HISTORICAL SKETlan was defeated by the timely remonstrance of the Indians of the St. Francis tribe. And notwithstanding Mr. Belknap says, ^' A party was sent up, in the spring of 1752, to view the mea- dows of Cohos, and lay out the proposed town- 12 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ships/' it is extremely doubtful whether that party ever reached their destination, if they ever left "No. 4." There were no returns made of this tour. They certainly did not lay out the townships. And we find in the Life of General Stark, that in 1754, the General Court of New Hampshire determined to send a party to explore this ^^ hitherto unknoion region^''^ referring to the Cohos country. NoWj if this country had been explored by the party of 1752, it could not have been called the ^^ hitherto unexplored region*' in 1754, seeing that, in each instance, the General Court is re- presented as the principal mover in those explor- ing parties. And by the kindness of the late Mr. Farmer, of Concord, N. H., I have been furnished with the extract from Col. Israel Wil- liams' letter, to which Dr. Belknap refers for his authority in saying what he does of the explor- ing party of 1752. And with the additional evidence which has been obtained upon these transactions since Dr. Belknap's time, I should feel that Col. Williams' letter was insufficient to authorize the assertion, that a party was actually sent into the Cohos country in 1752. It is but a mere allusion to such a thing, or to such an intention. The letter of Col. Williams was written to OF TUE COOS COUNTRY. 13 the Governor of Massachusetts, dated at Hat- field, 19 March, 1753, and speaks of "our people going to take a view of the Cowass meadows last spring." This by no means says they did go to view them — but were '' going," or were preparing to go, and view them. And doubtless this was fact. A party might hdve been sent on by the Governor as far as "No. 4," and even farther ; but the Indians remonstrating and threatening, they relinquished their object. Dr. Belknap states that the Indians came to "No. 4," and made this threat ; that it was communicated to the Governor of Massachusetts, and he sent the information to the Governor of New Hamp- shire, and the project was laid aside. The only discrepancy in all this testimony is found in Dr. Belknap's understanding Col. Williams to say that the party of 1752 did go into the Cohos country, when he did not say it ; and as the evidence is now exhibited, we must think he did not mean to say it. But notwithstanding this project of exploring the Cohos from " No. 4 " was suspended, yet the Governor and House of Assembly did by no means abandon the idea of a future possession of those meadows, and events hastened their at- tempt to explore and possess the Cohos country. In the spring of 1752, John Stark, afterward 2 14 HISTORICAL SKETCHES General Stark, Amos Eastman^ afterward oi HoUis, N. H., David Stinsoiij of Londonderry r and William Stark, were hunting upon Baker's River, in the town of Rmnney. They were surprised by a party of ten Indians. John Stark and Amos Eastman were taken prisoners, Stinson \vas killed, and William Stark escaped by flight. John Stark and Eastman were carried into cap- tivity to the head-quarters of the St. Francis tribe in Canada, and were led directly through the '' Meadows,*' so much talked of in Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire. These men returned from their captivity in the summer of 1753, and gave an interesting account of Cokos ; and as the country was ex- pecting that the War with the French and In- dians would soon be renewed, and that the French would be desirous of taking the Cohos country for a military post, the General Court of New Hampshire determined to send a company to explore the region ; not to attempt to ascend the Connecticut from "No. 4," but to pursue the track of the Indians as they came from the great valley to Baker's River and the Pemigewasset, and returned again with their prisoners. Accordingly, in the spring of 1754, Col. Love- well, Maj. Tolford, and Capt. Page, were sent out at the head of a company, with John Stark OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 15 for their guide. They left Concord, March 10, 1754, and in seven days made Connecticut River at Piermont. They spent but one night in the valley, and made a precipitate retreat to Co»cord, at vvrhich place they arrived on the thirteenth day from their departure.* The cause of this failure to explore the region to which they were sent, I have not learned ; but that it was a failure, we must know — for one night spent in the woods at Piermont could have returned to the government no information concerning the Coos meadows. The probability was, they feared an Indian foe superior to their own force. But the government was not discouraged by this failure, and the same season, 1754, Capt. Peter Powers, of Hollis, N. H., Lieut. James Stevens, and Ensign Ephraim Hale, both of Townsend, Mass., were appointed to march at the head of a company to effect, if possible, what had hitherto been attempted in vain. The com- pany rendezvoused at Concord, which was then called Rumford, and commenced their tour on Saturday, June 15, 1754 It may not be improper to state in this place, that there is no record of this tour in the state papers of that day, and no reference to it in any * Stark's Life. 16 HISTORICAL SKETCHES papers of subsequent date, as I can learn. The evidence of its having been performed consists, at this day, in the tradition among the descend- ants of Capt. Powers, that he was the first to explore the Coos country, and in his manuscript journal kept by himself during his tour, recently found among papers on file, preserved by the late Samson Powers, of HoUis, youngest son of the said Peter Powers. I have also the same tin safe, of ample dimensions, which contained his journal, and a piece of his tent-cloth which was spread over him at night, on this very ex- pedition. The only rational explanation that can be given for the silence of all public records in re- lation to this exploring tour, may be found in the loose manner in which such things were trans- acted at that day, and in the commotion which immediately followed Capt. Powers' return ; for already war was renewed in Europe between France and England, and the intelligence of it having reached Quebec, the Indians renewed their incursions upon our frontier towns, and made a descent upon Boscawen a few days after the return of the exploring company. This sus- pended all further thought of settling the Coos country during the war that was then raging, and Capt. Powers' report was not called for, or or THE COOS COUNTRY. 1/ It was lost during that war, or the war of the Revolution, which followed hard upon the resto- ration of peace between Prance and England. Capt. Powers' journal is not entire — some pages of the returning expedition are lost, and, probably, some prefatory remarks. I should think, also, that it is not as full in description as he would have returned to government, but general facts noted to enable him to make out a correct statement in things essential ; and, final- ly, it is an interesting document of antiquity, and must be «o, especially, to the people of Coos, who have for a long time felt an earnest desire to know who first explored that part of the Great Valley, I shall give the journal as it is found, only correcting some of the orthography, and offering some explanation in notes. JOURNAL. ''Saturday, June 15th, 1754. Tiiis day left Rumford," (now Concord,)- and marched to Contoocook, which is about eight miles, and here tarried all night." [The original Indian name of Concord was Penacooic. Prom 1733, it bore the name of Rumford, until 1762, and then took the name Concord.] 2* 18 HISTORICAL SKETCHES '•^ Sunday ^ June 16th. This day tarried at Contoocook, and went to meeting, and tarried here all this night." [Contoocook was present Boscawen. The Rev. Phinehas Stevens was minister in this place at that time.] ^^ Monday, June \7th. This morning fair weather, and we fixed our packs, and went and put them on board our canoes, about nine of the clock, and some of the men went in the canoes, and the rest on the shore. And so we marched up the River Merrimack to the crotch, or parting thereof; and then up the Pemigewasset about one mile and a half, and camped above the car- rying-place, which carrying-place is about one hundred rods long ; and the whole of this day's march is thirteen miles. '' Tuesday, June iSth. This day marched up the Pemigewasset River, about eight miles, to Smith's River, and then east one hundred rods, and then north, two hundred and twenty rods, to the long carrying-place on Pemigewasset Ri- ver, and there camped." [This encampment, I think, must have been on or near the present line which divides Bristol from New-Chester upon the Pemigewasset. It might be interesting to the present inhabitants of those towns to mark out the spot which was OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 19 thus occupied by swords and bristling bayonets in 1754, whilst the whole country around re- mained an unbroken wilderness. And what may be true in this case, may be true of others in re- spect to all places hereafter to be named by tho exploring party.] " Wednesday y June 19th. We marched on our journey, and carried across the long carrying- place on Pemigewasset River two miles north- east, which land hath a good soil, beech and maple, with a good quantity of large masts. From the place where we put in the canoes, we steered east, north-east, up the river about one mile, and then we steered north-east one mile, and north six miles up to Sawheganet Falls, where we carried by about four rods ; and from the falls we steered about north-east, to Pemige- wasset interval, two miles, and from the begin- ning of the interval we made good our course north four miles, and there camped on a narrow point of land. The last four miles the river was extremely crooked. " Thursday, June 20th. We steered our course, one turn with another, which were great turns, west, north-west, about two miles and a half, to the crotch, or parting of the Pemigewas- set River, at Baker's River mouth ; thence from the mouth of Baker's River, up said river, north- 20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES west by west, six miles. This river is extraor- dinary crooked, and good interval. Tlience up the river about two miles north-west, and there we shot a moose, the sun about a half an hour high, and there camped." [This must have been in the town of Rum^ ney.] " Friday^ June ^\st. We steered up the said Baker's River with our canoes about five miles as the river ran, which was extraordinary crook- ed. In the after part of this day, there was a g:reat shower of ' haile and raine,'' which pre- vented our proceeding any further, and here we camped ; and here left our canoes, for the water in the river was so shoal that we could not go with them any further. '' ^aturdmj, June 22d. This morning was dai'k and cloudy weather ; but after ten of the clock, it cleared off hot, and we marched up the river near the Indian carrying-place, from Baker's River to Connecticut River, and there camped, and could not go any further by reason of a great shower of rain, which held almost all this after- noon. '' Sunday^ June 23d This morning dark and cloudy weather, and we marched up this river about one mile, and came to the Indian carrying- place, and, by reason of the dark weather, we OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 21 were obliged to follow the marked way, that way marked by Major Lovewell and Capt. Tolford, and others, from Baker's River to Con- necticut River. And this day's march was but about six miles ; and we camped between the two first Baker Ponds. And it came on a great storm of rain, which prevented our marching any further. And on this day's march we saw a considerable quantity of white pine timber, and foun^ it was something large, fit for thirty- inch masts, as we judged. But before this day's march, we saw no white pine timber, that was very large, on this Baker's River, but a great quantity of small white pine, fit for boards and small masts. And on this river there is a great quantity of excellent interval, from the begin- ning of it to the place where we left this river. And it layeth of a pretty equal proportion from one end to the other ; and back of the inter- val, there is a considerable quantity of large mountains." [Those more familiarly acquainted with the serpentine course of Baker's River than the wri- ter, may fix on the several encampments in Rumney and Wentworth with tolerable accu- racy ; but we shall all agree that, at this last date, they were encamped between the Baker Ponds, lying in the north-east part of the present 23 HISTORICAL SKETCHES town of Orford. It is a little singular that it should not have been discovered until recently, that the south-western branch of Baker's River afforded greater facilities for communication be- tween the Connecticut Valley and Pemigewasset than those routs which have been hitherto im- proved, seeing the Indians had given their pre- ference to this south branch, and it was improved by the first English parties which explored the country.] '^ Monday, June 2Ath. This morning it rained hard, and all the night past, and it held raining all this day, and we kept our camp, and here we stayed the night ensuing, and it rained almost all night. " Tuesday, June 25th. This morning fkir weather, and we swung our packs, the sun about a half an hour high, and we marched along the carrying-place, or road marked, about two miles, and then steered our course north, twelve de- grees west, about twelve miles, and came to that part of the Coos interval that is called Moose Meadow. And then steered our course up the river by the side of the interval, about north- east, and came to a large stream that came into the interval, which is here about a mile wide. This stream came out of the east, and we camped here this night. There are on this river the OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 23 best falls and conveniences for all sorts of mills. These falls are nearly twenty feet perpendicu- lar." [^' Moose Meadoiv^^ must have been the In- dian name for that part of Coos which they made first, and I am quite confident that some of the old people whom I consulted relative to the first settlements, called the meadow owned by Major Merrill, in Piermont, " Moose Meadow ;" but I have no minute of it, and as at that time I had no knowledge of this document, I was not particular to retain the locality of Moose Meadoic. But we at length find the company encamped upon the banks of the Oliverian in Haverhill, which river was then without a name, as well as Haverhill itself. They passed along, he says, ''by the side of the interval" — that is, at the foot of the hill where the meadows commence. He says, the interval was '' here about a mile wide.''^ He meant on both sides of the river. He calls the Oliverian a ''large stream." The heavy rains, he has already described, rendered it such. The falls, I should think, were accurately described. He does not tell us on which side of the Oliverian he made his encampment ; probably south, upon the elevated platform formerly owned by Richard Gookin : or, if he crossed the river that night, he would select the dry spot where 24 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Stands the dwelling-house of the late Capt. Jo- seph Pearson. Permit me, kind reader, to add a reflection. How dark is the future with all to whom God has not revealed what his future Providences shall be ! Capt. Powers, when he camped upon the banks of the Oliverian, must have marched in his meandering course at least seventy miles without seeing a human habita- tion ! And what had been his astonishment, if it had been revealed to him that night, that his first-born son should be the minister of a church and people in that place, in a less time than eleven years ; that he should sustain that relation nearly twenty years ; and that his grandson, by his own youngest son, should hold the same station about fifteen years, from the fifty-seventh to the seventy-second year after his decease ! This would have been an astounding vision, but no more than what time has fulfilled.] ^^ Wednesday^ June 2Qth. This morning fair weather, and we marched up the interval to the great turn of clear interval, which is the upper- most part of the clear interval, on the westerly side of Connecticut River, and there came a great shower of rain, which held almost all this afternoon ; and we camped by the river on the easterly side, above all the clear interval ; and this day's march was about six miles, and very crooked." OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 25 [It will appear, as we advance in these sketches, that the Little Ox Bow on Haverhill side, and the Great Ox Bow on Newbury side, were cleared interval when the first settlers came in. They had been cleared and cultivated to some extent by the Indians, and this is the fact to which the journal alludes. Their encampment was on the well-known Porter place.] *' Thursday^ June 27th. This morning it was cloudy weather, and it began to rain, the sun about an hour high, and we marched, notwith- standing, up the river to Amonoosuck River, and our course was about north, distance about five miles ; and we camped here, for the River Amonoosuck was so high we could not go over it without a canoe ; for it was swift water, and near twenty rods wide. This afternoon it cleared off fair, and we went about our canoe, and partly built it. Some of our men went up the River Amonoosuck, to see what discoveries they could make ; and they discovered excellent land, and a considerable quantity of large white pines. " Friday, June 28th. This morning fair wea- ther, and we went about the canoe, and completed the same by about twelve of the clock this day, and went over the river ; and we concluded to let the men go down the river in the canoe, who were not likely to perform the remaining 3 26 Historical sketches / part of the journey, by reason of sprains in th ankles, and weakness of body. They were four* in number : and we steered our course for the great interval about east, north-east ; and we this day inarched, after we left the river, about ten miles. And the land was exceedingly good upland, and some quantity of white pine, but not thick, but some of them fit for masts." [These four men, it would seem, were about to take their chance upon the river, and to re* turn by the way of Charlestown.] fi '^Saturday, June 29th. This morning was cloudy, but we swung our packs, and steered our course about north-east, ten miles, and came to Connecticut River. There it came on rainy, and we camped by the side of the river, and it rained all this afternoon, and we kept our camp all this night. The land was, this day's march, very good, and it may be said, as good as ever was seen by any of us. The common growth of wood was beech and maple, and not thick at all. It hath a great quantity of small brooks. This day and the day past, there were about three brooks fit for corn-mills ; and these were the largest of the brooks that we saw." [It seems that the march of the two last days was made between the valley of the Connecti- cut, and that of the Amonoosuck, upon the high op THE COOS COUNTRY. 27 lands of Bath, Lyman, and Littleton, and we now find them encamped in the southern part of Dalton.] •' Sunday^ June 30th. This morning exceed- ing rainy weather, and it rained all the night past, and continued raining until twelve of the clock this day; and after that, it was fair wea- ther, and we marched along up Connecticut Ri- ver ; and our course we made good this day, was about five miles, east by north, and there came to a large stream, which came from the south- east. This river is about three rods wide, and we called it Starless River, by reason of Ensign John Stark's being found by the Indians at the mouth of this river. This river comes into the Connecticut at the foot of the upper intervaJ, and thence we travelled up the interval about seven miles, and came to a large river which came from the south-east ; and it is about five rods wide. Here we concluded to go no further with the full scout, by reason of our provisions being almost all spent ; and almost all our men had worn out their shoes. This river we called Poicers^ River, it being the camping place at the end of our journey ; and there we camped by the river.'' [It seems that John Stark had been taken twice by the Indians while on his hunting expe- ditions — once on Stark's River, and once on 28 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Baker's River. The river which they named Stark's River runs through Dalton, and is now called John's River, because Stark's name was John, perhaps ; but I think they had better pre- served the original name, and this would have perpetuated a historical fact, and borne up a name that the whole town would delight to cherish among them ; but who is to know whe- ther this is John Stark's River, or John Smith's River, or any other John's River? The river they called Poioers^ River is in Lancaster, and is now called Israel's River. This, too, I think, ought to bear the name they gave it, instead of a wandering, and perhaps a worthless hunter. Capt. Powers was the first man of English de- scent, who ever visited that town for discovery. He did it in imminent peril, and for the good of his country. How much more gratifying it would be to the present inhabitants of that town, and to all future generations of theirs, did they bear upon their river the name of the first man who ever by authority discovered their town ! There has been much wrong in these things in many of our towns. Our worthy ancestors, who bore the toils and went through the perils of exploring and settling our forests, and of subdu- ing them, richly merited this cheap method of perpetuating a memorial of themselves. I do OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 29 iiot attach blame to the people of Lancaster for this — for they may not know, to this day, that such a company ever visited their town, or that their river was ever formally named by persons under authority ; but these are the facts. There is no record in the journal of any transaction on the first day of July. It w£is probably spent in inactivity and rest.] '■ Tuesday^ July 2d. This morning fair wea- ther, and we thought proper to mend our shoes, and to return homeward ; and accordingly we went about the same ; and whilst the men were this way engaged, the captain, with two more of his men, marched up the river to see what further discoveries they could make, and they travelled about five miles, and there they dis- covered where the Indians had a large camping place, and had been making canoes, and had not been gone above one or two days at most ; and so they returned to the rest of the men again about twelve of the clock ; and then we return- ed, and marched down the river to Stark's River, and there camped. This afternoon it rained hard, but we were forced to travel for want of provisions. This interval is exceedingly large, and the farther up the larger. The general course of this river is from north-east by east, ag far as the interval extends*" 3* 30 HISTORICAL SKETCHES [The captain and his two men penetrated, probably, as far as present Northumberland, and must have travelled nearly one hundred and forty miles after they left the habitations of civilized men. At Northumberland they first fell upon the trail of Indians, where they had, probably, been preparing themselves canoes to enable them to descend upon our frontier settlements.] '' Wednesday, July 3d. This morning cloudy weather, and thundered ; and after the sun an hour high, it rained hard, and continued about an hour, and then we swung packs, and steered our course west-south-west, aiming for Amonoo- suck River ; and this day we marched about fourteen miles, and camped." [Wfe shall perceive that, for the last twelve days of their march, the rain had fallen in unu- sual abundance for that season of the year ; and it would not be strange if they spoke of some small streams as larger than they are ordinarily found, especially since the clearing of the coun- try ; but as far as my knowledge extends, they were not far from present truth concerning them ; and as it regards distances, they were remarkably accurate, seeing they were in a wilderness, fol- lowed the course of streams, and did not carry a chain.] '' Thursday, July Mh. We marched on our OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 31 course west-south-west, and this day we marched about twenty miles, and camped." [This was the day on which the Delegates from six of the Colonies signed, at Albany, arti- cles of union for mutual government and defence, anticipating the renewal of war between France and England, '^ exactly twenty-two years before the declaration of American independence." — Belknap.] ^^ Friday^ July 5th. We marched about three miles to our packs at Amonoosuck, the same course we had steered heretofore ; and we afterwards went over Connecticut River, and looked up Wells' River, and camped a little be- low Wells' River this night," [At the west end of the bridge, perhaps, lead- ing from Haverhill to Wells' River.] " Saturday, July 6th. Marched down the great river to Great Coos, and crossed the river below the great turn of clear interval, and there left the great river, and steered south by east about three miles, and there camped. Here was the best of upland, and some quantity of large white pines." [I think they crossed into Haverhill at the ^'Dow Farm," so called, and the three miles brought them to Haverhill Corner, and their de- scription of it answers to the description given 32 HISTORICAL SKETCHES by the first settlers. I would say to the people of Haverhill Corner, that eighty-five years ago, on the sixth of July last, (1839,) your Common was the encampment of an exploring company, sent out by the government of England ; that this company felt themselves surrounded by a vast wilderness ; and, while the towering trees of the forest formed their canopy, they confided in their own vigilance and prowess, under God, to protect them from beasts of prey and savage men. Well may you exclaim, while in your ceiled houses, and while surveying from your windows your ample fields and meadows, What hath God loroiight !] I must inform the reader that, at this point of time, the journal ceases to speak of their home- ward march, and no trace of the remainder can be found. We are left to suppose that they re- traced their steps the way they came, with hos- tile Indians pressing hard in their rear ; for we leaxn from Belknap, that by the fifteenth of Au* gust, of that year, they were at Bakerstown and vicinity, (now Salisbury,) killing and taking cap- tive the inhabitants. From this time until the fall of (Quebec into the possession of the British in 1759, no more efforts were made to discover and settle new ter- OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 33 ritories, but every man had as much as he could do to retain what he ah*eady had in possession. Nor does it appear that any steps were taken towards the settlement of the Connecticut Val- ley in 1760 ; for our men were still employed in Canada in gathering up the fragments of the French armies which were stationed in different places, and had not as yet surrendered to the English. But in 1761, when the Colonies no longer feared the incursions of the French and Indians upon their frontier towns, the spirit of emigration from the older settlements, and of extending their possessions, revived, and sur- passed all that had been before witnessed. Men from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire were now preparing to transplant themselves into the then great western valley of the Connecticut, and the Governor of New Hampshire did not let slip the golden oppor- tunity of filling his coffers. In every town- ship granted to petitioners, five hundred acres of land were reserved for the Governor, without fees or charges, and he was well rewarded by petitioners for his services. No less than sixty townships were granted on the west side of Con- necticut River, and eighteen on the east side, in the year 1761. At this time. New Hampshire claimed all the land west to New York line. 34 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The reason which Mr. Belknap gives for the great rush into the Connecticut Yalley at this time isj that the continual passing of troops through these lands during the war, caused the value of them to be more generally known. This was undoubtedly true, especially after the successes of the English at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and in Canada, in 1759. There was then no danger to be apprehended from the enemy, and it is not reasonable to suppose that Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire men, returning from those successful campaigns, would make the tour of Lake Champlain and North River to Albany, rather than cross the highlands of Ver- mont, and descend the Connecticut River, a tour which some of them must have previously made while captives to the French and Indians. This fact, in connection with Capt. Powers' journal of an earlier date by some years, con- vinces me that the traditionary tales which have been so long rife in the Coos country, that their fathers were indebted for the discovery of their country to Major Rogers' famished men, as they fled from the infuriated Indians of the St. Fran- cis tribe in 1759, are all apocryphal. The truth is, when Major Rogers disbanded his men for their greater safety, he appointed them to ren- dezvous at the Upper Coos, says Belknap ; which OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 35 could not have been done, if the place had not been known. Some of Rogers' men, no doubt, made the Coos, and some passed through it, whilst others there perished, whose remains were found by the first settlers ; but those who sur- vived that disastrous retreat were the last men in the world to give a description of the country- through which they passed, whilst hunger, like an armed man, was threatening them with disso- lution at every step. The tradition, that speaks of a company of men sent up the river as far as Coos, for the re- lief of Rogers' men, and of their returning just when Rogers' men came up to witness the yet living embers of the fires they had left behind them, must also be fabulous. Rogers left Crown Point with two hundred rangers on the thirteenth of September, 1759, to destroy the Indians at St. Francis, who had committed so many depreda- tions and cruelties upon our border inhabitants. They were sent out with the utmost secrecy. On the 5th of October he struck the fatal blow, and commenced his retreat, which terminated disastrously to many. How could the people of New Hampshire know of this expedition ? How in time to make this provision ? And how could they know that their aid would be needed, or where it would be needed ? i 36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The probability is, that the Indians discovered the exploring party of Captain Powers in 1754, and related the fact to the early settlers, and imagination soon connected the two events of Powers' exploration and Rogers' retreat, giving the latter as the cause of the former. My view of this subject is, that the first information which our people received of the "Coos Meadows" was derived from Indians, hunters, and captives. The second source of intelligence was from Captain Powers and his company. And the third was from the soldiers of the old French war. But it is time that I proceed to the settle- ment of the " Cohos Meadow s.^^ There were two men who were the principal agents in the first settlement of Haverhill and Newbury in the Coos country, — Col. Jacob Bai- ley, of Newbury, Mass., and Capt. John Hazen, of Haverhill, Mass. They were both officers in the old French war, and stood high in the esti- mation of government. It is supposed that they were taught to expect each a charter of a town- ship in the Coos, if they went on and com- menced settlements therein. They agreed to act in conjunction, and to proceed harmoniously in the undertaking. Hazen was to go on first, and take possession of the east side of the river, and Bailey was to take possession of the west OP THE COOS COUNTEV. gy Side as soon as he could find per^om i. 7 ■ and come on himself as soon as hTs ^ff "' home would permit ^^"^ ^' wiu:rS;;2^;,'^---onu.omen from Haverhill, Mass., by No 4 «; Ch > "^ '""' and then up the Conn'eetLt Rte "^ ^ W "t"'?' possession of the Little O^ /?! ^ °°'' side of the riv^r ;„ I '^' °" ^^^^ east Ml, N.H tI:;. /f' P^"^'^ ^f Haver- Great OxBo^o'nthT ''^'^°-S-' -d the "clear.1 JI^V tj^rt/^''^^ ^^-' Ws states in ^is joZ f J ^X^^^- former years h^pn ^,,t.- , 5^ "^^ ^^ the growti of I„d '''' '^ ''^"^ '"^^^»« fi'r siuwm or Indian corn. Thp iniii swarded over, and a tall ^vild ^rass ! """'" neously and luxuriantly so thlt ^ r '^°"'"- of fodder for the cattip w f abundance The Mans ;:: L ;rt >^ P— 'J- dows, east and weslof th °" '^^^"^ '^'^^ cable. The loss of .l! "^''■' ^"^ '^'"'^ ^mi- -dthellrLr.^^i''^^^r''> upon their brethren at Tt ^ '' '"^'<="^'J their ardor, and rendered thT"' ''' '=°°'^'^ taking possession of hi:, ^'^r °' °"' '"^^ acceptable to them than ° ' ' '"' """'^ they threatened ZX 1 H,"^ ^^^2' -hen ^ ^a case the country was 3g HISTORICAL SKETCHES explored for the purpose of settlement It waS not wonderful that the Indians should feel deep repugnance at the idea of losing this country. It was a fine country for them. It was easy of cultivation, and suited to their imperfect means. The soil was rich. The river abounded m sa^ „,on, and the streams in trout, and the whole country was plentifully supplied with game, hear, de Lose, aird fowls. It was the half-^vay resting place between the Canadas and the shore, of the Atlantic; and while this was retained i was the key that opened the door to, or shut U against, the most direct commumcation between ^'^" ' . , .. n„m,instand. But before Capt. Hazen arrived, a family had come into Newbury, by the name of Sleeper. In March, 1762, Glazier Wheeler, from Shutes- bury, Mass., came up with a brother of his, to. hunt near the head of Connecticut River, and while on the way, they fell in with Samuel Sleeper and his family, at Charlestown. They were from Hampton, N. H. Slee})€r was a Q,ua* ker preacher, but was now employed by General Jacob Bailey to proceed to Newbur^^, and take possession until the general could come on in person. Sleeper contracted with Wheeler to take him and his family on to his semi-sleigh and semi-sled, and carry them to Newbury, Sleeper pitched his tent a little south of where 4* 42 HISTORICAL SKETCHES the Kents now live, and have long lived. Tho- mas Chamberlain next came on from Dunstable, N. H., and settled on "Musquash Meadow/* south of the " Great Ox Bow," and a little at the north-west of the ferry at the Dow farm. Richard Chamberlain came on next from Hins- dale, N. H., and settled on Musquash Meadow. Chamberlain landed at the ferry about noon with his family. Before night, a hut was erected of posts and bark, which served them three months for a habitation. In the centre stood a large stump, which was their table. The house he afterward erected stood near Josiah Little's barn, not far from the river. The old cellar may yet be seen. These two Chamberlains were not in the in- terest of Hazen or Bailey, but were employed to come on and take possession for one Oliver Wil- iard, of Northfield, Mass., who was endeavoring to supplant Bailey and Hazen. But the latter being united in their petitions for grants ; being also in favor with the Governor, and having taken possession by their agents prior to Wil- lard, succeeded, and Willard failed. Willard's disappointment was great, and his anger violent. He gave out vaunting threats that if he could catch Hazen out of the settlement, he would flog him to his heart's content. Hazen, how- OP THE COOS COUNTRY. 43 ever, had seen too many tomahawks and bristling bayonets around the walls of (Quebec to be greatly disquieted by a threat of this kind. But these two men afterward met in Charlestown, and upon Willard's attempting to execute his promise, he caught the severest flogging that any man need receivCj and this terminated the matter. This same year, 1762, John Hazleton, from Hampstead, N. H., moved into Newbury, and first hved at the foot of the hill, south of the Johnson village, but afterward settled in the south part of the town, where Col. Moody Chamberlain now lives, near the south bridge. In this family, in 1763, before they moved from the Ox Bow, the first English child was born in this town — Betsey Hazleton, now the Widow Lovewell, of the north parish in Haverhill, in her 77th year. The same year, the first male child of English descent was born in the family of Thomas Chamberlain, and was called Jacob Bailey Cham- berlain. The parents of this son received a hundred acres of land, as a bounty, according to a promise of the original proprietor, that the first mother of a son born in that settlement should receive one hundred acres of land. I now return to Hazen and his party. I have said he came on in the spring of 1762, with men 44 Historical sketches and materials for building a saw-mill and grist- mill, where the Swazey mills now stand. With Hazen came Col. Joshua Howard, of Haverhill, Mass., born April 24, 1740. He was then 22 years of age, and lived in Haverhill until Janu- ary 7th, 1839, almost 99 years of age. He was a man of strict veracity, and at the time when he gave his narration of events in the early settle^- ment of these towns, (July 27, 1824,) he was of sound mind and good memory. I am much indebted to him for materials in these sketches. Howard labored that first season in preparing the timbers for the mills, and was present at the raising of them. He relates one providential es- cape from death at the raising of those mills, which deserves notice. One of their company, John Hughs, an Irishman, fell from the frame, sixteen feet, and struck perpendicularly upon the mud-sill, head downwards, without any thing to abate the force of the fall. He was taken up without signs of life ; but Glazier Wheeler, from Newbury, found a penknife with the company, and opened a vein, and after the loss of blood, he revived, and soon recovered from the tremen- dous blow. Physicians and surgeons, those com- fortable adjuncts to an improved state of society, were then out of the question, and every mind, in such an emergency, was put upon its own OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 45 resources. But I have a tale more melancholy to relate. Johnston and Pettie, who had spent the winter in solitariness, now thought of visiting their friends at the east ; and preparing themselves a canoe, they took their departure in June, in- tending to descend the river to Charlestown. They made their way pleasantly until they came near the mouth of White River, in Lebanon. Here they were drawn into a whirlpool ; their canoe was upset, and they were plunged into the river. Johnston made every effort to reach the shore, but sunk into the arms of death. Pettie, being the better swimmer, gained the shore, and was enabled to bear the melancholy tidings of Johnston's death to his friends. Some time after this event, a stranger, passing up the river in a boat, discovered the body of a man lying upon the shore of a small island in the river, between Lebanon, N. H., and Hartford, Vt. Not knowing any thing of Johnston or of his fate, and being far from any settlement, he performed the kindest office to a stranger corpse which remained in his power. He digged a grave in the best manner he could, interred the body, and left it the sole proprietor of the island. It now bears his name, "Johnston's Island.^' He is still the only occupant, and will probably 46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES remain such, until the Great Proprietor of the world shall assert his claim, recall the dead, and extinguish all earthly titles. Col. Charles John- ston, brother of Michael Johnston, after he came to Haverhill, and learned the resting place of his brother, went down to the island, found the lonely grave, bedewed it with his tears, erected a monument to his brother's memory, and re- signed all into the keeping of Him who had given and taken. Capt. Michael Johnston, now of Haverhill, was so called to bear up and per- petuate the name of that uncle who found this early grave. Col. Howard relates that he and two others were the first among the settlers who came from Salisbury in a straight course to Haverhill. They came on in April, 1762. Howard, Jesse Harriman, and Simeon Stevens employed an old hunter at Concord to guide them through. They came west of Newfound Pond, in Hebron, fol- lowed up the north-west branch of Baker's River into Coventry, and down the Oliverian to the Connecticut. They performed the journey in four days from Concord. In June, of this year, the first family moved into Haverhill. Uriah Morse, and Hannah, his wife, came from Northfield, Mass., and settled upon the bank of Poole Brook, west of the bridge OF THE COOS COUNTRY. ^'^ on the main road, and a little south-west of the house where David Merrill lived for many years. They boarded Capt. Hazen's men, while they were building the mills, and other adventurers as they came into the settlement. The first child of English descent had its birth in this family, in the spring of 1763 ; but we hear of iv> bounty bestowed upon the parents, as m New- bury, the same year, nor do we learn whether it was male or female. Indeed, it survived its birth but a few days. The first death of an adult occurred in this family, also— Polly Har- riman died of consumption, aged 18 years. She was buried a little south-west of the present meeting-house in the north parish of Haverhill, between the meeting-house and the Southards. Her death was much lamented. Poole Brook derived its name from a man whose name was Poole, who lived fifty or sixty rods north of Uriah Morse's house. Poole was drowned one mile above the Narroivs, in Con- necticut River, above Wells' River. Glazier Wheeler and his son Charles found the body of Poole, seven days after drowning, and it was brought down to the great Ox Bow and interred. Polly, the only child of Mr. Poole, married John Johnson, of Newbury, and was drowned in the Connecticut, near where her father was buried. 48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Thomas Johnson, Timothy Bedel, Capt. Hazen, and Jesse Harriman boarded in the family of Uriah Morse in the autumn of 1762. Johnson was now in his 21st year. He was born March 22d, 1742, and came into the settlement in the service of General Bailey ; but the first season he boarded on the east side of the river. He origi- nated in Haverhill, Mass. Thomas Johnson's first purchase in Newbury bears date October 6, 1763. It is the united testimony of the first settlers, that at that early period, moose, bear, deer, beaver, otter, mink and sables were nu- merous ; and that salmon enriched and adorned the river. Trout was not so abundant in the streams as salmon in the river, and shad never appeared above Bellows' Falls, in Walpole. We now come to speak of the events of 1763, in those settlements. This was the year of charters with them. Newbury's charter bears date March 18th, 1763, signed by Benning Went- worth, and I think Haverhill charter bears the same date. The first town meeting under the charter was held by the freemen of Newbury, June 13, 1763, and not less than 100 miles from the location of their grant, viz., at Plaistow, N. H. And before this meeting was adjourned, they voted to unite with Haverhill in paying a preacher for the term OP THE COOS COUNTRY. 49 of two or three months, "this fall or winter," — a very worthy example, while they were yet so few and feeble. This was a year of enlargement with Haver- hill and Newbury. Benjamin Hall, from Massa- chusetts, came in and settled near the Porter place, where the Southards now live. Jonathan Saunders and Sarah Rowell, both from Hamp- ton, N. H., came and settled near the present house of Dr. Carleton, late deceased. Jacob Hal], from Northfield, Mass., came and settled on the Dow farm, so called. Hon. James Wood- ward, of Hampstead, N. H., came and settled on his place at the age of twenty-two years. He purchased his farm at twenty cents per acre. Mr. John Page, father of the present governor of New Hampshire, came into Haverhill this year from Lunenburg, Mass. He was employed by his uncle, David Page, to assist in driving up his cattle to Lancaster, and this was the begin- ning of the settlement of that town — David Page's son having been up in the preceding June of that year, and marked out a way for them from Haverhill. John Page returned from Lan- caster, and bought his farm in Haverhill, but spent the subsequent winter in taking care of Gen. Bailey's stock in Newbury, which arrived that season, and not in 1762, as many have sup- 5 ^^ HISTORICAL SKETCHES posed. This was Mr. Pagers account, Captain Howard's, and Col. Joshua Bailey's, who came with his father to Newbuiy in 1764, at eleven years of age. Page continued to labor for Gen. Bailey until he was able to pay for his farm. He then came to Haverhill, married Abigail Saun- ders, daughter of the first settler south of him, and lived to the age of eighty-two, and departed this life in 1823. This year Noah White came into Newbury with his family, and settled. Thomas Johnson established himself in the Ox Bow, and Col. Ja- cob Kent came into Newbur}^, November 4, 1763, the twelfth family in both towns. There were a number of young men boarding in those fami- lies. Col. Kent was born at Chebacco, Mass., June 11, 1726, and Mary White, his wife, was born, at Plaistow, N. H., August 14, 1736. Mrs. Kent survived her husband many years, and lived to a great age. She was nearly ninety years of age when I visited her to obtain information relative to the first settlers, and I found her memory good upon subjects of ancient date. In answer to the question, " Were there many wild animals in the town when you first came here, such as bears and wolves?" she replied, " O, yes — there were enough of them creatures ! I was once fright- ened almost out of my wits by them. It was OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 51 on a Sabbath day. The colonel was gone to meeting, and I was left alone, and there came three great bears to the door, and looked right in upon me ! I expected nothing but they would come in and devour me ; but after looking at me awhile, they turned away, and trotted off, and glad was L" Ladies of Newbury and Haver- hill, how would you like, at this time, to have your devotions interrupted, or your domestic con- cerns thus unceremoniously iiL~pected, by stran- ger gentlemen, such as these ? Mum ! In this year, says Col. Joshua Bailey, John Foreman and several others of Pennsylvania, hav- ing enlisted into the British army near the com- mencement of the old French war, and having been retained in Canada after peace was restored, deserted and made through the woods until they came upon the head waters of the Connecticut, and following down the stream, they came into the north part of Haverhill. But here they found themselves famishing through lack of sustenance, and as they knew not that there was an English settlement within a hundred miles of them, they were prepared to seize upon any thing which could satisfy the demands of hunger. They unexpectedly came in sight of a horse upon the plain north of the north parish meeting-house, and supposing it to be wild, or one that had gone 52 HISTORICAL SKETCHES far astray, they shot it, and fed themselves upon its flesh. Replenishing their packs with the residue of the meat, they proceeded south, but soon discovered smokes ascending from chimneys on the Ox Bow and vicinity. They were alarm- ed at the idea of falling into the hands of hostile Indians, especially since they had killed one of their horses. But after some consultation, they concluded that one of their number should cross the river, make what discoveries he could, and then return and report. He accordingly swam the river, and, to his great joy, found these were English settlements. The news and a boat were soon carried back to his companions. They were brought on to the Ox Bow, where they found food, a shelter, and sympathizing friends. Col. Bailey says, this fact of their kilUng the horse on that plain gave the name "Horse Mea- dow" to that section of the town, and not the traditionary story of horses finding a rush-grass there sooner in the spring than elsewhere. At this time, 1763, we are told, there were no roads in any direction, and that their bread-stuffs were brought from Charlestown in boats. It is a little extraordinary that none of the first settlers make mention of the great drought which pre- vailed in the Colonies for the years 1761 and 1762.* * See Belknap, vol. ii. p. 238. or THE coos COUNTRY. 53 It must have affected them whatever were their seasons at Coos ; for as 3^et they were depending on foreign suppHes. We now come to speak of the progress of these settlements in 1764. This was a year of increase, and they realized an accession which seemed to give character to the settlements for many years. Deacon Jonathan Elkins with his family, from Hampton, N. H., came into Haverhill, and set- tled near Doctor Carleton's. Deacon Elkins was a valuable acquisition to the town ; but he re- mained here but little more than ten years, be- fore he removed to Peacham, Vt., and was one of the first settlers, and most efficient, in that town. Col. Timothy Beedel, from New-Salem, moved his family to this place, and settled on Poole Brook, where David Merrill long lived. Hon. Ezekiel Ladd came in and settled on the place where he lived fifty-four years, and died at the advanced age of eighty years, fl818.^ He married Ruth Hutchins. They both belonged to Haverhill, Mass. Mrs. Ladd died 1817, aged seventy-six, Newbury was enlarged and blessed, also, this year by the arrival of Gen. Jacob Bailey with his family. He had been from the first the prin- cipal mover in the settlement. His influence was felt in every proceeding, and now he had 5* 54 HISTORICAL SKETCHES come to bless himself, and to save much people alive, in the approaching contest between Great Britain emd her Colonies. He arrived in New- bury, October, 1764. He lived, at that time, south of the Johnson Village, and north of the hill, on the east side of the road. He was thirty- eight years of age when he came to Newbury, and lived until March, 1815, when he resigned a long life, that had been devoted to his country, to his town, and, for a considerable length of time, to his God. He died at eighty-nine years of age. This same year came the Rev. Peter Powers, of Hollis, N. H., to labor with this people in holy things. Mr. Powers was born in Dunsta- ble, N. H., November 29, 1728, moved to HolHs with his father, January, 1731, which was the first settlement in that town. He graduated at Harvard College in 1754, the year his father explored the Coos country. He was first settled in the ministry at Newent, then a parish in Nor- wich, Con., now the town of Lisbon, where he labored some years ; but taking a dismission from that charge, he came to Newbury at thirty- six years of age. Through his instrumentality a church was gathered and organized in Newbury, in the fall of 1764, composed of members from both sides of the river. The two settlements OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 55 united, also, in forming an ecclesiastical society, which union continued nearly twenty years. We now enter upon the transactions and events of 1765. During this year, the settlements at Coos began to have some neighbors. One or two settlements were made at Bradford, Orford, Lyme, Thetford, Hanover, Lebanon, and Ply- mouth ; but more of these hereafter. On the 24th of January, 1765, the Rev. Mr. Powers received a call to take the spiritual charge of this newly constituted church and society in the wilderness. He gave his answer in the af- firmative, February 1, 1765. They then voted that '' the installment be on the last Wednesday of this instant, and voted, that the Reverend Messrs. Abner Bailey, Daniel Emerson, Joseph Emerson, Henry True, and Joseph Goodhue, with their churches, be a council for said installment. Voted, that Jacob Bailey, Esq., shall represent the town of Newbury at the council, which was voted to meet for said installment doion country where it is thought best. Jacob Kent, Town Clerk." There is, to us, some novelty in this vote for installment somewhere ; but the necessity of the case explains the whole affair. There were no ministers or churches in all the region, and they must go by their delegation until they found them. The ministers selected for the council 56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES belonged in Hollis and vicinity, and the Rev. Mr. Powers was installed at Hollis, February 27, 1765, as the title page to the sermon that W3ls preached on the occasion showeth, which is as follows :-^ -'' A Sermon preached at Hollis, February 27, 1765, at the Installation of the Rev. Peter Pow- ers, A. M., for the Towns of Newbury and Ha- verhill, at a Place called Coos, in the Province of New-hampshire. By Myself Published at the desire of many who heard it, to whom it is humbly dedicated by the unworthy Author. Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is leady- — Go ye therefore into the high ways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. Matt. xxii. 8, 9. Portsmouth, in New-hampshire, Printed and sold by Daniel and Robert Fowie, 1765." There is novelty in the circumstance of Mr. Powers' preaching his own installation sermon, but it was nothing uncommon at that day ; and there is room for doubt whether the moderns have made an improvement in this particular. Mr. Powers' goods were brought from Charles- town to Newbury upon the ice on the river, the last of February, by the people of Newbury and Haverhill ; but the family did not arrive until. April of that year. or THE coos COUNTRY. 57 A circumstance occurred on the journey with tJhe goods, which gave rise to an anecdote which was rife among the old people, down to a late period. It has been related to me by persons belonging to several different towns. There was a man living in Newbury, and a member of the church, by the name of Wa^. He was an ec- centric character, and would on some occasions speak unadvisedly, yet was a very friendly man, and was held in general esteem. He was one who volunteered his services to bring up the goods upon the ice. It was so late in February, that in some places, especially where tributaries came in, the ice was thin and brittle. They, however, made their way without serious diffi- culty, until they came to the mouth of Ompom- panoosuc, at the north-east part of Norwich, where Way's sled broke through, and had like to have gone down, sled, team. Way and all. But by timely eifort on the part of his travelling companions, they were all extricated. As soon as Way and his team reached firm footing, he turned around and surveyed the danger he had been in ; and, as he saw the waters boiling and eddying with a frightful aspect, he said to his companions, '^ That is a cursed hole." When the party had arrived at Newbury, and they were re- lating the trials and dangers of the way, some 58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES one mentioned what Mr. Way said of Ompom- panoosuc. It was not long before this came to the ears of Mr. Powers, and he resolved to go, as his custom was in like cases, and have a conver- sation with Mr. Way, and admonish him, if he should be found to have been delinquent. He accordingly went and told Mr. Way that he had been told he had been speaking unadvisedly and wickedly. '' What, what is it ?" said Mr. Way. ^' Why, they say you said of Ompompanoosuc, that it icas a cursed hole.^'' '' Well, it is a cursed hole," said Way ; '' I say, it is a cursed hole, and I can prove it." " O no, you cannot," said Mr. Powers, " and you have done very wrong — you must repent." '' Why," said Way, '' did not the Lord curse the earth for man's sin?" "Yes," said Mr. Powers. '^ Well," replied Way, " do you think that little divilish Ompompanoosuc was an exception ? " Mr. Powers turned away, and exclaimed, '' O, Mr. Way, Mr. Way, I stand in fear for you," and recording his nolle prosequi^ departed. Mr. Powers lived in a house a little north of the house of Gen. Bailey, and south of Thomas Johnson's. He preached for a time at Gen. Bailey's house, and, in the mean time, they built a log meeting-house, south of Gen. Bai- ley's, and north of the hill, where they wor- OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 59 shipped some years. This was the house voted to be buih, 28 feet by 25 feet, in October, 1764, as stated by the Rev. Mr. Perry in his manuscript 6f 1831, but Vv^hich he conckides never was builded, pp. 14 and 16, in manuscript. The truth is, Mr. Perry was laboring under a mistake in regard to meeting-houses. The first meeting- house stood where I have located it. A framed meeting-house was some years afterward erected near where the present Congregational meeting- house stands ; but as there was dissatisfaction in regard to its location, it was pulled down, and re-erected on the spot where Mr. Perry speaks of the first meeting-house standing, viz., ''west of the burying ground ;" but it was not for a meeting-house that it was erected there, but for a court-house and jail ; still, divine service might have been maintained there after the first house had become too small to accommo- date the congregation, and before the present meeting-house was erected in 1790. I wish here to be indulged with a single remark in respect to Brother Perry's manuscript. It was a very laudable undertaking. I am not altogether unaided by it ; but he was in too much haste in preparing it ; depended too much on common report, and did not compare notes sufficiently. It will not guide us safely through 60 HISTORICAL SKETCHES the labyrinth of the twenty-five first years, in these settlements. But as I have said, they worshipped at the Ox Bow some years, and Haverhill people assembled with them, with great punctuality. There was a foot-path lead- ing from Judge James Woodward's late resi- dence, north-westerly, to the river, where was a log canoe to set them across, and from the point of landing, a serpentine path through tall grass, bushes, and sometimes towering trees, led them to the place of worship. They had another canoe at the Dow farm, and another at the Porter place. At that day it was a sin and disreputable in the view of all, for persons to absent themselves from the place of worship without valid cause ; and parents were seen uniformly carrying their children in their arms from Dr. Carleton's j^lace to the Johnson Village and back again, the same day, and sometimes when the grass and bushes were wet, and the trees from above dropped upon them their dewy blessings ; and all this, that they might hear the word of life dispensed. Going and returning in their meandering course could not have been a less distance than twelve miles, and sometimes each parent had one to carry. Nor was the attendance at worship less uniform and punctual with those on the west side of the OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 61 river. Some females walked from Moretown, now Bradford, and others from Ryegate, a dis- tance of ten miles. Those from the latter place, when they came to Wells' River, (there being no canoe,) would bare their feet, and "trip it along as nimbly as the deer." The men gene- rally went bare-footed ; the ladies, certainly, wore shoes. Tlie wife of Judge Ladd related to me her extreme mortification on the first Sabbath she attended meeting at the Ox Bow. She and her husband had been recently married. They came from Haverhill, Mass., and had seen and tasted some of the refinements of life. She thought she must appear as well as any of them, and put on her wedding silks, with muffled cuffs, extending from the shoulder to the elbow, and there made fast by brilliant sleeve-buttons. (Ladies of the toilet of eighty years' experience will understand all this.) She wore silk hose and florid shoes. Her husband appeared, also, in his best, and they took their seats on benches early in the sanctuary. But she remarked that " they went alone, sat alone, and returned alone ; for it was not possible for her to get near enough to any one of the females to hold conversation with them ; and she was so home-sick, she thought she should die, and would have gi^' 6 CQ HISTORICAL SKETCHES any thing coald sjhe have formed some acquaint' ance with those who were to be her female neighbors," but they were actually afraid of her. and each sat, or stood, at a proper distcince, lest they should soil her dress. On their return home, she told her husband she had learned one lesson, and that was, Whe7t among Romans y conform to Romans. The next Sabbath she ap- peared in a clean check-linen gown, and other articles in accordance, and she found very socia- ble and warm-hearted friends. But their worship v/as destined to interrup- tions in the summer of 1765. I have already spoken of Samuel Sleeper, the first settler in Newbury, in 17G2 ; that he was a Quaker preach- er, and that he came on to take possession for Gen. Bailey. We do not hear of any irregu- larities practised by Sleeper until after the settle- ment of Mr. Powers. Then he claimed the right to hold forth at any time, and on all occa- sions, when the Spirit moved him; and while Mr. Powers was speaking, he would sometimes say — '' Thee lies, friend Peter." And at other times he would vociferate — '' False doctrines ! false doctrines !" Then again — '^Glorious truths ! Glorious truths!" The principal men used all means to dissuade him from such a course of conduct ; but he grew more insolent and boistet^ OF THE COOS COUNTUr. t>o ous, and they at length incarcerated him in a cellar on Musquash Meadow; but as soon as Sleeper was disposed of, one Benoni Wright, a convert and pupil of Sleeper, volunteered to fill the vacated seat of his master, and if Sleeper had chastised the sinners with whips, Wright would do it with scorpions. He permitted hi;s beard to grow at full length, and by this, he be- came a professed prophet of the Lord, and deliv- ered his messages in the most boisterous and frantic manner. But he gained no converts, and as he resisted every remonstrance of the people, they adopted a summary course with him. Tlie elders of the people in both settlements took him on to the meadow, near where Sleeper was in duress, held a court upon him, convicted him, and doomed him to receive " ten lashes, well laid on.*' Wright was stripped and received the judgment of the court upon the spot, and the same self-constituted court passed a decree, and sent it to Sleeper, that if he appeared again after coniiuement, to make the least disturbance, he should rcceiv^e thirty lashes in full tale. This was decisive, and these prophets concluded to sacrifice their consciences at the shrine of their bodies. Peace and order were restored. But the next season, 1766, Sleeper and Wright left the settlement in Newbury, and removed 64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES into Bradford, and settled on the meadow, north of Mr. Hunkins, and east of what was Johnson's tavern, in the north of Bradford. Here Wright undertook to sustain a fast of forty days, and withdrew to a cave in a mountain, at the north- west part of Bradford. And that he might gird himself for his conflict with hunger and the Prince of the power of the air, he procured him a strap with forty holes in it, and was to buckle himself up one hole each day ,• but long before he had attained to a " good degree," he was so pressed upon by hunger, that he concluded to return home to his wife, and get her to prepare him a good supper. She did so, and just as Wright was sitting down to his repast, in bolted Sleeper, who exclaimed, " Friend Wright, dost thou break thy fast ?" Wright was moon-struck for a time ; but his appetite prevailed, and he returned not to the mountain, which has from that time borne his name, Wrighfs Mountain. From this time these two men wholly disappear from our history. Col. Joshua Howard related to me in 1824, and confirmed the same in 1832, that the origin of Sleeper's opposition Avas this : — Qen. Bailey found it somewhat difficult to procure a man to come on and take possession of that land amidst the Indians, who would not like as well to take OF THE coos COUNTRY, 65 possession for himself, as for another ; and such a man he did not want. He at length came across Sleeper, who promised he would go on, provided he might become their Quaker preacher, when they had obtained their grant, and had formed a Christian society. Bailey, willing to indulge his whim, said to him pleasantly, '' O yes, Sleeper, you shall be our minister." Sleep- er took it all for specie, and in process of time, Bailey found there was more of Quakerism than poetry in Sleeper, In Jhe fail of this year, 1765, Judge Wood' ward was married to Hannah Clark, and it was the first marriage ceremony ever performed in the county of Grafton ; and as there were some things attending it out of the ordinary course, and as I had the particulars from the judge him- self, I will relate them, as they will serve to show that some things could be done then, as well as at this time. I have stated that Judge Woodward came into Haverhill in 1763, and bought his meadov/ farm. He built his first tent upon the meadow, as nearly all the first settlers did in Newbury, and some in Haverhill, not knowing that they would be in danger from floods; but being driven ofi" by a flood in 1771, they afterwards built upon more elevated ground. But Woodward was now enjoying single bless- 6* 66 HI!9T0RICAL SKETCHES edness in his tent. He felled trees by day, went to the Dow farm for his meals, and slept on the meadow at night. And although he sometimes dreamed of fairy forms, of sparkling eyes, and ruby lips, yet he knew not that Provi- dence had any thing of this kind in reserve for him, and if he had, he knew not where it might be found ; for young females, in those dai/s, were duly appreciated. But the next year, when Judge Ladd came on, he brought with him a blooming little maid, Hannah Clark, of fifteen, to live in his family a year or two, and then, in the mind of Judge Ladd and wife, she would become the wife of John Ladd, a brother of Judge Ladd. Woodward went to see his neigh- bor Ladd, and there he saw the object, which took, at once, full possession of his soul ,• and he could not see why he might not enjoy it, as well as John liadd ; and from that moment, he re- solved to secure Hannah Clark for his wife, if it was in his power. He called at Judge Ladd's occasionally, and had some brief opportunities for conversation with Hannah, enough to satisfy him that his views and feelings were reciproca- ted, before Judge Ladd or his wife suspected the choice or intention of either; but as soon as their suspicions were awakened, Woodward was prohibited the privilege of visiting at the house, OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 6/ and a strict watch was maintained over this httle bhishing girl. But after all, they had their friends, and billets, and flowers, and compliments passed between them ; and occasionally an in- terview was obtained through the intervention of friends. This kind of innocent conspiracy was carried on against Judge Ladd and wife one full year, and then the parties thought seriously of deciding the controversy by a clandestine marriage. The plan was laid and executed in the following manner : — Woodward went to Newbury, and told all his heart to Ephraim Bailey, son of Gen. Bailey, and brought him to espouse his cause, and to co- operate with him. Woodward told Bailey they must have one female enlisted in their interests. Bailey said he believed he could find one that would sustain that part. He was then paying his addresses to a young girl by the name of Hannah Fellows, and he could initiate her into the secret, and secure her aid. It was accord- ingly confided to her, and it was so arranged that Hannah Fellows was to pass over to Haver- hill, and spend the afternoon in visiting Hannah Clark, tell her what was expected of her, and the sun about an hour high, she was to solicit the favor of Mrs. Ladd to have Hannah Clark walk with her as far as the river on her return 6S HISTORICAL SKETCHES to Newbury. In the mean time, the Rev. Mr. Powers was to be requested to be upon the west bank of the river precisely at such an hour, and Ephraim Bailey was to set him across in the canoe, and then all were to step into Wood- ward's tent, and the marriage ceremony be per- formed. Woodward had already taken out li- cense from under the king to authorize his being married without publishment, and every thing succeeded according to previous arrangement. The moment the two Hannahs came on to the meadow, Mr. Powers and Ephraim Bailey were seen coming up from the river. They all en- tered into Woodward's tent, and in a short time Woodward and Hannah Clark were joined in lawful marriage. Those who belonged to New- bury returned forthwith, and Hannah Clark, now Hannah Woodward, ran for Judge Ladd's. She had not been absent long enough to excite suspi-^ cion in the mind of any one. Hannah continued to do for Judge Ladd as heretofore, and Wood- ward labored on the meadow. At length, it was reported by Mr. Powers^ that he had married Woodward to Hannah Clark, not knowing that there was any secret to be kept. After some little time, a woman came over to pay a visit to Mrs. Ladd, and told her what a kind of a story was going the rounds in OF TUB COOS COUNTRY. 69 Newbury, that James Woodward was married to Hamiah Clark. Mrs. Ladd told her, '' There was not a word of truth in the story ; that Wood- ward had been endeavoring to court Hannah, but they would not hear to it." The woman replied, " It was a little extraordinary that such a story should be made from nothing, and she had understood that it came from Mr. Powers. And do you knoio,^^ said she, "that it is not true?'' ''Why, yes," said she, "it cannot be true." At that moment she paused and reflect- ed, as though Hannah's walk with Hannah Fel- lows had just streaked across her mental horizon. "But," said she, "if I don't know, I will," rising up at the same time, and making for the kitchen, where Hannah was carding wool or tow : "Han- nah," said she, "they say you are married to James Woodward ; is it true?" "Yes, ma'am," said Haimah. " Then I have nothing more for you to do," replied Mrs. Ladd ; " I shall not part man and wife." Hannah put her cards together, laid them into her basket, rose up, and ran for the meadow, and lived happily with her husband forty years, and departed this life Oct. 21, 1805. Hon. James Woodward lived to the advanced age of eighty, and departed this life 1821. I perceive that Thompson, in his Gazetteer of Yermont, states that the crank for the first 70 HISTORICAL SKETCHEI saw-mill in Newbury was drawn upon a hand- sled from Concord, N. H., to Newbury, Vt. Distance seventy miles. I suppose it could not have been much less than seventy miles from Concord to Newbury, since it is seventy-two miles from Haverhill Corner direct to Concord. They would have been much "nearer the true distance at that time, had they stated it at eighty miles. But the whole of this tour I have in minutes from the lips of two of the adventurers themselves. Judge Woodward and John Page. I do not know the precise number of men who went for the irons, but I think as many as six. They prepared a rude hand sleigh, I do not re- collect the technical name for it. They split a hard wood sapling, and shaved the two flat sides, as the cooper would do a hoop for a hogs- head. The flat and wide side was the bottom of the runner, and it was bent up forward, and the end being shaved down small, it entered a hole in a thick ribbon ; and the runner and rib- bon were supported apart by studs entering the runner and ribbon, or nave, at short distances from each other, from end to end. The cross- bars rested upon the ribbons. This vehicle se- cured several advantages. It was light ; the runners were wide, and would not readily cut through the snow ; the beams were high from OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 71 the ground, so that rocks and stubs were not Ukely to strike the cross-beams. Being thus equipped, they took in their provisions and set sail with Hght hearts. There was more sport, however, in going to Concord with an empty sled, than in returning with a ponderous freight. facilis descensus Averni : Sed revocare gradum, Hoc opus, hie labor est. The snow was deep, and it proved to be & rery cold week, and before one half the distance was gained on their return voyage, they felt themselves exhausted by fatigue, and benumbed with the cold. They came through Hebron^ and came on to Newfound Pond^ because th© way was more level, yet the cold more severe, for they had not the forest to break the force of the wind. Having gained somewhat more than mid way of the pond, which is six miles in length, they made a halt, and took their seat* upon their sled for rest. Page arose and went some little distance to a glade, or opening in the ice, to drink, and when he returned, he found all his companions sinking down into a sleep, from which, if it had been indulged, no power short of Omnipotence could have aroused them. Page was not lost to a sense of his or their danger j the thought of which proved the ne- 72 HISTORICAL SKETCHES cessary stimulus to excite him to effort in re- deeming them from death. He cried out to them that they were all dead men, if they did not instantly awake, and bestir themselves. He seized them by their shoulders, shook them, and made them stand up ; and he so preached terror to their auditory nerves, that they revived, and resolved to make every possible effort to reach a camp in the woods ; and they were successful, and thus saved themselves alive. I speak of their reaching a camp. It may be proper for me to state in this place, that our fa- thers had taken the precaution to build camps on the route from Haverhill to Salisbury, one camp in every twelve or fifteen miles, and each was supplied with fireworks and fuel, so that a traveller could soon kindle him a fire ; and he had the boughs of the hemlock for his bed. But this same party came near perishing when they had arrived in sight of Haverhill, in the north-east part of Piermont ; and had it not been for Woodward to perform, for Page, in that in- stance, what Page had done for them upon the pond, they would have given up the ghost. But they were told it required but one effort more, and all danger was past but they gave way to sleep for a few minutes, as one of them pro- posed, they never would awake in the body. OF THE coos COUNTRY. 73 They were induced to persevere, and they came in to Haverhill, where they found the blessings of a fireside, of food, comfortable lodgings, and anxious friends to sympathize with them. This saw-mill crank was the one which was so long in use at At wood's mills in Newbury, but I know not its location or its use at this time. But what hardships were these above related ! How unlike the condition of their children and grand-children ! How unequal are their descendants to such services ! Many of our young men would now groan under the task of travelling on foot from Haverhill to Plym- outh, a distance of thirty-two miles, on a road which may be passed over in safety, by horse and carriage, at the rate of ten miles per hour. But the memory of one man will carry him back to a different generation. There he will see a hardy race, minds trained to deeds of daring, and muscular powers seldom, if ever, surpassed. And these qualities did not appertain to the first settlers of Coos exclusively, but they characterized those several generations which felled our forests, subdued our soil, conquered savage men, destroyed the beasts of prey, made roads, built habitations, mills, school-houses, churches, supported the gospel, founded colleges and academies, sustained a war of eleven years r 74 HISTORICAL SKETCHES with the combined forces of French and In- dians, and finally gained our national independ- ence. They had a great work assigned them, and Providence fitted them, in an eminent de- gree, for the discharge of their duties. I will here mention, that roads direct from Haverhill to Boston were not opened until after the war of the revolution — I mean such as would admit the passing of heavy teams, and until then, the freight of goods from our sea- ports was very expensive. Heavy articles which were not brought up from Charlestown upon tlie ice, in winter, were brought on pack-horses from Concord through the woods, and ten bush- els of wheat have been exchanged for one of salt. The glass for Col. Thomas Johnson's house was brought across the woods in this manner ; and Col. Robert Johnson, Avho opened the first tavern in Newbury, in a house a little south of where his son Robert now lives, sup- plied his bar with spirits imported in the same way. This being the state of things in re- spect to roads, we shall readily conceive that the means for communicating between this iso- lated settlement and the eastern part of the state were rery limited, and were not an every day occurrence. A passenger arriving in the settlement with packages direct from friends in OF THE COOS COUNTRY. the east created a more lively interest in the settlers, than the arrival of the British Q^ueeii steamer now does in the great emporium of this nation. I will give an anecdote from Mr. Perry's sketches, illustrative of the state of things in these respects. The story comes from Richard Chamberlain, one of the first settlers. Early in the settlement of the Coos, it so happened that the annual Thanksgiving was passed, before intelligence of it arrived here. But soon after, a Dr. White came up to visit his friends at Newbury, and brought with him a proclamation. This proclamation was read pub- licly on the Sabbath by Mr. Powers, and by him it was proposed they should keep a thanks- giving, notwithstanding the time specified by the governor was passed. And he proposed the next Thursday, Upon this a member arose, and gravely proposed that it might be deferred longer; *-for," said he, ^' there is not a drop of molasses in the town ; and we know how impor- tant it is to have molasses to keep Thanksgiving. My boys have gone to No. 4, and will be back, probably, by the beginning of next week, and they will bring molasses ; and it had better be put off till next week Thursday." It was unanimously agreed to. But the molasses not coming, it was deferred another week -. and 76 HISTORICAL SKETCHES finally, Thanksgiving was kept without mola^ ses. This, which is enough to provoke a smile, will nevertheless show us the simplicity and destitution of those days. But from 1766 to 1769, we have no special occurrences to relate. The settlements contin- ued to increase, society to improve, and the means of subsistence rewarded the hand of in- dustry most bountifully. Indeed, the Coos 'meadows became to other infant settlements, north and south of them, what the granaries of Egypt were to Canaan and surrounding nations, in the days of the seven years^ famine. An aged gentleman in Lyme, N. H., says, "he can very well recollect when they used to carry up their silver shoe-buckles to the Coos, and ex- change them for wheat.*' As to the state of religion in those years, we do not learn of any powerful revivals among the people, such as had been experienced in Whit- field's time, in many parts of New England ; or such as have since been experienced in those settlements. There are no church records to guide our bark in these polar seas ; but if there were revivals, in the modern sense of the term, the ancients would have told us of them. There were additions to the church from time to time, from both sides of the river, until it OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 77 consisted of a goodly number of members. The Rev. Mr. Powers was a serious, godly man, and more distinguished, I should think, for his plain, faithful, and pungent preaching, than for grace in style or diction. He preached mostly with- out notes, and yet he generally studied his ser- mons. Those I have seen in print exhibit thought, arrangement, a deep knowledge of the Scriptures, and a soul full of the love of Christ and of the souls of men. His labors were abundant. As there were no ministers north of Charlestown, for some years after Mr. Powers settled at Coos, he was frequently called to attend funerals, weddings, and to preach lectures at infant settlements upon the river. Until there was a foot-path marked out upon the bank of the river for passengers, Mr. Powers used to perform his journeys up and down the river in his canoe. When he saw young men felling trees near the river, he would call to them, and say, if Providence favored him. he would preach to them in that place, on such a day, and at such an hour. These were welcome proposi- tions, generally ; and if there were other settle- ments near, they were informed of the appoint- ment ; and Mr. Powers, at the hour specified, would find his hearers seated on stumps and logs, all ready to receive the word. Mr. Powers 7* 7b HISTORICAL SKETCHES was characterized by his punctuality in meeting his appointments, and seldom, if ever, disap- pointed the assembly. John Mann, Esq., of Orford, told me that Mr. Powers passed down the river at a certain time, and gave out an appointment to preach at a par- ticular hour, on a subsequent day. But during his absence, there fell a great rain, which swelled the river, and increased the rapidity of the cur- rent very much. The people generally felt that he could not meet his appointment ; but they assembled notwithstanding, and waited to know the result. One man was very confident Mr. Powers would not, and could not return, and was disposed to charge their assembling to a stupid credulity in the people. But another man seemed to be confident he would return to his appointment ; and finally, a bet was made be- tween them. Neither one was pious. This altercation had awakened some interest in the audience generally, and all eyes were directed down the river. The appointed hour now drew on, and not more than twenty-five or thirty minutes remained in which Mr. Powers could make good his appointment, and he who bet against his return felt sure of his prize, for, if he v/as already in sight, he could not gain the ground within the time allotted ; but, more than OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 79 thiSj no man or boat appeared in the river. But while all were anxiousj and looking, the boat, on a sadden, rode into full view, as by magic, and not half the distance from them as was the spot on which their eyes were fixed. He had kept so near the shore next to them, to avoid the force of the current, that they could not see him until he threw his boat into the stream to pass an obstruction ; and when he did appear so suddenly and so near, the assembly could not suppress their surprise and gladness, but wel- comed him with a shout which rebounded from hill to valley. Mr. Powers stood before them at the appointed moment. Col. Otis Freeman, of Hanover, related to me the particulars of the first marriage ceremony that was ever performed in that town. It was in 1767, and Mr. Powers officiated. Col. Otis Freeman attended the wedding. A transient man came into the town of Hanover, by the jiame of Walbridge, and made suit to Hannah Smith, daughter of a Mr. Smith, who lived on the place which Timothy Smith improved some years ago, and, for aught I know, does at this time. The parents of Hannah were very much averse to their daughter's connection with that man ; but she resolved, and so was resolved. Walbridge happened to see Mr. Powers one day 80 HISTORICAL SKETCHES descending the river in his canoe, and he hailed him, and desired to know if he could return by- such a day, and marry him at the house of Mr. Smith. Mr. Powers said he would do so, if Providence prospered him. He accordingly ap- peared at the house a little after sunset ; the guests were assembled ; the house being lighted up, the couple presented themselves, handed in their certificate, and wished Mr. Powers to pro- ceed. It was Mr. Powers' practice to call on the parents of the candidates for marriage to know if they had anght to object to the marriage ; and when, in this case, he called for the parents of the bride, behold, they were not there ! Mr. Powers wished to know if they were not living. "Yes, they were living, they supposed." He asked, if they were not in town. " They sup- posed they were ; but they did not know." " How long since they were seen here ?" " Just at night." "Are the parents averse to this mar- riage ?" " They supposed they were, some." " Could they not be brought to attend there that night ? If they could not, he should not pro- ceed to the marriage ceremony that night." This was an unpleasant predicament for all par- ties. But a lantern or a torch was found, and a scout was sent forth in search of the old folks. or THE coos COUNTRY-. 81 They were found at the nearest neighbors, which was not very near, and after much persuasion, they were prevailed on to return home. All parties were by this time cool and col- lected. The parents took their seats in the middle of the room, between the minister and the anxious couple. Mr. Powers arose, and ad- dressing himself to the parents, said, '' Is this young lady your daughter?" They bowed as- sent. "Are you willing I should proceed to join this couple in marriage ?" The father fixed his eyes full on Mr. Powers some time, and a dead silence reigned, until Freeman saw the tears swelling in the old man's eyes, and his chin shook like an aspen leaf, and then came a sudden and convulsive response — '' Ym!" which electrified the whole of them. The a in yea was sounded as broad a in hall, and the e not sounded at all. All sympathized with the old people, and Mr. Powers could scarcely proceed V\^ith the ceremony ; but it was performed, and the connection proved an unhappy one. Wal- bridge was a worthless character. But this was the first marriage in Hanover, as Judge Wood- ward's was the first in Haverhill — the results widely different. Mr. Powers being thus known, and being generally loved and respected, did much to in- 82 HISTORICAL SKETCHES crease the settlement at Coos. Persons often attended worship there from Thetford, Orford. Bradford, and Piermont. There was one Deacon Howard, who Hved near the river in Thetford, who used to ride to Newbury often with his wife to hear Mr. Powers, and he loved him as his own soul. At this time there were no taverns between Charlestown and Coos, and adventurers were necessitated to stop at such houses as they could find for refreshment and lodgings. They had called on this Deacon Howard, some making him compensation, and some not, until his means for subsistence were running low ; and he had re- solved that it was not his duty to entertain any more strangers ; and this he could do more con- scientiously, as there was a sort of an inn opened for their accommodation three miles north of him. Mr. Powers, at a certain time, passed down the river on horseback, undiscovered by the dea- con, and as he was on his return home, he found he should be overtaken by the darkness of night before he could reach the inn, and as it began to rain just before he came to Deacon Howard's, he thought he would there stop and spend the night. He accordingly rode up to the door, in the dusk of the evening, and tapped with his whip upon the door. The deacon came to the door, and OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 83 asked what he wished for. Mr. Powers replied, that he was journeying up the river ; that he was overtaken hy the night and by rain ; and he should Hke to put up with him for the niglit. The deacon answered in an abrupt and gruiT tone of voice, "I cannot keep you. Folks have come here until they have eaten me out of house and home, and we cannot consent to take you in." Mr. Powers replied that he was much fatigued, and he knew not how to proceed far- ther ; he would pay him whatever he was dis- posed to charge him. "No," said the deacon. '*I cannot keep you. There is a house for en- tertainment three miles ahead, and you must go there.'' By this time, the old lady had come forward, and was looking over her husband's shoulder, listening to the conversation as it proceeded : and as Mr. Powers began to turn his horse away from the door, she said to her husband, "It seems to me, that man speaks like Mr. Powers of Newbury." "Mr. Powers! no, he don't," said he. "' But why don't you ask him who he is ?" said she. " I don't care who he is," said he ; "I can't keep him ;" but, at the same time, stepping from his door, and advancing along after Mr. Powers, he said, " Where are you from, sir ?" " Newbury," replied Mr. Powers. " From Neic- 84 HISTORICAL SKETCHES bury 7^' '^Yes, sir." ^^ Well, you know the Rev. Mr. Powers, then, don't you?" ''Yes, very well." "And he is a very good man, aint he ?" '' Some have a good opinion of him," said Mr. Powers, ''much better than I have." '■ Well, you may go along." By this time, the old lady had come up to her husband in the rain, and as the deacon was turn- ing to go into the house, she said, " Husband, I verily believe that is Mr. Powers." On hear- ing this, he turned suddenly on his heel, and making rapid strides after the stranger, he cri^d out, " Sir, what is your name ?" " My name is Powers," was the reply. "You rascal ! ^^ ex- claimed the deacon ; and seizing him by one leg, drew him from his horse, held him fast until he got him into his house, and there he made all concessions to the man whom he loved above all others. A very happy interview they had of it, and the deacon continued to relate the par- ticulars of this adventure with peculiar emotions until the close of life. He related them to Dr. Burton, and the doctor to myself. Mr. Powers spent nearly twenty years at New- bury and Haverhill, and with the exception of the troubles which grew out of the revolutionary war, I believe their union was a happy and prosperous one. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 85 Mr. Powers was a high whig, and by his preaching and efforts for the common cause of the colonies, he drew upon him the fierce re- sentment of the tories, and they threatened his life, which induced him to remove over into Haverhill, in the spring of 1781. This dis- pleased many of his friends in Newbury, and although he continued to preach in Newbury one half of the time, for a year or two, yet it resulted in his dismission from the church in Newbury, some time in 1782. But he preached still a year or two in Haverhill, and sometimes in Newbury, to particular friends ; but he finally left, and went and settled on Deer Isle, Me., where he closed his labors by his decease ia May, 1800, aged 72. He died of a cancer. When told by his son Jonathan, who was then a settled minister at Penobscot, Me., that he was dying, he looked around on his family, and replied, " The will of the Lord be done," and yielded up the ghost. Mrs. Powers was Martha Hale, of Sutton, Mass. She was an intelligent, pious, and superior woman. She survived her husband until January, 1802, and died suddenly while on a visit to her children in Newbury. To those who sat under the ministry of Mr. Powers, of whom there are some still living, and those who have looked upon him as their 8 gg HISTORICAL SKETCHES spiritual father, it will be pleasing to learn by what means their minister was prepared to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. The facts which I shall here record I received from an eye and ear witness of what she related. It was the sister of the Rev. Peter Powers. I have already related that Mr. Powers was the oldest child of Capt. Peter Powers and Anna, his wife ; that they were the first settlers in the town of HoUis. I now relate that for about two years their nearest neighbor was at the travelling distance of ten miles, and this solitary family sustained all the privations and hardships which were incident to pioneers in these New England settlements. For about twelve years they had neither schools, or a preached gospel; but they carried with them the Holy Scriptures and the love of God m their hearts. Their children were instructed in the principles of the gospel, and they witnessed the Hessedness of godliness in the daily walk of their parents. At an early age, Peter became a devoted child of the Lord Jesus, and was en- deared to his parents by a thousand ties ; for they looked to him as their first helper, under God, and fondly hoped he would be their sup- port and solace in old age. But as Peter grew in years, a flame was kindled in his breast which OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 87 could neither be extinguished nor suppressed, and his parents often heard him say, "He had an ardent desire to enjoy the advantages of an academic and a collegiate education." But as these seemed altogether incompatible with their circumstances, and militated against all their previous arrangements, those desires of the son were treated by the parents as visionary ; and inadmissible, and for a time no human ear was offended by the importunities of the son ; and the parents hoped that the subject was relin- quished and forgotten by him, until it was re- vived to them in the following manner : — These parents were of Puritan strictness in the government of their family, and neither their sons nor their daughters were allowed in ordinary cases to be absent from the family at nine o'clack in the evening, which was the hour of prayer. But it appeared on a calm summer's evening that Peter was absent at the hour of prayer ; nor did he appear when it was necessary to close and secure the house against the intru- sion of the Indians. The parents passed the night in agitation of spirits. At one moment, they trembled in view of his liaving fallen a victim to Indian treachery and violence, and their imaginations presented him pierced and lacerated upon the ground, or hurried away into 88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES a captivity more appalling than death. At an- other, time they were vexed with the apprehen- sion that their son had for the first time absented himself in wanton disregard of their views and feelings. The night was at length spent, and the father rose at the dawn of day ; and as he unbarred the door, he saw his young son emer- ging from the forest, and approaching the dwell- ing with a solemn and down-cast look. The father beheld his son with the mixed emotion of joy and resentment ; — -joy^ because he had re- ceived him safe and sound — resentment^ because he supposed there could be no adequate cause to justify the elopement ; yet he restrained him- self, and called for no explanation until the hour of prayer, when he was accustomed to adminis- ter reproof, if it was necessary. The family being seated, and a portion of Scripture having been read, the father paused, and fixing a reprov- ing look upon Peter, said, '' Where did you spend the night, Peter?" The son was exceed- ingly embarrassed, and did not return a prompt and explicit answer. The father more sternly repeats, '• Peter, where did you spend the night ?" Tne son faintly and meekly replied, while the tears coursed down his cheeks, " I spent it in the woods, sir." '' In the woods ?" said the father; ''Aoi^? did you spend it?" "In prayer. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 89 sir." A pause of a moment succeeded, and the subdued soul of the father rushed to the eye, to seek the reUef whicli utterance now denied. But soon the father resumed the inquiry, and, in an altered and subdued tone, said, '' My son, what were you praying for, during the night ?" *• That I might go to college." '^ What would you go to college for, Peter ?" ^' That I might be prepared to preach the gospel to sinners." The father turned and looked upon Anna, his wife, in the deepest emotion, but could not speak. As soon as he possessed the power of utterance, he led in devotion, and as soon as Peter had gone out, the father said to Anna, in a soft and tremulous voice, ^' I do not see but we must give up the matter,^ and let Peter go to college." The result was a collegiate course, a life of eminent usefulness, a triumphant death, and that eternal reward which is promised to those who turn many to righteousness. Mr. Powers' dismission from Newbury church was the first step towards a dissolution of the union between Haverhill and Newbury in all ecclesiastical concerns; and it does not appear that they ever assisted each other in supporting the gospel afterwards. And the probability is each town was beginning to feel itself able to support preaching independent of the other. We 8* 30 HISTORICAL SKETCHES find a proposition coming from Mr. Powers to Newbury church and society, so early as Decem- ber, 1781, "for an agreement between the town of Haverhill and the town of Newbury to be separate parishes." This proposition was un- doubtedly from the people of Haverhill, and therefore we find a vote of Newbury, December 31, 1781, '' That the above committee treat with the town of Haverhill, relative to the Rev. Peter Powers." They also vote to make a settlement with Mr. Powers for all arrearages. Mr. Samuel Powers, of Newbury, son of the Rev. Peter Powers, and a very worthy citizen, says, "he can well remember the time of his father's dis^ mission from Newbury ; that Newbury church did not unite in the council for his dismission, and the council sat in Haverhill." But the church in Haverhill was not constituted a sepa- rate church until some years after the sitting of this council, an event to be noticed hereafter. I will in this place relate an extraordinary case of instinct in a cow, as related to me by Capt. Howard, and I relate it here, before I pro- ceed to the events of 1769, because it occurred hi the first years of these settlements. Col. John Hurd came into Haverhill at an early period of the settlement, from Portsmouth, and lived a little north of Moses Southard's, or the old OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 91 Porter place, at Horse Meadow. He came first to Charlestown, and then up the river, as most others did. With him he brought a vakiable cow, which he turned upon the meadow, where, for aught that appeared, she was well content to abide ; but, after the lapse of a few weeks, the cow was on a sudden among the missing, and nothing could be found of her. They went through both settlements, and searched in vain ; no one had seen her. The colonel then em- ployed Indian runners to go in pursuit of her ; they were out one full week, and returned with- out her, but reported that they had been on her trail in Coventry ; but east of that, they could discover no trace of her. Hurd gave her up as lost. But the next autumn, there came a man from Portsmouth, bearing letters from friends, and in one of them it was stated that on such a morning, the old cow was found in the barn* yard from which she took her departure some months before. She was in good keeping. Now, we must consider, that from Portsmouth to Charlestown is at this day, in the most direct route, ninety-six miles ; from Charlestown to Horse Meadow nearly seventy miles ; and from Horse Meadow to Portsmouth cannot be less than one hundred miles, for it is the hypotenuse of the triangle, which has Portsmouth, Charles- 92 HISTORICAL SKETCHES town, and Haverhill for its angles. The cow unquestionably travelled all three sides of tho triangle ; and what seems most surprising is, that after travelling more than one hundred miles, as the roads then were, north of west, and much of that distance was woods, then more than seventy miles east of north, all woods, the cow should have kept in her mind the direct bearing of Portsmouth, and that she should have made the journey from Haverhill to Portsmouth, an entire wilderness, and have reached her old home in safety, without guide or protector. She might have fallen in with Barrington or Strat- ford, twenty miles north-west of Portsmouth, but she did not do it, probably, or she would have been taken up ; yet she performed her tour, and gained her destination. I now come to speak of events of 1769, and onward. It was in April, of this year, that Col. Charles Johnston came into Haverhill, and set- tled at the Corner. Col. Johnston was born at Hampstead, N. H., 1737. He married Ruth Marsh, of Londonderry, N. H., and came to Haverhill at thirty-two years of age. Col. Johnston had departed this life prior to my coming to Haverhill, and I am wholly de- pendent upon others for the information I have respecting him. But no man's character could OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 93 be better established in the pubUc mind, and seldom can we find greater unanimity with the pubUc in bestovv^ing on one man the meed of commendation. There is still a blessed savor of him remaining in Haverhill and vicinity. I am in possession of an interesting occurrence wdiich took place on the journey of Col. Charles and his family from Hampstead to Haverhill. I have it in the hand-writing of Mr. Richard Wal- lace, of Thetford, Yt., who was born in Nova Scotia, in 1753, and, at the age of sixteen years, accompanied Mr. Johnston to Haverhill. I shall give it in his own words, with the correction of some errors in orthography and grammatical construction of sentences. Mr. Wallace's early opportunities for an education were limited, as nearly all were at that day ; but he sustained a character above suspicion for veracity, and had been a professed disciple of Christ many years when he wrote me this statement. He says : — "On the second da^^'s journey from Hamp- stead, N. H. (this was in April, 1769, in the afternoon of this day) my feet became tender and swollen, and much parboiled, as was the common phrase at that day. This caused me to fall in the rear of the family many rods. I then concluded I would take off my shoes and stockings, and travel bare-footedj expecting by 94 HISTORICAL SKETCHES this means to be able to overtake the family. But my feet being swollen, and stockings wet, I was hindered in drawing them a good while, and I fell far in the rear. I then hastened my steps forward as fast as I could, the sun being about a half an hour high at night, as near as I can recollect. After wading a large brook, I entered the eleveii-inile-ivoods, for the first time, in the upper part of Boscawen. I had not tra- velled far before I came to ice in the sled road, both in the middle and at the sides, although the snow was for the most part gone in the woods. But I made all the speed I could, till it was al- most dark, when I came to a brook or stream, that I dared not attempt to ford without day- light, nor could I find any tree fallen across the stream, on which I might pass over. But con- cluding I must stay there for the night, I went in immediate search of a convenient place to rest. I soon found a large tree fallen on the side of a knoll, the butt end lying up from the ground, leaving just room enough for me to crawl under. I took my long stockings, and drew the dry part of them on to my feet, and crawled under the tree, and being very tired, I soon fell asleep ; and I think it likely I slept two or three hours, or more — 1 cannot tell exactly. But my anxiety did not leave me when asleep; and when I OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 95 awoke, I was very cold, as there was a hard frost that night. Besides this, I found myself saUited from all parts of the solitary and dreary wilderness, by all the animal inhabitants of the forest, like a band of instrumental music, the wolves taking the chief lead, and carrying the highest notes ; or something like a bass-viol and bassoon in their different strains. They did not appear to be far off, but did not come near me to offer any violence ; yet their noise was some alarming, and very disagreeable, since the whole region of the forest seemed to be alive with these different kinds of animals. By and by, some- body cried out over my head, and barked like a little dog, then again screamed in the voice of women, and laughed out like parrots. I had not learned their grammar, nor to raise and fall their notes, for I was but a boy from the sea coast, and had never heard the like before. But I thought I would not make any disturbance with them, if they would let me alone until morning. But as soon as morning appeared, I crawled out from under the tree, and suddenly screamed with all my might, " Stop your noise !" I was im- mediately obeyed. And behold, the noisy crea- tures over my head were no other than great owls, roosting upon a branch of a tree ! But I soon made ready to decamp, though my shoes 96 HISTORICAL SKtiTCHES and stockings were so frozen, that I could only" get on my shoes shpshod. After some search, I found a log which enabled me to get over the brook, and I found the road, and I walked and ran as I could, some miles, and I reached Favor's tavern in New-Chester, that now is, just as the sun arose. Some of the company were up, and some getting up, and friends never came toge- ther in greater joy. I never shall forget how Col. Charles looked when he told me what con- cern he had had for me through the night. *' RICHARD WALLACE." I would, in conclusion of this narration, raise the inquiry of those youth of sixteen, into whose hands the above statement may come, whether they would covet such a night's rest ; and whe- ther such a serenade from the beasts of the wil- derness would be to them " some alarming, and very disagreeable !" When Col. Johnston arrived at Haverhill, he purchased the ground where Haverhill Corner now is, and located himself on the ground where Capt. Powers pitched his camp for the night, in July, 1754, and wrote in his journal, — ^' Here was the best of upland, and some quantity of large white pines/' I had it from the widow of Col. Johnston, who survived the death of her husband several OF THE eOOS COUNTRY. 97 years, and died, in 1816, at the age of seventy- five, that when they came to Haverhill, and found themselves hemmed in on every side by those towering trees and a dense underwood, she became very much discontented, and endured for some time all the melancholy and depression which arise from home-sickness. When suffer- ing from the strongest paroxysms of this malady, she would sometimes go out to her husband, while he was felling trees upon what is now the common, and relate her distresses to him, in hopes that he might be induced to relinquish his hold on Coos, and return to their friends at the east. But the colonel, to amuse her, and to dis- sipate her melancholy, would seat her upon a large stump, and then begin to describe to her the future village which they should erelong wit- ness in that place. '^ On such a line would be the main street ; on such a spot the court-house would stand ; the academy would occupy such a site, and the meeting-house stand there .'" For the moment, she would seem to fancy it a real- ity ; but the next sober thought would dissipate her relief, and she would excleum, '' Mr. John- ston, there can't be any such thing ! I know there can't. It never will be in this world !" It is probable that the colonel thought as little of this ever being reahzed by them as she did ,• 9 93 HISTORICAL SKETCfiES and yet they both hved to witness^ almost to a jot and tittle, those very predictions fulfilled. Aud no man in that town ever contributed more towards converting that wilderness mto a Jq- hghtful village than Col. Johnston. He was laborious and prudent, yet generous and brave. He accumulated a handsome estate ; and by his beneficence, he often caused the poor, the widow, and the fatherless to sing for joy, and their blessings came u}X)n him. He was a man of great muscular jx)wers, and he often put them forth, not to foment quarrels and broils, as is often the case in a rude state of society, but to suppress outbreakings and fight- ings : and those who were acquainted with him, refrained from those hostile attacks in his pre- sence, for they knew the colonel would imme- diately stand between the parties, the advocate of }:>eace and good order. It IS related of him that he was passmg the inn at the Corner, at a certain time, just when two strangers, who had met there, fell into a violent contention, and came to blows. The rencounter was sharp and bloody ; but, as the colonel's custom was, he walked up to the com- batants, and placing his hands gently upon their shoulders, began to expostulate with them in the kindest manner, when they mutually left OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 99 beating each other, and commenced deahng blows at him, who would have set them as one again. Upon this, the colonel held one in each hand firmly by the shoulder, and suddenly ex- tending his arms to the right and left, he threw the assailants apart, but brought them agani in contact, face to face, in front of him, with such power, that before this was repeated the third time, they called out for quarter, nor did he let go of them until they promised to be at j^ixce with each other. It was said in his day, and is said to this day, that Col. Johnston was a peace-maker, both in ciiurch and state. I have one instance of this, given by Mr. Wallace, who lived with the colonel after they came to Haverhill. He says, in a letter bearing date December 25, 1828, "' Esquire Charles was the only justice of tlie poace in Haverhill prior to 1773. I will relate one anec« dote of liim in honor to his memory, and for a pious example for his descendants and others. Soon after his appointment for justice of the peace, there came a man to him with an earnest request for a writ against one of his neighbors. Esquire Johnston put him off by relating to him the unhappy consequences of neighbors gomg to law with each other ; and recommended that he should go home and see his neighbor in a 100 HISTORICAL SKETCHES subdued temper of mind, and see if he would not pay him. The man went away, but soon returned with a bitter complaint, and demanded a wi'it^ The colonel left his business, called for his horse to be saddled, and said to the man, ' I am going with you to see if this matter cannot be settled without expense and strife.' When they came to the man so much complained of, the colonel told him his business, and that he eame for the salce of peace. The man told him he was ready to settle the account, and ahvays had been ; and before they separated, all mat- ters were adjusted, and the men parted in friend- ship." How much expense and strife might be avoided annually, if all our magistrates were of the same stamp f We say, "Blessed are the peace-makers." I have another anecdote of the colonel, related to me by Esquire Jonathan Hale, of Coventry, N. H., who was knowing to the story. A poor man of Coventry bought a cow of Col. Johnston upon credit. The cow was the principal support of the family; but after she had been kept through the winter, she sickened and died at the opening of spring. The man was distressed in view of the wants of his family, for he saw no way of relief He knew it would be next to impossible for him to purchase a cow at that OP THE COOS COUNTRY 101 season, as it was generally known that he was still owing for the cow that he had lost ; and he had nothing to pay for that, or another. He felt that he could not go to Col. Johnston for another, while he was still owing him for the first ; but as it is said, " Hunger will break through a stone wall." so the distresses of his family impelled him to return to Col. Charles, as he was the only njan living who inspired him with a gleam of hope. He went, and found the colonel at labor in his field. He related to him his disaster, and his distresses. The colonel sympathized with him deeply, and knew not what he could do. The poor man then told him his object m visiting him. which was to see if he could not obtain another cow of him. The colonel told him, '' He did not see how he could supply him, for they had but two cows that season, and they were going to building, must have an unusual number of laborers, and they should need all that could be afforded by two cows." The poor man replied, '^ I did not come to you, colonel, with this request, supposing that you could relieve me without great inconve- nience to yourself, and a sacrifice of interest, yet I was emboldened to make known my necessity." Tl*e colonel paused in silence for a time, and manifested that there v%^as a deep conflict be- 9* 102 HISTORICAL SKETCHES tween his sympathies and his circumstances. At length he said, "I will go to the house and see what Mrs. Johnston says," They went to the house, and the colonel related to his wife what had befallen the man, and what was his present object. Mrs. Johnston very naturally exclaimed, '^ You are not a going to let one of our cows go, are you?" And here she related what a de- mand they would have that season for both cows. The colonel heard her through patiently, and then said, ^' Do you not think that we can do better with one cov/, than this poor man can do, with his young children, without any ? " Mrs. Johnston was silent. The colonel turned to the man, and said, *' You will take my cow." The poor man took his cow, and returned joy- ously with her to his family. How blessed is fellow-feeling ! and still more blessed, when it is cherished by true piety and benevolence ! If I know my own heart, I would rather have this written of my son, than leave him in possession of the most splendid crown in Europe. I have wondered a thousand times, and still wonder, why men of wealth do not secure to themselves, more frequently than they do, the happiness which Col. Johnston experienced in sending that man home with a light and grateful heart. We have no means of knowing whether that poor OF THE COOS COUNTRV. 103 man was ever able to remunerate the colonel or not. No matter. If he did not, the Lord has done it, a thousand fold, and verily, there i$ a reward for the righteous. I hav€ spoken of the extraordinary muscular powers of Col. Johnston. I must relate one more event in his life, illustrative both of his physical power and of his courage. At the time when the New Hampshire troops signalized themselves at the battle of Bennington, under Gen. Stark, Col. Johnston was there, and su^ tained a part in the brilliant achievements of that ever-memorable day. After Col. Baum had surrendered to the American troops, and the battle was renewed by the arrival of Col. Brey^ man. Col. Johnston, in obedience to orders from Gen. Stark, was necessitated to pass through a narrow strip of woods on foot and a]one, to bear some orders to another division of the American army. He had no weapon of defence but a stout staff, which he had cut in the woods that day, as he was passing on to Bennington from New Hampshire. Thus equipped, he came sud- denly upon a British scout, in ambush, placed there to intercept communications between the different divisions of the Americans. The party in ambush was commanded by a Hessian heu- tenant. As Johnston came up, this offioer stepped 104 HirrORiCAL SKEtCHES forth, sword in hand, and claimed him as his prisoner. The word was no more than uttered, before the sword was struck from the hand of the officer by Johnston's staff, and as soon did Johnston have possession of that sword, and }X)inting it at the breast of the Hessian, declared to him, that he was that moment a dead man, jf he and his party did not throw down their amis. The officer turned to his men and said, *' We are prisoners of war." The soldiers threw down their arms, and Johnston marched them before him to the American lines, where they were received by our troops. The colonel returned with the sword to his family, and presenting it to his only son, Capt. Michael Johnston, now of Haverhill, said, " This sword was won by valor — let it never be retaken through cowardice." The sword I have seen. It was a splendid article of the kind. There was a good deal of writing upon it, formed by etching, and the officer's name, which I do not now recollect. This sword, I have been told, was brought forth and exhibited for the mourn- ful gratification of spectators on the day of the colonel's funeral solemnities. I am told that It was the colonel's expressed wish, before his death, that that sword might descend from him in the hne of the oldest male heir, and that it Ot THE COGS COUNTRY. 105 has already gone into the possession of the Rev. Charles Johnston; of the town of Locke, Cayuga County, N. Y. Col. Johnston was the first captain in the town of Haverhill ; was for many years a justice of the peace ; a colonel, a representative of the town many years; a judge of probate, and a deacon in the church. Col. Johnston's house was surrounded by a fort at Haverhill Corner, during the revolutionary war, as was Judge Ladd's, a little north of the old meeting-house, on Ladd street ; also, Capt. Timothy Barns*. who lived near the tavern, opposite the meeting- house, in the north parish in Haverhill. Col, Johnston departed this life, March 5, 1813, aged seventy-six. In the summer of 1770, this whole section of country was visited by an extraordinary cala- mity, such a one as this country never experi- enced before or since, beyond what I shall here specify. It was an army of worms, which extend- ed from Lancaster, N. H., to Northfield, in Mas- sachusetts. They began to appear the latter part of July, 1770, and continued their ravages until September. The inhabitants denominated them the '^ Northern Army," as they seemed to advance from the north, or north-west, and to pass east and south, although I do not learn that they ever 106 HISTORICAL SKETCHES passed the high lands between the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, They were altogether innumerable for multitude. Dr. Burton, of Thet- ford, Tt, told me that he had seen whole pastures so covered that he could not put down his finger m a single spot, without placing it upon a worm. He said, he had seen more than ten bushels in a heap. They were unlike any thing which the present generation have ever seen. There was a stripe upon the back like black velvet ; on either side^ a yellow stripe from end to end ; and the rest of the body was "brown. They were sometimes seen not larger than a pin : but in tlieir maturity, they were as long as a man's finger, and proportionably large in circumference. They appeared to be in great haste, except when they halted to devour their food. They filled the houses of the inhabitants, and entered their kneading-troughs, as did the frogs in Egypt. They would go up the side of a house, and over it. in such a compact column, that nothing of boards or shingles could be seen ! They did not take hold of the pumpkin-vine, peas, p»otatoes, or flax ; but wheat and com disappeared before as by magic They would climb up the stalks of wheat, eat off the stalk just below the head, and almost as soon as the head had fallen upon the ground, it was devoured. To prevent this. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 107 the men ■would " draw the rope," as they termed it ; that is, two men would take a rope, one ai each end, and pulling from each othe: until it was nearly straightened, they would then pass through their wheat fields, and brush off the worms from the stalks, and by jjerpetual action they retarded the destruction of their wheat ; but it was doomed, finally, to extinction. There were fields of corn on the meadows in Haverhill and Newbury standing so thick, large, and tall, that in some instances it was difficult to see a man standing more than one rod in the field from the outermost row ; but in ten days from the first appearing of the Northern Army, nothing remained of this com but the bare stalks ! Every expedient was resorted to by the inhabi- tants to protect their fields of corn, but all in vain. In the first place, they dug trenches around their fields, a foot and a half deep, hopmg this might prove a defence ; but they soon filled the ditch, and the millions that were in the rear went over on the backs of their fellows in the trench, and took possession of the interdicted food. The inhabitants then adopted another expe- dient to save those fields yet standing. They cut a trench as before ; then took round and smooth sappling sticks, of six or eight inches 108 HISTORICAL SKETCHES diameter, and six or eight feet in length, sharp- ened them to a point, and with these made holes in the bottom of the ditch, once in two or three feet ; and, as their meadows were bottom lands, they experienced no difficulty in extending these holes to two and three feet in depth, below the bottom of the trench. The sides of these holes were made smooth by the bar or lever which made the holes, and as soon as the worm stepped from the precipice, he landed at the bottom, and could not ascend again ; indeed, he was soon buried alive by his unfortunate fellows, who suc- ceeded him in his downfall. Now, those who made these holes to entrap their invaders, went around their fields, and plunged these pointed levers into the holes filled with worms, and de- stroyed every one of them at a single thrust, whether it was a peck or half a bushel. By unremitting effort in this way, some reserved to themselves corn enough for seed the next year. About the fii*st of September, the worms sud- denly disappeared ; and where they terminated their earthly career is unknown, for not the car- cass of a worm was seen. In just eleven years afterward, in 1781, the same kind of worm ap- peared again, and the fears of the people were much excited ; but they were comparatively few in number, and no one of the kind has ever been seen since. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 109 This visitation, which destroyed the principal grains of that year, was felt severely by all the new settlements ; for it not only cut off their bread-stuffs, but it deprived them of the means of making their pork to a great degree, and reduced the quantity of fodder for their cattle. The set- tlements at Haverhill and Newbury did not feel this calamity quite so much as those infant set- tlements in the towns north and south of them. They had been longer in their settlements, had some old stock of provisions on hand, and had more means to procure supplies from Charles- town, or by the way of Charlestown. Jonathan Tyler, of Piermont, related to me, that the set- tlements in that town were left without the means of subsistence from their own farms. His father drew hay on a hand-sled upon the ice, from the great Ox Bow in Newbury, to support his cow the following winter. And had it not been for two sources opened for their support, they must have deserted the tov/n. One was the extraordinary crop of pumpkins in Haver- hill and Newbury. The corn being cut off, and the pumpkins remaining untouched by the North- ern Army, they grew astonishingly, and seemed to cover the whole ground where the corn had stood, and the yield was great. The people of Haverhill and Newbury gave the settlers in 10 110 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Piermont the privilege of carrying away, gratis, as many pumpkins as they would. They went up, made a kind of raft, and transported them by water to Piermont. Their raft was a novelty in its kind, and will show us how truly " neces- sity is the mother of invention." They cut them two straight trees from forty to fifty feet 111 length, and from fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter : and enough of these were generally found, already felled and dry, to answer their purpose. They bored holes near the ends of these trees, and introduced slats to hold them together at each end, in the manner that the long body of a hay-cart is made, only at twice or thrice the distance from each other that the sides of a hay-cart are placed. These two sides were first placed in the water, and then joined toge- ther. The pumpkins were then brought from the fields, which were contiguous to the river^ and placed in the water, in this oblong square, until it was filled : the pumpkins, being buoyant, would not sink, and could not escape from their pen. Two men in a skiff would then weigh anchor, and tow the raft of tons' weight to Pier- mont shores, where the freight was landed, and conveyed to the habitations of men ! Another source of support was opened to them in the immense number of pigeons which Provi- OP THE COOS COUNTRY. lil dence sent them immediately upon the disap- pearance of the Northern Army. Nothing could equal their number, unless it was the worm^ which had preceded them. The Tylers of Piei- mont, Daniel, David, and Jonathan, commenced taking pigeons on the meadow, west of Haver- hill Corner, and in the space of ten days, they had taken more than four hundred dozen ! They carried them to Piermont, and made what }> defined, in the Yankee vocabulary, " a bee,'- for picking pigeons ; and two or three times a week the people of Haverhill were invited down to Mr. Tyler's to pick pigeons. Those who weni had the meat of all they picked, and the Tylers had the feathers ; and they made, says Jonathan Tyler, '• four very decent beds of those feathers." The bodies of those pigeons, when dressed, dried, and preserved for the winter, were very palatable and nutritious, and proved a good substitute for other meats, of which the inhabitants had been despoiled by the Huns and Goths of the north. And we are bound to recognize the Divmc Goodness in this providential supply, when the ordinary means of subsistence were cut off. It generally characterizes the Divine Government, when He has tried his people. I have already stated that the first settlers at Goos, a number of them, at least, pitched their 112 HISTORICAL SKETCHES tents upon the meadows, with a view of making their permanent residence there, but were driven off by a flood in 1771. Mr. Wallace, of Thet- ford, has furnished me with some particulars relative to that freshet. He says, this was a destructive flood to many of the settlers. Some of their fields were buried in sand to the depth of two and three feet, and they not only lost more or less of their crops for that year, but their soil for a number of years. Some of their habitations were invaded and taken possession of by the water. Wallace went to the relief of a family in Bradford, who lived on the place now owned by Mr. Hunkins. It was the family of Hugh Miller. His wife was the sister of the far-famed Robert Rogers, the hero of St. Fran- cois. When Wallace reached this habitation, he rowed his canoe into the house as far as the width of the house would receive it, took the family from the bed whereon they stood, and bore them to a place of safety. But Mrs. Miller, the next day seeing their few sheep standing on a small eminence on the meadow, surrounded by water, her husband being absent, resolved or rescuing them from their perilous situation. She pressed into her service a young man by the name of George Binfield, and they took a canoe, and set sail for the sheep. They reached the OF THE COOB COINTRY. 113 place, caught the sheep, tied their legs, placed them on board, and set out on their return voy- age to the high lands; but when they came into a strong current, they were carried down stream, until the canoe struck a pine stub, and was capsized. All were precipitated into the water of the depth of ten feet. When our heroine arose, and her companion in adventures, they caught hold of a stub standing about fivp feet out of the water, and manitained their grasp until another boat was obtained, and they were, liberated from their perilous situation ; but the wrecked canoe and sheep were never heard from more. From this time, the people sought a more elevated situation for their habitations. Jonathan Tyler, of Piermont, related an ex- traordinary fact which occurred in this great freshet. He said, a horse was tied to a log in a stack-yard, upon the great Ox Bow, in Newbury, and when the water arose, it took away the horse and the log to which he was made fast, and the horse was taken out of the river in Hanover alive, but soon died upon reaching the shore. He would, doubtless, have perished soon after breaking from his moorings in Newbury ; but the log to which he was tied kept his head above water, and prolonged his life many hoars. Col. Howard told me^ that in this same freshet 10* 114 HISTORICAL SKETCHES some swine were taken away by the water in the north part of Haverhill, and were carried down to the Ox Bow, where they made good their standing upon the top of a hay- stack, where they remained capering about until the waters subsided, and the owners procured their property again. This calamity was not of equal extent with that of the Northern Army ; but it was so intimately connected with it, it was se- verely felt, and it seemed as though God had a controversy with these people. We m.ay learn something of the facilities for travelling south and east from Haverhill Corner, so late as 1771, by the following facts. Jona- than Tyler came into Piermont in the autumn of 1768, and he says, '' They seldom attempted to ride on horseback to Haverhill for several years after they came to Coos, owing to the badness of the road ;" and I have heard it said by Judge Ladd and others, that a man from Charlestown came to Haverhill, and mired his horse so deeply on Haverhill Common, near Towle's tavern, that was, that he had to procure assistance to extricate the animal ; and the horse was rendered so lame as to be unable to proceed on the journey for some days. About this time, Col. Charles Johnston and several others had been to Plymouth, and thought OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 115 they would return by Tarleion's Pond. They were retarded by the roughness of the traveUing. beyond their expectations, and they were over- taken by night-fall. They made their way for a time by feeling of the trees to see if they were spotted ; but they at length could feel no spots, and despaired of finding a settlement, or camp, that night ; and making a virtue of neces- sity, they resolved to stand upon their posts like good soldiers, and wait for the return of day. It was a long night ; but day at length dawned upon them, and, to their surprise and joy, they found themselves posted near the little brook, east of the establishment of Andrew Martin, one hun- dred and fifty rods, perhaps, east of the colonel's own habitation ! For this reason, and because. 1 think, the brook is yet nameless, I would call It Happy Brook, we and our ciiildren, forever ! In the autumn of 1772, John McConnel and family left Pembroke, N. H., for the Coos, and when they came upon Baker's River, the intelli- gence reached Haverhill that they were advan- cing. Upon this, Jonathan McConnel, brother of John, went forth on horseback to meet them, and to render them assistance. The next morn- ing early, Richard Wallace left Col. Johnston^s, on horseback, to go out and render them still further aid, taking in a freight of provisions. 116 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Jonathan McConnel met the family sixteen miies from Haverhill, took one of the children and ftome baggage, and set out for Haverhill. Wal- lace met Jonathan returning near the height of landj and he promised to stop at the camp near Eastman's Brook, and wait until Wallace and the family should come up, and all spend the night together. Wallace proceeded on, and met the family near night. They were in a miserable plight. They were all on foot, without shoes or stockings, and an old beast, a mere apology for a horse, staggering under the weight of a few necessary articles for the family ; some scolding, some crying, and some laughing. It was soon agreed that Wallace should take tvv^o of the chil- dren, one a huge girl of twelve years, and ano- ther of two years, (which would have been the infant, had there not been another younger,) and return to Easiman's Brook, and the rest of the family was to reach there, if possible. But in carrying this resolve into effect, Wal- lace n>et with an unexpected embarrassment. It would be impossible for the girl of twelve to hold on, in passing the sloughs and over logs, to nde in the usual manner of females. But as Wallace was at his wit's end to know how to arrange matters to his mind, the mother stepped forwaKl, and, by a single flash of her genius, cut OF TEF COOS COU^?TRY. I IT the Gordian knot. " In fa'th," said she, '' there must be a leg on each side o' the horse/' And so the girl came into Haverhill. But as Wallace ascended the height of land. he became pretty well convinced that the family could not make Eastman's Brook that night, and as there was a camp on the height of land, which they must pass, he dismounted, took a loaf of bread, run a pole through it, and raised it above the top of the camp outside, for the double pur- pose of keeping it from the wolves, and of exhibiting it to the family ; but, by some fatali- ty, they did not see it, and passed on ; but as they did not reach the camp at Eastman's Brook, they laid out all night, without food or covering. Wallace had a hard task of it, likewise ; for when -he came to the camp at Eastman's Brook, where Jonathan McConnel proposed to stop, and to have a fire for their comfort, he found no McConnel, no fire, and not any thing to make one of. McConnel had concluded to make Ha- verhill that night, and leave the rest to shift for themselves, Wallace now found himself under the necessity of pursuing his journey under cir- cumstances '•' somewhat alarming, and very dis- agreeable," as he said in a prior adventure. Beside this great lump of animated nature hold- ing on to him in the rear, he carried the child 118 HISTORICAL SKETCHES of two years before him ; and as the night (\iew on. it became drowsy, and sunk down into his arms very heavily. For a time, he kept it awake by calUng its attention to the howhng of the wolves in the vicinity : but at length nature was overpowered, and the child sunk down mto a profound slumber, and he bore it mto the Corner in this condition. They arrived at Col. Charles' house at twelve at night, a fall moon favoring them. The colonel was up, and had a good fire, some expecting them, from what Jona- than McConnel had told him. But Wallace wa^ «o much exhausted by fatigue, and benumbed by the cold, that he fainted on coming to ihe fire. The family arrived the next day, and m just six months from that time the girl whom Wallace bjousht im was married to Jonathan Tyler, of Piermont, at the age of twelve years; rally emptied. There were a number of tones in that town. There were eight brothers in one family went over to the British at once, and they carried some others with them ; and their property was all taken and sold for public use. Those who remained true to their country's cause expected to feel the vengeance of these enemies; and when Wallace cam.e home, he met, between the place where Thetford meeting- house now stands and his habitation, men, wo- men and children, who had forsaken houses and lands, and every thing which they could not conveniently carry ; some in carts, some on sleds, some in sleighs, in mid-summer, and some on foot. They had their hands full of light arti- cles of clothing, and packs stuffed upon their 148 HISTORICAL SKETCHES backs, and were driving before them cattle, horses, sheep, and swine. The mixed noise of these different kinds of animals, and the cries of women and children, who expected to be overtaken every minute, murdered and scalped by the infuriated Indians, tories, and British, were enough to affect the stoutest heart. Wal- lace was looking out for his wife, whom he sup- posed to be in the caravan ; but they all passed him, and he saw nothing of his beloved Creusa. Several times he was confident that bright image appeared to his view in the motley throng ; but, as they advanced, behold ! it was another, and not she — " tenuesque recesslt in auras." Wallace now put spurs to his steed, that he might the sooner dissolve the doubts which had arisen in his own breast, and allay the anxiety he felt for his better self. When he arrived at his hut, he found his wife sticking by the stuff. Having no horse or oxen to aid her in trans- porting the goods to the river, she had resolved to wait and see if there was cause for all this trepidation and flight. She had, however, com- menced carrying their household stuff into the woods, and covering it with bushes, that it might not fall into the hands of the invaders, should they suddenly appear. They both completed OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 149 the work which his wife had so heroically com- menced, and then both mounted their horse, and rode for the settlements at the river. The next day, Wallace and another took a team, and went and brought in the goods ; and as soon as they were disposed of, Wallace enlisted to go in pur- suit of Burgoyne and his army, wisely conclu- ding it best so to press the lion in his den, that his whelps should not feel at liberty to go abroad and devastate the surrounding country. And this was the effect of Burgoyne's strata- gem generally. It returned upon his own head. After the surrender of Burgoyne and his army, October 17, 1777, Wallace returned to his hut in December, where he and his wife lived through the succeeding winter, without any chimney, hearth, or floor, except three or four loose boards to set their pole bedstead upon, that was corded with elm bark. Mrs. Wallace deserves distinct notice in this place. At the time of the alarm, Wallace had corn, oats, and potatoes growing on his newly- cleared land. After he had gone in pursuit of Burgoyne, and the alarm had somewhat sub- sided, Mrs. Wallace travelled out six miles to see to their crops. She found the oats ripe for harvesting, and many of them lodged. She was all alone, and no man could be procured to assist 13* 150 HISTORICAL SKETCHES her in gathering them, for all that could be spared had gone to the field of battle. Nothing daunt- ed at this, she took a scythe and mowed them, dried them, raked them into bunches, bound them, and stacked them in good style. She then took an axe, cut poles, fenced them about, and then went back to the river. When her corn-stalks were ripe for cutting, she went out, cut them, bound them, and put them on the top of her stack of oats. In like manner she went out and gathered the corn, and dug her potatoes, and secured both. She then went to work at clearing some ground which had been felled, and was burnt over the year before ; and when her husband returned from the army, she had cleared and sown one acre of wheat ; and during the absence of her husband she had travelled, in going to and from the river, seventy-two miles ! The following year they procured some sheep, which they had to yard in a pen near the house every night, to preserve them from the wolves, which were numerous. Wallace being at work at the river on a certain time, Mrs. Wallace could not find her sheep to yard them at evening, and as soon as it came on dark, the wolves set up a frightful howling, as it seemed, within twenty rods of the house. What to do for the safety of her sheep, she did not know ; but on examina- OF THE COOS COUxNTRY. 151 tion she found the gun was loaded ; she at once salUed forth and discharged the gun, to inform the wolves that something was there besides mutton. At twelve at night, she reloaded, and went forth and discharged her piece a second time. And before daylight, they heard from her the third time ; and at sunrise, she went out and found all her sheep near the pen, safe and sound, and the wolfish gentry swift on the retreat. This woman became the mother of eleven children, nine of whom lived to enter into the married state, and to have families. In 1828, these parents had fifty grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. But the best part remains to be told. This woman served as an accoucheuse forty-five years, rode in seven towns, was present at the birth of twenty-one pair of twins, and one thousand, six hundred and twenty-four single births ; making, in all, one thousand, six hundred and sixty-six, and never lost a mother of whom she had the care. Gentlemen and ladies of 1840, sitting in your broadcloth, silks, and satins, what say you to these things ? Could not some things be done without steam, rail-road, or piano forte ? I would leave you to pleasant reflections. Fidelity in a historian is a jewel. 152 HISTORICAL SKETCHES There is one adventure of Wallace which must be recorded before we take leave of him. It took place in the fall of 1777, a little time before he returned to Thetford from the pursuit of Burgoyne, as I have already stated. I receive the facts in this case from two sources, viz. from David Johnson, Esq. of Newbury, Vt., to whom Wallace and Webster both related the story, and from the Hon. Simeon Short, Esq. of Thetford, who was Wallace's a^ent in procuring a pension, and who had, in behalf of Wallace, transmitted the following particulars to the Pension Office at Washington. It will be recollected by those who are ac- quainted with the history of the war of the revo- lution, that as soon as the battle was fought at Bennington, and the Americans began to hope that Burgoyne's army would fall into their hands, they set about retaking the forts of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, on the shores of Lake Champlain, which forts Burgoyne had left in his rear, supplied with troops for their defence. Ticonderoga was taken, and Mount Indepen- dence was straitly besieged for some time. There was a good deal of hard fighting, and it was confidently looked for, that Mount Independence would surrender ; but they did not. The Brit- ish shipping had full possession of the lake. OP THE COOS COUNTRY. 153 Ticonderoga was upon the west side of the lake, and Mount Independence on the east side. Our troops on the west side could hold no communi- cation with those who had invested Mount In- dependence, and of course they could have no concert in action. It was at this time, when the greatest solicitude was felt by the two American commanders to know each others' minds, that the following expedient was adopted by the commander at Ticonderoga. He called on his men to know if there were any two of them who would volunteer to swim the lake in the evening, and carry despatches to Gen. Lin- coln, near Mount Independence. For a time, none offered to undertake the hazardous enter- prise ; but when informed how much was pro- bably depending upon it, Wallace of Thetford stepped forward, and said he would attempt it ; and then followed him Ephraim Webster, of Newbury, who originated in New-Chester, N. H. The documents were made out, and about sun- down, an officer took these two men on to an eminence which overlooked the lake, and he pointed out to them the course they must take to avoid discovery by the British shipping, and then about where they would probably find the American camp. At dusk of evening, the same officer attended them to the margin of the lake, 154 HISTORICAL SKETCHES assisted them to prepare for the voyage, and saw them set sail, httle expecting, probably, ever to hear from them again ; for as they had to swim up and dov\-n the lake, in a zigzag course, to avoid the enemy, they must swim more than two miles before they could make terra firma, and it was so late in the season the water was quite cold. They rolled their despatches in their clothes, and bound tlieir clothes upon the back part of their neck, by cords passing round their foreheads and their clothes. As soon as they entered the water, Wallace said to Webster, '' We shall never reach shore, it is so cold ;" but this he said without any thought of relinquishing the enterprise. When about midway of the lake, the cords which fastened Wallace's clothes to his neck slipped down from his forehead to his throat, and it cut him so hard as almost to stran- gle him. He made several attempts to replace the string upon his forehead, but failed, and he was on the point of giving up all for lost. The thought, howev^er, of the importance of his un- dertaking seemed to inspire him with new life and vigor, and he succeeded in replacing the string, and passed on without saying a word to dishearten Webster. They passed so near the British shipping as to hear the oft-repeated cry, ••All's well !" They took no care to contradict OF THE COOS COUNTRV. 155 that report, but buffeted the waves with stout hearts and sinewy Hmbs. They kept in com- pany until they came near the eastern shore of the lake, when Webster seemed to fall into the rear, a few rods at the north of Wallace ; and just as Wallace struck the twigs of a tree which lay extended into the lake, he heard Webster say, ''Help, Wallace, I am drowning!" Wal- lace sprung to the shore, caught a stick, and rushed into the water, and extended it to Web- ster in the act of sinking, and drew him ashore. Webster could not stand ; but Wallace rubbed him briskly, and got on lys clothes, and he soon recovered so as to walk. How aptly the poet's description of Ulysses, when cast upon the coast of Phseacia, will apply to Webster, as drawn ashore by Wallace, the reader will judge : "From mouth and nose the briny torrent ran, And lost in lassitude, lay all the man ; Deprived of voice, of motion, and of breath, The soul scarce waking in the arms of death." Webster was so full of expressions of gratitude to Wallace for the preservation of his life, that Wallace had to caution him not to speak so loud, for the enemy would hear them. But new difficulties now presented themselves. It was now dark, and they were in a strange place. The enemy was near, and had their 156 HISTORICAL SKETCHES sentinels on shore as well as the iVmericans. And, what was worst of all, they knew not the countersign of the Americans on that side of the lake. They started, however, in quest of the American camp, and after travelling about nearly one hour, they were hailed by a British sentinel, and did but just make their escape. They then took a different direction, and Wallace gave both despatches into Webster's hands, and told him to keep in the rear, and he would go forward, and if he should happen to fall into the hands of the enemy, Webster might have opportunity to escape with the despatches. But they had not proceeded a great ways before Wallace was hailed by a sentinel — " Who comes there ?'" '^A friend.-' says Wallace. "A friend to whom?" says the sentinel. '' Advance and give the coun- tersign." This was a fearful moment. Wallace hesitated for an instant, and then replied by way of question — ''Whose friend are you?" The sentinel responded — ''A friend to America!" '' So am I," said Wallace, " and have important despatches for your general." They were im- mediately conducted to the general's quarters, the despatches were delivered, and Wallace and Webster were received with every mark of sur- prise and gratitude, and every thing was done to render them comfortable and happy. But Wal- OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 157 lace never enjoyed the degree of health after- wards that he did prior to that chill and almost incredible effort. Wallace departed this life, February 7, 1833, aged eighty. Mrs. Wallace died, May, 1831, aged eighty-one. Webster's subsequent history is worthy of a passing notice. The last time he visited New- bury, he was residing among the Oneida Indians, New York. They had adopted him as their brother, promoted him to be chief in their tribe, and, to render the tie indissoluble, they had given him one of the black-haired maidens of the forest. Webster's health was not perma- nently injured by his dangerous adventure. The church and people in Thetford remained in a divided state more than three years after Sumner left them, until Dr. Burton came among them, in 1778, at the age of twenty-seven years. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1777, read divinity with Dr. Eleazer Wheelock, president of the college, until he was licensed to preach the gospel, and he then went and read with Dr. Hart, of Preston, New London Co., Conn. As soon as Dr. Burton came into Thetford, the un- happy divisions which had existed among them were all dissipated as by enchantment. They were all united in him, and all reconciled to each other. They gave him a unanimous call 14 158 HISTORICAL SKETCHES to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and he was ordained their pastor, January 19, 1779. There were fifty- seven families in the town when Dr. Burton settled among them. There were but two families then living west of the present meeting-housoy viz. Richard Wallace, and a Mr. Osborn, living near Mr. Wallace. They had no meeting-house ; and in the summer they held their meetings in a barn, and in a private dwelling in the winter. The first meeting-house was built of logs, and stood near the place where Dr. Solomon Heaton used to live, from half to three fourths of a mile north-east of the present meeting-house, on the road leading from Thet- ford to East Fairlee and Orford. The seats in this meeting-house were movable forms, or benches, like those often found in school-houses for children to sit upon, and they were ranged on each side of the house, the ends pointing towards one broad aisle in the centre. Dr. Burton related, in much good humor, one incident which occurred in that house, that was of a stirring quality. The doctor had a parish- ioner by the name of John Osman, and he was an abominable sleeper in the house of God. His habit in this was so inveterate as to resist all remonstrance. It so happened, on a very warm Sabbath in mid-summer, that Osman was seated OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 159 on the end of one of those benches next to the aisle. He was facing the aisle, and, in order to find secure repose, he placed his elbows upon his knees, folded his arms, and leaned forward ; and in this position he fell into a profound slumber. The doctor saw him paying his devotions to Somnus, by now and then a significant nod and a reel of the body, but said nothing to disturb his repose. At length, Osman lost his balance, and pitched his whole length on to the floor, where he lay in the middle of the aisle^ sprawled out like a spider ! The shock with the audience was electrical. Many sprang upon their feet, and some females shrieked out ; but when they saw Osman gathering up his limbs in the most delibe- rate manner, rubbing his eyes, and scratching his head, the transition from surprise to risibility was so sudden and powerful, that the impulse was irrepressible, and for a few moments the speaker himself labored to maintain the dignity and gra- vity of his station. But it proved a specific in Osman's case, for he was never known to sleep in meeting after that event. It might be well, perhaps, for some of our modern sleepers at the house of God, if they were to descend as low in the Valley of Humiliation as Osman did, provi- ded their resurrection should be as triumphant. At the settlement of the town of Thetford. 160 HISTORICAL SKETCHES and for a number of years subsequently to that period; bears, deer, and sables were numerous ; but we hear of no moose. Joel Strong, of He- bron, Conn., came into the town on the 7th of May, 1768, and found twelve families in the town. He first settled on the bottom lands of the Ompompanoosuc, and as soon as he began to raise corn, he was exceedingly annoyed by bears in his field, devouring his unripe corn. For a time he bore these injuries with all the meekness which necessity laid upon him ; but seeing in- creasing waste and destruction, he arose and shook himself, and resolved he would seek re- prisal. And now the waxing moon smiled on his enterprise. He loaded his gun with two balls, took his powder-horn and bullet-pouch, and sallied forth to reconnoitre the position of his enemies. He had not proceeded far before he heard the ears of corn snap from their parent stalks, as though there were a husking with the Bruin gentry. Strong advanced slowly and cau- tiously until he secured a good shot, and then he ^' let off," and brought one huge fellow to the ground. This was a signal for others to retreat, and without looking to him whom he had dis- posed of, he pursued the flying foe as fast as his legs would carry him ; and two others ascended a large tree which stood near the border of the OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 161 field. It was not sufRciently light for him to distinguish his game in the boughs, and he struck him up a fire at the foot of the tree, and there waited for the return of day. The return- ing sun showed him two sleek and lusty fellows, sitting in appropriate angles of the tree, formed by the union of large branches with the trunk. Strong now took deliberate aim at the heart, and down came his bearship from a goodly height, which made the ground tremble again. With all expedition he charged his gun the third time, and in a few moments the remaining bear joined his comrade upon the ground, and as they had been lovely in the eyes of each other in life, so they were not divided in their death. Strong was now at liberty to visit the one that was slain the night before, and he found them all bears of the first class, which remunerated him for all previ- ous losseS; and their death secured his field from further depredations. I have said Dr. Burton was ordained, January 19, 1779. The ministers called to ordain him were the following : — Rev. Messrs. Powers of Newbury, Conant of Lime, Burroughs of Hano- ver, Potter of Lebanon, and Potter of Norwich. The last-named gentleman preached the sermon. But those who imposed hands, and he who re- ceived hands, have alike gone down to the dust. 14* 162 HISTORICAL SKETCHES A new order of things has arisen ; and how for- cibly are we impressed with the words of the apostle, For ivhat is your life 7 It is even a vapor J that appear eth for a little tiine, and then vanisheth away. But very few clergymen labored longer in their profession than Dr. Burton did ; very few have been more successful in bringing sinners to salvation ; and there are very few whose influ- ence has been more extensively realized than his. He prepared more than a hundred young men for the ministry ; and his Book of Essays, published in 1824, is rich iiv ideas, and although we may differ from him in our metaphysics, yet when men come to pay more regard to ideas than to their dress, and when they shall prefer thinking to light reading, Dr. Burton will be read with profit by every student in theology. Dr. Burton departed this life, May 1, 1836, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and in the fifty-seventh of his pastoral relation to the church and people of Thetford. " The memory of the just is blessed.'' FAIRLEE. Of Fairlee, East or West, I have little to say. In 1766, Mr. Baldwin, who is mentioned as one of the families settled in Thetford in 1765, OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 163 moved from Thetford to East Fairlee, and com- menced a settlement about a half a mile south of the present meeting-house, near where they turn off from the river road to go to Fairlee or Morey's Pond. Mr. Thompson in his Gazetteer dates the settlement of this town in 1768, and then he finds six men on the ground to begin the settlement. Esquire Mann, of Orford, says, Baldwin was his first neighbor west of him, and he is sure he came into Fairlee the year after Mann came to Orford. They both came from Hebron, Conn. Mann knew that Baldwin spent a year or so in Thetford, and then came up to Fairlee, and he tells us the very spot where he commenced. Mann could not mistake in this. I find that a new neighbor, in those days, was not looked upon as a trivial affair, and the time of its occurrence was retained with great accu- racy. It ma}^ be there were six men in Fairlee in 1768 ; but Baldwin had been there two years previous. . BRADFORD. Bradford was first settled in 1765, by a man by the name of John Osmer. He settled near the mouth of Wait's River, on the north bank, and I have been told there were traces of this settlement so late as 1824. This town was ori- 164 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ginally called Moretown ; but afterward it was changed to Bradford. This Osmer, or Hosmer, was a facetious character, and would make him- self sport at the expense of others. In 1765, soon after Hosmer moved into Bradford, there came to his hut a transient Irishman, and spent several days, laboring what he would for his board. It turned out, however, that the Irishman was deep- ly infected with a cutaneous eruption, which in some modern languages has been denominated ''the itch." Osmer, resenting the exposure of himself and family to this vile disease, by the mtrusion of this Hibernian, resolved on being re- venged, and, at the same time, have som.ething to relate which would secure him mirth at another time. Osmer, accordingly, restrained all appear- ance of resentment, and gravely told the fellow that he knew a sure remedy for his loathsome disease ; but it was a secret, and he did not wish to divulge it. The poor fellow became very importunate for Osmer to prescribe for liim. promising to follow the prescription to the letter, and swearing by the blessed Virgin that he would never reveal the secret. Osmer at length took the man out on to the meadow, where grew a forest of nettles, and told him if he would strip himself, and run through those weeds, it would insure him healing. No sooner said than done. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 165 Paddy went through them with a lion's heart ; but his misery for a time was excruciating. This, together with the mortification of seeing how well Osmer enjoyed his suffering, opened his eyes to the fact that he had been imposed upon, and he immediately took up his line of march, calling on the Virgin to redress his wrongs. But this was not the last of it with Osmer. As soon as Osmer's neighbors were made acquainted v/ith the fact, they dubbed him Doctor ^ and he bore this adjunct title with him to the grave. The next year, viz., in 1766, Samuel Sleeper and Benoni Wright came into Bradford, and pitched their tent a little north-east of Mr. Hun- kins' dwelling, in the north part of Bradford, as I have already stated in my history of Newbury. In 1771, Andrew B. Peters, Esq., born in He- bron, Conn., January 29, 1764, came into this town. He came with his father to Thetford in 1766; in 1769, he moved into Piermont ; and in 1771, he came into Bradford, at which time there were but ten families in the town. Esquire Peters relates that the first grist-mill in the town vv^as built by John Peters, in 1772, and that it stood on the south side of Wait's River, just above the bridge on the great river road. The first saw-mill was built by Benjamin Baldwin, Esq., in 1774, and stood on Wait's 166 HISTORICAL SKETCHES River, where Baldwin's mills now stand, or did stand, a few years since. Esquire Peters relates a long-standing tradition, which went to account for the name Wait being given to the principal river of Bradford. It states that a man by the name of Wait belonged to Col. Rogers' party, which marched to the St. Francois in 1759 ; that this man and some others, in their hasty retreat, came upon the northern branch of Wait's River, and in a famishing state, they followed down this river in quest of game. Just as they entered what is now Bradford, Wait and one or two others proposed to go in advance of the rest, and see if they could not find something to satisfy their hunger. They had not gone but two or three miles before they shot a deer, and when they had satisfied their appetites, they hung up the rest of the savory meat upon a tree for the relief of their suffering companions in the rear ; and that they might know who killed the deer, and for what purpose the meat was there suspended, Wait cut his name in the bark of the tree on which the meat hung. When the rear came up, and found the rich supply of food in readiness for them, they expressed their gratitude to Wait by giving his name to the stream they were then upon, and designed it as a remembrancer in all after-time, of the deliver- OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 167 ance which was there wrought for them. There is nothing extravagant or unnatural in this nar- ration ; and if the town cannot give a more satisfactory account of the origin of this name to their river, it may stand for the true one. About sixty years ago, a Httle son of Absalom Fifield, who lived in the easterly part of Corinth, strayed from home, and was lost. As is usual in such cases, there was a very great excitement in the public mind, as well as in the minds of the parents, and multitudes went in search of the child. They sought for him unremittingly three days, and began to despair of the child, for they thought he must perish with hunger, if he was not already drowned, or devoured by wild beasts. But just at the close of the third day, he was discovered on an island in Wait's River, about five miles from the Connecticut, and three miles from his father's. When he was discovered, he was in company with a little lamb, and was picking tall blackberries, without any apparent anxiety. The boy was four or five years of age. He and the lamb were the only tenants of the island. They had contracted a friendship for each other, and the lamb fol- lowed in the footsteps of the boy wherever he went. But how either of them ever got on to the island remains a mystery. 168 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The Rev. Gardner Kellogg was the first set- tled minister in the town — ordained, 1795 ; dis- missed, 1809. The Rev, Silas McKeen was his successor ; but I have not the date of his set- tlement or dismission. I might here notice some of the errors of Thompson's Gazetteer in respect to the first settlers : but it is useless. There is no end to them. PLYMOUTH, N. H. I shall now pass into New Hampshire again, and state a few particulars in regard to the set- tlement of Plymouth, seeing it was one of the first towns settled in the county of Grafton, after Haverhill. This was the first town settled be- tween Haverhill and Salisbury Lower Village. I received the following particulars from Samuel Dearborn, one of the first settlers, and from the Rev. Drury Fairbanks, who consulted the pro- prietors' records, and the church records, for my assistance. Samuel Dearborn originated in Old Chester, April 15th, 1745, and came into Plym- outh, September, 1764. The two first families which came into the place, were Capt. James Hobart and Lieut. Zachariah Parker. They came from Hollis, N. H., in June, 1764. Hobart married Hannah Cummings, of Hollis, sister of the Rev. Dr. Cummings, of Billerica, Mass. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 169 Parker married Betsey Brown, of Hollis, niece of Benjamin Farley, Esq., late of Hollis. Ho- bart settled on Col. Edmunds' place, and Parker settled where Capt. Moses George did live, and perhaps does at this time. In September of this same year, (1764,) came Capt. Jotham Cum- mings, Col. David Webster, Lieut. Josiah Brown, Ephraim Weston, James Blodgett, Deacon Ste- phen Webster, and Samuel Dearborn, all from Hollis, with the exception of Weston and Dear- born. At this time there was no bridge across any stream between Plymouth and Salisbury Lower Village, and no road but spotted trees. The first settlers from HoUis passed over the Merrimack into the town of Litchfield, and kept on the north side of the Merrimack until they came into the town of Holderness, and then crossed the Pemigewasset into Plymouth, a little south of Baker's River. Some of the early settlers of Haverhill and Newbury took the same route from Pembroke, kept on the north side of Baker's River, into Coventry, and then down the Oliverian. The proprietors of the town of Plymouth voted at Hollis, April 16, 1764, ''to hire Mr. Nathan Ward, of Newtown, Mass., to preach to the settlers at Plymouth, four days this spring ;" this meant four Sabbaths. It appears that the 15 170 HISTORICAL SKETCHES proprietors expected that the settlement would be made sooner than it was; but Mr. Ward went on with the settlers, and preached the time specified, and dwelt with them in their tents, Mr. Ward received a call from them, which he accepted, and was ordained at Newburyport, in the meeting-house of the Rev. Jonathan Pear- sons. July 10, 1765. At this time, there were but eight families in the town of Plymouth. The proprietors voted to give the Rev. Mr. Ward one hundred and fifty ounces of silver for his salary, until there were one hundred families in the town, and then his salary was to be increased five ounces annually, until it amounted to tico hundred ounces, and at that it was to remain as his permanent salary, with thirty cords of wood. He drew, also, one right of land, as the first settled minister, and they voted him one hundred and twenty dollars, as an additional settlement. But what was the amount of Mr. Ward's salary ? I find in Belknap's History of New Hampshire, vol. i. p. 151, in note, that an ounce of silver was estimated at six shillings and eight pence, lawful money ; and accordingly, Mr. Ward's salary at the first was equal to one hundred and sixty-six dollars and fifty cents ; and that at the last it amounted to two hundred and twenty- two dollars, exclusive of the wood. This, at OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 17| first thought, was a hmited salary for a minister. But upon a more thorough inspection of the matter, I think, we shall find it was better than most ministers receive at the present day. That money would purchase more bread-stuffs, takin- one year with another, at that day, than twice"^ and perhaps thrice that amount, would purchase at this day. They had little, and next to no company. Their style of living was all differ- ent, and less expensive. Then he had a settle- ment, and a full right of land, which was enough to make two good farms. And I think we shall all agree that there is not a minister in the whole county of Grafton at this day, whose means of living from the people are as diiiple as were Mr. Ward's on the day of his settlement. Mr. Ward labored in the ministry in Plymouth twenty-nine years; was dismissed, April 22d, 1794; died in June, 1804, aged eighty-three! A man of God, and a great blessing to the town. Their first meeting-house was built of logs, and stood a little west of the Rev. Jonathan Ward's late dwelling-house, at the foot of the hill, east of the old meeting-house. In April, 1765, Lydia Webster was born, daughter of Stephen and Lydia Webster. She was the first English child born in the town. At this birth, every woman was present in the 172 HISTORICAL SKETCHES town, and every husband attended his wife as far as the premises, and there remained until the vote v/as declared ! This was a great day in Plymouth. That child is dead ; but the mother was living "with her third husband in Rumney, the last I heard from her. She was the wife of Joseph Dearborn. Josiah Hobart was the first male child born in the town ; but he is dead, also. These first settlers went to Concord, N. H., for their meal, for one or two years after they commenced their settlement, and drew it up on a hand- sled ; but they soon raised an abundance, for their meadows were very fertile. Ephraim Lund built the first saw and grist- mill near where Cochran's mills now are. Mr. Dearborn says that in 1765, James Heath, from Canterbury, Daniel Brainard, Esq., and Alex- ander Craig, made settlements in Rumney. Soon after, a Mr. Davis moved into Wentworth, and Joseph Patch into Warren. Mr. Dearborn says he knows that these were the first settlers in these towns, but will not be positive as to the year they made their entrance. Joseph Hobart was the first who settled in Hebron, and a Mr. Bennet first settled in Groton. Both of these towns were settled by people from Hollis. About the same time William Piper came into Holder- ness. It was certainly as late as 1765. The OF THE COOS COUNTRY. l7o same year, Isaac Fox and a Mr. Taylor settled in Campton ; and Benjamin Hoit from Old Ches- ter settled Thornton in 1770. Mr. Dearborn says that when Plymouth was first settled, and for some years, moose, bears, deer, and wolves were numerous. We may re- collect that here Capt. Powers and his company '' shot a moose," in 1754. Mr. Dearborn relates one anecdote of one Josiah Brown, who was famous for hunting at that early period of the settlement. He was well acquainted with Brown. He went out with snow-shoes. Hunt- er started some deer, and in the progress of the chase the deer crossed the river into New Hampr ton, and Brown attempted to follow ; but in doing so where there was swift water, he broke through, and fell in up to his arms. He labored to throw himself on to the ice ; but the water had so much power upon his snow-shoes that his feet were carried down stream in an instant, and he would have to catch hold of the edge of the ice to keep himself from being drawn immedi- ately under. Finding all his efforts ineffectual, and feeling himself nearly exhausted, he began to despair of life for more than a few minutes longer ; but at this critical moment, who should appear but his true and faithful Hunter, who came directly up to him ! Brown with one 15* 174 HISTORICAL SKETCHES hand seized Hunter by the tail, and with the other he helped himself. Hunter drew for his life, and as the ice was rough, so that he had good foot-hold, he drew powerfull}^, and they hoth were enabled to overcome the force of the water, and Brown regained his standing upon the ice, happy in the reflection that both he and his anticipated game were still at liberty to make the best use of their feet. Mr. Dearborn tells us an affecting story of a lost child in this town, in the time of the revo- lutionary war. A Mr. James Barnes sent his little son of seven or eight years of age, on an errand to a neighbor's ; but he lost his way, and did not return at the time he was expected. The father went in pursuit of him, but not finding him, the neighbors were called on to go in search of him ; and as the news spread that a child was lost, the whole town came together, and very many from other towns in the vicinity, and although the search was continued eight days, no trace of the child was ever discovered. It is very extraordinary, that if this child perished by hunger, his remains were never discovered ; and if he was drowned, it seems that his body would have been ultimately found afloat. But the great day will disclose the facts in the case. Much has been said in Plymouth and vicinity OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 175 in respect to the naming of Baker's River. It was called Baker's River when the first settlers came on, and it was called so in the journal of Capt. Powers, in 1754. They have a tradition m the town, and they have ahvays had from its first settlement, which explains the how and the lohci^efore^ in this case. It is said that while Massachusetts was claiming the province of New Hampshire, prior to the old French war, Massa- chusetts sent a Capt. Balder, from Old Newbury, at the head of a company to ferret out the In- dians, who had their encampment somewhere upon the waters of the Pemigewasset. Baker procured a friendly Indian, who led them on to Plymouth. When Baker and his party had ar- rived on these meadows, the friendly Indian signified it was now time for every man to gird up his loins, and they did so, moving forward with all possible circumspection. When they had reached the south bank of Baker's River, near its junction with the Pemigewasset, they discovered the Indians on the north bank of Baker's River, sporting in great numbers, secure, as they supposed, from the muskets of all ''pale faces." Baker and his men chose their position, and opened a tremendous fire upon the Indians, which was as sudden to them as a clap of thun- der. Many of the sons of the forest fell in 176 HISTORICAL SKETCHES death in the midst of their sports. But the hving disappeared in an instant, and ran to call in their hunters. Baker and his men lost no time in crossing the river in search of booty. They found a rich store of furs deposited in holes, dug into the bank of the river horizon- tally, in the manner bank-swallows make their holes. Having destroyed their wigwams, and captured their furs. Baker ordered a retreat, fear- ing that they would soon return in too great force to be resisted by his single company ; and the Indians were fully up to his apprehensions — for notwithstanding Baker retreated with all expedition, the Indians collected, and were up with them, when they had reached a poplar plain in Bridge water, a little south of Walter Webster's tavern. A smart skirmish ensued ; but the Indians were repulsed with loss. Mr. Dearborn has visited that plain, and seen and examined a number of skulls, which he supposed fell in that engagement. One or two of them were perforated by a bullet. But notwithstand- ing the Indians were repulsed, the friendly In- dian advised Baker and his men to use all dili- gence in their retreat, for he said their number would increase every hour, and that they would return to the attack. Accordingly, Baker pressed on the retreat, with all possible despatch, and OP THE COOS COUNTRY. 177 did not allow his men to take refreshment after the battle. But when they came into New Chester, having crossed a stream, his men were exhausted through abstinence, forced marches, and hard fighting, and they resolved they would go no further without food, saying to their com- mander, '' They might as well fall by the toma- hawk as by famine." The captain acquresced, and they prepared to refresh themselves : but here was a call for Indian stratagem. The friendly Indian told every man to build as many fires as he could in a given time ; for the Indians, if they pursued them, would judge of their num- ber by the number of their fires. He told them, also, that each man should make him four or five forks of crotched sticks, and use them all in roasting a single piece of pork ; then leave an equal number of forks around each fire, and the Indians would infer, if they came up, that there were as many of the English as there were forks, and this might turn them back. The Indian's counsel was followed to the letter, and the company moved on with fresh speed. The Indians, however, came up while their fires were yet burning, and counting the fires and forks, the warriors whooped a retreat, for they were alarmed at the number of the English. Baker and his men were no longer annoyed by ITS HISTORICAL SKETCHES those troublesome attendants, and he attributed their preservation to the counsel of the friendly Indian. Now, it is said that Baker's River was so called, to perpetuate the brilliant affair, by- Baker, at its mouth. There was formerly another token of the presence or influence of a Mr. Baker, not very remotely connected with Baker's River. Salis- bury was originally chartered by Massachusetts, prior to the old French war, and it was called Bakerstown. As this was the last chartered town in the direction from Massachusetts to- v/ards Plymouth, where Baker is said to have had his adventure, it would not be very unnat- ural for Massachusetts to honor his memory by calling this township after him. The Rev. Drury Fairbanks was settled in Plymouth, January 8, 1800, and was dismissed, March 18, 1818. Rev. Jonathan Ward was in- stalled, August, 1818, and was dismissed about the year 1829, I am now prepared to return to Haverhill and Newbury, and to relate some events which oc- curred there at a later period of their history. And as I have a sad tale to relate of the Indians, who lived at Coos for many years after the settle- ment by the EngHsh, I will here commence it. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 179 I have already stated the evidence we have, that Newbury was an old Indian encampment, and that it was with great reluctance the Indians yielded up their interest in the Coos. That was a fatal step with the Indians, when they con- nected their destiny with that of the French ; for they became identified with the enemy. They were greatly reduced in number, and when the French were subdued, the Indians fell with them, and they lost their remaining possessions, principally in New England. But after the old French war, there were some of the St. Francois tribe returned to the Coos, and lived until a more recent date, when they became entirely extinct. Among those who returned, there were two families of special distinction — John and /oe, or Captain John, and Captain Joe, as they pre- ferred to be called. John belonged to the St. Francois tribe, and had been a chief of some note with them. He was at the battle of Brad- dock's defeat, and used to relate how he shot a British officer, after he had been knocked down by the officer ; and how he tried to shoot young Washington, but could not. He had repeatedly used the tomahawk and scalping knife upon the defenceless inhabitants of Massachusetts and New Hampshire ; and when he was excited by 180 HISTORICAL SKETCHES spirit, he would relate his deeds of barbarity with fiendish satisfaction. He related how he mutilated a woman by cutting off her breasts, at the time of an assault upon the inhabitants near Fort Dummer, and he would imitate her shrieks and cries of distress. He was present at Bos- cawen, N. H., at the time the Indians surprised the inhabitants of that place. It must have been m 1746, or 1754. He related how they took an old woman, and as they found she could not travel as fast as they wished to retreat, lie stmck her on the head with a tomahawk, and he said she made a noise like a calf that is wounded on the head. He was a fierce and cruel Indian, and was the terror of the boys at Coos as long as he lived. He was, however, a staunch friend to the Colonies during the war of the revolution. He received a captain's com- mission, raised a part of a company of Indians, and marched with the Yankees against Bur- goyne. John had two sons — Pi-al, and Pi-al-Soosup,* both very different from their father in their disposition, being mild and inofi'ensive in their deportment. Pi-al-Soosup was in the company commanded by Capt. Thomas Johnson, near Fort Independence, in 1777, and as it was his * French sound of t, like e. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 181 first essay in arms, he was a good deal terrified when the battle commenced, on account of the tremendous roar of cannon from the fort and a British ship in the lake ; but as the firing from the ship and fort went over them, and did not much execution, except among the tops of the trees, Pi-al became reassured, and turning to Capt. Johnson, said, '' Is this the way to fight ?" ''Yes," said Johnson; ''fire! fire!" "I say," said he, '-'this is good fun;" and, raising his gun, fired. Captain Joe was a young man when he came to Coos. He belonged to a tribe in Nova Sco- tia ; but when Louisburg was taken, his tribe was scattered when he was very young, and a remnant, he among the rest, made their way to the St. Francois tribe, and he grew up with them. This will show that there was some connection between the eastern Indians and those of the north ; and it confirms the tradition with the Indians at Coos, that when their fathers heard of Lovewell's fight, they said, " They must soon leave Coossuck." Undoubtedly, Co- ossuck was the connecting link between Canada and all south and east in New England. .foe was a very difi'erent character from John. He was amiable, and never sought a quarrel. It used to be his boast, that he never " pointed the 16 i^i HISTORICAL SKETCHES gun ;" meaning, at his fellow man. Joe's wife went by the name of Molly ^ and she had two sons by a former husband when they came to Coos. The history of this affair is, that Joe was a great favorite among the fair daughters of St. Francois^ and that Molly proved unfaithful to her first husband, and eloped with her two children^ in order to enjoy the society of Joe in the States. Her sons^ names were Toomalek and Muxa- Wuxal. Muxa-Wuxal died without causing Joe and Molly an^^ more grief than they experienced iw his loss ; but it was far different with Too- malek. He Avas literally a child for the fire. He was low in stature, wanting two inches of five feet, but had broad shoulders and haunches, and possessed extraordinary muscular powers. His thick, stiff hair grew down upon his fore- head within one inch of his eyes, and his coun- tenance was truly fiendlike. He had a murder- ous disposition, as the sequel will show. As he grew up, he became enamored of a young squaw, named Lewa ; but another Indian, named Mitch- el, was his successful rival, and married Lewa. But Toomalek determined on murdering Mitchel, and taking his wife. He accordingly prepared his gun, and watched for an opportunity to exe- cute the horrid deed. It was not long before Toomalek discovered Mitchel and his wife seated OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 183 by a fire in the evening, at the upper end of the Ox Bow in Newbury, at the foot of the hill, just where the river turns north. They were seated side by side, happy for the present, and happy in anticipations, to ail human view. Toomalek took aim, and discharged his gun at Mitchel ; but Lewa received the ball in her breast, and expired that evening. Mitchel was wounded, also, by the same ball which killed Lewa, or there were two balls discharged ; but he soon recovered from his wound. Toomalek was tried for his crime by his Indian peers, Old John pre- siding, and he was acquitted upon the ground that he did not mean to kill Lewa, but Mitchel ; and as he did not kill Mitchel, he was no mur- derer ! This was making nice distinctions, and it shows that these untutored beings were adepts in the science of casuistry. But Old John was the sole means of his acquittal. But Toomalek still cherished a rancorous enmity towards Mitchel, and his escape from justice, in the first instance, encouraged him to m.ake a second attempt upon the life of Mitchel, who had taken another wife as attractive as Lewa. Toomalek took a bottle of rum and a white man, Ebenezer Olmsted by name, and went to the wigwam of Mitchel, and commenced treating the company. Olmsted observed that 184 HISTORICAL SKETCIIE.'? Toomalek drank but little, whilst Mitchel in- dulged freely in his potations. When Mitchel began to be excited by the spirit he drank, he commenced upbraiding Toomalek for the murder of his wife, and for the wound inflicted on him. After much crimination and recrimina- tion, promoted and aggravated by Toomalek for a specific purpose, Mitchel drew his knife upon his foe, and made a feeble pass at him. Too- malek then drew his knife on Mitchel, and gave him his death-wound at once ! For this offence, Toomalek had his trial, and was acquitted, be- cause Mitchel made the first assault, and Too- malek argued that he killed Mitchel in self- defence ; yet all were satisfied that Toomalek was the sole means of promoting the quarrel, and that he did it that he might have an excuse for killing Mitchel. But Old John, who delighted in blood, was still using his influence to preserve the life of Toomalek ; and he did it, as Providence over- ruled it, to bring upon himself and family a terrible calamity — nothing less than the murder of his elder son, Pi-al ; and he did it on this wise. Toomalek, Pi-al, and several others, were over on Haverhill side, and called at Charles Wheeler's house, son of Glazier Wheeler, on the little Ox Bow, about eleven o'clock in the OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 185 forenoon. They were disposed to be somewhat noisy and turbulent at that time, and manifested that they had been drinking spirit. They asked for some there, but obtained none. They left Wheeler's before noon, and proceeded eastward. Sometime in the afternoon, they came along near where the old court-house stood in the north parish in Haverhill, west of Major Mer- rill's house, now Mr. Hibbard's, where they met a young squaw from Newbury, who began to rally Pi-al on some past acts of gallantry. Pi-al returned upon her measure for measure, wliich the young lady took in dudgeon. She could give, but not receive a joke. Perhaps Pi-al jested too near the truth. She turned aside, and held a brief conversation with Toomalel':, in a low voice, a.nd then passed on. Toomalek then stepped back to his companions, and walked south by the side of Pi-al; and in a few mo-* ments he drew his long knife, and by a back- hand stroke, plunged it into Pi-aPs throat, it entered at the top of the sternum, and descended to the lungs. Pi-al ran with the blood spouting from the wound a few rods, and fell lifeless upon the ground. It was supposed that in this in- stance, Toomalek killed Pi-al in obedience to the expressed wish of tlie young squav/ ; but he never criminated her. His companions ran and 16* 186 HISTORICAL SKETCHES carried the news of the murder to their English neighbors, and Toonialek was taken into custo- dy, without resistance, or an attempt to escape^ and was carried across the river into Newbury^ for his trial the next day. When the news came to Old John, that Toomalek had killed his son Pi-al, he was overwhelmed with it, and his con- science awoke to its duty. He was almost fran- tic through agony. He confessed his sin in sparing the life of a murderer in the two previous instances already stated. He said, God had brought this calamity upon him for his sin ; and both he and his wife spent the whole night in loud lamentations and self-reproaches. The next day, in the forenoon, a court was called to try Toomalek, and after all the evi- dence Vv^as obtained, they unanimously gave verdict aga,inst him, and said he must be shot. They appointed, however, a deputation to wait on the Rev. Mr. Powers, to know whether that decision was agreeable to the word of God. After hearing the evidence, he told them he believed it was, and they immediately set about carrying it into effect. By Indian law, Old John must be the executioner, as he was the nearest by blood to the slain, and he must avenge the blood of his son. The ground floor of the old court-house, standing opposite the burying ground OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 187 at the west, was the place designated for the execution. Toomalek came to the place him- self, without guard or attendance, where John stood in readiness with his loaded musket. He seated himself upon the floor, said his Catholic prayers, covered his eyes, and said — '' Mack bence ; " that is, '* Kill me quick ! " John stepped forward, put the muzzle of the gun near his head, and he was dead in an instant ! Joe and Molly were both present at the execution of her son ; and as soon as it was over, Joe took one arm, and Molly the other, and they dragged the body from the house and buried it. Molly had mourned and wept bitterly for the death of Muxa-Wuxal, which happened the same season ; but she never shed a tear over the grave of Toomalek, nor was she ever heard to speak his name afterward. Old John was afterward found dead by the side of a log, at the foot of the hill, near the present garden of William Johnson. Old Joe ^vas a staunch whig, although he had no predilection for war himself. The " red coats" had broken up and dispersed his tribe in NoVja Scotia, and he never would forgive them. He rejoiced in every success of the Colonies. He and Molly paid a visit to General Washington, at his head-quarters on North River, and he was re- ceived with marked attention. It was his boast 188 HISTORICAL SKETCHES to the lastj that he had shook hands with Gen. Washington, and he and Molly were invited to sit at the general's table, after he and the other officers had eaten. And so great was his anti- pathy to the king of England, that he never V7ould enter his dominions after the war. Some of his friends of the 4S.t. Francais tribe came down to Newbury on purpose to persuade him and Molly to return : but Captain Joe would hear nothing to it. He would take his huntin2r ex- cursions at the extreme north of Vermont, but not pass into Canada. He and Molly went to Derby one season for a hunt, and built them a wigwam. The Indians of St. Francois heard of it, and came out and stole Molly, when Joe was hunting, and carried her off to their quar- ters, in hopes that Joe would follow ; but he would not. And having followed a moose two days in full expectation of taking him, when he came to find that the moose had crossed into Canada, he stopped short and said — "Good bye. Mr. Moose ! " turned upon his heel, and sought his repose in the states. Joe and Molly have each a pond called after them in the town of Cabot. Joe's Pond empties Hself into the Passumpsic by Joe's Brook. Mol- ly's Pond discharges its waters into Lake Cham- plain b^T* Onion River. Joe survived Molly many OF THE coos COUNTRY. 18t) years. When he became old, and was unable to support himself, the legislature of Vermont voted him a pension of seventy dollars annually. He spent his last years with Mr. Frye Bailey, of Newbury. He departed this life, February 19, 1819, aged about 79 years. Report made him much older than that ; but it could not be true, if he was so young at the taking of Louisburg that he could not recollect the name of his tribe. At his funeral, the principal men of the town attended. He was buried in the south-eastern corner of the burying ground. His gun, which was found loaded after his death, was discharged over his grave. His snoiv-shoes are with Mr. Frye Bailey. With Capt. Joe fell the last of the Indians at Coossuck, that once fairy land of long-slumbering generations ! We have already spoken of the war of the revolution when upon individual character, forti- fied houses, and commanders of companies, (fee. But these times require more distinct considera- tion in these annals, because they form an epoch \n our history ; and because they embrace many things which serve to develop causes which for a long period have lain concealed from general observation ; which causes cannot fail to interest the descendants of those who bore the burden 190 HISTORICAL SKETCHES and heat of the day, in which our independence was achieved. The first settlers at Coos sus- tained, in common with their brethren, all the hardships which were brought on the Colonies by the war of the revolution ; and, owing to their peculiar circumstances, they were called to additional burdens, almost too grievous to be borne. They were yet struggling with the pri- vations and inconveniences necessarily attendant upon new settlements, remote from old towns and a ready market. They were frontier settle- ments. They were contiguous to the strong- holds of the enemy, and were continually exposed to their savage incursions. And what was worst of all, Vermont was not an acknowledged state, although she had often requested to be received into the Union. This was owing to conflicting claims to these Grants, set up by the states of New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. No two of them could agree who should have them, yet all could agree to oppose in Congress the admission of Vermont into the Union as an independent state ; and so influential were those three states at that time, that Congress did not dare to decide contrary to their wishes, although they might see manifest injustice in their oppo- sition. The British were fully aware of the excited state of feeling in Vermont in regard to OF THE coos COUNTRY. 191 this subject, and as Yermont was rejected by her sister Colonies, they entertained strong hopes that they should detach her from the common interest of the Colonies, and bring her to espouse the cause of the mother country. To this end the British made every possible effort by promises and threats. Their scouts traversed the whole territory, promising the most liberal rewards to all who would befriend them, and threatening vengeance upon the lives and property of those who should adhere to the interests of the Co- lonies. Yermont had a difficult part to sustain in the grand drama then being acted. She stood be- tween two or more fires, and it required all her physical powers, and all her finesse, not to foun- der in Scylla or Charybdis. The alluring pro- mises of the British had actually brought many to feel favorably inclined to their cause, and it is thought that there were some of this descrip- tion in high places. Others would listen to these proposals of the British for self-preserva- tion ; for now these Grants were left to repel all invasions single handed. It was also true that tories from other states sought a retreat in the Grants, where they were less liable to arrest, and where they could with greater facility maintain correspondence with the British. And so it was, 192 HISTORICAL SKETCHES that the British came in possession of all the movements of the Americans, as soon as any plan was matured against the enemy. But we ought here to state that there were many true- hearted Americans in the Grants ; men who were ready to sacrifice their property and to lay down their lives in defence of their country ; and those who took the field did nobly, and, by their heroic deeds, they gained the distinctive appellation, the Green Mountain Boys, a title which their descendants are proud to bear to this da3^ The policy which the leading men of that day adopted was, not to declare, either that they would or would not be independent of the mo- ther country ; intending thereby to save them- selves from an invasion by the British, and, at the same time, to present motives to Congress for receiving them into the Union. This was a difficult part to perform, owing to the ardor with which the British pressed the subject for an im- mediate decision ; but it was maintained, and Vermont finally seciu'ed her utmost wishes. But while these things were transacting, there were men, in almost every town, who had ren- dered themselves very obnoxious to the displea- sure of the British and tories, and they were unwearied in their endeavors to get them into their hands. The tories were relied upon by OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 193 the British for those captures, and they were by far the most dangerous foe that our men had to contend with. They would intrude themselves into the families of the whigs under the mask of friendship, draw forth the secrets of their breast, convey them to the British, and then lead on a scouting party to the threshold of their neighbor, or, in his absence, kill his cattle or set fire to his dwelling in the dead hour of night. We can hardly conceive how distressing such a state of suspense and watchful anxiety must have been during the long period of eight years. But Newbury was annoyed by these means far more than Haverhill, for those scouts of the enemy had not the temerity to cross the river well knowing that a retreat would be next to impossible. There were several men in Newbury who had, by their devotion to their country, excited the enmity of the British and tories to a high degree, and they were resolved on taking them One was the Rev. Peter Powers, who had preach- ed and done every thing in his power to sustain the_ cause of the Colonies, and he had already buried his oldest son, Peter, in the army. But as I have previously stated, Mr. Powers moved on to Haverhill side for his security. Gen. Jacob Bailey was another of these men. He was a 17 194 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES very prominent man at that day. He possessed great influence with his countrymen, and the Indians looked up to him as a father. He acted as quarter-master-general to the troops stationed at Newbury and in the vicinity, and the Indians were not overlooked in the distribution of the daily rations. He retained their friendship dur- ing the war. The British felt it so important to secure Gen. Bailey, that they offered a heavy reward for his person, and many plans were con- certed for his capture : but they never succeeded. Col. Thomas Johnson was another man whom they considered as a notorious rebel, as he had distinguished himself at the taking of Ticonde- roga and I he siege of Mount Independence, in the autumn of 1777. At that time, Johnson went out as captain of a volunteer company from Newbury ; but he acted, a part of the time, as« aid to Gen. Lincoln. When the British surren- dered at Ticonderoga, one hundred of the prison- ers were given in charge to Col. Johnson, and he marched them back into the country, where they would not be exposed to a recapture, and where they would not diminish the rations of our men at the fort. The British, of course, were desirous of taking Col. Johnson ; but he eluded all their vigilance until the spring of 1781, when they succeeded in capturing him. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 195 It was on this wise. Col. Johnson had contract- ed to build a grist-mill in Peacham, and when he went up with the mill-stones in March, he put up at the house of Deacon Jonathan Elkins, in Peacham, which house was surrounded in the night by some British and tories, was broken open, and Johnson, Jacob Page, Jonathan and Moses Elkins, sons of Deacon Elkins, were taken prisoners. But as I have Col. Johnson's journal of this date, it may be more interesting to give the journal itself, ^^ March 5, 1781. This morning early, went over to Haverhill with my teams for my mill- stones. Returned before dinner, shod my oxen, took dinner, and set out for Peacham at 2. P. M. This night put up at Orr's, in Ryegate. " Tuesday, 6th. This day, being thawy and bad going, I was obliged to leave one of my mill-stones within one mile of the place where we lodged. This night arrived at Peacham with the other mill-stone. Lodged at Mr. Elkins'. " Wednesday, 1th. This morning, finding my oxen lame, I sent Mr, Josiah Page, with the oxen, home. Hired Jonathan Elkins, with his oxen, and went back, and took the other mill- stone, and returned to Peacham. Should have returned home myself this evening, but was a little unwelL 196 HISTORICAL SKETCHES '' Thursday, Sth. This morning, about twelve or one o'clock, I awaked out of my sleep, and found the house beset with enemies. Thought I would slip on my stockings, jump out of the window, and run. But before that, came in two men with their guns pointed at me, and challenged me for their prisoner, but did not find myself the least terrified. Soon found two of the men old acquaintances of mine. I saw some mo- tions for tying me, but I told them that I submit- ted myself a prisoner, and would offer no abuse. Soon packed up, and marched, but never saw people so surprised as the family was. When we came to Mr. Davis', I found the party to con- sist of eleven men, Capt. Prichard commanding. Then marched seven or eight miles, when day- light began to appear. I found Moses Elkins looked very pale. I told the captain he had bet- ter let him go back, for he was drowned when he was small, and that he would not live through the woods. He said he would try him further ; but on my pleading the pity it would be to lose such a youngster, he sent him back. We soon halted for refreshment. To my great surprise, I found John Gibson and Barlow of the party. Then marched about four miles, and obtained leave to write a letter and leave on a tree, then marched. I was most terribly tired and OF THE COOS COUNTRY. " T faint. Camped down on the River Lamci.^e this night. •^ Friday, 9th. This day marched down .lo River Lamoille, about twelve miles below the forks. One of the finest countries of land that ever I saw. Camped about eleven o'clock at night. ''Saturday^ 10th. This day marched to the lake. Underwent a great deal by being faint and tired. The captain and men were very kind to us. A stormy and uncomfortable night. ^^ Sunday, 11th. This morning went on to the lake ten miles, north of the mouth of the River Lamoille; marched fifteen miles on the lake, then crossed the Grand Isle ; marched ten miles to Point Au Fer. Dinner being on the table, I dined with the commandant of that fort, and supped with him. Was well treated. ''Monday, 12th. This day marched to the Isle Au Noix, went into the fort, into a baii-ack, got a cooking ; but the commandant ordered the prisoners out of the fort to a block-house ; but soon had sent me a good dinner and a bottle of wine. Then Capt. Sherwood called on me to examine me. In the evening, Capt. Sherwood and Capt. Prichard waited on me to Mr. Jones, where we drinked a bottle of wine. Captain Prichai'd and I slept there. 17* 196 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ''■ Tuesday, 13th. This day marched to St. jolin's. Col. St. Leger took me to his house, and gave me a shirt, gave me some refreshment, w liich I much needed. Told me I was to dine with him. Major Rogers and Esq. Marsh and others dined there. Then gave me my parole, which I am told is the first instance of a prisoner having his parole in this fort without some con- finement. Lodged with Esq. Marsh. " Wednesday, lAth. This morning, Esquire Marsh and I were invited to Capt. Sherwood's to breakfast. Then Capt. Sherwood took the charge of me, and I lived with him. To my great satisfaction, this evening came Mr. Spardain to see me, who v^ras a prisoner to me at Ti. He said, on hearing that I was a prisoner, he went to the commandant to inform him of the good treatment he and others had from me while they were prisoners to me. The commandant sent him to my quarters to inform me that my good treatment of them was much to my advantage." In this same journal, under date of June 14th. we have the colonel's impressions from witness- ing a Roman Catholic procession, and his views of the Canadians. He was at this time at Three Rivers. ^^ June l^th. This day there was a Roman OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 199 Catholic procession. Their walks, their shows, vety extraordinary. Their carrying God Al- mighty about the streets is something new ' me. I think it is a curse to the land, and a cu, se to their king, to have such a miserable set of mhabitants as these Canadians. They are the most ignorant, superstitious, idle, and careless set of people that can be thought of, spending half of their time in holidays and going to mass. The women wear riding-hoods the hottest wea- ther." This journal of Col. Johnson will show clearly the policy of the British towards different indi- viduals of the Grants, treating those of some distinction with great urbanity and kindness, in hopes of winning them over to their cause, and treating others with needless severity. Col. Johnson was treated with marked attention dur- ing his whole stay in Canada ; but it fared dif- ferently with Page and Elkins. Johnson was for some time kept at St. John's, and was allowed his parole — not a parole to go where he pleased, but a parole known in the military profession, which distinguishes between friends and enemies in camp ; and it is a privilege granted to certam individuals every day, and proclamation of it is made every day by a certain officer. 5:00 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Page was sent directly down to Montreal, and we never hear of him afterwards. Jonathan Elkins was carried directly down to (Quebec, and was there imprisoned, and suffered immense- iy from want until late in the fall of 1781, when he and one hundred and fifty others>were put on board a ship and sent to England, where they were confined in Mill Prison from February 9, 1782, till the 24th of June following. They had but two thirds the allowance of a common soldier, and they were miserably clad, most of them. Dr. Franklin, who was then our minister at France, hearing of their poor condition, sent each prisoner one shilling sterling per week, in addition to their allowance from the British government, and this was a great relief to them. Col. Elkins says to me under his own hand — '' There were among us forty captains of vessels, and many others who had some learning ; and when we got our shilling a week from Dr. Frank- lin, it was proposed that we, who had no learn- ing, should pay four coppers a week for school- ing, and soon many schools were opened. Among the rest, I procured paper, pen and ink, and a slate, and paid my four coppers per week for tuition. By this means, many who could nei- ther read nor write, got so much learning, that they were capable of transacting business for OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 201 themselveSj and a number of us learned the mariner's art, so as to be capable of navigating a ship. On the 24th of June, 1782, there wer€ one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three prisoners put on board a cartel, and sent to Ame rica in exchange for Lord Corn wal lis' grenadier and light infantry. And I returned with then to my native country. "JONATHAN ELKTNS. " Peacham, Vt., Dec. 8, 1832." We return again to see how it resulted wit Johnson. Notwithstanding Johnson was treate.' with so much apparent respect, he could not bi;i observe that he had his quarters often shiftr' from St. John's to Montreal, then to Chambl then to Three Rivers, and at each place he wouL i be interrogated by different officers relative the views and feelings of the inhabitants of tL... Grants, and what he thought of the prospe«:i;' of the Colonies. To all these and similar quiries he replied with as much apparent inc . ference to the cause of America as he corad show, never relating to them an untruth, tind still reserving to himself whatever he thou;;hi might be advantageous to them, and detrimei to America. And he had cause to congratu' ito himself for having adhered to this unifc ' course ; for he found out, after a while, that 302 HISTORICAL SKETCHES his conversation with these different officers, at different places, was penned down and sent to the supreme commandant, to be inspected by him, to see if his statements agreed. He canght the reading of a note, also, which was sent from one in high command to the young officer who had the charge of him. The purport of it was this — '• I take you to be a person of too much sense and intelUgence to be imposed upon by the prisoner." The young man's sense and intelU- gence were not enough to restrain him from occasional hard drinking, and at one of those seasons, he left this note exposed to Johnson's inspection. These things taught Johnson that after all their show of confidence in him, they were still suspicious of him ; and he thought, if they weie disposed to play Yankee with him, he would take a game with them at that. He accordingly affected more and more indifference to tlie cause of the Colonies, until they began to feel that if he was in other circumstances, he would render them essential service. Accord- ingly, after retaining him between seven and eight months, they told Johnson that if he would give them information of the movements of the Americans, supply their scouts with provision if called upon, and return to them when they de- manded, he might return home upon his parole. OF THE COOS COUNTRY. :3(.U5 Johnson assented to these stipulations, and signed the following instrument : — iC ■^5 I, Lieut. Col. Johnson, now at . John's, do hereby pledge my faith and word of honor to his excellency, Gen. Holdimand, whose per- mission I have obtained to go home, that I shall not do or say any thing contrary to his majesty's interest or government ; and that whenever re- quired so to do, I shall repair to whatever place his excellency or any other his majesty's com- mander-in-chief in ximerica shall judge expe- dient to order me, until I shall be legally ex- changed, and such other person as shall be agreed upon, sent in my place. '' Given under my hand at St. John's, this fifth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one. " Col. THOMAS JOHNSON." Upon Col. Johnson's signing this instrument, he returned home to his family at Newbury, and neither received any intelligence from the British, nor gave any, until January following, as we learn from a communication of Col. John- son to Gen. Washington, bearing date, May 30, 1782. In January, Col. Johnson received a let- ter from Capt. Prichard, by the hand of Levi Sylvester, of Newbury, and one from George 204 IIISTORIGAL SKETCHES Smith, in Canada. In February, 1782, Col. Johnson wrote a letter to Gen. Holdimand and one to Prichard, and sent them by Sylvester. He sent, also, two newspapers containing the account of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. A copy of those letters was sent to Gen. Washing- ton the May following, and a copy of Smith's letter to Johnson was also enclosed. Sylvester informed Col. Johnson that Major Rogers had come into the Grants at the head of a strong scout, and was then at Mooretown, now Brad- ford, and wished to see him that night ; but Johnson was detained, and did not go until some days after, and then he did not find Rogers, and did not see him at all. At this time Col. Johnson, feeling oppressed with his peculiar situation, bemg liable, on the one hand, to be viewed and treated as a traitor by the British, and on the other, to be numbered with the enemies of his country, determined to communicate to Gen. Washington all he had learned in his captivity, all he had done to obtain his liberty, and all he had done from the time of his leaving Canada, and his motives for doing so, and solicit the general's advice in respect to the course he had better pursue. He accordingly wrote a detailed account^ covering about nine pages of common-sized paper, too long to be OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 205 inserted in these sketches, agreeing, to wonderful exactness, with the statement the colonel made to me, near the close of life, although he did not know at that time that a single line of it was in existence, and expressed the deepest regret that he had not kept copies of his letters to Washington, and of Washington's letter to him. They have, however, since come to light, having been found among Washington's private papers, and are now in the possession of the Rev. Jared Sparks, of Cambridge, Mass., and have been by him tran- scribed and certified, at the request of Mr. David Johnson, of Newbury. This first paper to which I allude is an interesting document, and, would my limits permit, I should be pleased to give it entire to my readers ; but the letter accompany- ing, and those which followed, this communica- tion, will explain this whole affair, and revive many interesting facts which have lain dormant, perhaps, in the minds of the aged for many years. The letter accompanying the document beajs the same date of the document itself, and is as follows : "tHOS. JOHNSON TO GEN. WASHINGTON. " Newbury, 30 May, 1782. ''May it please your excellency to indulge me while I say, that in the month of March, i8 :^0G HISTORICAL SKETCflES 1781, I was taken a prisoner, as set forth in rar narrative, continued in Canada until September; when I obtained liberty to return home on parole, which I could effect only by engaging to carry on a correspondence with them. This was my view, to get what intelligence I was able respecting their plans and movements, and in hopes to be exchanged, that I might be able. ~m a regular way, to have given some important intelligence. I have taken such measures a» ap})eared most likely to eifect the same ; but as these have hitherto failed, I find the season so far advanced as not to admit of further delay without acquainting your excellency. " The proposed plans of the enemy for the last campaign were frustrated for want of provisions ; but they determined to pursue them this spring as early as possible. To this end, they have used their most unwearied endeavors with Ver- mont to prepare the way, which they have, in a great and incredible degree, brought to pass, and is daily increasing ; and unless some speedy stop is put to it, I dread the consequences. I entreat your excellency, that if possible, by a regular exchange, I may be enabled to give all the in- telligence in my power without hazarding my character, which, otherwise, I am determined to do, at the risk of my honor, my all — and, per- or THE coos COUNTRY. 207 haps, to the great injury of hundreds of poor prisoners now in their hands. Having had ex- perience, I am grieved to think of their situation. This infernal plan of treachery with Vermont (as I have often heard in Canada) was contrived before Ethan Allen left the British, and he was engaged on their side. It ran through the coun- try Hke a torrent, from New York to Canada, and the present temper of Vermont is a piece of the same. Were the people in general upon the Grants, on this side the mountains, to declare for New Hampshire or New York, it would be con- trary to the agreement of their leading men : and, unless protected by your excellency, the innocent with the guilty would share a misera- ble fate. This part of the country being sold by a few designing men, of whom a large number are very jealous, a small number have by me their informer, or otherwise, got the cer- tainty of it, and it puts them in a most disagree- able situation. They are desirous of declaring for New Hampshire ; but many of their leaders earnestly dissuading them from it, it keeps us in a tumult, and I fear the enemy will get so great an advantage as to raise their standard to the destruction of this part of the country. They keep their spies constantly in this quarter with- out molestation, and know every movement, and '20S HISTORICAL SKETCHES transmit the same directly to Canada ; and when matters take a turn contrary to their minds, Ave are miserably exposed to their severest resent- ment. I am entirely devoted to your excellency's pleasure. Should my past conduct meet your excellency's approbation, my highest ambition will be satisfied ; if not, deal with me as your wisdom shall dictate. I most earnestly entreat your excellency to meditate a moment on my critical and perplexing situation, as well as that of this part of the country, and that I may re- ceive by Capt. Bailey, the bearer, who will be able to give you further information, your excel- lency's pleasure in this affair. I beg leave to subscribe myself your excellency's most sincere and most devoted servant, "THOS. JOHNSON.'^ Col. Johnson stated in this letter what he verily believed to be true of the men in the Grants, who were carrying on a correspondence with the British. He viewed it just as it was viewed by the British, and he had no means of knowing any thing to the contrary ; but it ulti- mately appeared that some of these men, who were considered friends to the British, were play- ing a deep game, in which the British, the Continental Congress, and themselves, were dis- OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 20U linct parties. These men were determined that Vermont should be a distinct and independent community, like the other states ; but as Con- gress would not receive them, and had withdrawn their troops that had been sent for their defence, they managed as they could with the British to preserve the Grants from invasion. There is no doubt but the British Avere completely deceived by them, and Ethan Allen procured an engage- ment, on the part of the British, that no hostili- ties should be carried on against Vermont. The principal men in this understanding were Thomas Chittenden, Moses Ptobinson, Samuel Safford. Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, Timothy Brownson, Johiv Fasset, and Joseph Fay. But at the same time, the British correspondence with them was trans- mitted to Congress, by these men, to operate as an inducement for Congress to receive them into the Union, and Ethan Allen wrote to Congress in the following bold and impassioned language : — '' I am as resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont, as Congress are that of the United States, and rather than fail, will retire with the hardy Green Mountain Boys into the caverns of the mountains, and wage war with human nature at large." But surely there was enough seen and heard in Canada, at the time CoL Johnson was prisoner there, to make IS* 210 HISTORICAL SKETCHES any friend of his country tremble for the con- sequences. But we have Gen. Washington's answer to Col. Johnson's letter of the 30th May, 1782. ** To Capt, Thomas Johnson^ Exeter, N. H. earl of great price, and still survive. During that season, more than seventy persons became hopeful subjects of renewing grace. And al- though that church and people have witnessed repeated revivals of religion with them since that period, yet the elders among the people have never witnessed, as they think, the power of divine grace in equal degree. I have myself, OF THE COOS COUNTRY. 225 while rejoicing with the newly converted m that place, and feeling that we witnessed great things, been reminded of the different feelings that were experienced by the Jews at Jerusalem, at the laying of the foundation of the second temple, on their return from captivity, when I heard the old saints speak of what they had witnessed. It will be recollected that the younger Jews, who had never seen the first temple, rejoiced greatly m the prospect of having a temple for worship. The older Jews rejoiced also ; but when they contrasted their then present circumstances with what they had been in the glory of the first temple, for a time grief preponderated in their breasts, and there was a mixed shout of joy and grief. So it has repeatedly been at Haverhill. The converts of 1790 have ever been disposed to meditate on the power of divine grace of that year ; and although they could rejoice in the day of small things, yet they have longed to see one more day of the right hand of the Most High. On the i3th of October, 1790, the church was first organized. Rev. Dr. Burton, Rev. Dr. Bur- roughs, and Rev. Mr. Ward, of Plymouth, offi- ciated. Twenty-two members constituted the church at its organization. Rev. Ethan Smith was their first pastor. He was ordained, January 25, 1792, and continued their pastor a little more 226 HISTORICAL SKETCHES than seven years; dismissed, June 23, 1799. The Rev. John Smith succeeded Mr. Ethan Smith, and was ordained, December 23, 1802, and continued their pastor a Uttle more than four years ; dismissed, January 14, 1807. From this time to January 4, 1815, the church and eccle- siastical society had no pastor, nor had they uninterrupted preaching, but had many candi- dates and occasional preaching. And here we hav€ a melancholy exhibition of the mutable state of every church on earth. The church that was so flourishing in 1792, was reduced in July, 1814, at the time when I commenced my labors among them, to twelve members in the south parish, — three males, and nine females, — and a covering of sackcloth was spread upon the tent of Zion. But eight persons within the limits of the parish had made a public profession of religion for the last twenty-two years. Two were received under the Rev. Ethan Smith, from 1792 to 1799 ; two under the Rev. John Smith, from 1802 to 1807 ; and four under the Rev. David Sutherland, of Bath, their moderator, from 1807 to 1814. In the same time there were one hundred and eight baptisms, four of whom were adults. In the autumn early of 1814, the people be- gain again to flow together to hear the word of OF THE COOS COUNIEY. 227 life, and a still, small voice was heard by many, saying, This is the way — walk ye in it. Many obeyed tiiat voice. It was impressively true, that the Lord did not advance, in this instance, in a "great and strong wind," nor in the earth- quake," nor in the "fire;" but his coming was as the ushering in of day. The first evidence of the King's presence was seen in the profound stillness which reigned in the worshipping as- sembly, and the fixed attention of the hearer. Christians began to feel that they were newly anointed from on high, and they prayed with tenderness and fervor, and sinners would drop a tear, when pointedly addressed upon the con- cerns of their souls. Soon we were told that this one, and that one, were deeply anxious for their spiritual interest. And these instances were multiplied until very many were pricked in heart, and would inquire to know what they must do to be saved. In a short time, some began to rejoice in hope ; and this solemn and joyful state of things continued through the remaining part of 1814, and more or less through 1815. On the 4th of January, 1815, I received ordination, and before the close of that year, I think, more than sixty were added to the church ; some be- came pillars, and remain so to the present day, although some have fallen asleep. 228 HISTORICAL sketches In 1822, we were blessed with another revi- val, but not so extensive as the former. Some were called and added to the church in 1826 ; and at the close of my ministry in this place, — which occurred, April 28, 1829, nearly fifteen years after I came among them, — there had been added to the church one hundred and nineteen members. There had been one hundred and ninety-one baptisms, thirt^^'-five of whom were adults. The Rev. Henry Wood was installed their pastor, December 14, 1831, and was dismissed, March 3, 1835. The Rev. Joseph Gibbs was ordamed their pastor, June 16, 1835, and depart- ed this life, April 11, 1837. Rev. Archibald Fleming was installed, June 27, 1838, and still remains their pastor. With my best wishes and my pmyers for their mutual prosperity and final salvation, I close these Sketches. Your much obliged and ever grateful friend, GRANT POWERS. APPENDIX. The two following anecdotes were originally written for newspaper publication ; but the publishers of the Historical Collections of New Hampshire, learning through the late Jesse Worcester, Esq., of Hollis, the historical accuracy of the two pieces in point of fact, adopted them both, as I have understood, into their Collections. But as comparatively few will ever read them in those Collections, and as the writer of the present Sketches was the author of those two commu- nications, he feels that he has an undoubted right to append them to this work ; and when we consider the peculiar agency and interest the two individuals, who are the hero and heroine in the anecdotes, had in the discovery and settlement of the Coos, we cannot but feel that our readers will be gratified in the perusal of those adventures. The writer often heard the aged widow of Capt. Powers relate the facts as here stated ; the language is, of course, his own. THE BOAR AND THE BEAR. The town of Hollis, in the county of Hillsborough, N. H., is one of the oldest towns in the county, and was first settled by Capt. Peter Powers and Anna, his wife, from Hampshire Dunstable, in 1831. Those early settlers were accustomed to the rearing of many swine, by permitting them to run at large in the woods, and to subsist upon roots, acorns, and nuts, which were produced in great abundance in the place. In the fall of the year, or at the time of the first deep snow, the older members of the herd, that were originally tame, would lead their numerous progeny into winter quarters, at a shed erected for that purpose some distance from the house, where the owner disposed of them as he pleased, although many of 20 230 APPENDIX. them were as untame and as ferocious as the beasts of the mountains. At that time, bears were plenty, and very hostile to swine. It became necessary, therefore, to provide for the defence of the herd by permitting one of the males to live several years beyond the period of life ordinarily assigned ta that species by man ; at which time he became literally the master of the fiock. His tusks protruded on either side, in nearly semicircles, to the distance of six or seven inches. He seemed conscious of his superiority and responsibility. He ^as fierce in the extreme, and courted danger ; and when the herd was assailed, he instantly presented himself to the foe, with eyes darting fire, with tusks heated to blueness, and foaminp" at the mouth in a terrific manner. He roamed the forest, unconscious of danger ; he led the herd ; and but few of the untamed tribes had the temerity to dispute his title to supremacy. It happened, however, on a certain day in autumn, when Anna stood in the door of her cabin, listening to the oft- repeated sound of the descending axe, or the crash of falling trees, while her husband was at his daily task, that she heard from a great distance the faint, yet distinct, cry of one of their herd. She thought it was the cry of expiring nature. She remained in this state of suspense but a short time, before the herd came rushing from the forest in the greatest apparent trepidation. The oldest dams of the herd, much exhausted, and without their common leader and protector, seemed in- clined to take refuge in the apartment which had been their retreat in former v/inters ; but the younger brandies of the family would not follow them. The dams, seeing this, dashed on through the cleared space, and disappeared in the forest on the north side. The cries of the wounded were still heard, but grew fainter and fainter, until wholly lost in death. But the anxious Anna had not removed from her position, before the old boar came rushing through the bushes in eager pursuit of his charge, which had eloped and left him in the rear by many a rood. He was fresh from the field of combat. He APPENDIX. 231 was bathed in blood, foaming at the mouth, gnashing his tusks, and exhibited a terrific aspect. Regardless of home, he approached a field of corn which grew near the cabin, and leaped the fence, not touching the topmost knot, although it was proof against horses which strayed through the woods from neighboring towns in Massachusetts. He passed di- rectly through the field without touching a kerne! of corn, and leaping the fence on the opposite side, disappeared in the woods. Not long after, the wished-for husband, whose pre- sence the gathering shades of evening, the deep solitude of the place, and the stirring events of the afternoon, had ren- rlered peculiarly inviting to the young partner of his toils and hopes, returned with his axe upon his shoulder, enlivening the forest with his evening whistle, and driving his old bell- cow before him, which summoned Anna with her milk-naii to 'her evening task- Scarcely had he secured the topmost rail to his yard enclo- sure, when Anna from the window of her cabin saw her husband held in anxious suspense. For some moments he paused and listened ; but turned and called, *' Anna, Anna, bring me my gun and ammunition in a minute, for the Old Master himself is worsted," They were at his hand in a trice. *' Look to yourself," said the husband,* and bounded into the forest. Pursuing with great speed the course whence the sound proceeded, which alone broke the silence of the evening, our adventurer soon found himself at the distance of about a mile and a half from his cabin, surrounded with black alders, so thickly set as to be almost impenetrable to man and beast. Before him lay Long Pond, so called, about one mile in length, and from a quarter to a half a mile, per- haps, in width. He was near midway of the pond, and the sound from the laboring boar and his antagonist (a mixed, frightful yell) proceeded directly from the opposite shore. Nothing now remained but for him to plunge into the pond, ** ladians were then numerous in the town. 232 APPEN-DIX. and make the opposite shore by beating the waves, or to divide him a passage amidst the alders around one of the extremities of the pond, which could not be done short of travelling the distance of another mile. But no time was to be lost. The cries of the boar bespoke the greatest need, and the latter course was adopted ; and in a space of time, and with the courage and energy which are scarcely conceived by the present generation, he arrived at the scene of action. Whose heart does not now misgive him, while nearing the battle ground, alone, in darkness, and all uncertain as to the nature of the foe ? But young Powers advanced with undaunted firmness. He was under the necessity of approaching near to the belligerents before he could make any discovery, by rea- son of the darkness of the night, rendered more dark by the towering trees, which mingled their branches at some sixty or seventy feet from the ground, and a dense underwood, which stood like a hedge continually before him. But as soon as he entered the area which had been beaten down during the action, he discovered the boar seated upon the ground, and still defending himself against the furious as- saults of the hugest bear his eyes ever beheld ! She was like his old bell-coic for magnitude ! He drew his gun to an am, when he perceived, obscurely, that the bear was on a line with him and his hog, and he could not discharge his piece without putting the life of the latter in jeopardy ; and, as he was moving in a circular direction, to procure a safe discharge, he was discovered by the bear, and she bounded into the bushes. Powers now came up to the boar, and witnessed Buch tokens of gladness as surprised him. It was, however, too solemn an hour with the swine to lavish upon his deliverer Unmeaning ceremonies. As soon as he found himself released from his too powerful antagonist, he prostrated himself upon the ground, and lay some time, panting and groaning in a manner truly affecting to his owner. Powers now discharged his gun, with a view to terrify the beasts of prey, and keep them off during the night. He struck and kindled a fire, APPENDIX. 233 and upon a slight examination, he found that his hog was lacerated in his rear in a shocking manner. He was utterly disabled from rising, except upon his fore feet. But to show the indomitable nature of the animal, I will relate that the boar, after some little time, recovered in a degree from hie extreme exhaustion, and gaining the same position he had when his owner found him, began to beat a challenge for a renewal of the combat. Again his eyes flashed with rage, Jie stamped with his fore feet, he chafed, gnashed with his tusks, and foaming at the mouth, he looked around with the greatest apparent firmness for his antagonist. Our adven- turer now drew together fallen wood sufficient to support a fire through the night, burnt powder around his swine, an<: returned to his cabin, where he was never more joyfully received by the young wife, who, during all this while, hau remained listening at the window in painful solicitude. The next day, some help was obtained, as one family* had, prior to this, moved in and settled in the south-west part of ihe town, and the battle ground was revisited. The boar had not moved out of his place, hut was still weltermg in his blood. With much labor he was conveyed home in a cart, and, as he never could becom.e the defence of the herd again, he was yarded, fattened, and killed, and helped by his death 10 promote that existence to the family which he could no longer do by his life. With a view to account for the melancholy fate cf the boar. Powers and his associates v/ent in search of the swiinf that was destroyed in the afternoon of the preceding day. They found one of their largest hogs slain by a bear, and, near to, a large bear was as evidently slain by the boar. From this they inferred that the first hog was mortally wounded by a bear in the absence of the boar ; but the cries of the wounded soon brought the Master^ when a battle ensued, in which the bear was slain, not, however, without loss cf blood * Eleazer Flagg. 20* 234 APPENDIX. with the boar ; that during this first action, the rest of the herd fled, and that the boar was in pursuit of them when be passed the cabin through the field ; that after running some miles, at the point of exhaustion, he fell in with a still more powerful antagonist, when his fight was comparatively feeble^ and he fell overpowered^ but not subdued, as it has fallen out with many a Greek and Roman hero. AN ADVENTUROUS VISIT. When Capt. Peter Powers and Anna, his wife, first pitched their tent in Hollis, 1731, which was a little north-west of the present meeting-house, the traces of which are still visi- ble, their nearest neighbor lived in the south-eastern part of Dunstable, N. H., a distance, probably, at this time, often miles, and could not be made at that period at a less travelling distance than twelve miles, as they had no road but a single track, and spotted trees for their guide. This journey could not be made in the summer season without fording the Nashua, which was done a little south- east of a small island, visible at your left, as you now pass the bridge, going from Hollis, N. H., to Dunstable, Mass. ; and here the river was fordable only when the streams were low. Of course, these lonely adventurers made their visits but seldom, and never with a view to be absent from their habitation during the night, as they were then the parents of two children, whom they were necessitated to leave at home, in a cabin surrounded with Indians. Indeed, never did both parents leave their children and perform this rout in company. Now, it happened on a summer's morning, in the month of August, that the wife, Anna, found it convenient to visit her neigkbar, and mounting at an early hour a fine Narra- ganset, a faithful and tried companion in adventures, the river APPENDIX. 235 was soon forded; and the whole distance was made, long ere it was high noon. The interview was such as characterized the first settlers in this new country, where warmth of affec- tion more than supplied the place of a thousand ceremonies, and a sense of dependence prompted to the discharge of kinder offices than mere refinement would recognize as obli- gatory on her. The hours passed swiftly away — they lived fast — they ate, they drank, they talked much, and blessed God and their king. Nor did a single occurrence tend to interrupt their festivity until about three past meridian, when all were suddenly aroused by a distant, though heavy, discharge of heaven's artillery. All rushed to the door to witness the aspect of the elements, when, lo ! it was most threatening and appalling! Nature all around slept, or seemed to be awed into a deathlike silence. Not a leaf moved but when the foundations of the earth responded to the voice of heaven. Already, from north to sonth, the whole western horizon was mantled in black, and the gathering tempest moved forward as slowly and sublimely as though conscious of its power to deride all resistance ! Not until this moment did anxious concern possess the breast of Anna for the objects of her affections, whom she had left in that lone, dear cell. In a kind of momentary distraction, she demanded that Narragan- set should be pannelled, for she must return to her family that afternoon, whatever might be the consequences to herself. She had rather brave the tempest returning, than endure her forebodings with her sheltered friends. But a sudden change m the elements did more to dissuade her from so rash an at- tempt than the entreaties and expostulation of her friends. From an apparent calm, nature now awoke and seemed to be rushing into ruin. As though the north called unto the south, and the west unto the east, the four winds came on to the conflict. Clouds were driven hither and thither in angry yelocity, and all seemed to be propelled in directions counter 236 APPENDIX to each other. The tempest soon burst upon them, and on the whole adjacent country, in an unparalleled torrent. No- thing was heard but the crack or roll of thunder, and the roar of winds and waters — nothing seen but the successive blaze of lightning ! " Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether." The said Anna lived until rising somewhat of ninety years, and could remember distinctly more than eighty years ; but, in all this time, she never witnessed such a scene, nor could she relate any thing which seemed to raise such sublimity of feeling iTi her mind as this. The tempest lay upon them with unabated force several hours, nor did it appear to spend itself until the sun was just Kinking below the horizon, when it broke in upon drowned nature in all its smiles, and reflected its golden beams upon the black cloud at the east, in the most enchanting manner. This was the moment for Anna to renew her resolve of re- turning to her family that night ; and, contrary to all reason- ing and persuasions, she instantly put it in execution. She mounted her horse, and bidding adieu to her friends, she entered the twelve-mile forest just as the sun took his leave of her. She calculated upon a serene and star-light evening, and the extraordinary instinct of her beast, as well as her experience in the way and at the fords. But in regard to the former, she was wholly disappointed. The wind soon shifted, and rolled the same cloud back again ; the rain recommenced as the night set in, and the wind ceased. At that season of the year, the time of twilight was short ; the earth being warm and moistened, evaporation was rapid, and a dense fog arose, which scon obstructed vision, and, long ere she arrived at the fords, she was enveloped in total dark- ness. Her only guide now was her faithful Narraganset, and the beasts of the forest her companions. She, however, made the best of her circumstances. She entered into conversation APPENDIX. 237 with her mare, as was her custom when riding alone ; and when her beast stopped suddenly and tossed up her head, and snorted at some wild animal crossing her track, as was sup- posed, Anna would exliort her to possess courage, assuring her " that nothing could harm her, for the beasts were mere cowards in the presence of a brave horse," &c. After this manner, the long way to the fords was passed over in Egyptian darkness ; nor had the thought once oc- curred to Anna that so considerable a river as now rolled before her would be materially affected by a thunder storm of a few hours ; whereas, so great was the fall of water in this time that the river, although wide at this place, was bank full, and swept on with great rapidity. Nor could the rushing of the waters be heard by reason of the rain still pouring upon the forest around her. She therefore deter- mined to give the rein to her experienced beast, believing that she would keep the ford, and land her on the opposite shore at the proper place. The horse entered the stream as soon as at the bank, and in a moment lost her foot-hold on terra firma, and was plunging in the waves at a full swim. Such, however, was Anna's presence of mind, that she made no exertion to rein her beast, but endeavored simply to retain her seat, which was now under water, whilst the waves beat against her waist. The faithful animal made for the opposite shore ; but so strong was the current, that she was either carried below the ford, or, in her exertions to resist it, she overacted and went above it, where, at one sweep of her fore feet, she struck upon a rock in the bed of the river, which suddenly raised her somewhat from the water forward ; but she as soon plunged again, for the rock was cleared the second sweep. This plunge was so deep that Anna was borne from her pannel by the gravity of the water ; but pitching forward, she seized Narraganset's mane as she roee, nor did she quit her grasp, until they were both safely landed on the happy shore I — Adjusti'ng her clothes, she remounted, 238 APPENDIX. and soon found that her beast was in her accustomed track, and, in little more than one hour, she alighted at the door of her peaceful cabin, where, by her well-known signal,* she broke the slumber of her husband and babes, and on entering related, in no purer gratitude or greater joy than they expe- rienced in hearing, the result of that adventurous night. * Capt. Powers and wife agreed on a peculiar rap, which served as a kind of countersign to inform the one within that the other bad arrived and desired admission. This was necessary to prevent the intrusion of Indians, who would often rap at different hours of the nisjht. INDEX. Page. Bailey, Gen, Jacob, . . .36, 53, 193, 194, 217—220 Bailey, Col. Joshua, 51 Baker's River, 175—178 Barnes, J., lost son, 174 Bradford, Vt 163—168 Brook, Poole, 47 Brown, Josiah, 173 Burton, D. D. Rev. Asa, . .84, 92—96, 137—143, 157— 159, 161, 162 Canipton, 173 Cart with two tongues, . . .222 Chamberlain, John,. .144,145 Charters, 48 Clareraont, 132 Connel, John Mc, ..115—118 Cornish, 132 Cow, instinct of a, . . . .90 — 92 Crank, saw-mill, 70 — 73 Dearborn, Samuel, . . 168 — 174 Eastman, Amos, 14 Elkins, Col. Jonathan, ..195, 200, 221 Elkins, Dea. Jonathan, ... .53 Fairlee, East, 162, 163 Fifield's, A., lost son, . . . .167 Flood, 112—114 Freeman, Col. Otis, 79 Page. Foreman, John, 51 Groton, 172 Hanover,. . . .79—81, 132, 135 Harriman, Polly, 47 Hazen, Capt. John,. 36, 37, 43 Hebron, , 172 Hobart, Capt. James, . . . .168 Holderness, 172 Howard, Col. Joshua,. .44, 46 Howard, Deacon, 82 — 84 Hughs, John, 44 Indians, 175 — 189 Instinct of a Cow, 90—92 Johnston, Capt. Michael, ..46 Johnston, Col. Charles,. . .46, 92, 96—105 Johnston, Michael, . .37, 40, 45 Johnson, Col. Thomas, . . 48, 180, 181, 194—221 Kent, Col. Jacob, 50 Kent, Mary, 50, 51 Ladd, Hon. Ezekiel, 53 Ladd, Mrs. Ruth, 61, 62, 68, 69 Lancaster, 49 Lebanon, 132 Living and Dress, . .120—122 Lyme, 132 Mann, Esq., John,. .127— 130 Morse, Uriah, 46 St40 INDEX. Page. Norwich, Vt., 137-144 Orford, 127 Osmer, John, 163 — 165 Ox Bow, Great, old Indian settlement, 37 — 40 Page, John, 49, 70—73 Parker, Lieut. Z 168 Peabody, Nathaniel, 213 Peters, Esq., Andrew B. . .165 Pettie, John, 37, 40, 45 Pierraont, 122 Pigeons, 110, 111 Plainfield, 132 Plymouth, 105, 163—178 Plymouth, first ox-team from, 118,119 Powers, Capt. Peter, .15—32, 86—89 Powers, Rev. Peter,. .54—58, 77—99 Revivals, 223—225 Rogers, Col. Robert,. . .34, 35 Rumney, 172 Sleeper, Samuel, ..41,62—65 Sparks, Jared, 215 Stark, Gen. John, 13, 14 Page. Strong, Joel, 160, 161 Thanksgiving, 75 Thetford, Vt., 144—162 Thornton, 173 Tyler, Jonathan,. . . .122— 126 Wait's River,...-. 166 Walbridge, 79—81 Wallace, Mrs 149—151 Wallace, Richard,. . . .93—96, 115—121, 146—157 Warren, 172 Washington, Gen.. .204— 215 Ward, Rev. Nathan, .169, 170 Way, Mr 57,58 Weare, Meshech, .212 Webster, Ephraim, . .153—157 Webster, Lydia, 171 Wentworth, 172 Wheeler, Charles, 184 Wheeler, Glazier, 41, 44 WiUard, Oliver, 42,43 Woodward, Hon. James,.. 49, 65—72 Worms, 105—108 Wright, Benoni, 63, 64 \v^\ LE JL /