Qass. Book. Ej±^ .-^1 HISTORY ^ C H A R L E S T O W N , NEW-HAMPSHIRE. FROM n$ FIRST GRANT BV SHK, PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS IN 1735, TO THE YEAR 1833. BY JAAZANIAH CROSBY, PASHpR of the FIRST CHURCH IN SAll> TO\>N. C ONCORD: ^I A R .S H . C A P E N & LYON 18 3 3. lIlSrORY OF CIIARI.ESTOWN Charlestown is situate in a delightful and fertile valley, bounded on the east by a rano-e of high hills, and an the west by Connecticut river^ Although they have not, like the mountains and rivers of other regions, been made the theme of the j)oet's song, it requires but little aid from imagination to believe them equally entitled to the same honor. But the portion of the town» peculiarly adapted to awaken the attention of the traveller, is the village. As he views it in its secluded loveliness, guarded by the barriers of mountain and river, he might pardonably fim- cy it secure from the vices, which contaminate the world without, and be ready to trace in its beauty, and its seeming peacefulness and inno- cence, a resemblance to ancient Eden. But let him rest, when imagination shall have carried him thus far, lest, if his investigation proceed^ he fmd that there are not impassable barriers against the evils and vices, which are the univer- sal portion of mankind. The village is situate between tv,o meadows^ called the upper and lower meadow. The former contains about two hundred acres, and the latter (called also the great meadow,) a])o.ut five hun- dred. The soil of these is alluvial and exceed- ingly fertile in all kinds of produce, necessary to the sustenance of man and beast. There are other meadows of different sizes, which, together with the two already mentioned, contain about twelve hundred acres. The length of the town is about thirteen miles, and its breadth varies from three to four and a half miles. The num- 4 ber of inhabitants is about 1700, and has varied very little during the last twenty years. The first settlement of Charlestown, original- ly called Number-Four, (usually written No. 4,) was in 1740, under the authority of Massachu- setts. The first account found in the records of the General Court of Massachusetts, relative to the settlement of the banks of the Connecticut, now called Charlestown, is a report of a commit- tee, stating that it was expedient to lay out a range of towns from, or between, the Merrimack and the Connecticut, and on each side of the last mentioned river. This report was made on the 15th of January, 1735, and was voted to be con- curred in ; but when the committee was appoint- ed, or for what purpose, whether for that embra- ced in the report, or some other, does not appear in the record of the report, nor is any clue to it to be found by a careful examination of a full index, and of portions of the records, as far back as the year 1730. On the subsequent day, (Jan. 16, 1735,) in pursuance of the above report, and its acceptance, a committee was appointed to lay put the range of Towns. On the 30th of November, 1736, is found in the records a report, purporting to be a further report of this committee, begging leave to amend their first report in consequence of having found upon examination, subsequent thereto, of other grants and plans, that the lower townships a^ first reported, interfered with those laid out and designated by the name of the Ashuelot town- ships, which interference they had corrected in a plan of the townships accompanying the report, and submitted for the acceptance of the General Court. This report, as amended with the ac- companying plan, was voted to be accepted. In the records, however, is found no mention of the first report; and neither of the reports, nor the accompanying plans, are to be found upon the flies of the State Papers. In the amended re- port, which, as recorded, is very short, and mere- ly referring to the plan, it appears that the town- ships were numbered successively from 1 to 9 inclusively ; and that the committee had given hearing to applications for grants to persons, purposing to become settlers in lour townships, and had appointed a time in the month of May next ensuing, for a hearing of applications for grants in the remaining townships. After this, the records are silent with respect to these town- ships, as far as shown by the index, until the year ] 749, June 24>, when a vote was passed for the raising of 100 men for the defence of the western frontiers, and in assigning the distribution and location of these, it is specified, that 25 of them should be posted at No. 4, which was the same now called Charlestown. In June, 22d, 1750, in the bill voted for the establishment of forces and garrisons, fifteen men, including one captain and one sergeant, were voted for the post at No. 4. In January,2.3d,1752, in a similar bill, passed for the establishment of forts and garrisons, the captain, one sergeant, and ten men were voted for the fort at No. 4, with a provision, that al- lowance should be made to them for billeting, 4s. 6d. per week for each man. In June 14th, 1753, it was voted to withdraw the garrison of ten men from No. 4, and Capt. Phinehas Ste- vens should be officially requested to take charge of the arms and stores tliat were public property, and keep them safely for the use of the govern- ment. On the letter liics is found a copy of a let- r, irr iVolh the Secretary, Mr. Josiah Willard, to Capt. Stevens, requesting him to take this charge, ns the government had determined to withdinw the garrison. It would appear that this vras af- terward rescinded or suspended, probably in con- sequence of some remonstrance from the settlers of the town, since on the 24th of the ensuing January, that is, in 1754, there is a vote to the effect, that no more pay be granted to the garri- son often men at No. 4, and again directing that Capt. Stevens should be directed to take charge of the arms and stores. IJence it would appear, that the garrison had been maintained several months at the expense of the province of Massa- chusetts, after the first vote to withdraw it. On what grounds this was done, does not appear from any thing in the records, in the acts of the Court on file, or in the files of letters. The last vote, however, appears to have been carried into effect, though apparently not wisely ; since on the 26th of November, of the same year. Gov. Shirley sent a special message to the House, to recom- mend to the consideration of the House the pro- priety and importance of affording protection to No. 4, although the same was within the limits of New-Hampshire; stating as the occasion of the message, the receipt of a petition presented by Capt. Phinehas Stevens and others, inhabitants of No. 4, praying for aid on account of their pe- culiar exposure to the assaults of the Indians. In this message, Governor Shirley dwells on the importance of No. 4, as an advanced frontier post ; and urges, as a motive, the conciliating of the favor of his Majesty, which he thought would be especially secured by their granting the aid solicited. From some reason or other, no pro- ceedings were had upon this message, at least none appear on record, till Jan. 9th, 1755, wlieiii on consideration of the above petition, it was vo- ted, that Capt. Phinehas Stevens should be au- thorized by the Captain General to enlist fifteen men, to serve from the 15th of February to the 15th of October next ensuing, or till his Majes- ty's pleasure should be known on the subject, provided it were signified before said 15th of October. The force, thus raised, was probably disband- ed at the time assigned for the .period of enlist- ment, since on the 15th of February, 1756, Gov. Shirley sent another message to the House in consequence of a petition from the inhabitants of No. 4, stating their apprehensions of an as- sault from a combined force of French and In- dians, and that they had been disappointed in their expectation of aid and protection from their own government. The message recommends them to the attention of the General Court, and advises that the aid solicited should be granted. No immediate proceedings are recorded as ensu- ing on this message, nor is any further mention made till June 10th, of the same year, when it is recorded, that the General Court having receiv- ed and considered the petition of John SpafFord, in behalf of the inhabitants of No. 4, praying for aid and defence against the Indians, grant to him leave to enlist within the province ten men to be in pay and subsistence of the province un- til their place should be supplied by Gov. Shir- ley, or until the further orders of the Court. This force was accordingly raised; as on the 18th of April, 1757, appears the record of a vote to dismiss the garrison of ten men kept by the province at No. 1, in case Lord Loudoun, then the commander in chief of the King's forces throughout all the provmces should, us it was expected he would do, station there a detach- ment of the Royal troops, for the protection of the inhabitants. After this, no further mention is made of No. 4, in the records of Massachu- setts, save a very brief record a year or two sub- sequent, to ''slight" the petition of the inhabit- ants of No. 4, for aid ; no mention being made of the particulars of the petition, or the occasion of its presentation. The first settlement of Charlestown was by three families from Lunenburg, Massachusetts; by the name of Farnsworth. During twenty years,the inhabitants suffered, with little intermis- sion, from the ravages of the French and Indians ; and of course, became more familiar with the dangers of war, than with the arts of husbandry. What have since been denominated the 'peaceful labors of the husbandman were then unknown, for the tranquillity of the laborer was perpetually disturbed by the apprehension of savage incur- sions. Instead of enjoying the privilege of sit- ting under his vine and fig tree, with none to make him afraid, he was obliged to go forth to his labors with the implements of war as well as with those of husbandry. Even in the temple of the God of peace, the worshipper was compelled to appear with the weapons of war. In 1743, the inhabitants of No. 4, began to consult their safety by erecting a fort. It was situate a few rods south of the meeting house, in front of the late residence of Dr. David Tay- lor. It covered about three quarters of an acre, and was protected on the north by picket posts, about one foot in diameter, and fourteen feet high. From the house of Simon Sartwell, near the meeting house, was dug a subterranean passage, leadino: to Col. Abel Walker's cellar, aiul tliciiee to the fort. The first depredations by the ejiejiiy on the borders of New-Hampshire, were made early in the spring of 1746. No. 4 was then, and long after, the northern frontier, and of course expos- ed to peculiar sufferings. On the 19th of April in' the above named year, a party of Indians ap- peared at No. 4, burnt the saw and grist mill, and captured John Spafford, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Farnsworth. The captives were con- veyed to Canada, but soon obtained their free- dom. In the beginning of May, the enemy returned to No. 4, and on the second day, while a few people were near a barn about sixty rods from the fort, eight Indians, who had concealed them- selves in the barn, fired upon the party, and kill- ed Seth Putnam, one of the soldiers, belonging to the fort. Major Josiah Willard, the com- mander of the garrison, with two soldiers, ran near to them undiscovered; and fired upon them, which caused them to retreat in great haste. The Indians reported to the prisoners in Canada, that at this time, two of their number were mortally wounded and died soon after. Another contest took place on the 24th of May. Capt. Paine from Massachusetts, having arrived with a troop of horse, about twenty of his men went 50 or 60 rods from the fort to view the place where Putnam was killed, and before they discovered the enemy, they were attacked by a large body of Indians, who immediately endeav- ored to cut off their communication with the fort. Captain Stevens, the commander of the garrison, came out with a body of men for their relief, and a severe action ensued, which continued a con- 10 siderable time. At last the enemy fled; and, as was supposed, witli considerable loss. Stevens lost Aaron Lyon, Peter Perrin, Samuel Farns- worth, Joseph Allen, and Joseph Marcy. Oba- diah Sartwell was captured, and four of his men w^ere wounded. The Indians in their haste left some of their guns and blankets. In the same year, on the 19th of June, a largo body of the enemy again appeared at No. 4. Capt. Stevens and Capt. Brown, marching with about 50 men from the fort into a meadow, dis- covered the enemy in ambush, before they had time to fire. Stevens began the attack, and a severe action was fought. The enemy were re- pulsed. Stevens lost none on the spot ; but Jed- idiah Winchell was mortally wounded, and died soon after. David Parker, Jonathan Stanhope, and Noah Heaton, were wounded ; but recover- ed. "Several blankets, hatchets, spears, guns, &,c. were left on the ground, which were sold for forty pounds old tenor." A party of the enemy again appeared at No.4, on the 3d day of August. Suspicions of their appearance were excited by the barking of dogs. Scouts were sent out from the fort, and had pro- ccieded but a few rods, before they were attack- ed, and Ebenezer Phillips was killed. The resi- due effected their escape to the fort. The enemy surrounded the : garrison, and endeavored for three days to take it ; but finding their efforts in- effectual, they withdrew, after having burnt sev- eral buildings, and killed all the cattle, horses, &,c. within their reach. » *' In the summer of 1746, Capt. Ephraim Brown, from Sudbury, arrived with a troop of horse to relieve Capt. Josiah Brown. The Sud- bury troop tarried about a month, at the end of n which they woro reheved by a company, com- manded by Capt. Winchester, who defended tlie ])hice till autumn, when the inhabitants, fatij^ued with watching, and weary of the dangers of the forest, deserted the place entirely for about two or three months. During this recess, the Indians and French were so ice-bound in Canada, that the frontiers suffered only in apprehension. In March, 1747, Capt. Phinehas Stevens, who com- manded a ranging company of about 30 men, marched to No. 4, and took possession of the fort. He found it uninjured by the enemy, and an old spaniel and a cat, which had been domes- ticated before the evacuation, had guarded it safely through the winter, and gave the troops a hearty welcome to their tenement.* Finding the post entire. Captain Stevens de- termined to keep possession of it. *'He had not been there many days, when he was attacked by a very large party of French and Indians, com- manded by M. Debeline. On the 7th of April, 1747, " our days being very much disturbed, gave us reason to think that the enemy were about, which occasioned us not to open the gate at the usual time. But one of our men being very desirous to know the certainty, ventured out privately to set on the dogs about 9 o'clock in the evening, and went about twenty rods from the fort, firing off his gun, and urging on the dogs. Whereupon the enemy, being within a few rods, immediately arose from behind a log and fired; but, through the goodness of God, the man got into the fort with only a slight wound. The enemy, being then discovered, arose from all their ambushments. and attacked us on all sides. The wind being verv high, and eycry * Mrs. Johnsoirs Cnptivity. \2 thing exceeding dry, they set fire to all the old fence. They also set fire to a log house about forty rods distant from the fort, to the windward, so that in a few minutes, we were entirely sur- rounded by fire, all which was performed with the most hideous shouting from all quarters, which they continued in the most terrible manner till the next day at 10 o'clock, at night, without in- termission, in which time we had no opportunity either to eat or sleep. But notwithstanding all their shouting and threatenings, our men seemed to be not in the least daunted, but fought with great resolution, which undoubtedly gave the en- emy reason to think we had determined to stand it out to the last degree; and although they had provided themselves with a sort of fortification, which they had determined to push before them, and so bring fuel to the side of the fort in order to burn it down; yet, instead of performing what they threatened, and seemed to be immediately going to undertake, they called to us, and desir- ed a cessation of arms until sunrise the next morning, which was granted; at which time they said they would come to a parley. Accordingly the French General, Debeline, came with about 50 or 60 of his men with a flag of truce, and stuck it down within about 20 rods of the fort, in plain sight of the same, and said if we would send three men to him, he would send as many to us; to which w^e complied. The General sent a French lieutenant, with a French soldier, and made the following proposal, viz.: if we would immediately resign the fort, w-e should have our lives, and have liberty to put on all the clothes we had, and also take a sufficient quantity of provisions to carry us to Montreal, and bind up our provisions and blankets, lay down our arms. 13 and march out of the fort ; and that we should be assured of using our clothes and provision for our own comfort. Upon our men's return- ing, he desired that the captain would meet him halfway, and give an answer to the above pro- posal. He did not wait to have me give him an answer, but went on in the following manner, viz.: that what he had promised he was ready to perform; but upon our refusal he would imme- diately set the fort on lire, or run over the top; for he had 700 men with him; and if we made any further resistance, and should happen to kill one Indian, we might all expect to be put to the sword. The fort, said he, I have resolved to have, or die. Now do what you please; for I am as easy to have you fight, as to give it up. I told the General, that in case of extremity, his proposal would do; but inasmuch as I was sent here to defend this fort, it would not be consis- tent with my orders to give it up, unless I was better satisfied, that he was able to perform what he threatened. I further told him, that it was but poor encouragement to resign into the hands of an enemy, if, upon one of their number being killed, they would put all to the sword, when it was very probable we had killed some of them already. Well, said he, go into the fort, and see whether your men dare fight any more, and give me an answer quickly ; for my men want to be fighting. Whereupon I went into the fort, and called the men together, and informed them what the General said, and then put it to vote whether they would fight, or resign ; and they voted to a man to stand it out ; and also declared, that they would fight as long as they had life, rather than go with them. Upon this I returned the answer, that we determined to fight it out ; upon which li they gave a shout, and so continued hrinfj and shouting, till day light next morning, it being now about noon ; but they never had the courage to bring their fortification, nor run over the fort ; but in lieu thereof, they spent the night in shoot- ing their fiery arrows, which were easily put out. The next morning at day light, they called to us and said, 'Good morning,' and desired a cessa- tion of arms for two hours, at which time, they said they would come to a parley, and perhaps make peace with you ; and their desire was grant- ed; and they accordingly came with a flag of truce, as before; but the proposal, which they were now about to make, was so f^ir difierent from the former, that the General did not care to make it himself; but sent two Indians, who came within about eight rods of the fort, and 5tuck down their flag, and desired that I would send out two men to them, which I accordingly did. Upon the men's coming to them, they made the following proposals: that in case we would sell them provisions, they would engage to go and leave us, and not fight any more; and then desired the men to go into the fort, and desire the captain to send an answer. Whereupon I sent out the following answer, viz.: as to sell- ing them provision for money, it was contrary to the law of the nation ; but if they would send in a prisoner for every five bushels of corn, I would supply them ; and upon the Indians returning the answer to the General, four or five guns were immediately fired against the fort, and then they withdrew, as we supposed ; for we heard no more of them; it being now the 10th of April, 2 o'clock in the afternoon. In all this time we had scarce- ly opportunity to eat or sleep. The cessation of arms gave us no great matter of rest; for wc 15 supposed they ditl it to j^et an advantage against us. I believe men were never known to hold out with hotter resolution; for they did not seem to desire to sit or lie still one minute; for those who were not employed in firing at the enemy, were employed ill digging trenches under the bot- tom of the tort. We dug no less than eleven of them so deep, that a man could go and stand up- right on the outside, and not endanger himself; so that, when these trenches were finished, we could wet all the outside of the fort, which we did, and kept it wet all night. We drew some hundreds of barrels of water; and to undergo all this hard service, there were but 30 men; and though there w ere some thousands of guns shot at us, we had but two men slightly wounded, John Brown and Joseph Ely."* An express was immediately despatched to Boston, and the intelligence was there received with great joy. Com. Sir Charles Knowles was so highly pleased with the conduct of Captain Stevens, that he presented him with a valuable and elegant sword, as a reward for his bravery. From this circumstance the town, when incorpo- rated, received the name of Charlestown."! On the 21ith of August, 1747, as twelve men were passing down the river on their return from the fort to Massachusetts, they were surprised and attacked by the Indians ; and Nathan Gould and Thomas Goodall, were killed and scalped. Oliver Avery was wounded, and John Hender- son taken. The residue escaped. On the 15th of March, 1748, while about eight men were a few rods from the fort, they were at- tacked by about twenty Indians, wlio endeavor- * MS. Letter of Capt. Phinolias Stevens to Cal. W. Williams. t Belknap's Hist. New-Hanipshirc. 16 ed to cut off their retreat to the fort. A skirmish ensued, in which Charles Stevens was killed, a man by the name of Androus, or Anderson, wounded, and Eleazar Priest taken captive. " In the month of May, a scout of eighteen men under Capt. Eleazar Melvin, marched from Charlestown to reconnoitre the woods toward Lake Champlain, and arriving opposite to Crown Point, they discovered and fired upon two canoes of Indians. This drew out a party from the fort, who endeavored to intercept the scout on its re- turn to Connecticut river, and by a rapid march, the enemy gained the front, and Melvin soon crossed their trail, and concluding that they would take a route toward Charlestown, he resolved to strike the Connecticut at Fort Dummer, and thereby avoid the enemy. On reaching West river, he halted on the 25th, and very imprudent- ly permitted his men to divert themselves in shooting salmon, then passing up the shoals of the river. The enemy, unknown to Melvin, were then in close pursuit on his trail, and hearing the report of the guns, pressed on to the spot, and gave tlic incautious scout a sudden fire, which threw it into contusion, and scattered the men in various directions. A small party, however, rallying, returned and engaged the enemy; but were soon overpowered, and compelled to retreat. Melvin with eleven reached the fort, having lost the residue, all valuable men."* In May, 1749, intelligence was received of the cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and France. But the end of incursions by the ene- my was not yet; for in the following June, after the evacuation of the fort by the principal part * Antiquarian Researches by E. Hoyt, Esq. 17 of the troops, Obadiali Sartwell was killed, while ploughing among his corn, and the rider, Enos Stevens, son of the defender of the fort, was cap- tured and carried to Canada; but he was soon released and returned. These were the last de- prcidations on the frontiers during the Cape Bre- ton war ; and a final treaty of peace with the In- dians was concluded on the following September. Relieved in a measure from their fears of sav- age invasion, the inhabitants for a season, went forth to their labors with more encouraging pros- pects. Although their knowledge of the charac- ter of their former enemies did not permit them to consider the period completed, when they might safely beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks ; yet were their hopes daily increasing^ that to-morrow would be as this day, except more abundant in its tokens of peace and prosperity. While the continuation of peace was apparently abating the resentment of the Indians, it proportionally re- laxed the vigilance of the men's suspicions, and enabled them to engage with increasing fearless- ness in the duties of their vocation. After the autumn of 1752, the inhabitants of No. 4, made less use of the fort, and ventured more boldly miiy their fields. All indications of hostility at length disappeared. The Indians seemed dispos- ed to traffick, the people were quiet from fear of evil, — the wilderness and solitary places began to be glad, and the desert to blossom. But soon were these appearances exchanged for melancho- ly presages of a repetition of the horrors of In- dian hostilities. The commencement of the year 1754, exhibited indications of a renewal of war between England and France; and as the line between Canada and the English colonies was a IS subject of contention, it may be easily supposed, that the frontiers Avould be exposed to pecuUar danger. "No sooner had the alarm of hostilities, which commenced between the English and French in the \vestern part of Virginia, spread thro' the continent, than the Indians renewed their attacks on the frontiers of New-Hampshire." Aug. 29,1754, the house of Mr. James Johnson, was visited in the evening by a party of neigh- bors, who passed the time with melons, and the then usual accompanrments, till about midnight. . The family then "retired with feelings well tuned for sleep," from which they were awaked be- tween daybreak and sunrise, by a Mr. Laboree, who came for the purpose, of working for Mr. Johnson. When Mr. Johnson opened the door, the house was immediately filled by a crowd of Indians, who captured the wliole household, con- sisting of Mr. Johnson and wife, Sylvanus, Su- san, and Polly Johnson, their children; Miriam Willard, sister to Mrs. Johnson, and Peter Lab- oree, and Ebenezer Farnsworth. A Mr. Os- mer, who lodged in the chamber, escaped detec- tion by concealing himself behind a box. The next day after this capture, Mrs. Johnson was delivered of a daughter, which, from the circum- stances of its birth, was named Captive. The Indians tarried one day for the accommodation of 31 rs. Johnson, and on the next resumed their march, carrying her awhile on a litter, made for the purpose; and afterward placing her on horse back. Instead of meeting the fate, which she apprehended from her inability to march with convenient speed, Mrs. Johnson was treated with unexpected humanity, and great care was shewn in protecting and nursing her infant. Scoggin, the horse, was killed during their march to sup- 19 ply the want of provisions. Soon after tlieir ar- rival at Montreal, a parole of two months was granted to Mr. Johnson, that he niiglit return, and obtain the means of redemption. By apply- ing to the Assembly of New- Hampshire, he ob- tained, after some time, one hundred and fifty pounds sterling. But the season was so far ad- vanced, and the winter so severe, that* he did not reach Canada till spring. He was tlien accus- ed of breaking his parole ; a great part of his mo- ney was taken from him l)y violence; he was shut up with his family in prison, where tliey took the small pox. After eighteen months, Mrs. Johnson, her sister, and two of her daughters, were sent in a cartel ship to England, and thence they returned to Boston. Mr. Johnson was de- tained in prison three years, and then, with bis son, returned, and met his wife in Boston, where he had the singular ill fortune to be suspected of designs, unfriendly to his country, and wa& again imprisoned, but no evidence appearing against him, he was liberated. His eldest daughter was retained in a nunnery at Canada." Previously to the liberation of Mr. Johnson's family, Mr. Laboree made his escape from Montreal, .and af- ter a long and tedious journey, during three days of which he travelled through a swamp to avoid discovery by the enemy, arrived at New York, nearly at the same time with the others. Mr. Farnsworth returned before. The age of Sylvanus Johnson, at tlie time of his capture, was six years. During his absence he had entirely forgotten the English language; but became perfect in ihfi Indian. He had learn- ed a little of the French language, having resid- ed with the French about one year. He lived with the Indians three years, and his habits and 3 20 feelings were fornied accordingly. He had ac- companied them in their hunting excursions, and become accustomed to their hardships. So strongly were the habits of his Indian masters fixed upon his youth, that seventy four years, passed in the peaceful occupation of husbandry, were not sufficient to eradicate them. He retain- ed to the hour of his death, many, if not most of the feelings and customs, ingrafted on his mind by his long residence with the aborigines. He has often expressed his regret at having been ransomed; and has always maintained, that the Indians were a far more moral race than the whites. He died at Walpole in 1832, at the age of 84 years, leaving the reputation of an honest and upright man. On the 21st of September, 1754, the commis- sioners of Indian affairs, at Albany, were inform- ed by Charles Cook, of French and Indian ex- traction, that, on his way from Cahgnawaga thither, he had met a party of twenty one Indians, who had been fighting at Charlestown, alluding doubtless, to the capture of Johnson's family. He said he asked them why they had been fight- ing, since it was peace? They answered, that was nothing: for the English at the fort No. 4, had some time past poisoned two Indians; when at the same time they were sitting and discours- ing together, and seemed to be good friends, by giving them a dram at night, and in the morning they were both dead. Also, that the English, sometime after, killed three Indians below Charlestown; and because the people of New- England killed these five, they had taken five in their room, and that they were now paid. On the 8th of Sept. 1755, the inhabitants re- presented to the government of Massachusetts 21 their distresses, occasioned by their Indian ene- mies in kilHng their cattle, compelHng them to neglect their fields for the defence of their per- sons, and thus inducing the danger of a loss of their crops. The petition for assistance was signed by Micah Fuller, Thomas Adams, Simon Sartwell, Moses Wheeler, Daniel Sartwell, J,ames Whiting, John Hastings, jr. John Spaf- ford, John Hastings, Seth Putnam, Moses Wil- lard, Isaac Parker, David Farnsworth, and Ebenezer Putnam. On the 18th of June, 1756, while Lieut. Mo- ses Willard was endeavoring to extinguish the fire, which had been kindled in his fence, he was attacked by the Indians, and killed behind the barn of the late Capt. John Willard, and near the academy. At the same time, his son Moses was wounded in the hip by a spear, which is said to have remained in the wound till after his re- treat into the fort. It is further said, that a Mr. Preserved Clap carried the same spear into the revolutionary war. Mr. Willard died Aug. 17, 1832, aged 84 years. Early in the spring of 1757, a regiment, under Lieut. Col. GofTe, was ordered by Gen. Webb, to repair to No. 4; but previously to their arri- val, the place was visited by a party of French and Indians, in number about 70. About a mile from the village, and near Spaffbrd's mills, where Mr. Hall's now stand, they captured, on the 20th of April, Deacon Thomas Adams, while on his way to the opposite hill for the purpose of making sugar. They tied him to a tree, and on their way to the village took Mr. David Farns- worth. They burned the mills, being a saw and a grist mill, and captured Sampson Colefax, the miller. They then went to Claremont, as far as 22 Sugar river, and there'took Thomas Robbins and Asa Spafford, while on a hunting excursion, — both belonging to Charlestown. They then re- turned to Charlestown and fired upon 15 or 20 men behind Capt. Willard's barn. Farnsworth found means to effect his escape from Canada, and returned home. The others were exchanged on the November following their capture, and oh their return toward home by w ay of Great Britain, all died of the small pox at Cluebec. In August, 175S, a party of Indians appeared at Charlestown; killed Asahel Stebbins,* made prisoner of his wife, and Isaac Parker, and kill- ed many cattle, feeding in the adjacent woods. Mention is somewhere made of the capture of a Mrs. Robbins and David Hill, at the same period. The last captives, made by the Indians at Charlestown, were Mr. Joseph Willard, his v^ife, and five children. They were taken on the 7th of June, 1760, in the lower meadow, about two miles from the village. On their way to Canada, the infant was lost in a manner knoion to the Indians only, and another of the children died at Crown Point, while the family were on their re- turn to Charlestown. It is the testimony of Mrs. Johnson, yea, the universal testimony of the captives, that no in- stances occurred of wanton cruelty by the In- dians ; but that on the contrary, they manifested a disposition to alleviate their sufferings. When feeble, they assisted them in travelling ; and in cases of distress from want of provisions, they shared with them an equal proportion. We here leave the political history of the place for transactions more particularly local. At a great and General Court, held in Boston, the * He vva» killed at a. place called Meadow Brook, but ever »ince called the Ainbiikli. 23 24th day of November, 1736, Thomas Wells, Esq. of Deerfielfl, was empowered to assemble the Grantees of No. 4, to choose a moderator, a proprietor's clerk, and a committee to allot and divide their lands. The township was granted to sixty proprietors on condition, that each should build a dwelling house, of at least eighteen feet square, and seven feet between joints, on their respective house lots, and fence in, and break up, or clear and stock with grass, five acres of land within three years next after their admittance, and cause their res- pective lots to be inhabited ; and that the gran- tees do, within the space of three years after their admittance, build and finish a convenient meet- ing house for the public worship of God, and set- tle a learned and orthodox minister. The first meeting of the proprietors was on the fifth day of April, 1737, when a committee was appointed to lay out 63 lots, sixty for the proprietors, two for the ministry, one of which was to be for the first settled minister, and one for schools. The first corn mill and saw mill, erected at No. 4, were completed in August, 1744; and their completion, as it is said, was then deemed an event of sufficient novelty and importance to be celebrated by music and dancing. In 1751, ninety pounds, old tenor, was voted at a town meeting for the encouragement of a blacksmith to settle in No. 4.* On the 2d of July, 1753, the proprietors ob- tained a charter from Benning Wentworth, Gov- ernor of the province of New-Hampshire, grant- ing them a tract of land, containing six square miles, with all the privileges and appurtenances, * Proprietor's R«corcls. 24 upon coiiclition, "that every grantee, his heirs, and assigns, shall plant and cultivate five acres of land within the term of five years for every fifty acres of land, contained in his, or their share, and continue to improve and settle the same by additional cultivation, on penalty of the forfeiture of his grant, or share in said township, and its reverting to his Majesty, his heirs, and succes- sors, to be by hini; or them, regranted to such of his Majesty's subjects, as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same." A reservation here follows of all white, and other pine trees, fit for masting the Royal navy, with the requisi- tion from every proprietor of an annual rent of one ear of Indian corn during the ten succeeding years, and afterward of one shilling, proclama- tion money, for every hundred acres. The first meeting for the choice of town offi- cers, and for the transaction of other business, was holden on the second Tuesday in August, 1753. The time was appointed by the govern- ment, who appointed also Phinehas Stevens, Esq. as moderator. The first town clerk was John Hastings, and the first select men were Phinehas Stevens, John Hastings, and John Spaffbrd. In the w^arrant, calling the meeting, is the article, " to see whether the town will adopt measures to provide some convenient place for public wor- ship for the ensuing winter." At the meeting no attention appears to have been paid to this article; but at a town meeting in April, 1754, the inhabitants voted to repair the great chamber" for a place of worship, and £2 13s. 4d. were vo- ted for the repairs. On the 13th ol May, 1754, a vote was obtain- ed for the settlement of Mr. John Dennis, in the work of the ministry; and for his e?icoura^e- 25 ment to settle, the town voted to pay him annu-» ally fifty pounds lawful money, to be equal to silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce; and also to provide for him a sufficiency of fire wood, brought to his house, and cut cord wood length. At the request of Mr. Dennis, they af- terward, previously to his ordination, made an addition of three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence. On the 4-th of December a small church was formed, and on the same day Mr. Dennis, was ordained. So great were the apprehensions of the people of hostile invasion by the Indians, that the ordination was at Northfield, at the dis- tance of forty miles. In about six months, diffi- culties arose in consequence of the imprudent,. if no ivorse, conduct of Mr. Dennis ; but the peo- ple, under the influence of that charity, which is ready to provide a suitable covering for faults,. ** consented to a reconciliation, and agreed to establish the Rev. John Dennis in the ministry,, and to fulfil their contract, provided he does agreeably to what he has professed and declared in writing to the community ; that he has entire- ly dropped, and will drop, his addresses and suit to Eunice Farnsworth; and shall not for the fu- ture give the town occasion to fault him for fal- lacy and prevarication." But it is the misfor- tune of most disorders of this character to gather strength from the means adopted for their reme- dy. In the present instance, the difficulties were healed so slightly, that they soon made their appearance in an aggravated form. On the 31st of March, 1756, a council was convened at Deerfield, when the pastoral connexion between Mr. Dennis and his flock, was dissolved. The pastors convened for this purpose, were those of Keeneand Swanzey, Sunderland, Hatfield, Deer- field and Northfield. Mr; Dennis had previously to his settlement at Charlestown, served as chap- lain to several garrisons at the eastward. He was thus occupied ten or eleven years. He was a native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died 2 Septenihcr, 1773, having nearly completed his 65th year.* The vote for building the first meeting house in Charlestown, was passed August 11th, 1760. The town then voted to build a log house for public worship, of the following dimensions, viz.: 34 feet long, twenty wide and eight between joints; and to place it on meeting house hill. They voted also, twenty pounds lawful money td be levied on the inhabitants for building the house, provided so much should be needed. A committee was appointed to see to and forward the building, with directions, that it should be completed by the last day of the next September. On the 17th of the following October, the town voted to raise the further sum often pounds law- ful money, for the purpose of "finishing the house so far, as to build seats, glaze the house, finish the pulpit so far as needful, make window shut- ters, and calk the said house." 'fu'l ot On the 14th of the following November, the town voted to invite Mr. Bulkley Olcott, to settle with them as their minister; to give him the whole of the right of land, commonly called the minister's right, and to give him also the sum of one hundred pounds, lawful money, of the province of Massachusetts Bay. In Feb., 1761, they voted to give Mr. Olcott forty five pounds sterling or silver or gold equivalent thereto, the ' first year; and to make an annual addition of thirty shillings, till his salary should amount to * Farmer's MenioriaU of tlio Graduates of Harvard Univ. in MS. 21 f)0 pounds sterling, or silver or gold equivalent, to pay half the salary at the end of six months after his ordination, and the other half at the close of the year, to proceed in this way during his ministry among them. To these last mentioned proposals, Mr. Ol- cott acceded, and was ordained May 28, 1761, He is represented as respectable in talents, ac- ceptable as a preacher, and peculiarly affable and useful in his visits from house to house. "During the whole of his ministry his solicitude for the happiness of his parishioners, was con- spicuous in the, benefits which he conferred, and in the attachment with which they were requited. As a divine, he was pathetic, devout and instruc- tive; and may with propriety be said to have ^ ' AUur'd to brighter worlds, and lead the way.' " He continued in the ministry at Charlestown, till June 26th, 1793, when he was removed by death. It appears, that another church whs organized under the ministry of Mr. Olcott, consisting of the pastor, Isaac Parker, Seth Walker, Seth Putnam, Stephen Farnsworth, Ebenezer Put- nam, Thomas Putnam, Joel Mathews, William Hey wood, and John SpafTord. On the 29th of May, 1796, the church met for the first time after the death of their pastor, and chose Deacon Thomas Putnam as the standing- moderator of the church, and Dr. Samuel Crosby as clerk. During the period of 17 years after the death of Mr. Alcott, the parish was destitute of regu- lar ministrations. For a considerable'portion of that period they were variously supplied, but principally by the Rev. Dan Fostkr, who, afler 4 28 a temporary settlement in Connecticut, and after- ward in Vermont, fixed his residence in Charies- town, where he died in March, 1809. The present incumbent,* was ordained on the 17th of October, Ir^lO. In the nortli parish no minister has ever been settled, nor a church or- ganized. When the restoration of peace had quieted the fears of the people, they began their preparations, in 1763, for the erection of a building fifty two feet long, forty two wide, and twenty five be- tween posts. For this purpose, they raised the sum of sixty pounds, Of the progress o£ the work for more than two years and an half from its commencement, we have merely the informa- tion, that a preparation of materials, and the se- lection of a site for the building, were the only results of their exertions. In August, 1765, some unexpected occurrences, — probably deficiencies in means, — so weakened the hands of the build- ers, that the work ceased till Ocfober, 1767. At this period they resumed the work, and again obtained a vote to raise the sum of sixty pounds. In December of the same year, a committee was appointed to superintend the erection and cover- ing of the frame. By gradual progression it be- came a place of worship in 1768. Thirty and five years was this temple in building; for ac- cessions and renovations continued till 1798, when it received its last repairs, and last addi- tions. The first vote found in the town records, re- specting schools, was passed in August, 1763; when it was voted, that there shall be a school [* Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby, a native of Hebron in this State, and a de- scendant from Simon Crosby, one of the first settlers of Billerica, who was son, it is believed, of Simon Crosby one of the earliest settlers of Cambridge. Mr. Groaby was graduated at Harvard University, 1809. — Editors.] 29 kept in (he town for the future, and that it shall be kept in different parts of the town in propor- tion to what each part shall pay toward said school. In 1768, the small pox made its appearance in the main fort, of which six or seven died; brought in by some of the British soldiers. In May, 1768,Capt. Simon [?] Stevens was cho- sen a representative, to represent the town in the General Assembly, at Portsmouth; the first representative of Charlestown, In May, 1770, a vote was passed by the town, that the burying yard should be cleared, and fenced with a good and sufhcient board fence, and that a burying cloth should be purchased for the use of the town. In March, 1770, the town voted to raise, and assess on the inhabitants, twenty seven pounds for the benefit of schools. At the same time it was voted, that the town should be divided into three districts, and that each district should draw out an equal proportion, according to their other assessment, to be converted to the use aforesaid ; that they should otherwise forfeit their proportion, or such part thereof, as shall not be appropriated to the use aforesaid, to the use of such district, as shall convert the same to the use aforesaid. On the 19th of March, 1771, the provmce ot New-Hampshire was divided into five counties, when Charlestown became a half shire. The Superior Court, however, did not hold their ses- sions here till a considerable time after. In August, 1771, John Hastings, Jr. was chosen grand juror, to serve at his Majesty's Su- perior Court, "to be holden at Keene on the third Tuesday of the following September; and at an 30 ndjouriied meeting a few days after, "a box heii)^- prepared according to law," Lieut. Samuel Hunt was drawn to serve as petit juror at the same court. Capt. Sylvanus Hastings was the first grand juror for the Court of General Ses- sions, and Scth Walker, Jr. the first petit juror. On the 2kh of October, 1771-, Lieut. Samuel Hunt, and Elijah Grout, were chosen as a com- mittee to join with other committees from the several towns in the county, who were to assem- ble at the house of Capt. John Bellows, in Wal- pole. It is recorded, that the committee from Charlestown were furnished with instructions; but of their nature, or the object of the meeting at Walpole, no information is given. On the 19th of Jan. 1775, Mr. Elijah Grout was chosen to represent Charlestown, at Exeter, on the 25th of the month, to choose delegates to send to the general Congress, to be holden at Philadelphia the next May. In August, 1775, Samuel Hunt, Wm. Hey- wood, Abel Walker, Samuel Stevens, Esq. and Elijah Grant, were appointed a committee of safety for the town of Charlestown. In June, 1776, Samuel Wetherbe, Jotham White, and Ebenezer Farnsworth, were appoint- ed a committee for preparing a place to receive persons infected with the small pox, or who should accidentally take it. On the Oth of February, 1778, it was voted, that the representative of this town be instructed to assent to all the articles of confederation, as proposed by Congress, except the 8th article, relative to which he is instructed to use his en- deavor to procure such alleviation, as that the charges and expenses may be defrayed in the United States, and be proportioned on all estates, 3i ieal or personal, as has been usually practised in this State; and that this town instruct their representative at the next session, to use his en- deavor to appoint and call a full and free repre- sentation of all the people in this State, to meet in Convention at such time and place, as they may appoint, for the sole purpose of framing and laying a permanent plan, or system, for the fu- ture government of this State. In May, 177S, Col. Samuel Hunt was chosen to represent Charlcstown, at a convention to be holden at Concord on the 10th of the Ibllowing June. At the same time it was voted, that 200 pounds be raised to defray the expenses of those families, whose heads were engaged in the con- tinental army. On the Sth of December, 1778, Capt. Samuel Wetherbe, was chosen to represent Charlestown at a convention to be holden at Cornish, on the 2d Wednesday of the month. The object of this convention was the adjustment of difficulties, which had arisen between Vermont, and the towns admitted into their confederation on the eastern side of Connecticut river. In June, 1778, sixteen towns in New-Hampshire, representing " that they were not connected with any State, with respect to their internal police," request- ed to be received in union with the State of Vermont. After much deliberation and hesitan- cy the Assembly of Vermont granted their peti- tion ; and further resolved, that any other towns on the east side of the Connecticut river, might be admitted into the union by a vote of a majori- ty of the inhabitants, or by sending a representa- tive. In the Assembly of Vermont, convened at Windsor, a question arose, "whether the towns on the east side of Connecticut river, which had 32 l)(jeji juhiutled inio union with Vermont, should ho tbnned into a county by tliemselves ; and the vote passed in the neijative. The memhers from these towns then v»ithdrew from the Assembly, and were followed by fifteen of the representa- tives from some of the towns in Vermont, adjoin- ing the river, with the deputy governor, and two assistants. The members, who had withdrawn themselves from the Assembly, formed into a convention, and gave an invitation to the towns on both sides of Connecticut river, to unite, and to meet with them in a convention at Cornish, N. H. Dec. 9, 1778. The people on both sides of Connecticut river wished to form a government, the centre and seat of which should be upon the river.* On the 9th of March, 1779, Josiah Hunt was drawn as juryman to serve at the Court to be holden at Charlestown the next April. At the same time, Capt. Samuel Wetherbe was chosen to serve as grand juror at the Court of General Sessions of the peace, first to be liolden at Charles- town on the first Thursday following the second Tuesday in April next. At the same time, Messrs. Elijah Grout and Simeon Olcott, were appointed a committee to give instructions to their representative respecting the grants on the west side of Connecticut river. On the 16th of August, 1779, Elijah Grant, Samuel Wetherbe, Peter Laboree, Constant Hart, and Bradstreet Spafford, were appointed a committee to hire and jKiy five men, called for out of the town, to enter the service, and pay them their respective bounties. Sept. 13, i779, Coi. Samuel Hunt was chosen to represent Charlestown. agreeably to the re^ * William''* flistorv of Vermont. 3S quest of ihe selectmen ol" Porisnioiuh, at a con- vention to be bolden at Concord the 22d of the month. On the 7th of December, 1779, the town vot- ed to }3ay Constant Hart the suni of sixty poimds for going to Newbury, in Coos, to engage, and pay the bounties of several continental soldiers, who enlisted during the war for said Charles- town; also, to pay said Hart eighteen pounds for keeping a continental woman, while sick, and for transporting said woman to Walpole. On the 13th of November, 1780, Col. Samuel Hunt and Dr. William Page, were chosen to join a convention of committees from the several towns in this county, to be holden at Walpole on the 15th of the month. On the 8th of December, 1780, Col. Samuel Hunt, Dr. William Page, and Capt. Samuel Wetherbe, were appointed to represent Charles- town, in a convention there to be holden on the third Tuesday of the next January. The convention was holden at Charlestown on the day appointed, and was attended by dele- gates from 43 towns. A majority voted in favor of uniting with the State of Vermont. On the 16th of the following April, the town voted, " that, whereas this town has, since the commencement of the present vear, been at sun- dry times called upon for beef, money, &.C., by the State of New-Hampshire, they will not pay to the said State any of the articles above men- tioned." On the 3d of the following May, upwards of forty of the inhabitants of Charlestown^ took the freeman's oath, required by the State of Ver- mont . 34 On the 8th of August, ITSS, the iuhahitants of Charlestown agreed to comply with the demand, made ]>v an act of the General Assembly for 1781, and which, on the 16th of April, 1781, they had peremptorily refused to answer. '* The continental Congress having proposed and recommended such an alteration in the 8th article of the confederation, as to make the popu- lation of the several States, instead of the value of the granted land therein, the rule for the ap- portionment of national taxes," the town voted, on the 2d of September, 1783, that they would not make the proposed alteration in the 8th arti- cle of the confederation. On^the same day they voted, that the Chief Magistrate of this State have the title of President. On the 29th ol January, 1788, the town chose Benjamin West, Esq. to represent Charlestown, in a convention to be holden at Exeter, on the second Tuesday of the following ^February, for the investigation of matters, relative to the Fed- eral Constitution. Since the above mentioned period, Charles- town has " kept the even tenor of its way," and furnished no incidents worthy of particular men- tion. With respect to that quiet and peaceable life, which passes without observation, the inhab- itants of the place have been rather a peculiar people; an honorable, though unlionored dis- tinction. Charlestown is not distinguished as a place of business, having very few of the privile- ges, necessary to the manufacturer; and is re- garded as less favorable for the acquisition of property, than pleasant for expending it. The salubrity of the place may be inferred from the fact, that during the twenty four last years, the annual number of deaths in the south parish, con- 35 taining l)etween ten find eleven hundred inliab- itants, lias been fourteen only ; and from the fur- ther circumstance, that an uncommon number of the deceased, arrived at a good old age. Of those who died in this period, the ages of sixty four, (the youngest of them !)eing seventy,) make an average of seventy nine years for each. Of the sixty four, two died at the age of 90 years, one, 93, and one 97. The oldest person, now living in Charlestown, is a Mr, Carpenter, aged 95. The oldest native of Charlestown, now living in the place, is the widow of the Hon. John Hub- bard, and daughter of Capt. Stevens, the brave defender of the fort.* She was born in the fort, in 1750. Of the public characters furnished by Charles- town, we can make but a cursory mention. The Hon. John Hubbard, was many years county treasurer; was appointed judge of probate for the county of Cheshire, 10 July, 1789, and con- tinued in office until the close of 1797. He died in ISOO, at the age of 54 years. Hon. Samuel Stevens, son of Capt. Phine- has Stevens, was often the representative from Charlestovvii ; was six years one of the counsel- lors of the State, and many years register of probate, in which office he continued till his death, at the age of 88 years. He died 17 No- vember, 1823, " By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted." Col. Samuel Hunt, an active military officer in the French and revolutionary wars, was set- tled in Charlestown in 1759, and was appointed the first sheriflf of the county, under the new con- stitution, in 1784, and filled the office till his death in 1799. * Soc note :it tlie close of lhi« history. 5 3G Hon. Simeon Olcott, a native of Bolton, Connecticut, was graduated at Yale^College in 1761, commenced theqiractice of law in Charles- town; was appointed chief justice of the court of common pleas, in 17S4; associate justice of the superior' court in 1790; chief justice in 1795; and senator in Congress in ISO I. In his inter- course with society he was distinguished hy that charity, which thinketh no evil, and does good, as it has opportunity ; and in the character of judge, he manifested less regard for the letter of the law, than for the spirit of .equity. He died in 1815, aged 79. Hon. Benjamin West, was graduated at Harvard College, in 1768;^ settled in Charles- town in the practice of the law; was a memher of the convention for accepting the Constitution of the United States ; was > elected memher of congress, hut declined the office; was an elector of President and Vice President of the United States ; and a memher of the Hartford Conven- tion. ''At the bar he was among the first of his profession. His application, learning, and integ- rity, gave him great, and merited influence." He died in 1817, aged 71.* Among the distinguished features of the vil- lage, are its neatness, its long and pleasant street, shaded by a row of elms on one side, and a row of maples on the other ; and its regularly located, well proportioned, though not splendid, build- ings. But the building, worthy of special obser- vation, is the church, erected in 1820, at the ex- pense of seven thousand and five hundred dollars. Its materials are brick, and its dimensions, 70 feet in length, 60 in breadth, and 32 between * See a full Memoir of tliifl distiiigiiislieil gentleman in Knapp's Skefijies of eminent lawyers, &c. 37 joints. It contains an elegant and excellent or- gan, purcliased in 1829, at the expense of about 1200 dollars. It occupies a conspicuous place precisely in the centre of the village. "Of the order of architecture, to which it belongs, we cannot speak with any confidence, as its found- ers, with a fearlessness and independence, pecu- liar to New-England, paid no deference to the ideas of elegance, entertained either by their contemporaries, or predecessors, but fashioned it according to their own taste ; and satisfied with the result of their labors, they did not trouble themselves with the invention of a name, justly thinking, that, to the uninitiated, it was a matter of no consequence; and that to all, acquainted with the mysteries of architecture, the work would speak for itself." A few rods north of the meeting house, on the opposite side of the street, is the bank, a neat, well proportioned building of brick, erected in 1824. The capital is a hundred thousand dol- lars. Opposite to the bank, on a lane, leading east- ward from the main street, stands the deserted court house; deserted, it having been considered expedient in 1827,* that ' the place of judgment' should thenceforward be at Newport. On the opposite side of the main street, and not far dis- tant from the court house, stands its natural ac- companiment, the jail, rapidly hastening to disso- lution. It is to receive no repairs, since a re- ceptacle of a similar character is probably to be erected in a more suitable meridian. About a mile and a half from the village, there is in erection across the Connecticut, a bridge * The county of Ohn?Iiiic was (liviilcil in 1827, and in Sr'))tctnl)er of the eanic ve.ir, was tlic last session at Charlestown of the Court of Comnifin Pleas. Tlic last (tession nf llic Siiperioi' ( 'oin't v. ;is in 1825, or I82(>. between Charlcstown and Spnogiicid, Vt. of **an elegant structure, supported by two piers of p:ran!te, with abutments of tlie same materials. Tlie piers are about forty two feet high, the floor of the bridge being about thirty two feet from low water mark. The piers are sixty two feet long at the bottom, and sixteen wide. On the up- stream side of each pier, and united w ith it, is an inclined plane of granite, and capped with oak timber, bolted to the stone work, to receive and break the ice, and other obstructions, which may float against them. The base of the inclin- ed plane is about 25 i'eet. The piers are secured by iron bolts, and bars, running from the down corners angularly to the centre. The super- structure is 506 feet long, and 25 wide, and is built upon the plan of Ithiel Downes' patent. It is supported upon the piers at distances of 168 feet Irom the centre of each pier. The support of the superstructure is by two continued trellis- es 15 feet high, one on each side, and extending through the whole length of the bridge. These trellises are composed entirely of sawed plank three inches thick, and twelve inches wide, plac- ed diagonally in the form of lattice work, having two string pieces on each side at top and bottom, the whole being secured together at each inter- section by four two inch treenails, and without the aid of iron work of any description, and with- out mortice or tenon, or any cutting of the plank other than by the auger. The trellises are closely boarded on the outside, and the whole is covered with a handsome shingled roof, resting on the top string pieces. The bridge is to be lighted in the day by six dead lights in the sides, and six glazed s-ty-lights in the roof; and in the night by large lamps, suspended from the centre of the beam over head." 3» The contractors for erect in