Although there was a mill built on Beaver Brook in 1752, it was over sixty years before the dam on Beaver Brook (Gaentake in the tongue of the Native Americans), that can be seen today, was constructed. As Morrison writes, "Beaver Brook derives its name from the fact that beavers lived upon the stream". Morrison also marveled at the beaver's, "wonderful skill in constructing dams to brooks, so to control the running waters as to suit their convenience, necessity, or pleasure". The river is an outlet of Beaver Pond, or as the Native Americans referred to it, Tsienneto. The river comes to an end when it flows into the Merrimack River in Lowell, MA. For the sake of brevity, and because most of the story of Beaver Brook was told in a previous story (which can be found by navigating to the past "Featured Stories"), what follows will only be the story of the dam; a relic of Windham's past that has survived to this day.
In 1813 David Campbell paid Rebekah Anderson $5 for the privilege of constructing the dam on her land. However, he also agreed to pay up to $1,000 in damages to her property, should there be any, as a result of the dam being built. It was though that damages may result from "flawing or trading" on her land. Before payment of any monies, the damages would have been assessed by a group of men, whose names have been lost to history. The dam was built nine feet high and there is no record of how much, if anything, was paid to Rebekah Anderson by Campbell.
Daniel Gregg, one of the witnesses who signed the document above, was born in town on March 11, 1769. He married Nancy Wilson and is recorded as having been, "a fine singer and noted for his piety". There is not much more known about him than what was written by Morrison.
Rebekah Anderson was the widow of David Anderson who died some time around 1812; Morrison's record of his death being off by as many as several years. David was born over the border in Londonderry on the homestead that has also been said to be in West Windham (more on that to come in a later story). He and Rebekah (or Rebecca), who was the daughter of Francis and Rebecca Davidson. She died on June 17, 1826 at the age of 45. It is recorded that all their children died to spotted fever save for their son Francis D Anderson who was born in 1807.
Rebekah Anderson was the widow of David Anderson who died some time around 1812; Morrison's record of his death being off by as many as several years. David was born over the border in Londonderry on the homestead that has also been said to be in West Windham (more on that to come in a later story). He and Rebekah (or Rebecca), who was the daughter of Francis and Rebecca Davidson. She died on June 17, 1826 at the age of 45. It is recorded that all their children died to spotted fever save for their son Francis D Anderson who was born in 1807.
