The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE XERRIMACK RIVER;
Canterbury suffered severely from Indian depredations. So con stantly did the enemy lurk about the town that the fields were
cleared and tilled under the protection of a strong armed guard.
In the year 1738, two men, named Shepard and Blanchard, were
surprised by a party of seven Indians, who fired upon thenb the first
time without effect, when the two returned the fire, and Shepard
escaped, but Blanchard was mortally wounded and captured, and
died in a few days. They also captured a lad named Jackson,
and a negro servant belonging to Thomas Clough, and carried them
to Canada, where they remained till the close of the French and
Indian war in 1749.
In 1752, two Indians, named Sabatis and Christi, came into the
town, and, behaving friendly, were kindly treated, but after staying
several weeks they suddenly left, taking with them, forcibly, two
negroes. One of these escaped; the other was taken to Crown
Point, and sold to an officer. The following year Sabatis returned
to Canterbury with a companion called Plausawa. The former, on
being remonstrated with for his past conduct, became exceedingly
insolent, and, probably on account of being intoxicated, displayed
a wild and threatening demeanor. They were followed and killed
by some persons heedless of the injunction, " Vengeance is mine."
These persons were arrested, ironed, and committed to jail; but the
night previous to the trial a mob gathered, with crowbars, axes,
and bludgeons, rescued them, and "Lo, the poor Indian" got no
redress.
Shaker Village, built along the summit of a hill, is a compact,
tidy, quiet, methodical community. The Shakers are a sect first
known in this country just previous to the Revolution. It is
believed to have been founded by Ann Lee, who came from England. The first society known in this country ivas established at
New Lebanon, in New York, about 1780; and this one was organized two or three years later through the labors of two elders named
Chauncy and Cooley.
The society occupy a large tract of land, nearly three thousand
acres, which is owned and the labor performed in common. The
buildings and the table are common. In short, most matters are
common with {hem, while in others they regard themselves as marvellously proper. They consider that they are devoting their time,
152