In addition to these difficulties his creed became offensive; and in August, 1735, the neighboring clergy in council at North Yarmouth gave decisions which led eventually to his dismissal.* In churchmeeting, Nov. 28, 1735, "Post preces ad Deum, a vote was called in writing whether the said church continued uneasy with the Rev. Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, their pastor, or no: voted uneasy. Then voted that the said Mr. Cutter be dismissed from his pastoral relation to said church." Two days previous to this action of the church, the town had voted his dismission in case his relation to the church should be dissolved; in reference to which proceeding of the town. it is recorded: "Peter Weare does protest against the carryings-on of this day." Though removed from the pastorate, Mr. Cutter appears to have continued in the church relation. As was not unusual with his cotemporaries, he "united the clerical with the medical profession;" and after his dismission he remained in the town about seven years as a physician.t Before his dismissal he married Dorothy Bradbury, sister of Mr. Moses Bradbury, an early inhabitant of the town, and originally from Newburyport. April 23, 1738, she made public profession of her faith in the church of North Yarmouth. His Sixty members were admitted to the church during Mr. Cutter's ministry-thirty-three by public profession. While at North Yarmouth he took a prominent part in all public transactions. graceful chirography was highly appreciated, and frequently employed in writing deeds and other instruments. In 1741 he was the town's agent in the General Court of Massachusetts. In 1742 he was appointed superintendent of a trading house for the Indians. Three * 1732, Aug. 24. "We had a public fast to pray for the success of the Gospel; many of the people attended; Ministers-Jeffries, Thompson, Cutter, Moody and Prentice." 1733, Jan. 11. Attended the Fast (at Cape Porpus). Mr. Cutter gave great offence by his rank Arminianism." 1731, Oct. 16. "Messrs. Jefferds and Cutter came here. We kept a public fast to pray for the effusion of the Holy Spirit on the youth." 20. "Sunday. Not a very full meeting, but a great many young people. They preached to them." 1735, August. "Council at North Yarmouth respecting Mr. Cutter." Dec. 12. “To-day Mr. Cutter was finally dismissed at a town meeting."-Rev. Thomas Smith's Journal (Willis's Edition, Portland, 1819), 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83. "He continued Pastor of the Church for the space of five years. Some dissatisfaction then arising, Mr. Cutter was dismissed in an orderly manner, with the advice of a Council." -Greenleaf, Eccles. Hist. 64. An erroneous notice of Rev. Ammi R. Cutter appears in Williamson's Hist. Maine, ii. 109. + Shepley, Hist. Notes, 54, 57. The annual accession in 1730 was 12; in 1731, 15; 1732, 23; 1733, 5; 1734, 3; and 1735, 2.-Shepley, Hist. Notes, 43, 64. Nov. 17, 1736, Rev. Nicholas Loring, his successor, was ordained. Tradition represents Mr. Cutter as imposing in physique, commanding in bearing, having a piercing dark eye. Mr. Loring was small in stature, and rather timid. When Mr. Cutter attended Mr. Loring's service, it is said he would enter church enveloped in a long cloak-stalk up the centre aisle-halt after the military fashion-fix his eye on his successor in the pulpit-give him a very severe glance—and then quietly sit down in a neighboring pew.-Capt. Cushing Prince. Russell's Address; Shepley, Hist. Notes, 53. 1740, Jan. 27.-" Preached twice-Heb. 11.6: vespere-conversed with Mr. Ammi R. Cutter."-Rev. Sam'l Cooke's Diary. Mr. Cutter was evidently on a visit to his birthplace in Menotomy, the Second Precinct in Cambridge. of these stations had been established in Maine, as stipulated in a treaty of government with the natives. That superintended by Mr. Cutter was on the Saco river about nine miles from its mouth. The keepers, called "truck-masters,"* were chosen annually, "special regard being paid in the selection to men of the greatest probity, patience and discretion, whose characters and manners were likewise acceptable to the natives." The salary was £120, and the situation was sought by men of "distinguished reputation and influence." The "truck house" on the Saco, situated first at Winter Harbor, was relinquished in 1759.† "The Savages on the cast of Saco River," says Sullivan, "could not understand the language of those further west within New England." None of the words in their dialect "are found in Elliot's Bible." In order to conduct his business with the Indians," which were altogether of the "Pickwocket and Ossippee tribes," Mr. Cutter "composed a Vocabulary, which yet remains."§ He was captain of a company in Sir William Pepperell's expedi tion for the reduction of Louisburg. His command was attached to Col. Jeremiah Moulton's regiment from York County. March 24, 1745, the American fleet left Boston, and on April 4th reached Canso. A military depot was established, and a block house with eight cannon erected. On April 14th, Capt. Cutter with two companies was detailed to keep possession." April 29th, the whole fleet sailed from Canso for Cape Breton. June 16, 1745, Louisburg capitulated. The success of this New England expedition sent a shout of joy throughout the whole British Empire. " After the capture some of the troops were persuaded by an increase of wages to abide at Louisburg, others were detained by reason of the dysentery, and some returned home sick.** The winter following the surrender Capt. Cutter was detailed to remain as surgeon and chief commandant of the fortress. He died at Louisburg in March, 1746, a victim probably to the general contagion.‡‡ • Truck, to barter. The foundations at the last location are visible.-Shepley, Hist. Notes, 57. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter-" Capt. @ 40s. pr mo." fro.n May 21st to Aug. 20, 1714. Vide Mass. Archives, xcii. 10. In January, 1745, trade with the Indians "was nearly at an end, and the truck-masters were not rechosen."-Williamson's Maine, ii. 234. Hist. Maine (Boston, 1795), 265. The work cannot now be found."-Hon. WM. WILLIS, Smith's and Deane's Journs. 79. Moulton's subordinates were Lieut. Col. Donnell, Maj. Ellis, and Captains John Card, John Lane, Christopher Marshall, James Grant, Charles King, Peter Prescott, AMMI R. CUTTER, Samuel Rhodes, Bartholomew Trow, Estes Hatch.-Parsons's Life of Pepperell, 318. Vide Williamson's Maine, ii. 219, 226; Sullivan's Hist. 263; Alden's Epitaphs, ii. 118. Sabbath-day, April 14th.-Capt. Cutter Commandant for Canso Island, with one company, and Capt. Marshal a second company to keep possession of Canso Island; the eight great guns were hauled up to the fort, and the block house raised.”—Journal of Col. John Storer, of Wells. Vide APPENDIX. **Camp before Louisbourg, May 11, 1745." "Have not heard further of Rouse; hope Capt. Cutter will be able to give you a good account of him by this opportunity."-Pepperl's Letter to Gor. Shirley (Mass. Hist. Coll. i. 29). ** Williamson, Hist. Maine, ii. 235; Hutchinson, Hist. Mass. ii. 389. ++ Shepley, Hist, Notes, 57. * 1745, Oct. 13. Tis generally a very sickly, dying time through the country, with August 8, 1746, Capt. Benjamin Morgridge, of Kittery, arrived at North Yarmouth, having in charge the papers and effects of Capt. Cutter, the news of whose death had before reached his friends. The "ministerial house," where his family resided, was built at the "committee's charge." The house lot reserved for the "first settled minister of five years continuance," Mr. Cutter had retained.* Mrs. Cutter possessed much of her husband's activity and enterprise, and so exalted a character that her memory is held in the highest veneration by her descendants to the present time. She died in North Yarmouth, June 17, 1776, aged 68 years. The eldest of her issue-"a person of rare ability, comprehensive views and extensive literary acquirements; of winning address, combined with dignity; who had the respect and love of a large community to an unusual degree "-was that physician of distinguished professional reputation-Dr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, of Portsmouth. 4 i. AMMI RUHAMAH, born at North Yarmouth Mar. 15, 1735; was sent in 1747 to be educated under the care of a clergyman at Cambridge, about one hundred and fifty miles distant. Much of the road lay through a thick wilderness. The difficult and perilous journey was performed by the youth on horseback, attended by a servant; and more than seventy years afterward his grandchildren often heard the venerable old man recite the "hair-breadth 'scapes of the ride. He entered Harvard College after a year's preparatory discipline in Cambridge, and graduated with honor in 1752. Among his fellow students were some young gentlemen from Portsmouth, one of whom was John Wentworth, afterwards governor of the Province of New Hampshire. "With these, particularly with Mr. Wentworth, he formed habits of close intimacy, and was prevailed upon by them to select that town as the place to pursue his professional studies." The letters to Dr. Cutter from his young friends "indicate that the qualities of his mind and heart, which in after life rendered him so justly beloved and esteemed, were then fully developed." He studied medicine under the tuition of Dr. Clement Jackson, of Portsmouth, and being admitted to practice was forthwith "appointed surgeon of a body of rangers under the celebrated Robert Rogers, which formed a part the usual nervous or slow fever. We have tidings daily of our people dying at Cape Breton, and of many coming home and dying after arrival." 1746, Jan. 22. "We hear that the sickness at Louisburg increases much; and that Capt. Cutter is dead."-Smith's Journal, 121, 122. Sullivan's Maine, 188, 189; Shepley, Hist. Notes, 48, 57. The dwelling stood about twenty yards east of the church" Under the Ledge." No trace of the foundation remains. During the Indian wars it was garrisoned. Near by is the family burial place. In 1852, Capt. A. Greely Cutter, of New Gloucester, reinterred the remains in a common grave; surrounded it with an iron fence; and erected a handsome marble obelisk within the enclosure. The original inscriptions were transferred to the monument, beneath which the stones were deposited. The silver coffin plates, found in perfect preservation, were consigned to the common grave. of the army on the frontiers in the war with the Indians in 1755."* In 1756 an expedition was set on foot by Gen. Shirley against the French at Crown Point. The New Hampshire regiment raised for this expedition was commanded by Col. Nathaniel Meserve, of Portsmouth. Meserve joined the army with his regiment, and was put in charge of Fort Edward. Soon Shirley was superseded by the dilatory Earl Loudoun, and the army was suffered to remain inactive, being employed only in "erecting fortification and constructing batteaux." Dr. Cutter at this period was stationed at Fort Edward. Dr. A. R. Cutter's Journal of his Military Experience, 1756-1758.† 1756 June 9th. Sat out from Portsmo. & rode to Exeter. 10th. Rode to Haverhill; met the Chaplain at Kingston. 11th. Rode to Billerica. 12th Rode to Shrewsbury. Colo Meserve had a fit of ye Ague. D. D. [Dies Dei.] 13th. Rode to Worcester; administer'd an Emet[ic] & Cart [hartic] to Colo. Meserve. P.M. Attended Pub. Worship. 14th. Rode to Brookfeild; formosa Puela. 15th. Rode to Westfeild, & Lodged. 16h. Rode to Sheffeild, & Lodged. 17th. Rode to Kenderhook. 18th. Rode to Albany. 19th Visited my Freinds ye Officers; went to ye Camp at half Moon, and returned at Night. 20th. D. D. Attend Pub. Worship. P. M., Mr Graham preached at Dutch Church. 21st. Walked to ye Flatts, & down at Night. 2-24 234. Rode to Flatts; ye last of our Men yt came by Land arrived at Flatts. 25th. Nothing Remarkable. 26th. General Abbercrombie & Colo Webb, with 11 Transports full of Troops arrived at Albany; ye former took ye Cheif Command. Capt. Moses & Thompson arrived, & both stuck at ye Overslau. 27th. D. D. Attend Pub. Wors: at Flatts. 28th & 29th. At Albany; nothing remarkable. 30th. Rode to Moon; lodged at Flatts. 1754, Jan. 8.-Went to Amesbury to consociation, where we had a noble collation; a very remarkable spell of weather, being rainy & then breaks out warm for a fortnight. 22. An exceeding cold day as ever was known. 29.-Resolved to turn over a new leaf. "Feb.-2 men [Bowen and Morrill] were bro't from Penecook jail on suspicion of murdering 2 Indians. 27.-Was at Mr. Richardson's ordination at Wells, where Mr. Smith made prayer-Mr. Loring of Sudbury preached-Mr. Wise gave ye charge-Mr. Thompson ye Right hand, & Mr. Storer made ye last prayer. 28.-Returned: by ye way lost my horse. "March 17.-Atten. pub. wor., Dom. Langdon preachd. ont of ye country & took out ye Indian Killers vi et armis. ter, 281-283.] 20.-A Mob of 200 Men came [Vide Potter's Hist. Manches May 10.-Set out to collect Master Jackson's debts in ye country-met with nothing remarkable unless a great deal of ill treatment, & returned very much fatigued ye 18th. 31. Put ye Mare to Cotton's Pasture. Sept.-Visited Dea. Emery's negro (with Master Jackson) with 2 balls shot through his thigh. 19.-Visited by myself: extracted 9 pieces of bone. [This was probably his first patient.]"-A. R. Cutter's Almanac. "N. Yarmouth, June 3, 1751.-I rejoice to hear of your prosperity, which I hope will always attend you if you are in a way of your duty. As you are setting out in the world I hope you will not be unmindful of the duty you owe to God for the many favors he has bestowed upon you. I should be glad to see you but I am something afraid of the Indians, for we expect they will do mischief."-Letter of Mrs. Dorothy Cutter. + The original is in possession of his grandson, Ralph C. Cutter, Esq., Brooklyn, N. Y. July 1st. 21 other Transports arrived. 24. Engaged in writing to Freinds all Day. 34. Rode to Flatts. Returned at Night. D. D. 4th. Walk'd to Flatts; thoroughly Soak'd. 5th. Our Transports all Sailed. 6th. All hands at Flatts; Harangues &c. (Col. G. & C. W.) At Flatts all day. 7th. 8th. Remarkably hot, A.M.; a very hard Gust with Thunder & Hail & Rain, P.M. General Abbercrombie & Officers at our Lodgings. 9th. A Rumor y Cole Broadstreet is killed. 10th. One Leavitt, a Soldier, Died. 11th. D. D. Atten. Pub. Wor. all Day; ye Story of Broadstreet controdicted agreeably. 12th. Went to Albany; a man killed at Green Bush, 2 Miles from City. 13th. The Artillery moved from City to half Moon. Colo Meserve much indisposed. 11th. Our Regiment had Orders to march. Goyr Hardy arrived at Albany. 15th. Joined ye Army at half Moon; marched 4 Miles & Encamped, ye Roads very difficult to convey Cannon; the Cannon were 4 18 Pounders, 6 Six Pounders, 1 Mortar, 2 Swivels, besides other warlike Stores. 16. Decamped at 6 Clek in Morning; broke ye Carriages of 2 eighteen Pounders, and with much difficulty arrived at Still Water at Sundown, with all the other Carriages & 1400 Men. 17h. Part of our Regiment employed in getting ye Artillery into Scows: about 110 marched & arrived at Sarahtoga in ye Evening; lodged in ye Open Air very uncomfortably. 18th. D. D. Our Regiment, with 200 Connecticut Men, marched to Fort Miller to guard ye Border. Saml Page died at Flatts. Mr Norton preached, P.M. Many of our People siezed with Desentery. 19th Marched to Fort Edward. Encamped on ye Island opposite to ye Fort. Oar men much fatigued with conveying over ye River arms & ye warlike stores-at last all. 20th The General with a considerable Number of Troops & part of ye Artillery, arrived at Fort Edward; who was received by about 2000 Men, beautifully drawn up on each side of ye. River, & a Discharge of y Cannon. 21st. Colo Hart* with a Detachment of 100 Men & Col. Pa[y]son with as many more from Connecticut, went to mend ye Road between fort Edward & Wi. Henry; P.M. a Grand Council of all ye Field Officers sat at fort Edward, appointed a Committee to settle some important Affairs, & adjourned to ye next morning. 224. Alarmed about 1 Clock in ye morning by a considerable firing of ye Centrys, but proved to be a quadruped Engagement. The Weather very temperate & ye Air fine; at Night Colo Hart with Detach' returned. 234. About I Clock Colo Meserve arrived to the great Joy of ye Regiment; after Dinner he went over to Council with others, & returned to ye Camp, 10 oClock ; many of our People taken ill, which confined me to ye Island. Council of War sat all Day concerning Conjunction of Regulars & irregulars,-nothing determined. Council adjourned to 7 Clock tomorrow morning. 21th. Maje Gofft marched of[f] with y second Command of a Detachment of 300 Men-120 of which were of New Hampshire-to reconnoitre ye Enemy at South Bay & Wood Creek with 7 Days Allowance; about 50 Cattle & 300 Sheep arrived. Rained. 25th. D. D. 10 Clock, Council of War called. Mr Bailey preached A.M.; M2 Williams, P.M. 3 Frenchmen came in & Delivered themselves up, & informed yt there were 3000 Men at Ticonderogo, cheifly regulars, 1500 more expected every Day from Quebec, lately arrived from France; yt ye Small Pox was breif at Canada, & ye Scurvy among ye Soldiers at Ticonderogo; 112 Indians being all ye coppercoloured Tribe yet arrived, more daily expected. Thus much for Frenchmen's news; they further say y1 600 Men are sent out to attack either Fort W. Henry or Edward; yt at Ticonderogo are eight 12 Pounders, Six 4 Pounders, & were landed yt [there]; say they came of two 18 Pounders, I Swivel, but neither Mortars nor Bombs. *Col. John Hart, of Portsmouth. + Maj. John Goff, of Derryfield, of Meserve's regiment, afterwards its Lieut. Colonel. "Brief," je, common, or prevalent―a provincialism. |