STARK'S    
FORT    

Captain Goffe's house, standing near the mouth of Cohas Brook, had been used as a place of refuge upon an alarm of Indians. But this was inadequate to afford protection for all who sought safety, and in the summer of 1746 the construction of a larger and more conveniently situated garrison was intrusted to Lieut. Archibald Stark. Accordingly he, assisted by the inhabitants in this vicinity, built what became known as Stark's Fort on the west shore at the outlet of Swager's (corruption of Sebage, meaning place of water), later called Fort Pond, now Nutt's, a large and substantial garrison. This was about one hundred and twenty-five feet square. A well was dug and stoned between the building and the pond, which is still to be seen, though nearly filled with debris. The situation was most favorable to the surrounding inhabitants, some of whom were living about the Falls, others at McMurphy's mills, and at Cohas Brook. No doubt it contributed its share toward the safety of the frontier during that anxious period.--Editor.

The following communication directed to Governor Wentworth and copied from Vol. 1, p. 297, of the manuscript collectio nof correspondence now in the State Secretary's office seems worthy of incorporation here:

May it please your Excellency
   I got to Pennecook on Sturday erly in the morning and and [sic] notwithstanding I sent monday after I left the bank yet my bread was not but but [sic] there was about 250 wet Baked which supply 20 men which I sent to Canterbury as soon as I got here and I keept the Baker and several soldiers to baking all Sabath Day and purpused to march on monday as soon as possible but about midnight 2 men came down from Contucook and Brought the unhappy news of 2 men being killed and the 2 men that came down told me that they saw the 2 men ly in their blood and one man moor that is missing and hereing I was here desiered me to Assist in making sarch so that I am with all Expedition a going up to Contucook and will do what I can to see the Enemy I shall take all possible care for the protection of the frontiers and and [sic] 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 boyl in one's veins to see our fellow creatures killed and taken upon every quarter and if we cannot cach them I hear I hoop the General Cort will give incorrigement to go and give them the same play at hom--the white man that is killed is one Thomas Cook and the other is Mr. Stevenes the ministers negro these are found and one Jones a soldier is not found they having but five soldiers in the fort have not as yet sought much for him I am going with all possable Expedition and am your Excelency's Humble and Dutiful subject and servant.

John Goffe

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

Stark's fort was evidently built soon after this date. Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, of Rumford, July 15, 1747, in a petition signed by himself and others praying for a further supply of soldiers to protect the frontier, says in part:

   That ye news of a formidable armament sent from Canada to Crown Point obtained such credits with the Government of ye Massachusetts Bay as induced them to provide a prodigious reinforcement to strengthen their western barrier--That such is our situation that as the rivers Hudson & Connecticut lie most exposed to incursions from Crown Point, so ours is the next, and the experience of this whole war has taught us that whenever any smart attack has been made upon any of the settlements on Connecticut river the enemy have never failed of sending a considerable number to visit our river--That while our ordinary business was hoeing we could work in such large companies as not to be in such imminent danger of being massacred by the enemy, which now haying and English harvest comes on will be impracticable without vast detriment to the whole and utter ruin to some. We therefore beg of your Excelency & Honors to take our deplorable case into consideration.

In the Journal of the House of Representatives Saturday, October 24, 1747, we find it recorded:

   Voted That ye Muster Roll of Capt John Goffe for four men posted at Blaidells Perhams & Fosters Garrison near Amoskeag from 30th Augt 1746 to ye 29th Sept following amounting to twelve Pounds for Prov. & ammunition be allow'd & pd out of ye money in ye Treasury. Sent up by Mr. Knight.

SOURCE: Early Records of Derryfield, Now Manchester, N.H., 1782-1800, Published by Authority of the City Councils, under the Auspices of the Manchester Historic Association, 1906, Vol II, pgs 169-172