New Hampshire

Norwich as a Province of New Hampshire

“George the Third by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come, greeting, Know ye, that We of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, for the due encouragement of settling a new plantation within our said Province, by and with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Province of New Hampshire, in New England, and of our council of said Province, have upon the conditions and reservations hereinafter made, … Read more

The Founding of Norwich Vermont

As we have already seen, Norwich virtually had its origin in the colony of Connecticut in the year 1761. On the 26th day of August of that year, at the house of William Waterman, inn-holder, in the town of Mansfield, in said colony, were convened the proprietors or grantees of a newly granted township of land situated 150 miles away to the northward, in a wilderness country then just beginning to be known as the “New Hampshire Grants.” These men were assembled to decide upon the first steps to be taken to open up to settlement and improvement a tract … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Frances Noble – Indian Captivities

Narrative of the captivity of Frances Noble, who was, among others, taken by the Indians from Swan Island, in Maine, about the year 1755; compiled by John Kelly, Esq. of Concord, New Hampshire, from the minutes and memoranda of Phinehas Merrill. Esq. of Stratham, in the same state; and by the Former Gen. Tleman communicated for publication to the editors of the Historical Collections of New Hampshire.

Captivity and Redemption of Mrs. Jemima Howe – Indian Captivities

Map of Indian Town of Missiskoui

A particular account of the captivity and redemption of Mrs. Jemima Howe, who was taken prisoner by the Indians at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, on the twenty-seventh of July, 1765, as communicated to Dr. Belknap by the Rev. Bunker Gay. As Messrs. Caleb Howe, Hilkiah Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield, who had been hoeing corn in the meadow, west of the river, were returning home, a little before sunset, to a place called Bridgman’s fort, they were fired upon by twelve Indians, who had ambushed their path. Howe was on horseback, with two young lads, his children, behind him. A ball, which … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Isabella M’coy – Indian Captivities

Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Isabella M’coy, who was taken Captive at Epsom, N. H., in the Year 1747. Collected From the Recollections of Aged People who knew her, by the Rev. Jonathan Curtis, a Minister of that Town, about Seventeen Years ago, and by Him Communicated to the Publishers of the New Hampshire Historical Collections. The Indians were first attracted to the new settlements in the town of Epsom, N. H., by discovering M’Coy at Suncook, now Pembroke. This, as nearly as can be ascertained, was in the year 1747. Reports were spread of the depredations of the … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Nehemiah How

Fort Dummer

A Narrative of the captivity of Nehemiah How, who was taken by the Indians at the Great Meadow Fort above Fort Dummer, where he was an inhabitant, October 11th, 1745. Giving an account of what he met with in his traveling to Canada, and while he was in prison there. Together with an account of Mr. How’s death at Canada. Exceedingly valuable for the many items of exact intelligence therein recorded, relative to so many of the present inhabitants of New England, through those friends who endured the hardships of captivity in the mountain deserts and the damps of loathsome prisons. Had the author lived to have returned, and published his narrative himself, he doubtless would have made it far more valuable, but he was cut off while a prisoner, by the prison fever, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, after a captivity of one year, seven months, and fifteen days. He died May 25th, 1747, in the hospital at Quebec, after a sickness of about ten days. He was a husband and father, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.

Captivity of Elizabeth Hanson – Indian Captivities

God’s Mercy Surmounting Man’s Cruelty, Exemplified in the Captivity and Surprising Deliverance of Elizabeth Hanson, Wife of John Hanson, of Knoxmarsh, at Kecheachy, in Dover Township, who was Taken Captive with her Children and Maid-Servant, by the Indians in New England, in the Year 1724. – The substance of which was taken from her own mouth, and now published for general service. The third edition. Philadelphia: reprinted; Danvers, near Salem: reprinted and sold by E. Russell, next the Bell Tavern, MDCCLXXX. At the same place may be had a number of new Books, &c., some of which are on the … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Quintin Stockwell – Indian Captivities

Quintin Stockwell, Who was taken at Deerfield, in Massachusetts, by a Party of Inland Indians, in the Year 1677; Communicated in his own Words, and Originally Published by the Eminent Dr. Increase Mather, in the Year 1684. A particular account of the interruption in which Stockwell and others fell into the hands of the Indians will be found in the Book of the Indians, Book iii, p. 97 and 98. Out of twenty-four at that time killed and taken, we learn the names only of these; Quintin Stockwell, John Root, Sergeant Plimpton, Benjamin Stebbins, his wife, Benjamin Waite, and Samuel … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity and Sufferings of Miss Sarah Gerish – Indian Captivities

Miss Sarah Gerish, who was Taken at the Sacking of Dover, in the Year 1689, by the Indians; as Communicated to the Reverend Dr. Cotton Mather, by the Reverend John Pike, Minister of Dover. Sarah Gerish, daughter of Capt. John Gerish, of Quochecho or Cocheco, was a very beautiful and ingenious damsel, about seven years of age, and happened to be lodging at the garrison of Major Waldron, her affectionate grandfather, when the Indians brought that horrible destruction upon it, on the night of the 27th of June, 1689. She was always very fearful of the Indians; but fear may … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson – Indian Captivities

Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, Wife of the Rev. Joseph Rowlandson, Who Was Taken Prisoner when Lancaster was Destroyed, in the Year 1676; Written by Herself. On the 10th of February, 1676, came the Indians with great numbers  upon Lancaster: their first coming was about sun-rising. Hearing the noise of some guns, we looked out; several houses were burning, and the smoke ascending to heaven. There were five persons taken in one house; the father and mother, and a sucking child they knocked on the head, the other two they took and carried away alive. There were two others, who, being out … Read more

King William’s War – Indian Wars

King Williams War Map

The war commonly called by the colonists, “King William’s War,” commenced in 1688 and ended in 1697. The object of the French was the expulsion of the English from the northern and middle provinces. The English directed their efforts against Canada. The French secured the services of the greater part of the Indians, and the united forces spread death and desolation in all directions.

Return of Officers in Third Regiment New Hampshire

A return of the rank and occurrences that have happened to the Officers of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment from 8 Nov, 1776 to 1 Jan, 1780. Name Rank From what time to what time Remarks Alex Scammell 2nd Lieut 8 Nov 1776 – 1 Jan 1780 Henry Dearborn promoted to Major Lieut Col 8 Nov 1776 – 19 Sep 1777 19 Sep 1977 Andrew Colburn Lieut Col Nov 1776 – 19 Sep 1777 Killed Sep 19, 1777 James Norris promoted to Captain Major Nov 1776 – 1 Jun 1778 20 Sep 1777 Nicholas Gilman promoted to Adjutant Captain 8 … Read more

Miscellaneous Graveyards in Belknap County, NH

Graveyard #4 (All overgrown and many stones fallen and broken to bits.) GARLAND     Eliza S., d. 8 Apr. 1850, ae. 22 yrs., 5 mos. Wife of Daniel H. Garland.     Anna E., d. 7 Oct. 1868, ae. 14 yrs. Dau. of Daniel H. & Sarah A. Garland. Graveyard #1 PICKERING     Capt. Jonathan, d. 7 Jul. 1883, ae. 84 yrs., 7 mos.     Eliza, d. 13 Aug. 1851, ae. 49 yrs., 6 mos. Wife of Capt. Jonathan Pickering.     Judith, d. 23 Mar. 1879, ae. 74 yrs. Wife of Capt. Jonathan Pickering.     Mary, d. 13 Oct. 1855, ae. … Read more

Early Probate Records of Hampton, N.H.

The early probate records of the Province of New Hampshire, from 1635 to 1771, have been published in nine volumes (vols. 31-39) of the set “New Hampshire State Papers” edited by Albert Stillman Batchellor, Henry Harrison Metcalf, and Otis G. Hammond. Originally published in the years 1907-1941 these books are available in many libraries throughout New Hampshire. Alphabetical list of probate records Abourn, George 1654 Blake, Timothy 1715 Boulter, John 1703 Boulter, Nathaniel 1695 Chapman, John 1705/6 Chase, James 1703/4 Chase, Thomas 1652 Cole, William 1662 Cotton, Seaborn 1684 Cram, Jonathan 1703/4 Cuddington, Stockdale 1650 Dalton, Philemon 1656 Dalton, Ruth … Read more

12th N.H. Regiment

Point Lookout, Md., August 11th, 1863 ____________ Mr. Editor: I suppose that long before this you have heard of the whereabouts of the 12th, and know something of our situation; but perhaps a few lines, relative to our proceedings of late, and of our present good fortune may prove acceptable. My last letter to the Gazette was written while we were at Green Springs, Md. Since we left that place, up to the time of our coming to this place, we have shared, in common with this army the hardships and privations incident to a hard march. I would like … Read more

Return of the Sixteenth N.H. Regiment

The sixteenth Regiment N.H. Volunteers, in command of Col. James Pike, arrived in Concord on the 14th inst. They left this State on the 23rd of last November, having been mustered in for nine months service. They have participated in only a few engagements, but have been included in the Department of the Gulf and have suffered greatly front he diseases of a hot and unhealthy region. The corps, on reaching the city, had 340 men able to carry arms, together with enfeebled soldiers who were immediately transferred to the hospital at City Hall. Besides these 49 invalids were left … Read more

Lakeport, Belknap County, New Hampshire Obituaries

Obituaries extracted from various editions of the Lake Village Times, 1928-1930. Jan 1929 Alburtis S. Gordon Alburtis S. Gordon was found dead in a chair at his home, 103 Court St. yesterday morning by neighbors who summoned Dr. L. R. Brown, medical referee. Dr. Brown pronounced death due to natural causes. Mr. Gordon suffered a shock some time ago, and it is believed succumbed to another attack last evening. He was fully dressed. He lived alone. Mr. Gordon was formerly a prominent Laconia jeweler, in the firm of Gordon and Booth. He was born in Hebron, May 17, 1848. He … Read more

The Belknap County Gazette Transcriptions for Saturday August 22, 1863

The Belknap Gazette. Laconia, N. H., Saturday August 22, 1863. Vol. XXL….No. 21 MARRIED In Bangor, Me., 10th inst. by Rev. A. ? Small Mr. GEORGE W. EMERY to Miss CLARA F. SANBORN both of B. In upper Gilmanton, Jan. 29, by Rev. A. ? Smith Mr. JACOB F. BAMFORD to Miss HATTIE A ? both of Sanbornton. Also by the same, July 11, Mr. MANUEL ROWE of Gilford to Mrs. MARY ANN STEVENS, of Chelsea, Vermont. DIED May 9th, in the hospital at Carrollton, La., of Typhoid fever GEORGE F. BOWERS 17 yrs. and 11 months, son of RUFUS … Read more

Casualties in Sanbornton New Hampshire

Casualties or severe accidents in Sanbornton New Hampshire 1766(?). The first to be recorded was serious rather than fatal. The earliest frame on the site of the original Clark house, west of Tin Corner (one of the very first framed dwellings erected in town) before being covered, was “cut in two by a large ash-tree blown down upon it” by a violent wind! It was immediately repaired, and the building proceeded. 1770(?). John Gibson was drowned in the Middle Bay, above Gibson’s Falls, by fallig from a boat. This is supposed to have been the earliest instance of drowning in … Read more