Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-06-18
Phebe Spaulding or, The
Courage of a Woman.

, r
IA great deal has been written in a
general way of the hardships endured
by the first settlers of New England.
When we read of the Puritan
Fathers landing on the ''stern and
roekbound coast of Massachusetts
and their trials and privations, we
are filled with wonder and admiration
at the courage and determination
displayed by them, but occasionally
there will come to us from the dim
and distant past, traditions of cour-
age and fortitude borne by our an
cestors of later day that are equal
~ as wonderful.
The following narrative, which is
true, illustrated this in forcible
manner and gives US the idea of what
the women of that early day endured.
In the year 1863, party of emil
grants started from Londonderry, in
the southern part of New Hampshire,
for Upper Coos of the same state,
the distance being about a hundred
and fifty miles.
Glowing accounts had come to
them of the fertile lands on the banks
of the Connecticut, that could be had
for almost nothing, and inspired by
the hope of winning home and per-
haps fortune in this unbroken wild
erness, they decided Notwithstanding
the great hardships they would have
to endure, to go.
Packing bedding and a few house
hold utensils on the backs of horses,
and each with as much as they could
carry, they started from Londonderry
the first of May.
Among the number was a young
man, Phineas Spaulding, his wife,
who was a descendant of the famous
Mrs. Dustin, and one child about a
year and a half old.
They had not much to take with
them, save stout hearts and plenty of
courage and hope.
The one precious thing Phebe had
was a copper tea kettle, that had
been brought from England by her
mother who was dead. This kettle,
! which would hold about three quarts,
was packed full of tea, pepper,
spices and garden seeds, and was al
together too valuable to be intrusted
out of her hands; so she started
with her baby boy Edward in her
arms, and carrying the tea kettle, to
walk hundred and fifty miles.
She was a small, pretty looking
woman, with brown hair and haze
eyes, and possessed with wonderful
| power of endurance. She was grace
full and agile in her movements. ]
have been told that when she wished
to mount a horse, she would place
her hand on his shoulder and jump
from the ground to his back.
1t was just at nightfall on the fifth
day after this little party had left
Londonderry, that they approached
the small settlement of Haverhill
the remainder of the way was through
the wilderness, where their only
guide would be marked trees. The
emigrants were Hospitality entertain
ed by the people of Haverhill, and
were urged to remain few days and
rest, but they were anxious to get te
their journeys end, and stayed only
one night.
In the hurry of getting started th,
next morning, Mrs. Spaulding pu
her baby on the floor, while she wa:
arranging something, and he being
left to himself, crept to the heartl
and pulled a kettle of hot water ovel
and before his mother could get t.
him his feet were scalded.
Of course this accident prevented
Mrs. Spaulding from going on, an(
it was decided after a consultation
with the others for her to remain /:
few days. 1t would be necessary TO
some one to return to Haverhill TO
some meal, SO Mr.. Spaulding tolC
his wife to wait patiently, and HI
would come for her as soon as h
could. Phebe saw her friends depar
with much regret, and stood WATCHING
until they were lost from sight in tn
wood.
| 1t proved that the baby was no
very badly burned, and Mrs. Spauld
ing was sorry that she had not gon'
on with the others, but she waited a
patiently as she could, until the tim
had passed when her husband shoul'
have come for her. AS the day
went by, and he did not come, sh
resolved she would wait no longer
but go On alone.
The people she was with endeav
ored to persuade her to remain unit
her husband came for her, but from
all accounts Phebe had will of he
own and would not consent to re
main, but started with her baby, an
carrying the tea kettle and goo
supply of food, for walk of fift
miles through a dense woods. Un
daunted by fear of wild animals O
Indians, she marched bravely on, he
only guide the spotted tree. Thin
of this young but plucky little woma
starting with a helpless baby in he
arms, and knowing she would hav
fO remain over nioht in the woods