CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Date Due ^1924 081 304 226 M. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924081304226 fTOMju^ i^a&uu^ HISTORY OF THE TOWN HAMPTON FALLS NEW HAMPSHIRE FROM THE TIME OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT WITHIN ITS BORDERS I 640 UNTIL I 900 BY WARREN BROWN MANCHESTER, N. H. PRINTED BY THE JOHN B. CLARKE COMPANY 1900 M' < f i.;ft/ifvY A7~s-^^^ f J. I. -1 1^1^,0 9 Y1 lUHHVIt/iU A. H. W. L. E. C. 462 PREFACE. IiT my boyhood I listened with interest and pleasure to hear my grandfather, Jacob Brown, Messrs. Benjamin Sanborn, Moses and Eeuben Batchelder, Dea. Jeremiah Hobbs of Hampton, and other old men talk about the happenings, manners, and customs of their youthful days, and hear them relate the tales which had been told them by their parents of men and things in the earlier settlement of the country. During the past half century great changes have come about, which have drawn attention away from matters of this Idnd. The daily newspapers, magazines, and periodicals, with other things of interest rendered available by easy and rapid com- munication, have tended to draw attention away from these things until the traditional history of the past was in danger of being lost, unless it could be collected, written up, and published in a form where it could be preserved. With this purpose in view the writer has collected the material which appears in this work. In the winter of 1896-97, I visited Dea. Emery Batchelder many times. He was the only person living at that time who was acquainted, to any great extent, with the traditional history of the town; he had it as it had come down in liis family from father to son for five generations; he took great interest in such things and his knowl- edge was very full and complete. By comparing the notes obtained from him with the record books, I am able to locate nearly all the families whose names appear upon the record. The information thus obtained enabled me to get at other things much easier, and opened a way to much valuable matter. Had this work been de- layed for six months much of our history would have been forever lost, as Mr. Batchelder died soon after. To him this town will always be indebted for the preservation of much useful and val- uable information which could at that time have been had from no other source. 4 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. I am under great obligation to many persons who have rendered assistance in collecting material, and for the free use of their books and papers which have shed -much light upon the past history of the town. Among these are Mr. C. G. Toppan of Hampton, who loaned me the manuscript of the partially written history of Hamp- ton, prepared by his father, E. W. Toppan, Esq. From this much valuable material was obtained, together with many sketches of the early inhabitants. The Toppan manuscript was prepared with great labor and expense, and there eam be no doiibt of its reliability. I am under obligation to John T. Batehelder for the iise of the papers which have accumulated in the generations of his family (among them was found the first Thanksgiving proclamation issued by Governor Weare in November, 1784, and which appears in this work); to Ezra S. Stearns, late secretary of state, for valuable infor- mation and assistance, and for the concise and well-written chap- ter on Meshech Weare; and to the many others whom I have con- sulted, that have been more than willing to assist me in the work. The neglect of many families to register the marriages and births which occurred renders any extended genealogic work impossible; if attempted, only partial and imperfect work could have been done. As many of our families are recorded in Mr. Dow's history of Hamp- ton it is not so serious a loss. To take the place of this and to impart information of value, I have introduced the articles upon the "Homesteads," giving all the information obtainable under this head in a readable form. It is not impossible that some names and dates may be foimd incorrect, but there is no intention to misstate, or to make things appear different from what they were. In the article upon "Old Time Customs," nearly every thing there de- scribed has been seen by the writer, and much of it written from memory. There was danger that much ^vhieh enters into this book would be lost if the work was much longer delayed. A great deal was copied from the only originals in existence, and these were widely scattered, and not much pains taken to preserve them. AVithin fifty years the church records have been destroyed, and other books belonging to the town have disappeared, and there is no reason to su23pose that loss and disappearance would not con- tinue to go on. By collection and publication the past history will be in no danger of being lost, and will be valuable for reference. The material which enters into the history of this town is first- PREFACE. 5 class, and is excelled by no towns which I have ever examined, and only needs to be presented in a readable form to be ,very interesting. Some may think that too much attention has been given to common everyday matters, but in a staid old town like this startling events are not frequent; but in the long lapse of years, the aggregate of everyday events amounts to a great deal, and becomes interesting and valuable history, in which we all can take a commendable pride. It has been my purpose to give the facts, without comment or preju- dice, with no attempt to color them, and to allow the readers to form their own conclusions of men and things with no assistance of mine. Too many works of this kind are marred and injured by the evident purpose of the writer to make unduly prominent some church or family rather than to write impartial history. All this I have carefully tried to avoid. Not being identified with any of the churches, I have no interest to favor that of any sect or denom- ination, but have been glad to do honor to all the noble men and women of every denomination who have labored to suppress evil, and by whose work and example the community has been benefited and people led to higher, and better lives, and am willing to judge them, not by their profession, but by their fruits. I have not ad- mitted anything to the pages of this book without first being satisfied of its authenticity and correctness, having exercised great care in this respect, and have in no case drawn upon my imagina- tion to bridge over vacant places, nor have I allowed myself to arrive at too easy conclusions, which there is often a temptation to do when the writer may wish to prove some matter which may be in doubt. The portraits of the older men which appear were not inserted because some of them were my kindred, but because they are the representatives of a former generation of long ago, and to show how the men of that time looked. These pictures were taken about as soon as the process was perfected enough for practical use; the men were far advanced in years when the pictures were taken. It is impossible to produce lifelike pictures of any persons who ever lived in the town who were older than those here represented. It is to be hoped that the reader may talic as much pleasure in perusing these pages as the writer has in collecting them, and that the examination may not be without profit and some degree of sat- isfaction. WAEEEN BEOWN. Hampton Falls, July 1, 1899. CONTENTS. History op the Church and Parish Page 13 List of Marriages .... 128 Biographical Sketches 151 Military Record 238 Distinguished Guests . 268 Check-list of 1814 273 Fire Engine Company .... 275 Agricultural Fairs .... 278 Surplus Revenue 288 Province Rates, 1709 and 1727 . 290 Collector's Warrant in 1756 296 Colored People 298 State Line 299 Throat Distemper .... 301 Smallpox . .... 803 Cemeteries 307 Earthquake 310 Murders 312 Libraries . . . . 31.6 Town Hall ... . . 318 Town Meeting 323 Votes Passed .... 327 Cattle upon the Highways ... 330 Weare Bank 332 Mills . . . . 335 Salt Marsh 341 Stores . 344 Blacksmiths . . ... 348 Shoemakers . . . 35I Milk Business 353 Rockingham Academy . 366 Roads 366 Town Common 382 Local Names 386 Town Landing 390 Railroads ...... 394 8 HISTOBY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Ship Building Taverns Stokms .... Secret Societies Town Books . Town Officers Norfolk County . robiestowk ..... The Moui.ton Elm Weare Monument Warning Out .... The Eastern Stage Company Emigrants prom Hampton Falls List of Rates, 1747, 1768, 1787, 1800 List of Persons Taxed in 1830 Invoice of 1850 Extracts from Journals kept AND Warren Brown John Greenleaf Whittiek Old-Time Customs Schools .... Schoolhouses postoffice .... Some Peculiar Characters Homesteads BY David Batchelder 399 401 407 41S 416 419 429 433 44ft 441 444 44S 451 454 469 472 476 500 601 524 629 633 538 542 ILLUSTRATIONS. Wareen Brown . Rocky Hill Meeting-House Kev. Sereno T. Abbott William Browk . Elder George Moore Paine Rev. Zebulon Jones Rev. a. M. Bridge Levi Lane, Esq. . Frank B. Sanborn Alice Brown .... Rev. John Wheelwright . Residence of John Batchelder Gov. WeaHe Mansion . Thanksgiving" Proclamation Capt. John S. Godfrey Residence of Warren Brown Thomas Brown Residence of Thomas Brown John W. Dodge John B. Brown . Hon. George H. Dodge A View of the Marsh Rockingham Academy Rev. Lysander Dickermax . Wallace D. Lovell . Thomjvs Leavitt, Esq. . Charles T. Brown Map of Norfolk County Moulton Elm Levi Sanborn Maj. Jeremiah Godfrey Elmfield The Pillory . The Stocks . The Bilboes . Thomas Greenleaf Moulton Frontispiece. Page 62 82 92 100 104 108 128 150 164 196 200 206 252 272 312 314 332 334 338 342 356 360 398 418 428 430 440 468 482 600 520 522 523 646 10 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Dea. Emery Batci-ieldek Jacob Brown Dalton's Deed to Batchelder Moses Batchelder Dalton's Deed to Hilliakd Residence of Mks. John W. Dodge . Leavitt Homestead .... Agreement of Batchelder and Hilliard with Dalton 560 564 566 566 568 588 606 614 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. DESCEIPTION OF TOWN. Hampton Falls is situated in the southeastern part of Eocking- ham county, New Hampshire. It is bounded on the north by Exeter and Hampton, east by Hampton, south by Seabrook, and west by Kensington. Its geographical position, as determined by the United States coast survey, Weare monument, is, latitude, 42° 54' 57.87"; longitude, 70° 51' 34.54". Its altitude above sea level, as found in the survey of the pro- posed Exeter & Amesbury Eailroad, below the dam at Weare's mills is 41 feet; above the dam, 61 feet. The larger part of the area of the town is not more than fifty feet above sea level. The highest point in the town occupied by buildings is where Henry Johnson lives, on the Exeter road, within half a mile of the town line. The area of the town is 7,400 acres, 5,786 of which are improved land. There are 1,000 acres of salt marsh in the town. The area of Hampton is 8,130 acres; North Hampton, 8,465; Kensington, 7,045. Hampton Falls was formerly a part of Hampton. It did not have an act of incorporation making it a separate town at once, as most towns did. Its separation from the parent town was a gradual one. In 1709 a new parish was formed, a meeting-house built, and a minister settled. In 1718 permission was given to choose town or parish ofScers, and a representative. Our first town meeting was held and our town records began in 1718. In 1726 each town voted to raise their minister rates separately; up to that time they had been raised together. From that time Hampton Falls became an independent town and completely separated from the old town of Hampton. Hampton Falls was called a parish until the time of the Eevolutionary War, and Falls was generally written with a small "f" until about the same time. 13 14 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. In 1732 on all lands south of Taylor's river, including what is now Kensington and Seabrook, there were 256 polls, 144 two-story houses, 46 one-story houses; whole amount of invoice, £9,575; tax, £90 16s. 3d. At the same time in Hampton, including North Hampton, there were 257 polls, 142 two-story hoiises, 29 one-story houses; whole amount of invoice, £9,974 14s.; tax, £99 12s. 6d. The two towns at that time paid more than one sixth of the province tax. The population in 1685, all south of Taylor's river, was 212. Of the present town, in 1775, the population was 645; in 1790, 541; in 1800, 519; in 1810, 570; in 1820, 572; in 1830, 582; in 1840, 656; in 1850, 640; in 1860, 621; in 1870, 679; in 1880, 678; in 1890, C23. Number paying a poll tax in 1783 was 106. The surface of the town is undulating, and the soil generally fer- tile, producing good crops. The inhabitants have generally and are now engaged in the cultivation of the soil. Not much manu- facturing has ever been done in the town except the making of shoes. Cock and Great hills are composed of glacial drift, and not of ledge. The hills over the line in Essex county, Massachusetts, are of a similar character. This town, like Hampton and Seabrook, is drained directly into the Atlantic ocean by Taylor's and Falls rivers, and their tributaries. The extent of this watershed from east to west is about six miles, and from north to south ten or twelve miles. In 1770 Hampton Falls was a leading manufacturing town in the state. HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. The history of the church in most of the country towns is inti- mately connected with the history of the town itself, and would in many instances include a greater part of the town's early history, so closely were church and other matters blended in those early days. Any one attempting to write the history of this town would find themselves seriously handicapped by the absence of the church records. The church records of Hampton Falls were said by those who had examined them to have been very full and complete, and kept in excellent shape and condition during the entire time of the town ministry. These records were destroyed by fire when the house occupied by Eev. Mr. Bridge was burned in 1858, but fortu- nately a small book kept as a sort of diary of church events during the ministry of Messrs. Cotton and Whipple, the two first pastors of the church, was preserved. It is in their handwriting, and con- tains the church covenant, the names of those who organized the church, those who were baptized and admitted to membership, all the marriages consummated by them, and a pretty full record of the doings of the church until Mr. Whipple's health had become too much impaired to keep it. This record covers a period of nearly forty-five years. The handwriting of Mr. Cotton is easily read, being written in a round, legible hand; that of Mr. Whipple is written very fine, and cannot be easily or correctly read without the aid of a reading glass. This little book is unique in character and considered a great curiosity by lovers of the antique. It is of great value, containing, as it does, much information of great interest not now elsewhere to be found, which but for its fortunate preservation must have been forever lost. After Mr. Whipple's death until the end of the town ministry, what we know of the church history is mostly gathered from the town records, and it is neither full nor complete. We have reproduced largely from this little book to show the nature and amount of the work done and the influence of the church at that time. This book contains about two hundred 15 16 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. pages with a title page at each end, Mr. Cotton's records being written from each end. On one of the title pages is written: The Chh. Records ofE Hampton falls. Begine January sa 1712 By Theophilus Cotton Pastor of That Chh Turning the book over and be^nning at the other end, we find on page 2: Hampton, August 16, 1726, Died, the Eevd mr Theophilus Cotton, Pastor of the Second Church of Hampton — after a faithfuU Discharge of that office for nigh 15 years & was Deecntly Buried the 18 following att the Charge of the Parish 1 The Revd Theophilus Cotton was Ord: Jan 13* N. S. 1712 & Dyed Aug 27tl' 1726. A space of 14 years, 7 months & 14 Days. 2 The Eevd Joseph Whipple was ord. Jan isa N. S. 1727 & Dyed Feb 17tb 1758— A space of 30 years, 1 month & 2 Days. 3 The Revd Josiah Bayley, was ord. Oct. 19tb 1757 & Dyed Septr 12tli 1762 — a space of 4 years 10 months & 24 Days. 4 The Revd Paine Wingate was ord Dec 14*1' i763 & resig-ned his Pastoral Relation March 18tii 1776. A space of 12 years, 3 months & 4 Days. The history of the church in this town from the first settlement of Hampton in 1638 until a new parish was formed on the south side of Taylor's river in 1711 is identical with the church history of the old town. The people living upon the south side of the river Were regular in their attendance upon church service at the meet- ing-house in Hampton. Eevs. Stephen Batchelder, Timothy Dal- ton, John Wheelwright, Seaborn Cotton, and John Cotton were as much the ministers of this town as of Hampton. There is not much known of the church history during these men's ministry. If any records were kept they have been lost. So the amount of reliable data during that time is very small. We do know that our people Were taxed to the full amount of their polls and estates to support the minister in the old town. Christopher Hussey, Xathaniel Weare, and Samuel Shaw, who lived on this side of the river, were elected deacons at different times. Samuel Shaw resigned the office of deacon in the old church to accept a similar position in the church of the newly formed parish. HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. ' 17 There is no definite knowledge of the exact time when the first church was built in this town. The first record we find of anything looking in that direction \vas in 1665, when liberty was given the inhabitants of the Falls to build a house for their shelter, etc., and to set it near the old pound (which was upon the hill). Again, we find that the house for shelter and relief was for use on the Lord's day, aJid was to be used on that and other days when they should have occasion for it. The people living on the south side of Tay- lor's river were constant attendants at church on the Sabbath. This was a matter of principle with them, and they placed great value on the privileges of the sanctuary. But there were serious obstacles in their way to interfere with this privilege. Between their homes and the old church at Hampton was a long stretch of salt marsh with only an apology for a road; this was overfiowed and impassable during high tides. Had there been as good communica- tion as at present, there would probably never have been any church built or new parish formed, unless the increase in population should have required it. From this house, built in 1665 and used for social and prayer meetings, gradually grew the church. The church when built was near the site of the "Weare monument, and appears to have been a plain unfinished building, neither clap- boarded nor plastered, and was used for religious services some time before the settlement of the first minister, Mr. Cotton. The erec- tion of the church and the maintaining of the service was done by voluntary contribution without help from the old parish. At a town meeting in Hampton April 30, 1706, — Voted to repair the walls of the meeting' house, Earth all the clay walls and daub them, and wash them over with white lime. Mend the glass windows and cause Shetts to be made. To shingle it anew, and lay the floor over the beams, and to make a rate to pay the same. Nathaniel Weare, Joseph Cass, John Gove, and twelve others enter their dissent, not because they are opposed to the repair of the meeting-house, but because they are engaged in building a new meeting-house on the Falls side. At a Council and General Assembly in Portsmouth, December 3, 1709, the following petition of the inhabitants of the south part of Hampton was read at this board, viz.: To' his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esqr. Governor and Commander- in Chief, in and over her Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay^ 18 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and New Hampshire, and the Honorable the membeis of the Cowncel and Eepresentatives convened together in General Assembly now Sit- ting. The humble address and petition of her Majesties loyal and •dutiful Subjects belonging to the South part of Hampton in Said Prov- ince of New Hampshire commonly called Hampton falls, most humbly Sheweth That your petitioners being of that distance from the piiblick place of the worship of God at the Town and soe many difficulties in going, and many times no passing over the causeway by any means, that it hath caused your petitioners to be at the charge of building a Meet- ing House upon our side of the Town and have had a minister for some time, and doing all by free contributions ourselves, and the other part of the Town, being the major part of the Town, Eates us in the full proportion according to our estates to the repairing the Meeting House, and parsonage, and to the minister there which is burdensome to us, and we are not able to settle a minister with us for want of some better settlement in the matter. We therefore pray that in your wisdom you will grant us some relief in the matter, either that the Town, and we on our side may maintain two by raising our rates in general together, or that we may be freed from the paying to the Town — and have power given us to make a Kate for the subsistance of one with us. This was signed by fifty-six citizens. Upon a full hearing of both parties in council upon this petition the 3cl of December, 1709,— Voted that the contract and agreement of the Town of Hampton, for the maintainance of Mr. John Cotton, their present Minister be and herby is ratified and confirmed. And the town directed to pro- ceed for the raising and payment, of the same, as in all time heretofore. That the petitioners and such others as are joined with them on the westward of Tailer's Kiver — have power at a meeting once a year for that end to choose among themselves three persons to be Assessors for raising the sum of for the maintainance of Such learned and orthodox minister to officiate in the New Church at Hampton as they Shall agree to call to the service there, with the advice of Mr. Cotton their present minister — that the affairs may proceed with such peace and friendship as becomes religion and good order. And that the assesment upon Said Petitioners and inhabitants on the said Western Side of Tailer's Eiver, being Signed by said Assessers shall be col- lected by the Constables at all times and paid into the minister for his support as in all other towns and precincts in the Province. Past by the Council "Cha: Story Secretary." After the passage of this act, the new parish lost no time in' pro- curing a minister. The one who had hitherto preached to them HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 19 was probably Thomas Crosby, the schoolmaster who resided with them, but who was not qualified to administer the communion. He was the son of Rev. Seaborn Cotton's second wife by a former mar- riage. They now engaged the Eev. Theophilus Cotton, a graduate of Harvard College in 1701, youngest son of Rev. John Cotton of Plymouth, who was a brother of Rev. Seaborn Cotton of Hampton. Rev. Theophilus Cotton was born at Plymouth May 5, 1683. He was a nephew of Rev. Seaborn Cotton, a cousin of Rev. John Cotton, and an uncle of Rev. Ward Cotton, all of whom were settled over the church at Hampton at different times. He was also a cousin of Rev. Dr. Cotton ^Mather of Boston. He married Maxy, widow of Dr. Gedney of Salem and a daughter of Mr. Gookin of Cambridge. They had no children. He finished his course at Harvard at the age of nineteen. Of the next eight years of his life we know noth- ing. He probably studied theology with his father and preached- as opportunity oifered. He came to Hampton Falls sometime be- tween December 3, 1709, and May 13, 1710, and preached nearly two years before the church was organized. On the 9th of December, 1711, forty-nine members of the old church at Hampton were dismissed in order to form the Hampton Falls church, and four days aftenvards, amid the solemnities of a day of fasting and prayer, the new church was organized with twenty-one male and thirty-five female members. Four weeks later, January 2, 1712, Mr. Cotton was ordained. The salary was at first sixty pounds and firewood, with use of the parsonage of thirty acres, — to which, a few years after, twenty pounds and more land were added. The Hampton minister, Rev. John Cotton, died soon after. The people of Hampton Falls preferred the following petition, addressed as before: To His Excellency etc. ilost humbly Sheweth — That your petition- ers having formerly laid before y Excellency and Council the great want of having one Settled ajnong us on our Side of the town in the work of the ministry — and now by Gods good Providence have obtained the Reverend Mr. Theophilus Cotton among us in the work. And God by his awful stroke of Providence having removed by death the worthy and Keverend Mr. John Cotton to our great lamentation, we do therfore pray, That we may be set off, from the town, from being at any charge as to procuring and maintaining a minister there — And that we may have power given us to make a tax or Rate from time to time as shall be for the support of our minister with us. And that 20 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. each part of the Town maintain their own minister. That as we hare been at equal charge according- to our Estates in purchasing the par- sonage at the Town, that now we may have some land appointed and laid out for a parsonage as convenient as it may be had for the Falls Side— according to the worth of our part of the town. That the Bounds may be settled between each part of the Town. This petition was signed by Nathaniel Weare, Joseph Swett, Sam- uel Shaw, Daniel Tilton, and about sixty others, and was read at the council board on the 13th of May, 1710. A hearing was appointed with the following result: May IQth 1710. In the affair of Hampton before the Council by peti- tion — Ordered that the whole town pay forthwith the arreas and funeral Charges of their late minister. That there be a, Committee appointed to report the Division of the parishes for the several meet- ings and to consider how to settle lands for another parsonage, and a further hearing of the whole town be referl-ed to the next General Assemblj', — and that the new parish in the mean time proceed to the maintainance of their minister according to former order of this Board. ^Saving that no person dwelling on the north side of Taylor's river shall be taxed for any land in the Xew Parish until a further hearing be had theron — which is referred to the next Session of the Assembly. The committee appointed were Major Vaughan, John Plaist^d, Samuel Penhallow, Theodore Atkinson, or any three of them, to make report at the next General Assembly. In the affair of the Xew Parish in Hampton there appearing diffi- culty in making any division of the Lands, or inhabitants for the Support of the ministers in the two several parishes. And wheras the inhabitants and Auditory of the old Church have agreed with their present minister (Mr Gookin) to pay him annually eighty pounds, half in current money, and the other half in Provisions &co. And to allow him the parsonage in the said town of Hampton, long since purchased by certain inhabitants there — And fire wood as in said vote and agreement in the record will appear. And wheras the inhabitants adjoining to the new parish have con- sidered to raise Sixty pounds and fire wood for their minister — and to lay out of the %vaste and unimproved lands in Hampton five acres for a house lot and twenty-five acres for pasture &co. for the par- sonage there. Voted that it be recommended to the Selectmen of Hampton to lay out the said two parcels of land indefferently as well for the service as may be. And that the town of Hampton lay a tax annually for the said two sums, .Vmo to 14011js in Species as above and pay the incumbent HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 21 of the old Church according to the agreement made with him— And the remainder to the incumbent of the New Church from time to time. J. DUDLEY. 23a Oct 1710 Consented to This was read and agreed to in Coimcil and in the House of Eepresentatives. The minister tax was assessed and raised in this manner until the death of Mr. Cotton in 1726, when the selectmen of the Falls parish sent a petition to the lieutenant-governor, the council, and representatives, setting forth the disadvantages of this method. A hearing was had November 24, when it was ordered that each parish should raise their minister rates separately. From this time the separation of the two towns became complete. In the petition for a new parish is the following request: "That as we have been at equal charge according to our estates in pur- chasing and holding the parsonage at the town, that now we may have some land appointed and laid out for a parsonage as conven- ient as it may be had for the Falls side according to the worth of the town." In accordance with this request and the vote of the assembly, — Voted by the Commoners and Proprietors that we have no waste and unimproved lands therfore we can't lay out according to the act of the Assembly, bearing date of 23 Committee. NATHANIEL GOVE ABNER SANBORN Jr Province of ) In the House of Representatives New Hampshire \ July 2na 1766. The foregoing Petition being taken under consideration and the Parties heard theron. Voted That the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a Bill for them and their Estates to be set off from the Parish of Hampton Falls to 54 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. act in all respects as a distinct Society or Parish by themselves — Except paying their proportion of the Province tax until a new pro- portion therof. — The line of said Nevy Parish to be fixed by a com- mittee of the General Court, with liberty for such of the Petitioners as shall not fall within said New Parish to Poll off, with their Estates and Belong therto — And for any who shall fall within said new Parish who are not of the Presbyterian Perswasion to poll off with, their Estates and belong to the Old Parish and for any vvho are not of the Presbyterian Perswasion who have or shall have lands within Said New Parish to Poll off said lands to belong to the old Parish, agree- ably to the purport of a vote of the Parish of Hampton Falls the sec- ond day of Sept. 1765 M. WEAEE Chr. Province of ) In the House of Eepresentatives New Hampshire ) July 9^^ 1766 Upon a motion of the Petitioners for some alteration in the fore- going vote. Voted that it be understood that any non Residents who have or shall have lands in Either Parish shall have liberty to Poll off their said land to that Parish they shall choose M. WEAKE Chr. In Council Eod™ Die Head and Concurred. When the parish learned that the Presbyterians had petitioned the General Court for the erection of a new parish within the town, a meeting was held December 30, when Mechech Weare was chosen chairman of a committee of six to appear in behalf of the parish, "to make a True Eepresentation of the proceedings of the parish and to endeavor that the Petition may be Dismissed or that the petitioners may be set off, in all Eespects to act as a distinct Parish by themselyes." The condition of affairs at this time appears to have been about this: the old parish did not want another parish within its bor- ders, but if they failed to prevent it they wanted them set off as a distinct and separate town, and this was the substance of what was voted at their meeting December 30, 1765. The petitioners wanted another parish erected in the south part of the town, and the min- isterial money raised upon their property applied to its support, but did not want to be made a separate town. In a petition to the General Assembly, in 1767, they ask "to be set off as a distinct parish for ministerial purposes only." The old parish was unable to prevent the formation of a new parish, but did succeed in having the petitioners set off as a separate town. HISTORY OF CHDRCH AND PARISH. 55 At a meeting April 35, 1768, it was voted that the selectmen be a committee to wait on the committee appointed by the General Court to divide the parish of Hampton Falls, to inform said com- mittee what may appear necessary, etc. In the final division some of the people of Seabrook have felt that Hampton Falls got some advantage over them. SEABEOOK CHARTER. Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Magnje Brittaniee, Tranciis et HibernisB An act for erecting and incorporating a new Parish in the southerly part of Hampton Falls in this Province. Wheras a considerable number of the inhabitants of the Southerly and Westerly parts of Hampton falls have petitioned the General Assembly, to be set ofe from the old and erected into a new Parish, which has not been opposed: And a Committee of the General Assem- bly have been appointed to fix a line between the Parish proposed to be set off, and the old Parish, who have performed that service and made their return which has been accepted — Therfore be it Enacted by the Governor, Council, and Assembly, That there be and herby is a new Parish erected and incorporated in Hampton falls By the following Boundaries, Viz. A line beginning on Kensington line near Joseph Brown's dwelling house at a road Called Horse hill road, and following said road down to a bridge below Weare's mill. Then runs Easterly on the north line of Elisha Brown's land to the northeast corner therof by the Quakers parsonage so Called. — Then following the road that leads by Henry Thresher's house to the country road, then following the line between land of Abraham Dow and Ralph Butler and Isaac Brown and between land of said Dow and land of Mechech Weare Esq. to the southeast corner of said Weare's marsh at Brown's river so called, then following said river to the westerly end of parsonage island so called. Then round on the Southern and eastern sides of said island to the aforesaid river and to the mouth therof. Shall be the dividing line between the old Parish of Hampton falls and said new Parish, which contain all that part of Hampton falls which lays southerly of said line and Easterly of Ken- sington line — And all the Polls and Estates within Said boundaries are herby Erected and incorporated into a, new Parish by the name of Seabrook, and invested with the legal powers and authorities and enfranchised with the same rights Liberties and priveleges that any other Parish in the Province has and enjoys, and are herby exonerated and discharged of and from any duties, taxes and services which they were hitherto bound to do and perform at Hampton falls except as herin after declared, and are also herby excluded from joining with Hampton falls in voting about and concerning any Parochial or town affairs. Saving to particular persons their rights and privileges by 56 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. law established— And be it further enacted that the highways which are part of the boundary shall be divided, repaired, and maintained as follows, Viz From the beginning of Henry Thresher's way so called, by the country road to the Quakers' Parsonage so called and from the west side of the bridge below Weare's mill to Kensington line. By the new parish and all the residue of said highways by the Parish of Hampton falls aforesaid And it is agreed that the Province rate now proportioned to Hampton falls shall be divided between said parishes It is agreed between them that the said new Parish pay two fifth parts therof annually, till a new proportion be made, — And the treasurer of said province is herby directed to issue his warrants accordingly. And as there are vrithin the limits of said new parish many people Called Quakers who have no concern with the Choice and maintain- ance of the nainister settled by the other people of said parish, It is herby enacted that the party in said parish commonly Called Presbyterians, shall choose all ofiioers necessary to carry on their affairs, relating to the choice, Settlement and maintainance of a minister of the Gospel and the building and repairing of the meeting house from time to time, as there shall be occasion, in a separate manner in another meeting without any connection with the common concerns of the parish which officers so chosen shall have the same authority in the business and service for which they shall be chosen as officers of the same name have by law in other parishes, and shall act under oath and be chosen in succession as other parish officers are. In which Election of such officers the Quakers shall have no vote. Provided nevertheless that any person in either of said parishes shall have liberty to poll off, into the other with their estates at any time within two months after passing this act, by giving in their names, and informing the Selectmen of Each parish of their design, and the number of male Polls, belonging to those who are householders who shall so poll oH into the other parish respectivly — Any person owning any real estate in either of said parishes who is an inhabitant of some other parish or town may within that time determine to which of said parishes his estate shall belong, and shall ' declare the same to the Selectmen as aforesaid — and the like time to be allowed to young men whose names were given in as aforesaid after their arrival at full age, Who shall in like manner give in their nances and declare to which of said parishes they join and will be deemed to belong And a, like time shall be allowed to any person within the meaning of this act, who is absent out of the province at the time of passing the same, after their return. Provided also that all debts due from said Hampton falls or any demand on them for anything done before the settlement of Mr. Wingate as their minister shall be paid by the whole parish, as tho. this act had never been made and the taxes made since this settle- ment for his support to remain to be settled and determined in the course of law unless agreed to by the parties. — And Samuel Collins is herby appointed and authorized to call the first meeting of the HISTORY or CHURCH AND PARISH. 57 parislioners of said parish for transacting the general and common business of said parish — And Mr. Winthrop Gove is herby appointed and authorized to call a meeting of said Presbyterians and those con- cerned in their ministerial affairs aforesaid and each of them is herby directed to give fourteen days notice of the time place and design of said meeting by posting up notifications therof at the meeting house in said parish tire J Nevy Hampshire J This act was read a third time and passed to be enacted P. OILMAN Speaker. In Council Jime 3i 1768 — This bill read a third time and passed to be enacted. T. ATKINSON Jb. Secry. Assented to J. AVENTWOETH A true Copy Attest SAMUEL WEAEE Parish Clerk POLLING OFF. By a provision of the act establishing the Presbyterian church, and the charter of the new town of Seabrook, any person living in either town could, within two months after the act went into effect, elect in which town they would be rated with their polls and estates. It appeared to have been the idea at that time that Hamp- ton Falls would always remain under the parish church system, and be governed by the rules of the Congregational church, and that Seabrook would always be a Presbyterian parish and be gov- erned by the laws of that church. The polling off was a thing in the interest of religious freedom and toleration, giving those in either town who held opinions not in accord with the church estab- lished there the liberty to pay their taxes in the other town, with whose church government they were in sympathy, and not be com- pelled to help support preaching they did not believe in. This freedom was carried so far that non-residents could poll their tax- able property from one town to the other as the owners might elect, to support the Congregational or Presbyterian form of church government. Quite a number of non-residents availed themselves of the privilege. This system of polling off continued until 1791, when an act was passed by the legislature abolishing it and requir- ing all property to be taxed where it was situated. The immediate cause which led to the passage of this act was that trouble had arisen 68 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. in relation to the - highway tax. After this a number of names which had disappeared from our records since 1768, appeared again upon our rate list. Whether all those who polled from one town to the other were wholly governed by religious motives in their choice we have no means of knowing, but we have some reason to believe that this was not in every case the sole cause. We give below a list of those who polled off under this act. The following citizens of Hampton Falls polled into Seabrook: Henry Eoby Isaac Brown Benjamin Leavitt Daniel Gove Joseph Gove Abraham Green Kichard Tobie Abel Davis Job Haskel Dudley Chase Jonathan Hardy Eichard Tobey Daniel Chase Jonathan Green Jr Jonathan Green Samuel Eing Henry Thresher The following minors polled from Hampton Falls to Seabrook: Daniel Gove Charles Chase David Gove Bradbury Hardy Jacob Thresher Jonathan Hardy Joseph Thresher Kathan Green David Thresher Benjamin Green David Chase Green David Green John Chase Daniel Davis The following persons living in Seabrook, and owning land in Hampton Falls, elected to have it taxed in Seabrook: Abner Philbrick Jonathan Dow Benjamin Connor Samuel Philbrick Enoch Dow ' Kichard Gove Abraham Dow John Brown Jonathan Chase Thomas Brown Jonathan Weare John Brown Jr Jacob Hook John Gove Winthrop Dow Widow Mehitable Brown Elisha Brown Widow Hannah Gove. Newburyport men owning land in Hampton Falls who elected to have it taxed in Seabrook: Jeremiah Peterson Ealph Cross Ealph Cross at that time owned the farm now occupied by War- ren Brown. Stephen Caldwell, who came from Ipswich after 1770 HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 59 and was a farm tenant for Mr. Cross, was rated with the farm in Seabrook. Nottingham men who polled land into Seabrook were: Jonathan Gove Samuel Gove Exeter men who polled land into Seabrook: Abraham Sanborn Kensington men who polled land into Seabrook: John Green, Edward Green. Obediah Johnson John Dow Jonathan Purington. Jeremiah Green. Persons living in Seabrook who polled into Hampton Palls were: David Norton John Lucy Moses Norton Hussey Hoag Noah Dow Widow Sarah French Gamael Knowles Minors who polled from Seabrook to Hampton Falls were: Moses Knowles John Blake Nathan Blake Hampton Falls men owning land in Seabrook who polled into Hampton Falls were: Esq Fifield Daniel Brown Nathan Green Jeremiah Blake Nathan Gove Nathan Tilton Nathan Cram Stephen Stoodley Moses Gill Henry Blake Jacob Green John Moulton Esqr Salisbury men polling land from Seabrook to Hampton Falls were: Esq Gushing Henry Eaton Elias Pike Josiah Plook Kensington rden polling land from Seabrook to Hampton Falls were: Capt Gove Ebeneazer Brown Benj Brown Josiah Brown Dea. Dow Jeremiah Batchelder Henry Lamprey Simon Batchelder Joseph Brown Joseph Batchelder Edward Palmer 60 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. At the first convention held at Exeter, 1774, Henry Eoby was a member from Seabrook. At the second convention held at Exeter, 1775, Henry Eoby and Benjamin Leavitt were delegates from Sea- brook. Both lived in the town of Hampton Falls. Jonathan Leavitt was the second town clerk of Seabrook, and was a Eevolu- tionary soldier credited to that town. He lived at the Leavitt farm near Cock hill. Jonathan Hardy, who had polled into Sea- brook, having become reduced in property, and needing assistance, the selectmen of Seabrook came up and disposed of his remaining property at Great hill and applied the proceeds to his support. The ministry of Mr. Wingate, which had a peculiar beginning, was attended by important changes in parish affairs. The dissat- isfaction of some at the time of his settlement appears to have led to the division of the parish. Although dissatisfaction with Mr. W^ingate and the doctrines he preached were the alleged cause for the formation of a new parish which resulted in a new and separate town, it was not probably the only cause, but made a very good pretext for the action taken. Individual ambition undoubtedly had something to do in the matter. July 87, 1768, a committee was chosen to confer with a commit- tee chosen by the Presbyterian society, so called, in Seabrook, in order for a settlement respecting sundry arrearages of rates due from many of said society to this parish, and concerning an action now in the law between the selectmen and Mr. Jacob Smith. After the new parish had been taken off, the balance was dis- turbed, which led to other changes. The meeting-house was at one end of the parish, and a majority of the parishioners lived at the other end. And on October 20 it was voted that a- new meet- ing-house be built near the center of the inhabitants, and the selectmen and two others, a majority of whom lived in the upper part of the parish, were chosen a committee to locate the same. To this action a dissent was made for three reasons. First, it ought not to be removed during Mr. Wingate's ministry. Second, on account of the expense of land and new buildings, while by the terms of the deed the old ones could not be sold or put to other use. Third, because it was such hasty action, "which has the most direct tendency to make confusion and lead into such difficulties as will probably ruin the parish." HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 61 This dissent, the substance of which is here given, was signed by Mechech "Weare, Caleb Sanborn, Jonathan Fifield, Abner Sanborn, Jr., Jonathan Fifield, Jr., Richard Kason, Dr. Jonathan Chase, and Abner Sanborn. This meeting was adjourned to the 3'7th, and then dissolved without further action. At a meeting held December 19 it was voted that a new meeting- house, forty by fifty-five feet in dimensions, be built on the vacant lot iiear Jeremiah Lane's; that John Tilton, Abner Sanborn, and William Prescott, selectmen, and Elisha Prescott, Samuel Prescott, and Jonathan Cram be the building committee. And that the committee sell the pews to the highest bidder and make a report at an adjourned meeting the first Tuesday in February. Immediately after is a dissent recorded, which concludes as follows: That the whole proceedings evidently tend to bring- the parish into confusion as it is evident from the Notification itself, which says that there are disputes about the place where the meeting house shall be set so as to accomodate the Inhabitants, and yet would force a vote \vithout trying any proper measures of accomodation — Wherfore "we protest against all the proceedings as Illegal and against paying any part of any cost oj charge which may arise in consequence of said votes. This dissent is signed by Mechech Weare and twenty-two others. The committee chosen to locate the new meeting-house agreed to set it upon the hill upon the vacant piece of land where the schoolhouse formerly stood, near Lieut. Joseph Sanborn's. The committee who centered the parish, it was claimed, centered it ter- ritorially instead of finding the center of population. The terri- torial center was found to be near a large rock in what is now Jacob T. Brown's pasture, a few rods south of the cemetery on the cross road. The committee located the house as near this point as was practicable on the road. It has been claimed that if the meeting- house had been located at or near the center of population, where the town house now stands, the future -history of the town would have been very different from what it is, and much trouble and hard feeling avoided. Before building the house the commit- tee were to sell the pews at public auction and with the proceeds build the house, which was done. The house was built in 1768, and was ready to dedicate in 1769. The house built much resem- 5 62 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. bled the old church now standing at Eocky hill in Salisbury, ilass. A short time after this house was built the town of Pittsfield voted to build a meeting-house of the same dimensions and as nearly sim- ilar as possible to the one built at Hampton Falls, and the record of this vote can be seen on the Pittsfield records at the present time. This meeting-house had a gallery on three sides; the men's gal- lery was on the west side and the women's on the east, with the singing gallery in front of the pulpit, which was a high one with a sounding board over it. It had high box pews, such as were in use at that time. At an adjourned meeting February 7, 1769, a motion was made by Colonel "Weare and a great many other persons present to recon- sider the votes passed at the last meeting in order to agree on some method that the parish in general might unite in respecting a meet- ing-house, and the moderator was repeatedly desired to put the motion to vote, which he finally refused to do. The report of corn- mittee for selling the pews being read, the moderator was requested to put to vote whether the report should be accepted, which he also refused to do and dissolved the meeting. At a meeting held October 16, 1769, it was — Voted to abate all those persons' Rates that belong to Seabrook that are in arrearag'es in the minister Eates. This is the first reference to the new parish of Seabrook upon our records. After the new meeting-house was built Mr. Wingate refused to go there and dedicate it, although urged to do so repeatedly. There appear to have been quite a number who supported Mr. Wingate in the position he had taken in the matter, and the selectmen refused to call a meeting for the purpose of instructing and requir- ing Mr. Wingate to go to the new meeting-house to dedicate it, as the friends of the new meeting-house desired. As a result of this, the following call was issued for a meeting to be held January 30, 1770: Province of ) To the Constable, or Constables of the parish New Hampshire J of Hampton falls in said province of Xewhamp- shire greeting. ■Wheras upon the Complaint of more than Thirty , of the Inhab- itants and Freeholders of the said parish of Hampton falls it hath HISTORY OF CHTJECH AND PARISH. 63 been made to appear that the Selectmen of said parish have and still do unreasonably deny to Call a, meeting- of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of said Parish agreeably to a petition to them made by fifty of the said Inhabitants and freeholders— Dated the third day of Jan. 1770. — This is therfore in his majesties name to order and Ee- quire him, to Notify and warn the Inhabitants of the said parish of Hampton falls to assemble themselves and meet together at the new meeting house in said Hampton falls, Near Jeremiah Lane's house on Tuesday the thirtyeth day of January Cur* at one of the Clock in the afternoon then and there to act and vote on the following Particulars Viz. first to choose a moderator for said meeting — Sec- ondly To pass a vote for the Eevd Jlr Pain Wingate the present min- ister and pastor of said parish to go to The said New meeting house as soon as conveniently may be And Dedicate the said house to the publick worship and service of god and there perform the Duties of his Sacred Function for the Future — and to pass any vote or votes Relating therto that the said Freeholders and Inhabitants when as- sembled Shall think fit. given under our hands and seals at Exeter in said province the seventeenth day of JanJ in the tenth year of his Majesties Eeign A Domini, 1770 Signed WALTER BRYANT ) J^^*i°e^ °* NOAH EMERY C ^^^ P^^^^ J and quorum TMs meeting was called by the new church party. The select- men who refused to call the meeting were Samuel Prescott, Pain Eowe, and Abner Sanborn^ all of whom voted on the test Yote with the old church party. The moderator who had refused to put the motion to accept the report of the committee for selling the pews and then dissolved the meeting was probably Mechech Weare, who had been moderator since 1754^ but was never elected again after this. This was the first town meeting ever called in the new meet- ing-house. It was a hotly contested meeting, and tradition says much bad blood was shown. ISTathaniel Healey, then upwards of eighty years of age, led the new meeting-house party. The old church party was led by Mechech Weare. The test came upon the election of moderator. Capt. Jonathan Tilton was candidate of the new church party, and was elected. The vote was cast nearly upon sectional lines, the upper part of the town nearly to a man voting for Captain Tilton, and the lower part for some one else, probably Mechech "Weare. The vote finally stood fifty-one for Captain Tilton to forty-eight against. 64 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Those who were recorded as voting for Captain Tilton were: Capt Nathaniel Healey Joseph Sanborn Joshua Blake Elisha Preseott. Jacob Green Benj. Sanborn Samuel Preseott Samuel Melcher Thomas Sillea John Clifford Stephen Healey Richard Moulton Nathan Tilton Benjn Moulton John Flood John Batchelder Caleb Swain Jedediah Sleeper Nathan Brown Nehemiah Cram Nathan Tilton Jr Stephen Swain Abraham Brown Samuel Tilton Daniel Brown Samuel Melcher Jr Eedman Moulton Samuel James Danl Tilton John Brown Nathl Tilton Benjamin Tilton Jonathan Tilton Jr Jeremiah Lane James Preseott Jr John Swain William Page Williami Swain Melcher Ward James Sanborn Jacob Green Jr Isaac Green Josiah Moulton Caleb Tilton Henry Blake Jonathan Burnham Eaton Green Jonathan Cram William Preseott Joel Cram Jonathan Perkins Henry Sanborn Jeremiah Blake Francis Bumham Colonel Weare objected to the following and they were set aside: Joel Cram being tinder age, Jonathan Perkins not being rated in the parish, Henry Sanborn for living in that part of his father's house which is in Kensington. Those who voted against Captain Tilton were: Hon Mechech Weare Enoch Sanborn Jona Fifield Joseph Worth Ealph Butler Jona Fifield Jr Kichard Nason Abner Sanborn Caleb Sanborn David NorEou Nathan Cram Jacob Satterly Nathan Rowe Jonathan Stanyan Obediah Worth Gamiel Khowles Ebeneazer Maloon Dudley Sanborn Nathan Weare Josiah White Frances Marshall Philip Burns HISTORY OP CHURCH AND PARISH. 65 Jon» Steward Samuel Weare Stephen Cram Zebulon Hilliard Pain Eowe David Perkins William Lang- Stephen Lang William Blaisdell Simeon Hilliard Samuel Prescott John Kenny Abner Sanborn Jr Elijah Green David Batchelder Chris* Blake Joshua Chase Moses Svi'ett Isaiah Lane Halachi Shaw Nathan Green Samuel Eobie Jena Nason Richard Mace Jedediah Stanyan Nathan Cram Eichard Mace, Nathan Cram, Elijah Green, and Christopher Blake were objected to, as being too young, but were allowed. The following is the record of this meeting: liy Voted that the Rev. mr. Pain Wingate shall go to the new Meeting House, and preach and Dedicate the SEiid house to the Pub- Uek worship of god as soon as conveniently may be 2ndly & sdly. — Elishia Prescott, Mr. Nathan Tilton and Capt. Jon- athan Tilton the moderator of the meeting, were chosen a. committee to present the above vote to Mr. Wingate. The record shows that Mr. "Wingate still refused to dedicate and preach in the new house, and as a consequence "there have been and still are great contentions and diyisions in said parish, and a great number of the inhabitants have, by writing from under their hands, cautioned the selectmen from assessing their polls and estates in any tax for the salary and support of the Eev. Mr. Wingate." There- fore the selectmen called a meeting of the parish for the 17th of December ensuing for instruction. Voted that is the mind of the meeting that there be no Rate tax for assessment made nor raised on the Polls nor Estates in this parish for the Salary or Support of the Rev. mr. Pain Wingate for the currant year. Signed by Jonathan Tilton Moderator At a meeting, March 4, 1771, the above vote was ratified and con- firmed, and it was — Voted. That the parish do herby heartily Join with that part, of the Church in said parish who are agrieved and Disaffected at the Late and present conduct of the Eevi mr. Pain Wingate, and such of said Church and parish as Join with him Respecting the Late 66 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and present differences & Disputes Between said parties in Calling a Council of Elders & Churches etc. A committee was chosen to make all the necessary preparations for holding a council. At an adjourned meeting held on the first Tuesday in April it was voted to convene the council on the 33d inst. There is nothing upon the record to show that the council was ever held, but it appears from Mr. Wingate's letter of resigna- tion that such a council had been held. Then there comes a record of the sale of the pews by the building committee made before the erection of the house. They reported, February 7, 1769, the sale of twenty-six pews on the floor and one in the gallery for £351 2s., proclamation money, to be paid in mate- rials, and they estimated that the sale of the remaining pews would furnish all the means necessary for its erection. The house was delivered to the parish by the building committee May 10, 1771. Elisha Prescott, Samuel Prescott, William Prescott, and Jonathan Cram were building committee. It was in size fifty-five by forty ■ feet. It stood facing the sea, with entrances on the front and west ends, having horse blocks at each of these entrances, with whipping post and stocks in the rear. On the first floor seats were arranged around the walls with the high square pews in the body of' the house. It was requested by several persons that the report of the build- ing committee be recorded under date of February 7, 1769. The following is a part of a request addressed to Mr. Wiagate, signed by sizty-one legal voters, dated December 4, 1769: And we the subscribers — your Parishioners being Desirous that the said meeting house may be solemnly Dedicated to the Publick worship of God, and that the duties of your sacred Function may be by you performed there, Do herby signify to you our hearty Desire and sincere Request that you vnll come to the said house and Perform the same In doing which we Trust and hope you will Honour God, aquit yourself Worthily in your sacred of&ce and do great good to your Parishioners. To which ilr. Wingate replies December 28, saying he has no power to change the place of worship, that the petitions of others could not convey to him that power, and that even the vote of the parish to build a new meeting-house does not appear suf&cient of itself to justify him in removing the stated worship from the usual place. This, he says, is the opinion of disinterested persons whom HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 67 he has consulted. In closing; "I would recommend to every mem- ber of the Society that in addition to your humble fervent prayer to God you fail not to be using your best endeavor to Bring to a Speedy issue the present unhappy controversy which Subsists, and that Love and harmony may again reign among us." This is a part of his reply, which is quite lengthy, but is sufficient to show his position and feeling in the matter. August 30, 1770, a document signed bj Nathaniel Healey and fifty-seven others states that "Whereas Mr. Wingate refuses to Per- form the duties of his ministerial Function at Said new meeting house agreeable to the vote of Said Parish and the advice of Neigh- boring ministers, and they are obliged to hire preaching in the new house at their own expense. Do herby Protest against all and every Tax and assesment for the Salary or Support of the Said Mr. Wingate." September 30, 1771. First, Capt. Jonathan Tilton was chosen moderator. 2d. It was voted to dismiss the Eev. Mr. Paine Wingate, etc. 3d. It was voted to choose a committee to treat and agree with Mr. Wingate with respect to what compensation shall be allowed and paid by said parish for the secular inconvenience to which the dis- solution of his said relation exposes him. The fourth vote provided for arbitration. By the fifth a committee were to request his resignation. After three adjournments this meeting was finally dissolved November 13. The new meeting-house party outvoted the old, but in his resig- nation Mr. Wingate made a sharp bargain with the parish. ME. WINGATE'S KESIGNATION. Hampton falls Dee. 4, 1771 To the Parish of Hampton falls. — Geni and attested copy of the votes passed at your Parish meeting on the twenty fifth of November last has been laid before me, & I have observed in them the steps taken by you in order for my Dismission from the ministry in this place and a final settlement between us. — And since from your proceedings I find no Encouragment to Expect peace and Quietness with you in the ministry and hoping that thro, the overruling providence of God, it may be most for the interests of Religion in your unhappy circum- stances & for my own comfort and usefulness, I do now agreeable to the decrees of the late council ask a Dismission from my ministry among you to take place at the time and after the manner specified as follows viz. That I shall receive Fifty pounds Lawful money of the 68 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Parish to be immediately paid or sufficiently secured to me with in- terest until paid, and shall still continue a settled minister oi this Parish by virtue of the agreement made at my settlement in this Place, and shall enjoy all ministerial Eights and privileges as hertofore, except those I Shall Resign by a mutual, agreement Betvpeen me & the Parish — that I shall be exempt from all taxes in the Parish & Shall Eetain the free quiet & full possession Enjoyment & Improvment of all the parsonage buildings & Lands now in my possession the repairs to be kept good by the Parish, all the aforesaid rights Prive- leges & Eujoymients as a, settled minister of the Parish to continue secure to me for the space of four years from next March & no longer, that I shall be wholly released from performing any ministerial ser- vice in, or for the Parish except what I shall voluntarily consent to, after the 'usual term of the present year & Shall have Liberty to resign my ministerial Relations whenever I shall see fit short of the four years and remove out of the Parish, and in that case the Parish warranting to make good the improvement of the Parsonage Buildings and Lands as above During the aforesaid term of four years. The above sum of money to be paid & all the aforesaid priveleges and improvments to be continued to me as an Equivalent & humble com- pensation for the secular inconvenience of my removal and I do not only ask a Msmission to take place at the time and after the manner specified But I do herby give the Parish a full aquitance from that part of their contract which is to pay me fifty five pounds sterling annually as a salary — and I do herby Likewise promise & hold my- self obliged to the Parish in case of forfeiture that I will not improve my ministerial Right and priveleges in Continuing a settled minister of the Parish any way to involve them in the least charge as their settled minister of the Parish except in the respects above mentioned. or for a hindrance of a quiet and peaceable Settlement of another minister speedily — and that I will quit my ministerial Relation & Resign all the Parsonages & other priveleges as a, settled minister of this Parish at the time & after the manner specified above, all of which is upon condition & firm dependence that the vote above Re- cited shall be truly & fully complied withi on the part of the Parish.— Given under my hand and seal this fourth Day of December, in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy one & the twelfth year ot the reign of king George the third of Great Brittian etc. PAINE WINGATE bigned Sealed & Delivered in presence of us JOSHUA CHASE STEPHEN CHASE Attested pr. BENJAMIN TILTON Parish Clerk. Eev. Paine Wingate, the fourth pastor of the church, was born in Amesburj', Mass., in 1739; graduated from Harvard College in 1759; ordained over this parish December 14, 1763; resigned De- cember 4, 1771, to take effect March 18, 1776. He did not exer- HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 69 cise his ministerial function to any great extent after- sending in his letter of resignation. He appears to have lived in the town until about the time his resignation was to take effect. Under date of March 12, 1776, the following agreement with Mr. Wingate is recorded: Quit my Ministerial Relation and Resign all the Parsonages and other Privileges as a settled minister of the Parish. Allowing a few days for the removal of my effects. After his dismission Mr. Wingate turned his attention to civil and political matters. He is recorded as a member of congress between the years 1774 and 1779. He was a member of the first United States Senate, being a colleague with Hon. John Langdon. Taking his seat in March, 1789, his term expired March, 1793. After his term in the senate expired he was elected a representative to the third congress, taking his seat in 1793. He served but a single term in the house. When he was elected to congress he received a full vote in Hampton Falls, notwithstanding the opposi- tion to him as a minister. He was a judge of the supreme judicial court in New Hampshire from 1798 until 1809. He removed from Hampton Falls to Stratham, where he made his home until his death, March 7, 1838, aged ninety-nine years. He lived with his one wife more than seventy years. At the time of his death only one member of the senate who was associated with him was living. During Mr. Wingate's ministry, 184 were baptized. He solemn- ized 319 marriages^ only 45 of these belonged to Hampton Falls. Many of the remainder came from Massachusetts, and were mar- ried by virtue of a license of the governor rather than to be pub- lished in the old form at home. July 14, 1773, it was voted to raise forty pounds lawful money to be expended by the selectmen in hiring "Some proper Gospel preacher in this place this year to have preaching in the Congre- gational order." November 14, a meeting was held for the purpose of making arrangements for further preaching. Capt. Jonathan Tilton, Mr. Jeremiah Lane, and Mr. David Batchelder were chosen a commit- tee, "to go and treat with the Lower Eand of the parish concerning the difficulties in the parish," and upon the second adjournment of this meeting, it was voted to raise fifteen pounds for preaching, 70 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and a committee was chosen to apply to the association for advice, and to apply to some suitable candidate or candidates to sup- ply the parish with preaching. In a warrant for a meeting to be held July 7, 1775, was an article "To see if the parish will agree to hire Some suitable Person to preach alternately, one half of the time at the New meeting house," etc. But no action upon this article appears upon the record. Mar. 12 1776 Annual meeting. When Mr. Wingate had vacated the parsonage property, it was, Voted the Parsonage House and Parson- age lands be appropriated and used for the benefit of Schooling and for the support of the poor the Ensuing year. May 6 Voted to hire preaching for two months the services to alternate between the old and new mieeting houses. — again it was voted to provide for six Sabbaths in the new house and for four Sabbaths in the old. — Oct. 21st Voted three Sabbaths preaching and a thanksgiving sermon at the new house Mention is made that preaching had been supplied by a Mr. Thurston. At the annual meeting 1777, Voted that the income of the parsonage property, for the ensuing year be equally divided between the two Ends of the parish. July 31 Voted to hire Some Suitable Person or Persons to Preach in this Parish upon Probation in order for a Settlement Amongst us. — It was voted to invite the neighboring ministers to preach among them, and to ask their advice in the matter. — It was also Voted to hire preaching in the New Jleeting house, for four months, and apply the rent of parsonage property to pay for preaching — And all those that Incline to Lay out their Money for preaching at the old Meeting House Signify it to the Select Men Seasonably. Malachi Shaw dis- sents against the above vote. Dec. 29, 1777 At a Meeting held for the purpose of making some arrangment about preaching — It was voted to Exempt those per- sons from ministerial tax who had supported preaching at the old meeting house, and had constantly attended upon the same — Also Voted to Extend a Call to Mr. Ebeneazer Dutch on the same terms on which Mr. Wingate had settled. Viz. the rise of parsonage, property and fifty five pounds lawful money. Good Indian Corn at four Shil- lings per Bushel, and other things Equal therto This call was declined. Ap. 27 1778 It was voted that the Louer Part of the Parish have what is called the Louer Parsonage, Buildings and fiats (salt marsh) And the upper part of the Parish to have what is called the Upper Parsonage for the present year. HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 71 Oct. 19 In a warrant for a meeting, an effort was made for unit- ing with Seabrook to hire preaching between them Seabrook at that time not having a setled minister There is no record that this movement succeeeded. At the next meeting it was voted to hire preaching two months at the new meet- ing-hoTise. June 14 Voted to invite Mr. Zacheus Colby to settle at a Salary of Sixty pounds, beside the parsonage and that he should preach at Seabrook such a part of the time as they should pay for. This call was not accepted. In the warrant for a meeting September 1, 1777, the selectmen had received from Gen. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton an offer of a tract of land lying in Moultonborough Gore, or addition, to be used in supporting the Gospel in the parish forever. The 16th of Sep- tember Benjamin Sanborn, Jeremiah Lane, and Nehemiah Cram were chosen a committee to go and inspect said land. November 4 they reported that it seemed to them to be good and valuable land. A committee was chosen to thank General Moulton, and to seek some modification of his terms and report at an adjourned meeting. The only record of this adjourned meeting is that the moderator declared the meeting dissolved. Dec. llUi 1780 Voted not to hire any one on probation but to extend a call to Rev. Dr. Samuel Langdon to settle at a salary of fifty pounds lawlful money annually, or forty two pounds and eight cords good merchantable wood — Three and sixpence of said money to be as good as one Bushel Indian Corn, four Pence Equal to one Pound of Pork, Two Pence half Penny, equal to one pound of good beef, and the buildings and outside fences to be kept in repair as has been usual in times past — The lands to be free from taxes. When it had been decided to occupy and fortify Bunker Hill in Charlestown, three Massachusetts regiments and two hundred Con- necticut men as a fatigue party were detailed for the purpose and ordered to parade on the afternoon of June 16. Before going to Charlestown they were drawn up on Cambridge common, where they listened to a fervent prayer made by Eev. Samuel Langdon, president of Harvard College, in which he blessed them and bade them Godspeed in their efforts to achieve American independence. In 1782 an effort was made to form a town comprising Seabrook 72 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and a part of Hampton Falls, to be called New Hampton Falls. A bill having been introduced into the assembly to that efEect the town took measures to defeat its passage and were successful. We have never been able to find out who were the instigators of this movement, but it probably had its origin from the church troubles of the preceding years, as some of the people living in the lower part of the parish attended church at Seabrook after the new meet- ing-house was built. DE. LANGDON'S LETTEK OF ACCEPTANCE. Wheras the Inhabitants of Hampton Falls att a Legal meeting held on the Eleventh Day of December 1780 by their vote at Said meeting gave me a call to be their minister, and by a subsequent vote made provision [here he carefully states the terms] all which votes have been communicated to me by their committee — There seriously at- tended the foregoing call to devote my Labors in the ministry of the Gospel, to the service of the Parish and notwithstanding some Discouragments which have appeared in my way, and the earnest applications which have been made to me by some other Parishes when there was a prospect of a. Peaceable and comfortable settlement I cannot but apprehend it to be my Duty to comply, with the Call of this Parish, Considering the unhappy divided state they have been in for so many years, past, and hoping I am not mistaken in Judging it to be a call from God, by the Intimation of his Providence — I do herby Declare my acceptance of their call together with the provision made for that part of my support which is granted. — ^the Deficiency of which is to be made up by the Bretheren of the Church & Congrega- tion also reserving to myself the Liberty of Choice as to the alternative mentioned in the fifth vote — And relying on the gracious assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ, I shall make it my Constant Care and Labor to fulfill the Duties of the Gospel Ministry in this place to the utmost of my abilities So Long as God shall continue me among this people. SAMUEL LANGDON D. D. Hampton Falls January Ttt 1781 For the Parish Clerk in Hampton Falls to be Recorded in the Parish Book. Dr. Langdon chose the eight cords of wood instead of the addi- tional eight pounds lawful money. Good, merchantable wood was in all probability hard wood. While living here Eev. Dr. Langdon compiled and published a book, of which the following is a copy of the title page: HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 73 OBSERVATIONS On the Kevelation of Jesus Christ to St. John, which comprehend the most approved sentiments of the Celebrated Mr. Mede, Mr. Lowman, Bishop Xewton and other noted writers on this book, and cast much additional Ligfht on the most obscure prophecies Especially those which point out the time of The Else and fall of Anti Christ In Two Pakts, Containing Paet I. General observations on Prophecy, The Form, Order, and style of the Revelation, The Monitory vision Paet II. The Prophetic Visions, which are distinguished into Five Prophecies Each of which is Subdivided into several scenes. Bt Samtjel Langdon D. D. Minister of Hampton falls in the State of New Hampshire. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. For the time is at hand. Rev. chap. 1, Verse 3. Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts, by Isaiah Thomas. MDCCXCI. The views expressed in this work appear to have been those gen- erally entertained at that time, and were presented in an able and interesting manner. This book was bound in leather and contained 337 pages, a copy of which was presented to the Hampton Falls town library by ]\Irs. J. Emmons Brown in 1897. The old meeting-house was sold at public auction January 13, 1780, and the proceeds appropriated for the support of the poor, Dr. Langdon having been settled to preach in the new meeting-house. In 1785 it was voted to sell the parsonage house and iive acres of land, and a certain piece of thatch ground, called Parsonage island, and that the proceeds be applied to the purchase of a house and lands more convenient to the meeting-house, and a committee was chosen for the purpose. At what time the parsonage house and lands were sold we have no definite knowledge. The house and lands adjoining to it were sold to Nathaniel Healey, the ship builder, who appears to have lived there for a number of years. He sold the premises to Theophilus Sanborn, in whose family it has since remained. The five acres opposite the Weare house were probably sold to them, as it was afterward included in their farm. 74 HISTORY OF HAMPTON PALLS. A house standing where Lewis T. Sanborn's house now stands, and eleA^en acres of land extending down the road toward Hampton, was bought of Jonathan Perkins and used as a parsonage. The house was the one destroyed by fire in 1858, and was the one in which Dr. Langdon and Eev. Mr. Abbot lived, and was sold when the town ministry ceased. After Dr. Langdon's time what was known as the parsonage comprised this place and the pasture below Grapevine March 1787 An Article Eelative to making an addition to Doctr Langdon's Salary was taken under Consideration, but no vote was passed upon it. Jan. 1788 The Revd Doctor Langdon D. B. was chosen and appointed for a Delegate for the Convention to be held at Exeter on the second Wednesday of February next for the purpose of adopting a Consti- tution for the United States. March 1789 Voted, That the addition to Dr. Langdon's Salary for the future Shall be ten pounds.— At two shillings for Days work- er if any choose to pay money they inay have liberty to pay. It was previously voted that the addition should be in labor. Feb. 1793 Voted to sel the Parsonage Land near Esq. Wear's, & Voted to Sel Come of the Common on the south side of the old Meeting house hil, as much as Josiah Pevere took in the School house fraim The committee chosen for that purpose were instructed to invest the proceeds in marsh land or upland, to be added to the parsonage. In explanation of the second vote it appears that Mr. Pervear had at some time bought the lot on the south side of the parsonage house (now between Mrs. Sanborn's and the Wellswood) with the intention of building a house thereon. The parish, not wishing to have a house there, persuaded him to exchange it for a lot on the common, near where the schoolhouse now stands, where he built a house and lived for a number of years. Eev. Samuel Langdon was born in Boston in 1723. G-raduated at Harvard College in 1740. Was a teacher in Portsmouth soon after. Was settled as pastor at Portsmouth from 1746 to 1774. Was president of Harvard College from 1774 until 1780. Was in- stalled pastor of Hampton Falls church January 18, 1781. Died November 29, 1797, aged 75 years. He was buried in the old cemetery on the cross road. He gave his library to the church for the use of the ministers of Hampton Falls. Dr. Langdon was HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 75 the first minister who occupied the parsonage house, which stood near the site of Lewis T. Sanborn's house. His term of the min- istry was quiet and peaceful; the animosities wliicli had catised so much trouble during the ministry of his predecessor, had in a meas- ure subsided, but were never wholly overcome. Tradition says his services were quite lengthy, the sun being well down in winter when the afternoon meeting closed. At that time there were no means of heating the house. His sermons were written, but delivered with- out notes from memory; occasionally he would examine his manu- script with a reading glass. While living here Dr. Langdon had the misfortune to break his leg, which obliged him to ]3reach for several Sundays standing in the broad aisle before he was able to ascend the high pulpit. It is said that he recommended Eev. Mr. Abbot to be his successor. Matters in the parish in relation to the troubles which arose be- • cause of the building of the new meeting-house did not mend very fast. In 1791 it was put to vote to see if the meeting would vote the committee any compensation for their services in building the new meeting-house, and it was decided in the negative. At the time this controversy was going on emigrants were going to Ohio, which was then the far west. The new meeting-house was called in derision the Ohio meeting-house, because it was located so far west, and it was generally spoken of as the "Hio meeting-house." The immediate neighborhood around the meeting-house was called by its opponents '"Tuttletown." It was impossible to get any appropriation to re^Dair the church, although a number of attempts were made. The only time when anything was voted was in 1829, when it was voted to shingle the north side of the meeting-house, and to sell wood and timber enough from the parsonage to defray the expense. The first instance of a committee on oiir record to inspect schools was in 1794, when Dr. Langdon was chosen chairman of such a committee. October -30, 1797, just previous to Dr. Langdon's death, it was voted to hire some suitable person to preach four Sabbaths, and at an adjourned meeting December 35, it was voted to hire "eight Sab- baths' preaching." At a meeting February 18, 1798, arrangements were made for two more Sabbaths, and it was put to vote and de- sired by the meeting that the selectmen put up a notification "to see if the town will hire Mr. Abbot upon probation." 7H HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. At the same time a committee was appointed to confer with Lieutenant Fifield and others and invite them to join in public worship. These people lived at the lower end of the parish, and were dissatisfied with the location of the house and either attended church at Seabrook or did not attend at all. Up to this time Hampton Falls had generally been known and spoken of as the parish of Hampton Falls, and very seldom as the town of Hampton Falls, and Falls was generally written and printed with a small "t." November 12, 1798, in was voted to hire Mr. Abbot five Sabbaths on probation, and at the expiration of that time a call was extended to him to settle as pastor. The terms offered him were the parsonage, ten cords of pine and hemlock wood delivered at his door, two hundred dollars, and his choice between six cords of good, merchantable hard wood and twenty-five dollars. May 7 this offer was increased to three hun- dred silver dollars. His letter of acceptance, which is upon the record, is dated June 2, 1798. The only other subsequent mention of Mr. Abbot upon the sec- ond book of records, which closes in 1814, is that he was chairman of the school committee from 1801 until 1807. He married February 11, 1803, Miss Catherine, daughter of Eev. Ebenezer Thayer of Boston, by whom he had nine children. He was ordained pastor of the church August 15, 1798, Eev. Jesse Appleton of Hampton giving the right hand of fellowship. Though "he discharged faithfully, afl'ectionately, and with ac- ceptance the duties of the ministry," and was esteemed and beloved, a portion of his pastorate was somewhat troubled on account of the rise of other denominations. At the time of his settlement some- made objection to the soundness of his belief. The Congregational ministers at that time were divided into two classes, Arminians and Calvinists. Mr. Abbot was classed with the Arminians. The Arminians gradually departed from the Calvinistic system and fore- bore to urge its tenets. They omitted to press the Athanasian creed,, or to use the Trinitarian doxology, but preferred Scripture expres- sions on these disputed points. They did not insist as a prelim- inary to the ordination of a young man to the Christian ministry his professing a belief in the Trinity or the five points of Calvinism. In a word the Arminians were more liberal in their belief than the-- Calvinists. Mr. Abbot afterward became a Unitarian. HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 77 Mr. Abbot, during his pastorate, lived in the parsonage house occupied by Dr. Langdon. He and his family were much liked for their social qualities. He was much interested in agriculture; he carried on the parsonage lands with a great deal of intelligence; his methods were in advance of the times. He brought in some new kinds of fruit, and introduced the practice of grafting apple and other fruit trees. He was highly esteemed as a citizen, and his removal from the town was much regretted. While living here, Mr. Abbot often had in his family young men who were fitting for Harvard College, and those who had been conditioned or were sus- pended. Among the latter was Prof. John White Webster, who was hanged in Boston in 1850 for the murder of Dr. Parkman. Web- ster had a bad reputation while he was a member of Mr. Abbot's family. Mr. Abbot was dismissed from the church in Hampton Falls October 23, 1827, and soon after purchased a farm and removed to , Windham. He was drowned while returning from meeting, Sun- day, November 2, 1834, by the upsetting of his boat in crossing a pond between the meeting-house and his home. Mr. Abbot may be considered the last of the six parish pastors settled in Hampton Falls. During his pastorate in 1818 the legis- lature passed what is known as the Toleration act, which gave lib- erty to any person to support and pay to any religious denomina- tion they might choose, and exempted such as wished to pay their money elsewhere from the assessment of any minister tax by the town. During the town ministry Hampton Falls seems to have been very fortunate in the selection of its ministers. All of them were graduates of Harvard College, and men of ability, and well up with the times in which they lived, and were a living proof of the advan- tage of an educated ministry. During that time the town occupied a favorable position of respect among the neighboring towns, and we have not been gainers since the system was abolished. Rev. Jacob Abbot was born in Wilton, IST. H., January 7, 1768, graduated from Harvard College in 1792, was ordained at Hamp- ton Falls August 15, 1798. Died November 2, 1834. His daugh- ter, Martha T., married JSl". Porter Cram of this town, and resided here during much of her after life. After Mr. Abbot was dismissed, Eev. Moses Dow preached about three years as a stated supply. By the secession of the Baptists 78 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and the withdrawal of those who held to the old doctrines, to unite with others at Seabrook and form the First Evangelical Congrega- tional Society of Seabrook and Hampton Falls, the church at Hamp- ton Falls ceased to represent what was known as New England Con- gregationalism. As many of those who formed and have been influ- ential in supporting and maintaining the Line church have been residents of this town, and are at the present time, we will follow them as the direct line from the old church, and now begin to quote from their records. The Eev. Henry C. Jewett was engaged to preach during the sum- mer of 1834. He came in June and remained three or four months. He preached a part of the time in the Hampton Falls meeting-house and the remainder in the Exeter road schoolhouse, the Unitarians having possession of the meeting-house. After he left those who preferred evangelical preaching went to the Congregational meet- ing-house in Seabrook, -where the Eev. Jonathan Ward was preach- ing. Mr. Abbot was a Unitarian during the last part of his ministry. During his ministry many of the people united with the Baptists or became Unitarians. A part of the church, however, continued steadfast in the faith once delivered to the saints, adhering to and maintaining those doctrines which are generally received by what are called the orthodox churches of New England, and which are termed the Calvinistic doctrines. But in consequence of the divi- sion of sentiment on the subject of religion among the people gen- erally, and in compliance with the advice of neighboring ministers who had been consulted on the subject, those who had remained firm in the faith concluded to unite with the people of Seabrook for the piirpose of maintaining public religious worship and the ordinances of the gospel. This union, after much consultation, delay, and discouragement, was ultimately effected. About the 1st of November, 1764, a church was organized in the south part of Hampton Falls, formerly a part of Hampton and now Seabrook. This church was of the Presbyterian order and was con- nected with the Boston Presbytery. The first Presbyterian church of Newburyport was represented at the organization by John Moul- ton, Jr., and Amos Coffin. The church was made principally of disaffected members of the Hampton Falls church. They gave as a reason for withdrawing that they were dissatisfied with Mr. Win- gate, and that they preferred the Presbyterian form of church gov- HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 79* ernment. Uniting with a few others from other towns they con- stituted a separate church. The records of this church, if any were kept, have been lost, but there are still in existence copies of a ser- mon preached January 31, 1765, at the, ordination of the Eev. Sam- uel Perley to the pastoral care of the Presbyterian church and con- gregation of Hampton Falls by George Leslie, A. M., pastor of the church at Linebrook. It seems that there were many obstacles to the organization of a church after the form and to the establishing the gospel in this order. One of the objections probably was a remonstrance from the Congregational church at Hampton Falls, and it is conceived that some -ivould be opposed to the Presbyterian form of church government. About fifteen years after this those who formerly belonged to Hampton Falls church, or a part of them, returned and were readmitted. Mr. Perley was born at Ipswich, TMass., 1743, graduated at Har- vard in 1763, ordained January 31, 17G3, and dismissed May 22, 1775. Died in Maine November 28, 1831, at the advanced age of 89. After Mr. Perley's dismission there \\'as no settled minister in Sea- brook for many years. Public worship was continued but the church was much scattered. Eev. Elias Hull was settled as pastor over the church of Christ in Seabrook, February 6, 1799. Mr. Hull was born in Tolland, Conn., in 1778; settled February 6, 1799; died February 28, 1822, twenty- three years from the time of his settlement. During the latter part of his life he preached only occasionally. He had become unsteady and finally died an inebriate. When he first settled he was an acceptable preacher and had a full house. He was not a college graduate, preached without notes, and was a very fluent speaker. He once favored Methodist views, but was settled as a Congregationalist. The Presbyterian form of the church was lost and the Congregational took its place. The records, if any were kept, are not now to be found. Deacon Weare, Deacon Tucker (of Salisbury), Deacon Morrill, Thomas True, John Eaton, Benja- min Eaton, Thomas. Cilley, and Joseph Felch are reported to have been members of the old Congregational church. There were prob- ably others, but these are all the names of males that can now be collected. This church contained but few male members. After the death of llr. Hull there was no settled minister in Sea- brook for several years. Part of the time they had preachers of different denominations; at others by the missionary society, and a part of the time they were entirely destitute. 80 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The cHurcli in Hampton Falls, like that in most other towns, had its vicissitndes and trials. Starting in 1711, in 1737 twenty-two males and thirty-five female members were peaceably dismissed to form a church in Kensington. In 1744 quite a number had become Quakers and withdrawn. In 1764 the Presbyterians went out and formed a new parish, which resulted in a division of the- town. In 1808 the Baptists seceded and set u.p a separate church. April 30, 1827, twenty-nine persons legally organized themselves under the name of the "First Congregational Society in Hampton Falls," which title is still retained, but is more generally known as the Unitarian society. True M. Prescott is, at this time of writing,, the only surviving original member. In 1835 came the most seri- ous division of all, when those who called themselves the evan- gelical portion of the society withdrew from the more liberal part of the church and afterward united with those in Seabrook under the name of the "First Evangelical Congregational Church of Sea- brook and Hampton Falls," leaving the more liberal part of the church, which were the more numerous, in possession of the meeting- house and the church records, etc. The reason for this division and trouble at this time given by those who went away was the favoring of the half-way covenant by the majority. Those who remained attributed it to the exceedingly radical and sulphurous character of ]Ur. Jewett's preaching. ilay 8, 1832, the selectmen sold the parsonage land, buildings,, and wood. On the 8th of October the assessors of the Congrega- tional society receipted for $1,154.91, that being the proportion due- said society. At the annual meeting of the society, April 4, 1836, it was put to vote to see if the society would give those persons who- contemplated forming themselves into a new society, to be called the "Hampton Falls and Seabrook Congregational Society," their proportion of the fund. It was passed in the negative, six voting in favor and eight against. At the annual meeting of the society in 1837, — Voted that the funds of the First Congregational Society in Hamp- ton Falls be divided into two parts, according to polls and rateable estate of the year 1836, provided the disaffected part of the Society with such other members of said Society as may join -with them shall form a Separate Society and withdraw from this society they producing a certificate from the clerk of their Society that they are- aciual members therof. HISTORY OF CHURCH AND PARISH. 81 This fund at that time amounted to $1,500. The new society received $450. May 13, 1837, the following persons had withdrawn: Thayer S. Sanborn, Eeuben Batchelder, Emery Batchelder, Moses Batehelder, Samuel Batehelder, Jonathan Cram, Jr., Luke Averill, Joshua Pike, Jonathan Cram, Stephen Green, Robert S. Preseott, Josiah Batch- elder, Sherburne W. Eand, Caleb Tilton, Eebecca F. Cram, and Polly Dow. In 1834 efforts were made to unite the towns of Hampton Falls, Kensington, and Seabrook into one Evangelical Congregational society. A number of meetings were held for the purpose, the result of which was the formation of the Evangelical Congrega- tional Society of Seabrook and Hampton Falls. For a time they held meetings in the old meeting-house in Seabrook. Eev. Jona- than Ward preached for a time. Later, when the society had built a new meeting-house near the line between the towns, Eev. David Sunderland preached a part of the time at the old meeting-house, and the remaining part at the new house. He was preaching here when the new house was dedicated and continued to preach for some months after. On the first Sabbath in February, 1837, Eev. Sereno T. Abbott preached for the first time. He was a native of Andover, Mass. He graduated at Amherst College in 1833, and from the Andover Theological Seminary in 1836, and by them was licensed to preach. After preaching a few months he received the following communi- cation: Eev S. T. Abbott — Sir, I am requested to inform you that tlie Sea- brook and Hampton Falls Evangelical Congregational Society at a meeting on the Zi'-'^ of June last, Voted that the sum of five hundred dollars for one year be given you as a salary, and request you to settle as pastor of Said Society — They also request you to return an answer in writing as soon as the l^t day of July next at which time this meet- ing stands adjourned JACOB NOYES Clerk of Said Society. Seabrook June 27tli 1837. Mr. Abbott accepted July 1, and was ordained on the 12th, when twenty-two persons, dismissed from Hampton Falls church, together with Mrs. Mehitable Eaton, formerly of the old church in Seabrook, were organized into a church called "The First Evangelical Con- gregational Church of Seabrook and Hampton Falls." Rev. Jona- ^82 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. than French, father-in-law of Mr. Abbott, and more than fifty years the pastor of North HamiDton church, was moderator of the council. The sermon was preached by Eev. Samnel M. "Worcester of Salem, Mass. August 4 Stephen Green was chosen deacon, and the pastor was authorized to procure a book and keep the records. Mr. Abbott was a man of historic tastes, and his records are kept in a model manner, giving the history of the church minutely and making a record of each individual member in his church relations. We give brief extracts from his records to show the work done by the church. These extracts will give much other valuable information in relation to local matters which will be of interest. Aug. 6tli Mrs. A. Smith and Mrs. S. Felch members of the old Sea- brook church were admitted. — Mrs. Smith was brought into the meet- ing house in her chair being 85 years old, and very infirm. — December 7tii Thanksgiving, Pleasant. — One hundred and more present — Dec. 31st Miss Clarissa Fifield was baptized by immersion. — March 19* 1838, Mrs. Nancy Brown of Kensington being dangerously ill was bap- tized and received into the church and received the sacrament of thfe Lord's supper. March SStb a protracted meeting commenced and Miss Nancy Brown died — March 31st meetings concluded Meetings full. Some conversions. The Baptist and ilethodist people met with them. — April 5th twenty two inquirers present sixteen of whom are hoping May 6th Jeflierson Janvrin and others were admitted. During the last week an organ was placed in the meeting house It was built by Mr. Morse of Newburyport. Cost about $700 was purchased by Dr. Edward Dearborn and Miss Mary Knight and by them presented to the Society June 17 thirteen were propounded for admission July 1st In less than a year 41 have been added to the Chh more than double the original number Sept. 2 annual Fast. — Church and inquiry meet- ing also temperance meeting — May Ttb Eight added to the Church. July three received. July i^i Sunday school celebration. General invitation. Eight hundred present at the morning services in the meet- ing house. Over seven hundred walked in procession to a grove on land of James Locke. — Picnic table one hundred and eighty feet long. — From twelve to fifteen hundred present. Addresses and singing for an hour. Ten ministers present and took part. July 30* Salary re- duced to four hundred and twenty five dollars, allowing pastor to make up balance elsewhere Sept. 33 three received. Nov. 5"' One admitted. November 30* Eighty present at thanksgiving ser- vice — Dec. 30* town of Seabrook voted ninety nine to thirty five to stop the sale of liquor. Committee of twelve chosen and two hundred and fifty eight dollars raised for that purpose. HISTORY or CHUECH AND PARISH. 85 Feb. 15tii 1844 J. Noyes Sunday School superintendent— Feb. Slst Donation visit by fifty or sixty of the young people. Mar. 39th state Fast. Sixty four present. June lOth Reuben Batchelder Chosen dea- ■con, Emery Batchelder, Jacob Noyes & Thayer S. Sanborn having all •declined. July 4^ a Washingtonian celebration was held by the Rock- ingham County Washingtonian Total Abstinence Temperance Society at Boar's Head, Hampton Beach. A prize banner was presented by the ladies of Portsmouth to the societies of Seabrook and Hampton Falls, whose delegates ranked highest on the score of merit on that ■occasion Nov. 8tli another Case of female discipline, which resulted in a satisfactory confession when she was admonished and forgiven. Nov. 14th Sixty Eight present at thanksgiving Services. Dec. amount •collected for benevolent objects fifty six dollars. Jan. 19th 1845 Pastor baptized his second daughter Anna Farrar born Dec. 1st. February 4th heaviest snow storm for twenty years prevented the holding of some special meetings. Mar. 20 Samuel Batchelder Sunday school superintendent. April 7th annual fast Stormy day 30 present. P. M. Annual meeting of the Seabrook Temperance Society — May 25th fire at the meeting house on account of the cold. July 4th Sunday school celebration. A. M. 300 in the meeting house, 400 in procession and 600 at the collation in Locke's grove. The preparatory lectures were often preached by ■"Father" Jonathan French. November 27th Thanksgiving, meeting prevented by the severest rain storm for 30 years. December 31st amount for benevolent purposes $54, admitted to the church 1, bap- tized 4, deaths 14, marriages 7. April 1st 1846 60 present at fast day services. May 13th album visit about 50 supped, ladies in P. il. and gentlemen in the evening. July 4th Sunday school celebration at North Hampton, 500 in the meeting house, 600 in procession and 800 at the table. — Nov. 39 bap- tized his second son Albert Timothy. December 20th dismissed to Andover Rhoda daughter of Deacon Reuben Batchelder and wife of Sylvester Abbott of Andover. December 31st collection $62 baptisms ■2, deaths 12, marriages 6. Jan. 5th 1847 Funeral of Mrs. Dr. Sewell Brown a member of the church Ap. 15 Annual fast and temperance meeting — Ap. 33d B. F. Cram Sunday school superintendent. Sept. 12th preaching by Rev. J. Sewell of Maine aged Eighty seven. Nov. 30th 51 present at thanksgiving service. Dec. 31st Amount of collection for benevolent purposes $84, •deaths 13. Jan. 27th 1848 Pastor ill and unable to attend Service for the first time in many years. — April 13th 71 present at fast day services. P. M. temperance meeting in Methodist meeting house. July 4th Sunday school celebration at Hampton. July 2nil baptized his infant daughter Mary French. July 18 & 19, Piscataqua Association met here. Aug. 19th Aaron Son of Moses Batchelder, buried aged thirty three. Nov. 16 thanksgiving fifty present. — Nov. 22by. November 15, James Taylor and Martha Green, both of Epping. 1793, May 30, Stephen Coffin and Betty Elkins. July 1, Simon Knowles and Anna Sevey, both of Seabrook. November 20, John Tucker of Pittsfleld and Betty Cram. November 21, Ephrium Moiilton of Kensington and Susanna Tilton. 1789, December 16, Thomas jNIoulton and Elesebeth Brown. 1794, March 22, John Rawlings and Annie Swain. May 20, Thomas Brown and Abigail Perkins, both of Seabrook. May 29, Robert Page of Seabrook and Abigail Been of Kingston. July 17, Elisha Chase of Seabrook and Elesebeth Nason. June 26, Moses Cross of Sanbornton and Hannah Moulton. July 13, Jacob Smith Moulton of Hampton and Nancy Tilton. August 19, Tristram Cram of. Pittsfleld and Patience Leavitt. September 13, John Fogg of Hampton and Abigail Blake. November 3, James Towle of Hampton and Nancy Lane. December 28, Gideon Marshall, Jr., and Nancy Blaisdell. RECORD OF MARRIAGES. 145 1795, February 10, Joseph Weare of Kensington and Mary Cram. February 12, Ebeneazer Lane of Chichester and Sarah Perkins. March 19, Phiniieas Felch and Sarah Ward. May 4, Eev. John Webster of Sandown and Lois Cram. May 27, Walter Williams and Abigail Marshall. September 26, Joseph Moulton of Hampton and Oily Bragg of Seabrook. October 4, Josiah Blake of Moultonboro and Betty Holmes of Portsmouth. October 5, Daniel Perkins and Ehoda Sanborn of Seabrook. 1792, August 29, Jacob Brown and Abigail Berry. 1784, June 19, Benjamin Sanborn and Dorothy Blake. 1788, Benjamin Sanborn and Hannah Blake. 1775, October 3, Aaron Merrill and Mercy Leavitt. 1795, October, Eev. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster, Mass., and Sarah Toppan of H. 1796, January 5, Ebeneazer Garland and Mary Sanborn, both of Hamp- ton. January 5, Joseph Garland and Sarah Towle, both of Hampton. February 17, Jeremiah Tilton of Kensington and Abigail Burnham. March, Nathan Page of Epping and Sally Perkins. May 9, Nehemiah Brown of Kensington and Polly Bragg of Seabrook. June 30, Dudley Dodge and Betsy Pifield. August 31, Levi Lock of Eye and Hannah Prescott. September 13, Jacob Morrill Currier and Sally Chase, both of Seabrook. 1797, February 2, Daniel Clifford of Brentwood and Jemima Brown. 1795, February 25, William Brown and Elisebeth Berry. 1763, January 1, Samuel Melcher, Jr., and Elesebeth Hilliard. 1790, April 8, Joseph Mace and Sarah Hanson. MAEEIAGES BY EEV. JACOB ABBOT. 1798, December 13, .Jonathan Lane and Molly Towle. 1797, April 2, Joseph Perkins and Sally Worthen. 1799, November 28, Levi Blake and Nancy Tilton of Hampton. December 8, Joseph Lawrence of Epping and Mary Prescott. 1800, March 11, David Tilton and Mrs. Mary Merrill of Exeter. 1801, June 9, Josiah Prescott and Molly Tilton. July 11, John Falls and Eliza Marshall. 1802, June 30, Nathan Batchelder of Hawke and Lydia Batchelder. April 22, Stephen Tilton and Ehoda Batchelder. 1803, January 30, Nathaniel Chase of Portland, Me., and Sophia Sanborn. March 28, Theodore Lovering of Kensington and Betty Brown. April 12, Joseph Blake and Nancy Nason. 146 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1803, December 12, Dearborn Blake of Kensington and Betsey Meleher. 1804, November 15, Jonathan Cram, 3d, and Sally Dodge. 1808, November 21, Dearborn Lane and Hannah Merrill. 1764, March 22, David Perkins and Abigail Griffin. 1793, January 1, John Sanborn and Elisebeth Batchelder. 1794, June 8, Jesse Prescott-and Abigail Towle. January 14, Nathan Robie and Lydia Steward. 1785, November 22, Jonathan Cram and Ehoda Tilton. 1787, October 4, Simeon Prescott and Ruth Wadleigh. 1798, March 1, Levi Lane and Anna Batchelder. 1802, February 11, Rev. Jacob Abbot and Catherine Thayer. 1799, February 19, Zephaniah Brown and Elisebeth Lane. 1800, March 1, Bbeneazer Tilton and Sarah Tuck. 1805, September 3, Benjamin Sinclair and Polly Cram. 1803, April 7, James Prescott, 34, and' Margaret Babb. 1806, September 11, Jonathan Tilton and ilary Dodge. Jlay 1, Joseph Tilton and Nancy Healey. December 19, Horatio Gates Prescott of Gilmanton and Lear Prescott Wadleigh. 1807, February 4, Benjamin Hale of Newburyport and Sally Wells. February 5, Eeuben Batchelder and Betsy Tilton. September 3, Ehodolphus Dearborn of North Hampton and Betsy Tilton. September 9, John Porter and Hannah Weare. September 29, Caleb Knight and Betsey Tilton. 1808, January 6, Nathaniel Tappan of East Kingston and Martha Cram. June 28, Stephen Dodge and Mary Diman of Stratham. September 23, Levi Healey and Eunice Goodwin. October 14, David George of Kensington and Eunice Lock, both of K. 1810, ilarch 27, John Bickford of Epsom and Elisebeth Lane. October 8, Joseph Plumer of Milton and Sally Brown. October 8, Isaiah Berry of Pittsfield and Nancy Brown. 1813, November 4, William Otis and Hannah Bowles. 1818, November 23, Luke Averill and Mrs. Betsey Marshall. 1810, January 24, Benjamin Brown and Nancy Wiggin. 1800, February 19, David Tilton and Mary Merrill. 1814, April 29, George Vickery and Sally Henderson, both of Exeter. July 10, Ephrium Eaton and Sarah Tilton, both of Seabrook. September 1, Jonathan Fairfield of Waterville, Me., and Caroline Rogers, Exeter. December 28, Paul True of Pittsfield and Nancy Cram of H. F. December 28, Joseph Sanborn and Betsey Cram. December 29, His Excellency John Taylor Oilman and Mrs. Char- lotte Hamilton, both of Exeter. 1809, January 1, Moses Batchelder and Abigail Drake of Hampton. RECORD OF MAllRIAGES. 147 1816, February 21, Joseph Prescott Chandler of Monmouth, Me., and Hannah Cram. April 16, Thomas Marston, Jr., of North Hampton, and Mary Leavitt, Hampton. April 16, John Moulton and Nancy Shannon, both of Hampton. September 16, Joseph Philbrick and Betsey Palmer, both of Hampton. October 21, Alaxander Hill Everett of Boston and Lucretia Orne Peabody, Exeter. 1817, January 22, John Nudd and Mary Worthen, both of Kensington. May 11, Jewett Sanborn, Jr., of Kensington, and Betsey Melcher. June 22, Samuel Perkins of Seabrook and Mary M. Stockman, Salisbury. June 26, Aaron Merrill and Cynthia Sanborn. July 17, Capt. Myriek Piper of Stratham and Abigail Johnson, Hampton. October 9, Levi Tilton, East Kingston, and Betsey Wadleigh, Kensington. October 9, John Oilman, Jr., of Exeter and Lavina Lock, Ken- sington. October 16, Benjamin Moulton, Jr., Kensington, and Mehitable Brown. December 28, Theophilus M. Hilliard and Catherine Moulton, both of Kensington. 1818, January 13, John Flanders of Salisbury, Mass., and Euth Dow. January 18, Abraham Eowe and Mary Ann Wadleigh. February 9, Arno Bitteirs of Koxbury, Mass., and Parmelia Melcher. March 18, Thomas Leavitt and Polly Marston. August 9, Richard Fisk, Jr., of Framingham, Mass., and Betsey Lowell, Kensington. September 10, Josiah EoUins and Dorcas P. Flanders of Exeter. September 17, John Weare and Sarah W. French, both of Ken- sington. October 15, Richard Dodge and Clarisa Lock. November 26, John Hersty of Berwick, Me., and Elisebeth Dow. December 31, Benjamin Webster of East Kingston and Sally Prescott. December 31, Luther D. Barter of Salem, Mass., and Mary Tuck of Kensington. 1801, March 3, Jonathan Hardy and Susanna Tilton. 1819, January 5, Lt. Joseph Akerman and Mrs. Harriet Simmerton. 7vpril 4, Thomas True Merrill of South Hampton and Olivia Merrill. June 24, Oliver James and Meriam Sias. November 11, Nathaniel Eobinson of Concord and Deborah Gil- more of Exeter. December 27, Moses Leavitt of Chichester and Sarah Blake. 148 HISTORY OV HAMPTON FALLS. 1820, B-ebmary 28, Peter Tilton and Sarah Gilbert. March 2, Richard B. Prescott and Mary Pervear, both of Kingston. May 16, Enoch Greenlief and Betsy J. Davis, both of Seabrook. June 8, Samuel Fellows and Betsey Sanborn, both of Kensington. September 19, James Bearborn and Jemima Nudd, both of Ken- sington. December 21, Jonathan Nason and Mary Gordon. 1810, March 7, Benjamin Tilton and Sarah Marston. 1821, February 26, Sewell Wadleigh and Susan Sanborn, both of Ken- sington. June 16, Lt. William Judkins and Annie Smith, both of Kingston. June 17, Joshua Eaton, 3d, and Dorcas Eaton, both of Seabrook. November 12, Isaac L. Fairbanks of Winthrop, Me., and Ehoda Cram. December 2, William Palmer and Dolly Lock, both of Ken- sington. 1822, January 24, Jonathan M. Lock and Mary Elkins, both of Hampton. January 30, Robert Smith Prescott and Almira Melcher. March 20, Joseph Cram and Sally Sanborn. June 4, Joseph Moulton and Jemima Dearborn, both of Ken- sington. June 4, Abraham Smith and Mary Chase, both of Seabrook. November 19, George Falls and Sarah Brown, both of Seabrook. December 22, Ebeneazer Pearson of Newburyport and Lydia Weare, Kensington. 1817, February 27, Thomas Brown and Elisebeth Drake. 1823, January 13, Samuel Batchelder of Pittsfleld and Mary Ann Lane. January 30, Nathaniel Cotton and Sally Blake, both of Hampton. February 13, Newell Brown and Abigail Leavitt, both of Seabrook. April 3, William Henry Hartwell and Abigail Rogers, both of Exeter. July 28, John Gale and Harriet Boynton, both South Hampton. 1834, January 1, Samuel Towle and Fanny Jenness. January 1, Joseph Akerman and Ruth Williams. January 1, Jonathan Smith of South Hampton and Betsy Weare, Seabrook. January 24, John P. Sanborn and Sally Cram. April 20, Caleb Tilton Sanborn and Polly Melcher. June 9, Rev. Thomas Tracy of Biddeford, Me., and Ann Bromfield of Newburyport. June 17, Moses Shaw and Martha Hoag, both of Kensington. July 1, Giles Eaton and Waty Collins. October 25, Edward I. Sanborn and Charlotte Gove, both of Kensington. September 14, Joseph Batchelder and Sarah Philbrick, both of Rye. 1821, February 1, Henry Roby and Dilla Drake. RECORD OF MARRIAGES. 149 1825, February 36, iloses Thompson of Deerfield and Olive Fellows of Kensington. March 15, Daniel Caldwell of Augusta, ile., and Abigail Batch- elder. ilarch 29, Daniel Lovering of North Hampton and Ehoda Tilton of H. F. April 3, Jacob Green and Xancy George, both of Seabrook. May 26, Tappan Chase of H. F. and Abigail Chase of Seabrook. July 28, Henry Brown and Hannah G. Chase, both of Seabrook. September 25, Reuben Smith and Merrium ilorrill, both of Sea- brook. November 24, Joseph Brown of Kensington and ilary Ann Weare of Seabrook. Xo-sember 29, Daniel Lord of South Berwick, Jle., and Sally Goss. December 7, Benjamin Eowe and Lydia Chase, both of Seabrook. 1826, January 4, Caleb Searle of Rowley, Mass., and Annie C. Sanborn of Kingston. February 20, Joshua Janvrin and Mary Dodge. August 29, Samuel D. Bell of Chester and ilary Healey of Ken- sington. 1818, Aaron Sanborn and Lydia Leavitt. 1795, Thomas Leavitt and Hannah Melcher. MARRIAGES BY REV. ilOSES DOW. 1830, September 23, Daniel L. Gove and Eunice H. Hull, both of Sea- brook. 1831, January 1, Richard C. Marsh and Mary il. Pike. January 20, William Lane of ISTewbury, Mass., and Lucretia Pres- cott. June 14, Xehemiah Brown and Rebecca Page, both of Kensington. July 4, John Collins, Jr., and Jemima M. Sanborn, both of Ken- sington. ' October 10, Josiah P. iloody of Lowell, JIass., and Hannah Dow. November 24, Col. Barnard Jewell of South Hampton and Maria French, Kensington. November 24, Retire H. Parker of Bradford, Mass., and Hannah Chase, H. F. 1832, April 23, David Marston and Sarah Ann Dearborn, both Hampton. April 24, George Garland and Eliza M. Marston, both of Hampton. May 3, David Chase, Jr., and Sally Janvrin, both of Seabrook. May 22, George E. Sillsbee of Bradford, ilass., and Hannah P. Wells. July, Thomas Capen of Stoughton, ilass., and Hannah Melcher. October 4, David Flamming of Stratham and Eunice Williams. October 4, Enoch Chase and Betsy Fogg, both of Seabrook. 1833, February 10, Israel Tibbetts of Salisbury, Mass., and Eliza James, Kensington. 150 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. MAEEIAGES FEOM THE TOWN RECORDS. 1835, January 18, John Philbrick, and Adaline Lock, both of Seabrook. August 25, Benjamin Hoit Tilton and Adaline Sanborn, both East Kingston. April 13, Benjamin Taylor and Mary Leavitt. April 13, Walter P. Dow of Seabrook and Belinda Smith, H. F. October 12, John Chase, Jr., and Harriet N. Baton, both of Sea- brook. Xovember 1, Francis Holmes of Boston, Mass., and Nancy Brown, of Seabrook. 1835, November 25, Oliver Ayer and Caroline P. Garland of New York.. 1834, May 8, John B. Brown and Sarah M. Leavitt. 1838, January 1, Oliver Hobbs and Elisebeth A. Blake. 1827, January 18, Samuel Brown and Sarah Lane of Pittsiield. 1833, March 19, Josiah Brown and Elisebeth Batchelder. 1838, April 29, Jacob Perkins of Reading, Mass., and Eunice L. Cram. August 29, Elezar Johnson of Salisbury and Mary A. French, Kensington. December 27, Caleb Woodbury of Newbury, Mass., and Eunice T. Prescott. 1835, January 15, True M. Prescott and Sarah' Ann Pike. 1839, Henry L. Dwight and Sarah A. Dow, both of Seabrook. July 15, Stacy L. Nudd of Hampton and Mary A. Dow of' Sea- brook. July 25, Elbridge G. Lane of Exeter and Elisebeth M. Moses. xVugust 11, Daniel Eastman and Matilda Dow, both of Seabrook, June 3, Daniel Gove and Almira Brown. September 22, John C. Gove and Ann Smith. 1840, January 15, Oliver Ep-ton and Merium H. Dow, both of Seabrook.. January 30, Weare D. Tilton and Lucy Dow of Kensington. October 3, Rev. Isaac Woodbury of Haverhill, JIass., and Lucy Arnold of H. F. October 3, George Turner of Amesbury and Sarah Lane. 1842, October 20, Richard C. JIarsh and Hannah Pray. November 10, Samuel P. Moulton and Betsey J. Brown of Eppingv 1844, March 4, Richard C. Laurence of Philadelphia and Lucy J. Mas- ters, H. F. January 17, Nathaniel Chase of Lynn and Elizebeth Chase, H. F. January 25, Samuel Pervear and Angeline Gove. 1843, May 7, Jeremiah Wadleigh and Elisebeth Blake, both of Ken- sington. May 8, Jonathan Rowe and Ruth Wadleigh, both of Kensington. 1847, April 15, Jeremiah Lane and Adeline Baker. 1843, November 10, Samuel P. Tuck and Jane M. Knight. December 10, George M. Pendergast of Charleston, Mass, and Sarah N. Dearbon, Kensington. 1845, November 5, Sylvester Abbott, Andover, Mass., and Rhoda Batch- elder. October 15, Emery Stevens of Effingham and Eliza Ann Prescott^ ALICE BROWN. AUTHOR OF Stratford-bj'-the Sea. {Henry Hull, d- Co.] 1884. Fools of Nature, [ricknor & Co.] 1837. Three Heroines of New England Romance. [With Harriet Prescott SpofFord and liOulse Imogen Guiney. LitUr., Jirnivn A- t'c.J 189.5. Meadow-GrasH. [Copeland & Day.'\ 1895. Robert Louis Stevenson ; A StiKl,\-. [With Louise Imogen Guiney. Cojirlnmt tt llay.} 18013. The Rose of Hope. [Copelitiid & ItauA 1896. Tbp Road to Castaly. \Copeland & Dai/A 1890. Life of Mercy Warren. [Chas. Srriljner\-i Niiii.i.] 1896. By Oak and Thorn, [iruiuihloii & MimiiiA 1»96. The Day of His Youth. [Hou[iliton ct Jfif- lliii.l 1897. Tivr-rton Tales. 1899. See page 545. BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. EEV. STEPHEN BACHILEK. Me. Bachileh T\as born in England in 1551 and received orders in the Established Church. In the early part of his life he enjoyed a good repiitation, bnt being displeased with some of the ceremonies of the church and refusing to continue his conformity,' he was de- prived of his permission to perform her services. On leaving Eng- land, Mr. Bachiler went with his family to Holland, where he re- sided several years. He then returned to London, from which place he sailed on the 9th of March, 1633, in the William & Francis, Mr. Thomas, master, with sixty passengers, including Mr. Bachiler and his family. They arrived at Boston on the 5th of Jime,' after a tedious passage of eighty-eight days. He was 71 years of age when he arrived in this country, and removed with his family to Lynn, where his daughter, Theodate Hussey^ wife of Christopher Hussey, resided. In his company were six persons who had be- longed to a church with him in England, and of those he constituted a church at Lynn, to which he admitted such as were desirous of becoming members, and immediately commenced the exercise of the ministerial duties without installation. One of his first minis- trations was to baptize four children, born before his arrival, two of whom, Thomas Xewhall and Stephen Hussey, were born the same week. Thomas, being the older, was first presented. Mr. Bachiler put him aside, saying "1 will baptize my own child first." ?ilr. Bachiler had been in the performance of his pastoral duties about four months when a complaint was made of some irregularities in his conduct. He was arraigned before the court in Boston, on the 3d of October, when the following order was passed: Mr Bachiler is required to forbear exercising his gifts as a pastor, or teacher publiquely in our patent unless it be to those he brought with him, for his contempt of authority, and till some scandals be removed. 151 152 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. In the course of a few months Mr. Bachiler so far succeeded in regaining the esteem of the people that the injunction that he ■should not preach in the colony was, on the 4th of March, removed, which left him at liberty to resume the performance of his public services. The dissension, which had commenced in Mr Bachiler's church at an early period, began again to assume a formidable appearance. Some of the members disliked the conduct of the pastor, and, withal, making question whether there were a church or not, withdrew irom the communion. In consequence of this a council of min- isters was held on the 15th of March. Being unable to produce a reconciliation, they appointed another meeting and went to attend & lecture in Boston. Mr. Bachiler then requested the disafEected members to present their grievances in writing, but as they refused Jie resolved to excommunicate them, and wrote to the ministers at Boston, who immediately returned to Lynn. After a deliberation of three days, they decided that although the church had not been properly instituted, yet the mutual exercise of their religious duties had supplied the defect. The difficulties in Mr. Bachiler's church did not cease with the ■decision of the council, but continued to increase till Mr Bachiler, perceiving no prospect of their termination, requested a dismission for himself and first members, which was granted. Wiuthrop's history says he was convened before the magistrates. "The cause was for that coming out of England with a small body of six or seven persons, and having since received as many more at Saugus (Lynn) and contention growing between him and the great- est part of his church who had at first received him for their jjastor, he desired dismission for himself and his first members, wliich, being granted, upon supposition that he would leave town (as he had given out), he, with the six or seven persons, presently renewed their old covenant, intending to raise another church in Saiigus, whereat the most and chief of the town being ofEended for that it would cross their intentions of calling Mr. Peters or some other minister, they complained to the magistrates, who, foreseeing the distraction which was like to come by this course, had forbidden him to proceed in any such church way until the cause were considered by the other ministers, etc. But he refused to desist, whereupon they sent for him and, upon his delay day after day, the marshal was sent to fetch him. Upon his appearance and submission and prom- ise to move out of town within three months, he was discharged." BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 153^ He was admitted a freeman on the 6th of May, 1635, and re- ■ moved from Lynn in February, 163G. He went to Ipswich, where he received a grant of fifty acres of land and had the prospect of a settlement but, some difficulties having arisen, he left the place. In the very cold winter of 1637, he went on foot, with some of his friends, to Matakees, now Yarmouth (he then being 76 years of age), a distance of about one hundred miles. There he intended to plant a town and establish a church, but, finding the difficulties great and his company being all poor men, he relinquished the design. He then went to Newbury where, on the 6th of July, 1638, the town granted him and his son-in-law, Christopher Hussey, two por- tions of land, which had formerly been given to Edward Eawson, secretary of state, and Mr. Edward Woodman. On the, 6th of September the General Court of Massachusetts granted him permis- sion to commence a settlement at Winnecumett, now Hampton. In 1639 the inhabitants of Ipswich voted to give him sixty acres of land on Whortleberry hill and twenty acres of meadow if he would relinquish their previous grant of fifty acres and reside with them three years, but he did not accept their invitation. On the 5th of July he and Christopher Hussey sold their lands in Newbury to Mr. John Oliver for "Six score poimds," and went to Hampton, where a town was begun and a church gathered, of which Mr. Bach- iler became the minister. His company consisted of himself as- pastor; Mr. Timothy Dalton, teacher; Christopher Hussey, ]\Iary Hussey, his mother, and twelve others. Mr. Bachiler had a grant of 10 acres for a house lot; 21 acres of fresh meadow by Taylor's river, and 17 acres between the beach and the East field; 15 acres of planting ground, part of it being near- his house and the rest in the East field; 200 acres for a farm next to Salisbury line, 16 acres of which was fresh meadow, 120 acres, upland, the residue in salt marsh. The residue of his 200 acres, given the 24th of October, 1639, is yet to be appointed. It appears from the town records that he presented the first bell to the town early in 1640. That he was a man of good judgment and was considered upright,, upon his first settling in Hampton, may be inferred from his having been selected umpire in an important controversy existing between George Cleaves and John Wreiter, involving the title of some real estate in Sperwink, and also defamation of character on the part of Cleaves. This dispute was refprre,-^ to Mr. Bachiler and four 154 HISTORY OF UAMPTON FALLS. others, and the parties were- severally hound in the sum of £1,000 sterling to suhmit to their award. These referees reported on the same day at Saco, June 28, 1641, where Mr. Bachiler seems to heve been at that time. Mt. Bachiler, the pastor of the church at Hampton, who had suffered much at the hands of bishops in England, being about 80 years of age, and having a lusty and comely woman to his wife, did solicit the chastity of his neighbor's wife, fl-ho acquainted her husband therewith, whereupon he was dealt with, but denied it, as he had told the v oman he would do, and complained to the magis- trates against the woman and her husband for slandering him. The church likewise dealing with him, he stiffly denied it, but soon after, when the Lord's supper was to be administered, he did vol- untarily confess the attempt and that he did intend to have defiled her if she would have consented. The church being moved with his free confession and tears, silently forgave him and communi- cated with him, but after finding how scandalous it was they took advice of other elders, and, after long debate and much pleading and standing upon the church's forgiving and becoming reconciled to him in communicating with him after he had confessed it, they pro- ceeded to cast him out. After this he went on in a variable course, sometimes seeming very penitent, soon after excusing himself and casting blame upon others, especially his fellow elder, Mr. Dalton (who indeed had not carried himself in this ease so well as became him, and was brought to see his failing and acknowledged it to the elders of the other churches, who had taken much pains about this matter). So he be- haved himself to the elders when they dealt with him. He was off and on for a long time, and when he seemed most ipenitent, so as the church was ready to have received him in again, he would fall back again, and, as it were, repent of his repentance. In this time his house with nearly all his substance was consumed by fire. "Wlien he had continued excommunicated nearly two yeais, and much agi- tation had been about the matter, and the church was divided so he could not be received in, at length the matter was referred to some magistrates and elders, and by their mediation he was re- leased of his excommunication, but not received to his pastor's office. Upon occasion of this meeting for mediation, Mr. Wilson of Boston wrote a letter to him, which Governor Wintjhrop speaks very highly of, but it is not now known to be in existence. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 155 The contentions in Hampton were grown to a great height, the whole town was diTided into two factions, one with ]\Ir. Bachiler, their late pastor, and the other with Mr. Dalton, their teacher. Both men were passionate and wanting in discretion and modera- tion. Their differences were not in matters of opinion, lout of prac- tice. Mr. Dalton's party being mostly of the church, and so freemen, had great advantage of the other, though a considerable party, and some of them of the church also. The former carried all affairs, both in church and town, according to their own minds, and not with that respect to their brethren and neighbors which had been fit. Divers meetings had been held, both of magistrates and elders, and parties had been reconciled, iDut broke out again, each side being apt to take fire upon any provocation; whereupon Mr. Bachiler was ad- vised to remove and was called to Exeter, whither he intended to go, but they were divided and at great difference also. When one party had appointed a day of humiliation to gather a new church and call Jlr. Bachiler, the court sent order to stop it, for they con- sidered they were not in a fit condition for such a work, and Mr. Bachiler had been in other places before and through his means, as was supposed, the churches fell to such divisions as no peace could be had until he was removed. At this court there came petition against petition, both from Hampton and Exeter, whereupon the court ordered two of the magistrates to be sent to Hampton with full power to hear and determine all differences there. He probably continued in Hampton until 1647. He was living in Portsmouth on the 20th of April of that year, and resided there three years. In 1650 he married his third wife, being then nearly 90 years of age (89). In May he was fined by the court ten pounds for not publishing his marriage according to law, half of A^liich fine was remitted in October. In the same year the court passed the following order in consequence of a matrimonial disagreement: As is ordered by .the Court, that Mr. Bachiler and his wife shall live together as man and wife, as in the Court they have publiquely professed to do, and if either desert one another then hereby the Court doth order that j'e Marshall shall apprehend both ye said Mr. Bachiler and Mary his wife and bring them forthwith to Boston. There to be kept till the next quarter Court of assistants, that further consideration may be had. — Both of them moving for a divorce, and this order shall be sufficient warrant to do so. Provided notwith- standing that if they put in £50, Each of them for their appearance with such sureties as the commissioners or any one of them for the 156 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. County shall think good to accept of, — That then they shall be under their bail to appear at the next Court of assistants. And in case Mary Bachiler shall live out of the jurisdiction, without mutual con- sent for a time, that then the Clark shall give notice to the magis- trate at Boston of her absence that further order may be taken theron. Soon aiter this order, Mr. Bachiler returned to England, where he married his fourth wife, his third wife, Mary, being still living. In October, 1656, she petitioned the court, in the following words, to free her from her husband: To the Honored Gov. Deputy Governor, with the magistrates and Deputies at the General Court at Boston. — The humble petition of Mary Bachiler sheweth, Wheras your petitioner having formerly lived with Mr. Stephen Bachiler in this Colony as his lawful wife & not unknown to divers of you as I coucieve, and the said Jlr. Bachiler upon some pretended ends of his own has transported himself unto Old England, for many years since and betaken himself to anotjier wife, as your petitioner hath often been credibly informed, and there continued. Wherby your petitioner is left destitute not only of a guide to herself and her children, But also made incapable therby of disposing herself in the way of marriage to any other without a law- ful permiission, and now having two children upon her jiiands that are chargable to her in regard to a disease God has been pleased to lay upon them both, which is not easily curable, and has so weakened her estate in prosecuting the means of cure That she is not able longer to subsist without utterly ruining her estate, or exposing her- self to the common charity of others which your petitioner is loth to put herself upon, if it may be lawfiilly avoided as is well known to all or most part of her neighbors. And were she free from her en- gagement to Mr. Bachiler might probably so dispose of herself as that she might obtain a meet helper to assist her to procure such means for her livelihood and the recovery of her children's health as naight keep them from perishing, which your petitioner to her great grief is much afraid of, if not timely prevented. — Your petitioner's humbly request therfore is that this Honored Court would be pleased seri- ously to consider her condition for matter of her relief in her free^ dom from the said Mr. Bachiler and that she may be at liberty to dispose of herself in respect of any engagement to him as in your wisdom shall seem most Expedient, and your petitioner Shall humbly pray &■ co MAKY BACHILER. What order was taken upon this petition is not known, nor whether the old lady was successful in getting married again, to which she seemed to have a strong inclination and, judging from the tenor of the language of the above petition, some engagement BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 157 of the kind could be had, provided she succeeded in having the prayer of the said petition granted. Neither is it known who she was before her iinfortunate marriage with Mr. Bachiler. She was probably a widow, and the two iniirm children spoken of were by a former husband. How many more wives Mr. Bachiler married after this remains to be ascertained. When Hampton was divided into I-IT shares, December 22, 1645, two of the shares were granted Mr. Bachiler, besides his farm, but on the 2d of December, 1647, the farm was given to Mr. Wheel- wright, unless the said Wheelwright removed from the town without permission of the church. In that case the farm was to revert back again to the town. These conditions were taken off by a vote of the town on the 2"th of October, 1649, and the farm given Mr. Wheehrright freely, and at the same time it was mentioned as having been bought of William Howard and Thomas Ward. On the 6th of February, 1650, there appears to have been the following vote passed: It is agreed at a public meeting of the freemen that the 3 men, that is to say, 'William Fuler, William Esto, & Thomas Paybody, as they are summoned So to answer Jlr. Bachiler's action at Salisbury Court in the town's behalf. — It is supposed that this action was respecting' the farm. There is no further mention made in the records of it. It is probable that Mr. Bachiler was not very popular with the people of Hampton after this, as we find a vote of the town, passed November 21, 1657, to pay all the charges of prosecuting a peti- tion concerning ^Mr. Bachiler's exemption to the General Court. This is the last record of his being in the country which is known. There does not seem to have been any right claimed by any person in his name to shares in the common lands in Hampton after 1650. He died in Hackney, in England, aged about 100 years. Not- withstanding his errors and follies he had undoubtedly many virtues or he would not have had so many friends, and they would not have continued with him through every change in his fortune. Christopher Hussey, John Cross, and Moses Cox were among his followers. Prince says he was' a man of fame in his day; a gentle- man of learning, and ingenuity, and wrote a fine and curious hand. It was on his separation from the church at Lynn, and his sub- sequent misfortunes, that Mr. Edward Johnson, in his "Wonder- working Providence," wrote the following lines: 158 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. ThroT]g ocean large Christ brought thee for to feed His wandering flock with words thou oft has taught. Then teach thyself with others thou hast need, Thy flowering fame unto low ebb is brought. Faith and obedience Christ full near hath joined Then trust on Christ and thou then again must be Brought on thy race though now far cast behind Kun to the end and crowned thou shalt be. LewiSj in his history of Lynn, mentions five children only. The names of two others are known. The name of neither of his wives before marriage is known. His children were, — 1. Thbodata, who married Christopher Hussey and settled in Hampton, afterwards living upon what was known as the Hussey farm, Hampton Falls. 2. Deboeah, who married John "Wing of Lynn, and removed to Sandwich in 1637. p, fV-^t3. Daitghtee, who married a Sanborn and had three sons, all born before 1647. Their names were John, Stephen, and Wil- liam, and they all settled at Hampton. 4. Nathaniel. Eev. Timothy Dalton gave him one hundred acres of land, being a part of the farm granted him by the town at Sagamore hill. Nathaniel, 3d, settled here, on the farm now occupied by John T. Batchelder, where his descendants have continued to live. 5. A SoK, who removed to Eeading, where he had a son, Henry, who came to Lynn, where several families of his descendants lived. 6. Peancis. In a letter from Stephen Bachiler to his brother Nathaniel, dated London, April 23, 1685, he says he has lost £1,500 "by our brother, Francis Bachiler." 7. Stephen, who was living in London April 23, 1685, where he was probably in good circumstances. At that date he had lost £2,500 sterling by his brother Francis, and others, previously, yet then he describes himself to be in such a situation as not being beholden to any relative. He seems to have been a man of good education and a good penman. He mentions a brother Winbourne. He spells his name Bachiler, as did also Na- thaniel. Eev. Stephen Bachiler's descendants are very numerous. There are not less than one hundred living in Hampton Falls at the present time, and probably as many, or more, in Hampton. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 159 The farm granted Mr. Bachiler, of 200 acres, at Salisbury bounds, was bounded on the south by the Rocks road, so called, now in Sea- brook, and included what is now occupied by the Browns and Locks. This farm was afterwards granted by the town to Rev. John Wheelwright, and later sold by him to John Cass. This farm was bounded on the south by what was then known as the Shapleigh line. REV. TIMOTHY DALTON. Eev. Timothy Dalton was one of the first settlers of Dedham, about 1635. He lived a short time in Watertown before this, but was supposed to have owned no property there. He sold his prop- erty in Dedham to Mr. Parkhurst of Watertown, who was his brother- in-law, and who afterwards sold it to Mr. Michael Powell of Charles- town for £70, payable one half the first year and the remainder the second year, in corn or money, either to Mr. Dalton or Mr. Park- hurst. Dalton came, in company with Mr. Bachiler and thirteen others, most of whom were related to one or the other of them, to Hampton in 1638, and commenced a settlement, Bachiler being the pastor and Dalton the teacher of the church. There were frequent quarrels between them and their respective friends. October 21, 1639, he had 300 acres of land allotted to him which, on April 30, 1640, was assigned as follows: '"10 acres for a house lott, as it is layd out, 14 acres of fresh meadow, wherof 10 were near Bro. Crosses, A piece near his own sellar, the rest where it shall be found, 15 acres of planting ground near Taylor's river, near Sagamore hill, 200 acres for a farm as it is in haste laid out, near Taylor's river. There being 23^ acres (or thereabout) of fresh meadow 120 acres of upland & the rest in salt marsh, where it may be had." The residue of his 300 acres, given October 24, 1639, is yet to be located. March 29, 1640, he was chosen, with Mr. Hussey and John Moul- ton, to set the bounds between Hampton and Colchester (Salisbury). June 25, 1640, he and five others were chosen to go and view the highway toward the same place. February 19, 1641, he wa^ ap- pointed on the committee to confer about a ferry place. December 23, 1645, he was to have 3 of the 147 shares besides his farm. On the 12th of February, 1647, Mr. Wheelwright received a call because Mr. Dalton had labored beyond his strength and ability of nature. It would seem from the vote that his health had failed, and from this cause was not adequate to fulfill the duties of the ofiice. He, 160 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. however, received £40 per annum for his services for four years afterwards, for which amount he discharged the town in consider- ation of his having from them a farm at Salisbury bounds, and another at Sagamore hill. It is probable that he did not receive any salary after 1652, or that he performed any duties appertaining to the office of teacher, although his connection with the town or church may not have been dissolved by any formal vote. He must have been 75 years of age, and was doubtless afflicted by the infirm- ities usual to old people. On the 12th of March, 1656, he bought of James Davis, Sr., fifteen acres of land for a large sum of money, and on the 12th of May, 1656, he bought of Thomas Moulton all his lands, com- monage, house, etc., for and in consideration of one hundred pounds in hand. This land consisted of ten acres for a house lot and ten of planting land, adjoining. The twenty acres are in the windmill lot, ten acres fresh meadow, five acres of planting in the East field, share No. 43 in the ox common, and three shares in the cow common. The town, being anxious to procure the services of Rev. Seaborn Cotton, upon the departiire of Eev. Mr. Wheelwright, chose a com- mittee to wait upon Mr. Dalton and make some agreement with him respecting his relinquishing his house for the use of the minister. Accordingly an agreement was made on the 12th of , 1657. In consideration of the towns building an addition in front of the house which he bought of Thomas Moulton 36 ft by 20, with a brick chimney, with two flues, to be finished with doors and windows, glazed, & floor layed, & to be fixed as convenient as the house where he now dwelleth, and the old house to be covered with boards and shingles and the fioor laid & Mr. Dalton consents to remove there and relin- quish the house and lands to the town, for the use of the ministry The purchase alluded to in the above agreement was a deed of his home lot, containing 20 acres and extending from the Shaw land to the Green, which was the only front it had on the road; 14 acres adjoining it ; another small piece of meadow, of which the bounds are given but the quantity is not stated, and 3 acres of up- land joining his 20-acre lot, together with his house and appur- tenances; one share in the ox common and three shares in the cow common, which deed was given to the church and town for the use of the town, in consideration of the town's paying him £200, in equal annual payments of £20, in cattle or corn at the market price. This deed was signed by him December 28, 1657, and BIOSRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 161 acknowledged by himself and wife April 13, 165S. Dalton then moved to the !Moulton place, which was where Captain Jona. Palmer formerly lived. This purchase of a house and lands from Mr. Dalton has been a fruitful source of lawsuits, ilr. Dalton was connected by rela- tionship, either of himself or wife, with several of the first settlers of the town. Jasper Blake was one and named a son for him, to whom 'Mt. Dalton gave one hundred acres of land; Emanuel Hil- liard was another and had a son Timothy, who received a like pres- ent of one hundred acres. The Smiths and Bachilers were con- nected with his wife by marriage. In consequence of a disturbance at Dover in 1641, between Mr. Knolls and friends and !Mr. Larkam and his party, the General Court ordered Mr. Bradstreet, one of the magistrates, together with Mr. Peter and Mr. Dalton, two of the elders, to go there and endeavor to reconcile matters and to report to them, etc. They at length accomplished the object of their mission. Of their journey homeward. Governor Winthrop gives the following account: Mr. Peter and ilr. Dalton with, one from Atamenticus, went from Piseataquack. with Mr. John Ward who was to be entertained there for their minister, and wandered two days and one night, without food or fire, in the snow and wet, But God heard their prayers, and when they were quite spent he broug-ht them to the sea side near the place they were to go to. Blessed forever be his name. Johnson, in his '""Wonder-'U'orking Providence,"' styles him the "Keverend, grave & gracious Mr. Dalton," and gives the following verses as a short remembrance of him, having before given 3Ir. Bachiler a similar memorial: Dalton doth teach perspicuously and sound With wholesome truth of Christ thy flock doth feed Thy honor with thy labor doth abound. Age crowns thy head in righteousness, proceed To batter down, root up and quite destroy All heresies and errors that draw back Unto perdition and Christ's folks annoy. To war for him thou weapons does not lack. Long days to see, that loners for daj- to come Of Babel's fall, and Israels quiet peace Thou must live of dayes so great a sum To see this work, let not thy warfare cease. 162 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Mr. Dalton was considered a sound and able divine by his con- temporaries. He was a good penman. Several instriiments drawn up by him are written in an excellent manner, although their pecu- liar phraseology show him to have been a clergyman, and evince a want of knowledge of legal forms. He was careful and strict in his worldly affairs and accumulated property rapidly. An original award of two of his church is extant, to whom the subject of Wil- liam Fifleld's cutting timber for pipe staves on land granted by the town to Mr. Dalton was referred. They decide that if the bolts are worth more when made into staves than the trees would have been when standing, although' staves were then of little value, Mr. Fifield is to receive a compensation for his labor; but if other- wise Mr. Dalton is to be indemnified for his loss in having the trees cut, and they acquit Mr. Fifield of committing any intentional trespass in felling the trees. This curious award, which illustrates the love of property Mr. Dalton possessed, bears date of ISTovember 2, 1643. The referees were William Howard and William Fuller. Another instance of this propensity is found in the following receipt, taken from the town records October 2, 1651: Whearas the town of Hampton was to paj' unto Mr. Timothy Dalton for the four years last past the sum of £160, Th* four years ending at midsummer last past, — The S 177 to your Honors generous acceptance and am your honors, Humbly devoted SEABORN COTTON. Hampton, Sept. Stt 1685. In answer to this petition the council order — That the petitioner be left to the law to have his remedy ag* the persons he contracted with for his dues. R. CHAMBERLAIN Ck. Council. The above petition affords 'a curious illustration of ilr. Cotton's character. His ■^^■ishing for an order of council for the especial ben- efit of himself, was not an uncommon occurrence in those times, still he appears to have been somewhat ashamed of being known as the instigator of it. The council acted justly in the matter. He died April 19, 1686, aged fifty-two years. He married June 14, 1654, Dorothy Bradstreet, daughter of Governor Bradstreet. She died February 26, 1672. By her he had nine children. His son John succeeded him in the ministry at Hampton. July 9, 1673, he married ]\Irs. Prudence Crosby, widow of Dr. Anthony Crosby, of Eowley, Mass. He had at least two children by his second wife. One, a son, Eowland, graduated from Harvard in 1694, and was a physician in the Isle of Wight, England. Mr. Cotton was sometimes appointed an appraiser of estates, and was administrator to the estate of John Haskett. March 23, 1671, Eobert Page gave him a legacy of £6 in his will. One fourth part of his farm at Hogpen plains was sold October 20, 1702, by William Philbrick of Greenland, to Eben Johnson of Hampton, for £25. His will was dated May 20, 1684; completed, June 2, 1684; proved, August 7, 1684. It mentions his wife Prudence, John and Bow- land, his sons, and six daughters. Inventory: Plate, £20; library, £60; horse, £7; mare, £4; colt, £1; 7 cows, £24; 22 sheep and lambs, £6; swine, great and small, £4; 40 pounds unwashed wool, £2, 10 shil- lings; a silver whistle, 11 shillings. He gives his first wife's "truncke" to I\Iary in remembrance of her mother, and a pocket pistol to his son John. He mentions his father and his cousin. Cotton Mather. EEV. joh:n" COTTOX. The death of Eev. Seaborn Cotton left the people of Hampton without a minister for the first time since the settlement of the town, a period of nearly forty-eight years. Soon after the late 178 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. pastor's death, efforts were made to find a suitable successor. The first preacher known to have been employed was Mr. John Cotton, son of the deceased pastor, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1678, who, having been chosen a Fellow of the college, was living in Cambridge at the time of his father's death. He then came to Hampton and was employed as a preacher. While the people.were destitute of a settled minister, they were not unmindful of the habits and conduct of the young. At a town meeting, 1687,— Voted, That the Constables shall take special care, that the youth be kept from playing on the Sabbath. If any children are found to be disorderly, their parents or masters shall first be informed, and if they shall not take care of them — and they are again found disorderly, Complaint Shall be made to authority. The town did not act in reference to Mr. Cotton as a candidate, bxit wished to have him ordained at once. Voted that Mr. Henry Green, and William Fuller, should treat with Mr. Cotton whether he would be willing to settle here in the work of the ministry, and be ordained. By this act the town showed their willingness that he should be ordained at once. From some cause, not now known, he was not then ordained, but continued to preach as a supply. Mr. Cotton was married August 17, 1686, to Anne, daughter of Capt. Thomas Lake of Boston, and began housekeeping in Hampton and contin- ued to preach until the summer of 1690. An effort was then made to see what the inhabitants would contribute yearly toward Mr. John Cotton's maintenance as long as he remained here in the work of the ministry. Either Mr. Cotton had suspended his labors, or had expressed his intention of doing so. About 1692, an effort was made to induce Mr. John Pike, then settled in Dover, to come and settle here. Mr. Nathaniel Weare, "William ilarston, Capt. Samuel Sherburne, Lieut. John Sanborn, and Henry Dow were chosen to treat with Mr. Pike, to know if he were willing to come here in the work of the ministry. Mr. Pike had been pastor of the Dover church for many years, but was now living in Portsmouth, on account of the danger from Indian ravages which were being committed in and about Dover. Mr. Pike was willing to come here if he could be cleared from his engagement with the Dover church. This he probably did not ob- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 179 tain at that time. After living here a short time, he removed to ]Srewbury, Mass., in 1693. He afterward returned to Dover, where he died in 1710. After the failure to secure Mr. Pike, renewed efforts were made to induce Mr. Cotton to settle. October 26, 1691, the town voted to invite him to settle in the work of the ministry. Nathaniel Weare and Francis Page were appointed to commimicate with him, and receive his answer, which they were to lay before the town, author- ity having been given them to call a meeting for that purpose. Mr. Cotton was then living in Portsmouth, and had received a call to become pastor of the church there. Mr. Moody, who had gone away because of Cranfield's order, and was now living in Boston, concluded to return to Portsmouth and resume his labors in the pastorate, which he did in 1693. Mr. Cotton on this account de- clined the call. Another town meeting was holden in reference to Mr. Cotton, who, the record says, "was for some years with us." It was voted to invite him to come and preach at least one Sabbath, and a town meeting would be held on the next morning at the meeting-house to receive his propositions and see if any agreement could be made with him. Mr. Cotton probably preached Sunday, March 27, as on Monday, the 28th, Lieut. John Sanborn and Mr. Nathaniel Weare were chosen to speak to Mr. Cotton, and desire him to let the town know his terms in writing, that they might see how near they could comply. A quarterly contribution and repairs upon the parsonage were promised. In case he accepted, the town agreed that there should be a convenient house built for him on land appointed for the purpose. In the meantime, the old house was to be made hab- itable for him. A committee was chosen to build a parsonage house, which, after considerable delay, was accomplished. It was voted May 17, 1694, to give j\Ir. Cotton £85 per year, to be paid every half year in wheat at 5s. per bushel, Indian corn at 3s., malt and rye each at 4s. per bushel, pork at 3d. per pound, beef at 2d. per pound, — all merchant- able and good, and the use of the house, land, and meadow appointed for the ministry. The town was to maintain the outside fence of said land and meadow, and "to do what they see cause for about supplying him with fire wood." The town voted him "Sixtie load of wood, such loads as fewer oxen would draw, two loads to make a cord, to be valued at 3 shillings a cord." Afterward the vote was 180 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. modified and he was to receive 30 cords per year, those furnishing it to receive 5s. per cord provided one half, at least, was oak. The procuring and payment for wood was left in charge of the selectmen. After Mr. Cotton's compensation had been settled upon, the way was opened for his ordination. September 19, 1696, the town voted that they desired to have him ordained at once. It was also voted that if Mr. Cotton's goods, which were at Mystic, should be sent to Boston, they would be at the expense of transporting them from there to Hampton. A committee was chosen to solicit contributions to defray the charges of the ordination, which was appointed for ISTpvember 19, 169G, ten years and four months after the death of their last pastor. The ordination was an event of no ordinary interest, as there had not been an ordination in the town for nearly forty years and during that period only three ordinations in the province. The church, which had been so long without a pastor, had decreased somewhat in membership. Ten were admitted in the January following, and seventy the first year. During Mr. Cotton's ministry the whole number admitted was 315. In that time 487 were baptized. Provision was made to have the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered eight times in a year, but on account of the cold of winter it was omitted from December 1 to March 1, making the observance seven times during the year. September 11, 1698, thirteen persons were dismissed from the church to be incorporated into a church state at Exeter. They were residents of Exeter who had united with this church because there was none in their own town. Now there was a church to be organized there, and a pastor ordained. Mr. Nathaniel Weare and Capt. Henry Dow were chosen messengers from this church to assist in the ordination. In 1701,_ the town voted Mr. Cotton ten cords of wood in addi- tion to his former thirty cords, on the condition that he preach a lecture in Hampton once a month, according to former custom in his father's days. After a pastorate of thirteen years and four months, and a min- istry of more than twenty years, Mr. Cotton was suddenly removed from his people by death, March 10, 1710, at the age of 51 years, 10 months, and 19 days. It may seem strange to some that sketches of the lives and min- istry of the early ministers of Hampton should be given a place in the history of Hampton Falls. Up to nearly the time of Eev. John Cotton's death, in 1710, there was no church in the town BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 181 south of Taylor's river. All attended church at what is now the old town of Hampton, and many of the prominent and influential members lived south of the river, as we have seen by the records. The church was maintained and the ministers supported by rates levied upon the whole town. The tax rate of 1709, which is before us, contains 128 names of persons south of Taylor's river, all of whom were rated that year for the support of Eev. John Cotton and the old church at Hampton. All the ministers of Hampton previous to this time were as much our ministers as theirs, and we furnished our proportion of the members. It was during Mr. Cot- ton's ministry, in 1709, that forty-nine members of his church were dismissed to incorporate a church at the Falls, and among them one of the deacons, Samuel Shaw, who lived on and owned what has since been known as the Governor Weare place. The death of Eev. John Cotton was the occasion of the Falls people petition- ing to be set off entirely from the old town in ministerial matters, having before this been considered as the second parish in the town, and supported and governed by the whole town. The result of this petition was an order to raise a separate rate for each, which continued until the death of Eev. Theophilus Cotton in 1726, after which the system was abolished and the two towns became entirely separated in the management of town and church matters. CHEISTOPHBE HUSSEY. Christopher Hussey was bom at Dorking in Surry, England. He went to Holland where he became enamored of Theodata, daughter of Eev. Stephen Bachiler, who had resided there for several years, but her father would not consent to their marriage unless Mr. Hussey would remove to Kew England, whither he was preparing to go. Mr. Hussey came to Lynn, New England, with his wife and his mother, widow Mary Hussey, in 1630. His son Stephen was born here the same year and was the second white child born in Lynn. He removed to Newbury in 1636, and was one of the first settlers there. In 1637 he was chosen one of the first seven men of the town. He and his father-in-law, Bachiler, sold their lands in New- bury to Mr. John Oliver for sixscore pounds, on the 5th of July, 1639, and removed to Hampton. Next to Mr. Bachiler and Mr. Dalton he was considered the greatest man among the early set- tlers of Hampton. At the incorporation of the town, May 3, 182 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1639, he was appointed to "end all business under 30s." There were two others Joined with him in this office, which was similar to justice of the peace. He was appointed at first by the court, but afterward he sustained the office seyeral years by a vote of the town from year to year. August 30, 1639, he and two others were chosen to measure and bound the respective lots, the several owners attending with stakes. For this service they were to have 13d. per house lot and a penny an acre for other lands. March 39, 1640, he and John Moulton and Mr. Dalton were appointed to set the bounds between Hampton and Salisbury. April 30, 1640, he was granted "10 acres for a house lott, as it is laid out, 14 acres of fresh meadow near the bridge by the beach, fifteen acres of planting ground part of which joined his house lot & the rest in the East field. — 150 acres for a farm as it is in part layd out near the falls river on the further side therof. There being near about 18 acres of fresh meadow 100 acres of upland & the rest in Salt marsh. The residue of his 350 acres granted, is yet to be appointed. 3^ acres or upwards of the swamp next Bro. Davis' is added & about a qr. of an acre by his cellar." June 35, 1640, six persons were chosen to go and view the high- way towards Colchester. Hussey was one of them. November 39, 1640, he and two others were chosen to oversee the building of the meeting-house. February 19, 1641, he was to confer in relation to a ferry place. May 38, 1641, he was chosen moderator. This is the first mention of this office upon the record. He was repre- sentative in 1658, 1659, and 1660. He was selectman in 1650, 1658, 1664, and 1668. He was town clerk in 1650. In 1645 he had two shares of the 147, beside his farm, and in 1651, two shares in the ox common. In 1663 his tax was £3 8s. 3d., being the sec- ond, as respects the amount, in the town. From 1643 to 1650 his name is not found upon our records in the important business proceedings, from which it may be inferred that he had become unpopular on account of his being a son-in-law of Eev. Mr. Bachiler, who was the occasion of dividing the town into two parties who show much animosity to each other. The Bachiler party, being the minority, were obliged to leave the field to their more successful opponents. These prejudices probably existed some years, and operated against Mr. Hussey^s being put forward as he otherwise would have been. But from 1650 to the time of his death, he seemed to have gained his former consequence. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 183 and frequently discharged the duties of those offices which were then only bestowed upon the best informed and influential men. Among those offices was that of moderator at the meetings, and they were then chosen to preside over the next meeting, so that nothing was to be done in assembling but to proceed immediately to business. May 28, 1641, the town passed a vote to regulate these meetings: 1st. The moderator was to be chosen at the end of every meeting for the next succeeding one. 2d. The moder- ator, if the elders were not present, was to open the meeting with prayer. 3d. He was there to state to the meeting some propo- sition or to call on some one else to do it. 4th. AVhen any person addressed the moderator he was to stand up and put off his hat, and no other person was to speak at the same time, and no one was to speak oftener than twice or thrice on the same business without leave. "Nor shall any one propound anything till the former be for that time determined. ISTor shall any, when a matter is in agi- tation, be talking of any other thing within the meeting room." The clerk was to call over the freemen and note the absent. The meeting was to be ended with prayer. Every person who violated the foregoing rule was subject to a fine of six shillings, to be laid out upon the highway or other town business, and if not paid within six days the constable had power to distrain, etc. He was a signer to Weare's petition to the king. He was prob- ably a very severe sufferer from the hands of Mr. Mason, for in Weare's brief of evidence presented to the Lord's Commissioners of Trade, etc., it is stated that for Partridge's costs, goods were tendered and refused, and that Partridge was imprisoned; that he was forbid to work in prison, and forced to live upon the charity of his friends. John Smith testifies the same of Christopher Hus- sey. Mr. Weare knew him to be 86 years old. This brief is dated March 10, 1685. Lewis's History of Lynn says he was cast away on the coast of Florida in 1685. He was then about 87. It would seem almost incredible. What could induce such an old man to take a voyage so far from home, as to have been cast away upon the coast of Florida? The only reason we can assign for it is that having suf- fered imprisonment on account of Mr. Mason, there was an entire uncertainty whether he should not again be exposed to a similar trial, as well as to the loss of his estate. He may have contemplated moving to one of the West India islands, in order to spend the remainder of his days in peace and quietness. 184 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. From another source we learn that Captain Hussey, having rounded out ninety years in an honorable and distinguished career, died March 6, 1686, and was buried March 8, as stated on the town records. Capt. Henry Dow wrote upon his diary in cipher for Monday, March 8, that he was at Captain Hussey's burial. From this it would appear that he died in Hampton, and not, as has been previously stated, upon the far-off coast of Florida. Mr. Hussey was appointed one of xhe first councilors in 'New Hampshire under royal authority, upon its separation from Massa- chusetts in 1679. This office he held till his death. He was also a military man. April 2, 1653, he was chosen presbyter to the next court to be held at Salisbury, to be installed as lieutenant for the town of Hampton. He was afterward called Captain Hussey. He was a chief man in church affairs, being one of the first deacons, having the first seat. His mother, Mary Hussey, had a separate grant from her son in 1640. It was 5 acres for a house lot, 3 acres fresh meadow, and 5 acres of planting groiind. In 1645, she had one of the 147 shares. She died June 16, 1660. It is not known where her house was. His inventory was £660, appraised by John Tuck and Joseph Dow. His first wife was Theodata Bachiler, daughter of Eev. Stephen Bachiler. She died October 20, 1649. He married, second, Ann, widow of Jeffery Mingay. She died June 34, 1680. His children were as follows: Stephen, who was born in 1630, married Martha Bunker, and moved to Xantucket, where he died in 1718, aged 88 years. John, who married Eebecca Perkins. Joseph. Maet, who married Thomas Page; second, Henry Green; third, Henry Dow. HuLDAH, who married John Smith and died in ilay, 1740, aged 97 years. Theodata, who married Benjamin Swett in May, 1682. Captain Hussey's farm, where he lived after 1645 or 1650, was south of the Falls river, and was afterward known as the Worth farm and was probably owned by the Husseys until Jlr. Worth came here, about 1733. It has since been owned by Captain Hoyt, Abraham Dow, James Brimner, and others, and comprised what is BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 185 now owned by George L. Brown, heirs of Jefferson Janvrin, John A. Dow, and others. Many have erroneously stipposed that Mr. Hussey owned and operated the mills now known as Dodge's. This could not have been so, as Henry Green was in possession as early as 1648, by a grant from the town. They remainedin possession of his descend- ants until 1764, when they were sold to Col. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton. If Mr. Hussey ever owned or operated mills it must have been elsewhere. The poet John G. Whittier felt pride in the fact that he was a descendant of Christopher Hussey. GOVEENOE EDWAED CEANFIELD. Mason had now learned from experience that the people, if governed by officers of their own choice, would never admit his title to their lands. He therefore besought the king to appoint a new governor who would favor his claims. Mason, by surrender- ing one fifth of the quit-rents to the king for the support of a royal governor, procured, the appointment of Edward Cranfield as lieu- tenant governor, and commander in chief of New Hampshire. Avarice was Cranfield's ruling passion, and the proprietor ap- proached him through that avenue by mortgaging to him the whole province for twenty-one years, as security for the payment of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum to the new governor. Thus Cranfield became personally interested in Mason's claim. His com- mission was dated ilay 9, 1682. It granted almost unlimited powers. Very soon after entering upon his office, Cranfield suspended from the council the popular leaders Waldron and Martyn. The people soon learned that Cranfield was clothed with extraordinary powers, and that both their liberty and property were in peril. He could veto all acts of the legislature and dissolve them at pleas- ure. The judges were also appointed by him. On the 14th of February, 1683, the governor called on the inhabitants of ISTew Hampshire to take their leases from Mason within one month, with threats of confiscation in case of neglect to do so. Very few per- sons complied with this requisition. The courts were then arranged so as to secure a verdict in every case for Mason. The notorious Barefoote was made judge. The juries were selected from those who had taken leases from the proprietor. 186 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. With, matters thus arranged Mason commenced actions of eject- ment against the principal inhabitants of the several towns. No defense was made. The verdict was in every case for the plaintiff, and he was put legally in possession of the forfeited estates, but so strong was the popular hatred against him he could neither keep nor sell them. The government became a mere instrument of op- pression. The people were harassed beyond endurance. The people as a forlorn hope resolved to petition the king for protec- tion. This was done in secret. Nathaniel AVeare of Hampton was appointed their agent to present this petition to bis majesty. The remainder of this turbulent administration was a series of collusions with the assembly, the people, and the pulpit. Cran- field was a perverse, arrogant, impractical schemer, and re- peated failures in his higli-handed measures made him desperate. He undertook to rule without the assembly, and thus involved himself in difficulty with the home government. While he re- mained in office he succeeded in making everybody unhappy and uncomfortable. He owed the Kev. Joshua iloody of Portsmouth a special spite. He determined to bring this sturdy independent to terms. He issued an order in council requiring ministers to admit all persons of suitable years and not vicious to the Lord's supper, and their children to baptism, and that if any person desired baptisni or the sacrament of the Lord's supper, it was to be administered accord- ing to the church of England. The governor himself, with Mason and Hincks, appeared at Mr. Moody's church the nest Sabbath, desiring to partake of the Lord's supper, and requiring him to administer it according to the liturgy. He at once declined to do so. Moody was arraigned for disobedience to the king's command. He made a suitable defense, pleading that he was not Episcopally ordained and therefore not legally qualified for the service de- manded. The governor gained over several reluctant judges and Moody was sentenced to six months' imprisonment without bail or mainprise. Mr. iloody was immediately taken into custody, with- out taking leave of his family, and held in durance for thirteen weeks. He was released but was to preach no more in the province. The governor, being foiled in all his plans, proceeded to levy and collect taxes without the sanction of the assembly. His officers were resisted. They were assailed with clubs in the street and scalded with boiling water in the houses. In process of time the agent of the colony was heard in England, and the lords of trade BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 187 decided that Cranfield had exceeded his authority and instructions, and the king granted him leave of ahsence, rewarding his loyalty with an office in Barbadoes. So the colony was relieved of one tyrant to give place to another, for Walter Barefoote, his deputy, reigned in his stead. Cranfield seems not to have possessed any element of nobility of character or generosity. He was deceitful and treacherous, as well as vindictive and malicious. His successor during his short admin- istration walked in his steps. He continued the iDrosecutions in- stituted by Mason, and allowed persons to be imprisoned on execu- tions, which the lords of trade had pronounced illegal. The service of these writs was attended with peril to the officials. In Dover the rioters who resisted the sheriffs were seized during divine wor- ship in the church. The officers were again roughly handled, and one young lady knocked one of them down with her Bible. Both Barefoote and Mason received personal injuries at the house of the former from two members of the assembly, who went thither to converse about these suits. Mason was thrown upon the fire and badly burned. Barefoote attempted to aid him and had two of his ribs broken, ilason commenced the assault. It was an unseemly quarrel for a prospective baron and an actual governor. In 1686, Mason having hitherto been defeated in his attempt to recover the cultivated lands of the state turned his attention to the unoccupied portions. He disposed of a large tract of a million acres, on both sides of ilerrimack river, to Jonathan Tyng, and nineteen others, for a yearly rent of ten shillings. He also leased for a thousand years to Hezekiah Usher and his heirs, "the rivers, minerals, and ores" within the limits of New Hampshire. MASOX'S SUITS. Suits were instituted against all the principal land holders in the province, who, following Waldron's example, never made any de- fense. Some, chiefly of Hampton, gave in writing their reasons for not joining issue, which were Mason's refusal to comply with the direction in the commission, the impropriety of a jury deter- mining what the king had expressly reserved for himself, and the incapacity of the jury, they all being interested persons, one of whom had said he would spend his estate to make Mason's right good. These reasons were irritating rather than convincing to the court. The jury never hesitated in their verdicts. From seven 188 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. to twelve cases were dispatched in a day, and the costs were multi- plied from five to twenty pounds. Executions were issued of which two or three only were levied, but Mason could neither keep pos- session of the premises or dispose of them by sale, so that the owners still occupied and enjoyed them. In 1683, Governor Cranfield brought an action against John Sanborn of Hampton for saying, "I question whether the king ever heard of his [the said Edward Cranfield's] commission or patent." Damages were laid at £500. In ease depending between Edward Cranfield, Esquire, -plaintiff, against John Sanborn, defendant, "The jury now find for the plaintiff. Five hundred pounds damage, and costs of Court, Or to make a j)ublic acknowledgment, in all four towns both, in matter and form, as this Court shall direct. Then he so doing shall pay but ten pounds and costs of Court." The costs were £1 10s. Capt. Samuel Sherburne of Hampton was prosecuted, in an action of slander, by Eobert Mason for saying "He brings nothing but blanks, and coppeys, without seals both here and in England to prove his cases." He was sentenced to pay £20 damages and to make open acknowledgment in Hampton and in Great Island (Portsmouth) on two public days, otherwise he was to pay £100. The acknowledgment was made by his confessing that he had done "very evilly, and simply both to the person and cause of Eobert Mason." The witnesses in J\Iason's cases were always some of the jury. Benjamin Moulton and William Fifield prove possession given Mason of Sanborn's house and lands and of the imprisoning of Sanborn. The costs in these actions were raised from 30s. to £6. Goods were not taken. In case of Partridge's costs, goods were tendered as before but refused, and Partridge imprisoned. He was forbidden to work in prison, and forced to live on his friends' charity. John Smith testifies the same of Christopher Hussey, who was 86 years old. Jacob Perkins and Timothy Hilliard testify that seeing how others were dealt with by Mr. Mason, by imprisonment for want of money to pay court charges, they were forced to yield to Mr. Mason's demand. The General Assembly ordered pieces of 8 rial value and dollars to pass at 6s. 8d. per oz., Troy weight. Governor Cranfield and his council ordered that these pieces should go at 6s. apiece, without respect to weight; some dollars not worth 3s. by weight to pass for BIOURAPHICAL SKETCHES. 189 6s. William Sanborn swears he lost I63. in receiving £5,. Spanish money, by reason of the above order; Jacob Brown, that he lost a sixth part of £5, Spanish money, by the same order. One Joseph Dow and other jurymen, passing by the governor's house, were invited in and friendly received, but on asking the question whether they might not when sworn (as before they had done) hold up their hands instead of kissing the book, the gover- nor fell into a rage and asked them how they came there, to whom Dow replied • "at your honor's invitation. ■' :\Ir. Cranfield com- plained of this matter to the next court as a riot. Dow was forced to give £100 bonds for his appearance next session. When Dow appeared nothing was alleged against him, he was discharged, and his arms restored; but at another session, after Dow was called again on the same bond, and the penalty was enforced against him, he was forced to flee out of the province with his wife and nine children, leaving his house and goods, with the corn in the ground, to the governor. This ilr. Vaughan and ilr. Weare can also prove. September 16, 1681, Yaughan was committed to prison until he gave security for his good behavior, by ^Mr. Barefoote and others. John Foulsome and Xathaniel Batchelder swear that "in July last the governor said he would fine all the petitioners £100 each and that it should be the last toll that can come to his mill." The petitioners referred to were those who signed Weare's petition to the king. William Fifield, Jr., Eiehard Sanborn, and Xathaniel Sanborn depose that in October, 1683, being at John Sanborn Senior's house, when Eobert ilason, Sherlock, the marshal, and James Leach came to give Mason possession, Sanborn not opening the door. Leach, per marshal's order, broke it open and gave Mason possession, and Sherlock took Sanborn prisoner, when Mason openly told the people "This is what you shall come to."' Thomas Philbrick speaks of some discourse between him and Henry Green, Esq., about Henry Eoby and Xathaniel Boulter, two standing jurymen, having had land from Mason which was worth £100, above the 2d. to be paid Henry Green as one of the judges. Henry Dow can testify that the 11th of October, 1683, Henry Eoby had land measured out to him of one hundred acres upland and marsh, appointed him by ilason, and Xathaniel Boulter and his sons had twenty acres, which he said was too little, in that Mason had promised him thirty. Eobert Smith had a piece of 13 190 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. marsh lajid, he claiming the same from Mason. These grounds were part of the unfenced pasture where the milch cows of Hamp- ton's inhabitants used to feed, the loss of which is of great prejudice to the town. The following extract is from a brief of Craniield's commission and of the evidence in support of the complaint and against it: That in order for the trial of Mr. Mason's lands 1st There is a stand- ing jury kept from month to month 2d That by report these jurymen have agreed with Mason for their lands. Sd That several pleas have been refused and the defendants told by judges they would not make record for them, by entering their pleas. Thomas Thurston the Sheriff, was beaten at Hampton and his sword taken from him. He was then seated upon a horse and conveyed out of the province to Salisbury, with a rope about his neck, his feet tied under the horse's belly — Justice Eoby attempted to commit some of the rioters but they were rescued on the way, and both the justice and SherifE were struck in the execution of their office. — The troop of horse under Mason's command was then ordered out, completely mounted and armed, to assist in suppressing the disorder, But when the day came not one appeared. Cranfield thus finding his efEorts ineffectual and his authority contemptible was obliged to desist. Jacob Basford, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere, was said to have been the man who bound and conveyed Thurston out of the province. Ten men came to arrest Basford, who was a power- ful man. He charged upon them with a threshing flail and put them to flight. They retreated in great haste, and as their course was through a potato field a great many potatoes were unearthed in their hurried departure. The officers did not trouble Basford any more. John Sanborn, who was imprisoned by Mason's order, lived on the Sanborn homestead, near the orchard on the Depot road, in Hampton Falls, and was the father of Abner, who died in 1780. NATHANIEL WEAEE. Nathaniel Weare was born in 1631. He was in Newbury, Mass., in 1656, and came to Hampton as early as 1663. In 1665 he ex- changed with the town ten acres of land, formerly Francis Swain's, one of whose heirs he was. It is not known what the relationship between him and Swain was. Mr. Weare soon became one of the first men in town and was intrusted with much important business. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 191 In 1669, he was chosen to run the south line. This line was always a matter of dispute between the towns of Hampton and Salisbury from the earliest settlement of the towns, and was for many years after it became the dividing line of the provinces. People took advantage of the uncertainty attending it to evade their taxes, and after the separation in 1680, they improved the opportunity to resist the officers of justice of the two provinces. The difficulty arose from its being exactly three miles due north from the ^Merrimack, following every bend of the river, which often was shifting, the respective towns sometimes being the losers and sometimes the gainers from the change. The town chose their best men to run this line and it required great exactness. After the incorporation of Hampton Falls they entered into an agreement with the town of Salisbury to tax no further south than Cane's brook. The line was run fifty or sixty rods south of the brook, and there was a meeting-house and several dwelling houses between it and the brook- In 1669 Nathaniel Weare was chosen to lay out the lands lying more than four miles north of the meeting-house. In 1670 he had a grant of eighty acres (No. 55). In 1673 he was chosen to manage a suit brought by the inhabitants of Exeter against the widow Garland, involving the question of the town line, which Hampton defended and carried before the court of assistants, by appeal from the court of quarter sessions. In 1682 arose the famous dispute with Mason and Governor Cranfield, concerning the title of the inhabitants to their land. Mr. "Weare was dispatched to England as the agent of the province. He went twice on this business, and gave great satisfaction to the inhabitants by his prompt and faithful discharge of the trust re- posed in him. Belknap's History of New Hampshire has a full account of the services performed by him, which we have not room to copy. The expense of his mission was defrayed by the inhab- itants of the different towns. The Hampton people had a sub- scription and afterward, June 19, 1689, voted to raise £75 as their proportion. This was to be raised equally upon the shares, payable in five months. Mr. Weare, previous to his going to England, took possession of the Hampton records and carried them to Boston, for fear of their falling into the hands of Mason and Cranfield. The following writ has been found in consequence of this trans- action: 192 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. N. hamp. ss. In his Maj. Name you are hereby required to attach ye goods or for want of them, of ye body of Nathaniel Weare Jr. of hampton yeomn and fake bond of him of five hundred pounds to til sufficient security for his appearance at ye Court of Pleas, to be held by adjournment, at Grett Island ye ninth day of March next insuing, to answer to an information on his Maj' behalf, for imbeselling' ye records belonging to ye town of hampton afores'l, W* Lately were in his custody. — Fail not and make your return according to law. — Dated ye 2 irnplorili^'^, triilcs oi' h{\ •Wli;;-. fuca-nivi: ft:ii'&l^ hi, '/' '" (^:narni;iri cr^re ni' the i' indli'iKiiilblc d-.icv lo r,'.. pnittr of rhe rich pruluu . . ! ' ; ■ <.!iira*Elcr as n Pr.iyLX-fes.u'' ^ DO THLREFORF, with a.W:t^h' . 1 g : f i ll? 'P ff T>f "W ^1*'1^ ■■ .1 rjiofl iinppy Icnlnii tor pcrfcflilag and femriiii^ i-Iic li~r':i of P'.a*-< \vuli thnr-oi" Plenty, io rcplac:: the L-cpencllturci fticcccGcd our Traiic nnJ Commerce, .tnd I^clu the Hi tlicir Goil i tlnf \\c hi% wipL'd off dJl traces nf fbrmtr f.iKie^'iftn htom thh State, by eftaWifli- ing^a new Cx)uftituiion nf Govtrnmciii, in whi^ our Libt;rtics civil aiid (acit^ r.rc amply fc-^ curud ; tliat he h.iB contiriiicd the 1jv>.s of uur Xinbafl'ulors at ibreigti Court?, aiid is givifig 135 honour and rd'pcvTabiJity with tht nations of tfte «irth—- Ab^^-' ^H, that be is tOntuniinj to xn the cxaltLd privileges of the glorious Gofpcl which arc iible to /j-wkc uifc to faiviition, and fc- curc ro ilic humbL; believer a glorious. cinaenOvip when States TJid Empires (Kail he no nioir. And uhilc our beirts overflow with graCifedt:, and our nioirths avc filled with tlic pfaifcs of our Bcnefwftor, Ut iis offer our fvrvcnt pntye'r tq a lonp;~liiULring: ^r.d piidoning Gotf, 'iiat he wcnild gracicuily fotgii'e niir rnaniibld aggrAvatec* oftencos, by iiis dlii.!i)g>i;(]ied w^ooncl-i leiul us to..tcpentance, and not fiiffcr i-iiquity &> prove okir fliiu ; tbflt he v.'oDid tilcT^ rJl mtn- public "councils with wifdom and niuBitryity., , diffufe a true fpirit oi' patcioLifi.i thioufb all ra:iki and orders of men, and inipirc .ihein wifh .uvAmbitiouifrcppiKl to tlic n;Uton.il iiononr and iftfcrrft i titpt he v.oiild diTpofL many to rife i; p«ft*r+TTTT>-wgR)nfrrh^ *'vil--uocrrfltH>ifc\fttt'tf)f"f'i!'- him jif^nll tlic v.-orkcr of iniquiry ; rh:it he would fnrile upon our Gorm^crce, N.ivig:itit}n flud riihcTj-jblefs the labours oi; tiri lalxiurer in evLTy-(ici>aitnie'it, ni.« the iflterdi: (,>f Edxicsliod and LittiT.iurc niidcr KU niiriuiing liand, Cdufe pure r.ud nr'^'" ■ ' ' !' :' ■:• t'.j' -iv.-;ii'-J V.nv- riDi, and fill the earcu ^vith the Glory lathi't gr^t Na*ne. A*D all fcTvilc Labour is fcibid^'''-^ '-".^ ''?\-^ ''"'i a ViWC of tfre, ' bv uppoiru'ItiiT THUR5n,ir' thV ' -o adil'felllfc ai\ti dcv.-Jie heart and 6!\c \ ' . ■ ; uui bell ■ ' " . / . 1 li ith cspwn jd of ft tedious w;a ; tlut ht lin> fc^ ter iWh of iiis pcopk-'£ countcnnncc and Giv<:w at the C-;aineii-Cl an.) V'i^<) nf our L^jrd, one I'li-iti!, ■■ iiad 3i\depe]ldcTrx- ov tbt^ > Hy hi-i E\cel!cflcy! Cvari^isrJ , !■:.' 'J p ' ' r . o S:, Sc't-re:;:). i.tb, ti-- ■ (J;eoi-Kl day of Wovc'ni'itr,, ggv. .WEARE'$ THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION, 1784. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 207 dissolved, November 16, 1775. During tlie closing days of this: session he was again temporary chairman. Eeferring to the attitude of Mr. Weare at this point of time,^ Rev. Paine Wingate has written, — He was in doubt as to the expediency of some measures that were adopted; and in the first efforts of the American people to resist the British claims, he seemed not prepared to go all lengths with the spirit of the times. However, when a convention of the state was called and they were about assuming the powers of government. President Weare, in the second week of their sitting appeared as a member of that body and took his seat, as he had occasionally before attended conventions for the appointing delegates to congress. On account of his former distincfions in high offices, as well as his deservedly esteemed personal character, his now full accession to the American cause was eagerly embraced bj- the convention and he was immediately placed at the head, of the New Hampshire state government. The student of history Avill not overlook the fact that Mr. Win- gate wrote with a knowledge obtained from a personal contact with the men and the affairs of this period, and that for thirteen or more years immediately preceding 1766 he was a resident, and for several years the settled minister, in Hampton Falls. When, literally construed, these remarks of Mr. Wingate are not in exact harmony with the record. In all the early meetings of the patriots Mr. Weare was present. A man is known by the company he keeps. If, in the summer of 1775, he attended the last assembly at Ports- mouth, his follow associates were Woodbury Langdon, Josiah Bart- lett, Xathaniel Folsom, Ebenezer Thompson, and others of equal devotion to the American cause, and when he hastily returned to encourage the patriots in congress at Exeter they attended him, and no evidence of hesitation is recorded of the humblest member. In both assemblies their patriotism was equally conspicuous. At Portsmouth they thwarted the desires of the royal governor, and prevented the passage of oppressive laws. At Exeter they boldly upheld the cause of the people, and devised measures for an instant prosecution of the wqr. Mr. Weare, by birth and education, was a loyal subject of Great Britain. It is not presumed that his adher- ence to the popular cause, like the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, was an instant change of opinions and purposes. AVisdom is the fruit of thought, and a deliberation that leads to a just conclusion is a growth and not a sudden impulse. Like other patriots, doubt- less, he pondered and hesitated, until the accu.mulating wrongs of 208 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. his countrymen enlisted his sympathies and satisfied his conscience. The measure of patriotism is by comparison. None of his asso- ciates were earlier or more firmly enlisted in the cause of the Amer- ican colonies. The provincial congress, May 20, 1775, appointed a committee of safety, consisting of Matthew Thornton, Josiah Bartlett, "William Whipple, Nathaniel Folsom, and Ebenezer Thompson. Three days- later, Israel Morey, Samuel Webster, Samuel Ashley, and Josiah Moulton were added to the committee, and to them were delegated unusual powers. The committee, however, was not complete with- out Meshech Weare, and he was elected July 5. These are familiar names in the annals of the Eevolution. They administered the affairs of a community without a government until the election of a new committee early in the ensuing year. The fifth congress assembled at Exeter, December 21, 1775. From this assembly the sessions of the legislature of New Hamp- shire have been continuous and uninterrupted. On the 5th day of January the assembled delegates resolved themselves into a house- of representatives for the ensuing year, and adopted a form of government to remain in force during the war. This primitive con- stitution provided that a council of twelve members for the ensu- ing year should be chosen by the house of representatives, and that thereafter a council of twelve members and a house of represent- atives should be elected annually by the people, and should convene on the third Wednesday of December. To the council and the- house of representatives, acting in concurrence or in joint assembly, were delegated both legislative and executive powers. Under this, constitution New Hampshire was styled a colony until September, when the name of state was first employed. Although not provided in the constitution, the legislature during the war continued a ciis- tom, inaugurated by the provincial congress, of choosing a com- mittee of safety, to continue in office and to administer the govern- ment during the recesses of the legislature. To this committee were delegated executive powers, and none but members of the- council or house of representatives were ever chosen to this office. It was an early practice under this constitution to choose a new com- mittee for each recess. A little later the committees were ap- pointed to serve until a new committee was chosen, and after March,, 1780, the term of service was continued through the legislative year. Such was the form of government from January 5, 1776, to June 2, 1784, of which Meshech Weare was the most conspicuous charac- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 209 ter. In addition to his service in the provincial congresses and to his previous service on the first committee of safety, of which Mat- thew Thornton was chairman, he was continuously a member of the council, and with each election he was made president of that body. Of the successive committees of safety chosen within this period he was a member, and from the beginning to the end he was the chairman of the committee. Within the space of eight and one half years he was honored with nine elections to the council and nineteen appointments to the committee of safety, and as many times was he elected president of the council or chairman of the committee; and, as if to assert the full measure of the esteem and confidence of his associates, the records often affirm that he was elected unanimously. With each election there were changes in the membership of the council and of the committee of safety, but his colleagues, however constituted, were united and constant in his preferment. Josiah Bartlett, the only man who served an equal time in the council, and other leaders who were accustomed to honors and important positions of trust, were unwilling to accept preferment at the expense of their esteemed associate and beloved friend; and while health suffered him to labor for the people, the most exalted seat in the councils of the state was reserved with pious care for their respected chief. During these years of heroism and of sublime achievement, he was at all times foremost among the supporters of the great issues submitted to the arbitrament of arms. The record of his official career cannot avoid the reiteration of associated events, but it will not be complete without the statement that he was one of the com- mittee of fifteen who drafted the constitution of 1776, and that he was a delegate in the convention that submitted a constitution which was rejected by the people in 1778. It does not appear that he was a member of the convention that framed the constitution of 1784. His public service is nearly completed. A grateful people re- served the highest honor within their power to bestow as the ulti- mate expression of their affection and esteem. A new consti- tution went into operation in June, 1784, and without opposition he became the first governor of New Hampshire. From 1784 until 1792 the governor was at once the chief executive and president of the senate. For eight years the executive of New Hampshire waa 210 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. styled " His Excellency the President." By an amendment of the -constitution in 1792 this title was changed to "His Excellency the Governor." Eeferring to the administration of 1784, Dr. Belknap says, — "President Weare, being worn out with public services, re- signed his office before the expiration of the year, and after lan- guishing under the infirmities of age, died on the 15th day of Jan- uary, 1786." This erroneous statement has been repeated many times. Living among and writing within a very few years of these events, it is remarkable that Dr. Belknap overlooked the official record and in a single paragraph misstated the date of death. With the exception of his resignation as chief justice, the records -of May, 1784, contain the earliest references to his failing health. The journals establish the fact that he attended a special session of the legislature, which adjourned April 17, and thereafter con- tinued to meet with the committee of safety until May 21, when, for the first time, his increasing infirmities confined him to his home. At the last session of the committee, beginning May 27 and contin- uing three days, he was not present. Under the constitution of 1784 the legislature was convened -June 2. It was the inauguration of a new government, the found- ing of a free and independent state, and the glad fruition of a buoyant hope that had sustained them through years of gloom and severest trial. The absence of the chief magistrate on this ■occasion was formally entered in the journals. After several days of deliberation, the senate o-n Tuesday of the -■second week of the session chose "Woodbury Langdon president pro tempore, and during the ensuing week he was the acting gov- pernor of the state. Tuesday, June 15, which was the last day of the session. Governor Weare was present, took the oaths of office, and presided in the senate during the day. Through the summer and autumn the governor and council held frequent sessions, com- pleting a great amount of official work, and making an unusual number of appointments incident to the inauguration of a new •government. An adjourned session of the legislature convened in October and continued three weeks. The governor was present, presiding in the senate and in the executive cotmcil. No renewed suggestion of his illness appears in the records until another ad- journed session of the legislature, which continued from February 9 to February 25. During these sixteen days "Woodbury Langdon was ■again acting governor. The absence of a record of meetings of the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 211 council indicates the continued sicliness of Governor Weare until March 16, when it is stated that a meeting of the governor and council was called, and "his excellency being sick did not attend"; biit two days later the record continues, "The council having re- ceived a summons from his excellency, requiring their attendance on him at Hampton Falls, repaired to that place." The man was worn and feeble, and yet the chief magistrate was hale and strong. He promptly discharged all the duties of his office until the close of the official year, although on account of his failing health the later meetings were held at his home in Hampton Falls. His official career is ended. The public has enjoyed the vigor of his manhood and the wisdom of his declining years. No strength has been reserved for the evening of life. Worn out by incessant application, he was prostrated beyond recovery. Calmly awaiting the presence of the specter of death, his remaining life is meas- ured in months. In December he made a will distributing among his children his meager estate, but leaving to his posterity the price- less inheritance of a noble name. A few days later his death was proclaimed by the solemn voice of tolling bells, and the town clerk of that ancient town opens to an unwritten page of the record and solemnly transcribes, — The HonMe Meshech Weare Esq. and Late President of the State of New Hampshire, departed this Life, at iive o'clock, P. JI. in his 73^ year January 14 1786. At this time, living and dead, there are forty-three ex-governors of Xew Hampshire. It is a distinguished array of honored names, and an imposing assemblage of genius and character. With the ex- ception of Mr. Weare, the portraits of all, adding individuality to the influence of noble lives, are now hanging in the council cham- ber. Of Mr. Weare the past has preserved no portrait. Tradition asserts that he was tall, slender, and commanding; that he was incisive in speech, and affable in manner; that he was erect, and walked rapidly and with a dignity of bearing that is summoned only by conscious strength and nobility of mind. The records, constituting volumes transcribed in his hand, .his state papers, and many letters preserved in the state archives, are an enduring testimonial to his industry. In them are revealed the steadfast purpose of an honest man, and the power of intellectual force and vigor. In a patriot possessing such qualities of mind and character, the quickened instincts of the people discerned a 212 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. leader for troublous times. Happy and fortunate in their first election, the patriots of the Revolution suffered no rival to usurp the powers which they had freely delegated to their chosen friend ■and faithful servant. Meshech Weare, with qualities more solid than brilliant, will be 'enrolled in history among the great men of his time. If he did not command the ready language and magnetic power that gave John Sullivan an instant command over his fellow men; if he was never driven forward by a hot and imperious temper that raised General Stark to the sublimest heroism; if he had not the courtly Ijearing and commanding presence that made John Langdon a 'Conspicuous figure in any assembly, — he did possess an equalized force and a measure of intellectual vigor that made him foremost in the councils of the state, and a degree of industry, faithfulness, and honesty, combined with amiable qualities of mind and dispo- sition, that made him first among the people. At successive stages of his eventful career his associates addressed iim as Colonel Weare, as Esquire "Weare, as Assemblyman Weare, as Councilor Weare, as President Weare, as Judge Weare, and as ■Chief Justice Weare; but no title adds dignity to his honored name. As long as the story of the Eevolution invites the study and excites the admiration of a grateful people, as long as "Sons of the Amer- ican Eevolution," and kindred societies, continue to honor the memory of patriotic fathers, this honored leader in the councils day of January to be anniially observed and kept a day of humiliation, and obliged the ministers to preach that day, — That the governor had at his house discoursed to Gove and showed him out of the 10tl> chapter of St Mark the necessity of children's baptism. This he urged to be a great duty imposed upon the ministry. The other pris- oners pleaded not guilty, but had little to say in defense of them- selves. Further they were drawn in by Gove. The jury after long consideration found Gove guilty of high treason upon the indictment, and all the rest in arms, upon which the Court proceeded to give judgment and passed the sentence of condemnation upon Gove, But in regard to the other prisoners were specially found. The governor ordered the Court to respite their judgment till his majesties pleasure should be known therein, Jlost of them being young men and alto- gether unacquainted with the laws of England. Gove received the sentence of death in its usual hideous form and his estate was seized and forfeited to the crown. The others were convicted of being accomplices and respited. The king's pleasure being signified to the governor, that he should pardon such as he judged objects of mercy. They were all set at liberty except Gove, who was sent to England, and imprisoned in the tower of London, about three years. On his repeated petitions to the king and by the interest of Randolph with the Earl of Clarendon, then lord Chamberlain, he obtained his pardon, and he returned home in 1686, with an order to the then president and council of New England to restore his estate. He wrote the following letter while in prison: From the great island in Portsmouth in New Hampshire, To the Much honored Justices of the Peace, as you call yourselves. By your indictment in which eleven men's names subscribed namely Ed. Gove, John Gove, Is. Wadley, Eobt. Wadley', John Wadley, Ed. Smith, Will. Ely, Tho Eawlings, John Sleeper Mark Baker, John Young. — Gentlemen excuse me I cannot petition you as persons in BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 215 authority by the names of justices of the peace, for now I am upon a serious account for my life and the life of those that are with me. Therfore pray consider well and take good advice of persons in government from whence you came. I pray God who made the heavens, the Earth, the Seas, and all that in them is, to give you wisdom and courage in your places to discharge such duty as God requires of you, and 2'Oy, I heartily pray God to direct you to do that which our gracious King Charles the 2^ of blessed memory requires of you. — ^Gentlemen it may be I may be upon a mistake, but accord- ing to what I know and believe, I am falsely indicted, and I am abused notwithstanding by another indictment, by being in irons by Capt. Barefoot's orders, which irons are called bilboes Exceedingly large. Pray consider we are men like yourself, made of the same earth, and I know who made the difference. And I verily believe that the holy, righteous, just God will have an account of you for your justice in the matter. Pray consider when this last charge was, I writ to one man in the province I told him we were once a happy people, if all was right in the bottom I believed it, but now I see otherwise. Who knows what shall be on the morrow, though it be appointed a solemn day of fasting — I know when it was appointed there was not the election of cries and- tears, that will appear when the day comes. If Kew England ever had need of a Solomon, or Dawd, or Moses, Caleb or Joshua, it is now. My tears are in my eyes I can hardly see, — Yet will I say I do believe how it will come. You and they with siths and groans must outdo the ministry — The ministry must endeavor to outdo you. But if you and they do anything in hipocracy God will find you out, and deliverance will come some other way. — We have a hard prison. — a good keeper, tt hard captain, irons an inch over five foot and several inches long, two men locked together — Yet had, I thank God for it, a very good night's lodging, better than I had fourteen or fifteen nights before. — I pray God to direct you and let me hear from you, by a messenger that your honors shall employ, and consider I am your honor's humble servant, in all duty to be ' commanded— EDWAED GOVE. I know those that will have a blessing from God must endeavor to stand in the way of a blessing. This doctrine I heard 32 years ago. — EDWAED GOVE. Excuse anything writ amiss for the Lord's sake. I would you were all as I am, and as fit to receive reward for innocency. I humbly beg your prayers to god in our behalf. — EDWAED GOVE. If anything be amiss in what is written let the subscriber bear the blame for the rest are surprised with fear EDWAED GOVE. I humbly and heartily desire some of your honors would speak to Minister Moody to pray to God in our behalf, of all his poor prisoners 216 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. the world over, and especially for us, tte fore named, the men of this province who lie under heavy burdens — • EDWAKD GOVE. This letter was dated January 29, 1683. Gove, in his petition to the king, pleaded "a distemper of mind" as the cause of those actions for which he was prosecuted. He also speaks in some of his private letters of a drinking match at his house, and that he had not slept for twelve days and nights about that time. When these things are considered, it is not hard to ■account for his conduct. From a letter which he wrote the court while in prison, one would suppose him to have been disordered in his mind. (This is the preceding letter.) His punishment was ~bj much too severe, and his trial was hurried on too fast, it being •only six days after the commission of his crime. Had he been indicted only for a riot, there would have been no difficulty in the proof nor hardship in inflicting the legal penalty. "Waldron, it is ■said, shed tears upon pronouncing the sentence of death upon him. There is some doubt whether this account of a drinking match is true. The assembly of which Gove was a member was dissolved on the 20th of January, according to Dr. Belknap and according to Eandolph's letter. The rising was on the 21st and he was appre- hended soon after. He was in irons in Portsmouth on the 29th, and had his trial on the 1st day of February, being only six days ■after the commission of the. crime. Now he could not have been present at the session of the assembly, have had the drinking match at his house, and been one of the company for the twelve days preceding his apprehension. The pardon of Gove by Lord Sunderland, with the royal seal attached, is now in the possession of his descendants living in Sea- brook. After his return to this country he brought an action against Governor Cranfleld in 1686, for £200, it being for his estate sequestered. We have seen no record of the result. He did not lose the good opinion of his townsmen in consequence of his treason, but on the contrary he was chosen a commissioner with five others to meet those from the other towns to agree upon a form of government, January 20, 1687. This was the highest trust which they could bestow upon him. He was in 1680, with Joseph Dow, chosen to prepare and draw up the state of the case to assert the town's right to their land, and present the same to the council at this next meeting, March 21, 1680. The time of his BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 217 death is uncertain. His wife was named Hannah Titconib. She was living in 1711. His descendants are very numerous in Hampton Falls, Seabrook,, and Kensington. When he returned from England, after his im- prisonment, he is said to have brought some pear trees, which he planted upon his farm, some of which were in existence within the memory of persons now living. An English fowling piece, which was owned by Edward Gove, is now in the possession of Miss S. Abbie Gove of this town, and is in a good state of preservation. The pardon of Edward Gove was framed, and can now be seen in the library building at Seabrook. £Sw^ (^otxJB- COL. JONATHAN BIJENHAM. Among the many eccentric men of early times who are still re- membered as having lived in this vicinity, there comes upon the panorama the commanding figure of Col. Jonathan Burnham. He was a patriot of the Eevolution, and as he rode into the village (Salisbury) on horseback, his long, flowing white hair streaming behind, the boys looked upon him with veneration and respect, for even in his old age it was said that Colonel Burnham made a splendid appearance in his continental costume. His last appear- ance on the stage of action was at a celebration of the nation's anniversary of the elders, on Powwow hill. The colonel on this- occasion appeared in full uniform and rode to the top of the hill,, and the hero of many battles and sieges was greeted with a royal salute. Among his comrades were "Uncle Dudley Maxfield" and Captain Nowell. A toast in his honor was given. The reply was. characteristic of the man, "Our country must live and fill her destiny. Our distinguished soldier and friend, George Washing- ton, said so, and I, Colonel Burnham, with the blue heavens above, and the broad ocean before me, call upon all true sons of America, upon this broad sword which did service at Bunker Hill, to swear it shall be so." This rousing sentiment, uttered by the colonel as he sat upright upon his horse swinging his sword about him, as if he would repel the enemy, was greeted with loud applause and a national salute. While the punch was stirred the hearts of 218 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. the patriots were stirred as well. Many are the anecdotes related of our hero, but it is evident that while a little vain-glorious he was a good soldier, possessed of true courage and much natural ability. His life is best told in his own words, as published in 1814 in a pamphlet entitled, "The life of Col. Jonathan Burnham, now living in Salisbury, Mass., being a narration of a long and useful life, containing a recital of interesting incidents relative to the Eevolutionary services and private life of this distinguished soldier and friend of the departed and beloved George Washington." In the pamphlet bearing this remarkable title he commences as follows: I Jonathan Burnham the fourth was born at Chebago June the 9tli 1738, Where I saw many remarkable things. I went first with my parents to hear the Eev. ilr. Pickering preach, and as I got to the meeting house the minister and people ran out for fear the house would fall on them, for the earth did shake. After some time the minister says to the people, We will go in for we are as safe there as anywhere, and the whole of them went in, and was very attentive to hear him preach and pray, and were greatly alarmed and was con- cerned what they should do to be saved, and went from house to house to pray with one another, and the Lord sent two brothers John and Ebeneazer Cleavland, and the people built a, house and set- tled Ebeneazer Cleavland, whose labors were greatly blessed for in one year ninety persons were taken into the Church, and many more wonderful things happened. — When I w^as fifteen years old I went to live at Ipswich with Samuel Eoss to learn a blacksmith's trade and was bound to him, — A good old man who built his house upon a rock, and brought his family up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, — Where I lived until I was nineteen years of age, and then I bought my time and enlisted in the service of King George the Sec- ond, and flung my pack and marched to Port Edward where I slept sweetly, and the next day I flung my pack and followed my Colonel 7 miles to half way brook Port, half way to Lake George where my Colonel was ordered to halt and keep that Fort and guard the teams to Lake George, that sold provisions to General Abacrombie's army. Early one morning the Indians gave us battle and killed 26 of our brave men and scalped them, and ran into the woods to Canada, and sold their scalps for a guinea a scalp, to the French, who were worse than the Indians themselves as it was said. Then Gen. Aba- crombie ordered my Colonel to lead on his men to Lake George and he crossed the Lake of a Thursday, and landed. On Friday, Marched his army to take Ticondoroga Port, where he was beat and did re- treat back to his old encampment, with his weed on his hat dragging to the ground, with the loss of more than nineteen hundred men, Where I tarried until my time was out 1759, And then I enlisted again with the brave General Wolfe, who went and did take Canada. En- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 219 listed again in the year '60 to flnisii the war which gave me much pleasure, and I was honorably discharged at Louisburg, and shipped with Capt. John Porter of Ipswich ior home. On Friday lost our sails in a gale of wind, and on Sunday was close to the Isle of Sables, where we dropped anchor and rode until our windlass bits gave way, and cut our cable, and ashore we went, on the S'i of December, '60. By God's goodness all were saved, and at night all found sleep in a sand hole. For food I shot a wild boar and sent a part to Capt. Furlong's men of Newbury, who was cast ashore three weeks before we were. The Lord and King Hooper sent good old Arclielatis Sil- man, to come to the Isle of Sables after us, and the Lord rewarded him for his good works, for he took seventy men and women, but while we waited on the island for the good old Silman, I shouldered my gun and went 14 miles toward the northwest bar. Up jumped a sow and I shot her through the heart, and had the liver and lights for supper and it was sweet as honey, and then I killed a bull 18 miles from our house, and carried it home which was January 6tb And then I shouldered my gun and shot 8 balls into a great bull who tried to kill me. I had it tough, and fought and was near beat out but conquered. My messmates hauled the critter home on a handsled, and three days after, Jan. 18, came the good old Silman and took us all off the Isle of Sables and carried us to Halifax and left Furlong and his 60 men and women. And then good old Archelaus Silman brought Capt. Porter and his crew, ten in number, into Marblehead, Where we rejoiced and were glad, and gave the good old man one hundred silver dollars, and as many thanks. When we arrived home at Ips- wich we had gladness and joy for God's preserving care. My good old master who built his house upon a rock. Says to me Jonathan, We read that a faithful Servant shall be a dutiful son at length, and gave me his eldest daughter to wife, who was a beauty and loved me as her eyes. Where we lived until July '63 And then we moved to Hampton falls in New Hampshire on a place I bought, where we lived and did prosper for nearly 40 years. As I had been in the British Service three years to learn the art of war. The town of Hampton falls chose me to be their Captain and I received my com- mission. Signed by Gov. Wentworth and sealed with King George's Seal. — All things went well until King George sent that foolish Gage to Boston, Who had neither weight or measure, to our towns, to kill our men at Lexington. Gov. Wentworth joined the British, And I was angry, and raised a Liberty pole on the hill, as high as Haman's gallows was to hang Mordacai on. Which was my alarm post. In the morning the news came to me that the British had marched to Lexington and killed our men, and I ordered my drums to beat and gave my company something to drink, and marched on to Ipswich that night, twenty miles in half a day, And in the morning we mus- tered about two hundred men, who chose me Captain. — The town was alarmed because two Men of war tenders were in the river full of men, and would land and take twenty soldiers out of a Goal that 220 HISTOKY OP HAMPTON FALLS. was taken prisoners at Lexington battle and would burn the town. So we stayed that day and night. The night was rainy and the British landed at Marshfield to steal cattle and left the woods on fire. The Newbury people heard that Ipswich was burned and that I and my men were all killed, and that the British were coming to burn Newbury. The people were alarmed and got boats to go over the river into the woods. The news went to Exeter, and Concord^ That I and my men were all killed. In a few days I had a Colonel's commission to raise one quarter part of Portsmouth, Dover, Hampton, and Exeter Militia as minute men. Gen. Sullivan ordered me to march off to Portsmouth with a thousand men to fortify and defend it from being burned as the British had burned Falmouth. In twenty four hours I was at Fort Washington with one thousand' men to give the British battle. We stayed there three months. A fifty gun ship came to anchor one night but she went off. In a few days the committee of safety that set at Portsmouth, in recess of Congress, sent for me to bear two letters, rec'd from Gen. Washing- ton and Gen. Sullivan. The contents that they expected the British would give them battle, and for the committee to send me to Mistic with thirty one companies of New Hampshire Militia. We marched that day and three days after were in Mistic with four companies from the fort, and twenty seven companies to follow on. The com- mittee delivered me two letters to carry to the two Generals at Winter hill and Cambridge. I mounted my horse and rode to headquarters and delivered my letters. Washington smiles and says "New Hamp- shire forever" and orders Sullivan to mount his horse and ride with Col. Burnham to Jlistic and open all your stores to New Hampshire ililitia without weight or measure. And go to the good men in Mistic- who will be glad of Col. Burnham's men, for they are afraid that the British who burned Charlestown will come and bum Mistic And Says to Col. Burnham "do your best for the honor of Newhampshire and kill the British if they dare come." But they were aflraid of my Brigade — Toward the last of January '76 I received orders from Gen. Washington that he would meet Newhampshire Militia tomorrow at Winter hill to review them. I mounted my horse at 9 o'clock. Formed my Brigade and marched to Winter hill with my band of music, Fifty fifes and drums that the British might hear and see we were come to Winter hill to try our skill. Which gave the British a fright to quit Bunker hill in the night, and the British army and fleet made a quick retreat. And the Boston people were glad to see it. — We re- mained till honorably dismissed by our Hon. Gen. Washington and received his thanks for our services and love, being ready at his call from Newhampshire, and his blessings that we might return home to ovLT families and friends in Safety. We rested awhile at our homes, and then a part of us went to help take Burgoine, Cornwallis, and their armies and then we had our in- dependence from Great Britain, And peace and plenty, and the love BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 221 of the whole world, But God must have all the glory, — and our min- isters were worthy like Jacob, who wrestled till break of day Tha-t God would bless Washington and America and the world of man- kind. Amen and Amen. And now I am an old man, This day more than Seventy years old, and but just alive, and what I have wrote I have seen and know to be true. JONATHAN BUENHAM.. Salisbury Nov. 27tii 1814. Chebago, where Col. Btirnham was bom, was a parish in the town of Ipswich, Mass., now the town of Essex. He was first rated here in 1763, when he bought the Swett tavern, which he continued to keep until sometime dturing the Eevolutionary War, when he sold it to Capt. Joseph Wells. The liberty pole he speaks of rais- ing upon the hill was probably near the Swett tavern. He after- wards owned and kept a tavern on the site now occupied by George C. Heale/s cottage, on the cross road (which was the house formerly occupied by Deacon Benjamin Sanborn). His name does not appear upon our record after 1797, when he had probably sold out and removed to Salisbury, Mass., where he died about 1815. While living here he was very prominent in military matters, and figures somewhat in the new meeting-house controversy, but does not appear to have had much to do with the town business. He was moderator in 1776, and again in 1793, which is all the elective office he appears to have held. Colonel Burnham had no children. A niece, Lucy Burnham, married Michael Tilton, December 30^ 1777. She was the mother of Mrs. Eeuben Batchelder and Mrs. Josiah Prescott. It is. fortunate that we are able to present so full a sketch of one of our citizens, the memory of whom is unknown to many living at the present time, who will be pleased to learn of one who figured so conspicuously and well in the Eevolutionary War. CAPT. BENJAMIN SWETT. Capt. Benjamin Swett was the son of John Swett, one of the grantees of Newbury, and settled in Hampton before 1664. In 1665 and 1668 he was chosen a commissioner for the county rate. In 1665, 1669, and 1675 he was a selectman. In 1670 he had a grant (No. 56) of one hundred acres. He was a celebrated Indian warrior. In 1675, one Goodman Robinson of Exeter, with his son, was traveling towards Hampton when, as they passed along, they were waylaid by three Indians,. 222 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. viz., John Sampson, Cromwell, and John Lynde, who shot the old man and left him dead upon the plain. His son, hearing the guns, escaped their hands by running into the swamp, whither the Indians pursued him, but could not overtake him. So he got safe into Hampton about midnight, when he related what had happened to him by the way, how narrowly he avoided the danger; intimating, likewise, that he feared his father was killed, which was found too true by Lieutenant Swett, who the next day, with twelve sol- diers of the town, went to search the woods, where they found the old man shot through the back. The bullet passed through his body and was stopped by the skin on the other side. October 12, 1676, he had the command of the Hampton soldiers then stationed in the garrison at Black Point. April 29, 1677, he commanded the garrison at Wells. An Indian showed himself near Wells on purpose, as was judged, to draw out the English into a snare. Lieutenant Swett, who commanded the garrison at that time left for securing the town, sent out eleven of the soldiers under his command to lie in wait in some convenient place, but as they passed along they fell into an ambush of the Indians^ who shot down two of them and mortally wounded a third. The lieutenant, hearing the guns, sent with all speed upon the enemy, and shot down five or six of them, but was prevented from doing any con- siderable spoil upon them by the folly of an Irishman who was in his company, who gave the notice of the lieutenant's approach by calling out aloud, "Here they be, here they be," for upon that alarm they ran away out of sight and too fast to be pursued. For the defense of Black Point and the security of Winter harbor, the General Court ordered a company of forty men to be recruited, two hundred Christian Indians taken into service, and all such able-bodied men enlisted or impressed as could be found who had migrated from the province of Maine. The command of the forces, including the Indians, was given to Captain Swett and Lieutenant Eiehardson. They arrived at Black Point on the 28th of June in high spirits. It is a rule of policy in fighting the Indians to gain time. Aware of this maxim, and informed of the fact that the savages had been seen hovering around the place, Swett at the head of one division and Eiehardson the other, joined by some of the inhabitants, led out the whole force the next morning upon the declivities of a neighboring hill. A large decoy, supposed to be the main body of the Indians, feigned a retreat, and were pursued by Swett and Eiehardson till they found themselves between a BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 223 thicket and a swamp in a most exposed situation. Instantly, from an ambnsh on each side, great numbers rose with a warwhoop, fired at once upon the two divisions, ia which there were many young men or iaexperienced soldiers, and the whole were thrown into confusion. But though the ranks were broken the engagement was sharp and protracted. Eichardson was presently slain and many on both sides soon' shared the same fate. Swett fought the enemy hand to hand, displaying upon the spot and in a retreat of two miles great presence of mind as well as personal courage in repeated rallies of his men in his exertions to bring ofE the dead and wounded and in defense of his rear, upon which the savages hung with destructive fury. At last, wounded in twenty places and ex- hausted by loss of blood and by fatigue, he was grappled, thrown to the ground, and barbarously cut in pieces at the gates of the garrison. "With this brave officer fell sixty of his men, forty Eng- lish and twenty Indians, being two thirds of the whole number m the engagement. Seldom is the merit of a military officer more genuine. Seldom is the death of one more deeply lamented. His wife was Hester, daughter of Nathaniel Weare, Senior, of Newbury, and a sister of Nathaniel "Weare, Esq., who was sent com- missioner to England. She married, second, Stephen Greenlief of Newbury. Capt. Benjamin Swett lived in Hampton Falls on the premises afterward known as the Swett tavern. He was the an- cestor of all by the name of Swett who lived in this town. The name disappears from the records sometime previous to 1787. Black Point, where Captain Swett was killed, is in the town of Scarborough, Maine. Benjamin Swett's children: Beitjamin", married Theodate Hussey, 1683. Esther, married Abraham Green, September 5, 1668. Joseph, bom 1658; wife, Hannah. MosEiS, bom 1661; wife, Mary. The above four were born in Newbury. Sabah, married Morris Hobbs, April 13, 1678. Hannah, born March 16, 1664. Elizebeth, bom May 2, 1667. John, bom February 17, 1670; married Bertha Page December 3, 1696. Stephen. His inventory amounted to £558 19s. 224 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Joseph Swett, son of Capt. Benjamin Swett, was bom in New- bury in 1658. He was one of the signers of Weare's petition, was one of the selectmen in 1693 and 1698, and representative in 1693. Captain Swett was a very active man, and took a warm interest in organizing the parish of Hampton Falls. He died about 1721. His will was dated September 29, 1720; proved July 7, 1722. His inventory amounted to £1167 8s. His wife, Hannah. His children: Hannah, born September 13, 1682; married John Eust May 12, . 1703. Joseph, wife, Hannah. Maet, married Eichard Waterhouse, December 3, 1701. Maegahet, born July 21, 1690; married Sherburne. Abigail, born March 29, 1692. His first wife, Hannah, died August 14, 1701. His second wife, Sarah. Her children were, — Ltdia, bom March 22, 1704. Hannah, bom May 23, 1708. Benjaiiin, born May 2, 1710. Xathan, born November 17, 1712. Moses, bom December 12, 1716. Esther, married Eaton. Benjamin Swett, son of Joseph, was bom May 5, 1710; mar- ried, July 20, 1732, Elizabeth Jenness, daughter of Bonus Norton. He kept what was known as Swett's tavern. He was called Cap- tain Swett. He was rated for the last time in 1761, and probably died about that time. His children: Saeah, bom in 1736; married, first. Dr. Levi Dearborn, son of Joseph; second, Hon. Philip White of South Hampton. Moses, born in 1738; married Eogers. Ltdia, born in 1740. Elizabeth, born in 1742; married Deacon David Batchelder. The Swett family were prominent in the early times, were large property holders. They owned the premises now occupied by Miss Sarah A. Gove, by Edwin Janvrin (who is a lineal descendant), the Baptist parsonage, and probably other landed property. Jon- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 225 athan Swett was selectman in 1748, 1751, 1755, and 1763. Ben- jamin Swett, Jr., was selectman in 1749, 1753, and 1756. E'ATHANIEL HEALEY. Nathaniel Healey was the son of William Healey, who came here from Cambridge, Mass. He was born February 8, 1687. He was a man of activity and enterprise, and' appears by the records to have been a dealer in lands as early as 1716. He was captain of the military company and was usually called by that title. He was in town office nearly twenty years, being selectman of Hampton Falls in 1726, 1730, 1743, 1743, 1746, and 1749; assessor in 1737, 1738, 1745, and 1751; auditor, moderator, etc. He was a leader in the controversj' relative to the new meeting-house at the Centre, against Col. Meshech "Weare and Eev. Paine "VVingate, his name being first upon the petition. He continued to live on the homestead of his father in Hampton Falls, and left it to his grand- son Levi, son of his deceased son Stephen, by will. His will was ■dated March 31, 1774. His death occurred soon after. He must have been eighty-seven years old at the time of his death. He was twice married: First, to Hannah, daughter of Daniel Tilton, December 12, 1713; second, March 6, 1722, to Susanna, daughter of Col. Peter "Weare. He lived upon the place now occupied by William A. Cram. He was the ancestor of the Healey families in this town and Kensington. Major Levi Healey died May 19, 1812. HENEY GEEEN. Henry Green came to Hampton before 1645, when he had two •of the 147 shares. He and his wife had seats assigned them in the church in 1650. In 1653 his tax was 18s. 7d. He was living then on the south side of Taylor's river. February 2, 1657, he and three others were chosen to settle the Salisbury line. On October 20, 1660, he was chosen a fence viewer; in 1662 and 1680, a select- man. In 1665 he dissented against the choice of a committee to assert the town's rights before the royal commissioners in opposition to the claim of Mason. He probably took an active part against the town in the Mason disputes, as his name is not appended to Weare's petition to the king, which embraced the names of those who were opposed to Mason's claim in 1683. In 1668 lie complains of William Fifield's bounds, etc. March 29, 1669, 226 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. he is chosen to run the south line. April 13, 1669, the town vote that the suit of theirs against Henry Green "is not gott ripe enough for trial." (Perhaps the suit might want a little rain.) March 3, 1670, he received a grant of one hundred acres (lot No. 27). December 9, 1670, he dissents to the town limiting the num- ber of staves to be made from each share of cow common to not exceed five hundred. It does not appear that Green was ever a representative from Hampton, although he was one of the most prominent men for many years. He was one of the assistant judges who tried the celebrated Mr. Moody. At first he and Judge Eobie were for acquitting him, but that night some one threatened and hectored him at such a rate that the nezt morning the court decided Moody to be guilty, and they sentenced him to six months' impris- onment, without bail or mainprise. This decision of the court caused much odium to be thrown upon the judges, which Green could not endure. He was much afSicted at the course he had taken and repented and made acknowledgment to Mr. Moody,, who frankly forgave him. The other judges were Barefoote, Cofiin, and Eobie. The imprisonment of a clergyman for a conscientious refusal to obey the governor's orders, however agreeable these orders may have been with the laws which they were sworn to obey, created much excitement and called into operation that gift of prophecy, which proceeds more often from a malevolent disposition than from , any other cause. It is a course which many people take to express their wishes who have not the courage openly to express them, or who conceal them through feelings of shame in wishing evil to happen to their fellow creatures. The base passions of those who took part in the opposition to Mason's claim and to Cranfield's administration were to be gratified by the awful calamities which were hereafter to befall those four judges in consequence of their condemnation of the Eev. Mr. Moody. Their sins committed prior to this decision, as well as their subsequent misdeeds, were over- looked in ascertaining the catise of any accident or misfortune which befell them. They might have hung witches till doomsday, or have imprisoned Quakers till they rotted in their prisons, and still remain unscathed from any awful visitations of Providence hap- pening to them in consequence, and their memories might have been handed down to future generations as being among the most holy in the land, but the fact of their obeying the mandates of the governor, which they may have done conscientiously, did not accord BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 227 with the temper and feelings of a majority of the people of that day, more especially when a popular minister was the sufEerer. The tradition is that these prophecies were literally fulfilled with the exception of Green's fate, who seemed to he wanting in that degree of firmness so necessary in a Judge in times of so great excitement, although he was in the main honest. Eohie was excom- municated and died a drunkard. His friends were obliged to bury him privately, in the night, without any funeral, for fear that his body might be attached by his creditors. His previous habits have not been handed down. The only inference which can justly be drawn is that his drunkenness was caused by his remorse of con- science which the trial of Mr. Moody occasioned him. "Barefoote fell into a languishing distemper wherof he died." Wliether this was consumption or what the complaint might be is not known. People should be careful not to sufEer from any dis- order not immediate in its results, lest it may be attributed as a punishment incurred for an error in judgment or for prudently submitting to the powers that be. Neither party could with justice accuse the other of religious intolerance, for these were truly days when "Might made right." The spirit of fanaticism is more plainly made visible in the record of Cof&n's death. "Coffin was taken by the Indians [at Coeheco, 1689], his house and mill burned, himself not being slain but dismissed. The Lord gave him repentance though no signs of it have appeared." Holding this accident up to view as having occurred to Coffin as a punishment for the sentence passed upoit Moody is ridiculous, aside from its being a severe reflection upom all who suffered from the incursions of the Indians. Construed in the sense which is meant to be conveyed by the record of it, only one conclusion can be drawn from the premises, and that is that the Indians acted from no self-will but were merely instruments in the hands of a superior being for the punishment of the sins of our forefathers, and the greatest sufferers were the greatest sin- ners, notwithstanding their exposure to these incursions and their power to repel the attacks when made. This was a severe reproach upon the people of Dover who, on account of their being upon the frontier, were called upon to mourn over the ravages of their Indian enemies. The fact of Parson Moody placing these circumstances on his church record evinces a desire to render these Judges infa- mous, and not being content with letting others tell the story of 228 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Tiis wrongs, he shows a disposition to caution succeeding generations ■of the fate which will inevitably attend those who inflict the sentence of the strong arm of the law upon clergymen, whether upon a true or false construction. January 20, 1689, Green and five others were chosen commission- ers to meet with others from Dover, Portsmouth, and Exeter, to confer about some method of government. This committee con- sisted of Green, Nathaniel "Weare, Henry Dow, Morris Hobbs, Sen., Capt. Samuel Sherburne, and Edward Gove. The town clothed them with full power and agreed to abide by the form of govern- ment which a majority of their commissioners should subscribe to, and obliged themselves to yield all ready obedience thereto until his majest/s further order. There were nine who dissented from this vote. March 9, 1693, he was named in Governor Allen's com- mission as one of the council, which office he continued to hold until his death. January 33, 1690, the town chose him with two others to ascertain the expense of the war. From this time until his death he appears to have had much respect shown him. He was chosen to seat the people, and the town voted that he "Shall set in the first seat." It was claimed that Green favored Mason in his suits against the proprietors to obtain rent. This rendered him unpopular for a time. In May, 1648, the town granted land to Abraham Perkins and Henry Green in consideration of building a water mill in the town ■of Hampton at the Falls. Three years later he bought out his partner. April 19, 1679, he was given liberty to set up a second dam, above. The mill was built on the location now known as Dodge's mills, and was operated and owned after his death by his son Jacob, and later by his grandson, Nathan Longfellow, until 1764, when he sold to Col. Jonathan Moulton. Henry Green lived on the sovath side of the Falls river on the top of the hill, a short distance from the mill. He was the ancestor of the Green families who have since lived in the town. He died August 5, 1700, aged above eighty. His first wife, Mary, was the mother of his children. She died April 36, 1690. March 10, 1691, he married Mary, widow of Thomas Page, who was a daughter of Christopher Hussey. After Green's decease she married Henry Dow. BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 229 His children were as follows: Elizebeth, wife of James Chase; afterward of Joseph Cass. Makt, wife of Peter Green. Hannah, married John Aeie, of Eowley. Abilaham, married Esther Swett. Isaac, married Mary Cass. Jacob, married Sarah ; died November, 1726. ANTHONY STANYAN. Anthony Stanyan lived in Boston in 1641. He was in Exeter in 1647 and was the town clerk. He moved to Hampton in 1648, where he was one of the greatest men of his day, being dignified with the appellation df "Mr.,'' a designation seldom bestowed except upon the most respectable. March 25, 1649, he was chosen one of the selectmen and again in 1662, 1668, and 1676. He and his wife had seats assigned them in 1650. The same year he drew a share (No. 63) in the ox common. In 1653, he was chosen com- missioner of the rates, when his tax was £1 2s. 4d. The same year he was chosen to examine into the merits of the case of Maurice Hobbs against the town and was in 1654 chosen one of the agents to manage the same on the part of the town. "19 — 10 — 1656, Bro. Shaw, Bro. Page & Bro. Stanyan are chosen to seek out help for the ministry." June 9, 1663, he was the only one who dissented to the laying out of 4,000 acres west of Hampton bounds. June 20, 1665, he was chosen to exchange the town's land with Nathaniel Weare. July 18, 1665, he was a constable. October 12, 1665, he was chosen to lay out the farm of Mr. Cotton at Hogpen plain. July 12, 1667, he was chosen to keep the ordinary. In 1668, he dissents to the admission of John Lock as an inhabitant. April 12, 1669, he dissents to the bringing a suit against Henry Green. December 14, 1669, he dissents to the giving of forty acres each to those who settle in the new plantation and also dissents to the vote to lay out the waste lands. March 3, 1670, he had a grant of 160 acres (No. 48). He dissents to Andrew Wiggin taking forty pines from the commons, and is also chosen to prosecute James Eice for the cutting of timber in 1670. In 1671, he dissents to the confirm- ing of Mr. Cotton's farm at Hogpen plain. He was one of the signers of Weare's petition. He was a representative in 1654 and 1680. 230 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The name of his first wife is not known. She died between 1650 and 1655. He married, November 1, 1655, Ann Partridge. He had a son John, who was born in Boston in 1642, and a daughter Mary, who married John Pickering of Portsmouth, January 10, 1665. We do not find the names of any other children. Mr. Stan- yan died in 1688. His inventory was £45 18s. 2d., appraised by Nathaniel Weare and Joseph Smith. He gave his son John his estate by deed before his death. His descendants live in New Hampshire, some of whom spell the name Stanion. He lived south of Taylor's river, on the hill, where Charles N. Dodge now lives. He was succeeded by his son John, who was a signer of Weare's petition, and was selectman in 1692, 1699, 1701, and 1709, and representative in 1705. It is believed that he became a Quaker. He made the motion to have some of the common lands set off to them for a parsonage, which was done February 19, 1711. He had the reputation among his contemporaries of being a very good man. He married Mary Bradbury of Salisbury, December 25, 1663, and had seven children. He died in 1718. In his will he takes especial pains to keep the property in the name of the Stanyans. His son Jacob lived on the homestead and was selectman of Hampton Palls in 1723 and 1746. The name disappears from our record before 1787. JOHN CASS. John Cass came to Hampton and married Martha, daughter of Thomas Philbrick, Sen., before 1650. On the 4th of January, 1650, they had seats assigned them in the meeting-house. In 1653, his tax was 9s. lOd.; whole amount raised, £53 2s. lOd. October 15, 1657, he and William Fuller were "chosen to lay out the highway towards Strawberry Bank to the extent of our bounds, as convenient as may be, which they have done according to their discretion." At this time he lived on the Portsmouth road, between Lane's Cor- ner and the former site of the Methodist meeting-house. Soon after he moved south of Taylor's river. December 14, 1669, the road by his house was viewed by Lieutenant Swett and Nathaniel Weare and altered. In 1651, he drew one share in the ox commons. March 3, 1670, he drew share No. 41 in the commons containing one hundred acres. April 5, 1664, he bought Eev. John Wheel- wright's farm, which the town formerly granted Eev. Stephen Bachiler, and situated in what is now the town of Seabrook. He BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 231 and Ms wife were both members of Eev. Seaborn Cotton's church in 1673. He was one of the selectmen in 1653, 1657, 1668, 1671, and 1675. He died suddenly in his bed, April 7, 1675. His will was proved April 13, 1675. The witnesses were Thomas and Sam- uel Philbrick and Joseph Dow. The estate was appraised by Joseph Dow and Edward Gove, and valued at £940 lis.; debts, £96 17s. 6d. This property was of more value than that of any person who died in Hampton prior to 1680. His widow, Martha, died before 1696. The Hon. Lewis Cass, born in Exeter October 9, 1782, a United States senator from Michigan, and a member of President Bu- chanan's cabinet, was a lineal descendant of the above John Cass. The name of Cass appears upon our records until 1767, when it disappears. Probably all living in the town at that time were in the limits of what was afterward Seabrook. The children of John and Martha Cass: Maetha, married John Eedman, February 18, 1667. MLaet, married Isaac Green. Joseph, married, first, Mary Hobbs; second, Elizabeth Chase. Samuel, married Mercy Sanborn. Jonathan, bom September 13, 1663. Elizebeth, born July 17, 1666. Merot, born August 1, 1668. Ebeneazee, born July 17, 1671. ' Abigail, bom January 11, 1674. THE CLIFFOED FAMILY. George Clifford descended in a direct line from the ancient and noble family of Clifford in England. He probably came with his wife (Elizebeth) and son John from Arnold Village and parish, Not- tingham county, England, to Boston, in 1644. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. He moved to Hampton. John Clifford, his son, was born in England. He was three times married, and was one of the signers of Weare's petition to the king in 1683. Israel Clifford, son of John, married, March 15, 1680, Ann Smith. He was a member of Hampton church and was dismissed December 9, 1711, to the Palls church. He had five children. The Hon. Nathan Clifford of Portland, Me., who was one of the justices of the United States supreme court was a great- 232 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. grandson of Israel Clifford. Hon. John H. Clifford, at one time attorney-general, and afterwards governor of Massachusetts, was a great-grandson of Jacob Clifford, son of John. He was for many years president of the corporation of Harvard College and also pres- ident of the Boston & Providence Eailroad Co. The Clifford home- stead and farm was situated on the west side of the Old Mill road. A part of the land is now owned by John T. Batchelder. Some of the family removed to Chester and Kingston. The last of the name, John Clifford, was rated inxl773, but disappears before 1787. He was a Revolutionary soldier. LIEUT. JOHN SANBORN. Lieut. John Sanborn's mother was a daughter of Rev. Stephen Bachiler. He and his brothers, Stephen and "William, came to Hampton, where John had granted to him in 1640 five acres for a house lot, two and one half, or thereabouts, at home and the rest beyond Taylor's ri"\er. In 1645 he had two of the 147 shares. In 1650 he and his wife had seats in the meeting-house. In 1651 he was chosen to confirm the old grants. November 31, 1651, he had two shares of the ox commons. His tax was 14 shillings in 1653. January 33, 1654, he was chosen agent for the town in Hobbs's suit against the town. June 30, 1657, he was chosen in the room of William Swain to provide a house for the minister. October 34, 1657, he was to see to the repairs of Mr. Cotton's house. Febru- ary 38, 1658, he was chosen to finish the building for Mr. Dalton. May 39, 1658, he was appointed to confer with Mr. Cotton about his house. July 16, 1658, he and two others were to see to the grants and highways. January 1, 1660, he was chosen one of a committee to wait upon Mr. Cotton about the repairs to be made on his house. March 16, 1660, he was chosen to hire the school- master. January 9, 1663, he was appointed to examine the shares. June 9, 1663, he was one of the men to lay out the four thousand acres west of Hampton bounds, and on April 14, 1663, he was chosen to make a division of the same. September 31, 1664, his power as a wood ward was suspended and other regulations were made. January 34, 1665, he was chosen to collect the arrearages of the constable, and with power to levy fines and take by distress, etc. March 37, 1665, he made a motion to admit Henry Deering as an inhabitant with permission to keep the ordinary. June 30, 1665, he was chosen with Rev. Mr. Cotton and Samuel Dalton to BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 233 draw a writing asserting the claims of the inhabitants to their lands and remonstrating against the claims of Mr. Mason before Sir Eobert Carr and the other royal commissioners. The appointment of Sanborn to this duty indicates the high opinion his fellow towns- men had of his talents and integrity, nor did he ever lose this good esteem. October 12, 1665, he was chosen to lay out the farm of two hundred acres granted to the Eev. Mr. Cotton, and was also chosen to lay out the second division. July 25, 1667, he was elected a commissioner to try small causes. May 22, 1667, he was to lay out the land granted Daniel Tilton. March 18, 1668, he was chosen to rectify Anthony Taylor's bounds. April 12, 1669, he was chosen to manage the suits against Portsmouth about the lands at Josslyn's Neck, before the next court at Salisbury. September 5, 1669, he was appointed to run the Exeter line. December 10, 1669, he was to treat with William Fuller concerning the exchange of one hun- dred acres of land at Hogpen plains. December 22, 1669, he was chosen to lay out the land more than four miles north of the meet- ing-house. March 3, 1670, he had a grant (No. 51) of one hun- dred acres. June 13, 1671, he was chosen an appraiser of the goods taken by the constable by warrant of distress. May 31, 1671. He was chosen a commissioner to make the rates, April 25, 1672. He was chosen to treat with Mr. Dudley and Mr. Oilman respecting the sidt of Exeter against the widow Garland, October 21, 1672. He was elected one of the selectmen in 1650, 1657, 1661, 1665, 1668, 1671, 1674, and 1678. He died October 20, 1692. His first wife was named Mary. Her children were: EiCHAED, bom November 4, 1654; married Euth Marston, October 10, 1678. Maet, born January 19, 1657; died November 4, 1660. Joseph, bom January 13, 1659; married Mary Gove. Stephen, born September 11, 1661; died December 24, 1661. AsTN", born December 20, 1662; married Samuel Palmer. Maet, born 1664; died, 1664. Nathamtesl, bom November 27, 1665; married, first, Eebecca Prescott; second, Sarah Nason. Benjamik, bom October 20, 1668; married, first, Meribah Tilton; second, Abigail Dalton. 234 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. He married, second, widow Margaret Moulton, daugMer of Robert Page. He had one son by her: Jonathan, born March 25, 1672; married Elizebeth Sherburne. Widow Margaret Sanborn died July 13, 1699, aged seventy years. He had a son John who died in 1727, and probably Josiah who was a selectman in 1695. His inyentory was £294 14s. In 1722, Eieh- ard Sanborn drew one half share in the first division. Ensign John Sanborn one half share in the third division and one share in the fifth division, in the original right of John Sanborn. Lieutenant Sanborn was one of the most strenuous opponents of the Masonian claims and of Cranfield's administration. He was a signer of Weare's petition to the king in 1683. October, 1683, Eobert Mason, Sherlock, the marshal, and James Leach came to San- born's house in order to give Mason possession, when Sanborn not opening the door. Leach, by the marshal's order, broke it open, and gave Mason possession. Sanborn was taken prisoner. In N"ovem- ber, 1683, Governor Cranfield brought an action against John San- born of Hampton for saying, "I question whether the King ever knew of Edward Cranfield's commission or patent." The damages were laid at £500. In case pending between the Hon. Edward Cranfield Esquire Plain- tiff, against John Sanborn Defendant the jury find for the Plaintiff, five hundred pounds damage, and costs of Court, Or to make a pub- lic acknowledgment in all four towns both for matter and form, as the Court shall direct. Then he so doing shall pay but ten pounds and costs of court. The costs were £1 19s. The acknowledgment was made in 1685. He borrowed the money of Eichard "Waldron, his son Eichard, and William Vaughan to pay the above fine, October 24, 1685. His four sons, Eichard, Josiah, John, and Joseph, were signers of Weaje's petition. Lieut. John Sanborn lived at first on his lot near the residence of the late Alvin Emery, but afterward moved south of Taylor's river. He owned and lived on the farm now occupied by the heirs of Thayer S. Sanborn. The farm has re- mained in possession of the Sanborn family ever since. John San- born's house was situated near where the garden now is, by the lane which leads to the depot road. He was the ancestor of the Sanborn families in this town, where they have been numerous and prominent in town matters. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 235 COL. ICHABOD EOBIE. Col. Ichabod Eobie was a son of Henry Eobie. He was born November 25, 1664, and died at Kingston May 15, 1757, aged ninety- two years. He resided in the south parish, now Hampton Palls, where he was one of the most useful men, frequently chosen select- man and representative (when the Weares did not wish to go) after their incorporation as a parish. His name is connected with a singular transaction which occurred in 1745. It appears that the parishes of North Hampton, Kensing- ton, and Hampton Falls wished to have a share of the parsonage property belonging to Hampton. On the 34th of June, 1745, the people of Hampton Falls, headed by Col. Ichabod Eobie, attended a town meeting in Hampton and undertook to vote, although they had been incorporated as a parish with town privileges for twenty- five years and had ceased to act in any way as inhabitants of the town of Hampton during that time. The meeting was riotous and the Falls voters were compelled to withdraw. They held a meeting July 1, 1745, in which they voted that Col. Ichabod Eobie, Jonathan Fifield, and Jonathan Nason should be a committee to consult with a committee of Kensington and North Hampton, to take such measures as they thought best for the recovery of some part of the lands which the town of Hampton bought of Eev. Tim- othy Dalton, and to report their proceedings forthwith. Septem- ber 16, 1745, the town of Hampton held a meeting in which they voted "That we will prosecute all or some of those persons that came into our meeting on the 24th of June last, and behaved in a riotous and disorderly manner." The selectmen were authorized to prosecute. As an offset to this, the town of Hampton Falls held a meeting September 30, 1745, duly warned for the purpose, and passed a vote choosing Joseph Worth, Benjamin Hilliard, and Jon- athan Swett a committee to "commence an action or actions, against the town of Hampton and to prosecute the same to final judgment for their denying the right of the inhabitants of the Falls parish to vote in the meeting held on the 24th of June last, and also to de- fend any and all the inhabitants against any action which may be brought for their conduct at said meeting." There is- no further account of this affair in either of the town records. Probably the good people thought they had already shown proper resentment and suffered the matter to drop. 236 HISTOKT OF HAMPTON FALLS. He was probably buried at Hampton Falls, although he died in Kingston. He was dismissed from the church at Hampton to form that at Kingston in 1725. He returned to Hampton Falls and afterward went back to Kingston. Col. Eobie married Lucy Page, January 4, 1694. Her children: Meeibah, born October 6, 1694; married Currier. DoEOTHT, baptized, 1700; married, first, Benjamin Preseott; sec- ond, Edward Sanborn. Lucy, baptized, 1698. Samuel, born May 13, 170.5; died young. His second wife was named Maria. Her children: Etjth, baptized, 1707; died young. Anna, born January 10, 1708; died January 21, 1725. EuTH, born October 18, 1709; died February 28, 1725. John, bom in 1713. Henet, bom October 19, 1714. Sajiuel, bom October 17, 1717. His third wife was named Lydia. William, died before August 31, 1757. Susanna, married Hezekiah Swain. Ltdia, married ilicah Brooks. EuTH, living single, 1753. Some of the descendants of Col. Ichabod Eobie appear to have- lived in Candia and Chester. ICHABOD EOBIE, ESQ. Ichabod Eobie, Esq., was born, according to tradition of his fam- ily, in that part of Haverhill which is now Atkinson, about 1679. He was a grandson of Henry Eobie of Hampton and a nephew of Col. Ichabod Eobie. His father, John Eobie, was killed by the Indians in 1690 or 1691, and his son Ichabod, then thirteen years of age, was carried captive to Canada, where he remained about a year before he was redeemed, or otherwise restored. He settled in Hampton Falls, but at what time is not known. January 10, 1707, he married Mary- Cass, and had a numerous family. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. . 237 In 1746 Ichabod Eobie and his sons John and Henry were among the grantees of the town of Weare, at that time called Eobiestown, from Ichabod Eobie, who was the first named in the grant. John Eobie settled in Weare and was one of the most prominent men, hav- ing been town clerk for twenty-five years, besides holding most of the other elective offices. Some of his descendants still live there. He made his will, dated October 10, 1753, proved September 26, 1753, when he would be about seventy-four years old. In his will he named his wife, ilary, and his children, John, Henry, Samuel, and daughter Sarah Tilton. He lived upon the Eobie farm in Hampton Falls, now occupied by Kathan H. Eobie, Esq., who was a lineal descendant. He was a tanner and currier by trade. His children were: Anne, born February 10, 1708; died January 27, 1725. John, born August 12, 1712; married Ann Williams; settled in Chester. Henry, born October 19, 1714; married Abigail Butler; died in 1807. Samuel, born October 17, 1717; lived in Eaymond and GofEstown. Mart, born August 19, 1720. Sarah, born October 3, 1722; married John Tilton. Henry Eobie, sen of Ichabod, was born in 1717. He married Abigail Butler. He was a prominent man, having been parish clerk from 1758 to 1762, and a number of times selectman and rep- resentative. He polled into Seabrook in 1768, and was one of the members from that town to the first and second conventions held at Exeter in 1774 and 1775, and was elected representative from the two towns in 1776 and 1777. He died in 1807. His children: Daniel, born in 1734; lived in Eaymond. Ichabod, born in 1736; lived in Candia. Susan, born in 1738; married William French of Seabrook. John, born in 1740; died young. Samuel, born in 1745; lived in Chester. John, born in 1742; lived in Weare. Anna, born in 1748; died unmarried in 1841. Abigail, born in 1749; died unmarried in 1839. Henry, born in 1752; died in 1788. Kathan, born in 1758; died in 1842. Nathan lived on the homestead and was father of Henry, who died about 1877, and grandfather of Nathan H. Eobie, who died January 16, 1898. 16 MILITAEY EECOED. SIEGE OF LOtriSBUEG. LO'UiSBUHG is situated on the southeast side of the island of Cape Breton, in latitude 45° 54', longitude 59° 52'. After the sur- render of the French settlements in Nova Scotia to England by the peace of Utrecht in 1718, emigrants from those settlements occu- pied the coasts of the neighboring island of Cape Breton, and Louis- burg, a town named in honor of Louis XIV., began to be fortified by the French government upon a gigantic scale, with the inten- tion of making it the strongest fortress in America and a command- ing naval fishing and commercial station. The town was about two and one half miles in circumference and stood upon a neck of land on the south side of the harbor, an extensive land-lo'cked basin with an entrance half a mile broad. It was fortiiied with a wall thirty-six feet high, which was surrounded by a ditch eighty feet in width. The main works mounted sixty-five heavy cannon and sixteen mortars. On either side of the entrance were batteries of thirty guns. A lighthouse on a high cliff near the entrance was visible for fifteen miles at sea. The town was laid out in regular squares, with broad streets. The buildings were mostly of wood, but there were many built of stone. The fortifications were nearly thirty years in building, and had cost the French government up- ward of five million dollars. The fortress of Louisburg when com- pleted was so strong that it was called the Dunkirk of America. At the time of its capitulation it contained five thousand people, exclusive of the soldiers. The neighborhood of Louisburg caused great uneasiness in Xew England, where important interests in the fisheries were threatened with entire ruin by the privateers who .found refuge in its spacious harbor. In 1745, Great Britain being at war with France, Gov- ernor Shirley of Massachusetts devised a plan for taking Louis- burg, which was adopted by the legislature of that province in a secret session by a majority of one vote. Forces were promptly 238 MILITARY RECOBD. 239 raised and William Pepperell, a merehant of Kittery, was appointed commander. Massachusetts furnished 3,200 men, one third of whom were from the district of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. New Hampshire furnished a regiment of ten companies, which num- bered 502 men at the time of sailing. In addition to this regiment 120 recruits from this state accompanied the expedition, all under the command of Colonel Moore. The names of 496 of these men have been found, leaving 126 still unknown. There are no rolls known to be in existence of the men's names who went from this state. The names which have been collected were obtained from other sources. It has been said that at the close of the war the rolls containing the names of the men engaged in the Louisburg expedition were taken to England to be used as vouchers. The Society of Colonial Wars in the state of New Hampshire are taking measures to find those rolls if they are still in existence. A number of ineffectual attempts were made to raise men in Hampton Falls, ileetings had been held at Swett's tavern for the purpose of raising men, but had proved unsuccessful until Edward Williams, who was a popular young man, offered to lead the men who would volunteer as their captain. After this a full company of forty-five men were recruited. We have succeeded in getting the names of about two thirds of the men who went from this town, and regret our inability to get the remainder. The long time which has since elapsed and the absence of direct infor- mation render it impossible for us to get the names of all. The distance from Portsmouth was six hundred miles. Ehode Island and Connecticut, by legislative authority, furnished troops; Xew York sent a supply of artillery; Pennsylvania and New Jersey sent provisions and clothing. The forces were successfully landed near Louisburg, April 30, 1745, and by successful maneuvering the city was surrendered with little fighting, June 17, on the forty- ninth day of the siege. The French reported a loss of two hun- dred men during the siege. Much sickness and many deaths oc- curred, owing to the unhealthy surroundings where the men were encamped. At the end of January, 1746, 561 men had died. In May, 1746, Governor Shirley wrote that 890 men had died during the winter. Outside the gate, near the old limekiln, the forgotten bones of more than five hundred New England men lie to this day, under the coarse, neglected grass. We have the names of five Hamp- ton Falls men (and there are probably more) who died there. Among them is Captain Edward Williams. 240 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The men from New Hampshire, here as everywhere else, gave a good account of themselves and did their full part toward the suc- cess of the expedition. The officers of the Xew Hampshire troops on their return presented a bell, which had been captured from the fortifications, to Queen's chapel in Portsmouth, which bell was recast and still does duty upon St. John's Episcopal Church. The pay of the soldiers was less than six pence a day sterling. Each sol- dier furnished his own clothing and gun. Puritan zeal is said to have had a potent effect toward reducing the fortress belonging to a papal power. The capture of Louis- burg caused great rejoicing in England and the government reim- bursed the colonies to a large extent for their money outlay. By the peace of 1748 Louisburg was returned intact to France, to the dissatisfaction of the people of New England. In 1757, during the seven years' war, the place was again easily taken by the English under the lead of General "Wolfe. The fortifications were destroyed and it has since been a place of no military sig- nificance. There are but few inhabitants there at the present time. A monument erected near the site of Louisburg, by the Society of Colonial Wars, was unveiled June 17, 1895, to commemorate the capture of Louisburg one hundred and fifty years before, A. D. 1745. The following are the names which we have obtained of the men who went from Hampton Palis: Captain Edward Williams (died) David Lowell Timothy Blake Jonathan Bond Ensign Edmund Brown John Brown (died) Nason Cass Benjamin Cram Daniel Cram John EUard William Fifield John French (died) Jacob French John Green Ebeneazer Gove (died) Joseph Gove Jeremiah Gove Lieut. Bradbury Green Peter Ingalls Jonathan Leavitt James Lowell Eobert Miller (arm shot ofE) Caleb Norton Joseph Prescott Nathan Eow Eobert Eow Abner Sanborn (died) John Sanborn Ebeneazer Sanborn Benjamin Shaw Eobert Swett William Swain James Taylor Benjamin Tilton Daniel Tilton Jonathan Watson Nathaniel Weare MILITARY RECORD. 241 REVOLrTIOXAEY WAE. • There is very liitle recorded upon our town records in relation to the action of this town during the Eevolutionary War. It is much to be regretted that such is the ease. But very few of the men's names who entered the country's service are recorded in any way upon the town books. The annexed list was taken from the state papers, and quite likely some who should have been credited to us do not appear upon the state rolls. We are much pleased to present so many names, and feel confident that we have nearly a correct list. There were a number of calls for men; some for a longer term of service than others. So many having served for a short time may account for the large number of men credited to us. We iind the names of what appear to be the same men from different towns which are situated near each other. This may be accounted for in the short-term service. When the men were discharged they enlisted to fill the quotas of other towns which were behind. This town appears to have furnished all the men called for, and to have voted boxmties to those who would enter the service. In all these things they appear to have acted generously toward the soldiers. It was found necessary to resort once, at least, to a draft to fill our quota. We find no record of this draft, but make the state- ment from authentic tradition, the writer getting his information from a person who was living at the time the draft was enforced, and who related circumstances in connection with it. Since ^Tit- iug the above we have come into possession of the notice which was served upon David Batchelder, which is as follows: State of Xe^v Hampsliire. In Consequence of orders from General Congress the Committee of Safety of this State have required that one sixth part of our Eegiment not already in the war Including the alarm list that are able to bear arms, and able to March to be Draughted, or other^vise Engaged, to march from their Homes by the loto of this instant at fartherest, Accordingly ilr. David Batchelder you are Draughted to march and be well equipped for the defence of this and the neighboring States, to serve until the Last Daj' of Xo- vember next, unless sooner discharged, & join Yourself to the army under General Stark's, or the Commanding officer of that Department. —Dated at Hampton falls Sept. lia 1777 JOXATHAX CEAil, Capt. Mr. Batchelder probably furnished a substitute, as did Cornet Ifathan Brown, who was also drafted. 242 HISTORY 01 HAMPTON FALLS. We give a few extracts from the records of what was voted at that time: July 12th 1776. ^'cted to give Jonathan Jliller equal with the other soldiers that is a going in the Canada service for the Parish of Hamp- ton falls the present Campaign, Viz until the first day of Dec. next. Jonathan Miller was probably a negro or mulatto, which may have been the reason why he required a vote of this kind. At the same meeting, — Voted — That the Selectmen be impowered to raise Ninety nine pounds Eight Shillings, lawful money, for the soldiers of Hampton falls that is a going in the Canada service, Over and above the bounty and wages that is allowed them by the Colony for their en- couragement in said service until the first day of December next — ^Pro- vided said Soldiers do their duty to the best of their skill and ability in said service. The selectmen were made a committee to pay this money to the soldiers. March 27tii 1777. Voted to give those men who belong to this Parish, Forty five pounds lawful money, including the bounty that is already given by the state and congress to list into the service for the term of three years or during the war. — Mr. Nathan Brown, Col Jonathan Burnham, Isaiah Lane, & Capt. Jon^i Cram, were voted a committee to hire these men that this parish is called upon for, to go into the service for the term of three years or during the war. At a later meeting, — Voted. To give those soldiers that are to be enlisted into the ser- vice, for the term of three j'ears or during the war. One hundred dollars each, over and above the State bounty. That shall enlist after this date for the parish of Hampton falls — and that the Selectmen be impowered to raise money upon the Polls and Estates of the free holders and inhahiitants of the parish of Hampton falls, to fulfil said judgment and answer said demand. May 12tii 1777 Voted To make a reasonable allowance toward those men that have done anything toward the war, by way of turn, or paid money toward the war, since it commenced. A committee was chosen to average to every man, who had done a turn or paid money toward the war, since it commenced, and average it as equal as possibly it can be to every man. These are a sample of the votes passed during the time the Eev- olutionary War was carried on. Men and money were freely voted MILITARY RECORD. 243 and everything goes to show that our people were in earnest and willing to make any sacrifice to gain their independence. We find an article in a warrant for a meeting in 1780, to see if the to^Ti would furnish eight thousand four hundred and seventy- nine pounds of beef for the use of the United States. In the rec- ord of this meeting we do not find any action taken upon this article, but it is reasonable to suppose that this, as all other de- mands made upon the town during the war, was promptly met. The people were often alarmed by false reports that the British soldiers were coming and were near by. This did much to frighten the women and children, who in some cases left their homes to go to some place of safety. It is related that an old man who lived on ilorton hill, who had been told that the Redcoats had crossed the ilerrimack river and were coming this way, sat in his doorway, gun in hand, ready to receive them as they should come up the hill. The following is a list of the men who entered the country's service as soldiers from Hampton Falls during the Eevolutionary War. The most of them were found in the Revolutionary War papers published by the state and edited by Hammond. A few names have been added to those found there, as we have authentic information that they were in the service from this town, and from some reason were omitted from the state rolls. There are some names in the list wliieh do not appear upon the records. These were probably either transient persons, or were hired from other towna by the committee to fill the quota. James Allard Capt. John Clifford Stephen Atkinson (drummer) Enoch Dow Samuel Barker Enoch Drew Thomas Batchelder Daniel Davidson ilark Batchelder Xathaniel Dodge Phinneas Batchelder .Jonathan Eaton Capt. John Blaisdell Daniel Felch Christopher Blake Samuel Pifield Enoch Blake Jeremiah Fogg Joshua Blake Eaton Green Caleb Brown Bradbury Hardy- Jonathan Brown Jonathan Hardy Philip Burns Job Haskel Benjamin Burnham Hussey Hoag Jonathan Burnham Benjamin Billiard Daniel Carr Zebulon Hilliard Isaac Chandler Thomas Hooper 244 HISTORY OF HAMPTON PALLS. Samuel James Joshua Jenness Lowell Lang Jonathan Leavitt Levi Lamprey Luke Libbey Samuel Lock Gideon Marshall Eobert Marshall Richard Middleton Jonathan Miller Eichard Mace Daniel Morgan Redman Moulton John Mobbs Moulton William Nudd Josiah Pervear Noys Pervear Elisha Prescott, Jr. James Prescott, 3^. John Prescott James Randall John Rawlings Eliphalet Rollins John Rollins Pain Row Abner Sanborn James Sanborn Meshech Sanborn Theophilus Sanborn David Scott Timothy Shaw Gilbert Sharpe Jonathan Stickney Jonathan Steward Benjamin Swett Thomas Swett Caleb Swain Reuben Swain Ensign Tuck Capt. Richard Weare Lieut. Nathan Weare Melcher Ward Edward Wade Jonathan Wedgwood Peter Williams Lieut. Nathan Weare and Captain Richard Weare were sons of Gov. Meshech Weare. Capt. Richard Weare was killed at Fort Ann, New York, while on the retreat from Ticonderoga, August 4, 1777. Some of the soldiers from this yicinity were at the battle of Bennington. The majority saw service in New York state at Ti- conderoga, and were present at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. These men went from home on foot, walking all the way through the wilderness, and when discharged walked home. In going and coming they subsisted upon the food obtained from the few inhab- itants along the route — sometimes taking it forcibly — and upon such game as could be killed, suffering in some cases from hunger so that a squirrel was considered a godsend. People at the present time have little idea of the hardships these men endured. DIARY OF LIEUT. NATHAjH WEARE KEPT AT TICOXDEROGA AND DURING THE RETREAT, 1777. Ap. 29. A very rainy night. About day it began to snow and con- tinued until about 9 A. M. 6 inches fell and then some rain. About 11 A. M. it slacked. MILITARY RECOKD. 245 30 Earning, very windy, squally & chilly. It looks like a verj' cold night. A frost on the 28^ inst. Our field pieces came in from Bead- ing. Its expected that we shall march from this ground on a private expedition but where is not known at present. May 1 A fine pleasant day. Capt. Frye, Adj. Wilkins & Joseph ■ Gray, came in to bring a flagg, and to bring the word out from Mr. Clinton to Gen. Dunster, to have him give up West Point in ten days or he would come with all the fire that he could make for to take it, but if he comes I think that he will find himself mistaken. Its reported that Eight regt^ of Georges Bull doggs are at Monmouth in the Jer- seys. Considerable large betts are made by the officers as to the place of our spending the summer Campaign. Its said that Old Hazen, is at Bishops with his regt, & that Lieut. Mc. Cauley has orders to proceed to Charlestown in New Hampshire with the officers baggage, & some say to Fort Ipswich. I think to neither of them. Provisions very scarce. All salt, we draw one day at a time, and y^ ration of whiskey today. A party was sent off this morning, that was seen in front last night as expected. 2 or lOti^ inst. Deserters came out of Xew York on Sunday, by forging a, pass and inform that there is only 4000 of the enemy there, & thit they lay between the city & Xew York City. One of them is a Capt. and in- forms that about 20 of one company have deserted in about a fort- night & that they are very much missed by their officers. 5 A fine warm day but very windy. At troop meeting Heath was brot. on to the parade and received 50 lashes. Moss received 25 lashes & both were sent back to the guard house. About 10 A. M. Heath, Moss, & ClifEord were released. Searj. Hetsey and his guard are in from Fredonia burrough. Grows very coM, with a high wind, looks like a frost. A retreat beating. Had orders that tomorrow is ap- pointed by Congress to be a day of fasting and prayer, throughout the United States & a Brigade order that the Divine service to begin at 11 A. il. near Capt. Cilley's Eegt. 6 A very cold, windy, chilly morning. At 11 A. M. paraded and marched about a mile to hear prayers, and had a fine discourse deliv- ered by Jlr. Even from Jeremiah IStt 7tii and 8ti> verses, "That city against whom I have pronounced, etc." Corp. Godfrey of the 24 Cavl Company & Walker of this Dist. sent to the state store to guard all the Com"! from the K. H. line, and all ordered in a small detachment, that went to head' quarters. Col. Dearborn again takes the charge of the Brigade. The detail mentioned that went to King Ferry came in this afternoon. 7tb A fine pleasant day. This afternoon the Detatch' from the line that went out with Capt. McGregor came in. the 1=* N. H. Kegt. to march tomorrow to Fort Pitt, though not known by the soldiers where they are going. 8*11 A fine pleasant Aaj. The 1=' N. H. Regt. mentioned that was to march today is not to march until tomorrow morning. gtii A fine pleasant day. The X. H. Eegt. marched and closed the N river. This morning about day killed a rattle snake with 5 rattles the first that I ever saw. 10 A fine pleasant day. This afternoon Searj. Barker came into camp and brought with him a camp Fagit. 11 A pleasant day. There is a bet laid of 1000 dollars that the enemy will leave Xew York the 25tii inst and that our people will be in possession of it. An Express this afternoon came from Col. Hazen to Gen. MDudle for more troops to go and join the Congress Eegiment & that Col. Courtland is to join our Brigade to his Eegt. Four tories were carried by here under guard. Three of them were above 60 years of age. They were catched in the Jerseys. 12th A fine pleasant day. Nine tories were carried by here under a strong guard, they were brot. from the Jerseys, some of them very old men. Looks like rain. MILITARY RECORD. 247 13 A very rainy day. Now at four P. JI. this afternoon 6 of the quarter guard were ooniined on suspicion of stealing 5 pairs of overalls & also four oi Col. Eeeds Eegt. on the same acct. 14 A fine pleasant day. At about 11 A. il. Mustered for the month of April, by Mr. Lamson. After mustering, we are to be practiced every day after Koll call. Our Commander of the Eegt. at present is Col. Dearborn. 15 A fine pleasant day, nothing new. At 10 A. M. drew one shirt, some overalls & shoes and some canteens. Col. Cilley's Eegt. to march to Eastown, Pennsylvania, then to be joined by. a Eegt. from some brigade in the continental army, for to go against the enemy. Col. Dearborn went around himself today with very strict orders. 16 A fine pleasant day. The soldiers not obeying the Cols, orders, he took it in his head to confine all the disorderly in the Eegt. for the neglect of the orders. This continued until he had orders to march next morning at 6. P. M. when the men were released without punishment. In the morning all the truant boys were back in the Eegt. 17 A fine pleasant day. The Genl Eegt. at C. o. f. Paraded at 7 A. M. Marched at Eight, and marched to Fishkill. Halted at 12 then marched to the landing and crossed the river to Newbury Lodged in hay bams. 18 Looks something like rain. A considerable warm day. Marched 18 miles on retreat. At 12 m. marched 2 miles to New Winsor, thence to Bethlehem 11 miles. A very good road. Lodged in a barn. At sunset looks considerable like rain. Gen. Poor, Col. Cilley, Gen. Stark and Capt. Chase came up. 19 A rainy day. The Genis marched at 5 A. M. at 7 at Blooming Grove 5 miles then to Chester 5 miles. Then to Sugar Loaf 3 miles and halted at 10 P. M. Eained fast all day. 20 A rainy day. Marched as yesterday to Wanish 7 miles. Thence to Warden 7 miles, & halted at West Kingston at 6 P. M. It rained all day. Very good land and a good road, 27 miles into Jersey state. A bad day for to march. Continued raining all day & all night. 21 A rainy day. At 3 A. il. ready for marching which we expected to do every moment. Its reported that our army have taken 400 Indians & killed 300 between Pensylvania & Fort Detroit. Some troops were sent with a flagg to our men to surrender in ten days or they would destroy them all, but our men had got information the day before which enabled them to gain the victory or they would all have been destroyed, as the enemy was twice their number. I had this day one dollar given me by an old country man, that I never saw before. Continued raining all day and all night. 22 A cloudy, rainy morning, and looks like a rainy day. Its re- ported that we are to go to Fort Detroit & that we shall have to go 600 miles through the woods on foot, and that 12000 are to go, and carry baggage. Gen. Poor & Col. Cilley have gone to headquarters to get off if possible. Send us to our own 'State. 23 At 5 A. M. marched from Washington 10 miles & then halted % 248 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. hour. 7 P. M. Got into Newtown Court House, & lodged in the Court House. Drew % ration of fresh beef, and one jill of whiskey, Butter & very heavy wheat bread, Cyder, three dollars, 5 qts turn, bread and milk. A very warm day, 28 miles this day. 24 A fine clear day but very warm. Marched % after sunrise 10 miles & halted three hours. Very warm daj'. Then marched to an Arabian town by the name of Hope. Very civil people who live alto- gether almost. 25 The drums beat at sunrise. We marched oif the ground. A very hot day. Halted in the woods 5 miles from the river, & drew overalls and received an order to march tomorrow only between day and sunrise. 26 A cloudy day. Marched at sunrise to the river and crossed im- mediately to Eastown. Capt. Chase gave me a letter from my brother. The Camp is a little below the town. Drew tents. Crossed at 8 A. M. Looks like rain. Orders to clean guns, wash &c. This is a pleasant village laying on a point of land about 70 miles from Philadelphia. One Kegt. of Jersey troops came in today. 27 A Cloudy day, and looks like rain. Nothing new 6 A. M. Marched for Cilleys Regt. To march tomorrow morning at 7 A. M. 28 A cloudy day, looks like rain. 29 Cloudy in the fore part of the day. Afternoon clear and very w^arm. 30 A Cloudy morning & continued all day. At 11 A. M. Order for to turn out at 3 P. il. for meeting, and paraded accordingly, ilarched to the church with the Jersey Brigade. A handsome Beating organ. Where we had the lOtii chapter of Proverbs, & SG'ii verse. But more particular those who hate me love death. The time of service was one hour. Marched back again to camp, and dismissed. Order that no soldier to go in a swimming after Troop beating, as it is very hurt- ful in the middle of the day. Drew provisions and rum, 1000 weight of beef condemned, & the 27tii 425 lbs. flour condemned. 31 The day fine and pleasant. Eecd. an order this evening of the appointment of Jon^ Cilley Capt. in Stark's Kegt. ilr. Gaffrey Lieu- tenant & John Harvey as Ensign of the 3 o I CO < 5^ UJ SALT MARSH. ' 343 These men claimed to be able to cut from two to four acres in a day. There was quite a difference between the actual and the anticipated area cut. The average was not over an acre per day per man, although some could cut much more than that. Many could mow a great deal more with their mouths than with the scythe. When good mowers became scarce the marsh lost much of its pop- ularity and there was a great decline in price, until there was little or no demand for it at any price, and much of it was left uncut. Within a few years it has been found possible to substitute horse for hand labor upon the marshes, which has been done to a consid- erable extent and found to work well, and the work made much easier and less expensive than by the old methods. By this change in the manner of working, the marshes are slowly regaining some of their lost popularity. The different methods of treating the home lands to make them productive, the introduction of chemical and special manures, whereby lands may be made to produce crops with- out keeping animals to make manure to keep up the fertility, has had much to do in reducing the popularity and estimation with which the marsh was formerly held. It is doubtful if the marsh ever occupies again as prominent a place in our farming in future as it has in the past. The quality and often the quantity of hay was much increased by drainage. Open ditches were cut from two to three feet in depth and six or eight inches in width. As the marsh settled the ditches closed up at the top while remaining open at the bottom for a long time. After being ditched the marsh presented a much improved look, being clean and free from boggy places, and better kinds of grass came in. Since the marsh has been neglected the ditches ia many places have become stopped, and it is going back to its former wet and neglected condition. William A. Hopkins, an Englishman who came to this town about 1848, dug hundreds of miles of ditches, which was his principal occupation until his death, about 1875. He built the house on Murray's row now ocupied by William Brown. He resided here during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Hopkins was of a social nature and noted for her remarkable conversational powers. She died in 1879. STOEES. Peobablt there is nothmg in which there has been a greater change, from the past to the present time, than in the methods in which the country towns obtain their groceries and family supplies. Fifty years ago nearly all of this class of goods was purchased out- side of the town in the larger towns and cities. Prom some cause the people of this town patronized the dealers in Newburyport more than in other places. Probably at that time more groceries con- sumed in this town were procured there than in all other places combined. In those days Newburyport was the favorite market town with our people for trade. On almost any pleasant day quite a number of this town's people could be seen there. Farm produce was taken to market there, sold for cash, or was bartered for sup- plies to be taken home. Nearly all the grain bought came from there. Com was bought in the olden time and taken home to be ground into meal by the local mills. Afterward, and at a compara- i;ively recent date, meal began to be sold. This was considered to be a great advantage, as it saved the trouble of going to mill. The grain bought in Newburyport in those days was taken home by team. Now, very few, comparatively, of our people go to New- buryport to purchase supplies. A fejv patronized the dealers in Ezeter, but that town had a reputation for demanding high prices, and was a poor market for what farmers had to sell. These causes kept the majority of our people from going there to trade. In later times quite an amount of the town's trade went to Hampton. The country stores in the earlier times kept only a small stock of goods and of little variety, — only such things as were most likely to be called for. Customers asked for many things in vain. At that time the country dealer was unable to compete i-n selling price with his brother trader in town. He could not buy on as favorable terms, and the cost of transportation was more. The trade in the country stores at that time was principally with those who did not keep a horse, or from other causes were obliged to trade at home. 344 STORKS. 345 After the railroads were built and people had learned to utilize them a change came. The country stores began to enlarge their facilities and keep a greater variety of goods, until now there are in nearly every town one or more stores which keep a large stock of all kinds of goods which are liable to be called for, — grain, groceries, hardware, medicines, dry goods, clothing, provisions, farming tools, and other things too numerous to mention. When the modem country store is situated near the railroad sta- tion, goods can be sold as cheap as in any other place. The dealer can receive his goods as cheaply as the trader in town, while his rent and living cost less. The extension of the railroad system all over the country, and the low rates of freight for long distances, have all tended to give the country storekeeper important advan- tages not formerly possessed. In nearly all country towns the necessaries of life are now purchased in the town where used. Nearly all the stores have delivery wagons that carry goods to the homes of the purchaser, and take orders for what may be needed the day following, so that many families never have occasion to go to the store. Since the country stores have increased the volume and variety of their stock of goods, there has been a great falling ofE in the out-of-town trade in the larger places. What is true in this respect in nearly all country towns has also become the custom in Hampton Palls. Although there has always been one or more stores in the town since its early settlement, it is only within a very few years that the trade generally has been con- trolled by our local dealers. Now more than three fourths of the necessaries of life used in the town are purchased at home. The ' great saving in time and travel which is now possible under this method of doing business is not taken into account when people speak of the good old times, which many people appear to regard as better than the present. The first store kept in the town of which we have any knowledge was on the south road, on the corner where S. B. Pervear now lives. It was in the latter part of the last century, and was kept by Jere- miah Gove's wife. The ledger kept by her is still in existence and shows that she kept a stock of teas, wines, spices, snuff, mm, gro- ceries, etc., and had a good amount of trade in liquids if not in other departments. Among the earlier storekeepers in the lower part of the town were John Porter and George Janvrin. The present store has been in existence a great many years. In its early days, and it was prob- 346 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. ably put there as soon as built, was a sign over the door which read "Foreign and Domestic Goods." This sign continued and did duty for a great many occupants of the store, until, because of old age and decay, it had to be removed. Among those who did business in this store were Josiah Batch- elder, who afterward lived in Amesbury and died there a few years ago. A man named Crocker was here for a short time, as was also George H. Dodge. Elijah Valentine, who came from Massachu- setts, occupied the store for a number of years. He removed to Palmer, Mass., and afterward went west. William H. Hills and John N. Sleeper, who came from Plaistow and had been students in the academy, bought out Mr. Valentine and kept the store for a time. Mr. Hills was appointed postmaster. He is still living in Plaistow, where he has a nursery and does some law business. Mr. Sleeper, after leaving here, engaged in the shoe business in Haver- hill and became well off. He died within a year or two. After Hills & Sleeper, Joseph T. Sanborn kept the store for five years or more, until he went to California in 1854. He was succeeded by Enoch J. Tilton, who kept the store for a year or two at this time. Then George D. Dodge, Larabee, and Standley, each successively, were in trade here. Enoch J. Tilton then returned and kept the store a dozen years or so, until 1872. He was appointed postmaster twice during the time, in 1861 and again in 1869. After leaving here he was in trade for a time in Iowa. He returned and was em- ployed at Marehe's cash store in Newburyport for a number of years. He was afterward in trade under the firm name of Tilton & Gerrish, until his death in 1885. Up to this time Joseph Sanborn and Enoch Tilton did more business than any who had previously occu- pied the store, but each did his work without the assistance of a clerk. The store was kept again by G. D. Dodge; then by C. C. Green and James H. Sanborn. The present proprietor, C. N. Dodge, having enlarged the store and keeping a great variety of goods, has been enabled tO' extend and increase his business along all the lings carried in a country store at the present time. While in the early days of this store one man could attend to all the business which came and have consid- erable leisure, Mr. Dodge and two assistants have more than they can attend to and additional help has to be employed. The post- office has been kept here since 1885. Cyrus Brown had a store near his residence where he did consid- erable business more than fifty years ago. He met with some STORES. 347 reverses, but the store continued to do business for a number of years after. The postofBce was kept here for a number of years preyious to 1853, when it was removed. The building where this store was kept was destroyed by fire many years ago. James W- Green, a native of Chester, came here in 1853, and opened a store which was connected with his house. He was appointed postmaster in 1853, and held the office about ten years under two different appointments. He continued in business until 1880, when he was succeeded by his son, Charles C. Mr. Green died in 1883. He had considerable trade, but from being over-cautious did not keep the variety or quantity of goods on hand which would have enabled him to make much larger profits. Charles C. Green kept the store until his death in 1885. He was postmaster at that time. Since his decease the store has been unoccupied. George W. Leavitt built a store upon the "heater" which he has since occupied, selling some groceries, cigars, tobacco, confectionery, etc. BLACKSMITHS. In the summer of 1667, Daniel Tilton asked liberty to' "set down here as a smith," engaging to do the town's work "upon as good terms as any other man that doeth use that trade in these parts, and that for the term of four years." The town voted to receive him and granted him four acres of land adjoining the farm of Joseph Shaw. The conditions of the grant were that the said Dan- iel Tilton should have liberty to improve it or dispose of it to any other smith that the town could have no exception against, and if any other smith should come and settle in the town within the term of four years and succeed in drawing away the custom from Tilton, that the liberty to dispose of his land to the town, or, on the town's refusal, to any purchaser he could find, be given him. Tilton accepted these conditions and the four acres of land were laid out, having Joseph Shaw's farm on the northwest and the country way on the southeast, the lot being ten rods wide at the northeast end and twenty-two rods at the southwest end and forty rods in length. This lot was situated where the Baptist church and cemetery are now located, at the hill. The farm of Joseph Shaw was afterward occupied by Governor Weare, who married Mr. Shaw's daughter, from whom the farm was inherited. Daniel Tilton was the first of the name of Tilton who lived in the town, and was the ancestor of all of the name who have ever lived in the town. Capt. Jonathan Tilton, who was prominent in town matters in the years just preceding the Eevolutionary War, was a grandson of Daniel Tilton. Nathan Tilton, a grandson, had a blacksmith shop near the Unitarian church. His sons, Benjamin and Stephen, were blacksmiths. Benjamin lived where Albert S. Smith lives, Capt. Stephen where Henry H. Knight now lives. He had a shop near his house, and did much of the town's work, probably all in the upper part of the town. He died in 1821. There had been blacksmiths by the name of Tilton in the town for more than one hundred and fifty years, from Daniel, in 1667, till the death of Capt. Stephen in 1821. 348 BLACKSMITHS. 849 Eben Brown was a blacksmith and had a shop on the spot where Horace A. Godfrey's lawn now is. He was a ship smith, and did iron work for Nathaniel Healey and others, who at that timei were buildi-ng vessels. He must have been there soon after the close of the Eevolutionary War. He shod the stage horses. He was a man of ingenuity and designed new patterns of shoe buckles, etc. He came here from Seabrook. Aaron M. Gove afterward had a shop on the same spot. Before coming here he lived on the south road where Warren B. Pervear now lives, and had a shop there. He came here about 1836, and built the house now occupied by Mr. Godfrey. He died in 1850. There was a blacksmith shop in this immediate vicinity where the stage horses were shod from the time the stages began to run. Jonathan Steward, who was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town, appears to have worked here. He disappears from the record, 1787. About 1835, or after the Christian Baptist society built their new meeting-house, the old building, which had previously been used for a church, was sold to Eichard C. Marsh, who moved it to the north side of the road, near Kenny brook, on land now owned by Mr. Towle. The old church was fitted up for a blacksmith shop. Eichard Marsh, with the assistance of helpers, oftentimes his broth- ers, who were all blacksmiths, did a large business in horse and cat- tle shoeing. He remained here until 1846, when he removed to* Amesbury, where he was a popular horseshofer for many years. He was succeeded by his brother Alfred, who continued here until 1855, when he went west. Alfred did a very large business of horse- shoeing. People at the present time would be surprised to see the number of horses which came here to be shod, some of them from quite a distance away. Both the Marshes were expert horseshoers. Horses lamed by shoeing were not much heard of after being shod by them. Before locating here both had shod horses for the East- em Stage Company at their shop in Newburyport. Colonel Col- man, who was agent of the company, said that they were the most skillful shoers he had ever employed. Alfred Marsh was a giant, weighing more than four hundred pounds. He was engaged in blacksmithing and farming after leaving here. He died in the town of Hart, near "Winona, Minnesota, in 1868. He had a large family, a number of whom survive him. One or more of his sons were killed in the war of the Eebellion. Some of his sons are en- gaged in the cattle business in the northwest, and have been finan- cially successful. 33 350 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. After Mr. Marsh left the shop it remained idle for a number of years. William Truesdale bought it and moved it across the road, living in one part and using the remainder for ai blacksmith shop. When he removed to Salisbury, Mass., the old shop was taien down, and the shop now standing at Gravelly ridge was built from the lumber taken from it. John P. Jones and George S. Merrill occupied the present shop on the main road below the hill. They had a prosperous business for a number of years, in slack times getting carriage work from Amesbury. After a time Mr. Merrill retired, Mr. Jones and his son Charles continuing the business until the death of Mr. Jones in 1889. John Jones was a good horseshoer, and a neat job work- man. Charles went to Amesbury and afterward removed to Con- necticut. J. J. Kelley of Newburyport occupied the shop for a few years. The Harrison brothers, who came from St. John, New Brunswick, are the present occupants and do a large business. There have been a number of other blacksmiths in the town at different times, of whom we have little definite knowledge. There lave been times when considerable of the town's work was taken -outside the town to be done. Enoch P. Young of Hampton, who - was one of the most skillful workmen ever in this vicinity, has done ^ great deal of work for the people of this town, as have other black- smiths in Hampton, Seabrook, and Exeter. SHOEMAKEES. The first we remember; of shoemakers was when, Capt. Caleb Towle made custom boots and shoes in a little shop near his house. Those who wanted foot-wear went there and had their feet meas- ured, oftentimes carrying their own leather, which had been tanned from the hides of animals killed upon the farm. If the customers did -not have the leather he would supply it. The first boots ever worn by many of the older men in the town were made by Captain Towle. He also did mending and repairing, called cobbling. John Brown, Esq., did quite a large business in custom work in the upper part of the town. Sewall Brown did a great deal of mending and cobbling. Before these men made boots and shoes in their shops it was the custom for the shoemaker to take his kit of tools and go from house to house, where he worked until each member of the family was supplied. This method was known as "whipping the cat." All this happened before the days of ready- made goods, and the appearance of boot and shoe stores in every place of any considerable size. After this there were a great many sale shoes made in the town in little shops or in a room in the dwelling-house fitted for the pur- pose. Ladies' turned shoes were the kind made here. A great deal of money was earned in this town by doing this kind of work fifty years ago. The binding of shoes was quite an industry in many families. The women and girls earned enough in this way to clothe themselves and have some ready money to use for other pur- poses. As they lived at home they had no additional expense tO' be taken from their earnings. In those days the work was mostly obtained from Lynn, and so much work was done in the towns about here that a number of shoe expressmen found employment in bringing and returning work. Brown Brothers did quite a large business in this line during and in the years after the war. But the fashion of this world changes, and great changes were made in the methods of shoe manufacturing. Kow, the work is 351 352 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. mostly done in large establishments by machinery. But very little work is done anywhere by haaid. In these large establishments each workman or woman does one thing only, each shoe passing through a number of different hands before being completed. Those who are called expert workmen under this system would be unable to do the entire work and make a shoe. Since the change in the methods of manufacture, those who can obtain work to do at home are comparatiTely few. In this as in everything else the big concerns are enabled to do the work cheaper, and this makes it impossible for the small establishments to exist and do business. This is not an advantage to the common people, as under the old system many people could employ their leisure time at home in a way which brought in considerable income, and was a great improve- ment to the financial condition of the family. In 1846 and 1847 Hills & Sleeper, who were at that time occu- pants of the store, employed a number of men in the manufacture of shoes in the room over the store. This was the first instance where a number of men in this town ever worked together under the direc- tion of one man or firm in the manufacture of shoes. Some years after, Ira N. Blake and George T. Stanley manufactured shoes at the same place. In 1871 and 1872 Jerome Ingalls of Lynn, Mass., occupied the old Eockingham Academy building as a shoe-shop. A large busi- ness was done here, and a great many workmen employed. During his stay a great deal of money was earned by the local workmen, as the prices paid were much higher than at present. John A. Dow built the shop on the Newburyport road, which was occupied at first by Sweetser of Lynn, afterward by Lancaster of the same place. During his occupancy, Ira N. Blake had charge of the shop and a large amount of business was done. In 1880, Blake & Lancaster moved their shop to Pittsfield, where the busi- ness was much enlarged and continued for a number of years. After them came Tibbetts of Lynn for a few years. This shop has not been in operation for a number of years. There are usually a few workmen who live here who find employ- ment in the shops at ISTewburyport, going and returning daily upon the train. MILK BUSINESS. In" 1849, the first milk was sent from this town to supply the Bos- ton retail market, and it was prohably the beginning of the busi- ness of sending milk from New Hampshire to Boston, which has siaee assumed large proportions and become a matter of a great deal of importance to the farmers all over the state. A man named McLoud began the businfess here, taking from one to two hundred cans daily, which were carried upon the passenger train. Mr. Charles P. Chase collected the milk every morning in season to put it on the first train, which reached here at 7.30 A. m. Milk was then sold by beer measure. Our farmers thought that the cans were very large and that it took a great deal of milk to fill them. There were two sizes of cans in use, — seven and eight quart. The seven-quart can was the same size as those holding eight quarts and one pint, now in general use. The eight-quart cans held neariy ten quarts, wine measure. Mr. McLoud continued the business for two or three years. In 1853, the business appears to have been managed by the pro- ducers. True M. Prescott went daily- to Boston with the milk and attended to its distribution and sale. In 1853, Charles T. Brown was the messenger who went with the milk and made the returns to the producers. Before 1854, the milk was carried to Boston on the passenger train. At this time a change was made and the milk was transported upon the freight train in a car specially fitted for the purpose. The milk was loaded and iced in the evening, and expected to reach its destination in good order next morning, al- though the freight trains at that time did not run with the regular- ity that they do at the present. At first ice was only used in warm weather; now it has been found necessary all the year. About 1855, Mr. F. W. Atkins owned and conducted the business, which he con- tinued to do until the beginning of the war in 1861. He owned the farm now occupied by Albert S. Smith, which he carried on by ten- ants who collected the milk from the farmers and loaded it into 353 354 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. the car. He built a large and expensive bam upon, his farm in 1857. Mr. Charles F. Chase, who was station agent, conducted the busi- ness for a number of years during the war and a little later. He was succeeded by a man named Tuxbury. His agents who attended to the business here were Gen. C. A. Nason and Mrs. Mary A. Dow. After them Hodgdon & Libby managed the business in such a man- ner as to cause the loss of several thousands of dollars to our farmers. The business had at this time reached a low ebb, when the Lynn Milk Company acquired it and moved its headquarters to Hamp- ton, where they invested considerable money in building a large stable and ice-house, keeping a number of horses and men and do- ing the whole business of collecting and loading the milk, which now went to Lynn market, where it has continued to go. In 18i93, Lemuel Brock of Lynn took the car. He kept the business until the spring of 1896. Mr. Brock treated the farmers better than any contractor we had previously had. H. P. Hood & Sons now own and conduct the business. Harry B. Brown of this town has collected the milk and had entire charge of the business at this end of the route since it was purchased by Mr. Brock in 1893. It appears that the farmers of this town have sold milk for about fifty years, and it must be conceded that the business has been a benefit to the town during that time. Much of the ready money which has been received by the farmers of the town during that time has been received from the sale of milk. They have usually been paid every month, so that the money invested has been used often and has become quick capital. A great deal of grain has been fed, and the large amount of good manure made and applied has increased the fertility of the farms, encouraging other money crops to grow, so that there has been an indirect as well as a direct benefit to those who have engaged in the business. ThoSe who have sold milk have, as a rule, been more prosperous than those who have not. Although the price of milk has been low in many instances, it has amounted to a good sum when the whole year is taken into the account. There has always been considerable fault found with the con- tractors in relation to the methods by which they conduct the busi- ness. The producers justly complain that they have no voice in set- ting the price, or in saying how much they are to receive for the milk; that in flush times they receive a great deal of sour milk which MILK BUSINESS. 355 is sent back, while as good, or poorer, milk in a scant time is taken without any question. The farmers claim that when they deliver the milk in good order it should be paid for, regardless of the con- dition of the market, and that they should not be called upon to stand more than their proportion of the loss, vhich in too many instances they appear to do. EOCKINGHAM ACADEMY. The idea of an academy at Hampton Falls was first considered at the Portsmouth Baptist Association meeting held at Chester October, 1833, and a committee was appointed to inquire into and investigate the merits of the project, and to see if the proposed loca- tion was a proper one, and if they should be favorably impressed, to see if the friends of education in that place would erect a suitable building for the purpose. The investigation proved satisfactory, and a committee consisting of George H. Dodge^ Eichard Dodge, Thayer S. Sanborn, and ISTathan Brown promptly erected a building suitable for the purpose at a cost of $1,900, which amount was raised in the town. It was built upon the common opposite the Baptist church. The building was fifty feet in length and thirty-two feet in width, two stories, hip-roofed, with a bell tower, and steeple ris- ing from the center. On the 10th of September, less than one year from the time of the original conception of the idea, the academy had been built, dedicated, and formally opened with appropriate ceremonies, in- cluding an address by Eev. Baron Stow. The first term of the school commenced September 10, with Eev. Oliver Ayer as principal and Miss Caroline Garland, who soon after became Mrs. Ayer, as assistant. The salary of the principal was $500 per year; that of the assistant, five dollars per week. The school was under the control of a board of nineteen trustees appointed annually by the Baptist association, the proprietors of the building having the right to nom- inate seven of the number. The first annual report of the secretary, Eev. J. ISTewton Brown, showed a very prosperous condition of affairs. A philosophical apparatus had been secured, a library established, and a reading- room fitted up and supplied with current literature. The board of instruction had been increased to four. The attendance at the summer term had been ninety, the whole number of different schol- ars during the year 151. The income from tuition had been enough 356 < o < X o z o o ROCKINGHAM ACADEMY. 357 to meet all current expenses, and ninety-five students had been en- rolled for the ensuing term. By the second annual report, October, 1836, we learn that the fall term, under the instruction of Mr. Ayer and his assistants, had continued eleven and one half weeks, and was attended by one hundred and two scholars; the winter term of seventeen weeks by sixty-six scholars. The summer term had ninety-six pupils. The whole number of different scholars in at- tendance during the year was one hundred and thirty-eight. An act of incorporation was obtained this year by which the building was to revert to the proprietors when the school should remain closed for six months. Mr. Ayer resigned his position as principal at the end of the second year. During the time Mr. Ayer was principal were the most prosperous years of the academy. The want of a permanent fund made it difficult to command and retain teachers of the first ability. This proved a serious impediment in the way of success. Efforts were made at different times to raise an endowment fund, but the friends of the academy in this town had done all they were able in erecting the building, and its patrons and friends were not wealthy. The deficiency commenced in the second year of the school's existence and continued all the time after except when the principals could be induced to assume the responsibilities themselves. Mr. Ayer died in 1899, aged eighty- eight years. Mr. Ayer was succeeded by Mr. Moses Burbank for a year and a half. During his term of service there was a large falling oflE in attendance. In 1837, an unsuccessful attempt was made to raise funds to establish a boarding-house in connection with the school. The town's people must have been friendly to the school, when they were willing to take students to board at $1.50 per week, includ- ing lights and washing. Some students who wished to still further reduce their expenses boarded themselves in the room over the store. Mr. Burbank was succeeded by Eev. Timothy P. Eopes for one year. The tuition for a year was fourteen dollars for three terms. The attendance the first term was forty-one; second, forty- two; third, fifty-seven. Owing to ill health Mr. Eopes resigned at the end of the year. He died in 1874. From this time until May, 1843, the school was conducted by different principals with no very marked success, and a much smaller attendance than at first. Among those having charge during this time was Eev. J. W. Poland, who died a few years since at Goffstown, N. H. In May, 1842, the school was opened by Eev. 0. 0. Steams, assisted by Mrs. Stearns. 358 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The school contimied under his charge for one year, to the satis- faction of all. Mr. Steams during this time supplied the pulpit of the Baptist church on the Sahbath. The combined duties were too much for his strength. After this the school was taught for a short time by Prof. A. Briggs, who also supplied the pulpit. In ISToveniber, 1843, Eev. Zebulon Jones signed an agreement, taking charge of the school upon his own responsibility. This arrangement continued until the summer of 1851, and it was the longest and most satisfactory of any in the history of the school. Mr. Jones was a man of endurance and of great executive ability. He was burdened with an invalid wife. He performed the duties of pastor of the church all the time he resided here. During a por- tion of the time he conducted a large boarding-house, boarding most of the out-of-town students. For a time he was county school commissioner. His school at times numbered seventy-five or more. The school suffered somewhat by his attendance upon other duties. We are able to present the following sketch of the life of Mr. Jones: Eev. Zebulon Jones was the son of Dea. Amzi Jones, and was bom in Cornwall, Yt., September 8, 1813. He labored on his father's farm until he was about eighteen years of age. He fitted for college at ISTewton Academy at Shoreham, Vt., and graduated from Middlebury College in 1836. Immediately after graduation he became principal of the academy at Hancock, IsT. H., and was at the same time pastor of the Baptist church in that town, having been ordained there to the work of the G-ospel ministry. He re- mained there until 1839, when he became pastor of the Baptist church in Peterborough. In 1843, he removed to Hampton Falls, N. H., as principal of the Eockingham Academy and pastor of the Baptist church, in which relation he continued until 1851. While here he was county school commissioner and a member of the state board of education and was chairman of that body. His interest in educational work in the state at large was deep and fruitful of much good. For a few years after leaving Hampton Falls he was pastor of the churches in Monkton and Cornwall, Vt., and for some little time he was engaged in secular business, and for a year or more colporteur of the publications of the American Baptist Publication Society. About 1868, he resumed the work of the ministry as pastor of the Baptist church in East Hubbardton, Vt., and contin- ued in that relation until his death March 2, 1883. Mr. Jones was a ripe scholar, a thorough and successful teacher, a strong and ner- ROCKINGHAM ACADEMY. 359 vous writer, an acceptable preacher. At the time of his death he was the oldest settled Baptist pastor in the state of Vermont. For two terms after Mr. Jones the school was under the charge of Mr. Joshua M. Pitman, a good scholar and a fine man, but one who lacked discipline and executive ability. He was succeeded in March, 1852, by Lysander Dickennan, who had been serving as associate principal of Pierce Academy at Middleboro, Mass. He brought with him a number of young men of the better class who became students. His administration was characterized by thor- oughness of instruction and strictness of discipline, in both of which qualities the school had at times been deficient. The school under his management came nearer being an ideal school than anything ever seen in this vicinity. It is to be regretted that he could not have continued longer, and that a fuller record of his time could not have been preserved. No catalogue was issued during the six terms he was here. The residence and present whereabouts of many who were here at that time are unknown. After leaving here Mr. Dickerman graduated from Andover, Mass., Theological Sem- inary. He was settled in Rindge and Walpole in New Hampshire, and in other places. He is now a retired clergyman, living in New York City. Lysander Dickerman was bom June 8, 1835. He fitted for col- lege at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.; was graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., in the class of 1851. He taught for a time at Pierce Academy, Middleboro, Mass., came to Hampton Palls February, 1853, and took charge of Rockingham Academy as principal. He remained here six terms, leaving in 1853. During his short stay in Middleboro he had become very popular with the students, eighteen of whomi came with him to Hampton Falls to be fitted for college. These students added not a little to the popularity and high character of the school, which consequently numbered during his principalship from sixty to sev- enty pupils. He was graduated in 1857 from Andover, Mass., Theological Seminary; was settled as pastor of the Congregational church at Weymouth, Mass., until 1869. He then spent three years in Egypt and at the German universities of Halle and Berlin. January, 1873, he was settled in Quincy, 111., and later in Saai Francisco, Cal, till the autumn of 1880. Since then he has lec- tured on Egyptian archeeology in various universities. He received the honorarjr degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University i-n 1893. Mr. Dickerman was loved and respected by his pupils, a 360 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. few of whom still survive, and cherish pleasant memories of his instruction. Mr. Dickerman was succeeded by Mr. Francis M. Dodge of Wen- ham, Mass., who taught the school successfully for a number of terms. He resigned in November, 1855, because the trustees would assume no financial responsibility. After this the school was taught for a short time by Mr. George B. Elden of Maine, Eev. Alfred Colbum, and others, with no great success. The niunber of scholars was small. In 1864, the clerk was instructed to ascertain the names of the proprietors of the Academy building, and reported as follows: Eichard Dodge, nine shares; George H. Dodge, seven; John W. Dodge, five; T. S. Sanborn, three; D. Janvrin, two; John S. Tilton, two. In 1865 and 1866, an attempt was made to ascertain the legal claims of the association upon the Academy building, and report some course for final action. This closes the record. In 1871, the building was occupied as a shoe factory. This con- tinued for a year or two. In 1874, an attempt was made to have the town fit up the lower story for a schoolroom and the upper for a public hall. After an exciting contest at the annual meeting in March it was voted to do so, and a committee was chosen to carry the vote into effect. From some cause it was considered desirable to call another meeting in relation to the matter, which was accord- ingly done on the 29th of March. This meeting was very fully attended. The prosecution was conducted by N. H. Eobie and Wil- liam H. Dodge as attorneys. The defense was attempted by a num- ber of citizens. The great legal ability shown' on this occasion by these attorneys, together with the skill with which they handled the case, made it an easy matter for "Academy up" to be carried by a large majority. There was a great deal of ill feeling shown at this meeting. A committee was chosen to carry out the vote, but no one cared to be responsible in the matter, as the title of the building was in doubt. It probably belonged to those who claimed to own it, but no one of them had any documents which would substantiate their claims, so the matter which had excited so much ill feeling was allowed to drop. The Academy building was destroyed by an incendiary fire on the night of April 30, 1875. Previous to the erection and occupation of the Baptist meeting- house in 1S36, the church service had been held in the Academy hall, and up to 1871 this hall had been used more or less for religious services, sometimes on the Sabbath but more especially for evening meetings. LYSANDER DICKERMAN. Principal of Rockingham Academy, 1852-53. ROCKINGHAM ACADEMY. 361 The presidential election in this town in 1864 was held in the Academy hall, as were a number of the special town meetings dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. The hall was also used for levees, lectures, entertainments, dances, etc. After its destruction it was much missed by those who had been in the habit of going there. The bell which was destroyed by fire was the first and only one ever hung in the town up to that time. It cost about one hundred dollars, three fourths of which was contributed by the citizens and one fourth by the trustees. It was used by the Baptist church to call its congregation for religious services. It was tolled for the first time at the funeral of Dudley Dodge in 1834. The following were prominent members of the board of trustees : Eev. Silas Insley, "William Lampson, N. Hooper, C. "W. Flanders, Oliver Ayer, Samuel Cook, J. W. Poland, Samuel Cleaves, G. C. Brown, Peter Sanborn, William Brown, Eichard Dodge, and George H. Dodge. George H. Dodge acted -nearly all the time of its active life as its treasurer, and always took an active interest in its welfare. This institution exerted a very beneficial influence on the place i-n awakening a desire for culture and affording the means. The self-denying efforts of its founders were not wasted, for its alumni have an honorable record. The annual exhibitions held in its early days were of great merit and not soon to be forgotten. Perhaps some may be led to ask why a school which had at times so large an attendance, and showed so much life, should have ceased to exist, and it is not a hard question to answer. There were a great many academies in existence at that time, all striving to get patron- age. There were not students enough to support them all, and the weaker and less favorably located ones were the first to suffer and succumb. Even those which were well endowed have seen hard times; the establishment of high schools in the cities and all large towns enabled the children to be educated and fitted for college while living at home at small expense. With all this to contend with only the stronger and more popular academies have been able to maintain an existence. The country academy, once so potent in educational work, is now largely a thing of the past. To show the people of the town at the present time something of the extent and nature of the school, and the large area from which it drew its students, we give the names and places of residence of those en- rolled in two of its catalogues. The first is the catalogue of 1835- 36, the second year of its existence. The school was at that time under Mr. Ayer as principal, and five assistants, and the whole num- ber enrolled for the year was one hundred and eighty-eight. 362 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. CATALOGUE OF EOCKINGHAM ACADEMY, 1835-36. John C. Akerman, Hampton Falls. Wmtlirop Gove, Seabrook. Franklin B. Abbott, Newburyport, William H. Gilman, Exeter. Mass. Nathan Griffin, Deerfield. George L. Brown, Hampton Palls. James W. Green, Chester. Nahum Brown, Brentwood. Benjamin F. Gilman, Tamworth. Emery Brown, Seabrook. Peter C. Gayetty, Rindge. John Brown, Kensington. Benjamin F. S. Griffin, Pelham. Theodore C. Brown, Hampton Jeremiah C. Garland, StrafEord. Falls. Wells W. Healey,* Hampton Falls. Elijah Blake, Stoughton, Mass. Joseph Hobbs,* Wells, Me. Josiah Bartlett, Manchester. Joseph C. Hartshorn,* Boston, James D. Bell, Chester. Mass. John Burden,* Hampstead. Joseph J. Hoyt, Salisbury. John J. Bell, Exeter. Josiah Hook, Brentw^ood. Charles F. Chase, Hampton Falls. Nathaniel A. Kimball, Plaistow. Charles Chase, Hampton Falls. Sewall G. Kinne, Canaan. Frederick P. Chase,* Newtown. Levi E. Lane,* Hampton Falls. Perley S. Chase,* Chester. Alfred Lindsey,* N. Yarmouth, Me. Hiram Chase, Chester. Cyrus K. Littlefield, Wells, Me. Eufus Chase, Deerfield. Newell Lamprey,* Kensington. Nathan Chase, Londonderry. William T. Merrill, Hampton Falls. Eichard H. Chase, Haverhill, Mass. Nathaniel W. Merriam, Hampton John W. Colcord,* Exeter. Falls. George W. Cate,* Hampton. Matthew Merriam, Hampton Falls. Manning W.Cook,* Hampton Falls. Thomas S. Montgomery, Concord. Enoch P. Couch, Salisbury. Orlando Morse, Norfolk, Va. William F.Cushman,* Portsmouth. Phineas Merrill, Stratham. Samuel H. Cushman,* Portsmouth. Isaac Merrill, Newtown. Samuel Cochrane, Seabrook. John B. Marston,* Manchester. Jajnes Clarke, Wells, Me. Daniel S. Morrill, Salisbury. Benjamin F. Cram, Hampt'n Falls. Jonathan Merrium, Wells, Me. Samuel E. Cleaves, Portsmouth. Elias S. Putna.m, Danvers, Mass. Francis E. Cleaves,* Wenham, William Putnam, Danvers, Mass. Mass. Elbridge Putnam, Danvers, Mass. Joseph E. Cram, Deerfield. Joshua C. Perkins,* Hampton William J. Douglas,*t Salisbury, Falls. Mass. James Perkins, Hampton Falls. John W. Dodge,*t Hampton Falls. Lewis Perkins, Eye. James D. Dodge,* Hampton Falls. Edward D. Philbriek, Seabrook. Stephen Dodge, Hampton Falls. Benjamin Poole,* Gloucester, Benjamin Evans, Salisbury, Mass. Mass. John Evans, Salisbury, Mass. Solomon S. Poole,* Gloucester, Charles W. Flanders,*t Amesbury, Mass. Mass. James Poole, Gloucester, Mass. William Foster, Gloucester, Mass. William H. Pervear, Hampton Horatio Foster, Beverly, Mass. Falls. Larkin Foster,* Beverly, Mass. Jabez Eichardson, Gloucester, Albert Gove, Seabrook. Mass. KOCKINQHAM ACADEMY. 363 William P. Sargent, Amesbury, Julia A. Eaton, Candia. Mass. Eliza T. Emery, West Newbury, Thomas L. Sanborn, Hampton Mass. Falls. Harriet Farley, Amesbury, Mass. Edward Sargent, South Hampton. Susan D. Felch, Sutton. John C. G. Swazy, Boston, Mass. Elizabeth Flanders, Amesbury, Dean R. Tilton,* Hampton Falls. Mass. Edward Tuck, Brentwood. Charlotte French, South Hampton. Josiah H. Tilton, Deerfield. Avis Ann Gove, Hampton Falls. Monroe G. J. Tewksbury,* Ames- Elizabeth L. Green, Salisburj', bury, Mass. Mass. Amos Towle, Exeter. Elvira P. Gove, Seabrook. William F. Towle, Hampton Falls. Susan T. Herbert, Amesbury, Mass. Thomas Tewksbury, South Hamp- Olive Hatch, Wells, Me. ton. Mehitabel E. Harriman, Plaistow. John W. Wiggin,* Concord. Elizabeth A. Healey, Hampton Windsor B. Wait,* Paxton, Mass. Falls. Eice R. Whittier, Deerfield. Sarah E. Janvrin, Hampton Falls. Philip White, South Hampton. Augusta Ladd,* Epping. Samuel L. Young, Gloucester, Elizabeth Lord, Brookline, Mass. Mass. Cynthia Lane, Hampton Falls. Martha D. Ayer, Plaistow. Martha F. Mellen, Hampton Falls. Eliza A. Bartlett, Plaistow. Ellen W. Mellen, Hampton Falls. Hannah M. BrovsTi,* Seabrook. Elizabeth S. Merrill, Hampton Abigail A. Brown, Hampton Falls. Falls. Emily Brown, Hampton FeJIs. Judith S. Morse, Exeter. Almira Brown, Hampton Falls. Juliette T. Merrium, Wells, Me. Sarah L. Brown, Hampton Falls. Mary Norris, Stratham. Nancy Brown, Kensington. Angelina Peaslee, Newtown. Lucy Beal, Salisbury, Mass. Mary J. Pervear, Hampton Falls. Caroline P. Beal, Salisbury, Mass. Mary T. Prescott, Hampton Falls. Hannah Blake, Hampton Falls. Jane Plummer, Kingston. Ruth Ann Boardman, Newbury, Harriet Poole, Gloucester, Mass. Mass. Mary E. Parsons, Newbury, Mass. Lucy Batehelder, Hampton Falls. Hannah C. Peaslee, Newtown. Dolly Batehelder, Hampton Falls. Sally T. Eowell, Amesbury, Mass. Nancy Batehelder, Hampton Falls. Mary 0. Robinson, Epping. Abigail Chase, Hampton Falls. Hannah E. Smith, Hampton Palls. Sarah Chase, Seabrook. Harriet W. Sanborn,* Hampton Harriet D. Cram, Hampton Falls. Falls. Gracia F. Cram, Hampton Falls. Susan Smith, Brentwood. Clarinda F. Cook, Hampton Falls. Sarah E.Sawyer,* Salisbury, Mass. Mary Carr, Poplin. Harriet S. Swett, Amesbury, Mass. Ann H. Cannon, Wilton. Sarah L. Swett, Amesbury, Mass. Mary D. Dodge,* Hampton Falls. Eunice Smith, So. Reading, Mass. Sally L. Dow, Epping. Susan W. Tilton, Deerfield. Deborah G. Dudley, Brentwood. Julia D. Tilton, Deerfield. Margaret A. Denison, Gloucester, Eunice Tilton, Hampton Falls. Mass. Mary A. Tewksbury, So. Hampton. 364 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Polly E. Tewksbury, So. Hampton. Sarah P. Wells,* Hampton Falls. Pama Towle, Epping. Mary S.Winkley,*Amesbury, Mass. Mary Ann Towle, Hampton Falls. Sarah. L. Winkley, Amesbury, Mass. Almira Tewksbury, Amesbury, Parna E. Wilson, Lee. Mass. Nancy S. Wadleigh, Brentwood. Mary A. Tewksbury, Amesbury, Abigail Wells,* Hampton Falls. Mass. Lucy A. Wells, Hampton Falls. Sarah Taylor, Amesbury, Mass. Sally M. Webster, Kingston. Catherine Taylor, Newbury, Mass. Clarissa Wadleigh, Epping. Nancy A. Tewksbury, Amesbury, Eveline A. Young, Dover. Mass. Those with an asterisk affixed to their names are in the study of the classics; those marked with a dagger are pursuing the freshman course in Brown University. CATALOGUE OF KOCKINGHAM ACADEMY, 1843-44. Rev. Zebulon Jones, principal, with three assistants. Those marked * are pursuing higher English branches, t Latin, t Greek, H French, p. Italian. David L. Ambrose,t Deerfield. William P. Kimball, Marblehead, Hooper A. Appleton, Beverly, Mass. Mass. John R. Kimball, Marblehead, John T. Batchelder, Hampton Mass. Falls. Jacob E. B. KierulfE,*t St. Thom- Otis Boyes.t Georgetown, Mass. as, W. I. John N. Brown,* Seabrook. Eichard Knight, Newbury, Mass. Warren Brown, Seabrook. John Knowlton,* Hamilton, Mass. Charles P. Brown, Seabrook. Samuel P. Ladd,*t Epping. George L. Brown, Hampton Fails. Charles B. Leavitt, Boston, Mass. Nathan W. Brown, Hampton Falls. Michael Little, Newbury, Mass. Louis Cass, Marblehead, Mass. Benjamin Marsh, Hampton Falls. John Coulston,tll Boston, Mass. William T. Merrill,*t Hampton Samuel Cole, Jr.,*t Beverly, Mass. Falls. Charles E. Dalton,* Brentwood. John Merrill, Jr.,*t Newbury, Eichard Dodge, Jr.,* Wenham, Mass. Mass. Alva Merrill, Methuen, Mass. Joseph G. Dodge,* Wenham, Mass. Charles S. Marston, Newburyport, Francis M. Dodge, Wenham, Mass. Mass. Stephen Dodge, Hampton Falls. Charles W. DeMerritt, Plaistow. Charles Gove, Hampton Falls. John M. Morse,*t Newbury, Mass. Jeremiah Green, Seabrook. John G. Morse, Georgetown, Mass. William P.Healey, Hampton Falls. Manley Morse, Georgetown, Mass. John F. Dodge, Hamilton, Mass. Benjamin Osgood, Salisbury, Mass. William H. Hills, Plaistow. George Parsons,*tt Gloucester, George W. Hilton, Newmarket. Mass. Charles Hoyt, Amesbury, Mass. Thomas L. Sanborn,*t Hampton DeWit C. Jewell,* Stratham. Falls. ROCKINGHAM ACADEMY. 365 Joseph Sanborn, Hampton Palls. Albert Sanborn, Hampton Falls. John P. Sanborn,* Chester. Luther C. Sanborn, Chester. David C. Sanborn, Seabrook. Enoch Stevens, Bradford, Mass. John Seavyard, Gloucester, Mass. Hezekiah B. Stevens,* Deerfield. Richard Stevyart, Haverhill, Mass. John N. Sleeper, Plaistow. Nathan Sargent,* Hopkinton. Thomas P. Tewksbury,* Hopkin- ton. Otis Tilton, Hampton Palls. Enoch J. Tilton, Hampton Palls. Elbridge A. Towle, Hampton Palls. Dallion G. Varney,* Xewbury, Mass. John W. Wadleigh,* Kensington. John A. White, Pittsfield. Alva Wood,*t Georgetown, Mass. JSIary J. Akerman, Hampton Palls. Elizabeth Allison,*t Peterborough. Lydia Atv70od,* Concord. Sarah E. Atwood,) Concord. Marianne Barker,* Stratham. Caroline P. Barker,* Stratham. Mary S. Boyd,*tp Seabrook. Almira A. Boyd,* Seabrook. Ann Maria Brown,* Seabrook. Sarah A. Brown,* Seabrook. Mary P. Brown,* Hampton Palls. Mary Ann Brown,* Hampton Palls. Louisa J. Chase,*t Chester. Lydia A. Chase, Seabrook. Sarah E. Dodge,* Hampton Palls. Eliza A. Easterbrook,* Haverhill, Mass. Mary E. Gove, Hampton Palls. Elizabeth S. Green,* Hampton Palls. Nancy Green, Seabrook. Anna Green, Seabrook. Sarah Janvrin, Hampton Palls. Mary Janvrin,* Stratham. Catherine Janvrin, Stratham. Louisa Johnson,* Haverhill, Mass. Mary E. Jones, Hampton Palls. Esther Lamprey,* Kensington. Betsey P. Laing,*t Kittery, Me. Martha A. Morse, Newbury, Mass. Mary Philbrick, Seabrook. Panny W.Pervear, Hampton Palls. Euth A. Kowe,* Seabrook. Sarah J. Sanborn,* Seabrook. Luraua A. Weare,* Seabrook. Mary A. Smith, Hampton Palls. Sarah Perkins,* Seabrook. Charlotte E. Steams, Deerfield. Orinda Jewell, Stratham. EXPENSES. Tuition in common English branches lor 11 weeks $3.50 In higher English branches for 11 weeks 4.00 In Greek, Latin, and Prench 4.50 In Drawing additional to other branches 1.00 Incidental expenses 12% Board in private families from $1.37 to $1.50 per week. There are rooms properly furnished in which students can board themselves, and thus reduce expenses. EOADS. The first account we find of a road was June 9, 1640, when a road was laid out from the meeting-house green in Hampton to the Falls, four rods in width. This road was probably located verj' nearly in the same place where it is today. Some slight alterations have been made, the bridge at the river now being a little lower down than at first. Tradition says that at that time there was no bridge, but that a ford had been made by filling up the stream with stones where the road went. Those on horseback could go over when the banks were nearly full; at half tide people could go over dry shod. The remains of the ford can be seen at the present time at low water. Afterward there was a bridge at the same place, but it was not very high and was liable to overflow during high tides. The old bridge was one half in Hampton Palls, and when the turnpike was built it was moved into Hampton, and this town escaped from helping to maintain an expensive bridge, which would not have been the case had the bridge remained upon the first location. Before the turn- pike was built the road was in poor condition, and was so low as to be overflowed whenever the tide was high enough to cover the marsh, which was usually the case for a number of days each month at or near the time of the new and full moon. This made traveling difiicult and at times impossible, and at any time when wet disagree- able for pedestrians. It was a great comfort to the public when the turnpike was built. In 1700, the Hampton town meeting author- ized the Exeter road to be built from the Falls hill toward Exeter. The meeting being warned "to consider the best and easiest way for making of the way from Hampton Falls to Exeter, the town hath voted the surveyors shall forthwith take care to make the bridge over Taylor's river a good cart bridge, and to repair all the other way that belongs to the town to do. But from the bridge to the high land Ensign Tilton doth engage to make it good and maintain it, for which the said Daniel Tilton and his sons are to be freed from 366 ROADS. . 367 all other highway work in the town so long as he or they shall main- tain the same. The town also do agree with him, the said Tilton, that he shall have ten able men one day appointed by the survey- ors to help him now at first to make it good." It may seem strange to some that a road was not built here before, but it will readily be seen that before that time there was not much business to talce peo- ple that way. Most of the inhabitants came from Massachusetts, and we were in the county of Norfolk until 1680, whose shire town was Salisbury, and the business in those early times was mostly in that direction. Ensign Daniel Tilton was the man who had a grant of land if he would "sit down as a blacksmith in the town." He was personally interested in having this road built, as he owned a large tract of land along the proposed highway where a number of his sons had already settled. We know that all the land on the south side of the road from Godfrey's corner to Porter Cram's farm was originally owned by the Tiltons, as well as some other lands upon the other side of the road. The bridge over the river was re- built about 1796, and once or twice since. The south road is called the "Hogpen road" upon the early rec- ords, because it led up to Eev. Seaborn Cotton's farm at "Hogpen plains" in Kensington. We have no record to show when this road was laid out, but it must have been previous to 1668 when the farm was granted Mr. Cotton. In 1663, a committee was chosen to find a convenient way to the township at the Great pond (Kingston), and having found such a way, notified the inhabitants of the town, when it was ordered "that every man shall meet and clear said way on the pains of paying each five shillings for their absence." The way to this proposed road must have been up the Hogpen road, as there was at that time no other in existence which led in that direction. The middle, or "Drinkwater road," was in existence at an early date. We have seen no record of the time when it was laid out, but from what we do learn it must have been soon after the first settlement of the town. The "Cross road," leading from this road to the Exeter road, is mentioned early. The road from Lewis T. Sanborn's to Cofiin's mills was among the first, and before the road to Hampton where the turnpike now is. The stages when they first began to run came this way, fording the river below the mill, and then down the main road to the country road at the hill. This road has been called the "Old mill road." The bridge was built across the river in 1825, which was the first one. It was repaired and raised up in 1859 ; again repaired 368 ■ HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and laid over in 1872. It fell down in a freshet June, 1897, when it was entirely rebuilt aiad again raised up. This r'oad was widened in 1844. The old mill road was probably an Indian trail at first, and was located here because it was about the only place in its course where the banks of the river admitted of an easy approach to shallow water and a good bottom, where it could be easily forded, and for this reason it was one of the first roads used by the early settlers. The road from the old mill road to Kenny brook was a long time in getting into its present shape. Jacob Basford, who lived upon what is now Warren Brown's pasture, previous to 1730, changed the road which ran past his house to the south line of his farm, to where the road is now located. His farm extended forty-five rods in this direction. He was given an equal amount of land elsewhere in exhange. He did this to save fence. This change of the road made it much more convenient for the Batchelders to get to; the Exeter road. To continue this road still further, the selectmen, in 1788, agreed to lay out a drift-way through the land of David Batchelder for his benefit, and those who might wish to pass that way, Mr. Batchelder having liberty to keep gates and pasture the same as in time past. In 1805, Mr. Batchelder petitioned to have this laid out as a public highway. It was voted in the negative. Mr. Batchelder is said to have bought a right of way from his land as the road now runs by giving the owner or owners of the land an ox, and in this way reached the road below. His previous way went out to the turnpike near where Mr. Crosby's house now stands. This road continued to be obstructed by gates, which were shut when it was desirable to pasture cattle upon it, until 1853, when it was opened as a public highway. The present road to the railroad station was a drift-way, in the early days called "Stanyan's lane," and later, the "Fresh Island road," and led to the town landing. The most of the other roads not mentioned above were probably drift-ways at first which became highways after a time, as there is no record of their origin. The roads, with the exception of the turnpike and the Exeter road, were narrow. From 1823 until 1860 the work of widening was going on continually. During that time every road in town except the two mentioned was widened and straightened. The Exeter road re- ceived some attention in this way. There were a number of new roads laid out and built during this time of which notice will be given later. Many of these changes were made without opposi- ROADS. 369 tion. In some cases of new roads, it required a hard fight before they were built. There is little else recorded in the fourth book of records except matter pertaining to roads. This work cost the town during the time mentioned eight or ten thousand dollars. It has talcen a generation to utilize and put into proper shape the land which was taken into the road. In this respect our highways are in very good condition at the present time. In 1825, it was voted to postpone the further consideration of the petition for a^ highway from the south road to the Crank road, across the lower end of Great hill. This road was laid out in 1845 and built soon after. In 1784, an article to lay out a road from Drinkwater road to Hogpen road was voted in the negative. This was probably over the route of the present road from the schoolhouse to ISTason's. In 1843, a road was laid out from Cock hill schoolhouse to the south road, and the land damages assessed. The road was not built at that time because Jeremiah Lane, who owned the land at the north end of the proposed road, had not been properly notified, he being opposed to the road. This road was laid out and built in 1849, and has been a great convenience to the community and much appre- ciated by the school children before a schoolhouse was built upon the south road. 1797. The committee appointed by the town of Hampton Palls and Blake and other petitioners, to consider the expediency of laying out a road from Mr. Henry Blake's to Drinkwater road, report that they have viewed the ground where the road is petitioned for, and heard the parties and are of the opinion that it is not expedient to lay out the same. MOSES LEAVITT. BENJ. CONNOE. ELIPH. WEBSTER. Hampton Falls, September 19, 1797. We the subscribers beg leave to recommend as our opinion that they grant the petitioners a drift-way instead of a, public road, and the petitioners accept the same. MOSES LEAVITT. BENJ. CONNOE. ELIPH. WEBSTER. September 19, 1797. Mr. Henry Blake lived near where Dr. Curtis now lives. This committee lived out of the town, — Mr. Leavitt of ISTorth Hampton, Mr. Connor of Exeter, and Mr. Webster of Kingston. 370 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Another attempt to get this road was made in 1824 by Jeremiah Blake, who then. owned the Blake farm. He died before anything was accomplished, and there was no more agitation of the matter until 1845, when Wells Healey and others petitioned for a road over the same route. The selectmen refused to lay it out, and the town voted to sustain the selectmen. The petitioners called out the road commissianers, and a bitter fight was made before them. This was in 1846- The petitioners were represented by Hon. Amos Tuck, who was the next year elected to congress. The town was defended by Gilman Marston, then a young and rising lawyer at Exeter. After a full hearing of all the parties interested, the commissioners laid out the road, which was built the year following. The opening of this road changed the course of travel considerably, a great deal of business going over it. In the light of today it seems singular that there was so much opposition. The road was expensive to build and keep in repair. No other road in the town is over as low, wet land as this. The road commissioners who laid out this road were John Page, John Dow, and Silas Noble. The town was noti- fied of their action in laying out the road January 17, 1847, by Silas Noble, chairman of the road commissioners. After this road was built, what was known as "Blake's lane," and the cross road to the Exeter road, were widened and put in shape to receive the in- creased travel. In 1853, Thomas Brown, Moses Batchelder, and others peti- tioned for a road from a point near where Moses E. Batchelder then lived to Shawns comer in Hampton. The proposed road was about half a mile in length, and in about equal portions in each town, the Taylor's river being the division line, where a bridge was to be built having an abutment in each town. Our selectmen laid out the road to the Hampton line. The money was appropriated, and our end of the road and the abutment to the bridge built. The town of Hampton refused to lay out the other end of the road, which was in that town. In 1854, the court sent out the road commissioners to view the route and lay out the road if in their judgment the public good required it. The Hampton people made a great deal of opposition before the commissioners. They were represented by Hon. John S. Wells, and the petitioners by Hon. Henry E. Ereneh, both of Exeter. After a number of days occupied in hearing the evidence pro and con, it was decided to lay out the road, which was accordingly done, John Kelly of Atkinson being the surveyor. The commissioners were Benjamin Coe of South Newmarket, Caleb E. KOADS. 371 Dow of Atkinson, and John Shannon, of Portsmouth. After the commissioners had laid out the road the town of Hampton declined to build, and persisted in their refusal until ordered by the grand jury to build and complete the road at once, which was done and the road opened to travel in the fall of 1856. This road has been a great convenience to the public, and of material advantage to the mechanics and traders in Hampton, who have since received a great deal of money by being brought into closer connection with the people of this town. In June, 1897, the abutment of the bridge was undermined, which required it to be rebuilt. The bridge is now considerably higher than at first. The abutment fell down and was rebuilt again in 1899. In 1854, a project was started for a road from a point near the Kensington meeting-house, through "Prying-pan lane," and the di'ift-way from John C. Sanborn's to the Exeter road, and from the point where it reached the Exeter road to Coffin's mills, and if when reaching this point sufficient momentum had been acquired, it was to go on to some point toward the center of Hampton. The commissioners were called on and after hearing the evidence con- cluded to lay out the road from Kensington meeting-house to God- frej'^'s corner, which was soon opened as a public highway. Before this was done there was a drift-way obstructed by gates from the Exeter road to John C. Sanborn's. This way was called "Through the gates." "Frying-pan lane" was not much of a road, as its name would indicate. Now there is a good road all the way. The por- tion in Kensington was an entirely new road about a mile in length. In February, 1855, there was a very heavy fall of rain. There being at that time a great deal of snow upon the ground, a big freshet was caused which did a great deal of damage to the roads and bridges in New England. The bridges on the Falls river at Dodge's mills and on the main road were undermined and rendered unsafe. During that year an arch bridge of stone was built below the grist- mill, and the abutments upon the main road laid over. The bridge was raised up and made wider. Before 1825, there was no bridge over Taylor's river at Coffin's mills. Previous to that time travelers were compelled to ford the stream, which was disagreeable when the water was high. Those hauling logs from the Hampton side were obliged to double their teams to enable them to get over and up the steep banks. This in cold weather made the approaches on either side icy and dangerous. In 1834, it was voted to build a bridge, which was completed in 1825. 372 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. This bridge being in two towns, is repaired one half by each. It was repaired in 1859 and 1872, and entirely rebuilt in 1897. We have seen by the charter of Seabrook that the road from the Line meeting-house to Fogg's corner, called at that time "Thresh- er's lane," and the road from Weare's mills to Kensington line were and have been maintained and cared for by the town of Seabrook. The Brimmer drift-way to the marsh was opened as a highway about 1860. In 1875, an attempt was made to have a road built from the e-nd of' the drift-way to the south road. The county com- missioners were called to view the route, and after doing so, decided that the public good did not require it, and refused to lay it out. In 1849, the depot road, then known as thei "Fresh Island road," was widened, and it was felt desirable to grade and put it in better condition, as a new depot had been built that year and our people were doing a little business over the railroad. The money to repair this road had been raised and was in the hands of the selectmen. All of the highway districts in the town were called out to do the work. ISTearly all responded by making their appearance with their teams. The amount worked by each man was deducted from the amount of his tax. A dozen yoke of oxen were attached to a big plow, with several drivers; two or three men rode upon the plow beam to keep it in the ground. Capt. William F. Towle, a man small in stature but very vigorous, presided at the plow handles. The plow was set in at the main road and run nearly to the railroad, going down upon o-ne side and returning upon the other. This was continued all day. Ijarge rocks were unearthed, and the surface of the earth where the plow went terribly agitated. From some cause Captain Towle found it necessary to keep in the house for a number of days after. The dirt thus loosened up was shoveled into the middle of the road, or carted to where it was needed. The town did two days' work of this kind, which was the beginning of the improve- ment upon this road. Considerable money has since been raised by special appropriation and applied, which has resulted in great im- provement. The great amount of heavy business done upon this road will require that it have constant attention and considerable outlay to keep it in the condition best for all concerned. In 1834, Eeuben Batehelder granted the town a right of way over the parsonage pasture which he had purchased, from the Exeter road to the middle road. Said way was obstructed by gates or bars when it was first opened to the public, but it is now fenced and used as a highwav. ROADS. 373 It has been customary to excuse from highway work or tax those who lived in and away from the road. In 1795 "William Brown, who lived upon the farm now owned by Fred P. Sanborn, was ex- cused from being taxed upon the road, provided he mended the way through Mr. Healey's and his own land to his house. This exemp- tion has continued ever since. This town has about twenty-five miles of road, which is a much smaller mileage than that of almost any other town of its size in the state. From the favorable nature of the soil over which they pass, and the abundance of good material for construction near at hand, there is no reason why we should not have as good roads as any farming town in the state. 1772. Voted to raise thirty pounds lawful money for the repairing of highways the ensuing year. That for a man's day's work two shil- lings shall be allowed; two shillings per day for oxen. Three year old steers shall be allowed one shilling per day; for a plow two shil- lings; cart and wheels, two shillings; all tools broken in the service of the highway to be paid for or repaired at the expense of the parish. This is the first which appears upon the records in relation to repairing the roads in a systematic manner, and it has since been continued. After a time the price of highway labor was raised to sixty-seven cents per day; then to eight cents per hour for men and oxen. In 1854, the price was raised to ten cents per hour; a few years later to fifteen cents, where it has since remained. 1820. Voted to raise three hundred dollars for a, winter tax for the purpose of breaiing out the roads. In case it is necessary to break the roads, the surveyor to call on each man in the district for his equal share. For many years the roads were broken voluntarily without ex- pense to the town, but in recent times the work has been paid for. ISTo winter tax has been raised, but the surveyors bring in the bills for the time which the men and teams have been employed in this work and they are paid at the same rate as for highway work in summer. The road from Hampton line to Seabrook in this town was in the early daj's called the "Country road." Within a year or two, since the electric railroad was projected, it has been called the "Lafayette road." 374 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. DEIFT-WAY TO THE MAESH. At a town meeting held on the first day of November, 1784, — Samuel Weare is hereby appointed for to go and search Hampton records to see if there is any drift-way for passing and repassing to the salt marsh, through the land of what is commonly called the Hussey farm and report at the adjournment of this meeting. Upon further consideration, voted that ilr. Benjamin Pike, Nathan Brown, and Benjamin Sanborn be a committee to wait upon Mr. Timothy Worth to see if people in general miay pass and repass to their several marshes without cost or trouble, detriment or molesta- tion, when any of the owners of said marshes shall have occasion to pass through land of the aforesaid Timothy Worth. November 8, 1784, met according to adjournment. The committee chosen aforesaid appeared and made report that Mr. Timothy Worth gives his free will and consent that Eichard Nason, Esq., may pass and repass to and from said salt marsh, provided he goes in through orderly, peaceably, and quietly. A town meeting was held February 23, 1798, to act upon the fol- lowing: To see if the meeting will pass a vote to defend Mr. Aaron Wells in an action of trespass Brought against him by Nathaniel Healey for passing and repassing through the Worth farm, so called, and choose a committee to carry on such defence in behalf of the town. On putting this article to vote it was decided in the negative. In 1797, it was put to vote to see if the town would empower a committee with the selectmen to lay out a road through Worth's farm, so called, or any part thereof. It was voted in the affirmative. Voted to impower a, committee with the selectmen to lay out a drift road from the drift road formerly laid out through Jacob Stanyan's pasture to the Palls river, so called, at the old landing place, and across the marsh into the Worth farm, and so down to Worth's point, so called. Voted to choose a committee to assist the selectmen in laying out said road, and that the selectmen and committee propose to lay out said road as conveniently as may be, said road to be two rods wide. Voted to build a, bridge over the Falls river, so called, at the old landing place at the cost of the town, including the subscription money which may be paid in. Voted that Deacon Sanborn and Captain Prescott be a committee to assist the selectmen. ROADS. 375 Voted to choose a committee to see to the building said bridge and provide timber in the approaching winter and rocks as much as may be thought necessary for the same. Voted that Capt. James Prescott, Ens. Jona. Cram, and Theophilus Sanborn be a committee to provide for said bridge in the cheapest and best manner they are able. This road and bridge were never built. We find nothing farther in relation to it upon the record. The probable reason why the bridge was not built was that vessels were built near the main road at Swett's bridge, and such a bridge as was contemplated farther down the river would have been an obstruction to these vessels in passing down stream to the sea. The building of a bridge was objected to by those eng^ed in this business. 1808. Voted to pay Caleb Tllton fifty dollars on account of a law- suit commenced against him by Nathaniel Healey for passing through the Worth farm to the marsh. It would seem that the court had decided this case against Healey and in favor of the marsh owners, and that Mr. Healey had sold the AVorth farm to Capt. Joseph Hoyt. In 1807, in a friendly conference with Capt. Joseph Hoyt in relation to passing through his farm (the Worth farm), he said, as the court had confirmed the right, he wished people to pass in the lane on the south side of said farm, and no advantage would be taken of the chaaige from the old to the new location. This drift-way seems to have been used after this without any molestation or trouble from any of the subsequent owners until 1842, when a change was made. James Brimmer had purchased the Hoyt farm, and for his own convenience had built a road through the center, and offered to change the location from where the way was then located to the one he had constructed. 1842. Voted to relinquish the town's right in the present drift-way through the Hoyt farm near the line of Lowell Brown, from the post road to the marsh, for the new one constructed by James Brimmer meeting the post road the north side of his barn from the marsh. The old way was never entirely given up, as a few persons owning land which was more convenient of access from the old than the new way have continued to use it until the present time. Voted to accept the proposal of Mr. Brimmer to widen the new drift- way sufficiently for teams to pass each other and fence one side for the sum of two hundred dollars. 376 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. This way continued to be used as a drift-way until 1860, when it was made a highway. HAMPTON CAUSEWAY TUENPIKE COMPANY. The Hampton Causeway Turnpike Company was incorporated December 22, 1808. Benjamin Shaw, James Leavitt, John Dear- born, Jonathan Marston, Jr., Thomas "Ward, Joseph Towle, Jr., and Edmund Toppan were the grantees. They were authorized and empowered to repair and keep in repair the road from Sanborn's hill, so called, in. Hampton Falls to the cause- way in Hampton, and from said causeway to the turn or corner of the road near the house of James Leavitt in Hampton (the "old yellow house"), and to repair and widen the causeway now called Hampton causeway, and build a bridge over Hampton river; and the said cause- way so to be made and built shall be raised five feet above the surface of the causeway as it now stands, shall be thirty-two feet at least in width, and with the bridge aforesaid shall be railed on both sides for the security of travelers who may pass thereon. And a dike su£Blciently wide and deep to take the water from the marsh westerly of said cause- way shall be made and kept open and in repair, and necessary sluices shall be made and kept open to give passage to the water. In case there should be any disagreement with the land owners and the cor- poration, and they cannot agree upon any persons to ascertain the compensation, the justices of the court of common pleas in the county of Rockingham, if not interested, if interested the justices of the supe- rior court, upon application of either party shall appoint a commit- tee to determine the same, and the said proprietors shall not build said causeway until the land through which it passes is paid for or a tender of the money been made. The said corporation may erect a gate upon said road or causeway to collect the tolls and duties here- inafter granted to said company from all persons, the same with horses, cattle, carriages, or carts, not hereinafter exempted from paying tolls, and said company may appoint as many toll gatherers as they may think proper to stop any person riding, leading, or driving any horses, cattle, carts, and carriages from passing through said gate until they shall have respectively paid the same, — for every horse and his rider, six cents; for every sulky, chair, and chaise with one horse, twelve and one half cents; for every coach, chariot, stage, or carriage of pleas- ure with four horses, twenty-five cents; for every cart with one yoke of oxen ten cents, and two and one half cents for every additional yoke of oxen; for every cart with one horse, eight cents, and for every additional horse, two and one half cents; for every sled with one yoke of oxen, six cents, and two cents for every additional yoke of oxen; for every sleigh with one horse, six cents; for every additional horse, two cents; for cattle, one cent per head; for sheep and swine, one cent KOABS. 377 for every three, — Provided that nothing in this act shall extend or authorize said corporation to demand or receive toll of any person vyho may be employed about the marshes; nor of any ofBcer or soldier of the militia under arms, going to or from the place of military duty; nor of any person going to or from any funeral that may have occa- sion to pass said g'ate; nor from any person going to or from public worship on the Sabbath in the town of Hampton; nor from any inhab- itant of the town of Hampton going to or returning from Dodge's mill, so called. The said corporation shall not take any toll until said road shall have been viewed by the justices of the superior court or a major part of them, and their certificate thereof shall have been recorded by cleric of said corporation. The said corporation was authorized to purchase and hold all necessary land. The shares of any proprietor may be transferred by deed executed, acknowledged, and recorded by the clerk of said corporations on their records. The corporation was liable to indictment if their road or bridges were not kept in proper repair the same as any other highway. At the end of every three years after setting up the toll gate an account of the receipts and expenditures of said Turnpike company shall be laid before the justices of the superior court. Failure to do so would cause their grant to be forfeited. If the net profits for the said three years shall exceed nine per centum per annum the said court may reduce the future rate of toll so far that it may not exceed nine per centum per annum, and if the said profits shall not amount to six per centum per annum the said court may raise the future tolls so that it shall not be less than six nor more than nine per. centum per annum. If the turnpike is not completed within three years from the passing of this act, and agreeable to its provisions of every clause thereof, it shall be null and void. The state of New Hampshire may at any time repay the proprietors the amount expended by them on said turnpike, with, nine per centum per annum in addition thereto, deducting the toll actually received by said corporation, and in that case it shall to all intents and pur- poses be the property of the state of New Hampshire. The legislature of this state shall have a right to adopt such measures in future as shall by them be considered necessary or expedient to compel said proprietors to keep said road in repair. State of New Hampshire, December 23, 1808. The foregoing bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted. Sent up for concurrence. CHAELES CUTTS, Speaker. In the senate December 22, 1808. This bill having been read a third time was enacted. SAMUEL BELL, President. Approved December 33, 1808. JOHN LANGDON, Governor. A true copy. Attest: PHILIP CAKKIGAN, Secretary. 378 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. By the act of incorporation no toll could be taken until the road had been viewed and accepted by a majority of the justices of the superior court and their certificate recorded upon the books of the corporation. Exeter, September 23, 1809. We the subscribers having viewed Hampton causeway and the road contemplated in the within act of the legislature do approve the same. ARTHUR LIVERMORE. RICHARD EVANS. The first meeting of the corporation was held at Hampton on the first day of February, 1809. Edmund Toppan was chosen clerk. Hon. Oliver Peabody, Nathaniel Gilman, Esq., Col. Benjamin Shaw, James Leavitt, Esq., Capt. Thomas "Ward, Samuel F. Leavitt, and Theophilus Sanborn were chosen directors, and Hon. Christopher Toppan was chosen treasurer. By the by-laws adopted it was pro- vided that the future meetings should be called by the clerk by pub- lishing in the "Oracle," printed in Portsmouth, two weeks before the meeting, and by posting similar notices at the meeting-houses or some other public places in Hampton and Haxapton Falls at least eight days before the meeting. The clerk, treasurer, and directors were chosen for the term of one year, or until their successors were chosen. The majority of the directors were authorized to do all business pertaining to the corporation. The clerk was to keep a true record of all proceedings of the corporation, and call all future meetings by giving notice in the same way and manner as the first one was called. The annual meeting was to be holden in Hampton on the first Monday in February of each year. "Whenever a major- ity of the directors or the proprietors of fifty shares should request a meeting to be called, the clerk should call it. The form of the certificate and method of transfer were entered upon the records. Each proprietor was entitled to receive a cer- tificate with a blank transfer agreeably to the forms laid down after having paid th6 first assessment thereon. The par value of the stock was sixty-five dollars per share and two hundred shares were issued, making the capital thirteen thou- sand dollars. The stock was mostly owned in Hampton and Hamp- ton Falls, and all in the immediate vicinity. At the second annual meeting the number of directors was reduced to five, and at the meeting following to three, which was the number of directors chosen as long as the corporation remained in existence. ROADS. 379 The corporation had some difficulty and delay in settling with the land owners. A committee from the Turnpike company and one each from the towns of Hampton, Hampton Palls, North Hamp- ton, and Seabrook, were selected to agree upon the terms by which said towns could use the road when completed. The town of Hampton was to gravel the turnpike from the northerly end to the middle bridge. North Hampton from the river to the middle bridge, Hampton Falls and Seabrook all south of the river to Sanborn's hill, so called. The graveling was to be done to the acceptance of the directors of the Turnpike company. For graveling and keeping the roadbed in order all the inhabitants of said towns were to pass free over the turnpike. The Turnpike company was to keep the fences, buildings, and gate in repair. November 27, 1811, Levi Healey was appointed toll gatherer. His compensation was eighty dollars per year and the use of the land and buildings belonging to the corporation. Mr. Healey con- tinued toll gatherer until his death, which occurred a year or two later. He was succeeded by Caleb Towle, who was to receive the same compensation as Mr. Healey and in addition a shoemaker's shop was to be built for his use. Captain Towle continued toll gatherer as long as the corporation existed, but did not receive as much compensation during the later years. The amount of toll received from February 4, 1810, to August 4, 1813, was $3,461.81; from August 3, 1813, to August 3, 1815, $4,065.38; from August 3, 1815, to August 3, 1818, $3,703.49; from August 3, 1818, to August 1, 1831, $3,469.03; from August 1, 1831, to the close in 1836, $3,370.63; total amount received in tolls dur- ing the time the turnpike was in existence, $15,070.33. The amount of dividends paid stockholders was $10,736, which was a little more than five per cent on the principal during the time the turnpike was in operation. The turnpike was sold to the towns of Hampton and Hampton Falls for $4,000; the real estate to Capt. Caleb Towle for $550. It will be seen that the owners met with considerable loss. In 1815, four hundred and thirty-three willow trees were set out along the sides of the road, none of which lived except a few around the house. There are a number of reasons why the venture was not more profitable and successful. There was a highway in existence over the route before the turnpike was built, and the public had a right to use it. Then the bargain was made with the four towns to keep 380 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. the roadbed in order. As a compensation for this all the inhabi- tants of those towns were to pass free. "When any families in these towns had company who wished to pass over the turnpike some one living in the town would drive the team and it went free. A bag of corn would pass a team. These and other exemptions served to defraud the company of a great deal of revenue. A slight bridge was made over the river a mile or more above. A very good path was constructed to it from each side, and here teams could pass, without any expense. This was called the "shun pike/' and diverted considerable travel from the turnpike. The stages came this way for a few times until more favorable terms were granted them by the Turnpike company. Tradition says as many as sixty teams in a line, loaded with produce from "down East," have been seen at one time crossing the "shun pike." There was also a religious motive which did as much as anything else to keep this way open. Mr. William Brown and Theodore Coffin, who were active promoters in building the Baptist meeting-house in 1805, owned the land over which this way passed. At that time nearly all who lived in what was called "Guinea" attended meeting here, and found this a very much nearer way than by the road. This way began at Theodore Coffin's house (where Eobert F. "Williams lived in Hampton) and came out at what was called 'TJncle Billy Brown's gate" in Hampton Falls. The "shun pike" was closed when Mr. Brown's interest in this church ceased. The court, regardless of the fact that the legislature had granted the turnpike a franchise to do business, instead of protecting them, laid out a road from what was known as Vittum's corner (near Xorman Marston's house in Hampton) to "Shun pike" bridge, and another road was laid out from some point in North Hampton across the town of Hampton to the hill in Hampton Falls. These roads could be built only at great expense and would have been a heavy burden on the towns. The business of the turnpike would have been ruined, thus inflicting a great wrong on those who had invested their money in good faith in the turnpike. The owners of the turnpike were forced to sell at a low price in order to escape total loss. The towns were forced to buy to escape the great ex- pense of building the roads laid out by the court. The turnpike was forced out of existence by the unjust action of the court. It reqmred quite an effort to get these roads discontinued after the towns had acquired the turnpike. "When the people of four towns in the immediate vicinity had the right to pass free over the turn- ROADS. 381 pike, it seems stra-nge that pressure enough could have been brought to induce the court to lay out the new roads which would have diverted the business ; but the Eastern Stage Company, then a rich and powerful corporation, was said to have been the mover and pro- moter of the new roads. Even after the turnpike was made free it was a great effort to prevent the roads from being built. The oppo- sition of Mr. William BroM^n to the roads crossing his farm is said to have done much to stop the building, to which more than nine tenths of the people in the two towns were opposed. The length of the turnpike was one and three fourths miles; its cost, $14,173.66. It was built in 1809, and discontinued in 1826. When Hampton Falls accepted the terms of sale of the Turnpike company, it was upon condition that the roads laid out by the court should be discontinued. If not, the vote was to be of no effect. The payment on the part of the town was to be made in install- ments; the last one was paid in 1830. The agitation caused by laying out the new roads by the court was considerable in this town. 1823. Voted to build up and make passable the old road where It formerly was to Hampton line, if it is acceptable to the court, instead of the new road from near John Pike's house to near Capt. Jonathan Marston's in Hajnpton. Voted that Wells Healey be the agent to at- tend the court of sessions and make this offer and oppose the acceptance of the committee's report. In 1825, the town voted to discontinue the road laid out by the court of sessions from Hampton line to Stephen Dodge's, and peti- tioned the court of common pleas at its next session for the purpose.. Both of the above roads were discontinued by order of the court in. 1826, after the towns had bought the turnpike and made it a frea road. Tradition says that after the turnpike was opened for travel the bridge on the old road was continued for a time, and was used by persons who wished to defraud the company. It was rumored that on a certain night a tub of punch would be located upon the bridge with a "go as you please, free to all." The bridge disappeared dur- ing the night and was no longer a source of annoyance. TOWN COMMON. Many people labor under a misapprehension in relation to the town common, — by whom and to whom it was granted. Many believe it was given by Mesheeh "VVeare to the state to be used as a parade ground; others that Mr. Weare granted it to the Third regi- ment to be used by them as a parade or training place, neither of which is correct, as the records will show. At a meeting of the commoners of Hampton March 20,. 1731 and 1722, a committee chosen to survey the common lands exempted one piece of land for a training place by the Palls meeting-house, about four acres. This land was simply set apart for the purpose named, and was not conveyed to the state or any one else. The town has since deeded portions of this land to the state at two dif- ferent times, once for a place to set a gun house and again for a jlocation for the Weare monument, which would in neither case have ibeen necessary had it previously been owned by the state. At the "time this land was granted Mesheeh Weare was but nine years of :a.ge and did not live near it, so that we must conclude that the record is correct, as the same account appears upon the Hampton Tecords as well as upon those of this town. There is probably not as much land now lying common as was granted, as some encroach- ments have undoubtedly been made. At the annual town meeting held March 13, 1799, it was voted to choose a committee to ascertain any encroachment supposed to liave been made on the common or parade where the old meeting- house formerly stood, said parade being originally left by the com- moners of Hampton for a training place, and measuring about four acres, by a committee of said commoners in the year 1722, as appears hj the town records. The committee for the above purpose was Peter Tilton, Esq., Lieut. Jonathan Cram, Capt. Levi Healey, Theophilus Sanborn, and Maj. Joseph Dow. At the annual meeting March 11, 1800, a committee having been chosen and appointed to make report whether there had been any encroachments on the training field or common, and having re- ported that there were encroachments thereon, it was — 382 TOWN COMMON. 383 Voted tliat the selectmen be a committee in behalf of the town to choose a select committee to determine such incroachments, with those who have made such incroachments, and that the same be decided and determined on or before the first day of August next, and if the aggressors should not of their own accord, or by advice of the commit- tee, remove or cause to be removed all such incroachments by the said first of August next. If the cause be not then removed nor adjusted that the selectmen present said incroachments. At a legal meeting held June 30, 1800, — Voted that Mr. Nathl Healey move all incroachments he has made upon the common land in this town where the old meeting-house form- erly stood, which was left by the town of Hampton for the use of a training place, as appears by the transactions of a committee of the commoners on the fifth day of November, 1722. Also that Mr. Healey return the milestone he took away to its former situation, and it is the desire and earnest request of the meeting that Mr. Healey per- form this most reasonable request before the last day of August next. Mr. Healey at that time owned the old parsonage house and land, which was situated across the road from the common on the east, and now owned by the heirs of Thayer S. Sanborn. The milestone was probably not returned, a^ it now does duty and has for many years as a doorstone to Mrs. Joseph T. Sanborn's house. At the annual town meeting March 10, 1801, — Voted that the selectmen pay those men who purchased a piece of land of NatW Healey for forty dollars, they giving a deed to the town, which formerly belonged to the training field, the sum they gave Mr. Healey, and that it be kept open for the use of a training field and the benefit of the school. This was probably the land the town allowed Mr. Pervear to occupy in exchange for a lot he had south of the parsonage house. Josiah Pervear, who had been living there, was rated for the last time in 1801, and probably the lot had in some way got into Mr. Healey's possession. The Pervear lot was near where the school- house now stands. In the warrant for the annual town meeting in 1809 occurs this clause, "To see if the town will pass any vote respecting the Hamp- ton Turnpike company having gravel out of the hill in said town." This article was not acted upon. 1819. Voted to choose a committee to see that there be no infringe- ment upon the common. 384 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. In 1834, Caleb Towle, George Janvrin, and George H. Dodge were chosen a committee to superintend the public square near Stephen Dodge's, and see that it was kept clear of every incum- brance. It was voted early in the present century to deed the state of New Hampshire a piece of the common on which to set a gun house, which was done. The gun house stood between the present site of the schoolhouse and the Exeter road, at the west end of the com- mon. 1834. Voted to grant the proprietors of Eockingham Academy, Hampton Falls, permission to locate said academy, and occupy suffi- cient land necessarily required for its location on the public square near the schoolhouse in said. town. It has been said that the academy was not located in the place on the common where it was understood it would be at the time the vote was past, which caused some dissatisfaction. 1845. Voted that the proprietors of the Eockingham Academy have permission to enclose the Academy building by a yard, and in case the building shall cease to be used for the purpose of a school then the land thus enclosed shall revert back to the town. Amended by vote "that the selectmen define the boundaries of the yard." A large yard was enclosed by a two-rail fence, which continued as long as a school was kept here. The fence then grad- ually went away until it all disappeared. 1853. Voted that Wells Healey, John B. Brown, and George H. Dodge be a committee in behalf of the town to convey to the state of New Hampshire the land east of the Academy yard, containing about 50 rods, for the purpose of erecting a monument to the Hon. Meshech Weare, and the said committee be authorized to cause the same to be graded and enclosed by a suitable fence, and the selectmen are hereby instructed to pay the costs of the same, when approved, out of any money in their hands. This land was graded and made smooth and then fenced with a two-rail fence and stone posts. The cost of grading and fencing was -$274.80. The probable reason for deeding and fencing so large an area was that the common had been used for a gravel pit, and had been left rough and covered with boulders, presenting anything but an attractive appearance, and if fenced and graded a stop would be put to this to that extent. Why the sentiment of the town TOWN COMMON. 385 allowed the common to be used in that way is hard to understand. Daniel Webster is reported to have said that our common was one of the most beautiful spots he saw in his travels. The extended view, which included the ocean and the mountains, was probably the occasion of this remark. After the academy was burned in 1875, the- common was cleaned up and leveled. The fence around the monument lot was removed and an iron fence was erected close around the monument by the state. The Village Improvement Society has set out a large number of shade trees, which when grown will add much to the beauty and attractiveness of the common. They have also put up street lamps at the corners made by the roads. Prom the interest now taken it would seem impossible for the common ever again to present a neglected appearance. In 1897, through the efforts of Hon. William E. Chandler, United States senator from New Hampshire, four thirty-two-pound guns and two hundred and twenty shells were secured for this town from the United States government. They have been placed in position around the Weare monument. The shells are in four stacks of fifty-five each, alternating with the guns. There have probably been some encroachments upon the common, yet actual measurement shows that there are now four acres in the enclosed space. In 1814, Maj. Joseph Dow deeded to the town eighteen rods of land which joined the northeast comer of the parade ground for forty dollars, which may make good what has been lost else- where. LOCAL NAMES. tsr every town are local -names applied to roads, hills, streams, etc. We have been able to find a reason for some of those in this town. "Taylor's river" was named for Anthony Taylor, who was the first of the name and one of the earliest settlers of Hampton. He was a man of activity and enterprise. He became a large land owner, and lived where Christopher Toppan now lives. The name of Taylor's river was in use as early as 1656, when Eobert Page had permission to erect a sawmill thereon. "Kenny brook" was named for John Kenny, who was a black- smith aind lived near the brook in the comer of E. B. Towle's field. "Brimstone hill" was named because at the time of the earthquake in 1727 considerable dirt was thrown out here which smelled strongly of brimstone. Just where this place was we are unable to saj'', but we have been told that it was on the south cant of the hill. The place was said to have been very wet and springy in the accounts given of it. The land between Edwin Janvrin's house and the blacksmith shop answers well to the description. Some have attrib- uted the name to the bitter feeling which existed after the new meeting-house was built, the name being applied by those living in other parts of the town. The weight of evidence is in favor of the earthquake theory. "Grape-vine run" was so named because of the wild grapes which grew along its banks. "Ordination hill" received its name because Elder Ebenezer Leavitt was ordained there in 1808 to preach in the Christian Bap- tist denomination. "Morton hill" was named for a family of that name who once lived there. The name of Morton appears on our record for the last time in 1747. "Biitler's hill" derived its name from a family of that name who lived there before the Eevolutionary War. They were Royalists, and like many others who adhered to the English cause, removed to the British provinces. Eobert H. Butler, now living at Fogg's corner, is a descendant. 386 LOCAL NAMES. 387 "Great hill" received its name from its magnitude. The early inhabitants must have come from a level country as they applied the name hill to very slight elevations, and from this fact could hardly help naming this as they did. "Cock hill" was in the early days a resort for wild turkeys. That some large cock turkeys were seen there is said to have been the reason why it was so named. '■'Munt hill" was named for an Indian who frequented the place. "Earn hill" was so called because a pasture for rams was located near there. A vote was passed at nearly every annual town meeting to prevent rams running at large at certain seasons, and a pasture was provided where they could be confined during the time when it was not desirable to have them running at large. "Lang's hill" was near Ram hill, if not identical with it, so called because a family named Lang once lived there. We have never heard any reason for the name of "Murray's row." No person of that name appears upon the records, but there is proof that the name was in use and applied to this locality at least seventy- five years ago. "Hogpen road" was the name applied to the south road in the early times. It is spoken of in the early records by no other name, and deeds are now in existence in which lands are bounded on the; Hogpen road. This name was not applied out of any disrespect to the road or its inhabitants, but because in 1665 Rev. Seaborn Cot- ton, the minister at Hampton, had a farm granted him at "Hogpert plains" in Kensington, and the name was applied to this road be- cause it led up to Hogpen plains where the farm was. This farm was said to have been situated a little southeast of where the Blake store now is, and contained two hundred acres. The middle road was called "Drinkwater road" on the early records. Lands were bounded upon Drinkwater road in the early conveyances. The name is said to have originated because a mart traveled the whole length, of the road asking for a drink of eider,, and was in every case give-n water. He said, "This must be the drink-water road." Some may be led to ask from what does "Sagamore hill" derive its name. When this country was first discovered it was found that in the northern parts the climate and cold of winter made it a less inviting place of residence than farther south. There were no large collections of Indians together, and their government was rather more of the patriarchal than monarchical kind ; that is, some S88 HISTORY or HAMPTON FALLS. family commonly took precedence above the others, and the oldest son of this family had absolute government over the region; this governor received the title of "Sagamore." "When the English com- menced their settleme-nts, there were twenty locations of these saga- mores between the Kennebec river and Connecticut, — the first at Eennebee, the second at Casco bay, the third at Saco, the fourth at Piscataqua. There was probably one of these sagamores located in thei neighborhood of the hill bearing that -name, as the name was applied as early as 1639, at the time when the first settlers came. History informs us that such places as they chose for their abode ■were usually at the falls of great rivers or near the seaside, where there was an opportunity to catch fish, at which times all things were made common. Those who entertained at the seaside expected a like kindness from their friends higher up in the country, and they had their dances and other festivities at these meetings. This location was probably selected because it was near the clam and mussel beds, and easily accessible by canoe to the sea, where fish -could be caught. The great amount of clam shells, arrowheads, and other evidence of Indian habitation near Batchelder's mill Tvould go to prove that a sagamore was located here. The name "Crank road" was obviously given because of its shape. 'Trying-pan lane" was probably so named because it was so long and narrow, two teams being unable to meet upon it before it was widened in 1856. "King street," from John Hufi's to the Prescott place, was named from William Page, who' was commonly called "King" Page. He lived about half way from the ends of the road. The level land between the hill and Kenny brook, past the old cemetery, was called "the plains," which name was once in common Tise. The woodland called "'the farm" took its name from having been a part of Eev. Timothy Dalton's farm, granted him by the town of Hampton in 1G39, at Sagamore hill, a portion of which extended over a part of this land. "Fresh Island" was the name given to the place where the depot now stands before the railroad was built. The road leading to it was called the "Fresh Island road." The names "Swett's" and "Worth's " bridge are both applied to ■the bridge over the Falls river at the main road and come from the former owners of the land on each side. ''Bennett's bridge", is where the Falls river crosses the south road. LOCAL NAMES, 389 It was named because a family of that -name lived there, who were rated from 1747, or before, until 1841, when the last of the name died. "Thresher's lane" extended from the Line church to Fogg's cor- ner, and was named from Henry Thresher, who liyed near the Abbott house. He moTed to Eaymond about 1775. TOWN LANDING. At what time the town la-nding was laid out or acquired by the town we haye no definite knowledge. The first mention found of it was in 1797, when a vote was passed in relation to laying out a road to the marsh. In this vote it appeared that a road had pre- "viously hee-n laid out through Jacob Stanyan's pasture to the old landing place. It was probably used at first as a landing place for hay, fish, etc., and for the accommodation of boats and small ves- sels. A house for dressing fish was located here. As the popula- tion increased it came to be regarded as of more value and impor- tance, as there was at that time no means of transportation for farm produce except by team. Those places which had water communi- cation with the markets by which produce and other things could be forwarded in large quantities at little expense possessed quite an advantage over their neighbors not thus favored. The business at the town landing gradually increased until in the years just preceding the time the railroad was built it had assumed considerable importance, and what was considered at that time a large business was done. Small schooners which drew but a few feet of water came up to the landing in the fall, and were loaded with potatoes and other farm produce. In this way a much higher price was obtained than would have otherwise been received. A much larger business of this kind was done from Hampton. The business of farming was much more profitable in this immediate vicinity than in places where produce could only be conveyed to market by teams. A correct understanding of this will enable the reader to more correctly see the nature and cause of the controversy which the town had with the Eastern Railroad Company when the road was about to be built over the landing. The town felt that they were yielding a certainty for an uncertainty and refused to yield until obliged to. Among those who did business at the landing before the railroad was built were Benson Leavitt, a native of this town, then living and 390 TOWN LANDING. 391 doing business in Boston, Thayer S. Sanborn, and Eichard Dodge of Hampton Falls. Fishing vessels were sometimes fitted ont from there. Later John L. Perkins received lumber from the east and reloaded with apples, cider, and other produce. In 1875, Adna B. Lane made regular trips from our landing to Boston, carrying cord- wood. This made a good market for those who had wood to dispose of. Since then but little business has been done by water communi- cation with the outside world. The last vessel which came into Hampton river was from Bangor, in 1879, loaded with lumber from which Warren Brown's house was built. It was intended and ex- pected that it would come up to Hampton Falls landing, but the skipper was a cautious man, and not finding a pilot who cared to take the responsibility, it was taken to Hampton landing and there unloaded. Having thus given a brief sketch of the uses and importance of the landing before the railroad was built, we will now chronicle some of its other history. 1817. Voted to choose a committee to ascertain the bounds of the landing- at Fresh Island, so called, and that said committee be empow- ered to purchase a certain piece of land of Mr. Dodge to enlarge said landing. In accordance with this vote the town bought of Dudley Dodge a piece of land containing fifty rods, more or less, for forty dollars. 1835. Voted to remove such rocks as obstruct the passage of the river between the Falls river's mouth and the landing at Fresh Island. In 1840, Wells Healey, Thayer S. Sanborn, and Thomas Leavitt were chosen a committee to contract with the Eastern Eailroad Company in relation to building over the town landing. Voted to instruct this committee to request the railroad company to build a drawbridge where it crosses the river near the town landing. 1841. Annual meeting. Voted to instruct the committee appointed to contract with the railroad to exact money for the damage done the town landing. Voted to instruct the committee to demand two thousand dollars for the damage sustained by the railroad crossing the town landing, and that the committee be instructed to proceed according to the last act of the legislature concerning railroads. Voted that the committee be instructed to have the obstructions in the river removed, caused by the building of the bridge, where the rail- road crosses the river near the town landing. This vote was probably intended to call for a drawbridge, which had been requested by a former vote. 392 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. At a meeting lp.eld, April 13, 1841, — Voted to instruct the committee appointed to contract with the rail- road company to proceed forthwith against the company according to law. At a meeting held July 6, 1841, — Voted to refer to a committee the damage done by the railroad cross- ing the town landing; that the committee shall consist of three per- sons; that six persons be nominated by the town, and that Josiah Rob- inson of Exeter be chairman of the committee. John Nudd and Weare Shaw of Kensington, Col. Abel Brown of South Hampton, Col. Jacob Noyes of Seabrook, and Daniel Veasey of Exeter were nominated by the town. From these five persons named the railroad corporation had the privilege of choosing two, to compose the above named com- mittee of three, provided the railroad corporation pay all expenses of the town committee past and the expense for the arbitration com- mittee. Voted that the questions be submitted to arbitration of this com- mittee — 1st, What shall be done toward improving the landing by the railroad corporation? 2d, How much money shall be paid as the bal- ance of damage? Voted, provided the railroad corporation does not accept of Mr. Robinson as chairman and two others from the five already nominated by the town, that the town proceed to notify the corporation and take up the rails according to law. Voted that the selectmen be instructed to cause the railroad company to erect a bridge over the track where it crosses the old drift-way in Brimmer and Mitchell's pasture. In relation to the committee of arbitration for ■which the above vote made provision, there is nothing upon the record to show that such committee was ever accepted by the railroad corporation, or if accepted, there is nothing to show of whom the committee con- sisted. It is very strange that there was no record made of the termination of this matter, which had caused so much controversy and feeling between the people of the town and the Eastern Rail- road corporation, but fortunately we have been able to get the facts in the case, although there is no mention upon the record. The late Dea. Emery Batchelder, who was one of the selectmen at the time, informed the writer that the committee proposition was accepted by the railroad corporation. The committee acted, and consisted of Josiah Eobinson of Exeter, John E"udd of Kensing- ton, and Col. Abel Brown of South Hampton. They decided that the railroad company should face the entire landing below their road with timber, and grade and cover the surface with gravel, make TOWN LANDING. 393 it smooth, and put it in good condition to do business. This was accordingly done, and a good wharf was the result. The commit- tee made no award of money to the town for damage. The wharf built at this time would, with a little care and expense, have con- tinued a long time. This was neglected and the timber soon began to go away, and in a short time little trace of it remained. After this the controversy with the railroad corporation in relation to the landing ceased. The town has expended considerable money from time to time in repairing the landing, but has made the mistake of not doing quite enough or not doing it well enough to make a per- manent and lasting job. In this way much that has been done has been of little practical value. The principal use of the landing is now for boating hay, and this has decreased very much within a few years. Those who do not use the landing are generally opposed to making repairs. A few years ago when the railroad put in more side track some of the town's land was taken. The railroad put on gravel and enlarged it enough to compensate for the land taken. EAILEOADS. EASTERN EAILROAD. The Eastern Railroad was opened for travel in 1840. The people of this town made a great mistake in not making an effort to have the road run nearer to the population a-nd business of the town. Instead of doing this everything was done to drive it away as far as possible, which has since proved a great disadvantage to the town and all who wish to do any business. The value of railroads to the community was not at all understood at that time. At the present time instead of trying to keep them away every one is anxious to have them located as conveniently as possible to their homes and places of business. Those places which are so located as not to have convenient railroad facilities cannot compete with others more favorably situated. Many places which before the days of railroads were centers of trade and business have by change in communication declined. This has been true to a certain extent of this town, which has not since been nearly as important a point as it was in stage times. Those towns which have been favored with good railroad communication have flourished and prospered. No one doing much business now wishes to be far from railroad communication. At first our railroad station was a small building containing but one room. It had a ^piazza in front extending over the platform. No one at that time lived near it. This station was fitted up in good shape for those times, but it was soon defaced; the glass was broken from the windows, and although repaired a number of times it was found to be impossible to keep any glass in the win- dows. The town repaired it and offered a reward of twenty-five dollars for evidence which would convict any person for injuring or defacing the building; but this did not remedy the matter. The building still continued to be defaced and injured as often as it was repaired. In 1845, a committee was appointed to confer with the railroad company in relation to making improvements about the station. 394 RAILROADS. 395 It had been found that a station could not be maintained and kept without a station agent to look after it and care for any business which might be done by people over the road. A request was made for a new depot and a tenement for the depot master to live in. This was granted, and the present building was built and occupied in 1849. Charles F. Chase was the first station agent and contin- ued to act in that capacity for twenty-five years, or until 1874. He was succeeded by his son, Josiah P., until 1877, when Mr. Charles P. Akerman was appointed and has filled the position since. The old building at first used for a station was used as a freight house until consumed by fire, after which the present freight house was built. For many years we had very poor accommodations for doing busi- ness. Freight had to be loaded and unloaded while the teams stood upon the main track, and there were a great many narrow escapes from serious and fatal accidents. Gen. C. A. Nason, while loading milk one foggy night, had his horse killed and wagon destroyed by an express train. He had one foot in the wagon at the time, but succeeded in saving himself. Strange as it may appear he never received anything for his loss, although application was made to the railroad company and satisfaction refused. Our train service was for a long time very poor; trains which stopped at every other station in the state were denied to us. All this was suffered by our people while a man who was a native of Hampton Falls was acting as superintendent of the road, and claimed to have full authority and control of all matters of that kind. To all our many requests that something should be done by way of improvement, so that those loading and unloading freight could do it without endangering their lives, and that our train service should be improved, he turned a deaf ear. Had there then been a board of railroad commissioners such as we have at the present time our wrongs would have been quickly remedied. When a change came in the management and we laid our case before strangers our train service was made the same as the other towns had. The side track was made longer and graded on the outside, so that loading and unloading could be done with safety to both men and teams, and no fault could be found in this respect. From the first opening of the road there had been more or less controversy in relation to the location of the station. A few wanted it moved south to Brimmer's crossing, claiming as an advantage that it would be located upon higher land and that there would be 396 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. more room to do business. Articles appeared in the warrant from time to time to see if the town would vote to have the station re- moved to Brimmer's crossing. These were voted in the negative. Many felt that the depot was too far away, but nearly all who had any business with the railroad wanted it to remain where it was. An article appeared in the warrant of the annual meeting in 1867, again asking for removal to Brimmer's crossing, and, influ- enced by fair and as we now know unmeaning promises, the town voted without much opposition to remove. A committee was chosen to confer with the officers of the road. After waiting a few years, with nothing done by way of improvement or fulfilling the promises made by the superintendent, the town, in 1873, recon- sidered the vote for removal. Had the station been removed the town would have been put to much expense for new roads to get to it, but removal was impossible. By law of the state no station which has been in existence for any length of time can be abolished or removed without nearly a unanimous vote of the town, which can never be had. At the present time the town has little to com- plain of by way of accommodation or train service, except that it is so far away from the popiilation and business, and this cannot be remedied. July 29, 1843, at a sale of non-resident lands for non-payment of taxes, among other property sold was a portion of the Eastern Kail- road situated in Hampton Palls. "So much of the Eastern Eail- road in New Hampshire, commencing at Seabrook line and extend- ing northerly, was sold jointly to Cyrus Brown and John W. Dodge, they being the highest bidders, for ten dollars per rod in length, as will pay the taxes assessed on said Eastern Eailroad, amounting to $86.11, and incidental charges amounting to $1.64, being in the whole $87.75." How this matter was settled does not appear upon the record. The Eastern Eailroad in New Hampshire was sold in 1899 to the Boston & Maine, who are about to put down a double track and abolish all grade crossings. An overhead bridge will be erected at Brimmer's crossing. The town voted, in 1841, "That the select- men cause the railroad company to erect a bridge over the track where it crosses the old drift-way in Brimmer and Mitchell's pas- ture." It will now be done voluntarily by the railroad company. RAILROADS. 397 ELECTEIC KAILEOAD. In 1897, the Exeter Street Railway was built, and put in success- ful operation from Exeter to Hampton Beach. The promoters of this enterprise were so well pleased that they wished to extend their system from Hampton to the Massachusetts state line, along what was known as the Lafayette road, and from the state line to Ames- bury. Permission to locate and build that portion in Massachu- setts was easily and quickly obtained. Articles of incorporation were filed with the secretary of state at Concord in February, 1898, of a corporation to be known as the Hampton & Amesbury Street Eailway, to extend from Hotel Whittier to the state line, and per- mission was asked of the court to locate, build, and operate a street railway through the towns of Hampton Falls and Seabrook under the provisions of the general law passed in 1895 in relation to the building of street railways. The court appointed a committee, con- sisting of ex-Gov. D. H. Goodell of Antrim, Gen. Charles H. Bart- lett of Manchester, and Charles H. Knight, Esq., of Exeter, to view the route and to get evidence to see if the public good required a road to be built there. After the proper notice had been given, the committee gave a hearing to the parties interested at Seabrook, May 16. Many appeared in favor and no one against, and the committee made a favorable report at the June session of the court. When all the requirements of the law had been complied with, liberty was- given to build and operate the road. This was not obtained untiE late in October. The contract to build was given to Messrs. Soules & Dillingham of Boston, who commenced work at the Hampton end of the road about the first of ISTovember. The weather was unfavorable and slow progress was made. A heavy snowstorm coming the last of November put an end to further construction for the season. At that time the rails had been laid to the top of Morton hill in Hampton Falls. "Work was resumed April 19. The weather was favorable and the work progressed rapidly with no loss of time until it was completed. The first car passed through Hampton Falls May 12, and regular trips were made the day follow- ing from Hampton to Seabrook village. On May 24 the cars began to run regularly to the state line. On July 4 the road was opened and cars were running to Amesbury over the entire length of the line and were well patronized. Permission was obtained from the legislature of 1899 to consolidate the Exeter Street Eailway, the 26 398 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Hampton & Amesbury, and the Eoekingham Electric Company into one' corporation, to be known as the Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury Street Eailway. On the 20th of May the stockholders of the three corporations voted to accept the provisions of the act and became one corporation. The board of directors chosen were Warren Brown, "William Burlingame, Eben Folsom, Rufus IST. Elwell, Wal- lace D. Lovell, Edwin E. Pride, and Albert E. MeSeel. The board organized with Warren Brown president, Edwin E. Pride treasurer, John Templeton clerk, and Albert E. McReel superintendent. The Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury Street Eailway has been built and put in successful operation by the energy and enterprise of one man, — Wallace D. Lovell. WALLACE D. LOVELL- Promoter and Builder of the Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury Street Railway, See page 398, SHIP BUILDING. Hon. Cheistophee Toppan of Hampton, who was bom in Hampton in 1735 and died in 1818, was somewhat extensively en- gaged in shipping, both as an owner and builder. His yard was sit- uated at the turnpike near the river. The Toppan pasture, opposite where Arthur Chase now lives, situated partly in Hampton and partly in Hampton Falls, was purchased and used by him for a ship yard. At least two houses were upon this land, which were occupied by workmen who were employed as ship builders. The Blaisdells, Leaches, Maces, Marshalls, Millers, and Stickneys, who lived about Murray's row, were ship carpenters, who found employment at this yard. The vessels built were small ones, which were used in the coasting trade and in the fishery. At what time this yard was first used we have no definite knowledge. The men named above, who were employed here, were rated soon after 1750. We know that Toppan had a number of vessels in 1764, and that quite a number of them were built here. Ebenezer Maloon of Hampton Falls built vessels here. He was rated from 1760 until 1773, or later. Andrew Webster of Hampton Falls also built here. He was rated from 1747 to 1761. ISTathaniel Healey built some vessels here after the close of the Revolutionary War, but becoming dissatisfied with the amount of rent charged, he fitted up a yard at considerable expense on the marsh near the mouth of the Falls river, and built a road from the high land to reach it. This yard was overflowed at the time of high tides, which occasioned some inconvenience, the yard having to be enclosed in a stockade to prevent the timber from being carried away in time of overflow. He did considerable business here for a time. The remains of the yard and road are to be seen at the pres- ent time. It was largely through the efforts of Captain Healey that the canal was made from the Hampton to the Merrimack river, which was completed in 1791. This canal is mentioned in Belknap's His- tory of Few Hampshire. Small vessels could pass through with- 399 400 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. out being obliged to go outside. The Hampton fishermen found it convenient when going to Newburyport and Ipswich to procure bait. It was used considerably at one time, but is now abandoned, having grown up so as to be of no value for the purpose for which it was designed. Captain Healey was born in Kensington in 1757. He graduated from Harvard College in 1777, and came to Hampton Palls soon after. He owned the Worth farm for a time and built Ihe house now occupied by John A. DoW in 1794. He owned and lived in the old parsonage house at the hill while engaged in ship building and appears to have kept a store there for a time. He is said to have lost his property in ship building and digging the canal. He was rated in Hampton Falls for the last time in 1801. He re- moved to Hallowell, Me., where he died in 1823. Capt. John John- son of Hampton afterward owned the Toppan yard and built a number of small vessels there. He built the last one about 1850. A number of small vessels were built at one time near Swett's bridge on the main road below Morton hill. This was early in the present century. Capt. Nathan Moulton of this town built one or more schooners at Bzeter about 1830. In 1825, the "Farmer," a vessel of forty tons, was built on the hill near where Jack Sanborn's house now is, and hauled with oxen to the river at the turnpike. It proved more of an undertaking than was expected to get it to the launching place. Too much refreshment was said to have paralyzed some of the teamsters. The "Farmer" was said to have been a slow sailer. The owners were "Wells Healey, Thayer S. Sanborn, and Eichard Dodge. TAVEENS. Feom the earliest settlement of the town until 1840, when the railroad was opened to travel and the stages ceased to run, there appear to have been taverns kept continuously in Hampton Falls. Anthony Stanyan, who lived on the comer near the house now occupied by C. K. Dodge, soon after 1656 was licensed by the town of Hampton to keep an ordinary, or tavern, which seems to have been kept by him and his descendants for many yeaxs after. The house now standing on that comer was built by Caleb Sanborn for his son Meshech, who kept a tavern there for a number of years. From 1790 until 1800 or later Capt. Nathaniel Dodge, at first, and then Dodge & Quarles, kept a tavern here. Afterward, Stephen Dodge, who owned the premises, kept a public house. How long, or at what time he ceased to do so, we have no authentic record. Tradition says that there were many different parties who kept tav- ern upon this comer for many years. A log house, owned and kept by Col. Peter Weare, was licensed as a tavem in 1717. This house did business until after 1730, when in some way the license was lost or revoked. A vigorous effort was made to have the house again licensed, but it was unsuccessful. "We do not know where this house was located. The record says it was where two roads came together. The reason this house was not licensed appears to have been that another and better house had been licensed. At a court held in Dover September 4, 1732, John Brown had a license granted him to keep a public house, or tavem, at Hampton Falls. There does not appear to have been any tavern here at the time this license was granted, the log house spoken of above, from some cause, having ceased business. We have seen that the select- men in 1734 petitioned to have annual sale fairs held in Hampton Falls, two each year, being held in May and October. The ezcel- lenee of the public house was one of the reasons urged in asking for these fairs. John Brown, innkeeper, originated the idea of 401 402 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. holding fairs. They were held at his house and upon his grounds. In 1738, the selectmen again petitioned to have the time of holding these fairs changed to June and September, as it would be more convenient. The selectmen authorized John Brown to attend to the matter, and he succeeded in having the time changed. This was known as the celebrated Georges tavern, where the leg- islature of New Hampshire met that of Massachusetts in convention, 1737, in relation to the line between the two provinces. The loca- tion of this house has been a matter of some speculation. It is believed by many to have been near where the brick house now stands, owned by the heirs of Cyrus Brown. John Brown came here from Massachusetts, and was not a relative of those of the name who had previously lived in this town. The family appear to have continued here until 1750, or later, when they removed from the town. "We are unable to state the time when the Swett tavern began to do business. "VVe find mention of Benjamin Swett, innkeeper, at the time the parsonage house* was burned in 1749. He had prob- ably kept the house some time previous to this, as he was bom in 1710. The house appears to have been situated back of the big elm tree on the premises now occupied by Miss S. Abbie Gove, and was afterwards known as the Wells tavern. Benjamin Swett ap- pears to have kept this house until his death, about 1763. He was succeeded by Col. Jonathan Burnham, who came from Ipswich in 1763, and kept the house until 1771, or later, when he disposed of it to Capt. Joseph Wells, who also came from Ipswich. It then became known as the Wells tavern. Under the management of Captain Wells and his wife Eunice the house became celebrated for its excellence. It was called the best public house between Portland and Boston, the traveling pub- lic making their plans to remain here over night as much as possi- ble. From all we can learn this was the best public house ever kept in the town. ISTot a little of the credit was due to the good manage- ment of Mrs. Wells. Captain Wells built the house now occupied by Miss Gove in 1787, and kept a tavern there until his death, in 1791. The house was kept after his death for a few years by Mrs. Wells, who was succeeded by her son Moses. Mrs. Eunice Wells removed to Newburyport, and was taxed here as a non-resident until her death in 1831. Moses Wells continued to keep tavern here until the Tavern house, so called, was built in 1808. This ended TAVERNS. 403 the career of -what had been known as the Wells tavern. Moses Wells died in 1825. The new house was kept by Edwaxd Langmaid, who came from Chichester, and had previously assisted Mr. Wells in the manage- ment of his house. Mr. Langmaid continued to keep the house until 1833. He was the first postmaster of the town. During his occupancy of the house, it became the stage house and continued to be such as long as the stages ran. After leaving here Mr. Lang- maid returned to his farm in Chichester. After he went away the house had a number of different landlords, — Towle, Leavitt, Mat- thew Merriam, and lastly, Newman Brown. After the stages ceased to run this house was not used as a public house, but was rented, having one or more families living in it. The house was enlarged and modernized and opened for summer business, but was not occu- pied in 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1899. Caleb Sanborn kept a tavern in an old house which stood where James W. Green formerly lived. When or how long this was a public house, we are unable to state. Tradition says for quite a number of years. Aaron Wells, a brother of Capt. Joseph Wells, who came here a number of years later, kept a tavern in am. old house which stood near where N'ewell W. Healey now lives.. After keeping the tavern at the hill for a number of years. Col. Jonathan Burnham disposed c^f his house to Captain Wells about 1771, and removed to a house which stood where G. C. Healey's cottage stands, near Dr. Sanborn's. He kept a tavern here until the close of the century, removing to Salisbury about 1800. Caleb Tilton kept a tavern in his house, which is now occupied by Albert W. Elkins, for a number of years. This was the last tavern which did business in the town and was given up in 1842. In the early days of the town the tavern was a social place. The people were accustomed to meet there on certain evenings in the week to hear and exchange news, and for other purposes. This was before the days of prohibition. Flip and other good things were served, which tended to the enjojonent of the company, whose cares became lighter as the evening wore away. PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS OF HAMPTON FALLS FOR A TAVERN LICENSE. 1732-3. To his Excellency Jonathan belcher Esq. Capt. Generall, and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majtiea province of New hamp- 404 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. shire &c, ajid to the HonWe the Counsell and House of Representatives convened in GenU Assembly. The humble petition of us ye Subscribers Inhabitants of Hampton falls parish most humbly sheweth, That for three or four years Last past, wee have had Sundry Divisions, and parties made, v?hich has •cosd much distraction, and trouble amongst ye people of this parish upon y^ account of ye tavern. The hous formerly Bult by Col Peter Weare, at ye corner v^rhere two streets met, was Bult with Logs, after ye manner of a Garrison, and on purpose for a publick hous of Enter- tainment for travellers &c, and was veary sarvesable, for ye Security of Travellers and ye Inhabitants in ye troublesome time of war upon ye consideration of so good service to ye publick ye Generall Assembly of this province made it a Licenced Hous, as we have been Inform'd and it has been Improve for yt use ever since, till about a twelve months since, and now By the consideration and order of his Majt'es Genii Quarter sessions of ye peace for S* provence, held at Dover the fourth of Sept. 1732, a Licence was Granted to another man whos hous is not :so convenient and against ye Desire of most of the Inhabitants of this parish, the Selectmen of our parish Did at ye sessions aSoresaid appro- TDate Mr. Daniel Colins, ye present owner of ye old Hous, y* usually had been the tavern, who has substance by him, and well supplied to keep ye house, with suitable necessaries for entertaining Strangers and travellers and since he has had ye s* Hous he has Laid out Consider- -able upon it, in altering and makeing new additions to make ye Hous more convenient and fitt for Such Bussness. Therfore wee your most humble petitioners most humbly prays that as ye said House was a Licenced Hous formerly, as by Living Evidence it can be proved that it was so, and for That it will prevent making parties amongst us, by Striveing every year which shall get 'ye approbation, that the same Hous may again be made a Licenced House, the person keepeing it all- wais giving Bonds from time to time for Good order, and your peti- tioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray. Daniel Weare Nathan Clough Samuel Davis Joseph Cass Robert Quinby Jonathan Cass John French Sharon Blake Henry Lampre Jona- Philbrick Edward West Benj. Pearkins Joseph Cass, Jr. Thomas Cram Jonathan Fifield William Thompson Moses Black, Sen. Ichabod Robie Jon. Chapman Jethro Tilton John Stanyan Jonathan Nason Shadrack Ward Jonathan Batchelder Jorge Conar Samuel Lane Isac Fales Richard Sanborn Jeremii Browne James Sanborn John Halle Joseph Tilton TAVBENS. 405 Timo Blaie Henry Grene(?) Benja Moody Kalp Butler Enocli Sanborn John Gove, Sen. Winthrop Dow Josepli Worth Jacob Brown Ephraim Hoyt Nathaoa Hoyt Ephraim (?) Jeremiah Eastman Johnl Chase Joseph Nortin Ebeneazer Dow^ Samuel Page Jonathan Chase John Philbrick Nathan Sanborn Israel CllfEord John Clifford Benjamin Prescut Samuel Tilton John Cram, Jr. Joseph Pearkins John Ware Samuel Healey Nathl Healey Jonathan Green Jonathan Batchelder Joseph Tilton Jqhn Cram Jonathan Cram, Jr. John Browen James Moulton Samuel Matcheen John Matson Jacob Garland John Green Jacob Stanyan Thomas Gill Samll Emons Amos Cass Benjamin Green Jedjah Blake Sherbum Tilton Josiah Tilton David Sanborn John Page Ebeneazer Prescott Stephen Hobs Israel James AbraPi Moulton Timothy Hutchinson Joseph Wadleigh John Sw^ain Philemon Blake Robert Eow John Batchelder Wadley Cram Daniel Kelley (?) John Green, Sen. Lenamin Cram William Evans Jonathan Tilton Jonathan Prescutt John Gove, Jr. Jonathan Kow Thomas Leavitt Elisha Prescutt (?) Elisha Prescutt, Jr. Benj. Prescutt Edward Tuck SamU Blake Nathaniel Prescutt , Joseph Draper Eichard Nason Benjamin Sanborn Caleb Swain James Prescutt Jeremiah Green Jonathan Prescutt Benjn Swett Benj. Hilliard Timo. Hilard Caleb Browne Thos. Philbrick Jeremy Gove Jonathan Dow Jn" Harvey In Coun. Feb. 38th 1732-3. Eead and unanimously Voted to be dismissed. K. WALDRON Secry. 406 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. In the above list are a number of names which are given wrong, but we do not attempt to correct it, but give the names as we find them. Any one familiar with the names of the people living in town at that time can easily make a number of corrections. The reason this petition was not granted was that John Brown had been granted a license, and was keeping an acceptable house, known as the Georges tavern. STOEMS. The ninth of June, 1G54, there was a storm of thunder and hail such as hath not been heard of in Kew England since the first set- tlement thereof, which hail fell in the bounds of Hampton, between .the town and the mill at the. Palls, and was so violent that where the strength of the storm went it shaved the leaves, twigs, and fruit from the trees, and beat down the com, both rye and Indian, and peas, and other things; battered and burying the same as though men had beaten it down with threshing instruments, "the hail being in admiration for the multitude thereof, so as that in some places it remained after the storm was over twelve inches in thickness above the ground," and was not all dissolved two days after the storm in many places, as we are informed by many eyewitnesses. Many of the hailstones were said to be three or four inches in length. In 1658, when the apple trees were in bloom, there came on such a sudden and severe degree of cold that in a fishing boat belonging to Hampton one man died before they could reach the shore. An- other was so chilled that he died in a few days, and a third lost his feet. In 1671, a great storm of driving snow came out of the north- west, and drove up into drifts about six feet deep, as appeared by those who measured the banks of snow. For a space of fourteen days after it was a sad time of rain, not one fair day, and much damage was done to mills and other things by the flood which fol- lowed. In February, 1717, there were two storms that were unusually severe. The snow attained a depth of ten or fifteen feet, and in many places twentj'' feet. Paths were dug from house to house by tunneling under the snow, and the only visits to any distance were made on snowshoes, the wearers stepping out of the chamber win- dows. One-story houses were completely buried in snow. The winter of 1801-02, till near its close, was unusually mild, but in the latter part of February there occurred one of the most 407 408 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. remarkable and long continued snowstorms known for twenty years. There was much damage to shipping and things by sea. About three feet of snow fell at this time. The 19th of January, 1810, was one of the most memorable cold days of the present century. From a mild temperature the weather suddenly became cold; the mercury descended in less than sixteen hours to thirteen below zero. This was accompanied by high winds of such force as to prostrate many trees and buildings. This ex- tended over a wide extent of territory. From Hajnpton, several persons started with ox teams to go to Newburyport with potatoes. They suffered terribly with cold before reaching home. It came on suddenly, and many people were not prepared for it, and much damage and suffering resulted. This was what was known and talked of long after as the "cold Friday." "The September gale" occurred on the 23d of September, 1815. A great deal of damage was done to woodlands, where the trees were uprooted in great numbers and to such an extent that the lines between owners were in many cases obliterated. The salt grass upon the marsh had been mostly cut and stacked. The tide rose high enough to take the stacks from the bottoms and carry them away. This and the cold Friday were favorite themes of conver- sation among old people fifty years ago. The year 1816 was noted for its severity. There were frosts every month in the year, and a snowstorm in June. In Hampton corn high enough to hoe was completely covered. The first two months of the year were mild. In April a new winter set in; snow and sleet fell half the days in May; there were frosts nearly every night in June. July was cold, ice forming as thick as window glass in all the New England states. The weather in August was still colder, ice forming nearly an inch in thickness. ISTo com was rip- ened. In the spring of 1817, seed corn sold for from five to ten dollars per bushel. A severe rainstorm, accompanied by a high tide, occurred in April, 1851. The railroad was washed away north of the depot on the marsh, and a great deal of other damage was done. It was during this storm that the Minot ledge lighthouse was destroyed. Another storm of great severity occurred in November, 1861. The tide was very high. It took up the railroad track from the depot to Birch island, and carried it to the high land. A number of days' labor were required before travel was again resumed. Hay STORMS. 409 stacks were taken off, and deposited m all sorts of inconveiuent places, and much' trouble and loss resulted. Another disastrous storm and tide occurred in November, 1871, when the railroad track was again badly injured. Nearly all of the haystacks below the railroad were moved and deposited about as thick as they could be placed along the track and in other places. A great many unpleasant and uncomplimentary things were said by those claiming and dividing the hay. There is nothing which will occasion more ill feeling than a fight for drift hay. Many were able, as they thought, to distinguish their own hay by the looks of it. The first of February, 1886, there was a heavy ice storm. Every- thing out of doors was covered by a thick coating of ice. The trees and shrubbery were loaded to their utmost capacity, which occa- sioned a great deal of damage. Shade and fruit trees were badly broken, and disfigured to such an extent that they have never recov- ered, many showing the effects of that storm at the present time. It was very fortunate that it was still when the trees were loaded mth ice. Had a high wind occurred at that time, hardly a tree of any kind could have remained standing. As it was, much serious damage was done. On March 10 and 1], 1888, there came eighteen inches of damp, heavy snow which was badly drifted. The roads were so blocked as to put a stop to all business. It was impossible to get to town meeting, and from this cause the annual town meetings in almost all the towns in the state were postponed. Our town meeting was held on the following Saturday. This storm extended over south- ern New England and New York City. Snow came December 6, 1797, and stuck upon the sides of the trees. So steady was the cold that it did not thaw or drop off until January 37. The snow which came November 17, 1798, remained and covered the ground until April 5, 1799. Steady cold weather prevailed during the whole of that time. Tuesday, September 6, 1881, was known as "the yellow day." Everything took on a glaring yellow hue, unlike anything before seen. It was a dark day. The disc of the sun was not visible. A smell of smoke was in the air. It was difficult to see the hands of a clock across the room, and too dark to read ordinary print. It was painful to the eyes. Although business was not suspended, it was a serious hindrance to doing many kinds. The next day was 410 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. cloudless, and all signs of the preceding day had disappeared. It was supposed to have been caused by forest fires in Canada sending down smoke under peculiar atmospheric conditions not yet ex- plained. It caused alarm among the ignorant and superstitious. The 19th of May, 1780, was known as "the dark day" in N"ew England. The sun was visible for a short time in the morning, but soon became obscured. For some days previous the air had been filled with smoke, supposed to have been, from forest 'fires in Canada. A fog came in from the sea and mingled with the smoke, making the atmosphere impervious to light. Before eleven o'clock it was so dark that the schools were dismissed. The fowls went to roost, and the cattle came to the barn, as was their custom at night. By noon it became necessary to light candles. The darkness con- tinued through the remainder of the day. The night was noted for its darkness, which was as dark in proportion as had been the day. Dr. Belknap says that it was as complete a specimen of total darkness as can be conceived. People who were out made their way only with great difficulty. About midnight the wind breezed up, and it began to grow lighter. The next morning the sun rose bright and clear, to the great delight of every one. The darkness extended over a large area, and was said to have been as great about here as elsewhere. LIGHTNING. The year 1727 was a year of much thunder and lightning. The like was perhaps never known in this country. Although the light- ning has struck in many places, yet no person in this or the adjoin- ing province has been killed thereby. In Hampton the lightning has fallen on divers trees, and August 23, two oxen were killed by it at the Falls. Yet God, the preserver of men, has spared our lives though the blow has fallen very near to some of us, as will appear by the two following instances: April 10, 1727, a little after break of day, a thunder-storm came over the town. At first the thunder was but low and seemed to be at a distance, but all at once came an amazing clap. The lightning then fell upon the house of Mr. Edward Shaw. It took off all that part of the chimney which was above the roof, and broke down all the fore part of the chimney in the northeast end of the house, till it came to the chamber hearth in the lower room of that end of the house, where the man's mother and one of his grandchildren lodged. STORMS. 411 It took a small table within four feet of the head of her bed and carried off the leaf which was next to the bed. It went from thence down into the cellar, where it moved two hogsheads which stood near the foundation of the chimney. One of them, which was full, was turned partly upon its head. The wooden hoops upon it were loosened, but the iron hoops were not moved. In its passage into the cellar it went through the hearth, where, after the rubbish was removed, was found a large hole that was made by it, and in the foundation, a little over one of the hogsheads, was observed a small hole where it is probable the lightning had its vent. In the south- west room of the house where the man and his wife lodged, it entered into a small cupboard, where it broke divers earthen dishes, but yet the door of the cupboard was not burst open. By the great mercy of God no person in the family was hurt. Even the aged woman who was in so great danger received not the least damage. She was only waked out of her sleep by it, and knew not the cause of the noise till she saw the next flash of lightning. July 5, 1737, in the afternoon, we had another thunder-storm. Mr. Samuel Palmer was riding towards the woods, having behind him his little son about seven years old. As they were traveling along there came a terrible clap of thunder. The lightning struck two trees twelve feet asunder, which were about a hundred yards on one side of the path in which they were going. It tore one of the trees all in pieces, and threw some of the splinters into the path. They were riding at a good pace, so that in less than a min- ute they would have been up with the place where the lightning fell, and would probably have been killed by it. There was but a step between them and death. August 8, 1860, it had been intensely hot and sultry in the early part of the day. About four o'clock in the afternoon came up a thunder shower. Those who observed the clouds said they came from the four quarters of the heavens and met overhead. The result was one of the most terrific thunder-storms ever experienced in this section. It became dark as night, the lightning flashed incessantly, and the thunder was continuous. The rain fell in torrents. This lasted about two hours. It did little damage in this town, striking a few trees. It struck a house in Hampton, killing a woman who was engaged in prayer. PETITION TO BE ANNEXED TO MASSACHUSETTS The following named persons in Hampto-n Falls signed a peti- tion to be annexed to Massacliiisetts in 1739: Nathl Weare Charles Treadwell Benja. Sanborn Benja. Sanborn, Jr. Nath. Healey Ebeneazer Shaw Nathan Tilton John Cram Samuel Lane John Brown Daniel Brown John Brown, Tertius Jacob Green Benja. Prescott Jona. Batchelder Reuben Sanborn Samuel Tilton Abraham Brown Jabez Smith Benja. Swett Thomas Brown Jeremiah Pearson Moses Stickney Ebeneazer Gove Nathan Green Daniel Swett Jeremiah Benet John Plood Jonathan Chase Thos. Silla Archelaus Lakeman, Jr^ John Flood, Jr. Joseph Worth John Worth Obadiah Worth Daniel Chase 72 names. John Stanyan Thomas Leavitt Caleb Swain Samuel Present Philemon Blake Joshua Blake Abner Sanborn William Kussel Jonathan Fifield Samuel Shaw Joshua Purington Winthrop Dow Amos Chase Enoch Gove John French Benjamin Dow Jonathan Hoag-, Jr. Ebeneazer Blake Ephrium Hoyt Joseph Thresher Jonathan Green Benjamin Green Jonathan Hoag Henry Drewe Job Haskell Stephen Palmer Philip Pravare Jeremiah Brown Ebeneazer Knowlton Job Knowlton Ealph Butler Nathl Burrell Nathan Cram Thomas Cram Mesheeh Weare Benja. Hilyard 412 SECEET SOCIETIES. FEEE MASONKY. These have been for a long time some members of the Masonic fraternity living in this town. Among the earliest were Joseph Akerman, Stephen Dodge, and Jonathan Nason, who were mem- bers of Rockingham Lodge, which was located at Hampton. This lodge became extinct after 1836, during the Morgan excitement. Capt. John W. Dodge was made a Mason in St. Mark's Lodge, Kew- buryport, about 1846. Hampton Palls is now within the juris- diction of Star in the East Lodge of Exeter. Those who have be- come members from this town are James D. Brown, Enoch J. Til- ton, Edwin Janvrin, Edwin Prescott, Levi T. Sanborn, Warren. Brown, Henry H. Knight, Prank P. Cram, John P. Shepherd,. Cyrus W. Brown, Hugh Brown, James H. Brown, Charles W. Bailey, Jack Sanborn, "William H. McDevitt, Arthur W. Brown, John E. Brown, Bertram T. Janvrin, Porest P. Brown. The following have become members of St. Albans Chapter, Eoyal Arch Masons, Exeter: "Warren Brown, Edwin Prescott, Enoch J. Tilton, James D. Brown, Prank P. Cram, Henry H. Knight, John P. Shepherd, Arthur M. Dodge, James H. Brown, Jack San- bom, "William H. McDevitt; members of Olivet Council, Exeter, "Warren Brown, James D. Brown, James H. Brown, Jack Sanborn; members of De"Witt Clinton Commandery of Knights Templar, Portsmouth, "Warren Brown, Arthur M. Dodge; member of Alleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Boston, "Warren Brown. ROCKINGHAM LODGE, I. 0. 0. P. Rockingham Lodge No. 23 was instituted at Hampton Falls in 1848, on petition of John P. Jones, Edward D. Pike, Charles C. Gove, Elijah "V^alentine, John "W.Dodge, and "Woodbury M.Marsters. The four first named were charter members, Edward D. Pike being at the present time (1898) the only surviving petitioner. The 27 413 414 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. lodge room was over the store of C. N. Dodge. After working four or five years the lodge became dormant, in which condition it remained until 1878, when it was reinstated April 18, with John P. Jones, Edward D. Pike, John L. Perkins, James Janvrin, George S. Merrill, Lewis P. Prescott, and Albert J. Sanborn as charter mem- bers, and Charles P. Akerman, John M. Akerman, John P. Blake, Charles H. Chase, Charles F. Jones, Frank S. Green, ISTathan H. Eobie, Charles L. Sanborn, Emmons B. Towle, and Charles C. Green as initiates. The jurisdiction of the lodge included Hampton Falls, Hamp- ton, North Hampton, part of Eye, Seabrook, and Kensington. After the lodge was reinstated it increased rapidly in numbers, and larger accommodations were needed. In 1883 the Grand Lodge granted a petition for its removal to Hampton, where it occupied Academy hall until 1897, when it moved into a new and commo- dious hall, in a new building which had been built for the purpose by the lodge, and which is fitted with all the modern conveniences. The lodge is reported to be in a prosperous condition with a large ■membership. An encampment has been formed where the higher ■degrees are conferred, and a^ lodge of Eebekahs has also been insti- tuted. All the surroundings of a prosperous and growing lodge are here. EOCKINGHAM DIVISION, SONS OF TEMPEEANCE. Eockingham Division, Sons of Temperance, was instituted in Hampton Falls by Thomas E. Sawyer of Dover in 1847. Its meet- ings were held in Odd Fellows hall, over the store now occupied by C. N. Dodge. It had a large membership, composed of the niost respectable and substantial citizens of the town. It continued its meetings and organization until about 1850, when its active life ceased. Its members were said to have lived up to the principles of the order during the time of its existence. We are unable to state the reasons why it was not longer continued. In 1848, soon after the formation of Eockingham Division, Sons of Temperance, the order of Cadets of Temperance was formed for those not old enough to be members of the division. This order was instituted by Levi Leland, who called himself the "Honest Quaker." He was a temperance lecturer, and claimed to be a re- formed drunkard. The Cadets met in the hill sehoolhouse. The order did not continue long, but like the good little boy in the Sab- bath-school book, died young. SECRET SOCIETIES. 415 PATEONS OF HUSBANDEY. The order of Patrons of Husbandry was instituted in Washington in 1868 by 0. H. Kelley. Its object was to form a closer union among the farmers of the country for the purpose of improving their condition, both financially and socially. Thei order spread rapidly to all parts of the country, until at the present time there are but few localities where those desiring cannot become members and receive its advantages. A grange was formed in Hampton Falls in 1873, which continued for a number of years. At that time there was no public hall in the town. The meetings were held at the houses of the members. Co-operative buying and other things claimed to be a benefit were taken advantage of. After a time the grange became dormant and surrendered its charter. In 1891 Hampton Falls G-range was reinstated, and the meetings were held in the town hall. A good degree of interest was mani- fested and quite a large membership secured. Two fairs for the exhibition of fruits and farm products were successfully held under its management, also some social entertainments. The social fea- tures of the order have in most instances proved to be the most val- uable to its members. The grange, like all other orders, has its seasons of interest and prosperity, and also its other times when less interest is manifested and smaller prosperity enjoyed. ANTI-TOBACCO SOCIETY.' About 1848, an anti-tobacco society was formed in the upper part of the town. Its members signed a pledge to abstain from the use of tobacco in every form. Its meetings were held in Washington hall over the Exeter road schoolhouse, and were of a social and intellectual character. A paper was sustained by contributions, and read at each meeting. It continued in existence for a few years, but from some cause ceased to exist. TOWN BOOKS. EBCOED BOOKS. The record books are in the possession of the town and present e.n -unbroken line from the beginning in 1718. They are in a good state of preservation. The penmanship is good, with hardly an exception. Some of the earlier clerks wrote a very handsome hand. It is to be regretted that the record had not been made fuller and more complete. Many things were voted at various times with the apparent intention of being carried out at once, but nothing further is found in relation to it. The town voted a number of times to buy a farm upon which to keep its poor, but no action was ever taken in the matter. The record of births and marriages was not as well kept as we wish it was. Some families are recorded with great care, iriiile others neglected to register at all, and from this cause any attempt at general genealogical work is impossible. There are six record books, the first of about twelve hundred pages begins in 1718 and ends in 1779; the second ends in 1814; both are bound in pigskin. The third ends in 1846, the fourth in 1866, the fifth in 1886, the sixth, now in use, will not end until aft«r 1900. All are bound in calf. An iron safe was procured in 1890 in which to keep the town books. INVOICE BOOKS. The invoice of the town as a separate parish should begin in 1718, when the first selectmen were elected. The first invoice book which I have seen commenced in 1743 and continued for ten years. The list of persons taxed and the amounts paid by each is not given until 1747, and is the first list of tax-payers I have ever seen upon any town book. This book has paper covers, and was found a few years ago by Henry H. Knight among some old papers m the house occupied by Stephen Tilton, who died in 1831, and had 416 TOWN BOOKS. 417 been prominent in town matters early in the present century. This book has never been in the custody of the town. The selectmen's accounts were kept upon this book, from which I have quoted some interesting items. The earlier invoice books are missing, and no tidings of them can be found. I have been able to present the in- voice of 1709 of all persons south of Taylor's river, which included wnat is now Kensington and Seabrook; also the invoice of 1737. I obtained them from Mr. Asa W. Brown of Kensington, who said rie copied them fifty years ago from books then in possession of the town, but which have since disappeared and are probably lost. I have seen many references to the invoice of 1737 in difEerent places. Persons are mentioned in the history of Chester who were taxed in Hampton Falls in 1727. I do not know why this has so much prominence over that of other years. From 1753 until 1761 the invoice and selectmen's accounts are kept upon a long narrow book with parchment covers. This is a well-kept book and contains much valuable information. The next book is a leather-covered one, from 1761 till 1773. Before 1768 the books contain the names and amount of tax paid by persons living in what is now Seabrook. There is a great deal of valuable information to be gathered from the three books above mentioned, which has been made use of by the writer^ besides giving evidence to prove the truth of much which was obtained elsewhere. The next book, from 1773 until 1787, is not to be foxmd. It would have been of great assistance to me if I could have seen this book, as it covers the time of the Eev- olutionary War, and other events of great interest of which we cannot get as much information as is desirable. If this book is in existence it would be a great favor to have it returned to the cus- tody of the town, as it would contain matter of much historic inter- est. With the exception of the time covered by this book there is a list of persons taxed from 1747 until the present time. Begin- ning with 1787 all the books are in possession of the town. They are kept with more care after this time. After 1795 the accounts are kept in federal money, dollars and cents, instead of pounds and shillings, and there is no uncertainty as to the amount named. There had been great uncertainty in the earlier books, owing to the depreciated currency. Much of the time amounts in old tenor did not represent more than ten per cent of its face value in good money. I have given the invoices of 1709, 1727, 1747, 1768, 1787, 1800, 1830, and 1850. A list of names one hundred years old is of great value to any one who may have occasion to make any historical 418 HISTOKT OP HAMPTON FALLS. research. From 1787 u-ntil some time after 1800, the names of per- sons composing each highway district, with the amount of their rates, are given, which is of value in locating the residence of the persons named. The town accounts were first printed and distrib- uted in the spring of 1843, and every year since except 1845. "We find sixteen names upon the invoice of 1709 which are on the list at the present time. Some of them are lineal descendants of those named at that time. Others are from families which have located here since. They are Batchelder, Brown, Cram, Chase, Dow, Eaton, Green, Healey, Johnson, Leavitt, Nason, Prescott, Sanborn, Smith, Tilton, and Weare. The earlier list of tax-payers, and amount of invoice, appear to have been returned to the court. In examining the records recently removed from Exeter to Concord I found the invoice of this town for a number of years, with the list of tax-payers, which may account for their not being recorded upon our town books. , , ■, ] THOMAS LEAVITT, ESQ, 1774-1852, Prominent in Town Matters. TOWN OFFICEES. MODBEATOES. 1718, Deacon Weake. 1719, Samuel Shaw. 1720, Joseph Tilton. 1731, 1722, 1733, 1726, 1727, 1728, 1730, 1731, 1732, 1733, 1735, 1736, 1737, 1738, Nathaniel Weare. 1724, 1725, 1729, 1733, 1734, Peter Weare. 1739, James Prescott. 1740, 1744, 1746, 1747, 1750, 1755, 1756, 1757, 1759, 1760, 1761, 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1769, 1770, Meshech "Weare. 1741, 1743, 1743, Joseph Tilton. 1745, 1748, 1749, Jonathan ISTason. 1751, 1752, Col. Ichabod Eobie. 1753, Samuel Prescott. 1754, Josiah Batchelder. 1758, 1768, Eichard Fason. 1771, 1772, 1774, 1775, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, Capt. Jonathan Tilton. 1773, John Phillips. 1776, 1777, 1778, 1793, Col. Jonathan Burnham. 1779, 1789, David Batchelder. 1790, 1791, 1792, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, Abner Sanborn. 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1814, Peter Tilton. 1812, 1815, Aaron Merrill. 1813, Theophilus Sanborn. 1816, 1817, 1819, 1822, 1823, Jeremiah Blake. 1818, 1826, Joseph Perkins. 1820, 1821, 1824, 1825, 1831, Thomas Leavitt. 1827, William Brown. 1828, 1830, 1834, Caleb Knight. 1829, Thayer S. Sanborn. 419 420 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1833, 1833, 1844, Wells Healey. 1835, 1836, 1837, 1846, 1863, Nehemiah P. Cram. 1840, 1843, John Brown, Jr. 1841, 1843, 1847, George H. Dodge. 1845, 1859, 1861, John W. Dodge. 1848, John M. Marsters. 1849, John Batehelder. 1850, Zebnlon Jones. 1851, 1853, John S. Cram. 1853, Thomas L. Sanborn. 1854, Charles N. Healey. 1855, Charles A. Nason. 1856, Nathan W. Brown. 1857, Charles T. Brown. 1858, Jacob T. Brown. 1860, True M. Prescott. 1863, 1864, 1866, 1867, 1870, 1874, Horace A. Godfrey. 1865, LeYi E. Lane. 1868, 1869, Samuel Palmer. 1871, 1875, Dean E. Tilton. 1873, 1873, 1880, 1883, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, Warren Brown. 1876, 1877, 1891, 1893, Warren J. Prescott. 1878, Edwin Prescott. 1879, 1881, Prank P. Cram. 1883, Frank S. Green. 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1889, 1890, 1895, Charles P. Akerman. 1888, Emmons B. Towle. 1893, 1895, Henry H. Knight. TOWN CLEEKS. 1718, Joseph Tilton. 1735, Jonathan Fifield. 1759, Henry Eobie. 1763, Caleb Sanborn. 1771, Benjamin Tilton. 1776, Samuel Weare. 1777, Jonathan Tilton. 1778, David Batehelder. 1779, Samuel Weare. TOWN OFFICERS. 421 1780, Jonathan Tilton. 1788, Caleb Tilton. 1790, Samuel Weare. 1792, David Batchelder. 1805, Caleb Tilton. 1814, Levi Lane. 1822, Wells Healey. 1823, Levi Lane. 1824, Wells Healey. 1831, Aaron Sanborn. 1835, John B. Brown. 1838, Jeremiah Godfrey. 1842, John W. Dodge. 1844, Wells W. Healey. 1846, Jeremiah Lane. 1848, Jacob T. Brown. 1850, Thomas L. Sanborn. 1852, William T. Merrill. 1853, Dean R. Tilton. 1855, John C. Akerman. 1857, John P. Jones. 1859, John J. Brown. 1860, John H. Gove. 1862, George S. Merrill. 1864, Charles T. Brown. 1866, Enoch J. Tilton. 1871, Cyrus W. Brown. 1873, Charles C. Green. 1877, Charles F. Jones. 1881, George C. Healey. 1885, Jack Sanborn. 1897, Frank H. Lord. SELECTMEN. 1718, Benjamin Perkins, Major Weare, Benjamin Cram. 1719, Deacon Weare, Ichabod Robie, Deacon Shaw. 1720, Joseph Tilton, Benjamin Sanborn, Jonathan Pifield. 1721, John Cram, ISTathaniel Weare, Jonathan Nason. 1723, Jonathan Nason, ISTathaniel Batchelder, Daniel Weare. 1723, Daniel Tilton, Jonathan Fifield, Jacob Stanyan. 422 HISTOKY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 17'34, Benjamin Perkins, Jethro Tilton, Peter "Weare. 1735, Nathaniel Weare, lehabod Eobie, Nathaniel Healey. 1726, Nathaniel Weare, James Prescott, Jonathan Nason. 1737, Eecord missing. 1738, Jonathan Pifield, Jonathan Nason, Jacob Green. 1739, Nathaniel Weare, James Prescott, Jonathan Nason. 1730, Nathaniel Prescott, Nathan Longfellow, John Batchelder. 1731, Abner Sanborn, Jonathan Gove, Samuel Clifford. 1733, Jonathan Pifield, Eobert Eowe, Eeuben Sanborn, John Green, Moses Blake. 1733, Benjamin Green, Joseph Worth, James Prescott, Israel Blake, Joseph Tilton. 1734, Eecord missing. 1735, Joseph Worth, Jonathan Fifield, Eichard Sanborn, Josiah Batchelder, Elisha Pn^ington. 1736, Colonel Weare, John Gove, Jonathan Nason, Eeuben San- born, Samuel Page. 1737, Joseph Worth, Jonathan Fifield, John Weare, Joseph Wad- ley, James Prescott. 1738, Thomas Cram, Benjamin Hilliard, Josiah Batchelder. 1739, Benjamin Hilliard, Jacob Brown, Samuel Prescott. 1740, Edward Gove, Benjamin Moulton, Meshech Weare. 1741, Edward Gove, Thomas Leavitt, Joseph Batchelder. 1743, Meshech Weare, Captain Healey, Jonathan Fifield. 1743, Meshech Weare, Nathaniel Healey, Jonathan Fifield. 1744, Meshech Weare, Elisha Prescott, Jonathan Tilton, Jona- than Fifield, Tristram Collins. 1745, Abner Sanborn, Josiah Batchelder, Jonathan Nason, Jona- than Fifield, Thomas Sillea. 1746, Nathaniel Healey, Samuel Prescott, Jacob Stanyan, Thomas Cram, Eichard Smith. 1747, Josiah Batchelder, Jonathan Nason, Meshech Weare, Jona- than Fifield, Samuel Collins. 1748, Jonathan Tilton, Eichard Nason, Jonathan Swett, Jona- than Gove, Jabez Baton. 1749, Nathaniel Healey, Henry Eobie, Benjamin Swett, Jr., Jo- seph Worth, Eichard Smith (chosen by hand vote). 1750, Jonathan Cram, Eichard Nason, Abner Sanborn, Joseph Perkins, Amos Dwinel. 1751, Jonathan Swett, Josiah Batchelder, Henry Eobie, Joseph Worth, Nathaniel Gove. TOWN OFFICERS. 423 1752, Joseph Worth, Josiah Batchelder, Jonathan Swett, Henry Eohie, Nathaniel Gove. 1753, Jonathan Tilton, Benjamin Swett, Jr., Abraham Dow, Eiehard Smith, Samuel Lane. 1754, John Tilton, Henry Eobie, Caleb Sanborn, Enoch Goyb, Jacob Smith. 1755, Josiah Batchelder, Samuel Prescott, Jonathan Swett, Oba- diah "Worth, Samuel Collins. 1756, Jonathan Tilton, Henry Eobie, Benjamin Swett, Edward Gove, Eiehard Smith. 1757, Jonathan Cram, Eiehard Nason, Meshech Weare, Winthrop Dow, Ebenezer Knowlton, Jr. 1758, Benjamin Cram, Henry Eobie, "Walter "Williams, Nathaniel Gove, Tristram Collins. 1759, Benjamin Tilton, Meshech Weare, Nathan Cram, Samuel Collins, Josiah Batchelder. 1760, Nathan Tilton, Eiehard Nason, Meshech Weare, Jonathan Fifield, Jr., Samuel Collins. 1761, Samuel Prescott, Henry Eobie, Abner Sanborn, Winthrop Gove, Eiehard Smith. 1762, Jonathan Tilton, Eiehard Nason, Jonathan Swett, Win- throp Gove, Eiehard Smith. 1763, Meshech Weare, Samuel Prescott, Henry Eobie, Nathan Green, Tristram Collins. 1764, Meshech Weare, Jonathan Tilton, Eiehard Nason, Nathan- iel Gove, Tristram Collins. 1765, Meshech Weare, Nathan Tilton, Eiehard Nason, Nathaniel Gove, Jeremiah Collins. 1766, Samuel Prescott, Meshech Weare, Benjamin Tilton, Na- thaniel Gove, Jeremiah Collins. 1767, Nathan Tilton, Jeremiah Blake, Meshech Weare, Jona- than Fifield, Samuel Collins. 1768, Abner Sanborn, William Prescott, John Tilton. 1769, Abner Sanborn, Samuel Prescott, Paine Eow. 1770, Caleb Sanborn, Nathan Cram, David Batchelder. 1771, Jeremiah Blake, Jeremiah Lane, William Davidson. 1773, Jeremiah Blake, David Batchelder, Samuel Prescott. 1773, Nehemiah Cram, Benjamin Tilton, William Davidson. 1774, Caleb Tilton, Benjamin Tilton, Jonathan Steward. 1775, Abner Sanborn, Caleb Tilton, Benjamin Tilton. 1776, Abner Sanborn, Samuel Prescott, Jeremiah Blake. 424 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1777, Nehemiah Cram, Benjamin Tilton, Isaiah Lane. 1778, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake, Jeremiah Lane. 1779, Abner Sanborn, Isaac Green, Samuel Weare. 1780, David Batchelder, Nehemiah Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1781, Caleb Tilton, James Prescott, Benjamin Pike. 1782, Caleb Tilton, James Prescott, Benjamin Pike. 1783, Caleb Tilton, James Prescott, Benjamin Pike. 1784, Caleb Tilton, James Prescott, Benjamin Pike. 1785, Zebnlon Hilliard, Samuel Weare, Peter Tilton. 1786, Peter Tilton, N"athaniel Hubbard Dodge, Samuel Weare. 1787, David Batchelder, Cor. lN"athan Brown, Samuel Lane. 1788, Nathaniel Healey, Michael Tilton, Caleb Tilton. 1789, Cor. Nathan Brown, George Fifield, Jeremy Blake. 1790, Stephen Tilton, Abner Sanborn, James Prescott, Jr. 1791, Nathan Brown, Samuel Lane, Benjamin Pike. 1793, Peter Tilton, George Fifield, Michael Tilton. 1793, Samuel Lane, Benjami-n Pike, Jonathan Cram, Jr. 1794, Peter Tilton, David Nason, Aaron Merrill. 1795, Peter Tilton, David Nason, George Fifield. 1796, Thomas Moulton, James Prescott, Aaron Merrill. 1797, Peter Tilton, Jonathan Lane, David Batchelder. 1798, Samuel Lane, Caleb Tilton, Theophilus Sanborn. 1799, Stephen Tilton, Jeremiah Blake, Aaron Merrill. 1800, Stephen Tilton, Jeremiah Blake, Aaron Merrill. 1801, Benjamin Sanborn, Theophilus Sanborn, Samuel Brown. 1803, Stephen Tilton, Jeremiah Blake, Theophilus Sanborn. 1803, Stephen Tilton, Jeremiah Blake, Theophilus Sanborn. 1804, Joseph Perkins, Jeremiah Blake, Moses Wells. 1805, Jonathan Cram, Jr., Jeremiah Blake, Moses Wells. 1806, Jonathan Cram, Jr., Jeremiah Blake, Moses Wells. 1807, Peter Tilton, Aaron Merrill, Nathaniel Perkins. 1808, Nathaniel Perkins, Josiah Prescott, Jonathan Cram. 1809, Nathaniel Perkins, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1810, Aaron Merrill, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1811, Aaron Merrill, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1813, Jeremiah Blake, Jonathan Cram, Eeuben Batchelder. 1813, Aaron Merrill, Jo-nathan Cram, Levi Lane. 1814, Aaron Merrill, Jonathan Cram, Levi Lane. 1815, Theophilus Sanborn, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1816, Aaron Merrill, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake. 1817, Joseph Melcher, Joseph Akerman, Jeremiah Blake. TOWN OFFICERS. 425 1818; Joseph Melcher, Joseph Akerman, Jeremiah Blalte. 1819, Jonathan Cram, Jeremiah Blake, Nathaniel Perkins. 1820, Jonathan Nason, Levi Lane, Eeuben Batchelder. 1831, Moses Wells, Levi Lane, Jeremiah Blake. 1823, Abner Sanborn, Wells Healey, Eichard Dodge. 1833, Eichard Dodge, Jeremiah Blake, John Brown, 3d. 1834, David Chase, John Brown, 3d, Aaron Merrill, Jr. 1835, David Chase, John Brown, 3d, Aaron Merrill, Jr. 1836, Thayer S. Sanborn, Jonathan Nason, Joseph Cram. 1837, Thayer S. Sanborn, Jonathan Nason, Joseph Cram. 1838, Jeremiah Lane, Aaron M. Gove, Eeuben Batchelder. 1839, John Marshall, Aaron M. Gove, Nathan Moulton. 1830, Jeremiah Godfrey, True M. Prescott, John Marshall. 1831, Charles Chase, Thomas Leavitt, Jeremiali Godfrey. 1832, Thomas Brown, Charles Chase, Jeremiah Godfrey. 1833, Thomas Brown, William Wadleigh, Thayer S. Sanborn. 1834, William Wadleigh, Jonathan Nason, Thayer S. Sanborn. 1835, Joseph Cram, George Janvrin, Jonathan Nason. 1836, Joseph Cram, David Chase, John Marshall. 1837, Thayer S. Sanborn, Levi Lane, John P. Sanborn. 1838, Thayer S. Sanborn, Levi Lane, John P. Sanborn. 1839, David Janvrin, John Weare, Peter Tilton. 1840, David Janvrin, John Weare, Weaie D. Tilton. 1841, Weare D. Tilton, True M. Prescott, Emery Batchelder. 1843, Emery Batchelder, True M. Prescott, Samuel Melcher. 1843, Thomas Brown, Samuel Melcher, Stacy L. Nudd. 1844, Eufus C. Sanborn, John Chase, Joshua Janvrin. 1845, Eobert S. Prescott, John Chase, Joshua Janvrin. 1846, John Batchelder, John P. Sanborn, Eufus C. Sanborn. 1847, John Batchelder, John P. Sanborn, Eufus C. Sanborn. 1848, Weare D. Tilton, Aaron Prescott, John W. Dodge. 1849, Weare D. Tilton, Aaron Prescott, Charles C. Gove. 1850, Thayer S. Sanborn, Jeremiah Godfrey, Charles A. Nason. 1851, Charles H. Sanborn, Eufus C. Sanborn, Charles A. Nason. 1853, Charles 11. Sanborn, Eufus C. Sanborn, John L. Perkins. 1853, Silas Green, Jacob T. Brown, James D. Dodge. 1854, Matthew Pike, Levi E. Lane, John L. Perkins. 1855, Nathan Brown, John Chase, Samuel Melcher. 1856, Nathan Brown, Jeremiah Godfrey, True M. Prescott. 1857, Jeremiah Godfrey, True M. Prescott, Thomas L. Sanborn. 1858, John S. Cram, George B. Sanborn, John C. Akerman. 426 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1859, John C. Akerman, George B. Sanborn, Lewis T. SanBorn. 1860, Silas Green, I^evi E. Lane, James Jativrin. 1861, Silas Green, LeviE. Lane, James Janvrin. 1862, John C. Sanborn, Lewis F. Prescott, John W. Dodge. 1863, John C. Sanborn, Levi T. Sanborn, John W. Dodge. 1864, John H. Gove, Levi T. Sanborn, Thomas G. Moulton. 1865, Thomas L- Sanborn, Benjamin P. Weare, Thomas G. Moul- ton. 1866, John Batchelder, Charles T. Brown, Benjamin P. Weare. 1867, John Batchelder, Charles T. Brown, Emmons B. Towle. 1868, Charles T. Brown, Warren Brown, Emmons B. Towle. 1869, Warren Brown, Bdwi-n Janvrin, Edwin Prescott. 1870, Levi E. Lane, Edwin Janvrin, Edwin Prescott. 1871, Levi E. Lane, Henry H. Knight, John M. Marshall. 1872, Levi E. Lane, Henry H. Knight, John M. Marshall. 1873, Henry H. Knight, John N. Sanborn, James D. Janvrin. 1874, Prank P. Cram, John N. Sanborn, James D. Janvrin. 1875, Prank P. Cram, Josiah P. Chase, John N". Sanborn. 1876, Frank P. Cram, Edwin Janvrin, Daniel E. Pervear. 1877, George C. Brown, John M. Marshall, Daniel E. Pervear. 1878, George C. Brown, John M. Marshall, Daniel E. Pervear. 1879, Levi E. Lane, John P. Jones, Frank S. Greene. 1880, Levi E. Lane, John P. Jones, Frank S. Greene. 1881, George S. Merrill, John C. Sanborn, Matthew S. Pike. 1882, George S. Merrill, James D. Brown, Matthew S. Pike. 1883, George B. Sanborn, Samuel L. Pervear, Plenry H. Knight. 1884, George B. Sanborn, Samuel L. Pervear, Henry H. Knight. 1885, James D. Janvrin, George C. Healey, David C. Hawes. 1886, James D. JanA'rin, George C. Healey, David C. Hawes. 1887, James D. Janvrin, George J. Curtis,' Orrin D. Greene. 1888, George J. Curtis,, Orrin D. Greene, George F. Merrill. 1889, George J. Curtis, George P. Merrill, Lester B. Sanborn. 1890, George F. Merrill, Lester B. Sanborn, John J. Brown. 1891, George F. Merrill, John J. Brown, George J. Curtis. 1893, George F. Merrill, John J. Brown, Benjamin W. Elkins. 1893, Prank S. Greene, Benjamin W. Elkins, David P. Batchelder. 1894, Frank S. Greene, Benjamin W. Elkins, David P. Batchelder. 1895, H. H. Knight, Joseph B. Cram, Bertram T. Janvrin. 1896, H. H. Knight, Joseph B. Cram, Bertram T. Janvrin. 1897, H. H. Knight, John Brown, Warren B. Pervear. 1898, H. H. Knight, John Brown, Warren B. Pervear. 1899, George F. Merrill, James H. Brown, William H. Thompson. TOWN OFFICERS. 427 EEPRESENTATIVES. 1718, 1722, 1733, 1734, Peter Weare. 1727, 1730, 1737, Nathaniel Weare. 1735, 1736, 1739, 1741, Ichabod Eobie. 1744, 1748, 1752, 17G2, 1765, 1768, 1774, 1775, Mesheeh "Weare. 1758, Eichard Nason. 1771, Jonathan Tilton. 1776, 1777, Henry Eobie. 1779, Samuel Weare. 1783, 1785, Abner Sanborn. 1787, Nathaniel Healey. 1778, 1791, Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge. 1793, 1795, 1803, Nathan Brown. 1797, Caleb Tilton. 1801, 1807, 1811, Peter Tilton. 1809, 1814, Joseph Perkins. 1813, 1815, 1816, Aaron Merrill. 1817, 1819, 1821, 1822, Jeremiah Blake. 1820, 1828, William Brown. 1824, 1825, Thomas Leavitt. 1826, 1827, Levi Lane. 1829, 1831, David Chase. 3832, 1833, Josiah Brown. 1834, Moses Batchelder. 1836, 1838, John Weare. 1837, Nehemiah P. Cram. 1839, 1840, George H. Dodge. 1841, 1842, Thayer S. Sanborn. 1844, Otis Wing. 1846, 1847, John W. Dodge. 1848, 1849, Jeremiah Godfrey. 1850, 1851, Simon Winslow. 1852, 1853, Wells W. Healey. 1854, 1855, Charles H. Sanborn. 1856, 1857, John Batchelder. 1858, 1859, Thomas L. Sanborn. 1860, 1861, Charles A. Nason. 1862, 1863, Jefferson Janvrin. 1864, 1865, Dean E. Tilton. 1866, 1867, Levi E. Lane. 428 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1868, 1869, Emery Batchelder. 1870, 1871, Peter G. Tilton. 1873, 1873, Charles T. Brown. 187-i, 1875, George B. Sanborn. 1876, 1877, John P. Jones. 1878, Joseph T. Sanborn. 1879, 1880, John C. Sanborn. 1881, 1882, Henry H. Knight. 1883, 1884, Edwin Janvrin. 1885, 1886, John N. Sanborn. 1887, 1888, Warren Brown. 1889, 1890, George 0. Healey. 1891, 1892, Frank S. Greene. 1893, 1894, Daniel E. Pervear. 1895, 1896, George J. Curtis. 1897, 1898, Warren J. Preseott. 1899, 1900, Henry E. Tilton. DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 1791, Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge. 1850, George H. Dodge. 1876, Nehemiah P. Cram. 1889, Emmons B. Towle. At the first convention held at Exeter July 31, 1774, Meshech Weare was a delegate from Hampton Falls. At the second convention at Exeter- January 25, 1775, Meshech Weare, Jonathan Bumham, Paine Wingate, and Caleb Sanborn were delegates from Hampton Falls. Henry Eobie and Benjamin Leavitt were delegates from Seabrook. Both lived in Hampton Falls, but had polled into Seabrook under the provisions of the charter granted that town. CHARLES T. BROWN, For twenty-five years Tnwn Treasurer, See page 558. NOEFOLK COUNTY. The county of Norfolk, constituted in 1643, was composed of the towns of Exeter, Hampton, Dover, and Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, and Salisbury and Haverhill in Massachusetts. The shire town was Salisbury, although the courts were holden alter- nately at Salisbury and Hampton. Before the formation of Nor- folk county the New Hampshire towns were under the jurisdiction of the court at Ipswich. The county was named Norfolk, because many of its inhabitants came from Norfolk county in England. Dover and Portsmouth had a separate Jurisdiction, and a court of one or more magistrates chosen by the General Court, from the principal persons of the towns. This court was held once or twice each year. Its jurisdiction extended to causes which did not exceed twenty pounds. The decisions were rendered and regulated by the laws of Massachusetts. This was called the Court of Associates. An inferior court, consisting of three persons, was constituted in each town, with jurisdiction over all cases of twenty shillings value or under. Eobert Page of Hampton was at one time marshal of Norfolk county. Abraham Drake of Hampton was marshal of Norfolk count)'' for ten years, resigning in 1673. Henry Dow of Hampton was then appointed, and continued marshal as long as the county had an existence. In 1650, Maj. Eobert Pike was appointed one of the three commissioners of Norfolk county. In 1665, he was ap- pointed a magistrate of the county. In 1670, jealousy and disorder had spread among the officers of the militia in the county. Major Pike was appointed "sergeant- major, under whose command they might be drawn together and exercised in regimental service as the law directeth." Thomas Bradbury, son-in-law of Eev. John Wheelwright, was for a number of years register of deeds for Norfolk county. It was before the Norfolk county courts that Goody Cole was tried for witchcraft in 1656. She was convicted and suffered imprisonment 429 430 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. for a number of years in Boston. From the county records we learn that John Carleton of Haverhill was fined three pounds for striking Eobert Swan several blows, and Eobert Swan was fined thirty shillings for striking John Carleton several blows. Prom this it would seem that an attempt was made to do equal justice to both parties. MAP OF OLD NORFOLK COUNTY, 1643. A law was passed in November, 1654, prohibiting all persons except those specially licensed from selling any Indians either wine or strong liquors of any sort, under a penalty of twenty shillings per pint, and in that proportion for all quantities more NORFOLK COUNTY. 431 or less. Henry Palmer of Haverhill and Eoger Shaw of Hampton were all the persons licensed for this purpose in the county of Nor- folk. The court records of Norfolk county are in existence, and consist of three volumes, one of which is kept in Salem, Mass. The other two have been kept at Exeter until recently. By act of the legisla- ture of 1897, they were removed from Exeter to Concord, and are now deposited in the library building there. Many of the Norfolk county deeds are recorded with the early Kockingham deeds, and can be seen at the register of deeds' office in Exeter. By an edict accepted and confirmed by the king and council in 1677, the towns of Dover, Exeter, Hampton, and Portsmouth were severed from Massachusetts and made a separate jurisdiction, which caused Norfolk county to come to an end. The following order was passed by the General Court held at Bos- ton on the 4th day of February, 1679: The court being sensible of the great inconvenience and charge that it will be to Salisbury, Haverhill, and Almsbury to continue their county court, now that some of the towns of Norfolk are taken ofE, and considering that those towns did formerly belong to Bssex and attended at Essex court, do order that those towns that are left be again joined to Essex and attend public business at Essex courts, there to impleade and be impleaded as occasion shall be; their records of lands still to be kept in some one of their own towns on the north side of the Merrimack river, and all persons accordingly to convene and attend in Essex county. By the Court. EDWAED EAWSON, Secret'y. The records alluded to in the above order were subsequently deposited in the archives of the county at Salem, where they still remain. Norfolk county came to an end because the New Hampshire towns were severed from Massachusetts and made a separate province against the wishes of their inhabitants. Eobert Mason laid claim to New Hampshire, and by his influence and that of his friends with the king, succeeded in having it done, considering that he could be more successful in accomplishing his purpose if a separa- tion was made and an independent government established. The records consist of births, marriages, deaths, deeds, wills, inventories, etc. The conveyances recorded are of lands in the present towns of Atkinson, Brentwood, Danville, East Kingston, Eppitig, Exeter, Fremont, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, 432 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Kensington, Kingston, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Plaistow, Eye, Salem, Seabrook, South Hampton, and Newfields in New Hampshire, and most of the towns north of Salem in Essex county in Massachusetts. Among the volumes now at Concord are several which relate ex- clusively to the court business which was done in Dover and Ports- mouth, where more business appears to have been done than in the rest of the county. EOBIESTOWN. About 1735, Col. Eobert Hale, who was at that time one of the leading m&n in Beverly, Mass., put in a petition in behalf of the men who composed Captain Raymond's company, that accompa- nied the ill-fated expedition to Canada in 1690, for a grant of a township in New Hampshire. The petition received favorable action, and Colonel Hale and his associates received a grant of the territory which comprises the present town of Weare. Ineffectual efforts were made to settle the town in accordance with the terms of the grant. About 1746, the lord proprietors bought of John Tufton Mason, the rights of Capt. John Mason, and thinking to make money, made grants of townships to bodies of associated men called town proprietors. At this time the town had been called Halestown about fifteen years, and Colonel Hale had acquired many of the rights and had become the principal owner. The lord proprietors granted to Ichabod Eobie and his associates a township six miles square at a place called Halestown, satisfactory arrangements having been made with Colonel Hale and his few remaining associates to be incorporated with the new proprietors. Ichabod Eobie and his associates, eighty in number, became the town proprietors. Most of them lived in Hampton Falls, a few in Hampton and other towns near by, and the other persons agreed upon in Beverly and the towns near there. Among them were one colonel, three captains, one lieutenant, two esquires, two ministers, two deacons, and one widow. The town was now called Eobiestown, as Ichabod Eobie was the first named proprietor. The folloiving were some of the proprietors living in Hampton Falls: Ichabod Eobie, Esq., Jeremiah Pearson, Elisha Prescott, Jona- than Swain, Benjamin Hilliard, Thomas Boyd, Josiah Batchelder, James Prescott, Abner Sanborn, John Eobie, Bradbury Green, Jeremiah Bennett, Jacob Stanyan, Enoch Barker, Enoch Sanborn, Benjamin Swett, Henry Eobie, Caleb Sanborn, John Clifford, Lieut. Joseph Batchelder, Abner Philbrick, Paine Eow, Jonathan Fifield, 433 434 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Ebenezer Sanborn, John Brown, John Gove, Jr., Jacob Brown, Elisha Batehelder, Nathan Brown, Jonathan Steward, Jonathan Green, Jr., John Green, Eichard Nason, Samuel Prescott, Nathan Green, Capt. John Tilton, Eeuben Sanborn, Jr., Timothy Blake, Eeuben Sanborn, Ebenezer Prescott, Capt. Samuel Prescott, Na- than Tilton, Henry Thresher, "Walter Williams, Timothy- Puller, Thomas Batehelder, Capt. Thomas Cram, David Tilton, Caleb Ben- nett, Samuel Prescott, Meshech "Weare, John Loverin, Abner San- born, Jr., Edward Gove, Simon Fogg, Mrs. Judith Quimby, Jona- than Hilliard. CONDITIONS OP THE GEANT. There were to be one hundred shares, seventeen reserved for the lord proprietors, to be free from all taxes; the first minister settled in the town to have one share; the ministry one, the income to be used for the support of the gospel; the one hundred acres of these shares to be laid out near where the meeting-house was to be built, and not to be drawn as the other lots; the school was to have one lot for its use and support forever. The center square was to contain six acres, and be left at some convenient place for a meeting-house, schoolhouse, training field, burying ground, and any other public use. Settlers, to the number of thirty families, were to be got by the town proprietors within four years from the granting thereof, each to have a house sixteen feet square and three acres of land, cleared and fitted for mowing and tillage on each settled lot, and ten more families in the next two years. A meeting-house for the public worship of God was to be built within six years. Preaching of the gospel was to be con- stant after twelve years. A sawmill was to be built within two years, to saw at the halves for ten years. If no man built it then the town proprietors were to build it, and saw on such terms as would forward the settlement of the town, the sawing to be done by the long rule. Twenty acres of ground were to be set apart in some fit place for the mill privilege. Taxes were to be paid by each man for laying out the lots and doing other things. The lots should be sorted in laying out, and care taken that the shares should be as equal as possible. Eanges were to be made where the land would admit of it in laying out the lots, and the land left between the ranges for highways four rods wide, and between the lots two rods wide. All white pine trees' ROBIESTOWN. 435 fit for masting the royal navy were to be reserved and granted to his majesty the king and his heirs. Forfeits were to be had of this grant to the grantors if the gran- tees should not settle the forty families in the time set, and should not do the other things named in this grant. If some of the gran- tees performed the conditions, then they should hold their own shares and the shares of those who did nothing, and any one who did his part should hold his right or share. An Indian war should be an exception. The time it lasted should not count against the grantees, and they should have their full time after it was over. The lord proprietors provided that if any suit or suits should be brought, the grantees should defend one at their own expense, and if they got beaten the grantees should recover nothing back from them. The town proprietors met February 35, 1750, at the inn of Ben- jamin Swett in Hampton Falls, for the annual election of officers and the transaction of any other proper business. Capt. Samuel Prescott was chosen moderator; Meshech "Weare was chosen pro- prietors' clerk for one year, and until another should be chosen aaid sworn, and Meshech Weare, Capt. Samuel Prescott, and Dea. Josiah Batchelder, "a committee to call meetings of ye proprietors as there shall be occasion agreeable to the same methods as ye last committee." Eichard Nason, Capt. Samuel Prescott, and Paine Eow were a committee to survey and run the lines and lay out the lots. They then chose Ichabod Eobie, Esq., Paine Eow, Jacob Stanyan, Me- shech Weare, and John Sanborn a committee to go to Eobiestown and look out the most convenient place for a way to said tract of land, or in any part thereof, and mark out the same in order for clearing it, and to do this business as soon as the season would admit. This committee did the work, coming to an unbroken wilderness in the early spring, and probably occupjdng the camps used the previous fall by the surveying party. They looked out a route aad perhaps lightly marked it, but could not have done much work upon it. Ichabod Eobie, Esq., charged £25, Paine Eow £15, Jacob Stan- yan £2rQ, Meshech Weare £13, and John Sanborn £8 for their ser- vices. The committee to call proprietors' meetings gave notice March 26, 1 750, that one would be held April 5 at four o'clock in the after- noon at Swett's inn, to do these things: First, to pay their rates, or 436 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. taxes; second, to vote that the rights of those who did not pay be forfeited; third, to sell the same; fourth, to vote to fence in the whole of Eobiestown, and the manner in which to do it; fifth, to see what was best to be done to get settlers. They met at the time appointed, and chose Dea. Jonathaai Fifield moderator. It was voted that rights that did not pay charges should be forfeited. , They then adjourned for two weeks that no- tice to those who lived near might be given from the pulpit each Sab- bath. Those at a distance were to be 'notified by letter.' All who did not pay their rates would forfeit their rights. Meshech "Weare wrote the pulpit notice. It was read by the minister on two Sab- baths, and was to let all know that the town proprietors had deter- mined, at a meeting held April 5, that the rights of such as did not pay their proportion of the charges that had arisen, within fourteen days from that time, should be forfeited to those of the proprietors that would carry on the same. At an adjourned meeting May 1, the rights of twelve of the pro- prietors were declared forfeited to the other grantees. Among those forfeited at this time were the rights of Colonel Hale and some of the other Halestown grantees, who appear to have lost all inter- est in the new township. The sale took place upon the 7th of May. In the succeeding years many other rights were forfeited and sold. The town proprietors soon found that the most difficult condi- tions in their grant were to get settlers and have them build houses and clear the land. To get the first two or three to go was the hard- est of all, so they were free to offler liberal bounties. Two of the proprietors, Jeremiah Bennett and Timothy Blake, apprecia,ting the situation, were inclined to go, and settle, and the proprietors, at a meeting May 10, 1750, voted, that if these two would go at once, they would find six men to help them two weeks, and would also pay them the same wages for the same time. When they took their families there, each was to have £50, old tenor, and the cost of moving. If they staid a year they would have £50 more, and if two years, an additional £50, one half at the first and one half at the end of the second year. The proprietors, that they might have the money to pay, voted that each owner of a right should pay to the committee by the next Thursday night twenty shillings, old tenor. Henry Eobie and Paine Eow were the committee to carry out this vote. The men were raised and soon set out for Eobiestown. The men were from Hampton Falls, and were John Loverin, John Til- ROBIESTOWN. 437 ton, William Swain, Jonathan Swain, Caleb Bennett, and Paine Eow. Jeremiali Bennett and Timothy Blake went with them. Bach wrought twelve days on Bennett's land. They felled trees, cleared land, and built "hous or housen" on it. The workmen each got £1 1 Os. per day. Another meeting was held June 11, 1750, at Swett's inn. They voted to raise eight men to go to Eobiestown, and among the things they were to do were to cover the house built for Bennett with long clapboards, build a chimney, and fit the house so that a family could move into it as soon as possible. John Loverin and Paine Eow were the committee to raise the eight men. They went themselves, and along with them were Brad- bury Green, Benjamin Tilton, Enoch Sanborn, Timothy Walker, Eleazer Quimby, and Jeremiah Bennett, the one who thought to settle. These men each worked eleven days at £1 10s. per day. July 26, 1750, Samuel Prescott and Joseph Batchelder were ap- pointed a committee to look over the accounts of Henry Eobie and Paine Eow and of John Loverin and Paine Eow, the two former committees, and found that their accounts of the above business amounted to £294 22s. The expenditure of this money did not prove to be much of a benefit to the proprietors, as once going to Eobiestown was enough for Timothy Blake, and two trips satisfied Jeremiah Bennett. Neither of them ever settled there. The proprietors held out further inducements for settlers by offering any persons, to the number of six, who would now go to Eobiestown and settle, to send eight men with them to assist in building and clearing for two weeks. The settlers were to have provisions for one year at the expense of the proprietors if they staid there so long. If they took their families, they were to have provisions for the same time if they staid, and the proprietors were to pay the expense of their moving there. To obtain money for this purpose each right was assessed three pounds. Paine Eow and Henry Eobie were a committee to carry the above into effect. Notwithstanding these tempting offers, no one accepted them. John Loverin and Paine Eow went with six men to finish the Bennett house, and to open the way up to the center square. Sometime before June 16, 1652, twenty-four men were sent to clear this way, but it was many years before much of a road was built. The grant required that a sawmill should be built. The proprie- tors thought if lumber could be readily obtained it would prove an 438 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. inducement to settlers. A number of inefEectual attempts were made, but in 1752, when the time had become short, and there was danger of the grant being forfeited because the mill had not been built, they acted at once. February 39, Dea. Jonathan Fifield, Richard Nason, and Capt. Samuel Prescatt were chosen a commit- tee to see upon what terms they could agree with any one to build a SEAvmill. After making some investigation, it was voted to build the mill at once. Moses Blake and his associates agreed to make a substantial dam to stop the water and build and furnish the mill complete for seven hundred pounds, old tenor. The mill was promptly built, and at a meeting of the proprietors, October 24, "1752, it was accepted and Moses Blake was paid and discharged. There is no record of the amount of business done by this mill, but probably not much, as a few years later a great freshet swept away both the mill and the dam. The saw was found ajid used to cover the mould board of a wooden plow, and did service in that capacity for many years. The way made into Eobiestown led to the center square, and it was found necessary to build a bridge across Piscataquog river. Ensign I^ason, James Prescott, and John Loverin were chosen a committee for the purpose. Each owner of a light was to send one man, or pay his proportion. Twenty-six men, mostly from Hamp- ton Falls, began Monday, June 22, 1752, and completed the bridge and came home Saturday the 27th. After the road and bridge were completed, efforts were made to clear the center square and build a camp thereon, which appears to have been done. The proprietors appear to have made a survey, returned their plan, drawn their lots, assessed and collected rates, sold the for- feited rights, made a way, built a bridge, erected a sawmill, and probably cleared the center square and erected a camp thereon, but did not fence the township. The town proprietors one by one sold their rights at a nominal price to settlers who came from other places. The French and Indian War extended their time, and prevented a forfeiture of their grant, so that in 1764, the forty families had been secured and the settlers asked for an act of incorporation, which was granted by Governor Wentworth, and the town was named Weare, in honor of Colonel Weare, who was afterward president and governor of the state. From what we can learn the proprietors did not receive much return for the labor and money expended in the attempt to settle Eobiestown, and some of them must have been at consider- ROBIESTOWN. 439 able loss, as the town was not settled to any great extent until many- years later. Had they received their grant a number of years later, it would probably have been more successful than it was. John Eobie, of Hampton Falls, son of Henry Kobie, one of the proprietors, born July 33, 1743, went to Weare to live, and was town clerk more than twenty-five years, and also selectman and representative, and for many years a justice of the peace. John "Worth of Hampton Palls lived in Weare for a time. Many of the first settlers of "Weare came from Hampton and that immedi- ate vicinity. Among them appear the names of Brown, Dow, Gove, Page, Philbrick, Cilley, and Quimby. The town of Chester was granted in 1733. One half of the grantees were from Hampton and Hampton Palls. "We find the following names from Hampton Palls: Philemon Blake, Abraham Brown, Nathaniel Batchelder, Sen., Jonathan Brown, Moses Blake, Josiah Batchelder, Nathaniel Batchelder, Jr., Jacob Basford, James Boyd, Amos Cass, Richard Clifford, Zechariah Clifford, Rev. The- ophilus Cotton, John Cram, Benoni'Fogg, Jacob Garland, "William Healey, Thomas Leavitt, John Preseott, James Preseott, John Pres- cott, Jr., Samuel Preseott, lehabod Eobie, Robert Row, Joseph San- bom, Benjamin Sanborn, Nathaniel Sanborn, Reuben Sanborn, John Sanborn, Enoch Sanborn, Capt. Jonathan Sanborn, Dea. Samuel Shaw, Jacob Stanyan, Capt. Joseph Tilton, David Tilton, Jethro Tilton, Col. Peter "Weaxe. " Among the families from this town who settled in Chester we find the following names: Basford, Batchelder, Blake, Boyd, Brown, Clifford, Healey, Preseott, Robie, Row, Sanborn. THE MOULTON ELM. The large elm tree near the Moulton homestead on the Exeter road, which is the admiration of all beholders, is of great age, yet shows little sign of decay. It must have been growing when the first settlement of the town was made. Thomas Moulton, bom in 1755, said it was a very large tree when he was a boy. His son Joseph, who died, aged 93, in 1888, said he could not see that it had increased in size during his recollection. The circumference of the tree six feet from the ground is sixteen and one half feet; and at the ground several feet larger, and the spread of the branches is more than one hundred feet. 440 z o I- _1 z> o WEARE MONUMENT. Mes. Hannah Portee, a daughter of Hon. Meshech Weare, who died in 1849, aged ninety-five j'ears, left a sum of money in her will to be used in erecting' a monument to the memory of her father. Hon. George H. Dodge was appointed executor of her will^ and finding the amount left by Mrs. Porter to be insufficient to erect anything which would be appropriate, he applied to the legisla- ture of 1853 to raise and appropriate money for the purpose. It was not until the nest session, in 1853, that a Joint resolu- tion was passed, authorizing the gOYcrnor and council to appoint a committee, "To cause to be erected over the grave of Hon. Me- shech Vv'eare, in Hampton Falls, a suitable monument to his mem- ory, his patriotism, and many virtues."' Twenty-five hundred dol- lars was appropriated. The following persons were appointed as this committee: George H. Dodge of Hampton Falls, J. Everett Sargent of Wentworth, and John H. Wiggins of Dover. The monument was placed upon the lower end of the common, about thirty rods east of the Weare mansion, and very near the spot occupied by the first meeting-house, the place in the old cemetery where his body lay not being considered a suitable place to put the monument erected by the state. The surviving relatives, who made objection to the removal of his remains, have since put up a small monument near his grave. , , The area about where the monument stands was graded and fenced at the expense of the town, which was one of the conditions when the appropriation was made. The work of grading was done by Thomas L. Sanborn, and was quite an undertaking, as the place had been used for a gravel pit and required considerable filling. It was then fenced with granite posts and wooden rails. About fifty square rods were enclosed, which, by vote of the town, was deeded to the state of New Hampshire. The expense of the town for grading and fencing was $374.80. The foundation was put in by Col. Jqremiah Lane of this town. Those who were acquainted with Colonel Lane and his method of 441 442 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. doing substantial work will not be surprised to learn that it has never moved or caused the monument to settle out of place. The monument and base were furnished by Allen Treat of Portsmouth. The granite base and marble blocks composing the monument were moved from Portsmouth with oxen under the direction of Charles Hardy, and although this was done in dry weather ia September, the stones moved were so heavy that the wheels cut into the hard gravel road a number of inches. In 1876, the fence enclosing the lot was removed, and the state made an appropriation and erected an iron fence, making a small enclosure about the monurdent, so that visitors have no difficulty in coming near enough to read the inscriptions. On the front is the inscription: GOV. WEAEE. He was one of those good men Who dared to lovel their country and be poor. On the shaft above, within a shield, is inscribed the state seal. On the right side are the words — Erected 1853, By the State of New Hampshire to perpetuate the memory of her illustrious son, whose early efforts, sage counsels, and persevering labors contributed largely towards establishing his country's independence and shaping the future destiny of his native state. Over this is a laurel wreath and a shield, both in relief. On the left side was inscribed — HON. MESHECH WEAEE. Born in Hampton Falls Jan. 16, 1713; Graduated at Harvard College, 1735; Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives, 1752; Commissioner to Congress at Albany, 1754; Prest. of New Hampshire from 1776-1784; At the same time Councilor from Eockingham; Chairman of the Committee of Safety; Prest. of the Council, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In public service 45 years. Died Jan. 14, 1786. WEAEE MONUMENT. 443 On the back side was a laurel wreath, in relief, with shield, and the following — The following were the committee chosen by the state to erect this monunient: George H. Bodge, J. Everett Sargent, John H. Wiggins. The appropriation for the Weare monument was one of the first made by the state for anything of the kind. The monument was made from Italian marble. Granite would have been better, more appropriate and durable. Some who are more nice than wise have objected to the inscription. Governor Weare, which they claim should have been President Weare. Since the name of the ezecu- tive has been changed to governor, the title Governor Weare has come into common use, and every one knows who is meant when he is thus spoken of. In 1897 the Village Improvement Society, by the efforts of Sen- ator Chandler, secured and placed in position four thirty-two-pound guns from the United States navy. One of these guns does duty at each corner of the enclosure about the monument. WAENING OUT. By an act passed May, 1719, it was enacted, — "That if any person come to sojourn in any town in the province, and be there received and entertained by the space of three months, and not having been warned by the constable to leave the place, and the names of such persons, with the time of their abode there, and when such warning was given, returned to the quarter sessions, such person shall be reputed an inhabitant of such town, and the town be liable to maintain such person. It is also enacted that any person so warned out, and neglecting for fourteen days to remove, may by warrant from the next justice of the peace, be sent from constable to constable into' the town where he properly belongs, or had his last residence, at his own charge, if able to pay the same, or otherwise, at thel charge of the town sending him." In the early days the selectmen exercised a watchful care to pre- vent persons who came into the parish from becoming town charges. If a newcomer was warned out and notified to leave within a cer- tain time after coming into a town, in case they should become poor and require assistance, the town was not obliged to assist or sup- port them, but they must look for assistance in the place from whence they came. A great many notices are recorded upon our town books. Some of them appear to have been persons who were employed here temporarily. Any stranger who happened to be stopping here was liable to a notice of this kind if the powers in authority could not see any particular reason for their presence in the town. Sometimes people of means were warned out by over- zealous officials. We do not understand that the constable had any power to cause the persons notified to leave the town, but in case of need they were to receive no assistance. The following is taken from the invoice book of 1747: Oct. 27, 1747, There was a meeting of three of the selectmen, viz., Pifield, Weare, & Batchelder, upon a representation that a young lad named Francis Ireland was sent by the selectmen of Hampton to live with Tobias Lakeman in this Parish. The selectmen went to Mr. 444 WARNING OUT. 445 Lakeman and inquired into the affair, and found it as represented, whereupon they ordered said lad to return back to Hampton, old par- ish, and Mr. Lakeman not to entertain him any longer unless the selectnaen of said Hampton would give Bond to secure this Parish from any trouble or cost on account of said Ireland coming into it. Nov. 2^, The selectmen mett all except M^ Collins and the Selectmen of Hampton met with them and gave Bond to secure this Parish from all cost and trouble on account of the above mentioned Francis Ire- land coming to live in it, etc., which Bond is on file. Dec. 3d 1747. At a meeting of the Selectmen, Gave an order to the Constable to warn Mary Bragdon forthwith to Depart out of this Parish. The Constable the same Day made Return that he had so done. Oct. 29tt 1788. Gave a warrant to the constable to warn Charles Chase, Rachel his wife, John Leach, Betty his wife and child, Ensley Page, Molly his wife & two children, also Joseph Page & Molly his wife to Depart this Place. iSTotices of this kind are recorded nearly eyery year until about 1800, when by some change in the law, or something else in relation to pauper settlements, this practice came to an end. The poor were treated with great kindness and consideration. Ap. 15*11 1771. At a meeting of the Selectmen to sel to the Lowest Bidder, John Tredwell & Abigail Crosby, John Tredwell Bid off by Benj. Leavitt, to keep for one year from the 20* instant, as has been usual for him to be kept, and taken care of in years past for the sum of £3 7s. LawfuL Abigail Crosby Bid off by Nathan Kowe for 10 shillings lawful money. Pain Row agreed to take John Tredwell for the same that Benj^ Leavitt was to keep him for. Benjamin Leavitt agreed to take Abigail Crosby for the same that Nathan Row was to keep her for. 29 THE EASTEEN STAGE COMPANY. Fkom the earliest settlement of the country until the present time the road leading from Kewburyport to Portsmouth, passing Ihrough Hampton Falls, and known as the "country road," has been an important and much used thoroughfare. Many distinguished persons have passed over it. December 13, 1774, Paul Eevere made his historic ride, riding from Boston to Portsmouth to inform the committee of safety of the British order that no military stores should be exported to America. The reception of this news caused Maj. John Langdon and John Sullivan to secure and remove the stores in Fort William and Mary at Newcastle. The ammunition thus obtained did good service to the colonists at the battle of Bunker Hill. President Washington rode over this road in his carriage from -ISTewburyport to Portsmouth October 31, 1789. James Monroe, ^president of the United States, passed over this road on his north- "ern visit June, 1817. The Marquis Lafayette went over this rroad in passing from ISTewburyport to Portsmouth September 1, 1824. He did not pass over what is now known as the Lafayette road, or stop at the Lafayette house in North Hampton, as many have been led to suppose, as neither were in existence until after that time. Gen. Winfield Scott passed over this road in the spring of 1839, and paused for a time at the tavern in Hampton Falls. He was on his way to Maine to effect, if possible, some settlement of what was known as the "Aroostook war," which was a dispute over the boundary line between this country and New Brunswick, which was afterward adjusted by the treaty of 1842. Previous to 1761, when the first stage began to run, the United States mail was carried from Portsmouth to Boston on horseback, and later, when carried by stage, it took five days to make the round trip, owing to the poor condition of the roads. Probably the peo- ple living along the line did not then receive and read regularly the Boston morning papers. 446 THE EASTERN STAGE COMPANY. 447 The first stage ever ran in America, as it is supposed, began its regular trips from Portsmouth, passing over our country road, to Boston, April 20, 1761. It was a curricle and span of horses with roomj for three passengers. It made Ipswich the first day, and reached Charlestown ferry the second. It left on its return Thurs- day morning, and reached Portsmouth on Friday evening. The fare from Portsmouth to Boston was thirteen shillings, six pence, sterling, which was equivalent to three dollars in federal money. John Stavers was proprietor. The advent of the stage coach was considered a great event. The mail was carried by this stage. The driver was found to be carrying many letters privately, from which he received considerable revenue, at the expense of his em- ployer. To correct this the driver was taken into partnership. In the earliest days the stages came into Hampton Falls through the "old mill road," having forded the river below the mill, passing up to the Exeter road, and then down to Hampton Falls hill. At that time there was not much of a road between this town and Hampton, where the turnpike was afterward built. Stages con- tinued to run from Portsmouth to Boston, gradually increasing their business, until the Eastern Stage Company, a regularly organ- ized and incorporated company, acquired the business and con- ducted a systematic business of staging from Boston to Portland. We do not know when the Eastern Stage Company began to do business under that name, but it was probably by 1800 or before. It was a strong and vigorous corporation, and run a number of coaches daily each way, varying the number by the amount of busi- ness at different seasons of the year. There were two classes of coaches, the mail and accommodation. The mail stage ran express, and carried through passengers and such as could get on where the horses were changed and cause no delay. The fare from Ports- mouth to Boston by the mail stage was four dollars. The accom- modation stage took up and left passengers anywhere along the road. The fare by the accommodation was three dollars from Portsmouth to Boston. It was two dollars and a half from Hamp- ton Falls to Boston. The running time from Portsmouth to Newburyport was three hours ; from there to Boston five hours. The mail stage, by having less delay, was enabled to shorten the time somewhat. The New- buryport turnpike, which was an extension of State street in a straight line to Salem, was commenced in 1803, and completed in 1808. This was one of the most thoroughly built roads in the 448 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. country. Over this, when completed, the Eastern Stage Company did its business. The coaches stopped at Topsfield to allow the passengers to take dinner. There was considerable competition between this company and the one known as the "upper route" through Dover and Exeter. That was known as the Northern and Eastern Company. The Eastern Stage Company ran its coaches to Dover, passing through Greenland and Newington, over the Piscataqua' bridge. As an in- ducement to passengers to patronize the lower route, .they were given a dinner at Topsfield and warranted to be landed in Boston before the stage over the upper route arrived. In case thej' failed to do this the money paid for fare would be refunded. By their superior equipment and the better roads the Eastern Company was enabled to do this, and in this way secured a great deal of business which would appear to belong to the other and rival line. The competition thus begun continued long after the two lines of rail- road were built, to the great injury of both, and did not come to an end until the Boston & Maine and Eastern railroads were consoli- dated. Hampton Falls was the stage town where the horses were kept and the changes made. People came from other places to take the stage here, a great many coming from Exeter. Erom one hun- dred to one hundred and twenty-five horses were kept here at one time. Caleb Tilton had charge of the stables. The keeping of so many horses here was a great advantage to our farmers, as it made a good demand and a ready cash market for hay and grain at good prices. At first the stage house was kept by Capt. Joseph Wells, and later by his son Moses, in the house now occupied by Miss S. Abbie Gove. After the tavern house was built in 1808, that was the stage house. This house was kept for fifteen years after it was opened by Edward Langmaid, and afterward by a number of others till the stages ceased to run in 1840. The stage driver was an important personage in those days, and invested with a great deal of authority. He did errands and ex- press business, marketed butter, poultry, and other things sent by him, and appeared to be licensed to shower profanity upon those who got in his way, or in any way offended him. Every one was sup- posed to get out of the road and allow the stage to pass. This was not a privilege given them by law, but had from use become a cus- tom. Those who did not do this received a salutation from the THE EASTEKN STAGE COMPANY. 449 driver which was more forcible than elegant. The driver would then rein his team as near to the offending individual as possible, to give him the benefit of the long stage whiffle-trees, which would not lightly brush against the private team. The stage company was never very friendly to the Hampton Turnpike Company. They ran their stages over the shun pike for a short time until they obtained some concessions in the rates of toll. It was the stage company that was the instigator and power which caused the roads across Hampton and Hampton Falls to be laid out by the court against the wishes and protests of the inhabitants of those towns, and which required a great effort to have discon- tinued, which was only done when the towns bought the turnpike and made it a free road. When the Eastern Kailroad was completed to Salem the stage company delivered theii* passengers there instead of in Boston, and the same thing happened when the road was completed to ISTewbury- port and Portsmouth. When their occupation as stage drivers ceased, many of them became conductors upon the steam roads. Most of the early conductors had at some time been stage drivers. There is not now known to be any person living who was employed in any official capacity or whose name appeared upon the Eastern Stage Company's pay-roll. Enoch Tilton of Newburyport was the last representative of the company known. He was a driver and died in 1897, aged ninety-three years. Moses Colman, now living at Boston at the age of eighty years, was the son of Col. Moses Col- man of Newburyport, who was the agent of the company. He did some work for his father for the company, but his name does not appear upon the list of employees. No one else is known to be liv- ing at the present time who had any connection with the company. The Eastern Stage Company was financially successful. Its stock sold for quite a premium, and it paid large dividends. The stockholders were visited and paid their dividends and signed the books at their liomes. Moses Colman told the writer that he, when a boy, had taken the books and three thousand dollars in money in the chaise box and driven to Newburyport, Portsmouth, Exeter, and other places where the stockholders lived and paid them their dividends. This would be a very dangerous thing to attempt to do at the present time. In stage times our little village was said to have presented a very lively appearance. The frequent coming of the coaches, the arrival of passengers desiring to take passage, the departure of those landed 450 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. here for their destination, made a great deal of business. Those who witnessed these things have nearly all passed away, and what was done here at that time is little realized by those of the present day. Six sleek, well-fed horses, neatly groomed, with harness on, stood on the road to take the place of a like number which would bring in the coach, and it was but the work of a moment to change the tired horses for the fresh team, when the coach with little delay was on its way again. The hay scales, with a roof over them, stood not far from the stable. The loads of hay were pried up and suspended, and weighed upon a beam much like the one used in steelyards. Inside the house, in addition to food served in the dining-room, was the bar, where hot and other drinks were freely served, which made it an attractive place to many, and added not a little to the profits of the landlord. This would at the present time be regarded as an iniquitous practice, but it was at that time considered as a legitimate and respectable business. There is no record of prop- erty accumulated by the sale of liquor ever being returned to those from whom it was taken, although the possessors express a great deal of holy horror as to money got in that way. Yet they do not allow their tenacious grip u.pon the illgotten gains to slip, thus "straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel." EMIGEANTS FEOM HAMPTON FALLS. A LIST of some of those who have emigrated from Hampton Falls follows: Jedediah Brown and Jonathan settled in Kaymond about 1760, as did some of the sons of Abraham Brown about the same time. John, Ebenezer, and Benjamin Cram settled in Raymond soon after 1760. Samuel Healey removed to Eaymond in 1743, and was one of the first settlers. Eichard iloulton, who married Hannah Thresher, moved to Ray- mond about 1771. Stephen Prescott was born in 1740, married Elizabeth Healey, and settled in Eaymond, where he died i-n 1828, aged eighty-seven years. Ebenezer Prescott, his brother, settled in Eaymond, where he died in 1800. Daniel Eobie was born in 1735, settled in Eaymond in 1760, and! died in 1795. Jonathan Swain was born in 1726, and settled in Eaymond, where his first child was born in 1750. David, John, Josiah, and Jonathan Batchelder settled in Ray- mond from 1760 to 1770. Henry Thresher and his family moved to Eaymond about 1775. Eeuben Tilton removed to Eaymond about 1771, and died i-n 1826. Daniel Pervear, from Hampton Falls, was an early settler in Eay- mond. Nathaniel Batchelder was bom in 1690, and settled in Kingston, where he died in 1724. John Batchelder, son of Nathaniel, was born in 1692, and settled in Kingston. Jethro Batchelder, son of Nathaniel, was born in 1698, and lived in Exeter, where he died in 1758. 451 452 HISTOKY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Nathan Batchelder was born in 1700, settled in East Kingston, and died in 1755. Phineas Batchelder was born in 1701, and settled in East King- ston. Ebenezer Batchelder was born in 1710, settled in East Kingston, and died in 1784. All the above Batchelders were brothers, sons of Nathaniel, who was born in 1659 and died in 1745. Reuben Batchelder, son of Dea. Josiah, was born in 1733, set- tled in Hawke (now Danville), and died in 1777. Benjamin Brown, son of Benjamin, was born in 1683, settled i-n South Hampton, and died in 1766. He married Sarah Gove, daughter of Ebenezer. Stephen Brown, son of Benjamin, was born in 1693, married Martha Heath, settled in Kingston, and died in 1733. Josiah Brown, son of Nathan, was born in 1765, married Sarah Clark, lived in Stratham, and died in 1833. Jonathan Leavitt was bom in 1756, and settled in Eastport, Me. Eeuben Leavitt married Euth Norris, and settled in Pittsfield. Brackett Leavitt married Mitty Prescott, and settled in Pittsfield. These were sons of Benjamin. Leavitt. Jacob Basford removed to Chester about 1730. Benjamin Prescott, son of John, was bom in 1708, married a daughter of Ichabod Eobie, settled in Kingston, and died in 1789. James Prescott, brother of Benjamin, was bom in 1711, married Sarah Butler, settled in Kingston, and died in 1754. Nathaniel Prescott, son of John, was bom in 1715, married Sarah Tuck, and lived in Brentwood. Abraham Prescott, son of John, was bom in 1717, married Sarah Clifford, lived in Kingston, and died in 1789. Jedediah Prescott, son of John, was bom in 1719, married Han- nah Batchelder, and lived in Monmouth, Me. Eichard Fifield removed to Piermont i-n 1819 with his family. John Cram, son of Thomas Cram and Elizabeth "Weare, was born in 1686, removed to Lyndeborough in 1737, and was the first set- tler in that town. The family of Cornet Jonathan Lane, after his decease, removed to Piermont in 1819. Benjamin Prescott, son of Benjamin, appears to have removed to Eaymond about 1764, when he sold his farm to Nathan Brown. EMIGRANTS FROM HAMPTON FALLS. 453 Page and Benjamin Batehelder, sons of Benjamin Batchelder of Hampton Falls, settled in Chester. Cornet David Shaw, son of Hilliard Shaw, lived in Chester, where he died in 1835. Joseph Cilley, son of Thomas Sillia and Ann Stanyan, was bom October 4, 1691, moved to Nottingham, and was the grandfather of Gen. Joseph Cilley of the Eevolutionaxy War. LIST OF BATES, 1747. School rate. Minister. £ s. d. & s. d. Jonathan Brown 7 8 19 2 Lieut. Joseph Batchelder 1 11 4 3 18 4 John Batchelder 8 4 1 10 Jonathan Batchelder 10 1 5 Abraham Brown 1 10 3 15 Daniel Brown 15 3 1 17 6 Dea, Josiah Batchelder 2 19 3 7 7 6 Caleb Bennett 13 1 12 6 Samuel Blake 1 4 4 3 10 Joshua Blake 1 11 3 17 6 Israel Blake 14 3 Nathaniel Bussell 6 6 15 10 Theophilus Batchelder 17 4 2 3 4 John Brown 5 10 14 2 Thomas Boyd 5 12 6 Enoch Barker 6 8 16 8 Jeremiah Bennett 7 6 18 4 Jacob Brown 1 13 2 4 2 6 Jeremiah Brown 1 5 3 2 6 Thomas Brown 1 13 4 4 3 4 Ebenezer Blake 4 10 11 8 Ealph Butler 18 2 5 Benjamin Butler 7 2 17 6 ''John Brown, Quaker 1 18 10 Lieut. Edmon Brown 12 6 1 10 10 Israel Clifford 10 4 1 5 10 Abram Clifford 5 12 6 John Clifford 9 6 13 4 Benjamin Cram 10 2 10 Jonathan Cram 2 1 10 5 4 3 Widow Sarah Cram 2 4 5 10 Peter Clifford 11 10 1 9 2 John Cooper 5 6 13 4 Daniel Cram 5 6 13 4 t- Amos Cass 8 2 "^Joseph Cass 6 6 454 Province. & s. d. 7 1 1 9 4 7 9 9 4 1 8 1 14 3 2 15 5 21 1 1 2 9 1 9 1 3 6 6 16 3 5 5 4 7 6 3 7 1 11 1 3 4 1 11 3 4 6 16 10 6 8 1 16 5 9 7 4 7 8 11 18 9 1 19 3 2 1 11 5 2 5 2 7 8 6 Minister. Province. £ s. d. £ s. d. 5 1 10 5 1 10 13 3 10 1 6 3 15 10 5 10 1 3 4 8 9 3 13 6 1 7 1 LIST OF RATES, 1747. 455 School rate. £ s. d. Nason Cass 3 John Chase 3 Daniel Chase alias Green 13 10 Capt. Thomas Cram 18 Ezekiel Carr 6 4 Stephen Cram 9 4 Jonathan Chase 1 9 >-Hezekiah Carr 11 8 "-Tristram Collins 16 ^ Benjamin Collins 10 4 t Samuel Collins 13 4 - Winthrop Dow 14 4 13 4 -Gideon Dow 5 8 5 3 - Jeremiah Dow 9 8 4 'Benjamin Dow 16 6 15 5 "Abram Dow 16 10 15 7 "^ildad Dow 7 10 ^ Judah Dow 8 4 "Noah Dow 8 4 '^lihu Dow 15 6 John Eaton 16 8 John Eaton, Jr 9 4 Wiman Eaton 5 3 Thomas Eaton 6 3 Ephraim Eaton 1 Samuel Eaton 15 3 Benjamin Eaton 7 3 Lieut. Jabez Eaton 10 6 John Flood, Jr 5 3 t^homas Fuller 1 3 John Flood 1 4 Widow Sarah French 2 Dea. Jonathan Fifield 1 17 10 Simon Fogg... 16 6 (--Samuel Fowler 10 10 Widow Anne French 19 Dr. Daniel Felch 15 10 Daniel Felch, Jr 5 4 David Fowler 6 4 Jacob Green 1 3 10 Jonathan Green 11 8 Widow Jane Garland 7 8 Lieut. Bradbury Green 19 4 John George 6 3 (-Jeremiah Gove 17 3 John Green 8 3 3 1 8 1 3 4 13 6 15 3 10 1 17 6 17 6 2 10 10 13 6 4 9 1 7 3 4 1 3 5 1 10 4 14 2 1 15 5 2 10 15 5 2 7 •6 2 19 3 13 4 5 15 10 2 19 3 1 2 3 1 9 3 10 10 19 3 7 1 2 8 4 18 1 15 5 9 16 1 7 8 456 HISTOET OF HAMPTON FALLS. School rate. £ s. d. Edward Gove, Jr 7 6 ' Jonathan Gove 3 15 4 ' Jonathan Gove for Weare's place 1 8 10 t John Gove 3 3 • Benjamin Green 1 16 6 Enoch Gove 12 8 Nathaniel Gove 11 8 Nathan Green 5 10 ^Edward Gove 16 Capt. Nathaniel Healey 1 13 8 • Jonathan Hoag 7 4 - Nathan Hoag 16 2 Benjamin Hilliard 14 8 Job Haskell 12 2 -^Jonathan Hardy 19 'Jonathan Hoag, 3d 9 6 •Moses Hoag 12 8 Jonathan Hilliard 1 2 James Hall 5 4 •■ Thomas Hunt 5 6 Widovy Mary Hilliard 14 4 — Ephraim Hoyt 1 1 Thomas Hooper 6 2 Jonathan Hoyt 6 6 "Jonathan Hoag, blacksmith 6 8 •^-Stephen Hoag 9 Ebenezer Knowlton 5 4 Ebenezer Knowlton, Jr 8 8 Samuel Lane 1 14 8 Thomas Leavitt 1 8 2 Tobias Lakeman 9 8 Amos Leavitt 15 2 William Lang 6 4 Benjamin Moulton 1 4 Richard Moulton 9 James Moulton 1 3 4 Samuel Melcher 1 11 8 Benjamin Moulton, Jr 11 8 Mathew Morton 18 4 John Morton 3 4- Mr. Jonathan Nason 1 15 1 i-^ Benjamin Nichols '. 13 8 David Norton 10 6 Joseph Prescutt 12 8 Benjamin Prescutt 1 5 Jonathan Prescutt 1 19 2 Mi inist er. Province. £ s. d. £ s. d. 18 4 7 3 10 7 1 7 2 19 1 14 2 2 16 8 1 1 3 1 9 2 10 10 14 S 5 5 15 4 4 2 1 11 6 6 10 15 2 3 1 8 1 3 1 1 10 11 5 17 9 8 11 11 10 2 15 1 7 13 4 5 5 2 1 15 10 13 4 19 7 15 5 2 15 10 6 3 8 4 13 4 5 1 1 8 8 1 4 6 8 1 12 6 3 10 1 6 5 1 4 2 9 1 17 6 14 2 15 10 5 10 3 .0 1 2 6 3 10 1 6 5 2 18 4 1 1 10 3 19 3 1 9 7 1 9 2 10 10 2 5 10 17 1 8 4 3 1 4 7 6 1 12 10 12 9 1 5 10 1 11 8 11 10 3 2 6 1 3 4 2 7 6 17 11 LIST OP KATES, 1747. 457 School rate. £ s. d. James Prescutt 1 7 8 Ebenezer Prescutt 1 4 10 John Prescutt 13 10 Elisha Prescutt 1 5 1 Capt. Samuel Prescutt 1 16 8 Samuel Prescutt, Jr 7 4 Joseph Pervear 6 3 Capt. Benjamin Perkins 15 10 Ens. Joseph Perkins 14 6 Jonathan Perkins 9 Philip Pervear 6 4 .-George Purington 4 8 John Philbrick 10 6 Daniel Perkins 13 6 Jonathan Philbrick 15 10 -^Joshua Purington 15 6 Jeremiah Pearson 10 6 Nathan Pearson 18 4 Abner Philbrick 18 2 Widow Judith Quimby 6 6 Eobert Row 1 16 Col. Ichabod Eobie 1 1 6 Henry Eobie 16 10 "Joseph Eussell 5 4 Ephraim Eow 5 6 - William Eussell 8 2 Thomas Eoberts 4 8 Lieut. Joseph Sanborn 2 4 2 Edward Sargent 5 10 Jabez Sanborn 1 2 6 Eeuben Sanborn 1 5 9 Eeuben Sanborn, Jr 7 2 Nathan Sanborn 11 Benjamin Sanborn 1 1 8 John Swain 1 9 8 John Swain, Jr 6 6 William Swain 6 Caleb Swain 18 Elias Swain 10 4 Moses Sanborn 13 2 -^ohn Stanyan 15 Widow Mary Shaw 15 ■-Daniel Swett 8 Jacob Stanyan 1 2 Jonathan Swett 1 13 Jedediah Sleeper 9 John Sanborn 8 Charles Steward 14 Jonathan Steward 10 Wade Stiekney 6 >-iMoses Stiekney 11 Jacob Smith 1 9 Israel Shepherd 7 Eichard Smith 1 10 Thomas Silly of Byfield 12 Samuel Silly 5 Joseph Shepherd 11 John Tilton 11 Jonathan Tilton 2 Samuel Tilton 15 Nathan Tilton 1 8 David Tilton 5 Capt. Jethro Tilton 1 14 Benjamin Tilton 4 Isaac Tobey 11 Ebenezer Tucker 8 Charles Tredwell 4 —Henry Thresher 6 Benjamin Thresher 7 John True 17 Joseph Tucker 5 Nathaniel Weare, Esq 2 9 Walter Williams 5 Charles Walker 5 Andrew Webster 2 17 Meshech Weare 3 3 Jonathan Weare 11 Daniel Weare 13 Joseph Worth 1 6 John Worth 12 Samuel Walton 9 Jonathan Walton 4 rate. Minister. Province. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 10 3 9 6 18 4 7 8 11 8 4 4 6 13 4 5 2 14 10 1 19 2 14 9 8 8 1 8 2 16 8 1 1 3 4 2 6 1 10 10 8 1 4 2 9 8 1 1 8 8 1 4 1 15 10 13 4 4 1 5 10 9 7 4 15 10 5 10 6 10 9 3 12 6 S 17 6 3 15 4 1 10 10 8 14 2 4 1 8 4 1 7 6 10 3 11 5 1 8 1 18 4 8 1 19 2 14 7 4 3 10 10 1 6 6 8 14 2 5 3 8 4 6 8 1 13 6 8 11 8 4 4 10 1 9 2 11 1 7 6 8 11 8 4 4 10 6 5 8 19 2 7 1 8 2 4 2 6 13 4 6 6 3 4 3 6 5 4 13 4 5 8 14 2 5 3 7 2 6 2 13 4 6 7 18 4 2 19 6 8 1 9 2 10 10 4 1 13 4 12 6 10 3 6 8 1 5 2 1 10 11 3 2 1 2 6 11 LIST OF RATES, 1747. 459 This is the earliest list of tax-payers we haTe been able to find upon any invoice book now in possession of the town. The book containing this list is the selectmen's book of accounts and begins in 1742. The rate list is not given until 1747, but is given each year after until 1753, when the book closes. There is a list of tax- payers from . 1747 until the present time, with the exception of the invoice book from 1773 until 1787, which is missi-ng. Many of the names on the list of 1747 lived in what is now Seabrook. Those in this list who have no amount set against their names in the minister's rate were Quakers, who had been for some years exempt from ministerial rates, and most of whom lived within the limits of the present town of Seabrook. LIST OF EATES, 1768, 1787, AND 1800. The following is a list of the province rates given to Benjamin Tilton, constable, to be collected in 1768: £ s. d. f. John Batchelder 6 2 1 John Batchelder, Jr 1 7 2 Timothy Brown 2 4 2 Daniel Brown 5 3 Abraham Brown 4 6 3 Jonathan Brown 3 9 3 Nathan Brown 9 3 Abraham Brown, Jr 5 7 2 Henry Blake 6 8 1 Ens. Jeremiah Blake 7 3 3 Jonathan Burnham 12 9 David Batchelder 17 1 2 William Blaisdell 3 4 2 John Brown 4 6 Joshua Blake 1 3 Francis Burnham 1 3 Richard Brown 3 8 1 Ralph Butler 4 9 Philip Burns 15 1 Jonathan Cram 8 2 1 Nehemiah Cram 13 8 1 John Clifford 3 3 Stephen Cram 5 12 Nathan Cram 9 Dr. Joshua Chase 7 3 Jedediah Cram 16 William Davison 7 John Davis 1 9 Noah Dow 2 6 Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge 8 6 Jonathan Fifleld, Esq 16 3 John Flood 1 g 3 Nathaniel Fairfield 2 3 Jacob Green 8 3 3 460 LIST OF RATES, 1768, 1787, AND 1800. 461 £ Isaac Green Eaton Green Elijah Green Jacob Green, Jr Nathan Gove John Gove Ens. Nathan Green Lieut. Stephen Healey Capt. Nathaniel Healey Benjamin Hilliard Zebulon Hilliard Simeon Hilliard Jonathan Hoag Hussey Hoag- Daniel Hoyt Gamaliel Knowles John Kenny Jeremiah Lane Amos Leavitt Samuel Lane Samuel Lane, Jr Isaiah Lane William Lang John Lucy Stephen Lang Capt. Benjamin Moulton Samuel Melcher Samuel Melcher, Jr Richard Moulton Eedmon Moulton Ebenezer Maloon Robert Miller Richard Mace Francis Marshall Richard Nason, Esq David Norton Moses Norton James Prescutt William Prescutt Lieut. Samuel Prescutt Samuel; Prescutt Elisha Prescutt James Prescutt, Jr Joseph Pervear William Page David Perkins Joseph Rollins 30 s. d. f. 4 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 9 4 3 13 4 3 1 8 1 1 3 5 1 3 4 6 3 3 5 1 1 3 1 3 4 3 3 1 7 2 10 1 7 3 6 10 3 5 5 1 8 5 1 1 7 2 1 9 3 16 3 9 6 3 5 10 6 1 10 2 10 4 3 6 1 4 2 3 13 9 4 7 3 1 3 6 6 13 3 1 10 7 2 6 8 1 7 4 10 3 4 5 1 1 6 5 6 4 5 ] 4^2 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. £ Ens. Pain Eowe Samuel Ring Nathan Eowe Samuel Eobie Lieut. Joseph Sanborn Thomas Sillea Benjamin Sanborn Jonathan Stanyan Capt. Caleb Sanborn Moses Sanborn Henry Sanborn William Swain Jedediah Stanyan John Swain Billiard Shaw Samuel Shaw Jedediah Sleeper Malachy Shaw Enoch Sanborn 1 Caleb Swain Joseph Sanborn, Jr Jacob Satterly Dudley Sanborn Jonathan Steward -Abner Sanborn, Jr Abraham Sanborn Moses Swett -Ebenezer Tucker Joseph Tucker Ebenezer Tucker, Jr Ens. John Tilton Widow Elizabeth Tobey Capt. Jonathan Tilton Caleb Tilton Nathan Tilton Nathan Tilton, Jr David Tilton Samuel Tilton Benjamin Tilton Eeuben Tilton Jonathan Tilton, Jr James Vamey Meshech Weare 1 Meleher Ward Samuel Weare Dea. Joseph Worth Obediah and Timothy Worth 12 s. d. f. 7 3 6 3 4 9 1 3 5 6 1 8 1 6 3 3 3 6 15 3 6 6 3 1 3 2 3 3 2 11 1 5 9 6 7 2 1 6 3 1 8 1 6 1 11 1 3 11 1 3 5 1 2 10 9 5 3 3 6 3 11 9 4 5 1 1 3 2 9 4 2 1 4 2 3 5 1 2 3 11 2 1 5 9 3 14 6 3 1 7 2 1 5 1 3 9 10 3 3 3 1 3 5 11 1 1 3 3 5 7 2 3 7 2 LIST OF RATES, 1768, 1787, AND 1800. 463 £ s. d. f. Josiah. White 1 4 3 Capt. Walter Williams 3 6 3 Issacliar Wiggin 1 3 The list of rates for 1768 M'as the first one made after the separa- tion of this town from Seabrook, and contains the names of those living within the limits of the present town. There were a num- ber of men living in this town at this time whose names do not appear on this list, as they had polled into Seabrook, where they exercised' the right of citizenship until after 1791. 464 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. LIST OF BATES FOB 1787. (0_a) o 6 ■f"^ o flx; '.:\ 3 ^ PhO 1 a ^ fc3S OJ CO -JJ t2; rJ=l 1— ( ^ O nj CO Ephraim Abbott Dea. David Batchelder Elisha Batchelder Ens. Jeremiah Blake Quar.-Mast'r Henry Blake .. . Lieut. Enoch Blake Dearborn Blake Christopher Blake William Blaisdell Leonard Blaisdell Robert Bragg Abraham Brown Nathan Brown Cornet Nathan Brown Ebenezer Brown Widow Mary Brown John Brown Caleb Brown Jeremiah Brown Col. Jonathan Burnham Thomas Chase Stephen Cram Nehemiah Cram Col. Jonathan Cram Jonathan Cram, Jr Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge Lieut. Nathaniel Dodge Judah Dow Zebulon Dow Lieut. George Fifield John Gove Isaac Green Eaton Green Jonathan Green Nathaniel Healey Levi Healey Lieut. Zebulon Hilliard Benjamin Hilliard Timothy Hilliard Stephen Hilliard Hussey Hoag James Janvrin Gamaliel Knowles Moses Knowles John Knowles Nathan Knowles Dea. Jeremiah Lane Isaiah Lane Samuel Lane Jonathan Lane Asa Lane Amos Leavitt Daniel Leavitt Francis Marshall Gideon Marshall Eobert Marshall Richard Mace Joseph Mace 6- 8 4-10- 8 12- 9 1-19- 1-19- 1- 0- 8 8- 9 e- 8 12- 9 6- 8 7- 5 19- 4 3-13- 7 1- 9- 2 8- 9 2- 1-11- 8 1- 6-10 9- 3 2- 4- 18- 3 3- 9- 4 1- 3- 3 10- 11-11 13- 4 6- 8 3-18- 3 19-10 1-19- 3 1- 1- 2 8- 9 1- 2-10 2-8-2 2-0-4 6- 8 10- 2 6- 8 19- 3 1- 0- 2 6- 8 10- 9 6- 8 2-1.5- 6 4^ 1 2- 3-11 13- 4 6- 8 9- 8 1-12- 3 8-11 8- 3 12- 9 14^ 9 6- 8 5- 1 3- 6- 8 9- 7 1- 9- 3 1- 9- 3 15- 7 6- 6 5- 1 9- 7 5- 1 5- 6 1- 9- C 2-15- 3 1- 8-11 6- 6 1- 6 1- 3-10 1- 0- 1 5- 1 1-18-11 5- 1 1-13- 8- 8 2-12- 14- 5 4- 2- 6 B-11 10- 5- 1 2-18- 8 14-11 1- 9- 5 15-10 6- 6 17- 2 1-16- 2 1-10- 5 5- 1 7- 7 5- 1 5- 1 14- 4 15- 2 0- 1 8- 1 5- 1 2- 1- 8 18- 8 1-12- 9 9-10 0- 1 9- 3 ■ 4- 3 6- 8 6- 2 9- 7 11- 2 5- 1 2- 3 -9-7 4- 3 13- 13- 6-11 2-11 2- 3 4- 3 2- 3 2- 6 13- 2 -4-6 9- 9 2-11 0- 8 10- 9- 2- 3 16- 4 2- 3 14- 8 12- 9 - 3- 1 7- 9 -16- 8 4^ 4- 6 2- 3 1-6-0 6- 7 13- 4 6-11 2-11 7- 8 ]6- 1 13- 6 2- 3 3- 4 2- 3 2- 3 6- 4 6- 9 2- 3 3- 7 2- 3 10- 6 8- 4 14- 7 ir- 4 2- 3 3- 2 10- 9 2-11 2- 9 4- 3 4r-ll 2- 3 0-11 12- 4 1-10 5- 4 5- 4 2-10 1- 3 11 1-10 0-11 1- 1 5- 5 10- 2 4- 1- 3 0- 3 4- 4 3- 9 0-11 6-10 0-11 6- 1 5- 3 9- 7 3- 2 15- 3 1- 8 1-11 0-11 10-10 2- 9 5- 5 3- 1- 3 3- 2 6- 8 5- 7 0-11 1- 5 0-11 0-11 2- 8 2-10 0-11 1- 6 0-11 7- 9 3- 6 6- 1 1-10 0-11 1- 4 4- 6 1- 3 1- 2 1-10 2- 2 0-11 5- 3 3- 8- 6 n-11 1-10- 1 1-10- 1 0-16- .5- 3 9-11 5- 3 5- 9 1-10- 3 2-16- 1- 2- 6 6- 9 1- 7 4- 6 0- 5- 1-18- 9 3 3 1-13-11 1- 9- 6 2-1.3- 9 18- 4- 6- 6 9- 3 10- 4 5- 3 3- 0- 4 15- 4 1-10- 3 16- 4 6- 9 17- 8 1-17- 1-11- 5- 0- 15- 15- 9 3 9 3 3 2 7 5- 3 8-4 0- 3 • 2-10 19- 7 1-13-10 10- 3 5- 3 7- 3 - 4-11 6-11 6-4 9- 7 11- 6 5- 3 2- 5 1-11-11 4r- 7 14- 14- 7- 5 3- 2 2- 5 ""2-'5 2- 8 14r- 1 1-6-5 10- 5 3- 1 0- 9 4^4 9- 8 2- 5 17- 8 15^9 13- 9 1- 4^10 8-3 1-19- 6 4- 3 14- 1 7- 6 3- 1 8- 2 17- 4 14- 6 2- 5 3- 7 2- 5 6-10 7- 3 2- 5 3- 4 2-5 19-11 9- 15- 9 1-8 2- 5 3- 5 11- 7 3- 2 2-11 4- 7 5-4 2- 5 LIST OP RATES, 1768, 1787, AND 1800. LIST OF RATES FOR 1787.— Continued. 465 S 11 9 '3 ° " » a.Q E ^ S = Sa:> . TS a a .Q i §i i5 •s^ (B CO 3- 6 19- 1 3- 7 19-11 5- 5 1- 9-11 1- 2 6- 3 7- 1-18-10 8- 5 2- 8- 3 5- 9 1-11-10 6- 1 1-8-9 2-5 13- 6 6- 8- 3 2- 1 11- 5 5- 7 1-11- 2 2-4 12- 9 1- 2 6- 7 8- 3 2-5-9 4-10 1- 7- 4 7- 3 2-0-3 fi-11 1-18- 3 1- 3 6- 9 1- 4 7- 3 O-U 5-3 2- 3 12- 3- 7 1-0-2 1-8 9- 4 3- 8 1-0-7 S-11 2-10-12 6- 4 1-15- 5 1-10 10- 1 1-10 10- 1 2-10 15- 7 1- 6 8- 6 0-11 5- 3 1- 3 7- 1- 3 7- 3- 16- 3 1- 8 9-4 1- 2 6- 3 3- 9 11- 5- 7 1-11- 4- 6 1- 5- 5- 4 1-10- 3-10 1- 1- 3 2- 8 14- 8 3- 6 1- 0-11 3- 5 19- 6 5- 4 1-10- 5 2-11 l(i-3 1- 3 7- 2 1-2 6- 3 5- 5 1-10- 7 1- 2 6- 3 9- 1 2-10- 5 0-11 5- 3 2-4 13- 3 2- 4 13- 3 8-5 2-6-8 12-10 3-11- 1 10- 3 2-16-11 Samuel Melcher Samuel Melcber, Jr Aaron Merrill Robert Miller Ens. Redman Moulton . . , Thomas Moulton Richard Nason, Esq David Nason Richard Nason, Jr David Norton Moses Norton David Perkins Joseph Pervear Josiah Pervear Maj. Benjamin Pike Samuel Prescott Capt. James Prescott James Prescott James Prescott, Jr Simeon Prescott John Eawling.s Lieut. Joseph Raymond . Henry Robie Nathan Robie Ens. Paine Row Caleb Sanborn, Esq Dea. Abner Sanborn Benjamin Sanborn Ens. Theophilus Sanborn Meshech Sanborn Benjamin Sanborn, Jr James Sanborn John Sanborn Benjamin Shavr Benjamin Shaw, Jr Jonathan Steward Levi Stickney Stephen Swain Capt. Jonathan Tilton. . . Col. Caleb Tilton Peter Tilton, Esq Nathan Tilton Nathan Tilton, Jr Capt. Stephen Tilton Samuel Tilton Benjamin Tilton Michael Tilton Jabez True Joshua Vickery John Wadleigh Melcher Ward Samuel Weare, Esq Lieut. Nathan Weare Thomas Wibird Weare . . Redford Weare Timothy Worth Capt. Joseph Wells Col. Aaron Wells - 4- - 6- -18- 10- 0- 2- 1- ■17- 17- 10- 14^ 9 2- 0- 5 16-10 8- 1 2-19- 5 1-15- 5 2-12- 2 2- 9- 8 8- 9 9- 5 6- 8 1.5- 5 5- 7 12- 3 1- 6- 8 3-4-0 2- 4^ 9 13- 1 14- 8 1- 0- 2 11- 1 6- 8 9- 1 8- 6 1- 1- 1 12- 2 8- 1 1- 7- 2 2- 0- 3 1-12- 5 1-18-10 1- T 19 1- 5 1-5 ■ 1-19- 1- 1- 9 8- 1-19- 8 8- 1 3- 5- 3 6- 8 17- 3 17- 2 3-0-6 4^12- 2 3-13-11 18- 7 19- 4 1- 9- 2 6- 1 1-17-10 2- 5- 4 1-11- 6 1- 8- 13- 2 8- 1 11- 2 1-10- 4 12- 8 6- 1 2- 4U 6 1- 6- 9 1-19- 2 1-17- 4 6- 6 7- 1 5- 1 11- 7 19- 3 9- 1 ■ 0- 2- 8- 1-14- 4 9-10 2- 1 15- 2 8- 4 5- 1 6- 9 6- 3 15-10 9- 1 6- 1 1-0-5 1-10- 2 1-4-4 1- 9- 2 1- 0- 8 14^ 3 19- 3 18-11 1- 9- 3 1.5- 9 6-11 6- 1 1- 9- 9 6- 1 2-9-0 5- 1 12-11 12-11 2-5-4 3- 9- 2 2-15- 5 8- 7 12-11 2- 8 16- 9 I- 0- 1 13- 9 12- 5 5-10 3- 7 4^11 13- 6 5- 7 2- 8 19- 9 11-10 17- 5 16- 7 2-11 3- 2 2- 3 5- 2 8- 7 4r- 8-11 1- 1- 4 15- 3 4r- 4 4r- 4 6- 9 3- 8 2- 3 3- 2-10 7- 4- 1 2- 8 9- 1 13- 6 10- 9 12-11 9- 2 6- 4 8- 6 8- 4 13- 7- 3- 1 2- 8 13- 3 2- 8 1- 1- 9 2- 3 5- 9 5- 9 1-0-2 1-10- 8 1-4-7 8-11 9- 3 10-11 18- 1 1- 1- 9 2-10 5- 4 6- 2-11 1- 1- 3 12- 8 18- 9 17-10 3- 2 3- 5 2- 5 5- 7 9- 2 4r- 4 9- 7 1- 3- 16- 5 4- 9 4- 9 7- 3 4r- 2- 5 3- 3 3- 1 7- 6 4- 4 2- 4 9- 9 11- 6 11- 7 13-11 9-11 6-10 9- 2 9- 1 14^ 7- 6 3- 4 2-11 14- 3 2- 4 1- 3- 5 2- 5 6- 2 6- 2 1- 1- 8 1-18- 1 1- 6- 6 466 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. LIST OF RATES FOR 1800. S Dea. David Batchelder Reuben Batchelder William Brown Abraham Brown Joseph Brown ; Noah Brown John Brown Zephaniah Brown Cornet Nathan Brown Nathan Brown, Jr. ; Samuel Brown Levi Blake Henry Blake Dearborn Blake Ens. Jeremiah Blake Benjamin Brown Jacob Brown Jacob Brown, Jr Lieut. Jonathan Cram Col. Jonathan Cram Stephen Caldwell Stephen Caldwell, Jr Bernsley Caldwell Daniel Caldwell Benjamin Cinclair Daniel Chase Dayid Chase Jacob Cilley Thomas Chase Thomas Chase, Jr Elisha Chase Christopher T. Chase Amos Cilley Maj. Joseph Dow Capt. Nathaniel Dodge Billy Dodge Dudley Dodge Nathaniel H. Dodge Stephen Dodge John Dodge Jonathan Davis Lieut. George Fiiield Jonathan Fifield Richard Fifield John Falls Eaton Green Isaac Green Jacob Green Henry George "Widow Jane Green Benjamin Green Benjamin Green for Green estate Capt. Levi Healey Nathaniel Healey Hussey Hoag Bradbury Hardy Jonathan Hardy Moses Knowles Gamaliel Knowles .01 .27 .70 .86 .43 .22 .13 .98 .05 .28 .05 .22 .09 .51 .71 .35 .06 .40 .55 .31 .43 .22 .22 .22 .22 .42 .45 .22 .30 ,29 .26 .51 .03 .10 .13 .81 .75 .39 .62 .70 .22 .81 .22 .57 .46 .94 .34 32 22 44 02 27 .76 .79 22 19 22 22 30 .07 .49 .25 .12 .06 .32 .57 .59 .08 .30 .06 .30 .15 .50 .10 .59 .11 .74 .96 .12 .06 .06 .06 .06 .41 .13 .06 .09 .15 .01 .61 .33 .24 .21 .40 .18 .49 .07 .81 .06 .16 .13 .27 .39 .09 .06 .13 .30 .08 .50 .52 .06 .34 .06 .06 $6.89 .60 3.89 1.97 .99 .48 2.57 4.52 4.69 .63 2.39 2.50 1.16 3.91 .80 4.69 .91 5.83 7.53 .97 .48 .48 .48 .48 3.22 1.03 .48 .70 .66 .58 1.15 .07 4.76 2.59 1.86 1.70 3.18 1.40 3.88 .52 6.40 .48 1.29 1.03 2.17 3.06 .73 .48 .98 2.35 .60 3.98 4.07 .48 2.72 .48 .48 .69 $4.14 .36 2.33 1.19 .59 .30 1.55 2.71 2.81 .33 1.44 .30 1.51 .69 2.35 .48 2.82 .55 3.50 4.53 .58 .30 .30 .30 .30 1.94 .62 .30 .42 .41 .35 .68 .04 55 1.11 02 91 84 33 31 84 36 77 63 31 84 44 30 59 41 36 40 45 30 64 30 30 42 $9.02 .88 5.09 2.59 1.29 .64 3.37 5.91 6.14 .83 3.13 .64 3.26 1.51 5.11 1.05 6.14 1.19 7.64 9.88 1.27 .64 .64 .64 .64 4.22 1.34 .77 1.51 .10 6.25 3.39 2.44 2.22 4.16 1.84 5.08 .68 8.40 .64 1.70 1.35 2.85 4.02 .95 .64 1.28 .21 .35 .64 .64 .91 LIST OF RATES, 1768, 1787, AND 1800. LIST OF KATES FOE 1800.— Continued. 467 a a a o o •3 $3.13 $1.88 1.89 1.14 1 16 .69 1.30 .78 2.25 1.35 3.06 1.84 1.09 .66 3.20 1.83 1.64 .99 .86 .52 6.60 3.96 .63 .38 1.19 .69 2.35 1.43 .61 .37 2.99 1.79 5.04 3.03 2.93 1.76 4.95 2.97 1.63 .98 1.91 1.15 3.35 2.01 1.03 .63 .48 .30 .66 .41 5.63 3.38 .83 .48 1.30 .78 .66 .41 .76 .46 .73 .44 2.60 1.56 1.66 1.00 1.68 1.01 1.34 .80 .48 .30 3.11 1.87 1.03 .63 .88 .53 2.02 1.22 3.52 2.02 .76 .46 3.00 1.80 1.8S 1.13 1.82 1.10 6.83 4.11 1.62 .97 4.51 2.71 1.32 .79 .30 .19 6.17 3.48 1.96 1.18 2.39 1.44 3.79 2.27 .48 .30 10.40 6.25 9.62 5.79 .48 .30 1.03 .62 Samuel Lane Cornet Jonathan Lane Widow Elizabeth Leavitt. Thomas Leavitt Isaiah Lane Dea. Jeremiah Lane Levi Lane Samuel Melcher Joseph Melcher Jacob S. Moultou Thomas Moulton Gideon Marshall Robert Marshall Lieut. Aaron Merrill John Merrill David Nason, Jr David Nason Eichard Nason Capt. James Prescott Simeon Prescott Ens. Jesse Prescott James Prescott Josiah Prescott Joshua Page Josiah Pervear Major Benjamin Pike Benjamin Pike, .Jr John Pike Josiah Pike Daniel Pervear Nathaniel Perkins David Perkins Joseph Perkins Paine Eovy Nathan Eobie John Eavvlings .James Sanborn Abner Sanborn, Jr Stephen Svpaine Dea. Abner Sanborn Theophilus Sanborn Dr. Samuel Smith Benjamin Sanborn Benjamin Sanborn, Jr John Sanborn Peter Tilton, Esq Nathan Tilton Capt. Stephen Tilton Ebenezer Tilton Samuel Tilton Caleb Tilton, Esq Benjamin Tilton Michael Tilton Widow Hannah Wadleigh Melcher Ward Col. Aaron Wells Moses Wells Moses Wells, Jr Walter Williams .82 .51 .58 .98 .34 .48 .41 .72 .38 ;.90 .28 .53 .02 .27 .31 1.21 .29 1.18 .71 .83 .47 .46 .22 .30 1.46 36 .58 .30 .34 .32 .14 .73 .75 .59 .22 .36 .40 .24 .15 .16 .29 .39 .14 .41 .20 .11 .84 .08 .16 .30 .64 .37 .63 .20 .24 .42 .13 .06 .09 .71 .10 .16 .09 .09 .20 .21 .17 .06 .39 .13 .11 .26 .45 .09 .38 .24 .23 .87 .20 .57 .17 .04 .7S .25 .30 .48 .06 .32 .22 .06 .13 $4.10 2.49 1.51 1.71 2.93 4.02 1.43 4.19 2.15 1.12 8.64 .84 1.57 3.07 .81 3.92 6.61 3.84 6.50 2.13 2.52 4.41 1.34 .64 .88 7.38 l.OOi 1.71 .88-. .99- .95 3.40 2.18 2.21 1.76 .64 4.08 1.35 1.14 2.66 4.63 .99 3.94 2.47 2.40 94 2.12 5.91 1.74 .40 8.09 2.57 3.13 4.95 .64 13.04 12.62 .64 1.34 468 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. These rates were made under laws passed in 178S and 1787, for the different purposes named, and committed to James Prescott, constable, for collection. £ s. d. Amount of tax, 1787, continental and county 179 19 Amount of tax, 1787, indents on public securites 134 19 11 Amount of tax, 1787, state certificates 9 18 10 Amount of tax, 1787, state hard money tax 24 14 Amount of tax, 1787, school and parish tax 139 8 The following is the total amount of taxes for 1800: Amount of state tax in 1800 $135.70 Amount of county tax in 1800 39.30 Amount of town tax in 1800 309.00 Amount of school tax in 1800 186.57 LEVI SANBORN. 1 794-1 874. See page 606. LIST OF PERSONS TAXED IN 1830. The following is a list of persons taxed and the amount of each person's tax for the year 1830: Joseph Akerman $2.03 Luke Averill 5.21 Benjamin Brown 5.39 Lowell Brown 16.56 Lowell Brown, Jr 1.89 William Brown 13.60 Nathan Brown 3.38 Reuben Batchelder 13.80 Moses Batchelder 16.77 David Batchelder 1.76 Joseph C. Brown 15.01 Levi Brown 4.22 Sewell Brown 2.22 Fred Brown 1.76 Mary Brown .34 Molly Brown 1.52 John Brown 4.33 John Brown, Esq 4.31 John Brown, Jr 1.76 Josiah Brown 12.34 Zephaniah Brown 17.10 Samuel Brown 2.30 Jacob Brown 18.78 Jacob Brown for B. Cram 1.82 Thomas Brown 13.12 John B. Brown 2.15 Molly Blake 19.10 Jonathan Cram 19.45 Jonathan Cram for B. Cram 6.30 David Chase • 12.17 Chevey Chase 1.76 Christopher T. Chase 1.76 Charles Chase 2.63 Toppan Chase 3.70 469 470 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Abraham Dow $16.03 Stephen Dodge l^-l^ Dudley Dodg-e 20.80 Kichard Dodge 21.34 George H. Dodge ^■'^^ Polly Dow 3.43 Jonatliaii Drake l-'i'S Heirs of Elizabeth Dow -60 Walter P. Dow 1-76 Heirs of Joseph Dow 1-21 Jeremiah Godfrey 3.26 Heirs of James Green 3.64 Nancy Green for Stephen Green 5.46 Ezekiel Gove 2.30 Aaron M. Gove 8.11 Jacob Gove 12.21 Charles Gove 2.02 Heirs of Adoniram George .54 Wells Healey 44.57 Sally Healey .50 Nathaniel Healey 2.17 Green Hardy 1.56 Reuben Hardy 2.17 Bradbury Hardy 3.94 David Janvrin 8.87 Joshua Janvrin 7.33 George Janvrin 7.33 Caleb Knight 1.76 Stephen T. Knight 15.49 Levi Lane, Esq 18.12 Jeremiah Lane 1.76 Thomas Leavitt, Esq 15.17 Dearborn Lane 3.68 Abigail Lang 3.85 Richard Morrill 8.78 Thomas Lang 1.76 John Marshall 4.73 Aaron Merrill 2.03 Aaron Merrill, Jr 4.70 Matth ew Merrlam 2.02 Joseph Melcher 1.76 Joseph H. Melcher 14.61 Nathan Moulton 11.08 Thomas Moulton 13.34 Joseph Moulton 4.08 Jonathan Nason 14.95 James Prescott 4.54 James Prescott, Jr 6.81 LIST OF PERSONS TAXED IN 1830. 471 Simeon Prescott $6.40 Kobert S. Prescott 4.45 True M. Prescott 4.99 Heirs of Josiah Prescott 8.21 Aaron Prescott 3.77 Daniel Pervear 8.62 Daniel Pervear, Jr 3.31 Joseph Pervear 2.70 Nathaniel Perkins 6.07 Heirs of Joseph Perkins 4.37 Jacob Perkins 1.76 John Perkins 1.76 Joshua Pike • 9.36 John Porter 1.76 Nathan Pike 3. 15 James Page 1.76 Isaiah Page 6.53 Sherburn W. Rand 2.43 Nathan Eobie 9.36 Henry Robie 1.76 Levi Sanborn 14.71 Adna Sanborn 11.11 Abner Sanborn 16.36 John P. Sanborn 3.93 Benjamin Sanborn 5.05 Aaron Sanborn 8.19 Joseph Sanborn 7.01 Widow Elizabeth Sanborn 8.98 Thayer S. Sanborn 16.59 Peter Tilton 16.09 Heirs of Peter Tilton, Esq 2.86 Ebenezer Tilton 2.43 Weare D. Tilton 5.79 Caleb Tilton 3.43 Caleb Tilton for Eastern Stage Co 28.39 John True 5.63 Widow Polly Tilton 1.23 John Weare 11.35 Jonathan Ward 6.23 Hannah Wells 13.60 John Wentworth .23 John H. Williams 1.76 Moses Wells 3.02 William Wadleigh 17.70 William Wadleigh .54 Heirs of Jonathan Pifield 3.64 Amount of the state tax, 1830 $130.80 Amount of the county tax, 1830 71.40 Amount of the school tax, 1830 351.53 INVOICE OF 1850. The invoice of 1850, showing the names of persons taxed and the amount of the state, county, town, and school tax paid by each, follows: Sereno T. Abbott $6.59 Joseph. Akerman .73 John C. Akerman 4.10 Moses Batchelder 50.40 Samuel Batchelder 16.07 Moses E. Batchelder 7.33 Dolly Batchelder 1.83 Eeuben and John Batchelder 26.11 Emery Batchelder 13.65 Jacob and John B. Brown 73.54 John B. Brown, guardian of Benjamin Cram. 197.01 William and Nathan Brown 67.01 Samuel Brown, Jr 7.66 Zephaniah Brown 33.94 Mary Brown 3.66 Eliza Brown 1.47 Jacob T. Brown 4.75 Josiah Brown i 32.70 Thomas Brown 32.70 Charles T. Brown 2.20 John Brown, Esq 14.56 Sewell Brown 4.78 Levi Brown 5.09 Samuel Brown 2.20 Heirs of Levi Brown .66 Frederick E. Brown 2.20 Georg-e L. Brown 2.30 Lowell Brown 36.45 Lowell Brown, Jr 14.40 Cyrus Brown 2.20 John Barton 2.20 Enoch Blake 9.84 472 INVOICE OF 1850. 473 Charles H. Blake $2.20 Heirs of Jeremiah Blake 34.35 James Brimner 33.46 Nehemiah P. Cram 32.69 Joseph Cram 28.93 John S. Cram 5.50 Benjamin F. Cram 11.99 Charles Chase 5.95 John G. Chase 4.76 Charles F. Chase 2.64 John Chase 21.30 Hannah Chase 13.46 Abig-ail Caldwell 2.20 S. and J. D. Dodge 27.70 George H. Dodge 44.80 Sarah Dodge 2.93 George H. Dodge, trustee for George Fifield 3.66 Zebulon Dow , 10.62 Eichard, John W., and Polly Dodge 58.42 Timothy P. Drew, 2.20 Nathaniel Dearborn 7.33 Polly Dow 3.66 Eichard Fogg 2.56 Samuel Fogg 6.15 Aaron M. Gove 8.98 Charles C. Gove 7.17 Ezekiel Gove 3.45 John C. Gove 3.29 Stephen and Silas Green 27.37 Elizabeth Green 1.47 Jeremiah Godfrey 8.66 John S. Godfrey 2.20 Eunice Healey 3.66 Wells W. Healey 16.30 Charles N. Healey 2.20 Sally Healey 2.20 Wells Healey 90.40 Green Hardy 3.43 Eeuben Hardy 7.36 Bradbury Hardy 6.71 Charles Hardy 7.36 William A. Hopkins -59 Zebulon Jones 2.32 Moses Jones 2.32 John F. Jones 2.20 David Janvrin 17.41 Joshua Janvrin 13.85 Levi Jenness 8-92 474: HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. David B. Jacques $2-20 S. T. and L. M. Knight 35.41 Levi and Levi E. Lane 31.50 Jeremiah Lane 9.31 Jeremiah Lane for Eobie estate 12.25 Dearborn Lane 6.92 Thomas Leavitt, Esq 31.07 Abigail Lang 9.26 Richard Morrill 22.74 Jonathan Morrill 2.20 Joseph MoTilton 48.20 Joseph W. Moulton 3.67 Sarah Moulton 7.34 Nathan Moulton 48.48 Aaron Merrill 14.33 George S. Merrill 2.20 John Merrill 2.20 William T. Merrill 2.42 Betsy Merrill 1.46 John Marshall 12.15 Moses Marshall 2.20 Alfred Marsh 3.18 Woodbury Masters 13.19 John Moore 8.50 Samuel Meleher 29.83 C. A. and G. W. Nason 29.89 James Prescott 10.84 True M. Prescott 9.82 Robert S. Prescott 19.97 Charles S. Prescott 2.20 Lewis P. Prescott 2.20 Aaron Prescott 28.55 Emery Page 2.20 Joshua Pike 18.35 Matthew Pike 2.20 Nathan Pike 3.89 James M. Pike S.20 Edward D. Pike 2.20 Heirs of Joseph Perkins 5.99 John L. Perkins 5.03 Daniel Pervear 5.12 Joseph Perveax 3.83 Samuel Pervear 11.87 Isaiah Page 5.03 Timothy P. Ropes 2.20 Thayer S. Sanborn 47.75 Aaron Sanborn 30.86 Charles H. Sanborn 4.4O INVOICE OF 1850. 476 Thomas L. Sanborn $2.20 Joseph T. Sanborn 5.86 Levi Sanborn '. 43.75 Albert J. Sanborn 2.20 Abner and John P. Sanborn 43.55 Eufus C. Sanborn 30.96 Nancy Sanborn 19.24 Josiah Smith 17.45 Caleb Towle 12.64 William F. Towle 47.47 Ezekiel Twombly 2.20 Ebenezer Tilton 2.06 Weare D. Tilton 13.79 Dean R. Tilton 23.75 Heirs of Peter Tilton, Esq 10.75 Caleb Tilton 23.09 Otis W. Tilton 2.20 Jemima True 4.58 John Weare 26.98 Jonathan Weare 2.20 Lemuel B. Wiley 2.39 Simon Wlnslow 12.38 Hannah Wells 46.34 Lucy Wing 14.58 Josiah P. Wason 2.20 EXTEACTS FEOM DEACON BATCHELDER'S JOUKNAL. The following are extracts from a journal kept by Dea. David Batchelder, covering a period of more than sixty years: On Dec. 3, 1747, the snow came deep and remained on the ground for four months. In February it was 4 feet deep. 1748. A drouth came on the middle of July, and continued until the middle of Sep- tember, which seriously injured the corn crop. A good crop of hay. The winter following was moderate, with the exception of one month which was very cold. 1749. The drouth came on in April, and cut ofE the grass crop. Rains in July saved the corn. It was very dry in the fall. The winter following was hard, and people had to browse their cattle. 1750. A producti\e year; winter after mioderate, but very wet. 1751. A good year. Freshets hurt the meadows. The winter very cold; Merrimack river frozen to the lower ferry; more sledding than for a number of years before. 1752. A great crop of grass; too cold for corn; hardly any sledding. 1754. A good crop of grass. Winter very mild. 1755. A very hard earthquake which did little damage about here. The war came on and continued until 1763. Summer cool; winter mild; plowing carried on in January and Feb- ruary. Some people sowed grain in February. 1756. Not a very fruitful year; winter severe and unsettled. 1757. A dry season, corn middling. 1759. Very wet summer; a productive year, followed by a, cold winter. 1760. Wet summer; grass very heavy. Generally a productive year; a hard winter. 1761. A great drouth came on June 1 till July 15, without rain or dew. Only light rains remainder of the season. Hay sold in the field for 50 shillings per ton lawful money. A hard winter followed. 1762. The summer dry like the preceding year. Corn and grass very poor; English hay sells for £5 per ton; salt hay for £3 £s. per ton. Snow came at Christmas and continued until March; a thaw, followed by snow and hail, so hard and deep that teams could go over fences and creeks until last of March. 1763. Wet summer; a productive year; hard winter. 1764. Summer wet and cold; not a fruitful year; winter cold, with deep snows; cold weather ended 1st of March. 1765. Average for grass and grain; too dry for corn. 1766. Hot summer, with rain enough for a fruitful season; winter cold with little snow. 1767. Summer hot and 476 EXTRACTS FROM DEACON BATCHELDBR'S JobsNAL. 477 dry; good crops with the exception of hay; winter cold. English hay $11.00 per ton. 1768. Average crops. 1769. Drouth early in season; cold winter. Merrimack river at Newburyport frozen and teamed over for three weeks, until last of March. 1770. Hot tedious drouth began last of June till middle of August. Corn poor; some worms or eater- pillars did much damage to corn and grass by eating it off. Winter changeable. 1771. Forward spring; first part of season wet. Very hot for a number of days about the 1st of August. A number of per- sons died from the effects of the heat. English grain hurt by mildew; Indian corn well ripened. Hard winter followed, with severe snow- storms. 1772. On April 8, the surveyors called out the men to break the roads, there being three feet of snow upon the ground. A drouth came early in the season, and again last of July. Great freshet in September. 1773. Cold, with considerable snow. Early spring, with drouth first part of the season. Grass very good; grains light. Aug. 14, came a heavy shower; Sy^ inches of water fell in 35 minutes. 1774. Cold, with good sledding in January and February. An early spring. Hay sells for $7 per load. June 21, came a great freshet. It was a good season for grass, grain, and corn. Great snow last of December, which lasted 20 hours. 1775. Winter very moderate; a dry summer. The ■worst drouth since 1762. September 3, came a rain which made a great freshet. Ground closed up earlier than usual. 1776. Snow went away 1st of March, but it was cold in April. Heavy frost May 31, which killed the Indian corn to the ground, but it grew up again. It was a changeable season; nearly all crops poor. Ground frozen up December 1. 1777. Snow did not come until February; March dry and cold. A snowstorm May 1. A heavy crop of hay; other crops good. Ground frozen up middle of November, but opened again. Snow came last of December. 1778. April wet and cloudy; eight inches of snow fell first of the month; another snow middle of April. Cold and frosty last of May. June hot and dry; remainder of season pleasant, until last of Decem- ber, when it was very cold. 1779. A cold winter, with considerable snow. Summer generally pleasant. First frost October 1. Cold and snowy last of the season. 1780. January very cold and windy; light snows which drifted badly, much worse than common. April wet and cold. Snowstorm May 1. June and July dry; heavy thunder-showers last of July. August and September hot and dry. Snowstorm November 1. Decem- ber 25, a heavy snow. 1781. In January and February a great deal of snow. March and April cold and backward, and most of May. Drouth came on in July. Fall dry, with little feed, followed by a severe winter. 1782. A drouth prevailed nearly all the season; hay scant. A hard winter followed. 1783. Dry until the last of June. Remainder of the season exceedingly wet, attended with violent storms; winter cold. 478 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1784. Wet and backward imtil June. Apple trees in full bloom June 1 and 2. Summer hot and dry; last of summer pleasant. Great storm September 17 and 18. November 26, a great storm and a very ilgh tide. Snow came December 18, and remained until after the mid- dle of April, and was very deep. It went away with a S. W. wind. 1785. Season backward. Too wet for corn; grass good. No frost until October 1. Snow came November 23. 1786. Deep snow came in January. Heavy snow first of April; first of season very wet. Corn poor; grass and flax good. Frost held off till October. 1787. Thaw in January, which brought water into the wells, many of which were dry. Good sledding until March 10. Early part of sea- son wet and cold; remainder pleasant. In September came a, storm on a low run of tides, when people were at work on the marsh, and swept away the hay. Snow came and remained December 20. 1788. A cold winter with considerable snow. The last of February Newburyport ferry frozen, which lasted until March 6. April and May wet. A poor hay season; grass good; corn medium; grain mildewed. Frost held off till last of September. Snow came December 17. 1789. Good sledding for 10 weeks, although there was but little snow. Spring cold and backward. An average crop of grass. Great rain June 10 and 11. Fall cold. Cattle came to the barn early. 1790. Good sledding from the middle of January to 20th of March. Spring backward; very stormy in April. Hay scarce; many cattle died for want of hay "up country." The summer wet and cool. Crops on dry land good; an average crop of hay. A bad season to get hay; flax good. A big freshet in September. Very cold and snowy in December. 1791. The winter extremely cold, with deep snows. A dry and for- ward spring; a good rain after planting in May. Summer dry; drouth ended September 5. No frost until October. October 13 very cold and winter apples were frozen. November pleasant. Warm first of De- cember; cold last of the month. 1792. Extremely cold. Hard snowstorms January 19 and 23; very cold after. Spring forward. Heavy rain April 26. At times quite dry during the summer. Frosts last of August and 1st of September, which did not do much damage. Moderate until November 20. Cold and snowy rest of year. 1793. Broken winter with moderate weather. The dryest spring since 1749. June 25, li/j inches of rain fell, which was as much as had fallen during the past three months. The rains were light during the summer. Six inches of snow came October 29, which soon went away and caused water to come into wells which had been dry. Less rain from April 1 to October 1 than for 50 years; 141/3 inches of rain had fallen in that time. A little rain and two inches of snow fell during the remainder of the year. 1794. Not much snow in January; 22d and 23d 7 inches of rain fell; 9 inches of rain fell in January, and 10 inches of snow. February cold- 14 inches of snow, which would make about 4 inches of water. In March snow and rain 4 inches. April warm; one inch of rain. May EXTRACTS FROM DEACON BATCHBLDBR's JOURNAL. 479 18, a frost killed the apples in bloom. June 16, frost killed the beans; 214 inches of rain in June; 2 inches of rain fell in July. Corn and po» tatoes not as good as last year. December open,with moderate weather, 4714 inches of water fell this year. 1795. January and February cold. Violent snowstorm March 13, which blew down some buildings. Damage to some vessels loading in Boston $1,000. Eleven inches of rain fell in April. Season generally favorable. English grass was killed by the drouth. No hard frost until October 8; 7414 inches of water fell this year. 1796. A great crop of English hay; an average crop of Indian com and potatoes. English grains and apples suffered from mildew. Drouth shortened corn and grass. Summer hot and dry. Moderate until November 22. December very cold; snow came only on one or two days; 30% inches of rain and 56 inches of snow. Computing 5 inches of snow to make one of rain, 11 inches, making a total of 4714 inches of water fallen during the year. 1797. First part of January very cold. Snow daubed and frozen on the sides of the trees December 6; was not melted off until January 27. Remainder of winter moderate. May 7, thunder-shower with some hail. More thunder-showers this year than mentioned any year be- fore. Apple trees in full bloom May 31; 51^4 inches of rain fell this year. 1798. Considerable rain fell during the winter, and the weather mod- erate. May dry and backward. Apple trees in full bloom May 20, Severe drouth in August and September, which pinched the Indian corn very much and injured the grass and hay in the pastures. Turnips, carrots, and onions mostly cut off by drouth and grasshoppers; few cabbages. Snow which fell November 17 continued during the winter. Amount of water which fell this year 59% inches. 1799. The snow which fell November 17 laid all over the gTOund until March 25. Began to plow April 8. This was the earliest, steadi- est, and longest winter I ever knew. Hay was very scant amongst many about here. Apple trees in full bloom May 28. A great freshet June 13 and 14. A great many thunder-showers this year. 50% inches of water fell this year. 1800. January cold and dry; many driving snowstorms. Apple trees in bloom May 20. It was very dry in the early part of the season. While it rained a good shower at Newburyport there was only enough here to lay the dust. A fast was holden on account of the drouth July 30. Only 2% inches of rain fell from June 3 to August 9, 10 weeks. First frost October 11. Thaw in December lasted 18 days, after which came snow and cold weather. 58 inches of water fell this year. 1801. First of January snow vidth high winds. A number of severe snowstorms in February. First of April cool and wet; thunder-show- ers in May, and they continued through the summer months. July was very dry and hot. September very dry. Springs and brooks very low. 45 inches of water fell in 1801. 480 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1803. January warm, with little snow. Heavy snows in February, Which did much damage on the sea, but little falling- weather in March. April very cool and dry. Last of May very wet. Apple trees in full bloom June 1. The apples were blighted by storms which came soon after. Considerable damage was done in August by lightning. Com ripened well. Moderate until the end of the year. 54% inches of water fell this year. 1803. Moderate, with little sledding. A hard snowstorm April 5 with strong N. E. winds, which did much damage to shipping. Apple trees in full bloom May 25. Dry last of. June and first of July. Frost killed the potato tops September 19. December warm, and ground open. 49% inches of water this year. 1804. January and February very cold and stormy; roads impassa- ble from drifted snow. Wet and rainy in April, which made the season late. Apple trees in full bloom 21st of May. There was a severe drouth in July and August, which injured the corn and dried up the pastures. A fast held September 5 on account of the drouth. In Octo- ber a. severe rainstorm with much thunder. Cattle died from expos- ure. Eest of year cold and stormy. 59l^ inches of water fell during^ the year. 1805. January and February very cold, with many severe storms; roads impassable; much damage on the sea. Snow nearly all gone 20th of March. First of summer there were seasonable rains and much thunder and lightning. The last of the summer the rains were light, and it became so dry that corn parched, and the grass in the pastures dried up. Last of the season moderate. 43% inches of water fell this year. 1806. January came in moderate, but the latter part and February very cold and stormy. Eoads badly drifted; continued cold through March. June 8 a thunder-shower; 5 persons killed in two places. A poor hay season. October 8, frost killed pumpkin vines and corn leaves. Snow fell last of October. Considerable rainy weather rest of the season. Corn was well ripened. 43% inches of water this year, 1807. Very cold in January. A freshet February 18 carried away Exeter bridge and some others. March moderate. April, May, and. June very cool. Dry weather in July shortened the corn crop. Freshet last of July, which injured the grass on the meadows. Freshet again in August. Freshet and very high tides in October. Season open; plowing the middle of December. 71% inches of rain fell this year. 1808. Sledding began 1st week in January and continued through February. Light rains until June, when there came a hard storm which did much damage on the sea. July very hot. A hard storm in August beat down the corn. A white frost August 17, and it became very dry. Considerable snow in November and December. 60% inches of rain in 1808. 1809. Good sledding January 1st which held until 15th of March. Last of May and first of June very cool. July 17 came a, hard N. E." storm, which lasted three days. Some damage by lightning. White EXTRACTS FROM DEACON BATCHELDBR'S JOURNAL. 481 irost September 14. 27tli September ice frozen as thick as window glass. Considerable rain during rest of the season. No sledding in December. 47% inches rain fell in 1809. 1810. First of January moderate. Light snows in January and Feb- ruary. Thunder-shower in March. Severe N. E. storm in June; some sheep died. June 20, some cattle killed by lightning. September 12, frost killed all green things. Weather changeable rest of the season, 531/4 inches of rain fell this year. 1811. Changeable weather with light falls of rain and snow during January, February, and March. July 3, extreme heat for three days, Mr. Batchelder died March 11, 1811, having kept a record for nearly sixty-four years. AGEEEMENT. The followi-ng agreement was made May 17, 1774, between David Batchelder of Plampton Falls and Jedediah Sleeper, Jr., of the same parish, when the said Jedediah Sleeper, Jr., agreed to work with the said David Batchelder one year, to begin the next Monday, which was the 23d day of May, instant, and was to continue his labor one year: Said Jedediali thereby agrees to work constantly without loss of time^ except sickness, and what time he shall lose in said year by sick- ness or otherwise he agrees to make up at the end of the year. He also agrees to be faithful in said Batchelder's business and not to run about nights without leave, to the damage of said Batchelder's busi- ness in any wise, and the said David Batchelder agrees on his part to pay unto said Jedediah Sleeper, Junior, at the end of said year, provided he shall come and labor as above, the sum of thirteen pounds ten shil- lings Lawful money. Three pounds ten shillings of said sum said Jedediah agrees to take in good clothing, etc. In witness whereof we thereunto interchangeably set our hands in Presence on the 17th day of May 1774. DAVID BATCHELDER. Witness: JEDEDIAH SLEEPER. Nathaniel Batchelder. 482 MAJOR JEREMIAH GODFREY. 1798-1881. See page 55 1 . EXTEACTS TAKEN FEOM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL. The folio-wing is a record of events taken from a jonrnal and other books kept bj^ Warren Brown: 1850. The frost was out and the ground settled about the first of April. Plowing and other farm work began early. There was an average crop of hay with good 'weather to secure it. Good crops of corn and apples. There was a hailstorm in August which injured the apples by denting them. No. 1 apples sold at $1.25 per bbl. The win- ter following was cold with considerable snow. Best farm hands re- ceived $15 per month and board during the summer months. 1851. The season was wet and backward. There were heavy rains in April; on the 15th of April occurred a hard storm, accompanied by a, high tide. The track of the E. E. R. was washed away, and a. great amount of other damage was done. It was during this storm that the Minot Ledge lighthouse was destroyed. There was a. large crop of hay with poor weather to secure it. Corn did not ripen well, as the summer was cool and a hard frost came early in September. There were but very few apples. The winter following was cold, with deep snow. Hay sold for $12 per ton, delivered in Newburyport. 1852. April was cold, wet, and backward. About a foot of snow- fell on the 6th, and it was late in the month before much work was done upon the land. A drouth came on in June, and continued for two months. The hay crop was light, with good weather to get it. A large crop of apples, which were small in size from the effects of dry weather, sold at $1 per bbl. A good yield of corn and potatoes. The winter following was moderate, not snow enough to do business on. Hay delivered in Newburyport sold for $16 per ton. 1853. There was but little frost in the ground and farm work began by the first of April. The hay crop was an average one; but few apples; corn and potatoes generally good crops. Much damage was done by a hailstorm about the first of June; nearly all the glass on the west side of the houses and other buildings was broken out. The following winter was cold. Snow came about Christmas and lay deep all winter. 1854. The ground settled early in April, followed by a favorable time for doing spring work. A severe drouth prevailed during the 483 484 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. summer months. The hay crop was an average one. Some apples, but not a general crop. Corn and potatoes very good. The first movy- ing-machine ever in the town was used this year by Wells Healey. Typhoid fever prevailed during the autumn to quite an extent, and a number of deaths occurred: Winter came on December 1, with deep snow, which lasted till spring. A heavy rain came in February, which did a great deal of damage in New England. The bridges below Dodge's mill and at the main road over the Falls river were injured, and had to be rebuilt. Business throughout the country was prosper- ous, more so than for a long time before. Hay sold in Newburyport at $18 per ton. Farm hands received $16 per month and board during the summer months. Eound hogs sold at 10 cts. per lb.; good flour, $8 per bbl. 1855. The season opened fairly early, and much spring work was done in April. A good hay crop. Corn and potatoes an average. A large crop of apples, which sold at $1.25 per bbl. Winter came on early, the snow remaining on the ground all winter. Snow three feet on a level in February. It was a cold winter. 1856. Spring work began in April. The wather was not favorable for advancing farm work. A large hay crop, but poor weather to get it. The summer was cool. Very good crops of corn and potatoes. Some apples but not a general crop. Winter came on cold and very snowy December 1, and continued without any thaw or let-up until 1st of February, when a thaw came. First week in February warmer than some of the weeks in the August preceding. Remainder of the winter very moderate. Grasshoppers were very plenty, and did much damage upon the high marshes. The harbor at Portsmouth froze over, a thing never known before. 1857. Farm operations began in April. A great deal of rain fell during the entire season. There was a large crop of hay, with bad weather to secure it; people generally did not finish haying until the middle of August. No apples to speak of. Other crops an average. One of the most severe ijnancial panics occurred in the fall, ^vhich caused business to suffer throughout the country for a long time. The winter following was mild and pleasant with little snow. Most of the hay was removed from the marshes upon wheels. 1858. The ground was settled, with very pleasant weather during the last of March. Spring work came on early. The hay crop was \ery good. Season for getting it not first rate. Very few apples. Corn and potatoes good. Cold weather came on middle of December. The winter was very icy; much damage was done to the grass in the fields and pastures from the effects of the ice by winter-killing. Men received $15 per month with board during the summer months. Corn was 75 cts. per bush.; oats, 50 cts. The prices of farm products suf- fered from the effects of the financial troubles of last year. 1859. The spring was early. A good hay crop with a favorable season to get it. Not many apples; sold at $3 per bbl. Other crops above the average. There was a severe snowstorm first week in De- EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL. 485 cember. Not a great amount ol snow or much cold weather during the winter; a favorable time for doing business. 1860. Blocking snow Februarj' 20. Snow all gone March 20. Ground settled and season opened early. Hay crop good; weather favorable for getting it. Wind N. E. during nearly all the month of July, without clouds or rain. On August 6 was the most severe thun- der-storm ever known by any person then living. A good crop of apples which sold for $1 per bbl. Owing to its being a cool season corn did not ripen as well as usual. The fall was warm and quite wet. Winter came on middle of December, followed by cold weather and deep blocking snows. 1861. The season was late in opening. A number of falls of snow •during first part of April, some of them requiring the roads to be broken. Crops of all kinds except apples were an average. A severe storm accompanied by a high tide occurred about November 1, which carried away the railroad track and moved many hay.stacks, and did much other damage. Winter came on in earnest middle of December. Cold weather continued during the remainder of the winter, with a heavy body of snow upon the ground. Business of all kinds not very good because of the war, farm products selling at low prices with not a great demand. Farm hands received $15 per month with board during the summer months. 1863. Season late in opening; little farm work done until May 1. Crops were good. A very large crop of apples, which found sale at $1 per bbl. The winter following was unusually pleasant with but little snow and cold weather. Farm products low in price; flour, $8 per bbl.; meal, $1.40 per cwt. 1863. The season of spring work opened in April. It was very wet all through the season. The securing of the hay crop was attended with much difficulty, and in many cases not completed until late in August. Most crops were an average except apples. Snow came middle of December, and remained until spring. There was not a large body of snow, but enough for good sledding. It was a good winter to do business. With the prospect of a long war, prices of almost everything have advanced and laborers have become scarce. 1864. The season opened middle of April, and was very wet until the first of June, when it became dry, continuing during the summer months, resulting in a sharp drought, lasting well into the fall. Crops, except apples, about an average. Prices advanced considerably this jear. Apples, $4 per bbl.;. flour, $10; brown sugar, 28 cts. per lb.; white sugar, 33 cts. per lb.; coflEee, 55 cts.; washed wool, $1 per lb.; cider, $4 per bbl. Grasshoppers very plenty on the marsh. Farm hands from $28 to $30 per month. First horse hayfork used this j^ear by Warren Brown. Snow came December 1 and continued with steady cold weather until March 10, when it went away suddenly. It was a remarkably good winter to do business. Porto Rico molasses, $1.25 per gal.; black tea, $1.40 per lb.; kerosene oil, $1 per gal.; nails, 10 cts. per lb.; hay, $20 per ton. 486 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1865. The season opened early. It was very pleasant during the last of March and in April and May. One of the sharpest droughts we had ever known came on and lasted well into the fall. The hay crop was very good. Many fields of corn, from the effect of the dry weather, failed to ear and was cut up for fodder. The fewest apples ever known. It was a poor year for crops. Sugar, 20 cts.; flour, $16; corn, $1; oats, $1; round hogs, 20 cts. per lb.; sucking pigs, $6 each. There was not a great deal of snow in the winter which followed. Everybody was happy because the war was over. Help very scarce; $30 per month and board in summer, and $20 in winter. 1866. Farm work came late, as it was wet and cold in the early part of April. It was a cool season, with much cloudy weather attended with light rains. The water was very low in the ground because there had been no soaking rains for a long time. There were very good crops of everything except apples. Great fire in Portland, Me., July 4. Winter not very cold, with considerable rain. Timothy seed sold for $8 per bush. Hay sold for a short time at $40 per ton. 1867. Ground settled middle of April. There was considerable rain during the summer. A large hay crop; owing to wet weather haying was delayed well into August. All crops except apples were very good. Farm produce of all kinds selling at good prices. First hay tedder used in the town by Warren Brown. Winter came on Decem- ber 1 with a, heavy fall of snow which held on until April 1. Flour, $16 per bbl.; round hogs, 14 cts.; coffee, 30 cts.; tea, $1.40; wool, 30 cts. 1868. Considerable rain fell in January. Very cold in the early part of February. First thaw of the winter February 20. Snow went away last of March. Snow enough for sleighing fell April 10. It snowed all day May 8. The season was backward, and lands usually cultivated were too wet to work. Haying much delayed by bad weather. All crops except apples were up to an average. Apples sold at $4 per bbl.; cider, $4 per bbl.; cotton cloth, 20 cts. per yard; meal, $2.50 per cwt.; white lead, 13 cts. per lb.; linseed oil, $1.40 per gal. Not much cold weather in December. 1869. January 1, a violent snowstorm, 10 inches having fallen. The weather during the remainder of the winter changeable, with some very cold weather. An average hay crop. First of season wet. A severe drought began about August 15. September 8, a severe tornado passed from Providence, E. I., to Portland, Me., doing a great deal of damage in its course. Cold weather, with snow 28th of October. De- cember cold with considerable snow. A moderate crop of apples, which sold at $4 per bbl. Cider apples, 50 cts. per bush.; meal, $3.50 per cwt.; flour, $11 per bbl.; potatoes, 60 cts.; round hogs, 15 cts. per lb.; hay, $22 per ton at the barn. 1870. January 1, moderate, many people plowing; considerable rain during the month. Remarkable display of aurora on the night of the 8th. Salt marshes not frozen enough to team on with safety. Heavy snow fell upon the 30th, which adhered to the trees, buildings, and fences. Many trees broken by the weight of the snow. Heavy block- EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN's JOURNAL. 487 ing snow February 8. Snow had gone awajf enough on 20th to make bad traveling, which was followed by the coldest weather of the win- ter. March 1, zero weather; quite an amount of snow during the month, so that the roads had to be broken at times. April began with a severe N. E. snowstorm. The roads were dry and settled the 10th. Very warm the 14th, 76 in the shade. People busy plowing the 20th, Apple trees in bloom May 21; all kinds of fruit trees blooming very full. A moderate amount of rain fell in June, with considerable hot weather; 100 in the shade on 25th. Considerable rain fell first week in July, followed by very hot weather. The hay crop was good with good weather to get it; so dry last of the month that hoed crops were suffering. August dry with a few showers. A heavy crop of salt grass^ with a favorable time to secure it. September, it has become very dry and dusty; many signs of rain which disappear without any water falling. October, generally pleasant with light surface rains. A good crop of apples which sold for $4 per bbl. November was a pleasant month and favorable for farm work. December, first of the month pleasant; last of the month cold; little snow during the month. Hay sold at $25 per ton at the bam; flour, $11 per bbl.; meal, $2.50 per cwt.; sugar, 15 cts.; round hogs, 12 cts. 1871. January was cold with much zero weather; 10 below on the morning of the 22d; little snow; complaint of a scarcity of water in wells. First part of February cold; 13 below on the morning of the 5th; some rain and a little snow fell during the month; last of month quite pleasant. March, very warm during the first few days; frost nearly all out middle of the month. Repairs on the highway going on in March; weather generally pleasant. April, pleasant; 90 in shade on the 8th. Plowing and seeding going on all the month, and a favor- able time for doing any kind of work. May 5, very heavy rain; remainder of month pleasant; last part dry. First of June hot and dry; signs of rain which did not come; welcome rains fell last of the month. July, generally good hay weather; owing to so much dry weather the crop was light. Weather in August fair. Salt marshes not as good as usual. September, pleasant but very dry. October^ first of month dry; 5 inches of rain fell on the 12th. 19th, sudden change; became very cold. Last of the month warm. Three inches of snow fell November 10, which lodged heavily upon the trees. 15th, Hard N. E. rainstorm accompanied by a high tide; so much damage done to the railroad track that no trains passed for three days; nearly all the haystacks were moved off, many losing all. Much contention and hard feeling about drift hay. Highest tide since 1851. Thanks- giving day, November 30, very cold and disagreeable with strong N. W. wind. There was but little snow in December. Weather cold up to the 20th; remainder of the month pleasant. Hay, $30 at the barn; meal, $1.75 per cwt.; sugar, 14 cts. per lb. 1872. January 7, 20 below at sunrise. 12th, warm and pleasant for the season, which continued until end of the month. Heavy snow- storm February 2 and 3. March 5, strong N. W. wind with glass below 488 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. zero; it continued cold for a number oi days. The earth was frozen in some cases 4% feet deep. Snow enough for sleig-hing April 1. Heard frogs for the first time April 20. It has been very cold and wet and farm work backward last of the month. Quite dry during much of May. June wet, with weather favorable for grass, which was a good •crop. Not a good season for haymaking. Heavy crop of salt grass. 95 in shade August 8. Very wet in September. Not many apples. A serious distemper prevailing among horses, which in some cases at- tacks men and cattle. November 10, great fire in Boston. First of December moderate; last of month very cold; 12 below upon the morn- ing of the 26th; continued cold remainder of the month. Flour, $10.50 per bbl.; meal, $1.70 per cwt.; hay, $20 at the barn; black tea, 68 cts. per lb. 1873. First of January moderate with considerable snow upon the ground; remainder of the month cold and stormy. 18 below on morn- ing of 30th. Cold and snowy during February; roads had to be broken, there being a great body of snow on the ground. Considerable rain fell in March. The snow which came first of the winter still on the ground last of March. The weather in April was cold, with much rain and snow. Some of the old snow upon the ground at the end of the month. Season backward and traveling bad all through April. Quite an amount of snow fell May 4, which soon disappeared. The remainder of the month was pleasant and favorable for doing out-of- door work. Apple trees in bloom 29th, blooming more than for a num- ber of years. No signs of canker worms, which have been troublesome for a number of years past. Grass looking uncommonly well. June quite dry, vegetation sufl'ering from drought. The hay crop was an average, with good weather to secure it. Light rains in August; very hot last of the month. In September the water was lower in the ground than for many years. A verj' good crop of apples which sold for $4 per bbl. ^Yeather in November inclined to be cold and rough; 3 inches of snow fell on the 17th. Snow fell all day Thanksgiving day, 27th. Good sleighing for a few days after December 1. Snow went away; came again after Christmas. A severe financial panic came this year, which interrupted the prosperity we had enjoyed since the war. Hay, $20 at barn; oats, 70 cts. per bush.; meal, $1.50 per cwt.; sugar, 12 cts.; wool, 32 cts.; round hogs, 10 cts. 1874. The first part of January was mild; cold middle of the month. February 1, cold and snowy; 10 below morning of 2d. A foot of snow fell on the 3d, which blocked the roads. A rain on the 13th which carried away most of the snow; remainder of the month mild. The roads very muddy in March. First part of April cold and wet; snow on the ground 13th; 6 inches of snow fell 26th, which was the most severe storm of the winter. The frost not all out of the ground or much farm work done May 1. First warm weather of the season May 14 and 15, which were very warm. Apple trees in bloom June 2. A severe N. E. rain storm which lasted two days June 11 and 12. A very good crop of hay; a very large amount of second crop grass. October and EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN's JOURNAL. 489 the most of November were very pleasant. December 15, 6 below at sunrise; very cold last half of the month. Hay, $18 per ton at the barn; corn, $1 per bush.; flour, $11.50 per bbl.; unwashed wool, 33 cts.. per lb.; board nails, $4 per cwt.; cider apples, 25 cts. per bush. 1875. January was a cold month with considerable snow. Water is very scarce. Nearly every one has to turn out his cattle to get water, February 7, 11 below at sunrise; cold and stormy much of the rest of the month. Snow on the ground during March. Severe snowstorm 13th of April, which was a, cold month. It was dry in May. Apple trees in bloom June 4. Very hot July 5. First half of July poor hay weather. The hay season on the whole a poor one. September waa a cool month. October and November cold, all the storms clearing away cold. 8 below November 30. December cold; 16 below on 20th; warm rest of the month. Hay, $16 per ton at the barn; apples, $3 per bbl.; sugar, 11 cts.; stove coal, $8.25 per ton delivered at Hampton Falls station. 1876. January was warm with little snow; roads very muddy. Feb- ruary warm; snow all went away. 13th very warm day. 24th coldest day of the winter. March was a cold disEigreeable month. A foot of snow fell April 4, which was badly drifted; remainder of month and first part of May cool and wet. Last of May and June good growing weather. July dry and hot; a good hay season and a good crop, August dry and hot. Some rain in September, but the ground con- tinued dry. October generally pleasant; three inches of snow 15th, November pleasant with some rains last of the month. December came in cold; zero on the morning of the 2d. Severe snowstorm 9th. 17th, 14 below at sunrise; the sun shone all day, but it did not get up to zero during the day. 18th, hard snowstorm; a foot fell and the roads had to be broken. Big snow on the 29th, 30th, and 31st; breaking roads. Corn, 75 cts.; round hogs, 12 cts.; cider apples, of which there was a large crop, 10 cts. per bush.; hay, $20 per ton at barn. 1877. January snowy and blustering; 18 below 26th. February pleasant; snow fell on the 25th; first for a number of weeks. March 9, heavy rain and another on the 26th. April cool and wet. Abundant rains in May. 24th, very cold; 4 inches of snow fell in Pittsfield, Mass.; remainder of the month hot. June hot &.nd dry first part of the month; rains last of the month. A good crop of hay with good hay weather in July. August, fair weather. A good time to get salt hay. September 15, 90 in shade; continued hot for a number of days. Octo- ber 6, heavy frost; rest of the month cool and wet. November pleas- ant. 26th, heaviest rain for years, which was attended with a, great deal of lightning. Warm in December, farm work going on all through the month. Christmas day was very warm aud pleasant. Corn, 75 cts. per bush.; round hogs, 9% cts.; flour, $9; potatoes, 50 cts.; apples, $3 per bbl. 1878. Heavy snow January 4; 17 below on morning of the 8th; good sleighing for a number of days. 15th, rain, which carried off the snow. Heavy snow 31st, which blocked the roads. March 5, frost 490 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. ■nearly all out of the ground; traveling very bad; last of the month wet and unpleasant. April pleasant; vegetation very forward; a great deal of rain fell last part of the month. May 3, 87 in the shade. Con- siderable rain in June; hot last of the month. July 3, 100 in shade. Green head flies very plenty and troublesome. Good crop of hay, and an extra season to get it; haying finished earlier than usual. Very dry last of July. Heavy rain August 9. A great deal of second-crop grass cut in September. October, the water is very low in the ground. A great deal of rain fell in November. The ground very full of water when winter set in. Not much snow in December, but very cold last of the month. Round hogs, 6% cts.; sugar, 9 cts. 1879. January 3, roads blocked with snow. Very cold 15th, followed by a heavy snow. Pleasant last of the month. February, iv cold month with considerable snow; 24th, 16 below. Snow nearly all went away early in March. Heavy snow April 1, the most severe snow- storm of the season. The roads were blocked with snow followed by blustering weather. More snow drifted about the buildings than I ever saw before at this time of year; 6 inches of snow fell 11th of April. Snow and bad traveling all through April. Last of snow dis- appeared May 1. 13th, dry and hot; 90 in shade. 15th, peach, pear, plum, and cherry trees in bloom; apple trees in bloom 22d; large bloom for an odd year. 31st, 100 in the shade. Heavy rains first of June. A large crop of hay and a good hay season. 18th August, ti heavy gale at night did much damage. September' 1, pleasant. Heavy frost 25th. October very drj^; no rain has fallen for some time; 25th, frost; ice formed 14 inch thick. November cold and disagreeable. Hard drift- ing snow 20th; then warmer. Plowing December 12. Good sleighing last of the month. Hay low; sold at $11 per ton at the barn; apples, $2.25 per bbl., of which there was a very good crop. Farm hands re- ceived $20 per month and board for the summer months. 1880. Very moderate weather in January, with but little snow; 5 inches of rain fell on the 27th. Zero weather first of February. Snow- storm 3d, which blockaded the roads. It was 10 below on the morning of the 10th. Last of February warm. The marsh has not been frozen enough to remove much of the hay. 24th, people cutting and storing ice. A number of snows in March which soon went away, making the traveling disagreeable. Dry and cool in April with much east wind. The only rain in May was on the 30th. June hot and dry. A light rain July 2; 102 in the shade on the 10th. The long continued dry weather has reduced the yield of hay very much, in some instances one half. Early in the season the showers divided, going each side of us, so that within a few miles to the north and south there was rain enough so that the crop of hay was kept up to an average. 100 in the shade September 4. A very large crop of apples, which sold at $1.50 per bbl.; cider apples, 6 cts. per bush. November was cold; zero on the 27th. We had no rain to speak of from April 1 to December. December cold, and most of the ice houses were filled during the month. $9 per EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL, 491. bbl. was received this year for Bartlett pears delivered at the R. E. station. 1881. Six below at suBrlse January 1. It was very cold, with con- siderable snow during the month. February cold, with the roads blockaded with snow. Quite an amount of rain fell in March. It was cold and disagreeable weather during first half of April. A number of inches of snow fell 14th, which soon disappeared, making the roads very muddy. Last of April and early in May the surface of the ground became quite dry. Eains middle of May made the grass look very promising. First of June cold and wet with frosts reported from many places; the cool weather continued nearly all the month. In- tense heat 10th of July. A good hay season and a. large crop. Very hot last of August. September 6, a singular appearance of the atmos- phere. This was what has since been called the "'yellow day," sup- posed to have been caused by smoke and ashes from forest fires in Canada. This was followed by a number of days of great heat; last of the month pleasant. October 5, a, hard frost, followed by a very strong cold wind from the N. W. ; a great many apples were blown off and a great deal of other damage done; rest of the month pleasant. A good crop of apples in this vicinity, which sold for $4 per bbl. Xovember was a pleasant month, with some light falls of snow. The weather in December was moderate and very favorable for doing out- door work. Corn, 75 cts.; wages, $20; hay, $20 per ton at barn. 1882. The first day of January was very pleasant with no snow upon the ground. On the 2d a number of inches of drifting snow fell, fol- lowed by cold weather. On the 5th, 12 below; middle of the month pleasant with some sleighing. 24th, 20 below at sunrise. February 7, roads blocked with snow. Big snow 23d. Ice packing going on. Snowy and disagreeable first part of March; snow went away before the end of the month. April cool and fair, getting to be quite dry. First half of May cool and wet. Turned cattle to pasture 31st. Apple trees in bloom June 10. The %veather in June was very favorable for grass, which looks unusually well. Old potatoes selling at $1.25 per bush; coal by carload, $6.40 per ton at our station. The hay crop was good, with favorable season to get it. The green head fiies were so plenty as to be almost intolerable. A severe drought came on in July, and all vegetation suffered from the dry weather. There had been no rain for nine week.s till last of September, when good rains fell, caus- ing the grass which had become dead to come up green. October generally pleasant; snow covered the ground on the 17th, which soon went away. It is very dry, and many wells have given out, in which condition the ground closed for the season and cattle generally had to be turned out to get water. Not a great deal of snow in December; ice houses filled last of the month. Round hogs, 9% cts.; unwashed wool, 25 cts.; hay at the barn, $17 per ton; sugar, 9 cts.; corn, 80 cts. 1883. The first part of January was cold and snowy with an occa- sional rain; last of month very cold with much snow, until February 15. 17th, 70 above, followed by rain. Sunday, March 4, the first fair 492 HISTOfiY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Sabbath for many weeks. 9tli, cold; 19 below; unpleasant all the rest of the month. April 1, ground frozen hard. Great scarcity of water for cattle and domestic purposes. Some snow in April; not much plowing- until the 15th; last of month cold and very dry; grass crunches under foot. Some rain fell last of May. Very hot first of June with great need of rain. A good rain July 1, which did a great deal of good. Heavy rain July 4. English and salt grass not as good as usual, owing to preceding dry weather. August and September were very hot and dry. 25th, high wind blew off a great many apples, which were sold at 50 cts. per bush, for evaporating. October was not very pleasant; cold with light rainfalls. November was pleasant with little cold weather; continued pleasant until middle of December, when it became very cold (15 below 22d) and continued with some snow until the end of the month. Great complaint that wells and water supply are failing, and scarcity of water for cattle and domestic purposes. Apples sold for $3.50 per bbl. 1884. Cold and rough weather all the month of January, with some anow upon the ground. Ice houses filled middle of the month. Heavy rain 31st. February 10, first fair day for two weeks. A great deal of rain fell during the month. Heavy snow 29th, which blocked the roads. March wet and snowy; roads muddy. April 20, not much fair weather so far this month. The ground is now well filled with water for the first time for a number of years. May 1, the season is a little later than usual. A heavy frost on the morning of the 30th killed the hoed crops to the ground. Very hot for a number of days about June 20. A fair yield of hay, with a good season to get it. August pleasant; very hot middle of the month. First of September intensely hot. Much second crop cut. October pleasant and favor- able for farm work. November generally fine weather. Snow covered the ground 20th. Water getting low again in the wells. First part of December pleasant and a good time to finish up fall work. 20th, cold remainder of month; at times 20 below. Hay delivered sold for $18 per ton. 1885. Not much snow January 1; roads muddy; colder middle of the month, 23 below. 29th, roads blocked with snow. Cold, disagreeable weather all the month of February. March 1, warmer, snow going away; very cold middle of the month. April 20, pleasant, followed by great heat. Heavy rain 29th; more water fell than at any one time for a year. Considerable rain in JIay. Heavy rain June 5. 22d, get- ting dry; rain needed; light rains came later in the month. Not much haying done until after July 4. Green head flies unusually trouble- some. Hay crop good, but not the best weather to get it. Some rain fell last of July. Very hot middle of August. September 23, one of the coldest and most disagreeable days ever known for the time of year. It was warm through the month of October. November pleasant until 25th, when three inches of snow fell. Cold and rough first week, in December; not very cold remainder of the month. The roads were rough, with but little snow. EXTRACTS FKOM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL. 493 1886. No snow and the roads muddy, with dull, disagreeable weather until January 10. After this some snow, which was badly blowm about, with zero weather every morning for a week. Ice cutting 20th. February 8, good sleighing, but the snow wasted rapidly. Last days of January we had an ice storm, which did a great deal of damage by breaking fruit and shade trees. February 25, hard snowstorm, which was followed by a two days' blizzard. Heavy rain March 21. April 1,, very muddy. 20th, hot for time of year. May 1, cool; surface of the ground getting dry. 17th, grass very forward for the time of year. Apple trees in bloom 23d. Canker-worms doing a great deal of dam- age, and people are spraying the trees with poison to kill them, which is a new remedy and very efEectual. Middle of June hot. Good hay weather, but very hot in July. Crop good; rain much needed. Hot and dry in August and first part of September. October 1, first hard frost of the season; rest of the month pleasant. Severe rain and snow- storm on the night of the 12th. November cold and wet rest of the month. December 5, cold; N. E. snowstorm, hay being moved from the marsh; cold, stormy weather last of the month. 1887. First part of January cold. A heavy snow 13th, which made the roads impassable. Eemadnder of naonth cold. 30th, snow going away fast. The weather in February was generally cold and disagree- able. April 3, breaking roads; snow remained until 10th; traveling bad; six inches of snow fell 18th; heavy rain 28th. May 22, the top of the ground is getting quite dry. June wet, with little hot weather.. July hot, but not the best of hay weather. A great deal of hot, wet weather in August, which ruined the potato crop; many fields not. worth digging. September pleasant. October cooler than the average.. November mild; a favorable time to do fall work. First part of Decem- ber pleasant. Snow came on the 19th and 23d; rest of the month cold. A moderate crop of apples, which sold at $2 per bbl. 1888. A great deal of cold, stormy weather in January. 28th, the glass has registered below zero for the past week. Ice houses were filled in January. February very cold and stormy with little pleasant weather. There is less snow about here than in many places not far- away. Roads running north and south are generally full of snow. First week in March very cold, with high wind. On the 10th and llthj we had 18 inches of damp, heavy snow which blocked the roads and: brought all business to a standstill. It was impossible for people ta get to the annual town meeting, and it was postponed until the Satur- day following. Hardly any of the towns held their town meetings on the day appointed. We had less snow than in many other places. This storm was very severe in southern New England and in New- York city, where many perished in the storm. April was cold an(J backward. Snow was visible during the entire month. May 12, pear^ and cherry trees in bloom. 18th, hot; 90 in shade. A great deal of rain fell in May. There was a, good crop of hay and the season quite favorable for getting it. A very large crop of apples which found 494 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. little sale, and in many cases were disposed of in bulk at a low price. The fall was pleasant and favorable for farm work. 1889. The winter was moderate without a great amount of snow; the season was earlier than usual. 9th and 10th of May, hot; 90 in the shade. Apple and cherry trees in bloom. A favorable time to do spring work. Last of May very wet. June 19, cold for time of year; remainder of the month hot. It has been very wet; the streams are swollen and running full as in spring; roads badly damaged by wash- ing. A great deal of rain in July; scarcely any fair days; less haying done during the month than was ever before known. Haying not generally finished until 20th of August; nearly all the hay was wet and damaged. There was a small crop of potatoes, the wet weather causing them to rot badly. A very good crop of apples. October 11, first killing frost of the season; rest of the month pleasant. Heavy rain November 27, which did a great deal of damage; old milldam gave way. Very wet December 1. Several inches of snow fell 14th, which soon disappeared. Ground very full of water. 25th, no frost in the ground; 50 above in eve. This year has been noted for rains and floods. Hay, $15 per ton at the barn; Bartlett pears, $4 per bbl.; wages, $20 per month and board. 1890. Very warm for time of year. January 2, 65 above; people are plowing. A cold wave on the 8th. A disease called "La grippe" is becoming very prevalent, and is attended with serious results. 18th, roads have been very icy for a number of days; 45 above 26th. Feb- ruary 5, snow going away; roads muddy. Ice 8 inches in thickness is Jbeing stored. March 1, roads very soft. 2d, 10 inches of snow fell, -%vhich is badly drifted. Stormy and disagreeable nearly all the month. -April 1, roads are beginning to dry up. The marsh has not been frozen •enough to team on and most of the hay still remains. The field mice jhave done a great deal of damage to young fruit trees, in some instances even gnawing the roots. Some rain first part of April; rest of the month dry and favorable for spring work. May 1, grass looks unusually well. Middle of the month hot, followed by rains. First week in June cool and wet; last of month fair; quite an amount of haying done in June. Good hay weather in July; haying generally done before the 20th; a good crop. Kain 26th, which washed the roads badly. Cyclone at Lawrence, Mass., causing loss of life and property. Fair and pleasant during August and September. Heavy rain 17th and 18th of October. Very wet rest of the month. November 1, cold; not much cold weather later in the month. December 1, below zero; snow enough for good sleighing. 15th, cold; zero weather for the past week. Filling ice houses. 26th, heavy snow which blocked the roads. Flour, $6; meal, 90 cts. per cwt.; oats, 40 cts. per bush.; apples, $2 per bbl. 1891. January 6, severe N. E. snowstorm which made it necessary to break the roads. There were a number of snowstorms and con- siderable rain during the month. 18th, trees and shrubbery coated with ice. February 5, 10 below; much cold, stormy weather during the EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL. 495 month. Marcli 4, heaviest fall of snow of the -winter, which blocked the roads. 21st, a rainstorm which continued four days. April 3, snow and rain storm which did much damage. 22d, 80 in the shade. May pleasant; very hot middle of the month; getting to be very dry. July a good hay season with an average crop. August and September pleasant but quite dry; much hot weather. October 1, 90 in the shade. Many are complaining of dry wells and scarcity of water; pleasant during the month. First cold weather and ground frozen November 29. December pleasant nearly all the month. Flour, $7; corn, 70 cts.; potatoes, 50 cts.; apples, $1.50 per bbl.; hay, $12 per ton at the barn. 1892. January 3, a remarkable winter thus far with little snow or cold weather. 11th, roads soft and wet. 27th, coldest day of the season. February 5, people cutting ice; 10 inches of snow fell 11th. Cold rest of the month. March 13, it has been cold, rough weather since the month came in. 20th, the wind has blown all the time for the past two weeks. 27th, snow going away. April 21, first rain for a long time. May 1, ice formed half an inch in thickness. Old pota- toes sell for 35 cts. per bush. 19th, a number of rainy days; grass looking unusually well. A great deal of hot weather in June, with a number of rains last of the month. A good hay season; haying gen- erally finished before the 20th of July. Green head flies very plenty and troublesome. Crops suffering from drouth. Eain in August helped the crops. Grasshoppers doing a great deal of damage.. 21st, roads dry and dusty; some rain last of the month. September, very pleasant. There is a large crop of apples which sell for $1.75 per bbl. October cool with some rain. November 5, snowing all day; pleasant middle of the month; cold with snow last of the month. December 15, pleasant; roads in good condition; cold last of month; no snow; roads smooth and frozen hard. The corn crop was very heavy this year. 1893. January 1, roads soft and muddy. From the 6th until the middle of the month cold and rough. Ice houses filled last of the month. First part of February cold. 20th, blizzard, which blocked the roads with snow. 22d, hard N. E. snowstorm; very snowy rest of the month. March 13, snow going away very fast; not much cold weather during the month; snow on the ground as late as the 15th of April. 22d, but little work done on the land. May 3, three or four inches of snow fell; two inches of rain 16th. Season cold and back- ward. 21st to 25th, very hot. Grass looks uncommonly well. Good growing weather and plenty of rain in June. July, a good crop of hay, mostly secured before the 20th, after which it became very dry; crops suffering. A heavy rain August 26. August 12, great heat for a number of days. 29th, blizzard which did much damage. Pleasant all through September. October, a good crop of potatoes, which are rot- ting badly; quite warm during the month. Pleasant weather extended through November. Cold in December with snow enough for sleigh- ing. 29th, very slippery. Corn selling for 53 cts. per bush. 496 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1894. January 1, putting in ice. Paid $4 for St. Louis and $5 for Haxall flour. 15th, roads had to be broken; snowy rest of the month. Middle of February cold, with a heavy body of snow upon the ground. 24th, 13 below with high wind. March 3, warmer; sleighing spoiled; roads muddy. 17th, roads drying; traveling good, with ground set- tled last of the month. April 3, ground frozen. 8th, cold N. e. snow- storm. 15th, the sun has not been visible for a, number of days; last of month pleasant; grass very green. Apple trees in bloom May 13; rain much needed. Heavy rains last of the month. Very cool first part of June; warm last of the month. July 7, getting very dry and hot; rain much needed. Haying done earlier than usual. Heavy rain 29th, attended with lightning, which did much damage in some places. Dry and dusty in August. Crops suffering from drought. September 3, hot; the air is full of smoke: considerable rain fell during the month, which made the grass look very green. 10th of October, 2 inches of rain; a pleasant month. Two inches of rain November 5. Snow came on the 8th, and remained upon the ground for a week, making the roads soft and muddy; rough weather last of the month. Some snow in December, which went away about the 30th, when we had a, number of pleasant days. 23d, ground frozen. 27th, a heavy snow which drifted badly. 30th, zero in the morning. Hay sold for $13 per ton at the barn. 1895. Fair and cool, but moderate weather with sleighing in Jan- . nary. Very cold, with 10 below first week in February; continued cold all the mouth. Snow on the 9th, which blocked the roads. Dull and wet first of March. Snow going away from the heat of the sun; roads soft last of the month. First plowing April 13; roads not wholly settled until the end of the month. May 8, hot weather. Hard frost 20th. June 1, it is getting very dry. Corn and other planted seed a long time in coming up; in some cases it did not come up at all. A great deal of dull vveather, which interfered with haymaking in July. Crop below the average. August 1, very cold; too cold for corn which is very small for the time of year. 11th, warmer; corn making a rapid growth remainder of the month. September 11, a heavy thun- der-storm at night, followed by cool weather for a number of days; rest of the month warm. First week in October perfect weather; heavy frost on the night of the 10th; 6 inches of rain fell 13th, which was very acceptable, as many were out of water. Surface of the ground became very dry before the end of the month. 31st, 3 inches of rain. Snow November 2. 11th, very hot for the time of year. Ground frozen quite hard 33d. Four inches of snow, which was badly drifted and made no sleighing, came December 5; zero weather 11th. 17th, roads very smooth; good wheeling. 22d, no frost in the ground; moderate rest of the month. 1896. First of January very moderate for the time of year. No frost in the ground; roads dry and settled. The ice, which was a few weeks ago seven inches in thickness in the ponds, has entirely disappeared. 5th, clear and cold; 18 below on morning of the 6th. People cutting EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL. 497 ice 16th. Heavy rain 24th; but little snow during the month. Feb- ruary 1, roads very hard and smooth; no snow. Some snow and a heavy rain 6th, which carried away bridges and did much damage. Hard snowstorm 9th. A schooner loaded with coal (Glendon) came ashore at Hampton Beach; crew saved. One came ashore at Salisbury, and another at Plum island; crews lost. 17th, 30 below, accompanied by a high wind. 24th, snow going away rapidly. The weather during March was disagreeable; roads muddy. 27th, very cold and windy; two stands of buildings were burned in Kensington, and others had a narrow escape. April cold and disagreeable; wind east nearly all the month. May 10, hot and dry; 90 in the shade. Apple trees in bloom 17th. 23d, very dry; but little rain has fallen since the ground opened. Good rain 31st; the drought appears to be broken. June 13, cold for time of year; there has been but little warm weather this spring. Crops are backward. Hot last of the month; considerable haying done in June. July, a good crop of hay and favorable weather to secure it. August 13, weather has been intensely hot for a number of days, and work has in many instances been suspended; it was dry all the month; too dry to plow. September 5, heavy rain; wet all the rest of the month. 12th, picking off Baldwin apples which sell at $1 per bbl. The largest crop of apples ever known, witlj no sale; so many as to be a disadvantage to those who have them; many were not gathered; sold as low as 25 cts. per bbl. in bulk. November 15, cold; snow upon the ground. 23d, trees and shrubbery coated with ice; but little pleas- ant weather during the month. Cold 1st of December. Heavy rain 9th, which cleared away warm. 16th, blocking snow; cold last of the month; roads smooth and frozen hard. Ice stored during the month was 10 inches in thickness, ileal, 70 cts. per cwt.; hay, $14 at the barn; Bartlett pears net $1.90 per bbl. 1897. Nearly all the month of January moderate without snow; roads hard and smooth. 25th, very cold, followed by a N. E. snowstorm which blocked the roads. February 7, rain, which spoiled the sleigh- ing. 16th, best sleighing of the season; last week of the month very pleasant. The roads were very wet and muddy all through March. There was a thunder-shower 21st. April 1, roads are drying up. 4th, grass looks quite green. A great amount of rain fell during the month. 25th, 80 in the shade. A great deal of rain in May; all kinds of vegetation vigorous. First week in June very rainy. On the 9th, 6 inches of rain fell in 24 hours; E. E. culvert at Exeter washed out; freight train wrecked; three killed. The dam at Brown's mill gave way, and the two bridges below were washed out and had to be rebuilt. Gardens and planted fields submerged, with a poor prospect for hoed crops. Last of the month fair and warm. Considerable hay- ing done during the month. Crops of all kinds very small and back- ward for the time of year. Until the 10th of July it was good hay weather, but very hot; 100 in the shade; 114 was reported from Lowell, Mass. There were many deaths from the effect of the great heat; rest of the month exceedingly wet, with east wind. A large crop of hay; 498 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. the last of the month poor hay weather; haying not generally done until first week in August. A great deal of rain in August. 34th, cold, dark, and rainy; much like a November day. A great crop of salt grass. September was pleasant with considerable rain. 9th and 10th, great heat. A white frost 22d. First of October cool and pleas- ant. 10th, heavy frost; there has been more or less frost every morn- ing for a week. 15th, 90 in the shade. Tour inches of rain fell Novem- ber 2. 12th, snowing all day; much wet and little pleasant weather during the month. First week in December moderate.; later cool, with some snow. Heavy snow 31st. There has been frost every month this year. Bartlett pears netted 75 cts. per bbl.; hay, $10 at the barn; corn, 40 cts. per bush.; granulated sugar, 5'y4 cts. per. lb.; potatoes, 60 cts.; wages of men, from $15 to $18 per month with board. Day labor has for many years been $1.50 without board. Not a large crop of apples, which were of poor quality; sold at $2 per bbl. 1898. January 3, coldest day thus far of the winter; zero weather 8th; snow going away; sleighing spoiled; 10 inches of snow fell 26th; very cold. On the 31st began one of the most severe and heavy snow- storms ever known here, which brought all business to a. standstill throughout New England. It was followed by very cold weather; 20 below on morning of February 3. It cost this town nearly $600 to open the roads and make thena passable, as they had to be shoveled nearly the entire length. Eain fell on the 12th, which settled the snow very much. 16th, a cold, drifting snow. Three days' rain 21st, 22d, and 23d. Fair last of the month. March 5, five inches of snow fell. 12th, snow going fast; roads muddy. The month of March was very pleasant; in fact, the pleasantest of the whole year. A great deal of rough weather with much rain in April. 17th, grass very green. May 8, it has been very cold and wet for the past few weeks; spring work very backward. 22d, apple trees in bloom; a very general bloom. 29th, the sun has not been visible for the past week, raining nearly all the time, 6 inches having fallen. First week in June cold and rainy. The pear bloom nearly all blighted. Warm last of the month. July 2, 3, and 4, intensely hot. 4, a tornado visited Hampton Beach, which blew down buildings, causing loss of life. A boat was capsized; 5 persons drowned; i of them were from Kensington. A thunder-shower 21st; the buildings of D. C. Hawes of this town and those of D. E. Palmer of Kensington destroyed by fire. One of the largest crops of hay ever known; poor weather to get it in July; much damaged hay; much haying yet to be done first of August; many haying when the weather would admit all the month. A great deal of rain fell during August. September, very hot first of the month; more heat than usual during the month, with some rain. Some pleasant weather and a great deal of rain in October. A good but not a general crop of apples, which sold from $2 to $2.50 per bbl. November 2, iliss Florence Healey fatally bxTrned from her clothes taking fire. 12th, it has frozen considerably for the past two nights. It was wet during November with little pleasant weather. 27th, one of the heaviest snowstorms ever known EXTRACTS FROM WARREK BROWN'S JOURNAL. 499 so early in the season, which was badly drifted; it required two or three days' labor to open the roads. Great loss of life and property along the New England coast. The "City of Portland" lost with all on board, 140 in number. December 4, heavy rain at night, which carried of£ a great deal of the snow and spoiled the sleighing. This was followed by cold; 10 below on the 14th. 23d, snow going fast. 31st, a disagreeable day; rain which turned to snow. Thus ends a year of little pleasant weather, with a great deal of loss of life and property in this immediate vicinity. JOHN GEEENLEAE WHITTIEE. John GheenIaEai' Whittibe was born in Haverhill^ Mass., De- cember, 1807. He was a lineal descendant of EeY. Stepben Bach- iler and Capt. Christopher Hussey, which was to him a source of pride. He took a lively interest in the home of his ancestors, and in the welfare of this town. In his boyhood days he spent consid- erable time in this vicinity, and was familiar with the country scenes about here. It has been said that many of the beautiful ■descriptions in his writings are of places located between Great hill and the Merrimack river. He made an annual pilgrimage to this town every year from 1860 until his death in 1893. He passed the summer of 1892 with a few of his intimate friends at the house ■of Miss Sarah A. Gove, where he died September 7. The death of Mr. Whittier has caused considerable interest to be felt in the place where he died. Hundreds yearly visit the house, which has now become a place of great historic interest. Miss Gove's place is -called "Elmfield," a picture of which appears in this book. 500 OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. The early settlers had few of the co-nveniences and comforts which every one now considers necessary for the enjoyment of life. They were largely dependent for the supply of their wants upon the products of their farms, which were utilized by their own labor. But little food was purchased. Meats were obtained from the flesh of animals killed upon the farm. Ice was not used. Eefrigerators were unknown. Often portions of the animal killed were loaned to the neighbors, which were repaid in kind when animals were killed by them. In this way the fresh meat supply was kept up for a long time by the killing of one anmial. The other parts were salted and kept for a number of months before all was eaten. Nearly every family had a beef and a pork barrel, from which most of the meat used in summer was taken. Meats were not expected upon the table every day as at the present time. As late as 1850 butcher's carts, now so common, were almost unknown. Nahum Osgood of Amesbury was about the only one who drove through this and neighboring towns. He did not sell a great amount, as people considered it expensive to patronize a butcher's cart. Most families foimd it necessary to practice strict economy in the expenditure of money. The chimney was very large, occupying a relatively large amount of the space inside the house. The fireplace was large enough to accommodate logs four feet in length, and was oftentimes larger than this. In making a fire a backlog a foot or more in diameter was placed against the back of the fireplace. A forestick was placed across the andirons in front; between these wood was placed, and a hot fire was the result, which threw out a great deal of heat and gave the room a cheerful appearance. I have seen large stones used instead of a backlog, and an iron bar laid on the andirons in front in place of the forestick. The houses were not made very tight. Ample ventilation was had by the constant current of air which was passing up the chimney. A long seat made of boards, 501 502 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. with a high back to keep off the wind from behind, was placed before the fire. On this the family sat. This was called a "settle." In sitting before an open fire it was often complained that while one was roasted in front he was frozen in the rear. This was more healthy than the close and overheated rooms of later times. At -night when the family retired, any of the fire that remained was carefully covered with ashes, and was expected to keep until morning to kindle the fire for the next day. This was called "rak- ing up the fire.'' Calculation was made to have fire enough to cover up every night, so that it need not be lost. If the fire did not keep some one would go with' a foot stove to the neighbors, if they lived near, and borrow some fire. If this was inconvenient resort was had to the tinder box. Tinder was made by charring cotton or linen rags. The box contai-ning this was kept in a receptacle made in the side of the fireplace, by leaving out a couple of bricks. By striking fire with fiint and steel, the tinder was set on fire. Home- made matches, which had been dipped in melted brimstone, were set on fire by touchi-ng the burning tinder, and in this way a fire was obtained. Sometimes fire was kindled by fiashing powder in the pan of a flint-lock musket, which would set paper on fire. Fric- tion matches did not come much into use until 1832. The cooking was done over and before an open fire ; boiling was done by suspending kettles with hooks which were upon the crane, of different lengths to accommodate the height of the fire. An adjustable hook which was called a "trammel" was sometimes used. In early times meat was cooked by passi-ng an iron rod called a spit through it. This was laid on the andirons in front of the fire; by repeated turning and exposing on all sides it was evenly cooked. Another way was to suspend the meat and poultry by a line before the fire; by twisting the line hard it would slowly unwind. Some one had to be in attendance to turn the meat often. The writer recollects when he was set to do this. A dish was placed under- neath to catch the drip. Sometimes the line would burn off, and have to be replaced before the cooking could be completed. Later, meats and poultry were roasted in a tin kitchen which was of cylin- drical form, made of tin, two or more feet in length, and fifteen inches in diameter, open i-n front. The meat was placed upon a spit, one end of which was passed through a hole made in the end, and the other passed through a slot in the other end so as to sus- pend the meat in the center of the enclosed space. It was then placed before the fire, the bright surface inside reflecting the heat OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 503 powerfully upon whatever was to be cooked. On the end of the spit was a crank which could be so adjusted as to hold it in any posi- tion. By frequent turnings the cooking would be done evenly on all sides. There was a door in the back side which could be opened to allow the basting to be done. The gravy fell into the bottom where there was a small spout at one end. By tipping up, this could be turned out into a dish. Potatoes and eggs were roasted by wrapping them in wet paper, placing them in ashes, and then covering them with hot coals. In half an hour or so they would be well cooked. Potatoes cooked in this way, with a little salt, were very nice eating. At iirst bread and other things were cooked in a Dutch oven, which was suspended over the fire. It was a shallow east-iron ket- tle, with a cover of the same material. The things to be cooked were placed in it, and the cover filled with live coals. It was used for both baking and frying. I have seen a Dutch oven, but never saw it in use. Before cooking stoves came into use bread, pies, etc., were baked before an open fire in a tin baker. This was a box made of tin twenty inches or so in length, the bottom, about a foot wide, inclining forward aboiit twenty-two and one half degrees and set on legs. It had a perpendicular back four or five inches in width; the top was similar in shape to the bottom; it had a sheet- iron bake-pan suspended between them. "When the baker was set before the fire at a suitable distance the bright inclined surfaces, top and bottom, reflected the heat with great power upon the mate- rial to be cooked. The greater part of the bread eaten by the writer before coming to his majority was baked in a tin baker. The baker first came into use about 1830. Bannock, made from corn meal mixed with water and spread about an inch in thickness upon a tin plate or trencher, was baked before the fire by setting it on an incline, the top a couple of inches back from the bottom. When baked and made into milk toast it was considered a dish fit to be "set before a king." Stoves were known as early as 1790, but did not come into gen- eral use until many years after. Box stoves for heating churches and schoolrooms were the first to be introduced, about 1820. Be- fore this schoolrooms were heated by an open fire, and churches were not heated at all. The only fire in the churches at that time was carried in by women in foot stoves. Cooking stoves were not much used about here before 1840. Those first introduced were simple in construction, and in no way as efficient in their work as 504 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. those of the present time. Joshua Getehell of Exeter manufactured and put up many of the first cook stoves ever used in this town. The hrick oven was in nearly every house. At first the means for regulating the fire and retaining the heat were imperfect. A sheet-iron blower was set wp on an incline before the mouth to make the fire burn more briskly, and when heated it was set in close to keep in the heat. It had a wooden door which closed outside of this. Afterward the cast-iron oven mouth, with a damper in the door and another in the top to retain the heat, came into use. This proved a great saving in fuel and heat. In heating the oven dry pine wood, which had been split and seasoned out of doors for a short time and then housed, was considered a necessity for the best results. In heating the oven it was considered hot enough when the black was all burned off the roof, and the whole inside had assumed a uniform light color. The fire was then removed with a long-handled iron shovel made for the purpose. The handle and blade were both of iron. The bottom was swept with a broom made of hemlock boughs. The process of removing the fire and getting it ready for use was called "clearing the oven." The things to be cooked were then put in, — brown bread made from rye and Indian meal, drop cakes made with milk and eggs and wheat flour, which were placed directly upon the bricks and when done and eaten hot with butter were considered a great luxury. Beans, meats, pota- toes, pies, and many other things were cooked in the oven at the same time. After the introduction of cook stoves many considered beans and brown bread baked in a brick oven much superior to those baked in a stove oven. The oven was often used to smoke hams and bacon in. This was done by making a slow fire of corn cobs, and continuing it for two or three weeks. This was consid- ered an injury to the oven, as it softened the mortar, and in time did damage. Well-to-do families who were reputed to be good livers made it a rule to heat the oven daily, and a good supply of dry pine wood was kept on hand at all times for this purpose. When the oven was heated daily not as much fuel was necessary, as much of the heat was retained in the adjoining brickwork. The Pranlclin fireplace was invented by Benjamin Franklin. It was made of iron and set out into the room, and was connected with the chimney by a funnel a foot or more in length. The frame was often of a pretty and ornamental design. It had a large iron hearth, on which an open fire was kept. As it was all in the room OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 505 more of the heat was retained. In other respects, its practical operations were much the same as in the ordinary fireplace. The custom for individiials to have middle names, now so common as to be almost xmiversal, was in the early history of the town unknown. The first instance we find upon the record was in 1760, when the -name of Daniel Chase Green appears for one year. The next is that of Nathaniel H. Dodge, in 1768, which continues until his death in 1830. There are but two names on the invoice hook of 1800, viz. : Christopher T. Chase and Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge. As late as 1830 there are but twelve names on the list who have a middle name. Since then there has been a large increase, until those having no middle name are the exception. The skins of the animals which were killed upon the farm^ were tanned into leather. It took a year or more to do this by the old process, but it produced an excellent quality of leather which did good service when made up by the itinerant shoemakers who went about doing that kind of work. At the beginning of the century top boots were not in general use. Leggings, called 'TDUskins," were knit, and reached from the knee to the foot with the bottom widened to cover the shoe. They were tied down with leather strings which went under the instep and came up and were tied on the top of the foot. I ca-n recollect when nearly all the old men wore buskins. Boots made by crimping in the ankles were not in use before 1805. They were called "Suwarrow" boots, named for the Eussian gen- eral of that name. Pegged boots and shoes were introduced at about the same time. There was much prejudice against them at first. The utmost economy was practiced in those times. Nearly all the young people and some of the older ones went barefoot dur- ing the summer. In going to church the girls and young women often walked a number of miles to meeting on Sunday. They wore heavy shoes or went barefooted, carrying their morocco shoes in their hands until near the church, where they were put on. This was done to save wear. Clothing was made from fiax and wool produced upon the farm. Many of the women were capable of taking the wool as it came from the sheep, cleansing, carding, spinning into yarn, and weaving into cloth, then cutting and making the clothes for the family. The carding was done with hand cards similar to those used for carding cattle, only a little larger and of finer mesh. When carding ma- chines came into use and the rolls were produced by machinery, it was feared that the women would become lazy by being relieved of 506 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. SO nmeli work. The rolls were spun into yarn upon the hand wheel. Five skeins was considered a good day's work. The yarn was woven into cloth on the hand loom, which was a ponderous affair and occupied a great deal of room. The yarn which went lengthwise of the cloth had to be drawn into the harness by hand; that which went the other way came from the shuttle. The yarn which was in the shuttle was wound upon short quills, which were pieces of elder three inches in length with the pith punched out. The quills were wound on a wheel called a "quill wheel/' which made a great deal of noise. This work was done by children or some attendant, while the woman of the house was weaving. Weaving was hard work. Five or six yards were considered a good day's work. Cotton was sometimes bought and worked in about the same manner as wool. When the yarn was to be knit it was generally colored before using. The dye pot was of earthen-ware and had its place in the chimney corner just inside the fireplace. It was covered with a piece of board or plank on which the children often sat. The dye was made of indigo dissolved in urine. Into this the yarn was put and remained until it was colored. When the yam was wrung out, or the contents disturbed, the odor which arose had no resemblance to the balmy breezes from "Araby the blest." Ifutshells and many other things were used to color cloth. The cloth for men's wear was called "fulled cloth." After it was woven it was taken to the clothier, where it was fulled, dyed, sheared, and pressed. That worn by women was simply dyed and pressed, and was called pressed cloth. Baize without any filling or napping was woven for women's use. In my boyhood days many of the men wore short Jackets made of green baize. Some of the women wove bed covers which showed a great deal of taste and ingenuity in the designs of the fig- ures upon them. Flax was grown upon the farm. In the fall it was pulled and placed upon the ground, where it remained a number of months until the woody portion was rotted and the fiber became pliable. When it had arrived at the right stage it was broken by a clumsy arrangement called a flax brake, which rid the fiber of the woody parts. After the fiber was separated it was "swingled," which was done by beating it with a wooden paddle called a swingling knife. When it had been prepared for the comb, it was then drawn repeat- edly over the comb, which was made of nail rods. The teeth were pointed and about six inches in length, seven rows with twelve in each row. The combing took out the short and broken portions, OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 507 which was called tow. The tow was sometimes spun into wrapping twine. When the flax had been combed sufficiently it was put upon the distaff and spun. The linen wheel was about twenty inches in diameter, and was operated by the foot resting upon a treadle. The wheel had two grooTes in the circumference, one to receive a band to drive the fliers, the other to drive the spool with a quicker motion to take up the thread. The thread when spun and woven was made into shirts, sheets, table covers, dresses, handkerchiefs, sttainer cloths, etc. Shoe thread was made from linen. Shoes at that time were generally sewed. Bopes were often homemade and were of linen. In the summer men wore tow and linen clothes. A cloth made of cotton and linen was called fustian. The cider mill was upon a great many of the farms where the apples, which were mostly natural fruit, were made into cider. This, was a common drink and found a place upon the table three times a day with each meal, and was carried into the field to quench thirst forenoon and afternoon. The hired men of those days assumed to be unable to labor without a liberal supply of cider, as water seldom agreed with them. The drawing and putting the cider upon the table usually fell to the younger members of the family, and was generally considered an irksome task. In some cases it was made the rule that the one who got up the latest in the morning should draw the cider for the day. Cider which had been drawn for a little time and had become warm was not considered fit to drink. Any which remained in the mug was emptied into a barrel kept for the purpose in the cellar, and was soon converted into vinegar. In this way the family supply of vinegar was made and kept up, and it was generally of the best quality. The tallow candle was used for light in the evening. When this was supplemented by a blazing fire in the fireplace it gave the room a cheerful appearance. Most of the candles were "dips," although a few were run in moulds made for the purpose. All the tallow which came from the animals killed upon the farm was carefully saved. It was tried out and rendered by heating. The liquid thus obtained was put in pans to cool. When enough had been accu- mulated it was placed in a large kettle and melted. The candle wicking was made of cotton, and was bought. It came in balls. The wicking was cut twice the length of the candle and doubled over a stick made for the purpose and then twisted together. These sticks were two feet in length and half an inch in diameter. Six wicks were placed upon each stick, and as many used as would 508 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. hold all the candles to be made at one time. Two sticks six or eight feet i-n length, often old rake handles, were used for supports. These were placed npon two chairs and about eighteen inches apart. On these the sticks were placed with the wicks hanging down. By taking a couple of the sticks in the hand the wicks were placed in the hot tallow until they were soaked. When all had been thus treated dipping began. Each time a little tallow adhered, which was allowed to cool. Care was taken not to allow them to remain in the hot tallow long enough to melt off what had already cooled. While the dipping was going on the candles were suspaided where a draft of air would pass over and cause them to cool quickly. Care was taken not to have the candles touch each other. The dipping continued until the candles were large enough for use. If the tal- low in the kettle became too cool to work well, some boiling water was put in which went to the bottom and kept the tallow aboTe warm enough to work. The tallow candle made a dim light, and was disagreeable, as it smoked considerably and required constant snufEng or cutting off of the burnt portions of the wick. A little contrivance called "snuffers" was used for this purpose, in which the portions of the wick cut off were retained, and this was emptied from time to time as the receptacle became filled. Those who have been used to the bright illumination of the present time can have little conception of the days of tallow candles. A better light was made by burning sperm oil, or whale oil, as it was sometimes called. There were some things about that not wholly agreeable. The oil had a disagreeable smell, and was often on the outside of the lamp. The wicks required trimming daily, and did not light readily. Lard oil was also used and had about the same capacity to make light as the sperm. Astral and solar lamps were used in the parlors for burning these oils, and were often pretty and ornamental. Burning iiuid made from camphine was used and made a bright light. It lighted readily; it was very inflammable, in some cases explosive, and in careless hands was dangerous, and for that reason, did not come into very general use. Kerosene oil began to be used in this town in 1858. At that time it was made from coal and was called coal oil. At first it cost $1.50 per gallon. Later it was produced by refining crude petroleum, and sold as low as ten cents per gallon. It has come into almost universal use. Its cheapness and efficiency have been of great bene- fit to all rural homes. OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 509 Nearly every family made the soft soap used in washing clothes, floors, etc. All the ashes made were carefully saved and were stored in a dry place. In the spring the mash tub was set up. This tub would hold sixty or seventy gallons. In the bottom a row of bricks were set on edge. On them a framework was placed which was cov- ered with hemlock boughs or straw, over which a porous cloth was placed. The tub was then filled with ashes. If any doubt existed as to the strength of the ashes a little lime was put in. Boiling water was then poured on in small quantities, at frequent inter- vals. This was allowed to settle. When no more water would be taken it was left to stand an hour or more, when the first lye was drawn. An egg was dropped into the lye; if the egg fioated, all was well ; good luck was assured, and the good woman's face brightened as all anxiety as to the result was removed. Ashes from any wood except pine and beech were considered good and were used with confidence. Ashes from wood burned in an open fire were consid- ered better than those made in the stove. All the grease which had accumulated during the year was saved and placed in a kettle with some of the lye. These were boiled together, and if it did not sep- arate when cooled, it was soap. When after boiling the lye and grease separated on becoming cold, it was called bad luck, and was the. result of using poor ashes and weak lye. The women folks dreaded soap-making, and felt much relieved when it was over. It was one of the hardest days of the year, and night found them very tired. It was made a point to have the soap-making precede the spring cleaning, and not make any second cleaning on this account necessary. People generally rode on horseback to church and elsewhere to do business. Often the man rode on the saddle and the woman on a pillion behind him. To assist in mounting and dismounting horse blocks were used at the church and in other public places. Some of the stone ones are yet to be seen. Small articles were carried in saddle-bags, balanced one on each side of the horse. Grain was carried to mill laid across the horse's back, half in each end of thel sack. Some have been heard of who put the grain in one end of the bag and a stone in the other to make it balance. Most all light carrying was done on horseback, as wagons and car- riages had not come into use. My grandfather brought seventy young apple trees from Kingston before him on the horse's back. These afterward became an orchard. 33 610 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. In the early days baked pumpkin and milk was a favorite dish. A hard-shelled pumpkin had a hole cut in the stem end large enough to admit the hand. The seeds and inside tissue were care- fully removed; the piece cut out was replaced, and the pumpkin was then put in a hot oven. When cooked it was filled with new milk and the contents were eaten with a spoon. When emptied the shells were often used as a receptacle for balls of yarn, rem- nants of cloth, and other small articles. Bean porridge was another dish which was quite popular. It was often made in large quanti- ties in cold weather, and was considered to grow better with age. Hence the old saying, — • Bean porridge hot; Bean porridge cold; Bean porridge best Wlien nine days old. Before iron shovels came much into use a shovel was made of oak, and the edges were shod with iron. They were called shod shovels, and were in general use about 1800 and a little later. Hay find manure forks were made of iron by the blacksmith. They were heavy, had large tines which bent easily, and were almost always loose in the handle. It took a great deal of strength to use them. 'They bore no resemblance to the light steel forks of the present day in doing easy work. Hoes were made by the blacksmith and were made of iron and laid with steel. When they had become worn they frequently were resteeled. There were many blacksmiths who could and did make axes, scythes, knives, etc. Benjamin Pike of this town was one of them. When help was wanted upon the farm the son of some neighbor who was not as well off, or who had not work enough to profitably employ all his sons, could be hired. He became one of the family, took an active interest in his employer's business, and in not a few instances married his daughter, and later with his wife suc- ceeded to the ownership of the farm. If help was wanted in the house, some girl in the neighborhood was willing tO' accept the place. She was strong and ready, capable and honest, a-nd in the absence of her mistress was able to take the lead. She was not looked upon as a menial, and often established herself permanently by becoming the life partner of the son. Girl help worked for low wages. Fifty cents per week and board for the whole year was a common price. Clocks were not in use in every house before 1800, and for some years later. Watches were rare and expensive. The clocks first OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 611 introduced were the long ones reaching from the floor to the ceiling. Some were more expensive than others, being of handsome design, having inlaid faces upon which the day of the month and the phases of the moon were shown. The cost of these clocks was from fifty to one hundred dollars and upward. Some of the latter, if in good condition, would sell at the present time for much more than the original cost. There were a number of" clock makers who sold clocks in this town. Balch of Newburyport made quite a number of them. One of them, in the Leavitt family and owned by Thomas Leavitt, Esq., at the time of his death in 1852, was in con- tinuous use for eighty-eight years before any repairs became neces- sary. At the end of that time one of the lines gave way. ISToon marks and sun dials were used before clocks became common. In fair weather by means of these the time could be computed with considerable accuracy, but they were of no use at night or in cloudy and stormy weather. To accommodate those who had no time- pieces, the town bell was rung at noon and at 9 p. m., so that dinner and bed time could be easily determined, and no one need suffer unnecessarily for want of food or sleep. Because many had no means of telling the time, was the reason that appointments were made for early candlelight. Early in June came the annual sheep washing. The sheep were driven to a pond or below some mill, as rapid running water was considered better than that which was still. The sheep were taken one at a time by men and boys into the swift running water as it came from under the wheel. The sheep was turned upon its back, with one hand holding the forelegs, and the other keeping the head OUT of the water. The sheep was soused up and down for a number of minutes; then the wool was squeezed between the hands until much of the dirt was washed out. The sheep were then turned into the pasture to dry for a few days before shearing. Washed wool sold for one third more than the unwashed, and this was thought to pay well for doing the work. Afterward the washing became a matter of form, with little attempt to extract much of the dirt. Buyers objected to this and preferred to buy unwashed wool. The practice of washing sheep had little to commend it. The sheep is a timid animal and naturally averse to the water, and the process came near to cruelty. The wool had to be scoured by the manu- facturers before using, and the small amount of dirt extracted by washing did not amount to much. It was often an enjoyable occa- sion to those who did the washing. 512 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. It was a custom with most families to gather roots and herbs to be used for medicinal purposes. Catnip, pennyroyal, sage, thor- oughwort, spearmint, tansy, elderblows, wormwood, and other plants were saved to be used in ease of sickness. Gold thread or yellow root was saved and was a remedy for canker in the mouth. Many of the old women who bad reared families of children were skillful in the use of these remedies, and were se-nt for in case of sick- ness, and would prescribe teas made from some of the above men- tioned plants. The services of the doctor were dispensed with and the patient restored to health without expense. There was much to recommend the practice. There was less danger of injury from these mild remedies than from the use of drugs, and quite often improvement in health resulted. The herbs were cut when in bloom and tied in small bundles which were suspended from the rafters in the garret to dry, which caused a pleasant aromatic smell in the upper part of the house. The practice of gathering herbs to be used for medicinal purposes in the family is now almost un- known. The well was usually at some distance from the house and often located in an exposed and wind-swept position where a great deal of travel must be done daily over a snowy and slippery path in win- ter and through mud and wet at other times. Convenience in the location of the well was in too many cases overlooked. From the well all the water used for domestic purposes was brought into the house in pails. A water supply at the sink, either by a pump or running water, was very rare. The water from the well was elevated and drawn with the old well-sweep, which has now become nearly obsolete. The water from an open well was considered more healthy, as it was exposed to the air. The "old oaken bucket" raised by a windlass was also in use. The pumps were made from logs cut upon the farm. Pump makers traveled about with augers to make and repair pumps for such as were in need. Eeady-made pumps with fancy tops came into use about 1850, and the chain pump a little later. The boring of log pumps, once so common, is now among the lost arts. There has been a great improvement in the matter of water supply, with much saving of labor, over the methods of the olden time, and the amount of water used has been greatly increased. Sugar was not as generally used and cost a great deal more than it does at the present time. A pound of butter was often bartered for a pound of sugar with the storekeeper. Some families sup- OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. , 513 plied themselves by making maple sugar. Brown sugars of differ- ent shades were generally used for cooking and for table use. The light brown was most in favor and was supposed to contain less dirt. The Havana, which came in boxes containing five hundred pounds, was called the best. White sugar was not very common, and was bought in cone-shaped loaves weighing twenty-five pounds each. They came wrapped in strong paper of a dark blue color. The loaf was reduced and crushed for use with a hammer and a large knife. Later the sugar was crushed into irregular pieces before it was offered for sale, and was known to the trade as crushed sugar. The first white granulated sugar ever seen by the writer was at his school boarding place in 1853. It came into use slowly, and was not sold by the grocers generally until a number of years later. The usual retail price of white sugar before the war was ten cents per pound, and for brown sugar from six to eight cents, the lightest colored selling for the highest price. During the war of the Eebellion white sugar at one time was sold three pounds for a dollar. Brown sugar is not now much kept for sale by the grocers as white granulated has almost entirely superseded its use. By improved methods of cultivation, modern machinery, and greater intelligence the cost of sugar has been greatly reduced, and a greater increase in the amount used has resulted. Flour was not sold in barrels much before 1810, and was not much used by a majority of families until many years later. Bread was made from home grown wheat and from rye and Indian meal, which were ground by the local miller. These were in favor because they did not call for any outlay of money. At first the flour was made from wheat raised in western 'New York, and was called Genesee. It was put up in barrels which had flat hoops. Ohio flour was put up in barrels which were a little smaller and had round hoops. As the country grew and became more populous the wheat supply was grown further west, and we had "St. Louis," and that which came from Minneapolis. Eoller process and Haxall are names which have come into use within a few years. The flour which is sold at the present time is, as a rule, of much better quality than that of the earlier days. It was regarded as a wonderful thing when it was said that a barrel of flour could come from Wisconsin to Boston without change of cars. In the olde-n time the use of spirituous liquors was very general by all classes of people. Those who abstained were the rare excep- tion. Occasions where people assembled in numbers were not con- 514 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. sidered complete iinless it was dispensed with a liberal hand. At weddings, funerals, ordinations, raisings, etc., a good supply of that which cheered, and if taken in sufficient quantities would inebriate, was always expected. When the minister called upon the families of his congregation he would have felt slighted if something had not been set out to welcome him, of which he was a willing partaker, and not a few instances are upon record where the world looked brighter and life more worth living after he had called upo-n his parishioners and partaken of their hospitality. Cider was made and put in the cellars in large quantities, and was a common bever- age. In any old bill for supplies items for liquors formed a large part. Early in the century a few clergymen, of whom Dr. Lyman Beecher was one, in difEerent parts of New England, became con- vinced that the free use of intoxicating liquors was a great evil, and of immense damage to the community. These men organized tem- perance societies on the total abstinence plan. In 1840 the "Wash- ingtonian movement swept over the eastern states. It required the signing of a pledge to abstain from the iise of all spirituous liquors, including cider and wine. In this town a very large number joined in the movement and signed the pledge. This included a majority of the infliiential men, which created a strong public sentiment. A great improvement was apparent. Drunkenness was despised, and moderate drinking was looked upon with disfavor. The places where liquors had previously been sold in this town were closed. This was made an easy matter as the stages ceased to run about this time and public houses were no longer needed. Cider mills were disposed of, and natural apple trees either grafted or cut down. The most of those who signed the pledge remained steadfast, and the town had a reputation for good order and sobriety second to none other in the state. Many years ago there were old men clothed in tatters and rags who traveled about calling at the houses and begging for food. They were men of large appetites, and would eat all that was set before them in every house. They were very fond of cider and could dispose of large quantities when they could get it. These men were called old stragglers. They slept in barns and out-houses, and were very disagreeable persons to have about. They were the terror of women and children, although generally harmless, being often de- mented or mildly insane. They were sometimes paupers who were turned out in summer to shift for themselves and thus save expense to the towns which were chargeable for their support. Later these OLD-TIMK CUSTOMS. 515 persons were confined in the county institutions and not allowed to wander over the eountrj^, mucli to the satisfaction of the dwellers in the rural towns. They were older men than the modern tramp and more deserving of charity. There were a few old women who went about in this way, but they were not as numerous as the men. One colored woman, named Lucy Perose, came to this town fre- quently. She was afterward found dead in the road in Kensington. There have been but few of the class known as stragglers for the past fifty years. One hundred years ago the dwellers in the rural towns were much more social and neighborly than at the present time. Then news- papers were few and magazines very rare. The weekly paper pub- lished at the county seat was generally the only one seen and read, many families not even reading that, the local paper not being as newsy and interesting as those of the present time. In the absence of reading matter and other means of amusement the neighbors called upon one another, often spending the evenings at each other's houses, where the weather, crops, and local news were discussed before the blazing fire. Checkers and other games were played, and sometimes the young people had a dance in the kitchen. Nuts, apples, and cider were passed around and added much to the pleas- ure of the occasion. Afternoon visits and tea parties were of fre- quent occurrence, the women taking their knitting-work or sewing alang with them. The social condition of the country towns was better than in these times when people stay at home and read the- newspapers and periodicals and see less of their neighbors in a friendly way. People are much more intelligent but less cordial than in the early days. After a snowstorm, when the roads were filled with snow so as to make traveling by single team difficult or impossible, the roads were broken. All the oxen in the neighborhood were yoked up together with the steers which were untrained, as they could here do some good and become accustomed to the yoke. The team was hitched to a sled and a big log fastened under the forward end. Some of the men drove the oxen, while a good number of men and boys rode upon the sled to weight it. By going once or twice and returning over the road a good path was made, better than could be made in any other way, as the feet of so many cattle trod the snow and made it quite solid. Shovels were not used much except in drifts and deep snow. There were generally oxen enough in every highway district to make a good team. The work was done voluntarily and 616 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. no charge made for the service, nearly every one being ready to bear their part of the burden. Only a few were unwilling to aid in the work. When oxen became scarce and many districts had not a single pair, other methods were resorted to, and the work was paid for. There was no shirking under this system, as all the property in the towns was assessed to pay the expense. Men wore their hair longer than at the present. Hair cutting was almost always done by some member of the family. The round cut, or pumpkin shell, was the general style of hair cut. Those who ■employed a barber were the rare exception, and barbers not having nearly as much business were miich fewer in number than now. Since it has become the almost universal practice to employ pro- fessional hair cutters the personal appearance of men has been much improved. The face was clean shaven, which was done once a week, almost always on Sunday morning before going to church. The day of the week could be told with considerable accuracy by the length of some men's beards. Some who cared more for their per- sonal appearance would shave twice a week, and a few rare exeep- iions were said to shave daily. Beards were not much worn before 1845. Before that time a person with a long beard was sometimes seen, but they were often men whose minds were unbalanced or who were insane. Side whiskers were the first to come in fashion. The full beard came later. There was a great deal of prejudice against ■(rearing beards at first. The mustache without other beard, now so common, is a more recent fashion. There is not as much beard worn as at one time a few years ago. The title of Mr. was not a universal one as applied to all men at the present time. "Where this title appears upon the early records it is intended to convey an idea of superiority in rank over those not so designated, and was often used before a man's name when he was prominent in the church. For many years after the adpotion of the federal constitution, the office of Justice of the quorum was one of honor and much sought for. It conferred nearly as much distinction as now attends a jus- tice of the supreme court. There was generally but one in the smaller towns. By the terms of his commission a justice of the quorum had jurisdiction over all the larger and more important cases which could be tried before a justice of the peace, and all such cases were to be tried before him. In recent years this office has lost much of its importance, and is not regarded as being of much ^¥alue. OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 517 During the century now about to close there has been a great change in the style and manner of procuring men's clothing. Then clothing stores where ready-made clothing could be bought were unknown. Most of the clothing was made from wool which was grown upon the farms. The cloth was cut and made up at home. A style of coat quite commonly worn was made some like a modem dress coat, and was called a straight-bodied coat. A frock coat was considered more genteel. Bound jackets were much worn and were often made of green baize. Later, a longer one, called a monkey jacket, and made of Bob Boy plaid, was in style. Mrs. Sarah Per- kins of Seabrook worked as a tailoress in many families in this town fifty and more years ago. She cut and made garments of all kinds. Sometimes when cloth had been bought for a best suit it was taken to a merchant tailor to be cut, and then made up by the local tailor- ess. Clothing cost more in those days than at present, when it is better fitted and of more style. The crowd is now much better dressed than formerly. Felt hats came into style soon after 1850. Hats made of felt, upon which an ostrich feather was worn, were called "Kossuth" hats, as a similar hat had been worn by the gen- eral during his visit to this country in 1851. Since then the various styles of hats worn have been made of felt. Before felt hats were introduced the tall silk hat was worn by old and young. Whenever there was any considerable gathering of men a great variety of hats could be seen, from the new and shiny through all the stages of wear to those in the last stages of dissolution. Tarpaulin hats, made for wet weather wear, were worn by some men during the entire year. This kind of hat appears to be unknown at the present time. The general appearance of headgear at the present time is a great im- provement over that of fifty years ago. In some towns the selectmen were chosen by "pricking." A num- ber of names were written upon a sheet of paper. This was passed around and each man pricked a hole against the names of his choice. The one having the most pin holes was chosen first selectman, the next highest the second, and the next the third. "When a couple had concluded to marry they made known their intention to the town clerk, who posted a notice of their intended marriage in some one or more of the churches. This was called "being published." By law this notice must be published three Sabbaths before the ceremony was performed, so that any one who knew of any reason why such marriage should not take place might appear and make objection. In this town the publication was made 518 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. in the meeti-ng-hoTise where the town clerk attended meeting. There were those of uncertain age whose curiosity caused them to keep a close watch for notices of this kind, and who were sorry when the practice was done away with, which was about fifty years ago. Within a few years the use of coal has nearly superseded that of wood in most country homes for cooking and heating. It is less work to keep a coal fire, and with the higher price of labor, those who have woodlots find it cheaper to buy the coal than to fit and prepare their own wood. It was the custom during the winter months to cut and move home a year's supply. It was cut sled length and unloaded in a large pile near the house. When the snow was going away it was cut, split, and fitted for use, which took two or three weeks and sometimes more. It was either neatly piled or thrown into large high heaps where the air could circulate through to dry it. In June, when it was partially dried, it was often housed. When treated in this way it had great heating qualities, and was always ready for use. The wood pile did not, as a rule, present a neat and tidy appearance, and was often an eyesore about what would otherwise be well-kept premises. Those who had their wood cut up before the town meeting in March were supposed to be candidates for representative. Formerly, every one kept a fence against the highway to keep animals which were allowed to run at large from entering and com- mitting depredations upon private property. Horses, cattle, geese, and sometimes hogs were allowed in the roads. The presence of these animals was troublesome, and often resulted in much vexation and bad feeling toward the owners. This town early passed by-laws to restrain this practice, which never seems to have been popular with our people. The evil was lessened to some extent, but was not wholly done away until people refused to fence against the road and depended upon the law to protect them from trespass by ani- mals. This proved an effectual remedy, and now by common con- sent animals are not allowed to run at large. The methods of securing the hay crop have undergone great changes within the memory of persons now living. During that period much heavy labor has been transferred from men to horses, to the great advantage and comfort of the former. The-n the grass was cut with hand scythes. The men rose in the morning, often before sunrise, and mowed in the cool of the day while the dew was on, as the grass cut easier when wet. About 9 A. m., or a little later, unless there were old men or boys to do the work, all turned to and OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 519 spread the swaths. Then the hay which had been cut and cocked the day previous was opened out and spread. Before noon this was turned with a fork. After dinner the hay was loaded upon the carts and taken to the barn to be unloaded and packed away when there was an opportunity to do so. The grass which was cut in the morning was then raked with a hand rake and put in cock. The sun often set before the day's work was completed. The scythes used were. often made by the village blacksmith. Some were more skill- ful than others in shaping and tempering. It was supposed that the more they were hammered the better would be the cutting qual- ity. Later, when the trip hammer was used, it was thought they were not so well tempered as those done by hand. The scythes in use at the present time are much better finished than the handmade ones and are more satisfactory in every way. The scythe snaths were made from trees which had a natural bend, and were not sim- ilar in shape nor as easy to use as those of the present time. The pitchforks were made of iron with large blunt tines which bent easily. The fork was usually loose in the handle and required a great deal of strength to work. The light steel fork, such as is now in use, was not known before 1840. They sold at a high price when first introduced. Forked sticks, called spreading sticks, were used to spread swaths before forks became cheap and plenty. The horse- rake was first introduced about 1825, but did not come into general use until some years later. The revolving wooden rake was the first to come. A boy usually rode upon the horse's back to drive, and a man walked behind to operate the rake. Sometimes the man with long reins would manage both horse and rake, but it was hard work. This rake did good work. It did not gather dust in the hay or injure the stubble, and the later rakes have not improved much in this respect. A steel spring tooth rake without wheels came into use about 1845. It gathered a great deal of dust and rub- bish among the hay, and for this reason its use was soon abandoned. The Independent wheel rake, made of wood, was introduced in 1849, and was somewhat extensively used for a few years, until it was superseded by the spring-tooth wheel rakes which are now in uni- versal use. The Independent rake did very good work, but was hard on both man and horse. The spring-tooth rakes have been greatly improved since their first introduction, and brought so near perfection as to leave little to be desired. The light loafer, or drag rake, for getting scatterings was used about 1850, although a few of a heavy, clumsy make were in use before. Now nearly every one 520 HIST.OEY OF HAMPTON FALLS. uses a horse-rake to gather the scatterings. The first mowing- machine was used in this town in 1854, but they were not perfected enough t'o come into general use until during the war of the Eebel- lion, when men had become scarce and labor-saving machinery had to be used. The mowing-machines used at first were imperfect in construction and did not do nearly as satisfactory work as those of the present time, which do good work and are of much easier draft. The horse hayfork, for unloading hay in the barn, was first used soon- after 1860, but was not very generally used until twenty years later. The hay carrier and track, to be used in connection with the horse fork so as to deposit the hay in the mow where wanted by horse power, came about 1890. These dispensed with much hard labor in im loading, which was considered the most disagreeable and labo- rious work connected with haymaking. The hay tedder was in. use as early as 1865, but was not generally used until 1880. Its use expedited the work of making hay and saved much labor. The hay loader was first used during the sixties, but never came into very general use. Where conditions are favorable it is fully as valuable as a labor saver as any of the modem improvements. To properly understand something of the nature of the currency in use in the earlier times before the adoption of federal money, some definition of the terms used may not be out of place. "Old tenor" was the name of paper issued by Massachusetts in 1737 and by Ehode Island in 1740. Each note bore the declaration that its value was equal to gold and silver coin. "New tenor" was an issue made by Massachusetts in 1741 by authority of an enact- ment. Some issues by the same state between 1737 and 1741 were called "Middle tenor." All of these issues became badly depre- ciated in a short time. "Sterling" was English money of acknowledged worth, and was gold and silver coin of a standard weight and fineness, which was in every ease worth its face value. "Lawful money" was money which was by law a legal tender for debts and dues. "Proclamation money" was similar in character to bills of credit. ■ "Continental money" was issued by congress during the Eevo- lutionary War, and soon became worthless. Hence the expression, "Not worth a continental." "Bills of credit" was paper issued by authority of the state to cir- culate as money. This is now prohibited by the constitution of the United States, which makes only gold and silver coin a legal tender. OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. 521 From the time of our national independence until the beginning of the war of the Eebellion, prices were more generally spoken of and quoted in English currency than in our own. Some of the terms and values then in use may,be of interest at the present time. Fourpence ha'penny was 6| cents; ninepence was 13^ cents; there were silver coins which represented each. There was some sharp practice in the use of fractions. Many exacted an extra half cent. Thrifty people saved these coins and often passed four of the former and two of the latter for twenty-five cents, often gaining a cent by THE PILLOEY. this. When these coins had been worn smooth by long usage, and the inscription gone, they had a deep cross marked on them, when they were passed for five and ten cents respectively. "When this was done the party who lost the difference was not well pleased. A shilling was 16| cents, generally 17 cents were exacted; two shillings were 33^ cents; two and threepence, 37 i cents; three and ninepence, 62-J cents; four and sixpence, 75 cents; five shillings, 83^ cents; five and threepence, 87^ cents; seven and sixpence, $1.25; 522 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. nine shillings, $1.50; ten and sixpence, $1.75; fifteen sMUings, $3.50; sixteen and sixpence, $3.75. These terms, once in common use, are seldom heard at the present time. A description of some of the early methods of punishment may- prove interesting. The pillory was a common punishment in Great Britain for forestallers, users of false weights and measures, common scolds, political offenses, perjury, forgery, sedition, etc. The pillory was set up in a public place, and those pilloried were .exposed to the derision of passers-by. Its use was abolished in 1837. It does not appear to have been used in this country. IN THE STOCKS. Stocks were for the punishment of petty offenses, and were re- tained in rural communities in England until a recent date. The stocks were in existence in this town, and were located back of the meeting-house built in 1768, as was the whipping post. There is no record that either was ever used. Joshua Vickery had an un- pleasant experience in -the stocks, which is mentioned elsewhere. Tradition says that a negro, who was caught stealing around the stage house at the hill, was sentenced to be whipped, which was done by Nathan Moulton, who was constable. No one who knew Captain Moulton would doubt but the lashes were well laid on. Bilboes were long bars of iron haveing movable shackles secured in place by a lock, in which the feet of prisoners were confined. This was a common method of punishment on shipboard. Edward OLD TIME CUSTOMS 523 Gove, in his letter from Portsmouth jail which appears elsewhere, said he was in the bilboes. Many years ago large numbers of cattle were raised and fattened in this and the adjoining towns which found sale at Brighton and Danvers. These cattle were known in the market as "Hampton steers," and were considered to be the best cattle which came to the market, and for this reason commanded the highest price, con- tracts often being made which called for a certain number of LYING BY THE HEELS IN THE BILBOES. Hampton steers. The large amount of Indian corn formerly raised in the Hamptons may have had something to do with the excel- lence and good quality of the beef. In addition to the cattle which were raised here, large numbers were purchased in the fall from the droves which came from the north and east, which were driven through the town in large numbers every fall. Sometimes several hundred were driven through here in a single day. The cattle pur- chased were fed through the winter upon the hay and grain pro- duced upon the farm, and in addition to this considerable grain was sometimes bought. The cattle thus fed were sold in spring for beef, often at a good profit, besides making a large amount of good manure to keep up the fertility of the farm. Fifty years ago the feeding of cattle for beef was one of the leading features of our farming. SCHOOLS. In 1647, when ISTew Hampshire was a British proyince, a law in relation to public schools was enacted, of which the following is a part: It is ordered that every township in the jurisdiction, after the Lord has increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all children as shall resort to him to read and write, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in gen- eral by way of supply, as the major part of those that ordered the pru- dentials of the town shall appoint, provided those that send their chil- dren be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns. And it is further ordered that when any town shall increase to the number of one hundred families or householders they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they be fitted for the University [which meant Harvard College] , X^rovided that if any town neglect the performance thereof above one year then every such town shall pay £5 to the next school till they shall perform this order. In 1719 an act was passed which provided that — Every town within this province having the nunaber of fifty house- holders or upwards, shall be constantly provided with a schoolmaster to teach children and youth to read and write, and when any town or towns shall have the number of one hundred families or householders there shall be a grammar school set up and kept in every such town, and by some discreet person of good conversation, well instructed in the tongues, who shall be procured to be the master thereof, and every such schoolmaster to be suitably encouraged and paid by the inhabi- tants. Hampton Falls was not behind the other towns in its interest in school matters. There was probably a school kept here before the town was separated from the old parish, as we find them asldng for their share of the school rates, which request was denied. The schoolmaster was said to have performed religious services in the 524 SCHOOLS. 525' chiirch for some little time before the first minister, Jlr. Cotton,, was settled. From the earliest incorporation of the town the school was gen- erally kept in two places, Avhich were designated at the parish meet- ing each year. At first the school was kept for five months in a year; afterward, the time was increased to six months or more. The schools received attention at every annual meeting as to where and how long they should be kept, and judging from the votes which were passed, they were considered only as second in interest and importance to the providing of preaching and the support of the minister. In 1756, it was voted that the grammar school for the parish for the ensuing 3-ear should be kept at one stated place, and all those living more than a mile and a half away he allowed their propor- tion of the school money to provide schooling among themselves. In 1756, John Janvrin was paid sixty-three pounds to keep the grammar school in this town. He probably continued to keep it for a number of years after, as he was rated here until 1767, when he became a citizen of Seabrook. Mar. 30, 1747. At a meeting' of the seleetmen to agree with a school- master, we agreed with Mr. John Smith for to keep a, grammar school in this parish for ten months, at the rate of one hundred and sixty pounds, old tenor, for a year. The time he is to keep each daj' is three hours forenoon and afternoon, he to be allowed Lecture days and pub- lick days in the parish, — half a day or a whole day as circumstances shall be. Mr. Smith appears to have taught in the town three or four years. 1742. Agreed that Meschech Weare keep school six months in the insueing year for £40 Os. Od. £ s. d. 1760, Pd. Mr. Merrill for keeping school 162 15 Pd. for schooling on Exeter road 47 5 Pd. for schooling on Drinkwater road 47 10 6 Pd. for schooling at Byfield 37 Pd. for schooling on Hoyt's road 25 3 Hoyt's road was in the west part of what is now Seabrook and was named from Capt. Ephraim Hoyt. 1787. Mr. Nathi Weare began to keep school and to continue keeping for five months at £3 per month, provided he makes the rates and enters them. 34 ■526 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1800, Pd. Schoolmaster Sleeper for keeping school 4 months $40.00 Ditto for boarding himself eight weeks 9.33 1802, Pd. Schoolmaster Night for keeping school five months and 15% days 60.04 This was probably Caleb Knight, who came here from Boston. We have given the above items from the selectmen's accounts to show something about the price paid teachers in those times, but we know little about the actual amount paid because of the depre- ciated condition of the currency. The terms old tenor, proclama- tion mone}^, and lawful money, do not convey to us any definite ideas. After 1795, the accounts are kept in the denomination of federal money, which is supposed to be good for its face value. During the Eevolutionary War the schools were shortened but not wholly abandoned. The expense and burden of the war was so heavy that the tax-payers felt unable to supply the usual amount ■of schooling, but when the war was over we find the schools receiv- ing a great deal of attention. They were now kept in three places . and for six months in the year. We are unable to point, as they do in some towns, to any one teacher who was employed for a long series of years, and whose work and influence did much to form and direct the sentiment of the town. Among the earliest teachers we find the names of Janvrin, Levi Healey, David and Tilton French, and later Jonathan Sever- ance and Prof. John P. Marshall. David French afterward kept a store in Amesbury. Prof. John P. Marshall has been connected with Tufts College since its organization. In 1847, ]\Iorrill M. Coffin began to teach school in this town and continued to do so for several years after. Among the duties of the school teachers prior to 1840 and a lit- tle later was the making and mending of pens. The pens in those days were made from quills taken from the wings of geese. It required considerable skill and experience to make a good pen from ;such material. The teacher was called upon to make and mend a .great many pens in a day. The best pens were made from quills which had been boiled in oil and were called Dutch quills. These were bought in the stores. In addition to this the teacher was ex- pected to set a copy in. each pupil's writing book. Many of the earlier teachers believed in corporal punishment and administered the oil of hirch with a great deal of unction, sometimes to the injury ■ of the pupil and the indignation of the parents. Jonathan Sever- ;.ance was severe in this respect. SCHOOLS. 52T The town at its annual meeting chose a prudential committee whose duty it was to hire the teachers, provide wood, etc., receive the money from the selectmen, a-nd pay the teachers. The office of prudential committee was often sought for with the intention of hiring some relative or friend as a teacher. The choice of teacher too often turned on who was committee to hire, and not on the merit of the candidate. The superintending committee was gen- erally elected at the town meeting. If the meeting failed to elect, they were appointed hy the selectmen. This committee usually consisted of three; in later years there was oftentimes hut one. The duties were to examine and qualify the teachers and to have a general oversight of the schools, visiting them at the commenceme-nt and close and as often during the term as inclination and leisure prompted. The day when the committee came in at the close of the term was one dreaded hy the scholars. The committee was expected to make some remarks in closing, which were often long and tedious. Eev. Zehulon Jones was a man who was much dreaded as a committee man hy the scholars. The superintending commit- tee was often put into a delicate position when teachers had been employed and sent to them to he qualified. While candidates thus sent might pass a good examination as far as their attainments were concerned, yet the superintending committee might feel almost certain that from other causes they would be unsuccessful as teach- ers. To reject the applicant would make hard feelings; to allow them to proceed would mean failure. For fear of making enemies they were generally permitted to pass. Under the law passed in 1885, the same board hire and qualify the teachers, which is a great improvement in this respect. By the law of 1889, all the text-books used in the public schools of the state are to be furnished at the expense of the several towns. It was also provided that the books should be selected by the school boards, and when text-books had been selected and introduced there was to be no change under five years. Formerly there were fre- quent and repeated changes in text-books, which was a severe tax upon parents and a hardship on those in humble circumstances. The agents of publishing houses would often, by presents to the committee and offering an even exchange for old books, succeed in making frequent changes. It did not make any difference to the agents if their books were introduced at a loss. The after sales soon made up for this, as there was an immense profit on the sales of school books, which sold far above cost. To remedy this the 628 HISTOKY OF HAMPTON FALLS. legislature passed a law to prevent frequent changes, which cor- rected this evil to a certain extent. There were no janitors in those early days. It was the custom for the larger boys to take turns in building the fire in the morning in season to warm the house before the exercises commenced. Just before the school closed in the afternoon the master announced the name of the boy who was to make the fire next morning. The larger boys cut or sawed the wood and fitted it for the stove. The smaller boys carried it in and piled it up. The larger girls swept the house at noon, and were supposed to do it every day and take turns. The broom worn to the quick on one side and running to a point on the other was a familiar object to be seen around the school room where this system was practiced. A new broom soon assumed that shape after a little use. The summer schools were generally kept by lady teachers, as the children were smaller and easier to manage, but in winter a man was employed. The big boys who had been at work on the farm all summer were often insubordinate and required a strong arm to keep them in subjection. In some cases the boys succeeded in ejecting the master from the schoolhouse, which ended his term of service. Now the winter as well as the summer schools are gen- erally taught by lady teachers. The big boys have become civilized enough to behave without the application of brute force. When any do not yield to proper authority the school board suspend them, and this is not often found necessary. The free text-book law removes the burden from the individual and places it upon the town, where it is more easily carried. In 1828, a law was enacted by the legislature taxing the discount banks in the state to the amount of one half of one per cent for the pur- pose of raising a fund for the benefit of the common schools. The money thus raised was called the literary fund, and is paid to the towns in proportion to the amount of their state tax. This law is still in operation, and the greatly increased amount of bank capital now in the state makes a large sum to be devoted to the literary fund. The proportion paid to Hampton Falls for 1895 was ninety- five dollars and twenty-five cents. This town has always been liberal in appropriating money for the support of schools. The instances axe few when more money has not been raised than was required by law. This, with the lit- erary fund from the state and the dog tax remaining at the end of every two years, has made an exceedingly liberal appropriation. SCHOOLS. 529 In 1833, the following vote was passed: The instructors employed to keep the schools shall be examined by a man who has a, liberal education, as the law requires. SCHOOLHOUSES. The first we find in relation to a school in this town is a vote passed in a town meeting at Hampton September 32, 1713. On a request to allow said new parish a schoolmaster, the town declared their mind by the following vote': That whereas, there is one school appointed by law to be kept in each town, the mind of the town is that the whole town is little enough to maintain the charges of said school, as ought to be kept in the town and therefore shall not exempt any part of the town from paying to the school appointed by law. If there had been any school kept in Hampton Falls previous to this time it must have been done by voluntary contribution. Where the first schoolhouse was located, or when it was built, we have no means of knowing. In 1720, October 5, there was a town meeting where the following vote was passed on this article: That the place for setting the schoolhoxise should be on Mr. Stan- yau's hill. This -nas rejected by a poll of all the voters. Robert Row, Sr., dissents. This location meant the town common. At the March meeting in 1721 — It is ordered and agreed upon that ye schoolhouse for the parish shall be built & sett on ye hill, near ye place where ye old fort was, commonly called] Present's fort. All voted. Jacob Stanyan dissents. This house was probably built near where the new meeting-house was located in 1768, and where George C. Healey's house now stands. We have proofs that a schoolhouse was there in the early days. The Prescotts lived at that time where Newell W. Healey now lives and on the Brown place opposite. Being some distance from the main settlement, they probably lived in a garrison house, which was then called a fort, to protect themselves from the Indians. There may have been at this time another schoolhouse at Butler's hill, which is near the residence of Nelson W. Copeland, as we find it voted in 1739— That the schoolhouse near Mr. Butler's shall be kept in repair at the charge of the parish for the time to come. 530 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. A schoolhouse located there would have accommodated a great many living in the south part of the town, now Seabrook. This school was continued there after Seabrook became a separate town. Eeuben Batehelder, born in 1777, said that he attended school there. There appears to have been a movement at one time to build a schoolhouse on the common near the old meeting-house by volun- tary contribution, and that Eev. Theophilus Cotton was interested in the matter, but the record is silent as to the result. There was, about 1800, a schoolhouse located on the hill below Kenny brook, probably on land now occupied by the new cemetery. When this house was built we are unable to say, but it was there for many years, and was afterward removed to somewhere near the site of the present schoolhotise on the common. A new house was built in its place in 1839. The old one was then removed to Seabrook and used for a dwelling-house. The present schoolhouse was erected in 1877. The house built in 1839 is now used by C. N. Dodge for a grain house. In 1755, it was voted that those inhabitants living south of Cain's brook be allowed that part of the school rate raised upon their estates for a school among themselves; also voted that those living above Jeremiah Gove's house be allowed the school rate raised upon their estates. Jeremiah Gove lived on the corner where Sylvanus B. Pervear now lives. This vote applied to those living upon the south road between that point and Kensington line. In 1756, it was voted that the schoolhouse on Exeter road be moved one half a mile toward Exeter, and that the remote parts of the town be allowed their proportion of the school money. The schoolhouse was then moved from its location, near where the meeting-house afterward stood, to a place near Godfrey's corner, where it remained imtil 1805, when it was moved near to the house of Melcher Ward on the opposite side of the road, a; little above where it is -now located. In 1818, it was voted to build a new schoolhouse on the location of the old one, and two hundred dollars were appropriated for the purpose. It was built of brick. Joshua Pike was the builder. This house was not comely in appearance, nor had it the classic look such as would indicate a temple of learning. During its con- struction some students of Phillips Exeter Academy who were out for a lark, coming upon this house in the night mistook it for a fort. Supposing that they were in the enemy's country, they proceeded to attack it with stones and other missiles, doing considerable dam- SCHOOLS. 531 age. They were afterward arrested and made to pay for the injury done. The first school the writer ever attended was in this house. In 1841, it was voted to build a new schoolhouse upon the spot where the old brick schoolhouse now stands. Three hundred and seYenty-five dollars were appropriated for the purpose. Joseph Cram was chosen a committee to build. Mr. Cram liuilt the school- house and in addition finished a hall over it. The town consid- ered that he had exceeded his authority and refused to pay for the hall. It Mas called Washington hall and was used for singing schools, social meetings, and other purposes, and was one of the greatest conveniences ever located in that part of the town. Mr. Cram should have been paid for it. In the winter of 18.")4-55 this house was destroyed by fire and the present house was erected upon the same spot the following summer. In 1878 the house was re- moved to its present location on the opposite side of the way, and fitted up with all the then modern improvements and a school yard provided. At what time the first schoolhouse was built on the middle or Drinkwater road is not recorded. The first house was situated on the southeast side of Cock hill and near its base. Tradition says that a boy named Haskell worked for three days digging around a large stone on the side of the hill, which when sufficiently loosened rolled down and broke through the side of the house, where it re- mained in the middle of the room. In 1807 Levi Lane, Esq., deeded a small piece of land upon the corner near where the schoolhouse now stands, and the old school- house was removed about this time on to this lot. This house was said to have been a poor one and not adapted to the use it was put to. It was repaired, clapboarded, and painted with A^enetian red in 1819, and was used until 18.'5-1. This house did duty long after it should have given place to a better one. The following is from the superintending school committee's report for 1851: Perhaps a few only of the citizens of Hampton Falls are aware that there is one schoolhouse in town altogether unsuitable for a school- room and something ought to be done forthwith. In the school report for 1855, the committee regret that parents do not take more interest in visiting the schools, but say that — Miss Brown, however, has had various, if not numerous, visitors, for' we iind in her report to the committee that squirrels, mice, toads, 532 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and snakes have made their appearance in her schoolroom during school hours, thus having been visited by bipeds, quadrupeds, insects, and reptiles. It w^s voted to build a new sehoolhouse, whicli was done soon after. The town at this time had been districted for two or three years. It was felt that the other two districts had Yery good houses at the time the districting was done, and this one had nothing worthy to be called a schoolhouse, and under these cir- cumstances something should be done to equalize the burden. The town voted three hundred, and seventy-five dollars to aid them. The selectmen paid this money over as directed by vote of the town, and for doing as they were instructed they were all defeated on this issue at the next election. This house was repaired and refurnished in 1879. In 18T1 the south part of the district, havingat that time a large number of scholars, became desirous of having a schoolhouse on the south road and wanted the district to build another house there. This was felt to be too much of a burden for the district to assume. A town meeting was called to see if the town would accept the ■''Somersworth act," which had just been passed, which allowed towns to become one school district. At the second town meeting it was voted to accept the provisions of said act. The town then built a new schoolhouse on the south road, which was a tardy piece of justice. It should have been done a hundred years before. Before ISoO, when the road was built from the schoolhouse to the south road, the children were compelled to come across fields and pastures, and in wet weather their clothes were wet to the knees when they arrived at the schoolroom, which was a serious menace to health and life itself. Since 1871 we have done our school busi- ness as one district and generally in a more satisfactory manner than before. When the legislature passed the act in 1885, doing away with school districts, we had been practically under the sys- tem then inaugurated for a number of years, and thus were saved from the hard feeling which many towns experienced. In some towns much bad blood was stirred up before this act was fully accepted. POSTOFFICE. As lately as 1813 the nearest postoffices were at Exeter and Ports- mouth. The letters for this town and Hampton were brought from Portsmouth by stage. The postoffiee was established at Hampton in 1S12. and probably in this town a year or two later. Our first postmaster -n-as Edward Langmaid, who kept the stage tavern and who continued to hold the ollice until his removal from town in 1823. He kept the office in his house, and the amount of postal matter was at that time small. He was succeeded by Lowell Brown, Jr., who kept the office in the store which was burned and which stood near the brick house. He continued to keep the office until about 184i, when William H. tlills was appointed and re- moved it to the store now occupied by C. N. Dodge. He continued to keep the office a couple of years or so, until his removal from town (he is still living in Plaistow), when Jacob T. Brown was appointed and removed the office to the house of Thomas Brown, which stood opposite JSTcwell W. Healey's. The office was kept here a few months, but the location was found to be inconvenient to the patrons of the office although it was near the territorial cen- ter of the town. It was removed and Cyrus Brown became post- master, keeping the office at the former place. It continued here until 1853, when James W. Green was appointed and removed the office. to a store he had just opened which was connected with his house. Mr. Green kept the office until 1861, when Enoch J. Tilton was appointed and kept the office in the present store until 1866, when James "W. Green was again appointed until 1869. Then Enoch J. Tilton was again appointed and continued in the office until his removal from the town in 1870. Since the appointment of Mr. Green in 1853 postmasters have generally been appointed on political grounds. After Mr. Tilton's removal George D. Dodge held the office until 1873, when James H. Sanborn was appointed and kept the office until 1876, when Charles C. Green was appointed. He removed the office to the Green store, where it remained until 533 534 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. his death in 1885. Charles N. Dodge was then appointed, and removed the office to his store where it has since remained, and is kept at the present time. At iirst the mail, which was small in amoimt, was brought by the mail stages. This continued until the stages ceased to run, after which the mail was carried upon the ears. A mail pouch was made up in the Boston office, containing the mail matter for the towns of Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, and North Hampton. This was delivered at the Hampton station by the morning train which arrived at about the same time as at pesent. The Hampton postmaster sorted the mail, putting the Hampton Falls and Sea- brook mail matter into separate bags. This sorting did -not usually take over ten minutes. A messenger with a horse and sulky took the two mails to Hampton Falls and Seabrook, waiting until the two postmasters made up the return mail, which he took back to Hampton in season to go to Boston on the train at half past eleven or thereabouts. The North Hampton mail, which was small, was left until afternoon, when it was taken up and exchanged. Charles P. Akerman was the last messenger who delivered the mail in this way. In 1853, soon after ilr. Green's appointment, the postal cars were put on and the mail was sorted in the cars in a manner similar to that in use at the present time. Before this we had had only one mail per day which came from Boston. Now we receive two mails a daj^, — in the morning from the west, and at noon from the east. This continued until 1880, when we received a third mail in the afternoon from the west, which we still have, making three mails each day. This has been considered very good postal accommoda- tions for the size of the town. The business of our office has been increasing for a number of years. The salary of the postmaster in 1890 was reported at two hundred seventy-seven dollars and eighty cents. It has probably increased somewhat since that time, and would be much more if all the mail matter of our people was received and sent from this office. Perhaps those who know nothing of postal matters, except in their present effective, perfected, and efficient service and the cheap- ness and simplicity with which it is now rendered, may be interested to know the rates and regulations which were in force at the time our office was established. POSTOFFICE. 535 On pamphlets uot over 50 miles per sheet, 1 cent. Over 50 miles and not exceeding 100 miles, ly^ cents. Over 100 miles, 2 cents. Any distance within the state, 1 cent. On newspapers, not over 100 miles each, 1 cent. An J' distance over 100 miles, IV3 cents. Any distance within the state, 1 cent. On letters, single, convened in the mail by land, not exceding 40 miles, 8 cents. Over 40 and not exceding 90 miles, 10 cents. Over 90 and not exceeding 130 iniles, 12 cents. Over 150 and not exceeding 300 miles, 17 cents. Over 300 miles and not exceeding 500 miles, 20 cents. Over 500 miles, 25 cents. And for every double letter, or letter composed of two pieces of paper, double said rates, and every triple letter triple said rates, and every packet weighing one ounce or more at the rate of four single letters for each ounce. Every single letter passing by sea in the United States packets is 8 cents, double letters 16 cents, triple letters 24 cents, but 6 cents only are charged for those brought in private vessels, and two cents to be added if conveyed by mail into the country. All newspapers conveyed by mail must be under cover, open at one end, and charged one cent each for any distance not exceeding 100 miles, and one cent and a half for any greater distance; not more than one cent within the state where it is printed. Postage on newspapers must be paid one quarter in advance if required. Printers may ex- change newspapers free of postage. All letters to be conveyed by mail must be lodged in the postotfice half an hour previous to the stated time for the departure of the mails, except at the postofBces in Boston, Xew York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, where they must be lodged one hour previous to the time of the departure of the mail. Otherwise they must lie over until the next mail. All letters and packets to and from the President and Vice Presi- dent of the United States, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treas- ury, Secretary of AVar, Attorney-General, Treasurer, Comptroller, Auditor, Register, Commissioner of the Revenue, Purveyor, Account- ant of the War Office, and Secretary and Accountant of the Navy are free of postage. All letters to and from John Adams and Thomas Jef- ferson, the Postmaster-General, Assistant Postmaster-General, and Deputy Postmaster are free of postage (provided the Deputy Post- master's letters do not exceed half an ounce in weight), and they may all receive their newspapers free of postage. And also all letters not exceeding two ounces in weight to and from any member of Congress, the Secretary of the Senate, and clerk of the House of Representatives during any session of Congress and twenty days after it, and also their newspapers during the said term, but no publick officer can frank any letter except his own, and no public 536 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. officer is entitled to the privilege of frankage unless he previously furnish the Postmaster v/here he deposits his letters or packets a specimen ot his signature. A regular communication has been established betvyeen the post- offices of the United States and Canada and Nova Scotia, and those persons vpho have occasion to send letters or newspapers through these channels must pay the United States postage at the postoffices vphere such letters or nevFspapers are first deposited; otherwise they will not be forwarded. A postoffiee is established at Schoodic in the District of Maine, being the most easterly postoffiee in the United States on the route to Nova Scotia, of which John Brown is postmaster. A postoffiee is also estab- lished at Burlington in Vermont, being the most northerly postoffiee on the route to Canada. As there are several towns of the same name in the United States, merchants and others should be very particular in the direction of their letters. One principal cause of the non-arrival of letters in due season is not distinguishing the state to which a letter is destined. Even the name of the county, if it can be obtained, ought to be men- tioned in the direction of a letter, as well as the nearest postoffiee, in order to insure its conveyance. The postoffiee does not insure money or anything conveyed in the mail. Whenever the postage of any letter or packet is over or under charged the postmasters are empowered and directed to correct the error if the letter is opened in their presence. For many years the prepaying of postage on letters and news- papers was not compulsory, and was the exception rather than the rule. Accounts were kept with the patrons of the office on papers and transient matter, and the bills presented each quarter. Letters were generally paid for when delivered. This system made a great deal of extra work for the postmaster, and was unavoidably attended with considerable loss. Stamps were at that time unknown. They did not come into general use until after 1850. Envelopes for let- ters were not much in use until about the same time, and were some time in coming into general use. Letters were folded and directed upon the back and sealed with wafers or sealing wax; letters without envelopes containing more than one piece of paper could easily be detected. Local papers were not generally sent through the mails for short distances. Tlie Exeter "Kews-Letter" was sent to this town in neighborhood bundles. Some one who was in Exeter on Monday afternoons, when it was published, would call for his neighborhood bundle. In some cases some one would go on purpose. As this was in many cases the only newspaper taken, it assumed more import- POSTOFFICE. ! 537 ance than it would at present. It was generally in town ready for distribution on the day it was published. The "Xews-Letter" was distributed from the house of Samuel Brown for many years for that neighborhood and the one below. Those living above the river had their papers distributed from some house there. This method was in use in all the towns which adjoined Exeter, and was in com- mon use by all the local papers in the state to avoid the expense of postage. When, the law was passed allowing newspapers to be car- ried free in the county of publication this practice ceased and all papers were received through the postoffice. People generally con- sidered it a great advantage when the publishers prepaid the post- age and they were relieved from the expense and trouble of paying. There were no boxes in the smaller offices. The letters were gen- erally put up on a rack before a window where the address could be read from the outside and could be -called for from the delivery window. This system was objectionable, as the curious often scanned the window, reading the postmarks, and forming opinions from the handwriting; thus, with the aid of an inventive genius, a vivid imagination, and a voluble tongue, stories often became cur- rent which caused trouble. Love matters received more attention than others. Later the government -^visely prohibited the exposure of mail matter to the public. In the larger offices a list Avas pre- pared and posted outside, and mail matter called for when indicated on the list. Those who have seen the postoffice work at the present time have little idea of the steady progress and improvement which has been made during the past fifty years in everything connected with this department, when now it is in its workings nearer perfection than any other branch of the government. SOME PECULIAE CHAEACTEES. One hundred years ago there were quite a numher of persons in the community who were eccentric and had a peculiar individuality. Some of them were mildly insane or bordered on idiocy; others had been brought to their condition by the excessive use of strong drink, or by other causes. Some of these people felt it to be their duty to have a general oversight of the community, and made it their business to call on tha families of their acquaintance often enough to keep well posted in their affairs. These visits were not always enjoyed by the recipients, but were tolerated as an evil which must be endured. This class of individuals are now unknown to the general public, and if they exist are confined in the charitable institutions. Some mention of a few of these persons may not be out of place, to acquaint the reader with what now seems to be a lost race. Enoch Gove, called "C'oodle," was the son of Elea^er Gove and Mary Holt. Eleazer Gove was rated in this town from 1765 until 1768, when he became a resident of Seabrook. He was a soldier in the Eevolutionary War, and died from wounds received in the sei'vice. Enoch took a strong dislike to his mother, and by the death of his father was left in early life to his own way. He was of a rambling disposition, taking long joufneys upon foot, and had a great record for pedestrian achievements. At one time he shipped to Labrador on a fishing vessel and, not finding things to his liking, went ashore and walked home. He walked to New Orleans and from there into Mexico. On one of his journeys in New York state he was arrested as a vagrant, but was soon released. He usually carried some cooking utensils with him and prepared his own food while on his journeys. He collected bayberries and made bayberry tallow; he also made birch brooms, and had quite a stock of each on hand at the time of his death in 1855. He had a strong dislike for copper in any form, and would not use a copper kettle in which to render his tallow, or one which had any copper 53S SOME PECULIAR CHARACTERS. 539 in its construction. He often came to this town to borrow a brass kettle in which, to make tallow. He was an expert with a sickle, and did much reaping when that work was done by hand, often being employed by the farmers in this town. He was generally known by the name of "Old Goodie," a name he much disliked. Those who addressed him by that name preferred to do it at a safe distance, as it was not safe to call him so at short range. While walking on the levee at Xew Orleans some sailors on a passing ves- sel from Xewburyport called, "Hello, Goodie." He said, "Has that name got here?" "With all his peculiarities he was a harmless man, and never made trouble when well used. John Sanborn, commonly called "John Sanborn, the thief," lived during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was born in Kensington, but lived at one time in this town, making his home with Benjamin Hilliard, who lived in a house a little south of the cemetery on the cross road. He had a mania for stealing, and often gratified this desire by appropriating things for which he had no use. He would rob clothes lines and secrete the clothes under the barn floor, where they would remain until spoiled. Some one who had left a fine linen shirt upon the line over night found in the morning that it had been excha-nged for a dirty one which \ras exceedingly ragged. At one time he stole some flax and spent a whole day in the woods swingling it. At night he took it to Salisbury, carrying it to the house of a friend named Turfs, who was a noted thief. Turfs took in the situation and quietly got a neighbor to drive rapidly up to the front door on horseback and inquire in a loud voice if John Sanborn, the thief, was there. This had the desired effect, as Sanborn made a hasty exit from the rear of the house, leaving the flax behind, which he never saw again. Turfs soon put it where it would do the most good. Many were the stories told by the old people fifty years ago of the adventures of this man. His presence in the community was not considered desirable, and his death, about 1790, was not much regretted. Abner Blaisdell, son of William, was another anomaly. He lived nearly all his life in this town, being employed by many of our farmers as a laborer. He was a great talker; in his latter days he had much to say about wisdom. He was very fond of cider, and when it was given him would set the mug down and walk around it for some time, being very sociable while doing so. He appeared to take as much pleasure in the anticipation as he afterward did in drinking it. He was persuaded to contribute a dollar toward the 540 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. bell which was upon the Academy, under the penalty of not hear- ing it ring if he did not give anything. A number of times after- ward he quitclaimed his right and title to any part of the bell for cider, tobacco, etc. Ini his later years he was a constant attendant, on the Sabbath, of the meeting at the Baptist church, where he had the appearance of a devout worshiper. In his old age he was supported by the town. He died about 1853. Lydia Blaisdell, daughter of William and sister of Abner, was born in 1778. After she grew up she occupied a small house which stood upon the Toppan pasture at the turnpike. The door of her house opened out; when she went away she fastened the door securely by putting a piece of shingle over the latch outside. While living here, before the turnpike was built, she used to pilot travel- er.-) over the road across the marsh when it was overflowed at high tide. Her clothing was often wet, but she made no efEort to dry it. Possessing a strong constitution she rarely took cold. In her old age she claimed to have seen the devil ilying away with Gen. Jonathan iloulton's soul at the time of his death. As she was very young at that time the idea was probably an afterthought with her. She liked to dress in a manner which would attract attention, often wearing a man's old straw hat with heavy shoes. She attended meeting at the little Christian chapel and usually came in after the service was begun, walking heavily and sitting down upon tha loose seats so as to make as much noise as possible. When the opportunity offered she would make remarks which were not complimentary about ministers in their hearing. Wliile living at the turnpike she became much attached to the family of Capt. Caleb Towle, and when they moved away she went with them and made her home until her death,, about 1-853. During much of her life she received assistance from the town toward her support. She was probably mildly insane, which with other peculiarities in her make up made her what she was, a strange and unaccountable person. Mrs. Irene Janvrin lived in Seabrook, but was a native of New- market. Her original name' was Pease. She was known by the name of "Old Eeene.'" She was very disagreeable and repulsive, having few redeeming qualities, and was by far the worst of the nondescripts ever in this community. She visited this town fre- quently, and was always an unwelcome visitor. The women and children stood in fear of her, as she had a reputation for being ugly and vicious. When she was seen coming the doors were fastened SOME PECULIAR CHARACTERS. 541 and no one appeared to answer her call. She used to attend the musters, where she was followed by a crowd of men and boys who rudely jostled and pushed her about. In return she showered bil- lingsgate upon them. She fell from the high bridge over the rail- road track below Hampton, which put an end to her wanderings, much to the relief of the community. This was about 1855. She died some time after. HOMESTEADS. THE FIVE FARMS. In 1640, the town of Hampton granted to each family settled there a few acres for a house lot, but made grants of only five farms, all of which ^vere south of Taylor's river. One of three hi^ndred acres was made to Eev. Stephen Bachiler, which was bounded on the south by the Eocks road, in Seabrook, and was the land now owned by John W. Lock, George A. Philbrick, and others. One, of three hundred acres, was given to Eev. Timothy Dal ton, the teacher, at- Sagamore hill, comprising lands now owned by John T. Batchelder, Fred P. Sanborn, and Warren Brown. One, of two hundred and fifty acres, was granted to Christopher Hussey south of the Falls river, which was afterward known as the "Worth farm," and now owned by the heirs of JefEerson Janvrin, George L. Brown, and others. One was granted to John Crosse, which was afterward owned by Joseph Shaw, and later known as the Governor Weare place; one to John Brown at the lower end of the Eocks road, which is the place that was afterward owned and occupied by the Jan- vrins. HOMESTEADS IN HAMPTON FALLS. Beginning at Exeter line, the first is that of Joshua Pike, born in 1779, son of Benjamin Pike and Hannah Hook. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Enoch Worthen of Kensington. His farm was a part of the homestead of Lieut. Abraham Sanborn, who lived just over the line in Exeter. Mr. Pike's land probably had no buildings upon it at the time he purchased it. He erected his buildings about 1825, and lived here the remainder of his life. He was a carpenter and builder and did a great deal of work in and around Exeter. He was a man of judgment and a good workman. At the time of his death his buildings were conveniently arranged and in excellent repair. He died in 1872, aged ninety-three years. 542 HOMESTEADS. 543 He had seYen sons and two daughters, all deceased. Ezekiel, Andrew, Daniel, and George S. were contractors and builders and lived in Boston. Daniel was killed while moving a building at New- ton, Mass., in 1846. John T. G. and Elvin J. were doctors and practiced in California for many years. Matthew was a farmer and lived upon the homestead. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Nehemiah Sanborn of Hampton. He died in 1873; his wife in 1887. Joshua's daughter Sarah A. married True M. Prescott of Hampton Falls. Linda married Phineas Chase of Stratham. Matthew had a son, Matthew S., who succeeded to the homestead. He married Helen Dow of Exeter and had two sons, Harry and Eoger. He died in 1889. His wife married, second, William Stone of Exeter. No one by the name of Pike has lived here for a number of years. Nehemiah Heath had a house near where Mr. Pike lived. He %ras a sea capitain, born in Haverhill, Mass. He married, October 11, 170-5, a daughter of John Gove; second, in 1717, Johanna Dow of Salisbury, Mass. He died January 14, 1718. His daughter Ehzabeth married Jonathan Cram, son of John, who was the father of Nehemiah Cram. The Melchers camei from Wales. When they came to this coun- try we are imable to say. They were located at Portsmouth, and later cairie to the garrison house in Seabrook. They took up their farm from the wilderness, and while clearing it returned to the gar- rison house at night, ilrs. Meleher, being desirous of seeing the farm, walked up alone through the woods to gratify her curiosity. At that time the Indians were much to be feared. One day while Mr. Meleher was at the farm he left his shoes and stockings with his gun in a cabin, and went out to hoe his peas. He saw three Indians go into the cabin. He lay down among the pea vines. After a while they went away. Either they did not see his things or from some cause did not search for him. After coming here to live, ilrs. Meleher was alone in the house when three Indians came to the door, which was fastened. She threw a bucket of boiling soap down upon them from the chamber window, when they ran away howling. Samuel Meleher, 1st, married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Cram, May 16, 1700. He died in 1734, aged eighty- seven. His wife died in 1765, aged eighty-six. Samuel, 2d, son of Samuel, married in 1735 Esther, daughter of Benjamin Green. He died in 1802, aged ninety-four. Plis wife died in 1797, aged eighty-seven. Samuel, 3d, son of Samuel, 2d, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Hilliard. He died in 1823, aged eighty-six 544 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and one half years. His wife died in 1826, aged eighty-four and one half years. . Samuel, 3d, had two sons, Levi and Joseph. Levi married Hannah, daughter of Caleb Tilton. He was a merchant in Boston. He died in 1847, aged seventy-one. Joseph lived upon the homestead and married Polly Eowell. He was a dealer in cattle and was usually spoken of as "Judge" Melcher. He died in 1858, aged eighty-nine. Hannah, daughter of Samuel, 3d, married Thomas Leavitt, Esq., of Hampton Falls. Joseph Melcher had two sons, Joseph H. and Samuel. Joseph H. lived at Stoughton, Mass. Samuel, unmarried, lived upon the homestead and died in 1861, aged fifty years. With his death the name of Melcher became extinct in this town and in this branch of the family. Bach of the four Melchers who occupied this farm lived with one wife more than fifty years, and three of them more than sixty years. Almira, daughter of Joseph, 1st, married Eobert S. Prescott of this town. Polly married Caleb Sanborn of Kensington; Betsey married Jewett Sanborn, Jr., of Kensington; Hannah married Thomas Capen of Stoughton, Mass. ; Sally married James Sanborn of Seabrook. The farm is now owned and occupied by David C. Hawes, a -native of New Bedford, Mass. His wife was a daughter of Caleb Sanborn and a granddaiighter of Joseph Melcher, 1st. The original Melcher house was removed in 1853, and a new one built. This house, together with the barn, was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire July 31, 1898. The buildings were rebuilt the same year. The Melcher land originally extended across the cove to the Ken- sington road. Edward Melcher and others of the family lived upon that end of the farm. Just below the Melcher place, near the site of the late Nathan Moulton's barn, lived Eedman Moulton, son of Eichard and grand- son of Benjamin, who married Hannah "Wall. He was baptized July 13, 1746. He was a soldier from this town in the Eevolution- ary War. His name does not appear upon the record after 1795. We can find nothing of his family, oi< whether he left any descend- ants. Afterward Benjamin Pike, son of Benjamin, lived and died here. The house was removed soon after 1800. Upon the north side of the road east of the cemetery was the homestead of Capt. Nathan Moulton, son of Thomas Moulton and Elizabeth Brown. He was a captain in that branch of the militia called the troop. He built his house in 1816. He married first, Charlotte Prescott of Kensington; second, Sarah, daughter of Josiah Brown of Stratham. He died in 1863. He had a large family of HOMESTEADS. 545 children. Samuel, the eldest, married Betsey J. Brown of Epping. He died in Salisbury, Mass., in 1895. Kathan A. was a teacher in Newburyport and Salem, Mass. He was postmaster of New- buryport during Lincoln's administration, and died in 188?. Char- lotte A. married Thomas C. Shaw of Kensington, and died in 1868. Sarah married Thomas C. Shaw and died soon after. Mary J, married Elder Joseph Graves and lived upon the homestead. George lives in New Berne, N. C. Hattie married, first, Silas Little of Newburjr, Mass.; second, Samuel A. Hatch of Greenlan'd. She died soon after. Emma died unmarried. Several other children died young. A little east from Nathan Moulton's house stood an old house fifty years ago which was the home of Abraham Brown, commonly called "King Brown." He was son of Abraham Brown and Argen- tine Cram. He was a large land owner and was rated from 1765 to 1809. His wife was Judith Eunnells of this town. His chil- dren, Noah and Mary, never married and in their old age were sup- ported by the town. Joseph married, first, Susan Holman; second, Mercy West. He had two daughters. One married Harvey D. Parker, founder of the Parker house in Boston. The other daugh- ter is Mrs. Bickford, now living in Exeter at an advanced age. Levi, son of Abraham, married a daughter of Eobert Drake of Hampton. Their children were Frederick and Polly, who never married, Levi and Sewell. Levi built a small house in 1843 near his father's. His wife's name was Eobinson, and came from North Hampton. He died in 1869. He had a son, George H., who was a stone mason and lived in Exeter, where he died in 1899. His daughter Alice is connected with the "Youth's Com- panion" in Boston, and is the author of several books. The house built by Levi Brown in 1843 was moved to Highland avenue in Hampton in 1898. "Where Charles Johnson lives was the homestead of Daniel Brown, son of John Brown and Euth Kelley. He married Mehitabel, daughter of Jacob Brown, in 1749. He was succeeded by his son John, who married Hannah, daughter of Lieut. Abraham Sanborn, in 1778. He died in 1846, aged ninety-two years. His son San- born died in Savannah, Ga. Daniel and Horatio lived in Ports- mouth. One daughter married Capt. Benjamin Moulton of Ken- sington. Hannah was never married. John, commonly known as ■"Esquire John," lived upon the homestead, and was a shoemaker. His wife was named Greely and came from Salisbury, Mass. They had four sons and six daughters. The four sons, Isaiah Sanborn, 646 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Sebastian A., William S., and John H., were carpenters and lived in Exeter and were prominent in political matters. All are deceased. Jane maft-ied Nathaniel Dearborn, who came from Eaymond. He lived here until his death. Mr. Dearborn was first rated here in 1834-.' 'Frances married Charles E. Warren, who was a partner with her brother, John H., under the naine of Brown & Warren, build- ers. Sarah C. married Joseph W. Ryecroft and lives in Cambridge, Mass. The other daughters were unmarried. "Esquire John" died' in 1854. Mr. Dearborn died in 1874. James and Theodore Warren, who are buried in the cemetery -near by, and Joseph War- ren, who was a soldier from this town, were nephews of Mrs. John Brown, and came to this town with their sister Sarah after the death of their parents. About 187'4, the place was purchased by Charles Johnson, who came from Haverhill, Mass. He built the house in 1876. He has two sons, Charles H., who lives in Exeter, and Henry, who lives upon the homestead. He married Mary Gove of Seabrook. East of Mr. Johnson's, in a small house standing in a field, lived Sewell Brown, son of Levi and Sarah Drake. He was a shoemater. He married a Eobinson from North Hampton, and died in 1867. His sons were ship carpenters and lived in Newburyport. His daughter, Mary E., and her two sons are the present occupants of the house. On the south side of the road back of the big elm was the home- stead of James Wall, who married a daughter of Thomas Philbrick. He died, in 1659. His daughter Hannah, born in 1658, married Benijamin Moulton. He had a son Benjamin, who married Eliza- beth Sanborn. Benjamin, 3d, married Sarah Eowell. Thomas, son of Benjamin, 3d, married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan Brown. Thomas Moulton died in 1841, aged eighty-six. His wife died in 1849, aged eighty-seven. Their children were. Nathan, already mentioned, Benjamin, who was drowned in Hampton river in 1830, Ann H., who died in 1844, Sarah, who died in 1871, aged eighty, and Joseph, who married Mary, daughter of William Brown, and lived upon the honiestead. He died in 1888, aged ninety-two. His daughter, Maiy E., married Dea. Daniel Smith of Brentwood. His son, .Thomas G., succeeded his father; married Emily Steams of Paris, Me., and had one daughter, Jennette, who is a graduate of Wellesley College, and has been a teacher in the high schools of Somersworth, Kingston, and Melrose, Mass. Thomas G. died in 1898. Joseph Moulton built the house in 1843. THOMAS GREENLEAF MOULTON. 1833-1898. See page 546. HOMESTEADS. 547 Joseph W. Moulton, son of Joseph, built a house i-n 1868 just east of his father's. He was twice married. His wives were sisters of Dea. Daniel Smith of Brentwood. He was at one time engaged in trade at Exeter, keeping a book store. He afterward engaged in the nursery business and the raising of small fruits. He has two sons, Justin E. and Howard T., who have been engaged in the poul- try business. On the opposite side of the road from his father's Howard T. Moulton built a house, in 1897. He married, i-n November, 1897, Ella B. Hudson of Lawrence, Mass. A little west of Charles "W. Lane's house, early in the present cen- tury, lived John Tilton. His son. Elder John, was a Christian Baptist mi-nister. When more than sixty years of age he lived in Hanover and took the college course with his son, who was a Dart- mouth student. His son Lucian lived in Illinois and was a rail- road president. A sister married Jeremiah Tilton of Kensington. The house in which they lived was removed more than sixty years ago. On the top of the hill opposite Eev. Mr. Thompson's lives Charles W. Lane, son of Simeon Lane of Hampton. He married Martha, daughter of Sewell Brown. He is a carpenter, and built his house about 1870. He has two sons and four daughters. The farm now occupied by Eev. Mr. Thompson was the home- stead of Nehemiah Cram, Lieut. • Jonathan Cram, and Xehemiah Porter Cram, who married Martha, daughter of Eev. Jacob Abbot. His son, Jacob A., graduated from Harvard College, was a lawyer in Chicago, and died in 1873. Frank P. was a soldier in the war of the Eebellion; afterward, for four years, a commissioner of Eock- ingham county, and now lives in Winchester, Mass. His daughter Catherine married S. H. Folsom, who is register of probate of Mid- dlesex county, Mass. Two other daughters died unmarried. The house was built in 1851. The frame was blown, down in the storm which destroyed Minot Ledge lighthouse. N. P. Cram was repre- sentative in 1837, niember of the constitutional convention in 1876, and died in 1879. John H. ilorgan came from Pembroke and occu- pied the farm for a few years, selling it to Mr. Thompson in 1894. The premises now occupied by Samuel P. Dalton was the orig- inal Cram homestead. Before coming here they had lived in Exe- ter. The house is the oldest in town, a part being more than two hundred years old. Benjamin, 1st, Benjamin, 2d, and Col. Jona- than lived here. The Crams who lived on the Hampton road in 548 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Exeter went from here. The last of the name who lived here re- moved to Ohio in 1817. After this the farm was owned for a time by Col. Nathaniel Gilman of Exeter, who sold it to William Wad- leigh and Joseph Sanborn, son of Benjamin. He married a daugh- ter of Lieut. Jonathan Cram. He died in 1836, and was succeeded by his son, Eufus C. He was a good farmer and raised fine cattle. He died in 1874. His daughter was Mary A. Neither were mar- ried. Edmund Pearson owned and occupied the premises for a number of years, selling to Mr. Dalton in 1899. Not far from Mr. Dalton's, in a southeasterly direction away from the road, lived Abraham Brown, born in 1689. He married Argentine Cram, daughter of John Cram, and died in 1769. He was nicknamed "Lugpole," from a little diversion he had of chain- ing his wife to the lugpole and whipping her. His son Abraham has been already mentioned. Some of his sons removed to Eay- anond, where their descendants still live. Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Brown, married Daniel Leavitt, who probably came from Exeter. He died in 1789. Mrs. Leavitt ■was rated for the last time in 1808. They lived in a house on the south end of Abraham Brown's farm, not far from where John C. Sanborn lives. The land is still called the Leavitt place. On the Tilton place lived first Peter Tilton, son of Capt. Jona- than. He was prominent in town matters; was selectman in 1785, 1786, 1792, 1794, 1795, 1797; representative in 1801, 1807, 1811; moderator from 1805 to 1811, inclusive. He was succeeded by his son Peter, who died in 1843. His wife was Sarah Gilbert, who came from Atkinson. She died in 1886, aged ninety-seven. Their son. Dean E., married Susan Jordan of Eoxbury, Mass. They had one son,. Henry E., who lives upon the homestead; he married Eliza- beth, daughter of Joseph Mason of Hampton, and has one son, Eugene M. A daughter, Nellie B., married Frank P. Cram. Dean E. was representative in 1864 and 1865. Henry E. was representa- tive in 1899. Petert C, son of Peter, married Martha, daughter of George Dow of Seabrook. He was representative in 1870 and 1871, and died in 1885. The house was built about 1740. One hundred years ago the farm now occupied by Henry H. Knight was the homestead of Capt. Stephen Tilton, son of Nathan. He was born in 1748; married Hannah Green; died in 1831. He was a blacksmith and did considerable of the town's work. He was the last of a long line of blacksmiths named Tilton in this town. He was selectman in 1790, 1799, 1800, 1803, and 1803. There is HOMESTEADS. 549 no record to show when the house was built, but from its appear- ance it must be one of the oldest in the town. Caleb Knight, a native of Atkinson who had taught school in Boston, married Bet- sey, daughter of Stephen Tilton, and came here to live. He died in 1845. He had three sons, Stephen T., Levi M., and Charles, who succeeded to the homestead. Stephen married a daughter of Ben- jamin Dow of Kensington and died in 1863. Levi married Majy Ellis, daughter of a Baptist clergyman, and removed to Exeter, where he died. Charles died unmarried. A daughter married Samuel P. Tuck of Kensington. Henry H., son of Stephen, mar- ried Ruth, daughter of Stephen Green of Kensington, and has three daughters. He built his house in 1879. He was representative in 1881, and has been selectman a number of times. John F. Shep- herd married Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Knight, and lived here for a number of years. He died in 1883. Nearly opposite the schoolhouse on the north side of the road lived Abel Ward, son of Capt. Thomas Ward of Hampton. He was born in 1694; married Mary, daughter of Samuel Melcher, in 1724. They had a number of children. One of them, Melcher Ward, lived upon the homestead. He was bom in 1739 ; married, in 1763, Sarah Shaw. He was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town. The writer has the musket he carried in the service. He died in 1805. The name of Ward appears upon our records from 1734 until 1804. Some of Melcher Ward's family removed to Effingham. A daugh- ter married Stephen Coffin of Hampton; another married Phineas Feltch of Kensington. E. S. Feltch, the veteran carriage builder of Amesbury, is a great-grandson of Melcher Ward. Where William A. Cram lives was the original homestead of the Healey family in this town. Samuel Healey came here from Cam- bridge, Mass. He was married for the second time in 1693. His son Nathaniel was bom about 1690. He married Hannah Tilton in 1713; second, Susanna Weare in 1744; third, Mrs. Lydia Eogg. He died in 1774. He led the new' meeting-house party in the con- tested town meeting in 1770, defeating the opposition led by Me- shech Weare. One of his sons settled in Kensington, and was the father of Hon. Newell and Nathaniel Healey, the ship builder. Newell Healey was representative from Kensington in 1813 and 1819, and a member of the state senate in 1831 and 1833. He was father of Wells Healey of this town. Nathaniel Healey was suc- ceeded on the homestead by his son Stephen, who married Sarah Batchelder, and later by his grandson Levi, who married Abigail 650 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Dodge. Levi Healey was the first toll gatherer for the Hampton Turnpike Company. He died in 1812. The farm was owned for a time by the Tiltons ; then by Joseph Cram, son of Lieut. Jonathan. He married Sally, daughter of Abner Sanborn; built his house in 1835. He was a farmer and shoemaker, and died in 1885, aged eighty-two. His wife died in 1884, aged eighty-one. They had two sons, John S. and William A. The latter lives upon the home- stead and is a Unitarian clergyman. He married Sarah, daughter of Ira Blake of Kensington. His son Ealph Adams is an architect in Boston. A son, William, and a daughter, Marion, live with their parents upon the homestead. John S. Cram built his house on the north side of the road in 1851; moved it across the road tO its present location in 1860. He married Lucy E., daughter of Ira Blake of Kensington. He died in Florida in 1883. He was succeeded by his son Joseph. His daughter Ellen is unmarried. Edith married Eev. Edgar Warren, and they are settled in Wolfeborough. Where John S. Cram's family now live was the homestead of Capt. Ebenezer Tilton, son of Samuel. He married Sarah Tuck in 1800. Captain Tilton died in 1860. 'None- of his family live in this town. A house stood upon the land now owned by the heirs of John S. Cram, on the corner of the field near Mr. Bentley's. We have no record when it was built. It was occupied at one time by Hampden Williams, son of Walter: later by Edward Fogg, about 1830. The house was purchased by Eben Tilton, Jr., and moved up and joined to his father's house. Where Joseph Bently now lives was the homestead of Capt. Jonathan Tilton. He married a daughter of Caleb Shaw. He was prominent in town matters in the years just preceding the Revolutionary War, having held all the elective town offices. He was moderator from 1780 to 1788, and at various other times, in- cluding the co-ntested meeting in relation to the new meeting-house in 1770; selectman, 1744, 1748, 1753, 1756, 1762, and 1764; rep- resentative in 1771. He died in 1796. He was succeeded by his son Caleb, who married Mary Prescott. He was town clerk from 1805 to 1812; selectman, 1781 to 1784, inclusive; representative in 1797. He died in 1815. His son Joseph married Nancy, daughter of Levi Healey, and they were the parents of Weare D., Samuel P., and Mrs. Charles Brown. Weare lived upon the homestead, and married Lucy, daughter of Benjamin Dow of Kensington; had no children, a-nd died in 1869. Samuel P. lived in Kensington, mar- HOMESTEADS. 551 ried Tabitha Dow, and died in 1890. He had one son, Elbridge, ■who lives in Exeter. After Weare Tilton's decease the farm was purchased by Joseph Bentley, who came from Nottingham. He has built an entirely new stand of buildings. A house which stood on what is now Joseph Bentley's field be- tween his house and Mrs. Cram's, near a well and a pear tree now to be seen, was built by Caleb Tilton, Esq., for his son Joseph, who died in 1817. It was afterward owned by John Wentworth, a shoe- maker who was rated from 1825 to 1832. This house was removed about 1840, and so far as we can learn was the only house in the town which had a back lintel roof. Just across the driveway from Mr. Bently's house on the same side of the road was a house built and occupied for many years by Miss Sally Healey, daughter of Levi Healey, and iliss Polly Dow, daughter of Maj. Joseph Dow. These ladies were cousins, and both died in 1869. Miss Healey was eighty-seven and Miss Dow ninety- two at the time of decease. The house was removed to Murray's row in 1874, and is the house now occupied by Kobert Brown. On the lower corner of the road which goes to Kensington was a one-story house, now removed, which was the home of John San- born, son of Benjamin, generally known as "great John Sanborn," from his large stature. He married Elizabeth Batchelder of Worth Hampton, and had one daughter, Nancy. He died in 1818, aged fifty-eight. Jeremiah Godfrey, a nephew of Mrs. Sanborn, lived with him and succeeded to the ownership of the farm. He mar- ried Sally, daxTghter of Joseph Perkins. He was prominent in town matters ; was town clerk from 1838 to 1842; selectman at various times; representative in 1848 and 1849. He was one of the best farmers in the town. He died in 1881, aged eighty-one. He had two sons and one daughter, Amanda, who was unmarried and died in 1873. One son, John S., was quartermaster of the Second Kegi- ment New Hampshire Volunteers; was first provost marshal of the first district, and was located at Porstmouth. He was marshal at the time of the draft in 1863. He could locate underground cur- rents of water, having that power developed to a very remarkable degree, and was able also to locate veins of metal. After the war he was engaged in locating water sujjply and mines in California^ where he was living, and was quite successful. He died at Pasa- dena in 1899. Another son, Horace A., is a postal clerk and lives at the hill. 552 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The old unoccupied house standing upon this farm a little way up the road toward Kensington was the homestead of Benjamin Sanborn, sou of Lieut. Joseph. He married Anna Towle of Hamp- ton, in 1755. His sons were Benjamin, James, and John. He died in 1808, aged seventy-eight. Nancy Sanborn, daughter of John, lived in this house until her death in 1865. The premises are now owned by Frank S. and Orin D. Green. A little further up the road, on land owned by John C, Sanborn, lived Jacob Garland, whose wife was Jane Stickney. He died in 1740. His wife Jane was rated until 1750. All we know of Jacob Garland was that he was suspended from the Lord's table for the sin of drunkenness in 1733. The same year he. made a public con- fession and was restored to his former privileges. The Greens came here very early, and probably settled upon their present homestead as soon as there were any houses in this neigh- borhood. Tradition says that when they raised their first bam the Indians watched them from Munt hill with the intention of making an attack. Owing to the large number present they did not ven- ture to do so. Jacob Green, son of Isaac, lived here. He had a son Isaac, born in 1720. He was father of Dea. Stephen Green, who was a tailor by trade and carried on the farm. In early life he lived in Eye. He died in 1867, aged eighty-five. Three sisters who were unmarried lived in the house with him. Silas Green, son of Stephen, built the house now occupied by his son Orin in 1843. He married Nancy, daughter of Moses Batehelder. He died in 1876. One of Stephen Green's daughters married John Batehelder of this town. His daughter Elizabeth was unmarried. John, son of Silas, lives in California; Aaron, in Illinois; Frank S. lives in the old house. He married Margaret Wilson of Exeter, and has one son, Charles, and a daughter, Jessie. Orin D. and his sister Mary are both unmarried and live in the house built by Silas Green. Frank S. Green was representative in 1891. On the same side of the road just east of the Green homestead lived Eaton Green, son of Jonathan. He was a Eevolutionary sol- dier from this town, and died in 1815. His farm is now owned by George C. Brown. The unoccupied house owned by George C. Brown was the home- stead of Benjamin Prescott, son of Jonathan and grandson of James Prescott, 1st. He was born in 1700. He married Mehitabel, ■daughter of Dea. Philemon Dalton, in 1728, and had three sons, Benjamin, Philemon, and John. John was killed at Bunker Hill HOMESTEADS. 55S in 1775. Benjami-n Prescott, Jr., lived here and was rated from 1759 to 1764, when he sold the premises to Nathan Brown, and appears to have moved to Chester. Xathan Brown was son of Jacob, and was born in 1727. He married Annie Hook of Salis- biiry, Mass. He had lived in Salisbury for a few years before com- ing here in 1765. The house was built before Mr. Brown came here. After coming here his barn was struck by lightning and burned. He had nine children, — Nathan, Anna, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Josiah, Jacob, "William, and Zephaniah. Anna married Joseph Cram of Exeter. Mary, unmarried, continued to live in the old house until her death in 1853 at the age of ninety-six. Han- nah married Stephen Smith of Seabrook and was the mother of Josiah Smith, who lived in the south part of this town. Elizabeth married Thomas Moulton of Hampton Falls. Josiah married Sarah Clark and lived in Stratham. Jacob, William, and Zepha- niah lived in this town. Nathan Brown died in 1799, and his wife in 1814. With the exception of Nathan, Josiah, and Hannah the children lived to a great age. Zephaniah succeeded to the home- stead, and married Elizabeth Lane in 1799. He built the house now occupied by George C. Brown in 1798. It was remodeled in 1860. He died in 1857, aged eighty-four. His son Samuel lived on the homestead, married Sarah Lane of Pittsfield in 1827, and died in 1889, aged eighty-six. He had four children. Mary E. married Washington Williams and lived in Kittery, Me. Sarah M. died in 1854. Luceba, unmarried, lives on the homestead. George C. lives on the homestead, and married Laura French of Pittsfield in 1860. He has one son. Forest F., and a daughter, Isabel, who married Benjamin M. Elkins of this town. Charles, son of Zepha- niah, Hved in North Hampton, married a daughter of Caleb Til- ton, and died in 1854. He had one son, Hiram, who died in 1861. Eliza, daughter of Zephaniah, unmarried, died in 1886, aged eighty- six. On the high land in George C. Brown's pasture toward Taylor's river lived Philemon Prescott, son of Benjamin. He was bom in 1723. Benjamin Prescott, Sr., seems to have divided his farm between his two sons, Benjamin and Philemon, the latter taking the lower end away from the road. The site of the cellar is still visible. Philemon Prescott was rated from 1751 to 1766, when he sold his place to Nathan Brown. Some low land which he owned is still called "Philemon's swamp." 654 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Where Mrs. J. E. Brown lives was the homestead of Jonathan Batehelder, son of Nathaniel. He was born in 1683, and married Sarah, daughter of John Blake. He was rated for the last time in 1751. He was succeeded by his son John, who was rated until 1773, and probably later, when the family removed to Eaymond. He was succeeded by Nathan Brown, Jr., son of Nathan, commonly called "Comet Brown." He married Merriam Smith of Seabrook, and had three sons and two daughters. His son Benjami-n married a \yiggin from Stratham and removed to Aroostook county. Me. John, unmarried, committed suicide by hanging in 1838. His daughter Sally married Joseph Plummer of Milton October 8, 1810. Nancy married Isaiah Berry of Pittsfield the same day. "Cornet" Nathan was selectman a number of times; he was representative in 1794 and 1795, and again in 1803. He died in 1811. His son Josiah succeeded to the homestead, and married Elizabeth Batchel- der of Hampton i-n 1833. He was representative in 1833 and 1833. He had two children, Josiah Emmons and Susan A. She married Ira N. Blake. Josiah E. married Sabina, daughter of Aaron Coffin of Hampton, and lived upon the homestead. He died in 1893. Josiah and Josiah E. were good farmers and kept thi-ngs very neat and orderly about their premises. The house was built by "Cornet'' Brown in 1798. Where Dr. Charles H. Sanborn lived was the homestead of Eeu- ben Sanborn, son of Joseph. He married Sarah, daughter of Dea. Benjamin Sanborn, in 1714, and died in 1756. The main part of the house was moved here from the Thomas Brown place, where it had been occupied previous to 1821 by Levi Prescott. The place was then owned by Joseph Perkins, Esq., who was a carpenter. He married Sarah, daughter of Enoch Worthen of Kensington. Mr. Perkins was prominent in town matters, and was representative in 1809 and 1814. He had five sons and two daughters. Joseph and Lewis were carpenters and lived in Exeter. Enoch lived in Boston. Jacob and John died in early manhood. Sally married Jeremiah Godfrey. Nancy, unmarried, died in 1863. For many 'years she was librarian of the ladies' library. Mrs. Sarah Perkins died in 1864 at an advanced age. After this the place was owned and occu- pied by Moses C. Adams of Newburyport for a couple of years. Dr. Sanborn purchased it in 1867, and made extensive repairs upon the buildings. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan Brown. He had one daughter, Annie L. Charles H. Sanborn was deputy sec- retary of state in 1846, and representative in 1854 and 1855. He HOMESTEADS. 555 was a practicing physicia-n in this town for more than forty years, and died in 1899. Mrs. Sanborn died in 1895. The old Sanborn house was the homestead of Lieut. Joseph San- born, son of Joseph. lie was born in 1700, married Lucy, daughter of James Preseott, in 1722, and died in 1773. He had five sons and eight daughters. One of his sons, Benjamin, married Anna Towle in 1755. His son Benjamin, grandson of Lieut. Joseph, succeeded to the homestead. The present house was built by Lieu- tenant Sanborn in 1743. Benjamin Sanborn, 2d, married Dorothy Blake in 1784; second, Hannah Blake in 1788, both of Kensington. He had two sons, Joseph, before mentioned, and Aaron, who lived on the home place and married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Leavitt, Esq., in 1818. He had four sons and two daughters. Charles H, has been already mentioned. Frank B., a graduate of Harvard College, has lived for many years in Concord, Mass. For a long time he was secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Charities, and has done much newsj)aper work. Lewis T. is a farmer on the old place. Joseph L., a graduate of Harvard, was a teacher and died at St. Louis, Mo., in 1873. He had two daughters who are teachers. Aaron's daughters, Sarah and Helen, are unmarried and live in the old house. Aaron Sanborn was a good farmer and a successful grower of apples. The red russet apple was originated upon his farm about 1850, and was disseminated to other parts of Xew Eng- land from here. He excelled in raising and training fine cattle. He raised the largest pair of oxe-n ever seen in the town. He died in 1866. The old houses which stood where Lewis T. Sanborn's house -now stands was owned and occupied by Dea. Jonathan Perkins, who came from Hampton. He was born in 1715, and married Ehoda, daughter of Abner Sanborn. Soon after the completion of the new meeting-house in 1768 he sold his land and buildings to the parish to be used for a parsonage. He removed to Pittsfield, where he died in 1830. Eev. Dr. Langdon and Eev. Jacob Abbot lived here during their pastorates. When the parsonage was sold, the house and field were purchased by Wells Healey. After the organ- ization of the Unitarian society, such of the ministers as had fam- ilies generally lived here. Among them were Eevs. Linus Shaw, Jacob Caldwell, Increase Sumner Lincoln, and Eev. A. M. Bridge. During the occupancy of Mr. Bridge the house was destroyed by fire, and with it the town church records. Lewis T. Sanborn built the present house in 1867. He married M. Abbie, daughter of Dea. Greenleaf Brown of Stratham. 656 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. The house occupied by Mrs. Wells W. Healey was built in 1884 by Mr. Healey, who intended it for his residence, but he died before its completion, November, 188-1. He married Sarah E., daughter of Isaac Dodge. He had one son, George C, and a daughter, Fan- nie, who died in 1885. Wells W. Healey was representative in 1853 and 1853. The house where George C. Healey lives was built by his father. Wells W. Healey, in 184(), and is located upon the site of the old meeting-house. George C. married Hattie, daughter of John W. Dodge, and has one daughter. He was representative ia 1889. A house where George C. Healey's cottage stands upon the cross road was the homestead of Dea. Benjamin Sanborn, son of Lieut. John. He was born in 1668. He married, first, Sarah ; sec- ond, Meribah Tilton; third, Abigail Dalton. He had three sons and nine daughters, and died in 1740. Benjamin is the only son of whom we have any account. He married, first, Hannah, daugh- ter of Daniel Tilton; second, Mrs. Dorothy Prescott, daughter of Jethro Tilton. He remained upon the homestead and died in 1752. He had five sons, some of whom removed to Chichester. Judith, daughter of Dea. Benjamin Sanborn, born 1708, married Robert Quimby in 1725. Widow Judith Quimby was rated- for a number of years previous to 1750, when her name disa^eaxs from the record. At that time she was one of the proprietors of Robiestown. After the Sanborns Col. Jonathan Burnham occupied the place and kept a tavern here for many years, until he removed from the town about 1800. The place was afterward owned by Wells Healey, and is still in the possession of his descendants. The old Sanborn house which had become much dilapidated was removed about 1850. Jeremiah Lane, born in 1732, was a son of Dea. Joshua Lane of Hampton, who was killed by lightning June 14, 1766. He lived in a house a little west of where George C. Healey now lives. He married a daughter of Lieut. Joseph Sanborn, and died in 1806. His son, Levi Lane, married Anna, daughter of Dea. David Batch- elder, in 1798, and lived here for a timfe. He afterwards removed to the middle road, where his son, Levi E., now lives. Just below the Unitarian meeting-house, on the same side of the road, lived Kathan Tilton, a blacksmith. He was son of David. He was born in 1709, and married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin Green. He was father of Benjamin Tilton, who lived where Albert S. Smith now lives, and of Stephen, who lived where Henry H. Knight lives. He died in 1793. The barn used by him was stand- ing a few years ago and was called the Tilton barn. HOMESTEADS. 557 James Prescott came from England in 1665, and settled where Newell W. Healey lives. This was the original Prescott homestead. AYhen they settled here there were but few houses to the west of them in the town. They lived in a garrison house, which was called Prescott's fort. Prom their exposed position they were liable to depredations from the Indians. James Prescott married a daughter of Nathaniel Boulter of Hampton. He lived here for about thirty years. He was one of the grantees of the town of Kingston, where he removed in 1724. He died in 1728, aged eighty-five. His son, Dea. James, had a house on the south end of the farm upon the middle road. Ebenezer Prescott, grandson of James, 1st, succeeded to the homestead. He married Abigail Til- ton, and died in 1750. His daughter Meribah married Samuel James, who was first rated here in 1765. He was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town, and lived at or near the Prescott homestead. Aaron Wells came from Ipswich during or soon after the Eevolu- tionary War and bought the farm. He was a brother of Oapt. Joseph Wells who kept the Wells tavern at the hill, and was a man of property before he came here. He lived here until his death in 1819, at the age of seventy-five. He had one child, a daughter Eunice, who married Hon. Newell Healey of Kensington. She was the mother of Wells Healey, who succeeded Mr. Wells in the owner- ship of the farm. Mrs. Eunice Healey died in 1863 aged ninety- three. Wells Healey became an extensive farmer. His farm, in addi- tion to the Prescott farm, comprised also the Bumham, Lane, Til- ton, and parsonage lands, all of which have been noticed. He was an energetic and progressive farmer, keeping well up with the times. He had the first horserake and the first mowing machine ever used in the town. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Pickering of North Hampton, and died in 1857. Wells Healey left four sons and three daughters. Of these Wells W. has been already men- tioned. Charles N. is a large farmer in Stratham. He married Sarah P., daughter of E. W. Toppan of Hampton, and has a son and daughter. William P. was a sea captain. Newell W. lives upon the homestead. He married Nellie, daughter of John P. French of North Hampton, and had three daughters, Annie, Florence, and Mary. Florence was accidentally and fatally burned by her cloth- ing taking fire November 2, 1898. Elizabeth, daughter of Wells Healey, married Samuel Small of Portland, Me. Mary married -658 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. William H. Hackett of Portsmouth. Eunice married John Hud- son, a lawyer in Boston. The land on the opposite side of the road from N. "W. Healey's was probably included in the original Prescott homestead, as sev- eral families of the name lived there, until 1831, when Levi Prescott sold his farm to Thomas Brown. Mr. Prescott moved "up coun- try." Mr. Brown sold the house to Joseph Perkins, Esq., who moved it to where Dr. Sanborn lived. He then built a new and commodious stand of buildings and continued to live here until he was murdered with his wife May 8, 1868. The buildings erected by Thomas Brown were destroyed by fire in June, 1885. His grandson, Clarence T., was living here at the time. The buildings have never been rebuilt. Thomas Brown was son of Jacob Brown. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Drake of Hampton, in 1817. He had one daughter, Abigail A., who married James W. Green and lived at the hill for many years. His son, Jacob T., lived in Hampton upon the old Drake homestead. He married Mary, daughter of William Brackett of Greenland, in 1844, and has two sons, Frank B. and Clarence T. He was engaged in the lumber business, and was prominent in town matters. He was representa- tive in 1881, and died in 1898. Charles T., son of Thomas Brown, built his house about one fourth of a mile below his father's in 1854. He married, first, Martha, daughter of Josiah Eobinson of Exeter, second, Alice, daughter of Joseph Batchelder of Hampton. His daughter Helen P. married David P. Batchelder of this town, son of Emery. Mary E. married Bertram Janvrin, son of Edwin. He had two sons who died young. Charles T. Brown was representative in 1873 and 1873, and has been town treasurer since 1876. Below the brook (Grape-vine run), about half way up the hill, lived Isaiah Lane, son of Joshua Lane of Hampton. He was bom in 1730, and married Sarah, daughter of Moses Perldns. He was a ■shoemaker, and died in 1815. He was succeeded by Luke Averill, son of Molly Shaw, whom Mr. Lane had brought up. He married the widow of George Marshall. He and his family removed to Brentwood about 1842, where his descendants still live. Mr. Aver- ill was much troubled by witches, who would remove his cart wheels from the axle without taking out the linchpin, and do other things of a like character, which made it hard for him to accomplish much when he attempted to work. HOMESTEADS. 559 Not far from where Isaiah Lane lived there was a family named Sillea, Silly, or Cilley, spelled in all three ways upon the record. Eichard Sillea came from Watertown, Mass. He was a justice at the Isles of Shoals in 1653. He removed to Hampton Falls soon after, and had three children. Some of his descendants were among the grantees of Eobiestown, afterward Weare. Some of the name are still living there. Joseph Cilley, son of Thomas, re- moved to Nottingham, and was the grandfather of General Cilley of Eevolutionary fame. The name of Cilley appears upon our records from before 1747 until 1804. On the same side of the road near the top of the hill lived Abra- ham McQuillan, who came from Henniker about 1800, and died in 1812. He had a son Eobert. Father and son were both masons. Eobert had three sons, Ira, John, and Elijah. Ira and John were ship carpenters, and lived in Newburyport. Elijah was a carpenter, and lived in Seabrook, where he died in 1868. In another house near McQuillan's lived David Tilton, called "Little Da^id," who married Mary Merrill in 1800. He was drowned while lying upon the marsh near the clam flats by the tide coming over him. His son) David was drowned near Hunt's island in Seabrook about 1860. Hugh McAllister, who lives on the north side of the road, come from the north of Ireland near the Giants' Causeway. He came to this town in 1857, and married Margaret Kane. He built his house in 1870, and has two sons and four daughters. Where George A. Janvrin lives was the homestead of Malachi Shaw, probably son of Samuel and a brother of Hilliard Shaw. He was rated from 1753 until after 1773. Afterward the place was owned and occupied by Dearborn Lane, who came from Hampton. He married Hannah, daughter of Aaron Merrill, in 1808. He was a tailor. He died in 1865, aged eighty-three. His sons removed to Massachusetts. His daughter Cynthia married Levi E. Lane. The next occupant was John A. Merrill, son of Aaron, 2d. He com- mitted suicide by hanging in 1872. He was succeeded by James Janvrin, who came from Seabrook. He married Louisa, daugiiU^r of Joshua Janvrin. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and aied suddenly while at work upon the salt -marsh in 1881. His son, George A., is the present occupant. Near where the town house stands lived Hilliard Shaw, son of Samuel and probably brother of Malachi. He was bom in 1732, and was rated from 1753 until 1773, but disappears before 1787. 560 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. We know little of his family. Comet Dayid Shaw, son of Hilliard, lived in Chester, where he died in 1835. The old house which stood where Emery Batchelder's house now stands was bnilt by Peter Weare for his son Peter, who lived here for a time. He was bom in 1698. He was succeeded by Lieut. Stephen Cram, who came from Salisbury, and was not a near con- nection of the Cram family who lived in this town. He married Euth Ellard of Hampton Falls in 1743. He was rated from 1747 until 1778, and probably died about that time. Benjamin Pike, who came from Salisbury, lived here for a number of years. The next owner was Benjamin Cram, who came from the place now owned by Mr. Dalton, which was the original Cram homestead. Mrs. Cram was a relative of Grace Fletcher, the wife of Hon. Daniel "Webster. Mr. "Webster used to call here when he passed through the town. Benjamin had a son Jonathan who lived in Pittsfield. Another son, B. P., lived in Kingston. He had several daughters. Emery Batchelder bought the place, and moved his house, built in 1838, from near his brother John's house in 1887. He was the son of Eeuben, and married Dolly, daughter of Simon Dearborn of Hampton. He was representative in 1868 and 1869, and died in 1897.- He had three sons and four daughters. Charles was a freight conductor on the Eastern Eailroad, aaid died in 1873. John lives west. David F. lives upon the homestead. Anna married Homer Crane of Amesbury; Ellen, Irving Lamprey of ISTorth Hamp- ton; Abbie, Cyrus "W. Brown who lives in Pittsfield, and Mary, John Brown of Seabrook. The house occupied by Edward D. Pike was built by Jacob Pike,, son of Benjamin, who afterward moved to Boston. Nathan Pike, brother of Jacob, lived here until his death in 1858. Eichard C. Marsh, who married Marj', daughter of Nathan Pike, in 1831, lived here and owned the premises at one time. He was rated in this town from 1838 to 1846. He was a blacksmith. Alfred Marsh lived here from 1846 to 1855, when he removed to Minnesota. Of Nathan Pike's sons, James M. married Emily, daughter of Ben- jamin Shaw of Hampton, lived here, and died in 1870; "William lived in Maine and was employed by the Eastern Eailroad; Edward lived upon the homestead, and married, first, M. J.. Collins of Dan- ville, and second, a daughter of John C. Akerman of this towli. He has one son, Charles, and two daughters, who are married. James M. Pike's sons, John S. and George, live in Newburyport. One daughter, who married Frank J. Childs, lives in Marlboro,. Mass. DEA. EMERY BATCHELDER, 1812-1897. HOMESTEADS. 561 The house occupied by Emmons B. Towle was built by John Pike, son of Benjamin, in 1804. He lived here a number of years. The premises had previously been owned and occupied by Sanborn. Capt. Caleb Towle bought the place from Mr. Pike when his occupation as toll gatherer for the Turnpike company ceased. His wife's name was Swain. He was a shoemaker and did much custom work for the people of the town. He died in 1873, aged eighty-three. His son Oliver was a stage driver, and afterward a conductor upon the Eastern Eailroad, running from Portsmouth to Portland. Elbridge A. was employed within a few days of fifty years upon the Eastern and Boston & Maine railroads, most of the* time as conductor. He died in February, 1896, having taken his train from Portland to Boston on the day of his death. William was a successful farmer in South Hampton, where he died in 1894. Emmons B. lives upon the homestead. He married Lydia, daugh- ter of Micajah Green of Seabrook, and is a mariiet gardener. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1889. Below Mr. Towle's house on the same side of the way, in the corner of the field next the brook, lived John Kenny. The first mention of him on the record is that in 1760 the constable was paid for carrying John Kenny out of the parish. He had been "warned out," which often happened to newcomers. He was a blacksmith. Evidence of his forge can be seen when the soil is disturbed. He was first rated in 1761, and continued until after 1773. Kenny brook takes its name from him. On the other corner of Mr. Towle's field, opposite John Batchel- der's house, lived Samuel Fifield. He was first rated in 1749, and was a Eevolutionary soldier. After the war the family were quite poor and received assistance from the town. He died about 1800, at the age of ninety. The house where John Batehelder lives was said to have been built in 1712 by Peter Weare for his son Ebenezer, who married Prudence Lock. He lived here for a time, and then disposed of the premises to Col. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton. Ebenezer Maloon lived here. He was rated from 1760 until 1773. He was an enterprising man and built vessels at Toppan's yard at the turn- pike. After Maloon MaJ. Benjamin Pike, who came from Salis- bury, owned and occupied the place. He married Hannah Hook in 1767. He was a blacksmith and made axes, scythes, and knives. He was selectman from 1781 to 1785, inclusiye. He had nine sons and two daughters. Benjamin, Joshua, Kathan, and Sewell lived 662 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. in Hampton Falls. Sewell was father of Eev. Daniel Pike of New- buryport. Moses was a blacksmith and lived in Exeter. John, after leaving this town, was a cattle dealer and lived in North Hamp- ton. Caleb lived at Eastport, Me., and Josiah in Brentwood. Bet- sey married Joseph Tilton and lived in Exeter. Fancy was unmar- ried. Eeuben Batchelder, son of David, bought the place from Mr. Pike. He married Betsey, daughter of Michael Tilton, in 1807, and' had three sons and three daughters. David was a stage driver em- ployed by the Eastern Stage Company, and afterward was proprietor of an express from Amesbury to Boston. He was postmaster of 'Amesbury during Lincoln's administration, and died in 1891. Emery has been already mentioned. John lived upon the home- stead, and married a daughter of Stephen Green. He was repre- sentative in 1856 and 1857, and has also been prominent in town matters and in the management of the Line church. He has one son, Warren H., who lives on the homestead, and married Jessie Fogg of Deerfield. His daughter Sarah married George Fogg of this town. Helen married a Pollard and lives in Dover. Eeuben's daughter Dolly married Stephen Brown of Kensington; Lucy, Dan- iel Merrill of Salisbury, Mass. ; Ehoda, Sylvester Abbott of Andover, Mass. Eeuben Batchelder died in 1868. On the west side of the old mill road on land now owned by Joh-n T. Batchelder lived the Clifford family, who settled there soon after 1640. The name of Clifford appears upon our record until after 1773. They do not appear to have been prominent in town matters, as we find only two who held any town of&ee, — John, who was one of the selectmen of Hampton in 1660, and Samuel, select^ man of Hampton Falls in 1731. Nathan Clifford, who was judges of the Uunited States supreme court and lived in Portland, Me., was a descendant of this family, as was Governor Clifford of Massa- chusetts. The Cliffords in other parts of the state appear to have descended from this family. The bed of lilies which was near the Clifford house has spread and now occupies a large space, although there have been no buildings there for more than a hundred years. There appear to have been houses on each side of the road occupied by the Cliffords. Some distance east of the old mill road in Warren Brown's pas- ture lived Jacob Basford. The name of Basford appears upon the Hampton record for the first time in 1687, and disappears from our record in 1730. He married, second time, Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Cram, in 1708. His son James was of Dover in 172&- HOMESTEADS. 563 and soon after remoyed to Chester. The Basford farm contained fifty-one acres and extended sixscore and two rods upon the old' mill road, and forty-fi\"e rods upon the road leading hy Warren Brown's house. It was sold in 1730 to Dr. Edmund Toppan of Hampton, who sold it, in 1735, to Lieut. Joseph Batchelder. The road on the south side of Basford's farm, forty-five rods in length, was given in exchange for land received elsewhere. Jacob Basford was reputed to have been a man of great physical strength. It was he who bound Sheriff James Thurston upon a horse and conveyed him out of the province to Salisbury with a rope about his neck, for attempting to collect rents from the land owners, by order of Mason and Cranfield. He was one of the grantees of the town of Chester, where he removed about 1730, at which time he was dis- missed from Hampton Falls church. The name of Basford con- tinued in Chester until within a very few years. Jacob Basford made over his property in 1729 to his son, James Basford, by the following articles, which are recorded upon the town records: Articles of agreement, made and concluded upon this twenty-ninth of Dec, 1729, between Jacob Basford of Hampton Falls in the Province of New Hampshire in New England on the one part, and James Bas- ford, his son, of the same town and Province on the other part: Wit- nesseth that the said James Basford shall have the improvement of all my estate, both real and personal, that I have in Hampton, unto him the said James Basford and unto his heirs, Executors, Adminis- trators & Assigns so long as ye said Jacob Basford and his wife shall live, but only I the said Jacob Basford, reserving for myself, three acres of planting land, wherever I please in my best land, and the south east end of my house where I now live & ye south end of my bam, and I the said James Basford or his heirs, executors, Administrators & assigns is to receive all his father's debts that are now due, and is to pay all his father's debts that were due before this agreement was made & ye said James Basford or his heirs. Exec- utors, Administrators & Assigns, are to deliver to his father Jacob Basford & to his mother Sarah Basford such things as are hereafter mentioned, yearly and every year in y proper season of the year so long as ye said Basford and his wife Sarah shall live. Viz, Sixteen bushels of Indian Corn, & four bushels of malt, and three hundred weight of pork and two hundred weight of beef, & one half the apples, and one half the cider that is made in ye orchard, & two cows wintered and summered. And a horse to use when he pleases, & a saddle and a bridle, & six sheep, & a great coat & a good hat once in: seven years & other suitable clothing both woolen and linen & shoes and stockings and handkerchiefs and all sorts of suitable clothing for his wife Sarah, & two gallons of rum and two gallons of molasses every year, and I the said Jacob Basford bind myself in a two hundred pound bond in 564 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. current money of New England or passable bills of credit, to ye said James Basford his heirs, executors. Administrators, and assigns to perform as is above mentioned, and I ye said James Basford bind myself, my heirs, executors, Administrators & assigns in a penal bond of five hundred pounds in current money of New England or passable bills of credit to my father Jacob Basford and my mother Sarah Bas- ford to perform and do yearly & every year as is above mentioned In witness whereof, I ye said Jacob Basford and James Basford have hereunto set our hands and seals ye day and year above mentioned. The mark and seal JACOB X BASEOKD (l. s.) JAMES BASFOKD (l. s.) In presence of us witnesses JABEZ SMITH SAKAH SMITH Mrs. Basford in her old age was supported by the town of Chester. The farm occupied hj Warren Brown comprises the Basford place, which had been owned at first by "William Eastow, an early settler at Hampton, and the farm of Benjamin Batehelder. Eev. Timothy Dalton gave a portion of his farm to Nathaniel Batehel- der, which was afterward divided between his two sons, Benjamin and iSTathaniel, Benjamin having the west end of the farm. He was l}om in 1673, and married Susanna, daughter of Dea. Francis Page, in 1696, and died in 1718. He had eleven children. His daughter Susanna, born in 1713, married Ebenezer "Webster, the grandfather of Hon. Daniel "Webster. He was succeeded by his son, Lieut. Joseph Batehelder, who was born in 1699, and married Mary Goss in 1733. He acquired and added the Basford farm to his premises. During the visitation of the throat distemper i-n 1755 all of his children, twelve or thirteen in number, died. He sold the farm in 1764 to Col. Jonathan Burnham, who disposed of it in 1766 to Ealph Cross of Kewburyport. Mr. Cross was a native of Ipswich, born in 1706. He was a ship builder in Newburyport; his yard was where Perkins's planing mill now is at the foot of Lyme street. He owned other property in this town, and was taxed here as early as 1748. He was a leading man, was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport and had charge of build- ing the first bridge over Parker river in 1758. He died in 1788, and was succeeded by his son Stephen, who was also a ship builder, and was the first collector of the port of Kewburyport, being ap- pointed in 1790. He died in 1813. Both the Crosses were influ- ential citizens of ISTewburyport. "While they owned the farm it was carried on by tenants; first, by Francis Burnham, brother of JACOB BROWN. 1767-1859. HOMESTEADS. 565 Col. Jonathan, next, by Stephen Caldwell, who came from Ipswich about 1772. Ealph Cross polled the farm into Seabrook in 1768, and Mr. Caldwell, although coming here some time after, was con- •sidered to go with the farm and polled there also. Mr. Caldwell had a number of sons. One of them, Daniel, married Abigail, daughter of Dea. David Batchelder. All by the name of Caldwell who appear upon our record lived there. Mr. Caldwell was succeeded as tenant by Jacob Brown, son of Nathan, in 1800. He had owned a farm and had been living at East Kingston for a number of years, where his four sons were born. Mr. Brown married Abigail, daughter of Thomas Berry of Greenland, in 1793. After Stephen Cross died Mr. Brown purchased the farm in 1812, and lived there until his death in 1859, at the age of ninety-two. His wife died in 1833. After Mr. Brown's' death the following notice appeared and was copied extensively in the papers in all parts of the country. We are unable to vouch for its truth: The Portsmouth "Journal" records the death of Mr. Jacob Brown, at the age of ninety-two. At sixteen, his father gave him a yoke of steers, a start in life not unusual in that day in the neighborhood. Young Brown sold the steers for one hundred dollars. This sum he put at interest at the rate of six per cent, resolved to keep it distinct from his other propertj'. He adhered to his determination strictly, and entered upon manhood a, tenant on the farm of another, receiving one half of the crops for his labor and management, — not touching his one hundred dollars, but remaining a tenant until he became able to buy the farm. At the age of seventy-five his one hundred dollars had become three thousand, and at the time of his death it had reached seven thousand. His entire property, accumulated during seventy years of active life, amounts to about fifty thousand dollars, which, in his own language, is "the result of temperate and frugal, but not parsimonious, habits, and looking carefully after those little leaks through which property frequently disappears." Of the children of Jacob Brown Thomas has already been men- tioned. Nathan W". was a merchant in Newburyport, and married Sarah Chase. He had four sons, and died in 1836. Joseph C. lived in Hampton Falls and was killed by a rock falling on him in 1838. He married Hannah Berry. John B., bom in 1799, lived upon the homestead, and married Sarah M., daughter of Thomas Leavitt, Esq., of this town. He died in 1858. At the time of his death he was president of the Weare bank. His wife died in 1896, aged eighty-seven. John B. had one son, Warren, born in 1836. 566 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. He married Sarah G., daughter of Daniel L. Norris of Dover, in 1867. His eldest son, Harry B., bom in 1870, lives at Hampton/ Arthur "VV., born in 1873, graduated from Gushing Academy, Ash- burnham, Mass., in 1890, and lives at home. Gertrude Norris, born in 1878, was a member of the class of '96 at Kobinson Seminary, Exeter, and died Just before graduation. Mildred L., born in 1880, graduated from Sanborn Serainary, Kingston, in 1898. Warren lives upon the homestead; he built his house in 1879, and has made extensive improvements upon the farm during his occu- pancy. Warren Brown was a member of the state senate in 1873 and 1873, and of the executive council during Natt Head's adminis- tration from 1879 to 1881; also, a delegate to the Eepublican Na- tional Convention in 1884, and representative in 1887. He was president of the New Hampshire State Agricultural Society eleven years, treasurer of the New England Agricultural Society since 1893, and trustee of the State College twelve years. The house now owned and occupied by Fred P. Sanborn was built in 1851 by Moses E. Batchelder, son of Moses. He married Sarah, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Batchelder of Pittsfield, in 1851. He lived here until 1864, when he and his four sons removed to central Illinois, where he became a successful and well-to-do farmer. The house which had been occupied for many years by tenants was sold to Fred P. Sanborn, son of George B., in 1897. He has since made extensive repairs and improvements upon the premises. Where John T. Batchelder lives was the original Batchelder homestead in this town. It was a part of Eev. Timothy Dalton's farm which he gave to his nephew, Nathaniel Batchelder, grandson of Eev. Stephen Bachiler. He died suddenly in 1710. The fol- lowing is a copy of the deed given Mr. Batchelder by Eev. Timothy Dalton, and is copied from the original deed written upon parch- ment now in possession of John T. Batchelder: Know all men by these presents That I Timothy Dalton of ye town of Hampton in ye County of Norfolk in New England & hereto, Doe, uppon Due & Waty & mature consideration freely give & bequeath unto Nathaniel Batchelder of Hampton aforesaid, All the remainder of my f arme as yet undisposed of unto Manuel Hilliard & Jasper Blake, both of Hampton seamen. Viz, both of my lands & meadows lying between the comons of Hampton, North & South, one head butting upon ye hither end of ye said farme formerly given towards ye east, the other head butting uppon the land Sometime Will Estos, towards the west, to have and to hold all the remainder of said farme undis- '^'^t-h^^^'" «*u ..:>df*. ?. ,j. '■■« <5-,V r-^o *^ ■{ ■"■ J '- /V • X > UJ >- DO > Q LU LLl Q o LU X o < a: O O H O X HOMESTEADS. 569 This farm was situated at Sagamore hill, which is the elevation just east of Fred Sanborn's barn. Timothy Hilliard, son of Manuel, settled here. He married a daughter of James Philbrick in 1674, and was succeeded by his son Benjamin, who married a daughter of Nathaniel Weare in 1703, and second, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Chase, in 1706. His son Jonathan was the next occupant. He married, first, Hannah Cooper in 1732, and second, Mary Green in 1746. His daughter Elizabeth married Samuel Melcher, 3d. His son Benjamin had a house near the road on the elevation in David F. Batchelder's orchard. Benjamin's farm was the land owned by D. F. Batchelder, and is still called the Hilliard land. The Hilliards continued to live upon the homestead more than a hundred years, or until 1791, when the place was sold to William Brown, son of Nathan. The Hilliards in Kensington are descended from this family. William Brown, commonly called "Uncle Billy," married Eliza- beth, daughter of Thomas Berry of Greenland. He was prom- inent in the Baptist church. He was' one of the seceders from the parish church, and did much to build and carry on the church built in 1805. He afterward became identified with the Baptist church at the hill. He was representative in 1820 and 1828. He was exempted from the highway tax in 1795 provided he kept the way in repair from his house to the road. He died in 1856. He had one son and two daughters. Nathan married Eosamond, daughter of Joshua Pickering of North Hampton, and had two daughters, Mary A. P., who married Joseph T. Sanborn, and Eliza- beth G., who married Dr. Charles H. Sanborn. Nathan died in 1866. William's daughter, Mary A., married Joseph Moulton of this town. Abigail married Dea. Greenleaf Brown of Stratham. George B. Sanborn bought the farm in 1878. He was son of Levi, and married Susan Pickard of Eowley, Mass. He was representa- tive in 1874 and 1875, and died in 1893. He had three sons, Perley A., who lives in Amesbury, George L., station agent on the Stony Brook Eailroad, and Fred P., who succeeded to the homestead. The house built by William Brown in 1814 was burned on the night of June 7, 1897, and will not be rebuilt, Mr. Sanborn having purchased and removed to the house where Moses E. Batchelder formerly lived. Fred P. married Gertrude, daughter of Oliver Lane of Hampton. Below the house above mentioned, formerly occupied by Fred P. Sanborn, on the path to the road, once lived a man named Harts- 570 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. horn. His name does not appear upon the invoice hook, so we are unahle to tell when he was living there. We find among the mar- riages, July 3, 1734, that Ebenezer Hartshorn married Martha Whipple. Tradition says he was a basket maker. On Ordination hill in Warren Brown's field probably lived Joseph Shaw, son of Benjamin of Hampton. He married, in 1705, Han- nah, daughter of James Johnson, and had eight children. He appears to have left here about 1740. On the same field, not far from John Batehelder's house, lived Theophilus Batchelder, son of Benjamin, bom in 1715. He mar- ried Maria, daughter of Moses Blake. He was rated for the last time in 1764. Not far from where Theophilus Batchelder lived was a house built, in 1838, by Sarah Marston, who came from North Hampton, and had lived for many years in the family of William Brown. She died about 1860. The house was for many years after occupied by tenants. It was removed to the middle road in 1888, and occu- pied by William Irving. Eev. Timothy Dalton gave one hundred acres of his farm to Jas- per Blake, who married his sister. This land was situated between that given Manuel Hilliard and the turnpike. The house stood upon what was known as the "ox pasture." Timothy, a grandson of Jasper, bom in 1685, lived there. He was succeeded by his sons, Christopher, Samuel, and Timothy. The Blakes lived there until about 1790. Some of this family removed to Chester. The house on the farm now occupied by Dea. John Brown, who came from Scotland, was built in 1853 by Samuel Palmer, who came from Hampton. He married a daughter of Walter Williams, and died about 1880. John Brown married Mary, daughter of Wil- liam Tarlton and granddaughter of Samuel Palmer. The Tarlton house near by was built soon after by William P. Tarlton, who came from North Hampton, and married Caroline, daughter of Samuel Palmer. Mr. Tarlton died in 1893. He had three sons and two daughters. Charles P. lives at Hampton. Ceorge and John occupy the homestead. Mary married John Brown, and Abbie, Charles H. Crosby. The Marshall place was the site of a garrison house at the early settlement of the town. A covered well found a few years ago was probably used by the garrison, Mr. Bonus Norton seems to have been living here soon after 1700. He is said to have brought some choice apple trees from England in a box and set them upon his HOMESTEADS. 571 farm. He died in 1718, aged sixty-one years. He was buried in the Quaker cemetery at Seabrook. He had six children. His son Joseph appears upon the record from 1747 to 1767. His daughter Elizabeth married Benjamin Swett, innkeeper, and lived at the hill. The family appear afterward to have lived in what is now Seabrook, as David and Moses Norton polled from Seabrook to Hampton Falls in 1768, and disappear after 1793. Peter Kussell, who married Mary Weare, daughter of Meshech, in 1785, lived here a short time. The name of Eussell had before appeared upon the record from before 1747 till 1758. After this Eobert Marshall, son of Francis, lived here until his death in 1844, at the age of ninety years and upward. He was a Eevolutionary soldier, and had a son, John, whose wife came from Hampton. Her maiden name was Per- kins. He built the house in 1846, and died in 1858. He had two sons. John M., who lived upon the farm, died in 1886. With his death the name became extinct in this town. He was unmarried. Benjamin F. was a soldier, and was killed by the accidental explo- sion of a shell in 1864. A daughter married John E. Sanborn. The premises are now occupied by Arthur Chase, who came from Seabrook, and married a daughter of John E. Sanborn and a grand- daughter of John Marshall. Xearly opposite the house of Arthur Chase, on the lot where the gravel was removed for the construction of the turnpike, was a house occupied by William Blaisdell, a ship carpenter who came here from Salisbury Point. He was first rated in 1757. Some of his sons were ship carpenters. His son, Capt. John Blaisdell, was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town. Some of this family were town charges for more thon sixty years. The last of the name died in 1853. The Blaisdell house was moved over the line into Hampton near the bridge, and was used as a residence for the toll gatherer when the turnpike was built. It is the house now occu- pied by John Mace. Eobert Miller was a mulatto and a ship carpenter. His house stood near the one now occupied by Samuel Cockburn. He was said to have been a man of great bodily strength. He came from Salis- bury and married Mehitable Stanyan in 1743. He was rated from 1750 till 1787, when the name disappears from the record. Jona- than Miller, probably son of Eobert, was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town. He married Mary Allen, June 25, 1784. The Stickneys were ship carpenters and lived somewhere on Mur- ray's row. They were rated in 1747 and probably before, but dis- 572 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. appear from the record in 1767. Jonathan and Levi Stickney were Eevolutionary soldiers credited to this town. The Leaches were ship carpenters and lived on the Toppan pas- ture just over the line in Hampton, near a well which can still he seen. John Leach lived in a small house which stood nearly oppo- site where Captain Cochran now lives. He was "employed around' the stable in stage times. He died about 1850, aged nearly ninety years. He was for many years supported by the town. He had one daughter, who married Theodore Knowles of Seabrook. The house was built in 1850 by John L. Perkins, son of Nathaniel. He kept a lumber yard for a number of years, and had a store for a time. He sent apples and other farm produce to his brothers, by schooner,, who were engaged in trade at Eastport and Calais, Me. He died about 1886. Charles H. Crosby, a native of Brooks, Me., is the pres- ent occupant. He is an agent for the sale of farm implements, and is engaged in the sale of hulled corn, hominy, etc. He married Abbie, daughter of William Tarlton. The nest house south was built and occupied by Samuel Cock- burn, who came from Scotland. He married Jane, daughter of Hans Hamilton, and works at the Farragut house, Eye beach. A house was built and occupied by John E. Sanborn, who came from Exeter. He married a daughter of John Marshall, and has one daughter, the wife of Arthur Chase, who lives upon the Mar- shall homestead. Next south of Mr. Sanborn's is the house built in 1850 by Wil- liam A. Hopkins, who came from England and had been in this country for a number of years previous to his coming to this town. He was engaged in ditching the salt marshes during his residence here. He died about 1874. His wife was Lydia A. Bailey of West Newbury, Mass. She was noted for her remarkable conversational powers, and died in 1879. William Brown, who came from Scot- land in 1872, is the present occupant with his son Andrew. His other sons, John, Robert, and William H., are residents of this town. The house once occupied by Sally Healey and Polly Dow, near- Mr. Bentley's, was moved to Murray's row in 1874, and is owned and occupied by Eobert Brown, son of William, who came from Scotland about 1870. The old house which stood where John H. Hamilton's house now stands was built by George Marshall, son of Robert. He married Sally Chase of Hampton Falls, and died soon after. His widow became the wife of Luke Averill. Lieut. Joseph Akerman lived' HOMESTEADS. 673 here for many years previous to his death in 1850. He married, first and second, daughters of Meshech Sanborn; third, Euth, daughter of Walter Williams. His son Meshech S. was station agent at Hampton for many years. John C. was a shoemaker. Charles E. was a physician, married Eosa Brown of Kensington, and died at North Andover, Mass. Issachar died in 1867. Mr. Akerman's family continued to live here for several years after his decease. John H. Hamilton, son of Hans Hamilton who came from Scotland in 1855, built the present house in 1880. He mar- ried a daughter of John Tuttle of Seabrook, and continues to reside here. He is a shoemaker, and has one daughter. Hans Hamilton died in 1879. The house occupied by Joseph Drysdale formerly stood near Lewis F. Prescott's, and was there occupied by Mrs. Sally (Melcher) Sanborn. The house was moved to its present location in 1875. Mr. Drysdale came from Scotland, and married a daughter of Wil- liam Brown. On the east side of the road on land which once belonged to the Wells farm, and now owned by John H. Hamilton, lived Andrew Webster, who married Prudence Weare in 1743. He was engaged in building vessels, and was rated from before 1747 till 1761. The house on the east side of the road, part way up the hill, was built, m 1876, by Captain and Mrs. Cochran, who came from Scot- land in 1873. Mrs. Cochran died in 1895. The house is still occu- pied by the family. Near where the late John C. Akerman's house now stands was where Daniel Tilton lived. He had a grant of land from the town of Hampton, in 1667, in case he would "sit down as, a blacksmith." He was bom in 1648, married Mehitable Sanborn in 1669, and died in 1715. He had five sons and five daughters. There is no knowl- edge of how long the business was carried o-n here, but the debris resulting from a blacksmith shop is still visible. He and some of his descendants named Tilton carried on the business of blacksmithing continuously for one hundred and fifty years until the death of Capt. Stephen Tilton in 1821. Nathan, father of Stephen, carried on the business near the TJnitariaai church. His son Benjamin, who lived where Albert S. Smith lives, was a blacksmith. The Tiltons became numerous and were influential in town matters. They owned much land on the Exeter road, and were influential in getting the road built in 1700. The premises were conveyed by Jethro Tilton, in 1719, to Zachariah Philbrick, who lived here for a 574 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. number of years. He was bom in 1689. His daughter Sarah mar- ried Francis Marshall, ship carpenter, who came from Salem, Mass., in 1750. Mr. Marshall died soon after 1800. Mr. Marshall lived here and had two sons, Gideon and Eobert, both of whom were Eevolutionary soldiers from this town. Gideon married Abigail Eandall of Eye, and died in 1807. His widow died in 1850, in the one hundredth year of her age. Gideon had two daughters, Abi- gail, who married Walter Williams, and Eliza, who married John Falls, both of this town. Gideon, Jr., married Nancy Blaisdell. The name of Marshall became extinct in this town upon the death of John M. Marshall in 1886. The place was occupied by Currier True from 1814 to 1831, and at some time had been occupied by a man named Hart. John G. Akerman, son of Lieut. Joseph, built the present house in 1848. There were no buildings here when he came. He was a farmer and shoemaker, and carried the mail from office to station for many years. He died suddenly in December, 1895. His grandson, Charles I., lives here and is the present mail carrier. The Green place was the homestead of Caleb Sanborn, son of Abner, born 1716. He married Mehitable, daughter of Nathaniel Weare, in 1740, and died in 1794. He was town clerk from 1761 to 1772. He had one son, Meshech, and five daughters. A tavern was kept here for a time. Lieiit. Joseph Akerman married two of the daughters of Meshech Sanborn, and lived here for a number of years. He sold the premises to George Janvrin, who came from Seabrook, and built the present house in 1826. He kept a store on the comer near Jack Sanborn's house, and was rated here from 1824 to 1835. The place was afterward owned by Eev. Otis and Mrs. Wing. He preached in the Baptist meeting-house. He was repre- sentative in 1844, and died at Newton Junction in 1897, aged ninety-nine years. Woodbury and John M. Masters, sons of Mrs. Wing by a former marriage, lived here. Woodbury went to Cali- fornia in 1849, removed with his mother to Chester in 1853, and died in 1887. John M. graduated from Harvard College, was a Unitarian minister, and lived in Cambridge, Mass. A sister mar- ried William Wadleigh of Kensington. James W. Green came from Chester, married Abigail A., daughter of Thomas Brown, in 1845, and moved here in 1853. He had a store connected with his house, and was postmaster from 1853 till 1861, and from 1866 to 1869. He died in 1883. He had two sons, Thomas J., who died in 1872, and Charles C, who succeeded to the store and was post- HOMESTEADS. 575 master from 1876 till his death in 1885. He married Nellie, daughter of William Wadleigh of Kensington, and had two sons, Mrs. Green has since married Frank H. Lord of Salem, Mass., and they are the present occupants of the premises. The house on depot road occupied by James Truesdale, who came from Scotland, was moved from Plampton beach about 1890. The house just below was built by Alexander Cochran, son of Captain Cochran, about 1890. He came from Scotland and was a carpenter. Near where the lane from the Sanborn place comes on to the depot road was the house of Abner Sanborn, son of Ensign John, He was born in 1694, married Eaehel, daughter of Caleb Shaw, in 1715, and died in 1780. This is the original Sanborn farm where Lieut. John settled, and has been owned by his descendants ever since. Abner Sanborn was succeeded by his son, Dea. Abner, born in 1727. He married Lucy Lowell and died April 18, 1811. His wife died three days later. His son Theophilus, born in 1761, mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of David Batchelder, and died i-n 1826, Dea. Abner and Theophilus were both soldiers in the Eevolutionary AVar. Abner was representative in 1783 and 1785. Thayer S., son of Theophilus, was born in 1797, and married Deborah, daughter of Capt. Thomas Ward of Hampton. The Sanboms bought the parsonage land (five acres) which lay, between their house and the post road. They removed the old parsonage house, built in 1749, and erected the present house in 1837. Thayer S. was representa- tive in 1841 and 1842, and died in 1874. His son Thomas built the house now occupied by Jack Sanborn, in 1857. He was repre- sentative in 1858 and 1859. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Micajah Green of Seabrook, and died in 1866. Joseph T. was en- gaged in trade in the store for a number of years previous to 1854, when he went to California, where he remained until 1869. He married Eliza, daughter of Jefferson Janvrin, and had one daughter, Fannie W. He was representative in 1878, and continued to live on the farm until his death in 1890. James H. was a soldier in the war of the Eebellion, and was severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. He married his brother Thomas L.'s widow, and has one daughter, Lillian T. He died in 1878. Harriet, daughter of Thayer S., married Dr. Edwin Grosvenor, and had one son who was for many years a professor in a college in Constantinople, and is now connected with Amherst College. Marcia married Eev. Daniel Phillips, and died in 1896. Helen, unmarried, died in 1854. 676 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Thomas L. had two sons, Charles, who lives in Pittsfield, and Jack, who was principal of Hampton High School for twelve years. He lives upon the homestead and was town clerk from 1885 to 1898. Green Sanborn, son of Theophilus, was born in 1785. He was a seaman. His wife's name was Harrod of IsTewburyport, and she was a sister of Miss Phoebe Harrod who lived to be more than a hun- dred years old, and died at !N"ewburyport. Lowell, born in 1787, was a seaman, and died of yellow fever at St. Thomas, West Indies, in 1811. He was unmarried. Adna, bom in 1801, was a seaman in early life, and married Polly Barnard of Salisbury, Mass. He bought from the heirs of MaJ. Joseph Dow their interest in the Grovernor Weare farm, and lived there for a time. His children were all bom there. The oldest, Theophilus, was bom in 1839. He married a daughter of Samuel Dow of Salisbury, and has one son, "Wallace, who lives in Salisbury. Theophilus was a man of great bodily vigor and endurance. He enlisted as a soldier from Salis- bury under the first call for volunteers in April, 1861, and became a member of Company D, Seventeenth Massachusetts Eegiment. He was taken prisoner at New Berne, N. C, in the spring of 1863 and was confined in the prison at Andersonville, where he died of starvation, April 6, 1864. He was buried in a cemetery near there, and his grave numbered 393. John lived in Salisbury, and was selectman for a time. He is now deceased. David B., contractor and building mover, lived in the house with his brother John. His wife's name was Morrill, and she came from Dover. David was shot down in his doorway for the purpose of robbery by an assassin named Brown, who is now serving a thirty years' sentence in the Massachusetts state prison for murder. He left one daughter, Mrs. H. B. Currier of Amesbury. Charles, the only brother who sur- vives, lives in Salisbury, is a well-to-do farmer, and has been select- man. A sister married Elias P. Collins of Amesbury, and is now deceased. The tavern house was built in 1808 by Moses Wells, and was the stage house as long as the stages continued to run. It was kept by Edward Langmaid from the time it was opened until he removed from the town in 1833. He was the first postmaster of the town from the time it was established until 1833. After Langmaid the house was kept by a number of different landlords, — Towle, Leavitt, Matthew Merriam, and lastly, by Newman Brown. After it ceased to be a public house it was occupied most of the time by two or more families. A boarding-house had been kept by a Mr. Levering for HOMESTEADS. 577 a number of years at the time Mr. Whittier took his meals here Just preTious to his death. The house was extensively repaired in 1894 and 1895. The house was then called the Wellswood, and was kept for two seasons by Mr. George W. Jacobs of Somerville, Mass. It has not been opened to the public since 1895. Capt. Benjamin Swett lived upon the place now occupied by Miss Sarah A. Gove. He married a daughter of Nathaniel Weare. Tra- dition says that Nathaniel Weare brought the big elm tree with two others from England when he returned from his mission to the king. Captain Swett was engaged in the Indian wars and was killed at Blaekpoint in the town of Searboro, Me., in 1677. His son, Lieut. Joseph Swett, was born in 1659, and succeeded to the homestead. He was representative in 1693 and for several succeed- ing years. His son Benjamin, born in 1710, married Mrs. Eliza- beth Jenness, daughter of Bonus Norton, in 1732. He kept what was known as Swett's tavern for many years, and owned considerable land in the vicinity. He died soon after 1760. His daughter Eliza- beth married Dea. David Batchelder. The name of Swett appears upon our record from the beginning until 1772 or later. After Mr. Swett's death he was succeeded by Col. Jonathan Bumham, who came from Ipswich, and kept the house for a number of years, until he disposed of it to Capt. Joseph Wells, who came from Ipswich and kept what was known as the Wells tavern. He was first rated in 1771 and until his death in 1791. The house was then kept by his wife, Mrs. Eunice Wells. Under the management of Captain Wells and his wife the house was noted far and wide for its excellence. The first Wells tavern stood back of the big elm. Moses Wells, son of Capt. Joseph, married Hannah Dow of Seabrook and kept the house until the tavern house was built in 1808. The house now occupied by Miss Gove was built in 1787, and used as a public house until the other was occupied. This house has been made memorable by being the place where the poet Whittier died. John H. Gove, a native of Weare, married Sarah, daughter of Moses Wells, in 1856. They had one daughter, Sarah Abbie, who is unmarried. He died in 1887. Moses Wells died in 1825. On land of Sarah A. Gove, between Morton hill and Swett's bridge, was the malt house of Daniel Swett, the site of which can be seen at the present time. Mr. Swett was rated from 1754 till 1758. How long before and after this date the business was carried on here we have no means of knowing, but probably for many years. The lot on which the malt house stood (forty by forty-five feet) was 578 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. conveyed by deed in 1784 by Abner Sanborn to Dr. Joshua Chase for twenty shillings. Beer was considered in those days to be indis- pensable in the family, and was made in considerable quantities. We do not know how it compared with modern XXX. Malt, like some other products, had a legal tender value and was to be received at a stipulated price in the payment of taxes and of the minister's salary. Eev. John Cotton settled in Hampton in 1696, and was to receive malt if ofEered at four shillings per bushel. This would not be thought proper at the present time, although money from the sale of beer may in some rare instances find its way into the church treasury. As it bears a close resemblance to other money its pres- ence is hard to detect. Dr. Samuel Smith, whose name appears upon the record from 1794 until 1815, lived with Moses Wells. He was a regularly edu- cated physician, but from ill health or some other cause he did not practice a great deal. Near the top of the hill toward the Falls river, on the east side of the road, back of the lilac bush on the roadside, was a house occu- pied by a man named Morton, for whom the hill was named. We find that John Morton married Isabella Anderson in 1746. John and Matthew Morton were rated in 1747, which is the only time the name appears upon the record. They were probably employees of Mr. Swett. When the parsonage house was burned in 1749, the Eev. Mr. Whipple moved into a house owned by Benjamin Swett, innkeeper, formerly occupied by Mr. Morton. Where Edwin Janvrin built the cottage in 1896, near the bridge on the south side of Falls river, now occupied by David Simpson, was the homestead of Henry George Seaman, commonly called "Skipper" George. He was rated from 1791 till 1825. The place remained in possession of his descendants for many years, and was rented. A family named Fairbanks lived here from 1850 to 186b who were shoemakers. The house was removed to Seabrook a few years ago and is now used for a stable. Mr. George owned a vessel and was engaged in the coasting business. He was said to have been a smuggler at times. What now comprises the premises of George L. Brown, John A. Dow, heirs of Jefferson Janvrin, Henry McDevitt, Joseph Brown, and Hugh Brown was the farm of Christopher Hussey, and was one of the five farms spoken of in the early history of Hampton. Deacon Hussey was a captain in the militia, a magistrate, town clerk, selectman, and representative. When JSTew Hampshire became a HOMESTEADS. 579 royal province he was one of the councilors named in the royal commission. He moYed to the farm about 1650, and died in 1686. His descendants appear to have lived here for some time after his death. John Gr. Whittier was a descendant of Christopher Hussey. Mr. Hussey married, first, a daughter of Eev. Stephen Bachiler. Joseph Worth occupied the premises soon after 1730. He married Mary, daughter of Caleb Shaw, in 1733. He was dismissed from Dr. Colman's church in Boston and admitted to the church here March 3, 1736. He was prominent both in church and town mat- ters; he was deacon of the church for many years, and selectman in 1733, 1735, 1737, 1749, and 1757. His son Obadiah was select- man in 1755. The name of Worth appears upon the record until 1794. Philip Burns married Mary Worth in 1766. Nathaniel Healey, the ship builder, was the next owner. He built the house now occupied by Mr. Dow in 1794. He commenced suits against Aaron Wells and others for trespass in crossing his land in going to the marsh. The suits were decided against him. Capt. Joseph Hoyt succeeded Mr. Healey for a few years. He came from Ames- bury; he was rated here in 1809, and a few years later. He appears to have owned the place some time before coming here to live. After Captain Hoyt came Abraham Dow, who had previously been a blacksmith in Seabrook. He was a Quaker, and lived here until after 1825. From that time until 1840 the farm had a number of owners. It was then purchased by James Brimner, a Scotchman, who had been engaged as a contractor in building the Eastern Eail- road. He moved the drift-road from the south side to the center of the farm. He was rated here from 1840 till 1854, when he sold the farm in lots and removed to Iowa. His daughter Helen mar- ried Enoch J. Tilton of this town, and now lives in Newburyport. His son William is a civil engineer living in the west. Jefferson Janvrin bought a part of the original Hussey farm and built a substantial stand of buildings in 1855. He was a good farmer. He came from Seabrook, was representative in 1863, and 1863, and died in 1879. He had one son, George A., who was a soldier in the war of the Eebellion; he was wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, and died June 11, 1864. He had two daughters, iliranda married Henry McDevitt, and died in 1895; Eliza married Joseph T. Sanborn. Jean Janvrin, a native of the Isle of Jersey, was a seafaring man. He sailed as captain of his own ship, the "Four Friends," August 6, 1696, from Lisbon to Portsmouth, N. H. The "log" of this and 580 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. subsequent voyages is in possession of the family of Jefferson Jan- vrin. He became a citizen of Portsmouth. His son John married Elizabeth Stiekney of Newbury, Mass., and was schoolmaster at Hampton Falls from 1756 to 1762. Afterward he bought a farm and settled in Seabrook. His son George was father of Jefferson Janvrin. Another son, James, was father of Dayid and Joshua Janvrin. The cottage house on the west side of the road, nearly opposite the Janvrin place, was built by Henry McDevitt, who came from New Brunswick, and married Miranda, daughter of Jefferson Jan- vrin. He was a soldier in the Third New Hampshire Eegiment, and is now at the Soldiers' Home in Togus, Me. He has one son, Wil- liam H., who has been clerk at the Parragut house. Eye beach, for a number of years. The house where John A. Dow lives was built by Nathaniel Healey in 1794, and has been since occupied by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, Abraham Dow, Dunklee, Brimner, and others.- Stacy L. Nudd, who built and kept the Ocean house at Hampton beach, owned the place at the time of his death in 1865. He was succeeded by John A. Dow, son of George Dow of Seabrook. He built the shoe shop in 1868, and now operates a grist and cider mill. Mr. Dow married, second, a daughter of Charles F. Chase. On the corner on the east side of the road lives George L. Brown, son of Lowell. He married Johanna Perkins of Hampton, and built the hoiise in which he lives in 1863. He is a successful farmer and market gardener and understands the raising of fruit. His house is on the spot once occupied by the Hussey house, the old cellar having been cleared out. On the road to the marsh, on the south side, are the buildings erected by James Janvrin about 1856. He afterward moved to the Dearborn Lane place, selling his place to Joseph Brown, who came from Scotland in 1856. Mr. Brown's son Hugh lives in Hampton; George H., in Pittsfield. Below the railroad Charles F, Chase built a set of buildings, after leaving the employ of the Eastern Eailroad as station agent in 1874. He was very unfortunate, having his buildings burned soon after by tramps. After rebuilding, his barn again burned. He died in 1882. His house was burned soon after his death by fire set by the engine. Mrs. Chase was a daughter of Josiah Smith of this town. His son Josiah P. is engaged about the Union station in Boston, and Charles H. was killed in a railroad accident out west. HOMESTEADS. 581 He had four daughters, all of whom are married. The place is now owned by Hugh Brown, who came from Scotland. Michael Brown had a house on the island below Mr. Chase's. He lived there for a number of years. He was a grandson of Abraham Brown, 2d. He married Euth Bllard of this town, and died in 1797. The island has since been called "Mike island." His widow was supported by the town. He had a son Michael. The house now owned by Charles Fogg on the west side of the main road was built in 1787 by Christopher Toppan Chase, com- monly called Capt. Toppan Chase. He was bom in Hampton in 1763, and rated here for the last time in 1833. The house has been owned for many years by Charles Fogg, son of Eichard, and rented at times. The house on the east side of the road opposite the Chase house was built by John Marston Brown, son of Isaac. He married Jo- anna Clifford, and was a tanner. He was rated from 1806 to 1811, when he removed to Maine. Charles Chase, son of Capt. Toppan Chase, succeeded him. He married a sister of Elisha Johnson of Hampton. He was a blacksmith and worked with his son Charles in a shop near the house; father and son were reputed to have been good workmen. He had four children. Charles removed to Lawrence, Mass.; Adna S., shoemaker and musician, died in 1890; his daughter Harriet married Eichard Fogg of this town, and Han- nah died unmarried. The premises were sold a few years since to John A. Brown, and are now rented. Charles Stewart came here from Wenham, Mass., soon after 1737. He was a blacksmith, and lived and carried on the business not far from where Christopher T. Chase afterward lived Just south of the Hussey farm on the country road. His daughter Mehitable married Abner Philbrick in 1731; Susannah married Jacob Satterby in 1739, and his son Jonathan married Anna Correy in 1740. Charles Stewart was rated for the last time in 1747. Jonathan Stewart was a blacksmith. He was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town, and a selectman in 1774. His daughter Lydia married Nathan Eobie in 1794. The name of Stewart (sometimes written Steward) disappears from the record after 1787. Where John A. Brown lives was the homestead of Jacob Brown, son of Benjamin, born in 1691. He married, first, Mary Green, and second, Mrs. Jemima Eowell, in 1737. He had two sons, and died in 1762. Nathan, already mentioned, lived where George C. Brown now lives. Isaac, who succeeded to the homestead, was 582 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. born in 1739, and married Agnes Fifield in 1765. His sons were Isaac, Jacob, Jonathan, John Marston, and Levi. They sold the farm to Lowell Brown, son of John, who lived in Seabrook and removed to Chesterville or Sandy Eiver in Maine. Jacob's daugh- ter Mehitable married Daniel Brown and lived where Charles John- son now lives. Martha married Benjamin Cram of Exeter. Mary married Henry Thresher and removed to Raymond. Abigail mar- ried John Marston of Hampton. The bam struck by lightning a few years ago and burned was the one used by Jacob Brown. His house stood near it. Lowell Brown was a farmer and dealer in live stock. He was at one time engaged in the Labrador and other fisheries, fitting out vessels for this purpose at Newburyport, Ports- mouth, and Hampton Falls. He was also interested in the mack- erel fishery to some extent. He had a vessel, called "The Peace and Plenty," captured by the Prench in the bay of Naples, to- gether with her cargo of fish. This was during Napoleon's wars. He was afterward paid in part by the French government, but not fully compensated for his loss. He married, first, a daughter of Benjamin Green, and had one daughter that married Benjamin F. Brown of Seabrook; married, second, Lorana Janvrin, and had three sons aiad two daughters. Of these, George L. has already been men- tioned. Moses went to California in 1849, and is now living in the state of Washington. John A. lives upon the homestead. He married Clara Hatch of Wells, Me., and they have four children; Eufus married Emma Littlefield of Wells, Me.; Albert J. married Lizzie Hurd of North Berwick, Me.; Charles Bell married Marietta Dow of Seabrook; Harry Porter is unmarried. Isaac Brown polled into Seabrook in 1768. He built the present house, and died about 1800. The house which stands at the top of Butler's hill was built by John A. Brown for his son about 1886, and sold, in 1895, to Nelson Copeland, the present occupant. Butler's hill was named from Ealph Butler, who lived here as early as 1727. He was a royalist, and at the commencement of the Eevolutionary War removed to the British provinces, where he died. Eobert H. Butler, who lives at Fogg's corner, is a descendant of Ealph Butler. The house fitted up in 1896 by Clarence Brown, near the Line meeting-house, was the homestead of Benjamin Green, who was the son of Jonathan, the grandson of Benjamin, the great-grandson of Abraham, and the great-great-grandson of Henry. Benjamin Green was rated for the last time in 1814. He had a large farm HOMESTEADS. 583 extending back to the road leading from Earn hill to Fogg's cor- ner. The house was built about 1790. He had two daughters. One married Lowell Brown and had one daughter, who married Benjamin F. Brown of Seabrook. She succeeded to her mother's portion. Clarence Brown is her grandson. The other daughter married Isaiah Page, a Quaker who came from Haverhill and was rated here for the first time in 1829. They had no children. Mr. Page died about 1864. The house had been occupied by tenants for many years previous to Mr. Brown's purchase. The house on the opposite side of the road at first stood just over the line in Seabrook, and was a Dow homestead, afterward occupied for a time by John G. Chase. It was moved across the line into Hampton Palls and repaired by Stacy L. Nudd, who came from Hampton. This was a part of the Dow farm. His wife was a Dow. The premises were sold in 1853 to Newell Brown of Seabrook. His son Prank lived here for a number of years. It was sold in 1864 to David M. Whittier, who came from Scotland. His son David A. is the present occupant. Henry Thresher lived on the road leading from the Line meeting- house to Fogg's corner. His house was very near where the Abbott house is now located. On the early records this road was called "Thresher's lane." He married Mary, daughter of Jacob Brown, in 1750. He, and his sons who were minors, polled into Seabrook in 1768. About 1776 he and his family removed to Eaymond, where the descendants continue to reside. Eev. Sereno T. Abbott was born in Andover, Mass., and was for many years pastor of the Line church. About 1848 he built the present house and build- ings. He died in 1855. The place was afterward owned by Moses Brown, son of Lowell, and has since changed owners a number of times. It is at present owned and occupied by a Mr. Milton. On the west side of the road on Morton hill is the house built by Edwin Janvrin in 1867, where he lived for a time. It is now occu- pied by his son Bertram T. who married Mary, daughter of Charles T. Brown. John P. Jones built the house next to the blacksmith shop in 1856. He lived there and carried on the blacksmith business until his death in 1889. He married a daughter of Charles Johnson, who came from Greenland, and had two sons, who were blacksmiths in Amesbury. Afterward they removed to Connecticut^ John F. Jones was representative in 1876 and 1877, and was one of the charter members of Eockingham Lodge of Odd Fellows at its organ- 584 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. ization in 1848. He was son of Moses, who came from Seabrook, and grandson of John Falls. The house and land where the Gove house now stands was at one time a part of the Swett property. Walter Williams lived there, and married Eachel Hilliard in 1734. He was a seaman and owned a coasting vessel. His son, Edward Williams, was captain of a company who went to Lonisburg in 1745, and died there. Walter Williams, who died here fifty years ago, was a grandson. When the Williams family left here we have no means of knowing. Chase Williams, son of Walter, 1st, appears to have lived here. John Falls, who married Eliza, daughter of Gideon Marshall, lived here and owned the place. He was rated from 1796 to 1819. Charles C. Gove, carpenter, son of Jeremiah, lived here until his death in 1893. He built the present house in 1846. His shop was burned in 1840. It was set on fire by varnish boiling over upon a hot stove. Alexander Cochran occupied the shop after Mr. Gove's decease. The shop was burned again in 1896; it was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. The Davidsons, rated a few years after 1764, appear to have lived there. William was select- man in 1771. The place is now owned by Charles Harrison, black- smith, who came from New Brunswick. Where the brick house occupied by the Browns stands is sup- posed to have been the site of the Georges tavern, where the legis- lature of !N"ew Hampshire met that of Massachusetts, in 1737, for the purpose of establishing the boundary line between the states. It was for many years afterward the home of Job Haskell, who united with the church here in 1737. He was dismissed from the church in Gloucester. He married Mercy Leavitt, daughter of Thomas, in 1738. He took care of the church at one time. He was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town. Probably he kept a public house a part of the time, as he had a license from the select- men to mix and sell spirituous liquors. He polled into Seabrook in 1768, but appears to have remained here as he continued to be taxed as a resident. His name disappears from the record before 1787. He had a number of children, but they do not appear to have lived in this town. Benjamin Brown came from Seabrook, married a daughter of John Brown, also of Seabrook, and settled here early in the present centuiy. He built the brick house in 1823. The house removed was called the Banks house from a man who was a carpenter and had previously lived there. Benjamin's son John A. lived in Portsmouth. Xewman was a coal dealer in HOMESTEADS. 585 Newburyport. Lowell was a shoemaker, lived upon the homestead, and was postmaster for a long time. For many years he did not go away from home. He died in 1887. Cyrus kept a store and did a large business previous to 1846. He was also engaged in brick making. His store and barn were burned in 1866. A building upon the site of the store had been burned many years before. Cyrus married Mary "Weldon of Providence, E. I., and had three sons. Cyrus W. married Abbie, daughter of Emery Batchelder, ia a shoemaker, and lives in Pittsfield. Benjamin, a shoemaker, lives in Lynn. Stanton L., a shoemaker, lives upon the homestead. Cyrus Brown was postmaster from 1848 until 1853, and died in 1889. What is known as the Weare farm appears to have been owned by John Crosse, and then by Eoger Shaw. It was one of the five farms. Joseph Shaw, son of Eoger, lived there. He was born in 1635, and married Elizabeth Partridge. He was succeeded by Sam- uel, his son, who married Esther, daughter of Nathaniel Batchelder. He was chosen deacon of the Hampton church, when the new church was formed at Hampton Falls. He resigned the office to become deacon here. He died about 1723. His brother Caleb, who had a large family, lived here also. Samuel's daughter Elizabeth married Hon. Meshech Weare in 1738. He appears in this way to have become possessor of the landed property of Deacon Shaw, and lived here the remainder of his life. He had two children by his first wife. He married, second, j\£rs. Mehitable Wainwright in 1746, by whom he had eight childr&n. Meshech Weare died in 1786;. his wife, in 1781. The house was built in 1735, probably by the Shaws, as Mr. Weare did not come here until three years later. Maj. Joseph Dow, who came from Kensington, was a Eevolutionary soldier. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Governor Weare, in 1784, and lived here until his death in 1829. Major Dow was an eccentric man whose sayings were often quoted fifty years ago. John Porter married Hannah Weare, and occupied the homestead with Major Dow. John Porter died in 1847, aged seventy years. His wife died in 1849, aged ninety-five years. Nabby Lang, daughter of Stephen Lang and Abigail Weare, lived here and died in 1864, aged ninety years. She was the last lineal descendant of Meshech Weare who lived in the town. Zebulon Dow, who came from Seabrook, bought the place from the heirs of Major Dow and the Porters, and lived here until his death in 1858. William H. Brown, who came from Scotland, son of William, married Ellen, 686 HISTORY OF HAMPTOK FALLS. daughter of Zebulon Dow, and is the present occupant. They keep a sanitarium for the treatment of nervous diseases. The bam -was destroj'ed hj fire in 1879. There is a well authenticated tradition that Washington once passed a night at this house in consultation with Governor Weare, coming down from Cambridge for that purpose in 1775. He took command at Cambridge July 2, 1775. In a house which stood near where the schoolhouse now stands on the common lived Joseph Pervear, son of Philip. He was bap- tized in 1737, married Lydia Noyes in 1748, and was rated here from 1758 to 1790. His sons, ISToyes and Josiah, were Eevolution- ary soldiers. Josiah Pervear lived here and was rated from 1771 to 1801. He had eleven children, all but one of whom moved to Maine. His son Philip lived to be one hundred and five years old. Joseph Pervear owned the lot between the parsonage house and the "Wellswood and exchanged it for a lot on the common where he lived. In 1656, Anthony Stanyan lived on the place now owned by Charles N. Dodge. He had been given liberty and kept an ordinary or tavern. He was succeeded by his son John, and later by his grandson Jacob. They do not appear to have been prominent in town matters. Jacob was a selectman in 1733. The name of Stan- yan disappears from our record after 1773 and before 1787. The present house was built by Caleb Sanborn for his son Meshech, who probably kept a public house for a time. Capt. Nathaniel Dodge, afterward Dodge & Quarles, kept tavern here for a number of years after 1790. Capt. ISTathaniel Dodge was a Eevolutionary soldier, and was rated for the last time in 1805, when he removed to Ohio. His brother Stephen afterward kept tavern here. He married Mary Diman, and died about 1843. His son James D. occupied the place until his death in 1887. He was succeeded by his only son, Charles N"., who has been engaged in trade at the store for a number of years. Stephen's son Stephen was a soldier in the Mexican War. Capt. Nathaniel aaad Stephen Dodge were sons of Nathaniel Hub- bard Dodge. The house where Horace A. Godfrey lives was built by Aaron M. Gove, son of Jeremiah, about 1835. He was a blacksmith and his shop stood upon what is now Mr. Godfrey's lawn, near where there had been a blacksmith shop for many years before. Mr. Gove had previously lived on the south road where Warren B. Pervear now lives. He died about 1850. John W. Dodge owned and occupied HOMESTBADS. 587 the place for a niimber of years. Horace A. Godfrey, son of Jere- miah, has lived here since 1868. He has been a postal clerk since 1876, running much of the time from Boston to Bangor. He mar- ried Emelena, daughter of John Philbrick of Seabrook. One of the stables where the stage horses were kept was situated between Mr. Godfrey's house and the house now occupied by Albert Elkins. It was demolished about 1850. South of the stable seem to have been one and probably two houses, where a number of different families lived. Archelaus and Tobias Lakeman were carpenters and lived there. Men of this name were rated from 1747, and perhaps before, until 1761. Soon after leaving Hampton Falls Tobias Lakeman kept the Portsmouth jail. He showed some Quakers who were imprisoned for heresy a great deal of kindness, allowing them to go home on their prom- ise to return in season for trial. They kept their word. Embold- ened by this he let a "gentleman" debtor go on a like promise. He did not come back. The debt was large, and the jailer was stripped of his property and dismissed from office. He and his family were reduced to penury. He became insane, but was harmless, and wan- dered about, going a number of times each year to Ipswich, his native place, where he had relatives. He was shown a great deal of kindness by every one, especially by the Quakers, whom he had once befriended. He was not allowed to suffer, and lived to be ninety years old. Tobias Lakeman ceased to be rated here after 1756. Lieut. Joseph Raymond, also a carpenter, lived there, and married Hannah Dodge in 1784. He was rated for a few years previous to 1791, when the name disappears. Jacob Satterly, a carpenter, lived here, and married, in 1739, Susanna Steward, probably sister of Jonathan. He was rated here from 1765 till 1789. He removed to Newburyport, where he died of yellow fever in 1796. At that time forty-four persons died of yellow fever in Newburyport. In Portsmouth, there were ninety-six cases, fifty-five of which proved fatal. Catherine Satterly married Kathan Sanborn of this town in 1733, and removed to Epping about 1750. The house occupied by Albert AV. Elkins was built by Caleb Til- ton, who came from Chichester and had charge of the stables. He was a descendant of the Tiltons of this town. He married Lucy, daughter of James Sanborn, kept a tavern here for a number of years, and was the last one that did business about the hill. He died in 1876, aged eighty-one years. He had three sons, all deceased. Otis W. married a daughter of Eli Lampre)^, lived in Sheffield, 111., 588 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. and was engaged in buying liorses for the government during the war. Enoch J. was engaged in trade in the store for a number of years previous to 1870, was postmaster from 1861 to 1866 and from 1869 to 1870, and afterward engaged' in' the groceiy business in Iowa. On his return he was for many years in business in New- buryport. He married Helen, daughter of -James Brimner, and died in 1885. His family live in Newburyport; John S. lived upon the homestead, and married Annie, daughter of Nathan Fellows of Kensington. He died in 1875. His family live in Kensington. Albert W. Elkins, who is a carpenter, now owns and occupies the premises. William 0., son of John S. Tilton, was killed in a bicycle collision in 1898. A house was built in 1837 by Warren Dockham, who came from Bamstead. He lived here for a number of years, and afterward lived in Newburyport, where he died a few years since. His son David W. lives in West Newbury, Mass. The house was owned and occupied by George S. Merrill, son of Aaron, who married a daugh- ter of Charles Johnson, and died in January, 1897. He had a daughter who married Nahum Swain of Exeter. The house built by George H. Dodge, and at times occupied as a parsonage by the Baptist society, was afterward owned and occu- pied by James D. Janvrin, son of Joshua. He died from injuries received from being run over by a loaded team in 1887. The house is now occupied by his son C. E., who is a butcher. A house was built in 1813 by Dudley Dodge, son of Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge. He died in 1835, and was succeeded by his son George H., who was an enterprising business man. He was engaged in the manufacture of cotton batting. His mill was destroyed by iire in 1847, and was quickly rebuilt. He was a di- rector of the Manchester & Lawrence Eailroad for many years, and its president for a time, and was also president of the Weare bank at the time of his death. He was a prominent member of the Bap- tist church, and paid much of the expense of repairing the house in 1859. He was a man of much public spirit. He was a repre- sentative in 1839 and 1840, member of the state senate in 1846, delegate to the constitutional convention in 1850, and died in 1862. His son George D. lives in Hampton Falls, and was a candidate for governor on the temperance ticket in 1880. Oliver and Wil- liam H. were lawyers in Dover. John H. lived in Madbnry. Three daughters who were unmarried lived in Philadelphia. The premises were sold in 1880 to Mrs. Mary E. Elkins, whose son Ben- Ui a a o a z I o Ll_ c 111 o z UJ Q CO LU HOMESTEADS. . 589 jamin "W. is the present occupant. He married Isabel, daughter of George C. Brown. The house now occupied by George D. Dodge was built in 1836, and occupied by Mrs. Eliza Dodge, daughter of Dudley Dodge and widow of Isaac Dodge of Wateryille, Me. She had one daughter, who married Wells W. Healey. Mrs. Dodge afterward married Simon Winslow, who came here from Newmarket. He was repre- sentative in 1850 and 1851, and died in 1864. A house was built about 1840 by Eev. J. W. Poland, who preached at the Baptist church. He married a sister of Eichard Dodge. He afterward preached in Massachusetts ; in his later years at Goffs- town, ]Sr. H., where he died in 1880. He was much interested in agricultural matters, and a frequent contributor to the agricultural press. John TV. Dodge lived here for a number of years. Lowell F. Merrill, son of Aaron, has lived here for thirty years. He mar- ried a daughter of David M. Leavitt of Hampton, and has two sons and one daughter. She married Charles J. Merrill, who came from Newburyport. Lowell F. Merrill died October 4, 1899. The house now occupied by Mrs. J. W. Dodge, and built about 1787, was the homestead of Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge, who came from Wenham, Mass., in 1768. He bought the mills of Col. Jona- than Moulton, and built the dams, which after a hundred years' service are now in good condition, having needed little repair dur- ing that time. He was representative in 1793, and a member of the first constitutional convention. He died in 1830, aged ninety- two. His son John married Sarah Dodge, and died in 1816, aged fori;y-five. Eichard Dodge, son of John, succeeded to the owner- ship and operated the sawmill. He married Clarissa Lock. He was engaged in the Labrador fisheries and other enterprises. He was prominent in the Baptist church, and died in 1864. His only son, John W., was a graduate of Brown University. He spent a number of seasons at Labrador in the fisheries and carrying of passengers. He was the first cashier of the Weare bank. For sev- eral years he was conductor on the Mt. Washington Eailroad, and afterward landlord of the Tiptop house. He died in 1875. His wife continued to keep the house for a number of years aiter his death. She now lives upon the homestead. His son Arthur M. was engaged in the hosiery business at Tilton and Hampton Falls, and afterward studied medicine at Harvard Medical School. His daughter Mary married Walter Aiken of Franklin; Clara, Prof. Charles E. Brown of Newton Theological Seminary; Hattie, George 590 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. C. Healey of this town; Daisy^ Eev. Mr. White of Nashua. Jessie is unmarried. John W. Dodge married Harriet Dunklee of Con- cord. He was representative in 1846 and 1847. Between the houses of Lowell Merrill and Mrs. Dodge, upon the land of Edwin Janvrin, was a house in the early settlement of the country, the site of which is still to be seen. We have no knowl- edge as to who lived there. Tradition says it was a tavern, as it was situated upon what at that time was the main road. This seems quite probable. It may have been the Georges tavern, whose location has been in dispute. Nearly all the land in the triangular piece bounded by the New- buryport road on the east, the Dodge road on the west, and the Falls river on the south, was owned by Benjamin Swett. In 1763, his daughter Annie married Dr. Joshua Chase, who was rated from 1764 till after 1773. Dr. Chase's daughter Polly married James Janvrin in 178G. James Janvrin was son of John, who was the schoolmaster here. He rated from 1757 to 1767. In 1756 he was paid sixty-three pounds to keep the grammar school in this town. No one at that time could keep the grammar school who was not qualified to fit scholars for Harvard College. John Janvrin after- ward lived in Seabrook. The name of James Janvrin appears upon our record in 1813 and not after 1833. He had two sons, David and Joshua. David lived upon the homestead, married Mary Towle of Hampton, and died in 1878. He had one son, Edwin, who with his son Bertram is engaged in the lumber business. Edwin Janvrin was representative in 1883. Joshua Janvrin built a house on the south end of the farm next the Falls river. He mar- ried a daughter of Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge, and died in 1875. His wife died in 1888, aged ninety-two. Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge was born in 1738. His daughter, Mrs. Janvrin, died in 1888, making a span of the two lives of one hundred and fifty years. Joshua had one son, James D., already mentioned, and three daugh- ters. This place was sold to David M. Whittier, who came from Scotland. After his death the place was owned by John Bishop for a number of years. Mrs. Aiken purchased the place and pre- sented it to the Baptist church for a parsonage in 1894. Joshua Janvrin's bam was burned in 1845. The house just over the bridge, known as the "mill house," was built by Dudley Dodge and intended for the residence of those who operated the clothing mill.. It was occupied by Johnson, Ham, HOMESTEADS. 591 Goodhue, and others. It has been occupied by tenants for many years. A small out-building was burned there in 1885. On the south side of the Falls river and near the top of the hill lived Judge Henry Green. He was the ancestor of the Greens, who have since lived in the town. He was here as early as 1653. He received a grant of land in 1648 in consideration of his building a water mill. He built the first mill at the place since known as "Dodge's mills." He was a prominent man in his time, having been a member of the council from 1685 until 1689 and from 1693 to 1698; chief justice of the court of common pleas in 1697 and 1698. As a judge he was unpopular, having acted in the interest of Mason and Cranfield against the land owners. He died August 5, 1700. Capt. Jacob Green, in 1700, took down the old mill and built a new one, the town granting him the same privilege his father had had. In 1679, Henry Green had permission to put in a sec- ond dam above the mill. Jacob Green died in 1736. Nathan Longfellow came from Newbury in 1713, married Mary, daughter of Capt. Jacob Green, in 1713, and probably lived here. Capt. Jacob Green gave his property to Nathan Longfellow, his grandson and son of Nathan Longfellow, 1st, who continued to own the mills until 1764, when he sold them to Col. Jonathan Moulton. Green Longfellow, son of Nathan, 1st, died of small-pox in 1760. Jona- than, another son, married Mercy Clark in 1731 and moved to liTottingham. Abigail, daughter of Nathan, 1st, married Benjamdri Brown and lived in South Hampton; Anna married Nehemiah Brown of Kensington. Near Eam hill lived a family named Lang. The slight rise in the road has since been called Lang's hill. The name of Lang appears as early as 1743 and disappears before 1787. We do not find that any of the name ever held any office in the town. Stephen Lang married a daughter of Meshech Weare, and among his chil- dren was Nabby, who lived at the Weare place and died in 1864. Other children lived in North Hampton or Stratham. In a house which stood near Merrill's slaughter house lived John Hardy, son of Bradbury. He was rated from 1801 to 1835. He was one of the soldiers who went from this town to Portsmouth in the war of 1813 and 1814. William and Gyles Fifield, supposed to have been brothers, came from Newbury to Hampton in 1639, and settled upon what is Tmown as Sandy lane. Gyles married Mary, daughter of Abraham Perkins, in 1653, and removed to Charlestown, Mass., in 1757. In 592 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. 1713, Mary, daughter of his son Eichard, married Samuel Adams, a rich merchant of Boston. She was the mother of Got. Samuel Adams, the patriot. William became prominent in Hampton, and owned what has since been known as the Pifield farm on the south road. His son Benjamin married Mary Colcord and succeeded his father. Early in August, 1706, upon a Sabbath morning, as he was coming from his pasture on horseback, he was killed by some Indians who were lying in ambush, and a lad, who was his kinsman, was carried away. He was killed near a large rock, and the farm is now called "Indian Eock farm," because of this event. He was about sixty years old. His son Jonathan lived here, and married Hannah Wait. He was town clerk from 1735 to 1759; selectman, in 1720, 1723, 1728, 1732, 1737, 1741, 1742, 1743, 1745, 1747, and was prominent in all town matters. He was not less prominent in the church, wherehe was deacon for many years, and was succeeded by his son Lieut. George, who married Mary, daughter of Elisha Marston of Hampton. He was selectman in 1789, 1792, 1795, and rated for the last time in 1805. His son Eichard, first rated in 1795, married a daughter of Samuel Lane, and lived where Levi E. Lane now lives. He removed to Piermont about 1819. Some of his descendants live in that vicinity and in Vermont. His son Jonathan lived upon the homestead, and was rated from 1799 until his death in 1818. He married, first, Sarah, daughter of John Brown of Seabrook, and had one daughter, Mary, who married Joshua Janvrin of Seabrook. She had one daughter, Josephine, who married William Beekman. His second wife was a Fogg, and had three children, George and Sophronia, who were unmarried, and Clarissa, who after her sister's death married Joshua Janvrin, and had one son. Lieut. George had three daughters. One mar- ried David Garland of Hampton; another, David Chase of this town; a third, Betsey, married Dudley Dodge. She was the pioneer of the Baptist church in this town, and died in 1855. John Fifield, son of Benjamin, was living in Kingston in 1726. The name be- came extinct in this town in 1844. Samuel Batchelder, son of Moses, bought the farm in 1846, made extensive improvements upon the buildings, a-nd brought the land, which was badly run down, to a high state of cultivation. He married Abigail, daughter of Jacob Noyes of Seabrook. He was largely engaged in handling ship and other heavy timber, and died in 1858. He had a son Samuel, who died in Kensington in 1896, and a daughter, who married John Boody. After Samuel Batchelder's death the farm was owned by his brother, John T., for a number of years, and sold in 1886 to George P. Merrill of Newburyport, who was son of Enoch, HOMESTEADS. 593 who married Hannah Moulton of Newburyport and has four chil- dren. Samnel Batchelder was an original abolitionist^ aad was firm and steadfast in that belief until his death. In a house which stood near the gravel pit at Bennett's bridge lived John Smith, who came from Rye and married Nancy, daugh- ter of James Sanborn. His name does not appear upon the record. He died in 1846. The house was removed in 1851. He had four daughters, one of whom married Benjamin Henderson; one, Walter Dow, and one, John C. Gove. Lucy was unmarried. All are de- ceased. A family named Bennett lived near the bridge where the Falls river crosses the road. The name of Bennett appears as early as 1747, and continues until 1841. Caleb, Jeremiah, and Edward lived here. Where Andrew J. Chase lives was the homestead of David Per- kins, who died about 1810. Two of his sons lived in this town. Capt. Nathaniel, who lived upon the homestead, built the house about 1806. He married a daughter of James Janvrin. His brother Joseph lived where Dr. Sanborn lives and was prominent in town affairs. John L., son of Captain Perkins, lived at the turnpike. Other sons removed to Maine. His daughter married Gen. C. A. Nason. The premises were afterward owned by Chevey Chase, son of Daniel. His wife was a Fogg. He had two sons and several daughters. Andrew J. lives upon the home place. He went to California in 1849. Chevey P. lives at Fogg's corner. The house where the Blatchf ord family live was built by Andrew J. Chase, and occupied by him for a number of years. He sold it in 1870 to Nathaniel Blatchford, who came from Massachusetts. He was a butcher, did a large business, and died in 1888. The house on the opposite side of the road was built in 1880 by Laroy Eaton, who came from Seabrook and married a daughter of Nathaniel Blatchford. On the comer was the homestead of Jeremiah Gove, who mar- ried a daughter of Philip Pervear. His wife kept a store and did quite a business. They had a son, Jeremiah, who was father of Aaron M. and Charles C. Gove and of Mrs. Ezekiel Gove. He died in 1846. Ezekiel Gove came from Weare, and lived here until his death in 1875. His son John C. lived upon the home place, was a veterinary, and died in 1895. Another son, Charles H., lives in Exeter. Two of his daughters married Samuel Pervear. Another daughter married Charles W. Durgin, who was a soldier from this 594 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. town in the war of the Eebellion. S. B. Pervear, son of Samuel, now liTes here. Where Warren B. Pervear lives was the homestead of Aaron M. Gove/ who married Sarah Hilton. He was a Wacksmith, and re- moved to the hill about 1836. He had a son Daniel, who died in early manhood. His son Frank married Sarah Wadleigh, and at one time kept a store in Hampton. Afterward he removed to New Eutland, HI. Bradbiiry Hardy occupied the place until his death in 1866. He. married a, daughter of Daniel Pervear. Warren B. Pervear, son of Joseph, is the present occupant. He has three sons. Norris B. has been a blacksmith in Seabrook for many yearsj W. H., a blacksmith in Salisbury. Edwin, who married a daugh- ter of Nathaniel Blatchford, lives in a cottage house built on the homestead situated upon the cross road. One daughter married Charles P. Coombs. Norris B. and W. H. married daughters of WilUiam Boynton of Seabrook. The next house above was built in Kensington by Samuel Lam- prey, and moved to its present location by George Sherburne, who married a daughter of Jonathan Weare, in 1880. It is now occu- pied by Stephen Perkins, who came from Lebanon, Me. He mar- ried a daughter of Benjamin F. Weare. In a small house which stood just above lived Green Hoag and his sister Ellis. Their father, Hussey Hoag, was a Kevolutionary soldier. Green Hoag went with the company to Portsmouth in the war of 1813, and died about 1874. The boys used to annoy them by rolling rocks off the hill which came down against the house. Homestead of Billy Dodge. He was son of Nathaniel H., and married Jemima Eastman of Kensington. He died in 1818. His widow married Dr. John True of Pittsfield, who lived here until his death in 1838. Josiah Smith came from Seabrook, and lived here until his death in 1870. He had three daughters, Mrs. Charles F. Chase, Mrs. Benjamin F. Weare, and Mary A., who was unmar- ried. Harrison G. Prescott from Newburyport lived here for a number of years. Charles P. Coombs, a native of Amesbury, mar- ried a daughter of Warren B. Pervear, and is the present occupant. Josiah Smith was rated from 1836 to 1870; John True, from 1831 to 1838. Mrs. True died in 1858, aged eighty-seven. Homestead of David Chase, son of Daniel. He was selectman in 1834 and 1835; representative in 1839 and 1831, and died in 1840. His son John lived upon the home place for many years. HOMESTEADS. 595 and afterward moved to Hampton, where he died. Charles F. was for twenty-five years railroad station agent at Hampton Falls. He died about 1885. George A. was a blacksmith, and lived in Ken- sington. His daughters are Mrs. Newell Dow of Kensington, Mrs. Eetire H. Parker of Exeter, and Miss Abigail Chase. John L. Chase, a grandson of Capt. Toppan Chase, came from Seabrook, and has lived here for many years. He died in 1899. On the opposite side of the road, a house was erected by L. L. Chase, son of John L. He was a blacksmith and worked in the shop near the house. Homestead of Reuben Hardy, deceased. His son Charles A. occupies the premises. He married a daughter of Richard Fogg, and has a son John engaged in trade at Exeter. Jerome lives in Newburyport. His daughter Edna has taught school in this town for many years. George L., son of Reuben, lived in Raymond. He was 'Tdoss" of a section for a long time on the Concord & Ports- mouth Railroad, and died in 1895. On the lane south of C. A. Hardy's house is the residence of Dan- iel E. Pervear, son of Samuel. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. He married a daughter of John C. K&nniston. She died in 1888. He was representative in 1892. Where Frank Pervear lives was the homestead of Daniel Pervear, who came here from Exeter early in the present century. Daniel Pervear died in 1836. His widow died in 1859, aged eighty-three. He had six sons, Daniel, Joseph, Samuel, Bumham, Bradbury, and Meshech, and one daughter, Mrs. Bradbury Hardy. Samuel Per- vear lived here until his death. His sons were Daniel E., Samuel L., Sylvanus B., and Frank, who lives on the homestead. Samuel Pervear was twice married, to daughters of Ezekiel Gove. Frank Pervear married a daughter of Albert Young. Homestead of Joseph Pervear, son of Daniel. He died about 1880. His sons, Mark, Stephen, and Sewell, are residents of Lynn, Mass. Warren B. lives in this town. Sylvester lives in Brent- wood. Sewell and Sylvester were soldiers in the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment of Volunteers. Sylvester was severely wounded and lost an eye in the service. After Joseph Pervear's death the premises were occupied by Samuel L. Pervear, son of Samuel, for a number of years. He sold the place to Alexander Short, who came from Newburyport, and is the present occupant. The house on the side of the hill was built by Ezra Fogg, son of Richard. He married Sarah, daughter of Reuben Hardy. He is 596 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. a manufacturer of essences and extracts, a noted fox hunter, and is commonly called Dr. Fogg. The old Hardy house was the residence of Bradbury Hardy and Jonathan, his son, who died in 1817. His sons were Green, Eeu- ben, Charles, Bradbury, and George. Green Hardy lived here for many years, and died abotit 1882. The house has been used as a place for holding religious meetings, which were largely attended by those living in this part of the town and in other places. Jona- than's daughter Lydia married Levi Jenness. George, son of Jona- than, lived in Exeter near Newfields line. He had one son. Above the old Hardy house on the same side of the way was the residence of Charles Hardy, son of Jonathan. He married an Ord- way from ISTewburyport, and died about 1885. An adopted son enlisted in the English army during the Crimean War and . served ten years, returning in 1868. His name was Charles L. Hardy. He lived in Exeter for a number of years, and died about 1886. Going down the Crank road the first house we come to was built by Burnham Pervear about 1855. In early life he was a morocco dresser and lived in Waltham, Mass. His sons were engaged in the morocco business at Lynn and became wealthy and influential citi- zens of that city. His son Burnham E. was a soldier from this town in the Eleventh Few Hampshire Eegiment. Horace lives in this town. John E. Hardy, son of Charles A., bought the place and repaired the buildings in 1892. A small barn was burned here about 1874. The buildings were all destroyed by fire in July, 1897. The next is the homestead of Levi Jenness, who came from Eye and was rated here for the first time in 1835. He married Lydia, daughter of Jonathan Hardy. He built the buildings and occu- pied them until his death in 1896, at the age of eighty-three. Mrs. Jenness kept and cared for the town's poor; during the later years the poor were cared for in the towns. Mrs. Jenness died in 1894, aged eighty years. An adopted son, Edwin A., is the present occu- pant of the premises. The next house was built and occupied by Dr. John C. Gove for many years previous to 1880. It is now owned and occupied by the Young family. Albert Young came from Aroostook county, ]Me. In summer the family pick and market a great msmj berries; in winter they make and sell husk mats. At the corner below* Mr. Young's house lived the EoUins family. They were rated from 1768 to 1808. Eliphalet and John EoUins were Eevolutionary soldiers from this town. Some of the family HOMESTEADS. 597 moved "up country." There is no trace of the house in which they lived. The name is written "Kawlings" in some places on the record. Not far from the Eollins house lived Jonathan Hardy, rated from before 1747 until 1768, when he polled into Seabrook. He was a large land owner. "What is now known as Great hill was then called Hardy's hill. Having in his later years become de- pendent, the selectmen of Seabrook came up and disposed of his remaining property and used it for his support. The house on the road from Crank to south, on top of the hill, was built by George A. Wright, who came from Seabrook in 1876. He moved to Newburyport in 1894. The premises are now owned by Edwin Janvrin. The next house on the other side of the road was built by Daniel Pervear. It is now occupied by George Goodwin, who came from East Kingston and married a daughter of Eiehard Fogg. He is a shoemaker and a successful grower of strawberries. Where Ladd and Harris live was the homestead of Samuel S. Lamprey, son of Dea. John Lamprey of Kensington. He built his buildings upon the east end of his father's farm. He was rated from 1815 to 1826, and removed to Salisbury, now Amesbury. He was succeeded by Richard Morrill, who came from Salisbury and was rated from 1827 to 1856. His son Jonathan invented a ma- chine for ditching the salt marshes. The family returned to Salis- bury. John Wiggin was the next owner. He was a native of Exeter, but moved here from Brentwood, and lived here until his death. He was rated from 1858 to 1886. Ladd and Harris, the present occupants, came from Haverhill. The Nason family came from Eainsford county, Eng., in 1648, and settled in South Berwick, Me. Eiehard Nason was killed there by Indians about 1675. His son Jonathan, bom in South Ber- wick, moved to Dover. After residing there for several years he moved to Hampton Palls about 1700. Jonathan Nason became prominent in the management of town matters. He was moderator in 1745, 1748, and 1749; selectman in 1721, 1722, 1729, 1736, 1745, and 1747. He was a surveyor, and helped to survey and lay out townships in ISTew Hampshire. He lived where Levi E. Lane now lives. His son Eiehard moved to the south road, onto a part of the present Nason farm, his house being near the Kensington line. He was also prominent in town matters, was selectman in 1748, 1758, and 1760, and representative in 1758. His son Jonathan was 598 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. selectman in 1820, 1826, and 1827. He moved the house from near the Kensington line to its present location. It took ninety yokes of oxen to take it up the hill. He died in 1846. His wife was Mary Gordon of Exeter. He had two sons, Charles A. and George W. George W. married Mary, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Perkins, and died in 1852. Charles A. married his brother's widow and has three sons and two daughters. Eichard is employed in the Boston market. David is a musician, and lives in Newbury- port. Jonathan married a daughter of James D. Janvrin and lives west. Mary married a Brewer and lives in Kensington. Mar- tha married Ealph Blatchford and lives in this town. In militia times Charles A. was prominent in military matters, holding a general's commission. He was selectman in 1850 and 1851; rep- resentative in 1860 and 1861. On land now owned hy Ladd and Harris, very near the Ken- sington line, lived Nathan Broivn, who married Hannah, daughter of Eichard Nason. Mr. Brown probably came from Kensington. He was rated from 1789 to 1814. Mr. Brown's children lived in Amesbury and Haverhill. Some of them are buried in the Nason cemetery. Afterward a family named Fulford, from Salisbury, rented and lived in the house. The house was removed many years ago. On the road to Weare's mills is the house occupied by Daniel Pervear, son of Daniel. This house was moved here from Sea- brook and is said to have been the first Quaker meeting-house, built in 1701. Mr. Pervear had three daughters. Mary J. married Al- pheus Pervear; Fannie married John C. Kenniston, who came from Effingham, and now lives in Lynn, Mass.; Lydia married Stephen M. Towle, who came from Salisbury. He was a soldier, and died near Covington, Ky., November 22, 1863. Mr. Pervear sold the place and lived in Vineland, N. J., for a number of years, until he died. Charles Blatchford came from Gloucester, lived here for a time, and then returned to Gloucester. Oliver Baton came here from Seabrook and bought the place in 1880, and lived here until his death in 1892. He gave the place to Victoria, daughter of Albert Young, now the wife of George "W. Scoones, during her lifetime; then the proceeds are to go to endow the Eaton High School in Seabrook. About half-way from the south road to "Weare' mills, on land belonging to the Green farm, lived Philip Pervear, the ancestor of the Pervear family in this town. Philip Pervear married Martha HOMESTEADS. 599 Emmons January 1, 1723. He had nine children, — Joseph, bap- tized in 1737; Nathaniel, in 1738; John, in 1731; Daniel, in 1733; Elizabeth, in 1734; Susanna, in 1735; Mary, in 1738; John, in 1740, and Daniel, in 1742. Philip Pervear was rated the last time in 1749. Widow Martha was rated last in 1753. The ancestors of the Pervear family came from France, the name originally being La Pervear. We are unable to say when or where they first settled. They appear to have been people of means, as manuscripts and other things of value which they brought to this country are still in the possession of their descendants. In a house which stood near Philip Pervear's lived a family named Davis. Samuel Davis was rated as early as 1732. Jona- than Davis, last of the name, was rated in 1808, when the name disappears from the record. They were nicknamed the "Didley Davises." The Davis house was moved to the south road and is now occupied by Frank Pervear. Above the sawmill on the road to Kensington is the house of Daniel Merrill, who came from Salisbury. He married a daughter of Jonathan Weare, and built here about 1870. Howard, son of Daniel, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun in 1898. A little above Daniel Merrill's was a house on the sotith side of the way, once occupied by Stephen Gove, who came from Seabrook and was rated from 1812 to 1816. His son Albert, who lived in Sea- brook, was a soldier from that town in the war of the Rebellion. He is now living in Stratham. The premises were afterward owned by John Weare and occupied by Emery Page, who came from Ken- sington. He and his son Charles E. died about 1885. Homestead of John Weare, son of Dea. Jonathan. He owned most of the mills, and was noted for making an extra quality of Indian meal and other products. He was representative in 1836 audi 1838, and died in 1877, aged eighty-seven. His son Jonathan married a daughter of John French of Kensington. After his death his widow married Warren B. Pervear. His son John E. married a daughter of H. G. Prescott, and is engaged in the grocery business in Newburyport. One daughter married Daniel Merrill and lives near the mill. Another married William Dow of Ken- sington. Benjamin F., son of John, married, first, a daughter of Richard Fogg; second, Lucy, daughter of Josiah Smith. He has two sons and two daughters. One daughter married Stephen Per- kins, who came from Lebanon, Me. Benjamin F. built a house about 1860, where he lives. This is the last house in town going toward Kensington. 600 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. HOMESTEADS AT FOGG'S COENER. The house occupied by William E. Walton was built about 1854 by William. Cummings, whose wife was a Fogg. They liTed here for a time. The next owner was Crosby E. Edmunds about 1865. He remoTcd to Greenland and was station agent for many years for the Concord & Portsmouth Eailroad, at the station now known as Greenland Village. William E. Walton came from Seabrook about 1872, and is the present owner and occupant. His daughter Edith married David P. Simpson. The next house west was built by Mr. Butler, a descendant of Ealph Butler who lived at Butler's hill. He was a royalist at the time of the Eevolutionary War, and like many others of a like belief removed to the British provinces. Mr. Butler built the house now occupied by his son Eobert H. about 1854. Eobert H. was a sol- dier in the war of the Eebellio-n. The house on the corner occupied by George A. Fogg was the homestead of Samuel Fogg, who came from a house on the opposite side of the road in Seabrook, which was the Fogg homestead. Sam- uel was a carpenter, and was rated from 1844 until 1868. He died in Brentwood. George A. Fogg was a son of David, and was born in Seabrook upon the Fogg homestead. He bought his present place when his uncle went away, and married Sarah, daughter of John Batchelder. Eesidence of Eichard Fogg. He came from Seabrook, was a brother of Samuel, and married Harriet, daughter of Charles Chase. He was first rated in 183-3 and continued here until his death. His sons Charles and John live in Seabrook. James lives in Lynn, and Ezra in Hampton Falls. His daughters, Mrs. Benjamin P. Weare, Mrs. Charles A. Hardy, and Mrs. George C. Goodwin, all lived in Hampton Falls. The premises are now owned by Mrs. Lydia Parker of Seabrook. In a house which stood upon what is now George A. Philbrick's pasture near Fogg's corner lived a family named Lock. Josiah and Levi Lock were rated here in 1789 and a few years later. The house was afterward occupied by Simon Lock, whose name does not appear upon our record. Some time after 1800 the house was moved to Seabrook, the family going there to live. Simon had a son Hubbard, who lived upon the Eocks road, and a daughter, who married Edward Gove of Seabrook. HOMESTEADS. 601 The house now occupied by Chevey P. Chase was the homestead of John G. Chase, who originally came from Lynn, but had lived in Seabrook several years before coming here. He was first rated in 1842. He removed to Greenland in 1865, and died there a few years later. He was a man of pugilistic inclinations and attended musters and other gatherings where he could exercise his skill with others of like tastes. Chevey P. Chase is the present owner and has enlarged the house. He married a daughter of Enoch Chase of Seabrook, and has a son Ira M. HOMESTEADS ON THE MIDDLE ROAD. Aaron Merrill was a Eevolutionary soldier, but not credited to this town. He came from Salisbury, and married Mercy, daughter of Amos Leavitt, in 1775. He was rated here in 1787 and probably before. He was a tanner and currier by trade. He used the gambrel-roofed house now occupied by the Creightons for a shop. He was prominent in tovm matters, having been selectman a num- ber of times from 1794 to 1816, and representative in 1813, 1815, and 1816. He died about 1830. He had several sons. Aaron, Jr., succeeded to the homestead. One of his daughters mar- ried Moses Wells; another. Dearborn Lane. Betsey and Sally lived in their father's house after his decease, and were unmarried. This house was removed many years ago. Aaron Merrill, Jr., had a house a little east of where his father lived. He married Cynthia, daughter of Theophilus Sanborn. His son William T. was a physi- cian and lived in Hampton, where he was a prominent citizen. He died in 1897. John A. committed suicide in 1873. George S. lived in the Dockham house at the hill, and died in 1897. Lowell P. lived in the Poland house. His daughter Elizabeth was unmar- ried. Martha married Bacon; Augusta, John B. Shaw of Hampton. All are deceased. Aaron, Jr., died in 1858. The house he lived in was destroyed by fire in 1867. Moses Wells came from Ipswich, Mass., and was first rated in 1800. He married a daughter of Aaron Merrill and lived in the o-rambrel-roofed house now occupied by the Creightons. He and his wife died within a day or two of each other, in December, 1858, and were buried in one grave. Their children lived in Massachu- setts. James Creighton came from Scotland to this town about 1857, and was engaged upon Mr. P. W. Atkins's farm and in collecting 602 HISTORY OP HAMPTON FALLS. milk. Mr. Atkins's farm is the one now occupied by Albert S. Smith. Mr. Creighton bought the house and lived there until his death in 1894. His family still occupy the house. Joseph Durant came from Exeter, and married a daughter of James Creighton. He erected his buildings in 1876. Mrs. McIUveen, a sister of Mrs. Creighton, came from Scotland, and built her house in 1879. She has two sons. David Creighton, son of James, built the house now occupied by John Cannon, who came from Scotland. David Creighton mar- ried a daughter of Mrs. Zebulon Dow by a former marriage. He now lives in Maine. William Irving came from Ireland in 1880. His house is the one built by Sarah Marston in 1838, near John Batchelder's. It was moved to its present location in 1888. Lydia Staniel and her mother had a house which stood near the Creighton house. She was the daughter of an English woman, was well educated, and taught school. She was an adept at fine needlework, was an eccentric character, and died about 1820. She is said to have started from home Sunday afternoon and walked to Pittsfield, and commenced her school on Monday morning. Near where Joseph Durant lives was a house occupied by Aaron Smith. He was rated in 1771 and for a few years after. We know nothing of his family. The field back of Mr. Durant's house is still called the Smith field. At the corner formerly called Hoag's corner, near where John Cannon's house stands, lived Hussey Hoag, who was a Eevolutionary soldier, and was probably a son of Jonathan Hoag, who was killed by a rock falling upon him. Hussey Hoag's mother lived to be one hundred and five years old, and died in Seabrook, where she lived with another old lady named Dow, who lived to about the same age. Tradition says that Mrs. Hoag sold Hussey when an infant for a quintal of fish. He is said never to have recognized his mother on this account. Mr. Hoag married a Stickney, and had two sons. Green and Joseph, and two daughters. He afterward had a house not far from Butler's hill, but it was probably in what is now Seabrook, as he polled from Seabrook to Hampton Falls in 1768. All by the name of Hoag are said to have been descended from a family who came from Wales and settled in Ipswich, Mass. Hussey Hoag was rated from 1766 to 1811. In this immediate neighborhood lived Philip Burns, who mar- ried Mary, daughter of Joseph Worth, in 1765, when he was first HOMESTEADS. 603 rated. His name disappears from the record before 1787. He was a Eevolutionary soldier from this town. On the north side of the road nearly opposite the mouth of the Crank road lived a family named Sleeper. They were rated from 1747 or before,, and disappear previous to 1787. Those named Sleeper in this town are said to have lived here. On land of John J. Brown, below the brook, lived Ephraim Green, son of Jonathan, baptized December 16, 1741. He was accidentally killed by a companion while gunning upon the salt marsh. This was about 1767, at which time his name disappears from the record. Col. Ichabod Eobie, son of Henry, was born at Hampton in 1664, and died at Kingston in 1757. He appears to have been buried at Hampton Falls. He lived in Hampton Falls for a number of years, and was a prominent man while here. He was selectman in 1719 and 1725; representative and moderator in 1751 and 1753. He married Lucy, daughter of Dea. Francis Page, and was dismissed from the church to that of Kingston in 1735. It is difficult to tell from the record whether he or Ichabod Eobie, Esq., are meant in some cases where the name appears. We are unable to tell where he lived in this town. Ichabod Eobie, Esq., was bom in that part of Haverhill which is now Atkinson in 1683. He was son of John and grandson of Henry, who came from England. When a boy he was captured by the Indians who had killed his father. He came to Hampton in 1705 and settled upon what has since been known as the Eobie farm. He married Mary Cass, daughter of Joseph, in 1707. He was a tanner and currier by trade, as was his son Henry who succeeded him. In 1749 Ichabod Eobie and his asso- ciates were granted a township six miles square. It was called Eobiestown, because his name was first mentioned in the grant. The town was afterward called Weare. He had three sons and four daughters. His son John married Ann Williams and settled in Chester. Gov. Frederick Eobie of Maine was one of his descend- ants. Henry, bom in 1715, married Abigail Butler in 1734. He succeeded to the homestead and was prominent in town matters. He was town clerk in 1759 and 1763; selectman in 1751, 1753, 1761 1763. He polled into Seabrook in 1768. He was elected to the first convention at Exeter in 1774, and to the second, at the same place, in 1775, from Seabrook, although he was living upon the Eobie farm in this town. He was representative from the two towns in 1776 and 1777, and died in 1807. He had six sons and 604 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. four daughters. His son' John lived in Weave, and was town clerk thirty-three years; also selectman and representative. He married Mary Eastman, and died in 1834. Nathan, son of Henry, suc- ceeded to the farm, and married, first,, Lydia Stewart in 1794. He died in 1842. Abigail, daughter of Henry, died in 1839, aged eighty-nine. Anna died in 1841, aged ninety-three. Lucy, third wife of ISTathan, died in 1855, aged eighty-nine. Kathan was suc- ceeded by his son Henry, born in 1797, who married Sarah Towle of Chester. He had one son and one daughter, Abbie, who mar- ried John A. Lane of Pittsfield. Nathan Henry, son of Henry, born in 1835, married Sarah E. Noyes, daughter of William H. Noyes of Seabrook. He was an auctioneer, conveyancer, and trial justice, and died January 17, 1898. In 1865, all his children — three sons — died of diphtheria. He is survived by one son, Frank J'., who lives upon the homestead, and three daughters. Josephine E. married Fred H. Wells of Amesbury; Lucy E. married Albert E. Day of Exeter; Ida P. married William C. Knight of Newbury, Mass. The old Eobie house was burned in 1833, and the present house was built the same year. The Brown place was the homestead of Samuel Lane, who was bom in Hampton in 1G98, and married Elizabeth Blake. He was a brother of Dea. Joshua Lane, who was killed there by lightning in 1766, and died in 1776. His son Samuel, born in 1741, lived here, and married Hepsibah Sleeper. He was a cabinet maker, and died in 1822. His son Jonathan, born in 1762, was commonly called "Comet Lane." He married, first, Lydia, daughter of Ben- jamin Leavitt, and second, Polly, daughter of Samuel Towle of Hampton. He had seventeen children, and died in 1819. After his death his family removed to Piermont. Hannah, daughter of Samuel Lane, 2d, lived here until her marriage late in life. After- ward Theodore A. Coflin of Hampton owned the place for a time. Joseph C. Brown, son of Jacob, was the next occupant. He built the house and buildings up the hill a little further west than the oiaes occupied by the Lanes. He married his cousin, Hannah Berry of Chichester, and was killed in 1838 by a rock, beside which he was digging, falling upon him. His widow married William P. Towle in 1843, and removed to South Hampton in 1851. Joseph C. had two sons and one daughter. John J. married Mary G., daughter of Jonathan Eobinson of Exeter, and has two sons and six daugh- ters. James D. married Sarah Eobinson, sister of his brother's wife, and has one son, James H., and two daughters. Ada mar^ HOMESTEADS. 60.'> ried Dr. Francis A. Lane • of Lynn, Mass. Edith, a teacher, is unmarried. Sarah A., daughter of Joseph C, married John Shaw, lives in Pittsfield, and has two daughters. Jonathan Nason came from Dover in 1700, settled on what is now the Lane farm, and probably lived there until his death. He was the ancestor of the ISTason family of this town, and was prom- inent in town affairs. He was succeeded by Richard Fifield, who continued here for many years. He began to be rated in 1794, and removed with his family to Piermont in 1830. Levi Lane, Esq., then came here. He had been living near where George C. Healey now lives, and was son of Jeremiah, before mentioned. Levi Lane, Esq., was prominent in town matters, and was town clerk from 1814 to 1832; selectman, in 1830, 1831, 1837, and 1838; rep- resentative, in 1836 and 1837. He administered the oath of office to the town officers elected for a great many years. In 1859, the town presented him with a cane in consideration of this service. He was for many years clerk of the Unitarian society, and much interested in its welfare. He married Anna, daughter of Dea. David Batchelder, in 1798, and died in 1864, aged ninety. His son Jeremiah married Adeline Baker, and removed to Candia, where he died suddenly in 1877. Levi E. lives upon the homestead. He has been selectman a number of times, and representative in 1866 and 1867. Levi Lane had two daughters, who married Samuel Batchelder and Isaiah Berry, and lived in Pittsfield. Two were unmarried; all are now deceased. Levi E. married Cynthia, daugh- ter of Dearborn Lane, and had one daughter, who married Charles F. Wadleigh of Kensington. He lived upon the Lane farm, and died suddenly in November, 1896, leaving four children. On the north side of the road, east of the west schoolhouse, on land now owned by the heirs of Aaron Sanborn, but at that time a part of the original Preseott farm, lived Dea. James Prescott, son of James Prescott, 1st. He was bom in 1671, and married, first, in 1695, Maria, daughter of Capt. William Marston; second, he married, in 1746, Mrs. Abigail Sanborn, widow of Dea. Benjamin Sanborn and daughter of Edward Gove. He was deacon of Hamp- ton Falls church, and had three daughters and five sons. One of them, Elisha, lived where L. F. and A. D. Prescott now live, and was the ancestor of the Prescotts now living in the town. He died in 1781, and was the first person buried in the cemetery on the cross road. The house where Deacon Prescott lived was removed before 1770. 39 606 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Samuel Weare, son of Gov. Mesheeh, married Hannah Lawless and lived where John N. Sanborn now lives. He was town clerk from 1779 to 1791, and was rated the last time in 1795. He was succeeded in the ownership of the farm by Lieut. Enoch Blake, a brother of Henry and Jeremiah. He exchanged the farm with James Sanborn for another in Pittsfield, to which place he removed. James Sanborn, son of Benjamin, married Betty Blake, was a Eevolutionary soldier, and died in 1825. Levi, son of James, lived here. He was a farmer and dealer in cattle, and died in 1874. His son Albert J. lived in Exeter, was deputy sheriff and jailer, and died in 1895. George B. lived in Hampton Palls, was representa- tive in 1874 and 1875, and died in, 1893. Levi T. died in Massa- chusetts in 1895. John N. lives on the homestead, and was repre- sentative in 1885. Levi Sanborn married Maxy, daughter of Eben- ezer Berry of Pittsfield. Albert J. married Sarah, daughter of Stephen Johnson of Seabrook, and had one son, Frank B., who is a civil engineer and lives in Massachusetts. Levi T. married Sarah, daughter of Lewis Perkins of Ej'^e. John N: married Lucy, daugh- ter of James Marston of ISTorth Hampton, and has two sons, Grant and Levi, and two daughters. Thomas Leavitt was a grandson of Thomas Leavitt, who was one of the first settlers of Exeter, and settled in Hampton Palls, but probably not upon what is called the Leavitt farm. He was son of Aretas Leavitt of Hampton, who married Euth Sleeper in 1678. Thomas Leavitt was born in 1686, married Elizabeth Lock in 1714, and died in 1761. His son Benjamin, bom in 1732, married Esther Towle of Hampton in 1753, and had four sons and four daughters. Jonathan was a Eevolutionary soldier, and settled in Eastport, Me. ; Eeuben married Euth Norris, and settled in Pittsfield; Brackett married Mitty Prescott and settled in Pittsfield; Thomas married Hannah Melcher and lived on the homestead; Lydia married Jona- than Lane of Hampton Palls; Comfort married Moses Norris of Pittsfield; Patience married Tristram Cram of Pittsfield; Betsey married Oliver Jones of Canterbury. Benjamin Leavitt was a land surveyor, and was employed to lay out and lot off the town of War- ren about 1764. Thomas Leavitt, Esq., as he is called upon the records, was bom in 1774, married Hannah Melcher in 1795, and died in 1852. He was a land surveyor, and helped to lay out some of the towns in the upper part of the state. In 1805, he made a map of the town of Hampton showing the position of every man's house, a facsimile of which is reproduced in Bow's history of Hamp- Q < UJ h- co LLl O X > < UJ X I- HOMESTEADS. 607 ton. He was one of the pioneers of the Democratic party in this part of the state, claiming to have cast the first vote ever cast for candidates of that party in this town. He continued to be a zealous member of that party until his death. He was prominent in carry- ing on the lawsuit to exempt the Baptists from paying to the sup- port of the minister settled by the town. He was representative in 1824 and 1825. He understood the principles of breeding cattle. At the time of his death he had a fine herd of grade Short-horn cattle. He was a great reader and was well informed upon histor- ical matters. His son Benson married Abigail Ward and Joseph M. married Eliza Yendell. They were engaged in trade together in Boston for a number of years. Benson was a number of times elected alderman, and was for; a time acting mayor of Boston. He died in 1869. Joseph M. died in 1849. His family live in Con- cord, Mass. Anthony Brackett married Fannie Lamprey, lived in Illinois many years, went overland to California in 1849, and died near Sacramento in 1850. Lydia married Aaron Sanborn and died in 1883. Sarah M. married John B. Brown and died in 1896, aged eighty-seven. Hannah, unmarried, died in 1883. Benjamin Leav- itt polled into Seabrook in 1768, and was a delegate to the conven- tion held at Exeter in 1775. He died in 1805. Jonathan Leavitt was thei second town clerk of Seabrook. Both lived at the Leavitt farm in this town while holding these offices. In 1875, the farm was sold to "William Cannaway, who came from Scotland. He lived here a short time. In 1882, it was again sold to Merrill and Pike, who came from Salisbury. They lived here until 1886, when they sold to Louis Delacroix who remained until 1895. George C. Smith is the present occupant. The farm now occupied by John Hu2 was the homestead of Amos Leavitt, son of Thomas. He was bom in 1720, and married Elizabeth Varrel in 1744. His daughter Mercy married Aaron Merrill in 1775. She died in 1826. Amos Leavitt died in 1808. The premises were afterward occupied by Josiah Preseott, who mar- ried a daughter of Michael Tilton. His son Aaron succeeded his father. He was a man of push and energy, and built the sawmill which stood upon the opposite side of the road in 1842. He mar- ried a daughter of James Preseott, and died in 1853. Jeremiali was a stage driver; afterwards conductor on the Eastern Eailroad, and then superintendent for a number of years. He died in 1895. Michael lived in Exeter. His daughter Eunice married Captain "Woodbury of Newburyport. Mary, a school teacher in early life. 608 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. married a Mr. Guthrie of Missouri. Edwin, son of Aaron, mar- ried Ellen Thompson, and was at one time engaged in business at the oil country in Pennsylvania; afterward in the construction of the postoffice in Boston. He now lives in Arlington, Mass., and has done considerable business as an inventor and patentee. Emily, daughter of Aaron, married George "W. Green and lives in Exeter. John Huff, who came from Cambridge, Mass., has occupied the farm for a few years. The farm of Albert S. Smith was the homestead of Benjamin Til- ton, son of Nathan, born in 1736. He was a blacksmith, and was succeeded by his son Michael, who married Lucy Bumham, a niece of Col. Jonathan Burnham, in 1777. One son, Benjamin, was never married. His daughter Betsey married Eeuben Batchelder; another daughter married Josiah Prescott. Emery Batchelder, a grandson of Michael Tilton, lived here for a time, and built the house in 1846. Some years later Mr. Francis W. Atkins, a milk contractor from Massachusetts, owned the place, and it was occu- pied by a tenant of his for a number of years. He built an expen- sive barn in 1857. Frank B. Brown, son of Jacob T., lived here about 1867, at which time the house was repaired. He now lives in Hampton. About 1886, the place was sold to A. S. Smith and John Bishop. Mr. Smith is the present owner and has repaired and put the buildings into good condition. He has been very suc- cessful in raising apples from his large orchard. On the other side of the road toward Kensington lived a family named Eow. Eobert Eow married Apphia Sanborn in 1736. He was one of the selectmen in 1733. His son, Paine Eow, was a Eevo- lutionary soldier. He married Euth Stevens in 1753, and was one of the selectmen in 1769. He was one of the men who helped, with Meshech Weare, to lay out and lot off the town of Eobiestown about 1750, and was very active in the unsuccessful attempt to get fam- ilies to settle there. Capt. Eobert Eow was last rated in 1757. Ensign Paine Eow was rated here from 1749 to 1800. The buildings were located upon the Drew place in 1851. Tim- othy P. Drew was a native of Hampton, and married Louis, daugh- ter of Simeon Prescott. Mr. Drew died about 1880. Mrs. Drew died in 1889, aged iipward of ninety years. Miss Abigail Prescott, a sister of Mrs. Drew, lived in the west end of the house. She died in 1886, aged ninety. Mr. Drew had two daughters, Sarah and Eliza, the latter unmarried. Sarah married Samuel Batchelder. He was a soldier, having been drafted in 1863, and he was the only HOMESTEADS. 609 man drafted from this town at that time who went into the service. He was wounded, but continued until the close of the war. He was a member of Company D, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. He was a native of Hampton, and died in 1896. The Prescott place was formerly occtipied by the Swain families. Some of them lived in a hoiise which stood where Warren J. Pres- cott's house now stands. Another family, Dudley Swain's, lived in a house which stood near Kensington line. He was a wheel- wright by trade. The namei of Swain appears frequently upon the early records. Some of them moved to Eaymond about 1765. The name disappears about 1800. James Prescott, 5th, was the son of James, 4th, son of Elisha, 3d, son of James, 3d, son of James, 1st. James Prescott lived here, and died in 1863. His father, James, was captain of a company in the Revolutionary "War. The sword he carried is still in the possession of the family. He was for many years deacon of the Congregational church, and died in 1830. True M. Prescott, son of James, 5th, was born in 1804, and lived upon the homestead. He married Sarah A., daughter of Joshua Pike, and died in 1899, aged ninety-five. His son built the house he occupies on the site of the old Swain house, and is engaged in the garden and greenhouse business. He was representative in 1897. True M.'s daughter Harriet A. M. is unmarried. Rev. Elvin J. Prescott, son of Warren J., is a Unitarian minister, and has been settled in Littleton, Mass., Kennebunk, Me., and now in Salem, Mass. True M. Prescott built his house in 1833, on nearly the site of that occupied by Stephen Swain, who ceased to be rated here in 1800. John Swain lived where W. J. Prescott now lives, and ceased to be rated before 1787. Where the cottage house now stands owned by L. B. Brown, on or near the Kensington line, was a house which stood in both towns. A family named Sanborn lived there. The ancestors of the San- borns in Seabrook, Charles, James, and William, lived here. In tlie contested town meeting in 1770 in relation to the new meeting- house, objection was raised to receiving Henry Sanborn's vote be- cause he lived in that part of his father's house which was in Ken- sington, and be was not allowed to vote. The old house was removed to make place for the present cottage. George B. Sanborn lived here when he represented the town in 1874 and 1875. Where L. F. and A. D. Prescott live was the homestead of Elisha Prescott and his son, Capt. James Prescott. He cleared up the farm and lived here until his death in 1830. He was succeeded by 610 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. his son Simeon, who died m 1845, aged eighty. Elizabeth, daugh- ter of James, died in 1849, aged eighty-nine. Lucy died in 1847, aged eighty-seven. Eobert S., commonly called "Smith Pres- cott," succeeded his father. He married Almira, daughter of Jo- seph Meleher, and had nine sons and one daughter. Three of his sons were in the government service during the war. Joseph E., who enlisted from Exeter, died in the service. The house was built in 1863. Eobert S. died in 1888, aged eighty-nine years. Lewis P. and Alvah D., sons of Eobert S., are the present occupants. Lewis P. married Miranda Pendergast of Barnstead; Alvah D. noar- ried a daughter of Phineas Chase of Stratham. Samuel M., son of Eobert S., lives in South Hampton, and has a son who is a teacher in the Massachusetts School of Technology. Thomas C. lives in Brockton, Mass.; Sereno, in Brentwood; George, in Merrimac, Mass. Almon E. died in Havana, W. I., about 1896. The old Sanborn house now owned by John C. Sanborn was built in 1760 by Maj. William Prescott, son of Samuel, who was a grand- son of James, 1st. The farm was afterward sold to John Wadleigh, who married Hannah, daughter of John Prescott of Epping, in 1780. John Wadleigh died in 1795. His widow married Abner Sanborn, son of Timothy, in 1798. Abner died in 1863, aged ninety years. He was succeeded by his son, John Prescott, who married a daughter of Lieut. Jonathan Cram. He died in 1881. Mrs. San- bom died in 1897, aged ninety-four. Abner's daughter Sally mar- ried Joseph Cram of this town; Betsey married Capt. Jeremiah Brown of North Hampton. John C, son of John P., succeeded to the farm, and built the house in which he lives about 1857. He married a daughter of Aaron Coffin of Hampton, and has three sons and four daughters. He has been selectman a number of times and representative in 1879. Half-way down the road toward John Huff's lived William Page, commonly called "King Page." From this fact the road has since been called "King street." He was rated from 1757 until before 1787. One of his sons lived in Salisbury, Mass. Tradition sa,y3 Mr. Page was much annoyed by boys who played pranks upon him, which pleased the boys but did not amuse him to an equal extent. William Page married Abigail Swain in 1763. Just above the Curtis place, near an old barn now standing, lived Henry Blake, son of Jeremiah. He majried Sarah Tilton in 1787, and was rated from 1768 to 1803. After his death a family named Dow, who came from Kensington, lived here. Caleb and Elijah HOMESTEADS. 611 Dow were rated in 1809 and a few years later. They were nick- named "Woodchuek Dows." Where Dr. Curtis lives was the homestead of the Blakes. Jere- miah Blake, son of Jeremiah, who was the son of Joshua, who was the son of Philemon, who was the son of Jasper, was commonly called "Mr. Blake," and was prominent in town matters, having been selectman not less than fifteen years at different times, and repre- sentative in 1817, 1819, 1821, and 1822. He married Molly Eand of Exeter, built the house about 1796, and died in 1825. He had no children, but left the farm to his nephew, Jeremiah Blake, and to his wife's nephew, Sherburne W. Eand. Mrs. Blake died here in 1861, aged eighty-seven. With her death the name of Blake became extinct, people of that name having lived here since the early settlement of the town. Enoch Blake, nephew of Jeremiah, lived here with Mrs. Blake, and carried on the farm for many years. After her decease he removed to Pittsfield, where he died a few years since at the age of ninety years. The farm was sold to George Janvrin, who with Dr. Curtis, his son-in-law, occupied the farm. William W. Curtis was a native of Vermont and has lived here since 1861. He has one son, George J., who was representative in 1895, and a daughter, Sarah, who married Dearborn Marston of North Hampton. In a small house which stood in the pasture south of the old cemetery on the cross road lived Benjamin Hilliard, son of Jona- than. He married Hannah Sleeper in 1759. He had, previous to coming here, sold his farm to Dea. David Batchelder. He was rated for the last time in 1791, and probably died about that time. Gamaliel Knowles, whose name appears upon our record from 1768 to 1811, was a man of property. He came from Hampton, and settled upon the Eoeks road in Seabrook, back of the house of Eob- ert Dow, near a spring. He was one of the men who with his sons polled from Seabrook to Hampton Falls in 1768. He had five sons, Simon, Moses, Jonathan, John, and Nathan. These names continue upon our record after the polling was done away with in 1791. They appear to have lived about the Fiiield place, with whom they seem to have had some connection. Gamaliel Knowles wag rated for the last time in 1811. The names of his sons disap- pear before that date. The name of Purington was here before the separation from Hampton. The family lived in what is now Seabrook, near the 612 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Methodist meeting-house. The name disappears from our record after 1767, when Seabrook became a separate town. Elisha Puring- ton was one of the selectmen of Hampton Falls in 1733 and 1735. Eiehard Mace was a ship carpenter, lived somewhere on Murray's row, and was rated from 1763 to 1790. Eiehard Mace was a Eevo- lutionary soldier. He appears to have had a son Eiehard. We know nothing more of his family. Ebenezer Ivnowlton married Mary Cram in 1733. This family appears to have moved to Pittsfield. The name of Ebenezer Ivnowlton appears from 1747, or before, until 1765. He lived in what is now Seabrook. He signed the petition for a Presbyterian society in 1765, was selectman in 1757, and from the amount of his rates must have been a man of considerable property. Ephraim Hoyt, whose name appears upon the early records of the town, came from Amesbury about 1700, or before. In 1703, he petitioned for the use of a portion of the public land. He mar- ried, first, April 35, 1695, Hannah, daughter of John Godfrey; second, August 12, 1736, Hannah, daughter of Isaac Godfrey; third, September 4, 1738, Elizabeth Macree, who outlived him. His rates in 1709 amounted to 18s. lid. In 1737, he was rated for two heads, one horse, eight acres of cultivated land, two oxen, one horse, and one hog. He was rated for the last time in 1757. Some of his family were rated until 1767, after which they were probably taxed in Seabrook. Ephraim Hoyt lived upon the road leading south from the New Boston road toward Amesbury, which was called the Hoyt road. His house was standing until 1830 or later. He had a son, Ephraim, Jr. His daughter Elizabeth mar- ried Edward McLaughlin of Dover. At that time there was a schoolhouse situated upon the corner opposite the present residence of John Weare. We find that from 1761 until 1768 the school money was divided among the schools at Exeter road, Drinkwater road, Byfield, and Hoyt's road. About half as much money was appropriated to Hoyt's road as to each of the others. There were at that time a number of stores near here on the road to Kensing- ton which for those times did considerable business, hence the name "JSTew Boston." One of these stores was kept by Joshua Page, commonly called "Merchant Page." He was rated from 1755 until 1768, when Seabrook became a separate town. Eben Brown, who came from Seabrook, occupied the blacksmith shop which stood on what is now Mr. Godfrey's lawn. He was a ship smith, and did much work for Nathaniel Healey and others HOMESTEADS. 613 who built vessels. He was a man of ingenuity, and devised pat- terns for shoe buckles, etc., and shod the stage horses. He was probably here soon after the close of the Eevolutionary War, and was rated the last time in 1789. September 10, 1768, Joshua Vickery, ship carpenter, was seized by a mob in Kewburyport, carried by force to the public stocks and there compelled to sit from three to five o'clock on a sharp stone till he fainted^ He was then carried around town in a cart with a rope around his neck, with his hands tied behind him, and pelted with eggs, gravel, and stones till he was much wounded. At night he was carried into a dark warehouse, hand-cuffed with irons, and there compelled to remain without bed or clothing through the Lord's day till Monday morning, and no person but his wife allowed to visit him. On Monday morning the rioters seized a Frenchman named Francis Magro, stripped him naked, tarred and feathered him, placed him in a cart, and compelled Vick- ery to lead the horse about town. Thei cause of these outrages was Magro's giving information to the officers of customs at Portsmouth against a vessel the owners of which he supposed were engaged in smuggling. A^ickery was supected, but was afterward proved to be entirely innocent. This was the second mob in Newburyport. The first occurred in September, 1765. Joshua Vickery came to this town during or soon after the Revo- lutionary "War. He lived on the southeast side of Cock hill, on the south side of the road, upon land now owned by John N. Sanborn. He was said to have been a seaman in his early days. He was a good penman, and reputed to have been a good citizen. His name disappears from the record in 1793. On the north side of the road above John IST. Sanborn's, near the base of the hill, lived a family by the name of Quimby. Eob- ert Quimby married Judith Sanborn in 1735. Eleazer Quimby afterward lived here, and was rated here from before 1747 to 1767, when the name disappears. Some of this family appear to have settled in Hawke (now Danville), and afterward in Weare. In a house which stood near Quimby's lived a family named Flood. John Flood married Mary Blake in 1741, and was rated from before 1747 till 1773, or later. There are daffodils growing at the present time which came from those cultivated in the garden by either the Flood or Quimby families. A house which stood upon the east side of King street, near 614 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. William Page's, was occupied by Caleb Swain, who was not rated after 1773. He was living here in 1732. Samuel Quarles, who was rated in Hampton Falls in 1795, 1796, and 1797, was a partner with Capt. JSTathaniel Dodge in the tavern business, under the name of Dodge & Quarles. Their place of business was in the house now owned and occupied by C. N. Dodge. Mr. Quarles removed to Ossipee, where he became a leading citizen. Beside holding the offices in the gift of the town, he was a justice of the quorum, a state senator in 1810, 1811, and 1813, member of the governor's council three years beginning in 1814, was elected a presidential elector in 1834, and again in 1838, casting his vote each time for John Quincy Adams for president. He probably held other offices. Samuel D. Quarles, elected railroad commis- sioner in 1869, was his son. Edmund Johnson, son, of Peter, was born in Hampton in 1671, and married Abigail, daughter of Abraham Green. He lived on the Hogpen farm, now in Kensington, was rated here in 1709, but disappears before 1737. His daughter Abigail married John Brown, son of Benjamin. It was she who gave the negro man, "Csesar," his freedom in 1757, a notice of which appears elsewhere. Caleb Haskell, called "Dr. Haskell," lived in the house now occu- pied by C. N. Dodge. He was rated from 1791 till 1795, and was paid for making and entering the rates during some of the years he lived here. He kept a store, and in 1794 had approbation from the selectmen to mix and retail spirituous liquors. We have no further knowledge of him. Christopher Pottle was owner and occupant, in December, 1695, of the house formerly owned by Capt. Benjamin Swett, on the Falls side of the town. His wife's name was Hannah. He died before the baptism of his son Samuel, who was the first person bap- tized in the Falls meeting-house, June 11, 1711. He had two sons and four daughters. We have no further record of the family. There are a few places in the town which are still occupied by lineal descendants of the original occupant, but not all bearing the original name, as some have come down in the female line. Mrs. David C. Hawes descended from Samuel Melcher, Janette Moul- ton from James Wall, Dean E. Tilton and Henry H. Knight from the Tiltons, Frank S. and Orin D. Green from Jacob Green* Helen and Sarah Sanborn from Joseph Sanborn, John T. Batch- elder from Nathaniel Batchelder, Jack and Fannie Sanborn from ^: .",1* Ofu^t^ ■^ JK-' PHOTOGRAPH OF AN OBLIGATION GIVEN BY MANUEL MILLIARD AND JASPER BLAKE TO REV. TIMOTHY DALTON, 1654, WITH AN AUTOGRAPH OF REV. JOHN WHEELWRIGHT. HOMESTEADS. 615 Lieut. John Sanborn, Edwin Janvrin from Capt. Benjamin Swett, Frank J. Eobie from Ichabod Eobie, Lewis F. and Alvah D. Pres- cott from Elisha Preseott, John C. Sajibom from Samuel Preseott, and Benjamin P. Wears from Nathaniel Weare. In 1639, Eev. Timothy Dalton was granted a farm of three hun- dred acres at Sagamore hill, adjoining Taylor's river. Sagamore hill is situated a few rods east of Fred P. Sanborn's barn. The following, from the Hampton records, is in relation to it: The last of March 1651 itt is ordered and agreed that Mr Dalton our Teacher shall have three hundred akers to his farme according to the evidence brought to the meeting. Voted. this is ass time a Ck)pia as I can give out of the Old Towne Book, attest SAMU DOW, Clarke. The: 20: 11 mo 1651. This wittnessith that wheras as M' Timothy Dalton our present Teacher hath this farm above mentioned att Salisbury Bounds con- firmed unto him with all privileges belonging ther unto, and likwis his other farm att Sagamore hill with the privileges ther unto. By the Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton upon thes condijons as folow That Mr Timothy Dalton shall free and discharg the Town of hamp- ton in general from all Debts and Deues for his minstrey from his first coming until he had a Sett pay given by the Town unto this I Sett my hand by me TIMOTHY DALTON Voted three hundred Acres for a farm two hundred acres of it medow and upland — laying between taylors river toward the north and the farme of John Crosse in pt. and the common in pt. towards the South Abutting upon the aforesaid Taylors river towards the east and the common towards the west more or less as it is A true Copia attest SAMU DOW, Clarke Mr. Dalton gave his farm of three hundred acres at Sagamore hill to three of his kinsmen, to each one hundred acres: To JSTa- thaniel Batchelder, a son of Eev. Stephen Bachiler, by deed dated Auffust 10 1657. This included the lower part of "Warren Brown's farm and the farm of John T. Batchelder. To Manuel Hilliard, by deed dated January 20, 1654. This was the farm owned by Mr. HiUiard's descendants, and afterward by William Brown and George B. Sanborn, now by Fred P. Sanborn. The remaining hundred acres was given to Jasper Blake, and was situated between that given Manuel Hilliard and the turnpike. The tract of wood- 616 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. land called "the farm" takes its name from having been a part of Eev. Mr. Dalton's farm. Jasper Blake appears to have been a brother-in-law of Mr. Bal- lon. Mr. Batchelder and Mr. Hilliard appear to have married nieces of Mrs. Dalton. Dea. Samnel Dow, who made the above copy from the Hampton records, was town clerk from 1707 to 1714, and from 1730 till 1756. John Brown was born in London, of Scottish parents, in 1589. He came to Massachusetts in June, 1635. He married Sarah Walker. He was one of the first company who settled in Hampton, and was married before he came. There is some uncertainty in respect to the place of his abode before he came here, but it is presumed that he came from "Watertown, where a person of his name was admitted freeman in 1635, and had a son John bom in 1636. He had a grant of four acres by his house lot, April 30, 1640, and also owned one of "the farms" and had two shares in the commons besides. December 33, 1645, he drew three shares of the ox commons, Wos. 11, 17, and 24. The first share of said commons was to be on the east side of the salt marsh, at John Brown's Point. What is now known as Brown's river was named for him, and also John Brown's river, which ran up to his "farm." He built the first "barque" ever built in Hampton in 1641 or 1643, at the river near Perkins's mill. He became one of the largest land owners in the town. In 1653 he stood third on the tax list, his tax being £3 3s. Id., in a rate of £53 3s. lOd. He and his sons were engaged in raising cattle. In 1673 and 1674 he and his sons brought suit against the town for not causing a road to be built to his farm. The court decided in his favor and the road was built. December 4, 1663, he was chosen to see that the boys did not play in the gallery. He was one of the selectmen in 1651 and 1656. March 3, 1670, he drew share No. 18 in the commons, containing one hundred acres. He died in 1686, aged about ninety-eight years. His wife Sarah died June 6, 1673. Their children were: Sarah, bom in 1643, married John Poor; Jacob, born in 1645, married Sarah Brookin; Benjamin, born in 1647, married Sarah Brown; Elizabeth, married Isaac Marston; John, died unmarried; Mary, born in 1655; Stephen, born in 1659, killed at Black Point. HOMESTEADS. 617 There is a record to show that three of his sons were engaged in the conflicts with the Indians. John and Thomas were among the soldiers from Hampton in King Philip's War in 1656. Stephen, on the 29th of July, 1677, was killed in the battle at Black Point. John Brown disposed of his property by deed to his sons in 1681. He lived on the farm which is now the homestead of Zacheus Brown of Hampton, a descendant. This farm has always been owned and occupied by some of his descendants. John Brown was the ancestor of nearly all the Browns who have lived in Hampton and adjoining towns, and a great many of those living in other parts of the state. Benjamin Brown was the son of John Brown, and was born in 1647. He settled south of Taylor's river, probably on the farm granted Timothy Dalton, Jr., son of Eev. Timothy Dalton, in 1639, in the south part of the town near Salisbury bounds. This farm was situated on the Eocks road, and afterwards was the Janvrin homestead, and is now in Seabrook. Through his efforts, the Eocks road was laid out. For the land thus taken he was granted an equivalent in land north of the Falls river. He was one of the signers of Weare's petition in 1683; one of the selectmen in 1696-1705 and in 1711, and one of the representatives in 1697. In 1722 he had lot 52 in the third western division as one of the owners of the farm formerly Eev. Mr. Dalton's. He was engaged in raising cattle. Tradition says that in his old age he took great delight, as he leaned on his staff, in seeing his oxen driven past to the watering place. He married Sarah Brown of Salisbury. He died about 1736. His children were as follows: "William, who was bom in 1680, married Ann Heath, lived in Kensington; Sarah, born in 1681, died unmarried; Benjamin, born in 1684, mar- ried Sarah G-ove, lived in South Hampton; Elizabeth, bom in 1686, married Benjamin Green, lived in Hampton Falls; John, born in 1688, married Abby Johnson, lived in Seabrook; Jacob, born in 1691, married Mary Green and Jemima Eowell, lived in Hampton Falls; Stephen, born in 1693, married Martha J. Chase, lived in Kingston; Mary, born in 1696, married Thomas Cram; Thomas, born in 1699, married Mehitable Towle, lived in Seabrook; Jere- miah, born in 1701, married Mary Weare, lived in Seabrook. Benjamin Brown was the ancestor of all the Browns who lived in Hampton Falls before 1856, except John Brown and his family, who came from Massachusetts before T750 and kept a tavern for a few years, and afterward removed from the town. 618 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Jacob Brown, son of Benjamin, was born May 4, 1691. He married, first, Mary Green; second, Jemima Eowell. His home- stead was the farm now occupied by John Allen Brown of Hamp- ton Falls. He died April 23, 1762. The children of Jacob Brown and Mary Green, his wife, were: Martha, bom in 1717, married Benjamin Cram, Exeter; Mary, bom in 1722, married Henry Thresher, Eaymond; Mehitable, bom in 1724, married Daniel Brown, Hampton Falls; ISTathan, bom in 1727, married Annie Hook, Hampton Falls. The children of Jacob Brown and Jemima Eowell, his wife, were: Isaac, bom in 1739, married Agnes Fifield, lived on the home- stead; Abigail, born in 1742, married John Marston, lived in Hampton. Nathan Brown, son of Jacob, married Annie Hook of Salisbury in 1753. He lived for a time in Salisbury, but moved back to Hampton Falls in 1764 and lived upon the farm now owned by George C. Brown. He lived in the old house, now unoccupied, on the farm. He died in 1799. His children were as follows: N'athan, bom in 1753, married Miriam Smith, lived at Hampton Falls; Anna, born in 1755, married Joseph Cram, lived in Exeter; Mary, bom in 1757, unmarried; Hannah, born in 1759, married Stephen Smith, lived in Seabrook; Elizabeth, bom in 1761, married Thomas Moulton, lived in Hampton Falls; Josiah, bom in 1765, married Sarah Clark, lived in Stratham; Jacob, bom in 1767, mar- ried Abigail Berry, lived in Hampton Falls; William, born in 1769, married Elizabeth Berry, lived in Hampton Falls; Zephaniah, bom in 1773, married Elizabeth Lane, lived in Hampton Falls. INDEX. INDEX. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Bachiler, Eev. Stephen . Burnham, Col. Jonathan Cass, John Clifford family Cotton, Rev. John . Seaborn Cranfield, Gov. Edward Dalton, Kev. Timothy Gove, Edward . Green, Henry . Healey, Nathaniel Hussey, Christopher ilason's Suits Robie, Col. Ichabod Ichabod, Esq. Sanborn, Lieut. John Sfanyan, Anthony . Swett, Capt. Benjamin Joseph Thurston, Thomas Weare, Meshech Nathaniel Nathaniel, Jr. Peter Wheelwright, Rev. John Wheelwright deed . Page, lol 217 330 231 177 173 185 159 212 225 225 181 187 235 236 232 229 221 224 190 198 190 19S 197 164 170 Abbot, Rev. Jacob . Bayley, Rev. Josiah CHURCH HISTORY. 621 77 41 622 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Baptist Society: Beaman, Eev. W. H. Brown, Kev. Samuel E. Colburn, Eev. Alfred Cook, Eev. Samuel Jones, Eev. Zebulon Law, Eev. E. B. Meeting-house . Town clock Wakeman, Eev. W. W. Wing, Eev. Otis Wood, Eev. John E. Christian Baptist Society: Brown, William Church covenant .... Coffin, Theodore Elder Thomas F. Barry . Elder Joseph Graves . i, Elder J. W. Marsh . Elder George Moore Paine Elder Daniel P. Pike Elder Charles P. Smith . Lamprey, John .... List of members .... Jleeting-house ISJew m.eeting-house .... Oi-dination of Elder Leavitt . Suit against the town Congregational Society, First: Eev. A. M. Bridge Eev. Jacob Caldwell Eev. Everett Einley Eev. J. C. Learned .... Eev. Increase Sumner Lincoln Eev. B. F. McDaniel Congregational Society, First Evangelical Eev. Sereno T. Abbott Mr. Abbott's records Dea. Emery Batchelder . Eev. Joseph Boardman Eev. Erank Haley .... Eev. Joseph Kimball Eev. Henry Lounsbury Church covenant Church diary .... I>ow, Eev. Moses 99 101 101 101 100 101 101 100 100 101 100 101 92 96 92 98 98 92 97 92 97 95 96 101 103 103 103 103 103 103 80 81 82 91 90 90 90 88 22 1,5 77 INDEX. 623 Plouse of shelter 17 House, first meeting' . . 17 meeting and lot sold . 105 the new meeting 61 Hull, Eev. Elias .... 79 Jewett, Eev. Henry C 78 Kensington, persons dismissed to 29 Langdon, Kev. Dr. Samuel 71 Lecture day 25 Moulton, Col. Jonathan .... . . 71 Ordination sermon 109 Parsonage, lands granted 21 division of money 106 house burned .... ... 31 lower ... 21 sale of 80 upper . . .... ... 22 Perley, Eev. Samuel . 79 Polling off 47 Presbyterian society: 47 Petition for a . . . . ' 47 Remonstrance 49 Seabrook charter 55 Seating the meeting-house 107 The Lord's Supper 25 Tithing-men 108 Town meeting, the, contested . 64, 65 Universalist society 107 Whipple, Kev. Joseph . . . ' 33 records of 33 Wingate, Kev. Paine 68 HAMPTON FALLS. Altitude 13 Area 13 Boundaries 13 Latitude 13 Longitude ; 13 Loss of records 15 Population 14 624 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. HOMESTEADS, Abbot, Kev. Jacob . Abbott, Eev. Sereno T. Akerman, Dr. Charles E Charles P. John C. Joseph Meshech S. Averill, Luke Basford, .Tacob Batchelder, Benjamin David Emery . John John T. Jonathan Josiah . Moses . Nathaniel Reuben Samuel Theophilus Bennett, Caleb Edward Jeremiah Bentlej', Joseph Blaisdell, William Blalie, Henry- Jeremiah Timothy Blatehford, Nathaniel Bridge, Eev. A. M. Brown, Abraham Benjamin Charles T. Cyrus George C. George L. Isaac Jacob James D. John John B. John, Esq. John A. John J. Joseph 555 . 583 573 . 395 . 574 572 . 573 . 358 . 562 . 564 . 567 . 560 554, 562 . 567 . 554 . 567 . 507 . 567 . 562 592, 608 . 570 . !593 . 593 593 . 551 . 571 . 610 . 611 . 570 . 593 . 555 545, 548 . 584 . 558 . 585 . 553 . 580 . 582 565, 581 . 604 545, 570 . 565 . 545 . 582 . 604 . 580 INDKX. 625 Brown, Joseph C. . . . 604 Josiah . 554 Josiah E. . 554 Levi 545 Lowell . 582, 584 Michael . 580 Nathan . 559, 567 Nathan, "Cornet" . 554 Robert . 572 Samuel . 553 Sewell . 546 Thomas 558 Warren . 565 WilUam . 569, 572 William H. . . 585 Zephaniah . . 553 Burnham, Col. Jonathan . 556 Burns, Philip . 602 Butler, Ralph . . 582 Robert H. . . 602 Caldwell, Stephen . . 564 Chase, Adna S . 581 Andrew J. . 593 Arthur W. . . 511 Charles . . 581 Charles F. . 580 Chevey . . 593, 601 Christopher T. . 581 Daniel . 594 David . 594 John . 595 John G. 601 John L. . 595 Dr. Joshua . 590 Cilley, Richard . 559 Clifford, John . . 562 Cochran, Alexander . 599 Cockbum, Samuel . 572 Coombs, Charles F. . 594 Copeland, Nelson W. . 582 Cram, Benjamin . 547, 560 Frank P. . 547 John S. . . 550 Jonathan . 547 Joseph . . 550 Joseph B. . 550 Nehemiah 547 626 HISTOKY OP HAMPTON FALLS. Cram, Nehemiah P. ^'^'^ Stephen 560 William A 550 Creighton, James ^^^ Crosby, Charles H 572 Cross, Ealph 564 Stephen 564 Cummings, William "00 Curtis, George J Oil Dr. W. W 611 Dalton, Samuel R 548 Davis, Samuel . 599 Dearborn, Nathaniel 546 Dockham, Warren 588 Dodge, Billy 594 Charles N 586 Dudley . . 588 Hon. George H. . . 588 James D 586 John 589 John W 589 Nathaniel H 589 Capt. Nathaniel 586 Richard 589 Dow, Abraham 579 Caleb Oil Elijah 611 John A 580 Maj. Joseph 585 Zebulon 585 Drew, Timothy P 608 Drysdale, Joseph 573 Edmunds, Crosby K 600 Elkins, A. W 588 Benjamin W 589 Falls, John 584 Fifield, Lieut. George .''/)3 Jonathan 593 Dea. Jonathan 593 Richard 605 Samuel 561 Flood, John OKi Fogg, Charles . . 581 Ezra C. rjn5 George A. 800 INDEX. 627 Fogg, Richard Samuel . Garland, Jacob George, Henry . Godfrey, Hoi:tice A. Jeremiah John S. Gove, Aaron M. Charles C. Ezekiel Jeremiah John C. . John H. Stephen . Green, Tienjamin Charles C. Eaton . Ephraim Frank S. Henry Isaac Jacob James W. Orrin D. Silas Stephen Hardy, Bradbnry Charles Charles A. Green John Jonathan Keuben Harris, Leander Hartshorn, Haskell, Caleb Job . Hawes, David C. Healey, George C. Levi Nathaniel XeweU W. Stephen AVells . Wells W. Heath, Nehemiah 600 COO 332 JTS 3S7 551 551 5S0 5^4 593 593 503 577 599 5S2 574 552 603 552 591 552 591 574 552 552 594, 596 . 596 . 593 . 578 591 50G. 597 595 597 594 . 614 5S4 544 556 550 549. 579 549 557 556 343 628 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Hilliard, Benjamin 569, 611 Jonathan 569 Timothy . . . . 569 Hoag, Hussey ... . 603 Jonathan . . . • . 602 Hopkins, William A. . . . . 573 Hoyt, Ephraim .... . 612 Capt. Joseph . . . . 579 Huff, John . . . . 607 Hussey, Christopher . 578 James, Samuel 557 Janvrin, Bertram T. . 583 David . . . . 594 Edwin 590 George .... 611 James .... . 559 James D 588 Jefferson .... 579 John .... 509 Joshua . 590 Jenness, Edwin A. . . 596 Levi 59fl Johnson, Charles . 546 Edmund . 614 Henry 546 Jones, John F. . 583 Kenny, John 561 Knig-ht, Caleb . 549 Henry H. . . . 549 Levi M. .... 549 Stephen T. ... 549 Ladd, Alphonso .... . 577 Lakeman, Archelaus 587 Tobias 587 Lamprey, Samuel . 604 Lane, Charles W. 567 Dearborn .... . 604 Isaiah . 588 Jeremiah 556 Jonathan . 604 Levi . ... 605 Levi E . 605 Lang, Stephen . 595 Langdon, Eev. Samuel . . 555 Lang-maid, Edward .... . 576 Leach, John . 572 INDBX. 62a Leavitt, Benjamin Daniel Thomas Lock, Simon Mace, Richard . Maloon, Ebenezer Marshall, Francis George Gideon John John il. Robert Marston, Sarah McAllister, Hugh McDevitt, Henry McQuillan, Robert Jlelcher, Joseph Joseph H. Samuel Merrill, Aaron . Daniel . George P. George S. John A. Lowell F. Miller, Robert Morrill, Jonathan Richard Morton, John . Matthew Moulton, Benjamin George Howard T, Joseph Joseph W. Kathan Thomas Thomas G- Kason, Charles A. Jonathan Richard Norton, Bonus Nudd, Stacy L. Page, Isaiah Joshua William . 606 548 606 600 65 561 574 572 574 571 571 571 570 559 580 559 544 544 .54?, 601 599 592 588 559 589 571 579 579 578 578 546 545 547 546 547 544 546 546 598 597 597 570 583 583 612 610 630 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Palmer, Samuel Pearson, Edmund Perkins, David John L. Jonathan Joseph Nathaniel Stephen Pervear, Burnham Daniel Daniel E. Emmons B Frank Josiah Philip Samuel Samuel L. Warren B, Pike, Benjamin Edward D. James M. Joshua Matthew Matthew S. Porter, John Pottle, Christopher Prescott, Aaron Alvah D. Benjamin Edwin Elisha James Josiah Lewis F. Philemon Eobert S. Samuel Simeon True M. Warren J. Quarles, Samuel Quimby, Eleazer Raymond, Joseph Eobie, Henry Col. lehabod Ichabod, Esq, . 570 . 548 . 593 . 572 . 555 . 554 . 593 . 594 . 596 595, 598 . 595 . 594 . 595 . 586 . 598 . 595 . 595 . 594 544, 561 . 560 . 560 . 542 . 543 . 543 . 585 . 614 . 607 . 610 . 552 . 608 . 609 557, 605 607 . 610 553 610 . 610 . 610 . 609 • . 609 . 614 . 613 . 587 603, 004 . 603 . 603 INDEX. 631 Robie, Nathan . Nathan H. Rollins, Eliphalet John . Row, Paine Robert Russell, Peter . Sanborn, Aaron Abner Adna Benjamin Caleb Charles H, Fred P. George B. Henry- Jack James John John C. John E. John N. John P. Joseph Joseph T. Levi . Lewis T. Meshech Reuben Rufus C. Thayer S. Theophilus Thomas L, Satterly, Jacob Shaw, Hilliard Joseph . Malachi Samuel Shepard, John P. Sleeper, Jedediah Smith, Aaron . Albert S. George C. John Josiah . Dr. Samuel . 604 . 604 . 596 . 596 . 608 . 608 . 571 . 555 576, 610 . 576 . 552, 556 . ■ 574 . 554 . 566, 569 . 569 . 609 . 576 . 606 . 551, 575 . 610 . 572 . 606 . 610 548, 555 . 575 . 606 . 555 . 574 . 554 . 548 575 . 575 575 . 587 559 . 585 . 559 585 549 . 603 . 602 . 608 . 607 593 . 594 . 578 (532 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Stanyan, Anthony Jacob Swain, Caleb Dudley . John Stephen Tarlton, William P. Thresher, Henry Tilton, Caleb . Daniel . David Dean R. Ebenezer Enoch J. Jethro . John John S. Capt. Jonathan Joseph Michael Nathan Peter . Peter G. Samuel Stephen Weare D. Towle, Capt. Caleb Emmons B. Truesdale, James Vickery, Joshua Wadleigh, Charles P, John Wall, James Walton, William E. Ward, Abel Melcher . Weare, Benjamin E. John Mesheeh Peter . Samuel Webster, Andrew Wells, Aaron Moses Wentworth, John 586 . 586 614 . 609 . 609 . 609 . 570 583 . 550, 587 . 573 . 559 . 548 . 550 . 588 573 . 547 . 588 . 550 . 550 608 . 556 548 . 548 . 550 . 548 . 550 . 561 . 561 575 613 605 599 546 600 549 549 599 599 585 562 606 573 557 577 551 INDEX. 633 Whittier. David A. David jNI. Williams, Chase Edward Walter Wing, Rev. Otis Winslow, Simon AVorth, Joseph . Obadiah J83 583 584 584 584 574 589 579 57 <1 MAEEIAGES. By Eev. ilr. Abbot Cotton Dow . Lang-don Whipple From the early records town records 145 128 149 143 130 142 150 MILITARY RECORD. Louisburg-, siege of Mexican War Militia Musters Revolutionary War . War of the Rebellion War of 1S12 238 256 257 259 241 251 249 MISCELLANEOUS. Academy, Rockingham . catalogues Agreement, Batchelder and Sleeper Bills for supplies Blacksmiths Cattle on the highways . Cemeteries Check-list of 1S14 Chester . . . . Collector's warrant, 1756 Colored people . Diarv of Xathan Weare . 3C2 35G 364 483 304, 305 . 348 330 307 273 439 296 . 298 . 244 634 HISTOKY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Earthquake of 1727 .... . 310 Eastern Eailroad . 394 Eastern Stage Company . 446 Emigrants from Hampton Falls .... . 451 Elm, the Moulton .... . . . 440 Pairs . 278 Fair, petition for a . . . ... . 278 petition for granted . 378 Eockingham. . . .... . 279 town . . . . • 285 Falls river . 14 Farms, the five . 542 Guests, distinguished: . .... . 268 Lafayette 271 Pi-esident James Monroe .... . 272 Washington . 268 Washington's diary . 368 Hampton steers ... . 523 Invoice of 1850 . . . *72 Journal of David Batchelder 476 Warren Brown . . . . . 483 Libraries ... . . . 315 Library, Ladies' . 316 Social . 315 Town ... . . 316 Lightning . . 410 List of persons taxed in 1830 . 469 List of rates, 1747 454 List of rates, 1768, 1787, 1800 . 460 Local names . 368 Militia . . . 257 Milk business . . 353 Mills . . . 335 Mill, Batchelder's . . . 339 Coffin's . . 337 Dodge's . . . . . . 338 Garland's ... . 335 Green's . 337 Longfellow's .... . 338 Old . '. . . 336 partners' . 336 Prescott's . 337 Weare's . 339 wind . 340 woolen . . 339 INDEX. 635 Murders 31.2 Musters 2,'jl) Norfolk county 429 Peculiar characters 538 PostofBce 533 Province rates, 1709 and 1737 390-295 Railway, electric 397 Roads 336 Road, Brimmer 373 Country .... . . ... 366 Crank 388 Driftway to the marsh . . .... 374 Drinkwater ... ... . . 367 Exeter .367 Fresh Island .368 Hampton Turnpike Company ... . 476 Hogpen 367 Old Mill ... .368 Robiestown 433 Salt marsh 341 Schools 524 Schoolhouses 529 Secret societies 413 Ship building .... 399 Shoemakers 351 Shunpike 380 Smalljwx 303 State line .... 299 Stores . . . 344 Storms ... 407 Surplus revenue . . 288 Taverns . 401 Tavern, Georges . . 402 petition for a . . . . 403 Swett .402 Wells 403 Taylor's river . . 14 Throat distemjier ... . 301 To be annexed to Massachusetts ... .... 413 Town clerks ... 430 common 383 delegates to Constitutional Convention 428 hall 318 invoice books 416 636 HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS. Town landing . meetings moderators . record books representatives selectmen votes passed Weare monument 390 333 419 416 437 431 337 441 OLD-TIME CUSTOMS. Bilboes 523 Boots and shoes . 505 Breaking roads 515 Brick oven . 504 Burning fluid 508 Cider . . 507 Clocks . 517 Clothing : . 505 Coal for fuel . . 518 Currency, old-time . . 519 Dutch oven 503 Farm help . 510 l<'ireplace . . 501 Flax . 506 Flour .... 573 Franklin fireplace 504 Hair and whiskers . Haying . 510 . 519 Horseback riding . 509 Intention of marriage 517 Justice of the quorum 516 Kerosene oil . . . 508 Middle names . SOS Obtaining meats . 501 Old stragglers . ... . 514 Pillory . ... . 521 Pumpkin and milk . . 510 Roots and herbs .... . 513 Sheep washing • 511 Shod shovels 510 INDEX. 637 Soap making ^^^ Sperm oil ^508 Spinning ^^^ Spirituous liquors •"'!* Stocks 522 Stoves 503 Sugar 512 Tallow candles 508 Temperance 514 Tin baker 503 Tin kitchen 302 Title of "Mr." 516 Visiting 515 Water-supply • 512 Weaving 506 EREATA. On page 33, after the word "Eecords" add loere in conseqitenoe of the abo-ve vote. On page 107, sixteenth line, instead of "Josiah" read Isaiah. On same page, in nineteenth line, instead of "Josiah" read Joseph. On page 151, first line, instead of "1651" read 1661. s-»'\ An* \ > X*N ^ ■ \ \ \ ^ *«, \^ L% i iii< i ^iUHi ! i i HM)!p ii uu i in i i i imm!.ai.ui i s)!w i !i! i i. i ni»! i