of St. Francois, reached and passed down the waters of the Connecticut, being a man of great resolution, resolved to penetrate at once to the Upper Coos. With this view in the autumn of 1763, he sent his son David Page Jun., and Emmons Stockwell, to build a camp, and winter in Lancaster. They unfortunately erected their habitation on the meadow, from which they were driven the next March by the overflowing of the Connecticut river. In the year 1764, David Page, Esq. (called by the settlers Gov. Page) with his large family "moved" to Lancaster, followed by several young men, eager to improve, or rather make their fortune. The best tracts of land were immediately occupied, and were so productive that, for many years, manure was considered unnecessary, and was actually thrown over banks and into hollows, where it would be most out of the way. At this period there was no settlement between Haverhill and Lancaster, and but very few north of No. 4, (now Charlestown). There being no roads, the settlers suffered inconceivable hardships in transporting their necessaries, few as they were, being obliged to navigate their log canoes up and down the "fifteen mile falls," now known to be twenty miles in length, with a descent of more than three hundred feet; and in winter to pass the same dangerous rapids in sleighs and with ox-teams, frequently falling through the ice, and sometimes never rising above it. High water to decend, and low water to ascend, were thought the most favorable times, the canoes being drawn up by ropes; but when decending, one man stood in the bow with a pole to guard from rock to rock, while another sat in in the stern to steer with his paddle. In this manner the wife of Governor Page, when corpulent and infirm, was carried in safety to her friends "below." Her boatmen were her son David, and Emmons Stockwell who had married one of her daughters, men of great muscular power and of Roman resolution, equally persevering and collected, whether carrying packs of ninety pounds, or swimming in the foaming surge. They afterwards commanded companies of militia, acquired large estates, and left many descendants, who, we hope, will emulate their example and transcend their usefulness. Edwards Bucknam, a young follower of Gov. Page, soon married one of his daughters, and settled at the mouth of Beaver brook; his daughter Eunice was the first white child born in Lancaster in 1767. He was a man of unbounded hospitality and usefulness, was a dead shot with his "smooth bore," could draw teeth, "let blood," perform the duties of priest in marrying, was one of the most skilful and accurate surveyors in the State, was proprietors' and town clerk, (his house and records were destroyed by fire in the year 1792;) afterward was General of the Militia; became regardless of property, and died poor.
The first town-meeting was held on the 11th of March 1769.
The first mill was operated by horse power, but so illy constructed, that it was little better than the large mortar and pestle attached to a pole, which was used by many. A "water mill" was erected, and soon after burnt; another, and another met the same fate. These disasters, with the revolutionary war, reduced the settlers to extreme distress. Newcomb Blodgett (who is now living) and some others being captured by the Indians and carried to Canada, led to the determination of abandoning the country; and for this purpose the settlers collected at the house of Emmons Stockwell, whose resolution never forsook him, even for a moment. "My family," said he, "and I shan't go." This remark changed the opinion of several families who remained, yet with but very few accessions to the end of the great and glorious struggle.
On the 7th of January, 1776, Joseph Whipple was chosen to represent the towns of Lancaster, Northumberland, Dartmouth (now Jefferson) Apthorp, (merged in other towns) and Stratford, Voted to give their representatives "instructions from time to time." At a subsequent meeting, Joseph Whipple was again elected to the same office;—a vote of thanks passed for his past
