Masonian claim revived.--Intrigue of Massachusetts.--Their agent dismisses him.--Thomlinson agrees to buy his claim on the part of New Hampshire.--Mason returns to America.--Attempts to negotiate with the N. H. Assembly.--Fails.--Sells to a company of private individuals.--The Masonian Proprietors quitclaim lands in incorporated towns.--People of Harrytown are quieted in possession of their lands.--Suits of Flint and Chamberlain.--Town Privileges granted to Souhegan East.--Chartered by the name of Bedford.--No. IV granted by the Masonian Proprietors.--Early settlers of No. IV. or Goffstown.--The Martins.--Keep a Ferry.--Story of a catamount.--And of a bear.--Masts.--Uncanoonucks.--Joe English.--His escape.--His death.--Bear killed.--Catamount hunt.--Kalmia Latafolia.--Rhododendron.--County Farm.--West Village.
But there arose another cause of disquiet to the people of this township and the Province during this period. A new claimant appeared for the lands, or rather an old claim as revived in the person of a new man.
After the sale of the Province of New Hampshire to Allen in 16911 by by John and Robert Mason, they returned to America. John died childless, but Robert married and had issue, of which was John Tufton Mason. He had hopes of invalidating the claim of Allen on account of some informality attending the purchase, but died at Havana in 1718, leaving two sons, John Tufton Mason, and Thomas Tufton Mason. The title to New Hampshire was supposed to be in their children. Accordingly the eldest coming of age about the time of the controversy about the lines, the politicians of Massachusetts brought him forward to lay claim to his inheritance of New Hampshire. The government of Massachusetts thought by thus doing to drive New Hampshire from her position, as that the people of the Province would rather have the lands in contest owned by Massachusetts even, and to be granted to the people of either Province, rather than to have the Masonian claim revived, which would in any event harrass them, and if successful, would place the Province in the hands of individuals, to be sold in the market to speculators, those men having little care for the interests of the Province. In this Massachusetts misjudged, for although there was a small portion of the people of New Hampshire ever in the interest of Massachusetts and ready to do her bidding, yet the majority of the people had become so exasperated at her "engrasping policy," that they would doubtless have rather incurred the risk of paying quit rents to a proprietor, than to have yielded the point as to the lines in her favor, or to have again become part and parcel of her government. But New Hampshire was reduced to no such alternative. The huckstering policy of Massachusetts had at length become well known to the Board of Trade and to His Majesty's Council. And when John Tufton Mason arrived in England in the charge of the Agents of Massachusetts, to press his claim, their counsel, the king's solicitor, advised them to keep the claimant out of sight, as if he appeared under their auspices it would prejudice their cause with the Lords of the Royal Council. They accordingly paid his expenses and dismissed him. Young Mason was now left in London among strangers and without resources.
This transaction soon came to the knowledge of the Agent of New Hampshire, Mr. Thomlinson, who at once entered into a negotiation with Mason, which resulted in an agreement that he should release his interest to the assembly of New Hampshire upon the payment of one thousand pounds New England currency. This was an adroit stroke of policy on the part of Thomlinson, and had a favorable effect upon the Lords of the council, and went far in determining the controversy as to the lines in favor of New Hampshire.
This transaction soon came to the knowledge of the Agent of New Hampshire, Mr. Thomlinson, who at once entered into a negotiation with Mason, which resulted in an agreement that he should release his interest to the assembly of New Hampshire upon the payment of one thousand pounds New England currency. This was an adroit stroke of policy on the part of Thomlinson, and had a favorable effect upon the Lords of the council, and went far in determining the controversy as to the lines in favor of New Hampshire.
After the final adjustment of the lines in 1741, Mason returned to America, but did not move in the matter of his agreement with Thomlinson until 1744, when Governor Wentworth laid the writing before the Assembly. But the Louisburg expedition being in hand, no attention was paid to the affair. Meantime, Mason himself engaged in the expedition, and while absent, such action was had against him in the courts of law in New Hampshire as broke the entail, and he had the right to sell his estate. In 1746, he gave distinct intimation that he would sell the estate to other parties, if the Assembly did not ratify the agreement made by Thomlinson.
At length after much finesse and intrigue, the Assembly appointed a committee to complete the purchase with Mason. But they were too late, as Mason on the same day, the 30th day of January 1746, had sold his interest to a company consisting of twelve gentlemen, to wit: "Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, John Moffat, Mark Hunking Wentworth, Samuel Moore, Jotham Odiorne, Jr., and Joshua Pierce Esqrs.; Nathaniel Meserve, George Jaffrey Junr., and John Wentworth Junr., gentlemen, all of Portsmouth; Thomas Wallingford of Somersworth in said province Esq.; and Thomas Packer of Greenland in the Province aforesaid Esq. * * * * To ye said Theodore Atkinson three fifteenth parts thereof to him, his heirs and assigns, and to ye sd Mark Hunking Wentworth, his heirs and assigns two fifteenth parts thereof, and to each of the other grantees one fifteenth part each."
This sale created great excitement thoughout the Province, and well it might. The people, had thought that the difficulties settled with Massachusetts, and Mason's title extinguished according to the agreement with Thomlinson, all controversy as to title would be at an end; but now by neglect of their representatives, if not by collusion on the part of some of them, Mason's interest had passed into the hands of private individuals. And the transaction was the more suspicious from the fact that some of the grantees were members of the Council or Assembly, and most of them were of the family connections of the Governor. In short, there can be no doubt of the fact that New Hampshire lost the title to Mason's claim by sheer management of speculators and huckstering politicians. The grantees were aware of the excitement that would arise on account of the underhanded purchase, and very prudently lodged a deed of quitclaim at the registry office to all lands within the towns that had been granted and settled. Chester and Londonderry were among the towns quitclaimed, and the people of Amoskeag who resided within the limits of those towns, were quieted in the possession of their lands. But those of them, who resided upon the ungranted lands called Harrytown, and the Narraganset Townships, found themselves without a title to their lands and at the mercy of private individuals. The grantees of Mason, or as they were called the "Masonian Proprietors," conducted themselves however with much generosity towards actual settlers upon their ungranted lands, and the people of Harrytown and the Narragansett Townships, by the payment of no exorbitant sums of purchase money were soon in quiet possession of these lands as well as their more fortunate neighbors, who happened to have settled within the limits of a granted townships.
Thus, after twenty five years of almost continual controversey as to the title of these lands, the people at Amoskeag found themselves in quiet possession of them with a few exceptions. These were a few people from Massachusetts who commenced their settlements under the grant of Tyngstown and whose lots extended into Londonderry as surveyed and claimed. Some of them, supposing that the west line of Londonderry as surveyed, extended farther than their charter would allow, and that their lots were entirely out of the actual chartered limits of Londonderry, refused to pay the proprietors of that town for their lands. Thereupon writs of ejectment were brought against them and a long course of litigation ensued, with various results.
There were two suits, Londonderry vs Chamberlain, and Londonderry vs Flint, that enlisted the feelings of the entire people in this section of the State. The former case was "in court" for near a quarter of a century, and during its pendency and that against Flint, the township of Londonderry was surveyed four times by as many noted surveyors, by the order of the Governor and Council as a Court of Appeals, and neither two surveyors succeeded in locating the west line of Londonderry in the same place. In the end, the defendants gained their cases, as upon a correct survey of Londonderry, it was found that her "10 miles square and no more" were obtained before coming to the land claimed of Chamberlain and Flint! But these suits tended to increase the breach already too wide, betwixt the English and their Scotch Irish neighbors.
In granting Tyngstown, and Narragansett Townships IV, and V, there can be no doubt of the fact, that Massachusetts, had in view the securing the fisheries upon the Merrimack at Amoskeag to that Provine, and the people of that Province. They were looked upon as a most valuable and desirable acquisition. The people in their immediate neighborhood well knew their value, and hence the more fear among them that there might be difficulty in getting titles to the lands from the new proprietors. But their fears were groundless, for the Masonian proprietors not only took early measures to give titles for small consideration to those who had settled upon their lands as before suggested, but they readily regranted those townships to settlers upon them, that had been granted by Massachusetts. Thus by following a liberal policy as to the lands, they gained friends, while they made no enemies. Souhegan East, or Narragansett No. V, had been granted by Massachusetts in 1733, and had been settled mostly by the Scotch Irish, hardy and substantial farmers, from Londonderry in the Province, and just across the Merrimack, or directly from the north of Ireland.
"The first settlement of the township was in 1737. As early as the winter of 1735, a man by the name of Sebbins, came from Braintree, Massachusetts, and spent the winter in what was then Souhegan-East. He occupied himself in making shingles, and the spot he selected for this purpose, was South of the old grave-yard between that and Sebbins' pond, on the North line of a piece of land that was owned by the late Isaac Atwood. In the Spring of the year, he drew his shingles to Merrimack River, about a mile and a half, on a hand-sled, and rafted them to Pawtucket Falls, now Lowell.
In the fall of 1737, the first permanent settlement was made by Robert and James Walker, brothers; and in the following spring, by Matthew and Samuel Patten, brothers, and sons of John Patten; and soon after by many others. The Pattens lived in the same hut with the Walkers until they built on of their own, near where Joseph Patten used to live. They commenced their first labors near the bank of the Merrimack, on a piece of ground known as Patten's field, about forty rods North of Josiah Walker's barn. The Walkers were immediately from Londonderry, N. H. The Pattens never lived in Londonderry, though they belonged to the company; they were immediately from Dunstable. The father, John Patten, with his two sons, Matthew and Samuel, landed at Boston, stopping there but a short time; thence they came to Chelmsford, and thence to Dunstable, where he stayed till he came to Bedford. The second piece of land cleared, was on the Joseph patten place, the field South of the first Pound, where the noted old, high and flat granite stone now stands.
This Robert Walker came from his Uncle Stark's, (father of Gen. John Stark,) in Londonderry, where he had been living, and joined his brother James, in his camp on the bank of the Merrimack, making turpentine and cultivating corn in summer, and hunting wild game in winter. They soon came over this side the river; James, to what is now the farm of Lieut. Josiah Walker, and Robert to the place where the late Mr. Jesse Walker lived and died."2
In the fall of 1748 the Inhabitants of Souhegan East began to agitate the subject of obtaining town privileges, and title of their lands from the Masonian proprietors. Accordingly agents were sent to Portsmouth for this purpose, and with success as appears from the records.
The Masonian Proprietors had the following action upon the subject.
"Province of New Hampshire:"
"At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, Esq., in the Province of New Hampshire, at the dwelling-house of Sarah Priest, widow, in Portsmouth, in said Province, on the ninth day of November, 1748, by adjournment:
"Voted, That the rights of the original Proprietors of Souhegan-East, otherwise called Narraganset, No. 5, be and hereby are confirmed to them, according as the lots have been already surveyed and laid out, excepting and reserving only seventeen shares or Rights, as according to said laying out; the particular rights or Shares so excepted and reserved, to be determined and ascertained hereafter; but that the particular rights and shares of Maj. Edward White, and the Rev'd Doctor Ebenezer Miller, be not among the excepted and reserved rights as aforesaid, but that their said rights and shares among said Proprietors as aforesaid, be hereby granted and confirmed to them, their heirs and assigns.
Copy examined, Per George Jaffrey, Prop. Cl'k."
Soon after, the subject of town privileges came before the Governor and Council, and the following action was had, as appears by the "Council minutes."
"April 11, 1748. Gov. Wentworth informed the Council of the situation of a number of persons, inhabiting a place called Souhegan-East, within this province, that were without any township or District, and had not the privilege of a town in choosing officers for regulating their affairs, such as raising money for the ministry," &c.
"Upon which, his Excellency, with the advice of the Council, was pleased to order that the above-mentioned persons, living at said place, be and hereby are empowered to call meetings of the said inhabitants, at which meeting they may, by virtue hereof, transact such matters and things as are usually done at town or Parish metings within the Province, such as choosing officers, raising money for paying such charges of the said inhabitants, as shall be voted by a majority present at any such meeting. Provided nevertheless, that nothing herein contained, shall be construed, deemed or taken as a grant of the land, or Quieting any possession. And that this order may be rendered beneficial to the said inhabitants, tis further ordered, that capt. John Goffe, Jun'r, call the first meeting, by a written notification, posted up at a public place amongst the inhabitants, fifteen days before the time of the said meeting, in which notification the matters to be transacted are to be mentioned; and after that, the Selectmen may call meetings, and are to follow the rules in so doing, that are prescribed by law, for Town and Parish meetings. This Vote to continue and be in force till some further order thereon, and no longer."
The people of Souhegan East continued these "town privileges" until May 10, 1750, when they presented a petition to the Governor and Council, praying for an act of incorporation and for other purposes which was as follows.
"To his Excellency, Benning Wentworth, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, and to the Honorable, his Majesty's Council, assembled at Portsmouth, May 10, 1750.
"The humble Petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of Souhegan-East, so-called, Sheweth, That your Petitioners are major part of said Souhegan; that your petitioners, as to our particular persuation in Christrianity are generally of the Presbyterian denomination; that your petitioners, through a variety of causes, having been long destitute of the gospel, are now desirous of taking the proper steps in order to have it settled among us in that way of discipline which we judge to tend most to our edification, that your petitioners, not being incorporated by civil authority, are in no capacity to raise those sums of money, which may be needful in order to our proceeding in the above important affair. May it therefore please your Excellency, and Honors, to take the case of your petitioners under consideration, and to incorporate us into a town or district, or in case any part of our inhabitants should be taken of by any neighboring district, to grant that those of our persuation, who are desirous of adhering to us may be excused from supporting any other parish charge, than where they conscientiously adhere, we desiring the same liberty to those within our bounds, if any there be, and your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.
"Samuel Miller, John McLaughlin, William Moore, William Kennedy, John Riddell, Fergus Kennedy, Thomas Vickere, John Burnes, Mathew Little, Gerard Rowen, James Moore, John McQuige, John Tom, Patrick Taggart, James Kennedy, John Goffe, Robert Gilmoor, John Orr, Richard McAllister, John Moorehead, James Walker, James Little, John Bell, Robert Gilmoor, Senior, John McLaughlin, Senior, David Thompson, Thomas Chandler, James McKnight, John McDugle, Hugh Riddell, Samuel Patten, Daniel Moor, Alexander Walker, John Clark, Gan Riddell, Robert Walker, Benjamin Smith, Mathew Patten."
The petition was presented by Capt. John Goffe and Mr. Samuel Patten.
Upon the petition the following action was had in the Council as appears from the records.
"At a Council holden at Portsmouth according to his Excellency's Summons, on Fryday, May the 18th, 1750: Present: Ellis Huske, Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, Samuel Smith, John Downing, Samuel Solley, and Sampson Sheaffe, Esquires: A petition signed Samuel Miller, William Moore, and others, presented by John Goffe, Esq., and Mr. Samuel Patten, praying for a charter of Incoperation of the inhabitants of a place called Souhegan-East, in this Province, being read, and Joseph Blanchard, Esq., in behalf of the town of Merrimack, also at the same time appearing, and the parties being heard on the said petition and agreeing where the line should run, in case his Excellency, with the advice of the Council, should think proper to grant the Petitioners, a Charter of incoporation. Mr. Goffe and Patten, upon being asked, declared that the sole end proposed by petitioners, was to be incoporated with priviliges as other towns, by law, have in this Province.
"Upon which the Council did unanimously advise that his Excellency grant a Charter of Incorporation, as usual in such cases."
The next day a Charter was granted by the Governor naming the township Bedford, which charter was as follows.
Province of New Hampshire.
"George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Brittain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To all to whom these Presents shall Come, "Whereas, Our Loyal Subjicks, Inhabitants of a Tract of Land, within Our Province of New Hampshire, aforesaid, Lying At or near A Place called Sow-Hegon, on the West side of the River Merrimack, Have Humbly Petitioned and Requested to Us, That they may be Encted and Incoporated into A Township, and Infranchized with the same Powers and Privileges which other Towns, within Our sd Province by Law Have and Enjoy, and it appearing to Us to be Conductive to the General good of Our said Province, as well as of the Inhabitants in Particular, by Maintaining good Order, and Encouraging the Culture of the Land, that the same should be done, Know, Ye, Therefore, that We, of our Especial Grace, Certain Knowledge, and for the Encouragement and Promoting the good Purposes and Ends aforesaid, By and with the Advice of Our Trusty and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq., Our Governor and Commander in Chief, And of Our Council for sd Province of New Hampshire, Have Enacted and Ordained, And by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, Do and will Ordain that The Inhabitants of a Tract of Land, aforesaid, Or that shall Inhabit and Improve thereon hereafter, Butted and Bounded, as follows, (Viz:) Beginning at a place three Miles North from the Bridge over Sow-Hegon River, at John Chamberlain's House, and then to Run East, by the Needle, to Merrimack River, to a Stake and Stones, and to extend that Line West, until it Intersect a Line Known by the name of the West Line of Sow-Hegon East, and from thence to Run North, Two Degrees West, about three Miles and an half to a Beach Tree, marked, called Sow-Hegon West, North East corner, thence South, Eighty Eight degrees West, by an old Line of Marked Trees, to a Chestnut Tree, marked, from thence North, Two Degrees West, Two Miles, to an Hemlock Tree, marked, called the North West Corner of said Sow-Hegon East, thence East, by the Needle to Merrimack River, to a Stake and Stones, thence Southerly, as Merrimac River runs, to the Stake and Stones first mentioned. And by these Presents, are Declared and ordained to be a Town Coporate, and are hereby Encted and Incoporated into a body Pollitic and a Corporation, to have Continuance forever, by the Name of Bedford, with all the Powers and Authorities, Privileges, Immunities, and Infranchizes, to them the said Inhabitants, and their Successors for Ever, Always reserving to us, Our Heirs and Successors, All White Pine Trees growing and being, Or that shall hereafter Grow and be, on the sd Tract of Land, fit for the Use of Our Royal Navy, Preserving also the power of dividing the sd Town, to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, when it shall appear Necessary and Convient for the Benefit of the Inhabitants thereof. It is to be understood, and is accordingly Hereby Declared, that the Private Property of the Soil is in no manner of way to be affected by this Charter. And as the several Towns, within Our said Province of New Hampshire, are by the Laws thereof, Enabled and Authorized to Assemble, and by the Majority of Votes to Choose all such Officers as are mentioned In the said Laws, We do by these Presents, Nominate and Appoint John Goffe, Esq., to Call the first Meeting of the said Inhabitants, to be held with the sd Town, at any time within thirty days from the Date hereof, Giving Legal Notice of the Time, Place and design of Holding such Meeting; After which, the Annual Meeting in sd Town, shall be held for the Choice of Town Officers, &c., for ever, on the last Wednesday in March, annually.
[L. S.] Greeting:
"In Testimony Whereof, We have caused the Seal of Our sd Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness Benning Wentworth, Esq., Our Governor and Commander In Chief of Our sd Province the nineteenth Day of May, In the Year of Our Lord Christ, One Thousand Seven hundred and Fifty.
B. WENTWORTH. "By His Excellency's Command,
with Advice of Council.THEODORE ATKINSON, Secretary."
On the first day of June following, a strip of land "in breadth about three miles, and in length about four miles and a half" was severed form the south side of Bedford, and annexed to Merrimack, because as was represented to the Governor and Council, the land in Merrimack was "very mean and ordinary, and therefore incapable of supporting such a number of Inhabitants as will enable them to support the Charge of a Town." The territory of Bedford thus limited, remained in tact until 1853, when by act of the Legislature at its June session, a small portion of its north-eastern territory upon the Merrimack and Piscataquog was annexed to the city of Manchester. This portion includes the village of Piscataquog, and is the seventh grant of land within the present limits of Manchester.
Bedford is probably unsurpassed as a farming town, by any other in the County. Settled an hundred years since, its soil has ever been cultivated by an industrious, hardy race of thrifty farmers. Hence all of its soil has been turned to good account. For years a large commercial business was carried on at Piscataquog Village, called "Squog" for convenience, through the medium of the Middlesex canal, the goods for the north and east part of Hillsborough County and the west part of Rockingham County, being stored at this place. But the facilities of railroads first diminished and then ruined this business at "Squog."
But its annexation to Manchester now more than compensates for the loss of its "wholesale trade" through the canal; and "Squog" has quintupled its inhabitants in the last ten years, while the rest of Bedford finds its interests increased by increased attention to its soil, and the ready sale of its productions in the Manchester Market.
But Bedford is noted for other productions than merely agricultural. Its men are an intelligent and industrious race. A cross of the Scotch Irish and Yankee, they are seldom to be beaten in those reliable qualities that make up a sturdy, robust, and intelligent people. In fact the same may be said of most of the inhabitants upon the banks of the Piscataquog, the Scotch Irish Stock of Londonderry being distributed through the Piscataquog, and the upper Contoocook valleys.
Among the men of note in their day, may be mentioned Judge Matthew Patten, Major John Goffe, Col. Daniel Moore, Captains James Aiken and Thomas McLaughlin, Hon. John Orr and John Patten, all firm patriots of the Revolution.
One of the firmest patriots of Bedford, was James Martin Esq. He was a member of the Provincial Congress of April, 1775. He was one of the first, if not the first, who established an Iron Foundry in New Hampshire. This was in operation in 1776, and he offered to supply the army with any amount of cannon shot the committee might see fit to order. Then at a later period, Hon. Benjamin Orr, a representative to Congress and a distinguished lawyer in Maine, Hon. John Vose, a State Senator, and for thirty-two years the distinguished preceptor of the Atkinson and Pembroke Academies; Hon. Thomas Chandler, representative to Congress, and a noted farmer, now living in a green old age; Hon. Joseph Bell, a distinguished lawyer in Boston, and president of the Senate of Massachusetts; John Rand, Esq., a distinguished painter of London; Prof. Joseph E. Worcester, the noted philologist; and last though not least, Rev. Isaac Orr, the inventor of the "Air Tight Stove," are all sons of Bedford.
In 1748, upon petition of Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dracut, Mass., and others, a grant was made to the petitioners, by the Masonean proprietors of the land north of Bedford upon the west bank of the Merrimack, and known as Narraganset No. IV. On the 16th day of June 1761, the Governor and Council granted the proprietors a charter, in which the township was named Goffstown, and which was as follows.
"Province of New Hampshire.
At a meeting of the proprietors of land, purchased of John Tufton Mason Esq., in the province of New Hampshire, Held at the Dwelling house of Mrs. Sarah Priest widow in portsmouth in said province, by adjournment, on Saturday, the third Day of December 1748. Voted, that there be and hereby is Granted unto Thomas Parker of Dracut, Col. Sampson Stoddard Esq., and John Butterfield of Chelmsford, Joseph Blanchard Jun., of Dunstable, Robert Davidson, of Dunstable, John Combs, James Karr, both of said Dunstable, John Goffe, John Goffe, Jun., James Walter, Matthew Patten, John Moore, Timothy Corlis Thomas Farmer, Zach, Cutting, Samuel Patten, Alexander Walker, James Cannada, Joseph Cannada, Robert Gilmore, Robert Walker, all of Souhegan East, So Called; Thomas Follansbe, Joshua Follansbe, Caleb Page, Benjamin Richards, Peter Morse, Caleb Emery, John Down, Peter Herriman, all of Haverhill, District, Abraham Meril, Benjamin Stevens, John Jewel, Ephraim Ma.tain [?Martain] , Nathaniel Martain, Ebenezer Martain, Aaron Wells, Caleb Dalton, all of a place Called Amoskeag; James Adams, the son of William Adams, William Orr, Job Kidder, John Kidder, all of Londonderry; William Read, Robert Read, James McKnight, William Cummings, all of Litchfield; Samuel Griggs, Edward White, Esq., John White, all of Brookline; Their heirs and assigns in equal Shares, Excepting as hereafter Excepted on the Terms, Conditions, and Limatations herein after Expressed, all that Tract or quarter of land within the province of New Hampshire, Extending Seven Miles in Length, and five miles in Breadth, Bounded as follows; viz. Begining at the North East Corner of Souhegan East, So Called at the main river, and thence runs West By said Souhegan Line Seven miles; thence North two Degrees West five miles; thence East to the main river, and thence by said river to the place where said bound begins.
To Have and to hold to their heirs and assigns in Equal Shares Excepting as aforesaid on the following Terms, Conditions and Limitations, that is to say; That the whole Tract of Land within Said Bounds (saving the particular tracts herein after mentioned) be Divided into Sixty Eight Shares or rights and each share or right be laid out into three Distinct Lots and numbered with the same number on each of Said Lots; That the numbers begin with one and end with Sixty Eight; That one of the said Shares be for the use of the fiirst minister of the Gospel who shall be settled on the Said Tract of Land hereby granted, and Shall remain there During his life, or untill he shall be regularly Dismist, to hold to him his heirs and assigns. And one other of Said Shares be for and towards the support of the gospel Ministry there forever; That two of the three Lots that Shall Belong to Each Share, Shall Contain One hundred acres Each, and the third, all the remainder of the land Belonging to Each Share respectively. That the two One hundred acre Lots Belonging to the Share for the first Minister of the Gospel, and the other for the Support of the Ministry as aforesaid, be laid out as near the place where the Meeting house Shall be set, as may Conveniently be Done; But that all the other lots Be Drawn for according to the Common Method of Drawing for lots of Land, only not untill all the logs Shall Be laid out So as that there Shall Be But one Draught for three Lots, that is to say, all belonging to one Share. That one of the Said Shares be for and towards the support of a school there for Ever. And Nineteen of the Said Shares be reserved for the use of the proprietors, the grantors of the Said premises and their assigns for ever. That Seventeen of the reserved Shares be exonerated, aquited and fully exempted from payimg any Charge towards making a settlement and not held to the Conditions of the Other Shares respecting the Settlement, nor liable to any Tax, assessment or Charge, untill Improved by the Owners, or some holding under them, respectively. That the Owners of the other forty Eight Shares Shall Carry on perform, and make a Settlement at their own expense, in the following manner; viz; All the lots to be laid out as aforesaid by the last day of may next, ready to be Drawed for; That the lots be laid out in ranges where the land will admit of it, and land left Between the ranges for Highways of four rods wide, and for cross ways between the lots two rods wide. That within one year from the Said Last day of may, Each Owner of the Said Forty Eight Shares have a house of Sixteen foot Square, with a Chimney, and a cellar, upon one of the lots Belonging to his Share, and some person living in said house, and four acres of land Enclosed, Cleared, and fitted for mowing or tillage, and within one year after that, namely, by the last Day of may 1751, to have four acres more Enclosed, Cleared, and fitted for mowing or tillage, and at the end of these years, from the last day of may next, to have four acres more Enclosed, Cleared, and fitted as aforesaid. That the settlers at their own expense, build a meeting house there before the last day of may in the year 1751, fit for the publick worship of God, for the use of those who shall then or afterwards Inhabit there, and after the end of the three years aforesaid From that time Constantly to maintain the publick worship of God there. That Six acres of land be left and laid out in Some Suitable place for Building a meeting House upon, a School house, to make a Burrying yard a training field, and for ony Other Public use the Inhabitants shall have occasion of applying the same to.
That Each Owner of the Said Forty Eight Shares, shall at or before the Drawing for their lots as aforesaid, advance and pay the sum of thirty pounds old Tenor including what they have already paid towards carrying on the settlement,) to be Deposited in the hands of Such persons as the sd Owners Shall Chuse to receive the same, to defray the Charge of Surveying and laying out the Said Land into lots, Building a meeting house, as aforesaid; Maintaining the Public worship of God there the first three months from the End of three years after Drawing for said Lots as aforesaid, Clearing land for highways, Building Necessary Bridges, and making and returning a compleat plan of the said Survey and laying out of the Lots to the said Grantors, that all white pine trees fit for his Majestie's use for masting the Royal Navy, growing on said track of land be and hereby is reserved and hereby Granted to his Majesty his heirs and Successors forever for that purpose. That the Owners of the said Forty Eight Shares shall have the use of all meadows within any of the lots Belonging to twenty of the reserved Shares, or any of them for the term of five years, Commencing at the time of Drawing said Lots, as aforesaid. That no Obstruction or Incumberance be made or built across or upon Piscataquog river Below the Crotch so Called, whereby the passage of the fish may be any way hindered or impeded, and in case any such Incumbrance be made, any person may Destroy or remove the same or any such Obstruction. Reserving to the grantors that Tract of land lying across the Crotch of the said Piscataquog, which Major Edward White purchased of William Dudley Esq., Deceased, which Tract of Land is hereby also granted unto him the said Edward White and his son John White, agreeable to this petition for the same, they Being Considered as two of the Settlers of the said Tract of Land hereby granted, and obliged to perform their proportion of Duty and Charge of Settlers, but to the said Tract of land purchased as aforesaid, (without Drawing for the same as aforesaid) in full for their share of Land within the Bounds of the premises hereby granted. And also Reserving to the said Grantors the stream and Falls at a place called Harry Brook, within said tract of Land which is hereby Granted to Thomas Follansbee above named, his heirs and assigns, with fifteen acres of land to be Laid out in the most Convenient manner, for the accommodation of a saw mill there, upon this condition; viz; he, his heirs Execr's, adm'r or assigns Building a good saw mill there, fit to go by the last Day of august next, and Sawing Lumber, for the Inhabitants of said Tract of land to the halves for the term of six years, from the time at when and so often as they shall have occasion. Reserving to the said Grantors which they hereby grant to Hugh Ramsey, Thomas Hall, James Moore, and Samuel Gregg, fifty acres of land to Each of them, Including their Improvements there and so running westerly from each respective improvement so far, as with that to make up the said Quantity of fifty acres of land to Each of them, in fee they severally paying, and each of them Depositing as a foresaid five pounds Old Tenor, for the purpose aforesaid, and Doing and performing their part and proportion of all other and after Duty hereby laid upon said Settlers. And in Case any of the Owners of the said Forty Eight shares shall refuse, neglect, or omit to perform and fully Discharge any of the Conditions, articles, matters and things above mentioned, by him respectively to be Done, he shall forfeit his Share and right in the said Tract of Land, and every part and parcel thereof to the said Grantors, and it shall and may be lawfal for them or any of them, or any person or persons in their name and stead, and by their authority to enter into and upon the part, share, and right of such Delinquent Owner, or any part thereof in their name, of the whole and him utterly thence to amove out and expel for the use of said Grantors their heirs and assigns Provided, there be no Indian war in any of the terms, and Limitations of time above mentioned, for performing the said articles and things aforesaid, to be done and performed by the said settlers, and in Case that should happen, the same times to be allowed for the Respective matters afors'd, after such Impediment shall be removed, and it is also to be understood that the surveyor or surveyors and those who shall be appointed to lay out the lots aforesaid, shall also Lay out all the Particular Tracts and parcels of land above mentioned. Lastly the said Grantors and proprietors aforesaid, Do hereby Ingage and promise to the said Gantees, to defend them, their Heirs and assigns against all and every action, and law suit, that shall be prosecuted, moved and stirred against them and any of them, by any person or persons whatsoever Claiming the said land or any part thereof by any other Title than the Title of the said Grantors, or that by which they hold or Derive this from, with this Condition and Limitation:
That in Case the said Grantees their Heirs or assigns shall be Ejected and Ousted by any such Right or Title that then they have or recover nothing of and from the said Grantors and proprietors, or their Heirs, Exec'rs, adm'rs, for the labour of the said Grantees their Heirs and assigns on the premises or any part thereof or any Expense they shall have been at in Consequences of this Grant, nor for the land so granted to them, or any of them. And it is to be understood that said lots shall be drawn for in the town of Portsmouth.
Coppy of Record, Attest,
GEORGE JEFFREY, JR. Prop'rs, Clerk."
The town received its name out of compliment to Capt. John Goffe, who had so distinguished himself in the French war then just closed. The township was divided into sixty-eight shares or rights, nineteen of which were reserved by the Masonian proprietors, and one for schools, one for the support of the gospel forever, and one for the first minister, during his settlement. Of these proprietors, aside from the Masonian, a large majority were from the immediate vicinity, fourteen being from Bedford, eight from Amoskeag, four from Litchfield, and four from Londonderry.
Among the earliest settlers, if not the very first, were Ephraim, Nathaniel and Ebenezer Martin. Upon the grant they are placed down of Amoskeag. They were doubtless sons of Samuel Martin who lived in the lower part of what was called Harrytown and had a ferry across the Merrimack, known as Martin's Ferry, near the farm of Peter Mitchel. It is probable, that at the time of the grant, they may have commenced a settlement on the west side of the Merrimack, south of the Amoskeag Falls. Be this as it may, they were settled in that locality at an early period. These Martins were stout hardy men, and many anecdotes are related of them. Their father died before they left the ferry, and they had an older brother, Samuel, who lived at the Ferry, and they had an older brother, Samuel, who lived at the Ferry, and supported a widowed mother, for many years. This was a difficult task for boys in their minority,--and had to be done principally by farming, hunting and fishing. The mother was a strong, active woman, and with energy and economy on her part she was able to keep the family together. When the boys were hunting, fishing or otherwise engaged, she was ever ready to take oars and ferry people across the river, and could do it with a great deal of skill and ease. The boys were not only stout and hardy, but they knew no fear. The story goes among the old people of the town, that the two older brothers started up Nutt's Brook in a deep snow in the hopes of finding some deer yarded in the swamp at the head of that brook, with no other weapon but an axe. Upon entering the swamp, they met with a large track, and had followed it but a few rods before they cam upon a catamount beneath a hemlock, quietly gnawing at a deer it had slain. Instead of running at sight of the animal, they determined to attack it. The animal discovered no intention of leaving his breakfast and no signs of being disturbed, save an occasional whisk of his tail upon the snow. The young men after consultation and some fear on the part of the younger, commenced operations. The younger with a club made a feint of attacking the catamount in front, while the other with his axe crept up in rear of the annimal. The catamount kept on gnawing and breaking the bones of the deer with more fierceness, and at length at intervals as the young men approached with clubs in hand, began a low, deep growl, flourishing his tail and lashing the snow with it, throwing it in the air as if stirred up by a fierce wind. This aided the hunters in the attack, for taking his advantage, the eldest, at a single blow with his axe, severed the back bone of the animal, and thus disabled he was soon dispatched, and hauled home in triumph!
The success of the elder brothers and the excitement attendant upon their hunting expeditions, so often related at the fireside, had produced a decided effect upon the younger members of the family. A younger brother, a lad some dozen or fourteen years of age, but older by far in courage, became so elated by his brothers' recitals, that he thought he could hunt successfully and became importunate that his mother should let him accompany them upon their expeditions. His mother denied his frequent importunities, often ending her denials with "Pshaw boy, you'd run at sight of a bear!" "Try me mother" would rejoin the boy! At length the mother thought she would try him, and going out of the house in the evening she threw over her head the skin of a bear. Soon returning, she made a loud noise at the door, and it was forthwith opened by the boy. Upon this, mimicking a bear she rolled along on all fours into the house. The boy was somewhat surprised at so unceremonious a visit in the evening, but nothing daunted, he seized a pitch wood knot and dealing his visitor a blow over her head, laid her at length on the floor! It is needless to remark that after this, Mrs. Martin made up her mind that Joshua would not run for a bear! He became not only a noted hunter, but a noted soldier, and in the French war that followed, did his country good service.
Goffstown, like its neighbors, is a fine farming town, and in former years afforded vast quantities of valuable lumber. In fact, the valley of the Piscataquog has ever been noted for its excellent lumber, and in the time of the Royal Surveyors, a deputy surveyor and agents were always appointed in Goffstown and other adjacent towns, "to prevent waste in the King's woods." Masts of great size and of extra quality were cut on the "Squog" and its branches, for the King's navy. The Amoskeag Falls were so "hideous," that masts were broken in passing them--hence they had to be hauled on the bank of the Merrimack below these Falls. A Provincial road was constructed up the "Squog," through Goffstown and Weare, and branching into New Boston, for the accommodation of "the masting business." This road is now known as the "Mast Road," and sections of it accommodate a large portion of the travel from Manchester to the northern towns of Hillsborough County.
Some of the largest and most valuable masts ever cut in the Province, were cut in Goffstown and New Boston. The old people relate that one was cut upon the farm of Jonathan Bell in Goffstown, in the valley of the south branch of the Piscataquog, and about a half of a mile southwest of Goffstown-West-Village, that exceeded in size, length and symmetry any other ever cut in this region. It was so large that some of the teamsters drove a yoke of "seven feet oxen" upon its stump and turned them round upon it with ease!
The land is somewhat level next to the Merrimack, but it rises into a mountain range, in the west part of the town, known as the "Uncanoonucks." This is a corruption of the Indian word Wunnunnoogunash, the plural of Wunnunnoogun, (a breast,) ash being added to the singular to form the plural of inanimate nouns.
The name is very appropriate. From the top of the Uncanoonucks a splendid panorama is presented to the eye. Spurs of these mountains extend into New Boston, and "Joe English" in that town may be considered a part of the same range. This is a large hill placed down on Carrigain's map of New Hampshire as Ingall's hill. Its true name is "Joe English," which it received from a noted Indian of that name.
It is noted, and is much of a curiosity, as a freak of nature. It is precipitous and abrupt on its southern end, having the appearance of the southern part of the hill being carried away by some convulsion of nature. In fact, the hill terminates on the south in a rough precipice, presenting, in the distance a height of some two or three hundred feet, and almost perpendicular. The hill took its name from an incident of olden time connected with this precipice. In 1705 or 6, there was an Indian living in these parts, noted for his friendship for the English settlers upon the lower Merrimack. He was an accomplished warrior and hunter, but following the counsels of Passaconaway and Wonnalancet, he continued steadfast in his partiality for his white neighbors. From this fact the Indians, as was their wont, gave him the name, significant of this trait, of "Joe English." In course of time, the Indians satisfied that Joe gave information of their hostile designs to the English, determined upon killing him upon the first fitting opportunity. Accordingly just at twilight, they found Joe upon one of the branches of the "Squog" hunting and commenced an attack upon him; but he escaped from them, two or three in number, and made directly for this hill in the southern part of New Boston. With the quick thought of the Indian, he made up his mind that the chances of escape were against him in a long race, and he must have recourse to strategem. As he ran up the hill, he slackaned his pace until his pursuers were almost upon him, that they might become more eager in the pursuit. Once near the top he started off again with great rapidity, and the Indians after him, straining every nerve. As Joe came upon the brink of the precipice before mentioned, he leaped behind a jutting rock, and waited in breathless anxiety. But a moment passed, and the hard breathing, and measured but light footsteps of his pursuers were heard, and another moment with a screech and a yell, their dark forms were rolling down the rocky precipice, to be left at its base, food for hungry wolves!
Thenceforth the hill was called "Joe English," and well did his constant friendship deserve so enduring a monument.
"Joe English" was the grand-son of the Sagmon of Agawam, (now Ipswich,) whose name was Wosconnomet.
"Joe English" came to his death in consequence of his fidelity to the whites. The hostile Indians determined upon his death, and kept constantly upon his path. At length, July 27, 1706, Lt. Butterfield and his wife, riding betwixt Dunstable and Chelmsford, on horse-back, with "Joe English" as companion and a guard, fell into an Indian ambuscade. The horse was shot upon the first fire, Butterfield and his wife falling to the ground. The main object of the Indians being to secure "Joe," Butterfield and the soldier made their escape, while the Indians, one of the party being left in charge of Mrs. Butterfield, went in pursuit of him. "Joe" made for the woods, with several Indians in full pursuit, and finding them gaining upon him, he turned about and presented his gun as if to fire. The Indians fearing his fatal aim, fell upon the ground, and "Joe" took to his heels for life. Again the Indians gained upon him, and "Joe" again presented his trusty gun and for fear of it, the Indians again threw themselves upon the ground. This was repeated several times, until "Joe" had almost gained the thick woods, when one of the Indians, despairing of taking him alive, and fearing he would escape them, fired upon him, breaking the arm with which he held his gun. The gun fell to the ground and "Joe" redoubled his speed. But just as he gained the wood, a shot struck his thigh, and he fell to the ground. His fall was the signal for a yell of triumph, from the Indians in pursuit. When they came up to him they expressed their pleasure in no measured terms. "Now Joe," said they, "we got you, you no tell English again, we come! "No," retorted "Joe" "Cap'n Butterfield tell that at Pawtucket." "Hugh! exclaimed the Indians, the thought just striking them, that the soldiers at the Block Houses, at Pawtucket or Dunstable, alarmed by the whites who had escaped, would be upon them in a short time. There was no time for delay. Joe could not be carried away, and one of them buried his hatchet in the head of the prostrate Indian. Thus died "Joe English," the faithful friend of the white man. The services of "Joe English" were considered so meritorious, that a grant was made to his wife and two children, by the Legislature of Massachusetts, because as the words of the grant have it, "he died in the service of his country."
The swamps and mountains of Goffstown afforded most excellent hunting grounds, and they were well improved by the first settlers. Bears were frequent on the "Uncanoonucks," and Judge Kelly, a native of Goffstown informs us that within 45 years, as he was passing up the river road, above the village of Amoskeag, he saw two children crouching upon the river bank, as if in fear of some object, and turning his eye upon the bluff which overhung the road, a huge bear was leisurely viewing the group below!
At no great distance from this bluff, is the Great or Cedar Swamp. This swamp was a famous resort in olden time of deer, moose, and other game. Of course it was much frequented by those expert deer hunters, wolves and catamounts. Long after the settlement of the town, Gen. Stark crossed the river with a friend from "down below" to hunt in this swamp for deer. The gentleman was anxious to get a shot at a deer, and Stark placed him on a good track for a shot. But for fear he might not be sure shot, he kept within hailing distance, that he might make sure of what his friend might miss. They had proceeded but a short distance into the swamp before his friend cried out in a subdued voice, "Stark! Stark! come here!" Stark supposing he had discovered a deer or a moose, "replied what do you see?" "The d--l!" answered his friend. At the moment of his answer came the report of his gun! Stark rushed forward and there lay almost at the feet of his friend a hugh catamount, writhing in the agonies of death, while his friend was deliberately loading his gun! Discovering the catamount among the lower branches of a tree, his fierce eye balls glaring, and his tail lashing the limbs, he called to Stark to come up to his assistance. Startled at the voice, the catamount prepared to leap upon him, but the hunter was in time, and placed a ball very handsomely between his eyes! Yet with a ball in his brain, this powerful animal made a bound of thirty feet towards his intended victim! Upon viewing the scene, Stark thus expressed his satisfaction of his friend's aptness as a shot under circumstances that had made stout hunters quail, "Well I guess you'll do!"
This animal was frequently killed in this neighborhood; Col. John Goffe was once returning from a hunting excursion up the Piscataquog valley, when he discovered a catamount upon his track. He immediately cut a part of a quarter of a buck he was bringing home, and threw it in his track, in hopes that his hunger satiated, the animal would leave his track. He could see the catamount throw the deer's leg into the air as if in play. Soon after he lost sight of him. Tired and jaded, he camped on a small brook that empties into the Piscataquog from the north, below Goffstown Center. Here he slept till sunrise, when upon waking up and looking upon a tree nearly over him, he saw his companion of the day before, viewing the group in the camp. Without moving from his position, he jostled his dog near him asleep, which jumped up and commenced barking. The catamount upon this leaped upon an adjacent tree, but soon returned to its first position, lashing itself into a rage. Upon this Goffe raised his trusty gun and fired; the catamount fell near to the camp, was soon skinned and carried home by the fearles hunter. This brook then took, and is now known by the name of "Catamount Brook."
Subsequently, as Matthew Patten and Robert Walker of Bedford were returning from a hunting excursion up the Piscataquog, in "The Bog," an extensive tract of swampy land, in the south west part of New Boston, their dog took the track of a catamount. The animal soon took to a tree and the dog commenced a furious barking. The track showed the animal to be one of large size, and Patten proposed that they should pass along without attempting to kill him. Walker however, valued his dog highly and was unwilling to leave him in so unequal a contest, and the hunters concluded to give him fight. They accordingly went into the thick woods, and found the catamount upon a branch of a large rock maple. Walker was one of the best shots in the region, but under the excitement, he fired at the animal without touching him. The catamount became completely aroused and lashed the tree at a furious rate. Upon this Walker said to his companion, "Matthew hand me your gun, fear has left me, and I will kill him." Matthew handed him his gun, he fired and the animal leaped upon the ground in the agony of death. The hunter had put a ball through his heart. He proved to be of immense size. The skin of his tail was kept for a long time as a trophy; it was so long that Deacon Walker could pass it around his body, and tie it in a beau-knot!
But the Cedar swamp in Goffstown now contains a curiosity as rare in the vegetable kingdom, as is the bear or catamount, in the animal kingdom. Here, in the dark recesses of the swamp, is found in all its luxuriant splendor, the Rose Bay, (Rhododendron Maximum,) a most superb flowering shrub, or tree, indigenous to America.
Here it grows, and "wastes its sweetness on the desert air," unnoticed and unvisited, save by a very few, while if it were to be found in the remotest bog of England, its praises would be heralded in every paper, its beauties would attract the attention of the entire traveling community, and specimens, by royal command, would be transported to the royal gardens, and the ingenuity of a Paxton called in requisition to furnish it a home suited to its peculiar nature, without regard to expense. But here, we are so accustomed to the sublime and beautiful in nature, that the noblest specimens of either, attract less attention, and are passed with but a common-place remark.
The farmers of Goffstown have ever ranked in the first class, and they can show some noble farms. The "County Farm" is located upon the "Squog" in this town, about four miles from Manchester, and is probably unsurpassed by any other in the County. Considerable business was formerly done at the West Village, as is evident from the unoccupied stores and other buildings there to be seen; but Manchester has absorbed it almost entirely, perhaps to the injury of a few individuals. But the people of the town at large, are more than compensated by the ready market a manufacturing City affords for the produce of their farms.
Chapter 13