The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N. H.

Front matter

r

V

THE

Chapter I

Character of the Puritans — Emigrations from Scotland to Ireland — Hostility of the native Irish — Invasion of Ireland by James the First — Unsuccessful Attempt to take possession of Londonderry — Cruelty and Perfidy of the Papists — Siege of Londonderry. . . 1-29

CHAPTEH II.

The immediate Causes of the Emigration — Arrival at Boston — Selection of a Township — Settlement of a Pastor — Introduction qf the Potato — Manufacture of Linen — Petition for a Charter — Title to the Land obtained — Attempts to dispossess the Settlers — Incorporation of the Town — Fairs — Origin of Town Organizations , , . , 30-66

Chapter III

Traits in the Character of the early Settlers — Marriage Ceremonies, Wakes and Funerals — Diversions — Erection of a Meeting-house — Schools — Extracts from the old Town Records — Dwelling-houses — Incorporation of the "West Parish — Notices of John and James Pinkerton — Incorporation of Windham and Derryfield — Old French War — Emigrations from the Town — Patriotic Zeal of the Inhabitants during the War of the Revolution — Rebellion of 1786 — The two Villages — Pinkerton Academy — Adams Female Academy — Division of the Town — Emigrations of English Families into the Town 67-129

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Presbyterianisra in New England — Extracts from the old Church Records — Death and Character of Rev. J. MacGregor — Rev. Mr. Clark ; his Character — Settlement of Rev. Mr. Thompson — Description of the Sacramental Service — Induction of Elders — Formation of the West Parish, and Settlement of Rev. D. MacGregor — Settle- . ment of Rev. Mr. Davidson — Revival — New Meeting-house — Death and Character of Rev. D. MacGregor — Settlement of Rev. Mr. Morrison — Death and Character of Rev. Mr. Davidson — Settlement of Rev. Mr. Brown — Divisions in the East Parish — Dismissal of Mr. BroAvn — Settlement of the present Pastor — Endowment of the two Parishes — Death and Character of Rev. Mr. Morrison — Dr. Dana — Rev. Mr. Hayes ; his Death and Character

— Rev. Mr. Adams — Rev. Mr. Brainerd — Congregational Society

— Rev. Mr. Day — Methodist Society — Revivals 129-179

Chapter V

Settlements made by Emigrants from Londonderry. — Windham — Peterborough — Bedford — Cherry Valley — Nova Scotia — Antrim — Aeworth 180-208

Chapter VI

Biographical Notices. — William Adams, Rufus Anderson, Robert Bartley, John Bell, Samuel Fisher, William (jregg, Jarvis Gregg, Samuel Li vermore, Joseph Mc Keen, John McMurphy, John Prentice, George Reid, Robert Rogers, John Stark, Samuel Taggart, Isaac Thom, Matthew Thornton, and James Wilson. — Genealogical Sketches of the Families of William Adams, Edward Aiken, James Anderson, John Anderson, John Bell, James Clark, Robert Clark, John Crombie, Samuel Dickey, George Duncan, Samuel Ela, Robert Gilmore, James Gregg, David Gregg, Abraham Holmes, John Mack, James MacGregor, Alexander McCollom, James McKeen, John McKeen, John Ml^rrison, James Nesraith, Peter Patterson, John Pinkerton, Hngh Rankin, James Reid, Matthew Taylor, Andrew Todd, John and Thomas Wallace, Thomas Wal- Iftce, and John Woodburn 208-312 l-

Preface

SoON after the death of my fatlier, the charge of editing tlie History of Londonderry was commitffed to me. The first foiir chapters of the work were nearly completed, and the materlal for the two remaining chapters and the Appendix, in a great measure coUected and arranged. It was the design of my father, that the work should be examined by myself, and by his son-inlaw, Mr. Samuel H. Taylor, Principal of Phillips Acadeni}-. Andover, Mass., previous to its publication ; and a considerable portion of the manuscript was in my hands, for this purpose, at the tune of his decease. The Editor has therefore done but little mor'e in the prep^ation of the work, than would have devolved upon him had its Author lived to see its entire completion. And though it is more than probable that the Author had in his mind some fticts and illustrations, not committed to paper, wiüi which he intended to cnricli the woi-k ; yet it is believed that the Ilistory now presented to the public, is, in matter and form, what he intended it to be. In its preparation, my father availed himself of every source of information, and made free use of sueh material as could be found,«occasionally adopting the precise words and expressions of others, when thcy suited his purpose.

IV PREFACE.

The Editor woiild express his obligations to Mr. Daniël Mac-

Gregor and James McKeen, Esq., of the city of New York ; Hon.

Samuel D. Bell, of Manchester, N. H. ; George W. Nesmith, Esq.,

of Franklin, N. H., and Messrs..A. W. and R. C. Mack, of Lon-

donderry, for much valuable assistance. His acknowledgments

are also due to Hon. Luther V. Bell, LL. D., of Somerville, Mass.,

for the portrait of his grandfather, John Bell, Esq., and to Messrs.

McKeen, of Brunswick, Me., for the portrait of their fatlier,

President McKeen. There are doubtless others, to whom my

father would have been pleased to express his obligations. The

manuscript, before it went to press, received the careful exami-

nation of Mr. Taylor, who also prepared the Memoir of the

Author.

Edward P. Parker.

Afe.iriinack\ N. //., June, 1851.

CONTENTS. Vil

Appendix

Topography of Londonderry — Memorial to Gov. Shute — Wheelwright's Deed — Charter of the Town — Justice McKeen's Cominission — An early Parish Tax-list— Memorial to the General Court — Association Test — Soldiers of the Revolution — Petition for an Act regulating Parish Voters — Robert MacGregor's Deed of the Common and Graveyard — Lists of Representatives and Town OflScers — Lawyers — Physicians — Graduates. . . . 313-359

^ MEMOIR. XI

given. Eight of her ten children in after life became consistent professors of religion. How far earlj maternal instruction was the means of this it is not for us to determine, but doubtless that inflijence was important.

Edward, the youngest son, was the favorite child. His active and sprightlj habits made him the centre of interest in the family circle, a place which he continued to hold in after hfe. Before he was five years old, he had, in three instances, almost miraculously escaped death ; twice from drowning, and once from an attack by a domestic animal, the marks of which he ever after bore. At the period when he was of a suitable age to attend school, the advantages of the common schools of New England were much fewer than at present. Instructors themselves were very imperfectly qualified, and the circle of studies was extremely limited, including little more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. This meagre course of study was all that Mr. Parker enjoyed in his youth. When he was about twelve years of age, he was placed as a clerk in the store of his brother Thomas, in Bedford, N. H. Here he was brought into scènes of peculiar temptation. The village in which the store was situated, being near the Merrimack River, was the residence and the resort of a large number of persons engaged in rafting and boating, who, at that time, were in the constant and free use of intoxicating drink. A favorite form of it was " flip ;'^ and so constant was the demand for this, that the loggerhead was always hot, ready to perform its indispensable part in the preparation of this choice beverage. Mr. Parker often remarked that he had sold hogsheads of ardent spirit in this form. It will be readily imagined, to what corrupting influences he was exposed, where

Xll MEMOIR.

intoxicatihg liquors were thus freely used, and where his ears were daily familiar with the lowest vulgarity and profaneness ; and yet, to his own amazement, as in after Ufe he looked back upon Jhese scènes, he never contracted the habits of those with whom he was brought in continual contact. Though the habitual use of ardent spirit "was at that time almost universal, yet, even under the strongest temptations, he never complied with the practice. In a sermon, preached a few years before his death, he said : " I was in childhood placed amid scènes of peculiar temptation and exposure ; yet, though destitute as I then was of the true fear of God, through the influence of maternal instruction and the restraints of a kind Providence, I was kept from contracting habits, or entering upon courses of vice and impiety, into which so many at that time were thrown." The impressions made upon his youthful mind by witnessing the debasing and brutalizing effects of intemperance, rendered him, in later years, the fearless and zealous advocate of every wise measure to correct the evil.

In the discharge of his general duties as clerk in his brother's store, he is described as attracting particular notice for his activity and energy. A part of his business consisted in measuring and taking an account of lumber, particularly of boards, which he is said to have done with great rapidity. This lumber was sent in rafts to Newburyport, and he, being commissioned to go and dispose of it, sometimes accompanied the raft, but more generally performed the journey each way on foot. As he was at this time a mere boy, and small of his age, he was looked upon with much interest for the shrewdness, accuracy, and despatch which were manifest in all his dealings.

MEMOIR. XIU

When Mr. Parker was fifteen years of age, the brother in whose store he had been emplojed failed in business ; an e vent, we are told, which would have occurred still earher but for the faithful exertions of his young clerk. Being thus thrown out of emplojment, he was invited bj another brother, who was a physician in Topsham, Me., to go and reside with him, and act as clerk in his druggist's shop. This invitation he accepted, and remained with his brother about a jear. Here he was brought into a still strenger current of temptation than before. To the vice of intemperance, to which he had been exposed, was now added the still more seductive one of gambhng. Yet he never jielded ; previous resistance had given him doublé power to overcome his present exposure. Whenever it was possible, he always withdrew from the devotees of the cup and the gaming-board, to a small room alone. At last, sickened bj the scènes into which he was daily and nightlj thrown, he resolved to leave Topsham, and return to his native place. He did so, performing the journej of one hundred and fifty miles on foot, in the month of March.

Being unable to find such employment as he wished, he left home with the consent of his friends, but without informing them of his plans, knowing the objections they would interpose, and engaged himself as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Billerica, Mass. Here he continued for some time, till his friends, accidentally ascertaining where he was, persuaded him to return home. But there was no business for him there, and his active habits would not allow him to be idle. Accordinglj, in connection with a brother, he purchased a woodlot, got off the lumber, drew it to the river, and rafted it. In the winter, being

B

XIV ME MO IR.

now se venteen years of age, he offered himself as a teacher of a district school in the present town of Manchester, N. II., then called Derryfield. Though he had bnt a verj Umited education, and had never studied Enghsh grammar or geography, yet, after due examination, he was approved and engaged to teach the school. At the opening of the school, some of his scholars presented themselves to studj English grammar. With a resolution that never failed him in the most trying circumstances, he put himself to the new study with such energy as to be able to teach it with success ; and so great was the approbation of his instructions, and of his general management of the school, that he was invited to teach there again the next winter.

After these checkered scènes, bj the particular advice of his friends, avIio saw in him clements of usefulness and success in some higher calling than any to which he had directed his attention, he was induced to prepare himself for the study of medicine. With the Httle gains acquired by the sale of his lumber and by his school, he entered the academy in Londonderry, at that time, and for many years after, under the charge of Samuel Burnham, M. A., a gentleman of most excellent character, and of some distinction as a teacher. While a member of the academy, he boardcd in the faraily of Rev. Jonathan Brown, the minister of the East Parish, and whose place he was to occupy in a little more than six years. It was during his connection with this school that his attention was first called decidedly to the subject of religiën, by a sermon on the Judgment, delivered in the pulpit in which he subsequently preached for so long a period. ïhere can be httle doubt that the change wrought in him by the

MEMOIR. XV

religious impressions made at that time was a tliorough and radical one. It invested life with new interest, presented new and more enlarged objects of eflfort, and pressed upon liim higher and strenger motives of action. He soon relinquished the purpose of entering tlie medical profession ; and tliough entirely destitute of means, except what he might gain by bis own exertions, directed his course of studj with reference to a preparation for college, with a view of entering the Christian ministrj.

At this time there was a highly excited state of feeling among the people of the East Parish of Londonderry, which had grown out of the opposition of a large minority to the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Brown, and the consequent formation of a Congregational society within the bounds of the parish. Mr. Parker, finding his own mind too much diverted from his studies by the subjects which distracted the parish, left the academy at Londonderry, and placed himself under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscawen, N. H., who óften fitted young men for college. Here he remained until he entered college, with the exception of the time which he spent in teaching. During his residence in Boscawen, at the age of nineteen, he united with the church under the charge of Dr. Wood. With what perseverance and success he prosecuted his studies under his new, as well as under his former instructor, will be evident from the fact, that, in two years and three months after he commenced his studies in the academy at Londonderry, with a view of fitting himself for the medical profession, he entered the junior class in Dartmouth College, having taught school during this time some more than nine months. He went to Hanover on foot, carrying all his effects with him. In

XVI MEMOIR.

after life, lie, like manj others, often regretted that he had not spent more time in his preparatory and collegiale course.

While a member of college, he made the most faithful use of his time, rising at a very early hour in the moming. A classmate who was familiar with all his habits, sajs : " Ile prosecuted his studies with great assiduity. With him no time was allo wed to pass miimproved. He ranked high as a scholar, and was a member of the Phi Bèta Kappa society."

His Christian character and influence during his college course attracted particular notice. A classmate, after stating that " he possessed a mind of a high order, strong, and quick of apprehension," adds : " but his piety gave the chief lustre to his character. As a Chri ^tian, he was exemplary, devout, humble, and cheerful. In conversation and demeanor, he w^as pleasant and courteous. Probably no one of his class was more highly esteemed for his moral and Christian character than he." Rev. Dr. Shurtleff, late professor in Dartmouth College, and the only one of his college instructors who now survives, says : " It is clear in my recoUection, that Mr. Parker stood among the good scholars of his class, but was most prominent as a devoted, consistent, and faithful Christian." And adverting to " his consciëntieus regard for divine truth," as exhibited in the decided and bold measures he took, on one occasion, to defeat the efforts made to diffuse loose and dangerous sentiments. Dr. Shurtleff says : " I silently marked the spirit which prompted him ; a fearless determination to resist, at every hazard, the encroachmcnts of error ; and the same fidclity and moral courage which he then displayed, were uniformly.

MEMOIR. XVU so far as I have known and heard, carried out with prudence and good judgment in his subsequent life and ministry." Others have borne similar testimony in regard to the earnestness and consistencj of his Christian example, and of the respect in which he was held, as combining in an unusual degree, at that time in college, honorable scholarship with decided pietj.

While Mr. Parker was a member of college, regular instruction was given in theology to such as wished it, by the professor of that department, which was then filled by Rev. Dr. ShurtlefF. Besides pursuing the prescribed college course, he availed himself of the opportunity thus offered to prosecute his theological studies. In these, as in other studies, he made rapid ad vances. His professor, referring to the short time in which he prepared to enter the junior class in college, remarks : " His well known rapidity of mind would give countenance to the report which you mention. Certainly, his progress in theology corresponded with his supposed rapidity in fitting for college."

Mr. Parker supported himself during his college course by teaching school. He often spoke of the good providence which directed him to desirable situations ; of one instance of this kind, he always had the most grateful remembrance. During his senior year, at a season when there was no opportunity of obtaining employment in the district schools, he found himself wholly destitute of means to pay his bills, and knew not what to do. At length, it occurred to him that Richard Lang, Esq., a merchant at Hanover, might wish to eniploy some one to teach his children. With much diffidence, he concluded to go to Mr. Lang's store, and propose the subject to him. He

B*

XVlll MEMOIR.

accordinglj went ; and, as soon as lie opened the door, Mr. Lang came to him and said : " Mr. Parker, I wish to employ some one to teach my children ; I have been to Professor ShurtlefF, to request him to recommend a suitable person, and he recommends you ; are jou willing to take the situation?" The answer can be readily imagined. On the same day, he was comfortably settled in Mr. Lang's family, where he remained several months after he graduated. Oh, how many young men of genereus impulses, and with an ardent desire to prepare themselVes to be useful in the world, may be found in all our institutions of learning, embarrassed and disheartened for the want of some small pittance of relief, which multitudes would be the richer for ffivin^ir them !

Mr. Parker graduated in 1807, but continued his theological studies at Hanover, under Prof. Shurtleff, for several months afterward. He was licensed to preach the gospel Oct. 29, 1807, by the Committee of the Grafton, N. H., presbylery, his license being signed by John Wheelock, John Smith, Roswell ShurtlefF, President and Professors in Dartmouth College, and Rev. James Woodward, of Norwich. During the winter, he spent some time in the study of theology with Rev. Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Yt., the zcalous advocate and defender of the " Taste Scheme," against the " Exercise Scheme," as promulgated by Dr. Emmons.

About this time he began to make occasional cntries in a diary, from which a few extracts will be taken in the course of this sketch. In view of the ministry upon which he was about to enter, he seems to have had clearer convictions than before of the necessity of vital piety. Hence he says ; " I do resolve to give more dili-

MEMOIR. XIX

gence to be established in the hope of the gospel." '' Sensible of the great and momentous study in Avhich I am engaged, and of the importance of entering upon it with right motives, I resolve to devote myself to the examination of mj own heart." "I do now resolve to relinquish every earthlj object, and to set my aifections supremelj on God." " I resolve not to suffer the opinions, the pleasures, the flatteries, or the frowns of the world, to influence mj conduct. Grant me power, O God, to confirm my feeble resolutions."

As an evidence of his laborious application to the studies on which he had entered, it may be added, that the time of each day, from five o'clock in the morning till half-past eleven at night, was appropriated to particular duties, including three seasons of devotion. He had an impediment in his speech ; he therefore devoted one hour each day to correct that. He w^ished to gain a more extensive knowledge of some of the studies of his college course ; he accordingly gave three hours each day to the mathematics, and as many to the languages ; and all this in addition to his principal object, the study of theology.

In the spring of 1808, Mr. Parker took charge of the academyin Salisbury, N. H., for six months, residing in the family of the Rev. Thomas Worcester, pastor of the church in that place. After completing his engagement at Sahsbury, he preached for several months at Columbia, Conn. Here he was invited to settle ; but feeling the need of more experience, as well as a more extended course of study, before he connected himself permanently with any society, he decHned the call, and placed himself under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Worcester, of Salem, Mass., the first Secretary of the American Board. He

XX MEMOIR.

reraained in this place one year, reslding in the family of Dr. Worccster, and assisting him in liis ministerial and parochial duties ; he also taught a school which was connected with Dr. Worcester's society. His ardent piety was not unobserved bere. His faithful and earnest labors, during a revival in the winter of 1809-10, are still fresh in the minds of some who were familiar with the scènes of that interesting period. He always looked upon the time spent at Salem as a very valuable preparation for his subsequent labors.

During his residence at Salem, as he passed through the East Parish of Londonderry, now Derry, on his way to visit his friends in Litchfield, he was providentially invited to supply the pulpit for two Sabbaths. This led to further engagements, which he met by going to Derry on Saturday afternoon, and returning to Salem on Monday in time to commence his school. As soon as he had fulfiUed the eno;ao;ement he had made with Dr. Woroester, he received a call to become the pastor of the Presbyterian church in the East Parish of Londonderry. This call he accepted, and was ordained September 12, 1810. Rev. Dr. Worcester, his friend and recent instructor, preached the ordination sermon. In addressing the people on that occasion. Dr. Worcester said, with reference to the pastor elect: "We have the pleasing confidence that our young brother, who is now to be set over you in the Lord, will prove to you an ascension-gift, a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, an able and faithful minister of the New Testament. This confidence we have not taken up lightly ; it has resulted from what we have seen and known, and with respect to some of us, at least, it has been strengthened and confiraied by intimate and endearing acquaintance."

MEMOIR. XXI

Just before his ordination, he had evidently made the responsible duties of the ministrj, and the various wajs by which these might be most successfullj accomphshed, a matter of protracted and prayerful study. He had taken a comprehensive view of the difficulties to be met, the prejudices to be overcome, and feit that he needed more than human wisdom to render his ministry successful. There was no shrinking from the responsibihties of the station, because it was beset with trials ; no desire even to avoid what might come in the way of duty ; his only solicitude was to know how he might approve himself to Hlm who had put him into the ministry.

The following extracts from his diary, will show his interest in adopting and carrying out such principles and rules, as would fit him most successfully for the work on which he was about to enter.

" I will consider love to God and zeal for his glory as my highest duty, and study to improve daily in these divine affections ; and will judge of my progress in them, not by transient fervor, but by my habitual temper ; by my faithful performance of the self-denying duties of Christianity ; by my cheerful acquiescence in' all God's dispensations, and by the love, humility, and watchfulness which I maybe enabled to exhibit to those around me."

'^ I will cultivate au habitual sense of God's presence, and of my accountability to him ; of the shortness of time, and my obligations to improve it."

" I will be particularly Avatchful against the love of praise or distinction, as well as the fear of shame ; desisting from my purpose when I feel these to be my only motives, and endeavoring by prayer to overcome them when I perceive them combined with proper motives,"

XXll MEMOIR.

" I will be open to conviction, ever receiving correction and reproof meeklj and tbankfullj ; never questioning merely for the sake of dispute, nor retorting on my repro ver."

" I will in no case affect knowledge which I have not; I will not put off to a future day the business of the present, but will applj mjself to it, never yielding to sloth or the love of ease, but exercising a constant and selfdenjing attention to mj proper work."

" I will watch particularlj against all heartlessness towards inferiors, and especiallj such as need mj help. I will listen kindlj to their representations, and render them all the assistance in mj power."

" I will guard against everything, in look and manner, which might tend to wound the feelings of others."

*' I will not allow the conduct of others towards me to lessen my kindness and good-will to them."

" I will consider the study of my heart one main business of my life, and I will enter every evening, if possible, into a serieus review of the day past, and will solemnly consider the fitness of my soul to enter the eternal world."

In 1811, he married Miss Mehetabel Kimball, daughter of Deacon Stephen Kimball, of Hanover, N. H. She was to him a worthy companion, and a valued helper in bis rcsponsible duties. ïhe connection then formed continued for thirty-nine years. She still survives, residing with her youngest son, They had four children ; two sous and two daughters. The younger daughter died at the age of about three years ; their other children are still living.

The parish with which Mr. Parker was connected,

MEMOIR. XXUl

required unusual labor and prudence. It stretched over a large territorj, rendering much time necessary to visit the remote parts of it. There had also been much alienation between the two societies which had existed there for several years ; the appropriate duties of the ministry had been to some extent neglected, and, when performed, were rendered in a measure nugatory, by the unhappy state of feeling existing in the place. And though, at the time of Mr. Parker' s settlement, the two societies had with entire unanimity united in giving him a call, yet the old wounds could not at once be healed. A conviction of duty as well as interest impelled them to bury their differences, and to unite their strength in the support of an efficiënt ministry. Still, there were elements pent up, which a slight cause would at any time call into action. This state of things Mr. Parker well understood, for we find in his diary at this time, this resolution : " Resolved to be very watchful and circumspect in regard to everything I say, considering the present state of the society." The ministry on which he entered under such circumstances was eminently successful. Not that there was always entire harmony or no personal dissatisfaction ; not that a different course of measures and a different style of preaching would not have been acceptable to some ; not that he himself was a stranger to trials, some of which made his nights wearisome and sleepless ; but the general results of the connection between him and the parish were much more happy, both for the temporal and spiritual interests of the peoi^le, were attended with more harmony and mutual confidence, than either could have dared to anticipate.

On the day of his ordination, he enteied among other

XXIV MEMO IR.

resoliitions, the following : " I noiv resolve to give myseJf wJiolly to tlie ivorh.''^ This was the great motto of his life. This resolution, adopted, not from constraint, but under a high sense of dutj, brought one single object of life before him, as the centre towards which everjthing must tend, and made the exhausting and self-denying labors of the ministry a sonrce of rich enjojment. Singleness of aim, a hearty devotedness to the work, is one of the surest pledges of success in anj undertaking, and is nowhere more needful than in the ministry. When this oflBce is entered with a divided purpose, with an eye as much upon the personal advantages it may give as upon the solemn duties it imposes and the fruifcs that should spring from it ; when it is sought with a view to gratify a literary taste, or as a field for the display of learning or eloquence, or because it may elevate him who is clothed with it to a more refined circle in society ; when any one, or all of these become paramount to the true business of the ministry, — the saving of men's souls, — that sacred office is so far prostituted, and the results which may always sooner or later be expected from the faithful performance of its duties, fail of being attained. It has been justly said, that it is hard to be a faithful minister ; and with equal justice it has been replied, it is harder to be an unfaithful one.