Landmarks in Ancient Dover, New Hampshire by Mary P. Thompson, Durham, N.H. ©1892, Printed by the Republican Press Association, Concord, N.H. LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. I. Peter Coffin's Garrison I. NAMES: COFFIN, Peter, Esq.; OTIS, Richard; WALDRON, Col. Richard; STARBUCK, Edward; MOODEY, Rev. Joshua; Peter Coffin's Garrison. The N.H. government ordered, March 13, 1683-4, that the houses of Peter Coffin, Esq., and Richard Otis be immediately fortified as "by-garrisons for Cochecho," for the security of the inhabitants in their vicinity. (N.H. Prov. Pap., 1: 499.) Coffin's house is mentioned May 27, 1671, when Richard Waldron conveyed to Peter Coffin one fourth of the sawmill works on the south side of the river Cochecho, with one fourth of all grants and privileges thereunto pertaining. Also six acres of land on the south side of the river, adjoining "ye two acres of land upon part whereof ye sd Peter Coffin's house now stands, which sd Peter formerly bought of his father-in-law Edward Starbuck." Coffin's garrison and mill were burnt by the Indians June 28, 1689. The Rev. Joshua Moodey of Portsmouth implies that this was a judgement on Peter Coffin, who was one of the Justices at Moodey's trial in 1684. (Ibid., 1:523.) Coffin himself, however, escaped the fate of Col. Waldron, having treated the indians more equitably, as shown by his securing from them a title to his lands at Squamanagonick and at the second falls in Lamprey river. Coffin's garrison is said to have stood on an elevation, now cut down, between Orchard and Waldron streets, in the rear of Varney's block, about sixty feet from the line of Central Avenue. PG 61 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. II. Tristram Coffin's Garrison NAMES: COFFIN, Tristram; COFFIN, Eliphalet; HANSON, Joseph; WALDRON, Richard; COFFIN, Peter; GAGE, John; WATSON, David; II. Tristram Coffin's Garrison. This garrison, built by Tristram, son of Peter Coffin, escaped destruction in the Indian attack of 1689. Where it stood is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been on the high land near the present Belknap school-house on Silver Street, which is part of the old Littleworth road. Eliphalet Coffin conveyed to Joseph Hanson, Sept. 5, 1735, two acres of land in Dover, bounded S. by the highway to Littleworth, W. by David Watson's two-acre home lot, N. by Leah's field, so called, and E. by "a small gore claimed by Mr. Richard Waldron yt lies over against ye pound, being the very same land where Tristram Coffin, father of Eliphalet, formerly lived." Tristram's son of the same name, however, lived near the lowest falls in the Cochecho. Peter Coffin, son of Eliphalet, conveyed to John Gage all right and title to the mill privilege at the lower falls in Cochecho river, on the south side, "being near ye dwelling house of Capt. Tristram Coffin." PG 61 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. III Gerrish's Garrison NAMES: GERRISH, Capt. John; PIKE, Rev. John; III Gerrish's Garrison. Mentioned in the Journal of the Rev. John Pike, Dec. 25, 1692, when as he states, "A dolefull and tremendous noise was affirmed to be heard in the Ayr nigh Capt Ger: Garrison, which Continued (with a little intermission) near half an hour."-- "Money pd for diating of soldiers at Capt. John Gerrishes Garason" is mentioned in 1692. (N.H. Prov. Pap., 17: 621.) Two soldiers are mentioned as "serving his Majesty" in Capt. Gerrish's garrison from Jan. 7, 1695, till Feb. 6, following. (Ibid, 17: 648.) This garrison no doubt stood near Gerrish's mills at the lowest falls in the Bellamy river, but the precise spot is not known. PG 62 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. IV Hayes's Garrison NAMES: HAYES, Lieut. Jonathan; IV. Hayes's Garrison. This was a minor garrison of a later day, which, according to Sanford & Evert's atlas, stood west of the Cochecho river at the foot of Winkley's hill, at the junction of the road to Barrington and that to Tolend falls. It is elsewhere spoken of as "the garrison of Lieut. Jonathan Hayes, " who died Ap. 15, 1787. It was taken down in 1812. PG 62 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. V. Heard's Garrison NAMES: HEARD, John; HEARD, Samuel; VARNEY, Stephen; WELLAND, William; HEARD, Lt. Tristram; V. Heard's Garrison. This garrison, built by Capt. John Heard of the Dover Combination of 1640, stood on a small hill, west of Garrison Hill, at the lower side of the ancient cartway, where is now the garden of the Bangs residence. It escaped destruction in the attack of 1689, at which time John Heard was already dead. The allowance made by the government for the subsistence of soldiers at Dame Heard's garrison in 1692 and 1693, is given in the N.H. Prov. Pap., 17: 621, 629. five soldiers were ordered to be stationed at "Samuel Heard's garrison" in 1693. (Ibid., 2:103.) Orders were given Oct. 20, 1693, that only two soldiers be left at Heard's garrison. This seems to have been the only fortified garrison on the north side of the Cochecho river Feb. 17, 1696-7, when the government ordered that the bridge (boom) "broken and gone," should be speedily repaired, in order that Heard's garrison might be relieved in case of an attack by the enemy. Six men were ordered to be sent to Heard's garrison Ap. 15, 1697. (Ibid., 2:223, 227.) This garrison is mentioned Jan 16, 1721, when Stephen Varney conveyed to Wm. Welland "30 acres of land, which was the homestead of John Heard, deceased, lying in Cochecho, beginning at the highway at the backside of Lt. Tristram Heard's house, and running W. by N. to the end of the lot, taking in the Old Garrison House." PG 62 LANDMARKS: VI. Dover Garrisons. Meeting-House Fort or Garrison VI. NAMES: COFFIN, Capt. Peter; SAWYER, Hon. C. H.; BROWN, E.R.; CLEMENT, Job; KENEY, Jane; Meeting-House Fort or Garrison. Capt. Peter Coffin agreed, the 4th, 5 mo., 1667, to build a fort about the meeting-house on Dover Neck, 100 feet square, with two Sconces 16 feet square, all the timbers to be 12 inches thick, and the wall to be 8 feet high, with sills and braces. It was ordered by the Governor and council, March 13, 1683-4, "that a meeting-house at Dover be immediately fortified, and a line drawn about it, which meeting-house shall be the main garrison for defending the inhabitants against the attacks of the enemy; also that the house, formerly called the Watch House be a by-guard." (Ibid., 1:499.) "The garrison about ye ministry house on Dover Neck" is spoken of May 11, 1697. (Ibid., 17: 656.) This house and its fortifications are now gone. The land where it stood was purchased a few years ago by the Hon. C.H. Sawyer an Mr. E.R. Brown, and pesented by them to the Congregational Society of Dover (See Nutter's Hill.) The guard house, mentioned above is referred to in Job Clement's will of Sept. 4, 1682, in which he gives his grandchild Jane Kenney a part of his six acre lot "near the watch house on Dover Neck." PG 62-63 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons VII Otis' Garrison NAMES: OTIS, Richard; OTIS, Stephen; OTIS, Hannah; VII. Otis' Garrison. This garrison stood about half way between Heard's and Waldron's garrisons, on the brow of a hill on the west side of what is now Central Avenue, near Milk St. It was built by Richard Otis, ancestor of the present writer, who settled in Dover as early as 1655. The N.H. authorities ordered, March 13, 1683-4 that his house should be immediately fortified, as one of the "by-garrisons" of Cochecho, for the security of the neighboring inhabitants. (N.H. Prov. Pap., 1:499.) It was destroyed by the Indians June 28, 1689, on which occasion Richard Otis was killed, together with his son Stephen and daughter Hannah. His wife, and twenty-eight other inmates of the garrison, were taken captive. PG 63 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. VIII Paine's Garrison NAMES: QUINT, Dr.; VARNEY, Capt. James; PAINE, Thomas; VIII Paine's Garrison. Mention is made of Thomas Paines's garrison being surrounded by a band of Indians in the night of June 27-28, 1689. (Ibid., 2:51.) It was probably destroyed on that occasion for no mention is made of it subsequently. Dr. Quint says it stood close to the house of the late Capt. James Varney, on the turnpike road (Portland St.), near the corner of Rogers St.; but on what authority does not appear. It was undoubtedly on that side of the Cochecho river, however--probably on Mt. Rawlings, where Thomas Paine acquired land and a dwelling-house March 5, 1673. (See Mount Rawlings.) PG 63 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. IX. Pinkham's Garrison NAMES: PINCKHAME(PINKHAM), Richard; THOMPSON, Charles; IX. Pinkham's Garrison. This garrison was built by Richard Pinckhame, of the Dover Combination. It stood on the west side of Dover Neck, on gently sloping land overlooking Back river, that for six generations remained in possession of the Pinkham family, covering a space of about 250 years. It is now owned by Mr. Charles Thompson. About four rods west of his house stood the garrison, which was taken down about 1825. PG 63 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. X. Samuel Tibbet's Garrison NAMES: CLAY, Richard; TIBBETS, Capt. Samuel; X. Samuel Tibbet's Garrison. Mentioned in 1696, when Richard Clay was stationed there from April 13, till June 8. This garrison was on Dover Neck. Samuel Tibbet's land in the upper part of Dover Neck, on the east side, is mentioned in 1702. He was still living Feb. 9, 1733-4 when he declared himself to be 67 years old. "Capt. Samuel Tibbets" is spoken of Ap. 17, 1742 as "deceased." PG 63 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. XII. Varney's Garrison NAMES: VARNEY, Stephen; POMFRETT, William; REYNER, Mr.; HUSSEY, Moses; XII. Varney's Garrison. This garrison was on the Blackwater road in Dover, some distance N.W. of Willand's pond. It was no doubt built by Stephen Varney, who Oct. 24, 1719, acquired part of Wm. Pomfrett's hundred- acre grant in Cochecho woods, bordering on Mr. Reyner's 400 acre grant at the east. It was a large garrison of two stories, the second story projecting about three feet, beyond the first. during the French and Indian wars of the last century it is said to have afforded shelter to all the neighboring farmers. It was still standing in 1834, in which year it is mentioned as the "Old Garrison" on Whitehouse's map of Dover. It was taken down not long after, and some of its timbers were used in the construction of the Bickford house near Faggoty bridge, now owned by Mr. Moses Hussey. The cellar, however, can still be traced. PG 63-64 LANDMARKS: Dover Garrisons. XIII NAMES: WALDRON, Major Richard; QUINT, Dr.; Waldron's Garrison XIII. Waldron's Garrison. This garrison was built by Major Richard Waldron, founder of the Cochecho settlement. It stood north of the Cochecho river, on the west side of Central Avenue, between first and Second streets, directly behind the National Block, which, as Dr. Quint says, should have been called Waldron's block. The present Court House stands on a part of this garrison site. This garrrison was destroyed in the attack of 1689, on which occasion the Indians, by way of revenge for numerous wrongs, put Major Waldron to death in the most barbarous manner. There were other Dover garrisons on the west side of Back river. (See Back River Garrisons.) PG 64 - Submitted by C. 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