. ,' ,i \ 'i ^ \m'\m' :;:;«¥'' YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY {.// /v^,.,/.; RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. SECOND SERIES SKETCHES PERSONS, LOCALITIES INCIDENTS OE TWO CENTUEIES PKISCIPALLT FEOM IKADITION AKD UKPl-BLISHED DCCUMEKTS. By Charles "W. Bre-wster. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, BY WM. H. Y. HACKETT. PORTSMOUTH, N. H. PEKiTED AND PUBLISHED ET lEWIS W. BHEWSTEB, I'Drtsmoulh Journal OfGce. 1SQ9. Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year 1889, by LEWI3 W. EEE-WSTEE, In tbe Cleric's Oflce of tbe District Court of the District ol New-Hampshire. T?ISEE..VCH. The compihition of this Second Series of tlio Rambles Adotjt Toktsmodth wasinoBtly >tho worlc of the author, as is stated in the biographical sketch by Hon. -Wm. H. T. Hnokett, his lire-long friend, that composes tibe first chapter. Slight changes In the text -and arrangement were, however, loft to the discretion of tlie editor, who has endeavored to adhere as closely as passible to the original details of ihe work, studying in all particulars to give them in accordance wiUi the Jutbers were adopted as part of his series. Iu *his book credit is due to .Mr. Jdhn Henry Bowles, of Brooklyn, N. Y. :dex. ParefooL 351 352 Biraes-366 Barnum, 94 Barrel!, 49 57 60 263 Barry, 2S0 B.irsailee, 280 Bass, 50 il5 Itarilett, 11 12 16 31 1^ 18b' 366 Beck, 224 EelcliRF, 60 125 144 862 Bel tour, 179 Belknai),lllBelt, 171 223 336 BdlmoDt, 84 Beanett. t4S to 15Q Berry, 196 Bertbier, 92 Berllioliet, 244 Betleabaoi, ^G Bigelow, S3 Billings, 27 367 Birt- , 40 41 Bishop 366 Blaisifell, 77 240 270 BlayS^Blunt, 110 242 Bold, 43 Bonaparte, S2 371 Bonleu, 351 Borland, 144 Borlhwick. 59 Bourne, 320 Bowles.27 90 93 136 233 263 277 316 32 367 Biyd. 137 2.^5 Brickelt, 42 44 105 195 196 Bni'ilev, 115 -Briy, 69 71 73 Brews'er, 9 !o 21 52 60 9ft «)avis, 222 Coffin, 49 93 293 Coggeshall, 287 CoB^swell. 75 Colbath, 206 207 Uolby, 101 Coleman, 74 104 Coleridge, 277 Cook, 351 Cooper, 287 Cotton, 97 127 Coues, 240 to 247 Cowfield, 45 Craigie, 90 Crantiold, 167 Crawford, 144374 Crockett, 1i2 Cromwell, 145 Crooker, 179. ISO Cullam, 100 108 103 Cuouigliam, 295 Currier, 12 10;J 224 Cushlng, 75 223 Cusbuian, 12 CiUt, 48 49 69 70 97 142to 153 Cutis, 12 31 117 142 to 149 192 195 24S Cuttei, 12 31 77 107 108 183 194 195 200 268 317 363 366 Cutting 12 Ua:;uerrej37I Dal by, 83 D' AUemafoe, 92 Dame,, 91 223 224 Daniel, 61 69 144 Dartiug, 164 Uarlmuutb, 231 253 Davenport, lb2 228 229 Davidson, 184 100 109 201 341 354 366 Briar, 146 Brinrd, 201 Bridget, 344 Brierly, 93 Brown, 49 159 260 2i 335 341 358 367 Bruce, 230 Brummei, 266 Buchanan 371 Ihicftminisier, 39 195 259 31& 366 Bnrgoyne, S 163 Burke, 114 Baraet 362 Burr, 161 Burroughs, 11 358 364 Butler, 45 143 CaU, 153 -294 366 Campbell, 324, Carr, 296 ' Carter, 32 271 Caswell, 339 Chadboiime 224 Chad wick, 341 Chamberlain, 105 ("hambera, 65 73 Champernoone, I'CS Chandler, 215 272 ('¦liarKon, 46 Chase, 146 201 202 209 3 1*. 321 Chastetluz, 38 Chauncey, 136 Cbeevar, 31 Cheney, 68 Ch«slev, T2 Childe', 11 ChipmaD, 198 Christie, ^6 310 Ciltey, 142 VAa^eU, 12 Clapham, 28t) Clapp, 110 Cla:k, 10 62 224 343 351 352 1 146 17] 238 Day. 285 Dean 366 Dearborn. 11 2S 366 1 Deering, i3l2jl Delande, 212 DeMovan, 244 Dennett, 101 196 254 26 Dodge, 328 91 Frink, 297 Frost, 64 6! frye, 343 Fullon, 371 Furber, 104 Furbish, 271 Fuibisher 99 Puniiss, 223 Fursell, 340 Gage, 260 252 Gains, 26 27 99 100 195 207 339 355 866 367 Gambling, 65 74 144 151 191 Gardner, 224 259 295 357 Geddis, 209 Gee, 111 Gerrisb, 145 201 240 366 Gibbins, 45 61 to 53 111 Gibbons, 53 57 71 Gibson, 52 Gibbs, 127 tn 129 365 Gillett, 279 280 Gilman, 12 49 65 73 92 141 Gilpin, 370 228 291 2^2 324 335 342 Goddard, 231 366 Gott: 124 Goldsmiih, 176 Goldihwaite. 57 60 Goodrich, 126 J58 Goodwin, 16 Gorges, 111 Gniham.lOO Gould, 272 Gove, 28 60 Grace, 232 Graftbrlh, 144 316 Grant 374 Graves, 144 250 253 Gray, II 226 292 Green, £3 94 Greenleaf, 116 137 155 285 340 Gregory. 2-24 Griff, s, 334 Griffin, 239 GroES, 144 Grouard, 25 Grow, 105 Dow, 214 363 Downing, 64 65 67 71 74 J06 Drake, 196 359 I Hackett, 12 104 133 141 310 Drisco, 335 „ I 320 Drown, 15 31 114 132 133 136 Haines. 196 359 180 182 224 240 to 244 Hale, 50 317 321 Dudley, 57 128 Uummer. 144, Dushan, 44 Dwight, 231 £astman, 15 310 Eaton. 74 127 223 Edwards, 203 225 t:iliol, 69 144 146 246 Elvrya, 12 &8 Eme>son. 72 15^^130 1S2 33? Emeiy, 335 Eudicol. 53 Evans, 60 Fabyan. 104 Fairbanks, S3 Farmer. Ill Felt, 353 Fenton, 252 . , \ fernald, 111566 59 98 195 -^12 *«17 "258 ^262-^274 iHall, 57 59 60 66 109 184 199 200 209 337 iHallibuUnn, 366 Ham, 9 S6 98 101 156 202 224 306 329 366 367 Hammond, 146 Hancock, 27 302 Handy. 286 Hardy, 100 Harns, 195 211 ?93 320 Harrison. 371 374 Hart, 106 to 103 122 tol25 130 147 153 154 296 334 335 Harvey, 144 310 Hatch, 230 Hathaway, 320 Haven, 11 12 93 127 179 181 188 192 203 215 to 2l6 292 363 3 Hayes, 99 310 ,233'«86-2S9v297 •833,Hendeison, 90 130 132 223 Clay 374 Cleave*, 1!0 Clifton , 66 Cloiigh 362 Cochran. irO 168 249 252 Fremont, 374 253 321 jFrcnoh,2B -335.366 Fillmore 371 Fwher, 24 154^231 Vitcb, 336 Fitzgerald, 16 366 Flagz, 100 193 Flanders, 271 Folsom, 195 250 366 Ford, 229 Fo33, 99 to 101 1C9 340 Fourcroy, 244 Fowie, 90 91 95 Fianklin. 327 Freeman, 12 62 191 Hicks - Higginson, 127 Hill, 18 57 60 110:2£ 366 Hilliard, 85 Hilton. 36 75 Hiral, 72 Hizcures, 41 HobbB, 75 Hodges. 1S5 Hoes, 145 Holmes, 209 Holvoke, 188 Horny. 224 22-'; Hooton, 351 Howe, 115 Hoyt, C62S0 Hubbarj, 66 59 68 Hughes, 291 Hull, 204 261 262 328 HuDjpbreys, 76 77 203 Hunking, 73 Hunt, 223 Huntress 209 Uuake, 64 67 Hutchings, 113 Hutchiogs, 71 Huicbiiigson, 123 Huzzy 351 Irving, 251 Isaacs, 208 230 Jackson, 10 49 91 93 97 102 X35 196 199 209 215 222 223 246 26326d2d9 310 334 338 343 366 3U 374 Jaffrey, 49 64 68 69 70 117 128 166 10 159 191 200 352 367 James, 272 JaBvria, 106 157 230 Jarvis, 166 187 Jay, 134 135 371 Jefferson, 29 Jeffries, 68 69 70 159 JeunesB, 44 57 59 155 r41 Jeiinnings. 361 Johnson, 196 212 241 371 Janes,75 77 109 226 230 297 325 326 340 Jose, 67 Keese, 67 Kelley, 111 Kenuard, 16 Kenney, 67 Kettle, 241 Kimball, 320 King, 75 76 183 365 Kneill, 112 Knighi, 46 52 72 74 97 144 151 Ladd, 145 188 230 247 318 Laigbtnu,S66 59 24u 297 Lake, 162 Lakenian, 10 209 366 Laoagan, 225 Lang, 93.334 Langdou 7 41 42 46 to 60 73 > 116 125 134 149 196 241 334 335 338 366 Langford, 26 i^rkin, 93 L^h'ey, 261 Lavoisier, 244 Lear, 46 52 63 56 59 63 Leach, 259-^ J.£avilt, 291 Leigh, 93 148 149 ISO 1-ewey, 279 Libbiv, 239 Lincoln, 61 371 Little, 195 Livermoie, 134 135 140 155 166 334 333 Livios, 7lilo 83 Llovd, 71 Locke, 343 353 Logging. 65 Long, 12 93 147 209 24'^ Lord. 24 114 231 340 366 Lovering, 178 Lowe, 153 209 211 Lowell, 146 Lowd, 343 367 Lunt, 297 Lyman, 148 IS MacCobb, 57 60 .MacDonough, 251 Mack I in, 339 Klacp head ria, 65 Madison, 327 371 Mannine:, 136 137 155 209 339 357 March. 64 71 196 to 200"339 340 344 Marinet, 176 272 283 Marsh, 130 292 357 Marshall, 136 170JZ19 223 INDEX. Mirston, 154 310 i Pemberton, 144 Marim,79 90 263 Fenha.low, 33 47 74 90 llS M trtyn, 53 56 | 119 M3 146 151 to 154 Mason, 12 31 53 73 111 1i4' 157 191 153 15S159 l66ia9 26J Perkins. Ii)4 114 P(;rry,328 Missey, 297 Maher, 53 345 346, Malthow, 269 M.u 1,331 Maxwell, 298 to 303 307 M ly, 83 Msynard, 227 McClintock, 160 to 163 199 209 296 McDaoiels, 1S4 Mcintosh, 366 Mclnlyre, 93 McNeil. 227 McPhededriB,69 Melcht-r, 91 227 366 Meudum. 1171219 296 297, PeppVrell, 64 69 71 73 101 185 186 192 Peltlttrew, 53 Pliilbrick, 59/ Pbilpol, 32S Phi[>s, 144 Pickering, 36 60 74 103 fo _ , . _ 115 12 » 130 164 193 Shillabcr. 304 307 to 315 Sheafe. 33 67 90 93 105 106 Tjck^rmaD, 93 367 126 to 136 193 194 204|Turell, 10 11 227 272 279 210.223 2,23 tn 230 2a2|'l unier. It6 317 293''3j7 358 366 .1 \ler, 1S8!371 8Iie]don, 2d !, Ushtr, 69 Shepherd, 23 Vau huren, 371 3,4 Shepway, 143 '¦Varney,72 l Slierbunie, 44 to 59 60 64 fo| Varrell, 209 211 212 — 73 152 192 201 202 Vas^sell, 144 2)9 212 214 219 239 Va, dreuil, 39 to 43 357 Sherive, 212 abermnn, 314 196 210 232 242 336 Chores, 222 223 36f 340 361 Pierrep:.iiit. 230 Pike. 66 225 Piokham, 115 Flaisled, 67 2l7 Plummer, 64 65 101 194 223 280 Meserve.63 72 79 124 Metliii, 367 Middleton, 45 Millliu. 304 to 307 Miller, 11 12 2Da 363 Mills, 148 149 Mitchell, 77 IS'l Motlalt. 146 192 215 218 Miutgnmery, lfa"2 164 192 Monroe, 371 Alondy, 157 354 , -..,.„ Moore, 64 70 91 IU 144 146 Randolph; 332' Rea 343 367 Potk, 371 239 Pomeroy. £3 227 Porter, 185 32d Potter, 1 17 209 320 343 prescott, 188 Prince, 186 Pritchard. 343 3C7 Purcell, 49 Putnam, 178 188 Quincy 67 145 Quint, 124 224 ¦ses, 46^99 196 203 242 340 Moiiltonr24 / / Miunlford. 1^4 Ml watt, 187 Mud?e, 286 Mussel. 168 Neil, £3, 226, "227 228 Nele, 51 Kelson, 99 291 292 325 Nrwmarch, 65 73 192 339 Nichols. 2M 259 Noble, 85 93 1S6 194 297 Norris, 60 ^nrth. 90 Nutter, 201 212 227 297 (V.ell. 12 Odiorne, 35 36 37 49 64 63 Bedford. 66 Kediog. II 365 Reed 136 241 Reid, 237 Remick, 194 272 Revere, 92 248 Rice, 195 231 366 Ringe. 64to63 74 104 110 337 Kioms, 39 41 Robinson, 11 211 313 366 Rochambeau, 38 Roirers, 49 65 192 335 366 Rollins, 104 335 Ropes, 77 185 Rnusselei. 215 to 218 223 Rowe, 343 Rowland, 140 Rnyall, 186 Ruck, 74 Ruodletl, 93 Ruspert. 39 43 6% 69 73 146 196 216 Russell, 145 194 235 OdJin, &1 (trcutt. 136 Orne. ISS Packer, 65 66 73 104 196 Parish, 320 ^'arker. 90 150 186 194 296 ' 297 rarrott.166 Parrv, 93 209 226 297 parsons. 73 ^ I'artington, SOl 342 Payne, 194 Pavs-Jii. 320 Rust, 145 Rymes, 49 64 66 357 dialler. 334 !=aitons!all, 145 Uandeman, 243 Rands, 57 .•^chalfcr, 279 Schuvler. 80 Scott, 374 Scrivener. 146 Seavey, 59 60 105 129 130 196 horlridge, 43 Shurtleff, 333 336 336 338 Mber, 41 ^ Sigourney, 165 Simen, 10 11 110 207 225 22C 296 297 298 Simpson, 57 60 07 Sinclair, 286 se, 227 Slade, 64 67 Sliiper, 46 61 52 f Smart, 2o6 Sniirh, 11 12 65 139 202 204 211 244 32U Snell, 320 Solley, 64 63 69 70 Sonierby. 367 Sowersby, 3i)6 Mpaldiug, lb3 241 245 245 Sparbiwk, 76 77 78 03 185 185 187 192 Spinney. 99 274 278 232 26£ 2S4 Spofford. 68 Slark, 113 Stavers, 85 135 226 Stevens. 214 320 323 Stewart, 202 Still, 229 Stone, 104 366 Stoodley, 75 212 366 Storer, 57 59 60 209 263 306 Story. 325 366 Stover 112 Stow, 332 •'tron?, 73 333 fo 336 Sullivan, 50 57 60 79 81 140 141 155 156 169 219 250 Sumner, 92 Taft, 10 31 316 318 321 Tailor, 66 Tiippan, 318 321 Tarlton, 227 T.ish, 66 72 Tasker. '"" Vau'han, 64 69 7l 144 to"147 150 152 153|(19I 195 Victo',324Yeatoi', ISC 203 223^239 Young,- 100 Wadleigh, 365 Wainwright 200 Walbach, 276 179 to 284 Walden,155 Wal.lron, 64 66 70 71 72 143 145 153 191 366 Walker. 12 64 68 123 266 209 337 33i 342 Wallingfnrd, 65 75 ^Valls, 143 VVallDi', 64 60 129 330 231 345 347 330 333 367 Wannerlon, 111 Ward, 185 Warner, 46 65 117 122 235 Warren, 91 160 VVashiJiglon.50 92 114 133 163 169 232 361 . t Waterhouse, 98 to402'1 17 2E4 Waters, 116 \ ^ Peahody.107 116 1S8 239 291 Seaward, 97 212 223 239 I carse, Pe irsoo. 64 70 Peavy, 297 I'ednzzi, 367 Peirce, 12 49 56 59 64 6 Serat, 217 Sewell. 30 95 231 to 233 Shackford, 74 219 to 2iJ 240 Shakespeare, 324 Shanmn, 73 tn 70 186 199 2U0 3i0'Shaplcy.' 56 59 93 209 269 335 3.57 371 iSlm.v, 230 2i6 2j7 2d8 Taylor 49 371 374 Telberlv, 323 Thitcher. 127 128 Thomas. 92 242 Thompson, 12 42 166 193 Thornton, 113 Tillon, 341, 343 Tomson, 36 Toppan, 74 242 Townsend, 2tj6 Treadwell, 69 90 242 366 Trecnthie, 70 Tredick, 126 136 230 Trefethen, 136 170 184 Tripe, 223 Tri py ear, 272 Trumbull, 162 TruLdy,;,ll Walkina, 73 -Vatson, 2o6 289 Weare, CO 100 .Vebb, 127 Websttr, 31 113 203 210 360 374 Weeks, 105 196 358 to 366 Welch, 22^ 294 '2S5 Weld, 45 54 Wendell. 47 Wentwnrth. 30 41 42 44 46 49 50 54 6U 62 to 69 71 to 75 80 £3 112 116 119 129 131 154 1.^ 190 191 199 203 219 243 248 251 253 263 316 357 362 Westbrnok, 64 &J 71 , (Whreler, 227 '^Wherren,i;72 Wbidden,59 60153 196 Whipple, 4193 112 113146 192 210 230 White, 12 60 374 ' Whitefield, 127 Whiiham, IfA Whyddnn. 56 Wibiid, 64 66 191 Vitdes, J€6 Wi™in,197 325 Willard, 131 Williams, 53 Willis, 112 114115 -Vilson, 64 70 Windmill, 156 Winklev.59 74£9 144 Wmn. 217 239 Winslow, 77 185 Winlhrnp, 53 55 Wise. 333 -Voodbury, 12 31 57 "* ¦ vVondward. 203 207 239 ¦Vyatt, 203 242 335 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR PREPAEED AT THE REQUEST OP HIS PAMILY, In offering to the public the second and concluding volume of the " Rambles about Portsmouth," it has been thought appro priate to accompany it with a sketch of the life and character of the Author. This idea was suggested by the circumstance that the finishing of this volume and the close of his life were con temporaneous. This volume not only comprises his last work; but his last days, so far as his failing strength would allow, were occupied and solaced by a careful revision and prepara tion of it for the press. Charles Warren Brewster was born September 13, 1802, in Portsmouth, in the house on Islington Street, a few rods north of that in which he died. He was the son of Samuel and Mary (Ham) Brewster, and a descendant of Elder William Brewster, who came over in the Mayflower. Fe-w have exemplified better than Mr. Brewster, in life and conversation, the principles and character of his distinguished an cestor. Few have ever more fully embraced, and lived by, those precepts — religious and pohtical — which made Elder Brewster aud his associates exiles from home, and the founders of a great nation. Few have more firmly and successfully shaped for themselves a life and character independent of surrounding circum stances. So much did his life spring out of inward principles, that he was to some extent unmoved by the enterprises and fashions of the times in which he lived and labored. It was, perhaps, owing to this circumstance that his life was what is usually regarded as an uneventful one. Although it was one of ceaseless and syste matic toil, it was wanting in that restless and expansive activity which have made or marred so many fortunes. He always had his home in one and the same spot, — rarely went abroad ; and this turn of mind, in connection with the regularity required and 2 10 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. formed by the pubhcation of a weekly journal, centered and in tensified his interest in his occupation, his home and town. It was because he did not roam abroad, that he rambled so perseveringly and so satisfactorily at home. It was because he lived so entire ly hy the inward light, that he avoided those foibles which check er, and those enterprises which modify, the lives of most men. It was because he delighted and to some extent lived in the past, that the public are favored with this and the preceding volume. It was because in his tastes and aspirations he was unlike most men, and sought a fact as resolutely as he would adhere to a principle ; because he hesitated at no toil which would estabhsh a date, or illustrate a character ; because he would take as much pains to authenticate an anecdote as Audubon to find anew bird, — that we have an accurate and trustworthy account of the men and events of past times— a work which will inseparably con nect the name of Charles W. Brewster with the history of Ports mouth and the State. I applied to the schoolmates of Mr. Brewster for some ac count of his boyhood and youth. One of them replied, that it " was so even that there was nothing to relate, except that he was better and more sedate than the other boys." Another said: " His boyhood was as even and regular as his subsequent life." He first attended the school of "Aunt Betsey" Lakeman, a well known teacher of young children, sixty years ago. He then at tended the North School, taught by Deacon Enoch M. Clark, and subsequently the school taught by Mr. Taft, in what was then called the Brick School-house, on State Street. The last school he attended was that of the late Henry Jackson, in 1817. Having completed, under the tuition of Mr. Jackson, his school education, in his sixteenth year, on the 16th day of February, 1818, he began to learn the business of a printer in the office of the "Portsmouth Oracle," then published by Charles Turell, and his connection with that paper continued from that day until his death,— a period of more than half a century. At the end of that time Stephen H. Simes was the only person then remaining in business on Market Street, who was in business there in the early years of his apprenticeship on that street. The first manuscript he put in type was an article written by BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 11 the late Dr. Burroughs, who afterwards became a frequent and valued contributor to his paper. Mr. Brewster was one of the earliest, as well as one of the most valued acquaintances that 1 made when I first came to Ports mouth in April, 1822. He was at that time foreman in the office of the Portsmouth Journal, then edited by Nath'l A. Haven, Jr., and published by the late Mr. Turell. About that time his intimate associates were Tobias H. Miller, who then kept a book store on Congress Street ; Ammi R. H. Fernald, then a clerk in the store of Shadrach Robinson, Jr., on Bow Street ; George Dearborn, then a clerk in the book-store of Harrison Gray & Ejpen L. Childs, on Pleasant Street; Bray U. Simes, a clerk in the store of M. B. Trundy, on that part of Market Street then called Fore Street ; and the writer of this sketch. Two other gentlemen, who afterwards became distinguished members of Congress, about this time also were our acquaintances, — Francis O. J. Smith and John R. Reding, the latter of whom was for a short time in the office of the Portsmouth Journal, and the former then published a paper to which Mr. Brewster occasionally contributed. The entrance to the office of the Portsmouth Journal was from what was then Lunt's Court, opening into Market Street, about where C. H. Mendum 8s, Co.'s store now is. At this time it was the fashion for apprentices, as well as law-students, to work even ings. It was my practice, upon leaving Mr. Bartlett's office toward ten o'clock on Friday evenings, to go into the Journal office and make a friendly call upon Mr. Brewster ; see him "work off" (as he called it,) the inside of the Journal, and ascertain if any article which he or I had previously written had passed the editorial ordeal. He had schooled himself in writing for the press before he began to edit. He worked a hand press-, which required two energetic pulls for each impression, and three or four hours of severe labor to print the whole inside of the paper. He usually worked, on Friday evening, till midnight, and the paper was dis tributed on Saturday morning. When making such calls, it often happened that one or more of the above-named friends were present, and one at least, at times, aided him in his work and was quite expert in inking the typfs. During his apprenticeship, and until he became proprietor of the Journal, in his walk from the 12 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. ofEce to his home, he passed by, or in sight of, every Law office ia town. That of Jeremiah Mason was over the southern part of the First National Bank, with Geo. M. Mason, Lory Odell, John Elwyn, Charles W. Cutter, S. P. Long, Hampden Cutts, Thomas Currier, and Wm. A. Walker, as students at law; Levi Woodbury's, over the northern part of the same Bank, with Franklin Peirce, John Thompson and Jos. W. White as students ; Ichabod Bartlett's, at the corner of Market and Bow streets, with Wm. H. Y. Hackett and Francis 0. J. Smith as students ; Nathaniel A. Haven, Jr.'s, at the corner of Market and Congress streets, with Alfred W. Haven as a student ; Edward Cutts's, on the same corner, with J. Trask Woodbury as a stu dent, and Wm. Claggett's, with Jonas Cutting as a student ; Samuel Cushman's, where the Aqueduct Company's office now is, on Market Square ; and James Smith's, in the Piscataqua House. Peyton E. Freeman's office was then a little north of the Journal office. Several of these young gentlemen contributed to some one of the newspapers in town, and in this way became acquainted with Mr. Brewster. During his apprenticeship he wrote more frequently for other papers than for that with which he was connected. He took pains with his articles, regarding the exercise as a preparation for the position of an editor. He put most of Mr. Haven's editorial ar ticles into type, and had an admiration for his style as a writer, and a veneration for his character as a man, traces of which were seen in his subsequent writings and life. In July, 1825, Mr. Brewster and Tobias H. Miller assumed the joint proprietorship of the Journal. This connection was maintained for about ten years, when, in 1835, he became sole proprietor and edi tor. In 1853 he associated with him his son, Lewis W. Brewster,'in these positions, who upon his father's death became sole proprietor. Mr. Brewster married, May 18, 1828, Mary Gilman, daughter of Ward and Hannah Gilman. They had nine children. His wife and four of their children, Lewis W., Charles G., Mary G-. and Helen A. G., survive him. At about the time of his marriage he became a member of the North (Congregational) Church, a position which he adorned through the remainder of his life. To the Journal he gave his thoughts, his labors and his talents. The forty-three volumes of that pap#, commencing in 1825 and' end- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 ing in 1868, are at once the record of his industry, the illustration of his taste, the photograph of his character, his real biography. Dur ing the whole of that period he waSj,the principal writer, and every volume, every number, shows his taste as a printer, his ability as a writer, and his discriminating judgment in making selections. It has been well remarked, that the success of an editor depends quite as much on what he keeps out of his columns, as on what he puts into them. It would be difficult to find a newspaper more free from every thing offensive to good taste. He aimed to make, and he did make, his Journal a good and valued family paper. Although it was always decided in its political principles, yet it supported them in a manner so free from bitterness, and was in other respects so judiciously managed, that it went into many families in which there was no sym pathy with its politics. Although his paper was the organ, in this part of the State, of the party to which he belonged, and although he gave to his party a firm and uniform support, yet he found more satisfaction in getting up the miscellaneous than the political part of his paper. I have called upon him more than onee in the midst of an exciting political cam paign, and found him absorbed in writing a " Ramble, " or delighted with an ancient manuscript, or some scrap of history or biography. In the early part of his editorial experience, while the matter fbr his paper, during the week, was being put into type, he was arranging in his mind the location of it for the making up of his paper. Every article was thus assorted and located, by a rule as inflexible as that by which the naturalist classifies animals. And when on Friday he began to make up his paper, each article fell into its assigned place as regularly as the types of which it was composed fell, when dis tributed, into their proper boxes. Mr. Brewster did not regard his paper only or chiefly as a means of making an income, but he viewed it as an instrument through which he was to perform important social duties. He felt as much responsible for the influence that his Journal exerted upon the com munity as for his personal example in his family or upon his employ ees. And he used every available means to make his influenco felt for good. He thought not only the tone of his paper should be pure, but he believed that a correct style in arranging the matter, and beauty 14 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. in the printing, aided in improving the taste and elevating the morals of his readers. He not only made the duties, toils and routine of life minister to the formation of his own high character, but he also made them the medium of a healthful and beneficent influence upon others. The publication of a weekly newspaper for a half-century tends to form habits of regularity and routine. In him the tendency to regu larity pre-existed ; his occupation merely developed and established it. The idea that he could be away from his newspaper appeared not to have occurred to him. It would be safe to say that in forty-three years he was not absent from his office on Friday at the making up of his paper, more than a dozen times. He allowed himself no relaxa tion. He did not seem to desire any. He found his pleasure in his toil, his relaxation in his duty, and his happiness in his home. He did not carry the cares of business or the unfinished labors of the day to the fireside. Like most editors, he worked most easily and freely at his office-desk. His office was but a little more than two thousand feet from his house, and yet he walked more than the distance round the globe between those two localities. He was rarely seen in any street, except in that which led either to the church or to his office. He was as regular in attending church on Sunday, as he was in pub lishing his paper on Saturday. Although not averse to improve ments, his tendency was to adhere to old habits, old principles, old friends, old books, and old ways of making money. For more than forty years he occupied the same office, and the same dwelling-house. He recently said, in his "Fifty Years in a Printing Office," that one of the first paragraphs he ever put into type was, ^" The follies of youth are drafts on old age, payable forty years after date, with in terest." Few men so successfully escaped this kind of drafts. His youth was as free from foibles as his manhood from faults. Through life he avoided every thing unbefitting a good man, as well from taste as from principle. He loved the beautiful in nature, art, and character. To him it was another name for purity. No one among us exerted a better, few a wider influence. It was not so much a demonstrative power, a sudden effort which invited public attention, as a quiet, persevering, effective influence, which gained and grew with advancing years— the blended influence of character and action, which benefitted the object more than it revealed the cause. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 To the benevolent organizations he gave his sympathy and cordial and liberal co-operation. For more than half his life-time he was the Secretary of the Howard Benevolent Society, one of the best charitable organizations in the city, and for many years Treasurer of the Portsmouth Bible Society. He was for some time Superintendent of the Sunday School connected with the North Church. The "Rambles about Portsmouth" were a labor of love, and, while indicating the direction of his reading, they afford a fair and favora ble specimen of his style and taste. Plain Anglo-Saxon language flowed naturally from his pen. He commanded an easy and direct mode of expression, which formed an excellent narrative style. A pleasing story or a bit of romance always attracted him. He rescued it from the past, and lent it fresh charms by the simple, graceful mould in which he cast it. It is worthy of marked commendation, however, that he avoided the temptation of giving credence to pure fiction. Whatever was of doubtful origin never gained currency from him without being stamped as such. There was the quaint hu mor of the chronicler, the fidelity of the historian. His labor in obtaining biographical facts, anecdotes and incidents, as materials for history, was such as no man would perform unless his heart were in his work. These articles were originally prepared for and published in his paper, and were compiled, through many years, from all accessible sources, manuscripts, letters, family records, city records, old newspapers, old deeds, wills, tombstones, and the recol lections of aged people who have passed away. He was a long time in collecting the materials— some parts of a " Ramble " would be prepared years before a fact or incident necessary to complete it was obtained. He compared the statement of one aged person with that of another, aud, when to be found, consulted contemporaneous accounts and incidents as well as collateral facts. Among others, he often conversed with, and obtained important facts from, the following named persons : Capt Daniel Fernald, born Nov. 19, 1767, died Mar. 7, 1866, age 99. Renald Fernald, born Apr. 13, 1752, died Apr. 10, 1844, age 92. Daniel P. Drown, born June, 1784, died Mar. 24, 1863, age 80. Benjamin Akerman, born Feb. 3, 1776, died Feb. 20, 1867, age 91. Mary Brewster, born Feb. 15, 1775, died May 2, 1866, age 91. 16 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. Richard Fitzgerald, born Sept. 14, 1771, died Nov. 24, 1858, age 87. Oliver P. Kennard, now living. George G. Brewster, now living. From these and other sources he obtained merely the elements, — the data and crude material from which he worked. But as piled up on his desk, stowed away in drawers, or bound up for future use, they no more resembled a "Ramble," as the reader now sees it, than the paper-maker's uncleansed rags resembled the fair sheet upou which it is printed. Those unacquainted with like undertakings can form no adequate idea of the labor, patience and perseverance necessary to prosecute such a work, — of the interruptions and delays which attend it^ — the research and discrimination requisite to discover and repro duce a trait of character, a telling anecdote or incident, or to confirm or confute a tradition. In all this the family and friends of Mr. Brewster saw him often employed for years. But much of the inward work, which was from time to time, amidst the cares and toils of life, moulding the matter thus elaborated into narratives so life-like, so attractive, so genial, as often to remind one of the writings of Wash ington Irving, gave no outward token of its process. The structure of these narratives, which is the blending of history, biography and romantic incidents, and constitutes the great merit and attractiveness of both volumes of the "Rambles," was in preparation while the writer appeared to others to be doing something else, or nothing, — walking the street, making up his paper, or sitting by the fireside. Mr. Brewster was a man of marked ability, untiring industry, and high-toned character, but of diffident and retiring habits. He was called, literally called, to fill several positions of trust. At the time of his death he was one of the Trustees of the Portsmouth Savings Bank. He served for two years as President of the Mechanics and Manufacturers Association. He was for thirty-four years Secretary of the Howard Benevolent Society, was for several years in one or the other branch of the City Government, was Representative in the State Legislature in 1846-7, and in 1850, with Gov. Goodwin and Ichabod Bartlett, was a delegate from Ms ward to the Convention to amend the State Constitution. He declined being candidate for other posi tions, among them that of Mayor. In these and the other positions which he filled, he discharged his duties with diligence aud ability, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. IT and to general acceptance. He occasionally delivered addresses before the Lyceum, the Association of which he was President, and other public bodies. These addresses were always heard with pleasure, and were marked by good taste and sound thought. He was not only a good writer, as his forty-three volumes of the Portsmouth Journal and his two volumes of Eambles will abundantly show, but he was an historian, a lecturer, a biographer and a poet. His favorite reading was biography and poetry. He was very discriminat ing and just in his biographical sketches of prominent men and of his townsmen. He had considerable poetic ability which he exercised too rarely. He occupies a prominent position in the " Poets of Portsmouth," from which volume is selected, as here appropriate, the following Hamble in rhyme : TECE "V-Ajste: om the n^oiitii chxtrch:. The vane of the North Church bore the date of 1732, when ib was pat up. It was uot gilded until 1796. When destined to come down, in. 1854, the vane is thus personified, lo enable it to tell its story. , I can't come down— I can't come down ! Call loudly as you may ! A century and a third I 'vg stood; Another I must stay. Long have T watched the changing scene, As every point I 've faced. And witnessed genei'ations ripe. Which others have displaced. The points of steel which o'er me rise Have branched since I perched here— For Franklin then was but a boy, Who gave the lightning gear. The day when Cook exploring sailed, i faced the eastern breeze ; Stationed at home, I turned my head To the far western seas. I ' ve stood while isles of savage men G-row haimlesB as the dove; And spears and battle axes turned To purposes of love. I looked on when those noble elms Upon my east first sprung. And heard, where now a factory stands, The ahtp-yard's busy hum. When tumult filled the anxious throng, I found on oveiy side The constant breezes fanned a flame, And Ireedom's fire supplied. William and Mari/s fort T 've oft Through storms kept full in view— Qnp.im\K Ckapfl in the snow squalls faced, And west— lojkeJ King siretL through. Fnrt Cov sii tution now takes place To meet my south-east glance; The shrill north- easters from St. John's., Up Congress strett advance. In peace I once felt truly vain — For 'neath my shadow stood The man « hom ali the people loved, George Washington the good .' I 've Bern — oh. may I ne'er again! The fiames thrice round me spread, And hundreds of familiar hcmiea Turned to a light ash-bed! But why recount the sights I 've seen ? You '11 say I 'm geitiiig old— I "11 quit my tale, long thougli it bs, And leave It half untold. The fame of Rogers, Fitch and Stiles, And Buckminster— all true; And later men, whom all do know, Come passing in review. Their sainted souls, and hearers too — Your fathers — where are they? The temple of their love siill stands — It's mem'ries cheer your way. Till that old oak, among whose boughs The sun my first shade cast, Lays low in dust his vig'rous form, A respite 1 may ask. Tllis little boon I now must crave — (Time's peliinga 1 will scorn)-— Tilt coward-like 1 turn wy /icat/, Ltt mt atlUface the storm. 18 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. It was formerly the custom among the puhlishers of newspapers, to circulate, in or with the numher of tke paper issued on the first of January in each year, a poetical address to their patrons, called the Carrier's Address. Many years ago, and while the late Isaac Hill published the New Hampshire Patriot, he offered a set of Sir Walter Scott's Poetical Works for the best "Carrier's Address" for the then approaching first of January. Mr. Brewster with several others com peted for this prize. Among the many Addresses offered was one to which Mr. Hill, himself a poet, gave the decided preference, and it was the same to which the Committee afterwards awarded the prize. Mr. Hill, supposing the successful Address to have been the produc tion of a lady, remarked that this circumstance would somewhat mod erate the disappointment of the unsuccessful competitors. When the award was made and the opening of the envelope revealed Mr. Brews ter as the writer, Mr. Hill was quite as much disappointed as any of the authors of the "rejected addresses." He was not more surprised to find that the prize was not to be given to a lady than that it was to be given to an editor and a political opponent. The reader will see that he judged much better of the merits than of the source of the success ful Address. The prize was duly forwarded, and is now a cherished treasure in the library of the family of Mr. Brewster. This successful Address was the " History of News — Birth of the Press;" and it is presented here as being appropriate, alike from its origin and subject, to the profession of the writer, and as giving a fair specimen of his poetical writings. HISTORY OF ISTKAVS. BIRTH OF THE RRESS. Lo ! when the Eternal planned his wise design, Created earth, and, like his smile benign, With splendor, beauty, mildness, decided the skies,— Waked from eternal sleep, with wondering eyes Man viewed the scene, and gave to News its rise. New of himself, to Adam all was new, — The concave canopy, the landscape's view; The murmuring rivulet, and the zephyr's sound ; The song-ter's carol, and the deer's light bound; The fruit luxuriant, where no brier sprung; No weary toll, from morn to setting sun ; But every gale sweet odors wafted on, His joys to treshen. Though he yet was lone, This news was good indf ed : such riches given, Enough almost to make of earth a heaven. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 But bettor news by far did Adam hear, When woman's voice first hailed his raptured ear, — News which, in later days, full well we know, Lightens life's load of many a heavy woe. But scarce our common parent rose from earth, Inhaled the breath of life, and Eve had birth. When twined the monster round the fatal tree,— Dispelled their joy, content, and purity: Then agonizing Nature brought to view Ills which in Eden's bowers they never knew; Then, at that hour accursed, that hour forlorn, Bad News — the demon's fiist bequest- was hom. But, though ignobly bora, to seek we 're prone The bad as well as good, and make our own The knowledge of the griefs and woes of all On whom the withering frowns of Fortune fall. Bad news abundant since has filled our world; War's bloody garments oft have been unfurled, — The kindly parent oft been CHlled lo yield His earthly hope to dye the ensanguined field ; Disease oft torn our dearest hopes away, Tyrannic princes borne despotic sway; And every day the reckless bearer 'sbeen Of evil tidings tothe sons of men. But change this picture of a darkened hue ; Let scenes more bright now open to tlie view : Though things may change with ever-varying flow, They do not bring to all unmingled woe. Do millions mourn a kingdom's fallen state ? A Csesar hails the news with joy elate. Does'drought or frost destroy the planter's hope, And climes more genial yield a fruitful crop ? Enhanced by contrast, these delight the more In the good tidings of their bounteous store. Does "the insatiate archer" claim a prize? The weeping friend, the heir with tearless eyes, Show joy is oft the associate of grief. And pain to aomCj to others is relief. Full many ages, centuries rolled along. Ere news a record found, the press a tongue. From sire to son, tradition's tale was told, Or musty parchment spoke the days of old j No minor incidents of passing time Ere filled a page or occupied a rhyme ; No wars of politics on paper fought, And few the favored ones by science taught. Minerva saw the dreary waste below, And urged the gods their bounties to bestow. The mind ol man to chaste refinement bring, And ope to all^the pure Pierian spring The gods convened_; but still Minerva ftowncd: Not one of all their gifts her wishes crowned, 20 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. TiU Vulcan thus,— and simple the address,— " My richest girts behold,— tho types and pkess !" The goddess smiled, and swiftly Mercury files To bear to earth the god's most favored prize. Auspicious hour! hail, morn of brighter day! Ages of darkness, close! to light give way! The mom Is past, the splendid sun is high ! The mist ilispelled, and all beneath the sky Feel its kind influence ; and its cheering ray Enlivens all, and shines in brilliant day. The sacred writ, which once was scarcely known To teachers, now (almost a dream ! ) is thrown Into a book, — all, in one little hour, Alike in king's and lowest menial's power; And bounteous given — scarce is felt the task — In every work which use or fancy ask. Thousands of years a dreai-y niijht had been, Ere Vulcan's art surpassed the tedious pen, — Ere down from heaven this precious gift was brought. To lend the speed of lightning unto thought. Prom necessity and practice Mr. Brewster early acquired the habit of writing rapidly. He also had the power of abstraction, and the current of his thoughts and the preparation of his editorial matter were not disturbed or impeded by the clatter of a printing oflice. He wrote, as he lived, from the light within. Sedate and retiring as he was, he had a fund of humor and wit which he sought rather to repress than exhibit, but which at times enlivened his friends and his paper. His habits and tastes made him averse to newspaper controversy- What editor in the country, of his extended experience, has so gener ally avoided it ? When forced into it, however, he was quick to " make the opposer beware" of whom he had attacked. His criticisms were pungent, his wit not seldom caustic. He undoubtedly possessed great powers of sarcasm. That they were used so sparingly, and never by way of display, but invariably in defence of what he was convinced was the right, or in exposing error and deceit, is characteristic of the man. Mr. Brewster, like many of our prominent and able men, was edu cated in a printing ofiice and at the editor's desk. There is something in the constant and powerful pressure upon an American editor — obliging him to record and comment upon the events as they occur, and to discuss those principles which are growing and ripening in the public mind and bringing him daily to a searching examination of the moral. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 social, economical and political problems which crowd and succeed each other with such rapid succession — that tends to quicken his powers and concentrate his energies ; to give a decisive and practical cast to his character, and to force him into prominence and success. This pressure developed Mr. Brewster. He was naturally retiring — unwilling to be before the public. His position compelled him to write ; and he was found in this, as well as in all other positions in which he was placed, equal to the demands made upon him. This discipline made him a good and able writer and author and a successful business man, and gave him the tastes and habits of a scholar, a wiHe influence and a high position. The life of an editor makes some per sons aggressive and irritable. But Mr. Brewster yielded to no such influence. He never alienated a friend or made an enemy. He early formed a plan of life, and faithfully acted upon it to the end. He was more anxious to be right than to be thought so ; more intent upon doing his duty than in obtaining the reward for it ; thought more of publishing a good than a profitable paper — more of being a useful than a prominent man. And at his death the universal feeling of respect for his memory, was his best eulogy. But the great, rounded and ripened feature in Mr. Brewster's char acter, that which as years passed over him in his quiet walk of labor and usefulness, gained, deepened and fixed the public confidence and respect, was his integrity aTid purity. He was a remarkable man, not only for his industry and ability, his purity and success, but for his self-culture and wise self-control. His life was harmonious and symmetrical. His impulses were so under subjection that he appeared not so much to resist temptations as to avoid them. He was so dili gent in the line of duty that he had as little opportunity as inclination to depart from it. Such a life, sweetening and cementing the domes- tie and social relations, was as full of happiness as of beauty. He died as calmly and serenely as he had lived, in the enjoyment of the afiectionate respect of his townsmen and of the public. To a neighbor, and life-long friend, who in taking leave of him a few evenings before his death referred to his approaching end, he said, "It matters not whether to-morrow finds me in this world or the next." A few hours before his death, as I approached his bed-side to take leave of him, he made me sit down, and then with 22 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. labored breath reminded me of our life-long intimacy, and of the pleasure it had been to him. And as he calmly gave me his hand and said, "Good bye, I shall not be alive to-morrow," he was the only one unmoved in the room. His appearance indicated that the prayer of his youth, uttered in a poem from which the following is extracted, was fulfilled: ' 0 how sweet, when the curtain of twilight 's o'erspreading, And weary nature is sinking to rest, 0 how sweet to recur, with conscience undreading, To scenes where fond pleasure illumin'd the hreast : Those scenes where friendship waked anew, Misconduct past forgiv'n — Where hatred fled, like morning dew By warming sun-beama driv'n. O how sweet, when tfie last ray of twilight is gleaming, And gath'ring shadows remind of the tomb, 0 how sweet to behold Luna radiant beaming, In m^esty mild, dispersing the gloom. — Thus when shades of death come o'er ub, And earthly joys are riven, Star of Bethlehem, rise before us — The wand'rer lead to Heaven." Sott^m^titft %Mth&. EAMBLE LXXXIV, Site and. .A-ssociations of the !N"e-w" City Rooms — Bricte ]Market and. Jefferson Hall. Me. Mayor and Gentlemen : I am called upon to give a historical sketch of the site and associations of the New City Eooms, which have to night,* for the first time, been thrown open for the use of the City Government. As we have passed from room to room it has been a matter of surprise to many of us that the old Jefi"erson Hall, spacious though it seemed, could have been transformed into so many capacious, well propor tioned, cleanly and pleasant rooms — all just large enough for the purposes for which they are needed; and ap. proached too by an easy flight of stairs, instead of winding up as heretofore around spiral columns. The whole inter. nal arrangements are such as rest pleasantly upon the eye, and do credit to our city. In the history of our ancient town, there is no period more marked by public enterprise than the five years at the close of the last century. In 1798, of the six hundred twenty-six dwelling houses in Portsmouth, there were only sixteen of three stories. In three years after, there were five of the latter class of houses added. In 1795 the "Note.— This address was made at the request of the City Government of Portsmouth, by the Kamhler, at the celebration of the opening of the new City Eooms, Thursday evening, Nov. 10, 1864. 24 RAMBLES about PORTSMOUTH. Portsmouth Pier Company was incorporated. Their block of fourteen stores, three hundred twenty feet long and three stories high, was said to have no equal in New Eng land. Seventeen vessels for foreign trade were built here in the year 1801. It was in 1799 that this spirit of enter prise brought the Aqueduct into Portsmouth; and our home enterprise was also the means of building Piscataqua Bridge about the same time. It was then, too, that the Salt works were constructed on our river. It was in this age of enterprise, nearly seventy years ago, that our fathers came to the conclusion that a second public Market House was needed in a more central posi tion ; and in 1794 the town purchased of John Fisher, of London, for the sum of £450, the land on which the Brick Market House now stands. The condition of the sale was, that the land shall be "used and occupied for a public mar ket place for the town of Portsmouth forever." Fisher purchased this lot with a house upon it, of Josiah Moulton, in 1744. Previous to 1744, the whole of the land now occupied by the Exchange Buildings, and about 100 feet deep, was owned b}'- Capt. Nathaniel Adams, the father of the late Nathaniel Adams, Annalist of Portsmouth. In 1744, John Fisher bought of the heirs of Adams about two-thirds of their land on the north side. Up to 1813, the Fisher man sion stood on the site of the Rockingham Bank; was a gambrel-roofed house very nearly resembling the residence of Samuel Lord on Middle street, and like that house its end was toward the street, within an open- fence, and facing a garden on the south. There was then no house between Fisher's and Adams's. The latter was of two stories, on the corner of State-street ; outside of the pres ent corner, 19 feet on Pleasant, and 12 feet on State street. A row of large elms grew on the outside of the unpaved side-walk between the two houses. Under these trees was JEFFERSON HALL. 25 «, place of much resort in the summer. H«re the military companies found a place for drilling in the shade ; and these military displays doubtless gave the name to the Parade, as Market Square was formerly called. On the spot where the Market House now stands was an old two-story house occupied by James Grouard, who kept a hat store in front, and, in a one-story building ad joining on the north, manufactured his felts and cocked hats. This old house was furnished with a large chamber fronting on the Parade, which was rented for public uses.. Here day-schools were kept, and here were held the even ing singing schools some of our mothers and grandmoth ers delighted to attend. We know little of Mr. Grouard excepting that he was a matter-otfact sort of man, fond of good living, and blessed with a good appetite — for to him, he. said, a roast goose was a yery awkward dish, being more than he could comfortably eat, but not enough to ask a friend to dine with him. A few rods to the northwest of this house was the old State House, where the General and County Courts were held, and all public meetings for elections and other pur poses were called. Here too, in the lower room, the inde pendent military companies held their meetings, — while the Masons held convivial sessions in the East Chamber. The lower room of the old State House was also burdened by the hooks, ladders and other apparatus of the fire de partment. Notwithstanding, the need of a piablic Hall as well as a Market House was so apparent, the committee appointed in 1799, to take isto consideration the expediency of building a Market House, reported that it was expedient to erect a building for a Market, on the lot purchased. The building to be 80 feet long, 30 wide, and one-story high, with a roof supported by pillars, aud projecting four feet on each side. The pillars to be of brick, and so .3 26 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. constructed tlmt the building may be cool and airy in summer, and that the northerly side may be closed by doors against the storms in winter. The expense was estimated at one thousand dollars. This report, it appears, did not meet th© public appro.ba- tion; so after further consideration^ at a town meeting held on the 7th of April, 1800, it was decided to erect a Market House and Hall over it. The building to be 80 feet long and 35 feet wide. The lower story 12 feet high, and the upper 14 — intended, as was said at the time,, for "a commodious and elegant Town Hall." The town passed a vote that the Market roof be covered with tar and gravel to protect it from fire. As we find one hundred dollars were expended for shingles, it is probable that this vote was not regarded. In four days after the vote to build was passed, the building committee, of which Col. Gains was chairman, advertised for bricks, lime, stone, &c. Soou the land was cleared, and the work commenced; and it is recorded as a remarkable fact for those times, that in 39 days, all the bricks, amounting to 145,000, were laid. We find that no less than eighty-nine persons were employed in construct ing the building, of whom only two are now living. It is not probable that the work proceeded as noiselessly as that on Solomon's Temple,, for we find among the bills one of $129, for a hogshead of rum, and also a bill of $70 for brads, lead and rum. This is some indication of the spirit of those times. The whole expense of the building, aside from the land, was $7,565.90. The chairman of the building committee, who superin tended the work, brought in no bill for his services, but left the matter with the town. The town readily voted to give Col. George Gains $150. He gave his receipt accordingly. Here a word for that father of Portsmouth, who so long JEFFERSON HALL. 27 retained his popularity with the people. Col. Gains was an honest, upright man, somewhat self-willed ; but a high sense of justice was his predominant trait. With a single eye to the public good, he would readily take responsibili ties which others would be slow to assume — doing himself the business which belonged properly to a whole board. He was in fact the Selectman. As he never abused the confidence placed in him, to promote his own pecuniary interest, the public kept him continually in office. For thirty years he was regularly elected a Selectman, and as many years a Representative to the General Court. One of the keys to his popularitj' may be found in the above matter. Leaving the town to fix his compensation, instead of bringing in a bill — which if ever so small some might object to — shows that he knew how to promote his own interest as well as preserve the public favor. In November, 1800, we find the Market is ready for occupancy, and Richard Billings (who had been a clerk to John Hancock) was appointed Clerk of the Market. He gives public notice that he will be happy to accommodate all his country friends with convenient stands in the new Brick Market, and insure them good prices and quick sales for their provisions. " This Market," he says, " has been built at great expense to shelter people from the weather. He is sorry to observe at this inclement season persons shivering in their open sleighs, when they could be more comfortable in the house-^and he is sorry to observe gentlemen of the town hovering round the sleighs, when they ought to recommend the general use of the Market , and prevent forestalling." Mr. Billings, a citizen of some distinction, was clerk but one year, when his place was filled by Deacon Samuel Bowles, who died in 1802. Forestalling, to which Mr. Billings refers, was in those . 28 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. days, as in previous years, regarded as a grievous ofi'ence. It was for a time finable for any storekeeper to ofi'er meat to sell before three o'clock in the afternoon, thus reserving to those who brought in meat or poultry from the country for sale, the right of retailing until the dining hour had passed. We find among the series of rules adopted for the gov ernment of the Market, that no meat of any kind should be carried into the west front arches of the Market ; that no meat of any kind should be left in the Market over night, on penalty of forfeiture ; that the market be closed at 4 p. M. except on Saturdays ; and that the regular market days be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It would appear by this that at first the Market was opened only three days in the week. There were six stalls for regular merchants, and four stalls at the east end for the use of the country traders. Among the first regular occupants were Anthony Lang- ford, Joseph and Isaac Shepherd, Asa Dearborn, John French, Amos Sheldon, and Capt. Edward -Gove. The New Market House and Jefferson Hall, with their good finish, had hardly been soiled by use when, on the 26th of Dec. 1802, its internal work and roof were con sumed in the first great conflagration in Portsmouth. For a time its standing walls and open arches on every side presented the appearance of some ancient ruin, — but such it was not long left to remain. In 1804 it was rebuilt and in use again, with the same appearance as before the fire. The roof of the Hall, by a vote of the town, was better protected against fire, by being covered with tin. The roof at that time was quite flat, and hipped— the handsomely projecting eaves in the front and rear of the building being on a line with those on the sides. The roof of the Piscataqua Bank building was made in imitation of that of the Market. This good JEFFERSON HALL. 29 architectural symmetry was wholly destroyed when, about twenty years ago, the roof was raised and slated, and the eaves drawn in. Up to 1826, the arches of the Market, on the north and south sides, were filled with large loose doors without lights. In the coldest weather the doors were kept open through the day, and the hardy butchers kept their blood warm by stamping the feet and thrashing with the arms — for a stove in the Market had never been thought of. In 1826 the arches were contracted by brick work, and tight doors put in, with windows over each to admit the light. For a quarter of a century the only light to the Market when it was closed had been that from the semi-circular window over the front entrance, which is still retained there. This desire for light, as well as the ar rangement made for warming the Market, were certainly evidences of progress. Now we will leave the Market for the room over it, which, like many children, was several months old before it had a name. In Jan. 1801, we find it spoken of as " the Town Hall." At the annual town meeting held in the Court House March 25, 1801, it was voted, that the cham ber of the Brick Market be hereafter called Jefferson Hall. Thus it appears that Jefferson Hall received its name just three weeks after Thomas Jefferson had taken his seat as President of the United States. The first public use of the Hall we cau find was on the 24th of June, 1801, when the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire convened at Jefferson Hall on St. John's Day, and after proceeding to St. John's Church returned to Jefferson Hall, where an elegant repast was partaken. On the 4th of July, 1801, a company dined in Jefferson Hall. We find no record of any other use of the first Jefl ferson Hall until the 'next 4th of July, in 1802. In that year there were celebrations by both political parties. The Federalists dined at Piscataqua Bridge, in Washington 30 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.' Hall, and the Republicans took their dinner at Jefferson EaE. We have the original odes sung by both parties on that day. That sung at Jefferson Hall was by John Wentworth. One verse will serve as a specimen : That man so revered, so virtuous, so great, Who saved a whole people, and then saved a State, By wisdom and firmness, — 't is him we extol. And ring Jeffeksom's praises through Jeffeesoii Hall. Derry Down, etc. The other ode, sung at Washington Hall, was from the pen of J. M. Sewell. It shows a rather bitter party feel ing in classing the room over the Market with the shambles below, and calling it Jefferson's stall. One verse will suf fice : But ah I what dire planet o'ershadows the day Ou which Freedom's Sun lately beam'd forth benignant? What comet portentous sheds death and dismay? 'T is Jefferson^s orb, like the dog star, malignant. But decreed is its doom ! The blest period will come When the Day Star of Reason will scatter the gloom.' Away then to FaEEnou ! leave Jeppehson's stall ! And court the bright goddess in Washington Hall! It appears that the first Hall, through feelings of preju dice arising from the name, was used by one party only for meetings decidedly political. The Hall was kept very carefully as a public ornament, the Selectmen being unwill ing to devote it to any common purposes. There was at first some difficulty experienced by the Artillery, Light Infantry, and Gilman Blues (the independent companies of that day,) in obtaining it for drill meetings. A town meet ing was called on the subject, and they voted to give the companies the use of it. In August, 1802, we notice a meeting there of the Artillery Company — and this is the last meeting recorded in the first Jefferson Hall, before the fire not only cleared away all that was combustible, but also purified the partisan animosity which its name had so unwisely created. Nobody after the fire appears to have objected to the name of Jefferson Hall. Jefferson sall, 31 The entrance to Jefferson Hall was originally in the east end, by two easy flights of stairs, and through ante-rooms. It was for many years the place from which public proces sions were formed-^the place for 4th of July and other public dinners, and for meetings of citizens on public oc casions; but it was not until 1818 that it was used for town or state elections. Up to that year all meetings for election took place in the Old State House. In 1814, after the third great fire, the boys' high school, under Master Taft, was kept there for about a year. In 1819 it was for one season used as the great Sabbath School Room of Portsmouth, which the children of all parishes attended. Of the scenes of the last forty years which Jefferson Hall has presented on town meeting days, many of you must have vivid recollections. The turmoil which arises where party spirit is inflamed by other spirits, (we speak of other days,) has often burst forth here like a volcano. For some men, who are sedate all the year, will somehow get excited on these occasions, where every man knows that his vote is of as much value as that of any one else. • Jefferson Hall has been the forum where native eloquence has flourished. Here have been heard the voices of Webster, Mason, Wood bury, Cutts, Bartlett, Cutter, Cheever, Drown, and a host of those now living who were ready with the voice of wisdom to guide their fellow citizens — and there might be enume rated another class of orators, whose rough-hewn arguments never lacked fire and quaintness. The life of Jefferson Hall on election days was however almost extinguished by the adoption of the City Government in 1849. The North and the South wards withdrew the leading spirits, and since that time the Old Hall has seemed to say to the voters on election day, as they silently come and go, Where is the spirit of the former day ? It seems to have expired with "that night" which followed March 13, 1849, when for only once in the history of Jefferson Hall, the morning sun rose with the Moderator of the former day yet in his chair. 32 EAMBLES ABOUT PSBTSMOUTH. But old Jefferson Hall has occasionally presented a bet' ter spectacle. Arrayed in the flags of various nations, with well covered and well . attended tables,, many a visitor has been made happy, according to the number of shilhngs he' has bestowed for some object of benevolence. Here too' has been the pleasant promenade, where the band and songsters have imparted life to the gathering. Unlucky was the effort, three years since, of that well- meaning individual* who attempted in Jefferson Hall a State Mechanics Fair on his own responsibility. A temporary addition in the rear, nearly as capacious as the Hall, was- erected. The expected articles for exhibition, however,. did not appear. It was a sad failure ; but the manager, too honest to wrong any one, at once enlisted inthe army, and with his bounty money paid his debts. In a few months he rested with the honored dead. Whether the spirit of this noble soldier still hovered' around the scene which was the disturbing cause of his earthly comfort, we cannot say ; but a military spirit was visible in Jeff(3rson Hall soon after his death, when the Hall became a barrack for soldiers — and to this service of the country its last days were mainly devoted. In what more appropriate service could that Hall, which for sixty- three years has borne the name of Jefferson, be closed, now that it will bear that name no more forever 1 In its place, what have we seen to-night? We have passed up an easy stairway and through a; wide entry to a series of five capacious rooms, each independently warmed and lighted, and fitted for its particular purpose. As wo pass under the City Safe, we cannot overlook it. We really have at last a scfe. For more than 200 years the manuscript records and documents of great value have had less care taken of them than almost any merchant takes of Ilia day-book. In the great fire of 1813, the town clerk's o Ilcnry M, Carter, JEPFEESON HALL. 33 room, which was in the northeast corner of the Brick school-house on State street, was burnt. In this room, in a wooden chest, were the old and new records and papers of the town, which but for the thoughtfulness and efforts of an individual, Hon. Hunking Penhallow, would have been consumed. Had he not timely entered the room and se cured the papers, we should now have been without any town record previous to that time. Yet even after this narrow escape, the town and city records have never, until now, been deposited a single day in a place secure against fire. The expenditure of $20,000 for a city hall, or any other public purpose, would have been a small item in comparison with the loss of the city papers, which are safe at last. The door of the west room, in which the safe opens, is labelled " City Clerk." This important city official is al ways expected to be on hand, and so the most pleasant room is assigned him. At that table, filled with books and papers, the unwearied pilot of the City Government may in all future time be found, called often to the exercise of the grace of patience, which will fit him for enduring any of the varied evils of life. In another room, with scarcely less of care, but cheered by the current of money which at particular seasons flows through that channel, may be found the Collector and Treasurer, sitting at his receipt of customs, seemingly as unconscious as the dentist extracting teeth, of the pain felt by those who pay over their hard-earned money for the support of the city. Only a small proportion of the visitors will leave this room richer pecuniarily than they entered, but every patriot will feel richer in the consciousness that his arm aids in keeping in motion the machinery which protects his property, his rights and his life, and keeps a good house always in reserve for him. In another room, for a century to come, may be found the man whom the city delights to honor, filUng the 34 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. dignified position of the Mayor's chair. The room is well finished and furnished, — but his presiding seat in the adjoining room, and the tasteful chairs and desks of the Aldermen, with the whole finish and decorations, make it almost equal to an Italian Senate Chamber. Around the walls, instead of the works of the old masters, the portraits of the past Mayors are displayed, and vacancies are kept to be filled by the long train of honorables who are to succeed the present worthy incumbent. In the eight easy chairs and at that desk the consolidated wisdom of the City will be annually placed by the public voice ; and to them will be committed the very hard task of pleasing everybody. If this is not done, faint will be the praises they may expect to receive from those' whom they do not obey. In that great room in the east, over the door of which the bust of the eloquent Webster is placed, will the people be represented by a Common Council, who will hold the purse strings and the check reins, and do all manner of wise things to regulate the machinery of the City Govern ment. Here the germs of eloquence will be developed upon all sorts of appropriations ; and scrutinizing commit tees will often think they discover measures introduced to promote some party purpose of their opponents. Here the practice of vigilance, in a right spirit, will ever promote the public good. Long may the interest of the people here' be rightly represented ! We are now. Mayor and gentlemen, done with Jefferson Hall and its surroundings. May the future doings of the City Rooms of Portsmouth be marked with that wisdom and harmony of action which will give it a pleasant record in future history. ODIORNE'S POINT. 35 RAMBLE LXXXV. Odiorne's Point — The inirst Honse and I^irst Cemetery in ZSTew" Hampshire. '' Here the dark' forest's midnight shade began To own the power of cultivated man ; Here is the shore, whose wide-extended breast First gave its borders for the wanderer's rest." The locality which should be the most venerated, not only by our own townsmen, but by every citizen of New Hampshire, is certainly where the first emigrants landed, and the spot on which was erected the first house in New Hampshire. How many associations cluster around this beginning of the history of our State. Less sacred they may be than those which surround the Plymouth Rock, — for the first settlers of New Hampshire came here to trade and fish, while the Pilgrims landed there for the enjoyment of religious freedom. This place, of so much historic interest, is only about three miles from Market Square, and an hour's walk through interesting scenery will find you there. It may seem strange to residents elsewhere that any direction is needed from us to point out the spot to our home readers, — but when it is known that probably not fifty of our population of ten thousand ever visited the spot with any distinct knowledge of the several localities connected with our early history, that wonder will cease. Prom the Sagamore House, on the, south, is the road 'which leads to Odiorne's Point. On this road is but one house, which is a quarter of a mile distant. It is owned and occupied by Mr. Eben L. Odiorne, who inherits the farm which extends to the Point, where his ancestors re sided for more than two centuries. We find the name of John Odiorne occupying this locality in 1660. Forty-three acres were then owned by him. He was a citizen of Ports- 36 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. mouth in 1657, and probably then resided there ; but of this we are not certain. He gave name to the Point. Coun cillor Jotham Odiorne, who died in 1748, at the age of 73, was the son of John. Odiorne's Point should be respected as our Plymouth Rock. Here, in 1623, the little band landed, who were commissioned by the Laconia Company in England to found a plantation. In a ramble to the Point a week or two since, we found enough of tradition in the occupant, and visible remains left, to locate the spot where the first house, called Mason's Hall or the Manor House, was erected, — to designate also the locality of the first smith's shop. The well of the Manor House is yet to be seen in the field — and the cool, fresh water running from beneath the ledge on the shore, scarcely above the tide water, flows as freely now as when Tomson, the Hiltons and' their companions quenched their thirst at it two hundred and forty-six years ago. Perhaps this inviting spring decided to them the site of their habitation. The present proprietor of the ancient Manor does honor to his ancestors in presenting well cultivated land and a handsome farm residence. He seems however not much to pride himself upon his ancestry or the externals of his lo cality. So little of inquiry has been made of late years, that even the " garrison field " aud "fish flake field" are spoken of as names that were formerly used. Just before reaching the house, on the opposite side of the road, is a lane which leads nearly to the beach. The site of tbe old smith's shop was on the north side of this lane, on the highest point of land. Pieces of iron are now occasionally turned up in ploughing there. It is near the end of this lane on the beach that the spring flows. Here in former times, when the memory of the spot was more regarded, might be seen the Sheafes, the Pickerings and others, enjoying a social remembrance pic-nic and drawing odiorne's point. 37 their libations from the ancient fountain of the first resi dents. But where was the site of Mason's Hall? Come this way, said Mr. Odiorne. And he led us through his spacious and shady farm yard, and down about twenty or thirty rods, in a southwest direction, from his house. Here, on a spcj; now covered with cabbage plants, tradition says the first house in New Hampshire was erected. Pieces of brick are yet turned up in ploughing, a small piece of ancient brown ware we picked up, and pieces of metal are here sometimes found. Although no monument designates the spot, yet here undoubtedly the Manor House stood. On the south of this site, a few rods distant, is the old well of the Manor ; and eight or ten rods on the north is the rest ing place of those who first sank beneath the toils and pri vations incident to emigration to a new country. This first cemetery of the white man in New Hampshire occupies a space of perhaps 100 feet by 60, and is well walled in. The western side is now used as a burial place for the family, but two-thirds of it is filled with perhaps forty graves, indicated by rough head and foot stones. Who there rests no one now living knows. But the same care is taken of their quiet beds as if they were of the pro- - prietor's own family. Large trees have grown up there — one of them, an ancient walnut, springs from over one of the graves. In 1631 Mason sent over about eighty emi grants, many of whom died in a few years, and here they were probably buried. Here too doubtless rest the re mains of several of those whose names stand conspicuous in our early State records. "History numbers here Some names and, scenes to long remembrance dear, And summer verdure clothes the lowly breast Of the small hillock where our fathers rest. Theirs was the dauntless heart, the hand, the voice. That bade tbe .desert hlossom and rejoice ; 38 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. Their restless toil subdued the savage earth. And called a nation into glorious birth ; Their living floods with tides extending still, Poured o'er the vales and climbed the highest hills ; And now the cottage that o'erlooks the scene Of youthful revels on the village green ; The laughing fields where earliest verdure springs. And Nature glories inthe gifts she brings; The flocks that gather in the peaceful shade, Where once tho deer in careless freedom played, The spires that redden in the rising sim — All these will tell you what their hands have done." Were there a locality of similar historic interest north of the White Mountains, many an annual pilgrimage it would receive, its locality would be designated by- some enduring monument, and a pebble from the first cemetery would be treasured as a mantel curiosity. But now, within a pleasant foot ramble, it is rarely visited, and seems to be almost unknown. When will some proper Monument be erected to identify the spot, and secure to posterity a locality Avhich will with years increase in interest ? RAMBLE LXXXVI. M:arq.Tiis de Chastelliox's Visit in 1VS3 — Ifrench B^Ieet — "Vie^vs of Fortsmonth, &c. The year 1782 was noted locally as that in which the French fleet laid in our harbor. We have already in pre vious rambles given a record of some of the events which occurred, and now present a few more sketches, mainly gathered from the account the Marquis de Chastellux gave of his visit to Portsmouth while the fleet was lying in our harbor.' The Marquis was a Major-General in the French army, serving under the Count de Rochambeau, with whom he came from France to this country in 1780. In 1782, in November, having some leisure, he left Hartford on a visit MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX's VISIT. 39 to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. His route brought him through Andover, Haverhill and Exeter. He speaks highly of the general appearance of the latter town, and goes on to say : — " We stopped at a very handsome inn kept by Mr. Ruspert, which we quitted at half past two ; and though we rode very fast, night was coming on when we reached Ports mouth. The road from Exeter is very hilly. We passed through Greenland, a very populous township, composed of well built houses. Cattle here are abundant, but not so handsome as in Connecticut, and the state of Massachusetts. They are dispersed over fine meadows, and it is a beautiful sight to see them collected near their hovels in the evening. This country presents, in every respect, the picture of abundance and of happiness. The road from Greenland to Portsmouth is wide and beautiful, interspersed with habita tions, so that these two townships almost touch. I alighted at Mr. Brewster's, where I was well lodged ; he seemed to me a respectable man, and much attached to his country. "In tlje morning of the 10th of Nov. I went to pay a visit to Mr. Albert de Rioms, captain of the Pluto, who had a house on shore, where he resided for his health ; he invited me to dinner, which he advised me to accept, as the Comte de Vaudreuil was in great confusion on board his ship, the mizzen-mast of which had been struck by lightning five days before, and which penetrated to his first battery; but he offered me his boat to carry me on board the Auguste. In returning for my cloak, I happened to pass by the meeting, precisely at the time of service, and had the curiosity to enter, where I remained above half an hour, that I might not interrupt the preacher, and to show my respect for the assembly ; the audience were not numerous on account of the severe cold, but I saw some handsome women, elegantly dressed. Mr. Buckminister, a young minister, spoke with a great deal of grace, and reasonably enough for a preacher. 40 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. I could not help admiring the address with which he introduced politics into his sermon, by comparing the christians redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, but still compelled to fight against the flesh and sin, to the thirteen United States, Avho, notwithstanding they have acquired liberty, and independence, are under the necessity of employing all their force to combat a formidable power, and to preserve those invaluable treasures. It was near twelve when I embarked in Mr. Albert's boat, and saw on the left, near the little Island of Rising Castle, the America, (the ship given by Congress to the King of France,) which had been just launched, and appeared to me a fine ship. I left on the right the Isle of Washington, on which stands a fort of that name. It is built in the form of a star, the parapets of which are supported by stakes, and was not finished. Then leaving Newcastle on the right, and Kit tery on the left, we arrived at the anchoring ground, within the first pass. I found Mr. Vaudreuil on board, who pre sented me to the officers of his ship, and afterwards to those of the detachment of the army, among whom were three officers of my former regiment of Guienne, at present called Viennois. He then took me to see the ravages made by the lightning, of which M. de Bire, who then commanded the ship, M. de Vaudreuil having slept on shore, gave me the following account: At half past t'wo in the morning, in the midst of a very violent rain, a dread ful explosion was heard suddenly, and the sentinel, who was in the gallerj', came in a panic into the council cham ber, where he met with M. Bire, who had leaped to the foot of his bed, and they were both struck Avith a strong sulphureous smell. The bell was immediately rung, and the ship examined, when it was found that the mizzen-mast was cut short in two, four feet from the forecastle ; that it had been lifted in the air, and fallen perpendicularly on the quarter-deck, through which it had penetrated, as well as MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX'S VISIT. 41 ihe secoE'd battery. Two sailors were crushed by its fall, two others* who never could be found, had doubtless been thrown into the sea by the commotion, and several were wounded. "At one o'clock we returned on shore to difte with M. Albert de Rioms, and our fellow guests were M. de Bire, who acted as flag captain, though but a lieutenant ; M. de Mortegues, who formerly commanded the Magnifique (lost at the same period at Level's Island in Bdston harbor) and was destined to the command of the America; M.de Siber, . lieutenant en pied of the Pluto ; M. d'Hizeures, captain of the regiment of the Viennois, &c. After dinner we went to drink tea with Mr. Langdon. He is a handsome man, and of noble carriage ; he has been a member of Congress, and is now one of the first people of the country ; his house is elegant and well furnished, and the apartments admirably weU wainscotted : he has a good manuscript chart of the harbor of Portsmouth. Mfs. Langdon, his wife, is young, fair, and tolerably handsome, but I conversed less with her than with her husband, in whose favor I was pre judiced, from knowing that he had displayed great courage and patriotism at the time of Burgoyne's expedition. " On leaving Mt. Langdon's, we went to pay a visit to Col. Wentworth, who is respected in this country, not only from his being of the same famijy with Lord Rockingham, but from his general acknowledged character for probity and talents. He conducted the naval department at Ports mouth, and our officers are never weary in his commenda tion. From Mr. Wentworth's, M. de Vaudreuil and M. de Rioms took me to Mrs. Whipple's, a widow lady, who is, I believe, sister-in-law to General Whipple ; she is neither young aor handsome, but appeared to me to have a good understanding, and gaiety. She is educating one of her, nieces, only fourteen years old, who is already charming, Mrs. Whipple's house, as weU as that of Mr. Wentworth's, 4 42 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. and all those I saw at Portsmouth, are very handsome and well furnished. "I proposed, on the morning of the 11th, to make a tour among the islands in the harbor ; but some snow having fallen, and the weather being by no means inviting, I con tented myself with paying visits to some officers of the navy, and among others to the Count de Vaudreuil,. who had slept on shore the preceding night ; after which we again met at dinner at Mr. Albert's, a point of union which was always agreeable. After dinner, we again drank tea at Mr. Langdon's, and then paid a visit to Dr. Brackett, an esteemed physician of the country, and afterwards to Mr. "Thompson. The latter was born in England ; he is a good seaman, and an excellent ship-builder, and is besides a sen sible man, greatly attached to his new country, which it is only fifteen years since he adopted. His wife is an Ameri can, and pleases by her countenance, but still more by her amiable and polite behavior. We finished the evening at Mr. Wentworth's, where the Count de Vaudreuil lodged ; he gave us a very handsome supper, without ceremony,, during which the conversation was gay and agreeable. "The 12th I set out, after taking leave of M. de Vaudreuil, whom I met as he was coming to call on me, and it was certainly with the greatest sincerity that I testified to him my sense of the polite manner in which I had been received by him, and by the officers under his command. " The following are the ideas which I had an opportunity of acquiring relative to the town of Portsmouth. It was in a pretty fiourishing state before the war, and carried on the trade of ship-timber, and salt fish. It is easy to con ceive that this commerce must have greatly suffered since the commencement of the troubles, but notwithstanding, Portsmouth is, perhaps, of all the American towns, that w-hich will gain the most by the present war. There is every appearance of its becoming to i'/ew-England, what MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX'S VISIT. 43 the other Portsmouth is to the Old: that is to say, that this place will be made choice of as the depot of the continen tal marine. The access to the harbor is easy, the road im mense, and there are seven fathoms water as far up as two miles above the town ; add to this, that notwithstanding its northern situation, the harbor of Portsmouth is never fro zen, an advantage arising from the rapidity of the current. " When I was at Portsmouth the necessaries of life were very dear, owing to the great drought of the preceding summer. Wheat cost two dollars a bushel, (of sixty pounds weight) oats almost as much, and Indian corn was extreme ly scarce. I shall hardly be believed when I say, that I paid eight livres ten sols (about seven shillings and three pence) a day for each horse. Butcher's meat only "was cheap, selling at two-pence-halfpenny a pound. That part of New Hampshire bordering on the coast is not fertile ; there are good lands at forty or fifty miles distance from the sea, but the expense of carriage greatly augments the price of articles, when sold in more inhabited parts. As for the value of landed property, it is dear enough for so new a country. Mr. Ruspert, my landlord at Exeter, paid seventy pounds currency per annum, (at eighteen livres or fifteen shillings the pound) for his inn. Lands sell at from ten to sixteen dollars an acre. The country produces little fruit, and the cid^r is indifferent. " The road from Portsmouth to Newbury passes through a barren country. Hampton is the only township you meet with, and there are not such handsome houses there as at Greenland." Col. Wm. Brewster at that time kept the Bell Tavern. .Here the Marquis lodged. Mr. Albert's abode was proba bly at Mrs. Richard Shortridge's boarding house, where some of the oSicers of the fleet, among them Vaudreuil, t>oarded. This boarding-house was in Deer street : the house, remodelled, was long the residence of the late Peter 44 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. Jenness and his family. Richard S. is the same individual who was impressed by arrangement of Gov. Penning Went- worth, with the hopes of obtaining his wife, as related in the 17th Ramble. Shortridge received a commission in the Revolutionary army, and died before the close of the war, somewhere in the vicinity of Lake Ohamplain, when returning from an expedition to Canada. He left three sons, Richard, Samuel and John. John H. Shortridge, who afterwards occupied the same house, was of another family. It is said by those who have a ^knowledge of the fact, that the officers of high grade of the French fleet were in dustrious, and had their knitting-'work ready to take in hand when in their boarding-houses. They knit silk gloves, which were bestowed as presents on the ladies. In Ramble No. 50, an account was given of the murder of a Frenchman which gave name to " Frenchman's Lane." Since that was written we find a minute entered in a manu script Register kept at the time by Dr. Brackett, (who is mentioned by the Marquis in the sketch given in this Ram ble,) at the date of Oct. 23, 1778, as foUows: "John Dushan, a French-Man, was found murdered at the creek, hav'g his throat cutt, & robed, by night," By this it appears that the murder of the Frenchman was four years previous to the visit of the French fleet — the recollection of the old gentleman who gave the account being thus much at fault. EAMBLE LXXXVIL Sketch of HIenry Sherburne aaid IDescendants. RiCHAED Sherburne, of Stoneyhurst, with others of the nobility and gentry, was called upon in the year 1543 to furnish his quota of men and arms against the Scotch, un- THE SHERBURNE FAMILY. 45 der the Duke of Somerset, and was knighted on 11th May, 1544, then 22 years old. Sir Richard married Maud, the fifth child of Sir Richard Bold, Knight of Bold, in the time of Henry VIIL, by his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Butler, Knight of Bewsey. Sir Richard Sherburne, probably son of first Sir Richard, died in prison Aug. 6th, 1589, and was succeeded by his son Richard, who married Anne, daughter of John Cow- field, Esq. ; and dying without issue, the princely mansion of Stoneyhurst and the many mansions and lordships appertaining to it, devolved on his brother, Sir Nicholas Sherburne, Bart., who married Catherine, daughter and co heiress of Sir Edward Charlton, of Wesley Tidehaust, and had three children : Catherine, who died an infant ; Richard Francis, born 1693 and died 1703 ; also Mary Winne/rida Franeisca, who married Thomas, eighth Duke of Norfolk, and at his death married the Hon. Peregrine Middleton, but had no issue by either marriage. Sir Nicholas Sher burne died in 1718, bequeathing his large estates to his only surviving child, Mary, Duchess of Norfolk, who dying in 1754, all their estates were bequeathed conditionally (that no other heirs were living to claim the estates) to the issue of Elizabeth Weld, her aunt, sister of the deceased ¦ Baronet. Such is the family in England from which it is said the Sherbumes in Portsmouth descended ; but the connecting link for a generation we have not at hand. We find Henry Sherburne in the company which came to Portsmouth with the early settlers in 1631. He married Rebecca,, the only daughter of Ambros Gibbins, who was of that company. Henry died in 1680. His wife died in 1667. The childrem of Henry Sherburne were Samuel and Elizabeth, twins, born 1638 ; Mary, in 1640 ; Henry, in 1642 ; John, in 1647 ; •^mSj-os, inl649 ; )Sara^,ial651 ; Rebecca, in lQ5i ; Rac&d, 46 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. in 1656 ; Martha, in 1657 ; Buth, born in 1660, and married Aaron Moses, 1677. ELiZABETiTmarried Tobias Langdon in 1656 ; their son Honor (Onner) Langdon was born in 1664. Tobias L. died in 1664, and in 1667 his widow married Tobias Lear, and in 1669 their daughter Elizabeth Lear was born. She probably had other children by each marriage. Mary married Richard Sloper. He died in 1716, aged 85 ; and she in 1718, aged 78. Their children were Bridget, born in 1659, (married John Knight); John, in 1661; Mary, in 1663 ; Sarah, in 1667 ; Susannah, in 1669 ; Ehzabeth, in 1671 ; Rebecca, in 1673 ; Martha, in 1676 , Tabitha, in 1679; Richard and Henry, twins, in 1682; Ambros, in .1684. Henry Sherburne, grandson of the first Henry, but by which son we know not, was born in 1674, and was married to Dorothy Wentworth, born in 1680, sister of the first 'Gov. John. Henry Sherburne's house was at the head of the Pier, on the corner of State and Water streets, next the spot now occupied by the stone yard. It was of two stories and probably the first brick house built in, Ports mouth. For many years previous to its destruction by fire in 1813, it was a public house, known as " the Portsmouth Hotel." He was a Provincial Councillor, and died in 1757, at the age of 83. His wife died in 1754, aged 74. Henry Sherburne, son of the above, was born in 1709, and graduated at Harvard in 1728. In 1740 he married Sarah Warner, daughter of Daniel. He was for ten years after 1728 Clerk of the Court. He was a Selectman, Representative, and Provincial Councillor. He was also a member of the Colonial Congress held at Albany in 1754; and a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in 1765. He occupied his father's mansion, and died there in 1767. He had eight sons and five daughters : — Henry, Daniel, Samuel, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Edward, Richard, Andrew, Sarah, (the THE SHERBURNE PAMILY. 47 wife of Woodbury Langdon), Hannah (the wife of Samuel Penhallow), Dorothy (the wife of John Wendell), Mary and Margaret. Samuel Sherburne, whose will follows, (a brother of Henry) died in 1765, unmarried. He was the owner of the estate in North Portsmouth where the Misses Sherburne (the daughters of Col. Samuel) now live. That with other valuable property he gave to his nephew, who bore his name. SAMUEL SHERBURNE S WILL. In the name of God, Amen. — I, Samuel Sherburne, of Portsmouth, in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, Esquire, being affected with bodily pain and indisposition, though at present of a perfect mind and memory, blessed be God therefor, do ordain this as my last Will and Testament, as follows : First, I give back my immortal soul to the Almighty Giver thereof, hoping he will through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, be graciously pleased to accept it. My body I desire may be entombed near the south-easterly corner of the Queen's Chapel, in Portsmouth, in a decent, but not extravagant manner ; which unnecessary expense I disap prove of. Then as touching the worldly estate which God in his providence has been pleased to bestow upon me, I hereby settle and dispose of as follows, viz : Imprimis. — I direct that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid as soon as may be conveniently done by mj Executors herein hereafter named in this my will. Item. — I give and bequeath to the Church of England as by law established in the town of Portsmouth and prov ince aforesaid, £2000 of the present value of old Tenor, so called, to be under the care and direction of the Vestry and Church Wardens of the Queen's Chapel in said town for the time being; and this I give for a perpetual fund for that end, and the interest and income of the same to be appropriated and expended if necessary, for the support of an organist in said Church or Parish, without any diminu tion of the principal sum. Item, — I give and bequeath totl|ie said Church or Chapel 48 eambles about Portsmouth. my moiety or half part of a pasture or lot of Land and meadow, supposed in the whole twelve acres more or less, situated in Portsmouth aforesaid and lying on the southerly or south-easterly side of the highway leading from the Hay market to Wibird's Hill, so called, which said Tract was giyen me by my honored father in his last will and testa ment ; and this bequest to be under the direction of the Church Wardens of said Parish for the time being and to remain a perpetual glebe to the said Church and Parish and their successors forever. Item. — I give and bequeath to the said Church or Chapel my lot of land in Portsmouth which I bought of George Allmary, bounded and described as per his deed will ap pear, to be under the care and direction of the Church Wardens and Vestry as above mentigned; aud this I intend as a place to build a school house upon, to have and to hold the same to the Church Wardens and Vestry for the time being forever. Item.- — I give and bequeath to my sister Ann Langdon during her natural life the interest or income of £2000 old tenor, to be paid to her annually by my Executors hereafter in this Will mentioned ; and aiter her decease my Will is and I hereby give and bequeath the said principal sum of £2000 to the Church of England aforesaid, to be added to the tAvo thousand pounds old tenor bequeathed to said parish in this my will above, and to be held and applied and improved and disposed of as in and by this my Will and Testament. The above legacy (to the Church) of two thousand pounds is mentioned to be applied and improved. Item. — I give and bequeath to my said sister Ann Langdon, four pair linen sheets, also a pair of half pint silver cans, also one dozen China plates and three Dishes, all blue and white. Item. — I give and bequeath to Mrs. Lydia Cutt during her natural hfe the Interest and income of fifteen hundred pounds old tenor, to be annually paid her by my Executors ; and after her decease I give and bequeath the said principal sum of fifteen hundred pounds old tenor to the above mentioned Church of England in Portsmouth, to be held and improved as in and by this my Will, the money legacies to the said Church is directed and mentioned. SAMUEL Sherburne's will. 49 Item. — I give and bequeath to the said Lydia Cutt four pair linen and four pair cotton sheets, and one dozen China plates and three dishes, blue and white ; I also give her one of my silver cans which holds about two-thirds of a pint. Item. — I give to the children of my sister Dorothy Gilman deceased, and to be paid by my Executors, viz : to Christopher Rymes, Nathaniel Rogers and Dorothy Taylor, each two hundred pounds old tenor ; I also give and be queath to Nancy Barrel, grand child of my said sister, two hundred pounds old tenor — these legacies to be paid to the minors when they come of age. Item. — I give and bequeath to Mrs. Hannah Atkinson, one pair of silver butter boats, so called. Item. — I give and bequeath to Mrs. Sarah Jaffrey my silver tea kettle, lamp and stand. Item. — I give and bequeath Gregory Purcel, Esq., and to his heirs and assigns forever, a tract of land of about one hundred acres, more or less, situated in Nottingham in this Province, near or adjacent to the estate of Joshua Peirce, Esq., deceased, and is that tract I bought of Mr. Coffin of Newbury. Item. — I give and bequeath to Mrs. Rebecca Wentworth, daughter of John Wentworth of Portsmouth, one hundred pounds old tenor. Item. — I give and bequeath to the Rev. Mr. Arthur Brown, two hundred pounds old tenor. Item. — I give and bequeath to Miss Hannah Jackson, daughter of Elisha Jackson late of Portsmouth, deceased, one hundred pounds old tenor, and paid by my executors when she comes of age. Item. — I give and bequeath to Mr. Thomas Odiorne of Exeter in this Province, merchant, three hundred pounds old tenor, to be paid him by my Executors hereafter men tioned. Item. — I give and bequeath to Peter Gilman of Exeter, in this Province, Esquire, three hundred pounds old tenor, to be paid by my Executors hereafter mentioned. Item, — I give and bequeath to my nephew Samuel Sher burne, Esq., all the residue of my Estate, both real and personal, of what kind or nature soever, to have and to 50 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. hold to him the said Samuel and to his heirs and assigns forever. Lastly. — I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Theodore Atkinson and Hunking Wentworth, both of Portsmouth in the Province of New Hampshire aforesaid. Esquires, to be the Executors of this my last will and tes tament, hereby impowering to see the same duly executed according to the intent and design thereof In testimony whereof I have signed and sealed the same. Done at Portsmouth this fifth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, 1765. SAMUEL SHERBURNE, [l.s.] In presence of Theodore Atkinson, jr. Samuel Hale, Joseph Bass. This Will was proved 18th day of Feb. 1765. Edward Sherburne, one of the sons of the Hon. Henry Sherburne, at the commencement of hostilities in the rev olutionary war repaired to Cambridge and entered as a volunteer in the service of his country at his own expense. Soon after he became Aid to General Sullivan. At the evacuation of Boston, the army being ordered by General Washington to New York, he proceeded thither at his own expense, and was in all the battles in New Jersey. When the army evacuated New York in consequence of the enemy taking possession, the army was ordered to Phila delphia. At the battle of Germantown he was severely wounded. While carrying orders in front of both armies he received the wound of which he died. The General commended him much for his bravery, and said much to his family in praise of his general character. He spent most of his property in the service. There are several other branches of the first Sherburne family of Portsmouth — from one of which Judge John S. Sherburne descended — from another the late Col. John N. Sherburne descended — and from another the late Joseph SHERBURNE FAMILY. 51 Sherburne of the Plains descended. We have not the data to give a more connected genealogy of a family, which, if any of them come into the possession of the property in England awaiting an heir, will become the richest in New Hampshire. We copy the following, verbatim, from a handsomely written old family record on parchment, by Mrs. Mary Sloper, who died one hundred and fifty-one years ago. The closing lines, recording her death, were added by another hand. The several families named were located between Sagamore Creek and the Plains. There are doubtless many families in Portsmouth which can be traced back to the early residents who are recorded below. In 1693, we see Lieut. Sloper and Capt. Nele were honored by having places assigned them in the second seats in front of the minister. Ambros Gibbins, it will be recol lected, was the Assistant Governor in 1840. An Acc't of the Birth, Marriage and Death of my Father and Mother, and other relatives ; my husband's birth and mine, the year we was married, and the Births of our Children. My Father Henry Sherborne and my mother Rebekah was married the 13th November, 1637. My father Henry Sherborne died about the year '80 or '83. His death we was not sensible of. My brother John Sherborne was born the 3d of April 1647 and was Baptised at Newbury the 4th of October 1657. Sarah Sherborne was borne the 10th January 1651 ; and was Baptised at Hampton by Mr, Cotton. Rebekah Sherborne, 26th ApriU 1654, but was not Baptised. Rachel Sherborne was borne April the 4th, 1656, but not Baptised — dyed the 28th December, 1656. My husband Richard Sloper, was borne November 1630. We was married the 21st October, 1658. My mother Rebekah Sherborne, dyed the 3d June 1667 about noon, and was buried by four of her children. Tobias Langdon dyed the 27th July 1664, and was buried i2 RAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. y his chUdren. Martha Sherborne dyed the 11th No- jmber, 1658. My grandmother Elizabeth Gibbins dyed the 14th May, 1655. My grandfather Ambros Gibbins, dyed the 1st July, 1656. Elizabeth Sherborne was married to Tobias Langdon the 10th of June 1656. Onner Langdon was borne the 30th April 1664. Elizabeth Langdon waS married unto Tobias Lear the 11th AprU 1667. Elizabeth Lear was born the 1st Feb. 1669. Martha Sherborne was born the 4th December, 1657. Re bekah Sherborne dyed the 29th June 1696, aged 43 years. Ambros Sherborne was borne 3d August, 1649, and baptized at Newbury. Elizabeth Sherborne was borne 4th August 1638, baptised by Mr. Gibson. Mary Sherborne was borne the 20th November 1640, baptised by Mr. Gibson. Henry Sherborne was borne 21st. January, 1642 — went to sea in '58 with Solomon Clark, and coming home the 10th July, 1659, dyed at Sea and was buried in the Sea. Ruth Sher borne was borne of Sunday 3d of June 1660. Samuel Sherborne was married to Love 15th December 1668. Bridget Sloper was borne 30th August 1659. — John Sloper was borne 13th January 1661, being Sabbath day. Mary Sloper* was borne on Tuesday, the 11th Feb. 1663. Sarah Sloper was borne of Thursday the 26th July, 1667. Susanna Sloper was borne of Tuesday the 21st March, 1669. Elizabeth Sloper was borne the 26th June, 1671, being Friday. Rebeckah Sloper was borne Wednesday 23d October 1673. Martha Sloper was born of Monday the 26th December 1676. Tabitha Sloper was borne 17th De cember 1679. Richard and Henry Sloper was borne of Thursday 19th June 1682. Ambros Sloper was borne 20th January 1684. Bridget Sloper was married unto John Knight 2l9th March 1684. Elizabeth Knight was borne of Saturday 8th July, 1687. John Knight was borne 29th January, 1684. Richard Sloper deceased October 16, 1716. Mary Sloper, [the writer of the above record,] wife of Richard Sloper, deceased Sept. 22, 1718. ° She married John Brewster, j r., and was scalped hy the Indians at the Plains in 1696. LANGDON FAMILY. 53 RAMBLE LXXXVIII. liangdon and Sherhnrne B^'amilies. At the request of the Rambler, the foUowing family sketch has been prepared by one of the descendants of Gov. Langdon : The earliest English settlers to which the Langdons of Witch Creek (or Sagamore Creek) go back, are Ambrose Gibbon and his wife : where in England lived Gibbon, Gib bons, Gibbons or Gibbins, for they spell his name any way, (who was the leading servant of Captain John Mason here after Mr. Francis Williams,) we cannot say : his name is in English books of heraldry spelled all four ways, also Gib- bines and Gibbings, all with mostly the same arms : but we don't think our revered forefather knew much about his rightful armorial bearings. He was, it is like, the uncle or elder brother of Edward Gibbon of the Bay, a distinguished candlestick of the Bay puritans, but first was jailed by En- dicot for the maypole business, with others from Gorges's country. This Edward is the hero of a long story of Win- throp and Mather's, by which we find that he had lived many years in Piscataway, and was a bosom friend, partner it is like, of a French protestant gulf cruiser of Santo Do mingo and Piscataway, already on the seas, whose descend ants are stiU, we think, amongst us, and write their names yet Petgru or Pettigrew. There was also a James Gib bins of Saco in Gorges's country ; it is like, one of the same lot, Ambrose's daughter, Rebecca Gibbon, married Henry Sherburne, one of his companions, and was the mother of Elizabeth Sherburne ; afterwards Elizabeth Langdon, Eliza beth Lear and Elizabeth Martyn ; for she had at least three husbands. But before saying more of her, we will speak of a Sherburne claim that is spoken of in the newspapers. 54 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. As we undertand it, it is to the estates in the counties of York and Lancaster, of the very ancient house of the Sherburnes of Stonihurst, always papists, and intermarried with leading papist families in England ; the last baronet. Sir Nicholas Sherburne, dying in 1714 : when they are un derstood to have gone to his only child, the Duchess of Norfolk, she and the duke papists, and at her death to the heirs of her father's sister, in 1754, she having no chUdren to take them, which heirs are stUl the Welds of Lulworth Castle, county of Dorset, always papists, of which one was the late well known Cardinal Weld. These estates are to be claimed through Henry Sherburne of Piscataway, who must have been born not long after Queen Elizabeth died. The then lord of Stonihurst was Richard Sherburne, who married into a noble family. Now we have first to show beyond all cavil in a court of law that Henry Sher burne of Piscataway was the heir of this Richard, or some still earlier Sherburnes, if he or they had no descendants of their own that could take ; which would be hard, for Rich ard Sherburne died a good deal more than two hundred years ago : next also beyond all cavil in a court of law that they have not left a single descendant in all that long while, "before we can look for the revered Henry to help us out. After all, then, we have to look up his male line, or else we oan't get the Welds out to save our souls. His eldest son, Samuel, was killed by the Indians in Maine in 1691 : then an old man, Henry, said to be the eldest son of Samuel, mar ried Dorothy Wentworth, and had three sons, Henrj', Sam'l, John, as we understand: Henry Sherburne, the last one, thad a good many chUdren, and we believe Colonel Samuel Sherburne of North Portsmouth, commonly caUed of Chris tian Shore, was his eldest son ; he had a son Henry we think, who may have left another, which we do not know. The whole estates can only go to one heir, if we can ^et the Welds and the Jesuits out of Stonihurst : and though SHEEBUENE AND LANGDON FAMILIES. 55 Henry was so perseveringly their leading christian name here, it is only found once in a great many Sherburnes of Stonihurst. The estates went rightfully to the heirs of Maria Winifreda Franeisca Sherburne, duchess of Norfolk, (here is a sounding name for the magazines,) and we can't drive them off. There is a certain enticing plausibility to the business in the extreme possibility that Henry Sherburne of Piscataway may have been a papist : he was the church-warden of our church of England chapel, 1640, spoken of by Winthrop, broken up by the Bay puritans, the document about which is the only thing, if we remember rightly, left of our early town records, which were burnt by the Bay puritans in the civil wars, when they re-annexed Maine and New Hampshire to their empire : it would look as if he turned puritan though, in the civil wars, and went to meeting, and wouldn't again after the king was brought back. His son-in-law, Tobias Langdon, is said to be of the ancient house of the Lang- ions of Keverel in CornwaU, near Saint German's, which ivhether he was we cannot say, but his son didn't call either of his seven sons by the famUy name of Walter, The antiquity of those Langdons is indisputable, whose lame at the conquest was the Cornish one of Lizard : for . Jarew of Anthony, the poet and scholar, speaks of them IS his neighbors of ancient lineage, rather gone to decay in .he days of Elizabeth, That they may have continued papists very late may be too, for a Walter Langdon of Keverel was fined on his estate during the rebellion, taken in arms for the king, when he and other gentlemen of the county held out with their wives and children in Pendenis Castle under an Arundel of Trerice, one of 'the heroic actions of the civil wars. This Cornish Arundel was not an open papist, but the other great Cornish Arundels of Lan- hearne, as the lords Arundel of Wardour, are still, the lords (^rundel of Trerice being gone. Arundel and Sherburne 56 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. are both papist names, and the eldest of a Sir John Whyd- don, also from the same corner of England, a justice in special favor with the bloody Mary, married the! heiress of Langdon of Keverel. There was also a Langdon sent here, to New York we believe, by the papist James the second. And as the second Tobias Langdon got his com mission of ensign from James, it may be, as he was very young, that it was that the name may not have escaped the loyal ears of Sir Edmund Andross, J%mes's governor of New England. There is a possibihty that Henry Sherburne of Piscataway may have been a papist, and a distant re lation of the great papist Sherburnes of the North, but there isn't any, we think, that his male line in the States will ever get their estates. One of Henry Sherburne's daughters married with a Sloper, a race gone from here in the male line, but their cellars and gravestones are left on Sloper's hill and Sloper's plain. Another, Elizabeth, married the young Mr. Tobias Langdon, who died early ; next, Tobias Lear, the ancestor of General Washington's Tobias Lear — the Lears lived on the eastern side of the Langdons, and the Slopers on the west, all now in one farm — and next she married Mr. Richard Martyn. By Tobias Langdon she had four chUdren: Tobias, Elizabeth, who married with a Fernald, and Honour with a Laighton, both in Kittery, and Margaret with a Morrel. Captain Tobias Langdon, her son, who is buried in his field, married Mary Hubbard of Salisbury in the Bay, and they had at least nine children ; that is they had, if we re member, three sons-in-law, Bampfylde, Peirce and Shapleigh, all very ancient west country names; and they had seven sons : their eldest son Tobias, we do not know what became of him : Richard, their second, born 1694, lived and died at Newton on Long Island, and has descendants both in England and here, of very good standing in the world : some of them ^LANfiBON JPAMILY. 57 were royalists and went home, but Capt. Joshua Sands, once written Sandys, of the American navy, who knows all about them, is his great grandson. Joseph, their third son, Uved •near Witch Creek, and has two or three hundred descends ants, though hardly any named Langdoji., some of them at least the eleventh generation of English colonists at Witch Creek, counting Gibbon and his wife for the first : Mark, the fourth son, was a tanner at the south end : .Samuel, their fifth son, married with a Jenness in the south part of Rye, where his gravestone is by the road., and died there young, of the locked jaw, a making shingles : William was a tanner at the north end, their sixth son; and his son William, also a tanner, many people remember, a very good look ing, and a very 'worthy man. John, their seventh son, lived and died on the homestead. He married Mary Hall of Exeter, her mother a Woodbury of Beverly, her father the son of Kinsley Hall of Exeter and Elizabeth Dudley, the daughter of Samuel Dudley, who has numberless descend ants ia New Hampshire, who was the eldest son of the grea,t puritan Thomas Dudley of the Bay. John and Mary Langdon had six chUdren, Mary Langdon, Woodbury Langdon, John Langdon, Ehzabeth Langdon, Martha Langdon and Abigail Langdon, Mr. Woodbury Langdon and Mr, John Langdon were well known people. Mary married three husbands in Maine : Storer, Hill and MacCobb ; Elizabeth a Barrel of Portsmouth, a royalist, AbigaU a Goldthwait of Boston, also a royaUst, Martha another Barrel, next a Simpson, and lastly Governor James ;SuUivaQ of Massachusetts Bay. 58 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. RAMBLE LXXXIX. Lafayette Road — Ijangdon inarm— ITamily nMonument — N"e^v Eanlc of .Ajaaerican ISTobility. Befoee Lafayette road was laid out in 1825, the way to Newburyport as well as to Rye, was over Portsmouth Plains. The opening of Lafayette road brought the head of Sagamore Creek more directly in contact with the city, and within a pleasant walk of Market Square. The head of this Creek on the south side is noted as the locality where the Langdon family first settled, over two hundred years ago, — and from the family that farm has never been alien ated. The seat of the first Tobias Langdon has descended to the sixth generation and is now owned by Hon. John Langdon Elwyn, grandson of late Gov. John Langdon who was there born. On the north side of the same Creek, bounded on La fayette road, is the farm of Samuel Langdon, Esq., a descendant of the first Tobias Langdon, also of the 6th generation, being the son of Maj. Samuel Langdon, who died in 1834 at the age of 81, as reported in the inscription below. The farm of Samuel L. extends from the South road to the Creek, and contains about 150 acres. The house is of good size, and does not on the outside show marks of its age — but although in excellent preservation inside, in its heavy frame projecting into the rooms, it bears marks of having been built more than a century and a half. It was built by Capt. Samuel Banfield about the year 1700. In 1743 Banfield died, and the property came- into Joseph Langdon's possession, and it has ever since remained in the family. In the rear of the house towards the South road, is an enclosure for a family burial place, in which is visible to • every passer-by an elevated monument of Italian marble. LANGDON FARM. 59 erected as a family memorial by the present owner of the premises. The plinth of the monument rests on a granite base. The die, which is surmounted by a frieze and cap. is a square block of marble presenting four sides of about 21 inches in width by 42 in height. Two of the sides are plain ; on the other two are the following inscriptions, which give a very full genealogical history of the family. The monument is from Mr. Philbrick's establishment — the let tering deep and clear, in Mr. Borthwick's best style. I. Tobias Langdon, from England, died 1664 ; married 1656 Elizabeth, daughter of Heury Sherburne, (she after wards m. Tobias Lear,) and had Tobias L., born 1660, died Feb. 20, 1725 ; m. in 1686 Mary Hubbard. Elizabeth, m. WiUiam Fernald. Oner, m. 1686 John Laighton. Mar garet m. Nicholas Morrel. II. Capt. Tobias and Mary Langdon had Mary, born Nov. 17, 1687, m. George Pierce. Tobias, born Oct. 11, 1689, m. 1714 Sarah Winkley. Martha, b. Mch. 7, 1693, m. July 7, 1715, Nicholas Shapley. Richard, born Apr. 14, 1694, m. Thankful , and died at Newton, Long Island. Jo seph, born Feb. 28, 1696, died Aug. 10, 1767, m. Mary, daughter of Capt. Sam'l Banfield. She died Aug. 10, 1753, aged 49. Mark, born Sept. 15, 1698, died 1776; m. 1st Mehitable, who died Oct. 7, 1764, aged 63. Samuel, born Sept. 6, 1700, died Dec. 2, 1725 ; m. Hannah Jenness. WiUiam, born Oct. 30, 1702, died 1766. John, born May 28, 1707, died Feb. 27, 1780 ; m. Mary HaU, who died April 11, 1789, aged 72 yrs. III. Capt. Joseph and Mary L. had Samuel, born 1721, died 1779 ; m. Sept. 29, 1748, Hannah, daughter of John Storer, Esq. Wells, Me., who died Sept. 8, 1796, aged 73. Mary, born 1725, died Feb. 23, 1807 ; m. Amos Seavey, who died Feb. 19, 1807, aged 89. Hannah, m. James Whidden. Elizabeth, died July 14, 1804 ; m. James Seavey. 60- RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. III. Dea. Mark and Mehitabel Langdon had Joseph, born 1724, died Oct. 30, 1749, III. Wm. and Sarah L. had WUliam, born 1748, died Sept. 30, 1820; m. Mary Pickering, who died Feb. 8, 1802, aged 52. John, born 1748, died May 21, 1789 ; m. Mary Evans, died Mar. 10, 1825, aged 61. Mary m, Nicholas Pickering _ III. John Langdon married Mary Hall ; had Mary, m. Storer, Hill and McCobb,. Judge Woodbury Langdon, born 1738, died Jan. 13, 1805 ; m. Sarah Sherburne. Gov, John, born 173^ died Sept, 18, 1819 ; m. Elizabeth Sher, burne. Elizabeth m. Barrel. Abigail m. Goldthwait. Mar, tha, m. Barrel, Simpson and Gov. James Sullivan. IV, Capt, Samuel and Hannah L. had Mary, born April 16,1751, died 1836 ; m. Joseph White. Maj. Samuel, born June 9, 1753, died July 5, 1834; m. Lydia Brewster, daughter of Samuel Norris, died May 21, 1840, aged 62. Anna born Nov. 3, 1755, died May 24, 1690 ; m. James Whidden. Rev. Joseph L. born May 12, 1758, died July ^7, 1824 ; m. Dec. 9, 1790, Patience Pickering, died AprU 8, 1846, aged 88. Elizabeth, born March 18, 1761, died 1831 ; m. Andrew Sherburne. Hannah, born June, 1766, died 1812 ; m. Edward Gove. I. Capt. Samuel Banfield died 1743 ; m. Mary Seavey, who died 1753, and had Mary, who married Capt. Joseph Langdon. The monument to Mr. Langdon's famUy ancestors is not confined to the burial enclosure. Around the sitting room of the mansion, displayed under glass in frames, are the mil. itary commissions of his fathers for four or five generations, signed by Gov. Belcher, Gov. Wentworth, President Weare and Gov, Langdon. It is a novel collection, exhibiting three various state seals, and showing too, that under the crown as well as in Revolutionary times, there never has been a lack of mUitary spirit and patriotism at the head of Sagamore Creek. NEW BANK OP AMERICAN NOBILITY. 61 It is probable that the royal ancestry of the family very nearly corresponds with that of one in the immediate neighborhood, which is iUustrated by the foUowing true story. A descendant of one of the earher famUies in Ports mouth which resided between Sagamore Creek and Great Swamp, was traveUing in a stage coach with a stranger who found that they both bore the same family name. On inquiring for descent, the stranger, of somewhat high notions, said he was connected with the family of Sir David B., of Scotland. The native of Portsmouth, who thought his claims to aristocratic descent no less prominent, replied that he was descended from a family of Aldermen, " Family of Aldermen," said the sprig of nobility, " why you must be very ignorant to think that there is any such hereditary order — it is only a temporary city office, sir." "You are mistaken," was the reply, "it is an order which ranks a little higher than knighthood. My forefathers for five generations bore the insignia of their high honors. They wore the Aldermen's aprons with as much honor and pride as any Knight Templar, Those aprons were no fragile silk or linen fabric — they were the pure hide, such as were used when the ark was constructed ; and they date their nobUity at as early a day. Perhaps you may yourself one day arrive at the honors, and then you wUl fully com prehend them. These aprons they wore six days in the week — and the ravages they made around Great Swamp and Sagamore Creek, are now manifest in the well cleared and productive farms of their descendants. Yes, sir, I am a regular descendant of the famUy of Aldermen, and shall never lose my aristocratic pride, but will endeavor to re spect those who may be of lower rank." To be descendants of the Family of Aldermen shouldbe the pride of American nobility. Of such was President Lincoln. 62 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. RAMBLE xc. A.tkinson's Silver "Waiter — The Record of Deaths tn. Portsmouth, — Lady "Wenfrnrorth's Pictiire, &:c. In the 18th Ramble will be found a reference to the great amount of plate owned by Theodore Atkinson. Among the articles was a massive silver waiter, which for many years decorated his home on Court street, and must have been ever before him in his merry moments, as a memento mori. This waiter is now owned in the family of Hon. Asa Freeman of Dover, where are also the silver knives and forks, and other valuables, formerly in the Atkinson family, inherited by Mrs. P. from the estate of the last Theodore Atkinson, of this city, she being a daughter of the late Hon. William K. Atkinson, of Dover. There are also portraits by Copley, of Hon. Theodore Atkinson and his lady, Hannah, the daughter of Lieut. Gov. John Wentworth. Not the least valuable in the collection (which we recently had the privilege of seeing) are the portraits of Theodore Atkinson, Jr. and of his wife, the beautiful Frances Deering Wentworth (who in ten days after her husband's death married Gov. John Wentworth.) They were painted in 1763, the year after their marriage. Her age was then about nineteen, and Atkinson's about twenty-seven. His countenance does not denote much force of character, but his russet dress and long embroid ered vest are truly beautiful ; and as a painting, it is a piece of superior workmanship. The portrait of his lady is by Copley, and is one of bis best. Although it has been painted a hundred years, it now stands out in all the rich ness of its early days. There are some portions of it which have the appearance of small cracks in the paint, which a portrait painter a few years ago wished to daub over with his brush : but a close examination of the work shows that these marks were carefully made by the painter, and were ATKINSON'S SILVER WAITER. 63 necessary to bring out the display in the back-ground. The countenance is handsome, inteUectual, full of Ufe, and a little roguish. The painting as a work of art has been highly valued by connoisseurs, and five hundred dollars have been offered for it. But the silver waiter is more particularly the subject of this Ramble. On this waiter are inscribed the names, ages and times of death of 48 individuals who were acquaint ances of the elder Atkinson. Many of the deaths inscribed occurred before there was any newspaper in New Hamp shire, and it is probable that Secretary Atkinson took this as the best means of preserving a record of his particular friends. The names upon the waiter were in two col umns. One column was fiUed down, and the other was filled about half way down, there being room enough for twelve or fifteen names more. From the appearance of the en graving of the names, it is thought that the inscriptions were made at different times, as the persons happened to die. The first date was about eight years after his marriage. His wife died 12th Dec. 1769. It will be seen that but two names were added after her death. He died 22nd Sept. , 1779, and the dates stopped eight years previous to his death. Although the last column was not filled up, there were many distinguished persons who died within those eight years. It will be seen that neither the death of his son nor of his wife is noticed. He aUudes to the death of one of Gov. Benning Wentworth's sons, and omits those of the other two. He also omits the death of Gov. Benning's first wife. Those acquainted with the history of Portsmouth will notice that he omits husbands and notices wives, and vice versa. Indeed, the most interesting point in this matter is to get at the standard of qualification for record upon the waiter. 64 EAMBLES ASOtTT i'ORTSSlOtrTfl. 1. Benjamin Plummer, May 8, 17^40 — 24 [age.] 2. John Rindge, Nov. 6, 174#— 45. 8, Christopher Rymes, AprU S'd, 1741 — 41. 4. Shadrich Walton, Oct. 3d, 1741 — 83. 5. Joshua Pierce, Feb. 7th, 1742 — 72. 6. Elizabeth Wibird, Feb. 12th, 1742--- 73'. 7. John Downing, Sept, 16th, 1744 — 85. 8. Joseph Sherburne, Dec. 3, 1744 — 64. &. Mary Sherburne, March 6th, 1745-6 — 6l 10. Mary Huske, March Sth, 1745-6 — 43. 11. Arthur Slade, Jan. 12th, 1746 — 64. 12. Dudley Odlin, Feb. 13th, 1747-8 — 37. 13. Jotham Odiorne, Aug, 16th, 174^' — 73, 14. Ann Pierce, Oct. 19th, 1748 — 25. 15. Mary Westbrook, Oct. 23, 1748 — 75. 16. George, Walker, Dec. 7th, 1748 — 86. 17. George Jaffrey, May 8th, 1749 — 66. 18. Jane Frost, May 22, 1749 — 64. 19. Mary Sherburne, Nov. 27th, 1750 — 28. 20, Ehzabeth Vaughan, Dec. 7th, 1750 — 6g. 21. Jotham Odiorne, May 19th, 1754 — 48. 22. Nicholas Daniel, June 24th, 1751 — 31, 23. Sarah Odiorne, June 23, 17&2 — 76. 24. Capt. WiUiam Pearson, Dec. 2nd, 1752 — 55. 25. Mary Moore, March 12th, 1753 — 45. 26. Ehzabeth SoUey, March 12th, 1753 — 34. 27. Mary WUson, AprU 15th, 1753 — 71. 28. Richard Waldron, Aug. 23d, 1753 — 6©. 29. Dorothy Sherburne, Jan. 3d, 1754—74. 30. Sarah Downing, Jan. 11th, 1754 — 70. 31. Mary Wentworth, June 13th, 1755 — 32. 32. Henry Sherburne, Dec. 29th, 1757—83. 33. Eliza Waldron, Oct. 16th, 1758 — 57. 34. Mary March, March 22d, 1759 — 80. 35. Sir WiUiam Pepperell, Bart., July 6th, 1759 — 63. SILVER ¦WAITfifi RECORD. 65 86. Mary Mesetve, Aug. Sth, 1759 — 47. 37. Ann Tash, Aug. 25th, 1759 — 68. 38, John Wentworth, Nov, Sth, 1759]— 39. 39, Samuel Smith, May 2d, 1760 — 74, 40, Dorothy Gilman, Jan, 25th, 1761 — 49. 41. Ann Packer, Jan. 12th, 1762 — 61. 42. Hannah Sherburne, Feb. 10th, 1762 — 57. 43, Margaret Chambers, Aug. 6th, 1762 — 82. 44, Madame D, Newmarch, Jan. Sth, 1763 — 63. 45. M. Gambling, Aug. 29th, 1764 — 75. 46. John Downing, Feb. ;4th, 1766 — 82. 47. His Ex. Benning Wentworth, Oct. 14th, 1770 — 75. 48. T. WaUingford, Aug. 4th, 1771 — 75. 1. Benjamin Plummer, died 1740, aged 24. He made his will 7th May, 1740, the day before he. died. He calls himself of Portsmouth. His orders were that his wcjaring apparel be taken to Boston and there be sold for the most it would bring. He speaks of no relative in this country, but wUls the most of the property to his mother and broth-- ers in London. He makes Thomas Plummer, of London^ merchant, and Theodore Atkinson, of Portsmouth, N. H., executors. He made presents to Theodore Atkinson, John Loggin, and to " my much esteemed friend " Mary Mac-' pheadris. The presents to Miss Macpheadris were so nu merous and valuable as to indicate intentions of marriage. The portrait of Miss Macpheadris catl be seen in the house of the late Col, John N. Sherburne. She was the grand* daughter of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth and wife of Hon. Jonathan Warner. Her family is more particularly described in Ramble 25. 2. John Rindge came to Portsmouth early in 1700, from Ipswich, Mass., when a minor. He married Ann, daughter of Jotham Ordiorne, Sr. He was made CounseUor the year he died. His chUdren were as follows : Elizabeth m Mark Hunking Wentworth ; Mehitable m Daniel Rogers J 66 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. John ; Jotham, married Sarah . The widow of John Rindge probably was Anne, the last wife of Sheriff Packer. 3. Christopher Rymes was son of Samuel Rymes, who was married sometime previous to December, 1691, to Mary, sister of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth. She was afterwards the wife of Dr. John Clifton. Samuel was " Mariner," and was dead as early as 1712. Their son Christopher had a wife, Dorothy, who as early as 1748 had married John TaUor of Milton, Mass. Chris topher left property to his son Christopher Jr., daughter Ann, mother Mary Clifton, wife's, brother Richard, brother Samuel, brother Samuel's son Christopher and brother Samuel's daughter Dorothy. 4. Shadrich Walton may have been son of — — Walton, who married Fanny, daughter of Gov. Samuel Allen. They had George, Shadrich, Samuel and Fanny, who married Wil liam Hoyt. 5. Joshua Pierce. He was the first of the Pierce family who arrived at Portsmouth (see Ramble 30, page 356.) Mr. Joshua Pierce of Newbury, Mass., married Dorothy, daughter of Major Pike, of Salisbury, Mass., and had a son Hon. Joshua Pierce who married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph HaU of Piscataqua, N. H., who married Elizabeth Smith, who came here from England upon the desire of her uncle, the original Major Richard Waldron of Dover. This Elizabeth, widow of Joseph HaU, who died Dec. 19th, 1685, married 7th of August, 1687, Col. Thomas Packer, snpposed to be the father of old Sheriff Packer. She died at Greenland, N. H., Aug. 14th, 1717, aged 62 years. 6. Ehzabeth Wibird was the widow Elizabeth Redford when married to Richard Wibird, Sr., July 10th, 1701. She was the mother of Hon. Richard Wibird, Jr., who was born July 7th, 1702. Was her first husband WiUiam Red- ford, who was Register, of Deeds at Portsmouth 1693 to 1697 ? Richard, Sr. was one of the King's CounciUors from SILVER WAITER RECORD, 67 1716 to his death in 1732. He is said to have erected the first brick house in Portsmouth, and -was a very wealthy man, 7. John Downing, died 1744, aged 25. He was one of the Provincial Counsellors from 1740 to his death. Letters of Administration were granted to his wife. Patience Downing. He was of Newington. He owned four houses in Portsmouth in 1727. 8. Joseph Sherburne, died 1744, aged 64. He was one of the Provincial CounciUors from 1733 to the day of his death. His wife was Mary, and he lived at Portsmouth, His son Joseph of Boston was his adminis trator. 9. Mary Sherburne, died 1745, aged 61. In her will she gives property to grandson Nathaniel, who was son of her son John, deceased ; also to sons Joseph and Nathaniel and daughter Mary. He was one of the jus tices that tried Sarah Simpson and Penelope Kenny in 1739, who were executed for murder. 10. Mary Huske was daughter of Ichabod and Mary(Jose) Plaisted. She was born Oct. 6th, 1702, and was sister to Samuel Plaisted, who married Lt. Gov. John Wentworth's daughter Hannah, afterwards Mrs. Theodore Atkinson. Salem, Mass., records give the following : — " Capt. Ellis Huske married 25th Oct., 1720, Mary Plaisted. " The will of Ellis Huske was proved April 30th, 1751 ; and from it we get his children as follows : John, Olive married Daniel Rindge, who died childless ; Ann married Edmund Quincy, Jr., whose daughter Mary married Jacob Sheafe, Jr., of Portsmouth; Mary married John Sherburne, and died childless before her father, 11, Arthur Slade, died 1746, aged 64, , He was from New Market, Letters of administration were granted to Henry Keese and his wife Elizabeth. This Mrs. Elizabeth Keese may have been his daughter, but 68 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. nothing is shown by the Exeter records of his having a wife or descendants; 12. Dudley Odlin, died 1748, aged 37. His wUl indicates that he was a physician. He was of Exeter. He wiUed property to nephew John, son of his brother EUsha, on condition that he study medicine ; to his father ; to brothers John, Elisha and Woodbridge ; to cousins Winthrop and William. 13. Jotham Odiorne, Sr., lived at New Castle. Was CounseUor 1724, and Judge from 1742 to 1747. He had son Hon. Jotham, Jr., and Ann, who married John Rindge and was mother of Mrs. Mark Hunking Wentworth. 14. This Ann Pierce has been claimed to be the Ann Pierce born Oct. 26th, 1723, and who was sister of Elizabeth who married Samuel Solley, and daughter of George Jaf frey, who married Sarah Jeffries of Boston, Jan. 10th, 1710. She married Dec. 20th, 1744, Nathaniel Pierce, and had two sons and a daughter Sarah, who married Col. Joshua Went worth. Mr. Pierce died Aug. 27th, 1762, aged 50 years. On the 6th of Dec, 1769, she married Leveret Hubbard and died Dec. 1790, aged 67. So the above must refer to some other Ann Pierce. It is probable that she was the daughter of the first Joshua Pierce who came to Portsmouth in 1700. 15. Mary Westbrook, died 1743, aged 75. Was she not the wife of Hon. Thomas Westbrook men tioned in Ramble 30 as one of the thirteen men who paid the highest taxes in Portsmouth in 1727 ? 16. George Walker, died 1749, aged 86. He was of Portsmouth and left property to wife Abigail and to Walker Lear, son of his sister Elizabeth Lear. Also to cousins Ichabod Cheney and Hannah Spofford. There was a Capt. Walker in 1727 in Portsmouth who had four slaves. 17. George Jaffrey was born at Great Island (New Cas- SILVER WAITEE EECOED. 69 tie,) Nov. 22, 1682, graduated at Harvard CoUege 1702, was Counsellor in 1716. He married Jan. 10th, 1710 Sarah, daughter of David and Ehzabeth (Usher) Jeffries of Boston, who was born May 4th, 1695. She died Jan. 12, 1734, and was the mother of George, Jr. Elizabeth mar ried Samuel Solley, Sarah married David Jeffries, and Ann married Nathaniel Pierce. George Jaffrey married for a second wife, March 9, 1738, the widow of Hon. Archibald McPhederis, who was Sarah,- daughter of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth, who survived him. He was only son and child of George and Anne Jaffrey of Great Island, who was Counsellor, Speaker, &c., and died at Col. Appleton's in Ipswich, Mass., aged 69, May 8, 1749. 18. Jane Frost was originaUy the wife of Andrew, son of Col. WiUiam and Margarey (Bray) PeppereU. He was the oldest child and was brother of Sir WUliam, She had one daughter Margarey, who was the first wife of Capt. Wil liam, son of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth, She had another daughter Sarah, who married Charles Frost, Jr. ; and she married his father Charles Frost, Sr., for her second hus band. She had by him EUiot Frost, born June 29, 1718, Her father was Robert EUiot of New Castle, who was made Counsellor in 1683, 19. Mary Sherburne, died 1750, aged 28, 20. Elizabeth Vaughan, died 1750, aged 68. 21. Jotham Odiorne, Jr., married Mehitable, daughter of Hobert Cutt of Kittery, Dec. 29th, 1725. Among his chil. dren were Sarah, married (1st) Henry Appleton (2d) Wil- liam Appleton ; , Mary married Peter Pearse ; Mehitable married WUliam E. Treadwell. 22. Nicholas Daniel, died 1751, aged 31. There is nothing at the Probate office at Exeter to indi' cate who either of these individuals were. 23. Sarah Odiorne is supposed to be wife of Jotham, Sr,, ai\d mother of Jotham, Jr. ' 70 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. 24. Capt. William Pearson, died 1752, aged 55. He made wiU at Portsmouth 18th Nov. 1748, and states that he was born 30th January, 1697 in , County of York, England. He appoints his wife executor and gives her his property. In case of his absence and his wife should die before him, he appoints Theodore Atkinson of Portsmouth, N. H., and Barlow Trecothie of Boston, Mass., his Attornies. 25. Mary Moore, died 1753, aged 45. The Probate records at Exeter indicate nothing save that there was a Samuel Moore of Portsmouth, N. H., who made his wiU in 1744 and died 1749. He made his wife Mary sole executor. She died without a will and Joshua Peirce was made her administrator. She must have been the Mary Moore alluded''to in Ramble 80, as daughter of Joshua Peirce, Sr., who died in 1763, and sister to Joshua Peirce, Jr., who was her administrator. 26. Ehzabeth SoUey, born July 20th, 1719, was daugh ter of George Jaffrey, who married Sarah Jeffries of Bos ton, Jan. 10th, 1710. She married Oct. 20th, 1741, Hon. Samuel Solley, who was made CounciUor in 1740. Solley went to England in 1758, where his second wife Lucy , died 1761. He died in London June, 1785. There was in Portsmouth in 1702 Nathaniel Solley, who called himself "formerly of London." Probably father of Samuel. The above Elizabeth Solley was sister to Ann Jaffrey, who mar ried Nathaniel Pierce. She died childless. 27. Mary WUson, died 1753, aged 71. Probate records show nothing in this case. 28. Richard Waldron was born at Dover, N. H., Feb. 21st, 1693, and graduated at Harvard College 1712. He was grandson of old Major Waldron, who was massacred at Dover, June 28th, 1689, by the Indians. He was son of Richard Waldron who married (1st) Hannah, daughter of President Cutt, who died Feb. 14th, 1692, and (2nd) Feb. SILVER WAITER RECORD. 71 6th, 1692-3 Eleanor, daughter of Major William Vaughan. His father died Nov. 3d, 1730. He first Uved at Dover, but early removed to Portsmouth, where he became Judge, CouncUlor, and Secretary of the Province. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Thomas Westbrook. 29. Dorothy Sherburne was daughter of Samuel and Mary (Benning) Wentworth, and was born June 27th, 1680. She was sister of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth. She married Henry Sherburne, described in another place. 30. Sarah Downing, died 1754, aged 70. She was probably the wife of John Downing in Ramble 46, as he mentions no wife in his will. 31. Mary Wentworth was daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Lloyd) Mendum, and wife of Ebenezer Wentworth, one of the sons of Lt. Gov. John. This Ebenezer had but one child, Rebecca, (who married her cousin George Went worth, father of Ebenezer, late of this city.) He married Dec. 4th, 1746, and died Feb. 3d, 1757. He was born Aug. 1714, and she June 18th, 1723. 32. Henry Sherburne married Dorothy, sister of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth. He was son of Samuel Sherburne, who married Love Hutchins of Haverhill, Dec. 15th, 1668, and was killed at Casco Bay Aug. 4th, 1691. This Samuel was son of Henry Sherburne, who married (1st) Rebecca, daughter of Ambros Gibbons, and (2d) Sarah, widow of Walter Abbot. The Henry first alluded tt) was appointed Councillor in 1728, and was also Chief Justice. 33. Elizabeth Waldron was only child of Col. Thomas Westbrook. She was born Nov. 26th, 1701, and married, Dec. 31st, 1718, the above mentioned Secretary Richard Waldron. 34. Mary March, died 1759, aged 80. Probate records show nothing in this case. 35. Sir WiUiam Pepperell, son of Cel. WiUiam and Mar garey (Bray) Pepperell, was born- June 27th, 1696. He 72 RAMBLES ABOU^ PORTSMOUTH. married Mary, daughter of Grove Hirst, Esq., a merchant of Boston. He was knighted for his services, and his biog raphy has been written by a descendant of his father, Dr. Parsons. 36. Mary Meserve, died 1759, aged 47. Nathaniel Meserve of Portsmouth willed property to his wife Mary and died in 1758. Mary was to bring up the children under age. He had sons Nathaniel, John, George and Hanson ; and daughters Annah Wills, Sarah Odiorne, Mary Batson, Esther, Jane, Elizabeth and Ann. See Ram ble 35. He died at Louisburg of small pox in 1758, It is said that his last words to his wife oiji leaving were^ ''Don't break my wiU." She did break it, however, and the story is that his apparition harshly upbraided her in the entry of her place of residence, (the Boyd house by the mill.) It appears that she died the next year. 37, Ann Tash, died 1759, aged 63, Exeter Probate records give nothing about Tash until ISll, when John Tash of New Market died at an advanced age, 3'8, John Wentworth was son of Gov, Benning, and was born Jan, 1720, He was never married, Adams alludes to his death in his Annals, He was .christened at Boston, Jan. 29th, 1720, as his mother, the first wife of Gov. Benning, Abigail Ruck, was a member of the South Church there. His portrait is n»w at the house of the late Ebenezer in ihis city. 39. Samuel Smith, died 1760, aged 74. He was a Provincial Counsellor from 1740 to the day of his death. He willed property to Mary, widow of Timothy Emerson; Ehzabeth wife of Solomon Emerson; Hannah, wife of Richard Waldron ; Temperance, wife of Joseph Varney ; Sarah, wife of Lemuel Chesley ; Joseph Knight, husband of deceased daughter J'atience Knight ; to his sou Joseph Smith, SILVER WAITER RECORD. 73 40. Dorothy Gilman was daughter of Henry and Dorothy (Wentworth) Sherburne, and sister to the fathers of Wood bury and John Langdon's wives. She married Hon. Peter GUman of Exeter, who was CounciUor from 1772, and Speaker for several years under the colonial government. He died Dec. 1st, 1788, aged 84 years. Their daughter AbigaU married (1st) Dec. 6th, 1750, Rev. John Strong of Portsmouth, N. H., and (2nd) Oct. 23d, 1755, Rev. Wood- bridge Odlin of Exeter, who died March 10th, 1776. 41. Ann Packer must have been a second wife of Hon. Thomas Packer, who was Sheriff from 1741 to the day of his death, June 22d, 1771. She was sister of Hon. Jotham Odiorne, Jr. The first wife of Sheriff Packer was Rebecca, daughter of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth, who died in 1768. She was, probably, the widow of John Rindge. 42. Hannah Sherburne, died 1762, aged 57. She was of New Castle. She had grandson Thomas Odiorne of Greenland ; son Noah, and daughter Catherine Odiorne of Portsmouth. 43. Margaret Chambers, died 1762, aged 82, She died a widow, of Portsmouth, No will. Cutts Shannon was appointed Administrator. She had 70 acres of land at Gravelly Ridge ; 57^ acres in upper and 2 in lower marsh, and half an acre of Gore, so called. Her estate was appraised £10,972. 44. Madame D. Newmarch was wife of Hon. Joseph Newmarch, He was born Oct. 29th, 1707, and was son of Rev. John Newmarch, who married Mary, Avidow of Mark Hunking, who was the father of the wife of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth. Dorothy was born July 23d, 1698, and was daughter of Col. William and Margarey (Bray) Pepperell, and sister to Sir William. She marriedJohn Watkins March 26th, 1719, and had children by him. She subsequently married Mr. Newmarch, Avho Avas one of the Councillors in 1754. 6 74 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. 45. Exeter Probate records show that there was a Ben jamin Gambling of Portsmouth, who made his wUl in 1744, and left all his property to his mother Mary Gambling. There is on file a will made April 2nd, 1764, from Mary Gambling, which was proved Sept. 26th, 1764, which proves her to have been the M. Gambling referred to on the Avaiter. She avUIs property to sister Elizabeth Toppan and her son ; sisters Deborah Knight and Susanna Winkley ; cousins Samuel Penhallow, John Penhallow, William Knight, Temple Knight, Mary Knight ; children of cousin Henry Coleman, children of brother Samuel, deceased ; to Benja min GambUng, Carter land in Leicester, Mass. ; to Mr. Eaton, present minister of Leicester, Mass., land in Leices ter. Her estate was very large, and the Exeter records show nothing of her husband. She probably once lived in Leicester, Mass. In 1738, John Rindge was appointed Councillor in place of Benjamin Gambling deceased- There was a Benjamin GambUng Avho Avas Register of the Council in 1681. 46. John Downing, died 1766, aged 82. He was supposed to be son of John DoAvning, No. 7. He was of Newington and wills to grandsons John, Samuel and Jonathan, Avho were sons of his son John deceased ; to grandsons Samuel and Josiah Shackford who were sons of his daughter Susannah S. deceased ; to grandsons Nich olas, John and James Avho were sons of his daughter Marj' Pickering, deceased; to his sons Richard and Harrison Downing. 47. His ExceUency Benning WentAvorth Avas son of Lt. Gov. John, Avho was son of Samuel, whose grave stone is stiU legible at the Point of Graves ; and the fourth in descent from Elder WiUiam Wentworth of Dover, N. H. He Avas born July 24th, 1696. He married (1st) Dec. 31st, 1719, Abigail, daughter of John Ruck of Boston. He had had three sons, John, Benning and Foster, Avho died single SILVER WAITER EECOED. 75 and before him. He married (2nd) Martha HUton, and left her a chUdless Avidow. She subsequently married Col. Michael Wentworth of England, and had by him Martha Wentworth, who married John, son of Thomas and grandson of Mark Hunking Wentworth. 48. T. WaUingford refers to CoL Thomas WaUingford of Somersworth, one of the Avealthiest men in Ncav Hamp shire. He lived near Salmon Falls, between that place and the old SomersAVorth meeting-house on the road to Dover, N. H. His tombstone is still readable in the old cemetery near Avere the old Somersworth meeting-house stood. His splendid mansion still exists to do honor to his memory. He was a Representative from DoA^er (Somersworth not then being a separate town) as early as 1739, and a great many years theroafter. He was one of the Judges of the Superior Court from 174?8 to the day of his death, which took place at Mr. Stoodley's in Portsmouth, About 1855, his youngest child, the widow of Charles Gushing of South Berwick, Me., died, aged nearly a hundred years. Hon. H. H. Hobbs, of South Berwick, married her daughter. Col. WaUingford was father of Lt. Samuel WaUingford, who ¦was kUled on board the ship Ranger in her engagement, under John Paul Jones, with the Drake, leaving a AvidoAv who married Cob Amos CoggsweU of Dover, and one child, late George W, WaUingford, whose family still lives at Kennebunk, Maine, Col. WaUingford had three Avives, and at least thirteen children. RAMBLE XCII. Theodore Atkinson's Estate ~"WU1 of Susanna, -widow of G-eorge ^.tkinson. In a former Ramble (No. 18, page 106) it was stated that at the time of Theodore Atkinson's death in 1779, his property by bequest come into possession of WUliam King, 76 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. of Dover, Avho added Atkinson to his name. This Ave since find is not strictly correct. The property Avas conveyed to George King, a relative of Atkinson, Avho changed his name to George Atkinson. The entailed estate afterwards became the property of William K. Atkinson of Dover, a nephew of George. Hon. George Atkinson, Avho Avas a man of some distinc tion, occupied the mansion house of Hon. Theodore At kinson, on Court street. He Avas tAvice, Ave think, candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, and received nearly A'otes enough to elect him. The date of his death Ave can not find, but it occurred not far from 1790. He married Susanna, the second daughter of Rev. John SparhaAvk of Salem. She died in 1796, without issue. We find in her Avill the following bequests, shoAving someAvhat of her style of living: I give, and bequeath to my nephcAVs, Wm. K. Atkinson, John SparhaAvk and Thomas SparhaAvk, all my public secu rities, monies in the funds, notes of hand, bonds, debts of every kind due to me ; judgments, executions and mort gages, to be equally di\rided betAveen them my said nephews in equal thirds, share and share alike. To Daniel .Humphreys, Esq., my brother-in-law, one hundred pounds, and my house and land, shop, wharf, &c., at Puddle Dock in Portsmouth. To my beloved brotlier Samuel Sparhawk, £iO per an num daring his life. To his son Samuel SparhaAvk, jr., £50, to be paid in six months after my decease. To his daughter Eliza SparhaAvk, £50, to be paid in six months after iny decease. To the relict of my dear departed brother John Spar haAvk, £30 per annum during life. To my nepheAv John SparhaAvk, my dwelling house, gar den and all my household furniture and plate, (exempt Avhat is hereinafter bequeathed,) my book case, books, my horses and my carriages. To my nepheAV Geo. King SparhaAvk, my plain silver oval Avaiter, my largest silver teapot and teaspoons with the " King *' crest. WILL OP SUSANNA ATKINSON. 77 To my nepheAV Thomas Sparhawk, the land fronting my dwelling house, and also my mowing field at the creek ; also I give him £100. To my nepheAV Samuel SparhaAvk, my pasture land at the Creek. To my niece Susannah Sparhawk, £40 sterling. To my nephew Daniel Humphreys, jr., the field this side the creek, Avith the barn on it, and £30 and 2 small silver salvers. To my nepheAV George Humphreys, the lot near my coach house, whichis fioAV hired of me by Abner Blaisdell. It IS my will that my protege EHza WinsloAv, be suitably provided Avith apparel, schooUng, and all other conve niences, until she attains the age of eighteen ; and at 20, or sooner if married, the sum of £60 sterling. To my sister PriscUla, (Avidow of Judge Ropes,) my suit of black satin and my black laced shade. To my niece Peggy Appleton, daughter of my sister Jane, my suit of Brussels and mj' leather AVroUght fan. To my nephew, Wm. K. Atkinson, the family pictures, my sUver wrought bread basket, my largest sUver tankard, my new silver plated tea urn. 1 case silver handled knives and forks, my largest Wilton carpet, also sundry books. Then all the jewels, AVatches, &c., are bequeathed to sundry persons. To niece Katy, my white satin cloak trimmed Avith ermine . Sister-in-law Abigail aforesaid, my black satin cloak trim med with broad lace. To Deborah, wife of Nath'l SparhaAvk, my suit of dove Colored satin. The rest of her apparel to her nieces. All the residue and remainder of my estate to my nepheAV aforesaid, John Sparhawk, and his heirs forever. Nephews John Sparhawk and Thomas SparhaAvk to be joint executors of the wiU. Signed in presence of A. R. Cutter, Wm. Cutter, Abigail Mitchell. The farm noAV OAvned by Hon. Frank Jones in North Portsmouth was the property of George Atkinson, and 78 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, thither their coach might frequently be seen going in the summer season. It afterwards became the property of her nephew Col. George' K. Sparhawk — although by the will it appe'ars to hsife been' given to his brother John SparhaAvk, RAMBLE S-CHL Peter Livins the Loyalist— 33uildirtg of the I^orth Bridge and Mill — Chief Jnstice of Quebec — His efforts to "wrin Gi-en. Sullivan to the British Catise. Our old toAvn ¦was noted in thfe devolution as a place of Loyalists, or Tories as they Avere called, as well as for her Revolutionary Patriots. At the close of the Revolution, Portsmouth came in for its share of proscribed individuals, who had left the cottntry to a\'oid any participation in the Revolution. They we're forbidden to retiltrn without the assertt of the Representatives of the colmtry. Among these individuals Avas Peter Livius,- the' subject of our present Ramble. Peter Livius was born in Bedford, Ungland, in 1727. He A^as the second son of Peter Lewis Livius, of a Sa±on famUy of distinction, envoy to the Court of Lisbon. Peter Livius was married in England to Anna Elizabeth, second daughter of John Tufton Mas'oti, Esq., a cousin of the Eari of Thanet. Miss Mason was of Portsmouth, a resident at the Mason House^ noAv on Vaughan street, and had gone to England to complete her education. Mr. Livius possessed a handsom'e fortu'ne, and A?heB he came to this toAvn, aibout the year 1762,- he niot only brotight his coaich, bnt also ^ double set of wheels — supposing that the new v?-orId ha^ not art enough to make a set Avhen the first gave out. He first occupied the house next to the North Mill which the Building of the north mill and bridge. 79 Meserve famUy had vacated ; and after a few years removed into the house No. 35 Deer street, afterwards Thomas Mar tin's, and now owned and occupied by Georgfe Annable. In 1764, he made proposals to the toAvn to build a bridge over the mouth of Islington Creek, tAventy feet wide, part thereof to consist of a lifting bridge thirty feet long, with flood gates of the same length, upon condition that the toAvn Avould allow him to dam the Avater course in the Creek, for the purpose of erecting mUls. This Avas granted, and was the first laying of the North MiU bridge, Avhich AA^as a private enterprise of Mr. Livius. He was educated abroad, but received an honorary degree from Harvard University in 1767.Of the members of the Council of NeAV Hampshire, in 1772, seven were relatives of the Governor. Having been left out of commission as a Justice of the Common Pleas, on the division of the province into Counties, Avhon noAV appointments AVere made, and dissenting from the views of the Council as to the disposition of reserved lands in grants' made by a former governor, Livius Avent to England, and exhibited to the lords of trade several and sorious'charges against the administration of which he was a member. These charges were rigidly investigated, but Avere finaUy dismissed. Livius appears, hoAvever, to have gained much popularity among those in New Hampshire who Avere opposed to .the Governor, and Avho desired his removal ; and AVas appointed, by their influence, Chief Justice of the Province. But as it was thought that the appointment, under the circumstances, was likely to produce discord, he AA'as transferred to the more lucrative officeof Chief Justice of Quebec. Livius Avas of foreign extraction, and, as Avould seem, a gentleman of strong feelings. He Avrote to General John SuUivan from Canada, to induce him to aban don the Whig cause. This letter presents ina clear manner the arguments used 80 rambles about poetsmouth. by those who opposed the Revolution, and is Avritten Avith such openness that Livius seemed confident that his man was secure. The letter was sealed up in a canteen with a false bottom, and Avas taken out by Gen. Schuyler at Port Edward, June 16th, 1777. There is an endorsement on the back of the manuscript in Gen. Sullivan's Avriting, " Feom Me. Livius to Gen. Sullivan. " Sie:— I have long desired to write my mind to you, on a matter of the greatest importance to you ; but the unhappy situation of things has rendered all intercourse very diffi cult, and has prevented me. I noAv find a man is to be sent for a very different purpose to j^ou. By him I shall contrive to get this letter to you, a person having undertaken to put it in the place of that Avhich Avas designed to be carried to 3'ou. You knoAv me very well, and are acquainted Avith many circumstances of my life, and have seen me in very trying situations, that might perhaps have been some ex cuse, yet I am sure you never knew me guilty of an ungentlemanl}'' action. I remind you of this, that you may 'safely trust what I say to }^ou, as coming from a person Avho has never trifled Avith any man. You knoAv better than I do the situation of j'our Congress, and the confusion there is among j'ou, and the ruin that impends : you have felt how unequal the forces of your OAvn people are to Avithstand the poAver of Great Britain ; and foreign assistance, I need not tell you hoAv precarious and deceitful it must be. France and Spain knoAV they cannot embark in your quarrel Avith- out the greatest danger of Great Britain turning suddenly against and taking possession of their colonies, Avith so great a force collected and in America ; besides their fears of raising views of independence in their OAvn colonies, to Avhich they are much disposed. But why should I enlarge on this subject? I am sure you knoAv the futility of all hopes of effectual foreign assistance, and that these hopes have been throAvn out to keep up the spirits of the deluded common people. You therefore Avill not suffer yourself to be deluded by them. The most you can expect from for eigners is, that they will help, at the expense of your coun trymen's blood and h'appiness, to keep up a dispute that letter op peter livius to gen. SULLIVAN. 81 will ruin you and distress Great Britain. It is not the interest of France and Spain that America should be inde pendent ; but if it were possible you could entertain any thoughts that the hopes of effectual foreign assistance Avere Avell grounded, you cannot but knoAv that such assistance must noAv arrive too late ; the last campaign was almost consumed before the English army could get collected and in a position to act in America ; but noAv the campaign is just opening, the Avhole army in the greatest health and spirits, plentifully provided with everything, most earnest iu the cause, I do assure you, Avell acquainted Avith the country, and placed so as to act briskly Avith the greatest efficacy. A few months Avill therefore probably decide the contest; you must either fighter fly; and in either case ruin seems inevitable. You were the first man in active re- hellion, and droAv Avith you the province you live in. What hope, what expectation can you have ? You, Avill be one of the first sacrifices to the resentment and justice of goA'ern- ment, your family will be ruined, and you must die Avith ignominy ; or if you should be so happy as to escape, you AviU drag along a tedious life of poverty, misery and con tinual apprehension in a foreign land. Noav, SuUivan, I have a method to propose to you, if you have resolution and courage, that will save you and your family and estate from this imminent destruction ; it is in plain English to tread back the steps you have already taken and to do some real essential service to your king and country, in assisting to re-establish public tranquility and lawful government. You knoAv I Avill not deceive you. Every one Avho AviU exert himself for government will be rcAvarded, and I do assure you firmly upon my honor that I am empoAvered to engage particularly AA'ith you, that it shall be the case with you, if you Avill sincerely endeavor to deserve your pardon. It is not desired of you to declare yourself immediately, nor indeed to declare yourself at ail, untU you can dispose matters- so as to bring the province Avith you ; in order to Avhich you should as much as possible, under different pretences, contrive to send every man out of the province from Avhom you apprehend difficulty, and to keep at home all those friendly to government or desirous of peace. In the meanwhUe endeavor to give me all the material intel ligence you can collect (and you can get the best;) or. 82 rambles about Portsmouth. if you find it more convenient, you can convey it to General Burgoyne, and by using my name he will know Avhom it comes from without your mentioning your own nalne ; and as soon as you cau do it Avith efficacy and suc cess, declare yourself, and you will find assistance you very very little expect in restoring the province to lawful gov ernment. If you do not choose to undertake this, another AviU, and if you continue obstinate on the ground you are noAv on, you may depend upon it, you will find it suddenly fail, and burst under you like the springing of a mine. What I recommend to you is not only prudent, safe, and necessary ; it is right, it is honorable. That you embarked in the cause of rebellion is true ; perhaps you mistook the popular delusion for the cause of your country, (as many others did Avho have returned to their duty,) and you en gaged in it Avarmly : but Avhen j'ou found your error, you earnestly returned, j^ou saved the province you had en gaged for from devastation and ruin, and you rendered most essential services to your king and country ; for which I engage my word to you, you aViU receive pardon, 3'ou Avill secure your estate, and you Avill be further amply roAArarded. Your past conduct has been unAvorthy ; your return will be praiseAvorthy. What is all this expense of human life for? these deluges of human blood? Very probably only to set afloat some lawless despotic t^'rant in the room of your laAvful king, I conceive you must be surrounded Avith embarrassments ; you may perhaps find difficulty in getting a letter to me. Possibly the felloAv Avho carries this to you may be trusted ; he thinks indeed he carries to you a very different letter from this, and I suppose Avill be frightened a good deal Avhen he finds the change that has been put upon him, and that I am in pos session of the letter he Avas intended to carry — ^yet I have understood that he has a family here, aud Avill I suppose Avish to return, and knows well enough it is in my poAver to procure him pardon and reward ; and I imagine he thinks (as I trust most people do) that I am never forget ful of a man Avho does anything to oblige me. You avUI consider how far you may trust him, hoAV far it is prudent to do it, and you can sound him, and see Avhether he Avishes to return, and whether he is likely to ansAver the purpose ; and if you think proper you may engage to him that I avUI PETER LIVIUS. 83" protect him, and roAvard him if he brings me safely a letter from you. I could say a great deal more on this subject, but I must close my letter lest it should be too late. Be sincere and steady, and give me occasion to show myself Your sincere friend.^ MoNTEEAL, 2nd June, 1777, ****** ****** Livius had three slaves at his house, when he lived in Deer street, A man and a wife might have been seen one day driven frorri the house to a vessel *t the wharf, to be sent to the West Indies to be sold, crying aloud for their* child AVhich they weref not alloAved to take Avith them.; And on another day, a stout slave' Avas sent on board another vessel on an errand, when he Avas se(iz;ed and put in confinement by the request of his mistress, and sent also for sale in the West Indies. Mr. Livius Av^ent to Can ada before his family, and his A^ife paid off some debts here A^ith her household furniture. The large family bible Avith the fardily coat of arms, was given to a next door neighbor, and is still retained there in nearly as good con dition as it was when received ninety-three yetars ago. Peter Livius died iii England in 1795, at the age of 68 years. He had three daughters^^one of them died unmar-- ried — the second married Mr. May of Blackheath ; the third, Capt. Dalby. Ramble xciV, ±jegislation in Portsmouth in 169S— Ifirst Frisoil— Miark Nohle. PoET.sitoUTit Avas the seat of Government of New Hamp shire at the time when the foUowing proceedings took place. Ancient documents in the office of the Secretary of 84 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. State contain the records of the formation at Portsmouth of Bellmont's government, and minutes of the proceedings of the first Legislative Assembly under him in the fall of 1699. Under the act passed at this session, the Courts of Justice were originated, and continued to operate under the organization for seventy-two years. The act is copied at length in the ancient records, being the most ancient Legislative document in the possession of the State. The Assembly consisted of fifteen members, three from each of the five towns — Portsmouth, Hampton, Dover, Exeter and NeAV Castle. The "Lord's Speech" at the opening of the Assembly commences thus : " Gentlemen — I have called you together at this time to give you an opportunity of serving the common interest of your country by Redressing the Greaveances this prov ince lyes under." Among "the articles to be observed for regulating the House" is one " Imposing a threepence fine for absence at calling over;" and another, "that none smoke tobacco in the House after caUing over, on penalty of threepence for Cleark." Under date of Sept. 15, 1699, is the folloAving record : " Complaint being made to the Assembly by the sheriff that the prison is not sufficient. Voted — That a strong logg house be built in the Province for a prison of thirty foot long, fourteen Avide, one story of seven foot high, tAvo brick chimneys in the midst five foot each, to be done forthwith, strong aud substantial, the Treasurer and over seer to be paid out of the next Province Assessment, to be satt in Portsmouth in or near the Great Fort." [This first prison was buUt near Market Square. Church Hill was caUed the Fort.] In July 1700, it was voted " that Clerk of the Assembly receive 18 pence per day to be paid out of publicque Treasury for writing for the Assembly, finding paper and registering its minutes in this book." MAKE NOBLE. 85 Under date 17 July 1701 is the foUoAving: "Tbe Pul- licque affairs of the House being much obstructed by persons sitting and leying on the bed— Voted that Avhoso- ever henceforAvard either sett or lye down shall forfeit; three pence to the House for a fine for every such Default after the House is called over." On the next day, July 18, 1701, is the following record : "Whereas the publicque affairs of this House is much obstructed by reason of sev eral members thereof soe often Avithdrawing themselves into the chimney to take tobacco and sitt talking and not attend the affairs of the House, Voted, That whosoever shall soe doe for the future shall pay a threepence fine for every such offence except leave be given." At the same session is the foUoAving minute : — " Mr. Timothy HUliard dismissed, voted a person not fit to be a member hereof. Request sent to Upper House that notice be given to toAvn to fill vacancy." In the State records we also find the foUoAving letter from Mark Noble, asking for the discharge of John Stavers, after the famous riot of the Earbof-Halifax Hotel. Noble Avas an insane man far forty years afterAvards. Portsmouth, February 3, 1777'. To the Committee of Safely ihe Town of Exeter : Gentlemen: — As I am informed that Mr. Stivers is in confinement in goal upon my account contrary to my desire, for when I was at Mr. Stivers a fast day I had no ill nor ment none against the Gentleman but by bad luck or misfortune I have received a bad blow but it is so well that I hope to go out in a day or two. So by this gentle men of the Committee I hope you AviU release the gentle man upon my account. I am yours to serve. Mark Noble., A friend to my country. -86 rambles about poetsmouth. ¦ RAMBLE XCV. The Old Stavers E:otel — The Party— The X)aniel Street .A-pparition— The Dance— .A- I^ragrant Interruption. The following reminiscences of the old Pitt Tavern, in Pitt (now Court) street, presenting, as they do, a pleas ant picture of social life in the oldep time, are perhaps worth preservijig from oblivion ; not the less so from the fact that the ancient hostelry still survives, in a vigorous old age, the merry party, which on the occasion referred to, were assembled within its walls. .On a winter evening, in the latter portion of the last cen tury, a party of half a dozen of the young men of Ports mouth met at the dwelling .of one of their number to take part in a dramatic ropresentation he had designed fbr the amusement of himself and of his friends ; but in conse quence of the illness of a member of the famUy, it was postponed until another evening. Feeling in a somewhat festive mood, it was proposed, by way of mitigating their disappointment, to adjourn to Stavers' Hotel, and there enjoy a quiet supper. On proceeding thither, the landlord informed them that in preparing for an expected sleighing party from out of town his larder was nearly exhausted^ but he would do the best he was able for them. As they sat around the shining brass fender in the room assigned to them, enjoying the genial warmth .of a blazing wood fire, it was suggested that while waiting for the preparation of their meal, each one in tjirn should sing a song or tell a story. A majority, being good singers, were thus enabled to fulfil their share of the agreement, and a young sailor, Avho had just returned from a voyage to London, gave them a description of some of the wonders of that famous city. When the last was called upon to contribute his share to the general fund of amusement, he informed them that he ghost stoet, 87 Avas neither gifted, as a musician or as an improvisator e, but he would tell them what might pass for a ghost story, re^ cently related to him by a female relative. On a summer night some thirty years before, a young friend, (who after wards became her husband,) had been visiting her at her fJlther's house, and on his way home, while passing through Ark (nowPenhalloAv) street, was startled by a low whis^. tie, and looking back to learn its source, he saAV the figure of a man far above the ordinary stature, in a huntsman's dress, followed by a troop of twenty to thirty dogs. As- tonishiment at so strange a spectacle nearly rivetted him to the spot ; and his wonder was still farther excited on ob serving that he could hear no sound of footsteps, nor was the dust in the least disturbed, although it was like ashes in its lightness, and two to three inches deep. Recovering somewhat from his surprise, he addressed the individual, who made no reply, and proceeding onwards, passed doAvn Buck (now State) street, where the young man lost sight of him in the distance. On reaching home, instead of retiring at once to rest, he seated himself in a chair by the side of has bed, and fell into a profound fit of meditation at what he had witnessed, from which he Avas aroused half an hour afterwards by the entrance of his room mate, who, in a jocular tone, inquired if " MoUy had given him the mitten ?" On learning the cause of his abstraction, he re- pUed, " Why, I saw them myself, just as the clock struck ten, Avhile stopping a moment under WentAvorth's elms. They passed me, and I watched them until they turned into Ark street." Determined, if possible, to learn if so unusual a visitor, with so large a troap of canine compan ions, was really in town, they arose at an early hour, and made inquiries at the various places where traveUers were entertained in those days, but could gather nothing then, or at any time afterwards, that would enable them to eluci date the mystery. She further stated that the moonlight 88 rambles about Portsmouth. on that evening Avas of such remarkable .brilliancy that she had tried the experiment of reading, by its aid, the fine print of a pocket Bible. While commenting upon this curious story, supper Avas announced as in readiness, and proving excellent in quality as it Avas abundant in quantity, was fully enjoyed. A song or tAvo succeeded, mingled with expressions of gratification at the pleasant evening they had passed, when the company prepared to depart for their homes ; but encountering in the passage a portion of the party from out of town, and recognizing a couple of their school-boy friends of a fcAv years previous, they accepted an invitation to remain and participate in the dance about to commence above-stairs, for which a colored professor of the violin had been inclu ded among the arrangements of the landlord. A further addition Avas made to their number in the person of a young gentleman, Avho came to the hotel to return a conveyance procured there for an excursion to Boston. The ceremony of introduction being over, the dancing commenced Avith great spirit ; the unexpected accession of so many young gentlemen, in providing them Avith part ners, proving highly acceptable to the young ladies, who had previously been in a decided majority. They had not long enjoyed their exciting amusement, when an odor of onions became perceptible in the room, and imagining that it proceeded from the culinary regions below stairs, the doors leading into the entry were closed. Instead of diminishing the perfume, however, it rather increased, until it became quite overpoAvering. The person who seemed the most annoyed by it was the young gentleman from Boston, and whUe he was endeavoring to ascertain its cause, a sudden light broke upon him which caused his exit, for a season, from the room. His excursion to Boston had been a combination of business and pleasure, and among many commissions he FEAGEANT INTERRUPTION. 89 ,had been called upon to execute for . others, was the pur chase of a pound of that fragrant drug known as asafcet- ida, for an qfld lady of his acquaintance, a sort of Lady Bountiful, who went about among the sick and the needy, administering to their various wants, spiritual, temporal, and medicinal. Receiving it from the druggist in half- pound packages, it had been laying in the sleigh-box during his homeAvard journey, from whence it had been transport ed to the pockets of his coat, Avhere it Avas totaUy forgotten until it made him aware of its presence, in the heat of the room and the excitement of the dance. It Avas soon restored to its original place of deposit, and the explana tion given, on his return as the cause of his sudden disap pearance, afforded the company no little merriment. The dancing, interspersed with singing, was continued Avith unabated spirit until the small hours of the morning, when the out-of-town party took their departure, and the Ports mouth delegation sought their various homes. It was to the latter one of those unanticipated seasons of enjoyment that leave behind so pleasant an impression ; and was not forgotten as such by one of them, at least, when nearly fifty years had passed away. The writer of this heard the " ghost story" from fts original relator when she had reached the age of more than four score years, and saw the fine-print Bible from Avhich she read in that brilliant moonlight. She said that her husband and his friend often alluded to the incident, in their maturer years, and in such a way, added to the fact that they were truthful men, as to convince her of their entire sincerity. Modern science would probably set it down as a case of optical illusion, which may be a correct solution of the mystery ; one cannot but be puzzled a little, hoAvever, by the fact, that it occurred to two individuals Eft a distance from each other. 90 rambles about PORTSMOUTH, RAMBLE XCVI. Lying before us''^ among the ancient newspapers of Portsmouth, is tho "New Hampshire Gazette" from the 17th of January to the 14th of April, 1775, published by its original proprietor, Daniel Fowle, and bearing at its head the British coat of arms. The reading matter consists chiefly of the doings of the Continental Congress, and items of English and domestic news, relating to the one all- absorbing topic — the difficulties between King George and his American subjects. The number of April 7th contains the well-known eloquent and prophetic speech of the Lord Mayor of London " on the motion of Lord North for an address to His Majesty against the Americans." The fol lowing synopsis of the advertisements will show who were among the leading business men of Portsmouth the year previous to the breaking out of the Revolution : Jacob Sheafe, Jr. — Malaga wine, feathers, choice lime and pitch. Hugh Henderson, at his shop " opposite the Printing Office " — English and India goods. T'homas Martin — English goods, hardware, groceries, china and earthern ware. Benjamin Austin, at his shop on Spring Hill — Hardware and groceries, with " a genteel assortment of silver'plated shoe-buckles, of the newest fashion." Richard Wibird Penhallow, Long Wharf — Russia duck, hardware, steel, cordage, . added an s, making the name Cutis. We have already (in Ramble Sth) given an account of the emigration from Wales of the three brothers, John, Robert, and Richard Cutt, previous to 1646. John Avas the first President of NeAV Hampshire. His residence was not far from the cor ner of Market and RusseU streets, about Avhere the stone THE CUTTS FAMILY, 143 store now stands, — the grave yard on Green street, in which he was buried, being in his orchard near his house. There the grave stones of his family are stiU to be seen. We have procured a copy of the inscriptions on aU these stones, and give them in Ramble 108, Richard Cutt and John were owners of at least one half of what is now the compact part of Portsmouth. , In 1660 the first fort on the present site of Fort Constitution, New castle, Avas erected, and Richard Cutt was the first in command. Robert Cutt carried on ship building at Kittery. Among the papers of the late Edward Cutts, Esq., was recently found an old manuscript, probably Avritten about seventy-nine years ago, giving the Cutts family genealogy. We give it as a matter of record, in which many families are interested, adding a few explanatory words in brackets. CTJTTS &EIirBAX,OGY. John Cutts, the eldest, afterwards President, Richard, the next. Robert, the third son. A sister, Avhosa husband's name was Shepway. President Cutts had two Avives. It is uncertain whether the first came Avith him; she left four children, viz: Hannah, Mary, John and Samuel. Hnnnah married Col. Rich'd Waldron, (son to M-aj. Wal dron who was murdered by Indians,) about 1681 or 1682, and died at the birth of her 1st child, whose name Avas Samuel, Avho lived 11 months only. Mary m-irried Sam. Penhallow, Esq., (the celebrated Jus tice,) and had 13 children — 5 sons and 8 daughters. Sons were Samuel, John, Joshua, Joseph, Benjamin. Sam. married in London, and left children there. John married the AvidoAv Walls (maiden name Butler,) had 2 sons and 1 daughter. These sons are Sam'l and John, now living. M:iry died single, at about 20 j'-ears old. Joshua [Penhallow] died single ; Joseph married and 144 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. settled in London ; Benj. died young. Of the 8 daughters, Hannah married Benj. Pemberton, Esq., Boston ; Mary married Benj. Gambling, Esq., Portsmo. ; Elizabeth, Dummer, Esq., Newbury. Phebe had 4 husbands, viz : a Mr. Gross, of Boston ; Mr, Vassell, the father of tbe present Mrs. Knight ; Dr. Graves, of Charlestown ; and Francis Borland, a Avealthy merch't of Boston. She had only one chUd, viz : Mrs. Knight. Deborah married Mr. Knight, of Portsmo., merchant, and left 2 sons (Wm. and Temple) and one daughter (Deb'h Carter.) Olympia died single, at 18 years of age. Lydia married Henry Slooper, compelled by her father. She left one son, Avho died at sea. Susannah married Wm. Winkley. John Cutts [grandson] married a sister of Col. Moore, There Avas one son. Samuel Cutts, the youngest, married Harvey [Hannah Perkins.] Had several children, Avho settled in Boston, His AvidoAv afterAvards married Phips. The above are descended from President John Cutts. Richard Cutts, the second brother, married the daughter of an English officer, Avho left England on account of the public commotions there. Had 2 daughters, Margaret and Bridget. Bridget had 2 husbands, viz : Daniel and Craivford, and died without children. [Bridget Cutts Avrote the name of her second husband Graffort. This is probably another mode of spelling and pronouncing CraAvford, though it is possible that GrafFoi-t and CraAvford are distinct names.] Margaret married Maj. Wm. Vaughan. Had 2 sons and 6 daughters. Cutts Vaughan died at Barbadoes, unmarried. Geo. Vaughan, afterAvards Lient. Gov. of New Hamp shire, married Mary sister to Gov. Belcbe--. Avho died with her first child 1699, He afterAvards married to Elizabeth EUiot, of NeAvcastle, and had 11 children, Wm. Vaughan, the first son, Avas the first projector of the Louisburg expedition in 1744 to 1746. He died unmarried, iu London, in 1746. cutts' GENEALOGY. 145 Elliot Vaughan married Anna Gerrish, and left 5 chU dren, WiUiam, George, etc., now living. Elinor Vaughan, the eldest daughter, was the second wife to Col. Rich'd Waldron (aforementioned). Had 2 sons and 4 daughters. Rich'd Waldron, Esq., of Portsmo. Avas the eldest. He Avas Secretary of Ncav Hampshire, and sus tained many other offices. The second son Avas a minister at Boston, whose only daughter married' Col. Josiah Quincy, of Braintree. Margaret Waldron, the eldest daughter, married Eleazer Russell, Esq., of Portsmouth, father of the present Eleazer RusseU, Esq. Anna married Heniy Rust, minister of Stratham, Abigail married Col. Saltonstall, of Haverhill. Elinor died unmarried, at 19. Robert Cutts. He went from England to the West Indies, (Barbadoes or St. Kitt's.) where he married a Avealthy AvidoAv, Avho died soon after, Avhen he married a second Avife, Mary Hoel, (who went from England to Ireland at 12 3'ears of age, from whence she went to the West Indies,) Avho he brought to America. He first lived in Portsmouth, in tbe Great House, so called, at the bottom of Pitt street. He after Avards removed to Kitteiy, set up a carpenter's yard, and built a great number of vessels. He had 2 sons and 4 daughters. Richard Cutts, the eldest son, married to , and had — children. [Richard had four if not more sons. Samuel, of Ports mouth ; Richard, of Cutts' Island ; Col. Thomas, of Saco ; and Judge EdAvard Cutts, of Kittery. From the latter the late EdAvard Cutts, counsellor at laAv, of Portsmouth, de scended. Samuel Cutts, a merchant (whose residence Avas on Market street, next south of the residence of the late Alexander Ladd,) Avas the father of Edward Cutts, the merchant, and Charles Cults.] Robert Cutts, 2d son, married to Dorcas Hammond, daughter to Major Joseph Hammond (Avhose father left England on the death of Cromwell, Avhose side he had 146 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, taken in the contest with King Charles, and here married to a daughter of Frost, who had left England before, being an adherent of Charles the 1st.) They had four daughters. Mary, the eldest, married to WiUiam Whipple. She had three sons and tAA'o daughters, and died in 1783, aged 85. Katharine married John Moffatt, and left one son and two daughters; and several children died before her. Mehitable married Jotham Odiorne. Had a number of chUdren, some of Avhom died young. She died in 1789, aged 86. She left three daughters and one son. Ehzabeth married Rev. Joseph Whipple, and lived at Hampton. Afterwards married the Rev. John Lowell, and lived at Newbury, Avhom she also survived. The four daughters [of the first Robert Cutts] Avere 1st, , married to Briar. 2d, , married to Scrivener. 3d, , married to Moore. ' 4tli, Elizabeth, married to Elliot. Robert Cutts' widoAv married an English gentleman, named Champernoone, of a respectable family. He visited England afterAvards, and carried his wife's daughter Elizabeth Avith him; Avhich daughter afterwards married to a Capt. EUiot, with Avhom she went a voyage by stealth. Champernoone died. His widoAV Avent to South Carolina with two or three of her daughters, who removed thither. There are no descendants of President John Cutts bear ing the family name. Hunking, Benjamin, and John PenhalloAv, Avere the sons of John P., the grandson of President John Cutts. The old house at the corner of Market and Deer streets, used for boarding by Mrs. Chase in late years, Avhich was taken doAvii about eight years since, Avas the residence of Lieut. Gov. George Vaughan, the grandson of Richarfl Cutt. From the Lieut. GoA^ Vaughan all the family bear ing the name in this vicinity descended. It Avas in this branch only that Richard Cutt had any descendants. That old house Avas a distinguished seat in its early days. To RESIDENCE OF RICHARD CUTTS. 147 it came the sister of the Governor of Massachusetts as a bride, — and> from it, in a year, the imposing cere monies of her funeral Avere displayed. From 1715 to 1717 this house was the residence of the Governor of the State, Here, in 1703, was born William Vaughan, the projector of the Louisburg expedition, Avhich shed a lusti-e upon American history. That old house should have been daguerreotyped before it passed aAA'ay. RAMBLE CVII, Eesldeiice of* Uicliard. Cutts — Capt. Thomas Ijeigh'iS Sea Jkdventure — "William. Bennett, the Hostage — His fate. In our last, reference was made to the old house recently taken down at the corner of Market and Deer streets, the former residence of Lieut. Gov. George Vaughan. A building on the north, bounded on Market street, was an old bake house ; and a brewery, as early as 1790, was south-west of the house, on the opposite side of the street. The house Avhere the late George Long for many years resided, was built by S.amuel Hart, (father of the late Rich ard,) more than a century ago, on what AA'^as then called the " ilalt House Lot." The localities are so nearly like those referred to in the WUl of the first Richard Cutt [Ramble 5th,] that there seems a probability that the old house, demolished about eight, years since, Avas his resi dence in 1675, Avhen he made his WiU, — and that George Vaughan, his grandson, inherited it from him. If so, Pres ident John and his brother Richard lived in the immediate neighborhood of each other. Elizabeth, a daughter of Gov. George Vaughan, married 148 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, George Bennett, She was said to be a lady of excellent education, and highly accomplished for her times. She died nearly eighty years since, at the age of 93 years, WUliam Bennett, referred to in the foUoAving narrative, Avas their son. The residence of Mr. George Bennett was on the spot Avhere John P. Lyman's iron store now stands, opposite and a little south of the house of Capt. Samuel Cutts. We may imagine, a few years before the Revolution, a ship of perhaps 250 tons — a large vessel for those times — fitted out by Capt. Cutts at a Avharf near by, Avith a freight .for the West Indies, to proceed thence to Spain or the Medi terranean fbr a return cargo. She is under command of a Avell-informed master, Capt. Thomas Leigh. Young William Bennett, who had been brought up under the eye of the owner, ambitious to be himself a master, performs the duties of the first officer Avith a diligent and scrupulous attention. We may see the opulent owner on the Avharf as the A'essel departs, wishing them a prosperous voyage. On and on they sail, day by day. After touching at various ports, at length, in a Spanish port, the vigilant officer of customs discovers an infringement of their revenue laAvs, and the vessel is seized and condemned as a forfeit to Gov ernment. [Another tradition says that the vessel Avas captured by the Algerines ; Ave cannot decide Avhich is correct.] In this emergency the clemency of the captors was extended in the offer to Capt. Leigh to release the A'essel on the payment of several thousand dollars, consid erably less than the real value of the vessel. But hoA'?' could the money be paid? There Avas no Avay of sending for it direct, and to keep tho vessel on expense for months Avas not the policy of calculating men. Leave tAvo of your men as hostages, and depart, Avas the offer. "Leave me," said Bennett; and his friend Mills Avas also left, as his com panion. The stipulation Avas that they sliould be boarded AVILLIAM BENNETT, THE HOSTAGE. 149- Until a specified time, ample for a return, — after that time they should be put in close confinement, and after another stipulated time, if no return, they should be left Avithout . food, to die of starvation. For some time the two friends,. confident in the good faith of the master, passed their time in as pleasant a manner as the circumstances Avould permit. At length an opportunity offered for them to escape. Mills availed himself of it; but no persuasion Avould lead Ben nett, Avho had faith in the vessel's return,., to join hira. Bennett was at once imprisoned, Avhen it Avas found that his partner Avas gone. Here avo avUI leave him to follow the A'essel home. As dear as his own life Avas Bennett to Capt. Leigh ; and the security of the lives of the hostages of far more value in his estimation than a dozen ships. They arrived safe in the Piscataqua,, and the Captain, instead of keeping this A'essel (AA'hich then belonged to a foreign poAver) below, until the terms of the ransom Avere complied Avith, brought her up to the Avharf and delivered her to Capt. Cutts, having acquainted him Avith the condition on Avhich she had been purchased, and receiving the promise that the condi tions should be faithfully compUedAvith. The lives of'two. valuable men depending on the fulfilment of the contract. The vessel is unloaded, and the cargo disposed of — but Captain Leigh sees no movement towards paying the ran som. The anxious parents of Bennett entreated, -and it Avas said that the ransom money had been foiAvarded. There is less anxiety for a time, but after the elapse of th© earliest hour in Avhich a return is expected, the anxiety increases. Sabbath after Sabbath now the notes of the distressed parents can be heard from the pulpit of Rev. Dr. Langdon, asking prayers for a son in bondage in a for eign land. And the blood of Capt. Leigh boils to his veins as he contemplates the dreadful result Avbich the failure of the receipt of the ransom money must produce. He meas- 150 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, ures the time, he knows the day when his friends are to enter their prison house — he marks with feverish excite ment that dreadful day when the pangs of starvation are to commence. Accounts received gave evidence that poor Bennett suffered the extent of the penalty imposed. This Avas too much for humanity to bear, Leigh's mind feels the shock — but it did not at once cut him off from his regular business. At length, hoAvever, he becomes insane, and the name of Bennett is one the most . frequent on his lips in his ravines. In the last century there Avere no asylums for those bereft of their reason, and the quarters of the alms house were the best abodes to be found for those who could not safely be kept at home. Sixty years ago, Avhen William Vaughan took the superintendence of our alms house, among the unfortunate persons under his charge was Capt, Thomas Leigh, who had been a boarder in the insti tution for more than twenty years. His son, a distinguished merchant of South Berwick, who bore his father's name, did every thing for his comfort a son could do, but there was no return of that reason which the dreadful end of WiUiam Bennett tended to overthrow ; the remembrance of which was manifest in his violent ravings to the close of life. The sister of William Bennett Avas the grandmother of WilUam Bennett Parker, Esq., of this city, Joseph Leigh, who was the only brother of Thomas, was a Commissary in the Revolution, and afterwards a shipmaster. He was truly patriotic in his feelings, and prided himself in being a citizen of the Republic, — the title so pleased him , that he was better known as " Citizen Lee " than by any other same. He died about fifty-eight years ago. THE CUTTS AND PENHALLOW CEMETERY. 151 RAMBLE CVIII. The Cntts and. Penhallo-w Cemetery on Grreen Street. Thousands of the people of Portsmouth have never noticed the fifty feet lot on the north side of Gre*i street, enclosed by a wall of " lime and stone," as directed by President John Cutt in his wiU made in 1680, It appears that his first wife Hannah died six years previous to that time, that several of his children had died and been buried in " the orchard," a few rods west of the President's house Avhich was near the shore, where the stone store now stands. After spending, recently, an hour or tAvo in the enclosure rubbing off the moss from the old grave stones to decipher the inscriptions, a friend put into our hand the result of a similar visit some years ago, so that by comparing botes Ave are enabled to give the ancient inscriptions : "Here lyes buried the body of Mrs. Hannah Cutt, late wife of Mr. John Cutt, aged 42 years, who departed this life on the day of November, 1674." "Here lies interred ye body of IVTrs, Mary Penhallow, late wife to Samuel Penhallow of Portsmouth, in ye ProvinceofNew-Hampshire in New England, Esq. She was born Nov. 17th, 1669, and died Feb'y the Sth, 1713." "Here lies burled ye body of the Honorable Samuel Penhallow, Esq.— first of Uis Majesty's Council of ye Province of New Hampshire,— born at St Mabon, in ye County of Cornwall in Great Britain, July 2il, 1663— Dyed Deo'r 2d, 1726— aged 61 years aud S months " " Here lyes interred the body of the Hon Benjamin Gambling, Esq. a Member of his Majesty's Council in the Province of New-Hampshire, and Judge of the Probate of Wills — who departed this life tbe tlrst of September, 1757— aged 66 yrs,' ' " Here lyes buried the body of Mr. Benjamin Gambling, v»ho departed June 2d, 1744, in the 30th 3 ear of his age." " Here lies buried the body of Mr AVilliam Knight, Merchant in Portsmouth— Deceased November 16th, 1730, In the 37th year of his age." " Here lyes buried the body of Mrs Lydia Sloper, late wife to Capt. Henry Sloper— who deparled this life August 17th, 1718 — aged 16 years and 11 months." " Here lyes Interred the body of John Penhallow, Esq. who departed this life July 23th , Anno Domini 1735, aged 42 years." •• Hero lyes buried the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Penhallow, the wife of John Penhallow, Esq. aged 47 years- who departed this life Feb. 2S, 1736." "Olympia Penhallow, 1693.'' These were aU, with the exception of those on one or two grave stones of modern date. It is a little remarkable that the name of President Cutt 152 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, Avas not placed upon the monument of his Avife Hannah, for Avliich a blank Avas evidently left. Nor do Ave here find a stone for Ursula, the Avidow of President Cutt, Avho Avas killed by the Indians, although here she doubtless Avas buried. The iliscriptlon on the monument of Hon. Samuel Pen hallow ^hoAvs him to be the first of the family that came to this country. The term "first of his Majesty's Council," means that he Avas President of that body. We have seen an extended sketch of his life and services, written by the author of the- Annals of Portsmouth, but not inserted in that Avork. He built a brick house Avhicli stood at the head of the Pier, Avhere he lived in a style of much grandeur for that day. This spacious house, Avhich afterAvards passed into the hands of the Sherburne family, and eventually became the New Hampshire Hotel, was situated on the south east corner of State and Water streets, and was con sumed in the fire of 1813. His son, Samuel PenhalloAv, the grandfather of Hunking, Benjamin and John, married the sister of Sir Ribye Lake. The letter-book of Samuel, which is still in the family, contains one letter in which he Avrites to Sir Ribye, and among other things for Avhich he makes himself indebted, is a scarlet cloak trimmed Avith gold lace, that he desires him to purchase for his sister Elizabeth, (Mrs. Elizabeth PenhalloAV.) This Avas after he grew rich, for he had many troubles and much suffering in the early times of the coun try — but his enterprise, perseverance and upright course were croAvned with success. The foUoAving extract from a deed given by Gov. George Vaughan in 1702, Avho then lived in the house at the north- Avest corner of Market and Deer streets, avUI serve to show the localities of some of the houses at that time. I, George Vaughan of Portsmouth, Gentleman, for Ml THE RESIDENCE OP DEA. SAMUEL PENHALLOW. 153 of and from Michael Whidden of the same toAvn, have sold unto said Michael a certain piece of land containing one house lot whereon stands a dwelling house which formerly was made use of as a bake house by Mr, Richard Cutt, deceased, laying near said Vaughan's mansion house ou Strawberry Bank, said lot being 40 feet fronting on that highway Avhich runs from Maj. Vaughan's to Mr, Waldron's house, carrying the same breadth back and is 100 feet back from said street, is bounded with a street knoAvn by the name of Dear street, which runs between the said Vaughan's mansion house and that said lot. I say bounded Avith this street of 46 feet wide on tha south side, with Samuel Hart's land on the north-west, and Avith John Low's land on the south-west, together Avith the liberty of landing any goods, lumber, wood, &c, on a certain landing place, being given by the said Vaughan for the use of any such as may or have purchased l^nd abut ting on the aforementioned street known by the name of Dear street, which is 46 feet as aforesaid — together with all the privileges and advantages to the same appertaining or in any wise belonging ; to have and to hold, 4c, ¦ « »» ^ I RAMBLE CIX, The SElesidence of Sea, Samuel Penhallow. Another old landmark was removed in 1862 to give place to the more modern and sightly mansion built by Mr, Thomas E, Call. The old Penhallow house, which for more than a century formed the south-east corner of Court and Pleasant streets, is now among the departed. The exact date of its erection we cannot ascertain. It Avas here that the good Deacon Samuel Penhallow, and his prim lady lived and died. The little shop onthe corner afforded to the public the needles, pins, thread, tape, snuff, and other useful and fancy articles — while in the adjoining H 154 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. room on Pleasant street, the penalties of violated laAv Avere decreed Avith all the rigor which a sense of the majesty of the law required. This . little room of justice was only large enough to admit the magistrate, the culprit, tAvo attornies, and four witnesses — if more appeared they could only look in at the door. The smallness of the room seemed to make the laAv operations Avork with more celerity. In this room was the trial of poor Cassar Marston the slave, Avho stole the bucket of rum and received summary pun ishment therefor, as recorded on page 118, We Avill give here a more detailed account of the inci-- dent recorded on page 119, Jeremiah Mason came to Portsmouth in 1797. Not long after that time an article appeared in one of the papers by inuendo charging the administrator of the estate of Hunking Wentworth with unfair dealing. The article Avas so personal and so unjust, that the writer was sought out, and John Wentworth, the lawyer resident at Little Harbor, Avas found to be the man. Mr. Mason and his friend Mr. Pisher, determined to chastise him for the insult ; and pro curing cowhides they took a walk down Pleasant street at the time he usually came into toAvn. They met WentAvorth near the elm at the corner of Gates street, and after the application of the hide for a fcAv times, he eseaped by run ning doAvn Gates street. i South-end was then easily excited ; the sympathy of Water street Avas raised in favor of their Republican friend WentAvorth, and their wrath boiled oA^er against the Fed eralists who had assaulted him. It became at once a party matter. Mr. Wentworth entered his complaint, and Sheriff Edward Hart arrested Mason and Pisher. They promised to appear the next m_orning, agreeably to the summons, before Justice Penhallow, and so Avere released on their own recognizances. The next morning might be seen enter ing that little room the great gun of the laAV, with his friend, ARREST OP MASON AND FISHER. 155 AvhUe around the door the sympathizers of Wentworth might be seen in hundreds, aAvaiting the result of the trial. After the Avarrant Avas read, Mr. Mason told the magistrate they should not coritend, and asked for their fine. The Deacon made it some six or eight dollars — it Avas paid, and they Avere discharged. This was not satisfactory to the Republicans, who Avished to have them bound over to the County Court, and some strong demonstration was at tempted to be made. Mr. Mason, it avUI be recollected, Avas a man nearly six feet and a half in height. At that time he was much more slim than in after years, and his figure did not excel in gracefulness as it did in length. Capt. Thomas Manning saAV that there was danger of his receiving rough treatment, and having a controlling influ ence over the party, he sat in the door of the shop, resting on his cane, when Mr. Mason passed out. " Hiss the Fla mingo — hiss the Flamingo," said he, (knowing that some thing must be allowed,) "but don't lay a finger on' him." There was a general hissing — and as Rome was once saved by a similar sound, so by it, Mr. Mason, somewhat affrighted, Avas protected. But it was hard Avork for him to press through the crowd. At this moment, Mr. Jacob Walden, a gentleman who had the general respect of the citizens, pressed forward and offered his arm to Mr. Mason, which AA'as thankfully accepted, and they Avere able to reach the high steps of the Greenleaf house, then on the spot where Hon. Richard Jenness now resides, and going up the steps backward to keep an eye upon the hissing crowd, Mr. Mason retired. The excitement was soon over, and Mr. M. as he became more generally knoAvn as an able and dis tinguished lawyer, was subjected to no further molesta tion — nor did he ever give a like exciting cause for it. It was in this little room, that in about the year 1760, John Sullivan, afterAvards General, and President of NeAv Hampshire, Avhen a student Avith Matthew Livermore, sue- 156 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, cessfully plead his first case — while Livermore, unknown to SuUiA^an, stood in the shop listening to the ingenuity of his student's argument. Could all the incidents of tbe old house be gathered, they would form a Ramble too extensive for one week. It is a matter of regret that these old landmarks should be torn down and be forever forgotten. RAMBLE CX, 'JCh.-e Old CloieJs — The 'Fotxt <3-eorge Jaffreys ^ Th.e Jaf frey JJoxise. At the residence of the late Mr. Supply Ham, one of the ancient and honorable clock and watch makers of Ports mouth, stands a monument of time, seven feet in hight, Avhich notes the passing hours with the same regularity that the earth rolls upon its axis. It is an excellent piece of workmanship, shoAving no marks of Avear in its ma chinery, although that bright pendulum for more than five thousand millions of times, has swayed "here" — "there" — as in obedience to the command of the " tick " above it. The case is of the English oak, handsomely veneered — the key to wind it up is of fanciful Avorkmanship, and appears to be an imitation of that of the holy house of Loretto.^- The clock, Avhich was made by "J, Windmill, London," bears this inscription of its owners : " 1677— George Jaffrey. 1802— Timothy Ham. 1720- GfOrge Jaffrey, .Tr. 18.56— 8upi>ly Ham. 1749— George Jufliey. 3d. 1862— Erancis AV. Hai» " The first George Jaffrey, who appears to have been the fOAvmer, Avas born in 1637 at Newbur}'-, Avherehe lived some- tiiKie.. There he married Elizabeth Walker in 1665, About that time be removed to NeAvcastle, and was Speaker of the New Hanjpshire Assembly which convened sometimes at that place. THE FOUR GEORGE JAFFREYS. 157 But, as in these days, the people of old made haste to be rich more rapidly than through the channels of regular trade. Mr. Jaffrey was a man of good repute, and a mem ber of the Rev. Mr. Moody's church. But in 1684, for some attempt to import without paying regular duties, his vessel Avas seized and put under government charge. In the night the vessel mysteriously disappeared, Mr, Jaffrey took oath that he had no knoAvledge of the affair. Although there Avas no doubt in the public mind in this respect, Gov, Cranfield Avas compounded with, and all legal proceedings against Jaffrey AVere stopped. But the consci entious Mr, Moody Avas not so easily satisfied. He preached a sermon on false swearing, and had an ecclesiastical trial of Jaffrey, He acknowledged his crime, made a public confession, and we knoAv not that he afterwards went astray. This proceeding Avas an occasion of great offence to Cran field, and led to the imprisonment of Moody, The Annals of Portsmouth, p, 72, endeavors to veil the matter by using the name " George Janvrin, '' — the church records however give the trial as that of George Jaffrey, This old clock doubtless witnessed a sorry and anxious countenance fre quently cast upon it in those days — when it occupied a place in the old Jaffrey house at Newcastle. That house still stands in the vicinity of Jerry's Point — originally, doubtless, Jaffrey's Point, His son George Jaffrey, Jr., (whose name appears as an OAVner of the old clock,) was born at NeAvcastle in 1683, graduated at HarA'ard College in 1702, was a mandamus counsellor in 1716, and after the death of Samuel Pen halloAv in 1726, Avas Treasurer of the Province. He Avas also Chief Justice of the Superior Court to the time of his death in 1749. He took up his residence in Portsmouth previous to 1719 — as Ave find him holding various town offices from and after that year — and built, probably as early as 1730, that 158 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, unique structure on Daniel street, occupied by the heirs of the late Col. John Goodrich, which stUl retains the name of the Jaffrey House. In the recoUection of many, the fine front yard and elevated position of tbe mansion gave it a very inviting appearance from Daniel street. This yard and the extensive garden plot in the rear are uoav covered by many houses, but the old mansion stands yet conspicuous among them all. George Jaffrey 3d, son of the above, Avas born in 1716, graduated at Harvard in 1736, and in 1746 was one of the purchasers of Mason's patent, and then became an extensive landed proprietor. He occupied this house to the day of his death in 1802. If he Avas ever married, the fact never reached us. This old clock was his companion his Avhole life of 86 years. He Avas a man of about five feet seven or eight inches in height, portly, and being one of his Maj esty's Council was very dignified in his appearance. His red cloak, small clothes, silk stockings and heavy gold shoe buckles, are Avell remembered by our older citizens. He Avas appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court in 1744, Avhicli office he retained until he was admitted as one of his Majesty's Council in 1766. He was also Treasurer of the Province until the Revolution. He Avas strongly opposed to the change in the government. One day, Avhile mending his buckle, a goldsmith re marked, " I suppose you prize this highly not only for its intrinsic value, but also for its ToAver mark and CroAvn stamp." " Yes," said he bringing down his cane Avith violence, " yes — we never ought to haA'e come off." The Jaffrey mansion Avas kept in the most perfect order, not only externally, but also internally. On one occasion no small offence Avas given to a neighbor, Avho Avas applied to for some of their cobAvebs to put on a cut finger, as none could be found in the premises. THE JAFFREY HOUSE, 159 He Avas opposed to oral prayer, deeming those Avho thus pray hypocrites, J3ut in church on one Sunday his voice was heard in response above all others. He had been much annoyed by encroachments on the boundaries of some of his extensive estates in the interior, and went to church Avith a vexed mind from that cause. In the course of the service, Avhen " Cursed be he who removeth his neigh bor's landmark " Avas read — "Amen !" said Jaffrey Avith a loud voice and hearty good Avill. At one time, the Rev. Dr. BroAvn chanced to come abruptly upon him Avhen he was uttering a volley of oaths. " I am surprised, sir," said he, "that you should so soon, after denouncing praying men as hypocrites, be found offering to God a petition." His will was drawn up by the Hon. Jeremiah Mason, Avhose kind efforts to alter some of its controlling features were ineffectual. That avUI bequeathed all the real and and personal estate of Mr. Jaffrey to his grand nephew and namesake, George Jaffrey Jeffries, then only thirteen 3'ears of age. The inheritance was on these conditions ; that he should drop the name of Jeffries ; become a permanent resident in this city; and never follow any profession except that of being a gentleman. As an heir to an estate supposed to be immense, and destined to a profession not specifically acknowledged among us, Mr. Jaffrey Avas of course to be furnished Avith the best possible education. Mr. George Jaffrey (the fourth) accepted the name, and occupied the mansion here for several years, — led the life of a gentleman, and in 1856 died at the age of 66 years. As he left no son nor estate to continue the name, the line of George Jaffrej's closed Avith him. The old clock Avith other old furniture Avas sold in 1802, and it became the property of the grandfather of the present owner. It still goes on undisturbed by the succession of six generations, and its sAvaying pendulum is likely to say " pass on. pass on," to many generations to come. 160 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. RAMBLE CXI. Eev. Samnel IVtcClintoclc. In the picture of the battle of Bunker HiU, representing the fall of Gen. Warren, may be seen iu the group a cler gyman arrayed in his bands, who appears to be deeply interested in the battle. That man Avas the Kev. Samuei* McClintock, D. D. of Greenland, N. H., the father of th© venerable John McClintock, who died in Portsnaouth a foAV years since at the age of 94, retaining his mental and phys ical faculties to the last. We have recently been applied to for a history of Rev. Dr. McClintock, and have been enabled to collect the following from an autheBtic source, embracing some inter esting facts Avhich haA'-e never before appeared in print, William McClintock, (the father of Dr, Samuel McClin tock, the subject of this article,) was a respe'Ctable farmer' born in Scotlaad. From thence he early removed to Lon donderry in Ireland, probably in the latter part of James the Second's reigB. When his intrignes,, ia order to rein state Catholicism, were creatimg great uneasiness among his people, Janises endeavored by taking: sides Aifith the Kirk to overthrow the Episcopacy, for by tb»s pitching one party against another and holding tbe balance of poAver, he hoped in the end to turn the scale and restore Catholicism- Bfl't the Presbyterians were too cunning for him : stiromig: as Avas their hatred of Episcopacy, their dislike' for Caithol!- icism Avas greater, and uniting with their Elpiscopal breth ren, they shoAved themselves ready to receiT©' his favors but unwilling to enter into amy of his plans. The civil Avars of Charles the first Avere not hiowever forgotten, and many were fearing new changes, an§ emigrated frote all parts of the kingdom. Among these -was Mr, McClintock, He Avent Avhere he found friemdis j for the eastern coastoif EEV. SAMUEL M'CLINTOCK. 161 Ireland and tbe west of Scotland have in all ages been inhabited by men of the same stock. But the war was transferred to Ireland, and James sat down before London derry, determined to press it by a slow siege. This was one of the most important and most obstinately contested sieges during the Avhole war. It continued from the month of December, 1688, until August, 1689, The garrison suffered all the miseries attendant on a protracted siege, which they bore with unflinching fortitude. King WiUiam at length relieved the place, Mr, McClin tock with some others emigrated to America when the Avar Avas over. Their fortunes had probably been dissipated, and they hoped to find that religious peace and those Avorldly comforts which they sought for in vain in their own country across the ocean, Mr, McClintock settled on Mystic river, but his compan ions travelled on to Londonderry in this State, Avliich they named after their parent toAvn, Mr, McClintock continued quietly to tUl his farm without entering into any of the politics of the day, busy with Scotch thrift in increasing his property, and died at the advanced age of ninety. He was married four times, had nineteen children,— and left by his last wife one daughter and two sons. Dr, Samuel McCUntock was born in 1732, He Avas edu cated at Princeton College, under the care of President Burr, the father of the distinguished Aaron Burr, We may suppose that he finished his course with honor, for his sermons bear the marks of great mental discipline, and Ave have been told that throughout his life he Avas dis tinguished as one of the finest Latin scholars in Ncav England. After having finished his studies, stopping on a journey to Portsmouth, he was invited to preach before the Congre gational Society of Greenland, A^ho Avere in want of an assistant for their pastor, Mr, Allen, then very infirm Avitb 162 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. age ; and so favorable was the impression he made, that he Avas immediately invited to share his labors. He soon after accepted and entered upon his duties. It is reported that the charms of a certain Mary Montgomery, of Scotch extraction, and Avho resided in Portsmouth, had a great influence in inducing Mr. McClintock to accepta charge Avhicli offered so little in a worldly point of vieAv. This lady Dr. McClintock married, and if she induced him to accept the offer of the Greenland Society he never repent ed it. His salary Avas but $300 a year, Avith the parsonage, a small and not over fertile farm. This seems little enough, Avhen we recollect that the Dr. had fifteen children to sup-^ port, and the tax upon his hospitality Avas somewhat heavy, as there were no hotels in those days, and the pastor Avas expected to entertain all the travelling clergymen of his OAvn denomination, and other men of any note. His children have amusingly related that Avhether the COAV gave more milk or less, the quantity Avas always the same, — it Avas, to be sure, a trifle bluer. Dr. McClintock had many calls to richer churches, but he preferred his own people, to Avhom he Avas endeared by a long ministry of forty-eight years of uninterrupted usefulness. During the revolution he strongly espoused the side of the people, as his temper Avas ardent, and he very easily broke the bond of allegiance to a government to which his religious prin ciples Avere opposed, and from Avhich his ancestors had suffered so much. His character gave weight to his opinions, and we must give him credit for courage, since he Avas so ready to stand forth boldly in a doubtful cause, when in case of defeat his ruin Avas certain. He Avas Chaplain at the battle of Bunker HiU, and is represented in Trumbull's picture of that bat tle ; and he has left a sermon on the adoption of the con stitution, exhibiting the enlarged views of a patriot and the temper of a Christian, REV, SAMUEL m'CLINTOCK. 163 But Dr; McClintock suffered severely in the cause Avhich he espoused with such boldness. Three of his sons perish ed in the war. One of them, Nathaniel, received a colle giate education at Harvard, but the Avar breaking out he joined General Washington, and was raised to the rank of Major of Brigade. He Avas in the Ncav Hampshire line at the battles before the capture of Burgoj'ne onthe 19th of September and the 7th of October, After the capture^ his regiment was ordered South, and he Avas with Washington at the memorable capture of the Hessians at Trenton. He was then (although he had not reached 21 years of age,) raised to the rank of Major of the line, over all the older Captains. And as he Avas therefore regarded with jealousy by those loAver than himself in rank, he resigned his com mission and returned home. He was induced to take the command of a company of marines Avhich went out in a ship-of-Avar, the Raleigh, and soon after perished in an engagement. Another son of Dr. McClintock Avas an offi cer at the battle of Trenton and there slain ; and a third was lost at sea, serving as a midshipman, and afterwards as lieutenant in a ship-of war. Doctor McClintock bore all these trials with christian fortitude. He was loved and esteemed by his parish, and in the latter part of his life received the Diploma of Doctor of Divinity from Princeton CoUege Avhere he Avas educated. He enjoyed uninterrupted good health, aud Avas only ill a few days before his death, which took place at the age of 72. In his writing desk Avere found the foUoAving instruc tions to his son John : I feel myself sinking in the vale of years, near the house appointed, and have had for some time a premonition that the time of my departure is near. It may be imagined. HoAvever, considering that I have exceeded the stated period of human life, it must be expected that I am draAv- ing near the great period. My only hope of being happy beyond the grave is founded on the mercy of God and the 164 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, merits of a Divine Redeemer, May you, long after I shall be here no more, enjoy happiness in the endearments of an agreeable companion and pleasant children. You knoAV that I have appointed you executor of my wUI, and that therein I have expressed my desire that the solemnity of my funeral should be conducted in the manner that is cus tomary at the funerals of my parishioners, AAdthout any parade or sermon Avhich has commonly been the custom at the funerals of those who have sustained any public char acter in life. If j'ou should think it proper, about Avhich I am perfectly indifferent, to erect a head-stone at mj' grave, Avhich in that case I Avish may be quite a plain one, I Avould have you inscribe in it the folloAving epitaph, Avithout an addition or alteration, except filling up the blanks for the months and years of my decease and standing in the ministry. To the memnrj' of Samoei. MoClihtook, D. D. who died — in the — year of his age, and — of hia ministry. His body rests here in the certain hope of a resurrection to life and immortality, when Christ shall appear the second time to destroy th3 last enemy, Death, and tu consummate the great design of bis mediatorial kingdo.-n. The annual fast, which Avas the 19th of April, 1804, Avas the last of his preaching ; and Avhat was remarkable, on his return to his family he observed that he had done his preaching. He continued until the morning of the 27th of AprU, when he exchanged this world for another, and is, Ave trust, reaping the reward of a faithful servant in the kingdom of God. His grave-stone, inscribed as above Avith the blanks fiUed, (died 27th April, 1804, aged 72— 48th of his ministry,) may be seen in the Greenland Cemetery. Dr. McClintock had two wives, his first Avife, Mary Mont gomery, died Aug. 4, 1785, aged 48. For his last Avife he Avas married to a widow Mrs. Darling. The match Avas not very congenial. She Avas not so strictly the darling of his heart as his first love. She survived him. Dr, McClintock's religious views Avere strictly calvinis- tical in the early part of his ministry. Some regarded them harsh and untempered by the laAV of love. This is REV, SAMUEL m'cLINTOCK, 165 not surprising when we consider the troubled times in which those men were educated in violent struggle for civil and religious liberty, Avhen even their prejudices seemed sanctified by their blood. Men Avho had so long followed the pillar of fire might easily forget that there were souls who needed the refreshing shadow of the cloud. The opinions of Dr, McClintock were however much mUder in the later portion of his life, but he was ahvays strenuous in his appeals, with something of the enthusiasm and the better part of the perseverance of his Scotch ancestors. Full of simplicity and honesty, it is not too great praise to say that if his head .sometimes erred his heart Avas nearly always right. History informs us that during the battle of Bunker Hill this venerable clergyman knelt on the field, with hands ¦upraised, and grey head uncovered ; and, Avhile the bullets whistled around him, prayed for the success of the com patriots, and the deliverance of his country. This rare incident prompted the following beautiful ode from the pen of Mrs. Lydia H, Sigourney, TUB PR-A.Y1ER OlST BTTIOiBE, HILiJ^. "It was an hour of fear and dread- High rose the battle-cry. And round, in heavy volumes, spread The war-cloud to the sky. *Twas not, as when in rival strength Contending nations meet. Or love of conquest madly hurls A monarch from his seat : " Yet one was there, unused to tread The path of mortal strife, ¦Who but the Saviour's flock had fed Beside Ihe fount of life. Ho knelt him where the black emoke ¦frreathed— His head was bowed and bare,^- ¦While, for an Infant land he br.«alihed The agony of prayer. " The column, red with early moro. May tower o'er Bunker's height, Andproodllyitellarace unborn 166 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. Their patriot fathers' might; — But thou, O patriarch, old and grey. Thou prophet of the free, AVho knelt amonj^ tho dead that day, What fame shall rise to thee ? "It is not meet that brass or stone Which feel the touch of time. Should keep the record of a faith That woke thy deed sublime : We trace it to the tablet fair, Which glows when stars wax pale, A promise that the good man's prayer ShaU with his God prevail." RAMBLE CXII. Sketcli of ISTe-w^castle. The history of NeAvcastle is of some interest, as the first settlement in NeAV Hampshire was made in 1623, upon its borders, by a Scotchman named David Thompson. He was selected by the Company of Laconia, in England, to estab lish a permanent settlement in this province. Shortly after his arrival he built the first house on Odiorne's Point, a few rods distant from what resembles the remains of an ancient fort. It was afterwards called Mason Hall, in honor of a prominent member of the company under whose au spices the settlement Avas begun. The house remained standing for many years. The original designation was Great Island, but in 1693, it Avas separated from Portsmouth, and incorporated under its present name. At the time of its incorporation a large portion of land on the Avest Avas included within its limits, but in consequence of the incorporation of Rye in 1719, its area was reduced to 458 acres. The soU, though thickly interspersed with -rocks, has ever been made to produce abundantly ; and owing to the plentiful supply of seaAveed, NEWCASTLE. 167 the farmers need never fail for Avant of the proper means of enriching their lands. The original copy of the ancient charter, written through out in Old English or Black Letter, can now be seen in the ofiice of the Selectmen, though the seal has been cut off by some individual ignorant of its real importance. It is a very interesting document, Avritten upon parchment, and and is one of the many relics of antiquity to be found in NeAvcastle. Formerly a bridge was built on the south-Avest side of the toAvn, forming a means of connection betAveen Rye and Newcastle ; and, previous to the building of the ncAv bridges in 1821, all travellers for Portsmouth went by way of the "Old Bridge." Owing to carelessness and neglect, nearly all signs of the " Old Bridge" have uoav vanished. It it Avell known that the annual meeting in Newcastle for the choice of toAvn officers takes place one week before the usual State election, yet but few seem to know Avhen this custom originated. By referring to the charter, it is found that requisition was then, made for this matter, con cerning Avhich we make the following extract: " And for the better order, rule and government of the said Towne, wee doe by these presents . Grant for us and our Successors unto the men and Inhabitants of the said Towne, That yearly and evcry year upon the first Tuesday of March, forever, they, the said men and Inhabitants of our said Towne, shall elect and choose by the major part of them, two sufficient and able men, householders in the said Towne, to be Constables for the year ensuing, which said men so chosen and elected, shall be presented by the then next preceding Constables to the next Quarter ses sions of the peace to be held for the said province, there to take the accustomed oaths appointed by Law for the ex ecution of their offices under such penalties as the law of our said province shall appoint and direct upon refusall or neglect therein. And Ave doe by these presents Grant for us, our Heirs, and Successors, unto the men and Inhabi- 168 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. tants of the said Towne, That yearly and every year upon the said first Tuesday of March, forever, they, the said men and inhabitants of our said ToAvne, or the major part of them, shall elect and choose three men, Inhabitants and householders of our said Towne, to be overseers of the poor and highAvays, or selectmen for our said ToAvne for the year ensuing Avith such poAvers, privileges and author ities as any overseers or selectmen Avithin our said prov ince have and enjoy." For the privileges enjoyed as an incorporated toAvn, it is further stated that there shall be paid " the annual quitt rent or acknoAvledgment of onne Pepercorn in the said ToAvne on the five twentieth day of October yearly forever." Soon after the settlement of Great Island, a fort was buUt upon Frost Point, to serve as a protection to the harbor. It was an earthwork "made with certain great gunns to it," and in the year 1660 Avas mentioned in the documents of that day as the means of distinguishing Great Island from other islands in the vicinity. It was several times remodeled, and for many years prior to the war of the Revolution, was called Fort William and Mary, named in honor of the King and Queen of England. In the eleventh year of the reign of Charles the first, of Eng land, the Island together with the Fort came into possession of Mistress Anne Mason, widow of John Mason, of Loi> don, who, at the time of his death, was engaged in mercan tile pursuits. Portions of the island were afterAvards deeded to Robept Mussel and other individuals, by her i^geut, .Joseph Mason of '' Strawberry Bank" on the river of the •'¦' Pascattaquack." At thjs time of the passage of an act in 1774, by George HI. forbidding the exportation of gunpoAvder to America, the Fort was garrisoned by Captain Cochran and five men, and the ships-of-war Scarborough and Canseau Avere daily expected to arrive with several companies of British soldiers to re-inforeg the garrison. On receipt of the news NEWCASTLE. 169 a company of citizens from Portsmouth determined upon seizing the arms and ammunition at the earliest period. They procured a gondola at midnight, and anchoring a short distance from the fort, Avaded ashore and scaled the Avails. Shortly after their arrival they encountered the Captaiii, Avho delivered to them his sword. It Avas, hoAA-- ever, immediately returned, for Avhich favor he tendered his thanks. Having taken one hundred barrels of poAvder, they started on their return, and on leaving the Fort Avere rewarded for the favor before •shoAvn to the commanding officer, by his giving them a lunge Avith his sword. They tarried not at the insult, but hastened on board the gondola and roAved up the Piscataqua to Durham. On their arrival, the ammunition was taken to the cellar of the Congre gational Church, where it remained for some time ; thence it Avas taken to Bunker HiU, Avhere on the 17th June it Avas used to the disadvantage of the British. On the foUoAving day the Fort was again entered, and " fifteen of the lighter cannon and all the small arms taken aAvay." The Scarbor ough and Canseau soon after arrived. In the autumn of 1775, fearing an attack upon Ports mouth, General Sullivan, at that time a resident of Durham, N. H., was appointed by General Washington to take com mand of the mUitia of this State and to defend this harbor. Several fortifications had been thrown up, which he strength ened, and placed in them several companies of militia. In Fort William and Mary a company of artillery Avere placed who " were allowed the same pay as soldiers of the Conti nental Army." In 1808 the Fort was again rebuilt under the name of Fort Constitution, and remained until a new structure was commenced in 1863, upon the same spot. The Fort on Jafi'rey's Point at the entrance of Little Harbor, was once thought to be a very important post. It was garrisoned in the war of 1812 by citizens of this and 12 170 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. other towns, under command of Capt. William Marshall, ' Avho remained stationed at that post for several years. Nine guns, 6 and 9 pounders, were placed in position, and on several occasions full one hundred and tAventy men were ¦ stationed there. A short distance from this Fort may be seen another Port, situated upon rising ground near the bridge leading from Newcastle to Portsmouth. This post was not consid ered of much importance, yet scA'eral cannon Avere held in readiness to be placed upon it at short notice. During the visits of the Enghsh ships to this harbor in 1775-6, a spirit of hatred seemed to prevail against the British seamen, but by the major part of the citizens they Avere respectfully treated. The sailors Avould often conduct badly, and if reprimanded would threaten to fire upon the toAvn. Oftentimes the lives of the inhabitants Avere en dangered, and on some occasion, a committee of citizens waited upon the commander of the Scarborough, offering an apology for some fancied insult to his men, to prevent him from permitting the threats of the sailors to be carried into execution. Owing to the state of public excitement at that early period of the Revolution, many citizens left the town and many more Avere prepared to leave at a moment's warning. In the rear of the Congregational Church is a well in Avhich some of the citizens once placed their silver ware for safe keeping: and near the fish yard ofVeranus C. Rand may be noticed a depression of the ground, showing the site of an old revolutionary house, which Avas then occupied by a Mrs. Trefethren, Avho was noted for refusing water to the British sailors on account of her hatred to them. It is stated that notwithstanding her positive refusal to permit the sailors of the Scarborough to get water there, they once succeeded in fiUing their casks ; and leaving them near the well, visited the central part of the town. No sooner were NEWCASTLE, . 171 they out of sight than she emptied the casks. Upon their return they demanded of her Avhy she had turned away their Avater, She promptly replied tliat she did not turn away their water ; the water Avas her own. On returning to the ship they rewarded her by firing a ball through the room in which her family Avere sitting.* Portsmouth, in its proximity to the ocean, and the many convenient landing places between the city and the islands outside of the light-house, has peculiar advantages for the water excursions that haA-e ever been so popular with its in habitants. NeAvcastle, previous to the construction of the bridges that connect it with the city, was a favorite resort, where they Avere Avont to cook their fish and partake of their refreshments, generally at some favorable spot on the rocky shore, or obtain permission to occupy apartments for the purpose at one of the dwellings at the Avater-side. A public house, kept a Mr. Bell, also received a share of of patronage on some of these occasions. On the prem ises Avas an out-door bowling-alley, or, in ancient phrase, " a bowling-green," of Avhich one of the memories that sur vive is the dilapidated condition of the pins from long and hard usage, and the reply of a visitor to the landlord Avho complimented him on his skill at the game. " Oh," said he, " it does not require much skill to knock down the pins, but if it were as hard to upset them as it is to set them up, I should never have got that tenstrike." The following, copied from the graceful chirography of a former much esteemed citizen of Portsmouth, is a record of a winter excursion, under unusual circumstances, to Newcastle : "Feb, 17th, 1817. — Inconsequence of the severe weather of last week, I was enabled to-day in company with my brother-in-law, D**** M*****, to walk to Newcastle on a substantial bridge of ice. We stopped a.t George Bell's, *The foregoing portion of thia Eamble waa prepared by Mr. Thomas B. froBt of New castle. 172 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. who furnished us Avith a dinner of fine fresh cod, taken at the edge of the ice, 172 yards from the end of his Avharf We measured the ice on our return, and found it 18 inches in thickness, over Avhich sleighing parties Avere merrUy gliding on their way to the Island. T. G. M." There are few, if any, of the natives of our city, who have not remembrances, at some period of their lives, of pleasant hours passed upon the Avater. In my childhood, Avrites one Avhose early life Avas passed on the shores of the Piscataqua, there Avere five brothers in one family circle, of whose aquatic adventures, in their youth at the close of the last century, I never Avearied, as they Avere recalled when they met at each other's dwellings. One fine sum mer night, when the moon was shining brightly, they Avent to one of the small islands outside of the light-house — Wood Island I think — in pursuit of lobsters. After setting their nets they landed and built a fire among the bushes a short distance back from the beach, and making a kettle of chocolate, enjoyed a hear,ty meal from the stock of refresh ments ahvays taken into consideration among the requisite accompaniments of such expeditions. 'This pleasant per formance over, they Avent to look for their boat, but great Avas their consternation, instead of finding it, as they antic ipated, high and dry upon the sand, to discover that it had got loose from its moorings, and Avas fast travelling, with the tide, in the direction of the Shoals. The misfortune was increased by the fact that it was a iieAV one, the prop erty of a relative, Avho had given them many injunctions as to its good usage. Like the man in the play, they were in a peculiarly perplexing ' predicament,' but trusting as a last extremit}^, to their usual good luck, in the product of their nets, which Avere Avithin reach by swimming, for some thing to eat, and in the hope that some passing boat would take them off in the morning, they took the most philo sophic view of the matter possible, and wrapping them- • NEWCASTLE, 173 selves in the rough overcoats always taken in their noctur nal voyages, they retired again to the shelter of the bushes, and .ere long Avere fast asleep. They awoke just asthe first rays of the sun appeared above the horizon, and look ing seaward, to their great satisfaction discovered a fishing- boat in the distance, with another boat in toAv, which they had no doubt Avas their lost craft, as it eventually proved Avhen within hailing distance. An abundant supply of lobsters was found in their nets, Avhich were shared Avith the men who had restored their boat, and they reached home in season to relate their adventures around the family breakfast table. On their return from another trip by moonlight to the dominions of Neptune, they brought Avith them a supply of eels, of an unusually large size, which, to facilitate the process of preparing for the frying-pan, were deposited in the ashes of the kitchen fire-place. At an early hour of the morning, before daylight had fully appeared, the family " help," an eccentric and rather super stitious specimen of feminine humanity, descended to the apartment, and, on opening the door, obtained a glimpse of a dozen or more strange looking animals, of serpentine form and of a dusky hue, disporting themselves among the sand upon the floor. A moment later the mistress of the mansion Avas aAvakened from, her slumbers by a knock on her door, and a famUiar voice exclaiming, " Oh, Miss , I believe the old serpent and his whole family are in the kitchen and I am afraid to go down there." A feAV Avords of explanation settled the matter, and in a brief space of time the eels were retreating before energetic thrusts from a birch broom, that received from its holder an additional impetus for the fright she had received. Two of the broth ers Avere shipmasters in after years, and spent the largest portion of their lives upon the ocean. They have all sailed upon their last voyage, but the legends of their youth will long survive them. 174 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. RAMBLE CXIII, IsTe-wroastle ReiTLinisences of Iforty-inive Years .A.go. Anteeior tothe erection of the bridges that now connect it Avith Portsmouth, many of the least cultivated among the older inhabitants of NeAvcastle, isolated as they Avere from the outer Avorld, especially during the inclement seasons of the year, AVere about as primitive in their ideas as the dwel lers at the Shoals, and scarcely less peculiar in their dialect. Separated by some three miles of Avater communication from Portsmouth, it Avas no uncommon occurrence to hear quiet, staj'-at-home bodies among the old ladies acknoAvledge that they " had not been to toAvn " in ten to a dozen j'ears, and inquiries would be made as to individuals they had once knoAvn, as if the place Avere a thousand miles away. A more antique locality, previous to the consummation of that achievement in the march of improvement, the construction of the bridges, could not have been found in all New England. While many of the dwellings Avere spacious and comfortable, there Avere very feAv of modern construction ; by far the larger proportion gave evidence of having been erected in the early part of the last cen^ tury ; many Avere so dilapidated by age as to be almost untenantable, and others had reached that point in their his tory, and Avere undergoing the process of being converted into firewood. One of the most antique of these moss-covered structures of the olden time, Avas the ancient church that occupied the site of the modern edifice, of Avhich the Rev. Mr. Alden is pnstor. Though sadly fallen to decay, traces exi.sted to shoAv that taste had not been omitted in its con struction. Erected originally for the service of the English Church, the chancel remained in good preservation, and relics survived of ornamental devices that had once sur- NEWCASTLE, 175 mounted the creed and decalogue. The sills had gone to decay, and the floor had consequently sunk some inches beloAv its original position, but the building served for summer use, and the people loving the old place of Avorship • Avhere their ancestors had been wont to gather, continued to to occupy it every season until the cold winds of autumn drove them to the shelter of the less spacious but more. comfortable structure, where on Aveek-days, •' The village master taught his little school." Among the many improvements upon the island none are more conspicuous than those A'isible in the vicinity of the spot occupied at a former day by the ancient sanctuary. The tasteful and well-kept floAver garden, Avith its gravelled Avalks, Avrought out of the once rough, uncultivated ground, attached to the modern church, has in its season of bloom a most bright and cheerful appearance, highly complimen tary to him to whose good taste citizens and strangers are annually indebted for so pleasant a feature ; and the neat enclosure around the little cemetery, Avith the order in Avhich it is kept, are a great improvement upon our earlier remembrances of the place, Avhen a rough board fence or dilapidated stone Avail, which the Avriter has forgotten, alone protected it from the incursions of stray animals in search of pasture. At the time of which Ave Avrite, there Avas much of social and neighborly intercourse among the people of the island, as they met and discussed the news brought by some one Avho had returned from a trip to toAvn, an event oftentimes not of daily occurrence in unpropitious Aveather, especially during a sharp, cold spoil of mid-winter. The receipt of the Journal and Gazette Avere serai-weekly events of rare interest, and their contents from the title to the last line of the advertisements on the fourth page, Avere duly digested. A Boston paper Avas about as much of a novelty to the inhabitants as is now one from Canton or Honolulu. 176 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH, The writer has some especiaUy pleasant recollections of the friendly intercourse referred to, that seemed in a meas ure a realization of the scenes in rural life so delightfully pictured forth by Goldsmith in the Deserted Village, and in the London story-books that then formed so prominent a feature in juvenile literature. One place of sojourn Avas at the residence of the vUlage teacher, still in existence at the summit of a high bluff on the seashore. Opposite the house was a large and thriving garden, and higher up, on an elevation too rocky for culture, was a delightful spot, embracing a view of Portsmouth, and the ocean far out to sea, Avhere the youth of both sexes used to gather at the close of day, and on moonlight evenings, and participate in the ever-popular sports of childhood. One of the incidents of life to the people of NeAvcastle Avas the frequent appearance, during the summer season, of a fleet from Kittery and Eliot upon their shores, for the purpose of bartering vegetables and fruit for dried codfish and halibut, and other products of the brisk fishing trade then carried on from the island. As a general thing the ' values of articles on both sides Avere so Avell understood as to render the business a very simple one, but an amusing- scene occasionally occurred between a pair of sharp bar gainers, each affecting to depreciate the other's goods, that Avould have done honor to the parties in a horse-trade. Such a scene between an attache of Hannah Mariner's squadron, Avith a stock of green corn and Avhortleberries, and an old lady of the island with dried halibut to dispose of, each boasting, Avhen the trade had been concluded, of having outAvitted the other, left, in its oddity, an ineffacable impression upon our memory. Fort Constitution imparted much animation to the island, and not a little to Portsmouth, being still under command of Col, Walbach, and Avith a larger force stationed there than at an}' other period Avithin our memory. The baud COUET MAETIAL AT FOET CONSTITUTION, 177 numbered every instrument then knoAvn in martial music', and' with such an attraction, the morning and evening parades Avere Avell worth attending. Musicians were not then very plenty in our good city, none making it a pro fession, and it was a well appreciated luxury when the old hero, whUe in the service of his native Prussia, of tAventy- six pitched battles against Bony, occasionaUy came to town Avith his command, and the fine band stirred up the people Avith such airs as "Wreaths for the Chieftain," " Washing- ton'sMarch," " Paddj' Carey," etc. RAMBLE CXIV. The Court jMartial at IHort Constitution in 1814 — The ^Providential "Witness. Although uoav beyond our present city line, Newcastle was once a part of Portsmouth ; and the fortification on that island being for the defence of Portsmouth harbor, still attaches it to us. Several references have been made to the fortification in previous Rambles — -shoAving that at the old Fort William and Maiy, since called Constitution, was the first scene of seizure of British property by the patri ots at the commencement of the Revolution,— a circum stance which should give it a place in history scarcely less prominent than Lexington or Bunker Hill. Our present object is to record an event Avhich took place in the Fort nearly half a century ago, which did not appear in the papers of the day, nor has it since untU now been publisshed. In the spring of 1814, Avhen our country Avas at war with England, the 40th regiment of U. S, Infantry AA-as desig nated as rendezvoused at Boston, but its companies Avere 178 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH, rarely if ever collected there together, being raised prin cipaUy for the defence of the eastern seaboard. Col. Joseph Levering, jr. of Boston, had command of it, and Perley Putnam, of Salem, was Major. In this regiment, one com pany of a hundred men from NcAvport, R. I., commanded by Capt. Bdiley of Mass., of Avhich a son of Capt. Bailey Avas Ensign, Avas detached and ordered to garrison a fort at Wiscasset. Their most direct course from Boston Avas through Portsmouth. Soldiers then had none of the pres ent advantages of railroad conveyance, and the marching of a company then meant that they Avent on foot. The marching through country roads Avas done " at ease," but the soldiers Avere held in such positions that Avhen they approached any town or village, they could readily be brought into regular sections at a tap of the drum or Avord of command. It Avas in this Avay that Cfipt. Bailey's com pany Avas marching AA'hen it approached Greenland parade. Soon after the Avord Avas given to form rank and shoulder arms, Ensign Bailey touched Avith his sword the gun of a soldier to remind him that he should change its position to shoulder arms, at tbe same time giving the order. Capt. Baile_y, hearing the order, stepped to the fiank to ascertain Avhether there Avas any trouble, Avhen instantly a bullet from a gun just grazed his side. It appears that the soldier, instead of shouldering his gun, had dropped it into a hori zontal position on his left arm, and puUed the trigger. It Avas supposed the shot Avas intended for the Ensign, but the lives of the Captain and many others were equally en dangered. The soldier Avas immediately arrested, put under guard, and brought Avith tho company to Portsmouth. Fort Constitution being the nearest garrison, he Avas sent there to aAvait the charges to be made out against him. Capt. Bailey and his company passed over Portsmouth ferry and proceeded into Maine, In a feAv days the speci fications Avere made, containing the names of the four wit- COUET MAETIAL AT FOET CONSTITUTION. 179 nesses to the act. There was, hoAvever, too much of other service required for officers to admit of a court martial being held for several months, and the prisoner in the mean time was kept securely at the fort. It Avas on a pleasant day in that summer that Col. Wab bach, Avho, it will be recollected, for a long time had com mand of the garrison, Avas walking Avith a gentleman around the fort, that they came to a room in the arsenal in Avhich a squad of soldiers Avere busily engaged in making musket cartridges, in great demand at that time. As they passed along, Col. W., in a private Avay, directed his guest's atten tion to one of the Avorkmen, AA'ho seemed to be very active and deeply interested in his work. After they had passed out of the arsenal and Avere proceeding outside the fort, said Col. W., " did you notice that man Avho was making cartridges tAvice as fast as any other? 0, I pity him, for that man, Avell as he appears, is soon to be shot ! Nothing can save him, poor fellow ! He it was Avho a fcAv months since came near shooting tAvo officers in the Newport com pany, I cannot think that he intended murder or mutiny with Avhich he stands charged, ^-'but if such doings are overlooked, Avhat officer is safe? It is a pity, but poor Haven's fate is sealed. In the fall of 1814, a general court martial was held at Fort Constitution for the trial of several cases Avhich had accumulated Avithin course of the season. Major Crooker, of the 9th regiment, Avas President, and Lieut. Belfour, of the Artillery, Avas Judge Advocate. Capt. Bailey had been notified of the time of the trial, and was directed to send the four Avitnesses mentioned in the specifications accom panying his cliarge against the soldier. When the witnesses arrived, it Avas noticed that there Avere five soldiers instead of four — but Avhen the Avituesses Avere summoned before the court only the four appeared. They testified all alike, that they Avere near Haven and saw 180 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH, him discharge his gun when it Avas laying on his arm. The prisoner Avas alloAved to interrogate the witnesses : his only question, Avhich Avas asked to each of them in turn, Avas, " Did you see Ensign Bailey strike me before I fired ?' They all replied, No. Just in this stage of the proceedings the clock struck three. In those days, and we knoAv not but at the present time, no proceedings in a court martial can be held after that hour, and so the court adjourned Avithout coming to the fatal verdict Avhich, had half an hour's more time been alloAved, Avould doubtless haA^e been arrived at. On this court martial Avas the late Hon. Daniel P. Drown, of this city, then a Lieutenant in the army. When the court came together the next morning, the case of Haven came up as it Avas left, with e\-ery prospect that the fate antici pated by Col. Walbach Avould rest upon him. At this stage, Lieut. DroAvn stated that it appeared that five soldiers had been sent here from Wiscasset, instead of the four detailed as witnesses. He made inquiry of the President Avhy the fifth man had been sent. Maj. Crooker could see no reason for making an inquiry on this subject, as the specifications, Avhich Avere their only guide, made no mention of any one bej'ond the four Avitnesses. At length, hoAvever, it Avas decided that the fifth soldier should be brought before the court. After the preliminary questions as to Avhat regiment and company he belonged to, when he enlisted into Capt. Bai ley's company, &c., had been satisfactorily answered, he Avas asked — Were you in the company Avhen this act of mutiny on the part of Haven took place ? I Avas. Was you near him when he fired ? I was. Your name is not on the detail of witnesses, how came you to be sent here on this trial ? I don't know. AU I knoAv of the matter is, that when the corporal Avho had charge of the Avitnesses had just left the fort at Wiscasset, he Avas ordered to halt, THE PEOVIDENTIAL WITNESS. 181 and I Avas sent for by Capt. Bailey to come into his quar ters. He asked me if I knew Haven. I told him I did — had Avorked Avith him at the shoe business at Dartmouth, Mass. Capt. Bailey said no more, but ordered me to be supplied with rations, and march Avith the squad to Fort Constitution,' Did you expect that you Avere coming here as a Avitness? I had no instructions, and do not know for Avhat purpose I was ordered here. It now appearing to the court that this man might have been sent to give Avhat information he might possess of the prisoner, he was at once SAvorn, The Avitness Avas then directed to state what he knew of the prisoner. He had Avorked a year or so Avith Haven. Had found him a man singular in his habits, — sometimes a very talka tive, and then a very silent man. He was an excellent Avorkman, and careful in fulfilling his obligations ; was a kind-hearted man, and beloved by all his fellow workmen. The shoe-shop in Avhich they Avorked Avas onthe side of the road opposite a stone wall. At one time, Avhen in a des ponding state of mind, he suddenly laid down his work on his seat, ran across the road with great rapidity, and drop ping his head as he approached the Avail, he ran against it Avith his full force. It was thought he had killed himself. He scarred his head very badly. The court on examina tion of the prisoner's head found the deep scars. After answering a fcAV more questions, the witness was dismissed, and the examination closed. It should be here stated that the prisoner had said to the court that he had no hostile feelings against Lieut. BaUey. He had no doubt of the truth of the statement of the wit nesses that he discharged the gun, although of the act he had no recollection. The Judge-Advocate summed up the evidence which went to sustain the charge of mutiny. The question was put by the President to each member of the court, Is the 182 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. prisoner guilty of the crime Avith Avhich he is charged ? Lieut. Drown, being the youngest in commission, was first called upon. He replied, No. The other eleven replied. No. And the President was weU satisfied that the verdict was just. It Avas found that, suffering as he Avas under partial in sanity, he Avas not a safe man for the army, and the court recommended that he be honorably discharged from the public service. No one rejoiced more than Capt. Bailey, at the happy result of sending a witness not in the specification. And fre quently our venerable friend DroAvn (Avho was the summer guest of Col. Walbach above referred to) congratulated him self Avith the thought, that if while in the army he never killed a man, he Avas by his position instrumental in saving one innocent man from being shot. RAMBLE CXV. !Fort Constitution — The Explosion in 1809. In our last Ramble some reference was made to incidents occurring at this point of our harbor defence. We take this occasion to give a sketch of a disaster which took place at this fort in 1809, Avhen the garrison was under command of Col. Walbach. The circumstances will be new to many of the present- generation. On the 4th day of July, 1809, there were two public po litical celebrations in Portsmouth. The Federalists marched to the Old South Church to listen to an oration from Isaac Lyman, Esq., and partook of a dinner at the old Assembly House. The Democrats marched to the North Church, Avere addressed by Joseph Bartlett, Esq., and dined at Davenport's. FOET CONSTITUTION, 183 There Avere a few, however, AA'ho accepted an invitation of Col. Walbach to dine Avith him at the Fort,— among them Dr. L. Spalding, Capt. Jacob Cutter, the officers of the Fort, and a feAV others. The company Avere enjoying the hospitalities of the Colonel in his quarters, and the outside visitors were just collecting on the platform on the northAvest corner of the Fort, Avhere a fiddler just arrived had invited them to form a contra-dance. On the northeast point of the Fort, tAvo of the 24-pounders had been re moved to make Avay for a brass 6-pounder from which it AA'as intended to fire salutes after dinner. Two ammunition chests, containing about 350 pounds of poAvder, and one containing balls, were placed on the side of the platform near the house Avhere the company were at dinner, and on the platform Avere also seventeen cartridges of two pounds each, for the salute. The company had been at the table about three-quarters of an hour, when a tremendous explo sion took place — the sides and ceiling of the room were driven in, the tables upset, and everything on them shiv ered to atoms ! The company Avere prostrated, and the lady of CoL W. came running into the room, bloody from slight injuries. None of the company were, hoAvever, ma terially injured. They ran out to witness the distressing scene of men dead and alive, their clothes burning, and the ground covered with fragments of timber and boards, scat tered balls and pieces of iron on every side. The sides and Avainscot of the house Avere beaten in ; balls were sent through the AvindoAvs, and five 24-pound balls were carried beyond the house. One poor felloAV was carried over the roof of the house, and the upper half of his body lodged on the opposite side near the window of the dining room ; the limb of another was driven through a thick door over the dining room, leaving a hole in the door the shape of the foot ; parts of the other bodies were carried nearly a hundred yards from the fatal spot. Of the kUled were 184 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH, three soldiers, one citizen and three boys. Six soldiers and several citizens were Avounded. The scene was heart rending. Col. Walbach exclaimed, "I have faced death in its most dreadful form — I have Avitnessed the desolations of war, and have mingled in all the hazards and havoc of bat tles, but never before did I feel a pang so terrible and in tolerable as this." The persons kUled Avere Ephraim Pickering, Esq., of NeAvington, (a brother of the late Joseph W. P. of this citj',) James Trefethen and Joseph Mitchell, lads of NeAv castle ; another lad named Paul, belonging to Kittery ; Sergeant Joseph Albertz ; privates Peletiah McDaniels and Theodore Whitham. It appeared that the seventeen small cartridges, which were to have been placed in the ammunition chest on the rampart, the sergeant thought best to leave for a short time in the sun, as he fancied they felt damp. A spark from one of the lighted linstocks Avas probably driven by the wind to the exposed cartridges, and was the occasion of the ex plosion. We have before us a short record of the event, made in the Fort morning report of the Sth. It appears that there were stationed at the Fort at that time, a captain, two 2d lieutenants, one surgeon's mate, three sergeants, four corporals, four musicians, six artificers, and fifty-three pri vates — in all seventy-four. The body of McDaniel was found near the light-house below low Avater mark. The remains of tbe three soldiers were buried Avith the honors of war in the same grave on the 8th of July. The countersign given out on the 4th Avas " Dreadful." Capt. Davidson, now at the Fort, is the connecting link betAveen the days when Col. Walbach was stationed here and the present time. Through his gentlemanly attentions we are enabled to give such of the above facts as appear on the records of the Port. THE SPAEHAWK FAMILY, J 85 RAMBLE CXVL The Sparha-wk B^anaily. In Ramble 92 we gave the WUl of the widow of George Atkinson, in which most of the bequests Avere made to members of the SparhaAvk family. This leads to an inves tigation of the family pedigree, and gives an opportunity for a few historical sketches. In a bundle of manuscripts of Sir WiUiam Pepperell in our possession, we find some incidents relating to Nathan iel .Sparhawk, who married the only daughter of Sir Wil liam,, and settled at Kittery Point, in the vicinity of the old Meeting House, It appears that the Rev, John Sparhawk, a minister of Bristol, in Mass., who died in 171B at the age of 45, had two sons. One of them was the Rev, John Sparhawk of Salem, who married Jane Porter, and died in 1755 at the age of 43. The other son was Hon, Nathaniel SparhaAvk of jittery, who married Ehzabeth, the only daughter of Sir William Pepperell, The chUdren of Rev, John S. of Salem were : 1, Priscilla, who married Judge Ropes of Salem, and .died in 1798, [leaving three sons, John, Nathaniel and Samuel ; and three daughters — Jane, Avho married S. C, Ward ; Priscilla, who married Jonathan Hodges ; and Abi gaU, who married WiUiam Orne.] 2, Susannah, who married George Atkinson of Ports- mquth, and died in 1796. [Her WiU is given in Ramble 3, Jane, who married John Appleton, 4. Margaret, who married Isaac WinsloAV of Boston, 5, Katy, who married her cousin, Nathaniel Sparhawk, Jr., of Kitterv. 6. John, who married Miss King. [Their children Avere 13 186 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH. Thomas, Samuel, John, and George King Sparhawk. The latter spent most of his days in Portsmouth, and died at Conway. He was the father of Col. George S. Avho died at Kittery Point in 1857.] The children of Nathaniel SparhaAvk of Kittery were : 1. Nathaniel, Avhose first Avife was his cousin Katy Spar haAvk, his second Miss Bartlett, and his third Miss Parker. 2. Mary, Avho married Dr. Charles Jarvis of Boston. 3. Sir William Pepperell, Bt., who married Miss Royall of Medford, and died in 1816, aged 60. 4. Samuel Hirst, who married in England. His daugh ter, Harriet Sparhawk, is now living in this city, his only descendant. 5. AndreAv PepperreU, who married Miss Turner, and died in 1783, aged 30. Nathaniel SparhaAvk Avas married to Elizabeth PepperreU, June 10th, 1742. Her father sent to England for her wed ding dress, as foUoAvs : — Pascataqua IN N^Ew England, ) October 14th, 1741. j Francis WUhs, Esq. : Sie — Your favors of ye 16th May and 24th June last, I received by Capt. Prince, for which am much obliged to you. Inclosed you have a receipt for 46 ps. of gold, Aveighing twenty ozs., which will be deliv ered you, I hope, by Capt. Robert Noble, of ye ship Amer ica, which please to receive and cr. to my account with ; and send me by ye first opportunity, for this place or Bos ton, Silk to make a Avoman a full suit of clothes, the ground to be white paduroy and floAvered with aU sorts of coulers suitable for a young Avoman — another of white Avatered Tahy, and Gold Lace for trimming of it ; twelve yards of Green Paduroy ; thirteen yards of Lace, for a woman's head dress, 2 inches wide, as can be bought for 13s, per yard ; a handsome Fan, Avith a leather mounting, as good as can be bought for about 20 shillings; 2 pair silk shoes, and cloggs a size bigger than ye shoe. Your servant to command. William Peppeeeell, THE SPAEHAWK FAMILY, 187 If the tale of tradition is true, to the beauty of Mary SparhaAvk, Avho became the Avife of Dr Jarvis, Portsmouth is more indebted for its protection in 1775, than to its forts. The story goes, that Capt. Mowatt, of the Canceaux, a British ship of 16 guns, connected with a large armed ship, a schooner and a sloop, were off our harbor in the month of October, 1775. Capt. Mowatt went privately on shore at Kittery Point, and AA-as received at the loyal house of Nathaniel SparhaAvk, Here he became so much fascinated Avith Mary that the intent of his voyage to destroy Ports mouth, was, by her influence, changed, and he made sail for Falmouth (now Portland) and burned more than 400 of the best houses and stores — leaving only about 100 of the poorest houses, and they much damaged. How much our city is indebted to the influence of the beauty of Mary we can now hardly estimate, , After the death of her husband, (Dr, Jarvis of Boston,) Mary returned to Kittery Point, where she died in 1815. The old mansion of Col. Sparhawk, east of the viUage church, is preserved in all its primitive beaut}'. The long- avenue of noble trees through which it was formerly ap proached have disappeared' — but the mansion is yet one of the attractive features of the ancient town. The following is from the memorandum book of Rev. John SparhaAvk of Salem, relating to his settlement : "Feb. 29th, 1735-6, I preached the first time at Salem, by the desire of Committee of the Confederate Society of Salem, having been a preacher about the space of one year, and by desire of the same committee, engaged for a term and continued preaching to my call." "Aug. 5th, 1736, 1 was chosen minister of ye Confederate Society by a great majority in the Society. Voted 220 oz. of Silver for my salary, and afterwards, upon my desire iu ye ansAver I gave them, they added 100 i> Bills of the Prov ince for help." " Dec, Sth, 1736, On this day Avas the ordination. Mr. 188 EAMBLES ABOUT POETSMOUTH, Chipman began Avith prayers. Mr. Appleton preached, Prov. 11: 30. Mr. Holyoke gave the charge, and Mr, Pres- cott ye Right hand of Fellowship. The Avhole service Avas performed with the greatest order and decency." RAMBLE CXVII. Centennial Celehr^iion, 1823— The Parchment TJnrolled. The two-hundreth anniversary of the first settlement of New Hampshire, at Portsmouth, Avas celebrated here on the 2ist day of May, 1823. It was a matter of State interest, aiid called together the leading men from many distant as well as adjoining towns. The Collections of the N. H. Historical Societj', vol. (6, contains a very full ac count of the Avhole pr®ceedings, embodying many historical facts, collected by our late townsman, Alexander Ladd, N, A, Haven, Jr., Esq., was the orator of the day, 0, W, B, Peabody of Exeter delivered the poem, and Rev, Bennet Tyler of Hanover, and Rev. I. W. Putnam performed the religious services at the old North Church. In the evening a splendid ball was given at Franklin HaU, at which nearly four hundred were present. Grandsires and grandmothers danced in the same sets with their chil dren and grandchildren — and in the numerous ancient portraits, by the best masters which covered the walls on every side, the representatives of the past centuries seemed to be mingling with their descendants on the joyous occasion. Most of those present, as well as those who ha'd taken an aeitive jpart in the services of the day, inseribed their names and ages on a parchment roU, which was deposited in the Pontsmouth Atheneum at the time and has there THE PAECHMENT UNROLLED. 189 remained undisturbed for nearly half a century. As bad ink was used for some of the signatures, which already begin to grow obscure, we herewith present a copy for preservation. It will be read with some interest by those now alive who participated in the scenes and festivities of that day, and is a matter of history worthy of preservation on other accounts. Elijah Hal], 80 years l^ennet Tylei- TImo. Uphaui Charles B Haddock Nathan Parker Jarael W Putnam. 36 yrederick Clark, 2(5 J Mason Dan'l Webster J acob Sheafe, 78 Clement Storer. 62 Edw'd Cutts. 59 N A Haven. Jr. 33 Jacob CuttT, 51 Charles W Cutr«r, 23 Perjamin Penhallow, 55 John Haven, 57 Joseph Story Samuel Harlt, 37 "W Jones, Jr . 38 John F rarrott. 56 E G Panntt 43 "William Gardner George iilake Joshua W Peirce. 312 Jacob Wendell, 34 J F Shores 31 Samuel Lnrkio, 50 Is'iac Waldron. 49 Nathan Hale Alex'r r.add Eben Wentworth, 43 INath'l B March. 4L Ichabod Eollins, 33 Benjamin firirrly, 48 Thoa. T Kiierly, 23 John E»ll, 31) James Rundlet, 50 Bamuel Larkin, Jr. Hampden Cutts, 20 Alfred Mason Joshua W Larkin John G Palfrey Hunking Penlia'lnw, 57 T W FeohaUow, 39 Oliver W Penhallow, 26 Henry Haven. 55 ¦William Haven, 63 I'eter Pearse, 56 Gharlf-s Turell, 36 1 obort Rice, 42 "WilHiira t Ia»frott. 33 langley Board. nan, 48 Nich*s Gilman, 23 Isaac D Parsons, 24 Cyrus P bmlth, 22 Eboix Smith, Jr. 36 Wm Berry. U S N, 28 John Sullivan. 22 Jf'nathaii Brown, 27 Oliver Sheafe. 23 Harrison Gray, 28 Theodore Sbea'e. 27 Samuel E • oues, 25 N^thl A Haven. 60 "Wm P Adams, 38 Charles Gushing, 46 Joshua H Hall, 29 BimuelT Gilman, 23 Jolm H Sise, 27 Jno S Place, 40 Charles Hardy, 43 Chas. Cushing. 36 Charles A Cheever, 29 Eben L Childs, 24 William Smith, 23 John A Haven. 31 John M "Whidden. 21 John H Shoare,27 Robert Cross, 22 John llice. 35 ¦William Clark, 28 Jno. W Foster. 3+ Rich'd Russell Wnldron, 20 Henry P Salter, 21 Edw'd E Sise. 23 Charles Seavei-, 26 M W Peirce, 50 ¦William Rundlet, 23 J M Tredick. 20 Herman B Haiiis, 23 Aug, Lord, 25 Sam*l P Loaig, 2i J Woodward Haven Alfi-ed W Haven V\ashington Haven, 24 •William Hill J G Joy. 36 Dauiel Taylor, 25 Hermon Orne, 20 Geo. Melcher, Jr. 25 "VV'm. L. Pickering, 19 George Sparhawk, 23 Jeffrey Richardson, S3 George briard, U S N, 20 Itaiiiel Sparhawk , 20 Thomas Curtis. 23 Jacob Sheafe. Jr. 39 Goo. Humphreys, 39 L G S Boyd Wm. Haven, Jr. J B Ball. ^8 Jos. Margaund, Mass. AVm. Stone, '• G Horney, 29 Thos, B Coolidge,2l Kdmund Roberts. 39 Robeit IVI Mason Samuel Coshman, 40 James Ladd, 41 Wm H Y Hackett, 23 H Bufford, 43 N. Sheafe Waldron ^Vm F Carter Chas U Adams Charles W Chauncy Wm Salter, 18 Edward Rundlet. 17] Thomas Sheaie. 71 Sam'l, Sheafe. 35 Enoch Mudge, 47 Joseph Haven, 65 Ichabod Bartlett, 33 Levi Bartlett, 39 James Bartlett, 29 Mary Mason Grane Webster Mary Sheaie Dorothy Ktoror Mary H Cutis Eliza W Haven Miriam Cutter Frances Cutter Susan Penhallow Ann Haven , Sarah Waldo Story Mary T dartt Ann P Jones Martha B Parrott Sarah P Parrott Sarah Gardoer Sarah Olcott Blake Emily S Peirce Mehitable R Wendell Klizabeth Oliver gborea Ann J Larkin Mury C Waldron feaiah P Hale Maria T Ladd Catharine H Wentworth Sarah H March Mary Ann Hollins Susan liriei'ly Ann B Brierly Jane S Ball Frances Riirdlet Bajali P Larkin, Marj Cults Mary E Mason Anne C Larkin Mary Ann Palfrey 190 EAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. Harriet Penhallow Margarett E S'-ott Lucy E Penhallow Sarah Sheafe Eliza Langdon Elwyn Ann H Gushing Dorothea Gilmau M Jane Haven, Eliza C Porter Mary H Sheafe, Ann Mary Haven, Adaline Haven Charlotte Ann Haven Margaret F Lamb Sarah P E Rice Sarah Simes Eliza Delia Tudor Toscan Caroline Haven Elvira Haven Augusta Haven Eleanor J Williams Ruth W Gushing Louisa Sheafe Elizabeth P Abbott Charlotte Sheafe V M M'CIintock C GStevepis Sarah P Hardy Lydia Fernald Eliza C Melcher Georgianna Toscan Sarah B Bi idrley , Elizabeth Cuehing Elizabeth March Mary C Shapleigh Emily S Langdou Elwyn Caroline Jones Jane M Andrews Mary Jane Durell Mary L Storer Lydia Foster C'ttharine M'CIintock Lydia R Hale Susan W Havon A T Cross E W Shapleigh E W Hill Olivia Ann Prescott M E Long M Cutter Eliza Jane Larkin Arianna >mith Geo. Douglas Ramsay, USA Augusta Willard Eliza B Rice Lucinda Willard Elizabeth Glover Baiah J Wentworth Mary B Appleton Mary Sherburne Simes Sarah Ann Salter Sarah S Langdon Haven Susan Sheafe Ann E ."^alter Sarah E Appleton Elizabeth S Durell Rebecca J Wentworth L Hodfiffs Caroline Cross Emily S Pesarse Clara L Haven Mary Hardy Mary P Hodges Frances L Brierloy Ann M Simes Anna H. Cutts Margaret Sparhawk Susan Sparhawk Mary Oliver Larkin Mary rtppleton Margaret Foster L'icy Clapham Harriet Morris Susan Purcell The ages of many of the ladies are given on the parch ment, — but as a matter of courtesy to those living we have thought best to omit them. One thing however is pretty certain, that most of them are now full forty-^ix years of age. The following interesting account of the distinguished persons whose portraits were exhibited at this Centennial Celebration, taken from the Historical Collections, shows how rich Portsmouth and its neighboring towns are in por traits of our distinguished ancestors : John Wentworth, son of Samuel Wentworth, and grand son of Elder William Wentworth. He was a native of Portsmouth, and was born January 16, 1671. He was a counsellor from 1712 to 1717, and lieutenant governor from 1717 to his death, December 12, 1730. Of his sixteen children, fourteen survived him. Benning Wentworth, son of the preceding, graduated at Harvard College in 1715, and afterwards went to England and Spain, where lie remained several years. He was appointed counsellor in 1734, and was governor from 1741 to 1767, when he was superseded by his nephew, John Wentworth. He died Oct. 14, 1770, in his 75th year. POBTBAITS OF DISTINGUISHED ANCESTORS, 191 John Wentworth, son of Governor Wentworth, Lady Frances Wentworth, wife of governor John Went worth. Now owned by the family of Asa Freeman of Dover. Theodore Atkinson, son of Hon. Theodore Atkinson of New Castle, where he was born Dec. 20, 1697. He gradu ated at Harvard College in 1718 ; was a counsellor in 1734 ; subsequently a judge of the superior court and secretary of the province. He died Sept. 22, 1779, aged 82. He is painted with a roll in his hand, with the inscription, " Ex penses of Government." Theodore Atkinson, jr. son of the preceding, graduated at Harvard College in 1734 ; was a counsellor and secre tary ; died in 1769. Now owned by the family of Asa Free man ofDover. Eichard Waldron, son of Capt, Richard Waldron, and grandson of Major Richard Waldron, who was killed by the Indians at Dover in 1689, His mother was Eleanor Vaughan, daughter of Maj. William Vaughan. He was born Feb. 21, 1694. He was a counsellor, and secretary of the province to about the time of his death, in 1753. Thomas Westbrooke Waldron, son of the preceding, was a captain in the expedition against Louisburg — and died in 1785. George Jaffrey, counsellor from 1702, to his death in 1706. George Jaffrey, son of the preceding ; appointed a coun sellor in 1716, He was also treasurer of the province ; died in 1749. George Jaffrey, was counsellor in 1766 ; was also treas urer. He died in December 1802, aged 86, Benjamin Gambling, judge of probate and counsellor from 1734. He was born in 1681 ; married a daughter of Samuel Penhallow; died 1737. Richard Wibird, son of Richard Wibird, of Portsmouth, was born July 7, 1702. He was appointed collector of customs for the port of Portsmouth in 1730, and counsellor in 1739. He died 1765, aged 63. Thomas Wibird, brother of the preceding, was born at Portsmouth, Oct 1, 1707. The father of these brothers was counsellor from 1716, and died in 1732. 192 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, Col. William PepperreU, who came from England during the reign of William and Mary. He lived many years at the Isles of Shoals ; afterwards removed to Kittery Point, where he became an eminent merchant. He died Feb. 15, 1734. Sir William PepperreU, Bart, son of the preceding, was born at the Isles of Shoals, He died at Kittery, July 6, 1759, aged 63, There were also portraits of the mother of Sir William and two sisters, one of Whom was Mrs. Newmarch, wife of the Hon. John Newmarch. Hon. Henry Sherburne, a counsellor, and chief justice of the province from 1735 to 1744. Nathaniel Sparhawk, a counsellor of Massachusetts, a colonel of the militia, and an eminent merchant. CoL Sparhawk married the only daughter of Sir William Pep perreU, and died at Kittery in 1776. John Moffatt, a merchant of Portsmouth. Born in England in 1692. Died in 1786, aged 94. Catharine Cutt Moffatt, wife of John, grand--daughter of President John Cutt. Catharine Moffatt, their daughter, married Wm. Whip ple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. W. was living in 1823. Rev. John Emerson, minister of New Castle. 1703 ; of Portsmouth, 1715; died June 21, 1732. Madam Emerson, wife of the preceding. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, (painted 1623,) son of Rev. Johis Rogers, of Dedham, in England, who died Oct. 18, 1639, aged 67. The latter was a grandson of Rev. John Rogers, jjrebendary of St. Paul's, who was burnt at Smithfield, 1555. Mr. Rogers came to New England in Nov. 1636 ; settled in Ipswich, Mass. 1639 ; died July 2, 1655, aged 57. Rev. Samuel Haven, D. D., ordained minister of the 2d Church in Portsmouth, May 6, 1752 ; died March 3, 1806, aged 79. Madam Montgomery, (painted in Scotland in 1555.) One of her descendants came to New England and settled in Portsmouth in 1720. THE YELLOW FEVER IN PORTSMOUTH, 193 RAMBLE CXVIII, Th.e Yello-w Soever of 1798. Among the dividing points of the eras in Portsmouth his tory, is " the year of the yellow fever," 1798, We rarely pass among the old houses at the north end of Market street, without being reminded (not unfrequently by the noxious air of the present day,) of the scenes which there transpired about seventy years ago, when the " Yellow. Malignant Fever" prevailed, finding victims almost every day for eight weeks. At that time Thomas Sheafe, one of the most respectable merchants of the day, father of the late Samuel Sheafe, and occupant of the house on the corner of Market and Deer streets, was largely engaged in commerce. Qn the 22d of July, 1798, the ship Mentor, belonging to him, of which John Flagg was master, arrived in a short passage from Martinique, where the yellow fever had prevailed to a great extent. At that time but little regard was paid to such quarantine laws as stood on the statute book, and the Men tor came up immediately to the wharf One or two of the crew had been sick on the passage, but having recovered, no precautions were taken, as in later days, by cleansing the ship. The Mentor was fully laden with sugar, molasses and coffee, and discharged at Sheafe's wharf in the rear of the store now occupied by Pickering & Tompson. A laborer assisting in discharging, was the first victim of that fever, — • and then another who had worked on board was taken down with the like symptoms. The owner of the ship was still unwilling to believe that any malignant fever was brought by the vessel : but soon the {melancholy fact was brought di rectly home to him by the death of two promising sons— - Thomas at the age of 14, and Horatio at the age of 6, and an only daughter Sally at the age 17 years. The existence 194 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. of the malady now became too manifest. The selectmen sent the ship off and had her properly cleansed, — but it was too late to stop the pestilence which now began to spread with fearful rapidity in the neighborhood. The north part of the town was soon depopulated. Every family that could conveniently remove left for other places, and peo ple from the country abstained from visiting the town, A strict guard was kept to prevent intercourse below the in fected district and other parts of the town. The fever rag ed principally in Green, Russell and the east end of Deer streets, and from Rindge's wharf down Market street to the house next south of late Thomas Sheafe's mansion, now occupied by Albert A. Payne, At that time the widow of Noah Parker kept a boarding house there. The victims in this house were her daughter ZerviaH, her neice Rebecca Noble, and William Plummer, a merchant. In the house in Russell street, now occupied by Joseph Remick, Mrs. Han nah Noble and two daughters, Eliza and Mary, died — none could be found to bury them, and the brothers of the girls were compelled to bear their sisters and mother to their grave. There were some cases elsewhere. Dr. William Cutter was dangerously sick with the fever, on Congress street. In two months ending on the 5th of October, when the frost terminated the course of the fever, there were 96 cases, of which 55 proved fatal. In the same time there were 52 deaths from dysentery and other diseases, making over a hundred deaths in two months, and that too at a time when our population was only about 6000, and a large num ber of inhabitants had fled to other towns. Eleazer RusseU, mentioned in the 47th Ramble, died at the time of this fever but not of it. He was said to be so much in fear of the fever of which his sister died, that he refused to have any one come to his assistance, and died alone. The sickness was not confined to those who remained in THE YELLOW FEVER IN PORTSMOUTH, 195 Portsmouth. Moses Little, Esq. who had just married the widow of Huniphrey Fernald of this town, to escape the danger, with his wife and her only son, John Fernald, aged 20, went to Dover. Mr. L. and son were soon attack ed at the same time and died at Dover. Among those who wdre dangerously attacked but recov ered were Robert Rice, Abel Harris, Nathaniel Folsom, Thomas Cutts, and many others with whose names our readers are not familiar. There fell in that season many who sacrificed their lives in devotion to the sick — whose good deeds yet rest in the remembrance of our older citizens. None or few were seen in the street where the fever raged. Nothing was heard there but the groans of the sick and the awful shrieks of the dying. If persons were met, they would have handkerchiefs to their faces wet with vin egar or camphor, and passing with hasty steps. There were however some noble hearted men and women, who, fearless of consequences, stood by the bedsides of the sick and dying, to wet their parched lips ; aud when the spirit was about quitting, some were there to smooth-the passage through the dark valley. The Rev, Dr. Buckminister, Col. George Gains who at that time was selectman, Mr. Vaughan the sexton, were among those who were ever faithful in their duties. Also Dr. A. R. Cutter, and Dr. Bracket, senioi'. These men stood firm through the whole and never took any fever. In consideration of the devoted service of Col. Gains, the town made him a present of $100, As at the time of the plague in London, no bells were heard at funerals ; and when the fever abated, the tolling bell was hailed as a signal of returning health. People were hurried to their graves hastily. No procession atten ded. Soon as the breath left the body, and perhaps some times before, it was immediately put in a tarred sheet and rough box, slid from a chamber window to a cart or dray, 196 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH. conveyed to the north cemetery and deposited in one common grave or trench. The grave of no friend was afterwards found. Like the burial of Sir John Moore, they were; hurried off " at dead of night, by the lantern dimly burning." " Such a pestilence had never before, nor has since visited our town, which ranks among the healthiest in the Union. RAMBLE CXIX. Old LarLd Proialetoi-s— The MLarch. I'arm.-Tlie family. The possessions of ancestors seem to be made more sacred by the length of time they have been held in a family. The path which a parentage of three or four generations has passed over, becomes endeared by the associations which are spread along it. This feeling has kept no small amount of landed estate around Portsmouth in the same families which took the original grants at the first settlement, more than two centuries ago, or soon after purchased the land. Among those families which have kept their first localities, are the Odiorne, Pickering, Seavey, March, Peirce, Moses, Whidden, Langdon, Dennett, Jackson, Drake, Johnson, Berry, Weeks, Haines, Packer, Brackett, Rand, and other families which do not occur to us now, whose ancestors of the same name, where there has been a line of male descendants, located themselves two centuries ago on the spot, or in the immediate vicinity of where their descendants now reside. Some who had located in Portsmouth then, by a change of town lines have had their farms transferred to the neighboring towns. If it is pleasant to those who thus show their veneration OLD LAND PROPRIETORS. 197 for their ancestors, it is scarcely less so to those who in passing along can point to the localities where the labors of five or six successive generations have been turning the wild forest into a fertile garden, and the original log cabin into a palace. There are various localities to which this remark might apply, but we shall in this Ramble speak more particularly of one, which is prominent in the eye of every traveller who passes beyond the western bounds of Ports mouth, The farm now owned by I. Bartlett Wiggin, Esq., on the Winicott road in Stratham has never been out of his own .direct family since it was first granted by the crown. No ¦deed has ever been made or given of said farm, but it has .descended from father to son, by will, to its present owner, and he will pass it down, for be has sons ; and " that farm is not for sale," if for no other reason, because the owner does not wish, nor has he a heart or occasion, to dispose of it .oiut of the family. On the south side of the road in Greenland, near the Portsmouth line, begins the farm of the March family, of two hundred seventy-five acres,' now owned by the Hon, Clement March, which has been in the family seven gen erations.. Its extent on the road is readily defined by the handsomest .stone wall to be found in New Hampshire, It is built of clouded granite, from a quarry in Raymond be longing to Mr. March, the foundation sunk eighteen inches below the surface. In front of the house for several hundred fe«t, the wall is made of dimension stone, every block beaded. On this wall, and even with the ground in front of the house, is an open iron fence. The house of Dr. Clement March was burnt on this spot iij 1812, Its place was soon supplied by a large house of (three stories., which was consumed by fire in 1826, The present house was soon after erected on the spot. Large .additions have been made the present season, under the 198 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH, direction of a distinguished Newburyport architect, ren dering the mansion, in the extent of its accommodations, its spaciousness, its elegant furnishing, its rich ornaments, a residence of which any baron might be proud. The improvements, however, do not here terminate. In the several fires, the large old barn on the east of the house escaped conflagration. It was built full a century ago, as its oak posts testify. Its place has recently been supplied by another of far greater extent, and finished in the best style. It is several rods south of the mansion. Another group of buildings is also rising up several rods west of the barn — in one, stalls with iron hay racks for a dozen horses may be seen — another is the carriage house — and the third, resembling the first story of an octagon pagoda, is a well ventilated corn house. The air circulates through a half inch opening under every clapboard, which is not apparent without examination. The grapery is near the house. For the use of the mansion and the out buildings, water is being brought from a pond nearly half a mile distant, and, by the aid of hydraulic rams raised to the upper story of the buildings. It is a matter of doubt whether the beauty of the scenery from the house, or the richness of the treat to those who travel by, is most grat ifying. Passing through the curved avenue from the door to the iron gate on the west, and crossing the road, we come to another iron gate which opens to a wide tesselated path, made of the largest sea beach'stones, of variegated colors, making a good mosaic. The path winds up a slight emi nence, where on the declivity beyond is the family tomb, "Erected by Clement March in 1759, and repaired by Charles and Clement March in 1859," In it rest the remains of the family for a century. The care which is taken of these homes of the departed is another link in the chain which holds the affection to the names of our ancestors. THE MARCH FARM. 199 And here we will take occasion to trace the family so long located on this farm. This farm was first owned and occupied by John Hall, The date of his grant -we cannot find, but as the road through Great Swamp was opened in 1663, it is probable he occupied ii about that time. By his will, dated in 1677, in the reign of his " most excellent Majesty Charles of that name the Second, by the Grace of God, of France, Great Britain and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith,