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 2
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Sept. 18, 1679, a commission passed the Great Seal of England, constituting a President and Council for the Province of New Hampshire to be appointed by the King, and a house of representatives to be chosen by the people.
7
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
The making of a province of New Hampshire was no doubt due to the claims of Mason, who could obtain 10 redress from the Massachusetts courts.
Early in the following year, Mason came from England empowered by the King to take a seat in the council. He soon endeavored to compel the people to take leases of him, but they had enjoyed possession of their lands for many years and his claims and demands for rent were resisted both by the people and officers of the govern- ment. They put every obstacle in the way and he could get but little satisfaction, and he soon left the council and returned to England. After this he made several unsue- cessful attempts to compel the inhabitants to take their leases of him, and even commeneed suits against several prominent men for holding lands and selling timber, and although judgment was obtained against the defendents, he could find no purchasers of the lands and so they were permitted to enjoy them as before, and in 1688, Mason died, a disappointed man, leaving two sons, John and Robert, heirs to the claim. They soon sold their claim for seven hundred and fifty pounds, or about forty-five hundred dollars, to Samuel Allen of London, who in attempting to enforce it met with no better suecess than his predecessors.
After the death of Allen, his son renewed the suit; but the court rendered a verdict against him, and he too, died without realizing his anticipations.
After the sale of the Province of New Hampshire to Allen, by John and Robert Mason, they returned to Ameriea. John died childless, but Robert married. He had hopes of invalidating the claim of Allen on account of some informality attending the purchase, but he died at Havana, in 1718, leaving two sons, John Tufton Mason, and Thomas Tufton Mason, as heirs to his claim.
S
HISTORY OF TROY.
Captain John Tomlinson, a merchant of London, and agent of New Hampshire in England, being informed of the nature of these transactions, entered into negotiations which resulted in his purchasing the Masonian claim in New Hampshire, in behalf of the Assembly of New Hamp- shire, upon the payment of one thousand pounds, New England currency. Governor Wentworth frequently called the attention of the Assembly to the matter, but that body failed to appropriate the necessary funds to complete the purchase, being engaged in what were considered to be weightier matters.
Here the matter rested for some two years, when the Assembly, thinking it would be for their interest to ratify the agreement made by Tomlinson, appointed a com- mittee to complete the purchase. But they were too late, for Mason's heirs, becoming impatient, on the same day, Jan. 30, 1746, made a trade with certain gentlemen to dispose of his whole interest for fifteen hundred pounds currency, and thus Mason's claim, instead of being pur- chased by the Assembly, as would doubtless have been for the interest of the Province, passed into the hands of private individuals, to the no small regret of the people.
The purchasers were Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, M. H. Wentworth, Samuel Moore, Jotham Odiorne, Joshua Pierce, Nathaniel Meserve, George Jaffrey, John Wentworth, Thomas Wallingford and Thomas Packer. Their act raised a storm of indignation, and being aware of the prejudices against them, took measures for conciliating the public mind by prudently filing at the recorder's office, a quitclaim deed to all towns which had been granted by New Hampshire authority, claiming only the unoccupied portions of the territory, which proved highly satisfactory to the people, and terminated the Masonian controversy, which had disturbed the peace of
GRANTS OF THE LAND. 9
the Province for twenty-five years. They freely granted townships to petitioners, often without fees and always without quit-rents. At this time the western boundary of New Hampshire was held to extend as far as the Connec- ticut river, and several towns had already been granted upon the river by Massachusetts before the establishment of the line.
The territory in the vicinity of Monadnock being still uninhabited except by wandering parties of Indians was included in the claim of Mason's proprietors. They soon found purchasers for the whole of this region, and it was accordingly divided into townships, to each of which was given the common name of Monadnock, but distinguished by different numbers. These townships were granted to different parties on condition that they should within a limited time, erect mills and meeting houses, clear out roads and settle ministers.
In every township they reserved one right for the first settled minister, another for a parsonage, and the third for a school. They also reserved fifteen rights for them- selves and two for their attorneys, all of which were to be free from taxes until sold or occupied. Their names were as follows : Monadnock No. 1, or South Monad- nock, included the greater part of the Massachusetts grant, called Rowley, Canada, and is now the town of Rindge. Monadnock No. 2, or Middle Monadnock, is now Jaffrey. Monadnock No. 3, or North Monadnock, was incorporated as Dublin, and included the present town of Dublin and more than half of Harrisville. Monadnock No. 4, or Stoddard town, was named Fitz- william at its incorporation, and included about one-half of what is now Troy. Monadnock No. 5, was called New Marlborough, and incorporated as Marlborough, and included a part of Roxbury, and some less than one-half
2
10
HISTORY OF TROY.
of Troy. Monadnock No. 6, was named Packersfield at its incorporation and changed to Nelson in 1814, and included the present town of Nelson and a part of Harris- ville. Monadnock No. 7, was called Limeriek till its incorporation, when it was named Stoddard. Monadnock No. 8, was called Camden, till Dec. 13, 1776, when it was incorporated and named Washington. Perhaps this was the first place to be named for the "Father of his Country."
Monadnock No. 4, was granted by the Masonian pro- prietors through their agent, John Blanchard, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others, among whom may be men- tioned Josiah Cotton, Matthew Thornton, Sampson Stod- dard, Thomas Read, William Lawrence and John Stevens, on January 15, 1752, on conditions similar to those named, but this grant became void because of the non- fulfilment of the conditions.
Business had been disturbed by the war between Eng- land and France which ended in 1748, and a new struggle between the same nations was just commencing, which proved to be "the Seven Years War," or the "French and Indian War," as it was called, which was disastrous to the settlement of a new township like this.
But though they failed to comply with the conditions of their contract, Cotton and his associates did not lose their interest in the township, for an amicable settlement was made and a new grant given early in 1765, and many of the grantees of 1752 were grantees under the new contract; for in this their hardships are alluded to and are treated with due consideration, and the second list doubtless included all of the first who had done any- thing in the way of improvement and wished to be included in the new company, and included the following :
Sampson Stoddard,
Matthew Thornton,
Panl March,
Jonathan Blanchard,
11
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
Nathaniel Brooks,
James Reed,
John Honey,
Jonathan Willson,
William Earl Treadwell,
Jacob Treadwell, Jr.,
Edmund Grouard,
Thomas Spaulding,
Abel Lawrence,
Jonathan Lovewell,
George Libbey,
John Woods,
Benjamin Edwards,
Charles Treadwell,
Nathaniel Treadwell,
Sampson Stoddard, Jr.,
Daniel Mellen,
Benjamin Bellows,
John Stevens,
Jeremiah Libbey.
The grant was given upon the following conditions :
To HAVE AND TO HOLD to them and to their Several and Respective heirs and assigns in Severalty as the same has been Divided into Separate lots and as the said Lots are Numbered and Set to the Respective Names in Said Schedule on the following Terms, Conditions and Limitations.
FIRST that twenty of the Shares as the same are Sever'd allotted and Divided Numbered and fixed to the Several Names in Said Schedule be and hereby is Reserved to the use of the Grantors their heirs and assigns free and Exempted of and from all charges of settlement and all Other charges until Improved by them their heirs or assigns-and also that two hundred aeres Lay'd out for the Grantors at the North East- erly part of said tract of land as appears by Said Schedule and a plan thereof be in like manner Reserved to them their heirs & assigns.
SECONDLY, that those of the Aforesaid Shares be and hereby appro- priated one for the first Settled minister one for the use of the Ministry and one for the use of a school on Said Tract of Land when Settled.
THIRDLY that the Remaining Shares be and hereby are Granted and appropriated to the Several Persons and Sever'd to them Respectively as is mentioned and Numbered in Said Schedule; And Each lot of Land in Said Tract shall be Subject to have Necessary high Ways Lay'd out thro them as there shall be Occasion hereafter free from the charge of pur- chasing the Land that is the Owners of Said Lots shall not be paid for that part thereof which shall be so Necessarially Lay'd out in high Ways untill an Incorporation and then to come under the Rules of Law in that Regard.
FOURTHLY that the Grantees aforesaid (subject to the duty of Settle- ment) Build fifty houses on Said Tract of Land Such Shares to have one house on One of the Lots belonging to it Respectively as the Grantees shall determine by regular Votes according to their Interests within
12
HISTORY OF TROY.
three years from the Date hereof Each House to be Built so as to have one Room Sixteen feet Square or Equal thereto and also to have Twelve acres Land cleared and fitted for Tillage Pasture and Mowing within the term of three Years and to add an acre more annually till the Inhab- itants there Shall be Incorporated, (on each Share) the said houses to be Well fitted and made Comfortable habitations and the Said Land to be cleared in a good Husbandlike manner and every Particular Grantee aforesaid shall pay his Due Proportion of all Taxes and Charges neces- sary to the Making Said Settlement in the articles aforesaid and in what follows on Pain of forfeiting his Right in" Said Land or so much thereof as shall answer his proportion of such Taxes and Charges to be disposed of by a Committee chosen by a major part of the Grantees appointed for that purpose.
FIFTHLY the said Grantees shall build a Convenient Meeting House for Publie Worship within five years from the Date hereof and shall Maintain Constant preaching there from after the Term of six years from the Date hereof.
SIXTHLY all the white pine Trees Growing on any part of said Land tho' sevrd into Lots are hereby Reserved that are fit for his MAJESTY'S use for that purpose to him his heirs and successors.
SEVENTHLY if the Grantees shall fail and make default of Completing the Settlement according to the Terms and Limitations aforesaid it shall be lawful to and for the said Proprietors and their successors to Re-enter into and upon the Said Traet of Land to Resume the same and to be- come Re-seized thereof as in their former Estate and as if this grant had not been made.
Copy of Record. Attest: GEO. JAFFREY, Prop. Cler. Received and Recorded this 22d day of May, 1765.
Exam.
SAMPSON STODDARD, JR. Pros. Clerk.
It is not known when or where the first meeting of the proprietors was held, or when the township was surveyed and divided into lots, but was probably done at an early period after the reception of the charter, and the lots drawn according to the common custom of the time. Each lot was supposed to contain one hundred acres, but there was considerable variation in their size, and they
13
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
exceeded one hundred acres on an average. According to the terms of the grant by the Masonian Proprietors, each of them, twenty-one in number, had one share or two lots, though some of these men appear with partners at the drawing and selection, as Grantor Tomlinson and Mason. The following will show the proprietors of that part of the township, now within the limits of Troy, as settled by the dranght, with the number and range of the lot of each.
Proprietors' Names. Range. No. Range. No. Range. No. Range. No. Range. No.
Sampson Stoddard,
5
21
6
21
7
18
8
8 21 22 18 20
22
12 16
Sampson Stoddard,
10
22
11
17
7
23
12 19
Sampson Stoddard,
10
23
11
21
7
12 22
Sampson Stoddard,
11
22
Heirs of J. Libbey,
4
21
Matthew Thornton,
4 22
5 23
Abel Lawrence,
1
23
12
18
11 20
John Moffatt,
5
22
John Woods,
7
23
Jonathan Odiorne,
8
19
10
19
Jonathan Willson,
8
21
John Stevens,
9
18
James Reed,
9
19
12
23
Daniel Mellen,
9
22
9
23
Noah Emery,
10
17
Grantor Tomlinson and Mason,
10
18
11 18
Charles Treadwell,
11
16
Richard Wibird,
11 19
Peine & Moore,
11 23
12 23
Nathaniel Treadwell,
12 17
Paul & Mareh.
12
20
9 20
Sampson Stoddard,
10
20
6 22
7 19
9 21
Sampson Stoddard,
10
21
6 23
20
The new owners soon took measures to perfect their organization as a new company and to open up their township to settlement, and issued the following call for a meeting, signed by sixteen of the grantees who now took the name of proprietors.
14
HISTORY OF TROY.
WHEREAS the Proprietors of the Lands granted by John Tufton Mason Esqr. commonly called Mason's Patent, have lately granted to us (with some few others) a Tract of Land about six Miles Square as may appear by the Grant, with the conditions of settlement and in order to thie Carrying on the same with Effect it is Necessary some method should be pursued by General Consent by the Grantees for which and it is proposed that they shall meet at the dwelling house of Thomas Har- wood, in Dunstable, on Monday the 20th day of May lustant at Twelve O'clock at noon, theu and there when met to Chuse a Clerk for the Grantees and to aet on any other matter or thing that shall then be projected being necessary for Carrying forward and Completing the Set- tlement aforesaid. William Earle Treadwell, Benja. Edwards, Paul March, Jacob Treadwell, Jun., Charles Treadwell, Sampson Stoddard, Matthew Thornton, Jacob Treadwell, Jun., for Edmund Grouard, Nathl Treadwell, Jonathan Blanchard, Thomas Spaulding, Sampson Stoddard, Jun., Nathl Brooks, Abel Lawrence, Daniel Mellen, James Reed.
A True Copy of the Original.
Examd per SAMPSON STODDARD, JUN.
They met agreeably to the notice and took action as follows :
At a meeting of the Proprs the Grantees of that Tract of Land ealled Monadnock No. 4 in the Province of New Hampshire Granted by the Purehasers of Mason's right so-called held at the house of Thomas Har- wood in Dunstable on Monday the 20th day of May 1765.
1st. Col. Sampson Stoddard unanimously chosen Moderator.
2. Chose Sampson Stoddard Jun. Clerk for the Grantees.
3. Then the following meathod for Calling meetings for the future was agreed upon and Voted that upon application of the Owners of Ten Original Shares made in writing to the Clerk (for the time being) insert therein the Several matters and things Desired to be acted upon, he shall and is hereby authorized aud Impowered to call such a Meeting or meetings Posting proper Notifications at some place in Duustable in New Hampshire and at some public place in Chelmsford at least fourteen Days Before hand and all meetings so posted and held accordingly shall be good and Valid. Then this meeting was dismissed.
May 20, 1765. Attest SAMPSON STODDARD Modr. A true copy of the Original Examd per SAMPSON STODDARD JUN.
Props Clerk.
The next meeting of the proprietors was called by
15
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
Sampson Stoddard, Junior, Clerk, to be held at the house of Capt. Oliver Barron, Innholder, in Chelmsford, on Mon- day, August 19th, 1765, then and there when met to act upon the following articles as they shall judge proper.
1st. To see who of the Grantees shall make the Fifty Settlements enjoined by grant and to aet thereon as shall Be agreed on.
2d. To raise Money by a tax for any use for carrying forward and completing the settlement of the Township.
3dly. To see if the Grantees will give any Encouragement Towards Build- ing Mills in said Township and to do and act as they shall deem proper.
4th. To Chose a Committee to Receive Examine and Allow all Accounts of any Person or Persons who have done Service for the Proprs or paid money for Cutting or Clearing Rodes, and to do and act in that regard as they shall think proper.
5th. To Chuse a Treasurer and Collector.
Gthly. To Chuse a Committee to lay out Rodes &c.
Dated at Chelmsford the 27th day of July 1765.
A true Copy of the Original Notification made Out by me in Consequence of an application for that Purpose on file, and posted the time required.
Examd per SAMPSON STODDARD JUN.
Props Clerk.
The following is a record of the meeting:
At a meeting of the Grantees of the Tract of Land Laying in the Province of New Hampre called Monadnock No. four holden at the house of Capt. Oliver Barron, Innholder in Chelmsford on Monday the 19th day of August 1765.
Chose Col. Stoddard, Modr.
Whereas the Grantees are Injoyned by grant of said Township to build fifty houses and make them comfortable habitations on said Tract of Land and sueli shares to build as the Grantees shall determine and also to have twelve acres of Land Cleared and fitted for Tillage Pastur- ing and Mowing and to add an acre more annually (till an Incorpora- tion) on each subject to the duty of settlement.
Therefore Voted that the said settlements be done and performed by the following Grantees and in proportion hereinafter declared, Namely Col. Stoddard eighteen, Edmund Grouard two, Jacob Treadwell junior one, Jonathan Lovewell one, Benjamin Bellows two, Matthew Thornton three, NathI Brooks one, Thomas Spaulding one, John Honey one, Nathl Treadwell one, Abel Lawrence three, Paul March one, James Reed four,
16
HISTORY OF TROY.
heirs of George Libbey one, Charles Treadwell one, John Stevens one, Daniel Mellen one, Jonathan Blanchard one, Jonathan Willson two, Jolm Woods one, Sampson Stoddard jun. one, Benjamin Edwards one, and the heirs of Jereh Libbey one, by building and Clearing in such way and manner as to fulfill the Grant.
2dly. Voted that the sum of five Dollars on each share, two lots to a share be assessed and Immediately Collected by the Treasurer of this Property to answer and Pay the Necessary Charges and Expenses already arisen and arising in Bringing forward the settlement of said Township.
3dly. And whereas the speedy settlement of said Township Depends much upon having a Good saw Mill Built there soon as may be. Voted that in consideration of Col. Stoddard's conveying to Mr. Daniel Millen two lots of Land then having a Mill plase on em for encouragement of his undertaking the arduous Task of Building and Keeping a saw mill in repair to be fit to go, within fourteen months that said Stoddard be Intitled to Draw out of the Treasury Twenty pounds Lawful money and that sum to be in full for the said two lots of Land.
4thily. Voted that Col. Stoddard and Mr. Sampson Stoddard Jr. be a Committee to Receive, Examine and allow all accounts of any person or Persons who have done service for the Props and that upon their order to the Treasurer he is Directed to pay the Same accordingly.
5thily. Voted that Jonathan Blanchard be Treasurer to this Pro- priety and Collector of the several Rates and Taxes that is or shall be raised untill the Propty order the contrary.
6th. Voted that Messrs. Daniel Millen, James Reed, and Benjamin Bigelow be a Committee or the major Part of them to Mark, Lay out and clere all necessary Rodes in said Township rendering their accounts to acceptance untill the Props order the contrary. Then the Meeting was Dismissed.
Attest, SAMPSON STODDARD
Mod :
A true copy Exand
per SAMPSON STODDARD, JUN. P. C.
Monadnock No. 5, or Marlborough, was granted the 20th day of May 1752, and was estimated to comprise twenty thousand acres. The following is a copy of the Masonian charter.
17
GRANTS OF THE LAND.
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Pursuant to the Power and Authority Granted and Vested In me the subscriber by the Proprietors of Land, Purchased of John Tufton Mason Esqr. in the Province of New Hampe by their Vote Passed at their Meeting held at Portsmouth in said Province the 6th day of December 1751.
I DO By these Presents on the Terms and Limitation hereinafter Express'd Give and Grant all the right Possession and Property of the Propr aforesaid unto James Morrison Junr. Archibald Dunlap, Robert Clark, James Lyons, Robert Allen, Andrew Armer, Halbert Morrison, Samuel Morrison, John Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Willim Gilmer, John Gihner, Samuel Allison, Samuel Allison, Junr. James Willson, Junr. John Willson, Robert Willson, Thomas Willson, Samuel Willson, Samnel Steel, James Moore, John Warson, John Cochran, Isaac Cochran, Thomas Cochran, Samuel Cochran, Hugh Montgomery, Henry Neal, John Moore, Samuel Mitchel, Thomas MeClary, three Shares Each and to James Will- son Senr one Share-of In and To That Tract of Land or Township call'd Monadnock number five-Situate in the Province of New Hampe Containing by Estimation twenty thousand Acres Bounded as followeth,-
Beginning at the Northwest Corner of the Township Calld North Monadnock No. three and Runs from thence-North Eighty Degrees West three Miles and a half to a Beach Tree on West Line of Mason's Patent and from thence Southerly in that Line Seven Miles three quar- ters & forty Rods To the North West Corner of the Township Calld Monadnock No. four, from thence-South Eighty Degrees East about Four Miles by the North Line of said No. four till it Come to the West Line of Monadnock No. two and No. three To the first Bounds mentioned.
To HAVE AND TO HOLD TO them their heirs and assigns on the fol- lowing Terms Conditions and Limitations that is To Say that within Nine Months from this Date there be One hundred & Twenty three fifty Acre Lotts Lay'd out as Near the Middle the Township In the Best of the Upland as Conveniency Will Admit & Drawn for and that the Remainder of the Township be Divided Into One hundred & Twenty three Shares not Exceeding two Lotts to a share In Such Quantity as the Grantees Agree upon each Lott & Drawn for within two Years from this Date.
THAT three of the aforesaid Shares be Granted and appropriated free of all Charge One for the first Settled minister one for the Ministry & one for the School those forever One lott for Each Said Share to be Laid
3
18
HISTORY OF TROY.
Out Near the middle of the Town & Lotts Coupled to them So as to Make them Equal with the Rest.
THAT the owners of the Other Rights make Settlement at their Own Expense in the following manner Viz. all the Lotts to be Lay'd out at the Grantees Expense.
THAT all the Lotts in Said Town be Subject to have all Necessary Rodes Lay'd out thro' them as there shall be Ocassion free from Charge for the Land.
THAT at or Before the Last Day of December 1754, there be three Acres Clered Enclosed and fitted for mowing or Tillage on thirty of the aforementioned Grantees Shares Viz. on one Share of Each of the afore- named Grantees excepting Hugh Montgomery, James Moore & Samuel Steel and from thence annually, one more in Like Manner for five years and that Each of the Grantees have a house Built on Some One Lott in said Township of a Room Sixteen feet Square at the Least Besides the Chimney Way with a Chimney & Cellar fit for Comfortable Dwelling therein. In Six Years from the Date hereof and Some Person Inhabit- ing and Resident In Each house and to Continue Inhabitancy there for four Years then Next Coming and that Within the Term of twelve Years from this Date there be Seventeen Lotts more viz. one of the Rights of James Morrison, Robert Clark, James Lyons, Robert Allen, Andrew Armer, Halbert Morrison, David Morrison, Samuel Morrison, John Mor- rison, Thomas Morrison, William Gilmore, John Gilmore, Samuel Allison, James Willson, John Willson, John Willson, Robert Willson, James Willson, Jun. have In Like manner five Acres of Land Cler'd Enclosed & fitted as aforesaid Over & above What they are to Do as aforesaid & Each a house in manner aforesaid & some Person Inhabiting therein and Con- tinuing Inhabitancy for three Years afterwards there.
THAT a Convenient Meeting house be Built In Said Township within ten Years from this Date and Finished as Near the Center of the town- ship as Conveniency will Admit of to be Determined by a Major Vote of Grantors and Grantees & Ten Acres of Land Reserved there for Public Use.
THAT the aforesaid Grantees or their Assigns Grant & Assess any Sum or Sums of Money as they shall think necessary for Carrying for- ward & Completing the Settlemt aforesaid & any of the Grantees Exclu- sive of the three public Lotts aforesaid Who Shall Neglect for the Space of three Months Next After Such Assessment Shall be Granted & made to pay the Same So much of Said Delinquints Rights Respectively Shall & may be Sold as Will Pay the Tax & all Charges arising thereon by a Committee of the Grantees appointed for that Purpose.
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