HISTORY OF BOW, MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- PLEASE do NOT link directly to this text file if you offer a web site about Bow NH. Link instead to my web page at http://www.nh.searchroots.com/MerrimackCo/merrimack.html#Bow ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== Bow was incorporated in 1727. There is also a bend in the Merrimack River within its borders, and the name Bow may have come from that source. Bow is the birthplace of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the First Church of Christ, Scientist and leader of the Christian Science movement. Sergeant John Ordway, a native of Bow was an influential member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. SOURCE: History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire; Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885. =========================== ---SEE THIS LINK FOR ENTIRE DOCUMENT, the info below is only a RECAP----- http://archive.org/stream/historyofmerrima00inhurd#page/262/mode/2up ========================== Page 263 Ancient History of Bow NH including history of the Penacooks. The area was settled at first by people from Essex County, Massachuestts, as 'Pennycook,' then disputed as being part of the Sewell Farm lands Finally acknowledged as part of New Hampshire, rather than Massachusetts. Pennacook was granted by Massachusetts January 17, 1725. Bow was granted May 20, 1727 by New Hampshire. Suncook was granted August 6, 1728 by Massachusetts. Bow included nearly all of both Massachusetts grants, which was to have the supremacy. Their first meeting, at Penacook, was October 14, 1730 at the meeting-house. Tradition says the first permanent settlers in this Suncook parish, in what is now Bow were Francis Doyne and wife, who built a log hut north of the road leading from Pembrook Street to Garvin's Falls in 1728. James Moore purchased land there in 1729, and it is assumed that James Gault and others were there about the same time. The first meeting of the Suncook proprietors was held at Chelmsford Massachusetts on December 10, 1729, when it was voted for a surveyor to lay out the lots (these were east of the river, extending from Garvin's Falls to the southernmost limits of the township." April 10, 1733, "Voted to build a log meeting-house, twenty-four by thirty, as soon as may be." (It was built and served the purpose for several years). page 266 A Schedule of the Proprietors of Bow (between May and November of 1727) includes the names of: Jonathan Wiggin, Thomas Wiggin, Samuel Piper, Thomas Veasey, George Veasey, William Moore, Edward Fifield, William French, James Palmer, Jonathan Chase, Moses Leavitt, Joshua Hill, Thomas Rollings, Richard Crockit, Isaac Voss, Thomas Piper, Richard Kelly, Samuel Goodhue, Joseph Mason, John Hannaford, Joseph Rollings, Satchel Randlet, John Mead, Joseph Morrill, Nathaniel Stevens, David Robinson, Jonathan Dearborn, Joseph Morril Jr., John Piper, Samuel Veasey, James Thompson, John Sinclair, Samuel Green, William Vurley, Benjamin Hoag, Samuel Hilton, Matthew Thompson, Benjamin Palmer, Owen Runnels, Joshua Neal, Thomas French, Nathaniel Piper, Joseph Jewett, John Hill, Thomas Odell, Abraham Stockbridge, Richard Colley Jr., Thomas Briar, Joseph Mason Jr., Edward Fifield Jr., William French Jr., Ephraim Leavitt, Benjamin Veasey, Thomas Veasey Jr., Nathan Taylor, Jonathan Clark, George Veasey Jr., John Leavett, Tymon Wiggin, Samuel Stevens, John Sachel, John Speed, Thomas Wiggin Jr., Samuel Piper Jr., Chace Wiggin, Thomas Wiggin 3rd, Benjamin Mason, Joshua Keniston, Walter Wiggin, Caleb Rollins, Joseph Palmer, Edward taylor, Benjamin Norris, John Green, Joshua Stevens, Thomas Piper Jr., Nathaniel Folsom, Henry Wiggin, Joseph Peavey, Jeremiah Folsom, John Palmer, James Norris, Abraham Morgan, Bradstreet Wiggin, Theophilus Smith, Stephen Thurstin, Robert Wilson, John Avery, Joseph Hoey, Benjamin Taylor Jr., Benjamin Follet, Nathan White, Benning Wentworth, Richard Wibbard Jr., George Jaffrey Jr., Henry Rust, Cyprian Jaffrey, Ebenezer Wear, Robert Auchmuty, John Reet, Samson Sheaf, George Long, Richard Waldron Jr. [Additional admitted Associates found in original document]. Page 268 Spring of 1747 during an Indian attack, James Carr was killed. Robert Buntin and his son Andrew Buntin were captured, taken into captivity and sold in Montreal to a French trader. [see more of the story in the original document] -Page 273- In 1767 there were 187 people living in Bow. On January 12, 1775 a meeting was held "to see if the town of Bow will vote to Chuse a man to go to Exeter to set with the Provincial Committee to Chuse delegates to go to Philadelphia to the Congress in May next. Voted not to send a man, but voted to Buy a town stock of ammunition; also to get the money due from Lieut. Fry soon as they can without cost." At the annual meeting April 6, 1775, Benjamin Bean, John Noyes and Leonard Harriman were chosen selectmen. On May 11th, pursuant to call, a town meeting was held, and it was voted to send Benjamin Noyes as a delegate to the Fourth Provincial Congress at Exeter the 17th of May. Aaron Kinsman received a captain's commission March 2d for the Seventh Company, First Regiment, Colonel John Stark. June 23d the town militia was organized by the choice of Ephraim Foster, captain; Ephraim Moor, lieutenant; Ralph Cross, ensign; and Esquire Bryant, James Moor, Samuel Rogers, John Noyes and Benjamin Bean, a Committee of Inspection or Safety. February 3, 1776 Edward Russell being appointed a justice of the peace by the House of Representatives, the selectmen and the COmmittee of Safety remonstrated against commissioning him until the town had an opportunity to recommend another man. They did on February 22d when Ephraim Foster was chosen. On April 4, 1776 at the annual meeting John Bryant, Benjamin Noyes and Ephraim Foster were chosen selectmen...Captain Caleb Page was representative at the September session, and John Bryant was representative at the December session. Men from BOW who signed the national Association test in September of 1776: Ephraim Foster, Joseph Rogers, Nathaniel Collier, John Bryant, Ralph Cross, John Brown, Benjamin Bean, Antony Manuell, Paltiah Clement, James Buswell, Timothy Dix, Richard Clough Jr., John Carr, Samuel Dow, Henry Hemphill (his X mark), Stephen Eastman, Elisha Clough, Joseph Baker, David Carr, Elisha Clough Jr., Samuel Welch, John Grushe, Thomas Hardy, William Robertson, Jonathan Clement, Edward Carlton, Aaron Noyes, Solomon Heath, Samuel Rogers Jr., John Noyes, Edward Russell, Aaron Kinsman, James Reddell, David Foster, Reuben Currier, John Carven, David Elliot, Richard Clough, Goin Hemphill, John Colby, John Robertson, John Moor, Abraham Colby, James Moor, Samuel Alexander, Willsby Colby, Leonard Harriman, Samuel Welch Jr., Eligah Colby, John Sulliway, Jacob Stockbridge, Joseph Rogers Jr., Enoch Noyes, Jonathan CLough, Ephraim Moore, Samuel Winslow, Benjamin Noyes, Amosa Dow and Simeon Heath,--total 63. In 1777 Edward Russell, Edward Carlton and Jonathan Clement were chosen selectmen, and Captain Bean, James Moor, Esquire Bryant, John Noyes and Joseph Baker were chosen a Committee of Safety. John Bryant was representative for Bow and Dunbarton at the session held at Exeter June 4, 1777, and Jeremiah Page of Dunbarton at the December session. In 1778 William Robertson, David Carr and Samuel Alexander were chosen to do the town business for the year. Joseph Baker, James Buswell, Edward Carlton, John Bryant, William Robertson, Ephraim Foster, Edward Russell, Benjamin Bean, Leonard Harriman, John Noyes, Enoch Noyes and John Carr gave to the town their services as selectmen from 1768 to April 1, 1778 and Timothy Dix gave his services as town clerk following. In 1779 Edward Russell, Benjamin Noyes and Ephraim Foster were chosen selectmen. [much more history of the town's selectmen is in the original document] RESIDENT TAX LIST for BOW, September 14, 1790 [original list includes amounts] for Nathan Noyes, Ensign Benjamin Noyes, Lt. Enoch Noyes, Capt. John Noyes, John Noyes Jr., Samuel Alexander, Lt. Ephraim Moor, Moses Moor, Aaron Moor, James Saunders, David Silver, Benjamin Whipple, Nathan Silver, John Silver Jr., John Silver, James Colby, Samuel Silver, Samuel Saunders, Henry Benson, Dea. Isaac White, James Moor, Ezra Badger, John Bryant Esq., James Dunlap, William Hay, Richard Clough, Thomas Wicomb, Lt. Samuel Gault, Simeon Sargent, Jacob Richardson, James Robertson, Benjamin Thompson, David stevens, Capt. Richard Dow, Solomon Dow, Lt. Jonathan Clement, Lt. John Grushee, John Nicols, John Ordway, Samuel Rogers, Samuel Welch, Edward Russell, James Russell, Widow Russell, John Russell, Axey Russell, John Twist, Reuben Currier, Reuben Currier Jr., Jonathan Currier, Elisha Clough Jr., Bartholomew Stevens, John Merrill, John Robertson, James Robertson, William Robertson, Joseph Baker, John Baker, James Baker, Daniel Baker, W. Eliz. Hemphill, John Garvin, John Garvin Jr., William Garvin, Lt. Timothy Dix, Samuel Ordway, Amos Clement, Samuel Rogers Jr., Dea. Thomas Robinson, Thomas Robinson Jr., James Buswell, David Clough, Levi Clough, Jonathan Clough, Lt. Eliphalet Rowell, Amasa Dow, John Dow, Henry Hemphill, Henry Hemphill Jr., Widow Molly Brown, John Hemphill, Simeon Heath, W. Green, Samuel Clement, W. Betsy Clement, John Carter, Nehemiah Merrill, Clement Noyes, Nathaniel Hall, Solomon Heath, Caleb Heath, Capt. Nathaniel Cavis, Moses Noyes, William Wlaker, Samuel Walker, Abial Walker, Samuel Welsh Jr., Capt. Jacob Green, Anthony Manuel. ----NON RESIDENTS TAXED IN BOW September 1790---- Dr. Philip Carrigan, Lt. Joseph Hall, Capt. Joshua Abbott, Reuben Welch, Barnet Harvey, John Colby, Abram Colby, Jonathan Colby, Widow Rachel Elliot, Lt. Wilaby Colby, Elijah Colby, Thomas Colby, John Sulloway, Samuel Dow, David Lufkin, Widow Jennet Buntin, Mrs. Sarah Thompson, Walter Bryant Esq., Lt. Samuel Tarrinton, Jeremiah Page Esq., John Moor, Maj. James Cochran, Capt. Benjamin Norris, John White, Joel Farnam, Benjamin Jenness, William Currier, Lt. Samuel Noyes. page 277 The following names of signers of the Association Test have disappeared from the town records of today [1885]: "Captain Aaron Kinsman, Capt. Ephraim Foster, Ralph Cross, Capt. Benjamin Bean, John Carr, David Carr, Samuel Winslow, Thomas Hardy, Leonard Harriman, Peltiah Clement, John Brown, James Reddell, James Garvin, Edward Carlton, David Foster." page 279 By 1801 the largest tax payer was Esquire John Bryant, owner of mills and nearly one thousand acres of land; next came Benjamin Noyes Esq. the owner of one thousand acres. George Evans of Allenstown was representative of that town and Bow... A turnpike road from Butler's Corner in Concord to the state line near Andover Bridge, four rods wide was started, two years in the building of it, making a straight course through Bow from Main Street, Concord, to Hooksett Bridge. The principals roads in town at this time was the River road and the road from South Street, Concord, to Bow Mills, over Meeting-House Hill and Wood Hill to Dunbarton line, at the Elliot place. Branch roads ... (continued in original document). page 282 Military History of Bow NH - includes names from the American Revolution, and Civil War (War of the Rebellion). --NAMES of the Revolutionary Soldiers that have served for BOW--- Aaron Kinsman, David Clement, Ebenezer Bean, Benjamin Cotton, Jonathan Currier, Samuel Rogers, John Manuel, Barnet Harvey, John Robertson, Benjamin Bean, Ephraim Garvin, William Robertson, James Moor, Moses Noyes, Reuben Currier, John Moor, Samuel Winslow, Eliphas Reed, Stephen McCoy, Ephraim Moor, Ralph Cross, Ralph Cross Jr., Solomon Farley, Moses Cross, John Riddle, Jonathan McCoy, Daniel McCoy, James Bower, James Reddell, John Sulloway, Aaron Noyes, David Carr, Willsby Colby, Richard Clough, David Clough, Benjamin Bean Jr., Peter Manuel, John Dow, Samuel Manuell, Eli Colby, Jonathan Sargent, Robert Martin, Moses Moor, Nathan Noyes, Benjamin Jenness, Thomas Colby, Ephraim Kinsman and Jacob Rogers. [biographies of some of these men in the original document]. page 284 In 1812, the draft for six months was done November 30th. Bow was represented by Corporal Elisha Clough, Samuel Robertson, William Clough, John Carter Jr., John Rowell and John Silver Jr., had joined the Fourth United States Infantry, and were in General Harrison's army in the West at Vincennes, Prophetstown and Tippecanoe, and were present at Hull's surrender. The regiment was under command of Colonel Miller. John Thompson and Moses T. Willard were in Captain John McNeal's company, Eleventh United States Infantry from July 1 to August 17, 1813. james Goodhue was also in the service. Moses T. Willard was in the service in Samuel Gordon's company, five years from June 11, 1812. **NOTE more names of those who served in the War of 1812 from Bow are found in the original document. **Listings of those from Bow who served during the Civil war are found in the original document, page 285. page 285 Brief Biographies and Genealogies in original document - Samuel Alexander b 1730 in Londonderry, to Bow in 1762. Listing of many of his descendants. page 286+ Biographical Sketches AND LIKENESSES: - Aaron W. Baker, Esq., grandson of Capt. Joseph Baker, son of Joseph Baker b. 7 Nov 1740 who settled in Bow NH - Capt Enoch Alexander, son of Samuel & Mary (Bornton) Alexander who settled in Bow. Enoch was b. 6 April 1771 in Bow and married Miriam Colby. (end)