The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. V, 1905 — John Shaqi
The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. V, 1905Various
History
The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. V, 1905
Various
American-Irish Historical Society -- Periodicals; Ethnology -- United States -- Periodicals; Irish Americans -- Periodicals
The Somersworth village in the days of Master Sullivan was much larger
than the modern village of Rollinsford Junction; this is distant about
four miles from the depot in the city of Somersworth. For more than a
century it was the home of several of the leading men of New Hampshire.
It was the home of Master Sullivan from 1723 to 1754. Here his children
were born; here he did the most important part of his teaching; here he
educated his sons to be governors, and leaders in the Revolution, and
leaders after the American government was formed.
They were important factors in forming the state governments of New
Hampshire and Massachusetts. At this village school of Master Sullivan
the sons of many other men were taught in a way that fitted them to
enter Harvard College, and fitted them to be leaders in the great
struggle for independence. Here Master Sullivan not only kept school,
but was also the scribe and counselor for his neighbors and
fellow-citizens.
He was a fine penman, and wrote wills, deeds, mortgages, and such other
legal documents as the needs of the parish demanded. Here he served in
the local military company; here he swept the parish meeting-house and
rang the bell for services on the Lord’s day; here he sat under the
ministrations of Rev. James Pike, who was the faithful and able pastor
of this parish for more than sixty years.
The farm which Mr. Amory speaks of in Berwick was purchased by Master
Sullivan in August, 1753. He bought it of Mr. Samuel Lord, and there is
no record that he bought any land anywhere before that date. It is on a
beautiful elevation which overlooks the city of Somersworth, a mile
away, across the Salmon Falls River. Much of the land is now cut up into
streets and house lots in the fast-growing village of Berwick. A garden
occupies the spot where Master Sullivan’s house stood; a street crosses
the spot where he and his good wife were buried. Their remains were
removed to the Sullivan cemetery in Durham, and now repose near the
grave of their illustrious son, Gen. John Sullivan.
It is not known precisely when he moved his family to Berwick, but
probably in 1754, and there they resided more than forty years. In
Berwick he was a farmer, as well as a schoolmaster and scrivener for his
townsmen. Tradition says that his wife was the better farmer of the two.
He was so fond of his books that the weeds oftentimes got the better of
his crops. His wife Margery cared nothing for books, and delighted in
out-door work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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