Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/143

This page needs to be proofread.

WINDHAM, N. H.

��123

��no longer sup[)ort its ministej, the Rev. William Johnston.

THE LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

The treaty of peace signed between England and France, in October, 1748, was of short duration.

In 1754 hostilities commened anew. It was the conflict of differing civiliza- tions, and did not cease till the French- Catholic supremacy was overthrown in Canada — that province subjugated and placed under the domination of the British government. As an integral part of the British empire, this town was called upon for sacrifice to con- tribute her share for the prosecution of the war. So her sons left the de- lights of home and fireside for the suf- ferings of the march, the duties and privations of the camp, and the perils of the battle-field. Among her sol- diers were Samuel Thompson, William Thompson, Hugh Dunlap, Daniel Clyde, Hugh Quinton. William Camp- bell, Richard Caswell, David Campbell, James Mann, Joseph Park, Matthew Templeton, James Gilmore, John Gregg, Robert Mann, John McConnell, John Kinkead, John Morrow, James Thompson, Samuel Thompson, Alex- ander McCoy, John Stuart, John Dins- moor, Robert Speer, Lieut. Samuel Morrison, John Morrison, James Dun- lap, Samuel Clyde, John McAdams, William McKeen, and James Cowan.

In August, 1757, the French and Indians captured P'ort William Henry, on the north shore of Lake George, in New York, and three thousand troops surrendered, when an infamous massa- cre of troops took place. In a New Hampshire regiment of two hundred men, eighty were killed.

Windham's soldiers were there. Among them was Thomas Dunlap (whose home was on the shore of Simpson's pond), who was pursued by a savage, who caught him by his queue, and was on the point of braining him with his tomahawk, when Dunlap sprang away, tearing out a large part of the hair from his head, and escaped. He reached the fort, and was protected by the French.

��Some fifty-five different men, or the same men at different times, served during the course of the seven years' war. This was a heavy burden on the young settlement, and we can look with pride upon this military page of our local history, which shines so brightly with self-sacrifice, heroism and patriotism.

The conflict drew to a close. Great Britain was triumphant, and French supremacy ceased upon this c^mtinent.

The world advances, is educated and brought to a higher plane through conflict, suffering, sacrifice and blood.

This war had aroused the martial spirit of our people, developed their manhood, strengthened their determin- ation and resolution, and fitted them for the greater conflict — the grander struggle of the Revolution, which was so rapidly approaching.

In 1770 Windham helped colonize Belfast, Me. In that year, and a year or two previous, and several succeed- ing ones, citizens of this town moved to that place. Among the actual set- tlers were John Davidson, Dea. John Tuffts, Lieut. James and John Gilmore, sons of Col. James Gilmore. Among the proprietors were .Alexander Stuart and Robert Mcllvaine. At a later date, John Cochran, Joseph Ladd and Andrew Wear Park became residents.

( To be continued.^

��Lancaster, Dec. 30th, 1883.

Mr. McClintock :

Dear Sir : — In the November num- ber, under head of Portraits for Posterity, you have omitted Jared W. Williams's portrait, presented to the state by his son, Jared I. Williams, in 1 866. Painted by Franklin White. Jared W. Williams was governor in 1 84 7-8 ; state repre- sentative, 1S30-31 ; president of sen- ate in 1834. In 1837, representative to Congress two terms ; and in 1S53 filled a vacancy in \j . S. Senate occasioned by the death of Charles G. Atherton.

Respt. yours,

JARED I. WILLIAMS.

�� �