Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

THE SPARHAWK FAMILY. 187
If the tale of tradition is true, to the beauty of Mary
Sparhawk, who became the wife of Dr Jarvis, Portsmouth
is more indebted for its protection in 1775, than to its forts.
The story goes, that Capt. Mlowatt, of the Canceaux, a
British ship of 16 guns, connected with a large armed ship,
a schooner and a sloop, were off our harbor in the month
of October, 1775. Capt. Mowatt went privately on shore
at Kittery Point, and was received at the loyal house of
Nathaniel Sparhawk. Here he became so much fascinated
with Mary that the intent of his voyage to destroy Portsmouth, was, by her influence, changed, and he made sail for
Falmouth (now Portland) and burned more than 400 of the
best houses and stores-leaving only about 100 of the
poorest houses, and they much damaged. How much our
city is indebted to the influence of the beauty of Mary we
can now hardly estimate.
After the death of her husband, (Dr. Jarvis of Boston,)
Mary returned to Kittery Point, where she died in 1815.
The old mansion of Col. Sparhawk, east of the village
church, is preserved in all its primitive beauty. The long
avenue of noble trees through which it was formerly approached have disappeared-but the mansion is yet one
of the attractive features of the ancient town.
The following is from the memorandum book of Rev.
John Sparhawk of Salem, relating to his settlement:
"Feb. 29th, 1735-6, I preached the first time at Salem,
by the desire of Committee of the Confederate Society
of Salem, having been a preacher about the space of one
year, and by desire of the same committee, engaged for a
term and continued preaching to my call."
"Aug. 5th, 1736, I was chosen minister of ye Confederate
Society by a great majority in the Society. Voted 220 oz.
of Silver for my salary, and afterwards, upon my desire in
ye answer I gave them, they added 100 ~ Bills of the Province for help."
"Dec. 8th, 1736. On this day was the ordination. Mr.