44 P8F55 \ S- e.. <, -f) 4^J le^s)'f DAILY EASTERN ARGUS, SATURDAY MClRNlNa AUGUST 15, I91i HISTORICAL MONUMENTS^ Bronze Tablets and Cannon, in Portsmouth and Vicinity, Both in State of Maine and New i Hampshire. (By Joseph Poster, Pay Director, (Rear Admiral) U. S. Navy Re- tired.) On Wednesday, July 29, 1914, the commemoration of two historical events took place at Star Island, N. H., Isles of Shoals, near Portsmouth. First, the dedication of the impos- ing granite oblisk lately erected in memory of Rev. John Tucke, A. M., minister at Star Island for more than forty years, before the Revolution, 1732-1773, by his kinsman, Edward Tuck, of Paris, dedicated by the New Hampshire Historical Society. Second, the dedication of a bronze tablet in honor and remembrance of the famous Captain John Smith, the first recorded visitor to these islands, just three centuries ago, by the So- ciety of Colonial Wars in the State of New Hampshire. The monument erected to his memory in 1864, by Rev. Daniel Austin, of Portsmouth, N. H., half destroyed by the passing years, has recently been restored by this so- ciety, and a bronze tablet affixed in place of the original marble inscrip- tion which has been missing for sev- eral years. The steamer Nassau, chartered by the New Hampshire Historical So- ciety carried that society and its guest.s from Portsmouth to the Isles of Shoals and return. A dinner at the Oceanic Hotel, Star Island, was given by the New Hamp- shire Historical Society to its mem- bers and guests, about three hundred in number, with interesting and schol- arly addresses by Rev. Alfred Good- ing of Portsmouth, on Rev. John Tucke and the early history of the Isles of Shoals; and by Justin H. < Smith, Esq., of Boston, Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Hampshire, on Captain John Smith. The meeting passed a resolution asking the Nev,' Hampshire Historical Society to consider, and if deemed best, to take measures to restore, if practicable, the original name of "Smith's Isles" to the present Isles of Shoals. _ The Inscription on the Tucke mon- ument is here given: "I'nderneath are the remains of the Rpv. John Tucke, A. M. He graduated at Harvard College, A. P. 17;;:), was ordained here, July 26, 1732, and died late in August, 1773. AET 71. He was affable and polite in his manner, amiable in his dispo.sitlon of great Piety and Integrity, given lo hospitality, Diligent and faithful in his pastoral office, well learned in History and Geography as well as general Science, and a careful Physician both to the I Bodies and the Souls ' of his people. I Erected ISOO in memory of the Just. The inscription above is taken from the sandstone slab placed over the grave of the Rev. John Tucke by Dudley A. Tyng of Newburyport, 1 In 1914 a kinsman Edward Tuck renewed in per p e tua J form this memorial.'* y^/i/ir 01^7- The inscription on the Smith tab- let is as follows: "Captain John Smith 1579—1631 after proving his valor in Europe and America became Governor of Virginia and Admiral of New England, while exploring this coast in the (Stu-mg of 1614 made the first record- I ed\ visit to these islands, named by I _^ him Smith's Isles. This tabh?t is placed three hundred years later by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Hampshire 1914." The landing of the first settlers of New Hampshire in 16i23,— nine years after Captrin John Smith's visit to the Isles of Shoals— was commemor- ated in 1.S99 by the erection of al granite monument at Odiorne's Point, Rye, N. H., near Portsmouth, by the New Hampshire Society of Colonial Dames. The last portion of the in- scription records however the later result, rather than the primary in- tention of the first settlers. R.\e. N. H.— At Odiorne's Point, near the ancient well, the site of the old Manor house, and the burving ground of the first settlers in New Hampshire: Jront: "Here landed in the Spring of 1623 the first band of Englishmen pioneers in the planting of New Hampshire consecrating this soil to the service of God and Liberty" Base: . - ' "1623—1899" Rear: , ■- - - • "To their perpetual memory the National Society ' ' of the ,- Colonial Dames of America •' '_; . ; in the .' State of New Hampshire dedicated this .-stone ' ' 1899" It has seemed well to assemble here a record of the locality, and of 3 the . Inscriptions on Ihc other historical bronze tablets in Portsmouth and vi- cinity, both in New Hampshire and Maine, sixteen in number: and on the Soldiers' monument. Fltz-John Porter 1 equestrian statue, and Hovey Memo- rial fountain, the lirst erected by the ; citizens of Portsmouth, the second by a friend, and the third by a sorrowing mother, and all in Portsmouth, These sixteen additional tablets were erected: one each by the Liber- ' ty Pole Association of Portsmouth, the 'Helen Seavey Quilting Party of Ports- I mouth, the Thomas Bailey 'Aldrich Association, the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Hampshire, the Maine Historical Society, the Pepperell Association, the Main© Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, the Paul Jones Club of Ports- mouth. Sons of the American Revolu- tion, and the United States Marine Corps; five by the New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the Revolution: and two by the United States Navy Departm ent.^ (^ J Eighyare in Portsmouth; one in Ne^jfffstle; one at the Isles of Shoals; three in Kittery, Me.; and three at the Navy- Tard. They are arranged by localities, and in the order of the dates of the events commemorated. The original inscriptions are all In capital letters, though otherwise printed here, and owing to the width of newspaper columns are not always 'lined" as in the originals. HISTORICAL BRONZE TABLETS. Portsmouth — On the Liberty pole at Liberty bridge at the junction of Water and Marcy streets: "Liberty, Property and No Stamp" Near this spot then "Swing Bridge" but thenceforward called "Liberty Bridge" on January 9th, 1766 nine years before the Revolution the "Sons of Liberty" of Portsmouth, N. H. placed the first "No Stamp Flag" raised in the American colonies "Swing Bridge" built 1731 Waterway filled 1899 The Liberty Pole A.v.sodatlon 1913" Additional Inscriptions on the Lib- erty Pole: i On wooden shield: "Erected July 4, 1824 I in commemoration of July 4 .1776, that Declared ' Our Emancipation From Tyranny And Gave Us The Privileges of Freemen." On metallic plate: "Liberty I Flag Pole renewed ' July 4, 1899." Portsmouth — On the Whipple school (State street, near Summer street; I "William Whipple Soldier and Statesman I Born, Kittery. Me.. January 14, 1730, Died Portsmouth, N, H., i.. November 28, 1785. ! Eletted to Continental Cangress Jan- I V ' - uary, 1776 ' He signed the Declaration of Independence, As Brigadier General of X. H. Troops he assisted in negotiating the terms I of General Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, N. Y. in 1777. He was Judge of the Superior Court. I The New Hampshirti,^ocietj^_of the Sons of the RevoTutlon ^, tr I placed this tablet, 1910." *- Portsmouth — On the Hunklng I Wentworth House, on the corner of ' Church and Congress streets, next west of the North church: "This house was occupied by Hunking Wentworth. A zealous patriot and efficient friend of the American Revolution. He was chairman of the Committee of Safety to obtain signatures to the Association Test of 1776, wherein citizens promised at the risk of their lives. and fortunes to oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies. against the United Colonies. The New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the Revolution placed this tablet Feb. 22, 1904." Portsmouth— Oi; the Lord House at the northeast corner of State and Middle streets, next west of the Rock- ingham: "In this house Admiral (John) Paul Jones resided and at this port fitted out the Ranger. 1777 and the America, 1781-2. , Erected by the Helen Seavey. Quilting Party July 4, 1913." Portsmouth — On the Lear house on the north side of Hunking street, (old number 7, new number 49) be- tween Marcy and Mechanic streets: "Colonel Tobias Lear -was born in this house in 1760. He was George Washington's secre- tary from 1783 to 1799. Washington visited here in 1789. This tablet is placed by the Society of the Sons of the Revolution of the State of New Hampshire, 1899." -M In admiration of the gallantry of Capt. John Langdon and ; MaJ. John Sullivan, 1 leaders uf the assaults. In memciy of the patriots who captured the fort and removed the guns and stores. E^rected by the Society of Colonial Wars . In the State of New Hampshire, ,^ 1902.- ' Isles of Shoals — On the cellar wall, at Appledore Island, State of Maine, '. of what was the house, formerly the I home of Hon. William Peppecell, fa- ther of Sir William Pepperell:^ ' , "The Island Home of Hon. Wm. Pepper^ll— — ^ * Maine Hist. Society 190O." Kittery— In front of the Peppoi - I rell tomb and nearly opposite the old Peppetell house and the Parkfleld hotel./Kittery Point: ! . / "In i^ommemoraUon """^ t:'« °f h** Col. William Pepper£ll_^ born in Devonshire, 1646, ^ /r died in Kittery, 1734 and of his son Sir AVilliam Pepperrell, Bart., born in Kittery 1698, died in Kittery 1759 I Chief Justice of the i Court of Common Pleas j President of the I Council of Massachusetts commanded the colonial forces at the successful siege of I>ouisburg, 1745 and in recognition of his services was made a Baronet and General in the British Army. honors never before conferred on a Colonist ,__. He 67 Portsmouth — On the old Assembly house on Vaughan street' at the south corner of Raitt's court: . — "Assembly House -' built in 1750. Washington attended a reception here, Nov. 3, 1 Remodelled in 1838. The New Hampshire Society , Sons of the Revolution I' placed this tablet t Feb. 22, 1903." Portsmouth — On the old William Pitt Tavern, southwest corner of Court and Atkinson streets: "The Earl of Halifax and William Pitt Hotel erected in 1770. Sen. Lafayette visited here in 1782. Also Louis Phillippe, who was afterwards King of France. This is the last spot where Washington personall.v complimented our State through its ofHcial Dignitaries in 1789. This tablet was placed by the New Hampshire Society of Sons of the Revolution, A. D. 1901." Portsmouth— On the southside of I Court, near Atkinson street, and next west of the Earl of Halifax and Wil- Uam Pitt hotel: "The Nutter House In this house Thomas Bailey Aldrlch passed the boyhood that he has mad© immortal in prose and verse Purchased by the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Association Portsmouth, August, 1907." ■ New Castle — On the outer wall (Fort Constitution, near the gate: "In commemoration of the first victory of the American Revolution. The capture, on this site, of Fort William and Mary 14-15 December. 1774. of c •ferected by the Pepperrell Association 1907" Kittery— On the Whipple Garrison house, long the home of the late H. i. Philbrick, Whipple road, just south of Locke'.s Cove, formerly Whipple's Cove, Kittery Point: "General William Whipple one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was born In this house June 14th, 1730. This tablet was placed in 1913 by the Maine Daughters of the American Revolution." Kittery — At the ferry landing of the Atlantic Shore Railway (electric) Badger's Island: "In memory of the Continental sloop of war Ranger launched from this island May 10, 1777. Sailed for Prance November 1, 1777, John Paul Jones, Captain. with dispatches of Burgoyne's surrender. Received February 14, 1778, the first salute to the Stars and Stripes from the French Fleet. Captured the British sloop of war Drake, April 24, 1778. Erected by the Paul Jones Club of Portsmouth, Sons of the American Revolution 1905." Navy Yard— On the Commandant's house: " • • • • Died in this house August 14, 1870 David Glasgow Farragut Admiral in the United States Navy Faithful and Fearless. • * * * „ Navy Yard— On the Marine bar- racks; to the first Americans killed In the Spanish war: "In memory of Sergt. Smith, and Pvt. Dumphv, Co D. 1st Battalion, U. S. M. C. Killed at Guantanamo, Cuba. i June 11, 1898. Erected by Comrades. Unveiled June 11, 1907." Navy Yard— Peace tablet on the , Peaee Conference building (General Store) : , "In this building at the invitation of Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, was held the Peace Conference between the Envoys of Russia and Japan, and September 5, 1905, at 3.45 P. M. was signed The Treaty of Portsmouth which ended the war between the two Empires." -_> 7 HISTORIOAti MEMORIALS. Portsmouth— On Ihe Soldiers' monument, OooiUN-in Park, between Islingrtun and Stale streets, near Cab- ot street: North side: "III luinor of the Men of rortsniouth who save their services .on the land and on the sea in the war which preserved the I'nion . of the States this monument is erected i»i' tin- grateful citizens, 18S8.". South side: "Williamsburg Fair Oaks Savage Station "White Oak Swamp Malvern Hill Chantllly South Mountain Chancellorsville Wilderness Cold Harbor Petersburg Richmond Monitor and Merrimack New Orleans Mobile Bay Morris Island James Island Fort Darling Port Hudson Red River Fort Donelson Peach Tree Creek Sherman's March to the Sea" Near base, north, east, south and west sides: "Gettysburg" "Kearsarge"