USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 8
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Cheshire county promptly responded to Abraham Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers. A recruiting office was soon opened at Keene, and the first man to enlist, it is said, was Thomas L. White of Marlboro. The fol- lowing table shows the number of soldiers which each town furnished on the call of July, 1862, and subsequent calls ; the number of soldiers who were killed in, or died from the effects of the war, and amount of municipal war loan awarded to each town :-
TOWNS.
Call of 1862, &c.
Died, &c.
Municipal War Loan.
Alstead.
98
..
$ 8,375 00
Chesterfield
85
20
7,416 67
Dublin .
91
25
9,100 00
Fitzwilliam
IOI
45
7,991 67
Gilsum
57
. .
5,400 00
Hinsdale
II2
. .
10,533 33
Jaffrey.
I19
. .
9,933 33
Keene.
404
25
37,900 00
Marlboro
56
85
5,600 00
Marlow
52
18
4,866 67
Nelson
69
6
5.981 67
Richmond
68
14
5,050 00
Rindge
86
8,250 00
Roxbury
17
. .
1,633 33
Stoddard
66
3
5,358 00
Sullivan.
26
12
2,600 00
Surry.
32
6
2,666 67
Swanzey
148
5
12,325 00
Troy.
54
IO
4,425 00
Walpole
145
. .
12,650 00
Westmoreland
82
IO
7,975 00
Winchester
134
12,866 67
TABULATED HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENTS.
Killed or died of wounds.
Died of disease.
Mustered out at expiration
Honorably discharged for
disability and other
Transferred to other com-
mands.
Deserted.
Promoted in regiment to
commissioned officers or
non-commissioned staff.
Promoted out of regiment.
Dishonorably discharged.
Missing in action.
Not officially accounted for.
Absent when regiment was
mustered out, and not
since accounted for.
Killed by accident.
Re-enlisted.
Executed.
Shot in attempting to de-
Deserters from other reg-
Committed suicide.
Whole number to be ac-
Deserted and captured, or returned.
Died in prison.
17
2d Regiment, Infantry ..
132
151
821
491
105
414
66
20
12
21
84
212
5
98
3 co Or.
.
.
. .
1,749
26
21
9
5th Regiment, Infantry. .
212
166
596
524
169
493
60
6
6
42
59
122
3
79
1
3
1
2,547
2,531
34
8
6th Regiment, Infantry.
124
189
559
428
71
654
32
1
6
45
24
196
15
186
..
.
.
.
1,719
35
54
7th Regiment, Infantry.
89
222
148
277
251
200
30
11
1
2
128
2
6
219
.
. .
1,820
34
39
9th Regiment, Infantry.
53
114
375
192
284
201
48
2
4
12
2
2
4
.
.
1,293
37
20
10th Regiment, Infantry ..
114
154
360
210
311
409
27
1
2
17
16
1
.
1,417
17
8
156
143
297
294
274
191
46
1
1
3
1
...
1
6
1,227
10
2
85
86
408
258
222
117
31
12
4
1
1
7
105
27
1
2
.
27
89
698
18
5
30
2
2
45
9
.
.
. .
:
·
1
2
28
765
41
2
84
24
. .
. .
.
13
New England Cavalry.
11
15
5
128
112
26
9
.
..
1st New Hampshire Battery ..
6
4
60
27
10
9
3
1
.
:
·
8
.
·
4
91
17
79
631
32
12
569
27
1
1
26
2
3
4
1st Heavy Artillery ...
....
34
1,599
85
2
51
44
677
74
53
2851 626
862
58
1,6131
14.
1
20
2 31.426
444 241
Total.
1,538
2,541 |11,264
4,437
2,595
4,766
5
5
12
9
74
3
270
3d Regiment, Infantry.
41
134
462
266
114
152
36
2
12
108
27
7
388
4th Regiment, Infantry.
165
139
704
289
42)
220
73
232
31
5
1
65
13
50
3
25
3
117
237
240
223
386
536
31
2
16
4
.
.
.
.
1,346
1
14th Regiment, Infantry . .
54
143
631
189
40
110
34
4
1
15th Regiment, Infantry ...
3
.
..
874
3
..
16th Regiment, Infantry ..
....
1
34
102
...
.
18th Regiment, Infantry ...
419
2
.
.
.
..
. .
.
345
4
Sharp Shooters.
24
23
34
134
41
16
11
2
3
49
.
1
1,491
87
29
1st New Hampshire Cavalry.
1,824
..
..
1st Regiment, Infantry.
3
730
16
1
7
..
2
5
1
·
8
2,645
37
·
2,013
47
8th Regiment, Infantry.
109
211
510
273
37
1,586
22
4
.
..
1,622
17
19
11th Regiment, Infantry ..
3
1
2
.
.
.
876
6
176
597
42
203
. .
.
2
951
5
..
17th Regiment, Infantry ..
3
63
2
98
42
163
.
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
67
sert.
iments returned.
counted for.
of term.
causes.
765
5
1
..
179
12th Regiment, Infantry ..
13th Regiment, Infantry ..
4
. .
.
.
68
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
ROSTER OF FIELD, STAFF, AND COMPANY OFFICERS.
The following roster of those who went out as commissioned officers, or who went out as privates and were subsequently promoted to a commission, is compiled from the State Adjutant-General's reports, and from other sources. It is, we believe, as accurate as can be made. Many officers not here named, who served in other divisions, and went out from other places, how- ever, have made their homes in Cheshire county since the war :-
Adams Edward F., of Marlboro, Corp. Co. E, 6th Regt., Nov. 28, '61; Sergt., Dec. 1, '62; Ist Sergt., Jan. 1, '63 ; Ist Lieut., Oct. 1, '63 ; Capt. Co. E, April 20, '64 ; mustered out, Jan. 6, '65.
Atherton Arlon S., of Richmond, private Co. I, 3d Regt., Aug. 24, '61 ; Corp., June 1, '62 ; Sergt., Aug. '63; ist Sergt. ; re-enlisted Feb. 14, '64; 2nd Lieut. Co. K, July 7, '64; wounded and captured Aug. 16, '64; released; Ist Lieut., Nov. 9, '64; Capt. Co. I, May 16, '65 , mus- tered out as Ist Lieut., July 20, '65.
Babbitt John W., of Keene, Lieut -Col. 9th Regt., Nov. 22, '62 ; wounded May 12, '62 ; discharged on account of wounds, Dec. 5, '64.
Baker Tileston A., of Westmoreland, Lieut .- Col. 14th Regt., Sept. 19, '62 ; honorably discharged, Feb. 5, '65.
Berry Ira, Jr., of Keene, Capt. Co. H, 14th Regt., Oct. 1, '63 ; wounded Sept. 19. '64 ; mustered out July 8, '65.
Bowen Edwin N., of Richmond, private Co. I, 3d Regt., Aug. 24, '61 ; wounded slightly. June 16,'62 ; Corp., Aug. 6,"'62 ; Sergt., Feb. 24, '64; Ist Sergt. ; re-enlisted Feb. 24, '64 ; Ist Lieut., Jan. 4, '65 ; transferred to Co. K; mustered out, July 20, '65.
Brown Marshall L., of Keene, private Co. E, 6th Regt., Nov. 28, '61 ; hospital steward, Jan. 2, '63 ; re-enlisted, Dec. 29, '63 ; Assistant Surg., June 1, '65 ; mustered out, July II, '65.
Buffum David 2d, of Swanzey, Capt. Co. I, 16th Regt., Nov. 4, '62 ; died of disease, at New Orleans, La., June 19, '63.
Clark Charles L., of Marlboro, Sergt. Co. F, 6th Regt., Jan. 4, '64; Ist Lieut., March 2, '65
Colburn Artemas B., of Richmond, 2d Lieut. Co. B, 14th Regt., May II, '64 ; killed at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, '64.
Comings David L. M., of Swanzey, Assist. Surg., 4th Regt., Oct. 8, '62 ; died of disease at Swanzey, N. H., Aug 1, '63.
Converse Levi N., of Keene, Sergt., Co. A, 2d Regt., May 31, '61 ; Ist Sergt., Sept. 1, '61 ; 2d Lieut., July 1, '62 ; Ist Lieut., Aug. 31, '62 ; Capt., July 2, '63 ; lost arm at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, '63 ; mustered out, June 21, '64 ; re-enlisted, as Major, 2d Regt., May 18, '65 ; Lieut-Col., Nov. 1, '65 ; mustered out as Maj., Dec. 19, '65.
Converse Oscar J., of Rindge, 2d Lieut., Co. G, Ist N. H. Cav., July 2, '64; Ist Lieut. Co. D, June 10, '65 ; mustered out as Lieut. July 15, '65.
Cragin Charles O., of Dublin, Corp. Co. G, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; Sergt., May 1, '63 ; Ist Sergt., Feb. 29, '64; 2d Lieut., Jan. 4, '65; Ist Lieut. Co. D, Feb. 17, '65 ; mustered out, July 8, '65.
69
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
Curtin John, of Keene, Ist Lieut. Co. E, 6th Regt., April 20, '64 ; wounded May 6, '64 ; wounded June 3, '64 ; discharged on account of wounds, Aug. 10, '64.
Duren John A., of Keene, Q. M. Sergt. 5th Regt., Oct. 26, '61 ; 2d Lieut. Co. I, April 1, '63 ; Ist Lieut. Oct. 1, '63; captured at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; released ; mustered out, March 16, '65.
Edwards Thomas C., of Keene, 2d Lieut. Co. I, Ist N. H. Cav., March 16, '64 ; Ist Lieut., Feb. 23, '65 ; mustered out, July 15, '65.
Faxon John, of Walpole, Adjt. 10th Regt., Aug. 19, '62 ; A. A. A. Gen .; hon- orably discharged, July 3, '64.
Felt James W., of Winchester, private Co. A., 2d Regt .. Sept. 17, '61 ; Corp., Dec. t. '63 ; re-enlisted as private, Jan. 1, '64; Corp. ; Ist Sergt. ; Ist Lieut., Co. G., May 20, '65 ; mustered out, Dec. 19, '65.
Gibson Francis N., of Alstead, Assist. Surg. 9th Regt., Aug. 6, '62 ; Surg., Jan. 18. '65 ; mustered out, June 10, '65.
Goodwin John H., of Chesterfield, Ist Sergt. Co. F, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; 2d Lieut., Co. E, Feb. 17, '65 ; Ist Sergt., July 8, '65.
Hall Charles P., of Westmoreland, Capt. Co. C, 14th Regt., Feb. 19, '64; mustered out, July 8, '65.
Hammond John W., of Winchester, Sergt. Co. A, 6th Regt., Jan. 1, '64; Ist Sergt. July 1, '64 ; 2d Lieut., Nov. 21, '65 ; mustered out as Sergt., Dec. 19, '65.
Hanscom Theodore, of Jaffrey, Corp. Co. E, 6th Regt., Nov. 28, '61; Sergt., July 1, '62; 2d Lieut., Nov. 4, '62.
Hawkins Marshall P., of Fitzwilliam, Corp. Co. I, 3d Regt., Aug. 24, '61 ; Ist Sergt., April 11, '62; 2d Lieut., Aug. 28, '62.
Hayward Silas L., of Fitwilliam, private Co. A, 2d Regt., May 31, '61; Sergt., Nov. 1, '61; 2d Lieut., Sept. 1, '62.
Higgins Sidney B., of Chesterfield, Sergt. Co. E, 6th Regt., Dec. 24, '63 ; wounded Oct. 1, '64; Ist Lieut., March 6, '65 ; mustered out July 17, '65.
Hitchcock John H., of Richmond, Sergt. Co. I, 3d Regt., Aug. 24, '61 ; Ist Sergt., Nov. 18, '63 ; re-enlisted, Jan. 1, '64 ; Ist Lieut., May 24, '64; Capt., Jan. 4, '65 ; dismissed as Ist Lieut., March 3, '65.
Holbrook Samuel F., of Walpole, Sergt. Co. A, 2d Regt., Jan. 1, '64; Ist Sergt .; Ist Lieut., June 24, '64.
Holland Albert S., of Keene. 2d Lieut. Co. H, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Sept. 15, '64 ; mustered out June 15. '65.
Holt Marquis L., of Nelson, Corp. Co. E, 3d Regt., Feb. 15, '64 ; Ist Sergt. ; Sergt .- Major, Aug. 24, '64; 2d Lieut., April 6, '65; Ist Lieut. Co. C, 3d, Regt., April 6, '65 ; mustered out July 20, '65.
Howard Austin E., of Keene, Ist Sergt., Co. B, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery. Aug. 18, '63 ; 2d Lieut., July 25, '65 ; mustered out as Ist Sergt., Sept. II, '65.
Howard Charles A., of Nelson, Sergt. Co. B, 2d Regt., Jan. 1,'64 ; wound- ed June 3, '64 ; Sergt., July 1, '64; 2d Lieut, 107th U. S. C. T., Nov. 6, '64.
Howard Charles G., of Winchester, Corp. Co. F, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; Sergt .; Ist Lieut. Co. B, Jan. 2, '65; commissioned as Ist Lieut. in Co. A, Jan. 4, '65 ; mustered out, July 8, '65.
70
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
Howard Edward B., of Alstead, Sergt. Co. G, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; Ist Sergt., Oct. 29, '63 ; 2d Lieut., Jan. 1, '64; Ist Lieut., Jan. 4, '65 ; dishonorably discharged as 2d Lieut., May 1, '65.
Hubbard Henry E., of Keene, 2d Lieut. Co. B, 9th Regt., Jan. 1, '64; mus- tered out, June 10, '65.
Hunt James H., of Stoddard, Corp. Co. G, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; Sergt., Nov. 14, '63 ; Ist Sergt., March 1, '65 ; 2d Lieut., Feb. 17, '65 ; mustered out, July 8, '65.
King John L., of Hinsdale, private Co A., 14th Regt., Sept. 22, '62 ; Corp., Oct. 4, '62 ; Sergt., July 1. '62 ; Sergt .- Maj., Dec. I, '64; Ist Lieut. Co. C., Jan. 4, '65; mustered out, July 8, '65.
Leach Rev. Joseph A., now of Keene, enlisted Feb. 2, '62 ; as Chaplain in U. S. Infantry ; enlisted from Saxton's River, Vt., Feb. 16th ; promoted to Major and A. D. C. on staff of Gen. H. G. Thomas ; wounded at Salem Church. Va., March 4, '63 ; mustered out of service, August, '65.
Mather Rockwood G., of Marlow, Assistant Surg., 13th Regt., June 27, '64 ; declined.
McClure Cyrus G., of Keene, 2d Lieut. Co. F, 6th Regt., Jan. 4, '64; wounded, May 18, '64 ; discharged for disability, Nov. 28, '64.
McIntire Horatio, of Keene, private Co. K, Ist N. H. Cav., Dec. 23, '63 ; 2d Lieut. Co. F, March 18, '64 ; dismissed, Feb. 15, '65.
Mellish Walter, of Keene, Corp. Co. I, 3d Regt., Feb. 12, '64; Sergt .; 2d Lieut. Co. F, Jan. 24, '65 ; Ist Lieut., April 6, '65 ; mustered out, July 20, '65.
Metcalf Henry M., of Keene, Ist Lieut. Co. A, 2d Regt., June 4, '61 ; trans- ferred to Co. F, Nov. 1, '61 ; Capt., Aug. 13, '62.
Osgood George W., of Nelson, Ist Sergt. Co. K, 6th Regt., Jan. 4, '64; 2d Lieut. to date, Jan. 3, '64 ; Ist Lieut., July 3, '64 ; honorably discharged for disability, as 2d Lieut., Nov. 7, '64.
Parker John M., of Fitzwilliam, Sergt. Co. I, 3d Regt., Aug. 24, '61; Ist Sergt., Oct. 15, '62 ; 2d Lieut., June 14, '63.
Pierce Frank, of Troy, Sergt. Co. F, 6th Regt., Dec. 22, '63 ; ist Lieut. Co. H, June 1, '65 ; mustered out, July 17, '65.
Pierce George W., of Winchester, Assist. Surg. Ist'N. H. Cav., April 21, '64 ; wounded in five places and captured Nov. 12, '64 ; released, Jan. 14, '65, Surg., Feb. 17, '65 ; mustered out, July 15, '65.
Platts John A., of Fitzwilliam, Corp. Co. K, 26th Regt., Jan. 4, '64, Com .- Sergt., July 1, '64 ; Ist Lieut., June 1, '65 ; mustered out, July 17, '65.
Richardson Edwin, of Nelson,'private, Co. B, 2d Regt., Jan. 1, '64 ; Ist Sergt .; wounded May 9, '64 ; Sergt .- Maj., Nov. 4, '64 ; Ist Lieut. Co. D, Jan 8, '65 ; honorably discharged, May 11, '65.
Richardson George I)., of Keene, Ist Lieut. Co B, 14th Regt., Jan 4, '65 ; mustered out, July 8, '65.
Richardson Samuel A., of Marlboro, Surg., 13th Regt., April 1, '63 ; mus- tered out, June 21, '65.
Ripley Theodore A., of Winchester, Capt. Co. F, 14th Regt., Oct. 19, '62 ; Col., March 24, '65.
Russell James W., Sergt., Co. G, 14th Regt., Sept. 23, '62 ; Com .- Sergt., Nov. 30, '64 ; 2d Lieut. Co. E, Jan. 4, '65; Ist Lieut. Co. I, Feb. 17, '65 ; mustered out as 2d Lieut., July 8, '65.
71
CHESHIRE COUNTY.
Smith Russell F., of Hinsdale, 2d Lieut. Co. D, 14th Regt., Feb. 19, '64 ; Capt., April 2, '65.
Spaulding Milan D., of Keene, private, Co. C, 2d Regt., Jan. I, '64; Ist Sergt., July 1,'64; Ist Lieut., Nov. 4,'64 ; honorably discharged, May 11,'65. Sprague S. Henry, of Keene, private, Co. I, 9th Regt., Aug. 15, '62 ; Q. M. Sergt., Sept. 27, '62 ; Ist Lieut. Co. I, Nov. 12, '62 ; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 17,'63.
Stevens George C., of Jaffrey, private Co. A, 2d Regt., Feb. 19, '64; Sergt., July 1, '6.1; Ist Sergt., June 7, '65 ; 2d Lieut., Nov. 1, '65 ; mustered out as Sergt., Dec 19, '65.
Sturtevant John W., of Keene, Sergt. Co. G, 14th Regt., Sept. 22, '62; Ist Sergt., May 1,'63; 2d Lieut., Oct. 17, '63; Ist Lieut., Jan. 1, '64; wounded Sept. 19, '64 ; Capt., Jan. 4, '65 ; mustered out July 8, '65.
Sullivan Kerry, of Keene, 2d Lieut. Co. H, 14th Regt., Sept. 24, '64 ; honor- ably discharged as a private, Aug. 19, '65.
Thayer William Henry, of Keene, Sergt. 14th Regt., Sept. 19, '62 ; mustered out July 8, '65.
Thompson John, of Swanzey, Ist Lieut. Co. D, 9th Regt., March 1, '65 ; mustered out June 10, '65.
Thompson Samuel M., of Richmond, Corp. Co. F, 6th Regt., Nov, 28, '61 ; Sergt .; Ist Sergt .; 2d Lieut., Feb. 3, '63 ; discharged by orders as Ist Sergt., May 1, '63.
Thurston Charles W., of Stoddard, Sergt. Co. K, 6th Regt., Jan. 2, '64; wounded July 30, '64 ; captured at Poplar Grove Church, Va., Sept. 30, '64 .; escaped Jan. 13, '65 ; Ist Lieut., June 1, '65 ; mustered out July 17, '65.
Titus Herbert B., of Chesterfield, 2d Lieut. Co. A, 2d Regt., June 4, '61 ; Ist Lieut., Aug. 1, '61; Major 9th Regt., June 14, '62 ; Lieut .- Col., Aug, 26, '62; Col., Nov. 22, 62 ; discharged Sept. 27, '64 ; re-instated by spec- ial orders No. 37, par. 18, War Dept., Nov. 1, '64; Brig .- Gen. U. S. Vols., by brevet, March 13, '65 ; mustered out June 10, '65 ; made Aid- de-camp to Governor Frederick Smyth, June 21, '65, and chief of staff. Warde David H., of Keene, Aid-de-camp to Gov. Frederick Smyth, May 29, '66.
Webster Charles F., of Jaffrey, Q. M. 14th Regt., Oct. 16, '64; mustered out July 8, '65.
Whittaker William, of Keene, private Co. F, 5th Regt., March 29, '63; 2d Lieut. to date, March 1, '64.
Wright Carrol D., of Swanzey, Col. 14th Regt., Dec. 6, '64 ; honorably dis- charged March 18, '65.
Wright L. Warren, of Richmond, Ist Lieut. Co. A, 14th Regt., Nov. 24,'64 ; Adj., Jan. 4, '65 ; mustered out July 8, '65.
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
- -
A LSTEAD, with an area of 24,756 acres, lies in the extreme northern part of the county, in 43° 6' of north latitude, and longitude 4° 48' east from Washington,* bounded north by Sullivan county, east by Mar- low, south by Gilsum and Surry, and west by Walpole and a part of Sullivan county. The territory now lying within its limits was originally granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, probably in 1761. He at that time granted char- ters for seventy-eight townships, lying on both sides of the Connecticut, principally for the purpose of establishing a claim to the territory in the then unsettled certainty of the colony's western boundary line, and among them was, undoubtedly, this township. The new town was given a name evolved from its own infantile state, namely, " New Town." These words, however, from first being wedded by a hyphen, in course of time, with clipped edges, coalesced into plain " Newton." But, neither as "New Town," " New-town " or "Newton," did the infant exist long enough to awake to self-conscious- ness; for the proprietors failed to comply with the requirements of their charter deed, hence lost all title to the land-thus perished the infant.
On the 6th of August, 1763, Governor Wentworth issued a charter, grant- ing the present Alstead to Samuel Chase and seventy associates, of which the following is a copy. We print this in full; but as all the Wentworth charters were made out after the same form, this will serve as a sample of the charter deeds of most of the towns of the county, and we shall omit them hereafter.
" GEORGE the Third :
[L. S.] " By the grace of God, of Gt. Britain, France and Ire- land, KING, Defender of the Faith, &c.,
" To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting : Know ye that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and meet motion for the due encouragement of settling a new Plantation within our said Province, by and with the advice of our trusty and well beloved BENNING WENTWORTH, ESQ., our Governor and Commander-in-chief of our said Province of New Hampshire, in New England, and of our Council of the said Province, Have,
*As the whole county is in north latitude, with longitude reckoned from Washington, the words north and east will hereafter be omitted.
73
TOWN OF ALSTEAD.
upon the condition and regulations hereinafter made, Given and Granted, and these presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, Do give and grant, in equal shares, unto our loving subjects, inhabitants of our said Province of New Hampshire, and to them and their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into seventy-six equal shares, all that tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being within our said Province of New Hampshire, Containing by a measure- ment 23,040 acres, which tract is to contain six miles square and no more, out of which an allowance is to be made for highways and unimprovable lands by rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, 1.040 acres, according to a plan and survey thereof made by said Governor and returned into the Secretary's office and hereunto annexed, Butted and Bounded as follows ; Beginning at the Northeast corner of Walpole, at a stake and stones standing in the South- erly side-line of Charlestown, from thence running South, by Walpole, to the Northwest corner of Gilsum, five miles and 256 rods, to a stake and stones in Southwestern corner of meadow ; from thence North, by the needle, six miles and 292 rods, to the Northwestern corner of Marlow ; from thence West, by the needle, three miles and 288 rods, to a stake and stones in Charlestown side-line ; thence South 160 rods to the southeastern corner of said Charlestown, thence Westerly, by said Charlestown, to the bounds began at. And the same be and hereby is incorporated into a township by the name of Alstead, and the Inhabitants that do, or shall hereafter, inhabit the said township are hereby Declared to be enfranchised with and entitled to and every the privileges and immunities that other towns within our Province by law exercise and enjoy : and farther, that the said town, as soon as there shall be fifty families resident and settled thereon, shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, one of which shall be on the --- , and the other on the annually, which fairs are not to continue longer than the re- spective , following said And that as soon as the said
town shall consist of fifty families a market may be and shall be kept one or more days in each week, as may be thought most advantageous to the inhab- itants : also that the first meeting for the choice of town officers, agreeable to the laws of our said Province, shall be held on the last Tuesday in No- vember next, which said meeting shall be notified by Samuel Chase, who is hereby appointed the moderator of said first meeting, which he is to notify and govern agreeable to the laws and customs of our said Province; and that the annual meeting for ever hereafter for the choice of such officers for the said town shall be on the 2d Tuesday of March, annually : To have and to hold said Tract of land as above expressed, together with all the privileges and appurtenances to them and their respective Heirs and Assigns forever, upon the following conditions, viz :-
"I. That every grantee, his heirs or assigns, shall Plant and Cultivate five acres of land, within the term of five years, for every fifty acres contained in his or their shares or Proportion of land in said township, and continue to improve and settle the same by additional Cultivation, on Penalty of the forfeiture of his grant or share in the said township, and of its reverting to us, or Heirs and successors, to be by us or them Regranted to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same :
"II. That all white and other pine trees within the said township, fit for masting our Royal navy, be carefully preserved for that use and none to be cut or felled without our special license for so doing first had and obtained, upon the Penalty of the forfeiture of the right of such grantee, his Heirs and assigns, to us, our Heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the Pen-
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TOWN OF ALSTEAD.
alty of any act or acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter shall be enacted :
III. That before any division of the land be made to and among the grantees, a tract of land as near the center of the said Towhship as the land will admit of shall be reserved and marked out for town lots, one of which shall be allotted to each grantee, of the contents of one acre :
" IV. Yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and assessors, for the -space of ten years, to be completed from the date hereof, the rent of one ear of Indian corn only, on the 25th day of December, annually, if lawfully de- manded, the first payment to be made on the 25th day of December, 1763 :
"V. Every proprietor, settler or inhabitant, shall yield and pay unto us, our heirs and successors, yearly and every year forever, from and after ye ex- piration of ten years from the above 25th day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord 1775, one shilling proclamation money for every 100 acres he so owns, settles or possesses, in proportion for a greater or lesser tract of the said land, which money shall be paid by the respective Persons alone, their heirs or assigns, in our council chamber in Portsmouth, or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, and this to be in lieu of all other rents and services whatsoever :
" In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed, witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq., governor and com- mander-in-chief of our said Province, the 6th day of August, in the year of our Lord Christ, 1763, and in the third year of our reign.
" By His Excellency's command, } with advice of council.
B. WENTWORTH.
" Province of New Hampshire, August 16th, 1768, Recorded in the book of charters, No. 2, page 500 and 501.
"A true copy, examined by
" Timothy Delano, " Props. Clerk."
The surface of the town is irregular and broken, though no mountains are found within the limits. Prentice hill, located near the center, is said to be the highest point. Warren brook and Cold river are the principal streams, though there are a number of minor importance, among them several branches of the Ashuelot, which have their sources here. There are also a number of natural ponds, Warren and Caldwell being the largest, the former lying in the eastern and the latter in the southern part. Warren pond, the largest in the town, is very irregular in outline, covering an area of about 500 acres. It is well supplied with the common species of fish, is quite free from obstructions and affords fine boating facilities. It is well supplied with pleasure crafts, in- cluding a steam yacht. Warren brook, the outlet of the pond, flows a north- westerly course, through a deep and narrow valley, until it unites with Cold river, which flows a southwesterly course, through a similar valley, into Lang- don. Among the small ponds in the southern part of the town, two are noted for the great quantites of white pond lilies they afford. The valuable mica mine of S. A. Mitchel, on road 47, was opened by Joseph Bowers, of Acworth, about 1834, and was afterward carried on by his son, Joseph S., until 1876, when Mr. Mitchel became a partner, and since 1879 has been sole owner.
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TOWN OF ALSTEAD.
He employs five men. A valuable mica mine in the southeastern part of the town was opened in August, 1884, by James Davis. The mica in both mines is said to be of a superior quality. Four hands are engaged by Mr. Davis in mining the article.
In 1880 Alstead had a population of 1,037 souls, and in 1884 it had thir- teen school districts and fourteen public schools, two of which were graded. There were 218 pupils attending public school, taught by two male and sev- enteen female teachers, the former receiving an average monthly salary of $31.00, and the latter $20.44. The fourteen school-houses, including furni- ture, etc., were valued at $5,000.00. The whole amount raised for school purposes during the year was $2,657.66, while the total amount expended was $2,387.50, with E. M. Smith superintendent.
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