History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 34

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 34
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 34

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" JAMES REED

" Committee man and Proprietors Clark" The town was incorporated May 19, 1773.

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY .- The following is a copy of the petition of Mrs. Clayes :

" The Hone Counsel and House of Representa- tives of the State of New Hampshire in General Court assembled-

" The Humble petition of Abigail Clayes widow to the late Captain Elijah Clayes deceased of the 2d regiment of the New Hampshire Line -Urged by her distressed situation; begs your attention ; as she is left with a famley of small Children without any other means of subsistance but her own Industry for there support. Im-

pelled by these Circumstances and the Horrid Idea of want, being fully impressed that the Honorable Body before this her petition will be laid, supported by there natural feelings as well as Justice and Humanity towards those in dis- tress; will exert every nerve for so desirable an end ; as to soften as far as in their power the distress incident to the widows and Fatherless ; and Consequently extend their generosity to- wards her by a grant of half pay agreeable to an act of Congress of the 15th of May 1778 in such Cases made and provided and renewed and extended the 24 August 1780 which will enable her to bring up her Children in some degree of decency and live above contempt, resting assured of your strict attention to this her Petition- Your Petitioner as in duty bound shall forever pray

" ABIGAL CLAYES"

Elijah Clayes was captain of the Seventh Company of the Second Regiment in 1777 ; Joseph Potter, of Fitzwilliam, was second lien- tenant of the same company.

GENERAL JAMES REED'S PETITION.

" Keene Decembr 18th 1780

" To The Honble Council & House of Repre- sentatives Convened att Exeter this twentieth Day of Decembr for the State of New Hamp- shire-

" The Petition of James Reed of Keene in the County of Cheshire Esq3 Humbly Sheweth your Petitioner ingaged in the Sarvis of the united states in the year 1775-Tho Exposed to many Dangers & hardships did continue in an intiar state of helth till after the Retreat from Canady-at the head of Lake George was voielently seazed with the Narves feavor that intiarly Deprived him of his Eye sight & allmost of his hearing & exceeding weeke- which continued for a Number of munths altho no Pains nor cost was spaired for Recovery of sight or helth tho to no avail as to the sight- tho your Petitioner was Hond with a Commi- tion of Rank under Sarting Limetations of

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Established Pay finding the Depreciation of the Currency so greate & his Expences so high that he very erly in the year 1778 Laid his case before the Honbe Continental Congress & having no Returne depreciation of the currency still increasing his helples Surcumstances by Reson of total blindness,-tho in sum meashure Recovered, as to helth and hearing-his Ex- pencive Surcumstances obliged him to Parte with a considerable Parte of his Real Estate (Viz) Half of the township of Errol in this State & six wrights in the township of Cam- bridge Purchased of M' Nath1 Rogers which money was laid in his chest which by an act of this state he was obliged to give in to the assers to be Rated sª Rats Runing so high & the Depreciation so grate almost consumed the whole sum-whereupon your Humble Peti- tioner Petitioned this Honble Corte for sum Relief by way of the avacuated Farms for which he had hazarded His Life & for the convenens of Exercise and sum oather Reasons mentioned to this Honble Corte Doct" Josiah Pomroyes of Keene as he was an absentee the Honble Corte was gratiously Pleased to make him a grante of a Parte of sª Farme in No- vember (1779) under sarting Limetations but as your Petitioner could not enter by vartue of sª grante he was obliged to pay 350 £ L : M : [lawful money] for the use of sª Farme untill the first Day of may (1781) sª Farme being now the Property of this State is to be inven- toreyed & sold att vandue-your Petitioner hath made inquiarey & finds that the sª Doct" Pomroyes Purches was sum moar than Seven hundred Pounds & that the sª Estate owes Sum moar than Five hundred Pounds-the Proseser of one not of moar than Four hun- dred Pounds against sª Estate will not give up the obligation shorte of the value in Silver money or att the common Exchange altho your Pettitioner has never Recª any alowence from the Continent for the Depreciation in his established Pay altho he was obliged to pay the above 350 € for the use of sª Farme one year

out of the nomenal sum of Established Wages your Humble Pettitioner Prays this honble Corte to take all the above surcumstances under your wise consideration & grante your Pettitioner the Priviledge of Purchasing the whole of sª Farme without its being Exposed to Public vandue-or oatherwayes Relive as in Dute bound Shall Ever Pray.

" JAMES REED B. G.

" Attest HINDS REED "

General James Read was one of the early settlers of Fitzwilliam, and proprietors' clerk for some years. When news reached him of the battle of Lexington, he raised a company of volunteers and marched them to Medford ; was commissioned as colonel by the govern- ment of Massachusetts, and raised four com- panies of troops ; but, failing to obtain enough for a regiment, he went to Exeter, was com- missioned by the government of New Hamp- shire, had two companies of Stark's men turned over to him, and bravely commanded his regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill. He became totally blind, resulting from a fever contracted in the campaign of the following year in Canada, and thus the American cause lost the services of an ardent patriot, and a brave and determined officer. It will be understood that the foregoing petition is not his production, as he was blind at the time ; documents in his handwriting of an earlier date show that he was a man of good education for his time. After becoming blind, he occu- pied for a while the confiscated estate of Dr. Pomeroy of Keene, which was leased to him by the State. In March, 1782, Daniel Kings- bury and Thomas Baker were appointed to appraise the rental, and the following is their report (Hammond) :

" Keene April 18th 1782.

"We the subscribers being under oath to appraise the value of the Rent of the within mentioned Premises for the Term of one year have appraised the same at the sum of fourteen pounds, and it is our opinion that General

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Read had expended the sum of six pounds in repairing the said Premises since he hath had the use & Improvement thereof-which sum of six pounds ought to be deducted out of the above mentioned fourteen pounds.

" THOS BAKER

" DANI KINGSBURY

"Sworn to before CALVIN FRINK [of Swanzey]."

SOLDIERS' ORDERS.

" To the Honourable John Taylor Gilman Esqe Treasurer & Receiver General of the State of New Hampshire-

"Sir Please to pay to the Bearer what money is due to me as Wages & Clothing for twelve months service Done in the Continental army beginning June A. D. 1779 Coll George Reids Regiment Capt Rowels Company & this Shall be your Discharge for the same

" JOSEPH MUZZEY.

" Test "ANNA WILDER "ABEL WILDER"

[Acknowledged before Abel Wilder .- ED.]

Stephen Richardson was in First Regiment from February 23, 1781, to September 1, 1781, and in 1782 as corporal. Stephen White was in the same from February, 1781, to December, 1781, and again in 1782.

RELATIVE TO GENERAL READ.

" This may certify all whome it may con- searn that I was called to visit Brigadier Gen- eral Reed of Fitzwilliam in February A. D. 1777 and found him Intirely Blind and Labouring under many other Bodyly Infirm- aties at the same time wich Rendered him Incapable of taking care of himeselfe and he remaines Blind and in my opinion ever will.

" Royalston January 19th 1786.

"STEPHEN BATCHELLER, Physition." SYLVANUS READ'S PETITION.

"To the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire now sitting at Ports- mouth-

" Humbly Shews-Sylvanus Read of Fitz-

william in the sª State-That he served as adjutant of a Battallion of Troops raised in this state for the defense of the New England states &c and Commanded by Lieut Colo Stephen Peabody Esq. as appears by the Commission herewith presented-That your Petitioner is informed some allowance had been mad those officers on acc't of the De- preciating of the money they were paid in -Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that your Honors will order such Depreciation to be paid to your Petitioner as is Customary in Such Cases-and as in duty Bound shall ever pray &c

" Dated Feb" ye 2ª 1786 "SAM' KENDALL in behalf of the Petitioner "

The foregoing petition was granted Feb. 21; 1786.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE; 1783.

" At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitz William, held upon adjourn- ment august 14th 1783 ; Voted, To give their Representative for the ensuing Year, the fol- lowing Instructions-

" To Major Elisha Whitcomb-

"S" You being Chosen to Represent the Towns of Swansey and Fitz William for the present Year, in the general assembly of the State of New Hampshire ; The Town of Fitz William, a part of your Constituents, in Com- plyance with the request of said assembly, and from a Sense of Duty at this Critictal period, do now openly, candidly & Sincerely Speak, & instruct you, not only with respect to the article Recomended, but other things we con- ceive necessary to the well being of the Com- munity-

" We shall begin with the Recommendation of the Honorable Congress, relative to an alteration proposed in the Eighth Article of the Confederation & perpetual union between the thirteen united States of America-

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" Congress, we find, View it Expedient, & even Necessary that such an alteration, as they have Recommended, be made ; and the general assembly of this state appear to be of the same mind ; for they say, 'they are fully convinced of the Expediency & utility of the Measure ' -with all Due Defference to the collected Wisdom of the Continent, & of this State ; as we are called upon to shew our minds, we would say, that we have taken this matter into deliberate & mature consideration ; and are of opinion that the proposed alteration is neither Expedient or necessary-

" We conceive that it cannot be so just & equitable a mode of Proportioning Taxes, by the Number of Inhabitants of every age, Sex & condition, as by the Value of Land &c, which each State is possessed of, & which enables each State to pay the proportion-we apprehend, that, according to the present pro- posed method of Proportioning Taxes, there is a Door opened for some States to be eased & others burdened -- but Reason Justice and Revelation Demand an Equality, that each State pay in proportion to what it is worth, and no more-

" And as the Number of inhabitants accord- ing to the proposed alteration, is to be taken triennially-and as it is found necessy for pro- portioning taxes within each State to take the Valuation of all Lands &c, we conceive that by the proposed alteration much needless Cost must arise to the good people of these States, already Loaded with Taxes; and know not which way to discharge them-nor can we think that the Numbering of Souls is a Justi- fiable method ; witness the conduct of David, & dismal consequences thereof ; left no doubt upon Sacred Record for national admonition- " We think it advisable, that one mode of Valuation, both as to poles & possession, should be adopted throughout the united States ; as this appears to us the most Rational & equitable plan that can be devised ; altho we are Sensible there can be no mode fixed upon,

but that Some objections may be raised against it-

" We do therefore recommend it to you, Sir to use your influence to prevent any alteration being made in the above mentioned Eighth article of the Confederation-

" We Shall now take the Liberty to address you upon some other subjects, which we con- ceive important & necessary ; in our present Situation of affairs --

"By a Resolution of Congress of the 21 of october 1780, we find they have promised the officers of the american army, half pay during life-& by a Resolve of said congress, bearing date March the 22 1783, they have engaged them five years full pay instead of the half pay promised before-upon which we would ob- serve, that we have ever been, and still are ready to Exert ourselves in Supporting our army; and to Reward those who have jeoparded their lives for us in the high Places of the field, fought our Battles, Bled in our Cause, and under God have been our defence-we are will- ing, we say, amply to reward them-'none de- serve more highly than our Brave army; none shall have our Money more freely, So far as is Justly Due ; and if there has been any failure on the part of government in fulfilling their contracts, let the injury and all their Just De- mands be made up to them as soon as may be' -yea So cheerful & ready are we, to have them fully compensated for their services, yt we are willing if it cannot be otherwise effected, To allow Both officers & Soldiers, over and above their Stipulated wages, one years full pay-far be it from us to wrong our soldiers ;- we are desirous to settle honorably with them ; & sea- sonably & fully to discharge all our public & foreign Debts-

"But we cannot see the reasonableness & Jus- tice of giving the officers of our army half pay during life, or full pay for the term of five years, after they are Discharged from the ser- vice-we think the soldiers who have born the Burden and heat of the day as well as the offi-

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cers, have an equal Right to claim a share, in proportion to their pay-

" We doubt not, but that Both officers and sol- diers have suffered much in their Countries Cause -and the temporal Interests of many have herby been diminished; an has not this been the case with thousands that have generally been at Home ?- they have many a time been called off from their employments, been obliged to gird on the harness & take the field, for a time, in the common defence ; & why ought they not to be rewarded over & above their Stipulated pay, in proportion to the time they were gone & Services which they Performed ?- it appears to be as reasonable as that the officers of our army should thus be rewarded-

" Besides do not the officers of our army hope & expect, to share in the Blessings of Peace & independence ? we are willing they should ; why then are they not to Suffer with us, & lend a helping hand to support us under our Burdens? -we think they ought to be-& not make gov- ernment, instead of Being a Blessing, an un- supportable Burden to the people-

" We cannot see, if they have a reasonable recompence for their services, why they do not stand upon an equal footing with their Brethren -we therefore request you, Sir, to use your in- fluence to prevent this pay being given to the officers of our army, as we cannot consent to it, or any thing that is so subversive of the Prin- ciples of american Revolution-

" Further, we must Depend upon your Ex- ertions, and if need be that you Strain every nerve, to prevent the return of those persons called Tories, or absentees, who have withdrawn themselves from us, gone over to the Enemy & either virtually or actually taken up arms against us-& many of them shed the Blood of their Brethren-in the judgment of charity we can't but View them in an odious light-they deserve censure-yea many of them have long since, forfeited their heads as well as their es- tates to their countries Justice-we doubt not

but their situation is disagreeable, & that things have turned out quite con trary to their wish & Expectation ; but are we to Blame for that ? -had they chose it, they might have continued twith us, & enjoyed their estates, which we view hey have now forfeited, & all the priveledges & immunities of free citizens ; & Shared in the Blessings of independence-but they have chosen their side, & we desire that they would abide their choice, & not Presume to trouble us any more-Friendship to them, & Safety to our- selves & dear Country, forbid them to be any more incorporated with us-we have sufficiently Proved them, & understand their temper & dis- position, by their inhuman & savage conduct towards us-we are convinced that we cannot put any confidence in them ; they have proved themselves traitors to their country ; can we then receive you into our Bosoms again ? by no means-let them therefore Depart, & repair to the frozen Regions of acadia, the Place Destined for them by their Royal Master, and Spend the rest of their days in deep Repentance for their Past follies-

"And as Religion is much Decayed in our Land, the Lords Day shamefully profaned, the holy name of God abused, and all manner of Vice prevalent & Barefaced, we Expect that you will use your Best endeavors, to have such Laws enacted & put in Execution, as shall tend to suppress Vice, secure the honor of Gods holy name, & the Sanctification of the Sabbath, and to Promote Religion & useful Literature among us-

"and that you give your constant & season- able attendance at Court, in the time of its Ses- sions, that neither your Constitutents, nor the Public may be come Sufferers by your neglect- but a word to the wise is sufficient-

"At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitzwilliam on the 14 Day of this Instant, August- Voted that These Instructions' Should be Deliver to you Sir by the Hand of Ens" Samuel Kendall at your hous in Swansey " Fitzwilliam August 16h 1783

"Atest SAMUEL PATRICK Town Clerk"

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

PETITION OF GENERAL JAMES READ.

" To the Honble the Senate and house of Rep- resentatives convened at Concord-

" The petitition of James Read most humbly sheweth-

" That your petitioner, during the late pros- perous and glorious contest for liberty, in which he was conscientiously engaged, was unfortu- nately and totally deprived of the use of his eyes, a greater loss than which no mortal can sustain : That by painful circumstance he is al- together deprived of his usefulness to his Coun- try, and of every opportunity of procuring sus- tenance for himself and family, and the only consolation he receives, is, that America is be- come free, in part, through his struggles : That in this most deplorable situation of himself and family, your petitioner has heretofore frequently applied to the General Court, whom he con- ceives to be the guardians, the fathers of the people for assistance; but has hitherto most unfortunately failed in his just applica- tions : That he has in this unutterable distress, and frightful indigence, been constrained to put his dependence on the Constables for several years past, for succour and support, both for himself and family ; still looking forward with full hope and expectations that you, who are rightly stiled the redressers of grievances, would have concerted some effectual means for his livelihood, agreeable to resolves of Congress for that benevolent purpose-Wherefore your sup- pliant petitioner most humbly prays, that this Honle Court wou'd give him orders on said Constables which may fully answer for the Con- tinental tax due from said Constables and that the same be charged to the Continent agreeable to said Resolves-or otherwise relieve your pe- titioner's pitiful situation, as in your great wis- dom you may think best-

"And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray-

" JAMES READ"

PETITION FOR INCORPORATION OF LIBRARY.

" To the General Court of the State of New Hampshire now Conven'd at Portsmouth hun- bly Sheweth Nahum Parker that he with a number of others Inhabitants of Fitzwilliam purchased a Collection of Books for a Social Library but find it necessary to be incorporated in order to realize the advantages Contemplated Therefore pray that they may be incorporated with such privileges as are usually Granted in such Cases, and as in duty bound will pray

"Novr 27th 1797

" NAHUM PARKER, for the purchasers "

The petition was granted November 29, 1797.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in this town was organized March 27, 1771, with the following members : Benjamin Brigham, Ben- jamin Bigelow, John Fassitt, Nathaniel Wilder, Caleb Minch and James Reed.

The first pastor was Rev. Benjamin Brigham. The present pastor is Rev. John Colby.

THE UNITARIANS have a society in the vil- lage, but no house of worship nor regular pas- tor.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH was organ- ized in 1815. The first pastor was Rev. Arnot Allen. Rev. Andrew Dunn is the present pas- tor.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Was organized in 1867 by Rev. W. Morrill, the present pastor. There are two churches on this charge-one located at Howeville and the other at the Depot.

HISTORY OF GILSUM.

CHAPTER I.

THE town of Gilsum lies north of the cen- tre of the county, and is bounded as follows : north by Marlow and Alstead, east by Stod- dard and Sullivan, south by Keene, and west by Surry.

This town was originally granted to Joseph Osgood and seventy-one others, under the name of Boyle. None of these grantees, however, settled in the town and the grant was forfeited. The following is a copy of the petition for in- corporation :

"To His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Govr of the Province of New Hampshire &c.

" Humbly Shews-

" The Petition of William Lawrence of Groton & Thomas Read of Westford in the Province of the Massatts That they together With fifty Six more of their Neighbours Are desireous of Setling a township in the Province of New Hampshire many of them not Having a Sufficiency of Lands in the Massachu- setts to Employ them Selves in Husbandry And have- ing Account of a tract of Land Yet ungranted by Your Excellency, that we Apprehend is Capable of Setlement (which Lyes Northerly of the Upper Ash- uelot and Westmoreland and Easterly from Walepool Adjoyning to those towns, and Extends Eastward to make the Contents of Six miles Square) and in case we may Obtain the favour of your Excellency in making us a grant on ye Conditions, Other of his Majestys Lands there are Granted, Shall make a Spedy & Effectuall Setlement there.

" Wherefore we pray that y" Excellency would See meet to favour us with Liberty to Survey the Same Under your directions, And that we may Obtain a Grant Accordingly And as in Duty bound Shall pray &c.

" WILLIAM LAWRENCE. " THOMAS READ.

" Groton March 16: 1752."

RECHARTER OF THE TOWN .- The town was rechartered July 13, 1763, under the name of Gilsum.1 The petition was as follows :

"To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqe Gov' & Commander in Chief in and Over his Majesty's Province of New Hampe and to the honble his Majesty's Council for Said Province.

" The memorial of Thomas Sumner in Behalf of himself & Others Proprs in the Town of Boyle in Said Province, Shews.

" That in the Year 1752 Your Excelly & Honors Granted the Township of Boyle upon the Conditions & under the restrictions as Per Charter Declar'd-

"That by the Intervention of the Late War your Memorialist's Constituents have been (till Very Lately ) Prevented from Doing the Duty, but Notwithstanding they have Sever'd & Drawn by Lotts the Said Tract of Land to & among all the Prop"" that Many of Your Memorialists Constituents are now Actually Living with their familys on Sª Tract of Land & Many More Going Early in the Spring & there are Now Many Acres of Wheat Sowd there & In all Probability the Township Will be Intirely Settled According to the True & Intent & Meaning of the Grant by Next Summer But as the Time Prefix'd in the Grant Was Elaps'd & that Before it Was Possible (for the reason aforesd) for 'em To Enter & Improve, they Conceive it Absolutely Necessary that Your Ex- celly & Honors (if you think fit) Shod Grant a suspen- sion of the forfeiture & further indulge 'em with Such a Term of time as they may be Enabled to fulfill the Duty aforesaid & are Encouraged to Ask the favr Be- cause your Excy & honors are Wonted To Endulge Proprs in the Like Circumstances & Your Memorial- ist Shall Ever pray-

" Jany 24 1763."

" THOS SUMNER.

1 The name originated as follows : Samuel Gilbert and Thomas Sumner were prominent in procuring the grant. Their families were connected by marriage, and the town was named by taking the first syllable of each name and coining the word Gilsum (1. W. Hammond).

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

This grant was made to Samuel Gilbert, Thomas Sumner and others.

At the first meeting of the proprietors Thomas Pitken, Jr., was chosen moderator ; Clement Sumner, proprietors' clerk ; and Sam- uel Gilbert, treasurer.

The first settlers of the town were Jonathan Bliss and Josiah Kilburn, in 1762.

March 9, 1769, the west part of the town was set off, and, with a portion of Westmore- land, incorporated into the town of Surry.

September 27, 1787, the southeast part of the town was set off, joined with portions of Keene, Stoddard and Packersfield (Nelson), and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.

A dispute relative to the boundary line be- tween this town and Stoddard was settled by an act passed June 27, 1797, by which the " curve line of Mason's Patent " was made the dividing line of the two towns, and Gilsum lost another tract of land.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 34

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200