From The Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire (in three parts), 
compiled from the best authorities, by Eliphalet Merrill and the Late 
Phinehas Merrill, Esq.,
Printed by C. Norris & Co. , Exeter, NH, ©1817, pg 111-117

Part Two of Gazetteer:

DOVER - a considerable township in Strafford county, situated at the head of 
the tide on Cochecho.  It was incorporated in 1633, and in 1810 it contained 
2, 228 inhabitants.  It is bounded N.E.. by Somersworth, S.E. by Piscataqua 
river, S.W. by Madbury, and N.W. by Rochester and a corner of Barrington; it 
comprises 15,112 acres.  Cochecho river flows through the whole length of 
this town, and Bellamy bank through its S.E. extremity.  A turnpike road 
passes from the compact part of this town through Somersworth to Berwick in 
Maine.
	The Indians called this place Winichahanat and Cochecho and the first 
settlers named it Northam.  Its public buildings consist of two houses for 
public worship, one for Congregationalist and one for Quakers, a court house, 
printing office, a gaol, and a bank, which was incorporated in 1803.  There 
is a handsome village, containing about 70 houses, 18 stores, several 
offices, and mechanic shops.  A packet boat, while the river is open, passes
from this town to Portsmouth, every day except Sundays.  Dover contains 3 
grain mills, 2 sawmills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding machines, an 
oil mill, and a woolen factory.  The Revs. John Reyner, John Pike, Nicholas 
Seaver, Jonathan Cushing, Jeremiah Belknap have successively been the 
ministers of this place.  The Rev. J.W. Clary is their present pastor.  
	Edward and William Hilton came over from London and commenced the 
settlement of this township in 1623.  In 1630, they obtained a patent from 
the council at Plymouth conveying to them that place on the Piscataqua, known
by the name of  Hilton’s point, together with a tract 3 miles wide extending 
up the S. side of the river as far as Swamscot falls (now Exeter.)  Within 
this tract are now comprised the towns of Dover, Durham, Stratham, a part of 
Newington and Greenland.  In 1633, that beautiful neck of land (now Dover) 
was surveyed and incorporated.  A meeting house was at the same time erected
there and surrounded with intrechments, the traces of which are still 
visible. 
	In the year 1675, immediately after the invasion of Durham, a large 
body of the eastern Indians negotiated a peace with Maj. Waldron at Dover, 
but, as the war had not ceased in the south, many of the Indians from that 
quarter mingled with their brethren of the east, and under the falso 
appearances of friendship contrived to sow the seeds of fresh hostilities. 
In a short time captains Joseph Syll and William Hawthome were ordered to 
march eastward in pursuit of these insidious enemies.  On their march they 
arrived at Dover on the 6th of September, 1676, where they found 400 Indians 
assembled at the house of Maj. Waldron, most of whom were of the peace party 
and who regarded him as a benefactor and friend.  The two captains would have
attacked this body immediately, having orders to seize all Indians who had 
joined in the war.  Maj. Waldron dissuaded them from this, and planned the 
following stratagem.  He proposed to the whole Indian party a training and 
sham fight after the English custom.  He then formed another party consisted
of his own men and those under Capt. Frost of Kittery.  Having diverted the
Indians a short time and permitted them to fire the first volley, he made a
dexterous movement and before they could understand his intentions 
surrounded their whole body, seized and disarmed them without shedding blood
on either side.  They were immediately separated.  Wonolancet, with the 
Penacook tribe who had made peace the preceding winter, were amicably 
dismissed, but the strange Indians (as they were called,) to the number of 
200 were secured and sent to Boston.  Seven or eight of them who had been 
guilty of former murders were hanged and the rest were sold as slaves in 
foreign parts.   The Indians who were discharged by Waldron, regarded his 
conduct as a breach of faith and swore against him eternal and implacable 
revenge.  
	In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years since Waldron’s stratagem, during 
which time the 400 Indians who were dismissed had not suffered their rage 
against him to cool, and many of those, who had been sold into slavery, 
having escaped and returned home with a burning thirst for revenge, entered 
into a confederacy to surprise the major and his neighbors, with whom the 
former party had been living on terms of peace and friendship.
	In that part of Dover situated near the first falls in the river 
Cochecho, there were five garrisoned houses, Waldron’s, Otis’, and Heard’s,
the two others (Coffin’s and his sons) were on the south side of the river.
These houses were surrounded with timber walls, the gates of which as well 
as the doors of the houses were secured with bolts and bars.  The Indians, as
they passed through the town, trading with the inhabitants, scrutinized with
attention those wooden fortifications.  Some intimations of mischievous 
plots had been given by certain squaws, but in such an ambiguous manner as 
not to be comprehended.  Many of Waldron’s men had early apprehensions, but 
he laughed at their fears and told them to "plant their pumpkins and he would 
take care of the Indians."  The very evening before the alarm he was informed 
by a young man, that the town was full of Indians and the people very uneasy,
but he answered, "that the Indians behaved very well and that there was no 
danger."
	The plot which was concerted was, that two squaws should go to each 
of the garrisoned houses and ask leave to lodge by the fire, and that in the 
night, when all the men were asleep, they should open the doors and gates and
give the signal by a whistle, upon which the strange Indians, who were 
within hearing were to rush in and gratify their long mediated revenge.
	The plan having been thus arranged, on the evening of the 27th of 
June two squaws applied to each of the garrisons for lodging, as was not 
unusual in time of peace, and they were admitted to all but young Coffin’s 
house.  They were taught by their own request how to open the doors in case 
they should wish to go out during the night.  Mesandowit was then in 
Waldron’s garrison and hospitably entertained there as he had often been 
before.  The squaws told the major that a number of Indians were coming to 
trade with him the next day; and Mesandowit, while at supper, in his usual 
familiar manner said, "Brother Waldron what should you do, if the strange 
Indians should come."  The major carelessly replied that he would assemble 
one hundred men by the motion of his hand.  In this unsuspecting confidence 
the family retired to rest.
	In the stillness of midnight the gates were opened and the signal was
given.  The Indians immediately entered, stationed a guard at Waldron’s door
and rushed into his apartment, which was one of the inner rooms.  Awakened 
by the tumult the major sprang from his bed, and though now burdened with the
weight of 80 years he retained so much of his youthful vigor as to drive 
them with his sword through two or three doors. But as he was returning for
his other arms, they leveled him with a blow from behind which left him 
senseless.  Having dragged him into his hall, they placed him in an elbow 
chair upon a long table, and insultingly asked him, "who shall be the judge 
of Indians now."  The then compelled the people in the house to provide them
food, and when they had finished their repast they cruelly inflicted gashes 
on different parts of Waldron’s body, saying, "we thus cross out our 
account;" till at last exhausted with loss of blood he was falling from the 
table, when one of the Indians, holding his own sword under him, in this 
manner relieved him from his sufferings.
	They also put to death his son in law Abraham Lee, but made captive 
his daughter and several others, and then having plundered the house set it 
on fire.  Otis’ Garrison, which was next to Waldron’s, met the same fate.  
Otis himself with several others were put to death, and his wife and children
were taken prisoners.  Heard’s garrison was saved by the barking of a dog at
the moment the Indians were entering.  Elder Wentworth was awakened by the
noise.  He repelled those who first entered, and falling upon his back, he 
kept the door closed with his feet, till he had given the alarm.  Two balls 
were fired through the door, but missed him.  Coffin’s house was also 
attacked, but as the Indians had no particular enmity against him they spared
him and his family and contented themselves with pillage.  Having found a 
bag of money they compelled him to throw it in handfuls on the floor, while 
they amused themselves in a scramble for it.  They then proceeded to the 
house of his son who had refused to admit the squaws, and promising him 
quarter they summoned him to surrender.  He withstood their offers and 
resolved to defend his house, but the Indians brought forward his father and
threatened to put him to death.  Filial affection overwhelmed his courage 
and he surrendered.  They put both families into a deserted house, intending
to make prisoners of them, but  they all escaped while the Indians were 
engaged in their work of plunder. 
	In this affair 23 people were killed and 29 made captive.  Five or 
six dwelling houses together with the mills were burned, and so rapid were 
the Indians in their operations, that they escaped with their prisoners and 
booty before the people could collect from the town to oppose them; as they 
passed by Heard’s garrison in their retreat, they fired upon it, but the 
people within having resolved to defend it, and the enemy being in haste it
was saved.  The preservation of its owner was still more remarkable.  
Elizabeth Heard with her three sons and a daughter and several other persons
were returning in the night from Portsmouth.  They passed up the river in 
their boats unperceived by the Indians who then had possession of the 
garrisons.  Apprehending danger from some noise, which they heard, they 
landed and bent their steps to Waldron’s garrison, where they observed 
lights, which they supposed were held out to those who were seeking refuge.  
They knocked and entreated admission, but no answer being given, one of the 
party ascended the wall, and to his astonishment and alarm, saw an Indian 
stationed with his gun at the door of the house.  Mrs. Heard in the agony of
fright lost all power to escape, but she implored her children to fly and 
save themselves, they left her with heavy hearts.  She soon recovered herself 
and crept into some bushes and there lay concealed till day light, at which 
time she perceived an Indian approaching toward her with a pistol in his 
hand, who looked in her face and went away.  He immediately returned and 
looked at her again.  She then spoke to him, but without making any answer,
he went off and she saw no more of him.  She continued in her concealment 
till the conflagration was over and the Indians were gone.  She then went to
her house and found it safe.  This wonderful preservation of Mrs. Heard was 
remarkable display of the power of gratitude in an Indian.  At the time of 
Waldron’s stratagem in 1675, a young Indian escaped and took refuge in her 
house.  In return for her kindness in concealing him he promised that he 
would never in any future war, injure her or any of her family.  This Indian
was known to be the one who found her concealed on this eventful night.
	On the 25th of January, 1691, a young man in the woods near Dover was
fired upon by a party of Indians.  Lieut. Wilson immediately assembled a 
body of 18 men and went in pursuit of the aggressors.  He succeeded in his 
search and killed or wounded the whole party except one.  This caused a 
temporary terror among the Indians, but its effects soon ceased.  On the 26th 
of July, 1696, the people of Dover were attacked as they were returning from
public worship.  Three of them were killed and three carried to Penobscot, 
who afterwards escaped and returned home.  In August 1704, a man by the name 
of Giles was killed, and the people were again waylaid on their return from 
meeting.  In 1706 William Pearl and Nathaniel Tibbets were killed, and in 
1710, Jacob Garland met the same fate. 
	In the spring of 1711, this town was again attacked by the Indians, 
and several people as they were returning form meeting fell into an ambush. 
John Horn was wounded and Humphrey Fass was taken prisoner; but by the 
resolute courage of Lieut. Heard he was recovered from the hands of the 
enemy.  In April, 1712, ensign Tuttle was killed, and in the July following 
an ambush was discovered, but the enemy escaped.  While the people were 
absent in pursuit of them, two children of John Waldron’s were taken and were
cruelly put to death.  Although there was no man at the time in Heard’s 
garrison, a woman who was stationed as guard called for help with such a 
resolute and commanding voice that the Indians supposed the men were near and
they therefore departed without doing farther mischief.
	On the 29th of August, 1723, the Indians again made their appearance 
at Dover, where they surprised the house of Joseph Ham, whom they put to 
death and three of whose children they carried of.  
	In May, 1724, a party of 13 Mohawks marked the house of a Quaker by 
the name of Hanson for plunder, and they lay several days in ambush waiting 
for the favorable moment of attack.  Wile Hanson with his eldest daughter 
were absent at a Quaker meeting and his two eldest sons were working in a 
distant field, the Indians entered his house, killed and scalped two small 
children, and made captive his wife, her infant and its nurse, two daughters
and a son.  The next spring Hanson redeemed his wife, the three young 
children and the nurse, but could not obtain his daughter, although he was 
permitted to visit her.  He made a second attempt in 1727, but died at Crown 
Point on his journey to Canada.  The girl afterwards married a Frenchman and
never returned. 
	In September, 1725, while the people were absent at work in a 
neighboring field, a party of Indians concealed themselves in a barn in 
preparation for an attack.  Two women passed by the barn at that moment, and 
had just arrived at the garrison, when the Indians commenced firing.  They 
killed two men of the name of Evans and wounded another slightly in his 
breast.  The Indians, supposing from the copiousness of his bleeding that he 
was dead, proceeded to strip and scalp him.  He bore this operation without 
betraying any signs of life, and thus he continued the appearance of death 
while they struck him many blows with their guns and departed, supposing that
they had dispatched him.  He then arose and walked back naked and bleeding 
to the garrison.  Fainting with his wounds, he dropped at the feet of one of
his friends who met him and who carried him to his house.  He recovered and
lived fifty years afterwards.  The Indians also at that time carried off to
Canada a lad of the name of Evans, who was afterwards redeemed.
	A female of the name of Christina, who was born at Dover in the year
1688, was carried captive with her mother to Canada soon after the 
destruction of Dover by the Indians.  In Canada she was educated in the Roman
Catholic faith, and she was there married. Upon the death of her husband she
became very anxious to revisit the land of her nativity, and an exchange of 
prisoners taking place in 1714, she returned and married Capt. Thomas Baker, 
then of Northampton.  She renounced the Catholic religion and removed to 
Dover, where she lived a bright example of Piety, and died on the 23d of 
February 1773.  The number of her posterity of three generations was 72, of 
whom 57 survived her.
	On the 25th of June, 1773, died the Hon. George Guage in the 72d year
of his age.  Having distinguished himself as a philanthropist and patriot in
the most important public stations, he received the highest honors in the 
gift of his country.  He was several times a member of the general assembly 
of the province, and a colonel of the 2d regiment of militia, which was 
particularly exposed during the war.  On the establishment of the county of 
Strafford, he was appointed the first judge of probate a few months before 
his death.
	In May, 1770died friend Joseph Estes in the 74th year of his age, who
for a period of 40 years was a public speaker in the Quaker meetings at 
Dover and elsewhere.  He was universally respected and lamented.
	In 1772, died Howard Henderson  at the advanced age of more than 100
years.  He was present at the capture of Gibraltar from the Spaniards in 
1704.  The annual average number of deaths in this town from 1767 to 1815,
has been 19.  The largest number was 50 and the smallest 8.  During the 
above period thirty died between the ages of 70 and 80, six between the ages
of 90 and 100, and one over 100.


Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00
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