USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 99
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814
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
CIVIL LIST. - 1853, Robinson Blaisdell, Isaiah Forrest, Nathaniel Quint, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Jotham Harmon, representative.
1854, Isaiah Forrest, James M. Cook, Albert Allard, selectmen ; James J. Merrow, clerk; Jotham Harmon, representative.
1855, Mark P. Blaisdell, James Lord, John Chick, seleetmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Jotham Harmon, representative.
1856, Mark P. Blaisdell, Jerome Snell, Isaiah Forrest, jr, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; William Harmon, representative.
1857, Jerome Snell, Luke Nickerson, Isaiah Forrest, jr, selectmen ; James J. Merrow, clerk; William Harmon, representative.
1858, Jerome Snell, Luke Nickerson, Nathaniel Churchill, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Benjamin B. Colby, representative.
1859, Mark P. Blaisdell, Nathaniel Churchill, Mark Nickerson, selectmen; Charles II. Hunt, clerk; Benjamin B. Colby, representative.
I860, James Mooney, Abner C. Wakefield, John A. Forrest, selectmen; Alden Snell, clerk.
1861, James Mooney, John Chick, John R. Flanders, seleetmen; Alden Snell, clerk; Josiah H. Hobbs, representative.
1862, John R. Flanders, John Chick, Albert Allard, selectmen; Charles H. Hunt, elerk; Josiah II. Hobbs, representative.
1863, John R. Flanders, Albert Allard, William Harmon, selectmen; Charles HI. Hunt, clerk; Mark P. Blaisdell, representative.
1864, John R. Flanders, Albert Allard, William Harmon, selectmen ; Charles H. Hunt, elerk.
1865, John R. Flanders, Mark Nickerson, Daniel I. Quint, seleetmen ; Charles H. Hunt, clerk; George Merrow, representative.
1866, Mark Nickerson, Daniel I. Quint, Jerome Snell, seleetmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; George Merrow, representative.
1867, Mark Nickerson, Jerome Snell, Nathaniel Nickerson, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; John R. Flanders, representative.
1868, Mark Niekerson, Jonathan Nickerson, William R. Thurston, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; John R. Flanders, representative.
1869, Mark P. Blaisdell, Ichabod D. Churchill, Andrew J. Forrest, selectmen; James J. Merrow, elerk; Mark Nickerson, representative.
1870, Mark P. Blaisdell, Jerome Snell, Robert K. Chick, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Mark Nieker-
son, representative.
1871, Mark P. Blaisdell, Robert K. Chick, Samuel Frost, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Albert Allard, representative.
1872, Mark P. Blaisdell, Mark F. Tasker, Samuel Frost, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; Albert Allard, representative.
1873, Mark P. Blaisdell, Mark F. Tasker, Samuel Frost, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk ; Samnel Ambrose, representative.
IS74, Mark P. Blaisdell, Samuel Frost, Mark Nickerson, selectmen; James J. Merrow, elerk.
1875, Mark P. Blaisdell, Mark Nickerson, Roswell Harmon, selectmen; James J. Merrow, clerk; William R. Thurston, representative.
1876, John R. Flanders, Roswell Harmon, James O. Gerry, seleetmen; James J. Merrow, elerk.
1877, John R. Flanders, James O. Gerry, George Chick, seleetmen; Albert Allard, clerk; Samuel Frost, representative.
1878, John R. Flanders, James O. Gerry, George Chick, selectmen; Albert Allard, elerk.
1879, John R. Flanders, James O. Gerry, George Chick, selectmen; Albert Allard, clerk; James J. Merrow, representative.
1880, John R. Flanders, James O. Gerry, George Chick, selectmen; Albert Allard, elerk; James J. Burke, representative.
1881, Albert Allard, John G. Ferren, Enoch L. Drew, selectmen; John R. Flanders, clerk.
1882, Albert Allard, John G. Ferren, Enoch L. Drew, selectmen; John R. Flanders, clerk; Josiah HI. IIobbs, representative.
1883, Albert Allard, John G. Ferren, Enoch L. Drew, selectmen ; John R. Flanders, elerk.
1884, JJosiah H. Hobbs, Robert K. Chick, Henry Harriman, selectmen; James O. Gerry, elerk.
1885, Josiah II. Hobbs, Robert K. Chick, Henry Harriman, selectmen; Augustus Lary, clerk.
IS86, Josiah HI. Hobbs, Robert K. Chick, Henry Harriman, selectmen; Augustus Lary, clerk; William Kennett, representative.
1887, Josiah H. Hobbs, Robert K. Chick, Henry Harriman, selectmen; Augustus Lary, clerk.
1888, Josiah Il. Hobbs, Frank R. Kennett, Henry Harriman, selectmen; Angustus Lary, elerk.
1889, Josiah H. Hobbs, Frank R. Kennett, Frank W. Barrett, selectmen; Augustus Lary, clerk.
CONWAY.
CHAPTER LXXI.
Introduction - Conditions of Charter and Boundaries - Grantees - Pequawket - The Original Proprietors and List of Settlers - Andrew McMillan's Petition - Roads - Prominent Settlers - Signers of Association Test - Early Mills -Early Prices - Early Innkeepers - Early Taxes - Early Music -Early Survey - Freshet of October, 1785 - Inventory of 1794.
From the heart of Waumbek Methna, from the lake that never fails, Falls the Saco in the green lap of Conway's intervales; There in wild and virgin freshness, its waters foam and flow, As when Darby Field first saw them, two hundred years ago.
But, vexed in all its seaward course with bridges, dams, and mills, How changed is Saco's stream, how lost its freedom of the hills, Since traveled Jocelyn, factor Vines, and stately Champernoon Heard on its banks the gray wolf's howl, the trumpet of the loon!
With sinoking axle hot with speed, with steeds of fire and steam, Wide-waked To-day leaves Yesterday behind him like a dream. Still, from the hurrying train of Life, fly backward far and fast The milestones of the fathers, the landmarks of the past.
T HE history of Conway stretches through a long succession of years. Before the white man knew of this section, before the "White Hills" were seen by the early navigators, the Pequawket Indians had a happy home in the lovely valley of the Saco, and waxed fat and strong among the profusion of moose, bear, and other game that roamed through the great forest wildernesses, while every stream was filled with magnificent trout. Here the squaws cultivated cornfields in the open interval. Their territory reached from the Notch to the sea. The central location was in " Pigwacket," now Fryeburg and Conway. These Indians bore a widespread reputation for valor and daring, were bloodthirsty and able warriors, and possessed a higher degree of intelligence than many of the Algonquin natives. This was a perfect home for an Indian, with its wealth of game and fish, and the waters of the Saco affording access to the seashore. Up this winding stream passed Darby Field on his way to the White Hills in 1632, the pioneer of the millions who have visited the wonders of this mystical region, and a century and a generation later the few Indians that did not flee
816
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
to Canada after the Lovewell fight saw the advance of the white men who were to occupy their homes and trample the ashes of their council-fires under irreverent feet.
Charter and Boundaries. - In the reign of his majesty George the Third, and Benning Wentworth, governor of the province of New Hampshire, a charter was obtained, dated October 1, 1765, of 23,040 acres of land, with the addition of 1,040 acres for roads, ponds, mountains, rocks, etc. This six miles square was the good town of Conway. According to M. F. Sweetser, " The town takes its name from that gallant old English statesman, Henry Seymour Conway, Walpole's friend, commander-in-chief of the British army, and, at the time when this mountain glen was baptized, a prominent champion of the liberties of America." This land was divided into sixty-nine equal shares, and every grantee, his heirs and assigns, were required to plant and cultivate five acres of land within the term of five years, for every fifty acres contained in his share. White-pine trees fit for masts were of course reserved for his majesty, and "before any division of the land be made one-acre lots near the centre of the township be reserved for each grantee, and each grantee should pay annually, if demanded, one ear of Indian corn in the month of December for ten years;" after the ten years one shilling proclamation money for every one hundred acres. Two shares containing five hundred acres to be reserved for Governor Wentworth, one for the support of the gospel in heathen lands, one for the church of England, one for first settled minister, and one for the benefit of schools.
Boundaries. - The boundaries given in the charter are these : -
Beginning at a Beech Tree Standing in the Dividing Line Between the Province of New Hampshire and the Province of the Massachusetts Bay at a Bought Twenty six miles Distance From the head of Salmon Falls River And about two miles and one Quarter of a mile southerly of the Place whare the Aforesaid dividing Line first Crosseth Sawco River Said Beech Tree is marked with the Letters B-g-t-n as also S. E. C For South East Corner and from said Tree runs on the Aforesaid Dividing Line North 8 degrees East Six miles to a Beech tree marked with the Aforesaid Letters B-g-t-n & also N. E. C For North East Corner Thence Turning Square off at Right angles and Running North 82 degrees West Six miles to a Beech Tree marked as aforesaid three Quarters of one mile Westerly of Saco River Thence Turning at Right Angles and runs South Eight Degrees west Six miles to a maple tree marked with the Aforesaid Letters and with S. W. C For southwest Corner & From Thence Turning of at Right Angles and Runing South Eighty Two degrees East to the Bounds First above mentioned Standing in the Aforesaid Dividing Line of the Aforesaid Provinces. - [ Richard Eastman's Copy in Proprietors' Records.]
Conway is now bounded north by Chatham and Bartlett, east by Maine, south by Eaton and Madison, west by Madison and Albany. It has an area of 23,040 acres. The principal streams are the Saco, Swift, and Pequawket rivers, and the largest bodies of water Walker's and Pequawket ponds. Saco river is from ten to twelve rods wide, with rapid current broken by falls, so
817
TOWN OF CONWAY.
situated as to be improved at small expense. The intervale along the Saco is from fifty to three hundred rods in width, and is most productive farming land. The Green Hills, Rattlesnake, Middle, and Peaked mountains are in the north part of the town. Pine Hill is in the great bend of the Saco, while White Horse and Cathedral ledges and bewitching Echo lake rest upon its northwest corner. The population reached 1,601 in 1830, which by 1850 had increased to 1,765, to fall to 1,624 in 1860, and 1,607 in 1870. A gratifying increase was shown in 1880, when the census showed 2,124. The growth has been steady since that, and of a permanent character. According to report made to the State Department of Agriculture, Conway produced in 1888, 78,860 pounds of butter, 2,350 pounds of cheese, sold 13,520 gallons of milk, and received $130,140 from summer boarders.
Grantees. - Daniel Foster, Joseph Eastman, Asa Kimball, Andrew McMillan, and William Stark (for building mills), George Abbott, Joseph Eastman, Jr, Thomas Merrill, Moses Eastman, Henry Lovejoy, Obediah Eastman, Nathaniel Eastman, Andrew Buntin, Ephraim Carter, Reuben Kimball, Richard Ayer, Jacob Ayers, Perley Ayers, Nathaniel Perly, Ebenezer Burbank, Peter Ayers, Samuel Merrill, William Ladd, Samuel Ayers, Jr, Joshua Heath, James Osgood, Asa Foster, Moses Foster, Jr, Francis Carr, John Carr, Ephraim Foster, David Carr, Elias Heath, Caleb Foster, Daniel Ingalls, Benjamin Ingalls, John Maston, John Maston, Jr, William Ingalls, John Ingalls, Moses Foster, Samuel Ingalls, John Johnson, David Hicks, Arthur Bennett, James Burley, Jonathan Stevens, David Davis, Josiah Johnson, Thomas Bragg, Peter Parker, John Beverly Watts, the Hon. John Temple, Esq., the Hon. Theodore Atkinson, Daniel Warner, Mark Hunking Wentworth, Theodore Atkinson, Jr, Nathaniel Barrell, Peter Livius, Jonathan Warner, Clement March, Esq., John Lang, John Tufton Mason, Esq., Henry Sherburne, Esq., Speaker of the Assembly.
Pequawket. - As Conway and Fryeburg embrace the territory called Pe-que-auk-et (Pequawket), " the clear, plain valley lands near or on each side of the crooked Skog-kooe " (meaning, " The snake-shaped stream running midst pine-trees "), now Saco river, and as the objective point for settlement was the homestead of the Pequawkets, the settlement of these towns has an insepa- rable connection. Colonel, afterward General, Joseph Frye had been an officer in the king's army, and in consideration of gallant deeds a grant of Pigwackett was made to him March 3, 1762, with conditions similar to those of Conway. Pigwackett was supposed to be entirely in Maine, then belonging to Massa- chusetts, but it was found that over four thousand acres of the land granted Frye was in New Hampshire. Colonel Frye relinquished 4,147 aeres in New Hampshire, and selected that number of acres in Maine, north of his grant on the Son-ki-po, "Cold Stream," which was called " Fryeburg Addition " until incorporated as Stow.
818
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
When Colonel Frye located his grant the Maine line was supposed to lie several miles west of the Province line as it now is, and the northwest corner of Fryeburg was located on Green Hill. By the same misapprehension, Captain Henry Young Brown, grantee of Brownfield, had a large share of Conway in his grant. In November, 1763, Samuel Osgood, Moses Ames, John Evans, and Jedediah Spring came as settlers under Colonel Frye. David Evans and Nathaniel Merrill accompanied them. In 1765 the last two had married, and, with David Page (who had been a companion scout of Nathaniel Merrill in Rogers's rangers) and Captain Timothy Walker, constituted the settlement of Seven Lots, so long the name of Fryeburg village. In 1765 Ebenezer Burbank, Joshua Heath, and John Dolloff settled near the centre of the township, and in 1766 Daniel Foster, Thomas Merrill, and Thomas Chadbourn commenced the settlement of North Conway, building their dwellings on the intervale. At this time Captain Walker had a grist and saw mill at the outlet of Walker's pond. By 1768 a dozen families were living in Conway under the Maine grants, among them Benjamin and James Osgood from Concord, brothers of Major Samuel of Seven Lots, the two Dolloffs, and two or three Walkers. Fryeburg was not incorporated as a town until January 11, 1777, and as Conway was incorporated by its charter, elected its officers, and ever kept up its organization, it was the first White Mountain town.
The varying claims of the conflicting proprietors caused more than ordinary attention to be given to those who made settlements early, and we give a quaint old document on file in Concord that shows a glimpse of the earliest civilized occupation of this territory, who of them belonged to Conway, and who to the colony of Fryeburg.
The Original Proprietors, number of lots claimed, lots settled, under whom first improved, lots improved and unimproved in 1771.
1. Theodore Atkinson, Esq., No. 67, claimed by David Page, " settled 2 familys under Col. Frye." 2. Asa Foster, 64, claimed by John Osgood, " Do First Improved under Brown." 3. Reuben Kimble, 63, Joshua Kelley, " Do First Improved under Brown." 4. Josiah Johnson, 53, Thomas Merril, Esqr., " Settled under Brown 2 Familys on this lot." 5. Daniel Foster, 46, Timothy Walker, " Do Brown began the Improvement on this lot." 6. George Abbot, 45, Enoch Webster, " Settled under Conway." 7. Perley Ayre, 42, Ebenezer Burbank, " Settled under Conway." 8. Joshua IIeath, 50, Joshua Ileath, " Settled under Brown." 9. Ebenezer Burbank, 49, Richard Ayre, "Settled under Brown." 10. Peter Parker, 48, Richard Ayre, " Settled under Brown." 11. Late Governor Farm, 5l & 52, James & Benj. Osgood, " Two Familys settled under Brown." 12. Jolın Mastin, 32, Thomas Russell, " Settled under Conway." 13. James Burley, 27, Thomas Merril, Esq., " Do about 30 acres improved." 14. Joseph Eastman, jr, 14, Richard Eastman, " Settled under Conway." 15. Moses Foster, jr, 13, Col. Atkinson, Settler, " one Family on his original Right for this Right." 16. Daniel Warner, Esq., " to be given to the - ," 69, II. Yonng Brown, " Improved for Pasture some Trees Fell." 17. 1st Minister Lot, 68, Proprietors of Conway, "Improved largely by Brown." 18. Peter Livis [ Livius], Esq., 66, R. Hazen Osgood, A, " Improved by Hazen Osgood Ist improvement under Brown." 19. Andrew MeMillin & William Starks, 65, Andrew MeMillin, "Considerable Improvement, the Greatest part was made under Brown." 20. Henry Lovejoy, 60, James Osgood, "Improvement made under Brown." 21. John Mastin, jr, 59, Richard Ayre, " 2 acres of Trees Fell." 22. Benj. Ingales, 58, Benj. Ingales, "2 acres of Trees Fell." 23. Wm Ingalls, 57, Wm Nox, A, " Improved Ist begun under Brown." 21. Joseph Eastman, 55, John Webster, "House Frame up and Boarded Improvement by Herreman." 25. Obediah Eastman, 47, Jeremiah Ferington, A, "Improve- ment Ist began by Brown." 26. Moses Foster, 44, Abiel Lovejoy, A, " Improvement under Conway." 27. David Hix, 43, Samuel Johnson, " Improvement under Conway." 28. John Johnson, 39, James Cochran, A, " Improve-
819
TOWN OF CONWAY.
ment under Conway." 29. John'a Warner, Esq., 38, Jon'a Warner, Esq., A, " Improved under Conway." 30. Theo Atkinson, jr, Esq., 33, Col Atkinson, " Improved under Conway by cutting some wild Hay." 31. Arthur Bennett, Daniel Ingales, John Ingales, 31-30-29, Thomas Merrill, Esq., " Improved and three sons as settlers." 32. Ephraim Carter, 28, Abiathar Eastman, A, " Improvement made." 33. Jonathan Stephens, 24, Thomas Merrill, Esq., " Improvement made." 34. David Ayre, 18, Andrew McMillan, Esq., "One house one barn 10 acres of Plow land Cuts about 5 Load Hay one Tennent." 35. Ephraim Foster, 19, Andrew McMillan, Esq. 36. John Beverly Watts, 17, Andrew McMillan. 37. Thomas Merrill, 16, Andrew MeMillan. 38. Clement March, Esq., 54, Clement March, Esq., " Some improvement by Leonord Herreman." 39. Thomas Bragg, 12, Richard Ayre, "2 acres of Trees Fell." 40. Francis Carr, 1, Joseph Odle, " Exchanged A for Common land first Improved under Brown." 41. John Tufton Mason, Esq., 62, John Tufton Mason, Esq., " No improvement." 42. Hon. John Temple, Esq., 61, Ilon. John Temple, Esq., " No improvement." 43. John Lang, 56, John Lang, " No improvement." 44. Moses Eastman, 40, Moses Eastman, " Captain Eastman informs me they cut some hay." 45. Peter Ayre, 37, John Knight, " No Improvement." 46. William Ladd, 36, - Tinney, " No improvement." 47. Samuel Merrill, 35, Jesse Page, " No improvement." 48-49-50. Jacob Ayre, 34, Nathaniel Perley, 20, Samuel Ayre, 20, all elaimed by Jacob Ayre. 51. Richard Ayre, 22, Richard Ayre, "he Informs me there is hay cut on it." 52. IIenry Sherburne, Esq., 15, " No Improvements." 53. M. II. Wentworth, Esq., 26, M. H. Wentworth, " No Improvements." 54. Nath'l Barrel, Esq., 25, " Said to be Capt. Moffetts. No Improvements." 55. James Osgood, 1I, Samuel White & Joseph Eastman, "No Improvements." 56. Propigating the Gospel, 10, " No improvements." 57. School, 9, " No Improvements." 58. Samuel Ingales, 8, Oliver Peabody, "No Improve- ments." 59. Andrew Bunting, 7, " Late Governor, No Improvements." 60. Asa Kimble, 6, " Late Governor, no improvements." 61. John Carr, 5, Dan Foster or Oliver Peabody, " No Improvements." 62-63. Elias Heath and Caleb Foster, 4-3, Peter Livis, Esq., " there was an addition laid out to this lot, and a Family settled on it." 64. Nathaniel Eastman, 2, " No Improvements." 65. David Carr, 21, Andrew MeMillin, Esq., " No Improvements." 65. " Gleeb Lot, No Improvements."
"John Webster, one of Col. Fry's Proprietors set his house within the line of Conway Col. Frye's Propri- etors gave Captains Walker, Starks, & McMillin 510 Dollars to build a Griss mill and saw mill, and they to have the mills, said mills Fell within Conway the late Governor Gave Starks and McMillin right for the use of said mills, and they proprietors of Conway gave Walker 100 acres round said mills - There was a Family settled before Conway was Granted- Brown had two Familys settled before Conway was Granted that mov'd away."
A List of the Settlers that have Familys in Conway, and by whome Introduced.
3 Settlers by Col. Frye; John Webster, David Page, Samuel Smith
2 at the mills, Timothy Walker, Ezekiel Walker
9 Settlers by Conway Proprietors, Joshua Kelley, Ebenezer Burbank, Thos Russell, Thos Merrill, Esqr. Richard Eastman, Enoch Webster, John Willson, all own rights, Joseph Kilgore, Tennent to Captain Walker, Anthony Emery, Tennent to Andrew McMillin Esqr
7 Familys by Brown, John Osgood, Leonard Harreman, Joshua Heath, John Dolloff Jun. John Dolloff, James Osgood, Benja Osgood.
1 Family Nath1 Harriman, settled on a lot with his Father not agreed with Brown or Conway
22 Total
8 Improvements mark'd with the letter A worked on their land last year went away in the Fall to Return in the Spring. March 21 1771 A True State of Conway according to my best Knowledge PR HIENRY YOUNG BROWN
In 1771, as thirteen of the grantees showed no disposition to aid in the development of the colony, and were really clogs upon those who were laboring hard to make a civilization here by keeping valuable tracts without improve- ments, this petition was sent to Governor John Wentworth : -
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq Captain General Governor and Commander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire aforesaid &c. IN COUNCIL.
The Petition of Andrew McMillan Esq: In behalf of himself and associates most humbly shews -That the Township of Conway in sd Province was granted by his Majesty's Charter bearing date the First day of October, 1765, in Sixty-nine Shares on certain Conditions of Settlement to be performed and fulfilled by the Grantees thereof in Five years from the date of said Charter. Also That certain of said Grantees, namely Moses Eastman, Nathaniel
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Eastman, Richard Ayers, Jacob Ayers, Nathaniel Pearly, Peter Ayers, William Ladd, Samuel Ayers, James Ozgood, Moses Foster, Jun', John Carr, Samuel Ingalls, John Lang, Asa Kimball, and Andrew Buntin, have not performed the Conditions of settlement agreeable to Charter. And your petitioners have been at great Expence in settling said Town building Mills and making Roads into the Country at a Time when provision was very dear and to be trans- ported many miles through an uninhabited Country. Your Petitioners therefore Pray the Said Rights or Shares of the aforesaid delinquent Grantees, may be granted to your Petition- ers under such Conditions as to your Excellency shall seem meet; and they as in duty Bound shall ever Pray &c.
Portsmº 29th January 1771 Andr McMillan.
To one so interested in the rapid development of the Province as was Governor Wentworth, this would be a successful appeal, and we find that the rights of the delinquents were regranted on April 6, 1772, after sufficient notice had been given to non-complying proprietors, as follows : -
Unto William Welch the right of Jacob Ayers; the first Division or allotment whereof being included (No. 34) ; unto Thomas Martin the Right of Nathaniel Pearly (No. 23) as aforesaid ; unto Nathaniel Folsom Jun'. the Right of Peter Ayers (No. 37) as aforesaid ; unto the first settled Minister of the Gospel in sd Town the Right of William Ladd (No. 36) as aforesaid; unto Samuel Colby the Right of Samuel Ayers (No. 20) as aforesd; unto Roger Hayes the Right of John Carr (No. 5) as aforesd; unto Thomas Hodgson the Right of Samuel Ingalls (No. 8) as aforesd; unto George Wentworth the Right of Asa Kimball (No. 6) as aforesd; unto Joshua Wentworth the Right of Andrew Bunting (No. 7) as aforesd; and unto Henry Young Brown the Right of the first settled minister (No. 68) as aforesd, etc. - [ Richard Eastman's copy in Town and Proprietors' Records.]
Many of the original proprietors never visited the township, but disposed of their interest to others. The owners of the unimproved lots not regranted had an opportunity to reclaim their rights by prompt occupation and improve- ments, so that by the action of Colonel Andrew McMillan in instigating and preparing the petition for regranting the unimproved grants new activity and life was given to the little eolony. Colonel MeMillan's personal interest in this valley caused him to spare no effort to draw settlers hither, and his efforts were aided by Colonel Frye and the people of " Frye's town " and the settlers at the Centre. Soon settlers came ; not only from Coneord, Pembroke, etc., but from Portsmouth, Exeter, Greenland, Lee, and all along Oyster river.
By 1773 there was quite a nucleus of prosperity established. In May the selectmen report 43 polls, 120 acres of arable land, 57 acres mowing land, 6 horses, 34 oxen, 43 eows, 6 young cattle. Two or three of the additions to the poll list were sons of settlers who had come of age.
The proprietors early gave attention to laying out roads. The best men were on the committees for locating and making highways. The Indian trails down the Saco and to the Ossipee country were broad, and, after the mocca- sined feet of the savages no longer fell upon them, the adventurous hunters kept them open, and they were quite of use to the pioneers. They " spotted "
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