Want of harmony among the Scotch Irish and Puritans.--Entails evils upon their posterity.--Effects upon religion and education.--Deposition of Gov. Belcher.--New Hampshire formed into a separate Province.--Benning Wentworth appointed Governor.--Takes the oath of office.--Calls a new Assembly.--Message.--Indian war.--Taking of Louisburg.--Indian attacks.--Scout under Capt. John Goffe.--Roll of this scout.--Attack at Hopkinton.--Scout under Capt. John Goffe.--Letter from Goffe.--Attack on Contoocook.--Governor Wentworth's Message.--Difficulties of crossing Suncook.--Goffe goes against the Indians.--His Roll.--Scout under Capt. Samuel Barr.--His Roll.--Canada expedition.--Attack at Rochester.--Scout under Capt. Nathaniel Drake.--Scout under Andrew Todd.--His Roll.--Scout under Capt. Daniel Ladd.--Massacre at Pennacook.--Fort at Amoskeag.--Fear of French invasion.--Col. Atkinson's Regiment ordered to New Castle.--Ordered to winter quarters on the Winnepesaukee.--Build a Fort near Union Bridge.--Attack at Suncook.--Attack at Epsom.--Mrs. McCoy's captivity.--Sabattis and Christo.--Garrisons under Capt. Goffe.--His Roll.--Attack at Hinsdale.--Treaty of Aix La Chapelle.--Peace.

The controversy as to the lines, was but a small part of the difficulties under which the first settlers of this town labored. This, after the final settlement of the line in 1741, would have soon been forgotten, and if not, would have been remembered with waning asperity. There was another more important more abiding cause of contention and strife. The people were of different races, different religion, and different manners and customs. A bitter feud existed between the Scotch Irish sectarians in the city of Londonderry, which broke out in open strife and collision, when the citizens were upon short allowance, and a powerful army besieging the city, and little more of harmony could have been anticipated among a people, in the wilds of America, made up of Scotch Irish Presbyterians, and New England Puritans. The ancestors of the two races had imbibed bitter prejudices against each other, and the children inherited their prejudices. They were inculcated in nursery tales, strengthened at the fireside, and unchecked even at the altar. The Scotch Irish, naturally clannish, had little fellowship for those outside their limits, while the Puritans, naturally dogged, were equally inclined to limit their acquaintance.

An intermarriage among them was considered dishonorable, and seldom one occurred, for near half a century. In short, no kind feelings existed among them naturally. And as we have seen, they had but just got seated upon their lands, before the controversy as to the lines was introduced, which increased the natural prejudice, and ill will betwixt them. The Scotch Irish thought their title to these lands, legally and morally good, and they considered the Massachusetts men as intruders, and very readily came into the belief that the claim of the government of Massachusetts to the lands at Amoskeag, was founded upon a mere quibble, and was morally and legally void. On the other hand, the Massachusetts men looked upon their Scotch Irish neighbors, as mere foreign adventurers, squatters upon land to which they had no rightful claim. Such continuous cause of controversy and strife, not only produced their ill effects upon the people of that day in the settlement; but they formed a state of feeling, a state of society, antagonistic to the greatest good of the little community, and which like a hereditary disease, descended to their posterity, entailing evils upon them, over which they had little control, and which would yield to no treatment save that of adversity and the slow hand of time.

The most noticeable of these evils, and to be placed down as entirely the result of this state of things, was the want of stated, church or school instruction for three quarters of a century. United, but small in numbers, the entire population could hardly have supported such instructions; but divided as they were, it was impossible.

Another matter was settled this same year, of great importance to the people of the province at large. This was the deposing of Governor Belcher from his office, and erecting New Hampshire into a separate Province. It was thought by his friends that the death of Lt. Governor Wentworth, in 1730, was hastened by the harsh treatment of Governor Belcher. This fact tended to increase the opposition to Belcher, as the friends of the deceased Governor naturally took sides against him.

The new Lt. Governor, appointed to succeed Wentworth, Col. David Dunbar, was also a determined enemy to Belcher. Accordingly, soon after his arrival at Portsmouth, a formidable and systematic opposition was formed against him, and a complaint was framed containing several allegations against him and duly signed and forwarded to his Majesty, as before suggested.¹

The opposition gained great strength, at home and in England, and upon the appointment by the Crown, of new Counsellors, Benning Wentworth, and Theodore Atkinson, who had married his sister, the very head and front of the opposition to the Governor were placed in his Council. Messrs. Wentworth and Atkinson, took their seats at the Council Board, Oct. 12, 1734. Their appointments were anything but pleasing to Governor Belcher, and he essayed to eject them, but their influence was too well established at court, and his attempt was fruitless.

Meanwhile, the opposition to the Governor continued to increase, as it every day became apparent to the people of the Province, that he favored the unjust claim of Massachusetts to a large portion of the lands of the Province, although he had publicly avowed himself as "a common father to both provinces." Many people interested in the "Masonian Proprietary," and other lands falling within this claim of Massachusetts, called him an unjust father, and accused him of hypocrisy. All such joined the opposition to the Governor with a will, and they at length made formal complaints against him to the King, some of them with good foundation, and so well authenticated, as to lead to a hearing before the Lords of Council, who reported to the King in effect, that Governor Belcher had been guilty of great partiality towards the province of Massachusetts in regard to her claim to the lands in dispute betwixt her and the province of New Hampshire, "thereby endeavoring to frustrate the intention of his Majesty's commission," which had been appointed to settle the line in dispute betwixt the two Provinces. Then there was another portion of the people of the Province, who opposed Governor Belcher, neither from personal dislike, family feud, or private interest, but from an honest conviction, founded upon common sense, that the Province would never flourish, as long as it was a mere appendage to the government of Massachusetts, to swell the salary of its Governor, and of no other importance to him than to be visited once a year during the session of the Assembly, to make a speech, be feasted, and receive his salary. All such men opposed Governor Belcher, not from any enmity to him, but that he might be removed to make room for a separate government and a separate Governor. All these joining in the complaint against Belcher, his friends could not withstand the opposition, and the King having approved the report of the Lords of Council, the downfall of Governor Belcher was considered inevitable.

At length in 1741, the enemies of Belcher, both in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, having made common cause against him, importuned the ministry with so much assiduity, that he was dssplaced, and New Hampshire was erected into a separate government. His successor in Massachusetts was William Shirley, and Benning Wentworth was made Governor of the province of New Hampshire. His appointment was peculiarly gratifying to his friends in Portsmouth, and to a large majority of the people of the Province, while many of the people saw in the erection of New Hampshire into a separate government, a prestige of sure success to the Province.

Governor Wentworth was received at Portsmouth with every demonstration of joy. He was escorted into town by an appropriate cavalcade, amid the joyful acclamations of thousands of people assembled to welcome him to his home, which he had left in misfortune, and to which he now returned in triumph. Compliments were showered upon him on every side, and he was hailed as the deliverer of "New Hampshire from contempt and dependance."²

The Governor having opened his commission in due form on the 13th of December, 1741, and the same having been publicly read, he took the oath prescribed, and forthwith ordered a proclamation to be made "to continue all officers, Civil and Military in their places till further orders." The King's writ was issued for calling a new assembly on the 13th of the following January. Upon the meeting of the assembly, Andrew Wiggin, Esq, of Stratham, was chosen Speaker, and Geo. Jaffrey, Clerk. These were friends of the new Governor, and he was not without a powerful influence in the House, as his brother Mark Hunking Wentworth, Esq., was a member from Portsmouth; his brother-in-law, Thomas Packer, Esq., was the member from Greenland; and a relative, Jotham Odiorne, Esq. was the member from New Castle. In fact, a very large majority of the House was favorable to the new administration. In the Council, Hon. Theodore Atkinson, a brother-in-law of the Governor, ad been qualified as Secretary, and on the fourteenth of January presented the speech of Governor Wentworth to the Assembly, which was read, and commenced as follows:

"Gent. of the Council and of the Assembly: His Majesty out of a tender regard to the future Happiness and Prosperity of his faithful subjects in this Province, has been graciously pleased to answer the united applications to the throne to separate the Government of this Province from the Massachusetts Bay. An event, which if rightly improved will (under the direction of Heaven) be a lasting advantage, and will be the means of Replenishing your Towns with People, of Extending and enlarging your Commerce, and since it has been his Majesty's Pleasure to commit to my charge the Royal Commission, I shall in all faithfulness to the Trust committed to me, Strictly Support the Honor, Interest and Prerogative of the Crown, and endeavor that the Government shall be prudently administered, The the Public concern, Shall be conducted with Integrity, and that your Civil and Religious privileges Shall not only be preserved but advanced to the extent of my power."

Governor Wentworth next adverted to the settlement of the "Boundary Question," thus:

"His Majesty's great wisdom and impartiality in determining the difficulty with the Massachusetts Bay, (which has subsisted in one shape or other upwards of three score years) is the highest instance of that paternal care, his Majesty extends to all his subjects, though never so remotely placed, and should Excite a Generous ambition in all orders of persons in the Government, who should be the first in duty and obedience to his Royal person, family and Government. This has been your Character and in consequence of that dutiful behavior to your Sovereign, you are now beginning to reap the fruits of your past obedience."

But the town and Province had but little respite from trouble.

Governor Wentworth had but just got quietly seated in the administration of his government, when the war betwixt Britain and Spain, which had involved France in it, brought a French and Indian war upon the English Colonies in America. Attacks were made by the French upon the English on the island of Canseau, at Placentia, and at Annapolis. These attacks excited the neighboring New England colonies, and at length they determined upon an expedition against Louisburg, the stronghold of the French upon the American continent. The fortress of Louisburg had been twenty-five years building, at an enormous expense to the French nation, and its great strength had given it the name of "The Dunkirk of America." It was considered as impregnable; yet it was destined to fall before the adventurous, but determined efforts of raw, New England militia. This expedition originated in New Hampshire. Major William Vaughan, a son of Lieut. Governor Vaughan, has the honor of its origin. Major Vaughan, had been engaged in the fishing business upon the "Banks," and had considerable knowledge of the eastern parts, which he had obtained from fishermen in his employ, and particularly of the harbour and town of Louisburg. He first conceived the idea of taking Louisburg, and proposed the taking of it in the winter when the walls, as he supposed, could easily have been scaled by means of the immense drifts of snow piled against them in that inclement season. Vaughan was tenacious of his opinions, and headstrong in carrying them out. Having made up his mind that Louisburg could be taken, he set himself about the matter in earnest. His first effort was with Governor Wentworth, who, whatever he might have thought of the feasibility of the project, knew that Massachusetts must take the initiative in the measure, and he advised him to lay his plan before Governor Shirley. Shirley was a man of energy and talent, and withal an ambitious man; he received the communications of Vaughan with favor, and determined upon bringing the matter before the Legislature. In the Legislature, the project was rejected, but mainly through the exertion of Vaughan, who went from store to store, talking up the expedition and obtaining signatures to a petition to the Legislature, favoring it, the measure was again taken up and carried by one vote only.

The thing being determined upon in Massachusetts, Governor Wentworth entered into the affair with spirit, and pressed it with all his influence. This was necessary, as the affair seemed at first to most men, as rather quixotic, yet after a time, men enlisted for the expedition with the greatest alacrity, and the expedition in the end acquired all the enthusiasm of a crusade. Governor Wentworth at one time thought seriously of taking command of the forces, but his lameness, and a timely hint from his friend Shirley determined him very wisely to withdraw his claims in favor of Col. Pepperell. He continued his interest and influence to the utmost however, as will be seen from the fact that New Hampshire furnished 500 men, or one eighth of the troops engaged in the expedition. After incredible hardships, and the most determined valor on the part of all the troops, and of those from New Hampshire in particular, among whom Major Vaughan was first and foremost, Louisburg fell into the hands of the Provincial forces,--and Governor Wentworth received for his important services,as trophies taken from the fallen fortress--two handsome brass pieces while Vaughan, pressing his claim for his important services before the British court, died of contagious disease, unrewarding!

This misfortune excited the French to greater exertions, and as their peculiar forte was a border warfare, carried on mainly through the instrumentality of their Indian allies, hordes of Indians were soon hovering around the frontiers of New England.

The quixotic expedition of Shirley, known as the "Canada expedition," was started soon after the fall of Louisburg, which had for its object the conquest of the Canadas and the entire subversion of the French government on the Continent. Into this expedition, Governor Wentworth entered with his usual alacrity. The legislature was convened, and the Governor appealed to their pride, patriotism and interest; and as a result they voted to raise a thousand men for the expedition. This was in June, and by the beginning of July, eight hundred men were enlisted and ready for embarkation, under Col. Theodore Atkinson, who had been appointed to the command. Meantime news of the arrival of a powerful French fleet and army upon the eastern coast, to retake Louisburg and break up the settlements upon the eastern coast of New England, spread consternation among our people, and completely diverted the attention of the Royal Governors for a time, from the contemplated conquest of Canada, as they had enough to do to prepare our defences at home against attack. But the French fleet was dispersed by a storm near Cape Sable, many vessels went to the bottom, and others returned singly to France, thus happily relieving the New England colonies from their fears. It was too late to proceed upon the intended expedition, and the New Hampshire Regiment went into winter quarters upon the shore of Winnepesaukee, where they spent their time fishing, hunting, and scouting. here they remained until the Fall of 1747, when this whole abortive attempt was closed by an order from the Duke of New Castle, pay and disband the troops.

Scouts were kept ranging the woods upon the frontiers however, a general rendezvous being at Capt. Jeremiah Clough's Fort in Canterbury, where the government had stationed a small garrison upon the breaking out of the war, and where was their depot for provisions.

Early in June 1745, the Indians made their appearance in the south west section of the state, and killed William Phipps at Great Meadow, now Walpole, and Josiah Fisher, at Upper Ashuelot, now Keene. This same season James McQuade, and John Burns of Bedford went to Pennacook to purchase corn for their families, and had proceeded on their return home as far as Suncook, (Pembroke,) when they were fired upon by a party of Indians who lay in ambush awaiting their return. McQuade was shot dead, but Burns made his escape by running in a zigzag direction, which baffled the fire of the pursuers, and he arrived in safety to his family. It is related, in addition, that McQuade's mother soon after, let one of the neighbors have some beans which were brought along in a bag, and a ragged bullet was found among them, supposed to have been shot into the bag of beans upon his back while making his escape.³

No father mischief was done until the fall, when on the 10th day of October, they again made their appearance at Great Meadow, took Nehemiah Howe prisoner, and killed David Rugg. When the news of this outrage was received at Portsmouth, Governor Wentworth issued orders for enlisting a company of men to range the woods for the enemy. Capt. John Goffe of Harrytown, was detached by Colonel Blanchard for the hazardous duty. As men were selected for such service for their sagacity and courage alone, the selection shows the high estimation in which Capt. Goffe was held for these qualities. He commenced making preparations on the 23d of December and by the first of January started up the Merrimack with a reliable "Scout" of about twenty men, upon snow shoes. They kept upon duty until Spring, being discharged April 6, 1746. There were thirty six different men attached to the scout during the winter. Of these some sixteen or seventeen were from Amoskeag and the remainder form Pennacook and its immediate vicinity. They were all fighting men, and near one third of them afterwards became noted officers. The roll contained the following names.

Captain John Goffe, Sergeant Na'l Smith, Sergeant Sam'll Baron, Corporal Wm. Walker, Centinels, Robert Reed, John Webster, Joseph Eastman, Thomas Morrell, Jere Dresser, Zac Cutting, John McLaughlin, David Camble, Joseph Simons, James Gibson, John Woods, Wm. Reed, Paris Richardson, Thomas McKillicut, Sergeant John Goffe, Jun., Eze'll Walker, Henry White, Benjamin Fifield, Jesse Flanders, Sampson Kidder, Stephen Hoit, Jacob Hoit, Moses Merrill, John Flanders, Mathew Stanly, Wm. Courser, John Shepherd, Judah Trumbald, Joseph Eastman, Jun., Josiah Mills, Ariah Moore.

During the winter the enemy kept quiet, but this scout had hardly been disbanded, before news arrived of an attack at Number Four, (now Charleston.)

On the 27th of April 1747, they entered a garrisoned house in Hopkinton, (then known as New Hopkinton,) which had been left insecure by one going out early in the morning to hunt, and finding the people asleep, took and carried away the entire household, consisting of Samuel Burbank, his sons Caleb and Jonathan, David Woodwell, his wife, and three children, Benjamin, Thomas, and Mary. Soon after they killed one Seth Putnam, at Number Four, and took Timothy Brown and Robert Moffat prisoners from Lower Ashuelot.

Upon the attack at Hopkinton, Governor Wentworth ordered a detachment of horse to the assistance of Canterbury, for fear that garrison was in danger, but the Suncook was without bridges, and they could not ford it, without going a great many miles out of their way, and this mishap gave the Indians an opportunity to fall upon Contoocook before the arrival of the "troopers." Capt. John Goffe was also ordered on the same frontier with a Company of fifty men. But he was a day too late to prevent the attack.

The raising of fifty men was not the work of a day, but that number of fighting men could be more easily raised at Amoskeag than any other section of the Province.

The attack at Hopkinton took place on the 27th of April, a company of fifty men was raised, and Capt. Goffe was twenty miles on his way at the head of it, on the 3d of May following! All in the space of 6 days!

At Pennacook, Capt. Goffe addressed the following letter to Governor Wentworth.

5 May, 1746

May it please your Excellency,
    I got to Pennycook on Saturday early in the morning, and notwithstanding I sent the Monday after I left the Bank, yet my bread was not baked, but there was about two hundred and fifty weight baken, which supply [ed] 20 men, which I sent to Canterbury as soon as I got here, and I kept the Baker and several soldiers to baking all Sabbath day, and purposed to march on Monday, as soon as possible; but about midnight, two men came down from Contoocook, and brought the unhappy news of two men being killed, and the two men their came down told me that they saw the two men lye in their blood, and one man more that was missing, and hearing that I was here, desired me to assist in making search; so that I am with all expedition going up to Contoocook, and will do what I can to see the Enemy. I shall take all possible care for the protection of the frontiers and destruction of the Enemy. The Indians are all about our frontiers. I think there was never more need of soldiers than now. It is enough to make one's blood cold in one's veins, to see our fellow creatures killed and taken upon every quarter, and if we cannot catch them here, I hope the General Court will give encouragement to go and give them the same play at home. The white man that is killed is one Thomas Cook, and the other is Mr. Stevens, the minister's negro. These are found, and Jones, a soldier, is not found. They having but few soldiers in the fort, have not as yet sought much for him. I am going with all possible expedition, and am

Your Excellency's   most humble and most dutiful     subject and servant,                 JOHN GOFFE.

PENNYCOOK, about 2 of the clock,
in the morning, May 5th, 1746.

The attack at Contoocook, was made on Monday the 4th day of May, 1746. Thomas Cook and a negro belonging to the Rev. Mr. Stevens were killed and Elisha Jones was made prisoner. The Indians made directly for Canada and Capt. Goffe and his company, went in pursuit of them without success. Goffe and his men kept out upon this scout two weeks, and had not been heard from at the coming together of the Legislature, in the month of May, at which time Governor Wentworth, in his address made the following allusion to the attack at Hopkinton and the expedition of Goffe.

   "I ordered a reinforcement of two men for Canterbury Fort and two more for the protection of Rochester.
   I have also with the advice of his majesty's Council ordered a scout of 50 men for fourteen days, under the command of Capt. Goffe, to Pemagewassett, Winepisseokee and the Great Camping Places in the adjacent country, hoping thereby to intercept some of the enemies scouts. Capt. Goffe I have ordered to make Canterbury his rendezvous on his march out and on his return, and to give me a particular account of every occurrence in his march, which shall be communicated to you, from which you will judge of the number of men proper to be employed for the protection of the inland frontiers. After the mischief was done by the Indians at New Hopkinton, the inhabitants of Canterbury were in the utmost distress for a great number of the inhabitants then in the woods, which occasioned an alarm in that quarter; and being apprehensive the enemy had besieged that garrison, I ordered a detachment of Capt. Odlin's and Capt. Hanson's horse, to march to their relief. For want of a bridge on Suncook river, both detachments were obliged to march more than double the distance and as Canterbury is the only magazine for provision on our frontiers, I hope you will think it worth your consideration that a bridge be built here as soon as the weather will admit of it."⁴

This difficulty as to crossing the Suncook, shows the great difference in the volume of water flowing in our rivers a hundred years since and the present time. Then, a circuit of many miles towards the source of the river had to be made, before it could be forded, such was the depth and current of the Suncook. Now it can be forded at most any day in the year, at almost any place. So of most of our rivers; the water decreases in them as the forests upon their banks and branches are felled.

Capt. Goffe returned from this scout about the 20th of May. The roll of this company has been lost, but many of its soldiers were undoubtedly from Amoskeag. Capt. Goffe proposed to his men to go upon another scout for ten days, and thirteen of them closed with his proposition and without stopping for rest, they forthwith returned to the frontier. But they met with no enemy on the occasion of either scout. The names of these brave men were,

Lieutenant Na'l Smith, Wm. Walker, Philip Kimball, James Stickney, Stephen Flood, Jona. Stevens, Joshua Heath, Solomon Goodwin, Herbert Morrison, James Vants, Wm. McKeen, Wm. McAdams, and Joseph Simons. Of these, a majority were from Amoskeag.

Capt. Samuel Barr, of Londonderry, was dispatched with a scout of nineteen men, in pursuit of the enemy. This scout was out fifteen days but made no discovery of the enemy. These men were from Londonderry and Harrytown, within the limits of Ancient Amoskeag. The Roll was as follows.

Capt. Samuel Barr, Sargt. Thomas Gregg, John Wallace, James McGregore, John McDuffe, James Adams, William Robertson, James Gault, Adam Dickey, David Thompson, George Clark, Samuel Senter, William Smith, Edward Aiken, John Aiken, James Duncan, William Duncan, Samuel Bell John Aderson.

The Indians continued their depredations through the Summer on all parts of the frontier, and the government force was entirely inadequate for the protection of the people of the Province, divided as it was by the quixotic expedition of Governor Shirley, known as the "The Canada Expedition". This had for its object the conquest of Canada and the complete subversion of the French power upon the continent.

   "The plan was, that a squadron of ships of war, and a body of land forces, should be sent from England against Canada; that the troops raised in New-England should join the British fleet and army at Louisburg, and proceed up the river St. Lawrence; that those of New-York and the other provinces at the southward, should be collected at Albany, and march against Crown-point and Montreal. The management of this expedition was committed to Sir John St. Clair, in conjunction with Sir Peter Warren and Governor Shirley. St. Clair did not come to America. Warren and Shirley gave the orders while Warren was here; and afterward commodore Knowles, who succeeded him, was joined with Shirley; but as Knowles was part of the time at Louisburg, most of the concern devolved on Shirley alone.
   Beside the danger of losing Nova-Scotia and Cape-Breton, there were other reasons for undertaking this expedition. The Indians, instigated by the governor of Canada, were ravaging the frontiers, destroying the fields and cattle, burning houses and mills, killing and carrying away the inhabitants. Though scouts and garrisons were maintained by governments; yet to act altogether on the defensive, was thought to be not only an ineffectual, but a disgraceful mode of carrying on the war; especially after the success which had attended the arms of the colonists in their attempt against Louisburg. The continuance of such a mode of defence, would neither dispirit the enemy, nor secure the frontiers from their depredations."⁵

In this expedition, Governor Wentworth entered with his usual alacrity. The Legislature was convened, and the Governor appealed to their pride, patriotism and interest; and as a result they voted to raise a thousand men for the expedition. This was in June, and by the beginning of July, eight hundred men were enlisted and ready for embarkation, under Col. Theodore Atkinson, who had been appointed to the command. Meantime news of the arrival of a powerful French fleet and army upon the eastern coast, to retake Louisburg and break up the settlements upon the eastern coast of New England, spread consternation among our people, and completely diverted the attention of the Royal Governors for a time, from the contemplated conquest of Canada, as they had enough to do to prepare our defences at home against attack. But the French fleet was dispersed by a storm near Cape Sable, many vessels went to the bottom, and the others returned singly to France, thus happily relieving the New England colonies from their fears. It was too late too proceed upon the intended expedition, and the New Hampshire regiment went into Winter quarters upon the shore of Lake Winnepesaukee, where they spent their time fishing, hunting and scouting.

While these troops were being raised, and extensive preparations were being made, the Indians were nothing daunted. On the contrary, on the 27th of June, and while these troops were being marshaled at Portsmouth, they made a successful attack upon a part at Rochester, consisting of five men at work in a field. These men discharged their guns at one Indian who had fired upon them by concert with his comrades, to draw their fire, and then were forced by overpowering numbers to take refuse in a deserted house. Here they succeeded in keeping their assailants in check for awhile, but the Indians took off the roof of the building and killed Joseph Hurd, Joseph Richards, John Wentworth and Gersham Downs. The fifth, John Richards, they succeeded in making prisoner. The same day they attacked another party at work in a field at no great distance, which succeeded in escaping, except a boy, Jonathan Door, whom they captured. These attacks made within twenty miles of Portsmouth produced the greatest consternation, and several scouts were forthwith sent to protect the frontiers. Capt. Nathaniel Drake of Hampton was ordered out with "fifteen of his troopers to scout at and about Nottingham fitted with their horses" for fourteen days. Capt. Andrew Todd of Londonderry was ordered out at the head of a scout on the 14th of July for the assistance of the garrison at Canterbury consisting of twenty-three men, as follows,

Andrew Todd, William Holmes, James Wilson, William Brownlee, Thomas Hogg, Jno. Miller, Joseph Ears, Alexander Galt, John Grimes, James Boys, William McMaster, James Liget, Samuel Morison, John Reside, Hugh Thompson, William Caldwell, Adam Wilson, Archibald Miller, David Alexander, Joseph Hamble, Samuel Martyn, Hugh Boyd, Joseph Stuart, Arthur Boyd.

The same day Capt. Daniel Ladd, of Exeter, was also dispatched with a company of foot to protect the frontiers at Pennacook and Canterbury. He marched with about thirty men on the 14th of July. He ranged the woods by way of Massabesic to Pennacook and back by way of Suncook and Nottingham. But neither of the detachments met with the enemy at this time, although they were doubtless in the neighborhood in considerable numbers. Well acquainted with the swamps and lurking places they kept out of sight. Capt. Ladd's company was ordered out for three months and having arrived at Nottingham on the 30th of July, the next day he marched to Exeter and dismissed his men until the 5th of August. Meantime Captain Drake and Todd's scouts had returned, their time having expired. The Indians taking advantage of the absence of troops, made preparation for an attack upon Pennacook. Their intention was to have attacked the people while in the church on the Sabbath, the 10th of August. Meantime the most of Capt. Ladd's company came into the town on Friday, a portion of them passing on to Canterbury, while others went into the Garrison. The others with Capt. Ladd, having discovered traces of a scout of Indians in the neighborhood of the Massabesic, went in pursuit of them, as well as to inform the people of Exeter and Kingston of the presence of the Indians in the neighborhood. On Sunday the 10th of August the Indians lay in the swamp near the meeting house in Pennacook, waiting to attack the people in the church. But at this time Capt. Ladd very opportunely marched into town with the balance of his company. The arrival of these troops and the fact that the men came to church well armed, disheartened the Indians, and they retired without making their contemplated attack. But the next day, Monday the 11th of August, they were more successful. Probably anticipating that some of Ladd's company were to pass to a fort in the west part of the township near Hopkinton, they laid in ambush near the path, for any such as might pass their way. On that morning Lieut. Jonathan Bradley, of Capt. Ladd's company and seven others, started for the purpose of going to Eastman's Fort in the West part of Pennacook. They had proceeded about a mile and a half from the meeting house in Pennacook, when they were fired upon by the Indians. One Daniel Gilman had gone forward to fire at a hawk seen on a dry stub by the path some distance ahead, and the rest of the party were leisurely walking along, and awaiting the falling of the bird. Obadiah Peters was somewhat in advance of the most of the party and had set aside his gun awaiting the approach of his friends. The Indians supposing they were discovered, arose from ambush, and fired upon Peters and the others near him. What followed we will give in the words of Abner Clough, of Nottingham, Clerk of Capt. Ladd's company, who kept a journal of this scout.

"And when they [had] gone about a mile and a half, they were shot upon by 30 or 40, Indians, if not more, as it was supposed, and killed down dead Lieut. Jonathan Bradley, and Samuel Bradley, John Lufkin, and John Bean, [and] this Obediah Peters. These five men were killed down dead on the spot, and the most of the men were stripped; Two were stripped stark naked and were very much cut, and stabbed and disfigured; and Sergeant Alexander Robberts and William Stickney were taken captive, and never been heard of since. It was supposed there was an Indian killed, where they had the fight; for this Daniel Gilman, who made his escape, saith, that he was about 60 rods before these men, when they were shot upon, and he says, the Indians shot three guns first. He says, that he thought our men shot at a deer. He says, that he run back about 40 rods upon a hill so that he could see over upon the other hill, where the Indians lie and shot upon the men; And he says, as ever he came upon the hill so as to see over upon the other hill, he heard Lieut. Jonathan Bradley speak and say "Lord have mercy on me, fight." In a moment his gun went off and three more guns of our men's were shot, and then the Indians rose up and shot a volley and run out in the path, and making all sort of howling and yelling; And he did not stay long to see it, he saith. It was supposed that John Lufkin and Peters, were the first shot, as they were in the path, about 12 or 14 rods apart; and they shot Samuel Bradley, as he was about 12 feet before where this Obediah Peters lay, and wounded [him] so, that the blood started every step he took. He went about 5 rods right in the path and then they shot him right through his powder-horn, as it hung by his side, and so through his body; and there lay these three men lying in the path; and Lieut. Bradley run out of the path, about two rods, right in amongst the Indians. He was shot through his wrist; It was supposed that he killed the Indian; It was supposed that he fought, (as he stood there in the spot where he was killed,) till the Indians cut his head almost all to pieces. And John Bean run about 6 rods out of the path on the other side of the way, and then was shot right through his body; so that, there was none of these men, that went one or two steps after they were shot, excepting this Samuel Bradley, that was shot as above said. And there seemed to be as much blood where the Indian was shot, as there was where any one of our men were killed. It was supposed the men lie there about two hours after they were killed before anybody came there. We did not go, till there came a post down from the Fort, about three quarters of a mile beyond where the men lie and were killed."

This attack produced consternation throughout the province. The garrisons were strengthened and additional troops were raised. Capt. Goffe's house at Amoskeag had been already formed into a garrison for the convenience and safety of his family and his neighbors at the mouth of the Cohas Brook, and two soldiers, John Sargent and Henry Flood had been posted there as early as the 9th of July of the present year, and they continued there through October.⁶ But this could accommodate but a small portion of the inhabitants, besides being at a distance from the greatest part of them. A large and substantial Fort was therefore built for their accommodation and protection in case of attack. It was located near the outlet of Fort or Swager's Pond, on the bank, just south of the brook. I twas some one hundred and twenty-five or fifty feet square, built of logs and was well located for the access of the people of the town, being about the same distance from the Falls, Cohas Brook and McMurphy's Mills, the three outposts, as it were of the settlement. It was also well located in case of attack or siege from the Indians, the pond being upon the east to protect it from attack in that direction, and a brook on the north, under cover of the Fort, that afforded fresh water and plenty of fish at all seasons of the year. A well was dug and stoned just under the bank and betwixt the Fort and Pond that remains in good preservation to the present day. This was called Stark's Fort, and undoubtedly contributed much to prevent an attack in this neighborhood by the Indians.

Capt. Ladd's company kept on duty on the frontier in this region of the Province until the middle of October. After the massacre at Pennacook, some of the best Indian fighters in this neighborhood joined Capt. Ladd's company, for the rest of its term of service. Among them John Nutt, James Moore, and the afterwards celebrated Robert Rogers. As before suggested, the fear of an attack from the French fleet under the Duke D'Anville, diverted the attention of the Provincial Governors from their intended invasion of the French territory. They forthwith commenced preparations for defence. Governor Wentworth ordered Col. Atkinson's regiment to New Castle to hold and put in a state of proper defence Fort William and Mary, at the southern extremity of that Island, and commanding the entrance of the Piscataqua. A new battery of seventeen guns was added to that Fort, and another battery of nine large guns was built on Jerry's Point commanding the entrance to Little Harbor, on the west side of New Castle. But on the 25th of October, news came of "the distress and confusion on board the French fleet," and the people of the Province were relieved of their fears in that quarter. The season was too far advanced, to operate to advantage in the proposed campaign against Canada, and Col. Atkinson's regiment was ordered into winter quarters on the Winnepesaukee, to cover the frontiers from attacks from the Indians. The regiment was posted at the head of Little Bay, in the present town of Sanbornton, west of Union Bridge, where they built a fort, near the water, which remaining until within a years, has been erroneously supposed the remains of an Indian Fort. The stone of which it was built has been removed to build a dam across the Winnepesaukee, close at hand, and tradition and one or two old people in the neighborhood, alone point out the position of Fort Atkinson. These troops remained at this fort, with little of discipline and spending their time in idleness, relieved only by an occasional scouting, fishing or hunting expedition, until the fall of 1747. In October of that year, the famous "Canada Expedition" was abandoned by the government at home, and the regiment being paid off by order of the Duke of New Castle, was disbanded. There were many soldiers attached to this regiment, from this immediate neighborhood, Capt. John Goffe from Amoskeag having a command in it, and many are the traditional stories and anecdotes connected with the expedition. The expedition, apparently so fruitless, had its immediate advantages, for aside from the protection afforded by it, the various scouts and fishing expeditions, explored minutely the entire basin of the Winnepesaukee, and turned the attention of emigrants and speculators to the fine lands and valuable forests in that section of the Province. And as soon as the French and Indians wars were at an end in 1760, the Winnepesaukee basin was at once granted and settled.

But if the presence of these troops upon the frontier, prevented inroads from the Indians through the winter of 1746-7 they afforded little protection in the spring and summer of 1747. For aside from their repeated and successful attacks in the valleys of the Connecticut and Piscataqua in the spring and summer of that year, they made several attacks in the valley of the Merrimack with a score of miles of Fort Atkinson, and to make which they must have passed down the Merrimack, within a very few miles of that Fort.

Their first attack in this neighborhood, was in the adjoining town of Suncook. The following petition from the people of that place, gives the particulars.⁷

   "To his Excellence Benning Wentworth, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majestys Province of New Hampshire and to the Hon'bl His Majesty's Council and House of Representatives of said Province in General Court assembled.
   The humble Petition of the inhabitants of Suncook in said Province most humbly sheweth,
   That on Monday the twentieth of this instant May, about two hours after soon raise, the Indians set on two men in ye lower part of this town, and killed one of them, and the other narowly escaped, and they fired at a house but was repulsed, and toward the evening the same day, the soon about two hours high, they robbed two three houses and fired on four men going to the pasture for their cows, within about half a mile from the meeting house, a considerable number of the enemy, we believe they intended to destroy ye place, and ever since we have been penned close in our garrisons and can do no work abroad, so that without speedy help we must all move off.
   May it therefore please your Excelency and honors, in your great wisdom to send us such speedy help and protection as in your great wisdom you shall think fitt, and your Petitioners, as in duty bound shall ever pray.
   Dated at Suncook this 26 of May, 1747.

Scouts were immediately ordered out and the garrisons increased at Suncook, but notwithstanding, the Indians eluded pursuit and sometime in June made their appearance at Pennacook, where they were attacked and put to flight, with the loss of their booty, blankets and other things. Capt. Ebenezer Eastman was ordered out by the Governor in July with a company of thirty-four men. This scout kept out for a month, but did not meet with the enemy. While Capt. Eastman's scout was out, the enemy appeared "on or about the twenty-first day of August," at Epsom, and made an attack upon the house of Mr. Charles McCoy as appears by the following Petition.

   Province of New Hampshire.
     To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire. To the Honorable his Majesties Council for said province and the House of Representatives in General Assembly convened.
   The Memorial and Petition of Charles McCoy of Epsom, in sd Province, most humbly shews, that on or about the twenty-first day of August last, his wife was taken by the Indian enemy and either killed or carried away captive, and his house burnt. That there is no garrison nor soldiers there, that your petitioner begs he may have some guard to go with him and take care of his cattle and fields there as your Excellency and Honor shall judge necessary.

his

Charles [X] McCoy

mark

   Sept. 3d, 1747.

In compliance with his petition a company of twenty-seven men were sent by the Governor to Epsom, under the command of Capt. Joseph Thomas, to "take care of the cattle and fields" of the petitioner. McCoy went with the scout. After securing his property, they continued for a fortnight scouting from Epsom through Nottingham, to Durham. But they did not meet with the enemy. The Indians who made this attack were Sabatis, Plausawa and Christi.

As Christi and McCoy were both from this neighborhood, the former having lived at Amoskeag Falls⁸ the latter at Londonderry, we give a more particular account of Mrs. McCoy's captivity in this place. McCoy had moved form Londonderry to Epsom, some years previous to his wife's captivity, but probably was well known to Christi.

   "Reports were spread of the depredations of the Indians in various places; and McCoy had heard that they had been seen lurking about the woods at Penacook, now Concord. He went as far as Pembroke; ascertained that they were in the vicinity, was somewhere discovered by them, and followed home. They told his wife, whom they afterwards made prisoner, that they looked through the cracks around the house, and saw what they had for supper. The next day, Mrs. McCoy attended by their two dogs, went down to see if any of the other families had returned from the garrison. She found no one. On her return, as she was passing the block-house, the dogs which had passed around it, came running back growling and very much excited. Their appearance induced her to make the best of her way home. The Indians afterwards told her that they then lay concealed there, and saw the dogs, when they came running round.
   McCoy, being now strongly suspicious that the Indians were actually in the town, determined to set off the next day with his family for the garrison at Nottingham. His family now consisted of himself, his wife, and son John. They accordingly secured their house as well as they could, and all set off next morning. McCoy and his son with their guns, though without ammunition, having fired away what they brought with them in hunting.
   As they were travelling a little distance east of the place where the meeting house now stands, Mrs. McCoy fell a little in the rear of the others. This circumstance gave the Indians a favorable opportunity, for separating her from her husband and son. The Indians, three men and a boy, lay in ambush near the foot of Marden's hill not far from the junction of the mountain road with the main road. Here they suffered McCoy and his son to pass, but, as his wife was passing them they reached from the bushes, and took hold of her, charging her to make no noise, and covering her mouth with their hands as she cried to her husband for assistance. Her husband hearing her cries, turned, and was about coming to her relief. But he no sooner began to advance, than the Indians, expecting probably that he would fire upon them, began to raise their pieces, which she pushed one side, and motioned her friends to make their escape, knowing that their guns were not loaded, and that they would doubtless be killed, if they approached. They accordingly ran into the woods and made their escape to the garrison. This took place August 21, 1747.
   The Indians then collected together what booty they could obtain, which consisted of an iron trammel, from Mr. George Wallace's; the apples of the only tree which bore in town, which was in the orchard now owned by Mr. David Griffin, and some other trifling articles, and prepare to set off with their prisoner to Canada.
   Before they took their departure, they conveyed Mrs. McCoy to a place near the little Suncook river, where they left her in the care of the young Indian, while the three men, whose names were afterwards ascertained to be Plausawa, Sabatis and Christi, went away, and were some time absent. During their absence, Mrs. McCoy thought of attempting to make her escape. She saw opportunities, when she thought she might dispatch the young Indian with the trammel, which with other things, was left with them, and thus perhaps avoid some strange and barbarous death, or a long and distressing captivity. But, on the other hand, she knew not at what distance the others were. If she attempted to kill her young keeper, she might fail. If she attempted to kill her young keeper, she might fail. If she effected her purpose in this, she might be pursued and overtaken by a cruel and revengeful foe, and then some dreadful death would be her certain portion. On the whole, she thought best to endeavor to prepare her mind to bear what might be no more, than a savage captivity. Soon, however, the Indians returned, and put an end for the present to all thoughts of escape. From the direction, in which they went and returned, and their smutty appearance, she suspected what their business had been. She told them, 'she guessed they had been burning her house.' Plausawa, who could speak some broken English, informed her they had.
   They now commenced their long and tedious journey to Canada, in which the poor captive wight well expect that great and complicated sufferings would be her lot. She did indeed find the journey fatiguing, and her fare scanty and precarious. But, in her treatment from the Indians, she experienced a very agreeable disappointment. The kindness she received from them was far greater than she had expected from those, who were so often distinguished for their cruelties. The apples they had gathered they save for her, giving her one a day. In this way, they lasted her as far as Lake Champlain. They gave her the last as they were crossing the lake in their canoes. This circumstance gave to the tree, on which the apples grew, the name of "Isabel's tree," her name being Isabella.
   In many ways did they appear desirous of mitigating the distresses of their prisoner while on their tedious journey. When night came on, and they halted to repose themselves in the dark wilderness, Plausawa, the head man, would make a little couch in the leaves a little way from theirs, cover her up with his own blanket; and there she was suffered to sleep undisturbed till morning. When they came to a river, which must be forded, one of them would carry her over on his back. Nothing like insult or indecency did they ever offer her during the whole time she was with them. They carried her to Canada, and sold her as a servant to a French family, whence, at the close of the war, she returned home. But so comfortable was her condition there, and her husband being a man of rather a rough and violent temper, she declared she never should have thought of attempting the journey home, were it not for the sake of her children."⁹

This was the last attack of the Indians during the war, in the Merrimack valley. They however continued their attacks in other sections of the Province and late in the fall of 1747, made one upon Bridgman's fort in Hinsdale and killed several and took others prisoners. In the following winter they also took several prisoners from Number Four. The preparations for defence however, were not relaxed in the Merrimack valley. Scouts were sent out and the garrisons provided with sufficient soldiers by the government, through 1748, up to the time of peace.

Garrisons were established at Dunstable, now Nashua, Monson, now Milford, Souhegan, now Bedford, in this township then unincorporated, Suncook, now Pembroke, Pennacook, now Concord, Contoocook, now Boscawen, and at Canterbury. The garrisons at Monson, Souhegan and Stark's fort in this township, were under the command of Capt. John Goffe, as appears by the following roll.

   "A muster Roll of men under the Command of John Goffe Capt., employed in scouting, and guarding the Souhegan, Monson, and Stark's garrisons, anno, 1748.
   Capt. John Goffe, Serg't. Henry Saunders, Serg't. Caleb Emery, Sent. Daniel Wilkins, Moses Lovell, Isaiah Cutting, John Bradbury, Timothy Clemens, Richard Stanton, John Barret, Stephen Danforth, Wincol Wright, John Karkin, Joseph Taylor, Thomas Taylor, Jonathan Farewell, Samuel Houston, John Hamblett, John Heuce, David Emerson, Jonathan Corliss, John McLaughlin, John Nevens, Isaac Page, James Richardson, Hugh Blair, John Pollard, John Lund, Benj. Smith, Noah Johnson, Ben Thompson, Philip Richardson, John Annis.
   These men were continued in service from April 10 to October 5, "scouting and guarding," and during a portion of this same time, from May 28 to Oct. 5, Capt. Goffe had command of a company of forty-four men who were "scouting upon the frontiers," as appears from the following roll.
   A Muster Roll of the Company in His Majesty's Service under Command of John Goffe, employed in Scouting on the Frontiers of New Hampshire, Anno Domni 1748>
   Capt. John Goffe, Lieut. John Webster, Ensign Na'l Smith, Sergt. William Peters, Caleb Emery, Sent. Nathan Lovejoy, Moses Danforth, Reuben Abbot, Joseph Eastman, Phineas Goodwell, Enoch Eastman, David Evans, Joseph Burbank, Stephen Call, Joseph Pudney, Samuel Abbot, Samuel Rogers, Isaac Chandler, Jr., Amos Abbot, Joseph Walker, Jacob Hoyt, Wm. Coarser, Simeon Rumvill, Samuel Shepherd, John Little, John Robertson, Timothy Knox, John Wood, Enoch Webster Joseph Davis, Na'l Abbot, Sampson Colbee, James Peters, Thomas Stickney, Na'l West, Jeremiah Dresser, Ephraim Carter, Ralph Blaisdell, Georg Bean, Thomas Blaisdell, John Page, Elish Batchelder, John Cram, Ben Norton, John Chandler, Jr.

This company was undoubtedly ordered out at this time in consequence of the appearance of the enemy, the 1st day of May at Rochester, where they killed the wife of Jonathan Hodgdon, "as she was going to milk her cows."

This fact of having a double command shows the confidence that was placed in Capt. Goffe, and it is doubtless owing much to his vigilance, that this frontier suffered so little during the war, and especially during the year 1748. The last of May of this year, the Indians fell upon a scout that had been sent out to Lake Champlain, from Number Four, as they were returning home, and killed six of the party. The next month they attacked Hinsdale's fort, and killed three men and took seven prisoners. The 16th of the same month they attacked forty men, wounding four more and forcing him to leave the ground. The same party on the 14th of July killed two men and took nine prisoners between Fort Hinsdale and Fort Dummer. But the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, betwixt France and England this year, put a stop to these inroads of the savages, as they were instigated almost wholly by the French.

                       

Chapter 12
History of Manchester
Hillsborough County
ALHN-New Hampshire
Created December 2, 2000
Copyright 2000