Page images
PDF
EPUB

!

Sketches of the History of Canterbury, NewHampshire, from a Sermon by Rev. William

Patrick.

The town of Canterbury was incorporated in the year 1727, on the 20th of May.* This name it undoubtedly received in honor of a city in the county of Kent, in England, lying 56 miles east of London. It has been said that some few of the whites took up a temporary residence.† In 1757, the people of this town having heard an alarm retired to the garrison. After remaining for some length of time in this strong enclosure, and no Indians appearing, they began to feel less of their danger and to attend to the necessary labors of the field. But their peace was soon interrupted. Four Indians of the St. Francis tribe appeared near the house of Mr. Thomas Clough, which they entered, and took from it a small quantity of meal, but their object being to take captives, they concealed themselves behind a log fence. They soon perceived a young lad, by the name of Moses Jackman, a nephew of Mr. Clough, and Dorset, the negro man of Mr. C. hoeing in the orchard. They suddenly leaped over the fence, and two of them secured young Jackman, and the other two

.

*Five other towns were granted and incorporated at the same time, - viz. Epsom, Chichester, Barnstead, Gilmanton and Bow.

†The names of some of the earliest settlers are,

James Scales,

Thomas Clough,

Thomas Young,

William Glines,

James Gibson,

Ezekiel Morrill,

Samuel Ames,

Joseph Symonds,
John Moor,

Richard Blanchard,

Jeremiah Clough, Josiah Miles,.. Ephraim Clough, Samuel Shepherd, Samuel Sias.

pursued Dorset, who fled to the woods. The poor fellow made an obstinate resistance, and received much abuse by their beating his face and head, but his cries of murder! Indians! were heard by some lads, who had been sent on an errand to the low ground between this house and the fort, about the distance of half a mile from each other. The lads returned to the fort with the intelligence. Mrs. Clough narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Indians. Not apprehending danger, she went that day from the garrison to her house to bake and prepare for the return of the family. Going directly to her meal chest, she discovered some traces of the Indians, and concluded that the enemy was near. With remarkable presence of mind she stepped to the door, and called aloud for the boys, saying come quickly! Continuing her calls, as she advanced, still bending her course toward the garison, she safely passed the ground of danger; ran to the fort, and confirmed the sad tidings. Exertions were made to recover the captives, but in vain.

They were conveyed to Lake Champlain, thence to St. John's and to Montreal. At Montreal, they were imprisoned for a fortnight, while the Indians were employed in selling their furs. The prisoners were then, to their no small grief separated,-Dorset being sold in Montreal, and Jackman to a Frenchman in St. Francis, from whom, after a tedious captivity, he was released in 1761, after the restoration of peace. His widowed mother employed a person to go in pursuit of him, by whom he was conducted to his friends in Boscawen, where he was living in the year 1823. Mr. Clough having received intelligence, that for a moderate sum he could

*

*

obtain his servant, sent and redeemed him; but on his return, Dorset missed his way, and from his exposure, to the severity of the cold, was so badly frozen that he lost both of his feet. He was however brought back to Canterbury, and his old master supported him comfortably until his death, which happened at quite an advanced age. We may form some idea of the situation of this people by an extract of a letter written to the inhabitants of this town, in answer to inquiries which they proposed to the convention of ministers in regard to the settlement of a man in the work of the gospel ministry. These Fathers in the ministry say,-"We are properly affected with your circumstances, as dwelling in the wilderness, and exposed to the insults and barbarities of a cruel and savage enemy." This letter was dated September, 28th, 1756.

About this time, Samuel and George Shepherd, sons of Mr. Samuel Shepherd, were soldiers in the old French war, and were stationed near the frontiers of Canada. These young men with others, were selected and sent upon an important despatch under the command of a Capt. Burbank. The Captain imprudently permitted his soldiers to shoot pigeons. The report of the guns gave notice to the Indians, who collected in superior numbers, and placed themselves in a situation where they could fight to advantage. They commenced the action which was warm and bloody, the English expecting no quarters if overpowered. While fighting those in front, Samuel Shep+ herd was approached by an Indian in the rear, seized by the hair of his head, drawn back a few ka rods and bound to a tree. George narrowly es caped the blow of a tomahawk, which was aimed at his head. Missing his object, the force of

the blow fell upon the Indian who received a wound in his leg. Being made prisoners, these brothers, as they passed down the lake, recognized the scalps of their Captain and comrades belonging to the little band. They were taken to Montreal and sold to the French. After the close of the war, they were permitted to return home and enjoy the tranquillity of peace. Amidst these arduous struggles, our forefathers were not unmindful of their dependance, upon an overruling providence. The original proprietors of the town considered it a matter of the first importance, that religious institutions should be strictly maintained. Accordingly, in the records of the proprietors from time to time, we find it voted to raise money for the support of the gospel. The first of these is dated in the year 1735. If the sums raised were such as would now be thought small, they were not so viewed by the people at that period. No doubt, greater efforts were required to raise these sums than would be necessary to procure much larger donations for a similar object at the present day. In 1742, the proprietors taxed themselves, each three shillings and ninepence for the same object. To this time, we find not the name of the preacher employed. It is however clearly ascertained that Mr. James Scales, a graduate of Harvard College in 1733, was the first person employed by this people, as a preacher. Here he resided, and was repeatedly chosen Town Clerk. 1743, we find a vote to give Mr. Scales £20 for his ministerial services. Previous to this time, the town meetings had, invariably, been held at Durham. In 1750, we find a vote to have constant preaching, until a minister can be settled. in the town. The same year, the frame of a

༢.

[ocr errors]

In

meeting house was contracted for, and probably raised. Previous to this time, the congregation assembled at a log meeting house about half a mile south of the place where we now meet for religious worship. The same year, we also find a vote of the proprietors to give 1000 acres of land for the use of the ministry. These movements may appear to us slow and feeble; but when we consider the indigent circumstances of the people, their contention with the savages, and the toil of turning a wilderness into fruitful fields, we shall rather admire their patience and perseverance, than criminate the tardiness of their progress. In 1756, the Rev. Robert Cutler, came to this place, and soon after, received a unanimous call to settle over the people in the work of the gospel ministry. He continued here and preached about two years: but on account of some aberrations of conduct, either real or supposed, he was not installed over this people. Mr. Cutler was the first settled minister of Epping, where he was ordained in December, 1747, and was dismissed in December, 1755. He was afterwards installed in Greenwich, Mass. and died there 1786, at the age of 64.

Mr. Timothy Walker of Concord, who was graduated at Harvard College in 1756, was employed a short time as a candidate. He after

wards went into civil life, and was a member of the Council and chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1760, Mr. Abiel Foster, a native of Andover and a graduate of Harvard College, was invited by the church and town to become their minister. Having signified his acceptance, he was ordained January 21, 1761. A church had probably been formed, previous to the settlement of Mr. Foster; but the first book

« PreviousContinue »