his  memory.  There 
has  seldom  been  an  instance  of  a  young  man  cut  down  amid 
prospects  more  flattering  than  those  of  Mr.  Woodman.  He  was 
surrounded  by  almost  all  those  circumstances  which  we  so 
uniformly  consider  as  constituting  the  sum  of  human  happi- 
ness. An  amiable  family,  a  sound  and  vigorous  bodily  consti- 
tution, an  ample  property,  and  an  extensive  popularity,  all  com- 
bined to  render  his  life  pleasant,  and  to  attach  him  to  this  world. 
But  from  all  these  enjoyments,  and  from  the  bright  anticipations 
of  future  honors,  he  has  been  suddenly  removed. 

"How  frail,  men,  things!  how  momentary  both." 

For  three  years  past  Mr.  Woodman  has  been  annually  elected 
a  member  of  the  Legislature  from  this  town,  and  was  at  the 
time  of  his  death  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
having  been  chosen  to  that  office  at  their  last  session.  At  the 
late  Congressional  election  he  was  put  in  nomination  for 
member  of  Congress  and  was  one  of  the  two  highest  of  the 
unelected  candidates. 

Mr.  Woodman  for  his  success  in  life  has  been  indebted  almost 
entirely  to  his  own  exertions.  He  commenced  his  career  with- 
out the  aid  of  that  patronage  to  which  young  men  oftentimes 


1823]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  213 

owe  their  early  promotion.  His  friends  were  such  as  he  had 
attached  to  him  in  his  intercourse  with  them,  and  these  were 
numerous.  He  possessed  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  happy 
faculty  of  retaining  and  increasing  their  number,  and  at  the 
same  time  of  conciliating  his  enemies.  A  warm  and  obliging 
disposition,  a  strong  attachment  to  his  friends,  and  a  persevering 
industry  in  all  his  concerns,  were  distinguishing  traits  of  his 
character.     {Strafford  Register^ 

1823 

March  11. — Parties  took  a  new  departure  this  year.  Samuel 
Dinsmoor  was  nominated  b}^  a  lyCgislative  caucus  as  the  Repub- 
lican candidate  for  Governor,  to  which  some  of  the  members  of 
that  party  took  exception  and  brought  out  Judge  Levi  Wood- 
bury as  an  opposing  candidate.  After  a  sharp  contest, 
Woodbury  was  elected,  receiving  the  votes  of  all  opposed  to 
"  lyCgislative  dictation."  He  received  16985  votes  to  127 18  for 
Dinsmoor,  and  240  scattering. 

The  vote  of  Dover  was  for  Woodbury  378,  for  Dinsmoor  21. 

June  20. — A  person  on  the  Landing  having  in  charge  a 
wagon  loaded  with  powder,  strewed  a  quantity  on  the  ground; 
a  lad  touched  the  loose  powder  with  a  coal  of  fire,  which  com- 
municated to  the  straw  in  the  wagon,  and  the  whole  exploded. 
Two  men  were  killed  in  attempting  to  stop  the  horses,  and  a 
third  was  seriously  injured.     The  wagon  was  blown  to  atoms. 

Oct.  20. — Died  in  Lee,  Walter  Cooper,  aged  49,  the  first 
Cashier  of  Strafford  Bank. 

Dec.  30. — The  Dover  Bank,  incoporated  at  the  June  session 
of  the  Legislature,  this  year,  commenced  business  in  its  new 
building  near  the  Landing. 

The  name  of  the  Dover  Cotton  Factory  was  this  year  changed 
to  Dover  Manufacturing  Company,  its  capital  increased  to 
$1000000,  and  Mill  No.  3  was  built.  The  Dover  Bank  and  the 
Savings  Bank  for  the  County  of  Strafford  were  incorporated. 
The  Dover  Aqueduct  Co.  was  chartered  and  the  Strafford 
Guards  organized. 

Deaths,  this  year,  males  18,  females  12,  children  15 — Total  45. 


214  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1824 

1824 

Feb.  12. — Great  freshet  on  the  Cochecho,  raising  the  water 
much  higher  than  had  been  known  for  many  years.  The  bridge 
on  the  main  road  to  Boston  (near  Sawyer's)  and  that  near  Ham's 
mills  were  carried  away,  but  the  Upper  bridge  built  by  the 
Manufacturing  Co.  and  the  I^anding  bridge,  although  severely 
shaken  remained  safe. 

Feb.  17. — Notice  was  given  that  the  Savings  Bank  for  the 
County  of  Strafford  was  organized  and  ready  to  receive 
deposits. 

March  9. — Vote  for  Governor,  Levi  Woodbury  244,  David  ly. 
Morril  127,  scattering  3.  At  the  election,  this  year,  the  federal 
party  having  disbanded,  the  voters  rallied  to  the  polls  on  the 
Presidential  line  which  was  then  forming,  a  large  majority  in 
the  State  favoring  the  election  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  while 
William  H.  Crawford  and  General  Andrew  Jackson  had  their 
supporters.  David  L.  Morril  was  brought  out  as  the  Adams 
candidate  for  Governor,  while  Judge  Woodbury,  whose  course 
as  Governor  had  disaffected  many  who  had  voted  for  him  at  the 
previous  election,  was  nevertheless  vigorously  supported,  as 
will  be  seen  by  the  vote  of  Dover,  where  he  was  also  regarded 
as  a  firm  friend  of  Mr.  Adams.  The  result  was  a  failure  to 
elect  in  the  State.  Morril  received  14899  votes,  Woodbury 
1 1 741,  and  there  were  3708  scattering.  The  whole  vote  was 
30348  and  15 1 75  being  necessary  for  a  choice  Mr.  Morril  lacked 
a  few  votes  of  an  election.  The  Legislature  containing  a 
majority  of  his  friends,  he  was  elected  Governor  in  a  conven- 
tion of  the  two  houses. 

May  2. — Mr.  Samuel  Howard,  aged  about  70,  fell  into  a 
spring  head  foremost,  in  endeavoring  to  dip  a  bucket  of  water, 
and  was  drowned. 

A  number  of  new  enterprises  were  projected  this  year. 

July  28. — The  proprietors  of  the  Cochecho  River  Boat  Co. 
held  their  first  meeting  for  the  choice  of  officers,  &c.  At  the 
June  session  of  the  Legislature  petitions  were  presented  for  a 
charter  to  build  a  canal,  or  railway  from  Winnepisiogee  Lake 
to  Dover ;  also  for  the  purpose  of  plying  ferry  boats  to  be  moved 
by  horse  power  across  the  river  from  Dover  Point  to  Newington. 
Mr.  Alfred  I.  Sawyer  commenced  the  business  of  cloth  dressing 
at  the  place  formerly  known  as  Libby's  mills,  which  was  the 
foundation  of  and  has  since  grown  into  the  Sawyer  Woolen 
Company. 


1824]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  215 

The  choice  of  Bank  Directors  at  this  time  shows  who  were 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  day :  Strafford  Bank— John 
Wheeler,  Joseph  Doe,  Moses  Hodgdon,  Nathaniel  Young,  Asa 
Freeman,  Jacob  M.  Currier,  Eri  Perkins.  Dover  Bank— 
Andrew  Peirce,  James  Bartlett,  Stephen  Hanson,  Barnabas  H. 
Palmer,  John  Williams,  J.  B.  H.  Odiorne,  John  Ball,  Jesse 
Varney,  Jacob  Kittredge. 

General  Lafayette  made  his  visit  to  the  country  this  year  and 
was  everywhere  received  with  demonstrations  of  respect.  A 
committee  was  appointed  (Aug.  30)  to  invite  him  to  Dover. 
This  committee  consisted  of  John  Waldron,  Amos  Cogswell, 
Moses  Wingate,  (who  had  been  soldiers  with  Lafayette  in  the 
Revolution),  William  Hale,  Daniel  M.  Durell,  John  Wheeler 
and  John  Williams.  The  committee  waited  upon  the  General  at 
Portsmouth  (Sept.  i,)  and  presented  the  following  address: 

The  citizens  of  Dover,  recognizing  in  you  the  early  friend  of  the 
United  States,  and  participating  in  the  sentiment  that  gratitude  is  an 
acceptable  return  for  friendship  so  disinterested,  have  deputed  their 
committee  to  assure  you  how  sincerely  they  venerate  your  character, 
and  how  highly  they  appreciate  the  services  you  so  generously  rendered 
the  American  people  in  the  hour  of  peril. 

In  the  name  of  our  fellow  townsmen  we  thank  you  for  your  services— 
we  congratulate  you  upon  your  return  to  our  beloved  country,  and  bid 
you  a  cordial  welcome  to  New  Hampshire. 

The  principles  of  freedom  to  which  you  have  been  so  long  devoted, 
and  which  are  so  dear  to  the  hearts  of  Americans,  belong  to  no  particular 
age  or  country — they  are  equally  the  birthright  of  all  who  have  the 
courage  to  assert  and  the  virtue  to  defend  them:— hence,  we  perceive  in 
you,  not  only  the  friend  of  America,  but  the  benefactor  of  the  whole 
human  family. 

If  your  early  visit  to  this  country  inspired  our  fathers  with  an 
admiration  for  your  virtues  never  to  be  forgotten,  your  return  hither, 
at  this  auspicious  period,  has  awakened  in  their  posterity  the  strongest 
recollection  of  your  former  services  and  excited  the  tenderest  sympathies 
for  the  many  sacrifices  you  have  made  in  the  cause  of  liberty. 

We  wish  you,  sir,  all  the  felicity  consequent  to  a  life  devoted  to  so 
good  a  cause,  and,  in  the  name  of  our  fellow  townsmen,  solicit  you  to 
favor  them  with  the  opportunity  of  tendering  you  the  homage  of  their 
respect  in  the  village  of  Dover.  The  time,  sir,  is  submitted  to  your  con- 
venience. 


216  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1824 

General  Lafayette  replied  as  follows  : 

Gentlemen — The  warm  reception  I  have  this  day  experienced  in  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  is  very  gratifying  to  my  feelings— and  the  good 
people  of  the  town  of  Dover  have  done  me  additional  honor  by  deputing 
their  committee  to  greet  me  on  this  occasion. 

I  beg  leave,  gentlemen,  to  thank  you  for  the  favorable  opinion  they 
are  pleased  to  express,  through  you,  of  my  revolutionary  services,  and 
for  the  kind  invitation  they  have  given  me  to  make  them  a  visit. 

When  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  again  seeing  this  part  of  the 
Union,  which  I  hope  to  have  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  spring,  I  will 
do  myself  the  honor  to  pay  my  respects  to  the  village  of  Dover. 

In  the  meantime,  gentlemen,  I  beg  of  you  to  accept  my  thanks  for 
vour  personal  and  very  flattering  attentions  and  assure  you  that  the  first 
wish  of  my  heart  is  for  the  lasting  happiness  and  prosperity  of  your 
beloved  country. 

The  people  of  Dover,  in  large  numbers,  availed  themselves  of 
the  opportunity  to  greet  the  Nation's  Guest  by  going  down  to 
Portsmouth,  as  he  could  not  come  to  them,  at  this  time.  The 
Strafford  Guards,  their  favorite  military  organization,  went 
down  to  perform  escort  duty  and  was  highly  commended  for  its 
fine  appearance. 

Sept.  ID. — Died,  Tristram  Coffin,  by  suicide,  aged  43 — the 
last  male  descendant  of  Peter  Coffin,  the  original  settler,  in 
Dover. 

Nov.  I. — At  the  Presidential  election  the  whole  vote  of  the 
State  was  but  9389.  So  decisive  was  public  sentiment  in  favor 
of  the  election  of  Mr.  Adams  that  no  opposition  was  made  to 
the  electoral  ticket  which  was  formed  for  his  support.  They 
received  all  the  votes  which  were  cast,  varying  from  8869  to 
9339,  and  gave  the  8  electoral  votes  of  the  State  to  Mr.  Adams 
for  President,  and  John  C.  Calhoun  for  Vice  President.  In 
Dover  85  votes  were  cast  for  the  highest  candidate  on  the  Adams 
ticket ;  Ichabod  Bartlett  had  105  votes  for  Member  of  Congress 
and  12  other  candidates  received  from  85  to  9  votes  each.  The 
State  at  this  time  was  entitled  to  6  members  and  elected  them 
by  general  ticket. 

Nov.  22. — The  town  voted  to  give  $5000  towards  the  building 
of  a  new  stone  Jail  provided  the  same  should  be  erected  in 
Dover. 

Deaths  this  year,  53. 


1825]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  217 

1825 

Jan.  28.— The  New  Hampshire  Turnpike,  leading  from 
Portsmouth  to  Concord,  was  surrendered  by  the  Proprietors  to 
the  State  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  free  highway. 

Feb.  12.— The  trial  of  Amos  Fernald  of  Gilford,  for  the 
murder  of  his  natural  son,  Alfred  Fernald,  aged  5  years,  which 
took  place  before  the  Superior  Court,  excited  much  interest. 
The  prisoner  was  charged  with  keeping  his  child  confined  and 
literally  starving  him  to  death,  and  after  a  four  days  trial  the 
jury  returned  a  verdict  of  manslaughter.  The  number  of 
spectators,  their  anxiety  to  hear  the  trial,  and  the  want  of  room 
in  the  Court  House,  induced  the  Court  to  adjourn  to  the  Meet- 
ing House,  where  the  trial  was  held. 

March  8.— Vote  for  Governor,  David  L.  Morril  538,  scatter- 
ing 5.  There  was  no  opposing  candidate  in  the  State  to  Mr. 
Morril.  He  received  29166  votes  and  563  were  returned  as 
scattering. 

April  28. — The  Methodist  meeting  house,  the  first  one  of  this 
denomination  built  in  town,  was  dedicated  this  day. 

May  3. — This  being  the  day  of  the  annual  military  parade 
and  inspection,  the  Strafford  Guards  paraded  in  front  of  the 
house  of  Hon.  William  Hale,  when  a  beautiful  standard  was 
presented  to  them,  in  behalf  of  the  ladies  of  Dover,  by  John  W. 
Mellen,  accompanied  by  an  eloquent  address,  to  which  Ensign 
Sperling,  on  receiving  the  standard,  made  an  appropriate 
reply. 

May  18. — A  meeting  was  held  at  Ela's  tavern  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  constructing  a  canal  or  railway  from  Winni- 
piseogee  Lake  to  the  tide  waters  of  the  Piscataqua  river,  a  charter 
for  which  had  been  obtained  at  the  fall  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture  in  1824.  The  meeting  was  largely  attended,  gentlemen 
being  present  from  Portsmouth  and  Dover,  and  from  many  of  the 
towns  bordering  on  the  Lake,  and  resulted  in  the  appointment 
of  committees  to  obtain  the  necessary  surveys  and  prepare  plans 
for  procuring  the  stock  of  the  company  to  be  taken  up.  The 
cost  of  a  canal,  connecting  the  waters  of  the  Lake  with  the 
streams  running  into  the  Cochecho  at  Dover,  of  sufficient  depth 
for  boat  navigation,  was  estimated  at  about  $700000. 


218  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1825 

June  23. — The  long  expected  visit  of  the  Nation's  guest, 
General  lyafayette,  was  made  to  Dover  at  this  time.  Having 
come  from  Concord  where  he  had  been  received  by  the  Legisla- 
ture,  he  was  met  near  the  Durham  line  by  the  Dover  committee 
of  arrangements  and  a  large  number  of  citizens  in  carriages  and 
on  horseback,  among  whom  were  about  thirty  young  gentlemen, 
from  15  to  20  years  of  age,  in  uniform  dress,  and  mounted,  who 
added  much  interest  to  the  scene.  The  General  was  introduced 
to  the  chief  marshal,  Hon.  D.  M.  Durell,  by  Major  Walker, 
marshal  of  the  escort  of  Durham,  who  addressed  him  as  fol- 
lows : 

General — The  citizens  of  Dover,  apprised  of  your  approach  to  the 
neighborhood  of  their  village,  and  of  your  kind  intentions  to  afford 
them  an  opportunity  of  paying  you  their  respects  therein,  have  deputed 
their  committee  to  congratulate  you  upon  your  safe  arrival  in  this  part 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  and  to  proffer  to  you  the  attentions  of  a 
select  number  of  gentlemen  to  escort  you  to  town.  They  have  all  re- 
quested me  to  solicit  the  favor  that  you  will  honor  them  with  your  com- 
pany at  dinner  this  day,  at  such  hour  as  may  best  suit  your  convenience. 

To  which  the  General  replied,  that  he  was  greatly  indebted 
to  the  good  citizens  of  Dover,  for  the  kind  solicitude  they  mani- 
fested for  his  personal  safety.  That  he  accepted  their  proffered 
attentions  to  accompany  him  to  town,  and  also  their  very  polite 
invitation  to  dine  with  them.  And  said,  he  embraced  the 
present  occasion  to  tender  to  them  and  to  their  committee  his 
best  respects. 

The  procession  was  then  formed  and  the  General  escorted 
into  town.  When  on  the  hill  near  Capt.  Dunn's  a  salute  of  13 
guns  was  fired  by  the  Dover  Artillery,  stationed  on  Pine  Hill. 
Two  fine  military  companies,  the  Strafford  Guards,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Paul,  and  the  Rockingham  Guards  of  Portsmouth, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Lafavour,  performed  escort  duty.  Amidst 
the  joyous  acclamations  of  a  vast  concourse  of  people  who  lined 
the  streets,  and  filled  the  adjacent  houses  and  house-tops  on 
either  side,  the  procession  proceeded  down  Pleasant  street  to 
the  Corner,  where  it  passed  beneath  a  grand  arch,  twined  with 
evergreens  and  banners,  and  from  thence  onward  to  the  new 
upper  bridge,  over  which  another  arch  was  thrown,  and  so  on 
to  Franklin  square,  returning  by  way  of  the  I^anding  to  the 
Dover  Hotel.  Here  the  General  was  introduced  to  the  commit- 
tee of  arrangements,  the  chairman  of  which,  the  Hon.  William 
Hale,  addressed'him  as  follows: 


1825]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  219 

General  Lafayette  :  The  Freemen  of  Dover,  participating;  in  the 
blessings  extended  to  the  United  States,  in  the  establishment  of  their 
independence  and  republican  government,  will  ever  retain  deep  senti- 
ments of  gratitude  for  the  distinguished  and  enlightened  Patriots  who 
in  our  revolutionary  struggle  voluntarily  contributed  their  mighty 
efforts. 

To  you,  sir,  who  so  eminently  served  us  in  the  time  of  our  utmost 
need,  we  mingle  with  the  nation,  the  homage  of  our  gratitude,  and  re- 
joice that  amid  the  convulsions  which  have  agitated  the  country  of  your 
nativity,  your  virtue  has  dignified  and  preserved  you. 

We  rejoice,  sir,  in  beholding  you  as  one  of  the  most  early,  distin- 
guished and  effective  advocates  of  that  revolution  that  gave  us  liberty. 

We  more  rejoice  in  now  seeing  you  a  matured  monument  of  republican 
glory,  whose  firm  integrity  has  been  alike  impervious  to  the  allurements 
of  power,  or  to  the  frowns  of  adversity. 

We  most  cordially  welcome  you  to  our  village. 

To  which  the  General  made  an  appropriate  reply,  which  was 
received  with  loud  and  repeated  cheers  from  the  surrounding 
multitude. 

A  very  great  number  of  people  were  then  introduced  to  and 
kindly  greeted  by  the  General,  among  whom  were  many  of  the 
surviving  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolution. 

After  a  suitable  time  for  repose,  the  General  accompanied  by 
the  committee  of  arrangements,  the  Governor's  aid,  the  legis- 
lative committee,  Col.  Dunlapand  Col.  Emery,  the  aids  of  Gov. 
Parris  of  Maine,  and  a  large  number  of  other  citizens,  repaired 
to  the  town  hall,  which  was  elegantly  fitted  and  decorated  with 
appropriate  ornaments  and  emblems,  where  they  partook  of  an 
excellent  and  sumptuous  dinner,  prepared  by  Mr.  Wyatt  for 
the  occasion.  After  the  cloth  was  removed,  the  following  toasts 
announced  by  D.  M.  Christie,  Esq.  were  drunk,  accompanied 
by  appropriate  music  and  the  discharge  of  artillery. 

1.  The  United  States  of  America — May  their  internal  prosperity 
continue  to  progress,  and  their  peaceful  Foreign  relations  be  perpetual. 

Hail  Columbia. 

2.  Our  Republican  institutions — May  they  endure  while  Liberty  has 
a  name. 

Song,  by  Mr.  Barnes — Columbia  land  of  Liberty. 

3.  John  Quincy  Adams — May  his  Presidential  term  be  as  prosperous 
as  it  is  now  auspicious.  Adams  and  Liberty. 

4.  The  memory  of  Washington.  Pleyel's  Hymn. 

5.  General  Lafayette — May  his  glory  and  happiness  be  equal  to  his 
exertions  and  sufferings  in  the  cause  of  Liberty. 


220  NO  TABL  E  E  VENTS  IN  THE  [1825 

General  I^afayette  after  having  expressed  his  thanks  for  the 
welcome  of  the  people  of  Dover,  for  the  toast  just  now  given, 
and  for  the  manner  in  which  it  had  been  received,  proposed  the 
following  sentiment : 

The  town  of  Dover — May  this  cradle  of  New  Hampshire  for  ever  and 
ever,  and  more  and  more  enjoy  every  sort  of  agricultural  and  manufac- 
turing prosperity,  the  happy  results  of  American  Independence  and 
Republican  Freedom. 

Song — (Written  and  Sung  by  John  W.  Mellen,  Esq.) 

Hail  to  the  vet'ran  who  once  fought  our  battles,  ^ 

And  planted  his  laurels  when  green  were  his  years. 
We  greet  theeouce  more,  while  no  hostile  gun  rattles. 
But  peace  and  contentment  in  beauty  appears. 
War's  blasts  are  heard  no  more, 
Or  the  loud  tempest's  roar 
Of  armies  in  conflict  once  terribly  joined. 

Hail  to  Thee,  Patriot! — thy  sun's  setting  glory 

Shall  shed  o'er  the  world  the  bright  light  of  thy  fame, 
Monarchs  and  Conquerors  can  live  but  in  story, 
But  virtues  like  thine,  unborn  ages  proclaim. 
Heaven  guard  thy  sacred  head, 
Long  may  its  dews  be  shed 
In  life-giving  freshness  to  lengthen  thy  days. 

O  perish  the  thought,  that  so  soon  we  must  change 

The  spot  where  we  take  the  last  soul  thrilling  look, 
Of  him  who  returns  to  his  own  lov'd  La  Grange, 
For  the  scene  that's  imprinted  on  memory's  book. 
Smooth  be  thy  passage  o'er 
The  blue  wave  that  safely  bore 
The  youthful  adventurer,  the  Patriot  in  years. 

6.  Our  Revolutionary  Patriots — A  nations  gratitude  is  theirs. 

Duet — "The  worn  soldier,"  &c. 

7.  Our  allies  during  our  revolutionary  struggle — A  grateful  remem- 
brance of  their  services.  Marseilles  Hymn. 

8.  The  Holy  Alliance — May  its  schemes  of  tyranny  be  frustrated  by 
the  spirit  of  rational  Liberty.  Rogue's  March. 

9.  The  South  American  Republics — A  long  continuance  to  their  dear 
bought  liberties.  Washington's  March. 

10.  General  Bolivar — He  who  can  decline  the  distinction  of  reigning 
over,  is  worthy  of  reigning  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen. 

President's  March. 

11.  Agriculture — The  basis  of  all  human  sustenance. 

Speed  the  Plough. 

12.  Manufactures — May  industry  and  enterprise  meet  an  ample 
reward.  Woodcutter's  March. 

13.  Our  rising  Commerce — Let  it  be  the  handmaid  of  agriculture  and 
manufactures.  Hull's  Victory. 

By  G.  W.  Lafayette — Equality  of  rights,  the  corner  stone  of  the  tem- 
ple of  Liberty. 


1S25]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  221 

By  Mr.  Lavasseur— Industry,  source  of  prosperity,  the  surest  guarantee 
of  Liberty. 

By  S.  Mitchell,  Esq.— The  Major  Generals  of  our  Revolutionary  Army— 
The  chief-columns  that  sustained  Liberty's  Temple  throughout  the  war 
of  independence— "rest"  to  the /«//^«— health  to  Lafayette  the  last 
chief-column  standing. 

After  dinner  the  General  and  suite  agreeably  to  previous  in- 
vitation, retired  to  the  mansion  of  the  Hon.  William  Hale, 
where  were  assembled  much  of  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  this 
and  the  adjacent  towns,  for  the  purpose  of  being  introduced, 
and  of  reciprocating  smiles  and  congratulations  with  the  Gen- 
eral. And  where  too  was  prepared  by  Mrs.  Hale  and  her 
daughters  in  a  most  elegant  and  tasteful  style,  a  supper,  that, 
after  the  General  had  retired,  was  promiscuously  participated 
in  by  a  very  splendid  and  great  collection  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men in  the  most  perfect  familiarity,  cheer  and  good  humor. 

The  General  left  the  house  of  Mr.  Hale  on  Friday  morning 
at  8  o'clock,  for  Maine,  preceded  by  the  committee  of  arrange- 
ments in  carriages  and  followed  by  the  Legislative  Committee. 
On  arriving  opposite  the  Cotton  Factories  the  carriages  were 
halted,  the  Great  Gate  of  the  Factory  yard  was  thrown  open, 
discovering  a  double  line  of  the  females  employed  in  the  Factory 
to  the  number  of  nearly  two  hundred,  tastefully  and  handsomely 
dressed  in  white  with  blue  sashes.  The  General  on  entering 
the  Factory  yard  was  repeatedly  cheered  with  the  huzzas  of 
hundreds  from  the  tops  of  the  buildings  surrounding  the  Factory 
yard;  he  was  conducted  by  Messrs.  Williams  and  Bridge  into 
the  Factory,  the  porch  of  which  was  tastefully  decorated  with 
wreaths  of  evergreen  and  roses.  The  Factory  was  still  for  a 
moment,  but  as  if  by  magic  it  was  instantly  in  full  operation, 
attended  throughout  by  the  girls  w^ho  had  received  the  company 
on  entering  the  yard,  each  at  her  proper  place  and  busy  in  her 
proper  employment.  On  leaving  the  Factory,  the  General  was 
conducted  to  his  carriage  and  escorted  by  the  committee  of 
arrangements  and  marshals  of  Dover  to  the  line  of  the  State  of 
Maine,  where  he  was  received  by  Cols.  Dunlap  and  Emery,  aids 
of  the  Governor  of  Maine. 

The  good  humor  and  order  which  prevailed  throughout  the 
occasion,  sufficiently  evinced  the  pleasure  and  kind  feelings 
with  which  our  distinguished  visitor  was  received  ;  as  there  were 
probably  not  less  than  ten  thousand  persons  of  all  classes  of 
citizens  from  this  and  the  neighboring  towns  assembled,  among 


222  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1825 

whom  not  an  instance  of  irregularity  or  disorder  was  noticed. 
Much  credit  is  due  to  the  alacrity  and  taste  of  the  ladies  of  the 
village  displayed  in  the  various  decorations  of  the  dining  hall, 
arches  and  streets,  which  were  such  as  to  elicit  the  applause  of 
strangers  who  were  present. 

It  is  due  to  the  chief  Marshal  of  the  day  to  notice  the  enter- 
tainment given  by  him  to  the  escort,  lyegislative  Committee  and 
other  Gentlemen  on  their  return  from  Berwick,  which  was  in  a 
style  of  elegance  and  taste  seldom  surpassed. 

Of  the  military  escort  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  they  received, 
as  they  deserved,  the  unqualified  commendation  of  the  General. 

The  artillery  company  appeared  in  a  new  and  beautiful  uni- 
form, and  their  discipline  and  good  conduct  on  the  occasion  was 
highly  creditable  to  the  company  and  their  officers. 

We  are  glad  the  General  took  time  for  a  passing  visit  to  the 
extensive  establishment  of  the  Dover  Manufacturing  Co.  as  it 
gave  him  an  opportunity  of  observing  personally  the  progress  in 
one  important  branch  of  the  useful  arts;  and  it  is  presumed, 
he  can  no  where  meet  with  Factories  more  complete  and  thor- 
ough in  their  construction  and  arrangement,  both  for  the  fabri- 
cation of  cotton  cloth  and  of  the  machinery  requisite  for  the 
same;  all  being  of  the  very  first  description.  The  General  ex- 
pressed himself  very  much  gratified  with  the  healthy  appear- 
ance of  those  of  both  sexes  engaged  within  the  Factories,  the 
order  among  thera,  and  the  perfect  neatness  of  every  room  into 
which  he  was  introduced  ;  of  the  machinery,  and  gearing  of  the 
mills,  he  spoke  in  high  terms,  "much  more  perfect  than  any  he 
had  witnessed,"  and  the  quality  of  the  goods,  "far  superior  to 
any  he  had  seen  in  the  country."  It  was  a  subject  of  regret 
that  he  could  not  have  examined  more  particularly  the  machine 
shop,  where  nearly  all  the  parts  of  the  whole  machinery  for  the 
establishment  are  manufactured  from  the  raw  material,  where 
some  valuable  improvements  have  been  made  in  the  mode  of 
preparing  the  important  parts  of  the  machinery,  as  well  as 
highly  valuable  alterations  made  upon  those  generally  in  use  in 
the  larger  manufacturing  concerns. 

On  the  whole,  the  General's  visit  was  highly  gratifying  to 
himself,  son  and  secretary,  who  expressed  themselves  very 
fully  on  the  subject ;  and  it  will  be  a  source  of  pride  to  the 
proprietors,  to  Mr.  Williams  the  Agent,  and  to  Mr.  Bridge, 
under  whose  special  care  the  arrangements  were  made  for  the 
reception  of  the  illustrious  Guest.     (A^.  H.  Republica7i.) 


1826] 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 


223 


July  26. — The  weather  of  the  last  week  has  probably 
equalled  in  heat  that  of  any  season  for  many  years.  In  many 
places  in  New  England  the  thermometer  stood  at  about  100  on 
Thursday.  Numerous  deaths  have  taken  place  in  consequence 
of  the  extreme  heat  and  drinking  cold  water. 

{N.  H.  Republicayi.) 

Aug.  9. — Mr.  Israel  Tebbets,  of  Madbury,  was  weighed  in 
this  town  a  few  days  since  and  his  weight  found  to  be  435 
pounds  !     (A^.  H.  Republican^ 

Nov.  16. — The  Wiunipiseogee  Canal  Co.  held  its  first 
meeting  for  the  choice  of  Directors  in  Dover,  this  day,  when 
the  following  were  chosen:  Jeremiah  Mason,  Ichabod  Bartlett, 
Timothy  Upham,  Daniel  Brown,  Joseph  Smith,  Andrew  Peirce, 
John  Williams,  James  Bartlett,  J.  B.  H.  Odione,  D.  M.  Durell, 
Asa  Freeman,  David  Barker,  jr.,  John  B.  Swasey,  John 
Wingate,  jr.,  John  Coe. 


icord  of  Death 

s  in  Dover  for  33  years. 

1792 

4- 

1809 

34. 

1793 

15- 

1810 

32- 

1794 

14. 

i8ri 

23- 

1795 

14. 

1812 

26. 

1796 

27. 

1813 

47- 

1797 

22. 

1814 

16. 

1798 

31- 

1815 

47- 

1799 

26. 

1816 

3°- 

1800 

40. 

1817 

40. 

1801 

41. 

1818 

32. 

1802 

61. 

1819 

1803 

25- 

1820 

1804 

24. 

1821 

27. 

1805 

25- 

1822 

58. 

1806 

43- 

1823 

46. 

1807 

12. 

1824 

54. 

1808 

26. 

1825 

lOI. 

1826. 

Jan.  28. — Died,  Col.  Amos  Cogswell,  aged  74  years.  He 
was  engaged  in  the  long  and  arduous  struggle  of  his  country 
for  its  independence,  from  the  commencement  to  the  close,  a 
term  of  eight  years.  He  entered  its  service  a  private  and  came 
out  a  major.  A  colonel's  commission  was  conferred  on  him 
some  time  after,  giving  command  of  a  body  of  horse  in  the 
militia.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  State 
Legislature,  both  in  its  representative  and  senatorial  depart- 


224  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1826 

ments.  The  diversified  obligations  arising  from  these  various 
relations,  were  discharged  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  the  public 
and  honorable  to  himself.  His  social  and  domestic  virtues 
secured  to  him  universal  respect  for  the  former,  and  such  vv^as 
his  kindness  of  heart  that  he  became  peculiarly  endeared  to 
all  the  inmates  of  his  domestic  circle.  The  peculiar  traits  of 
mental  excellence  referable  to  him,  were,  that  integrity  of 
principle  which  was  above  suspicion,  and  that  firmness  of 
purpose  that  knew  no  wavering,  constituting  the  prominent 
characteristics  of  a  mind  of  a  superior  order. 

{N.  H.  Republican^ 

March  14.  — Vote  for  Governor,  David  L.  Morril  413,  Benja. 
Pierce  89.  A  sharp  contest  took  place  this  year  in  the  State 
for  Governor.  David  L.  Morril,  who  was  supported  by  those 
friendly  to  Mr.  Adams's  administration,  received  17679  votes 
and  was  elected.  Gen.  Benja.  Pierce,  who  was  the  candidate 
of  the  Jackson  men,  though  he  had  not  then  distinctly  avowed 
himself  as  an  opponent  of  Mr.  Adams,  received  12287  votes 
and  285  were  returned  as  scattering. 

April  II. — A  census  of  the  town  taken  at  this  time  gave 
a  population  of  4160,  showing  an  increase  of  1289  since  1820, 
when  the  number  was  2871.  Washington  street  from  Central 
square  to  the  Tolend  road  was  opened  this  year,  principally 
through  the  Coffin  property,  which  had  been  in  possession  of  the 
family  since  it  was  granted  to  Peter  Coffin,  the  original  settler: 
and  so  averse  were  the  heirs  to  the  "  improvement,"  that  for  a 
long  time  they  refused  to  accept  the  damages  awarded  them  by 
the  town. 

June  9.— Died,  Nicholas  St.  John  Durell,  aged  21  years,  the 
oldest  son  of  Hon.  D.  M.  Durell.  A  young  man  of  much 
promise  and  a  member  of  the  West  Point  Military  Academy, 
from  which  he  was  on  the  point  of  graduating  with  high 
honors. 

July  4.— The  50th  anniversary  of  American  Independence 
was  celebrated  with  much  eclat.  Oration  by  John  W.  Mellen, 
who,  in  speaking  of  Adams  &  Jefferson,  then  supposed  to  be 
living,  but  who  died  before  the  close  of  the  day,  and  of  the 
"rising  glories  of  the  country  which  they  had  labored  to 
establish,"  said,  "it  will  give  new  keenness  to  their  mortal 
vision  and  add  new  vigor  to  their  wasting  strength  as  hand  in 
hand  they  enter  the  dark  valley ^ 


1826]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  225 

Aug.  7.— A  very  heavy  thunder  shower,  during  which  the 
house  of  Moses  Hodgdon,  Esq.  on  Silver  street,  was  struck  by 
lightning.  A  beautiful  sycamore  tree  in  front  of  the  house 
received  the  electric  fluid,  an  immense  body  of  which  ran  down 
the  trunk,  ripping  off  the  bark,  a  portion  of  the  lightning 
entering  the  house  by  a  limb  of  the  tree.  The  house  of  Mr. 
John  Evans,  about  50  rods  distant,  was  struck  at  the  same 
instant :  a  man  was  struck  to  the  floor,  but  recovered  in  a  few 
minutes.  About  the  same  time,  a  barn  belonging  to  Mr.  Benja. 
Kielle,  about  2>^  miles  from  the  village,  was  struck  and  con- 
siderably injured. 

Ivieuts.  Worth  and  Findlay,  U.  S.  Engineers,  appointed  by 
the  Secretary  of  War,  made  a  reconnoissance  and  survey  of 
the  contemplated  canal  route  from  Dover  to  Winnipiseogee,  in 
August  of  this  year. 

Great  rains  and  freshets,  carrying  away  dams,  bridges,  &c. 
and  doing  much  damage  to  crops.  In  a  period  of  35  days, 
from  Aug.  11  to  Sept.  14,  rain  fell  on  17  days.  "A  damp  mold 
and  rust  are  penetrating  every  part  of  our  dwellings.  The  hay 
in  our  barns,  the  vegetables  in  our  gardens,  and  the  potatoes  in 
our  fields  are  perishing  with  rot.'"     (N.  H.  Republican^ 

Oct.  18. — Died,  Marble  Osborne,  aged  74,  a  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends.  He  was  much  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
him,  and  it  may  be  emphatically  said,  he  was  that  noblest  work 
of  God,  an  honest  man.  Also  died,  Oct.  23,  Mercy,  aged  67, 
relict  of  Marble  Osborne. 

Nov.  21. — Proposals  were  issued  by  a  committee  of  the 
citizens  of  Dover,  in  behalf  of  the  town  and  county,  for  the 
building  of  a  new  Jail  on  Silver  street. 

A  person  sailing  upon  the  Cochecho,  in  a  small  boat,  saw  a 
mink  swimming  rapidly  towards  the  shore,  having  seized  a 
large  eel  which  he  succeeded  in  bearing  to  the  shore,  in  spite 
of  its  efforts  to  free  itself  by  entangling  the  mink  in  its  folds. 
The  mink  had  nearly  secured  the  eel  in  its  den.  when  the 
spectator  landed  and  seized  it  himself.  It  weighed  more  than 
two  pounds. 


226  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1827 

1827 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  Benja.  Pierce  558,  scattering 
20.  Gov.  Morril  having  declined  a  reelection,  public  sentiment 
turned  towards  Gen.  Benja.  Pierce,  who  had  been  his  competitor 
at  the  previous  election  as  a  suitable  successor  to  the  office, 
especially  as  it  was  understood  that,  like  Gov.  Morril,  he  was 
friendly  to  the  administration  of  Mr.  Adams,  which  was  then 
being  powerfully  assailed  by  the  supporters  of  Gen.  Jackson. 
Gen.  Pierce,  it  was  asserted,  had  given  the  most  postive  assur- 
ances that  such  was  his  position.  A  legislative  caucus,  con- 
trolled by  the  Adams  men,  had  accordingly  nominated  him, 
and  he  was  therefore  generally  voted  for — there  being  no  opposing 
candidate.  A  portion  of  the  voters,  however,  having  some 
doubts  as  to  his  sentiments,  or  believing  that  he  would  be  con- 
trolled by  the  opponents  of  Mr.  Adams,  withheld  their  support. 
Some  of  them  voted  for  Gov.  Morril  and  others  threw  scattering 
votes.  The  result  in  the  State  was  as  follows  :  Benja.  Pierce 
23695,  D.  L.  Morril  2529,  scattering  1187. 

Aug.  28. — A  remarkable  celestial  phenomenon  was  observed 
in  many  places.  About  half  past  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  a 
luminous  arch  was  seen  rising  from  the  western  horizon  and  ex- 
tending across  the  hemisphere  to  the  eastern  verge.  The  arch  or 
belt  at  the  zenith  was  apparently  two  or  three  degrees  in  width, 
while  its  extremities  narrowed  almost  to  points  at  the  horizon. 
The  western  point  was  the  most  brilliant,  and  at  times  exhibited 
a  sparkling  appearance — the  centre  being  less  intense  and  more 
tremulous  than  either  extremity.  The  magnificent  spectacle 
lasted  nearly  an  hour,  the  arch  moving  gradually  to  the  south, 
and  growing  fainter  until  it  disappeared.  As  the  light  of  this 
phenomenon  diminished,  the  aurora  borealis  appeared  around 
the  whole  northern  portion  of  the  horizon  and  increased  to  an 
unusual  degree  of  brilliancy. 

Aug.  31. — Died  at  Brunswick,  Me.  at  the  residence  of  his 
son,  Col.  John  Waldron,  aged  87,  a  native  and  life  long  resident 
of  Dover.  He  was  a  Colonel  in  the  Army  of  the  Revolution, 
marching  his  Regiment  of  700  men  whom  he  had  himself 
enlisted,  to  Cambridge  when  the  war  broke  out.  He  was 
prominent  also  in  civil  affairs,  having  served  as  moderator  of 
town  meetings  about  30  years  in  succession,  and  represented 
the  town  and  district  in  both  branches  of  the  Legislature. 

Locust  street,  through  the  Cogswell  field,  to  Central  street 
near  the  residence  of  Hon.  Wm.  Hale,  was  opened  this  year. 
Deaths  in  Dover  this  year,  77. 


1S28]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  227 

1828 
Feb.  26. — Publication  of  Dover  Enquirer  commenced. 

March  I. — Drowned,  near  Waldron's  Falls,  Mar}',  daughter 
of  Mr.  William  Kimball,  aged  10  years.  Her  bod}-  was  found 
under  Central  street  bridge,  above  the  factories. 

March  11. — State  election  sharply  contested  between  the 
supporters  of  Adams  and  Jackson.  Vote  of  Dover  for  Gov- 
ernor, John  Bell  (Adams)  517;   Benja.  Pierce  (Jackson)  235. 

There  being  no  doubt,  this  year,  as  to  the  sentiments  of  Gov. 
Pierce  in  relation  to  the  administration  of  Mr.  Adams — he 
being,  if  not  an  avowed  opponent,  completely  in  the  control  of 
those  who  were — the  supporters  of  Adams  organized  for  victory, 
and  selecting  John  Bell  as  their  candidate,  elected  him  by  a 
decisive  majority.  The  vote  in  Dover  was  the  largest  ever 
thrown  here  up  to  that  time,  as  it  was  also  the  largest  ever 
thrown  in  the  State.  The  whole  number  cast  was  39897, 
of  which  Pierce  received  18672,  and  Bell  21 149,  with  76 
scattering. 

Net  amount  of  postage  accruing  at  Dover  Post  Office  for 
year  ending  March  31,  1827 — $819.70 — being  largest  in  the 
State  except  Portsmouth, 

May  I. — Numerous  failures  among  the  business  men  of 
Dover,  Portsmouth,  Great  Falls,  &c.  occasioned  in  part  by  the 
suspension  of  some  of  the  managers  of  the  Manufacturing 
Companies.     The  Enquirer  of  May  6,  remarks  : 

Between  most,  if  not  all,  of  those  who  have  failed  there  seems  to 
have  been  a  connection  and  mutual  dependence;  and  though  it  is  said 
there  is  an  insolvency  somewhere,  yet  we  have  good  authority  for  sa}irg 
that  some  of  the  individuals  who  have  stopped  business,  were  perfectly 
solvent,  but  were  driven  to  this  extremity  by  the  want  of  public  confi- 
dence which  for  a  day  or  two  seemed  completely  overturned.  The 
solvency  of  the  Commercial  Bank  at  Portsmouth,  and  the  Dover  Bank 
were  for  a  day  or  two  suspected  and  their  bills  refused  in  Boston,  but 
were  received  again  as  soon  as  the  situation  of  things  were  understood. 

The  business  of  the  Dover  Manufacturing  Company  at  this 
time  was  closed  up  and  the  Cocheco  Company  incorporated  in 
its  place.  Williams  and  Wendell,  the  pioneers  in  the  enter- 
prise, giving  place  to  Boston  managers.  Joseph  Smith,  Isaac 
Wendell  and  John  Williams  resigned  their  positions  as  Directors 
of  the  Dover  Bank  and  other  parties  were  appointed. 


228  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1829 

June  8. — A  party  of  seven  men  and  boys  sailing  down  the 
river  on  a  pleasure  excursion,  on  Sunday,  the  boat  when  near 
Dover  Point  was  upset  and  Henry  Demeritt  aged  25,  and 
Ebenezer  Paul,  14,  were  drowned.  Demeritt  was  a  good 
swimmer  and  lost  his  life  by  endeavoring  to  save  Paul,  who 
could  not  swim. 

June  28. — Exceeding  warm  weather — thermometer  97  in  the 
shade.  Ivightning  struck  in  various  places  in  town,  killing 
animals  and  shattering  buildings. 

Aug.  8. — "Dover  Society  for  the  promotion  of  Temperance" 
formed — the  members  pledging  themselves  to  abstain  entirely 
from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  except  for  medicinal  purposes — 
the  first  Society  of  the  kind  in  the  town. 

Aug.  26. — John  H.  White  appointed  Postmaster  of  Dover,  in 
place  of  Asa  A.  Tufts,  resigned. 

Sept.  29. — Mr.  Ham  Foss  of  Barrington,  a  carpenter  employed 
on  the  Unitarian  Church,  which  was  built  this  year,  while 
placing  some  timbers  for  the  roof,  the  plank  upon  which  he 
stood  gave  way  and  he  fell  35  feet,  surviving  the  accident  but  a 
few  hours. 

The  old  Jail  on  Pleasant  street  was  taken  down  this  year  and 
the  materials  sold  Oct.  29. 

Nov.  3. — Presidential  election  ;  after  a  warm  contest  between 
the  supporters  of  Adams  and  Jackson,  the  vote  of  Dover  was 
505  for  Adams,  322  for  Jackson. 

Dec.  28. — River  closed  by  the  ice. 

1829 

Feb.  18. — The  new  brick  Church,  erected  the  last  season  for 
the  use  of  the  "  First  Unitarian  Society  of  Christians  in  Dover," 
was  dedicated,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Kirkland  Lothrop  ordained 
as  Minister  over  the  Church  and  Society. 

March  10. — The  State  election  was  vigorously  contested,  but 
the  drift  in  favor  of  the  new  administration  of  Jackson,  then  just 
inaugurated,  was  too  powerful  to  be  successfully  resisted  by  the 
defeated  partisans  of  Adams.  The  voters  of  Dover  stood  up 
manfully  to  the  rack,  giving  Bell  362  votes  to  301  for  Pierce, 
but  in  the  State  Pierce  had  22615,  Bell  19583,  with  485  scatter- 
ing, and  thenceforth  commenced  that  reign  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Democracy  which  continued  for  more  than  twenty  five 
years. 


1830]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  229 

March  17.— A  Boston  paper  gives  notice  that  "the  last  weekly 
Dover  Packet  from  New  Hampshire,  brought  nearly  as  many 
cotton  and  woolen  goods  to  this  market  as  were  brought  by  the 
packet  ship  Dover,  and  more  than  were  brought  by  the  packet 
New  England,  from  Liverpool.  Cotton  goods  which  were  once 
purchased  in  England  for  38  cents,  and  thought  remarkably 
cheap,  were  not  better  cottons  than  can  now  be  purchased  here 
at  20  cents." 

There  was  a  great  body  of  snow  and  ice  until  the  first  week 
in  April.  The  snow  was  much  drifted;  in  some  places  in  the 
roads  5  or  6  feet  deep.  A  heavy  rain  commenced  on  the  2d  of 
April  and  the  snow  soon  melted. 

April  3. — The  waters  of  the  Cochecho  below  the  falls  rose  to 
an  unusual  height— even  higher,  it  is  believed,  than  ever  before 
known — causing  considerable  losses  of  lumber,  lime,  &c.  on  the 
wharves,  which  were  all  inundated.  The  rise  was  occasioned 
by  the  collection  of  ice  below,  which  dammed  up  the  river. 

May  19. — Barnabas  H.  Palmer  appointed  Postmaster  of  Dover 
in  place  of  John  H.  White. 

Aug.  3. — James  G.  Avery,  a  young  man  in  the  employ  of  the 
Manufacturing  Company,  fell  from  the  Dry  House,  a  distance  of 
about  40  feet,  surviving  the  accident  but  a  few  hours. 

Aug.  22. — William  Bentley,  a  native  of  England,  was 
drowned  in  attempting  to  swim  across  the  Cochecho,  a  short 
distance  above  the  Falls — aged  32. 

A  very  severe  drought  this  year,  compelling  farmers  to  come 
to  Dover  from  many  miles  in  the  country  to  buy  corn,  an  unusual 
occurrence. 

Dec.  31. — The  new  Brick  Meeting  House,  erected  by  the 
First  Parish,  was  dedicated.  Sermon  by  Rev.  Mr.  Winslow, 
the  Pastor,  from  Psalms  95  :  3. 

1830 

March  8.— A  portion  of  Piscataqua  Bridge,  extending  from 
the  arch  about  400  feet  south,  was  carried  away  by  the  force  of 
the  waters  and  a  great  pressure  of  ice,  of  about  three  acres  in 
extent. 

March  9. — The  political  contest  of  this  year  was  noted  for  its 
acrimonious  character.  The  Jackson  party  having  nominated 
Matthew  Harvey  for  Governor,  the  opposition,  which  retained 
the  name  of  Republicans,  brought  out  Gen.   Timothy  Upham. 


230  NOTABLE  EVENTS    IN   THE  [1^30 

The  latter  was  virulently  assailed  in  the  Jackson  papers,  which 
led  to  a  prosecution  for  libel,  and  finally  to  a  cow-hiding  of  the 
chief  assailant.  The  vote  in  Dover  was  for  Upham  429,  Harvey 
263,  and  in  the  State  Upham  had  19040,  Harvey  23214,  scatter- 
ing 187.  Mr.  Harvey,  having  been  appointed  U.  S.  District 
Judge  before  the  close  of  his  term,  resigned,  and  Jos.  M. 
Harper,  President  of  the  Senate,  became  acting  Governor. 

April  13. — Hon.  Daniel  M.  Durell  of  Dover,  appointed  a 
Director  of  the  United  States  Bank  ;  also,  U.  S.  District  Attor- 
ney for  New  Hampshire. 

The  river  and  harbor  bill,  containing  an  appropriation  of 
$4200,  for  improving  the  Cochecho  branch  of  the  Piscataqua 
river  from  Dover  Falls  to  its  confluence  with  the  Piscataqua, 
was  vetoed  by  President  Jackson. 

July  4. — Philip  Emery  committed  suicide  by  shooting  himself 
in  the  bowels. 

July  8.—  Mr.  Ichabod  Hayes,  a  respectable  citizen  of  Milton, 
was  thrown  from  his  wagon  in  Dover,  and  so  much  injured  as 
to  occasion  his  death  in  a  few  hours. 

Weather  unusually  warm,  the  thermometer  for  three  days  in 
succession  (July  16,  17,  18,)  ranging  from  92  to  98  in  the  shade. 

July  27. — Present  appearances  promise  an  unusual  crop  of 
potatoes.  Some  farmers  have  offered  them  at  ninepence  (i2>^ 
cents)  a  bushel,  in  anticipation  of  the  harvest.  Good  hay  is 
now  selling  for  $5  a  ton.     {Dover  Enquirer?) 

Aug.  28. — John  P.  Hale  of  Dover,  admitted  to  practice  as  an 
attorney. 

Nov.  II. — The  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Michael  Whidden,  on 
Silver  street,  burnt. 

Dec.  9. — Dover  Relief  Society  organized — Hon.  William 
Hale,  President ;   Asa  A.  Tufts,  Treasurer  and  Secretary. 

Dec.  15. — Jonathan  H.  Carr  of  Somersworth,  found  dead  in 
a  field  near  the  road  leading  from  Dover  to  Great  Falls.  Ver- 
dict— "  Death  by  intoxication  and  exposure  to  cold." 

Deaths  in  Dover  in  the  year  1830 — 72  ;   males  33,  females  29. 


1831]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.  H.  231 

1831 

There  were  belonging  in  Dover,  at  the  commencement  of  this 
year,  six  sloops  and  schooners,  constituting  a  regular  line  of 
packets,  plying  between  Dover  and  Boston  and  other  places. 
Also  three  daily  packets  running  between  Dover  and  Ports- 
mouth. A  steamboat  was  also  run  on  the  river  a  part  of  the 
time. 

Jan.  15. — A  great  snow  storm,  blocking  up  the  roads  and 
delaying  the  mails  from  all  quarters. 

Feb.  I.— John  Gage,  James  Gage  and  Samuel  Gage,  the  first 
two  brothers,  and  the  last  a  son  of  James,  sentenced  to  the  State 
Prison  for  five  years  for  store  breaking.  A  third  brother, 
Thomas,  died  in  jail  previous  to  the  trial.  The  wife  of  John 
Gage,  a  few  months  after,  committed  suicide  by  hanging 
herself. 

March  8. — Vote  of  Dover  for  Governor,  Ichabod  Bartlett, 
Republican,  403;  Samuel  Dinsmoor,  Democrat,  271.  New 
candidates  for  Governor  were  brought  out  by  both  parties  this 
year — the  Jackson,  or  Democratic  party,  as  they  began  to  call 
themselves  about  this  time,  nominating  Samuel  Dinsmoor  who 
had  been  beaten  by  Woodbury  eight  years  before,  and  the 
Republicans,  Ichabod  Bartlett,  who  had  served  six  years  in 
Congress,  and  w^as  the  ablest  speaker  and  foremost  lawyer  in 
the  State.  The  result  was  for  Dinsmoor  23503,  Bartlett  18681, 
scattering  no. 

March  15.— A  large  seal,  six  feet  eight  inches  in  length,  and 
weighing  nearly  400  pounds,  taken  in  the  Cochecho,  a  few  miles 
below  the  town. 

July  26. — John  H.  Rand,  while  at  work  on  the  Dye  House  of 
the  Manufacturing  Co.,  fell  15  feet  and  was  instantly  killed. 

Oct.  8. — The  White  Mountains  covered  with  snow,  which 
also  fell  in  various  parts  of  the  State. 

Oct.  19. — A  young  woman  by  the  name  of  Page,  committed 
suicide  by  hanging  herself,  with  her  apron,  from  an  apple  tree. 

Nov.  25. — The  barn  of  Mr.  Jacob  Sawyer,  at  Garrison  Hill, 
burnt,  with  eleven  head  of  cattle  and  a  large  quantity  of  hay. 

Dec.  18.— Died,  Doctor  Jacob  Kittredge,  aged  36— a  well 
beloved  physician. 

Dec.  22. — Extremely  cold — the  thermometer  one  to  ten 
degrees  below  zero  through  the  day. 

Deaths  in  Dover  this  year  85 — males  39,  females  46. 


232  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1832 

1832 

Jan.  7. — An  association  by  the  name  of  the  "  Dover  Lyceum" 
organized — its  object  being  to  "hold  meetings  for  reading,  con- 
versation, discussion,  dissertations,  illustrating  the  sciences,  or 
other  exercises  which  shall  be  thought  expedient." 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  Ichabod  Bartlett,  Rep.  250, 
Samuel  Dinsmoor,  Dem.  301.  The  Republican  party  made  its 
last  rally  this  year  at  the  State  election  and  was  beaten,  as  at 
the  previous  election.  Dinsmoor,  in  the  State  received  24167 
votes,  Bartlett  14920,  scattering  146.  Dover,  which  seldom 
faltered,  gave  Dinsmoor  a  majority  as  above,  and  a  combination 
of  a  few  disaffected  republicans,  under  the  name  of  "  Working- 
men  "  with  the  democracy,  succeeded  in  electing  their  repre- 
sentatives to  the  Legislature,  one  of  whom  was  John  P,  Hale, 
who  thus  received  that  start  in  public  life  which  he  afterwards 
made  so  distinguished  as  well  as  honorable  to  himself  and  useful 
to  the  country. 

March  17. — A  great  freshet  occasioned  by  heavy  rains  and 
the  melting  of  the  snow.  The  dam  at  Bow  Pond  giving  way 
much  alarm  was  felt  for  the  safety  of  property  on  the  Landing, 
the  Bridges,  &c.  Several  mills  and  every  bridge  on  the  river 
but  one  above  Dover  were  destroyed  :  also  a  store  and  black- 
smith's shop  at  the  outlet  of  the  Pond  in  Strafford. 

March  31. — A  meeting  to  consider  the  expediency  of  estab- 
lishing a  steamboat  on  Winnipiseogee  Lake  held  in  Portsmouth 
and  a  committee  appointed  to  make  arrangements  therefor — 
J.  B.  H.  Odiorne  and  John  Coe  of  Dover  members  thereof. 
An  adjourned  meeting  was  held  in  Rochester,  in  April,  at 
which  it  was  announced  that  all  the  stock  was  taken  up. 
Charles  F.  Bell,  the  engineer  employed  in  building  the  boat, 
drowned  in  the  Lake,  June  12. 

May  20. — The  new  Freewill  Baptist  Meeting  House  dedicated. 

June  24. — At  a  public  town  meeting  the  selectmen  and 
physicians  of  the  town  were  constituted  a  Board  of  Health  and 
authorized  to  adopt  measures  necessary  for  the  public  safety 
from  the  Asiatic  cholera,  then  alarmingly  prevalent  in  the 
country. 

Sept.  — Ivory  H.  Willey,  22,  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  drum- 
wheel  upon  his  head  while  at  work  in  the  Upper  Factory. 


1833]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  233 

Nov.  6. — Vote  of  Dover  for  President:  Henry  Clay  562, 
Andrew  Jackson  324.  The  vote  in  the  State  was  for  Clay 
electors  19627,  for  Jackson  26269. 

Nov.  20. — The  bells  of  the  town  tolled  and  minute  guns  fired 
as  a  token  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  Charles  Carroll  of 
Carrollton,  the  last  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
who  died  Nov.  15. 

Cocheco  Block  built  this  year.  Deaths  in  town  for  the  year 
73 — males  29,  females  44. 

1833 

Feb.  6. — Rev.  David  Root  installed  as  Pastor  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church. 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  Samuel  Dinsmoor  300,  Arthur 
Livermore  95.  Governor  Dinsmoor  was  re-elected  this  year 
with  little  opposition,  viz :  In  the  State  Dinsmoor  28277, 
Livermore  3959,  scattering  1240. 

June  II. — Joseph  Hammons  of  Farmington,  appointed  Post- 
master of  Dover. 

June  18. — A  public  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
making  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  President  Jackson, 
then  on  a  visit  to  Concord,  and  who  was  expected  to  pass 
through  town  on  his  way  to  Portland.  But  the  President,  in 
consequence  of  feeble  health,  returned  direct  to  Boston  and 
Washington. 

July  4. — Steamer  Belknap  commenced  running  on  Winni- 
piseogee  Lake — The  first  boat  ever  run  by  steam  on  the  Lake. 
"She  glided  across  the  Lake  in  good  style,  with  fine  music 
and  a  large  company  on  board — about  1000  people  having 
assembled  to  witness  the  first  attempt  to  navigate  the  waters  of 
the  Winnipiseogee  by  steam."  A  new  line  of  stages  from 
Portsmouth  through  Dover  to  the  Lake  was  also  established. 

The  "  Dover  Lyceum  "  incorporated  by  the  Legislature. 

Aug.  6. — Act  of  the  Legislature,  authorizing  "Jeremiah 
Colbath  of  Farmington  to  take  the  name  of  Henry  Wilson," 
published  in  Dover  Enquirer. 

Aug.  26. — Died,  widow  Abigail  Brown,  aged  102  years,  4 
mos.  19  days.  She  was  born  in  Madbury  (then  part  of  Dover) 
March  27,  173 1,  O.  S.  Her  mother  lived  to  the  age  of  102,  and 
her  grandmother  to  the  age  of  104. 


234  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1834 

Sept.  lo. — It  is  mentioned  that  snow  has  fallen  upon  the 
White  Mountains  every  month  of  the  past  summer — an  unusual 
occurrence. 

Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams  passed  through  Dover  on  his  re- 
turn from  the  White  Mountains,  remarking  to  a  gentleman  with 
whom  he  was  in  conversation,  "  that  in  all  his  travels  he  had 
never  beheld  natural  scenery  so  imposing  and  beautiful  as  that 
to  be  met  in  New  Hampshire." 

Nov.  13. — Meteoric  shower  of  stars  observable,  between  3 
and  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  which  attracted  much  attention 
throughout  the  country. 

Dec.  26. — First  lecture  of  Dover  Lyceum  course  delivered, 
by  the  President,  Hon.  James  Bartlett. 

Same  date. — At  a  public  town  meeting  a  committee  of  ten 
was  appointed  to  memorialize  Congress  for  an  appropriation  to 
remove  obstructions  in  Cochecho  river. 

Deaths  in  town  during  the  year  52 — males  27,  females  25. 

1834 

March  4. — Mills  of  Cocheco  Manufacturing  Co.  stopped  for 
three  days  in  consequence  of  a  turn  out  of  the  female  operatives, 
occasioned  by  a  reduction  of  their  pay. 

March  11. — Vote  for  Governor,  William  Badger  242,  scatter- 
ing 189.  Voted  to  build  a  market  house  at  an  expense  not  ex- 
ceeding $5000.  The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  employ  a 
surveyor  to  make  a  plan  of  the  town,  provided  he  will  furnish 
a  lithographic  map  of  the  same — expense  not  to  exceed  $50. 
Representatives  instructed  to  procure  the  passage  of  an  act  au- 
thorizing the  town  to  appropriate  a  portion  of  its  school  money 
for  the  support  of  a  High  School. 

March  15 — Public  meeting  held  to  memorialize  Congress 
relative  to  the  great  and  increasing  distress  in  the  country,  con- 
sequent on  the  measures  of  the  National  Administration  in 
regard  to  the  public  monies,  the  tariff,  &c. 

April  28. — Pastoral  relations  between  the  Unitarian  Society 
and  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Lothrop  dissolved,  he  having  accepted  a 
call  to  the  Brattle  Street  Church,  Boston. 

May  5. — Wife  of  John  Dunn  committed  suicide  by  cutting 
her  throat  with  a  razor,  leaving  three  children,  the  youngest 
but  a  week  old. 


1835]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  235 

Aug.  I.— William  B.  Smith  appointed  Postmaster  in  place  of 
Joseph  Hammons  resigned. 

Aug.  II. — William  Reynolds  died  from  the  effects  of  a  blow 
given  him  by  his  father  Joseph  Reynolds,  with  a  fire  shovel, 
while  the  former,  who  was  in  liquor,  was  in  controversy  with 
his  step-mother.  Joseph  Reynolds,  the  father,  who  was  76 
years  of  age,  was  found  guilty  of  manslaughter,  and  sentenced 
to  the  State  Prison  for  5  years. 

Sept.  6.— Honors  to  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  lyafayette 
were  paid  by  the  citizens  of  Dover,  the  Hon.  Caleb  Gushing  of 
Newburyport,  delivering  an  eloquent  eulogy  on  the  deceased, 
the  Governor  of  the  State  with  his  staff,  and  other  distinguished 
guests  attending  and  marching  in  procession.  The  Rocking- 
ham Guards  of  Portsmouth,  the  Great  Falls  Rifle  Co.  and  the 
Strafford  Guards  being  the  escort. 

Sept.  13.— Mr.  Cyrus  Ames  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun 
fired  by  another  person  near  whom  he  was  standing. 

Nov.  5.— Drowned  in  the  Cochecho,  near  the  Landing,  Capt. 
Moses  P.  Perkins,  aged  40. 

j3ec.  2. — A  paragraph  announcing  that  it  was  contemplated 
to  build  a  railroad  from  the  termination  of  the  Lowell  Railroad 
in  Wilmington  to  Andover,  first  published  in  a  Dover  paper. 
The  editor  anticipating  the  possibility  that  the  road  might  in 
time  be  built  to  Dover. 

1835 

Jan.  4. — The  coldest  morning  observed  for  many  years,  the 
thermometer  indicating  28  degrees  below  zero. 

Jan.  31. — Two  boys,  children  of  John  B.  Sargent  and  David 
Bickford,  one  8  and  the  other  6  years  of  age,  drowned  near  the 
Upper  Factory  in  crossing  the  river  on  the  ice. 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor,  Joseph  Healey  373,  William 
Badger  362.  The  rival  parties  from  this  time  were  styled  or 
assumed  the  names  of  Whigs  and  Democrats.  The  Whigs 
previous  to  this  election  had  at  a  State  Convention,  nominated 
Andrew  Peirce  of  Dover,  as  their  candidate  for  Governor.  The 
Democrats  had  nominated  William  Badger.  Mr.  Peirce  de- 
clined the  nomination,  and  Joseph  Healey,  who  had  been  the 
next  highest  candidate  in  the  Convention,  was  recommended  as 
a  substitute  for  Mr.  Peirce,  at  a  County  Convention  held  in 
Dover.  The  result  in  the  State  was  for  Badger  25767,  for 
Healey  14825,  scattering  308. 


236  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1835 

Lithographic  Map  of  the  town,  from  surveys  of  Geo.  L. 
Whitehouse,  published. 

May  I. — "  This  day  a  steeple  clock,  built  by  Benjamin  Morrill 
of  Boscawen,  N.  H.  was  set  going  in  the  tower  of  the  First 
Parish  Meeting  House.  The  cost  of  the  clock  including  dial 
and  fixtures  about  $300.  This  is  the  first  steeple  clock  ever  set 
up  in  Dover.  This  clock  was  paid  for  by  subscriptions  from 
various  persons,  citizens  of  Dover,  and  was  put  up  in  the  tower 
of  the  meeting  house  by  consent  of  the  Parish.  Mr.  Asa  A. 
Tufts  and  Mr.  Geo.  Quint  took  care  of  it  for  several  years,  when 
the  selectmen  agreed  to  pay  some  one  to  keep  it  going." 

( Tufts  Record?) 

June  30. — Bill  to  incorporate  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad 
passed  by  the  Legislature. 

July  5. — John  Kenney,  aged  29,  and  John  Casley,  aged  23, 
drowned  while  bathing  in  the  river  above  the  Upper  Bridge. 

July  14. — Plato  Waldron,  aged  about  56,  (colored)  drowned 
in  the  Cochecho,  near  the  Landing.  Plato  was  born  a  slave  of 
Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron  and  was  probably  about  the  last 
member  of  the  "peculiar  institution"  who  lived  and  died  in 
Dover.  For  many  years  previous  to  his  death  he  was  Janitor 
of  the  Courts  when  in  session  in  the  old  Court  House. 

July  28.— Meeting  held  and  a  committee  appointed  to  con- 
sider and  report  upon  the  subject  of  building  a  railroad  from 
Haverhill  or  Portsmouth  to  Dover. 

Aug.  II. — The  committee  reported  in  favor  of  a  road  from 
Haverhill  and  also  to  Alton  Bay. 

Aug.  22. — Directors  chosen  by  the  grantees  of  the  Boston  & 
Maine  Railroad  at  a  meeting  held  at  Dover  Hotel,  and  on  the 
31st.  books  were  open  for  subscriptions  to  the  stock. 

Dec.  16. — The  coldest  day  on  record  for  many  years.  Ther- 
mometer at  noon  13  degrees  below  zero — average  for  the 
day  -13. 

Dec.  30. — Rev.  Edgar  Buckingham  ordained  as  minister  of 
the  Unitarian  Society. 

Deaths  in  town  this  year  82,  males  24,  females  58. 


1836]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  237 

1836 

Jan.  19. — Rev.  Holmes  Cushman,  a  Methodist  minister  and 
afterwards  a  trader  in  Dover,  was  sentenced  to  the  Massachu- 
setts State  Prison  for  3  years,  for  obtaining  goods  by  false  pre- 
tences in  Boston. 

March  8. — Vote  for  Governor,  Joseph  Healey  317,  Isaac  Hill 
435.  Isaac  Hill,  long  the  editor  of  the  N.  H.  Patriot  and  the 
most  influential  party  leader  in  the  State,  was  elected  Governor 
this  year  without  any  organized  opposition.  He  had  been 
appointed  2d  Controller  of  the  Treasury  by  Gen.  Jackson,  and 
rejected  by  the  Senate,  whereupon  the  N.  H.  Legislature  elected 
him  a  member  of  the  body  which  had  rejected  him.  He  took 
his  seat  in  the  Senate,  but  before  serving  out  his  full  term  he 
was  nominated  for  Governor  and  elected  by  the  following  vote  : 
Hill  24904,  Healey  2566,  George  Sullivan  2344,  scattering  iiii. 

March  10. — Mr.  Daniel  Hayes  was  instantly  killed  while 
adjusting  the  machinery  of  a  steam  grist  mill  on  Young's 
wharf. 

April  2. — Jacob  Ford,  an  old  citizen  of  Dover  Neck,  70 
years  of  age,  was  drowned  at  the  Portsmouth  bridge  by«the 
upsetting  of  his  boat,  in  which  he  was  proceeding  to  that  town, 

April  18. — The  small  pox  was  prevalent  in  Dover  this  year 
and  a  number  of  deaths  occurred  from  it. 

July  4. — Died,  Dr.  George  W.  Kittredge,  aged  36.  His  death 
was  caused  by  his  labors  in  attendance  upon  those  sick  with 
small  pox. 

Ten  thousand  dollars  were  granted  by  Congress  this  year  for 
improving  the  navigation  of  Cochecho  river. 

Steam  Boat  "  Tom  Thumb  "  advertised  to  run  daily  between 
Dover  and  Portsmouth  this  season. 

Nov.  7. — Vote  for  President,  Harrison  140,  Van  Buren  269. 
But  little  opposition  was  made  in  New  Hampshire  to  the  elec- 
tion of  Mr.  Van  Buren  to  the  Presidency.  The  whole  vote  was 
24980.  The  Van  Buren  electors  were  chosen  by  votes  varying 
from  18658  to  18722.  Vote  on  division  of  the  county  of  Straf- 
ford, ayes  19,  nays  19.  For  a  State  Insane  Hospital,  ayes  416, 
nays  3. 

The  coldest  day  of  the  year  was  Feb.  2 — 17  degrees  below 
zero,  average  8)^^  degrees  below.  The  warmest  day,  July  9 — 
98  above,  and  average  81  for  the  day. 


238  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1837 

1837 
Feb.  II. — At  a  public  town  meeting  it  was  voted  to  receive 
the  surplus  revenue  belonging  to  the  town,  which  had  been 
deposited  by  the  General  Government  with  the  State,  and 
William  Woodman  was  appointed  agent  to  receive  the  same. 
The  selectmen  were  appointed  commissioners  to  manage  the 
fund,  the  interest  to  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  the  expenses 
of  the  town.  The  whole  amount  of  this  surplus  deposited  with 
the  States  was  $37468859.97 — of  which  the  sum  assigned  to  New 
Hampshire  was  $892115.71.  Dover's  proportion  was  $14767.79. 
An  attempt  was  made  to  retain  it  in  the  State  Treasury  as  a 
permanent  fund,  to  be  returned  to  the  General  Government  (if 
ever  called  for)  according  to  the  terms  of  the  act,  but  the  Legis- 
lature voted  to  make  the  several  towns  the  custodians,  requiring 
them  to  hold  and  use  it  in  such  manner  as  to  be  able  to  return  it 
when  necessary.  Some  of  them  did  so,  but  most  of  them  finally 
made  another  distribution  by  depositing  it  in  the  pockets  of  the 
people.     Dover  did  this  by  vote  of  the  town  in  May  1838. 

March  14. — Vote  for  Governor,  Isaac  Hill  481,  scattering  2. 
Mr.*  Hill  was  re-elected  Governor  this  year  with  less  opposition 
than  the  previous  year.  Whole  vote  24532.  Isaac  Hill  22361, 
Joseph  Healey  557,  George  Sullivan  458,  scattering  1156.  In 
Dover,  where  the  party  organization  was  generally  very  strin- 
gently maintained,  it  was  so  far  relaxed  that  the  Democratic 
party  elected  their  full  board  of  representatives  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, which  was  a  very  unusual  event  in  its  political  history, 
not  occurring  again  for  many  years. 

May  — Suspension  of  specie  payments  by  the  Banks,  and 
great  excitement  in  business  affairs.  Many  failures  and  a  gen- 
eral suspension  of  manufacturing  operations.  The  Mills  in 
Dover  were  mostly  shut  down  and  a  large  number  of  people 
thrown  out  of  employment.  An  extra  session  of  Congress  was 
called  by  President  Van  Buren. 

May  15. — Died,  Dr.  Samuel  W.  Dow,  aged  34.  Drowned  in 
the  Cochecho,  William  Field,  6  years  of  age. 

June  3. — A  very  severe  thunder  storm,  the  lightning  striking 
in  several  places  in  town,  and  burning  a  barn  in  Madbury,  con- 
taining six  cows. 

July  17. — Died,  Hon.  James  Bartlett,  44. 


1838]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.   H.  239 

July  20. — Died,  Deborah  Coffin,  the  oldest  person  in  town, 
having  been  baptised  Sept.  17,  1738,  She  was  born  in  the 
house  on  Central  street  which  stood  on  the  high  bank  which 
was  dug  away  to  make  room  for  Varney's  block,  and  in  which 
her  ancestors  lived  until  the  great  earthquake  in  1755  shook 
down  the  chimney.  Her  great  grandfather  was  Peter  Coffin, 
whose  garrison  stood  on  the  spot  where  she  was  born,  and 
whose  house  and  mills  were  burnt  when  Major  Waldron  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  in  1689.  It  was  a  tradition  of  the  family 
that  when  the  Indians  entered  his  garrison  four  of  his  hired 
men  attempted  to  put  them  out,  but  the  family  prevented  them 
believing  they  could  trust  the  Indians.  The  Indians  murdered 
the  four  hired  men,  but  spared  all  the  family.  Her  father  had 
ten  children,  the  eighth  of  whom  was  Deborah.  She  remem- 
bered that  when  she  was  young  and  the  women  went  out  to 
milk,  a  man  went  with  them  with  a  gun,  for  fear  of  the  Indians. 
Much  of  the  land  on  Washington  street,  granted  originally  to 
Peter  Coffin,  remained  in  the  family  until  "Aunt  Deborah's" 
death. 

Sept.  9. — A  little  child,  6  years  old,  daughter  of  Wm.  B. 
Hayes,  was  knocked  down  and  trampled  to  death  by  a  team  of 
stage  horses  near  the  New  Hampshire  Hotel. 

Sept.  14. — A  ship  of  about  600  tons  was  launched  from  the 
ship  yard  of  Robert  Rogers  near  the  Gulf  this  day. 

Dec.  8. — The  Universalist  Church  on  3d  street,  built  this 
year,  was  dedicated. 

The  coldest  day  in  the  year  was  Jan.  4. — thermometer  18 
below  zero.     The  warmest  day  July  i — 95  above  zero. 

1838 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  James  Wilson,  jr.  617,  Isaac 
Hill  407.  The  election  was  sharply  contested  this  year  and  a 
large  vote  was  brought  out — the  largest  ever  cast  in  the  State. 
The  opposing  candidates  were  James  Wilson,  Whig,  and  Isaac 
Hill,  Democrat,  who  was  running  for  a  third  term.  Result : 
Whole  vote  54570,  of  which  Wilson  had  25675,  Hill  28697, 
scattering  198. 

The  town  voted  against  a  division  of  the  County  ;  also  against 
calling  a  Convention  for  revising  the  Constitution,  or  for  making 
Town  Clerks  Recorders  of  Deeds — all  of  which  questions  were 
submitted  to  the  voters  by  order  of  the  Legislature. 


240  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1838 

May  9. — The  town  voted  to  loan  the  Surplus  Revenue  depos- 
ited with  the  town  by  the  General  Government,  to  the  legal 
voters  in  equal  proportions. 

May  23. — Rev.  R.  O.  Williams  installed  as  Pastor  of  the 
Universalist  Society. 

June  5. — Rev.  Lucian  Hayden  ordained  as  Pastor  of  the 
Franklin  Street  Baptist  Society. 

July  13. — The  house  of  Mr.  Samuel  Howard  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  burnt  by  a  spark  from  the  chimney — the  first  dwelling 
burnt  in  town  since  1831. 

July  29. — Great  heat — thermometer  97  in  the  shade. 

July  30. — The  house  of  Francis  Drew,  at  Back  river,  burnt. 

Sept.  4. — Great  scarcity  of  water — Mills  shut  down  half  of 
each  day. 

Oct.  25. — Meeting  held  to  secure  the  building  of  the  Boston 
&  Maine  Railroad  from  Exeter  to  Dover,  instead  of  Exeter  to 
Portsmouth. 

Dec.  — The  town  voted  to  subscribe  for  140  shares  in  the 
Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  and  pay  for  the  same  with  the  Surplus 
Revenue. 

Died,  in  Texas,  in  June  of  this  year,  George  Clinton  Durell, 
aged  22,  son  of  Hon.  D.  M.  Durell,  and  Charles  Ela,  aged  27, 
son  of  N.  W.  Ela — supposed  to  have  been  murdered  by  some  of 
the  lawless  desperadoes  of  that  territory,  whither  they  had  gone 
on  a  business  expedition. 

The  Nutter  &  Pierce  brick  block  on  the  corner  of  Washing- 
ton and  Main  streets  (since  purchased  by  the  Manufacturing 
Co.)  was  built  this  year — the  third  brick  block  erected  on  the 
Landing, 

Number  of  arrivals  of  vessels  in  Boston  from  Dover  during 
the  year  97, — larger  than  from  any  other  place  east  of  New  York 
except  Portland. 

Deaths  for  the  year  86. 


1839]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  241 

1839 
Jan.  9. — Died,   Dr.  Jabez    Dow,   aged   63,  an    old    and    well 
known  physician. 

March  12. — ^Vote  for  Governor,  James  Wilson  597,  John  Page 
373,  scattering  5.  On  division  of  the  County,  25  for,  253 
against.  The  whole  vote  of  the  State  was  for  James  Wilson, 
Whig,  23928,  John  Page,  Democrat,  30518,  scattering  562. 

The  town  voted  to  reconsider  the  vote  passed  in  December, 
to  take  stock  in  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad. 

April  . — James  F.  Curtis,  Superintendent  of  the  Boston  and 
Worcester  Railroad,  and  for  several  years  Superintendent  of  the 
Cocheco  Manufacturing  Co.,  was  instantly  killed  by  putting 
his  head  from  the  car  window  near  Boston. 

June  25. — Rev.  Edgar  Buckingham  dissolved  his  connection 
with  the  Unitarian  Society,  and  Rev.  David  Root  his  relations 
with  the  Congregational  Society. 

The  ship  Orinoco,  Captain  Rogers,  (the  last  ship  built  in 
Dover)  was  lost  at  sea,  Sept.  4,  on  her  passage  from  St. 
Petersburg  to  Boston. 

Sept.  12. — Mr.  William  Pidgin  committed  suicide  by  hang- 
ing himself  in  his  barn. 

Oct.  19. — A  town  meeting  was  held  to  see  if  the  town  would 
authorize  the  selectmen  to  pay  the  assessments  on  the  stock  in 
the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  which  they  were  instructed  to 
subscribe  for  at  the  meeting  held  in  December  last.  The  town 
by  a  vote  of  220  to  117,  refused  to  so  instruct. 

Nov.  20. — Rev.  Jeremiah  S.  Young  ordained  over  the  Con- 
gregational Society. 

Dec.  15. — A  very  severe  storm,  causing  great  destruction  to 
shipping. 

The  Cochecho  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co.  was  incorporated 
this  year.  The  Dover  Librar}^  was  opened,  and  St.  Thomas 
Church  organized  ;   Rev.  William  Horton,  Rector. 

Deaths  for  the  year  106. 


242  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1840 

1840 

Feb.  7. — By  a  decisiou  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  the 
Turnpike  from  Dover  to  South  Berwick  was  declared  a  free 
road  from  this  date  and  the  toll-gate  removed. 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor,  Enos  Stevens,  Whig,  579, 
John  Page,  Dem.,  379,  scattering  9.  In  the  State,  Stevens 
20716,  Page  30518,  scattering  562. 

April  3. — Died,  Hon.  John  Wheeler,  aged  70 — for  25  years 
Postmaster  of  Dover,  having  been  appointed  by  Jefferson  in 
1801. 

April  22. — Rev.  John  Parkman  installed  as  minister  of  the 
Unitarian  Church. 

June  17. — Great  Harrison  convention  at  Concord — loooo 
people  present — 200  from  Dover. 

June  24. — Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  opened  to  Exeter. 

June  29. — George  Fletcher,  aged  1 1 ,  drowned  in  the  Cochecho 
while  bathing. 

July  4. — The  day  was  celebrated  with  much  enthusiasm  by 
the  whig  party — a  procession  and  collation,  toasts,  speeches, 
&c.  The  following  sentiment  was  sent  in  by  Dr.  Ezra  Green, 
then  in  his  94th  year,  and  who  at  the  November  election  follow- 
ing, cast  his  last  vote  for  General  Harrison  for  President : 

The  Union  of  all  parties  upon  the  principles  of  the  Revolution  and 
the  Constitution— that  Whig  Principles  may  prevail  among  all  the  People 
—May  the  choice  of  General  William  H.  Harrison  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  be  a  death  blovp  to  all  party  spirit  and  a  revival  of  the 
spirit  of  '75. 

(Received  with  three  times  three  cheers.) 

July  24. — Extreme  heat — the  glass  standing  at  103  in  the 
shade. 

Oct.  16. — Died,  Moses  Hodgdon,  Esq.  Counselor  at  Eaw, 
aged  66— one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  Strafford  Bar,  hav- 
ing commenced  practice  in  1801.  He  had  represented  the  town 
in  the  Legislature  and  at  the  time  of  his  decease  was  President 
of  Strafford  Bank  and  of  the  Savings  Bank  for  the  County  of 
Strafford. 

Oct.  22. — A  store  house  near  Young's  Tannery  on  the  Land- 
ing  burnt,  and  a  large  quantity  of  merchandise  destroyed. 

Nov.  2. — Presidential  election — great  contest  between  Harrison 
and  Van  Buren.     Vote  of  Dover,  Harrison  662,  Van  Buren  412. 


1S41]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  243 

The  Presidential  election  this  j^ear  was  the  greatest  political 
contest  ever  known.  For  manj' weeks  the  whole  country  was 
in  a  blaze  of  excitement.  In  Dover,  as  elsewhere,  the  whole 
population  was  arrayed  in  opposing  parties,  and  great  political 
gatherings  at  which  there  was  speaking  and  singing  of  songs, 
were  of  constant  occurrence.  In  June  200  of  the  voters  of 
Dover  went  in  a  body  to  the  great  Mass  Meeting  in  Concord,  at 
which  more  than  loooo  persons  were  present.  The  whole  vote 
of  the  State  was  for  Harrison  26434,  for  Van  Buren  32671. 
New  Hampshire  was  the  only  Northern  State  which  was  carried 
for  Van  Buren. 

Dec.  23. — Act  passed  by  the  Legislature  to  divide  the  County 
of  Strafford. 

St.  Thomas  Church  built  this  year. 

Deaths  during  the  year  87. 

1841 

Jan.  9. — Benjamin  Hodgdon,  aged  70,  was  instantly  killed 
by  falling  beneath  his  cart  wheel  on  Franklin  square. 

Jan.  26. — Asa  A.  Tufts  appointed  Postmaster  in  place  of 
William  B.  Smith,  resigned. 

March  9. — State  election.  Vote  of  Dover  for  Governor, 
Enos  Stevens  524,  John  Page  368,  Daniel  Hoit  28.  The 
Abolition  or  Free  Soil  party  began  to  make  its  appearance  this 
year.  Result  in  the  State,  John  Page,  Dem.,  291 16,  Enos 
Stevens,  Whig,   21230,   Daniel  Hoit,   Freesoil,  2812,  scattering 

358. 

May  6. — Died,  Hon.  Daniel  M.  Durell,  aged  71.  He  was 
apparently  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  had  ridden  out  on 
horseback  during  the  day,  and  was  seen  walking  on  the  street 
with  his  usual  vigorous  step  until  late  in  the  afternoon.  About 
six  o'clock  he  was  found  by  his  family  dead  in  the  yard  near 
his  residence.  The  deceased  was  one  of  Dover's  most  opulent 
and  distinguished  citizens  and  in  the  course  of  a  long  and 
active  life,  had  filled  many  offices  of  trust  and  importance.  He 
was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College  of  the  class  of  1794.  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Dover  as  early  as  1797- 
From  1807  to  1809  he  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  New 
Hampshire.  He  afterwards  represented  the  town  in  the  State 
Legislature,   and  in   18 14  was  appointed   Chief  Justice  of   the 


244  .  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1842 

First  District  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  which  office  he  held 
until  the  Judiciary  system  was  changed  and  the  Court  abolished. 
In  1830  he  was  appointed  United  States  District  Attorney  for 
New  Hampshire  and  held  the  office  until  1834. 

Aug.  10. — A  very  severe  drought  this  summer. 

Sept.  I. — The  annual  meeting  of  the  Boston  &  Maine  Rail- 
road was  held  in  Dover  for  the  first  time,  on  which  occasion  the 
road  was  opened  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers  to  the  tem- 
porary depot  beyond  the  "deep  cut  "  on  Washington  street. 

Oct.  4. — A  very  severe  storm  doing  much  damage  to  shipping. 
Snow  fell  in  considerable  quantities,  covering  the  tops  of  hills 
and  giving  them  the  aspect  of  midwinter. 

Nov.  20. — The  town  voted  to  distribute  the  Surplus  Revenue, 
except  that  part  which  had  been  appropriated  to  the  payment  of 
poll  taxes,  in  equal  proportions  among  the  legal  voters  of  the 
town  and  the  widows  of  citizens. 

Also  voted  to  erect  a  suitable  Town  House  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  town ;  the  proceeds  of  Town  L,ots  recently  sold  to 
be  used  for  the  purpose  of  building  the  House,  and  the  select- 
men authorized  to  hire  a  sum  not  exceeding  $5000  in  addition 
thereto,,  making  in  all  $10000.  The  County  subsequently 
granted  $3000. 

Deaths  in  Dover  during  the  year  108,  males  53,  females  45, 
unknown  10. 

1842 

Jan.  30. — The  thermometer  at  noon  rose  to  57  above  zero. 
In  the  month  of  Jul}'  last,  at  three  different  times,  it  sunk 
lower. 

March  3.^ — Dennis  Halleran,  aged  50,  was  killed  by  the 
caving  of  the  earth,  while  at  work  in  an  excavation  on  the 
railroad  near  the  village. 

March  8. — State  election. — Vote  for  Governor,  Enos  Stevens 
342,  Daniel  Hoit  138,  Henry  Hubbard  522,  John  H.  White  12. 
The  death  of  President  Harrison  and  the  results  which  followed, 
had  a  marked  effect  upon  the  politics  of  the  State.  Parties 
became  somewhat  mixed.  In  the  election  of  this  year  there 
were  four  organizations  in  the  field  —  the  Whig,  Democratic, 
Independent  Democratic,  and  Free  Soil.  Result  of  the  vote  : 
Henry  Hubbard,  Dera.,  26831,  Enos  Stevens,  Whig,  12234. 
John  H.  White,  Ind.  Dem.,  5869,  Daniel  Hoit,  Free  Soil,  2812, 
scattering  358. 


1842]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  245 

The  selectmen  were  instructed  to  grant  no  licenses  for  the 
sale  of  liquor.  Vote  for  revision  of  State  Constitution  21, 
against  90. 

March  9.— Died,  John  B.  H.  Odiorne,  aged  50— for  many 
years  a  well  known  business  man.  He  was  in  Dartmoor  prison, 
in  England,  at  the  time  of  the  massacre  of  American  prisoners, 
in  the  war  of  181 2. 

March  25. — Rain,  thunder  and  snow,  about  four  inches  of 
the  latter  falling,  which  was  more  than  at  any  one  time  during 
the  winter. 

April  22.— The  thermometer  rose  to  87  in  the  shade  this  day. 

May  '21. — Died,  Captain  Joha  Riley,  aged  61.  He  had 
attended  to  his  usual  business  during  the  day — was  present  at 
a  public  meeting  in  the  evening — retired  to  his  house  about  10 
o'clock,  and  before  another  hour  had  ceased  to  be  numbered 
with  the  living.  For  many  years  he  was  a  selectman  and 
Treasurer  of  the  town,  had  been  its  representative  in  the 
Legislature,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of  the 
Directors  of  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad,  in  the  building 
of  which  he  took  a  deep  interest,  and  to  advance  it  con- 
tributed liberally  and  efficiently,  both  by  his  means  and 
superintendence. 

June  II. — Snow  fell  for  several  hours  on  the  hills  of  New 
Hampshire  this  day. 

June  30.  —The  cars  of  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  crossed 
the  Cochecho  for  the  first  time,  arriving  at  the  new  Depot  on 
Franklin  square  at  io>^  o'clock,  which  with  the  bridge  across 
the  river  was  completed  a  few  days  previously. 

Aug.  29. — The  remains  of  two  skeletons,  supposed  to  be 
those  of  Indians,  were  found  in  digging  down  the  high  bank 
which  stood  where  Orchard  street  funs  into  Central  street,  near 
which  was  also  the  site  of  Peter  Coffin's  garrison  house  in  1689, 

Aug.  30. — Stephen  Tuttle  and  William  Ellison,  young  men 
about  19  years  of  age,  were  drowned  by  the  upsetting  of  their 
boat  near  Dover  Point. 

Sept.  21. — Died,  Hon.  Jeremiah  Smith,  aged  83,  formerly  of 
Exeter,  but  for  the  last  years  of  his  life  a  resident  of  Dover. 
He  was  a  representative  in  Congress  during  Washington's 
administration,  for  many  years  a  Judge  of  the  United  States 


246  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1843 

and  State  Courts,  and  Governor  of  the  State.  Few  citizens 
were  more  widely  known  as  a  Statesman  and  Jurist,  and  none 
ever  left  behind  them  a  more  enduring  reputation. 

Oct.  6. — ^The  corner  stone  of  the  new  Town  Hall  was  laid 
this  day,  on  which  occasion  appropriate  remarks  were  made  by 
Hon.  John  P.  Hale.  A  variety  of  pamphlets,  papers,  coins  and 
other  matters,  were  deposited  in  a  box  under  the  corner  stone, 
including  a  sketch  of  Dover,  map  of  the  village,  list  of  Town 
Officers,  newspapers  published  in  town,  &c. 

Nov.  i8. — Michael  Powers,  aged  6o,  killed  by  the  caving  of 
the  earth  while  digging  on  the  railroad  near  the  deep  cut  on 
Washington  street. 

Deaths  during  the  year  153 — males  60,  females  93. 

1843 

Jan.  2. — Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  completed  to  the  Junction 
in  Berwick. 

Feb.  21.— Died,  Nathaniel  W.  Ela,  aged  77,  for  nearly  half  a 
century  the  keeper  of  a  well  known  hotel  on  the  lyanding. 

March  14. — Vote  for  Governor,  Anthony  Colby  256,  Daniel 
Hoit  174,  Henry  Hubbard  459,  John  H.  White  44.  The  vote 
in  the  State  this  year  was  as  follows  :  Henry  Hubbard,  Dem., 
23050;  Anthony  Colby,  Whig,  12551;  John  H.  White,  Ind. 
Dem.,  5497;   Daniel  Hoit,  Freesoil,  3402;  scattering  83. 

March  28. — The  snow  in  the  upper  part  of  the  State  was  five 
feet  deep  on  a  level  at  this  time,  and  it  was  remarked  that  there 
had  not  been  so  much  on  the  ground  so  late  in  the  season  for 
forty  years. 

jijly  4. — The  new  Town  Hall  opened  to  the  public  for  the 
first  time  on  the  occasion  of  a  great  Temperance  Celebration  by 
the  "Martha  Washington  \ssociation  of  Dover." 

July  17.— Died,  in  Boston,  John  Williams,  aged  63,  for 
several  years  the  agent  of  the  Manufacturing  Co.  in  Dover  and 
largely  interested  in  the  establishment  of  the  business  in  this 
place. 

July  24. — At  a  town  meeting  held  in  the  new  Town  Hall,  the 
town  voted  to  convey  to  the  County  of  Strafford,  the  use  of  the 
Court  Room  with  the  necessary  rooms  for  County  Officers,  Jury 
Rooms,  &c.  so  long  as  the  Court  shall  sit  in  Dover,  upon  the 
payment  of  $3000. 


1844]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  247 

Aug.  I. — The  Court  held  its  first  term  in  the  new  Court 
Room. 

Sept.  1 6. — The  town  voted  to  purchase  four  acres  of  land  on 
the  north  side  of  Cochecho  river  for  a  Burying  Ground,  and 
authorized  the  selectmen  to  lay  out  the  same  into  lots.  (This 
land  was  on  Fifth  street.  The  Burying  Ground,  after  being 
used  for  a  short  time,  was  found  unsuitable  for  the  purpose  and 
was  abandoned  and  sold.) 

Sept.  19. — Phebe  Hanson  murdered  by  Andrew  Howard  in 
Rochester.  Howard  was  arrested  on  the  20th  and  committed 
to  jail  in  Dover.  On  Oct.  20,  he  made  an  attempt  to  hang  him- 
self in  his  cell  with  his  handkerchief,  and  was  cut  down  in 
season  barely  to  save  his  life. 

Sept.  21. — The  new  Freewill  Baptist  Meeting  House  on 
Washington  street  was  dedicated  this  day.  (This  was  the 
building  afterwards  converted  into  the  Freewill  Baptist  Printing 
Establishment,  which  had  an  office  in  the  basement  when 
originally  built.) 

Dec.  30. — The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  sell  the  old 
Court  House  and  lot  for  the  benefit  of  the  town. 

About  100  tenements  were  built  in  different  parts  of  the  town 
this  year,  a  larger  number  than  had  been  erected  in  any  year 
since  1825.     Also  the  Stafford  Bank  blbck. 

Deaths  during  the  year  105 — males  43,  females  62. 

1844 

Jan.  3. — Moses  W.  Ham  of  Farraington,  left  Dover  in  the 
evening  for  his  home  during  a  severe  storm,  and  was  found 
dead  the  next  morning  near  Gage's  hill,  with  his  horse  and 
sleigh  near  by. 

Jan.  16. — Fire  in  Harper's  Furniture  Store  (Badgers  building) 
which  came  near  destroying  the  Enquirer  office. 

Feb.  3. — Mr.  B.  A.  Ford  passed  with  a  horse  and  sleigh  on 
the  ice  from  Dover  Neck  to  Newington,  a  circumstance  which 
had  not  before  occurred  for  30  years.  Winter  very  severe  and 
Boston  harbor  frozen  over  so  that  a  canal  had  to  be  cut  to  admit 
the  passage  of  vessels. 

Feb.  12. — Died,  Captain  William  Flagg,  aged  74.  In  early 
life  he  was  an  oflScer  in  the  naval  service  of  his  country,  for 
which  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  received  a  pension  from  the 


248  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1844 

Government.  He  was  afterwards  an  enterprising  shipmaster, 
and  long  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow 
citizens. 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  John  H.  Steele  581,  Anthony 
Colby  351,  Daniel  Hoit  109,  John  H.  White  20.  Result  in  the 
State,  John  H.  Steele,  Dem.,  25986;  Anthony  Colby,  Whig, 
14750;  Daniel  Hoit,  Freesoil,  5767  ;  John  H.  White,  Ind.  Dem., 
1988  ;  scattering  201. 

April  5. — A  man  named  Ira  Libbey  was  found  drowned  in  a 
small  pond  at  the  west  end  of  the  Town  Hall  (where  Locust 
street  now  runs),  and  where  he  had  fallen  the  previous  night  in 
a  state  of  intoxication. 

Aug.  12. — Andrew  Howard  tried  for  the  murder  of  Phebe 
Hanson  ;  the  jury  failing  to  agree  he  was  remanded  to  prison. 

Nov.  4. — Vote  for  President,  Henry  Clay  562  ;  James  K. 
Polk  456;  James  G.  Birney  61.  The  Whig  party  made  a 
gallant  but  unavailing  effort  to  carry  the  country  for  its  greatest 
leader— Henry  Clay— in  this  his  last  contest  for  the  Presidency. 
In  the  State  the  vote  was  for  Clay  17776;  for  Polk  27762  ;  for 
Birney,  the  Freesoil  candidate,  7559- 

The  Priutery  of  the  Manufacturing  Co.  on  Payne  street  was 
erected  this  year,  also  Varney's  Block,  and  Union  Block,  on 
Central  street,  and  Railroad  Block  on  Franklin  Square. 

Thomas  W.  Waldron,  aged  30,  the  United  States  Consul  and 
Naval  Agent  at  Canton,  died  at  Hong  Kong,  China,  Sept.  8. 
He  was  son  of  Daniel  Waldron  late  of  Dover,  the  last  possessor 
of  the  Waldron  Homestead. 

Deaths  during  the  year  121— males  55,  females  66.  Among 
those  who  died  was  Lewis  Colbath  (at  the  alms  house),  a  brother 
of  a  future  Vice  President  of  the  United  States. 


1845]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  249 

1845 

Jan.  7. — Hon.  John  P.  Hale's  letter  to  his  constituents  against 
the  annexation  of  Texas,  published. 

Feb.  5. — Andrew  Howard  was  again  tried  for  the  murder  of 
Phebe  Hanson,  when  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  wilful 
murder. 

March  11.— Vote  for  Governor,  Anthony  Colby  557  ;  John  H. 
Steele  385  ;  Daniel  Hoit  109;  scattering  6.  Vote  of  the  State, 
Steele,  Dem.,  23406;  Colby,  Whig,  15579;  Hoit,  Freesoil,  5786; 
scattering  994. 

John  P.  Hale,  who  had  been  nominated  for  re-election  to  Con- 
gress by  the  Democratic  party,  was  at  this  election  dropped  from 
the  ticket,  and  John  Woodbury  substituted,  in  consequence  of 
Mr.  Hale's  refusal  to  go  with  the  party  in  voting  for  the  annex- 
ation of  Texas.  A  portion  of  the  party,  consisting  of  those  who 
approved  of  his  opposition  to  the  extension  of  slavery,  voted  for 
him,  and  succeeded  in  defeating  his  opponent,  leaving  a  vacancy 
in  the  delegation. 

May  2. — During  a  heavy  blow  an  apple  tree,  known  as  the 
great  Wingate  apple  tree,  standing  on  the  farm  of  William  P. 
Wingate,  on  the  Neck  road,  was  prostrated  to  the  earth.  This 
tree,  from  authentic  tradition,  is  supposed  to  have  been  nearly 
200  years  old.  It  measured  i6}4  feet  in  circumference,  and  has 
been  known  to  bear  40  bushels  of  apples  a  year  in  succession. 
One  year  it  bore  60  bushels,  and  it  has  probably  averaged  30 
bushels  a  year  for  150  years.  The  farm  on  which  it  stood  was 
first  settled  by  John  Wingate,  the  ancestor  of  all  the  Wingates, 
in  1658  or  9,  and  has  always  remained  in  the  hands  of  his 
descendants. 

June  25. — The  steam  mill  of  James  Davis  on  Union  street 
burnt. 

July  I. — Thomas  Stackpole  appointed  Postmaster  in  place  of 
Asa  A.  Tufts,  resigned. 

July  9. — Rev.  Homer  Barrows  installed  as  pastor  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church. 

July  10. — During  a  heavy  thunder  shower  a  hail  storm  passed 
over  Dover  Neck,  in  which  hail  stones  fell  resembling  large 
pieces  of  icicles — one  measuring  8  ^/lo  inches  in  length  and 
7  ^  in  circumference.  The  vein  was  apparently  but  two  or 
three  miles  wide. 


250  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1846 

Very  hot  weather,  the  thermometer  rising  as  high  as  104. 
The  rails  on  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad  near  Andover,  Mass. 
expanded  so  much  by  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun  as  to  throw 
them  from  their  places. 

Aug.  II. — Andrew  Howard  sentenced  to  be  hung  on  the  12th 
of  November  next. 

Nov.  12. — All  the  necessary  preparations  for  the  execution  of 
Andrew  Howard  this  day,  were  made.  The  gallows  was 
erected  in  the  jail  yard,  and  there  was  a  collection  of  several 
thousand  persons  to  witness  the  execution,  when  the  reprieve  of 
the  prisoner  to  the  8th  of  July,  1846,  was  announced. 

The  old  Court  House  was  sold  this  year  and  converted  into 
tenements,  having  first  been  turned  around,  as  it  was  originally 
built  to  face  the  south. 

There  was  great  political  excitement  in  the  town  and  State 
this  year,  in  consequence  of  the  abandonment  by  John  P.  Hale 
of  the  Democratic  party  on  the  Texas  question.  Two  .special 
elections  were  held  for  member  of  Congress  (in  Sept.  and  Nov.) 
at  neither  of  which  was  there  a  choice. 

Deaths  during  the  year  99. 

1846 

Feb.  4. — Mr.  Plumer  Hayes  was  killed  by  his  head  coming 
in  contact  with  a  circular  saw  in  Davis's  steam  mill. 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor,  Anthony  Colby  650 ;  Jared 
W.  Williams  377;  Nathaniel  S.  Berry  237.  Hon.  John  P.  Hale 
was  elected  a  representative  to  the  lyCgislature,  which  subse- 
quently elected  him  its  Speaker  and  then  Senator  in  Congress. 
The  Democratic  party,  after  ruling  the  State  for  seventeen 
years,  was  this  year  defeated  in  its  election  of  Governor.  The 
vote  was  for  Jared  W.  Williams,  Dem.,  26740;  Anthony  Colby, 
Whig,  17707;  Nathaniels.  Berry,  Freesoil,  10379;  scattering 
568.  There  being  no  choice,  the  Legislature,  which  contained 
an  anti-democratic  majority,  elected  Anthony  Colby. 

June  28. — Dr.  Ezra  Green  completed  his  looth  year  this  day, 
on  which  occasion  Rev.  S.  K.  lyOthrop  of  Boston,  preached  a 
commemorative  sermon  at  the  Unitarian  Church,  and  afterwards 
administered  the  sacrament  at  the  house  of  the  venerable 
centenarian. 


1846]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  251 

July  4. — Two  young  men  belonging  in  Great  Falls  were 
knocked  from  the  top  of  a  railroad  car  in  passing  a  bridge  in 
Dover,  and  so  severely  injured  that  both  died  soon  after. 

July  8. — Andrew  Howard  was  hung  in  the  jail  yard  for  the 
murder  of  Phebe  Hanson  Sept.  19,  1843. 

Aug.  25. — A  smart  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  felt  in  many 
places.  To  those  within  doors  it  sounded  like  a  carriage  driven 
violently  over  the  ground,  or  the  departure  of  a  heavy  train  of 
railroad  cars,  for  which  it  was  at  the  time  by  many  mistaken. 

Oct.  13.— A  friendly  address  to  the  people  of  Dover,  from  the 
people  of  Dover,  in  England,  in  favor  of  peace,  was  received  by 
the  selectmen  and  published  in  the  Enquirer. 

Oct.  31. — A  dwelling  house  and  barn  with  a  yoke  of  oxen,  a 
cow,  and  a  large  quantity  of  hay,  belonging  to  Moses  Whittier 
on  Academy  (Waldron)  street,  were  burnt.  The  same  night 
another  barn  belonging  to  the  same  person,  a  mile  distant,  at 
Whittier's  B'alls,  was  burnt.  Both  fires  were  caused  by  incen- 
diaries, for  the  detection  of  whom  the  selectmen  were  author- 
ized to  offer  a  reward  of  $500. 

Dec.  12. — The  town  voted  to  enlarge  the  Burying  Ground  on 
Pine  Hill  by  purchasing  adjoining  lands. 

An  ancient  dwelling  house,  standing  on  the  corner  of  Silver 
and  High  (now  Locust)  streets,  pulled  down  this  year,  was  sup- 
posed to  be  one  of  the  oldest  buildings  in  town,  if  not  the  old- 
est. It  is  said  to  have  been  built  by  the  Society  of  Friends  in 
the  early  part  of  1700,  as  a  place  of  business  or  worship,  prob- 
ably for  both.  The  first  Friends'  meeting  house  in  town  was 
built  prior  to  1700,  and  stood  on  Dover  Neck,  about  half  a  mile 
north  of  the  old  fort,  or  meeting  house,  built  by  the  first  settlers 
of  the  town  in  1633.  This  house  was  taken  down  about  the 
year  1700,  and  the  frame  and  principal  materials  carried  across 
the  river  and  rebuilt  for  a  Friends'  Society  in  Eliot,  (then  a  part 
of  Kittery).  The  second  Friends'  meeting  house,  which  was 
the  one  above  alluded  to  on  Silver  street,  must  have  been  built 
soon  after  the  first,  or  at  least  some  years  prior  to  1720  :  for  it 
appears  by  their  records  that  in  December  of  that  year,  they 
agreed  "to  repair  their  house  at  Cochecho,"  as  this  part  of 
Dover  was  then  and  for  many  years  after  universally  called,  to 
distinguish  it  from  the  Neck,  Oyster  river,  &c.  At  that  time 
(1720)  the  Friends  held    meetings   both  at    Dover  Neck    and 


252  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1847 

Cochecho,  constituting  then  about  one  third  of  the  population. 
The  present  Friends'  meeting  house  was  built  about  1770,  at 
which  time  probably,  the  house  on  Silver  street  like  the  one  on 
the  Neck,  ceased  to  be  used,  and  was  converted  into  a  dwelling. 

The  Cochecho  Bank  block  and  Tetherly's  block  were  erected 
this  year. 

By  a  census  of  the  town  taken  this  year  by  the  selectmen,  the 
population  was  found  to  be  81 17,  an  increase  of  1659  since 
1840. 

Deaths  during  the  year  107 — males  53,  females  54. 

1847 
Feb.  18. — Died,  Stephen  Hanson,  aged  73.  He  left  his  house 
in  the  morning,  went  down  town  and  transacted  some  business 
and  was  returning  home.  When  near  the  Congregational 
meeting  house,  at  the  corner,  he  fell  and  expired  in  a  few  min- 
utes. He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  was 
extensively  known  as  a  business  man,  having  taken  a  leading 
part  in  the  introduction  of  the  manufacturing  business  into  the 
place. 

March  9. — Vote  for  Governor,  Anthony  Colby  679,  J.  W. 
Williams  457,  Nathaniel  S.  Berry  188,  scattering  2.  The  Dem- 
ocrats, at  this  election,  regained  the  State,  electing  their  Gov- 
ernor, Jared  W.  Williams,  over  all  opposition.  The  vote  was  : 
Williams  30806;  Colby  21 109;  Berry  8531;  scattering  54. 
Majority  for  Williams  1212. 

The  town  voted  to  raise  a  sum  not  exceeding  3}^  per  cent  in 
addition  to  the  amount  required  for  the  support  of  schools,  to  be 
appropriated  for  a  Teachers'  Institute  in  the  county. 

March  28. — A  public  meeting  held  for  the  relief  of  the  people 
of  Ireland,  who  were  suffering  from  the  famine  occasioned  by 
the  potato  rot.  A  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  raised 
by  subscription  about  $2500,  besides  a  considerable  amount  of 
provisions  and  clothing. 

April  17. — The  Calico  Printery  at  Bellamy  burnt.  Loss  four 
to  five  thousand  dollars.     Insured. 

June  I. — The  wires  for  the  magnetic  telegraph  from  Boston  to 
Portland  put  up  and  an  office  opened  in  town. 

July  2. — President  Polk  and  suite  passed  through  Dover  this 
day,  in  a  special  train,  on  his  way  to  Portland. 


1S47]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  253 

July  25. — Died,  Dr.  Ezra  Green,  aged  loi  years  and  28  days. 
Dr.  Green  was  born  in  Maiden,  Mass.  June  17,  1746,  O.  S.,  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  College  1765,  and  settled  in  Dover  as  a  physi- 
cian in  1767.  He  served  in  the  Army  and  Navy  five  years  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  sailing  with  the  celebrated  Captain 
Paul  Jones  in  the  "  Ranger,"  but  ever  afterwards  lived  in  Dover, 
where  he  was  held  in  great  respect.  For  many  years  in  early 
life,  having  given  up  the  practice  of  his  profession,  he  was  the 
principal  merchant  or  trader,  going  once  or  twice  in  the  season 
to  Boston  to  purchase  his  most  valuable  goods.  He  was  the  first 
Postmaster  appointed  for  the  town  by  President  Washington, 
and  held  the  office  until  he  voluntarily  resigned  it  during  Mr. 
Jefferson's  administration.  He  attended  church  regularly  al- 
most up  to  the  last  years  of  his  life,  was  accustomed  to  vote  in 
town  meetings  when  he  was  nearly  one  hundred  years  old, 
and  took  a  lively  interest  in  public  affairs  as  long  as  he  lived. 

Sept.  2. — Mr.  John  Savil  instantly  killed  in  front  of  the  U.  S. 
Hotel  (later  Cochecho  Bank)  on  Franklin  Square,  by  the  falling 
of  a  pair  of  sheers  with  which  he  was  engaged,  with  others,  in 
hoisting  a  sign  post. 

Nov.  30. — The  Strafford  Bank  removed  from  its  old  location 
near  the  Dover  Hotel,  to  Central  Square. 

Dec.  27. — A  row  of  wooden  stores  north  of  the  American 
House,  on  Franklin  Square,  burnt  on  a  very  cold  night.  L,oss 
about  $6000. 

A  charter  for  the  Cochecho  Railroad  from  Dover  to  Alton  was 
obtained  this  year. 

Deaths  during  the  year  217 — of  which  108  occurred  in  about 
eight  weeks  between  July  20  and  Sept.  10,  principally  children. 
Two  children  were  drowned  in  the  summer  by  falling  into  the 
river,  and  one  in  the  winter  while  skating. 


254  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1848 

1848 
March  1 1. — A  public  meeting  in  the  Town  Hall,  at  which  the 
war  with  Mexico,  the  Texas  question,  &c.  were  discussed  by 
General  Sam  Houston  and  Horace  Greeley. 

March  14- — Vote  for  Governor,  Nathaniel  S.  Berry  780,  Jared 
W.  Williams  488,  scattering  29.  In  the  State,  Williams  32245; 
Berry  28829  ;  scattering  468. 

April  5.— The  freight  house  of  the  Boston  &  Maine  R.  R.  in 
Dover,  burnt,  destroying  property  stored  in  it  estimated  at  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

May  I. — The  old  Somersworth  meeting  house,  near  the  Dover 
line,  burnt  by  an  incendiary.  It  was  built  in  1780,  and  stood 
on  the  site  of  the  former  house  which  was  struck  by  lightning 
and  burnt  in  1779.  A  parsonage  house,  standing  near,  was 
burnt  in  181 2,  with  the  communion  plate  and  parish  library. 

Oct.  17. — The  Post  Office  was  removed  from  Cocheco  Block 
to  Marston's  Block. 

Nov.  7. — Vote  for  President,  Zachery  Taylor  527,  Lewis  Cass 
455,  Martin  Van  Buren  149.  In  the  State,  Taylor  14789,  Cass 
27762,  Van  Buren  7559. 

jq-Qv.  8. — Died,  Hon.  William  Hale,  in  the  84th  year  of  his 
age.  Mr.  Hale  was  one  of  Dover's  oldest,  wealthiest  and  most 
respected  citizens.  He  represented  the  State  in  Congress  two 
years  from  1809  to  181 1,  and  four  years  from  18 13  to  18 17,  and 
filled  at  different  times  the  offices  of  Representative,  Senator  and 
Counsellor  under  the  State  Government— the  duties  of  which 
he  discharged  with  honor  to  himself  and  to  the  acceptance  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  Few  men  ever  lived  in  the  community  whose 
integrity  and  worth  commanded  more  respect,  and  none  have 
departed  from  among  us  who  have  filled  up  the  measure  of  their 
days  more  honorably  to  themselves,  or  more  usefully  to  their 
fellow  men.      {E?iquirer.) 

Dec.  13. — Mr.  Jeremy  Young,  aged  about  60,  of  the  well 
known  firm  of  N.  &  J.  Young,  was  accidentally  drowned  in  the 
Cochecho. 

The  lower  Bridge  was  rebuilt  this  year  at  an  expense  of  $1400. 
The  "Badger  Building"  a  brick  block  of  three  stories,  con- 
taining stores,  offices,  &c.  built  by  Joseph  Badger  in  1825,  and 
standing  just  west  of  the  bridge,  was  taken  down,  and  the  store 
house  of  the  Cocheco  Manf .  Co.  built. 

Surveys  for  a  railroad  from  Dover  to  Portsmouth  were  made. 


1849]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  255 

1849 

Feb.  I. — S.  S.  Moulton  appointed  Postmaster  in  place  of 
Thomas  Stackpole,  resigned. 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  Levi  Chamberlain  618, 
Samuel  Dinsmoor  486,  Nathaniel  S.  Berry  139.  In  the  State, 
Dinsmoor  30107,  Chamberlain  18784,  Berry  7045,  scattering  117. 

May  14. — Died,  Eunice  Varney,  aged  99  years,  5  months,  21 
days — a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  the  oldest  person 
in  town. 

July  I. — George  T.  Wentworth,  appointed  Postmaster,  in 
place  of  S.  S.  Moulton,  removed. 

July  3. — The  town  of  Rollinsford,  formerly  part  of  Dover, 
and  afterwards  of  Somersworth,  set  off  and  incorporated. 

July  13. — Died  in  Madbury,  Catherine  Evans,  widow  of  Sol- 
omon Evans,  aged  102  years  and  two  months,  a  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends.  She  was  born  in  Dover  May  1747,  when 
Madbury  was  a  part  of  Dover. 

July  23. — A  great  drought  this  summer,  and  great  heat. 
Several  persons  in  Barrington  and  other  towns,  are  recorded  as 
dying  from  sun  stroke  while  at  work  in  their  fields. 

July  31. — Died,  Alfred  I.  Sawyer,  aged  49 — a  useful  and 
enterprising  citizen,  and  the  founder  of  the   "Sawyer  Woolen 

Mills." 

Aug.  3. — The  day  was  observed  as  a  National  Fast,  on  the 
recommendation  of  President  Taylor,  on  account  of  the  ravages 
of  the  cholera. 

Sept.  18. — The  Cochecho  Railroad  was  opened  to  Farming- 
ton  for  public  travel  this  day — the  first  ground  upon  it  having 
been  broken  in  May  1848, 

Oct.  8. — The  mountains  and  highlands  in  various  parts  of  the 
State  covered  by  an  early  snow  storm. 

Nov.  18. — Rev.  John  Parkman  closed  his  connection  with  the 
Unitarian  Society. 

The  "  Upper  Factory,"  the  first  erected  in  town,  having  been 
for  some  time  disused,  was  taken  down  this  year. 


256  NOTABLE  EVENTS     IN    THE  [1850 

1850 

Jan.  6. — Died  in  Concord,  Jeremiah  Stickney,  aged  85.  He 
was  the  first  person  to  introduce  the  manufacture  of  cotton  and 
woolen  hand  cards  in  Dover,  having  established  the  business 
here  as  early  as  1798,  in  a  building  which  stood  where  No.  2 
Factory  now  stands.  For  many  years  he  employed  a  large 
number  of  persons,  principally  children,  in  the  manufacture  of 
cards,  the  teeth  of  which  were  then  set  by  hand.  The  manu- 
facture of  cards  by  machinery,  which  invention  was  introduced 
about  1820,  superseded  the  old  process,  and  he  gave  up  the 
business. 

Jan.  II.— The  Dry  Goods  Store  of  H.  S.  Plumer  &  Co.  in 
Cocheco  Block,  burnt.  Loss  estimated  at  figooo — insurance 
$5000. 

March  i. — A  very  mild  winter,  but  little  snow  having  fallen, 
and  the  mercury  falling  to  zero  but  twice. 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  Levi  Chamberlain  619,  Sam- 
uel Dinsmoor  504,  Nathaniel  S.  Berry  138.  In  the  State,  Dins- 
moor  30751,  Chamberlain  18512,  Berry  6472,  scattering  54. 

April  16. —  "Six  inches  of  snow  on  the  ground,  and  the 
weather  more  like  midwinter  than  the  middle  of  the  second 
month  of  spring." 

April  20. — At  a  town  meeting  held  to  see  if  the  town  would 
vote  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  a  City  charter,  the  meeting 
voted  by  a  large  majority  to  dissolve.  At  another  meeting  held 
May  25,  the  matter  was  again  indefinitely  postponed. 

Oct.  8. — The  following  were  elected  Delegates  to  the  Con- 
vention to  revise  the  Constitution  of  the  State  :  Andrew  Peirce, 
Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Asa  Freeman,  Shubael  Varney,  Wm. 
Plaisted  Drew,  John  H.  Wiggins. 

The  High  School  in  District  No.  2  was  established,  and  the 
School  House,  near  the  upper  bridge,  erected  this  year. 


1851]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.  H.  257 

1851 

March  11. — Vote  for  Governor,  Thomas  E.  Sawyer  719, 
Samuel  Dinsmoor  472,  John  Atwood  52,  scattering  5.  Thomas 
E.  Sawyer,  of  Dover,  was  the  whig  candidate  for  Governor  this 
year,  and  there  was  no  choice  by  the  people.  The  vote  was 
for  Dinsmoor,  Dem.,  27425;  Sawyer,  Whig,  18458;  Atwood. 
Freesoil,  12049;  scattering  179.  Mr.  Atwood  had  been  the 
regular  nominee  of  the  democrats,  but  failing  to  meet  all  re- 
quirements on  the  slavery  question,  he  had  been  "disestab- 
lished "  and  Dinsmoor  taken  up  in  his  place.  The  Legislature, 
containing  a  Democratic  majority,  elected  Dinsmoor. 

March  12. — Charles  Colby,  aged  20,  in  attempting  to  jump 
upon  the  cars  at  the  depot,  was  instantly  killed. 

April  5. — A  boy  about  8  years  old,  son  of  Patrick  McKear- 
ney,  fell  into  a  well  at  the  foot  of  Payne  street,  and  was 
drowned. 

April  was  a  stormy  month;  Minot's  Rock  Lighthouse  and 
two  Keepers  were  swept  away  on  the  17th,  and  there  was  a 
north  east  snow  storm  on  the  20th.     Trees  in  bloom  May  11. 

May  7. — Rev.  Henry  S.  Bond  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Uni- 
tarian Church. 

May  19. — The  barn  of  Mr.  John  Guppy  burnt  by  an  incen- 
diary fire,  and  with  it  2  horses,  4  oxen,  3  cows,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  hay. 

Aug.  30. — The  Cochecho  Railroad  was  opened  from  Farm- 
ington  to  Alton  Bay,  and  the  steamer  Dover,  which  was  built 
this  year,  commenced  running  from  Alton  Bay  to  Wolfborough 
and  Centre  Harbor. 

Sept.  2. — The  barn  of  Mr.  Paul  Randall  on  South  Pine 
street,  w^as  struck  by  lightning  and  entirely  consumed. 

Sept.  9. — Incendiary  fires  being  very  prevalent  at  this  time, 
a  town  meeting  was  held  at  which  the  selectmen  were  author- 
ized to  offer  suitable  rewards  for  the  apprehension  of  the 
incendiaries,  and  to  appoint  a  night  watch  and  committee  of 
vigilance. 

Oct.  27. — "There  was  a  smart  snow  storm  early  this  morn- 
ing— a  thing  of  rare  occurrence  in  this  latitude,  in  October." 

{Enquirer^ 


258  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1852 

Nov.  21. — Three  men,  Samuel  T.  Twombly,  engineer, 
Charles  Young,  fireman,  and  Richard  M'Clusky,  repair  hand, 
were  killed  on  the  Cocliecho  Railroad,  near  Rochester,  the 
engine  falling  into  a  culvert  which  had  been  washed  away  by  a 
heavy  rain. 

The  Cochecho  Bank  was  incorporated  this  year. 


1852 

March  9. — Vote  for  Governor,  Thomas  E.  Sawyer  723,  Noah 
Martin  491,  John  Atwood  126,  scattering  2.  Both  of  the  can- 
didates of  the  leading  parties  were  from  Dover  this  year.  The 
vote  of  the  State  was  for  Martin,  Dem.,  30807  ;  Sawyer,  Whig, 
19850;   Atwood,  Freesoil,  9479;  scattering  269. 

A  petition  for  a  division  of  the  town,  so  as  to  make  Dover 
Neck,  Back  River,  &c.  a  new  town  by  the  name  of  South 
Dover,  was  indefinitely  postponed.  On  the  question  of  amend- 
ing the  Constitution,  by  abolishing  the  religious  test,  the  town 
voted  yeas  472,  nays  220.  On  abolishing  the  property  qualifica- 
tion, yeas  570,  nays  119.  On  making  future  amendments  to  the 
Constitution  by  the  Legislature,  yeas  598,  nays  113. 

These  votes  were  on  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution  sub- 
mitted to  the  people,  for  a  second  time,  by  the  Convention  of 
1851,  when  the  only  one  which  was  adopted  was  that  abolishing 
the  property  qualification. 

April  2. — The  body  of  a  woman  was  found  dead  in  the  river, 
about  four  miles  below  the  landing,  apparently  from  40  to  45 
years  of  age.  No  marks  of  violence  were  found  on  her  person, 
and  she  was  buried  by  the  town  authorities  in  the  Dover  Neck 
burying  ground. 

April  5. — Nearly  a  foot  of  snow,  much  drifted,  detaining  the 
cars  on  the  railroad  four  hours.  It  was  nearly  six  months 
between  the  first  and  last  snow  of  this  winter — one  of  the  long- 
est and  severest  ever  remembered. 

April  10 — Five  men  belonging  in  Durham  were  drowned  near 
Dover  Point,  by  the  upsetting  of  their  boat,  which  was  deeply 
laden  and  the  wind  blowing  violently  at  the  time.  Their  names 
were  Elliot  G.  and  Pillow  Burnham,  father  and  son,  George 
Bunker,  Edward  Furness  and  Stephen  Garland. 


1852]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  259 

A  very  severe  storm  which  continued  nearly  a  week,  com- 
menced April  ID,  raising  the  streams  so  high  as  to  overflow 
their  banks,  and  compelling  the  Factories  to  suspend  work. 
Bridges  were  carried  away  and  much  other  damage  done. 

April  22.— The  Paper-hanging  manufactory  of  Crawford  & 
Busby  on  Fifth  street  was  burnt.     Loss  about  $4500. 

May  —Rev.  Homer  Barrows,  pastor  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  resigned.  Incendiary  fires  prevailed  at  this  time. 
The  barns  on  the  Cofhn  place  and  the  Ham  field,  burnt. 

June  16.— Candace  Waldron,  born  a  slave  in  the  family  of 
Thomas  W.  Waldron  in  1781,  died,  aged  71.  William  H. 
aged  10,  son  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  W.  Cowan,  drowned  in  Back 
river. 

Surveys  for  a  railroad  from  Dover  to^Portsmouth  were  made 
at  this  time,  and  it  was  estimated  that  the  road  could  be  built 
for  $200000. 

Oct.  7. — Five  persons  killed  and  a  large  number  badly  injured 
by  a  railroad  collision  near  the  Wiers — among  whom  were  John 
H.  Smith  (killed)  and  Richard  B.  Cater  (injured  and  died  two 
days  after)  of  Dover. 

Nov.  2.— Vote  for  President,  Winfield  Scott  637,  Franklin 
Pierce  471,  John  P.  Hale  137.  Vote  in  the  State,  Scott,  Whig, 
15540;  Pierce,  Dem.,  28884;   Hale,  Freesoil,  6568. 

Nov.  27. — The  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  distinctly  felt, 
resembling  the  rattling  of  carriage  wheels  on  frozen  ground. 

Deaths  during  the  year  144. 


260  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1853 

1853 
Jan.    12. — Rev.   Benjamin  F.   Parsons    installed  as  pastor  of 
the  First  Congregational  Church. 

Feb.  8. — A  very  mild  winter,  but  little  snow,  and  the  river 
broke  up  this  day,  after  being  closed  but  43  days. 

March  8. — Vote  for  Governor,  James  Bell,  Whig,  653  ;  Noah 
Martin,  Dem.,  474  ;  John  H.  White,  Freesoil,  135  ;  scattering  3. 
No  choice  of  Representatives  to  lyCgislature.  In  the  State, 
Bell  17590;   Martin  30934  ;   White  7995 ;  scattering  47. 

June  3. — Jonathan  I,ittlefield,  aged  22,  was  drowned  while 
bathing  in  the  Cochecho,  near  the  railroad  bridge. 

June  24. — Died,  Miss  Elisabeth  Coffin,  aged  68.  She  was  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Peter  Coffin  and  the  last  retaining  the 
family  name  in  Dover.  She  lived  and  died  on  lands  originally 
owned  by  her  ancestor,  and  which  had  remained  in  the  family 
for  200  years. 

A  very  severe  drought,  less  rain  having  fallen  in  the  month 
of  May  than  in  any  one  month  for  nearly  30  years,  viz.  ^/j^  of 
an  inch,  the  average  quantity  being  2  ^/j^  inches,  or  9  times  as 
much, 

Aug.  23. — Hot  weather,  followed  by  heavy  showers,  and  rot 
in  the  potatoes,  whole  fields  in  some  cases,  being  destroyed. 

Sept.  20. — Gas  lights  were  first  used  in  Dover  this  evening, 
the  mills  and  many  stores  having  been  supplied  with  it  by  the 
Gas  Co.  v^rhich  was  established  this  year. 

A  gold  medal  was  presented  to  Hon.  John  P.  Hale  by  the 
sailors  of  the  U.  S.  Sloop  of  War  Germantown,  as  a  testimonial 
for  his  success  in  procuring  the  abolishment  of  flogging  in  the 
Navy. 

Dec.  12. — A  son  of  Isaac  Adams,  10  years  old,  drowned 
while  skating  on  the  pond  in  the  rear  of  the  Unitarian  Church. 

A  pine  tree,  judged  to  be  over  200  years  old,  and  measuring 
14  feet  in  circumference  at  the  butt,  and  78  feet  in  length,  was 
cut  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Samuel  Emerson  at  Back  river. 

Dec.  29. — A  very  severe  storm,  tw^o  or  three  feet  of  snow  fall- 
ing on  a  level,  greatly  impeding  travel  on  the  roads  and  causing 
a  suspension  of  business. 

Deaths  during  the  year  165. 


1854]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  261 

1854 

Feb.  22. — Aaron  Roberts,  living  on  Dover  Neck,  committed 
suicide  by  hanging  himself  with  a  bridle,  while  in  a  state  of 
insanity. 

March  14.— Vote  for  Governor,  James  Bell,  Whig,  701 ; 
Nathaniel  B.  Baker,  Dem.,  371  ;  Jared  Perkins,  Freesoil,  185  ; 
scatterings.  In  the  State,  Bell  16941;  Baker  29788;  Perkins 
1 1080;  scattering  122. 

The  town  adopted  resolutions  against  the  repeal  of  the  Mis- 
souri Compromise  by  Congress,  by  a  large  majority  of  votes. 
It  was  also  voted  to  light  the  streets  with  Gas. 

May  2.— The  "  Dover  Hotel,"  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  old- 
est public  houses  in  the  State,  was  closed  and  converted  into 
tenements. 

May  6. — The  thermometer  sank  below  the  freezing  point  and 
ice  nearly  half  an  inch  thick  was  formed.  It  also  snowed  quite 
fast  for  about  half  an  hour. 

June     — The  Langdon  Bank  incorporated. 

Aug.  I.— The  New  Hampshire  Hotel  injured  by  fire.  Loss 
about  $1500. 

Aug.  30. — A  meteor  of  unusual  brilliancy  was  seen  a  few 
miniites  after  7  P.M. 

Oct.  10.—  The  mills  of  the  Cocheco  Manufacturing  Co,  obliged 
to  suspend  operations  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  water — the 
streams  being  lower  than  they  had  been  for  many  years. 

Nov.  7.— Died,  in  Milton,  Mrs.  Abigail  Leighton,  aged  one 
hundred  and  five  years.     {Enquirer^ 

Dec.  II. — A  smart  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  felt  between 
12  and  I  o'clock  in  the  night. 

Mowing  machines  were  first  used  by  the  farmers  of  Dover, 
for  cutting  their  grass  this  year. 

The  old  dwelling  house  on  Silver  street,  purchased  by  Dr. 
Belknap  the  Historian  of  New  Hampshire,  soon  after  his  settle- 
ment in  Dover,  in  1767,  in  which  he  lived  while  he  was  the 
Minister  here,  and  where  he  wrote  the  first  volume  of  his  history, 
was  taken  down  this  year  to  make  room  for  the  "Belknap 
Grammar  School  House." 

Deaths  during  the  year  132 — males  66,  females  66. 


262  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1855 

1855 

Jan.  18. — The  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  felt  in  many 
places  about  half  past  six  in  the  evening. 

Feb.  22. — The  Piscataqua  Bridge  became  impassable  and  its 
use  was  discontinued,  about  500  feet  of  it  being  carried  away 
by  the  ice. 

March  13. — The  election  of  this  year  was  distinguished  by 
the  appearance  in  the  field  of  the  "  Know  Nothing  "  or  Ameri- 
can party,  which  swept  the  State  and  elected  nearly  all  of  its 
candidates  over  those  of  all  other  parties.  The  vote  in  Dover 
was  for  Governor,  Ralph  Metcalf,  American,  806;  Nathaniel  B. 
Baker,  Dem.,  447;  James  Bell,  Whig,  82;  Asa  Fowler,  Free 
Dem.,  15.  The  vote  of  the  State  was,  Metcalf  32119;  Baker 
27055;  Bell  3436;  Fowler  1237;  scattering  193.  The  Legisla- 
ture which  contained  a  large  majority  of  the  successful  party, 
elected  John  P.  Hale  and  James  Bell  Senators  in  Congress,  both 
seats  having  become  vacant  by  the  failure  of  the  lyCgislature  to 
elect  at  the  previous  session. 

The  representatives  to  the  Legislature  were  instructed  to  use 
their  influence  for  the  passage  of  a  prohibitory  liquor  law,  simi- 
lar to  the  "  Maine  liquor  law." 

April  II. — Ground  white  with  snow,  an  inch  or  two  of  which 
had  fallen  during  the  night.  Weather  cold  and  uncomfortable. 
The  ice  on  Lake  Winnipiseogee  is  said  to  be  2  or  3  feet  thick 
and  loaded  teams  still  pass  over  it.  The  sleighing  still  con- 
tinues in  the  country  and  snow  in  abundance.     {Efigzu?-er.) 

July  2.- — Rev.  Henry  F.  Bond  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the 
Unitarian  Church. 

Aug.  2. — A  Horse  Mackerel  weighing  over  1400  pounds  was 
caught  by  Dover  fishermen  near  the  Isles  of  Shoals  and  exhib- 
ited in  town  last  week.     {E7iguirer.) 

Sept.  I. — A  town  meeting  was  held  this  day  to  vote  on  the 
acceptance  of  a  City  charter  which  was  granted  by  the  Legis- 
lature at  the  June  session  ;  the  vote  was  498  for  accepting  and 
454  against — a  majority  of  44  in  its  favor. 

Oct.  13. — The  Piscataqua  Ferry  Co.  for  carrying  passengers 
from  Dover  Point  to  Newington  was  organized.     Capital  $2000. 


1856]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  263 

Oct.  14. — One  of  the  heaviest  thunder  showers  of  the  season 
took  place  this  evening  about  11  o'clock.  The  lightning  struck 
in  various  places,  shattering  buildings,  &c.  and  the  watchman 
at  the  gas  works  was  knocked  down  and  stunned. 

Nov.  26. — Elections  for  Ward  Officers  under  the  new  city 
charter  were  held  on  Monday  and  Tuesday  of  this  week. 

Dec,  27. — Mr.  Ebenezer  Gordon,  an  old  and  respected  citizen 
of  Dover,  was  killed  by  being  thrown  from  his  sleigh  while 
descending  Swain's  hill  in  Barrington. 

Deaths  during  the  year  160. 


1856 

Jan.  12. — One  of  the  greatest  snow  storms  known  for  many 
years.  The  ground  covered  to  the  depth  of  nearly  two  feet, 
and  drifted  in  many  places  to  the  depth  of  five  or  six  feet.  All 
the  railroad  trains  thrown  into  confusion  and  travel  much 
impeded. 

Feb.  17. — Another  severe  snow  storm  occurred  at  this  time, 
blocking  up  travel  so  effectually  that  no  trains  reached  Dover 
on  any  railroad  for  four  days. 

March  11.— The  vote  for  Governor  was,  for  Ralph  Metcalf, 
American,  794;  John  S.  Wells,  Dem.,  646;  Ichabod  Goodwin, 
Whig,  57.  In  the  State,  Metcalf  32 119  ;  Wells  32031;  Good- 
win 2360;  scattering  193.  There  being  no  choice  by  the  peo- 
ple, the  Legislature  elected  Metcalf, 

Hon.  Andrew  Peirce  was  elected  the  first  Mayor  of  the  city. 

The  weather  still  continues  of  the  coldness  of  midwinter,  and 
the  deposits  of  snow  undiminished.  On  Monday  and  Tuesday 
mornings  (loth  and  nth)  the  thermometer  ranged  from  10  to  12 
degrees  below  zero.  As  evidence  of  the  severity  of  the  season, 
we  are  informed  that  the  Piscataqua  between  Dover  Point  and 
Newington  has  been  twice  frozen  over — once  in  January  and  a 
second  time  in  February — strong  enough  to  enable  travellers  to 
pass  over.  This  circumstance  has  not  before  occurred  probably 
within  the  recollection  of  the  oldest  inhabitant — the  rapidity  of 
the  current  and  the  depth  of  the  water  being  such  that  many 
winters  frequently  pass  without  its  freezing.     {Enquirer^ 


264  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1856 

March  25. — First  organization  of  the  City  Government — Hon. 
Andrew  Peirce,  the  Mayor  elect,  taking  the  oath  of  office,  and 
Charles  Clements,  Esq.  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen, 
surrendering  the  official  seals  and  records  of  the  town  to  his 
successor. 

April  19. — The  salaries  of  City  officers  were  established  as 
follows  :  Mayor  $200  ;  City  Clerk  $200  and  fees  ;  City  Marshal 
$100;  Assistant  $50;  Treasurer  $50.  Voted  to  purchase  the 
lot  known  as  the  "sand  bank,"  adjoining  Pine  Hill,  for  $300. 
Valuation  of  the  city  this  year  $3562978.  Rate  of  taxation 
88  cents  on  $100. 

June  14. — A  silver  Salver  was  presented  to  Hon.  John  P. 
Hale  by  citizens  of  Dover,  as  "  a  token  of  their  approbation  of 
his  fidelity  to  Human  Rights." 

Nov.  4.— The  vote  for  President  this  year  was  for  John  C. 
Fremont  914;  James  Buchanan  598;  Millard  Filmore  9.  In 
the  State,  all  opposing  parties  to  the  Democracy,  united,  and 
assuming  the  name  of  "  Republicans,"  swept  the  State.  Vote  : 
Republican  38345 ;  Democratic  32787 ;  scattering  422,  The 
five  electoral  votes  to  which  the  State  was  entitled  were  given 
for  Fremont  and  Dayton. 

Nov.  19. — Two  young  men,  George  S.  Clark,  aged  26,  and 
John  Foss,  aged  23,  were  killed  by  the  premature  discharge  of 
a  cannon  which  they  were  firing  on  Garrison  Hill,  to  celebrate 
the  election  of  President  Buchanan. 

The  "Dover  Five  Cents  Savings  Bank"  was  incorporated 
this  year. 

This  year  was  "remarkable  for  long  continuance  of  intense 
cold  in  winter,  and  for  the  long  continuance  of  great  heat  in 
summer." 

Deaths  during  the  year  141. 


1858]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  265 

1857 
Jan.  7. — Rev.  Edwin  M.  Wheelock  ordained  as  pastor  of  the 
Unitarian  Church. 

March  10. — \"ote  for  Governor,  William  Haile,  Republican, 
827;  John  S.  Wells,  Democrat,  569;  scattering  12.  In  the 
State,  Haile  34216  ;  Wells  312 14  ;  scattering  452. 

April  6. — Samuel  D.  Smith  was  killed  at  the  Railroad  station 
in  attempting  to  get  on  the  cars. 

May  II. — The  Belknap  School  House  was  first  opened  for 
use  this  day,  with  an  address  by  Hon.  John  P.  Hale.  The  cost 
of  the  lot  and  building  was  about  loooo  dollars. 

Sept.  17. — Died,  Joseph  Smith,  Esq.  aged  85 — for  many  years 
one  of  the  most  extensive  traders  in  Strafford  County. 

In  digging  the  cellar  for  a  house  on  Nelson  street,  the  founda- 
tions of  a  chimney  and  part  of  a  cellar  wall  were  disinterred, 
which  are  supposed  to  be  the  remains  of  the  garrison  house  of 
the  son  of  Peter  Coffin,  or  of  that  of  the  first  tavern  opened  in 
Dover,  which  it  is  known  stood  in  that  vicinity.  Within  the 
abutment  were  also  found  human  bones  judged  to  be  those  of  a 
female,  and  a  spoon  differing  entirely  from  anything  that  had 
been  in  use  for  more  than  150  years.     (Enquirer.) 

Nov.  5. — Suspension  of  specie  payments  by  the  banks  and 
numerous  failures  throughout  the  country.  All  manufacturing 
operations  in  Dover  for  a  time  suspended. 

Deaths  during  the  year  134. 

1858 
March  9. — Vote  for  Governor,  William  Haile,  Rep.,  918  ;  Asa 
P.  Cate,  Dem.,  487.     In  the  State,   Haile  36212  ;  Cate  31679  ; 
scattering  72. 

May     — Patrick  H.  Burns  appointed  Postmaster. 

July  22. — Very  heavy  thunder  showers — the  lightning  striking 
No.  5  Factory,  prostrating  several  of  the  help,  and  setting  fire 
to  the  waste  in  one  of  the  rooms. 

Oct.  6. — The  State  Fair  was  held  this  year,  for  the  first  time 
in  Dover,  continuing  four  days,  on  the  grounds  near  Willand's 
Pond.  It  was  estimated  that  from  twenty  to  thirty  thousand 
people  attended  the  fair. 

Deaths  during  the  year  1 19, 


266  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1860 

1859 
March  8. — Vote  for  Governor,  Ichabod  Goodwin,  Rep.,  971; 
Asa  P.   Gate,  Dem.,  615.     In  the  State,  Goodwin  36326;   Gate 
32802;  scattering  27. 

July  4. — The  corner  stone  of  the  Belknap  Ghurch,  adjoining 
the  City  Hall,  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies. 

Aug.  4. — The  City  Council  appointed  a  committee  to  confer 
with  the  Manufacturing  Co.  respecting  a  lease  to  the  city  of 
their  land  on  Cochecho  river,  known  as  the  "Grove,"  for  a 
public  park ;  the  city  to  lay  out  walks  and  ornament  it  with 
shrubbery,  etc. 

Wednesday,  June  29,  was  the  hottest  day  of  the  season,  and 
the  warmest  for  three  years,  the  thermometer  rising  to  98  in  the 
shade.  Friday  morning,  July  i,  the  mercury  was  down  to  45. 
Frost  was  visible  in  many  places.  Frost  again  appeared  in 
August. 

Oct.  5. — The  State  Fair  was  held  this  year,  for  the  second 
time  in  Dover,  on  the  Ricker  field.  The  attendance  was  large 
and  the  receipts  $6000—"  a  larger  sum  than  ever  before  taken." 

Nov.  23. — Mrs.  J.  Stone  of  Tuftonboro'  killed  at  the  depot 
in  attempting  to  get  on  the  cars — she  being  on  her  way  to  Boston 
to  spend  Thanksgiving  with  her  son.  The  month  of  November 
the  mildest  for  35  years. 

Dec.  I. — John  Lord  committed  suicide  by  drowning  in  the 
river  near  Log  Hill  spring,  while  insane. 

Dec.  2. — Thermometer  rose  to  66. 

Dec.  4. — Five  inches  of  snow. 

Dec.  29. — Belknap  Church  dedicated  ;  cost  of  house  $15000, 

i860 

March  2. — Abraham  Lincoln  of  Illinois,  since  known  to  the 
country  as  "the  martyr  President,"  addressed  the  Republicans 
of  Dover  on  the  politics  of  the  day. 

March  13. — Vote  for  Governor,  Ichabod  Goodwin,  Rep.,  966  ; 
Asa  P.  Gate,  Dem.,  615.  In  the  State,  Goodwin  38037;  Gate 
33544;  scattering  21.  Valuation  of  Dover  this  year  $3867078. 
Polls  1905. — Amount  of  taxes  raised  $39475.68.  Rate  of  taxa- 
tion 84  cents  on  $100. 


1860]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  267 

June  7. — Nathaniel  Tuttle  of  Dover,  who  went  down  the  river 
on  a  fishing  excursion,  was  drowned  by  the  upsetting  of  his 
boat  near  Portsmouth  Light. 

July  9. — Died,  Captain  Moses  Paul,  aged  63.  He  was  Agent 
of  the  Cocheco  Manufacturing  Co.  for  nearly  30  years,  and  had 
been  connected  with  the  manufacturing  business  from  its  first 
introduction  into  the  place.  During  this  long  period,  the  affairs 
of  the  Company  were  conducted  by  him  with  an  energy  and 
success  which  secured  the  approbation  of  its  stockholders,  while 
the  care  and  attention  which  he  ever  bestowed  upon  the  many 
thousands  in  its  emplo3^  won  for  him  their  respect  and  esteem. 
Few  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  country  have  been 
managed  with  more  success,  and  in  none  has  a  better  feeling 
more  uniformly  prevailed  between  the  employers  and  the  em- 
ployed. Liberal  and  public  spirited  as  a  citizen — ever  ready 
with  his  counsel  and  his  means  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the 
community — the  city  of  Dover  owes  much  of  its  prosperity  and 
many  of  its  public  improvements  to  his  open  hand  and  generous 
heart.  Few  men  have  enjoyed  more  deservedly  a  larger  meas- 
ure of  the  respect  of  their  fellow  citizens,  and  the  death  of  none 
will  be  more  deeply  and  generally  regretted.     {^Enquirer ^ 

Sept.  13. — A  man  named  Alfred  Varney,  in  attempting  to 
jump  from  the  cars  at  the  depot  was  fatally  injured  and  died 
five  days  after.  • 

Sept.  19. — Fire  on  the  Landing,  destroyed  the  store  house  at 
Young's  tannery,  and  a  large  amount  of  merchandise,  such  as 
flour,  salt,  lime,  &c. 

Oct.  17. — The  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  felt  a  few  minutes 
before  6  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Oct.  19. — William  H.  Davis  was  found  in  the  upper  factory 
road,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  City  Hall,  badly  injured 
from  wounds  of  which  he  soon  after  died.  His  death  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  caused  by  injuries  inflicted  by  some  person 
unknown. 

Nov.  6. — Vote  for  President  in  Dover,  Lincoln  &  Hamlin, 
Rep.,  983;  Douglass  &  Johnson,  Dem.,  354;  Breckinridge  & 
Lane,  Dem.,  137;  Bell  &  Everett,  Union,  15.  In  the  State, 
Lincoln  37519;   Douglass  25881  ;   Breckinridge  2 112;  Bell  411. 

Dec.  2. — Dedication  of  First  Congregational  Chapel  on  Cen- 
tral street,  which  was  built  this  year. 

Deaths  during  the  year  138. 


268  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1861 

i86i 

March  12. — Vote  for  Governor,  Nathaniel  S.  Berry,  Rep,, 
859;  George  Stark,  Dem.,  601.  In  the  State,  Berry  35467; 
Stark  31452;  scattering  42. 

Intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter  to  the  rebel  guns 
of  South  Carolina,  was  received  in  Dover  on  Sunday  April  14, 
and  full  details  of  the  capitulation  on  Monday  the  15th,  with  a 
call  from  President  Lincoln  for  75000  troops  to  suppress  the 
insurrection,  and  maintain  the  honor,  the  integrity,  and  the 
existence  of  our  Union.  On  Monda}^  evening  the  citizens  of 
Dover,  without  distinction  of  party,  and  almost  without  notice, 
assembled  at  the  City  Hall,  to  take  action  in  relation  to  the 
condition  of  the  country.  Finding  the  large  Hall  occupied  for 
another  purpose  they  filled  to  overflowing  the  Court  Room 
below,  many  being  unable  to  obtain  admission. 

The  meeting  was  organized  by  the  choice  of  the  following 
Officers. 

President,  Hon.  Alphonso  Bickford,  Mayor. 

Vice  Presidents, 
Hon,  Joseph  H.  Smith  Hon.  Thomas  E.  Sawyer 

Hon.  Daniel  M.  Christie  Hon.  C.  W.  Woodman 

Samuel  M.  Wheeler,  Esq.  Daniel  Osborne,  Esq. 

Thomas  L.  Smith,  Esq.  Geo.  D.  Vittum,  Esq. 

Dr.  Jeremiah  Home  Z.  S.  Wallingford,  Esq. 

Secretaries, 
Andrew  C.  Chesley  Hiram  Rollins 

Mayor  Bickford  on  taking  the  chair  stated  briefly  the  object 

of  the  meeting. 

Hon.  C.  W.  Woodman  after  a  few  pertinent  remarks,  offered 

the  following  resolutions. 

Whereas,  the  authority  of  the  Federal  Government  of  the  United 
States  has  been  denied,  the  Flag  of  the  Country  fired  upon,  and  the 
Forts,  Arsenals,  and  other  public  property  seized,  and  a  series  of  out- 
rages and  wrongs  perpetrated  for  months  upon  the  Government,  whose 
forbearance  has  been  received  as  proof  of  its  pusillanimity,  till  open 
and  flagrant  war  has  been  wantonly  and  causelessly  waged  upon  the 
Government  and  People  of  these  United  States  and  the  President  has 
been  forced  to  appeal  to  the  People  to  maintain  by  force  the  honor,  dig- 
nity and  continued  existence  of  the  Government  they  have  established, — 
therefore 

Resolved,  in  answer  to  such  appeal  of  the  President,  that  we,  the  citi- 
zens of  Dover,  feeling  that  our  Country  is  above  party,  hereby  pledge 
ourselves  to  sustain  the  Administration  of  the  General  Government  in 


1861]  HISTORY   OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  269 

the  manly  and  patriotic  position  assumed  by  the  President  in  his  recent 
Proclamation  and  that  we  cheerfully  and  readily  tender  to  the  Governor 
of  this  State,  and  through  him  to  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
our  full  proportion  of  such  volunteer  force  as  may  be  required  of  this 
State. 

Resolved,  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  at  this  meeting  to 
obtain  the  names  of  at  least  One  Hundred  Men,  who  will  hold  them- 
selves ready  at  the  shortest  notice  to  march  wherever  the  demands  of 
the  Country  and  the  orders  of  the  Government  shall  require. 

Resolved,  that  these  proceedings  be  signed  by  the  Chairman  and 
Secretary,  and  a  certified  copy  thereof  be  sent  to  the  Governor  of  this 
State  and  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Hon.  John  P.  Hale  being  loudly  called  for,  addressed  the 
meeting  for  about  twenty  minutes  in  support  of  the  resolutions, 
with  his  usual  eloquence  and  power. 

April  1 8. — At  a  special  meeting  of  the  City  Council,  the 
following  preamble  and  resolution  were  unanimously  passed : 

Whereas,  Civil  war  has  been  inaugurated,  our  Glorious  Union  assailed, 
and  our  institutions  endangered,  and  whereas,  our  fellow  citizens 
promptly  and  cheerfully  answer  to  the  call  of  the  Government,  for  aid 
in  this  its  hour  of  peril,  therefore  : 

Resolved,  by  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Dover,  that  the  sum  of 
ten  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  needed,  be  and 
hereby  is  appropriated  for  the  benefit  and  wants  of  the  families  of  those 
who  have  responded,  or  shall  respond  to  the  call  of  their  country  for 
the  support  of  its  Constitution  and  Laws,  and  that  the  Mayor  with  such 
as  the  Common  Council  may  join,  be  a  committee  to  properly  distribute 
the  same.  (The  Common  Council  on  their  part  joined  Messrs.  Burr, 
Haynes  and  N.  Twombly.) 

The  Mayor  was  authorized  to  purchase  and  present  a  revolver 
to  each  citizen  of  Dover  enlisting  as  a  volunteer. 

The  City  Treasurer  was  authorized  to  borrow  $3000,  to  meet 
extra  expenses. 

The  City  Hall  was  also  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  soldiers  en- 
listing, for  a  drill  room,  and  the  Mayor  was  authorized  to  cause 
the  National  Flag  to  be  displayed  on  the  City  Hall  building  and 
from  the  flag  staffs  on  Franklin  Square,  the  expense  thereof 
to  be  paid  from  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise 
appropriated. 

A  recruiting  office  was  opened  April  17,  by  George  W. 
Colbath,  by  authority  from  the  Governor.  Before  Saturday, 
the  20th,  he  had  enlisted  a  full  company,  when  he  received 
orders  to  keep  the  enlistment  open  for  another  company.  More 
than  the  requisite  number  were  obtained,  upwards  of  150  hav- 
ing applied  for  a  place  in  the  ranks. 


270  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE  [1861 

The  Directors  of  the  Strafford  Bank  voted  to  loan  the  State 
the  sum  of  $20000,  to  a,id  in  the  equipment  of  volunteers,  and 
the  trustees  of  the  Savings  Bank  for  the  County  of  Strafford, 
and  the  Dover  Five  Cents  Savings  Bank  also  tendered  a  loan  of 
$15000,  each. 

The  members  of  the  Strafford  Medical  Association  in  Dover, 
voted  to  tender  their  professional  services  gratuitously  to  the 
families  of  volunteers  for  the  war. 

The  women  of  Dover  to  the  number  of  100  and  more,  met  at 
the  vestry  of  the  First  Church  "armed  and  equipped"  with 
needles,  sewing  machines,  &c.  and  made  up  400  flannel  shirts 
for  the  volunteers.  They  also  furnished  handkerchiefs,  socks, 
and  other  necessary  articles  not  supplied  by  the  State. 

April  29. — The  two  companies  enlisted  here  having  received 
orders  to  rendezvous  at  Concord,  in  obedience  thereto,  left 
the  cit5%  145  men  in  all.  The  companies  were  mustered  at 
their  respective  quarters  at  7  A.M.,  and  at  10  o'clock  were 
formed  on  Central  Square,  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Salter  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  offered  prayer.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Clapp  of  the 
Calvin  Baptist  Church  made  appropriate  remarks,  and  Mayor 
Bickford  closed  the  proceedings  with  a  patriotic  address. 

May  2.— The  quota  of  troops  required  of  New  Hampshire  is 
now  ready  for  marching  orders  at  Concord.  They  are  encamped 
on  the  Fair  Ground,  on  the  Dark  Plains  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  opposite  the  State  House.  The  following  is  the  number 
of  recruits  which  have  been  enlisted  in  each  town  thus  far. 

Dover  220.     Great  Falls  78.     Concord  190.     Salem  62. 

Portsmouth  85.    Manchester  130.    Newport  38.    Lancaster  44. 

New  lyondon  12.     I^aconia  40.     Claremont  6o.'     Conway  2. 

Hampton  45.     Littleton  42.     Plymouth  11.     lyebanon  10. 

Contocookville  11.     Keene  about  100.     Nashua  150. 

This  does  not  include  the  Abbott  Guards,  Captain  Knowlton^ 
78,  and  the  Manchester  Phalanx,  Captain  Pierce,  78. 

On  May  3d  the  President  issued  his  call  for  volunteers  for 
three  years,  when  many  of  the  3d  company,  who  had  previously 
enlisted  for  three  months,  immediately  volunteered  and  were 
assigned  to  the  2d  Regiment. 

May  18. — The  3d  company  enlisted  in  Dover  left  for  Ports- 
mouth to  join  the  2d  Regiment.  Previous  to  their  departure 
Col.  Samuel  Snell  presented  them  with  an  ancient  Bugle,  a 
relic  of  the  old  French  and  Revolutionary  wars.     The  Colonel, 


1861]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  Til 

in  presenting  it,  expressed  the  hope  that  its  martial  strains 
would  inspire  their  hearts  as  they  went  forth  to  battle,  as  it  did 
those  of  the  patriots  of  '76.  He  was  suitably  replied  to  by  E. 
O.  Adams,  one  of  the  volunteers. 

The  ofl&cers  and  members  of  this  company  are  as  follows : 

Hiram  Rollins,  Captain.  Samuel  P.  Sayles,  ist  Lieut.  Warren  H. 
Parmenter,  2d  Lieut.  Enoch  G.  Adams,  Clerk.  Jacob  Hall,  Orderly 
Sergeant. 

Privates.— Joseph  F.  Ayers,  John  I.  Burnham,  Moses  Chadbourne, 
Ezra  Cross,  Thomas  C.  Coyle,  Monroe  Corson,  James  H.  Currier,  Warren 
Drew,  E.  F.  Demeritt,  John  H.  Durgin,  Calvin  E.  Downs,  George  W. 
Dudley,  James  Davis,  Stephen  M.  Deshore,  David  O.  Davis,  Albion  Dyer, 
Martin  V.  Drew,  Henry  H.  Emerson,  John  S.  Garland,  Benjamin  F. 
Gerrish,  Wilson  Gray,  Henry  Hay  ward,  John  V.  Hayes,  Franklin  W, 
Heath,  Alvah  K.  Head,  Charles  F.  Hall,  John  Hanscom,  Harrison  Hous- 
ton, Henry  O.  Jenness,  Christie  L.  Jones,  Charles  Jackson,  Charles  E. 
Jones,  Andrew  Jackson,  James  F.  Jenness,  Peter  Kane,  Alphonso 
Leathers,  Johnson  C.  Logan,  George  F.  Lord,  John  C.  Locke,  Oliver 
Lord,  George  Lobby,  John  F.  Lord,  John  McCabe,  Erastus  Mullen,  Peter 
Maloy,  Andrew  Morrison,  Robert  Miller,  T.  J.  Mahoney,  John  H.  Otis, 
Charles  H.  Place,  George  P.  Pendergast,  Charles  E.  Perkins,  Andrew  J. 
Pinkham,  Stephen  Richardson,  Stephen  H.  Rogers,  Daniel  Sherburne, 
Abraham  C.  Stevens,  Moses  S.  F.  Smith,  George  H.  Staples,  Charles 
Sanders,  George  H.  Stevens,  George  H.  Scruton,  Benjamin  F.  Stevens, 
John  H.  Sanborn,  James  H.  Tibbetts,  William  H.  Tripp,  Benjamin  F. 
Welch,  Sylvester  B.  Wallace,  Thomas  H.  Walker,  Henry  West,  John  F. 
Waldron,  Richard  Walsh,  James  M.  Venner,  Tharon  F.  Varney,  Nathaniel 
Willey,  Alexander  S.  Abbott,  Luther  W.  Chadwick,  Moses  J.  Colby, 
George  K.  Otis,  Charles  Briggs,  Moses  Otis,  Wingate  Garland,  Charles 
W.  Goodwin,  Jesse  W.  Knox,  Jeremiah  Rothwell,  John  Staples,  John  S. 
Varney,  Charles  P.  Roberts,  Edwin  S.  Tash,  Jacob  Hall,  Ambrose  Foss, 
Horace  Randall,  Solomon  W.  Foss,  John  Malloy,  Charles  A.  Graves, 
Samuel  Brown,  William  Goodwin. 

The  cost  of  fitting  out  each  volunteer,  according  to  the   offi- 
cial report,  was  as  follows  : 


Coat  and  pants 

I7.00. 

Overcoat 

17.87. 

Cap 

1. 10. 

Shoes 

1.25. 

Blouse 

3.00. 

2  pair  socks 

.62. 

2  shirts 

1.92. 

I  pair  drawers 

.46. 

Blanket 

1.87. 

Knapsack 

2.25. 

Haversack 

•75- 

Canteen 

•75- 

Gun  sling 

.50. 

Cartridge  box 

&  belt. 

scabbard  &  belt,  and  cap  box 

5-50. 

Total        34.84 


272  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1861 

June  23. — The  ladies  of  Dover  met  at  the  Court  Room  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  an  association  to  furnish  the  soldiers  from 
the  State  in  actual  service  with  clothing,  hospital  stores,  &c. 
necessary  to  health  and  comfort,  when  not  supplied  by  the  gov- 
ernment, and  also  to  carefully  watch  and  care  for  the  general 
well  being  of  the  New  Hampshire  soldiers  in  every  possible 
particular.  The  Association  was  organized  by  the  choice  of 
Mrs.  John  P.  Hale  as  President ;  Mrs.  N.  Low,  Mrs.  A.  G. 
Fenner,  Vice-Presidents;  Mrs.  D.  H.  Wendell,  Treasurer; 
Miss  Charlotte  Palmer,  Cor.  Secretary;  Mrs.  J.  J.  Duxbury, 
Rec.  Secretarj^ ;  with  two  ladies  from  each  of  the  religious  Socie- 
ties in  the  city  as  Managers.  This  Society  continued  its  opera- 
tions through  the  war  and  sent  large  contributions  to  the  Sani- 
tary Commission  for  the  relief  of  the  soldiers. 

The  2d  Regiment,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Oilman 
Marston,  left  Portsmouth  for  Washington,  June  30.  In  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  the  casualties  of  this  Regiment 
were,  killed  9,  wounded  36,  missing  63. 

Aug.  10. — After  an  absence  of  more  than  three  months,  com- 
panies A  and  B  of  the  ist  Regiment  returned  to  Dover,  having 
reached  Concord  a  few  days  previously.  They  were  met  at  the 
depot  by  the  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Little- 
field,  numbering  about  100  men,  and  the  several  Fire  Companies 
of  the  city,  and  escorted  through  the  principal  streets  to  the 
grove  near  the  High  School  House,  where  a  collation  was  pro- 
vided for  them,  and  where  appropriate  speeches  were  made  by 
the  Mayor,  Captain  Bell,  Lieut.  Sawyer  and  others. 

Aug.  21. — The  Governor  issued  his  proclamation  for  the 
enlistment  of  two  additional  regiments,  and  Lieuts.  George  W. 
Colbath  and  Charles  W.  Sawyer  of  the  late  ist  Regiment,  imme- 
diately opened  a  rendezvous  at  the  City  Hall  for  the  enrollment 
of  volunteers. 

On  Thursday,  Sept.  6,  the  day  appointed  by  the  President 
for  a  National  Fast,  clergymen  of  the  city  preached  appropriate 
discourses  and  the  citizens,  without  distinction  of  party,  held  a 
meeting  in  the  evening  at  the  City  Hall,  which  was  largely 
attended  and  eloquently  and  patriotically^  addressed  by  gentle- 
men present. 

At  this  time  ten  recruiting  offices  were  open  in  the  city. 


1862]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  273 

1862 

Jan.  6.— The  row  of  buildings  known  as  Marston's  Block, 
(since  Union),  caught  fire  in  the  store  of  D.  H.  Wendell,  and 
before  the  fire  was  extinguished  five  or  six  stores  and  property 
to  the  amount  of  $20000  was  destroyed. 

peb.  I. — Up  to  this  date  the  thermometer  had  not  been  below 
zero  during  the  winter. 

Feb.  19. — A  severe  storm  with  much  snow,  followed  by  a 
thunder  storm  and  a  furious  gale,  with  the  thermometer  down 
to  zero. 

March  11.— Vote  for  Governor,  N.  S.  Berry  737;  George 
Stark  463;  Paul  J.  Wheeler  19.  In  the  State,  Berry,  Rep., 
32150,  Stark,  Dem.,  28566,  Wheeler,  Uem.  Union,  1709, 
scattering  45. 

April  17.— The  ice  went  out  of  the  Cochecho  last  week  and 
the  Portsmouth  Journal  announces  the  first  arrival  of  the  season 
from  up  river — "  Lalla  Rookh,  Freeman,  Dover."  Now  that 
navigation  is  reopened  the  two  cities  will  be  50  or  100  miles 
nearer  each  other  and  doubtless  better  acquainted  for  a  season. 

{Enquirer?) 

April  20. — It  is  recorded  as  a  matter  worthy  of  remembrance 
that  the  farmers  at  this  time,  were  hauling  wood  on  the  top  of 
the  snow  "across  lots"  without  regard  to  roads  and  fences. 
In  the  same  week  (April  17  and  18)  the  thermometer  rose  to 
77.     Its  greatest  altitude  in  April  for  15  years. 

May  12.— A  salute  was  fired  and  all  the  bells  in  the  city  rung, 
by  order  of  the  Mayor,  in  honor  of  the  glorious  achievement  of 
our  arms  at  New  Orleans,  Norfolk  and  elsewhere. 

May  17. — The  mercury  rose  to  92  and  the  heat  for  several 
days  was  greater  than  is  usually  known  in  May,  A  man  in 
Madbury  was  sun  struck. 

June  16. — A  heavy  frost  which  destroyed  corn  in  many 
places. 

July  10. — Three  additional  Regiments  being  called  for  from 
New  Hampshire,  a  public  meeting  was  held  and  measures  taken 
to  furnish  the  quota  from  Dover.  The  city  government  held  a 
special  meeting  and  passed  the  following  resolution  : 


274  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1862 

Resolved,  that  the  sum  of  $12000  be  and  hereby  is  appropriated  for 
the  purpose  of  payiug  a  bounty  of  $75  to  each  of  those  persons,  residents 
of  Dover,  prior  to  the  passage  of  this  resolution,  who  have  already,  or 
may  hereafter  enlist  in  this  city,  under  the  last  call  of  the  President  for 
300000  more  men — and  to  each  of  those  persons  residents  of  Dover,  at 
the  time  of  their  enlistment,  who  have  enlisted,  or  shall  hereafter  enlist 
in  the  9th  Regiment,  provided  said  persons  enlist  on  or  before  the  1st  of 
September  next,  and  that  said  bounty  shall  be  paid  by  the  City  Treasurer, 
upon  the  order  of  the  Mayor,  after  said  persons  shall  have  been  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

Aug.  7. — It  was  voted  that  an  additional  bounty  of  $50  be 
paid  to  each  volunteer  enlisting  in  the  city  before  Aug.  15,  and 
afterwards  the  bounty  of  $125  was  extended  to  all  enlisting 
before  Sept.  i ;  and  $500  was  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  voluntary  enlistments  under  the  act  of  the  legislature. 

An  enrollment  by  the  City  authorities  of  those  liable  to  be 
called  into  the  service  at  this  time,  presented  the  following  : 

Number  between  18  and  45  subject  to  draft  856 
"  now  in  the  service  488 
"  enlisted  but  not  mustered  in  97 1441 


Sept.  4. — Died,  Col.  Andrew  Peirce,  aged  77.  He  was  born 
in  Portsmouth  Dec.  18,  1785,  but  nearly  all  his  life  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Dover,  having  filled,  during  his  active  and  eminently 
useful  life,  almost  every  office  in  the  gift  of  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  was  Speaker  of  the  Legislature  in  1823  ;  Senator  of  the  5th 
District  in  1825  and  1826;  Counsellor  in  1827  and  1828;  and  in 
1850  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  which  was  called  to 
revise  the  Constitution  of  the  State.  When  Dover  was  incor- 
porated as  a  city,  Col.  Peirce,  as  an  honor  especially  due  him, 
was  elected  its  first  Mayor.  For  eighteen  years  he  served  as 
Clerk  of  the  Strafford  Courts,  and  for  a  term  of  years  was 
Cashier  and  President  of  the  Dover  Bank.  Of  the  First  Con- 
gregational Church  he  was  a  Deacon  for  24  years.  In  politics 
Col.  Peirce  was  originally  a  Republican,  and  with  that  ardent 
love  for  his  country  which  characterized  his  life  and  was 
breathed  in  his  latest  prayers,  he,  as  Captain,  led  his  company 
into  the  field  on  the  occasion  of  Portsmouth  being  threatened  in 
the  war  of  1812.  As  a  christian  he  was  earnest  and  sincere. 
His  Christianity  has  ever  been  the  operative  principle  of  his 
public  life,  which  has  been  characterized  by  not  less  ability  than 
purest  patriotism  and  most  ardent  devotion  to  the  public  good. 
No  man  can  say  that  as  a  public  officer,  or  as  an  agent  in  any 


1863]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  275 

business,  lie  has  ever  manifested  less  of  interest  than  in  the 
administration  of  his  own  private  affairs,  or  treated  himself 
better  than  hfe  has  treated  any  other  individual.  As  a  neighbor, 
it  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  his  neighbors  are  all  mourners, 
and  his  name  is  spoken  with  affection  by  the  widow  and  orphan. 
To  say,  after  all  this,  that  he  was  the  kindest  of  husbands  and 
fathers,  would  be  to  multiply  words.  Peace  to  his  ashes. 
When  shall  we  see  his  like  again  ?     {Enquirer.) 

Oct.  i6. — Died  at  the  hospital  Camp  Kearney,  near  New 
Orleans,  of  camp  fever,  Daniel  ly.  Perkins,  only  son  of  Jeremy 
Perkins  of  this  city,  aged  27.  Early  in  the  expedition  of  Gen. 
Butler  to  Ship  Island,  Mr.  Perkins  enlisted  in  the  6th  Mass. 
Battery,  and  was  a  member  thereof  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  was  at  the  capture  of  New  Orleans  and  the  battle  of  Baton 
Rouge,  where  he  exhibited  daring  feats  of  bravery  and  was 
commended  by  his  officers  for  his  noble  bearing. 

The  amount  of  taxes  paid  by  Dover  under  the  United  States 
excise  law  for  3  months  ending  Nov.  30,  was  $10223.83. 

Deaths  during  the  year  145. 

1863 

Jan.  8. — Charles  H.  Flanders  of  Dover,  a  soldier  in  Co.  K, 
nth  Regiment,  who  died  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  was  buried  with  military  honors  by  the 
Strafford  Guards. 

Jan.  II. — Eli  Bunce,  of  the  9th  Regiment,  who  died  of 
disease  contracted  while  on  duty,  was  buried  with  military 
honors. 

Jan.  29. — There  are  at  this  time  eight  N.  H.  Regiments  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  viz.  the  2d,  5th,  6th,  9th,  loth,  nth, 
12th,  and  13th. 

Feb.  4. — The  Dover  Ladies  Aid  Society  gave  a  Tea  Party  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Soldiers  Aid  Society,    realizing   the  sum  of 

$358-24- 

March  5. — The  2d  N.  H.  Regiment,  after  being  engaged  in 
all  the  battles  on  the  Potomac  and  the  Peninsula,  obtained  leave 
to  return  home  at  this  time  to  recruit.  They  left  Washington 
on  Feb.  28,  and  reached  home  on  the  3d  inst.  numbering  about 
500  men,  including  new  recruits,  the  original  members  not  aver- 
aging 20  men  to  a  company.  Nearly  all  the  original  officers 
have  been  killed  or  disabled,  and  most  of  the  present  line  offi- 
cers promoted  from  the  ranks. 


276  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN   THE  [1863 

John  T.  Rand  of  the  7th  Regiment,  died  at  Tortugas,  and 
was  brought  to  this  city  and  buried.  Daniel  C.  Hayes  of  the 
4th  Regt.  died  from  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Beaufort, 
S.  C. 

March  10. — Vote  for  Governor,  Joseph  A.  Gilmore,  Rep., 
755;  Ira  A.  Eastman,  Dem.,  557;  Walter  Harriman,  Dem. 
Union,  44.  In  the  State,  Gilmore  29035  ;  Eastman  32383  ; 
Harriman  4372  ;  scattering  363.  There  being  no  choice  by  the 
people,  the  Legislature  elected  Gilmore. 

The  heaviest  snow  storm  of  the  season  commenced  on  Satur- 
day, the  7th,  and  continued  until  Monday  morning.  Nearly  a 
foot  of  snow  fell,  making  excellent  sleighing. 

April  10.— Died  on  Dover  Neck,  Mr.  Thomas  Henderson, 
aged  91 — the  oldest  man  in  town. 

April  23. — The  Cochecho  Railroad  sold  to  the  Dover  &  Win- 
nipiseogee  Railroad  Company. 

May  4.— William  H.  Hackett  of  the  35th  Mass.  Regt.  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  was  buried  in  this  city,  where  he 
belonged. 

May  14.— Hon.  D.  M.  Christie  and  others  of  Dover,  publish 
an  invitation  to  the  people  to  hold  a  Grand  Union  Mass  Meeting 
at  Concord,  June  17. 

May  25. — The  2d  Regiment  returned  to  Washington,  S.  P. 
Sayles,  Major. 

May  28. — Died,  Dr.  Noah  Martin,  aged  62.  He  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State  in  1852  and  '53,  and  held  various  other 
offices.  "As  a  physician  he  stood  high  in  his  profession,  had 
an  extensive  practice,  and  accumulated  a  large  estate.  As  a 
politician,  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  party,  adhered  with 
fidelity  to  its  principles  and  usages,  and  received  its  highest 
honors."  He  died  suddenly  of  apoplexy,  having  been  in  his 
usual  health  up  to  within  an  hour  of  his  decease. 

June  22. — Amaziah  Goodwin  of  Lyman,  Me.  a  revolutionary 
soldier,  aged  100  years  and  4  months,  arrived  in  town,  on  his 
way  to  Boston,  to  be  present  at  the  celebration  of  the  88th  anni- 
versary of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Stopping  at  a  relatives 
to  recruit,  he  was  taken  sick  and  died  this  day. 

July  6.— The  bells  of  the  city  were  rung  by  order  of  the  city 
authorities,  on  the  receipt  this  day  of  the  news  of  the  surrender 
of  Vicksburg  to  the  Union  Array  under  General  Grant. 


1863]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  277 

Captain  George  W.  Roberts  of  the  2d  N.  H.  Regiment,  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  while  gallantl}^  leading  his 
company  against  the  enemy.  He  enlisted  in  the  Regiment  at 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  as  a  private,  had  fought  in  all  the 
bloody  battles  in  which  it  had  been  engaged,  and  was  promoted 
to  Captain  when  the  Regiment  returned  to  the  front  in  May 
last. 

July  16. — The  drafting  of  soldiers  for  this  Congressional 
District  commenced  at  Portsmouth  on  Tuesday  the  14th  inst. 
The  number  to  be  drawn  is  1968,  which  includes  the  excess  of 
two  fifths  required  for  exemptions — so  that  the  real  number 
which  the  district  is  to  furnish  is  a  few  less  than  1200.  The 
forces  enrolled  are  subject  to  draft  for  two  years  from  the  first 
day  of  July  following  the  enrollment,  and  if  drawn  are  liable  to 
serve  during  the  rebellion,  not  exceeding  three  years,  having 
the  same  pay  and  bounty  as  the  volunteers  for  three  years. 

They  are  divided  into  two  classes — the  first  comprising  all 
between  the  ages  of  twenty  and  thirty-five,  and  all  unmarried 
menl^etween  thirty-five  and  forty-five,  and  the  second  comprising 
all  others. 

The  second  class  "shall  not,  in  any  district,  be  called  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  until  those  of  the  first  class 
shall  have  been  called."     The  classes  are  enrolled  separately. 

Persons  drawn  are  to  be  notified  within  ten  days  and  informed 
of  the  place  of  rendezvous,  where  they  are  to  be  inspected,  and 
claims  for  exemption  for  disability  are  to  be  passed  upon, 

A  person  not  exempt,  drafted  in  the  first  class  may  show  that 
he  should  be  enrolled  in  the  second,  and  thus  be  released  by  the 
Board  or  Court  on  Habeas  Corpus.  He  may  furnish  within  ten 
days  an  acceptable  substitute.  He  may  pay  $300,  or  he  may 
show  physical  or  mental  disability. 

Not  being  entitled  to  release  under  either  of  these  provisions, 
the  drafted  man  must  report  himself  at  the  time  notified  to  him 
for  military  duty.  Failing  in  this,  he  is  to  be  deemed  a  deserter, 
and  may  be  arrested  by  the  Provost  Marshal  and  sent  to  the 
nearest  military  post  for  trial  by  Court  Martial. 

The  L,egislature  of  this  State,  at  ^its  recent  session,  passed  a 
law  authorizing  towns  to  pay  drafted  men  a  bounty  of  $300  ten 
days  after  they  have  been  mustered  into  the  public  service. 


278  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1863 

July  17. — A  meeting  was  held  at  the  City  Hall  at  which  reso- 
lutions were  passed  requesting  the  City  Government  to  pay  a 
bounty  of  $300  to  every  soldier  drafted  from  Dover,  before  he 
leaves  the  State,  and  $200  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  ser- 
vice. Also  that  the  city  pay  the  $300  commutation  for  every 
drafted  man  whose  circumstances  prevent  him  from  going  into 
the  army. 

Aug.  14. — A  draft  of  152  men  was  made  from  Dover  for  filling 
up  the  depleted  ranks  of  the  N.  H.  Regiments  and  the  City 
Council  passed  an  ordinance  for  the  payment  of  $300  to  every 
drafted  man  or  his  substitute,  ten  da^^s  after  being  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States.  The  Dover  conscripts, 
when  the  draft  became  known,  met  in  front  of  the  City  Hall 
from  whence  with  music  and  torches  they  marched  through  the 
principal  streets.  Great  enthusiasm  and  much  good  feeling 
prevailed. 

Samuel  Wyatt,  for  many  years  a  well  known  landlord  in 
Dover,  died  in  Georgetown,  Mass.  aged  87. 

Sept.  7. — The  Cocheco  Manufacturing  Co.  after  a  years 
suspension  recommenced  work. 

Nov.  2. — The  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  hires  the  Dover  and 
Winnipiseogee  Railroad  on  a  lease  of  fifty  years,  paying  annu- 
ally $29000,  and  buying  all  its  rolling  stock. 

Nov.  4. — Governor  Gilmore  issued  his  proclamation  for  a 
draft  of  3768  men  to  fill  the  quota  of  New  Hampshire  for  300000 
more  soldiers,  called  for  by  President  Lincoln,  of  which  number 
Dover  was  required  to  raise  72  men. 

Nov.  7. — A  Union  meeting  at  the  City  Hall  was  largely 
attended,  and  addressed  by  Hon.  John  P.  Hale,  who  expressed 
in  a  most  eloquent  manner  his  undoubting  conviction  of  the 
triumph  of  our  National  cause  and  the  re-establishment  of  jus- 
tice and  right  on  a  firm  and  enduring  basis. 

The  City  Council  made  an  appropriation  of  $34000  for  the 
payment  of  the  General  and  State  Government  bounties  to 
volunteers,  and  the  Mayor  made  a  contract  with  a  substitute 
broker  for  the  supply  of  the  72  men  required  from  the  city,  at 
$440  per  man. 


1864]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.    H.  279 

1864 

March  8. — Vote  for  Governor,  Joseph  A.  Gilmore,  Rep., 
893  ;  Edward  W.  Harrington,  Dera.,  509.  In  the  State,  Gil- 
more  37006,  Harrington  31340,  scattering,  79. 

April  28. — Of  the  13  Regiments  in  the  field  from  New  Hamp- 
shire at  this  time,  all  but  two  or  three  had  joined,  or  been  or- 
dered to  join  either  Grant  or  Burnside  for  active  operations. 
The  following  was  their  disposition  :  The  2d  has  left  Point 
Lookout  and  gone  to  Yorktown  ;  the  3d  and  4th  have  re-enlisted 
and  gone  to  Washington  ;  the  5th  is  at  Point  Lookout ;  the  6th 
is  at  Annapolis  ;  the  re-enlisted  men  of  the  7th  are  on  furlough 
and  the  remainder  of  the  Regiment  in  Florida ;  the  8th  is 
mounted  at  present,  and  is  in  the  expedition  which  has  recently 
seen  hard  fighting  on  Red  River ;  the  9th  is  at  Annapolis  ;  of 
the  loth  we  have  no  recent  report;  the  nth  is  at  Annapolis; 
the  1 2th  is  at  Yorktown  ;  the  13th  at  Norfolk  or  vicinity;  the 
14th  has  just  arrived  at  New  Orleans. 

May  2. — Michael  Coffey  killed  at  the  Depot  in  attempting  to 
get  upon  the  cars  when  they  were  moving. 

May  5. — The  Strafford  Guards  were  ordered  to  Fort  Consti- 
tution for  60  days — the  two  companies  of  Heavy  Artillery 
stationed  there  having  been  ordered  south. 

May  17. — A  draft  was  made  at  this  time  to  supply  the  defi- 
ciencies under  the  call  of  the  President  for  300000  soldiers,  but 
the  quota  of  Dover  being  full,  it  did  not  apply  to  this  city.  The 
Strafford  Guards  however  volunteered  for  service  and  were 
ordered  as  above. 

June  3. — John  B.  Sargent,  aged  64,  died  suddenly  while 
ploughing  his  garden. 

July  21. — Another  call  of  the  President  for  500000  men  was 
made  at  this  time.  The  quota  of  the  State  was  6502,  and  of 
Dover  149,  the  credits  to  which  the  city  was  entitled  reducing 
this  number  to  about  no.  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  City 
Council  held  July  23,  it  was  voted  to  pay  the  largest  bounties 
for  volunteers  authorized  by  a  recent  act  of  the  Legislature, 
viz  :  $100  for  i  years  men,  $200  for  2  years  men,  and  $300  for 
3  years  men  ;  and  the  Mayor  was  authorized  to  take  immediate 
measures  for  carrying  the  vote  into  effect,  and  raising  the 
necessary  men. 


280  NOTABLE   EVENTS  IN    THE  [1864 

Aug.  4. — The  Strafford  Guards  after  being  recruited  up  to 
full  numbers  for  the  purpose  of  doing  duty  for  a  further  term  of 
60  days,  were  discharged,  and  an  artiller}^  company  from  the 
interior  of  the  State  ordered  to  take  their  place. 

Aug.  20. — The  City  Council  voted  to  pay  the  highest  bounty 
authorized  by  law  ($200),  in  addition  to  the  State  and  United 
States  bounties,  to  such  citizens  as  should  enlist  prior  to  the  5th 
of  September. 

Aug.  22. —  Five  companies  of  Heavy  Artillery  having  been 
called  for  from  New  Hampshire,  a  rendezvous  for  enlisting  one  of 
these  companies  for  the  term  of  one,  two  or  three  years,  was 
opened  in  Dover,  and  a  full  company  enlisted  within  the  week, 
which  was  dispatched  to  Concord  with  a  large  number  of  super- 
numeraries to  take  the  places  of  those  who  might  fail  to  pass  the 
requisite  examinations.  George  W.  Colbath  was  commissioned 
as  Captain. 

At  the  same  time  an  ofRce  was  opened  for  recruits  for  the  i8th 
Regiment  by  Lieut.  John  O.  Wallingford,  and  the  City  Council 
voted  to  increase  the  bounty  to  all  who  enlist  from  Dover,  to 
$500. 

The  Artillery  companies  were  sent  to  Washington  immedi- 
ately, and  stationed  at  the  forts  around  the  Capital. 

Aug.  31. — Rev.  Francis  E.  Abbot  ordained  as  Pastor  of  the 
Unitarian  Society. 

Sept.  3. — Died,  Michael  Read,  Esq.  aged  86.  A  native  and 
always  a  resident  of  Dover,  and  taking  a  lively  interest  in  its 
local  affairs,  he  was  probably  more  familiar  with  them  than  any 
other  person  in  town.  In  his  boyhood  he  listened  to  the  preach- 
ing of  Dr.  Belknap  who  left  Dover  in  1786;  he  witnessed  the 
execution  of  Elisha  Thomas  in  1788  ;  and  attended  the  sessions 
of  the  General  Court  which  sat  here  in  the  old  Court  House  in 
1793.  He  could  remember  when  Dover  lyanding  was  a  common, 
covered  in  part  with  trees — when  the  "great  house"  of  the 
Waldrons  occupied  Franklin  Square  in  solitary  grandeur,  and 
their  possessions  monopolized  all  the  territory  in  that  part  of  the 
town  ;  when  the  Coffins  owned  what  the  Waldrons  did  not  about 
Cochecho  falls,  and  when  the  populous  city,  which  he  lived  to 
see  grow  up  around  them,  contained  not  much  more  than  a 
score  of  houses.      {Enquirer.) 


1S64]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.   H.  281 

Sept.  15. — The  quota  of  Dover  (149)  was  reported  to  be  more 
than  full,  the  number  furnished  being  160 — 60  of  whom  had 
enlisted  in  the  Navy,  32  in  the  Heavy  Artillery,  20  in  the 
1 8th  Regiment  and  48  furnished  by  enrolled  men  with  the  excess 
from  the  last  call. 

Oct.  20. — Governor  Gilmore  issued  a  requisition  for  600  men 
to  fill  up  the  1 8th  Regiment,  stating  that  although  our  quota 
was  full,  it  was  desirable  to  anticipate  the  wants  of  the  Govern- 
ment, even  though  no  call  was  made,  and  no  draft  pending. 

Same  date.— died,  John  P.  Robinson,  aged  64,  a  distinguished 
citizen  of  Lowell,  Mass.  and  a  native  of  Dover. 

]Sfov.  8. — Vote  for  President  in  this  exciting  contest,  Abraham 
Lincoln  863;  George  B.  McClellan  569.  In  the  State,  Lincoln 
and   Johnson,   Rep.,  36400;  McClellan  and  Pendleton,    Dem., 

33034- 

Nov.  15. — Great  Union  demonstration  in  honor  of  the  re- 
election of  President  Lincoln,  and  the  glorious  and  overwhelm- 
ing victory  of  Law,  Liberty  and  Union,  over  Secession, 
Disunion  and  Treason. 

The  Union  Citizens  of  Strafford  County  and  vicinity,  con- 
templated a  grand  Union  mass  meeting  before  election,  but  the 
severe  storm  prevented,  and  it  was  postponed  to  Tuesday  the 
15th  when  the  recent  glorious  and  overwhelming  victory  of  Law, 
Liberty  and  Union  over  Secession,  Disunion  and  Treason  might 
be  appropriately  observed.  The  day  opened  finely  and  every- 
thing betokened  a  rousing  demonstration.  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing the  streets  of  the  city  began  to  be  thronged  with  people  and 
delegations  arrived  by  the  morning  trains  from  Alton,  Farming- 
ton,  Rochester,  New  Market,  Madbury,  Exeter,  Concord, 
Portsmouth,  Great  Falls  and  other  places.  At  12  o'clock  the 
procession  moved  through  our  principal  streets,  escorted  by  the 
Strafford  Guards,  the  whole  under  the  direction  of  Hon.  William 
F.  Estes,  Chief  Marshal. 

A  salute  was  fired  at  the  starting  of  the  procession  ;  flags 
were  displayed  on  the  City  Hall,  Republican  flag  staff  and 
Engine  Houses.  In  the  procession  was  Governor  Gilmore  and 
staff  mounted  and  in  full  uniform;  the  13th  N.  H.  Band  from 
the  front ;  the  Young  Lincoln  and  the  Young  Washington 
Guards  ;  a  Cavalcade  of  200  Horse,  and  Citizens  of  this  and 
all  the  neighboring  towns  in  carriages  to  the  number  of  500. 


282  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN  THE  [1864 

At  I  P.M.  the  people  assembled  at  Central  Square  where  a 
Grand  Mass  Meeting  was  held— an  immense  gathering  having 
met  together. 

Z.  S.J  Wallingford,  Esq.  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  called  the  meeting  to  order  and  proposed  a  list 
of  officers  which  was  adopted. 

Hon.  T.  E.  Sawyer  was  chosen  President  with  30  Vice  Presi- 
dents from  different  towns  in  the  vicinity.  Mr.  Sawyer  thanked 
the  meeting  for  the  honor  conferred  upon  him  and  remarked 
upon  the  glorious  victory  recently  achieved  in  defence  of  the 
Government,  and  counselled  the  opposition  to  lay  aside  party 
prejudices  and  unite  as  one  man  to  strengthen  the  arm  of 
National  power  and  put  down  the  rebellion. 

Governor  Gilmore  was  then  introduced  and  was  greeted  with 
enthusiastic  cheers.  He  advised  his  friends  not  to  deal  harshly 
with  the  defeated  Democracy,  yet  he  could  not  but  rejoice  that 
we  had  given  them  such  a  glorious  beating.  "If  we  are  true 
to  duty  we  shall  surely  conquer."  He  was  for  giving  every 
dollar  and  man,  if  need  be,  to  put  down  this  accursed  rebellion. 

Hon.  D.  M.  Christie,  Hon.  J.  P.  Hale,  Hon.  E.  H.  Rollins, 
Hon.  J.  D.  Lyman,  S.  M,  Wheeler,  W.  Hamlin,  and  J.  H.  Ela, 
Esqs.  were  called  upon  and  responded  with  eloquent  speeches. 

Music  was  furnished  by  the  Dover  Cornet  Band,  13th  N.  H. 
Regiment  Band,  and  Newmarket  Band. 

In  the  evening,  notwithstanding  the  severe  snow  storm  which 
had  suddenly  sprung  up,  the  Torch  Light  Procession  came  off, 
several  hundred,  plucky  and  undaunted  in  spite  of  the  weather, 
participating. 

The  procession  formed  in  Central  Square  at  7  o'clock, 
under  charge  of  Chief  Marshal  R.  N.  Ross  and  Assistant 
Ira  A.  Moody.  The  whole  city  was  liberally  illuminated  and 
decorated. 

Fireworks  were  displayed  all  along  the  route  preceding  the 
procession,  also  by  the  citizens  generally.  In  the  procession 
were  several  very  neat  and  appropriate  transparencies  and 
mottoes,  among  them  a  transparency  with  an  elegant  portrait  of 
Lincoln  &  Johnson  with  a  list  of  the  States  giving  Union 
Majorities:  on  the  other  side  the  motto,  "With  these  true 
hearts  through  victory  to  Peace;"  another,  "Hail  Columbia 
Happy  Land,  'Tis  Freedom's  Jubilee;"  "We  shall  Con- 
quer, Never  Fear;  "  another,  "Freedom  to  all — Equal  chances 
for  all— Glory   Hallelujah;"    "Union  Triumphant!    Secession 


1865]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,    N.   H.  283 

Defeated!"  "Down  with  Traitors,"  (with  Lincoln  pitching 
Traitors  overboard.)  The  cit}^  was  extensively  and  handsomely 
decorated  and  illuminated  with  flags,  lanterns,  mottoes  &c. 
with  many  elaborate  and  elegant  designs — there  being  some 
200  in  number. 

The  whole  affair  passed  off  finely  and  the  citizens  of  Dover  will 
ever  remember  the  occasion  with  much  interest.      {Enquirer.^ 

1865 

Early  in  the  year  when  it  became  apparent  that  the  rebellion 
was  tottering  to  its  downfall,  and  that  it  was  only  requisite  that 
the  Union  forces  should  be  kept  up  to  their  full  numbers  to 
insure  a  speedy  end  of  the  war,  repeated  calls  were  made  by 
the  General  Government  for  more  soldiers;  to  all  of  which 
Dover  in  common  with  the  other  towns  and  cities  of  the  State, 
made  a  prompt  response.  Drafts  were  necessary  in  some  places, 
but  in  most  the  municipal  authorities  by  energetic  work  were 
able  to  fill  up  their  quotas  without  resorting  to  it.  In  Dover 
the  Mayor  was  successful  in  his  efforts  and  the  City  Council, 
on  the  14th  of  February,  manifested  their  appreciation  of  the 
measures  which  he  had  adopted  in  the  following  terms  : 

Resolved  by  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Dover,  that  the 
thanks  of  the  citizens  of  this  city  be  tendered  through  the 
Council  to  his  Honor  Mayor  Estes,  for  the  prompt  and  success- 
ful manner  in  which  he  has  completed  his  plans  for  filling  the 
quota  of  our  city  under  the  several  calls  for  troops  by  our 
Government. 

Feb.  22. — The  bells  of  the  city  were  rung  and  a  grand  salute 
fired  in  commemoration  of  the  fall  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  and  the 
rehoisting  of  the  flag  of  the  Union  upon  Fort  Sumter. 

March  4. — The  bells  were  again  rung  and  a  National  salute 
fired  in  honor  of  the  inauguration  of  President  Lincoln  for  his 
second  term,  and  of  the  glorious  victories  of  the  armies  of  the 
Union  "  marching  on  "  through  the  Carolinas. 

March  10. — The  invitation  extended  to  General  Butler  some 
weeks  since,  to  address  the  citizens  of  Dover,  was  fulfilled  this 
evening,  the  engagements  of  the  General  having  prevented  his 
speaking  at  an  earlier  day.  The  City  Hall  was  crowded  and 
hundreds  were  unable  to  obtain  admission.  Hon.  D.  M. 
Christie  presided  and  introduced  General  Butler  in  a  few  fitting 
remarks,  who  then  proceeded  to  address  the  audience,  speaking 
for  an  hour  with  great  eloquence  and  effect. 


284  NOTABLE  EVENTS    IN   THE  [1865 

The  meeting  was  closed  with  several  patriotic  songs  by  Mr. 
Pope  of  Washington,  and  music  by  the  Dover  Cornet  Band. 

(^Enquirer?) 

March  14. — Vote  for  governor,  Frederic  Smyth,  Rep.,  825  ; 
Edward  W.  Harrington,  Dem.,  451.  In  the  State,  Smyth 
34145,  Harrington  28017,  scattering  57. 

April  10. — News  of  the  surrender  of  I^ee  and  the  fall  of  the 
Rebellion  was  received  with  unbounded  demonstrations  of  Joy. 
All  the  bells  in  the  city  were  rung  until  noon  and  again  for  two 
hours  at  night,  accompanied  with  a  grand  salute  and  fireworks 
in  the  evening.  The  fire  Department  turned  out  in  a  body,  and 
escorted  by  the  Strafford  Guards,  with  the  Dover  Cornet  Band 
and  a  Cavalcade  of  Citizens,  marched  through  the  principal 
streets.  A  meeting  of  congratulation  was  held  in  the  evening 
at  the  City  Hall,  at  which  Hon.  John  P.  Hale,  Samuel  M. 
Wheeler  and  others  made  speeches. 

The  Enquirer  of  April  13,  says: 

The  glorious  news  of  General  Lee's  surrender  was  announced  to  our 
citizens  by  a  telegraphic  dispatch  at  the  American  Ivine  Office,  Col. 
Charles  A.  Tufts,  agent,  and  it  created  the  wildest  enthusiasm  and  the 
most  intense  rejoicing  throughout  the  city.  The  news  spread  like  wild- 
fire and  the  crowd  in  Central  Square  began  to  gather  and  increase  till  it 
numbered  several  hundreds.  The  factory  bell  (Cocheco  works)  pealed 
forth  the  joyous  news  and  the  other  bells  soon  followed  suit. 

The  stores  were  at  once  closed,  the  schools  dismissed  and 
business  suspended.  Every  one  was  jubilant — full  of  thanks- 
giving that  peace  was  so  near  and  our  brave  Army  under  the 
heroic  Grant  had  at  last  forced  the  General-in-Chief  of  the 
Confederate  Armies  to  succumb  to  the  Nation's  power. 

The  City  Council  was  summoned  together  and  passed  the 
following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  the  City  Council  of  Dover  have  this  day  heard  with  joy 
of  the  surrender  of  General  Lee  and  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia,  and 
we  hail  the  return  of  peace  as  the  harbinger  of  better  days  to  our  country, 
as  giving  more  stability  to  our  institutions  and  liberty  to  the  oppressed 
of  this  and  other  lands. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Council  are  hereby  extended  to  the 
brave  and  gallant  soldiers  and  sailors  who  have  volunteered  so  nobly  in 
our  country's  defence  ;  that  we  shall  ever  hold  in  grateful  remembrance 
their  distinguished  services  on  the  field  of  battle  or  when  guarding  the 
nation's  honor  on  the  sea. 

Resolved,  That  honor  is  due  to  Lieutenant  General  Grant— the  second 
saviour  of  our  Country— who  by  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  American 
nationality  and  the  enforcement  of  law  as  well  as  defence  of  the  consti- 


1865]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  285 

tutional  rights  of  the  people  and  by  his  skill  on  the  field  of  battle  and 
the  splendor  of  his  success,  merits  the  gratitude  of  every  patriot  heart. 

Resolved,  That  our  gratitude  is  no  less  due  to  the  bold  and  daring 
Sherman,  to  the  expert  and  dashing  Sheridan,  to  the  cool  and  intrepid 
Meade,  and  in  fact,  to  all  the  able  and  noble  Commanders,  who  both  on 
sea  and  laud,  have  so  nobly  struggled  to  suppress  this  unholy  rebellion. 
The  thanks  of  the  American  people  will  be  due  to  them  for  all  coming 
time. 

Resolved,  By  the  City  Council  of  Dover,  that  the  sum  of  Three  Hun- 
dred Dollars  be,  and  hereby  is  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of  ringing 
the  bells,  displaying  of  fireworks  and  firing  a  salute,  in  consequence  of 
the  surrender  of  General  Lee  and  his  army,  and  the  glorious  news  gen- 
erally which  has  reached  us  this  day. 

A  telegraphic  dispatch  was  received  in  the  afternoon  from 
Governor  Gilmore,  ordering  a  sahtte  on  account  of  the  State, 
v^^hich  was  carried  out. 

The  citizens  held  an  impromptu  meeting  in  Central  Square, 
and  decided  to  have  a  demonstration  at  once,  resulting  in  the 
appointment  of  Colonel  Thomas  H.  Cushing  as  Marshal.  The 
ladies  soon  appeared  thronging  the  square,  and  making  the 
scene  one  of  special  interest  and  eclat.  The  "red  white  and 
blue"  was  displayed  by  them  in  small  pennants  from  their  hats 
and  dresses  generally,  and  their  hearty  co-operation  was  indeed 
tnanifested  in  every  possible  way. 

At  half-past  eleven  o'clock  the  procession  moved  from  Central 
Square  in  the  following  order. 

Chief  Marshal  with  Aids. 
Dover  Cornet  Band,  J.  B.  Pinkham,  Leader. 
Strafford  Guards,  Ueut.  Thomas  Currier,  Commanding. 
Cavalcade  of  Citizens  in  large  numbers. 
The  old  19th  Artillery  Field  Piece. 

The  Fire  Department  (in  part)  viz  : 
Hook  and  Ladder,  No.  i.  Captain  Mark  F.  Nason. 
Tiger,  No.  2.  Captain  J.  S.  Hayes,  2d. 
Fountain,  No.  3.  Captain  D.  Crockett. 
Cocheco,  No.  5.  Captain  T.  L.  Tebbetts. 
Citizens  on  foot  and  in  carriages. 
All  along  the  route  the  American  Ensign  was  liberally  dis- 
played and  the  streets  crowded  with  the  enthusiastic  populace. 

The  bells  continued  ringing  all  the  forenoon  and  during  the 
moving  of  the  procession  and  Dover  was  beside  itself  "  for  one 
day  only."  The  Dover  Band  paraded  the  streets  in  the  after- 
noon, serenading  the  citizens,  engine  companies  and  others. 


286  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1865 

At  sunset  the  bells  were  again  rung  and  a  salute  ordered  by 
Gov.  Gilmore  was  fired  by  Captain  Glines  and  assistants.  In 
the  evening  a  brilliant  display  of  fireworks  was  had  notwith- 
standing the  rain,  for  not  even  a  deluge  could  have  dampened 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  day. 

And  also  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  evening  at  the 
City  Hall.  Mayor  Estes  presided.  Eloquent  and  stirring 
speeches  were  made  by  Hon.  John  P.  Hale,  S.  M.  Wheeler, 
Esq.  Dr.  E.  G.  Hill  and  others;  the  meeting  closing  with 
three  cheers  for  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan  and  the  "Boys 
in  Blue." 

By  the  exhibit  and  quotas  and  credits  of  the  several  towns  in 
this  District,  in  the  Army  and  Navy,  it  was  found  that  the 
quota  of  Dover  was  339  men,  and  that  she  furnished  427 — an 
excess  of  88,  from  the  opening  of  the  Provost  Marshal's  office 
to  this  time. 

April  15. — Our  citizens  of  all  parties  were  deeply  shocked  by 
the  appalling  intelligence  from  Washington  of  the  assassination 
of  the  President.  The  deed  reported  was  so  monstrous  that  at 
first  many  refused  to  believe  it,  but  incredulity  was  soon  forced 
to  give  way  to  the  official  report,  confirming  the  sad  news. 
The  flags  were  at  once  placed  at  half-mast,  all  the  bells  in  the 
city  were  tolled,  business  was  suspended  and  many  stores  and 
other  places  were  draped  in  mourning. 

April  16. — The  death  of  the  President  was  the  theme  of  the 
pulpit  in  all  our  Churches,  some  of  them  were  draped  in 
mourning. 

April  18. — The  City  Council  held  a  special  meeting  and 
passed  a  series  of  appropriate  resolutions  in  relation  to  the 
exalted  life  and  character  of  Abraham  Eincoln  and  the  great 
loss  the  Nation  sustained  in  his  death,  and  appropriated  a  sum 
of  money  towards  observing  the  funeral  obsequies  on  Wednes- 
day the  19th,  conforming  to  the  request  of  Acting  Secretary  of 
State  Hunter  at  Washington,  and  Governor  Gilmore  of  this 
State.  A  resolution  was  also  passed  appointing  a  committee  to 
invite  some  fit  person  to  deliver  an  eulogy  upon  the  late  President 
at  an  early  day. 


1865]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.  H.  287 

April  19. — Bells  were  tolled  from  11  A.M.  till  12  M.  and  from 
Yyi  P.M.  till  3  P.M.  Guns  fired  every  30  minutes  from  10  A.M. 
till  6  P.M.  Flags  draped  in  mourning  were  displayed  through- 
out the  city.  Services  were  held  at  the  Unitarian,  Congrega- 
tional, Belknap,  Episcopal  and  Calvin  Baptist  Churches. 

At  the  Unitarian  Church  Hon.  John  P.  Hale  delivered  an 
eloquent  and  impressive  address,  being  the  last  ever  made  by 
him  in  Dover,  as  he  left  a  few  weeks  after  for  Spain,  to  which 
country  he  had  been  appointed  Minister,  and  from  which  he  did 
not  return  until  after  five  years  with  health  too  much  impaired 
to  speak  in  public. 


Mr.  Hale's  address  was  as  follows  : 

My  Friends  and  Fellow  Citizens: 

When  I  saw  that  the  Authorities  of  the  Nation  and  the  State,  with  singu- 
lar propriety  had  invited  the  people  at  this  hour  appointed  for  the  funeral 
obsequies  of  our  departed  President,  to  turn  aside  from  the  ordinary 
pursuits  and  avocations  of  daily  life,  and  for  a  brief  space  of  time  to 
give  themselves  up  to  the  reflections  and  contemplations  which  the  event 
and  the  hour  were  so  well  calculated  to  excite,  it  occurred  to  me  that  it 
would  be  a  fitting  and  appropriate  occasion  to  utter  a  very  few  words 
which  I  wished  to  say  to  you  and  through  you  to  the  people. 

Subsequent  reflection  has  caused  me  to  doubt  the  propriety  of  the 
course  here  suggested,  for  it  seemed  to  me  that  the  event  which  we 
deplore  was  so  awful  and  appalling  that  itself  taught  its  own  lesson  bet- 
ter than  any  commentary  that  could  be  made  upon  it,  and  that  it  would 
be  presumptuous  in  any  one  to  undertake  to  elucidate  or  illustrate 
the  great  lesson  which  God  in  His  providence  was  teaching  the  Nation 
and  the  world.  I  feared  and  felt  that  at  this  hour  the  sublime  eloquence 
of  silence  was  more  impressive  than  any  babbling  of  man.  Nevertheless 
as  I  had  agreed  to  undertake  it  and  expectation  had  been  excited  by  the 
announcement  that  I  would  make  the  attempt  and  in  consequence 
thereof  this  immense  assemblage  has  come  together  I  proceed. 

Perhaps  it  is  known  to  most  of  you  that  I  recently  returned  from 
Washington.  I  was  there  at  the  time  of  the  assassination  ;  I  had  an 
interview  with  the  deceased  President  on  the  day  the  deed  was  done  and 
about  seven  hours  before  the  event  took  place.  Three  hours  after  his 
death  I  had  an  interview  with  his  successor,  free,  confidential  and  highly 
satisfactory. 


288  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1865 

These  circumstances  have  furnished  me  with  a  few  facts  and  reflec- 
tions which  constitute  the  reasons  why  I  stand  before  you  at  this  time. 
First  in  regard  to  the  visit  to  Mr.  Lincoln  within  a  few  hours  of  his 
death.  I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  state  that  the  result  of  it  was  all  I  could 
have  wished,  and  was  so  characteristic  of  his  whole  life,  viz.  an  act  of 
clemency  and  kindness.  At  the  conclusion  of  our  interview  when  he 
had  decided  to  grant  what  was  asked,  and  requested  me  to  bring  the 
papers  to  him,  I  remarked  that  there  was  not  time  to  do  it  that  afternoon, 
he  pleasantly  replied,  "there  will  be  time  enough  tomorrow,"  and  I  left 
him  to  return  tomorrow,  to  have  the  business  completed.  Tomorrow 
came  but  at  the  ordinary  time  of  admitting  visitors,  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  he  had  been  for  nearly  three  hours  a  corpse.  Never  before  in 
my  life  had  I  impressed  upon  me,  as  this  event  did,  the  import  and  the 
wisdom  of  the  injunction  "  boast  not  thyself  of  tomorrow."  It  will 
ever  be  a  source  of  pleasure  amid  all  the  sad  remembrances  of  the  hour 
to  recall  the  fact  that  the  last  interview  I  ever  had  with  the  departed 
President  was  one  in  which  he  left  such  an  impression  of  the  kindness 
of  his  heart  as  a  man  and  the  clemency  of  his  rule  as  chief  magistrate. 

Now  let  me  say  a  word  as  to  the  interview  with  his  successor.  I  know 
that  at  this  time  there  is  the  most  intense  and  anxious  solicitude  in  the 
public  mind  to  know  all  that  can  be  known  of  him  on  whom  the  mantle 
of  the  President  has  fallen,  and  what  may  be  hoped  of  him  on  whom 
Providence  has  so  unexpectedly  and  so  suddenly  devolved  the  task  of 
leading  this  Nation  through  the  perils  that  still  environ  us. 

What  I  can  do  to  gratify  this  feeling  shall  cheerfully  be  done.  I  have 
known  Mr.  Johnson  well  for  nearly  twenty  two  years,  having  commenced 
my  Congressional  life  with  him  at  the  commencement  of  the  twenty 
eighth  Congress  and  known  him  well  ever  since,  having  served  with  him 
in  the  Senate  all  the  time  he  was  a  member  of  that  body.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  the  late  President's  death,  I  sought  an  interview  with  Presi- 
dent Johnson  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  succeed  in  obtaining  it.  I 
had  a  full,  free  and  confidential  conversation  with  him,  no  one  else  being 
present.  What  transpired  in  that  confidential  talk,  I,  of  course,  am  not 
at  liberty  to  disclose  here  or  elsewhere,  but  I  am  at  perfect  liberty  to 
state  the  impression  it  left  on  my  mind.  During  my  long  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Johnson,  the  first  time  that  I  ever  heard  his  name  connected 
with  intoxicating  drink  was  the  fourth  of  March  last,  and  I  left  him  on 
the  fifteenth  of  April  last,  fully  impressed  and  convinced  that  the  Patriot 
need  have  no  apprehension  that  there  is  anything  to  fear  on  that  subject 
in  the  future.  I  remained  with  him  till  after  Chief  Justice  Chase  came 
into  the  room  and  administered  to  him  the  oath  of  office  as  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  I  think  I  express  the  universal  sentiment  of  all 
who  were  present  on  that  occasion  when  I  remark  that  his  whole  deport- 
ment and  conduct  was  marked  by  the  most  perfect  propriety,  and  entirely 
in  accord  with  what  the  very  solemn  and  momentous  circumstances 
demanded.  This  is  one  of  the  statements  I  was  desirous  of  making  to 
the  public. 


1865]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,   N.  H.  289 

In  regard  to  the  death  of  the  President  the  most  obvious  thought  which 
suggests  itself  is  the  suddenness  of  the  transition  from  exultant  and 
exuberant  joy  to  the  depths  of  wailing  and  woe.  Perhaps  no  City  ever 
presented  a  more  brilliant  and  gorgeous  exhibition  of  all  the  insignia 
and  external  manifestations  of  public  rejoicing  and  gladness  than  did  the 
City  of  Washington  the  evening  preceding  this  event.  The  next  evening 
as  if  by  magic  all  was  changed  ;  the  sounds  of  gratulation  and  triumph 
were  turned  to  wailing  and  lamentation  for  the  dead,  and  the  gorgeous 
decorations  in  which  the  National  Capital  had  enveloped  herself  that  she 
might  appropriately  celebrate  the  crowning  victories  with  which  Provi- 
dence had  so  recently  blessed  the  National  cause,  vanished  as  if  by  a 
Magician's  wand,  and  when  the  curtain  again  rose  the  mourner's  weed 
and  the  funeral  pall  were  all  that  met  the  eye. 

One  fact  worth  mentioning  in  this  connexion,  and  which  goes  far  to 
illustrate  the  estimation  in  which  the  deceased  President  was  holden 
among  the  humble,  the  lowly  and  the  oppressed,  is,  that  while  the 
stately  mansions  of  the  wealthy,  and  the  public  edifices  of  the  Nation 
gave  evidence  that  no  avarice  or  stinted  economy  restrained  the  profusion 
with  which  all  classes  were  eager  to  testify  their  grief  for  the  Nation's 
loss,  the  humblest  inhabitants  of  the  lowliest  huts,  the  abodes  of  the 
desolate,  the  oppressed  and  the  down  trodden  colored  people  of  the 
City,  all  decorated  their  dwellings  with  some  sign  of  woe,  and  although 
in  many  instances,  a  black  rag  that  poverty  itself  would  hardly  have 
picked  up  from  the  street,  was  all  that  destitution  and  want  could  afford 
to  testify  their  grief,  yet  it  was  none  the  less  sincere,  and  spoke  most 
eloquently  of  the  regard  in  which  the  deceased  President  was  held  by 
these  humble  ones  whom  politicians  never  look  after,  and  whose  good 
opinions  are  of  no  esteem  with  the  scheming  and  ambitious.  I  know 
not  how  it  may  strike  you,  my  friends,  but  I  confess  that  to  my  mind  it 
was  one  of  the  most  touching  tributes  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Lincoln 
that  his  death  has  called  forth,  and  which  if  his  spirit  is  permitted  to 
take  cognizance  of  what  transpires  here,  would  be  most  grateful  to  his 
own  feelings. 

A  few  words  as  to  the  personal  character  of  Mr.  Lincoln.  He  was  a 
man  of  pure  and  blameless  life  ;  no  tale  of  oppression,  injustice,  fraud 
or  lust  stains  his  record.  He  was  genial  in  his  temper,  affable  in  his 
manners  and  accessible  almost  to  a  fault.  He  was  a  Patriot,  no  sinister 
or  selfish  motive  mingled  with  the  earnest  simplicity  with  which  he 
devoted  all  his  energies  to  the  welfare  of  his  Country.  These  two  dis- 
tinguishing traits  in  his  character  explain  and  illustrate  the  great  hold 
he  had  on  the  popular  heart.  Perhaps  you  know,  my  fellow  Citizens,  as 
well  as  anybody  that  I  did  not  fully  approve  and  endorse  all  the 
measures  of  all  the  branches  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  Administration,  and  I 
thank  God  that  when  I  failed  to  approve  I  did  not  hesitate  to  avow  it ; 
but  of  Mr.  Lincoln  personally,  of  his  strict  integrity,  his  undoubted 
patriotism,  his  exemplary  purity  and  blameless  life,  I  never  entertained 
the  slightest  doubt.  I  have  avowed  these  sentiments  frequently,  pub- 
licly and  privately  in  his  life  time,  and  now  that  the  seal  of  death  has 
been  placed  upon  the  record  of  his  life,  I  am  happy  in  repeating  it  here. 


290  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE  [1865 

Though  I  do  not  claim  the  honor  of  a  very  intimate  friendship  with 
the  late  President,  yet  I  knew  him  well  for  a  long  time,  commencing  my 
acquaintance  with  him  long  before  he  was  thought  of  for  the  Presidency 
when  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  I  have  seen 
him  at  his  home  in  Springfield,  and  as  you  all  know  was  a  member  of 
the  U.  S.  Senate  during  the  whole  of  his  first  Presidential  term.  I 
mention  this  that  you  may  have  an  idea  of  my  means  of  forming  a 
correct  estimate  of  his  character. 

It  is  now  a  little  more  than  four  years  since  under  more  peculiar  and 
trying  circumstances  than  any  of  his  predecessors,  Mr.  Lincoln  entered 
upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office  of  President  of  the  United 
States.  In  the  hour  of  entering  on  these  perilous  duties,  with  felicitous 
thought  and  expression,  in  his  inaugural  address,  he  "announced  in  no 
ambiguous  terms  the  political  principles  by  which  his  conduct  would  be 
governed.  Read  that  inaugural  to  day  and  you  will  find  it  to  be  mainly 
an  enunciation  of  this  great  cardinal  truth,  viz.  that  the  Union  of  the 
States  ivas  perpetual,  and  as  a  consequence  of  that  primal  truth,  the 
duty  devolved  on  him  of  enforcing  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  so  far 
as  he  was  able,  in  all  the  States  of  the  Union. 

With  this  simple  annunciation  he  commenced  his  official  career 
confronted  in  a  very  few  weeks  with  the  most  powerful  and  gigantic 
rebellion  that  the  world  has  ever  known. 

How  he  met  the  emergencies  of  the  occasion  the  impartial  pen  of 
history  will  tell. 

What  should  we  have  said  if  we  had  been  called  upon  to  select  for 
the  Nation  a  leader  to  conduct  us  through  the  great  crisis  before  us? 

We  should  probably  have  selected  a  skillful  general,  an  educated 
financier,  a  man  whose  commanding  genius  would  have  flashed  intelli- 
gence on  the  public  councils  with  the  clearness  and  the  force  of 
inspiration. 

Such  however  was  not  the  wisdom  of  Providence,  a  man  of  peace 
without  military  skill,  education  or  experience  was  chosen  to  conduct  to 
a  successful  termination  the  mightiest  war  that  history  has  recorded. 

He  had  no  peculiar  education  as  a  financier,  yet  under  his  administra- 
tion a  revenue  was  created  fully  equal  to  the  enormous  and  incredible 
demands  which  the  war  so  suddenly  made,  and  which  flowed  into  our 
treasury  with  a  copiousness  and  munificence  far  exceeding  the  most 
extravagant  tales  of  Eastern  fiction. 

Such  was  President  Lincoln,  and  though  we  may  mourn  and  the 
whole  Country  deplore  his  untimely  death,  yet  so  far  as  he  is  concerned, 
it  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  untimely  or  premature.  He  had  done  his 
work,  the  rebellion  was  crushed.  The  National  life  had  been  saved; 
the  rightful  supremacy  of  the  Constitution  and  the  laws  had  been 
vindicated,  and  the  old  flag  had  been  made  to  float  in  triumph  over  the 
strongholds  from  which  it  had  been  stricken  down  by  traitorous  hands, 
and  last  of  all,  on  fort  Sumter  the  place  where  four  years  ago  amid  the 
sulphurous  fumes  with  which  the  insanity  of  Rebellion  had  filled  the 
air,  it  had  been  lowered,  it  had  again  been  raised  amid  the  shouts  and 
gratulations  of  thousands  who  had  assembled  from  afar  to  witness  so 
grateful  a  ceremony. 


1865]  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  291 

The  tempest  of  battle  was  over,  the  torrents  of  blood  had  been 
stayed,  the  thanksgivings  of  a  redeemed  people  were  ascending  in 
mighty  shouts  to  Heaven  for  the  great  deliverance  which  had  been 
wrought  out  for  them  and  as  if  borne  on  this  out-gushing  and  rapturous 
expression  of  thanksgiving  and  praise,  the  spirit  of  Mr.  Lincoln  passed 
from  Earth  to  Heaven.  And  although  we  in  our  ignorance  and  blind- 
ness might  not  so  have  arranged  the  order  of  events,  who  now  is  so 
impious  or  so  skeptical  as  to  question  the  wisdom  or  the  goodness  of  God 
in  this  providence  so  sudden,  so  unexpected,  and  so  widely  different 
from  what  we  would  have  ordered  ?  His  work  was  done  and  well  done, 
the  measure  of  his  fame  was  full  and  he  has  gone  to  his  rest,  we  humbly 
and  confidently  hope,  to  his  reward.  Let  us  remember,  my  friends,  that 
though  the  President  is  dead,  God  lives,  sitting  on  the  throne  of  Eternity 
as  of  old,  forever  unchangeable. 

And  let  us  remember  too  that  we  still  have  a  Country  to  serve.  Let 
us  then  to  day  with  renewed  energy  of  purpose,  devote  ourselves  to  the 
faithful  and  patriotic  discharge  of  all  the  duties  which  our  Country  in 
this  dark  hour  or  the  coming  future  may  require  of  us.  Let  us  with 
earnest  prayer  and  ardent  faith  commend  our  Country  to  the  blessing  of 
God,  with  the  more  confidence  when  we  remember  all  that  she  has  done 
and  is  still  doing  to  purge  herself  of  her  great  sin,  and  let  us  confi- 
dently hope  that  she  is  about  entering,  nay  that  she  has  already  entered 
on  a  new  career  of  prosperity,  honor  and  glory  far  exceeding  anything 
which  has  yet  transpired  in  her  history,  when  we  shall  be  in  truth  and 
in  fact  what  we  have  hitherto  been  only  in  name,  a  free  people. 


292  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN    THE 

Moderators  of   Town  Meetings 
1661  to  1749. 

1661  Elder  Wentworth. 

1664  Peter  Coffin. 

1674  Richard  Waldron. 

1696  Job  Clements. 

1702  James  Davis. 

1703  Richard  Waldron. 

1704  John  Gerrish. 

1713  James  Davis. 

1714  John  Gerrish. 

1715  Richard  Waldron.    James  Davis. 
1720  James  Davis. 

1730  Thomas  Millet.     Stephen  Jones. 

1731  James  Davis. 

1732  Thomas  Millet. 

1733  Paul  Wentworth. 

1734  Thomas  Millet. 

1739  John  Wingate.     Thomas  Wallingford. 

1740  Thomas  Millet. 
1745  Thomas  Wallingford. 

1747  John  Wood. 

1748  Thomas  Wallingford. 

1749  Thomas  Millet. 


1761  to  1799. 
1761  John  Wingate. 

1762-1769       Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron. 
1770  John  Wingate. 

1771-1774      Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron. 

1775  John  Gage.     Shadrach  Hodgdon.    Thomas  W.  Waldron. 

1776  John  Gage. 

1777  John  Wentworth.     Col.  Joshua  Wingate.     John  Gage. 

1778  Stephen  Evans.     Shadrach  Hodgdon.     Otis  Baker. 

1779  John  Gage.     Shadrach  Hodgdon. 

1780  John  Wentworth. 

1 781  John  Wentworth.     Otis  Baker.     Stephen  Evans. 

1782  John  Gage.     John  Wentworth. 
1783-1786      John  Wentworth. 

1787  Stephen  Evans.     John  Gage. 

1788  John  Waldron.     Peter  Hodgdon. 

1789  John  Waldron. 

1790  John  Waldron.     Doctor  Ezra  Green. 
1791-1796      John  Waldron. 

1797  John  Waldron.     William  K.  Atkinson. 

1798  John  Waldron. 

1799  John  Waldron.    James  Jewett. 

(During  the  stirring  times  of  the  Revolution  Town  Meetings  were  fre- 
quent, which  will  account  for  the  number  of  Moderators  chosen  in  some 
of  the  above  years. 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  293 

Town  Clerks 
1647-1855. 

1647-1685  William  Pomfrett. 

1686-1719  John  Tuttle. 

1720-1726  Thomas  Tebbetts. 

1727-1743  Paul  Gerrish. 

1 743-1758  Joseph  Hanson. 

1759-1770  Bphraim  Hanson. 

1771-1785  Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron.     (Died  April  1785.) 

1785-1788  John  Burnam  Hanson. 

1789-1794  Nathaniel  Cooper. 

1 795-1 799  Walter  Cooper. 

1800-1815  Dominions  Hanson. 

1816-1819  Andrew  Peirce. 

1820-1835  James  Richardson. 

1836-1837  Charles  Young. 

1838-1842  George  Piper. 

1843-1844  Thomas  Stackpole, 

1845-1849  George  T.  Wentworth. 

1850-1851  Charles  E.  Soule. 

1852  Charles  A.  Tufts.     (Appointed  by  Selectmen  in  place  of 

Soule  resigned.) 

1853-1855  Amasa  Roberts. 


Representatives 
1692-1855. 
Samuel  Allen  was  appointed  Governor  of  New  Hampshire   March  i, 
1692,  and  assumed  office  August  13,  following.     Assemblies  were  called, 
and  summoned  by  writ  of  the  Royal  Governor   up  to  the  time  of  the 
Revolution. 

1692-93. —     John  Woodman,  Job  Clements,  William  Furber. 
1693-94- —     William  Furber,  John  Woodman,  Job  Clements.     (Clem- 
ents refused  to  take  the  oaths,  and  I,t.  John  Tuttle  was 
returned.) 
1694-96. —      John  Woodman,  John  Hall,  William  Furber. 

1696  John  Hall,  Thomas  Chesley,  Job  Clements.     (Clements 
refused  to  take  the  oaths.) 

1697  Capt.John  Gerrish;  probably  others  but  no  names  given. 
1697-98, —     Joshua  Cromwell,  James  Davis,  William  Furber. 
1698-1702.— Capt.  John  Tuttle,  Lt.  William  Furber,  Lt.  James  Davis. 

At  adjourned  session  August  1699,  in  place  of  Furber  and 

Davis  appeared  Capt.  John  Woodman  and  Nathaniel  Hill. 

In  place  of  Capt.  John  Tuttle,  James  Davis  appeared  1701. 
1703  William  Furber,  Nathaniel  Hill,  Capt.  John  Woodman. 

1704-09.—     Capt.  John  Woodman,  Lt.  William  Furber,  Lt.  Nathaniel 

Hill.     (Capt.  John  Tuttle  is  on  Dover  records,  said  to  be 

chosen  1707;  no  mention  on  Provincial  records.) 
1709-14.—     Nathaniel    Hill,    Stephen    Jones,    Ezekiel    Wentworth. 

(Mr.  Wentworth  died,  and   Capt.  Timothy  Gerrish  was 

sworn  in  1712.) 


294  NOTABLE  EVENTS  IN   THE 

1715  Capt.  Timothy  Gerrish,  John  Downing,  Stephen  Jones. 

1715-22. —     James  Davis,  Samuel  Tebbets. 

1722-27. —     James    Davis,    Capt.    Timothy    Gerrish,    Capt.   Samuel 

Tebbets.     (Mr.    Gerrish  removed    from    the    Province. 

Benjamin  Wentworth   was  sworn   in   1724;  he  died  and 

Paul  Gerrish  was  sworn  in  1727.) 
1727-28. —     Paul  Gerrish,  Capt.  Samuel  Tebbets,  John  Smith. 
1728-30. —     Paul    Gerrish,    Capt.    Samuel    Tebbets,    Capt.    Francis 

Mathes. 
1731-32. —     Paul    Gerrish,    Capt.    Francis    Mathes,   Capt.    Thomas 

Millet. 
1732-33. —     Paul  Wentworth,  Nicholas  Hartford,  William  Damm. 
1734-37. —     Paul  Gerrish,  Paul  Weutworth,  Capt.  Thomas  Millet. 
1739-40. —     Paul  Gerrish,  Thomas  Millet,  Capt.  Thomas  Wallingford. 
1740-41. —     Lt.    Thomas    Davis,    Capt.    John    Gage,    Capt.  Thomas 

Wallingford. 
1742-45. —     Capt.  John    Canney  (a  Quaker  who   "affirmed  "),  Capt. 

Thomas  Wallingford. 
1745  Capt.  Thomas  Wallingford,  Thomas  Millet,  Capt.  John 

Winget. 
1745-48. —     John   Gage,    Col.   Thomas  Wallingford,  Major   Thomas 

Davis. 
1749-52. —     Thomas  Millet,  Major  Thomas  Davis,  John  Wentworth. 
1752-55.—     Thomas  Millet,  Major  Thomas  Davis,  John  Wentworth, 

3d.    (apparently  same  as  previous  year.) 
1755-58. —     Capt.  Thomas  Westbrook  Waldron,  Thomas  Millet. 
1758-68. —     Capt.  Thomas  W.  Waldron,  Capt.  Howard  Henderson. 
1768-71.—     Capt.  Thomas  W.  Waldron,  Otis  Baker. 
1771-74. —     John  Gage,  Otis  Baker. 

1774  Capt.  John  Waldron,  Capt.  Caleb  Hodgdon. 

1775  Otis  Baker,  Capt.  Caleb  Hodgdon.     The  last  Assembly 
under  the  Crown. 


In   the  period  1774-1783;    first  date  of  meeting  of 
Convention. 

1774  Capt.  John  Waldron,  Capt.  Caleb  Hodgdon,  Capt. 
Joshua  Wingate,  Capt.  Stephen  FJvans,  Nathaniel 
Cooper. 

1775  Major  Caleb  Hodgdon,  John  Waldron,  3d.,  Joshua  Win- 
gate,  Stephen  Evans,  Nathaniel  Cooper,  Capt.  Shadrach 
Hodgdon,  Otis  Baker. 

T776  Col.    Stephen    Evans,   John    Wentworth,  jr.,   (Col.  Otis 

Baker  elected,  but  declined.) 
1777-79. —     Jolin  Wentworth,  jr..  Major  Caleb  Hodgdon. 
1777-79. —         Convention    to    form    a   government.     Captain    John 

Gage,  Major  Caleb  Hodgdon. 
1780  Col.  Joshua  Wingate,  John  Kielle  ;  —  also  authorized  to 

act  in  Constitutional  Convention. 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H.  295 

1781-82.—     Col.  John  Waldron,  Major  Caleb  Hodgdon. 

1781  Constitutional    Convention.      Col.    Otis    Baker,    Col. 

Joshua  Wingate. 
1783  Col.  John  Waldron,  Capt.  James  Calef. 


Under  the  State  Constitution. 
1784  Capt.  James  Calef. 

1785-86.—     Col.  John  Waldron. 

1787  Joshua  Wingate. 

1788  Convention  on  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 
Dr.  Ezra  Green. 

1788  Col.  John  Waldron,  (Col.  Waldron  was  afterwards 
elected  Senator,  and  Andrew  Torr  chosen  to  fill  the 
vacancy.) 

1789  Andrew  Torr. 
1790-92. —     John  Kielle. 

1791  John  Waldron,  delegate  to  Constitutional  Convention. 

1793-94- —    Col.  John  Waldron. 

1795  Andrew  Torr,  Richard  Tripe. 

1796  Capt.  Moses  Wingate,  Richard  Tripe. 

1797-  Col.  John  Waldron,  Capt.  Moses  Wingate. 

1798-  Col.  John  Waldron. 

1799  Capt.  Moses  Wingate. 

1800  Joseph  Gage. 
1801-02  Col.  John  Waldron. 

1803  Col.  John  Waldron,  Daniel  Henderson. 

1804-06  Daniel  Henderson. 

1807-10  Amos  Cogswell. 

1811  Tobias  Tuttle. 

1812  Amos  Coggswell,  Moses  Hodgdon. 

1813  Moses  Hodgdon,  Tobias  Tuttle. 

1814  Tobias  Tuttle,  Amos  Cogswell. 

1815  Amos  Cogswell,  John  Waldron. 

1816  Daniel  M.  Durell,  John  Williams.  (Mr.  Durell  resigned, 
and  John  Waldron  was  chosen.) 

1817  John  Williams,  Andrew  Peirce. 

1818  Andrew  Peirce,  William  Flagg. 

1819  Andrew  Peirce,  Nathaniel  W.  Ela. 

1820  Andrew  Peirce,  Charles  Woodman. 

1821-22. —     Charles  Woodman,  Speaker;  Nathaniel  W.  Ela. 

1823  Andrew  Peirce,  Speaker  ;  William  Hale,  James  Bartlett. 

1824  Andrew  Peirce,  James  Bartlett,  Nathaniel  W.  Ela. 

1825  James  Bartlett,  John  Williams,  Robert  Rogers. 

1826  James  Bartlett,  John  Williams,  Daniel  M.  Christie, 
Samuel  Kimball. 

1827-28. —  John  Williams,  Daniel  M.  Christie,  Samuel  Kimball, 
Eri  Perkins.  (Mr.  Christie  resigned  and  John  Wheeler 
was  chosen.) 

1829  James  Bartlett,  John  Wheeler ,  John  Riley,  Walter  Sawyer. 

1830  James   Bartlett,   Daniel   M.    Christie,  Jacob    Kittredge. 


296  HISTORY  OF  DOVER,  N.  H. 

1831  Daniel  M.  Christie,  Jacob   Kittredge,  Samuel  W.    Carr, 
Cyrus  Goss. 

1832  Samuel  W.  Carr,  John    P.    Hale,    Thomas    E.    Sawyer, 
Elhanan  W.  Fenner. 

1833  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Nathaniel  Young,  William  Hale,  jr., 
John  H.  White, 

1834  Nathaniel  Young,  John  H.  White,  John  B.  H.  Odiorne, 
Thomas  W.  Kittredge. 

1835  Thomas  W.  Kittredge,  John  B.  H.  Odiorne,  Thomas  E. 
Sawyer. 

1836  Thomas    E.    Sawyer,    Thomas   W.    Kittredge,    Andrew 
Peirce,  Benjamin  Wiggin. 

1837  Noah  Martin,  Joseph  H.  Smith,    Charles  Ham,    Daniel 
Hussey. 

1838  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  George  Wadleigh,  William  Pickering 
Drew,  Benjamin  Wiggin. 

1839  Daniel  M.  Christie,  George  Wadleigh,  William  Pickering 
Drew,  Oliver  S.  Home. 

1840  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Oliver  S.  Home,  Jonas  D.  Townsend, 
Samuel  Drew. 

1841  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Andrew  Peirce,  Jonas  D.  Townsend, 
Daniel  M.  Christie. 

1842  Andrew    Peirce,    Thomas  T.   Edgerly,  Daniel    Hussey. 
Nathaniel  Jenness. 

1843  Andrew  Peirce,  Nathaniel  Jenness,  Horace  Clark. 

1844  Charles  Ham,  James  W.  Cowan,  Hanson  Roberts,  David 
Wilson,  Alfred  H.  Otis. 

1845  Thomas   E.   Sawyer,  Andrew   Peirce,   Elijah  Wadleigh, 
Wells  Waldron. 

1846  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Elijah  Wadleigh,  Daniel  M.  Christie, 
Nathaniel  Low,  Wells  Waldron,  John  P.  Hale,  Speaker. 

1847  Thomas   E.    Sawyer,  Elijah  Wadleigh.  Nathaniel   Low, 
Darius  T.  Johnson, William  F.  Estes,  Samuel  Hanson,  2d. 

1848  Samuel  Hanson,  2d.,  Calvin  Hale,  George  Wadleigh. 

1849  Daniel  M.  Christie,  George  Wadleigh,  Joseph  T.  Peaslee, 
John  H.  Wiggins,  James  R.  Moulton. 

1850  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,    Thomas   W.    Kittredge,    Benjamin 
Wiggin,  Calvin  Hale,  James  Austin,  William  F.  Estes. 

1850  To  Constitutional  Convention.      Thomas  E.   Sawyer, 

Andrew  Peirce,  Shubael  Varney,  Asa  Freeman,  William 
Plaisted  Drew,  John  H.  Wiggins. 

T851  Thomas  W.  Kittredge,  Joseph  Morrill,  Benjamin  Wiggin, 

William  B.  Wiggin,  James  Austin,  William  F.  Estes. 

1852  Joseph  Morrill,  William  B.  Wiggin,  George  P.   Folsom, 
Silas  Moody,  John  H.  Wiggins,  Joseph  Hanson,  3d. 

1853  None  elected. 

1854  James  Bennett,  George  Mathewson,  George  P.  Folsom, 
Silas  Moody,  Daniel  H.  Wendell.  William  Hale. 

1855  Daniel   M.  Christie,  Nathaniel   Wiggin,  James  Bennett, 
William  S.  Stevens,  Ivory  Paul,  Edmund  J.  Lane. 


ERRATA 

Page  77,  par.  4,   line    i,  for  "  Rev.   John  Elliot's"   read   Rev. 

John  Eliot's. 
Page  77,  par.  8,  line  2,   for   "  Robert   Burnhams  "   read  Robert 

Burnham. 
Page  108,  par.  2,  line  2,   for  "  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott"   read  Rev.    Dr. 

Eliot. 
Page  133,  par.  8,  line  2,  for  "  William  Shepard  "  read  William 

Sheperd. 
Page  134,  par.  i,  line  i,  for  "  Jeremiah  Davies  "  read  Jeremiah 

Daveis. 
Page   134,  par.    i,  line  6,  for  "  Stephen  Willie  "   read  Stephen 

Wille. 
Page    134,  par.    i,  line  9,  for  "Joshua  Davies"    read  Joshua 

Daveis. 
Page  135,  par.  5,  line  3,  for  "  Gossport  "  read  Gosport. 
Page  149,  par.  5,  lines  2  and  3,  for  "  Elliot"  read  Eliot. 
Page  223,  par.  3,  line  5,  for  "J.  B.  H.  Odione  "  read  J.  B.  H. 

Odiorne. 
Page  257,  par.  5,  line  i,  for  "  Rev.  Henry  S.  Bond  "  read  Rev. 

Henry  F.  Bond. 
Page  271,  par.  i,  lines  3  and  4,   for  "  E.  Q.   Adams  "   read   E. 

G.  Adams. 
Page  271,  par.  4,  line  24,  for  "John  Malloy  "  read  John  Molloy. 
Page    271,  par.  4.  line    24,    for    "Charles    A.    Graves"    read 

Charles  A.  Grover. 


INDEX 


Abbot,  Francis  E-,  Rev.,  280 

Joseph, 140 
Abbott,  Alexander  S.,  271 
Abbott  Guards,  270 
Aboquecemoka,  Sampson,  81 
Academy,  Exeter,  204 

Franklin,  208 
Academy  Street,  251 
Adams,  Charles,  30,  33,   48,  52,  57, 
60,  69,  74,  80,  84,  89 
Enoch  G.,  271,  297 
Hugh,    Rev.,    121,    126,    127, 
129,  131 
-  Isaac,  260 
John,  56,  59,  68 
John,   President,      177,     183, 

186,  188,  190,  224 
John  Quincy,  President,  196, 
214,  216,  219,  224,  226, 
227,  228,  234 
Samuel,  100 
Adams'  Garrison,  99 
Addington,  Secretary,  93 
Africa,  211 
Agamenticus,  15 
Alarm  List,  166 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  146,  147,  169,  173 
Alcock,  Robert,  193 
Alden,  Dr.,  133 
Aldrich,  George,  193 
Alewives,  26,  205 
Allen,  Edward,  79 
Mr.,  108 
Samuel,  97,  293 
Alt,  John,   30,  33,  42,  48,  52,  57,  60, 

69.  79 
Alton,  253,  281 

Bay,  236,  257 
Ambler,  John,  117 
Ambrose,  Alice,  54 
America,  4,  159,  160,  162,  215 
American  House,  253 

Party,  262 
Ames,  Cyrus,  235 
Amesbury,  Mass.,  104 
Amherst,  10,  164 


Ammuuition,  24,  71,  76,  123 
Amoskeag,  10 
Anabaptism,  14,  32 
Andover,  Mass.,  174,  235,  250 
Andrews,  Jedediah,  51,  55,  58,  67 
Audros  Government,  94,  95 
Annapolis,  Md.,  279 
Antietam,  276 
Aqueduct,  193 

Company,  213 
Arms,  164,  204 

Army,   Continental,    167,    168,   169, 
226 

English,  156 

Potomac,  275 

Union,  276,  283 

United  States,  286 
Artificers,  29 

Artillery,  Dover,  194,  206,   218,  222, 
285 

Heavy,  279,  280,  281 

New  Boston,  142 

Portsmouth,  142 
Arwin,  Edward,  47 
Ash,  Thomas,  140 
Assembly,  General,  86,  87,  98,   104, 
112,  114,  115,   116,    117, 
118,  119,  120,  121,   122, 
123,   124,  126,  128,  129, 
130,  131,   132,  133,  134, 

137.  138.  139.   143.  144, 
145,  146,  148,  149,  150, 

151.   153.  156,   157.   158, 
164,    165,    166,167,    171, 

293 
Massachusetts,  23 
Provincial,  127,  138,  293,  294 
Aseembly  Men,  86,  87,  115,  117,  120, 

138,  139.  153 
Records,  109,  118,  123,  135 

Assessments,  28,  106,  118,  129 
Assistants,  Court  of,  32 
Associates,    Court,    27,    50,    53,   64, 

65.  72 
Associates,  Piscataqua,  23,  58 
Atkinson,  Dr.,  158 


300 


INDEX 


Atkinson,  George,  173,  210 

Theodore,  131,  132,  210 
William    K.,    180,    188,    192, 
204,  206,  210,  292 

Atwood,  John,  257,  258 

Ault,  John,  13 

Aurora  Borealis,  122,  226 

Austin,  James,  296 

Joseph,  30,  33,  35, 38,  42,  44, 

51.  56,  150 
Samuel,  150 
Sarah,  58 
Thomas,  79 

Avery,  James  G.,  229 

Ayers,  Joseph  F.,  271 

Back  Cove,  31,  4°.  i05 

River,    24,  44,    45.    123,    185, 
240,  258,  260 
Bacon,  George,  84 
Badger,  Joseph,  254 

William,  234,  235 
Badger's  Building,  247,  254 
Baker,  Christina,  135,  136 

John,  27,  30 

Nathaniel  B.,  261,  262 

Otis,  154,  157.  158,  159.  160, 
161,  162,  164,  166,  191, 
292,  294,  295 

Thomas,  94 
Bakers,  29 
Ball,  James,  no 

John,  215 
Band,  Dover,  282,  284,  285 

Newmarket,  282 

13th  Regiment,  281,  282 
Bank,  Cochecho,  253,  258 

Commercial,  227 

Dover,  213,  215,  227 

Five  Cents  Savings,  264,  270 

Langdon, 261 

New  Hampshire,  192 

Strafford,  192,  213,  215,  242, 
253.  270 

Strafford  Savings,  213,  214, 
242,  270 

United  States,  230 
Bank  Bills,  Uncurrent,  197 

Directors,  215 
Bank,  The,  8,  9 


Baptist,  Franklin  Street,  240 

Freewill,  232 

Washington  Street,  247 
Barber,  John,  47,  52 
Barfoot,  Walter,  53,  54,  55,   58,  67, 

80 
Barker,  David,  223 
Barley,  55.  56,  61 
Barnes,  Benjamin,  219 
Barnstead,  182 
Barnum,  James,  133 
Barriugton,    10,   122,    149,   150,   151, 

182,  190,  228,  255    263 
Barrows,  Homer,  Rev.,  249,  259 
Bartlett,  General,  177 

Ichabod,  216,  223,  231,  232 

James,  215,  223,  234,  238,  295 

Josiah,  166,  173,  174,  178,  179, 
180,  181,  183,  206 

Levi,  193 
Bashervell,  Canada,  136 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  275 
Batt,  Christopher,  55,  59 
Bay  Government,  16,  21,  36,  37,  83 
Beard,  Joseph,  89 

Thomas,  13,  30,  32,  33,  34,  44, 
50,  55.  58;  61,  65,  67,73, 

79.  84 
William,  30,  33,  47,  51,  57,  61, 
69 

,78 

Beard's  Garrison,  99 

Beasel,  Thomas,  38 

Beaufort,  S.  C,  276 

Beaver  Trade,  6,  43 

Beck,  Henry,  18,  20,  24,  30 

Beck  Slip,  120 

Beef,  40,  55,  56,  61,  75,  87 

Belcher,  William,  134 

Belknap,  Jeremy,  Rev,,  i,  3,  15,  17, 
18,  19,  35,  55.  82,  83,  89, 
90,  95,  96,  97,  100,  108, 
no,  135,  141,  142,  154. 
155.  156,  157,  158,  159. 
164,  166,  168,  171,  172, 
174,  261,  280 
Mrs.,  158 

Belknap  Church,  266,  287 

School  House,  154,  261,  265 
Steamboat,  233 


INDEX 


301 


Bell,  Captain,  272 

Charles  F.,  232 

James,  260,  261,  262 

John,  227,  228,  267 

Samuel,  209,  210,  211 
Bell,    Meeting   House,    44,    62,   76, 
177,  186 

Town,  174,  177,  178,  186 
Bellemy  Printery,  252 
Bellemy  Bank,  32,  49,  55,  56,  60,  75, 

151 
Bank,  Falls,  34 
Bank,  Mills,  75 
Bank,  River,  32,  115,  124,  151 
Belley,  Mr.,  30 
Bellingham,  Richard,  26 
Bellows,   Benjamin,    177,    183,    186, 

190 
Benet,  Eleazer,  134 
Benjamin,  Samuel,  52 
Benmore,  Philip,  79 
Bennet,  Abraham,  134 
Bennett,  Arthur,  69 

James,  296 
Bennick,  Abraham,  125 
Bently,  William,  229 
Bernom,  Robert,  47 
Berrey,  Joseph,  140 
Berry,  Nathaniel  S.,    250,    252,  254, 

255,  256,  268,  273 
Berwick,  Me.,  19,  132,  147,  170,  176, 

198,  222,  246 
Beverly,  Mass.,  172 
Bickford,  Alphonso,  268,  270 
David,  235 
John,  30,  33,  39,  40,  41,  45,  48, 

52,  56,  57.  59.  60,  64,  66, 

67,  69,  77,  79,  84 
Joseph, 80 
Thomas,  87,  99 
Bickford's  Garrison,  99 
Biddeford,  Me.,  11 
Bindery,  197 
Bines,  James,  33 
Binns,  Jonas,  30 
Bird,  Thomas,  49 
Birney,  James  G.,  248 
Blackston,  Abigail,  130 
Blankets,  138,  171 
Blind  Will,  83 


49. 
,76, 
113. 


Blind  Will's  Neck,  83 
Block, Cochecho  Bank,  252 

Cocheco,  233,  254,  256 

Marston's,  254,  273 

Nutter  &  Pierce,  240 

Railroad,  248 

Strafford  Bank,  247 

Tetherly's,  252 

Union,  248,  273 

Varney's,  239,  248 
Bloody  Point,  13,  24,  27,  40,  45, 
50,  55,  56,  59.  66,  67 
79,    80,     109,    112, 

115,  155.  183 
Bloody  Point  Petition,  24,  25 
Board  of  Health,  232 
Boardman,  David,  180,  191 
Boards,  25,  61,  87 
Boat  Co.,  Cochecho,  214 
Bombazeer,  no 

Bond,  Henry  F.,  Rev.,  257,  262,  297 
Bookstore,  197 
Booms,  107,  115 
Boscawen,  236 
Boston,  9,  17,  21,  22,  23,   24,  28, 

40,  51,  54,  58,  62,  63 

71,  74,  82,   88,   90, 
104,  126,   128,  142, 
155,  156,  161,  171, 
194,  197,  206,  231, 
241 

Boston  News  Letter,  107,   108, 

133 
Boston  &  Maine  R.R.,  236,  240, 

242,  244,  245,  246, 

254,  278 
Boston  &  Worcester  R.R.,  241 
Boundaries,  22,  23,  24,  25,    27, 

36,  37,  38,  39,  41,  61 

72,  77,  105, 130,  138 
Bounties,    114,    125,    126,    165, 

168,    170,  274,  277, 

279,  280 
Bourne,  Mr.,  136 
Bowden,  William,  18 
Bowell,  Richard,  68 
Bow  Pond,  232 
Boyse,  Matthew,  37 

Mr,,  23 
Bradford,  William,  7 


32, 
,64, 

93- 
145, 
191, 
240, 

121, 

241, 
250, 


35, 
.  71- 

149 
166, 
278, 


302 


INDEX 


Bradstreet,  Governor,  93 

Mr.,  16,  27 

Simon,  32,  36 
Bragg,  Samuel,  188,  197,  198,  199 
Brane,  Michael,  45,  56,  59,  67 
Branson,  George,  30,  33 
Brattle  Street  Church,  234 
Braye,  Richard,  48 
Breckenridge,  John  C,  267 
Brentwood,  145 
Brewer,  Captain,  210 
Brewers,  29 
Brick  Stores,  204,  240 
Bridge,  Mr.,  221,  222 
Bridge,  Central  Street,  227 

Cochecho,   51,  lox,    122,  149, 

151 
Great,  150 
Lamprey  River,  121,  122,  124 

Landing,  214 

Lower,  157,  173,  254 

Piscataqua,   185,   192,  229,  262 

Portsmouth,  237 

Railroad,  245,  260 

Upper,  157,  214,  218,  236,  256 

Bridges,  51,  iii,   115,  i37>   iSL   152, 

157.  158,   166,   173,    183, 

185,  214,   225,   227,   232, 

245.  259 
Bridger,  John,  104 
Briggs,  Charles,  271 
Bristol,  England,  13 
British  America,  159 

frigate,  203 

Government,  159 
Brook,  Lord,  13 
Broughton,  Mr.,  45 
Brown,  Abigail,  233 

Daniel,  223 

Henry,  47,  52,  60,  68 

Samuel,  271 
Brunswick,  Me.,  226 
Bryant,  Walter,  143 
Buchanan,  James,  President,  264 
Buckingham,  Edgar,  Rev.,  236,  241 
Buckner,  Charles,  40,  45,  50,  55 
Bugle,  270 
Bull  Run,  272 
Bunce,  Eli,  275 
Bunker  Hill,  141,  276 


Bunker,  Benjamin,  141 

George,  258 

James,  47,  51,  60,  iii 

John,  III 
Bunker's  Garrison,  99,  100 
Burdet,  George,  Rev.,  14,  15 
Burlington,  Vt.,  201 
Burnham,  Elliot  G.,  258 

John  I.,  271 

Joseph,  182 

Pillow,  258 

Robert,  49,  50,  89,  125,  297 
Buruham's  Garrison,  99,  100 
Burns,  Patrick  H.,  265 
Burnside,  General,  279 
Burnum,  Robert,  44,  47,  52,  57,  60, 
61,  64,  69,  71,  72,  77,  80 
Burr,  Aaron,  190 

William,  269 
Burying  Ground,  Fifth  St.,  247 

Neck,  115 

Pine  Hill,   115,  133,  187,  205, 

251 

Waldron's,  T15 
Buss,  John,  Rev.,  99,  118,  121 

Joseph,  141 
Bussell,  Jacob,  140 

John,  122,  140 
Butler,  Benjamin  F.,  275,  283 
Butter,  75 
By  Garrison,  88 
By  Guard,  88 

Cage,  53 

Calebunk,  136 

Calef,  James,  170,  295 

Calhoun,  John  C,  216 

Calves  pasture,  36,  50 

Calvin  Baptist  Church,  270,  287 

Cambridge,  Mass.,  226 

Camock,  Abel,  19 

Camond,  Abel,  18,  19 

Camp  Kearney,  275 

Campron  River,  27 

Canada,  i,  93,  97,   125,  136,  142,  143, 

165 
Canal,  Winnipiseogee,  181,  214,  217, 

223,  225 
Canker  worm,  157 
Canne,  Joseph,  79,  84,  130 


INDEX 


303 


Canney,  John,  294 

Thomas,  13,  30,  31,  33,  35>  37. 
44,  51.  55,  58,  67,  73,  84 
Canney 's  Creek,  27,  37,  71 
Canuie,  Thomas,  19,  79 
Canning,  Thomas,  18,  19,  25 
Canton,  248 
Cape  Ann,  169 
Cape  Cod,  10 
Cards,  167 

Carr,  Jonathan  H.,  230 
Samuel  W.,  296 
Carroll,  Charles,  233 
Carter,  Mary,  87 
Casley,  John,  236 
Cass,  Lewis,  254 
Castle  William,  145 
Cate,  Asa  P.,  265,  266 
Cater,  Richard  B.,  259 
Catter,  Richard,  45,  56,  59,  64,  67 
Cattle,  28,  29,  40,  62,  65,   144,   152, 

161,  168,  171 
Ceiam,  William,  68 
Celebrations,  176,  180,  183,  184,  189, 
190,    194,   195,  206,  218, 
224,    242,  246,  281,   282, 
284,  285,  286 
Celestial  Pbenomena,  144,  226 
Census,  28,  55,  66,  155,  164,  224,  252 
Central  Square,   224,  253,   270,   282, 
285 
Street,  175,  208,  226,  239,  245, 

248,  267 
Street  Bridge,  227 
Centre  Harbor,  257 
Chadborn,  Humphrey,  38 
Chadbourne,  Moses,  271 
Chadwick,  Luther  W.,  271 
Chamberlain,  Levi,  255,  256 
Champernoon,  Francis,  18 
Chandler,  Philemon,  197,  198 
Chapel,  First  Congregational,  267 
Chapham,  Charles,  179 
Chapman,  Robert,  61 
Charles  I.,  18 
Charles  II.,  95,  96 
Charleston,  S.  C,  211,  283 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  49 
Chase,  Chief  Justice,  288 
Chase's  Diary,  185,  186 


Chasley,  Philip,  30 
Cheese,  75 

Chelmsford,  Mass.,  93 
Chesley,  Andrew  C,  268 

Captain,  iii 

James,  iii 

Joseph,  134 

Philip,  33,  34,  47,  51,   57,   60, 

61,  63,  69,  79,  80,  89,  III 

Samuel,  106,  11 1 

Thomas,  69,  80,  89,   102,   134, 

293 

,  78,  100 

Chesley's  Mills,  105 

Chester,  10,  135 

Chief  Justice,  144 

Chirch,  John,  56,  59,  68 

Cholera,  232,  255 

Christie,  Daniel  M.,  219,   268,    276, 

282,  283,  295,  296 
Church,    John,  65,   71,  79,  84,   loi, 

114 
Church,  Belknap,  266,  287 

Calvin  Baptist,  270,  287 
Congregational,  177,  233,  249, 

287 
First,   15,  16,   17,   26,   29,   151, 

174 
First     Congregational,     249, 

259,  260,  270,  274 
Methodist,  115,  217 
of  Christ,  194 
of  England,  12,  14,  16,  17 
St.  Thomas,  241,  243,  270  ,  287, 
Unitarian,  228,  242,   250,   257, 

265,  287 
Universalist,  239 
Cilley,  General,  177 
City  Charter,  256,  262,  263 
Clerk,  264 
Councils,   266,   269,  278,    279, 

280,  283,  284,  285,  286 
Hall,  268,  269,  272,  278,  281, 

284,  286 
Marshal,  264 
Officers,  264 
Civil  War,  269 
Clagett,  Clifton,  202 
Wiseman,  172 
Clapboards,  23,  25,  42 


304 


INDEX 


Clapham,  Charles,  154 
Clapp,  Rev.  Mr.,  270 
Claremont,  270 
Clark,  Abraham,  no 

Captain,  60 

Eli,  134 

Elisha,  130 

George  S.,  264 

Horace,  296 

Josiah,  140 

,  100 

Clary,   Joseph   W.   Rev.,   199,    208, 

209 
Clay,  Henry,  233,  248 
Clayton,  Thomas,  33 
Clements,  Charles,  264 

Job,  38,  44,   50.  55,  64,  67, 
71,  80,  84,  85,  292,  293 

Joseph,  189 

Mr.,  79 

Ralph,  56,  59 
Clinton,  De  Witt,  200 

George,  193,  196 
Clock,  Steeple,  177,  236 
Cloth,  Cotton,  171,  229 

L/inen,   171 

Woolen,  171 
Cobbett,  Thomas,  96 
Cochecho,  45,  46,  49,  50,  55,  56,  59, 
61,  66,  67,  70,  76,  79,  80, 
81,  88,  90,  96,  97,  loi, 
103,  105,  107,  108,  109, 
no,  112,  115,  116,  117, 
119,  120,  124,  128,  143, 
150,  251,  252 

Bank,  253,  258 

Bank  Block,  252 

Boat  Co.,  214 

Bridge,  51,  loi,   122,   149,  151, 

Destruction  of,  90,  91,  92,  93, 

94 
Falls,  5,  26,  29,  35,  115,  229, 

280 
Fire  Insurance  Co.,  241 
Marsh,  29,  30 
Pound,  178,  180 
Railroad,   253,   255,   257,   258, 

276 
River,  5,  10,  25,  26,  29,  41,  51, 

83,    loi,    105,    115,    122, 


Cochecho  River  [continued] 

151,  156,  157,  181,  205, 
214,  217,  225,  229,  230, 
231,  234,  235,  237,  238, 
242,  245,  247,  266,  273 
Second  Falls,  32,  33,  34,  37, 
106 
Cocheco  Block,  233,  254,  256 

Manufacturing   Co.,  91,  227, 
229,  231,  234,   240,   241, 
248,  254,  261,  266,  267, 
278 
Print  Works,  175,  248 
Coe,  John,  223,  232 
Coffey,  Michael,  279 
Cofhn,  Deborah,  239 
Eliphalet,  121 
Elisabeth,  260 
James,  56,  59,  65,  68,  79 
Lieutenant,  67,  70,  71,  73,  76 
Peter,  33,  40,    41,  45,  53,  56, 
59,  62,  64,  72,  74,  76,  86,  88,  121, 
216,   224,  239,  245,  260, 
265,  292 
Robert,  112 
Tristam,  121,  137,  216 
Coffin,  Peter,  Garrison,  88,   91,  92, 

245 
Coffin,   Tristam,    Garrison,    91,   92, 

265 
Coffin  place,  259 
Coffins,  280 
Cogswell,  Amos,   179,  188,  204,  206, 

207,  215,  223,  295 
Colbath,  George  W.,  269,  272,  280 
Jeremiah,  233 
Lewis,  248 
Colby,  Anthony,  246,  248,  249,   250, 
252. 
Charles,  257 
Moses  J.,  271 
Colcord,  Edward,  18,  20,  24,  30 
Colcott,  Edward,  13,  23,  25 
Cold  Friday,  197 

Winters,    143,  151,    152,   247, 

258,  263 
Year,  205 
Coleman,  Ann,  54 
Farrier,  156 
Collector,  184,  202 


INDEX 


305 


Collins,  Abraham,  69 
Collman,  John,  52 
Colman,  Woodman,  201 
Colmer,  Abraham,  2 
Combination,  Dover,  18,  19,  20 
Comet,  195 

Commercial  Bank,  227 
Commissioners,    11,  24,  25,  28,  36, 
37.  50,  53.  94.  95.  96, 105 
Court,  48,  58 
for  New  England,  11 
Committee,    Correspondence,     160, 
161 
of  Defence,  204 
of  Safety,   163,   164,   165,   166, 

168,   174,  191 
Vigilance,  257 
Commonage,  39,  41,  50,  65 
Commons,  28,  44,  45,  62,  76,  77,  105, 
114,   117,   125,   128,   143, 
203 
Concord,  72,  102,  176,  202,  207,  217, 
218,  233,  242,   256,  270, 
276,  280,  281 
Congregational   Church,    177,    233, 
249,  252,  287 
Society,  177,  241 
Congress,  Continental,  162,  174 
General,  161 
Provincial,  163,  164 
United  States,   188,  234,  237, 

238,  261 
Constables,  31,    34,  4°.  4i,  42,     43, 

52,  53.  54.  61,  62,  63,  64, 
69,  70,  72,  75,  76,  77,  87, 
Id,   115,   116,  117,    118, 
119,  131,  133,  149 
Constitution,  Federal,  175,  176,  177, 

295 
Fort,  279 
State,  165,  169,   172,   181,   183, 

239,  245,  256,  258,  295 
Continental  Army,  168,  169 

Congress,  162,  174 

Fast,  164 

Service,  t66,  169 
Continentals,  167 
Contocookville,  270 
Convention,  Federal,  175,  295 

Provincial,  95,  163 


Convention,   Stale,    165,    168,    169, 
172,  175,  176,   239,  256, 
258,  294  295,  296 
Whig,  235,  242,  243 
Convers,  Captain,  97 
Convyay,  270 
Coocke,  Richard,  75 
Cook,  Ebenezer,  140 
Cooper,  Nathaniel,  161,  164,  165,  166, 

293.  294 
Walter,  186,  204,  213,  293 
Corner,  The,  176,  178,  180,  218,  252 
Coroners,  38,  90 
Correspondence    Committee,     160, 

161 
Corson,  Monroe,  271 
Cotton  Cloth,  171,  229 

Factory,    200,    202,    210,    213, 
221,  222,  256 
Council,  Ecclesiastical,  126,  194 

For  New  England,  r,  2,  7,  11 
Plymouth,  7 

Provincial,  78,  85,  86,  87,  88, 
96,  97,  loi,  102,  103, 105, 

106,  no,  112,  116,  117, 
119,  121,  122,  124,  128, 
130,   132,   143,   144,    156 

Records,  102 
Councillor,  164,  173 
Counterfeits,  192 
County  Officers,  246 
County,  Rockingham,  158,  180 

Strafford,    158,   164,   165,   167, 
175,    178,  180,   199,  202, 
204,    237,  239,  241,  243, 
246,  265,  281 
Court,  Assistants,  32 

Associates,  27,  50,  53,  64,  65,  72 
Commissioners,  48,  58 
County,  44,  58,  62,  64,   6.5,  66, 
74.  76,  85,  87,   202,  246, 
247 
General,  9,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26, 
27,  28,  32,  34,  36,  37,  38, 
40,  41,  43.  46.  48,  51.  53, 
54,  58,  62,  63,  64,  66,  70, 
71.  74,  75.  77.  78,  80,  83, 
84,  85,  95,   150,  167,  174, 
181,   190,    192,  202,  205, 
280 


306 


INDEX 


Court  of  Elections,  28,  34 

of  Pleas,  88,  191,  242,  244 

of  Sessions,  162,  178 

Special,  58,  88 

Superior,  210,  217 

Supreme,  192 

United  States,  245 
Court  House,  128,  172,  178,  179,  181, 
195,   196,  200,  204,   208, 
210,  236,  247,  250,  280 
Cowan,  James  W.,  259,  296 

William  H.,  259 
Cowas,  Captain,  138 
Cow  path,  65 
Cows,  28,  129 
Coyle,  Thomas  C,  271 
Cranfield,  Edward,  18 

Governor,  18,  19,  89,  95 
Crawford,  William  H.,  214 
Crawford  &  Busby,  259 
Crawlie,  Thomas,  42 
Crockett,  D.,  285 
Cromell,  Philip,  80 
Cromet,  Philip,  60,  69,  76 
Crommet,  Jeremiah,  114 
Cromwell,  David,  57 

Joshua,  293 

Philip,  45,  49,  51,  56,  57,  59, 

67>  75,  77 
Crosby,  Oliver,  204 
Cross,  Ezra,  271 
Crosse,  John,  18,  24 
Crown,  12 

Crown  Point,  146,  147,  148 
Crows,  194,  199 
Crumell,  Philip,  79 
Crumit,  Joshua,  133 
Cuba  Expedition,  137 
Currency,  Paper,  131,  134,  143,  174 
Currier,  Daniel  L,.,  201 

Jacob  M.,  215 

James  H.,  271 

Thomas,  285 
Currier's  Mills,  201 
Curtes,  John,  45 
Curtis,  James  F.,  241 
Cushing,  Caleb,  235 

Jonathan,  Rev.,  120,  128,  132, 
148,  149,  154 

Thomas  H.,  285 


Cushing  Tomb,  115 
Cushman,  Holmes,  237 
Cutler,  Mr.,  172 
Cutt,  John,  65,  80,  85,  86,  95 

Richard,  64 
Cutter,  Dr.,  177 

D ALTON,  Mr.,   16 
Dam,  Deacon,  79 

John,    13,   18,    20,  24,   32,   33, 
44.  50,  51,  55.  56,  58,  59. 
67,84 
Dame,  Colonel,  177 

Theophilus,     165,    166,     185, 
189 
Damm,  George,  141 

Theophilus,  141 

William,  140,  294 
Damme,  John,  30 
Danell,  David,  52,  60,  69,  80,  140 

Tage,  69 
Daniel,  Eliphalet,  134 

Joseph,  122 

Thomas,  81 
Dark  Day,  168,  169 
Dark  Plains,  Concord,  270 
Dartmoor  Prison,  245 
Dartmouth  College,  243 
Dauill,  John,  48 
Daveis,  Benjamin,  134 

Ebenezer,  134 

Jeremiah,  134,  297 

Joseph,  134 

Joshua,  134,  297 

Samuel,  134 
Davies,  Jabez,  134 

John, 134 

Solomon,  134 
Davis,  David,  102 

David  O.,  271 

Ensign,  73,  79 

James,  105,  249,  250,  271,  292, 

293.  294 
John,  47,   50,    51,   52,  57,  64, 

65,  66,  68,  71,  77,  80,  84, 

89,  99,  100 
Joseph,  118 
Major,  139,  143 
Thomas,  139,  141,  294 
William  H.,  267 


INDEX 


307 


-,  6i 


Davis, 

Davis'  Garrison,  99,  100 

Dayton,  William  L.,  264 

Dean,  John,  98,  99,  100 

Deane,  Benjamin,  183 
Charles,  2,  3 

Deaths,  135,  156,  157,  158,  i6r,  165, 
168,  173,  174,  213,  216, 
223,  226,  230,  231,  233, 
234,  236,  237,  240,  241, 
243,  244,  246,  247,  248, 
250,  252,  253,  259,  260, 
261,  263,  264,  265,  267, 

275 
Declaration  of   Independence,   166, 

233 
of  Rights,  168 
Dedham,  Mass.,  54 
Deep  Cut,  244,  246 
Deer,  148 

Defence,  Committee  of,  204 
Demeritt,  E.  F.,  271 

Henry,  228 
Democrats,  231,  235,  239,  244,    249, 

250,  252,  257,  264,  282 
Denboe,  Salathiel,  69,  80 
Denmark,  Patrick,  61,  68 
Denmore,  Richard,  134 

Salathiel,  134 
Dennie,  Joseph,  189 
Deputies,  21,  25,  27,  34,  37,  40,  41. 
43,  48,  53-  54,  58,  62,  64, 
66,  70,  75,  76 
Dereie,  John,  79 
Dergin,  William,  60,  69 
Deshore,  Stephen  M.,  271 
Destruction  of  Cochecho,  90,  91,  92, 

93,  94 
Deues,  John,  79 
Dickinson,  Thomas,  72 
Dinsmoor,    Samuel,    213,    231,  232, 

233,  255-  256,  257 
Division  of  County,    180,   237,  239, 

241,  243 
Division  of  Town,  258 

Di ell,  John,  52 

Docking  Intail,  137 
Doe,  Joseph,  215 

Nicholas,  72 
Doenn,  Hew,  51 


Dolack,  Christin,  59 
Donn,  Hew,  57,  60 
Dony,  81 

Doo,  Benjamin,  134 
Daniel,  134 
John,  134 
Joseph,  134 
Door,  Jonathan,  142 
Douglass,  Stephen  A.,  267 
Dover,  Aqueduct  Co.,  213 
Artillery,  218,  222 
Band,  282,  284,  285 
Bank,  213,  215,   227 
City  Charter,  256,  262,  263 
Enquirer,  227,  230,   247,   254, 
261,  262,   263,   265,   267, 
273,  275.  280,  283,  284 
Cotton  Factory,  200,  202,  210, 

213 
Five    Cents     Savings    Bank, 

264,  270 
Hotel,    207,    218,     236,      253, 

261 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  275 
Library,  201,  241 
Lyceum,  232,  233,  234 
Manufacturing  Co.,  213,  222, 
227,  246 
■   Massacre,  90,  91,  92,  93,  94 
Neck,   17,   24,  25,   34,   35.    36. 
40,  41,  42,  44,  45.49,  50. 
55,  62,63,  64,  66,  67,  70. 
72,  73-  74,  75.  76,79.  88, 

94,      106,     109,     no.     III, 

112,  115,    116,.  119,  120, 
124,   128,   148,  189,  237, 
247,  249,  251,  252,  258, 
261,  276 
Neck  Burying  Ground,  115 
Neck  Pound,  112 
Packets,  229,  231 
Parish,  115,  118,  128 
Dover  Point,  5,   6,9,   124,   151,   214, 
228,  245,  258,  262,  263 
Relief  Society,  230 
Dover,  ship,  229 
Dover,  steamer,  257 

Sun,    187,  188,  189,   190,  191, 
193,  199,  200,  203 
Dover,  Temperance  Society,  228 


308 


INDEX 


Dover,  Vote,  94,96,  117,  172,  173,174, 
175.  177,  178,  179.  i8o, 
181,  183,  185,  186,  187, 
189,  190,   191,   192,    193, 

194,  195.    196,   197.  199. 
200,  201,   202,  204,   205, 

206,  2C8,  209,    210,    211, 

213,    214,  216,    217,    224, 

226,    228,  230,     231,    232, 

233,    234,  235,    237,     238, 

239,    241,  242,    243,    244, 

246,    248,  249,    250,    252, 
254,    255,    256,    257,    258, 

259,  260,  261,    262,    263, 

264,    265,  266,     267,    268, 

273,   276,  279,  281,   284 

Dover,  England,  251 

Dover   &    Portsmouth;   R.  R.,  236, 

254, 259 
Dover  &  Winnipiseogee  R.  R.,  276, 

278 
Dow,  Henry,  96 
Jabez,  241 
John,  80 
Nicholas,  80 
Samuel  W.,  238 
Downes,  Thomas,  44.  5°.   56, 

59,  68,  79,  84,  98,  114 
Downing,  John,  11 1,  117,  294 
Downs,  Calvin  E.,  271 

Gershom,  142 

Mary,  102 
Dowty,  Thomas,  47,  52,  60 
Drafts,  274,  277,  278,  279,  283 
Drew,  Benjamin,  100 

Francis,  80,  100,  134,  240 

John,  no,  134.  141 

Martin  V.,  271 

Samuel,  296 

Sergeant,  123 

Thomas,  100,  134 

Warren,  171 

William,   30,    33,   48,  52,    57. 

60,  69 
William  Pickering,  296 
William  Plaisted,  256,  296 

Drew's  Garrison,  99 

Droughts,  88,  142,  143.  I44,  148, 151. 
152,  157.  182,  209,  229, 
240,  244,  255,  260,  261 


Drown,  Peter,  175 
Drue,  Zebulon,  140 
Dry  Hill,  200 

House,  229 
Dudley,  George  W.,  271 

Governor,  115 

Judge,  177 

Samuel,  23 

Dunbar,  David,  135 
Dunlap,  Colonel,  219,  221 
Dunn,  Captain,  218 

John,  234 
Dunstar,  Thomas,  18,  19 
Durell,  Daniel  M.,  189,  203,  204,  206, 
215,  218,   223,   224,   230, 
240,  243,  295 

George  Clinton,  240 

Nicholas  St.  John,  224 
Durgin,  Benjamin,  134 

James,  134 

John,  134 

John  H.,  271 

Jonathan,  134 

Joseph,  134 

William,  60,  69,  80 
Durgiu's,  loi 

Durham,  II,  127, 134, 135,  138, 141, 146, 
150,  154,  155,  170,  180, 
182,   185,   194,  218,  258 
Durstin,  Thomas,  19,  20 
Duties,  156,  160 
Duxbury,  John  J.,  Mrs.,  272 
Dwellings,  9,  10 
D wight.  Dr.,  186,  199,  201 
Dye  House,  231 
Dyer,  Albion,  271 

Early  Settlers,  9,  13 

Earthquakes,  88,  98,  103,  129,  146, 
147,  192,  195,  239,  251, 
259,  261,  262,  267 

East  India  Co.,  160 

Eastman,  Ira  A.,  276 

Eastwick,  Pheasant,  90 

Ecclesiastical  Council,  126,  194 

Eclipse,  88 

Edgerly,  Joseph,  100 

Thomas,  65,  69,  73,  79,  84,  89, 

94,  96,  99,  100 
Thomas  T.,  296 


INDEX 


309 


Zachariah,  loo 
Edgerly's  Garrison,  99 
Eirwing,  Edward,  52 
Ela,  Charles,  240 

Jacob  H.,  282 

Nathaniel  W.,   194,  240, 

295 

Ela's  Tavern,  194,  217 

Elders,  23,  27,  50 

Elections,  96,  no,  117,  139.  172. 
174.  175.  177.  178, 
180,  181,  183,  185, 
187,  189,  190,   191, 

193.  194,  195.  196. 
199,  200,  201,  202, 
205,  206,  208,  209, 
211,  213,  214,  216, 
224,  226,  228,  230, 
^32,  233,  234,  235, 
238,  239,  241,  242, 
244,  246,  248,  249, 
252,  254,  255,  256, 
258,  259,  260,  261, 
263,  264,  265,  266, 
268,  273,  276,  279, 
284 

Eliot,  John,  Rev.,  77,  297 
Rev.  Dr.,  108,  297 

Eliot,  Me.,  149,  251,  297 

Elis,  John,  79.  80 

Elliot,  Robert,  96 

Ellison,  William,  245 

Ellsworth,  Oliver,  186 

Embargo,  196 

Emerson,  Henry  H.,  271 

Emerson,  Mrs.,  100 

Samuel,    115,    116,    117, 
121,  128,  260 

Emerson's  Diary,  209 

Emery,  Anthony,  18,  26,  27,  29 

31.  33 
Colonel,  219,  221 
Philip,  230 
Engine,  188,  190 

Companies,  198 

House,  195,  281 

England,  2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9,   10,  12 

14,   17,  18,  2T,  22,  42 

88,  201,  229,245,  251 

England,  Church  of,  12,  14,  16, 


246, 


173, 
179. 
186, 
192, 

197, 
204, 
210, 
217, 
231. 
237. 
243. 
250, 

257. 
262, 
267, 
281, 


13. 
,  86, 

17 


English  Fleet,  156 
English  Settlers,  11 
Enquirer,  Dover,  227,  230,  247,  254, 
261,  262,  263,   265,  267, 
273.  275,  280,  283,  284 
Episcopal  Church,  270,  287 

Minister,  17 
Erwin,  Edward,  57 
Estates,  28,   31,  43,  46,  77.    129, 

158,  167,  171 
Estes,  Elijah,  154 
Samuel,  183 

William  F.,  281,  283,  286,  296 
Estrays,  123 
Euines,  Edward,  122 
Europe,  186 
Evans,  Catherine,  255 
John,  84,  90,  225 
Richard,  202 

Robert,  56,  59,  65,  68,  74,  79 
Solomon,  255 

Stephen,    140,  147,    148,    160, 
161,    162,  163,   164,   170, 
292,  294 
Everett,  Edward,  267 
Executions,  77,  175,  251 
Exeter,  10,  12,  13,  21,  28,  36,  37,  38, 
39,   41,  61,    72,   86,   87, 
94,  95,  96.  112,  ;ii8,  121, 
124,  129,   135,   137,  138, 
155,  161,   163,   164,   165, 
167,  168,    204,  240,  242, 
281 
Exeter  Academy,  204 

Factory,  Cotton,  200,  202,  210,  213, 
221,  222,  256 

Nail,  201,  210 

Upper,  106,  200,  232,  235,  255 
Failures,  227,  238,  265 
Falls,  Bellemy  Bank,  34 

Cochecho,  5,  26,  29,  35,  115, 
229,  280 

Hayes,  105 

Ileland,  73 

Lampereel,    37,    61,    73,    105, 
no 

Lower,  29,  115,  157,  200,  210 

Oyster  River,  32,  98,  no 

Quamphegan,  36 


310 


INDEX 


Falls,  Second,  32,  33,  34,  37,  106 
Squamscot,  7,  10,  11 
Tollend,  105,  106 
Upper,  102,  210 
Waldron's,  173,  179,  201,  227 
Whittier's,  209 
Faneuil  Hall,  147 
Fanny,  schooner,  190 
Farmington,  211,  233,  247,  255,  257, 

281 
Farrer,  Timothy,  186,  190,  194 
Fast  Day,  142,  164,  201,  255,  272 
Fayer,  John,  25 
Federal  Constitution,  175,  176 
Federals,  173,  178,  194,  195,  199,  205, 

209,  214 
Feild,  Goodie,  33 
Feloes,  Thomas,  69 
Fences,  77,  87,  117,  203 
Fenner,  Elhanan  W.,  296 

A.  G.,  Mrs.,  272 
Fernald,  Alfred,  217 
Amos,  217 
Renald,  38 
Ferries,  76,  loi,   109,   120,   123,  128, 

154,  183,  214,  262 
Ffost,  William,  119,  120 
Ffrost,  Nicholas,  38 
Ffursen,  Thomas,  25 
Field,  Darby,  30 

William,  238 
Field's  Garrison,  iii 
Fifth  Street,  247,  259 

Street  Burying  Ground,  247 
Filld,  Joseph,  48,  51,  57,  60,  69,  80, 
89 
Zackery,  69,  79,  89,   iii 
Fillmore,  Millard,  President,  264 
Fines,  23,  26,  27,   29,  34,  42,   47,   53, 
65.  66,   71,   72,   89,   115, 
138 
Findlay,  Lieutenant,  225 
Fire  Companies,  272,  284,  285 
Insurance  Co.,  241 
Works,  282,  286 
Fires,    136,   151,  152,   169,    180,   183, 
197,  201,  202,  209,   230, 
231,  240,  242,  247,  249, 
251,  252,  253,  254,  256, 
257.  259.  261,  267,  273 


First  Congregational   Chapel,  267, 
Congregational  Church,  249, 

259,  260,  270,  274 
Church,  15,  16,  17,26,  29,  151, 

174 

Parish,  150,  151,  174,  229 
Fish,  87 

Fishing,  3,  5,  10,  36 
Fishing  and  Trading  Post,  5 ,  6,  8,  11 

Laws,  26,  205 

Stages,  I,  4.  5 
Fishmongers,  i,  4 
Fisher,  Colonel,  189 

Dr.,  172 
Fitch,  Jabez,  127 

Five  Cents  Savings  Bank,  264,  270 
Flagg,  Lieutenant,  97 

William,  247,  295 
Flanders,  Charles  H.,  275 
Flankarts,  17 
Fleet,  English,  156 

French,  142 
Fletcher,  George,  242 

Rev.  Mr.,  40,  41,  42,  46 
Florida,  279 
Flour,  171 
Floyd,  Captain,  97 
Follett,  Abraham,  59 

John,  18,  20 

Nicholas,  80,  94,  96,  107 

William,  33,   34,   45,   47,   51, 
55.  56,  57.  60,  61,  68,  71, 
72,  80 
Folsom,  George  P.,  296 

Nathaniel,  161 
Footman,  Francis,  134 

Thomas,  30,  33,  34,  40,  42,  48, 
52,  57,  60,  69,  188 
Ford,  B.  A.,  247 

Jacob,  237 

Mr.,  209 
Fore  River,  75,  128 
Form  of  Government,    18,    94,    95, 

96,  168,  172 
Forse,  John,  140 

Fort,  Dover  Neck,  35,  70,  88,  251 
Fort  Constitution,  279 

Sullivan,  204 

Sumter,  268,  283 

William  and  Mary,  no 


INDEX 


311 


Forton  Prison,  183 
Foss,  Ambrose,  271 

Ham,  228 

Humphrey,  114 
John,  264 

Solomon  W.,  271 
Fost,  John,  65,  68,  73 
Foster,  Abiel,  189 
Fourth  of  July,  180,  184,  189,   190, 

194,  195,  210,  224,  242 
Fowler,  Asa,  262 

Morrice,  140 
Fowling,  10 
France,  18 
Franklin  Academy,  20S 

Square,    218,    243,    245,    248, 
253,  269,  280 

Street,  Baptist  Society,  240 
Fray,  William,  25 
Fredericksburg,  275 
Freeholders,  105,  118,  128,  130,  153 
Freeman,  Asa,  215,  223,  256,  296 

Captain,  273 

Jonathan,  183,  189 
Freemen,  18,  64 
Freesoil    party,    243,   244,   246,   248, 

250,  259 
Freewill,  Baptist,  232,  247 

Baptist  Printing  Office,  247 
Fremont,  John  C,  264 
French,  96,  98,  106,  125 
French  Fleet,  142 

Nation,  183 

privateer,  190 

Republic,  188 

War,  148,  270 
Fresh  Creek,  35,  66,  130,  155 
Freshet,  The,  105 
Freshets,    103,    137,    158,    173,    214, 

225,  229,  232,  259 
Friend's  Meetings,  145 

Meeting  House,  159,  251,  252, 

Society,    177,    178,     179,    186, 
225,  251,  252,  255 
Frier,  Nathaniel,  60 
Frost,  Captain,  82 
Fryer,  Nathaniel,  96 
Furber,  William,   13,  18,  20,   26,  30, 
33.  35,  37,  38,  39.  41.  45, 
50,    51,    56,   57,   59,   67, 


Furber,  William  (continued) 

77,  79,  84,  89,  loi,   105, 
130.  133,  293 

Furness,  Edward,  258 

Fursen,  Thomas,  30,  35 

Gage,  Captain,  166 

Dover,  211 

James,  231 

John,   138,   139,   141,   149,  157, 
162,  169,  231,  292,  294 

Joseph,  190,  191,  295 

Samuel,  231 

Thomas,  231 
Gage's  Hill,  247 
Garland,  Jacob,  113 

John  S.,  271 

Peter,  18 

Stephen,  258 

Wingate,  271 
Garrison  Hill,  102,  173,  231.  264 
Garrison,  Adams',  99 

Beard's,  99 

Bick ford's,  99 

Bunker's,  99,  100 

Burnham's,  99,  100 

Coffin's,  91,  92 

Davis',  99,  100 

Drew's,  99 

Edgerly's,  99 

Field's,  III 

Gerrish's,  97 

Heard's,  91,  92,  loi,  102,  114 

Jones',  99,  100 

Main,  88 

Header's,  99 

Otis',  88,  91,  92,  102 

Peter    Coffin's,     88,     91,    92, 
265 

Smith's,  99,  100 

Waldron's,  91,  92,  102,  107 

Woodman's,  99,  100,  112 
Gas  Company,  260 

Lights,  260,  261 
Gateway,  133 
Gazette,  New  Hampshire,   151,  152, 

175,  176 
Geer,  Benjamin,  158 
Geese,  114 
Gellison, ,  100 


312 


INDEX 


General  Assembly,  86,  87,  98,  104, 

112,  114,   115,   116,  117, 

118,  119,   120,    121,  122, 

123,   124,   126,   128,  129, 

130.  131.  132,   133.  134, 

137.   138.   139.  143.  144. 

145,   146,    148,   149,  150, 

151.   153.  156,   157.    158, 
164,   165,  166,  167,   171, 

293 

General  Congress,  161 

General  Court,  9,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26, 
27,  28,  32,  34,  36,  37,  38, 
40,  41.43.  46,  48,  51.  53. 
54,  58,  62,  63,  64,  66,  70, 
71.  74.  75.  77.  78,  80,  83, 
84.  85,  95,  150,  167,  174, 
181,  190,  191,  192,  202, 
205,  280 

General  Government,  238,  240,  268, 
283 

Genkens,  John,  134 
Stephen,  134 

George  I.,  122 

George  III.,  160 

Georgetown,  Mass.,  278 

Germantowu,  U.  S.  Ship,  260 

Gerrish,  Benjamin  F.,  271 

Captain,  97,  105,  107,  in 
John,  73,  74,  77,  79,84,  90,  94, 
96,    105,    III,    113,    292, 

293 
Paul,  121,  122,  125,  128,  131, 

135,   136,  146,   152,  293, 

294 
Samuel,  147 
Sarah,  93 
Timothy,   117,    119,    120,  293, 

294 
William,  140 
Gerrish's  Garrison,  97 
Gerry,  Elbridge,  200 
Gettysburg,  277 
Gibbons,  Ambrose,  9,  11,  27,  30,  31, 

33.  35 
Giles,  Ulisabeth,  26,  42 
John,  108,  140 
Mark,  79,  108 
Mathew,  26,  33,  48,  52,  57,  60, 

69 


Gilford,  217 
Gilles,  Clark,  68 
Gilman,  Colonel,  133 
John, 41 

John  Phillips,  204 
John  Taylor,  183, 185,  186, 
189,   190,   191,   192, 
194,    199,  201,  202, 

204,  205 
Gilmanton,  182,  199,  200 
Gilmore,  Joseph  A.,  276,  278, 

281,  282,  285,  286 

Glanfilld,  Peter,  58 

Glidden,  William,  140 

Glines,  Captain,  286 

Goats,  29 

Goddard,  John,  13,  25,  30,  41,  47 
51.  52,  57.  60,  61,  69 
193 

Goe,  George,  80 

Goffe,  Captain,  143 

Goffstown,  205 

Goldwier,  George,  45 

Goodwin,  Amaziah,  276 
Charles  W.,  271 
Ichabod,  263,  266 
John,  163 
William,  271 

Gooe,  Gorg,  62 

Gordon,  Ebenezer,  263 
William,  189 

Gore,  the,  182 

Gorges,  Ferdinando,  i,  3,  7,  16 

Gosport,  135,  297 

Goss  Cyrus,  296 

Gove,  Edward,  87,  88,  96 
Richard,  201 

Gove's  Rebellion,  87,  88 

Government,  Plan  of,  18,94,  95 
168,  172 

Governor,  Provincial,  87,  88, 
III,  121,  122,  130, 
136,  138,  142,  143, 
153.  156,  158,  293 

Governor,  State,  172,  181,  183, 
186,  187,  189,  190, 
192,  193,  194,  195, 
199,  201,    202,  203, 

205,  206,  208,  209, 
211,  213,  214,  217, 


187, 
193. 
203, 


279. 


,80, 


96. 

109, 
134. 
144. 

185, 
191, 
197, 
204, 
210, 
224, 


INDEX 


313 


Governor,  State  (continued) 

226,  227,  229,  230,  231, 
232,  233,  234,  235,  237, 
238,  239,  241,  242,  243, 
244,  246,  248,   249,  250, 
252,  254,  255,  256,  257, 
258,  260,  261,   262,  263, 
265,  266,  268,  269,  272, 
273,  276,  278,   279,  281, 
282,  285,  286 
Gowell,  John,  140 
Gowing,  Elexander,  52 
Gra,  John,  134 
Grace,  Nicholas,  140 
Grammar  School,  123,  149,  261 
Grand  Jury,  29,  64,  71,  127 
Grant,  General,  276,  279,  284 

James,  45 
Gravel  pit,  180 
Graves,  Charles  A.,  271,  297 

William,  47 

Gray,  George,  134 

Reuben, 140 

Robert,  Rev.,  174, 180, 189,  212 
Wilson,  271 
Great  Bay,  25,  30,  37 
Great  Bridge,  150 
Great  Britain,  159,  165 
Great  Falls,  227,  230,  251,  270,  281 
Great  Falls  Rifle  Co.,  235 
Great  Frost,  185 
Great  House,  8,  280 
Great  Island,  88 
Greeley,  Horace,  254 
Green,  Ezra,  154,  174,  175,  179,  186, 
187,   191,   195,  201,  242, 
250,  253,  292,  295 
Henry,  96 
Thomas,  48 
Greenland,  11,  135 
Griffin,  William  H.,  201 
Grove,  the,  266,  272 
Grover,  Charles  A.,  271,  297  (See 

Graves.) 
Gulf,  the,  239 
Gun  House,  195,  197 
Gundalos,  loi,  120,  189,  195 
Guppy,  John,  257 
Gutt,  the,  120 
Gyles,  Mathew,  30 


Hackett,  William,  H.,  276 
Hagkins,  91 
Haile,  William,  265 
Haines,  Samuel,  18,  20,  24,  30 

Thomas,  79 
Haket,  William,  45 
Hale,  Calvin,  296 

John    P.,  230,    232,    246,    249, 
250,  259,  260,  262,  264, 
265,   269,  272,  278,  282, 
284,  286,  287,  296 
Samuel,  67,  139,  140,  141 
William,   140,    187,    191,   207, 
208,  209,  215,  217,   218, 
221,  226,  230,   254,  295, 
296 
Haley,  Mr.,  203 
Hall,  Charles  F.,  271 

Deacon,  45,  55,  79 
Jacob,  271 

John,  13,  18,  20,  24,  29,  30,  33, 
36,  38,  40,  44,  45,  50,  58, 
59,  61,62,67,  76,  77.  79. 
84,  89,  293 
Joseph,  30,  90 

Lieutenant,  39, 44, 53, 55,  58, 61 
Nathaniel,  113 
Ralph,  33,  50,  51 
Sargant,  56,  79 
Halleran,  Dennis,  244 
Ham,  Charles,  296 
Clement,  140 

John,  68,  79,  84,  105,  119,  120 
Moses,  197 
Moses  W.,  247 
Ham  Field,  259 
Ham's  Mills,  214 
Hamacke,  Thomas,  68 
Hamett,  Thomas,  79 
Hamlin,  Hannibal,  267 
Hamlin,  W.,  282 
Hammons,  Joseph,  233,  235 
Hamock,  Thomas,  84 
Hampton,   12,   16,  20,  28,  54,  86,  87, 
88,  95,  96,  102,  112,  118, 
135.  136,  156,  270 
Hampton  Falls,  135 
Hance,  John,  45,  48,  52,  57,  72 
Hand  Cards,  Manufacture  of,  256 
Hanscom,  John,  271 


314 


INDEX 


Hanson,  Anthony,  i8o 
Benjamin,  141 
Captain, 141 
Dominicus,  293 
Ephraim,  293 
George,  148 
Jedediah,  212 
John,  115,  125 
John  B.,  166,  167,  178,  293 
John  T.,  203 
Jonathan,  137 
Joseph,  116,  148,  293,  296 
Manuel,  137 
Mary,  47 
Mrs.,  125 
Nicholas,  77 
Phebe,  247,  248,  249,  251 
Samuel,  296 
Stephen,  215,  252 
Thomas,  45,  50,  56,  59,  68,  73, 

79.  137 

Tobey,  56,  59 

Tobias,  68,  9S,  117 

Widow,  68,  79 
Harfutt,  Nicklas,  124 
Harper,  Joseph  M.,  230 
Harper's  Store,  247 
Harriman,  Walter,  276 
Harrington,  Edward  W.,  279,  284 
Harris,  Nicholas,  68,  80 

Richard,  140 
Harrison,  William   H.,    President, 

237.  242,  243,  244 
Hartford,  Nicholas,  120,  128,  294 
Harvard  College,  66,  75,  146 
Harvey,  Mathew,  229,  230 
Hasard,  privateer,  190 
Hathorne,  William,  81 
Hats,  171 

Haverhill,  Mass.,  171,  236 
Hawkers,  162 
Hay  Market,  175 
Hayden,  Lucian,  240 
Hayes,  Daniel,  237 

Daniel  C,  276 

Elihu,  140 

Ichabod, 230 

J.  S.,  285 

John,  116,  166 

John  v.,  271 


Hayes,  John  W.  ,208 

Plumer,  250 

William  B.,  239 
Hayes  Falls,  105 
Haynes,  Mr.,  269 
Hayward,  Henry,  271 
Head,  Alvah  K.,  271 

Benjamin,  79 
Heal ey,  Joseph,  235,  237,  238 
Heard,  Benjamin,  68,  73 

Elizabeth,  92 

Ensign,  115 

Experience,  102,  103 

James,  115 

John,  18,  39,  45,  56,  59,  64.  68, 

79-  89 

Joseph,  119,  120,  142 

Lieutenant,  114 

Mr.,  172 

Samuel,  140,  148,  166 

Tristram,  108,  119,  120 
Heard's  Garrison,  91,  92,   loi,   102, 

114 
Heath,  Franklin  W.,  271 
Heavy  Artillery,  279,  280,  281 
Henderson,  Captain,  194 

Daniel,  295 

Howard,    130,    148,    149,    151, 

153-  294 

Thomas,  276 

William,  87,  104 
Herlbut,  Martin  L.,  Rev.  194 
Hertel,  Sieur,  97 
Hethersey,  Robert,  30 
Hewland,  John,  109 
High  School,  234,  256 

Street,  251 
High  Treason,  87,  88 
Highways,  61,  77,  90,  105,  106,  no, 

122,  124,  133,  217 
Hill,  Ichabod,  140 

Isaac,  237,  238,  239 

John,  33,  48,  52,  64,  79.  84.  9"> 

L.  G.,  286 

Mr.,  46,  47,  51,  61 

Mrs.,  70,  71 

Nathaniel,  89,  121,  293 

Samuel,  89 

Valentine,  32,  33,  36,  39,  40, 
41.  50.  51.  63,  71 


INDEX 


315 


Hill,  William,  80 

Hilton,  Edward,  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9, 

II,  13,  14,  20,  41,  50 

John,  30,  45.  48,  52,  57.  60,  69 

William,   i,  2,  3,4,  5,  6,  7,  9, 

13,  23,  24,  41.44,  96 

Hilton's  Point,  3,  4.  5,  6,  7,  8,  11,  36, 

46,    109,    no,    124,    133, 

154 
Hincliman,  Major,  93 
Historical  Collection,  N.  H.,  128 

Society,  Mass.,  2,  95,  172 
Hix,  Joseph,  129 

Mary,  129 
Hoar  frost,  171 
Hobbs,  Morris,  96 
Hobes,  Henry,  45,  56,  59,  68 
Hodgdon,  Benjamin,  243 

Caleb,   160,  161,  162,  165,  167, 
203,  294,  295 

Jeremy,  68 

Jonathan,  143 

Joseph,  154 

Moses,  196,  200,  215,  225,  242, 

295 
Mrs.,  202 
Peter,  292 
Shadrach,  154,  162,  163.  292, 

294 
Hogreeves,  187,  188 
Hogshead  Staves,  31,  40,  61 
Hogsty  Cove,  27,  37,  71 
Hoit,  Daniel,  243,  244,  246,  248,  249 
Hollawaye,  Henry,  52,  57 
Hollet,  Philip,  77 
Holt,  Charles,  141 
Hong  Kong,  248 
Hook  &  Ladder  Co.,  285 
Hoophood,  97 
Hopkinton,  189 

Horn,  John,  114 
Widow,  III 

Home,  Jeremiah,  268 
Oliver  S.,  296 
William,  56,  59,  68,  79,  89 

Horses,  29,  129 

Horse  Mackerel,  262 

Horton,  William,  Rev.,  241 

Hose,  171 

Hospital,  187 


Hossom,  Jacob,  140 
Hotel,  American,  253 

Dover,  207,  218,  236,  253,  261 

Ela's,  217 

New  Hampshire,  207,  239,  261 

United  States,  253 
Houses,  9,  10,  28,  129 
Houston,  Harrison,  271 

Sam,  254 
Howard,  Andrew,  247,  248,  249,  250, 

251 
Samuel,  214,  240 
Howell,  Rice,  33,  48,  52 
Hoyt's  Notes,  12 
Hubbard,  Henry,  244,  246 
John,  140 

William,  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  8,  13,  15, 
18,  78 
Huckins,  James,  79,  89,  100 

Robert,  20,  30 
Huckleberry  Hill,  46,  133 
Hud,  John,  84 
Huggins,  James,  69 

Robert,  18,  24 
Hull,  Benjamin,  48,  52,  57,  60 

Naomi,  71,  72 
Hull's  Diary,  83 
Humphreys,  Thomas,  50,  60 
Hunking,  Mark,  117 
Hunt,  Bartholmew,  18,  20 

Samuel,  141 
Hunter,  Secretary  of  State,  286 
Huntress,  Samuel,  141 
Hurd,  John,  30 

William,  192 
Hurricanes,  177,  209 
Huske,  Ellis,  144 
Hussey,  Daniel,  296 

John,  140 

Robert,  48 
Hyuck,  Ffrances,  80 

Ilei-and  Falls,  73 

Immigration,  62 

Incendiary  Fires,  202,  251,  254,  257, 

259 
Indenture,  2,  3,  5,  6 
Independence  Day,    180,    i84,    189, 

190,  194,  195,  210,   224, 

242 


316 


INDEX 


Indian  Corn,  lo,  29,  31,  40,  75,  87, 
142,  143,  144,  152,  157 
Deed,  11 
Path,  41 
Servants,  129 
Slaves,  129 
Treaty,  80,  81 
Troubles,  22,  70,  72,  77,  78,  83, 

90.  91.  92,  93.94.  96,  97. 
98,  99,  100,  loi,  102,  103, 
106,  107,  108,  no,  III, 
112,  114,  123,  125,  126, 
142,  143 

Ingersol,  Jared.  200 

Insane  Asylum,  237 

Institute,  Teachers,  252 

Insurance  Co.,  Cochecho,  241 

Intrenchments,  17,  35 

Ipswich,  Mass.,  22,  54,  156,  172 

Ireland,  18 

Relief,  252 

Iron  Works,  122 

Ising-glass  River,  83 

Isles    of    Shoals,  34,    77,    85,    106, 
262 

Jackson,  Andrew,  271 
Charles,  271 
General,    214,    224,    226,    227, 

228,  230,  233,  237 
James,  47,  51 
Walter,  47,  51,  57,  60,  65,  68, 

80 
William,  102 

,  100 

Jaffrey,  James,  131 

Jail,  158,  164,  166,  176,  185,  190,  216, 

225,  228 
Jail  Hill,  176 
James  I.,  8 

Jefferson,   Thomas,  President,   186, 
190,    193,    224,   242,  253 
Jeffersonians,  191 
Jeffrey,  Cyprian,  138,  139 
Jemeson,  Patrick,  47,  52,  57,  60,  61, 

69 
Jenkins,  Elizabeth,  90 
Experience,  103 
John,  134 
Joseph,  116 


Jenkins,  Stephen,  90 
Jenness,  Henry  O.,  271 

James  F.,  271 

J.S.,  4,  8 

Nathaniel,  296 
Jewett,  James,  292 
Johnson,    Andrew,   President,    281, 
288 

Darius,  T.,  296 

H.  v.,  267 

James,  25 

Thomas,  13,  30,  33,  34,  36,  47, 
51,  57,  60,  71 

,  164 

Johnson's  Creek,  36,  46,  102 
Jonathan,  ship,  2,  3,  4,  5 
Jones,  Captain,  100,  122 

Charles  E.,  271 

Christie  L.,  271 

Esther,  114 

Jenkin,  68,  79,  84,  89 

John,  192 

Joseph,  121,  122 

Mary,  102 

Paul,  253 

Robert,  45,  56 

Stephen,  52,  57,  60,  68,  70, 
80,84,  117,  121,  124,  134, 
292,  293,  294 

William,  18,  20,  25,  26,  48,  52, 

57 

,  III 

Jones'  Garrison,  99,  100 
Judiciary,  202,  244 
Junkes,  Robert,  47 
Jury,  Coroners,  38 

Grand,  29,  64,  71,  127 

of  Trials,  64 

Kane,  Peter,  271 
Kant,  Robert,  133 
Keais,  Samuel,  114 
Kearney,  Camp,  La.,  275 
Keatler,  Richard,  33 
Keene,  270 
Kelly's  Diary,  146 
Kembell,  Thomas,  41,  50,  55 
Kennebunk,  Me.,  136 
Kenney,John,  236 
Love,  140 


INDEX 


317 


Kent,  Oliver,  30,  33,  48,  52,  57 
Kerk,  Henry,  66,  67 
Keyd,  James,  56 
Kidder,  Steven,  19 
Kielle,  Benjamin,  225 

John,  162,  166,  169,  294,  295 
Kimball,  Jonathon,  202 

Mary,  227 

Samuel,  295 

Thomas,  50 

William,  227 
Kincaid,  David,  112 
King,  George,  210 

Rufus,  196 

William,  210 
King  of  England .  i ,  1 1 ,  82,  84,  88,  159 
King's  Own,  135 

Thoroughfare,  122 

Woods,  135 
Kings  Town,  105,  112 
Kingston,  129,  135,  136,  iSi 
Kiniston,  John,  59 
Kinket,  David,  140 
Kirke,  Goodman,  70 
Kittery,  Me.,  36,37,  82,  116,  120,  128, 
136,  251 

Neck,  109 
Kittredge,  George  W.,  237 

Jacob,  187,  195,  215,  231,  295, 
296 

Thomas  W.,  296 
Knight,  John,  106,    109,  113 
Knollys,  Hansard,  Rev.,  14.  15.  16, 

17,  18 
Knowlton,  Captain,  270 
Know  Nothing  Party,  262 
Knox,  Jesse  W.,  271 

Laconia,  270 

Company,  i,  3,  7,  8,  12 
Ladd,  Eliphalet,  180,  184 
Lefavour,  Captain,  218 
Lafayette,   General,    215,   216,   218, 
219,  220,  221,  222,  235 

G.  W.,  220 
Ivaham,  Richard,  18 
Lahorn,  Henry,  18 
Laiton,  Thomas,  38 
Lalla  Rookh,  vessel,  273 
Lampereel  Falls,  37,  61,  73,  105,  no 


Lampereel  River,  36,  37,  39,  4I1  49. 
51.  63,  72,  73.74.  76.  77, 
105,  107,  115,  121,  124 

Lamprey  River,  36,  122 

River  Bridge,  121,  122,  124 

Lancaster,  270 

Land  Claims,  22,  82,  83,  86,  87,  88, 
89,  97 

Landgrants,  1,  2,  3,  5,  7,  8,  10,  11, 
13,  17,  24,  25,  27,  29,  30, 
32,  33.  34.  35,  36.  37.  39- 
41,  53-65,  71.72,  73,  74. 
76,   113,   120,     13T,    132, 

133.  175 
Landing,  173,  174.  i77,  i79-  185,  186, 

189,   190,   191,   201,  204, 

213,  218,  232,   235,   236, 

240,  242,  246,  267,  280 
Landing  Bridge,  214 
Landings,  105,  123,  156 
Lane,  Edmund  J.,  296 

Joseph,  267 
Lane's  Diary,  145,  152 
Langdon,  John,  173,  174,   I75-   183, 

191,   192,   193,   194.   195. 

196,  197.  199 
Langdon  Bank,  261 
Langley,  John,  134 
Thomas,  134 
Langstaff,  Henry,  13,  25,  30,  33,  89 
Langtof,  Henry,  84 
Lankster,  Henry,  35,  45-  S^,  59,  65, 

67,  79,  87,  109 
Larkham,  Thomas,  Rev.,  15,  16,  17, 

18,  20,  24 
Larkin,  David,  79 
Laski,  John,  134 
Latin  School,  112 
Laud,  Archbishop,  14 
Laues,  John,  33 
Lavasseur,  Mr.,  221 
Laws,  Fishing,  26,  205 

Liquor,  29,  46,  245,  262 
Layton,  Thomas,   13,  18,  20,  24,  27, 

30.  31.  32,  33,  44,  55,  58, 

61,  67 
William,  59,  62,  68 
Leathers,  Alphonso,  271 

Edward,  69,  80,  100 
Leavitt,  Samuel,  96 


318 


INDEX 


Lebanon,  270 
Lebby,  Benjamin,  140 

Daniel,  140 
Lechford,  Thomas,  16 
Lee,  Abraham,  92 

General,  284,  285 
Lee,  97,  154,  155.  180,  182,  185,  213 
Leeson,  Nicholas,  74 
Legislature,  143,  153,  177,  181,  189, 
190,  192,    199,  202,  211, 
212,  213,  214,  217,  218, 
232,  233,  236,  237,  238, 
239,  243,  250,  257,  258, 
262,  276,  279 
Leighton,  Abigail,  261 

Thomas,  50,  79 

Tobias,  165 
Leppincutt,  Bartholomew,  45,  55 
Lessen,  Joseph,  52 
Leudecoes,  David,  45 
Leveridge,  William,  Rev.,    13,    14, 

16,  17.  35 
Lewis,  Philip,  25,  33,  34,  36,  49.  9° 
Libbey, Ira,  248 
Libby's  Mills,  185,  214 
Library,  201,  241 
Lieut.  Governor,  97,  103,  104,  105, 

124,  126,  135 
Light  Horse,  176 
Lightning,  183,   225,   228,   257,   263, 

265 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  President,  266, 
267,  268,  278,    281,  283, 
286,  288,  289,  290,  291 
Line,  Edward,  45 
Linen  Cloth,  171 
Liquor  Laws,  29,  46,  245,  262 
Little,  Rev.,  Mr.,  172 
Little  Bay,  no 

Harbor,  1,3,  4.5.6,7.8,9,  12 

John's  Creek,  35,  36,  75 
Littlefield,  Aaron,  136 

Captain,  272 

Francis,  30 

Jonathan,  260 
Littleton,  270 
Livermore,  Arthur,  190,  233 

Samuel,  174,  188 
Liverpool,  229 
Lobby,  George,  271 


Locke,  John  C,  271 
Locust  Street,  226,  248,  251 
Logan,  Johnson  C,  271 
Log  Hill  Spring,  266 
London,  i,  4,  18,  83 
Londonderry,  129,  181 
Long  Island  Sound,  168 
Longstar,  Henry,  109 
Lord  Protector,  86 
Lord,  George  F.,  271 

John,  266 

John  F.,  271 

Oliver,  271 
Lothrop,  Samuel  K.,  Rev.,  228,  234, 

250 
Lotteries,  150,  166,  192 
Loue,  William,  45 
Louisburg,  139,  141,  142,  173 
Louring,  John,  45,  56,  59,  64,  68 
Lovewell,  Captain,  126 
Low,  Nathaniel,  272,  296 
Lowdeu,  Anthony,  102 
Lowell,  Mass.,  281 

Railroad,  235 
Lower  Bridge,  157,  173,  254 

Falls,  29,  35,  115,  157,  200,  210 
Lubberland,  102,  123 
Lummack,  Nathaniel,  80 
Lyceum,  232,  233,  234 
Lyman,  Captain,  206 

John  D.,  282 
Lyman,  Maine,  276 
Lynn,  Mass.,  54,  197 

Mackdaniel,  Elexander,  60 
Mackdonell,  Elexander,  52,  60 
Madbury,  138,  146,  I49.!i52,  I53.  156, 

163,   iSo,  223,    233,  238, 

255.  273,  281 
Madison,  James,  President,  196,  199, 

200,  201 
Magoune,  Henry,  45 
Mahoney,  T.  J.,  271 
Main  Garrison,  88 

Street,  204,  240 
Maine,  3,  13,  15,  185,  201,  219,  221 
Maiden,  Mass.,  253 
Malloy,  John,  271,  297 
Maloy,  Peter,  271 
Malt,  56,  61,  87 


INDEX 


319 


Man,  Peter,  i88 
Manchester,  270 

Phalanx,  270 
Manufacturing   Co.,    Cocheco,    91, 
227,  229,  231,  234,  240, 
241,  248,  254,  261,   266, 
267,  278 
Co.,  Dover,  213.  222,  227,  246 
Map  of  Town,  234,  236,  246 
Market  House,  234 
Marriage,  38,  53,  180 
Marsh,  Hezekiah,  134 
Marshall,  Mrs.,  198 
Marshes,  25,  29,  30,  37,  41.  44.  125 
Marston,  Oilman,  272 
Marston's  Block,  254,  273 
Martin,  John,  31,  33,  48,  51.  57.  60, 
61,  64,  69 
Noah,  258,  260,  276,  296 
Martinique,  190 
Martyn,  Richard,  87 
Mason,  Jeremiah,  206,  208,  223 

John,  I,  3,  7,  8,  63,  82,  86,  97 
Peter,  133 
Robert,  88 
Mason  Hall,  i,  8 

Land  Claims,  22,  82,  83,  86, 
87,  88,  89,  97 
Mass  Meetings,  199,  200,  243,  276, 

281,  282 
Massachusetts,  2,  6,  10,  12,  13,  14, 
16,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24, 
63,  8r,  83,  84,  85,  94,  96, 
97, loi, 127, 130,  141, 155 
Assembly,  23 
Bay,  2,  12 
Bay  Government,  13,  19,  21, 

24.  36.  37.  83,  84,  130 
Hist.  Society,  2,  95,  172 
Records,  25,  26,  27,  28,  41,  53 
Massacre,  Dover,  90,  91,  92,  93,  94 
Oyster  River,  98,  99,  100 
Salmon  Falls,  96,  97 
Mast  Path,  105 
Masts,  35,  36,  44 
Mathes,  Captain,  133 
Francis,  294 
Mrs.,  33 
Mathews,  Benjamin,  48,  52,  74,  80 
Mrs.,  57 


Mathew's  Neck,  loi 
Mathewson,  Oeorge,  296 
Matthews,  Francis,  13 

Mrs.,  31 
Maud,  Daniel,  Rev.,  23,  34 

Mary,  23 
Mayors,  263,  264,  268,  269,  270,  272, 

283,  286 
McCabe,  John,  271 
McClellan,  Oeorge  B.,  281 
M'Cluskey,  Richard,  258 
McKearney,  Patrick,  257 
McMarster,  James,  164,  165,  167 
Meade,  General,  285 
Meader,  John,  47,  51,  60,  64,  68,  79, 

89 
Meader,  Nathaniel,  107,  134 
Meader's  Oarrison,  99 
Meadows,  25,  37 
Measles,  90 
Measures,  71 
Medellman,  James,  47 
Meder,  Joseph,  117 
Medford,  Mass.,  163 
Medical  Association,  Strafford,  270 
Medlton,  James,  52 
Meeting  House,  Barrington,  122 

Berwick,  147 

Cochecho,  115,  117,  119.  120, 
124,  128,   147,  148,  149. 

150 

Dover  Neck,  29,  34,  35,  40. 
41,  44,  62,  63,  64,  70, 
76,  88,  94,  106,  III,  115, 
116,  117,  120,  251 

Exeter,  121 

First,  17,  29,  35,  189 

First  Parish,  229,  236 

Freewill  Baptist,  232,  247 

Friends,  159,  251,  252 

Kittery,  116 

Madbury,  146 

Methodist,  115,  217 

Oyster  River,  39,  40,  42,  44, 
74,  109,  ri8,  121 

Pine  Hill,  115,  117,  147.148, 
149.  150 

Quaker,  150 

Second,  17,  35,  189 

Somersworth,  132,  254 


320 


INDEX 


217 


114, 
141, 
165, 
206, 
218, 

204, 


Meeting  House  Hill,  189 

Mellen,  Elisa,  184 

Henry,  184.  188,  196 
John  W.,  217,  220,  224 
Merrimack  River,  i,  3,  10,  83 
Merrow,  Samuel,  140 
Merry  Meeting  River,  182 
Merry  Mount,  6,  7 
Mesandowit,  91 
Mesarvey,  Thamsin,  107,  108 
Meserve,  Nathaniel,  147,  148 
Metcalf,  Ralph,  262,  263 
Meteors,  184,  234,  261 
Methodist  Meeting  House,  115 
Mexican  War,  254 
Middletown,  182 
Migel,  John,  80 
Military,  14,  48,  74.  81,  97,  106, 
133.  ^34,   139.   140, 
146,    147.  158,  163, 
166,   170,  176,  200, 
210,  211,  216,  217, 
222,  235 
Militia,  78,  83,  97,  103,  114,  203, 

223 
Miller,  Robert,  271 
Millet,  Captain,  124,  133 

Thomas,    133,    137,    139.    148, 
292,  294 
Mills,  Bellemy  Bank,  75 
Chesley's,  105 
Cocheco,  231 
Currier's,  201 
Gerrish's,  152 
Ham's,  214 
Hill's,  39,  46 
Libby's,  185,  214 
Quamphegan,  56,  60,  68, 
Sawyer's,  214 
Waldron's,  87,  157 
Whittier's,  209 
Milton,  206,  230,  261 
Mines,  9 

Ministers,   14.    15,    16,    17,    23, 
34,  39,  42,  43,  46,  49 
73.  74-  75.  76,  83,  84 
90,    102,    113,   114, 
116,  118,   119,   120, 
126,   127,  129,  131, 
148,   149.  154.   164, 


104 


24. 
',  71. 
,  86, 

115. 
121, 

132. 
172, 


Ministers  (continued) 

174,  194,  208,  228,  229, 
233,  236,  240,  241,  242, 
249,  257,  260,  265,  270, 
280 

Ministry,  36.  38,  40,  43,  49,  50,  73, 

74,  77.  113.  154 
Minots  Rock  Light  House,  257 
Missouri  Compromise,  261 
Mitchell,  Peter,  164,  165 

S.,  221 
Moderators,  163,  226,  292 
Mohawks,  83,  125 

Molloy,  John,  271,  297(866  Malloy.) 
Money,  Counterfeit,  192 
Monroe,  James,  President,  205,  206, 

207,  210 
Moody,  Ira  A.,  282 

Joshua,  86 

Sarah,  86 

Silas,  296 
Moor,  John,  134 
Moore,  Samuel,  141 
Morril,  David  L.,  214,  217,  224,  226 
Morrill,  Benjamin,  236 

Joseph,  296 
Morris,  Thomas,  60,  69,  80 
Morrison,  Andrew,  271 

Rev.  Mr.,  181 
Morton  of  Merry  Mount,  6,  7 
Mosely,  J.,  202 
Moses,  Hunking,  151 
Moulton,  James  R,,  296 

S.  S.,  255 
Mount  Pleasant,  240 

Royal,  Canada,  136 
Mowing  Machines,  261 
Mullen,  Erastus,  271 

Nail  Factory,  201,  210 
Nambrous,  144 
Nanney,  Robert,  18,  19 
Naomi,  71 
Nash,  Isaac,  33,  44 
Nashua,  270 
Nasou,  Mark  F.,  285 
Richard,  27,  38 
Navy,  United  States,  247,  281,  286 
Neale,  Walter,  8,  13 
Negroes,  129,  164,  166,  167 


INDEX 


321 


NelsoD,  Joseph,  141 
Nelson  Street,  265 
New  Boston  Artillery,  142 
Newbury,  Mass.,  54,  132,  136 

Ferry,  93 
Newburyport,  Mass.,  235 
Newcastle,  112,  118,  135 
New  Durham,  175,  182,  185 
New  England,  i,  2,  3,  9,  15,  18,  21, 

84,94.  95.  141,  146,  159 
Council,  I,  2,  7,  II 
Packet,  229 
Rum,  171 
Newett,  James,  38 
Newgrow,  John,  30 
New  Hampshire,  i,  4,  13,  17,  18,  20, 
21,   22,   55,   85,    87,   95, 
97,    114,    126,    135,   141, 
146,  158,  161,  163,  176 
Bank,  192 

Gazette,  151,  152,  175,  176 
Historical  Coll.,  128 
Hotel,  207,  239,  261 
Patriot,  237 
Republican,     222,    223,     224, 

225 
Troops,  74,  III,  112,  133,  134, 
137,  139.  140,  141.    142, 
146,   147,  158,  163,   164, 
165,  166,  270 
Newichwannock,  9,  37 

River,  25,  32,  37,  77 
Newington,    11,  115,  117,  118,    135, 
141,  155,  183,  185,  214, 
247,  262,  263 
New  London,  270 
Newmarket,  135,  281 
New  Orleans,  273,  275,  279 
Newport,  270 
Newport,  R.  I.,  166 
New  Style,  145 
New  York,  164,  165,  166,  240 
News  Letter,  Boston,  107,  108,    121, 

133 
Newspaper,  180,  182 
Newtt,  Abraham,  67,  79 

James,  55,  58,  67,  69 
Night  watch,  257 
Niles,  Daniel,  176 
Nock,  Thomas,  45,  51,  55,  58,  63,  64 


Nock's  Marsh,  125 

Norfolk,  Va.,  273,  279 

Norfolk  County,  Mass.,  22,  74 

Norridgewog,  98 

North  Hill,  156 

Northam,  i,  17,  19,  23,  28 

North  wood,  182 

Norway-plain,  182 

Nottingham,  10 

Numphow,  Samll,  81 

Nute,  James,  13,  18,  30,  31,  33,  35, 

47,  51.  58.  77 
Paul,  140 
Nutt,  James,  45,  48 
Nutter,  Anthony,  33,  38,  45,  56,  59, 
64,   66,    67,    72,    73,   77, 
79,  84,  86,  89 
Elder,  27,  33,  35,   44,  50,   51, 

53,  55,  58,  64,  67 
Hatevil,  13,  24,  27,  31,  65,  73 
Mr.,  30,  79 
Nutter  &  Pierce  Block,  240 

Gates,  Richard,  47 
Gath  of  Allegiance,  86 

of  Fidelity,  45,  48,  50,  73 
Gdiorn,  Mr.,  132 
Gdiorne,  John  B.  H.,  215,  223,  232, 

245,  296,  297 
Ger,  James,  47,  52 
Officers,  City,  264 

County,  246 

State,  172 

Town,  23.  45,  48,  50,   53,  77, 
no,  117,  246 
Old  Style,  3,  17,  145 
Opera,  181 
Oracle,  Portsmouth,   184,  194,   195, 

198 
Orchard  Street,  245 
Ordinaries,  29,  34,  46,  58,  61,  66,  70 
Ordway,  James,  13 
Orinoco,  ship,  241 
Osborne,  Daniel,  268 

Marble,  225 

Mercy,  225 
Otis,  Alfred  H.,  296 

Christina,  94,  136 

George  K.,  271 

John  H.,  271 


322 


INDEX 


Otis,  Moses,  271 

Nicholas,  102 

Richard,  45,  50,  56,  59,  68,  72, 

79,  80,  88,  93,  102,  135 
Otis'  Garrison,  88,  91,  92,  102 
Oxen,  28,  129 

Ox  pasture,  36,  50 

Oyster  River,  34,  36,  38,  39,  40,  42, 

44,  46,  47,49*50.  51.  55. 

57,  60,  61,  63,  66,  68,  71, 

73.  74,  75,  76,  77.  78,  79. 

80,  90,  97,  98,  99,   100, 
loi,   102,  105,   106,   107, 

109,    no,    112,  114,  115, 

117,     118,    121,  122,  125, 

126,    127,     129,  133,  134, 
136,    155.  251 

Oyster  River  Falls,  32,  98,  105,   no 
Massacre,  98,  99,  100 
Meeting    House,    34,  39,    40, 

42,  44,  74,  109,  121 
Parish,  118,  119,  121,  129,  134 
Point,  46 

Packets,  229,  231 
Page,  Antoney,  59,  68 

John,  241,  242,  243 

,  231 

Paine,  Josiah,  183 

Thomas,  79,  89 

William,  23 
Painters,  201 

Palfrey,  John  G.,  9,  17,  21 
Palmer,  Barnabas  H.,  215,  229 

Charlotte,  272 

William,  202 
Paper  Currency,   131,   134,  143,   174, 

Hanging  Manufactory,  259 
Parell,  John,  123 
Parish,  Dover,  115,  118,  128 

First,  150,  151,  174,  229 

Newiugton,  115 

Oyster   River,    118,    119,   121, 
129,  134 

Portsmouth,  115 

Somersworth,    130,    131,    132, 
146 
Parker,  John,  177 
Parkman,  John,  Rev.,  242,  255 
Parliament,  159,  160 


Parmele,  Horace,  198 

Parmenter,  Warren  H.,  271 

Family,  L.  S.,  202 

Parnill,  John,  69 

Parris,  Governor,  219 

Parsons,  Benjamin  F.,  Rev.,  260 

Pascataquack,  6,  18 

Pascatoway,  77 

Passaconoway,  Sagamore,  10 

Patrick,  Christopher,  106 

Patterson,  Edward,  45,  47.  52,   57, 

60 
Paul,  Ebenezer,  128 

Ivory,  296 

Moses,  218,  267 
Payne,  Thomas,  56,  59,  68 

William,  37 
Payne  Street,  248,  257 
PeaboJy,  Oliver,  186,  190,  194 
Peace  proclamation,  128 
Peas,  31,  40,  56,  61 
Peaslee,  Joseph  T.,  296 

Nicholas,  no 
Peddlers,  162 

Peirce,  Andrew,  203,  208,   210,   215, 
223,   235,  256,  263,  264, 
274,  293,  295,  296 
Penacook,  72,  91 
Penacooks,  9,  80,  81,  82 
Pender,  Jeremiah,  134 
Pendergast,  George  P.,  271 
Pendleton,  Bryan,  41,  48,  53,  64 

George  H.,  281 
Penhallow,  Samuel,  108 
Penobscot,  98,  102,  144 
Pepperell,  William,  142,  173 
Pare,  Mr.,  136 
Perkins,  Abraham,  165 

Charles  E.,  271 

Daniel  L.,  275 

Eri,  215,  295 

Jacob,  201 

Jared,  261 

Jeremy,  275 

Moses  P.,  235 

Nathaniel,  140 

Thomas,  74,  76,  79,  140 

William,  57,  60,  69,  74,  80 
Permett,  Lasares,  55,  59,  68 
Perry,  Freeman,  184 


INDEX 


323 


Peters,  Hugh,  16 
Petition,  Bloody  Point,  24 

Dover,  21,  39,  40,  82,  83,  84, 
94,  122,  131,  13; 
Petman,  John,  134 
Pettman,  William,  57,  60 
Petty  Chapmen,  162 
Pew  rents,  119 
Philadelphia,  161,  162,  188 
Philip's  War,  70,  81 
Phillips,  John,  18,  204 
Phipps,  William,  93 
Phtfinix,  The,  180,  181,  182,  183 
Picked  Rock,  124 
Pickering,  John,    95,   96,   108,    177, 

178,  179,  183 
Pidgin,  William,  241 
Pierce,  Benjamin,  224,  226,  227,  228 

Captain,  270 

Franklin,  President,  259 
Pike,  Captain,  53,  65 

James,  Rev.,  131,  132 

John,  Rev.,  84,  86,  87,  88,  90, 
97.  98,  loi,  102,  103,  104, 
105,  106,  107,  108,  109, 
no.  III,  112,  113,  114 

Robert,  65 
Pilgrim  Fathers,  i 
Pinckhame,  Richard,  18,  79,  80 
Pinckney,  Charles  C,  190,  196 
Pine  Hill,   115,    133,    147,    148,    149. 
150,   180,   187,  205,  218, 
251,  264 
Pine  Hill  Burying  Ground,  115,  133, 

187,  205,  251 
Pinkcom,  Richard,  20 
Pinkham,  Andrew  J.,  271 

Jellian,  47 

John,  67,  79 

J.  B.,  285 

Richard,  13,  24,  29,  51 

Thomas,  67,  137 
Pipe  Staves,   23,  25,   31,  40,  42,   61, 

77.  87 
Piper,  George,  293 
Piscataqua  Associates,  23 

Bridge,  185,  192,  229,  262 
Ferry  Co.,  214,  262 
River,  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9,  10, 
II,  12,  13,  14,  16,  18,  77, 


Piscataqua  River,  (continued) 

80,    83,  84,  87,   88,   104, 
107,  109,  217,  230,  263 
Towns,  23 
Pitman,  Joseph,  108 

William,  47,  52,  69,  80 

,  99 

Place,  Charles  H.,  271 
Plaisted,  Ichabod,  105 

John,  117 
Plan  of  Government,  18,  94,  95,  96, 
168,  169,  172 
of  Town,  192,  234 
Pleas,  Court  of,  88,  191 
Pleasant  Street,  218,  228 
Plumer,  H.  S.  &  Co.,  256 

William,    199,    201,    202,  204, 
205,  206,  208,  209 
Plymouth,  270 

Eugland,  2,  3 
Mass.,  4,  5,  9 
Plymouth  Colony,  7 
Council  of,  7 
Rock,  I 
Point  Lookout,  Md.,  279 
Polk,  James  K.,  President,  248,  252 
Polls,  86,  129,  158,  171,  266 
Pomfret,  Lieutenant,  38,  72,  79 

William,  13,  18,  20,  24,  25,  27, 
28,  29,  31,  32,  33,34,  44. 
50,  55.  58,  64,65,  66,  67, 
75,  293 
Pomroy,  Leonard,  2 
Pope,  Mr.,  284 
Population,  12,  55,  66,  155,  164,  224, 

252 
Pork,  40,  56,  61,  75,  87 
Port  Bill,  161 
Portland,    Me.,   191,   194,    206,  233, 

240,  252 
Porto  Rico,  190 

Portsmouth,  2,  8,  9,  12,  16,  20,  24, 
44,  46,  48,  51,  53,  58,64, 
65.  70,  71,  74,  77,  78,83, 
86,  87,  88,  92,  94,  95,96, 
102,  107,  108,  112,  115, 
118,  129,  135,  138,  141, 
156,  158,  161,  164,  168, 
171,  176,  181,  182,  184, 
185,   190,  203,  204,  206, 


324 


INDEX 


Portsmouth,  (continued) 

2IO,  211,  212,  215,  216, 
217,  218,  227,  231,  232, 
236,  237,  240,  267,  270, 
272,  281 

Portsmouth  Artillery,  142 
Deputies,  27 
Journal,  273 

Oracle,  184,  194,  195,  198 
Railroad,  236 

Postmaster,  191,  228,  229,  233,  235, 
242,  243,  249,  253,  255, 
265 
General,   191 

Post  Office,  182,  184,  227,  254 

Pound,  Cochecho,  178,  180 
Dover  Neck,  71,  112 

Powder,  24,  71,  76,   164,  213 

Powers,  Michael,  246 
Nicholas,  149 

Prentice,  John,  190 

President,  Province,  85,  86,  96 

State,  165,   172,  173,  174,   175, 

178,  179,  180,  181 
United  States,  177,  183,  186, 
188,  190,  193,  196,  200, 
201,  205,  206,  207,  210, 
216,  226,  233,  237,  243, 
248,  252,  254,  259,  264, 
267,  268,  269,  278,  279, 
281,  283,  286,  287,  288, 
289,  290,  291 

Presidential  Electors,  177,  183,  186, 
190, 193,  196,  200,  205 

Prince,  Thomas,  i,  2 

Print  Works,  Cocheco,  175,  248 

Printery,  Bellemy,  252 

Printing  Office,  180, 182,  183,  197, 198 

Prison,  128,  183,  235,  237 

Prisoners,  165,  166 

Privateer,  French,  190 

Proclamation  of  Peace,  128 

Property  Qualifications,  258 

Protest,  Revolutionary,  159 

Providence,  ship,  3,  5 

Province  of  Maine,  3 

of  New  Hampshire,  86,  94 

Provincial  Assembly,  127,  128,  129, 
130 

Provincial  Convention,  163,  164 


Provincial  Congress,  163,  164 
Council,  (See  Council) 
Governor,  (See  Governor) 
Records,  87,  97,  103,  105,  122, 

293 
Prudential  Men,  49 
Public  Houses,  118,  135,  167 

Lands,  25,  205 

Park,  266 

Record  Office,  London,  18 
Puritans,  14,  16,  17 
Purser,  154 
Puscassicke  River,  41 

Quakers,  47.  53. '54.  120,   125,   131, 

133.  150,  177 
Quamphegan,  32,  106 
Falls,  36 

Mills,  56,  60,  68,  104 
Quebec,  93,  136 
Quicksilver,  193 
Quint,  George,  236 
Ouochecho,  41,  83 
Quotas,  167,  169,  270,  272,  273,  274, 

277,  278,   279,  280,  281, 

283,  286 

Radford,  Abraham,  33 
Rafe,  Clement,  59 
Ragg,  Jeffrey,  31 
Railroad  Accidents,  258,  259 
Block,  248 
Bridge,  245,  260 
Railroad,  Boston  &  Maine,  236,  240, 
241,  278 
"     Boston  &  Worcester,  241 
Cochecho,  253,  255,  257,  258, 

276 
Dover    &    Portsmouth,    236, 

254.  259 
Dover  &  Winnipiseogee,  276, 

278 
Lowell,  235 
Rallins,  James,  45,  56,  59,  67 

Thomas,  56,  59 
Rand,  John  H.,  231 
John  T.,  276 
Randal,  John,  134 
William,  134 
Randall,  Horace,  271 


INDEX 


325 


Randall,  Mr.,  175 
Paul,  257 

Ranger,  Frigate,  253 

Rann,  John,  84 

Raphf,  Clemant,  56 

Rates,  28,30,  31,  33,  34,  38,  41,  42, 
43,  44.  46,  47.  48,50,  51.- 
52,  55.  5.657,  58,  59.  60, 
61,  67,  68,  69,  70,  73,  75, 
76,77,78,79.80,83,85, 
87,90,  104,  129,  131,  133, 
138,  149.  154,  157,  264, 
266 

Rawlins,  Ichabod,  11 1 
James,  18,  31 

Rawson,  Edward,  28,  41 

Rayner,  Frances,  Mrs.,  84 

John,  Rev.,  42,  43,  44,  45,  46, 
49.  55.  58,  66,  67,  69,  74, 
75,  76,  83,  84,  85 

Read,  Michael,  194,  280 

Rebellion,  268,  269,  270,  271,  272, 
273,  274,  275,  276,  277, 
278,  279,  280,  281,  282, 
283,  284,  285,  286 

Recorder  of  Deeds,  239 

Records,   Assembly,   109,    118,   123, 

135 
Council,  102 
Massachusetts,  25,  26,  27,  28, 

41.  53 
Provincial,   87,    97,    103,    105 

122,  293 
Town,  18,  23,  30,  33,  44,  45,  47, 

48,51,55.  56,  63,  64,  79, 

80,    159,    160,   188,  264, 

293 
Recruiting  Office,  269,  272,  280 
Red  River,  I,a.,  279 
Reede,  Solomon,  141 
Regiment,    New   Hampshire,    143, 
148,   150,   158,   170,   189, 
273.  278 
1st.,  270,  272 
2nd.,   158,  200,   211,  270,  271, 

272,  275,  276,  277,  279 
3d.,  279 
4th.,  276,  279 
5th.,  275,  279 
6th.,  275,  279 


Regiment,  7th.,  276,  279 

8th.,  279 

9th.,  274,  275,  279 

loth.,  275,  279 

nth.,  275,  279 

i2th.,  275,  279 

13th.,  275,  279 

14th.,  279 

i8th.,  280,  281 

39th.,  211 
Register  of  Deeds,  204 

of  Probate,  210 
Register,    Strafford,   180,    208,  210, 

211,  213 
Relief  Society,  230 
Religious  test,  258 

troubles,  14,  15,  16,  17,  24 
Remich.John,  188 
Rendezvous,  272,  280 
Rents,  37,  38,  39,  43,  44,  49,  50,  66, 

73.  76,  III 
Representatives,  71,  108,   115,   121, 

123,  134.    137,    148,   151, 
154.   ^57.   161,   164,   169, 
173,  174,   175,   189,    190, 
205,  212,   238,   243,    254, 
260,  293 
Republicans,  178,  179,  188,  191,  193, 
197,  199,   205,  213,  229, 
232,  264,  266 
Retailers,  162,  202 
Revenue,  Surplus,  238,  240,  244 
Revolution,  159,  165,    170,  172,    174, 

253,  270,  293 
Reynolds,  Joseph,  235 

William,  235 
Rhode  Island,  166,  167,  168 
Riall,  Teage,  52,  57,  61,  69,  80 
Rich,  Richard,  79 
Richards,  John,  116,  142 

Joseph, 142 
Richardson,  James,  293 

Stephen,  271 
Richardson's  Tavern,  194 
Ricker,  Ebenezer,  163 
George,  79,  no 
John,  116 
Judith,  102 
Maturin,  no 
Ricker  field,  166 


326 


INDEX 


Riding  post,  182 

Rifle  Co.,  Great  Falls,  235 

Riley,  John,  190,  208,  245,  295 

Rindge,  Daniel,  177 

Ring,  Eliphalet,  141 

Risley,  Robert,  52 

William,  48,  66 
River  &  Harbor  Bill,  230 
Roads,  186,  189,  203 
Roberts,  Aaron,  261 

Aniasa,  293 

Charles  P.,  271 

Dorothy,  90 

George  W.,  277 

Hanson,  296 

John,  33,  38,  45,  51,  55.  58, 
61,  63,  64,  65,  67,  76,  77, 
79,  80,  84,  85,89,  90,  94, 
96 

Joseph,  119,  120 

Mr.,  31,  44,  194 

Nathaniel,  115 

Samuel,  140 

Stephen, 137 

Thomas,  5,  13,  18,  20,  24,  33, 
38,  45.47,  50,  51.  55-58- 
67,  79.  84,  93,  117,  119, 
120,  140 

William,  31,  33,  34,  47.  5°.  52, 
57,  60,  68.  72,  78 
Robinson,  Jonn  P.,  281 

Stephen,  52,  60,  65,  69 
Roby,  Henry,  74 

Rochester,    10,    140,   142,    143,    150, 
151,  182,   190,  206,    211, 
232,  247,  258,  281 
Rockingham  County,  158,  180 

Guards,  218,  235 
Rocky  Point,  50 
Roe,  Richard,  84 
Rogers,  Captain,  241 

Rev.  Mr.,  132 

Richard,  24 

Robert,  204,  239,  295 

Stephen  H.,  271 
Rogers  &  Patten,  204 
Rollins,  Edward  H.,  282 

Hiram,  268,  271 

James,  30,  33,  39 
RolHnsford,  255 


Rooe,  Richard,  56,  59,  67 
Root,  David,  Rev.,  233,  241 
Ros,  Richard,  53 
Ross,  Richard  N.,  282 
Rosse,  John,  27 
Rothwell,  Jeremiah,  271 
Row,  Richard,  74 
Rowley,  Mass.,  54 
Roxbury,  Mass.,  54,  77 
Rum,  New  England,  171 

West  India,  171 
Runls,  JohUj  134 
Russell,  Richard,  49 
Russian  Stoves,  202 
Rye,  4,  135,  203 

Sabbath  School,  208 

Saco,  Me.,  11 

Safety,  Committee  of,  163,  164,  165, 

166,  168,  174,  191 
Sagadehock  River,  i,  3 
Sagamores,  80,  81 
St.  John  Indians,  98 
St.  Petersburg,  241 
St.  Thomas  Church,  241,  243 
Salem,  270 
Salem,   Mass.,   14,   16,   22,   177.   179, 

197 
Salisbury,  Mass.,  54,  105 
Salmon,  26 

Salmon  Falls,  96,  105,  106,  no 
Salmon  Falls  River,  10,  105 
Salt  Works,  i 
Salter,  Rev.  Mr.,  270 

Richard, 141 
Saltonstall,  Richard,  26 
Salutes,  176,  184,  194,  195,   206,  218, 

273,  281,  283,  284,  285, 

286 
Sam,  Indian,  141 
Samll  Numphow,  81 
Sampson  Aboquecemoka,  81 
Sanborn,  John  II.,  271 
Sanbornton,  197 
Sand  Bank,  264 
Sanders,  Charles,  271 

Joseph,  56,  59,  68 
Sandy  Point,  40,  53 
Sanitary  Commission,  272 
Sargent,  John  B.,  235,  279 


INDEX 


327 


Savage,  James,  2 

Savil,  John,  253 

Saviugs  Bank,  Straffoid,  213,  214, 

242,  270 
Saw  Mills,  8,  27,  29,  32,  33,  34,  35, 
36,  38,  39.44.  49.51.  63, 
73.  98,  200 
Sawyer,  Alfred  I.,  214,  255 
Cbarles  W.,  272 
Jacob,  231 
Stephen,  179,  193 
Thomas  E.,  256,  257,  258,  268, 

282,  296 
Walter,  295 
Sawyer  Woolen  Mills,  214,  255 
Say,  Lord,  13 

Sayles,  Samuel  P.,  271,  276 
Seamen,  Richard,  59 
Scammell,  Alexander,  170 
School,  Belknap,  261,  265 

Grammar,  123,  149,  265 
High,  234,  256 
Latin  112 
School  Districts,  153,  186,  191,  192 
Houses,  150,  154.  186,  189,  192, 
256,  261,  265,  272 
Schoolmasters,  40,  43,  98,  112,  118, 

123,  124 
Schools,  112,  123,  149,  153,  163,  173, 

234,  256,  265 
Schooner,  173 
Scott,  Winfield,  259 
Scouting,  78,83,  97,  105,  108,  112,  123 
Scruien,  John,  56,  59,  68 
Scruton,  George  H.,  271 

Thomas,  49 
Seabrook,  87 
Second  Falls,  Cochecho,  32,  33,  34, 

37.  106 
Second  Meeting  House,  17,  35 
Secretary  of  State,  102,  286 

of  War,  225 
Seeley,  Mr.,  31 

Selectmen,  28,  39,  43,  44,  45.46,  49 
53,  62,  63,  64,  65,  66,  70 
71.  72,  75.  76,  90,  loi 
106,  107,  117,  118,  121 
122,  123,  124,  139,  150 
154,  163,  165,  166,  168 
169,    173.  177.  179.  184 


Selectmen,  (continued) 

186,   234,  238,  241,  252, 

257,  264,  293 
Senate,  State,  173,  174,  178,  179,  254, 

274 
United  States,  237,  250,  262 
Senators,  188,  295 
Serogumba,  81 
Settlement,  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10, 

II,  12 
Sever,  Nicholas,  Rev.,  113,  114,  116, 

120 
Sewall,  Mr.,  54 
Seward,  Samuel,  67 
Shackford,  Captain,  143 
Sham  Fight,  81,  82 
Shannon,  Captain,  183 
Shapleigh,  Major,  70 
Nicholas,  38,  81 
Sharpe,  John,  59 
Sheafe,  James,  189,  205,  206 
Sheep,  29,  129,  161,  168 
Sheperd,  William,  133,  297 
Sherburne,  Daniel,  271 
Henry,  65 
John  S.,  181 
Mr.,  132 
Samuel,  96 
Sheridan,  General,  285 
Sheriff,  89,   102,   139,   165,   175,   176, 

185,  190 
Sherman,  General,  285 
Sherwill,  Nicholas,  2 
Shiffilld,  Ickeabod,  45 

William,  45 
Ship  Island,  La.,  275 
Ship  Yard,  239 

Shipping,  28,  229,  231,  241,  244 
Shoes,  171 

Shuckford,  William,  56,  59,  74,  84 
Shurtleff,  William,  127 

Shu ,  Will,  52 

Silver  Street,  154,  225,  230,  251,  252, 

261 
Simonds,  Michael,  69 
Simpson,  Bartholmew,  112 
Sise,  Edward,  200,  2c6 
Slaughter  House,  191 
Slaves,  129,   155,   164,   166,  167,  211, 
236.  259 


328 


INDEX 


Sleeper,  Henry,  141 
Sloper,  Richard,  45 
Small,  Edward,  105 

Francis,  31 
Small  Pox,  187,  237 
Smart,  Robert,  41 
Smey,  Bartliey,  24 
Smith,  Archibald,  140 

Bartholmew,  18,  20 

Benjamin,  133 

Edward,  32 

George,  29,  31,  32 

James,  47,  57,  61,  69,  73,  80, 

134 
Jeremiah,   191,   196,   197,   199, 

245 

John,  57,  69,  123,  124,  133,  140, 
294 

John  H.,  259 

Joseph,  52,  57,  69,  79,  191,  204, 
223,  227,  265 

Joseph  H.,  268,  296 

Moses  S.  F.,  271 

Mr.,  27 

Samuel,  133 

Samuel  D.,  265 

Thomas  L.,  268 

William  B.,  235,  243 

,  61,  100 

Smith's  Garrison,  99,  100 

Smyth,  Frederic,  2S4 

Snell,  Samuel,  102,  270 

Society  of    Friends,    177,    178,   179, 

186,  225,  251,  252,  255 
Soldiers,  74,  78,  81,  83,  97,  loi,  102, 
104,   ic6,   III,   112,  114, 
122,   133,  134,   137.  139. 
140,   141,   143.   144,  146, 
147,   148,  150,  158,  163, 
164,   165,   166,   167,  168, 
169,   170,   172,  203,  270, 
271,  272,  273,  274,  275, 
276,  277,  278,  279,  280, 
281,  283,  284,  285,  286 
Soldiers  Aid  Society,  272 
Somersworth,  130,  131, 132,  138,  143, 
146,   150,   155,  168,  180, 
211,  230,  255 

Meeting  House,  132,  245 

Parish,  130,  131,  132,  146 


Soul  of  Soldiery,  210 
Soule,  Charles  E.,  293 
South  Berwick,  Me.,  193,  242 

Carolina,  268 

Dover,  258 

Pine  Street,  257 
Spalding,  George  B.,  Rev.,  16 
Speaker,  21,  108,  144,  145,  165,  181, 

212,  250,  274,  295,  296 
Special  Court,  58,  88 
Specie    Payment,    Siaspension    of, 

238,  265 
Sperling,  Ensign,  217 
Sprague,  Peleg,  189 
Squamscot  Falls,  7,  10,  ir 
Squando,  Sagamore,  81 
Stackpole,  Thomas,  249,  255,  293 
Stacpole,  Mrs.,  183 
Stages,  191,  194,  212,  233 
Stagpole,  Samuel,  165 
Stamp  Act,  153 
Stanton,  Benjamin,  140 
Staples,  George  H.,  271 

John,  271 
Starbord,  John,  165 
Starbuck,  Edward,  19,  20,  24,  26,  31, 

32,  33.  38,  45 
Elder,  26,  27,  29,  37 
Nathaniel,  45 
Stark,  George,  268,  273 
Starr,  Edward,  18,  19 
State   Constitution,    165,    167,    172, 
181,  239,  245 
Convention,  165,  168,  169,  172, 

175.  176 

Fair,  265,  266 

Governor,  (See  Governor) 

House,  270 

Officers,  172 

Papers,  133,  137 

Presidents,  165,  172,  173,  174, 
175,  178,  179,  180,  181 
Steamboats,  231,  232,  237,  257 
Steam  Mills,  237,  249,  250 
Steele,  John  H.,  248,  249 

Jonathan,  193 
Steeple  Clock,  177,  236 

House,  177 
Stephenson,  Thomas,  31 
Steuenson,  Thomas,  33,  48,  52,  60 


INDEX 


329 


Stevens,  Abraham  C,  271 

Benjaiuin  F.,  271 

Enos,  242,  243,  244 

George  H.,  271 

Nathaniel,  79 

William  S.,  296 
Stevenson,  Joseph,  69,  89 

Thomas,  89 
Steward,  Town,  37,  58 
Stickney,  Jeremiah,  256 
Stillman,  EHas,  65 
Stimsou,  Joseph,  80 

,  80 

Stocks,  47,  71,  72 
Stokes,  Isaac,  46,  55,  58,  67,  79,  80 
Stone,  J.,  Mrs.,  266 
Stones,  Nathaniel,  84 
Stoodley,  Jonathan,  141 
Storer,  William,  18,  20 
Storey,  William,  24,  31,  33,  38,  44 
Strafford,  232 

Strafford  Bank,   192,  213,   215,  242, 
253.  270 

Bank  Block,  247 
Strafford  County,  158,  164,  165,  167, 
175,   178,  180,   199,   202, 
204,  237,  239,  241,  243, 
246,  265,  281 

Guards,  213,  216,  217,  218,  235, 
275,  279,  280,  281,  284, 
285 

Medical  Association,  270 

Register,  180,  208,  210,  211,213 

Savings  Bank,  213,  214,  242, 
270 
Stratham,  11,  135 
Strawberry  Bank,  8,  9,   13,   15,   23, 

24,  25,  27,  28,  47 
Stuens,  Nathaniel,  67 
Suchforth,  William,  67 
Suffolk  County,  Mass.,  8 
Suhawannick  River,  104 
Suicides,  90,  178,  216,  230,  231,  234, 

241,  261,  266 
Sullivan,  Fort,  204 
Sullivan,    General,    163,    167,    170, 
172,  174 

George,  237,  238 

Humphrey,  123,  124 

John,  161,  173,  174,  175-177.  178 


Sumter,  Fort,  268,  283 

Sun,  Dover,  187,  188,  189,  190,  191, 

193,  199,  200,  203 
Superior  Court,  210,  217 
Supreme  Court,  192 
Surplus  Revenue,  238,  240,  244 
Surrender  of  Lee,  284 
Surveyor,  77,  104,  no,  135 

General,  24 
Suspension  of  Specie  payment,  238, 

265 
Swadden,  Philip,  19,  20 
Swaddow,  Philip,  18,  19 
Swain's  Hill,  263 
Swamps,  32,  36,  65,  76,  78,  105 
Swasey,  John  B.,  223 
Swine,  129,  129,  192 
Syll,  Joseph,  81 
Symonds,  Mr.,  27 

Tan  Yards,  205 
Tar,  104 
Tariff,  234 

Tarlton,  William,  193 
Tarr,  Beuedictus,  116 
Tash,  Edwin  S.,  271 

Thomas,  185 
Tasker,  Samuel,  108 
Taskett,  William,  79,  89 
Taverners,  162 
Taverns,  46,  70,  118,  135,  148,  183, 

194,  202,  217,  265 
Taxes,  28,  29,  30,  31,  33,  34,  39,  40, 

44,  45,  47.  48,  50,  51,  52, 
55.  56,  57.  58,59.  60,61, 
67,  68,  69,  73,  75,  87, 
loi,  118,  129,  134,  138, 
144,  149,  150,  153,  157, 
158,  171,  202,  244,  264, 
266,  275 

Tax  Payers,  30,  31,  33,  34,  44,  45,  47. 
48,51.  52.  55,  56,57,  58, 
59,  60,  61,  66,  67,  68,  69, 
79,  80,  107 

Taylor,  Edward,  107 

Zackery,  President,  254,  255 

Tea,  Duty  on,  160 

Teachers  Instititte,  252 

Teare,  Thomas,  79 

Tebbetts,  Captain,  115,  117,  119 


330 


INDEX 


Tebbetts,  Henry,  13,  24,  33,  45,   51. 
55>  67 
Israel,  223 

Jeremiah,  45,  51,  55,  58,  67,  76, 
John,  202 

Lydia,  190,  195,  196,  200,  210 
Samuel,  119,  120,  121,  294 
Thomas,  113,  119,  120,  293 
T.  L.,  285 
Teddar,  Steven,  18,  19 
Telegraph,  252 

Temperance  Societies,  22S,  246 
Tenements,  247,  250,  261 
Tetherly's  Block,  252 
Texas,  240,  249,  250,  254 
Thanksgiving,  102,  165,  209 
Thayer,  Andrew  G.,  209 

Mr.,  156 
Theatre,  181 
Thing,  Jonathan,  96 

Samuel,  117 
Third  Street,  239 
Thomas,  Edward,  184 

Elisha,  175,  176,  280 
Joseph,  133 
Thomas  Johnson's  Creek,    36,   46, 

102 
Thompson,  Ebenezer,  177,  183,  185, 
186,  190 
John,  119 
William,  140 
Thomson,  David,   i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,    7, 

8,  II,  12 
Thomson's  Point  House,  31 
Thornton,  Matthew,  163 
Throat  Distemper,  127,  135,  138,  141 
Thunder  Storms,  141,  167,  168,  182, 
225,   238,  249,  263,  265, 

273 
Tibbetts,  Henry,  31,  79 
James  H.,    271 
Jeremy,  38,  79,  113 
John,  113 
Samual,  140 
Tides,  88,  106 

Timber,  24,  25,  32,  35,  36,  37,  41.  42, 
49,   61,    63,    73,    75.   89, 

135.  155 
Titcomb,  Benjamin,  169 
John,  140,  147 


Tobacco,  53 

Toll-end,  58,  60,  loi,  209,  224 

Falls,  105,  106 
Tompkins,  Daniel  D.,  205 

Mary,  54 
Tomson,  Robert,  iii 

William,  45 
Tom  Thumb,  steamer,  247 
Toppan,  Colonel,  177 
Torchlight  Procession,  282 
Tories,  164,  165,  167 
Tornadoes,  203,  211 
Torr,  Andrew,  169,  295 
Tortugas,  276 
Town  Accounts,  154 

Bell,  174,  177,  178,  186 

Books,  45,  66,   120,    123,   131, 

132,  133 
Clerk,  28,  35,  38,  45,  90,  131, 

163,  178,  187,  239,  293 
Debts,  43 
Farm,  205 
Hall,  219,  246,  248 
House,  154,  157,  244 
Lots,  173,   174,    177,   185,    186, 

190,  205,  244 
Marks,  28 

Meetings,  23,  29,  30,  32,  33, 
34.46.  53,  63,  64,65,  71, 
72,  90,  94,  96,  III,  115, 
116,  120,  147,  148,  149, 
150,  161,  162,  163,  170, 
174,  181 
Officers,  23,  45,  48,  50,  53,  77, 

no,  116,  246 
Plan  of,  192,  234 
Records,    18,    23,   30,   33,  44, 
45,  47,  48,  5'.  55-56,  63, 
64,  79,  80,  159,  160,  188, 
264,  293 
Steward,  37,  58 
Townsmen,  23,  25,  32,  40,  46,  61,  71 
Townsend,  Jonas  D.,  296 
Trackie,  Isaac,  84 
Trading  with  Indians,  5,  6,  14,  27 
Train  Baud  List,  166 
Training  Men,  137 

Place,  46 
Transparencies,  282,  283 
Treason,  87,  88 


INDEX 


331 


Treasurer,  27,  38,  58,  65,  70,  76,  96, 
97,    101,    104,    III,    112, 
122,  123,   150,   178,   245, 
264,  269,  274 
Trickett,  Thomas,  31 
Trickey,  EpUraim,  87 

Thomas,  20,  25,  33,  45,  56,  59, 
67 
Trickey 's  Farm,  109 
Trimiiigs,  Oliver,  25 
Tripe,  Richard,  173,  179,  295 
Tripp,  William  H.,  271 
Trois  Rivieres,  97 
Troopers,  137 
Troops,  Continental,  167 

New  Hampshire,  74,  in,  112, 
133-  134,  137.  139,  140, 
141,  146,  147,  148,  158, 
163,  164,  165,  170,  189, 
200,  211 
United  States,  201 
Trucking  Cloth,  10 

House,  72 
Tucker,  John,  102 
Tuftonborough,  171,  266 
Tufts,  Asa  A.,  228,  230,  236,  243,  249 
Charles  A.,  284,  293 
Henry,  185 
Rev.  Mr.,  132 
Ture,  John,  31 
Turner,  Thomas,  44,  66 
Turnpike,  193,  217,  242 
Tuttell,  John,  38,  44,  55,  67,  102 
Thomas,  38 
Widow,  58 
Tuttle,  Charles  W.,  95 
Ensign,  114 

John,  13,  20,  24,  31,  33,  50,  94, 
95,  96, loi,  102,  103,  104, 
105,  106,  108,  III,  113, 
117,  120,  124,  293 

Jo.,  79 

Nathaniel,  267 

Stephen,  245 

Thomas,  150 

Tobias,  295 
Twenty  Acre  Lots,  24 
Twamly,  Ralph,  45,  56,  59,  64,  68, 

79 
Twombley,  Joseph,  141 


Twombley,  Nathaniel,  269 
Samuel  T.,  258 
William,  141 

Ugroue,  Johx,  24 
Umfirie,  Thomas,  47,  55 
Uncurrent  Bank  Bills,  197 
Underbill,  John,   14,15,16,    18,   19, 

20 
Union  Army,  276,  283 

Block,  248,  273 

Hall,  194 

Mass  Meeting,  276,  281,  282 

Street,  249 
Union  with  Massachusetts,  19,   20, 
21,  22,  24,  63,  85,  9  J,  96 
Unitarian    Church,    228,    242,    250, 
257,  260,  262,  265,  287 

Society,    228,    234,    236,    241, 
255.  280 
United  Colonies,  94 
United  States  Army,  286 

Bank,  230 

Congress,  188,  200,   216,   231, 
234,  237,  238,  261 

Consul,  248 

Engineers,  225 

Hotel,  253 

Navy,  247,  281,  286 

President,  (See  President) 

Troops,  201 
Universalist  Church,  239,  240 
Upgroufe,  John,  18 
Upham,  Timothy,  223,  229,  230 
Upper  Bridge,  157,  214,  236,  256 

Factory,  106,  200,  232, 235,  255 

Falls,  102,  210 
Usher,  John,  97 

Valuation,   28,  29,   129,  158,  264, 

266 
Van  Buren,  Martin,  President,  237, 

238,  242,  243,  254 
Varney,  Alfred,  267 
Eunice,  255 
Humphrey,  45,  47.  5^.  55,  58, 

68,    79 
Jesse,  197,  198, 215 
John  S.,  271 
Robert,  19,  20 


332 


INDEX 


Varney,  Shubael,  256,  296 

Tharon  F.,  271 
Varney's  Block,  239,  248 
Vaughan,  Major,  109 

William,  96,  102,  104 
Veuner,  James  M.,  271 
Vessels,  229,  231,  240 
Vice  President,  85,  86,  177,  183,  186, 
190,   193,   196,  200,   205, 
216,  267,  281 
Vicksburg,  Miss.,  276 
Vigilance  Committee,  257 
Villieu,  98 
Vines,  Richard,  11 
Virginia,  9 

Vittum,  George  D.,  268 
Volunteers,  106,  114,  141 

Three   Months,  268,   269,   270 
271,  272 

Three   Years,    270,    273,    274, 
278,  279,  280,  281,  286 
Vote  of  Dover,  (See  Dover  Vote) 
Voters,  86,  117,158,  266 
Vutter,  Nicholas,  55,  58 

WADI.E1GH,  Elijah,  296 
George,  296 

Robert,  72,  73,  74,  96,  '55 
Wakefield,  126,  182 
Waldron,  Abigail,  180 
Candace,  259 
Captain,  45,  53,  56,  58,  59,  62, 

64.  66,  67,  70,  71,  72,  76, 

79,  80,  155,  156,  157 
Colonel,  87,  122,  123,  128 
Daniel,  193,  208,  248 
Elexander,  67 
George,  56,  59,  68,  79 
Hannah,  201 
John,   114,   161,  162,  163,  173, 

174,   175,  201,  204,  215, 

226,  292,  294,  295 
John  F.,  271 
Major,   21,  35,  78,  80,  81,  82, 

83,  86,  88,  89,  91,  92,  93. 

105,  107,  135,  173,  239 
Paul,  72 
Plato,  236 
Richard,  13,  18,  20,  21,  26,  27, 

29.  30.  31.  33.  36,  37.  38. 


Waldron,  Richard,  (continued) 

41.  43>  49.  50.  53.  54.  64. 
65,  71.  72,  75.  76,81,84, 
85,  86,  88,  96,  102,  105, 
107,  108,  113,  119,  120, 
130,  132,  144,  179,  205, 
292 
R.  Kenny,  140 

Thomas  W,,  147,  148,  151,  153, 
154,   156,   248,  259.  292, 

294 
Thomas  Westbrook,  139,  147, 

148,   164,  173,   180,  236, 

292,  293,  294 
Wells,  296 

William,  18,  20,  23,  28,  30 
Waldron  Burying  Ground,  115 
Falls,  173,  179,  201,  227 
Garrison,  91,  92,  102,  107 
Mills,  87,  157,  179 
Street,  251 
Waldrons,  280 
Walker,  Major,  218 
Mark,  191 
Sergeant,  97 
Thomas  H.,  271 
Timothy,   183,    186,   190,    191, 

193 
Wallace,  Sylvester  B.,  271 
Wallingford,  Captain,  138,  139 
Colonel,  138 
John  O.,  280 

Thomas,  138,  139,  141,292,294 
Z.  S.,  268,  282 
Walsh,  Richard,  271 
Walton,  George,  29,  30,  31,  34 

Mr.,  151 
Wanolucet,  Sagamore,  81 
War  with   England,    199,   200,   201, 

202,  203 
Ward,  Henry,  166 
Ward  Officers,  263 
Warockomec,  81 

Washington,     George,     President, 
177,  183,  189,  219,  253 
Martha,  Association,  246 
City,  233,   272,   275,   276,   279, 

280,  284,  286,  287,  289 
Street,  224,  239,  240,  244,  246, 
247 


INDEX 


333 


Wason  Tan  Yard,  205 
Wastill,  John,  18 
Watch  House,  71,  88 
Watch  &  Ward,  103,  109 
Watering  Place,  76,  120 
Watson,  Dudley,  147,  149 
Jonathan,  79 

Mr.,  195 

Robert,  68,  80,  100 

Samuel,  140 
Wa5'es,  46,  77 

Waymouth,  Edward,  55,  58 
Weare,  Meshech,  139,  145,  165,  172 

Mr.,  93 

Nathaniel,  96,  131,  132 

Peter,  117 
Wearesmen,  26 

Webb,  George,  18,  24,  25,  31,  33 
Webster,  Daniel,  200 
Wecanacohunt,  11 
Weights,  71 
Welch,  Benjamin  F.,  271 

Ralph,  79 
Welchmau's  Cove,  loi 
Wellmet,  James,  130 
Wells,  Me.,  172 
Wells,  John  S.,  263,  265 
Wencoll,  Mr.,  65 
Wendell,  Daniel  H.,  272,  273,  296 

Isaac,  227 
Wenham,  Mass.,  54 
Wentworth,     Benjamin,     124,     125, 
128,  294 

Captain,  123 

Elder,  39,  45.  56,  59.  66,  68, 
73,  80,  92,  292 

Ephraim,  108 

Ezekiel,  79,  iii,  113,  293 

George  T.,  255,  293 

Gershom,  79,  84 

Governor,  142,  153,  156,  158, 
167 

Job,  162 

John,  73,  122,  142,  158,  160, 
163,  164,  166,  171,  174, 
292,  294 

Joshua,  178,  179 

Paul,  119,  120,  292,  294 

Samuel,  56,59,  68,  73,  184,  188 

William,  33,  35,  50,  64,  84 


West,  Henry,  271 
West  India  Rum,  171 
West  Indies,  191 
West  Point,  224 
Westell,  John,  24 
Westinman,  the,  48 
Wharves,  28,  229,  237 
Wheat,  31,  40,  56,  61,  87 
Wheeler,  John,   no,   191,    193,  200, 
215,  242,  295 

Paul  J.,  273 

Samuel  M.,  268,  282,  284,  286 
Wheelock,  Edwin  M.,  Rev.,  265 
Wheelwright,  John,  10,  21,  54 
Wheelwright  Deed,  10,  11 
Wheelwright's  Pond,  97 
Whidden,  Michael,  230 
Whig  Convention,  242,  243 
Whigs,  235,  239,  242,  244,  248,  250, 

257,  259,  262 
Whipping  Post,  71 
White,  Amos,  204,  208 

John   H.,   228,   229,   244,   246, 
248,  260,  296 

Timothy,  165 
White  Mountains,  172,  231,  234 
Whitehall,  112 
Whitehouse,  George  L.,  236 

Thomas,  58,  62,  65,  67,  72,  79 
Whiting,  William,  13 
Whittier,  Moses,  251 
Whittier's  Falls,  209,  251 

Mills,  209 
Wiers,  259 
Wiggin,  Benjamin,  296 

Captain,  13,  14,  17,  27,  28,  37, 
45  >  60 

Nathaniel,  296 

Thomas,  8,  11,  32,  33,  34,  36, 
56,  58,  64 

William  B.,  296 
Wiggins,  John  H.,  256,  296 
Willand's  Pond,  265 
Wille,  Stephen,  134,  297 

Theoder,  134 
Willey,  Ivory  H.,  232 

Nathaniel,  271 

Thomas,  31,  33,  48,  52,  57.  60, 
69,  74,  79,  122 
William,  Sagamore,  81 


334 


INDEX 


William  &  Mary,  gS 
William  and  Mary,  Fort,  no 

Williams,  Jared  2.,  250,  252,  254 

John,  200,  204,  215,  221,   222, 
223,  227,  246,  295 

Mathew,  48,  52,  57,  61,  69 

Mr.,  15,  27 

R.  O.,  Rev.,  240 

William,  47,  48,  50,  51,  52,  57, 
60,  68,  69,  72,  79,  80 
Willie,  Samuel,  80 

Stephen,  So 
Willys,  George,  13 
Wilmington,  Mass.,  235 
Wilson,  David,  296  • 

Henry,  233 

James,  239,  241 

John, 67 
Windict,  John,  89 
Wine  Taverns,  46 
Winford,  Ezekiel,  84 
Wingate,  Andrew,  166 

John,  46,  77,  137,  139,  223,  249, 
292 

Joshua,  160,  161,  162,  165,  166, 
167,  169,  292,  294,  295 

Moses,  140,  141,  144,  215,  295 

Paine,  177 

William  P.,  249 
Wingate  Apple  Tree,  249 
Winget,  John,  68,  84,  104,  294 

Daniel,  140 
Winnepessocay  Pond,  134 
Winnichahannet,  i 
Winnipiseogee  Canal,  181,  214,  217, 
223,  225 

Lake,  214,  217,232,  233,  262 

Pond,  143,  181 
Winnipishoky  pond,  123 
Winslow,  Mr.,  9,  23,  229 

Samuel,  37 
Winthrop,  Governor,  2 

John, 146 

Robert  C,  2 
Wise,  Rev.  Mr.,  132 
Wiswall,  Captain,  97 


Wi- 


-,  Wm.,   141 


Woddin,  John,  59 

Wolf  rates,  41,  53,  62,  71,  72 

Wolfborough,  167,  174,  182,  212,  257 

Wonolancet,  80,  81,  82,  91 

Wood,  John,  57,  292 

Woodbury,  John,  249 

Levi,  213,  214,  231 
Woodman,  Captain,  ico,  loi,  105 

Charles,  212,  295 

Charles  W.,  268 

John,  47,  51,  57.61,  64,  69,  77, 
80,  89,  94,  96,   loi,   106, 

293 

Joseph, 134 

William,  208,  238 
Woodman's  Garrison,  99,  100,  112 
Woolen  cloth,  171 
Woolen  Mills,  Sawyer,  214,  255 
Workhouse,  186 
Workingmen,  232 
Wormwood,  Jacob,  134 

Joseph,  134 
Worth,  Lieutenant,  225 
Wyatt,  Samuel,  219,  278 
Wyatt's  Inn,  206,  207 

York,  Benjamin,  80 

John,  74,  80 
York,  Me.,  15,  136 
York  County,  128 
Yorke,  Richard,  31,  33,   48,  51,   57, 

60,  69 
Yorkshire,  78 
Yorktown,  Va.,  170,  279 
Young,  Charles,  258,  293 

Eleazer,  140 

Ezra,  188 

Jeremiah  S.  Rev.,  241 

Jeremy,  254 

Joseph, 189 

Nathaniel,  215,  296 

Thomas,  166,  169,  170 
Young  Lincoln  Guards,  281 
Young  Washington  Guards,  281 
Young's  Tannery,  242,  267 

Wharf,  237 


BOSTON  UNIVERSITY 

F44.D7F13  BOSS 

Notable  events  in  the  history  of  Dover, 


1     IVn     DOlbS     T2T3