Newington Town History

CHAPTER XLI

Geographical — Topographical — Settlement — Indian Troubles — The Massacre — Civil History — Incorporation of Parish — Incorporation of Town — Congregational Church — Langdon Library — Military Record.

The town of Newington lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by the Piscataqua River, which separates it from Strafford County; on the east by the Piscataqua and the town of Portsmouth; on the south by Portsmouth, Greenland, and Great Bay; and on the west by Great Bay and Little Bay.

The surface is generally level, and the soil near the water rich and productive. Population, 296.

Newington was settled in about the year 1670, and soon became an important adjunct to the settlements at Portsmouth and Dover. The year 1690 was a sad one for the little settlement which had been gathered at Fox Point. Although there were not at this time any formidable tribes of Indians residing in the vicinity, still there were strolling bands of savages roaming about, and the pioneer history relates many instances of their barbaric warfare practiced upon the defenseless settlements. Newington was no exception. In May, 1690, a band of these strolling marauders, led by a sachem named Hapgood, made an attack on the settlement at Fox Point, and destroyed several houses, killed fourteen persons, and captured six prisoners. The aroused inhabitants pursued the savages, when a severe action occurred, in which the chief Hapgood was wounded. Some of the captives were retaken, and the plunder recovered.

Newington is one of the old historic places or parishes of the state. It was embraced in what is called the Squamscut or Hilton's Point Patent. A part of Newington was claimed to lie in Dover, and a part in Portsmouth. The name Newington was given by Governor Dudley, May 12, 1714. Its bounds were settled July 28, 1714, at which time it was called a parish. It had town privileges as early as 1737, but when incorporated is not definitely ascertained. The late John Farmer, Esq., said it was in July, 1764.

"Bloody Point" originally belonged to Dover, but soon after the "union," which took place 8th mo. 9, 1641, it was taken from Dover and given to Portsmouth. The people did not seem to like this kind of a decision, and in 1643 petitioned to be "reannexed."

This petition was signed by James Johnson, Thomas Canning, Thomas Fursen, William Fray, William Jones, Thomas Trickey, John Goddard, Henry Langstaffe, John Fayer, Oliver Priminges, Philip Lewis and Radric ( unreadable ) .

The result of this petition was that the court "Ordered that all the marsh and meddow ground lyinge Against the Great bay on Strawberry banck side shall belonge to the Towne of Dover, together with fower hundred Akers of Upland ground Adjoining and lying as may be most Convenient for the Improving & fencing In of the said Meadow, the Remainder of the said ground to belonge to Strawberry Bancke, &c." This territory with the terrible name remained in the peaceable possession of "the Towne of Dover" until 1713.

John Pickering was a distinguished son of this town. (See Bar chapter.)

Ephraim Pickering was appointed second major in Colonel Whipple's regiment in 1776, and was one of the committee of correspondence the same year, and was representative in 1780-82. He was a selectman in 1775.

CHURCHES

Congregational Church. — The meeting house used by the Congregational Church in this place was erected 17 10. It was repaired and the interior remodeled about fifty years ago, but with this exception is the same building that was originally erected. After the destruction by fire of the Methodist meeting house, about i860, it has continued to be the only meeting house in town until the present time. Its bell originally came from Newington, in England, being given and sent over the Atlantic by the people of that place. It afterwards cracked, but was recast and is still in use. In former times a sun-dial on the building answered the purpose of a clock.

The church was organized October 26, 1715. The original record says that on this date "a fast was kept at Newington, and a church gathered, consisting of nine members," five of whom were "formerly members of Dover Church." The first pastor of the church was Rev. Joseph Adams. He was uncle of Hon. John Adams, second President of the United States. On the 15th of January, 1716, he administered the Lord's Supper, which the record says, "was the first sacrament' ever administered in Newington." He continued his pastorate for a period of sixty-eight years. During these many years the church records were kept in his own handwriting. The book, a small parchment-covered one, is still in existence, though from the effects of time the writing is dim and the pages much discolored. He died May 20, 1783. Pie was nearly ninety-five years of age.

It may be of interest to notice the kind of terms on which he was settled among his people in those early days. I therefore transcribe from the old book his own statement of what these were. He says, "The record that I took of the agreement I made June 20, 171 5, with the committee that were chosen to agree with me about settling in the ministry at Newington. Articles, namely, that my salary be ninety pounds. But as they pleaded the poverty of the people and the great charges they had been at in building the meeting house, I consented to accept of eighty pounds for seven years. And withal I promised on their request that in case I lived bachelor, and had not a family, I would abate the six pounds, and so accept of eighty pounds for the seven years aforesaid.

"That I was to have my salary agreed upon paid in money, and that at two payments, that is one-half on the last of July, as my salary began on the 1st of February, 17 14, and the other half on the last of January, and so yearly.

"It was agreed that I should have the stranger's contributions.

"That I should have the parsonage leased for the minister's use and benefit, that is, partly cleared as is common in such cases, and all fenced with a good and sufficient fence, and also to remain for his use and benefit during his natural life.

"That they would give me 60 pounds to help build my house, together with a tract of land lying near Stony Hill, namely, behind one William Withom's lands, which tract of land they promised to give me deed of, that is, upon condition of my settling and being ordained also in the ministry at Newington."

This agreement was signed by Rev. Joseph Adams and seven other men, who are styled, "A committee chosen by the people."

Rev. Joseph Langdon succeeded Mr. Adams as pastor of the Newington church. He was ordained in 1788, and was dismissed in 1810. At the date of his ordination there were twenty-six members of the church, — seven males and nineteen females. For the sixteen years succeeding the pastorate the church had only occasional supplies. In 1826 the church had become reduced to two members. During the next two years fifteen members were added. From this time there was occasional preaching until 1843, when another interval of fourteen years occurred, during which but little was done. After this Rev. Asa Mann supplied for a season with useful results. Rev. John Le Bosquet succeeded for a period of four years, closing his labors in 1863. Rev. Sewal Harding supplied for the greater part of the next year. Rev. Franklin Davis then labored for eleven years. Again it had occurred that there were only two remaining members of this ancient church. But in 1870, in connection with the labors of Mr. Davis, the pastor, and visits of the Young Men's Christian Association of Portsmouth, an increased religious interest was awakened. The result was an addition to the church in that year of fourteen members. During the following six years sixteen others were added to the church. Rev. F. Davis discontinued his labors in May, 1876. At this time Mr. Willis A. Hadley began to supply the pulpit. He closed his labors in December, 1877, having accepted a call to the Congregational Church in Rye, N. H. Rev. Elijah Roke preached from July, 1878, until November, 1879. The Rev. George Smith was pastor till 1885.

On June 1, 1885, Rev. William S. Thompson succeeded Rev. George Smith as acting pastor, remaining till 1892. During Mr. Thompson's pastorate a new parsonage was secured through the will of Miss Lydia Rollins, an aged native resident of the town, who bequeathed $500 for the purpose. Voluntary contributions by other living residents amounting to $1,400 more were added to this bequest and a substantial and commodious set of buildings was erected on a plot of land just opposite to the old church building and on the same spot where formerly stood the Methodist meeting house, which was burned in 1862.

Mr. Thompson's pastorate closed May 31, 1892. In October, 1892, Rev. Henry Pitt Page began his ministry here and remained till June, 1894, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles W. Rogers who remained till March, 1896. In July, 1896, John W. Bell, an evangelist, was secured to serve as a pastor. On August 26, 1896, he was ordained. He gave up his charge June 3, 1900. Charles R. Small was with us for one year. From January 26, 1902, Rev. Myron S. Dudley was pastor till his death on November 17, T905. Rev. Frank E. Rand began his pastorate July 15, 1906. He remained till July, 1908. In October following Mr. Don Ivan Patch, a Harvard student, came to occupy the pulpit for twenty-seven months.

Rev. Isaiah P. Smith filled the pulpit till July, 1912. Rev. William G. Burkeley, pastor, began his pastorate in December, 1912.

In the year 1899 a small company of sixteen persons organized a religious society to be known as the Unitarian Congregational Society of Newington, and for a few years they held meetings once in three weeks at the old meeting house, conducted by Rev. Alfred Gooding of Portsmouth. Their last service was held October 13, 1912.

The Methodist Society, which flourished from 1832 till 1856, is now entirely extinct.

MILITARY RECORD, 1861-65

William Bergmann, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted December 30, 1863; Adolph Beck, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted December 31, 1 86 1; August Meier, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted December 30, 1863, killed June 16, 1864; William Robinson, Company D, Sixth Regiment, enlisted January 4, 1864; Meyer Smith, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted December 31, 1863; Otto Scholz, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted January 2, 1864; August Vritze, Company B, Sixth Regiment, enlisted January 2. 1864; Joseph Simpson, Company A, Sixth Regiment, enlisted September 11, 1862, died September 7, 1863; William Bowlen, Company C, Sixth Regiment, enlisted September 3, 1862, promoted to corporal, died July 28, 1864; George C. Williams, Company C, Sixth Regiment, enlisted September 3, 1862, discharged June 4, 1865; Thomas Hughes, Company A, Seventh Regiment, enlisted October 1, 1864; Alfred P. Dearborn, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, promoted to sergeant, discharged July 10, 1865; Lorenzo D. Drew, Company F, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 19, 1862, discharged May 29, 1863; George W. Brown, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, discharged June 21, 1865; John Harrison, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, discharged June 23, 1865; Alfred P. Derochment, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, discharged November 10, 1862; John B. Le Bosquet, corporal Company K, Sixteenth Regiment, enlisted October 25, 1862, discharged August 20, 1863; James Mclntire, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, promoted corporal January 1, 1865, discharged June 21, 1865; George Taylor, Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, enlisted September 20, 1862, promoted to corporal, discharged May 10, 1865; John Crystal, Company K, First New Hampshire Cavalry, enlisted September 8, 1862, discharged June 5, 1865; William H. Berry, Company A, Heavy Artillery, enlisted July 2, 1863, discharged September 11, 1865; Richard Carey, Company L, Heavy Artillery, enlisted October 14, 1864, discharged September 11, 1865; William H. H. Young, enlisted September 19, 1862, date of discharge unknown; John Grant, enlisted September 19, 1864, date of discharge unknown; James Skinner, United States C. T., enlisted October 3, 1864, date of discharge unknown.

The public buildings consist of the meeting house, which belongs to the town, the same as when first built, never having been transferred to the church; the town hall and schoolhouse, which occupy one building, and the public library building. The brick public library building contains 4,700 volumes — largely the gift of Hon. Woodbury Langdon of Portsmouth, for whom the library is named, and who has generously endowed the same with gifts of funds as well as books. It is open Wednesdays and Saturdays. Miss A. L. Beane is librarian. The public cemetery adjoining the meeting house was set apart in 1717 and enlarged in 1883. A substantial wall of split granite was built on the eastern side in 1900 and a receiving tomb in 1907. The largest contributor to the cost was Mrs. Hannah P. Newton, widow of John C. Newton of Portsmouth, and daughter of the late Capt. James Coleman of Newington.

In 1913, just 200 years since the town became a separate parish from Dover and Portsmouth, the people in town meeting, voted to give power to the selectmen to take water from the town spring to the public library, schoolhouse and town hall, giving others liberty to take water for the new parsonage. This vote was carried out and now by electric power water is forced to these buildings, a distance of over two thousand feet, at an elevation of sixty-four feet. A public drinking fountain was placed between the library and parsonage. The foundation was the gift of James W. Coleman, Esq., a descendant of the sixth generation from Eleazer Coleman, living here 200 years ago. The cost of installing the water system was $1,772, of which sum $450 was contributed by private individuals.

The Piscataqua Grange, No. 176, was organized March 3, 1892, with a membership of twenty-three charter members. Its membership at the present time is seventy-four. Master Simes, secretary; Mrs. G. Emma Pickering, treasurer; Stillman A. Packard and Mrs. George W. Pickering, chaplain.

Town officers chosen March 11, 1913. — Town clerk, Jackson M. Hoyt; selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor, Clarence M. DeRochemont, Simes Frink, James W. Coleman; treasurer, John J. Greenough; collector of taxes, Margaret N. Harrison; highway agents, James B. Pickering, James H. Knox, Thomas Newick; library trustees, 1913, Margaret N. Harrison, three years; 1912, Beth L. Rand, two years; 1911, Laura E. Frink, one year.

Contributed 2023 Oct 06 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, published in 1915, pages 567-572.