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 MERRIMACK RPIVERP;
measure, that they should take a circuitous route and move warily;
but it appears that some difficulty existed between him and the
leader, French, when the latter, sneeringly, exclaimed, " I am going
to take the direct path; if any of you are not afraid, let him follow
me.", French led the party, as he declared he should, straight up
along the Merrimack, and, having reached the vicinity of the place
now known as Thornton's Ferry, they were fired upon and most of
them killed. All the others, except Farwell, soon met the same fate.
He alone escaped, and, collecting another strong force, returned and
secured the bodies of eight of the victims, and had them decently
buried. Their names were Lieut. Ebenezer Frenich, Thomas Lund,
and Oliver Farwell, of Dunstable; Daniel Baldiing and John Burbank, of Woburn; Mr. Johnson, of Plainfield; and one other not
known.
The following year, when Lovewell made his expedition against
the Pequaukets, he selected Josiah Farwell as his lieutenant, on
account of his wvell-known prudence and skill in Indian fighting.
When Lovewell's company had been recruited and organized by the
selection of himself, Farwell, and Robbins, these officers were requested to petition the government for encouragement. Accordingly the following petition was sent by them to the General Court
of Mlassachusetts:
"The humble memorial of John Lovewell, Josiah Farwell, Jonathan Robbins,
all of Dunstable, showeth:
"That your petitioners, with nearly forty or fifty others, are inclinable to
range and to keep out in the woods for several months together, in order to
kill and destroy their enemy, Indlians, provided they can meet with encouragement suitable. And your petitioners are employed and desired by many
others, humbly to propose and submit to your Ihonors' considerations, that if
such soldiers may be allowed five shillings per day in case they kill an enemy
and possess their scalp, they will employ themselves in Indian hunting one
whole year; and, if within that time they do not kill any, they are content to
be allowed nothing for their wages, time, and trouble.
"JOHN LOVEWELL.
"JOSIAH FARWELL.
" JONATHAN ROBBINS."
"Dunstcable, November, 17~4."
In reply to the petition, the objects which it set forth were ap
* Belknap.
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