USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Troy > Historical sketch of the town of Troy, New Hampshire, and her inhabitants from the first settlement of the territory now within the limits of the town in 1764-1897 > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
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ICD (Troy) Stone
1.
VIEW OF TROY FROM NEAR W. E. PARKER'S.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
TOWN OF TROY,
NEW HAMPSHIRE,
AND HER INHABITANTS
FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TERRITORY NOW WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE TOWN IN
1764-1897.
BY M. T. STONE, M. D.
Press of Sentinel Printing Company,
Reene, A. m.
228102
PREFACE.
The history of Troy as a distinct corporation covers a period of eighty-two years, but as the first settlements made were on territory which forms a part of this town, it becomes necessary in giving the early history of this region, to speak of men and measures more or less inti- mately connected with the history of the towns from whose territory Troy was taken.
Dr. A. M. Caverly collected the knowledge of the inci- dents occurring in the early history of this region, which was given a permanent form in the History of Troy, published in 1859, at the Sentinel office in Keene, and which forms the basis of the present work, making such changes as time and later researches have made necessary. Many of those who were the sole possessors of the infor- mation concerning the early history of Troy, passed from the stage of life soon after the publication of this history, which has preserved for future generations the traditions and incidents there given.
The work was done at a time when but little attention was given to matters of this kind ; but more interest being taken in local history and ancestral connections, several individuals expressed a desire that the history should be revised and brought down to a later date, and Mr. Edwin Buttrick brought the question before the town at the town meeting in November, 1890, and Dr. M. T. Stone was chosen to compile and revise the history.
The knowledge of kindred and the genealogies of the families, both past and present, constitute a part of the
iv
PREFACE.
knowledge and history of the town, and form an interest- ing and instructive chapter, as it shows the enterprise and thrift, the activity and sagacity in business, the zeal in religious, educational and political matters, in moral and spiritual advancement and the material prosperity of the community.
The histories of Fitzwilliam and Marlborough having been published at a recent date, such extracts have been taken from them as has seemed best in order to make the subject more complete, and especially concerning the early history.
Two or three chapters have been given entire as written by Dr. Caverly, namely, upon grants of the land and those containing historical and traditionary matter.
Much time and labor has been spent in such fragments as could be spared from professional engagements, in collecting and arranging the additional matter, and it has been the object to make the record as accurate and faithful as possible, but errors will undoubtedly be noticed, and it is submitted to the public hoping that its readers may find much interest and pleasure in its perusal.
Thanks are returned to each and all who have so willingly assisted in any way in obtaining facts and bringing the work to completion.
Troy, N. H., September 25, 1897.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
Introduction .- Mason's Claim .- Grant of the Township .- Conditions of the Charter .- Meeting of the Proprietors .- Townships Divided into Lots. . 1-24
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Early Settlers from 1764 to 1780 .- William Barker .-- Silas Fife .- Thomas Tolman .- Phineas Farrar .- Col. Richard Roberts .- James Brewer .- John Farrar .- Caleb Winch .- Jonathan Shaw .- Jonah Harrington .- David Wheeler .- Ezekiel Mixer .- Benjamin Tolman .- Jacob Nourse .- Moses Kenney .- Henry Morse .- Daniel Lawrence .- Daniel Cutting .- Joseph Cutting .- Reuben Ward .- Ichabod Shaw .- Peter Starkey .- John Starkey .- Benjamin Starkey .- Joseph Starkey .- Enoch Starkey. Jonathan Lawrence .- Joshua Harrington .- Duncan Cameron .- Jolin Bruce .- Thomas Clark .- Agabus Bishop .- Abner Haskell .- Joseph For- ristall .- Godding Family .- Alexander Parkman .- Joseph Nourse .- Daniel Farrar. 25-51
CHAPTER III.
SETTLERS FROM 1780 TO 1800.
John Whitney .- Jonathan Whitney .- George Farrar .- Berby .- Wesson .- Jason Winch .- Joseph Parker .- Jonas Warren .- Daniel Gould .- Na- thaniel Kendall .- Hezekiahlı Coolidge .- Abraham Coolidge .- Ephraim Root .- Benoni Robbins .- James Dean .- Jonathan Whipple .- Jonathan Ball .- Jonathan Platts .- John Sweetland .- Talmon Knights .- John Garfield .- Elijah Alexander .- Stephen Russell .- Abraham Randall .- Silas Cook .- Isaac Jackson .- William Starkey .- Ichabod Woodward. Jonas Robinson .- Silas Wheeler .- John Rogers .- David Saunders .- Ebenezer Saunders .- Ezekiel White .- Nathaniel Bucklin .- Newton .- William Nurse .- Edward Foster .- Jonathan Capron .- Christopher Harris .- Elijah Fuller .- Isaac Fuller .- Asa Brewer .- Zopher Whit- comb .- John Joy .- Joseph French .- Hugh Thompson .- John and David Garey. 52-66
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
SETTLERS FROM 1800 TO 1815.
Nathan Wheeler .- Thomas Benney .- William Barnard .- Thomas Clark. -Josiah Morse .- Hezekiah Hodgkins .- Reuben Newell .-- Edmund Bemis .- Jonathan Lawrence .- William Lawrence .- Zalmon Howe .- John Lawrence .- Henry Tolman .- Joseph Butler .- Aaron Holt .- Daniel Farrar .- Joshua Harrington .- Samuel Lawrence .- Daniel Cut- ting, Jr .- Levi Maxey .- Easman Alexander .- Robert Fitts .- Josiah Amadon .- Nathan Winch .- Elijah Harrington .- Caleb Perry .- Joseph Alexander .- Elias Mann .- Daniel W. Farrar .- Luna Starkey .- Isaac Lawrence .- James Godfrey .- Salmon Whittemore .- Luke Harris .- Constant Weaver .- Sylvester P. Flint .- Elnathan Gorham .- Peletiah Hodgkins .- Nathan Newell .- Lyman Wright .- Stephen Farrar .- Cal- vin Bemis. 67-80
CHAPTER V.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
An Account of Those Who Took Part in the Revolutionary War .- Ben- jamin Tolman .- Ezekiel Mixer .- Jacob Newell, Jr .- Pearson Newell .- James Brewer .- John Farrar, Jr .- Joseph and William Farrar .- James Dean .- Peter Starkey .-- The Association Test .- Continental Currency. - Alarm List. 81-100
CHAPTER VI.
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
The People Desire a New Town .- Reasons for the Separation .- They Petition to be Voted Off .- Their Request Denied .- A Meeting House Built .- Subject Brought Before the Legislature .- Encounters Opposi- tion .- Committee of Investigation Appointed .- Hearing Before the Committee .- A Charter Obtained and the town organized. 101-112
CHAPTER VII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Early Religions History .- Religious Societies .- Churches .- Clergyman .- Congregational Society and Church .- Baptist Society and Church .- The Liberal Union or Universalist Society. 113-147
vii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND LOCAL TRADITIONS.
Topography .- List of Mills and Shops Thirty Years Ago .- Wild Ani- mals .- Wolf and Bear Hunts. 148-161
CHAPTER IX.
BURYING GROUNDS.
First Burying Ground .- First Public Burying Ground .- Mountain View Cemetery .- List of Those Interred in the Old Cemetery. . 162-173
CHAPTER X.
EXTRACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS.
First Chair and Table for Meeting House .- Amount Paid for Working on Highway .- By-laws Against Animals Running at Large .- Action of Town in the Division of the County .- First Map of the State .- Toleration Law .- First Stove in Meeting House .- Stone Bridge .- Dispensing with Superintending School Committee .- Distribution of the Public Surplus .- Temperance Reform .- Miscellaneous Matters .- First Printed School Report .- Finishing Room under Town Hall .- Changing the Name of the Town .- History of the Town Hall. 174-186
CHAPTER XI.
TOWN OFFICERS AND APPROPRIATIONS.
List of Constables .- Town Officers .- Appropriations .- Votes for Governor. -School Committee and School Boards .- Copy of Early Check List.
187-202
CHAPTER XII.
THE REBELLION.
Slavery .- Missouri Compromise .- Dred Scott Decision .- Bombardment of Fort Sumter .- Call for Troops .- First Enlistment .- Aid for Soldiers' Families .- Expenses Incurred .- Bounties Offered .- Bounties Paid .- Votes of the Town .- Summary of Expenses Incurred .- Men who Served in the Rebellion and their Record .- List of those Living in Troy but Credited to Other Towns .- Present Residents who Served in Other Towns or States. 203-226
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL.
Letter from C. E. Potter, Esq., Respecting the Western Boundary of the State .- The Supposed Murder .- The Robbery. 227-238
CHAPTER XIV.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Different Systems of Education .- Interest of School Lots Expended for Schools .- The First School .- The First Teacher .- Division of Town into Squadrons .- Schoolhouses .- New Division of the Town into Districts .- Town System Established .- High School .- Mrs. Louisa B. Wright .- New School Building. 239-269
CHAPTER XV. PHYSICIANS AND LAWYER.
Dr. Justus Perry .- Dr. Ebenezer Wright .- Dr. Charles W. Whitney .- Dr. Luke Miller .- Dr. A. M. Caverly .- Dr. Mary Ann Harris .- Dr. Daniel Farrar .- Dr. Daniel B. Woodward .- Dr. Benjamin H. Hartwell .- Dr. Jolın Dodge .- Dr. Carl G. Metcalf .- Dr. M. S. Ferguson .- Dr. Benja- min E. Harriman .- Dr. M. T. Stone .- Luther Chapman, Esq. 270-283
CHAPTER XVI.
MILLS AND MANUFACTURING.
First Grist and Saw Mills .- Manufacture of Wooden Ware .- Pail Shops. -Scythe Factory .- Pail Handles .- Brown Earthen Ware and Pottery. -Tannery .- Hat Making .- Fulling Mills .- First Horse Blankets Made .- Troy Blanket Mills .- Granite Industry .- Box Making .- Brick Yards. 286-300
CHAPTER XVII. MISCELLANEOUS.
The Old Military Road .- Post Office and Postmasters .- Formation of an Engine Company .- Hamilton Engine and Company .- Monadnock Steamer Co .- Free Masons .- Monadnock Lodge No. 80, F. & A. M. - List of Officers .- Patrons of Husbandry .- Real Estate Development. 301-320
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
Abare, 321. Adams, 322-324. Aldrich, 324-327. Alexander, 327-331. Amadon, 331-322.
ix
CONTENTS.
Baker, 322-340. Ball, 340-341. Ballon, 341. Barker, 341. Barnard, 342. Bemis, 32-347. Beers, 347. Bishop, 347. Bigelow, 348. Birtwhistle, 348-350. Blanding, 350. Boyden, 350. Brewer, 351- 352. Brown, 352-356. Brooks, 356. Bruce, 356. Burpee, 357. But- ler, 357-360. Buttrick, 360-362.
Capron, 362-364. Carpenter, 364. Carter, 365. Caverly, 365-367. Chase, 367. Clark, 367-372. Clement, 372. Cobb, 373. Coolidge, 373-375. Congdon, 375-376. Corey, 376. Crosby, 376-378. Cum- mings, 378. Cutting, 378-380.
Daggett, 381. Damon, 381. Devine, 382. Dexter, 382. Dort, 382-385. Edwards, 385. Emery, 385. Enright, 385-386.
Fairbanks, 386. Farrar, 388-404. Farr, 405. Fassett, 405-407. Field, 408. Fife, 408-410. Fitts, 411. Forristall, 411-415. Foster, 415- 418. Freeman, 418. French, 418. Frost, 419. Fuller, 419-422.
Garfield, 422-424. Gates. 425. Goddard, 426. Godding, 427-428. Goodall, 428-430. Gorham, 430. Gove, 431. Greenwood, 431. Grosvenor, 431. Grimes. 432.
Hale, 433. Hardy, 433. Harrington, 434-436. Harris, 437-440. Haskell, 441-445. Herrick, 446-449. Hawkins, 450. Heberts, 450. Hodgkins, 451-452. Holt, 453-458. Howe, 459. Hubbard, 460. Hurlbutt, 463. Hutt, 464.
Ingalls, 464.
Jackson, 464-465. Jones, 466. Jarvis, 467.
Kenney, 468. Kendall, 468-469. Kimball, 470-472. Knight, 473.
Lahiff, 473. Lang, 473. Lapoint, 473. Lawrence, 473-478. Lawson, 478. Lowe, 479.
Maddox, 480. Mahon, 480-481. Mann, 481. Mason, 481-482. Mar- shall, 482. Merrifield, 483-484. Miller, 484. Morse, 484. Mortimer, 485.
Newell, 485-486. Newton, 487-491. Nurse, 491-494.
Oakes, 494-498.
Parkhurst, 498. Perkins, 498. Parker, 499. Piper, 499-502. Porter, 500. Putney, 501. Parmenter, 501. Peck, 502. Pratt, 502.
Randall, 503-504. Rice, 504. Ripley, 504-507. Roberts, 507. Robin- son, 507. Rogers, 508. Ruffle, 508. Rugg, 508. Russell, 509. Saunders, 509. Shaw, 510. Sibley, 510-513. Silcox, 513. Silsby, 513- 514. Smith, 515. Spaulding, 515. Spooner, 516. Starkey, 517- 525. Stanley, 526-527. Stone, 528-529. Streeter, 530. Sullivan, 530. Sntton, 531.
Thompson, 531. Tolman, 532-539. Townsend, 539. Tumey, 539. Tupper, 540.
Watson, 540. Ward, 542. Wheeler, 543-546. Whipple, 546. Whitcomb, 546-547. White, 548. Whittemore, 548-554. Whitney, 554-558. Winch, 558-559. Wise, 559. Woodward, 560. Wright, 560-565.
List of Illustrations.
VIEW OF TROY FROM THE EAST FRONTISPIECE
PORTRAITS.
ALDRICH, ISAAC, JR 325
BAKER, ABEL ..
337
BEMIS, EDMUND 345
BEMIS, CALVIN
346
BIRTWHISTLE, THOMAS A
349
BROWN, LEMUEL
353
BROWN, CHARLES W 354
362
BUTLER, MARY ANN HARRIS, M. D.
278
CAVERLY, A. M., M. D.
277
CAVERLY, CHARLES S., M. D.
366
CLARK, ALVAH S.
371
CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS
OPP. 137
COOLIDGE, CHARLES
375
DORT, ASA C.
383
DORT, EDWIN B. 384
386
FARRAR, DANIEL, M. D 279
390
FARRAR, DAVID W.
392
FARRAR, HENRY W
399
FARRAR, CHARLES D.
400
FASSETT, DANVERSE C.
407
FORRISTALL, JOSEPH MI
413
FORRISTALL, STEPHEN A. D.
414
FOSTER, FRANCIS.
116
GOODALL, THOMAS
129
HARRIS, LUKE.
437
HARRIS, WILLIAM A
439
HASKELL, CHARLES
445
HERRICK, JONATHAN S., REV
149
HODGKINS, AUGUSTUS
452
HOLT, JOTHAM H
454
IIOLT, LEVI BARTLETT.
456
HOLT, JUDGE JOEL.
457
HUBBARD, CHARLES A
461
HUBBARD, HARRY
462
KIMBALL, EDWARD P
171
LAWRENCE, JOHN
475
LAWRENCE, GREGORY
.477
LAWRENCE, WILLIAM
478
LOWE, DAVID P.
480
NEWTON, DANA
487
NEWTON, CALVIN
188
NEWTON, MARTIN L 489
NEWTON, HIRAM C
490
NURSE, BROWN. 493
BUTTRICK, EDWIN
FAIRBANKS, CYRUS
FARRAR, DANIEL W
xi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
OAKES, FREDERICK W., REV
495
PARKER, NATHANIEL
499
RIPLEY, BARRETT
RIPLEY, FRANKLIN 505
SIBLEY, AMOS. 506
.511
SIBLEY, HARRINGTON ..
512
SILSBY, FISHER 514
STARKEY, GEORGE A 522
STARKEY, WALTER H
524
STANLEY, JAMES R 527
STONE, MELVIN T., M. D. 2×2
TOLMAN, ELISHA H 535
TOWNSEND, LUTHER, REV 539
WATSON, WILLIAM N. 541
WHITTEMORE, LUTHER .553
WHITNEY, CHARLES W., M. D ,273
WHITNEY, CHARLES W .557
WRIGHT, MRS. LOUISA B. 264
WRIGHT, LYMAN 561
WRIGHT, LEONARD 562
WRIGHT, THOMAS.
564
MISCELLANEOUS.
VIEW OF COMMONS LOOKING SOUTH FROM NEAR TOWN HALL .... .20
VIEW OF MAIN ST. LOOKING SOUTH FROM NEAR CON. CHURCH .39
VIEW OF COMMONS LOOKING NORTH 93
MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM RAILROAD BRIDGE. 59
MILL STREET. 107
RAYMOND AVENUE .319
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
137
CONGREGATIONAL PARSONAGE
13%
BAPTIST CHURCH 143
STORE OF C. W. WHITNEY
75
STORE AND RESIDENCE OF E. P. KIMBALL. 172
TOWN HALL 1×6
SCHOOLHOUSE ON WEST HILL.
255
MERRIFIELD SCHOOLHOUSE.
255
NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOLHOUSE
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOLHOUSE
259
SCHOOLHOUSE ON EAST HILL
260
NEW SCHOOLHOUSE.
267
PAIL SHOP OF E. BUTTRICK & CO
286
PAIL SHOP OF CHAS. D. FARRAR
287
TROY BLANKET MILLS-FRONT VIEW 293
TROY BLANKET MILLS-REAR VIEW 295
QUARRY OF TROY GRANITE CO. .297
OLD FIRE ENGINE. 303
HAMILTON FIRE ENGINE 307
MONADNOCK STEAMER AND HOSE WAGON
308
RESIDENCE OF ASA C. DORT
.385
RESIDENCE OF C. D. FARRAR
401
RESIDENCE OF H. C. NEWTON AND NEWTON HOMESTEAD, MARL- BOROUGH OPP. 189
HARRINGTON PLACE AS OWNED BY SPAULDING
435
RESIDENCE OF MRS. S. E. HARRIS 440
RESIDENCE OF DR. M. T. STONE. 529
RESIDENCE OF C. W. WHITNEY
History of Troy.
CHAPTER I.
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
INTRODUCTION .- MASON'S CLAIM .- GRANT OF THE TOWNSHIP .- CONDITIONS OF THE CHARTER .- MEETING OF THE PROPRIETORS .- TOWNSHIPS DIVIDED INTO LOTS.
The arrival of the "Mayflower," on the shores of Massachusetts in 1620, was no ordinary event. The Old World, in which society had existed under conditions as varied as its political divisions, had failed to produce a civil polity upon a basis sufficiently broad to meet the approbation of enlightened and liberal men. The strong disposition to embrace hereditary sentiments, with the fear of innovations upon established eustoms, rendered the attempt at the formation there of a new order of things, embracing important reforms, a hopeless task.
In the meantime light was gradually breaking in, and a few there were who were enabled thereby to see the imperfections in the prevailing social system, and its inability to raise men to that dignity, intellectually and morally, that answered the exalted end of their being. These few were impressed with the importance of a great national reform in religious matters. The religious char- acter of England was arbitrary, invested by authority in the Church of England. Their movement was in favor of freedom in thought and worship. These few, so-called fanatics, were truly the nobility of the earth, but what could they hope with the tide of publie opinion against
2
HISTORY OF TROY.
them? Institutions congenial to their feelings, and such as in their opinion would promote the highest interest of mankind, could only be formed by a united and devoted people, and that even upon foreign soil.
Such being the case, they resolved to forego the com- forts of home, and to brave the hardships incident to distant colonial life, in order to inaugurate a form of government that should be the admiration of the world, and diffuse its blessings upon countless millions.
That was a noble resolution and one that converted a gloomy wilderness into a fruitful field, and rendered immortal such consecrated places as Plymouth, Lexington, Bunker Hill and Yorktown, and brought into being one of the most intelligent and powerful nations.
The spirit of the Puritans did not expend itself upon the limited territory a few miles around the point upon which they first set foot upon American soil, but aecom- panied with a strong Saxon energy, it has lived on, cumu- lative in its power, until it has permeated the whole country. In its progress it has levelled mountains, filled up valleys, turned the current of rivers, and covered arid wastes with flourishing towns and cities. The history of New England is but the record of the influence of that spirit which animated the breasts of such men as Robin- son, Carver, Davenport and Brewster, men whose hearts were overflowing with love to God and good will to men.
The general outline of this history is familiar to nearly every one, and is found in all our standard works upon this subject; but there are incidents of a local nature that escape the observation of the general historian, and sueli as are full of interest to those living in the places where such incidents occurred.
An examination of the surface of the region embraced in the limits of the town of Troy, shows unmistakable
3
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
evidences of the existence of people that have long since gone to that bourne from which no traveler returns. As we look upon the excavations which abound in different parts of the town, and which once constituted the cellars of residences which echoed with the busy footsteps of those within whose breasts "the smiles of joy and the tears of woe, alternately triumphed;" as we look down into those neglected wells that once yielded the sparkling element to slake the thirst of the weary laborer, now only a retreat for the lizard and serpent, and as the eye runs along the old thoroughfares, now overgrown with bushes and almost or quite obliterated, but where a century ago might have been seen the panting steed, moving along, slowly, beneath a ponderous load of perhaps a husband and wife, we are forcibly reminded of the unceasing, and never ending change of all things earthly. It is vain to attempt to give a connected and accurate history of any locality a long series of years after the events to be recorded have taken place, and especially is this so when no authentic records have been kept from actual observation.
This was emphatically true of Troy forty years ago, when Dr. Caverly wrote the history which is the basis of the present work, the early settlement of which was effected beyond the recollection of men then living. Many of the records were entirely wanting, or at best, exceed- ingly meagre, and he was quite often obliged to rely upon uncertain tradition.
In this history it is necessary to go back some years previous to the existence of Troy as an incorporated town, and consequently to draw upon the history of those towns from whose territory Troy was taken.
In November, 1620, King James I. of England, by his sole authority, constituted a council composed of forty "knights, ladies and gentlemen," by the name of "The
4
HISTORY OF TROY.
Council established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the planting, ruling and governing of New England in America." They were a corporation with perpetual suc- cession by election of the majority, and were granted all the territory from the fortieth to the forty-eighth degree of northern latitude.
In 1622, two of the most active members of the council, Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason, obtained from their associates jointly, a grant of the territory which included all the land between the Merri- mack and Kennebec rivers, and extending from the ocean back to the great rivers and lakes of Canada. This tract was called Laconia, and it included New Hampshire and all the western part of Maine.
They formed a company with several merchants of London and other cities, styling themselves "The Com- pany of Laconia," and in the spring of the following year, they sent over two small divisions of emigrants who commenced settlements on the Piscataqua, one at the river's mouth which they called Little Harbor, and the other some eight miles further up the river on a neck of land which the Indians called Winnechannet, or Cocheco, afterwards called Dover.
From some unexplained reason the affairs of this council were transacted in à confused manner from the commencement, and the grants which they made were so inaccurately described and interfered so much with each other, as to occasion difficulties and controversies of a serious nature. Hence quarrels frequently arose about this territory, one party claiming it by virtue of a grant from a foreign monarch who held it by right of discovery; the other by purchase of the original owners and occupants.
Nov. 7, 1629, the Plymouth Council, "upon mature deliberation, thought fit for the better furnishing and
5
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
furtherance of the plantations in these parts, to appro- priate and allot to several and particular persons divers parcels of land within the precincts of the aforesaid granted premises," and deeded to Mason, this very same territory, which was conveyed to Rev. John Wheelwright, by a deed dated 1629, and signed by four Indian Saga- mores or Chiefs, for the consideration of a few coats, shirts and kettles, and which was afterward found to be a forgery.
This grant included the land west of the Piscataqua river and north of the Merrimack and extending back into the country sixty miles, which he, with the consent of the President and Council, named New Hampshire, from the County of Hampshire in England in which he had formerly resided.
After his grant had been confirmed to him, Mason was especially active in his efforts to hasten the settlement of his newly acquired possession. Being a mountainous region, it was thought it must abound in the precious metals, and this was one reason for his activity, as he was hoping to realize a princely fortune.
He spent years of toil and expended large sums of money, but his death, which occurred in December, 1635, put an end to all his projects and left his titles to his lands to be a source of litigation to his heirs for several generations.
"After this his widow and executrix sent over an agent to manage her interests at the Portsmouth planta- tion; but finding the expenses far exceeding the income, he abandoned the whole and gave up the improvements to the tenants."
The first heir named in Mason's will dying in infancy, the estate descended to Robert Tufton, grandson of Cap- tain John Mason, who was not of age until 1650.
6
HISTORY OF TROY.
The extension of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts over New Hampshire could not fail to complicate matters still more, and no help could be expected unless the govern- ment of England should interfere, but as the family had always been attached to the royal cause, there could be no hope of relief during the protectorate of Cromwell, as the Massachusetts colony had always stood high in the favor of Parliament and Cromwell. Charles II. was restored to the throne, and immediately Tufton, who now took the name of Mason, applied to the King for redress, who referred the matter to his attorney general, who decided that Mason's claim to the Province of New Hampshire was good and legal.
For several years the country had been divided among numerous proprietors, and the various settlements had been governed separately by agents of the different pro- prietors, or by magistrates elected by the people, but in 1641 the people placed themselves under the protection of the Massachusetts colony.
Commissioners were sent over in 1641, to inquire into this as well as other matters; but their reception resulted in a report to the King unfavorable to the Massachusetts claims, and after their return, the government took 110 active measures for the relief of Mason, who became dis- couraged and joined with the heirs of Gorges in proposing an alienation of their respective rights in the Provinces of New Hampshire and Maine to the crown; but the Dutch wars and other foreign transactions prevented any deter- mination concerning them till the country was involved in all the horrors of a general war with the natives.
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