TITLE: Job Clement’s Muster Roll and Rochester Men in His Majesty’s Service SOURCE: History of the Town of Rochester New Hampshire, From 1722-1890 by Franklin McDuffee, A.M. edited and revised by Silvanus Hayward. In two Volumes.-- Vol. I., Manchester, The John B. Clarke Co., Printers. ©1892. Pages 30-32. SUBMITTED: Transcribed by C Parziale 7/20/00 ***************************************************************************** INDIAN HISTORY A few rods from the road leading from Rochester village to Gonic and not far from the latter place, in a quiet spot half encircled by trees which line the high river bank, several rough unlettered stones, indistinctly visible to the passing traveler, marks the resting place of some of the early inhabitants. One of these graves is that of Jonathan Hodgdon’s wife, who was killed by the Indians, May 1, 1748. The locality of her death is just beyond the "Great Brook," on the right hand side of the road, nearly opposite the place of her burial. She had gone out on a still Sabbath morn- ing to find and milk her cows. A considerable party of Indians lying con- cealed upon Ham’s hill, which commanded a view of Squamanagonic garrison, had been for several days watching all the movements of the settlers. Tradition says it was their plan to watch the fort until they saw the men depart with their guns to the church, and then surprise and capture the women and child- ren left behind, and finally waylay the men as they should return, -- a favorite stratagem of these tribes. But when they saw Hodgdon and his wife leaving the fort together they determined to capture them. Mrs. Hodgdon was seized and the Indians endeavored to keep her quiet and carry her away as a prisoner, but as she persisted in screaming they killed her on the spot. Her husband, who was a short distance away, hearing her cries hastened to her rescue, intending, if she were taken by the Indians, to surrender himself also. He arrived at the instant of her death, while the savages were in the act of scalping her. Presenting his gun it missed fire, but he made his escape to the garrison.* The news spread rapidly. The old iron cannon upon the hill charged, it is said, with nine pounds of powder, thundered its note of alarm, -- heard even at Portsmouth. Hundreds of people gathered from near and far. At two o’clock in the afternoon a company of light horse arrived from Portsmouth, and the country was scoured as far as Lake Winnipiseogee, but without success. It was believed that the Indians concealed themselves upon islands in the river near our village. Governor Wentworth had already ordered several well-known Indian fighters to raise men and to be constantly ready to protect the settlers. Under date of March 26, Capt. Job Clements of Dover had been directed -- "to impress or inlist into his Majesty’s service thirty-five effective men -- and scout with them, in the neighborhood of Rochester, which scouting you are to repeat as often as you shall judge it for the safety and protection of the inhabitants." The pay of the men was £2 15s. per month. The seven first named on the roll came to Rochester, May 4, and were doubtless engaged in the search above related. The following are the names on the -- "Muster-Roll of a company of pressed men, under command of Capt. Job Clements, at Rochester and Barrington, in 1748." John Hodgdon, Sergeant James Wilkson Ebenezer Jones John Howe Edward Man William Hill Samuel Toby Joseph Rawlins Edward Burroughs Nicholas Weeks James Perkins James Nute Edward Man John Huntress Moses Pinkham Joseph Downing Joseph Downing Abraham Plaice Peter, negro belonging to Daniel Bunker James Clements Greenleaf. Aaron Bickford Benjamin Ricker John Huntress Daniel Conney Samuel Weymouth Daniel Allen Ebenezer Nock Jacob Allen William Johnson James Hall Ichabod Bickford John Leavitt Bryant Davis John McCoy Elias Tarlton Ephraim Ricker John Lewis Thomas Wentworth Joseph Downs Thomas Hamack Jonathan Ricker Moses Ricker James Perkins Samuel Ham The repetition of names doubtless indicates a re-enlistment after one month’s service. The attack of May 1st was the last attempt of the Indians in Roch- ester. Such vigor of pursuit perhaps deterred them from subsequent attacks. Peace took place the following year, -- a peace of short duration, for in 1754 the sword was resumed. In these later wars, however, the Indians were not so cruel and barbarous as before. Prisoners were so valuable for redemp- tion that they secured as many as possible alive, and kindly cared for them, sharing their food with them in times of scarcity. The settlers also, through exposure and experience, had become better warriors, and understood better how to cope with their savage and wily foes. Heretofore the English had carried on the war in a desultory and feeble manner, which encouraged their enemies to undertake these marauding and murderous expeditions. From this time the English displayed more vigor, and fitting out formidable expeditions against Canada, largely relieved the eastern settlements from the calamities of the war. The British officers, however, sent press-gangs into the towns to impress men into their service. The people of Rochester petitioned to be exempted from the press, but it does not appear that the request was granted. When the press-gang visited the town, Jabez Dame concealed himself until the danger was past; but having informed the girl he was courting of his intent- ions, he volunteered the next morning. The following are the names of some of the Rochester men engaged in His Majesty’s service at this time: -- Lieut. John McDuffee Jabez Dame Ichabod Corson Daniel Alley Ensign Wm. Allen Gershom Downs John Copp, Jr. William Berry. Eleazar Rand. The war was virtually closed in 1759 by the surrender of Quebec. The foll- owing year all the remaining French possessions in Western Canada were surrendered to the English, and the eastern settlements found a permanent peace from the ravages of the Indians. * Jonathan Hodgdon marrried again and had in all twenty-one children. He died in 1815, aged 90. **************************************************************************** * * * * 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. 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