Chapter 49 - Rye from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire From: Earl Dunn - edunn@mitre.org Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 647 CHAPTER XLIX RYE Geographical--Topographical--First Settlements--The First Grant--Names of Pioneers--The First Deed--Indian Depredations-Witchcraft-- Schools--Ecclesiastical History--Petitions, etc.--Congregational Church --Methodist Episcopal Church--Christian Church--Merchants--Physi- cians--Summer Resort--Boulevard--Public Library--Submerged Forest --Military--Gasport--Isles of Shoals. The town of Rye lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Portsmouth on the east by the Atlantic; on the south by North Hampton, and on the west by North Hampton, Greenland, and Portsmouth. The surface of the town is generally level and the soi1 fertile. Population in 1910, 1,014. Early Settlements.--The first settlement of New Hampshire was made within the present limits of Rye, at a place now called Odiorne's Point, in 1623. Sandy Beach was the name to a certain part of Rye, now called Wallis' Sands and Foss' Beach. A bridge was very early built (probably a foot-bridge only) connecting Rye with Great Island, and which was washed away or went to decay about 1690. We have no account of another bridge being built, though it is probable there was, until about 1760. The money in part, if not all, being raised by a lottery, and a toll-rate established. But as it did not pay the proprietors it went into public use, and was probably the bridge there in the War of 1812. In 1652 a grant was made to William Seavey of fifty acres of land, com- mencing by the south side of Mill Creek and running west to White Rock. The same land is now mostly owned by the Seaveys. The name of the first settler was John Berry. Among those who came soon after were Seavey, Rand, Brackett, Wallis, Locke, and Jenness. For nearly one hundred years after the settlement of the town the inhabitants were but thinly scattered and most of them in low circumstances. The first deed ever given of land included within the limits of the town of Rye was given by Jane Drake, widow of William Berry, in 1669, to William Seavy, Sr., of house, land, and marsh on south side of brook that runs between land then owned by William Seavy and Thomas Seavy . It appears that William Seavy paid for this land before the death of William Berry, but failed to get a deed of it. From this we infer that William Berry died suddenly, perhaps, like others of the early settlers, was killed by the Indians, and that he died about the year 1669, in which the deed was given. Of the first settlers of Sandy Beach who came over in 1631, Thomas Seavy appears to have lived until 1708. The manner of his death is uncertain. Francis Rand was killed September 29, 1691, while his son was out fishing'. Page 648 Twenty-one were killed at the same time, among them another of the first settlers. Capt. Anthony Bracket and others were captured, including two young children of the Brackets,--a boy, whom they recovered, and a girl, who was carried to Canada, and there married a Frenchman, and afterwards came back to claim her share in her father's property. One or more of the children killed at the time were dashed against a rock which stood in the Wallis road near the Brackett road. Captain Bracket's house was set on fire. Some of his sons were at work in the salt marsh, and having the guns, went over to the garrison-house at Saunders' Point, now Foss' Beach. Thomas Rand, the son of Francis, who was killed, when he came from fish- ing, being a courageous man, followed them over to Bracket's and fired at them, which frightened them away. Old Mrs. Rand, nearly blind, supposed to be the wife of Francis, was killed by the Indians while her husband had gone to mill. She was apprehensive of danger and begged him not to go, say- ing the Indians would kill her, but he made light of her fears, telling her there were no Indians this side of Lake Winnipiseogee. Great must have been his consternation to find on his return that her fears had been realized. This must have been very near the time that he was massacred. A little girl named Judkins, five years old, was captured in 1691, with her brother. Her brother was frozen to death when crossing Lake Winnipiseogee near Moul- tonborough. She was with them several years, and came near perishing with hunger. She lived to return, and afterwards married a Randall. She died in Moultonborough. A child named Esther, surname not given, was taken from the cradle about this time by the Indians while its mother was away; her father bought her back with a keg of rum. She afterwards married a Waters, lived to a great age, became poor and deaf, and was supported by the town. Thomas Walford, another of the early settlers of Sandy Beach, who came over in 163I, was killed by Indians on the hill by John S. Remick's. Tradition says that after he was shot he crawled on his hands and knees to where Robinson Foss now lives. His wife was accused of witchcra£t. There is still on record an account 0£ the trial of "Good- wife Walford" at Portsmouth in 1658. The complainant, Susannah Trim- mings, testified as follows: "As I was going home on Sunday night, I heard a rustling in the woods, which I supposed to be occasioned by swine, and presently there appeared a woman, whom I apprehended to be Goodwife Walford. She asked me to lend her a pound of cotton. I told her I had but two pounds in the house, and I would not spare any to my mother. She said I had better have done it, for I was going a great journey, but should never come there. She then left me and I was struck as with a clap of fire on the back; and she vanished towards the water-side, in my apprehension, in the shape of a cat. She had on her head a white linen hood tied under her chin, and her waistcoat and petticoat were red, with an old gown, apron, and a black hat upon her head." Several other witnesses were examined, but the case was not then decided, and was probably dropped at the next term of the court. Mrs. Walford afterwards brought an action for slander against Robert Coutch for saying that she was a witch and he could prove her one. The verdict was in her favor--five pounds and costs. Another prominent person among the early settlers of the Town of Rye was Capt. John Locke. He was a carpenter, the son of John Locke, of London, who married Christian French, July 26, 1624. He was born Septem- Page 649 ber 16, 1627, and came from Yorkshire, England, in 1644. Tradition says that he first settled in Dover, where he had a tract of land, but this is prob- ably incorrect, as the earliest records of Dover contain no evidence that he ever resided or had a right of land there. From thence in 1652 he is said to have removed to what is known as Fort Point in Newcastle. From New- castle he removed to Sagamore Creek, where he resided until 1655, when he removed to Josselyn's Neck, afterwards called from him Locke's Neck, now known as Straw's Point, which was then a part of Hampton. Here, as it appears from the records of Town of Hampton, "he sat down on common lands." It appears that the Town of Hampton was indignant at his taking such liberties without so much as saying "by your leave," and May 24. 1666, a committee was chosen to pull up his fence, and March 12, 1667, to warn him to desist from improving the town's land, and to notify him that the town is displeased with his building there. Complaint was made against him as a trespasser, and he was warned to appear at the next meeting and give an account of himself. On the 8th of March, 1667, the town voted as follows: "Upon the motion of John Locke, who desireth to yield himself to ye town of Hampton as an inhabitant amongst us, being already settled upon Josselyn's Neck in Hampton bounds, the town hath accepted of ye said John Locke for an inhabitant accordingly." From all which we see that he was a man of firmness and not easily driven from his purpose. A settle- ment in its infancy would have been very much exposed to injury if no pre- cautions had been taken in regard to receiving inhabitants. Mischievous and disorderly persons might have come in and harassed the settlers. This was foreseen and measures taken to prevent it. The power of admitting inhabi- tants and of granting them the privileges of freemen was strictly guarded. After the town was once organized, none were admitted from abroad with- out the permission of the freemen, so that their treatment of Locke was by no means exceptional, as will be seen from the following vote: "That no manner of person should come into the town as an inhabitant without the penalty of 20s. per week, unless he give satisfactory security to the town." Capt. John Locke was an energetic, courageous man, very active against the Indians, and instrumental in defeating them in several of their attempts to destroy the inhabitants on the sea-coast, which excited their personal hostility; and they came from Canada, eight in number, with an expressed design, as appeared afterwards, to avenge themselves in his death. He was killed while reaping in his field, Augustt 26, 1696, at the age of seventy. The first Jenness, according to tradition. appears to have been Francis, a baker, who came with two brothers from Rye, England, he alone settling here, and from him probably the Town of Rye received its name. The Reverend Mr. Porter, in his Half-Century Sermon, says that the town from its first settlement received the name it now bears, which was given, it is supposed, by reason of some of its first inhabitants coming from the town of the same name in England. Francis Jenness, so far as it appears, was the only one that came from that town, and hence we conclude that the town received its name from him; it is believed that he came previous to 1660. In 1675 he received a grant of the common lands by the sea from the Town of Hampton. He lived near Rye Beach and is said to have died in 1716, aged eighty-two. The name originally was Jennings. The first Philbrick who came to Rye was Joseph, about the year 1700, and settled near the house Page 650 of Francis Jenness, in the south part of the town. He was the grandson of Thomas Philbrick, who came from Lincolnshire, England, with Sir Richard Salsenstall, and settled in Watertown in 1630, and removed to Hampton in 1645, and died in 1667, very aged. Joseph died November 7, 1755, in his ninety-third year. The Town of Newcastle was incorporated in 1693. It embraced, in addi- tion to its present limits, Great Island, and also that part of Rye extending from Little Harbor, now called Odiorne's Point, to Foss Beach. The present Town of Rye was originally taken from Portsmouth, Green- land, Hampton, and Newcastle, and was incorporated April 30, 1726. At the time of its incorporation Jotham Odiorne and Samuel Bracket were appointed a committee to settle with the selectmen of the Town of New- castle. It was for many years after its formation into a society styled the Parish of Rye in Newcastle. Only since the commencement of the American Revolution has it exercised town privileges. Before that time it acted in conjunction with Newcastle in the choice of representatives and in other usual town business, but a separation from the Town of Newcastle was agitated at an earlier period. March 1, 1758, as appears from the records, a town- meeting was warned, among other things, "to see whether the Parish will for to get off from going to the Great Island to choose Assembly men!" But no action appears to have been taken. The first meeting-house was erected in 1725, and the next year, July 10, 1726, a church was organized. Other matters pertaining to the history of the town in its religious and educational aspects are of course omitted. The town has contributed more largely to the settlement of the interior of the state than any other according to its size. Epsom, Rochester. Bar- rington, Chester, and many others recognize many of their inhabitants as having been originally from this place, and the churches in a number of these towns were first formed in part by members removed from the Church of Christ here. Rye Harbor was dug out in 1792; voted May 7th. One hundred and thirty-three days' labor appear to have been given. In the Canada or French war fourteen persons lost their lives in the service of their country, and thirty-ejght in the War of the Revolution by sea and land, most of them young men. Capt. Joseph Parsons raised his own company in the War of the Revolution. Nearly all of them were from Rye. Ninety-five from this town served under him at different times, and at least four other commanders. How many privateersmen there were is not known. July 18, 1774, two deputies, Samuel Knowles and Samuel Jenness, were chosen to go to the convention at Exeter to choose delegates to a General Congress, and at the same time it was voted that the selectmen shall raise three pounds towards paying the delegates, and that the parish will defray the charges of the deputies. The town was visited with great sickness and mortality in 1803. More than two hundred and twenty persons were seized with diseases of various kinds. Thirty-five died. In 1816 the spotted fever prevailed. The disease was so infectious and the mortality so great as seriously to alarm the inhabi- tants. The burials were made by night. As early as 1834, as appears from the records, the town committed itself by the following vote in favor of temperance: "Voted, that the selectmen Page 651 shall not grant license to any person to retail ardent spirit in this town the present year." And March 8, 1836, it was further voted "that no cigars or pipes shall be smoked in or about the meeting-house or schoolhouses on the Sabbath, under the penalty of $1 fine for each and every offence, to be collected by a complaint before a justice of the peace by the sexton, select- men, or tithingmen." Educational.[1]--It is not probable that there was any organized school system until some time after the incorporation of the town in 1726, although what is known as the "moving school" is referred to soon after the parish was severed from Newcastle. The "moving school" was an institution peculiar to the early settlements, and was kept at private houses in different neighborhoods, so as to accommodate the children of as many families as circumstances would permit. The family that "entertained" the moving school of course boarded the schoolmaster, who was in those days considered quite a dignitary, second in importance only to the minister and the justice of the peace. Previous to any organized effort to establish public schools, the smaller children were taught by village dames, which sounds large at first, but which, being interpreted, is generally acknowledged, I believe, to have been used as a genteel expression for "old maids." Those who desired to fit for college were generally taken in hand by the minister and prepared as well as their time and talents would allow. A few scattered academies afforded opportunities for those who possessed the means to acquire a fair education, but the mass of the people had to be con- tented with the facilities offered by the "moving schools." * * * * * * * * * * Everything relating to Our early school history is left in a very frag- mentary and disjointed condition. The searcher after facts finds but few to gather, and those only recorded at irregular intervals. While the town records are very complete upon the important subject of ringing the bell, and while the town clerks have been commendably faith- ful in recording the names of all the great men who have filled the positions of "hog-reeve" and "fence-viewer," both leave us in blissful ignorance upon the vital subject of education. The earliest date that I have been able to find upon the regular town records concerning school matters is March 23, 1729, when it was "Voted at said meeting that the selectmen should be empowered to hire a schoolmaster and move him several times, as they see cause for the conveniency of the children's going to school." In 1731 it was "Voted that the selectmen be empowered to hire a school- master one-half of the year." In June, 1737 , there was an article in the warrant "to see what you will do concerning a school," but as there is no action recorded, it is not probable that there was any school that year. In 1739, "Voted that there should be a moving school, and that every party that hath the benefit of the school shall provide a house to keep school in, and that the moving school shall be at the discretion of the selectmen of the parish." From 1739 to 1751 regular school appropriations were made, and in the latter year the question of a new schoolhouse was agitated, and was a "lively" [1] The following interesting article was contributed by G. H. Jenness, Esq., being an address delivered by him at the dedication of the town hall in Rye, November 19, 1863. Page 652 issue at many subsequent town-meetings. In 1751 the people were invited "to see if they will do anything concerning building a schoolhouse in the parish," and in 1752, to see if they will vote to build two schoolhouses. It will be observed that the town is spoken of as the parish for many years after its incorporation, and were there nothing but the records of the town clerks to guide us, we should infer that Rye continued to be a parish of Newcastle long after it is known to have been separate. In 1756 there were local dissensions and jealousies, and a first-class school row all over town. It finally culminated in a proposition "to see if the parish will vote the school money shall be divided, and let each party hire a school- master according to their liking," and in 1757, "To see if the parish will settle the school in two places or settle the school at the centre." The voting at the meeting was slightly contradictory, as will be seen by the following record: 1st. Voted that the school should be kept in the center of the parish. 2d. Voted that the school be kept one-half of the year to the eastward of the meeting-house. 3d. Voted that the school be kept in two places above the meeting-house. . Such voting as that sets at defiance the fundamental law of physics--that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time. How the difficulty was finally adjusted does not appear, but in March 23, 1761, it was "voted that the school should be one-half above and the other half below the meet- ing-house." It is certain that there were two schoolhouses in town some time between 1764 and 1774, for in the latter year there was an article in the warrant "to see if the parish will build a schoolhouse or repair the old ones," and at a subsequent meeting the same year it was "voted that the selectmen repair the schoolhouses and put them in order." The school boys of those days were, in common parlance, a pretty tough set, for in two years from that time it was found necessary to build anew again, the repairs of 1774 being rather short-lived. In 1786 it was "voted there shall be a new schoolhouse built where the old one now stands between Mr. Johnson's and Mr. Nathan Knowles'." The cost was £14 9s. 6d. It was but partially finished, however, for in January, 1789, we find an article in the warrant "to see what the town will do to finish the schoolhouse by N. Knowles;" but as the schoolhouse fever had somewhat subsided, no action was taken upon the matter. In 1791, "Voted to build a schoolhouse at the east end of the parish," Cost, £34 18s. 7d. In 1796, "Voted the town shall be divided into two equal parts for to hire schools for each district." In 1797, "Voted the selectmen shall keep eighteen months' school, the school to begin the 1St of May at both schoolhouses, and keep on five months, and shall begin the middle of November, and keep on four months." After this there are no recorded votes worthy of special mention until 1816, when it was "voted that no scholar below the meeting-house shall go to the upper school, and none above the meeting-house shall go to the lower school." In 1826 two brick schoolhouses were built in what are now the South and West districts, and in 1827 two more were built in the Center and East Page 653 districts, at an average cost of some four or five hundred dollars each. In 1827 the town was divided into two districts, each containing two school- houses. In 1833 the selectmen divided the town into four districts. In I845 the town was redistricted, and the boundary lines defined. In 1854 it was "voted that the town convey by deed or otherwise to each school district the schoolhouses located in the same for their specific use," since which time every district has been entirely independent of the town in regard to the management of its local affairs. Within three years a new schoolhouse has been built in the West District at a cost of nearly two thousand dollars, and the South and East have been repaired at an aggregate cost of eleven hundred dollars; they are an in good order now, and are a credit to the intelligence and liberality of our citizens. Of the teachers the records furnish but little information. The only person mentioned is Christopher Gold (probably meaning Gould), who was in 1762 elected to keep school for six months. We hear no more of him until March, 1773, when it was "voted not to hire Master Gold any longer." from which I infer that he taught most of the school time during the inter- vening eleven years. Through the courtesy of Thomas J. Parsons, Esq., I am able to furnish from his private records the names of several of the teachers of previous generations. Among them may be mentioned Joseph Parsons and Richard Webster, who taught in 1786 and 1787; in 1789, '90, and '91, Peter Mitchell and John Carroll; in 1783, James Dane; in 1794, John L. Piper. After them came at various periods Samuel Willey, John French, a Mr. Sherburne, Noah Burnham, John W. Parsons, Richard Webster, Jr., Joseph Dalton, Joseph Dame, Levi Merrill, Noah Wiggin, Thomas J. Parsons, John A. Trefethen, and scores of others whose names are more or less familiar to you. The wages paid ranged from ten to twenty dollars per month exclusive of board, the earlier teachers being paid in the English currency. Dr. John W. Parsons taught school and practiced medicine at the same Time. Whenever he was caned upon to attend the sick the children were dis- missed and sent home. Sometimes after teaching school all day he would walk over to North Hampton to attend his patients there, returning home on foot in the evening. The schoolhouses of Rye are maintained in good condition. None of them are old or of antique pattern and the schools will in quality and efficiency compare not unfavorably with those of other towns in the state. Pupils desiring more advanced instruction than the grammar schools of the town afford, attend the high school in Portsmouth, the town, under the state law, paying the tuition. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY The Town of Rye was so named by reason of some of its first inhabitants coming from a town of the same name in England. It was incorporated April 30, 1726. Prior to this time the town was destitute of a settled ministry of the gospel, the people attending public worship in the neighboring towns as was most convenient. The first petition for the formation of a new dis- 38 Page 654 trict, whereby they might enjoy the benefits of the gospel ministry, was under date of 1721, as follows: "Petition for a new District or Precinct, 1721 "To his Excellency Samuel Shute Esqr Capt. Genl and Governor in chief in and over his Majties Province 0f New Hampshire &c. To the Honble the Council & House of Representatives, now conyen'd in Genll Assembly in & for sd Province : "The humble Petition of sundry the Inhabitants living about Sandy Beach, partly In New Castle, Hampton & Portsmouth, humbly sheweth: . "That your Petitioners, the subscribers hereof, have for these many years past lived under great inconveniences as to their having the free benefit of the gospell, most of us Living at great Distances from our Respective meet- ing-houses, especially those belonging to New Castle;--for that besides the great Distance wee live from thence, there is the great Inconvenience of a Ferry, by the Reasons of which for near halfe the yeare, Wee the Masters of families that are best able cannot but now and then attend upon the pub- lick worship of God (as in Duty wee are bound) and when wee Doe, It is many times late within Night e're wee can reach our habitations; And besides this great inconvenience to ourselves, there is much greater happens to the greatest part of our families (viz.) our women and children, who can rarely attend at all or not above two or three times in the yeare, and then but those that are groun to years; for our younger children that should imbibe in the precepts of the gospell with their milk, cannot attend until groun to some years; Wee having four, five & some more than six miles, besides the Ferry; And wee can now count amongst us above two hundred and forty or fifty souls, and not one third capeable to attend as wee are now circumstanced: And we think ourselves capeable to maintain a minister of the Gospel, and to give a Competent Liveing, as our neighbouring Pa'shes & precincts do: "Therefore wee, your humble Petitioners prays that we may be set off a p'ticular precinct (from Mr. William Seveys and westward by the seaside as far towards Hampton as the little Boars head or Little River, and back into the Country about three miles & a halfe or so far as in your wisdom shall see meet) and that we may be impowered to make and raise all our own Taxes and gather them: So prays your humble Petitioners. "John Lock and 51 others." Congregational Church.--The first meeting-house was erected in the year 1725, the church organized July 10, 1726, and the first "minister, Rev. Nathaniel Morrill, was ordained September 14, 1726. The following is a list of the pastors from the organization of the church to the present time: Nathaniel Morrill, ordained September 14, 1726-33; Samuel Parsons (aged eighty-two years, great-grandfather of Thomas J. Parsons), November 3, 1736, died January 4, 1789; Huntington Porter, December 29,1784, colleague, died March 7, 1844, aged ninety-nine years; Bezaleel Smith, May 13, 1829, colleague pastor, dismissed July 12, 1841, died May 15, 1879; James F. McEwen, December 1, 1841, to April 8, 1846; Israel F. Otis, July 4, 1847, to Apri124, 1866; Silas Leach, October 4, 1867, to December 11, 1870; Jere- miah K. Aldrich, May 14, 1873, to November 16, 1876; Willis A. Hadley, August 21, 1878, to January I, 1879; J. W. Kingsbury, 1879-82; F. H. Page 655 Boynton, 1882, to November, 1886; Robert Humphries preached for about a year; H. M. Holmes, May 1, 1888, to 1890; I. K. Aldrich, 1892-96; A. W. Mills, 1896; H. A. Barber, 1906-14. The third and present church edifice was dedicated December 27, 1837. Methodist Episcopal Church.--The Methodist Episcopal Church in this town was organized March 11, 1839, and October 9th following this house of worship was dedicated. The following is a list of the ministers: Moore McCurdy, Cushing, and Osgood, 1839; James T. Adams, 1840-42; Henry Deans, 1843; Abraham Palmer, 1844; ----- Blodgett, 1845; D. W. Barber, 1846; J. C. Allan, 1847; Mr. Wallingford, 1848; Mr. Blodgett, 1849; A. Heath, 1850-51; I. F. Adams, 1852; D. Macendo, 1853; John F. Adams, 1854; E. Lagro, 1855-56; J. W. Adams, 1857-58; N. F. Bailey, 1859-60; Mr. Chase, i861-62; W. H. Stewart, 1863; G. W. T. Rogers, 1864-66; Abraham Folsom, 1867-68. Mr. Folsom was the last pastor of this church. The society became too weak for the support of a minister, and the church building was consequently sold to the town in 1873 and is now used as a town-house. Christian Church.--This church was originally organized as a Baptist Church, May 1, 1820, as follows: "We, the subscribers, hereby form ourselves into a Religious Society, to be known by the name of the first Baptist Society in Rye, agreeably to a law of the State of Newhampshire, passed July I, 1819, and have appointed Nathan Knowls clerk of the same." The persons thus forming themselves into a Baptist Society were largely those who could not accept the positions held by the Congregational Church, which up to this time was the only church in the town. The Baptist Society being composed of such persons as were inclined to grow in knowledge. soon found that the limits of the Baptist faith were too narrow for them, and August 20, 1833, they reorganized themselves into a Christian Church. They at this time adopted the following covenant: "We, the undersigned persons, agree to unite ourselves together as a religious body, to be called a Christian Church, and to receive the sacred scriptures as our rule of faith and practice, renouncing all allegiance to creeds and platforms of human invention. We do solemnly covenant to watch over each other for good, to build up ourselves in the most holy faith, to admonish each other in love and union, asking of our heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, to aid us in this important work, that we be led into all truth, which makes free." The following ministers have preached at various times: Elders Ebenezer. Leavitt, Ephraim Philbrick, and Pottle, 1827; Elder Philbrick, 1839; Elder Thomas F. Barry, 1840; Elder Abner Hall, 1842; Elder William H. Nason, 1843; Elder Mosher, 1845; Elder William H. Ireland, 1850; Elder Joel Wilson, 1855; Elders Rowell, Pain, Cole, Hall and Dixon, 1857-64; Elder Clark Simons, 1866 ; Rev. Alva H. Morrill, 1872 ; Rev. S. B. Bowditch, 1876; Rev. Ira S. Jones, 1878; Rev. Lewis Phillips, 1883; Rev. L. Walker Phillips, 1885; Rev. J. E. Everingham, 1889; Rev. H. J. Rhodes, 1893; Rev. J. A. Beebe, 1895; Rev. Joseph Lambert, 1899; J. B. Fenwick, 1905-14. The Episcopal Church by the sea was built in 1876, largely by the summer residents, and the bell was hung in 1877. The Advent meeting-house on the south road was dedicated May 23. 1872. Page 656 Merchants.--The first merchant in Rye was John Carroll, an Irishman and school teacher, who began in a little room keeping needles, pins, etc., and afterwards kept a store at Jedediah Rand's. He subsequently associated with him his brother-in-Iaw, Simon Goss, under the firm-name of Carroll & Goss. Other traders have been A. Seavey, J. Drake, D. Wedgewood, Hamilton Locke, J. L. Locke, and Hon. T. J. Parsons. Mr. Parsons com- menced business in 1828 and conducted the business continuously at this place for more than half a century. Mr. Parsons was one of the prominent citizens of the town, and held various positions of trust within the gift of his fellow- townsmen. He was appointed justice of the peace December 30, 1828, and held that office continuously. He also represented the town in the Legislature and his district in the senate. Mr. Parsons also manifested much interest in the old militia, and rose successively from the rank of captain to colonel; was also an aide-de-camp to Governor Isaac Hill. He was born in Rye, January 4, 1804. Physicians.--The first regular settled physician was Dr. Joseph Parsons. He was followed by Dr. John W. Parsons, father of Dr. Warren Parsons. who was in active practice in Rye for fifty years. Dr. C. F. Patterson came to West Rye in 1896 and to his new house at the Center in 1900. His death occurred October 16, 1911. Dr. H. A. White located in Rye in 1910. Rye as a Summer Resort.--To its location, away from any line of general public travel which made its inns and taverns in the early days of local interest and importance only, the Rye of the present day is undoubtedly indebted to a great extent for its popularity and fame as one of the most noted summer resorts in New England, attracting many hundreds of visitors annually from all parts of the country, and having a numerous and steadily increasing colony of summer residents whose private summer cottages, scat- tered all along the six miles of ocean front from Odiorne's Point to the North Hampton line, add greatly to the taxable property of the town, and not a few of which are of such size and cost as would have won them the title of "mansions" instead of "cottages" a century or less ago. Very large and handsome new summer homes at Rye Beach are those of Edgar Champlain, George L. Allen, Ex-Gov. Francis of Missouri and Francis E. Drake, the latter one of the finest and most costly cottages on the New England Coast, having been completed in 1903. The Abenaqui Golf Club was organized in 1899 and built its club house in 1900. Hotels.--Ocean Wave, Sea View and Farragut. Summer Boarding Houses.--S. S. Philbrick, C. A. Jenness, A. Drake, Horace Sawyer and S. W. Foss. Postmasters.--Mrs. A. C. Walker; West, C. D. Garland; South Road, Rye Beach, C. W. Spear; Rye North Beach, F. P. Knox. Societies.--Rye Grange; Jr., O. U. A. M. Public Telephone.--Farragut House; Cable Station. U. S. Life Saving Stations.--One at Straw's Point and one at Wallis Sands. The cable of the Direct United States Cable Company was landed July 15. 1874, and opened for business in September, 1874, and is now owned by the Western Union Telegraph Company. Page 657 The Boulevard.--Work on the State Boulevard commenced in 1900 near Wallis' Sands, and as funds were appropriated by the state, was continued to the North Hampton line; there remains to be built a section from Odiorne's Point to the Portsmouth line. Rye Public Library.--Rye was the first town in Rockingham County to establish a public library. Oliver Sleeper left to the town by will, about eight thousand dollars, for a library with the proviso that if the town declined the bequest, it should go in equal sums to the two churches. At a special town meeting called for August 1, 1883, the meeting voted against accepting. In 1884 the town voted to accept. Litigation followed and in 1893 the court decided that the legacy, reduced by litigation, etc., to about three thousand dollars belonged to the two churches. Each year after the movement for pro- viding state-aided town libraries, an article was inserted in the election war- rant for Rye to take the sense of the voters on the question, "Is it expedient to establish a town library ?" and every year the town voted "no," by a large majority, yet for years these same voters took advantage of the generosity of the Portsmouth Public Library, in allowing the inhabitants of Rye to take books from their shelves without charge. Miss Mary Tuck Rand conveyed to the town on March 16, 1910, land for a library site. She also gave the sum of $7,500 for the erection of the building, which was dedicated June 22, 1911, and opened to the public the following September, with 500 volumes on the shelves and has since added 1.500 volumes. During the year 1913 there were 7,600 books in circulation, the following funds having been given to the library : Miss Abby S. Parsons, $500; legacy J. Disco Jenness, $200; Benjamin F. Webster, $500. A Submerged Forest (by L. B. PMsons).--Off the easterly or northerly, as the reader prefers, end of Jenness Beach can be seen at extremely low tides, 150 feet or more from high water mark, the remains of what was once a forest of large trees, in the shape of great stumps that in the course of many years, perhaps of centuries, have been ground down almost to their roots by the action of the sand-laden waves, but which are still held in the positions in which they grew by their huge, gnarled roots, with a tenacity which the mighty force of the ocean in its wildest moods has never been able to overcome. These stumps of cedar and other varieties of trees are hidden from sight at ordinary low tides; sometimes at very low tide but few of them are visible, the larger number being covered with a coating of sand, which will be washed clear of them by the next storm from the right direction. How far the stumps extend out under the sea is unknown, the tide never having receded far enough to disclose the outer edge of the group. That there was a heavy growth of trees there at some time, long ago, is evident; but how long ago, neither history nor tradition informs us. The place where they grew was then dry land; dry, that is, so far as the ocean is concerned, for trees of their kind do not thrive or even live in localities where their roots are frequently covered with salt water. The forest must have dis- appeared before the advent of the first settlers, for had it been submerged after their arrival, even by the gradual encroachment of the sea upon its site, it certainly would have received mention in the writings of somebody. The submergence may be due to a sudden subsidence of the coast, but this is a mere speculation. All that can be said positively of the stumps is that Page 658 they are still there. Even when they were first discovered is not known. One of Rye's oldest' residents of fifty years ago, being asked about them replied: "Why, everybody in Rye always knew they were there." MILITARY Rye lost a very considerable number of its inhabitants in times of war; both by sea and land. The inhabitants suffered severely by the depredation of the Indians. In the year 1696 twenty-one persons were either killed or carried away captive by the vindictive savages. In the French war the town lost fourteen, who were either killed or died in the service. In the Revolu- tionary war the town responded promptly to the call of liberty, and twenty- eight of its inhabitants died in the service, most of them young men. In the War of 1812 there were twenty in the service, two of whom lost their lives. In the last war with Great Britain, March 18, 1813, an alarm list company of fifty-five officers and privates was formed in this town, of which Jonathan Wedgewood was chosen captain. Ninety-two from the Town of Rye were engaged in this war, besides the alarm company. Eleven cavalry served under Capt. James Colman, and the others in two companies of infantry, under Capts. Ephraim Philbrick and Samuel P. Berry. Sixteen served as privateersmen; four were captured, two lost. Three--Robert Robinson, Richard R. Locke, and Nathaniel G. Lear--were put in Dartsmouth prison. Dr. Joseph Parsons served as surgeon's mate on the ship Orlando. Forty- eight applied for bounty land, under the act of March 3, 1855. War of the Revolution.[1]--177O, July 16. Mr. Joseph Parsons chosen a committeeman for to stand by the Sons of Liberty. Mr. Mark Randel and Joseph Brown chosen committeemen to stand by the Sons of Liberty. 1774, July 18.--Voted, Mr. Samuel Knowles go to Exeter. Voted, Mr. Samuel Jenness go with Mr. Knowles to Exeter. Voted, That the selectmen shall raise three pounds towards paying the delegates that shall be chosen to go to the Continental Congress. Voted, That the parish will defray the charges of the men that are going to Exeter. 1775. May 16.--Voted, That Nathan Goss shall go to Exeter, and that Samuel Knowles shall go to the Congress with Mr. Goss. Voted, Twelve minute men be enlisted to go on any expedition that a committee shall think proper. Voted, That the minute men shall exercise one-half a day in a week, and have.two shillings each for every day they exercise. Voted, That the minute men shall have forty shillings per month from the time they are ordered on any expedition till they return. December 11.--Voted, Nathan Goss represent this parish in General Con- gress at Exeter. 1776, January.--Voted, That Richard Jenness, Esq., Emos Seavey, Esq., and Robinson Treferrin be a committee for to draw a petition to the Gen- eral Congress at Exeter, praying they would not assume government at present. [1] By Ron. T. J. Parsons. Page 659 March 27th.--Voted, The Committee of Safety's expenses for the last year be allowed them. Voted, Richard Jenness, Esq., Samuel Knowles, Samuel Wallis, Richard Jenness, Simon Garland, Abraham Libbey, Jeremiah Berry be a Committee of Inspection, and the major part of them to act. Colony of New Hampshire, Rye, July 5, 1776. Serjeant Samuel Elkins,--You are hereby required to warn all persons belonging to your district, to meet at Mr. Benjamin Garland's Innholder in said Parish on Monday next at eight o'clock before noon armed and equiped according to law in order to draft out soldiers to join the Northern ArmY'- and it is hoped every person who values his life, liberty or property will punctually attend. Joseph Parsons, Capt. Rye, July 9, 1776. I have received orders from Col. Josh. Wentworth for a mediate caul for the Committee to be together--you are desired to be at Mr. Abrm Libbee's this day at six of the clock afternoon-- Mr. Simon Garland. Richard Jenness, Jun. The twelve minute-men enlisted in May, 1775, of the Town of Rye, a list of whose names, it is much regretted, cannot be found, went to cam- bridge, Mass. It being soon after necessary to have more troops at Newcastle to protect Portsmouth Harbor, Capt. Joseph Parsons raised the following volunteer company in Rye, and was stationed at Great Island (Newcastle) that summer and fall. It was, I believe, the first company in service from Rye. Papers show that others served under Captain Parsons at Newcastle: Joseph Parsons, captain; William Seavey, first lieutenant; Nathan Goss, second lieu- tenant; Abraham Libbey, sergeant; -Alexander Salter, sergeant; Timothy Berry, sergeant; Samuel Knowles, sergeant; Henry Shapley, corporal; Wil- liam Rand, corporal; Joshua Locke, corporal; Jeremiah Berry, corporal; Peter Johnson, drummer; Michael Dalton, fifer, and twenty-nine privates. A large portion of the above company enlisted under Capt. Joseph Parsons to go to Cambridge, Mass., until February 1, 1776. Captain Parsons having with the aid of Lieut. Nathaniel Gilman raised the following company to take the place of the former at Newcastle. Return of what remains of Capt. Joseph Parsons' company, Newcastle, November 6, 1775: Nathaniel Gilman, first lieutenant; William Seavey, second lieutenant; Samuel Wallis, ensign; Abraham Libbey, sergeant; Josiah Hall Bartlett, sergeant; Joseph Seavey, sergeant; Simon Johnson, corporal; Benjamin Lang, corporal; Joseph Marden, drummer; Nathaniel Marden, fifer, and forty-eight privates. Roll of Capt. Joseph Parson's company in Col. David Gilman's regiment, commencing December 5, 1776, and ending March 11, 1777, inclusive: Joseph Parsons, captain; Josiah Dearborn, lieutenant; Joshua Weeks, second lieutenant; John Leavitt, sergeant; Simeon Towle, sergeant; Daniel Smith, sergeant; Simon Sanborn, sergeant; Joseph Hutchins, corporal; Josiah Batch- elder, corporal; John Odiorne, corporal; Jesse Prescott, ocrporal; John San- born, drummer; Josiah Moulton, fifer, and forty-three privates. Page 660 They went to New York and served three months and eleven days. The service in Rhode Island was from June 26, 1777, to January 6, 1778. One march of fifty miles was made in thirteen hours. August 3, 1778, Captain Parsons marched a company of volunteers to Rhode Island, but was in service this time but thirty days. September 11, 1781, Captain Parsons raised a company of thirty-two men by order of the Committee of Safety, to serve three months, and marched for No.4, Charles- town, but served one month. 1782, April 19th.--Voted, Capt. Joseph Jenness and Mr. Richard Webster committee to get soldiers for the army. July 8th.--Voted, Capt. Joseph Jenness, Capt. Joseph Parsons, and Mr. David Locke, shall be a committee to get soldiers for to fill up the battalions for three years or during the war. Voted, Said committee shall pay in any sort of pay yearly as they shall agree with the soldiers for that purpose. Voted, The constable shall go about and gather what money he can in order to hire soldiers and let the committee have it. December 2d.--Lieut. Nathan Goss chosen representative for one year from their first meeting and to vote in the choice of delegate to the Continental Congress. Voted, Ten men for the Constitution and seventeen against it. 1783, April 28th.--Voted, To preserve the present plan of government as it now stands by a vote of thirty-three for it and nine against it. I find from examination of old papers in Rye that Rye men shipped and served on privateers during the Revolution, a few of the vessels of which I give, VlZ.: 1777, February 26th, the privateer Portsmouth, Capt. Robert Parker, sailed on a cruise March 25th; took a brig from New York of ten guns, and had a fight with two ships, one man killed and one wounded; March 29th, took a brig from Cork, which arrived into Portsmouth April 2oth. 1778, January, schooner (brig) True Blue, Capt. Lawrence Furlong. 1778, February, ship Portsmouth, Thomas Roche, commander. 1778, April, ship Portsmouth, Thomas Roach, commander. 1778, May 15, schooner Hornet (or Friends' Adventure), Kinsman Peaverly, commander. 1778, July, schooner Rambler, Thomas Manning, commander. 1778, October, brigantine Platio, John Hill, commander. 1778, October, schooner numbered Six, Samuel Rice, commander. 1778, November, ship General Sullivan, Thomas Manning, commander 1779, May, ship General Sullivan, Thomas Manning, commander. 1780, November, ship Alexander, Thomas Simpson, commander 1781, January, ship Alexander, Thomas Simpson, commander. 1781, May, ship Scourge, Timothy Parker, commander. 1781, April, ship America, of Newbury, for a four months' cruise; John Blunt, of Newcastle, mate. 1779, December, Continental ship Ranger, Thomas Simpson, commander. 1776, May 21, the New Hampshire frigate launched at Portsmouth. Page 661 CIVIL WAR Military Record.--The following list of soldiers from this town in the War of 1861-65 is taken from records in the possession of Hon. Thomas J. Parsons: Daniel D. Locke, captain, Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment ; James Goss, captain, Seventh Regiment; John T. Blazo, First Regiment; E. D. Rand, Company F, Seventh Regiment; J. A. Rand, Company F, Seventh Regiment; William Caswell; Albert Caswell; Augustus Rand; John Caswell, navy; S. F. Foss, captain Company E, Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment; J. J. Seavey, Massachusetts regiment; Oliver Locke, navy; John H. Downs, navy; Charles Holmes, captain Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, killed at Bull Run; R. P. Shapley, Company M, First Cavalry; J. H. Shapley, Com- pany M, First Cavalry; L. W. Hall, navy; D. M. Foss, navy; Daniel Webster, navy; Joseph Youngs, Company D, Third Regiment; H. Frisbee, Company E. Ninth Regiment; Francis Rand, Company E, Ninth Regiment, died July 20, 1864; Samuel Young; Benjamin Blazo, Company A, Lincoln Guards; J. Mow; George Hurdy; G. H. Lang; John Caswell; Emery Dow; G. N. Varrell; G. E. Caswell; John Poole; J. W. Berry, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment; O. P. Philbrick; ----- Miller; W. N. Mace; C. A. Mace; Alfred Lang, Thirty-second Maine; George N. Lang, Seventeenth Massachusetts; R. V. Varrell; S. Tarlton; Charles R. Caswell; R. P. Shapley, re-enlisted; J. H. Shapley, re-enlisted; E. D. Rand, captain, re-enlisted; J. A. Rand, lieu- tenant, re-enlisted; G. W. Johnson, re-enlisted. The following were enlisted and mustered into the service in 1862: Gil- man Johnson, George Humard, J. T. Blazo, Benj. Blazo, J. Young, R. P. Shapley, J. H. Shapley, D. D. Locke, Frank Foss, Capt. E. D. Rand, Lieut. J. A. Rand, F. W. Rand, Howard Frisbee, C. J. Mace, W. N. Mace, W. H. Shapley, A. Caswe1l, H. N. Caswell, J. Berry, C. R. Caswell, R. W. Varrell, w. T. Mathes, R. S. Foss, O. B. Philbrick, David Locke, Nathan Clough, S. B. Tarlton, Chas. H. Morse, E. Miller, J. Omerod, S. H. Parsley, H. G. Parsley, A. J. Jenness, J. H. Foye, G. B. Caswell, J. J. Seavey, D. M. Foss. J. W. Caswell, Daniel Webster, and L. W. Hull. The following enlisted in the navy: O. Locke, D. Trefethen, J. W. Marden, D. W. Marden, G, Seavey. F. Marden, C. E. Garland, A. Locke. J. H. Locke, A. G. Locke, Chas. A. Abbott, A. M. Lang, and W. C. Green. The following furnished substitutes: N. H. Jenness, C. A. Jenness, G. W. Jenness, A. D. Jenness, S. W. Jenness, S. Jenness, N. G. Jenness, John S. Remick, D. W. Philbrick, T. H. Philbrick, O. Drake, T. E. Latham, S. L. Chesley, C. W. Jones, J. W. Garland. The following men were drafted August 21, 1863, and paid communta- tion: Cyrus S. Jones, J. J. Rand, E. P. Davis, J. L. Seavey, J. S. Foss, E. C. Jenness, C. A. Drake, D. Philbrick, C. Garland, J. D. Rand, G. H. Jenness. W. J. Holmes, B. B. Greene, P. C. Hutchins, A. M. Lang. The following were also drafted at this time (August 21, 1863), but were exempt: A. V. Seavey, H. D. Foss, H. Trefethen, A. P. Brown, G. Brown. C. R. Caswell, G. H. Seavey, O. P. Garland, G. W. Brown, J. H. Foss, J. J. Brown, J. H. Lear, A. Rand, J. S. Remick, J. W. Foye, A. Rand. The following were mustered in October 22, 1862, for nine months: W. S. Bigin, T. E. Hodgden, C. H. Stevens, G. W. Williamson, B. F. Parker, J.J. Smith, C. W. Greenleaf, George W. Batchelder, J. F. Hall, G. M. Swain, J. W. Brickett, William Tool. Page 662 Six who entered the service from this town are known to have lost their lives, viz. : Charles Holmes, killed at the first battle at Bull Run; J. Harri- son Foye, killed May 3, 1862; William F. Mather, killed at Cold Harbor, June, 1864; David Locke, killed at Harrison's Landing, September 29, 1864; John H. Shaplelgh, killed at Waynesboro, Va., September 28, 1864; Lieut. Robert P. Shapleigh, died June 2, 1865. Gosport: Isles of Shoals.'--By an act of the Legislature, approved July 20, 1876, the Town of Gosport, Isles of Shoals, was annexed to Rye. The territory of Gosport consisted of all that portion of the Isles of Shoals within the boundaries of New Hampshire, including Star, White and Lunging Islands. The transfer was not asked by Rye nor the inhabitants of Gos- port; the transfer added but little to the valuation of Rye and nothing to its voting list or population. From a very early period in the history of this section of country these islands have been known as quite famous fishing-grounds, and were settled at an early date. For a long time the islands were a kingdom and government by them- selves, and had a constantly increasing prosperity, so that the number of inhabitants ran up to about six hundred, and even with a seminary of some repute, to which some families on the mainland sent their sons to be edu- cated. It was here that the three brothers Cutt first settled, removing to Portsmouth in 1647, but still carrying on business at the Shoals. Star Island had so prospered that in 1715, by act of the Provincial Assem- bly of New Hampshire, it was created a town, by the name of Gosport; and in 1720, of every 1,000 pounds raised in the province by taxation twenty pounds was assessed upon Gosport, a proportion which was maintained with but slight variations for many years. In 1767 the number of residents of Gosport was 284, of whom four were slaves. In 1819 the number of inhabitants of the islands had become reduced to eighty-six, and in 1824 to sixty-nine; and from that time till the end came the number slowly dwindled, year by year, until the last family and resident of the old Shoals stock disappeared. CHURCHES AND MINISTERS Prior to 1640 Rev. Joseph Hull, who was settled at Accominticus (now York, Me.), visited the islands occasionally and administered the sacraments of the Episcopal communion in the chapel on Hog (called by some at that time Farm) Island, now Appledore. During the year 1640 Rev. Robert Jordan of Richman's Island, Me., officiated in a similar manner, about this time the first church at the Shoals being built on Hog Island; and in 1641 and 1642 Rev. Richard Gibson, the first minister of Strawberry Bank (now Portsmouth) was settled there. A sound Puritan divine, Rev. John Brock, was the first of a long line of Congregational ministers who rendered noble and self-sacrificing service at the islands until the settlement went down in hopeless decay. Of him Cotton Mather said: "He dwelt as near Heaven as any man upon the earth." Mr. Brock was settled at the Shoals from about 1650 to 1662, and was succeeded by Reverend Mr. Hall, and the latter by Rev. Samuel Belcher. About 1700 a new church was built on a lofty point of Star Island. It seems Page 663 reasonable to suppose that there had previously been a church of some kind on this island for the population of the group had been centered there for years, and it is certain that the old church on Hog Island had long been abandoned. The new church was a substantial structure of wood, twenty- eight feet wide and forty-eight feet long, with a steeple or bell tower and bell; the tower, from the elevated position of the church, serving as a landmark for the fishermen by day, and the bell guiding them to safety in times of darkness or fog-services which continued to be rendered by the tower and bell of the present stone church on the same site up to the time that the fishing settle- ment at the island ceased to exist. Rev. Samuel Moody was one of the first to minister in the new church. Rev. Daniel Greenleafe was there in 1705, the Massachusetts General Assem- bly that year granting him fourteen pounds, and the New Hampshire Gen- eral Assembly six pounds toward his support. Mr. Greenleafe was suc- ceeded in 1706 or 1707 by Rev. Samuel Moody, whose ministry continued to 1730 or 1731; and he was succeeded by Rev. John Tucke, who was the first minister regularly ordained to the congregation upon the islands. He was graduated from Harvard in 1723, and ordained July 26, 1732. the ordination sermon being preached by Rev. Jabez Fitch of Portsmouth, who took as his text Matt. 4:19: "I will make you fishers of men." He died in the latter part of August, 1773, at the age of seventy-one years, and was buried on Star Island. His grave was accidently discovered in 1800 by Dudley A. Tyng, collector of the Port of Newburyport, on a visit to the islands, and a free stone tablet suitably inscribed erected over it. During his long pastorate he was physician as well as religious teacher to the islanders, and his influence over them seems to have been very great, and wholly for good. A granite shaft, a lasting memorial, is to be erected by his kinsman. Edward Tuck, on a circular piece of land deeded by the owner of the island to the New Hampshire Historical Society. Rev. John Tucke, Sr., was succeeded at the Shoals by Rev. Jeremiah Shaw, who remained until 1775, when the inhabitants were obliged to leave the islands on account of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. From that time, to the close of the eighteenth century the ministrations of religion at the islands were suspended. The few people who remained at the islands, or who returned after the close of the war, were too poor to support a minister, if they had been disposed to do so; they neglected the annual choice of town officers; they had no regular schools, and paid little if any attention to the Sabbath; the parsonage, constructed for Reverend Mr. Tucke, was taken down in 1780 by his son-in-law, and carried to York; and as appears from the Gosport town records, the meeting-house itself, which had stood nearly the whole century, was wantonly set on fire about 1790 by a party of drunken fishermen, who held a wild revel by its light while it was burning. Rev. Jedediah Morse, D. D., the distinguished geographer, historian and divine, who visited Star Island in 1800, made an entry as follows of this incident in the Gosport records under date of August 10th of that year. "About the year 1790 some of the people of the baser sort, not having the fear of God before their eyes, pulled down and burnt the meeting house, which was a neat and convenient building, and had been greatly useful, not only as a place for religious worship, but as a landmark for seamen approach- ing this part of the coast. * * * By means of the exertions and benevo- Page 664 lence of the society for propagating the gospel, established in Boston, and some liberal minded gentlemen in Newburyport, Portsmouth, and other places, there is a prospect and hope that another place of worship will be erected on the site of the old one, and the means of religious and moral instruction be again afforded to the unfortunate and almost forsaken people of these islands." The new meeting-house, which cost about fourteen hundred dollars, was erected under the supervision of Mr. Dudley A. Tyng. It was somewhat smaller than the former one, being but thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide on the outside, the walls being of stone, two feet thick, and eleven feet high in the clear. The choice of stone as a material being advocated by Doctor Morse, as having, as he said, "two great advantages over wood: the inhabitants cannot burn it for fuel and it will be imperishable." The new meeting-house was dedicated by Rev. Jedediah Morse on the 24th of November, 1800. The woodwork was partially destroyed by fire on January 2, 1826, but repairs were made through generosity of people on the mainland, and the church was rededicated in 1830. For about seventy years after the new church was built the ancient "Society for Propergating the Gospell among the Indians and others in North America," with headquarters in Boston, sent to the islands a succes- sion of missionary ministers, some thirty in all, who followed each other at frequent intervals until the final extinction of the settlement. These pious and devoted men, beside their pastoral duties, often served as school teachers and in other capacities; and they were supported partly by the society, partly by the contributions of other organizations or individuals on the mainland, and partly by the islanders. The first of these missionaries sent out was Rev. Jacob Emerson of Read- ing, Mass., who in 1799 acted as pastor and schoolmaster for about three months, and it was his report which caused the society to send out, the follow- ing year, Reverend Dr. Morse; and it was the latter's report of the religious, moral and intellectual condition and needs of the islanders that resulted in the rebuilding of the church and the continued maintenance of missionary pastors at the island, a few of whom we will mention. Rev. Josiah Stevens, one of the first missionaries, married in 1802, Susanna Haley, daughter of Samuel Haley, Jr., of Smuttynose Island, and engaged to serve as a permanent minister. A parsonage was built and fur- nished for him, on the spot where Mr. Tucke's house had stood, and he was commissioned a justice of the peace. His ministry promised to be produc- tive of much good, but he died in 1804 at the age of sixty-four years. Reuben Moody, a theological student, served as missionary for a few months in 1822; and Rev. Samuel Sewall served from early in 1824 until his death, which occurred in Rye, March 16, 1826. Rev. Origin Smith went to the island in 1835, was joined there by his wife and family in 1837, and was settled as the minister, remaining until 1841 or later. Rev. Avery Plummer and others succeeded Mr. Smith, and in 1855 the missionary was Rev. J. Mason, who in his report to the society for that year said that among other duties personally performed by him had been the repairing and caring for the public buildings, making the fires on Sunday and for the day schools, sweeping the floors, ringing the bell, hoist- ing the bethel flag, and making coffins, filing saws, repairing clocks, etc., for Page 665 the islanders, while his wife did much work on dresses and garments for them. Mr. Mason was succeeded by several other missionaries, one of the last of whom was Rev. George Beebe, whose wife for a time discharged the duties of schoolmistress. Mr. Beebe was succeeded in 1867 by Reverend Mr. Barber, and the latter was followed in 1869 by Reverend Mr. Hughes, who was the last of the long line of missionaries. The close of Mr. Hughes' pastoral service ended for all time the regular ministrations of the gospel at the Isles of Shoals, begun on Hog Island by Episcopal clergymen more than two centuries before. Since his retirement divine service has occasionally been held in the old church on Sundays in summer by clergymen of various denominations passing a season at one or the other of the island hotels; and it has always been an object of interest to summer visitors. Services by candle lights are held by the Unitarians in the old church during the first weeks in July. The tower which had become much dilapidated was a few years ago thoroughly repaired by voluntary contributions, and the little stone build- ing, which has now withstood the storms of more than a hundred years will not soon be allowed to go to ruin. Long may it continue to serve as a landmark for the passing mariner, and an interesting reminder to all beholders of other times and other conditions. The islands are famous as summer resorts, and not often is it the fortune of the summer tourist to drift into pleasanter waters than those that break upon the Isles of Shoals. Here are located the Appledore and Oceanic hotels and a steamboat makes two trips daily from Portsmouth to the islands during the summer season. Poetry and romance have chosen these rocks as favorite themes. Whittier, Hawthorne and Lowell have illuminated them with the magical light of their genius. Jenness has given us their history and above all the pencil of Mrs. Celia Thaxter has portrayed their sublimity and picturesque beauty with so much vigor and delicacy that nothing is left to be desired. **************************************************************************** * * * * Notice: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.