Class Book- COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT HISTORY TOWN OF HAMPTON NEW HAMPSHIRE. FROM ITS SETTLEMENT IN 1638, TO THE AUTUMN OF 1892. BY JOSEPH DOW. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY HIS DAUGHTER. ■. 2... ^^OXj. X. SALEM, MASS : PRINTICT) in THE SALEM PRESS PUBLISHING AND PRINTING CO. 1893. COPYRIGHT, 1894, BY LUCY E. DOW. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. It is many years since my interest was first awakened to collect material for a history of the town of Hampton. In the intervals of an otherwise busy life, I have brought together, from all available sources, such information as seemed to me important to presei-ve and disseminate, in compact form, for future generations. I was the more inclined to do this, since the history of Hampton, in its earlier years, was in some measure, the history of the Piovince of New Hamp- shire. Being one of the four original towns and united with tlie other three in many public acts ; being a lialf-shire town of Norfolk County when under Massachusetts jurisdiction ; being a border town between the two provinces, and so participating in the boundary disputes; being a sea-board town, whose defenses were of vital importance to all the rest, — the record of its progress, for at least one hundred years, must be of more than local interest. ■S f Moreover, from many of the early families have gone out branches, to people the newer towns, as they were settled, one after another;' and even in remote portions of our country, are found many persons, who trace their ancestry back to this settlement by the sea. Every person, who has attempted to trace his own descent from the several families from which he has sprung, in following out any one of them for two centuries, through all the branches into which it has ramified, has found the task to be very difficult. No one can appre- ciate the difficulty, except from his own experience. Written memo- rials he finds to be exceedingly rare ; and living members of the fam- ily, often, on this subject, very ignorant or very indifferent. In many cases, there are traditions and little besides traditions, relative to some branches. But not unfrequently, these vary one from another, so that they are of but little value. Indeed, tradition, at best, is not a very reliable source of information. Fortunate, then, must he be considered, who, after long, patient research, has been able to approx- imate his hmu ideal of a complete genealogy. If such obstacles are to be encountered in tracing a single family, how much greater must be met when Jifty or a hundred families are to be traced through a period of two hundred years and more. Such (iii) iv author's preface. is the work T would gladly have performed for the readers of this His- tory. But to prepare a full and correct genealogy of all the families that were in Hampton at an early period is impossible. In many instances family records have been lost, and in a larger number none were ever kept. The Town Records, indeed, afford valuable aid. Entries of births, beginning in 1652, and of marriages and deaths, in 1654, are perhaps as full on the Hampton Records, as on those of almost any other town. The records of the Congregational church also, the church of the town till well into tlie present century, are very valuable, containing entries of marriages by the ministers, after 1687; of baptisms, after 1696 ; and of deaths in the town, since 1734. This last record, with some private records kept in the town, gives us an ahnost complete list of deaths for a period of a hundred fifty-seven years. With such material, supplemented by a laborious search of wills, deeds, the old Norfolk County Records and numerous private papers, I have prepared the genealogies embodied in this work. That they are free from errors is more than can reasonably be expected ; but a great amount of labor has been employed in their preparation, and no pains have been spared to make them correct. To prevent mistakes in regard to certain dates, it must be remem- bered that, during the whole ofjthe seventeenth and one-half of the eighteenth century, the civil and ecclesiastical year in England began March 25th, and March was called the first month; while the histori- cal year, beginning on the first of January, was often used in narra- tion. This gave rise to the system of double-dating, from January to INIarch, till 1752, when the historical year alone came to be recognized. All dates in this work, so far as practicable, are made couforinable to the historical year. By an act of Parliament, passed in 1751, to make the reckoning of time conformable to the Gregorian Calendar, so called, it was or- dered that the day next after September 2, 1752, should be reckoned September 14, thus dropping eleven days. This has been called a change of style. Dates before this change are said to be in Old Style ; later dates, in New Style. All the dates in this work, earlier than September 2, 1752, are in Old Style. To change them to New Style, add ten days to those prior to 1 700, and eleven daj's to those after that year. I have given more space to the discussion of the boundary lines and the protective measures in regard to the beach and the public lands contiguous, than would ordinaril}' be allotted in a work of this com- pass ; but it lias seemed necessary in the one case, in order to correct a popular error, which has long prevailed, as to the original extent of author's TREFACE. V our territory ; and in the other, to establish by the records themselves, the fact of the town's ancient and habitual control. In the early stages of my study, I had an efHcieut co-laborer in my friend and cousin, Josiah Page, of Hampton, who devoted himself assiduously to the task of gathering information, which, by his notes, and from the treasures of his wonderfully retentive memory, he placed in my hands. A born genealogist, Mr. Page brought to this depart- ment of the work his greatest zeal, while he collected also many facts' of historical importance. I have to regret that he died without seeing the work completed. The names of John Wingate Thornton, Amos Tuck, Edmund B. Dearborn and others, who have passed away, recall much valuable help rendered by these men. To all who have given access to papers, searched records or otherwise aided me in my researches, 1 would render grateful acknowledgements. Free reference is made, in these pages, to the works of Relknap, Winthrop and various town historians ; to the Provincial and State papers, edited by Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D.D. ; to Adjutant General Head's Reporl s ; to the New Hampshire Historical Society's Collections, the New England Historic-Genealogical Register and kindred worlds ; while the records of town, church and county have been the main reliance for the history of local affairs. If I have succeeded in preparing a worthy memorial of my native town, in the years fast receding, I shall not have labored in vain. Joseph Dow. EDITOR'S PREFACE. It is not easy for one person to enter into iinotlicr's labor and carr}' out bis plan, even though the material be ready at Iiand. The author of this History died December IG, 1889. Had he lived to complete it, the selection and arrangement from among his papers would doubt- less have differed in many respects from the work as now sent forth. The editor can scarcely hope to have realized his ideal. And yet, by far the greater part of it was finished by the author's own hand ; and for the rest, having striven to carry it on with accuracy and discrimi- nation, the editor submits it to the public, trusting that no serious mistakes have been made, and that something of value will be found to have been added to the written history of both early and later times. The task of bringing the genealogies down to date has been attended witii much difficulty, both from lack of knowledge of what, among the author's records, he designed for this work, and what for other purposes ; and because of omissions and inaccuracies in the Town Records. These have doubtless been as carefully kept as the generality of town records ; but whole decades are passed over with scarcely an entry of birth or marriage ; and it must be confessed that errors have been found in the entries made. To supply deficiencies and correct dates has required much time and labor, and it cannot be claimed that all errors have been eliminated ; but much pains having been taken to insure accuracy, it is believed' that any errors which remain will not essentially mar the verity of the record. The history is brought down to the autumn of 1892 ; and any refer- ences to the present time are to be understood of that period. The editor desires to thank all those citizens and friends who have aided in completing genealogies or furnishing historical information. Special acknowledgements are due to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shaw, Charles M. Lamprey, Esq., Wm. E. Lane and J. Warren Dow, for obtaining facts that required correspondence and pains-taking search. Other helpers are too many to mention by name, but they are grate- fully remembered, (vi) CONTENTS. GENERAL AND MILITARY. Ch.ipter. Page. I. The Settlement in the Wilderness. 1638-1646. 1 II. Labors, Controversies and Superstitions. 1647-1662. 35 III. Town Affairs. 1658-1680. Public Lands— Public Houses — And a Troublesome Public Charge. 58 IV. Hampton under the Mason and Massachusetts Con- troversy. 1651-1677. 86 V. Town and Province under the Royal Government. 1677-1689. 96 VI. Under Royal Government (continued). 1689-1730. 115 VII. The Boundary Lines. 1639-1742. 133 VIII. Town Affairs— Kingston. 1680-1707. 146 IX. Hampton Falls. 1709-1760. 162 X. Town Affairs — Natural Phenomena — Rye. 1708-1736. 173 XL North Hampton. 1719-1742. 195 XII. Regulations — Lawsuits — Casualties. 1733-1780. 202 XIII. Indian Wars. 1675-1763. 219 XIV. In the Revolution. 1774-1783. 249 XV. In the Early Years of Independence. 1784-1814. 276 XVI. A War— A Colonel— A Regiment. 1812-1860. 292 XVII. The Civil War. 1860-1865. 301 XVIII. Other Nineteenth Century Happenings. J800-1892. 321 ECCLESIASTICAL. XIX. The Interwoven Pastorates : Rev. Stephen Bachiler. 1638-1641. Rev. Timothy Dalton. 1639-1661. Rev. John Wheelwright. 1647-1656. Rev. Seaborn Cotton. 1657-1686. 343 (vii) Viii CONTENTS. XX. Rev. John Cotton's Ministry. 168G-1710. 366 XXI. Pastors Gookin and Ward Cotton — New Parishes. 1710-1837. 377 XXII. Rev. Ward Cotton's Ministry— The North Hill Parish. 1731-1767. 395 XXIII. Rev. Ebenezer Thayer's Pastorate. 1765-1792. 406 XXIV. The Presbyterian Schism. 1792-1807. 419 XXV. Last Years of the Town Ministry. 1807-1839. 440 XXVI. The Independent Churches. 456 EDUCATIONAL. XX\"II. Tiie Common Schools. 473 XXVIII. IIami)ton Academy and High School. 484 INDUSTRIAL. XXIX. Hampton Beach and Vicinity — Ownership and Uses. 502 XXX. The Public Roads. 519 XXXI. The Story of the Mills. 531 XXXII. Stores and Trades. • 546 XXXIII. Last Words. 559 TABULAR. A Tubular Record of Town Officers. 563 APPENDIX. 578 GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 581 ILLUSTRATIONS. Map of Hampton as Originally Laid Out, Portrait of the Author, View from the North Beacli, Plan of Hampton in 1806, Portrait of Col. Christopher Toppan, Tlie Old Top[)an Homestead, Hotel Wliittier, - . . . . Portrait of Rev. Josiah Webster, Portrait of Prof. John C. Wel)ster, Portrait of Rev. DeWitt C. Durgin, D.D., Ham[)l()n Academy, .... Cover. Frontispiece. facing page 4 285 . 296 298 . 341 442 . 452 464 . 493 First Graduating Class of Hampton Academy and High Sc1k)o1, 497 viz. : 1. George Erviu Garland. 3. Howard Garland Lane. 5. Frank Elmer Leavitt. 7. Caroline Belle Nudd. 9. Ernest Gowell Cole. 11. Amos Towle Leavitt. 13. Percy Downing Godfrey. 2. Annie Elizabeth (Lamprey) Garland. 4. Sarah Maria Hobbs. 6. Ida Pearl Williams. 8. Grace Reed Williams. 10. Alice Sarah Weare. 12. Eugene Frank Nudd. 14. William Eastman Philbrick. Portrait of William T. Merrill, M.D., Mrs. Zipporah J. Jenness and her Birds, Portrait (d' Dr. Claudius B. Webster, Portrait ot Joseph F. Dearboi'n, Esq., . The Dearborn Monument, Folio from Ca[)t. Henry Dovv's Diary, . Portrait of Mr. John H. Fogg, . The Original James Homestead, Weare Arms, Seals and Signatures, . Portrait of Dr. Eliphalet K. Webster, . Portrait of G-en. Joseph D. Webster. . 500 557 560 668 670 679 714 762 1026 1034 1036 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Pages 65-85, head line, for "1676" read 1680. Pages 127, 138, for Vaughn read Vaughan. Page 130, 20th line, for "king" read King. Page 146, foot note, for "Little river" read LUcle Biver. Page 472, 1st line, for "ansterity" read austerity. Page 529, 40th line, for "council" read counsel. Page 548, near bottom, between -'Marston" and "Perkins" insert MouUon. Page 564, under Moderators in Presidential Elections, for "1799, Oliver Whipple" read 1800 \_no record']. Page 582, the name of Batchelder (2) was Nathaniel. He m. Hester Mercer, andd. probably about 1630, in England or Holland. Page 615, middle of page, for "afward" read afterward. Page 655, under D.ilton (6), erase "probably" before "daughter of Moses." The youngest child, "Elizabeth, b. Apr. 1, 1745," m. Stephen Mason, son of John (4) . Page 682, under Dow (12), Abi-aham and Phebe, of Seabrook, had nine chil- dren, of wliom was Jedediah, b. 1739; m., 1st, Mary Dow, 2nd, Dorcas Neal; settled in Weare; by 2nd marriage, had a son Josiah, who settled in Portland, Me., the father of Gen. Neal Dow, b. 1804. Page 692, under Drake (13), for "Giles swamp" read Gups' swamp. Page 694, under Drake (23), for "Fisk (3)" read Fisk (2). Page 721, under (iarland (5), it was Joseph, not Jacob, who m. Jane Stick- ney (Dec. 30, 1736", and had the children mentioned Page 748, under Hobbs (4), for "(Marston?)" read Marston. Page 779, John Knowles (4) had also children, Samuel and Susanna. Page 849, under Marston (46), for "Thomas Sanborn, son of Daniel (35)" read Thomas L. il^anborn (54). Page 854, John Mason (1) had also children: Francis, d. in Ki. about 1718. Joseph, b. about 1693. Benjamin, b. 1696. Mary. Hannah. Esther. Page 869, at bottom, for "Phebe Moulton" read Phebe Palmer. Pajie 880, under Neal (3), for "Capt. Joseph (4)" read Capt. Joseph (2). Page 940, 4th line of text, for "Dusdale" read JDugdale ; 9th line, for "Kid- deminster" read Kidderminster ; last line, for "Placite" read Placita. Page 943, under Richard (13), for "Mary" raad Marie. Page 1026, under Wardwell, for "Philip Towle" read./o/in Cass. (Seep. 1039). Page 1029, Natli'l Weare (3) had also a dau. Susanna, b. July 28, 1723. Page l031, 23rd line, f or " were " read was; 2tth line, for " recorded " read accorded. Page 1069, first line after title, for "list" read lists. Page 682, 8th line from bottom, for "1728" read 1S2S. Page 760, near bottom : It is now thought that there was no Joseph ' Hussey. Cliristopher Hussey (2) was representative in 1672 (see p. 5G6V The original town record for that year is torn off and lost. Page 432, 25th liu'-. for "sight" read ri^kt. GENERAL AND MILITARY, HISTORY OF HAMPTON. CHAPTER I. THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDEKNESS. 1G38-1G-16. TOPOGRAPHY. THE ancient town of Hampton, New Hampshire, embraced a large territory, lying along the coast between Salisbury, Massachu- setts, on the south, and Portsmouth, or tlie lower Piscataqua settle- ment on the north ; and extending from the Atlantic Ocean westward, about six miles to Squamscott Patent (Stratham) and Exeter, and along the southerly side of the latter town, ten or twelve miles farther ; the w'esterly line running thence southerly to the boundary between Salisbury (now Amesbury) and Haverhill, Massachusetts. The whole area is not less than one hundred square miles. The surface is somewhat varied, though no portion of it is very rough. In the southeast part, and extending beyond its limits through Salisbury to the Merriinac river, is a very large tract of marsh, or salt meadows, containing several thousand acres, as level as any prai- rie of the West, and, through its whole extent, covered in summer with salt grass. It was this feature of the place, more than any other, that attracted the notice of the government of Massachusetts, and led to its early settlement. The rest of the land near the coast is also remarkably level, but farther back it is more uneven, though there are no very high hills. Those of the greatest elevation, east of Kingston old line, are Great, or Hardy's Hill, and Cock Hill, in Hampton Falls, and Horse Hill, in Kensington. The largest ponds are Great Pond, in Kingston, covering about 300 acres, and Country Pond, about two-thirds as large, lying parti}- in the same town and partly in Newton, beyond the original limits of Hampton. The principal rivers are the Winnacunnet, or Hampton river with its tributaries, and Little river, flowing into the ocean ; the Winnicut, a tributary of the Piscataqua, flowing into Great Bay, and (1) 2 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. tlie outlets of the ponds named above, which are the chief sources of the Powow river, tiiat empties into the Merrimac between Salisbury and Amesbiir}-. The coast line of the ancient town was about eight or nine miles in extent, terminating on the north at the easterly side of Jocelyn's (af- terward called Locke's) Neck, in the present town of Rye. On the coast are two noted headlands, called Great Boar's Head and Little Boar's Head. The rest of the coast is mostly a low, sandy beach, some portions of which are greatly admired for their beauty. Li sev- eral places, the beach is indented by small coves, which being some- what sheltered from the wind, serve as landing places for boats, and afford facilities for carrying on the shore fishery. In a territory so extensive, almost every variety of soil was found. In some parts, it was light, sandy and porons, liable to be parched by drought ; in others, clayey and wet, or rocky and difficult to culti- vate ; while, in man}' places, there was a rich, dark mold of great depth and fertility, yielding to the -husbandman an ample reward for his toll. A large portion of the land, except the salt meadows, was covered with forests where grew in great luxnriance tiie i)ine and the hemlock ; the cedar and the spruce ; the beech, the birch find the ma- ple ; the ash, the elm, the hickory and the oak. Of some of these there were several varieties. Oaks, both white and red, were exten- sively used by the early inhabitants in the manufacture of staves, for wliich a read}^ market was generally found, the sales bringing in a considerable portion of the money in circulation among them. The rivers, the brooks, and the neighboring ocean furnished the people with fish ; the woods and marshes afforded an abundance of game. Wild animals roamed in the forests, some of Vvhich, particu- larly the wolf and the bear, were ver}' troublesome to the inhabitants, and frequently committed depredations upon their sheep and cattle. A little more than two centuries and a half ago, no jiart of this tract was inhabited by white men. Some Lidians, but how many, we know not, dwelt here. In favorable localities, they built their wigwams and had their homes. They roamed through the forests, and over the marshes, in search of game, which they shot with their arrows. Their trails might have been seen along the banks of the ponds, the brooks, and the rivers, where they often sauntered to draw from them their daily food. On the larger streams, they delighted to paddle their birch canoes. They had also places of burial where they deposited their dead. These they held as sacred spots. After the white men had formed a settlement, there was some friendly intercourse between the two races. The ImWan pcqypooses, it is said, THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1046. 3 would, in times of peace, often go to the log-huts of the new settlers, to pUij' with tiieir children. But the ancient race soon began to dwin- dle awa}', and, in little more than one century, were all gone. Their very names have also perished. Scarcely one is now known, and but very few authentic anecdotes concerning them have been preserved. An arrow-head of flint, occasionally picked up, and in some localities marl mixed with the soil, where they deposited the shells of clams dug for food from the river-flats, are almost the only relics that re- main to remind us that this was once the home^of the red men. "Alas ! for them, tlieir day is o'er ! Their ifires are out from liill and sliore ! No more for them tlie wild deer bounds ; The plough is on their hunting grounds ; The pale man's axe rings through their woods — The pale man's sail skims o'er their floods." Such was Hampton at an early period. But its ample dimen- sions soon began to be curtailed. The first extensive tract severed from it was the town of Kingston, which was granted to a number of inhabitants of Hampton, who soon after removed thither with their families; but as no part of it had been settled at the time of its in- corporation, its history will not be given in this work. Next in or- der was incorporated the Paris/i of Hampton Falls, including, besides the town bearing that name, the present town of Kensington and a considerable part of Seabrook. A few years later, a valuable tract in the northeasterly part of Hampton was annexed to the town of Rye. Soon after, the remaining territory was divided into two por- tions nearly equal, and one of them set off to form the town of North Hampton. The present town of Hampton lies on the seacoast, in the easterly part of the county of Rockingham, in latitude 42° 56' 15" N. and lon- gitude 70° 50' 12" W.i It has for its boundaries, North Hampton on the north ; Hampton Falls on the southwest and west ; and P^xeter on the northwest ; while its eastern border, throughout its whole extent, is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The town is small in extent, having an area of only a little more than 8000 acres. About one-fourth part of it is salt marsh, and sand banks along the coast. The surface is generally level or undulating, nowhere rising into high hills, and con- sequently the streams of water, none of which are large, furnish but few, valuable mill privileges. Winnacunnet, or Hampton river, is formed by the union of several iTaken on the site of the Baptist cluiixh— U. S. Coast Survey Report. 4 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. brooks, or rivulets, some of which, tliough of moderate size, are usually called rivers. The largest of these are Taylor's, Brown's, Falls and Blackwater rivers. One of the brooks early received the name of Ni- lus, which it still bears. Taylor's river has its source in a i)ond in the town of Hampton Falls, and runs southeasterly, forming, for a consid- erable distance, the boundary between that town and Hampton, re- taining its name till it reaches the salt marsh, — and perhaps, formerly to the mouth of Falls river, -which flows into it from the town of Hampton Falls, — when it takes the name of Hampton river. Passing on between the two towns nearly a mile farther, it unites with Brown's river coming in from the northeast, thus forming the main river, which flows on to the ocean, receiving in its course Blackwater river fro^i the south. The smaller tributaries from the Hampton side are Ass brook, which comes in from F^xeter ; Great Swamp run, rising in " the old swamp" in the north part of the town ; and Mill brook, rising in the central part, — all of which flow into Taylor's river; and Nilus brook, which has its source in Alder Meadow, near the boundary line between Hampton and North Hampton, and running several miles easterly and southerly, falls into the Meadow pond, and from that passes out southerly into the Spring marsh, where it meets the tide, and soon receives the name of Brown's river. Dow's river, more properly called a brook, is a small stream in the easterly part of the town, flowing from Spring Heads into the Meadow pond. Hampton river is of some value for the purposes of navigation, being of suflicient depth to admit vessels^of sevent}? or eighty tons, though it is somewhat difficult of entrance, in consequence of sand bars and of sunken rocks that lie oflT its mouth. It is also productive of other benefits. The main river and some of its branches take a serpentine course through the salt marshes. These and the numerous creeks connected with them, serve both to drain and water the marshes, as the tide ebbs and flows, thus rendering them productive, while they also furnish facilities for taking off the hay in boats. Along the whole eastern border of the town is a fine, sandy beach, interrupted only by a projecting rocky point near the northern ex- tremit}', which shelters from troublesome winds a fishing cove on the southerly side; and about midwa}-, by Great Boar's Head, which has already been mentioned. This is a singular bluff, lifting itself between two low, sandy beaches, and extending into the sea about one-fourth of a mile, l)eing of a triangular shape, and terminating in a i)oint at the southeast. It rises gradually fioni the salt-marsh and a low ridge of upland on the west, till it attains the height of fifty or sixty feet THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1 638-1 64(). 5 above the level of the sea, which at high water washes its base. The eastern half is nearly level at the top, and the whole area is not far from twenty acres. From the summit of tliis bold headland the prospect is varied and extensive, embracing fine views of portions of this, and some of the neighboring towns ; of the salt-marsh stretching off to the west and southwest, almost as far as the eye can- reach, and beautilied by the raeanderings of the river ; of the blue summit of Againenticus, far off in Maine; of various points along the coast from Cape Neddock, in Maine to Cape Ann, in Massachusetts; of the Isles of Shoals; and lastly, of the ocean itself, apparently limitless, bearing upon its bosom the white sails of commerce, and with waves, sometimes but gentle undulations, sportively chasing each other landward and laving the shore with a soothing murmur, and sometimes lashed into the wildest commotion by the tempest, rolling in and breaking upon the coast with a deafening roar, that can be heard for leagues. THE GORGES AND MASON GRANTS. In 1622, a grant was made b}' the Council of Plymouth to two of its most active members. Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Capt. John Mason, jointly, "of all the lands between the rivers Merrimack and Sagadahock [now the Kennebec], extending back to the great lakes and river of Canada," which grant was called Laconia. The grant- ees, having admitted several English merchants as associates, under the style of " The Company of Laconia," soon began to make prepa- ration to form settlements on the territory. Early the next spring, they sent out a considerable number of people, well supplied with everything needful for their undertaking, to establish a colony for the purpose of fishing, and of trading with the natives. When the emi- grants arrived at the Piscataqua, they separated into two companies, one of which remained at Little Harbor, near the mouth of the river,' and the other proceeding about eight miles up the river, settled on a point of land called by the Indians Winnichahannat,- to which they gave the name Df Northam, and subsequently, Dover. In 1629, Mason received from the Council of Plymouth a new pat- ent for all the land "from the middle of Piscataqua river, and up the same, to the farthest head thereof, and from thence northward, until sixty miles from the mouth of the harbor were finished ; also, through Merrimack river, to the farthest head thereof, and so forward up into iThe setUement was at Odiorne's Point, in tlie northeast part of Rye. =Spelled also Wecoliannet, etc. 6 HISTORY OF ha:\ipton. the land westward, until sixty miles were finished, and from thence to cross over land to the end of sixty miles, accounted from Piscata- qua river, togetlier with all tlie islands within five miles of the coast." This tract was ctdled Nkw Hampshiue. These grants and the expenditure of considerable sums of money by Captain Mason, in forming and sustaining the settlements a few years, were the grounds on whicli his heirs based their claim to tiie province, in the [)rosecution of which, they subjected the inhal)itants to an expensive and tedious course of litigation. It has therefore seemed im|>ortant to take some notice of the grants, although the town of Hampton was settled without any reference to them, and has never, in any wa}', derived fi'om them the least benefit. WINNACUNNKT. The grants to Gorges and Mason, and to Mason alone, both in- cluded the place, which the Indians called Winnaainnet. Tliis name seems to have been used b}- them to designate the river, afterward called Hampton river, tlowing into the Atlantic, a few miles north of the Merrimac, and a tract of land in the vicinity of the river, whose limits are not well defined, but which appears to have been extensive enough to embrace the Indian population, accustomed to resort to the river for shell-fish and game, and to make it, for their canoes, a thoroughfare to the ocean. This Indian name Dr. Belknap writes Winicumet. and Governor Wintlirop, Winicowett. Tlie name was probably written according as the sound struck tlie ear of the persons at- tempting to give it a visible form. The orthograpliy here adopted is the uniform spelling in tlie Records of tlie Ueneral Court of Massachusetts. The earliest town records also have unn, never um nor oiv; and this is most likely to represent the Indian utterance. Hon. O. E. Potter, sometime of Hillsborough, N. H., gives the meaning of the word thus : Pleasant Place or Pines, or The Beautiful Place of Pines. Rev. Edward Ballard, sometime of Bruns- wick, Me., would translate it, The Beautiful Long Place. This tract, lying along the sea-shore and only a few miles distant from the lower settlement on the Piscataqua, was probably sometimes visited by persons from that settlement, some of whom may have been temporarily employed here as fishermen. But nothing of this kind appears from history. The earliest notice of the place that we have found, is in the Records of the General Court of Massachusetts, where, under date of March 3, 1636, is found the following order: "That there shalbe a plantacon settled at Winnacunnet & that M'' Dumer & M'" John Spencer shall have power to presse men to builde a house forthw'^'', in some convenient place, & what money they lay out aboute it, shalbe repaide them againe out of the tresury, or by those that come to inhabit there." TfiE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1646. 7 Agreeably to this order, a, house was built for the purpose of secur- ing Winnacunnet to Massachusetts, though, by a fair construction of its charter, the place was evidentl}- beyond its jurisdiction. Tlie house tlius I)uilt was afterward known as the Bound Ilouse^ though it seems to have been intended by the General Court, as a mark of possession, rather than of limit. It is not known with certainty where the Bound House stood, and it is hardly [)robable that any future researches will serve to identify the spot. That was a disputed point more than a century ago. Some then located it on, or near, the Meeting House Green ; some on Easton's Point, and others on Sargent's Island. There are reasons for believ- ing that no one of these opinions is correct. That the house was not at either of the two places last named, appears probable from Gov- ernor Winthrop's History of New England, in which it is incidentally mentioned as being on the way, or path, from Newbury to the Piscata- qua settlement. Other circumstances lead to the belief that it was farther south than the Meeting House Green. Rev. John Wheelwright, in his testimony taken by the commissioners of Charles II, in 1665, and embodied in their report to the King, stated tliat it was "erected three large miles from the Merrimac." This statement favors the opinion held by some, that the Bound House was somewhere within the limits of the present town of Seabrook ; but it fails to settle the question, for it does not a[)pear what distance is meant by a large mile, and in the same report it is stated that Mr. Wheelwright, when banished from Massachusetts, "settled just beyond the Bound House," wheieas Exeter, the place of his settlement, is more than six miles from the Merrimac. It is probable that the Bound House was occupied soon after it was built, but by whom, history fails to inform us; nor do we know how long it remained standing, unless by inference from Mr. Wheelwright's testimony, that it "was for seventeen years called and known to be the bounds of Massachusetts." About two years after the settlement of the town of Newbury had been commenced near the river Parker, the inhabitants, for some reason "haveing been moved to leave their plantation," received from the General Court, November 2, 1637, a conditional grant of Winna- cunnet, and such as should "remove w^'^in one yeare" w^ere to "have three years imunity" from the first day of March, 1638. About this time, April 3, 1638, Rev. John Wheelwright and others bought of the Indians a tract of land around Squamscott Falls, included in the following boundaries, viz. : "Within three miles on the north- erne side of y'^ river Meremake extending thirty miles along by the 8 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. river from llie seaside and from the sayd river side to Piscataqua Pat- ents thirty miles up into the countrey northwest, and so from tlie ffalls of Piscataqua to Oyster river thirty miles square ever}- wa^'." This purchase included Winnacunnet, and thus was "obtained a right to tlie soil from the original proprietors, more valuable in a moral view than tlie grants of any European prince could coiive}"."^ Early in 1638, two persons, at least, were at Winnacunnet, where they had already built, or were then building houses for themselves. Whether they tliought tliemselves authorized to proceed tluis by the grant to the people of Newbury the autumn before, — for one of tliem, and perhaps both, had been living in that town, — or whether they supposed themselves be^'ond the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, is un- certain. One of them, Nicholas Easton, had, with many others, re- monstrated against the harsh treatment shown to Mr. AVheelwright, and had in consequence been disarmed by an order of the General Court made November 20, 1637. This order, Mr. Easton probably considered arbitrary and unjust, and it may have led him to resolve to leave the colony. Still, it could not have been unknown to him that Winnacunnet was claimed to be within tlie jurisdiction of INIassa- chusetts, and tiiat the Bound House had been built to denote that claim. It has even been said that Mr. Easton was tlie architect em- ployed to build the house. If so, he might thus have become acquainted with the advantages that Winnacunnet possessed as a place for set- tlement. 'But tliis is very doubtful. The Bound House had been built under authority to "presse" men for the purpose, and, tliougli it might not require much architectural skill to build a log-house, yet the persons authorized by the court to see to the execution of their order, would have been more likely to impress a carpenter than a tan- ner ; and Mr. Easton was a tanner. But whatever may have been the motives of Mr. Easton ; whatever his opinion relative to the northern limit of Massachusetts, we find him and a Mr. Geoffre}^ at Winnacunnet early in the year 1638. But they did not long remain unmolested. The former, at least, was ob- noxious to the government, and both were here without authority from the General Court. They must therefore be removed. To effect their removal, the following order was passed, Maj' 17, 1638: "That the magistrates of Ipswich shall have power to discharge Mr. Eason & Mr. GeofTry fro"' building at Winnacunnet, and if they will not take warning, to cleare the place of y'"." It does' not appear whether they did "take warning," and go away peaceably, or whether the magis- trates were obliged "to cleare the place of y"' ;" nor is it certain to ^Judge Smith. THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1688-1G46. 9 what place Mr. G-eoffrey next went. Mr. Kastou was soon after in Rhode Island. He is said to have built the first house at Newport, tiie place selected for his residence. In the years 1672 and 1673, he was governor of Rhode Island. He died in 1685 at the age of eighty- three years. THE TOWNSHIP GRANT. In the autumn of 1G3uvb of the City of Southampton, be- ing situated just outside the city limits on the north. This close connection between South Stoneham and Southampton and the settlement of Kev. Stephen Bacjiiler at the former place evidently accounts for the name of our Hampton ; and there nuiy have been a real or fancied re- THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WFLDERNESS. 1638-164fi. 15 semblance to Southampton Water as the first settlers of our Hampton sailed up Hampton Kiver in a shallop "when they made their settlement there in 1638." TOWN MEETINGS. At tlie first town meeting of which there is any record — i)robubly the first that wn.s holden —October 31, 1639, Williuni Wulvclield was chosen town clerk ; and, judging by the records which lie kept, the choice was a judicious one. Christopher Hnssey, Richard Swaine and William Wakefield were chosen "to measure, lay forth and bound all such lots as should be granted by the freemen," to hold their office for one year, and to receive as compensation for their services, twelve shillings for laying out a house lot ; and, in ordinary cases, one pen- ny an acre for all other land surveyed by them. A vote was passed, imposing a fine of Is. on each freeman, who, af- ter due notice of any town meeting, should fail to be at tlie place des- ignated, within half an hour after the time appointed ; and it was made the duty of the constable to collect every such fine, for the use of the town, under penalty of forfeiting double the amount. At another town meeting a few weeks afterwards, November 22, two rates were ordered to be made, one of which was " for the payment of 3-^ IP 8'^ to John Moulton, for his going twice to the Court as dep- uty, at which times he spent twenty-seven daj-s, which at 2*^ 6*^ per day, — his diet being satisfied by the Court, — comes to 3^ T** 6'', and that with 4"* 2'' for ferriage, comes to 3-^ ll'^ 8'^'." The purpose of the other rate appears to have been to meet expen- ses incurred at the beginning of the settlement for the transportation of goods, but so much of the record is worn off, that it is impossible to gain from it any very definite information. As the term "freemen" will often be used in the early annals of the town, it is proper to explain here its meaning. Under the first char- ter of the Massachusetts colony, only those were freemen, who were admitted such by the General Court, and took the oath of allegiance. This custom prevailed till the second charter changed the colony to a province. In Coffin's Newbury, we read : "A man might be a freeholder & not a freeman, and vice versa. He might be a voter in town affairs, and yet neither a freeholder nor a freeman. A freeman was one who had taken the freeman's oath, and which alone entitled him to vote in the nomination of magistrates and choice of deputies, alias representatives. A freeholder was one, who either by grant, purchase, or inheritance, was entitled to a share in all the common and undivided lands. 16 HISTORY OF HAMPTON . When an 3^ town olHcers were to be cliosen, or money raised by way of rate, all the inhabitants could vote. Thus we sometimes find the expression, 'at a meeting of the free- men', sometimes, 'a meeting of the freeholders', or 'a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants,' or 'a generall towne meeting,' and some- times of 'a legall towne meeting,' These expressions always indicate the nature and object of the meeting, and were necessary, as all the transactions were recorded by the town clerk in the same book." WOODWARDS. When nearl}' the whole territory of the township, except the salt marshes, was covered with a dense forest, which had hitherto been undisturbed, it might, to some people, have appeared of little conse- quence what TREES should be taken from the public lands. But such was not the opinion of a majoritj^ of the freemen. Tlieir course in this matter evinces a great deal of foresight and a careful regard to the welfare of succeeding generations, as well as to their own imme- diate interest. To prevent waste upon tlieir timber lands by an indis- criminate destruction of trees, the town appointed Philemon Dalton, William Eastow and William Wakefield, a board of ivoodivards, to as- sign to individuals, what trees they might take from the common land. ADMISSION OF INHABITANTS. Anotlier subject which engaged the attention of the people at this early period, was the admission of persons as inhabitants. Some pre- caution was evidently needed to preserve the town from harm. Un- principled and disorderly persons might otherwise, in the infancy of the settlement, have come in from abroad and harassed the whole com- munity by their irregularities, and exerted an influence for evil, that could not have been easily counteracted. This was foreseen, and pru- dential regulations were adopted for its prevention. The power of ad- mitting inhabitants was guarded with great strictness as the palladium of their civil rights. The town would not delegate this power to au}^ man, or any set of men, but most scrupulously retained it in their own hands. After the first organization, no persons from abroad were ad- mitted as citizens, without permission of the town, whatever inigiit have been their character or reputation ; unless on the condition ex- pressed in the following vote : "No manner of person shall come into the town as an inhabitant without the consent of the town, under the penalty of twenty shillings per week, unless he give satisfactory se- curity to the town." On several occasions, votes were passed to prohibit the selectmen THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1G38-1()46. 17 from admittingiiiliabilants. As aspechnen, the followin<^ may ho (titcd, althon.iih passed tihoiit (brty years after the first settlement. Tlie se- lectmen for the ensiling" year had just been chosen. The anthoi ity conferred upon them having been stated, they were then '"strictly pHiiljitcd from granting or exchanging, or any waves disposeinii' of any laud, limlier or conionage, or receiueing of Inhabitants : which things are left to tiie vvliole Town as formerly." To show the manner of admitting inhat)itauts, tlie two following votes, passed near the close of the year 1639, are transcribed IVom tlie records. December 6. "Lil)erty is given to W'" Fuller, of I[)swicii to come and sit down here as a planter and smith, in case he bring a certificate of approbation from the M ig''*'^ or Polders." December 13. "The like liberty is given to John Saunders of r[)swich, as was to W'" ffuUer at tiie last meeting." LAND GRANTS. At the commencement of the settlement, house lots were granted to the settlers by the committee ai)pointed for that i)urpose by the General Court. After the right of disposing of the land had been vested in the town, individuals were not allowed to select lands for themselves, where, when, and in what quantities they pleased ; nor did the town by vote grant to each freeman indiscriminately the same number of acres. Some of the inhabitants had undoubtedly expended more money and made greater sacrifices than others in effecting the settlement, and they were, therefore, justly entitled to more valuable grants. In the records it is expressly stated that, in granting land, "resi)ect was had partly to estate, partlj' to charges and partly to other things." In point of fact, grants were usually made no more frequently, and in no greater quantities than prudence dictated, or necessity required, though the people in making them were guided by their own good sense, and not i-estricted by any colonial or provincial laws. They seem not to have been disposed to enter into any speculation, nor to have felt that, because the territory of the whole township was upon their hands, they must give themselves no rest till they had disi)Osed of it. ''The same number of the 2noj>le,'' says Judge Jeremiah Smith, "two centuries later, would have made shipwreck at once. The whole territory would have been granted out in the first year." December 24, 1639, the town granted to the following persons the number of acres of land denoted by the figures annexed to their names respectively, viz. : 2 18 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Ml-: Steven Bachiler 300 Abraham Perkins 80 (besides his house lot), (granted Jan. 14, 1640), Mr. Timothy DaUon, 300 Ricliard Swaine, 100 Mr. Christopher Ilussey, 250 William Eastow, 100 John Cross, 250 Thomas Monlton, 80 . John Moulton, 250 Robert Saunderson, 80 ^William Palmer, 100 Thomas Jones, 100 Philemon Dalton, 100 William Wakefield, 150 James Davis, 80 Three weeks afterwards, January 14, 1640, the town took further action in relation to these grants, and determined the kind of land to be assigned to the several grantees. The vote was as follows : "It is agreed y*^ evry one of those i^sons shall have the one halfe of his ground — so granted, — in upland, & that on that p'le of the Towne w^'' is next or towards his house lott, if it be there to be liad conveniantly & w'^^out p'^iudice ; & if it be not, then every one is to have a share according to the p'^portions granted, & to have the rest of that halfe in swampy or wood ground, where it may be had ; of the other halfe he is to have a third p^'te in fresh meadow & the rest in salt marsh, or else p^'te of that rest in salt marsh, & the re- maynd"" thereof in swampy or wood ground ; And therein the quality of theirs that have the worser is to be rectifyed w"' addition in quan- tity of the same sort or other." In June, 1640, grants were made toother individuals as follows: Henr}' Ambrose (granted in Oct.), William Filield, Francis Asten, Giles Fuller, John P>rabrook, William Fuller, John Brown, Sauniel Greenfield, Henry Bright, Daniel Henrick, Widow Bristow, Barnabas Horton, Ambrose Carpenter, William Howard, Richard Carre, John Huggins, Aquila Chase, Widow Mary Hussey, Thomas Chase, Edmund Johnson, Arthur Clarke, Thomas King, William Cole, Richard Knight, Moses Coxe, John Legat, Timothy Dalton, jr., William Marston, James Davis, jr., Robert IMarston, . Dow (if he come), Daniel Morse, John Eldred, Henry Moulton, William English, Jetlery Mingay, THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1038-1640. 19 Robert Pixge, ^ John Saunders, Palmer, Robert Sanuderson, Widow Jnditli Parker, Robert 8avv\'er, Francis Peabody, Thomas Sleeper, John Pliilbrick, Thomas Smith, Walter Ro[)er ([)erhaps at this Anthony Ta\-lor, . time), RoI)ert Tuck, 100 acres, John Sanboi-n, Francis Wainwright, Stephen Sanborn, John Ward (if he come), William Sanborn, Thomas Ward, William Sargent, John Wedgwood. The first lands granted were small tracts for house lots, contain- ing in but few instances as many as ten acres. In many cases these lots, being from ten to twenty-five or thirty rods in width, lay contig- uous to each other, so that when other grants were afterwards made to their owners, they usually consisted of land not adjoining their house-lots, and in some instances lying at a considerable distance from them. From this arrangement it has resulted, that at the present time, the farms in the earliest settled portions of the town, are not situated in one compact body, but lie in several detached lots, and are in con- sequence less convenient than they might have been under a different arrangement. Only five or six grants, styled farms, were made at an early period. These were made to Mr. Steven Bacliiler, Mr. Timothy Dalton, Mr. Christopher Hussey, Mr. John Cross and .Jolni Brown ; and none of tliein lay in that part of the town where the earliest in- habitants princi|)ally lived. A farm was also granted to Mr. .John Moulton, but he soon after "resigned it to the freemen." Mr. Bachi- ler's farm was' afterwards owned by Mr. John Wheelwright. THE MEETING-HOUSE GREEN. The place at first selected as a site for a house of worship, was on the northerly side of the salt marsh, at the distance of about one- fourth of a mile from it. A considerable tract of land near this was called The Meeting-house Green. This tract included the whole of what afterwards took the name of Ring Swamp, together with the road around it. From tlie easterly part of the Green a common-way was laid out where the principal road to the seashore now goes. Around the Green and along this common-way, many of the early families had their homes, and, in several instances, the house lots of those early inhabitants are now, after the lapse of two centuries and a half, owned and occupied by their lineal descendants. A similar remark may be made concerning a few house lots in other parts of the town. 20 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Along the nortlierly side of the Meeting-house Green, and tlie road leading from it to the beach, are extensive fields of tillage land, owned in small lots by a large number of persons, each knowing the boundaries of his own, though not separated from the adjoining lots by walls or fences and, in some cases, hardly marked by metes and bounds. Many years ago, the fences enclosing these common fields were dividetl and portions assigned to each lot, so that no one of the proprietors might be released from an equital)le share of the burden and expense of keeping the fields enclosed, whether his lots lay near the border or in the interior. Latterl}', this arrangement has been to some extent disregarded, and those owning the land next to the roads, maintain the fences. For several generations, these fields have been cultivated from year to year, and no finer corn-fields could be found in New P^ngland. After the crops were harvested in autumn, tlie fields were laid open to the cattle of all the proprietors. Tiiis was called '■^turning shack." The custom was i)robably introduced from the County of Norfolk, in Eng- land, — the birthplace of man}' of the first inhabitants. A similar custom has long pi-evailed there, and when the cattle are admitted to the fields, they are said to go a-shack. CARE OF THE CATTLE. The people of Hampton, at an early period, appear to have given considerable attention to the raising of cattle, of which in a few years they had four hundred fifty head, and cattle at that time bore a very high price. For the means of wintering so large a stock, they were much indebted to their extensive salt marshes. In summer they had no lack of pasturage. As yet, however, they had enclosed but few, if any, pastures, and were consequently'^ liable to lose their cattle in the swamps and forests, and to have their sheep destroyed by wolves and other wild beasts that prowled the woods. To preserve their sheep and cattle, — and acting on the principlo, that a division of labor promotes the general good, — tlie town autiior- ities appointed shepherds and herdsmen, to wliom was committed the care of the flocks and herds. The first herdsman mentioned in tiie records is Moses Coxe, who was appointed in the spring of 1640. From a contract made with him by the selectmen, we are informed as to his compensation and duties. "All the other beasts w*'Mn the town, except sucli as have calves sucking them," were to be entrusted to Ills care, and he was to keep them from doing and receiving hurt by day till "foddering time" in the succeeding autumn. It was no i)nrt of his business to collect the cattle from their owners in the morning nor to return them in tlie eveninyany compulsory legislative enactments. In any other than despotic govern- ments, it is futile to expect to secure by law a perfect unilormity of prices of either labor or commodities. But the experiment was ti-ied. In this town it was voted, March 23, 1641, that a workman should be allowed only P 3'^ per day from the first of September to the first of IMarch, and P 8^' per day during the remainder of the year, except for ^noiving, for Avhich he might re- ceive two shillings. For a day's work for a man with four oxen and a cart, 5s were to be allowed through six calendar months, from the first day of September, and 6s at any other season. This order was to reu)ain in force till the 14th of the following April, when it was to be further considered. Soon afterward it w^as so modified, that the best workmen should not receive more than 2« each per day, and others not more than P 8*^. How long this order remained in force and how strictly it was ob- served, are not matters of record. Judging from the nature of the case, we may presume that it could not easily be enforced, and that, though, perhiips, never repealed by any formal act, it soon became wholly in- operative. 26 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. In order to transact the great amount of business incident to a new settlement, it had been found necessary to hold town meetings some- what frequently, but liitherto they had not been holden at stated in- tervals. It was now, March 23, determined to hold a meeting once in three weeks, the first meeting under this arrangement to be holden on AVednesday, the 14th of April, and other meetings to succeed on Wednesday of every third week thereafter, each meeting to commence at 12 o'clock, noon. Every freeman was required to be present, and if any one should "absent himself the space of an hour after 12 from any such meeting," he was to forfeit for each offence "12d. to the the use of the town, & the like also in case he should depart, with- out leave, from the meeting before it was ended." The forfeiture for absence was also made to apply to a meeting holden previous to the 14th of April, for Robert Tuck was fined 12'' for absenting him- self therefrom Contrary to this order. At this meeting on tlie 14th of April, it was ordered that the fences about the Riiuj iSiccmq? should be built within three days, in such a manner as Jolm Moulton and AYilliam AVakefield should deem sufficient for the time; and these two men were required to "levy by distress" a fine of 3** 4'' on each delinquent. At the same meeting it was voted, "that, if after the end of this weeke an}' man's beasts or cattell be found in the meadowes or marshes, the owner shall forfeit 12'' for eury one so found eury tyme." Five days later, IMr. Christopher Hussey and John Moulton were appointed by the town "to goe w"' Mr. Dalton & John Crosse on this day fortnight, to coiiferre of y® fferi-place." This ferry was between iSalisbmy and Newbury, and "crossed the Merrimac at Carr's island, George Carr keeping the Salisbury side, and Tristram Coffin, senior, the Newbury side." The General Coui't had nearly a year before ap- pointed and authorized "Mr. Edward Woodman, Mr Christo : Batt and John Crosse, to settle the fferry where they [might] think meete." John Crosse was chosen deputy to tiie General Court of Election to be holden at Boston on the second day of June. At a Quarter Court, June 1, the town was fined 2* 6^' for not being provided with weights and measures, as required by law. At the General Court convened the next day, there were appointed for Hamp- ton, "to order small causes," John Crosse, Christopher Ilussey and John Moulton ; '*and one of them to see people ioyne in marriage in a publike meeting and keepe records of the same." Hence it may fairly be inferred, that the law then required marriages to be in public. How far sucli a I'egulation was observed in practice, we know not. At the same session of the Genera4 Court it was enacted that the courts THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1646. 27 at Stilem and Ipswich should have the same power both in civil and criminal causes as the Court of Assistants at Boston, except in trials for life, limbs, or banishment. Such cases were to be tried only by the court in Boston, and to this court appeals might also be carried from the other courts. Salisbury and Hampton were joined to the jurisdiction of Ipswich, and each of them was to send a grand jury- man once a year to Ipswich. At the same session the court " ordered that Hampton, Dcdliam, & all the out towues should each of them have a barrell of gun-powder, for w'^^i they were to give satisfaction to the Treasurer." CONDUCT OF TOWN MEETINGS. At a town meeting about mid-summer, some measures of consider- able importance were introduced and to some extent discussed, but final action postponed to another meeting. At the close, John Crosse was chosen moderator to preside at the next meeting. Three weeks afterward, July 28, that meeting was holden and measures were adopt- ed, by which future town meetings were to be regulated. These measures were substantially as follows : 1. A moderator was to be chosen at the close of each meeting for the next succeeding one. 2. The moderator, if the elders were not present, was to open the meeting with prayer. 3. The clerk or register was to call the freeman and note those who were absent. 4. The moderator was to state some proposition to be considered, or to call upon some other one to do it. 5. When any person addressed the moderator, he w:is to stand up or put otf his hat, and while any one was speaking in an orderly man- ner, no other person was to speak without leave. 6. No person was to speak oftener than twice or thrice to one busi- ness, without leave. 7. After any business had been introduced, no person was to pro- pound any other business, till the former was for the time determined. 8. No person, when a matter was in agitation, was to talk of any other thing within the room in which the meeting was holden. 9 . The meeting was to be closed with prayer. The penalty for violating these regulations is stated as follows : "If any man, whether free or no, doe contrary to any of these p^tieulers, he shall forfeit for eury tyme 6'^ w'^^'* being demanded by y*^ moderator and satisfaction not made within sixe dayes after, the moderator and constable shall distrayne for it, or see it payed, or ready to be payed. 28 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. before the next meeting; and the money sliall be imployed about mending highwayes, or other necessary town-business." June 14, 1642, William Howard was appointed by the General Court, "to grant sumons attaehm''* & replevies in Hampton, in the place of Willi : Wakefield." William Howard, John Crosse and James Davis were appointed for the trial of actions, under twenty shillings. The authority of Capt. Thomas Wiggin, one of the assistants of the Couit of Piscataqua, was extended to this town, the settlements on ■ the Pisctitaqna having been the year before received under the juris- diction of Massachusetts. At the same session, the General Court made a regulation concern- ing the registration of births and deaths, the faithful observance of which would have been of inestimable value to the genealogist of later years. It was conceived in a right spirit, and in its operation was intended to be . retrospective as well as prospective. As a regulation for the future, it ordered that the clerks of the writs should take es- pecial care to record all births and deatlis of persons in their towns ; and to remedy any defect in the past, it provided that the clerks should use their utmost endeavors to find out, in their several towns, who had l)een born, and who had died since the first founding of those towns, and to make a record of the same. "the BREEDINf} OF SALT PEETER." In the manufacture of gunpowder for the colony, a supply of salt- iwter was needed. The General Court passed an act, September 27, making provision for procuring such a supply. It reads thus : "The townesmen [selectmen] in every towne shall take order that ev''y house, or some two or more houses do ioyue [join] together for the breeding of salt-peeter in some outhouse used for poultry, or the like, and give them direction about the same ; and every towne w*^'' shall neglect the execution of this order before the last of the first month next, [March 31, 1643,] shall forfeit 20*; ev'"y family so ap- pointed, that shall faile therein, shall forfeit forev^'y month so failing 12*'; and [they are] to let them know that such peeler as shalbee raised by this meanes shalbee to the publique use ; but the owners shall have a due price for the same." William Kastow was appointed "to have the charge of looking to this order" in Hampton. Hampton was fined 20* for failing to comply with the provisions of this law, though the fine was afterwards remitted on condition that llie town shouhl provide "peeter-houses," for the future. A late of £800 was ordered to be raised in the colony, payable in THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1646. 29 November. The proportion for Hampton wjis £5, By an order of the court, payment might be made in beaver, money or wampum ; or in any of the following articles, at the prices specified, viz., wheat and barley at 4® per bushel ; rye and pease at S'^ 4'', and Indian corn at 2** 6''. William Palmer was chosen woodreeve, May 4, 1^4 4, in place of William Wakefield who removed from the town about this time. The term, woodreeve, is here used as synonymous Avith woodward, an offi- cer whose duties have already been mentioned. At another meeting there were granted to John Wedgwood two acres of meadow "all next the hether side of the Great Tond neere that which was sometimes Will: Wakefield's meadow — it it be thereto be had — all wayes reserveing ivays to the folding •pond.'' From this reservation — and it is not the only one of the kind — it may be inferred that the practice of fowling, or gunning, for which Hampton is some- what noted, was commenced at a very early date. There are certain localities in the town, which were favorite resorts for different kinds of fowl, and which continued so for many years, till the frequent visits of the fowler, in the pursuit of game, rendered these haunts entirely unsafe. As to the projit or loss to those who have been in the habit of gunning here at any time during the present century, there is but one opinion among those whose judgment has not been warped by the excitement and fascination of the employment. That it was less un- profitable many years ago, is very probable. TOWNS — HOW RANKKD. It was ordered by the House of Representatives May 20, 1644, that from that time forward, the existing towns and also those that should afterwards be "erected" in Massachusetts, should rank "according to their antiquity," or as it is expressed in the order, should "take theire places of p'cedencie botli in y^ transactinge of y*^ affayers of this howse, as also in all other such occasions as may fall out w^^^ in tliis colony respecting such p^'cedency of place." J n the list of towns in connection with this entry in the court records, Hampton occupies the sixteenth place. The quiet of tlie town liad for some time been disturbed b}^ party feelings. The differences among the people were partly, perhaps principally, though not entirely, ecclesiastical. Petitions from the dif- ferent i)arties — one signed by Christopher Hussey and eighteen others, another by William Howard, and still others by otlier persons — were sent to the General Coiu't in June, asking for legislative interference in the settlement of their ditfijtilties. Tae court a[)pointed a coni- raitlee with full power to hear the parties and determine everything in controversy among them. The committee were IMr. Bellingham, 30 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Mr. Saltonstall and Mr. Sj'monds. Among other difficulties to be adjusted by tliem were tliose tliut had arisen concerning a neio ^ilan- tation. But of the nature of tliese difficulties, or tlie place and circum- stances of the plantation, we are not informed, as this is the only allusion to it that we have found ; and not iiaving met witli the re- port of the committee, we are ignorant of tiie measures adopted for the attainment of the ol'ject of tiieir ai)pointment. Concerning one of the petitions, we find in the records of the court, the following entry : "It is ordered, in ans'' to Lift^ Howards peticon, that his charges alowed him to be p** him by y*^ towne of Hampton, bee forborne untill y^ foregoeing coffiittee of mag^'^ doe end y*^ differences betweene y*^ inhabitants of the said towne." DUTIES OK TOWN CLERK. William "Wakefield, the first town clerk, remained in office about three 3ears and a half, when, having determined soon to remove from the town, he probably resigned the several offices held by him. AT.'l- liam Howard succeeded him in the office of town clerk, which he held till lie, too, was about to seek a new residence. The duties of the town clerk, summarily stated, were "to keep the book and to record such acts as should be made b}' the town." Other duties, however, were required of him. At the meeting when Mr. Howard was elected, a vote was passed for registering all the grants of land tiiat had been made, and this business was assigned to the town clerk. The record of the vote is in these words : "It is ordered tiiat every inhabitant in the town shall, within one mounth after the date hereof, bring to the towne clarke in wrighting, upon the lectter dayes within the same mounth, the severall abuttments of their lands ; and, as neer as they can, upon what poynt the}' laye ; with six pence in courne [corn] for every p'^shall [parcel] of land they haue, either granted, appoynted, or possessed by them, for the recording thereof; And six pence for every mans [vv]hole p^portion, for a transcript to be written to send to the secritary to be recordetl ; And eveiT one who shall be found defective herein at the mo[nth's] end, shall forfitt five shillings, & from thence following, 12'^ per weeke untill they doe reforme according to this order." Accordingly, the town clerk was furnished with a statement and description of a large number of grants, that had previously been made to the inhal)itants. These grants, with the quantity of land and the aliutments of the several lots, were entered upon the records, where they still remain, alike creditable to Lieut. Howard for clearness and order of arrangement, and for beauty of chirography. Two or three months later, April 1, a vote was passed declaring all THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1646. 31 gifts, grants, or elections, or any act wliatsoever, done by the freemen, illegal, unless recorded by the town clerk. In July, the General Court ordered that there should be raised in the Colony a rate of £617 15s., one-half to be paid in three months and one-half by the end of the first month next [March, 1645], in cattle, corn, beaver, or money, as towns please. Of this rate, Boston was to pay £100, Hampton £10 and four towns a less sum each. Hence it appears, that in tliis in- stance, Hampton was required to i)ay one-tenth as much as Boston, and more than one sixty second part of the whole rate. OWNERSHIP OF THE COW-COMMONS. Near the beginning of the following year, a measure of great im- portance to the inhabitants was consummated, the design of which was to settle for all future time the question of ownership of a large tract of ungranted lands, known as the cow commons, and to determine severally the shares of the pioprietors. This measure was not adopted hastily, as it had been under consideration more than two years, but had constantly met with strenuous opposition. There were in the town, as has already been stated, two parties, that on various subjects were very far from harmonizing, either in their opinions or their practices. Great bitterness of feeling prevailed, originating, in- deed, from different sources, but fomented and cherished, to a con- siderable extent, by a single individual ; a person of acknowledged ability, shrew^l, calculating, of indomitable energy, — but, in the es- timation of many, an unprincipled demagogue ; one who knew the Zawwell, as his friends claimed, — for he had both friends and follow- ers; — but who, in the estimation of his opponents, was so fond of litigation, and so constant in his attendance upon the courts, as a party litigant, a witness, or an agent, that, in their quaint language, he was said to be "more meeter to follow the courts than to follow his work." At length the vexed question relative to these commons came fully and fairly before the town at a meeting holden expressly for this pur- pose, February 23, and warned ten days beforehand. After mature deliberation, a majority of the voters present decided upon, and adopted a plan, which they hoped would be satisfactory and final. But agitation was not yet at an end. Just before the time of the meeting, Edward Colcord, — the person so notorious for stirring up strife, — went out of town, and was absent till after the meeting. On his return, "he found himself greaued at the Towns act that passed, becase he was not in the first place considered, and [he] gayned many to side with him, whose speaker he was." 32 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Those opposed to the measure had recourse to the General Court for redress. At the May session, a petition was presented, signed by John Moulton and Edward Colcord, setting forth that great in. justice had been done in the division of the commons, inasmuch as some persons with seven children, and paying forty or fifty shillings to a rate, had not so many beasts-lease as others with but two chil- dren, and paying not ten shillings to a public rate ; and they asked for the appointment of "indifferent gentlemen of o'' neighboring townes to heere our sayd greauances and obserue any answer that may be made hereunto." Against this petition, a remonstrance was presented, signed b}' Wil- liam Howard in behalf of the town, in which he makes use of this language : "Our deferances have been so long and tedious, as that they euen make our spirits to droop under them." After stating the action of the town, and the course pursued by Colcord, he concludes as follows : "Our humble request is that this honored Court would please to appoint the hearing and determination of the matter to any court in a juditiall waye. — except onely the Court of Paschataqua, — or to our honored magistratts whom we haue chosen as our Judges in these or the like casses, unto whom I trust we shall willingly submit and rest foreuer obliged to the honored Court for their fauer herein." The action of the Court appears from the record : M"" Samu : Dudly, M'' Edw*i Rawson, M"" W" Paine and M"" Cadeton are ap- pointed to search and examine all differences at Hampton, & make returne of what they shall do or find in y^ p'mises to y*^ next siting of this C^'te, & [they] haue hereby pow'' on oath to examine wit- nesses." The report of this committee has not been found, but the arrange- ment made by the town, relative to the commons, was never set aside by the Court. It was afterwards slightly modified by the town, so far as related to the land on the south side of Taylor's river, for the purpose of allowing a due share of commonage to the Jive farms, all of which lay in that part of the town. The record of the vote assigning to individuals their respective rights in the cow commons, is as follows : "The 23 : 12 mo, 1645." [i. e., Feb. 23, 1646.] "Itt is ofdered y^ there shal be only reseiued to the power of the freemen of Hampton 200 acres of gionnd forLliem to disi)ose of hereaf- ter as they shall see just cause besids tliatt tluitt is already granted to seuerall persons: all other grounds are hereby ordered to bee com- mon to the town of Hampton foreuer, excepting only and always re- THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 1638-1646. 33 seriieing to the power of the freeineii the liberty of ordering both feed- nge and svveepage. And the land as aforesayd is denided into one hundred and forty seven shares, and giuen to the seuerall lots and p^'sons hereafter mentioned, excepting only and always reserueing to the seuerall farnies a due p'"[)ortion of coTnonage, to them and euery of them answarable to their seuerall p^'portions of ground, and thatt on tliatt partt of the towne on which the seuerall farmes doe ly ; the names of all the seuerall p'sons thatt the residue of all the coluons aboue s^' are giuen and confermed unto, are as followeth :" A true and pi'fect List of the Shares of the Cominon, Granted unto the p'^prietors of House Lotts, as followeth : 2'6 : 12 mo. 16-io. Ant: Taj^lor 2 shares Tho : Sleeper 1 [share] lieu : Qreene 2 Tho: Chase 2 Ed: Colcord 2 John Phil brick 1 Jef : Mingay 3 Our Teachers lott 2 Sam : Getchell I Hen : Say word 1 Tho : Lonitt 3 The Almis Lot 3 John Marrlan 2 John Brown y 2 besides his farme Hen : Aml)rose 3 Will : Samboru 2 Tho: Ward 3 Acquil : Chase 1 Gill: Fuller 2 Will: fhfleld 2 Will: English 3 [1st lot] Wid: Bristow 1 Abra: Perkins 3 Moses Cocks 2 Isa : Perkins 3 John Wedgwood 2 Aran : Peabody 3 Edm : Jonson 3 Will: Coule 1 Chr : Hussey 2 besides his farme Pliile: Dalton 3 M"- Bachiler 2 besides his farme Mary Hiissey 1 John Sanborn 2 WiUi: Marston 3 Will: fluller 3 Tho : Marston 2 James Davis Sen'' 3 Eobe : Page 3 Our Teacher 3 besides his farme Will: Moultou ^ J 2 lotts 3 S Kich : Swaiue 3 Will: Moulton Will : Swaine 2 Will: Eastow 3 John Crosse 2 Mor : Hobes 2 Will: English 2 [2"'i lot] Will: Palmer 3 Kob: Tuck 3 John Moulton 3 ffran : Swaine 2 Tho: Moulton 3 Rob : Sayword 1 Y« Elders Lott Hen : Moulton 3 2 Will: Howard Will: Howard ^ 1 2 lotts Hen : Dowe 3 Wal : Roper 3 Of the one hundred forty-seven shares provided for in this arrange- ment, eleven were retained by tlve town to meet future exigencies. But by this act of the town, there was not any actual division of the land, but merely a settlement of the question of ownership, and of the amoant of interest that the proprietors severally had in these undi- 3 34 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. vided lands. It was intended that the whole should still be held in common, but that whatever income or profits might be derived from them, whether b}^ feedage or sweepage, should be divided among the owners according to their respective shares, or rights, in the com- mons. In accordance with this arrangement, whenever any portions of the commons were subsequently surveyed, lotted out, and disposed of, such portions were divided into one hundred forty-seven shares, and distributed by lot, and in due proportions, to the original proprie- tors or their legal representatives. Hence, too, in the conveyance of anj' of these rights, or shares, whether by will or by deed, there was no transfer of any particular tract, or lot, of land, but of so many one hundred fort3'-sevenths of the whole of the commons, as there were shares mentioned in the instrument of conveyance. CHAPTER II. LABORS, CONTROVERSIES AND SUPERSTITIONS. 1G47-1CG2. THK SUFFRAGE EXTENDED. HITHERTO none but freemen luid been permitted to liold any important office either in tlie government or the town, and none conkl become freemen except church members. The riglitof suffrao-e, or of voting in the election of public officers, had been equally restricted. Hence there were in the colony many persons of distinguished ability and undoubted integrity, men, too, possessed of i)roperty, and pay- ing taxes for tiie support of government, who were allowed no voice in the management of public affairs. But now this rule was some- what relaxed. Tlie General Court, in consideration of "tlie useful parts and abilities" of such, and of the advantages to the common- wealtii that might be derived from their services, passed an act. May 26, 1647, declaring that it should tlienceforth be lawful for the free- men within nuy of the tovvns in the colony, to make choice of sucii persons to serve as jurymen, and in some other offices, provided that they had taken, or should take, the oath of fidelity. But the law still required that a majority o^ every board of selectmen should lie free- men ; otiierwise, no act done b\' them would be valid. Those, not freemen, who might thus be voted for, were also Isy this act of the court themselves permitted to vote for [)ublic officers, and, under some circumstances, to act witii the freemen, in ordering schools, herding cattle, laying out highways and distributing lands, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. But in order to enjoy these privileges, the man who was not a freeman must have attained the age of twenty-four years, and if convicted in coui-t, of any evil carriage against the government, or commonwealth, or church, he would immediately be deprived of them, and could afterwards, in no way, re(;over them, "until the court, where he was convicted or sentenced, should restore him to his former libertj'." THE COMMON- SCHOOL SYSTEM. Another subject of great importance was agitated in the General Court at the fall session of the same year, and resulted in the enact- (35) 36 HISTORY OP HAMPTON. ment of a law highly honorable to the members, and worthy of being read and studied, and pondered and admired by succeeding genera- tions. This was a law making provision for the education of the young, by the establishment of a school in every town in the common- wealth containing fifty families, or more. Although the interests of education had not previously been neglected, and Harvard college had been established more than ten years before, and was already doing mucii for those interests, still tiie enactment of this law may be regarded as the beginning of a series of measures for the education of the whole people; in a word, as the germ of the common- school system, to whicli New England generally is so deeply indebted. The considerations that led to the enactment of this law are briefly set forth in the preamble to the act, and the language used is so unique, and at the same time, so cliaracteristic of the people of Mas- sachusetts in that age, and the law itself is one so worthy of being known, that no apology is deemed necessary for inserting both the law and the preamble, without abridgment or alteration : "It being one cheife p''iect [project] of y' ould deluder, Satan, to keepemen from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in form"" times by keeping y™ in an unknowne tongue, so in these latt'' times by pi'swading from y'' use of tongues, yt so at least y« true sence & meaning of y^ originall might be clouded by false glosses of saint-seeming deceivers ; — y' learning may not be buried in y« grave of o"^ fath" in y^ church & comonwealth, the Lord assisting o"' en- deav". — It is therefore ord''d y' ev''y towneship in this iurisdiction, aff y" Lord hath increased y"" to y« number of 50 household'■^ shall then forthw"^ appoint one w"'in their towne to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write & reade, — whose wages shall be paid eith"" by y<^ parents or mast" of such children, or by y« inhabitants in generall by way of supply, as ye major p't of those y' ord"^ y« prudential [afl'airs] of y« toAvne shall appoint ; pi'vided those that send their children be not oppressed by paying much more y° they can have y™ taught for in oth'' townes ; and it is furth"^ ordered y' where any towne shall increase to y" numb'' of 100 families or househould", they shall set up a grainer schoole, y* m'^ thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fited for y« university, p''vided y' if any towne neglect ye p''forniance hereof above one yeare, y' every such towne shall pay 5£ to ye next schoole till they shall p'"forme tliis order." On anotlier occasion, the General Court having premised tliat "tlie good education of children is of singular behoof and benefit to any commonwealth," and that "many parents and masters are too indul- gent and negligent of their duty" towards their children, enacted such a law as, in their opinion, the case demanded. It was made tlieduty of the selectmen in their several precincts and quarters, to have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see, in the first place, tliat none of them should suffer so much barbarism in any of their LABORS, CONTROVERSIES AND SUPERSTITIONS. 1647-1662. 37 families, as not to ondeavoi- to teach by thetnselvcs or others, tiieir children and apprentices learning enough to enable tliein perfectly to read the English tongue, and to give them a knowledge of the capital laws, nnder penalty of twenty shillings for each and every neglect. What provision was made for the education of the children in this town, during the first ten years of its history, is not known. To sup- pose that no means were employed for their instruction, would be derogatory to the character of a people, who, from the very settlement of the town, had shown a willingness to make sacrifices in order to maintain among themselves the institutions of religion. While the religious interests of the community had been so well cared for, it is not probable that the intellectual culture of the children had been wholly neglected. We know that Harvard college had taken a deep hold upon the affections of all the people, who cheerfully endured many privations, that they might contribute to its support and en- hance its usefulness. The inhabitants of Hampton were not wanting in their attachment to the college ; and when called upon for aid, they contributed cheerfully, if they could not bountifully, to its necessities. The progress of education within the town is connectedly set forth in the chapter on public schools. AN ENEMY TO BE MET. Before the formation of European settlements in New England, the beasts of the forest had been free to range the country, their right undisputed, and themselves unmolested, except occasionally by an ar- row from the bow of some Indian hunter. But now, the white people were rapidly making inroads upon the forests, and disputing the right of the wild beasts to come upon grounds that had been cleared and cultivated. It could hardly be expected that the authority of the new settlers would be at once respected, and the wild animals leave them entirely unmolested. The peo2)le, indeed, were not often attacked, but their sheep and cattle were in constant danger, especially from wolves. To devise means, then, for destroying the wolves, was considered worthy the attention, both of towns and legislatures. Bounties were frequently ofiered for killing them within certain limits. As early as 1645, a bounty of ten shillings was offered here for each wolf killed by a townsman. This vote was passed, 27: 11 mo: 1644, that is, Jan. 27, 1645, and is thus recorded: "It is hereby declared that every townsman which shall kill a wolfe & bring the head thereof & nayle the same to a little red oake at the northeast end of the meeting-house— 38 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. The^' shall have 10s a woolfe for ther paynes out of the town fines; or otherwise, if noe fines be in hand." Nine years afterward, tiie bounty was quadrupled. In 1658, it was increased to £5. In 1663, it was £6 10s. About the year 1648, the General Court directed tluit 80s., at least, sliould be paid to an P^nglishman, and 20s. to an Indian, for killing a wolf within an}' town in the colony ; — in either case, 10s. to be paid by the county, and the remainder by the town where the wolf was killed. Several years later, a bill passed the lower house, to allow 40s. for each wolf killed, to be paid out of the public treasury, besides what the town might give. Although this bill, by not being con- curred in by the magistrates, failed to become a law, yet it is im- portant in a historical view, proving by implication at least, the suf- ferings and losses occasioned by the depredations of the wolves, here represented as. "the destroyers and devourers of cattle of all sorts." Another expedient was resorted to by the General Court. The selectmen of each town were authorized to procure, at the town's ex- pense, so many Jiounds as they might think proper, and impose the keeping of them on such persons as they judged fittest, so that all means might be used for the destruction of the wolves. No other dogs than those allowed by the selectmen, were to be kept in any town. No record has been found of any action under this law, by the selectmen of Hampton. Hence it is not known how many hounds if any, were considered needful, nor on whom the kee[)ing of them was imposed. As little do we know of the success of the plan in other places. CARE OF cows AND CALVES. An arrangement somewhat different from the one heretofore noticed was made in 1648, about the care of the cows and cnlves for the sea- son. For convenience, the cows were to be pastured in two separate herds neaily equal, with two keepers to each herd. John Cass, for himself and Isaac Perkins, agreed with the selectmen, carefully to keep one of the herds, or one-half of the cows in the town, frou) the 18th of April till a fortnight after IMichaelmas, or near the middle of Octol)er. The keepers were to go in the morning, to the fall-gate near Robert Tuck's, ^ about half an hour after sunrise, to take charge of the cows, on all days except tlu^ Sabbath, and they were also to have the care of them every third Sabbath. For tlie [x-rfoi'mance of this service, the selectmen agreed that they sliould receive £15 10s. 'At tlie angle of the loads on Ilaiur.s hill. LABORS, CONTROVERSIES AND SUPERSTITIONS. 1647-1662. 39 In paj^ment, they were to have one pound of butter for each cow in the herd, at 6d. per pound. One half of the remainder was to be paid in wlieat, to be delivered the next September, at 4s. 6d. per bushel ; and the rest in the following February, in Indian corn, at 3s. 6d. per bushel. In the case of a failure, on the part of any owners, to pay their proportion in due season, it was stipulated that they should pay the keepers 6d. per week, smart money, till the debt should be can- celled. By a similar agreement made a few days afterward, with William Moulton and John Woding, they were to have the care of the other herd, from the 22nd of April, on precisely the same terms, except that this herd was to be collected at John Moulton's.^ Thomas Nudd agreed to have the care of tiie calves, from the sev- enth of May to the sixth of October, for £11, to be paid as the other keepers. Persons neglecting to send their calves to the herd till sev(!n days after it had been entrusted to the keeper, were to furnish a per- son to assist him one da}' ; and extra pay vras to be given for all calves not put to the herd till after midsummer. The calves were to be driven to pasture every day at sunrise. THE GRASS ON THE COMMONS. In the summer of the next year, a regulation was made by the town, for the preservation of the grass growing upon the several com- mons. No person was to be permitted to cut any of it before the 15th of July, under penalty of 5s. a day for each person found violating the order. To enforce the regulation, the town made choice of Wil- liam Marston, Sen., and Anthony Stanyan, as their agents, to levy the fines incurred. CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE GREAT OX-COMMON. About this time, we find a controversy existing between the town in its corporate capacity', and some of the inhabitants, about the owner- ship of the Great Ox-Common. This common was a large tract of up- land, salt marsh and thatch-ground in the easterly part of the town, the whole tract being nearly surrounded by the river and the ocean. Beginning about one hundred rods northerly of Great Boar's Head, it extended along the seashore southerly to the mouth of Hampton riv- er ; thence up the river westerly to the junction of Brown's river with the main branch; thence along the easterly and soiilherly side of Brown's river, to the place of beginniug, which was where the river 'Tlie Daniel Moulton i)lide of Taylor's river, and that no inhabitant on the north side should keep any cattle on the commons on the south side, on any pretext whatso- ever. The town had previously ordered, as already rehited, that the Great Ox-Common should be enclosed with a sufficient fence. The question was now raised (May 12, 1666), What should be considered a suffi- cient fence? and it was determined that the main river and the branch called John Brown's river should be accounted a sufficient fence about the common from the mouth of the river, and so westward up to the branch just named ; thence up this branch on the north and northeast side of the common to the fence that soes over the beach I TOWN AFFAIRS. 1G58-1G76. 71 near the Great pond — now called Beach pond — on the north side of the Great Boar's Head. Locke's neck. In the last chapter it was stated that the town sent a committee to the northeast part of its territory between Little river and the town of Portsmouth, to ascertain what encroachments had been made upon the town's land, and to prevent, if possible, any further encroachment. Twelve years had now passed, and these border didlculties still con- tinued ; for, in 16G6, John Locke ^ who afterward fell a victim to Indian barbarity, had settled without permission upon the town's land at Jocelyn's Neck — afterward called Locke's Neck — very near the boundary line between Hampton and Portsmouth ; and he may have supposed himself within the limits of the latter town. Here he had built his house and enclosed a piece of ground, and hither he had brought his family, with intent to stay. The town, therefore, at the meeting on the 12th of May, directed Thomas Marston and Morris Hobbs to go to Jocelyn's Neck and demolish the fence Locke had built, and to order him to meddle no further with the town's property in that vicinity. What reception Goodman Locke gave this committee is not stated. Nothing further concerning him or his possessions is found on record till nearly two years afterward, when, on the 9th of March, 1668, he made known to the toAvn his desire to be received as an in- habitant. The town acceded to his request and the Lockes came to be among the leading citizens. DANIEL TILTON, BLACKSMITH. In the summer of 1667, Daniel Tilton asked liberty of the town "to sit down" here as a smith, engaging to do the town's work "upon as good terms as any other man that doth use that trade in these parts, and that for the term of four years." The town voted to receive him, and granted him four acres of land adjoining the farm of Joseph Shaw. The conditions of the grant were that the said Daniel Tilton should have liberty to improve it, or dispose of it to any other smith "that the town could have no just exception against." And if any other smith shotdd come and settle in the town within the term of four years, and succeed in drawing away the custom from Tilton, then the latter should be at liberty to dispose of his land to the town, or, on the town's refusal, to any purchaser that he could find. Tilton accepted these conditions, and the four acres of land were laid out, having Joseph Shaw's farm on the northwest and the country 72 HISTOET OF HAMPTON. way on the southeast, the lot being ten rods wide at the northeast end, and twenty-two rods at the southwest end, and forty rods in length (the Akerman place on Hampton Falls hill). COMMITTEE OP SUKVKY. February 12, 1669, Thomas Marston, Abraham Drake and Joseph Dow were instructed b}'^ the town, to run the line from the north tree [live miles uortli of the meeting-house in Hampton,] westward through the woods to the line of Exeter — two miles distant from the Meeting- house in that town, — and thence along the Exeter line to the bound tree standing where the road crosses Ass brook. This survey was to be made in accordance with an order of the court. The work was to be done sometime in the month of March ; but it seems not to have been completed at that time, for late in the following autumn, a part of the same survey was entrusted to INIarston and Drake of the former commit- tee, together with Peter Johnson. They were required to run the line from the north tree to Exeter, and also to measure from the causeway bridge according to the court's order and grant in 1652. By the cause- way bl'idge is probably meant a bridge near the beach not far from the easterly end of the road now called the causeway, though no reference to it in any court order of so early a date has been found. At a later period, the boundary line at Jocelyn's Neck was declared to be five miles from this bridge, to be measured along the road, or path, near the beach. There had been a controversy between this town and Portsmouth concerning the boundary line at Jocelyn's Neck. The case was brouglit before the county court at Salisbury, April 12, 1669, for adjudication. Ens. John Sanborn was chosen to manage it as agent in behalf of this town, and was instructed to procure such assistance as he might judge necessary. An action brought by the selectmen against Henry Green, was pend- ing in the county court, but at this time the town declared the case "nott yett Ripe for a Tryall." ORDINARIES, OR PUBLIC HOUSES. An ordinary was an Inn, or Public House for the accommodation of travelers, with lodgings and refreshments at established prices. The first ordinary in Hampton was opened at a very early period, by Rob- ert Tuck, in accordance with the expressed wish of the town. His house was on the corner at the junction of the two roads, near Rand's hill, about forty rods northwest from the site of the first Meeting-liouses. He continued to keep an ordinary there till he had occasion to visit TOWN AFFAIRS. 1058-1676. 73 Eugland about the year 1654. It tlien became necessary for some other person to engage in the business. The town having made choice of, or at least, authorized Anthony Taylor to open an ordinary, though he lived on the border of the settlement, about two miles from the Meetnig-liouse, the county court approved the choice and allowed him "to sell wine and strong water." Goodman Tuck remained abroad about one year. After his return, he was invited by the town to reopen his ordinary for the accommo- dation of travelers. He consented, and soon after resumed business, having received, as he said, "greatt Incoridgement to sett it upagaine." Indeed, he reopened his house immediately, without waiting for the sitting of the county court to procure a renewal of his former license, not doubting that the existing ordinary would soon be closed. But at the next term of the court, he found himself in trouble. His license was indeed renewed, but he w^as fined £5, for violating the law by en- gaging in the business before its renewal, and was allowed a year in which to pay the fine. At the next session of the General Court, in May, 1658, he petitioned to have his fine remitted, as he had offended ignorantly, supposing that his former license had not become void. The Court remitted £3 of the fine, leaving enough of it to be paid to teach him the danger of violating the law, even through ignorance. Goodman Tuck continued to keep the ordinary till his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1664 ; when it was found difficult for his fam- ily to go on with the business, as his son who had come to America with him, had died several years before, aud the grandson who was heir to the estate, was still in his minority. The house and laud were soon after leased to Mr. Henry Deering, of Salisbury. On motion of Mr. John Sanborn, made in town meeting about a year after Tuck's death, the town admitted Mr. Deering as an inhabitant, and voted their ap- proval of him as a suitable person to keep the ordinary. By request of the town, the court had, several mouths before, li- censed Mr. Deering "to sell wine ^ strong waters by retaile." His license was renewed for each of the two following years, but about six months after the second renewal, he was invited by the selectmen of Portsmouth to keep the ordinary for that town. The court approved, and granted him license. This seems to indicate that he was held in good repute. At a town meeting held early in the fall of 1667, Mr. Anthony Stanyan was chosen to keep an ordinary, and to "make conuenientt p-'uision [provision] for the Courtt& Juries att y*' next County Courtt to be held att Hampton, & to p'uid [provide] for corters & strangers as the law directs." At this term of the court, Mr. Stauyau was ap- 74 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. proved, and licensed. His license was renewed the next year, bnt dur- ing his second year he failed to give entire satisfaction ; and at tlie term of the court held at Salisbury in the spring of 16G9, complaint was made, with the following result : "Anthony Stanian being p'^sented by y*^ gr:\nd Jurie for not haueing accoinodation for horses, & other conveniences according to law : The p'"sentm' being p^'oud [proved] y^ Court judges y* hee shall pay fine shillings as a fine, & costs ; & in case of non paym*^ of y^ fine & costs ; then to appear at Hampton Court next to answer for his nonappearance at this p'"sent Court." At the next term of the court, October 12, Henry Roby was allowed to keep an ordinary in the town ; and the court licensed him "to sell beere & wine & strong waters by retaile & y"^ s"* Roby doth binde him- self in y*^ sum of 40 lb, on condition not to suffer any townsmen, men's childeren & servants to lie tipling in his house. This bond is owned by Hen : Rol)y in open court." Mr. Roby kept the ordinary about ten years, his license being re- newed from year to year. Still there was some dissatisfaction, for after about five years, he was presented at a court held in Hampton "for not keeping things convenient for enterteiujng strangers either for horse or man w^"'' causetli strangers to complajnie." "Upon y*^ s'-^ Robie's p'"iniseng amendm* y^ Court thinks good to discharge the p'"sentm^ he paijng [paying] fees of y*^ Court." At the court held at Salisbury in the spring of 1674, permission was given for opening another ordinary in the town, as is shown by the record : "John Souter of Hampton haueing had y*' consent of y'' selectmen to keep an ordinary, this court doth allow of him to keepe an house of entertajnm' for y*^ yeare ensuing ; p^'vided y* hee sell no wine or strong waters to bee drunke in his house or yards or out houses, to any of y*^ Inhabitants of y'' s'' towne, either dkectly or indirectly." One year later, John Souter was allowed to continue his house of en- tertainment another year, ' ' according to y*^ condicons mentioned in his 'first license." * At a court held at Hampton, October 8, 1678, the selectmen of Hampton having asked that Samuel Sherburne, "who hath bought y'' living at Hampton, wher old goodman Tuck lived & kept ordinary, for a house of entertainm* may have a license to keep a publique house of entertaium* for horse & man or travellers, [the court] Doe grant the same w'"^ tliis p'viso, that he attend all y'^' laws relating to Inn- keepers, & w^'' speed may bee provided of an house there that may be sutable to entertaine y*^ Court & strangers." Though ordinaries, or public houses, were required by law to be kept in every town, and though they were essential to the convenience and TOAVN AFFAIRS, 1658-167(). 75 comfort of travelers, yet they were liable to abuse. "We have no means of knowing what reputation the ordinaries kept in tliis town before the close of the seventeenth century, sustained. But in some of the ordin;iries in the colony, certain practices were allowed, which by many persons wei'e esteemed disreputable and disorderly. These practices attracted the attention of the magistrates and deputies, and were made a subject of legislation. The following act, passed in 165 1 , may serve as a specimen : "Whereas it is observed that there are many Abuses and disorders by dancing in ordynaryes, whether mixt or unmixt, uppon marriage of some persons ; This Court doth order, that henceforward there shall be no dancing uppon such occasion, or at other times, in or- dinaries, uppon the paiue or penaltie of five shillings for every person that shall so dance in ordinaries." THE FIHST NORTH DIVISION. Near the beginning of the year 1670, preliminary measures were adopted for laj'ing out a considerable portion of land, afterward known as The First North Division, embracuig all that part of the township lying beyond a line four miles north of the Meeting house and parallel with the northern boundary of the town. This tract was consequently one mile in breadth, and extended from Exeter to the sea. The town voted, February 22, that it should be laid out and divided according to the shares of the common. The lots were to be numbered, begin- ning on the west at the line of Exeter — two miles from the Meeting- house in that town — and proceeding downward to the sea. As the number of shares in the cow common was one hundred forty-seven, it might be supposed that this tract would be laid out in- to an equal number of lots ; but that was not the case. In many in- stances, two or more shares of the common belonged to the same person, so that, in fact, the number of oioners was only sevent^^-seven ; and as it appeared desirable, that the whole of each man's share of this laud should be in one lot, it was agreed that the tract should be divided into just as many lots as there were owners of the common ; and that the lots — all being of the same length — should vary in width in proportion to the owner's rights in the common severally. It was therefore necessary, that the lots should be drawn for bi/ number^ be- fore they were actually laid out; and then it would not be diflicult to determine the width of the successive lots, as they were numbei'ed. Some portions of this land were, undoubtedly, far more valuable than others, but in this instance no regard was had to its quality. Before drawing for the lots, it was agreed that they should be taken by the proprietors just as their respective lots should happen to fall. 76 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Ens. John Sauborn, Nathaniel Weare and Peter Johnson were chosen to survey and lay out this Division. But it is far easier io resolve than to do. The land, here ordered to be laid out, remained unsurveyed during nearly a whole generation. Twenty four years after this vote, another was passed explanatory of the former, and it was then ordered that the division should be laid out under the direction of those originally chosen for the purpose, ex- cept that Peter Johnson being dead, another was chosen in his place. But six years more passed away before the work was completed, and the result placed upon record. THE NEW PLANTATION LAID OUT ANEW. It has been shown, i that in 1663, the town adopted such measures, and made such arrangements for laying out, and disposing of, the land at the New Plantation, in the western part of the township, no fur- ther action on the subject seemed to be needed. But from offers afterward made by the town to those who would settle there, and from the repetition of those offers, or rather from still more favorable offers of a later date, it seems to have been difficult to induce people to set- tle so far back in the woods. From Avhatever cause this ma}' have happened, the result appears to have been, that the whole tract re- mained unsettled, and the shares drawn by individuals, probably re- verted to the town ; for now, after an interval of about six years, the town undertook to lay out this land anew. It was determined that it should be laid out in four Divisions, the Jirst abutting upon Salisbury, and the last upon Exeter, the number- ing of the lots to begin at the former town. It was further ordered, that the lots should be 160 rods — ^^that is half a mile — in length, and proportioned to the several grants, in width — regard being had in lay- ing them out, both to the quantity and the quality of the land. As there would be the length of two lots — one mile, — in each Division, and the number of Divisions was limited to Jour, the extent of all of them would be only four miles — a distance considerably less than the breadth of the town between Salisbury and Exeter. It was there- fore agreed that all the land not included in the four Divisions, should be left in ranges of common between them. The extent of the tract from the western boundary towards the town was not limited to a cer- tain number of rods, or miles; but it was not to come "neai'er the towne than y^ little pond y* is att y** Head of y'^ falls on y'^ southwest of o"" Pastor's farme" — that is, the pond from which the Falls river flows. This action was taken by the same town-meeting that created the First North Division. 1 1). 64. TOWN AFFAIRS. 1658-1070. 77 In May, 1670, the town again petitioned the General Court, in re- lation to the causeway between the Town and the Falls, representing that for twenty-six years they had been at great expense in making and maintaining this road, passing for more than a luindred rods across a washy marsh ; that it had proved to be a constant as well as heavy burden, and withal exceedingly discouraging, since the fruits of much labor and expense had in some instances been suddenly destroyed — once, soon after they had laid out £20 upon it. They stated that they had never received "any support from the Country, but only £5 the first year that the said causeway was made." They now asked for re- lief from the public treasury, which, however, was not granted ; but it was left to the court of the county of Norfolk, to determine whether "to lay it on the county, or leave it to the town," as might be judged most equitable. EXCLUSION OF PAUPERS. By a vote of the town passed January 12, 1671, no person was al- lowed to receive into his family, as an inmate, any single person more than sixteen years of age, without the consent of the town. Every breach of this order would subject the offender to a fine of 10s. a week for the whole time any such person should be in his family, the fine to be collected by the constable, by distress. No person was permit- ted even to hire a servant from out of town, without giving security, that the town should not receive any damage thereby. This regulation was made to avoid the support of paupers ; for by a law 9f the colony, then in force, if a person not having a family, should be resident in any town in the colony, more than three mouths, without being formally notified of the town's unwillingness that he should remain, he should, if needy, be provided for and relieved by such town. No particular reason is assigned for passing such a vote at this time, but one may be inferred, from another vote passed at the same meet- ing, in relation to one Christopher Gould, subjecting any person who should receive him into his family, to the fine specified in the former vote. THE CITIZEN ON SQUAMSCOTT PATENT. The same da}^ the town granted to Mr. Andrew VViggiu, at his own request, liberty to take forty pines from the common on the north- west side of Ass brook, at a place where one James Kidd had, on some former occasion, hauled out logs'. This Mr. Wiggin was a son iJanies Kidd appears to have t)een regarded as a trespasser, and Mr. Anthony Stauian and William Sanborn were appointed by the town to compel liim to i)ay for the timber he had taken from tlie town's land. 78 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. of Capt. Thomas "Wiggin, heretofore ineiitioued as a magistrate re- sidiug ou Squamscott Patent. The sou lived there also, and i)aid taxes to Hampton as his father had done. He, therefore, might perhaps justly be considered as entitled to some favor from the town. The part of the common whence these logs had been taken is now included within the limits of Exeter. It had hitherto been considered as, a part of Hampton, and it evidently belonged to this town accord- ing to several acts of the General Court, in which the boundaries of the two towns were described. But not long after this a controversy arose concerning a considerable tract of laud near the borders of these towns, in which this portion was probably included. Of this contro- versy and its result, some account will be given farther on. HORSES WINTERED ON THE MARSHES. Another vote, of tlie same date as the last, was substantially as fol- lows : Tlie town being sensible of the great damage that is done in the marshes and meadows, by persons letting their horses and other cat- tle run at large in the winter time, going over fences, creeks and riv- ers, to the haystacks, do therefore order, that from the first of No- vember till the last of March, from 3'ear to 3'ear, every person shall take care of his cattle to prevent damage of this kind, as far as may be; and that, if any cattle be found at the haystacks standing in the meadows or marshes, within the time mentioned, their owners sliall forfeit 12d. a head for every beast so found, and it sliall be lawful to impound such cattle, and to take the penalty named, and all just damage to the person damnified. The object aimed at, by this vote, was not full}' attained, for about five years afterward, the vote was in substance renewed, showing that occasion for the regulation still existed. Indeed, the practice al- luded to, of letting cattle — and particuUirly, horses — run at laige dui'ing the winter season, was continued for a long series of years. In the summer, the horses were usually pastured, where they could be found and taken at any time, when wanted — generally for carry- ing their owners, or others, to mill or to market, and, on the Sabbath, to meeting. In the winter, they were suffered to roam upon the beach, and the marshes and meadows, and other grounds in the vicinity, get- ting their living as best they could, by cropping the tall beach grass, or grazing upon the rovven on the marshes and meadows, where the tides kept the ground free from snow, — oftentimes, no doubt, when tlie creeks were frozen over, venturing far out into tlie marsht'S, and making depredations upon the haystac^ks. TOWN AFFAIRS. 1658-1670. 79 Possibly a few nged persons now living can renieniher when this cnstom still lingered here, for it had not wholly ceased at tiie com- mencement of the present centnry. Some, who have died within the last twenty or thirty years, used to give humorous descriptions of the api)earance of the horses thus wintered. The poor beasts, exposed to stoiins and the cold, were enabled to endure the inclemency of the weather, by a kind provision of nature, causing their hair to grow thick and long, which, though unused to the curry-comb or brush, seldom, when dry, became tangled or matted, but stood out, as if under the influence of the electric fluid, giving them the appearance of beino- plump. They were so in appearance only, however, and when the hair was wet with rain or snow, or from their own {)erspiration, their real condition was readily seen. Most of them were, in fact, of an inferior breed, and, being thus kept, or rather left to take care of themselves, before the return of spring they almost invariably be- came lean and lank, and withal exceeding shy, so that feeding- together in droves, when any person went near them, they would throw up their heads with a snort, and start off with all the speed of which the^- were capable, appearing like so man}'' moving skeletons, "The first of April, 1671, a great storm of driving snow csime out of the northwest and drove up into drifts about 6 feet deep as ap- peared by those that measured the banks of snow, and for the space of 14 days [after] it was a sad time of rain, not one whole fair day in fourteen, and much damage done to mills and in other ways by the floods that followed." The above date is in Old Style, so that the storm was on the 11'^ of April, as we now reckon time. LAST DAYS OF GOODY COLE. Sometime previous to the year 1671, Eunice Cole had been re- leased from the prison at Boston, where she had been detained a prisoner ever since the residt of her trial for witchcraft, which was commenced in 1656, had been finally settled by the Court of Assist- ants. She had now returned to Hampton and was probably living in a small house near the foot of Rand's hill, on the northeasterly side of the road. As the town had a few years before, by order of the Genei-al Court, taken possession of her husband's estate, it is most likely Ihat the house occupied by her had been provided by the town, as that was the source whence she derived her support. Now, in 1671, the town ordered that tlie inhabitants should take their turns, in the order in which they dwelt, in providing for her by 80 HISTORr OF HAMPTON. the week, and that any person whose proportion in the rate [that had been made for her support] amounted to less tlian four shillings, should join with his next neighbor, for this purpose. They were to provide her with suitable food and fuel, and each one having the care of her, was required to notify his next neighbor to make provision for her the following week. This course was adopted by the town, in or- der to lighten the burden of the selectmen and constable. But the poor creature's life seemed destined to turbulence to the end ; for in October, 1672, she was again arraigned on the old charge of witchcraft — in appearing under various forms, as a woman, a dog, an eagle and a cat, to entice a young girl, named Ann Smith, to live with her. Tiie grand jury found a bill against her, and in April, 1673, the Salisbury Court ordered her once more to Boston jail to await fur- ther trial. After a few months, the following remarkable decision finally disposed of the case, and Goo>bury Court, April, 1675, and decided in favor of the plaintiff, giving him the land in controversy, with costs of court. From this decision, the town appeailed to the Court of Assistants to be held at Boston, the next September. Henry Dow, attorney for the town, assigned reasons for the appeal : — That the town conceived their title to the land to be good, as it had been confirmed to the town by the General Court in 1653, and had been set apart as a common forever : That it had been proved by the testi- mony of J ohii^ Sanborn, Henry Green and Morris Hobbs, that Huggins had felled timber there, and had fenced in, and builded upon the land, which was about a mile within the common : That it had been shown by the testimony of Anthony Stanyan and John Cass, that he had not onl}' fenced in the land, but had also broken up some of it, thus appropi'iating it to his own use : That Huggins had been cautioned against meddling with the land. — As Huggins claimed the land by vir- tue of a conveyance from one Barret, of Wells, to Nathaniel Boulter, and from Boulter to himself, about the year 1660, the town's attorney contended that such a conveyance could not be valid ; and asked how Barret, "though he were ensign of Wells," could sell this land to Boul- ter, seven years after the General Court had confirmed it to Hampton, as that town had not alienated it in the meantime. The jurj' had stated that they founded their verdict on possession. TOWN AFFAIRS. 1658-1G76. 83 aud that the town had owned that this hind l)elonged to Huggins, as ap- peared from the return of Abraham Drake, the marshal. But the at- torney for the town contended that Drake, "went aside his woi-k in deputing the town's hvud to Huggins;" that he liad been ordered to put Huggins in possession of a tract of hind tvithin his fence, but not the laud in controversy, and that he might as well depute all the com- mons to him as this land ; that, in fact, the land of which it had been proved before the jury, that he was in possession, was not the land in question, but another tract, known as the "Wall farm." This appeal, however, was not prosecuted before the Court of As- sistants, but was settled in the course of the summer. The town appointed Henry Roby, Robert Smith aud Morris Hobl)s to treat with Nathaniel Boulter, attorney for Huggins, aud agree with him about the payment of the execution ; and ako authorized Henry Dow, who was then marshal, to put John Huggins in possession of the land. CULTURE AND USE OF TOBACCO. About this time occurs the first intimation on the records of the town, of the use of tobacco, in any of its forms. From a vote passed by the town, Februar}' 14, 1676, it is evident that it was tlien nsed here in smoking — to what extent, is uncertain. It is eqnall}' uncer- tain whether the use of it was confined to smoking. The vote is thus recorded : "To p'vent Danger by fire itt is ordered thatt if any p'son shall take any tobaco, or Carrie any fire or make use of any fire in the new meeting House or the fortt yard they shall forfitt ten shillings for Every such offence the one Halfe to the Informer & the other Halfe to the Towne." At the next term of the county court at Hampton, beginning May 30, several persons were fined for taking tobacco near the Meeting house where the court was sitting. The record of the court is as follows: "Richard Seaman, Humphrey Wilson, Jn". Redman Jun., John Clark, John Hobbs, Philip Towle for takeing tobacko ueare y^ meeting house in y*^ face of y*^ Court are find each of them ten shil- lings acording to law." At a somewhat early period — no record shows how earl}' — the cul- tivation of the tobacco plant was commenced in this town, and for many years, probably during the whole of the eighteenth century, it was a common arlicle of culture among the fanners, though none of them raised a large quantity. The processes of sowing and trans- p'anting, and of keeping the ground free from weeds, were nearly the same in the raising of tobacco, as in raising the cabbage. Before the 84 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. first autumnal frosts, the tobacco plants were pulled anrl thrown to- gether in heaps "to sweat." After sweating sufticientl}', tlie plants — stalks and leaves together — were hung up in sonieo[)en building to dry ; or, sometimes, after the sweating, the leaves were picked off" and tlien dried for use. In some cases, tlie leaves after becoming suf- ficiently dry, were "spun," or worked up into "twists," and tlie twists wound into rolls, when the aiticle wus read}' for sale, or for use. This was the kind of tobacco used here till a somewhat recent date; and the use of it, for a longtime, was almost wholly confined to elder- ly people, tlie place of using it being by their own firesides, or at the houses of their neighbors, when on social visits ; and the manner of using it, by smoking the pipe. This custom was more common among the women than among the men. But that tobacco was some- times used in other places than the fireside, is evidently implied in the vote already stated. At a town meeting the next summer, Abraham Perkins, Sen., Fran- cis Page, Thomas Sleeper and Joseph Dow, were chosen to serve up- on the Grand Jury, for the following year. This may at first view' appear to be a large proportion of that body to be furnished by one town ; but, in reality, it was not unduly large, as there were but six towns in the county of Norfolk, for which they were to act, and Hamp- ton contained more than one-sixth part of the population. At the same meeting, a police regulation was made, for the purpose of preventing damage by "violent and indiscreet riding in the town." It was ordered that if, after the publication of the regulation, any person shouhl gallop through the town, or any street thereof, he should forfeit for every such offence, 2s. 6d., one-half to the town, and the other half to Anthony Taylor, Avho was appointed to carry the order into effect. WORE WITCHES. In July, 1680, a little child of John Godfrey died, and the old cry of loitchcraft was raised again. An inquest was held, with twelve solid men of Hampton for jurors, and a verdict rendered : "We find grounds of suspicion that the said child was murdered by witchcraft." Godfrey's wife and daughter, Sarah, deposed that Rachel Fuller came in with her face daubed with molasses, and sat down by Goody Godfrey, who had the sick child in her lap, and took his hand ; when the mother, in fear, drew the hand away and wrapped it in her apron. Then Rachel Fuller "turned her about and smote the back of her hands together sundry times and spat in the fire." Then she strewed herbs .on .the hearth and sat down again and said : "Woman, the child will i TOWN AFFAIUS. 1058-1676. 85 be well ;" and then went out, beat herself thrice with her arms, as men do in winter, to heat their hands, picked something off the ground, and went home. The next day, the children told their mother that Goody fuller had said if they did lay siveet bays under the threshold, it would keep a witch from coming in. So they laid bays under the threshold of the back door all the w^ay, and half way of the breadth of the fore door ; and soon after, Rachel Fuller came about to the fore door, though she had always formerly come in at the back door, which is next her house ; and she crowded in on that side where the bays lay not, and rubbed her back against the post so that she rubbed off her hat, and sat down and made ugly faces and nestled about and would have looked on the child, but not being allowed to do so, went out as she had come in, after having looked under the door where the bays lay ; and she had not been in the house since. John Godfrey, Nathaniel Smith and Hezron Leavitt "made deposi- tions, equally damaging. Elizabeth Denham (wife of Alexander), deposed that Rachel Fuller told her "Witches did so go abroad at night, they did lay their husbands and children asleep;" and she said there were eight women and two men in the town, who were witches and wizards. The men's names were not given, but the women Goody Fuller reck- oned as witches were : Eunice Cole, Benjamin Evans' wife and two ( ?) daughters, Grace (Swaine) Boulter, Mary (Boulter) Prescott, Isabella (Austin) Towle, "and one that is now dead." Goody Towle was, in fact, arraigned about the same time, on a different charge, and both she and Rachel Fuller were committed to prison till the sitting of the Hampton Court, September 7. Then, "The Court having heard y^ case of Rachel ffuller and Isabel Towle being apprehended and committed upon suspition of witchcraft doe ord"" y* they still continue in prisson till bond be given for their good behaviour of £100 a piece during the Courts pleasure." John Fuller became bondsman for his wife; and Isaac Marston and John Redman, for Goody Towle. They were discharged at the Dover Court the next year. I CHAPTER IV. HAMPTON UNDER THE MASON AND MASSACHUSETTS CONTRO- VERSY. 1651-1677. STATUS OF THE FOUR NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWNS. HAMPTON, having been original!}' settled by a grant from the General Court of Massachusetts, was from the first under that government, and hence less liable to the fluctuating policy incident to independent and isolated settlements. Nearly all the first settlers, before coming here, had been living in Massachusetts — some, several years ; others, only a few mouths — subject to, and protected by, her laws. Their removal to this place was merely a change of locality, not of government, nor of laws. The result was what might have been expected. In all their proceedings the people evinced a deference to the authority under which they acted, and to which they felt themselves amenable. If at any time an individual in the little community was aggrieved by acts either of other individuals, or of the town ; if any persons had trespassed upon the town's property, or were charged with criminal acts ; there were regularly constituted courts of judica- ture, to which recourse might be had for trial by disinterested persons, and where it might be hoped, strict justice would be awarded. These advantages were not at first enjoyed by the other early settled towns in New Hampshire. The settlements at Dover and Little Harbor — the latter of which, being extended further up the Pis- cataqua river, subsequently received the name of Strawberry Bank, and at a still later day, of Portsmouth — were formed b}' persons sent from England for the purpose of fishing and trading. They were, in fact, independent communities, subject to no government, but such as origi- nated among themselves, except so far as they were disposed to ob- serve regulations made for them by the Company of Laconia, by whom they had been sent, but from wliom they were separated^by the broad Atlantic. They were, indeed, subject to the crown of England, but, situated as they were, they could experience but few of the benefits or the restraints of English laws. The settlement at Exeter, like the one at Hampton, was largely formed by people who had been living in Massachusetts, and who (86) UNDER MASON AND MASS. CONTROVERSY. 1651-1677. 87 were influenced by religious, rather than by mercenary, motives. But here the resembhmce ended, for while the people of Hampton were of the same religious sentimeats as those of Massachusetts generally, and were connteuauced and cared for by that government, some of the leading men of Exeter had been banished from Massachusetts, on the charge of heresy and sedition, or were in full sympathy with those who had been thus treated, and had settled at Exeter, because there they thought themselves out of the jurisdiction of that colony. Con- vinced of the necessity of civil government and wholesome laws, of which they declared themselves altogether destitute, they combined together on the fourth day of July, 1639, to erect among themselves such a form of government as their necessities required, solemnly binding themselves ''by the grace and help of Christ, and in his name and fear," to submit to such godly and Christian laws as were estab- lished in the realm of England, to their best knowledge, and to all other such laws, as should, upon good grounds, be made and enacted among themselves, to the end that they might ' 'live quietly and peace- ably together in all godliness and honesty." Several men, who subse- quently removed to Hampton, signed this "Combination." After more than fifteen years' experience, the inhabitants of Dover and of Strawberry Bank were so fully convinced of the necessit}^ of a more efficient government, that they entered into negotiations for a union with Massachusetts. The terms having at length been agreed upon, the union was consummated April 14, 1641. The people of Exeter managed their affairs according to their original compact, till the autumn of 1642 ; but on the 8th of Sep- tember of that year they also, at their own request, were received under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Hampton and Exeter were both "joined to the jurisdiction of Ips- wich," in the County of Essex — the latter at the time of its reception by Massachusetts, and the former on the second of June, 1641, when it was also authorized "to send a grand juryman once a year to Ips- wich." NORFOLK COUNTY AND COURTS. In 1643, a new county was formed, called the county of Norfolk, comprehending all the towns between the rivers Merrimac and Pis- cataqua. These towns were then six in number, viz. : Salisbury, Hav- erhill, Hampton, Strawberry Bank, Dover and Exeter. Strawberry Bank and Dover, often called the Piscataqua settlements, were in many respects separate from, and independent of, this new county. They still continued to have to some extent, as before, a jurisdiction of 88 HISTORY OF HAMPTOX. thoir own and courts for the trial of their own causes, when not ex- ceeding £20 in value. From these courts there was tlie right of appeal at first to the Board of Assistants at Boston ; but, at a later period, to the county courts of Norfolk, The county courts Avere holden alternately at Salisbury and Hamp- ton, and these two towns might, with propriety, be called half shire towns, as there does not appear to have been any legislative act des- ignating either of them as the shire town, in distinction from the other, till more than six years after the foimatiou of the county, when Salisbury was declared to be the shire-town ; but even after that time, the same arrangement was observed in holding the courts as before, and this continued till the county was broken up by four of the towns being severed from Massachusetts by royal authority, when the remaining towns were annexed to the county of Essex. In each town in the county, an inferior court was lield, competent to try all causes of twenty shillings value, or under. This was a court of record, and its clerk was styled Clerk of the Writs. This court appears not to have been different from the board of commissioners, previously existing in Hampton, and first appointed when the town was incorporated. Indeed, so nearly identical were the two, that there was no necessity for a reorganization of the existing board, or a reappointment of its members. Only a single change was made, William Eastow being appointed in place of John Cross, who had been in office two years. The court, or board of commissioners, in 1643, after the appoint- ment just mentioned, consisted of William Howard, James Davis and William Eastow. Whether a clerk of the writs was then appointed, or whether the duties of clerk were performed b}^ one of the commis- sioners, as was the case at Exeter in 1645, is not known. Such a court or board was continued here till the separation of the New Hampshire towns from Massachusetts, The members, usually styled "Commissioners for small causes," were sometimes appointed b}' tlie General Court, and sometimes chosen by the town. THE MASON CLAIM. It has already been mentioned that the Council of Plymouth made certain grants to Sir Ferdinand© Gorges and Capt, Jolni Mason jointl}-, in 1622; and to Mason alone, in 1629, Both tiiese grants included the territory embraced in Dover, Strawberr}' Bank, Exet,er and Hampton. The two former places were settled under the aus- pices of Gorges, Mason, and their associates. Captain Mason ap- pears to have acquired all the rights and interests of his associates UNDER MASON AND MASS. CONTROVERSY. 1G51-1677. 89 in this territory, and by virtue of the grant to hiniin 1629, he claimed the vvliole territory as his own. The two settlements made in 1623, and more especial!}' that near the month of the Piscataqua, may have been under obligation to him, for the pecuniary and other .sul).stantial aid which he furnished ; but it admits of doubt wlietlier either Exeter or Hampton derived the least advantage from his interest in New Hampshire. Their settlement was not earlier nor their grovvlli more rapid than if Captain Mason had never lived. On the contrary, these and the other towns were, for a long course of years, perplexed and embarrassed, and subjected to heavy expenses, in coasequence of ex- orbitant claims set up by his heirs and their assigns. Ca[)tain Mason died November 26, 1635 ; and by his will, after mak- ing several legacies, he gave to his giandson, John Tuflon, the re- mainder of his estate in New Hampshire, requiring him to take the surname of Masou. He died in infancy ; and hisbrotlier Robert, like- wise called Mason, then became heir to the whole estate, subject, however, to such rights as belonged to Mrs. Anne Mason, the widow of Captain Mason, and executrix of his will. Robert Mason became of age in 1 650. Hampton was settled about three years after the death of Captain Mason ; but neither from the executrix of his will nor from her agent was heard any note of remonstrance, although Massachusetts, by the very act of granting the place for settlement, virtually claimed the territory as her own, regardless of the claims of Mason's heirs. But when the towns on the Piscataqua came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, the heirs of Mason, or their agent, demurred a little ; but, at that time, as has been well remarked, "the distractions caused by the civil wars in England, were invincible bars to any legal in- quiry."^ In 1651, Joseph Mason coming over as agent of the executrix and finding some of the lands claimed by her, occupied, brought actions against the occupants in the county court of Norfolk, whence they were referred to the General Court, THK MASSACHUSETTS CLAIM. There was certainly no want of inclination on the part of the au- thorities of Massachusetts, to find some pretext, at least, for retaining j urisdiction over the New Hampshire towns and territory. The charter was therefore "examined anew," — as appears from record — concern- ing the north line of their jurisdiction ; and on the last day of May, 1652, the General Court voted, "that the extent of this line was to 1 Belknap, 1 : 86. 90 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. be from the nortliernmost part of the River Merrimac, and three miles north of that place, wherever it might be found, be it one hun(b-ed niiles, more or less, from the sea; and thence upon a straight line east and west to tiie sea."^ Having given this construction to the charter, the General Court the next year ordeied a survey to be made, that this line might be accurately determined. Accordingly, a committee was dispatched from that body, accompanied by two surveyors, and several Indian guides, in search of the most northern part of the Merrimac, which they were told by the Indians, was Aquedochtan, the outlet of Win- nipiseogee lake. Having reached that point, they found by observa- tion, its latitude to be 43° 40' 12" north; and three miles added to this gave 43° 43' 12", as their true limit. The next step was to find the same latitude on the coast, which was ascertained to be on the ex- treme north part of Upper Clapboard Island, in Casco bay. A line passing through these points and extended to the Pacific Ocean — in other words, the parallel of 43° 43' 12", extended across the continent — they determined to be their northern boundary. We shall see, fur- ther on, the troubles to which Hampton in particular was subjected by this decision. This proceeding of Massachusetts, and several subsequent acts, were exceedingly discouraging to Mrs. Mason's agent; and, as it ap- peared to him that it would be futile to make an}' further attempt at that time, to recover Mason's estate, he went back to England. There, the heirs of Mason had but little to hope for while Oliver Cromwell held the reins of government. ROBERT MASON S COMPLAINT. At the restoraton of Charles II to the throne of England, in 1G60, Robert Mason preferred a petition to the king, in which he complained of "the encroachment of the Massachusetts Colony upon his lauds, their making grants and giving titles to the inhabitants, thereby dis- possessing him and keeping him out of his right ;" and he prayed that his grievances might be redressed. The king referred the petition to the attorney-general for his opinion, who reported that "Robert Mason, grandson and heir to Captain John Mason, had a good and legal title to the Province of New Hampshire." It does not appear, however, that any measures were then taken to put JMason in posses- sion of the lauds which he claimed. iMaes. Rec, IV: 93. UNDER MASON AND MASS. CONTROVERSY. 1651-1677. 91 COMillSSIONERS APPOINTED. But other complaints than those of Mason had reached the royal ear — disputes among some of the New England colonies about their boundaries and jurisdiction, and petitions and addresses, entreatiiio- him to interpose the royal authority to settle them. The kino- at length appointed commissioners to visit the several colonies, "exam- ine and determine all complaints and appeals, in matters civil, mili- tary, and criminal ; provide for the peace and security of the country, according to their good and sound discretion, and to such instructions as they should receive from the king, and to certify him of their pro- ceedings." This was in April, 1G64. In the southern colonies of New England the commissioners were treated with much respect ; but in Massachusetts they were received with great coolness, since the good and sound discretion of the com- missioners was placed above the laws, and in their proceedings they were to be governed by this alone, except so far as they might re- ceive instructions from the king. HAMPTON DISQUIETED. About the time when the commissioners were expected in New Hamp- shire, a town meeting was held in Hampton, June 20, 1665, to con- sider what course should be taken in relation to them. The town chose Mr. Seaborn Cotton — pastor of the church — Ens. John San- born and Samuel Dalton, to express to the commissioners, in writing, the views and feelings of the people, and to assert their rights in the lands, which they had so long and so peaceably possessed, by the grant of the Honorable General Court of Massachusetts. The committee were instructed concerning their remonstrance, "to grace the same with what reasons they might see meet, and to make an- swers to any claims or objections" that should be made against the town's right, or privilege of the township, "according to their good discretion, and to present the same to the king's Hon. Commissioners, if they should think it expedient."^ Though no evidence has been found to show that such a remon- strance was presented, yet the well known character of the committee forbids the supposition, that they shrank from the performance of duty. As a matter of expediency they may have omitted to remon- strate. Possibly, there was then no occasion for a formal assertion of their right to a quiet and peaceable possession of their lands. The time for disturbing them in their possession had not come, though •Towu Recorrls. 92 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. the commissioners were preparing the way for it. The first step towards this result was to sever the New Hampshire towns from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. This the commissioners assumed the right to do, but they failed to accomplish their purpose immediately. Tliey made some inquiries, and took the testimony of several per- sons, concerning the bounds of Mason's patent and the northern line of Massachusetts, according to the construction formerly given to the charter. They called together the inhabitants of Portsmouth on the 10th of October, and told them that "they would release them from the government of Massachusetts, whose jurisdiction should come no far- ther than the bound-house." This determination, if carried out, would take away all power from the officers who had derived their authority from Massachusetts, and leave the people almost, or quite, in a state of anarchy. To provide against this, the commissioners, in the plenitude of their power, ap- pointed justices of the peace and other officers, with authority "to act according to the laws of England and such laws of their own as were not repugnant thereto, until the King's pleasure should be farther known." These proceedings were not regarded with favor, by the better por- tion of the people, Avho, in general, were stronglj' attached to the government of Massachusetts ; but there were not a few, in some of the towns, who were highly gratified. Some were disaffected towards Massachusetts, on account of the ill-concealed design of those in au- thority, to extend her jurisdiction beyond the limits evidently' intended in the charter ; and a few restless spirits were eager for some change of government, which might bring them into notice and confer upon them offices and honors. ABRAHAM CORBETt's SEDITION. Among the persons appointed to office was one Al)raham Corbett, of Portsmouth, who gained considerable notoriety by his course. He undertook to act by virtue of this appointment. As he had never been commissioned by the government, the General Court declared him guilty of a high misdemeanor, fined him £5, and ordered that he stand committed till the fine was paid. Irritated I)}' this act of the court, he souglit to be revenged on the government. Accordingly, he drew ui) a i)etition to tiie king, in the name of the four New Hampshire towns, complaining of tlie usui'pation of Massachusetts, and pra3'ing to be separated therefrom. Through his influence, several of the in- habitants of Dover and of Portsmouth signed tlie petition. This proceeding aroused to action the friends of the government, UNDER MASON AND MASS. CONTROVERSY. 1G51-1G77. 93 and thc3^ petitioned the General Court tliat "iu some orderly way they might have an opportunity to clear themselves of so great and unjust aspersions," lest by their silence they should seem to be of the same mind with those vviio framed the petition. Tlie Court ap- pointed a committee to come to New Hampshire and iufjuire into tlie matter and I'eport the result. The committee repaired to Portsmoutli, where the peoi)le repudiated the petition and professed to be fully satisfied with the government. A similar course was taken at Dover, with a like result. JVEi-. Dudley, the minister of Exeter, assured the committee that the people of that town had not done anytliing directly or indirectly, in aid of Corbett's design. From Hampton also the committee received full satisfaction in relation to the subject. But the troubles and perplexities of the people were not yet ended. The committee from the General Court issued a warrant to arrest Cor- bett and bring him before them for seditious behavior, but he could not immediately be found. The commissioners, on the other hand, endeavored to thwart the purposes of the committee. They had in- deed left the province and gone eastward ; but one of them, in the name of the whole, sent back a severe reprimand to the committee, and forbade their proceeding against the signers of Corbett's petition. Each of these parties claimed obedience from the people. The commissioners had received from the king certain instructions about fortifying the harbors, and they issued warrants to the four towns to meet at a time and place appointed to receive the king's orders. The Governor and Council of Massachusetts dispatched two men to forbid the towns on their peril, to meet or to obey the orders of the commissioners; but, on their own authority, the}^ directed a fortifica- tion to be built near the mouth of the Piscataqna river, and made provision for the maintenance and manning of the fort. In a word, though the commissioners had declared that the four towns should be severed from Massachusetts, yet that government continued to ex- ercise authority here as before. The commissioners, on their return to England, made a report very unfavorable to Massachusetts, and this undoubtedly contributed much to prepare the way for the separation of the four New Hampshire towns from that government, which separation took place a few years afterward. MASON AND RANDOLPH. Robert Mason was far from being unmindful of his interest in New Hampshire, but for several years after the return of the commission 94 HISTORT OF HAMPTON. ers, little attention was paid him by the English government. Mason, however, was not idle; and at a favorable opportunity, he again pe- titioned the king to put him in possession of liis rigiits. This peti- tion was referred to the attorney-general and the solicitor-general, for their opinion. In due time they reported, that "John INIason, Esq., grandfatlier to the petitioner, by virtue of several grants from the Council of New England, under their common seal, was instated in fee in sundry great tracts of land in New England, by the name of New Hampshire ; and that tiie petitioner being heir-at-law to the said John had a good and legal title to said lands." In March, 1676, the Massachusetts government was ordered to send agents to England within six months, to answer to the complaints of Mason and Gorges. This order, with copies of the complaints, was sent over by Edward Randolph, a relative of Mason. He was also directed by the Lords of Trade and Plantations, to inquire into the state of the country. Having delivered to the governor of Massachusetts the documents entrusted to him, he came into New Hampshire, in July, where he 0|)enly proclaimed the object of his visit, and publicly read a letter addressed by Mason to the inhabitants, and endeavored to excite a feeling of disaffection towards the government. He found individu- als i-eady to complain of Massachusetts, and to seek to be released from her jurisdiction ; but the great body of the people preferred to remain as they were, and were indignant at Randolph's proceedings. The people of Dover, in town meeting assembled, September 1, denounced Mason's claims, professed satisfaction with the govern- ment of INIassachusetts and appointed Major Waldron to petition the king to let them remain as they were. The same day, at a town meeting in Portsmouth, it was voted that a similar petition signed by the inhabitants of that town be sent to the king, and four leading citizens were appointed to draft and for- w^ard it. The next day, at a town meeting in Hampton, Mr. Seaborn Cotton, pastor of the church, and Samuel Dalton were appointed ''to draw up a declaration or testimony, concerning their desires to continue under the Massachusetts government, and to clear themselves from having any hand in damnifying Mr. Mason, either in his lands or government ; and for the full vindication of their rights, to request the G-eneral Court to prosecute the same to full effect." By these instructions to their committee, the town probably intended to declare that they did not consider Mason's claims as having any validity ; and, consequently, neither in refusing to pay him rents. UNDER MASON AND MASS. CONTROVERSY. 1G51-1G77. 95 uor in their allegiance to Massacbwsetts, did they at all interfere with his rights either of property or jurisdiction, or in anyway do him an injury. On the contrary, tJieir oivn rights rather than his had been in- vaded : and these, they called upon the government to vindicate and protect. rahdolph's lying reports. Edward Randolph soon returned to Boston, and not long after sailed for England. In his report to the king, he stated that "he had found the whole country complaining of the usurpation of the magis- trates of Boston ; earnestly hoping and expecting that his majesty would not permit them any longer to be oppressed, but would give them relief according to the promise of the commissioners of 1665." This report, however much it might favor Randolph's design to in- cense the mind of the king against Massachusetts, in order to induce him to sever from that government the four towns whose territory Mason claimed, is sadly deficient in one very important element, namely, truthfulness, as is abundantly shown by the results of the town meetings already mentioned. Not less at variance with facts, is his report to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Yet these re- ports appear to have produced the effect intended. THE FOUR TOWNS SEVERED. After Randolph's departure, the Massachusetts government called a "special council," and asked whether it were best to send agents to England, or trust to letters only. The council advised to send trustj^ agents ; and two prominent men were at once dispatched. Arrived in England, they disclaimed, before the lords chief justices of the king's bench and common pleas, all title to the lands claimed by Ma- son, beyond their limit of three miles north of the Merrimac. ''The judges reported to the king, that they could give no opinion as to the right of soil, in the provinces of New Hampshire and Maine, not hav- ing the proper parties before them " since the apparent proprietors, the people in possession, had not been summoned to defend their titles. "As to Mason's right of government within the soil he claimed, their lordships, and indeed his own counsel, agreed he had none ; the great council of Plymouth, under whom he claimed, having no power to transfer government to any. It was determined that the four towns of Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter and Hampton were out of the bounds of Massachusetts." This report was accepted and confirmed by the king in council, ^ in 1677. 'Farmer's Belknap, 87. CHAPTER V. TOWN AND PROVINCE UNDER THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1G77-1GS9. A NEW JURISDICTION JOHN CUTT, PRESIDENT. THE decision having been made in England, that neither Massa- clmsetts nor Robert Mason had a right to rule New Hampshire, and that the validit}' of Mason's claims could be determined only by trial on the place, there being no court in England that had cogni- zance of it, it became necessary to provide some other government for the four towns, which still constituted the whole inhabited {)art of that territoiy; and for the trial of Mason's title, "a new jurisdiction should be erected, in which the king might direct the mode of trial and appeal at bis pleasure." The Massachusetts government was otticially informed of the king's intentions, and required to revoke all coinmi:5- sions in New Hampshire. A restraint was put upon Mason also, for- bidding the imposing of back rents, and limiting his future charges lo ''sixpence in the pound," ad valorem. The commission for the new government was [)assed, Soptember 18,1679; — in an act, "which inhibits and restrains the jurisdiction exercised by the colony of Massachusetts over the towns of Ports- mouth, Dover, Exeter and Hampton, and all other lands extending from three miles to the northward of the Merrimack River or any part thereof unto the province of Maine. "^ New Hampshire was created a Royal Province, to be governed by a president and council. John Cutt, Esq., of Portsmouth, was appointed the first president, and six men, of whom was Christopher Hussey, of Hampton, were named as councillors, with instructions to choose three more. Any five of these, with the president or his deputy-, were to constitute a quorum. They were, with the concurrence of an assembly, authorized to assess taxes. The assembly, to consist of deputies of the towns, was to constitute a part of the government so long as the king should not see fit to order othei'wise. Enactments were to be transmitted to the Privy Council by the first ships, and to remain in force until dis- allowed by that authority. All the other powers of this new govern- J Farmer's Bi-lknap, 88. (96) UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1G89. 07 ment were definitely set forth in the commission, which was received on the first day of January, 1680, The messenger by whom the commission was brought over from England was Edward Randolph, known to be so devoted to Mason's interests, as to render the people suspicious that their liberties were to be abridged or their rights otherwise prejudiced. On his arrival in Portsmouth, the men named in the commission as magistrates, perceiving that their appointment had not been made out of respect for themselves, but as a stroke of policy, designed to render the new form of government less odious to the people, were reluctant to accept the offices. But the commission required — "all excuses whatsoever set aside, y* they fail not to assemble and meet together at y^ s'* town of Portsmouth in y*^ province of New Hampshire afors^ within y« space of twenty days next after y*' arrival of this commission at Portsm. aforesaid." Accustomed to yield obedience to the king, and fearing tliat, if they should decline the offices tendered, other persons less favorable to the interests of the people, would be appointed, they consented, after a delay of nearly three weeks, but within the time named in the com- mission, to qualify themselves by taking the oaths of allegiance and of office. As one of their first duties, they proceeded to the election of three councillors, to fill the board. They chose Julias Stileman, of Great Island, then belonging to Portsmouth; Samuel Daltonof Hampton; and Job Clements of Dover. Having completed the organization, a proclamation was made, for all officers to keep their respective places till further ordered. Shortly after (February 4, 1680), a warrant was sent to the selectmen of each of the towns, requiring that a list of the names of their inhabitants and inventory of their estates be sent to the president and council at their sitting on the 16th of the same mouth. Being required by their commission, to call a General Assembly, and being empowered to determine who should have the privilege of choos- ing deputies, the president and council ordered : "that the persons hereafter named in the several towns shall meet together on the first day of March next, by 9 of the clock in the morning, and having first each of them taken the oath of allegiance (if they have not taken it already) , which oath is to be administered by the member or members of the said Council there residing, choose from among themselves, by the major vote given in in writing, not exceeding the number of three persons, which persons so chosen are to appear at Portsmouth on the 16th day of March following, by 9 o'clock, there to attend his Majesty's . 7 98 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. senMce for the concerns of the said Province of New Hampshire, pro* vicled that we do not intend that wliat is now done be precedential for the future, and that it shall extend no farther than to the calling this first Assembly." None were to be permitted to vote except those mentioned in the list appended to the order, on penalty of paying a fine of five pounds. The list of names for Hampton follows : Mr. Seaborn Cotton. Nath'l Batchelcler. John Brown, Sen. Nath'l Boulter, Sen. Moses Cox. John Clifford, Sen. John Clifford, Jun. Henry Dow. Godfrey Dearborn. Thomas Dearborn. Henry Dearborn. Abraham Drake, Sen. Gershom Elkins. William Fuller. William Fifleld, Sen. Benjamin Fifleld. Henry Greene. Isaac Godfrey. Edward Gove. Morrice Hobbs. Timothy Hilliard. John Knowles, Sen. ' Thomas Leavitt. Thomas Marston. Ens. Moore. William Marston. Josiah Moulton. John Moulton. John Marrian. Thomas Nudd. Abraham Perkins. Isaac Perkins, Not app'd Francis Page. Thomas Philbrick. Heni'y Robie. John Redman, Sen. John Sanborn. Isaac Marston. Henry Moulton. William Sanborn, Sen. Samuel Sherburne. Anthony Stanyan. Robert Smith. John Smith, Coop'r. John Smith, Tal'r. Thomas Sleeper. Joseph Shaw. Benjamin Shaw. Anthony Taylor. Daniel Tilton. Andrew Wiggins. Thomas Wiggins, Not app'd. Nathaniel Weare. Thomas Ward. Not app'd. Thomas Webster. Joseph Smith. Samuel Dalton, Esq. "John Roberts, of Dover, is chosen head Marshal of this Province, and Henry Dow of Hampton, under him." "At a General Assembly held in Portsmouth, in the Province of New Hampshire, the 16th day of March, 16^f : present of the Council : — 'Richard Wsdi\von,Y>sq.,DepictyP7-esiclent," and eight others, of whom, Christopher Hnsse}' and vSamnel Dalton Esqrs. from Hampton. Of the eleven deputies present, Mr. Anthon}^ Stanyan, Mr. Thomas Marston and Mr. Edward Gove were from Hampton. UNDER ROYAL OOVF^RNMENT. 1677-1(589. 99 makshal's oath. "Yon, J. R., being chosen Head Marshal for the Province of New- Hampshire, do swear by the ever living God that you shall perform, do and execute all such lawful commands as shall be directed to you from lawful authority constituted by his Majesty in this Province, ■without favor, fear, or partiality, according to your best ability and the laws here established ; so help you God." "John Roberts and Henry Dow took the oath for Marshals of this Province." "The council finding a necessity of prisons, and keepers for them, for the securing of offenders and other persons for debt, do order that the prisons already at Hampton, Dover, and Portsmouth, shall be for the same use still ; and Jno, Souter of Hampton, and Jno. Tuttle of Dover, and Richard Abbot of Portsmouth, be and are empowered prison-keepers to the several prisons in the respective towns where they dwell ; and to receive all such prisoners as shall be committed to them by authority, and this to continue during the pleasure of the Council." probable population, in 1680. It has been estimated that the white population of New Hampshire, in 1675, was not far from four thousand. If this estimate is correct, and the number remained the same in 1680, the ratio of the legal vot- ers to the whole population was very much less than it is at the pres- ent time. But this estimate is probably much too high. It may be difficult to ascertain the relative i)opulation of the several towns ; but there are good reasons for thinking that Hampton contained at least one-quarter of the whole population of the province. Though it is uncertain what number of inhabitants was here iu 1680, j^et fortunate- ly the number at the beginning of 16S6,is known, and it is hardly probable that during the six intervening years, the number had di- minished. From an entry in the diary of Capt. Henry Dow, under date of Jan. 17, 1685-6, it appears that tiie whole number of inhabi- tants in the town, was 707 ; and that, of this number, 495 lived on the north side of Taylor's River, and 212 on the south side. The whole number in the province did not probably exceed three thousand. Preparatory to the meeting of the general assembly, a public fast was observed, February 26, to ask for the Divine blessing and "the continuance of their precious and pleasant things." The assembly met at Portsmouth, on the 16th day of March, and was opened with prayer, and a sermon by Rev. Joshua Moody, the pastor of the church in that town. 100 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. One of the first acts of the government after the assembl}' had met, was to prepare and dispatch a letter to the governor and coun- cil of Massachusetts, expressing their regret at the separation that had taken place, in which they had acquiesced only in submission to Divine Providence and the commands of the king ; and their desire to maintain friendly relations, and to show themselves serviceable to the sister province, should opportunity offer. The assembly held four sessions, and, with the consent of the pres- ident and council, enacted such laws as were required. Inferior courts were established in all the towns except Exeter. By whom the court at Hampton was held, is not now known. "lord proprietor." Near the close of the year 1680, Robert Mason came over from England, with a writ of mandaimis from the king, and took his seat at the council board. The principal object of his visit, at this time, was to obtain possession of the estate, to which he firmly believed he had a just and legal title. He hoped also that the inhabitants of the province would be induced to take leases under him, of their houses and lauds, according to the terms required by the king. But he found the undertaking more difficult than he had anticipated. He could not convince the people of the justice of his claim; they still thought their own rights, derived from the purchase, occupation and improve- ment of the lands on which they lived, and which they had defended against a savage foe, at great expense of men and money, paramount to his. Under the influence of disappointment, Mason appears some- times to have lost his self-control, and to have forgotten his engage- ment to the king. Finding himself unable to -persuade the people, he undertook to intimidate them to a compliance with his demands. In some cases he forbade persons cutting timber or fuel, and even threat- ened to sell their estates, claiming the whole province as his own, and assuming the title of lord proprietor. 80 far from advancing his own intei'est by this course, Mason greatly iri'itated the people and united them more firmly in opposing his claims. A few persons, indeed, consented to take leases under him, but a much larger number might probably have been gained by conciliatory measures, though even then a large majority would have contended for what they regarded as their just rights. Each of the towns in its corporate capacity, and many of the people, individually, applied to the president and council for protection. At a town meeting held in Hampton, March 21, 1681, the subject was discussed and measures were taken to secure to the people their rights. Sergt. Joseph Dow and Edward Gove were appointed, in be- UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1689. 101 lialf of the town, to draw up and prepare a statement of the case, and to assert the rights of the inhabitants to their hinds, and present the same to the council at their next sitting. That all the legal voters might have an opportunity to sign this paper, designed as a petition, Lieut. John Sanborn and Sergt. Thomas Philbrick were chosen to present it to all who were not present at this meeting, for their signa- tures. The council soon afterward published an order prohibitory of Ma- son's proceedings. Irritated by this order, he refused to sit at the council-board, when requested. After some further altercation, dis- appointed aud chagrined, he left the province on the 27th of March and, about three months from the time of his arrival, set sail for Eng- land. RICHARD WALDRON, PRESIDENT. A few days afterward. President Cutt, who had for a considerable time been in feeble health, died at an advanced age, aud was succeed- ed in office by his deputy, Richard Waldron. In the course of the following summer, another breach was made in the council, by the death, August 22, of Mr. Dalton, at the age of about 52 years. The va- cancies thus made were filled by the election of Richard Waldron, Juii., son of the president, and Anthony Nutter, both of Dover. John Roberts resigned the office of marshal of the province, and Henry Dow, of this town, was appointed his successor. Of Waldron's administration, Belknap remarks : "The common busi- ness went on in the usual manner." ANOTHER OVERTURNING MASON AND CRANFIELD. Robert Mason went away a thoroughly disheartened man. He had evidently thought, when the new government for New Hampshire was about to go into operation, that the object for which he had so long and so assiduously labored was about to be accomplished, and that under this government he might render available his claim to the province. Buoyant with hope, he had come hither to assert his claim, not doubting that it would be admitted, and the people become his tenants, by taking leases of the houses which they had themselves built and the lands which they had so long occupied. From the rents accruing, he had anticipated a golden harvest. But his sanguine expectations had not been realized. A few months' res- idence among the people had taught him that they would not will- ingly become his vassals, nor tamely surrender the rights, which they claimed as proprietors of the soil, and owners in fee of the property 102 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. in their possession. The experience of a few meetings at the coun- cil board had convinced him that the members of the board enter- tained the same views and feelings as the people, and that from them he could not expect any special favor. In a word, he despaired of I'ealizing any substantial benefit from liis claims, unless the govern- ment should pass into other hands. Therefore a new task was now before him : another change in tlie government must be brought about. This he undertook to effect, and by an agreement to divide the spoils with tlie king, he succeeded. In short, he was allowed to make his own selection for governor, and to have conferred upon him most ar- bitrar\f powers. Edward Cranfield, a man as unprincipled and as greedy of gain as the king himself, for a valuable consideration, consented to become Mason's tool ; and, armed with his governor's commission, he arrived in Portsmouth on the 4th of October, 1682, and at once entered upon that course which has made his name odious to this day. The commission authorized him "to call, adjourn, prorogue and dissolve, general courts ; to have a negative voice in all acts of government ; to suspend any of the council, when he should see just cause; to ap- point a deputy-governor, judges, justices, and other officers, by his sole authority; and to execute the powers of vice-admiral." Mason and seven others of the former council were reappointed, while Mr. Hussey and the younger Waldron were dropped, and Walter Bare- foote and Richard Chamberlain appointed in their places. Before a week had passed, however, two members of the council were sus- pended ; and soon after, an assembly was called, which met on the 14th of November. The members from Hampton were Edward Gove and two others, now unknown. On the first day of the assembly, Cranfield restored the suspended members ; and thereupon, the as- sembly, hoping to detach him from Mason, voted him a gratuity of two hundred fifty pounds. This the governor i-eadily accepted, and on the 1st of December ordered an adjournment. The assembly met again on the second week in the next month, when there was found to be an entire want of harmony between them and the governor ; and after some altercation — they refusing to pass a bill recommended by him, and he to sign some bills passed by them — he dissolved the assembly after a session of less than two weeks. This act of Cranfield's, though allowed by his commission, was with- out precedent in New Hampshire, and repugnant to the feelings, not only of the deputies, but of the people generally, who regarded it as an arbitrary act, and an unwarrantable abuse of power. UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1689. 103 EDWARD GOVE'S INSURRECTION. The people of the province, ever jealous of their liberties, were in- dignant at Cranfield's conduct, but, in general, demeaned themselves as good citizens. A few only, under the leadership of PiDWAUo Gove, of Hampton, determined to revolutionize the government, or, at least, to effect a reform. Gove was a person of considerable property, and somewliat popular, and, as Mr. Randolph affirms, "a leading man and a great stickler in the late proceedings of the assembly." Un- der the influence of resentment, caused by a free use of ardent spir- its, and by a want of rest, — such is his own acknowledgment, — he resolved, almost single-handed, to redress his own and others' griev- ances. He "made it his business," said Randolph, "to stir the peo- ple up to rebellion, by giving out that the governor, as vice-admiral, acted under the commission of his royal highness,^ who was a papist, and would bring popery in amongst them ; that the governor was a pretended governor, and his commission, signed in Scotland. He en- deavored, with a great deal of pains, to make a party, and solicited many of the considerable persons in each town to join with them to re- cover their liberties." Gove declared "that his sword was drawn, and he would not lay it down, till he knew who should hold the government." The governor, having received information of his movements, immediately sent mes- sengers to Hampton and Exeter, with warrants for the constables, requiring them to arrest him ; but fearing that his party might be- come too strong for the civil power, he forthwith ordered the militia of the whole province to be in readiness. At first, Gove eluded or repulsed the marshal and others who at- tempted to arrest him in this town, and hastened "to his party at Ex- eter, from whence he suddenly returned with twelve men [principally] of that town, mounted and armed with swords, pistols and guns, — a trumpet sounding and Gove with his sword drawn riding into Hampton at the head of them." Here they were all arrested and taken into custody by the militia of the town, except the trumpeter, who, "forcing his way, escaped, after whom a hue and cry was sent out to all parts." AVhen Governor Cranfield was informed of this arrest, he was just mounting his horse to lead a part of the troop in pursuit of Gove and his party. Randolph says: "This rising was, unexpectedly to the party, made upon the 27th day of January." He further asserts it as the general 1 The Duke of York, aftenvaids James II. 104 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. belief, that "manj' considerable persons, to whose houses Gove either went in person, or sent — calling upon them to come out and stand up for their liberties, would have joined with him, had he not discovered Ills designs, or appeared in arms at that time; for," he adds, "upon the 30th da}^ of January, being appointed by the governor, a day of public humiliation, they designed to cut otT the governor, Mr. Mason and some others, whom they affected not." It seems hardly credible that a conspiracy so base, and to be exe- cuted on a day of public humiliation, was ever formed by many, or even any, of the leading men in New Hampshire. Its existence, so far as can now be learned, depends entirely upon Mr. Randolph's statement, and the charge appears to be not only untrue, but so im- probable, that to one unacquainted with Randolph's character, and his malignity towards the people of New England, it would be diffi- cult to account for such a statement ; but taking into consideration his character and his prejudices, it is even more surprising, that he could keep so near the truth, as he does in some parts of tlie narrative from which the foregoing extracts have been taken. Gove and his associates having been arrested, the governor sent a strong party of horse to guard them (then prisoners in irons) from Hampton to Portsmouth. This was on Saturday. The next day, al- though it was the Sabbath, they were taken separately before the governor and council, for examination. Tlie first one examined was Edward Gove. He did not deny what he had lately said and done. He admitted that ''he did sound, or cause to be sounded, the trumpet being his own ; and did draw his sword because his own," and added : "Tlie governor is no judge of this court, but a pretended one, and a traitor to the king and his authority." Then addressing Governor Cranfield directly, he said: "Your Honor is in more danger of your life than I." Being asked what he meant, he replied : "God in heaven will do me justice." The examination of the other persons arrested, elicited but few facts tending to criminate them of anything but being in Gove's com- pan3^ Yet all of them were cotnmitted to the prison at Great Island, where, on account of the dilapidated state of the prison, they were still kept in irons, lest they should make their escape. No time was lost before bringing the prisoners to trial. On Mon- day, the 5th day of February, 1683, — only nine days after their ar- i-est — a special court was constituted and holden at Portsmouth, for this purpose, before Richard Waldron, Judge, and Thomas Daniels and William Vaughan, Assistants, "and others, His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Province, then present." UNDER ROYAL GOVERNJdENT. 1677-1689. 105 The prisoners, eleven in nnmber, were all cluirged with the crime of HIGH TREASON. A grand jnry was impanelled and sworn in open conrt, "to make inquiry for our Sovereign Lord tlie King," The witnesses being sworn and examined, tlie gvimd jnry found a true bill against nine of them, viz. : Edward Gove, John Gove, Wil- liam Healey, of Hampton, John Wadleigh, Josepli Wadleigli, Robert Wadleigh, Thomas Rawlins, Mark Baker, and John Sleeper, of Exeter. Upon the presentment of the grand jury, a petit jury of the free- holders of the province, was returned and impanelled for the trial of the persons indicted, who severally pleaded ^'■Not guilty." From the depositions laid before the jury to prove the guilt of the prisoners, a few statements only are selected to be introduced here, but enough to give some idea of the object and character of Gove's movements. From the testimony of Richard Mart}^, of Portsmouth, it appears, that Edward Gove was at his house on Thursday, the 25th of Jan- uary, and that he said, he was "on a design," and added : "We have swords by our sides, as well as others, and will see things mended before we lay them down." He said he was going to Dover and would be heard from in three or four days. By the testimony of Reuben Hall, it was proved that Gove was at Dover on Friday, the day after Martyn had seen him at Portsmouth, "having his sword and boots on." In reply to Hall, who asked what was the matter with him, he said : "Matter enough ! we of Hampton have had a town meeting, and we are resolved as one man, that these things shall not be carried on as they are like to be ; we all have our guns ready to stand upon our guard ; and I have been at Exeter, and they are resolved to do the same. I have my sword by my side, and brought my carbine also with me The Governor has stretched his commission." Edward Gove alone was adjudged guilty of treason ; the rest were pardoned and set at liberty ; but upon this fellow-citizen of ours was passed sentence as horrible as the tortures of the Spanish Inquisition — "That he should be carried back to the place from whence he came, and from thence be drawn to the place of execution, and there be hanged by the neck and cut down alive, and that his entrails be taken out and burnt before his face, and his head cut off, and his body di- vided into four quarters, and his head and quarters disposed of at the king's pleasure." This revolting sentence, however, was not executed. Gove was reprieved, sent to England, and imprisoned in the Tower about three years; when he received a full pardon, and returned to his family. 106 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. LEASES UNDER MASON RESISTED. Scarcely two weeks had elapsed after the close of these trials, when a proclamation of the governor, requiring the people of the province to take leases of their houses and lands from Mason, brought three prominent men of Dover into direct collision witii both these digni- taries, and stirred anew the strife between oppression and revenge on one part, and on the other, resistance to outraged'liberties. Mason's first suit was against Major Waldron ; who, seeing that he had a packed jury, made no defense, and the case went for the plain- tiff. Encouraged by his success, suit followed suit, with like result. Several of the inhabitants of Hampton, against whom suits had been brought, presented to the court a written statement of the reasons for declining to join issue, viz. : "The refusal of Mason to comply with the directions in the commission ; the impropriety of a jury's deter- mining what the king had expressly reserved to himself; and the in- competency of the jury, they being all interested persons;" and some of them, it was well known, devoted to Mason's interest. Every ob- jection was overruled, and, as to the decisions of the court, Mason had no reason to complain ; but here his triumph ended. As "a horse may be led to water but cannot be made to drink," so many estates were declared for sale, but none could force a purchaser ; and the rightful owners remained for the most part in possession. It does not comport with the plan of this work to mention all the grievances of the people under this corrupt and oppressive adminis- tration. In a word it may justly be said, not only that Cranfield was governor, but that he was the government ; for with a council of his own selection, and wholly dependent on him for continuance in office, he assumed to legislate without an assembly ; and the courts were but the creatures of his will. He also interfered with the rights and privileges of towns, so far as to forbid the constables to collect any town or parish taxes, till the province tax had been paid and all ac- counts settled with the treasurer. He even restricted the right of the people to assemble in town meeting, as appears by the following order issued by him. "By the Govern^." New Hampshire. YoY prevention of disturbance by unlawful Assemblies L. S. and Meetiugs, such as Ave have too lately cxporienccd. and such as may for y*" future arise to ye terror of his Ma't's [Majesty's] Subjects within y« s'l Province : Ordered, Edw : Cranfield. ''That y<' Trustees or Overseers of the several I'cspective Towns therein, or others, presume not to call any Puljlic Meeting about any Town business, or on other pretence wliatsoever. Without UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1689. 107 leav first obtained from y« Justice or Justices of y" Peace of y<^ s^i respective Towns, upon iust [just] representation of y« necessaryness of such Town or Public meeting-; on such penalty as y« Law directs, to be inflicted upon un- lawful Assemblies. I)at. y« 3d day of March, 1G82 [-3]." Superscribed: "To the Constable of Portsmouth. — To be published, 1682." [1(382-3]. NATHANIEL WEARE's MISSION TO ENGLAND. The inhabitants of Hampton and of the other towns in tlie prov- ince, liad, with few exceptions, refrained from joining Edward Gove in his quixotic attempt to reform the government; but they could not be insensible to the tyranny of Governor Cranfield. Tiiey ever had been, and still were, ready to assist in suppressing acts of rebellion ; but they were not prepared to yield to oppression without a struggle. They regarded it as their right to pour their complaints into the ears of the king, and to ask for redress. But under Cranfield's adminis- tration, it was dangerous, even to complain. Still, this appeared the only proper course to be pursued, and after some consultation, it was adopted. So careful and so cautious had been the movements of the leading men, that their agent had been selected, funds had been raised to meet his expenses, and he had left the province, and was already at Boston, about to embark for England, before the governor was aware of their design. The agent, selected and sent on this important mission, was Na- thaniel Weare, Esq., a leading citizen of Hampton. The confidence thus reposed in him indicates that he had the reputation of being a man of ability, prudence and integrity ; and the result showed that thpir confidence had not been misplaced. Fear of being detained by the governor, constrained Mr. "Weare to hasten to Boston, without waiting to obtain such evidence as would be needed to substantiate the charges to be brought against Governor Cranfield, He was accompanied to Boston by Maj. William Vaughan, of Portsmouth, and to him was intrusted the important service of pro- curing depositions to be forwarded to England ; but, on his return from Boston, he was immediately arrested by the governor's order, and com- mitted to prison, where he was confined nine months, much to the detriment, not only of his own private interests, but to those of an oppressed people, as this prevented him from obtaining the evidence necessary for the agent. Other individuals, indeed, undertook the work that had l)een assigned to Mr. Vaughan, but they were denied access to the public records, and when they applied to the governor to summon and swear witnesses for them, their request was not granted. 108 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Hence it was necessary to go out of the province to have the deposi- tions properly authenticated. Wlien, tlierefore, Mr, Weare arrived in England, he was not pre- pared to bring his complaints to tlie king, at once ; but after waiting a considerable time for depositions from home, and waiting in vain, he ventured to prefer some general charges against Governor Cranfield. By this means, a way was opened for procuring, in a few months, tlie needful evidence, for, the complaint having been referred to the Board of Trade, they transmitted a copy to the accused, that he might pre- pare a defense ; and at the same time ordered him to allow the com- plainants access to the records, and to afford them every facility for obtaining and authenticating evidence. However humiliating this or- der might be, it was from such a source, that he dared not disobey. As he was charged with not following the instructions of his commis- sion, concerning Mason's claims, but allowing those claims to be tried in courts not properly constituted, he immediately, upon the re- ceipt of this communication from the Board of Trade, suspended the suits that had been brought, till a decision, as to the legality of the courts, should be made by the proper authorities. The agent in England, having received from home, the evidence needed, presented his charges in a new and more specific form. A hearing was at length had before the Lords of Trade [March 10, 1685], who reported to the king "that Cranfield had not pursued his instruc- tions with regard to Mason's controversy ; but instead thereof, had caused courts to be held and titles to be decided, with exorbitant costs; and that he had exceeded his power in regulating the value of coins." The agent had brought other charges against the gov- ernor, but in relation to them, the Lords of Tiade expressed no opiti- ion. The report, as made, was accepted by the king in council. GOVERNOR CRANFIELD'S SCHEMES TO OBTAIN MONEY. It will now be necessary to go back a little in the order of time, and notice some other grievances, which the people of New Hampshire suffered, under the administration of Governor Cranfield. When he accepted the government of the province, he undoubtedly supposed the office would be a lucrative one ; and this, more than any other consid- eration, induced him to accept it. But this pleasing anticipation was far from being realized. Disappointment in his favorite object prob- ably had no inconsiderable influence in shaping the course of his ad- ministration. He had undertaken to administer the government with- out calling an assembly ; yet his want of money became so pressing, that, for relief, he was under the necessity of altering his policy, and UNDER ROVAL GOVERNMENT. 1G77-1689. 109 issuing writs for the election of deputies. The assembly convened at Great Island, January 14, 1684. The governor tendered them a bill, which had already been })assed by the council, for raising money. The bill had been artfully drawn up, under pretext of danger of in- vasion by a foreign foe, and the need of raising money for repairing the fort and supplying it with ammunition, and "other necessary charges of government." After some discussion, the assembly adjourned. On flood tide that evening, the members went up the river to Portsmouth, and returned on the next ebb. Having met after their return, they refused to pass the bill. The governor, in his wrath, immediately dissolved the as- sembly. But this was not deemed a sufficient punishment for not yielding to his wishes. He caused the speaker and several of the members to be appointed constables for the ensuing year. If they re- fused to serve, a fine of £10 was the penalty in each case. The mem- bers from this town were Anthony Stanyan, Joseph Smith, and Lieut. John Smith, the last of whom, usually styled John Smith, the coojjer, was made constable. Having failed to procure money by an act of assembly, the governor now ventured on a hazardous experiment, the raising of money with- out the intervention of an assembly. In his commission was a pro- vision that he and his council might "continue such taxes as had been formerly levied, until a general assembly could be called." This was evidently intended to meet any exigency that might occur at the be- ginning of his administration, when money might be needed sooner than it could be raised by the ordinary course of legislation. As such, it may have been a wise provision ; but beyond this, it was not designed to operate. Yet it served the governor as a pretext for the authority which he now assumed, though it was clear to every person, that it was only a pretext ; for not only had there been sufficient time for calling an assembly, but more than one had been convened and dissolved since his administration began. Such were the views of the council. When, therefore, the governor applied to them to take the responsil)ility of continuing the tax that had last been levied by the preceding administration, they hesitated. Soon it was rumored that a plot had been discovered among the Eastern Indians to renew the war in the following spring. The council were summoned February 14, in great haste. The governor told them that for the defense and security of the province, money was needed, and that it could not be raised in season in any other way than by continuing such taxes as had formerly been laid. The council now gave their consent, though their action was not immediately made public, for the people were not yet 110 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. prepared for it. By a further order of the governor and council, the inhabitants of tlie province were required to fortify the Meetbuj houses and establish convenient garrisons in other parts of their several towns, and to provide themselves with a stock of ammunition. Other meas- ures were also adopted betokening imminent danger. At this juncture, Cranfield met with an obstacle he had not antici- pated. A letter from the Lords of Trade directed him to levy no taxes on the people, except by an act of assembly. What now will the governor do? Will he obey this order? Yes — so far as to summon an assembl3^, but no farther. Having ascertained that several mem- bers of the last assembly had been elected again, he ordered an im- mediate dissolution ; and then wrote to the Lords of Trade, that, though in obedience to their commands, an assembly had been called, yet he did not deem it prudent or safe to let them sit ; and that the election of those four constables to the assembly — who had been or- dered to serve in that office because they had acted independently in the last assembly — looked like a design to disturb the king's peace. He then intimated that the rate made in the time of Presidents Cutt and Waldron, had been continued, but could not be safely published without the presence of a small frigate. RESISTANCE TO UNJUST TAXATION. The next step — despite the instructions from the Lords of Trade, and the fears of the governor about publishing the order of the coun- cil to continue a former tax — was to issue warrants to the constables of the several towns, to collect the taxes. Will the people quietly submit to pay taxes so illegally ordered? We shall see. The con- stables called upon the inhabitants agreeably to their warrants ; but so few responded to the call, that they soon reported to the governor and council, that the people refused to pay. Special instructions were then given to the constables in regard to their method of procedure, A warrant was issued September 15, to Nathaniel Batchelder, the constable of Hampton, setting forth that it had been proved by said Batchelder's oath before his majesty's jus- tices of the peace for New Hampshire, that several persons had re- fused and still continued to refuse "to pay their respective rates, being the king's rate, continued by virtue of his majesty's royal commission, beai'ing date the 9th of May, 1682," The constable was then empowered and required immediately upon receiving the warrant, "to levy all and every the respective rates of every person so refusing, by distress and sale of the offender's goods and chattels." But there was one person here — probably there were others also — UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1689. Ill designated by name, against whom the constable was ordered to pro- ceed. This was Henry Dow, who before Cranfteld's administration, had been marshal of the province. The warrant, in this case, was signed by Walter Barefoote, Richard Chamberlain and James Sherlock, justices of the peace and members of the council. After stating said Henry Dow's refusal to pay his tax, the warrant to the constable pro- ceeds : "These are therefore in his majesty's name to require you forthwith to apprehend the body of the said Henry Dow, and convey him to the prison at Great Island, if he do not immediately discover some part of his estate to satisfy the said rate ; and the prison keeper is hereby required him to receive and safely keep, till he shall pay the said rate, or give security so to do, according to an act of this prov- ince made the 14th of November, 1682 ; and this shall be your suffi- cient warrant. Hereof fail not, as you will answer the contrary at your peril. Given under our hands and seals at Great Island, the first day of September, in the 36th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles y*^ second,' king of England, &c, Aiique Dini, 1684." Whether Mr. Dow "discovered some part of his estate to satisfy this rate," or "gave security," or was imprisoned, cannot now be as- certained, but his tax was not paid till more than four months after- ward, as appears from the original receipt, dated January 20, 1684 [-5], and signed by James Sherlock. PROVOST-MARSHAL, THURTON. When it became evident to the governor and council, that the con- stables, either could not, or would not, collect the odious tax, some of them were fined ; and Thomas Thurton, the provost-marshal, was or- dered to take charge of the collection, both of the taxes and the fines. One of the delinquent constables was John Foulsham, of Exeter, who at the Quarter Sessions in November, 1684, was fined 50s. for neglecting the duties of his office. A few weeks afterward, Monday, December 29, the provost-marshal, attended by John Mason, of Hamp- ton, a deputy marshal, went to Exeter for the purpose of demanding this fine. The treatment they received will serve to show the feeling then existing among the people, although it was, in most cases, kept under restraint. Thurton, on his way to Exeter, passed through Hampton. From this place, he and his deputy, both wearing swords, were followed by ten or twelve Hampton men, all on horseback, and armed with clubs, who, according to the marshal's account, pushed, and otherwise maltreated both him and his deputy. On their arrival at Exeter, other persons — and not a few, including Mr. Cotton, the minister — joined with those from Hampton, in harassing the officers. 112 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. While the latter were at the house of a widow Sewall, to refresh them- selves and their horses, they were treated with much contempt, being thrust about and repeatedly called rogues. The bridles were taken from their horses, and the horses turned loose. When they went in search of them, the same company followed, and one of them struck the marshal several blows with a club, stunning and bruising him. AVhen the marshal and his deputy met Foulsham — whether before or after the occurrences just mentioned, does not appear — he bade them beware of levying at his house, if tlie^^ would avoid a red-hot spit and scalding water, telling them, that he should not regard a warrant from the governor and council, nor from any of the justices of tlie peace. Foulsham had also spirited coadjutors. Even the Women warned the officers against calling for rates, as they had boiling water on hand, and, in some instances, had kept it constantly over the fire for two days, ready to give him a ivarmer reception than would be agreeable to him. THURTON AND ROBY's ADVENTURE. The following Friday, the provost-marshal went to Hampton, to the house of Samuel Sherburne, i to demand the pa^'^ment of £5 imposed on him for alleged assault on Dr. Richard Hooper, a citizen of the town and near neighbor of Sherburne's. On his refusal to pay, Thurton "took the body of the said Sherburne in execution, and carried him to the house of Henry Roby, Esq., one of his Majesty's justices of the peace." Here a fracas took place between three Exeter men, Gilman, Leavitt and Lamprey, on one side, and Thurton and Roby on the other, dur- ing which Sherburne made his escape. The cause of this fracas was, that Roby had just made out a war- rant to commit Leavitt to prison, for seditious language, and, on Oilman's interfering, had made another warrant and handed it to the marshal, for committing him likewise. Botli men resisted, till a little son of Sherburne entered and whispered a few words to them, when they said they would go. Accordingly, in custody of three men, they went quietly, till, arrived at Sherburne's house, they declared that they would go in there, and would not go to prison. At the same time, three or four persons, Sherburne himself among them, rushed out and rescued the prisoners. The same night, Oilman, accompanied by four men armed vvitli clubs, returned to Henry Roby's house, and made several violent attempts to break down the door; but on Roby's threatening to shoot them, they went away. 'The ordin.ary, on Ruiul's Hill. UNDER EOYAL GOVERNMENT. 1677-1G89. 113 The provost-marshal, after losing his first prisoner, Sherburne, at Roby's house, went in search of him ; and finding him at hisown house, in coiftpany with twenty or thirty men, armed with clubs, attempted to re-arrest him, when he was attacked by Sherburne's companions, and roughly treated. According to his deposition afterwards, these persons, masked with handkerchiefs, beat and attempted to strangle him, tied his hands and legs, took away his sword and dragged him a quarter of a mile from the house by the rope that tied his hands. There the crowd seem to have left him ; but two men then untied his legs and drove him forward another mile and a half, beating him with a cudgel. Then being worn out, he sank in the snow and cried "Mur- der !" in the hearing of several horsemen, inhabitants of Hampton; but none came to his rescue. This was about nine o'clock in the evening. Then, a stranger, coming from Hampton on horseback, was waylaid by the two ruffians, who seized his horse, flung Thurton, bound hand and foot, across him, and so carried him about a quarter of a mile further. The poor victim, "being in extreme pain and near death," as he testified, prayed that he might ride the horse, and then be carried whither they would. This small boon was granted, and they carried him out of the province, to Salisbury. The foregoing account of the disturbances in Exeter and Hampton, is gathered chiefly from the depositions of Thurton and Roby them- selves, and is probably altogether exaggerated. In 1685, Cranfield, disappointed in his purposes, under censure of the home government, distracted by the attitude of the people, was, at his own request, relieved, and privately quitted the province ; and Walter Barefoote, the deputy governor, assumed his office. MR. WEARE'S second MISSION TO ENGLAND. Under him, matters went from bad to worse; and Mr. "Weare was sent as agent, a second time, to England. The exact date of this second mission is not known, but it was probably not far from the spring of 1686. This time he was unsuccessful, in combatting Mason's claims, but his own papers, relating to the trial, are lost. He returned sometime previous to June 19, 1689, when a meeting of the proprie- tors of Hampton was held, to raise seventy-five pounds in silver, to pay their proportion for the services of Mr. Weare and Mr. Vaughan. This was on account of money already expended, and was to be raised equally upon the shares, payable in five months. SIR EDMUND ANDROS, GOVERNOR OF ALL NEW ENGLAND. In the latter part of the reign of Charles II, a scheme was origina- 114 , HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ted, for uniting the several provinces and portions of New England, and placing them under one government. Through various machina- tions, well known in history, this plan was consummated in the reign of James II; and, in December, 1686, Sir Edmund Andros became governor of all New England. He ruled with an iron hand. Out of his large council, any seven constituted a council-board, and no larger number need be notified to attend any meeting. The governor and council, any^veof whom were a quorum, were empowered, without the intervention of an asserabl}', to make laws, impose taxes, appro- priate money and grant lands, virtually, as they chose ; and they were not slow to avail themselves of their privileges. Mason's fortunes seemed in the ascendencj'. The Lords of Trade and Plantations reported in his favor ; the king approved, and ordered the verdict and judgment to be ratified and affirmed. Then Mason returned to New Hampshire, to have his executions levied according to law. Here, however, a new disappointment awaited him, in the opposition of Andros and his council ; and the courts refused to issue executions on the judgments that had been recovered by him. What- ever the motives of Andros may have been, the people were gratified, and their confidence was strengthened in the belief previously enter- tained, that Mason's title was defective. Thus encouraged, they perse- vered in resisting his claims. In 1688, Mason suddenly died, leaving "two sons, John and Robert, the heirs of his claim and controversy." Among the other oi)pressive measures. Governor Andros forbade the people to assemble in town meetings, except once a year, for the choice of town officers, lest they consult for the redress of their wrongs ; and none were permitted to leave the country without his consent, lest complaints be carried to the king. The proceedings of Hampton and the other New Hampshire towns during this administration, will probably never be fully known — the records are silent. Tyranny is its own executioner ; — relief came at last in the acces- sion of William and Mary to the throne of England, and the seizure and imprisonment of Andros, in 1689. CHAPTER VI. UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT (CONTINUED). 10.89-1730. A CRITICAL JUNCTURE. "A "TEW Hampshire was now witliout a government. No magistrates 1 \ remained, except justices of the peace, and some inferior offi- cers ; and "great questions arose, whether justices retained their power, or any captain or otlier officer, deriving his autliority from him, so seized," that is, from Andros. In this state of affairs, there were various attempts to make sovie government till their majesties should take further order ; but all proved ineffectual. At first," persons were chosen in the several towns," says Nathaniel Weare, "to manage the affairs of government in this juncture of time," but that plan was sooiT found futile. No record has been found, to show who were chosen for this purpose in Hampton. CONVENTIONS OF THE TOWNS. It was afterward proposed that deputies from each town should meet in couvention, and agree upon some form of government for the whole province. With whom this plan originated does not appear. A letter, dated July 2, 1689, and signed "b^- several gentleuien of Portsmouth and Great Island" — then belonging to Portsmouth — was sent to Hampton, inviting the town to choose delegates to attend such a convention at Portsmouth, on the 11th of the same month. To this the town agreed, and chose Ens. Henry Dow, Sergt. John Smith and Mr. Joseph Smith as its representatives. The powers conferred on these representatives of the town were not adequate to the object intended. They were instructed to confer with the members of the convention from the other tov/ns, but were not authorized to agree to any plan proposed. They were required "to bring a true account of every particulai'," and report to tlie town, at an adjourned meeting on Saturday — two days after the meeting of tlie Convention. There is no record of any town meeting at the time named ; and nothing has been found to show even that the proposed convention was held. It might have been ascertained before the time appointed. (115) 116 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. that equal powers had not been conferred upon delegates from the several towns, in which case, tlie convention would be useless. The town of Portsmouth, for instance, hati "engaged tlieinselves certainly to cornpl}'^ with" whatever the delegates from that town should promise to do ; while those from Hampton could do nothing whatever to bind the town. If the convention met, it is certain that nothing effectual was accomplished. The fault may have been and probably was, on tlie part of the peo- ple of Hampton ; for not long after, one with ample means of informa- tion, wrote as follows: "The inhabitants of tlie town of Hampton began to be very jealous of their friends and neighbors, that they would bring them under several inconveniences, in commanding from them their men and money as they pleased, and so they were very hard to be brought to anything." Near the close of the year 1689, there was another proposition for a convention. In this case, it seems to have originated in Hampton. The town, "considering the unsettled state they were in for want of government, and so the more incapacitated to defend themselves kgainst the invasion of an enemy," appointed delegates, to meet witli such as might be chosen by the other towns, "to consider and debate the matters" of common concern. But here again the same jealousy appears as in the former case. No greater powers were conferred on the delegates now chosen than had been on those chosen in Jul}-. The delegates were : Mr. Nathaniel Weare, Capt. Samuel Sherburne and Ens. Henry Dow. As nothing further is found on record in regard to the proposed convention, it may be presumed that the plan failed at that time also ; though it was revived not long afterward, the towns of Portsmouth and Dover then taking the lead. Since the seizure of Andros, nine months had already elapsed, and no orders had yet arrived from tlie new sovereigns of England. The Indians were in a state of hostility, and the settlements were exposed to imminent danger. This consid- eration was urged as a strong reason for immediate action for the common defense. Under these circumstances, Portsmouth and Dover each chose six commissioners, to meet with commissioners from the other towns, "with full power to agree upon a method of government." In accordance with the invitation, a town meeting was held in Hamp- ton, January 20, 1690, when the town, satisfied that the late justices, the only civil officers exercising any functions in the town, were pow- erless to raise men and money for the common defense, chose six com- missioners, with more authority than had been given to the delegates on former occasions. No pledge, however, was given, to abide by the UNDER ROYAL GOVERNMENT — CONTINUED. 1G89-1730. 117 measures of the convention, unless a majority of tlie commissioners from tliis town should agree to them. But, on condition of th,eir ap- proval, the town voted to hold the measures of the convention as good and valid, and to obligate themselves, "to yield all ready obedience thereto, until their majesties' orders should arrive for the settlement of the government over them." The commissioners chosen were Henry Green, Esq., Ens. Henry Dow, Mr. Nathaniel Weare, Capt. Samuel Sherburne, Morris Hobbs, Sen. and Mr. E^dward Gove. The convention met at Portsmouth, on the 24th, all the towns being represented. After free discussion, a method of proceeding was finally agreed upon by ever}'^ man present. It then became necessary that the several towns should choose officers, to carry into effect the plan adopted by the convention. This plan failed, chiefly, perhaps, through the opposition to it in Hampton, where, as in the other towns, a meet- ing was l»eld, to ratify the doings of the convention and choose officers. But a very large majority seemed to be fearful and suspicious that the other towns did not intend to act according to their professions, but wished to bring the people of this town under them. Tlie minority regarded this view as uncharitable and unjust ; but they were referred by the majority to some former acts of some of the towns, which ap- peared to afford ground for being jealous of them. The town, there- fore, voted not to choose officers, according to the direction of the commissioners ; and so the plan failed. REUNITED TO MASSACHUSETTS, 1690. The necessity for a more efficient government still continuing, and there being but a faint prospect that any plan which might be devised, would be cordially received in all the towns, a petition was drawn up at Portsmouth, addressed to the governor and council of Massachu- setts, "to take this province into their care and protection and gov- ernment, as formerly." • This petition was signed by nearly four hundred persons in the sev- eral towns, of whom about forty belonged to Hampton. It was brought hither for signatures, on AYednesday, the 26th of February, 1690, at which time the soldiers had been ordered to meet, but for other pur- poses than signing this petition, ''so that," as was afterward said, "sev- eral children and servants made up the number of names, when their parents and masters knew nothing of the matter." The petition was immediately forwarded to Boston, and readily granted by the governor and council, who gave orders that the towns should meet at a time designated, to choose selectmen, constables, and other town officers, 118 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. according to former usage and custom. This order was given to Henry Green, Esq., for this town, and was dated March 4, 1690. The inhabitants of Hampton had always been strongly attached to Massachusetts and had never desired to be separated from it. Gladly would they now have been reannexed, if it could have been done on fair and honorable terms. But the petition to that government, and the manner in which it had been managed, caused great pp. 22, 23. (133) 134 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. seemed to be satisfied with the report of this committee, as they un- derstood it; yet they put upon it so different constructions as to fur- nish matter of dispute for many years. Hampton claimed a straight line from the river's mouth to the U[)permost, or southwestern corner of Mr. Bachiler's farm, and Salisbury contended that it ought to run straight to the lower, or southeastern corner, and then the southerly side of the farm to be the line between the towns from end to end of the farm. Concerning the upper part of the line, there was at that time, no controversy. On the 16th of May, 1654, the town of Salisbury petitioned the court, setting forth that the report of the former committee needed explanation, and asking the court to hear their cause, and "so make a full and finall determination as itt shall seem best to their goodly wisdomes." In October following, the court, in answer to this petition, judged it "requisite that the Towne of Hampton, should have legal notice to answer and make theire claimes and defense before any fur- ther proceedings in the case." The next spring, May 15, 1655, acting under a general order of the court for all the towns in the colony to lay out the bounds of their re- spective towns, committees from Hampton and Salisbury met and ap- pointed Mr. Seth Fletcher to act as surveyor, and ascertain the course of the Merrimac, and to lay out the line on the same point of the com- pass from the most southerly part of Mr. Bachiler's farm westward to Haverhill, which was the western limit of both Hampton and Salisbury. The course was found to l)e west, half a point northerly, and the line was run accordingly, to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. ^ The lower part of the line was left undetermined. The next autumn, the court appointed and impowered Mr. William Payne, Mr. Edward Woodman and Mr. Matthew Boyes to settle the difficulty. April 15, 1656, the line being still in controversy, the people of Hampton resolved to prefer a petition to the next General Court, for relief "aboute the lower part of the line and the farmes of Hamp- ton w'^'^ Salisbury lay claim to." William Fifield was chosen a mes- senger to Mr. Dudley, to request him to prepare the petition. On the first of May, Fifield was also chosen agent to the General Court, and fully impowered to manage the business in behalf of the town ; and to employ such assistance as he and Henry Dow, the town's dep- uty, might think proper. ^ The petition, presented at the next session of the court, which be- gan on the 14th of May, was answered by an order, that Mr. Sam- ' llnniptou Uecoids. " Ibid. THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1639-1742. 135 uel Dudley, with the former committee, or any two of them, should again investigate the subject, make tlieir report to the next Gen- eral Court and accompany it with a "Plat draune & signed by some Artist." The expense, in this case, was to be borne by Hampton. i The committee failed to act, or, at least, to make any return of their doings to the court; and in October, I60G, the court "ordered that Capt. Bryan Pendleton, Mr. George Gittings, Rob*^ Lord and Ensigne Howlet, or any three of them, shall be a committee to setle all differences betweeue the two townes in reference to theire bounds according to the last order of this Generall Court, making Retourne thereof to y^ next Court of Elections." ^ Tlieir return, dated April 7, 1657, states, that having been upon the place and viewed the ground, and heard the allegations on both sides, the committee, acting according to their best skill and under- standing, agreed, "that the boundary line should run from the bound tree, standing by y*^ Rode way in the corner of Mr. Bachiler's farm, from thence upon a strate Lyne to the middle of Hampton Riuer mouth, only aloweing forty acres of marsh meddow unto the Towne of Sals- bery on y® North syde of the sayd Lyne adioyneing to the sayd Lyne and upland." May 6, lfi57. The people of Salisbury appear not to have been satisfied, and they again petitioned the General Court for further ac- tion. "The Court judged that the bounds referred to in the Petition were 'not yet perfected & legally settled,' especially as a former or- der of the Court, requiring 'a true platt signed by some Artist' had not been complied with, so that the work was 'not orderly finished, nor the returns fit to be recorded.' " For these reasons, the court ap- pointed five commissioners to act in the case, according to former or- ders of court, their action "to stand firme & good, Provided that Capt. Nicholas Shapleigh of Charles-Towne be procured by the partyes to Asist the comissioners in drawing out a platt and ruiiing the lyne according to their direction ; the chardge of the CoHIissioners to be borne equally by both Townes — And the Artist to be payd by Salis- bury only ; and that a true Retourne be made of what is donne herein, to y® next session of this Court to be ratified and confirmed. "^ The return of these commissioners, omitting the preamble, is as follows :4 ' 'That the bounds betweene the two Townes menconed towards the sea is [are] to be upon a straight line beginning at the middle of Hampton Riuers mouth and Runing upwards unto a marked 1 Piov. Pap. 1 : 221. 2Ma8s. Rec. ^ Ibid. 111: iSi, 'Piov. Pap. i: 231. 136 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. tree being and standing at the uppermost corner of the farm coTnonly called Mr. Bachiler's farme — the sayd line to Runne upon a west north west point of the compasse nearest, and the said lyne being so Runne by both Townes & marked out according as Capt. Shapleigh hath now draune the platt, wee Agree upon consideration of all pleas, that the Towne of Salisbury shall haue and enjoy thirty acres of marsh on the north side of the said line towards Hampton at the lower end of the said line to be layd out by both Townes and Adjoyning to the line ; Also for the upper line into the woods, wee determine that the line shall runne from the marked tree before mentioned upon a west and by North line nearest according as Captaine Shapleigh hath given in the line of the treading of Meremacke Riuer, the which wee conclude 1o be the bounds betweene the said Townes unto theire utmost extent towards Hauerill ; wee doe further declare that what marsh the Towne of Salisbury hath laid out to any of theire Inhabitants, that shall fall within the lyne aboue menconed towards Hampton, they shall enjoy and so much more as shall make up the Avhole thirty acres, to be laid out belowe the proprieties, if there to be found, or els aboue, Joyning to the line, and this wee giue as our determination in the buisnes to us comitted conserning the p'"mises. Witnes our hands this 3d day of the five mo : 1657. John Appleton Joseph Medcalf Wm. Bartholemew Dan. Pearse." "It is ordered that the Retourne of the coiiiittee above menconed w^'h this Court Allowes & Approves of shall stand, & be a finall de- termination of y*^ case in controversie betweene the two tounes." This settled the bounds between Hampton and Salisbury, both towns, it must be remembered, in the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. In 1667, the "upper line into the woods" was perambulated by committees of the townes, whose report is as follows : \^Salisbury Records, p. 182.] Bee it known unto all men by these presents that wee hoes names are under written being chosen Commissioners for ye Touu of Salisbury & the Toun of Hampton to run the Line between the two Townes afore said Accordingly we have Run ye Line and agreed that from the Bound tree att ye corner of Mr. Bacliellers farme formerly so called the bounds shall run to a tre marked with S : on ye north Side of the way nere the place called the Hawkes nest, so to run to ye Tree mrked att ye west end of the new meadows which is said to be marked by Capt. Shaply, this is agreed upon, upon condition that the Town of hampton, or any of ye Inhabitants of ye Towne shall injoy Eight THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1639-1742. 137 or ten acres at the place called the hawkes nest, if it be allready granted by ye town of Hampton aforesaid & from the tre marked at ye westerly end of ye new meadows, we have run the Line to a tree marked with S. II. at the southerly side of Shelter hill from thence to a tree marked with II. S. on the North side of Ledg hill, near Powaus River, from thence to a tree marked with H. S. at ye head of powwaus River by ye pond and so it Runs Threw a seder swamp to a marked tree by the side of ye pond & so ye Line Runs over part of ye Pond to a tree marked with S. H. on ye hill in site of the medow, nere the way that goeth from Exetor to haverhill & from thence to a tre marked with H. S. by stonny river and from thence to a tree marked with S. H. on the south side of hurtellberry meddow : from thence to a tre marked with H. S. ; on the top of a stony hill; which lieth aboute two or three miles to the westward of yt pond which is ye hed of ye pawwaus River; in witness hereof the afore sayd commissioners have Enterchaiigably set too there hands this twenty ninth day of Aprill one thousand six hundred sixty and seven. Andrew Gkkele Henuy Roby William Buswell Nathanell Ware Wymond Bradbury John Redmond The bound rock may still be found in Hampton river-mouth, marked "A. D. 1657, H. B." The Bachiler tree stands near the site of the brick school-house, formerly in Scab rook village, on the Newburyport road. The letter "B" is plainly visible on it. All the points are clearly identified to this day. The same year (1667), the "Haverhill Northwest Line," so called, between that town and "Salisbury new town" (Amesbury) was es- tablished, beginning near Holt's Rocks, whei'e Rocks bridge now spans the Merrimac, and running a straight northwest course. Mr. Fred. B. French, of South Hampton, to whom we are indebted for many official papers concerning these boundaries, says: "For a long time, the last point, to 'stony hill' [mentioned in the return of the commissioners of 1667], was all I found concerning the extent of the Shapley line. But, being in Concord, I examined the charters and plans of old towns, and found the long-looked- for information. The plan of Hampstead, returned in 1749, shows Shapley's line extending westerly to Angle Pond ; also shows the line from Holt's Rocks, that is, the 'Haverhill Northwest line,' meeting the Shapley line in Angle Pond." This gives us the full extent of Shapley's line, and shows that both Hampton and Salisbury extended from the Ocean westward, to its in- tei'section with the "Haverhill Northwest line." We have seen (Chapter V), that when New Hampshire was de- clared a royal province, Massachusetts was forbidden to exercise authorit}' over "the towns of Portsmouth, Dover, fixeter and Hamp- ton, and all other lands extending from three miles to the northward 138 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. of Merrimac river, or any part thereof, unto the province of Maine." That is, the Sliapley line, first established as the boundary between the towns of Ilauiplon and Salisbury, became also, with the promul- gation of tlie new government, in 1G80, the boundary between the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Thus arose new complications, as during the administration of Lieut. -Gov. Usher. TOWN LINES. Meanwhile, perplexities had arisen within this province, respecting the boundaries of the several towns. June 18, 1701, the House of Representatives passed a bill, designed to quiet landholders in the possession of their lands, though town lines should be altered. Two days later, a committee of four, of whom Capt. Henry Dow was one, reported on the bounds of Hampton, as defiued by papers examined. In July, another committee, Vaughn of Portsmouth, Oilman and Leavitt of Exeter, and Dow and Tuck of Hampton, appointed to run the Exeter and Hampton line, made their report. August 5, the selectmen of Hampton sent a petition, which sug- gests the probability that alterations had been intended in her bound- aries. If so, the petition was respected ; for an act, passed soon after, left the boundaries unchanged. The petition stated that, though it liad long been the desire of the peojjle of Hampton that the bounds of the town might be settled, yet it was that it might be according to the former settlement, by the General Court at Boston fifty years be- fore ; but that now, a committee, appointed by the court, had run a line from Winnicut river mill to the old bound tree by Ass brook, which would be very injurious, if confirmed, because, in 1670, several men had lots granted, "beginning within two miles of Exeter old meeting-house, so all the way to the sea-side ;" and these lots had been again laid out and confirmed in 1700, and some of them had "been bought and sold and deeds made of the same ;" but this line lately run, would take off from Hampton "all the whole lotts of some and part of other some to y*^ number of about 40," besides some lots of meadow ground. Tlierefore they prayed that the old bounds might be confirmed by a law — in other words, that a charter might be granted. The Act referred to was passed September 12, 1701,^ entitled: "An Act to prevent contention & controversie that may arise con- cerning the bounds of the respective Towns w^^Hn this Province." 1 I'rov. Vi\.\>. m: '2'2G. THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1639-1742. 139 Tlion are doscribed the boundaries of the several towns — those of this town, as follows, constituting THE CHARTER OF HAMPTON :^ "Be it Enacted by the Lieutenant Governour, Council and Represen- tatives Convened in Generall Assembly and by tlie authoritie of the same tiiat the line between the Prouince of the Masiclujsitts Bay and New Hampshire ffrom the sea westwardly shall be the southerly Bounds of the Towne of Hampton. And the northerly Bounds as ffolowith (uiz.) tine mile Due north from Hampton meeting House to a marked tree att or neare Winicot Riuer and thence westerly on a direct line to a marked tree within two miles of Exeter meeting House and thence on a direct line to A marked tree near Ass Brook by tlie highway and thence on a direct line to an ould bound tree marked A mile and A half south from Exiter ffalls and thence upon A west by north line as ffar as the utmost extent of Salsbery Towne Bounds westwardly And thence to Run a Headline southwardly till it meet with the afforesayed bound line Between the Prouince of Masichusits and New Hampshire. The Bounds by the Sea Eastward from Hamp- ton meeting House to beginn ffrom y" Causey and thence to Run line miles along shore by the High way which is supposed to end about Joslings Neck^ and thence on a direct line westwardly to the Bound tree flue mile north of Hampton Meeting House." On the same day with the passage of the above Act, another Act was passed, providing that all grants of lands made by citizens, select- men or committees of towns, should be held good and valid to the grantees."^ Again, December 3, of the same year,"* the Council appointed, to run the town lines in the province, a committee of three from each of the four original towns, those of Hampton being Nath'l Weare, Esq., Capt. Henry Dow, Ephraira Marston. They made return, May 29, 1702: "And we measured ffrom Hampton Casway according to order five miles along shore And piched a stake by the Edg of the meadow iThese are the bounds of the original town,— the grant of Kingston (incorporated in 1694) being considered Ibrfeited, because the few settlers "ditl for some pretences ov otiier with- draw and remove in a disorderly way from said Kingstown." Upon a petition for the re- settling of the town in 1705, leave was given them to renew their grant, on condition that not less than thirty families return, provide a parsonage and settle a minister. [l*rov. Pap. IX : 433.] 2"SVhich line being run ended on the edge of Jocelyn'sNeck, on the north side." [Return of Committee of Hampton and Portsmouth, 1655.] sProv. Pap. Ill : 228. * J bid. 11 riGO. 140 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ground and Layd stons about sayd stake. And we run the line from Hampton Bound tree fine mile north of there meeting-house upon a East South East point one quarter southerly and marked the trees to sayd stake by the Beach fine mile ffrom Hampton Casway. And we run the line from Sampson's Point according to New Castle Charter and marked the trees to the line between Portsmouth and Hampton to a Bound tree" which said tree "is the bounds between Portsmouth, Hampton & New Castle. Then we run an East line to the sea or beach to a stake by the side of a Pond between Raggie Neck and Sandy Beach" &c. "Ordered in Council : that the persons who run the said lines be paid for their care & Deligence out of y*^ Publick Treasury each per- son 3* per diem." And still the border troubles continued. In .July, 1702, the petition of several inhabitants of Hampton was sent to the council board, Grovernor Dudley being present, "relating to their paying Rates to this Govern* and the Massachusetts, praying relief therein ;" an at- tested copy of which was ordered sent to Boston, for the governor's consideration on his return. Meanwhile, the constables of Hampton were to be instructed "to make no distress upon said inhabitants," the governor promising to give the same order at Salisbury. That no permanent good resulted, is seen by complaints stretching over many years : Ephraim Eaton of Salisbury testified "y* on y*' 28*^^ day of April, 1720, Mr. Nathan Longfellow, Constable of Hampton, demanded a Province rate" of him, and on his refusal to pay it, carried him a prisoner to Portsmouth. John Webster stated that. May 10, Longfellow demanded a rate from him, and took his horse, which he redeemed. Andrew Greeley, Jr., said that, about June 1, Longfellow took his horse, and never gave him an}' account of what he did with him. In the midst of these contentions, the border territory on tlie New Hampshire side was severed from Hampton and incorporated as Hamp- ton Falls ; but, the separation being only partial for a long series of years, the old town was not out of the contest ; and the intercon- nections of the several towns then and afterwards existing along the disputed lines were so intimate, it is essential to trace yet further the course of the controversy. In September, 1731, a committee from each of the provinces met at Newbury, to discuss, and if possible adjust the whole matter ; but THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1639-1742. 141 nothing effectual was done.i Failing, therefore, to make any satis- factory arrangement with the other province, the New Hampshire assembly determined to lay the wiiole matter before tiie king, and petition him to end the controversy .^ Mr. John Kindge, a merchant of Portsmouth, was appointed as agent, to carry tliis plan into effect.^ His petition, presented agreeably to the vote of the assembly, was referred to the Board of Trade, and a copy given to the agent of Massachusetts.'^ The question was raised, and the opinions of the attorney-general and the solicitor-general requested, from what part of the Merrimac river the line should begin. They reported, "that according to the charter of William and Mary, the dividing line ought to be taken from three miles north of the mouth of the Merri- mac River where it runs into the Atlantic Ocean." Having furnished each party with a copy of this opinion, the Lords of Trade reported, June 5, 1734, that the king should appoint commissioners from the neighboring provinces, to mark out the dividing line.^ This report being approved, it was decided that the commissioners, twenty in num- ber, should be appointed from the councilors of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Nova Scotia, and that five should be a quorum. 6 They were to meet at Hampton on the first of August, 1737, and to proceed ex parte if either province failed to present its claims.' The course of proceeding was fully marked out and the parties notified. Eight of the commissioners met at the time and place appointed, and, after hearing certain statements from the parties, adjourned for one week. 8 They met again according to adjournment, and two days afterward, August 10, the Legislatures of the two provinces met, by adjournment, in adjoining towns and within five miles of each other ; that of Massachusetts, at Salisbury, and that of New Hampshire, at Hampton Falls. "A cavalcade was formed from Boston to Salisbury, and the governor rode in state, attended by a troop of horse. He was met at Newbury ferry by another troop ; who, joined by three more, at the supposed divisional line, conducted him to the George Tavern,^ at Hampton Falls, where he held a council and made a speech to the Assembly of New Hampshire.^" As, after all this pageant, the commissioners failed to establish the iProv. Pap. IV: 611. «/6irf iv. : 705, 854. ^IWd. IV: 612. Ubid. iv : 860 ; V : 921-2. ^Succeeded by John Thomlinson, of Lon- ^Farmer's Belknap, 241-3. don. »On the site of the late Cyrus Brown's, at «Prov. Pap. rv : 849. the Hill. ^Ihid. IV : 850. lOFarmer's Belknap, 244. 142 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. southern boundary of New Hampshire, in which Hampton is more immediately interested, their lengtliy report has no place here ; nor is it worth while to enquire into the conduct of Governor Belcher, in the matter, marked, as his enemies, at least, alleged, by great unfairness towards New Hampshire. In relation to the boundary, the commissioners mentioned a doubt in point of law, that had arisen in their minds, and referred the mat- ter to the king in council. ^ The result was, 2 that, when it was thus considered, August 5, 1740, it was determined : " That the Northern Boundaries of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, are and be a similar curve line Pursuing the course of the Merrimack River, at three miles distance, on the north side thereof, beginning at the At- lantic Ocean and ending at a point due north of a place in the plan returned by the said Commissioners, called Pawtucket Falls, and a strait line dra,wn from thence due west, cross the said river till it meet his Majesty's other Governments It is therefore his Majesty's Will and Pleasure, and you are hereby required and en- joyned under pain of his Majesty's displeasure, and of being removed from your Government" to have the line established in this manner as expeditiously as possible, and to communicate this instruction to the councils and assemblies of both provinces. Addressed to "Jonathan Belcher Esq. Captain General in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England." Governor Belcher had ^nofessed a strong desire to have the boun- dary question settled. He had openly exonerated New Hampshire from blame ; for, moi'e than six years before this date, he had written to the Lords of Trade i^ ' 'Although, my Lords, I am a Massachusetts man, yet I think this Province alone is culpable on this head. New Hampshire has all along been frank and ready to pay exact Duty and Obedience to the King's Order, and have manifested a great Inclination to Peace and good Neighbourhood, but in return the Massachusetts Province have thrown unreasonable Obstacles in the way of any Set- tlement, and altho' they have for 2 or 3 years past been making offers to settle the Boundaries with New-York & Rhode-Island, in an open, easy, amicable way, yet when they come to settle with New-Hampshire, they will not do so with them, which seems to me a plain Argument that the leading men of the Massachusetts Assembly are conscious to themselves of continual Incroachments they are making upon their Neighbours of New-Hampshire, and so dare not come to a Settlement." iFarmer's Belknap, 246. ^Prov. Pap. vn : 22t-6. » Ihid. IV : 649. THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1G30-1742. 143 Whether the governor, with these convictions, was bribed for his course at the time of the commission (as was hinted), or why he es- poused the Massachusetts cause, is of no present consequence. The king's peremptory orders and threat impelled him now to instant ac- tion, and he presented the case, in its urgency, to his Massachusetts government ; but that body maintaining its old policy of delay, the governor applied to New Hampshire. The council and assembly, in their reply, deprecated the unfairness of the Massachusetts govern- ment, in having obstructed the decision of the matter for thirty years ; expressed the opinion that, since the Instructions were directed to His P^xcellency, as governor of Massachusetts only, it was not the king's intention that New Hampshire should bear any part of the cost ; but said that nevertheless, they had unanimously voted £500 for the work.i A few days later, the governor asked for the nomination of suitable men, from among whom, he might appoint surveyors ; saying that, although this affair was under the absolute direction of the king's gov- ernor, yet he would like their advice.- Thereupon, three surveyors and assistants were appointed, for the three divisions of the work. The survey along the course of the Mer- rimac river, the only portion which concerns this History, was entrust- ed to George Mitchell, Esq.^ Mr. French says: Briant and Hazen made reports of their doings ; but of Mitchell, for a long time, we had no report — all was lost. Ef- forts were made at the Slate Houses in Concord and Boston, to find reports or maps, but none could be found. In England we had bet- ter results ; for there Mitchell's map has at last been discovered ; so that now, we have "Mitchell's Line" as an official document.'* The king's determination of the boundaries. Dr. Belknap says, "ex- ceeded the utmost expectation of New Hampshire ; as it gave them a tract of country, fourteen miles in breadth and above fifty in length more than they had ever claimed. It cut oft" from Massachusetts twenty-eight new townships, between Merrimac and Connecticut riv- ers, besides large tracts of vacant laud, which lay intermixed ; and dis- tricts from six of their old towns on the north side of the Merrimac." The town of Salisbury, as originally granted, extending, like Hamp- ton, westward to Haverhill, had before this date, become the two towns of Salisbury and Amesbury, from both of which, districts were cutoff by this decree of the king. It would seem that Hampton, under the Act of September 12, 1701, defining her southern boundary as "the line between the Prouince of the Masichusitts Bay and New Hampshire 1 Prov. Pap. v: 76. 2 jud. v : 78. ^ Ibid. V : 83. * Described iu McClintock's N. U., 181. 144 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ffrom the Sea westwardly," might claim these new districts ; but this Act, aud the one relating to laud grants, of the same date, though held binding by the people, had been disallowed by the king, because they did not recognize the claims of Mason's heirs. That Hampton did not attempt to possess herself of this territory is evident from the action of its inhabitants and of the government. On the 3d of February, 1742, the council and the House chose a joint committee of six, "to prepare a bill for bringing the Poles and Es- tates into a Province Tax W^'* falls within this Province by his Maj"«=» late Settlement of the Province Lines, and which have not as yet been Taxed within this Province." i Eight days later, a petition was presented to the council and as- sembly,- "praying for a Township to be incorporated out of those partes of Salisbury aud Almsbury which fall within this Province as pr bounds mentioned in s'^ Petition." An address, ^ signed by twenty- eight men of the east part of this district, that "now by the Settlement of the Province Lines fall into New Hampshire," had already been sent to the governor and council, humbly showing "that your petition- ers are Informed that those which did belong to the westerly Part of Salisbury and some of Almsbery which by said Line falls into New Hampshire Intends to Petition that all those Persons that did belong to Salisbery and Almsbery & are now taken into New Hampshire might be made in to a town ship or Parish by themselves & not annexed to any other, and have Presumed so far as to set up a frame for A Meeting House in the Westerly Part which if it should be granted would be very Pregeditial to your Petitioners," because they live more than six miles away and could not attend the worship of God. "They there- fore pray that they may not be joined to them, but may be annexed to Hampton Falls." The committee chosen to draft a bill for taxing the new districts reported, and the bill was passed, on the 18th of March. It applied to persons and their estates within this province, not yet incorporated into townships and that have never paid their proportion of the charge of supporting this government. It provided that "s'* polls and estates shall be divided into certain Districts ; and that part of Salisbury and Almsbury, so called, which by the settlem* of the afores'^ Boundaries falls within this Province shall be, & hereby is made one District." The other districts were defined and regulations made for organizing them and for assessing and collecting the taxes. A committee of three were appointed to call first meetings."* » Prov. Pap., V : Ul. ^ Ihid. v : 601. » Ibid. IX : 358. * Ibid. V : 18:J-5. THE BOUNDARY LINES. 1639-1742. 145 In May, this committee made their report, which, for the Salisbury district begius as follows : "Ap*" 11*'', Wee of the Comittee opeued the meeting att a place call'd Loggia Plain at the meeting house there Between Salisbury and Amsbury being by luformation about 28 miles distant from Court. "^ A few days after the report of the committee, namely, on the 25tli of May, 1742, the pending petition for a township was granted, in the incorporation of South Hampton ; including all the territory between the Shapley and Mitchell lines, from the sea westward, to a south line from a "white pine stump" on the Shapley line, "excepting the Lands, Estates & Poles" of the twenty-eight petitioners above-mentioned, "who are hereby annexed to the Parrish of Hampton Falls & in all Respects incorporated into the Parrish of Hampton Falls. "^ One cannot fail to remark, in this instance, as in many another place and time, how tenaciously this "Parrish" and the parent town clung together; for here, in 1742, twenty-four years after what is common- ly regarded as the Act of Separation, it is decreed that South Hampton shall extend from the sea northerly "to the bounds of that part of the town of Hampton called Hampton Falls." In September of the same year, eight men of the east part of the town, and shortly after, two more, petitioned to be set off to Hampton Falls ; and in November, it was decreed that the line between Hamp- ton Falls and Kensington be extended to the province line, and that all the inhabitants and their estates of South Hampton, east of the ex- tension, be annexed to Hampton Falls, to all intents and purposes, ex- cept for repairing highways and paying the province tax.^ This exception led to complications and difficulties, which contin- ued till 1795, when an amicable adjustment was made,"* the southern part of Hampton Falls having meanwhile, in 1768, become the town of Seabrook, holding all the rights, privileges and burdens of the former town in the disputed territory.^ In 1822, an Act was passed, cutting off from South Hampton all lands east of the Kensington line and joining them to Seabrook, which town then acquired its present limits. 6 Thus have we shown, from official documents, the fallacy of the popular opinion, which places South Hampton within the original lim- its of our ancient town. ^Ibid V : 185. * So. Hampton Records . 2 Original Charter So. Hampton, town clerk's oflace. « Prov Pap., ix: 373. 3 Prov. Pap. IX : 763-j. " N. H. Pamphlet Laws. 10 CHAPTER VIII. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. MARSHES DIVIDED INTO SHARES. WE shall now resume our narrative of toicn affairs, from the close of Chapter III, where it had been brought down to the time when a royal government was about to be established in New Hamp- shire. Near the close of the year 1680, a new feature was introduced into the management of the common meadows and marshes, which, histor- ically considered, is important, as indicating progress. Hitherto, the sweepage of these grounds had been controlled by the town, the in- come from them being divided among the proprietors, in proportion to their several interests. It was now ordered, that they should be di- vided into shares, and assigned by lot to individuals, according to their respective rights, to be held for six years, and then exchanged, or rather anew assignment made for the next six years, and so on, till a different arrangement should be agreed upon. The meadows, how- ever, were still to lie unfenced, as before. Henry Roby and Sergt. Joseph Dow were appointed to lay out these common lands into shares, and it was agreed, that those persons to whom Alder Meadow and Hassocky Meadow^ should fall, might have the privilege of clearing them hy flowing, or in some other way, at their option. As both these meadows lay on Nilus brook, it would be easy to flow them by building dams across that stream at the lower side of each. TWO BOARDS OF LOT-LATERS. The next year, on the 21st of March, a new arrangement was agreed upon and adopted, in the choice of measurers of land, or lot-layers. Hitherto, only one board had been chosen, and that for the whole town ; now, two sets were chosen, one for that part of the town lying ' Alder Meadow lies on the upper road to Little river, commonly called the LobVs Hole road; and extends thence easterly to the Twelve Shares, so called. Hassocky Meadow is that, on the border of which, a sliingle-mill tornierly stood, ou the road to Little river, which begins at the school-house in the east part of the town. (146) TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 147 north of Taylor's river, and tlie otlier for the part 13'itig south of that river. Lieut. John Sanl)orn and John Tuck were chosen for tiie north side, and Thomas Philbrick and Edward Gove for the south side. SAMUEL DALTON'S DEATH ; A NEW TOWN CLEKK CHOSEN. In the hitter i)art of the sununer of 16(S1, tlie ofHce of town clerk became vacant by tiie deatii of Samuel Dalton, who had held it from his first election in 1653, a period of almost twenty-eight years, with- out — as far as it appears from the records — being at any time reelected. But now, it becoming necessary to make a new choice, on the 13th of October, Henry Dow was elected, who was "carefully to keep the Town Books and Records ;" and Lieut. John Sanborn and Mr. Henry Roby were appointed to go with him, to see that the books were re- ceived from him who had the cnstody of them after the death of the recent incumbent. "troublous times." While Cranfield and Andros were at the head of the government, that is, from the fall of 1682 to the spring of 1689, there were "troub- lous times." The policy of these governors Avould not allow the peo- ple to assemble often in town meeting, nor was it considered safe for the clerk to make a record of all the transactions of the town, when met. Under such restrictions, bnt few entries were made on our rec- ords, during these administrations. It has, indeed, been handed down by tradition, that records were kept during this time, but were either lost or embezzled. It has also been stated that, near the beginning of 1683, there was "a town meeting at Hampton, when a new clerk was chosen, and their records secured." This statement appears uo^ to be entirely correct. At the meeting referred to, January 24, it was voted that the trustees — another name for selectmen — should have the keeping of the Town Records for the ensuing year ; and Henry Dow, the town clerk, at the same meeting "delivered the rec- ords to the town, and the town delivered them to the Trustees." This statement is found in the records, in the handwriting of John Tuck, one of the trustees. But records of births, marriages and deaths, the only records made for several years, were still in the handwriting of Henry Dow, who continued to be town clerk till his death, in 1707. TOWN RECORDS SECRETED. The town meeting above mentioned was held under peculiar circum- stances, very unfavorable to cool deliberation. It was only about four days after the dissolution of the General Assembly, by Governor 148 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Cranfield. The representatives had just returned home under great excitement, to reheaise to the people the unprecedented act, and one of them, to raise the standard of rebellion. It was the pi'oceedings of this meeting, that Edward Gove published, as he went from town to town, to arouse the people to active opposition to the governor. ^ Just what these proceedings were will probably never be known, as it would have been perilous to record them. But with regard to securing the records, the probability is, that, lest they be seized by the governor, Henry Dow "delivered [them] to the town, and the town .... to the Trustees ;" and that, by their connivance, they were secreted in a manner and by a person at the time unknown to them. Judge Bell, of Manchester (dece.ased) , said : "The Hampton Records, there is no doubt, Avei-e taken and earned by Mr. Weare to Boston, before he went to England,^ for fear of their falling into the hands of Mason and Cranfield ; and soon after his re- turn from England, if not earlier, warrants were issued for his aiTest, to answer the charge of embezzling the Records of Hampton ; and he was subjected to a fine of fifty pounds." DANGER FROM INDIANS. Besides these troubles with the governor, the people were in a state of constant anxiety, -on account of Indian hostilities ; and though we find no record of acts of violence in Hampton at this time, yet it is reasonably certain that great vigilance was required, and probably some losses were sustained. In March, 1684, the council petitioned Governor Cranfield to con- fer with the governor of New York, for the employment of Seneca and Mohawk Indians "who are best acquainted with the manner of these Indians' skulking fight," because, as they state in a letter to the New York governor, on Cranfield's acquiescence, "By several advices we have received of a sudden rising intended by the Indians in these eastern parts, to fall upon the English, we judged it absolutely nec- essary" — etc. Another letter, addressed to Captain Barefoote, by Captain Hooke, of Kittery, August 13, 1685, says: "This is to inform you that just now there came to me a post, wherein I am fully informed that there is just ground to fear that the heathen have a sudden design against us."3 On the 8th of September, articles of peace were concluded with the Eastern Indians ; but the peace, if observed at all, Avas of short con- 1 p. 105. 2 p. 107. 3 N. H. Hist. Soc. Coll., VIII : a^l-a, 255. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 149 tinuance, for scarcely four years elapsed, before the breaking out of "King William's War." That danger was apprehended in Hampton is evident from the action of the town in April, 1687. After the election of selectmen, it was ordered by the town, that they should build a convenient watch-house, as required by law, and set it where the old one stood ; and provide bullets, match, flints and whatever else the law directed, as a town stock for the soldiers. To meet the expenses, a tax not exceeding £10 was to be assessed upon the inhabitants. In the summer of 1687, a regulation was made, that whenever, after that date, a legal town meeting should be called, if any freeholder should fail to attend, he should be fined 12d., to be paid to the town in every case, unless ''necessarily hindered by God's hand of provi- dence." A similar regulation, it may be recollected, had been made in 1639 and in 1641. WOLF BOUNTIES PAID IN CORN. On account of the difficulty of raising money to pay all the taxes necessary for the support of government, and for town and ministerial purposes, it was allowed that a considerable portion of the various taxes should be paid in other articles than money. Some instances have already been mentioned. Another is brought to our notice by a vote passed at a meeting on the 12th of June, 1689, A bounty had been offered for each wolf killed in the town, and it appears that this bounty was to be paid, by the inhabitants severally furnisliing their quota of corn^ to make up the amount required. The vote was as follows: "That the constable, James Johnson, shall pay to those men that have killed the wolues the last yeare what thay haue not received already out of the corue that is in his hands, which was gathered of the in- habitants for that end." PAUPER EXCLUSION MEASURES. The records furnish abundant evidence of continued vigilance on the part of the inhabitants, to prevent the introduction of strangers, who might become chargeable to the town for their support. It seems that a transient person, named William Penny, had been entertained in the family of John Garland, and, perhaps, in some other families. Whether he was at the time, in a needy condition, is not known ; but, if not, it was feared that the town might at some future time, be called upon to support him. Before any such liability had actually been in- curred under the existing laws, Francis Page was directed to give notice to Penny, that the town forbade his remaining here ; and to 150 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. John Garland and any other persons that had entertained him, to en- tertain him no more, unless they should go to the town clerk forthwith, and give him such a bond as he should judge sufficient, to secure the town from harm. By another vote, in 1693, no householder was allowed to take into his family, without the approbation of the selectmen, any journey- man, servant or other person, as an inmate, unless he should immedi- ately give to the town clerk a bond, sufficient for the town's indemnity. Any person disregarding this order was made liable to a fine of 20s. a week, for every week that such inmate should be entertained, without the approbation, or the security required — the fine to be levied by a warrant from some justice of the peace, and the selectmen. This regulation did not prove sufficient ; and three or four years afterward, it was found necessary to make an additional order. The former vote was renewed, and a like penalty was also ordered to be taken from any man, who should "let any of his housing" to any per- son, without the approbation of the selectmen, or security given to the town clerk. Against the persons themselves, who should come into the town to dwell, without approbation, or giving security, proc- ess should be instituted by two justices of the peace, according to the laws of England. It was further ordered, that if any man, notwithstanding this pro- hibition, should take into his house or family, any person, contrary to the order, and if the person, so taken in, should ever in consequence become chargeable to the town, the individual, by whom he was first taken in, should be compelled to pay the whole expense of his main- tenance. It was voted, that Henry Dow, the town clerk, should be paid forty shillings out of the town rate, for his pains in writing for the town, during tlie ten years immediately preceding. In February, 1693, Francis Page and Lieut. John Smith were chosen overseers of the poor. The next month, Christopher Palmer and John Sanborn were chosen selectmen, to be joined with the five then in office. For many years previous, five persons had constituted the board. UNLAWFUL FENCING. Complaints were made at this time, that some of the inhabitants had fenced in, or Avere about to fence in, some part of the town's com- mons and certain watering-places ; which acts, it was said, would prove very pi-ejudicial to the freeholders, and tend to disturb the peace of their majesties' subjects, tlie inhabitants of the town. It was there- TOWN AFFAIRS KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 151 fore thought necessary to make a stringent order oji the subject. The town voted, that whoever had presumed thus to trespass, since the first Tuesday in October of the preceding year, or should do so in the future, should be forbidden by the selectmen to proceed any farther, and ordered to demolish every such fence that had already been built. In case of disobedience to these orders, the selectmen, with a justice of the peace, were to issue a warrant to a constable, to take a fine of 20s. of the offender, and a like sum for each day, until such fence should be demolished. In addition to this, the selectmen were impowered to prosecute, as a trespasser, any person thus offending, if they should think it advisable. Six persons only dissented from the vote for such proceedings, namely : Joseph Smith, Robert Smith, Thomas Roby, Nathaniel Boul- ter, John Redman, Sen., and John Smith, the tailor. At the same meeting, it was voted that, if any should desire a por- tion of laud for the purpose of improving it, and should make and leave with the selectmen written proposals therefor, such proposals should be considered at the next meeting of the board. A TWELVE MILE FENCE. At a commoners' meeting, March 22, 1694, a plan already de- vised, was matured, for building a long line of fence, to separate a considerable portion of the unimproved land from that which was wholly, or partially, under cultivation, for the purpose of forming, on each side of Taylor's river, a common pasture, where the proprietors might iieep their "cows, year-olds, swine and sheep." At each of the pastures, a horse was also to be kept, for the use of the proprie- tors. It was agreed that the fence should be made the next winter, if the "authoritie" would grant them liberty to hang convenient fall- gates where the fence would cross the country highways. Two com- mittees were appointed, to determine where the fences should be built. The one for the town side consisted of Lieut. John Smith, John Marstonand Josiah Sanborn, who were directed "to bound out where the fence should be made from about the Little Boar's Head to Tay- lor's River." The committee for the Falls side were Mr. John Stan- yan, Abraham Green and Sergt. Joseph Swett, who were to mark out the place of the fence from the river to Salisbury line. The whole extent of the fence, thus planned to be built, could not be less than teu or twelve miles. NORTH DIVISION LAID OUT. The commoners, having several years before, voted, "that all the 152 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. land four miles northerly of the Meeting-house should be laid out," it was now declared to be the true intent of that vote, that the southerly boundary of the tract to be laid out, slioiild be four miles north of the meeting-house, and should run parallel with the boundary line on the northerly side of the tract, that is, the line between this town and Portsmouth. It was also ordered that this tract should be laid out by the men formerly appointed for that purpose ; and when the work should be done, the selectmen, with a justice of the peace, were to have power to assess the expenses on the owners of the lots laid out. A committee of five men was chosen, to examine any man's riglit to shares in the cow-common, "by gift, will, purchase or inheritance, and if it appear to them to be a just right," to cause the same to be entered in the Town Book, together with the name of the former owner. The committee consisted of Mr. Henry Green, Mr. Nathaniel Weare, Capt. Henry Dow, Lieut. John Smith and Abraham Drake, Sen. KINGSTON. James Prescott, Sen*"., Ebenezer Webster and others, inhabitants of Hampton, petitioned the governor and council for a grant of a township, to be formed principally from the unimproved land in the western part of this town. The town having been notified, chose as their agent, Capt. Henry Dow, to goto New Castle the next day. May 18, 1694, to appear be- fore the governor and council, "to manifest the town's earnest desire that no township might be granted to any persons," any portion of which should "come within seven miles of Hampton Meeting-house westward, upon a straight line." This "desire" was a reasonable one, for originally the township extended several miles farther west than this, and though no settlements had hitherto been made there, yet several thousand acres of the land had been laid out and assigned by lot to the proprietors of the common lands. Indeed, a considerable portion of the New Plantation lay more than seven miles west of the Meeting-house. The proposition of the town, indeed, appeared so reasonable, that it was assented to at the time by James Prescott, Sen'', in behalf of the petitioners. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and on the 6th of Au- gust, 1694, the new town was incorporated, by the name of Kingstown, the grant including the present towns of Kingston, East Kingston, Danville (formerly Hawke), and Sandown. Hampton having laid out and disposed of a part of this territory, difficulties afterwards arose, and the town was involved in lawsuits, which will be more particularly noticed in another place. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 153 NEW CASTLE S PETITION REJECTED. The year before the incorporation of Kingston, the town of New Castle had been formed, inchiding within its limits, Great Island, Little Harbor, and Sandy Beach (now Rye), all of which had pre- viously belonged to Portsmouth. About two years after its incorpo- ration, that is, in 1695, the inhabitants petitioned for an enlargement of territory, by the annexation of a considerable tract of the northern part of Hampton. In obedience to an order from the lieutenant- governor and council, the town chose as agents, to appear before them and state their objections to the prayer of the petitioners, Capt. Henry Dow and Lieut. Christopher Pahiier ; and gave them full power to act for the town, according to their discretion. The agents appeared at court, and objected, in substance, "that, if the prayer of the petitioners is granted, it will take away our principal feeding lands in that part of the town, without which, it will be impossible to carry on our farms ; for the cattle of the petitioners trespass already, but if this is allowed, they will trespass still further, and feed home to our lots' ends ; that it is very strange, moreover, that they should not know the present bounds, seeing they were determined forty years ago, by four men, two of Portsmouth, of which New Castle was then a part, and two of Hampton, empowered for that end,^ as appears by their returns, and by our peaceable possession ever since.'* After the hearing in May, the case "was laid aside for farther con- sideration ;" and it does not appear that it was brought up again. The assembly was dissolved the 2nd of November following. Some of the people of Portsmouth, having expressed a desire for a more direct road than the one then travelled between that town and Hampton, Capt. Henry Dow and Sergt. John Marston were chosen on the part of this town, March 15, 1697, "to see if they could find a nearer way." Their report has not been found. NAVAL OFFICER. April 16, 1696, Nathaniel Weare, Esq , was appointed Naval Officer at Hampton, "to enter and clear all vessells for what goods iniported or exported, and to receive all duties & imports, as by Law; and to give an account of the same to the Treasurer of this province for the time being, and to receive to himself the accustomed fees for his salary." 'Bryan Pendleton and John Pickering, of Portsmouth ; and William Fifiekl and Thomas Marston, of Hampton. 154 HISTORY OF HASIPTON. LATIN SCHOOL. By an act of the Legislature, of 1697, provision was made for es- tablishing a Latin School in the province, to be free to all "Misters, Keaders, and Latinists," and to the support of which, all the towns were required to contribute. The school was to be located in Ports- mouth, and the master to be appointed by His Excellency, the Gover- nor, the council and the settled minister of the town. The select- men of Portsmouth were authorized to determine the amount of tuition to be paid by each scholar sent there to learn Latin. In addition to this, the towns were to pay severally, as follows : Portsmouth £28 ; Hampton, £8; Dover and Exeter, £6 each; and New Castle, £2, which sums were to be assessed by the selectmen of the several towns — the act to remain in force two years. Such was the scheme, and the school was established. Whether any of the people of Hampton availed themselves of the opportunities thus afforded for educating their children, we do not know. Mr. Daniel Rindge was under appointment as master, at the time of his death in Hampton, in 1713.^ FIRST WEST DIVISION LAID OUT. Li November, 1699, the selectmen were instructed to determine upon some method for laying out land, so that persons who wished to im- prove an^ portions of it, might be permitted to do it ; and to lay their plan before the town at some future meeting, so that, if approved, it might be ratified ; or, if considered defective, that it might be altered and put into such a form as might be thought conducive to the wel- fare of the town. At a meeting of the freeholders, on the first Monday of December, the selectmen presented their Report : "Whereas we, whose names are under written, were appointed to consider of some method for dividing of lands to the several inhab- itants of this town, we have seriously considered and weighed the cir- cumstances of the several parts of the town, and we are of tiie mind tiiat when the North Division is laid out, and tlie lands that are already granted, taken in, there is no more on the town's side, so called, that can be spared out of the common. If there be not a convenient quan- tity of common reserved and kept for feeding of cattle and tlie like, the successors of the ancient inhabitants tliat bore tlie brunt and hard- ship in settling tliis plantation, will be ruined and forced to remove. 1 Chap. XXVII. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 155 The Falls side is in the like necessity of a suitable common, that may extend to tlie west end of the liill, called Horse-hill, and so over Hog- pen meadow to Exeter line, and what lands belong to the town above that line may be divided according to rules agreed on by the free- holders. Dated y^ 4^^' of December, 1G99. Nathaniel Weare Henry Dow John Stanyan John Redman Josiah Moulton Selectmen of Hampton." This report was adopted by the freeholders, but not unanimously. Nothing further appears to have been done at that time, in relation to the land which the selectmen thought might be divided and dis- posed of. At another freeholders' meeting, holden November 18, 1700, it was voted to lay out a tract nearly corresponding to this, to persons afterward to be agreed upon. The tract is described as "•beginning towards Exeter line, joining to Abraham Cole's lot — the first lot in the North Division — and so from thence to Salisbury line, to come a mile from Exeter line and Kingston line towards Hampton." At the same time, it was agreed that "all other lands from that to the town, and from Salisbury line to the sea, should lie in common for the benefit of the town." It was ordered, that this tract should be laid out forthwith ; and Lieut. Joseph Cass, Ens. John Gove, Samuel Dow, Epiiraim Marston and John Moulton — son of Lieutenant Moulton — were chosen a com- mittee to lay it out, and give to the town clerk an account of the number of acres. As this land was a part of the common, each commoner would have a just claim to some portion of it, when divided. The plan agreed upon, for apportioning it among the proprietors, was this: Persons owning two shares or more in the common, were to have two shares in the land to be laid out; and those owning but one share in the com- mon, were to have one share in this tract. There were also belong- ing to the town many men who were not commoners. These were remembered in this division. "All male persons who had been born and brought up in the town, and had arrived at the age of twenty-one years and were still living in Hampton" were allowed to have half a share each, except such as claimed a right in Kingston, by virtue of any grant from the lieutenant-governor and council. At another meeting, June 9, 1701, it was voted that the lots in the 156 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. portion next to Kingston line should run northerly and southerly and be half a mile in length, a space of four rods in width being left be- tween the several divisions, for a highway. For convenience in the distribution of the land, it was voted tliat after the number of claim- ants should be ascertained, the whole tract should be laid out in half- shares, and that each person who would be entitled to several half- shares should have them together, so as to form but one lot. On this occasion, Thomas Crosby, "the present school-master^," was not forgotten. It was voted, that he should have two half-shares in this tract. Tlie committee for laying out this land were Samuel Dow, Joseph Swett, Jonathan Moulton, and James Fogg. The tract contained nearly four thousand acres, and was called "The West Division," some- times "The First West Division." The committee, in their Return, Dec. 26, 1702, state that they had laid out the land in twelve divisions, containing in all three hundred fifty-one half-shares, of about ten acres and a half each. The first seven of the di- visions bordered on Kingston, and in each of them were thirty-one half- shares. The seventh division also adjoined Exeter, and so did all the remaining ones, except the eleventh, which was separated from the Ex- eter line by a few lots of the twelfth division. In the ninth division, the committee found some old grants, which they left undisturbed ; and between the tenth and eleventli were several farms containing in the aggregate about four hundred acres. The committee's Return was approved by the freeholders. THE RIGHT TO VOTE DEFINED. At the freeholders' meeting, Nov. 18, 1700, another subject was con- sidered and disposed of. The freeholders state that they had met "to consider and do that which may be for the good and benefit of the town," by preventing "any disorder for the time to come, either at the meeting of the freeholders or [of the] commoners." They then or- dered, that no person should presume to vote in any meeting of the freeholders, unless he were a freeholder in the town ; that no one should presume to vote for the disposing of any land, unless he were a commoner, according to the first grant of shares in the cow-common ; that if at any time the vote on any subject should not be decisive, and should be disputed, those persons at the meeting, who were not entitled to vote, should withdraw from those who were, so soon as they should be requested. For each and every violation of any one of these orders, the offender was subjected to a fine of ten shillings in > Chap. xxvu. TOWN AFFAIES — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 157 money, to be levied b}^ the selectmen, for the benefit of tlie poor of the town. At the election of town officers, in November, of the following year it was voted, to ciioose the selectmen by proxy ; and tiiis was accord- ingly done, though a considerable numl)er of persons objected, on tlie ground that some votes were cast by persons who were not freehold- ers. Two years later, the town voted to change the time of the annual election, and that the selectmen, constable and surveyors chosen at this meeting should hold tiieir respective offices, until tlie last week in December, 1704, and that then and from year to year afterwards, others should be chosen in the last week in December. THE FALLS BURYING-GROUND. The Falls people having asked the town to appropriate to them land for a Burying-Yard, in some couvenient place, the town granted their request, June 26, 1704, and ordered that the land siiould be laid out near Samuel Shaw's, by Capt. Jacob Green and Lieut. (Joseph) Swett. The land thus granted and laid out was the old Burying-ground, ou the southwesterly side of the Exeter road, as it leaves "The Hill." TRESPASSERS ON THE COMMONS AND HIGHWAYS. There have been a few of the inhabitants, in nearly every genera- tion since the first settlement of the town, disposed to trespass upon the public lands, either by fencing in some portion of the commons, or crowding their fences into the iiighways. While large tracts of common land remained ungranted, complaints of encroachment were very frequent. Some of them we have already noticed, as also the methods adopted to prevent such trespasses. Other measures are 3'et to be mentioned. A commoners' meeting, February 26, 1706, was called, to consider the subject and devise meas- ures for putting an end to such encroachments, wiiich had become so frequent that tliey were said to be of daily occurrence. The proprietors empowered and ordered John Redman, Sen. and Ens. John Gove to prosecute in a due course of law, any person or persons who had fenced in, or should after that date fence in, any of the commoners' pasture land, that they had previously ordered to lie common. They also di- rected, that the selectmen should, from time to time, and at all times when needful, raise money on the proprietors in common, according to their right of shares, to defray the necessary expenses of sucli pros- ecutions. It was also voted, that Capt. Henry Dow, the town clerk, should, in the name and in the behalf of the freeholders and common- 158 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ers, give the agents appointed a letter of attorney, to enable them to carry into effect the plan adopted, and tliat they should have full power to employ legal counsel, to assist them in conducting the prosecutions. THE CASE OF FRANCIS JENNESS. What the success of this measure was does not appear. There are reasons for believing that some of the trespassers were dealt with mote summarily than bj' prosecution. From a complaint of Francis Jen- ness, who lived a little north of Little Boar's Head, we learn that John Redman and twenty or thirty other men were discovered by him, "throwing down fences and laying his pastures open." Thereupon Jenness, taking with him three women, as he was the only man at home, went to the company thus engaged, and demanded of them whether they had any Justice with them, telling them that, unless they had, "they were an unlawful assembl}*, and what they acted was a riot." But his interference was unheeded. Redman himself went on to de- molisii the fence, and ordered his men to assist him, and Jenness says they did so in a "royotous manor." The fence, thus pulled down, had enclosed a tract of land claimed by Jenness, and had, as he states, at first been built by three of his neighbors, "ffor preservation of the Garrison and keeping of the cattell belonging thereto, in case they should be drove in by the Enemy. "^ SHEEP LOST FROM THE FLOCK. EAR-MARKS. A new subject of complaint is brought to our notice about this time — the loss of several sheep from the flock, in a way that caused great dissatisfaction. The sheep could not be found, and no evidence appeared of their having been killed by wolves or other wild beasts. The suspicions of the people as to the cause of these losses may be inferred, from the course taken by the town in relation to them. It was ordered, that no man should presume to take a sheep privately from any flock in the town, nor oft" any common, to kill or to sell. If an owner wished to take a sheep from a flock under the care of a shepherd, he should let the shepherd see it, and it should be his duty to make a minute of its ear-mark and its color, so that it might be publicly known. If any person should take any sheep off the com- mons, where there was no shepherd, he should, in every instance, give an account thereof to the town clerk, or to a constable ; and these of- ficers were required to keep a record of every such sheep and its ear- mark. If any person should kill or sell any sheep, and not proceed iHeury Dow'a MSS. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-1707. 159 as here required, he wouUl forfeit the sura of sixteen shillings for every one killed or sold contrary to this order, the fine to be recovered by an action brought by the selectmen, or their attorney, before any jus- tice of the peace, and to be for the use of the town. It would, however, be unfair to infer that every person who took any sheep from the flocks, or from the commons, before this regulation was made, was guilty of stealing. Each owner probably had an ear-mark for his sheep, but nothing hitherto appears to have been done by the town, to prevent several persons from using the same mark. Now, it was made the duty of every man to inform the town clerk of the ear- mark used by him, for marking his sheep and cattle, and that officer was required to make and keep a record thereof. After any man's mark had been thus recorded, no other person was allowed to ado|»t the same mark. Tlie town clerk's fee for recording was one penny for each mark recorded. The ear-marks most commonly used were the following, viz. : holes, crops, half-crops, half-pennies, notches, slits and swallow-tails. By using these separately, or in ditferent combinations, several hundred ear-marks were formed and used in the town, as appears from the record. A few specimens of those recorded at this time are here given : '•Ben : Moulton, on laft eare a Half peny on the under side and on the Right eare a Half crop on the under side and a noch under the same." "John Gone, a crop on the left eare and a slit on the Right eare nott at the end but a littell slanting downwards." '•Nath'^ Bachilder Juner, a Swallows Tayle so cald on each eare." "Jabez Dow, a crop on the left eare and two nochis under the Right eare." '^Renewed to Jonathan Philbrick, February 20th, 1810." "Abram Green, a Swallows Tayle att the end of the left eare and A Half penny under the Right ear." "Richard Samborne, a Slitt att the end of each eare." "Josiah Dow, a littill crop on the left eare and a littell noch a top y" same." "Ben Shaw senior, a hole punched in the Right eare." "Ben Shaw Juner, two Hols punched in the Right eare." "Roger Shaw, two Hols punched in the left eare." CAPTAIN HENRT DOW. On the 6th day of May, 1707, a vacancy occurred in the office of town clerk, by the death of Henry Dow, who had held the office a quarter of a century. At a special town meeting two weeks after- 160 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ward, his son Samuel Dow, was chosen his successor. In all his pub- lic life, Captain Dow had been a leader among men — now called to inspect accounts; now as Receiver, under the Treasurer, of rates and duties; and now, to hear and lay before governor and council, the claims of individuals against the i)rovince ;— at one time, as commis- sioner, to meet the Massacliusetts commissioners for running the vexed province lines ; and again, to establish the bounds between town and town ; — now, as special pleader in the courts; and now, as judge on the bench. In tlie disturbances which rent the province, he was ever found with the patriots. In command of his compan}' against the savages, or as officer of supplies for the army, lie was quick and skilful. In remonstrance against the usurpations of Mason, Allen, Usher and their fellows ; in resistance to the unjust taxation by CranQeld (for which the latter ordered his imprisonment) ; and in his connection with Mr. Weare's mission to the king, he was fearless and firm. On the 27th of March, 1707, Captain Henry Dow attended the council-board for the last time. Forty days later, he died. [See Genealogies — Dow (2).] ANOTHER PORTION OF THE COMMONS DIVIDED. At a meeting of the commoners, December 29, 1707, Lieut. John Smith, Maj. Joseph Smith, Mr. John Stanyan, Sanniel Dow and Lieut. Joseph Swett were chosen a committee, to consider what was best to be done in relation to the commons, and to make their report at the next meeting. Their report was presented about five weeks afterward, and in ac- cordance with one of their recommendations, the commoners agreed to survey, and divide among the proprietors, another portion of the commons, lying within, or towards the town from the First North and tlie First West Division. The first eighty rods within each of these divisions, they reserved as a common for future convenience, and tliey voted to lay out within this reserved portion two divisions, each a mile in width, one towards the north and the other towards the west part of the town ; the former, to end on the east one mile from the sea, and the latter, to extend southward no farther than to the old line of Salisbury. The mile between the easterly end of the north divi- sion and the sea; and the portion between the old line of Salisbury and the line theil parting the provinces, the committee reserved for future disposal. Tlie quarter of a mile range between the old and the new divisions was reserved as a free common, till a different ar- rangement should be made by the commoners. TOWN AFFAIRS — KINGSTON. 1680-170^. 161 The commoners appointed Lieut. James Philbrick, Joseph vSwctt, Joseph Cass, Ephraim Marston, Samuel IMarston, Samuel Roboy and Jonathan Moulton a committee, for laying out these two divisions. At another meeting of the commoners, holden three weeks later Lieut. John Smith, Lieut. Joseph Swett and Samuel Dow were chosen to ascertain who were then the rightful owners of the 147 shares of the cow-common, and to cause a record to be made of such owners and their rights, in the Town Book. At this meeting, Lieut. John Smith offered to be at the whole charge of laying out the north and west divisions, and also to relinquish forty acres of his right in them, on condition that the commoners would allow him forty acres, where his son John Smith was living. This offer was accepted by the commoners, and Lieutenant Smith laid out the divisions on the terms proposed. 11 CHAPTER IX. HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-17G0. THE separation of Hampton Falls, as a distinct town, was a grad- ual process, and the records of the several acts regarding it are so complicated, it is difficult to arrive at the exact truth with certainty. The year 1718 is generally regarded as the time of its incorporation; but that a partial separation, for church and school purposes, was made long before, is matter of record, while the act of 1718 did not wholly sunder the relations of the two parishes. We shall, therefore, quote largely from the proceedings of the Gen- eral Court, as recorded in the Provincial Papers : At a Council and General Assembly in Portsmouth, Dec. 3, 1709,^ "The following of the inhabitants of the South part of Hampton was read at this Board, viz. : To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq. Governour and Comander in Chiefe in and over her Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, and the Honourable the members of the Council and Representatives, convened together in General Assem- bly, now sitting : The humble address and petition of her Majesty's loyal and duti- ful subjects belonging to the South part of Hampton, in said Province of New Hampshire, commonly called Hampton falls. Most humbly sheweth, — That your petitioners being at that distance from the publick place of the worship of God at the Town, and soe many difficulties in go- ing, and many times no passing over the Causeway by any means, that it hath caused your petitioners to be at the charge of building a Meeting House upon our side of the Town, and have had a minister for some time, and doing all by free contributions ourselves ; and the other part of the Town being the Major part of the Town, Rates us in the full proportion according to our estates, to the repairing the Meeting House and parsonage, and to the minister there, which is burdensome to us, and we are not able to settle a minister with us for want of some better settlement in the matter. 1 Vol. Ill: 408-10. 062) HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-1760. 163 Wee therefore pray that in your wisdom you Avill grant us some re- lief in the matter, either that tlie Town and we on our side may main- tain two by raising our Rates in general together, or that we may be freed from the paying to the Town, and have power given us to malve a Rate or tax for the subsistance of one with us." [Then follow the names of fifty-six citizens.] "Upon a full hearing of both parties in Council upon this petition, the 3'' of December, 1709, voted that the contract and agreement of the Town of Hampton for the maintenance of Mr. John Cotton, their present minister, be and is hereby ratified and confirmed ; And the town directed to proceed for the raising and pajmient of the same as in all time heretofore ; That the petitioners and such others as are joined with them on the westward of Tailor's River, have power at a meeting once a year for that end, to choose among themselves three persons to be Assessors for raising the sum of for the mainte- nance of such learned and orthodox minister to officiate in the New Chui'ch at Hampton, as they shall agree to call to the service there, with the advice of Mr. Cotton, their present minister; that the affairs ma}^ proceed with such peace and friendship as becomes religion and good order ; and that the Assessment upon the said petitioners and inhabitants on the said Western side of Tailor's River, being signed by the said Assessors, shall be Collected by the Constables at all times and paid into the minister for his support, as in all other Towns and precincts in this Province. Past by the Council. Cha : Story, Secretary." After the passage of this act, the new parish lost no time in pro- curing a minister, the one who had hitherto preached to them being probably the school-master, residing with them. They now engaged the Rev. Theophilus Cotton, a graduate of Harvard College in 1701, youngest son of Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth, who was a brother of Rev. Seaborn Cotton, of Hampton. The death of the Elampton minister occurring soon after, the peo- ple of Hampton Falls preferred the following petition, addressed as before : "To His Excellency!" etc most humbly sheweth,— That your petitioners having formerly laid before y'" Excellency and Covuicil the great want of having one settled among us on our side of the Town in the work of the ministry, and now by God's good Providence have obtained the Reverend Mr. Theophilus Cotton among 1 Vol. ni : 428. 164 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. US in that work, and God by his awful stroke of Providence having removed, by death, the worthy and Reverend Mr. John Cotton, to our great lamentation, we do therefore pray, That we may be set off from the town from being at any charge as to procuring and main- taining a minister there ; and that we may have power given us to make a tax or Rate, from time to time, as shall be for the support of our minister with us, and that each part of the Town maintain their own minister ; That as we have been at equal charge according to our estates as purchasing and holding the parsonage at the Town, that now we may have some land appointed and laid out for a parsonage, as convenient as it may be had for the Falls side, according to the worth of our part of the town ; That the Bounds may be settled be- tween each part of the town, Tailor River being so crooked that it parts the inhabitants belonging to our meeting-house, we pray that the River may be the bounds up to the place called Garland's Mill, and from thence to a Bound tree betwixt Exeter and Hampton, at a place called Ass Brook, or that a committee of indifferent men may be appointed to come upon the place, ',and they to settle the Bounds, as in your wisdom shall be directed, and as in duty bound we shall ever pray." This petition, signed by Nath' Weare, Joseph Swett, Samuel Shaw, Daniel Tilton and about sixty others, was read at the council board on the 13th of May, 1710. A hearing was appointed with the following result : May 19, 1710.1 "In the affair of Hampton before the Council by petition, Ordered that the whole Town pay forthwith the arrears and funeral charges of their late minister ; That there be a Committee appointed to report the Division of the parishes for the several meetings, and to consider how to settle lands for another parsonage ; and a further hearing of the Avhole town be referred to the next General Assembly ; and that the new parish in the mean time proceed in the maintenance of their minister, accord- ing to former order of tliis Board, saving that no person dwelling on the North side of Taylor's River shall be taxed for any land in the New Parish, until a further hearing be had thereupon ; which is re- ferred to the next session of the Assembly. In pursuance of the above order, the Committee appointed are : Major Vaughan, John Plaisted, Samuel Penhallow, Theadore At- kinson, or any three of them, to make report at the. next General Assembly." "In the affair of the New Parish in Hampton,- there appearing iVol. ni: 432. 2 Vol. m : 451. HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-17G0. 1G5 difficulty in making any division of the Lands or inhabitants for the support of the ministers in the two several parishes ; And whereas, the inhabitants and Auditory of tlie old church have agreed with their present minister [Mr. Gookin] to pay him annually eighty ])ounds, half in current money and the other half in i)rovisious, &c. ; And to allow him the parsonage in the said town of Hampton, long since purchased by certain inhabitants there ; and lire wood as in the said vote and agreement in the record will appear : And whereas, the inhabitants adjoining to the new parish have con- sidered to raise sixty pounds, and firewood for their minister, and to lay out of the waste and unimproved lands in Hampton, five acres for a house lot, and twenty-five acres for pasture, &c., for the parsonage there : Voted, that it be recommended to the select men of Hampton, to lay out the said two parcels of land indifferently, as well for the service as may be ; And that the Town of Hampton lay a tax annuall}'- for the said two sums, Am'' to 140"'*, in species as above, and pay the incumbent of the old Church according to the agreement made with him, and the remainder to the incumbent of the New Church, from time to time. 23'' October, 1710. Consented to. J. Dudley." This was read and agreed to in council and in the House of Rep- resentatives. On the 6th of May, 1712, Nathaniel Weare presented a petition to the General Assembly,' "in behalf e of himselfe and diverse others, on y"" desire ;" '•That, although wee are comed to a Good measure of settlem* through God's good providence among us, both to Church and Min- istry, to the Great Satisfaction of all as farr as wee know, and the Town in General, to Raise a tax for the support of each minister as by the said order may appear ; Yett there are several charges that doth arise that are proper, particularly by those that belong to our parish, to be paid, as wood for to be provided for our minister, and fencing the parsonage Land, and for paying the schoolmaster, and several Charges that doth Rise relating to Minister and schooling, which can- not be equally discharged, or promises justly performed, without a Tax on the inhabitants in this parish : Wee therefore pray that wee may have liberty and power to con- i Vol. Ill : 514. 166 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. vene the Inhabitants together that belong to this parish from time to time, to Consider and Agree about those tilings that are needful as to the ministry and schooling ; And that wee may choose assessors among our Selves to be jo^Mied with the Select men that belong to our parish, to assess the estates of the Inhabitants belonging to our parish, for the Defraying of all such charges as shall from time to time Arise Relating to these Affairs, all being concerned in this affaire that live westerly of the Line Returned by the Committee, and that such taxes shall be collected and Gathered by the Constables from time to time, and paid according to Order of said assessors : all which as in wisdom shall see meet. And your petioners, as in Duty Bound, shall ever pray, &c. Natali- Wear." This petition, having been read at the council board, and sent to the House, was sent back with the following return : "Wee are humbly of opinion that the petitioner be Referred to the General Town meeting of Hampton." "The Council Consents to the Reference above and directs the In- habitants of Hampton to proceed thereupon at next Town meeting and make a Returne to the next General Assembly of tliis Province." The next annual town meeting would not l)e until December — too late for the establishment of a winter school — and at the request of the Hampton Falls people, a special town meeting was holden on the 22nd of September, when the petition of the Falls parish was presented. The town made answer, that whatever the inhabitants of the new parish might "agree to either by vote or otherwise for providing what quan- tity of fire wood annually' for Mr. Cotton or for fencing in or clearing their Parsonage to mak it more profitable to the possessor or for Re- pairing their Meetingliouse from time to time shall be accounted as done bjf the whole town to all intents and pur- poses and shall be collected as Mr. Gookin his wood Rate is and the other Charge in the Old Parish (viz) by a warrant from the Selectmen of Hampton with a Justice of the peace directed to the Constable for the time being to collect the same and pay it as ordered by the Select- men for the uses above said, provided their vote or agreement be according to the true Intent and meaning of this vote of the Town and entered in the Town liook within fourteen days after this meet- ing. Wee mean by the Inhabitants of the Falls Parish those people that now inhabit on the South side of Taylors River and so up the Bridge over to s"^ River att Tiltons farm and from said Bridge a quarter of a mile on the North side the Country Road as far as our bounds towards Exeter and so Southerly to Salisbury Line." HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-1760. 167 And the men of the new parish were directed to meet on the 30th of the same month to act according to tlie above vote. Voted, "Tiiat the Town declares their mind Relating to the School matter by the following vote, viz : That whereas there is one scliool appointed b}^ Law to be kept in each town, tlie mind of town is that the whole town is little a nongh to maintain the Charge of such a school as ought to be kept in this town ; and therefore shall not exempt any part of this town from paying to the school appointed by Law." To clinch the decree, it was then voted, that a new schoolhouse be built, " twenty four foot long and twenty foot wide to be done by the last day of April next to be built on the Land granted for that Eud by Deacon Daltons (on the North side, where the center school-house ROW stands), and that the Tax be Raised on the Inhabitants of the Town." This naturally angered the Falls people, but they were forced to bide their time, as the majority of the selectmen, at that time, lived on the town side, and would refuse to abate their taxes. In 1714, however, a majority of the board were in their favor ; and, acting with Justice Peter Weare, the}^ issued their warrant to the constable, Robert Moulton, to collect the "school ma*^ Rate from only a part of the Town, and wholly left out the other part of said Town ; which partial doings hath caused great Divisions in the said Town, and will more increase contentions when the Constable comes to take such Rate by distress, if not timely prevented." So pleaded Lieut. Joseph Smith, one of the minority of the selectmen, "in behalfe of the greatest part of the Towne," in a petition to the governor and council, to interfere, by a hearing and decisive orders. The petition was granted and a hearing appointed ; but how the difficulty was settled, we are not informed. ACT OP INCOKPORATION. Thus far, the separation of the Falls parish was for church and school purposes only. All other interests were in common with the whole town ; nor were they free to act quite independently even in these two, as the foregoing records show. The parish of Hampton Falls had been set off, and the line dividing it from the old parish es- tablished ; a meeting house had been built, a church formed, a pas- tor ordained : but the annual town meeting brought all together. With the limited exception already given, one board of assessors made out the taxes, which the constables collected. This partial separation, however, was leading surely to the forma- tion of a new town ; since around their own church and school the 168 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. sympathies of the people would cluster more and more, as the old ties were sundered, and then- attendance at the north side became less fre- quent. The isolated position of the new parish also, separated from the old by acres of salt marsh, would tend to the same result. It is not, therefore, surprising, that after a few j^ears, a petition to this end was presented. We come now to that petition and the action of the General Assem- bly relating to it, which is said to be the only act of incorporation that Hampton Fails ever obtained. AtaGeneral Assembly at Portsmouth, May 12, 1718 :i "Maj. Peter Wear, Esq., & Messrs. Tillton and Wait p'ferred a petition to this board directed to his Excellency the Gov'" and Council, w^"^ being read & considered, the following vote was past thereupon: In Councill, 12«^ May, 1718. The Petition of Peter Wear, Esq., of the New Parish of Hampton, and several other of the Inhabitants of the said Parish, praying they might be separate from y*^ old parish at their general town meet- ing, and that they might be empowered to call a meeting amongst themselves for chusing town officers, &c.,2 being read and considered: It is allowed that the s'' new Parish at Hampton have liberty to call a publick Parish meeting annuall}^, to choose selectmen and such of- ficers as may be convenient, to manage their parish affairs, and to choose one representative to send to the Gen* Assembly as they shall have a lawful p'cept for so doing ; but as to their common land, main- taining their minister, & [)aying their proportion to the Prov : taxes, they remain as they were formerly, Richd. AValdron, Cler. Con." CHIEF-JUSTICE WEARE's DEATH. While the council was passing this act of incorporation, a man who, for more than twenty years, had sat at the board, wielding an influence rarely attained ; using it always "without fear and without reproach ;" wise in counsels, prompt and patriotic in action ; — the man who, more than any other, gave prestige to this town just coming into be- ing — Hon. Nathaniel Weare, now eighty-seven years of age, lay dy- ing within its borders. The next day was his last. [See Genealogies- AVeare (1).] » Vol. Ill: 732. 2The petition however expressly says; "& both Parishes to Remain as one Town, as for- merly, in (lur rroi)riety of Lands— & as to our Ministry, as it hath bin alredy ordred by ihc general Court." HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-1760. 1G9 The following year, this vote was passed by tlie council ;^ "Whereas, on the 12 May, 171.S, there was a vote of Council past for making the new Parish of Hampton sei)arate from the old to all intents and purposes ; & whereas there seems to be some ambiguity in s'' vote, and the same hath been misconstrued ; for tlie better explana- tion whereof, & in order to the better understanding of the same, it is hereby In Council, Voted, Tliat the intent of s'' vote was & is hereby intended that y*^ s*^ new Parish of Hampton have the privileges of a town without ex- ception, & that that article in y*^ afores'* vote relating to the Prov : tax, is to be understood, each parish to pay their proportion as formerly, ^rcii proportion is to be made & assessed & gathered by the selectmen, assess'* «&; constable chosen at eacli parish severally ; and the minister taxes also to be made by the selectmen and assess'"^ and collected by the Constable y' shall be chosen at the parish meetings severally, as above. March 25, 1719. Rich^ Waldron, Cler. Con." ■ With this explanation, it would seem that, Hampton Falls having now become an independent town, its place in this History should cease here ; but that it was not wholly independent in the matter of the ministerial and province taxes, whatever may have been the adjust- ment in regard to the common land, is evident; for as late as 172G (April 11), the selectmen of the Falls parish sent a petition to the lieutenant-governor, the council and representatives, setting forth that there had formerly been an Act passed, that the province rates, and the minister's rates for both parishes should be raised together by the whole town, but that the parish which they represented, found many disadvantages in not having power to raise these rates b^' themselves. They therefore asked to be released from that provision of the act, and to be empowered to raise such taxes independently of the old parish. After the usual preliminaries, of ordering the old parish to be served with a copy of the petition and of the order of the Legisla- ture thereon, a hearing was had, November 23, and the prayer of the petitioners granted, so far as relates to taxes for the support of the ministiy, making the two parishes in this respect entirely distinct, while the province taxes were apparently to be proportioned between them as before.^ THE BOUNDS DEFINED. Three more years passed, before the bounds were definitely fixed, as appears from the Hampton Fulls records : 1 Vol. II: 722. * Vol. IX; 338 and iv: 434. 170 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. "Whereas, there lias been divers debates between the old parish and the new concerning the bounds between them, so that the selectmen of each parish have been at a difficulty to know how to make their rates and assessments according to their warrants, and to put an end to all differences which may arise, we the selectmen of both parishes being met do agree as follovveth : That we may make the rates and have no disturbance for this pres- ent year and to present this our agreement to the next parish meet- ing and endeavor to have it settled by tlie vote of each parish the line to be as followetli : that the falls or new parish shall have their bounds from the river mouth as the river goes to the falls river's mouth and then run to a way that comes into the country road at the end of land called Cliffords land between that and that which is in the possession of Thomas Dean and then as the road goes to the middle of the bridge called the town bridge and then as the river which is called Taylor's river to the mouth of the brook called Ass Brook to a way that leads to Exeter road or line and all the land that lies on the easterly side of said line to be rated to the first or old parish and all on the westerly side to pay to the new or falls parish and this we whose names are- underwritten have agreed to the line above said always excepting and it is to be understood?tliat where this above said line crosses any man's land or marsh that there the owners shall pay where the biggest part lies and the other party shall not rate the other part and this we the select- men of both parties do a^ree to as witness our hands this 16 day of July annoque Domini 1729 & in the third year of the reign of King George the second &c. ^ . It is the true intent & meaning of the paragraph which mentions the way from Ass Brook's mouth to Exe\er road or line is to go from Ass Brook's mouth to the two rod way which was laid out l)etween the divisions to the land called the quarter of mile and there right a- cross the quarter of mile to a two rod way between the divisions to Exeter line. ^^ Jon*^, Nason Joseph Towle Nath'. Weare Benjamin Thomas James Prescott Josiah Moulton" Not even yet were the two settlements entirely distinct, for, in the Journal of the House of Representatives, Nathaniel Weare (son of the first Nathaniel), Avas still registered as from Hampton,^ and the new town itself was called simply a "Parish" till about the time of the Revolution. » Vol. IV : 467, 484. : HAMPTON FALLS. 1709-1760. 171 DISPUTES ABOUT PARSONAGE LANDS. By the Hampton Falls records it is shown that, as late as 1745, a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants was held (September 30), the notification for which contains this remarkable preamble and state- ment : ''Whereas, there was a town meeting warned for the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Hampton to meet at the town meeting house on Monday the 24^^ day of June last past and although it was for tlie town as above said j^et we of this parisli were denied the liberty of voting at said meeting :" therefore this meeting was called to con- sider what to do "relating to our holding or justifying our right of vot- ing at said meeting," and to choose a committee to commence an action against those who hindered, and also to defend any freeli-older of the Falls parish in any action brought "for appearing at a town meeting in Hampton and for their action or behavior thereat." The records of the old town for the same time contain the follow^ iug, dated September 15, 1745 : "Voted, that the present selectmen are hereby Impowered to prosicute or cause to be prosicuted all or any of those parsons that came into our town meeting on the 24"* day of June last past, and behaved in a Riotus disorderly manner to the grate disturbing of the Carying on said meeting." That this stormy June meeting had reference to the division of the parsonage lauds, and that disputes of long standing culminated at this time are apparent from other entries on the records of both towns. Five months after Rev. Ward Cotton was ordained, in 1734, Hampton Falls chose a committee, "to discourse with the selectmen or committee chosen by the old parish to dispose of the parsonage lots in Hampton to see whether they will be willing that the new parish shall have any part with the old parish of said lots. Voted, that the committee have power to search the Record at the old parish and to see from whence said i-ove tluit he liad never received from Jolm Marstou any such deed. This iniglit not have been easy to prove. The selectmen, therefore, as the agents of the freeholders and commoners, asked that Nathaniel Weare, Esq., should be required to state positively, whether he had ever seen John Marston in this province, since the date of the deed, claimed to have been given to his son, Peter Weare. Being ques- tioned on this point, he stated before the governor and council, that Marston acknowledged the deed to his son, before him, at Andover, tlie 13th of May, 1708 ; and he declared that Marston was "then in his right senses." This testimony, if not satisfactorj^, was direct and decisive, what- ever may be thought of the validity of au acknowledgment made be- fore a justice, when he was out of his jurisdiction. On the 15th of September, the freeholders and commoners appointed Lieut. John Smith, Isaac Green and Ens. Samuel Marstou, a commit- tee, to join with the selectmen in selling some of the lots that had not been disposed of, in the north and west divisions, to satisfy the judg- meut that Peter AVeare had obtained against the commoners, and to pay other charges incurred in the case. If the sales of these lots should fail to furnish a sufficient sum to pay all demands against them, then an assessment should be made ou all to whom shares of the com- mons had been granted. A PROTECTIVE MEASURE. March 8, 1709, the commoners voted, that no man should fell, ou the commons, any pine timber to be hewn square, to send out of the town, under penalty of 10s. a tree; and if any such timber should be found at any of the landing-places, or on any rafts in the rivers, it should be forfeited, one-half to the informer and the other half to the use of the town. If any person should pretend that the timber thus found was intended for his own use, it should still be subject to the penalty named, unless he could prove the truth of his assertion, by two wit- nesses. Lieut. Peter Weare and Mr. Joseph Chase were choseu, "to look after the timber." IKON MINES. About this time, there was some excitement among the inhabitants, on account of a belief in the existence of iron mines, or ores of iron^ in some part of the commons, w^hich, it was supposed, might be made to yield some revenue. The commoners, fearing that some of these cn-es would be carried away without their permission, and to their det- 176 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. riment, appointed the selectmen a committee, to look after their inter- ests ; and passed an order, forbidding any person from digging any of these ores, without first agreeing with the committee about the terms, under penalty of 40s. The bubble burst, however, for the mines proved a failure. SHARES IN THE COMMON TO BE ASSESSED. No taxes appear to have been hitherto assessed on shares in the commons, except to meet expenses incurred in improving or defend- ing them. Now, June 20, 1709, the selectmen and assessors were empowered to assess on these shares, a part of the province tax, that was about to be raised. At the same time, it was ordered, that the sweepage of the common thatch-ground should be distributed among the poor of the town, at the discretion of the selectmen ; but that none of the thatch should be mowed till the latter part of August, and no person, without permis- sion^ should mow any of the thatch-ground, under penalty of 12d. per rod. GRANT TO "the FIVE FARMS." At a meeting of the freeholders and commoners, in the winter of 1709 , two privileges ot- shares in the cow common on the south side of Tay- lor's river were granted to each of the jive farms^ thus increasing the number of shares on that side to one hundred fifty seven, while the number on the north side of the river remained as before. This change was made, to meet the claims of the owners of the farms, founded on an agreement of the town, when the ownership of the common was settled, in 1646. The year 1710 is memorable for the death of Rev. John Cotton, pas- tor of the church, and the beginning of Mr. Gookin's ministry. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TO BE IN MARCH. At the annual election of town officers, December 29, 1712, it was voted, that the selectmen and constables, chosen a year before, should continue in office, till the first Monday in the following March. From that time to the present, the annual town meeting has been held in the month of March. At the same meeting as above : Voted, "That there shall be twenty shillings more aded to the former twenty for him that kills a woulf within the Bounds of our Town till the Town null the acte by uote." MALT. At a commoners' meeting, held December 29, 1712, it was voted TOWN AFFAIRS NATURAL PHENOMENA RYE. 1708-173(1. 177 tluit P^phraim Marston should "have half a quarter of au acre of land by the fort in the swamp to set a malt-house on," and to enjoy the same as long as he should improve it in making malt for the people of the town, bnt the land should revert to the town whenever Marston or his heirs should cease to use it for the purpose for wliich it was granted. This vote suggests a custom long prevnlont here, and in other parts of New (I^^ngland, that of malting barley, and brewing beer to be used as a common beverage among the people. So aeciistomed were they to the use of this drink, that it Avas regarded as indispensable to their comfort. We have not uow any means of ascertaining the quantity used in the town yearly, but, evidently, it was somewhat large. It was considered of so much importance, that the town and Rev. John Cotton in agreeing upon the terms of his settlement as the minister of the town, in 1696, stipulated at what price per bushel malt should be received by him in part payment of his sahuy. AGAINST PETITIONS PRIVATELY CIKCULATEI). Another vote of the commoners brings to light one of the expedients sometimes resorted to for obtaining grants of land, and other privi- leges. The usxial course in making grants was to have the subject brought before some public town or commoners' meeting, and there freely discussed before any vote had been taken. In this way the peo- ple were prepared to act uuderstandingly. lu some cases, however, individuals who were anxious to obtain a mill-privilege, or a particular tract of land, prepared a petition, and carried it from house to house, to procure signatures privately. In some instances persons were in- duced to sign it through ignorance of the value of the grant sought, who, after a public discussion, would have given their votes against the grants. To prevent abuses of this kind, the commoners made it a penal offence for any person to carry about a petition, or endeavor to per- suade any man to sign one, in favoj" of granting any common land, stream, or other appurtenance belonging to the common land, other- wise than in a pubbc meeting— the fine for each offence being 20s. to be paid to the selectmen for the use of the poor. They also ordered that every person that should sign such a petition, should i)ay a fine of 2s. 6d., to be applied to the same use. A shepherd's CONTRACT. April 2, 1714, "in the twelfth j'eare of her majesties Reigne Queen Anne"— Morris Hobbs, Ephraim Marston, Benjamin Lamprey, Sam- 12 178 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. uel Marston, Josiab Sanborn, William Sanborn, and Seth Fogg agree with the selectmen to keep the flock of sheep this following snmmer, from April 12 to November 10, "without the snow shall come to hinder them from their feed" — will do it themselves or by those the selectmen shall npprove of — to go with the sheep one day to North Hill way, and one day to Ship Rock way, and one day to Little River way — no man to go two days of his turn to Little River way — each man of them to provide a good and convenient pen for the sheep to lie in from the dust and from danger of the wild creatures, — the sheep to go at no time without a keeper — to be let out every morning by sun half an hour high — not to pen them before sunset at night. They give bonds of 40 shillings to perform their equal part in every particular — to be sued before a justice of the peace by any man who can prove the above articles not fulfilled. Two Avitnesses. Benjamin Lamprey's name apart from the rest, as if added later, and an additional witness : "Sam- uel Dow Jr. See Benja. Lamprey Signe this couenant." JOHN TUCK, TOWN CLERK AND COMMONERS' CLEKK. On the 20th of June, 1714, Dea. Samuel Dow, the town clerk, died. He had been 'chosen to succeed his father in that office, at the death of the latter about seven years before. The vacancy now occurring was filled by the election (July 5) of John Tuck as town clerk. The same day he was also chosen clerk of the commoners, these two offices being usually, though not necessarily, held by the same person. THE GREAT OX COMMON DIVIDED. Six years before this time, namel}', in November, 1708, the Great Ox Common began to pass into permanent possession of the proprie- tors. The shares had, like the marshes farther north, been drawn foi- once in six j^ears "; but now, the drawings for shares in the thatch, ground were by vote, to be "forever." In September, 1714, the shares of iipJdnd, and a mouth later, those ot marsh, came to a finaldrawing ; and this tract, which, in 1G41, iiad been set apart for a common "to the world's end," now, after 7o years, ceased to be a common, though a portion of it has ever since retained the name. HOGPEN FARM. Hogpen Farm, so called, was originally granted to Rev. Seaborn Cotton, :\nd Avas laid out in 1G68. The farm had since been sold, and considerable inconvenience — not to say injury — was experienced by those owning land adjoining it, by the present owners refusing to show the bounds Of the fanu. The selectmen judging it necessary to have TOWN AFFAIRS— NATURAL PHENOMENA RYE. 1708-17o(). 170 the bouiuls neeurately detenniued, in order to prevent controversy, di- rected tliat the farm should be re-surve.ved. They gave seasonable notice to the owners, of their intention to meet on the farm for this l)urpose, on the first day of November, 1714. They also notified to be present ;Ul persons owning land adjoining, and "other persons who dwelt on or near y^ s'' farme 40 or 50 years" before, to give the best information they could, relating to the bounds. The selectmen, sur- veyors and lot-layers accordingly met at the time appointed. The se- lectmen then requested the owners of the farm, who were present, viz. : Edmund Johnson, John Green and Benjamin Green, to show them the bounds thereof. They replied, that they had never known them. Information was then sought from aged men, who had been actiuainted with the property many years ; and having fully satisfied themselves in relation to some of the bounds, the selectmen and lot layers made the survey, and marked out the farm by metes and bounds. Their Return was entered on the Town Book. "Hogpen meadow," belon<>- ing to the farm, was surveyed the following February. BOUNDARY DISPUTE WITH EXKTEK. A few months before this time, the inhabitants and freeholders had chosen Maj. Joseph Smith, John Redman, Sen. and Lieut. Nathaniel Weare, a committee, to petition the governor to settle and survey the bounds of the town, and to grant a confirmation of them as they had been established more than seventy years before. This course was adopted for the purpose of terminating a dispute between this town and Exeter, concerning their bouiidar}' line. Without waiting for an answer to their petition, the freeholders and commoners resolved to make another effort for an amicable settlement of the dispute by the two towns. They accordingly, on the 28th of January, 1715, voted that the town of Exeter should once more be notified through the se- lectmen to send a committee of three men to join with a committee of the same number from this town, "to renew and re-survey the ancient bounds of Hampton towards Exeter," and to meet at "Ass-Brook- Tree," on Tuesday, the first day of the following month. The com- mittee on the part of this town consisted of Maj. Joseph Smith, Na- thaniel We on the beach, and feeding down the beach-grass and other veg- ifrov. Pap. n: 070. TOWN AFFAIRS — NATURAL PHENOMENA RYE. 1708-1 73(). 181 etation growing there, which scrvedthe iniporlaiit purpose of prevent- ii]g the sand from being bk^wn away so as to expose the hiiid lying bacic of the l)eacli to inundation from the sea. Permission was also given to set up a gate and fence across the lane at the westerly end of the beach causeway, to prevent cattle from going upon the beach upon that side. These precautionary measures vvei-e important, but, as we shall liud hereafter, they were not effectual in preventing the sea from making inroads upon the land. At the same meeting of the freeholders, it was voted to impose a line of 20s. on each and every person who should at any time('ai'ry olf any drift-wood from any part of the beach between Little River and Great Boar's Head, without leave from the selectmen. By law, in 1718, the town stock of ammunition was "a l)arrel of good [)owder, two hundred weight of bullets and three hundred flints, for every sixty listed soldiers, and after that proportion, for the listed soldiers of each town, whether more or less." THE JENNESS DISPUTE. The measures adopted on several occasions at an earlier period for preventing encroachments on the commons, by portions of them being fenced in, and in other vva3-s, having been found ineffectual, the com- moners again met, May 10, 1720, to consider the subject and determine upon some other course to be taken with the trespassers. They agreed that three men should be chosen, who, or an}'' two of whom, should prosecute offenders according to law. They were not, however, to be hasty in commencing prosecutions. Upon complaint being made, they were to give notice to individuals complained of, to show their bounds according to the return of the laying out of their land, and then, if it should appear that a trespass had really been committed, to prosecute the offenders without delay. The selectmen for the time being were authorized to draw upon the town clerk, for money of the commoners deposited with him, to meet expenses incurred b}^ the committee, in carrying on any suits that might be commenced by them. In case the money deposited with the town clerk should not be sufficient to meet their wants, a meeting of the commoners was to be called, to instruct the committee what further should l)e done. The men selected for this purpose were Mr. Nathaniel Weare, Capt. Jabez Dow, and Lieut. Jonathan Marston. This action of the commoners was nearly unanimous, only four persons dissenting, viz. : Thomas Marston, Simon Dow, Richard Jenness and John Jenness. The principal ground of complaint appears to have been in relation 182 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. to the coui'se taken hj' the two lucii last named. They lived in the' extreme northeasterly part of the town, near the Piscataqna line and not far from the seasiiore, and claimed and had fenced in more land than the commoners considered them entitled to. That a settlcmcuit with them might be made peaceably, the committee met with them early in the next month, wlien it was mutually agreed to submit the case to arbitration ; and at a meeting of the commoners on the 27lh ol' June they ratified the doings of tlioir committee, and voted to abide by the award of the arbitrators, wiiatever it might be. The arbitrators agreed upon were John Plaisted, George Jaffrey, Joseph Hammond, Henry Somerby and Joshua Moody. The parties in controversy gave bonds to each other to abide by their award. After a two da^-s' hearing and a careful examination of all the evi- dences, and pai)ers relating to the premises, they made their award August 31 : The said John and Richard Jenness, and their heirs and assigns were forever to hold unmolested, all the land that they liad fenced in, on the south side of a certain brook running from Cedar Swamp ; and they were to quitclaim all right to any other land in the North Division, on either side of the brook, than that which was then fenced in ; and all controversies, lawsuits and differences, relating thereto, were thenceforth to be at an end. \- "Memorandmn. The Principal Considerations upon W^^' y*' bounds is Contirmed to Jennis according to y^ fence is that it appears to us that Jennis*''* Lot was laid out in y** year 1675 upon a South South- west line whereas it ought to have been on a West Southwest line." [Signed by all the arbitrators.] UNAUTHORIZED RETURNS NOT TO BE RECORDED. Towards the close of the year, at a meeting of the proprietors of the undivided lands known as the cow dommons, a vote was passed, forbidding the town clerk to record any return of land laid out by James Jaffreys, or any other lot-layer, unless of land which the per- son making the return had laid out by order of the proprietors or commoners, and the return accepted by them. The occasion for this prohibition is not mentioned, but it may be inferred from the lan- guage of the record, though we should hardly have conjectured that any lot-layer would take the responsibility of laj'ing out, and making a return of any lot without being dul}^ authorized. At the same meeting, on the 5th of December, 1720, John Redman Ephraim IMarston and Capt. Jabez Dow were chosen as a committee "to hear the demand, proposal, or complaint, of those men that had lost their shares in the North Division, and to make their report at the next TOWN AFFAIRS — NATURAL PHICNOArEXA — HYK. 1708-1731). 183 meeting of the commoners." Wluit w:is done by this committee does not uppetir from any entry on the records ; but about fifteen months afterward, at a meeting of the proprietors of the connnon huuls, it appearing that some persons had said that tliey had lost all their land in the First North Division, it was voted to clioose a committee of five men "to take, in behalf of the couimonei's, a quitclaim from these men of all their rights in that Division, so lost, and then to lay out in way of exchange, one third of the number of acres, which they said that they had lost," if on examining their claims they should find them to l)e just. The connnittee chosen for this purpose were Capt. Jtibez Dow, Dea. Nathaniel Weare, Cai)t. Joshua Wingate, Sergt. Ephraim Marstou and Christopher Page. The time allowed them for doing their work Avas from the 10th of May to the last day of July following. On tlie 9th day of July, 1722, the committee made their report; having laid out about one hundred sixty acres of land to more than twenty men, in lots varying from two to twenty acres. THE FIVE divisions; commoners' meetings. At the last named commoners' meeting, another committee was chosen for a different purpose, consisting of the following men : Capt. Jabez Dow, Christopher Page, Simon Marston, Elisha Smith, Dea. Nathaniel Weare, Benjamin Milliard, Capt. Joshua Wingate and Jo- seph Tilton. A large portion of the land had been laid out and disposed of at an earlier period, but a considerable quantity, in different parts of the town, was still held in common by the proprietors. The commit- tee was appointed to view this common land, and to determine, in case they should think it expedient to make any division, into how many parts the commons should be divided, with the understanding that the people of each part of the town should have their proportion in the part nearest to them. The connnittee was instructed to re- port at an adjournment of the meeting, one week later. At the adjournment, the commissioners chose Col. Peter Weare, Dea. John Tuck, Dea. Nathaniel Weare, Capt. Jabez Dow, Epiiraim Marston, Christopher Page and Capt. Joshua Wingate, a connnittee "to receive the claims of any on the commoners' land, and give in their opinion at the next commoners' meeting" — said committee to report who have just claims, and who have not. The committee appointed to consider the condition of the com- mon lands, and to recommend what new measures to adopt concern- ing them, after giving considerable attention to the subject, agreed upon certain measures, which were reported to the commoners, and 184 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. adopted by them, November 5, 1722. Hitherto, when any business was to be transacted about the commons, it had been necessary to call a le- gal meeting of all the commoners. At first, when the3' all lived within a moderate distance from the meeting-house, where their meetings were held, it subjected them to but little inconvenience; but as the settlement was extended, the commoners were spread over a much larger territorj^ some living remote from the center, so that they could not attend the couimoners' meetings witliout the loss of consid- erable time. To obviate this the committee recommended, that the town should now be divided into five portions, to be called Divisions, and numbered from one to five, beginning on the easterly side of the town. In general, the ungranted,or common land, lying in each of these divisions, was to belong to, and be managed by the commoners living in, or near, the same division. As, however, it was not prac- ticable to make the divisions in such a way that the qiKiiitity of com- mon land in each of them should exactly correspond with the rigiits of the commoners living in the same divisions, it was necessary tiiat some provision should be made to meet the case. x Accordingly, it was agreed "that the eastermost part of the com- moners should belong to the First Division, until their proportion should take up all of it, and so successively round the whole town, re- serving always lands for such highways to other lands and grants, as might be thought convenient and be appointed for that end. In case there should not be land enough in the Fifth Division to satisfy the claims of the Falls people, the deficiency was to be made up from a tract of land lying within the limits of the First and Second Divisions, though not considered as a part thereof, but as forming a small division by itself. This tract was situated between Jose[)h Taylor's and Simon Dow's — probably including the southern portion of Black 8wani[) and of the Twelve Shares, and the whole of the Plains. If, on the other hand, there should be any common land remaining in the Fifth Di- vision, after the Falls people had received their shares, it was to be shared equally bv the commoners. It was also voted, agreeably to the recommendation of the com- mittee, that the majority of the owners of each division should have power to manage the affairs thereof as fully as all the commoners could do. If any lawsuit should be commenced against any of the cow-commoners concerning their land, the expense should be borne by all the commoners, and the gain or loss shared among them all in pro- portion to their interest in the commons. It was further agreed tore- serve sufficient land to satisfy all claims that the commoners considered just. TOWN AFFAIRS NATURAL PHENOMENA RYE. 1708-1 73G. 185 The parsonage shares were to he hiid oiil in the first three divisions — one share in eaeli of tlieni. A committee was chosen to com[)lete tlie arrangement by ascertain- ing who were the hiwful owners oC the commons, and assigning to each one his proportion, — the con)inittee to be upon oath. They were also authorized to employ some surveyor not belonging to the town — Mr. Wade being preferred. The committee chosen, were: Lieut. Jonathan Marston, Sergt. Joseph Taylor, Simon Marston, Capt. Joshua Wingett, Lieut. Benjamin Milliard. Soon after the survey of the common lands had been completed, there was a meeting of the proprietors of the "Five Divisions" (October 20, 1722), at which they authorized the committee previously appointed for the laying out of these divisions, to determine the rights of claimants, and "to settle men in their rights." It was con- sidered important, also, as each division had been empowered toman- age and order its own affairs, that some rule should be established. to which all the divisions should conform, in calling their meetings. It was therefore voted that the owaiers of ten shares in any division should have power to warn a meeting of the proprietors of that divi- sion, and that all votes passed at such a meeting should '-stand good in all respects," and such votes as the proprietors should order to be placed upon the Town or the Commoners' Records, should be entered there by the town clerk — "they paying y^ fee" — and any entry thus made, was to be regarded as a good and suflicient record. "TilE CHESTNUT COrNTRY." This year, the town of Chester was incorporated. With few ex- ceptions, the grantees were non-residents, more than half of them being of Hampton and Hampton Falls. As early as October, 1719, "The Society for Settling the Chestnut Country," composed mostly of Hampton men, began to keep records, called later, "The Town Book" and "The Duplicate Book," the latter of which was in custody of Capt. Joshua Wingate, at Hampton, at whose house many of the proprietors' meetings were held. Capt. Henry Sherburne and Dr. Edmund Toppan were, a few years later, chosen a committee, to com- pare the two books, and see that they exactly agreed. In 1720, a grant of the township was obtained, and in 1722, Chester was given full town privileges, the grantees gradually selling their rights to settlers. HIGH TIDE ; THE MEADOW POND CREATED. A great storm, attended with a very uncommon tide, was expcri- enced^iu New England, on the 24th of February, 1723, an account of 180 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. which is given by Di'. Cotton IMatlicr and (jiiotcd by Mr. Collhi, iu these words : "An unusual high tide, higher by twenty inches than was ever known before At the same time, the sea at Hampton broke over its banks for some miles together, and continued running for several hours." Dr. Holmes adds, that at Hamptou it "inundated the marshes for many miles." Regarding the date, Dr. Holmes writes: "He (]\[ather) probably used the old style, which protracted the year to 25th IMarcli. I have therefore inserted the article under 1724 ."i "With this opinion, Mr. Drake disagrees, and says : "I think, had that been the case, Mather would have written 1723-4. Besides, I find no allusion to the matter iu some News-papers consulted, printed then in Boston. Again, Dr. Mather says it was on 'the Lord's day,' and Lord's day did not happeh on Feb. 24th, 1724, l»ut it does fall on the 24th, of 1723." Had Mr. Drake looked a little farther, he would have found one contemporar}' paper, The Boston News-Letter, Avhich con- tained an account of the storm. This paper may be seen to-day in the libi-ary of the Massachusetts Historical Societ3^ The communication begins as follows : "Feb. 25, 1723. Yesterday, being the Lord's Day, the Water flowed over our Wharffs and into our Streets to a very surprising height. They say the Tide rose 20 Inches higher than ever w\as known before. The Storm was very strong at North-east." The date is therefore conclusivel}^ fixed as February 24, O. S. or, according to present reckoning, March '7, 1723. The importance of establishing the date will be seen by the results in Hampton ; for the tradition about this wonderful tide and its rava- ges is substantially as follows : Inside of the banks of sand which lay^ along the shore, and served as barriers against encroachments of the ocean, was a large tract of low, swampy land, extending southward from Nut Island, a mile or more. This tract, known as Huckleberry Flats, was dotted over with hassocks, on which grew huckleberry bushes and alders. The spaces between the hassocks were usually wet, though covered with grass, whose numberless roots closely intertwined, together with the grass itself, formed a sort of mat, resting on the soft mud beneath, on which a man might walk, though the grassy mat trembled at every step taken. Through this tract flowed a large brook, or rivulet, called Nilus.2 At the time of the storm, the hassocks, filled with the roots of the bushes, the spaces between them, with their net-work of grass-roots, 'Holmes' Annals, 1 : 534. ^Charles M. Lamprey, Kaq., wlio owns land in tliis tract of meadow, liasfounil stumps of trees, deeply embedded in the mud, furnisliiug proof that the hind was once wooded. TOWN AFFAIRS — NATITRAL PIIENOMKNA UYE. 1708-1 730. 187 iviul the iiiud and wtiter beneatlu wriv lirinly IVozen to :i considerable depth. The severity of the storm and tlie extraordinai'y height of the tide gave such force to the waves, that they swept away tlie sand- I)anks on the sliore, and the whole of the tract described and liundreds of acres of salt-marshes were inundated. The surging waters soon found a way under the thick, hard-frozen crust on the Hats, and rais- ing and breaking up a large portion of it, bore the fragments along with the current, over the marshes, till they found a resting place, or were swept into the ocean. AVhen the storm had ceased and the Hood subsided, a large part of the swampy tract that has been described had become a ponu, cover ing several acres. Into this pond, the brook Nilus flowed; but southerly of the pond, where it had run nearer the seashore, passing below tlie end of the causeway, as it now is, and the road to Great Boar's Head, about thirty or forty rods, and then turning to the west into the marshes, where traces of the "old river" are still seen, the brook had been filled up wdth debris, so that an outlet was made by digging a wide ditch from the pond to the river below. This outlet is called the Eel-ditch. About the first of March, a boat with three men and a boy — their names not given — coming from the Piscataqua river to Hampton, was driven off to sea, and one of the men perished with the cold. The others succeeded in reaching the land on the third day, running their boat ashore upon our beach. The boat was lost. Those on board saved their lives, but were all of them much frozen.^ THUNDER STORMS. The year 1727 is noted for its thunder storms and its earthquake. Two instances of danger to life and yet of escape from injury, b}'^ liglitning, are related of Hampton people, l)y the Rev. Mr. Gookin. "A little after break of day [April 10], a timnder storm came over this town. At first the thunder was l)ut low, and seemed to be at a distance ; but all at once came on an amazing clap ; tiie liglitning then fell upon the house of Mr. Edward Shaw. It took off all that part of the cliimney which was a])ove the roof, and broke down all the fore part of the cliimney in the northeast end of the house till it came to the chamber hearth. In the lower room of that end of the house, where the man's mother [Mrs. Esther Shaw, 82 years old] and one of her grandchildren lodged, it took a small table, within four feet ^Boston Gazette, March 9, 1724. 188 HISTORY or HAMPTON, of Uic head of her bed, and carried olf llie leaf of it, tlnowing it to- wards tlie bed. It went from thence down into the ceUar, where it moved two hogslieads, which stood near the foundation of the chimney ; one of them, which was full, was turned partly ui)on its head ; the wooden hoops upon it were all loosened, Init the iron hoops were not moved. In its passage into the cellar, it went through the hearth, where, after the rubl)ish was removed, was found a large hole that was made by it ; and iu the foundation, a little over one of the hogs- heads, was observed a small hole, where it is probable the lightning had its vent. In the southwest room of the house, where the man and his wife lodged, it entered into a small cupboard, where it broke divers eartheru dishes, but yet the door of the cupboard was not burst 'open No person in the family was hurt." "In the afternoon of July oth we had another thunderstorm : Mr. Samuel Palmer, Juu"" (Esi^uire Palmer) was then riding towards the woods, having behind him his little son, a child of about seven or eight years old. As they were travelling along there came a very terrible clap of thunder: the lightning struck tw^o trees (twelve feet asunder) which were but a hundred yards before them, and but about fifteen yards on one side of the path in which they were going ; it tore one of the trees all to pieces, and threw some of the splinters into the path. They were riding a good pace, so that in less than a minute they would have been up \vith the place where the lightning fell, and so would probablj' have been killed by it. There was as it Avere but a step between them and death." This summer of 1727 was one of extreme heat, which continued many weeks without rain, so that the fields became dry and parched and "many wells and springs of water failed that never bad before. In the midst of this sultry heat and in the evening of a very parching day (August 1), the heavens broke out into a continued blaze of flame and thunder, horrible to behold and hear, for two hours together. The flashes of lightning were without intermission, and con- sequently, the peal of thunder perpetual in our ears." EARTHQUAKE OF 1727. This was the second great earthquake since the settlement of New England. It occurred about half past ten o'clock in the evening. In the afternoon before, llev. Nathaniel Gookin, pastor of the old church, preached a sermon, which, at the request of his people, was published, together with three other discourses, two of Avhich Avere occasioned by the earthquake. In an appendix to the volume containing these ser- TOWN AFFAIRS NATURAL IMIKNOMENA RYK. 1708-1 73(). 189 moiis, is given "some account of the earthquake as it was at Ilamp- tou." A considerable portion of this account is transferred to these pages : "The earthqualve, whicli was felt tlu'oughout tlie country, iu tlie night between the 29th and SOthof October, 1727, was in this town much as it was in other places, of which there are divers printed accouuts." "The shake was very hard, and was attended with a terrible noise, something like thunder. The houses trembled as if the}^ were falling; divers chimneys were cracked and some had their tops broken off. It was especially so in the south parish, where the hardest shake seemed to ])e on the hill, where the house of God stands. Three houses on that hill had their chimneys broken, one of which was the house of the Reverend Mr. Whipple. When the shake was beginning, some per- sons observed a Hash of light at their windows, and one or two saw streams of light running on the earth ; the flame seemed to them to be of a bluish color. . . The sea was observed to roar in an unusnal manner. The earth broke open, near the south bounds of the town and cast up a very fine bluish sand. At the place of the eruption there now^ continnally issues out considerable quantities of water ; and for about a rod around it, the ground is so soft, that a man can't tread upon it without throwing brush or some other thing to bear him up. It is indeed in meadow ground, but before the earthquake, it was not so soft but that men might freely walk upon it. A spring of water, which had run freely for fourscore years, and was never known to freeze, was much sunk by the earthquake, and frozen afterwards like any standing water." The writer goes on to state, that there were other shocks the same night ; and that the sound and the shake were very perceptible, at times, every day for a fortnight. Afterward it was heard, but less frequently. On December 24th, at night, there were two shocks ; the first of which was very loud and jarred the houses. There were also shocks felt the next month, on the 1st, 6th, and 16th ; and on the night of the 24th, there were two shocks, which made the houses tremble. "It is hard to express the consternation that fell on both men and beasts, in the time of the great shock. The brute creatures ran roar- ing about the fields, as in the greatest distress ; and mankind were as much surprised as the}^ and some with ver}^ great terror." KING SWAMP. November 29, 1727, there was a meeting of the proprietors of the ^This account was written Jan. -25, 1728. 190 III STORY OF HAMPTON. Second Division, which iiiehuled "Ring Swamp," when that tract was divided into nortli and south parts ; and these laid out, the north part into eighteen, and the south into twelve lots, which are severally de- scrilied. The descriptions, however, being in partnnintelligihle now, are of little interest, except in a few allusions. The "burying-place" and the "ten rod road" are familiar. ''The malt-house quarter acre and a way 1 rd. wide from the road to the malt-house ground" are mentioned. This ground was prol)ahly an enlargement of tlie original half a quarter of an acre, granted to Pvi)hraim Marston fifteen j'ears earlier. Prol)al)ly- the fort had been removed, as no mention of it is made in this division of the Ring. The "school house acre which is 10 rds. wide on the road, running 16rds. south, of uniform width," is named. Also, a "comon ground behind y'^ meeting-house." This ground has, in modern times, l)een now and then claimed by the abutters, "Two acres for y'- ram pas- ture," were situated opposite Mr. Isaac Emery's. September 2i), 1746. it was voted, "that the selectmen should meet at Ensign Leavitt's on the first Tuesday in NovemI)er, to sell the raui pasture to the highest bidder." Thomas Rand bought it; and tAvo years later, it was voleil, to give him £5 old tenor on account of its falling short in measure. CHICIIKSTKK. May 20, 1727, the charter of Chichester was granted to sundry persons, partly at least, of Hampton, whose names do not now ap- pear. The conditions were that the proprietors, within three years, build sixty houses, clear three acres of ground, settle families there and Y)ay the town charges. A meeting-house was to be built within four years, and some minor stipulations were made. Sometime after the three years had expired, on May 5, 1 73 1 , Josepli Towle, Thomas IMarston and more than ninety others, inhabitants of Hampton, petitioned the Legislature for a grant of waste hind for a township, somewhere in the province, suggesting that Chichester had been originalU' intt^uded for Hampton, but that its charter had been forfeited by a neglect to comply with its provisions ; and that, on ac- count of the loss of that township they were now entitled to favor. Tiie proprietors stated that, having met with more trouble and greater dillieult}^ in running boundaries and clearing the Ava}^ to said township than they had anticipated, they had not been able fully to comply with the conditions of the charter, and asked for more time ; and one year was granted. Among the proprietors at that time were Nathan- iel Weare, Richard Jenness, John Sainborne. TOWN AFFAIRS — NATURAL PHENOMENA — RVK. 1708-1736. 191 February 28, 1733, a committee of the proprietors asked for a further extension, on the ground tliat their niei'ting-liouse and some dwelling-houses had been consumed by fire. Tlie numerously signed petition for a grant in the waste lands seems to have come to naught. Chichester was not settled till 175 Committee. John Weeks. ^ A copy of the above letter was found among files of town papers some years ago, and no answer from the selectmen of Hampton Falls was filed with it, or has since been found, so that it is uncertain what was the result. Following the usual course of lawsuits these cases dragged their slow length along, as will be seen farther on. SECOND APPEARANCE OF THE THROAT DISTEMPER. In 1754, the town was again visited by the malignant throat dis- temper, the same disease that had made such fearful ravages eighteen years before. Whatever hopes may have been at first entertained, it soon appeared that the disease had lost none of its virulence. Two cases in which it proved fatal had occurred in the preceding autumn, and a few others in the spring; but it was not till the month of June, that it excited much alarm. At that time it attacked several meml)ers of the famil}' of Mr. Elislia Towle, and three of his children l)etween three and seven years of age died in the course of five days, the first on the third, and the last on the seventh da}' of the month. Mr. Amos Towle, a cousin of Elisha, iiaving lost a daughter by this disease, a few months before, now became very much alarmed, lest he himself should fall a victim to it ; and in order to avoid all con- tact with it, he shut himself up in his own house. But it was of no avail. The dread disease again entered his dwelling, and on the 13th of July, one of his children — a sou nearly ten years old — died. KEGULATIONS — LAWSUITS — CASUALTIES. 1733-1780. 207 Mr. Towle himself died three days afterward. Deaths now occurred in rapid succession. Before the middle of October, that is, in less than four mouths and a half, thirty-two persons had died. After that time only five cases proved fatal till the next May ; but during that month six others fell ; so that there were forty-three deaths from this disease alone, and Avith fourteen from other causes, the alarming total swelled to fifty-seven in the space of twelve months. With the single exception already mentioned, all the victims of this disease were children and youth. Of the first eleven deaths, ten were of Toivles, though belonging to different families. EARTHQUAKE OF 1755. On Tuesday, November 18, 1755, occurred the third great earth- quake felt in New England since its first settlement. This has been considered more violent than either of the others. It occurred ''in the morning about an hour and a half before day." "The weather was remarkably serene, the sky clear, the moon shone briglit, and a solemn stillness pervaded all nature at the time it commenced." The shaking of the earth was so great that several chimneys in this town were thrown down. The agitation was as perceptible on the sea as on the land. The shock was so severely felt on the vessels in Portsmouth harbor, the men on board thought they had struck on the rocks. The earth- quake occurring at an hour when the mass of the people were asleep, many of them being suddenly awakened, were very much terrified, not immediately perceiving the cause of the commotion. The older people, however, had not forgotten the earthquake of 1727, and now, as on that occasion, they recognized the baud of God in the occurrence. Two days afterward a meeting was held in Hampton, at which the pas- tor of the church preached from Psalm cxix : 120. ''My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgments." Shocks were frequently felt during the next fortnight. The most considerable one occurred in the evening of Saturday of the same week, about half-past eight o'clock. One who experienced it, calls it "a very great shock." He says: "Our house trembled very much. To our surprise it was cloudy and rainy all night long." About two weeks after the first shock, the people of this town ob- served a day of fasting and prayer, ''occasioned by the terrible earth- quake and the war,'^ by which God is seeming to frown upon us by the aspects of these judgments which we see and hear." Sermons were preacheil by Rev. Joseph Whipple of Hampton Falls, and Rev. Jere- iFrencli anj Indian war. 208 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. miah Fogg, of Kensington, the former from the first clause in Jeremiah III : 22, and the latter from Amos iii : 4-8. KEW PLANTATION LAWSUITS SETTLED. Early in the year 1756, Nehemiah Brown, of Kensington, and Anne his wife made a claim in her right to one hundred acres of land, said to have been originally granted by the inhabitants of Hampton to the rio-ht of Thomas Ward, to be laid out and satisfied on some part of the common land in the town not previously laid out and appropriated to any private or particular use. The right, it was claimed, had been vested in Nathan Longfellow, late of Hampton Falls, and by him be- queathed to his daughter Anne, the present claimant, who now with her husband demanded that the quantity of land claimed should be laid out to them. A writ was served on the inhabitants by the sheriff and the damages laid at £1500. This case was similar to others previously brought against the in- habitants for not laying out land at the New Plantation, according to certain grants made in 1663, The principal ground of defense seems to have been, that.bythe act of the government, incorporating the town of Kingston in 1694, the town of Hampton had been precluded from making good these grants, as a considerable portion of the New Plan- tation, lying within the limits of the new town, had been thus put beyond their control. On this occasion, they held a meeting, February 16, and appointed Col. John Weeks and Mr. Philip Towle as their agents, with full pow- ers to manage the case in their behalf. The same men were also em- powered to act as agents in any other suit or suits that might be brought against the inhabitants and freeholders, with like powers as in this case, and to do any other matter and thing, that they might judge proper in the premises, and also to confer and join with any commit- tees chosen by any of the parishes formerly included in the town of Hampton. The suit of Brown and wife was entered at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, where it was expected to come to trial in June. At the next annual town meeting, March 15, 1757, the selectmen of the last year were authorized to settle accounts with the three agents. Col. Weeks, Philip Towle and John Smith, about all the cases brought against the town by Jonathan Longfellow, who was the attorney in the several suits in satisfaction for early grants at the New Planta- tion. CAST UP BY THE SEA. "A large whale, 40 or 50 feet in length, having 3 irons in her, di'ove on shore at Hampton" about the first of November. REGULATIONS — LAWSUITS — CASUALTIES. 1733-1780. 209 The wreck of a Hampton-built vessel occurred, which is thus an- nounced in the New Hampshire Gazelle of December 13, 1756: — "Last Monday Night between 8 and 9 o'clock, a new Ship belonging to this place [Portsmouth], was cast away upon Ragged Neck [in Rye] in coming round from Hampton, where she was built. She is so bilged and broken, that there are no hopes of getting her off again." In 1758, another shipwreck occurred, the only account of which that now remains, as far as can be ascertained, being this item from the NeiD Hampshire Gazette of Februar}^ 24 : "Mr. [W'"] Long sailed from Lisbon in a Brig, bound to Marble- head, and yesterday sennight was cast away on Hampton Beach. Her cargo which is salt is entirely lost ; but it is hoped the Brig will be got off again. The men were all very much frozen." SMALL-POX. In the spring of 1758 a few cases of small-pox occurred in the town. It was brought by an Irish woman, who came into the family of Mr. Joseph Redman, and died there on the first day of May. The disease was communicated to the family, and Mr. Redman and his wife both died ; the latter, on the fourth of May, and the former, on the fourth of June. In the meantime the infection had been communicated by Dr. Em- ery, the attending physician, to his own family. The selectmen now thought it best to provide a pest-house, agreeably to the provisions of the law. They accordingly impressed the dwelling houses of Sam- uel Palmer, Esq., and Jeremiah Moulton — standing near each other — and appropriated them to this use. The next day the family of Dr. Emery were removed thither. His wife and daughter and one of his sons, then, or soon after, had the disease, but they all recovered, and the infection spread no farther. The houses were not cleansed, so as to be again occupied by their owners, till the thirtieth of June — having been used as pest-houses seven weeks. The owners of these houses demanded of the selectmen £250 each, old tenor, as damages. As payment was refused or delayed, Mr. Moulton sued the town the next February for £270 ; but as the rec- ords furnish no evidence that such a suit was carried on, it is proba- ble that a settlement was effected between the parties. A suit had also been commenced by the town against Dr. Emery, for the cost and charges occasioned by removing his family' to the pest-houses, and providing for them while they were there. This was done agreeably to a vote of the town, to which, however, there had been considerable opposition. Capt. Jonathan Moulton and Col. 14 210 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. John Weeks were chosen agents for the town, and clothed with am- ple powers for carrying on the suit. The case came to trial and was decided in favor of the defendant. Many of the inhabitants now wished for a settlement of the con- troversy, and the selectmen were requested to call a town meeting to consider the subject, but they refused. A meeting was then called by Jabez Smith and Meshech Weare, Esqrs. two Justices of the Peace, at the request of thirty or more of the freeholders and inhabitants. This meeting wholly failed of accomplishing the object aimed at. Ev- ery motion made for this purpose was negatived. The next day the selectmen posted a warrant for another meeting to consider the sub- ject. This meeting was held March 15, one week after the other. No disposition was manifested by the majority, to settle the suit as the court decided ; and at another meeting five days after, the town vo- ted to have the case reviewed, and chose Thomas Nudd to join with the former agents in its management. It is probable, however, that a different course was taken and that the case was settled without a review. The dread of small pox was much greater at that time than it is at present. The proper treatment of the disease was not so well under- stood, and on this account a much larger proportion of tlie cases which occurred proved fatal. Vaccination has also done much to- wards removing this dread, by acting as a preventive in most cases, and by mitigating the severity of the disease, when contracted. In the instance here cited, such was the feeling in relation to it, that the meetings on the Sabbath for several weeks were not held at the meeting-house, which was in the vicinity of Dr. Emery's resi- dence, but at private houses. Public worship was not resumed at the meeting-house till the 27th of August, when the pastor preached from the 84th Psalm, beginning thus: "How amiable are thy taberna- cles, O Lord of Hosts !" In the spring of 1760, it was proposed in town meeting, to sell a part of the ten-rod road round the Ring, thus diminishing the width of the road. The proposition met with but little favor. The town not only refused to sell any part of the road, but voted also "to dismiss that affair and never to act upon it more." At the same meeting, it was left with tiie selectmen to let out two- thirds of the schoolhouse acre for eight or ten years. "the stage is coming." The first stage ever run in America, as is supposed, began its reg- REGULATIONS — LAWSUITS — CASUALTIES. 1733-1780. 211 ular trips from Portsmouth to Boston and return, passing throuo-ii Hampton, Monday, April 20, 17G1. It was a curricle and span with room for tliree passengers. It made Ipswich the first day, Charles- town ferr}'^ the next, and was back in Portsmoutli on Friday. Fare for the round trip, six dollars, A crowd of cliildren assuredly gathered about Toppan's corner, each eager to be the first to sliout "The stage is coming." Women rushed to the doors and windows along the route, and many a man took a long gaze from his work in the fields. In these days of easy travel, one can scarcely realize how great an eve«it it was. At the annual town meeting. in 1761, it was voted tliat pasture and woodland should be "rated" that year. Before that time no taxes appear to have been assessed on such land. Samuel Palmer, Esq., was allowed £130, old tenor, ''for all his trouble in letting out the Town's money for ten or eleven years past." Dea. Joshua Lane was allowed £10 for similar service. Two years afterwai'd, the selectmen were directed to sell the town's stock of powder, balls and flints, and to put the powder at £3 per pound. In 1764, the town made provision for rebuilding the bridge over the river on the road to Hampton Falls, which was to be wharfed up with timber from the parsonage land, — the work to be done under the direction of the selectmen. THE MAST-SHIP. For a long series of years even till the Revohition, the sovereigns of England claimed exclusive right to every white pine tree in Nevv Hampshire and elsewhere, fit for a mast for the service of the royal navy. Such trees, growing outside the townships granted before the 21st of September, 1722, were branded witli the "broad arrow," and no man might dare cut them down, even on his own land, under heavy penalty. Large ships brought to our shores goods we were forbidden to provide for ourselves, and carried away cargoes of our best pines. Wliat wonder then, that, as the exactions of England grew more and more rigorous, a "mast ship" became a hated object ! Such a ship, with a valuable cargo, was wrecked on Hampton beach on the night of November 30, 1764, not, it is believed, on account of rough weather, but owing, to the pilot's ignorance of the coast. The ship drove on to the sands a little to the south of tlie present line of fish- houses on the nortli beach, whence the crew, without much diffi- culty, got ashore. Tlie pilot, Capt. William Branscomb, afterward settled in this town, and became the third husband of Prudence Page (nicknamed '"Old Prue") . 212 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. The disaster of November 30, was announced in the next issue of the Neio Hampshire Gazette as follows : "Portsni'', Dec. 7, 1764. — Last Friday Night, the Mast Ship, St. George, Capt. Mailard, bound from Boston for this Port, wSs cast a- way oflf Hampton. She had Goods on board to the value of about Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling belonging to sundry Merchants here ; great part of which are much damaged. The Men's Lives were saved, but the Hull of the vessel will be entirely lost." The master of the vessel hastened to Portsmouth, to report to the Court of Admiralty. Meanwhile, so exciting an event as a shipwreck on their shore attracted large numbers of people to the spot. Some of these, either through iguorance or avarice, appropriated and carried away goods found strewn upon the beach. As soon as possible, therefore, keepers were appointed, viz. : Col. Christopher Toppan and Col. (afterwards Gen.) Jonathan Moulton. On the 20th of December, the Court of Admiralty issued the fol- lowing : "Province of New Hampshire. Pursuant to a Decree of said Court, the Goods saved out of the wreck of the St. George Mast Ship will be exposed to sale l)}' Auction on Thursday, the 27th Instant at the stores of Samuel Matfatt and John Sherburne, Merchants in Portsmouth ; And the Hull of said Ship, stores. Rigging, Anchors, and other Goods (whicii cannot now be transported), at Hampton, at the store of Jonathan Moulton Esq. -on Tuesday following. — The Goods at the respective Places to be seen the day before the Sale, where Attendance will be given for that Pur- pose. Per curiam, John Sherburne, D. Rec." The above decree, while it shows that all that could be saved from the wreck was secured within a month from the time of the disaster, gives no hint of the difficulties encountered. Many looked witli envy and malice upon Colonels Moulton and Toppan, claiming that they had no more right than others to carry off the goods, and that they were enriching themselves on false pretences. A riot ensued, as is shown by the following order issued by the governor a month later : "Province of i By his excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Capt. New Hamp. ] Generall, governor &, commander-in-chief in and over the Province aforesaitl : — To the Hon'^''= Meshcch Weare, Esq., Coll of the Third Regiment of Militia in sd Province or to the Lieut. Col° or Major thereof : — Whereas it has been represented unto me hy his majestj^'s Attorney general &, by the High Sheriff that some ill disposed persons having REGULATIONS — LAWSUITS — CASUALTIES. 1733-1780. 213 purloined sundry goods from tlie Lading of a ship lately stranded on Hampton Beach in this Province while the ship & cargo was under the direction of & in the custody of the adniivalty court ; & warrants being issued for the apprehending sundry persons supposed to be guilty of the said Breach of the Law, who being apprehended for the same & in custody of the officer, when as is further suggested, the prisoners were by a number of evil-minded persons in a violent, riot- ous & tumultuous manner & being disguised, did assault the officer & him beat, wound & evilly entreat & did release the sd prisoners & let them go at large whereby they made their escape & that since the above*'' action (which was on the 28"' day of this inst) a great number of the inhabitants of the sd town of Hampton have in a riotous, roys- terous & tumultuous manner assembled, & being armed with clubs & staves, have menaced & threatened the officer & bid defiance to all lawful authority, & tho his Majesty's Proclamation agreeably to the law of the Province has been read to them, they still repeat their un- lawful assembl}^ to the great Terror of his majesty's good subjects, & the Sherili' of the Province having supplicated the aid & assistance of a suitable number of the militia with proper officers might be or- dered to attend him in the execution of such precepts as he might re- ceive from the civil authority to disperse & apprehend the offenders & bring the authors and abettors to justice, being apprehensive he shall meet too great opposition in the execution of his office without the as- sistance & aid of the Fosse, which being lawful and at this lime ne- cessary : You are therefore respectively impowered & directed upon the ap- plication of the High Sheriff or his deputy, to detail as many men under arms out of your Regiment under the direction & command of an officer, as may be necessary to assist the s'' Sheriff & his deputy in the execution of any lawful precept that may be directed to him to separate the said rioters & to apprehend the authors and abettors of the aforesaid violent & illegal practices, that they may be dealt with as to law & justice doth appertain, & for which is your authority. Given at Portsmouth in the Province afore*'^ this 29"' day of Janu- ary in the 5th year of his Majesty's reign annoque Domini, 1765. B. Wentworth." Though the meaning of the above oixler is clear, a grammatical analy- sis would be difficult. While Colonel Toppan was at the beach, engaged in unloading the mast ship, one of his vessels, a brig from the West Indies, appeared off the coast, passing along inside of the Isles of Shoals and so near the main land as to be easily recognized as his own vessel. The next 214 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. clay, he -went to Portsmouth expecting to find her in port, l)nt was disappointed. He afterward learned that the brig had been spoken some days before, and that the crew were badly frozen. In the even- ing after she was seen off our coast, the wind veered to the northwest and blew with great violence. It was supposed that the crew, in their suffering condition, were unable to manage the vessel, and that she was blown off and lost, witli all on board. The supercargo was Ben- jamin Ilobbs of North Hampton, a graduate of Harvard College. Near the close of the summer of 1768, a large schooner owned by Christopher Toppan, Esq., sailed from Hampton, bound on a fisliing voyage to the Grand Bank, having eight men on board. The vessel was lost, and her captain with all his crew perished. Benjamin Ran- dall, the captain, belonged at Rye ; the crew at Hampton. THE GRAY RAT. Dr. Belknap says : "The town of Hampton, though adjoining the sea, and one of the earliest settlements in New Hampshire, had no gray rats till the year 1764, when an English mast-ship was wrecked on the beach." This is not entirely correct. The gray rat was introduced here from a vessel wrecked on our beach near Great Boar's Head sometime before the mast-ship came ashore. CONSTABLES. Any person chosen for constable was b}'^ law required to accept the ollice and perform the duties (unless he were excused by the town), or be subjected to a fine of £20, old tenor. Such were the duties to be performed by constables, — or perhaps so meager their pa}^ — that there was a general reluctance among the people to holding the office. On one occasion, after it had been voted to have two constables for the ensuing year, five men were chosen in succession, and each of them refused to serve, and paid his fine. At an adjourned meeting two weeks afterward, it was voted to choose one constable for the whole town and to give him the £100 fine money received from those men who had refused to serve. Jeremiah Dow was then chosen constable, and he procured his brother Simon Dow as his substitute, and the town accepted him for the office. Several years later, the town tried the experiment of setting up this office by vendue to the lowest bidder. In this way it became known who would accept the office, and on what terms. The town then went through the formality of electing a constable by vote. This was the customary course for many years, though in the opinion of some of the voters, its legality was questionable. EEGULATIONS — LAWSUITS — CASUALTIES. 1733-1780. 215 COLONEL MODLTON S BUILDINGS BURNED. On the 15th of March, 1769, town-meeting day, occurred the most destructive fire with which the town had ever been visited. Tlie fol- lowing account of it is taken from tlie Boston Chronicle of March 20, where it appeared as a communication from Portsmouth, under date of March 17. "Last Wednesday morning, about 4 o'clock, the large mansion of Col. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton, together with two stores con- tiguous, was wholly consumed by fire. This melancholy accident, it is supposed, was occasioned by a beam taking fire under the hearth in his parlor. The flames had got to so great a height before the dis- covery, that it was with great difficulty the family escaped with their lives. Col. Moulton saved no other clothing than a cloak, & a gentle- man who happened occasionally to lodge at the Colonel's was obliged to jump out of the chamber window. When he was first called upon he did not know the occasion and had put on most of his clothes be- fore the smoke apprised him of his danger. There were between 15 & 20 souls in his house, who through the good providence of God, were all saved unhurt. All the furniture, vrhich was very good and valuable, was wholly consumed, but the shop-goods, books, bonds, notes and other papers, which were in the stores, were happily saved. The loss is estimated at £3000 sterling." Colonel Moulton subsequently built the large mansion house now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth F. Mace, locating it about forty rods farther south than the one destroyed. The old road leading to "Drake side," left the "main country road" near the former house. After the erection of the new house Colonel Moulton opened from it a new road through his own land to meet the Drake side road — probably a little beyond where the Eastern Railroad now crosses the highway. Some of the inhabitants, wishing to have this new way made a public road, cause— Joshua Purington. John Redman. Ichabod Robie. Samuel Robie. Thomas Robie. Charles Rundlett. Lieut. John Sanborn. Mephibosheth Sanborn. INDIAN WARS. 1675-1 7 G3. 233 liichard Sanborn. Stephen Sanborn. William Sanborn. Benjamin Sliaw. Caleb Shaw. Josiah Shaw. Roger Shaw. Samuel Shaw. Capt. Samuel Sherburne. Christopher Smith. Israel Smith. Jacob Smith. Sergt. John Smith. John Smith, his son. Samuel Smith, William Smith. James Souther. James Stanyan. Thomas Stevens. John Stockbridge. William SAvaine. John Swett. Capt. Joseph Swett. Moses Swett. Stephen SAvett. Benjamin Taylor. John Taylor. Joseph Taylor. Benjamin Thomas. Daniel Tilton. Samuel Tilton. Benjamin Towle. Caleb Towle. Francis Towle. Joseph Towle. Philip Towle, jr. John Tuck and man. Thomas Ward. Peter Weare. Sergt. Ebenezer Webster. Isaac Webster. John Webster. Thomas Webster. David Wedgwood. Jonathan Wedgwood. QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. 1702-1713. Important events occurring in Europe brouglit on a war between France and England, in 1702, known as Queen Anne's war. Tlie same year, Joseph Dudley was appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Indians were then tolerably peaceable ; but, incited by the French, the}' soon became insolent. The governor, therefore, con- vened their chiefs at Casco, June 20, 1703, when they were loud in their protestations of friendship. Nevertheless, within a few weeks, they desolated the whole eastern country, from Casco to Wells. On the 17th of August, the enemy appeared in New Hampsliire. A party of about thirty Indians, under Captain Tom, fell upon a small village, or hamlet, in the south part of Hampton, near the Salis- bury line, and killed five persons and "rifled two houses near the gar- rison ; but fearing a pursuit, drew off." One of the persons killed was a little son of William Hinkley ; the others were Jonathan Green, Nicholas Bond, Thomas Lancaster, and a widow Mussey. The last two were Quakers, among whom Mrs. Mussey was distinguished as a speaker. The story of this tragedy, as handed down by tradition, is thus related : "A man by the name of Dow, living near a swamp thickly covered with trees and shrubs, observed to his brother that he feared the In- 234 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. dians were lurking near b}'^, being satisfied that tliey had been prowl- ing about his house the night previous. He was advised to go into tlie bushes and watcli. He did so, and soon perceived tiiera making tiieir way from the swamp. He then ran through tlie street, crying : "Indians!" A jMr. Gove, who lived on the Salisbury road, hearing the cry, jumped upon a stump, and counted thirty-two, as they issued from their place of concealment, crawling upon their hands and knees. They first killed Widow Mussey^ who was passing by the swamp, dragging her into the bushes, and beating out lier brains with a toma- hawk. She was greatly lamented by the society of Friends, among whom she had been very prominent. They next killed Thomas Lan- caster, who was on his way home from mill. His cries were heard by some men building a garrison near by, who ran to his assistance ; but finding the Indians superior in numbers, they fled. A friend who had been with Lancaster, had stopped on his way at the house of Ed- ward Gove, "to drink a syllabub," and thus escaped. They next slew Jonathan Green, beating his head with the butts of their guns, and mangling him in a horrible manner. A woman, having left her child with two young girls, had gone into a field to pull flax. When the Indians came, the girls fled, leaving the child behind, who tried to fol- low ; but while climbing a fence, an Indian seized it, and dashed its head against a plow standing near. They killed and scalped Nicho- las Bond in his own house. "The country was now in terror and confusion. The women and children retired to the garrisons. The men went armed to their work, and posted sentinels in the fields. Troops of horse were quartered at Portsmouth and in the province of Maine." Inroads were made into the settlements in various parts of Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire and Maine, during the following year, and a considerable num- ber of persons killed. In 1705, the coast being infested by French privateers, a nightly patrol was established along the seashore from Hampton northward to Rendezvous Point, to prevent a surprisal b}'^ sea. "It being deemed necessary to keep a watch day and night at the fort, Gov. Dudley, by a letter dated at Boston, May 29, directed the council to send to Lt. Col. Hilton to impress men for this purpose, out of his regiment. It was also ordered that the firing of three Great Guns, at intervals of one minute, should be an alarum, at which one half of 'Hampton Lower Company' and half Portsmouth should immediately march for affording relief." 1 The n.'in-ator of the tradition calls her name Hussey; but the town records and Rev. John I'ike'b journal give it as in the text. INDIAN WARS. 1675-1763. 235 September 5, 1705. "Ordered that for the future term able persons onely be appointed as Scouts to Range the \voo', in Massachusetts Bay. Portsmouth became alarmed, and asked Grovernor Gilman for more men. Commodore Hull also sent an urgent appeal. On the 20th of May, the governor issued orders for marching eight companies of the militia to Portsmouth, within five days. Among these, the Hampton men found service, in the company of Major Dearborn's brother, Jacob, as follows, enlisted on the 24th and 25th of Ma}^ and discharged July 6th : Jacob Dearborn, Captain. Jesse Knowles. Samuel Dow, Lieutenant. Daniel Lamprey. Shubael Leavltt, Sergeant.' John Lamprey. Jonathan Marston, 3*1, Sergeant. Jacob Marston, Jr. Jeremiah T. Marston, Musician. John Monlton, Jr. James Blake. Abraham Marston, 3<'. Levi Blake. Josiali Nudd. Perley Bartlett. James Perkins. Samuel Cutts. Benjamin Perkins. William Godfrey. Moses Perkins. Samuel Harden. Zachariah Roberts. J. James.* Willard Shaw. 1 Drowned at Portsmouth, Juue il. ^ Prob. .losluia, son of Joshua (5). 294 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. During this interval, a panic occurred, when, on the night of the 21st of June, the alarm was raised, tiiat the British were landing forces at liye, to attack Portsmouth from that quarter. But it i)roved to be a false report, occasioned by the appearance of suspicious boats in the offing; and, as hitherto, the strong defenses saved Portsmouth from bloodshed. The people, however, were now thoroughly aroused, and, on the 7th of September, the entire militia of the state were or- dered to be ready to march, at a moment's warning ; while detach- ments from several regiments were sent with all speed to Portsmouth. Among these, Capt. Jacob Dearborn was again found at the head of a company, enlisted September 26th, for sixty days; among whom, were the following men from Hampton : Jacob Dearborn, Captain. James Godfrey. Jonathan Marston, 3'^, Sergeant. James Nudcl. John Towle, Corporal. Joseph Palmer, Jr. David iMarston, " Nathaniel Cotton. Jeremiah T. Marston, Principal Mu- Nathan Godfrey. sician. Jonathan Fhilbrick. John M. Blake. James Johnson. David Blake. David Pliil brick. Samuel Barker. Thomas Leavitt, Jr. Simeon Lane. John Lamprey, Jr. Jonathan Redman, Jr.' In Colonel Lovering's regiment (stationed at the South Ropewalk in Portsmouth, David Towle, Adj. and William Carroll, Quarter-Master) was Capt. Philip Towle's company, nearly all of whom were Hampton men, enlisting from the 11th to tlie loth of September, and discharged on the 29th. It is said that, in less than two hours after the order was received, the company was on its march. The roll is as follows: Philip Towle, Captain. Dearborn Lane. Samuel Dow, Lieutenant. Jonathan Blake, Jr. Richard Greenleaf, Ensign. James Blake. Willard Emery, Sergeant. Jethro Blake, Jr. Simon Towle, Jr., " Josiah Blake. Philip Towle, Jr., " Levi Blake. Samuel Cutts, " Nathan Blake, Jr. John Moulton, Jr., Corporal. Moses l3rown. Amos Towle, 3^, " Oliver Cilley. Jonathan I^eavitt, " Moses Dow. Abraham Fogg, " " John Cotton. J. T. Marston, Musician. Jonathan Daniels, Phili[) Towle, 3."K WHEN DIS- CAUSE. TERED. CHAKGED. ♦Charles Franklin Dunbar Captain. Aug . 22, 1861 Captain, June 20, 1862 Resigned. (*?) Orrin Mozart Dearborn •2nd Lieut. " " " Feb. 11, 186.1 " ♦.lefl'erson Clinton Dunbar Ist Sergt. " 2.3 " IstSergt. July 31.186-2 Disability. *lJeorge Perkins Sergeant, " 23 " Sergeant, Aug. 16, 1864 Killed in ac- tion. *Davi(l Pickering Marston " " 23 " " Mar. 11, 1862 Disability. *Josepli Wiirren Akermau " '• 23 " 2nd Lieut. July 28, 1S63 Itesigned. Aliram Dow Corporal " 23 " Sergt. Nov. n, 18(i2 Disability. William Eldredge Lane 23 " " Aug. 23, 186i Ex p i ration term of ser- vice. .Tohn Sanborn James lierbiivne Page " " Corpl. " 23, " Corporal, July 8, " Close of war. Parker Alviu Emery " " Priv. " 23, " Private, " IS, " W o u 11 d e d. Close of war. Jacob Tallant Godfrey U II II (1 23, " " " 8, " Close of war. Oliver Hobbs Godfrey " " " " 23, " " " 8, " " '' '• *Janies Albert Gillespie .1 11 11 (1 23, " " " 7, " Wounded, Close of war. Patrick Heffron II « II II 23. " " " 8, " Close of war. Otis Horace Marston " " " " 23, " II - 11 g^ i< .1 11 (1 *Melbern Marston 23, " " Sept. 19, 1664 Killed in ac- tion. THE CIVIL AVAR. 1860-1865. 313 John C. Perkins was absent, sick, and discharged from liospital, May 22, 1865. Samuel S. Page was captured and confined, for a time, in Libby prison. Parker A. Eaiery and James A. Gillespie were wounded and transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, and thence discharged. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT, N. H. VOLUNTEERS — NINE MONTHS. David Frank Nudd Aitlinr Batchelder Blake *Tlionias Dun brack, Jr. ♦Jonathan Elkins . Jei-eniiali Leavitt Godfrey Chavles Godfrey Bcnj. Frnnklin Goodwin George William Leavitt Robert Bruce Laird *Jolin Dow Lamiirey Charles Gregg Perkins KANK WHEN MUS- TERED. Co.I, Sergt. Priv. Oct. 24, 1S62 " 24, " " 24, " " 24, " " 24. " " 31, " '• 31, " " 24, " " 24, '• " 31, " " K, RANK WHEN DIS- CHARGED. Sergeant, Aug. 13, 18G3 Private, " 13, " 13, " 13, " 13, " 13. '• 13, " 13, 13, May 27, Aug. 13, Exp't'n terra of service. Killed in ac- tion. Exji't'o term of service. C. G. Perkins also served, during the war, in the First Regiment, Maine Cavalry. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT, N. H. VOLUNTEERS — NINE MONTHS. Edwin .Jolinson Hobbs ♦Theodore Fisher *Charles Moses Perkins Josiah Darwin Perkins RANK WHEN MUS- JERED. Co.K, Sergt. Oct. 25, 1862 " " Priv. " 25. " " " " » 25 " " " " Nov. 13, " RANK WHEN DIS- CHARGED. Sergeant, Aug. 20, 1863 Private, June 15, " " Aug. 20, " " " 20, " Exp't'n terra of service. Died of dis- ease. Exp't'n term of service. SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT, N. H. VOLUNTEERS — NINE MONTHS. . RANK WHEN MUS- TERED. RANK WHEN DIS- CHARGED. CAUSE. James Warren Perkins Sergt. Maj., Dec. 18, 1862 Sergt.Maj.,Apr.l6, 1863 Regt . not mustered. J^. W. Perkins enlisted first, June 24, 1862, for three months, in First Squadron, R. I. Cavalry. The Seventeenth N. H., not being completed, was not mustered, and he finally enlisted in the Sixtieth Mass., Nov. 30, 1864, for 100 days. 314 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. EIGHTEKNTH REGIMKNT, N. H. VOLUNTEERS — ONE YEAR. Orlando Lawrence Blake John Wesley Mace John Wyinan Lewis ItANK WHKN MUS- TEUED. Co. G, Priv. Jan. «, 1865 " D, " Sept. 20, 1804 RANK WIIKX DIS- CHARGED. Private Jnly 29. 18(55 " June 10, " Close of war. NEW HAMPSHIRE BATTALION, FIRST REGIMENT, NEW ENGLAND CAVALRY; AFTERWARDS, FIRST N. H. CAVALRY — THREE YE.VRS. *George Dearborn ♦Morris Hobbs Godfrey John Wynian Lewis Kdwiii Dearborn Lamprey RANK WHEN MUS- TERED. RANK WHEN DIS- CHARGED. Troop M. Priv. Dec, 24. Piivate, missed in ac- 1861 tiou Oct. 12, 1863 Troop M, Priv. Jan.8, 1862 Private, July 2, 1864 Troop M. Priv. Jan .20,1862 Private, June 25. 1862 " '• Feb. 17, '• 1 " Nov. 17, " Died at An- derson vi lie Pri-on, July 25, 1S64. Recnl't'dJan. 5.1S64. Died f r o ni s 11 n - stroke in V^a. July -i, 1804. Disability. FIRST RKGIMENT, N. H. VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY— ONE YEAR. RANK WHEN MUS- RANK WHEN DIS- CAUSE . TERED. CHARGED. Hor'itio Nelson T. BUike Co. K.Priv. Sept. 17, 1864 Private June 15, 1865 Close of war. ♦Willoughby Topi)an Blake " '• " •' 17, " " 15, '• Arthur B;itchelder Blake " " " " 17, " " 15, " Charles Warren Brown " " " " 17, •' " 15. " ♦Charles William Drake " " " " 17, " " 15, " *George Odioriie Leavitt .. U ,i .. J7^ u " " 15, " Daniel Young Moulton, Jr. " " " " 17, " " " 15, " *Daviil Brainerd Johnson •' '• " " 17, " " 15, « Joseph Averill Philbrick " " •' '• 17, " " 15, " Jeremiah <;ilnian Mace " " " " 17, " " 15, " Alonz'i Whipple Shaw " •' " " 17, " " 15, '« David Amos Towle " " " " 17, " " 15, " UNITED STATES NAVY AND MARINE. ♦Everett Dearborn Blake. George Eldredge Blake. Thomas Seavey Blake, ♦Jefferson Clinton Dunbar. C harles Godfrey. Enlisted for three years, " " one year. Died of disease in service, July 29, 1S02. Served full term. . THE CIVIL WAR. 1800-1865. 315 UNITED STATES NAVY AND MARINE. (^Continued.) *Daniol Godfrey. Enl isted (01 thice years. Killed inaction, May 27, 1SC3. Charles Morris Hobbs. '• Served full term : Hei-nlisted. Jason Lamprey. i( 11 II li Lewis Swett Lamprey. " U H i( John Sherburne Locke. two Joseph Warren Mace. " *John Hale Nudd. three " " " Ileenlisted. Joseph Everett Riley. " " *Aloiizo Mericam Stevens. " " " " •Frederic William Stevens. " Remained in the marine ser- vice and died of disease in Panama, 1867. THOSE SERVING IN OTHER THAN NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENTS. Jesse Alonzo Blake. ♦Jonathan Tuck Monltou. *John Dole Palmer. Samuel Palmer. Josiah Page. *Edward Shaw Perkins. Andrew Jackson Philbrick. *David Towle Philbrook. *George Berry Wingate. *Samuel Bagley Shaw. John Towle. George Edwin Palmer. ♦John Walter Moore. *Charles William Xudd. Thomas Leavitt Perkins. REGIMENT AND COMPANY. 8th Mass. and a detached Co. Mass. Vols. 1st Maine Cavalry. 12th Mass. 26th Mass. Co. I, Oct. 14,1861, to Nov. 7, 1864. 23d Mass, Co. A, Jan. 4, 1864, to June 25, 1865. 2d District of Columbia, three years. 22d Mass. 1st Mass. Cavalry. Enlisted Aug. 28, 1861. in Co. F., 19th Mass. for three years; transferred to Vet- eran Reserve Corps, Sept. 17th, 1863. Enlisted Nov. 29, 1861, in Co. E., 24ih Mass. Enlisted Oct. 17, 1861, in Co. D, 30th Mass. Enlisted under name of Ch.irles Williams, in the 69th New York. Enlisted in Co.C, U. S. Bat- tnlion of Engnieers, at West Point, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1861. Lost an arm. Died in service, Jan. 17, 1864. Killed in action, July 13, 1863. Missed in action, at Gaines's Alills, Va., June 22, 1862. Died in service, from disease contracted in Libby Prison, Va. Discharged, expiration term of service, Nov. 30, 1864. Died in service, July 19, 1862. Missed in action. Honorably discharged, Dec. 1864. 316 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. THOSE SERVING IN OTHER TUJlS NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIIMENTS. (Continued.) NAME. REGIMENT AND COMPANY. REMARKS. George Warren Towle. Enlisteri Oct. 9, 1862, in Co. Honorably discharged, Sept. F, 47th Mass. for nine 1, 1863. months. (* ?) John Moulton Dow. Enlisted .Jnly ."5, 1801. in Co. Honorably discharged for K, 14tli Mass. Uegiment; disaViility. Aug 8, l!S64, with afterwards the Ist Keg't rank of "2d Lieut. Mass. Heavy Artillery. Jacob Harrison Moulton.i Enlisted Sept , 1857, in Co. Honorably discharged. Jan. B. First Dnigoons. U. S. 1871, at reduction of the Army. In 18(51,' the regi- army. ment was railed First Cav- alry Regiment. July, 1862, was appointed 2d Lieut, in the same Co., and Reg't. Breveted 1st Lieut, for gal- lantry in action. .June, 1863, and commissioned 1st Lieut., July. 1864. Ap- pointed Adjutant, May, 1865; Post Quarter-master, June, 1866; and Captain of Co. C. same regiment, April, 1867. Jeremiah Hobbs. Enlisted Aug. 2, 1862, in Co. Discharged, exi>iration term E, 8th New York, Heavy of service, Aug.. ISJo, with Artdlery. rank of 2d Lieut. The foregoing memorial record of our soldiers and sailors, in the war of the Rebellion, was prepared by Lieut. William Ladd Dodge, a Hampton soldier of the Third Regiment, now of Topsfield, Mass. His Recapitulation gives a total of one hundred eleven, in the army and navy for Hampton — of whom seventy-eight enlisted for three years ; thirty-one were in service three years or more ; twentj'^-six were killed or died in service; fifty-one are now dead (July, 1892). a list, as far as CAN SOLDIERS, Walter Adams. George Allen. Jacob Becker.* Eichard Clark. Thomas Daley. Peter Donley. John Duffle. Luke Eagan. Garret Farrel. Edward Flagharly. BE ASCERTAINED, OF THE NON-RESIDENX ACCREDITED TO HAMPTON. Frederick Frank. John Garrigan. George Gilsa. Peter J. Goble. Richard Granville. Michael Hallan. Charles J. Hart. George Hill. George W. Hough. WiUiam W. Johnson. J His name appears always as Harrison Moulton. [See Genealogies— Moulton (61)], * Missing at Poplar Grove Church, Sept. 30, 1864. THE CIVIL WAR. 1860-18G5. 317 Samuel Jonson Gille Eichel. Thomas Knights. Juel Richel. Henry Lawrence. Stephen Rice.'* Josepli Lewis. Lorenzo A. Rogers.* Jon Loes. Onton Saingele.® Joliu Lucas. Cliailes Sanford. Sclialer Lj^an. Joseph Shannon. Michael McGnire. Daniel Sheely. AVilliamMellen. James Stuberflelcl. Wallace F. Minton. John Tracy. Jeremiah Mnrphy.' William Wattear.* Theodore S. Nimes.* John West. Patrick Nolan. Charles Williams. Francis Nugent. Peter Williams. Edmund P. Palmer. John Wilson. Jacob L. Pike.* Charles W. Winship. Julius Pradiin. Michael J. Woods.'' William Quinn.^ Ira E. Wright. David Rees.* STATISTICS OF THE EXPENSE TO HAMPTON AND CITIZENS FOR BOUNTIES AND OTHER PUBLIC COSTS, FOR THE CIVIL WAK.^ In 1862. The town of Hampton furnished 16 citizen volunteers for army and navy, for three years, giving to each a bounty of S250, amounting to $4000.00 Also, 19 men for nine months, at S200, 3800.00 In 1863. Under call of July, 12 citizens were drafted, and each received a town bounty of $300, 3600.00 In 1863. Under call of Oct. 16t'i, 16 volunteers were procured by J. F. Williams, recruiting agent, at bounties, varying from $525. to $590, amounting in the aggregate, to 9310.82 In 186-4. Under call of March, 6 reenlisted soldiers each received a bounty of $250, 1500.00 Under same call, 4 citizens were drafted, and each received a bounty of $300, 1200.00 • Deserted. 1 Killed at Cold Harbor, June 7. 1S64. 2 Missing at Cold Harbor, .June 3, 1864. s TMissing at Cold Harbor, -June .3, 1864. 4 Killed at Petersburg, June 17, 1864. ' Died of wounds, Jan. 23, 1863. « Died of starvation, in Andersonville Prison, July 14, 1864. ' Missing at Poplar Grove Churcli, Sept. 30, 1864. 8 Furnished by Jacob T. Brown, Cbairmau of Selectmen, in 1805. 318 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. In 1864. Under call of Jul}', 4 enrolled citizens fur- nished substitutes, each receiving a bounty of 8300, S1200 00 Under same call, 3 volunteers each received a bounty of S300, 900.00 Under same call, 17 citizens each received a bounty of $600, 10200.00 In 1864. Under call of Dec. 16, enrolled men each put in a substitute, and received a bounty of $300, 4800.00 Total town bounties paid to 113 men, 40,510.82 The town agent was paid for military purposes, in 1863, 30.00 The town agent was paid for military purposes, in ^864, 242.02 The selectmen were paid for services occasioned by the Rebellion, in 1863, 57.00 The selectmen Avere paid for services occasioned by the Rebellion, in,1864, 255.00 Total cost to town, $41,094.84 The town also advanced, for the United States boun- ties, due from the United States Govern- ment, $3740. The 12 drafted men, under the call of July, 1863, each put in a substitute, at an individual cost, varying from $100 to $110, amounting in the aggregate, to 1250.00 Three of the drafted men, under the call of March, 1864, put in substitutes at a cost of $300 each, 900.00 The four men, under the call of July, 1864, who put in substitutes, were at an individual cost, in the aggregate, of 865.00 The 16 men, imder the call of Dec , 1864, who put in substitutes, were at an individual cost, varying from §100 to $110, amounting to 1878.00 Total cost to individuals, $4893.00 Thirty or more volunteers enlisted for Hampton, without bouutj', 25 THE CIVIL WAR. 1860-1865. 31!) of whom were in Co. D, 3d N. H. Reg't ; 2 in the Cavalry ; and 2 or more, in the 5th N. II. Keg't. The four enrolled citizens, who, not being drafted, furnished substi- tutes, under the call of July, 18G4, were : Jacob T. Browu. Jacob T. Wallace. John A.James. James P. Williams. The sixteen enrolled citizens, who, not being drafted, furnished substitutes under the call of December, 1864, were : Da-'icl A. Bean. Horace Hobbs. Albert D. Brown. Washington H. Hobbs. Harvey Brown. John P. Hoyt. Horace Brown. Morrill M. Lamprey. John Brown, Jr. Samuel J. Philbrick. Aiken S. Coffin. Thomas Philbrook. John H. Fogg. Christopher G. Toppan. Edwin J. Hobbs. Samuel A. Towle. Joseph F. Williams was a Special Recruiting Agent^ during the war. His commission, for the First Congressional District of New Hampshire, dated November 19, 1863, was afterwards extended to cover the state. It was signed, Fdwaud W. Hinks, Provost Marshal General of New Hampshire. Mr. Williams also became an Author- ized and Registered Recruiting Agent for the state of Massachusetts — Commission dated, November 30, 1864 ; signed, F. INI. Clarke, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General. PERKINS POST, NO. 78. G. A. R. The surviving soldiers of Hampton and the adjoining toAviis, for the purpose of preserving the friendship formed amid the scenes of war ; to assist their disabled and suffering comi-ades ; to perpetuate the memory of the heroic dead ; and to care for their widinvs and orphans, were organized as a Post of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, on the 12th day of May, 1884, with twenty-five charter members. Subsequent additions brought the membership up to forty-seven. Eighteen of these members were comrades from Seabrook, who, owing to their long distance from the place of tlie Post meetings were, in 1887, honorably discharged, to institute a Post in their own town, thus reducmg tlie number to twenty-nine. The Post has lost one by death, but recent additions make the present membership thirty-three, of whom three are residents of Salisbury, Mass., and three, of North Hampton. This Post is designated "Perkins Post," in honor of nine comrades 320 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. of that name fi'om this town, three of whom died in the service. Past Connuundors are William PI Lane, William J. Breed, Samuel W. Dearborn, Andrew J. Philbrick ; present Commander, John W. War- ner. "Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty" are the broad foundation-stones on which this order rests. Memorial Day was first publicly observed in Hampton, in 1882. Since the institution of the Post, this anniversary has ever been helci sacred to the memory of her sons, who, having served their country in the arm}" or navy have passed away from earth, to live henceforth in the hearts of a grateful people. The town appropriates seventy-five dollars annually, towards the cost for the ceremonies. Three members of the Post have become citizens of Hampton, since the war, and are not mentioned in the foregoing record of Hampton soldiers. They are as follows : John S. Oilman, enlisted at Portsmouth, Aug. 19, 1861, in Co. D, Third N. H. ; mustered out, Aug. 23, 1864, at Bermuda Hundred, Va. Samuel P. Sargent, enlisted from Salem, N. H., Nov. 7, 1861, in Co. F, Seventh N. H. ; reenlisted, Feb. 28, 1864 ; mustered out, July 22, I860. Samuel T. Emery, enlisted for three years, from Lowell, Mass , May 11, 1861, in Co. A, Second Mass. ; discharged, sick, Dec. 19, 1862. PERKINS RELIEF CORPS, NO. 46. After the establishment of the Post, soldiers' wives and sisters and other patnolic women rendered such offices as they were able, in- formally, for several years; and on the 15lh of Jul}", 1887, nineteen charter members became auxiliary as a Relief Corps. Mrs. Arabella S. Dearborn has been President from the beginning, except that in 1891, Mi-s. Alfie L. Godfrey was President. The Corps has grownto a total membership of fifty-six, of whom one has died. Wliile this organization responds to the call of soldiers and their families, of the Post to which it is auxiliary, it seeks to reach a help- ing hand toothers also, as opportunity otfers. CHAPTER XVIir. OTHER NINETEENTH CENTURY HAPPENINGS. 1800-1892. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. PREVIOUS to the j'ear 1800, veiy little stress was laid on the proper use or avoidance of intoxicating liquors. License to sell had indeed been required. As early as 1715, an Act of the General Asseml)ly, in relation to licensed houses decreed, ''That, to prevent Nurseries of Vice and Debaucher}'^ there shall be a Limitation of Taverns or Ale-houses within the respective Towns or Parishes, to say: the town of Portsmouth, six; the town of Hampton, three; the town of Dovei', three ; tlie town of Exeter, two," and several others named. There is no doubt, that in former times," much liquor was used. On all public occasions, from house-raisings to military musters and even religious convocations, it was drunk more or less freely. During the Revolution, immense quantities were consumed and no voice protested ; and down through the years, licensed mer- chants and inn-keepers sold, and all classes bought and drank openly. Hospitable matrons mixed the bowl of toddy, to regale the minister on his parochial calls ; children shared the tempting beverage with their elders. In 1801, there was an article in the warrant for our town meeting, "to see what the town will do relative to retailers ;" and the meeting "dismissed that article." But there came a time, when men began to see the demon in the cup. Rev. Mr. Webster, early in his ministry, espoused the cause of total abstinence. It is said, that his decisive stand was taken, on learning from his wife, that a brother minister, with whom he had ex- changed pulpits, was almost too drunk to preach. Rev. Mr. French, of North Hampton, joined hands with Mr. Webster; others enlisted in the cause; and, though license was still granted, year after year, a temperance sentiment gradually took root and grew. In 1820, in town meeting, a committee was chosen, to consult with the selectmen, as to "regulating taverners and retailers." Tliey gave a regulated license, in accordance with the law of the state, which is on record : "To all persons" etc., "Know ye, that we, the undersigned, selectmen of Hampton, give and grant hereby, license to Maj. John 21 (321) 322 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Lovering, of said Hampton, Trader, to sell b}^ retail, wine, rnm, gin, brandy a))d other spiritnous liquors, that is to sa}-, in less quantities than one gallon, but not less than one Quart, excepting brandy in case of sickness, to one pint, and not otherwise, but not to sell any mixed liquors, part of which are spirituous. Note, if the above-named Maj. John Lovering shall sell any spirituous liquor or suffer it to be sold within his precinct, to any person intoxicated, and diminishing their property by excessive drinking, or to an}' person wliom the above-named selectmen or committee for that purpose shall forbid, or to children and young persons, in the habit of drinking to excess, those persons belonging to the town of Hampton, this license to [be] void and of none effect ; othervtrise, to remain in force one year from the date hereof." A special license, with larger lil)erty, was granted Major Lovering for Thursda}-, September 7, the same year, this license "to be of none effect before, neither after said day." This seems to have been a public occasion ; possibly, "the great training." A license, the next year, "to David Nudd and Tristram Shaw, Traders," con- tained the further prohibition to sell to any persons, residents of Hampton, whom the selectmen should post as common tip[)lers. Two young men, students in the Academy, son and nepliew, respect- ively, of influential men, becoming iml)ued with the total al)stinence idea, and by Mr. Webster's advice and co6i)eratioii, exerted themselves to obtain signatures to a pledge against the use of intoxicating drinks. Beginning with the father and the uncle and other men of the highest standing, they were enabled to advance the growing temperance senti- ment of the community, and to obtain many names, from among all classes. To sign the pledge, in those days, "vvheneverjbody drank," was a severe test of devotion to an untried social reform. At a town meeting, in July, 1830, the selectmen weie instructed not to license any one as a retailer. It was voted also, "to enjoin it up- on the selectmen, to prosecute every person whom they shall know to violate the laws of the state." The law, at this time, permitted the selectmen of towns to grant licenses, under certain specified restric- tions. This vote to prosecute created an excitement, which resulted in the calling of a special town meeting the next month, wlien the opposition carried their point, in the votes, "That the selectmen be directed to license' the store-keepers in this town to sell spirituous liquors in as small a quantity as a pint, provided they call for a license," and "That the town will not be answerable for any expense which ma}' accrue in consequence of au}' prosecution, which maj' be brought by the selectmen or any other person against any store-keeper in the town, for selling spirituous liquors." OTHER NINETEENTH CENTURY HAPPENINGS. 1800-1892. 323 In 1833, the temperance party again prevailed. Tlie granting of license was prohibited, and a formidable committee, to prosecute all violators of the law, elected, viz. : Jeremiah Hobbs, Amos Towle, Samuel Drake, Josiah Dearborn, Simon Towle, Jr., Edmund W. Top- pan, James Leavilt and Josiah Dow, Jr. Further than this, a reward of five dollars was offered, for information leading to the conviction of any person for selling ardent spirits, contrary to law. For several years, the scales vari Hated between license and no license. In 1843, David Knowles was chosen agent, and dollied with ample i)owers to prosecute offenders. The next year, on the fourth of July, a temperance convention was held on Boar's Head. The order of exercises, printed on an elabo- rately' bordered sheet, two feet long, contains entire, several songs written for the occasion; announces an address "by I\Ir. Kellogg, the Buck-Eye Orator," with other speeches and band music. But the greatest temperance convention ever held in this town was in 1849. This also was on the fourth of July. Tlie Sunday- schools of Hampton, North Hampton, Hampton Falls and Seabrook gatheied at the Congregational church, where pastors, French, Merrill, Fay and Abbott entertained them with short s|)eeches, for a half-hour. Then they formed in procession in front of the church, joined by many citizens. Meanwhile, the Hampton and Hampton Falls Division of the Sons of Temperance had formed at their hall, in the Academy,, and now, headed by the Newburyport biass band, with Dr. SewalL Blown, of Seabrook, for chief marshal, they marched to the church and escorted the long procession to an oak grove on Mr. Thomas Ward's estate, where a bountiful collation was served. Addresses were made by John Hawkins, a famous temperance orator from Balti- moie, Rev. S. P. Fay and others. Nearly two thousand people par- ticipated in the day's exercises, which were closed by a display of firewoiks. The Sons of Temperance retained their organization here several years, dating from 1848, revived in L86G, and flourished a few months, till broken up by internal differences. In later years, temperance- woik has been somewhat spasmodic, but on the whole, progressive. A Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1883,. which has held some influence, particularly in its chosen W( rk of dis- seminating temperance principles among the young. St. John's Council, No. 50, Knights of Temperance, composed of young men and boys, under the leadership of Dr. William T. Mer- rill, their generous patron, obtained their charter in May, 1888; and removed to their new hall, provided by Dr. Merrill,, in. Oxjtober, 324 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1889. From a charter raembeiship often, they have come to num- ber forty-eight, in 1892. None are admitted under fourteen years of age. Weekly meetings are held for members onl}'^, and a public meet- ing once a month. The hall is warmed and lighted, su[)plied with books and papers, and open to meml)ers at all times. Covenant Council, No. 5, Royal Templars of Temperanck, for both sexes and all ages, obtained their charter in June, 1889, and steadily increased in numbers, till, in 1891, there were one hundred members. The removal of the shoe business has diminished the num- ber to about seventy. Their weekly meetings, in Odd Fellows' hall, are well attended, with good results. Life insurance and sick bene- fits are taken at option. During the epidemic of diphtheria, in the winter of 1890-91, the Council purchased a lot in the cemetery, and much grateful aid was rendered, in sickness and death. THE COLD TEAR. • The 3'ear 1816 is remembered for its severity', characterized by frost every month of the year, and a snow-storm in .June. Over a wide territory this condition prevailed, and the general description answers well for this locality. According to the best records, the first two montUs were mild ; March, cold and stormy. In April, a new winter set in. Sleet and snow fell on half the days of May. In June there was frost nearly every night. The snow was five inches deep for several days in suc- cession in the interior of New York, and from ten inches to three feet ^ jn Vermont and Maine. Mr. Jonathan Perkins of Hampton had a field of corn up high enough for the first hoeing; but not a blade was in sight above the snow, when he went out the morning after the storm. July was cold and frost}^ ice forming as thick as window panes in every one of the New England states. August was still worse, for ice formed nearly an inch in thickness and killed much vegetation in the United States and Europe. In the spring of 1817, corn that had been kept over from the crop of 1815, sold for from five to ten dollars a bushel, for seed. Mr. Elisha Johnson, being a large dealer in grain, had corn on hand, but he re- fused to take the enormous price, preferring to share the loss with the producers. This was characteristic of the man. THE PROPRIETORS OF THE HAMPTON LIBRARY. Under this name was incorporated, in 1807, what has sicce been familiarly called the old library. It had already been established sev- eral years, the first meeting for choice of officers having been held OTHER NINETEENTH CENTURY HAPrENINGS. 1800-1802. 325 January 2, 1804. "Convinced that a social Library in this town may be attended with important benefits, both to the risen and rising gen- erations," the originators had circulated a subscription paper, placinji- the terms of membership at two dollars a share, an annual tax of fifty cents, and in all affairs of the society, one vote for each share owned. On that basis, the society was organized ; and, at the meeting above mentioned, Kev. William Pidgin. Rev. Jesse Appleton and Dr. Kbeii- ezer Lawrence were chosen a committee, " to form regulations and purchase books for the library." Joshua Lane was elected treasurer ; Col. Jonathan Garland, clerk ; and Dr. Lawrence, librarian. '•Voted, to bind the books with leather." "Voted, to give Samuel James twenty shillings and sixpence for a book-case." Of the ninety- two proprietors, representing ninety-six shares, not one remains at this day. The memory of the old library is passing away ; but, in its day, it was an active force, in a literary and relig- ious influence, which, however, was limited, as a fine of fifty cents was exacted of any member, who should "lend a book to any person not dwelling in the same house." The rules were not cumbersome. They provided for an annual meeting on the first Monday of January, and such other meetings as the committee should call, on nine days' notice, "by a paper athxed at each meeting-house" (Cong'l and Presb'n). The duties of officers, rights of proprietors, transfer of shares, fines, forfeitures and taxes were determined, and filtered from time to time, as seemed expedient. In 1812 occurred a revision of the by-laws, from which date the li- brarian was also clerk. No treasurer was chosen after 1817, that office also, apparently passing to the librarian. Meetings were held, as convenient, at the houses of proprietors, and the stores of Stock- man and Seaward. Votes were passed, year by year, that the precep- tor of the Academy and "all the settled ministers of Hampton" have the free use of the library. It was a modest little library, the first year's purchase being less than seventy volumes ; but the modern public would deem it "heavy," and give it slight patronage. History and biography held a conspic- uous place, but the books were largely theological and devotional. Only one volume of poems (Cowper's) appears in the whole cata- logue ; while Rohinson Crusoe is the only book that can be called a novel till 1830, when the directors launched out into fiction, in the purchase of Scott's novels — forty-five volumes, for eighteen dollars. Where the library was at first kept, is not now known — probably 326 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. at the house or store of the librarian in charge. AVhile Mr. Seaward was librarian, it was kept at his store, which stood by the road, on the corner of the Perry field, next to Christopher G. Toppau's home- stead. That building, by the way, was afterwards moved to Boar's Head, and is now the cottage, connected with the Hampton Beach Ho- tel. When Mr. Seaward left town, in 1845, the library was removed to the store of John Mason, who filled out Mr. Seaward's term as li- brarian, and the next year was himself chosen to the ortice. Librari- ans Knowles and Batchelder had it at their homes ; and the last move was to the house of Jesse Lamprey, in 1853. Judging from the records, a lively interest was maintained in the lilirary, for a good many years ; but at length, payments of taxes and fines began to lag, till, in the course of time, arrearages amounted to more than individuals found it convenient to pay, while their neglect crippled the society and lessened the yearly addition of new books. Then interest flagged ; and so it came about, that, from 1848, tlie li- brary slumbered for nearly six years. Then an effort was made to revive it ; but in 1854, the society closed up its affairs and sold the books by auction. Some of them are still seen in private libraries, in their leather covers and printed labels. c V o Librarians. 13 c 00 2 o Trk.^svrers. -a ? 03 1804 Ebenezer Lawrence. 1809 1804 Jo-hua Lane. 1809 1809 Edmund Toppan. 1811 1809 Dr. Ebenezer Lawrence. 1812 1811 Richard Greenleaf. 1814 1812 Jeremiah T. Marston. 1814 1814 Josiah Page. 1817 1814 Josiah Dow. 1S15 1817 David Pase. 1818 1815 Jel'emiah T. Marston. 1816 1818 Moody Stockman. 1827 1816 Josiah Page. 1817 1827 John M. Seaward. 1830 1817 David Page. 1880 Edmund W. Toppan. 1834 1834 Jesse Knowles. 1837 1887 John Batchelder. 1838 Clkrks 1838 John M. Seaward. 1846 1804 Col. Jonathan Garland. 1806 1846 John Mason. 1848 1806 John Carroll . 1807 1848 Jeremiah M. Lamprey. 1807 Dr. Ebenezer Lawrence. 1812 1853 Jesse Lamprey. 1854 1812 Richard Greenleaf. FIRE COMPANY. In Januaiy, 1833, a fire company, then recently organized, consist- ing of Josiah Dearborn, Edmund W. Toppan, Samuel Garland. Jr., Josiah Dow, Jr., David Marston, Thomas Ward and their associates, filty in all, bought an engine, of the American Hydraulic Company, of Vermont, for two hundred twenty-tive dollars, in shares, of five OTHER NINETEENTH CENTURY HAPPENINGS. 1800-1892. 327 dollars each. At the annual town meeting that year, liberty was given the company, to build an engine-house, on the school lot, in the center district. This house remained long after the (ire company had become extinct and the engine abandoned, which result occurred after a few years, in which little service was required. No public means of extinguishing fires now exist. Tlie town did have, for some years, several sets of fire-hooks, in different localities, but even these are lost, for any practical use ; and the bucket and well are mainly depended on in case of fire, which, happily, is of rare occurrence. Under this state of tilings, the town has now and then trembled for its Records and valuable papers ; but never to any practical pur- pose, till, in 1891, a fire-proof safe, weighing four tons, was placed in the town-house, at a cost of three hundred seventy-five dollars. PRINTING OF TOWN ACCOUNTS. In March, 1834, was the first record to have the town accounts print- ed, itemized. This was to be done immediately, and a copy given to each legal voter, "on or before September 20, next." Two years la- ter, voted, " that the accounts for the current year be printed, before the next March meeting." This was probably the beginning of the present custom, of printing and distributing (one to each family) a few days before the annual meeting. Since 1860, the report of the superintendent of schools has been printed in the same pamphlet with the town accounts. A FINANCIAL CRISIS. The financial panic of 1837, though a national issue, belongs to the history of every town in the land, for none escaped its baleful effects. A surplus of nearly forty million dollars of government money, after the national debt had been liquidated, was distributed among the states, and, in New IIam[)shire, at least, loaned to the towns willing to receive it. Hampton at first voted not to receive the sur- plus money ; but at a special town meeting, April 19, 1837, that vote was recalled and the town voted to receive their proportion of the public moneys of the United States, assigned to this town, by act of the Legislature of this state, approved January 13, 1837 ; and that the town pledge its faith for the safe keeping and repayment of the same, according to the terms of the act. Voted, "that Daniel Towle, town treasurer, be agent, to receive of the state treasurer this town's proportion of said public moneys ; and then, he is to loan it in sums not exceeding five hundred dollars, nor 328 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. less than one hundred dollars, to individuals, with satisfactory secu- rity ; and all money remaining in his hands sixty days after the recep- tion thereof, he may loan to some bank, for not less than five and one half per cent, or buy bank stock, as he may think proper." After loaning to nine or more individuals, the remainder was invest- ed in the Exeter bank, as indicated in Chapter XXV. The selectmen's accounts for that year are not now available ; but the accounts pre- sented at the annual town meeting in 1839, give the following figures : Amount of notes in the treasury, . . . S3395.00 Cash in Savhigs Bank at Exeter, . . . 220.00 Stock in the P^xeter Bank, estimated at, . . 1200.00 Cash on hand, being part of the principal, . 16.01 Total, $4831.01 With 'money so easily obtained, men eveiywhere grew careless; speculation, especially in real estate, became rife ; and, from the sale of public lauds, the surplus continued to accumulate, till people were crazed with the golden visions dancing before their eyes. But this very measure of withdrawal of the public money from the banks and distribution among the states caused a general suspension of specie payments, paralysis of trade, business failures and universal distress. There were hard times in Hampton, as elsewhere. In 1837, there were two hundred forty-one ratable polls in this town. The Two Hundredth Anniversary of the settlement of Hampton was observed on Tuesday, the 25th of December, 1838, by a public gathering in the meeting-house, with commemorative services. Joseph Dow, then preceptor of the Academy, delivered an historical address, which was afterwards published ; and the ministers of Hampton, North Hampton and Greenland took part in the exercises. PLAN OF HAMPTON. At the annual town meeting, March 14, 1837, the following vote had been passed : "That Josiah Marston be employed to make a sur- vey of the roads in the town, and to draw a plan of the same, to be deposited with the town clerk, for the use of the town." Accordingly, all the roads were surveyed by Mr, Marston, assisted by Edmund VV. Toppan, who kept the minutes of the survey, and drew a [)lan of the work, which was lodged with tlie town clerk. At the annual meeting in 1840, the selectmen were instructed to make such corrections as they might think necessary in this plan, and have two hundred fifty copies engraved, for the families of the town. The selectmen having OTHER NINETEENTH CENTURY HAPPENINGS. 1800-1892. 329 applied to Joseph Dow, to aid in the revision, it was soon decided tliat a further survey was necessary, so that all the boundaries of the town and the miles of rivers should be shown upon the map. INIr. Dow was employed to make the surve3's and drawings, and to prepare the map for the lithographer. The copies were procured and distrib- uted among the families in 1841. THE EASTKKN RAILROAD. It is only by comparison with earlier times, that we, of the present day, can be made to understanIn some towns a dnim, and in others a conch a\\\)\)\\cA the place of a bell. Town records. THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 347 but fis to anything worse, it is likelier that the old persecutions followed him. He himself, in the letter before mentioned, to the church in Bos- ton, complains bitterly of ]\Ir. l)alton,in the following words: "I see not how I can depart hence till I have (or (I mean) God for me) cleared and vindicated the cause and wrongs I have suffered of the church I live yet iu : that is fi'om the Teacher (indeed) who hath don all and ben the cans? of all the dishonour that hath aecrew'd to God, shame to my selfe and griefe to all God's peoi)!e, by his irregular proceed- ings and abuse of the power of the church in his hand, by the maior parte cleaveing to him, being his countrymen and acquaintance in old England . The Teacher's act of his excommunicat- ing me would prove the foulest matter, both for the cause alleged, of that excommunication, and the impulsive cause (even wrath and re- venge) and also the manner of all his proceeding throughout to the very end ; and lastly his keeping me still under bonds." Probably there was much hot temper on both sides. Each minister had parti- sans and friends in the town and in the church ; but the larger num- ber favored the teacher. Mr. Bachiler still remained in Hampton, and the difflculties and distractions among the inhabitants appear to have increased. Petitions and remonstrances in relation to these dif- ficulties were sent to the General Court at the Ma}' session, in 1644. The Court appointed a committee with full power to hear and deter- mine all matters in dispute among the people, but the action of the committee is not known. About this time some of the people of Exeter proposed to form a new church and invite Mr. Bachiler to become their pastor, though he was then more than four-score years of age. For this purpose, they appointed a day, and gave notice thereof to the magistrates and churches. At this juncture, the General Court interfered : "Whereas it appears to this C't, that some of the inhabitants of Excetterdo in- tend shortly to gather a church & call Mr. Bachiler to be their min- ister, & forasmuch as the divisions & contentions w*^'' are amonge the inhabitants there are iudged by this Co^'t to bee such as for the p'^'sent they cannot comfortably & w*'^ app'bation p^'ceed in so weighty & sacred aflfaires, it is therefore ordered, that direction shall be forthw*'^ sent to the said inhabitants to deferr the gathering of any church, or other such p'^'ceeding untill this Co'"t or the Co^'t at Ipswich (upon further satisfaction of their reconciliation & fitnes) shall give alow- ance thereunto." To this order, the people of Exeter submitted, and did not proceed to gather a church. Had the charges affecting the moral and christian character of Mr. Bachiler been substantiated, we can hardly suppose, that the people 348 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. of Exeter, a town adjoining Hampton, should be unacquainted with the fact, or that, knowing the fact, they wouhl still invite him to be- come their minister. It is also worthy of notice, that in the order of the court, not the sliglitest allusion is made to any unfitness for the sacred office, on the part of Mr. Bachiler. The order is based en- tirely on tlie divisions among tlie people of Exeter. Mr. Bachiler did not much longer remain in Hampton. His house and most of tlie contents having been destroyed by fire, he removed to Strawberry Bank (Portsmoutii) where he lived from 1647 to 1650, and probably somewhat later. During this time he sued tlie town of Hampton for '-wages" due for his services, and obtained a verdict in his favor; for it appears from the Records of the Norfolk Courts that the town sent a petition to the General Court '^concerning Mr. Bach- iler's executyon." Concerning Mr. Bachiler's domestic relations in all these years, we know absolutely nothing. His wife, Helena, died, whether before or after his removal from Hampton is not certain ; and he married, prob- altly about 1648, his third wife, Mjjry, a widow (with children), who from mercenary motives, inveigled him into the marriage, in his ex- treme old age. But she proved to be a disreputable woman, and he separated from her. His old enemy, the civil power, ordered him to live with her, and fined him for not publishing his intention of mar- riage. Weary and disheartened, he could endure no more ; and (prob- ably in 1655), escorted by his grandson, Stephen Sanborn, returned to England. Not even yet was the tongue of calumny silenced ; for his bad wife sued for a divorce, in 1657, in*)rder that she might be free to marry again, should opportunity offer, alleging that she was "credibly in- formed" that he had married a fourth wife in England. On no stronger testimony does this assertion rest. "The ancient Stephen Bachiler, of Hampton, New Hampshire, died at Hackney, a Village and Parisii in Middlesex, two miles from Lon- don, in 1660, in the one hundredth year of his age.''^ It is ditlicult to form a just estimate of Mr. Bachiler's character. Mucli of our information concerning him comes through the records of the acts of the magistrates and the General Court, or the writings of Governor Winthrop, with whom he was no favorite. His refusal to bow to unreasonable mandates made him enemies in high places, and his misfortunes followed as a natural sequence. But that he was a good and useful man, there can be no reasonable doubt. 'Gea. Reg. xii : 272. THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 349 REV. TIMOTHY DALTON. The second minister of tlie town, as has already been stated, was Rev, Timothy Dulton, born in England about the year 1577, graduated at Cambridge in 1613, and subsequently, — I)utat what time is uncertain — ■ engaged in the work of the ministry in that country. He came to New England about the year 1637, being led hither, it is believeci, by religious motives. On his arrival, he went first to Dedham, Mass., where he was made freeman Sept. 7, 1637, and probably removed to Hampton about a year and a half afterward, for we find that on the 7th of June, 1639, when the plantation was allowed to be a town, he was here as a freeman and also teacher of the church. His house- lot was on the southerl}' side of the meeting-house green, only a few rods from the meeting-house, and this lot, having been afterwards sold to the town, vvas ever after held and occupied as a parsonage till 1871. Mr. Dalton must have been in good repute with the magistrates, for when about this time, there were disturiiances at Dover, which, it was thought, required the interference of the civil power, he was com- missioned, together with Mr. Siuion Bradstreet, afterward Governor of Massachusetts, and Rev. Hugh Peters, then a minister of Salem, and subsequently a martyr to the cause of civil libert}', to go there and settle those difficulties; and, as Governor Wiuthrop remarks, "they brought matters to a peaceful end." At the time of his settlement at Hampton, Mr. Dalton was more than sixty years old. The aged pastor who preceded him, was dis- missed, after having shared with him the labors of the ministry for two or three years, and Mr. Dalton was then left alone for the space of about six years, during which time he labored faithfully among his people, "even beyond his ability or strength of nature." At length, through the infirmities of age, or by the failure of his health, he be- came unable longer to sustain all the cares and perform all the labors incident to the ministerial office in a new settlement, and the town undertook to provide an assistant. Two ministers were associated with him, in succession, the united period of whose labors covers nearly the whole time from the spring of 1647 till his death. In the early part of his ministry, Mr. Dalton was not paid for his services by a stipulated salary', but he received from the town several grants of land, which were ultimately of considerable value. In 1639, as has been stated, he received 300 acres of land for a farm. This tract was in that part of the town, which is now Hampton Falls, at a place called Sagamore Hill, and embraced a considerable portion of the farms now owned and occupied by the sons of Reuben and Moses Batcheider. A farm, lying in the south part of the town, near Salis- 350 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. buiy, was granted to Mr. Dalton's son, Timotliy Dalton, Jr., who died soon after, when the farm came into his father's possession, and, on the 21st of January, 1652, was confirmed to him by a vote of the town. This act of the town, however, was based on the following condition : "that Mr. Dalton should free and discharge the town of Hampton from all debts and dues for his ministry till he had a set pay given him by the town." To this Mr. Dalton agreed, and a release was ex- ecuted accordingly, five days after the confirmation of the last grant. In June, of the same 3'ear, this fai'm was sold to Isaac Peikius. The records do not show how carl}' Mr. Dalton began to receive a salary, though it a[)pears to have been witiiin a very few years after his settlement. Sometime previous to the first of May, 1645, John INIoulLon and Abraham Perkins had been appointed to gather uj) the teacher's rate. The time of their ai)pointment is not recorded, but at the date just named, it appears that this rate was — some of it at least — still unpaid, and these persons were ordered to collect it by way of distress, within one month, or else forfeit 10s. apiece, to be forth- with taken by the constable. In 1647 the town agreed upon a method of raising money for the support of the ministr3\ Of every £40 to be raised, each master of a family and each single man, working for himself, or taking wages, should i)ay 5s., the remainder to be raised on all estates equally, ac- cording to iheir value, of whatever the}' might consist, except corn, which was to be rate- free. From about this time — whatever might have been his salary before — Mr. Dalton was to receive £40 a year ; but another minister having been soon after associated with him, who probably performed nearly all the ministerial labor, he, four ^ears afterward, released the town from the payment of his salary from midsummer, 1647, to midsum- mer, 1651. Mr. Dalton's ministry continued till the close of his life, and dur- ing the whole time of its continuance he retained the appellation of teacher, which was given him at the time of his settlement, while the three ministers, with whom he was at different times associated, were all styled pastors. He died December 28, 1661, aged about eighty-four years. In recording his death, the town clerk styles him "a faithful and painful laborer in God's vineyard." Mr. Dalton left no children. His wife, Ruth, outlivetl him several years. She died May 12, 1666, aged eighty eight years. THE SKCOND MEKTING-IIODSE. The Meeting-house first built ap[)ears to have been regarded from the beginning as only a temporary place of worship, to be succeeded by THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 351 a better one, as soon as the circumstances of the people would permit. Accordingly, they soon began to agitate the subject of erecting such a building. By vote of the town, the new house was to be forty feet in length, twenty-two in width, and thirteen in height, between joints, with a place for the bell, which was given by the ])astor, as before stated. The agreement with the contractor, Richard Knight, for building this house, was mutually subscribed by the parties on the 14th of September, 1640. Soon afterwards it was determined to defra}^ the expense by voluntary contribution. The house was not wholly fin- ished for several years. In July, 1644, persons were appointed to ask and receive the sums which were to be given towards building it, and, in case anj' should refuse to pay voluntaril}', this committee was required to use all lawful means to compel them. The committee was further instructed to lay out upon the meeting- house, to the best advantage, the money they might raise. When this house was first occupied as a place of worship, is not known, but probably about the 1st of June, 1650 — nearly ten years from the time the building was begun. In 1649, liberty was given to certain persons to build a gallery' at the west end of the meeting-house, and these persons, on their part, agreed to build the gallery, provided that the ''foremost seat" should be appropriated to them, for their own use, and as their own prop- erty. The meeting-houses first built in this town were without pews. They were constructed simply with seats; and fur the purpose of preventing any disorder that might otherwise be occasioned, committees were from lime to time appointed, to direct the people what seat each one might occupy. This was called "seating the meeting-house." As a matter of curiosity, a few specimens of the seating are given : "All the men to sett at the west end and all the women to sett at the east end of the meting house and the devetion to be at the greet poest that is betwin the two vvindoes." "men seettes — At the table, Rodger Shaw Cristofar Husse John Moul- ton Philemon dolton Robert Page Willyam Easto Willyam fuller Rob- ert Tuck" "second seett — hen grenehene dou steu Samborn tholouit wi fifeld Jo merean." 352 HISTORY OF HAMPTOX. "wemanes seettes in the est end of the south side — Rodger Shaw for a wife John INIoultons wife good}- Marston goody tuck goody dolton goody page goody ffnller." "the ferst seett next mistris wlielewrit — onld mistris husse lier dafter liusse goody swaine gooily Pebody good}' brown mistris stanyen Mary Perkinges." REV. JOHN WHEELWRIGHT. The man first selected by tlie chuicli and town, to assist Mr. Dal- ton, was Mr. John Wheelwriglit, the founder and first minister of Exeter, but then pastor of the cluirch in Wells, in the province of Maine. The contract between Mr. Wheelwright and the church, under date April 12, 1647, begins with a preamble, as follows: "The church of Jesus Christ in Hampton haueing seriously consid- ered the great paines & labours that the I'everente & well-beloued M'' Tyraothy Dalton haue taken among them in the worke of the ministry euen beyond his abilitie or strength of nater : And haueing upon sol- lemne seeking of God settled their thoughts upon the reverente & well-beloued M"" John Whelewright, of Wells, as a help in the worke of the Lord with the sayd M'' Dalton our p'sent & faithfull Teacher : And haue[ing] given the sayd M"" Whelewright a call to that end, with the consent of the [w]hole towne ; the which the sayd M'' Whelewright doe except off [accept of] according unto God :" therefore, the agree- ment was entered into, by which he was to have a house-lot, and the farm which had once belonged to Mr. Bachiler, but which had been purchased by the town. This was to be given to him, his heirs and assigns, unless he should remove himself from them without liberty from the church. The church and town were also to pay some charges and give Mr. Wheelwright as a salary £40 per annum. The farm was afterward conveyed to him by deed, and in 1654, ten pounds were added to his salary. As it appears from the receipts annually given by Mr. Wheelwright for his salary, that his year was considered as commencing on the 24th of June, it is not unlikely that at that time in the year 1647, he became pastor of the church by installation. But there is some un- certainty about the length of his ministry. The latest receipt for salary, entered upon the records, is for the year ending at midsummer, 1655, and there is no record of any vote after that time, to show that he still continued to preach, and perform other ministerial labors in the town. It is evident, however, that the pastoral relation contin- THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 353 lied to a somewhat later period, for near tlie close of the year 1656, the town voted as follows: "To seeke out for helpe for the minestry to helpe w"^*' o'' teacher untill wee see how God will dispose of us in respect of our pasture [pastor]." This being the first act on the part of the town for procuring another minister, seems to indicate that Mr. "Wheelwright had but recently suspended, or closed his labors here. It was then doubtful whether he would resume his labors, Tliere is no record to show that he did resume them; and sometime tlie next year another person was employed, who not long afterward received ordination and became pastor of tiie church. After leaving Hampton, Mr. Wheelwright went to England, where he was favorably received by the Protector, Oliver Cromwell, with whom he had been in early life associated at the University of Cam- bridge. While in England, he did not forget the people of Hampton, as appears from his letter to the church, April 20, 1658, in which he mentions an interview with Cromwell, "with whom," he writes, "I had discourse in private about the space of an hour. All his speeches seemed to me very orthodox and gracious." After the accession of Cliarles II to the throne, Mr. Wheelwright returned to New England and became pastor of the church in Salis- bury, Mass., wheie he remained till the close of life. He died No- vember 15, 1679, being about 85 years of age, and the oldest pastor in New England. [See Genealogies — Wheelwright.] Rev. John Wheelwright was of Lincolnshire, in England, and was born about five or six years before the close of the sixteenth century. "His ancestors, no doubt, were of respectable standing in society, for be inherited a considerable real estate, which he disposed of by his last will. His parents had the good sense to bestow a portion of their wealth in giving their son a learned education. He had bright parts, and in youth was remarkable for the boldness, zeal, and firmness of mind he displaj'ed upon all occasions. He was educated for the min- istry, but embracing the Puritan sentiments, he necessarily incurred the censure of the church for non-conformity. "^ He came to Amer- ica in 1636 — whether for the first time or not, we do not pretend to decide — and landed at Boston on the 26th of May. He and his wife were admitted to the church in that town, on the 12th of June follow- ing. About the same time he was suspected of having embraced the An- tinomian sentiments held by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. Some efforts were made to have him called to be a teacher of the 1 Judge Smith. 23 354 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. church of which he was a member ; but this raovemeut was opposed - b\' Governor Winlhrop, who said that "he thought reverentlj' of his godliness and abilities, so as he could be content to live under such a ministry ; yet seeing that he was apt to raise doubtful disputations, he could not consent to choose him to that place." Mr, AVheelvvright became pastor of a church near Mount Wollaston — now Quincy, but then a part of Boston. Near the beginning of the following year, a general fast was kept in all the churches, one of the reasons assigned being the dissensions in the churches. Mr. Wheel- wright preached on that occasion a sermon, for some statements in which he was called into court. The sermon was produced, and "he justified it." The court adjudged him guilty of sedition and also of contempt. Omitting whatever transpired relative to this difficulty during the next nine months, it remains to be told that by the General Court that met the next fall, Mr. AVheelwright "was disfranchised and ban- ished," and ordered to leave the jurisdiction of the court within four- teen days. This he did, as he probably supposed, and having bought of the Indians a large tract of land around Squamscott falls, founded the town of Exeter, and became pastor of the church formed there in 1638. In 1642 the people of Exeter voluntarily placed themselves under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Mr. Wheelwright, being slill under sentence of banishment, re- moved to Wells, in the province of Maine. A considerable number of the members of his church accompanied, or soon after followed him to his new abode, and he still continued to be tiieir minister. After Mr. Wheelwright had been several months in Wells, he wrote a letter to Governor Winthrop, expressing his sorrow for the part he had taken in the controversy- several years before, and his grief for the censorious speeches that he then used ; and declaring his readiness to give satisfaction, if it should appear to him "by scripture light, that in any carriage, word or action," he had "walked contrary to rule." "Upon this letter, the court was very well inclined to release his banishment; and thereupou ordered that he might have a safe con- duct to come to the court, etc." This inclination and act of the court having been made known to Mr. Wheelwright by the governor, he replied, March 1, 1644, by a very manly letter. While thankful for the safe conduct proffered, he thought it not expedient to appear before the court in person ; for, while he adhered to the spirit of his recent letter, he could not con- demn himself for such crimes and heresies as had been charged upon THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 355 him, which were the chief grounds of his banishment, but must hold himself free to make his defense. Governor Winthrop, in reply, still advised his attendance at court, saying tliat though his liberty might be obtained without his personal appearance, yet that was doubtful. Notwithstanding the doubt expressed by the governor, the next court released his banishment without his appearance. In consequence of charges made against Mr. Wheelwright during his pastorate at Hampton, the town undertook his vindication. In town meeting, May 1, 1654, it was voted that the petition, framed and signed at that meeting for the vindication of Mr. Wheelwright's name, should be presented to the next General Court. The substance of their declaration, as given by Dr. Cotton Mather in the Magnalia is as follows : "They, hearing that Mr. Wheelwright is, by Mr. Rutherford and Mr. Weld, rendered in some books printed by them as heretical and criminous, they now signify, that Mr. Wheelwright hath for these many years approved himself a sound, orthodox, and profitable minis- ter of the gospel among these churches of Christ." At the session of the court which commenced two days after the town meeting just named, the petition was presented, and considered, with this result: "In Ans"" to the peticon of the Inhabitants of Hampton. The Court doth declare, 'though they are not willing to recall those uncomfort- able diflferences that formerl}^ passed betwixt this Court and Mr. Wheelwright, concerning matters of religion or practice, nor doe they know w* Mr. Rutherford, or Mr. Welde hath charged him w"', yett Judge meete to certify that Mr. Wheelwright hath long since given such satisfaction, both to the Court and Elders, generally, as that he is now, and so for many years have biun an officer in the church of Hampton, w"Un o"" jurisdiccon [jurisdiction], and that w*^out offence to any, so farre as wee know ; and there, as we are informed, he hath binn an usefuU and profitable Instrument of doing much good in that church.' " After the excitement occasioned by the discussions about Anti- nomianism, and the conduct of the persons charged with having em- braced that doctrine, had subsided, and the people were enabled to examine calmly and dispassionately the whole subject, the measures adopted by the government were generally thought to have been far too severe. Even at the time of the excitement, Governor Winthrop, although he favored the proceedings against Mr. Wheelwright, yet said publicly, that "he did love that brother's person, and did honor 356 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. the gifts and graces of God in him." Rev. Jolin Cotton, of Boston, says: "I do conceive and profess, tliat our brother AVlieehvriglit's doctrine is according to God, in the points controverted." — Dr. Cot- ton Matlier spealis of him as "being a man that had the root of the matter in him." — Governor Hutchinson calls him "a zealous minister, of character both for learning and piety." — Dr. Belknap styles him "a gentleman of learning, pietj^ and zeal." Mr. Wheelwright's fast-day sermon, which occasioned his banish- ment, has been preserved. Hon. James Savage, of Boston, having read it, made the following declaration concerning it : "I unhesitatingly say, that it was not such as can justify the Court in their sentence for sedition and contempt, nor prevent tiie present age from regarding that proceeding as an example and a warning of the usual tyranny of ecclesiastical factions." Lasll}', Judge Smith, of Exeter, after having carefully read this sermon, declared on the matter of sedition and contempt: "I have no hesitation in sajing the charge was wholly groundless. There was not the least color for it." REV. SEABORN COTTON. After the retirement of Mr. Wheelwright from the pastorate of the church, the people were not long dependent on Mr. Dalton alone, for the performance of ministerial labor. Within a few months negotia- tions were entered into for obtaining the services and settlement of the individual, who afterward became their pastor. The first intima- tion of such a negotiation, furnished by the records, is the following vote passed in the spring of 1657 : ''It is ordered and agreed that Brother Page & Bro : Dow shall treat w^'' Mr. Bradstreet and with the Elders in the bay, to forder [further] the calling of M''. Cotton ac- cording to former agreements." The person here referred to is Mr. Seaborn Cotton. From this vote it is evident that this was not the commencement of the efforts made to secure his services. Mr. Bradstreet here men- tioned was Mr. Cotton's father-in-law;' and hence the reason for de- siring his influence in favor of Mr. Cotton becoming their minister. A few months afterward, we find the town engaged in providing a house for a minister ; but we have no direct evidence that Mr. Cotton labored here until late in the next autumn. His receipt is on record for £65, for his maintenance for a year immediately previous to its date — November 24, 1658. In the summer of 1658, the town voted to continue the sura of three ' Gov. Simon Bradstreet, THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 357 score pounds to Mr. Cotton for the next year, together with the use of the house and lands purchased of the teacher, and in time conven- ient to remove his goods, at tiie town's charge, to the said liouse. INIr. Cotton accepted tlie terms, and a contract was made accordingly. The time of his ordination is not known. Tradition assigns it to the year 1660. It is reasonably evident, however, that he received ordination soon after the agreement between himself and the town, or at least as early as the autumn of 1658. There were no records of the church kept before the settlement of Mr. Seaborn Cotton ; or, if any had been kept, they were lost before the close of his ministry. Nor have we anything more than a fragmentary record during his pastorate. A few memoranda found among his papers after his decease, and transcribed into a book of records by his son and successor, are all that have come down to us. This is greatly to be regretted, as it leaves us in a great measure ignorant of the true condition of the church for about half a century. We know not the number of members, nor the terms of membership ; and all our in- formation as to the officers of the church, must, of necessity, be gleaned from other sources, of which the town records are the most important. From the memoranda just mentioned, we find that the Half-way Covenant had been introduced into the church ; and from the number of persons that "owned" it in a given period, compared with the num- ber that were admitted to full communion during the same period, it is probable that the former class far outnumbered the latter. We know not the number of the former class ; but Mr. Cotton has left a list of members in full communion on the 18th of September, 1671. The whole number at that time was 68, 30 males, and 38 females. The list is subjoined : MALES. Seaborn Cotton. Henry Eobey. Christopher Hussey. Thomas Ward. Godfrey Dearborn. Thomas Coleman. Jno. Marian. John Cliftbrd, Sen''. W" Fuller. John Cliflbrd, Juu'. Abraham Perkins. Anthony Stauj'^an. Samuel Daltou. Jn°. Cram. Dea. Kobert Page. Thomas Webster. Francis Page. Benjamin Swett. Thomas Marston. John Cass. Henry Moulton. Nath' Weare. Thomas Sleeper. Thomas Philbrick. Robert Smith. Isaac Perkins. Samuel Fogg. Henry Dow. William Sanborn. Isaac Godfrey. *^ 358 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. FEMALES. Trances Fuller. Sarah Perkins. Mary Perkins. Mrs. Dalton. Goochvife Drake. " Dearbam, Se^^ " Dearborn, Jun''. Garland. Lewis [Leuit?]. Wall. " Aborn. ' ' Marian. " Robey. " Marston, Jun''. " Marston, Sen"". Hobbs. " Palmer. ' ' Batchelder. " Sleeper. Goodwife Philbrick, Sen'. " Fifield. " Dow. " Cole. Smith. " Sanborn. Clifford, Sen^ Clifford, Jun^ " Cram. •' Green. " Swett. " Cass. " Shaw. " Philbrick, Jun''. Mrs. Stanyan. " Col cord. Hannah Gove. Margaret Bean. Hannah Jenuin2:s. From another record it appears that four of the men, and thirteen of the women enumerated in these lists, had been admitted by Mr. Cotton. One otherman, Robert Drake, wlio was not at this time living, and two women, whose names are not given here, had also been ad- mitted to full communion by him. The arrangement of the seats in the meeting-house did not allow of families being seated together. A large number of children occu- pied seats in the gallery, and these must be cared for. Accordingly, in town meeting in February, 1664, it was ordered, "that two of the inhabitants of the town should sit in the galler}', to keep the youth in order in time of the public exercises, [and to see] that tiiey keep their places and sit orderly and inoffensively." Under this arrange- ment, Thomas Sleeper and John Redman were to sit in the gallery the first Sabbath, and they were to give notice to John Brown and William Fifield for the next Sabbath, "and so to take their turns about the town successivel}'." The constable was "to take care to see that the youth were all brought into the Meeting-house, to prevent their playing abroad in the time of the exercises, or profaning the Sabbath, and that the law of the country herein should be observed." A few weeks afterward the following vote was passed : "The Towne haue voted & agred y*^ those y* are willing to haue their children called forth to be catechised, shall give in their names to Mr. Cotton, for that end, between this & the second day of next month." THE INTERAVOVEN PASTORATES. 359 But the religious instruction of children was not restricted to this method of catechising hy the minister. Parents and guardians were expected to teach those under their care, at least the principles of religion. An old law of Massachusetts required "that all masters of famylyes do once a weeke att least catechise theire children & servants in the grounds and principles of Religion, and if any be unable to doe so much, that then, at the least, they {)rocure such children or appren- tices to learne some short orthodox catechisme without book, that they may be able to answer to the questions that shall be [)ropounded to them out of such catechisms, by their parents or masters, or any of the selectmen." THE HALF WAY COVENANT. It has been stated, that the Half-wa}' covenant was in use here during Mr. Cotton's ministry. When it was introduced, we have no record to inform us. From an isolated account of a church meeting on the 13th of January, 1667, it is evident that the church had already allowed it to be used. One principal object of this covenant was to allow those parents, who felt themselves unworthy to partake of the sacrament of the Lord's supper, to have the rite of baptism adminis- tered to their children. Adults, also, who had not been baptized in infancy, were admitted to bai)tism, on owning the covenant. Ba[)tism appears to have been regarded by such as, in some sense, a saving ordinance. Hence the desire that many people manifested, to have the ordinance administered to themselves and their children. Those who had been baptized in infancy were considered as having such a connection with the church, as gave them a claim to the watchful care of all tlie members, and as exposed them to the censures of the church, when they were guilty of any immorality. At the church meeting mentioned above, "it was unanimously agreed and ordered, that some of the brethren should be chosen to unite with the pastor in pre[>aring adult church children connected with this church, for publickly owning their Lord, and renewing the covenant made with them, in and by their parents." This preparation was to be made by questioning, instructing and exhorting them. It was further agreed without a dissenting voice, that in cases of erring adult church children — that is, those who were twenty years old, or upwards — the}' should be dealt with as other members, for scandals, or clear breaches of the moral law. In two or three weeks from that time, five young men owned the covenant, and two weeks later, five others. In the course of a year, more than thirty persons owned the covenant, while a very few were admitted to full communion. 360 HISTORY 6f HAMPTON. Mr. Cotton continued in tlie work of the ministry till his labors were terminated by his death, which occurred very suddenly on Tuesday, April 20, 1686, when he was in the fifty-third 3'ear of his age. His funeral took place the next Friday. On the following Sabbath, Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley, Mass., preached to the bereaved people. REV. SEABORN COTTON. Seaborn Cotton was the eldest son of Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, one of the most distinguislied of the early ministers of New England. He was born on the Atlantic Ocean, August 12, 1633, while his par- ents were on their voyage to America, and was baptized in the First church in Boston, on the 6th of September, two days after their ar- rival, and from the circumstance of his birth received the name of Sea- born. He graduated at Harvard College in 1651, and his name as Latinized in the Triennial Catalogues, is written Marigena. Enjoying the advantages of his father's instructions until he was nineteen years of age, he was well prepared to enter on a course of theological studies ; but the death of his father about that time, "de- prived him of those stores of learning and experience for which the former was so eminently distinguished." His father's library, how- ever, still remained to him. With whom he completed his theological course, and when he was licensed to preach we are not informed. The only place where he is known to have been employed as a minister, before his settlement in Hampton, is Windsor, in Connecticut. Of the ministerial life and character of Mr. Cotton, we know but little. Indeed, there is hardly anj'thing found in contemporary writ- ers respecting him. His nephew. Dr. Cotton Mather, incidentally mentions his name, and sa^'s he "was esteemed a thorough scholar and an able preacher," and that "none of the lately revived heresies were more abominable to him than that of his namesake, Pelagius,"^ a celebrated heresiarch of the fifth century. Dr. Mather also says that he was the author of a Catechism ; but we know nothing of the character of this work, nor whether any copies are still extant. In 1673 he preached the Artillery Election Sermon, but it was not printed. A sketch of one of Mr. Cotton's sermons, taken by John Hull, Esq., one of the magistrates of the colony, is still preserved in manuscript. A volume of his sermons, in manuscript, is deposited in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. There is reason to believe that Mr. Cotton and the people of his charge lived in harmony through the whole time of his ministry. In 1 The name means seaborn. THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 361 one instance, indeed, he was obliged to suspend liis labors a few Sab- batlis. Tliis interruption was occasioned by a message from Lieuten- ant-Governor Cranfield, tliat "when he had prepared his soul, he would come and demand the sacrament of liim, as lie had done at Portsmouth." Mr. Cotton being unwilling to administer the sacra- ment to an unsuitable person, or according to the "liturgy of the church of England," and wishing to avoid a controversy with the governor, withdrew to Boston, and remained there a few weeks, and then returned to his own people. This was in the early part of the year 1684. For refusing a similar demand not long before. Rev. Joshua Moody of Portsmouth had been imprisoned. He was still in prison when Mr. Cotton was staying in Boston. This circumstance probably' led the latter to take for his text in a sermon that he preached in Boston, these words: "Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing unto Clod for him." — Acts xiii : 5. This sermon gave considerable offense to Governor Cranfield and his friends, but the governor was prudent enough to leave Mr. Cotton unmolested. A few months before Mr. Cotton's death, he sent to the Council of New Hampshire the following Petition : "To the Honorable his Majesty's Council for the Province of New Hampshire. The Petition of Seaborne Cotton, of Hampton in the Province abovesaid, Humbly' Sheweth, That whereas by an act of his Majesty's Council in this Province, bearing date, as I conceive, Dec. 10, 1683, the people in the several towns were left at their liberty whether they would pay their minis- ters, or no, after the first of January ensuing that act, unless their ministers would administer baptism and the Lord's supper to such as desired it, according to his Majesty's letter to the Massachusetts, which was never denied by me to any that orderly asked it ; yet too many people have taken occasion thereby, both to withhold what was my due before that act, for the year 1683, as also for the year 1684, and are likely to do so for the year 1685, except this Honorable Council see cause to pass an act, and order the trustees of Hampton, that I may have my dues according to the town's compact upon rec- ord, and their agreement with myself many years since; — the time also drawing nigh, when for this present year I should have my rate made, doth hasten me to present this address, and to request your Honors' favor therein : if your Honors send an order to our trustees, your Honors may possibly see cause to omit the naming myself as 362 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. requesting it ; all wliicli I leave to your Honors' generous acceptance, and am j'our Honors' Humbly devoted, Seaborne Cotton. Hampton, Sept. 5, 1685." In answer to this petition, the council ordered that "the Petitioner be left to the law to liave his remedy against the persons he con- tracted with for his dues." THE PARSONAGE. When Mr. Cotton 'was about coming to Hampton, to engage in the work of the ministry, it became necessary for the town to provide him a dwelling-house. Accordingly, after the discussion of several plans, the town chose a committee, consisting of Roger Shaw, Robert Page and Thomas Marston, to treat with Mr. Dalton "concerning the ac- commodating of another minister both for housing and land ;" and Thomas Marston, Thomas "Ward, John Sanborn and William Moulton were chosen, "to repair the house which might be procured for Mr. Cotton's dwelling." The negotiation with Mr. Dalton resulted in his selling to the church and town "for y*^ use of y^ ministry forever," his dwelling-house and several tracts of land, and three shares in the cow-common, and one share in the ox-common, on the 28th day of December, 1657. This deed was not, as has sometimes been stated, a deed of gift, but it was given in consideration of "y*^ sum of two hundred pounds sterling," to be paid "unto y^ Heirs, Executors & Administrate"^ of me y® s*^ Timothy Dalton," as follows, viz. : £20 within one 3'ear after his de- cease, and then £20 annually until the full sum of £200 should be paid, "in corn or cattell, att y*^ current price, to be delivered at Hamp- ton from time to time." That this consideration was not relinquished to the town is evident from the fact, that Mr. Dalton disposed of it otherwise, b}'^ bequests in his last will and testament. From the property thus conveyed, originated the ministerial fund, the income of which has been used to aid in supporting the ministry, during several generations. According to the terms of sale, the transfer of the property named in the deed was not to be made immediately, but after the death of the grantor, and after the crops that might then be upon the land should be gathered in. This transaction, then, failed to provide a house for the immediate use for Mr. Cotton. The town, therefore, had further negotiation with Mr. Dalton, which resulted in an agree- ment for the desired end. THE INTERWOVEN P^STOKATES. 363 Mr. Dallon had recently purchased of Thomas Moulton, a house which stood where the house of Walter J. Palmer now stands. The town engaged to make an addition to this, "to be equal in breadth with the old house, and to be 36 feet in length." This v/as to be built and finished at the town's charge, in the manner specified in the con- tract, so as to be as convenient for his use as the Ijouse he was then occn[)ying. This being done, Mr. Dalton was to remove thither, and relinquish all claim to the house and lands where he then lived. At the same time, the town agreed with Abraham Perkins, Joseph Merr}' and William Marston, to do all the carpenter work required to fulfill this contract, except the clapboarding and shingling, which were to be provided for in some other wa}', and they were to receive for their labor £20 "to bee payd in goods att Mr. Cuttses.''^ William Marston had been previously engaged by Robert Page, to build a mill, which he had contracted with the town to have completed at a speci- fied time ; but so urgent seemed the present case, that the town ex- tended the time allowed for completing the mill a whole year, in order "to free Will : Marston for the worke aboves*^."- In the records of 1658, is the following entry, dated November 22 : "The Towne hath agreed with Henry Smith, who liueth w^'^ Mr. Cotton, that for the spase of one full yeere next insuiiig, hee shall keepe the key of the meeting-house & shall keepe the s<^ metting House Deacent and Cleane and shall Ringe the Bell eury Euening att nine of the clock, ^ and upon the Sabath Dayes att eight & nine of the clock before the morning Exercise, and att one & two of the clock in the afternoon, and upon the lectur Dales before the lecture, all w*^^ is to bee Constantly p'formed throughout the yeere." For this ser- vice, he was to receive fifty shillings, to be paid by a special tax. From the hours at which the bell was to be rung on the morning of the Sabbath, according to this agreement, we infer that the morning service began at nine o'clock, or soon after, and it did not probal)ly close till about noon. The devotional exercises and the sermons at that time were much longer than they usually are at the present day. On another occasion the town voted "that the fore seat in the gal- lery should be appropriated to the married men to sit in, until the town should take further order about it." Liberty was also granted to those who were to occupy this seat, "to sett up a backe to the s^^ fore seate prouided thatt itt bee not prejudicial! to the Hinmost seats." Near the close of the year 1660, the town passed the following vote : "Itt is agreed by the Towne y* thear shall be a coinitt}' of meett men 1 Cutts of Portsmouth— merchant. = Chap, xxxi : Tlie First Sawmill. 3 Curfew bell. 364 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. appointed by the Towne to Rectifie the Sitting of men & women in tiie meeting-house, & to agree with workmen for tlie making of Seates whear they see meett, and in cause that any p'^son finds Hiinselfe Greened [grieved] with his or her plaseing in tlie meeting-house, they shall haue liberty to make their complaint to the Towne, who shall be Ready to Releue [relieve] them — to bee determined by a vote of the majer part. The men api)ointed for the worke ahoue s^' are Dea- con Page, Deacon Godfrey & Henery Robey, who are to Request o"^ Reuerend Elders [Mr. Dalton and Mr. Cotton] to bee helpe full to them so far as they shall please to attend the worke." Itt is agreed y* there shall bee forty shillings allovved for to plaster the Roof of our Teacher's House to keepe out the weather — to be Improued for the best aduantage for such an End." This house was probably the one that Mr. Dalton bought of Thomas Moulton, and which the town had agreed to enlarge and repair. At a town meeting at the beginning of the following year, it was proposed to put the house and lands occupied by Mr. Cotton, in such a condition, that there need be no further expense to the town for fencing, building or repairing during his ministry. The sum of £20 was appropriated for the purpose. HOGPEN FARM. Sometime in the early part of Mr. Cotton's ministry — the date not known — the town agreed that he should have 200 acres of land granted to him for a farm. In the autumn of 1663, it was voted that this land should be laid out, and a committee was appointed for that purpose. The farm was not laid out, however, till five or six years afterward, and then, as appears by the return, March 19, 1669, not by the committee first chosen, but by John Sanborn, Thomas Mars- ton and Henry Roby. According to the return of the committee, the farm was located at a place called Hogpen Plain — in the present town of Kensington. They "laid out a meadow near that plain, having a brook in the mead- ow running northward out of it." About the middle of the meadow was a hill, and to the southeastward of the meadow was upland where they laid out a tract ninescore rods broad and ninescore rods long to make up the complement of the said grant. Three years later, the town voted to maintain their grant of two hundred acres of land to o'" Reuered Pastor, Mr. Seaborn Cotton, according to the appointment of it and as it is laid out. The town several times voted to increase Mr. Cotton's salar3\ On the 10th of January, 1668, it was increased to £80. THE INTERWOVEN PASTORATES. 3G5 In 1G65, agreeably to the request of the inhabitants living near the Falls rivei-, and remote from the town, liberty was given for them to bnild a house at their own eharge, "near the old Pound," for slielter and relief upon the Lord's day and other days, to be used by them at all times when there should be oecasion for it. Near the close of tlie year, the selectmen having made a bargain ■with some person to repair the meeting-house, the town voted that it should be "prosecuted with effect," and that the selectmen should "take further care to repaire the Roof & to daube up the Gable Ends, & whatt else is nessisary for to make the Meeting-house comfortable," and assess the whole charge upon the inhabitants. THE THIRD MEETING-HOUSE. In the year 1675, the work of building a new meeting-house was com- menced, but several years passed away before it was so far completed as to be used as a place of public worship. The first intimation found on record that such an enterprise was contemplated, is an order of the town, June 30, for the inhabitants to meet for the purpose of raising the frame. No statement is made regarding its form or size. The order is as follows : "Itt is ordered thatt all theluhabitants of this town of Hampton, thatt are aboue the Age of 20 years shall Attend and Glue their assistance to Raise the new meeting house, who are to raeete on two seuerall Dayes and to attend thatt worke : the first day all the towne y* Hue from Mr. Cot- tons House & so Round the town Eastward to the Lane by Hezron Leuitts and so forward to the Eastward of the parth to Pascataqua ; and the second Day all the Rest of the Towne from the west side of Pascataqua way Round to Mr. Cottons House; & also all thatt line on the other side of tiie marsh towards Salisburie : — and if any p'son of the Age of 20 years doe faile of his appearance att the Ringing of the Bell at six of the clock in the morning, or within Half an Houre Afterward, Hee shall forfitt tvvelue pence in monie to bee forthwith payd, or else the constable to distraine." The occurrence of an ludian war just at this time, and the conse- quent interruption of business — many of the people being called away from home in defense of the country', and those who remained, labor- ing in constant fear of the enemy — were very unfavorable to a speedy completion of the work, and but slow progress was made in finishing the house. The exact date of its occupancy for religious services, is not known ; but that it was occupied as early as the spring of 1680 is almost certain, for at that time the selectmen were instructed to "take dovvn the old Meeting-house and dispose of it for the town's use, according to their best judgment." CHAPTER XX. KEV. JOHN COTTON'S MINISTRY. 1686-1710. MR. COTTON, STATED SUPPLY. THE death of the Rev. Seaborn Cotton left the people without a minister for the first time since the settlement of the town, a period of nearly forty-eight 3'ears. Having been so long favored witli a faithful ministry, it cannot be supposed that they would now be content to remain very long destitute of the regular and constant ministration of the Word ; which is true, though it was several 3'ears before they again had a settled j)astor. Soon after the late pastor's death — no records show how soon — efforts began to be made to (ind a suitable successor. The first preacher known to have been employed, was Mr. John Cotton, the eldest son of the deceased pastor, a graduate of Harvard College, of the class of 1678, who, having been chosen a Fellow of the College, was living there at the time of his father's death. The same year he returned to Hampton, and was employed as a preacher. This fact does not appear from the town records, but is learned from other sources. There is, however, in an entry on the records, made the next spring, an incidental mention of the seat at the desk, called Mr. Cotton's seat^ impl3Mng that it was then occupied by him. The record is in these words : "Libert}' was granted toCapt. Samuel Sherburne to build a seat for him and his wife and family', between the south door and the table, from the west side of the great post behind the south door of the meetinghouse, to the east side of the great post b}' the tal)le, and so far forward as the two seats now come, provided he build it not so hi^h as Mr. Cotton's seat is built. "^ "At the same meeting the following vole was passed : "It is acted by vote, that if any man's Dog shall come into ye meetinghouse on Sabbath days, the owners of the sayd dogs shall pay a line of one shilling a time, to be lenied by ye Constable by a warrent from a Justice of peace-" "Their decents John Smith, taylor, John Smitli, cooper, Abraham Cole, John Marston." (3GC) REV. JOHN cotton's MINISTRY. 1686-1710. 367 While the people were destitute of a settled minister , they were not unmindful of the conduct and habits of the young. At a town meet- ing in the fall of 1687, the following vote was passed : "That the constables for the time being shall take special care that the youth be kept from playing on the Sabbath, and if any children shall be found disorderly, their parents and masters shall first l)e itifornied, and if they shall not take care of them, but suffer them again to be found disorderly, complaint shall then be made to authority." The first votes of the town on record, for employing Mr. Cotton are of a later date (May 21, 1688), but at that time, as was shown in Chapter V, town meetings were seldom holden, and it is probable that measures were taken by the church, for supplying the pulpit, for there is evidence that the church held meetings for business prior to the earliest church records extant. The town votes, just alluded to, were not to secure the services of Mr. Cotton, as a candidate for settlement^ but for inviting him to he inducted into the pastoral office by ordination. One of the votes was, "that Mr, Henry Green and William Fuller should treat with Mr. John Cotton, to know his mind whether he would be willing to settle here in the work of the ministry, and be ordained." The other vote is thus recorded : "The town did act by vote to show their approbation, that they were willing that Mr. Cot- ton should be called to office in this place by ordination." The object here aimed at was not immediately attained. He still continued to supply the pulpit, but, for reasons not clearly stated, he did not then consent to be ordained pastor of the church. Mr. Cotton was married August 17, 1686, and immediately com- menced housekeeping in Hampton, and labored here as a minister of the gospel till some time in the summer of 1690. This appears from some memoranda in the Diary of Henry Dow, where are noted the various articles "paid " by him to Mr. Cotton, at dates running from August 20, 1686, to April 30, 1600. On the third of April, 1688, be paid the balance that was due /or that year, which would "be out the first of September next." About this time the town directed the selectmen to ascertain what the inhabitants would "contribute yearly, and every year, towards Mr. John Cotton's comfortable maintenance, so long as he continue here in the work of the ministry." SUCCEEDED BY REV. JOHN PIKE. Two years afterward there was held a meeting of all the male in- habitants of the town, of twenty-one years of age, and upwards, "to consider of some way to procure a minister to settle among them for the future." 368 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Whether Mr. Cotton had already suspended his preaching, or had signified iiis intention to do so at the close of his 3'ear, does not ap- pear. Those who attended that meeting first resolved : that they did earnestly desire to have a man settled among them in tlie. work of the ministry. They then expressed a wisli that Mr. John Pike siiould be the man, if he could be obtained. Mr. Nathaniel Weare, William Marston, Capt. Samuel Sherburne, Lieut. John Sanborn and Henry Dow were chosen to treat with Mr. Pike, to know his mind about settling here in the ministr}'. Mr. Pike had been the pastor of the church in Dover, for many years, but was at this time staying in Portsmouth, having left Dover some time before on account of the ravages made by the Indians. In compliance witli the request of the committee above named, he came to Hampton on tlie 24th of October following. On the last day of April, 1691, at a meeting called "to act about settling a minister in the town," preference was again expressed for Mr. Pike, if he could "be cleared from Dover church." Henry Green, Nathaniel Weare and Henry Dow were appointed to treat with him and obtain his answer to their request. Mr. Pike assured them that he had a fair prospect of obtaining a dismission from Dover in the course of one month, and he told them that he had come to Hampton with an intent to settle, and did still so intend, if God should make away for it, when he had received his dismission from Dover, and if the people in Hampton did then desire it. The meeting was accordingly adjourned one month to receive Mr. Pike's answer, but the records do not show that any meeting was held at that time, Mr. Pike had undoubtedly informed the people of his failure to receive a dismission from the Dover church, and hence there was no occasion for them to assemble. He, however, remained here till the 4th of February, 1692, and then removed to Newbury, but afterward returned to Dover, and died there in 1710. MR. cotton's labors RESUMED. When all hope of settling Mr. Pike had failed, the minds of the people were again turned towards Mr. John Cotton. At a meeting, October 26, 1691, the town voted to invite him to return to Hampton for the work of the ministr}', with a view to his settlement, and ap- pointed Mr. Nathaniel Weare and Francis Page to communicate to him this vote and receive his answer, which thej' were to lay before the town ; and authority was given to them to call a town meeting for this purpose. Mr. Cotton was then living in Portsmouth, and that town on the REV. JOHN cotton's MINISTRY. 1686-1710. 369 30th of March preceding, liad invited Iiim to become pastor of the cluucli there; but Mr. Mood^', whose pastoral rehition to that church had not been formally severed, though he had long been absent from them, wrote to the town from Boston, where he was living, that he would return if they wished it. He had previous!}^ written the cluu'ch to the same effect, and proposed the calling of a council. The town considered this unnecessary, and the selectmen wrote Mr. Moody that his long absence, notwitlistanding repeated invitations to return, was evidence that he had not meant to come back ; that they had o-iven a call to Mr. Cotton, and were now awaiting his decision. Mr. Cotton advised the town to invite Mr. Moody once more, to return, and if he should not accept this invitation, "they might honestly provide for themselves such a person as they judged fittest to supply the place of the ministry there." His advice was followed ; but Mr. Moody and the church and town still held to their former views about the neces- sity of a council, and Mr. Cotton, under these circumstances, also de- clined the invitation extended to him to be settled with the church in Portsmouth, though he continued his ministrations there for three montlis. In 1693, Mr. Moody resumed the pastorate. In answer to the invitation to return to Hampton, Mr. Cotton wrote a letter giving some encouragement that he would accept it. His let- ter being communicated to the town at a meeting on the 12th of No- vember, the committee, chosen at the last meeting, were instructed to inform him, that the town would do for him everything offered, or promised, at former meetings to induce him then to remain. Sixteen persons dissented from this vote, and no agreement was made with Mr. Cotton. About three weeks after Mr. Pike's removal from Hampton, another town meeting was holden with reference to Mr. Cotton, "who," the record reads, "was some years formerly with us." It was now voted to send to him again and earnestly desire him to come as soon as he could conveniently, and be here at least one Sabbath. In that case a general town meeting should be holden at the Meeting-house the next morning, to receive his propositions, and see if any agreement could be made. Mr. Cotton probably preached in Hampton on the last Sabbath in March, for a town meeting was holden on the Monda}^ following (March 28), when Lieut. John Sanborn and Mr. Nathaniel Weare were chosen ''to speak with Mr. Cotton and desire him to let the town know his propositions in writing, that they might see how nenr the town could close with him in his desires." A quarterly contribution, and repairs on the parsonage premises were promised. 2-t 370 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. In case of Mr. Cotton's acceptance of these offers, the town agreed "that there sliould be a convenient lionse built for tlie ministry upon the land appointed for that end, as soon as practicable, and finished at the town's expense, and the old house made habitable for him in the meantime." About seven or eight weeks afterward, Francis Page, John Tuck and Ei)hraim Marston were chosen to repair the old house at the town's expense, and make it habitable for the minister, for the present. At a town meeting holden late in the autumn, Capt. William Mars- ton, Capt. Henry Dow and Daniel Tilton were chosen to agree with and emplo}' workmen for building a Parsonage-house and to see that the work be done, and the house built and finished according to the true intent, fit for a minister ; and that the work be done witii as much prudence as may be, to save cost to the town. What this committee, or any two of them, should agree to about the work, was to be con- sideied valid. About four months later, Thomas Dearborn and John Tuck were added to this committee, and it was voted that an act of any three of the committee should be valid in all matters pertaining to the house. The work of building did not go on very rapidly, for as late as Jul}', 1693, the proprietors, or commoners, granted a small tract of land, adjoining to the land formerly granted or purchased for the ministry, and lying on the east side of the orchard, and adjacent thereto, to set the house on ; and also land before the house, not ex- ceeding forty square rods, to be laid out by the building committee, so as to be least prejudicial to the Meeting-house Green, and not to intrench on any person's grant — the land thus laid out, to be and re- main a part of the Parsonage land forever. In the following autumn, Sergt. Thomas Pliilbrick, Christopher Palmer, Th(»mas Webster, Sen., and Isaac Godfrey were chosen for that year, "to gather up the several suras that men had subscribed to give Mr. Cotton," whence it ai)pears that he had remained with the people. In the spring of 1694, the town chose Capt. Henry Dow and Lieut. John Smith "to treat with Mr. John Cotton to see whether he will be pleased to consent, to be agreed with by the year for a certain salary." At the same meeting. May 17, it was voted that the town will give our present minister, Mr. John Cotton, £85 a year for his pains, in the work of the ministry among us, to be paid ever^^ half year in wheat at 5s. per bushel, Indian corn, 3s., malt and rye, each 4s. per bushel ; i)ork, at 3d, per lb. and beef, 2d. — all merchantable and good — over and besides the contribution every quarter, formerly agreed REV. JOHN cotton's MINISTRY. 1680-1710. 371 upon, and the use and benefit of the house, land and meadow, ap- pointed for the ministry ; — the town to maintain the outside fence of said land and meadow ; and to do what they see cause for, about sup- plying ]Mr. Cotton with firewood. The committee that had been ap- pointed to treat with Mr. Cotton were now directed to confer with him again, to see whether he would accept the terms offered by the town. The town afterward, at the same meeting, voted to give Mr. Cot- ton "sixtie load of wood a yeare — such loads with fower oxen, that two load shall make a cord when cutt, and those loads of wood to be vallued at three shillings a load and to be payd ffor out of the Towne Rate ffrom Time to time" — and the men recently chosen to gather up his subscriptions, were now chosen for the next year, to see that he be supplied with wood according to this vote, and to give an account of their doings to the selectmen. The committee, appointed to confer with Mr. Cotton, reported the same da}', that they had attended to the duty assigned them, and that Mr. Cotton accepted what had been voted and gave the town thanks for the same. After one year had passed, the foregoing vote about supplying Mr. Cotton with firewood, was somewhat modified : He was now to be fillowed 30 cords a year, and those who furnished it were to have 5s. a coi'd, provided one half of it, at least, was oak, and they were to be paid in money within the year, the procuring and paying for the wood to be under the direction of the selectmen. The compensation Mr. Cotton was to receive for his services being at last definitely settled, the way was ojjened for his ordination ; and at a meeting of the freeholders, September 14, 1696, a vote was passed expressive of their desire that this should take place at once. It was ordered that such parts of the old parsonage-house as would be needed in finishing the r?ew house, or repairing the barn or leanto, should be used for those purposes, and what remained should be used by the selectmen for building a school house. The town also made provision for completing the new parsonage house. A month later the town voted, that if Mr. Cotton's goods which were then at Mystic, should be sent to Boston, they would be at the expense of transporting them from the latter town to Hampton, to the house which he was then 9ccupying. MR. COTTON, ORDAINED PASTOR. Arrangements were now to be made for the ordination. Capt. William Marston, Francis Page, Sen., Sergt. Thomas Philbrick, John 372 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ■ Tuck and Isaac Godfrey were appointed a committee for this purpose, and were to "take special care to see what every person would con- tribute towards the charge of the ordination ; and to see that provision be made with the sum thus raised for the entertainment of Elders and Messengers and other Gentlemen, so far as it would go." The ordination was appointed to ))e on the 19th of November, 1696 —ten years and seven months after the death of the last pastor. Tliis event, for which the people had been so long and earnestly seeking, was one of no ordinary interest. Nearly forty years iiad passed away since the last ordination in tlie town. During this long period, there had been only f/irep ordinations in the province. The service took place at the time appointed. The cliurch records do not inform its by whom the sermon was preached. It is not im- probable that the candidate was himself the preacher, in accordance with an early custom in New England. Rev. Joshua Moody, of Ports- mouth, gave the charge, and Rev. William Hubbard, of Ipswich, Mass., the right-hand of fellowshii). The church had been so long destitute of a, pastor, that the num- ber of members had probably somewhat diminished since the death of their last minister. Of the sixty-eight persons, who were mem- bers in 1671, only twenty-five — ten males and fifteen females — were living in Hampton at the time of Mr. John Cotton's ordination. How many had been added to the church during the last fifteen years of Mr. Seaborn Cotton's ministry, and how many since his death — the ten years when the church had been witliout a settled pastor — we know not. Additions were made soon after the new pastor was in- ducted into office. Ten persons were admitted to full communion in January following, and some on each succeeding month till tlie first anniversary of the ordination. Tlie whole number received into fel- lowship during the first year was seventy ; the whole number, during Mr. Cotton's pastorate, was 215, and "487 were initiated into the christian church by baptism." At a church meeting a few days after Mr. Cotton's ordination, it was agreed that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper should be admin- istered in December, and afterward once in six or seven weeks, so as to have it administered eight times during a year. "But finding y^ days in winter so short and sharp, it was thought meet to omitt y' of y^ winter quarter, viz. : between December 1 & March 1, «fe so to at- tend it but 7 times a year," The last sentence suggests to the mind the diflferent circumstances, under which the people of Hampton worshi[)ped God and attended to his ordinances at that time, and at the present. The days now at the REV. JOHN cotton's MINISTRY. 1686-1710, 373 same season, are as short, and, it may be, as sharp, as then ; but we have warm and comfortable places of worship, which shield us against the severity of winter, to which they were so much exposed. A little less that two years after Mr. Cotton's ordination (Septem- ber 11, 1698), thirteen persons were dismissed from the church, ''in order to their being incorporated into a church state in Exeter." These were residents of Exeter, who had united with this church, for the reason that there was then none in tlieir own town. Now a church was to be organized there, and a pastor ordained. Mr. Nathaniel Weare and Capt. Henry Dow were chosen as messengers of this church to assist in the ordination. In the spring of 1701, the town voted to allow Mr. Cotton ten cords of wood a year in addition to his former thirty cords, on this condi- tion : "That he preach a lecture in Hampton once a month, accord- ing to former custom in hi? father's days." A NEW BELL. The meeting-house bell having been broken, the town instructed the selectmen to agree with William Partridge, Esq., to procure for the town from England, a good bell, weighing about 130 pounds, and send to him the old one, to be disposed of in part payment thereof. The money needed to pay the balance of the expense was to be raised by a tax. This vote was in February, 1704. More than four months passed and no bell having been procured, the town voted, that the selectmen should send to Boston by Peter Garland or Samuel Nudd, to see if they could find a good bell of about 100 or 120 pounds weight, and if they should find a suitable one, that the selectmen should buy it, paying cash for what it should cost in ad- dition to the old bell. "And when the ffals peopell haue a new meeting House builded and finished on there side as ffitt to Hang A Bell in as the Meeting House att Towne is — so much as the ffiils people pay now towards the bell at Towne the Towne side will pay so much towards a Bell for them." Dea. Francis Page, Lieut. John Smith, Benjamin Shaw, Sen., Henry Dearborn and Lieut. John Moulton were appointed "to sett in the fore seat of the Meeting-house, before the Pulpitt." The town also voted that the following women, viz. : "Mrs. "VYeare Sen., Hannah Gove, Hen. Dearborn's wife, Ben. Shaw's wife, Hannah Dearborn, Senior, sitt in the fore seat att the East end of the Meet- ing-house below." "These men are voted to sett in the second seat before the pulpitt, below : Ens. Daniel Tilton, Ens. Tho : Robey, Timothy Hilyard, John Redman, Senior, Left. Joseph Swett and Joseph Moulton." 374 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ''The Towne haue uoted and do desire the pressent Selectmen to use their discreation to order and Regulate the sitting of such peopell in the meeting-house, as haue not bin already placed." The next winter the town apijointed John Dearborn, Sen., Ens. John Gove, and Simon Dow, a committee to build a Barn on the par- sonage, for the use of the minister, and instructed them to build it "every vva}- according to the dimensions of Peter Johnson's new barn." In the early part of the year 1704, the town passed the following vote: "That the present selectmen take care that all tiie chi}' walls in the meeting-house, that are not ceil'd, shall be smoothed over with clay and washed with white Lime & made Hansom;" and also that they should "haue the floor over the Beams covered with boards seas- oned and jointed, and nailed down." About two years afterward, the selectmen were directed to make further repairs : "that is to say — larth all the clay walls and daub them and wash them over with white lime ; mend the glass windows, cause shetts to be made to preserve the glass for the ffuter, and to shingle it anew ; and lay the flore over the Beames ; and to make a Rate to pay fTor the same." The next winter the town chose Mnj. Joseph Smith, Samuel Dow, and E|)hraim Marston, a committee "for to give Liberty to thos men that will Apeare for to build Puese in the Hinder Seates in the meet- ing-house." MR. cotton's death AND OBITUARY. After a pastorate of thirteen years and four months, and a ministry of considerably more than twenty years, Mr. Cotton was suddenly removed from his people by death, March 27, 1710, at the age of 51 years, 10 months and 19 days. About one month after his death, there was a meeting of the in- habitants, and the town voted to pay tlie charge of his funeral by way of a rate. It was also voted that Mrs. Cotton should have the im- provement of the parsonage till the next fall, for the benefit of her- self and family. The following obituary appeared in the Boston Neios Letter.^ of April 10, 1710, two weeks after Mr. Cotton's death: "On Monday last, the 27th of March, at Hampton in New Hamp- shire, Dyed the Reverend Mr. John Cotton, Minister of the said Town, in a very sudden and surprising manner, having been very well all the d:iy, and in the evening till just after Supper, when he was taken with a Fittof an Apoplexj' (as 'tis believed) and within a few minutes be- came speechless, and Dyed about Eleven o'clock the same night. H REV. JOHN cotton's MINISTRY. 1686-1710. 375 was the Wortliy Grandson and Heir of the Famous INIr. John Cotton, B. D. — one of the first and most considerable ministers that came to New England at its first Settlement. He was bred at Harvard Col- lege in New England, and for many years an Ornament and Fellow of that Society : and from thence in the year 1G8G, he removed to Hampton, where he succeeded his Father, Mr. Seaborn Cotton, in the ministry of that Place. He was very much and deservedly beloved and esteemed, not only by his own People, but by all who knew and conversed with him, for his eminent Piety and great Learning, liis excellent Preaching, his Catholic Principles, and Universal Charity, his profitable, pleasant, virtuous, and delightful conversation, and for his Generous Hospitality to Strangers. And ^s he was an Honour to his Country where he was Born, and the College where he was Bred, and the Family from whence he came, so he is justly Lamented by them all. He Dyed in the 52nd Year of his Age, and on Friday the 31st, he was Interred with great Solemnity, a Funeral Sermon being Preach'd b}' the Reverend Mr. Rogers of Ipswich, on that Text, John 9:4. 'I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day ; the night cometh when no man can work.'" The following sketch of Mr. Cotton's character, is from the pen of Rev. Jabez Fitch, of Portsmouth : "He was a person of great learning and integrity, much given to hospitality, very pleasing and profitable, facetious and instructive in his conversation ; affable, courteous and obliging in his carriage to all, and universal!}' beloved ; accurate in his sermons, and very in- dustrious in his preparations for the pulpit." DEACONS. In our account of the church thus far, we have mentioned no other officers than pastor and teacher, whose appropriate duties, when both officers were found in the same church, may be briefly stated, as fol- lows : "In the forenoon of the Sabbath, the pastor preached; in the afternoon, the teacher. In one part of the day, the pastor offered the prayer that preceded the sermon, and the teacher the closing prayer; and in the other part, the order was reversed. The teacher pronounced the benediction at the close of the morning service, and the pastor, at the close of the evening. At the celebration of the Lord's Supper, one of the ministers performed the first part of the service, and the other, the last; the order in which they officiated, being reversed at each communion. The ordinance of baptism was likewise administered either bj' the pastor or the teacher." 376 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Tlie onl}^ officers this church has ever had, besides tlie ministers, are the deacons and clerks. Of several of the ear!}' deacons, our account must be very meager, for hick of information. In the ab- sence of church records, it is only b}^ tradition, or from some inci- dental mention of their names and titles, in the town records, and some other old writings, that we know by whom the office was held. In the infancy of the church, it is pretty' evident, that there was but one deacon, and the first person who held the office was Christopher Hussey, a son-in-law of the first pastor. We have no means of know- ing the time of his election, but in the town records, under date of June 30, 1640, he is styled "the present deacon." Thirteen 3'ears afterward, he was chosen a military officer and accepted the appoint- ment. As tlicse offices were then held to be incompatible with each other, he, of necessit}-, ceased to be deacon of the church. The successors of Deacon Hussey were William Godfrey and Eob- ert Page. Which of them was first elected, or whether both were chosen at the same time, is not known. The first instance in which the title is given them in the town records, is under date of December 20, 1660, where each of them is styled "deacon," in the sauie connec- tion. This, however, does not prove that they liad not been sev- eral years in office before that time ; for l>oth of them are sometimes mentioned afterward as well as before, without the title of deacon. They both ai)pear to have remained in office till the close of life. Deacon Godfrey died March 25, 1671, and Deacon Page, September 22, 1679. The next deacon was Francis Page, a son of Deacon Robert Page, and he was probably elected to office soon after the death of his father. He veas the only deacon in office at the time of Mr. John Cotton's or- dination. November 1, 1699, "Thomas Dearborn and Serg* Thomas Philbrick were chosen deacons, and added as such to Dea. Page." If Sergt. Philbrick accepted the appointment his term of office vvas very brief, for he died Nov. 20, 1700. Dea. Francis Page died Nov. 14, 1706. Twelve days after his death, there was achurcii meeting, when Gershom Elkins and Samuel Shaw were chosen deacons "y'' one for y*' Town : y" other for y*^ falls, to join w^'' Deacon Dearborn in y* of- fice." These three deacons were in office at the time of Mr. John Cotton's death, but Dea. Dearborn died on the 14th of the next month. CHAPTER XXI. PASTORS GOOKIN AND WARD COTTON — NEW PARISHES, 1710-1837. REV. NATHANIEL GOOKIN, 1710-1734. HARDLY had the lale pastor rested from his labors and gone to his reward, before the enquiry was earnestly made, Who sliull supply his place? People at that day were not, in general, as fastidious on this subject, as they are now. The more important qualifications for tlie ministry, they did not overlook. They expect- ed their minister to be a consistent christian, deei)ly imbued, not only with the love of souls, but also with a love for the ministerial work. They believed that he should be a man of respectable abilities, both natural and acquired ; but tliought quite as much of diligence in his calling, and devotedness to his appropriate work. Pulpit talents of a higli order were not despised ; but they were not considered of par- amount importance, nor indispensable to a minister's usefulness. Still, it was not always easy to find a minister such as was needed. Candidates for the sacred office were less numerous then, than now, and the qualifications demanded were much more rare than mere literary attainments. But the efforts made on this occasion proved abundantly success- ful, and a man was found, in every way meeting the expectations of the people. Scarcely a month had elapsed after their late beloved pastor had been so suddenly stricken down in death, when we find them in town meeting assembled, not only to make some provision for his afflicted family, as was shown in the last chapter, but also to adopt measures for obtaining another minister. It was voted (April 26, 1710), "that the town is of unanimous mind to hire a min- ister for the town." But though the vote was put in this form, it was not, in fact, unanimous. The people living at the "Falls," had be- fore this time built a meeting-house in that part of the town for their own accommodation, and were actually paying for the support of a minister, as will be shown in its proper place. Tliese people, there- fore dissented from the vote to hire a minister "/or the town." They desired that there should be two distinct parishes in the town, and (377) 378 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. that the people of each parish should be responsible for the support of their own minister. But a majority were opposed to sucli an ar- rangement. They therefore appointed a committee, consisting of Deacon Shaw, Deacon Elkins and Mr, John Tuck, to see if they could procure a minister for the town. The committee appear to liave engaged a man imraediatel.v, for, on the 19tli of June, less tlian two montlis from the time of their ap|)oint- ment, there was a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants lo con- sider whether they should invite him to become their pastor. It was then voted, "that the town is of unanimous mind, that Mr. Nathan- iel Gookin shall be called to the work of the ministry in the town." The action of the church does not appear from the records. The town proposed as a compensation to Mr. Gookin £70 a ^ear, to be paid "in the species att the prises that Mr. Cotton's sallery was paid in," except that the price of barley was now to be 3s. instead of 4s. a bushel, as was stipulated with Mr. Cotton ; and liberty was given for an}' man to pa}' his rate in money, if he chose. Tlie town also offered 20 cords of wood a year, and a quarterh' contribution, and tlie use of the parsonage during his ministry (after tiiat sum- mer), tlie town to maintain the outside fences as formerly'. Coup- led with this offer, was the condition, that as long as lie should have the parsonage in possession, the town would "expect a Lecture monthly, and that the town should be at no more charge about the glass than they were in Mr. Cotton's time." Mr. Gookin asked for a month's time in which to give an answer. Maj. Joseph Smith, Deacon Elkins and Sergt. John Tuck were chosen a committee to receive his answer and lay it before the town. A meet- ing for this purpose was held on the 25th of July. It was voted, probably in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Gookin, that the four contributions should be made £10 apiece in money, but that whoever should enter his dissent against this vote should be exempt from pay- ing any part of it. Mr. Gookin seems still to have been dissatisfied with the terms of- fered him; and the town, probably a little piqued at his course, to liave been disinclined to offer more favorable terms. It was there- fore voted that a rate should be made forthwith for the pa3ment of £10 in money to Mr. Gookin for the time that he had been here, and for some other charges that might arise. John Dearborn (son of John Dear- born, Sen.) was chosen to join with Deacon Elkins and John Tuck, "for to look out to see if they can procuer a minister for the Towne." The meeting was then adjourned to "Monda}' come fortnight," when "every man was to bring his money to Constable llobbs at his house NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 379 to pay his rate made for paying Mr. Gookin for the time he had spent here." At the adjourned meeting, Serg^ Abraham Drake was chosen to go to Mr. Gookin along wiih John Deaiborn, to know his lowest terms. The committee probably attended to the dut}^ assigned them, and made their report at the same meeting, whereupon the town voted that one half of the £70 previously offered to Mr. Gookin should be paid in money yearl}', so long as he should continue here in the work of the ministry, and whenever he should have a family, his £70 should be made £80. This vote appears to have been satisfactory to Mr. Gookin, though his answer, accepting the call, is not on rec- ord. The ordination took place on the 15tli of November, 1710. The charge was given 1)3' Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, of Portsmouth, and the rigiit-hand of fellowship, by Rev. John Emerson, of New Castle. The next month Mr. Gookin was married. At a church meeting in January, 1711, Samuel Dow and Philemon Dalton were chosen deacons, to be added to the two in office before. At this time was made the first provision on record for meeting the expenses of the communion. It was voted, that for providing for the Lord's Supper, every communicant should then pay one shilling, and the same sum annually for the future. THE FALLS CHURCH ORGANIZED. Previous to this there had also been another minister ordained in Hampton. The design of forming a new parish in the south part of the town, which has already been mentioned, though it met with op- position at first, was never given up. At length, an amicable arrange- ment having been made with the people living at the toivn, a new church was organized at the Falls, forty-nine members of the old church (including one of the deacons) having been dismissed for this purpose, and seven other persons having united with them. On the 30th of December, 1711, the other deacons — Elkins, Dow, and Dalton — were chosen messengers of the old church to attend the ordina- tion of a pastor for the new one, which took place three daj's after- ward. At a church meeting at the close of the year 1712 (thirty-one com- municants being present), several important votes were passed: First. That there be a Church Record kept by Deacon Dalton. Second. That this church will not oblige any person to make a Re- lation in order to his being of our communion. 380 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. TldrcJ. That all persons who desire to join in full communion with this church, sliall be first propounded to the church, and that w'hen- soever any person makes a relation, it shall be read only to the church, and at his first propounding. Fonrth. That in an}' case that ma}^ hereafter happen in which this church shall want counsel, api)lication shall be made by the church to the Elders of the churches of this Province, when assembled to- gether, and that all matters shall be determined by their advice. Fifth. That when any member of this church is aggrieved, or does suppose himself to be aggrieved by this cliurch, he shall appl}' him- self to the Elders of the churches of this Province, and be determined by their advice. Sixth. That whensoever we shall by the Providence of God be destitute of a Pastor, we will not proceed to the settling [of] another, without tiie advice of the Elders of the churches of this Province when assembled together. COMMUNION SERVICE PURCHASED. Upon the same day the deacons gave an account of the commun- ion ware, etc., which they had in their hands, belonging to the church. The whole was of but little value, viz. : 3 flagons, 1 tank- ard, and 1 basin, all of them pewter : — 1 table cloth and 5 napkins. It was therefore proposed that money should be raised by subscrip- tion, for purchasing suitable vessels for the communion service of the church. A subscription was accordingly opened, and £32 Is. subscribed by eighty persons, in sums varying from £2 to Is. Deacon Dow was sent to Boston to procure the articles needed. He bought 8 silver beakers, or cups, which with 4 others like them, pur- chased in 1744, still belong to the church, and are all in good con- dition. The cost of the eight cups was £29. The church allowed Deacon Dow 20s. for his journey to Boston, and the remainder of the sum raised was expended for four pewter dishes. Tiie first case of discipline on record is that of a female member of the church, who was accused of stealing, in 1714. She acknowl- edged herself guilty, and by a unanimous vote she was suspended from the privileges of the church. Dea. Samuel Dow died June 20, 1714. On the 19th of July fol- lowing, John Tuck was chosen to fill the vacancy occasionetl by his death. Dea. Gershom Elkins died January 12, 1718, aged nearly 78 years ; and Dea. Philemon Dalton died K\n\\ 5, 1721, aged 56 3'ears. At a full meeting of the church a few days after the death of the latter — NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 381 fifty-four of the brethren being present — three deacons were chosen to join vvitli Deacon Tuck in that office. These were John Dearborn (son of Henry), John Dearborn (son of John), and Josiaii Moulton. THE FOURTH MEETING-HOUSE. In 1718 some incii)ient steps were taicen for building a meeting- house on tlie "town side," to take tlie place of the one that had been built about forty years before. The town (except the portion belong- ing to the new parish) held a meeting on the subject in September, and after voting "y* a new meeting house be built for s*^ parrish, to be sett on y^ meeting house green as neare y^ pres- ent meeting house as shall be judged convenient," chose Capt. Jabez Dow and Dea. John Tuck to take the subject into consideration, and report at an adjourned meeting "what manner of house should be built," and give the town such information as they might, in the meantime, be able to collect. The meeting was then adjourned to the next lecture-day — four weeks from that time. At the adjourned meeting, it was voted to build a house of specified dimensions, with a steeple, or turret at one end thereof "from y« beanie upward, of convenient & suitable bigness and height." Capt. Jabez Dow, Serg*. John Sanborn, Sanniel Nudd, Hezekiah Jenness and John Dearborn (cooper) — "they or y^ major part of them" — were chosen a building committee, and it was voted, "that when y'^coihitte shall giue notice to y*^ people y*^ belongs to s'^ meeting house, they shall assist in y^ Raising thereof." It appears not to have been intended that the house should be built till the next spring. About the time when the work was to be com- menced, another meeting was held, when some alterations were made in the dimensions of the house, to improve its proportions and make it "handsomer." It was voted that it should be 60 feet long, 40 feet wide, "beside the jetts," and 28 feet stud. It was also voted, that the glass of the old meeting-house should be used in glazing and the seats and other inside work, in finishing the new one. The frame of this Meetinghouse — the fourth in the order of suc- cession — was raised on the 13th and 14th of May, 1719; and it was so far finished that it was occupied as a place of worship, for the first time, on the 18lli of October following. Only one pew had then been built, and that for the use of the minister's family. For the rest of the congregation, seats only had been provided. Other pews were built at different times afterward. The next spring the town chose Capt. Joshua Wingate and Samuel Nudd a committee to sell the old meeting-house, as advantageously 382 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. for the town as the}' coukl, the proceeds to be "for the use & benefitt of y*^ Rever'i Mr. Nath'. Gookin." Not far from this time, a new bell was procured for the meeting- house, which, unfortunate!}', was at once so injured as to be unfit for use. The tradition coneorning it is, the bell was bought in Boston and brought to Hampton by water; and while it was still on board the vessel, which was lying at the Landing, it was suspended over the deck for the purpose of making some experiment to gratify an idle curiosity. In making the experiment the bell was broken. A meeting was called to devise means to purchase another bell. It was voted "that y** bell y"^ is through casualty or mishap broke, be forthwith sent to England y*^ it may be exchanged for another neare y*^ same bigness and y*^ selectmen are impowered to raise money to pay for y* which is broke and also for that which it is to be exchanged for, & likewise are to send y'' broken bell away as soon as may be." In 1725, nine persons were dismissed from this church to form one in Kingston. The GREAT EARTHQUAKE of 1727 lias been described in Chapter X. We now recur to it, for the purpose of relating the religious interest awakened among this people in connection with it. The day on which it occurred was the Sabbath, October 29. In the afternoon, Mr. Gookin preached from Ezekiel 7 : 7. — '"The dny of trouble is near." In his introductory remarks, he said : ''I do not pretend to a gift of foretelling future things ; but the impression that these words have made upon my mind in the week past, so that I could not bend my tho'ls to prepare a discourse on any other subject, saving that on which I discoursed in the forenoon, which was something of the same nature ; I say, it being thus, I know not but there may be a particular warning designed by God, of some day of trouble near, perhaps to me, perhaps to you., perhaps to all of us." A few hours passed away and in the stillness of the evening the earthquake came, "with a terrible noise something like thunder," and "the houses trembled as if they were falling." Consternation seized both man and beast. "The brute creation ran roaring about the fields, as in the greatest distress ; and mankind were as much surprised as they, and some with a very great terror." All "saw a necessity for looking to God for his protection." The people of the town met together the next Wednesday, Novem- ber 1, and Mr. Gookin preached a solemn and impressive discourse from Deuteronomy 5: 29. Thursday of the second week after was NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 383 observed here as a Public Fast, when Mr. Gookiu again preached from the same text as in the afternoon before the earthquake, dis- coursing on his subject agreeably to the plan then laid out. His plan was fully carried out in these two discourses and a third one preached from the same text on the last Sabbath in November. The people generally were thoughtful and serious. Many were found "'asking the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward." Soon after, additions were made to the church, mostly of persons in the prime of life. Be- fore the close of the following year, more than seventy were admitted to full communion, and a considerable number of others owned the covenant. THE NEW CHURCH AT RYE. In 1726, a church was organized and a pastor settled in the recently incorporated town of Rye, lying north of the easterly pjirt of Hamp- ton. Settlements had been made there many years before, but as no church had been formed, those persons wishing to make a profession of religion united with the neighboring churches. A considerable number were members of the Hampton church. These, with some others living here, near the border of Kye, twenty in all, were dis- missed in July, for the purpose of being, with others, organized in- to a church at Rye. • In 1725, and several succeeding years, the town paid Mr. Gookin £20 a year in addition to his regular salary. In 1728, the selectmen were impowered to let out the hinder seat on the south side of the lower gallery, and to make a pew for the young women, at the east end of the women's loiuer gallery. The meeting-house, built in 1719, had two galleries, one above the other. The upper gallery was kept closed during the latter part of the time in which this house was occupied. MR. GOOKIn's assistants. Late in Mr. Gookin's ministry, his health became so much impaired, that he could not perform all the pastoral and parochial labors to which he had been accustomed. His people, aware of this, wished to re- lieve him as far as they were able. Accordingly, at a meeting of the freeholders, in the summer of 1729, the deacons were instructed to hire an assistant ; but who was employed is not on record. About three years afterward, a Mr. Gilman served in that capacity for at least seven or eight months. Preachers were hired after this, three months at a time, till the annual meeting in 1734. During a part of 384 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1733, Mr. Solomon Page, a native of Hampton, who was, perhaps at that time, a schoohnaster in tlie town, was the man employed ;^ and in the latter part of the same year, Mr. Ward Cotton was the pastor's assistant. MR. WARD COTTON, COLLEAGUE. At the annual town meeting in 1734, there being no longer any ex- pectation that Mr. Goolvin would ever recover his healtl), a committee was chosen to advise with him, whether it miglit not be expedient to settle some man in the ministry, and if not, to consider what should be done. In case it should be tliouglit advisable, the committee were also authorized to treat with Mr. Cotton, to know whether he w\as willing to settle witli them as their minister. The committee con- sisted of the following persons: Capt. Jonathan Marston, Samuel Palmer, Jun., Capt. Jabez Dow, Christopiier Page, Sen., Dea. Jo- siah Moulton, and Simon Marston. As the result of their negotiation, Mr. Ward Cotton was settled as colleague with Mr. Gookin, the next June. The senior pastor's health continued to decline a few weeks longer, and on Sabbatli day, the 25th of August, 1784, he fell asleep in death, at the age of nearly forty-eight years — about one-half of his life hav- ing been spent in his ministry among this people. During his ministry three hundred twenty persons were admitted to full communion with the church, and about nine hundred seventy-five, baptized. On Monda}', the next day after the death of Mr. Gookin, there was a meeting of the freeholders, when it was voted to raise £100 in money, one half of which — if so large a sum should be needed, — should be appropriated to defray the funeral charges, and the remainder of the £100 be expended in clothing for the widow and children of the deceased pastor. The whole matter was committed to the manage- ment of the selectmen. A slab of fine slate, erected at the expense of the town, marks the grave where he was interred in the old Burying Yard. On the slab is the following inscription, still very legible after the lapse of more than one hundred fifty years : "Here lyes Interred the Body of the Rev*^ Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, M. A. & late Paftor of the 1^* Church of Christ in Hampton, who died Aug. 25, mdccxxxiv in the 48^^ year of his Age, & the 27^'^ of his Ministry. »Chap. xxvn. NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 385 He was A Judicious Divine, A Celebrated Preacher, A most Vigi- lant & faillifiil Pastor, A bright Ornament of Learning and Rkligion, An Excellent Pattern of Piety, CHAiuTr & Hospitality." Mr. Gookin's sermon in the afternoon before the "great earthquake," gained for liim, in some quarters, the reputation of being a prophet. It is said that some of the Quakers reproved him for neglecting "to improve his gift." It is hardl}- necessary to add, that Mr. Gookin himself disclaimed any such gift. One of the most striking characteristics of Mr. Gookin was the gravity and unassumed dignity of his manners. Several anecdotes are related, illustrative of this. On one occasion during his ministry, the royal governor of the province, when passing through the town, stopped at Colonel Wingate's for refreshment. ^ While there, he was called upon by Mr, Gookin. After he had retired, the governor re- marked, that he had had interviews with his majesty, king George, and his ministers, and witli man}' members of Parliament, but never before had he met with any man of equal dignity with this minister of the gospel. The following obituary of Rev. Mr. Gookin was written by Rev. "Ward Cotton, the surviving pastor of the church, and entered on the Town Records, August 28, 1734. "On Lord's day morning, the 25th instant, died here Rev. Mr. Na- thaniel Gookin, in the 48th year of his age. He was the son of the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, minister of Cambridge, and grandson to the Hon. Major General [Daniel] Gookin. He had a liberal Educa- tion in the School and College at Cambridge ; his natural powers were quick & strong, and his Improvements in Learning and Religion were very remarkable ; and by his close Application to his studies, es- pecially in Divinity, he made an early & bright appearance in the pulpit [in] 1710. Upon the death of the venerable Mr. John Cotton, our former pastor, he was called & ordained to the pastoral office in this town, in which station his natural and acquired abilities, in con- junction with his sincere piety and steady prudence, zeal & faithfull- ness in his Lord's work, rendered him truly great and good ; a star of the first magnitude, highly esteemed & beloved by all that knew him. He was justly esteemed by the most judicious, a well accom- plished Divine, a judicious Casuist excellently qualified both to feed & guide the flock of Christ; an eminent preacher, excelling in the most correct phrase, clear method, sound scriptural Reasoning, a mascu- line style, manly voice, grave utterance, and a lively, close applica- »p. 127. 25 386 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. tion to bis hearers, with great affection, and yet free from affectation. The classis of Ministers to which he belonged, placed much of their glory in him, and liighly vahied liis judgment in all cases that came before them. He was a zealous asserter of the civil Rights, and Re- ligious liberties of mankind. His temper was grave & thoughtful, yet at times cheerful and free ; and his conversation very entertain- ing. In his conduct he was ever prudent, and careful of Ins character, both as a minister and as a christian. He was much given to hospi- tality, and took great pleasure in entertaining such as he might im- prove [himself] by conversing with ; — a gentleman of a generous and catholic spirit ; a hearty friend to his country, and to our ecclesiasti- cal constitution ; And always approved himself a bright example of those Doctrines and virtues, which he so plainly preached and earn- estly recommended to others. For some time before his death, he was diverted from his beloved work by a sore malady that affected his throat or palate, which depressed his voice and obstructed his speech ; whereby being taken off from that which was so much his proper element, he at lengtii fell under the sad impression of a slow fever, under which he languished for three or four months, bearing all his trials with an admirable pa- tience and submission, and at last with great peace and comfort, re- signed his spirit to God that gave it, with him to keep an everlasting Sabbalii. He left behind him a sorrowful widow, the pious and virtuous daughter of our former pastor, and nine children, six sons and three daughters, many of which are in tiieir tender infanc}^, whose circum- stances passionately bespeak the generous charity of such as abound, and are able to minister to their support. He was this day honorably interred, with great respect and deep lamentation, after a funeral sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Fitch, from Acts 13 : 36 ; and his generous and affectionate people were at the charge of his funeral & unanimously voted one hundred pound .[£100] for that end ; and as their liberality has abounded to their venerable pastor, both living and dying, so it is hoped that they will continue their kindness to the sorrowful widow and orphans. During his contlnement, with his free consent the Reverend Mr. Ward Cotton was introduced, and settled as his Colleague in the pas- toral oflice, who now survives as his successor, for whom what can we desire better than that the mantle of the departed Elijah may fall and rest U[)on Elisha?" Six years, or more, before his death, this worthy minister remarked, that in case he should be taken away from his family, his great com- NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 387 fort, next to his hope in the most merciful providence of God, was that he should leave them with a kind and loving people. Ilis con- fidence in his peoi)le was not misplaced. Indeed, he then a(*knov*l('dged "the rej)eated instances of kindness," which the}' had shown liim, and in parLicuIai', a ''late signal expression of their love." For. several years previous, the town had from year to year voted him £20 in ad- dition to his stated salary; but W\q\v late signal expression of love., here referred to, was probably an offer on the part of his people, to assist in the education of his eldest son, as related by Mi'. Gookin himself in the following letter: "Hampton, in New Hampshire, June 12th, 1731. Dear Brother : I think I shall not be with you at the Commence- ment. I hope you and my other Friends will direct my Son in any thing" wherein he wants : He is now to take his Degree, and I take the Occasion of it to let you know the remarkable Kindness of .my Neighbors to me. Since he has been at the College, they have by fiee Contributions given me One Hundred and Fifteen Pounds, to as- sist me in Maintaining him there ; and they did it with all the Free- dom that can be imagined ; I having never asked them to do it, nor indeed, did I so much as think of such a thing till of their own accord they offered it. You may inform who 3'ou please of this, for, indeed, one end of my Writing it is, that other Congregations may be stirred up by this good Example, to do the like for their Ministers : I hoast of my Parishoners, hoping that their Zeal in this nfiatter ivill provoJce many others to go and do likewise. 1 am, dear Sir, your affectionate Brother. The town having made provision for paying the expenses of the funeral of Mr. Gookin, soon after provided for his bereaved family. At a meeting of the freeholders, September 16, 1734, it was voted that the rate that had been recently made for Mr. Gookin's support, and committed to the constable, should be collected and given to Mrs. Gookin. It was also voted : "To give Mrs. Gookin liberty to keep three or four of her own cows and a horse from year to year in y*' home pastor [pasture] & liberty to cut hay a noff [enough] upon the marsh to keep them in y® winter," and to give her ''fifteen cord of wood from 3'ear to year during her present widowhood in this town." About three months afterward, further provision was made for her support. It was voted to give £40 in money and £40 in provision "at the present currency" yearly after the expiration of the year for which provision had already been made. 388 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. The parsonage-house, or so much of it as she needed, was occupied by her, till the town provided her with another house, thougli this ap- pears not to have been granted by any formal vote. At another meeting of the freeholders, it was voted with but one dissenting vote, to build a house for Mrs. Gookin to live in during her present widowhood. The house was accordingly l)uilt '-between Mr. Rand's house and Capt. Jabez Smith's land on the most con- venient spot near the lane" — land now owned by Christopher G. Top- pan, on "Rand's hill." It was 26 feet in length, 28 in width, and 15 feet post ''between the sills and y*^ top of y*^ plate," with a cellar un- der it 16 feet square. Morris Hobbs, Jun., and Philip Towle agreed to build this house, finding the materials and doing the work "for £200 money, in bills of credit," and to complete it by the last of October, 1735. Some of the timber, however, was cut on the parsonage by the contractors, for which the town charged them nothing. At the annual meeting in March, 1735, it was voted to give Madam Gookin five cords of wood for that year, in addition to the fifteen cords formerly granted. Whereupon twenty loads of wood were im- mediately subscribed, in lieu of the five cords voted. It was also voted that she should have the improvement, for that year, of the gar- den at the west end of the parsonage house. One year later the town voted to build a yard about Madam Gookin's new house. She was at that time occupying the house. Again, on the 19th of April, the town voted to build a barn for her use, 25 feet square and 12 feet post, to be well finished ; for building which the town agreed to give John Marston £30, and this sum was afterward increased to £35. When, several years after this, a new parish was formed in the north part of the town, and again at a still later date, when that parish was incorporated, and made entirely distinct from the old town (ex- cept in making the Province tax and in choosing a representative), it was expressly provided that the new parish, or town, should pay a just proportion of the sum appropriated for the support of Madam Gookin. The foregoing provisions for her support, so cheerfully made, were never regarded as burdensome. It was, however, well understood from the first, that the obligations thus voluntarily assumed, would be ter- minated — except the annual payment of £40 in mouey and £40 in pro- vision — by her re-marriage, or in case she should remove from the town, be suspended during her absence. In January, 1740, her eldest daughter was married to Rev. Peter Coffin, of East Kingston, and then, or subsequently. Madam Gookin went to live with this daughter, and remained with her through life. NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 389 At a church meeting, May 15, 1748, it was voted almost unani- mously to have a contribution the next Sabbath for the relief of Madam Gookin, who had been "for more than ten weeks lying under God's chastening hand at Kingston" (P^ast Kingston). The contri- bution was taken according to this vote on the next Sabbath, May 22nd, and amounted to £4G old tenor. But this was too late for the relief of Madnm Gookin, who had died two days before. The town afterward appropriated £70 old tenor, towards paying the funeral charges. THE HAMPTON FALLS CHURCH. On Mr. Gookin's death, in 1734, Mr Cotton became sole pastor of the church. Let us leave the situation thus, and turn aside to see how it has fared with the new chui ch across Taylor's river, the formation of which has been briefly noticed. We may here note also, the sub- sequent formation of new parishes originating in this church. In the beginning of the Hampton Falls settlement, ecclesiastical and secular affairs are so intimately blended, it is impossible to sep- arate them. When the meeting-house was built, mentioned in their first petition to the General Assembly, in 1709, is not known; nor is it certain who was the minister, though there is reason to think it was a resident school-master, named Thomas Crosby, a son of Rev. Sea- born Cotton's second wife by a former marriage. That he was not qualified to administer the rite of btiptism, and consequently, not ordained, seems evident; because after the petition of 1709 had been granted, and Rev. Theophilus Cotton had begun his labors there, under date June 17, 1711, the following minute appears on the Hampton Records : "Samuel, son of Mr. Pottle, was the first that was baptized in Falls meeting-house." But Mr. Cotton himself was not ordained at that time, and the child was baptized by the pastor of the Hamp- ton church. The meeting-house stood on the Hill, near the present site of the Weare monument, and appears to have been a rude building, occu- pied in an unfinished state till long after Hampton Falls became a separate town. In 1723, the burying-grouud, on the Exeter road, near by, was fenced in. Rev. Theophilus Cotton was born at Plymouth, May 5, 1682. He finished his course at Harvard at the age of nineteen. Of the next eight years of his life we know nothing, but naturally conjecture that he studied theology with his father, and preached as opportunity offered. He went to Hampton Falls sometime between December 3, 1709, and May 13, 1710, and preached there nearly two years before the church was organized. 390 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. On the 9th of December, 1711, forty-niue members of the old church in Hampton were dismissed, in order to form the Hampton Falls church ; and four days afterward, amid the solemnities of a day of fasting and prayer, the new church was organized Avith twenty one male and thirty-five female members. The Rev. Mr. Gushing of Salisbury, preached on the occasion ; and Rev. Messrs. Gookin of Hampton and Odlin of Exeter assisted in the service. Four weeks later, January 2, 1712, Mr. Cotton was ordained. The salary was at first sixty pounds and firewood, and the use of a parsonage of thirty acres; to which, after a few years, twenty pounds and more land were added. Mr. Cotton married Mnry, widow of Dr. Gedney of Salem, and daughter of Mr. Gookin of Cambridge. They had no children. His ministry of about fifteen years seems to have been altogether a peaceful one, marked by no unusual events. Ninety-eight persons were received to full commiinion, thirty-five owned the covenant and four hundred sixty-eight were baptized. Mr. Cotton died August 16, 1726, so that his ministry covers the whole time of the ecclesiastical connection of Hampton Falls with the old town. Rev. Mr. Gookin of Hampton preached funeral sermons on the following Sabbath, from 2 Cor. 5 : 4, and John 5 : 35. Mr. Cotton was buried in the cemetery near the church, and a monument erected over his grave, bearing this inscription : ''Here lyes ye body of ye Revd. Mr. Theophihis Cotton ye First Minister of ye Church at Hamptoufalls, who, after he had served God faithfully in his generation. Deceased, August ye 16th, 1726, in ye 45*** year of his age. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Succeeding pastors of this church were : Rev. Joseph Whipple, 1727-1757; Rev. Josiah Bailey, 1757-1762 ; Rev. Paine Wingate,i 1763-1776; Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D.,^ 1781-1797; Rev. Jacob Abbot,3 1798-1827. Rev. Moses Dow preached in Hampton Falls about three years, from 1830. In the summer of 1834, Rev. Henry C. Jewett supplied the pulpit ; and during his stay, a separation took place — a majority of the parish, with a small portion of the church becoming Unitarian, and the remainder forming the nucleus of a new church, worshipping for a time in the old meeting-house in Seabiook. In 1836, a new house was built near the line between Hampton Falls and Seabrook. July 12, 1837, Rev. Sereno T. Abbott was ordained pastor, and the same 'See Genealogies — Wingate (1). ^I'lesitleut Ilarv. Univ. 1774-1780. 'The last minister settlert by tlie town. [See Genealogies — Abbot.] NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 391 day, a new chnrch was organized, now generally known as the Line church, receiving into it the last survivor of the old Seabrook church. The Unitarian division assumed the name of "The First Church of Hampton Falls," and employed Rev. Linus H. Shaw as pastor for about a year. In 1841, the Unitarians of Hampton Falls and Ken- sington united, and Rev. Jacob Caldwell was ordained to minister to the two societies. THE KENSINGTON SEPARATION FROM THE HAMPTON FALLS CHURCH. August 19, 1737, an act was passed, establishing a parish by the name of Kensington, in the west part of Hampton Falls. The first meeting-house was erected about one-half mile north of the old burying-ground. It was removed, however, to the present site of the town-house before it was finished. The second house was built on the same spot in 1771, and remained till 1846, when it was taken down and the town-house built in its place. The third meeting- house was built by the united labors of different denominations, near the old one, in 1839. Fifty-seven persons were dismissed from the church in Hampton Falls, October 4, 1737, ''■to incorporate at Kensington. "^ Two days later, fourteen persons, including the pastor elect, were dismissed from the old church in Hampton, for the same purpose, and the church was organized the same day, October 6, 1737. Rev. Jeremiah Fogg was ordained November 23, of the same year, the pastors of Hampton and Hampton Falls assisting on the occasion. Mr. Fogg's ministry con- tinued more than fifty years. The greater part of it appears to have been peaceful and acceptable ; but near the close of his life some ec- clesiastical difficulties arose, which led to the calling of several coun- cils, and Mr. Fogg was dismissed in September, 1789. Shortly after- ward, he died and was buried in the old cemetery in Kensington. His gravestone bears this inscription : "In Memory of the Rev. Jeremiah Fogg, A.M. who died Dec. 1, 1789, in the 78'^ year of his age and the 52"*^ of his Ministry. 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' " [See Genealogies — Fogg (9). ] Aftei; Mr. P'ogg's death, the people of Kensington continued in a divided state for several years ; but united at length in a call to Rev. Naphtali Shaw, who was ordained and settled June 30, 1793, and continued pastor almost twenty j^ears, when, on account of ill health, he was dismissed January 13, 1813, and Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy, a Scotchman by birth, but said to have come from Ireland, was in- stalled pastor the same day. He was dismissed July 1, 1816, and died in Philadelphia in 1843 or '44. m. F. chh. rec. 392 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Rev. Joseph A. E. Long was tlie next stated preacher, closing a two years' couuectiou with the church in 1823. At a later period, he returned for a short time. The churcli covenant was revised during Mr. Shaw's ministry and again by Mr. Long. Afterward, the Uni- tarian form was adopted. The pulpit was supplied by occasional preachers, till a union was formed with the Unitai'ian society of Hamp- ton Falls in 1841. THE SKABKOOK SEPARATION FROJI THE HAMPTON FALLS CHURCH. November 21, 1765, fifty-six inhabitants of Hampton Falls, pro- fessing dissatisfaction with Rev. Paine Wingate, on account of doc- trine, and declaring themselves Presbyterians, having already foniied a church, built a meeting-house and settled a minister, petitioned the General Court to be set off as a distinct parish, ''for ministerial affah'S only." A counter petition was presented, January 1, 1766, by a committee chosen by the town, Hon. Meshech Weare, chairman, desiring that, if they be set off at all, it be absolutely, as a distinct town. The lat- ter petition prevailed, and the south part of Hampton Falls became the town of Seabrook in 1768.1 The dissenting church was organized about the first of November, 1764, under the Presbyterian form of government, and connected with the Boston Presbytery. It was composed principally of persons from the Hampton Falls church, as above stated. The meeting-house was built in 1763, and still remains standing in Seabrook, remodelled, as a Baptist church and town-house. Rev. Samuel Perley was the first and only Presbyterian pastor. He was ordained January 31, 1765, and remained till the beginning of the Revolutionary war. The next year, Mr. Wingate retired from the Hampton Falls church, and those who had withdrawn from his ministry to form the Presbyterian church returned and were readmitted. After this there was no regular preaching at the Seabrook church for more than twenty years. About the year 1799, a new church was formed, on Congregational principles, and Rev. Elias Hull was settled as its pastor, continuing till his death, February 28, 1822. Then the church became scattered. Some removed from the place, some died, some went to other denominations, and two aged women alone re- mained. One of these lived to join the Line church, in 1837. THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. ^ [fHkeich by the late Oliver Eaton , Esq., of Seabrook ] At the Salisbury Court, 14 : 2IIIo : 1674, thirteen persons, all belong- 1 Piov. Pap. ix: 373. ^ See Treatment of Quakers, Chap. ii. NEW PARISHES. 1710-1837. 393 ing to Hampton, "were convicted before this court for y'^ breach of y^ hiw called Quakers meeting, and were all admonished & so upon pajnng y® fees of y*^ court are discharged for y*' p'sent."^ The earliest record of the Friends' Society in Hampton, now Sea- brooic, begins in the year 1701. Their first "Meeting" was established, however, about 1699; and their "Quarterly Meeting," as early as 1697, perhaps earlier. At a meeting held at Hampton, in 1701, the Quakers^ decided to build a meeting-house. The sum of sixty-six pounds, four shillings was raised, mostly by subscription, to defray the expenses, one man paying thirty pounds.^ Tliereu|)on, Thomas Chase, of Hampton, in consideration of love and good-will, convej^ed to Joseph Chase, Abraham Green, John Stanyan and Joseph Dow, Sen., ail of Hampton, aforesaid, in the name and behalf of all those christian people, called Quakers, living in Hamp- ton, aforesaid, a certain tract of land, situated in the bounds of Hampton, aforesaid, " to Seat a Meeting-house thereon." The deed was dated 21**^ 6 mo: 1701.^ And here, on these premises, in the au- tumn of the same year, the society built their meeting-house, which still exists, in a good state of pi'eservation, though removed to another locality and for another purpose, in 1888. The frame, as originally constructed, was twenty-six and one half feet wide, thirty-two feet long, and eight feet stud. In this little house, all of the order from Hampton, Salisbury and Amesbuiy, held their weekly and monthly meetings, — the weekly meetings for about four years, until the Friends' meeting-house, at Amesbury was built, in 1705; and the monthly meetings for about nine years, until May 18, 1710, when a monthly meeting was held at Amesbury. From that date, for more than sixty years, it was held alternately at Amesbury and Hampton (Hampton Falls, 1719 — Sea- brook, 1768). The first marriage recorded among this society of Friends took place in 1705, at the house of Thomas Barnard, Avhere a meeting was held for the occasion. The parties were John Peaslee and Mary Martin. This marriage record was signed by forty-seven witnesses. In 1701, John Collins, Henry Dow, Jeremiah Dow and Joseph Dow, Jr., members of the Quaker Society, were living in that part of Sea- brook, over which the town of Salisbury then exercised the right of jurisdiction and taxation. "And this year, Isaac Morrill, Jr., con- 1 Records of Norfolk County Courts. 2 A name first given to tliis sect by their enemies about 1650, and afterwards quite gener- ally adopted. 3 Quaker Records. * Kock. Co. Rec. 394 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Stable for the year 1700, took from Jeremiah Dow a quart pot, a pair of fire-tongs, a tray and a cake of tallow, to satisfy the Hireling- Minister, Caleb Gushing, for preaching." The same day he took a gun from Richard Smith, "to pay the priest for preaching in Salis- bury." After a few years the Quakers were exempted from paying a minister's rate. In 1705, the Quakers in the vicinity of Amesbury desiring a house of worsliip, the Hampton monthly meeting chose a committee of two, to look out a location suitable for the purpose. In 1710, the Friends' monthly meeting received five books, sent from England. At a commoner's meeting in Hampton, February 19, 1711, Joseph Chase and John Stanyan, "that have a considerable right in the land granted for a parsonage," requesting that the people called Quakers might have some satisfaction, it was voted that their request be granted, and that twelve acres of land be laid out to them. "Pursuant to which, we the lotlayers of the said town, whose names are under- written have laid out the said grant this 11 day of May, 1711." Then follows a description of the land, "to the eastward of the Falls river." Signed by Samuel Dow and Jonathan Moulton, Lotlayers. At the Friends' monthly meeting at Amesbury, in November, 1721, a communication from the quarterly meeting was read, asking their opinion in regard to wearing wigs. At the next monthly meeting, at Hampton, the following conclusion was reached : ''The matter above mentioned cousarning y® Wearing of Wigges was Discorsed & It was concluded by this meeting y* y® Wearing of Extravegent Superflues Wiggs Is all to Gather Gontreary to truth." In 1728, a collection was taken by the Friends towards repairing the Boston meeting-house ; for which the Hampton Friends contributed five pounds, ten shillings. CHAPTER XXir. REV. WARD COTTON'S MINISTRY — THE NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-17G7. REV. WARD COTTON, PASTOR, MR. Ward Cotiou delivered the first sermon which he preached in Hampton, in July, 1731. How long he remained here im- mediately after that time, we do not know. He was chosen by the town in September, 1733, to assist Mr. Gookin the next three months, and the term of his engagement was afterward extended to the time of the annual town meeting the next spring. At that meeting the freeholders voted to settle him in the work of the ministry, as colleague with Mr. Gookin, provided they could agree upon the terms of settlement. The terms first offered not being satis- factory, they were soon after modified so as to read as follows : "We will yearly give Mr. Ward Cotton £100 in paper money of the present currency, and £20 in provision at the same lay that the Rev- erend Mr. Gookin has his, during his continuance in the ministry in this place, and after four years are expired, we will add £5 a year until the salary amounts to £120 a year in paper money, besides the £20 in provision ; and we will provide him a convenient parsonage- house and land, &c., sufficient to keep two or three cows and a horse, and what wood may be necessary ; and we will not exceed a year be- fore we have these things in some forwardness, and in the meantime we will provide him some convenient place to dwell in." At a church meeting on the 9th of May, the following vote was passed : "Whereas this town hath chosen Mr. Ward Cotton for their minister with their present minister, w^e do now choose him to be our pastor with our present pastor." Mr. Christopher Page and Mr. Samuel Palmer, Jun. — two of the town's committee — were chosen on the part of the church, "to wait upon Mr. Cotton with this vote, and to pray his answer." The record says, "They return'd with his answer of acceptance." It w^as then decided that the ordination should be on Wednesday, the 19th of June, and that the following churches be invited to form (395) 396 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. the council, viz. : The churches in Newton and Providence, feoth the churches in Salisbury, both the churches in Portsmouth, and the churches in Exeter, at the Falls, in Greenland and in Stratliam. The four deacons — or any two of them — were authorized to sign the letters missive. As a preparatory step, the church voted to observe the 23d day of May as a day of fasting and prayer. The ordination took place ns arranged. Rev. William Allen, of Greenland, offered the introductory prayer; Rev. .John Cotton, of Newton, Mass., a brother of the candidate for settlement, preached from I Thess. 2 : 4 ; Rev. John Odlin, of Exeter, made the ordaining prayer; Rev. Caleb Gushing, of Salisbury, Mass., gave the charge; Rev. Jabez Fitch, of Portsmouth, the right-hand of fellowship ; and Rev. Henry Rust, of Stratham, offered the concluding prayer. This is the first instance, in which at an ordination among this people, we find any mention of a sermon. It seems probable that, at former ordinations, there had been no sermons preached by others than the persons to be ordained. At the time when Mr. Cotton became pastor of the church, there were 253 members in full communion — 84 males and 169 females. Though he was settled as colleague with Mr. Gookin, yet on account of the feebleness of the senior pastor at that time and of his death a little more than two months afterward, Mr. Cotton may be regarded as having the whole charge of the pastorate from the time of his or- dination. About three years after, a church was formed in Kensington, some- times called the third parish in Hampton. Fourteen persons, includ- ing Mr. Jeremiah Fogg, the pastor elect of the new church, were dismissed from this church "in order to their being embodyed into a church state in y*^ Third Parish of this Toavu," on the 6th day of Octo- ber, 1737.1 At a church meeting in the following spring — about seventy breth- ren being present — the following votes were passed : "Y' a Commit- tee of seven Brethren be chosen to assist the Pastor in many affairs relating to y*^ advancement of y® Spiritual welfare of this Church & Congregation." "¥'■ Christopher Page, Deacon Josiah Moulton, Benjamin James, Capt. Jabez Smith, Joshua Lane, and Joseph Philbrick, be the Com- mittee for this purpose.""^ "Y' they shall from time to time consult «Sc advise with their Pastor, & take no steps in any affair without his knowledge, or at least soon after acquainting him with the same." 'See last chapter. 'A seventh was not chosen. REV. WARD COTTON — NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-1767. 397 This was probably the origin of a "standing committee" in this church, the propriety or the benefit of which is at least questionable. About one hundred years later, it was abolished. Another vote passed at the same meeting, is the first intimation that we have, of any money being raised among this people for mis- sionary purposes. The vote is thus recorded : "To have a contri- bution in some convenient time to promote y^ preaching of the Gospel in y*^ Towns of Providence, South Kingston & Westerly within y^ Colony of Rhode Island." It was also voted, that the money, when collected, should be put into the hands of the pastor, to be delivered to Dr. Colman and Dr. Sewall, of Boston, for the purpose designated. The contribution proposed was taken up on the Sabbath near the middle of April, and amounted to "upwards of £20 in money." About three months after, a letter acknowledging the receipt of the money, was received from Dr. Colman and Dr. Sewall, and read to the people on the Sabbath. "Mr. Thomas Bernard (Barnard) ^ being called to settle as Pastor to y® 2*^ Church in Newberry, was dismiss'd from us to y*^ same," January 21, 17^9 ; and Dea. Josiah Moulton, Maj. Joshua Wingate and Capt. Jabez Smith were chosen messengers to accompany the pastor to the ordination. NORTH HILL PARISH. In the spring or early summer of 1738 a dispute arose, which seri- ously threatened the peace of the church and, in fact, continued to vex both church and town for several years. A considerable number of people living in the north part of tbe town, having already built a meeting-house there, requested the town to free them from paying taxes for the sup[)ort of Mr. Cotton, while they had preaching at their own house ; but the town refused to grant their request. They therefore had recourse to the General Court the next November, petitioning to be constituted a parish, and were suc- cessful in their application. The new parish was called North Hill.^ In the autumn of the following year, many of the members of the church, who lived in that part of the town, requested a dismission for the purpose of being organized into a church in connection with the new parish. The request having been considered by the church, and a vote taken, was not granted. No reasons are assigned in the record. 'Son of Rev. John Barnard of Andover, Mass.; born in that town, Aug. 17. ITU); ordained pastor of the 2nd church in Newbury, Jan. 31, 1739; resigned the pastoral office. Jan. 18, 17.'51 ; was installed pastor of the 1st church in Salem, Sept. 18, 17oo, and died Aug. 5, 1776, aged 60 years. (See Chaj). XXVI.) , 2Chap. XI. 398 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. It may be, that a majority of the church considered the organization of another church unnecessary, and on that account voted against the request ; or they may have thought that the support of another minister would prove burdensome to the town. A second application for dismission having been made in October, the church again refused to grant it — only fourteen members voting in favor, while thirty-seven voted against it. The North Hill brethren then called a council to consider and act upon the case. The church appointed Jabez Dow, Christopher Page and Samuel Palmer, Jun., to "be a Coiiiittee joyned with their Pastor to send in w^hat w^e shall think proper to the Council of Churches, which are to meet at y^ Desire of N[orth] Hill Brethren." At another church meeting about North Hill affairs, October 30, more than sixty of the brethren being present — the statement which the committee had prepared to lay before the council, having been read, was approved by the church, and the committee were dii'ected to send it to the council. This having been done, the council sent to the church a "declaration," signed by the North Hill people, which the church would not accept because they "did not think it express & full enough." After this the church voted that they were ready for a conference with a committee of the council. Such a committee met the church and "offered all they had to say . . . and then with- drew." The church, after a reconsideration of the whole matter, passed the following vote : "That we have done what we think right & just in this affair as to not dismissing the brethren and others at North Hill, and that we will not be any farther concerned about these affairs." The next day the church at North Hill was organized without the consent of this church, and a pastor was ordained. That the first church soon became reconciled to these acts, is evi- dent from the fact, that they not long afterward, and on several occasions, dismissed persons from their own communion, to unite with the church at North Hill. TIIK pastor's salary UNDER A DEPRECIATED CURRENCY. On account of the depreciation of the paper currency, the value of Mr. Cotton's salary was considerably less, a few years after his settle- ment, than at the time when the contract with him was made. To indemnify him for this loss, the town at many different times, granted to him additional sums. The first instance of such a grant was on the 13th of March, 1739, when the sum of £20 money in bills of credit was voted to him for the ensuing year. The same sum was voted REV. WARD COTTON — NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-1767. 399 from year to year, till 1743, when it was voted to add £40 old tenor to his salary for the ensuing year. In March of the year preceding, the town also voted "that the Rev*'. Mr. Cotton should have a con- tribution given him by the town on the sacramental Sabbath in April for his more than ordinary labors among his people that year." There is no intimation in the last vote as to the occasion of the in- crease of the pastor's labor at that time. On tumiing to the church records, however, it will be seen that there was then an unusual amount of religious interest in the town. It was the period of "The Great Awakening" — the time when Rev. George Whitefield was labor- ing with great success among the New England churches. The pastor of this church sympathized with Mr. Whitefield in his views and practices. As the result of the awakening in this town, ninety-three persons were received to the First Church during the year 1742. Of this number, forty-one were admitted in March, and thirty-tlu-ee in April. At this time, the limits of the parish had been very much re- duced, on account of the formation of the church and parish in the north part of the town, a few years before. A contribution for Mr. Cotton was afterward taken in the month of April, annually, the town voting it from year to year, and gener- ally without assigning any particular reason; but in 1743 it was said to be "for his great labor," and in 1745, "for y*^ support of y*^ Lect- ers." As the currency depreciated, the sum voted, to make good the pastor's salary, was necessarily increased, till in 1750 his £120 had become £480 old tenor. After this, for several years, the annual salary was £360. In 1756 howevei', the currency still depreciating, £560 were paid. The next year, Col. John Weeks, Capt. Jonathan Moulton and Jonathan Shaw were chosen a committee to determine what sum should be allowed. In this manner or by the selectmen, the sum needed to make good the salary was determined annually, during the remainder of Mr. Cotton's ministry. THE SECOND SOCIETY OF YOUNG MEN. One of the means employed by Mr. Cotton to promote the moral and spiritual interests of his people, was to form them into societies, for mutual improvement. How many such societies were formed, we do not know. The regulations, or constitutions, of three, at least, have come to our notice. That the character and objects of these associations may be understood, we here transcribe the articles of agreement, by which one of themwias governed. This was the second 400 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. SOCIETY OF TorNG mf:n, and was formed during the season of special religious interest, in the spring of 1742. Articles for the Private Mketing of Young Men, who belong to the Second Society of such in Hampton, to which they are to set their HANDS. We whose names are hereunto set, being sensible that it is not only our duty, but interest, to seek God early, and to encourage and edify one another in the ways of Religion, do for these ends, with the cheerful consent of our Pastor, the Rev. Mr. "Ward Cotton, form ourselves into a Society for the worship of God in a more private Avay, and declare our consent to the follow- ing Articles, drawn up by him. 1. That we Avill meet together for the worship of God on Sabbath-day evenings, at some suitable place, and at all other times that the greatest part of us shall agree upon. 2. Being met, we will, as God shall enable us, by turns perform the sev- eral parts of our meeting, namely : we will pray to God and sing his Praises, and read some portion of Holy Scripture, or some good book ; but, if any de- sire for good reasons to be excused from praying, they shall [be]. 3. We will bear with one another's infirmities, and not make known any- thing, of what nature soever, that may tend to the prejudice of our meeting. i. We do oblige ourselves to go directly from our meetings to our sev- eral homes; that is, not to go to, or tarry in, any unworthy company what- soever. 5. They that would be admitted into our Society, shall be first propounded, and stand so one Aveek, and if the major part do consent, they shall set their names to these Articles, and, if they will, take and keep a copy of them for their serious and diligent perusal. 6. That all manner of disagreeings, strife and quarrellings shall be sup- pressed by us, and we will live in love and peace. 7. When we are absent from our meetings, we will endeavor to carry our- selves so as that none may justly speak evil of us. 8. If any of us see or hear any of our Society say or d(i anything unbe- coming a member of such a Society, we will reprove them with a spirit of meekness, love and tenderness. 9. But if any, notwithstanding such reproof, continue in any evil courses, we will debar them from coming to our meeting, till there shall appear some signs of repentance or reformation; but in this and all other cases that may seem to require it, we will ask advice of our Pastor. 10. We will endeavor to get and keep in our minds an awful sense of the bonds we are under by our Baptism, to be the Lord's and in due time to ap- proach the table of Christ. 11. If any one leaves the Society by marriage, or for any other good reason, he shall acquaint the Society therewith, that so they may no more expect him, and that he may have their earnest prayers for him. 12. The first Sabbath-day night in every month, we will read over these Articles, and call over our list, so that, if any one has been absent, he may in a brotherly way be asked the reason of it. REV. WARD COTTOX — NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-1767. 401 13. We will avoid all worldly and unsuitable discourse, before and after meeting. Finally, We hope that the grace of God will be sufficient for vfs, and that his Spirit Avill help our intirinities, and that he will fnltil that gracious prom- ise, Matt. 18 : 20. — "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And now, my young people, for whom I have drawn up these Articles, let me tell you that the ej'es of God and man will be more upon you than ever, and a-s for me, I shall have no greater joy than to sec and hear that you walk in the truth, and in order hereto you shall have my earnest prayers for you; and to the blessing of -God I commend you, hoping that you and the other Society of j'oung men will ever be blessings and comforts to one another, and, in your day and generation, to the churcli and people of God here. Ameu & Amen. Hampton, February the 5th in the year 1741-2. John Marston. James Philbrick. Simon Dow. Simon Marston. Josiah Moulton. Jonathan Godfrey. Samuel Brown. Ben]" Philbrick. John Tuck. Elisha Marston. Nath' Batchelder. Samuel Palmer. Amos Knowles. Richard Muchimore. Joseph Philbrick. Daniel Philbrick. James Garland. William Marston. Ephraim Marston. .Joseph Dow. Benj" Batchelder. Simon Jackson. William Hues. In 1744, the church purchased four new flagons for £21 and four new silver cups for £64 7s. After the reduction of Louisburg, in 1745, and while a military force from New England was still maintained there, the committee of war, of Massachusetts, invited Mr. Cotton to go to Cape Breton and re- main a few months as a chaplain. He laid the subject before the church in February, 1746, but only ten votes were given in favor of his going, and those by persons who "had children or other relatives there." Early in December, 1749, a public fast was observed, as recom- mended by the Convention of Ministers in New Hampshire. During the next year, there appears to have been more than ordinary religious interest, if we may judge by the number of admissions to the church. In the course of the year, twenty-six persons were received into full communion. In 1754 twenty -five were admitted, and in 1756. nine- teen. From that year to the close of Mr. Cotton's ministry, but few were admitted. 26 402 HISTORY or HAMPTON. In the spring of 1750, an arrangement was made for selling several tracts of the parsonage land for cash, the interest arising from the pro- ceeds to* be appropriated for the payment, in part, of the minister's salary. This plan met with considerable opposition, and twenty-nine persons entered their dissent. The ground of their opposition is not stated. ]\Ir. Cotton was of an ardent temperament, and when preaching, sometimes nearly lost control of himself. On such occasions, a signal from one of his deacons, which he well understood, instantly restored his self-possession. He seldom confined himself wholly to what he had written, but generally added some extempore remarks. Each sermon usually occupied an hour in its delivery. When he began to preach, his hour-glass was turned and placed on the pulpit by his side, and when the last sands had run out, his sermon Avas brought to a close. On one occasion, owing to some obstruction, the sand failed to run as usual, but the preacher did not observe it till his sermon had been protracted to an extraordinary length. When made aware of the fact, he exclaimed : "I might preach and preach, to all eternity — and the sand would not run out !" It was Mr. Cotton's habit to preach several sermons from the same text, and from some, he preached many times. For instance : he preached eight sermons from I. Cor. xiii : 1-8 and 13. From Gal. v: 17-25, he preached thineen sermons; and no less than thirty-one^ from James iv : 7 — "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Gladly would we draw a veil over the last years of Mr. Cotton's pastorate, for it ended in sorrow. Suspicions were excited and darkly hinted, several years before any definite charges, affecting his moral character were openly brought against him. But such charges were at length preferred. A council was called, which convened on the 22nd of October, 1765, being composed of ministers and delegates from the following churches : the church in Newburyport, the Second church in Amesbury, the church in Newmarket, the church in Rye, the Second church in Salisbury, the First church in Exeter and the chtinh in Brentwood. The council was organized by the choice of •Rev. John Lowell, of Newbur^-port, as moderator, and Rev. Samuel Webster, of Salisbury, as scribe. After giving both parties a public hearing, and considering the case "with great care and diligence," the council came to a result unfavor- able to the pastor. In making np their result, they gave their opinion in relation to the several charges separately. They mentioned some ex- tenuating circumstances, particularly the fact that Mr. Cotton's mind had been greatly impaired by a paralytic shock. But after making all EEV. WARD COTTON NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-1767. 4t.>3 due allowance for this, the council said : "Thus to our great grief, it appears that the church have sufllcieut ground of uneasiness with their pastor, and have sui)ported the spirit and tenor of their charges against him." They therefore advised the church and people to give him a dismission, and him, to accept it. Mr. Cotton was accordingly dismissed, November 12. He con- tinued to reside here for some time afterward, and was at length re- stored to the communion of the church. He eventually removed to Plymouth, where he died, in 1768. [See Genealogies — Cotton (4)]. THE PARSONAGE LAWSUIT. Troubles between this town and North Hampton, on account of parsonage propert}', had been I'ankling a long time. Several years after the removal of Madam Gookin to East Kingston, the house and barn built for her use were sold ;^ and, since North Hampton had al- •ways continued to pay its proportion of her pension, the old town voted that North Hampton have its proportion of the money received from the sale. This was satisfactory ; but there were various pieces of parsonage land lying, some in one town and some in the other, the whole income from which, the old town appropriated, while the new town claimed its proportionate share for the use of the church at North Hill. Both parties being tenacious of what they considered their rights, an action of ejectment was brought in the name of Rev. Na- thaniel Gookin, of North Hampton, against Joseph Taylor Weare, Benjamin Mason, Benjamin Batchelder and Samuel Blake of Hampton ; and Thomas Haines, Jr., Josiah Marston, Morris Lamprey, Sr., and Benjamin Lamprey, Jr., of North Hampton Parish ; all of whom were in possession of land called Parsonage land, belonging to Hampton, one half of which, the said Gookin demanded of the above-named persons as his property, etc., — said action to be tried the first Thurs- day following the first Tuesday in December, 1757. The above-named men leased the several parcels of land in question, and Mr. Gookin claimed one-half the rents "during the term of his ministry." This town chose Mr. John Sanborn and Dr. Anthony P2mery, agents, with full power to "answer, prosecute and defend." The next year, owing to existing litigation with Dr. Emery in the small-pox case, 2 his power as agent was revoked, and Col. Jonathan Moulton chosen in his room, Mr. John Smith to serve with him. As with many another lawsuit, this dragged through the courts for many years, but North Hampton eventually gained the suit. March 19, 1765, Christopher Toppan, Esq., and Jeremiah Towle were chosen 1 p. 202. » p. 209. 404 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. a committee, to examine Colonel Moul ton's accounts, as agent for the town against North Hampton. At an adjourned meeting, April 9, that duty was transferred to the selectmen. Again, December 1 , 1766, it was voted, that the agents be empowered to complete the appeal from judgment of the Governor and Council for parsonage lands, given North Hampton, to the King and Council at Great Britain. The appeal, however, was not made, a better so- lution of the difficulties having been devised. Jonathan Moulton, Anthony Emery, and Thomas Nudd, Esquires ; Jeremiah Marston, Gent. ; Josiah Moulton, Gent. ; John Lamprey and Jeremiah Towle, yeomen — all of Hampton : — and John Leavitt, Esq. ; Abraham Drake, Gent. ; Caleb Marston, Jonathan Page, Reuben Dearborn, Joseph Hobbs, yeomen, and Levi Dearborn, physician, — all of North Hampton — w'ere chosen a Committee ''to hear & consider the proposals made relative to a settlement concerning the Parsonage Lands belonging to said Hampton & North Hampton." On the 20th of January, 1767, they met and agreed to report to their constituents respectively the following terms of settlement : That the parish of North Hampton should bear their own charges in all past lawsuits concerning said parsonage, and also as to a further division of said parsonage — but should not be required to reimburse to Hamp- ton, any charges that they had already recovered by execution, and that they should have, including what they had already recovered by law — "One sixth part of the Parsonage belonging to said Hampton & North Hampton, wherever of right it may be found," on condition that North Hampton should relinquish and quitclaim to Hampton all other demands whatsoever relative to said Parsonage. It was agreed that in the division both quantity and quality should be considered, and that the part set off to North Hampton should be in said Parish or as near as may conveniently be. On the 26th of February, 1767, the same committees in behalf of the two towns (or parishes) , passed deeds — the members from Hamp- ton quitclaiming to North Hampton all "right, title, interest, claim and demand" that Hampton has "in and to two Tracts or Parcels of Land (called the Parsonage) Situate in Said Northampton, being three North Divisions Shares (So called) Containing Ninety Acres more or 'less, being the whole of the three North Division Shares layd out as parsonage in Northampton afores^ And also one other Share of Land called Rockey Nook, being likewise Parsonage Land in Northampton aforesaid, containing twenty acres more or less," — and paying forty pounds Lawful money : — and those belonging to North Hampton quit- claiming to Hampton"All the Right, Title, Interest, Claim & Demand" REV. WARD COTTON — NORTH HILL PARISH. 1731-1767. 405 that North Hampton has "in & to all the Parsonage Land (so called) that now doth, or ever did belong to the Township of Hampton, as Land for the use of the ministry, however laid out or bounded," except the portion above mentioned as quitclaimed to North Hampton by the Committee of Hampton. These instruments were executed in presence of Richard Jenness 3^ and John Pickering as witnesses, and acknowledged before Rich'^ Jen- ness, J. P., February 26, 1767. CHAPTER XXIII. REV. EBENEZER THAYER'S PASTORATE. 1765-1792. CANDIDATES MARSH, THAYER, SCALES AND BELKNAP. AFTER the dismission of Mr. Ward Cotton from tlie pastoral office wliicli tie had so long filled, the people did not readily unite in the choice of a successor. This resulted from several causes. Ever since the revival in 1742, there had been among the members of the church a disagreement on some points in theolog3^ A consider- able portion of them adhered to the doctrines held by their Puritan ancestors, while others were more lax in their sentiments. During the recent difficulties with their late pastor, there had also been a great difference of opinion, some using all their influence in removing him from his charge ; others sympathizing with him, feeling that he should be judged more leniently on account of his mind being impaired by disease. The alienation thus occasioned, still remained, and made it more difficult to unite in the settlement of another pastor. During Mr. Cotton's illness, seven or eight months before the close of his pastorate, the town hired Mr. John Marsh to preach for a time. That he was here at the beginning of 1766 appears from the town's vote '■Ho continue Mr. Marsh to preach with us as a minister for the present." Soon a,fter, there was a movement on the part of Mr. Marsh's friends, to have him settled as pastor of the church. To this end more than thirty of the freeholders petitioned the selectmen to call a meeting to see if the town would give him a call to settle. It did not augur well for their success, that, about the same time, others of the freeholders, to the number of fifty, or more, signed a petition to the selectmen, for a meeting to see whether the town would employ one or more gentlemen to preach a few Sabbaths before calling any one to be settled, and also to have Mr. Marsh "stand probationer" till a choice should be made. The selectmen called a meeting, to act upon the subjects named in both petitions. There is no record of any action whatever at the meeting on the question of giving Mr. Marsh a call to the pastoral office. Jonathan Moulton, Esq., Anthony Emery, Esq., Capt. Josiah (406) REV. EBENEZER THAYER's PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 407 Moulton, Dea. Samuel Dow and Christopher Toppan, Esq. were chosen a committee to ask advice of neighboring ministers, and then apply^ to two gentlemen of credit, whom they should recommend, to preach three or four Sabbaths each. It was then voted that Mr. John Marsh should ''stand probationer for us" until the town come to a final choice of a man to settle here in the work of the ministry. The committee employed Mr. Ebenezer Thayer and Mr. Stephen Scales, agreeably to the instruction given by the town. After hear- ing each of them three Sabbaths, the freeholders were called to decide whether an invitation to settle in the ministry should be given to anv one of the three candidates, Messrs. Marsh, Thayer or Scales, and, if so, to which of them. It was voted to give Mr. Marsh a call, and the meeting was then adjourned two weeks. At the adjourned meeting, it was voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last meeting for giving a call to Mr. Marsh. This result was brought about by a union of action between the friends of Mr. Thayer and those of Mr. Scales. It is also probable that some, who had at the former meeting voted in favor of Mr. Marsh, now voted for a re- consideration, that they might have further opportunity of hearing the preacher who had been with them on the last two Sabbaths. This was Mr. Jeremy Belknap — afterward favorably known by his History of New Hampshire. It was also voted to dismiss all three of the gentlemen named in the notification from "settling here for the present, considering our circumstances." These men having been set aside, it was then voted, though not without opposition, to hire Mr. Belknap to preach two or tliree Sab- baths. At another meeting, two weeks later, it was voted to employ him two or three Sabbaths more. The vote in his favor was large, although thirty-four persons entered their dissent. MR. THAYER, THE CHOSEN PASTOR. It was now feared b}' the opponents of Mr. Belknap, that he would ultimately receive an invitation to be settled as the minister of the town. They agreed to join their efforts to prevent such an occurrence, the friendsof Mr. Marsh yielding their preference for him and uniting with the friends of Mr. Thayer, in favor of the latter. A meeting was held on the 4th of June, to see whether the town would agree to employ Mr. Tliayer to preach "a number of Sabbaths," with reference to a settlement. This movement was successful, and Mr. Thayer came and preached. Very soon afterward, a town meeting was Iield, to consider the subject of giving him a call, and it was voted without much opposition, only two persons dissenting at the time. There was. 408 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. however, much opposition of feeling which soon after was openly manifested. The town proposed the following terms of settlement, viz. : To give Mr. Tliayer £100 lawful money yearly for iiis support, £20 of it in piovisioiis at the following prices : wiieat at 5s, and Indian corn and barley, eaeii at 3s per busliel ; pork at 3d, and beef at 2d per pound ; 25 cords of wood at 10s per cord, and £67 10s., in money, and to find him a convenient parsonage house and barn, and to allow him the im- provement of the orchard and garden, and the yards around the house, as they were then fenced — tlie buildings and fences all to be kept in good repair, by the town — and to grant him the privilege of keeping a liorse, two cows and six sheep on the Home Parsonage, provided he should cut the hay at his own expense. These proposals were made on condition that Mr. Thayer should quitclaim to the town all his right and title to all the rest of tlie Parsonage land. Tiiore is no record in tliis case of any separate action of the church. Mr. Thayer's letter of acceptance, dated Caml)ridge, July 18th, 176G, was communicated to the town at an adjourned meeting on the 28th of July. One privilege, not previously mentioned was then granted, viz. : liberty to visit his friends once or twice a year, and to leave the pulpit nnsnpplied one Sabbath, if he should find it difficult to obtain a preacher. On the 17th of September, a large council assembled, composed of pastors and delegates from eighteen churches. Two other churches, not represented, had been invited. Of the organization of tlie coun- cil, there is no record. During the session, a remonstrance was pre- sented against ordaining the candidate, a copy of which is here given. "We whose Names are hear unto Subscribed think it our Duty to appear in this manner at this time, wlien we Cant See but the Town of Hampton is on the Verge of Ruin, if the ordination of Mr. Ebenezer Thayer Should go on & for Particulars to prove it we say : First, our meetings have not been Carried on with that Love and unity that is Necessary in the Call of a Gospel Minister, for it never ap- peared to us that those that wear for nn-. John Ma[r]sh had an[y] regard for Mr. Tliayer untill there was the Largest Vote for mr. Belk- na{) that had been for any Gentleman at all, so we have no Reason to think it out of Love they have done it, but to keep Mr. Belknap from Settleing among us. 21y. And as tiiose Gentlemen have brought it about to vote Mr. Tliayer So Large a salery, we can never pay it, which will Soon cause tliose that have voted it to Grumble when they are forced to pay it themselves; for we are Determined to find out some way to remedy it, and for farther Reasons on the sul)ject we are Ready to answer any jiearson that will ask us for further Light. REV. EBENEZER THAYER'S PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 409 Philip Towle. Philip Smith Marston. John Nay. Philip Towle Jun. Nathaniel Towle. Joseph Towle. Samuel Page. Josiah wShaw. Benjamin Page. James Sanborn. Samuel Towle. Amos Sanborn. Joshua James. Jonathan Shaw. Thomas Drake. John Towl[e]. Joseph Garland. Joseph Towle [Jun] . Jothon darbon. Amos Towle. Joseph Towle 3^. Simon Lane." The object of the remonstrants was not attained. Mr. Thayer was ordained pastor of the church. Rev. Paine Wingate, Sen., of Ames- bury, " began the solemnity with Prayer." Rev. Andrew Eliot, D.D., of Boston, preached from 2 Timothy 2: 15. — "Study to show thyself approved unto God." Rev. Nathaniel Ap|)leton, of Cambridge, gave the charge; Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, of North Hampton, "prayed after the charge," and Rev. John Lowell, of Newburyport, gave the right-hand of fellowship. A fortnight later, the new pastor was married to Martha Cotton, a niece of his predecessor, Rev. Ward Cotton. At the time of Mr. Thayer's ordination, there were 246 members of the church — 92 males and 154 females. Among the most decided in their opposition to the settlement of Mr. Thayer, were Deacon Joshua Lane and Cornet Simon Nudd. On Saturday, the 14th day of June, 1766, the next day after the select- men had posted their warrant for a town meeting for giving Mr. Thayer a call. Deacon Lane had been "down to town," and on his return, as he was passing the house of one of his sons, he was accosted with the inquir}', "What news, Father?" "Oh," said the deacon, " a dark cloud, I fear is gathering over Hampton in relation to the ministry." At that very time, a cloud was rising in the west, which soon gath- ered into a shower. Deacon Lane, having reached home, was standing in the doorway, after the shower had apparently passed by, when he was struck dead by the lightning. Mr. Thayer attended his funeral. Deacon Lane was a good man, highly esteemed for his piety. His opposition to the settlement of Mr. Thayer arose from his dissatisfac- tion with some of his doctrinal views. He distrusted his orthodoxy. The next day after the ordination, one of Cornet Nudd's children died, and the new pastor was called to attend the funeral — the first after his ordination. These occurrences were regarded, at the time, as special providences, and they served to break down, in a great meas- ure, the asperity of feeling in the opponents of Mr. Tha3-er. His kind disposition, too, and his affable and gentlemanly manners, and 410 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. above all, the purity of his life, had a wonderful influence in subdu- ing opposition, as the people became better acquainted with him. A few persons, however, who, like Deacon Lane, regarded l»im as unsound in doctrine, were never satisfied witii his preacliing. Some of tliese, with a very few others who were influenced by different motives, early withdrew from liis ministrations, and connected themselves witli tlie Presbyterian cliurch formed in Seabrook about that time. Among them was Capt. Joiin Moulton, who became an elder in that cliurcli. He and Mr. Amos Coffin requested the town to release tliem from paying taxes for tiie support of Mr. Thayer. As tlie town did not grant their request, they and several others petitioned the General Court for the same purpose. Tlie town, at the annual meet- ing in 1769, chose Capt. Josiah Moulton, and Capt. Jeremiah Mars- ton to appear before the General Court, and show cause why their prayer should not be granted. At the same meeting the town voted "to give Amos Coffin and Stephen Page their minister's rate which they had not paid — they promising to pay their minister's rate for the future." Four years afterward, the town voted to give Capt. John Moulton, and Pliilip, Nathaniel, and Samuel Towle, their minis- ter's rate which was then unpaid. THE "old parsonage" OF TO-DAY. January 19, 1767, it was voted "to Rebuild the Parsonage House," — "that said House shall be done chiefly by Labour," "to choose a commit- tee to Draw a plan" and to determine how to proceed "to equalize each man's proportion of labor." A committee of nine was chosen. February 3, same year, voted, "to Build the parsonage House 40 feet long 32 feet wide and 17 feet Posts;" — "the common Labourers shall have 45 shillings old tenor & a gll. of Rum per Da}^;" — "to allow for oxen a yoke 40 shillings Pr Day ;" — to choose a committee in charge of the work; — "voted, Thomas Nudd, Anthony Emery, Esq''% John Lamprey, Jere : Towle, Cap* Jere : Marston, Samuel Drake, Wil- liam Lane, James Johnson, Morris Hobbs, Josiah Dearborn & John Taylor Jun"" are impowered & chosen for the aforesaid committee & that they shall have the same wages of common Lal)ourers pr Day." The original contract between this committee and the builders may still be seen among the papers of a descendant of Thomas Nudd. It is a lengthy document, abounding in ctipitals and ingenious spelling, and without punctuation. The contract and the above votes serve to quicken the imagination as we see the eff'orts of the peo[)le to find for their new pastor, Rev. Mr. Thayer, "a convenient house," accord- ing to their agreement; and to picture him, with his wife and baby, domiciled in their fine abodp. with its mouldings, architraves and REV. EBENEZER THATER'S PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 411 cornices, its great fireplaces and shining dressers. Let it add to our interest to know that the same house sheltered all successive pastors of the old church, till it was sold, in 1871 ; and that it stands to-day, altered, indeed, out of all semblance to the original plan, but with the same heavy oak frame, apparently good for another hundred years. LINING THE PSALM. It would be interesting, were we furnished with sufficient data, to exhibit the different methods of singing, as a part of the devotional exercises of the Sabbath, practised here at different times since our liistor}' began. But no recorder other document has been found that throws much light on the subject, so far as relates to our own place. The probability is, that the practice here was not essentially differ- ent from the practice in New England generally. The metrical ver- sion of the Psalms used by most of the early planters, was that of Sternhold and Hopkins, which was made in England about the year 1550, and was the authorized version of the Established Church. So little poetic merit had tiiis work, that it has been well said of its au- thors, that their "piety was better than their poetry." In 1640, another version of the Psalms, made in New England, was published at Cambridge. This version, called the New England or Bay Psalm Book, was meritorious principally for the fidelit}' with which its authors had translated it from the original Hebrew. Yet this work came into general use throughout New England, and held the ascendency more than a century. A specimen of these versions ma}' afford some idea of their metri- cal character. The 9th verse of the 48th Psalm has been selected. In Sternhold and Hopkins it reads thus : "0 Lord, we wait and doe attend On thy good helpe and grace ; For which we doe all times attend Within thy holy place." In the New England or Bay Psalm Book, it is thus : "0 God, our thoughts, have been upon Thy free benignity ; And that in the middest of Thy house of Sanctety." But the people were in a state of progress. Hence, the versions of the Psalms, that, in one generation were so much admired, in a succeeding generation failed to give satisfaction. An improved taste demanded a higher order of poetry in the songs of the sanctuary. In the early part of the year 1772, at a special town meeting called by request of thirty or more of the freeholders, it was voted to ex- 412 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. change Diinson'sVei'sion of Psalms, for Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. But as some of tlie people a[)pear to have been reluctant to give up the use of the Psalm Book, endeared to them by many pleasant as- sociations, it was further voted, that Dunson's Version should con- tinue to be used at the morning service on the Sabbath, while it should give place to Watts' Psalms and Hymns at the afternoon service. This arrangement was to continue three months, and if, at the end of that period, any persons should request the pastor to use Dunson's still longer, it might be retained three months longer, and by request at the end of those three months, till the annual meeting the next March. As nothing further is found on the records relating to the subject, it may fairly be inferred, that at the time last mentioned, Dunson had been wholly superseded by Watts. The psalm was first named and read by the minister, as at the present day. The first line was then read again, usually by one of the deacons, and immediately after sung by the person who was ac- customed to "tune the psalm," that is, to pitch the tune and sing the first strain, — usually ;alone. Then all the congregation who could sing, catching the tune, accompanied the leader through the rest of the psalm, as it was read, line by line. The reading of the psalm was often performed by tioo of the deacons, who read the lines alternately. This was called "lining the psalm," and not in- frequently, '•'■deaconing'^ it. Lining the psalm must sometimes have excited a smile on countenances usually sedate, by completely subvert- ing the sense. For example, take the following lines and read them independently of each other, and each line is a paradox. "The Lord ■will come, and lie will not" — ■ This having been sung, the deacon proceeded to read the next line, which was equally intelligible : Keep silence, but speak not." But when the lines were read alternately by the deacons, it must sometimes have been still more difficult to keep a sober countenance ; and it requires no uncommon share of credulity to believe, that there was more of fact than of fiction, in an anecdote of two deacons who on one occasion read a version of the 102nd psalm. One of the deacons, remarkable for the sharpness of his voice read : "I'm like iiuto a pelican." The other equally remarkable for gruffness responded : "And like an owl am I." REV. EBENEZER THAYER's PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 413 Notwithstanding the objections to tliis metliod of reading and sing- ing psalms, wiiich to the present generation appear so obvious and so serious, and whicli were not unnoticed by our ancestors, this practice continued through a long series of years. The custom probably originated in a scarcity of psalm books, a very few copies only being found in an ordinary congregation. The psalms were then read and sung line b}' line, so that, in singing, the words might be remembered by all who joined in singing tliem. The custom, originating in this manner, was retained long after the necessity which gave rise to it, liad ceased to exist. From asso- ciation, it had become endeared to very many of the people, especially the aged, audit was not without great reluctance, that they submitted to innovations. It was hard for them to give up their old version of the psalms for Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. Another innovation, made at the same time, was regarded with little favor by some of the older people. The town voted "to introduce some new tunes to be sung here on the Lord's dav," and Mr. Josei)h Philbrick and Dr. Samuel Page were appointed to tune the psalm in the New Version for the af- ternoon. The town, however, had some regard for the feelings of the aged, and did not make an entire change in the arrangements for singing. As has already been related, the old version of the Psalms was not wholly discarded at once. So also with tlie former leader of their singing, for it was voted that "Dea. Samuel Dow shall tune the psalm in the forenoon," "Dea. Jon^ Tuck & Dea. Sam' Dow, to read the psalms." But these innovations were followed by another, that met with open opposition. A town meeting was held, March 18, 1783, to see if the town would pass a vote to sing a new tune the last time on every Sunday", without reading line by line, as recommended by the late Dr. Watts: But this was voted in the negative. About this time, however, the experiment was actually made. The exact date is not known — whether it was after this town meeting and in disregard of the vote passed, or, which is more probable, before the meeting, and that called in consequence. During the Sabbath on which the innovation was attempted, the ex- ercises in the house of worship appear to have been performed as usual, till the last psalm or hymn was read by the pastor. Then, instead of waiting for the deacons to read it again, line by line, the leader named the tune and the singing was immediately commenced. This was too much to be borne with patience. One venerable man, who had several years before passed the age of three score and ten, and wlio had for many years been a consistent member of the church, rose from his seat and turning towards the minister, said, "Reverend sir, 414 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. do you allow of all this?" Another man, a few years younger, with less reveroucc, culled out to the singers: "You make a worse noise than the wolvjes did forty years ago." A third speaker, also aged, in grief at wiiat he regarded as a desecration of the place, gave vent to his feelings thus: "I deont waint to hear sich a neoise in the heouse of Gad." A fourth man was affected still more unpleasantly. He had before this sometimes shown signs of partial derangement. Ex- citement on this occasion produced such a state, that he called out with earnestness: "Toll the bell, ye devils! toll the bell!" The ex- periment in singing failed, and the meeting closed in disorder. Tlie most aged of the four men mentioned, on reflection, regretted tiie part he had acted, and the next day, went voluntarily to a magistrate and complained of himself for breaking the peace. The old order of things was continued a few years longer ; but a change was again proposed in March, 1789, when it was voted "to have some new tune sung in the Meeting-house in time of publick wor- ship, once ever}' Sabi)atli, without reading line by line." The change was then made without producing any disturbance in the community. Not long afterward, the lining of the psalm ceased entirely, and it is now known only as a relic of the past. MR. THAYER S SALARY, DEPRECIATED. As Mr. Thayer's ministry extended through the -whole time of the American Eevolution and of the Confederation that pr( ceded the adoption of the Federal Constitution, he and his people were subject to the toils and trials attendant upon our country's struggle for liberty. The fluctuating state of the currency occasioned them not a little em- barrassment. The people endeavored to act justly towards their minis- ter, but on account of the great depreciation in the value of paper money, it was difficult to know when they had fulfilled the contract made with him at the time of his settlement. The first vote on record regarding this subject was passed about three years after the commencement of the war, in these words : "To make the Rev^ Mr. Thayer some consideration, on account of the depreciation of the money, by subscription." The sum raised is not knoAvu. Near the close of the year, the town passed the following votes : "To make the Rev. Mr. Thayer some allowance in consideration of the advanced prices of the necessaries of life." "To raise £135, Lawful money, for Rev. Mr. Thayer over & above his money salary, for the present year, on account of the advanced prices, etc." REV. EBENEZER THATER'S PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 415 In the warrant for the next annual meeting the following article was inserted by request of ten or more of the inhabitants : "To see if the town will reconsider a vote passed the last town meet- ing to make an addition to the Rev. Mr. Thayer's salary for the year 1779." This article called forth from Mr. Thayer the following communica- tion : "To the Inhabitants of the Toion of Hampton in Toion meeting assem- bled, Mar: 16'", 1779. Gentlemen, I am extremely sorry that any of my Friends — fori esteem all my People Friends, tho' they don't think exactly with me — should be uneasy on account of what the Town voted me at their last meeting, as a Compensation for the Fall of money. I mention this because I have been informed of some who petitioned to have it inserted in the No- tification to have that vote repealed — which, if I mistake not, is not in their Power — . A\^hat they voted I was satisfied with — tho' I don't think it made the money good — and had they voted sixfold instead of three, ii would in my appreliension have fallen short of a sutticient Com- pensation, — & this is not only my mind, but the mind of many others. AVhen the affair was first mentioned, I had not the least Tho* — nay I had not the most distant Desire — of being made whole. That some- thing should be done, I tho* was but an act of strict Justice, which was the Reason of my offering what I then did to the Town, and I am still of the same Mind. When I first settled among you, what you then voted for my annual Support, was generous. It was as much as 1 desired, — yea more per- haps than I should in Modexty have asked, — though but little more than was necessary for the increasing Expenses of my Family ; and I think it highly reasonable for Ministers, as well as other men, to have more than a bare Support, that they may be able to leave something to their Families in case they should be taken from them, and not leave them Beggars. — For they any more than other men, are not suffered to continue by Reason of Death. But, Gentlemen, you must all be sensible that the Times are greatly altered. The Money part of my Salary is comparatively not hing. The Wood & Provision, I allow, remain good. The Money Part was added that I might be able to furnish myself with those Articles the Town could not supply me with, — such as Sugar, etc. — Things we can't well do without. But it would be needless to mention how little it will pur- chase now. However, I shall just mention one or two Particulars ; for Instance, Svgar. My Salary five years ago would have purchased Three 416 HISTORY OF HAlVrPTON. thousand weiglit, whereas now it will purchase but one hundred weight, or a little more. — A great Odds, indeed ! Again, — One Ai'ticle that I have purchased in Town, & whicli you will all acknowledge to be ab- solutely necessary, used to cost me, at most, half a Pistareen, or seven Pence, for which I gave, not long since. Five Shillings ; — & so I could go on & mention with Respect to most other Articles, the great l^ifiference in the Price now & when I settled. You must acknowl- edge that my Salar}^ cannot be sufflcient, and I wonder you don't see it. 1 can't but think you will see & acknowledge it. But notwithstanding what I have said, I am far — vei'y far — from desiring to give the least uneasiness to any one of my Friends. I profess to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ %who is styled the Prince of Peace, I am a Preacher of Peace, & I mean to be a Practiser &a Pro- moter of Peace & to be an Example herein to you. I, therefore for the sake of Peace, which has ever been my aim, now freely, & before this assembled Town, relinquish to ever}^ one who is not disposed to assist me in this ditticult Day, & to do me Justice, their Part of what was voted me. It is hard, but J had rather suffer wrong than do wrong, & part with my Right rather than make Uneasiness. I therefore do this purely for the Sake of Peace. I don't do it Gen- tlemen, because I think it is not my Right, for I do think it is. I don't do it because I think you are not in Justice bound to make me some Consideration, for I think you are. I don't do it because I could not recover what was voted me ; for I think I cotdd. But I do it be- cause 1 love Peace, & would do all in my Power to preserve & promote it ; Tho' at the same Time I can't but lament that the Love of so many waxes cold to Religion & to the Ministers of Religion. Religion alone tends to promote the Peace & Happiness of Individ- uals, & of Societies : without it, we should run into all manner of Dis- orders & Confusion. Surel}^ then we ought to love Religion ; & if we love Religion, we shall love the Ministers of Religion, & do all we can to render their Circumstances agreeable. I am engaged in a good cause — it is the Cause of God, — & I mean not to desert it, so long as I can live. If 1 am faithful, I doubt not I shall have my Reward ; and I live among so kind a People, that I don't think they will let me suffer. Upon the whole, I hope. Gentlemen, as I so freely for the Sake of Peace, give up what I look upon as my just Due, there will be no Uneasiness among you on my account, nor on any other. May you all study the Things that make for Peace. May you act noio and at all Times, as under the immediate Inspection of the Omniscient God. May all Things be done decently & in order ; and God grant we may all so conduct here as that we may meet at last in the world of per- fect Peace & Love. — Amen. Eben"" Thayer." REV. EBENEZER THATER'S PASTORATE. 1765-1792. 417 This communication appears to have had some influence upon those who had asked for a reconsideration of the vote for indemnifying Mr. Thayer. The article in the warrant, which called forth this letter from the pastor, appears to have been passed over without being acted upon at all, so far as we can judge from the record of the meeting. For nine years longer, however, the question remained unsettled, but in Decem- ber, 1788, the town voted: ''That on condition of the Rev'^ Kbenezer Thayer's giving the town of Hampton a Receipt in full for his money salary up to March, 1786, the selectmen [should] give to him their note of hand for the sum of £67-10^ Lawful Money, it being for making good to him [his loss by] the depreciation of money." This appears to have been a final settlement of that embarrassing subject. MK. Thayer's death. From this time, nothing occurred, so far as is known, to interrupt the harmony between pastor and people, till the close of his miiiis- trj, which terminated only with his life. His death occurred in the early part of autumn, in the year 1792, and was very sudden. On the first Sabbath in September, he performed the usual public religious ser- vices. The next day he made several pastoral calls, being then in his usual health. On AVednesday evening between ten and eleven o'clock, he was seized with a violent pain in his stomach. A physician was im. mediatel}'^ called, but no relief was afforded, and when the sun rose on Thursday morning, September 6th, he lay in the agonies of death, and a few minutes afterward expired. The tidings spread rapidly through the town, and fell heavily on the ears and the hearts of his stricken people, many of whom, only four days before, had listened to his teachings from the sacred desk. An event so solemn, so sudden and unexpected, could not fail to cast an air of gloom and sadness over the whole community ; but how much would that gloom have been deep- ened, if the veil that hides the future had been withdrawn, and the people had foreseen the divisions and contentions that soon after they experienced. The funeral obsequies were performed on Saturda}'^, the 8th, and were attended by a large concourse of people. Neighboring clergymen served as pall-liearers. Rev. Samuel Webster, D.D., of Salisbury, preached the funeral sermon, from Psalm xii : 1 . "Help, Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." Two appropriate discourses were also delivered the next Sab- bath, by Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D., of Hampton Falls, from Matthew XXIV, 44-46. Mr. Thayer's age was about 58 years. His pastoral relation to 27 418 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. this people had continued almost twenty-six years. During this time 641 persons had been baptized, and 102 admitted to full communion with the church. For several Sabbaths after his death, the pulpit, as was then custom- ary in such cases, was supplied by neighboring clergymen, for the benefit of the widow. The town also, besides paying the funeral ex- penses, appropriated £30 for her use, and allowed her, though without any formal vote, to occupy the parsonage-house several years with- out paying rent. Mr. Thayer's sentiments on some points of doctrine differed some- what from those of many of his ministerial brethren. His orthodoxy was less rigid ; but his life was as much above reproach as that of any man. Amiable in his disposition, upright and honest in his dealings, affable and courteous in his intercourse with others, he was greatly beloved by the people of his charge. Five years after his death, his suc- cessor in office, addressing those who had been under his ministry, said of him : "The affection with which his name is mentioned, and the tears which do annually drop over his grave, are the surest testimony of yoxir attachment, and of his virtues." The following inscription is on his gravestone in the old burying-ground. "In memory of the \ Reverend Ebeuezer Thayer, who for nearly twenty-six years dispensed the bread of life to the society in this place ; and on September 6'*^, 1792, fell asleep in Jesus, supported by the Christian hope of a resurrection to eternal life : ae. 58. While o'er this modest stone religion weeps, Beneath, an humble, cheerful Christian sleeps, Sober, learn'd, prudent, free from care and strife, He filled the useful oflices of life ; Admir'd, endear'd, as Husband, Father, Friend, Peace bless'd his days, and innocence his end ; Blameless throughout, his worth by all approv'd, True to his charge, and by his people lov'd, He liv'd to make his hearers' faith abound, And died, that his own virtues might be crown'd." IMrs. Thayer survived her husband some years, and died in Boston, in 1809 ; '' leaving that good name, which is better than precious oint- iment." [See Genealogies — Thayer.] Mr. Thayer's best cane, given to "the senior deacon," descended to Dea. John Lamprey, and is now owned by Dea. Lamprey's great- granddaughter, Mrs. George W. Mace; his "every day cane" is still treasured as a relic, having lately passed into the possession of Dea. James Perkins. Both are of extraordinary length. CHAPTER XXIV. THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. CANDIDATING. ALMOST immediately after the funeral services of the late pastor, the people began to confer about obtaining another minister. A toAvn nieeling was held on the 1st of October, 1792, for the double pur- pose of making some provision for the bereaved family, and of provid- ing for the supply of the pulpit. The action taken on the former subject may be found in the last chapter. In relation to the latter, the town appointed the three deacons, Dow, Lane and Lamprey, and Capt. Morris Hobbs, to apply to Mr. Isaac Smith to preach the next four Sabbaths, unless Mr. Shaw^ should come down seasonably that week to preach the next Sabbath ; and also to invite Mr. Nathaniel Thayer the eldest son of their late minister, to preach "two Sabbaths next after the expiration of the said four Sabbaths." Wliether Mr. Smith preached, agreeably to the invitation, is uncer- tain, though rather probable. After three of those Sabbaths were passed, the people observed a day of fasting and prayer, according to the custom of the times. Mr. Thayer preached the two Sabbaths spec- ified, but other engagements prevented him from remaining longer, as it was then term-time at Harvard College, 'where he was tutor. At an adjourned meeting, some changes were made in the commit- tee for supplying the pulpit. Dea. Dow was dropped, and Maj. Josiah Dearborn and Col. Jonathan Garland were added. The committee were instructed to apply to Mr. Thayer to preach here during the col- lege vacation, which would commence on the first Wednesday in Jan- uai'y, and in the meantime to have the desk supplied by others. Mr. Thayer again occupied the pulpit, agreeably to the desire of the town, and in February, 1793, received from the church and town a call to be settled in the work of the ministry, as successor to his revered father. The call, however, was not unanimous on the part of the church or the town. Of the former body, he received about four-fifths of the votes ; and of the latter, 95 out of 140. Sixty-one persons, im- iRev. Jereniiiih Shaw, pastor of the church in Moultonboroiigh— a native of Hampton, expected here to visit friends. (419) 420 HISTOEY OF HAMPTON. mediately after the vote had been taken by the town, and ten on the second of April following, entered their dissent, declaring that they were not satisfied with the preaching of Mr. Thayer, and that they wished to hear other candidates. They also avowed their determina- tion not to do anything for his support, unless compelled by law. Mr. Thayer declined the cail, and the next autumn was settled as pastor of the church in Lancaster, Mass., where he remained through life. The next person invited to the pastorate was Mr. Daniel Dana; but the vote in this case not being unanimous, though the number in opposition was not large, Mr. Dana thought it not prudent to accept the invitation. A large portion of his subsequent life was spent in the ministry in Newburyport, where he died at an advanced age. Mr. Jonalhan Brown next appears as a candidate, and the town voted by a small majority, to invite him to settle here. When the subject was brought before the church, a considerable majority was found to be against him. Hence he could not be settled according to Congregational usage. AN EX PARTE COUNCIL. To negative a call given to any person by a town or parish, is an un- doubted prerogative of a Congregational church. In this case, how- ever, some of the friends of Mr. Brown were very indignant that the church should presume to interpose their negative. The minority of the clinrch feeling aggrieved, the majority proposed to them to refer the whole matter to a mutual council, but the proposition was rejected. The church, wishing for advice, then called an ex parte council, con- sisting of pastors and delegates from the First Church in^Berwick, INIe. , the First Church in Exeter, and the churches in Stratham and Green- land. The council convened October 1, 1794. Before organizing, the pastors and delegates endeavored to obtain an inttn-view with the dis- senting members of the church. Failing in this, the council was or- ganized, and having examined sundry papers containing the detail of the proceedings of the church, in the case under consideration, and having also heard the testimony of credible witnesses, they proceeded to answer several questions that had been proposed to them by the church. They gave it as their decided opinion : 1, That the proceedings of the church, as stated in said papers, relative to the affair of calling Mr. Brown to settle in the work of the gospel ministry in this town, appear to have been regular and consti- tutional. 2. That chuich members, who have withdraw^n from communion and absented themselves for a number of years, ought not to be admit- ted to vote in the church without the explicit consent of the chui'ch. THE PKESBYTEKIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. 421 3 . That no man has a right to vote by proxy. After answering these questions, the council proceeded to give advice agreeably to a request from the committee of the church, "for their ad- visement and direction to any further measure, that can be adopted, which may have a tendency to })romote the interest of religion and re- store peace and brotherly love in this church and town." Assuming that the church and town would not be likely to unite in the settlement of Mr. Brown, the council advised to the inviting of some candidate agreeable to both parties ; but if this could not be, then for the church to propose to their dissenting brethren the calling of a mutual council to settle their differences. THE CHANGE TO PRESBYTERIANISM. It does not appear from the records, that any effort was immediately made to induce the town to employ a new candidate. The advice of the council was judicious, but in acting upon it, there was need of great caution. It was important to wait for a fitting opportunity. In the meantime, the town, despairing of bringing the church to assent .to the settlement of Mr. Brown, held a meeting, to consider the scheme of changing the plan hitherto followed in choosing a minister — in other words of becoming Presbyterians. At this meeting, held December 15, immediately after its organization, a remonstrance, signed by sixty- five legal voters, against any action upon any of the articles in the warrant, relating to the settlement of a minister on the Presbyterian plan, was presented and read ; but the majority, notwithstanding such strong opposition, immediately voted to "adopt the mode or plan of calling a candidate or preacher to settle in the woik of tlie Gospel ministry, agreed upon b}^ the Presbytery of New York and Philadel- phia;" and then voted to give Mr. Jonathan Brown a call to settle in the ministry according to this plan — the vote in the former case be- ing eighty-two for and sixty-five against, and in the latter, eighty for and sixty-four against. A committee, consisting of Dea. William Lane, Dea. John Fogg, Capt. Caleb Tappan, Lieut. Cotton Ward and Lieut. Benjamin Shaw, was then chosen, to communicate these votes to Mr. Brown. Before the meeting of the Presbytery, at which the votes were to be considered, seventy-two of the legal voters of the town, including a large majority of the bi'ethren of the church, chose a committee to re- pair to Londonderry and appear before the Presbytery, to oppose the petition of the town. The committee represented to the Presbytery the improbability — not to say impossibility — of the petitioners being conscientious Pres- 422 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. bj'teriaus, as the change had been so sudden, and evidently designed to carry a point ; and they portrayed some of the evils that must nec- essarily result from the petition being granted. The church, meanwhile, desirous of a reconciliation, asked for a mu- tual council to settle their ditHeulties ; but failing to obtain the assent of the minority, they then offered to allow them to select the whole of the council themselves — one half of the number to be Congregation- alists, and the other half Presbyterians — provided that they would agree to abide by the result. This proposition was at once rejected. The Presbytery regarded with favor the request of the town to be received under their care, but thought it not judicious to place Mr. Brown in the pastoral office, under existing circumstances. The next candidate was Mr. Abraham Moore, who was introduced by the Presbyterians, and might have been, if they had desired it, settled according to the Cambridge platform, since the church would have consented to his settlement, as he was a very acceptable preacher. But this favorable opportunity for effecting a reunion, was neglected. Mr. Moore was soon after settled in Newbury, where he remained till his death. Mr. William Pidgin was the next candidate. After he had preached a few times, a town meeting was called to act in relation to his set- tlement. The warrant for this meeting is very unique, and its lan- guage is such as makes it evident, that it was with the selectmen, by whom it was signed, a foregone conclusion that the town would be n favor of his settlement. Immediately following the article for choosing a moderator, we read : "Whereas, at a full town meeting held in December last, there was a considerable majority in favor of adopting the Presbyterian form of church government, yet as there is a number of our brethren in the church and congregation, that cannot see their way clear to accede to that form, and as we think there is no essential difference, as it relates to the essence of Religion, between that and the Cambridge Platform ; and being willing to do every thing in our power for [the] peace and harmony of this town, we are willing to agree with our brethren to adopt the old Cambridge Platform of church government, and at this meeting to give Mr. William Pidgin a call to settle with us in the work of the gospel ministry ; and if we should be so unhappy as to be op- posed by our brethren in the above proposals, we trust they will not take it unfriendly, if we pursue our application to be adopted by Pies- bytery, and govern ourselves accordingly, and give Mr. William Pidgin a call to settle with us in the Presbyterian form of church government at this meeting, if the foregoing case should not be agreed upon," THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. 423 Two of the selectmen refused to sign the warrant. After the meetintr was organized, October 19, 1795, it was adjourned to the 27th of the same month, at eight o'clock in the morning. At the adjournment, the following vote was passed : "In case the church of this congregation shall vote to give Mr. Wil- liam Pidgin a call to settle in the gospel ministry in this town, that the town will accord with said vote & settle & ordain him as minister of this town, agreeably to the Cambridge Platform of church govern- ment, anj'^ former vote or votes to the contrary notwithstanding." The meeting was then adjourned one liour^ probably for the purpose of giving the church a final opportunity to unite in the call. At the close of the hour, the business of the meeting was resumed, and the town voted "to adhere to their former vote, & give Mr. William Pid- gin a call to settle according to the Presbyterian form of church gov- ernment." A poll being demanded, sixty-three persons appeared in favor, and twenty against — the meeting not being fully attended. The salary offered to Mr. Pidgin was £100 per year, to be paid out of the interest of the fund belonging to the town, and the parsonage rent, and in addition, to keep for him on the parsonage annually, three cows, six sheep and one horse, summer and winter, said Pidgin to be at the expense of cutting the hay for their keeping ; also voted to give him the use of the Parsonage house, out houses and barn, orchard and garden, belonging to the town (the buildings and fences to be kept in repair by the town), so long as the said Pidgin should remain their minister. It was also voted: " that Mr. Cotton Ward, Dea. William Lane, Daniel Philbriek, Dea. John Fogg, Capt.. Jonathan Marston, Capt. Benjamin Shaw & Capt. Caleb Tappan be a committee to lay the proceedings of this meeting before the Presbytery at their next meeting, & to pray their adoption agreeably to former votes of the town ; and to present the call given to Mr. William Pidgin, in behalf of the town." The meeting was then dissolved. Early the next morning the committee set out for Londonderry, to urge the Presbytery to receive them as Presbyterians. Their re- quest was granted — those opposed to the proceedings being denied a hearing. Being thus denied, their next recourse was to endeavor to dissuade Mr. Pidgin from accepting the call. A remonstrance was ac- cordingly sent to him, signed by seventy eight legal voters, including more than two-thirds of the brethren of the church, and some who were not members, in which they gave their views of the case and set forth some of the evils that they feared would result to the town, if he should accept the call and be settled in the ministry. 424 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. REV. WILLIAM PIDGIN's MINISTRY. 179G-1807. The call of the town was communicated to Mr. Pidgin through the medium of the Presbj^tery. In his answer, after alluding to the mag- nitude and importance of Lhe work of the christian ministry, and his own insufllcieucy for it, he turns to the particular field to which he has been invited, and says : -'When I reflect, too, that you are not the whole of the Town, but a considerable number is found opposed to the measure — and the degree of uncertainly respecting what may be the re- sult of this disunion, should I accept the call ; — and reflect likewise on what might probably be your situation, should you now be left, when affairs have come to the present crisis; — these considerations, when viewed, serve to bring me into a dilemma truly solemn and important. Shall I go forward, or not? is the grand question." This question Mr. Pidgin decided in the aflirmative, by accepting the call. His an- swer is without date. The course pursued by the town appeared so objectionable to the clmrch, that they resolved to make one more effort to arrest it, by an appeal to the Presbytery. Accordingly, at the meeting of that body for the ordination of the candidate, a remonstrance was presented, signed by about the same number of persons as the one previously presented to Mr. Pidgin. The Presbytery, however, voted in favor of ordination. The minority of the old church, seceding, constituted the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Pidgin now became pastor. The ordination services were performed on the 27th of January, 1796. THE COURSE OF THE OLD CHURCH. Tlie old church was now left in an embarrassing condition. A con- siderable number of its members, including two of the deacons, had separated from it. About five-ninths of the legal voters of the town had declared themselves Presbyterians ; and, being a majority, they con- sequently had control of the parsonage land, the ministerial fund and the meeting house. The church, under these circumstances, set apart Wednesday the 2nd of March for fasting and prayer, and invited sev- eral of the ministers in the vicinity to meet with them and advise in relation to their future course. The ministers invited were present on the day appointed, forming a clerical council, viz.: Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D., of Hampton Falls; Rev. Samuel Haven, D.D., and Rev. Joseph Buckminster, of Portsmouth ; Rev. Benjamin Tluirston, of North Hampton ; Rev. Wil- liam F. Rowland, of Exeter ; Kev. James Miltimore, of Stratham ; Rev. Jeremiah Shaw, of Moultonborough ; Rev. John Andrews, of New- THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. 425 buryport ; Rev. Huntington Porter, of Rye ; Rev. Joseph Langdon, of Newington ; and Rev. Messrs. Crafts and Perkins. The pubhc services of the day were held in a dwcHing-house, owned byCapt. Morris Hobbs, near his own home, it being the same that was afterward owned and occupied by his sou, Dea. Jeremiah Hobbs. A sermon was preached in the forenoon by Rev. Mr. Ibickminster, from Acts XV : 39, 40; and another in the afternoon, by Rev. Dr. Haven, from John xiii : 34, 35. Mr. Buckminster's sermon was pubUshed, and the following sentences are quoted, as showing the views of the minis- ters present : "By our coming and joining in these acts of worship, we publicly declare, that in onr opinion, yon have not forfeited your christian char- acter, uor your relation to the churches in this neighboi hood. We own you as a church of Christ and think that, as yon are a majority of that body in this place, and have once and again made conciliatory proposals to your dissenting brethren, which have been declined or re- jected, we act consistently, and have the countenance of the brethren at Antioch, with respect to Paul, in being with you this day and recommending you to tlie grace of God." "Though yon may not be able to pray that persons may become Presbyterians, yet pray tliat Pres- byterians and all other denominations of christians may become good men." "If you proceed in your present resolution of seeking a man to set over you in the Lord, be not governed by party names and dis- tinctions, nor seek one who draws his doctrines from human formnla- ries and systems ; but seek one who bows to the gospel of the grace of God, that owns no master but Ciirist, and that is not ashamed of his peculiar doctrines, and will not be a shame to his pure and heavenly precepts; one who, from love to Christ and his canse, will feed his sheep and feed his lambs, and take heed to himself and iiis ministry." The next Sabbath after the meeting of ministers, the Congregation- alists began to hold meetings by themselves for public worship, and continued that course as long as tlie Presbyterians maintained a sepa- rate organization. Their first preacher was the Mr. Perkins wlio was present at the council of ministers. He remained here a few Sabbaths only, and on the 17th of April, Mr. Jesse Appleton, who afterward be- came their pastor, was with the people for the first time, and continued to supply them personally, or by exchanges, till his ordination, which took place about ten months later. THE COXGREGATIONAL SOCIETT. An early movement was made for the formation of a religious soci- ety, that might, in connection with the church, make provision for the 426 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. support of gospel institutions. A petition for an act of incorporation was presented to the Legislature at the fall session in 17t)6. The pe- titioners represented that they were conscientiously of the Congrega- tional persuasion, as their ancestors had been (rom the first settlement of the town ; that recently an unhapi)y dissension had arisen in the town, and a minor portion of the church and a major portion of the town had professed to be Presbyterians and had settled a minister of that de- nomination, from which act the petitioners had dissented ; — that they were desirous of enjoying the ordinances of the gospel agreeably to the dictates of their own consciences, and of being allowed in a corporate capacity to contract with, and settle a minister of their own persua- sion : — and they therefore prayed that they might be formed into a distinct parish. An order of notice was served on the town, and a town meeting called for November 2S, to take the subject into consideration, Capt. Jonathan Marston and Capt. Benjamin Shaw were chosen " a commit- tee in behalf of the town, to api)ear at the General Court to oppose the granting of the petition." Their opposition was unavailing. The prayer of the petitioners was declared "to be consonant to the spirit of the Constitution and the unalienable rights of men." An act of in- corporation was therefore granted, December 6, 1796, constituting the petitioners, eighty-one in number, with such others as might afterwards join them, a body politic and corporate with continuance and succession forever, by the name of the Congregational Society in Hampton, and enfranchising them and investing them with all such rights, privileges and immunities as were held or enjoyed by any other parish in the State. Provision was also made for admitting new members ; and Joseph Dow, Esq., was " authorized to call, and preside at, the first meeting" of the Society. The first meeting was held at their usnal place of public worship, three weeks after the passage of the act of incorporation. Col. Jon- athan Garland was chosen clerk, and Joseph Dow, Esq., Maj. Josiah Dearborn and Colonel Garland, selectmen, or wardens. The select- men were authorized to call all future meetings of the Society. Two days afterward they posted a warrant for a meeting, to act in relation to giving Mr. Appleton an invitation to become their pastor. At that meeting, January 17, 1797, a unanimous vote was passed to give him a call to settle in the work of the gospel ministry ; and to give him as a salary the first 3'ear, £90, to be paid, £20 of it in provisions at the following prices, viz. : corn, 3 shillings per bushel; pork 3 pence, and beef, 2 pence per pound ; also to give him the keeping of a horse, sum- mer and winter ; the second year, the same sum, and the keeping of a THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. 427 horse and two cows, and also to provide him with a convenient house and harn, if lie should have occasion for them ; afterwards, to give him £95 annually, to be paid in money and provisions as before ; also to find him a house, barn and other necessary buildings, the summering of one horse, two cows and six sheep, and grass sufficient for hay for wintering them, and to furnish him with five cords of hard wood and five of pine, annually, during his ministry here. These proposals were made on condition that Mr. Appleton should agree to release to the society all his right and title to all the parson- age lands and buildings and to all the property, of whatever kind, ap- propriated to the use of the ministry in the town, whenever he should be legally put in possession of them. The church also met the same day and on their part unanimously voted a call to Mr. Appleton. Messrs. Jonathan Locke, Aln'aham P. Towle, Amos Knowles, John Dow and Benjamin Brown Shaw were €hosen a committee of the church, and Col. Christopher Toppau, Joseph Dow, Esq, Col. Jonathan Garland, Maj. Josiah Dearborn, Sam- uel Drake, Samuel Mace and Abner Page, of the society, to wait upon INIr. Appleton and present him with a copy of these votes, and re- ceive his answer. REV. JESSE APPLETON's MINISTRY. 1797-1807. Without much delay, Mr. Appleton accepted the call — reserving to himself the privilege of being absent two Sabbaths in each year, as- signing as a reason, the distance at which his relatives lived from Hampton, and the many casualties which might render journeying necessary. He also informed the church and society, that, from the shortness of the time which he had devoted to theological studies, it was necessary that he should be able to follow Paul's advice to Timo- thy, and '• give attendance to reading." This he could not do satis- factorily to himself, if he should be obliged to prepare two sermons every week, and he therefore intimated that he should wish to make fre- quent exchanges, as he had hitherto done. Mr. Appleton was ordained on Wednesday, February 22, 1797. The public services were held at the society's usual place of meeting. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel McClintock, D.D., of Greenland, from Acts ii : 22; Rev. Dr. Langdon gave the charge ; and Rev. Mr. Thurston, the fellowship of the churches. THE FIFTH MEETING-HOUSE. Capt. Morris Hobbs' house, before mentioned, in which the congre- gation had worsliipped during the past year, not being sufficiently com- 428 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. modious, preparations were already begun for building a meeting-house. Situated as they were, the undertaking was an arduous one, but it was entered upon with a determination to carry it on to completion. A considerable amount of material and labor was contributed, by members of the society, and many of them furnished besides, more or less lumber at a reduced price. The frame was raised on the 24th of Ma}^ and the work was prose- cuted so vigorously that the house was in readiness to be occupied in less than six months from that time. To provide the necessary funds seasonably, so that the building committee might not be embarrassed, an early sale of the pews was agreed upon. It was voted that they should be sold by vendue to the highest bidder, under certain regula- tions adopted by the society. These regulations were, in substance, as follows : No bid less than half a dollar should be received, and no pew shoidd be sold for less than forty dollars. One sixth part of the pi'ice of each pew must be paid doAvn, and another sixth in twenty days ; one-half of the remainder, within six weeks from the daj^ of the sale, and the balance, by the first day of September following. .In case any person should fail to make his payments in this manner, he would forfeit the first payment and the pew, to the society. A com- mittee of eight men was then appointed for selling the pews, the sale to take place early in June. As the house was then in an unfinished state, and the pews had not been built, the sales were to be made by a plan already drawn, and accepted by the society. At the dedication of the meeting-house, November 14, 1797, the pastor of the church preached an appropriate sermon from i Kings VIII : 27. The first prayer was offered by Dr. Mc Clintock, and the last, by Rev. Mr. Buckminster. The next meeting in the new house was on Thanksgiving day, two days after the dedication, when Rev. Mr. Thurston, of North Hampton, preached. THE ECCLESIASTICAI. LAWSUITS. Each of the two churches had now a settled pastor, and for each con- gregation there was a comfortable house of worship ; but here was not an end of their dissensions and difficulties. A considerable amount of parsonage property and ministerial funds afforded ample scope for con- tention. These funds had been derived from the sale of lauds pur- chased of Rev. Timothy Dalton, nearly a centm-y and a half before, for the use of the church and town, and of other land appropriated by the town at different times for the support of the ministry. The par- sonage lands then remaining Avere from the same sources. The Pres- byterians having in their interest a majority of the legal voters of the THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807, 429 town, claimed the right of appropriating the whole income of this property for the support of their own institutions, and had accordingly, at the settlement of their pastor, voted to give him the use of the par- sonage buildings, and had made provision for the payment of his sal- ary out of the income of the parsonage and of the ministerial funds. But Mrs. Thayer was still occupying the parsonage, and, acting un- der the advice of the Congregationalists, relused to vacate it. In the spring of 1796 the town chose a committee, consisting of Elisha 8. Marston, Capt. Benjamin Shaw, Lieut. Cotton Ward, John Moulton, Daniel Lamprey, Capt. Jonathan Marston and Cornet Simon Nudd, '' to go to Mrs. Martha Thayer and demand a categorical an- SAver, whether she will move out of the parsonage house which tlie Town have voted to the Rev, Mr, William Pidgin & quit all claims to any of the Parsonage Lands & Buildings on the same belonging to the Town (Avhich slie retains) & remove all encumbrance of hers off the same by a Day appointed by said Committee — she Binding herself by her hand writing to perform the above — they to allow her a time sufficient to accomplish the same," In case of her refusal to comply with their demand, the committee were empowered and instructed "to proceed with her as the law directs, to disposses her of what she with- holds from the Town & the Rev'' Mr, William Pidgin." Vote, seventy- two for and fifty-one against ; remonstrance presented to the meeting, signed by fifty-three persons, Mrs, Thayer, having refused to vacate the parsonage house, and re- linquish all claims upon the parsonage lands, the town appointed Capt. Jonathan Marston and Oliver Whipple, Esq,, for attorneys, to appear in any court of law in this State, to sue and prosecute any action of ejectment commenced or to be commenced against Mrs. Martha Thayer, in behalf of said tOAvu. Thus the matter was brought into the civil court. The Congregationalists did not approve these proceedings, as they believed that the ministerial property had been bought, or set apart by the town for the sujDport of the Congregational ministry alone. They therefore felt themselves justified in advising Mrs. Thayer to keep possession of the parsonage-house, to prevent its falling into the hands of those who, they believed, had in equity no right to it. In a communication to the town, May 2, 1796, signed by more than fift}^ Congregationalists, after giving their views of the purpose for which the ministerial property was intended, they add : "Neverthe- less, we being willing and desirous to do everything in our power to promote the peace and happiness of the town, and to prevent expen- sive lawsuits if possible, would propose making choice of an equal num- 430 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ber of the Presbyterian and Congregational societies as a committee, to meet, and, if they can agree upon any mode of accommodation be- tween the parties, then to lay it before the parties in town meeting for their consideration ; but if no such agreement should take place, we are ready and willing to leave matters of dispute between us, to the deteiinination of judicious, disinterested men, such as should be mut- ually agreed upon." Tliis proposition for a committee of the two parties was brought before the town for consideration more than a year afterwai'ds (July 10, 1797), and Lieut. Cotton Ward, Cornet Simon Nudd, Elislia S. Marston, James Leavitt, Capt. Jonathan Murston, Piiilip Towle, and Benjamin Shaw were appointed a committee on the part of the Pres- byterians, "to meet with a* committee that is, or may be, chosen by the Congregational Society, to see if they can agree upon a division of the property bought b}' the town for the use of the ministry" and re- port the result for the action of the town. On the part of the Congregational Society a committee was chosen, August 7, consisting of the following persons : Col. Christopher Top- pan, Samuel Mace, Daniel Lamprey, Jun. , Jonathan Locke, Abner Page, Joseph Dow, Esq., Abraham P. Towle, John Dow and Joseph Towle, Jun. Having but little contidence that any settlement would be effected by these committees, the society, the same day, chose Joseph Dow and Christopher Toppan, Esquires, Mnj. Josiah Deaiborn, and Messrs. Samuel Mace and Abner Page a committee to conduct the case if it should be necessary to bring it into court. Tlie committees chosen by the two parties for consultation were unable to agree upon any plan of accommodation. The Congrega- tional society theiefore commenced an action to recover what they considered as rightfully belonging to them, but withheld from them by the town. The suit was brought in the name of their minister, Rev. Jesse Appleton, and was managed by the committee previously ciiosen for that purpose. The town, on the 3()th of July, 1798, chose Capt. Benjamin Shaw and C:ipt. Jonathan Marston to manage the defense, with full power of substitution. At the same meeting another committee was chosen to join a similar committee on the part of the Congregationalists, with full power to effect a settlement of all matter of dispute, according to their discretion. Tiie committee were : Cornet Simon Nudd, Capt. Benjamin Shaw, James Moulton, James Leavitt, Elislia S. Marston and Jonathan INIarston, 3(1. The next spring it was proposed by the Congregationalists to make THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792-1807. 431 an equal division of all the ministerial property between them and the Presbyterians ; or to leave it to disinterested men to make such a divis- ion as they should think proper; or to divide the income yearly ac- cording to the assessments on the members of the two societies respectively ; or to have Ihe town make pi-ovision for the full payment of the salaries of both ministers. When these proposals were submitted to the town for action, on the 19th of March, the town voted to post[)one indefinitely the con- sideration of them, declai-ing that the whole matter was still with the connnittee appointed on the oOlh of July preceding. The Congregational society, therefore, met again and appointed a committee of an equal nnmber on their part, and gave them like power. This committee consisted of the following persons: Colonel Toppan, Esquire Dow, Lieut. Daniel Lampre^', Abner Page, Joseph Towle, Jr., and Levi Batchelder. The committees of the contending parties having failed to make a settlement of their difficulties, propositions similar to those on which the town had declined to act on the 19lli of March, w-ere again brought before the town early in the next autumn. The town voted, that, as they had previously contracted with Rev. Mr. Pidgin, to give him the use of the paisonage house and certain lands, together with the in- terest of the funds belonging to the town, for his support and salary, they would not now be warranted by law to give any part of tliis grant "to any other minister or society whatsoever;" nor were they "as a town authorized to alien or convey any part of tlie purchase made by the tovvn in their corporate capacil}^ for their use, to or for any other purpose whatsoever." The articles in the warrant were therefore postponed, the town again voting "to confide in and abide by" the action of their committee formerly chosen. From this vote, it is evident, that, however desirous the committee might have been to settle the existing disputes, nothing effectual could be done by them that would be satisfactory to the town, unless the Congregatioualists would concede to them the whole ground. This they would not do, as they had full confidence in the justice of their cause, and there were also indications, that, although their suits at law had not yet been decided, they would ultimately be given in their favor. At the next annual meeting, March 18, 1800, the town directed the selectmen to furnish the agents appointed to carry on or defend the lawsuits between Rev. Mr. Appleton and the tovvn, and Mrs. Thayer and the town, with such money as they might from time to time need, or as the circumstances of the suits might require. A few months 432 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Inter Capt. Benjamin Sbaw was chosen agent to carry on tlie suits for the town. At anotlier town meeting, Oct. 27, it was voted to settle tliese dis- putes on terms afterward to be agreed upon, and to choose a counnit- tee of six, three from eacli part}-, to devise, if possible, some plan likelv to effect an accommoihiUoii between the parties. It does not appear whether any plan of settlement was agreed upon by this com- mittee, to be submitted to the town. A series of propositions, of similar import with those brought before the town on the lOtli of March, 1799, and indefinitely postponed, were again offered for con- sideration, February 2, 1801, but whether by recommendation of this committee or by request of the Congregational society, we are not in- formed. The town voted to postpone all the articles, and immediately dissolved the meeting. At the annual meeting of the Congregational society in the spring of 1802 Josiah Maiston and Abner Page were chosen and empowered "to take care of the parsonage land belonging to this society and to prosecute an}' person that shall cut or haid off any wood from the same." The land here referred to was the home parsonage, which had been in tlie possession of Mrs. Tliayer, the widow of the late pas- toi'. Although a writ of ejectment had been brought against her by the town she had never been ousted. She had now, however, volun- tarily removed from tlie parsonage house and given up all claim to the land, and Rev. Jesse Ai)pleton had taken possession of it and was now occupying the house. This being done under claim of sight, he could not be disseized by the town, unless by a writ of ejectment. In the following summer the society instructed their agents for carrying on the suit against the town for recovering the parsonage property, "immediately to adoi)t such measures as might have a ten- dency to bring every matter relative to the affair^to as speedy a deter- mination as possible." THE INDENTURE OF 1803. Terms of settlement were at length agreed upon, and on the 24th of March, 1803, an indenture was made between the two i)arties, by which all their disputes were to be ended. The propert}'^ that had been the object of controversy was the parsonage house, with the outbuildings; the home parsonage, so called, containing somewhat more than (ifty acies, and several other tracts of land situated in Hampton and North Hampton, containing by estimation 174 acres; and besides these, United States 6 per cent, stocks to the amount of $4,570, with the income accruing therefrom since May 1, 1794. THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHISM. 1792 — 1807. 433 The indenture now made was based on the assumption that this property belonged equallj- to the two contending parties. It provided that the parsonage house and out-buildings, the garden and orchard connected tlierewitli and containing about one acre, which were now occupied and improved by Rev. Mr. Appleton, should continue to be held by the Congregational society I'or the use oT their minister, so long as Rev. Mr. Pidgin should remain as minister of the town, and afterward be held jointly and equally by both parties forever ; and that the remainder of the home parsonage should be held jointly and equally by the two parties for tlie use of their respective ministers, and by these ministers should be jointly and equally possessed and occupied, so long as Rev. Mr. Pidgin should remain a settled minis- ter in the town, and afterward should be jointly and equally occupied by the parties until a further and different agreement should be made concerning it. It was provided that all the other parsonage lands should forever beheld in trust by the town for the following uses, to wit : "That the said town, by their selectmen or other agents shall annually lease and to farm lot the same for the town for one year, for so much money as can be obtained for the same, at a public auction for that purpose, to be annually notified and had in said town ; the rents to be paid within one year from the time of leasing said land annually, and se- cured by good and sufficient promissory notes — one-half the amount of which shall be made payable to the said Congregational Society for their own use. which said half part of said notes shall annually, on request, be delivered by said town to the selectmen or lawful agents of said society, to be by them disposed of as said society shall direct ; and the otlier half of said notes for said rents shall be for the use of said town." It wi.s also agreed that the interest of the funded stock should be received by the town, and one-half thereof be paid to the societ}' in quarterly payments ; and, as a portion of the principal of that stock would, b}' law, be paid annuall}', that the sums so received by the town, together with such part of the principal as had been received since 1794, should be loaned on good security, and one-half the inter- est arising therefrom, be annually paid over to the society ; that the town should keep an exact account or statement in writing, showing to whom and in what manner the amount of said principal should be loaned ; and would at all reasonable times, on request, exhibit and show the same to said society or their selectmen or agents. It was further stipulated that no part of the principal already received, or that might afterward be received from the funded stock, should ever 28 434 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. be alienated or disposed of otherwise than by being loaned for interest as aforesaid, except bj- the joint consent of town and society. It was further agreed that each of the parties should indemnify and save harmless the other party and its minister from all claims for the possession of any part of the parsonage lands or funded stock, and from all damages, losses or costs accruing to the other party in con- sequence of such demands or suits. This indenture was drawn up witli great care by Jeremiah Mason. Esq., of Portsmouth, who had been employed as counsel foi' the soci- ety, and was signed by the committees of the two parlies, appointed and empowered to make a settlement of their difficulties, about four years previous to the date of the indenture, viz. : Simon Nudd, Ben- jamin Shaw, James Moulton, James Leavitt, Elisha S. Marston and Jonathan Marston, Jr., on the part of the town, and Christopher Top- pan, Joseph Dow, Daniel Lamprey, Jr., Abner Page, Joseph Towle, Jr., and Levi Batchelder, on the i)art of the society. The following letter, addressed to the author by Edmund Toppan, Esq., in 1838, explains more fully the course of these two lawsuits : Dear Sir : — In the years 1797-8-9 I passed several days at Ipswich and Salem, in examinina: and taking minutes from the ancient records of the to^\n of Hampton and other towns in NeAv Hampshire, formerly constituting in part the county of Norfolk My search was made in conse- t]uence of the famous Hampton religious suits. 1 was then a student-at-law in the office of Theo. Parsons, at Newburyport, who was counsel for the Con- gregational Society ^5. the town of Hampton. J recollect perfectly well that I procured a copy of the incorporation of the town of Hampton, of the original deed of the Eev. Timothy Dalton to the town of Hampton, and his last will, and of several other papers then thought to be of importance. I attended, I believe, every trial in the Superior court, of the Hampton actions, viz: Hampton vs. Martha Thayer ; and Jesse Apf)leton (for the Con- gregational Society) vs. Hampton. The deed of Mr. Dalton was formerlj- considered, by persons who had never seen it, to be a deed of gift, and by some, to the church only. But in the trials of the Hampton actions Judges Olcott, Farrar, Wiugate and Newcomb invariably charged the juries that the premises in Dalton's deed were purchased by the town of Hampton /^ course for many years caused no serious difficulty. The meetings on the Sabbath and at other times were generally well attended, and the minister's salary was prompt- ly paid. vStill, some of those who had absented themselves became restive under taxation for his support. Ten years from the beginning of Mr. Webster's ministry a town meeting was holden, by request, '*to see if the town wished for his services as their minister any longer." A majority of the voters at the meeting were friendly to Mr. Webster. Instead of acting im- mediately upon the main article in the warrant, they voted to post- pone ii, and act upon the next article, under which a consultation with the pastor was to be held, and all further action postponed to an adjourned meeting. But nothing came of it, and things remained as they had been. '•'A BONE OF Contention." At the annual town meeting in 1819, there was inserted in the war- rant, by request, the following article : ''To see if the town will give 446 HISTORY OF HAMPTON, the Baptist Society in suiil town a pait of the land and monies to support the gospel among theni." The town leCused to take any ac- tion upon the subject. At an adjourned meeting on the •2i)th of the same montli. the town voted to adopt the report of a committee previously appointed, rec- ommending the building of an out-honse at the parsonage, according to a plan presented, and took measures for carrying the same into effect. The passing of this vote called forth a remonstrance, signed by forty-three legal voters. The remonstrance, dated March .'51, 1819, is in the following words : "We, the undersigned, legal voters and inhabitants of said Hamp- ton, do hereby protest and dissent against a vote passed at the ad- journment of the last annual meeting, to build any building, or make any repairs, relative to the vote, on the parsonage, at our cost or ex- pense, either by taxes, or our property witldiolden from us by the town." It is not necessary to give the names of the signers of this protest. It is sufficient to state — and that is the purpose for which the matter is here introduced — that nearly all the signers were connected with the Baptist societ}', incorporated more than a year before. They had asked for a part of the income of the parsonage lands and ministerial funds, but had failed of obtaining it, and they thought it unfair to be called upon to pay directly or indirectly any sum however smalt, lor the maintenance or convenience of a minister of another denomina- tion, on whose ministrations they did not attend. Whatever opinion may be held as to their right to any part of the ministerial funds, it certainly accords with the prevailing sentiments of the present dav, that they ought not, in a case like this, to be compelled to pay a tax. The passing of the Toleration Act, so called, l)y the New Hamp- shire Legislature, in 1819, left people at liberty to act as they pleased in regard to paying a tax for the support of a minister. That act, however, coidd not impair the validity of the contract previously made with Mr. Webster. His salary continued to be paid by the town, though a considerable number of the inhabitants had, from time to time, "signed off" from paying any portion of it. The first instance of this occurred in March, 1823, when about thirtv jjcrsons refused to be longer taxed. No further request for a division of the income of the ministerial property was made to the town during the next six or seven years. But soon after the annual town meeting in 18o0, the selectmen, by re- quest, called another meeting, to see if the town would make pro- vision that the Baptist society might receive from year to year their just and equitable proportion of the annual proceeds of the ministerial LAST YEARS OF THE TOWN MINISTRY. 1807 — 1839. 447 property, according to taxation, or in any other suitable manner. An ineffectual attempt was made to refer the whole matter to a com- mittee, to report to the town their views. This failing, the question was then put, whether provision should be made for the Baptist society, and it was decided in the negative, the vote standing as determined by a poll, seventy for and eighty-seven against the measure. At the annual meeting the next spring, the same subject was again brought before the town in a proposition to divide ihe income of the ministerial property among the several religious societies in the town according to taxation. The following preamble and resolution were then offered, and passed by a vote of ninety-five to seventy-seven : ''Whereas there have been different opinions respecting the minis- terial property in the town of Hampton, and already much time and money expended in legal contests respecting this property ; whereas the common votes of the town and common suits at law are never likely to settle disputes on the subject; whereas it is highly impor- tant to the well-being of any community, that harmony and a general good understanding be maintained among the people ; and being de- sirous that justice and the best interests of the town be promoted ; Therefore, Resolved, that all questions respecting the ministerial property of Hampton be referred to three able counsellors at law, to be chosen by a committee of six, three to be chosen by each society, or their agents, which referees shall have full power to make such a dis- position of the property between said town and Baptist societj- in said Hampton, as may be final, or put the subject, if possible, beyond all further dispute." The preamble and resolution having been adopted, James Leavitt^ Esq., Jeremiah Hobbs and Maj. John Lovering were chosen as the committee on the part of the Congregational society. The Baptists generally were opposed to such a reference, and do not appear to have appointed a committee on their part. Hence, referees were not chosen. A little more than two years afterward another town meeting was called for a similar purpose, when the town again refused to allow the Baptist society any portion of the funds. A poll being demanded, the vote stood forty-five for, and seventy against. Again, about three weeks later, the town not only refused the request of the Baptists, but passed a vote, afflrming the appropriation of the parsonage and funds to the use of the Congregational society. No meeting of the Congregational society had been held for several years, but it was now thought advisable to meet again as formerly. There were, however, no oflflcers authorized to transact any business, 448 HISTORY OP HAMPTON, or call n meeting of the society for choosing officers. Application was therefore made to John T. Burnham, Esq., of Exeter, to call a meeting, to choose officers for the society and to make provision for holding meetings thereafter. The justice issued his warrant to Jo- siah Dow, one of the petitioners, requiring him to notify" the members of the society to meet for the purposes named in the application on the 25th day of November following (1833). The society met at the time and place designated, and chose Josiah Dow, moderator ; Daniel Towle, clerk and treasurer ; and Jeremiah Hobbs, Samuel D. Taylor and Samuel Batchelder, selectmen and assessors ; and made provision for holding future meetings. Agitation of the question about the division of ministerial funds was again renewed in 1835. At an adjournment of the annual town meet- ing, March 24, two questions relating to the subject were to be acted upon : the first, whether the Baptist society should have their propor- tion according to taxation ; the second, whether the funds should be so divided that every legal voter in the town might have his share ac- cording to taxation. The action of the town on the first proposition was as follows : Voted, that these funds be divided and the proportion mentioned in the warrant paid over to the Baptist society. The select- men were instructed to make such a division and the treasurer to de- liver the property into their hands for that purpose. To these votes the selectmen of the Congregational society objected, regarding them as "being in direct violation of the eleventh and twelfth articles of the re- port of the committee of union between the town and Congregational society," which report had been adopted by both parties, and, in their view, was still binding. By those articles, the whole income of the parsonage and the personal or other property in possession of the town and Congregational society for the support of the minister should in the first place be appropriated for the payment of the salary of the minister who should afterwards be settled, and the balance of the salary, if any, should be paid by the whole town. Rev. Josiah Web- ster had been settled under this arrangement, and while his ministry continued, the funds could not legally be diverted to any other pur- pose. The town then voted, "that, the Rev. Josiah Webster be no longer considered as a minister of the town of Hampton." It was also voted "that a committee of three persons be chosen to select in certain lots such parsonage wood in [the] Old Swamp, as may be thought decaying . to the amount of two hundred dollars, or more, and sold [sell the same] at public auction, on or before the first day of December. 1835, the proceeds to be returned to tlie town." Aaron Coffin, Tristram LAST YEARS OF THE TOWN MINISTRY. 1807-1839. 449 Shaw and Abraham Fogg were chosen a commifctee for this purpose. To these votes the selectmen of the Congregaticmul society objected in open town meeting. The measures wore, however, carried into effect by the committee. About one week afterward there was a meeting of the Congregational society held by adjournment, wlien, in consideration of the recent Votes of the town, diverting the income of the funds to a different ob- ject from that contemplated in the plan of union, it was voted, in ac- cordance with an article in the warrant for the meeting, "to revoke the vote of union passed by said society, November 27th, 1807, and also all other votes referring to tiie same." The right to revoke they had expressly reserved to themselves, whenever, in their opinion, there should be reason therefor. The society then chose Daniel Towle, Josiah Dow, Jun. and Thomas "Ward, together with their selectmen, a committee "to protect the property of the Congregational society by all just and legal means, according to the best of their judgment." In the warrant for the annual town meeting in 1836 was an article, '*To see if the town will vote to revoke all former votes respecting the ministerial funds and pai'sonage property." The meeting was ad- journed to the fourth Tnesda}' of the same month, when the subject was indefinitely postponed. Simeon B. Sliaw, Aaron Coffin and Tliomas Leavitt, Esq., were chosen a committee, "to go and try to compromise with the Rev. Jo- siah Webster, and make report" [to the town]. At their conference, Mr. Webster offered to relinquish his claim upon the town for twp thousand dollars and the use of the parsonage till he could find another place to which to remove. The committee offered to pa}^ him his salary and one thousand dollars and to give him the use of the parson- age till the next spring. Failing to agree on terms of settlement, Mr. Webster then proposed to submit the matter to arbitration ; but after several ineffectual attempts to agree upon referees, that plan was dropped, and nothing more attempted in the way of compromise. A committee of four men from each society failing to settle the dif- ferences, the town next instructed the treasurer "to pay over to the selectmen or agents of the Congregational society in Hampton the one half part of the interest on ministerial funds, and the one half part of parsonage rents for the year 1835 and also the year 1836, "'agreeably to the Indenture between said town and Congregational Society." Thirteen persons remonstrated against this vote, for the following rea- son : "Because we believe that there is no legall}' organized Congrega- tional society in the town. We believe that there has not been such 29 450 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. a societ}' in the town for more than twentj'-seven 5'ears, & we cannot give our votes acknowledging any society of the kind." Tlie selectmen, by request, soon after called another meeting in relation to the funds, "to see if the town would sell all the parsonage land except the Home Parsonage, and divide the proceeds and all the ministerial funds among all the voters and other taxpayers living in the town, and choose a committee to carry the same intoeftect; or invest the proceeds of the sales and all the notes and Bank Stock, constituting the ministerial property, in a fund, the income of which should annu- ally be paid to such religious societies as the voters and other tax- payers living in the town, should from 3'ear to year direct; — and where individuals fail to give any direction, such part as they would be entitled to, to be divided equally among the several religious soci- eties in the town ;" for at this time, still further to complicate the situation, a third denomination, the Methodist, was gaining adherents. The meeting was organized by the choice of a moderator, and then immediately dissolved. Articles of similar import had been acted upon but failed to be adopted at the previous meeting. A petition for another meeting, to act on nearly the same articles was within a few days presented to the selectmen ; but they, with the result of the last two meetings before them, failed to call a meeting. Application b^'^ one-sixth part or more of the legal voters was then made to Uri Lamprey, Esq., a justice of the peace, to call a meeting, and he issued his warrant to the constable, to notify a meeting to be holden on the 23d of May. At that meeting, Samuel Garland, Jr., was chosen moderator. It was voted to sell all the parsonage property except the home parsonage and the woodland in the old swamp. It was also voted (twenty-six persons voting), to divide all the interest and income of the parsonage property equally among the legal voters and estates not owned by legal voters [but] owned by persons living in the town, l)ayable to such religious societies as said legal voters and [owners of] estates should severally direct, and in case of no direction, to divide equally among the religious societies in tlie town ; and that a commit- tee of five should be chosen to act in behalf of the town, to sell and give warranty deeds of the above property, on or before the first Monday in June following (less than fourteen days, thus debarring the town from annulling these votes at another meeting). The treasurer was directed (ten persons voting) to pay over to the selectmen, on or before the first Monday in February following, all the income of parsonage property in his hands. The selectmen were directed to cause a division of the property to be made agreeably to •p^^ /^-^^^i^-^^S:^ LAST YEARS OF THE TOWN MINISTRY. 1807-1839. 451 a former vote, on or before tlie first d;iy of March, 1837 (fifteen per- sons having voted in favor of the hist motion). Objection was made as follows : "Hampton, May 23, 1836. "We, the subscribers hereby object to all the votes passed at this meeting-, so far as it regards the ministerial property in this town, in behalf of the Congregational Society. Samuel Batchelder, ^ Agents for the Jeremiah Hobbs, V Congregational Daniel Towle, ) Society," A vote was then passed to indemnify the committee from all costs and damages. A poll being demanded, thirty-four persons voted in the affirmative and tliirteen in the negative. The committee proceeded to sell and convey the parsonage lands, agreeably to the instructions received. LITIGATION. No means were then left to the Congregational society, to recover what they regarded as their property, without recourse to the law. A suit wasaccordingl3' commenced against the town in a plea of cov- enant. Depositions were taken before Thomas A. Dexter, Esq., commissioner, etc., at his office in Boston, and the case came on for trial at the term of the Court of Common Pleas, held at Portsmouth, in February, 1837. The next month, at the annual meeting of the society, Samuel Batchelder was chosen agent, and continued in that office by annual elections, till the case was settled. On the part of the town, E. W. Toppan and Simon Towle, Jr., were successively the agents employed, till the annual meeting in 1838, after which, the man- agement of the case passed into the hands of the selectmen. MR. Webster's death. From contentions in town meetings and courts of law we now turn to different scenes. John Calvin Webster, the third son of Rev. Josiah Webster, had been appointed by the American Seaman's Friend Society, as sea- man's chaplain at Cronstadt, in Russia, and arrangements had been made for his ordination in the North church, in Newburyport, on the loth of March, 1837. His father had been a[)pointed to preach the sermon. As the time for the ordination drew near and he was at work upon his sermon he found himself afflicted with a heavy cold, attended with a slight inflammation of the lungs, and when the day came he 452 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. was so ill that under ordiiiaiy circurastanccs he would probably have declined to preach. But from iiis relation to the candidate, he had a strong desire to perform the part assigned him. The services of tlie day were deeply interesting and the excitement of the occasion aided him, invalid as he was, in the delivery of his sermon ; but it proved to be his last. Tiie effort had been too great. The next day he re- turned home sick and exhausted, and, taking his bed, he remarked that he thought his work on earth was done, and added : ''AYell, if It be so, I know not with what act I could close life with more satisfac- tion." He continued to decline till the 27th of the month, when he fell asleep in death. During his sickness he was often delirious, but in lucid intervals his faith in God was unfaltering ; and thus he died. The funeral services were held at the meeting house on the Friday following his death. A sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel Dana, D.D., of Newburyport. Mr. Webster was a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Clifford) Webster, of Chester, N. H., and was born January 16, 1772. His preparatory studies were under the direction of Rev. Mr. Remington, of Candia, Rev. Dr. Thayer, of Kingston, and Hon. Stephen P. Webster, then preceptor of Atkinson Academy. He was graduated at Dartmouth Col- lege in 1798, and immediately commenced the stud}' of theology with Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Atkinson. In November, 1799, he was ordained pastor of the church in the second parish in Ipswich, Mass., then called Cliebacco parish, now constituting tiie town of Essex, where he continued till 1806. He used to say that while at Ipswich he greatly profited by the advice and varied instruction which he re- ceived from Rev. Dr. Worcester, of Salem. Mr. Webster married P^lizabeth, daughter of Maj. Eliphalet and Martha (Webster) Knight, of Atkinson. They had five sons, four of whom were educated at Dartmouth College, and two daughters, who died in infancy. [See Genealogies — Webster (6)]. The following inscription, prepared by Rev. Dr. Dana, of Newbury- port, is found upon the monument at Mr. Webster's grave, in the cemetery near Mr. Nathaniel Johnson's, and well expresses the esteem in which the beloved pastor was held : "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Josiah Webster, A.M., an exem- plary Christian, an impressive and distinguishing Preacher, a faithful and affectionate Pastor, a devoted and efficient Friend to the Cause of sound Learning, to the Interests of the Church of God, to the Welfare of his Country and Mankind. 'I heard a voice saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead that die LAST YEARS OF THE TOWN MINISTRY. 1807-1839. 453 in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from tlieir hibors ; and their works do follow them.' Mr. Webster was born at Chester, Jan. 16, 1772; was graduated at Dartmouth College, August, 1798; ordained at Essex, Mass., No- vember, 1799; installed at Hampton, June, 1808; died March 27, 1837, Aged 65."i About three weeks after Mr. "Webster's death the town held a special meeting, one purpose of which was to see what the town would do about the payment of his salary, and what to do with the home par- sonage and parsonage house. Although, two years before, the town had voted that Mr. Webster be no longer the minister of the town, the death of the good man, whom all respected, following so soon, put an end to strife for the time being, and a vote was passed to pay the administrator of his estate, when one should be appointed, all the in- terest that had arisen from the ministerial funds and all the parson- age rents for the years 1835 and 1836; also the money for which the wood was sold on the two acres in the old swamp ; and the remainder of salary due, to be paid by the whole town, agreeably to the eleventh and twelfth articles in the report of the committee of union. To Mrs. Webster was voted the use of the home parsonage and the parsonage house for one year. In the autumn of 1838, two hearings of the parties, in the suit be- tween the Congregational society and the town, were had before Thomas E. Sawyer, auditor, "at Samuel Dearborn's inn, in said Hampton." The next year, in March, when the town's half of the home parsonage was rented, it was voted, that the proceeds be divided between the Baptist and Methodist societies, according to taxation ; but at another meeting. May 8, that vote was recalled and it was voted to divide said proceeds equally between the Baptist and Methodist societies. At the same meeting. May 8, Joseph Dow, Ebenezer Lawrence and Daniel Towle were chosen a committee, to take into consideration all the articles iu the warrant relating to agents or agencies, one of which was "to see if the town will authorize their agent or agents to settle the controvers}^ between the town and the Congregational society." On recommendation of the committee, the town voted that the select- men settle all lawsuits in which the town is interested as a party, as speedily as they can, consistently with the interests of the town. The society, on its part, chose a committee of three, between whom and 5 The portrait of Mr. Webster here given is from a small painting on ivory, executed in 1S07. The dMte had long been unknown till the painting was taken from its case for repro- duction in this work. 454 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. the selectmen an agreement was reached and the vexing hiwsuit brouglit to an end. THE INDENTURE OF 1839. A new indenture was made September 21, 1839, a brief summary of which is as follows : Whireas, A controversy has arisen between the town of Hampton and the Congregational society in said town, hi relation to certain alleged violations of the indenture of 1803; and whereas, Simon Towle, Jr., David Page and Ebenezer Lane, selectmen of the town, have been appointed by the town to settle the controversy, and Samuel Batchelder, Josiali Duw, Jr., and Thomas Ward have been appointed by said society for a like purpose; now tlierefore, it is agreed by the said town and society, that the town hereby convey to the society all the promissory notes, contained in the annexed schedule, and which have been this day endorsed and delivered to said society; And the society, on their part, acknowledge the receipt of said notes, to- gether with $254.90 from the town, which, together with the account of judg- ment recovered l)y them at the Court of Common Pleas, holden in and for the county of Rockingham on the first Tuesday of September, A. D., 1839 (which judgment was rendered on an agreement of the parties), are received by said society in full satisfaction for all parsonage lands sold by the town and all damage on account of the same; and in full discharge of all the claims of the society to the funded stock of the United States, mentioned in said indenture, and of all the rents and income of said lands, and interest and proceeds of said funded stock, except so much thereof as may have been invested in stocks in the Exeter Bank; and in consideration thereof, the society do hereby re- lease and quitclaim to the town all their right and claim to any and all of the lands conveyed by the town, as aforesaid. And it is further agreed between tlie parties, that so much of said indenture as relates to the home parsonage, containing fifty acres, more or less; and so much as relates to two other tracts of l^nd [which are described], shall re- main in force. And it is further agreed between said parties, thut they are joint owners of twenty shares of the capital stock of the Exeter Bank, which was bought with the proceeds of said United States stock; and, as soon as may be, the certificate thereof shall he surrendered to the Bank and separate certificates issued to each of said parties for one-half of said shares; and that each of said parties receive one-half of any dividends now remaining due on said stock. This instrument, dul}- signed, sealed and witnessed, was now the compact between the two long-contending parties. The promissory notes conveyed to the society amounted, principal and interest, to S3, 330. 08. Tlie following year (Marcli 30) the town treasurer was directed to transfer to tlie selectmen so many of the notes, held by the town against certain individuals, for money loaned out of the sur- plus revenue, as might be necessuiy to cancel all the notes held against the town to pay the execution in favor of the Congregational society, LAST YEARS OF THE TOWN MINISTRY. 1807-1839. 455 and that the selectmen, with these notes, or with money received for them, cancel all the above-named obligations of the town within twelve days. At another meeting, April 20, the town voted to unite with the Congregational society, in the appointment of a disinterested commit- tee of three men, not residing in Hampton, to appraise the home par- sonage, so called, and sell and convey their half of it to the society, agreeably to the appraisal ; and chose John Johnson, Uri Lamprey and Ebenezer Lane to carry this vote into effect. The same day, the society held a meeting, passed a similar vote for appraisal, voted to buy the town's half, and chose Joseph Pliil- brick, David Page and Thomas Ward, to join with the town commit- tee, in the accomplishment of this end. The town also voted to pay all the expenses of the recent lawsuit between town and society, for which the town was liable, and that then all the ministerial funds in the town's possession, after settling with the Congregational society, be divided between the Baptist and Methodist societies in the proportion of three-fifths and two-fifths re- spectively. In this manner, after two hundred years' control, the management of church affairs passed from the town forever. CHAPTER XXVI. THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. THE CONGRKGATIONAL CHDRCH IN RECENT TEARS. THE toivn ministry having now been abolished and a disposition of the ecclesiastical property effected, as related in the last chap- ter, the further history of the old church should retire to a subordinate place in these pages, along with that of the other churches which have ai'isen ; for the affairs of the town, as such, are henceforth purely secular. After Mr. Webster's death, in March, 1837, the church remained without a pastor for nearly a year. In February following, the church and society, with great unanimity, invited Mr, Erasmus D. Eldredge to become their pastor. The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Eldredge was ordained April 4, 1838. The sermon was preached by Rev. Luther F. DimmicU, of Newburyport ; and the other principal parts in the service were : ordaining prayer by Rev. Samuel W. Clark, of Gi'eenland ; charge by Rev. Jonathan French, of North Hampton ; and right hand of fellowship by Rev. Sereno T. Abbott, of Seabrook and Hampton Falls. The old meeting-house, which was then and still continues to be owned by the town, was now somewhat out of repair ; and in February, 1843, after long agitation of the subject, the society decided to build a new one, which should be their property, subject to their own con- trol. Samuel D. Taylor, Obed S. Hobbs, David Knowles, Thomas Ward and Josiah Dow were chosen a building committee. A site had already been purchased, nearly opposite the old house, and as soon as practicable, after spring opened, the work was begun. At the annual meeting of the society that year, Joseph Dow, Thomas AVard and James Perkins, Jr. were chosen a committee, to prepare a code of by-laws, which was adopted. The name, selectmen, for the executive board of the society, had been changed to wardens, the previous year. According to the new code, the time of the annual meeting was fixed for the fourth Monday in March, the date which has ever since prevailed. (456) THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 457 On Thursday, January 4, 1844, the nevv church was dedicated ; and the same day, the pews were sold by auction. The next year a part of the basement was finished for a vestry. In 1846 Daniel Ilobbs was appointed ''to have charge of the musical instrument belonging to the society .... the double bass-viol, recently bought by sub- scription." In 1849, somebody, evidently, objected to insurance, for we find this curious record : "Voted, to insure the meeting-house. Voted, that we trust the safe-keeping of this house to the kind Providence of God." Severe illness in 1847, compelled Mr. Eldredge to suspend his labors for six months. In two years more, it had become evident that his weakened lungs could no longer bear exposure to the sea air. Re- luctantly he asked a dismission ; reluctantly it was granted — and the hajjpj^ connection of eleven years was severed by a council, convened on the 7th of May, 1849. During his pastorate, several revival sea- sons were enjoyed and there were a considerable number of additions to the church. Rev. Erasmus Darwin Eldredge was a sou of Dr. Micah and Mrs. Sally (Buttrick) Eldredge, of Dunstable, Mass., where he was bora March 10, 1804. He was graduated from Amherst College in 1829, and studied theology at Andover, with the class of 1833. He married Isabella Tappan Hill, daughter of Dea. John Hurley Hill, of Ports- mouth, where she was born August 20, 1812. Their infant son, John B. H., died the day of Mr. Eldredge's ordination, keen sorrow and disappointment thus mingling with, and for a time overpowering the joy of establishing the first home and entering the first pastorate. A daughter and a son were born in Hampton, and another son, the only survivor of the family, after they went awny. Soon after leaving Hampton, Mr. Eldredge was settled at Salisbury in this state, where he remained till 1854. Subsequently, he had charge of a female seminary in Monticello, Ga. He taught also in Milledgeville and preached in Perry, in that state. In 1861 he re- turned to New Hampshire and preached for a year in Alton ; but re- moved to Kensington in 1864, bought a farm, and was pastor there eleven years, as long as he was able to preach. There Mrs. Eldredge died. May 1, 1873, loved, honored and sincerely mourned. Soon after her death, Mr. Eldredge removed to his daughter's home in Georgia, and died at Athens, in that state, April 18, 1876. His remains were brought to Hampton for interment, where they rest be- side those of his wife and his first born. On his gravestone is this just tribute to his worth. He "labored as a faithful, beloved and 458 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. successful minister of the Gospel for 38 years." [See Genealogies — Eldredge.] Four months after the dismission of Mr. Eldredge, namely, on the 6th of September, 1849, his successor in the pastoral office, Rev. Solomon P. Fay, was ordained. Rev. John M. Steele, of Winchester, Mass., preaching the sermon. Within the next three years, fourteen acres of the parsonage land were sold. In 1851 the barn was burned, and the house narrowly escaped. During this prosperous ministry of five years, thirty-four members were admitted to the church. August 29, 1854, Mr. Fay was dis- missed, to accept a call to Dayton, O, He still occasionally visits the scene of his first pastorate, where he is ever a welcome guest. [See Genealogies — Fay. J The church was then without a pastor for a j^ear ; but on the 3 1 st of October, 1855, Rev. John Colby, then recently graduated, was or- daiued, Rev. Dr. Cleveland, of Lowell, Mass., preaching the sermon. The same year, the meeting-house was frescoed, at a cost of two hun- dred fifty dollars. Tn the great revival that overspread the country in the winter of 1857-8, all the Hampton churches participated. Mr. Colby brought grief to the people, in the autumn of 1863, by asking a dismission, in order that he might accept an invitation to enter the army as a chaplain. A people loyal to the government could not say nay, and Mr. Colby Avas dismissed by council, Novem- ber 18th. It so happened, however, that the regiment he expected to join was not mustered, and other duties awaiied him. [See Geneal- ogies — Colby.] After a temporary supply, of one year, by Rev, James B. Thorn- ton, a pastor was again found in Rev. John Webstek Dodge, who had been settled for a time in Gardiner, Me., where he was ordained December 6, 1860. Professor Smyth, of Andover Theological Seminary, preached at his installation in Hampton, October 19, 1865. In 1867 a new pipe organ was procured at an expense of eleven huudred dol- lars, and the church was recarpeted. After a successful pastorate, during which twenty-five persons united with the church, Mr. Dodge was dismissed, Nov. 18, 1868, to accept a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church in Yarmouth, Mass., where he was installed December 30, 1868, and where he remained till the autumn of 1891, when on account of impaired health, he retired, and removed to New- buryport. Rev. John W. Dodge, son of Moses and Susan (Webster) Dodge, of Newburyport, was born in that city, October 16, 1836 ; was grad- THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 459 uated at Amherst College, 1857 ; Andover Theological Seminar}^, 1860 ; married, November 7, 1860, Mary Hairis Toy, of Simsbury, Conn. They have children : 1 , Mary Webster, baptized in Hampton, August, 1866 ; 2, George Toy; 3, Susan Webster. Rev. James McLean, fiom Menasha, Wis., was the next pastor. He came in the autumn of 1869, and, having preached as stated sup- ply for a year, was installed, December 15, 1870. In the spring of 1871, the estate dedicated to the use of the ministry since the settle- ment of the town was forsaken and sold, and a new parsonage bought, nearer the church ; but this being found unsuitable was in turn sold after a few montlis, and a vacant lot purchased, with a view to build- ing. Mr. McLean was dismissed January 30, 1872, From this time, there was no installed pastor for twelve years. Eev. F. D. Chandler was employed nearly two years ; Rkv. John 8. Batchelder [see Genealogies — Batchelder (38) ], three years; Rev. William H. Cutler, four and a half years ; and tx'ansient preach- ers filled up the interval. Meanwhile, the Congregational society, instead of building a parsonage, bought Deacon Willcutt's homestead, adjoining their vacant lot, in 1878, and this house they have since re- modeled. The same year the Sabbath afternoon church service was omitted during the summer months, which was but a prelude to omit- ting it altogether. The old box stoves which had long done service in heating the church, were exchanged for a furnace, in 1881, and the next year the church was repaired and frescoed. Rev. Walcott Fay, the next pastor, son of Rev. Barnabas Maynard and Mrs. Louise Mills Fay, was born in Flint, Mich. ; studied at Williams and Oberlin Colleges, but did not complete the course, on account of illness ; pursued tlieology at Yale and Bangor, graduating from the latter in 1883. He came to Hampton from Oxford, Me., where he had been preaching for a few months, and was ordained pastor of this church,February 20, 1884, Rev. S. P. Fay, of Dorchester, Mass., former pastor, preaching the sermon. The day had been dark and lowering ; but during the ordination service the sun burst forth and shone full on the young pastor's head — bright omen of prosperous days to come. On the 31st of August following, in presence of an audience, crowded to the aisles, Mr. Fay preached the last sermon before his summer vacation ; and, at the close, was married to Mrs. Sallie (Rawson) Cox, of Arlington, Mass., Rev. S. P. Fay, by special license, performing the ceremony. In October of that year, Joseph Dow resigned the office of clerk of the church, to which he was elected in October, 1863, and John Will- cutt was chosen in his stead. Afterward, the pastor became clerk. 460 HISTORY or HAMPTON. Mr. Fay's pastorate was a harmonious one, but it was sliort. He was dismissed, at his own request, November 16, 1886 ; and. a month later, was installed pastor of the Central Square Congregational church, in Bridgewater, Mass. Another remove was effected, inOctober, 1888, to his present pastorate, in Westborough, Mass. His son, Dexter Rawson, was born in Bridgewater. After Mr. Faj-'s removal, no effort was made to formally install a successor in Hampton, till the present year, 1892, when Rkv. John A. Ross, the acting pastor, who began his ministrations in July, 1887, WMS cordially invited to settle- The installation took place on the 14th of June ; Rev. Cyrus Richard^ion, D.D. of Nashua, preaching the sermon. The affairs of church and society move prosperously on. Mr. Ross was born in Lunenburg, N. S. ; graduated from the Free Church College, now merged in Dalhousie College, Halifax, N. S., in 1851 ; from the Free Church Divinity Hall, Halifax, in 1854 ; and was a resident at Andover Theological Seminary, in 1859. He married Louisa Todd, of St. Stephen, N. B. ; practised law for a short time, in Boston; w:is acting pastor at New Gloucester, Me., from 1860 to 1864; supplied the church in Marion, la., 1864 to 1866, and was its pastor, 1866 to 1873; was pastor of the North Church, Belfast, Me., 1873 to 1886 ; and came to Hampton after a short residence in Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have a son, Wdliam T., civil engineer, in Brewster, N. Y. ; a daughter, Ellen A., married in Hampton, September 3, 1889, to Eugene S. Campbell, telegraph operator here, now of Wilmington, Mass. ; and a younger sou, John A., who lives with his parents. David S. Brown, for twenty years clerk of the Congregational societ}', retired from office in March, 1887, and John F. Marstonwas chosen clerk. A notable event within the present pastorate, was the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the Congregational church in this town, cele- brated August 19, 1888, the Sabbath following the town celebration. i All the Hampton churches, together with the Congregational churches within the ancient limits of the town, were invited, and the house was filled to its utmost capacity. Rev. Mr. Ross preached au historical sermon, and the ex-pastors. Rev. Messrs. Fay, Colby, Dodge and Fay, the only survivors who have ever been installed here by a council, made short addresses. \_Note. The senior deacon, Joseph Dow, elected February 26, 1 857, died on the 16th of December, 1889. Josiah J. Dearborn is his suc- cessor in office ; and Jeremiah Locke has been chosen to relieve the iChap. xxxiu. THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 461 present senior deacon, James Perkins, from active duty, when he shall so desire. — £d.1 The Woman's Missionary Society, connected at first directly, and now through the New Hampshire Branch, with the Woman's Board of Missions, was organized in 1871 ; and has, with its mission circles of young people, contributed an aggregate of about thirteen hun- dred thirty dollars, for foreign missionary work. A home missionary department was added in 1890. A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has been an active element in the church since 1888. THE FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. In Chapters XV and XXV have been sketched some of the events connected with the rise and gradual expanding of a new religious element in the old church of Hampton, and their outcome in the for- mation of the Baptist church. Let us briefly review : In the spring of 1808, a union of the Presbyterian and Congrega- tional churches was effected, which restored the latter to its former position as the church of Hampton, the town holding the property and exercising control. In June, of the same year. Rev. Josiah Webster was installed pastor. There were, however, a few citizens, who, either from jealousy, prejudice or principle, declined to be a party to this reunion. They had become interested, more or less, in the doctrines of Elder Elias Smith, who had been holding religious meetings in Portsmouth and elsewhere. Some of his teachings not harmonizing with the belief and doctrines of the home church, brotherly love was d/s-continued ; the seed of ill-feeling was sown ; strife and bickering were the outgrowth ; and the riot of September followed. ^ After the heat of passion had subsided, wiser counsels prevailed on both sides, — the old church recognizing the right of freedom of con- science, and the adherents of the new denomination, called Christian, entering a sphere of usefulness as a distinct sect. It was not until 1814, however, that they became strong enough to colonize. Mr. Simon Grarland, of North Hampton, gave a building, which they fitted up for a meeting-house where it stood, at the corner of his pasture, on Lobbs' Hole road ; and in Jul}', of that year, they held their first meeting there. Elders Jabez True and Henr}- Pottle con- ducting the services. From this time they continued to worship in their own house, some of the Little River people uniting with them till a church was built in that village ; when this house was moved on to the » Chap. XV. 462 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Portsmouth road, opposite Giles' swamp. It was the same house that long afterwards was occupied b^^ the Methodists, and later, by the Adventists. It has since been placed on a lot near the present Methodist church, and converted into a comfortal)le dwelling-house. In 1817 the Legislature of New Hampshire passed an act, "To in- corporate John Dearborn (and twelve others) into a religious society, to be known by the name of The First Baptist Society in Hamp TON." At a legal meeting of the society, July 21, Joshua Lane was chosen Clerk, "to act as sucii until there be another chosen." The records of the society are meager during its early years. Tran- sient preuchers were employed till, in 1819, Polder John Hakriman became the pastor, who remained a little more than three years, and about 1822 removed to Plaistow and afterwards to Canterbur}'. [See Genealogies — Ilarriman.] From this tiuie the society held their meetings with or without a preacher, as occasion permitted, until 1834, when an enterprise was undertaken which greatly advanced their interests. In the beginning of that year, a new building site, the one still occupied, was purchased by a committee, consisting of Samuel Drake, Samuel Dearborn, David Towle, Jr., and Samuel Garland, and the societ}' proceeded at once to erect a house of worship, fort}' by forty- eight feet — which was completed by October. On the lOth of that month, the old house seems to have been used for the last time, and the meeting adjourned to the 16tli, to the house of Joshua Lane, where a church of twentj'-four members w'as organized. The Constitution adopted at this time begins thus: '"Believing that the cause of God requires the establishment of better oi'der than has been usual with the people called Baptists, in Hampton, and that the time has now arrived in which we should set in order those things that are wanting among us : we therefore, whose names are hereunto annexed, agree to form ourselves into a church, to be called the Church of Christ WITHIN THE First Baptist Society in Hampton." Then follow the articles of agreement. The same year. Rev. Timothy Cole became pastor, and continued in office till 1838. It was during his pastorate (in 1837), that the use of the old meeting house was given to the Methodists, who repaired and rededicated it, as related in the history of that church. In 1838 Rev. Eltas IIutchins was called to the pastorate. The next year the division of the ecclesiastical property among the re- ligious societies of the town was agreed upon, as related in Chapter XXV. A section and tower were added to the church edifice. Flder Hutchins was born in New Portland, Me., June 5, 1801. He THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 463 began to preach before he was eighteen 3'ears old, when he entered upon an itinerant ministry, which he followed for nearly fonrleen 3'ears. He was ordained as an evangelist, at Wilton, P'ebrnary 1, 1824; spent several years in missionary work in Ohio and Indiana; h\bored also in North Carolina, where "many ofthe slaves flocked to[)ear him preach." In 1832 he married Lncy Ambrose of Sandwich, and soon after, became pastor of a chnrch in North Providence, R. I., resigning in 1838. After tiie Hampton pastorate, he was settled five years in Newmarket, where his wife died, leaving an infant daughter. In 1845 he accepted a call to the Washington street chnrch, Dover; and the next year married the widow o( the Rev. David Marks. In 1858 ill health, from which he never recovered, com[)eIIed him to resign his pastorale. He died in Dover, September 11, 1859. Elder Hutchins was for many years officially connected with the various missionary' and educational societies of liis denomination. Rev. Porter S. Burbank was the next pastor of the Free Baptist chnrch. He came in 1840, and remained five 3'ears, when he was succeeded by Rev. William D. Johnson for a time; but Elder Bur- bank returned in 1846, to another pastorate of two years. In 1840 occurred another important ei)och, when the church joined the Rockingham Quarterl3' Meeting — that is, changed from Christian to Freewill Baptist, now called Free Baptist. Four 3-ears later the Constitution was revised, and the present church covenant adopted, the pastor, together with David Garland, Amos Towle, Samuel Drake and Daniel Moulton being the committee on revision. The church had then recentl3' received an accession of twent3'-five members, as the fruits of a revival the preceding 3'ear. Rev. Porter S. Burbank was licensed to preach In' the Waterville Quarterly Meeting, at Industr3', Me., in 1836. He was principal of Strafford Academ3', N. H., three 3'ears, and taughl elsewhere, in var- ious high schools and seminaries ; was president of the Education So- ciety eleven years, and corresponding editor of the Morning Star from 1833 to 1866. He was ordained, June 13, 1840; and besides his Hampton [)astorate, held others, in Deerfield, New Hampton and Danville, and in West Buxton and Limerick, Me. He spent the last ten years of his life in South Parsonsfield, Me. [See Genealogies — Burbank.] Rev. William P. Mkrrill became pastor in 1848. The next 3'ear the meeting-house received a new coat of paint. Soon after the paint- ing, lightning struck the tower — not, however, doing very serious damage. The pastor, referring to the event on the next Sabbath, re- marked : "The Lord didn't show much respect for the new paint." 464 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Rkv. R. Ashley became pastor in 1850, Rev. Frederic Moclton, in '51 and Ri:v. Wilmam Rogers, in '53. Thus far, the pastors had lived in liiied houses, wlierever they could be obtained most conven- iently ; but in 1854 the societ3' built the parsonage which has ever since been the home of its pastors, Ehler Rogers and his family' being the first to occupy it. After a three years' pastorate, he was succeeded b3' Rev. William H. Waldron, one j'ear, and Ret. William C. Clark, one year. During the latter pastorate occurred the great re- vival of the winter of 1857-8, following which twenty-four converts were baptized by Elder Clark and received as members of the church. On the 8th of September, 1858, Rev. De Witt C. Durgin was or- dained and became pastor of the church — which pastorate was held twelve years, being the longest in the history of the church. Mr. Durgin was born in Thornton, N. H., March 29, 1830, being a son of Captain Francis and Maria (Eager) Durgin. He entered AVaterville College, Me., in 1852, and was graduated from Union Col- lege, N. Y., in 1856. For the next two years, he was principal of Lackawanna Institute, Pa. He married Caroline A. Chapman, of North Parsoufield, Me., in 1857, and the next year, came to Hampton, where his ministry was characterized by a cordial fraternil}' with pas- tors and people of other denominations, and the whole period was one of good will among the churches. Mr. Durgin was principal of Hampton Academy for a time. He represented the town in the General Court in 1869 and 1870. Dur- ing his pastorate, he received twenty-one new members to the church. After leaving Hampton he preached one year for the Hampton Falls and Seabrook society, at the church known as the "Line church," thence removed to Newmarket, where he was pastor for three j'ears. From the latter place, he was, in 1874, called to the presidency of Hillsdale College, Mich., — an ofBce for which he was eminently fitted and which he filled successfully for ten 3'ears. The degree of Doc- tor of Divinity was conferred by Bates College, in 1875. In 1881 he went to England, as a delegate to the General Baptist Association ; and the same year visited Iceland, where he was made a member of the Icelandic Antiquarian Society. His lectures on Ice- land are an outcome of his explorations there. Dr. Dui'gin now preaches in Newmarket, where he and his wife re- side. Of their two children, born in Hampton, Clinton C. is a lawyer in Grand Rai)ids, Mich, and Carolyne G. is professor of Greek in Pike Seminary, N. Y. Rev. Francis H. Ltford was called to the pastoral office in Hamp- ton, in 1870 ; succeeded by Rev. George J. Abbott, in 1873. At REV. DE WITT C. DURGIN, D.D. Portrait contributed by former parishioners, pupils and fellow-citizens of Hampton, in token of their regard. THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 465 the annual town meeting in 1874, Mr. Al)l)ott was elected superintend- ent of the public schools, and held the oflice one year. He continued pastor till 1877. lie died in Oakland, Me., November 3, 1883. The nexti)astor, Rev. LotL. HAuatoN, was born in Madison, N. 11., in 1826 ; entered Bangor Theological Seminary in 1860, having already been a preacher several years ; and after graduating, continued pas- toral and SundaN'-school work in Maine till June, 1876, when he set- tled in Portsmouth for a year. He married Mary J. Butler, and in August, 1877, came to Hampton, where he was an acceptable and successful pastor nearly four years. They now live in Pomona, Fla. Their son, George B., was born in Hampton, October 24, 1879. In the spring of 1878, ihe church was moved back on the lot, giving better frontage, and raised about ten feet, and a convenient and at- tractive vestry added as a basement. Rkv. F. p. Wormwood became pastor of the church in 1881, and Rkv. Arthur L. Morey, the next year. Tlie venerable Daniel Moulton, who was elected clerk of the church Deceml)er 6, 1851, resigned the office in the springof 1883, when the churcli gave him a vote of thanks '"for faithful and long-continued service." Mr. Morey was born in Moira, N. Y., January 11, 1847. He served three years in the war, from the age of fourteen. After this, he ob- tained an education, graduating from Bates College in 1876. July 3, of the same year, he married Hattie W. Patterson, of Lewiston, Me., and on the 2oLh of October following, was ordained at Lancaster, N. H. After preaching for awhile, he entered Bates Theological School, graduating in 1882. He then came to Hampton, and re- mained three years. He died in West Derby, Vt., May 12, 1887. His wife and one child survive him. The next pastor, Rev. John B. Merrill, son of Ralph D. and Judith (Coggswell) Merrill, of Atkinson, was born May 4, 1846 ; at- tended Atkinson Academy, and studied under a piivate tutor from Harvard College one year. He married Sarah A. Merrill, June 11, 1869, and has two daughters. His parents were Congregationalists, and he began to preach in that denomination ; but joined the Free Baptists in 1867, and held several pastorates in Maine and New Hampshire. He came to Hamp- ton in 1885. Soon after, the question of remodelling the chuich be- gan to be agitated — a measure which was carried out the next year, at a cost of about $3,100, and a large amount of free labor. The pastor himself was indefatigable, his hammer resountling with the rest; his skilful hand wielding the brush in decorative painting. 30 466 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. The preceding winter a marked revival had ])een enjoj-ed, which re- sulted in the addition of t\vent3-one members to the cluirch. At a chinch meeting, March 14, 1886, the following resolution was adopted : "Whereas, the duty of the church to care for its members severally is unquestioned, and the covenant meeting is a great help to those who attend. Therefore, resolved : Tliat we recommend that the churcli of this Quarterly Meeting establish one of their covenant meetings as an annual covenant meeting, at which every member be previously in- vited to report, by personal presence or by letter, or verbal report of some member, and that resident members that do not report for one year be visited b}' a committee." February 4, 1887. "Voted that the annual covenant meeting of this church be held on the Friday evening preceding the first Sabbath in May." April 29, 1887. The record of the annual covenant meeting shows that there vv^ere then eighty-two members of the chuich. Early in 1888 Mr. Merrill resigned the pastorate, and soon after removed to Epsom. In the autumn of the same year, the church voted to request the Quarterly Meeting at Caiidia, to send a council of ministers to ordain Rev. Willis A. Tucker as pastor. Accord- ingly, the ordination service was held on the evening of October 29, 1888, and was as follows: sermon by Rev. D. "W. C. Durgin, D.D., (former pastor), from Hebrews xiii : 17; ordaining prayer by Rev. J. C. Osgood : charge to the church, Rev. F. K. Chase ; charge to the pastor, Rev. J. S. Harrington : right hand of fellowship, Rev. C. C. Foster; address of welcome to christian work in Hampton, Rev. J. A. Ross, pastor of the Congregational church ; benediction by the pastor. Rev. Willis A. Tucker, son of Francis A. and Lydia M. (Edes) Tucker, was born at Guilford, Me., educated in the academies of Monson and Foxcroft, and gradiuited from Cobb Divinity school in 1888. In 1879 he married Martha 8. Hammond, and has two children living. His connection with the Hampton cluirch terminated in April, 1892, when he immediately entered u|)on a new i)astorate at South AVindham, Me., and the Free Baptist church in Hampton is now to seek another pastor. Leacons, from the beginning to the present time: Amos Towle, Jr., Joshua Lane, Alvin Emery, David Garland, Jr., Charles M. Perkins, "William L. Blake, John A. Towle, David J. Garland. Cleiks of the church : Joshua Lane, Samuel Garland, Samuel Drake, Daniel Moulton, John M. Akerman, Frank B. Brown. TITE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 467 A Ladies' Missionary Society, with well-sustained interest, is con- nected with tUe cliurch. THE METHOUrST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. When Metliodism was introduced into Hain[)ton, a Congregational and a Cliristian society had occupied the ground for many 3'ears. Rev. James JM. Fuller preached the first Methodist sermon, in the North school-house, on Saturda}^ evening, sometime in the month of December, 1835. The Sabbath following, he preached to a small con- gregation in an old meeting-house, at that time unoccupied. He was stationed that year at Lamprey River, Newmarket. After two weeks Rev, James IL Patterson, stationed at Newfields, now South Nevvmar- ket, preached in the same place. From this time there was no more preaching by Methodists till sometime in July, 1836, when Mr.- Fuller came again. From July until November, there was preaching regu- larl}', once in two weeks, by local preachers ; the congregation grad- ually increased, and two or three were converted. Sometime in the month of November, the friends of Methodism held their first "piotracted meeting," at which about twenty were hope- fully converted to God, who were immediately united together in a class. The societ3' worshipped in the small house before mentioned, formerly occu[)ied by the Cliristian society. In the following spring the house was given to the Methodists, for their special benefit, as long as they should occupy it as a place of worship. After being repaired and fitted up for the purpose, it was rededicated to the wor- ship of God, on the 22nd of May, 1837. The sermon on the occa- sion was preached by Rev. J. M. Fullei-, from Psalm 93: 5 — "Holi- ness becometh ihine house, O Lord, forever." The same month the Sunday school was organized, with Jonathan Towle for superintend- ent. At the Conference at Great Falls, July 4, 1837, Rev. John Buod- HEAD was appointed to preach in Hampton. He labored faithfully and with some success until the following spring, wheu he was called to his reward, deeply lamented by the church of his choice. He died in peace, at his residence in South Newmarket, on the seventh of April, 1838, leaving behind him many witnesses that his " labor was not in vain in the Lord." Rev. John Brodhead was born October 5, 1770, in Lower Smith- field, Pa. In 1794 he entered the travelling connection, and the two following years was stationed in New Jersey and Maryland. In 1796 he came to New England where he was among the i)i()neers, forming new societies in various places in each of the New England states and 468 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Lower Canada. He filled maii}'^ important offices in the clmrcli, and, especially in the early part of his ministry, his labors were exceedingly arduous and eminenll}' snccessfnl. His constitution becoming impaired, in 1811 he was stationed at Md)at is now South Newmarket, where, after this pei'iod he usually re- sided. During his life, he was several times elected to ti\e New Hampshire senate and council ; and was four yeiiis a representative in Congress, Father Brodhead was a good man, deeply pious, ardenth' and sin- erel}' devoted to the interests of the church and mankind. From the time of his death until the next Conference, the little society in Hamp- ton was supplied with preaching by brethren whose sympathies and labors were enlisted in their behalf. At the Conference held at Danville, Vt., July 5, 1838, Rev. "William Padman was stationed in Hampton. His labors, by the Divine liless- ing, were rendered successful in the awakening and convei'sion of some scores of souls, but few of whom, however, were gathered into the Methodist church. The next year Rev. Samuel A. Cushing preached a part of the year in Hampton, and Rev. Abraham M. Osgood, the remainder. In 1840, Mr. Osgood was returned and labored successfully with the struggling societ}' the second 3'ear. At the Conference held at Dover, June 23, 1841, Rev. Abraham FoLSOM was appointed to Hampton. He was careful to louk after tlie financial interests of the church. Through his influence, the legal so- ciety was formed knovvn as ''The First Methodist E[)iscopal Society of Hampton." It was organized April 8, 1842. This society received two thousand dollars of the ecclesiastical fund of the town, in its dis- tribution among the churches. Rev. Al)raham Folsom died in 1872, and his wife, lour years later. Both were bi'ought to Hampton, and interred in Mr. Sewell W. Dow's lot in the cemetery. At ihe Conference held at Newbury, Vt., June 22, 1842, Rev. Ho- ratio N. Taplin was statioued in Hampton. He preached with good success for two years. In this, as well as eveiy other station, he was greatly beloved, being a man of an excellent si)irit. He baptized four- teen persons, some of whom are among the present active members. Rev. Horatio N. Taplin was born at East Corinth, Vt., August 7, 1817. He was converted in the eighteenth 3'ear of his age, and joined the Church Street Methodist society, Boston. There he remained two years, when he became convinced that God called him to preach the gospel, and returned to Corinth, to make preparation therefor. Soou afterward, he entered the Newl>ury Seminar}', where he remained TFIE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 469 two years, and received a local preaclier's license. In May, 1841, he married Susan Ketchuin, of Barre, Vt., and in Jnne following, joined the New IIam|)sliiie Conference. He subseqnently labored as follows: At South Newmarket, two years.; Hampton, two years ; Ep- ping, two years ; Manchester Center, one year; Landaff, two years ; Enfield, one year : Sandwich, twoyears. In October, 1854, he was pros- trated by typhoid fever, which destroyed his physical energies, and induced quick consumption. He rose on the morning of January 19, 1855, complained of faintness, and immediately expired, leaving a widow and three children. Brother Taplin was an acceptable preacher and a faithful pastor. In promoting the interests of Sabbath-schools and in gaining the affection of the young he excelled. In 1844 Rkv. John F. Adams supplied at Hampton ; the following year Rev. James M. Young. In 1856 Rev. Charles H. Chask was appointed here ; and through his efforts, the parsonage was procured, at an expense of about six hundred dollars. The next preacher was Rev. Henrv Nutter, who I'emained two years. He was the first to occupy the parsonage, and before he left, a new church was built, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. It was dedicated by Rev. Benjamin R. Hoyt, in November, 1848. A good revival was enjoyed, and thirteen were baptized by the pastor. The next year, Rev. A. M. Osgood was reappointed here; followed by Rev. Ira A. Sweatland, in 1850, and Rev. Matthew Newhall, in 1851. In 1852 Rev. Abel Heath was appointed here by the Conference held at Nashua : but he was there taken with typhoid fever, and in a few days died. Mr. Newhall remained therefore, the second year, and labored faithfully and with good success. He was followed by Rev. James M. Hartwell, one year. Rev. John English came in 1854, and remained two years. He also enjoyed a good revival. Being an earnest and faithful man, he will be remembered with grati- tude by many true friends in Hampton. Rev. John W. Johnson, stationed here in 1856, preached with great acceptance for two years, and his labors were not in vain in the Lord. About twenty-two were baptized as the fruits of the re- vival. The history of the church, to this point, was furnished by Rev. Nathaniel N. Chase, who followed Mr. Johnson in the pastorate, and himself labored faithfully the next two years. Subsequently, he was stationed here one year more. Mr. Chase has since died, after a long and useful career as pastor of churches, and agent of the New Hamp- shire Bible Society. Succeeding pastors of the Hampton church have been: 470 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Kev. Joseph Hayes, 1860. Rev. Eliliu Scott, 1872-3-4. " F. K. Stnitton, 1861-2. " J. H. Knott, 1875-6. ;' S. F. Wliidden, 1863. " J. P. Frye, 1877-8. " E. Lewis, 1864. " A. B. Carter, 187!)-80. " N. L. Cliase, 1865. " J. F. Spakiing, 1881 2-3. " A. C. Conlt, 1866. " H. B. Copp, 1884-5-6. " A. A. Cleaveland, 1867-8. " W. C. Bartlett, 1887-8-9. " G. W. Ruland, 1869-70. " C. M. Howard, 1890. " S. J. Robinson, 1871. " Noble Fisk, 1891-2, Rev. Elihd Scott, the first pastor for a terra of three consecutive years, after he became superannuated, removed permanently to Hamp- ton, where he spent the hist years of his life, revered by the entire community. Here his wife died, in 1884 ; and after four more years, he, too, was gathered to his fathers, in a good old age ; having been a faithful preacher of the Word, and long a trusted officer of the Con- ference. Both were laid to rest in the Hampton cemeter}'. In September, 1881, the church building was removed to its present site, nearer the centre of the town ; and, largely through the untiring zeal of Mr, Spnlding, the pastor, it was thoroughl>^ and tastefully re- modelled and furnished with a bell, at a cost of thirty-one hundred dollars and much gratuitous labor. The work was pushed vigorously, and the church rededicated, January 5, 1882, Rev, Dr. B, K, Pierce preaching the sermon. Connected with this church is a sewing society, which has been car- ried onuninterruptedl}^ for many years ; tiie Ladies' Missionary Society is of more recent date ; and an Epworth League was organized in the latter part of Rev, Mr. Bartlett's pastorate. THE SECOND ADVENT CHURCH, When William Miller proclaimed through the country the second coming of Christ, in 1843, a few individuals in Hampton embraced his doctrines. When, a few years later, the Methodists built their new meeting-house, the Adventists, or ''Come-Outers," as they were oftener called, stayed behind, and continued for some time to worship in the old iiouse, that had already been the church home of two de- nominations. They were too few, however, long to maintain a ser- vice of tiieir own, but thej'^ never gave up their faith. About the year 1870, the doctrines of the Second Advent church be- gan to gain new adherents in Hampton, Tent meetings were held, and efforts made to promulgate that faith. A revival followed, which resulted in the gathering of a congregation, the leasing of a plat of land for a term of years, and the erection of a chapel, completed in November, 1871. THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES. 471 Meetings were held with consi(]ertil)le reo;ularity and interest for sev- eral years ; and on the 18tU of January, 1877, a church was organized, which has ever since held on its way, and been a means of good in the town. The present membership is about thirty. A committee of correspondence fui'nish the preachers, fortnightly, but the house is opened for a prayer-meeting every alternate Sabbath morning. The Wednesday evening neighborhood prayer-meetings have been sus- tained without a break for several years. The compactness of the parish renders this comparatively eas}', nearly all being resident in the east part of the town, where five or six dwellings in regular rota- tion are opened for the evening meetings. In 1890 money was raised to buy the land on which the chapel stands, and the finances of the little church are in a prosperous con- dition, its members taking the lead of all the churches, in the gen- erosity with which, according to their strength and means, they contribute for its support. The Advent church in Hampton can hardly be termed an offshoot from either of the older churches; for while it has drawn to itself some members formerly connected with other denominations, it is in a considerable degree composed of people not before belonging to any church, who, having been first attracted by revival preachers and an ardent manner of worship, have next been led to embrace the doctrines taught ; so that really a new element of christian activity came into the town when the Advent church came, and a new congregation arose, without materially weakening the other churches. GENERAL OUTLOOK. It is sometimes said that religious observances have deteriorated in these latter days. " In 'the good old times,'" people cry, "everybody went to church all day. Now look !" and they point out house after house up and down this street and that, from which not a single church-goer issues on Sunday morning. "As to an afternoon ser- vice," they say, "nobody thinks of going ; it is too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and too wearisome all the year round. Ministers used to preach two sermons, each a solid hour long, every Sunday ; and absentees were admonished, disciplined, fined : now, a single half-hour sermon is quite enough, both for preacher and people. Thanksgiving and Fast days were religiously observed once ; but now the latter is a mere holiday and the union service of all the churches at Thanksgiving is more thinly attended than the service of the one church was, in 'the good old times.' " 472 niSTORY OF hampton. Very true, the ancient austerity lias passed avva3% and a more clieer- fnl, but we think not less earnest religion has taken its place. The church no longer dictates, nor is the pastor regarded as a higher order of being, little less than divine. Forms and methods have changed, both in worship and in work; and thongh it must be confessed, there is too much laxity in Sabbath observance, too much neglect of public worship, perhaps too little aggressive christian work done, yet it is certain, the demands of tiie times are more nearly met by present methods than they would be by a return to the old order of things, if that were possible. EDUCATIONAL. CHAPTER XXVII. THE COMMON SCHOOLS. SOME KARLY TEACHEUS. BY the provisions of the school law of 1647,' Hampton, contain- ing 'more than fifty householders, was required to maintain a free school. To find a competent teacher and to provide means for his support could not have been an easy matter; for only ten years before, nearly tlie whole territory was an unbroken wilderness, with no roads, no cleared lands, no inhabitants but Indians, no dwellings but wigwams. To construct needful roads, to clear and cultivate portions of laud, to build houses, however rude in construction, and to provide the means of subsistence, must have taxed all the energies of the people, demanding of them untiring industry, hard labor and the most rigid economy. More than a year passed away before the law was carried into effect. An earlier compliance was probably impracticable, either from want of means for paying a teacher, or a difficulty in finding a suitable one. The man at length employed was John Legat, with whom some of the people appear to have had a previous acquaintance; for on the 30th of October, 1640, the town had voted to receive him as an inhabitant, and on the 23d of March following, at his request, had granted "the lot that Eldred was to have had, in the Wigwam Row, unto the said Jo[hn] Legat, becoming and dwelling upon it." If became to Hamp- ton at that time, it is evident he did not long remain, for in 1643 he was living in Exeter. The fact and the terras of his engagement as a teacher in Hamp- ton appear from the records: "On the 2 of the 2mo : 1649: The selectmen of this Towne of Hampton have agreed with John Legat for this present yeare insueing — To teach and instruct all the chil- dren of or belonging to our Towne, both mayle and femaile (wch are capiable of learning) to write and read and cast accountes, (if it be desired), as dilegently and as carefully as he is able to teach and » Chap. II. (473) 474 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. instruct tliem ; And so dilei^ently to follow the said imploymentt att all such time and times this 3'eare insueing, as the wether shall be fitting for the youth to com together to one phice to be instructed ; And allso to teach and instruct them once in a week, or more, in some Arthodoxchatechise provided for tiiem l)y their parents or masters. — And in consideration hereof we have agreed to pay, or cause to be payd unto the said Joiin Legat, the som of Twenty pounds, in corne and cattle and butter att price currant, as payments are made of such goods in this Towne, and this to be payd by us quarterly, paying £5 every quarter of the yeare after he has begun to keep school." This is the contract. The date of commencing the school appears from the records : "John Legat entered upon schooling the 21 day of the 3 month, 1649." Fi'om another source we learn that this teacher was not promptl}' paid for his services, for at the October term of the county court holden at Hampton the next year, John Legat sued Anthony Stanian and Robert Tuck, two of the selectmen, in behalf of the town, in an action "of debt for scooleing & other writings done for y® Towne." The plaintiff withdrew his action, and the case was probabl}' settled by the parties. The foregoing agreement, in connection with the memorandum of the time of beginning school, is interesting and important, as show- ing, 1. The exact date of the opening of the first public school in the town : "The 21 day of the 3 month 1649," O. S., or May 31, 1649, as we now reckon time. 2. For whom the school was intended : For "aW the children of or belonging to our town, both male and female (which are capable of learning)" — no restriction as to age or attainments of the children, or the social condition of the families to which they belonged. Girls as well as boys were to have the benefit of the schools. This proves the fallacy of the statement, so far as relates to Hampton, "that for more than one hundred fifty years, gills were excluded from the privi- leges of the schools in New England." There are on record numerous votes passed by the town, relating to schools and the hiring of teachers during the next hundred fift^' years ; but only a few teachers are mentioned by name, — not more than three or four. From other sources, the names of several have been learned, and some facts in regard to them. Seth Fletcher was here as a teacher in 1654. The date of his tak- ing charge of the school, or the length of time he taught, has not been ascertained. Indeed, the only evidence of his having been the teacher THK COMMON SCHOOLS. 475 is a receipt given l)y Iiim, October 19, 1G54, to one of tlie tax-pay- ers, Cor liis school-rate "for tlie wliole year." Mr. Fletclier appears to liave been a man of some im[)ortance. He was sometimes em|»loyed as a snrveyor, — in one case, at least, to make a survey and plan to be used in settling a controversy about certain town lines.^ lie was afterward tlie first minister of Saco, Me., being em[)loyed in 1666, for one yeai-, and afterwards from year to year, piobably till 1675, when the town came near being destroyed by the Indians. The next teacher to be mentioned is John B \rsham, a graduate of Harvard College in 1668. He was here as teacher two years or more, beginning sometime in 1660. At a town-meeting held Ma3'^16, 1661, a vote was passed, recorded as follows: '-Itt is Agreed y'- Thomas Marston & AYilliam Monlton shall Joyne with John Sanborn to Hire the p^'sent schoolemaster for another yeere p''v3Mled they shall nott ex- ced the som of twenty-six pound for his yeeres wages nor be more difficult in his pay than the last yeere." This teacher's name is not mentioned in the record, but from another source vve learn that Mr. Barsham was here in 1661, and the nextjear. Evidently, money was hard to raise, for his wages, as well as Legat's, remained partly un- paid for a considerable time ; and he brought a suit against William Fifield, in an action of debt for £26 "due by bill in consideration of keeping schoole in Hampton in 61 & 62 & for due damages. The Jury found for the plaintiff £29 damage & costs of court." November 18, 1670, the town voted "thatt the Schoolemaster Rate for this year shall bee Raised by Estates of the Inhabitants as other Towne Rates are." In 1671 the school was taught by John Stephens, of whom but ver}^ little is known. Judging, however, from the correct language, tasteful arrangement and neat penmanship of several specimens of his writing extant, he must have been a man of considerable men- tal cultivation and refinement. The salary paid this teacher is nChap. VII. 476 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. purpose, to attend to the business, leaving them to act in general, ac- cording to their own judgment, but sometimes giving particular in- structions. In some cases the town determined by a direct vote whetiier a particular person should be employed. An instance of this kind occurred, probably, when Mr. Stephens closed the term of his engagement. At a town-meeting 19 : 9mo (November) : 1674, a vote was taken on the question, whether the town would receive a cer- tain man of Andover, as schoolmaster, and it was decided in the nega- tive. The next person known to have been employed as teacher of the school was Thomas Crosby, prol)ably a sou of Dr. Anthony Crosby, of Rowley, Mass., whose widow, in 1673, married Rev. Seaborn Cotton, pastor of the church in this town. Her son mii}^ have come from Rowley with her and settled here, as in tlie town records are given, between the years 1687 and 1703, the births of his children, eight in number. In 1701 the town having laid out a large tract of laud, voted that "Thos. Crosb}', the present schoolmaster," should have two half shares in this land — about eighty acres. ^ How long he was in charge of the school does not appear. If, however, he had been em- ployed only a few months, it is hardly probable that such a grant would have been made to him as a schoolmaster. After Mr. Crosby left the school, it was probably placed under the care of Daniel Rindge, A.M., son of Daniel Rindge, of Ipswich, Mass., a graduate of Harvard College in 1709, who died here, July 3, 1713, in the 22d j^ear of his age. On the 11th of April, 1713, he had been sent for to the council-board, to confer with the governor and council and the minister of the town of Portsmouth about his be- coming master of the school in that t(jwn, in which Latin as well as English was to be taught ;~ to which situation he was then appointed for the term of four years. ^ It is believed in Hampton that he was here at that time, engaged in teaching, and before the term of his en- gagement expired, was stricken down with disease which resulted in his death. September 28, 1714, the town chose a committee of three to hire a schoolmaster for the wliole town. The records do not show who was hired ; but during some portion of the next four years, one Humphrky Sullivan was the teacher. This appears from the record of a vote taken at a meeting of the ''old pari-'h," September 17, 1718, warned '*to consider about hiring a schoolmaster." At this meeting, '^y^late schcolmaster, Humphrey Sullevan was put to vote and not accepted of." We know nothing more of this man. ' p. ISS. « p. 154. 3 Prov. Piip. II : G5I. THE COMMON SCHOOLS. 477 In the spring of 1718 Hampton Falh was made a parish — virtnally a town. Any statements about our schools of a Liter date relate only to the ''town side," or the territory north of Taylor's river. Solomon Page, a native of Hampton, was graduated at Harvard College in 1729, and afterward engaged in teaching and in preaching. He was a resident here for several years after his graduation, was the schoolmaster, and was employed for some mouths to preach during the illness of the pastor. Rev. Mr. Gookin.^ Another teacher was Thomas Baknard, a graduate of Harvard ia 1732. In October, 1735, he was admitted to the church, being then the "schoolmaster of the town," as the record shows. He retained his church membership till January 21, 1739, when he was dismissed to one of the churches in Newbury, Mass., of which he was soon after ordained pastor. Mr. Barnard was a man of considerable ability and of good repute, as a minister. How he ranked as a teacher is not now known. Jacob Bailky, a graduate of Harvard in 1755, came to Hampton soon afterward as a teacher. He united with the church in March, 1758, being then "schoolmaster of the town." He remained here for a considei'able time, and married 8ally, daughter of Dr. John Weeks. He became afterwards an Episcopal clergyman and labored several years as a frontier missionary in Pownalborough. now Dresden, Maine. In the stormy period of the American Revolution he was a loyaUnt, and in 1779 became a refugee. "In the summer of 1779 he went to Halifax, N. S. I give an ac- count of his appearance when he landed in that city, in nearl}^ his own words. His feet were adorned with shoes which sustained the marks of rebellion and independence. His legs were covered with a thick pair of blue woollen stockings, which had been so often mended and darned by the fingers of frugality, that scarce an atom of the original remained. His breeches had been formerly black, l)ut the color beino- worn out by age, nothing remained but a rusty gray, bespattered with lint and bedaul)ed with pitch. Over a coarse tow and linen shirt, manufactured in the looms of sedition, he wore a coat and waistcoat of the same dandy gray russet ; and, to secrete from public inspection the innumerable rents, holes and deformities, which time and misfor- tunes had wrought in these ragged and weather-beaten garments, he was furnished with a blue surtout, fritted at the elhows, worn at the but- ton-holes, and stained with a variety of tints. To complete the whole, a jaundice coh)red wig, devoid of curls, was shaded with the rem- nants of a rusty beaver; its monstrous brim, replete with notches 1 p. 384. 478 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. and furrows and grown limps^^ by the alternate inflictions of storm and sunshine, lopped over his shoulders, and obscured a face meagre with famine and wrinkled with solicitude. His wife's dress was no better. She was arrayed in a ragged baize night-gown, tied around the middle with a woollen string ; her petticoats were jagged at the bottom, were ragged above, and drabbled in mud. He became Rector of 8t. Luke's church, Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and died in that rela- tion in 1808, at the age of sixty-seven Mrs. Bailey died at Annapolis in 1818, at the age of seventy." {^Sabine's Loyalists of the Am. Revo. I: 201.] Next in order as schoolmaster, was Samuel Cotton, A.B., who was graduated at Harvard College in 1759. He was received to the Hamp- ton church in March, 1761 — ''the schoolmaster," according to the re- cord — and retained his connection till December, 1764, when he was dismissed to the church in Litchfield, of which he liad been chosen pastor, Avhere he was soon after ordained. But one more schoolmaster of "j^e olden time" need be mentioned. This was Oliver Wellington Lane, a graduate of Harvard College in 1772 He came to Hampton soon after his graduation, smd was teacher during a part or the whole of Ihe war of the Revolution. He was successful in his calling. His pupils were very strongly attached to him. Some of them, kite in life, used to speak of him with a great deal of interest. It has sometimes been stated that all the teachers of the town school in Hampton, previous to the Revolution, were college graduates. While this statement is not wholly correct, it appears from instances here cited, that a large part of them were liberally educated. In a petition to the governor and council in July, 1714, it is represented that the selectmen had hired a schoolmaster for the town, to teach both Latin and English. Who this teacher was is unknown, but from the date it is evident that it could not have been any of those here enu- merated. location of schools. The town school was located in the vicinity of the meeting house, until the spring of 1713, though in some instances it was removed to the Falls side for a few months; for example, in 1673 the school was to be kept in the town nine months, and at the Falls side, three mouths. November 17, 1699, it was voted "That if ffalls side, so called, in Ilamp'on, doe provide and pay a schoolmaster for the teaching of their children ; They shall be exempted ffrom paying to the schooll- niaster at the town side so called." Similar votes were passed at other times. THE COMMON SCHOOLS. 479 At a town-meeting, Mui-eli 11, 1735, it was voted "that the noitli- erly piirt of the town (now North Ilauipton) shall have some part of the schooling the ensuing j'ear." It was voted, March 23, 17o6, "That the selectmen shall have the liberty of hireing a common Heading and writing master, and in case a Grammar school is needed, the selectmen shall provide one in the Town, provided that both schools shall cost the Town no more than one constant Grammar school." March 15, 1757, it was voted "to allow some money to support the schools at Bride hill and Drakeside" (the western part of the town). March 20, 1759, it was voted "to have a school for reading and "writing for six months, besides the standing school, to be removed so as shall best accommodate the peo[)le." March 18, 1766, "Voted, that the school shall be removed to such parts of the town as shall be equally beneficial to the whole town — to be determined by the selectmen." April 7, 1772, a town-meeting was called by request, "to see if the town would remove the school into four different parts of the town, and allow each [)art of the town part of the money raised for the school yearly." "It was agreed to." Then follow in the record several votes, defining the extent and limits of each of three of these parts, — the rest of the town (nearly the same as afterwards districts Nos. 1 and 2, — about one-half of the town), to constitute the otiier part. Each of these parts was to have all the school money raised within its own limits by taxation. The next 3'ear it was voted "to remove the Grammar school to Bride-hill — if the people in that part of the town see good to accept it — so much of the time as will amount to their proportion of money raised for the school the ensuing year." At a town-meeting held March 18, 1800, it was voted "to leave it to the discretion of the selectmen to appoint schools as they think best for the general good of the inhabitants of the town the year en- suing." A full century and a half had now passed away since the opening of the first school in the town; and througii all these years, schools had been maintained ; but thus far, no person or persons appear to have been appointed to supervise them. At an adjournment of the first annual meeting in the present cen- tury, held March 26, 1801, the town voted "That the Rev. Jesse Appleton, the Rev. William Pidgin, Dr. Ebenezer Lawrence, Dr. Joua. French, Oliver Whipple, Esq., be a committee to examine our schools the year ensuing." 31 480 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. The selectmen were directed to raise what money the law required for the support of schools, and to take advice of the school commit- tee how the money might be laid out to the best advantage. In a few instances during the last ninety years, the town has failed to have a school committee ; but generally a committee has been chosen at the annual toAvn-meeting, or appointed by the selectmen, according to law. A few years the committee has consisted of five persons, more frequently of three, and generally, during the last quar- ter of a century, of only one, till districts were abolished by law of the state, and old time committees were no more. Fifty years ago the school committee relied more upon certificates of literary attainments and good moral character produced by tlie ap- plicant, than upon a personal examination, in deciding whether a cer- tificate of approbation sliould be given. This course was not safe ; for sometimes candidates poorly qualified for teaching were more amply furnished with recommendations than others abundantly quali- fied. Later, the course was different. Candidates, whose qualifications were not well known to the committee, were carefully examined, the giving or withholding of certificates depending on the result. SCHOOL DISTRICTS. The town, as has been shown by votes passed at different times, made changes in the location of the school for some portion of the year, or provided that more than one school should be ke})t at the same time, in order tliat the privileges of the inhal)itants in the differ- ent parts of the town might be equalized as far as practicable. But these were only temporary arrangements, liable to be changed from year to year. For this reason, perhaps, it was not judged prudent to expend much money in building school-houses. Hence, probably, we may account for the passing of the following vote, November 30, 1801 : "That the North District shall have Jonathan Sanborn's Barn for a Schoolhouse." Indeed, there was no law authorizing the division of towns into school districts till 1805. Nearly two years after the passage of this law, at the annual meeting in 1807, a committee of nine was chosen to district the town, according to law. The committee made four dis- tricts, and pointed out the extent of each on the different roads, thus indicating the district to which each house belonged. This division re- mained without material alterations till 1845, when Robert Smith, Aaron Coffin, John D. Neal, Obed S. Hobbs and William Brown were chosen a committee, to consider how to redistrict the town. A minority report was atlopted, whereby five districts were estab- THE COMMON SCHOOLS. 481 lislied by metes and bounds. One of them was subsequently divided, making six districts, numbered from one to six, and designated by their respective numbers; and tiiis arrangement continued till school districts were abolished by law, in 1885. SCHOOL-HOUSES. No information can be gleaned from the town records, about the first school-house, or any other, built during the first half-century of its history. It is, however, safe to presume that at first the school was kept in a house built of logs. The first mention of a school-house is an entry made in 1692, during King William's war. The people, liable to be attacked at any moment, had built a fortification around the meeting-house, and at a town-meeting held on the 17th of May, 1692, voted to extend the line of this fortification so as to enclose more space ; and liberty was given to build houses in it according to the custom in other forts. It was also voted to build within the fort, at the town's expense, a house four- teen by sixteen feet, for the use of the minister, and when not occu- pied by him, to be used as a school-house. At a town-meeting liolden September 14, 1696, it was ordered that such materials of the old parsonage-house, about to be taken down, as would not be needed in finishing a new house, should "be improved by the selectmen for the building of a school-house." On July 14, 1693, the town made two grants of land, one of an acre and a half at the Falls side, and the other of one acre at the town side, to be appropriated for school-house lots forever. The one at the town was to be laid out "on the easterly side of the fort near Philemon Dal- ton's, so as might be least prejudicial." The town voted, September 22, 1712, that a school- house twenty- four feet long and twenty feet wide should be built on the lot granted for that purpose near Deacon Dalton's house, and be finished by the last day of April following. It was also voted that the selectmen for the time being should have full power to build the house, and to raise a tax on the inhabitants of the town to pay for it. The lot on which this house was built is the one on which the Center school-house stands ; it has been used as a school-house lot (some changes having been made in its form and size), about one hundred eighty years. The school-house built in 1712-13 was destroyed by fire about twenty-four years afterward, and on March 8, 1737, the town voted that it should be replaced by another of the same dimensions, for the building of which, the town would pay £25. If it be asked why a larger house was not needed to accommodate the school in 1737, than 482 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. in 1712, as during a quarter of a century the population must have increased, let it be remembered that more than half the territory of Hampton had been taken to form the parish (or town) of Hampton Falls, which included Kensington and part of Seabrook. Notiung definite is known in relation to other school-houses built before the year 1800. Those used in the early part of the present century were small, inconvenient and uncomfortable. About the year 1825, new school-houses were built in three of the districts. These were all of brick, and were far better adapted to the purposes for which they were designed than the former ones had been. One of these — that in Bride Hill district, — is still standing, the only brick building in town. In 1855 a new school-house was built in district No. 3, sufficiently large, well proportioned, well finished and attractive in appearance. The internal arrangement is creditable, and the house has been kept in good repair. In 1873 the brick buildings in districts No. 1 and No. 2, that had been occupied by the schools about fifty years, and the wooden build- ing in No. 1, that had been used by the primary sch.ool about half as long, were removed, to give place in each district to a better school- house, meeting the wants of a graded school. The buildings are of wood, and were finished in season for the winter schools. They are nearly equal in size, but differ in plan and style of finishing. They are two stories in height, each containing a large, well-furnished school- room on each floor, with ante-rooms and other conveniences. The house at the "east end" is forty-six by thirty-two feet, the lower story, twelve feet high, and the upper, ten feet. The whole cost, as shown by the bills, $5,358.70. The house at the center is fort3'-seven by thirtj^-two feet, each story, eleven feet in height; the whole cost, as reported by the building committee, $4,485. SUMMARY. School buildings and furniture were provided at the expense of the town, before it was divided into districts; after that time by the dis- tricts several!}', till districts were abolished in 1885, when the town again assumed the expense. The means for the support of schools have been raised principally by taxation. Money received through the state treasury from the Literary Fund, and a portion of that from railroads has been added to the sum raised by taxation, and the whole applied to the support of the schools. In district No. 1, two grades — grammar and primary, — were sus- THE COMMON SCHOOLS. 483 tained for forty years or more. In district No. 2, a like grading was begun in 1874. Ill early times men only (as far as any records show) were employed as teachers. It is quite possible, however, that women sometimes tauglit the schools supported in addition to what the law required. Since 1800, women have been employed more or less, and recently, they have formed a large percentage of our teachers. In 1873 the town appointed a committee of two from each school district, to devise a more equitable apportionment of the scliool money. They reported a method, which was adopted, namely : to divide among districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in the proportion respectively of 29, 26, 12, 10, 12 and 11 per cent of all the money appropriated from year to year for the support of schools. RECENT HISTORY. The common schools of Hampton have, in late years, been fairly successful, as country schools rank, nothing specially worthy of note having occurred till the union of Academy and high-school, having a speciJGied course of study, in 1885. Then, anew incentive to exertion arose, quickened through the energy and enthusiasm of Dr. William T. Merrill, who had already been a year in office as superintendent of schools, and who, as a trustee of the Academy, had in this second effort for union (a first having failed), been the moving spirit in the whole enterprise. The promotion of those best qualified, to the high- scliool, and, for the rest, the hope of future promotion, at once carried the schools into a new era. A still higher benefit resulted from the enactment of a state law, the same year, abolishing school districts. One grammar school was then established for the town, with such primary schools as were deemed necessary. To quote from the annual report of the Board of Education in the spring of 1887, after the new system had been in operation a year and a half: ''By the abolition of the district system, we have been able to give better tuition at less expense per co^^ito, and the same opportunities of learning to all the children of the town, giving a graded system with a prescribed course of study, and pro- motions with reference to an established rule." CHAPTER XXVIII. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. THE PROPRIETARY SCHOOL. AFTER Rev. Mr. Webster had been in the ministiy, in Hampton, long enough to become consideral)ly acquainted with a large portion of the people, he was convinced of the importance of a higher standard of education in the schools. The town was raising, for their support, all the money required by law, and something more. The school children learned to read and spell, write and cipher; and many of them made a laudable improvement of the privileges furnished. Beyond the branches enumerated, but little instruction was ordinarily given by the teachers. They did, however, endeavor to instil into the minds of the children the importance of good manners, and the duty of show^ing due respect to the aged and to their superiors generally. While the pastor appreciated the efforts of the teachers in these di- rections, he thought it incumbent on himself to induce parents to favor the introduction of other branches of study into the common schools, and to foster in the young people a thirst for higher attain- ments. He was impressed with the belief that, by the opening of a school of a higher order, a new interest would be excited, and a new impulse given to the cause of education. A considerable number of the parents here and in neighboring towns became interested in the project of establishing such a school. Wiien this point was reached, definite measures to that end began to be taken ; and, in answer to a petition to the General Court, the following act of incorporation was granted : "In the 3^ear of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten. An Act to incorporate certain persons, l)y the name of the Proprie- tary School in Hampton. Section 1^* — Be it enacted by the Senate and house of Representa- tives and General Court convened, that Edmund Toppan, Joseph Towle junior, John Fogg, Thomas Ward, Ebenezer Lawrence, Samuel F. Leavitt and Richard Greenleaf, and their associates and successors be, and they hereby are incorporated, and made a body corporate and (180 HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 485 politic forever, under the name of the Proprietary ScJiool in Hampton, and by that name may sue and prosecute, and be sued and prosecuted to final judgment and execution, and shall have and enjoy all the powers and privileges which by law are incident to similar corpora- tions. Section 2°^ — And be it further enacted, that the said corporation may establish a School in Hampton, for the instruction and education of youth, and erect and maintain suitable buildings therefor, and may purchase and receive by donation, and hold real and personal estate of any kind, not exceeding Twenty thousand Dollars in value, pro- vided that nothing in this act shall be construed to exempt more than ten thousand Dollars from taxation. Section 3** — And be it further enacted, that the said corporation, at any meeting duly holden, may make rules, regulations and by-laws, for the management of the interests and concerns of the said institu- tion, and appoint such and so many officers as they shall think proper, and prescribe their powers and duties. Section 4'^ — And be it further enacted, that the said Edmund Top- pan and Joseph Towie junior, or either of them, shall notify the first meeting of said Corporation to be holden at any suitable time and place in said Hampton, by posting up a notification at the meeting- house in said Hampton, three Sundays successively, at which meeting the manner of holding future meetings may be regulated, and any business relating to said corporation, transacted." The act was approved by the governor, on the 16th of June. Money being now needed for the furtherance of the enterprise, it was decided to raise the sum of one thousand dollars, in shares of twenty-five dollars each. The subscription list, dated November 26, 1810, is as follows : Thomas Ward, 4 shares. James Leavitt, . . . . . . . . 2 " Richard Greenleaf , 2 " Ebenezer Lawrence, John Fogg (Northampton) , Samuel F. Leavitt (Northampton), .... Joseph Towle, Jr Jonathan Marston, Willard Emery, Edmund Toppan, Jonathan Marston, Jr Jabez M. Davison, David Nudd, 2 Edmund James, 1 486 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Simeon Shaw, 1 share. Isaac Marston, . . . . . . . 1 " SamiielJames, 1 " Abihal Marston (Northampton), . . . . 1 " Theophihis Sanborn (Hampton Falls) . . . 1 " Aaron Merrill, " . . . . 1 " Dudle.v Dodge, " . . . . 1 " Jeremiah Hobbs, 1 " John Brown, 1 " Daniel Towle, . . . . . . . . 1 " Thomas Leavitt (Hampton Falls), . . , 1 " John Perkins, . 1 " Dudley Lamprey, 1 " Josiah Webster, 1 " Thomas Ward, . 1 " David Garland, 1 " Having proceeded thus far, nothing more was done, till February 5, 1811, when the first meeting of the subscribers was held, at the house of" James Leavitt, Esq., to choose a comuiittee of three, to solicit further snbsciii)tions. Tlieophihis Sanborn, of Hampton Falls, Ed- mund Toppan, of Hampton, and Samuel F. Leavitt, of North Hamp- ton, were chosen. At an adjourned meeting a week later, it was voted, "To accei)t of the gift, of the town of Hampton, of tiie Green, where the meeting- house formerly stood," and to erect n[)on it a suitable school building, on a plan drawn b}' a committee chosen for the purpose, before the act of incorporation. Thomas Ward, Samuel F. Leavitt and Samuel James were chosen a committee, to receive proposals for building, and to report at an adjourned meeting Febiuar}' 22 ; but no proposals having been handed in, the work was at a later adjournment put up at auction ; the result of which was, that Richard Greenleaf took the con- tract to do the whole, excepting the rock work, for seven hundred thirt\'-eight dollars. At the u:eeting on the 22nd of February, five trustees were chosen : Rev. Jonathan French of North Hampton, a zealous patron through a long life, Rev. Asa Parker of Portsmouth, James Leavitt and Ed- mund Toppan, Esquires, of Ham[)ton, and Jolin Fogg, Esquire, a physician, of North Hampton. Tlie latter was chosen president of tiie corporation, and Thomas Ward, treasurer; and it was further voted, that such of the trustees as were proprietors should have the charge of the building, and make all necessarj^ writings with the con- tractor. Shortly afterward. Rev. Josiah Webster, of Hampton, and Richard Pike, of Newburj'port were added to the board of trustees : while Rev. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 487 Jacob Abbott, of Hampton Falls, was substituted for Rev. Asa Par- ker ; and in tlie autumn of the same year, Ednuind Top[)an, Esq., hav- ing resigned, Tliomas Ward was elected in his place. For carrying on the work of building, it was voted that nine dollars be paid on each share on or before April 1st ; nine dollars, on or before Jul}' 1st; and seven dollars, when the building should be completed, which must be on or before .September 1st. There is nothing on record to show that the house was not cona- pleted by the time specified ; but we find that five years later, a com- mittee chosen to take into consideration the account of the contractor reported : "That Richard Greenleaf stop his suit against the Corpor- ation and make such repairs on the house as Mr. Jeremiah Hobbs and Samuel Brown jr., may find necessary, in consequence of any defect in the building of said house — and that his account ought to he paid by the Corporation." As there is no furtiier record on the sidiject, it is probable that the diflficulty was then satisfactorily settled. The school-house was at first a one-story building; hut in Decem- ber, 1820, a proposition was made by Rockingham Lodge, No. 34, of Free Masons, that they build on another story for their own use, on such terms as might be agreed upon by a committee from the Lodge and a committee from the corporation. Tiie record of this pioposi- tion is the first, in which the new school is called an Academy. No satisfactory agreement could be made; and the next s[)ring the cor- poration decided to put on another story and otherwise to enlarge the building to meet the increasing demands of the school. Capt. Simon Tovvle took the contract, for four hundred fifty-five dollars ; to pay which, and for other expenses, thirty-five additional shares, at twenty dollars, were issued. The work was done in the summer of 1821, the school, meanwhile, being kept at the house of James Lea- vitt, Esq. TRANSFERRED TO A BOARD OF TRUSTEES. At a meeting of the corporation, in May, a communication was re- ceived from the trustees, expressing sentiments of cordiality toward the Hampton Proprietary School, and proposing the appointment by the proprietors, of a permanent board of trustees, authorized, in a manner similar to the usages of other literary institutions, to solicit and receive in trust donations to aid in establishing and perpetuating an Academy in this town. The proprietors, pleased with the suggestion of the trustees, request- ed Rev. Jonathan French to nominate a number of persons, in his opinion suitable for a permanent board ; and, at a subsequent meeting, 488 • HISTORY OF HAMPTON. voted that a new choice of trustees be organized as a permanent board, "witli power to fill their own vacancies, and so perpiituate their own body." Having elected a board of thirteen trustees,' the proprietors im- mediately set about transferring to them all the "rights, interests, privileges and immunities" of the corporation, to be held by them in trust, for the use and benefit of tiie institution, "and for the promotion of education therein ;" the transfer to take effect, wlien it should re- ceive the signatures of the owners of seven-eighths of all the shares in the corporation ; which signatures were at once affixed, and the trans- fer coucluded. The same day, August 8, 1821, the new board adopted a constitu- tion, previously drawn up by Rev. Messrs. Webster and Freuch, and Timothy Farrar, Esq., of which the following is an abstract: CONSTITUTION, OR FUNDAMENTAL RULES FOR THE HAMPTON PROPRIETARY SCHOOL CORPORATION. Article P*. This Corporation shall hereafter consist of not less than nine nor more than thirteen members, each of whom shall be en- titled to one vote and no more ou all questions that come before the corporation. All vacancies, as they occur, shall be filled by the re- maining members, by election at a legal meeting, and not oilierwise. [All property to be held by the members jointly in trust for the insti- tution, as specified in the deed of transfer.] Article 2"**. [Regulates the time for the annual meeting, which was twice afterwai'ds altered, and at last fixed for the day of the close of the fall term; and also declares "a major part of the mem- bers" to constitute a quorum.] Article 3''*^. There shall be chosen annuall}' a President, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Committee; [hut the preceptor shall not be chosen President, nor shall any member hold the offices of Secretary and Treasurer at the same time.] Articles 4'^'^, 5*^^, 6^^, 7*'\ [Define the duties of the officers; which are substantially in accordance with general usage.] Articles 8*'>, 10"'. [Relate to the appointment and dismissal of in- structors.] Article 9"'. No person shall be chosen a principal instructor, un- less he sustain a christian character, and be a man of exemplary man- ners, of good mental abilities and literary acquirements, and of good acquaintance with human nature, of a natural aptitude for instruction and government ; and in the appointment of an}'^ instructor, regard ' See list at close of this chapter. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. ^89 shall be had to qualifications onl>% without preference of kindred or friend, place of birth, education or residence. Articles 11*^, 12t*^, 13^^, li^^. [Show the mutual relations of corpor- ation, teachers and i)upils.] Article lo^^. There shall be taught in this Seminary the English, Latin and Greek Languages, Writing, Arithmetic, Music and Arts of Speaking; also practical Geometry, Logic, Geography and any of the liberal Arts and Sciences or Languages, as opportunity and al)ility may hereafter admit, and as the corporation shall direct. But it is to be ever considered by the corporation and all connected with this Seminary, that these branches of learning are to be prosecuted as subservient to the promotion of true piety and virtue. It is therefore expected, that the assiduous attention of the precep- tor will be paid to the disposition of tiie mind and morals of the youth under his charge; and that he will consider it his duty, as the ages and capacities of tlie scholars will admit, not only to instruct and establish them in the truth of Christianity, but also, earl}' and dili- gently to inculcate upon them the great and important Script uie doc- trines of the existence of one true God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; of the fall of man, the depravity of human nature, the neces- sity of an atonement, and of our being renewed in the spirit of our minds; the doctrines of repentance towards God and of faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ; of sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and of justification by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ ; together with the other important doctrines and duties of our Holy Christian Religion. The last article is given in full, to show the spirit which actuated the founders of the Academy. The Puritan principles of the first settlers had not died out. Accordingly, religious instruction was actually given in the school for many years, and revivals were not infrequent. Even now, the requirements above-named remain a part of the constitution, though, in practice, they have long been a dead letter. The Academy corporation being now secured against extinction, a permanent fund also seemed a necessity. Accordingly, "An address to the Public," signed by the trustees was sent out, setting forth the advantages, and urging the needs of the institution, more especially for "improvement in the system of female education," that having been uppermost in Mr. Webster's thought at the outset. Mr. Webster was appointed agent of the board, to receive donations. Two years afterward Rev. Ephraim Abbott, of Greenland, was chosen an 490 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. additional agent, for the same purpose ; and at the same meeting Mr. Wei)ster reported the gift of three hundred acres of land in tlie town of Peeling (afterwards sohi, and the proceeds invested), and about eight hundred dollars in cash and notes. The next year Mr. Abbott reported gifts amounting to a little more than two iiundred dollars. And thus, little by little, the fund grew. Mr. George Brackett, of Greenland, made a considerable donation, with the condition, that his grandchildren, four or five in number were to receive tuition and board, free of charge. Subsequently, Mr. Brackett determined to give to the Academy, tin-ough Mr. Abbott, its agent, a sum so large as to place it on an independent Ibundation ; but Mr. Al)bott had conflicting interests at heart, even the establish- ment of a similar institution in Greenland ; and to his |)ersuasions Mr. Brackett 3'ielded. The money was therefore diverted into the new channel. The trustees of Hampton Academy, believing that undue influence was brought to bear upon the testator, woi 11 as he was with age and feebleness, commenced a suit for recover^' in 1826, and ex- pensive and fruitless litigation ibllowed. Meanwhile, the other agent, Mr. Webster, was winning the grati- tude of his colleagues, by his zeal and success in obtaining funds, the aggregate of which, though never large, was sufficient to pay necessary expenses. From the beginning, the Hampton institution took a good standing among schools. Phillips Exeter Academy, for boy?-, and Atkinson Academy, preceded it in time of incorporation, but did not interfere •with its prosperity. The first preceptor, Mr. Andrew Mack, in a letter, dated Gilmanton, August 30, 1872, when he was eighty-six years old, wrote the story of the commencement of operations, in these words : "In the month of September, 1811, I set out from Londonderry, designing to go to New l)ury port, to find a situation to teach. 1 was led by that Unseen Hand which shapes the history of our lives, to Hampton. On the evening of the day of mj' arrival there, the trustees had a meeting. Their Academy building was just completed, and the trustees were in a divided condition and jealous of each other. There had been previous meetings and nothing done. The board con- sisted of eight members, four being Orthodox, and four. Unitarians. I had taught two years at Gilmanton Academy and one year at Dartmouth College. The trustees agreed to lay aside their prejudices, and conuncnce operations in the Academy. 1 made my contract with them, for three terms. At this distant day, I can pronounce the whole a success. Upon leaving, the trustees gave me a handsome testimo- nial. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 491 I herewith send you the names of the students, while I was princi- pal of the Academy. Polly Batchelder. John Blake. Abigail Brown. David Brown. Moses Brown. Nathan Brown. Simon Brown. Thomas Brown. Arlond Carroll. Mary Carroll. Sally Carroll. Stephen Chase. Oliver Cilley. Edwiu A. Clark. Aaron Coffin, Moses Coffin. Hannah Cram. Betsey Dearborn. Jonathan Dearborn. Joseph R. Dearborn. Mary Dodge. Richard Dodge. Sally Dodge. Eben T. Drake. Samuel Drake. Sarah Emery. Abigail Fifield. John Fogg. Jonathan Garland. Henry George. Harriet Goodhue. Sally Goodhue. Abigail Green. Stephen Harberger. Obed S. Hobbs. Eben James. Hannah James. Ira James. John Johnson. Oliver Lamprey. Eben Lane. Reuben Lane. Clarissa Leavitt. Lydia Leavitt. Mary Leavitt. Nancy Leavitt. Shubael Leavitt. Susan Leavitt. Clarissa Marston. David Marston. Fanny Marston. Jonathan Marston. Jonathan Marston 2d. Josiah Marston. Moses L. Marston. Sabriua Marston. Samuel Marston. Jacob Moulton. Nathan Moulton. Abigail Page. Josiah Page. Hannah Perkins. John Perkins. John Perkins. Jonathan Pliilbrick. Sewall Pike. Simon Rob3^ Sally Sanborn. Thayer S. Sanborn. Eben Shillaber. Martha Thayer. Mary Ann Thayer. Hill Tibbetts. Christopher S. Toppan. Elizabeth Toppan. Mary C. Toppan. Eben S. Towle. John Towle. Jonathan Towle. Nancy Towle. Philip Towle. Snlly Towle. Sally B. Towle. Abigail Ward. Deborah Ward. Joseph Ward. Nancy Ward. Sally Ward. Eliphalet K. Webster. Josiah Webster. Susan Webster." As the years went by, many young men, afterwards of high repu- 492 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. tation in professional and political life, fitted for college here : — three of Mr. Webster's sons,i Amos Morrill, Judge of the U. S. District Court in Texas ; Daniel Clark, who held a like office in New Hamp- shire twenty-five years, was a founder of the Republican party and U. S. senator; Moses Norris, member of Congress, as representative and senator; James F. Joy, widely known as a railroad king ; James W. Grimes, for three years governor of Iowa, and afterwards, U. S. senator ; Amos Tuck, lawyer and representative to Congress ; and many more. The renowned Rufus Choate completed his preparatory course here in 1815. The early preceptors were, for the most part, men eminently quali- fied for their profession — men of learning and culture and piety, com- manding the respect and obedience, and often the warm affection of their pupils. Equally fortunate was the young ladies' department, established after the enlargement of the building in 1821 ; and which, except at devotions, at the opening and close of each day, was en- tirely distinct, under the charge of a preceptress. Of all the teachers, Mr. Paine W. Chase was the only one who died in office ; and his death was singularly sudden. He had taught, as usual, on Saturday forenoon, and had, with Miss Vose, the precep- tress, spent the evening at Mr. Webster's. On returning to his board- ing-place, he conducted family worship and retired to his room, ap- parently in health ; but a sound of falling, a few minutes later, caused the landlady to hasten to his room, where he was just expiring. He died deeply lamented by trustees, patrons, pupils and the entire com- munity. ^ Among the names of preceptors, that of Roswell Harris, A. INI., stands out prominently. He taught with great acceptance for about five years ; and when he left for Brattleboro, Vt., the trustees passed a vote of appreciation and thanks. Not long after, efforts were made to in- duce him to return, but without avail. Mr. Harris married his pre- ceptress, Mii^s Matilda Leavitt.-' In 1837 Mr. Amos Tuck, then principal, and also a trustee of the Academy, proposed the purchase of a philosophical and chemical ap- paratus, generously offering to relinquish all claim upon the income of the funds, and depend ou tuition alone for his salary, "until said funds shall have accumulated sufficiently to pay all existing debts, and the amount of the debt that shall have been incurred, lor purchase of said apparatus." The trustees agreed to this proposal, and pur- chased apparatus, at a cost of three hundred dollars, the next spring. But now, Mr. Tuck, who had been reading law for some time, had the 1 See Genealogies— Webster (fi); (9) to ^11). ^See Genealogies— Chase (10). ^Soe Genealogies— Lea vitt (IG). HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 493 opportunity of completing his studies, preparatory to being admitted to the bar, with James Bell, Esq., an eminent lawyer, of Exeter. He therefore gave iip the school, and Joseph Dow, then teaching in Gardiner, Me., was invited to take it in charge. He accepted the position and entered at once upon its duties ; l)ut the arrangement made with Mr. Tuck, for reUuquishing salary, being necessarily bind- ing upon his successor, since a new debt had been incurred bv the late purchase, Mr. Dow found the support inadequate, and felt com- pelled therefore to resign, at the end of one year. The longest preceptorate was that of Timothy O. Norris, A.M., who had charge of the school for twelve years ;i and whose zeal and efficiency in a most trying ordeal, deserve particular mention. On the 29th of August, 1851, between the hours of one and two, in the morning, the Academy building was burned to the ground, from some unknown cause, but probably incendiary. A proposition was made by the town, to repair and fit up the old Congregational meeting- house, for a town-house and Academy; and the trustrees appointed a committee of three of their number, ''to re- cei\ e what proposition the town of Hampton, through their committees, may choose to make ;" but no satisfactory arrangement could be made, and the trustees decided to build anew. They "chose T. O. Norris, Rev. S. p. Fay, Josiah Dow, S. B. Shaw and T. Ward a building com- mittee, with power to cause to be constructed a new Academy build- ing, on such a plan as they may agree upon." Mr. Norris was indefatigable in his exertions, soliciting funds, laboring with his own hands and enlisting his friends, in the work. Mr. Thomas Ward was no less zealous ; and after the new building was completed, and the school again in operation, the trustees passed a resolution, "that their names deserve to be held in grateful remem- brance, by all the friends of Hampton Academy." The new Academy was built with one large school-room, and small recitation rooms opening from it ; and the old system of two distinct departments was abolished ; the upper story being designed for a hall, but never furnished for school use. In 1866 it was rented, for a few months, to a Division of the Sons of Temperance. THE TOPPAK AND LEAVITT BEQUESTS. After the completion of the new Academy, the fund of the institu- tion was reduced to one thousand forty -five dollars. Ten years later, a legacy of two thousand dollars was received from the estate of Chris- 1 See Genealogies— Norris (2). 494 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. topher S. Toppan, deceased, of Portsmouth ; the income to be applied to the tuition of three boys and three girls, to be appointed by the selectmen from among the families of the town ; these six pupils to continue as beneficiaries for three years, and then other six cliosen, and so on in perpetuity. Should any vacancies occur at any time, they were to be filled by the principal in charge. Miss Abigail Leavitt, of Hampton, died in 1891, leaving by will, after various bequests, the residue of her property to the Academy and high-school, as a permanent fund, the interest of which shall be used for educational purposes. The bequest will amount to eight thousand dollars or niore.^ LITERARY SOCIETIES. In 1827 the Academy began to sustain two literary societies. No records of either can now be found, records and library having been burned in the old building. The nature and aims of the later and better remembered, the olive branch society, are set forth in the Act of Incorporation, a few years later, copied into the town records, and in substance as follows : "AVhereas, there has for four or five years past existed at Hampton Acad- emy, an association of several individuals, students of said Academy, for the purpose of promoting their mutual improvement in writing and extempora- neous spealiing ; and whereas, said association has collected a Library of sev- eral hundred volumes of valuable boolis, to which additions are frequently made : " to secure the general objects of the association, and more particu- larly to facilitate the management of the library, Daniel F. Merrill, Sanmel Burnham, Thomas M. Smith and associates, have formed themselves into a body corporate, to be known as the " Olive Branch G. C. L. of Hampton Academy," taking the privileges and duties of a corpoi-ate body, agreeing to submit to the regulations of the society ; and have recorded their agreement in the books of the society and on the town records, and posted them in two public places. (Signed) C. S. Magoun, Eec. Sec'y- Hampton Academy, June 13, 1832. Mr. Elijah Plumb, a theological student, boarding with Mr. AVeb- ster, and employed as Mr. Harris' assistant for some time, and still re- nieniborod as a good man and teacher, delivered an address before the Olive Branch Society, which was published, copies of which are 3-et preserved. The CiCEUONiAN Society is to-day only known perhaps, through the diary of one of its members,- which shows it to have been a debating 'See Geiiealosies— Leavitt (23). - Tlie author of tliis work.— Ed. THE ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 495 society, holding weekly meetings, and having to some extent, the same membership with the Olive P>i'aiU!h, floni-isiiiiig at the same time : which, however, it preceded in organization, by three 3'ears. PROPOSED CHANGES. Several propositions have been made, at different times, for the re- moval of the Academy to a more central location, and its conversion into a high-school. In the si)ring of 1871 overtures were made by the town to this end, to wiiich the trustees responded favorably. At a special town meeting, June 1, 1872, it was voted to establish a high-school ; and a committee, consisting of Randolph A. De Lance}^, Joseph Dow, F. H. Lyford, David S. Brown and Cliarles M. Lamprey was chosen, to confer with the trustees of tlie Academy, in regard to the removal and use of the Academy building, for high-school pur- poses. On the 14th of June, the trustees held a meeting, and passed the following votes : "That the executive committee of the board be authorized to cooper- ate with tlie town committee in removing the Academy building, pur- chasing a lot, fitting up, etc., without expense to tlie trustees: That the town committee shall make selection of teachers, in the confirmation of whom, the trustees shall have a negative : That the tovvn committee shall decide the qualifications of pupils entering the school, and shall have a joint interest in prescribing a course of study, and in the general management of the school." An enabling act was immediately procured from the Legislature, ap- proved July 3, 1872, by the provisions of which, the tovvn was author- ized to contract witii the trustees, on such terms as might be agreed upon, for uniting a tov/n high-school with the Academy. A school- house lot was purchased, and preparations were hastened for moving the building, when the whole plan was frustrated, tiirough the oppo- sition of certain individuals of influence; and the operations of the school settled back upon the old basis, the land being conve3^ed again to the former owner. Still, the question of removal was agitated from time to time, and at last was decided b}^ the api)lication of the Rockingham Lodge of Odd Fellows, for the permanent use of tlie hall, for which the}' were willing to pay sixty dollars per annum, provided the building were suitably' located. On the Istof March, 1881, Dr. William T. Merrill, George W. Lane and Christopher G. Toppaii were chosen by the trustees a committee to buy land, move the house and fit it up. JMr. Toppau donated an acre of land centrally situated, in a large field between the two main 32 496 HISTORY OP HAMPTON. roads to the beach ; and on the 22nd of January, 1883, all prepara- tions having been completed, the building was moved by eighty yoke of oxen and several pairs of horses, attactied in four strings to heavy cables, obtained from the Portsmouth navy yard. The first start moved the building a few feet only. In seventeen minutes from the second start, it stood proudly on the new site, nearly half a mile dis- tant, amid the ringing of bells and the vociferous cheers of the popu- lace. During the spring and summer extensive repairs were made, and a road was laid out through the Toppan field. The Odd Fellows' hall was duly furnished, dedicated and occupied ; and the school went into operation in September, 1883, after having been closed for more than three j'ears. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. The enabling act of 1872 was never repealed, though, as we have seen, the plan of union was frustrated for the time. The subject, however, did not pass wholl}^ from the minds of its advocates, and after the removal of the Academy building, it began to be agitated anew. Opposition to the union had now died out, and September 14, 1885 became a memorable date in the recent history of education in the town, for the opening of Hampton Academy and High-School, under the care of Mi'. Jack Sanborn, of Hampton Falls, as principal. A year later Miss Maria Perkins, of this town, was secured as assistant. With these experienced and successful teachers at the head, and the pervasive and persuasive spirit of "the Doctor" everywhere present, prosperity was assured. The first class was graduated in June, 1887. In 1889 a department of vocal culture was added to the curriculum of the school, to the manifest benefit of the students. The first teach- er, Miss Morlena M. Dearborn, of Boston, resigned at the end of one year, to accept a position in the New Hampshire Conference Sem- inary and Female College, at Tilton ; and in 1891, she received the iipi)ointnient of teacher of Elocution, in the New England Conserva- tory of Music, Boston. The Hampton school, thus losing one good teacher, was fortunate in immediately securing another, in Mrs. Sarah Neal Harris, now resident here, but till recently, of Concord, who still continues at the head of this department. FIRST graduating CLASS OK HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. Five years have now passed over the heads of the first gi'adnates, all of whom will own that the intellectual and moral discipline of the high-school course has largely moulded their lives. CLASS OF 1887— AFTER FIVE YEARS. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 497 Immediately on graduating, A. T. Leavitt and Philbrick entered mercantile houses in which they still remain. Mr. Leavitt is to-day a salesman with Silas Peirce and Co, wholesale grocers, of Boston, having his home in Wollaston Heights and making a steady advance in his chosen business. Mr, Philbrick went to Lawrence, Mass., and entered the employ of the Beach Soap Company. He now has an in- terest in the business, does much of the buying, takes a general over- sight of the books and personal charge of the correspondence of the firm. Godfrey went to Minnesota soon after graduating. He studied law at the University of Minnesota, was graduated in due course, took his examinations for the bar and waited for his twenty-first birthday to be formally admitted. Shortly after, he formed a partnership with Hon. Arthur G. Otis, a prominent lawyer of St. Paul. Mr. Godfrey's marriage and weddingtrip home to Hampton followed closely upon his admission to the bar. Four of the class. Cole, Garland, Lane and F. E. Leavitt, entered the New Hampshire State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, in the autumn of 1887. After one year in college at Hanover and one in the pursuit of mercantile studies in the Commercial Col- lege at New Hampton, where he graduated, Lane spent a few months in his father's store at home, and then went to Thompson, Minn., into the employ of a patent brick manufacturing company, of which Mr. Eugene L. Emery^ was the head. After Mr. Emery's death, that business passed into other hands. Mr. Lane is now secretary and treasurer of the St. Louis River Brown-Stone Co., a large quarrying company, whose office is in Duluth, where he has his home. Mr. Gar- land remained in college till near the close of the second year, and afterward learned the carriage-maker's trade in Araesbury, Mass. He then studied three months in the Technical School for Carriage Drafts- men and Mechanics, under the auspices of the Carriage-Builders' National Association, in New York city; returned to Amesbury for awhile, to perfect himself in practice ; married his classmate, Miss Lampre3', who had remained in the sweet ministries of home since graduating; and is now established in business in his native town. Mr. F. E. Leavitt spent two years in college, then went into a store in Boston, and in 1891 took a business trip to California. In April of the present year, he married Miss Gillelan, of the class of '90 (Acad- emy and high-school), and returned to California, settling as a retail grocer, in Moreno, San Bernardino county. Tlie other college stu- dent, Mr. Cole, wtnt through the four years' course, graduating in I See Genealogies— Brown (43). 498 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1891. Shortly after, he entered into partnership with Mr. J. A. Lane, whose clerk he had been during several summer vacations.^ Misses Hobbs, AVeare and Grace R. Williams became teachers — the last of wliom has taught tliree years since graduating and given much time to vocal music; while her sister, Miss Ida P. Williams is devoted to the piano, over the keys of which her fingers have learned to sweep with skillful and loving touch. After teaching one term, Miss Weare returned to liousehold duties, finding time also to study the French language, under a private teacher. Miss Hobbs has taught four years out of the five — one terrain Kingston and the rest in Hampton, where she is still engaged. Mr. Nudd continued to study under the high-school instructors for a time, then took a year's course in Comer's Commercial College, Bos- ton and returned to his home at Boar's Head, in which he is now set- tled permanently, having married this present summer.- Miss Nudd also, as the only daughter of her father's house, has remained at home, helping in the management of the Eagle House at Boar's Head. Of other relations in life of the class of 1887, we may say briefl}^, not one has disappointed the hopes of the faculty and friends of the school. A majority are enrolled as church members; all have entered upon citizenship with untarnished names and fair prospects. The following lists of trustees and teachers of the school have been carefully compiled from such meager data as could be obtained, no register having been kept ; and in some cases, only approximate cor- rectness is claimed. TRUSTEES OF HAMPTON ACADEMY. NAME. RESIDENCE. TIME OF OFFICE. •Rev. Jonathan French, D.D. North Hampton. lSll-1856. Kev. Jacob Abbott. Hampton Falls. 1811-1820. ♦James Leavitt, Esq. Hampton. 181 1-1813, 1820-1837. Eihmind Toppau, Esq. '• 1811. Dr. John Fogg. North Hampton. 1811-1812. *Rev. .Tosiah Webster. Hampton. 1811-1819, 1821-1837. Richard Pike. Newburyport. 1811-1812, Capt. Thomas Ward. Hampton. lSn-1812. Hon. Christopher Toppan. " 1812-IS19. Capt. Samuel James. " 1812-1S19. » Chap. XXXII, Lane's store. 2 See Genealogies— Nudd (18) . * The first permanent board. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH-SCHOOL. 499 TRUSTEES OF HAMPTON ACADEMY. NAME. RESIDENCE. TIME OF OFFICE. *Capt. Edmund Jamea. Hampton. 1813-1834. David Garland. " 1813-1819. Dea. John Weeks. Greenland. 18-20. *Maj. John Lovering. Hampton. 1820-1836. *Dr. Ebenezer Lawrence. •• 1820-1852. *Jo8iah Page. " 1821-1831. •Moody Stockman. " 1821-1829. *Rev. Ephraim Abbott. Greenland. 1821-1826. *Col. George Weeks. « 1821-1827. *Rev. Luther F. Dimmick, D.D. Newburyport. 1831-1860. ♦Judge Timothy Farrar. Portsmouth. 1821-1822, 1833-1851. ♦Francis Vose, ex officio. Hampton. 1821-1822. Rev. Charles Burroughs, D.D. Portsmouth. 1824-1868. Rev. Jacob Cunimings. Hampton and Strat- ham. 1825-1836. Nathan Crosby, Esq. Amesbury. 1828-1839. Dea. John Wingate. Stratham. 1828; died before 1833. Dr. Archelaus F. Putnam. Portsmouth. 1832-1837. Rev. Bezaleel Smith. Rye. 1836-1840. Hon. Amos Tuck. Hampton and Exeter. 1836-1870. Thomas Ward. Hampton. 1836-1861. Rev. Sereno T. Abbott. Hampton Falls. 1837-1855. Simeon B. Shaw. Hampton. 1837-1871. Rev. Erasmus D, Eldridge. « 1838-1851. Col. Josiah Dow, '• 1838-1882. Matthew Merriam, Esq. Seabrook and New- buryport. 1842-1865. Rev. Solomon P. Fay. Hampton. 1849-1854. Timothy O. Norris, A.M. " 1851-1854. John F. French. North Hampton. 18.J1-1860. Rev. John Colby. Hampton. 1855-1868. Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, D.D. Newburyport. 1855-1892. John Dearborn. Hampton. 1860-1881. Hon. Christopher S. Toppan. Portsmouth. 1860-1862. Joseph Johnson. Hampton. 1861. Dr. William T. Merrill. «' 1861. Dr. Charles H. Sanborn. Hampton Falls. 1861-1882. * The first permanent board. 500 BISTORT OF HAMPTON. TUUSTKES OF HAMPTON ACADEMY. NAME. RESIDENCE. TIME OF OFFICE. Rev. John O. Barrows. North Hampton. 1864-1868. Rev. John W. Dodge. Hampton. 186.5-1809. George W. Lane. " 1870-1891. Rev. James McLean. i( 1870-1873. Rev. Thomas V. Haines. North Hampton. 1873. Christopher G. Toppan. Hampton. 1879. John H. Fogg. " 1881. John W. F. Hobbs. North Hampton. 1883-1890. Rev. Walcott Fay. Hampton (now of Westboro, Mass.). 1886. Joseph O. Hobbs, North Hampton. 1887. Jacob T.Brown. Hampton. 1891. Horace M. Lane. " 1891. Jack Sanborn. Hampton Falls. 1891. Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, D.D., was elected president of the board of trustees, March 25, 1868, succeeding Rev. Dr. Burroughs in that office and holding the position till his death, April 10, 1892. No mem- ber of the board has taken greater interest in the academy than has Dr. Spalding — on no one have the others leaned more heavily. Since the death of Mr. Tuck, long the judicious treasurer. Dr. Spalding has looked well to the financial interests of the institution. In attendance on the board meetings and school examinations, he has been constant, never omitting to send a letter of regret if necessarily absent. Fail- ing health induced him to resign in 1891. Instead of accepting his resignation, the board voted him president for life. At the same time when Dr. Spalding became president. Dr. William T. Merrill was elected secretary, in place of Rev. John W. Dodge, who left Hampton that year for another pastorate. At the annual meeting of the trustees in 1892, Dr. Merrill, who still continued sec- retary, was chosen president, and the principal, Mr. Jack Sanborn, secretary of the board. ^tK WILLIAM T. MERRILL, D. Portrait contributed, as a testimonial of respect, by the Schools and the Knights of Temperance. HAMPTON ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL. 501 rHINCIPALS, ASSOCIATED I'RINCH'ALS AND I'RKCEPTKESSBS. NAME. Andrew Mack. WiJlJam Cogswell. James Adams. Austin Pike. Joshua Coffin. op, May-Floioer^ thirty-five tons, sohl to Caleb Shaw and Samuel Nudd, mariners, for £130, by William Bailey, of Seituate, Mass. 1723, Jnly 25, — Brigantine, Friend's Adventure, built at Hampton, b)' Joshua Wingate, Samuel Nudd, John Hobbs and Benjamin Hill- iard ; to the last three of whom, Wingate sold his one-fourth, at the above date, for £90. She was then riding at anchor in Hampton river; David Home}', Master. Col. Christopher Toppan was a large ship owner. Some of his loss- es are noticed elsewhere ;' but no papers to be found, show the extent of his shii)ping interests. Among later builders, John Johnson and David Nudd iiave been most cons[)icuous. The former generally com- manded his own vessels for one voyage or more. CAPT, JOHN Johnson's vessels. Schooner, Clarissa, owned jointly with his brother Elisha, bought for trafficking between Hampton and Boston, was run for several years, in place of the whale-boats used earlier. This was the only one of Mr. .Johnson's vessels that he did not build. Schooner, William Tell, built at Hampton Falls, for the coasting trade, took from Philadelphia the first cargo of coal ever brought into the Boston market. On her first trip, lightning struck both masts, which had to be replaced ; but notwithstanding the bad omen, she had a prosperous career. She made fifty-two trips one year from Hamp- ton to Boston and return, one eacli week. But she went down at last, and her "bones" lie to-day on the bottom of Hampton river. Schooner, Young Tell, built in Mr. Johnson's yard, hauled down to the mill, and launched. Schooner, Virginian, huWi at '■^The OM Dock." Schooner, Union, built at "The Old Dock." Brig, Mary Jones, built at the Turnpike, as were the four later ves. sels. Captain Johnson made a fruiting voj'age in her to Malaga, with Samuel Fisk for first mate ; went to Texas, also, for ship timber. Schooner, Harriet Neal, of a little over a hundred thirt}^ tons' bur- then, made two fruiting voyages to the Mediterranean, and one trip or more to tlie West Indies. In 1849 she carried a hundred passengers to Chagres, on the Isthmus of Panama, en route for the California gold mines. Mr. John Perkins, one of the sailors, took the gold fever, left the vessel at Chagres, with no money but one Spanish ninepence ipp. 213, 214; see also p. 209. HAMPTON BEACH AND VICINITY OWNERSHIP AND USES. 513 in his poclvet niul worlced his way to the mines, to tlie surprise, and, as it proved, the financial betterment of liis family. Center-board schooner, Mail, a coaster, carrying the United States mail. Schooner Virginia. Schooner Belle, the last built. MR. DAVID NUDD's SCHOONERS. The first two were built in his yard, and hauled to the Landing ; the rest were built at the Landing, except the Franklin^ which was built at SalisbniT, Mass. Industnj, Rapid, Tremont, went to the bottom at Newport, R. L ; Victory, rollowed successively In' two others of the same name; Tioo^ Sisters, Enterprise, Atlas, Constitution, Good Intent, Frauldin. VESSELS OWNED BY OTHER HAMPTON MEN. Schooner, Sarah, built by INIaj. John Lovering, near the tide milU Schooner, Angola, owned by Elislia Johnson. Schooner, BntJi, built by Benjamin and James Perkins. Schooner, Cadet, built by Oliver Nudd and Thomas Leavitt. Schooner, General Grant, built by John A. Nudd, Nathaniel John- son, Edwin J. nol)l)s and Charles T. Lamprey. Sloop, Franl'liv, owned by Oliver Nudd and Thomas Leavitt. Schooner, Jefferson, owned by Dearborn and Benjamin Shaw, for fishing and freighting. Schooner, Eclipse, owned by David and Ira Page. Schooner, T>jro, owned by Eilmnnd and Joseph W. Mason. Schooner, Castle RocJc, owned b}' George Lane and J. AYarren Perkins. Schooner, Minnie Chase, owned by Charles T. Lamprey and John C. Palmer, carried wood. Schooner, Volant, owned by Adna B. Lane. Smaller fishing vessels and pleasure yachts have been owned by Hampton men, for local use. nudd's canal. The distance from the Landing to the junction of Taylor's and Brown's rivers, towards the sea, following the tortuous course of the former, is about two and one half miles, while a straight cut between those two i)oints is but little more than one half mile. About the year 1823, David Nudd organized a company, incorporated under the name of "The Proprietors of Hampton Canal," to make and maintain such a cut, he himself having a controlling interest. After the surface 514 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. bad been removed b}^ spading, a dredging machine, which is described as "ca[).slan-like, ten feet long, with two sets of bars," was dragged up and down, and the earth thus loosened tiiroAvn out, till enough water was let in to insure the deepening of itself, l\y tlie action of tiie tide. The niastei-woiknian, named Hinckley, lived in the house now owned by the heirs of John Brown (Irisii). The cost of the work is said to have been a hogshead of rum. Nudd's canal, so called, which, at high water, is deep and wide enough to float to the Landing any vessel that comes into Hampton river, is invaluable, especiall^^ to the marsh-owners, for whose use gondolas have ever been kept, to bring the hay up to the Landing. ' HAMPTON FISHERIES. The first inhabitants of Hampton, unlike those who, at an earlier period, had settled on the banks of the Piscataqua, were farmers rather than fishermen ; yet it should not be inferred from this fact, that the fishing interest was wholly neglected. We have not, indeed, any data for determining how early this business was commenced, nor to what extent it was prosecuted ; but considering the facilities for carrying it on from the river aud-the beach, and the great value to the inhabitants, of the food that might thus be procured, towards furnishing them with the means of subsistence, especially before the land had been sufficiently cultivated to produce an abundant harvest, w^e cannot doubt that this employment received some attention almost as soon as the settlemeut began. It is not certain, however, that any •of the early inhabitants were fishermen by trade. It is far more likely .that then, as iu later times, the same men that cultivated the soil and made that their principal business, sometimes also plied the oar and the line, not for amusement, but for a livelihood. Whether the fish- ing was at first carried on from the North Beach, as now, or by way of the river, is not certain. An act of the town, at an early date, seems to indicate the latter. This was a vote, passed January 17, 1656, appropriating Sargent's Island to the use of the fishermen, for the purpose of building stages and other necessaries for curing fish. Connected with the grant was the condition that, if the island should be deserted by fishermen, it should revert to the town's disposal. Sargent's Island, now private property, was very favorably situated for the curing of fish, brought up the river in boats and landed near the spot where the stages were probably built. How long it was used for this purpose is unknown. The place Avas inhabited for many years by a branch of the Shaw family. Caleb Shaw, of the third generation, mariner, master of the sloop Mayflower, drowned iu 1715, HAMPTON BEACH AND VICINITY — OWNERSHIP AND USES. 515 may have lived here. Certainly, it was for about twenty years the home of his sou, Ebenezer, whose business was coasting and fishing ; and liere. liis ton children were born. Since the coming in of the present century, the Hamplon fisheries have been somewhat widely known. Capt. Randolph P. DeLancey, a practical fisherman and wholesale fisli merchant, gives the following information : After 1836, and perhaps earlier, the shore fishery was long carried on by an average of about forty men, wlio made it a business the year round, using, for the most part, wherries in winter and wliale boats in summer and fall. The Hampton whale-boats have been honorably mentioned in the United States Government Re[)orts, where we read: "They will beat up Boston Bay in a winter nor'vvester, when a sliip cannot." The whale boat is nineteen feet long on the keel, seven feet wide and three feet deep ; sharp at both ends, built of half-inch white pine boards, nailed together on the edge, forming a 'dap streak," on timbers of inch square oak, steamed and bent into place six inches apart, with a lining or ceiling of lialf-inch pine ; making a very strong, yet flexible boat, carrying two '"fore and aft" sails, each containing from fifteen to twenty-five yards of heaviest cotton drilling. In such a boat two, three, or even four men would start out, just before sun- set, carrying a porgy-uet, in which, after anchoring on the fishing ground, they soon caught all the bait needed for the night. Then the men by turns fished and slept — the hake beginning to bite soon after dark, and the large cod, of from thirty to sixty pounds' weight, about midnight, the best fishing being from that time till daybreak. About sunrise the boats went ashore, loaded with from one to two thousand pounds of hake, cod and haddock, and occasionally a hali- but. Wherries, as formerly built, were sixteen feet long, five feet wide and two feet deep, similar to the whale-boats in shape, and of the same build, but intended for rowing, though having a sail for use when the wind was fair. This winter boat was managed by two men, who aimed to reach the fishing ground as soon as it was light enough in the morning to see the landmarks, among which was a clump of tall, dead pines on Breakfast hill, in Rye, purchased for the purpose by the Hampton fishermen. They rarely risked frightening tlie fish by throwing out the anchor, but one man took the oars, to "hold up," that is, to keep the boat from drifting away from the fishing- ground, while the other managed the hand lines, turning from one to the other as fast as he could haul and take off the fish and rebait the hook. Both lines and fish would freeze as soon as taken out of the water. Sometimes the wind would come on to "blow off nor' west," so that 516 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Oil the return they were forced to row and bail aud pound oif the all- encasing ice for hours, before reaching shore ; then land their fare, wash out and house the boat and dress the fish, while, perchance, the Canada or Vermont six-horse teams stood waiting to be loaded. If no purchasers were at hand, the fish were split and salted in a pile running the length of tlie fish-house, on one side. One thousand, two or even three thousand pounds of fish were thus disposed of, before the tired, hiingr}', chilled men were ready for their long walk liome, at the end of the day's winter cod-fishing. But the manner of fishing lias greatly changed ; center-board wher- ries, depending more on sails than oars for motion are used ; and the hand-lines have given place to trawls — long lines, with hooks placed six feet apart on the whole length. These are carried in tubs, holding a half mile of line each. The hooks are on two-foot snoods, and are baited with clams for cod and haddock, in winter, and with herring and porgies in summer, for all kinds of fish. Clams for bait are latterly obtained almost exclusively from Newburyport, the Hampton flats being much exhausted, and barely sufflinent for home consumption. Each boat usually carries four trawls, which are set by tying one end to an anchor, with a buoy-line, throwing it over as the boat sails or is rowed along, and anchoring the last end like the first. "When pos- sible, they ai*e set in the afternoon and hauled at daylight, the next morning; the catch being from nothing (in rare cases), up to three thousand pounds, an average being perhaps five hundred pounds. _ The winter of 1880-'81 was the best in recent years, when the greatest total catch for an^^ one day was thirty thousand pounds, and the three months' fishing amounted, in the aggregate, to eight thousand dolhvrs. But tlie fislieries have greath' declined. Pirate seiners drove off the porgies, b}' catcliing great numbers for oil ; then the hake, that feed on them, disai)peare(l ; and, similarl}', the haddock and other fish grew scarce, and the daily catcli went down to one or two hundred pounds. Ill the summers of 1889 and 1890, the porgies came again in limited niiiiibers, and during the latter 3ear hake began to return. The mackerel fisher}' has been injured b}' sheer wantonness. A vessel threw her seine a half mile from the fish-houses. Two hun- dred barrels of mackerel were taken on board, five barrels of numbers one and two saved, and all the rest thrown overboard — to frighten the fish and poison the ground. A hundred fifty other vessels were doing a like thing every day, for three montlis. The next summer the mackerel did not come. For the last two 3'ears seining has been un- lawful till June first, and they have begun to return. Lobster fishing has held its own better than the sea-fishery, but HAMPTON BEACH AND VlCIXIXr — OAVNERSHIP AND USES. 517 even that is not as good as formerlyi and the fishermen say emphati- cally that, nnless all seining for mackerel and bait fish, within three miles of land, is stopped, there will soon be no fish of any kind off our shores. The eel fishery is carried on only in August, September and Octo- ber, while the eels are passing from the sea to winter quarters in the ponds and heads of streams. A dam is made across a ditch or small creek in the marsh, near the upland, l)y driving boards or planks into the bed of the stream, with one or more openings, about a foot square, near the bottom, where the traps are set, with the entrance facing down stream. An eel-pot or trap is made of a barrel with one head, by boring it full of half-inch holes, to let the water and small eels have free passage, and fitting a tunnel of board or wicker-work into the open end, the small end of the tunnel being about an inch across, within the barrel. A door is cut on the side or head, for taking out the eels. The barrel is then weighted enough to sink it, and the trap set, bj' placing the tunnel close against the opening in the dam. It needs no bait, and is looked after each morning. A trap has been known to catch a half barrel of eels in one night — a peck is probably a fair average. Fresli-vvater fishing, let us hope, is in the future. On the 1st of May, 1890, Messrs. R. P. De Lancey and H. M. Lane placed ten thou- sand trout fry in our brooks. They did so well, that, in April, 1891, Mr. De Lancey placed five thousand more. If protective laws are respected, a new delicacy vvill soon be added to our tables. CANAL TO SALISBURY. Under date, 1791, Dr. Belknap sa3's : '^Within this present j^ear a canal has been cut through the marshes, which opens an inland nav- igation from Hampton, through Salisbury, into Merrimac river, for about eight miles, B}- this passage, loaded boats may be conducted with the utmost ease and safety." This canal opens a passage from the Blackwater river, which leads to Walton's tide mill, in Seabrook, inside of Plum beach, to the Mer- rimac. At high water, it was formerly quite available for fishing boats, and forty 3'ears ago, was still much used. Winter fishermen, four to a whale-boat, were in the habit of going to Ipswich for bait. When the water outside was rough, they would enter Hampton river, row through the canal to the Merrimac, thence, inside of Plum island to Ipswich river, dig during two low tides, a good digger often secur- ing ten bushels in a tide, fill the boat, from seventy to a hundred bush- els, and return. 518 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. When the plank road to S.-iIislmry beach was built, the canal was spanned by a small bridge. By degrees, it was abandoned, and is now so filled and overgrown with thatch, as to be available onl}' for very small boats. nddd's salt works. In the 3'ear 1827 Mr. David Nudd engaged in a new enterprise. Some of his vessels had long been employed in fishing vo3'ages to Labrador, the Grand Banks and other resorts, as well as in tlie mack- erel and other fisheries off our own shores. .When large fares were taken, a considerable outlaj' of cash was required, to buy the salt for curing the fish, especially when, as was sometimes the case, a heavy duty was imposed on salt imported. With plenty of salt in the ocean, right at hand, such an outla}' seemed needless. Along the Massachu- setts coast were several manufactories tliat had proved successful, and Mr. Nudd decided to try the experiment here. Accordingly, he em- ployed an expert, to test the comparative saltness of the water in the ocean at the seashore, and in the river at the Landing. This was done by boiling a like quantity of water from each place, under like circumstances, till it was entirely evaporated, then accurately weigh- ing the salt obtained from each. The result, strange to say, was in favor of the Landing. There the works were built, therefore, cover- ing two acres of ground, the water conveyed through a trench, and pumped by a windmill into the vats. The enterprise became success- ful, on an annual product of twelve hundred bushels, more or less. In 1840, however, the works were taken up, salt having become too cheap to manufacture longer at a profit. CHAPTER XXX. THE PUBLIC ROADS. THE RING. IN the early records of the town, we find but little in regard to roads, except the one from tlie town across the salt marsh to the Falls side, whence there appears to have been at an early day a con- tinuous road to Salisbury. No doubt there were roads near which families dwelt, especially around the Meeting-house Green, where were laid out many of tlie house-lots of the early settlers, on which they built their houses and had their homes. Gradually, settlements were extended to a greater distance from this center ; and their ex- tension may have been so gradual, that for a considerable time, in- dividuals kept the roads between their several homes in a passable condition without applying to the town for aid, so that no record was made of the work done. On the 9th of June, 1697, at the request of several of the inhabitants, the selectmen ordered that a highway ten rods wide should be laid out round the Ring, for town and country. The road, built of the width here ordered, remained a ten-rod road almost ninety years; but on April 11, 1786, the town voted to reduce the road on the north side of Ring-Swamp, to five rods in width. June 11, 1750, a committee, consisting of Mr. Philip Towle, Ens. Jonathan Leavitt and John Nay, was chosen to prosecute any person that should fence in any portion of the ten rod road around the "Ring," or any other way in the town. March 19, 1765, Voted, "That the selectmen shall have liberty to take in some part of the common or road into the Burying yard, if tliey shall think proper." It would be interesting to trace the gradual spreading out of new farms in all directions, and the laying out of new roads as necessity required. Of many of these roads, however, there is no record; and of others , a mere mention in these pages is deemed sufficient. The same vote which ordered the narrowing of the road on the north side of the Ring, included also the narrowing to five rods in width, of the continuation of this road towards the beach, "from Joseph John- sou's (Young's corner) to Ezra Johnson's" (Leavitt's corner). (519) 520 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. DRAKE SIDE ROAD. Long before this, in 1652, the town laid out "a way from mill brook to Goodman Page's upland," so as to be most convenient "for the coming into all the} re meadows." This was through that part of the town now known as "Drake Side," from Drake's bridge, as the road now runs, to Robert F. AVilliams', and so down the lane in front of his house to the meadows. WINNICUT KOAD. "We read the brief records of doings in early times, and pass them bj', with scarcely a thought of the arduous toil involved. Here, for instance, November 30, 1657, ''It is ordered that the surveyors of the highwa3's shall take as many men with tiiem as they shall think meet, to cut a convenient way for sleds to pass from the North hill bridge to Winnicut River." What days of labor ! what diligence with axe and pick and spade ! tall trees and tangled undergrowth must be cleared away ; rocks must be removed and ground levelled, before even "a convenient way for sleds" can have been cut. PORTSMOUTH ROAD. December 15, 1657, it is recorded that the selectmen chose "Will: Fuller & John Casse .... To lay out the hyway towards Strabry .l)ank to the extent of our bounds as convenienth^ as may bee w*^'^ they have dun according to their discresion." January 31, 1711, there is the return of a committee "to lay out the road towards Portsmouth as far as the town extends," four rods wide, as the road previously went; which is probably simply a widening of the original road to "Strabry bank." LANDING ROAD. The vote for laying out the road from the Academy green to the Landing is in these words, under date January 1, 1661 : "Hen : Rob}^ Tho : Marston & Tlio : Ward are appointed to vew the High- way from the meeting house to the Landing plase which lyeth through William Fuller's land by his house and barne and to bound itt outt two rod wid att the narrowest, according to their disscretion." A road had been opened here nearly or quite twenty years earlier, but its width had been considerably diminished by encroachments made during that time.' Again, in 1825, the same road was run out, "two rods wide." Januar}' 10, 1661 : At a meeting of a committee appointed, to de- THE PUBLIC ROADS. 521 termine and record convenient higliways, and to award damages, it was ordered tliat wliere any private tvny had been, or sliould he, laid out throiioji any i)erson's hind, whetlier meadow or marsli, tlie sweep- age and feedage of every such way slionld belong to the owner of the land over which the way passed, and should not be claimed b}' any other person — such ways, in this respect, differing from town and country ways, the sweepage and feedage of which, the committee judged to be common. In the record of the doings of the committee at this meeting, the Mooring-Turn, so called, in Hampton river, is mentioned as the place "where the boats do usually ride at anchor." It was theiropin- ion, that those who had occasion to moor tiieir boats there, had also a right to use a foot-path leading to it over a tract of salt tnarsh, for- meily owned by Thomas Marston, but at that time by John Cass ; and as no compensation had ever been made to either of these men, for damages, it was thought to be no moi'e than justice, to offer to Cass a certain tract of land, in full satisfaction for this use of a portion of his marsh, and he accepted it as such. KINGSTON ROAD. At a town meeting October 12, 1663, a committee was chosen to search out the most convenient way to Kingston, then a remote part of the town, and to have a road laid out accordingly. The "vvhole towne" was to turn out to build this road "to the Towneship by the Greatt Pond." NORTH HA5IPTON COMMON. The Common, where t'.ie church and school-house now stand in North Hampton, was laid out in 1675. The town appointed Henry Robie and John Sanborn a committee, to exchange some land with Samuel Dalton on the north siile of the North-hill bridge, for a con- venient passage-way over the Ridge, for the herds and for carting; and the committee, "considering the conveniency of the place and that a large passage might be of great use for the town in that place," laid out the way fifty-two rods in breadth at the south side, and thirty- three rods at the north, and about sixty rods in length ; ad of this land to be common throughout. (Return made, February 18, 1675.) NOOK LANE. In 1686 Dea. John Tuck, by liberty from the town, built a grist- mill on Nilus brook ; and it became necessary that a road or way should be opened, by which the mill could be reached. The most 522 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. feasible route was to begin on tlie easterly side of tlie Little River road, so called, at a i)lace nearly opposite the house of Benjamin Lamprey (now heirs of James and Samuel C. Lamprey), and to open a path from that place to the mill in as direct a course as practicable. Owing to the roughness of the ground, however, and other obstacles, there were many crooks in the path marked out and used for many years. It could hardly be called a road, and in fact, it was usually called Nook lane. In 1842 it was widened and straightened, and in 1844, extended from the mill to the sea-siiore ; and forms a part of the direct road from the railroad station to the North Beach. EXETKR ROAD. That the road from Hampton to Elxeter was built at a very early period is ceilain, though perhaps no record of the fact remains ; but the two towns, settled in the same 3'ear, and intimately connected in many ways, must have had means of communication with each other better than a mere Indian trail through- the woods. Tradition has it that this road was laid out by a bear; the story being, that Bruin made a night raid on the settlement near "Wigwam Row," and that men going in pursuit the next morning, followed its tracks in the light snow to its watering place at Squamscott Falls, and built the road accordingly. They say this accounts for its crookedness. This road passes through a part of the town, called Bride Hill. The origin of the name is obscure, but tradition says it was in honor of a marriage rite, performed in the open air. Off from the road some fifteen or twenty rods, down a sharp decline, stands a beautiful, l3're- shiiped elm, towering high above a young pine growth. This is called the "bridal elm," for under it, it is said, the happy couple stood while the minister joined them in marriage — a very prett}' conceit, but spoiled by finding that Bride Hill is mentioned on the Town Rec- ords as early as October 12, 1669, when the bridal elm was not even a seed, and ministers were not authorized to marry. Some say, how- ever, that the bridal elm was an oak ; some say, a birch. Clio, daughter of Jupiter, shuts her lips and will not tell. LITTLE BOAH's HEAD TO UYE. "Att a meeting of the selectmen of Hampton, loth November 1693 thay then agreed to lay out a cart hyghway from the beach att the farther End of Littell Bors Head pond Round the swamp downe to the End of ffrancis Jinnisis pond fower Rod wide and a highway from that into the woods sixe Rod wide. Voted." THE PUBLIC ROADS. 523 iia:mpton falls to exetkk. September 23, 1700 : "This meeting being warned to Consider of the best and P^asiest way ffor the making of the new waj' flfroni Hamp- ton ffals to Exeter The Towne haiie noted that the Saneyers shall ffortliwiLli taiie care to make the Bridge oner Taylers Riuer A good Cart Bridg and to Repaire all the other way that belong lo the Towne to doe ; Bnt ffrom the Bridg to the High land Ensigne Tilton doe In- gage to make it good and Maintaine it tTor the wliicii the sayd Daniell Tilton and his sons are to be ffreed ffrom all other Iligliway work in the Towne so long as he or they shall maintaine the same The Towne also doe agree with Him the sayd Tdlon that he shall haiie ten able men one day Appointed by the Saue^ers to help him now att first to make it good." SHAW's HILL TO LITTLE RIVER. At a meeting of the proprietors of the First Division, M:iy 7, 1734, it was voted : "That there be a highway fonr rods wide from the mouth of the lane by Benjamin Lamprey's [Nook Lane] to Little River Bridge where the sawmill stood as the cart way now goes, for- ever, and the middle of s'' cart wa}', as itt is now cleared of stones shall be the center of s'' four rod way." In 1739 it was voted in town meeting, that the selectmen keep all roads at their usual width, and prosecute all that "shall intrude on them." "Intrusion" by moving out fences seems sometimes to have occa- sioned serious trouble. The road most injured was the one "that leads from the place called the "Windmill-hill' to Freese's landing, so called." It was proposed to "choose a committee to judge upon" this road. This was in December, 1765. The town refused to appoint a committee to consider the matter at that time, but a few months afterward depositions were taken, to show the fact and the extent of the encroachments. It appeared that with- in the remembrance of some elderly persons who gave their tcstimonj^, the landing road had been very wide and its side boundaries well understood ; that these had remained unchanged for many years, but for a considerable time before this investigation a change had been going on ; and now the fences of some of the owners of adjoining lands had been built many feet outside of the original lines. Probably the bounds were set back, but no record remains. 1 See next chapter— Jolinson's Windmill. 524 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. nAJirTON CAUSEWAY TURNPIKE CORPOKATIOX. Not to notice the various minor acts of the town, we come now to make special mention of a iiighway, early known as the causeioay, and afterward, the turnpike, — l)y far, tlie most difficult and expensive to keep in repair of all the roads leading out of Hampton. The two parishes of lIami)ton and Hampton Falls, as we have seen, were separated by a long reach of salt marsh, through which flowed Tay- lor's river. No doubt, the two settlements were connected from the outset, by at least a cart path, with a rude bridge thrown over the river; for in the early records, mention is often made of "the cause}'," and of votes for repairing road and bridge; but it vvas not till the early part of the present century, that any system of permanent im- provement was adopted. The matter was agitated at the annual town meeting in 1807, and a committee chosen to consider it. They applied to the Legislature for aid, and reported the next year, that ."the Legislature passed an act, enabling the town to raise and turnpike said causeway and to take toll in the manner and under the restrictions in said act men- tioned." With this act the committee were dissatisfied, and they advised the town not to proceed under it, but to petition the next General Court for an amendment, dividing the causeway into shares, to be subscribed by individuals — the inhabitants of Hampton having the first right of subscription — the town of Hampton taking as man}' shares as it might desire. This was done, and an act more satisfactory than the former one vvas passed, December 23, 1808. It was entitled : "An act to in- corporate a company by the name of the Hampton Causeway Turn- pike Corporation." The town voted to take ten shares, and chose Col. Benjamin Shaw its agent. In 1810 the town chose a committee of five, to adjust matters w-ilh the Turnpike Corporation, relating to marsh and gravel taken in building the road. The joint committee of town and corporation made their report in December, which was accepted, and is, in sub- stance, as follows : That the town of Hampton shall relinquish to the Turnpike Cor- poration all and every demand now standing, and that said town shall gravel the turnpike from the northerly end to the middle bridge on the causeway over the sluiceway, annually, to the acceptance of the directors of said Turnpike Corporation ; and that in consequence thereof all and every inhabitant of Hampton shall pass the turnpike at all times free from the payment of toll of any kind whatever. Signed, John Dear- THE PUBLIC ROADS. 525 born, Jonathan Marstoii, Abner Page, Jonathan IVIarston Jr., Joseph Towle Jr., committee of Hampton ; and Samuel F. Leavitt, Nathaniel Drake, Tlieopliihis Sanborn, Committee of T. Corporation. , The whole length of the turnpike was two and one-fourth miles, ex- tending from the honse of James Leavitt, Esq., in Hampton, then kept as a tavern, to that part of Hampton Falls usually called "the Hill" — a considerable portion of it built on the old road-bed. A new road, a few rods in length, was built on the upland, near the tavern, to cut off a sharp corner ; and a part of the road across the marsh, includ- ing the bridge over Taylor's river was located a little below the old road. The turnpike, when completed, was a safe and ea^y road for travel, far superior to the old one, and would have been satisfactory to the public, if it had been a free road. There was, however, much dis- satisfaction and complaint on the part of travellers and teamsters, since in using the turnpike, they were subjected to a toll ; and various expedients were resorted to, in order to evade the payment. A slight bridge, called the shunjnke, Avas thrown across the river, at a consider- able distance above the turnpike, over which man}^ people passed, preferring a circuitous route, which was free, to a nearer and better one, subject to a toll. At the February term of the Superior Court, held in Portsmouth in 1817, the tow^u was presented by the grand jury, for not keeping in good repair that portion of tlie turnpike within the limits of Hampton. The town chose David Towle and James Leavitt, Esq., as agents, to defend the town against this indictment; and chose Richard Green- leaf, Tristram Shaw and Samuel Dow, a committee, to agree with the Turnpike Corporation respecting the expenses that might be incurred in consequence of the indictment. PROPOSED ROAD FROM VITTUm's CORNER TO SHUNPIKE BRIDGE. In 1821 the selectmen were petitioned to lay out a new road in Hampton, beginning at Vittum's corner, so called, ^ and running to the line of Hampton Falls at the shunpike bridge, so called. As they declined to lay it out, application was made to the Justices of the Court of Sessions. The town voted to use all laudable means to prevent the laying out of the road. Dr. Ebenezer Lawrence w^as chosen agent for the town, to make a defense at the Court of Sessions against the proposed road. The defense, however, was of no avail. The Court, by their committee, laid out the road. But this did not end the con- troversy. iMarston's corner, on the Exeter road. 526 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Another town meeting was held on the 16th of September, 1822, to see -whether the town would be at any more expense to prevent the making of the road, which had then been laid out, and to defend the turnpike. The last clause in the above sentence is very suggestive. There are men now living, who well remember the bitterness of feel- ing, occasioned by the controversy about this road and one or two others not far from the same time. Some of the warmest advocates of this road admitted that their intention was to drv'ert the travel from the turnpike, and thus break down the Causeway Corporation. The opposers, generally, believed that the road was not needed for the accommodation of the public ; and many of them, that the town Mould not be acting in good faith towards the corporation, erected b}^ their agency, if they should countenance the building of any other road, intended to make the investments worthless to the stockholders. The town did not proceed to build the road laid out by the Court of Sessions. PROPOSED ROAD FROM NORTH HAMPTON LINE TO HAMPTON FALLS LINE. In 1824 another road was laid out by the Court of Sessions, begin- ning at North Hampton line and running through Hampton to Hamp- ton Falls line. As this was only part of a road, to lie in several towns, the Court had original jurisdiction, without any previous re- fusal on the part of the selectmen. In the judgment of a large major- ity of the legal voters, however, the portion of the road, as laid out across this town, if built, would not so well accommodate the i)iil)lic, as did the roads tlien in use. The route of the contemplated road was to a considerable extent so rough, and in other places so wet and miry, that it could not be built witliout great expense, nor easily kept in repair, if built. Hence, with very few exceptions, tlie citizens were oi)posed to the road, and the town refused to build it, — for which refusal, it was indicted, and an expensive lawsuit followed. At the annual town meeting, in 1825, the selectmen and the town agent. Dr. Lawrence, togetlier with James Leavitt, Edmund Toppan and David Nudd, were chosen a committee, to consult with the di- rectors of the turnpike, and to require them to call a meeting of the proprietors and others interested, to ascertain the lowest sum for wliich the corporation would consent to surrender the charter, to make the road a free one, to be kept in repair by the towns of Hampton and Hampton Falls. Eleven months afterward, the committee reported, that the corpor- ation would relinquish to the two towns the Hampton Causeway THE PUBLIC ROADS. 527 Turnpike, and all their riglit to keep up any gate, and to take toll on the same, with the canal and ditclies on the sides of said turnpike, not including, but reserving the buildings and u[)!ands appertaining to the same, for the sum of live thousand dollars, to be secuied to the shareholders at an interest of six per cent, payable annually ; the principal to be paid by installments so a[)portioned, that the payment of the whole should not extend l)eyond six years. Both towns agreed to the terms offered, Hampton paying three thousand dollars and Hampton Falls two thousund, of the sum re- quired. The business was satisfactorily concluded, and on the 12th day of April, 1826, the gates were taken down, and the turnpike be- came a free road. ODIOUS ROADS DISCONTINUED. In August following, through the efforts of Dr. Lawrence, town agent, and the selectmen, the Court of Common Pleas consented to the discontinuance of the road laid out by the Court of Sessions iu 1824, from North Hampton line to Ham[)ton Falls line. The road from Vittum's corner to Hampton Falls was discontinued about the same time. ROAD TO MEET THE LAFAYETTE ROAD, While the above case was still pending, the selectmen of Hampton, upon application made to them, June 19, 1826, laid out a road from a point near the present residence of Stacy Wheeler Brown, extend- ing on tlie easterly side of his house, to the North Hami)ton line, to meet the Lafayette road, so called, that had been built from Ports- mouth nearly down to the line. It is probable that the laying out of this road aided the Hampton cause materially in tiie case in court, although Nortli Hampton had already continued the Lafayette road in the direction of the proposed road, as far as the Hampton line. But the fact that the turnpike had been made a free road, as lias been stated, so that there was no longer any cause for shunning that route, aided still more in freeing the Hampton people from building the roads so odious to tliem, THE NEW ROAD. Another highway which requires special mention is that stiU known as tJie netc road. Prior to the year 1852, there was no direct route from the center of the town to the North beach ; but in April of that year, a petition was presented to the selectmen, to lay out a highway, "commencing at 34 528 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. the well in the road near Lane's corner" and running easterly to the head of "Nook Lane," which would give a continuous, direct way from Exeter to tlie beach. According]}', the selectmen ordered a hearing for the 24th of May ; but "for divers good causes," probably because b\' tliat time the land had been planted, adjourned till November, when they laid out the road as petitioned, awarding, in land damages, more than eleven hun- dred dollars to the owners, the whole tract being valuable tillage. A further award of a hundred fifty dollars was made to Dea. Jeremiah Hobbs, to remove his windmill, which had done service for many a year, in grinding coin for the farmers. For beauty of summer scenery this road has scarcely' its equal in the town; — a gently undulating surface, spreading broadly to south and north ; fields of corn and waving grain of various shades on either hand, flanked in the distance by farm-houses and public buildings; Kensington hill and other elevations towering upward in the west ; and looking eastward, the blue ocean, dotted with sails, and sparkling in the sunlight. Already the sea breezes begin to stir one's pulses with a sense of exhilaration and freedom; and eagerly he presses onward, till, reaching Nook Lane, he is shut in by lofty pines and leafy Ijirches and alders, while the air is filled with the fragrance of wild roses and clematis. At the end, the awful, ever-changing, restless, fascinating, indescribable sea. TOWLE ROAD, By this name is known the road leading from "Vittum's Corner" (near Norman Marston's) to "Drake Side" school-house. A portion of this road, as originally built, was crooked and narrow, seeking the easiest and cheapest place of crossing a stretch of swampy land. In 1887 an alteration was made, by building a new road from a point near the bouse of Samuel A. Towle, westerly about one-fourth mile, across said Towle's pasture, and forming a junction with the old road again near "deep run bridge." The contract for building was awarded to Samuel A. Towle, for ten hundred sixty-five dollars. The total cost, including land damage, tile and railing was twelve hundred dollars. The old road was discontinued by vote of the town, and reverted to the adjoining land owner. SEA-SHORE ROAD. Spasmodic efforts have been made for a good many j'ears, by indi- viduals in Hampton and North Hampton, to secure the building of a sea- shore road from the causeway to Little Boar's Head. TlIE rUBLIC EOADS. 529 At the annual March meeting, 1887, the town of Hampton voted to appropriate the sum of one thousand doUars for the construction of a highway, running near the beach, to North Hampton hue, provided an appropriation be obtained from the State, to aid in the construction. Horace M. Lane, our representative to the General Court, had a bill introduced for that purpose ; and tlie sum of fifteen hundred dollars was appropriated, on condition that a like sum be raised by the two towns — one thousand dollars by Hampton and five hundred dollars by North Hampton. The required sums were appropriated, and the selectmen of the two towns, on petition, acting as a joint board, laid out the road, commencing near the foot of the causeway, and running along the beach land in a northerl}^ direction, to the road behind the fish-houses ; thence through the field of Jacob B. and Moses Leavitt ; thence on the beach land to the town line ; and thence on land in North Hampton, to Little Boar's Head. Before the town was ready to build the road, several individuals pe- titioned the Supreme Court for another road, commencing nearer Great Boar's Head, at the Logs, so called, and running northerly, parallel with the road leading from the causeway to Boar's Head ; and thence on, to the fish-houses, over the Leavitt field and the beach land, to Little Boar's Head. The petition was entered in the court at the Oc- tober term, 1890, and referred to the county commissioners. It was recommitted from term to term, till a hearing was had, September 21, 1891. The town opposed the petition on the grouud that a part of the road — the southern end — was not needed, as it w^ould be near and parallel with the present road leading from the end of the causeway to Boar's Head, and because it would be liable to be washed away by the sea, in the great storms. The commissioners, however, laid out the road, in December, Their report, at the Jaiuiary term, was recommitted, with instructions from the court, to find out whether or not a certain heavy storm since the hearing in September would have damaged the road and whether it would be impracticable to maintain the higliway, as laid out. The com- missioners gave another hearing on the 8th of April, 1892 ; and in their second report recommended a change — which was, to abandoa the parallel or double road from the Logs, and begin the new one at a point in the existing road nearer the causeway. The town being sat- isfied with the recommendation, the court ordered judgment on the report, and on the 6th day of May, 1892, the suit was ended. [Thomas Leavitt, of Exeter, council for the petitioners ; Charles M. Lamprey, for Hampton ; Calvin Page, of Portsmouth, for North Hampton.] 530 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Thus is now laid out a beach highway, running directly from Great Boar's Head to Little Boar's Head. The road will be about two miles long, and will be a nearer route by three miles, than the old roads. In 1889 the town purchased a road machine, for two hundred fifty dollars. It does very satisfactory work ; and if properly handled, will keep the roads in better repair than in former years, at less than one- half the cost. CHAPTER XXXI. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. THE EARLIEST MILL. AN figieement was made, August 4, 1640, between the town and Richard Knight, in regard to his building and keeping a grist- mill at the Landing ; for which the town was to allow him reasonable accommodation. What this "reasonable accommodation" should be, was determined at a town meeting, on the 25th of the same month, by- granting him "an hundred acres convenient." Articles of agreement were mutually subscribed and sealed on the 14th of September. The mill was built and the land promised, conveyed to Knight. This seems to have been the first mill built in the town. It re- mained in possession of Goodman Knight several years ; but in Feb- ruary, 1646, he conveyed it by deed to Christopher Lawson, of Bos- ton, together with his dwelling-house at the Landing, with several tracts of land lying near, and others more remote — containing in ail some more than one hundred acres ; and all the privileges and appur- tenauces thereto belonging. This mill was on the south side of the road, opposite the Benjamin Perkins place. sayward's windmill, Septembers, 1642 : The town granted to Henry Sayward, a lot of land five rods square on the hill beyond William Fuller's lot, to set his windmill on ; and a way, one rod in width, leading to it. The site of this mill, which was probably the second mill in town, was on the ridge, back of Alonzo W. Sliaw's, and not far from that place ; the rod way to it leading from the high road to the beach. A FORGOTTEN MILL. There is a tradition, that, at an early day, a mill was built on a creek, flowing into Brown's river, a few rods southerly of Eastman's point, and known as "The old mill creek." When and by whom the (531) 532 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. mill was built, no one pretends to know ; but there are timbers lying in the creek, partly imbedded in mud, and when the tide is up, covered with water, wliicli liave probably lain there many scores of years. About tlie year 1828, Moses and Benjamin Perkins, owners of the land lying along the borders of the creek, (Uig some of them out, and found them sound and well-preserved, owing probably to the saltness of the mud and water in which they lay. It was on the waj' over the marsh to this mill, that a farmer with his grist of corn on a hand-sled — so the stor}^ goes — passed a group of witches, drinking tea off a cake of ice. gove's windmill. In the acconnt of Queen Anne's war, it was related that the Indians killed Thomas Lancaster, on his way home from mill.^ This was Gove's windmill, afterwards owned b}' Edward Gove, grandson of that Edward who undertook to reform the government, in 1683. ^ It stood where now is the homestead of David Gove, in Seabrook, a little back of the house, on some rocks, still called the 'mill rocks. There yet remains a stone, on the premises, thought to be one of the mill-stones. Some years ago, Mr. David Gove took away a stone wall, near the mill site, and found under it a well of good water, some six feet deep. Taylor's river mills. 27te first Sawmill. Nothing is found in tliQ town records or elsewhere, so far as we know, to show that any sawmill was built here till about twenty years after the settlement of the town. While the houses were built of logs, sawed lumber was used only to a very limited extent. What was in- dispensable could be cut with a whip-saw, though not without much labor. When the log house gave place to a framed building, saw- mills became a necessity. The first sawmill in the town, of which we have any account, was undertaken by Robert Page. The town granted him liberty to set up his mill at a convenient place on Taylor's river, and for his en- couragement, gave him a clump of pines on the North side of Mr. Dalton's farm, and also allowed him to take timber from the commons, to saw at his mill, for his own benefit. Page, in consideration of the favor granted, gave the town a bond, in the sum of one hundred ip.234. 2p. 103. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 533 pounds, that ho or liis assigns woiiUl build the mill, and have it in readiness for sawing Uunber "by Michaelmas come twelvemonth" (September 29, IG08) ; and that he would Ihen furnish boards for three shillings per handled, as fast as he could, taking in payment any merchantable articles at price current ; provided, however, that no man should receive more tlian one thousand feet at a time, "till every man that stands in neetl shall have the like successively, one after another." Tiiis arrangement was confirmed by vote, at a town meet- ing, held February 26, 1657, and accepted by Robert Page. Not long after, the town by vote, extended the time for the com|)letion of the mill, one year, on condition that the contractor would give up William Marston, the carpenter he had employed, so that the town might have his services in tilting u|) a house for Rev. Timothy Dalton, he having sold his homestead to the church and town, for a parson- age.^ This mill was j)robal)ly on the site occupied, in later years, by Coffin's gristmill, which was burned in 1876. Bemoval of Sawmill. On the 16th of December, 1680, the town voted that the owners of the old sawmill "have lil)erty to remove said mill, or rebuild it, at a convenient place, further up Tayloi-'s river, but below the mouth of the Great Swamp run (Bride Hill mill stream), provided that the said owners subscribe to such articles as shall be drawn up by the com- mittee now chosen by the town, to wit : Henry Robie, Henry Dow, and Serg* Joseph Dow." The new site was probably about one-fourth mile higher up the river, at a place now known as the upper dam. Garland's 3Iill. At a meeting of the freeholders, November 18, 1700, liberty was given to John Garland to build "a corn gristmill" upon Taylor's river, where the first sawmill was built; on condition of his grinding corn for one-sixteenth part thereof ; and that he build no dam to do damtige to the sawmill first above. Sawmill moved back. In 1708 John Garland had become one of the ten owners of the sawmill, which they now wished to move back to the old spot, "or near thereabout." They built over the dam, the partners agreeing to share equally in the work and expense, and to use the privilege of the mill by turns, Garland and his heirs not to draw any water for the ip. 332. 534 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. corn-mill except upon the last third part of every man's turn; "and then, if they don't come to saw, he may draw water for to grind the corn as it comes to mill, if he can." The mill gate was to be kept up through June, July and August, every year. Articles of agree- ment were signed, January '24, 1709. Mr, Jacob T. Brown says : "The apparent reason for the removal up stream was that a p 'rnianent dam could be built and maintained there very much cheaper than at the lower mill, for the reason that the river at this (the upper) place was narrow and the banks bold and strong. The 'mill privilege,' however, not being nearly as good at the upper dam as at the lower, the latter was rebuilt and the upper site abandoned." After the removal, the two mills stood at the same dam — the sawmill, on the Falls side of the river, where Brown's saw- mill uow is, and the gristmill, on the town side. In 1722 Garland had a gristmill at Winnicut, as appears from the return of a committee, appointed to lay out land to men who had lost their lots in the First North Division, the report being made July 9th, of that 3^ear. Five acres of land were laid out to Lieut. John Sherburne, "neary*' mill caled Garland's mill, beginning at a small Pine standing by the side of y® Mill Pond about seven rod from y^ Grist Mill and so bounding on said Pond" &c. In 1701 there was a sawmill on AYinnicut river. Coffin's 3IiUs. In 1825 Stephen Coffin bought, with other property, the gristmill which, we have seen, was established at the same dam with the old sawmill on Taylor's river. In the intervening time, the two mills probably passed their useful existence, like other mills of the olden days. In 1827 Mr. Coffin deeded the gristmill to his son, Aaron. It was carried away by a spring freshet in 1841, and rebuilt the next fall. It descended to Aiken S. Coffin, son of the last owner, and was by him conveyed to his brother, Sylvanus B. Coffin. In 1865 he en- larged the mill and put in additional machinery for planing and shingle sawing. Later, he erected a large building for a box-factory, with clapboard saw and lath saw. These buildings were sold in 1875, to Arthur T. Wilbur, a box manufacturer, from Massachusetts, who put in steam power. On the 6th of June, 1876, they were burned to the ground, and have never been rebuilt. Brown's Mill. The "old sawmill" shares were bought by Aiken S. Coffin at differ- ent times, as he could secure them, till about the year 1850, he owned THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 535 the whole property on the Ilamptou Falls side of the river. This he sold to Mr. Wilbur, at the same time that his brother, Sylvanus B., sold his, on the Hampton side. Up to this time, it was an old-fash- ioned mill, with au up-and-down saw, run by a flutter wheel, and all the work done in a hard way. Mr. AVilbur put in a circidar saw and other modern improvements. After his other mills were burned, he sold his whole property on both sides of tlie river to Jacob T. Brown, of Hampton, taking in exchange a portable steam sawmill, which he removed to Greenland. Mr. Brown, Avith whom has become associated his son, under the firm name of J. T. & F. B. Brown, built in place of the old sawmill a new one, eighty-four by twenty-four feet in size, fitted with a Chase turbine wheel, a fifty-four inch inserted chisel-tooth saw, a double- surface planer and matcher, bench saws and all modern appliances of a first class sawmill, which is capable of sawing from eight to ten thousand feet of lumber per day. Mr. Brown says : "Of old, the mill was sixty feet or more from the bank, and logs, held up by frame- work, were laid from the bank to the mill. Logs were rolled over these 'stringers,' and lumber carried out by hand over them. The bank, at different times was built out and the stringers shortened, till we, at last, filled in to the mill." Batchelder's Sawmill. The complete history of this mill privilege is lost. It is probable, however, that it dates back of the separation of the towns, and may justly claim notice among Hampton mills. It is situated on Grapevine Eun, which flows into Taylor's river nearly a mile, by a straight line, below Browns' mill ; and it is now owned by John Thayer Batchelder, of Hampton Falls, whose father, Moses, built the present mill, which takes the place of a former mill, built by Moses' father, Dea. David Batchelder. Back of this, we can only learn that it was then an old mill site, which had been owned in the Batchelder family for many years. FALLS RIVICR MILLS. Green's Gristmill — rioio Dodge's. About the 10th of May, 1648, the town "granted unto Abraham Perkins and Henry Green, in consideration of building a watermill in the town of Hampton, at the Falls, twenty acres of upland as near the falls as maj^ be had, and ten acres of salt marsh as convenient as may be had ; and five acres of fresh marsh where it may be had ; — 536 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. two shares of commonage and all the swamp tliat lay between Henry Green's houselot and his phmting lot, that is not yet given out." About three years later, Green bought out his partners for thirty pounds. On the 19th of April, 1679, at a general town meeting : "Liberty was granted to Henry Green to set up a dam on the ffalls river, above his dam that now is, provided that it do not prejudice any town-highway or p'"ticular man's property by flowing their land or ways." December 16, 1700. At this date Capt. Jacob Green, son of Henx'y, wishing to take down the old mill and build a new one : — "The Town grant him the same privilege of the stream tliat his father first had for his encouragement, to new build the mill, as he shall make appear by evidence. And when the mill is builded, the said Capt. Green is to grind the town's corn brought to him, for the sixteenth part thereof, when there is water to do it. Nath^ Weare Esq., dissents." This mill is now owned by Mrs. John W. Dodge, — inherited through several generations, from Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge, who bought it of Gen. Jonathan Moulton. He probably obtained it from Captain Green's heirs. Weare's Mills. Against the foregoing transaction, Mr. Weare was possibly an in- terested party ; for we find that, at a commoner's meeting, May 8, 1722, there was "granted to Deacon Nath' Weare one acre of Land by his Saw Mill as shall be layd out to y® least damage of y^ coiTion- ers at y*^ discretion of Lt. Jonathan Marston & Simon Marston fory* end, being in full satisfaction for his service as comitte in Jennins case." This mill privilege was farther up the Falls river, and was, without doubt, identical with the Weare's mills of to-day. How far back it dates is not known. The oldest paper now to be found (in posses- sion of Col. John M. Weare, of Seabrook), is a deed, dated June 10, 1757, from Meshech Weare to his nephew Jonathan Weare, of fifteen acres, more or less, of laud "where the sawmill stands, which formerly belonged to Nathaniel Weare, Esq." Jonathan gave it by will to John ; he, to his two sons, Joseph Hubbard and John, the former of whom rebuilt the mill, before his brother became of age, and took in equity, two-thh-ds of the property, as his share. This he left to his son Joseph H., Jr., Avho sold one-half of the whole to Jacob Gove. John Weare and John M. Weare bought it back from Gove's heirs. The property is now owned, five-sixths by Benjamin Frank Weare, THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 537 son of John, and oue-sixtli by George A. Weave, son of Joseph II., Jr Probably Jonathan Weare built the gristmill, which descended with the other property. It has not been running for some fifteen years. In Kensington.^ Still farther up the Falls river than Weare's mill, within the present town of Kensington, are yet to be seen three dams, marking the sites of mills, supposed to have been built as early as 1700. A fulling- mill and Pike's sawmill, one on either side of the stream, were both fed from the lower dam. Next above was Locke's gristmill ; and only a little removed, stood Page's sawmill — the road from Exeter to Amesbury passing between them. These mills are all gone. OTHKR KENSINGTON MILLS. Other mills, probably of the same times, were Fellows' gristmill, in the nortli, on a small tributary of Exeter river ; and Blake's sawmill in the west, on the ''Stumpfield road." About a quarter of a mile above Fellows' mill, on the present site of Poor's sawmill, there stood a sawmill, which was old, when Mr. Poor's mother, born in 1775, Avas a child. This was owned in shares, accord- ing to the custom of early days. BUIDE HILL SAVTMILLS. A glance at the map will show where the Bride Hill mill-stream, which rises in- the "Old Swamp," enters Taylor's river, the general direction of the stream and the location of the two sawmills. The his- tory of these niills is involved in some obscurity, though they do not appear to be very ancient. They are not marked on the plan of the town, made in 1806 ; but the following year, Capt. Samuel James bought of James Leavitt one share in the lower mill. Originall}', the property of each mill was divided into eight shares ; and this ai-rangement still holds with regard to the lower mill, the pres- ent shareholders being : Elias D. Elkins, three shares, George N. Batchelder, Mary C. Chase, Norman Marston, Ralph S. James and John A. Towle, each one share. The mill has been silent for two years ; but is now about to undergo repairs, and be restored to its for- mer activity'. In course of time, all the shares in the upper mill came to be owned by two men, namely : John Dearborn, six shares, and Stacy Towle, ilufoiniation by Messrs. Joseph W. Brown and Joseph Poor. 538 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. two shares. Subsequentl3', Jonathan Philbrook, of North Hampton, owned all Ihe shares ; and of his heirs, Wulter L. Drake bought the whole property in the fall of 1870, since which time this mill has been generally known as dkake's mill. Mr. Drake owns the adjoining pastures, and therefore has the right of flowage. Marston's Gristmill. Cornet David Marston built a gristmill, at an unknown date, on an elevation at the lower end of his pasture in "Isaac's Swamp," on a small stream, running into the Bride Hill mill-stream. A cart path, beginning on the North Hampton road, a little north of David A. Marston's present homestead, led to the mill, which stood not far from the town line, on the Hampton side. The property descended to David Simon Marston, son of the former owner, and he finally took down the mill. The sills still remain. LITTLE RIVER MILLS. Peter Johnson's Gristmill. Februar}^ 17, 1672 : The town granted liberty to Peter Johnson to set up a gristmill upon the Little river, above the meadows, near to the Barren Hill,^ in the most convenient place, where the said Peter Johnson shall choose ; and the like liberty is granted him to set up a fulling-mill and a turning-gear, if he see meet, and upon this con- dition : the said Peter Johnson doth relinquish his right of a grant for- merly granted to him at Nilus river (of an unknown date) . This is very nearly the site of the present middle sawmill, owned by R. L. Moulton, and built over in 1855. The Upper Sawinill. A company, consisting of James Johnson, Josiah Sanborn, John Hobbs, John Dearborn, Sen., Samuel Dearborn, Caleb Marston, Thomas Roby and Samuel Roby, was formed — probably in 1692 — for the purpose of building and operating a sawmill on Little river, above the site granted to Peter Johnson for a mill, more than twenty years before. They built a dam, and made preparation to erect a mill the next summer. As yet, however, they had not received any grant from the town. The case was brought up and acted upon in town-meeting on the 24th of March, 1693. The proceedings of the company had evidently been irregular, and all the members were re- 1 Barren hill is just above the present middle mill site, on the north side of the stream. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 539 garded as trespassers and ordered to desist, unless they should agree to such terms as should be proposed ; and the town chose Capt. Henry Dow, Lieut. John Smith, and Lieut. Christopher Palmer, a connuittee to di'aw up articles of agreement to be assented to, and subscribed by the members of the company. The terms were agreed upon and the names subscribed September 4, 1693. The town granted to the members of the company the benefit of the water-power and a suitable mill-yard, to be held by them, their heirs and assigns, so long as they maintained a mill there, and also guar- anteed that no dam should be built between their mill and Peter John- son's old grant. In consideration of this, the grantees agreed to give the town eight thousand feet of merchantable pine boards out of the first ten thousand feet that should be sawed, and to deliver the boards at the Meeting-house Green, on or before the last day of May, 1694. The mill-privilege here granted — where the upper snwmiW on Little river stands — has been occupied by a succession of sawmills from the date of the grant till the present time. The mill has long been owned by Nathaniel B. Marston ; but this year, 1892, he sold it to John F. French, fourth son of Kev. Jonathan French, D.D., more than fifty years pastor of the church at ''North Hill." An Ancient Site, and the Present Loxoer Mills. The same day on which the. articles of agreement about the upper mill were signed, the town granted to another company, on nearly the same terms, a sawmill privilege on the same river, about three-quarters of a mile farther down. In the record it is described as being "below Peter Johnson's grant." The mill built by this company was on land belonging to the Lamprey farm, now owned by Charles Preoschold. The mill has long been gone, but a part of the old dam is still to be seen. A new one was afterwards built farther up the stream, where the present Daniel G. Moulton saw and grist mills stand. John Smith's 3Iills. At some time, date not known. Lieutenant John Smith had under- taken to build a. fulling-mill ; hut, after expending a considerable sum, he had found that the mill would fail to meet his expectations. In 1693 therefore, on the 24th of March, he asked and obtained liberty to remove it to such a place as he might select on Little river, above his saw^mill, at the end of "The Beech Neck," and to make a dam at the place selected, for the benefit of the mill, on condition that the water should not be kept back at such times as, by a former arrange- 540 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. ment, it was to be drawn down at the sawmill below. It was also agreed that wlioever might own the fulling-mill, he should "full this town's cloth before strangers' cloth." The Beech Neck, mentioned in this grant, is a point of land, near the bridge which spans the river at A. T. Brown's, said to have been formerly heavily wooded, px'oba- bly with beech trees. The sawmill site is well known, some of the old timbers having remained within the memory of men now living. The fate of the proposed fulling-mill is not known. RYK MILLS, ON CRDAR SWAMP RUN. The original contract, dated May 3, 1695, may still be seen, wherein John Badson, of Newcastle, millwright, agrees with Francis Jenness, Joseph Philbrook, James Stanyan and Thomas Jenness, of Hampton, planters, to build for them a dam and a sawmill, ' 'to go with one saw," on Cedar Swamp run, commonly so called, near said Francis Jenness' house ; for which he is to receive twenty shillings a week, in good, lawful mouej'of New England, as follows ; ten shillings thereof at the end of each week he works, and the other ten shillings a week ''at one whole intire payment, at the now dwelling house of the said Francis Jenness," when the mill is finished and sufficient sawing has been done to amount to the required sum ; the above compan3\ to furnish mate- rial for building, also "sufficient meat, drink, lodging and Hands" during the building, and pasturing for his horse while he is there at work. The site of this mill is about eighty rods from the Sea View House, on the Jenness road, so called, and has ever since been occupied for a sawmill, owned wholly or in part in the Jenness family. Cedar swamp commences about a mile northwest of the mill; the run is a brook, flowing through it, in some places not more than four or five feet wide. It takes its rise in the low land near Charles Sleeper's house, at Ches- ley's Cox'uer, in Rye, and empties into the sea. A half mile above this sawmill, on the same stream, is Brown's gristmill ; and about thirty rods below it, was Jenness' gristmill,^ a few years ago changed into a shingle-mill, but now given up. Ancienth", a fourth mill stood about three-quarters of a mile far- ther up the little stream than Brown's gristmill. It was a sawmill, built at an unknown date, by a Mr. Leavitt, who, after a short time, sold it and the farm of three hundred acres, on which it stood, to Peter Johnson, of Hampton, who married in 1737, and settled on the farm. [See Genealogies — Johnson(5), Leavitt(l3).] In later times, Nathan i[ See Genealogies— Jenness] (1)]. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 541 Knowlos, of Rye, bought the mill, and in 1844 took it down. The laud, on which vestiges of the mill and the paths leading to it through the pastures may still be traced, is now owned by the heirs of the late John Garland. All of these four mills are within the original limits of Hampton, and all, old mills. NILUS RIVER JIILI.S. James Johnson''s Grant. On the 1 9th of April, 1679, "upon the motion of James Johnson, the town gave him liberty to set up a grist and fulling mill upon Nilus River, and to make a convenient dam or dams, provided he shall not draw down water in hay-time to damnific any man's meadow or hay that lies upon y'^ meadows upon that river in any place below; upon the penalty of one hundred pounds ; provided also, that if the said mill be not built and finished within two years, then this grant is to be void, and the land to remain as it now is, in the hands of the town." Tuck's Mills. At a town meeting. September 17, 1686, upon motion of John Tuck, the town voted to give him liberty to set up a grist and fulling mill on Nilus river, on conditions precisely like those imposed on James John- son, seven years before ; whence it seems probable that Johnson did not build. The gristmill was built, and perhaps a fulling-mill ; but it was soon found that the water-power was not sufticieut to run the two mills by the same dam ; for, at a town meeting, November 14, 1689, Mr. Tuck was allowed to make a dam where Nilus comes out of Hasica meadow,! and set up his fulling-mill there on nearly the same conditions as his foimer grant, the mill to be fit to go and to full cloth in two years ; and he was not to full cloth, nor draw down water to do damage in haj^ time. The mill was built a few rods west of the road lead- ing to Little River village, in what is now called the dam-pasture; and was afterwards owned by Lieut. William Stanford. ]t has been gone many years ; but traces of the dam remained in 1867, when it was re- built, and a shingle mill erected and put in operation. This has since been taken down. Nilus river, or brook, did not at all seasons furnish sufficient water to keep the gristmill in operation, and another grant was afterward [December 29, 1709] made to Mr. Tuck, allowing him, so far as the town had a right to do it, to turn the springs near where Thomas 1 Properly, Hassocky meadow; p. 116, note. 542 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Sleeper formerlj' lived, ^ and also the springs at Alder meadow,- into the pond by his giistmill, for the term of twenty years, provided that he should improve every opportunity to grind corn for the inhabitants of the town for the sixteenth part thereof ; and further engage to grind three days in a week, when there was sufficient water. On the town's part it was agreed, that, if there should be a further grant of these springs after the expiration of twenty years, Mr. Tuck should have the offer of them on as favorable terms as any other person. The springs first named are those in the tract of ground known as "Spring-heads," lying between Nook Lane and the Little River road. The natural outlet of these springs is through the Nook run into Dow's river ; but by means of a dam, usually called the foot-dam, across tliis outlet near the springs, the water is easily turned into the mill pond already mentioned. From Alder meadow there were originally two outlets. Nilus brook, which runs easterly through the meadow, carries off the water from most of the springs ; but those in the north part of the meadow had an outlet running northerly into Little river, which is less than half a mile distant from the meadow. By a dam across this outlet, the water from all the spi'ings could be turned into Nilus brook, and made serviceable to any mills farther down that stream. The dam constructed at this place was called the little dam; and, though the dam itself has long been gone, the place where it was built, and the land near it still bear that name. In 1735 the proprietors of the First Division voted, "that the water of Sleeper's Springs shall half run down the natural way to where carts go over the Nook Run, and the other half run into Tuck's ditch to the pond, forever; and none who hereafter have the lots the springs run through shall ever hinder the same." Early in the present century. Tuck's gristmill had come into the possession of Reuben Lamprey, who sold it to Moses Leavitt. In 1815 Mr. Leavitt took down the old mill, which had become dilapi- dated, and built a new one, which he and his sons operated. Subse- quently, Mr. Leavitt gave the mill to his eldest son, Jonathan, whose widow controlled it till her death, in 1885. It is now owned by Mr. Joel Jenkins, a summer I'esident, as a part of his estate, and is not in use. Dam Pasture Mill. On the 4th of September, 1693, at the same time witli the grants for two of the Little River mills, another grant for a sawmill was made, on ' On Shavv'i Hill. 2 p. 146, note. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 543 like conditions, to several persons combined together for the purpose of building and operating a mill on Nihis brook, between Alder meadow and Bear swamp. Their mill was built in the Dam pasture — then considered as a part of Bear swamp — and stood a little eastward of the wall between this pasture and the Twelve Shares, a few rods from the place where Nilus issues from Alder meadow. Though no traces of any mill or dam can now be discovered, and nothing to show their exact situation, yet some aged persons, who have died within the last thirty years, well remembered when the paths from the different parts of the woodland around, all tending towards the same spot, plainly in- dicated the locality of the old mill-yard. Dea. Jeremiah Hobbs, two or three years before his death, at the age of ninety, in 1863, pointed out the site of the mill and dam, as above indicated. ON bursley's brook. Near the close of the year 1689, the town granted to James John- son, who ten years before, received a grant on Nilus, which he seems not to have utilized, liberty to set up i\. falling -mill on the stream, called Bursley's brook, provided it were built and in readiness to full cloth, within one year from the date of the grant ; otherwise, the grant was to be null jind void. "Bursley's brook" is supposed to have been the small stream now known as BrusseWs Run. This stream, nearer the salt marsh, was at an early period called ''Mill brook." It is now called Drake's river. TIDE MILL. October 13, 1681 : At a town meeting, by vote of the town, liberty was granted to James Johnson and Jacob Brown, to make use of the river near the end of the highway by Jacob Brown's pasture, for the building of a gristmill ; provided they build it and keep it in good order for the grinding of the town's corn ; and that they make con- venient gates to let out the water, that they flow not any man's hay in hay-time ; and do grind the town's corn brought to them for the sixteenth part thereof ; and have the mill ready to grind within two years from the date hereof. The privilege here granted was for a tide-milL The highway mentioned is the road to the "Old Dock," along the easterly side of the late Benjamin Shaw's mill-pasture, or field, fi-om which it is not now fenced. This pasture or field is the easterly half of that designated in the grant as Jacob Brown's pasture. In the winter of 1769, the tide-mill, then owned by Samuel Brown, Jr., and Gideon Shaw, the former a grandson of Jacob Brown, was 35 544 HISTORY OF HAMPTOX. burned to the ground. Brown wished to rebuild ; but Shaw would neither assist him nor buy out his share of the privilege, nor would he sell his own share. Under these circumstances, Brown had recourse to the General Court. He petitioned that body to take his case into consideration and devise relief. Although no record of his success is found, we see Brown rebuilding the mill, after about two j'ears ; and it thereafter remained in the Brown family till about 1818, when David Nudd and Capt. David Brown, of Little River, bought it, and put in a second run of stones. Six years afterwards, they sold to Moses and Benjamin Perkins ; and in 1834, the mill passed into the hands of their brother, Deacon James Perkins, who mtroduced an undershot wheel, of twenty feet diameter, and otherwise extensively repaired it. In 1855, he built it over once more, and fitted new gear- ing ; and for many years thereafter, it was in constant operation. In course of time, Deacon Perkins' son, Henry J., became the owner of the mill ; and by him, the property was sold to the town for fifteen hundred dollars, and the mill demolished, in 1879, for the supposed benefit of the marshes, ou which the water had been kept back, till they had become of little value. This Gideon Shaw, joint owner with Brown, when the mill was burned in 1769, was an eccentric man, — one of his peculiarities being a habit of talking aloud to himself on the street, or wherever he might be, and never looking back as he walked, whatever might be transpir- ing behind, it is related, that, when he was once drawing a bag of corn to mill on a hand sled, and talking as usual, a man who knew him well, coming up behind, stepped on to his sled, to provoke him to look back. But Shaw kept straight on, muttering, "Now she runs hard;" and when, after riding some distance without eliciting a sign of recognition, the man stepped off, he added, "Now she runs easy again," and kept on his way. Another time, while walking over the causeway near the beach, along the side of^ which was a wide ditch, he carried ou this colloquy with himself: "What'll you bet, Gideon, that 1 can't jump across that ditch?" "Half-a-dollar." He jumped, and lauded safely on the other side. "What'll you bet, Gideon, that I can't jump back again?" * 'Half-a-dollar." Again he jumped, but missed his footing and went into the ditch. Picking himself up, he said : "Nothing got and noth- ing lost," and walked on unconcernedly. So, "Nothing got and nothing lost, as Gideon said," passed into a proverb. Johnson's windmill. "When the mill was built and how long; it remained are now unknown. THE STORY OF THE MILLS. 545 It is called Peter Johnson's windmill — that is, the first Peter, the same who obtained the first grant of a mill privilege on Little river. In the inventory of his estate is mentioned "two-thirds of a Avindmill, £7." The site is called "Windmill hill" in the Town Records, dated De- cember, 1765,^ and is now known as Johnson's hill (where Mr. George A. Johnson lives). The mill stood near the old oaks. HOBBS' WINDMILL. "When the "new road" was laid out, in the fall of 1852, an award was made to Dea. Jeremiah Hobbs, to remove his windmill, which is well remembered as a conspicuous object in the "great lots," through which the road was to pass. The mill was built by Deacon Hobbs' father, Capt. Morris Hobbs, on or near the site of a former mill, whose unknown histoxy stretches still farther back. Standing in the midst of fields of corn and grain. Deacon Hobbs' mill was at once pictur- esque and convenient of access. berry's steam sawmill.^ ip. 523. 2See next chapter. CHAPTER XXXII. STORES AND TRADES. ELiSHA Johnson's store. JOHN J. LEAVITT — SAMUEL POOR — JOHN WILCOTT, JR. — NUTTER & BUOWN— SUCCESSORS. ELISHA Johnson, born in 1786, began, when a 3'onng man, to keep a grocery and variety store, at his home on Johnson's hill, towards the Landing. The whole front of the house was fitted up in two rooms : the larger, for groceries ; the smaller, for dry goods and notions. There was at this time no other store in town, so that all the trade centered here, and much from adjoining towns, many coming from Seabrook, by boat, to the Landing. At first, goods were transported from Boston in whale-boats ; but as trade increased, a larger vessel was needed, and Mr. Johnson, in company Avith his brother John, procured the schooner, Clarissa, and later, in his sole right, the Angola, for the pur- pose. About the year 1840 he took into his employ, as clerk, his grand-nephew, John J. Leavitt, then tiine years of age. Perhaps it was from this connection that he came to be called "Uncle 'Lisha," throughout the community. Honest and generous towards all, he was emphatically the children's friend ; and rarely did the child customer leave the store without some small gift. No lock, nor even latch ever cumbered the door, the only fastening being an oaken bar laid across it. Customers knocked for admittance. The clerk's bed in the small room served for a counter, on which to measure off cloth. Boys are not apt to be fond of early rising ; and it did sometimes happen, that the counter was needed before the young clerk was up, and the cus- tomer had to wait. A new store was built, at the foot of the hill, in 1851. Though Mr. Johnson made small profits, he drew much custom and acquired a competency. At his death, in 1856, Mr. Leavitt suc- ceeded to the business, by inheritance. He became town clerk at twenty-one years of age, and was prominent, always, in political affairs. (546) STOllES AND TRADES. 547 In 1870 the old house, on the original Dow homestead, which Capt. John Johnson had owned for some years, was taken down, and the store moved to its site, where it stands to-day. After Mr. Leavitt's death in 1881, Mr. Samuel Poor, of Manchester, purchased the stock, which he enlarged, and carried on a thriving trade, especially in grain, for five years, when he sold to John Will- cutt, Jr., and retired from business. Mr. Willcutt removed from town in 1890. The store was then kept for a short time by Austin F. Brown (of Hampton) and a partner, under the firm name of Nutter & Brown. It is not now occupied. LANk's store J. A. LANE & CO., PRESENT PROPRIETORS. Four of the five sons of the late Ebenezer Lane, are merchants. In 1848 Edwin B., the eldest, built the store, still occupied, and having carried on the business some years, moved to Boston ; and his brother, George W., became proprietor of the Hampton store. After a suc- cessCul run of fifteen years, during much of which time, the next younger brother, Joshua A., was associated with him, Mr. G. W. Lane removed to 8alem, Mass., where he is now a coal, flour and grain dealer. He was for some years the principal coal merchant in Hamp- ton, before his removal. Mr. J. A. Lane was now sole proprietor of the store till 1891, when he took into partnership Ernest G. Cole, of this town, just graduated from the New Hampshire State College. Mr. Lane has carried an annual business of thirty thousand dollars or more, in groceries, grains, dry goods and the various departments that go to make up the typical country store. Two order teams are kept on the road the year round, and often, four, in summer. After Mr. Edwin B. Lane removed to Boston, he went into com- pany, in the fiour trade, with his father's cousin, David Lane, from Chichester, who, in later years, retired, leaving the junior partner sole proprietor. The fourth son, Charles H. Lane, has had a somewhat romantic career. When a young man he went to Iowa and was one of six to buy a township, incorporate the city of Red Oak and set up a sawmill. With the first lumber sawed, Mr. Lane built a store, with his own hands, bringing glass and other building material many miles b}^ row- boat. Then he sent to his brothers to buy goods in Boston, to stock a store similar to the one kept in Hampton. The pi oprietors of Red Oak laid out a square of nine acres, for the center of the cit}^ and drew lots for the property. Mr. Lane's lot fell on the west side of the square. The city grew and established a bank, of which Mr. Lane has long been the president. He now 548 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. owns with one partner, an agricultural implement and hardware store, covering an acre of ground. He also owns two other stores, each built of brick, twenty five by eighty-six feet on the ground and three stories high ; the one a grocery store, antl the other a dry goods, boots, shoes and clothing bazaar, in the building of which our townsman, Samuel W. Dearborn, was head carpenter. It has alwaj's been Mr. Lane's pleasure to take young men into his employ, teach them the business and then help them to set up business for themselves. In this wa}', his nephews, George E. and Charles G. Lane, sous of George W., have become established, the former as proprietor of a variety store in Hampton, Neb., and the latter as cashier of a bank in Hastings, Neb. Both these young men are natives of Hampton. Another business man of Red Oak, born in Hampton, Capt. Thomas H. Dearborn, may be mentioned in this connection, as he was once Mr. Lane's clerk. After the war, in which he bore an active part, he was in trade in Seabrook for two years — then went to Red Oak, and has long been a successful dealer in coal and ice. D. O. LEAVITT APOTHECARY AND GROCER, Successor, in 1865, to Joseph R. Tovvle, who himself succeeded to John P. Towle, in the same business. After some years at the old stand and in the J. A. Towle building, Mr. Leavitt removed tem- porarily from town. In 1884 he associated with himself his brother- in-law, Robert F. Laird, as apotiiecary, vvliile he retained charge of the grocer}' department, in the old John P. Tovvle store, which had been enlarged for Mr. Collum, tinsmith, and the old part fitted up for post- ofiice and store, Mr. Laird having been appointed postmaster. In 1889 this building was moved away, to make room for Sliaw's block, a fine new edifice, opened in April, 1890. After moving into his commodious store in Shaw's block, Mr. Leavitt began to run order teams, two of which are constantly employed. Mr. Laird soon re- moved to Newmarket, and D. O. Leavitt now takes personal charge of the whole, with the aid of two or three clerks. Annual business, about twenty thousand dollars. POST OFFICE STORE STATIONERY, CONFECTIONERY AND TOBACCO. A small store of this nature has for many years been kept by the existing postmaster, ever since the incumbencies of Edwin B. Lane and John A. Towle, merchants. Postmasters Dow, Marston^Perkiji^. Crane and Akerraan kept the office and store successively in Lane'sN building, opposite Capt. David A. Philbrick's house ; Robert F. Laird J STORES AND TRADES. 549 following, in the John P, Towle building. Myron W. Cole, the present postmaster, removed the oiilce to Merrill's block in July, 1889, and continues the usual "post office store," in connection with it. GEORGE COLLUM TIN-SMITH, PLUMBER AND STOVE-DEALER, Came to Hampton, from Gloucester, Mass., May 22, 1876; had his store and work-shop first, in the J. P. Towle building, which was later enlarged for his use ; but removed to his own much larger build- ing, near the Baptist church, in October, 1887, to which he has since built an addition ; keeps his store well stocked ; does work half a dozen miles away, in various directions ; and carries a business of from eight to ten thousand dollars annually. J. W. MASON & CO. GROCERIES AND HARDWARE, Succeeded to the business of A. D. Brown, who, after about twenty years in trade, in the old J. A. Towle building, sold to the present firm, January 1, 1875, and retired. They removed to Merrill's l)lock, on the opening of that building, in July, 1889; greatly enlarged the stock at that time ; keep two order teams constantly on the road ; do an annual business of twenty thousand dollars. BATCHELDER BROTHERS BUTCHERS. They sent out their first teams in 1874, from a slaughterhouse on their own farm, at Bride Hill. In later years, they have bought much from Boston and Portsmouth markets, besides their own su[)ply ; bought more than ten thousand dollars' worth of meats in 1891 ; opened a meat market in the old J. A. Towle building, in November, 1887 ; removed to Merrill's block, in July, 1889 ; continue to supply distant customers from the carts, two being sent out daily ; use a refrigerator cart in warm weather. T. N. CHASE DRT AND FANCY GOODS, AND MILLINERV. He opened the first and only store of the kind, in Hampton, in the fall of 1877, in the J. A. Towle building. In 1883 Mr. Towle built a new store, in the rear of his old building, and into this Mr. Chase moved in October, witli a great addition to his stock. Here he re- mained till the opening of Shaw's block, in 1890, when he removed thither. He keeps a good assortment and has an attractive store. 550 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. JOHN S. OILMAN CLOCK AND WATCH REPAIRER AND JEWELLER. He came to Hampton and began business in a small way, in tlie second stoiy of the old post-office building, in February, 1877. Skill and industry have brouglit patronage, so that he was enabled to buy land and build a house, to which he removed in 1883, and where he Las since continued to make a comfortable living in his business. FRED E. SANBORN BARBER, Has now, after several removes, a well-appointed shop, opposite the shoe-shop, where he deftly plies his trade, and receives liberal patron- age. E. B. TOWLE DRY AND FANCY GOODS, AND GENTLEMEN's FURNISHINGS, Opened his store in the old J. A. Towle building, in June, 1890, and has prospered in the enterprise. Several stores are kept, through the summer months, at the South beach ; the first, in point of time, being that of James Perkins, Jr., de- ceased, now John W. Locke's. John M. Palmer has such a store near Boar's Head. The rest are open but a little while, and kept mostly by strangers. SOME FORMER STORES. The following advertisement, from an old-time newspa[)er will give an idea of the country store of a hundred years ago : "Hampton November 30"*, 1757. — Just Imported And to be SOLD by — Jonathan Moulton, jun'"[i] At his own stork, by Wh. or Retell — A Fine Assortment of Braziery — and Cutlery WARE, almost every Thing suitable for — House Keeping. And a large Assortment of WINTER — and Summer GOODS,' suitable for Men's and Women's Wear. Also west india GOODS, salt, &c — Jonathan Moulton^ juu"^ N. B. I will engage to sell any of the above goods as — cheap for ready Cash oi" any other Good Pay, or three months Credit, as the like are sold any where in this Province. If any person (is) inclined to take a large Quantity, I will give six ]\Iouths Credit and take Merchantable boards — at Exeter, New Market, Almsbury or New- bury Landings." iCoIonel, afterwards General Moulton. STORES AND TRADES. 551 Gershom Griffith, born in 1707, is styled "trader." Col. CiiRisTorriKU Toppan had a store in bis bouse — the old family mansion, — in the time of the Revolution. In later times John Carroll was a trader in Hampton, a consider- able time before 1817. Maj. John Loveuing, who was in trade in Hampton from 1814 to 1830, liad his store about three hundred feet south of the Perry bouse, on the same side of the street. His brother, Thomas Lovering, was at first his clerk; but in 1820, went into trade by himself in a store on the corner by Josiah Dearborn's tavern (the store Mr. Carroll had vacated sometime before) . This he occupied till March 4, 1829, when he removed to Exeter. The store afterwards had several successive occupants, but was moved to another site at last, for a dwelling- house. Richard Greenleaf's store was the building afterwards used by David Towle, undertaker and carpenter. Jacob and Asahel Marston kept a store neartheirhome (now John A. Nudd's). Later, Adna B. Lane had the same building for a store and tailor's shop. Knight kept a store, where A. J. Philbrick now lives. Sally Quarles, who married Joshua Mace, was his clerk ; also, David Moulton. Some of the other storekeepers were : Moody Stockman and John M. Seaward (near C. G. Toppan's) ; John C. Forsaith (where Oliver Towle lives) ; John Mason (where John G. Brown lives) ; Amos J. and John A. Towle, dry goods and groceries, in the present dwelling- house of the latter. brick-making. The "clay-pits" are mentioned in the early annals of the town, but nothing is on record in regard to brick-making. Within the present century, this industry seems to have been confined to one family, but when it was begun is uncertain. Dea. Samuel Drake, when a young man, eighty years ago, more or less, was a brick-maker, his yard being near the present residence of Mr. J. T. Brown; and later, back of Mr. Clarence T. Brown's. The last location of the brick-yard was in the large field south of Deacon Drake's house, where his son, Samuel Drake, manufactured about a hundred thousand brick annually. Since his death, in 1879, the business has not been pursued. tanneries. In 1711, complaint being made that there was a great waste occa- sioned by oak trees being cut down on the commons, for the purpose of stripping off their bark, to be used in tanning hides, a vote was 552 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. passed, declaring all bark thus stripped off, forfeited, wherever it migiit be found, and subjecting the offender to a fine of five shillings for each tree so stripped or barked. Tanning was, no doubt, formerly, an important industry in our town. In modern times, some shoe-makers and fanners have tanned hides for their own use, and occasionally for their neighbors. Dea. David B. Elkins once had a tannery of this kind, on the "old swamp run," floAviug into the Bride Hill mill-stream, a few rotten timbers of which, may still be seen. The Garlands, at the "east end," operated such a tannery, situated in the meadow over the ridge, back of the Garland homestead. THE CATTLE TRADE. Ebenezer and Samuel D. Lane, Jacob T. Brown and David A. Philbrick were formerly largely engaged in this traffic ; which, how- ever has declined, since horses have mostl}^ superseded oxen, for farm work. From 1857 to 1867, Captain Philbrick received from two to six car-loads of cattle a week, except through the haying seasons. MILK BUSINESS. Though there are no large milk farms in Hampton, many farmers keep respectable herds of cows, and sell milk, chiefly to the "Lynn Milk Company," which has made this town a depot since 1878. ICE BUSINESS. Curtis DeLaucey, resident in the town, and David J. Lamprey, of North Hampton, are the principal ice dealers. Formerly, most of the ice was cut on the meadow, near the ocean, and was sometimes a little brackish. That has been abandoned, for ponds further in- land. Mr. DeLancey employs an average of twelve men and twenty horses during the icing season, and cuts fifteen hundred tons of ice annually, from pouds at Bride Hill, Drake Side and Leavitt's mill. He packs ice for most of the hotels and boarding-houses, and supplies private fami- lies from his own ice-houses. Mr. Lamprey cuts two thousand tons of ice annually, in Hampton, besides his business in other towns. The Lynn Milk Company, established a station in Hampton, and built an ice-house, of a thousand tons' capacity, in 1878, which Mr. Lamprey filled till 1884, when it was taken down, and the present house, of thirteen hundred fifty tons' capacity was built. This, Mr. Lamprey contracted to fill for ten years. Accordingly, he leased, for that period, a meadow of forty acres, be- STORES AND TRADES. 553 longing to J. T. Brown, C. G. Toppan and others; grading tbe road along its front, one and a half feet, and keeping it in repair at his own expense. This meadow is flowed from Drake's river, and furnishes a full supply of ice. EXPRESS BUSINESS. Lane's Express. — Twenty-five years ago or more, Jesse A. Lane began to do express business between Hampton and Boston, with great convenience to the public, and fair profit to himself. As years went on, his trips became more frequent, till patronage so increased that he went daily, sometimes with an assistant ; but failing health compelled him to retire, in 1884. Batfhelder's Express. — Warren M. Batchelder, of the firm, Batch- elder Brothers., Butchers^ began to do a local express business be- tween Hampton and Boston, in 1884, when Lane's express had been discontinued. After a successful run of three years, he sold out, the first of August, 1887, to John S. and Ames B. Robinson, in order to give his Avhole time to the meat trade. There is now no local ex- press. The American Express Co. has an ofiice in Hampton ; also Jackson's Express^ of Portsmouth. CARPENTERS STEAM SAWMILL. There are many good carpenters in Hampton, most of whom are employed by Samuel W. Dearborn, contractor, who began work as a carpenter, in 1866, and by degrees, enlarged his business till now he employs from twelve to twenty-five Hampton men ; has building con- tracts constantly in Hampton, and at various points within a radius of twelve miles or more ; and handles, annually, at least a hundred twenty-five thousand feet of pine, three hundred thousand spruce and hemlock, and a million shingle. In 1879, in partnership with James W. Berry, he built the steam sawmill, which has become so important a feature of the town. Some told them they were '"fools for their pains ;" but the enterprise was successful, and has long since proved itself a necessity. The mill was run, at first, with a thirty horse power engine. At the end of two years the partnership was dissolved, Berry re- maining in the mill business, and Dearborn retaining an interest in the lumber-yard and leasing the upper story of the mill for a work- shop. Two years later, Mr. Berry put in a forty horse power engine, and he now saws from five to six hundred thousand feet, annually, of ail sorts, mostly pine. 554 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. brown's steam sawmill business. In 186.^ Jacob T. Brown bought a portable steam sawmill, and lo- cated it successively in Kensington, Newton, West Aniesbury and Hampton Falls, but never in Hampton. This is the mill which he exchanged for property on Taylor's river (mentioned under the cap- tion, Browns' Mill). Either in his own name or in company with others, Mr. Brown has employed steam sawmills in operating wood-lots in Hampton, Stratham, Greenland, Exeter, North Hampton, Seabrook and Salisbury, besides the towns above mentioned. MASONS. Joseph L. Blake and Edmund and Joseph W, Mason were long the principal stone masons in Hampton, the last of whom still plies the trade. John Carr Davis labois in the same vocation. John W. Dearborn had formerly the monopoly of the brick and mortar business. He carries a considerable stock, and employs sev- eral hands. Thomas A. Brown and Otis W. Marston do a good amount of busi- ness, in the same line. PAINTERS. Rufus S. Johnson, George A. Johnson, and A. K. & N. T. Blake are much engaged in this business, in Hampton and neighboring towns. They have other men in their employ. JOHN ALBERT TOWLE — COAL DEALER. Mr. Towle formerly kept a grocery store ; began to deal in coal in 1884 ; has now the monopoly for the town, though some individuals ship from Portsmouth and Newburyport, for their own use, and Mr. S. W. Dearborn supplies several families. Mr, Towle sold three thou- sand dollars worth of coal in 1891. BLACKSMITHS. From the sitting down as planter and smith, of William Fuller, in 1639 (Chap, i) ; of John Redman, in 1642 ; of Daniel Tilton, in 1667 (Chap, hi) ; and of Jonathan Wedgwood (born in 1649), Hampton has probably never lacked for blacksmiths. Benjamin Batchelder, of the fifth generation from Rev. Stephen, and his son, John Batchelder, were blacksmiths in the latter half of the last century. STORES AND TRADES. 555 Adj. David Towle opened his shop in 1801, where his grandson, John C. Marston, now lives. Thomas Lane, born in 1785, pursued that calling at the "east end" till late in liCe, and was succeeded by Simon L. Jenness and his son, Abbott B., who still make the anvil ring at the old stand. Thomas Lane, Jr., born in 1812, was long a blacksmith, on the Portsmouth road. He died in 1873, and the shop has been taken down. Josiah Dearborn built a blacksmith's shop on the low ground be- tween his tavern and his homestead ; and later, his son Sauuiel, black- smith, had his house and shop on the same road, a few rods north of the Dearborn homestead. This was the same previously occupied by Thomas Leavitt, blacksmith, and is now the residence of John G. Brown. The shop is gone. Enocli P. Young's shop, established about 1847, still flourishes un- der his son and successor, Abbott L. Young. Oliver Godfrey in the north part of the town, and Joseph R. San- born in the west, successor to his father, Jeremiah Sanborn, receive a full share of patronage. THE SHOE-SHOP. Shoe-making has been pursued from early times. A room in the dwelling or a little shop near by has long been appropriated for the purpose, on many a farm, and men have worked in field or at the bench, as occasion demanded. Some did custom work ; but in later years, a large amount of work has been taken from Ljam, Haverhill and other manufacturing places. Till the advent of the sewing-machine, shoe- binding gave employment to w^omen ; and at one time, Robert F. Wil- liams had a large number in his employ. The shoe business took on much larger proportions than ever before, when, in January, 1888, V. K. & A. FI. Jones, of Lynn, Mass., con- solidated their branch establishments in Strafford and Barnstead and brought them to Hampton. A stock company of Hampton men had built a shop eighty by forty feet, of four stories height, with a three story wing, -fifty by forty-six feet, into which the new firm brought a considerable number of laborers from the two towns above mentioned. Many Hampton men and women soon came to be employed, and the quiet old town awoke to new activity and financial life. A wooden building, in close proximity to the steam sawmill and lumber yaixls, demanded extra safeguards against fire. These were provided, in a water tank, of a capacity of thirty thousand gallons, and a four-inch fire hose, operated by steam pump, for outside service ; 556 HISTORY or hampton. together with small hose and automatic sprinklers for use through the building. A special engine, used for this work only, carries water from the large tank to a second tank, of three thousand gallons' ca- pacity, at the top of the factory. By connecting an additional liy- drant, which is contemplated, not only the immediate premises, but a considerable portion of the village, would be protected. In the factory, a thirty-five horse power steam engine carried the machinery ; and work embraced all grades and varieties of women's shoes. Two hundred to two hundred fifty hands were employed, with a weekly pay roll reaching twenty -five hundred dollars. After the Lynn fire, of December, 1889, in which the Jones brothers lost their main factory, the Hampton business was temporaril}' increased, by the removal hither of their entire force, till they built anew and re- opened in that city the following autumn. The career of this new industry was prosperous, but it was brief. In the autumn of 1891, the firm of V. K. & A. H. Jones removed their Hampton business to Lynn, and the great shop awaits its for- tunes. In the Genealogies will be found mention of other trades — tailor, cooper, glover, hatter, weaver, baker, basket-maker — variety enough to furnish occupation and supply the needs of the people. GUNNING AND TAXIDERMY. No account of the industries of Hampton would be complete, with- out mention of the taking of game in our woods and especially on the marshes and out at sea. While with many it is a pastime merely, there have been men, probably from the earliest times, who have fol- lowed gunning as a trade, though few have found it lucrative. Charles G. Perkins and David F. Nudd, living on the sea-shore, have been among the foremost gunners of recent times, following the Palmers and others in long array ; while the younger men of many names seem likely to perpetuate the avocation, and strangers book at the hotels every autumn for the season's sport. James W. Blake, "a mighty hunter," familiar with forest and shore for miles around, has kept a record of his game for more than thirty years ; and this he gives us, as follows : ACCOUNT OF GAME FROM 1857 TO 1890. (Sea-fowl in general not included, nor crows and hawks, except for the two years when bounties were paid. This game was all killed in Hampton.) 581 muskrats, sold for $115.41 111 minks, ,, ,, 258.35 STORES AND TRADES. 557 598 rabbits, sold for $58.80 7 foxes, (1 K 9.00 114 grey squirrels, <( It 6.90 758 partridges. " " 287.29 73 Avooclcock, " 37.05 273 snipe, < ( (< 48.95 100 ducks, It tl 40.90 3879 marsli birds, tt 450.27 64 teal, t< 11. CG 102 pigeons. tt It 13 60 9 geese. 11 It 6.75 2 years* ' bounty on hawks and crows — 148 crows, sold for 14.80 97 liawks, „ ,, 18.40 6923 Total, .$1380.13 Mr. Blake is a shoe-maker, mostly of sale work from the factories. His record of shoes for the same period as above is 19926 pairs, for which he received $2483.38. During the same period he has stuffed and mounted 843 birds and quadrupeds. This brings us to the mention of taxidermists, of whom there are two in Hampton, l)esides Mr. Blake — Mrs. Abbot B. Jenness and S. Albert Shaw. So far as can be learned, no others have ever prac- ticed the art here to any extent. The beautiful plumage first attracted the little girl, Zipporah .J. Shaw. Her brother used to shoot blue-jays in the coru-lield and sometimes save the feathers ; and she would beg him to let her have a bird to stuff. At last, he gave her a little bluebird and showed her how to skin it. She succeeded so well, he soon let her have all she wanted and often shot birds for her. Then people began to bring her work. She studied books on taxidermy, and practiced the lessons so well, she has long since become a famous taxidermist in all these parts, and without advertising, has an average annual patronage of a hun- dred birds, stuffed and mounted by her own hands in spring and fall, work extending into the winter for owls. Of these Mrs. Jenness stuffed thirty-four in the winter of 1889-90, sixteen of them being- arctic owls, shot in Hampton. Mr. S. Albert Shaw, her kinsman, stuffed a few birds as early as 1878, and began to make his collection two years later. With him, it is not a trade, but, as he says, a hobby. Mr. Shaw is a farmer, working early and late in the fields ; and since 1880 he has made a study of the habits and migrations of biids and kept a record of his observations. In nesting time and again in the fall he takes daily walks in the woods, with spy- glass, note-book and pencil, often re- 558 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. turning enriched by some new discovery. He is an occasional con- tributor to the columns of the Ornithologist and Oologist, a monthly magazine always to be found on his table. Mr. Shaw has a collection, all taken, stuffed and mounted by himself, of 335 birds representing 190 of the 202 species known to occur in Hampton. Oology follows naturally ; and he has eggs of fifty-nine of the sixty-seven birds known to breed in Hampton. Eggs of six other summer residents may possibly be found hereafter. Some of those taken are very rare, notabl}', those of the Nashville warbler, seldom found in New England, in the migration of that bird to the farther north. CHAPTER XXXIIT. LAST WORDS. THE year 1888 dawns auspiciously upon the now ancient town. In the different departments of this work, we have traced the course of events through two hundred fifty years. The church, the first institution pU^nted liere, has sent off branches or large accessions to Kingston, Hampton Falls, North Hampton and Rye, and colonized in the Baptist and Methodist churches, within our present limits. The common school has been maintained witliout interruption; and the Academy, now, however, united with the free high-school, is hasten- ing on toward a century's growth. Seed-time and harvest have never failed on these farms, for which ground began to be broken in 1638 ; while farming implements, undreamed of by our ancestors, lessen the labor and increase the profits. The spinning-wheel and the loom have been relegated to the great factories in the cities and villages that dot the once wilderness land ; communication with which, by easy carriage drive or raih'oad train, by telegraph and telephone, contrasts with the old-time bridle and cart paths, the slow-going stage-coach and the uncertain watercourse. Low postal rates and quick trans- mission and a multiplicity of books and newspapers have added many fold to our knowledge of the outside world. Some of the old mill privi- leges are still utilized, with improved machinery, and the use of steam makes it feasible to set up a mill anywhere. Goods in great variety may be purchased within our borders and delivered free, at our doors. Conveniences unknown to the ancient dame are in ever}^ house. Only upon the seas have our industries declined. But domestic trade has but changed her course for the iron rail, where speed is greater and danger less ; and foreign commerce is more cheaply effected at second-hand. Sin and sorrow, indeed, cast their withering blight here, as elsewhere ; but while moral agencies strive to purify, and philanthropy, to allevi- ate, these cannot overshade the pleasing scene. Batchelder and San- born, Moulton and Palmer, among the original grantees and settlers, and Blake, Brown, Dearborn, Dow, Drake, Elkins, Godfrey, Ilobbs, Johnson, Lamprey, Leavitt, Marstou, Nudd, Page, Perkins, Phil- brick, Redman, Shaw and Taylor, within the first twelve years, are 36 (569) 560 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. still leading names Trithiu our narrowed limits ; as are Fogg, Garland, Jenness, Knowles, Lane, Locke, James, Mason, Towle and Weare, that appeared before the eighteenth century. Other names that have grown familiar in perusing these pages are familiar to-day, just over our borders, north, west, and south, on our original territory. While by far the greater number of these citizens have been farmers, artisans and seamen, yet, as they pass in review, we find a goodly number in wider spheres of influence — legislators and judges, physicians, teachers, clergymen, lawyers, inventors, soldiers of renown. What could be more fitting, this anniversary year, than for tiie mother town to appoint a great thanksgiving-day and invite her children home to the old hearth- stone ! Anticipating by two months the real anniversary day, the celebra- tion took place on the 15th of Augi;st, when the town became gay with flags and streamers, and alive with thousands of people. Charles M. Lamprey, Esq. was president of the day. Hon. John J. Bell, of Exeter, delivered an eloquent address, from a stand, shaded by the old Toppan elms. An industrial procession, with bands of music from Newburyport, Hampton Falls and Rye, and various Lodges and Orders, civic and military ; a dinner, followed by stirring speeches from eminent men ; a tent meeting in the evening ; and a display of fireworks, completed the chief features of the occasion. Dr. Claudius B. Webster, youngest and only surviving son of the good "Parson Webster," whose pastorate is set forth in these pages, read, as his contribution to the after-dinner speeches, a poem, of which the following are the opening lines : "We're looking round, good friends, to-day, To see and guess, as Yanlvees may, If here, among tliis goodly show Of happy faces all aglow. There's one, of seventy years ago; — One, who looked out with eager eyes With ours on the same sea and skies. It is hard guessing — for you know There are no photographs, to show The friends of seventy years ago. And if there were — alas, the change! The wondrous transfoianation strange! From these gray locks, that thinly flow O'er bowing heads, how can we know The child of seventy years ago?" Then follow lighter strains, in a more tripping measure ; and the poem closes thus : LAST WORDS. 501 "And somehow, the hands tliat Avcre joining then, Eeacli out with a louring to join as^ain. Oil, few are tlie liands we can reach to-daj- We held in the years that are far away ! .Perhaps (could we see them) their hearts are here, More true than we think, more real, more near : Though dwellers long since on a foreign shore, They lose not their love for the friends of yore. Then this be our toast — we will speak it low — To th' friends that we loved in the long ago : We drink it in silence, as here we bow, The friends Avho loved then — the friends who love now." The old church, older than the town, had her celebration too. Never were skies more fair than on that Sabbath day, the I'Jth of August, 1888, when the commemorative services were held.' But little more remains to be said. The anniversaries left Hamp- ton courageous to enter upon her sixth half century. Men and women returned to their daily duties, grateful for a brave ancestry, and with high resolves to hand down their goodly heritage, untarnished, to future genei'ations. By the census of 1890, there are found to be thirteen hundred thirty inhabitants in the town. Time bears them along, much as in former days, through the summer of 1892. On them, fair Plenty showers her favors. High over all, Heaven breathes the benedictum. ip. 460. TABULAR. A TABULAR RECORD OF TOWN OFFICERS. MODERATORS. UNDER THE ANCIENT ORDER, AS NOTED ON pp. 15, 16. 28 : 5 mo. 1641, John Crosse. 18: 6 mo. 1641, Christopher Hnssey. 8 : 4 mo. 1657, Thomas Wiugin. 4 : 7 mo. 1662, Seaborn Cotton. 1663, 1664, Christopher Hnssey. 1667, 1668, Robert Page. Feb. 8, 1672, Christoplier Hnssey. 1689, four meetings, Thomas Pliilbrick, Sr., Samuel Sherburne, Francis Page, Edward Gove. 1691, three " Henry Green, Thomas Pliilbrick, Nathaniel Weare. 1692, four " Nathaniel Weare (one), Thomas Philbrick. 1693, three " Thomas Philbrick (one), Henry Green. 1694, three 1695, tAvo " Joseph Smith, Francis Page. Dec. 6, 1697, Henry Green. 1700, two meetings, Nathaniel Weare. 1701, three " Natlianiel Weare (two), Francis Page, Sr. 1703, 1705, Francis Page. December, 1707 to July, 1709, Joseph Smith, sixteen meetings. Aug. 14, 1709, Gershom Elkins. 1711, four meetings, Joseph Smith (three), Nathaniel Weare. 1712, 1713, Joseph Smith. OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETINGS, AFTER THE CHANGE NOTED ON p. 176. 1714-1717, Joseph Smith. 1718, 1719, Joshua Wingate. 1720-1724, Jabez Dow. 1725, Joshua Wingate. 1726, Jabez Dow. 1727, Joshua Wingate. 1728, 1729, Jabez Dow. 1730, 1731, Joshua Wingate. 1732-1734, Jabez Dow. 1735, 1736, Samuel Palmer. 1737, Jabez Smitli. 1738-1740, Samuel Palmer. 1757-1760, Joseph Philbrick. 1741, Josliua Wingate. 1761, 1762, Jonatlian Moulton. 1742, Josiah Moulton. 1703-1765, Cliristopher Toppan. 1743, Nathaniel Sargent. 1766, Josiah Moulton. 1744, John Sanborn. 1767, Jonathan Moulton. (563) 1745, Nathaniel Sargent, 1746, Epliraim Marston, 1747, Josepli Philbrick. 1748, Samuel Palmer. 1749, 1750, Joseph Philbrick. 1751, Benjamin Dow. 1752, Joseph Philbrick. 1753, Samuel Palmer. 1754, John Weeks. 1755, Samuel Palmer. 1756, John Weeks. 564 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1768- •1770, Christopher Toppan, 1829, 1830, 1771, Jeremiah Marston. 1831, 1772, Jonathan Monlton. 1832, 1773, Christopher Toppan. 1833, 1774, Jonathan Moulton. 1834- 1836, 1775, Christopher Toppan. 1837, 1776, Jonatlian Moulton. 1838, 1777, 1778, Josiah Moulton. 1839, 1779, Jonatlian Moulton. 1840, 1780- •1782, Josiah Moulton. 1841- 1843, 1783- ■1786, Christopher Toppan. 1844- 1848, 1787, Jonathan Moulton. 1849, 1788- -1793, Christopher Toppan. 1850, 1794- -1803, Oliver Whipple. 1851, 1804- -1807, James Leavitt. 1852, 1808- ■1810, Edmund Toppan. 1853, 1811, [Mod. not recorded.] 1854- •1856, 1812- -1818, Edmund Toppan. 1857- -18f;0, 1819, [Not recorded,] 1861- •1865, 1820, Richard Greenleaf. 1866, 1821- -1823, Edmund Toppan. 1867, 1868, 1824, Tliomas Leavitt, Jr. 1869, 1825, John Dearborn, Jr. 1870, 1871. 1826, Edmund Toppan. 1872, 1827, 1828, , Col. John Dearborn, Jr. 1873- -1877, Thomas Leavitt, Jr. Richard Greenleaf. David Marston. Aaron Collin. David Marston. Edmund Toppan. David Marston. Edmund Toppan. Simeon B. Sliaw. Amos Towle, Jr. David Marston. John D. Neal. Uri Lamprey. Timothy 0. Norris. Ebenezer Lane. Uri Lamprey. Morris Hobbs. Meshech S. Akerman. Thomas Leavitt, Jr. Meshech S. Alderman. Jacob T. Brown. Morris Hobbs. John W. Dearborn. Jacob T. Brown. Sewell W. Dow. OF MARCH AND NOVEMBER MEETINGS, UNDER BIENNIAL ELECTIONS, AS NOTED ON p. 335. 1878-1880, Sewell W. Dow. 1883-1890 (Mar.), William H. Blake. 1881, 1882 (Mar.), Morris Hobbs. 1890 (Nov.), George A. Johnson. 1882 (Nov.), Sewell W. Dow. 1891, 1892, William H. Blake. IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, PREVIOUS TO THE CHANGE TO BIENNIAL STATE ELKOTIONS, 1792, Christopher Toppan. 1796, [Not recorded.] 1799, Oliver Whipple. 1804, Jonatlian Garland. 1808, 1812, Edmund Toppan. 1816, James Leavitt. 1820, 1824, Edmund Toppan. 1828, John Dearborn, Jr. 1832, Aaron Coffin. 1836, [ ? ] 1840, Amos Towle, Jr. 1844, David Marston. 1848, John D. Neal. 1852, Uri Lamprey. 1856, Morris Hobbs. 1860, Thomas Leavitt, Jr. 1864, Morris Hobbs. 1868, 1872, Jacob T. Brown. 1876, SevveU W. Dow. TOWN CLERKS. The first two clerks held the office till they left town. Dalton, Henry Dow and his son and grandson, the Deacons Samuel, died in office. The later Dows, Joseph, Josiah and Josiah Jr., were son, grand- TABULAR. 565 son and great-grandson of the second Deacon Samuel ; so that the office of Town Clerk was held in direct descent in that family 134 years. TERM OF OFFICE. TEKM OF OFFICE. William Wakefield, 163i)-1643. Joseph Dow, 1761-1796. William Howard, 1C43-1617. Philip Towle, 1796-1798. Robert Tuck, 1647-1650. Ephraim Fellows, 1798-1801. Christopher Hussey, 1650-1653. John Dearborn, 1801-1813. Samuel Dalton, 1653-1681. Josiali Dow, 1813-1833. Henry Dow, 1681-1707. Josiali Dow, Jr., 1833-1854. Dea. Samuel Dow, 1707-17U. John J. Leavitt, 1854-1858. John Tuck, 1714-1730. John M. Palmer, 1858-1860. Dea. Samuel Dow, 1730-1755. John .J. Leavitt, 1860-1870. Samuel Dow, 1755-1756. David 0. Leavitt, 1870-1877. Joshua Lane, 1756-1761. John M. Akernian, 1877-pre8ent. TOWN TREASURERS. The office of Treasurer was created in 1747. From 1755 to 1791 the town money was probably again in the hands of the selectmen. Article three, in the warrant for a town meeting, August 8, 1791, was : "To see if the town will be of the mind to choose a Town Treasurer, which is thought to be necessary, especially on account of the public securities belonging to said town." In 1841 it was voted that the office of Town Treasurer be dispensed with ; the present Treasurer to pay over to the Selectmen all notes or property now in his hands, for which he is accountable to the town. This arrangement continued till 1879. TKEASURER. TERM OF OFFICE. TREASURER. TERM OF OFFICE. Samuel Dow, 1747-1755. Daniel Towle, 1830-1831. Christopher Toppan, 1791-1794. Samuel Batchelder, 1831-1833. The Selectmen, 1794-1795. Daniel Towle, 1833-1835. Benjamin Shaw, 1795-1811. Samuel Drake, 1835-1836. David Garland, lSll-1814. Daniel Towle, 1836-1840. Josiah Dow, 1814-1816. Jonathan Marston, 1840-1841. Samuel Dow, 1816-1820. George W. Lane, 1879-1886. Samuel Batchelder, 1820-1830. Joshua A. Lane, 1886-preseAt. 566 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. REPRESENTATIVES. 1. IN THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS. REPRESENTATIVES. SESSIONS. REPRESENTATIVES. Sept., 1639, John iMoulton. 1658-60; 3 Ses., ChristopherHiissey. 1640-1 ; 3 Ses., John Crosse. 1661, William Fuller. 1641-4; 6 Ses., William Howard. 1662. Samuel Dalton. May, 1644, William Eastow. 1603-t; 2 868., William Gerrish. May, 1645, William Howard. 1664-6; 3 Ses., Samuel Dalton. 1646-7; 2 Ses., William English. 1667, William Fuller. 1648-9; 2 Ses., William Eastow. 1668, Robert Page. 1650, Jeffery Mingay. 1669-71; 3 Ses., Samuel Dalton. 1651-3; 3 Ses., Roger Shaw. 1672, Joseph Hussey. 1654, Anthony Stanyan. 1673-6; 4 Ses., Samuel Dalton. 1655-6; 2 Ses., Henry Dow. 1677, Thomas Marston. 1657, Robert Page. 1678-9; 2 Ses., Samuel Dalton. AFTER NEW HAMPSHIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM MASSACHUSETTS. REPRESENTATIVES. REPRESENTATIVES. 1680; 4 Ses., 1682; 2 Ses., 1684; dis. 1st Ses., May, 1684, July, 1684, Sept., 1692, Feb., 1693, Oct., 1693, Oct., 1694; May, 1695, Nov., 1695, f Anthony Stanyan, } Thomas Marston, ( Edward Gove. ( Edward Gove. e Anthony Stanyan, < Joseph Smitli, . ( Juo.Smitli(coopev) Vacant. Vacant. T/ieut. John Smith, Joseph Smith, John Hussey. ( Capt. Henry Dow. I Ser. Tho. Philbrick, ( Ser. Joseph Swett. t Daniel Tilton, < Jolin Redman, ( Joseph Moulton. ( Lieut. John Smith, } Nat'lBatchelderSr., ( Thomas Robie. ( Daniel Tdton, j Josiah Sanborn. Sept. 16, 1696, at New- castle. By prorogat'n at Hami)ton,Sept. 22 ; dissolved, Sept. 24, May, 1697, Dec, 1697, ; Jan., 1698, Mar., 1698, Aug.. 1699 - Held by adj't, but organized anew under adminis- tralion of Earl of Bel- lomont. Feb., 1703, Mar., 1708— in room of G. Elkins, dismissed. June, 1709, ( John Redman, ) John Tuck, ( Samuel Dow. e Ephraim Marston, } .Jolin Redman, 2iid, ( Benjamin Brown. f Capt. Henry Dow, \ Lieut. Jolui Smith, (Beiij. Fifleld (dis.). { Joseph Swett (in I room of B. Filield). I Capt. Henry Dow, ? T^ieut. Jolin Smith, ( Lieut. JosepliSwett, i Capt. Henry Dow, ? Lieut. .John Smith, ( Lieut. JosepliSwett. Thomas Robie, (iersliom Elkins, Samuel Shaw. Maj. Joseph Smith. Maj. .Joseph Smith, En8. Daniel Tilton, Ephraim Marston. TABULAR. 567 RKPRESENTATIVES. SESSIONS. KEPRE8ENTATIVES. April, 1715, Nov., 1715: Dow beins constable was disqiialifleil, & new election ordered Nov., 1715 — in room of Dow, Aug., 1716 & Jan .,1717, May, 1717, July, 1722, Dec, 1727; Apr., 1728 Jan., 1731, Dec, 1733; Oct., 1734, Apr., 1735; Apr., 1736. Mar., 1737, Oct., 1739, t Maj. Joseph Smith, < Peter Weare. ( Joshua Wingate. { .Joseph Smith, < .Jabez Dow, ( Peter VVeare. •{ Ephraim Marston. ( Col. Joseph Smith, } Maj. Peter Weare, ( Ephraim Marston. SCol. Jose))h Smith, Maj. Peter Weare, John Tucke. j John Redman, I John Sanborn. j Capt..Tosh. Wingate } John Sanborn. j Sam. Palmer, ,Tr. I "Sr."John Sanborn. ( John Sanborn, } Samuel Palmer Jr., ( Capt.lchabodRobie e Capt. John Smith, } Xath'l Weare, Esq., ( Samuel Palmer. I Samuel Palmer, Jr. } (Japt. .John Smitli, ( C ipt.IchabodRobie July, 1740; Feb., 1741, Jan., 1742, Mar , 1742, in room of Palmer, Jan., 1745, June, 1745, In session 3 years, Jan., 1749; Sept., 1752, Feb., 1753, Oct., 1755, Nov., 1758, Jan., 1762— Apr., 1771, 4 Assemblies, May, 1771, Apr., 1774, Feb., 1775, i John Sanborn, Sr., ' Samuel Palmer, Jr. I Samuel Pidmer, Jr., I Joseph Towle. I Thomas Elkins. I Samuel Palmer Esq . ( Dea. Jos. Philbrick. j .Jolin Sanborn, / Samuel Palmer Esq. ( Richard Waldron, < of Portsmouth, ( Joseph Phdbrick. Jonathan Tucke (In I)lace of R. Wal- dron, Esq.). f William Moulton J (cooper), 1 Capt. Jonathan I. Moulton. \ Dea. Jona. Tucke, I William Moulton. J .Jona. Moulton, Esq., j Chris.Toppan, Esq. j Chris.Toppan. Esq., I Capt.Jos'h Moulton. J Chris.Toppan, Esq., I Mr.Josiali Moulton. { Capt.Jos'h Moulton, t Mr. Josiah Moulton. 3. UNDER REDCrCED REPRESENTATION. (Dec.) 1775-80, Capt. Josiah Moulton. (Aug.) 1792-3, Joseph Dow. 1781, Dea. John Fogg. 1794-5, (;apt. Jere. Marston. 1782, Joseph Dow. 1796-1800, Oliver Whipple, Esq 1783-6, Col. Chris. Toppan. 1801-5^ Maj. Benjamin Shaw 1787, Joseph Dow. 1806, Jonathan Marston Jr 1788 (Mar.), Col. Chris. Toppan. 1807-8, John Dearborn. 1788 (July), Joseph Dow. 1809-16, Edmnnd Toppan. 1789-92 (Mar.), Col. Chris.Toppan. 1817, Dr. Eben. Lawrence 568 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1818-19, Edmund Toppan. 1851-2, Thomas Ward. 1820-1, Tristram Shaw. 1853, Josiah Page. 1822-4, Edmund Toppan. 1854, (No choice). 1825, David Nudd. 1855-6, Edward Shaw. 1826, Edmund Toppan. 1857-8, Edmund Mason. 1827-30, Joshua Lane. 1859-60, John Dearborn. 1831-3, Amos Towle, Jr. 1861-2, Adna Garland. 1834-6, David Mareton, 1863-4, Adna B. Lane. 1837-8, Josiah Dow, Jr. 1865-6, Thomas Leavitt, Jr. 1839, 1840-1, David Marston (unseated). Amos Towle, Jr. 1867-8, 1869-70, John J. Leavitt. Rev. DeWitt C. Dur- gin. 1842, Jonathan Mari~ton,Jr. 1871-2, Alfred J. Leavitt. 1843, Simon Towle. 1873, David O. Leavitt. 1844, Jonathan Marston. 1874-5, Samuel D. Lane, 1845, David Marston. 1876-7, Joseph W. Mason. 1846-7, EbenezerLane. 1878, John 11. Fogg. 1848, Amos Towle, Jr. 1849-50, Uri Lamprey. 4. UNDER BIENNIAL ELECTIONS. TERM. TERM. 1879-80, John C. Palmer. 1887-8, Horace M. Lane. 1881-2, Jacob T. Brown. 1889-90, Charles Philbrick. 1883-4, John C. Marston. 1891-2, William H. Blake. 1885-6, William G. Cole. SELECTMEN. 1644, Wm. Fuller, Thos. Moulton, Rob't Page, Phile. Dalton, Thos. Nudd, Walter Rojier, Wm. Howard. 1 647, Wm. Eastow, John Moulton, Edw. Colcord, JefEery Mingay, Eob't Page, Francis Peabody, Rob't Tuck. 1649, Roger Shaw, Wm. Eastow, Rob't Page, Rob't Tuck, Thos. Marston, Anthony Stanyan, Wm. Moulton. TABULAR. 569 1650, Wm. Fuller, Abra. Perkins, Christo. Hussey, Jeffery Min- gay, John Sanborn, Thos. Ward, Rich. Swaine. 1651, Edw. Rishworth, Henry Dow, "\Ym. Sanborn, Wm. Swaine, John Brown. 1652, Rob't Page, Wm. Marston, Sr., Wm. Fifield, Thos. Moulton, Rob't Tuck, John Redman, Jeffery Mingay. 1653, Wm. Eastow, Wm. Fuller, Thos. Ward, AVm. Moulton, John Cass, Henry Moulton, Sam'l Dalton. 1654, Roger Shaw, Thos. Coleman, AYm. Godfrey, Seth Fletcher, Rob't Smith, Wm. Swaine, Thos. Philbrick, Jr. 1655, Abra. Perkins, Godfrey Dearborn, Christo. Palmer, Sam'l Fogg, Rob't Page. 1656, Jeffery Mingay, Thos. Marston, John Redman, John Brown, Henry Robie. 1657, Rob't Tuck, Thos. Ward, Thos. Leavitt, John Cass, Wm. Fuller. 1658, Christo. Hussey, Wm. Moulton, Sam'l Dalton, Anthony Taylor, Abra. Drake. 1659, Rob't Page, Abra. Perkins, Thos. Marston, Wm. Fifield, Morris Hobbs. 1660, Rob't Smith, Henry Robie, Wm. Sanborn, John Clifford, Nath'l Batchelder. 1661, John Sanborn, Thos. Ward, Wm. Fuller, Henry Moulton, Henry Dow, Jr. 1662, Anthony Stanyan, Abra. Perkins, Sr., Henry Green, Sam'l Dalton, Moses Cox. 1663, Wm. Gerrish, Godfrey Dearborn, Sam'l Fogg, Thos. Phil- brick, Jr., Thos. Nudd. 1664, Christo. Hussey, Wm. Fuller, Thos. Marston, Nath'l Batch- elder, Giles Fuller. 1665, Thos. Ward, John Sanborn, Sam'l Dalton, Henry Robie, Henry Moulton. 1666, Abra. Perkins, Sr., Benj. Swett, John Redman, Anth. Tay- lor, Henry Dow. 1667, Rob't Page, Thos. Marston, Wm. Sanborn, Nath'l Weare, Thos. Leavitt. 1668, John Sanborn, Sam'l Dalton, John Cass, Wm. Marston, Jr., Thos. Nudd. 1669, Christo. Hussey, Anth. Stanyan, Wm. Fuller, Thos. Ward, Joseph Dow. 1670, Abra. Perkins, Sr., Benj. Swett, Thos. Marston, Anth. Tay- lor, Thos. Page. 570 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1671, Kob't Page, Godf. Dearborn, Wm. Sanborn, Nath'l "Weare, Thos. Ward. 1672, John Sanborn, Sam'l Dalton, Thos. Ward, John Cass, Henry Moiiltou. 1673, Abra. Perkins, Sr., Thos. Marston, Nath'l Batehelder, Nath'l Weare, Henry Dow. 1674-5, Sam'l Dalton, Wm. Fuller, John Sanborn, John Cass (d. Apr. 7), Thos. Dearborn, John Smith (vice Cass). 1675-6, Benj. Swett, Nath'l Batehelder, Henry Moultou, Henry Dow, Henry Dearborn. 1676-7, Sam'l Dalton, Anth. Stanyan, Wm. Fuller, Sr., Wm. Marston, John Moulton. 1677-8, Wm. Sanborn, Christo. Palmer, Thos. Philbrick, Francis Page, Thos. Dearborn. 1678-9, Sam'l Dalton, Henry Moulton, John Sanborn, Nath'l Weare, John Smith (cooper) . 1680, Henry Green, Thos. Marston, Abra. Cole, Jos. Dow, John Tuck. 1681, Henry Robie, Henry Dow, Christo. Palmer, John San- born, Jr., John Marston. 1682, Wm. Marston, Anth. Taylor, Nath'l Batehelder, Edw. Gove, Jos. Moulton. 1683, Nath'l Weare, Sam'l Sherburne, Abra. Perkins, Wm. San- born, John Tuck. 1684-'85-'86, no record. 1687, Henry Moultou, John Smith (cooper), Benj. Fifield, John Tuck. 1688, Sam'l Sherburne, Henry Moulton, John Tuck, Edw. Gove, John Sanborn, Timo. Hilliard. l689-'90-'91, no record. 1692, Nath'l Batehelder, John Stanyan, Dan'l Tilton, Henry Dear- born, John Smith (tailor), Christo. Palmer, John Sanborn. 1693, Wm. Marston, Thos. Philbrick, John Marston, Jos. Swett, Thos. Dearborn, John Redman, Sam'l Dow. 1694, John Moulton, Peter Weare, John Tuck, John Dearborn, Sr., Phile. Dalion, Abra. Green, Thos. Philbrick, Jr. 1695, Francis Page, Jacob Green, Rich'd Sanborn, Josiah San- born, Thos. Chase. 1696, Lieut. John Smith, Nath'l Batehelder, Abra. Cole, Abra. Drake, Jr., Benj. Brown. 1697, Christo. Palmer, John Marston, Isaac Green, Timo. Hilliard, Simon Dow. TABULAR. 571 1698, Henry Dow, John Tuck, Eph. Marston, Jos. Swett, John Gove. 1699, Natli'l Weare, Sr., Henry Dow, John Stanyan, John Red- man, Jr., Josiah Moulton. 1700, John Tuck, Morris Hobbs, Jr., John Gove, Christo. Page, Nath'l Weare — Sam'l Dow and Jonathan Philbrick added. May 7, 1701, Nov. 10, 1701, Jos. Smith, Thos. Eobie, Abra. Green, Nath'l Weare, Jr., John Stanyan. 1702, Jacob Green, Abra. Cole, John Sanborn, Sr,, Jona. Moul- »/ ton, James Philbrick. 1703, Nath'l Batchelder, Simon Dow, John Redman, Sr., Abra. Drake, Jr., John Gove. 1704, Sam'l Marston, Nath'l Batchelder, Jr., Jona. Philbrick, Sam'l Dow, Seth Fogg. 1705, Jacob Gi-een, Eph. Marston, Benj. Brown, Phile. Dalton, Rob't Moulton. 1706, Simon Dow, Christo. Pottle, Caleb Shaw, Sam'l Nudd, Jona. Marston. 1707, Abra. Drake, Jos. Cass, Sam'l Dow, Peter Johnson, John Moulton (son of Lieut. John) . 1708, Jos. Chase, Jos. Smith, John Sanborn, Sr., John Gove, Sam'l Page. 1709, John Gove, Jos. Smith, John Stanyan, John Redman, Sr., Joshua Wingate, Benj. Billiard, Jona. Marston. 1710-11, John Tuck, Jos. Smith, Jabez Dow, Benj. Brown, John Gove (in Mar., 1712). Dee. 15, 1711, Josiah Moulton, Sr., Wm. Sanborn, Jr., Jona. Philbrick, *Nath'l Batchelder. Dec. 29, 1712, Jos. Chase, James Philbrick, Jos. Smith, Sam'l ^ Shaw, Jos. Swett. Mar. 1, 1714, Jos. Smith, Nath'l Weare, Sam'l Robie, Josiah Moulton, Sr., Benj. Perkins. Mar. 5, 1715, Christo. Page, John Tuck, John Sanborn (son of Wm), Benj. Sanborn, Jos. Tilton, 1717, John Tuck, Jabez Dow, Wm. Sanborn, Sr., Sam'l Shaw, Jos. Swett. 1718, , Dearborn, Moulton, Sr., Jas. Pres- cott, Jr., Jona. Philbrick. 1719, Jas. Philbrick, Elisha Smith, Christo. Page, Sam'l Shaw, ^ Jos. Cass. 1720, Jona. Marston, Sam'l Dearborn,' Sr., Francis Page, Jacob Freese, Sam'l Palmer, Jr. 572 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1721, Jos. Taylor, Josiab Moulton, Sr., Jabez Smith, Sam'lNudd, Simon Marston. 1722, Jabez Dow, Joshua Wingate, Rob't Moultou, Si'., Joua. Moulton, John Sherburne. 1723, Capt. Jolm Smith, Jos. Towle, Josiah Moulton, Jas. Phil- brick, Jabez Dow. 1724, Rich. Taylor, Christo. Page, Caleb Towle, Jabez Dow, Jona. Dearborn. 1725, Rob't Moulton, Sr., Joshua Wingate, Simon Marston, Jabez Dow, Caleb Marston. 1726, Capt. John Smith, Abra. Drake, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Peter Johnson, Dea. John Dearborn. 1727, Morris Hobbs, Jr., Jona. Garland, Christo. Page, Elisha Smitli, Amos Knowles. 1728, Jabez Dow, Jos. Philbrick, Eben'r Dearborn, Jere. Marston, Wm. Staniford. 1729, Joshua Wingate, Jos. Towle, Sr., Josiah Moulton, Benj. Thomas, Sam'l Dow. 1730, Benj. Lampre}^, Caleb Towle, Simon Marston, Josiah Moul- ton, Abra. Drake. 1731, Jabez Dow, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Jona. Marston, Philip Smith, Benj. Hobbs, Nath'l Drake. 1732, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Jona. Marston, Morris Hobbs, Moses Perkins, Benj. Dow. 1733, Jos. Towle, Daniel Sanborn, Seth Fogg, Jona. Godfrey, Jabez Dow. 1734, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Jona. Garland, Christo. Page, Rich. Taylor, Jonathan Tuck. 1735, Thos. Dearborn, Philip Smith, Jr., John Sanborn, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Sam'l Dow. 1736, Capt. John Smith, Jos. Taylor, Jabez Smith, Jos. Philbrick, Sam'l Palmer. 1737, Josiah Moulton, Abra. Drake, Henry Dearborn, Jere. Mars- ton, Jos. Chapman. 1738, Jona. Dearborn, Caleb Marston, Sr., Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Eph. Marston, John Hobbs. 1739, Thomas Robie, Jona. Garland, Josiah Moulton, John Dear- born, Jr., Jona. Tuck. 1740, Joshua Wingate, Jabez Smith, Jona. Marston, Sam'l Pal- mer, Jr., Nath'l Drake. 1741, Christo. Page, Thos. Elkins, Benj. Smitli, Jos. Philbrick, Caleb Towle, Sr. TABULAR. 573 1742, Jona. Tuck, Rich. Taylor, John Dearborn, Eph. Marston. 1743, Nath'l Sargent, Philip Smith, Abra. Drake, Philip Towle, Benj. Dow. 1744, Nath'l Sargent, Sam'l Palmer, Jr., Jona. Marston, John Sanborn, Sr., Rob't Moiilton. 1745, Jabez Smith, Eph. Marston, John Dearborn, Jr., Jona. Tuck, Sam'l Dow. 1746, Jona. Dearborn, Eph. Marston, Benj. Dow, Thos, Nudd, Amos Towle. 1747, Clement Jackson, Moses Perkins, Jos. Towle, Wm. Moulton, John Dearborn. 1748, Sam'l Palmer, John Dearborn, Jona. Tuck, Noah "Ward, Caleb Towle. 1749, Josiah Moulton, Rob't Moulton, Jona. Elkins, Jere. Mars- ton, Jona. Moulton. 1750, Gershom Griffith, Henry Dearborn, Jona. Garland, Nath'l Drake, Amos Towle. 1751, Jos. Philbrick, Moses Perkins, John Smith, Thos. Nudd, John Taylor. Change of style in 1752. 1752, Joshua "Weeks, Joshua Lane, Rob't Moulton, James Towle, John Lamprey. 1753, Sam'l Palmer, Ephr. Marston, John Dearborn, Thos. Nudd, Jere. Marston. 1754, Anth. Emery, John "Weeks, Joshua Lane, Amos Towle, Sam'l Drake. 1755, Benj. Dow, Samuel Palmer, Moses Perkins, Sam'l Dow, Jr., Noah Ward. 1756, Sam'l Palmer, Jos. Philbrick, Jona. Leavitt, Jere. Marston, James Leavitt, Jr. 1757, Sam'l Palmer, John Sanborn, Nath'l Drake, Anth. Emery, John Moulton, Jr. 1758, John "Weeks, John Nay, Sam'l Dow, Jere. Marston, Josiah Shaw. 1759, Jos. Philbrick, Thos. Nudd, Jona. Moulton, Christo. Top- pan, John Taylor. 1760, Rob't Moulton, Jos. Philbrick, Jona. Brown, Josiah Moul- ton, Jr., Jos. Dow. 1762, Thos. Nudd, Jona. Leavitt, John Lamprey, Sam'l Drake, Jos. Dow. 1763, Jona. Tuck, Jere. Sanborn, Amos Coffin, Josiah Moulton, Jr., Cotton "Ward. 37 574 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1764, Jona. Tuck, Jere. Marston, Josiah Moulton, Jr., Christo. Toppan, Jos. Dow. 1765, Cotton Ward, Josiah Moultou, Jos. Dow, Joua. Tuck. 1766, Jona. Moulton, Jos. Dow, Sam'l Garland, Josiah Moulton, Jona. Tuck. 1767, Thos. Ward, Josiah Moulton, Jere. Marston, Cotton Ward, Jos. Dow. 1768, Thos. Nudd, Jona. Moulton, Jere. Marston, Jos. Dow, Cotton Ward. 1769-70, Josiah Moulton, Christo. Toppan, Jos. Dow, Simon Nudd, Philip Towle. 1771, Jere. Marston, Josiah Moulton, Jos. Dow, Sam'l Drake, Philip Towle. 1772, Josiah Moulton, Cotton Ward, Henry Elkins, Philip Towle, Jos. Dow. 1773-5, Wm. Lane, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Simon Nudd, Joshua James. 1776, Jos. Dow, Wm. Lane, Cotton Ward, Josiah Dearborn, Jona. Garland. 1777, Wm. Lane, Joshua James, Philip Towle, John Fogg, Jos. Dow. 1778, Dan'l Philbrick, Amos Knowles, Philip Towle, Jos. Dow, Simon Nudd. 1779, Jos. Dow, Cotton Ward, Amos Knowles, Simon Nudd, Philip Towle. 1780-1, Jos. Dow, Simon Nudd, Philip Towle, Philip S. Marston, Josiah Dearborn. 1782, Jos. Dow, Simon Nudd, Philip Towle, Jona. Garland, Elisha S. Marston. 1783, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Elisha S. Marston, Moses El- kins, Sr., John Moulton, Jr. 1784, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Cotton Ward, Jona. Garland, Elisha S. Marston. 1785-6, Jos. Dow, Dan'l Philbrick, Cotton Ward, Philip Towle, Simon Nudd. 1787, Jos. Dow, Josiah Dearborn, Philip Towle, Simon Nudd, John Dow. 1788, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Josiah Dearborn, John Dow, Jere. Moulton. 1789, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Cotton Ward, Sam'l Drake, Jere. Moulton. 1790, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Josiah Dearborn, Jona. Garland, Benj. Shaw. TABULAR. 575 1791, Jos. Dow, Philip Towle, Jere. Moulton, Jona. Garland, Philip S.Mui-ston. 1 792, Philip Towle, Cotton Ward, Benj. Shaw, Elisha S. Marston, Jere. Moulton. 1793, Jos. Dow, Josiah Dearborn, Sam'l Drake, Jere. Moulton, Jos. Towle, Jr. 1794, Philip Towle, Jona. Garland, Jere. Moulton, Benj. Shaw, Jos. Towle, Jr. 1795, Jona. Locke, Sam'l Drake, Philip Towle, Capt. Jona. Mars- ton, Jona. Marston, 3d. 1796, Philip Towle, Jona. Marston, Jr., Jos. Towle, Jr., Jona. Marston, 3d, Levi Batchelder. 1797, Cotton Ward, Simon Nudd, Philip Towle, Jona. Marston, Jr., Stephen Coffin. 1798, Jos. Towle, Jr., Capt. Jona. Marston, Abner Page, Jas. Leavitt, Jona. Marston, 3d. 1799-1800, Jas. Leavitt, John Dearborn, John M. Moulton, Josi- ah Shaw, Sam'l Brown, Jr. 1801, Jas. Leavitt, Sam'l Brown, Jr.,Zacch. Brown, Nath'l Batch- elder, Jr., Jos. Palmer. 1802, Jas. Leavitt, Elisha S. Marston, Isaac Marston, Zacch. Brown, Thos. Ward. 1803, Jas. Leavitt, Thos. Ward, Zacch. Brown, Levi Batchelder, Elisha S. Marston. 1804, Jas. Leavitt, Benj. Shaw, Isaac Marston, Abner Page, Jos. F. Dearborn. 180.5, Jas. Leavitt, Josiah Dow, Henry Elkins, Philip Towle, Jr., Jere. Hobbs. - 1806, Jas. Leavitt, Joshua Lane, Nehemiah Sanborn, Zacch. Brown, Nath'l Locke. 1807, Jas. Leavitt, Capt. Jona. Marston, Sam'l James, David Nudd, Eben'r Lawrence. 1808-9, Thos. Ward, David Towle, Josiah Dow, Edm. Toppan, Jos. Towle. 1810, Jos. Towle, Josiah Dow, Eben'r Lawrence, David Towle, Rich'd Greenleaf. 1811, Jos. Towle, Eben'r Lawrence, David Towle, Rich'd Green- leaf, Moses Nudd. 1812, Eben'r Lawrence, David Towle, Jere. Hobbs, John Dow, Isaac Marston. 1813, John Dow, Jere. Hobbs, Rich'd Greenleaf, Sam'l James, Jere. T. Marston. 576 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. 1814, John Dow, Jei'e Hobbs, Sam'l James, Dan'lToTvle, Jere. T. Mars ion. 1815, John Dow, Jere. Hobbs, Isaac Marston, Jere. T. Marston, Dan'l Towle. 1816, John Perkins, Thos. Ward, Oliver Marston, Dan'l Towle, Jere. T. Marston. 1817, Thos. Ward, John Perkins, Amos Towle, Jr., Dan'l Towle, Sam'l Batehelder. 1818, Dan'l Towle, Sam'l Batehelder, Sam'l Dow, Tristram Shaw, Jos. AVard. 1819, Edm. James, Dan'l Towle, Sam'l Batehelder, Sam'l Dow, Tristram Shaw. 1820-1, John Perkins, Tristram Shaw, Sam'l D. Taylor, Dan'l Towle, Josiah Dow. 1822, Dan'l Towle, Sam'l D, Taylor, John Dow, Edm. James, Renben Lamprey. 1823-4, Dan'l Towle, Jona. Marston, 3d, John Dow. 1825-8, Dan'l Towle, Jona. Marston, 3d. Jos. Philbrick. 1829, Sam'l Batehelder, Amos Towle, Jr., Josiah Dow, Jr., Sam'l D. Taylor, John Philbrick. 1830, Samuel Batehelder, Amos Towle, Jr., Josiah Dow, Jr. 1831, Daniel Towle, Jesse Knowles, Jonathan Towle, Jr. 1832, Jesse Knowles, Jonathan Towle, David Marston. 1833, David Marston, Jonathan Towle, John Johnson. 1834, Jonathan Towle, Josiah Marston, Jr., Joseph Philbrick. 1835, Col. Jonathan Marston, Simeon B. Shaw, John Perkins, Jr. 1836, John Perkins, Jr., Simeon B. Shaw, Simon Towle, Jr. 1837-8, Simon Towle, Jr., David Page, Ebenezer Lane. 1839-42, Abraham Fogg, Simeon B. Shaw, William Brown. 1843, Josiah Dow, Amos Towle, Jr., Anthony Emery. 1844, Abraham Fogg, David Marston, Joseph Philbrick. 1845, David Marston, Joseph Philbrick, John Redman, Jr. 1846, Josiah Dow, Simeon B. Shaw, John Redman, Jr. 1847, Josiah Page, Samuel D. Lane, Adna Garland. 1848, Simeon B. Shaw, Thomas Leavitt, Col. Jonathan Marston. 1849-50, Simeon B. Shaw, Abraham Fogg, Ebenezer Lane. 1851, David Towle, Jr., Joseph R. Sanborn, John Palmer. 1852, Josiah Page, Joseph R. Sanborn, Daniel Moulton. 1853, Josiah Page, John Dearborn, Moses Leavitt. 1854, Josiali Dow, John Dearborn, Edmund Mason. 1855, Enoch P. Young, Jesse Lane, Alba C. Taylor. 1856, Enoch P. Young, Edmund Mason, Simeon Shaw. TABULAR. 577 1857, Joseph Johnson, Jesse Lane, Simeon Shaw, 1858, Joseph Johnson, Ebenezer Lane, Daniel Moulton. 1859, Daniel Monlton, Ebenezer Lane, Oliver Towle. 18G0, Meshech S. AUennan, Oliver Towle, Jeremiah M. Lamprey. 1861, Joseph A. Dearborn, Abraham Fogg, Jonathan M. Lamprey. 1S62-3, Joseph Johnson, Obed S. Ilobbs, Alvin Emery. 1864, Joseph Dow, Jacob T. Brown, Ednuind INIason. 1865, Jacob T. Brown, Edmnud Mason, John II. Fogg. 1866, Jacob T. Brown, John C. Marston, Samuel J. Drake. 1867, Jacob T. Brown, Benjamin Hobbs, Jonathan Taylor. 1868, Jacob T. Brown, John C. Marston, Samuel J. Drake. 1869, John H. Fogg, John C. Marston, Reuben Lamprey. 1870-1, Edmund Mason, Jesse Lane, John Dearborn. 1872-3, J. Warren Dow, Daniel Weare, Christopher G. Toppan. 1874, Samuel J. Drake, Joseph Johnson, Nathaniel S. Locke. 1875-6, Jacob T. Brown, John H. Fogg, William H. Blake. 1877, Jacob T. Brown, John F. Marston, William E. Lane. 1878, Jacob T. Brown, Christopher G. Toppan, Henry J. Perkins. 1879, Enoch P. Young, William E. Lane, John F. Marston. 1880, John F. Marston, Joseph Johnson, William E. Lane. 1881, John F. Marston, William E. Lane, William H. Blake. 1882-3, William E.Lane, John W. Towle, Warren M. Batchelder. 1884-5, Frank B. Brown, William E. Lane, Samuel W. Dearborn. 1886, William E. Lane, George A. Johnson, Samuel W. Dearborn. 1887-8, William E. Lane, George A. Johnson, Joseph B. Brown. 1889, William E. Lane, Samuel A. Towle, John W. Mace. 1890, Joseph B. Brown, William E. Lane, Charles M. Batchelder. 1891, Horace M. Lane, Joseph B. Brown, Abbott L. Joplin. 1892, Horace M. Lane, Abbott L. Joplin, George W. Palmer. PHYSICIANS. WITH LENGTH OF TIME IN HAMPTON, AS FAR AS ASCERTAINED. EobertTiick, "chinirgeon," lfi38-1664. Dr. Clement Jackson, 1731P-1747, or Ur. Richard Hooper, here in 1684, and later. for a number of years. " John Newman, 1740P-1747. " John Groth, licensed by Gen. Court " John Weeks, 1748 ?-death, 1763. Apr., 1679, to practice pliysic and " Anthony Emery, ab. 1750-deatli, chirurgery in Hampton. 1781. " Benjamin Dole, from ab. 1700, to " Samuel Page, ab. 1770-death, d<^ath, 1707, ae. 26 years. 1821. " Nathaniel Sargent, 1711?-! 748?. " Ebenezer Tilton, ab. 1771-death, " Edmund Toppan, 1727?-death, 1800. 1739. " Dudley. 578 HISTORY OF HAMPTON. Dr. Asahel Dearborn. Dr. Abram B. Lord, 184-, — 1854. " Jonathan French, on school com. " F. F. Forsaith, left in 1854. in 1801. " Nathaniel Ruggles, 1854?-1859. " Obed Stearns, 1799-death, 1800, " William T. Merrill, since 1854; aged 29 years. sole resident phj'sician, 1859- " Ebenezer LaAvrence, 1801-1850. 1873. " Luciau French, died here Mar. 19, " Norberto Osorio, 1873-1875? 1828, aged 25 years. " Marvin F. Smith, since 1888. " Robert Smith, 183-P-184-? " Charles P. Jackson, since 1891. " Henry A. Jewett, 184-,— 184-. " S. F. A. Pickering, dentist, 1890- " George G. Odiorne, married, 1848. 1892. Other physicians have resided and practiced in town temporarily. APPENDIX. EXTRACTS FROM CAPT. HENRY DOw's DIARY. The 8th June, 1684. — A storm of thunder; one sore crack fell in that [place] called the nook ; split a great red oak ; killed Chris : Palmer's horse and scattered the pieces of the tree. Myself, Henry Dow, measured one place where lay several pieces, and amongst the rest was 4 or 5 foot in length which lay fifteen rod from the tree root — others found some 20 rod off. It tore up the roots of the tree and split rocUs after a maraculous manner. Bro. Sambourn put in prison, 21 October, 1684, Capt. Sherburne and I compared a copie with the original execution and there was no return made upon it the 1** November, 1684. June, 1687 — millions of streaked worms this yeai\ FROM THILIP TOWLE S DIARY. July 22, 1770, the steeple was struck with Lightning, the spire very much hurt. Winter of 1772, died suddenly, Sam' Brown, Sam' Garland, Nathan Moulton, Jonathan Dearborn, Anne Stanj'an. July 2, 1781, the steeple was struck the second time — the spire stript uaked from top to bottom. August 30''', 1787, their was a Ball of fire or Comet Shot a Long the sky the sky being clear Leaving a stream Like Smoak & made a Keport Like Distant thunder 4 o'clock afternoon Daytime. APPENDIX. 579 EXTRACTS FROM MAJ. DAVID MARSTOn's RECORD OF EVENTS. 1840.— No rain fell from May 6 to July 23. Aug. 31, 1840. — First time tlie steam eugiue went through [East- ern R. R.]. Jan. 1841. — Bought my first cook-stove. 1844 and 1845. — Granite House built at Boar's Head. Mar. 18, 1850. — Severe snow-storm; about a foot of snow fell; wind northeast ; about four days very high tides and storm at sea ; broke over beach hill almost the whole length of the beach; filled muddy pond ; water three feet deep on the causeway bridge ; filled the road with stones ami carried away fences, July 21, 1854. — Thomas Leavitt's hotel burned at Boar's Head. July 21, 1859. — Josiah Dearborn sold his tavern stand for $2000. June 11, 1863. — Joseph and Nathaniel Johnson's barn burned, with four cows, one horse, two ox-carts and other farming tools. July 31, 1863. — 8 o'clock, evening: J. P. Whitcomb's stable to public house burned — supposed set afire. Mar. 13, 1864. — James Lane lost his house and barn, set afire by his little boy; — one cow, two wagons, seventy bushels corn, potatoes, two tons hay; — furniture saved. $800 insurance. Aug. 3, 1864. — Dwelling house and barn of the Sanborn sisters at Bride Hill burned, with most of the contents ; — caught fire from the stove. June 24, 1866. — The canker worm commenced its depredations some four years ago. Most of the apple and elm trees have suffered badly, some locations having escaped. They usually mature and leave about the 20th of June. This year they are much later, Apr. 23, 1867. — Joseph W. Dow built a barn and large house last fall, near the causeway ; — had the house ready to plaster. At half- past ten they were discovered to be on fire and all burned to the ground. Loss, $3000, insurance, $2000. Rebuilt and finished, June, 1869. Oct. 28, 1867.— John A. Towle raised his store on the south side of the road. Jan. 18, 1871, — Dwelling house of Randolph A. DeLaucy was de- stroyed by fire ; — part of the goods saved. Mar. 1, 1874. — Joseph W. Dow burned out again— house, barn, one horse, two cows, harnesses, carriages, sheep. Very little saved. Mar. 30, 1874. — David Brown, Jr.'s house and barn burned about one o'clock, p, m. Buildings joined together — supposed, hay caught from a spark from the chimney, July 30, 1875. — Cotton Brown's barn, carriage-house and wood- 580 HISTORY OF HAJVIPTON. house destroyed by fire, together with one horse, wagon and most other contents ; — house barely saved. May 4, 1876. — Granite House stable and bowling-alley burned. Incendiary — house saved. June 3, 1876. — A. T. Wilbur's gristmill, shingle and box factory burned. Jan. 10, 1878. — Avery heavy northeast blow and rain storm. John T. Batchelder, of Hampton Falls, went in the marsh just at night, to get salt hay — out all night — lost one man, named Wright, from Salis- bury, and one horse. June 17, 1878. — Simon P. Towle's barn burned, at a quarter past eleven o'clock at night. Three cows, two bulls, two horses, three sheep. July 3, 1878. — Samuel F. French's house at North Hampton burned about 2 o'clock A. m. Algie B. Towle, son of Moses Towle, of Hamp- ton burned in it. 1879. — The Colorado potato beetle struck Hampton in 1866. This year they are in immense^ numbers. ^^ ^ ^/^ r ^ ^ A5 ^ ^ o o ^ iCr iir ^ Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted c future date. Ill '. h?S , h t , Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date.