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 UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 SPECIAL 
 COLLECTIONS 
 
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 1832 
 
 Gift of 
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HISTOiiY OF HAVEMHIIili, 
 
 :DI A S S A C H X7 S S T T S 
 
 BY B. L. MIRICK. 
 
 Tlisre was a time when red men climbed these hills, 
 And wandered by these glades, these plains, and rills ; 
 Or rowed the light canoe along yon river,— 
 Or rushed to conflict, armed with bow and quiver, — 
 Or 'neath the forest leaves that o'er them hung, 
 Tliey council held, or loud their war-notes sung. 
 
 MS. Poein. 
 
 -♦.►»,@0^<4<, 
 
 HAVERHILL : 
 PRINTED AND TUBLISHED BY A. W. THAYER. 
 1832. 
 
I.lfTM®BU€TIO]¥, 
 
 In the early history of almost every town, there is 
 a great variety of incidents which are well worth pre- 
 serving. However trifling some of them may appear to 
 strangers, still they carry a deep and abiding interest to 
 a native. No one can heedlessly listen to a narrative 
 of the customs and manners of his fathers — to a recital of 
 the deeds they accomplished, and the dangers they sur- 
 mounted. Every valley and hill has its history — the an- 
 cient tree that stretches its long branches to the breeze 
 — the flowers that spring up and blossom in our pathway 
 — and the glassy stream that bursts from the green hill- 
 side, rippling in the shade of the thick forest, or winding 
 slowly among the open and cultivated fields; — and it 
 cannot but interest those who are now seeking pleasure 
 or profit among them, when they reflect that, on 
 the same places, their fathers reared their thatched cot- 
 tages, defended themselves against the attacks of 
 prowling beasts, and grappled with the fierce savages. 
 
 The depredations of the Indians form a prominent 
 feature in the following pages. Haverhill v/as a fron- 
 tier tovm for more than seventy years, and about thirty 
 years it suffered all the horrors which accompanied sav- 
 age warfare. The history of the dangers and hardships 
 endured by some of the inhabitants, in the latter period, 
 appears, in many instances, like some fabulous story; 
 and, perhaps, we should so consider it, were it not de- 
 rived from respectable and authentic sources. Scarcely 
 
a year passed, but more or less of them were slain, 
 or captivated by their treacherous enemy, — an ene- 
 my, who spared not the old man, nor the infant, nei- 
 ther the strong man, nor feeble and helpless woman — 
 all were alike the objects of their hatred and revenge. 
 Many writers have ascribed to this revengeful race, 
 pure and lofty virtue, high and delicate principles of 
 honor, and firm and devoted friendship to those who 
 have granted them favors. To these assertions I am 
 not prepared to subscribe. If valor be a virtue, 
 then some of them surely possessed it; but even these 
 were few, for the courage of a great majority only 
 prompted them to murder women and children, and 
 attack men unawares, or while asleep. We have dis- 
 covered none of their devoted friendships, nor their high 
 principles of honor, in their intercourse, either in peace 
 or in v*-ar, with the early inhabitants of this toWn. 
 Nothing can justify their treacherous conduct — no plea 
 can be urged in their behalf sufficient to palliate their 
 diabolical cruelties. 
 
 The advancement of the American Colonies in popu- 
 lation, riches and power, is unparalleled in the annals 
 of history. The mammoth nations that have long 
 since been swept from the field of existence, whose 
 arriiies encircled mountains, and covered vallies; whose 
 armaments triumphantly rode the great deep, and made 
 the rock-built cities of warlike nations tremble at their 
 appearance — these can boast, at no period, of a progress 
 so elevated, so rapid as our own. Their early strength 
 was like the infant's; as that will extend its arms 
 to surrounding objects for support, so they leaned 
 on contiguous nations for protection, until prosperity 
 began to flov/ through their internal channels, till 
 their limbs were indued with vigor, and they could 
 gird on the sv/ord, handle the spear, and go forth alone 
 and fearlessly to conquer. Century after century 
 
came and passed; revolutions, attended with terrific 
 gloom, horror, conflagration and bloodshed, were efTect- 
 ed; and kingdoms tottered, crumbled and fell, before 
 they attained the zenith of their power. 
 
 But it was not so with the Colonies. A few years 
 only elapsed, when flourishing villages sprung up, as if 
 by magic, from the gloomy wilderness, teeming with a 
 hardy and fearJess population. Scarcely a century and 
 a half had revolved, when they arose in their strength, 
 and shook the chains of monarchy from their limbs. 
 The spirit of Liberty was an early and beloved inmate 
 of the bosoms of our Fathers. It was a native of the soil 
 on which they trod. It roamed upon the mountain that 
 lifts its bleak brow to the clouds, as wild, as proud, and 
 free, as the grey bird that builds her eyry on its loftiest 
 cliff; sometimes it rested in its sunny places, or in the 
 shadow of its tall trees; sometimes it basked on its sky- 
 peaked rocks, or travelled with the winds over its wild 
 recesses. It descended into the vallies and sate be- 
 neath the green chestnut, the sycamore, or cedar; or 
 slept in the night-time among their sweetest flowers. At 
 noon-day it drank from the cool fountains that burst 
 from the silent caverns of the hills, and gently flowed 
 through the shady woods. It was in every hill, glen, 
 tree and stream, and readily infused itself into the 
 bosoms of our fathers, where it was a welcome and 
 cherished guest. At last, when it was chafed with the 
 iron hand of oppression, it broke from its retreat, and 
 defied the veteran armies and the multiplied armaments 
 of the mightiest nation of Europe. Its voice was then 
 like the sound of a terrible earthquake, or the roll of 
 midnight thunders; and it rang, not only among our 
 own White and Apalachian hills, but among the snow- 
 clad cliffs of the Dofr afield, and through the land of 
 
 palms and cypresses. 
 1* 
 
That spirit of liberty, — that earnest longing for 
 independence which animates the breast of man, is not 
 to be spoken of — it is not to be written, analyzed 
 nor criticised; but to be mused upon — to be felt — and 
 to be acted in the field, or in the hall of legislation. It 
 may be crushed, but never destroyed; it may nearly 
 wither beneath the hot breath of monarchy, but it will 
 never die. We might as well think of handling the 
 lightning, or of changing the course of the thunder-bolt, 
 as to destroy it. It is unfathomable — indescribable — 
 unknown, but to him who feels it. The roar of 
 conflicting armies, the crackling of a conflagration, 
 the clanking of chains, the horrors of a dungeon — 
 nothing will appal the heart which it animates. 
 
 In the long and arduous struggle of the Colonies for 
 independence, Haverhill bore its share of the losses, 
 ])oth in men and treasure; perhaps none, of the same 
 vrealth and population, did more. Most of the inhabi- 
 tants w^ere ready, at any period, to sacrifice their for- 
 tunes, and even their lives, to support the government 
 of their choice. Their taxes were frequently enormous, 
 but they were cheerfully borne. Though darkness 
 and gloom often hung like a pall over the struggling 
 nation, still they were not dispirited, but clung to hope, 
 like men who had determined to die, rather than see 
 their beloved country groaning in slavery. 
 
 But few of these revolutionary worthies are now 
 living. The most of them have been gathered to the 
 harvest of death, and the venerable remnant that now 
 remains, will quickly pass away. Their voices will be 
 silent — their hoary heads will be no longer among us — 
 they will be crumbling in the earth with their fathers. 
 But the story of their achievement shall not be forgot- 
 ten. Their swords and their sheaths shall be hung up 
 in the halls of their children, as silent but intelligible 
 witnesses of their deeds. Their glory shall never pass 
 
from their names; but, in whatever land the banner of 
 freedom is unfurled, there will their memories be cher- 
 ished, and their praises sung. 
 
 Though the interest created by a history of this kind 
 is principally local, still no pains or expense has been 
 spared to make it what it should be. When I began to 
 collect my materials, the names of the first settlers were 
 not known, and even the year in which the town was 
 said to be settled, was, by many disputed. Many ac- 
 counts have been published of the heroic deed of Mrs. 
 Hannah Dustin; but the most of them which I have ex- 
 amined are very imperfect, and some of them inconsis- 
 tent. To this, and the memorable attack by the French 
 and Indians on the 29th August, 1708, I have paid par- 
 ticular attention; and believe that I have collected 
 ail the attending circumstances worthy of being pre- 
 served; many of v/hich have not hitherto been generally 
 known. I have collected the names of many persons 
 who lived here at an early period; the names of those 
 v/ho were slain hy the Indians, the day on which they 
 fell, and in many cases the incidents connected with 
 them. The reader will also find short biographical 
 sketches of some of the prominent men who were an 
 honor to the town. 
 
 In my researches I found many ancient manuscripts 
 in private families, some of which were written nearly 
 one hundred and fifty years ago, but were laid aside 
 with waste papers, and considered of no value. I have 
 likewise discovered many almanacks, more than a cen- 
 tury old, on which the owners kept a journal of remark- 
 able events. The late Hon. Bailey Bartlett, just before 
 his decease, copied from his almanacks, a journal kept by 
 himself and his father, from 1732 to 1830. From this I 
 have extracted many interesting facts. The Town Re- 
 cords are another source from which I have derived in- 
 formation. The first regular meeting held by the town 
 
was in 1643; and the book in which were recorued the 
 doings of that and a few succeeding years, is in a very 
 tattered condition. Some of its pages can scarcely 
 be decyphered. It seems that the Indians, in one of 
 their attacks, obtained possession of it; but it was found 
 soon after in the westerly part of the town, now IMe- 
 thuen, in a very damaged state. I have inserted some 
 things which were handed down by tradition; but have, 
 in most cases, given them as such, and have admit- 
 ted none but those which seemed probable, or were de- 
 rived from respectable sources. 
 
 These are a few of the numerous authorities from 
 which I have drawn my information. It cannot be ex- 
 pected, in such a variety of facts and dates, as is con- 
 tained in the following pages, that all will be perfectly cor- 
 rect; though great pains have been taken to have them so. 
 To those persons who have assisted me in collecting 
 materials, and have taken an interest in the publication 
 of this work, I offer the fervent expressions of my grati- 
 tude; and I am particularly indebted to Charles White, 
 Esq. and Charles JMinot, Esq. of Haverhill; Mr. Ben- 
 jamin Greenleaf, Preceptor of Bradford Academy; John 
 Farmer, Esq., of Concord, N.H.; WiUiam Gibbs, Esq., 
 of Salem; ancf Mr. Joshua Cofhn, of Newbury, whose 
 manuscript history of his native town, will, I under- 
 stand, soon be presented to the public. 
 
HISTORY OF HAVEKIIILL. 
 
 1640. 
 
 The first intimation of the settling of Pentucket, now 
 Haverhill, which we have been able to discover, is con- 
 tained in the following letter from Giles Firmin to Gov. 
 Winthrop, dated 26th Dec. 1639. 
 
 *' Much honoured and dtar Sir : 
 
 But that I thinke it needlesse (God havinge more than ordinary e 
 fitted you for such trials) my letter might tell you with what griefe of 
 spij-it I received the news of that sad affliction which is lately hap- 
 pened to your worship, by means of that unfaithful wretch; I hope 
 God will luid a shoulder to helpe you beare so great a burthen. But 
 the little time there is allotted me to v^^rite, I must spend in request- 
 uig your worships counsel and favour. P.Iy father in law Ward, since 
 his Sonne came over, is varey desirous that wee might sett down 
 together, and so that he might leave us together if God should re- 
 move hun from hence. Because that cant be accomplished in this? 
 town, is verey desirous to get mee to remove with him to a new 
 plantation. After much perswasion used, considermge my want of 
 accommodations here (the ground the town having given mee lying 
 5 miles from mee or more) and that the gains of physick will not 
 fiiide mee in bread, but, besides apprehendhige that it might bee a 
 way to free him from some temptations, and make him more cheer- 
 ful and more serviceable to the country or church, have yeelded to 
 him. Herein, as Pdesire your counsel, so do I humbly request 
 your favour, that you loould he pleased to give us the liberty e 
 of choosinge a plantation; wee thinke it will bee at Pentuckett 
 or Quichichchek ICochichawich} by Shawshin: so soon as the 
 season will give us leave to goe, we shall inform your worship which 
 wee desire : And if that, by the court of election, wee cannot gather 
 a company to begine it, wee will let it fall. We desire you will not 
 graunt any of them to any before wee have scene them. If 3'Our 
 worship have heard any relation of the places, wee should I'emainQ 
 
10 
 
 '(hankfijl to you, if you would be pleased to counsel us to any of 
 them. Further, I would entreate for advise in this : The towne gave 
 mee the ground (100 acres) upon this condition, that I should stay 
 in the towne 3 yeares, or else I could not sell it : Now my father 
 supposes it beuig my first heritage (my father having none in the 
 land) that it is more than they canne doe to hinder mee thus, when 
 as others have no business, but range from place to place, on pur- 
 pose to live upon the countrey. 1 would entreate your counsel 
 whither or noe 1 canne sell it. Further : I am strongly sett upon to 
 studye divinitie, ray study es else must be lost; for physick is but a 
 meene helpe. In these cases I humbly referre to your worship, as 
 my father, for your counsel, and so in much haste, with my best 
 sendees presented to your worship, wishinge you a strong support in 
 your affliction, and a good and comfortable issue', I rest your wor- 
 ships in what he canne to his power. GYLES FYRjMIN. 
 Ipswich, 26, 10th, 1639. 
 
 Wee humbly entreate your secrecye in our desires." 
 
 Firmin soon after went to England, where he became 
 a celebrated non-conformist minister. He was the au- 
 thor of a work called the " Real Christian," and proba- 
 bly few books of that description have been more read 
 or oftener reprinted. 
 
 Soon after, Mr. John Ward, together with some of 
 the inhabitants of Nev/biiry, petitioned the General 
 Court for liberty to settle at Pentucket, or Cochicha- 
 wich, as appears by the following: 
 
 " At a General Courte held at Boston the 13th of 8d month 1640 
 [13th May 1640,] the desires oflMr. [John] Ward, and Newbury 
 men, is committed to the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Mr. 
 Wintlu-op, sen. to consider of Fentuckett and of Cochickawich, and 
 to grant it to them, provided they return answer within three 
 weeks from the 21st present, and that they build there before the 
 next Comte." 
 
 After some little consideration, IMr. Ward and his 
 companions selected Pentucket ; and allowing them 
 three weeks to come to a decision and return their an- 
 swer, the settlement must have commenced between the 
 11th of June and the 7th of Octobei- following, the 
 day on which the next Court was holden. 
 
 The following are the names of those persons who 
 accompanied Mr. Ward, and struck the first blow to- 
 wards erecting a settlement in the wild woods of Pen- 
 tucket. Those in Italics were from Newbury. William 
 IVhite, Samuel Gile, James Davis, Henry Palmer, John 
 Rohinsoiiy Abraham Tyler, Daniel Ladd, Joseph Merrie^ 
 
11 
 
 'Christopher Hiissey, Job Clement, John Williams and 
 Richard Littlchale. 
 
 At a General Court holden at Boston, 7th October, 
 1640, ''Mr. Edward Woodman, Mr. Paine, and Mr. 
 Nelson, were appointed to view the bounds between 
 Colchester [Salisbury] and Mr. Ward''s jjlaiitaiion.''^ 
 
 By these extracts, taken from the records of the Gen- 
 eral Court, it is evident that the settlement of Pentuck- 
 et was commenced in the summer of 1610, under the 
 conduct of the venerable Ward. Cotton Mather says 
 that Mr. Ward "settled in Haverhill in 1641;" but he 
 certainly mistakes, for the express conditions granted to . 
 the petitioners, were, that " they should return answer 
 within three weeks from the 21st May, 1640, and build 
 before the next Court," which was on the 7th of Octo- 
 ber follov/ing. Soon after its settlement it was called 
 Haverhill, in compliment to Mr. Ward, who was born 
 in Haverhill, Essex County, England, and was the 
 fearless and hardy pioneer of civilization into the 
 gloomy and unbroken wilderness. The first house was 
 erected near the old burying ground, one fourth of a 
 mile east of Haverhill Bridge; but in the course of two 
 years, a house was built near Mr. Ezekiel Hale's 
 Factory. 
 
 On undertaking important enterprises, our pious an- 
 cestors generally associated with them ministers of the 
 gospel; but in the settlement of Haverhill, a clergyman 
 was the projector and leader. No tongue could more 
 faithfully portray their moral character and religious 
 feelings — no language could speak more powerfully 
 their elevated sentiments. Where the sound of the 
 Avoodman's axe echoed amid the forest solitudes — where 
 the thatched hut was reared, and the blue smoke issued 
 from its wooden chimney, and curled far upward among 
 the thick branches — there was heard the sound of 
 prayer, and devout hearts spake of Jesus, of Calvary, 
 and the sepulchre. Beneath the shadow of the kingly 
 oak, the hardy settler and his children, with their rug- 
 ged and sunburnt visages, could gather in the deepen- 
 ing twilight, while their teacher stood among them, and 
 taught them from the book of God. If their babes 
 looked up to the sky, when the summer's sun had gone 
 
12 
 
 down in its glory, and asked who gave it such beauty, 
 they were answered, God; if they looked up in the 
 depth of midnight, and saw the stars, and extended 
 their puny hands as they would take them in their 
 grasp — if they gathered flowers in their pathway — or if 
 they gazed upon the tempest-cloud, and concealed 
 themselves, and wept for fear; — their teacher told them 
 that all these were the workb of God; that they could 
 kneel in the forest, by the fountain, and the river, and 
 He would be among them. 
 
 Before the town was settled, it was covered with an 
 immense, and in some places, almost impenetrable 
 forest, except the lowlands or meadows. These w^ere 
 cleared by the Indians, perhaps centuries before the 
 discovery of America; and they were covered with a 
 heavy growth of grass, which grew so exceedingly 
 thick, and so very high, that it was impossible to dis- 
 cover man or beast at a distance of five rods. They 
 resembled the celebrated prairies of the West in every 
 thing except extent. Every autumn the Indians set the 
 dried grass on fire, so that they might more easily 
 kill the deer which came to feed on it, the . next 
 spring. On account of the grass, they were 
 prized above all other lands by the first settlers, for , 
 there they procured hay for their flocks; and they were 
 divided into small lots, and distributed among them. 
 The forest was filled with various kinds of small birds. 
 Innumerable flocks of ducks resorted to the ponds, 
 and the timid loon was seen sailing majestically on 
 their waters. The wild deer reposed in the shady 
 groves, or bounded over the hills, followed by the 
 eager hunter. The loud bark of the raccoon was 
 heard, and the w^Iy fox was often seen leaping through 
 the woods. But the worst enemy, of the beast kind, to 
 the infant settlement, was the cruel and voracious wolf. 
 They sometimes roamed the woods in droves, trotting 
 like dogs, and in some of 'their excursions destroyed 
 large numbers of sheep. At one period they had be- 
 come so bold and troublesome, that a large plat of 
 ground was enclosed near the common, and used as a 
 pasture for the sheep. Shepherds Vvcre likewise ap- 
 pointed to protect them, and at night they were col- 
 
13 
 
 lected into a close fold, or pen. Hardly a day passed 
 in which depredations were not made; and almost every 
 night their dismal howlings broke upon its solitude. 
 
 Haverhill was sold by two Sachems, or Chiefs, Pas- 
 saquoi and Saggahew; and the tribe which inhabited it 
 was under their jurisdiction. They were not, however, 
 entirely independent; but acknowledged allegiance to a 
 higher power, invested in Passaconnamy,* who was the 
 great powah, or priest, of all the tribes in this quarter. 
 No expedition of moment, or action of importance, was 
 commenced without his consent. He gained this 
 power over his brethren by the aid of religion, 
 their notions of which are thus described by Lewis: 
 " They believed that after death they should go to 
 the region whence came the pleasant south-west wind, 
 where dwelt their great and benevolent God, Cautonto- 
 wit, and where they should enjoy perpetual pleasures, 
 and hunting and fishing without weariness. They en- 
 dured the most acute pains without a murmur, never 
 laughed loud, and their words and deeds were seldom 
 strangers." Their principal village was on the banks 
 of Little River, near its mouth; and the house of Thomas 
 R. Appleton stands on 'what was once their burial 
 ground. When that cellar was excavated, a number of 
 skeletons were dug up in a very good state of preser- 
 vation. Heads of arrows have frequently been found 
 in that quarter, stone mortars in which they pounded 
 their corn, and other utensils of a warlike and culinary 
 kind. The arrow-head was a flat stone, about two 
 inches in length, gradually sloping to a sharp point at 
 one end. This was fastened to an oak stick about 
 twenty inches in length, and when thrown with a strong, 
 elastic bow, often gave a deadly wound. The mortar 
 was a soft stone, of considerable dimensions, in which 
 they scooped a hollow place, varying in depth and 
 diameter, according to the size of the family. 
 
 Their women performed all the drudgery of their 
 households, and were likewise the tillers of the soil; the 
 men deeming it debasing to engage in any thing but 
 hunting, fishing and war. They were not destitute of 
 music, for they were accustomed to sing songs while 
 
 '^This name in the Deed is spelt, Passaconnaway. 
 
14 
 
 engaged in almost every occupation. When they 
 launched their birchen canoes on the smooth waters of 
 the Merrimack,* to proceed on any expedition, they 
 sung a song, intermixed with low and gutteral sounds, 
 while the rowers marked time with their oars. When 
 they went to war with their neighbors, returned from 
 thence, or impaled the victims they had taken, they 
 sung their terrific war-songs, accompanied with dances, 
 when they screamed and hallooed to the extent of their 
 voices, and threw their bodies into almost every posi- 
 tion. When they buried a warrior, the deeds he had 
 done in Uattle, the courage he had displayed, and the 
 scalps he had taken, were all recounted in song. When 
 the mother wished to pacify her restless child, she sung 
 to it a song as gentle and tender as the rudeness of 
 her language would permit, which corresponded in 
 effect with the English lullaby; and she could display 
 her affections to her offspring with those peculiar tones, 
 looks and manners, known only to mothers, though 
 they might appear to us, harsh and ungraceful. The 
 white mother cannot boast of deeper and stronger 
 affections for her babe, than the red mother could for 
 hers, whose home was in the forest, but whose heart 
 was unacquainted with the gentleness, which is thought, 
 by some, to be generated by civilization. 
 
 They also had their different kinds of food. Doubt- 
 less all have heard, and perhaps eaten, of samp, succa- 
 tash and hominy. These names are of Indian origin, 
 and designated their kinds of dishes. Samp was made 
 of corn boiled in the kernel, and when it was parched 
 and pounded for journies, it was called nokehike.j* 
 Succatash was made of corn in the kernel, after it was 
 shelled from the cob, and shelled-beans, boiled toge- 
 ther. Their hominy was also made of corn, pounded in 
 tlieir mortars and boiled. This last dish is very much 
 admired at the present day; and soon as the corn has 
 sufficiently ripened, the New-England farmer selects a 
 portion purposely for a ^'mess of hominy." 
 
 The Indians were the first proprietors of the soil. 
 May it be asked, where they are.^ have they been cru- 
 
 * The Indians called it more fieqiiently Monomack, which signi- 
 fies ill English, a Sturgeon. t Lewis. 
 
15 
 
 elly exterminated — were they plundered of their lands, 
 with the aid of tlie sword — were their wigwams stained 
 with their blood, and with that of their children? — No; 
 our fathers came among them peaceably; the whistle 
 of the bullet, armed with death for the red-man, was not 
 heard till they began a war of extermination witli 
 the infant settlement, and put in practice their horrid 
 system of cruelty towards their unfortunate captives. 
 As civilization advanced around and among them — as 
 its footsteps were planted where their dwellings were 
 reared, they seem to have withered before its breath, 
 and sunk silently into the graves of their fathers. 
 
 If we contemplate the rapid growth of our cities and 
 pleasant villages — if we gaze on the tall spires as they 
 are brilliantly flashing in the sun-light — if we look be- 
 fore us, and behind, and see the cultivated fields stretch- 
 ing far onward, interspersed here and there with beau- 
 tiful dwellings — we find in them a subject of gratulation 
 to the proud-hearted and enlightened freeman. But, as 
 the mind looks backward into the years registered in 
 eternity, and inquires for the nations that were once nu- 
 merous and mighty — for the kings who went forth, with 
 their people, to battle — for the vv^arriors who bent their 
 bows on the mountain-cliffs, and in the vallies, — then the 
 heart grows sad over the memory of those that have 
 been; it bleeds over the tombs of the nations made deso- 
 late; a sadness is mingled with our joy, and our rejoi- 
 cings end with a tear. 
 
 '**^^%**^' 
 
 1641- 
 
 At a General Court of Elections, holden at Boston 
 on the 2d of June, "Mr. John Woodb ridge, Matthew 
 Bayse, John Crosse and George Giddings, they four, or 
 any three of them, are appointed to set out the bounds 
 of Sahsbury and Pentucket, alias Haverhill; they are to 
 determine the bounds which Mr. Ward and his company 
 are to enjoy as a towne or village, if they have six 
 
16 
 
 houses up by the next General Courte in the 8th month." 
 [October.] 
 
 By the above it appears, that not so many as six 
 houses were buiit prior to June; but probably the re- 
 quired number was erected by the 7th of October fol- 
 lowing. 
 
 The first birth recorded, was that of a son of John 
 Robinson, who lived but three weeks. The second was 
 likewise a son of his, who also died within a week after 
 his birth. 
 
 In September the Governor received letters from 
 Connecticut and other places, informing him that the 
 Indians through the country had combined to destroy 
 the English. The time appointed was soon after the 
 harvest. They were to separate themselves into small 
 parties, visit the houses of the principal men for the pro- 
 fessed purpose of trading, while others concealed them- 
 .selves in the vicinity. Those who were in the houses, 
 xvhile partaking the hospitality of their owners, were ex- 
 pected to fall upon them unawares, slay them, and seize 
 then- weapons, while the party concealed were to rush 
 suddenly in and prosecute the massacre. 
 
 Upon this intelligence it was thought advisable, by 
 the Governor and Council, to disarm the Indians within 
 their jurisdiction. Forty men were accordingly sent 
 with instructions to disarm Passaconnamy, who "lived 
 by IMerrimack." The alarm was so great that the 
 company started on the Sabbath; but on that and the 
 .'succeeding days, a heavy rain had fallen, which made 
 the paths so intolerably bad that they were unable to 
 reach his wigwam. They, however, came to his son's, 
 and took him, a squaw and her child, the wife and son of 
 Passaconnamy, prisoners. On their return, fearing that 
 the son would escape, they led him with a line; but this 
 Avas not a sufficient security, for he soon slipped it and 
 ran into the vroods, when one of the company fired at 
 him. but without effect. 
 
 Soon as the Governor and Council heard of these 
 unwarrantable proceedings, they feared the resent- 
 ment of Passaconnamy; and immediately sent Cutsha- 
 makin, the Sachem at Braintree, who had been be- 
 fore disarmed and imprisoned for the like suspicions. 
 
17 
 
 to inform him that the imprisonment of his relatives was 
 without their order, and to tell him the reasons why they 
 disarmed the Indians within their jurisdiction. He was 
 told at the same time, that, if they were found innocent 
 of their suspicions, their arms should be immediately 
 restored. " He returned answer that he knew not what 
 was become of his son and his squas (for one of them 
 was ran into the woods and came not again for ten days 
 after and the other was still in custody) if he had them 
 safe again then he would come to us, accordingly about 
 a fortnight after he sent his eldest son to us, who deliv- 
 ered.up his guns, &c." * 
 
 No massacre of this kind was perpetrated; but it was 
 afterwards ascertained that such a plot had existed, 
 headed by Miantonamoh, Chief of the Naragansetts, 
 which was developed by three or four of its members. 
 It was discovered to Mr. Haines of Connecticut, by one 
 of them, v/ho, "by some special circumstances, viz: 
 that being much hurt by a cart (which usually there are 
 drawn by oxen) sent for Mr. Haines and told him that 
 Englishmen's God was angry with him and sent En- 
 glishmen's cow (meaning the oxen in the cart or wain) 
 to kill him, because he had concealed such a plot against 
 the English."! 
 
 Passaconnamy was rather friendly to the English 
 than otherwise. He soon after went to Penacook, where 
 he extended his dominion over the Agawams, Naam- 
 keeks, Pascataquas, Accomentas, and others. We can 
 learn the name of only one son, Wonolanset, who suc- 
 ceeded him as Sachem at Penacook, and always refused 
 to fight the English. J 
 
 1642. 
 
 Though the to^\Ti was settled and houses were erected 
 in 1640, the grantees had no title from the Indians, the 
 original proprietors, until this year, when they nego- 
 
 * Winthrop, page 258. t Hubbard. 
 
 :|: Rev. Nathaniel Bouton's Sermons, in commemoralion of the 
 organizing of the first church at Concord, N, H, 
 
 2* 
 
18 
 
 tiated with their Sachems, and obtained the following 
 deed, which is a correct copy from the original. * 
 
 *' Know all men by these presents, that wee Passaquo and Sag- 
 gaHew w^h ye consent of Passaconnaway : have sold unto ye Inhabi- 
 tants of Pentuckett all ye lands wee have in Pentuckett; that is eyght 
 inyles in length from ye little Rivvev in Pentuckett Westward: Six 
 inyles in length from ye aforesaid Rivver northward: And six myles 
 m length from ye foresaid Rivver Eastward, wth ye Heand and ye riv- 
 ver that ye ileand stand in as far in length as ye land lyes by as for- 
 merly expressed: that is, fourteene myles m length: And wee ye said 
 Passaquo and SaggaHew w^h ye consent of Passaconnaway, have 
 sold unto ye said inhabitants all ye right that wee or any of us have 
 in ye said ground and Ileand and Rivver: And wee warrant it against 
 all or any other Indeans whatsoever unto ye said Inhabitants of Pen- 
 tuckett, and to their heires and assignes forever- Dated ye fifteenth 
 day of november Ann Dom 1642. 
 
 Witnes our hands and seales to this bargayne of sale ye day and 
 year above written (in ye presents of us.) wee ye said Passaquo & 
 Haggaliew have received in hand, for & m consideration of ye same 
 rliree pounds & ten shillings. 
 
 John Ward v^ marke of 
 
 Robert Clements Passaquo 
 Tristram Coffijn 
 Hugh Sherratt 
 William White 
 
 [SEAL.] 
 
 yc si^ne of (0 
 Thomas Davis 
 
 Sagg. 
 
 [seal.] 
 
 On the side of it the following is written: — ^' Entered 
 and recorded in y^ County Records for Norfolk (lib. 
 I'd, pa 209) ye 29th day of April 1671 As attest Tho. 
 Bradbury Recorder. 
 
 Recorded ye first of Aprill 1681 among Ve records^ 
 of Lands for Essex at Ipswich: As attest Robert Lord 
 Recorder." 
 
 i ♦ 
 
 *This curious manuscript, which is nearly two centuries old, is 
 now in the possession of Charles White, Esq. 
 
19 
 
 On the outside it is endorsed, " The purchase from 
 the Indians by Haverhill men, Recorded." 
 
 In 1680, the deed was copied into the Town Rec- 
 ords, and the following testimony was taken by Na- 
 thaniel Saltonstall, which is written on the succeeding 
 page. 
 
 " The Rev. Teacher of ye church & towns of Haverhill, Mr. 
 John Ward; & William White and Tho. Davis do tejstifie that Ha- 
 verhill towneship or lands then by y*^ Indians called Pentuckett, was 
 purchased of ye Indians as is mentioned in ye deed in this paper con- 
 tained, wc is entered upon record and that wee were then inhabitants 
 at Haverhill and present w^h ye Indians Passaquoi and Saggahew 
 (who were ye apparent owners of ye land & so accounted) did signe 
 and conlirme ye same; and that then, wee, (with others now dead) 
 did signe our names to ye deed, which land wee have ever since 
 enjoyed peaceably without any Indian molestation from the grantors 
 or their heirs. Taken upon I'ebuary ye 4th 16S0 before Nath. Sal- 
 tonstall. Assist." 
 
 John Ward, the minister, settled in the vicinity of the 
 grave-yard, and on the 29th of September he had sixteen 
 acres of land laid out to him for a home-lot, " with all 
 accommodations thereunto belonging."* He was born in 
 Haverhill, England, 5th Nov. 1606. He married Alice 
 Edmunds, and had two children, Elizabeth and Mary; 
 his wife died 24th March, 1680, and he followed 27th 
 J)ec. 1693.t 
 
 Robert Clement came from England early in the 
 year, to Salisbury, and sometime in the summer removed 
 to Haverhill. He was a cooper by trade, and was the 
 first in town. In 1652, he married Elizabeth Fane, and 
 had eleven children. He settled at first, a few rods 
 east of the burial-ground, and in the following year 
 removed to the Rocks' Village, where he improved 
 " ye land iti y*^ planting of corne." 
 
 Tristram Coffin came from Devonshire, England, 
 with his mother, wife, and five children, in the ship with 
 Robert Clement, and landed at Salisbury. He seems to 
 have settled near Robert Clement, and tradition says 
 
 *No account can be found of any lands laid out prior to 1643, 
 except Mr. Ward's, which is just mentioned in a note in the Town 
 Records, at the bottom of the page, under the year 1643; and no 
 record of the lands laid out to the other settlers of 1640, is presented. 
 
 t A further account will be found of Mr. Ward, in the vear 1693. 
 
20 
 
 that he was the first person who ploughed land in Ha- 
 verhill. In the following year he settled at the Rocks; 
 and in 1645 he was licensed to keep an " ordinary," or 
 tavern — hence the name of " Coffin's ordinary." Soon 
 after, his wife, Dionis, was presented for " selling beere at 
 3d a quarte," contrary to law, which required four 
 bushels of malt to the hogshead, and that it should be 
 sold at 2d. per quart. Mrs. Coffin, however, made it 
 appear that she put six bushels into a hogshead, and the 
 Court acquitted her. Two of his children died in this 
 town, and two were born, Mary and John. Joan, his 
 mother, died in Boston, 1661, aged 77. Mr. Wilson 
 preached her funeral sermon, and, as it was then said, 
 embalmed her memory.* In 1649 he removed w New- 
 bury, thence to Salisbury, where he projected the settle- 
 ment of Nantucket, purchased, with his family, four 
 tenths of the Island, and removed there with four of his 
 children in 1662. Mary, who was born in this town, 
 married Nathaniel Starbuck, at Nantucket, and all 
 accounts agree in representing her as an extraordinary 
 woman. In the language of John Richardson, an early 
 writer, "the Islanders esteemed her as a Judge among 
 them, for little of moment was done without her." It 
 was her custom to attend their town meetings, where she 
 took an active part in the debates, usually commencing 
 her address with " my husband thinks" so and so; but 
 Richardson says, that "she so far exceeded him in 
 soundness of judgment, clearness of understanding, and 
 an elegant way of expressing herself, and that not in an 
 affected strain, but very natural to her, that it tended to 
 lessen the qualifications of her husband." In 1701 she 
 became a Quakeress, took the spiritual concerns of the 
 the whole Island under her special superintendance, was 
 speaker in their religious meetings, wrote the quarterly 
 epistles, and was distinguished in every relation in life. 
 Respecting her domestic economy, the same author 
 observes : "the order of the house was such in all the 
 parts thereof as I had not seen the like before; the large 
 and bright-rubbed room was set with suitable seats or 
 chairs, [for a meeting] so that I did not see any thing 
 
 * Sewall's Diary. 
 
21 
 
 wanting according to place, but something to stand on, 
 for I was not free to set my feet upon the fine cane chair, 
 lest I should break it." The descendants of Tristram 
 Coffin are very numerous, and among them is the dis- 
 tinguished Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin; more than 12,000 
 of that name are now in the United States. 
 
 Hugh Sherrit is supposed to have come from Salis- 
 bury; he lived to the advanced age of one hundred, and 
 died on the 5th of September, 1678. 
 
 William White, one of the first settlers, and whose 
 name is attached to the deed, came from Newbury. 
 His wife was Mary [blank] ; he died 28th September, 
 1690, aged 80; his wife then removed to Ipswich, where 
 she died in 1693. Mr. White settled on the farm now 
 owned. by Mr. William White, and we find that he 
 owned a farm in Newbury in 1650. Soon after the 
 church was gathered, he became a member, and was 
 one of its firmest pillars; he had the honor of the town 
 very much at heart, was esteemed by its citizens, and 
 was frequently entrusted with its most important busi- 
 ness. His descendants are exceedingly numerous, and 
 are scattered in almost every direction over the United 
 States. In his will, which is dated 2d January, 1683, 
 he says : ^' I give to the Rev. Mr. Ward, my Teacher, 
 in Haverhill, 10s. in silver; I give to the church of Ha- 
 verhill, of which I am a member, the linen cloth which 
 is on the communion table, and one of the pewter dishes? 
 which was mine, which was used at the sacrament, and 
 to be kept for that use only so long as it may serve with 
 decency for the common good of that society. My will 
 is, that the girl which was given to nie by the girl's 
 mother to breed up, if my wife will keep her untill John 
 White [his son] marry, let her keep it, otherwise John 
 White to put her out to sum one who will bring her up 
 in good nurtour; if afterward she live with John till she 
 is 18 years of age, or day of marriage, the said White 
 is to cloth her well and to give her five pounds. I give 
 to Edward Brumidgo a cloth jacket, and britches, and a 
 shurt, all of mine own wearing." The ajnount of his 
 property taken after his decease, was ^508, 10s. 
 
 Thomas Davis married Christian [blank], in Eng- 
 land ; he settled in Haverhill early in the spring. His 
 
22 
 
 descendants were formerly very numerous in the town, 
 for we find that there were nineteen famiUes of them 
 before 1720. 
 
 1643. 
 
 This year the Colony was divided into four Counties, 
 Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. The whole 
 number of towns in the Colony was thirty. Norfolk 
 was composed of Salisbury, Hampton, Haverhill, Ex- 
 eter, Dover, and Strawberry Bank, [Portsmouth.] The 
 Courts were holden at Hampton. Previous to this di- 
 vision, Haverhill belonged to Essex. It remained in 
 Norfolk until 1679, when, by order of the King, Mas- 
 sachusetts recalled all comr.::ssions granted for govern- 
 ing that part of the New-Hampshire Province three 
 miles north of JMerrimack River. * Accordingly the 
 General Court of Massachusetts, 4th February, 1679, 
 ordered Haverhill and Salisbury to be again joined to 
 JEssex. In each County, there was one regiment of 
 militia commanded by a Sergeant-Major. 
 
 27th March. A tract of land containing 600 acres 
 was granted by the Colony, to Mr. Nathaniel Ward, 
 father of John Ward, "near Pentuckett, or near as 
 conveniently may be." 
 
 10th May. The Court granted to the town a parcel 
 of meadow-land. The grant says that it was " a parcel 
 of meadow-land about sixscore acres more or less, west 
 of Haverhill about six miles." 
 
 The first lawful town-meeting was holden this year, 
 on the 6th November; and it is remarkable that the first 
 vote passed, was to prevent an unnecessary destruction 
 of the timber. It will be recollected that the town was 
 then covered with a thick and heavy growth of wood — 
 that an untrodden, and seemingly an inexhaustible wil- 
 derness, stretched itself between here and Canada. In 
 all that vast and unexplored tract, no smoke curled 
 from the chimney of a white man — his voice was not 
 
 * Hutchinson. 
 
23 
 
 heard amid its hills, nor were the prints of his 
 footsteps seen in its vallies. What then should suggest 
 to our fathers the idea of preserving the timber, when 
 they could turn their eyes on neither side without be- 
 holding immense quantities of it ? They probably ex- 
 pected that their descendants would rapidly increase — 
 that the forest would fall before them like grain before 
 the reaper — and that their dwellings would be reared 
 on every hill and valley. 
 
 The following is a correct copy of the vote : — 
 " Voted that no man shall fall or cause to be fallen any 
 timber upon the Comon but what he shall make use of 
 within nine months next after it is fallen or otherwise it 
 is and shall be forfieted." At the same meeting they 
 voted, "that there shall bee three hundred acres laid 
 out for houselotts and no more; and that he that was 
 worth tv*o hundred pounds should have twenty acres to 
 his houselott, and none to exceed that number; and so 
 every one under that sum, to have acres proportionable 
 for his houselott, to gether with meadow, and Common, 
 and planting ground, proportionably." This land was 
 laid out east of Little River, where the village stands, 
 and was called an '' accommodation grant." 
 
 Richard Littlehale was chosen " clerk of the Writs," 
 and "town Recorder." He continued in office till 
 1664. The Court of Writs was a small Court estab- 
 lished in town to try such causes as did not exceed forty 
 shillings. It was sometimes called the Court for " small 
 causes;" and frequently the Clerk of the Writs and 
 Tov/n Recorder were filled by one person. 
 
 1644. 
 
 At a Town-meeting, holden the 6th of February, it 
 was voted, " that all landholders shall pay all publique 
 rates according to their number of acres that they hold 
 to their houselotts; and if any man shall buy one acre of 
 meadow, one acre and halfe of planting ground, or one 
 acre of commonage to his houselott, he shall pay proper- 
 
24 
 
 tionably for evrey acre or commonage with the house 
 iott." 
 
 It will be perceived that the landholders only paid 
 the public taxes, and that each man was rated according 
 to the number of acres in his " house-lot/' and not ac- 
 cording to the property he possessed. 
 
 18th Feb. It was " voated that Joseph Merrie 
 should have foure acres of land to his house Iott, with 
 all accommodations of Common or meadow and planting 
 ground proportionable." " Voated to Abraham Tylor 
 foure acres of land for an house Iott, with Common and 
 meadow and planting land proportionable." " Voated 
 that Hugh Sherratt should have two acres more added 
 to his six acres, wiiich he hath alreadie." 
 
 It appears by the last vote, that Hugh Sherrit had 
 six acres granted to him before, but no record can be 
 found which gives an account of it; nor is there any 
 record of the lands laid out to the inhabitants prior to 
 1643, excepting Mr. Ward's. Their number was so 
 small, they probably deemed it unnecessary to record 
 them. 
 
 25th Feb. One acre more was added to the house- 
 lot of Henry Savage. 
 
 27th Feb. "Voated that Job Clement should have 
 a parcell of ground, not exceeding one quarter of an 
 acre at the mill Brooke, being bounded forth by the 
 Free-men to sett him up a tann-house and tann-fatts 
 upon, to him and his heires forever." 
 
 Mill Brook, as it was then called, is now occupied 
 by Colonel John Woodman, and the tannery was erected 
 near the mouth of it. Job Clements was the first tan- 
 ner in town, and was the brother of Robert, one of the 
 signers of the deed. 
 
 19th Sept. " Two Churches," says Hubbard, 
 " were appointed to be gathered, the one in Haverhill, 
 the other at Andover (both upon Merrimack river.) 
 They had given notice thereof to the magistrates and 
 ministers of the neighboring Churches, as is the manner 
 with them in New-England. The meeting of the As- 
 sembly was to be at that time at Rowley, (the foremen- 
 tioned plantations, being then but newly erected, were 
 not capable to entertain them that were like to be 
 
25 
 
 gathered together on that occasion.) But when they 
 assembled, most of those who were to join together in 
 church fellowship at that time, refused to make the con- 
 fession of their faith and repentance, because, as was 
 €aid, they declared it openly before in other Churches, 
 upon their admission into them. Whereupon the mes- 
 sengers of the Churches not being satisfied, the assem- 
 bly brake, before they had accomplished what they 
 intended. But in October, 1645, messengers of Chur- 
 ches met together again, on the same account, when 
 such satisfaction was given, that Mr. John Ward was 
 ordained pastor of the Church in Haverhill, on the 
 north side of the said Merrimack, and Mr. John Wood- 
 bridge was ordained pastor of the Church of Andover, 
 on the south side of the same." 
 
 The first marriage in town was that of Job Clement 
 and Margaret Dummer, who were married on the 25th 
 December. 
 
 Thomas Dudley was chosen to succeed Mr. Win- 
 throp as Governor of the Colony. He came from 
 Northampton, England, where he had been a Captain 
 in Queen Elizabeth's army; and afterwards became a 
 non-conformist to the Episcopal Church. On his arri- 
 val into this country he was appointed Major-General 
 of all the militia in the Province. He died at Roxbury, 
 31st July, 1G53, aged 77. 
 
 1645. 
 
 The singular manner in which many of the votes are 
 recorded is quite amusing. The following is correctly 
 copied. 
 
 14th March. "It was voted by the freemen and 
 not to be disannulled w^^^ out the consent of every free- 
 man in y^ plantation that every inhabitant may keep for 
 every acre that he hath to his house lott, either an 
 horse beast, ox, or cow, w^'^ a foale or calfe w^^ a yeare 
 old, a two yeare old and a three yeare old untill they 
 shall be of the age of three yeares and an halfe, upon 
 
(he Commons appointed by the greater part of the free- 
 men and no more." What was then called the common^ 
 ivcre such lands as were not granted to any individual. 
 
 This year, near as can be ascertained, there were 
 thirty-two landholders. John Ward, Robert Clement, 
 Job Clement, John Clement, Joseph IVIerrie, Abraham 
 Tyior, Hugh Sherrit, Henry Savage, Christopher Hus- 
 sey,* Daniel Hendrick,* John Williams,* Richard Lit- 
 tlehale,* AViliiam Butler, John Ayer, sen., John Ayer, 
 jun., Joseph Peaslee,* William White,* John Robin- 
 son,* Henry Palmer,* Thomas Davis,* George Corliss, 
 Nathaniel Wier,*y James Fiske, Thomas Hale,* James 
 Davis, sen.,* James Davis, jun.,* John Eaton, Barthoi- 
 oinew Heath,* Tristram Cotiin,* Daniel Ladd, Samuel 
 Gile,* and John Davis.* - 
 
 George Corliss settled on the land now owned by 
 Ephraim Corliss, Esq., and the latter gentleman is of 
 thd sixth generation of his descendants who have lived on 
 file same farm. John Robinson, in 1657, bought a 
 liXase-lot in Exeter, and soon after moved to that place. 
 
 The plantation of Haverhill was incorporated into a 
 1'own. 
 
 The first church was gathered in the summer of this 
 year; it consisted of fourteen members, eight males and 
 six females; and Mr. John Ward was ordained their 
 pastor. Johnson, an early writer, says : — '^ The Town 
 of Haverhill was built much about this time, lying higher 
 up than Salisbury upon the fair and large River of Mer- 
 rimack : the people are wholly bent to improve their 
 labor in tilling the earth and keeping of cattel, whose 
 ) early increase encourages them to spend their days in 
 tiiose remote parts. The constant penetrating further 
 into this Wilderness hath caused the wild and uncouth 
 woods to be filled with frequented wayes, and the large 
 rivers to be overlaid with Bridges passeable both for 
 horse and foot; this Town is of a large extent, supposed 
 to be ten miles in length, there being an overweaning 
 desire in most men after Medow land, which hath 
 caused many towns to grasp more into their hands than 
 
 * Those names which have an asterisk attached to them, wer*j 
 §ro:r\ Newbury. t Uncertain about his being a landholder. 
 
27 
 
 they could afterward possibly hold; the people are 
 labourers in gaining the goods of this life, yet they are 
 not unmindful also of the chiefend of their coming 
 hither, namely, to be made partakers of the blessed 
 Ordinances of Christ, that their souls might be refresh- 
 ed by the continual income of his rich grace, to which 
 end they gathered into a church-body and called to 
 office the reverend Mr. Ward, son to the former named 
 Mr. Ward, of Ipswitch. 
 
 With mind resolved ran out thy race at length, 
 Yotu^g WiU'd, begin, whereas thy father left, 
 Left hath he not, but breaths for further strength, 
 jNV.r thou, nor he, are yet of hope bereft: 
 Fruit of thy labours thou shait see so much, 
 The righteous shall hear of it, and rejoyce 
 When Babel fcdls by Christ's almighty touch, 
 All's folks shall praise him with a cheerful voice. 
 They prosper shall that Zions building mend, 
 Then Ward cease not with toyle the stones to lay, 
 For great is he thee to this work assigned, 
 Whose pleasure is, heavens Crown shdl be thy pay."* 
 
 1046. 
 
 13tii Jan. It v/as voted that the inhabitants should 
 have liberty to make one hundred pipe-staves, on the 
 common, for every acre which his house-lot contained; 
 and, " that they should fail no timber within two miles 
 of any of the house lotts." If a person fell a tree w^ithin 
 the prescribed limits, he was to pay five shillings, w^hicli 
 was to be appropriated for the benefit of the town; or, 
 if he fell any more than was required to make his pro- 
 portion of staves, he was to pay the same sum. 
 
 W^e hfive reason to venerate the character of our 
 ancestors. They were not mercenary, or unprincipled; 
 they were not warriors; — they came not with the sword, 
 to exterminate the natives, nor to lay waste their green 
 
 * This Church was the twenty-sixth which was gathered in th<= 
 Colony, and the Town was the twenty-third which was settled. — 
 Pe-mberton's MSB, 
 
28 
 
 and beautiful wilderness, and leave desolation in their 
 path. A firm belief in the power and goodness of the 
 Almighty seems to have governed their actions. This 
 sustained their hearts, and nerved their arms — this 
 made them resolute in trouble, and humble in prayer. 
 In the midst of the wide and unbroken forest, their 
 prayers arose, and their solemn songs were wafted on 
 the same breeze that played on the mountain-top, and 
 among the foliage of the lofty oak. They could kneel 
 on the banks of the babbling brook, or in the deep 
 shade of the trees, to worship. 
 
 It is pleasing to observe the respect and veneration 
 which they showed to Mr. Ward, their Minister, or 
 Teacher, as he was more frequently called. It speaks 
 volumes for the christian virtues of the man, and the 
 moral character of his people. On the 29th October, 
 " all the freeholders being present," they voted that Mr. 
 Ward's land should be "rate free" during his life, if he 
 continued to be their minister. At the same meeting 
 they voted him a salary of forty pounds to be paid in 
 ^' wheat and Indian," and his wood was to be brought to 
 his door, ''and cut and corded." 
 
 At this meeting the first selectmen were chosen; they 
 were Thomas Hale, Henry Palmer, Thomas Davis, 
 James Davis, and William White. 
 
 The following is a list of persons who settled in town 
 as early as this year, and whose names are not before 
 found. Christopher Hughes* Stephen Kent,t Goodman 
 Ormsbie,J George [blank,] John Page, Robert Swan, 
 WilUam Holdrige, John Chenarie, Matthias Button, 
 James Pecker, Edward Clai-k, Peter Aver, Richard 
 Singletary,! George Brown, John Hutchins,! Henry 
 Sawyer, Thomas Ayer, Robert Ayer, Theophilus Shats- 
 well, Goodman Perrijj Isaac Cousins, John Woodin, 
 Robert Clement, jun. 
 
 Goodman was the comm.on appellation among the 
 men, excepting when they addressed their minister, 
 
 * Those iu Italics were not londliolders. 
 
 t Those names which have this mark after them were from New- 
 bury. 
 
 4: " Goodman" was not his given name, but is appUed because 
 tliat i^ not known. 
 
^9 
 
 iTfiagistrate, or any militia officer of a higher grade than 
 Lieutenant; to whom they appUed the title ot^ Mister. 
 Gooclwife, or Goody, were the terms applied to women, 
 excepting when they addressed the wives of those hefore 
 mentioned, whom they called Madam; and the appella- 
 tion, Mrs. was placed before names of both married and 
 unmarried women, when it was written. 
 
 Bartholomew Heath, Daniel Ladd, and Daniel Hen- 
 drick, were made freemen. 
 
 A stray mare was taken up by Robert Clement, sen., 
 and the following is his description of her: — " She is a 
 red sorrell with a little white star in her forhead and a 
 few white haires on her left showlder; she is a mare 
 wich hath bin riden." 
 
 There were four brothers by the name of Ayer; 
 John, Robert, Thomas and Peter. The three former 
 settled near the house now occupied by Capt. John 
 Ayer, 2d ; and the latter settled in the North-westerly 
 part of the town, in the West Parish. Capt. John Ayer, 
 2d, is the sixth generation who has lived on the same 
 spot. Their descendants are very numerous, and are 
 scattered throughout every State of the Union. In 
 1700, it is supposed that nearly one third of the inhabi- 
 tants in this town were of that name. They were a 
 fearless, athletic race of men, and were mostly cultiva- 
 tors of the soil. 
 
 1647. 
 
 13th Feb. John Ayer, sen. and James Fiske, were 
 fined for not attending town meeting in season. 
 
 The inhabitants petitioned the General Court for a 
 tract of land to enlarge the town. The following is the 
 answer of the Court, which was holden at Boston, 27th 
 October: — " In answer to the petition of Haverhill, 
 y^ Courte concieving such vast grants to be greatly 
 prejudicial to y^ publick good, and little if at all advan- 
 
30 
 
 iaoeous to particular townships, apprehending 4 miles 
 square, or such a proportion, will accommodate a suffi- 
 cient tract of land; in such a case thinke meete a Com- 
 mittee be chosen to view the place and returne their 
 apprehensions to y^ next General Courte, to which end, 
 with the petitioners consent, they have nominated Mr, 
 Dummer, Mr. Cailton, John Osgood, and Ensign How- 
 let, or any two of them, provided Ensign Howlet be one 
 to do it.""* 
 
 At this Court a law was enacted, requiring each 
 Town which contained fifty families to establish a free 
 school ; and those vrhich contained one hundred, were 
 ordered to keep a " Grammarschool." 
 
 At this early period the town was destitute of a bell; 
 but to supply this defect they employed a queer substi- 
 tute. It was voted that ''Richard Littlehale should 
 beat the drum on the Lord's day morning and evening, 
 and on lecture days, for which, and also for writing pub- 
 lic orders, he is to have 30 shillings; he is also to beat 
 the drum for town meetings." 
 
 George Davis was presented '' for unseemly conduct 
 tov/ards his first wife's daughter." 
 
 Richard Green was presented for "being drunk." 
 
 John Brown was fined 30s. for striking his wife. 
 
 The Town was presented for being destitute of a 
 ferry. 
 
 This year the settlement began to extend northward. 
 Grants of land were made to Henry Palmer and others, 
 in the plain north of the Pond-meadow. A few houses 
 had been built near the spot where INIr. Hale's Factory 
 now stands; and George Corliss had erected a log house 
 on his farm farther west. 
 
 Thomas Whittier, of Newbury, came into Town and 
 brought a swarm of bees, which were probably the first 
 in the place. They were willed to him by Henry Rolte, 
 of Newbury, who says: " I give to my kinsman, Thomas 
 Whittier, my best swarm of bees." 
 
 Job Clement was made freeman. 
 
 * Richard Dummer, of Newbury: Edward CarUon, of Rowley; 
 John Osgood, of Andover; and Ensign Thomas Howlet, of Ipswich 
 
31 
 
 1648. 
 
 The population of the town had increased so rapidly, 
 that it was thought expedient to erect a house for public 
 worship. Previous to this, it is presumed that they assem- 
 bled alternately in the different houses, for that purpose; 
 and tradition says, that, on pleasant sabbaths, the inhabi- 
 tants were wont to assemble beneath the branches of a 
 large tree, which stood near the burial ground, to listen 
 to their beloved preacher. On the 3d of March, the 
 town voted that " the Meeting House shall stand on the 
 lower knowle at the lower end of the Mill Lot."* The 
 house was erected and finished according to the original 
 design, in the succeeding autumn. It was twenty-six 
 feet in length, twenty feet wide, one story high, and des- 
 titute of a gallery, or cupola. 
 
 A second division of pipestaves was granted, similar 
 to that of 1646. 
 
 Thomas Hale, Henry Palmer, and Thomas Davis, 
 were appointed to try " small causes," under forty shil- 
 lings. 
 
 Hugh Sherrit was put under bonds for good beha- 
 viour. 
 
 At the March term of the Court, the town was 
 again presented for being destitute of a ferry, and was 
 ordered to provide a " suitable boat within six months, 
 or pay a penalty of forty shillings." The town immedi- 
 ately appointed Thomas Hale to keep the ferry, and the 
 price for ferrying was established at '^ one penny for a 
 passenger, two pence for cattel under two yeares old, 
 and four pence for such us were over that age;" it was 
 at the place now called the ferryway. It appears that 
 the inhabitants, before this, passed over the river at the 
 same place, but no regular ferryman was appointed until 
 this year. 
 
 * What was then called the Mill Lot, is the present burial ground, 
 and the adjoining lot, owned by Col. John Woodman. Why it was 
 called by that name, is not positively known; but it is probable that a 
 mill was erected on that stream very soon after the settlement of the 
 town, of which there is no account — and hence the name. 
 
32 
 
 13th Nov. John Ayer and Job Clement were cho- 
 sen grand jurymen. 
 
 " Y^ Courte being informed that the shoulders of 
 Haverill are destitute of any officer to exercise them, 
 it is therefore ordered by this court that all ye inhabi- 
 tants, who have a right to vote in y^ election of officers, 
 to meete and choose sum mete person for the place of 
 sargent to exercise them." This is the first notice we 
 have of a military character; but it cannot be positively 
 ascertained that the order of the Court was put into exe- 
 cution; and, from various circumstances, we are inclin- 
 ed to think that it was not. 
 
 1649. 
 
 The town was ordered by the Court to erect a 
 watch-house, a pound, and stocks, immediately.* 
 
 6th April. The first Constable chosen, was James 
 Fiske, and in the succeeding autumn, he was fined 6s. 
 8d. by the Court, for not returning " the warrants for 
 jurymen in season." 
 
 18th Feb. A part of sour-meadow, so called, was 
 granted to James Davis, sen. and James Davis, jun. 
 
 This year, that part of Rowley called JMerrimack, 
 was settled by John and Robert Haseltine, and William 
 Wild, who had peculiar privileges and immunities. It 
 was incorporated by the name of Bradford, in 1673. 
 What is now Boxford, was then called "Rowley 
 village."! 
 
 * We have never been able to find any vote in the Town-Records 
 relating to the stocks, or whipping-post; perhaps our fathers were 
 ashamed of them, as well they might be. But that such abominable 
 means for miiicting punishment, were erected, and often made use of, 
 is indisputable — for many of our elderly citizens can remember when 
 they stood beside the present Congregational jNleeting-house, a terror 
 to the despiser of thek " blue laws," and a monument of disgrace. 
 
 t Coffin's MSS. 
 
33 
 
 1650. 
 
 About this time two orchards were planted, one by 
 John Clement, and the other by Stephen Kent. As 
 near as can be ascertained, the former was situated a 
 few rods north of the grave-yard, and the latter near the 
 house where Mr. Samuel W. Ayer now lives. 
 
 Two barns were built on the land now called the 
 '' Common," by Bartholomew Heath and Joseph Peas- 
 lee. 
 
 22d May. The bounds between Haverhill and Sal- 
 isbury, were ordered to be laid out by the Court, at the 
 request of the inhabitants of Haverhill; and in December 
 following, Thomas Hale, John Clement, and John Davis, 
 were appointed to " meet the men from Salisbury and 
 lay out the bounds between that town and this." 
 
 14th Oct. The Court passed a law against the '^ in- 
 tolerable excess and bravery" of dress. No person 
 whose estate did not exceed ,£200 was permitted to 
 wear any gold or silver lace or buttons, great [boots, 
 silk hoods, ribbons or scarfs, under a penalty often shil- 
 lings. 
 
 20th Dec. It was voted that the name of every 
 freeholder should be kept in the Town's book, and that 
 he be compelled to attend town meetings, when lawfully 
 warned; — " and having lawful warning he is to come 
 within half an hour after the meeting is begun, and con- 
 tinue till sunset if the meeting hold so long, under the 
 penalty of halfe a bushel of Indian corn or the value 
 of it." 
 
 Considerable land was granted to individuals west of 
 Little River, on the Merrimack; and Hugh Sherrit, 
 Bartholomew Heath, James Fiske, and John Chenarie, 
 had liberty to lay down their land in the plain, "-and 
 have it laid out over Little River, westward." 
 
 Three fourths of an acre and the " clay pitts" were 
 granted to John Hoit, a brick-maker, if he would be- 
 come an inhabitant of the town. This is the first notice 
 we have of the clay pits; they are situated in the West 
 Parish, near Ephraim Corliss, Esqr's. and are now known 
 by that name. It appears that the pits were dug, and 
 
34 
 
 that bricks were made some years before ; but the name 
 of the person who carried on the business cannot be 
 ascertained. 
 
 This year there were forty freemen in town, and 
 nineteen who had taken the oath of fidehty. 
 
 1651. 
 
 22d Sept. George Brown and Daniel Hendrick 
 were appointed to lay out the highway between this town 
 and Salisbury. 
 
 21st Nov. Theophilus Shatswell was appointed to 
 join the men from Rowley, and lay out a road between 
 that town and this. This road was approved of by the 
 Court, at Ipswich, in 1686. 
 
 1st Dec. Isaac Cousins, and others, petitioned the 
 town for liberty to build a saw-mill. Their petition was 
 granted; but they were restricted from using any timber 
 within three miles of the meeting-house, on the common 
 lands, except pine and hemlock ; they were to pay every 
 twelve-hundreth board ^' to the use of the town in Gen- 
 eral;" and the town also reserved to itself the privilege 
 of purchasmg merchantable planks, and boards, at three 
 shillings per hundred. This mill was erected upon Lit- 
 tle River, near the spot occupied by Mr. Ezekiel Hale's 
 Factory; and after that, the stream was known by the 
 name of Sawmill Brook; and is so called by many aged 
 people at this day. 
 
 The inhabitants, whose house-lots extended to the 
 Merrimack, were permitted to " use the bank for a 
 fence." It appears that, in 1643, when the '' accommo- 
 dation grant" was surveyed and laid out, a strip of land 
 adjoining the river, and another running from the river 
 to the spot now occupied by the first Parish meeting- 
 house, and from thence to the present location of Mr. 
 Hale's Factory, was reserved for a road; though no men- 
 tion was made of it in the grant. About this time, the 
 road near Mr. William White's, was laid out; and, for 
 more than a century, it was the principal, or '^ great 
 road," as it was called, which led into the village. 
 
35 
 
 1652. 
 
 7th June. The second division of plough-land was 
 granted and ordered to be laid out, '' after the proportion 
 of four acres to an acre of houselot." This division 
 begun at the head of pond-meadow, and extended north, 
 east, and west, until each person received his due pro- 
 portion. Forty-one persons received accommodations 
 in this division. Five lot-layers were appointed to lay 
 it out, who received two pence an acre for their services. 
 
 7th Sept. The town voted to Mr. Ward, their 
 " Teacher," a salary of fifty pounds. This sum, which 
 would be so inadequate for the support of a clergyman 
 at this period, may be called a liberal salary, when we 
 consider the resources and circumstances of the town. 
 It shows their strong attachment to their pastor, and their 
 desire to promote the christian religion. 
 
 Another curious substitute was provided for a belL 
 Instead of having the drum beaten, it was voted, 'Hhat 
 Abraham Tylor shall blow his horn in the most conve- 
 vient place every lord's day about half an hour before 
 the meeting begins, and also on lecture days; for which 
 he is to have one peck of corn * of every family for the 
 year ensuing." 
 
 Stephen Kent was fined 10s. '' for suffering five In- 
 dians to be drunk in his house of whom one was wound- 
 ed. He is to pay for his cure." He afterwards peti- 
 tioned the Court to diminish his fine, but without suc- 
 cess. 
 
 This year a Mint was established at Boston, for 
 coining silver; the pieces had the word Massachusetts, 
 with a pine tree on one side, and the letters N. E. 1652, 
 and III, VI, or XII, denoting the number of pence, on 
 the other. It is said that the dies for coinage, were 
 made by Joseph Jenks, at the Iron works in Lynn.t 
 
 *Thi3 passage, ''one peck of corn," has often been read '' one 
 pound of pork," and is generally believed to be pork, instead of 
 eorn; but if any person will examine closely, he will find it to read 
 corn, instead of pork. 
 
 t Lewis' Hist, of Lvnn. H, 
 
36 
 
 1653. 
 
 It was voted that '' John Webster should enjoy that 
 SIX acres of accommodation which was formerly granted 
 unto Isaac Cousins, and is now returned into the Town's 
 hands; provided, that the said Jolm Webster live here 
 five years from the last of INIarch next, following the 
 trade of a blacksmith in doing the town's work, when 
 they have occasion." Mr. Webster was the first black- 
 smith in town; he followed the trade, however, but four 
 years, when he returned to Newbury. His brother, 
 Stephen, a tailor, came into town soon after, from New- 
 bury; and is probably the ancestor of the Websters in 
 this place. He was born in Ipswich, and moved with 
 his mother, who married John Emery, sen., to Newbury. 
 He had three brothers and four sisters. His brothers, 
 John and Israel, remained in Newbury, and Nathan 
 settled in Bradford. His mother, Mary, was a sister of 
 Theophilus Shatswell; John, his father, died in Ipswich, 
 about 1642.* The descendants of Stephen are numer- 
 ous as the " leaves on the trees;" they are scattered in 
 almost every city and village in the Union. 
 
 It seems that our ancestors liked the marshal sound 
 of the drum better than the tooting of Abraham Tylor's 
 dinner-horn; for it was this year laid aside, and Edward 
 Clark was ordered to beat the drum again, on the 
 ^' Lord's days and lecture days." 
 
 A second division of meadow was ordered to be laid 
 out, " after the proportion of one acre to two acres of 
 houselot." This division was situated in Spiggot-mead- 
 ow, bordering on Spiggot-River, near the meeting-house 
 in Salem, New-Hampshire. 
 
 The Island " over against the plain," was ordered to 
 be divided. The Island referred to, is the one now 
 owned by David How, Esq., situated three-fourths of a 
 mile below Haverhill bridge. The number of persons 
 who drew lots, was forty-five. 
 
 25th Feb. A third division of upland, or plough- 
 land, was ordered to be laid out; it was situated west 
 and north of west-meadow, in the West Parish. 
 
 * Coffin's MSS. 
 
37 
 
 The wife of John Hutchins was presented for wear- 
 ing a silk hood; but, "upon testimony of her being 
 brought up above the ordinary way was discharged." 
 The wife of Joseph Swett wfts presented at the same 
 time and for the same offence, and was fined 10s. 
 
 It was a general custom of the inhabitants, at this 
 early period, to turn their flocks together into one pas- 
 ture; and we find that James George was appointed 
 herdsman for the town. His salary was twelve shil- 
 lings and six pence per week, to be paid " in Indian 
 corn and butter. * # # * i\q [^ ^q keep y^ heard 
 faithfully as a heard ought to be kept; if any be left on 
 the Sabbath when y® towne worship, they who keepe 
 are to goe y^ next day, doing their best indeavore to 
 find them." He was not permitted to turn his flock into 
 the pasture on the Sabbath, until the " second beating 
 of y^ drum," 
 
 A lot of land, not exceeding four-score acres, was 
 granted to the proprietors of the mill, so long as they 
 kept it in use. 
 
 1654. 
 
 9th Feb. Liberty was granted to Stephen Kent to 
 place a wear in Little River, to catch alewives, or any 
 other fish, if he would sell to the inhabitants of the 
 town " what alewives they stood in need of." This is 
 the first notice v>^e have of the fisheries, which were 
 afterwards carried on to considerable extent. 
 
 A third division of staves was granted. 
 
 13th Dec. Some additions were made to the ox- 
 common, and the whole was ordered to be enclosed with 
 a suitable fence; "and all those that will join in the 
 fencing of it, shall have a proportion in it according to 
 the fence they make and maintain, provided that none 
 shall keep more than four oxen in it." Thirty-four 
 persons assisted to build the fence, and were entitled to 
 keep ninety-two oxen within the enclosure. It was then 
 voted that "the cattel that shall goe in the ox-common 
 
38 
 
 this day granted, shall be only oxen, steers and horses, 
 and no other cattel." This is the first notice we have 
 of an ox-common, though it appears that one was laid 
 out some years previous. The present ox-common, so 
 called, then constituted but a small portion of it. In a 
 few years, the commoners, as they were designated, be- 
 came quite numerous; and long disputes often existed 
 between them and the non-commoners, which, not un- 
 frequently, ended with bloody noses, swollen faces, and 
 a dimness of the optical organs. The commoners held 
 meetings, at which they transacted their business, and 
 there are three large books, consisting of about 260 
 pages each, which contain their proceedings. 
 
 Commissioners v/ere appointed by the General 
 Court, to run the boundary line between Haverhill and 
 Salisbury, as a great mistake was said to have been 
 committed when it was run before. The Court approved 
 of their return; but it appears that the bounds were not 
 permanently settled, and that the parties soon became 
 dissatisfied. We find the following on the Colony files, 
 in May, 1667. " As a fmal issue of all diflerences be- 
 tween the two towns of Haverhill and Salisbury New- 
 town, in reference to their bounds, the Court having 
 lieard what all parties could say therein, judge meet to 
 c'.onfirm the line which was run by the Committee and 
 the agreement of both towns, beginning at a tree near 
 Holt's Rocks, near Merrimack rivers' side, and running 
 up on the ?i. W. line, as they apprehended, to Brandy 
 Brow, and from, thence to Darby Hill, and so to a white 
 pine about a mile farther, marked H. S. and this is to 
 be the dividing line between them." 
 
 3d March. Some repairs were this year made upon 
 the meeting-house, r.nci it was voted that " Thomas Da- 
 vis shall have three pounds allowed him by the town, for 
 to ground-pin and daw^b it; provided that Thomas Davis 
 provide the stones and clay for the underpinnings; the 
 
39 
 
 town being at their own expence to bring y® clay into 
 place for y^ pkistering of the walls up to The beams." 
 
 In 1648, Thomas Hale was ferryman, probably for 
 that year only; and afterward it does not appear that any 
 was appointed; for, at the September term, " Y*^ Courte 
 being informed y^ there is no fery over Merrimack river, 
 at Haverill, the courte orders Robert Haseltine to keepe 
 a fery over the said river; and to have of strangers 4d a 
 person, if they pay presently; and 6d if bookt; and to 
 keepe entertaynement for horse and man, for one yeare, 
 unless the General Court take further orQlers." Robert 
 Haseltine lived on the Bradford shore. 
 
 The Constable, Thomas Davis, carried " Stephen 
 Kent, Matthias Button, a-Butchman, and John Mac 
 Clary, a Scotchman," to Court. 
 
 Considerable difficulty arose between Mr. Ward and 
 a part of his people, concerning his salary, which was 
 thought by the latter to be exorbitant, while he m.ain- 
 tained to the contrary. It seems that the difficulty had 
 become so great, it w^as deemed necessary to call a 
 council of the neighboring clergymen; and we fmd that 
 the Rev. Mr. [blank] Norton, was chosen by the first 
 church in Boston, on the 14th of August, to attend an 
 ecclesiastical council in Haverhill. On the same day 
 the " Council of the Commonwealth took into consider- 
 ation the sad contention and division of the Churches of 
 Salisbury and Haverhill, and thereupon thought it ne- 
 cessary to send certain Eiders and other messengers to 
 compose that difference; which, through the blessing of 
 God, upon their endeavours is in a good measure attain- 
 ed, and their officers * settled amongst them, which 
 greatly concerns the welfare of those two towns. The 
 Court do therefore order the Constable of Haverhill to 
 levy, by way of Rate, on the inhabitants of Haverhill the 
 sum of £12. 19s. for the satisfying of Mr. John Clements 
 
 * JMinisters. 
 
40 
 
 for the charges expended in Haverhill.'^ The like 
 course was pursued with SaUsbury. The Town Re- 
 cords say that, on the 28th of August, it was voted in 
 Council to pay Mr. Ward " fifty pounds;" twenty of 
 which were to be paid in " wheat, Rye, and indian corn." 
 We have not been able to ascertain any further account 
 of the proceedings of this Council, nor of the members 
 who composed it. 
 
 William White was exempted from doing military 
 duty. 
 
 This year, Michael Emerson came into town, and 
 settled, at first, near the house now owned by Mr. Wil- 
 liam White. The grantees told him that, if he would 
 '^ go back into the Vvoods," as they then called it, they 
 would give him a tract of land. He accordingly moved, 
 and settled between Little River and the house now oc- 
 cupied by his descendant, Capt. Nehemiah Emerson. 
 
 Goodman Simons was appointed to keep the ferry 
 on the ^' Great River." If he had only a canoe he was 
 to ferry a single person for two pence, and cattle for 
 four pence a head; but, if he provided a suitable boat, 
 his price should be established at six pence per head 
 for cattle, two pence for sheep and hogs, and three 
 pence for strangers. 
 
 6th March. Liberty was granted to Thomas Hutch- 
 ins to set a wear in the Merrimack, near the falls, for 
 the purpose of catching fish. He was to supply the 
 town w^ith '^ every kind of fish he might catch for what 
 recompence it could afford." The works were to be 
 finished by April, 1659, or the grant was to be consid- 
 ered void. 
 
 It was voted that, if any person moved into town 
 and was not a freeholder, yet partook of the benefits of 
 the ^' church and commonwealth,'^ he should assist in 
 paying the public taxes, according to his " visible es- 
 tate, or by estima.tion. " 
 
41 
 
 17th Jan. A third division of meadow was granted, 
 and ordered to be laid out before the fifteenth of May 
 next, at the rate of half an acre to an acre of accommo- 
 dation. Forty-one persons drew lots in this division. 
 
 At the same meeting it was voted that, if any person 
 had no convenient road to his upland, or meadow, upon 
 his complaint to the town, two men were to be chosen 
 to lay one out, whose charges should be defrayed by 
 the town. 
 
 It appears that the inhabitants suffered considerably 
 for the want of a blacksmith. To obviate this difficulty, 
 a contract was signed by Mr. Ward and nineteen others, 
 in which each agree to pay Mr. Jewett his proportion 
 of twenty pounds, to purchase his house and land, 
 which the contractors gave to John Johnson, " provided 
 he live here seven years, following the trade of a black- 
 smith in doing the town's work; also, the said John 
 Johnson doth promise to refuse to work for any that 
 refuse to pay towards this purchase, untill they bring 
 under the Selectmen's hands that they will pay." This 
 house stood on the ground now occupied by the man- 
 sion of the late Hon. Bailey Bartlett, who is a lineal 
 descendant from John Johnson. He is likewise the an- 
 cestor of the Johnsons in this town. 
 
 Joseph Peasly was fined 40s. by the Court, for 
 beating Peter Brown, and 20s. for abusing Timothy 
 Swan — all to be paid in " corne." * 
 
 * A friend of ours thinks that the sentence of the Court would 
 sound better in the following, which he wrote for us. 
 
 Because you whipped old Timothy Swan, 
 Please pay your fine m indian cojne ; 
 Just twenty shillings must you pay. 
 And that without the least delay. 
 Also, for beating Peter Brown, 
 Pay forty shillings quickly down. 
 4* 
 
4^ 
 
 1650. 
 
 14th Oct. A fourth division of upland was ordered 
 to be laid out beyond Spiggot River, now in Salem, 
 New-Hampshire, at the rate of twenty acres to an acre 
 of accommodation. This division was ordered to be 
 bounded, south by the Merrimack, north by Shatswell s 
 pond west by the town's bounds, and to run eastward 
 until 'the lots were all drawn. It was divided mto forty- 
 nine lots, and forty-six were taken up; they were laid 
 out a mile in length. 
 
 23d Nov. It was ordered that, if a town meetmg 
 was publickly warned on a Lecture day, it should be 
 considered a sufficient notice. It was likewise voted 
 that no man should be taken into the town as an inhabi- 
 tant, or "town dweller, without the consent ot the 
 
 The population had increased so rapidly, that the 
 meeting-house was found too small and inconvenient to 
 accommodate the worshippers. To lessen this evil, the 
 town appointed a committee of four, and gave them 
 power to enlarge and repair the house according to their 
 best discretion; " and to finish it, and make seats in it, 
 and also to sell land for to pay the workmen, not ex- 
 ceeding twenty acres in the cow-common.''* 
 
 27th Nov. Daniel Ladd and Theophilus Shatswell, 
 hadliberty to erect a saw-mill, on Spiggot River. They 
 accordingly-built one, soon after, near tliat which is now 
 owned by Mr. Clement, in Salem, N. H. This was the 
 first mill erected on that stream; and the proprietors of 
 it were obliged to pay live pounds per annum to the 
 
 town. ^ , . 1 /- TT. 
 
 Somntime this year, John Clement shipped for ±.ng- 
 land, and on his outward voyage was cast away and 
 drowned. At the September term, Robert, his brother, 
 applied to the Court to be appointed administrator of his 
 estate. This is the first notice we have of an adminis- 
 
 ^Thi^isthe first nofice we have of a cow-common: it appears 
 that one was laid out, but no record was made of it. llie present 
 as it is called, then constituted a part ot it. 
 
 common, 
 
43 
 
 tratorship, and, for this reason, we have copied the fol- 
 lowing from the Court files. 
 
 ^' John Clements late of Haverhill, bemg by God s 
 providence cast away and dying intestate, the worships 
 ful Mr. Samuel Symonds, and Major General Demzen 
 the Clarke, being present, granted admmistration unto 
 Robert Clements of the estate of John Clements deceas- 
 ed he to bring an inventory to Ipswich Court next, ana 
 then the Court to take further orders." 
 
 In the following year, 10th May, Rober Clement 
 " brought in an accompt to this court of his charges ex- 
 pended in his voiage to England and Iceland, his bro- 
 Iher John, his wife and children; and upon the lequest 
 of his brother Job and Sisters, the court confirmed the 
 administration unto Robert Clements of the estate of his 
 brother John Clements." 
 
 1660. 
 
 .30th August. James Davis and Theophilus Shats- 
 well were chosen "to answer the waiTant of the General 
 Court, concerning the bounds." The town granted 
 them each ten groats a day. v . • 
 
 The town seems to have been rather negligent m 
 providing a regular burial place, though we may F^- 
 sume that the dead were buried on the spot which was 
 afterwards appointed for that purpose. On the 30th 
 November, it' was ordered that the land ''behind the 
 Meeting house should be reserved for a burial ground. 
 
 Ten acres of meadow, and two l^^^ndred acres of 
 upland, were granted for a parsonage, to Mr. Ward and 
 
 his successors. , .i .•4.- r 
 
 A second ox-common was granted to the petition ot 
 six persons. It was situated between Merrie s Creek 
 and a small brook which issues from West-meadow. 
 Eighteen oxen were kept upon it. ,,.,,,,,, • 
 
 The first public school was established about this 
 time- the instructer was Thomas Wasse, whose salary 
 was ten pounds per year. He also taught school m 
 
44 
 
 Chebacco parish, [Ipswich] and at Newbury. He died 
 at the latter place, Aug. 18, 1691. 
 
 Up to this time, a period of twenty years, there had 
 been recorded nineteen marriages, one hundred and 
 thirty-five births, and thirty deaths. 
 
 1661. 
 
 The road near "huckleberry-hill" was laid out. 
 
 The ox-common was divided into two parts; the di- 
 vision line run north and south. Those who lived east 
 of Mill Brook, enjoyed their privileges in the eastern 
 part; and those who lived west of the brook, enjoyed 
 the opposite part. 
 
 A fourth division of meadow was granted, and fifty- 
 one lots were drawn. 
 
 1<I6'2. 
 
 This year the first militia company was organized. 
 William White was chosen Captain, and Daniel Ladd, 
 Lieutenant. So early as 1648, the inhabitants were or- 
 dered by the Court to choose a Sergeant to '^ exercise 
 them." We are very doubtful whether this order was 
 promptly obeyed; but, allovring that it was, no company 
 was collected and organized until this year. 
 
 The town, at this period, was intolerably infested 
 with wolves, that nightly prowled around the farms 
 and destroyed large numbers of sheep. The County 
 and Colony had offered large premiums for every wolf's 
 head ; and this year, the town, to induce the In- 
 dians to assist in destroying so powerful an enemy, 
 voted, " that if any Indian shall kill a wolf in Haverhill 
 bounds, he, or they, shall have for every wolf so killed, 
 forty shillings." 
 
 Michael Emerson was appointed to assist the men 
 from Newbury, to lay out the high-way between that 
 town and this. 
 
45 
 
 Hugh Sherrit was permitted to keep an ordinary, 
 and to sell " strong water and wine by retad."* 
 
 It was voted that there should be a general Town- 
 meeting holden on the first Tuesday of March, annu- 
 ally Previous to this they had no annual meetmg; but 
 each one was generally adjourned to some specified 
 time, and the inhabitants were notified by the selectmen 
 
 The selectmen were authorised to sell a quantity ot 
 land, to pay the expense of building a pound. Ihis 
 was the first building of the kind erected; it was built 
 of wood, and stood nearly in the lot of land now occupi- 
 ed for a grave-yard. 
 
 William Simons was appointed to keep the lerry. 
 
 It was voted that, '' if any man in this town should 
 kill a wolf, or wolves, he shall be paid, by the town, 
 
 forty shillings." r^ -r» j ;i 
 
 Mr John Carlton was chosen Town Recorder and 
 Clerk of the Writs; he continued in office till 1668. 
 
 An old manuscript states that there were sixty-four 
 freemen in town this year; the list begins with Mr. 
 Ward our preacher." ,. , i -j ^„f. u 
 
 Another cow-common was oraered to be laid out, ii 
 extended from Little River to a place then called IN orth- 
 meadow, and from thence to East-meadow. 
 
 ^ It is a fact that our earliest ancestors, when they spoke of 
 ardent spirits, invariably called them " strong water; and jve da 
 not remernber of seeing the words, rum, gm, or brandy, at any peri- 
 od before 1700. The only terms they used, were " strong water 
 and wine." 
 
46 
 
 1065. 
 
 A road was ordered to be laid out from ^' Holts 
 Rocks,"* just below the present Rock's Bridge, to the 
 Country bridge, in the East-meadow. 
 
 It was voted that Mr. Ward, with three others, 
 ''should plan and seat the inhabitants of Haverhill in 
 the seats built in the meeting house." 
 
 " In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Ha- 
 verhill, the Court Judgeth meet to allow and confirm 
 their choice of Mr. Nathaniel Saltonstall to be their 
 Capt. and George Brown to be their Ensign. "| 
 
 Elizabeth Sherrit was licensed to keep an ordinary. 
 
 6th March. A Committee was chosen to lay out a 
 parcel of land on which Mr. Ward might build a barn. 
 It was built on the upper side of Hawke's meadow-brook. 
 Mr. Ward owned a part of that meadow. 
 
 " It was this day voted cind granted, y* John Hutch- 
 ins shall have lybertie to beuld a gallerey at y*' westend 
 of y^ meeting house, and to take any of y^ inhabitants 
 of y6 towne to joyne with him, provided y* he give not- 
 tise to y^ towne wheher he will or noe y^ next training 
 day, soe y* any of y® inhabitants of ye towne y* hath a 
 minde to joyne with him, may give in their naimes; 
 and y^ there is none but y^ inhabitants of y^ towne is to 
 have any interest in y^ said gallerry." 
 
 John Barnard and his wife were fined for incon- 
 tinency; the man was fined £3, and the woman 4s. 
 
 The Court fined John Carlton <£3, for striking 
 Robert Swan '^ several blows, and Robert Swan 30s., for 
 striking John Carlton several blows." J 
 
 * Holt's Rocks were so called from one Nicholas Holt, one of the 
 first settlers of Newbury, and who afterwards settled in Andover. 
 
 t Court Files. 
 
 t The Court determined to make sure work, by fining both 
 parties. Perhaps it would be as well if the Courts of the present day, 
 m such cases, would follow the example. 
 
47 
 
 1667. 
 
 A highway was ordered to be laid out '^ down the 
 valley to Holt's Rocks," and those who made use of it 
 were ordered to keep it in repair. 
 
 -^^^^ 
 
 1608, 
 
 The town continued to be exceedingly jealous for 
 the timber; almost every year a vote was passed for its 
 preservation, and this year, a fine of ten shillings was 
 imposed upon any person, who should fall a white, red, 
 or black oak-tree, within the town's limits, " for staves, 
 heading, logs for boards, or any thing else for transpor- 
 tation, without leave from the Select men h'om year to 
 vear." 
 ' The first General Fast was holden this year. 
 
 John Griffin was permitted to keep the ferry; he 
 lived in Bradford. 
 
 3d March. Nathaniel Saltonstall was chosen lown 
 Recorder and Clerk of the Writs; he continued in office 
 until 1700. 
 
 In answer to a petition, the Court authorised ' Capt. 
 Nathaniel SaUonstall to joyne persons in marriage." 
 
 1669. 
 
 2d March. It was ordered that a list of the voters 
 should be read at every town-meeting, and if any one 
 did not appear and answer to his name, who was law- 
 fully warned, should pay a fine of eighteen pence, 
 which was to be appropriated to the use of the town — 
 ^' any former order to the contrary notwithstanding." 
 
 Upon a complaint made by Mr. Ward for want of 
 wood, it was voted to add ten pounds to his salary, 
 (which was fifty pounds,) and that the selectmen 
 
48 
 
 should annually expend it in procuring him cord-wood, 
 at six shillings per cord. 
 
 3d March. At an adjourned meeting, the town 
 passed the following singular vote: — "The town, by a 
 major vote, did make choice of Andrew Greely, sen., to 
 keep the ferry at Haverhill; provided that he agree and 
 will carry over the Inhabitants of the town, and the in- 
 habitants of the town of Merrimack, [Bradford] over 
 against us, for three pence an horse, and a penny a 
 man; and that he will carry all Ministers over free that 
 come upon visitation to us, and in particular ]\Ir. Symes; 
 and that, if the inhabitants of the town over against us 
 do come over to meet with us on the sabbath days, they 
 shall have the free use of the ferry boat, or boats, for 
 the occasion, without paying any tbing, =?!=*** =jf 
 * * and that he shall give the widow Simons forty 
 shillings." * 
 
 A highway was laid out from Topsfield to Haverhill. 
 
 29th July. A Committee was chosen to build a 
 bridge over Little River, where Hale's Factory now 
 stands. It was voted that, " when any of the Inhab- 
 itants being warned, by one of the Committee, to appear 
 at the works of said Bridge, and cometh not, nor brings 
 with him such implements as he hath fitting for the 
 work, shall be fined as followeth: — for the absence of a 
 man one day, five shillings; for a yoke of oxen, two 
 shillings and sixpence, and so proportionably." This 
 was the first convenient bridge built over the stream; 
 and it appears that all the inhabitants were obliged to 
 contribute a certain portion of labor tov/ards construct- 
 ing it. 
 
 1670, 
 
 1st March. It was resolved that no vote should be 
 valid that was passed after sunset. An excellent regu- 
 lation, and we wish that it had been adopted, and con- 
 tinued in force, in every town. 
 
 * Widow Simons' husband was the former keeper of the ferry. 
 
49 
 
 1671. -;,^.. 
 
 A thatched house, belonging to Matthias Button, 
 was burnt * He was a Dtrtehman, and quite a migrat- 
 ina animal. He lived in the village, in the western part 
 oHhe town, in the eastern, and finally settled near the 
 house now owned by Thomas West, Esq., where his 
 house was burnt. He died in the followmg year. Ihe 
 Rev. Mr.^Cobbett, of Ipswich, called him " old Button. 
 
 7th March. Robert Emerson and his wife, brought 
 an orphan child of Richard and Hannah Mercier's, into 
 the Meeting, and desired the town " to provide for it; 
 which it voted to do. t , • 
 
 Liberty was granted to John Haseltine, or to any 
 other man, to build a corn-mill upon " Sawmill River," 
 or upon the East-meadow River. 
 
 1679. 
 
 7th March. The town, prior to this, had been des- 
 titute of a school-house; but, at this meeting, it ordered 
 one to be built near the meeting-house, which was also 
 used for "a watchhouse, and the entertainment of such 
 persons on the sabbath days as should desire to repair 
 
 thither." 
 
 The Selectmen were ordered to prepare a store-room 
 in the Meeting-house, to secure the town's powder, and 
 '^ all other amunition." ^ , ^ 
 
 Simon and Samuel, two Indians, were fined five 
 pounds by the Court, ^' for stealing Englishmen's horse." 
 Simon made his principal residence in this town, but 
 frequently migrated to Amesbury and Newbury. 
 
 Many of the laws enacted by our ancestors were of 
 a most ludicrous character. Among them, was one, pro- 
 hibiting a man from living alone, or, in other words, 
 forbidding him to five a bachelor; — but John Little- 
 hale, it seemsj^was not afiected by the glowing descrip- 
 
 * Court Records. 
 
50 
 
 tions which the advocates of matrimony would fain im= 
 pose upon the honest bachelor; for we are told that he 
 stoutly resisted this law, and " lived in an house by 
 himself." When, however, he arrived at the age of 
 twenty-two, his neighbors, feeling a friendly concern 
 for his welfare, and a patriotic regard for legal enact- 
 ments, began to think it high time for him to enter into 
 a condition " for better for worse;" and not perceiving 
 that he gave any indications of the matrimonial mania, 
 sued him at the law for living a " solitary life," as ap- 
 pears by the following order of Court : — 
 
 *' At a Courte holden at Hampton, 8th of 8th mo. 
 This Court being informed that John Littlehale of Ha- 
 verhill, liveth in an house by himself contrary to the law 
 of the Country whereby hee is subject to much sin; and 
 having had information of some of his accounts Mhich 
 are in no way to be allow 'd of but disproved and dis- 
 countenanced, doe therefore order that the said John 
 doe forthwith, at farthest, within the time of six weeks 
 next after the date hereof remove himself from the said 
 place and solitary life and settle himself in some orderly 
 family in the said towne and bee subject to the orderly 
 rules of family government in said family (unless hee 
 remove out of the said towne within the time) and if 
 he doe not perform this order as abovesaid then this 
 Courte doth order that the Selectmen doe forthwith or- 
 der and place the said John to bee in some orderly 
 family as abovesaid, which if he shall refuse to submit 
 unto, then these are in his majesties name to require 
 the Constable of said town upon his knowledge of it, or 
 information, to apprehend the person of said John and 
 carry him to the house of correction in Hampton, there 
 to bee kept and sett to work untill hee shall be freed by 
 order of authority; and this order shall bee a discharge 
 and security."* 
 
 * In the remarks which precede this order of Court, it. is stated 
 that there was a law prohibiting a man from living alone, or, in 
 other words, forbidding him to live a bachelor. That there was 
 a law which prohibited a jnan from living alone, is evident from the 
 order itself, which says: — liveth in an house by himself contrary 
 to the law of the Country. We have no knowledge of one 
 ^vhich expressly forbade a nian to live in a state of celibacy, 
 
51 
 
 He probably removed to some " orderly family," 
 but lived a life of celibacy until he arrived at the ad- 
 vanced age of sixty-six, when he married, and became 
 the father of two children. 
 
 The town seems to have been rather parsimonious in 
 paying the Selectmen for their services, — for we iind 
 that it granted them an annual stipend of only fifty 
 shillings, which was to be distributed among them, 
 " to each man according to his services." 
 
 Nathaniel Emerson was admonished by the Court 
 for '^ being in company with Peter Cross, and others, at 
 Jonas Gregory's and drinking of stolen wine." 
 
 1@T4. 
 
 4th March. A viewer of staves and boards was ap- 
 pointed, — the first of which we have any account. — 
 At the same meeting a person was hired to sweep the 
 Meeting-house. 
 
 4th July. The bounds of Haverhill were again run. 
 
 Robert Swan was fined 20s. for ''being drunk and 
 cursing." 
 
 Michael Emerson was fined 5s. " for his cruel and 
 excessive beating of his daughter with a fiayle swingel, 
 and kicking of her." 
 
 though the law, which prohibited him from Hving a " solitary life," 
 in this case, was made to bear upon that point. John Littlehale, 
 for aught that can be found, was a man of good morals; and this is 
 the only time that he was prosecuted — at least, we can find no other 
 order against John Littlehale upon the Court Files. Why then 
 was he prosecuted ? — because he was guilty of living a " solitary 
 life;" or, in other words, (the remark may he safely applied in this 
 case) of living without the pale of matrimony. These statements 
 are made, because the remarks which precede the order have been 
 objected to by one or two persons whose opinions we highly value. 
 
52 
 
 The town still continued to be very jealous for its 
 timber. At a meeting holden on the 4th of February, 
 a long act was passed, forbidding any person to cut tim- 
 ber of any description on the common, for the purpose 
 of transportation, under the penalty of 20s. 
 
 It was voted that the annual town-meetings should 
 be holden on the last Tuesday in February, instead of 
 the first Tuesday in March. 
 
 19th Feb. The inhabitants began to think seriously 
 of taking measures to defend themselves from the In- 
 dians. It appears that a fortification was built around 
 the Meeting-house some years previous; but, owing to 
 the open and peaceable conduct of the savages, it was 
 suffered to fall into decay. They had heretofore lived 
 in security, and it seems that an unrestrained intercourse 
 had existed between many of them and the natives. 
 They old I^Ot hesitate to mingle with them, and even to 
 admit them into their dwellings; but the Indians now 
 began to show symptoms of hostility, and the whole 
 town became considerably alarmed. At a meeting 
 warned expressly for the purpose of concerting measures 
 to prevent the threatened danger, it w^as voted that "the 
 Selectmen shall forthwith cause the fortifications (around 
 the Meeting-house) to be finished, to make port holes in 
 the walls, to right up those places that are defective and 
 likely to fall, and to make a flanker at the east corner, 
 that the work, in case of need, may be made use of 
 against the common enemy." At the same time, Dan- 
 iel Ladd, Peter Ayer, and Thomas Whittier, were ap- 
 pointed to designate what houses should be garrisoned; 
 and the " old brush and top wood" on the common, was 
 ordered to be burnt. 
 
 Two daughters of Hanniel Bosworth were fined 10s, 
 each, for wearing silk. The fine was remitted in 1677. 
 
 Hannah Button was sentenced by the Court to be 
 whipped, or pay a fine of 40s. for misdemeanors. Dan- 
 
53 
 
 iel Ela was fined 10s. for '^swearing," and 2s. for his 
 '^reviling speeches." 
 
 1676. 
 
 The Selectmen were ordered to remove the pound 
 from the grave-yard, to a "more suitable and conve- 
 
 ""IriXe before this, the General Court passed a 
 law prohibiting the Indians from gomg a mile ^^^^ ^h^^^ 
 wi-wams This year they were permitted to gather 
 ^"clr^'nuts and o^her nuti in the wilderness," if two 
 white men went with each company, whose charges 
 were to be borne by the Indians. 
 
 ^d May Ephraim Kingsbury was killed by the In- 
 dians He, it is believed, was the first person slam m 
 'his town b; the savages; but the incidents connected 
 with his death are buried m oblivion. 
 
 On the 3d of May, Mr. Thomas Kimball of Brad- 
 ford, was killed by the Indians; and ^^^ wife Mary, and 
 five children, Joanna, Thomas Joseph, P^sc^Ua ^^^ 
 John, were captivated.* The Indians were led on by 
 Simo'n, an Indian, who made his principal residence m 
 this town, t 
 
 *'Rpv Gardner Perry's Discourse. ^ ,. u 
 
 tit s'eems that Mrs^ Kimball soon after returned from her cap- 
 tivity but by what means, we have not ascertamed. Probably her 
 S^nllso^rlrr^ed, as Mr. Perry says -thing to t-^^^^^^^^^^ 
 Soon after Mrs. Kimball's return, she addressed the tollovvmg pen 
 fion to the Governor and Council, which is correctly copied from the 
 original. 
 
 ""^^Th/ S;if ;etr: :fMarTKfball sheweth that Simon the 
 Indiln wL k led'Cl-band, /homas Kimball, hath threatened to 
 Mil me aud my children if ever I goe to my own house so that 1 
 dale not L to looke after what little I have there left, for fear of 
 mTlife bein- taken away by him; and therefore, doe humbly entreate 
 he Hon Governor and Councell that some course may be taken as 
 God shall direct, and your wisdoms shall think best, to secure him; 
 for I am in continual fear of my life by him; and if any course may 
 be tZn for the recovery of what is yet left m their hands of my 
 
54 
 
 1677. 
 
 The property of Hugh Sherrit, an old man whose 
 name is attached to the deed, was illegally taken from 
 him; and he was obliged to apply to the town for sup- 
 port. The town agreed with Peter Brown to keep him 
 for five shillings per week, one moiety of which was to 
 be paid in breadstuff, and the other in meat. We should 
 suppose that money was a scarce article in those days, 
 for the principal currency of the town was grain, butter, 
 meat, or land. We copy the following, believing it will 
 be interesting to many of our readers. 
 
 "Upon Peter Brown's conclusion to keep Hugh 
 Sherrat, a motion was made to the inhabitants to know 
 who would lend corn, or meat, to the town, for the sup- 
 ply of Hugh Sherrat; and they to be paid by the next 
 town rates; and several engaged as followeth: — Robert 
 Emerson, Bacon; Joseph Emerson, Beef, 61b.; Daniel 
 Ela, Beef, 121b.; Samuel Gile, Beef, 61b.; Henry 
 Kingsbury, Indian, 1*; John Page, jun. 1 Ind. and 
 meat, 2lb.; Thomas Eaton, 18lb. meat or corn; Robert 
 Ford, jun. 1-2 Indian; Bartholomew Heath, Pork, 4lb.; 
 Thomas Davis, Pork, 41b. Butter, lib.; Michael Emer- 
 son, Pork, 4lb.; Thomas Whittier, Turnips, 1 ; Rob- 
 ert Ayer, Pork, 61b.; Daniel Hendrick, meat, 21b.; 
 Peter Ayer, 31b. meat, or corn; Thomas Ayer, jun. lib. 
 meat." 
 
 Daniel Ela was licensed to keep an ordinary for one 
 year; but the small pox breaking out in his family, he 
 was unable to sell his liquors, and he petitioned the 
 Court, at the fall term, to extend his license. The 
 Qourt gave him liberty to sell " wine, liquore, Beere, 
 Cyder, and provisions to horse and man, or travilers in 
 Haverhill." 
 
 Bartholomew Heath was presented for "two acts of 
 drunkenness." 
 
 goods that they have not destroyed (as there was two kittells and 
 two or three baggs of linnen when I came from them) that I might 
 have it restored, leaving myself and my concemes under God, to your 
 wisdoms. Remaine your humble suppliant. Mary Kimball." 
 
 * Meaning one bushel of Indian Com. 
 
55 
 
 At this time there was but one Post Office in Mas- 
 sachusetts Colony, which was at Boston. John Hay- 
 ward was appointed Post Master for the Colony, on the 
 3d December. 
 
 1678. 
 
 23d Dec. Benjamin Page, a child 4 years of age, 
 was so scalded with hot water, that he died in a few 
 hours. 
 
 1679. 
 
 24th Feb. The town passed the following vote: 
 
 *^Upon the request of Benjamin Webster and Samuel 
 Parker, two young men and shooemakers, that the towne 
 would give them libertie to live in this towne to follow 
 the trade, having hired a house to that end; the towne 
 by then- vote doe grant their motion, and accept of them 
 so as to live in towne and follow the trade of shooemak- 
 mg." 
 
 We have taken considerable pains to ascertain the 
 name of the first shoemaker, and the time he came into 
 town; but we have not been able to learn that any worked 
 at the trade before this, and we are inclined to think that 
 Benjamin Webster and Samuel Parker, were the first 
 who had served a regular apprenticeship at the trade 
 and estabhshed themselves in this town. No doubt 
 shoes were made many years before this, but probably 
 every farmer could cobble a little, and almost every 
 man was a cobbler. "^ 
 
 1680. 
 
 Peter Pette was presented for being "absent from 
 his wife several years." We cannot blame him much 
 tor It IS believed, that she was a termagant creature^ 
 
5Q 
 nnd a common scold. la the following year he was 
 
 ""Daniel Ela was fiaed 10s. for selling " drink" with- 
 
 ""'MrlvS-d, the hardv and fearless pioneer of civili- 
 zation into the untrodden wilderness of P™tucket,- 
 whose'voke first sounded the praises and J»dg"^em^ °[ 
 the unse^ but terrible Jehovah, on the then shaded 
 banks of he beautiful Merrimack,-had now become 
 sea ed and decrep.d wUh age. Time had ?^o^ 
 
 r^So^t^'^tur^ef^:.'-^ 
 
 ed the blasts of an hundred wmters, and ^U ose t.unk ^s 
 silently but rapidly crumbhng to the dust. It vvas 
 d emi^d cxpedie'nt iy the town to P'ocu.^ an ass^^^t 
 for him and a committee was chosen fm that pm pose 
 The ™le reads thus:-" And taking the advice of ou 
 present minister, to look out for, to agree - '>, a"^ P'-o 
 raTe- S r MV^Tarrfur InKr in 
 hfs old a|e in the' work of the ministry m preachmg. 
 
 1681. 
 
 o4th June A gallery was ordered to be immediate- 
 
 ,, ^^. "^n:lli" '^CitrharnS 
 
 accommodation of the ^^«^^"- ^^^n to accom- 
 
 ent? But it was voted down, to use the woru» 
 ~It will be vecoUected that John Hutohins was permitted to buUd 
 a gallery in the west end. 
 
d7 
 
 Recorder, — '^ by the additional and wilful votes of many 
 prohibited by law from voting." 
 
 The town officers had generally been chosen by 
 nomination, but it was this year voted that the select- 
 men should be chosen in future, ^' by the putting in of 
 papers." 
 
 1683. 
 
 The inhabitants extended an invitation to Rev. Jere- 
 miah Gushing, of Hingham, to settle among them as an 
 assistant to Mr. Ward. Not hearing any thing from 
 him, a messenger was ordered to be despatched immedi- 
 ately to procure his answer, or, "to get him to bring it 
 himself" On the 13th of November, "at a general 
 town-meeting called by the Selectmen to treat further 
 in order about the settlement of Mr. Jeremiah Gushing, 
 Thomas Whittier was chosen Moderator, who, declar- 
 ing his inability to serve through sickness, was discharg- 
 ed, and Mr. William White was legally chosen Modera- 
 tor for this present meeting* — nomine contradicente vel 
 aiium proponente. 
 
 Thus the French King, with twenty thousand men. 
 Went up a hill, and then came down agam. 
 
 The meeting for the time is at an end." 
 
 This was all that was effected at the meeting; no 
 vote was passed, but we conclude that there was consid- 
 erable discussion, and probably it was rather violent. 
 The excitement appears to have been great, and Mr. 
 Gushing very wisely refused to accept of their invita- 
 tion. 
 
 A committee was chosen to re-build the bridge over 
 Lijttle River, it "being by the great flood of waters 
 much damnified." 
 
 Daniel Ela was prosecuted by his wife, and the 
 Court ordered him to pay her 40s. 
 
 John Page was licensed to keep an ordinary; and 
 at the next Court he was fined 40s. for selhng " drink 
 to Indians." 
 
 William White was licensed to sell cider for three 
 years, 
 
5^; 
 
 58 
 
 11183, 
 
 The people began to talk considerably of building a 
 new Meeting-house, but there was great dissention 
 concerning the spot on which it should stand. One 
 party strenuously contended that the site of the old one 
 was the most convenient, while the other, which was 
 much the strongest, as strenuously opposed it. At a 
 meeting holden on the 13th of June, a question was put 
 to vote, " whether the order of the town made March 
 3, 1648, for the settlement of the meeting house place, 
 should be adhered unto, and the house to be continued 
 there?" A paper was presented to the Moderator, 
 signed by fifteen persons, who were in favor of having 
 the new house erected where the old one stood; and 
 another was presented, signed by twenty-seven persons, 
 who were opposed to it. On the margin of the last 
 paper, was the following note: — " We, the above writ- 
 ten, are not for, but against the setling of a meeting 
 house where the meeting house now stands, forever- — 
 but, that the meeting house that now is may stand as 
 long as convenient." It was something like settling a 
 minister for life. 
 
 A complaint was made against John Keezar, for 
 keeping his tan-vats open, by which means, some cattle* 
 and swine belonging to his neighbors, had been destroy- 
 ed. '' The Moderator, in y^ name of y^ towne, did pub- 
 liquely give s*i Keezar a caution — warning and admon- 
 ishing him upon his perill to secure his tan-yard and tan 
 fatts that no damage be done by him, to other mens or 
 his owne creatures; and in speciall that mischeif may 
 not come unto children, w^<= may occasion his owne life 
 to come upon triall." 
 
 Daniel Ela, who was a coarse, unprincipled, hard 
 hearted man, w^as prosecuted by William White, for 
 turning his wife out of doors in a snow-storm, and 
 shamefully abusing her. The following deposition of 
 one of his neighbors, will exhibit his character. — 
 '' Goodman Ela said that Goodman White was an old 
 knave, and that he would make it cost him souse for 
 coming to him about his wife, and meddling about that 
 
59 
 
 which was none of his business. He said that she was 
 liis servant and his slave; and that she was no woman, 
 but a devil in woman's apparel; and that she should 
 never come into his house again; and that he would 
 have her severely whipped, but that it would be a dis- 
 grace to him." 
 
 Another deposition said that Ela called his wife a 
 
 ^'^ h," and she returned the compliment by calling 
 
 him a '^roirue." 
 
 1684. 
 
 27th Oct. A third committee was chosen, consist- 
 ing of '^ Corporal Peter Ayer, Corporal Josiah Gage, 
 and Robert Swan," to procure a minister. 
 
 More respect was shown to the office of a corporal, 
 by our unsophisticated fathers, than is now shown to 
 that of a General. 
 
 Abraham Whittaker and his wife were presented, for 
 '' absenting themselves from the public service of God 
 on the Lord's day." 
 
 Simon Wainwright was permitted to sell " liquors 
 out of doors." 
 
 1685. 
 
 24th Jan. This was an exceeding cold day; in Bos- 
 ton it was " so cold y^ sacremental bread was frozen 
 pretty hard and rattled sadly in y^ plates."* 
 
 23d Feb. The act allowing 40s. for every wolfs 
 head, and which was continued till now, was repealed; 
 for, having heard that Amesbury people had repealed 
 theirs a short time previous, it was supposed that it 
 might be a temptation, if continued, for many to assert 
 that the woK was killed in Haverhill, rather than in 
 Amesbury; or to decoy and kill it, within the bounds, 
 to obtain the reward. We hardly think these men 
 (deemed it good policy to place temptations before a per- 
 
 \ 
 
 ■"■ Sewall's Diary. 
 
60 
 
 son, to see how long and how well he would resist them 
 —at least, they were unwilling to try it m this case. 
 
 James Chadwick was hired to keep the school; he 
 was the second master. 
 
 The Colony laws were promulgated by beat ot drum. 
 
 The town petitioned the Court for liberty to put 
 *^ the vonge ones to sarvice, such as are not able to 
 maintaine themselves." The petition was granted n 
 they could obtain the approbation ot the " \\ orshipiul 
 Nath'l Saltonstall Esq." , 
 
 The road from Amesbury to this place, was laid out 
 by order of the town. The following is a synopsis of 
 the return of the Committee appointed for that purpose. 
 -We have laid out, and sufficiently marked, the Coun- 
 try hicrhway between Haverhill and Amesbury, four 
 rods wide, lying from Amesbury meeting-house to the 
 widow Bette's; from thence to country Bridge in the 
 east-meadow, and from thence to the meeting-house 
 A part of this route was travelled long before this, and 
 was frequently called a ''bridleway." 
 
 1686 
 
 We find the following among the records of deaths, 
 births and marriages:-" Ehzabeth Emerson, smgle- 
 woman, had Dorothy, born April .10-86; and a second 
 time though never married. Twins, born May 8-91 
 X'were^oth made away with pnvately, and fou d 
 dead May 10—91." The Recorder then says:— The 
 Mother ky long in prison, but at the long run, m he 
 yef 169l' as f take I, was executed at Boston for the 
 murthering of the two babes, or one of them. T 
 
 ""1 TretecJ^deTis correct. The author has seen a record of her 
 trial In^lf:^ over the evidences,,, and con and - one can m. 
 ncrine anv thin*- more obscene than many of them, i^ie aeea lor 
 Sh The sufi?.red, was truly horrid; but the -an who wa^^ .r^med 
 and named Samuel Ladd, by what could be collected tiom the e^i 
 deles was equally guilt}; at least he was no better at heart, and he 
 sS'ehher have been Lecuted at her side, or severely punished. 
 Si of which, however, was done, as the author can learn. 
 
61 
 
 1687. 
 
 It was ordered that no '^ dams or wards" should be 
 built across Sawmill, or any other river, so as to stop 
 the free passage of the fish. 
 
 A bounty of 15s. was voted to any person, who should 
 kill a full grown wolf within the town's bounds. 
 
 The town deeming it expedient, " for the sake of 
 back, belly and purse"— so says the Recorder — to keep 
 a stock of sheep, empowered the Selectmen to provide a 
 place in the outskirts of the town, where they might be 
 conveniently pastured. They were to warn the inhab- 
 itants to appear at the designated spot, with suitable 
 tools, to clear it of the wood and brush, and prepare it 
 for the above purpose. Any person who was warned, 
 and did not appear accordingly, was to pay a fine of 
 two shillings per day. 
 
 25th Oct. Richard Singletary died, aged 102 years. 
 
 1688. 
 
 It is evident, from the language of the Recorder, 
 that some epidemic prevailed about this time, though 
 we have no other account of it. He says: — *' it being 
 apparent that, by the death of many persons in this town, 
 some of the seats are thined in the meeting house." 
 The Selectmen were ordered to place other persons in 
 their seats. 
 
 The Selectmen, or some other persons, were gener- 
 ally appointed to seat the people in the meeting-house* 
 A few only, enjoyed pews, or seats, exclusively for 
 themselves; and this privilege was generally confined 
 to the most wealthy and respectable. The two sexes 
 were not permitted to seat themselves promiscuously in 
 the house of worship; but the males occupied one part, 
 and the females the other. Our ancestors were sedate, 
 orderly, and sober-spoken men, who loved to follow the 
 rules of decorum in all things, deeming it almost an un- 
 
62 
 
 pardonable sin for men to ogle the women and be seated 
 elbow to elbow with them, in the house of God. t.ould 
 they have had the power of looking into futurity, and ot 
 ^eeins their degenerate posterity assembled to worsmp, 
 as is now the custom— the well-dressed and sober hus- 
 band beside his meek and comely wife, and the beardless 
 Touth beside the blushing and innocent maiden— how 
 'would their hearts have been pained to see them wan- 
 dering so carelessly from the paths which they had de- 
 voutlv and perseveringly trod. 
 
 16S9. 
 
 About this time there was a revolution in the govern--^ 
 ment of the Colony, and the Council, - for the safety ot 
 tlie people and the preservation of peace, w nch was 
 .^onvened at Boston, on the 2d of May, deemed it expe- 
 dient to hold a consultation with the people generally. 
 \ circular was sent to each town, advising it to choose 
 -some discreet person, or persons, not exceedmg two 
 to assemble at Boston on the 9th inst. at two o clock 
 P M The town met on the sixth, and made choice ot 
 l\ir. Peter Aver to represent it in the Council 
 ^ A question was agitated at a meetmg holden on the 
 o4th of jMarch, about the state of the town, and its abil- 
 ity to defend itself against the enemy. But little, how- 
 ever, was said, and the meeting was adjourned suie die. 
 The Indians, for some time past, had been hovering 
 ever the town in such a mamier as kept the inhabitan s 
 in continual alarm. Small parties were almost daily 
 vecn traversing the adjacent woods, and sly^' approach- 
 in' he farm-houses in search of plunder. The Iriendly 
 infercourse that had existed so maiiy y^^^"^ .between 
 them was broken, and open hostility succeeded. So 
 early as 1675, the fortifications around the meeting- 
 house were repaired, and in the following year we find 
 that Ephrain. Kingsbury was ^^-^^ ^ut \t ^I^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 summer of this year that they commenced the .^o.ko^^ 
 
 murder and desolation in good earnest Jh? *^;"4 
 ^ava-e sharpened his knife and tomahawk for the ^^olk 
 
ss 
 
 of blood, and glutted his imagination with the atrocities 
 he should commit. The war began — the fierce and in- 
 human contest on the part of the savages. It proceed- 
 ed, and what deeds of valor were performed — what acts 
 of cliivalry graced the lives of our Fathers! The plaid- 
 ed Higldander, armed with his claymore and battle-axe, 
 was not more heroic; the stern and determined patriot, 
 who rallied beneath the banner of Wallace, was no bra- 
 ver; the enthusiastic Crusader, who fought and bled on 
 the plains of the Holy Land, never exhibited a more 
 fearless and undaunted spirit. Some of their deeds have 
 been emblazoned on the page of history; but many 
 of them, until novv^, have been permitted to rust hi 
 obscurity. 
 
 There was but little genuine bravery among the sav- 
 ages; and in fact, v/e do not recollect one instance of 
 the kind, on their part, where pure, high-souled and 
 chivalrous courage was displayed, during the whole war, 
 a period of nearly thirty years. But they were gener- 
 ally cruel, vindictive and treacherous. Such aged and 
 infirm persons as were unable to perform a journey 
 through the wilderness, were generally despatched. In- 
 fants, soon as they became troublesome, had their 
 mouths filled with burning embers, or their brains dash- 
 ed out against the nearest stone, or tree. But we have 
 one thing to record which speaks highly in their favor; 
 that is, the modesty with which they generally treated 
 their captive women. We do not recollect of but one 
 instance * where they attempted to abuse their chastity 
 in word, or action. | 
 
 *This was in the case of Mrs. Hannah Dustin, when her captovs 
 told her that she, and her companions, must be stripped naked, 
 and ran the gauntlet. 
 
 t Testimonies in favor of the savages, in this particular, are very 
 frequent. Mary Rowlandson, who was taicen prisoner at Lancaster 
 in 1675, says in her narrative, (page 55,) — " I have been in the 
 midst of these roaring hons and savage bears, that feared neither 
 God nor man, nor the devil, by day and night, alone and in com- 
 pany, sleeping all sorts together, and yet not one of them ever offer- 
 ed me the least abuse of anchastity in word or action." Elizabeth 
 Hanson, who was captured in Dover, in 1724, says in her naiTative, 
 that " the Indians are very civil towards their captive women, not 
 ofiering any incivility by any indecent carriage." Charlevoix, speak- 
 
64 
 
 Haverhill was a frontier town for nearlj seventj 
 years, and but few towns suffered so severely from the 
 Indians. At this period, we can have but a faint con- 
 ception of the sufferings of the inhabitants. Surrounded 
 with an immense and mostly unexplored forest — thinly 
 scattered over a large tract of land — and constantly ex- 
 posed to the attacks of savage hordes, are circumstances 
 which have made us wonder, why they should continue 
 to march onward and onward into the wilderness, ter- 
 rific for its extent, and unfurl the banner of civilization 
 under the very shadow of the enemy's wigwam. The 
 contests between them and the savages, were not like 
 those between civilized nations; but it was a war for 
 extermination on one side, characterized with acts of the 
 basest cruelty and revenge, and for defence on the 
 other. The foemen frequently fought hand to hand; 
 the bloody frays were frequent and sometimes long. 
 
 The Indians made their attacks slyly, and cautiously 
 approached their enemy by skulking behind the inter- 
 vening objects, until they came so near that they felt 
 perfectly sure of their victim. At other times, they 
 would fall upon the inhabitants before the break of day, 
 and ba:;|)arously slaughter them while they were unpre- 
 pared to defend themselves. The people always went 
 armed to their daily labor, and on the sabbath they were 
 seen on their way to the Church, with a psalm-book in 
 one hand, and a gun, loaded and primed, in the other. 
 But even then, while kneeling beneath the roof of the 
 sanctuary, they were not safe; if they went into the 
 fields at noontide, with their spades and mattocks, their 
 foes were behind them; if they slept within their 
 dwellings v/hen the sun had gone down, the darkness 
 would not protect them; but ere the light had stole 
 upon the east, their blood, and the blood of their belov- 
 ed, might pool together upon their hearths. In sum- 
 mer and winter, at the budding and searing of the leaf, 
 they were alike exposed to hardships and to death. 
 
 Some of the most heroic deeds accomplished by the 
 inhabitants of this town, were performed by women, — 
 
 ing of the Indians of Canada, says, (letter 7.) "there is no example 
 that any have taken the least liberty witli the Freuch women, even 
 when they were their prisoners/* 
 
65 
 
 by those whose limbs were not made to wield the wea- 
 pons of war — whose hearts could never exult in a pro- 
 fusion of blood — and whose sphere of usefulness, of 
 honor and of glory, was in the precincts of the domestic 
 circle. Giddy, thoughtless and fearful as she often ap- 
 pears, there are times when these characteristics arc 
 laid aside, and she clothes herself with a steadiness, a 
 thoughtfulness, and courage, which equals, and often- 
 times surpasses, the same qualities in man. 
 
 8th July. Henry Barnsby, a young man living willi 
 Benjamin Singletary, was drowned. 
 
 A small party of Indians, on the 13th of August, 
 made their appearance in the northerly part of the town, 
 and killed Daniel Bradley. "^ They then went to the 
 iield of TsTathaniel Singletary, where he, and his oldest 
 son were at work. They approached in their slow and 
 serpent-like manner, until they came within a few rods 
 of them, when they shot Mr. Singletary, who fell and 
 died on the spot; his son then attempted to escape, but 
 was quickly overtaken and made prisoner. The Indians 
 than scalped Mr. Singletary, and commenced a hasty 
 retreat; but their prisoner soon eluded their vigilance, 
 and returned to his home, on the same day, io make 
 glad the hearts of his afflicted relatives. They again 
 made their appearance on the 17th of October, when 
 they wounded and made prisoner, Ezra Rolte, who 
 died on the 20th. 
 
 Two sons of Robert Swan, sen., Samuel and Josh- 
 ua, went into the orchard of Simon Wainwright and cut 
 down some of his best' appletrees. The boys were 
 arrested and brought before Major Nathaniel Salton- 
 stall for examination. But the father wished that they 
 might be examined before some other person, for he bit- 
 
 *0n the 30th of September, 1690, the following petition of his 
 son, Daniel, was addressed to the Court, which we have copied from 
 the original manuscript. 
 
 *' To the honord cortt now siting att ipswige this may signify to 
 your honors that whereas by the prouvidence of God my father Dan- 
 iel Bradly was slaine by the hand of the heathen and left no will as 
 to the deposing of his outward estatte I request his brother Joseph 
 may be apointed administrator.. Dx\NIEL BRADLY." 
 
 This request was granted. 
 6* 
 
66 
 
 terly hated the Major, and wrote him the following letter 
 on the occasion, which we copy from tJie original. 
 
 " Dec 16 1689 the hon Major saltonstall is quire 
 i understand there is a contrivance in towne to bring my 
 boys y^ bee onder my government sanmel and Joshua 
 before youre honer for exsamminasion for mischief don 
 bv somebody upon Simon wainwrits estate which i doe 
 forbid and forwarn youre honers having any thing to doe 
 with the exsamminasion of theas my boys but i am willing 
 mr simon wainwrigt should have them to any other mag- 
 istraticali athority for exsamminasion if: he pleas and 
 then i shall bee 'in hops y« exsamminasion will not be 
 altord when it comes to corte as witnesse my hand 
 ROBERT SWAN sen." 
 There is but one mark of punctuation in the whole 
 letter, and that is after sen.; still it is a biting thing as 
 ever was written, and indirectly charged the Major with 
 altering the tenor of the examination before it vias pre- 
 sented^to Court. It was too foul an insult to be given 
 to a magistrate, unless it could be supported by positive 
 proof; and the I\Iajor considered it too important to be 
 overlooked. Accordingly on the ITth of February fol- 
 lowing, he entered a complaint to the Court, against 
 Robert Swan, sen., ''for a high contempt of authority, 
 and endeavoring to hinder him in the execution of his 
 office as Magistrate, and casting abominable wicked 
 reflections upon him to y^ high defamation of his name." 
 
 1690. 
 
 Near the close of the last year, Rev. Benjamin 
 Rolie, a native of Newbury, began to preach, and assist 
 jNIr. Ward in other parochial duties. The town voted 
 him a salary of forty pounds, during Mr. Ward's life, in 
 wheat, rye, and Indian. There was a strong opposition 
 to this nieasure, and three lines recorded at the bottom 
 of the vote, were blotted out by order of the town. 
 Having again met in the afternoon, this vote was revis- 
 ed, and another passed, in the absence of " Mr. Ward 
 and his son Saltonstall." The marginal reference to it 
 
67 
 
 says:--'^<£20 taken from Mr. Ward for Mr. Roife's^ 
 diet in — 90 without consent." 
 
 The inhabitants grew more and more alarmed on 
 account of the Indians, and, on the 7th of April, a meet- 
 ing was called to provide means for their safety, when a 
 petition was ordered to be drawn up and presented to 
 the General Court, requesting a company of forty men 
 at " the Country's charges, as this was a frontier town, 
 — to be on constant service, and stationed without the 
 outmost garrisons, so as to watch the enemy and pre- 
 vent any surprise, or give notice to others within, that 
 they may be encouraged to do somewhat in order to 
 future livelihood, and, in case of need, to stand for their 
 lives." 
 
 Six garrisons were appointed, and ordered to be 
 kept in a state of defence; and four houses were ap- 
 pointed for refuge, then called "houses for refuge." 
 One of the garrisons was commanded by Sergeant John 
 Haseltine. A part of the house is now standing, and is 
 occupied by Mr. Samuel Pecker."* He had seven men 
 under his command: — Onesiphorus Marsji, sen., Onesi- 
 phorus Marsh, jun., Nathaniel Haseltine, Eben Web- 
 ster, Joseph Holt, Thomas Ayer, and Joseph Bond. 
 Another was commanded by Sergeant John Webster; this 
 is supposed to be the brick house which stands on the 
 bank of the river, three fourths of a mile east of the 
 bridge, and is now occupied by Widow Nathaniel Whit- 
 tier. He had eight men under his command: — Stephen 
 Webster, Samuel Watts, Nicholas Brown, Jacob Whit- 
 taker, John Marsh, Robert Ford, Samuel Ford, and 
 Thomas Kingsbury. The third was owned and com- 
 manded by Jonathan Emerson; a part of it is now- 
 standing, a few rods west of the house now occupied by 
 Capt. Nehemiah Emerson, and is owned by Mr. Jona- 
 than K. Smith. The fourth was commanded by James 
 
 * This garrison was owned by Onesiphoms Marsh, sen., who is 
 the ancestor of those of that name in this town. The first notice we 
 have of him, is in 1684, when he built a house a few rods north of 
 that owned by Mj, Pecker. He owned the principal part of that hill, 
 and for many years it was known by the name of Marsh's hill. The 
 name was generally spelt Mash. Another account states that the 
 garrison was commanded by Jonathan Marsh. 
 
68 
 
 Ayer; it stood nearly opposite to the house now occupi- 
 ed by Capt. John Ayer, id. The fifth was commanded 
 by Joseph Bradley, and was situated in the northerly 
 part ot^the town, not iar from the house of the late Zeb- 
 ulon Sargent; jt was long since torn down, and no traces 
 of it now remain. The sixtli was owned and command- 
 ed by Capt. John White; and Avas situated near the 
 house now owned by Mr. William White, lie had six 
 men under his command: — Stephen Dow, scn.y Stephen 
 Dow, jun., John Dow, Edward Brumidgo, Israel Hen- 
 drick, Israel [JMS. defaced] jun. Two brick houses, 
 belonging to Joseph and iVathaniel Peaslee, in the eas- 
 terly part of the town, the houses of Major Nathaniel 
 Saltonstall and Capt. Simon Wainwriglit, were appoint- 
 ied for houses of refuge.* A lew soldiers were stationed 
 in them, who were under the command of the owners. 
 Two watch-houses were erected, one of which stood 
 near the house now occupied by Mr. John Dow, and 
 the other was on the bank of the river, a i^cw rods east of 
 Wid. Samuel W. Duncan's house. The school-house, 
 which stood near the grave-yard, was likewise made use 
 of for that purpose. A guard of soldiers was stationed 
 in each of them, who were on the look-out for the ene- 
 my, night and day. Beside these, many private houses 
 were barricaded, and the inhabitants generally were 
 prepared for any emergency. 
 
 Most of the garrisons, and two of the refuge houses, 
 those belonging to Joseph and Nathaniel Peaslee, were 
 built of brick, and were two stories high; those that 
 
 *The houses of Joseph and Nathaniel Peaslee are now standing; 
 the former was owned by the late Nathan Sawyer, and the hitter is 
 owned and occupied by Capt. Jesse Newconib. The house of Mr. 
 Saltonstall stood near that of Wid. Samuel W. Dimcan's. The house 
 of Capt. Simon Wainwiight stood on the spot now covered by that 
 of Capt. Nehemiah Emerson. 
 
 The garrisons here spoken of, it is presumed, were not all ap- 
 pointed in the year 1690; nor can the precise tune be ascertained, 
 when they were; though we find them all before 1696. Sergeant 
 John Haseltine took the command of a garrison in the spring of 
 1690, and it is most probable that the others were appointed at such 
 tunes as the town authorities deemed proper. But it was thought 
 best to put them a\\ in one year, as the time of their appointmeut 
 eould not be exactly designated. 
 
69 
 
 were not built of this material, had a single laying of it 
 between the outer and inner walls. They had but one 
 outside door, which was often so small that but one per- 
 son could enter at a time; their windows were about 
 two feet and a half in length, eighteen inches in breadth, 
 and were secured on the inside with iron bars. Their 
 glass was very small, cut in the shape of a diamond, 
 was extremely thick, and fastened in with lead in- 
 stead of putty. There were generally but two rooms 
 in the basement story, and tradition says that they en- 
 tered the chamber with the help of a ladder, instead of 
 stairs, so that the inmates could retreat into them, and 
 take it up if the basement-story should be taken by the 
 enemy. Their fire-places were of such enormous sizes, 
 that they could burn their wood sled-length, very con- 
 veniently; and the ovens opened on the outside of the 
 building, generally at one end, behind the fire-place; 
 and were of such dimensions that we should sup- 
 pose a sufficient quantity of bread might have been 
 baked in them, without much difficulty, to supply a regi- 
 ment of hungry mouths. 
 
 It was truly an age of terror with these hardy and 
 courageous men; and their descendants can have but a 
 faint idea of the difficulties they encountered, and of the 
 dangers that continually hung over their heads, threat- 
 ening every moment to overwhelm them like a torrent, 
 and sweep them, with those whom they dearly loved, to 
 the silent tomb. Almost every man was a soldier; and 
 many, who lived in remote parts of the town, moved, 
 with their families, into the vicinity of a garrison, or a 
 house of refuge.* 
 
 On the 31st of August, Samuel Parker, and a small 
 boy, were employed in the east-meadow, in curing hay. 
 
 *This was the case with Stephen Dow and his son, who lived in 
 the East part of the town, and moved near to the garrrison of Capt. 
 Jolin White. The Indians had a peculiar whistle, which was made 
 by placing both hands to the mouth, and was known to be their call, 
 or watch-word. It was frequently heard in the adjacent woods, and 
 tradition says, that Stephen Dow, jun. was the only person in the 
 garrison who could exactly imitate it; and that he frequently con- 
 cealed himself, and endeavored to decoy them within the range of 
 the soldiers' bullets. But it does not say that he ever succeeded. 
 
70 
 
 A party of Indians approached them while they were at 
 work, and shot Mr. Parker dead on the spot; the boy 
 ran in an opposite direction from the smoke of the as- 
 sailants, and, by concealing himself in the tail grass, 
 escaped uninjured, and was the first to bear the melan- 
 choly tidings to Mr. Parker's family.* 
 
 To add to the horrors of savage warfare, the small 
 pox broke out among the inhabitants. This loathsome 
 and deadly disease was then but little understood, and 
 was much more terrific than at the present day. The 
 town seems to have been somewhat alarmed, and about 
 this time, ordered a pest-house to be erected, which was 
 situated on the hill, east of the house now occupied by 
 Mr. Joseph Bradley. We can learn of but six persons 
 who died with this disease. They were Abraham Hen- 
 drick, Mary Ford, and her daughter IMary, Josiah Star- 
 ling, Ruth Hartshorne, and Thomas JMarsh. The re- 
 cords say that John Stockbridge " went to sea and died 
 of the small pox." 
 
 Samuel Swan, son of Robert Swan, sen., wantonly 
 stabbed a valuable horse belonirinor to Cant. Simon 
 Wainwright, with '^ a half pike." At the Court holden 
 on the 25th of September, Samuel Ingalls swore to the 
 following testimony, which we insert merely for the od- 
 dity of its expressions. It is copied correctly from the 
 Court Records. He says — " I and samuel swan was at 
 work to gether in the field of Robert Swan jun and 
 goodman Swan sen came to us and asked us to goe into 
 the hous with him and then he asked Sam' Vvhy he stab- 
 ed mr Wainwright horse — Samuel said nothing — then 
 said his father to him vv'hat is the reason yo doe wick- 
 edly in sinning against God in abusing the dum creature 
 and his father was so grievd at it y^ he weped and then 
 he said I am resolved I will give you coreksion and 
 then he pulled of his close to his shurt and took a stick 
 as big as a good ordinary naihng rod and then he took 
 Sami by one hand and streek him as hard I thought as 
 he was cable to strike and streek him many blows. His 
 father v/as a considerable while beating him and Samuel 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
71 
 
 cryed out and beged of his father vari much yt he would 
 beat him no more." The boy was convicted and sent 
 to jail. 
 
 1691. 
 
 On the 16th of June, John Robie* was killed by the 
 Indians; and his son, Ichabod, was taken prisoner, but 
 soon after returned. At the same time they shot Na- 
 thaniel Ladd, who soon after died of his wounds. In 
 October, says Mr. Hutchinson, " a family was killed at 
 Rowley and one at Haverhill."! Perhaps he had ref- 
 erence to the above persons; if not, the name of that 
 family must remain in obscurity, for there is no account 
 of the death of any other person, this year, by the In- 
 dians. The family killed at Rowley was named Good- 
 ridge. J 
 
 The witchcraft delusion, so celebrated in the annals 
 of New-England History, commenced in February, in 
 Danvers. Within six months, thirteen women and six 
 men were hung, and one man was pressed to death. 
 More than one hundred other persons were imprisoned 
 within the same time. This fatal delusion, which hung 
 like a tempest-cloud over the whole Colony, showering 
 death and infamy upon those who should be con- 
 victed of the diabolical charge, and carrying terror to 
 the hearts of men, did not make its appearance, either 
 in this town, or Newbury. There was not a solitary in- 
 stance of the kind to stain the characters of our fathers. 
 
 2d March. Nathaniel Smith and his wife were pre- 
 sented for drunkenness, " and especially upon the 27th of 
 
 * After his death, an inventory was taken of his property, which 
 amounted to £120. 5s. Id. 
 t Vol. 1, pa^e 359. 
 t ColHn's MSS. 
 
72 
 
 January last." The Court Files say:— "at 9 1-2 P. 
 M., the said Smith's wife came to the house of Samuel 
 Child, in said Haverhill, being very drunk, hardly able 
 to speak for drink, and was very abusive to the great 
 disturbance of the said Samuel's family." 
 
 Stephen Dow, 3d., and Daniel Ladd, jun., were cho- 
 sen jurymen. 
 
 The following letter was written by Nathaniel Sal- 
 tonstall, Esq., to the Court holden at Salem. 
 
 '^ Haverhill, March 29, 1692. 
 
 Gentlemen: — I do not remember since I belonged to 
 any Court, that a greater or so strong a desire to give 
 my personal appearance at any time than now. Busi- 
 ness, transient business, hinders me not. The affaires 
 of y^ court (all y* I have yet heard of,) divert me not. 
 My heart is with you and my prayer shall be for you. 
 Were I with you 1 could not set in court to hear any 
 case; and besides that, this very day I have met with 
 such a fall that puts me by any possibilitie of movmg 
 this day. If I may be capable of serving the country 
 tomorrow, I purpose to come, and do w^ I can. I'll try 
 in the morning. , . 
 
 Gentlemen, proceed, I beseech you, and if m any 
 case there wants a cypher to be added to the number 
 (as soon as I can) you shall have me. I cannot com- 
 pliment — I have not time for any thing now but to tell 
 you, gentlemen, I am your servant. , ^ ,, 
 
 ^ NATHANIEL SALTONSTALL." 
 
 18th July. Hannah Whittaker was killed by the 
 Indians. 
 
 Sometime in August, John Keezar took his scythe 
 and his gim, and went into the Pond IMeadow to cut the 
 grass. He laid his gun down beside a tree, and while 
 mowing, a short distance from it, an Indian, who had 
 secretly observed his motions, crept silently along, con- 
 cealintr himself in the grass, and secured the gun before 
 Keezar was aware of it. The Indian then brought the 
 britch of it to his shoulder, and exultingly exclaimed— 
 " me kill you now." Keezar saw that an attempt to fly, 
 would be attended with certain death, and his only re- 
 course was to stratagem. Soon as he saw that the In- 
 dian had secured his gun, he faced about and ran 
 
-T3 
 
 towards him, shouting at the top of his voice, swinging 
 his ghttering scythe, and threatening to cut him in 
 pieces. This daring conduct, in one whom the Indian 
 expected would fly, or beg for liis hte, his terrible threat- 
 enings, and the formidable appearance of his weapon, 
 completely affrighted him; and he threw down his stolen 
 gun and tied for his life. Keezar followed close upon 
 his heels, striking at him all the time with his scythe. 
 At length he reached him, and at one stroke, buried it 
 in his bowels.* Thus, by a courageous action, which, 
 if it had not succeeded, would have been stigmatized as 
 rash, he saved his life and took that of his opponent. 
 
 19th March. Jonathan Franklin was killed by the 
 Indians. 
 
 Joseph Greely and Joseph Peasley, agreed with the 
 town to build a corn-mill on the East-meadow-brook. 
 Mr. Greely, some years before, had partly finished a 
 dam on the same stream; but being unable to bear the 
 expense, he was obliged to leave it. This was the first 
 mill erected on that stream. 
 
 8th May. A Committee of four was appointed, to 
 ask Mr. Ward how much he would abate of his annual 
 salary after the settlement of Mr. Rolfe. The record 
 reads thus: — "the messenger, by word of mouth, re- 
 turned Mr. Ward's answer, that from and after Mr. 
 Rolfe's settlement, he would abate all except twenty 
 pounds in wheat and indian, annually, and sixty cords 
 of sound wood corded at his house; and that a Commit- 
 tee be appointed to attend to his house upon a sett day, 
 to receive and take account of what shall be brought in, 
 and sett the price thereof, if it be not merchantable, that 
 ^0 it come not in by pitiful driblets as formerly." 
 
 The venerable Mr. Ward died on the 27th of De- 
 cember, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, and was 
 buried on the following day. He was the projector of 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
T4 
 
 fae settlement, and in fact, the father of the town. He 
 had heard the first sound of the woodman's axe — he had 
 seen the first tree fallen, and the first house reared in 
 the wild forest. These hills had never heard the glad 
 sounds of the gospel, until his voice was echoed among 
 them; these green and beautiful vallies had long laid in 
 moral darkness and desolation, trodden only by the feet 
 of the savage, until he came among them as a messen- 
 ger from God. The waters of the broad Merrimack 
 became glad at the sound of his voice, and rolled on- 
 ward to their ocean-home, — to the assemblage of the 
 mighty waters. 
 
 If we may be permitted to judge from the records, 
 and from what the early writers have said of him, we 
 should say that no preacher ever had a stronger hold on 
 the affections of his people, than Mr. Ward. As a 
 minister, he was honored; as a man, he was respected; 
 as a neighbor, he was beloved. His father was the 
 celebrated Rev. Nathaniel Ward, the author of " the 
 Simple Cobler of Agawam in America." Dr. Cotton 
 Mather calls him one of the worthies of New-England. 
 In his peculiar style, he says:—" Mr. John W\^rd was 
 born, I think, in Haverhill, [England] on Nov.^5, 1606. 
 His grandfather was that worthy minister of Haverhill, 
 and his father was that N. Ward, whose wit made him 
 known to more Englands than one. He was a person 
 of a quick apprehension, a clear understanding, a strong 
 memory, a facetious conversation; he was an exact 
 grammarian, and expert physician, and which is the top 
 of all, a thorough divine; but which rarely happens, 
 these endowments of his mind were accompanied with a 
 most healthy, hardy and agile constitution of body, 
 which enabled him to make nothing of walking, on foot, 
 a journey as long as thirty miles together. 
 
 '^ Though he had great offers of rich matches in 
 England, yet he chose to marry a meaner person, whom 
 exemplary piety had recommended. He lived with her 
 more than forty years in such an happy harmony, that 
 when she died, he confessed that in all this time he 
 never received one displeasing word or look from her. 
 Although she would so faithfully tell him of every thing 
 
75 
 
 that might seem amendable in him, that he would 
 pleasantly compare her to an accusing conscience; yet 
 she pleased him wonderfully. When he lost bis mate 
 he caused those words to be fairly written on his table- 
 board — III Lugenda Cotnpare, VIIcq Spaciuui Coraplcat 
 Orbus. 
 
 " This diligent servant of the I.ord Jesus Christ con- 
 tinued under and against many temptations, watching 
 over his flock at Haverhill moro than thrice as long as 
 Jacob continued with his unkle, yea, for as many years 
 as there are sabbaths in the year. On Nov. 19 1693, 
 he preached an excellent sermon, entering the eighty- 
 eighth year of his age, the only one that ever was, and 
 perhaps ever will be, preached in this country at such 
 an age.* On Dec. 27th he went off bringing up the 
 rear of our first generation.'' j 
 
 Mr. Rolfe, on the day of his ordination, speaking of 
 him, says, that '' these four years past have been the 
 happiest and most profitable to me of my whole life. I 
 have had the counsels of wisdom and experience, the 
 admonitions of a father ana friend, and an example con- 
 stantly before me, of umUssembled virtue, ardent piety 
 and burning zeal." 
 
 The following i« an extract from his will, which was 
 dated on the 27th of May, 1680. 
 
 '^ O Lord, into thy hands commit. I my spirit. — 
 Credo languida fide sed tamen fide. 
 
 Concerning that portion of worldly goods which God 
 of his rich bounty hath bestowed upon me, J make this 
 my last will and testament. I give to my beloved son, 
 Benja. Woodbridge, and to my beloved daughter, Mary, 
 his wdfe, one parcell of land containing thirty acres, 
 more or less, lying att the norwest end of the towne of 
 Haverhill, in N. England. =j^ * # =* * I gjye to 
 my beloved son, Nathl. Sahonstall, and to my beloved 
 daughter, Elizabeth, his wife, my house, and land ad- 
 joyning thereto, commonly called the houselott, lying in 
 the town of Haverhill * * =^ # # Lastly, I con- 
 stitute and appoynt my beloved son, Saltonstall, the ex- 
 
 *The Dr. was incorrect in Ks predieUon. 
 titlagualia. 
 
76 
 
 ecutor of this my last will and testament, and do hereby 
 make void all former Wills made by me. 
 Witness my hand and seal. 
 
 JOHN WARD, [seal] 
 Signed and sealed in the presence of us; 
 William White, Thomas Eatox, Benja. Rolfe. 
 Jan. 23, 92-3, owned before John White.'* 
 
 A larg^e portion of the town was opposed to the 
 settlement of Mr. Rolfe, and considerable violence was 
 used. The town voted to make provision for his ordi- 
 nation, if it did not exceed ten pounds; but the opposi- 
 tion was so strono;, thai — to use the words of the Re- 
 corder — the vote was " withdravn and nullified." His 
 answer to the call of the Chuich and town was then 
 read, in which he expressed his willingness to settle 
 among them, if they would subscribe to three articles — 
 to which they agreed; and he was accordingly settled 
 the 7th of January. 
 
 26th Feb. The annual Town-meeting had been 
 holden on the last Tuesday in February, but, the day 
 on which the assembly met was changed, and it became 
 necessary to alter the day on which the town met, or 
 it would be obliged to hold two annual meetings. To 
 prevent this, the first Tuesday in March was appointed 
 for that purpose. 
 
 The garrison commanded by Sergeant Nathaniel 
 Haselline,* it is believed, was never attacked; but a 
 laughable circumstance happened in it, about this peri- 
 od, which we will narrate. In the dead of night, when 
 the moon shone fitfully through the ragged clouds, and 
 the winds moaned solemnly on the wooded hills, the 
 watch, the only person awake in the garrison, perceived 
 something standing within the ]:)aling that surrounded it, 
 which he supposed" to be an Indian; and who was, as he 
 
 * Then Owned by Jonathan ^larsh, and now owned by Mr. Saiu- 
 \iel Pecker. 
 
11 
 
 tho\3glit, ■endeavoring to gain an entrance. Being con- 
 siderably affrighted, he did not wait to consider the 
 object coolly, but raised his musket and fired. The re- 
 port alarmed the whole garrison. The women and chil- 
 dren were awakened tiom their slumbers, and ran hither 
 and thither like maniacs, expectnig that they should fall 
 beneath the tomahawk. The men, equally afirighted, 
 jumped into their breeches as though their lives depend- 
 ed on their speed, seized their guns, and hastened to 
 the port-holes. Every man now displayed his heroism. 
 Volley after volley was fired at the suspicious looking 
 object — but it fell not. There it remained, just as it 
 did when the watch first observed it. This was truly a 
 mystery, that had no whys nor wherefores. It is pre- 
 sumed a consultation was held at this important crisis; 
 but we have never been informed of the result. Let 
 that be as it may, — they ceased firing, but contin- 
 ued under arms till morning, all prepared for im- 
 mediate action, and keeping a good look-out for the 
 supposed enemy. At length, the morning began 
 to dawn, and all eyes were turned toward the dar- 
 ing intruder. They soon discovered the cause of 
 their alarm — and what do you suppose it was, read- 
 er ? — Vvliy, it was nothing but an old maid's old 
 black quilted petticoat, which she had washed the day 
 previous, hung it on the clothes-line to dry, and neg- 
 lected to take it in at night. When it was taken down, 
 every part of it was pierced with bullet-holes, and, for 
 aught we know, the poor old maid had no other to 
 wear. It is thought that those excellent marksmen ought 
 to have provided her with another — and doubtless they 
 did.* 
 
 4th Sept. Joseph Pike and Richard Long, were 
 slain by the Indians, as they were travelling near the 
 north end of the Pond Plain. " The enemy lay in a 
 deserted house by the way, or in a clump of bushes, or 
 both." I They were both of Newbury, and Joseph Pike 
 was a cousin of Rev. John Pike, of Amesbury. 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
 t Rev. John Pike's Journal. Mr. Pike was a minister of Dover, 
 and kept a journal of Indian depredations, from 1682 to 1710. 
 7* 
 
78 
 
 1005. 
 
 2d April. There had been many but ineffectual at- 
 tempts to settle the boundary line between this town and 
 Amesbury. At this meeting the Selectmen were order- 
 ed to have it done immediately. It was then ordered, 
 that the " necessary repairs should be made on the 
 meeting house;" and then they voted that a new one 
 should be erected "with what speed it may be." A 
 question was started, whether the contemplated house 
 should stand on the site of the old one, or on the com- 
 mon land, "near Mr. Keezar's dwelling;"* and the 
 latter place was chosen by a large majority. 
 
 "Two persons were wounded by the Indians in Ha- 
 verhill, in 1695." t 
 
 4th Sept. Two persons were killed at Pond Plain. f 
 
 Early in the fall, a party of the Indians appeared in 
 the northerly part of the town, where they surprised and 
 made prisoners of Isaac Bradley, aged fifteen, and Jo- 
 seph Whittaker, aged eleven, who were at work in the 
 open fields near ]Mr. Joseph Bradley's house. The In- 
 dians instantly retreated with their prisoners, witho'i*^ 
 committing any further violence, and pursued tl eir 
 journey through the wilderness until they arrived at 
 their homes, on the shores of Lake Winnipisec^e. 
 Isaac, says tradition, was rather small in stature, but 
 full of vigor and very active; and he certainly possessed 
 more shrewdness than most of the boys of that age. 
 But Joseph was a large, overgrown boy, and exceed- 
 ingly clumsy in his movements. 
 
 Immediately after their arrival at the Lake, the two 
 boys were placed in an Indian family, consisting of the 
 man, his squaw, and two or three children. While Uiey 
 were in this situation, they soon became so well ac- 
 quainted with the language, that they learned from the 
 occasional conversations carried on in their presence, 
 between their master and the neighboring Indians of the 
 
 * The present traiiiing-fiekl was meant by the common land, and 
 Mr. Keezar then lived near the house now occupied by Mr. John 
 Appleton. 
 
 t Farmer's edition of Belknap's Hist, of N. H. 
 
79 
 
 same tribe, that they intended to carry them to Canada, * 
 the following spring. This discovery was very afflict- 
 ing to them. It" their designs were carried into execu- 
 tion, they knew that there would be but little chance for 
 them to escape; and from that time the active mind of 
 Isaac was continually planning a mode to effect it. A 
 deep and unbroken wilderness, pathless mountains, and 
 swollen and almost impassable rivers, lay between them 
 and their beloved homes; and the boys feared, if they 
 were carried still further northward, that they should 
 never again hear the kind voice of a father, or feel the 
 fervent kiss of an affectionate mother, or the fond em- 
 brace of a beloved sister. They feared, should they die 
 in a strange land, that there would be none to close 
 their eyes — none to shed for them the tear of affection 
 — none to place the green turf on their graves — and 
 none who would fondly treasure up their memories. 
 
 Such were the melancholy thoughts of the young 
 boys, and they determined to escape before their mas- 
 ters started with them for Canada. The winter came 
 with its snow and wind^the spring succeeded, with its 
 early buds and flowers, and its pleasant south wind — 
 and still they were prisoners. Within that period, Isaac 
 w'as brought nigh to the grave — a burning fever had 
 raged in his veins, and for many days he languished on 
 a bed of sickness; but by the care of the squaw, his 
 mistress, who treated them both with considerable kind- 
 
 * The derivation of the word Canada is so singular, it was thought 
 that its insertion in this work would be acceptable to tlie curious, and 
 that the digression would be pardoned by the general reader. " Mr. 
 Bozman, in his excellent ' Introduction to a History of Maryland,' 
 34, says that it is a traditional report, that previous to the visiting of 
 Newfoundland by Cartier, in 1534, some Spaniards visited that coast 
 in search of gold, but its appearance discouraged them, and they 
 quitted it in haste, crying out as they went on board their vessel, 
 ' Aca nada, Aca nada;^ that is in English, ' there^s nothing here.^ 
 The Indians retained these words in their memories, and afterward, 
 when the French came to the country, they were saluted with the 
 same words, and mistook them for the name of the country. And 
 in time the first letter was lost, hence the name, Canada.^'' Samuel 
 G. Drake's " History of Philip's war and the French and Indian 
 wars at the Eastward," page 177. There is something in Mather's 
 JMagnalia amounting to nearly the same — II, 522. 
 
80 
 
 ness, he recovered. Again he felt a strong desire to 
 escape, which increased with his strength; and in April 
 he matured a plan for that purpose. He appomted a 
 night to put it in execution, without informing his com- 
 panion, till the day previous, when he told him of his 
 intentions. Joseph wished to accompany him; to this 
 Isaac demurred, and said to him, *' I'm afraid you wont 
 wake." Joseph promised that he would, and at night 
 they laid down in their master's wigwam, in the midst 
 of his family. Joseph soon fell asleep, and began to 
 snore lustily; but there was no sleep for Isaac— his 
 strong desire to escape— the fear that he should not 
 succeed in his attempt, and of the punishment that 
 would doubtless be inflicted if he did not— and the dan- 
 ger, hunger and fatigue that awaited him, all were viv- 
 idly painted in his imagination, and kept sleep or even 
 drowsiness far from him. His daring attempt was envi- 
 roned with darkness and danger— he often revolved it 
 in his mind, yet his resolution remained unshaken. At 
 iength the midnight came, and its holy stillness rested 
 on the surrounding forest ;— it passed— and slowly and 
 cautiously he arose. All was silent save the deep 
 drawn breath of the savage sleepers. The voice of the 
 wind was scarcely audible on the hills, and the moon, at 
 times, would shine brightly through the scattered clouds, 
 and silver the broad lake, as though the robe of an 
 angel had fallen on its sleeping v/aters. 
 
 Isaac stepped softly and tremblingly over the tawny 
 bodies, lest they should awake and discover his design, 
 and secured his master's fire-works, and a portion of his 
 moose-meat and bread; these he carried to a little dis- 
 tance from the wigwam, and concealed them in a clump 
 of bushes. He then returned, and bending over Jo- 
 seph, who had, all this time, been snoring m his 
 sleep, carefully shook him. Joseph, more asleep than 
 awake, turned partly over, and asked aloud, "what do 
 you want ?" — This egregious blunder alarmed Isaac, 
 and he instantly laid down in his proper place, and be- 
 gan to snore as loudly as any of them. Soon as his 
 alarm had somewhat subsided, he again arose, and lis- 
 tened long for the heavy breath of the sleepers. He 
 determined to fly from his master, before the morning 
 
81 
 
 dawned. Perceiving that they all slept, he resolved to 
 make his escape, without again attempting to awake 
 Joseph, lest, by his thoughtlessness, he should again ptrt 
 him in jeopardy. He then arose and stepped softly out 
 of the wigwam, and walked slowly and cautiously from 
 it, until he had nearly reached the place where his pro- 
 visions were concealed, when he heard footsteps ap- 
 proaching hastily behind him. With a beating heart 
 he looked backward, and saw Joseph, who had aroused 
 himself, and finding that his companion had gone, con- 
 cluded to follow. They then secured the fire-works 
 and provisions, and without chart or compass, struck 
 into the woods in a southerly direction, aiming for the 
 distant settlement of Haverhill. They ran at the top 
 of their speed until day-light appeared, when they con- 
 cealed themselves in a hollow log, deeming it too dan- 
 gerous to continue their journey in the day time. 
 
 Their master, when he awoke in the morning, was 
 astonished to find his prisoners had escaped, and imme- 
 diately collected a small party with their dogs, and pur- 
 sued them. The dogs struck upon the tracks, and in a 
 short time came up to the log where the boys were con- 
 cealed, when they made a stand, and began a loud 
 barking. The boys trembled with fear lest they should 
 be re-captured, and perhaps fall beneath the tomahawk 
 of their enraged master. In this situation, they hardly 
 knew what was best to do — but they spoke kindly to 
 the dogs, who knew their voices, ceased barking, and 
 wagged their tails with delight. They then threw be- 
 fore them all the moose-meat they had taken from the 
 wigwam, which the dogs instantly siezed, and began to 
 devour it as though they highly relished so choice a 
 breakfast. While they were thus employed, the Indians 
 made their appearance, and passed close to the log in 
 which they were concealed, without noticing the em- 
 ployment of their dogs. The boys saw them as they 
 passed, and were nearly breathless with anxiety. They 
 followed them with their eyes till they were out of sight, 
 and hope again took possession of their bosoms. The 
 dogs soon devoured their meat, and trotted [after theiv 
 masters. 
 
82 
 
 They lay in the log during the day, and at night 
 piirsued their journey, taking a different route from the 
 one travelled by the Indians. They made only one or 
 two meals on their bread, and after that was gone they 
 were obliged to subsist on roots and buds. On the sec- 
 ond day they concealed themselves, but travelled the 
 third night and day without resting; and on that day, 
 towards night, they luckily killed a pigeon and a turtle, 
 a part of which they ate raw, not daring to build a fire, 
 lest they should be discovered. The fragments of their 
 unsavory meal they carried with them, and ate of them 
 as their hunger required, making their dessert on such 
 roots as they happened to find. They continued their 
 journey night and day as fast as their wearied and man- 
 gled limbs would carry them. On the sixth day, they 
 struck into an Indian path and followed it till night, when 
 they suddenly came within sight of an Indian encamp- 
 ment, saw their savage enemy seated around the fire, 
 and distinctly heard tneir voices. This alarmed them 
 exceedingly; and wearied and exhausted as they were, 
 they had rather seek an asylum in the wide forest, and 
 die within the shadow of its trees, than trust to the kind- 
 ness of foes Avhose bosoms had never been moved by its 
 silent workings. They precipitately fled, fearing lest 
 they should be discovered and pursued, and all night 
 retraced their steps. The morning came and . found 
 them seated side by side on the bank of a small stream, 
 their feet torn and covered with blood, and each of them 
 weeping bitterly over his misfortunes. Thus far their 
 hearts had been filled with courage, and their hopes 
 grew, and were invigorated with the pleasant thoughts 
 of home, as they flitted vividly across their minds. But 
 now their courage had fled, and their hopes had given 
 way to despair. They thought of the green fields in 
 which they had so often played — of the tall trees whose 
 branches had so often overshadowed them — and of the 
 hearth around which they had delighted to gather with 
 their brothers and sisters, on a winter's evening, and 
 listen to a story told by their parents. They thought of 
 these, yea, of more — but as things from which they 
 were forever parted — as things that had once given 
 them happiness, but had forever passed away. 
 
83 
 
 They were, however, unwilUng to give up all further 
 exertions. The philosophy of Isaac taught him that 
 the stream must eventually lead to a large body of 
 water, and after refreshing themselves with a few roots, 
 they again commenced their journey, and followed its 
 windings. They continued to follow it during that day 
 and a part of the night. On the eighth morning, Joseph 
 found himself completely exhausted; his limbs were 
 weak and mangled, his body was emaciated, and despair 
 was the mistress of his bosom. Isaac endeavored to 
 encourage him to proceed; he dug roots for him to eat, 
 and brought water to quench his thirst — but all was in 
 vain. He laid himself down on the bank of the stream, 
 in the shade of the budding trees, to die, far from his 
 friends, with none for companions but the howling beasts 
 of the forest. Isaac left him to his fate, and with a 
 bleeding heart, slowly and wearily pursued his journey. 
 He had travelled but a short distance when he came 
 to a newly raised building. Rejoiced at his good for- 
 tune, and believing that inhabitants were nigh, he im- 
 mediately retraced his steps, and soon found Joseph in 
 the same place and position in which he left him. He 
 told him what he had seen, talked very encouragingly, 
 and after rubbing his limbs a long while, he succeeded 
 in making him stand on his {eet. They then started 
 together, Isaac part of the time leading him by the 
 hand, and part of the time carrying him on his back; 
 and in this manner, with their naked limbs mangled and 
 wearied with travelling, their strength exhausted by 
 sickness, and their bodies emaciated almost to skeletons, 
 they arrived at Saco fort, sometime in the following 
 night. 
 
 Thus, on the ninth night, they arrived among their 
 countrymen, after travelling over an immense forest, 
 subsisting on a little bread, on buds and berries, and on 
 one raw turtle and a pigeon, and without seeing the face 
 of a friend, or warming themselves over a fire. Isaac, 
 soon as he regained his strength, started for Haverhill, 
 and arrived safely at his father's dwelling, who had heard 
 nothing from him since he was taken, and expected 
 never to see him again. But Joseph had more to suffer 
 
84 
 
 ^he was seized with a raging fever soon as he reached 
 
 the fort, and was for a long time confined to his bed. 
 His father, when Isaac returned, went to Saco, and 
 brought home his long lost son, soon as his health per- 
 mitted.* 
 
 1696. 
 
 On the 11th May, a Committee was chosen to hire a 
 man who would build the Meeting-house by the '' lump" 
 —to examine the houses for public worship m the neigh- 
 boring towns, and draw up such a plan as they thought 
 would best accommodate the inhabitants. On the 28th 
 of July next the doings of the Committee were read be- 
 fore a full meeting, when much contention again arose 
 about the place on which it should stand; and only that 
 part of the Committee's report was accepted which re- 
 lated to its dimensions, which was " fifty teet in length, 
 forty feet in breadth, and eighteen feet studd. t /he 
 meeting was then dissolved, and nothing more was done 
 until the next year. i i.r -o 
 
 13th Aug. Old John Hoyt, so called, and Mr. Fe- 
 ters, a youn| man, both of Amesbury, were slain by the 
 Indians on the road between Andover and Haverhill. ^ 
 
 15th Auo-. Jonathan Haines, who lived in the wes- 
 terly part of the town, and his four children, J IMary, 
 
 * We do not recollect of ever seeing an account of this tmly 
 heroic escape in print. The " Sketch of Haverhill'; merely gives it 
 a passmg notice, without going into particulars. It is deemed a dar- 
 ing attempt on the part of the boys, considering their ages and the 
 great distance they were from their homes; and as such was weU 
 worthy of being foithfully recorded. It has been taken wholly from 
 tradition-but, ftom so many lips, and the narrators agreed so per- 
 fectly in all the essential points, we have no hesitation in declanng 
 that every word of it is truth. It has been preserved in the fiumhes 
 and handed down from father to son with singular accuracy; and is 
 even now, often told bv their descendants, to help fi 1 up a winter 
 evening's amusement. The Rev. Abiel Abbot, while he ^vas pastor 
 of the first parish, collected the facts, and left themm manuscript. 
 
 t Committee's Report. 
 
 ± John Pike's Journal. 
 
85 
 
 Joseph, Ruth, and Elizabeth, were captivated by the Iii* 
 dians. The children were in a field near Bradley's Mills, 
 picking beans, and the father was reaping near by. The 
 Indians, with their captives, immediately started for 
 Penacook, [Concord.] When they arrived, they sepa- 
 rated, and divided their prisoners — -one party taking the 
 father and Joseph, and the other the three girls. The 
 party which took the men started for their homes, in 
 Maine, where they soon arrived. The prisoners had 
 remained with them but a short time, before they escap- 
 ed; and after travelling two or three days with little or 
 nothing to satisfy their craving appetites, the old man 
 became wholly exhausted, and laid down beneath the 
 branching trees to die. The son, v/ho was young and 
 vigorous, finding his efforts vain to encourage his father, 
 started onward. He soon found himself upon a hill, 
 where he climbed a tall tree to discover signs of civili- 
 zation; and heard indistinctly the sound of a saw-mill. 
 With a glad heart he hastily descended, and following 
 the sound, soon arrived at the settlement of Saco. Here 
 he told the story of his escape, the forlorn situation of 
 his father, and getting assistance and a bottle of milk, 
 hastened back to him, and found him still lying on the 
 ground without the expectation of ever seeing the face 
 of a friend. He drank some of the milk, which revived 
 him considerably, and with some assistance, reached 
 Saco, Here they remained until their strength was 
 somevWiat recruited, when they started for Haverhill, 
 where they arrived without any further difficulty. 
 
 The party which took the three girls, went to Can- 
 ada, where, it is presumed, they were sold to the 
 French; — -for Joseph Haynes, a relative, visited them 
 some years after, and found one of them married to a 
 Frenchman. They had all forgotten their mother tongue, 
 and were obliged to converse with Mr. Haynes through 
 an interpreter. Though they had forgotten the language 
 of their childhood, they had not forgotten its incidents — 
 for one of them, a short time before she was captivated, 
 had one of her fmgers accidentally cut off by a young 
 lad, a son of a neighbor; and she asked Mr. Haynes if 
 the lad was then living. They had become so fascina- 
 ted with the manners and customs of the French, that 
 
86 
 
 Mr. Haynes could not persuade tl^e,^,.t«/^^";*"/^.^^^,f ' 
 relatives. But there they lived and died, and their de- 
 scendants are now in that quarter. , u:^ ^ 
 Timothy Eaton petitioned the town to grant him a 
 bounty, more than the country allowed for killing a iul 
 orown she-wolf on the ox-common. The town granted 
 hi'n ten shillings - for killing said wolf since he declares 
 it was a bitch wolf and that she will not bring any more 
 
 ''^'p^e'ter Pettee, says the Recorder, " entered a 
 strange motion for keeping a tavern at his house, and 
 offered his conditions, which, li done or endeavoied 
 would have been prejudicial to the town. Bcmg move 
 and fully agitated the town declared against Lib havmg 
 anv allowance for it." u ^ • „^ +u,. 
 
 ■■ The winter of this year was the coldest since the 
 settlement of New-England.* 
 
 On the 1.5th t of March, a body J of Indians made 
 a descent on the westerlv part of the town, and approach- 
 ed the house of Mr. Thomas Dustin. ^ They came as 
 thev were wont, arrayed with all the terrors oi a savage 
 war-dress, with their muskets charged for tiie contest, 
 their tomahawks drawn for the slaughter, and their 
 
 * oewall's Journal. , . • i <. ^ i 
 
 tThe day on which the attack took place, is variously stated. 
 
 The Magnaiia'savs it .happened oa the tifth,^and Mr Drake in hi. 
 
 Appendix to " the History of King PhiUp's Vv ar. Sec.'' f-"^ - o^; ; 
 
 5,:m>e en-or. I have my information from the Town Records, ^^here 
 
 the deaths are dated on the 15th of March, 1696-7. 
 
 -The Appendix to the History of King Phdhp's ^\ar, says about 
 
 '"Ttos name" was variously spelt ;-in the Town Records, it is 
 .pelt Dnst.i, Duston and Dustan. In a Pett.on to the General 
 (^ourt, he signs his name Dunstan. Perhaps he was a descendant of 
 ^t Dunstan in the monkish legends, who fouglit and vanqu<shed the 
 de'vil, by pinching his nose with a pa.r of red-hot tongs. Ihe name 
 js now spelt Dustin. 
 
87 
 
 scalping knives unsheathed and glittering in the sun- 
 beams. Mr. Dustin, at this time, was engaged abroad 
 in his daily labor. When the terrific shouts of the 
 blood-hounds first fell on his ear, he seized his gun, 
 mounted his horse, and hastened to his house with the 
 hope of escorting to a place of safety his family, which 
 consisted of his wife, whom he tenderly and passionately 
 loved, and who had been confined only seven days in 
 childbed, her nurse, Mrs. Mary Nefi'',* and eight young 
 children. Immediately upon his arrival, he rushed into 
 his house, and found it a scene of confusion — the women 
 trembling tor their safety, and the children weeping and 
 calling on their mother for protection. He instantly 
 ordered seven of his children to fly in an opposite direc- 
 tion from that in which- the danger was approaching, 
 and went himself to assist his wife. But he was too 
 late — before she could arise from her bed, the enemy 
 were upon them. 
 
 Mr. Dustin seeing there was no hope of saving his 
 wife from the clutches of the fee, flew from the house, 
 mounted his horse, and rode full speed after his fiying 
 children. The agonized father supposed it impossible 
 to save them all, and he deterinined to snatch from 
 death, the child which shared the most of his aiTections. 
 He soon came up with the infant brood — he heard their 
 glad voices and saw the cheerful looks that overspread 
 their countenances, for they felt themselves safe, while 
 under his protection. He looked for the child of his 
 love — Vvhere was it ? — He scanned the little group 
 from the oldest to the youngest, but he could not find it. 
 They all fondly loved him — they called him by the en- 
 dearing title of father, were flesh of his flesh, and 
 stretched out their little arms toward Mm for protection. 
 He gazed upon tbem, and faltered in his resolution, for 
 there was none whom he could leave behind, sjid in- 
 deed, what parent could, in such a situation, select thei 
 child which shared the most of his affections ? — He 
 could not do it, and therefore resolved to defend them 
 from the murderers, or die at their side. 
 
 *She was the daughter of George Corliss, and married William 
 Neff, — her husband went after tlie army, and died at Pemaquid, in 
 February, 1688. 
 
88 
 
 A small party of the Indians pursued Mr. Dusti'n, as 
 lie fled from the house, and soon overtook him and his 
 flying children. They did not, however, approach very 
 near, for they saw his determination, and feared the ven- 
 geance of a father, — but skulked behind the trees and 
 fences, and fired upon him and his little company. Mr. 
 Dustin dismounted from his horse, placed himself in 
 the rear of his children, and returned the fire of the 
 enemy often and with good success. In thfs manner he 
 retreated for more than a mile, alternately encouraging 
 his terrified charoe andloadinof and firing his ffurr, uiiti! 
 he lodged them safely in a forsaken house. The In- 
 dians, finding that they could' not conquer him, returned 
 to their companions, expecting, no doubt, that they 
 should there find victims, on which they might exercise 
 their savage cruelty. 
 
 It is truly astonishing that no one of that little com- 
 pany was killed or wounded. When we reflect upon 
 the skill of the Indians as marksmen, upon their 
 great superiority of strength, and the advantage they 
 possessed in skulking behind every fence and tree, it 
 cannot but be confessed that the arm of the Almighty 
 was outstretched for their preservation. JVot a bail 
 from the enemy took efl^ect; but, so surely, says tradi- 
 tion, as Mr. Dustin raised his gun to his eye, so surely 
 some one of the enemy would welter in his blood. 
 
 The party which entered the house w^hen JMr. Dus- 
 tin left it, found Mrs. Dustin in bed, and the nurse 
 attempting to fly with the infant in her arms. They 
 ordered Mrs. Dustin to rise instantfy, while one of themt 
 took the infant from the arms of the nurse, carried it 
 out, and dashed out its brains against an apple-tree.*' 
 After plundering the house they set it on fire, and com- 
 menced their retreat, though Mrs. Dustin had hut partly 
 dressed herself, and A\'as without a shoe on one of her 
 feet. Mercy was a stranger to the breasts of the con- 
 (^uerors, and the unhappy w^omen expected to receive 
 
 * We have been informed by a gentleman, that he has heard his 
 grandmother, who lived to an advanced age, often relate this fact, 
 and that she had frequently ate apples that grew on the same tree. 
 We have also been informed by an aged female, that she had ofteij 
 heard her mother tell of eatijig of the fruit of the same tree.. 
 
89 
 
 no kindnesses from fneir hands. The weather at the 
 time was exceedingly cokl — the March-wind blew keen 
 and piercing, and the earth was alternately covered with 
 snow and deep mud. 
 
 They travelled twelve miles the first day,* and con- 
 tinued their retreat, day by day, following a circuitous 
 route, until they reached the home of the Indian, who 
 claimed them as his property, which was on a small 
 Island, now called Dustin's Island, at the mouth of 
 Contoocook River, about six miles above the State 
 House in Concord, New-Hampshire. Notwithstanding 
 their intense suffering for the death of the child — their 
 anxiety for those whom they had left behind, and who 
 they expected had been cruelly butchered — their suffer- 
 ings from cold and hunger, and from sleeping on the 
 damp earth, with nothing but an inclement sky for a 
 covering — and their terror for themselves, lest the arm 
 that, as they supposed, had slaughtered those whom 
 they dearly loved, would soon be made red with their 
 blood, — notwithstanding all this, they performed the 
 journey without yielding, and arrived at their destination 
 in comparative health. 
 
 The family of their Indian master consisted of two 
 men, three women and seven children; besides an En- 
 glish boy, I named Samuel Lennardson, who was taken 
 prisoner about a year previous, at Worcester. Their 
 master, some years before, had lived in the family of 
 Rev. Mr. Rowlandson, of Lancaster, and he told Mrs. 
 Dustin that, '' when he prayed the English way he 
 thought it was good, but now he found the French way 
 better.'- J 
 
 These unfortunate women had been but a few days 
 with the Indians, when they were informed that they 
 must soon start for a distant Indian settlement, and that, 
 upon their arrival, they would be obliged to conform to 
 the regulations always required of prisoners, whenever 
 they entered the village, which was, to be stripped, 
 scourged, and run the gauntlet in a state of nudity. 
 The gauntlet consisted of two files of Indians of both 
 
 ♦Appendix to History of King Philip's War — page 317, 
 t Hutchinson, vol. II. page 101. 
 + Sevv^all's Diary. 
 
 8* 
 
£0 
 
 sexes and of all ages, containing all that could be muS" 
 tered in the village; and the unhappy prisoners were 
 obliged to run between them, when they were scoffed at 
 and beaten by each one as they passed, and were some- 
 times marks at wliich the younger Indiaios threw their 
 hatchets. This cruel custom was often practised by 
 many of the tribes, and not unfrequently the poor pris- 
 oner sunk beneath it. Soon as the two women were 
 informed of this, they determined to escape as speedily 
 as possible. They could not bear to be exposed to the 
 scoffs and unrestrained gaze of their savage conquerors 
 — death w^ould be preferable. Mrs. Dustin soon planned 
 a mode of escape, appointed the 31st inst. for its accom- 
 plishment, and prevailed upon her nurse and the boy to 
 join her. The Indians kept no watch — for the boy had 
 lived with them so long they considered him as one of 
 their children, and they did not expect that the women, 
 unadvised, and unaided, would attempt to escape, when 
 success, at the best, appeared so desperate. 
 
 On the day previous to the 31st, Mrs. Dustin wished 
 to learn on v.hat part of the body the Indians struck 
 their victims when they would despatch them suddenly, 
 and how they took off a scalp. With this view she in- 
 ^^tructed the boy to make inquiries of one of the men. 
 Accordingly, at a convenient opportunity, he asked one 
 of them where he would strike a man, if he >yould kill 
 him instantly, and how to take off a scalp. The man 
 laid his finger on his temple — " strike 'em there," said 
 he; and then instructed him how to scalp.* The boy 
 then. communicated his information to Mrs. Dustinv 
 
 The night at length arrived, and the whole family 
 retired to rest, little suspecting that the most of them 
 would never behold another sun. Long before the 
 break of day, Mrs. Dustin arose, and having ascertain- 
 ed that they were all in a deep sleep, awoke her nurse 
 and the boy, when they armed themselves with toma- 
 hawks, and despatched ten of the twelve. A favorite 
 boy they designedly left; and one of the squaws, whom 
 they left for dead, jumped up, and ran with him into 
 the woods. Mrs. Dustin killed her master, and Samuel 
 
 * Sewall's Diary, and tradition. 
 
91 
 
 Lennardson despatched the very Indian who (old hixit 
 where to strike, and how to take off a scalp.* The 
 xleed was accomplished before the (fay began to break, 
 and after securing what little provision the wigwam of 
 their dead master afforded, they scuttled all the boats 
 but one, to prevent pursuit, and with that, started for 
 their homes. Mrs. Dustin took with her a gun that 
 belonged to her master, and the tomahawk "j" with which 
 she committed the tragical deed. They had not pro- 
 ceeded far, however, when Mrs. Dustin perceived that 
 they had neglected to take their scalps, and feared that 
 her neighbors, if they ever arrived at their homes, 
 would not credit their story, and would ask them for 
 some token, or proof. She told her fears to her com- 
 panions, and they immediately returned to the silent 
 wigwam, took ofi'the scalps of the fallen, and put them 
 into a bag. They then started on their journey anew, 
 with the gun, tomahawk, and the bleeding trophies, — pal- 
 pable witnesses of their heroic and unparalleled deed. 
 
 A long and weary journey was before them, but they 
 commenced it with cheerful hearts, each alternately 
 rowing and steering their little bark. Though they had 
 escaped from the clutches of their unfeeling master, still 
 they were surrounded with dangers. They were thinly 
 clad — the sky was still inclement — and they were liable 
 to be re-captured by strolling bands of Indians, or by 
 those who would undoubtedly pursue them so soon as 
 the squaw and the boy had reported their departure, and 
 the terrible vengeance they had taken; and were they 
 again made prisoners, they well knew that a speedy 
 death would follow. This array of danger, however, 
 did not appal them, for home was their beacon-light, 
 and the thoughts of their fire-sides, nerved their hearts. 
 They continued to drop silently down the river, keeping 
 a good look-out for strolling Indians; and in the night 
 two of them only slept, while the third managed the 
 boat. In this manner they pursued their journey, until 
 they arrived safely, with their trophies, to their homes, 
 
 ♦M. D. Fairfield's Diary, and Sewall's. 
 
 t It has not been ascertained whether Mrs. Neff or the boy took 
 then- tomahawks or any thing else, with them- it ie presumed, how- 
 ever, that they did not. 
 
92 
 
 totally unexpected by their mourning friends, who sup- 
 posed that they had been butchered by their ruthless 
 conquerors. It must truly have been an affecting meet- 
 ing tor Mrs. Dustin, who likewise supposed that all she 
 loved — all she held dear on earth — was laid in the silent 
 tomb. 
 
 After recovering from the fatigue of the journey, 
 they started for Boston, where they arrived on the 21st 
 of April. They carried with them the gun and toma- 
 hawk, and their ten scalps — those witnesses that would 
 not lie; and while there, the General Court gave them 
 fifty pounds,* as a reward for their heroism. The re- 
 port of their daring deed soon spread into every part of 
 the country, and when Colonel ISicholson, Governor of 
 Maryland, heard of it, he sent them a very valuable 
 present,! and many presents were also made to them by 
 their neighbors. J 
 
 Various opinions are afloat concerning the justness 
 of this certainly heroic deed. Perhaps the strict moral- 
 izer would say that, the fear of the gauntlet, which, 
 perhaps, appeared worse to them than torture or death, 
 or of suffering their danger anew, would not justify the 
 act. And it surely seems that she had lost a great por- , 
 tion of that sensibility, that fear of blood, that sympathy 
 for another's wo, which is at once the delight and orna- 
 ment of her sex; and which we have been taught to 
 believe is an inmate and constant virtue of her bosom. 
 But a prisoner among the savages — a wife who has 
 seen her dwelling in flames, her infant cruelly slaugh- 
 tered, and who expects that her husband and the rest of 
 
 * Hutchinson. 
 
 t Magnalia. 
 
 tM. D. Fail-field thus speaks of this exploit in his Diary. " April 
 21, 1696-7. At the latter end of this month, two women and a 
 young lad that had been taken captive from Haverhill the March 
 before, watching their opportunity when the Indians were asleep, 
 killed ten of them, scalped them all, and came home to Boston, 
 brought a gun with some other things. The Chief of these Indians 
 took one of the women, captive when she had been in childbed but 
 a few days, and knocked her child in head before her eyes, while 
 the women killed and scalped that very Indian. This was done just 
 abort the time the Council of this Province had concluded on a day 
 of fasting and prayer throughout the province." 
 
93 
 
 her children have been butchered, who is herself threat- 
 ened with immediate torture, and with dif^grace worse 
 than death — a wife in such a situation would not be apt 
 to critically analyze the morality of the deed. 
 
 But let what will be said of her conduct, there is 
 something in the actions of the father and husband, dis- 
 interested perhaps, beyond comparison, and noble be- 
 yond example. But few acts, if any, are recorded oa 
 the page of history, more exalted, more generous, more 
 free from every gross and selfish passion of the heart. 
 In most of the daring and noble actions that are spoken 
 of with enthusiasm by historians, we find that the actors 
 were prompted by some powerful stimulus — glory, am- 
 bition, or a lust for gain — which acted as a spur to their 
 flagging spirits. But in this he v/as not urged on by 
 ambition; he thought not of glory; he cared not for his 
 property; — but it was only a deep, chaste and uncon- 
 taminated love for his wife and children, that prompted 
 him to the action. 
 
 Mrs. Dustin was the daughter of Michael and Han- 
 nah Emerson, and the eldest of fifteen children. She 
 was born 23d December, 1657, and was married to 
 Thomas Dustin, 3d December, 1677. She had thirteen 
 children, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Thomas, Nathaniel^ 
 John, Sarah, Abigail, Jonathan, Timothy and Mehita- 
 ble, twins, Martha, whose brains were dashed out 
 against an apple-tree, and Lydia. Mrs. Dustin was in 
 the fortieth year of her age when she was captured by 
 the Indians. The time when she, or her husband died, 
 cannot be positively ascertained. The Town Records 
 are defective in this particular. Their descendants are 
 quite numerous, both in this State and in New-Hamp- 
 shire. 
 
 The following beautiful lines are from the pen of 
 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Editor of the Ladies' Magazine^ 
 and copied from the Boston Lyceum. 
 
 THE FATHER'S CHOICE. 
 
 Now tly, as flies the rnslung wind- 
 Urge, urge, thy lagging steed ! 
 
 The savage yell is fierce behiudj 
 And life is on tUy speed,. 
 
94 
 
 And from those dear ones make thy choice 
 
 The group he wildly eyed, 
 When " lather !" burst from every voice, 
 
 And " child !" his heart re]ilied. 
 
 There's one that now can share his toil, 
 
 And one he meant for fume. 
 And one that wears her mother's smile, 
 
 And one that bears her name. 
 
 And one will prattle on his knee, 
 
 Or slumber on his brearit ; 
 And one whose joys of infancy, 
 
 Are still by smiles expressifd. 
 
 They feel no fear while he is near ; 
 
 He'll shield them from the foe ; 
 But oh ! his ear must thrill to hear 
 
 Their shriekings, should he go. 
 
 In vain his quivering lips would speak. 
 No words his thoughts allow ; 
 
 There's burning tears upon his cheek — 
 Death's marble on his brow. 
 
 And twice he smote his clenched hand — 
 
 Then bade his children fly ! 
 And turned, and e'en that savage band 
 
 Cowered at his wrathful eye. 
 
 Swift as the lightning winged with death, 
 Flashed forth the quivering flame ! 
 
 Their fiercest warrior bows beneath 
 The father's deadly aim. 
 
 Not the wild cries, that rend the skies, 
 
 His heart of purpose move ; 
 He saves his children, or he dies 
 
 The sacrifice of love. 
 
 Ambition goads the conqueror on. 
 Hate points the murderer's brand — 
 
 But love and duty, these alone 
 Can nerve the good man's hand. 
 
 The hero may resign the field. 
 
 The coward murd'rer flee ; 
 He cannot fear, he will not yield, 
 
 That strikes, sweet love, for thee. 
 
 They come, they come — he heeds no cry, 
 
 Save the soft child-like wail, 
 *' O father save I" " My children, fly !" 
 
 Were mingled on the gale. 
 
95 
 
 And firmer still he drew hia breath, 
 
 And sterner flasliM his eye, 
 As fast he hurls the leaden death, 
 
 Btill shouting, " children fly !" 
 
 No shadow on his brow appeared, 
 Nor tremor sliook his frame, 
 
 Save when at intervals he heard 
 Some trembler lisp his name. 
 
 In vain the foe, those fiends unchained, 
 
 Like faniished tigers cliafe, 
 The sheltering roof is near'd, is gain'd, 
 
 All, all the dear ones safe I 
 
 We have not yet finished narrating the tragedy 
 of that eventful day. The Indians dispersed themselves 
 in small parties, and attacked the houses in the vicinity. 
 Eight,* besides the house of Mr. Dustin, were conquer- 
 ed, plundered, and reduced to ashes. t Their owners in 
 every case were slain while defending them — their blood 
 stained their door-sills, and the blood of their beloved 
 pooled upon their hearths. The houses that were burnt 
 belonged to John Keezar, John Kimball, Thomas Ea- 
 ton, I'homas Emerson, Daniel Bradley, Thomas Wood, 
 
 John Woodman and Kingsbury; making nine in 
 
 all. The persons slain, were John Keezar, his father, 
 and son, George; John Kimball and his mother, Han- 
 nah; Sarah Eastman; Thomas Eaton; Thomas Emerson, 
 his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Timothy and Sa- 
 rah; Daniel Bradley, his wife Hannah, and two chil- 
 dren, Mary and Hannah; Martha Dow, daughter of 
 Stephen Dow; Joseph, Martha and Sarah Bradley, 
 children of Joseph Bradley; Thomas and Mehitabic 
 Kingsbury; Thomas Wood and his daughter Susannah; 
 John Woodman and his daughter Susannah; Zechariah 
 White, and Martha, the infant daughter of Mr. Dustin; 
 — making the round number of twenty-seven, who were 
 
 *Mr. Drake, iu his Appendix to Philip's War, &c., page 315, 
 says, they "took and killed thiity-nine persons and hurnt about a 
 half a <lozen houses." 
 
 t Fairfield thus notices it in his Diary "March 15. The In- 
 dians did much damage at Kaverhill; burnt nine houses — killed and 
 took cnptive near forty prisoners." 
 
96 
 
 slaughtered, fifteen of whom were children, besides thir- 
 teen who were captured. 
 
 The savages were now gkitted with murder and 
 desolation, and breaking up into small parties, as 
 was their general practice, they commenced a hasty 
 retreat. One of their number stole the old or first 
 town-book, and with a few others retreated up the 
 river. In the westerly part of the town, now Methuen, 
 they came upon a yoke of oxen, and with that hellish 
 barbarity which is their principal characteristic in war, 
 cut out their tongues, struck up a fire and broiled them. 
 Had they despatched the oxen, after their tongues were 
 out, it would have been a deed of mercy; but instead of 
 doing that, they left them in that dreadful situation. 
 After their repast was over, they continued their retreat, 
 but, either designedly or intentionally, left the town- 
 book. It was soon found, but so damaged with water 
 that many of the records were perfectly illegible. The 
 rumor of this attack soon reached the village, when an 
 armed party was collected and immediately pursued 
 them. But the Indians eluded their vigilance, and they 
 returned without seeing any of them. 
 
 This was truly a terrible day for the infant settle- 
 ment; some of its most useful citizens were slain, and 
 many of its promising youth. Terror seized the hearts 
 of the inhabitants, and well it might, for they were 
 liable, every day, to be swept from the stage of exis- 
 tence without even a moment's warning. They were 
 now on the alert to prevent, if possible, another attack; 
 guards were stationed in many of the houses, and the 
 brick house of Thomas Dustin, that had been partly fin- 
 ished the year before, but had not been occupied, was 
 ordered to 'be garrisoned.* The following is a copy of 
 the order to Mr. Dustin when he was appointed to com- 
 mand it. ^ . 
 
 " To Thomas Dustin, upon the settlement oi garri- 
 sons. April 5 1696-7. You being appointed master 
 of the garrison at your house, you are hereby, in his 
 Maj's [Majesty's] name, required to see that a good 
 
 * A part of this building is now standing, and is occupied by Mr. 
 Joshua Dustin, his descendant, for an out -house. 
 
07 
 
 watch be kept at yonr garrison both by night and by 
 day, by those persons hereafter named who are to be 
 under your command and inspection in building or re- 
 pairing your garrison; and if any person refuse or neg- 
 lect their duty, you are accordingly required to make 
 return of the same, under your hand, to the Committee 
 of militia in Haverhill. The persons appointed are as 
 followeth: — Josiah Heath, sen., Josiah Heath, jun., Jo- 
 seph Bradley, John Heath, Joseph Kingsbury, and 
 Thomas Kingsbury. 
 
 By order of the Committee of militia. 
 
 Samuel Ayer, Cnot.'' 
 
 Thomas Dusiin was a man of considerable ingenuity, 
 and tradition says that he had a " vast deal of mother 
 wit;" that he possessed unshaken courage and the pur- 
 est and loftiest feelings of aflection, cannot be doubt- 
 ed. It is said that he made his own almanacks, -and 
 furthermore, that he always made them on rainy daijs. 
 How true this is, we will not attempt to say. He had 
 a grandson, Joshua, who was said to have been his 
 counterpart. He once took it into his head to weave 
 a bed-quilt, and succeeded in making an excellent one, 
 consisting of as many colors as Joseph's coat. This 
 curious relic is now preserved by his descendants. 
 
 The business of brick-making was carried on exten- 
 sively, for that period, by Mr. Dustin, and the spot where 
 the kilns were burnt, is still visible. It was, however, 
 attended with considerable danger, for the Indians were 
 continually lurking in the vicinity, watching an oppor- 
 tunity to shoot them trom their I'.iding places, or to suc- 
 cessfully attack them. Tlie pits, v^-here the clay v^'as 
 dug, were situated only a few rods south of the garrison, 
 but the enemy v/ere so bold that those who brcughi the 
 clay from the pits to the yard, near the house, where it 
 was made into bricks, v/ere constantly attended by a 
 file of soldiers. 
 
 We v/ill here narrate a laughable incident that 
 happened at this garrison, while it was commanded 
 by My. Dustin. One Joseph Whittaker was quartered 
 there, to serve on the watch, assist in defending it 
 against the enemy, and perform such other duties as 
 
98 
 
 were from time to time required of him. He %vas a 
 lun-. unmarried man, and full of " marcury," as the 
 sto"y%oes; but ^vhether or no, ho was tall m person, 
 had ahM, bro«-, a beautiful countenance, and an ele- 
 eant and courtly mien, we have never been mformed. 
 lut that he was unmarried, is posifvely true, and tins 
 unlucky circumstance seemed to trouble hxs mmd;-for 
 r was considered, by our worthy fathers, somelhmg 
 of Isin to live long without the pale of matrunony; ye= 
 °hey positively deemed it better for youug men and 
 otm/women to be linked together by the holy and m- 
 epar'able bann. of wedlock " soon - -"ven ent - 
 blLsed be their memories '<"•, f'^^'.' f " , >T^^ J'"e 
 tleman mourned bitterly over us «'"f"\ f''"f ""'jf^^^ 
 considered it, and came to a solemn ''^^o,!,"""" ''^^^'^^^Se 
 ;t immediately "for better for worse. It must na\e 
 "a mS time with him, and doubtless he weighed 
 the matter carefully before he came to a final deter- 
 mUiaUon But he came to it at last, and accordingly 
 h "began to cast many inquisitive S^TToVXZ 
 om lasses of his acquaintance, and to lesohe, m nis 
 own mfnd, which of rtiem should have the /.o„o,- of ac- 
 rentinty his heart and hand. . . , 
 
 T^o happened that a young lady JOgS-S °'^;;> '^'^^ 
 
 ^^^t^ H'r,':;/:omredt t s; 
 
 re\'l"^rsec"e^ of lovelmess.-gentleness, grac 
 • ness aSdllicacy. It is inrpossible to state - exa . 
 color of her hair-perhaps it was b lack .-perhaps he 
 neck.was shaded vvith^ flaxen nnet= such as ^ ^ 
 
 *'^%™™°but Joseph no arubt, clearly savv heaven in 
 IfZUvt-inkiiur whether black, blue, or grey, 
 irstoT Kart, and 'would not return it to the right- 
 
 ''"' xTe'days and nights passed rapidly on as they 
 alwjs do to persons ^ho b'egin to feel the silent work- 
 
99 
 
 ings of young love, and Joseph found himself sinking 
 deeper and deeper each day, in the miry pit, whh only 
 one remedy within his grasp — and tliis was matrimony. 
 
 Accordingly he thought it best to make a declara- 
 tion, as it is called, and Tcarn if the object of his devo- 
 ted affection returned "love for love." Agreeably to 
 this manful recolution, he sedulously watched an oppor- 
 tunity, and assisted a little by the young lady, who, no 
 doubt, suspected his design, luckily found one. 
 'Twas when the sha/.les of evening fell 
 O'er forest deep, and hill and deU. 
 
 But whether the sky v/as cloudless, the stars came 
 out like beautiful spirits, and the western breezes war- 
 bled among the aged oaks; — or whether the clouds roll- 
 ed upward in black and frightful masses, and the light- 
 nings flashed vividly along their torn and sable edges, 
 and the deep and heavy thunder vaulted from pole to 
 pole — we have yet to learn. But the evening was pro- 
 bably calm and beautifvd, for love is positively afraid of 
 thunder, and will never show its delicate proportions 
 M'hen it is heard. It was in the night-time, however, 
 and they began '' to court a little,'' to use the phrase of 
 our narrator. At length, Joseph nerved his shrinking 
 courage, and M'ith a palpitating heart, and in broken 
 accents, made a declaration of his love, and ended the 
 interesting harangue by ofi'ering his heart and hand. 
 
 Mary heard his story very attentively, and then flatly 
 refused to have any thing to do with him. What a hard 
 hearted creature! Joseph was somewhat staggered at 
 so prompt a denial, but determined not to suffer her to 
 escape so easily; he had probably heard of the old 
 adage, "faint heart never won fair lady," and resolved 
 to persevere in the good work until he triumphed. He 
 pleaded his cause most manfully — but it was all in vain; 
 she remained stubborn and hard-hearted as at first. As 
 a last resource, he told her that, if she would not accept 
 of his ofler, he would go and ''jump into the well." 
 This was truly a -desperate resolution; but it had no 
 eflect on the cruel heart of the maiden — she still per- 
 i-isted in her refusal. Joseph then arose — probably 
 from a kneeling posture — and casting a long, lingering 
 look on the unfeeling airl, left the garrison. He went 
 
100 
 
 »o the well, and looking into ^' the deep and dark 
 abyss," anxiously weighed the matter before he took 
 the final leap. It was a stern resolve — he thought 
 ut^ it earnestly — he wavered — and at last determined not 
 to throw away his lite for such a hard-hearted creature. 
 While " casting himself about'' to see how he could 
 escape from this sad dilemma, and still preserve some 
 appearance of having done the deed, a new idea happily 
 Hashed across his cranium. A large log was lying near, 
 which he resolved should be the Joseph to jump into the 
 \vell, instead of himself. Soon as this commendable de- 
 termination was formed, he seized the log, plunged it 
 into the "watery deep," and immediately concealed 
 himself behind the curb. 
 
 But where was INIary all the while? — She had been 
 listening attentively at the door, half sorry that she had 
 denied him so long, and hardly believing that he would 
 commit so rash an act. But when she heard the heavy 
 plunge of the wooden Joseph, her heart completely re- 
 lented, and oh! how fervently she then wished that she 
 had not refused his offer! She hastily ran to the well, 
 and bending over the curb, with a bleeding and agoniz- 
 ed heart, exclaimed — '' Oh! Joseph, Joseph! if you are 
 in the land of the living, I will have you." Joseph saw 
 and heard the whole, and his heart leaped for gladness 
 at this intelligence, and instantly leaving his place of 
 (concealment, he rushed into her arms and exclaimed — 
 "Oh! Marv, Mary! I will take you at your word!" 
 How IVIary looked and acted on this occasion, we have 
 not been informed; but no doubt, 
 
 *'Her pure and eloquent blood 
 
 Spoke in her cheeks, and so distinctly wrought, 
 That one would almost say her body ihouglit." 
 The long embrace — ^the mutual reconciliation — and the 
 many tears of unfeigned joy that probably followed, 
 we will not attempt to describe. 
 
 On the 19th of April, a Committee was chosen ''to 
 agree with Mr. John Haseltine about the peculiar work 
 of the meeting house, the workmen providing all to the 
 turning of the key, the other work without and within 
 being done; and a turret also for a bell, provided the 
 whole do not exceed four hundred pounds in money/* 
 
101 
 
 At a meeting, on the fifth of July, it was again voted, 
 " that it should stand on the common land near Mr. 
 Keezar's dwelling house." The second house was ac- 
 cordingly built, about fifty feet in front of the present 
 Congregational church. It was built without a cupola, 
 or tower, as it was then more frequently called, and 
 with two doors, one for the women and one for the men. 
 The Committee that was appointed to examine it after 
 it was finished, reported that it was "50 1-2 feet in 
 length, 40 1-2 feet in breadth and 19 feet studd." 
 
 A severe cold, attended with a cough and high fe- 
 ver, prevailed in the whole Province. In Braintree^ 
 120 persons died.* 
 
 1698. 
 
 9th Jan. A meeting was warned by the Selectmen 
 to appoint Assessors for a tax of £40, demanded of the 
 town by the Assembly. Four of the Selectmen and 
 three others only were present. The meeting was 
 therefore dissolved without appointing them, but it was 
 understood — says the Recorder — that the four Selectmen 
 should perform that duty. 
 
 On the 22d February, Jonathan Haynes and Samuel 
 Ladd, who lived in the western part of the town, started 
 with their eldest sons, Joseph and Daniel, and a team 
 of oxen and horses, to procure a load of hay which was 
 stacked some distance from their dwellings. While they 
 were slowly driving their teams, without suspecting any 
 danger, they suddenly found themselves between two 
 files of Indians, who had concealed themselves in the 
 bushes on each side of their path. There were seven 
 of them on a side, who were on their return from an 
 attack on Andover. Their guns were presented and 
 cocked, and the fathers seeing that it was impossible to 
 escape, called for quarter; — " boon quarter! boon quar- 
 ter!'" — (meaning good quarter,) they twice exclaimed in 
 answer to their call. But Daniel, the son of Ladd, did 
 
 * Fairfield's Diary. 
 
102 
 
 not wish to be taken prisoner without making an effort 
 to escape; and he told his. father that he would mount 
 the fleetest horse and endeavor to flee. But the old 
 gentleman forbid him to make the attempt, telling him 
 that he had better remain a prisoner. He cut the horses 
 loose, however, gave them the lash, when they started 
 off full speed, and soon arrived uninjured to their sta- 
 bles; though they were repeatedly hred at by the In- 
 dians. Two of them then stepped behind the fathers, 
 and struck them violently on their heads, without the 
 least provocation. Mr. Ilaynes, who was quite aged, 
 instantly fell, but Mr. Ladd did not. Another then step- 
 ped before him and raised his hatchet with the intention 
 of striking him in the face. Mr. Ladd closed his eyes, 
 expecting that the blow would fall — but it came not — 
 and when he opened them, he saw the tawny fellow 
 laughing at, and mocking his fears. Another Indian 
 tlien stepped behind him and struck him down. 
 
 The Indians, on being asked why they killed the old 
 men, said that they killed Haynes because he was " so 
 old he no 2;o vAth us ;^^ — meaning that he was too aged 
 and infirm to travel; and that they killed Ladd, who 
 was a fierce, stern looking man, because " /ie so so?f?'." 
 They then started for Penacook, where they arrived, 
 with the two boys. Young Ladd soon grew weary of 
 his situation, and one night after his Indian master and 
 family had fell asleep, he attempted to escape. He had 
 proceeded but a short distance, when he thought that 
 he should want a hatchet to fell trees to assist him in 
 crossing the streams. He accordingly returned, enter- 
 ed a wigwam near his master's, where an old squaw 
 lay sick, and took a hatchet. The squaw watched his 
 movements, and probably thinking that he intended to 
 kill her, vociferated Vv'ith all her strength. This awak- 
 ened the Indians in the wigvv'am, who instantly arose, 
 re-captured him. and delivered him again to his master, 
 who bound his hands, laid him upon his back, fastened 
 one of his feet to a tree, and in that manner kept him 
 fourteen nights. They then gashed his face with their 
 knives, filled the wounds with powder, and kept him on 
 his back until it was so indented in the flesh, that it was 
 impossible to extract it. He carried the scars to his 
 
103 
 
 grave, and is now frequently spoken of by his descend- 
 ants as the " marked man," Some years after he found 
 means to return, and his scarred and powdered counte- 
 nance produced many witticisms at his expense. He 
 was one day walking the streets of Boston, and a parrot 
 observing his " marked" features, vociferated, "a rogue! 
 a rogue!" Haynes remained a prisoner •with the In- 
 dians some years, and was at last redeemed by his 
 relatives. 
 
 5th March. A party of about forty Indians again 
 attacked Andover, killed five persons, burnt two houses, 
 and two barns Vvith the cattle in them. On their return, 
 "they made spoil on Haverhill."* 
 
 A general contribution was taken in the Province, 
 for the relief of those who were prisoners with the 
 French and Indians. 
 
 Joseph Peasly moved that the town should allow him 
 and others " to meet at the new house for and in their 
 way of worship, which is according to the quakers. It 
 was read and refused to be voted upon." 
 
 This is the first notice we have of the Friends; and 
 probably their number was small. Though the bitter 
 persecutions carried on against them, in this Province, 
 by the prevailing sect were considerably abated, they 
 were still looked upon with contempt, and as a design- 
 ing and wicked people. The detestable bigotry that 
 spread its mantle of darkness over the minds of men at 
 that period, prevented them from thinking charitably of 
 those persons, whose religious tenets were opposed to 
 theirs. The arm of the strong was raised to crush the 
 vveak, or those who could not conscientiously worship 
 with them. 
 
 20th Nov. A meeting was warned to choose a 
 Committee to seat the people in the new meeting house, 
 "that they may know where to sit, and not disorderly 
 
 * Hutchinson, vol. II. page 101. 
 
104 
 
 cro^yd upon one another in the time of God's worship." 
 The Selectmen were then ordered to designate seats for 
 the above Committee, " that there may be no grumbUng 
 for picking and placing themselves." 
 
 Capt. Samuel Ayer and Nathaniel Saltonstall, Esq., 
 were chosen to dispose of the old meeting-house to the 
 best advantage. 
 
 It is supposed that the well-known disease, ycelped 
 mumps, made its appearance in the Colonies this year. 
 A journalist* says, " many persons died of an unusual 
 distemper, called the mumps." Doubtless it was much 
 more mortal than at the present day. 
 
 15th Jan. A meeting was warned to raise money 
 to pay the town debts, and there seems to have been 
 considerable confusion, for the Recorder says that ^' the 
 meeting was opened and mouths too." 
 
 5th March. A building was ordered to be erected 
 for a watch-house, school-house, and for any other use 
 to which it might be appropriated. It was built on 
 Main-street, north of the present parsonage house, and 
 faced the IMerrimack. 
 
 On the 3d of June, a grammar-school was ordered 
 to be established immediately, and IMr. Richard Salton- 
 stall was appointed to procure a suitable instructer. In 
 July, thirty pounds were raised to be appropriated for 
 that purpose; and the Selectmen were ordered to "write 
 a letter to the scnolar that Richard Saltonstall had treat- 
 ed with, or to some other meet person, to invite him to 
 come and be the school-master for this town of Haver- 
 hill." It is presumed that the school was not establish- 
 ed; for in the following year, we find that there was 
 none ; and it cannot be ascertained that there was any 
 from 1690, till the Indian war was terminated. We are 
 not much surprised at their negligence on this point, for 
 the inhabitants had enough to do to defend themselves. 
 
 A son of John Merrill was scalded to death. 
 
 *Se%valI. 
 
105 
 
 1701. 
 
 3d March. A Clerk of the market was chosen: and 
 it was also voted that ten pounds should be added to 
 Mr. Rolfe's salary. 
 
 4th March. A Committee was chosen purposely to 
 seat strangers in the meeting-house. Avery good plan; 
 and it would be well if some of the churches would learn 
 a little politeness, and practice it at the present day. It 
 was further ordered that, " if any of the inhabitants did 
 «it in any seat where he or she was not seated, should 
 pay a fine of one shilling in money." 
 
 It appears that Joseph Peasly suficred considerably 
 by fire, for the town " voted to give him his rates" on 
 that account. 
 
 Early in the spring the Indians made their appear- 
 ance in small parties, traversing the woods in every di- 
 rection. They soon became very bold, and attacked the 
 garrison of Jonathan Emerson; but were repulsed with 
 the loss of two killed, while the whites sustained no in- 
 jury. One of the soldiers, after the war was over, meet- 
 ing one of the Indians, spoke of the attack, when the 
 following dialogue ensued: 
 
 "You had two of your mimber slain," said the gar- 
 rison man. 
 
 " How do you know that?" asked the Indian. 
 
 ^' We saw your biers," was the reply. 
 
 " Hah, hah!" grunted the tawny fellow of the woods, 
 and was the only answer he condescended to make. — - 
 ^' And you put them in the great hole," continued the 
 garrison man. 
 
 '' Hah, hah! no, we did not," muttered the surly fel- 
 low, feeling that he was questioned too closely. 
 
 " What did you do with them?" asked the garrison 
 man, laughing in his sleeves, as the saying is, confident 
 that he had the best end of the dispute. 
 
 " We carried them to the deep hole above," he re- 
 .})lied, sharply; and immediately wheeled about aad 
 marched for his native woods." ^ 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
106 
 
 The "deep holes" referred to, were situated in 
 the low lands, south-west of the tavern now occupied by- 
 Mr. Pingree. One of them, many years since, was 
 near fifteen feet in depth, and was called the great hole; 
 and the other was called the deep hole. Soon after the 
 attack on the garrison, two Indian biers were found near 
 them, which led them to suppose that two of the enemy 
 were slain. 
 
 The Colony, at this time, was computed to contain 
 70,000 inhabitants.* 
 
 -«^©^***- 
 
 A garrison was ordered to be kept in the northerly 
 part of the town, in the house of one Saunders, which 
 stood on land now owned by Capt. Richard Stuart. It 
 was the custom for the nearest neighbors to sleep in the 
 garrison at night; but Thomas Whittier, a member of 
 the Society of Friends, who lived nearly opposite, re- 
 fused to shelter himself and family beneath it. His own 
 house was unguarded — no palisades surrounded it — and 
 he carried with him no weapon of war. When urged 
 by his friends to fly to the garrison for safety, or pre- 
 pare himself with the means of defence, he refused to 
 comply with their desires, for he depended more upon 
 the weapons of his faith than on those of steel. The In- 
 dians frequently .visited him, and the family often heard 
 them whispering beneath the windows, and saw them 
 put their copper faces to the glass to take a view of the 
 apartments. Friend Whittier, however, treated them 
 civilly, and they ever retired without otherwise molest- 
 ing him. 
 
 The government, on account of the extreme scarcity 
 of silver, began to emit bills, since called " Old Tenor." 
 They were then called bills of credit, and read thus: — 
 '' This indented bill of [amount] due from the Province 
 of the Massachusetts Bay to the Possessor thereof, 
 shall be in value equal to money, and shall be accord- 
 
 ''Sewall'sDinrv. 
 
107 
 
 ingly accepted by the Treasurer, and Receivers subor- 
 dinates to him, in all pubUc payments, and for any 
 stock at any time in the Treasury. 
 
 Boston [date.] By order of the Great and General 
 Court of Assembly." 
 
 Silver was this year valued at 83. per ounce. 
 
 18th Aug. At a meeting holden this day, ^' after 
 some discourse about getting a school-master, the town, 
 on consideration of their troubles with the Indians, re- 
 solved that nothing should be done about it, and the 
 meeting was dissolved." 
 
 The Selectmen were ordered to petition the Assem- 
 bly for an abatement of their country taxes, '' by reason 
 of their uncomfortable circumstances by reason of the 
 Indians." 
 
 The Indians had been quite peaceable for the last 
 two years, and the inhabitants pleased themselves with 
 the hope that they should see no more of them. They 
 had shaken off a portion of their watchfulness, and neg- 
 lected to guard their dwellings so securely as in former 
 years. On the 8th of February, about 3 or 4 o'clock 
 in the afternoon,* a party of six Indians attacked the 
 garrison of Joseph Bradley, which was unhappily m an 
 unfTuarded state — even the sentries had left their sta- 
 tions, and the gates were open. The Indians approach- 
 ed cautiously, and were rushing into the open gates, 
 before they were discovered. Jonathan Johnson, a sen- 
 tinel, who was standing in the house, shot at and wound- 
 ed the foremost, and Mrs. Bradley, who had a kettle of 
 
 * Pike's Journal. 
 
108 
 
 boiling soap over the fire, seized her ladle, and filling it 
 with the steaming liquid, discharged it on his tawny 
 pate — a soap-or'\i\c that almost instantly brought on a 
 sleep, from which he has never since awoke.* The rest 
 of the party immediately rushed forward, killed John- 
 son,! made prisoner of the intrepid woman, and of 
 some others. Pike, in his Journal, says four. J Three 
 persons escaped from the garrison. The Indians, then 
 fearing lest they should soon be attacked by a 
 stronger party, commenced a hasty retreat, aiming for 
 Canada, Vv'hich was their place of resort when they 
 had been so successtul as to take a number of pris- 
 oners. 
 
 Mrs. Bradley was in delicate circumstances, and 
 in slender health; still she received no kindness from 
 her savage conquerors. No situation of woman would 
 ever protect her trom their demon-like cruelties. The 
 weather was cold, the wind blew keenly over the hills, 
 and the ground was covered with a deep snow, — 
 yet they obliged her to travel on toot, and carry 
 
 * Penhallow. 
 
 t Town Records. 
 
 t We copy the following from ]Mr. Pike's .Toiirnal — it is ail that 
 he says of the affair. " Feh. 8. About 3 or 4 o'clock, afternoon, 
 Joseph Bradley's house, at Tfaverhill, was taken by six Indians; 13 
 persons killed and 5 carried away, whereof one returned. 3 more 
 persons escaped out of the house, and 1 Indian v.as slain in it by 
 Jonathan Johnson." Mr. Pike is tlie only one, that we cim find, 
 who says that thirteen persons were killed in this attack. Penhallow, 
 in his history of the " Indian Wars," speaks of no other slain than 
 Jonathan Johnson and the Indian; and if there were thirteen killed, 
 it appears rather singular that he did not mention it. Mr. Pike says 
 there were only six Indians, and thirteen slain — the dispaiity of the 
 two parties seem to invalidate his statement, for, unless they were 
 all children, ^\'^lich is not probable, they must have been positive 
 cowards, or been taken extremely unawares. Or, if they were wo- 
 men, it hardly seems probable to us, for women at that period, seem 
 to possess, at times, as much courage and fortitude as the men. 
 Another reason we have for doubting the statement of Mr. Pike, i.s 
 the silence of the Town-Records on the subject. The death of Mr. 
 Johnson is there faithfully recorded, thus: — " Jonathan Johnson 
 [birth] kilkd by the Indians, Feb. S, 1703-4." Why did they 
 neglect to record the deaths of the others? — It appears to us that, if 
 other persons were slain, their deaths would have been recorded 
 as well as that of Mr. Johnson. ^ 
 
109 
 
 a. heavy burthen, too large even for the strength of man. 
 In this manner they proceeded through the wdd wilder- 
 ness; and Mrs. Bradley mformed her family, after she 
 returned, that for many days in succession, she subsist- 
 ed on nothing but bits of skin, ground-nuts, the bark of 
 trees, wild onions, and lily roots. 
 
 While in this situation, with none but savages tor 
 her assistants and protectors, and in the midst of a thick 
 forest she gave birth to a child. The Indians then, as 
 if they were not satisfied with persecuting the mother, 
 extended their cruelties to the innocent and almost 
 friendless babe. For the want of proper attention, it 
 was sickly, and probably troublesome; and when it cri- 
 ed, these remorseless fiends showed their pity, by throw- 
 ino- embers into its mouth.=^ They told the mother that, 
 if'^she would permit them to baptize it m their manner, 
 they would suffer it to live. Unwilling to deny their 
 request, lest it should enrage their fierce and diabolical 
 passions, and hoping that the little innocent would re- 
 ceive kindness at their hands, she complied with their 
 request. They took it from her, and baptized it by 
 gashing its forehead with their knives.t The feelings 
 of the mother, when the child w^as returned to her with 
 its smooth and white forehead gashed with the knife, and 
 its warm blood coursing down its cheeks, can be better 
 imagined than described. 
 
 Soon as Mrs. Bradley had regained sufficient 
 strength to travel, the Indians again took up their march 
 for Canada. But before they arrived at their place ot 
 rendezvous, she had occasion to go a Httle distance from 
 the party, and when she returned, she beheld a sight 
 shocking to a mother, and to every feeling of humanity. 
 Her child, which was born in sorrow, and nursed in the 
 lap of afHiction, and on which she doted with maternal 
 fondness, was piked upon a pole.J - Its excrutiatmg 
 agonies were over — it could no more feel the tortures 
 of the merciless savages — and its mother could only 
 weep over its memory. Soon after, they proceeded to 
 
 * Penhallow. 
 t Tradition. 
 
 t Rev. Abiel Abbot's MSS. 
 ^^ 10 
 
HO 
 
 Canada, where Mrs, Bradley was sold to the Fren^Ii 
 tor eighty livres. She informed her friends, after her 
 return, that she was treated kindly by the family in. 
 which she lived. It was her custom, morning and even- 
 ing, when she milked her master's cow, to take with her 
 a crust of bread, soak it with milk, and eat it; with this, 
 and with the rations allowed her by her master, she eked 
 out a comfortable subsistance.* 
 
 In March, 1705, her husband, hearing that she wag 
 in the possession of the French, started tor Canada with 
 the intention of redeeming her. He travelled on foot, 
 accompanied only by a dog that drew a small sled, in 
 which he carried a bag of snuff, as a present from the 
 Governor of this Province to the Governor of Canada.f 
 When he arrived, he immediately redeemed her, J and 
 set sail from Montreal for Boston, which they reach- 
 ed in safety; and from thence travelled to Haverhill. 
 
 Penhallow^ mentions this as her second captivity^ 
 and Hutchinson says the same; but Penhallow is, with- 
 out doubt, his authority. Diligent search has been 
 made to learn the history of her first; but, thus far, 
 it has been unsuccessful. Very accurate traditions 
 of the captivities of the other members of the family, 
 have been transmitted to their descendants, but they 
 have never heard their fathers tell that this person was 
 taken at any other time; at least, they can give no 
 account of such a fact. We extract the following, 
 from Rev. Abiel Abbot's MS., taken by him from Judith 
 Whiting: — "Destitute of nurses and necessaries, the 
 child was sickly, and apt to cry, and they would put hot 
 embers in its mouth. Being obliged to leave it a short 
 time, on her return, she found it piked on a pole. * * 
 " * Having been brought home by her husband, she 
 was taken a second time, but not before she had finish- 
 ed and wounded an Indian by pouring boiling soap into 
 his mouth." From this, it appears that she was twice 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
 tThe only authority we have of the dttg, the sled, and bag of 
 snufT. is tradition, which we heard related very minutely by his de- 
 scendant-;. 
 
 t Penhallow, page 10. 
 
 § liist. of the Indian Wars, page 10. 
 
Ill 
 
 captivated; but of the truth of the statement, in this 
 particular, we will not undertake to judge. It certainly 
 does not agree with Penhallow's, and if we rely on one 
 we must throw up the other, at least, in part.* 
 
 21st March. Major Richard Saltonstall was chosen 
 by the town to appear at Court, " to answer in the 
 town's behalf their presentment for not being provided 
 with a school master as the law requires." 
 
 4th Aug. Joseph Page and Bartholomew Heath, 
 were killed by the Indians; a lad who v/as v/ith them, 
 narrowly escaped. | 
 
 6th March. IMr. Rolfe petitioned the town for ano- 
 ther addition to his salary; and ten pounds more were 
 granted him. 
 
 A reward of tvz-enty shillings was offered to any per- 
 son who should kill a full-grown wolf within the limits 
 of the town. 
 
 4th April. A general fast was held throughout the 
 Ts^ew-England Colonies, on account of the war with 
 France and Spain. 
 
 -***€'^^*»*" 
 1706. 
 
 In the month of February, there was a great fresh 
 m the Merrimack. Tlie ice stopped in the river and 
 caused the water to overflow its banks in many places. J 
 
 Samuel Swan had his house broken open and robbed 
 of about fifty pounds. He petitioned the town, on the 
 4th of March, to make up a part of his loss, but the peo- 
 ple did not see fit to comply. 
 
 *See Penhallow, page 10. 
 t Pike's Journal. 
 I CoHia's MSS. 
 
112 
 
 The town was again presented for being destitute of 
 a school-master, and Major Richard Saltonstall was 
 chosen to answer it. 
 
 Sometime in the summer of this year, the Indians 
 again visited the garrison of Joseph Bradley ; and it is 
 said that he, his wife and children, and a hired man, were 
 the only persons in it at the time. It was in the night, the 
 moon shone brightly, and they could be easily seen, 
 silently and cautiously approaching. Mr. Bradley arm- 
 ed himself, his wife and man, each with a gun, and such 
 of his children as could shoulder one. Mrs. Bradley 
 supposing that they had come purposely for her, told 
 her husband that she had rather be killed than be again 
 taken. The Indians rushed upon the garrison, and en- 
 deavored to beat down the door. They succeeded in 
 pushing it partly open, and when one of the Indians 
 began to crowd himself through the opening, Mrs. Brad- 
 ley fired her gun and shot hhn dead. The rest of the 
 party, seeing their companion fall, desisted from their 
 purpose and hastily retreated.* 
 
 3d July. Sergeant Kingsbury was killed or taken 
 prisoner. t 
 
 Colonel Nathaniel Saltonstall, one of the firmest pil- 
 lars of the town, and a prominent man in the Colony, 
 died on the 21st of May, after being ill with aeon- 
 sumption nearly half a year.f He was the grandson of 
 Sir Richard Saltonstall, who was one of the patentees of 
 the Colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut,^ was 
 styled one of the fathers of the former, and projected 
 and settled a plantation, and ^' called it Watertown." 
 Col. Saltonstall possessed a vigorous and well-cuhivated 
 intellect, was beloved by his neighbors and friends, and 
 appeared comparatively free from the bigotry and gross 
 
 * Tradition. 
 
 t Pike's Journal. 
 
 t Trumbull's Hist. ConnecticuL ^ 
 
113 
 
 superstition of the age in which he lived. He was 
 born in 1639, and graduated at Harvard College m 
 1659 and soon after settled on that beautiful situation, 
 now owned by Wid. Samuel AV. Duncan. He married 
 Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Rev. John Ward, and the 
 estate on which he lived, was conveyed to him in con- 
 sideration of this marriage.* It was known for many 
 years by the name of the " Saltonstall seat." He had 
 five children; Guerdon, born 27th March, 1666, was a 
 minister at New-London, and afterwards Governor ot 
 Connecticut, and died 1724; EHzabeth, born 17th Sept., 
 1668, and married, 1st, Mr. Denizen, 2d, Rev. Row- 
 land Cotton; Richard, born 25th April, 1672, graduated 
 at Harvard College, 1695; Nathaniel, born 5th Sept., 
 1674, and graduated at Harvard College, 1695; John, 
 born 14th Aug., 1678, and died 2d Oct., 1681. His 
 wife died 29th April, 1714. 
 
 He took the oath of freeman, 1665, was chosen Rep- 
 resentative, 1666, 1669 to 1671, Captain, 1690, elected 
 assistant, 1679 to 1682, and again, 1689 to 1692.t He 
 was Colonel of the Essex Regiment. A bitter and vio- 
 lent enemy of New-England, Edward Randolph, who 
 was the chief instrument in depriving this Colony 
 of its charter, ^' included him among those whom he 
 called a faction of the General Court in 1681, and 
 ao-ainst whom he exhibited articles of high misdemeanor 
 td the lords of the Council." J When the old charter 
 was taken away, in 1686, he was named as one of the 
 "Council for the government of Massachusetts Bay;" 
 but it seems that he had taken the oath of Assistant 
 under the old charter a few days before, and refused to 
 accept of the appointment. 
 
 Soon after Sir Edmund Andross was seized and re- 
 moved, he accepted of an invitation to join the Council 
 which took the government into their hands, and con- 
 tinued in this office until the charter of William and 
 Mary, when he was appointed one of his Majesty's 
 Council. 
 
 ♦Sketch of Haverhill. 
 t Farmer's Genealogical Register. 
 
 i We are indebted for this fact, and for many others concerning 
 this family, to the " Sketch of Haverhill." 
 10* 
 
114 
 
 Randolph, whose name has been once mentioned, in 
 his " answer to heads of inquiry concerning ]Vew-Eng- 
 land," speaks of him as one among the " most popular 
 and well principled military men." In August, 1680, 
 he accompanied the deputy-Governor and others, " with 
 sixty soldiers in a ship and sloop from Boston, to still 
 the people at Casco Bay and prevent Governor Andross^ 
 usurpation." In 1683, he was appointed one of the 
 commissioners by Charles II, "to examine and inquire 
 into the claims and titles as well of his Majesty as others 
 to the Narragansett country." 
 
 It has been said that he Was comparatively free from 
 the bigotry and gross superstition which then prevailed. 
 His conduct is our proof He was opposed to the pro- 
 ceedings of the Court against the witchcraft mania that 
 commenced in 1692. He was then one of the Judges; 
 but he vacated his seat, and openly expressed his dissat- 
 isfaction at the violence of the Court. We are aston- 
 ished at his independence — his moral energy — and his 
 fearlessness, in declaring his sentimcxits, though in 
 opposition to the united opinion of his cotemporaries of 
 the bench, and against that of nearly the whole Colony. 
 A torrent of madness and delusion had overwhelmed it, 
 and swept onward, carrying terror to every heart, and 
 leaving death and desolation in its pathway. The 
 Judges of the land, the ministers, whose voices were 
 heard in the sacred desks — the high and gifted in mind 
 — were victims to this terrible fanaticism; and it is 
 deemed an honor to Mr. Saltonstall, which will ever be 
 attached to his memory, that he went forth from among 
 them, and stood aloof from their councils. 
 
 Mr. Brattle, speaking of this in his account of the 
 witchcraft, says, " Maj. N. Saltonstall Esq. who was 
 one of the Judges, has left the court, and is very much 
 dissatisfied with the proceedings of it." Upon this, Mr. 
 Bentley, in his history of Salem, remarks, '^ Saltonstall 
 left the bench; but ought he not, as the friend to justice, 
 to have been upon it?" — What effect, we ask, would his 
 single voice have had against the united voices of the 
 other Assistants? Had he remained on the bench and 
 opposed the delusion while there, his life would have 
 been in jeopardy, and he would have exhibited a paucity 
 
11^ 
 
 of judgment — a fanaticism, nearly or quite equal to that 
 displayed by his opponents. There was no other way 
 for him to act, and even then he was not free from 
 danger. 
 
 It was thought that a short biography of Guerdon, 
 eldest son of I\athaniel Saltonstall, deserved a place in 
 this history; for perhaps it is not known to all of 
 our readers, that one of the most accomplished Gov- 
 ernors of Connecticut, and one of the most distin- 
 guished men in New-England, was a native of this 
 town. He graduated at Cambridge, in 1684, where 
 he was a profound scholar, and gave promise of his 
 future greatness. In 1691, he was ordained pastor of 
 the church at New-London. He soon became a cele- 
 brated preacher, and so rapid was the growth of his rep- 
 utation, that in 1707, upon the death of Fitz-John Win- 
 throp, he was chosen Governor by the Legislature. So 
 great was the respect for his character, that " the As- 
 sembly repealed the law which required that the Gover- 
 nor should always be chosen from among the magis- 
 trates in nomination, and gave liberty for the freemen to 
 elect him from among themselves at large." Mr. Sal- 
 tonstall accepted of the appointment, and entered upon 
 the duties of his oflice, 1st January, 1708. He was 
 continued in office until his death, which was very sud- 
 den, on the 20th September, 1724. 
 
 He is said to have been a powerful reasoner, and an 
 eloquent orator. " In 1722, when Timothy Cutler, 
 rector of Yale College, and five other ministers, exhib- 
 ited to the trustees of the College a written declaration 
 against the validity of Presbyterian ordination, a public 
 disputation and conference on the subject, between them 
 and the trustees, was held soon after in the College 
 library, at which conference, Gov. Saltonstall presided; 
 and three of the ministers retracted, ' being satisfied of 
 the validity of ordination by presbyters, chiefly by his 
 earned reasonings.' " 
 
 The Boston News Letter,* speaking of his death, 
 says: '' On the 19th he dined well and so continued till 
 about 4 P. M. when he seemed something indisposed 
 
 *'' No. 1074, Oct. 1, 1724." 
 
116 
 
 ana quickly complained of a pain in his head; about b 
 he betook himself to his bed, his pain and illness in- 
 Creasing he then said, See what need we have to be at- 
 ways ready, Sfc. At twelve the next day he expired, to 
 the almost unexampled sorrow of all that saw or since 
 heard of it, not only through all that government, but 
 
 the whole land." . ^r t i 
 
 The Rev. Eliphalet Adams of INew-London, in a 
 sermon upon his death, says:— " How doth the whole 
 land shake at his fall! How much of our glory, how 
 much of our peace and safety is buried in this one grave . 
 Every heart aches at the hearing of it, and every eye 
 plentifully pours out tears unto God! The heavy tid- 
 incrs passeth swiftly from place to place, astomshmg all 
 as it goes, and every man amazed at the news tells it to 
 his trembling neighbor, and all with one consent begin to 
 cry, The crown is fallm from our head, ico unto us that 
 
 ice have sinned. . , , ^ c 
 
 " Often have I trembled to thmk how much ot our 
 olory and safety was bound up in him, and what a migh- 
 ?y blow we should be made to feel in the day when it 
 should please God to remove him from us. The mel- 
 ancholy hour is at length come, this wise, great and 
 good man is fallen, with all his glories yet fresh about 
 him, as if the sun should go down at noon. Every 
 mouth is filled with his praises, and can scarce speak ot 
 any thino- else but our heavy loss. And indeed, here is 
 a niost copious subject for panegyric— it is hard to say 
 what should be passed in silence, wben every thmg 
 may be said, and too much plenty makes us j^oor. 
 
 " Who did not admire his consummate wisdom, pro- 
 found learning, his dexterity in business and indefatiga- 
 ble appUcation, his intimate acquaintance with men and 
 things, and his superior genius? and what was more 
 than all this, his unaffected piety and love to God s 
 house, his exact life and exemplary conversation.? In 
 what part of learning did he not excel?" 
 
 This is truly an exalted eulogy— but Mr. baltonstali 
 was an extraordinary man, and was an honor to the 
 Colony of which he was Governor, and to the town Irom 
 which he originated. _ -r» r 
 
 24th June. Joseph and Ebenezer Page, sons ot 
 Joseph Page, were killed by the Indians. 
 
117 
 
 1708. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1707, and the com- 
 mencement of this, but few Indians were seen lurking in 
 the adjoining woods. The frontier settlements began 
 to feel somewhat secure, and consequently remitted 
 their vigilance; but it was ascertained, early in the 
 spring, that the enemy were collecting forces in Canada 
 for some important attack. Intelligence was carried to 
 Governor Dudley, at Boston, that an army, consisting 
 of eight hundred men, was about marching for some one 
 of the frontier settlements. Upon the receipt of this, he 
 " ordered guards in the most exposed places of both his 
 provinces." A body of troops, under Capt. Robert Cof- 
 fin, patrolled from Kingston to Cochecho, and scouts 
 were ordered to be kept out continually. Four hun- 
 dred Massachusetts Militia were posted in N. H. Prov- 
 ince. The guard sent to this town, consisted of about 
 forty men, accompanied with three choice officers, from 
 Salem, Major Turner, afterwards Colonel, a principal 
 merchant of that place, and for many years a member of 
 the council; Capt. Price, and Capt. Gardner, and soon 
 after their arrival, they were posted in the frontier 
 houses and garrisons. 
 
 Early in the year a grand council was held at Mon- 
 treal, when an extensive engagement was agreed upon; 
 which was to be joined by the principal Indians of every 
 tribe in Canada, the Abenakis tribe, one hundred select 
 French Canadians, and a number of volunteers, several 
 of whom were officers in the French army, composing a 
 formidable body of about four hundred men. The 
 French were commanded by DeChaillons, and the infa- 
 mous Hertel de Rouville, the sacker of Deerfield,* and 
 
 * Deei-fiekl was desolated in the winter of 1704. The French 
 and Indians were commanded by this same Hertel de Rouville, whose 
 name will ever be coupled with infamy, " assisted by four of his 
 brothers; all of which had been trained up to the business by their 
 father, who had been a famous partizan in their former wars." They 
 slaughtered forty-seven of the inhabitants, plundered the village, and 
 set it on fire. They then retreated, carrying with them one hundred 
 and twelve, as prisoners of war. Dr. Samuel Williams, the inune- 
 
118 
 
 the Indians by La Perriere. The Indians were mevci- 
 less, insolent and revengeful; but the French at that 
 period equalled, and we had almost said, exceeded them 
 in acts of wantonness and barbarity. When the former 
 were weary of murdering " poor, helpless women and 
 children" — when they were glutted with blood, it is said 
 that M. Vaudreuil, then Governor of Canada, employed 
 the latter to do it.* 
 
 To excite less surprise among the English, they di- 
 vided their army into two bodies; the French with the 
 Algonquin, the St. Francois and Huron Indians, were 
 to take the route by the river St. Francois, and La Per- 
 riere and the French Mohawks, were to pass by Lake 
 Champlain. Lake Kickisipigue was appointed the place 
 of rendezvous, and there they were to meet the Nor- 
 ridgewock, the Penobscot, and other eastern tribes.* 
 These arrangements being completed, they commenced 
 their march on the 16th of July; but before the first 
 named party had arrived to the St. Francois, a Huron 
 was accidentally killed by a companion, which was con- 
 sidered by the tribe as an ill-omen, and that the expedi- 
 tion, though commenced under such favorable auspices, 
 would certainly prove unfortunate. Strongly impressed 
 with this idea, and not wishing to be connected with it 
 if it should so prove, they deserted. The JMohawks 
 then pretended that an infectious distemper had broken 
 out among them, and that it M'ould soon spread among 
 the rest of the tribes, if they remained — and they also 
 returned. M. Vaudreuil, when he heard of this, imme- 
 <iiately sent v/ord to the French officers to proceed, and 
 fall upon some of the English settlements, even if they 
 should be deserted by the Algonquin and St. Francois 
 tribes. These, however, remained firm to their allegi- 
 eince, and they continued their march; but when they 
 arrived at Nickisipigue, their rendezvous, what was 
 their astonishment at finding that the eastern Indians 
 had broken faith with them. 
 
 diate descendant of one of the principal sufferers, and the accom- 
 phshed historian of Vermont, has given an interesting account of the 
 ^vhole affair. 
 * Hutchinson. 
 
119 
 
 It is said that their first design was to attack Port;** 
 mouth, and then, marching rapidly onward to other set- 
 tlements, spread terror and desolation along the whole 
 frontier. But being unable to accomplish this on ac- 
 count of the unexpected desertions, they were obliged 
 to compress their views. Their whole force was now 
 about 250, a small number when compared with that 
 which started from Canada. Probably the French offi- 
 cers felt ashamed to return without efiecting something, 
 after they had been at so much trouble and expense; 
 accordingly, Haverhill, a compact village, consisting of 
 about thirty houses,* was selected for the slaughter. 
 
 At the break of day, on the 29th of August, they 
 passed the frontier garrisons undiscovered, and were 
 first seen near the pound, marching two and two, by 
 John Keezar,t who was returning from Amesbury. He 
 immediately ran into the village and alarmed the inhab- 
 itants, who seem to have slept totally unguarded, by fir- 
 
 * Hutchinson. 
 
 t This Keezar, the son of John Keezar, who was killed when 
 Mrs. Dustm was captivated, was a very eccentric man, and a jack at 
 all trades. He was said to be exceedingly proud of his proficiency ia 
 walking, leaping, and other manual exercises; and, if tradition may 
 be relied upon, he was certainly a great walker and leaper; for it is 
 said that he walked to Boston and back again in one night, and 
 jumped over a cart whh two large pails full of milk in his hands. It 
 was his custom to go from this town to Amesbury and pitch his tent 
 on the side of a hill, where he worked at the trade of shoemaking, 
 ar.d lived in all respects, while there, like an austere hermit. Some 
 say, that when he discovered the enemy, he was out to take in his 
 horse, which, according to his custom, he had turned into his neigh- 
 bor's field to feed. Others say they were discovered by one Hutch- 
 ins, who was out to steal milk from his neighbors' cows. 
 
 Another account says that the slaughter might have been pievent- 
 ed had it not been for the agitation of a young man, who, hitending 
 to start very early that morning for a distant town, went up on the 
 Conmion to catch his horse, and while there, discovered the enemy 
 advancing toward the village. He immediately hastened to the town, 
 but in his extreme agitation, he thought Only of the safety of the 
 young lady to whom he had paid very particular attention some time 
 previous. It is said that he passed through a part of the village, 
 went directly to the abode of his mistress, and concealed her in a 
 pile of boards. He then, after seeing his own property safe, and 
 which, perhaps, was all he possessed in the wide world, gave the 
 alarm; but the attack had already commenced. 
 
120 
 
 ing his gun near the meeting-house. The enemy soon 
 apiieared, making the air ring Avith terrific yells, with a 
 sort of whistle, which, says tradition, could be heard as 
 far as a horn, and clothed in all the terrors of a savage 
 war-dress. They scattered in every direction over the 
 village, so that they might accomplish their bloody work 
 with'^more despatch. The first person they saw, was 
 Mrs. Smith, whom they shot as she was flymg from her 
 house to a garrison. The foremost party attacked the 
 house=^ of Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, which was then garri- 
 soned with three soldiers, and he, and a part of his be- 
 loved and accomplished family, were suddenly awaken- 
 ed from their slumbers, only to hear the horrid knell for 
 their departure. Mr. Rolfe instantly leaped from his 
 bed, placed himself against the door, which they were 
 endeavoring to beat in, and called on the soldiers for 
 assistance ;°but these craven-hearted men refused to 
 give it, for they were palsied with fear, and walked to 
 and fro through the chambers, crying and swinging their 
 arms. Had they displayed but half the ordinary cour- 
 age of men, no doubt they would have successfully de- 
 fended the house. But, instead of that, they did not 
 fire a gun, or even lift a finger towards its defence. 
 The enemy finding their entrance strenuously opposed, 
 fired two balls through the door, one of which took effect, 
 and wounded Mr.^Rolfe in the elbow. They then 
 pressed against it with their united strength, and Mr 
 Rolfe finding it impossible to resist them any longer, fled 
 precipitately through the house, and out at the back 
 door. The Indians followed, overtook him at the well, 
 and despatched him with their tomahawks.! They then 
 
 * Where die parsonage house now stands. 
 
 t Another account says that he was killed by one of the bullets 
 shot throu-h the door, and this we helieve is the prevailing opinion; 
 but we feel confident that it is untrue. We know that it is hard for 
 others, as well as ourselves, to give up a tradition which we have 
 often heard repeated by our neighbors, and by our flit hers; but in 
 this case we think it must be done, if the truth is desired. ^^ hen 
 we first began to develope the attair, we felt confident, almost to a 
 certainty, that he was killed through the door, because every body 
 said so; and indeed, we had once so wrote it, and read it to a Iriend 
 of ours, who agreed with us on that point, at least he made no ob- 
 jections to it. But while examimng other aflairs, we were shown 
 
1^1 
 
 c.e.arched every part of the house for plunder, and also 
 for other victhns, on whom they might mflict their 
 savao-e cruelties. They soon found Mrs. Rolfe and 
 her youngest child, Mchitable, and while one of them 
 sunk his hatchet deep in her head, another took the m- 
 fant from her dying grasp, and dashed its head agamst 
 a stone near the door. _ i • i . 
 
 Two of Mr. Rolfe's children, about six and eight 
 years of ao-e,* were providentially saved by the sagacity 
 knd courage of Hagar, a negro slave, who was an in- 
 mate of the family. Upon the first alarm, she leaped 
 from her bed, carried them into the cellar, covered them 
 with two tubs, and then concealed herself. The enemy 
 entered the cellar and plundered it of every thing valua- 
 ble They repeatedly passed the tubs that covered the 
 two children, and even trod on the foot of one, without 
 discovering them. They drank milk from the pans, 
 then dashed them on the cellar bottom, and took meat 
 from the barrel, behind which Hagar was concealed. 
 
 Anna Whittaker, who was then living in the family 
 of Mr. Rolfe, concealed herself in an apple-chest, under 
 the stairs, and escaped unharmed. But it fared differ- 
 ently with the cowardly soldiers. They earnestly beg- 
 ged for mercy, of their inhuman conquerors, but their 
 cries were unheeded; and when the massacre was^over, 
 their bodies were numbered with the slain. We can 
 have no pity for the fate of such contemptible cowards. 
 A man who will shrink from danger at such a time, and 
 in such a situation, while he holds the weapons of de- 
 fence in his hands, should be ranked with the reptde, 
 and ever be looked upon wit h scorn by the world. 
 
 some extracts from the manuscript account of Rev. Abiel Abbot, taken 
 by him from the lips of Judith Whiting, and which has been betore 
 mentioned in this work. Mrs. Whiting was eight years old when 
 the attack happened, and when she gave the account to Mr. Abbot, 
 thoucrh very aged, her faculties were unimpaired; and she stated that 
 he was shot through the elbow, fled through the house, and was 
 tomahawked at the well. We place much reliance on her statement, 
 and no donbt, the story of Mr. Rolfe's being killed through the door, 
 arose from the wound which he received in his elbow. It appears 
 to us very probable that it should. 
 
 * One was afterwards married to Col. Hatch, of Dorchester, the 
 Other to the Rev. Samuel Checkley, sen., of Boston. 
 11 
 
122 
 
 The names of such, should sink in oblivion, or survive 
 aa memorials of surpassing infamy. 
 
 The family of Thomas Hartshorne suffered as se- 
 verely as that of IMr. Rolfe. He saw a party ap- 
 proaching to assault his house, which stood a few rods 
 west of the meeting-house, and escaped out of it, follow- 
 ed by two of his sons, to call assistance; but all three 
 were shot dead immediately after leaving it. A third 
 son was tomahawked as he was coming out at the door. 
 Mrs. Hartshorne, with that presence of mind which is a 
 characteristic of her sex, when surrounded with danger, 
 instantly took the rest of her children — except an infant 
 which she left on a bed in the garret, and which she 
 was afraid would, by its cries, betray their place of con- 
 cealment, if she took it with her — through a trap-door 
 into the cellar. The enemy entered the house, and be- 
 gan to plunder it, but happily did not discover them. 
 They went into the garret, took the infant from its bed, 
 and threw it out at the window. It fell on a pile of 
 clapboards, and when the action was over, it was found 
 completely stunned. It lived, however, and became a 
 man of uncommon stature, and of remarkable strength. 
 His neighbors would frequently joke him, and say that 
 the Indians stunted him when they threw him from the 
 garret-window.* 
 
 One of the parties proceeded towards the river, and 
 attacked the housef of Lieut. John Johnson. Mr. John- 
 son and his wife, with an infant a year old in her arms, 
 were standing at the door, when the enemy made their 
 appearance. Mr. Johnson was shot, and his wife fled 
 through the house into the garden, J carrying her babe, 
 where she was overtaken by the foe, and immediately 
 despatched. But when she fell, she was careful not to 
 injure her child, and it seemed as if her last thoughts 
 were for its safety. The enemy, it appears, did not 
 murder it, and it is somewhat remarkable that they did 
 not; for they always took great delight in torturing and 
 
 * x^bbol's IMSS. 
 
 t It s-tood on the spot now covered by the mansion of the late 
 lion. Bailey Bartlett. 
 
 t The £;aiden was where the Post-office now stands. 
 
123 
 
 dashin<r out the brains of innocent babes. Perhaps it 
 was because the mother was not aUve to witness its 
 agonies. After tiie massacre was over, it was found at 
 the breast of its dead mother.* 
 
 Another party rifled and burnt the house of Mr. Sil- 
 ver which stood within ten rods of the meetmg-house, 
 and others attacked the watch-house, which was, how- 
 ever, successfully defended. Another party went to 
 the house of Capt. Simon Wainwright,t whom they 
 killed at the first fire. The soldiers stationed in tue 
 chambers, were preparing to defend the house till the 
 last when Mrs. V/ainwright fearlessly unbarred the 
 door, and let them in. She spoke to them kindly, wait- 
 ed upon them with seeming alacrity, and promised to 
 procure them whatever they desired. The enemy knew 
 not what to make of thls;--the apparent cheerfulne-^ 
 with which they were received, and the kindness wita 
 which they were treated, was so different from what they 
 expected to meet with, that it seemed to paralyze then- 
 energies. They, however, demanded money of Mrs. 
 Wainwright, and upon her retiring "to bring it, as she 
 said, she fled with all of her children, except one 
 daughter who was taken captive, and were not after- 
 wards discovered. The enemy, so soon as they found 
 out how completely they had been deceived, were great- 
 ly enraged, and attacked the chambers with great vio- 
 lence; but the soldiers courageously defended them,^and 
 after attempting to fire the house, they retreated, taking 
 with them three prisoners. In the mean-time, two In- 
 dians skulked behind" a large stone, which stood m the 
 field a {ew rods east of the house, where they could fire 
 upon its inmates at their leisure. The sokhers in the 
 chambers fired upon them, and killed them both. They 
 were afterwards buried in the same field, a few rodrf 
 south, and but a few years since, the water washed their 
 skeletons from their places of repose. 
 
 Two Indians attacked the house of Mr. Swan, 
 which stood in the field now called White's lot, nearly 
 opposite to the house of Capt. Emerson. Swan and hi? 
 
 ♦Tradition. 
 
 t Capt. Wainwright lived in a house which stood on the groiuwi 
 SM3W covered hy Capt, Nehemiah Eiuerson's- 
 
124 
 
 wife sav/ them approaching, and determmed, if possible?, 
 to save their own lives, and the Kves of their children, 
 from the knives of the ruthless butchers. They im- 
 mediately placed themselves against the door, which 
 was so narrow that two conld scarcely enter abreast. 
 The Indians rushed against it, but finding that it could 
 not be easily opened, they commenced their operations 
 more systematically. One of them placed his back to 
 the door, so that he could make his whole strength bear 
 upon it, while the other pushed against him. The 
 strength of the besiegers was greater than that of the 
 besieged, and Mr. Swan, being rather a timid man, said 
 our venerable narrator, almost despaired of saving him- 
 self and family, and told his wife that he thought it 
 would be better to let them in. But this resolute and 
 courageous woman had no such idea. The Indians had 
 now succeeded in partly opening the door, and one of 
 them was crovrding liimself in, v/hile the other M'as push- 
 ing lustily after. The heroic wife saw that there was 
 no time for parleying — she seized her spit, which was 
 nearly three feet in length, and a deadly weapon in the 
 hands of woman, as it proved, and collecting all the 
 strength she possessed, drove it through the body of the 
 foremost. This was too warm a reception for the be- 
 siegers — it was resistance from a source, and with a 
 weapon they little expected; and surely, who else 
 would ever think of spitting a man ? — The two Indians, 
 thus repulsed, immediately retreated, and did not 
 molest them again. Thus, by the fortitude and heroic 
 courage of a wife and mother, this family was probably 
 saved from a bloody grave. ^ 
 
 One of the parties set fire to tlie back side of the 
 meeting-house, a new, and for that period, an elegant 
 building. These transactions were all performed about 
 the same time; but they were not permitted to continue 
 their work of murder and conflagration long, before they 
 became panic-struck. Mr. Davis, an intrepid man, 
 Vvent behind Mr. Rolfe's barn, which stood near the 
 
 * The account of this deed is received wholly from tradition. 
 We heard it related by an aged and venerable gentleman, Capt. Ne- 
 Iwmiah Emerson, who has often heard it told by his grand-fatlier^ 
 -svho then lived in the ga^ri-on of liis fathG-r,. Jonathan Emers.on.. 
 
125 
 
 house, str-uck it violently with a large club, called on 
 men by name, gave the word of command, as though he 
 were ordering an attack, and shouted with a loud voice, 
 "Come on! come on! we will have them!" Ihe party 
 in Mr. Rolfe's house, supposing that a large body ofthe 
 Eno-lish had come upon them, began the cry ot Ihe 
 English are come!"* and after attemptmg to hre the 
 house, precipitately left it. About this tmie. Major 
 Turner arrived with a company of soldiers, and the 
 whole body of the enemy then commenced a rapid re- 
 treat, taking with them a number of prisoners. The 
 retreat commenced about the rising of the sun. Mean- 
 time, Mr. Davis ran to the meeting-house, and with the 
 aid of a few others, succeeded in extinguishing the de- 
 vouring element; but it was mostly owing to his exer- 
 tions, that the house was saved. 
 
 The town, by this time, was generally alarmed. 
 Joseph Bradley collected a small party, in the nor- 
 therly part of it, and secured the medicme-box and 
 packs of the enemy, which they had left about three 
 miles from the village. Capt. Samuel Ayer, a fearless 
 man, and of great strength, collected a body of about 
 twenty men, and pursued the retreating foe. He came 
 up with them just as they were entering the woods, 
 when they faced about, and though they numbered thir- 
 teen or more to one, still Capt. Ayer did not hesitate to 
 give them battle. These gallant men were soon rein- 
 forced by another party, under the command of his son; 
 and after a severe skirmish, which lasted about an hour, 
 they re-took some of the prisoners, and the enemy pre- 
 cipitately retreated, leaving, nine of their number dead. 
 
 The French and Indians continued their retreat, and 
 so great were their sufferings, arising from the loss of 
 their packs, and their consequent exposure to famine, 
 that many of the Frenchmen returned and surrendered 
 themselves prisoners of war; and some of the captives 
 were dismissed, with a message that, if they were pur- 
 sued, the others should be put to death. Perhaps, if 
 they had been pursued, nearly the whole of their force 
 might have been conquered; for the Governor, in his 
 
 ♦Sketch of Haverhill. 
 
 11* 
 
126 
 
 address to the Assembly, says, '^ we might have done 
 more against them if we had ibllowed their tracks." As 
 it was, they lell; thirty of their immber dead, in both en- 
 gagements, and many were wounded, whom they carri- 
 ed with them. The French, when they retnrned, re- 
 ported very differently from this; they said that they 
 "faced about, and that our people, being astonished, 
 were all killed or taken, except ten or twelve, who es- 
 caped."* 
 
 The inhabitants were now left to perform the sorrow- 
 ful oiFice of burying their dead — and it was a sorrowful 
 one indeed. The day was somevrhat advanced when the 
 battle was oyer, and it being extremely warm, the inter- 
 ment was necessarily hurried. Cofhns could not be 
 made for all, and a large pit was dus in the burying- 
 ground, in which several of them were laid. Some of 
 those who fell in the last engagement, it is presumed, 
 were buried on the spot. 
 
 The following is a list of the slain who belonged to 
 this town; perhaps it is not full, though we have taken 
 great pains to make it so. — Rev. Benjamin Rolte, his 
 wife and one child; Mrs. Smith, Thomas Hartshorne 
 and three sons; Lieut. John Johnson and his wife, Cath- 
 arine; Capt. Simon Wainwright, Capt. Samuel Ayer, 
 John Dalton, Ruth Ayer, wife of Thomas Ayer, and 
 one daughter, and Ruth Johnson, wife of Thomas John- 
 son. The whole number is sixteen. We have not 
 been able to collect the names of those who were 
 taken prisoners, and the exact number. Mr. Pike, in 
 his journal, says that the enemy " killed and carried 
 away 33 persons, and burnt several houses." JVTr. 
 Hutchinson says, " about forty" were killed and taken 
 prisoners; perhaps the truth would fall between. A 
 daughter of Capt. Simon Wainwright, who was not so 
 fortunate as to escape with her mother, v»hen she fled 
 with the rest of her children, was made prisoner; and 
 in 1710, her mother, Mary, petitioned the General 
 Court to redeem her. The following is her petition. 
 '' Haverhill, 29th April, 1710. 
 
 To his Excellency, Joseph Dudley, Captain-General 
 and Governor in chief, &c. kc, to the Honorable counci' 
 
 * IIutchin?ou, 
 
and General Assembly now mett; the petition of Mary 
 Wainwright sheweth that, whereas my daughter hath 
 been for a long time in captivity with the French of 
 Canada, and I have late reason to fear that her soul is 
 in great danger if not already captivated and she brought 
 to their way; therefore I humbly intreate your Excel- 
 lency, that some care may be taken for her redemption 
 before Canada be so endeared to her that I shall never 
 have my daughter more. Some are ready to say that 
 there are so tew captives in Canada that it is not worthe 
 while to put the country to the charges for them; but I 
 hope your Kxcellency, nor any other good, judicious 
 man, will think so; for St. James has instructed us, as 
 you may see, chapter 5, v ^0 — Let him know that he 
 which converteth the sinner from the error of his way 
 shall save a soui from death, and shall hide a multitude 
 of sins. This is all I can do at present, but I desire 
 humbly to begg of God that he would direct the hearts 
 of our rulers to do that which may be most for his glory 
 and for the good of his poor distressed creatures, and so 
 I take leave to subscribe myself your most humble peti- 
 tioner. Widow Mary Wainwright. 
 
 In the house of Representatives read and recom- 
 mended 12th June." 
 
 One of the soldiers, Joseph Bartlett, stationed at 
 Capt. Wainwright's house, was also taken prisoner; he 
 was a native of Newbury, was born 18th Nov. 1686, 
 taken prisoner 29th Aug. 1708, feturned 8th Nov. 1712, 
 and died 1754, aged 68. After his return, he published 
 a narrative* of his captivity, and perhaps the History of 
 Haverhill will not be deemed an improper place to give 
 a short account of him. 
 
 ''In the year 1707 — says the narrative — in Nov. Ij 
 Joseph Bartlett, was pressed and sent to Haverhill. My 
 quarters were in the house of Capt. Waindret, [wright.] 
 August 29, 1708, there came about 100 French and 30 
 Indians! and beset the town of Haverhill — set fire to 
 several houses; among which was that of Capt. W.'* 
 
 * We have never seen but one copy of this narrative, and that 
 was obt.^'iied for us by John Fanner, Esq., of Concord. 
 
 t Most of the accounts agree in stating that there was about 250 
 of the enemy. 
 
128 
 
 After the enemy entered the house, they took him and 
 another soldier, named Newmarsh, and the daughter of 
 Mrs. Wainwright, prisoners. Soon after the diflerent 
 parties commenced their retreat, they knocked one of 
 their prisoners in head, named Lindall, a soldier belong- 
 ing to Salem. He then says: '' They then marched on 
 together, when Capt. Eaires [Ayer,] with a small com- 
 pany waylaid and shot upon them, which put them to 
 flight, so that they did not get together again until three 
 days after." Bartlett said that he was first taken by the 
 French, but after the battle they gave him to the In- 
 dians. The three first days they travelled hard. 
 
 He was compelled to carry a heavy pack, and travel 
 with his hands tied behind him. A part of the time he 
 was led by an Indian, mIio carried a hatchet in his hand 
 and a pistol in his girdle, with a cord tied about his 
 neck. On arriving at Lake Winnipiseoge, the French 
 and Indians parted. The latter crossed the Lake; but 
 before they reached the opposite shore, tliey killed a 
 bear which was swimmin_g!; in the water, towed it to the 
 shore, and cooked it. They then fared sumptuously, 
 and remained in that place aljout a day and a half, when 
 they proceeded on their journey, and travelled five days, 
 with scarcely any other sustenance than pounded corn. 
 Having arrived at a river, the Indians made some 
 canoes in a day and a half, when they sailed down the 
 stream three days, eating nothing for four, but a few 
 sour grapes and thorn plum.s. They then killed a 
 hawk and divided it among fifteen — the head fell to the 
 share of JMr. Bartlett, which, he says, ^' was the largest 
 meal I had these four days." From thence they pro- 
 ceeded to Chamble, and on their passage they met with 
 some Indians who gave them a little corn and a few 
 pumpkins. He there saw an Englishman, named Lit- 
 tlefield, taken from Wells. The Indians shaved the 
 hair from one side of his head, greased the other, and 
 painted his face. They then started for Montreal, and 
 when they arrived, he was examined by the Governor, 
 and from thence went to the house of a Roman Catholic 
 Priest, where he lodged over night. The next morning 
 they started for an Indian fort, nine miles ^iistant. 
 When about half way, they came to a fire, surrounded 
 
129 
 
 by '^ fifteen men and thirty boys," where they held a 
 consultation about burning him; but before it was clos- 
 ed, the Indians, who owned him, and the boys, marched 
 away. Soon as they arrived at the fort, they began to 
 abuse their prisoner — a squaw cut ofi^ his little finger, 
 and another beat him with a pole. The Indians danced 
 and sung all night, and invited him to join them, but he 
 refused ° they pulled him into the ring, however, and he 
 went once round it. An Indian then came to him, and, 
 after making a long speech, gave him to an old squaw, 
 who took him to her wigwam. In February next, he 
 went to live with a Frenchman, named Delude, and re- 
 mained with him until Sunday, October 5, 171:2, when 
 he started to return to his friends in Newbury, and ar- 
 rived on the 8th November, after a captivity of four 
 years, two months, and nine days. 
 
 After his return, the General Court ordered that 
 *^the sum of £20. 15s. be allowed and paid to Joseph 
 Bartlett in full of his petition of charges and expenses 
 to obtain his liberty from the Indians, being taken pris- 
 oner by the Indians at Haverhill when in her Majesties 
 service in the year 1708, and for his support^during four 
 years captivity and for the loss of his arms." 
 
 Mr. Pike, in his journal, says that " many soldiers 
 belonging to Salem were here slain." Among them 
 was William Coffin, who distinguished himself for his 
 bravery; and soon after, his widow petitioned the Gen- 
 eral Court for relief, when it passed the following 
 resolve: 
 
 ^' Nov. 3, 1708. — Resolved that the sum of £5 be 
 allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury to the Pe- 
 titioner, Mrs. Sarah Coffin, on account of the remarka- 
 ble forwardness and courage which her husband, Wil- 
 liam Coffin of Salem, distinguished himself by, in the 
 action at Haverhill where he was slain." 
 
 Mr. Rolfc, his wile and child, were buried in one 
 grave, near the south end of the burial-ground. A sin- 
 gle monument was erected to their memory, on which 
 was chiselled an inscription for each; but the hand of 
 time has been rough with them— they are overgrown 
 with moss, and the epitaphs are now almost illegible. 
 
130 
 
 The following is the epitaph of Mr. Rolfc: 
 
 " Clauditur hoc tumulo corpus Reverendi pii cloctique 
 viri. D. Benjamin Rolfe, ecclesice Chrisii qucz est in ha- 
 verhill pastoris JideUssimi; qui domi suce ad hostibiis bar- 
 bare trucidatus. A laborihus suis requieiiit mane diei 
 sacrce quietis, Auo;. XXIX anno domini, MDCCVIII. 
 ^tatis suce XLVV 
 
 The sense of this epitaph is contained in the following: 
 '^ Enclosed in this tomh is the body of the revered, pious 
 and learned man, Benjamin Rolfe, who was a most faith- 
 ful pastor of the Churcli of Christ in Haverhill. He was 
 barbarously slain by the enemy at his own house, on 
 the morning of the sabbath, the 29th of Aug., in the 
 year of our Lord, 1708, and in the 46th year of his age." 
 
 This wortliy man was born in Newbury, 1662, and 
 graduated at Cambridge, 1684. He seems to have 
 been a pious and upright man, ardently devoting his 
 time and talents to forward the cause of his Saviour. 
 He was respected and beloved by his people, and we 
 cannot learn that any difficulty arose between them, after 
 his settlement. 
 
 The grave-stones of Capt. Ayer, Capt. Wainwright, 
 and Lieut. Johnson, are nigh to Mr. Rolfe 's, but are 
 considerably damaged, and their inscriptions have be- 
 come nearly illegible. 
 
 Capt. Ayer was slain in the last engagement, before 
 the reinforcement arrived. He was shot in the groin, 
 and being a large, robust man, bled profusely. When 
 his son arrived, he was told that his father was killed, 
 and the informant pointed him out. He looked at the 
 corpse a while, as it lay on the grass, all covered with 
 blood, and told his informant that that person could not 
 be his father, for he (meaning the person slain,) had on 
 a pair of red breeches. Capt. Ayer was one of the Se- 
 lectmen, a Deacon of the church, and one of the most 
 worthy, active and intelligent citizens of the town. He 
 lived near the house of Capt. John Ayer, 2d. Lieut. 
 Johnson was also a Deacon of the church, and was an 
 active and useful citizen. He is supposed to be de- 
 scended from Capt. Edward Johnson, the author of the 
 " Wonder Working Providence of Zion^s Saviour''' in 
 New-England, and who, in company with Jonathan 
 Ince, of Cambridge, and Sergeant John Sherman of 
 
131 
 
 Watertown, surveyed the northern bounds of the Patent 
 of Massachusetts, in 1652. 
 
 Capt. Wainwright came from Ipswich; he had two 
 brothers, John and Francis. His father, whose name was 
 Francis, came from Chelmsford, in England, when a 
 boy, and died about 1690. He is particularly noticed 
 in the Pequot war, where he was simultaneously attack- 
 ed by two Indians, and while defending himself broke 
 the stock of his gun; he then used the barrel and 
 finally killed them both. 
 
 Capt. Wainwright was a high-minded and influen- 
 tial citizen. He was supposed to be very rich, and 
 there is a tradition which states that he had a large 
 chest filled with dollars — and that he oflfered a man the 
 whole if he would extract one of them with his fingers. 
 The man '' pulled and tugged," as our informant said, 
 with all his strength, but alas! the thing was impossible, 
 and he was obliged to leave it, and be satisfied with 
 only looking at the precious stufi*. It was also said that 
 he buried much of his money, and a part of the field, 
 south of Capt. Nehemiah Emerson's house, has been 
 dug over, for the purpose of finding it. The large oak- 
 tree, near Little River, has been twice dug around for 
 the same object, within the remembrance of many of 
 our citizens; but the tantalizing dreams of the " money- 
 diggers," it is believed, were never realized. 
 
 This 29th of August will ever be remembered by the 
 inhabitants of Haverhill — its history is yet related by 
 many of the descendants of the suflferers, and the door 
 through which Mr. Rolfe was wounded, is now nailed 
 up in the porch of the First Parish Meeting-house, for 
 a memorial of that bloody tragedy. Some of the most 
 influential and worthy citizens were slain. The tender- 
 est ties of earth were broken and left to bleed. Nearly 
 ail of some families were swept from the stage of exist- 
 ence — in a moment they were separated from all they 
 loved on earth, to appear before their Maker and 
 Judge. They laid their heads on their pillows the 
 night before, and little thought that the sword of death 
 was suspended over them — that the yell of a savage 
 horde would awake them from their slumbers, only to 
 witness the hand which plunged the knife into their 
 bosoms. 
 
132 
 
 It has been a melancholy task to record the events 
 of that day. Though more than a century has elapsed — 
 though the names of many of the actors had nearly 
 passed into oblivion — yet it has lost none of its interest. 
 
 The following lines were suggested after we had 
 written the foregoing account. 
 
 Down came the foemen, fierce and strong, 
 
 Just at the break of day, 
 Kor sound was heard, save curses deep, 
 
 Along their dark array; 
 For swift and cautiously they came, 
 
 Like tigers seeking prey. 
 
 With stealthy step they crept along, 
 
 And spread themselves about, 
 The cold, remorseless Frenchman here. 
 
 And there the Indian stout; 
 And they swung their knives and hatchets keen. 
 
 Like demons on a rout. 
 
 The w hite man on his bed was stretched, 
 
 Nor a thouijht of foes had he; 
 Close at his side his wife reposed. 
 
 Nor a thought of blood had she-, 
 And neither dreamed their infant ones, 
 
 All murdered soon would be. 
 
 On— on, the ruthless foemen came, 
 
 With loud and thrilling yell ; 
 As wolves upon a fold come down, 
 
 On the sleeping men they fell. 
 And would that none should then escape. 
 
 Their bloody deeds to tell I 
 
 How thickly were the dead men strewed 
 
 On that eventful day ! 
 For a corse was here, and another tliere, 
 
 And pale and chill were they ; 
 And blood was there, and blood was here. 
 
 And all around it lay. 
 
 Here lay the man with a bloodless face, 
 
 The man so strong and bold ; 
 There lay the wife with wilted lip, 
 
 And bosom stiff and cold ; 
 And further on, with mangled limbs. 
 
 Her child of two years old. 
 
133 
 
 Oh, God ! they were a cursed band — 
 
 A reckless company, 
 Far bloodier than the bucanier 
 
 Who sails the briny sea, 
 And fiei-cer than the leopardess 
 
 That roams the desert free. 
 
 The fray was o'er — the smoke blew o'er, 
 
 And fast the foemen fled ; 
 Then many a man and wife were seea 
 
 Among the stiffened dead, 
 To seek the pale and lifeless one, 
 
 Whose infant steps they led. 
 
 And forth they went with sorrow blent, 
 
 Where lay a friend or foe ; 
 And o'er the field where the strong did yield, 
 
 They travelled to and fro ; 
 With buriving fears and scalding tears, 
 
 The man and wife did go. 
 
 Over their heads the sun looked down. 
 
 And he was fiercely hot ; 
 Nor a cloud went o'er his scorching eye. 
 
 And cooling winds blew not ; 
 And they hastened on the funeral hour, 
 
 Lest all the dead would rot. 
 
 In the grave-yard lone they dug a pit, 
 
 They dug it wide and deep, 
 And in it laid the corses pale — 
 
 They laid them there to sleep ', 
 Then flung the cold, dank clay upoa 
 
 The stiff and ghastly heap. 
 
 On the 26th of October, " A petition of the Select- 
 men of Haverhill representing the distress'd condition 
 of the said town, by reason of the havoc lately made on 
 them by the enemy, prayin^ for an abatement of their 
 quota to y® Province Tax with the vote passed thereon 
 by the house of Representatives, viz: ordered that the 
 sum of £30 be abated of the tax of Haverhill was read 
 and passed in concurrence.* 
 
 8th Nov. Fifty pounds were raised to pay the town 
 debts. 
 
 ♦ Colony Files. 
 
134 
 
 1700. 
 
 Feb, The town invited Mr. Nicholas Seaver to 
 settle; but his propositions were such that the town 
 would not agree to them. 
 
 The house of Col. Richard Saltonstall,* was blown 
 up by a negro wench, on the night of the 29th of March. 
 In Mr. Pike's journal, it is mentioned thus: — " Colo. 
 Saltonstall's house blown up by negroes 29th March 
 1709. Though many lodged that night in the house, 
 yet nobody hurt. A marvellous providence." Tradi- 
 tion has hoarded many stories concerning this affair, 
 some of which are extremely ridiculous. The follow- 
 ing, it is believed, is a true statement of the case. It 
 appears that the Col. had severely corrected the wench, 
 some time previous, for misbehaviour, and ever after, 
 she cherished a feeling of hatred toward him, and deter- 
 mined to take signal revenge. In the dead of night, on 
 the 29th, when the house was wrapped in profound still- 
 ness, she carried a quantity of powder into the room, 
 directly under that which was then occupied by the Col. 
 and his wife. Having fixed a long train and connected 
 it with the powder, she dropped a match upon it, and 
 fled precipitately to the farm-house, which stood but a 
 few rods distant. She had scarcely secured herself, 
 when the powder went oil' with a tremendous explosion, 
 and nearly or quite demolished the house. The Col. 
 and his wife, were thrown in their bed, some distance 
 from the house, without receiving any injury. The sol- 
 diers stationed in the house, were scattered in every 
 direction, but happily, no lives were lost. The Col., 
 after recovering from his surprise, went directly to the 
 farm-house and found his servants all up, excepting this 
 wench, who feigned sleep. He suspected and charged 
 her with the deed, but it could never be proved. 
 
 12th Sept. " The town and church being conven- 
 ed," it was voted, without a dissenting voice, that a 
 committee should be chosen to express their thanks to 
 
 * It was the same which was occupied by his father, Nathaniel 
 ►^altonstall, Esq. 
 
135 
 
 Mr. Richard Brown for the faithfulness with which he 
 had preached the gospel and discharged the duties of a 
 minister, the past season — and to invite him to settle. 
 Mr. Brown declined the invitation. 
 
 5th Dec. Liberty was obtained from the town, by 
 a number of individuals, to build two seats '^ in the hind 
 seat in the west gallery" of the meeting-house, if they 
 would build them so high " as not to damnify the light of 
 the windows." 
 
 Samuel Hutchins petitioned the General Court for 
 relief, stating that he broke his leg in her Majesty's ser- 
 vice; — whereupon it was resolved, " that the sum of £3. 
 4s. be allowed and paid out of the PubUc Treasury to 
 the Petitioner, Samuel Hutchins, to defray therein men- 
 tioned of his cure." 
 
 20th June. The parsonage house was ordered to be 
 repaired and fortified. 
 
 On the 20th October, at a church-meeting, held at 
 ten o'clock, A. M., it was unanimously voted to invite 
 Mr. Joshua Gardner to become their settled minister. 
 At two o'clock, P. M., a town meeting was holden, 
 when the proceedings of the church were read, and ap- 
 proved of without a dissenting vote. They then grant- 
 ed an annual salary of seventy pounds to Mr. Qardner, 
 if he accepted of their invitation. His answer to their 
 proposals was read on the 11th of December, at a meet- 
 ing called for that purpose, in which he consented to 
 comply with their request, and it v/as agreed that he 
 should be ordained on the 11th of January next. " Col. 
 Richard Saltonstall then gave notice to John White, 
 that by reason of his wife's illness, and the coldness of 
 the season, he could not provide for the ordination, and 
 therefore did wholly relinquish it, and the said White 
 took care of it." 
 
 Mr. Gardner was accordingly ordained on the 11th 
 of January, 1711. 
 
136 
 
 1711. 
 
 John Swett, a native of Newbury, was appointed 
 ferryman at the Rocks; — hence the name of " Swett's 
 ferry." It is beUeved that there were then no more 
 than two houses at that place; and, indeed, the whole 
 town had increased but very little, if any, in population, 
 during the last thirty years. Strangers would not move 
 into it, on account of the danger arising from the Indian 
 war, and it is probable that those who sickened and 
 died, and those who were slain by the enemy, nearly 
 equalled the births. 
 
 22d Oct. A motion was made in town-meeting, to 
 raise five pounds to support a grammar-school, " pro- 
 vided those that sent their children should make up the 
 rest," and was immediately voted down. 
 
 1719. 
 
 The town was again presented for being destitute of 
 a school-master, and on the 12th of May, Nathaniel 
 Haseltine was chosen to appear at the Court of General 
 Sessions, held at Salem, to answer it. 
 
 The bounty of twenty shillings for every wolfs head 
 Avas still continued. 
 
 1713. 
 
 2d March. The Selectmen and Constables were 
 ordered "to regulate the conduct of disorderly boys on 
 the Sabbath, in the meeting house." 
 
 1714. 
 
 In the month of September, a fire raged through the 
 w'oods, and did considerable damage. Much standmg 
 
13? 
 
 timb^t -svus destroyed and some hay. At a town- meet* 
 ing, warned on the 14th, so few attended on this account 
 that a Moderator only was chosen, and it was adjourned 
 to the 21st. On that day, Nathaniel Merrill presented 
 an account of three shillings for warning the negroes to 
 leave the town, and another of twelve shillings, for car- 
 rying them awaj. 
 
 ^►>^®©<^"' 
 
 Daniel Bradley was drowned on the 22d of January^ 
 
 9th March. A weekly contribution was ordered to 
 be collected for Mr. Gardner, " if he desired it." 
 
 Mr. Gardner died on the 21st March. At the early 
 age of thirteen, he made a profession of religion, entered 
 Cambridge College at sixteen, and graduated at twenty^ 
 In his twenty-first year, he began to preach, and was or- 
 dained when only twenty-three. He was a man of ear- 
 nest and devoted piety, of brilhant talents, and his early 
 death was deeply lamented. Mr. Barnard, his second 
 successor, in a sermon, thus speaks of him: — " Mr. 
 Gardner, who is warm in the hearts of a few of you to 
 this day, Was soon ripe for heaven, according to the ac- 
 count which was handed down of him. He was not 
 suffered to remain long by reason of death. Neither 
 prayers nor tears could detain him from his inheritance 
 above. In a few years he finished his course with joy.'^ 
 
 Mr. Gardner died just as he had entered upon the 
 stage of usefulness; yet he left an unspotted name, and 
 his memory was cherished as sacred by his people, as 
 though he had lived till his head was silvered with age. 
 He was respected and loved for his piety; and his tal- 
 ents, had he lived, would have placed him in the fore- 
 most rank of the New-England clergy. The following 
 epitaph is taken from the simple monument raised to his 
 memory : 
 
 '^ Rev. Joshua Gardner died March 21, 1715, a man 
 good betimes and full of the Holy Ghost and faith, of an 
 excellent temper , of great integrity , prudence and couruge 
 
 ,2* 
 
138 
 
 "'^pasior of the church in Haverhill Jive years — who, hav- 
 ing faithfully improved his talents, fell asleep in Jesus, and 
 went triumphantly to recieve his reward in heaven.''^ 
 
 After his death, the town voted to pay the expenses 
 of his funeral, which amounted to c£34. 9s. 6d. 
 
 A petition was presented, signed by thirty of the in- 
 habitants, desiring that the obstruction in Merrie's creek, 
 and the Fishing, or Little River, might be removed, '^ so 
 that a free passage for the fish might be obtained." The 
 petition was granted. 
 
 24th Oct. Two hundred pounds were ordered to be 
 raised to pay the town-debts. 
 
 Silver was this year valued at 9s. per oz. 
 
 171G. 
 
 At a church- meeting, called on the 27th July, to 
 make choice of a minister to supply the place of the late 
 Mr. Gardner, twenty votes were cast for Mr. Jonathan 
 Gushing, and fifteen for Mr. Robert Stanton. At a 
 town-meeting, holden for the same purpose, on the same 
 day, one hundred and two votes were cast for the for- 
 mer, and thirty-four for the latter. An invitation was 
 accordingly extended to Mr. Gushing, but he declined. 
 
 Gonsiderable diificulty existed among the inhabitants 
 about settling another minister. The church was nearly 
 equally divided, and the shameful animosities which are 
 so frequently created by religious controversies, then 
 existed, and exercised an undue influence over the 
 minds of the people. At length, their difficulties be- 
 came so great, and the breach becoming wider between 
 the two parties, it was resolved to choose a committee to 
 wait upon the Rev. Mr. Leverett and Rev. Mr. Brattle, 
 of Gambridge, to ask of them what method they should 
 adopt to assuage their difficulties, and procure a settled 
 minister. Accordingly a committee of six was chosen, 
 three from each party. This, however, produced no 
 good effect. A meeting was then warned on the 22d of 
 January, and the sixth day of February next was ap- 
 
139 
 
 pointed for a public fast, in which the neighboring min- 
 isters were requested to join, as was then the general 
 custom The advice of the Reverend gentlemen was 
 then asked and given; and at a meeting holden on the 
 I'^th of February, it was voted to accept of it, and by a 
 vote only. At the same time, a Mr. Fiske preached as 
 a candidate, but was not accepted. It was then voted 
 to sive a call to Mr. Joseph Pearson, and at a meetmg 
 in August, all the votes passed on the subject were 
 revoked. 
 
 The difficulties about settling a new minister, still 
 continued, and the Rev. Thomas Symmes Edward Pay- 
 son and Moses Hale,* were consuUed, who rephed, 
 that they thought it " advisable that the town, laying 
 aside further attempts for a settlement in the way they 
 have been in, together with their awful animosities in 
 respect thereof, now unite in looking out for some other 
 person to come amongst them." This good advice, as 
 it was called, was taken by a vote in the affirmative, and 
 that was all; for they immediately negatived a recom- 
 mendation from two of the same persons, that a new 
 committee should be chosen from both of the contendmg 
 parties, to consult the President of Cambridge College 
 concerning their difficulties. 
 
 1718. 
 
 23d April. The town gave an invitation to Mr. 
 Samuel Checkley, " to settle among them in the work 
 of the ministry;" but he did not accept. 
 
 Ann Emerson, the widow of Robert Emerson, was 
 drowned, July 28. 
 
 * Rev. Thomas Symmes was of Bradford, Rev. Edward Payeon, 
 of Rowley, and Rev. Moees Hale, of Newbury. 
 
140 
 
 The ferry, established in 1711, at Holt's Rocks, and 
 kept by John Swett, was granted l3y the General Court 
 to Haverhill and Newbury for the term of forty years. 
 In answer to Mr. Swett's petition, this town granted 
 him all of its right in the ferry, if he Would engage to 
 carry the inhabitants over the river " for a penny a sin- 
 gle person and four pence for a man and horse." 
 
 The bounty for wolves was continued; and the Se- 
 lectmen were ordered " to seat both men and women 
 that belong to our meeting-house, in this town, accord- 
 ing to their best discretion." 
 
 The Colony received an unexpected accession of 
 Irishmen, from the North of Ireland, who landed at 
 Boston on the 14th of October. Soon after their arrival, 
 they petitioned the Assembly for a grant of land, and 
 obtained liberty to make a settlement of six miles 
 square in any of the unappropriated lands at the east- 
 ward. After a tedious search along the sea-shore, and 
 not being able to find a place that suited them, sixteen 
 families hearing of a tract of land above Haverhill, call- 
 ed Nutfield, from the large quantity of chestnut and wal- 
 nut trees growing there, and being informed that it was 
 unappropriated, determined to take up their grant in 
 that place. They immediately came to this town, and 
 while crossing the river, just before they had reached 
 the shore, the boat unluckily capsized, and men, women, 
 and children, were thrown promiscuously into the river. 
 This adventure afforded much amusement to the inhab- 
 itants of this town, at the expense of the poor Irishmen, 
 whom they thoroughly hated and were not at all delicate 
 in making it manifest. It soon awakened the muse of 
 some delighted swain, who composed a song about the 
 matter, which was frequently sung for the edification of 
 his attentive auditors. Of this song, tradition has pre- 
 served only the following lines : — 
 
 "Then they began to scream and bawl, 
 And if the devil had spread his net, 
 He would have made a glorious hauL" 
 
 In the following spring, 1719, on the 11th of April, the 
 men went to Nutfield, leaving their families in this town, 
 and erected a few huts near a brook, which they called 
 West-running-brook. The next evening after their 
 
141 
 
 arrival, a sermon was preached to them under a large 
 oak-tree.* In 1722, their settlement was mcorporated^ 
 by the name of Londonderry, from a city in the north of 
 Ireland, in which many of them suffered the hardships 
 of a memorable siege.t The use of potatoes was first 
 introduced by the Irish, which were early planted m 
 the garden of Nathaniel Walker, of Andover/^ They 
 were first planted in this town by William White, who 
 raised four bushels; but he knew not how to make use 
 of so large a quantity, and gave many of them to his 
 
 neighbors. , . -^ x- 
 
 The town unanimously voted to extend an invitation 
 to Mr. John Brown, of Little Cambridge, now Brigh- 
 ton, to supply the vacant pulpit. He complied with 
 their request, and was ordained on the 13th otmay, 
 1719. He preached the funeral sermon of Rev. Thomas 
 Symmes of Bradford, which was published. 
 
 Mr Brown graduated at Cambridge, in 1714 He 
 married Joanna Cotton, daughter of Rev. Rowland Cot- 
 ton, of Sandwich, and she was famed as an " eminently 
 pious and worthy Lady." He had seven children, four 
 sons and three daughters. The sons were all educated 
 at Cambridge. John graduated in 1741, and was or- 
 dained in Cohasset. He died 1792, aged 69. 
 
 Cotton graduated in 1743, was ordained at Brook- 
 line, on 26th of October, 1748, and died 13th of April 
 1751. Dr. Cooper notices him as one who " had raised 
 in his friends the fairest hopes, and given thein just rea- 
 son to expect in him one of the brightest ornaments ot 
 society, and a peculiar blessing to the church." 
 
 Ward graduated in 1748, and died the same year. 
 
 Thomas graduated in 1752, and was a minister at 
 Stroudwater. He died in 1797. 
 
 His eldest daughter was married to John Chipman, 
 
 Esq., of Marblehead; his second to Dana, of 
 
 Brookline, and his third to Rev. Edward Brooks, of 
 Medford, formerly minister at North Yarmouth.J 
 
 * Farmer's edition of Belknap's History of N. H. , 
 
 t This city was besieged near six months, in 1689, by King 
 James's army. 
 
 i Sketch of Haverhill. 
 
142 
 
 1719. 
 
 1st March. The burial-ground was ordered to be 
 suitably fenced with boards, and a convenient gate 
 
 erected and swunoj on hinoes. 
 
 17S0. 
 
 7th March. The trees on the Cow-common were 
 ordered to be marked with the letter M that they might 
 be preserved for the " creatures in the summer time;" 
 and a fine of twenty shillings was imposed on any per- 
 son who should fall a tree that was thus marked. 
 
 Samuel White and William White, erected a corn- 
 mill and fulling-mill on Sawmill River. 
 
 This year, Capt. Ebenezer Eastm.an and several 
 others from this town, explored the lands in the vicinity 
 of Penacook, now Concord, jVew-Hampshire, and no- 
 ticmg the richness of the intervals, resolved to procure 
 a grant of it, and commence a settlement. According- 
 ly, in the following year, they petitioned the General 
 Court of this Province for a tract of land, about eight 
 miles square, " situated on the river Merrymake at the 
 lower end of Penacook." Their petition was twice 
 allowed, in 1721, and 1722, but the Governor refus- 
 ed to sanction it. In 1724, a Committee was ap- 
 pointed to view the lands; and on the 17th January, 
 1725, " The Great and General Court," granted to the 
 petition of Benjamin Stevens, of Andover, Ebenezer 
 Eastman, of this town, and others, a tract of land, about 
 seven miles square, which was appropriated for a town- 
 ship, by the name of "the Plantation of Penacook." 
 The conditions of the grant were extremely rigid. It 
 was required that the lands should be divided into one 
 hundred and three lots; that one hundred families, 
 " able to make a settlement" should be admitted. Each 
 settler was to pay three pounds for his lot, and was 
 obliged to build a good house for his family within three 
 years — break up and fence in six acres of land, and 
 
143 
 
 completely finish a convenient house for the public wor- 
 ship of God within the time aforesaid. They were also 
 required to pay 20s. each for the privilege of admit- 
 tance, to defray the expense of laying out the lots, of 
 cutting a road from Haverhill to the Plantation, 
 and the charges of the Committee of the Great and 
 General Court. Had they not been men of great reso- 
 lution, such conditions would have deterred them from 
 attempting the settlement. 
 
 On the same day that the petition was granted, the 
 Court appointed a standing committee of nine, to "bring 
 forward" the intended settlement, and " take special 
 care" that the conditions were complied with. This 
 committee met in this town, in February, 1725, for the 
 purpose of admitting settlers; yet, they did not presume 
 to rely solely on their own judgments, and voted that 
 some of the principal inhabitants of the towns, to which 
 the petitioners belonged, should be desired to wait upon 
 the committee, and inform them of the circumstances of 
 the petitioners. The first day they " admitted several 
 of them," and on the next, they completed the number, 
 100 in all. The remaining three rights were reserved 
 — one for the first settled minister, one for the parson- 
 age, and one for the "use of the school forever." 
 
 These conditions met the views of the intended set- 
 tlers. On the 7th of February, they held a meeting in 
 this place, and resolved that they would "well and truly 
 fulfil the conditions of the Great and General Court for 
 bringing forward the settlement at Penacook — that such 
 and so many of the intended settlers, as shall fail of 
 ploughing, fencing or clearing of one acre of land, within 
 twelve months from the first day of June next, shall 
 each of them forfeit and pay to the community or set- 
 tlers, the sum of five pounds;" and if any failed of com- 
 plying with the above article within two years, and of 
 having his timber for his house within six months " after 
 receiving orders to do it from the committee" — to forfeit 
 and pay the sum often pounds; and in case of failure to 
 comply with the orders of the Court for bringing for- 
 ward the settlement within two years and a half, " abso- 
 lutely to forfeit the lot or lots, by him or them drawn, 
 with all the improvements that shall be made thereon, to 
 
144 
 
 the other settlers." And finally, to exclude all persons 
 from the plantation, but those of approved character. 
 
 In 1726, a Committee was appointed by the Court 
 to lay out the lands at Penacook. They belonged prin- 
 cipally to this town, and were headed by John Wain- 
 wright, who kept a journal of their proceedings, from 
 which the following is extracted: — 
 
 12th May. The Committee left the town and pro- 
 ceeded as far as Amoskeag. 
 
 13th. " This morning we proceeded on our journey 
 — very hilly and mountaneous land. About 8 o'clock, 
 we passed a fall called AnnahooMine, [Hooksett] in 
 Merrimack river which is taken from a hill of the same 
 name. About 10 or 11 o'clock, we forded Suncook 
 river which is a rapid stream and many loose stones of 
 considerable bigness in it, making it difficult to pass. 
 About 1 o'clock we passed Penacook river, [Soucook] 
 pretty deep and very rocky. In a short time after, we 
 came up as far as Penacook falls, [Garven's] and steered 
 our course north over a large pitch pine plain, three 
 miles at least in length, and about 5 o'clock afternoon, 
 arrived at Penacook, and encamped on a piece of inter- 
 val called Sugar Ball plain, from a very large hill called 
 Sugar Ball hill, whereon was the first Indian fort, as we 
 were informed, which the Indians in old times built to 
 defend themselves against the Maquois, [Mohawks] and 
 others their enemies. This Sugar Ball plain is a pretty 
 large tract of land encompassed on all parts with very 
 high and mountainous land, as steep as the roof of a 
 house ordinarily — only where the river runs round it, 
 which encompasses the other parts of it. It is altogether 
 impractible for a team or even a horse-cart to get on the 
 plain, the land is so mountainous rouud it; and there is 
 no spring on it as we could find. 
 
 14th. About 12 o'clock this day, jMessrs. Nathan- 
 iel Ware, Richard Waldron, jun., and Theodore Atkin- 
 son, a committee appointed by the governor and council 
 of New-Hampshire, came up to our camp, (being at- 
 tended with about half a score of Irishmen, who kept at 
 some distance from the camp) and acquainted us that 
 the Goverment of New-Hampshire, being informed of 
 our business here, had sent them to desire us that we 
 
145 
 
 would not proceed in appropriating these lands to any 
 private or particular persons, for that they lay in their 
 goverment; and our goverment's making a grant which 
 might be atteikled with very ill consequences to the 
 settlers, when it appeared that the lands fell in the N. 
 H. goverment. And they delivered a copy of an order 
 passed by his honor the Lieutenant governor and coun- 
 cil of New Hampshire, respecting the settling of the 
 lands of Penacook, to which we refer. We made them 
 answer, that the goverment of Massachusetts Bay had 
 sent us to lay out the lands here into a township; and 
 they had made a grant of it to some particular men, and 
 that we should proceed to do the business we were come 
 upon; and made no doubt but our goverment would be 
 always ready to support and justitie their own grants; 
 and that it was the business of the public, and not ours, 
 to engage in, in order to determine any controversy 
 about the lands. We sent our salutes to tiie Lieutenant 
 governor of JVew Hampshire, and the gentlemen took 
 their leaves of us, and set homewards this afternoon. 
 
 15th. Sunday. — Mr. Enoch Coffin,* our chaplain, 
 performed divine service both parts of the day. 
 
 16th. At sunrise this morning, according to notifi- 
 cation, we chose a representative, nem. con.y viz: Mr. 
 John Sanders. 
 
 18th. It may be observed, that divers rattlesnakes 
 were killed by several surveying companies, but, thanks 
 be to God, nobody received any hurt from them," 
 
 This year, 1726, considerable progress was made in 
 the settlement, and a road was cut through the wilder- 
 ness from this town to that. In the fall of 1727, the 
 first family, that of Capt, Ebenezer Eastman, moved 
 into the place. His team was drove by Jacob Shute, 
 who was, by birth, a Frenchman; and he is said to have 
 been the first person who drove a team through the wil- 
 derness. Soon after, says tradition, Ayer, a lad 
 
 of 18, drove a team, consisting of ten yoke of oxen, to 
 Penacook, swam the river, and ploughed a portion of 
 
 * Mr. Enoch Coffin was a native of Newbury, and grandson of 
 Tristram Coffin, who signed the Indian Deed. 
 
146 
 
 the interval. lie is supposed to have been the fust 
 person who ploughed land in that place. After he had 
 completed his work, he started on his return at sun-rise, 
 drowned a yoke of oxen, while re-crossing the river, and 
 arrived at Haverhill about midnight. The crank to the 
 first grist-mill, was manufactured in this place, and car- 
 ried to Penacook on a horse. 
 
 On the 18th November, 1730, their first church was 
 organized, and Rev. Timothy Walker was ordained. 
 Rev. John Brown, of this town, '' gave to the Pastor 
 and the Church the Right Hand of Fellowship." 
 
 The following is a list of those persons, belonging to 
 this town, who were among the original proprietors of 
 Penacook: — Ebenezer Eastman, JVathaniel Clement, 
 Edward Clark, Joseph Davis, Samuel Davis, Ephrahn 
 Davis, Stephen Emevson, Nehemiah Heath, Moses 
 Hazzen, Richard Hazzen, jun., Timothy Johnson, 
 I^obert Peaslee, Nathaniel Peaslee, Nathaniel Page, 
 William White, Nicholas V^hite, William Whittier, 
 Christopher Carlton, Samuel Ayer, and John Ayer. 
 They were mostly young men. 
 
 The lite of Capt. Ebenezer Eastman was full of ad- 
 ventures, and perhaps a short biography of him will not 
 be uninteresting to many of our readers, as he was a 
 native of this town. He was born 1689, and at the 
 early age of 18 joined the regiment under the com- 
 mand of Col. Wainwright, in the expedition against 
 Port Royal. In 1711, he had the command of a com- 
 pany, and went with the fleet designed for the con- 
 quest of Canada, under the command of Admiral A\ alk- 
 er. While sailing up the St. Lawrence, the weather 
 beino- focTgy and a strong wind rising, the Admiral asked 
 the pilot^vhat it was best to do? The pilot advised him 
 that " as the fleet was on the north shore it would be 
 i)e3t to bring to, with their heads to the southward." 
 This the Admiral obstinately refused to do, and the con- 
 sequence was the total failure of the expedition, the loss 
 of nine ships, and many lives. Eastman, observmg the 
 imminent danger which surrounded them, beseeched the 
 Captain of the vessel '' to haul to windward, that they 
 mi^ht escape the breakers.'' The Captain was a true 
 
141 
 
 loyalist, and exclaimed, that " he would follow his Com- 
 modore if he went to h— 1." Eastman, finding that he 
 could gain nothing by parleying with him, stated the 
 circumstances to his men, and told them that, if they 
 would suj)port him, he would assume the control of the 
 vessel, and attempt to shun the rocks. This was agreed 
 to, and Eastman ordered the Captain to his cabin, and 
 the helmsman to alter his course. They escaped ship- 
 wreck, and the next morning, the self-willed and won- 
 derfully loyal Captain, was quite humbled, and on his 
 knees acknowledged his deliverer, and desired his friend- 
 ship. In the morning, Capt. Eastman appeared before 
 the Admiral, who abruptly asked—" Capt. Eastman, 
 where were you when the fleet was cast awayr" — " I 
 was following my Commodore," he replied. " Follow- 
 ing your Commodore!" — exclaimed the Admiral in sur- 
 prise — "you d d Yankees are a pack of praying 
 
 devils; you saved your own lives and prayed my men 
 all to h— 1." Soon after his return, he entered with 
 zeal into the projected settlement of Penacook, and was 
 one of its most influential, persevering and useful citi- 
 zens. In 1744, he marched at the head of a company, 
 with the provincial forces, against Louisburg. 
 
 Concord did not escape the depredations of the In- 
 dians; and it also appears to us that the deadly enmity 
 frequently entertained by them toward particular fami- 
 lies, did not cease at the death of the parties; but was 
 transmitted, on the part of the Indians, without any 
 diminution of strength and bitterness, from generation 
 to generation. 
 
 In 1746, we find that Jonathan Bradley, and Samuel 
 Bradley, descendants of Joseph Bradley of this town, 
 were at Concord. On Monday morning, on the 11th of 
 August of the same year, a party of seven, including 
 the two Bradleys, set out from that place for Hopkin- 
 ton, two on horses, and the others on foot, all armed. 
 " They marched on leisurely, and Obadiah Peters, hav- 
 ing proceeded some distance forward of the others into 
 a hollow, about a mile and a half from the street, sat 
 down his gun and waited the approach of his friends. 
 The Indians" — who were concealed in the woods with 
 
148 
 
 the design to intercept a party of men whom they sup- 
 posed would pass that way the same morning — "think- 
 ing themselves discovered, rose from their hiding places, 
 fired and killed Peters on the spot. At this moment, 
 Jonathan Bradley and the rest of his party had gained 
 the summit of the hill. Bradley was deceived in the 
 number of the enemy, supposing the few he saw near 
 Peters to compose the whole party. He ordered his 
 men to fire, and they rushed down among them. The 
 whole body of the Indians instantly rose, being about 
 100 in number. Bradley now urged his men to fly for 
 safety ; but it was too late — the work of destruction had 
 commenced. Samuel Bradley was shot through the 
 body, stripped of his clothing and scalped. To Jona- 
 than they offered 'good quarter,' having been acquaint- 
 ed with him; but he refused their protection, his heroic 
 spirit thirsting to revenge the death of his comrades. He 
 fought with his gun against the cloud of enemies, until 
 they struck him on the face repeatedly with their knives 
 and tomahawks, and literally hewed him down. They 
 then pierced his body, and took ofi'his scalp and clothes. 
 
 "Jonathan Bradley was an officer in Capt. Ladd's 
 company, from Exeter, and stationed here [Concord] 
 for the defence of the inhabitants. He was about thirty 
 years of age "when killed, and was the elder brother of 
 Samuel Bradley. He was a man of much coolness and 
 decision; and his vigorous defence against the over- 
 whelming force which crushed him to the earth, is a 
 sufficient proof of his determined bravery. 
 
 " Samuel Bradley was a citizen of this town [Con- 
 cord] and the father of the Hon. John Bradley, who 
 died in 1815. He was a most amiable and prom- 
 ising young man; and his wife, who afterwards married 
 Richard Calfe of Chester, and survived both, in the lat- 
 ter years of her life, used to speak with great affection 
 of the husband of her youth, and of his tragical end."* 
 
 * The accounts of the settlement of Concord, of Capt. Ebenezer 
 Eastman, and of the Bradley's, were taken principally from ^Moore's 
 " Annals of Concord," and Rev. Nathaniel Bouton's two discourses 
 in " commemoration of the organizing of the first Church in Con- 
 cord." 
 
149 
 
 17^1, 
 
 It was voted on the 6th of March, '' that there sliali 
 be a committee chosen to prefer a petition to the Gen- 
 eral Court for redress, in behalf of the damage that the 
 town sustained, by the town-books being part of them 
 cut and torn out." The book referred to is certamly m 
 a very damaged state, and tradition says that it was so 
 unfortunate as to get a ducking in a swill-tub. 
 
 19th March. A tract of land beyond Hogg-hiil, was 
 ordered to be laid out " to those men who have been out 
 in long marches in the time of the war," and to such other 
 of the inhabitants as would make a speedy settlement 
 upon it. The land was laid out into lots of fifty acres 
 
 A company of about one hundred persons, fj-om 
 Portsmouth, Exeter, and Haverhill, petitioned the Gen- 
 eral Court for liberty to settle in the northerly part of 
 Nutfleld. In the following year, four townships were 
 granted, Chester, Nottingham, Barrington, and Roches- 
 ter,* and a few families removed from this place to 
 Chester. 
 
 10th Aug. The Selectmen wei-e ordered '^ to build 
 a good fort round Rev. Mr. Brown's house with what 
 speed thev could." 
 
 The town seems to have awakened in some measure, 
 from its apathy respecting schools. Two school-houses 
 were ordered to be built, one in the west part of the 
 town, and the other in the north part. On the 20th No- 
 vember, the Selectmen were ordered to procure a 
 '' school-master on the town's cost, who was to keep in 
 the east part of the town, near Widow IMary Whittier, 
 or the next house." 
 
 * Belknap's Hist, of N.H. 
 
 13* 
 
150 
 
 1723. 
 
 19th March. A watch-house was ordered to be 
 built. 
 
 The following petition was read before the town on 
 the 8th of April: — "Whereas your petitioners having 
 their habitations so distant from the meeting-house, that, 
 at any time being belated, we cannot get into any seat; 
 but are obliged to sit squeased on the stairs where we 
 cannot hear the minister and so get little good by his 
 preaching, though we endeavour to ever so much; and 
 there being a vacant place betwixt the front pew and the 
 pew on the side gallery over the head of the stairs, we 
 humbly request liberty to erect a seat over the same." 
 The petition was granted. 
 
 Considerable difficulty existed concerning town af- 
 fairs. Five meetings were held in succession, and not 
 a vote was passed. The marginal reference to one of 
 them says, that it was " precious time spent for nought." 
 
 1724. 
 
 30th July. Capt. John White was chosen to attend 
 the General Court, and oppose the petition of Stephen 
 Barker and others, for a township above Hawk's-mead- 
 ow-Brook. It was, however, granted the following 
 year, and incorporated by the name of Methuen. The 
 boundary marks were not regularly established till 
 the 16th of May, 1738, when the Selectmen of both 
 towns met and established them. They were principally 
 trees and heaps of stone. The trees were marked, on 
 the north-east side with the letter K, and on the oppo- 
 site side with the letter jfff. 
 
 1725. 
 
 There was great dissention in the town this year, 
 which was rather derogatory to its character, and was 
 
151 
 
 memorable on account of the interference of the General 
 Court. It arose in consequence of the commoners en- 
 deavoring to extend their jurisdiction over the town. 
 Two parties met on the same day to hold town-meeting. 
 One is represented in the Town Records, as a " small 
 party," which was composed principally of the Com- 
 moners. Two sets of town-officers were chosen. The 
 Town party, so called, chose a Committee to prosecute 
 the " faction to a final issue." In the midst of the diffi- 
 culties, the House of Representatives passed the follow- 
 ing resolve in substance: — 
 
 " Whereas at the anniversary of the town-meeting 
 in the town of Haverhill, in March last, there happened 
 to be two contending parties who assembled at the meet- 
 ing-house, and did there and then choose two sets of 
 town-officers, whereby great difficulties arose in the said 
 town, and considerable expense occasioned in the law; 
 and it is feared that no good goverment can be support- 
 ed unless some speedy care be taken to prevent these 
 disorders. For preventing whereof, and to put an end 
 to said strife, it is ordered by this General Court, that 
 Joshua Swan and Nathaniel Peasley, Constables for 
 the town in 1724, be, and are hereby required to warn 
 the freeholders and other inhabitants to assemble at the 
 meeting-house in Haverhill, on the ninth of June, at ten 
 o'clock, A. M., and then and there to choose all the 
 town-officers which the law requires to be chosen in the 
 month of March annually; and that Richard Kent, Esq.* 
 be desired to be present at the said meeting; and he is 
 empowered to moderate the affairs, and no other person 
 be allowed to vote but such as are lawfully qualified; and 
 that the proceedings of both parties at the aforesaid 
 meeting of March 2d are declared null and void, and the 
 charge to be borne as this Court shall order. 
 
 Sent up for concurrence. 
 
 In Council 4th June, 1725, 
 
 Wm. DUDLEY, Speaker. 
 Read and concurred in. 
 
 J. WiLLARD, Secr'y. 
 
 Consented to, Wm. Dummer. 
 
 * Of Newbury. 
 
152 
 
 A meeting was accordingly held on the ninth of 
 June, and Richard Kent, Esq. presided. The opening 
 of the meeting was followed by some discussion con- 
 cerning the town aftairs, but no vote was taken. The 
 meeting was adjourned till the afternoon, when the ]Mod- 
 erator ordered the votes to be brought in for a town 
 Clerk. But few, however, were cast, and no Clerk was 
 declared to be chosen, and the meeting vras dissolved. 
 The votes cast were principally for John Eaton. Ano- 
 ther order from the General Court, dated June 15, di- 
 rected that IMr. Eaton should be sworn as the Town 
 Clerk, and that the inhabitants should assemble on the 
 23d of the same month and choose the remainder of their 
 officers. They met according to the order and suc- 
 ceeded in choosing them. 
 
 This interference of the Legislature jvas nothing 
 less than an exercise of despotic power. They exceed- 
 ed the authority with which they were clothed by the 
 people; and should such a case happen at this period, 
 probably those concerned would not rest satisfied, until 
 the Legislature gave sutficient reasons for so doing. If 
 such dffficulties in a town are to be settled by a higher 
 power, it appears to us that the Legislative body is not 
 the proper umpire. They should be decided in all cases 
 by the Judicial Courts— they are the only suitable and 
 lawful arbitrators. One of the reasons which the Gen- 
 eral Court gave for interposing its authority, was— //lai 
 considerable expense was occasioned in the law, which 
 amounts to the same as an acknowledgement of the ju- 
 risdiction of the Judiciary. This usurpation of power 
 was salutary in this instance, but it should not have 
 been willingly allowed of by the people; for such exam- 
 ples have a tendency to undermine the bulwark of lib- 
 erty, and if they are frequently followed, they wdl grad- 
 ually prepare the people for the reception of a monar- 
 chical, or some other government equally repulsive. 
 
 A new pound was ordered to be built. 
 
 12th Dec. Mary Pearsons was warned out of town, 
 " she^having nothing to live upon," says the Recorder. 
 From 1724 to 1770, thirty persons of this description 
 were ordered out of town. 
 
153 
 
 17^6. 
 
 A petition, signed by ten persons living in the east 
 part of the town, was read in town-meeting on the 2d 
 March, praying that they might have liberty to assem- 
 ble for worship at the Amesbury meeting-house. The 
 petition was granted. 
 
 17S7. 
 
 Many families lived at so great a distance from the 
 meeting-house, that they found it inconvenient to attend 
 public worship in the winter. At the request of the 
 inhabitants in the northern and western part of the town, 
 they were permitted to hold meetings for worship in 
 each of those places, during the winter of this year. 
 
 17^8. 
 
 It was voted in town-meeting, on the 18th of June, 
 that the northerly part of the town should be set off into 
 a distinct Precinct, or Parish. The conditions annexed, 
 were, that the inhabitants should determine within one 
 month where their meeting-house should be erected, and 
 settle an orthodox minister as soon as possible. Their 
 meeting-house was built and partly finished this year. 
 This parish then included a part of Hampstead, Plais- 
 tow, and Atkinson. 
 
 At the same meeting, it was thought that two taverns 
 were " sufficient for the town's benefit;" and Lieut. Eb- 
 enezer Eastman and John Swett were appointed to keep 
 them.* 
 
 Dr. Joshua Bailey, it is believed, was the only Phy- 
 sician in the town at this time. 
 
 Silver was valued at 20s. per oz. 
 
 * Lieut. E. Eastman kept near the house now owned by Mr, Jon- 
 athan Rovvell. John Swett kept at Holt's Rocks. 
 
154 
 
 t7f^9. 
 
 The House of Representatives called upon the town 
 to assist in defraying the expenses of their agents to 
 Great Britain, " to defend their inestimable rights." At 
 a meeting called for that purpose, the town voted to 
 raise fifty pounds, to be delivered to Col. Richard Sal- 
 tonstall, the representative, and by him to the Commit- 
 tee of the General Court. This was surely a large sum 
 when it is considered that it was a voluntary thing. 
 
 On the 26th October, twenty-nine members of the 
 first church, residents in Mcthuen, now Salem, N. H., 
 had permission granted them to embody themselves into 
 a church in that place. 
 
 The North Parish gave IMr. Hayncs an invitation to 
 settle, but he did not accept. Soon after they extended 
 an invitation to INIr. James Cushing, who accepted, and 
 was ordained in October. On the 1st of November, 
 forty-six persons, members of the first church, requested 
 a dismission, " ibr the purpose of uniting in a church 
 state in the North Precinct," which ^vas granted. 
 
 Newbury granted to John Swett their interest in the 
 ferry at Holt's" Rocks, for £3 per year. 
 
 About this time an affair happened which was rather 
 derogatory to the characters of those concerned. The 
 Commoners had fenced a certain part of the ox-com- 
 mon with split rails. This was very much disliked by 
 the non-commoners living in the north part of the town, 
 and they determined to be revenged. They soon con- 
 certed a plot, and a small party assembled near flaggy 
 meadow, on the night appointed to execute it, carried 
 
155 
 
 the rails into large piles, and set them on fire. The 
 loss of the rails was but trifling when compared with the 
 other damage done by the fire. The earth was dry, and 
 it run through the woods, and continued to burn for 
 many days. 
 
 A new bridge was ordered to be built over Little 
 River, near the present site of Hale's Factory. 
 
 , The Selectmen of this town were prosecuted by the 
 Selectmen of Amesbury, " for not perambulating the 
 line" between that town and this. 
 
 The winter of this year was the coldest ever known 
 in New-England. Scarcely a well afforded a supply of 
 water. 
 
 An earthquake was felt on the 12th of March. 
 
 1734. 
 
 Early in the spring, a few caterpillars, a very large 
 and uncommon species, were seen in the woods, cling- 
 ing to the red and black oak, just as they began to bud. 
 Their number was so small that they did not create any 
 alarm. In the succeeding year, they again made their 
 appearance, but with a numerous levy of a hundred to 
 one, and commenced depredations on the trees. In 
 1736, they again appeared, but with such an astonish- 
 ing increase that they seemed to equal in number the 
 locusts of Egypt. Wherever they v/ent, they devoured 
 every green thing. Nearly all the woods in this town, 
 Chester, a part of Methuen, Bradford and Andover, 
 were covered with them. The leaves and tender twigs 
 of one year's grov/th were entirely destroyed; and in 
 some places they ate. large limbs. Many trees died, 
 and if Providence, says our journalist, had continued 
 them to the fourth year, not a tree would have been 
 left. They were so destructive that a traveller might 
 
156 
 
 journey onward for miles, without being cheered with 
 the sight of a green leaf in all the forests which he pass- 
 ed. In mid-summer they were as naked and cheerless 
 as in mid-winter. The caterpillars relished the leaves of 
 the red and black oak best, but when they had devoured 
 those, they destroyed every thing before and around 
 them; and, proceeds our journalist, '' they would travel 
 from tree to tree — no river nor pond would stop them, 
 for they would swim like dogs and travel in great ar- 
 mies; and I have seen houses so covered with them, 
 that little or no part of the building could be seen." 
 They did not build nests on the trees, like the common 
 caterpillar, were considerably larger, though they resem- 
 bled them in shape and color.* 
 
 The North Parish burying-ground was laid out. 
 
 The west part of the town was set off into a distinct 
 parish, and was called West Parish. The inhabitants 
 went immediately to work and completed a meeting 
 house sometime in the fall. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Bachellor was ordained in the West 
 Parish in July. Seventy-seven persons requested a dis- 
 mission from the parent church, to embody themselves 
 in the West Parish, which was granted. 
 
 The town granted to John Swett their interest in the 
 Rock's ferry, for 13s. 6d. 
 
 1736. 
 
 The throat distemper, as it was called, made dread- 
 ful ravages throughout the town. Its victims were prin- 
 cipally children, and it is supposed to have swept into 
 the grave nearly one-fourth of the population under 
 fifteen years of age. Almost every house was turned into 
 
 * This account u taken from the journal which was left by Hon. 
 Bailey Bartlett. 
 
157 
 
 a habitation of mourning, and almost every day had its> 
 funeral procession. Many arose in the morning, their 
 cheeks glowing with perfect health, and when the sun 
 went down, they were cold and silent in the winding 
 sheet of the dead. Some parents lost all of their chil- 
 dren. 58 families lost 1 each; 34 families lost 2 each; 
 11 families lost 3 each; 5 families lost 4 each, and 4 
 families lost 5 each. Only one person died with this 
 disease who was over forty years of age. 
 
 This fatal distemper was attended with a sore throat, 
 white or ash-colored specks, an efflorescence on the 
 skin, great debility of the whole system, and a strong 
 tendency to putridity. It first appeared in Kingston, IN. 
 H., in 1735; and in 14 months, 113 persons died.* 
 
 1737. 
 
 This town and Salisbury were deeply interested in 
 the controversy which existed between the provinces of 
 Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, concerning the 
 boundary line; and which was this year settled, by com- 
 missioners appointed by the crown. The second char- 
 ter granted to this province, reads thus: — "extending 
 from the great river, commonly called Monomack, alias 
 IMerrimack, on the north and from three miles north- 
 ward of the said river, to the Atlantic or Western sea or 
 ocean." But when Haverhill and Salisbury w'ere first 
 granted by Massachusetts, they " were made to extend 
 more than three miles north from the river;" and that 
 part beyond the three miles remained under the juris- 
 diction of Massachusetts.^ Of this, New-Hampshire 
 complained, and wished to have the division line placed 
 three miles north of the river. If this was done, it would 
 divide Haverhill nearly in the centre, and make it only 
 three miles in breadth, instead of six. On the 17th of 
 May, the town appointed a committee, consisting of 
 
 * Rev. John Brown, minister of the First Parish, published a par- 
 ticular account of this distemper, in a kirge pamphlet, 
 t Hutchinson. 
 
 14 
 
us 
 
 Col. Richard Saltonstall, Mr. Richard Hazzen, m\4 
 Deacon James Ayer, to wait upon the Commissioners-. 
 
 This dispute created great interest in both provinces, 
 Tlie Assembly of New-Hampshire met on the 4th of 
 August, and the Secretary, by the Governor's order, 
 prorogued it to the tenth, then to meet at Hampton 
 Falls. The Assembly of Massachusetts met at Boston 
 on the same day, and also adjourned ta the tenth, then 
 tu meet at Salisbury; — thus the two Assemblies met 
 within 5 miles of each other. On the tenth a large cav- 
 alcade was formed at Boston, and the Governor rode in 
 state, escorted by a troop of horse. He was met at 
 jVewbury ferry by another troop, and at the supposed 
 divisional line by three more, who conducted him in all 
 the pomp of power to the George tavern, at Hampton 
 Fails, where he held a council and made a speech to 
 the Assembly of New-Hampshire. The Governor's 
 cavalcade produced the following pasquinade: 
 
 Dear paddy, yon never did behold such a sight, 
 
 As yesterday morning was seen before night. 
 
 You in all your born days saw, nor I did'nt neither,- 
 
 k*o many fine horses and men ride together. 
 
 At the head, the lower horse trotted two in a row. 
 
 Then all the higher house pranced after the low, 
 
 Then the Governor's coach galloped on like the wind. 
 
 And the last that came foremost were troopers behind; 
 
 But I fear it means no good to your neck, nor mine, 
 
 For they say 'tis to fix a right place for the line.* 
 
 The divisional line was, at length, established three 
 miles north of Merrimack River. 
 
 An alms-house was built by the town, but the inhab- 
 itants were dissatisfied with the experiment, and it was 
 ftC'ld in 1746. The poor were supported in families. 
 
 1738, 
 
 About this time a ferry was established on the Mer- 
 rimack, about a mile and a half below the present chain 
 feiiy. It was soon after removed a mile up the river, 
 
 * Bolkaap'e Hist, of N. II. 
 
?39 
 
 to the house of Joseph Miilliken, who Hved on the Bra<d- 
 ford shore. 
 
 James M'Haid, had hberty to build a rum-distil- 
 lery. This was the first estabUshment of the kind in 
 town; it stood on the stream, near the house now owned 
 by Mr. WilKam White. 
 
 The rid burial-ground in West Parish, was laid out. 
 
 Silver was extremely scarce, and was valued at 20s. 
 ^jer oz. 
 
 Square-toed shoes went out of fashion, and the gen- 
 try l)cgan to wear silver knee-buckles. 
 
 About this time, the sycamore-trees, now standing 
 before Wid. Samuel W. Duncan's mansion, were set out. 
 The work was done by one Hugh Talent, a wanderer 
 from the green fields of Erin, and who was a famous 
 fiddler. He lived with Col. Richard Saltonstall, in the 
 capacity of a servant; and tradition says that he fre- 
 qnently made harmonious sounds with his cat-gut and 
 rosin for the gratification of the village swains and 
 lice-see. 
 
 Rev. John Brown, minister of the First Parish, died 
 on the 2d of December. After his death, the parish 
 vvjted to raise £100, old tenor, to defray the expenses of 
 his funeral, which was to be delivei"«d to "JVIadam 
 Brown, to be used «at her discretion." 
 
 1743. 
 
 Tlie house of Dr. H. Brown, at Holt's Rocks, was 
 •destroyed by fire on the 22d of January, and his daugh- 
 
160 
 
 tcr, aged 23 years, and a young man who was then 
 living %vith him, a son of D. Currier, were burnt to 
 death. Their remains were interred in a field, ^now 
 overgrown with trees, owned by John Johnson, Esq., 
 and grave-stones were erected to their memory. But 
 they are thrown down and so broken and defaced, 
 that the letters are nearly illegible. With the as- 
 sistance of Mr. Johnson, we found them, lymg flat 
 on the ground, and nearly concealed from view. 
 It is in a very romantic situation, on the side of a hill 
 covered with young sycamores, and which slopes gent- 
 ly until it reaches the Merrimack. This gentleman 
 also informed us that other persons, principally infants, 
 were buried in the same place ; but no monuments were 
 erected to their memory, and the mounds have totally 
 disappeared. 
 
 The little village at the Rocks, increased very slow- 
 ly Vie were informed by Mr. Phineas Nichols, a ven- 
 erable gentleman, 94 years of age, that there were but 
 four houses in 1750, and that he could distinctly remem- 
 ber them They were owned and occupied by Dr. 
 Brown, Jolin Swett, Joseph BurriU, and :Mr. Nichok^ 
 father. Dr. Brown moved to Fryeburg, Maine, soon 
 
 Mr. Edward Barnard was ordained over the First 
 Parish, the 27th of April. 
 
 1744, 
 
 The boundary line of the East Parish was run last 
 year and their meeting-house was completed this fall. 
 On the 19th of November, 17 persons requested dismis- 
 sion from the parent church, to embody themselves in a 
 church at this place; and in the same month, Mr Ben- 
 iamin Parker was ordained. His salary was ;£ 100 per 
 ■year; seventy in '' provision pay," and thirty m money; 
 but it was soon after cut down to £oS. 6s. 8d.=^ 
 
 * East Parish Records. 
 
mn. 
 
 1745. 
 
 A '^ grammar-school" was commenced in the Fir^ 
 Parish. 
 
 Thomas Cottle petitioned the town to grant him a 
 ferry on the Merrimack. Mr. Cottle says " the ferry 
 may be sarviceable to the town and other travailers.'* 
 His petition was granted, and he was to ferry the people 
 of Haverhill one-fourth cheaper than strangers. The 
 place is now known as " Cottle's ferry," 
 
 1746. 
 
 On the 21st and 22d of August, there was a heavy 
 frost. 
 
 The First Parish frequently collected the minister 
 tax in the following manner: — A contribution, as it was 
 called, was taken every sabbath afternoon, when any 
 person who wished to pay his tax in this manner, had 
 liberty to pay such a sum as he pleased. Each person 
 was ordered to fold his money in a paper, and write his 
 name and the amount within, A person was yearly ap- 
 pointed to receive these monies, and pass the amount to 
 the credit of the name within written. If no name was 
 written within the paper, it was considered as a free ^ift 
 to the minister, and was disposed of as such. 
 
 1748. 
 
 Col. Richard vSaltonstall, and others, remonstrated 
 in the General Court against the proceedings of the 
 March meeting, principally because some of the inhab- 
 itants voted who were not duly qualified. The General 
 Court took it in hand and passed a resolve, dated 3d 
 November, 1748, *4hat the meeting be set aside and all 
 the proceedings consequent thereon be null and void," 
 and directed the Selectmen for 174T to issue a warrant 
 
162 
 
 for another meeting, to be held sometime in JVovember, 
 and that John Choate, Esq.* be appointed Moderator, 
 Accordingly a meeting was holden on the 22d Novem- 
 ber, when Mr. Choate presided, and the town officers 
 were again chosen. 
 
 6th June. The First Parish voted to raise £65. Is. 
 6d. old tenor to purchase a bell. This was the first bell 
 in town. Nathaniel Knowlton was chosen bellman, and 
 was ordered to ring it at 1 o'clock, at 9 in the evening, 
 and on the sabbath and lecture days. It was first hung 
 on two pieces of timber placed crosswise at the top, on 
 Main-street, near the parsonage house. Soon at\er a 
 belfiy v/as built on the ridge of the meeting-house, 
 where it v\'as hung, and the rope descended to the broad 
 aisle. 
 
 17ol. 
 
 30th May. Fifteen persons requested dismission 
 from the parent church, that they might be incorporated 
 in a church then forming in Ilampstead, N. H. 
 
 The inhabitants were considerably alarmed by the 
 appearance of the small-pox in the neighboring towns, 
 and John Cogswell and Samuel White were appointed 
 to assist the Selectmen to use every method to prevent 
 its entrance into the town, A set of Constables were 
 chosen to serve such warrants as should be issued for 
 that purpose. 
 
 13th April. Nathaniel Peaslee, Esq., was chosen 
 to appear at Salem Court, to answer to two present- 
 ments against the town, for not being provided 
 with a " grammar-school master," and for not keeping 
 ^' Hawk's river bridge in repair.'* , 
 
 '■• Mr. Choate was of Ipswich, and a member of ihe General 
 Court. 
 
163 
 
 17SS. 
 
 The First Parish voted, 26th March, "that Benja- 
 min Harrod should take down the old bell and dispose 
 of it to the best advantage, and provide a new one not 
 exceeding 500 lbs., or thereabouts." 
 
 1750. 
 
 A few persons died with the small-pox, in this and the 
 following year, among whom was the father and mother 
 of Edmund Black. In 1758, he petitioned the town to 
 pay the charges of the Doctor and nurse. Mr. Black 
 was a poor, but industrious man, and the town voted to 
 cancel the charges caused by the sickness of his 
 parents. 
 
 Serious difficulties commenced in the West Parish. 
 Though many were dissatisfied at the settlement of Mr. 
 Bachellor, still no great disturbance was created till 
 this year, when his enemies, led by Joseph Haynes, a 
 shrewd and fearless man, seized upon certain sentiments 
 uttered in the pulpit, from the text, '^ It is finished." 
 These sentiments they denounced as downright heresy, 
 and made them the ground-work of a sharply contested 
 controversy, which raged with unabated violence for a 
 number of years, and finally ended in the removal of 
 Mr. Bachellor, 9th October, 17G1, upon terms that day 
 recommended by a Council. The subject was consid- 
 ered by the Haverhill Association, and two Councils 
 called for that purpose, who upheld Mr. Bachellor, and 
 published several pamphlets defending his conduct 
 from the aspersions of his enemies. These drew from 
 Joseph Haynes, a large pamphlet, called ''A Discourse 
 in order to confute the Heresy, delivered, and much 
 contended for, in the West-Parish, in Haverhill, and 
 countenanced by many of the ministers of the neighbor- 
 ing parishes, viz: That the blood and water which came 
 from Christ when the soldier pierced his side, his laying 
 in his grave, and his resurrection, was no part of the 
 
- 1^4 
 
 %vork of redemption, and that his laying in the grave 
 was no part of his humihation.'' It was printed in 1757. 
 This drew a pamphlet in the following year, from the 
 Assodation and Councils, vindicating the measures they 
 had taken, to which Mr. Haynes soon after replied, A 
 Council of nine churches convened by adjournment on 
 the 19th September, 1758, when twenty charges against 
 Mr, Bachellor were laid before it, condemning his con- 
 duct and doctrines. The Council sat four days, and 
 decided that they were not sufficiently supported. Col. 
 John Choate of Ipswich, one of their members, differed 
 from this decision and published his " reasons of dis- 
 sent." The same Council again met in the following 
 year, when Mr. Haynes gave them some " friendly re- 
 marks," which were afterwards published; but this sec- 
 ond examination of the charges only confirmed them in 
 their former decision. 
 
 These tw^o parties were as bitter and violent towards 
 each other as they could well be. Both were in the 
 wrong. 
 
 Soon after the struggle commenced, his enemies 
 gained the ascendancy, and betw^een April 1760, and 
 July 1761, they held eight parish meetings, and voted, 
 at various times, "to take the parsonage from Mr. B. 
 and let it to the best advantage — to request him to ask 
 a dismission — that the meeting-house should not be open- 
 ed to him and his friends — to choose a person to keep 
 the key — to put themselves under the Boston Presbytery 
 — and to choose a Committee to prosecute any person 
 who should be found preaching in the meeting-house 
 without leave from the Parish Committee." These 
 proceedings were, however, protested against by a large 
 portion of the parishioners, whose names were recorded 
 in the Parish Records. The Parish has been agitated 
 by religious controversies most of the time since. 
 
 1756. 
 
 9th March. The town voted that the soldiers who 
 went in the first expedition to Lake George, and were 
 
165 
 
 in the battle of 1755, ''should be abated of their polls." 
 Some of them had not returned in 1760, when a similar 
 vote was passed in favor of those who were absent. 
 
 1757. 
 
 About this time, says tradition, a party of gentlemen 
 arrived from Boston and put up at Lieut. Ebenezer 
 Eastman's tavern. They brought their coffee with 
 them, and requested the landlady to cook it. The good 
 lady, not being particularly acquainted with the article, 
 nor the manner of cooking it, hardly knew what to do 
 But having a little self-confidence with her other good 
 qualities, she scorned to ask advice, and proceeded to 
 cook it in her best manner. Accordingly she took hcr 
 bean-pot, put the coffee into it, filled it with water, and 
 boiled it as she would beans. At length, the refresh- 
 ment was ready, and when the gentlemen sat down, they 
 were not a little surprised to see their coffee set before 
 them, well boiled, in the kernel. They, however, took 
 it very good-naturedly, and afterwards instructed her in 
 the mystery of cooking coffee. This tavern was torn 
 down in 1775. 
 
 There is a similar tradition concerning the lirst use 
 of tea in this town. A Mr. Gile had a present sent to 
 him, from Boston, of one pound of tea. His good wife 
 knev/ not exactly how to make it, but she concluded to 
 hang on her dinner-pot, and cook it in that. The dm- 
 ner-pot was hung over the fire, partly filled with water, 
 and the whole pound was put into it. But to make it 
 more luscious, the good lady put in a large piece of 
 beef, for she intended to have a real dish of tea;— we 
 presume that she had heard of the old proverb, "the 
 more good things the better." After it had boiled suf- 
 ficiently, the pot was taken off, '' but the liquor was so 
 despot strong," said our informant, that they could^ not 
 drink it, and besides it had made a complete jelly ot the 
 meat. For the correctness of these two traditions, WQ 
 will not undertake to vouch. 
 
me 
 
 Stephen Cross was chosen - to take care of the boys 
 jml the young on the sabbaths, that they profane no 
 'he day between meetings." / i '^ "oi 
 
 
 }VcJ^L """"^ .f"'^ "^'^^ '^'^^'^^^ ^^'^^-^ erected by Samuel 
 
 n oodman. It was among fne first in the country and 
 ^ontmued m successful operation for some years!^ ' 
 
 1^63:, 
 
 thelwn r^ . ^^^*""^P^»* ^g^^^ gen^raHy prevailed in 
 
 n 1736 '.ndV\7' "^'^ '" ^^^'^ ^' '^'^' ''^^^^^^ P^-evailed 
 
 " n ilde; TJ 'T P"'"^"" ^^"^- The disorder was of 
 
 <i milder nature, or better understood by the physician.s. 
 
 1764. 
 
 Rey James Cushmg, pastor of the church in tlie 
 -^or h Parish died on tl^.o 13th of May. During his 
 
 f ^-T.^^. '^'^ '''^^""^ affections of his people, and 
 they testihed that - he was a solid and fervent preacher, 
 in conduct upright, prudent and steady, and recom- 
 iiiended the amiable religion of his master by meekness 
 and patience, condescension and candor, a tender sym- 
 pathy with his flock, and a studious endeavour to main- 
 tain and promote the things of peace." 
 ^ The Selectmen were ordered to build a pest-house 
 in case the small pox should again appear " 
 21st Nov. The First Parish voted that, '^ the ver- 
 sion of Psalnis, Tate and Brady, with the largest im- 
 pression of Dr. Watts Hymns, be sung in public." 
 
3 $7 
 
 1765. 
 
 Rev. Gyles Merrill was ordained in the North Par- 
 ish, on the 6th of March. 
 
 The First Baptist Church was gathered, and a meet- 
 ing-house was immediately erected for its convenience. 
 
 This year the Parliament of England passed an act, 
 called the " Stamp Act," which required the people of 
 the American Colonies, in all their legal and mercantile 
 transactions, to use papers stamped with the Royal Seal, 
 It was spiritedly opposed, however, by the Colonies, es- 
 pecially in Boston, where the inhabitants collected and 
 assaulted the house of Lieut. Governor Hutchinson, 
 who was a warm friend of the act. In other places, the 
 bells were tolled and effigies of the stamp-officers were 
 burnt. 
 
 The following instructions to Col. Saltonstall, the 
 Representative, will evince the spirit with which it was 
 received in this town. 
 
 " Whereas, some matters of great importance to this 
 town and province, are likely to come under considera- 
 tion at the next Great and General Court; therefore, it 
 is thought proper to draw up and give our Representa- 
 tive some special instructions. As the time prefixed by 
 act of Parliament is near, when their much disputed and 
 oppressive stamped-papers were required — when our nav- 
 igation, Courts of Justice, &c. may not be carried on 
 without them, and the offenders subject to a Court of 
 Admiralty, unless it be repealed. It is resolved that we 
 esteem it our indispensable duty to pay a due regard to all 
 the legal injimciions of our King and Parliament, and to 
 duly resent all arbitrary impositions, and to declare that 
 we think the ' Stamp Act' tmconstitntional. And we 
 recommend our Representative to exert himself to the 
 utmost of his power for the j)reservation of our just liber- 
 ties. Also resolved, that our Representative use his in- 
 fluence that there be no excise on tea, coffee, See. for 
 the future; and that the duty be taken off from the pri- 
 vate consumption of liquors, and that it be not more 
 than four pence on the gallon to licensed persons." 
 
168 
 
 1766. 
 
 The second meeting-house in the First Parish had be- 
 come decayed and too small to accommodate the people. 
 It was last year voted to raise f 300, to be paid in lum- 
 ber, to defray the expenses of building a new house, the 
 dimensions of which were ordered not to exceed 60 feet 
 in length, and 48 feet in breadth. The present meet- 
 ing-house was accordingly erected and mostly finished, 
 in the autumn of this year. 
 
 Rev. Hezekiah Smith was installed over the First 
 Baptist Church, on the 12th of November. 
 
 1767. 
 
 A powder-house was erected. 
 
 The first fire-wardens were chosen. They were 
 Cornelius Mansise, Enoch Bartlett, Samuel White, 
 Esq., and Isaac Osgood. 
 
 The West Parish extended an invitation to Mr. Jo- 
 seph Willard to settle among them, and he accepted; 
 but he was never ordained, nor are there any reasons 
 given on the records, why he was not. Probably the 
 late disturbances had not sufficiently subsided. 
 
 1768. 
 
 21st March. The thanks of the town were voted to 
 the '' Gentlemen of the house of Representatives for 
 their firmness in defending the liberties of the people." 
 
 Samuel Bachellor was chosen a delegate on the 20th 
 September, to attend a Convention holden at Boston on 
 the 22d, ''to consult, advise and act as his majesty's 
 service, and the peace and safety of his subjects in this 
 province may require." As a principal instruction to 
 Mr. B., says the Recorder, "it was voted that the 
 King's troops should not be hindered their landing in this 
 province by force of arms." 
 
169 
 
 A Society v:as organized, called the " Fire Club," de- 
 signed for mutunl assistance and protection in case of tire: 
 and also for other purposes, which are thus explained: — 
 ^' The articles provide that half the members shall draw 
 tickets at the quarterly meetings, upon which shall be 
 the different routes to be pursued in case of theft; that 
 those who draw tickets, upon the first information of 
 theft upon the property of any member, shall repair to 
 the place where the theft was committed, or to his usual 
 place of abode, and pursue the roads they have drawn, 
 unless the Committee of advice shall prescribe different 
 routes; and it is their duty to use the utmost exertions 
 to apprehend the thieves and recover the stolen prop- 
 erty. All extra expenses to be paid by the Club,"* 
 
 1769. 
 
 James Hudson established " Salt-works" on the 
 stream now occupied by Col. John Woodman; and on 
 the 21st September the town gave him j£i3. 6s. 8d. to 
 encourage him. But he found the enterprise unprofita- 
 ble, and it was soon abandoned. 
 
 1770. 
 
 The West Parish extended an invitation to Rev. 
 Phineas Adams, who accepted, and was ordained this 
 year; the precise time cannot be ascertained. 
 
 At a meeting of the Boston merchants, it was re- 
 solved to use all lawful means to prevent the importa- 
 tion of British goods. On the 9th of April, this town 
 voted that, " We will, by all lawful ways and means, ex- 
 ert ourselves to expose to shame and contempt, all per- 
 sons who shall offer to make sale of British Goods im- 
 ported contrary to the agreement of Merchants, or that 
 shall purchase such goods in this town, or be aiding and 
 
 * Sketch of Haverhill. 
 
 15 
 
170 
 
 a!?sisting to bring them into it; and that all persons who 
 shall violate this vote, shall be rendered incapable of 
 being chosen into any office of profit in this Town." 
 Thanks were also voted to those JBoston merchants who 
 ^udeavored to prevent the importation of British goods. 
 
 A violent whirlwind passed over a part of this 
 town, on the 13th of August. About 8 o^clock in the 
 morning, a large black cloud arose in the South-west, 
 charged with wind and rain. The wind came in a vein 
 of only a few rods in breadth, and sweeping over Silver's 
 Hiil, struck the house c-f Mr. Bradley, nov/ owned by 
 Hon. Moses Wingnte. JMr. Bradley immediately ran 
 to the door and attempted to hold it, while the family 
 was thrown into the greatest confusion, running hither 
 and thither, amid the falling bricks, broken glass, and 
 splinters of wood. The roof was instantly blown ofF^ 
 and a bundle of wool was taken from the garret and 
 carried to Great Pond. Not a pane of glass was left in 
 the house. The barn, which stood within a few rods of 
 the house, was totally demolished, and a valuable horse 
 which was then in it, escaped unharmed. 
 
 1774. 
 
 Rev. Edward Barnard, minister of the First Parish, 
 died on the 26th January, aged 54. He was a bright 
 ornament to the jVew-Engtand clergy. Plis father and 
 grandfather were, in succession, the ministers of the 
 First Parish in Andover; and he was the brother of 
 Rev. Thomas Barnard, of Salem, who, says Dr. Eliot, 
 in his Kew-England Biography, was respected as one 
 of the most profound, liberal and excellent men of his 
 profession. The same author thus remarks of Rev. Ed- 
 ward Barnard: " He was a most accomplished preacher; 
 his popular talents were not eminent, but his discourses} 
 
171 
 
 -w^re correct and excellent compositions, and liigldy rel- 
 ished by scholars and men of taste. He was a fine 
 classical scholar, and excellent in poetry as well as 
 prose." Four of his sermons and one poem, were pub- 
 lished; a sermon delivered at the ordination of Rev. 
 Henry True, at Hampstead, 24th June, n52; a fast 
 sermon-, a sermon delivered at the ordiiiation of Rev. 
 G}4es Merrill, ^xn the North Parish, 6th March, 1765; 
 and a sermon delivered at the ordination of Rev. Thom- 
 as Gary, over the First Parish in Newburyport, 11th 
 March, 1768. 
 
 A {ew years before this, the Baptists made their ap- 
 pearance, and caused a division in Mr. Barnard's 
 Society; they accused him of being unconverted and 
 of not preaching the gospel. He was an Arminian, 
 as were the most of his contemporaries on the Merri- 
 mack. In a sermon preached thirty years after his 
 ordination, he says: — ''Nothing has been delivered by 
 zne that I would not venture my own soul upon. Th^ 
 fallen state of man, which gave rise to the gospel dis- 
 pensation, the fulness and freeness of divine grace in 
 Christ as the foundation of all our hopes, the influence 
 of the spirit, the necessity of regeneration, implying re- 
 pentance towards God and fliifh towards Jesus Christ, 
 the necessity of practical religion, originating from evan- 
 gelical principles are some of the many things which 
 have been 'urged, and which will appear of the greatest 
 importance at death and the day of judgement." 
 
 Proposals were issued to publish a volume of his 
 sermons, but the Revolution broke oiTt, and the design 
 of his friends was abandoned. The author of the 
 " Sketcli of Haverhill," says that he has perused some 
 of them, and remarks, that they were " indeed correct 
 and excellent compositions, and wotiid rank among the 
 best American sermons." The day after his death, the 
 town met and chose a Committee to conduct the fu- 
 neral, and procure ti monument to be erected over his 
 grave. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Parker, of the East Parish, preach- 
 ed as one of his bearers, and the Salem Gazette thus 
 notices it: — " We have just heard from Haverhill, that 
 ike Rev. Mr. Parker, having preached as a bearer i& 
 
112 
 
 the Rev. Mr. Barnard, deceased, the people of Mr. Ws 
 parish requested a copy of his sermon for the press; and 
 a number of gentlemen therein were pleased, at the 
 same time, to make him a present of a very handsome 
 suit of clothes. The promoter and encourager of said 
 affair has also presented him with a new wig. We 
 should think that this kindness, extended to a needy 
 minister, in connexion with their repeated generosity 
 and respect shown to Mr. B's bereaved family, would 
 be one powerful inducement for some of our promising 
 and ingenious young preachers to settle in the work of 
 the ministry with such a people.'^ 
 
 The principles of Col. Richard Saltonstall, who was 
 a Tory, were very repugnant to the Whig party, which 
 composed a majority of the voters. A party from the 
 West Parish, and Salem, New-Hampshire, collected be- 
 fore his house, armed with clubs and other instruments, 
 to mob him; but he made them rather ashamed of their 
 conduct. He came to the door, and with much dignity, 
 told them his reasons for pursuing a different course 
 from that which they had adopted. He ordered refresh- 
 ments for them, and requested them to go to the tavern 
 and call for entertainment at his expense. They ac- 
 cepted of his invitation, and huzzaed to his praise. He 
 soon after went to England, to escape the resentment of 
 the Whigs, where he was well received by his connex- 
 ions. Before the causes appeared which determined 
 the Colonies to strike for their Independence, he was 
 quite popular, was beloved by his townsmen, and pos- 
 sessed considerable influence. He died at Kensington, 
 Great Britain, 6th October, 1785. 
 
 After the repeal of the Stamp Act, in 1767, the Bri- 
 tish Parhament passed another, in October, 1770, 
 equally offensive, imposing duties on teas, glass, paints 
 and paper, which again aroused the spirit of the Colo- 
 nies. Seven armed vessels were sent to Boston, from 
 Halifax, by the British Government, to awe the people 
 into obedience. The inhabitants of this town met on 
 iSth July, and passed nine resolves, expressing their 
 disapprobation of the proceedings of the British Parlia- 
 ment. They voted not to '' import, purchase, vend or 
 consume, any East India tea, until the duty [which was 
 
173 
 
 three pence per lb.] imposed upon its importation into 
 the Colonies should be taken o-ff, and the Port ofBoston 
 opened." 
 
 800 'ibs. of powder were ordered to be purchased, 
 and n proportionable quantity of balls and flints. 
 
 On the 3d January, the town voted to relieve the 
 poor of Boston by subscription. On the 12th, Nathan- 
 iel Peaslee Sargent, Esq., and Jonathan Webster, jr., 
 were chosen delegates to attend the Provincial Con- 
 gress. It was voted to defend its resolves, and to sign 
 a covenant similar to theirs. 63 minute men were rais- 
 ed, who were to be disciplined one day every week, and 
 the town allowed them 2s. per day until they were call- 
 ed into active service, or disbanded. ^30 were raised to 
 enlploy a person to drill and instruct the militia, of 
 whom James Sawyer was Capt., Timothy Johnson, 
 Lieut., and Samuel Eaton, Ensign, 
 
 A manufactory of Salt Petre was established by Na- 
 thaniel Marsh and Israel Bartlett, and the town voted 
 them £50, for their encouragement. But owing to the 
 unsettled state of the times, it became unprolitable, 
 and was soon discontinued. 
 
 On Sunday, 16th of April, a destructive fire broke 
 out in Main-street, and all the west side of it, from the 
 house now occupied by Mrs. Harrod, to the corner, and 
 a barn behind the house now occupied by Mr. Peter Os- 
 good, was burnt, 17 buildings were destroyed, in- 
 cluding a large brick tavern, owned by Mr. John White, 
 the store of Dea. Joseph Dodge, the store of James 
 Duncan, Esq., a house occupied by Mrs. Alley, and a 
 distillery. The earth was parched with a drought, and 
 every thing was combustible. The meeting-house was 
 frequently on fire, and there being but one engine, it 
 was difficult to subdue the raging element. 
 
 Soon as the news of Lexington Battle, which hap- 
 pened on the 19th of April, reached this place, a com- 
 pany started for Boston, to join the brave patriots who 
 
 15* 
 
IT4 
 
 were gathering in that quarter. It was in the battle of 
 Bunker Hill, and two of its members, John Eaton and 
 Simeon Pike were killed. 
 
 Capt. Nehemiah Emerson enlisted in the continen- 
 tal army in December, and continued in service till 
 1783. He marched to IV ew- York, and was there whe» 
 Independence was declared; he was one of the number 
 who retreated from Ticonderoga, was at the taking of 
 Burgoyne, 1777, and wintered at Valley Forge. He 
 was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1780, 
 
 On the 2oth June, the town voted that, " if the Hod, 
 Congress, for the safety of the United Colonies, should 
 declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Brit- 
 ain, this town does engage ivith the ii-^ lives and fortunes to 
 support them in the measure.^^ 
 
 1777. 
 
 Considerable dissention had existed in the East Par- 
 ish for the last three or four years, between Rev. Ben- 
 jamin Parker and a part of his people. It was occa- 
 sioned by the refusal of Mr. Parker to relinquish a part 
 of his salary. In 1775, after they had vainly endeavor-' 
 ed to allay the difficulties, the people called upon the 
 neighboring ministers for council, and sent a commit- 
 tee to request JMr, Parker to meet with them; but he 
 refused, and desired that the parish " would not trouble 
 him with any more Committees hereafter, for he would 
 not hear them."* At length, a mutual council was 
 holden this year, on the 21st January, when a compro- 
 mise was effected, and the connexion between him and 
 the parish was dissolved. Mr. Parker graduated at 
 
 * East Parish Record?. 
 
175 
 
 Cambridge, in 1737. He preached an excellent ser- 
 mon at the funeral of Rev. Edward Barnard, which was 
 
 '"'a peton was chosen by the town ',' to collect evi- 
 dences against those who were deemed mimical to their 
 countrv " A Committee was chosen to supply the lam- 
 ilies of the soldiers in the continental army with food 
 
 '""^The'c^fneral Court resolved to raise 1300 men to 
 fortify the passes on North River, and P''«««<1 an act 
 granting a bounty of ,£90 to such as would enlist for 8 
 months^ Zebediah Parker, James Pecker Robert 
 GriOin, and Daniel Merrill, of this town enlisted 
 
 Rev John Shaw was ordained in the First Parish, 
 rith March, with a salary of f 100. Great dissen ions 
 exited before his settlement. Repeated trials had been 
 made to procure a minister, but none had succeeded 
 until now No less than five candidates had preached 
 in the vacant pulpit, and some of them were men of ster- 
 ling worth, fervent piety, and conspicuous talents but 
 the strong excitement which existed, biased the better 
 
 iudament of the voters. „ . , mi 
 
 Dea David Marsh, grandson of Onesiphorus Marsh, 
 
 ir died on the 2d of November, in the eightieth year 
 of'his age. He married Mary Moody, n 1722. who 
 died 12th August, 1794. They had 12 children, all of 
 whom lived to an advanced ^gf i, f ^^P^,"]^'''; ''i"" 
 familv in the vicinity so remarkable for ,ts longevity. 
 FUzabeth born 29th June, 1723, died in Oct., 1807 
 a-red 83; Mary, born 12th March, 1725, died 1813, aged 
 88 Judith, bom 5th May, 1727, died 1816, aged 89; 
 Cutting, born 20th March, 1^29, died 1809 aged 80, 
 David, born 27th March, 1731, died 23d Oc^., 1812, 
 aged 81; Moses, born 9th Feb., 1^33 <iied 20th Oct 
 1820, aged 8G; Jonathan, born 25th May. 1735 died 
 -th Ma^ch, 1825, aged 89; Enoch, born 3d Aug., 1737 
 died 4th Feb.. 1806, aged 68; Nathaniel, born 31st 
 Dec. 1739, died I4th July, 1815, aged 75; John bom 
 2d Nov., 1742, died 13th Sept., 1821, aged 78; Lydia, 
 horn 5th Feb.', 1745, died 12th.J"ly, 1828, aged 83; 
 Abigail, born 3d April, 1747, died 17th Feb. 1831, 
 aged 84. The descendants of Onesiphorus Marsh, sen., 
 
t^ie first of that name who settled In this town, are ex- 
 ceedingly numerous, and are scattered in every direc- 
 tion over the New-England States. 
 
 t77S. 
 
 On the 12th January, it was voted in a fbll meeting, 
 ^' that an Union ot" the 13 Inrdependent States is a mat- 
 ter of the greatest importance." The "plan of Union" 
 being read; they voted that "it was generally agreea- 
 ble, though, in some respects we could wish it altered." 
 
 This year the town exerted every nerve to raise men 
 and money for the continental army, and for the service 
 of the State. Fifteen soldiers were raised, and the 
 Town Treasurer v/as ordered to hire money to pay 
 them. £60 were paid to four men, who served " as 
 guards at Cambridge." ,£120 were paid to eight sol* 
 diers who " served about Boston," £1 . lis. were paid 
 to two men for " going to Boston." Nine soldiers en- 
 listed in the militia, and were paid by the town. Two 
 men served on Winter Hill 5 months, to whom the town 
 paid £-50. Eight men served in the militia three months, 
 and six men marched to Providence, who were paid by 
 the town. On the 30th of June, the town raised £2600 
 to defray the charges " it had been at in procuring sol- 
 diers for the continental army and for the service of the 
 state." It was also voted "to raise £500 to hire the 
 soldiers this town is now obliged to raise." On the 
 19th July, six soldiers were hired, to be stationed at 
 Cambridge, to whom the town paid £110. 
 
 The Treasurer was ordered to supply the militia 
 officers with such sums of money as were necessary for 
 the ""hire of soldiers, and if thoTe is no money in the 
 Treasury, then the Treasurer is to hire money until it 
 can be raised by the town.'" 
 
 1770. 
 
 A Committee of " correspondence and safety" was 
 chosen, consisting of six persons, of whom Gen. James 
 Brickett was Chairman. 
 
177 
 
 Oil the 7th of September, the enormous sum of 
 XGOOO was raised to defray the town charges, 
 
 Hannah Belknap, daughter of Nathaniel Ayer, died 
 in November, aged 106 years and 11 months. 
 
 1780. 
 
 An immense quantity of snow fell this winter; it was 
 so deeply drifted, that in breaking the road over the 
 Common, a large hole was dug through a drift, through 
 which a company of men rode on horseback.* 
 
 18th May. The remarkable dark day and night. 
 
 17S1. 
 
 On the 15th January, the town raised the enormous 
 quantity of 32,256 lbs. of Beef for the continental army. 
 Twenty-eight soldiers were likewise raised, whose char- 
 ges were paid by the town. 3d July. Four men were 
 drafted for Rhode-Island, and paid by the town. 
 
 1783. 
 
 The Selectmen received a circular letter from Bos- 
 ton, " concerning the return into this State, of certain 
 persons called Refugees." A town-meeting was called 
 purposely to act on the subject, when it was voted that 
 the " Representative be instructed that whenever the 
 affair respecting the return of the Refugees should be 
 laid before the General Court, that he do use his influ- 
 ence in said Court to prevent their return." 
 
 On the 3d September, a treaty of peace was signed, 
 and the 13 United States becam.e an independent na- 
 tion. The object for which the inhabitants of the Co1q» 
 
 ♦ Bartlett's Journal. 
 
178 
 
 siies fought and bled, was now obtained; and there were 
 but few towns, if any, which made greater exertions to 
 forward the cause of freedom than this; no effort was 
 spared; no sacrifice was thought too great. The cour- 
 age of the inhabitants never flagged, even at the darkest 
 period; 'they had nailed the Hag to the mast,' to use 
 the expressiou of a veteran of that period, ' and they 
 determined to see it wave in the winds of freedom, or 
 fall nobly fighting.' They were willing to spend their 
 treasures and shed their blood; and when there was 
 scarcely room to hope, the votes v.hich were passed in 
 their town-meetings, show a spirit of coolness, determi- 
 nation and patriotism v,'hich is truly astonishing; — they 
 evinced a chivalry far nobler than that of olden time; 
 they were actuated by a principle from which death only 
 couJd separate them. 
 
 The following lists of men who were in the army at 
 different periods, were furnished us by Hon. Israel Bart- 
 lett. They were drafted from the company which belong- 
 ed to the village, and of which INIr. Bartlett was Lieut, in 
 1777, and afterwards Capt. We did not insert them in 
 their regular order, because it was thought best to give 
 them in a body. These were drafted from the Artillery 
 Company for the continental service in 1775 and 1776: — 
 Thomas Cogswell, Capt,; Samuel Kiml^all, 1st Lieut.; 
 William Lemont, 2d Lieut.; Samuel Walker, Ensign; 
 John White, Quarter-INIaster; John Dow, James Peck- 
 er, Theodore Tyler, Joseph Whiting, John Eaton, Ste- 
 phen Dustin, Jonathan Sargent, IVIoses Ilarriman, Na- 
 than Ayer, James Townsend, Joseph Johnson, Stephen 
 Jackson, David Harris, Jonathan Harris, Nehemiah 
 Emerson, Jonathan Dustin, jr., Samuel Middleton, 
 Samuel Middleton, jr., William Baker, John Stickney, 
 John Tyler, Job Gage, David Pcrley, John Downing, 
 Nathaniel Kimball, Samuel Woodman, Ephraim Dodge, 
 Samuel Buck, Daniel Tyler, William Greenleaf, David 
 INIoores, Stephen Runnels, William Gage, Daniel Rem- 
 ich, IVIoses Keezar, Samuel Lecount, Joshua Moores, 
 Joseph Wakefield, James Rix, John Whittier, Bart 
 Pecker, John Alley, and Philip Bagley, privates. 
 
 The following is a list of those who served six weeks 
 at Roxbury, They were commanded by Capt. Eaton, 
 
179 
 
 and marched in December, 1775. Obadiah Ayer, Dan- 
 iel Hill, jr., Moses Willcomb, Amos Clement, John 
 Whiting, Nehemiah Emerson, jr., Peter Middleton, 
 Ebcnezer Ballard, Moses Whittier, Samuel Greenleaf. 
 
 It frequently happened that, when an order came to 
 draft soldiers, two, three and four men were classed, 
 and were obliged to hire one man to serve in their room.. 
 This was done so as to make each man bear an equal 
 portion of the burthen. The following is a hst of those 
 who served two months in 1776, or hired. Samuel Apple- 
 ton, John Cogswell, jr., Isaac Reddington, John Green, 
 Theodore Tyler, Amos Gile, William Wingate. Da- 
 vid Marsh, Enoch Marsh, and Nathaniel Marsh, were 
 classed, and hired one man; James Duncan, Samuel 
 Duncan, and Jonathan Barker, were classed, and hired 
 one man; Israel Bartlett and Phineas Carlton, were 
 classed, and hired one man. 
 
 On the 29th June, 1776, an order arrived from the 
 General Court to raise 43 men in this town. The quota 
 of the Artillery company was eleven. They were des- 
 tined for Ticonderoga, and were paid £9 per month, by 
 the Government. Those who hired, paid a bounty of 
 $30. Those who marched, were James Brickett, Brig. 
 General; John Wingate, Abraham Swett, Ensign, James 
 Rix, Nathan Ayer, Benjamin Mooers, jr., John Gage, 
 Peter Middleton, Dudley Dustin, Joshua Moores, James 
 Clement, and Pecker. 
 
 On the 18th July, 1776, another order was received 
 from Col. Whittier, to draft every 25th man, destined 
 for Ticonderoga. John Bailey, Thomas Hopkins and 
 Nathaniel Bodge, were drafted from the Artillery, and 
 marched on the 17th of August. On the 25th of the 
 same month, every 25th man was raised, and marched 
 for Dorchester. On the 22d September an order was 
 received, to raise every 5th man in the town, under fifty 
 years of age, destined for New-York. The quota of 
 the Artillery Company was twelve. And it was so 
 classed that three men were to furnish one soldier each, 
 and twenty-two were to furnish nine. In December, 
 another was received, to raise every fifth man in the 
 town, to march to New-Jersey. The quota of the Ar- 
 tillery Company was again twelve; three of whom 
 marched, and the others employed substitutes. 
 
180 
 
 In January, 1777, says Mr. Bartlett's Record, '"^ or- 
 ders were received to raise every seventh man in the 
 town, from 16 years old and upward that had a being." 
 Every town in the Commonwealth received the same or- 
 der. The object was to raise a continental army for three 
 years from the 1st of January. The quota of the Artil- 
 lery Company was found to be 30; and the following 
 men, exclusive of officers, were raised, principally by a 
 tax on the company: James Rix, Jacob Rowe, Moses 
 Downing, William Harriman, Samuel Back, John 
 Thomas, Samuel Remich, John Shaw, John Shaw, jr., 
 Moses Moores, William Baker, David Peasley, JVIoses 
 Keezar, William Greenleaf, John Lee, Robert Martin, 
 Job Gage, Oliver Page, William Pecker, James Clem- 
 ent, James Clement, jr., William Huston, Thomas 
 Thornton, John Tyler, Moses Lecount, Samuel Mid- 
 dleton, jr., John Graham, Robert Hopkins, John Dow, 
 Jacob Back. In July, eleven men were drafted from 
 the Company to reinforce the Northern army till the 1st 
 January, 1778. They were raised in the following 
 manner: — Nine men furnished one soldier; twenty-four 
 furnished four; and thirteen furnished two. It appears 
 by the record, that the deta^ment wanted two of being 
 complete. In September, ^n invitation was received 
 from the General Court, for half of this regiment to turn 
 -out as volunteers, to reinforce the Northern army, then 
 at Saratoga; and to remain in service thirty days after 
 their arrival at Head Quarters. The following men 
 turned out from the Artillery Company. Nathaniel 
 Marsh, Capt. ; Israel Bartlett, Lieut.; James Ayer, Ben- 
 jamin Mooers, jr., Nathan Ayer, Jonathan Barker, Ed- 
 mund Chase, Ebenezer Dustin, Moses Emerson, Eb- 
 enezer Greenough, John Gage, Jacob George, David 
 Green, James Hasehine, Samuel Walker, Thomas 
 Haynes, Cotton Kimball, Dudley Ladd, jr., Samuel 
 Souther, John Souther, Jeremiah Stickney, Benjamin 
 Baker, Ebenezer Foster, Joshua Moores, Jonathan 
 Harris, Mark Witham, John Cook, Enoch Cordwell, 
 and James Pell. These men were accompanied by 
 Brig. General James Brickett. They marched on the 
 4th of October, arrived at Head Quarters just after a 
 cessation of arms had been declared, and were absent 
 five weeks. 
 
181 
 
 In March, 1T78, two men were detached to serve as 
 guards at Cambridge. In April, an order was received 
 to raise fifteen men in this town, to complete the fifteen 
 batalliotis which were raising for the continental army. 
 The town voted a bounty of <£100 to each soldier who 
 would enlist. They were to serve nine months after 
 their arrival at Fishkill. Those who were detached 
 from the Artillery, were Natlian Kimball, Thomas Sar- 
 gent, William Appleton, Moses Harriman, Gilbert 
 Bond, Ephraim H. Brown, Samuel Eames, Francis 
 Smiley, Jeremiah Davis, and Edward Barker, jr. In the 
 same month, another order was received for a detach- 
 ment of ten men, to serve eight months after their arri- 
 val at Peekskill. The town voted a bounty of £90 to 
 each soldier that would enlist. In June, twelve men 
 were detached for Rhode-Island, to serve eight months; 
 and the following were detached from the Artillery. 
 John Whittier, Peter Middleton, Mark Witham, John 
 Gage, Joshua Moores, and Theodore Tyler. In the 
 same month, six men marched to Cambridge, and were 
 paid by the town. In July, six men were detached 
 from the Artillery, to serve six weeks at Rhode-Island. 
 In September, nine men nwched from this town, three 
 from the Artillery Company, to serve at Boston till the 
 1st of January, 1779, 
 
 The foregoing items were principally taken from the 
 records of the Artillery Company. There were then 
 but two Companies in the town, sometimes called the 
 1st and 2d. We are sorry to say that the records of 
 the latter have never been found, and it is believed that 
 they have been destroyed. 
 
 ir§4. 
 
 29th June. John Sawyer, who had been in a state 
 of partial delirium for some years, leaped from the bel- 
 fry of the First Parish meeting-house. Mr. Bradford, 
 the bell-man, who had but one leg, was ascending to the 
 bell, when Sawyer went past him, and arrived at it first. 
 Without any previous disclosure of his design, he sud- 
 
182 
 
 denlv leaped from the fearful height, and landed on flic 
 side-walk Dr. Daniel Brickett was the first physician 
 called to his assistance. Soon as he arrived Sawyer 
 cried out in intense agony, " Doctor, Doctor! do kill 
 me!" His back was broken, and he survived but a tew 
 hours. 
 
 178S. 
 
 In September, a letter was addressed by the town 
 of Boston to every town in tb.e State, " concernmg the 
 comnron interest of the country." A Committee was 
 chosen to reply to it, of which Gen. James Bncket 
 was Chairman.' It breathes the purest and loftiest pat- 
 riotism. With grateful hearts they acknowledge the 
 dh"ne aid in the darkest period of the Revolution, and 
 ';;":«; ,he highest cctldence m the constitution of the 
 United States. We extract the following;- It at any 
 time we are aggrieved, when we apply lor redress, tne 
 loors are not closed against us, nor guarded by a mi i- 
 arv power to overawe^s. We have a right to apply 
 for'^i-riief, and the constitution has P-nted out an easy 
 ch»ap and ekpeditious mode to procure t Ihe late 
 riotous proceedings* in some Counties m this Common- 
 eal 1 , in interrupting the Courts of Justice, from wh ch 
 Government derives so much energy and support, a e 
 sorepu-nant to the Constitution, and so abhorrent to 
 ev-rTtdea of peace and good order, that we t Innk it 
 ^u; indispensable duty to bear this public testimony 
 a"ainst vfem, as subversive of government, and ending 
 'o"i^roduce 'a state of anarchy which may terminate m 
 he establishment of despotism and -^' -T P- - • 
 This town has borne its lull share of all tne buidens, 
 fos es and expenses of the late war, and -ts subsequen 
 nrooortion of exoenses since the peace. Ihe piesent 
 fo,™ of Government we ddWcratdn adopted and u;sh not 
 
 — p.„,.«y rer„r-,„, ^ f^:^:'.:::::^^'^^^:^ 
 
183 
 
 io see It sacrificed. Yve are ready, therefore, to join you 
 in a firm and vigorous support of our Constitution in the 
 redress of grievances, and in promoting industry, econ- 
 omy, and every other virtue which can exalt and render 
 a nation respectable. 
 
 Signed, James Brickett, Chairman." 
 
 There was a ship-yard at Rocks' Village, and a few 
 vessels were built. None, however, have been built 
 since the year 1800. 
 
 Four distilleries were in full operation; three in the 
 village, and one at the Rocks. In some productive sea- 
 sons, several thousand barrels of cider were distilled. 
 The West India trade, at this time, was considerable, 
 and many vessels were owned in town, built for that 
 purpose. Large quantities cf lumb-er were exported 
 thence, and exchanged for molasses. 
 
 A duck manufactory was established by Samuel 
 Blodget, Esq., but it did not succeed. 
 
 The tow^n had hitherto chosen but one representa.- 
 tive. This year it was votxjd to choose a secondj^ '■'if he 
 would not be of any expense to the town,"^^ — and Samuel 
 Blodget, Esq. was chosen second Representative. 
 
 r^\athaniel Peasley Sargent, better known as Judge 
 Sargent, died in October. He was the son of Rev. 
 Christopher Sargent, of Methuen, and his mother was 
 the daughter of Col. Nathaniel Peasley, of Haverhill. 
 Mr. Sargent graduated at Cambridge, in 1750, and soon 
 after commenced the practice of law in this town. He 
 was never distinguished at the bar as an advocate, yet 
 he possessed sound learning, and there were but few 
 men more respected for integrity, and uniformity of con- 
 duct. We have heard ma^ich in his praise from the lips 
 
184 
 
 of the aged. In 1776, he was appointed Judge of the 
 Superior Court of Judicature, and in 1790, immediately 
 after the resignation of Chief Justice Cushing, he was 
 appointed to the highest seat on the bench; and he is 
 gpoken of as an able and impartial Judge. 
 
 — Q^Q?©— 
 
 1793. 
 
 The first paper pubUshed in this town, was issued in 
 September. It was styled the " Guardian of Freedom," 
 and was edited by Benjamin Edes, jr. The next year 
 it was transferred to the possession of Samuel Aiken. 
 It advocated federal politics. 
 
 1794. 
 
 Haverhill Bridge was completed in the fall. It was 
 erected on three arches of 180 feet each, supported by 
 three handsome stone piers, 40 feet square. It had as 
 many defensive piers, or sterlings, extending 50 feet 
 above, and a draw of 30 feet over the channel. Soon 
 as it was passable, Judith Whiting, the grandmother of 
 Joseph Whiting, then in her hundredth year, walked 
 over it unaided. The old lady died soon after, wanting 
 twelve days to complete a century. 
 
 In 1796 there were seven bridges over the Merri- 
 mack; the Essex, three miles from Newburyport; Mer- 
 rimack, eight; Haverhill, fifteen; Andover, twenty-four; 
 Dracut, at Pawtucket Falls, thirty-four; McGregor's, at 
 Amoskeag Falls, forty-two; and Concord, fifty-six. 
 They were all private property, and were arched, ex- 
 cepting Dracut and McGregor's, which were horizon- 
 tal. A Mr. Palmer was the proprietor of the arched 
 bridge in this country. 
 
 Rev. John Shaw died suddenly, on Monday the 29th 
 of September, aged 48. The day before, he was in usual 
 health, and preached through the day. His character 
 
185 
 
 Was unspottedj and he was a "bright example of meek- 
 ness, patience and charity." He was so loved and res- 
 pected by the inhabitants, that they voted to adjourn the 
 town-meeting, which was convened on the day of his 
 funeral. Mrs. Shaw, who was greatly respected for 
 her piety and domestic virtues, was afterwards married 
 to Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Atkinson. She was the 
 sister of the wife of John Adams. Mr. Shaw left only 
 one son, the late William S. Shaw, ]gsq. of Boston, and 
 two daughters. 
 
 Rev. Abiel Abbot was the first candidate who 
 preached, after the decease of Mr. Shaw, and the parish 
 gave him an unanimous call to settle. He was ordained 
 on the 8th of June. 
 
 Merrimack Bridge was completed in the fall; it was 
 built a few rods above Holt's Rocks. It was 1 ,000 feet 
 in length, and w^as the longest bridge over the Merri- 
 mack. It had four arches, a draw, and was supported 
 by five piers and two abutments. There was but little 
 travel over the bridge, and the proprietors suffered it to 
 fall to decay. It was swept away by the ice in the 
 spring of 1818. 
 
 1796. 
 
 The town began to reckon its monies in Dollars, 
 Cents, etc. 
 
 A malignant fever broke out in some of the neigh- 
 boring towns, and a Committee of thirteen was chosen to 
 adopt measures to prevent its introduction into this. 
 
 21st Sept. It was voted to build a pound with 
 stones. It is now standing on the south end of the 
 Common. 
 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 1707. 
 
 Rev. Isaac Tompkins was ordained in the East Par- 
 ish, on the 7th of January. His salary was voted year- 
 ly. The contract between him and the Society, ran 
 thus: — " The salary was not to exceed $266 66, nor be 
 less than gl83 33; and it^ the Parish did not allow him 
 a satisfactory support, a committee was to be mutually 
 chosen who should fix it between the above sums." 
 
 1798. 
 
 The Guardian of Freedom was discontinued, and the 
 '' Impartial Herald" was soon after issued. 
 
 The affairs of the nation were discussed at a town- 
 meeting, and it was voted to send the President, John 
 Adams, the following address: — 
 
 " While we disapprove of an interference of the peo- 
 ple with the administration of our rs'ational Government, 
 we consider it our duty, at this time, to assure you that 
 the measures you have adopted and pursued as first 
 Magistrate of the. Union, have uniformly met our hearty 
 concurrence. In full confidence that those measures 
 have been dictated by wisdom, and the purest principles 
 of patriotism, we cannot withhold the expression of our 
 grateful thanks for your undeviating firmness in their 
 execution — your late exertions to redress our wTongs — 
 to accommodate differences unhappily existing between 
 this country and the French Republic — to conciliate the 
 affections of our Allies — to preserve our neutrality — to 
 establish our peace and happiness — and above all to 
 support the independence, dignity and freedom of the 
 United States, afford the highest evidence of the justice 
 and wisdom of your administration; and demands, in an 
 eminent degree, the gratitude of every patriotic citizen. 
 
 "We humbly deprecate the calamities of war — but 
 when the safety, the independence, the freedom of our 
 country require, under the directions of the Government 
 of our choice, imploring a blessing from heaven, we are 
 
187 
 
 prepared, with our property and at the hazard of our 
 lives, to support our Government, to vindicate our 
 rights, and to defend our country." 
 
 This letter was transmitted to Hon. Bailey Bartlett, 
 then Representative to Congress, and by him to the 
 President. The following is the President's reply: — 
 
 ^' To the inhabitants of the town of Haverhill in the 
 State of Massachusetts. 
 
 " Gentlemen: — I thank you for a respectable and 
 affectionate address, which has been presented to me by 
 Mr. Bartlett, your Representative in Congress. 
 
 ^'The interference of the people with the adminis- 
 tration of the National Government, in ordinary cases, 
 would be, not only useless and unnecessary, but very 
 inconvenient and expensive to them, if not calculated to 
 disturb the public councils with prejudices, passions, 
 local views, and partial interests, which would better be 
 at rest. But there are some great conjunctions in 
 which it is proper, and in such a government as ours, 
 perhaps necessary. If ever such an occasion can occur, 
 the present is one. 
 
 *' Your assurance to me that the measures I have 
 adopted as first Magistrate of the Union, have uniform- 
 ly met your hearty concurrence; and your declaration 
 that you are prepared with your property, and at the 
 hazard of your lives, to support your Government, vin- 
 dicate your rights, and defend your country, are to me 
 a great consolation. JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 6, '98. 
 
 1800. 
 
 The Impartial Herald was discontinued, and "The 
 Observer" was issued by Galen H. Fay. 
 
 An eulogy on the death of Gen. Washington was 
 delivered, by Rev. Abiel Abbot, on ihe 22d of February, 
 and the General's address on leaving the Presidential 
 chair, was also read. The town ordered it to be print- 
 ed, and one copy to be given to every family. 
 
 A steeple was built to the Baptist meeting-house. 
 
188 
 
 18^1. 
 
 Rev. Gyles Merrill, minister of the North Parish, 
 tlied on the 27th of April. His memory is still fresh in 
 the minds of those who have survived him, and they tes- 
 tify to his amiable disposition, and devotedness as a 
 christian. There was nothing theatrical in Mr. Mer- 
 rill's manner, while in the desk; — he made but few ges- 
 tures — yet he exhibited a meekness and simplicity which 
 made him an interesting preacher. He had the welfare 
 of his people much at heart, and he constantly studied 
 how he might best serve them. He left three sons; 
 Moses Merrill, Esq., of this town, James C. T^Ierrill, 
 Esq., Counsellor at Law, Boston, and Samuel Merrill, 
 Esq., Counsellor at Law, Andover. 
 
 Rev. Phineas Adams, minister of the West Parish, 
 also died on the 27th of November. He graduated at 
 Cambridge, in 1762. The West Parish -was very for- 
 tunate to procure such a man as Mr. Adams, for he was 
 well calculated to heal the difficulties that existed. He 
 possessed an amiable disposition, bland and conciliatory 
 manners, and sound sense. He experienced many 
 trials, though no serious division happened while he 
 was among them. Since his death, the pulpit has been 
 alternately occupied by different ministers until the set- 
 tlement of Mr. Grosvenor. 
 
 1809. 
 
 On the 24th of Jan., the weather was so -svarm that 
 the ice in the river moved with the tide, and there was but 
 little snow till the 22d of February, M'hen a large quan- 
 tity seems to have fallen; for the Hon. Bailey Bartlett, 
 Ichabod Tucker, Esq., and some others, rode to Ipswich 
 on the snow-crust, over the fences, in a large double 
 sleigh.* 
 
 Catharine EmersSn died 14th June, aged 100. 
 
 The Merrimack Lodge was organized on the loth of 
 June, and has ever since been in successful operation, 
 
 * Bartlett's Journal. 
 
189 
 
 1803. 
 
 The happy connexion which had heretofore existed 
 between Rev. Abiel Abbot and his people, became dis- 
 solved on the 13th of June. The inadequateness of his 
 salary was the cause of the controversy, which com- 
 menced early in the year. Mr. Abbot requested the 
 Parish to make an addition of ^200, and informed it that 
 nothing less would be considered a ''■ competent sup- 
 port." The parish would not comply with this request, 
 and Mr. Abbot immediately asked a dismission. He 
 was again settled over the first Church and Society in 
 Beverly, on the 13th of December. He died on quaran- 
 tine-ground, at New-York, 8th June, 1828, and was 
 buried on Staten Island. The following is a list of pub- 
 lications which were kindly furnished us by Rev. David 
 Oliphant, of Beverly: — 
 
 Memorial of Divine Benefits — a sermon preached at 
 Exeter, on the 15th, and at Haverhill on the 29th of No- 
 vember, 1798, the days of public Thanksgiving in New- 
 Hampshire and Massachusetts. 
 
 Traits of resemblance in the People of the United 
 States of America to Ancient Israel — a sermon preached 
 at Haverhill, November 28, 1799, on the Anniversary 
 Thanksgiving. 
 
 Eulogy on the Life and Character of Washington — 
 delivered by request, on the 22d of Feb., 1800, before 
 the inhabitants of Haverhill. 
 
 The Duty of Youth — a sermon occasioned by the 
 death of Miss Sarah Ayer, April 7, 1802, at Haverhill. 
 
 The Mariner\ Manual — a sermon preached in Bev- 
 erly, March 4, 1804. 
 
 Jl Discourse before the Portsmouth Female Asylum, 
 August 9, 1807. 
 
 A Discourse, delivered at Plymouth, December 22, 
 1809, at the celebration of the 188th Anniversary of the 
 landing of our Forefathers. 
 
 Sermons to Mariners — (a duodecimo vol.) published 
 in 1812. 
 
 An Address before the Massachusetts Society for 
 suppressing Intemperance, June 2, 1815. 
 
190 
 
 Discourse before the Missionary Society of Salem 
 and vicinity, and the Essex South Musical Society, Oc- 
 tober 2, 1816. 
 
 Discourses on Baptism. 
 
 The ParenVs Assistant and Sunday School Book, pub- 
 lished in 1822. 
 
 Charge at the Ordination of Rev. Bernard JVhitman, 
 February 15, 1826. 
 
 Mdress before the Berry Street Conference, ]May 
 31, 1826. 
 
 Ecclesiastical Peace Recommended — a Discourse be- 
 fore the Annual Convention of the Congregational Min- 
 isters of Massachusetts, JMay 13, 1827. 
 
 The Example of the first Preachers of the Gospel con- 
 sidered — a sermon preached at the Installation of Rev. 
 Abiel Abbot, in the Confrregational Church in Peterbo- 
 rough, N. H., June 27, 1327. 
 
 Letters ivriltcn in the interior of Cuba, between the 
 Mountains of Jlrcana, to the East, and of Cusco, to the 
 West, in the months of February, March, April, and 
 May, 1828.— Boston, 1S29. 
 
 A posthumous vol., entitled Sermons by the late Rev. 
 Miel Abbot, D. D. of Beverly, Mass. ; iciih a Memoir of 
 his life J by S. Everett— Boston, 1831. 
 
 The citizens celebrated the 4th of July. A dinner 
 was provided by Mr. Harrod, and some of the citizens 
 sat down to a cold collation on the parade-ground. 
 
 20th July, Daniel Webb, an Englishman, vras 
 found suspended from the limb of a tree. He was im- 
 mediately taken down, and means were used to resusci- 
 tate life, but without effect, 
 
 A code of By-Laws was reported and accepted by 
 the town. 
 
 Rev. Hezekiah Smith, minister of the First Baptist 
 Society, died on the 24th of January. He was born on 
 
191 
 
 Long Island, 21st April, 1737, and received a pablic 
 education at Princeton College, where he took the de- 
 gree of A. M. in 1765. After he left College, he trav- 
 elled over a great part of the United States, a distance 
 of 4000 miles, and preached about two hundred times. 
 On his arrival at Charleston, South-Carolina, he was 
 ordained as an Evangelist. In the spring of 1766, he 
 came to New-England, but with the intention of return- 
 ing in the fall; he was, however, prevailed upon to ac- 
 cept the invitation of this Church, and was installed on 
 the 12th of November, of the same year. Soon after 
 his installation. Congress appointed him a Chaplain in 
 the Army; and in this situation he remained till 1780, 
 when he was honorably discharged. While in that sta- 
 tion he was highly esteemed, both by officers and men; 
 and he often exposed himself in the time of battle, to 
 encourage the soldiers and comfort the wounded and 
 dying. Upon his return, the Society voted him a salary 
 of <£iOO in silver. Brown University is greatly in- 
 debted to his exertions. He travelled through various 
 parts of the country, collecting monies for its benefit, a 
 service for which he was eminently qualified. At an 
 early period, that Seminary, sensible of his talents and 
 great worth, chose him one of its Fellows; and in 1797, 
 conferred on him the degree of D. D. But few excell- 
 ed him as a preacher; his discourses were plain and 
 evangelical, and his voice was strong and impressive. 
 " In the family, no man exceeded him; there the softer 
 affections were blended v/ith just authority. The law of 
 love and kindness was in his mouth. As a friend he 
 was constant and sincere. The last sermon he preach- 
 ed, he was uncommonly engaged and persuasive. The 
 Thursday following, he was suddenly seized with a par- 
 alytic shock, and spoke no more."* 
 
 8th March. The ice broke up and went out of the 
 river with tremendous force, moved two ships on the 
 stocks, and did other damage. 
 
 Rev. William Bachelder was ordained over the First 
 Baptist Society, in November. 
 
 * His funeral sermon, preached by Samuel StiUman, D. D., Pas- 
 tor of the First Baptist Church in Boston. 
 
192 
 
 1807. 
 
 On the 2otli of May, a party of eleven men, who 
 were employed in the ship-yard, accompanied a vessel 
 which had been launched a few days before, some dis- 
 tance down the Merrimack. The wind blew violently, 
 and it rained hard. They started on their return with 
 their sails unfurled, and the boat moved lightly over the 
 waters. When a little this side of the Rocks, the boat 
 capsized, and all were precipitated into the river. Six of 
 the party, who were stout, and athletic men, were drown- 
 ed. Their names were Matthew Pettingill, Samuel Blan- 
 chard, John Foss, William Hoyt, Benjamin Cole, and 
 Joshua Weed, and all were heads of families.* Mr. Cole 
 was found the same day; four were found the next Sat- 
 urday, and on the Sunday following, Mr Weed arose 
 and was taken up. They were all brought into the vil- 
 lage and buried on the Sabbath, the first four in the 
 forenoon and Mr. Weed in the afternoon. It was surely 
 a solemn day. A deep gloom clothed the countenances 
 of all, and it will long be remembered by the surviving 
 connexions. 
 
 Samuel Blodget, better known to our elderly citi- 
 zens as Judge Blodget, died in August. lie was a na- 
 tive of Woburn, though he lived many years in this 
 town. He was at the taking of Louisburg, in 1745, and 
 before the Revolution he was the Judge of an Inferior 
 Court in the County of Hillsborough, New-Hampshire. 
 
 Judge Blodget was an active, enterprising man, and 
 possessed great mechanical ingenuity. In 175y, he es- 
 tablished a pot and pearl ash works in this town, which 
 were among the first in the Country, and a duck manu- 
 factory in 1791. In 1783, he raised a valuable cargo 
 from a ship that w^as sunk near Plymouth, with a ma- 
 chine of his own invention. Encouraged with this suc- 
 cess, he went to Europe for the purpose of raising 
 money from a rich Spanish ship, but was not permitted 
 to make the attempt. He then went to England for the 
 
 * Those who escaped, were Nicholas Colby, Moses Kiinball, Jo- 
 seph Kiiuball, Nathaniel Soley, and Joseph Wells, 
 
193 
 
 purpose of weigliing tlie Royal George, one of the larg- 
 est ships in the British Navy, but met with no better 
 success, and was looked upon as an enthusiast, lii 
 1793, he began Blodget's canal, so called, at Amoskeag 
 Falls. He labored several years on this work, and ex- 
 pended all his property on that, and in attempting to 
 lock the falls; but without succeeding to his wishes. 
 He attempted many works, but almost always failed in 
 the execution. He was eccentric in his manners, 
 though he possessed such a genius as would, if properly 
 cultivated and accompanied with application, have im- 
 mortalized his name. 
 
 The Judge intended to live one hundred years, and 
 often told his friends th^* such was his calculation. 
 His elixir vitie was rigid temperance, activity, and to 
 sleep, in all weathers, with open doors and windows. 
 He did not, however, live so long as he expected, though 
 he enjoyed uninterrupted health and cheerfulness until 
 his sickness. He died in the 85th year of his age, of 
 consumption, in consequence of exposing himself while 
 travelling from Boston to Haverhill, in a cold night. 
 
 A Committee was chosen to present a petition to 
 the President of the United States, " praying him to 
 suspend a part or the whole of the Embargo Act." 
 
 Owing to the strong excitement and other causes 
 which existed, after Rev. Mr. Abbot was dismissed, the 
 First Parish was destitute of a regular minister until 
 the 21st of December, when Rev. Joshua Dodge was 
 ordained. 
 
 This year Haverhill Bridge was rebuilt. It is a no- 
 ble structure, having four arches, supported by three 
 stone piers, the stones of which are firmly fastened with 
 iron. The draw, which should have been over the 
 channel, is on the Haverhill shore, and is about 28 feet 
 in width; much inconvenience is suffered on account of 
 its narrowness. There is no bridge over the Merri- 
 mack, and but few in the New-England States, more 
 
 17 
 
194 
 
 durable, or of greater strength. The unmense quanti- 
 ties of ice that are borne down the river with tremen- 
 dous force, have no other effect upon it than a sh<Tht 
 tremulous motion. 
 
 1810. 
 
 The Haverhill Light Infantry was organized on the 
 '26th of May, and Jesse Harding was elected Captain. 
 One of the articles of its constitution directs that, if any of 
 its members should be removed by death, his body shall 
 be consigned to the grave with military honors. On 
 the 6th of May, 1823, an elegant standard was presented 
 to the Company, by the Ladies of this village, through 
 the hands of Miss Polly Dow, accompanied with a per- 
 tinent address. The ceremony of delivering and receiv- 
 ing it, was executed in an intelligent and graceful man- 
 ner, and was spoken of at the time as being highly cred- 
 itable to the parties. The Company is now commanded 
 by Capt. Chauncey Hastings, who was elected in 1831, 
 and there are but few independent Companies in the 
 Commonwealth whose military conduct is more praise- 
 worthy, and whose evolutions are more correct. The 
 Company is furnished with tents and every other neces- 
 sary requisite for a fatigue-march. In 1831, it estab- 
 lished an armory, at an expense of over five hundred 
 dollars; and the accoutrements are there kept in the 
 iieatest and most perfect order. 
 
 181^. 
 
 Some cakes of ice were seen passing in the river so 
 late as the 24th of May. 
 
 The United States declared war against Great Bri- 
 tain on the 18th of June. 
 
 The town voted to give the soldiers, while in actual 
 .service, ten dollars per month, including the wages al- 
 lowed by the General Government. 
 
195 
 
 1814. 
 
 The spotted fever made its appearance in February, 
 and a considerable number died with it in the course of 
 the season. . 
 
 10th Sept. The Militia Company of this town was 
 ordered to appoint an " alarm post" and to hold them- 
 selves in readiness to march at a moment's warnmg. 
 About the same time, the Light Infantry, commanded 
 by Capt. Samuel W. Duncan, was ordered out by Gov- 
 ernor Strong for the defence of the sea coast. They 
 obeyed the summons with alacrity, and were highly 
 spoken of for the correctness of their evolutions, and 
 good conduct while engaged in the fatiguing duties 
 of the camp. 
 
 The Merrimack Bank was incorporated 14th June, 
 and began operations with a capital of $100,000. The 
 capital was increased $50,000, February 2d, 1818. 
 
 1815. 
 
 23d Sept. This day will long be remembered for 
 the violence of a gale, since called the " Septeniber 
 Gale." It commenced about 9 o'clock in the morning, 
 in this town, and continued till 2 in the afternoon. The 
 air was filled with the limbs of trees, leaves, and a salt- 
 spray blown from the Ocean, which encrusted on the 
 east side of the buildings, and there remained for some 
 days. The water in the river tasted extremely brack- 
 ish; and the east side of many trees which withstood the 
 fury of the gale, were killed, as is supposed, with the 
 salt spray. 
 
 1816. 
 
 About this time the attention of the citizens of Ha- 
 verhill and Newburyport was called to a subject very 
 
196 
 
 important to them, the removal of the obstructions to 
 boat navigation on the IMerrimack, between the former 
 pLace and Pawtucket Falls. A Company was incorpo- 
 rated at the May Session for that purpose; but we be- 
 lieve that nothing of any consequence was done. 
 In July, 1825, we find that a Committee was chosen 
 "to survey the Merrimack above Haverhill, to ascer- 
 tain the practicability of canalling the falls." 
 
 The summer of this year was extremely cold; and 
 the hopes of the farmer were almost wholly destroyed. 
 
 In the fall a violent v/ind passed over some of the 
 neighboring towns, and over the westerly part of 
 this. The house of JMr. Ladd Haseltine was demolish- 
 ed, and his son, Jonathan, was killed by the falling 
 chimney. Some other buildings were also blown down, 
 and fences and trees were prostrated." 
 
 Phineas Woodbury, M. D., a native of New-Lon- 
 don, New-Hampshire, died on the 1st of March. In 
 1813 he was appointed Surgeon in the U. S. Army; 
 but finding his health gradually declining, he set out to 
 return to his friends in r^'^ew-Hampshire, and arrived at 
 Haverhill on the 19th of February. He was a member 
 of the Masonic Institution, and his brethren in this to\\'n, 
 with true benevolence, attended him in his last sickness, 
 and reared a handsome monument over his grave, on 
 which is engraved a suitable inscription. 
 
 i§i8. 
 
 The Haverhill Female Benevolent Society was or- 
 ganized on the 13th of January. This Society is now 
 in full operation, and the object of its benevolent mem- 
 bers is to relieve such as are in needy circumstances. 
 It now consists of sixty-five members, and any female 
 may become a member by paying fifty cents annually. In 
 
19T 
 
 18^n it parsed the following resolve:—'' Resolved unan- 
 imously, that no wine, or cordial be admitted mto the 
 future meetings of this Society, and that every proper 
 effort be made to promote temperance among its beneh- 
 
 ciaries." 
 
 ries." 
 
 The present Stage Company went mto operation in 
 March, with a Capital of $4,200. In 1831 the capita! 
 had increased to $28,900. ^ , -c^- . -o .• . 
 
 Rev William Bachelder, minister of the First Baptist 
 Society died on the 8th of April. He was born in Boston 
 on the 25th of March, 1768, and died in the twenty-sixth 
 year of his ministry. But few men have passed from 
 amona us whose memories are more ardently cherished 
 by the living, than is that of Mr. Bachelder. He adorned 
 every relation in life, the civil, social and domestic 
 He was unwearied in the discharge of his duties, both 
 temporal and spiritual, and made zealous efforts to 
 promote the education of candidates for the ministry 
 The Maine Literary and Theological Institution, will 
 lono- cherish his memory as one of its earliest patrons 
 and^warmest advocates. An ardent but humble piety 
 shone in his daily conduct, and the patience and resig- 
 nation which brightened his dying moments, accorded 
 with his character as a minister and christian. 
 
 Brio-adier General James Brickett died on the 10th 
 of December. He practised Physic successfully for 
 many years, in this town, and at an early period of the 
 dispute between the Colonies and Great Britain, he 
 ranked himself with th§ Whigs, and became a firm and 
 devoted patriot. Soon after the war commenced, he en- 
 listed in the Army, where he held the rank of a Briga- 
 dier General. In 1777, he went as a volunteer with 
 the Company which marched from this town to the 
 Plains of Stilhvater, under the command of Capt. Nathan- 
 iel Marsh, and arrived just after a cessation of arms had 
 been declared. He was appointed by General Gates 
 to command the troops which escorted General Bur- 
 goyne and his suite to Albany. In this expedition he 
 incurred considerable expense, and w^hen he laid his 
 account before Congress, that body refused to remuner- 
 ate him, because he was not then an officer of the Army. 
 
 17^ 
 
198 
 
 1819. 
 
 Miss Hannah Chase, a beautiful and amiable young 
 lady, aged 2*2, committed suicide by drowning, on the 
 13th June. The verdict of the jury was thus: — " Her 
 death, for aught that appears to us, was by sane suicide, 
 unless insanity came suddenly upon her, of v.hich it is 
 impossible for us, under existing cu-cumstaaces, to have 
 knowledge." 
 
 18S1. 
 
 Moses B. Moody presented two elegant stoves to 
 the First Parish. 
 
 The Merrimack Society for improvement in the 
 Arts and Sciences, was organized, October id. 
 
 The West Parish voted ^10 to Rev. Joshua Dodge, 
 '* for past services." An invitation was extended to 
 Mr. Thaddeus Pomeroy to settle, but he did not accept. 
 
 A clock v/as put up in the First Parish meeting- 
 Iiouse, on the 1st December. 
 
 1823. 
 
 On the 16th of December, the First Parish raised 
 S^OO to purchase a new bell. 
 
 The Second Baptist Society was organized, and a 
 meeting-house was completed in the fall. Rev. William 
 Bowen was ordained. In the year following, a steeple 
 was added to the house, and it is now a very conve- 
 nient and handsome building. 
 
 1834. 
 
 A brick meeting-house was completed in October, 
 lor the Christian Society. The Church was gathered 
 in 1806, and was supplied with Itinerant Preachers until 
 
199 
 
 tiie 2(1 of August, 1826, when Elder Henry Plummer 
 was ordained. Elder Frederick Plummer was among 
 the first who endeavored to promulgate the tenets of the 
 Christians in this town, lie embraced religion in early 
 youth, and when about nineteen years of age, began 
 to preach, lie was ordained in the grove situated 
 on the east bank of Little River, a few rods above 
 the bridge; and he delivered a number of discourses 
 from a large rock, which stood near the spot now occu- 
 pied by the druggist-store of Dr. Moses iSichols. 
 
 1820. 
 
 The new brick mceting-houso, erected in 1825, by 
 the Universalist Society, was dedicated 12th April; and 
 on the same day, Rev. Thomas G. Farnsworth was in- 
 stalled. This Society was incorporated l£th June, 1824. 
 
 25th May. A house belonging to Mr. Benjamin 
 Bradley, with all the contents of the occupant, was de- 
 stroyed by fire. 
 
 On the 14th of July, Andrew Fiink disappeared in a 
 sudden and mysterious manner. Immediately on the 
 knowledge of his elopement, his friends and neighbors 
 turned out en masse to discover him, but returned un- 
 successful. About three weeks after, his body was 
 found nearly two miles north of the village lying in a 
 brook, in a loathsome and putrid state. Before his 
 body was discovered, a strange, unknown man was seen 
 by some people in the adjacent woods. When the peo- 
 ple in the viliag-e heard of it, a party v/ent in pursuit of 
 the person, supposing him to be Mr. Friiik. At length, 
 with great difficulty, they succeeded in catching him, 
 and found that it was not Mr. Frink, but literally a wild 
 man of the woods. From the answers he gave to their 
 questions, it was judged that he had been unfortunate in 
 his intercourse with the world; and he refused to min- 
 •gle with society. 
 
 Rev. Isaac Tompkins, minister of the East Parish, 
 died on the 26th of November. 
 
 A donation of ^^300 was received by the First Par- 
 ish, from a person unknown. 
 
200 
 
 2d Aug. There was a violent hail storm in the 
 East Parish. Eight days after, ]Mr. Daniel Johnson, 
 brought a peck of hail into the village, which he col- 
 lected from a heap then two and a half feet high. The 
 heap was beside a fence at the foot of a hill. 
 
 Rev. Moses Welch was ordained in the North Par- 
 ish, on the 26th of December, and on the following daj, 
 Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor was ordained in the West 
 Parish. 
 
 1S27. 
 
 An elegant brick building was completed for an 
 Academy. It is two stories high, 62 feet in length, 33 
 feet in breadth, has a cupola, and is furnished with a 
 bell. The Institution was opened on the 30th of April, 
 when an oration was delivered by Hon. Leverett Sal- 
 tonstall, of Salem, an Ode was sung, composed for 
 the occasion, by John G. Whittier, of this town, and a 
 Hymn, by Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, of Windham, New- 
 Hampshire. Oliver Carlton, A. M., was the first instruc- 
 tor. The land on which the building stands, was pre- 
 sented to the proprietors by two aged ladies, Lydia 
 and Abigail Marsh, both of whom have since died. It 
 is sincerely hoped that this Institution wdl soon become 
 as eminent for its literary, moral and religious character, 
 as any other of the kind in the State. 
 
 Agreeably with the request of Rev. Joshua Dodge, 
 the connexion between him and the First Parish, was 
 dissolved on the 18th of June. 
 
 4th July. The citizens celebrated the day in a 
 splendid manner. An Oration was delivered by Nathan 
 W. Hazen, Esq., and the meeting-house was tastefully 
 decorated by the ladies. 
 
 9th Oct. The house and barn of Daniel Appleton, 
 and the barn of Hon. James H. Duncan, with its con- 
 tents and some cattle, were destroyed by fire. The loss 
 was computed at 7 or 8,000 dollars. On the 22d of No- 
 vember, a new house belonging to Benjamin Godkin, 
 was destroyed by the same element; and on the 14th of 
 December, the barn of Jonathan K, Smith. These 
 
501 
 
 fires, excepting that of Mr. Gcdkin, were supposed 
 to have been the work of an incendiary. 
 
 The town raised ^600 to build Engine-houses, and 
 procure fire apparatus. 
 
 1828. 
 
 Rev. Dudley Phelps was ordained in the First Par-* 
 ish on the 9th of January, and is the present pastor. 
 
 5th Feb. The Haverhill Temperance Society was 
 organized, on the principle of total abstinence. 
 
 The West Parish gave Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor 
 notice that his service was no longer wanted. 
 
 The Merrimack Bridge, connecting the Rocks' Vil- 
 lage with West-Newbury, was completed in the fall of 
 this year. It is built on Towne's system. It is 900 
 feet in length, is supported by four stone piers, and two 
 abutments, each extending some distance from the shore. 
 It has four defensive piers, or sterlings, extending some 
 distance above, and a draw. 
 
 Serious difficulties made their appearance in the 
 West Parish Society. They were not allayed in the on- 
 set as they should have been, but v/ere permitted to 
 ripen, and the Inconsequence was, a separation of the 
 parties. One of them now occupies the old meeting- 
 house, and on the 26th of October, Rev. Daniel D. 
 Smith was ordained. In 1831, he left, according to the 
 articles of agreement. The party which left the first 
 meeting-house, erected a handsome brick edifice, about 
 a mile west of it. 
 
 Haverhill Lyceum was established on the 25th of 
 February. 
 
 In March an elegant organ was put up in the meet- 
 ing-house of the First Parish. A few of our wor- 
 
202 
 
 thy citizens who felt desirous of improving the church 
 music, stepped forward, bought an organ, and loaned it 
 to the parish. 
 
 The late venerable High Sheriff of Essex County, 
 Hon. Bailey Bartlett, died on the 9th of September, 
 aged 80. Mr. Bartlett received only a common school 
 education, and kept an English goods store, as did his 
 father, till 1789; yet a great taste for reading marked 
 every period of his life. He had also a taste for agri- 
 culture and mechanism, and was an early member oi 
 the Agricultural Society of the State and of the 
 County. His mechanical genius, he turned toward the 
 art of constructing bridges, and suggested many im- 
 provements. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett lived at the period of our Revolution, 
 and was a firm friend of John Adams, and a fellow 
 boarder with him and Samuel Adams on the memorable 
 4th of July, 1776. When the declaration of Indepen- 
 dence was proclaimed in the yard of Congress Hall, he 
 was present, and has often said that it was received with 
 murmurs by the crowd. On the 1st of July, 1789, he 
 was appointed Sheriff. Gov. Hancock presented him 
 with the commission in person, and stated to him that 
 he did it with peculiar pleasure, as it was the only nom- 
 ination which met the unanimous concurrence of his 
 council. He held the ofhce until the day of his death, 
 with the exception of only six months, when he was 
 elected Treasurer of the County. 
 
 In 1797, he succeeded Judge Bradbury as Repre- 
 sentative of Essex North District, in the Congress of 
 the United States, of which he was a member four years. 
 He was a member of that body during the contest be- 
 tween Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr; and was the 
 chamber companion of the late Chief Justice Parker, 
 between whom a cordial friendship existed until the 
 death of the latter. Judge Parker, in a letter to a 
 friend, thus bears testimony to his worth; he says: — 
 " he is the last ma whose feelings I would intentionally 
 wound, having, for more than thirty years, known the 
 purity and integrity of his character, both public and 
 private." IVineteen days before his death, he attended 
 
203 
 
 Court, when sentence of death was pronounced on the 
 unhappy Knapp. He returned the same day to Haver- 
 hill, when it took several persons to lift him from his 
 chaise. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett was the oldest officer in Massachusetts, 
 except the Clerk of the County of Middlesex, and pro- 
 bably held the office of Sheriff longer than any other 
 person. He was generally beloved by the citizens, and 
 whenever they met him, they did homage, not only to 
 his gray hairs, but to his virtues. On the day of his 
 funeral, many of the shops were closed, and his neigh- 
 bors generally attended to pay him their last tribute of 
 respect — to mourn over the remains of one who had 
 been long among them, and to take a last look of the 
 man they respected. 
 
 His virtues were not wholly of a private nature. 
 While he held the office of Sheriff, he was kind and in- 
 dulgent, almost to a fault, to the unfortunate victims of 
 the law; and it is said that he often paid the exaction of 
 the creditor out of his own purse, rather than to impri- 
 son the poor debtor. His kind treatment of a political 
 libeller estranged some of his political friends, but added 
 a bright gem to his character. In the last war an at- 
 tempt was made to tax Marshal Prince, of this State, 
 with barbarous treatment of the British prisoners; but 
 the Sheriff immediately stepped forward, fearlessly vin- 
 dicated the character of the Marshal, and bore testimo- 
 ny to his humanity. 
 
 1831. 
 
 Rev. Samuel H. Peckham was ordained in the IVorth 
 Parish, on the 18th of February, and the same council 
 dismissed Rev. Moses Welch, 
 
 Rev. Abijah Cross was ordained over the Society 
 attending the new brick meeting-honse in the West 
 Parish, on the 18th of May. 
 
 The Youth's Temperance Association was organiz- 
 ed, on the principle of total abstinence. 
 
TOPOCJRAFIIY. 
 
 Haverhill is pleasantly situated on the Merrimack, 
 a large and noble river, and, following its channel, is 
 about eighteen miles from its mouth. It is about 
 twenty-nine miles from Boston, twenty-two from Salem, 
 twelve from Newbury port, and thirty from Portsmouth, 
 the most populous town in New-Hampshire. It is 
 bounded on the North, by the southern line of New- 
 Hampshire; on the South, by Bradford and West New- 
 bury; on the East, by Amesbury, and on the West, by 
 Methuen. The Merrimack and its islands, belong to 
 this town, as will be seen by the deed, which conveys 
 to the inhabitants of Pentucket "the river and the 
 islands in the river." We have been informed that this 
 subject — the claim of Haverhill to the river and it? 
 islands — has heretofore excited some controversy among 
 individuals; but, if they will take the pains to examine 
 the deed critically, it will be seen, that the claim of Ha- 
 verhill is indisputable. 
 
 This is an ancient town; and since its settlement, in 
 1640, eight towns, now containing a large population, 
 have been settled wholly, or in part, by its inhabitants. 
 The names of these towns are, Methuen, Salem, Atkin- 
 son, Plaistow, Hampstead, Chester, Concord and Ha- 
 verhill; all except Methuen are in New-Hampshire. 
 The town, when it was purchased of the original propri- 
 etors, was twelve miles in length, and six in breadth, 
 with the river and its islands. In 1725, Methuen was 
 incorporated, and about two miles were taken from the 
 west end and added to that town. In 1737, Commis- 
 sioners were appointed by the Crown of England, to es- 
 tablish the long disputed boundary line between the Col- 
 onies of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire. This line 
 was run through the centre of Haverhill — hence three 
 miles has, ever since, been under the jurisdiction of 
 New-Hampshire. The town is now about ten miles in 
 length, and three in breadth, besides the river. It con- 
 tains fifteen thousand acres, and the soil is generally 
 
206 
 
 very productive. In the West and North Parishes? ^ 
 there are a few farms under a veiy high state of culti- 
 vation. Perhaps it will not be amiss, as we have just 
 alluded to the farming interest, to mention the name of 
 David How, Esq., who, it is believed, has owned more 
 iaad, and carried on the farming business to a greater 
 extent than any other person in Massachusetts. He de- 
 lights to tin the earth, and has spared no pains to enrich 
 and cultivate it. He has retrieved many acres of worn- 
 €5ut land, "and brought many lots of barren and unprofita- 
 ble soil to a high state of cultivation. 
 
 There are three small streams in the town, besides 
 the Merrim.ack, called Little River, Creek Brook, and 
 Country Brook. Little River takes its rise in Plaistow, 
 ?N. H., and empties into the Merrimack at the western 
 part of the village. A few rods from its mouth, there is 
 a flannel manufactory, a saw-mill, and grain-mill, own- 
 ed by Mr. Ezekiel Hale. Large quanthies of alewives 
 are caught in this stream. Creek Brook is in the 
 West Parish, and takes its rise from Creek Pond. It 
 carries two grain-mills; one of which is owned by Mr. 
 Aaron Chapman, and the other by Mr. Enoch Bradley, 
 jr. Country Brook runs through the East Parish, and 
 empties into the Merrimack. It carries two saw-mills, 
 one carding-machine, one fulling-mill, and one grain- 
 mill. One of the saw-mills is owned by Mr. Joab 
 Peasley, and the other by Mr. Cyrus Noyes; the card- 
 iTioj-machine is also owned by Mr. Noyes; the clothing- 
 mill is owned by jMr. John Chase, and the grain-mill by 
 Mr. Leonard Johnson. 
 
 There are four Ponds within the limits of the town, 
 and three of them are situated within a mile of the vil- 
 lage, and within half a mile of each other. 
 
 Creek Pond is in the West Parish, near Mr. Aaron 
 Chapman's mills. The shores are irregular, the waters 
 clear almost to transparency, and it has, for the most 
 part, an even and sandy bottom. There are many fine 
 feirms in the neighborhood, and the surrounding scenery 
 id exceedingly beautiful. 
 
 Plug Pond is situated a short distance north of tho 
 village. In the months of July and August, the water 
 presents a greenish and disagreeable appearance. It in 
 
207 
 
 better known to many of our elderly people by tlt«? name 
 of Ayer's Pond; it was so called, because the vVycrs 
 settled near it, and owned most of the adjoining land. 
 
 Round Pond is but a short distance from Plug pond. 
 It is wholly fed by springs issuing from the bottom, and 
 from this circumstance the water is exceedingly cold. 
 The village is supplied with pure, good water, by an 
 aqueduct from this pond. Pickerel and perch are 
 caught in its waters. This pond is also better known to 
 our elderly people, by the name of Belknap's Pond, from 
 a man of that name who settled near it. 
 
 Great Pond is situated only a few rods from Round 
 Pond. Perhaps there i^ not a more beautiful body of 
 water in New-England; the scenery which surrounds it 
 is delightful. The southern and eastern shores exhibit 
 a succession of bills of various heights, thickly wooded 
 Vv'ith tall pines and oaks, w^hich fling their deep shadows 
 over the transparent waters belo-^v. In these woods the 
 coy partridge is found, and various other kinds of game^ 
 which affords a pleasant amusement and healthy exer- 
 cise to those who are skilled in gunnery. Its northern 
 shored rise more gradually, affording a beautiful pros- 
 pect of cultivated farms, large orchards, and neat 
 and commodious dwelling-houses. The water covers 
 about 250 acres, and is, in some places, fifty feet in 
 depth. Its surface is 150 feet from the bed of the Mer- 
 rimack; it abounds with white and red perch, and pick- 
 erel of the largest size have frequently been caught 
 there. This pond has become a fashionable resort for 
 parties from the village. 
 
 There are some eminences in the tovv'o, but none which 
 can be dignified with the title of mountains; among them 
 are Golden Hill, Silver's Hill, Turkey Mill, and Brandy 
 Brow. Golden Hill is situated about a mile east of Ha- 
 verhill bridge, and its base is only a few rods from the 
 Merrimack. It is i^i fuJl view of the village, and was, 
 a few years since, brought under a hi«h state of culti- 
 vation, by the exertions of David How, Esq. The 
 prospect from its brow is extensive and picturesqe; the 
 l^Ierrimack flows majestically at its base, where boats 
 of almost every description, from the heavy gondola to 
 t-lie light and trembling skiff, are seen gliding along its 
 
208 
 
 surface. And now and then a larger craft, with iia 
 shrouds and white masts lifted high in the air, and its 
 broad sails overshadowing the water. 
 
 Silver's Hill is situated about three fourths of a mile 
 west of Haverhill bridge, and is also plainly seen from 
 that place. The Merrimack runs at its base; it is now 
 owned by David How, Esq., and is, of course, in a high 
 state of cultivation. It took its naiBe from a former 
 owner. 
 
 Turkey Hill is composed of a long, irregular range 
 of elevated land, situated in the East Parish. It rises 
 considerably above the East Parish meeting-house, 
 which stands at its base. 
 
 Brandy Brow is situated in the northerly part of the 
 town. A part of it is composed of a stone which pre- 
 sents a reddish appearance, and, perhaps, from this cir- 
 cumstance it took its name. Upon the brow of this hill, 
 there is a large rock which stands at the corner of four 
 towns — Haverhill, Plaistow, Amesbury, and Newtown. 
 
 There are no extensive forests, and most of tho wood 
 used is brought from the neighborino- towns. We have 
 noticed many kinds of trees in the various parts of the 
 town, and it may be said that the oak predominates. 
 There is, also, the walnut, sycamore, elm, locust, hem- 
 lock, spruce, ash, white and black birch, willow, alder, 
 wild black cherry, plum, white and pitch pine, and a 
 few white and rock maple. There are many others of a 
 smaller kind, but which would more properly rank with 
 the shrub. The sycamore, or buttonwood, as it is more 
 frequently called, attains to the greatest size. About 
 twenty of them are now standing on the bank of the 
 Merrimack, before the mansion of Wid. Samuel W. 
 Duncan; and, together with the willows which adorn 
 the bank of the river for some distance, make a delight- 
 ful shade. This appears to be a favorite retreat of 
 the citizens of all classes, and on the pleasant evenings 
 of summer, it is frequently thronged. 
 
 Our fields abound with various kinds of delicious fruit, 
 which grow spontaneously, and some of them in great 
 abundance — among which, are the whortleberry, blue- 
 berry, strawberry, raspberry, and vine and bush black- 
 berry. Many gardens are emiched with peaches, rare-» 
 
209 
 
 ripes, and plums of every description; and a few line 
 ^rowing orchards are almost in the heart of the village. 
 Considerable attention is paid, especially by the ladies, 
 to the culture of exotic flowers and plants. 
 
 The location of Haverhill Village is exceedingly 
 beautiful. Golden Hill rises abruptly on the East, and 
 Silver's Hill rises more gradually on the West. The 
 noble Merrimack runs on the South, and winds around 
 it in the form of a crescent. The village is built on 
 the south side of a gentle acclivity, which rises grad- 
 ually from the river, the houses appearing one above 
 another, affording a delightful view. The two prin- 
 cipal streets. Water and Main-streets, are somewhat 
 irreo-ular: and this, tooether with the irrecjular struc- 
 ture of some of the buildings, are almost the only 
 things which mar the prospect. Water-street is a mi]e 
 or more in length, and is thickly lined on both sides 
 with buildings of every description; it runs parallel with 
 the river. Main-street intersects with \Vater-street 
 opposite Haverhill bridge, and runs north. This is 
 a very pleasant street, and is adorned on each side 
 with a number of elegant buildings. The early set-- 
 tlers calculated that a village v/ould, at some period, 
 rise on the site of the present one, for in 1643, when the 
 accommodation grant, spoken of in that year, was sur- 
 veyed, these two streets were reserved. A few years 
 since, Summer-street was opened on the brow of tho 
 hill, intersecting with Main-street, and the north side is 
 adorned with elegant dwelling-houses. Tliis is the 
 pleasantest street in the village. No buildings are 
 erected on the south side of it, which leaves a charming 
 prospect of the green hills of Bradford, on the opposite 
 side of the river, and of the picturesque village which 
 lies beneath it. A number of other streets have been 
 opened within a few years, which add much to the beau- 
 ty of the tov.'n. 
 
 There are eight houses for public worship within the 
 limits of the town; four of which are in the village, two 
 in the West Parish, and two in the East Parish. The 
 denominations which worship in them, are, one Chris- 
 tian, one Universalist, two Baptists, and four Congre- 
 gationalists. The meeting-house in Piaistow, stands 
 
210 
 
 but a few rods from the line of Haverhill, and is princi- 
 pally owned by the inhabitants of the North Parish. 
 There are a few Friends in town, but they have no 
 house for worship. 
 
 In the easterly part of the town, there is another vil- 
 lage, called the "Rocks Village," which is now in a 
 very flourishing condition. It has three stores, one 
 tavern, a house for public worship, and is celebrated for 
 its manufactory of horn combs. It is connected with 
 West-Newbury by Merrimack bridge, which affords a 
 safe and easy communication, and will doubtless in- 
 crease the trade of the village. It was owing to the en- 
 terprise and energy of a few individuals of that place, 
 that this bridge was erected. This village has grown 
 up within a few years, and most of the buildings have 
 the appearance of being new. Before 1800, there was 
 a ship-yard in this place, and a few vessels were built. 
 
 There is another small village in the North Parish, 
 consisting of fifteen or twenty houses, principally situated 
 on the main road to Concord, New-Hampshire. The peo- 
 ple are principally tillers of the soil, and the most of them 
 are, what is called, " forehanded farmers.'' Their meet- 
 ing-house, which is situated in Plaistow, was erected be- 
 fore the boundary line was established between the two 
 provinces. Soon after this was effected, a few of the 
 inhabitants petitioned the General Court for liberty to 
 hold meetings and act, in all respects, as a "distinct 
 and separate Precinct." This liberty was granted, and 
 they have, ever since, enjoyed all immunities commonly 
 allowed to Parishes — though they have generally, since 
 1737, united with Plaistow to procure a minister. We 
 have been thus particular in making these statements, 
 because many people have thought that they did not 
 enjoy the privilege of raising and appropriating monies, 
 and other immuiiities of a parish, without the concurring 
 voice of Plaistow. 
 
 Haverhill is a place of considerable business, and 
 has, of late become quite a manufacturing town; its im- 
 portance, however, is not so great as its central situa- 
 tion deserves. It has an extensive back country, and 
 is a good market for most kinds of country produce. 
 The farmer can sell his articles here nearly or quite as 
 
211 
 
 advantageously as at any other market, and foreign and 
 domestic goods can generally be purchased as cheap as 
 in Boston. There are about forty stores, and many of 
 them are well Mlled with every description of goods. 
 
 The article of shoes, is now extensively manufactur- 
 ed. It is impossible to state the exact number of pairs 
 that are annually made, or the stock invested in the 
 trade. A few houses have been so obliging as to fur- 
 nish us with a statement of their manufactures, for 
 the past year, and the aggregate is over 1,000,000. 
 If this business increases as rapidly for a few years to 
 come as it has the three last years, no town in the State 
 will exceed this in the number of shoes manufactured, or 
 the amount of capital invested in the trade. Some of 
 our most worthy and enterprising young men are en- 
 gaged in the business. 
 
 Large quantities of hats are manufactured, which 
 are. exported to the southern States, and other places. 
 The most extensive establishment is owned by Mr. Na- 
 than Webster; there is another in the village, owned by 
 Mr. David Webster, four in the West Parish, owned by 
 Messrs Isaac How, Phineas Mow, Jonathan Crowell, 
 and Gilman Haynes; one in the North Parish, owned 
 by Mr. Samuel Whittaker. These establishments em- 
 ploy a great number of workmen. Hats are manufac- 
 tured to the amount of $100,000 annually. 
 
 The manufacture of horn combs is very extensive. 
 This business is confined wholly to the East Parish. We 
 were informed by a number of intelligent gentlemen, 
 who carry on the business, that the amount of combs 
 manufactured in the year 1831, would exceed $30,000. 
 It gives employment to about a hundred persons of both 
 sexes; and no doubt, will be a source of profit to the en- 
 terprising gentlemen engaged in the business. 
 
 The tanning of leather is carried on to a considera- 
 ble extent, though not so extensively as is desirable — 
 for a large portion of the leather manufactured, is pur- 
 chased in other places. The currying business is also 
 considerable, and there are a few extensive establish- 
 ments of this description. 
 
 A i^ew years since, the manufacture of leather gloves 
 was carried on extensively; and about thirty men were 
 
212 
 
 constantly employed in niar.nrucfurinj:!^ plated ware lor 
 saddles, harnesses, and other articles, before the tax 
 was laid upon it. This business, however, beoius to 
 revive, and a nnniber of establishments oire now in the 
 West Parish in full operation. 
 
 Ship-building, we arc sorry to say, is not so ex- 
 tensive as it was before 1800. At that period, and 
 even before the revolution, it v.as considered a very ini- 
 poitant branch of business. Many ships were built and 
 a large quantity of shipping was owned, for so small 
 a place, which was principally employed in the West 
 India trade. Ships of four hundred tons can be safely 
 launched in the Merrimack at high tide. In 1810, 
 vessels were built, amounting to 1300 tons; both ship- 
 yards were occupied, and about sixty men were con- 
 stantly employed in them. This business was seriously 
 interrupted by the restrictive measures of Government 
 previous to the last war, but it began to revive with tlie 
 revival of commerce, and so late as 1816, it was deemed 
 profitable and important. It is hoped that the busi- 
 ness will be pursued with energy, as considerable quan- 
 tities of line timber are now growing in the vicinity, the 
 average price of which is five dollars per ton. 
 
 Perhaps it will not be amiss before this work is 
 closed, to make a few remarks on the character of 
 the early inhabitants. It lias already been said that 
 the settlement was projected and headed by a minis- 
 ter, who was a wortliy and upright man. His peo- 
 ple mostly followed his example, and prided themselves 
 on the purity of their moral conduct, and extreme ex- 
 actness of their religious devotions. We are bold to 
 assert that there v.as no settlement in the vicinity, con- 
 taining a less number of idle and vicious persons, in 
 proportion to the population, than this. The Court 
 Files are a good criterion to judge by in this matter; 
 and, while examining them, we were surprised to find so 
 small a number of prosecutions for immoral conduct. 
 This state of things continued until the commencement 
 of the Indian wars, when the moral and religious 
 feeling of the inhabitants began sensibly to dete- 
 riorate. This was natural; for war, of whatever des- 
 cription, has a powerful tendency to lessen the regard 
 
213 
 
 of the parties for religious devotions— to unclcrmiiic the 
 moral feelings, however firmly they may be established, 
 and indeed,'' to blunt all the finer sensibilities of the 
 heart. Religious and moral admonitions were then less 
 frequently given; the father had other things to employ 
 his thoughts— the life of the mother was one of contuui- 
 ed fear ti^- herself and for those she loved, and while 
 fear predominates in the breast, it is surely a poor time 
 to administer religious instruction. The person then, 
 who possessed vicious inclinations and an ill-natured 
 disposition, had greater liberty to indulge them, and 
 consequently more power to corrupt companions. 
 
 After the close of the wars, the inhabitants did not 
 return to the primitive simplicity which characterized 
 them before their commencement. A new generation 
 was on the stage — new opinions and new desires had 
 become popular, and the primeval ones were laid aside. 
 Ignorance, with his cloven foot and beastly shape, stalk- 
 ed among them; for nearly all thoughts of schools, in 
 the time of the wars, were, of course, relinquished. It 
 may be truly called an age of darkness; immorality and 
 vice fearlessly erected their standards, and battled too 
 successfully with the advocates of opposite principles. 
 
 This state of things continued, with but little devia- 
 tion, until the great reformation in 1740, which affected 
 the greater part of New-England. Public morals and 
 the religious feelings of the inhabitants, then met with 
 a great "and radical change. They have ever since been 
 gradually ripening, and at no period since the settle- 
 ment, have the public morals been elevated to so high 
 and noble a standard as at the present day. This is, 
 perhaps, contrary to the settled opinions of many; but, 
 while developing the morals of the early inhabitants, we 
 endeavored to compare them impartially w^ith those of 
 the present age, and became satisfied that what we have 
 now asserted is substantially correct. 
 
 We do not wish to be understood, that the moral and 
 religious opinions and deportment of the early settlers 
 exercised no influence over the succeeding generations. 
 On the contrary, they did exercise influence of a most 
 salutary nature; which was not confined to that genera- 
 tion, but is felt and acknowledged, even when the last 
 
ei4 
 
 of its number has long niouldercd in the dust. And 
 even at this day, there is a living power among us which 
 was established by the early settlers, nearly two centu- 
 ries ago. It lived through the darkest age of immorality 
 and has descended to us, not in its primordial shape, but 
 in a purer and less bigoted form. 
 
 Our history is now finished. We have narrated — 
 and have endeavored to do it impartially — the principal 
 events which have transpired since the settlement. The 
 work was commenced with a knowledge ot the high and 
 responsible duty which every historian owes to the pub- 
 lic, and with a full determination to discharge it as faith- 
 fully as our humble abilities would permit. If we have 
 related incidents which injure the feelings of those who 
 are proud of ancestral honor — if we have spoken of by- 
 gone characters in a manner which wounds the pride of 
 some of the present generation, we are free to say, that 
 our opinions were not biassed by fear, or the promise of 
 reward — that the fault, if any exists, is not with us, but 
 with their ancestors. On a few subjects, v/e have dif- 
 fered materially from some of our friends, but we have 
 not ventured to utter our opinions until they had been 
 closely investigated. We may have erred — we would 
 not be considered infallible — and if we have, the reader 
 may be assured that it was not intontionailv. 
 
appe:k'bix. 
 
 Staccessi^iaa of Mae inters. 
 FIRST PARISH. 
 
 J^amc?. Time cf Ordination. Deceased. 
 
 ReX'. John Ward, 1641, Dec. 27, 1693, 
 
 '■' Bcnjamiu Rolfe, Jan. 7, 1G94, Aug. 29, 1708, 
 
 " Joshua Cardner, Jan 10, 1711, March 21, 171-5, 
 
 " John Brown, May 13, 1719, Dec. 2, 1742, 
 
 '' Edward Barnard, April 27, 1743, Jan. 26, 1774, 
 
 " John Shaw, March 12, 1777, Sept. 29, 1794, 
 
 " Abiel Abbot. June 8, 1795, June 13, 1803.* 
 
 " Joshua Dodge, Dec. 21, 1808, June 18, 1827.* 
 
 " Dudley Phelps, .^in. 9, 1828. 
 
 NORTH PARISH. 
 
 Re\. James Cushlng, I Oct. — , 1730, | May 13, 1764, 
 
 '- Gyles Merrill, | March 6, 1765, j April 27, ISO}, 
 
 " Moses Welch, Dec. 26, 1826, Feb. 17, 1831.* 
 
 " Sam'l II. Peckhani, | Feb. 18, 1831. | 
 
 WEST PARISH— FIRST societv. 
 
 Rev. Harnuol Bachellor, I July—, 1735, I Oct. 9, 1761.* 
 
 " Phineas Adams, | , 1770, 1 Nov. 17, 1801, 
 
 " Moses G.Grosvenor, [ Dec. 27, 1826, I , 182S.* 
 
 " Daniel D. Smith, \ Oct. 26, 1828. | 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Parker, 
 " Isaac Tompkms, 
 " John II. Stevens, 
 
 FIRST 
 
 Rer. ITezekiah Smith, 
 '* William Batchclder, 
 " George Keely, 
 
 EAST PARISH. 
 
 Nov. — , 1744, Jan. 2!, 1777,' 
 Jan. 7, 1797, Nov. 21, 1826, 
 , 1829. 
 
 BAPTIST SOCIETY. 
 
 [ Nov. 12, 1766, I Jan. 24, 180.5-, 
 Nov. — , 1805, 1 April 8, 1818, 
 Oct. 7, 1818. 
 
 SECOND BAPTIST SOCIETY 
 
 Rev. William Bowcu, I , 18-25. 
 
 " Oti3 Wing. I 
 
 FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
 
 Uev. T. G. Farnsworth, | April 1 2, 1826. ] 
 
 CHRISTIAN SOCIETY. 
 
 Elder Henry Plummer, | Aug. 2, 1826. { 
 
 WEST PARISH— SECOND society. 
 
 Rer. Abijah Cross, } May iS, 1831. j 
 
 * Time dismissed. 
 
 Age; 
 88. 
 46. 
 28. 
 46. 
 54. 
 48. 
 
 59. 
 62. 
 
 60. 
 
 72. 
 65. 
 
 67. 
 51. 
 
216 
 
 Of the natives ot* Haverhill, who have 
 received a College Sdtication. 
 
 HARVARD COLLEGE. 
 
 1634 — -GuRDONus Saltonstall, Mr., V. D, M., 
 
 [Connec. Colon. Gub. 
 1695 — *Nathanael Saltonstall, Mr., Tutor. 
 1695 — *Richardus Saltonstall, Mr. 
 1709 — ^Johannes Wainwright, Mr. 
 1710— *Obadias Aver, Mr. 
 1717 — ^Richardus Hazzen, Mr. 
 17oo_*Timotheus White, r>Ir. 
 1722 — *RicHARDUs Saltonstall, Mr., Mass. 
 
 [Prov, Cur. Sup. Jurid. 
 1727— *Nathanae] Saltonstall, Mr. 
 1737 — *31oses Emerson, INIr. 
 1741 — * Johannes Browny Mr. 
 
 1743 — *Jacobus Pecker, Mr., M. M. S. Y. Praeses. 
 1743 — * Cotton Brown, ]Mr. 
 1748 — *Ward Brown 
 1751 — *Richardus Saltonstall, Mr. 
 1751 — ^Johannes White, JMr. 
 1752 — * Thomas Brown, Mr. 
 1757 — *Jeremias Pecker, Mr., 1761 
 1759 — *Johannes W^hittier, Mr. 
 1761 — ^Moses Bado-er, Mr. 
 nGl—*Johannes Marsh, Mr., S. T. D. Tut. 
 1766 — *Nathanael Saltonstall, Mr., M. M. S. vSoc. 
 1771— *Johannes White, Mr. 
 1772 — *Josua-Bailey Oss^ood, Mr. 
 1773_*J3aniel Parker, Mr., 1782 
 1774 — *Edvardus Barnard, Mr. 
 1775 — *Isaacus Osgood, Mr. 
 1787 — Leonard AVhite, Mr. 
 ]'!S1—Petrus Eaton, Mr., S. T. D. 
 1792 — Stephanus-Peabody Webster, Mr. 
 1793 — Phineas Adams, Mr. 
 1795 — Josua Wingate, Mr. 
 
 1798— *Gulielmus-Smith Shaw, Mr., A. A. ct. S. U. S. 
 1802— Leverett Saltonstall, Mr., A. A. et. S. H. S. 
 1804 — Ebenezer Greenough 
 
217 
 
 1804 
 1806 
 1807 
 1807- 
 1810- 
 1810 
 1812 
 1813 
 1828 
 
 -Moses Webster, Mr. 
 -Thomas Tracy, Mr., 1816 
 -Jacobus-Cushing Merrill, Mr., S. H. Soc. 
 -Samuel Merrill, lUr. 
 -*Samuel-White Duncan, Mr. 
 — Isaacus-Reddington How, Mr. 
 -Jacobus-Henricus Duncan, Mr. 
 
 Richardus Saltonstall, Mr. 
 Carolus Minot, Mr. 
 
 YALE COLLEGE. 
 1809— Theodore Eames, Mr. 
 1814 — Johannes-Mulliken Atwood 
 1821— Carolus Atwood, Mr. 
 
 DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 
 1798— Gulielnius Moody 
 1802— Samuel Walker 
 1810— Moses S. Moody 
 1813 — Benjamin Greenleaf, Mr. 
 
 UNION COLLEGE. 
 1831— Nathanael Hills 
 
 I.I§T 
 
 of the Kepreseiitat 
 
 [Copied principally from 
 
 1648 to 1654, Robert 
 
 [Clement 
 1654, John Clement 
 1655 to 1660, none 
 1660, John Davis~2d Ses- 
 [sion 
 1661 to 1666, none 
 
 1666, Nath'l Saltonstall 
 
 1667, Henry Palmer 
 
 1668, William Davis 
 1669 to 1672, Nathaniel 
 
 [Saltonstall 
 
 1672, George Brown 
 
 1673, Humphrey Davy-2d 
 
 [Session 
 
 19 
 
 ive§ of Haverhill. 
 
 the Legislative Files.] 
 
 1674, Henry Palmer 
 
 1675, George Brown 
 1676 to 1680, Henry 
 
 [Palmer 
 
 1680, George Brown 
 
 1681, Daniel Hendrick 
 
 1682, none 
 
 1683, Peter Ayer 
 
 1684, Robert Swan 
 
 1685 and 1686, Peter Ayer 
 
 1687 to 1689, none 
 
 1689 and 1690, Peter Ayer 
 
 1691, John Johnson 
 , < George Brown 
 ' \ Samuel Hutchins 
 
 1692, 
 
218 
 
 ioQQ J Daniel Ladd 
 l^y^, ^Thomas Hart 
 1694, Daniel Ladd 
 1695 and 1696, Peter Ayer 
 
 1697, John Page 
 
 1698, Peter Ayer 
 
 1699, Richard Saltonstall 
 1 TOO, John White 
 
 1701, Samuel Ayer 
 
 1702, John White 
 ^John White, 1st 
 
 1 703, < Session— John Ha- 
 ( seltine, 2d Session 
 1704 and 1705, Samuel 
 
 [Watts 
 1706 and 1707, James 
 
 [Saunders 
 
 1703, John White 
 1709, James Saunders 
 1710 to 1713, John 
 
 13, John White 
 
 Ha- 
 
 [seltine 
 
 1 
 
 1714 
 
 1715'and 1716 
 
 John 
 
 Haseltine 
 John 
 
 [White 
 Amos Singletary 
 
 1717, 
 
 1718, John Saunders 
 
 1719, John White 
 1720 to r 
 
 26, John Saun- 
 [ders 
 1726 and 1727, James 
 
 [Saunders 
 1728 and 1729, Richard 
 
 [Saltonstall 
 1730 to 1733, Nathan 
 
 [Webster 
 1733 and 1734, William 
 
 [White 
 1735 and 1736, Richard 
 
 [Saltonstall 
 
 1737, Nathaniel Peasley 
 
 1738, Richard Saltonstall 
 
 1739 to 1742, Nathaniel 
 
 [Peasley 
 
 1742, Richard Hazzen 
 
 1743, Richard Saltonstall 
 1744 and 1745, Philip 
 
 [Haseltine 
 1746 to 1749, Nathaniel 
 
 [Peasley 
 1749 and 1750, Nathaniel 
 [Saunders 
 1751, John Haseltine 
 1752 and 1753, Nathaniel 
 [Peasley 
 1754, Richard Saltonstall 
 1755 to 1761 , David Marsh 
 1761 to 1769, Richard 
 
 [Saltonstall 
 1769 and 1770, Samuel 
 
 [Bachellor 
 1771 to 1776, Jonathan 
 
 [Webster, jr. 
 «^ ( Jona. Webster 
 ^^'^' I Nath'l P. Sargent 
 1777 to 1781, Jonathan 
 
 [Webster 
 1781 to 1784, Bailey 
 
 [Bartlett 
 1784 and 1785, Samuel 
 
 [White 
 
 1786, Nathaniel Marsh 
 
 1787, Isaac Osgood 
 .^_j. ( Bailey Bartlett 
 ^^^^' I Nathaniel Marsh 
 1789 and 1790, Nathaniel 
 
 [Marsh 
 ,^Q- C Francis Carr 
 ^'^^' I Samuel Blodget 
 1792, to 1796, Francis Carr 
 1796, none 
 1797 and 1798, Nathaniel 
 
 [Marsh 
 1799, Benjamin Willis 
 
219 
 
 1800, Benjamin Willis 
 
 1801, none 
 
 1802 and 1803, Francis 
 
 [Carr 
 1804 to 1807, David How 
 1807 and 1808, James 
 
 [Smiley 
 1809, Leonard White 
 1810 and 1811, Ebenezer 
 [Gage 
 1812 to 1819, David How 
 
 1819, Charles White 
 
 1820, to 1823, Moses Win- 
 gate 
 
 1823 and 1824, Enoch 
 
 [Foot 
 
 1825, Stephen Minot 
 
 1826, none 
 
 ^ Moses Wingate 
 I James H.Duncan 
 ( Charles White 
 I John Brickett, jr. 
 C Thomas Harding 
 
 < John Brickett, jr. 
 ( W^illiamBachellor 
 C Thomas Harding 
 
 < William Bachellor 
 ( John Brickett, jr. 
 
 1831, Caleb B. LeBosquet 
 
 1832, Caleb B. LeBosquet 
 " Thos. G. Farns worth 
 '^ Ephraim Corliss 
 
 " James Davis, cho- 
 sen 2d Monday in 
 November, 1831. 
 
 1827. 
 
 1828 
 
 1829 
 
 1830, 
 
 CEM^US OF SIATEHmiil. — 1830. 
 MALES^ ' 
 
 Un- 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 60 
 
 70 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 der 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 i 60 
 
 170 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 257 
 
 233 
 
 206 
 
 221 
 
 426 
 
 265 
 
 141 
 
 90 
 
 75 
 
 33 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 FE 
 
 MALES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Un- 
 
 <fcr 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 to 
 10 
 
 10 
 to 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 to 
 20 
 
 20 
 to 
 30 
 
 30 1 40 
 to to 
 40 50 
 
 50 
 to 
 60 
 
 60 
 to 
 70 
 
 70 
 to 
 80 
 
 80 
 to 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 to 
 
 100 
 
 ?Ai 
 
 188 1 
 
 193 I 
 
 187 : 
 
 416 
 
 258 ! 175 1 
 
 127 
 
 96 
 
 45 
 
 19 1 
 
 4 
 
 Males, 
 Females, 
 
 Total, 
 
 Population in 1820, 
 
 1960 
 1952 
 
 3912 
 3070 
 
 Gain, - - - - 842 
 
 The population at present is about 4200. More than 
 half of the inhabitants reside within half a mile of Ha- 
 verhill Bridge. 
 
220 
 
 BIKECTORT. 
 Proressionftl C^eiitlemeii. 
 
 Brickett, Daniel Phijsiciaii. 
 Cross, Abijah Clergijman. 
 Duncan, James H. Lawyer. 
 Farnsworth, Thomas G. Clergyman. 
 Howe, Isaac R. Lawyer. 
 Keel\^, George Clergyman. 
 Kinnison, Timothy Physician. 
 Longley, Rufus Physician. 
 JVIinot, Charles Lawyer. 
 Minot, Stephen Lawyer. 
 Parker, Gilman Lawyer. 
 Peckham, Samuel H. Clergyman. 
 Phelps, Dudley Clergyman. 
 Plummer, Henry Clergyman. 
 Stevens, John H. Clergyman. 
 Whiting, Augustus Physician. 
 "VVing, Otis Clergyman. 
 
 iCS, ^C, «&:€. 
 Alley, Joseph A. Tailor, Osgood's Building. 
 Ames, Ezra C Merchant, ISo. 5, IMain-street. 
 Appleton, J. A. & G. & Co. Merchants, Water-st. 
 Appleton, John Tailor, No. 2, Mechanics' Row. 
 Ayer, George W. Shipwright, Water-st. 
 Ayer, James 2d Joiner, Green-st. 
 Ayer, Richard Tanner, West Parish. 
 Ayer, Samuel W. Grocer, Water-st. 
 
 Bailey, Benjamin Wheelwright , West Parish. 
 
 Bailey, Phineas Wheelwright, "■ ^' 
 
 Balcli, J. k M. P. Watchmakers Sr Jewellers, Main-st. 
 
 Bartlett, Charles L. Deputy Sheriff, Water-st. 
 
 Bartlett, Israel Silversmith, ^Vater-st. 
 
 Brickett, John BlacT.smith, North Parish. 
 
 Brickett, John jr, '' '' 
 
 Brown, William Tavern and Livery Stable^ Main-st. 
 
 Burr, Harriet Milliner, Water-st, 
 
Caldwell, Jacob .S7?oc Manufuclurer, East Parish. 
 
 Caldwell, William Distiller, VVater-st. 
 
 Caldwell St Pierce, Merchants St Shoe Manvfacturcrs, 
 
 [Water-st. 
 Carleton, Charles Mason, West Parish. 
 Carleton, Israel jr. Tanner cV Currier, near Plug Pond. 
 Carleton, I. jr. & J. Stove Manufacturers, " 
 
 Carleton, Michael Clock ^ Watch-maker, Water-st. 
 Carleton & Newcomh, Merchants^ Silversmiths, Waier-st. 
 Chamberlain, John Chaise-maker, Water-st. 
 Chapman, Aaron Miller, West Parish. 
 Chase, Abigail Milliner, No. 9, Main-st. 
 Chase, Anthony Shoe Manufacturer, East Parish. 
 Chase, John Clothier, " 
 
 Chase, Moody Taverner, Washington-st. 
 Chase, Samuel Merchant <^ Shoe Mamfacturer, Water-st. 
 Chase, Tappan Grocer Sf Shoe Manvfac''r, East Parish. 
 Chase, Thomas G. Comh Manufacturer, Rocks' Village. 
 Cochrane St Brown, Merchants, Water-st. 
 Colby, Steuben Joiner, River-st. 
 Colby, Wil'liam " " 
 
 Corliss, John jr. Sihersmith, West Parish. 
 Corliss, Phineas Ci^ar Mamfacturer, No. ll,Main-!5t. 
 Crowell, Jonathan Hat Manufacturer, West Parish. 
 Currier, Hugh M. Mason, W ater-st. 
 Currier, Nathaniel jr, Currier^ IMain-st. 
 
 Davis, Charles Shoe Mamfacturer, Water-st. 
 
 Davis, James Comb Manufacturer, Rocks' Village. 
 
 Davis, John Chaise Sf Harness-maker , Main-st. 
 
 Dole St Kimball, Chaise-makers, River-st. 
 
 Dole, Paul Grocer, " 
 
 Dow, Charles W. Carpenter, East Parish. 
 
 Dow, John Merchant, No. 3 Main-st. 
 
 Dunbar, Charles H. Cabinet Sf Chair-^naJcery Water-st. 
 
 Easterbrook, Joseph, Joiner, Rocks' Village. 
 Easterbrook, Samuel, Mason, " 
 
 Eaton, Jeremiah B. Chaise-maker, Water-st. 
 Eaton, Job Cabinet-maker, " 
 
 Eaton, llmothy Plater, West Parish. 
 Eaton, Ward Grocer, Hale's Mills. 
 
 19* 
 
25!2 
 
 Edwards St Harding, Curriers^ Water-st, 
 Edwards, John Constable^ Tecker-st. 
 Emerson, B. & M. E. Butchers, Main-st. 
 Emerson, Benjamin 'id, Shoe Manufacturer, Main-st. 
 Emerson, Itiiamar Plough Manufacturer, North Parish, 
 Emerson, Jesse Shoe Manufacturer, West Parish. 
 Emerson, IMoses 3d, Merchant, Water-st. 
 Emerson, Nathan Joiner^ V\ est Parish. 
 
 Farnum, Roswell Shoe <Sr Boot-maher^ Main-st. 
 
 Fitts, Jeremiah Joiner, River-st. 
 
 Foot, Enoch Merchant, Rocks' Village. 
 
 Foot, Samuel C. Comb Manufacturer, Rocks' Village. 
 
 P^oss, William Currier, AVater-st. 
 
 Gale, James Bookseller Sf Statiojier, Water-st. 
 Gale, Moses Merchant, '"' 
 
 Galley, James Barber, *' 
 
 George, Samuel Shoe Manufacturer, " 
 George, William Carpenter, East Parish. 
 Gilman, Frederick Barber, ^>'ater-st. 
 Goodridge, Barnard Shipwright, Water-st. 
 Goodiidge, Ezekiel " " 
 
 Gould, W illiam A. Harness-maker, Stage-st. 
 Greely, Joseph Shoe Manufacturer, Water-st. 
 Gubtal St Haseltine, Shoe Mamfacturers, Water-st. 
 
 Harriman St Sarijent, PriJifers, Main-st. 
 
 Hale, Ezekiel Woollen Manufacturer, Hale's Mills. 
 
 Hammond, Andrew W. Chaise-maker, W ater-st. 
 
 Hardino-, Thomas Tanner, " 
 
 Harmon St Kimball, Merchants &> Shoe Manufacturers^ 
 
 [Water-st. 
 Harriman, Nathan B. Blacksmith, West Parish. 
 Haseltine, Abigail W. Mantuamaker, Water-st. 
 Hasselton, Ladd Chaise-maker, West Parish. 
 Hasselton, Leonard " " 
 
 Hasselton, Samuel Plater, " 
 
 Hassehon, Stephen Blacksmith, North Parish. 
 Hasselton, Ward Chaise-maker, West '' 
 Hastings, Chauncey Silversmith, Water-st. 
 Hayes, Thomas M. Morocco Dresser, " 
 Haynes, Gilman Hat Manufacturer j West Parish. 
 
2^23 
 
 Hayiies, iMoses Shoe Manvfadurer , West Parish. 
 
 Heath, Dustin Joiner, Winter-st. 
 
 Heath, William " 
 
 Hersey, Caleb Merchant 8f Slioe Manufacturer ^ Water-st, 
 
 Hills, Nathaniel Druggist, " 
 
 Hills, Elisha T>. Joiner, West Parish. 
 
 How, Isaac Hat Manvfadurer, " 
 
 How, Jacob Merchant, Water-st. 
 
 How, Phineas Hat Manufacturer, West Parish. 
 
 Hutchinson, Elisha Morocco Dresser, W^ater-st. 
 
 Insurance Agency of the Commonwealth In. Co. Bos- 
 
 [ton, Moses JVichols, Main & Water-sts. 
 Insurance Agency of the Manufacturers' In. Co., Bos- 
 [ton, James Gale, Water-st. 
 
 Johnson, Andrew Blacksmifh, Stage-st. 
 Johnson, Thomas Miller, East Parish. 
 Johnson, John & Samuel Blacksmiihs, Water-st. 
 Johnson & M'Questen, Merchants Sf Taverners, Rocks' 
 
 [Village. 
 Jordan, Thomas Pump-maker, IVIain-st. 
 
 Keely Sc Chase, Merchants Sf Shoe Mamfadurers, No, 
 
 [2, Main-st. 
 Kinrick 8c Eaton, Painters 4* Glaziers, Water-st. 
 Kimball, Alfred Joiner, Kcnt-st. 
 Kimball, Benjamin jr. Merchant, Water-st. 
 Kimball, Moses Joiner, Washington-st. 
 Kimball, James B. " " 
 
 Kimball, Richard Shoe Mantfndurer, Main-st* 
 Kimball, Richard Mason, Water-st. 
 Kimball, Wilham Grocer, " 
 
 Knight, Samuel Joiner, Pecker-st. 
 Knowles, Rufus K. Tanner S^ Currier, Rocks' Village. 
 
 Ladd, John Comh Mamfadurer, Rocks' Village. 
 Ladd, Nathaniel Blacksmith, ^' 
 
 Ladd, William H. Chaise Sf Harness-maker, Water-st, 
 Lake, Oliver P. Shoe Manufacturer, East Parish. 
 Le Bosquet, J. H. St Co. Hard Ware Merchants Sf Lamp 
 [Mamfadurers J No. 7, Main-st. 
 
224 
 
 Marble, Leonard Chaise-maJcer, Hovv-st. 
 Marsh, D. St J. Merchants S^" Card Manuj^rs, Water-st. 
 Marshall & Fletcher, Coopers^ '* 
 
 Meady, Thomas Merchant Sf Shoe Manufacturer, " 
 Merrill, David Baker, " 
 
 3Ierrill, Ebenezer Blacksmith, " 
 
 Moody, Edward S. Comb Manufacturer, Rocks' Village, 
 Morse, Edmund Joiner, Main-st. 
 Mulliken, Stephen Shoe-maker, Water-st. 
 
 Nichols, Abel Whitesmith, Pleasant Point. 
 
 jVichols, Moses Drugg;ist, Main Sc Water-sts. 
 
 Noyes, Cyrus Miller, East Parish. 
 
 Noyes, James Merchant Sf Shoe Manufacturer, No, 6, 
 
 [Main-st. 
 Noyes, Samuel Comh Manufacturer, Rocks' Village. 
 
 Orne, Ephraim B. Comh-maker, Rocks' Village. 
 Osgood, Peter Druggist 4* Shoe Manufacturer, Main-st. 
 
 Page &. Kimball, Merchants ^' Shoe Maniifacturers, 
 
 [Main-st. 
 Palmer, Daniel Mason, Water-st. 
 Palmer, James Whitesmith, Pecker-st. 
 Palmer, Moses S. Blacksmith, " 
 Perley, Daniel S. Shoe Manufacturer, Water-st. 
 Peterson, James Joiner, Ilow-st. 
 Pettengill, David Shipwright, River-st. 
 Pingree, Benjamin P. Taverner, North Parish. 
 Plummer, John Gilder 4" Sign Painter, Stage-st. 
 Plummer, Thomas Wheelwright, River-st. 
 Porter, Dudley Merchant, Water-st. 
 Post-Office, James Gale, P. M. " 
 Post-Office, John Johnson, jr. P. M. Rocks* Village. 
 
 Quimby, Philip Joiner, Water-st. 
 Quimby, Philip jr. " '' 
 
 Rollins, John I. Comh Manufacturer, Rocks' Village, 
 Ross, Moses Grocer, Mechanics' Row and Water-et. 
 Runnels, Thomas Blacksmith, River-st. 
 Russell, Samuel Shoe Manufacturer, near Great Pond. 
 
Sargent, Amos Brick-maker, West Parish. 
 
 Sargent, Phineas Grocer and Boatman, River-st- 
 
 Sargent, Robert Brick-maker, Hale's Mills. 
 
 Savary, William Livery Stable, Water-st. 
 
 Sawyer, James Wheelwright, North Parish. 
 
 Sawyer, Leonard " " 
 
 Slocomb, Rufus Taverner Sf Wagoner^ Water-st. 
 
 Smiley, Amos Grocer, " 
 
 Smiley, James Grocer, North Parish. 
 
 Smiley, M. Mantuamaker, How-st. 
 
 Smiley, William Grocer, No. 3, Mechanics' Row. 
 
 Smith, R. & J. Milliners, Main &, Water-sts. 
 
 Stickney, Jeremiah Taverner, '^ 
 
 Steel, M. Confectioner, '^ 
 
 Swan, Daniel Hatter, Rocks' Village. 
 
 Thayer, A. W. Printer, Water-st. 
 Trow, Ephraim S. Clock S^- Watch-^naker, Water-st. 
 Trow, John Shoemaker, '' 
 
 Tyler, Job Morocco Dresser Sf Shoe Manufacturer, No's. 
 [4, 5, &. 6, Mechanic's Row. 
 
 Webb, William Shoemaker, Water-st. 
 
 Webster, David Hat Mamfacturer, " 
 
 Webster, Isaiah Shoe Manufacturer, West Parish. 
 
 Webster, Jonathan 3d, Blacksmith, North Parish. 
 
 Webster, Joseph Joiner, West Parish. 
 
 Webster, Nathan Hat Mamfacturer, Green-st. 
 
 West, Charles Mason, Water-st. 
 
 West, Edwin " '' 
 
 West, Hazen Wagoner, '^ 
 
 West, Thomas 3d, Mason, Hale's Mills. 
 
 Whitaker, John Hatter, North Parish. 
 
 Whitaker, David Shoe Mamfacturer, North Parish. 
 
 WHiittier £c George, Merchants ^ Shoe MamfacturerSy 
 
 [Water-st. 
 Whittier, Warner Merchant, «' 
 
 Williams, Nancy Mantuamaker, " 
 
 Wingate, James Clock Sf Watchmaker, " 
 
 W^ingate, P. & M Dressmakers, " 
 
 Woodman, John Shoe Manufacturer, Tanner Sf Currier, 
 
 [Water-st. 
 Woodward, Caleb Merchant Tailor, No. 8, Main-st. 
 
226 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Fire Claab. 
 
 Organized 1768. 
 Moses Nichols, Cierk & Treasurer. 
 
 HaYea'Saill Bridg-e. 
 
 Incorporated 1793, 
 James H. Duncan, President; Benjamin Willis, 
 Vice President; Leonard White, Treasurer; Charles 
 White, Clerk. 
 
 MerrlMiack Hrldge. 
 
 Incorporated 1794. 
 Richard Stuart, President; Moses Newell, Vice 
 Pres.; Enoch Foot, Treas. ; George Foot, Clerk. 
 
 S©€aal Iiif>rary. 
 
 Organized 1796 — 740 Volmnes. 
 Oilman Parker, Librarian, Treasurer, &. Clerk. 
 
 Aqtiedtict Coisipaaay. 
 
 Incorporated 1 802. 
 David How, James H. Duncan, Jesse Harding, 
 Directors; Charles White, Treas. St Clerk. 
 
 Merrimack Haisk. 
 
 Incorporated 1814. 
 David Marsh, jr., Pres.; Leonard White, Cashier. 
 
 Female lieafievoleiit Society. 
 
 Organized 1818. 
 Mrs. Jesse Harding, Mrs. Moses Gale, Mrs. 
 Isaac R. Howe, Mrs. Augustus Whiting, Managers; 
 Miss Elizabeth Marsh, Secretary k Treasurer. 
 
 ^ta^e CoBiipany. 
 
 Organized 1818. 
 Thomas Newcomb, John Dow, Charles White, 
 Directors; Hiram Plummer, Treas. & Agent. 
 
227 
 
 Fragment Society. 
 
 Organized 1825. 
 Mrs. A. W. Thayer, Mrs. Oliver Brown, Mr3. 
 Abel Page, Mrs. Sarah Whittier, Managers; Mis» 
 Lydia White, Secretary & Treasurer. 
 
 Haverliill Academy. 
 
 Incorporated 1827. 
 Rev. George * Keely, Pres. ; Nathan Webster, 
 Treas.; James H. Duncan, Sec'ry. 
 
 Temperance ISociety. 
 
 Organized 1828. 
 Rev. Gardner B. Perry, President; Rev. Dudley 
 Phelps, Vice Pres.; Abijah W. Thayer, Sec'ry and 
 Treasurer. 
 
 l^aTm^s Bank. 
 
 Incorporated 1829. 
 James H. Duncan, Pres.; Isaac R. Howe, Benja- 
 min Greenleaf, Vice Pres.; James Gale, Secretary 
 and Treasurer. 
 
 Haverhill liyceum. 
 
 Organized 1830. 
 RuFus LoNGLEY, Prcs. ; Isaac R. Howe, Vice-Pres.; 
 James H. Duncan, Cor. Sec'y; James Gale, Rec. 
 Sec; GiLMAN Parker, Treasurer. 
 
 Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 
 
 Incorporated 1830. — Not yet organized. 
 
 East Haverhill Temperance Society. 
 
 Organized 1830. 
 Rev. Otis Wing, Pres.; Timothy Kinnison, Vice- 
 Pres.; Andrew Kinnison, Sec'y. 
 
 Mechanics' tiibrary Association, 
 
 Organized 1831.— 200 Volumes. 
 Elbridge G. Eaton, Pres.; Frederick Gilman, 
 Vice-Pres.; Thomas M. Hayes, Sec'y. 
 
 Youth's Temperance Association. 
 
 Organized 1831. 
 Elias T. Ingalls, Pres.; Thomas M. Hayes, Vice- 
 Pres.; Moses H. Whittier, Sec'y and Treasurer. 
 
ITIHl £. 1304 
 
 » 
 
MAY 2 5 193