USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 47
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JEFFERSON.
BY ABNER DAVIS.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Name and Territory Embraced - First and Second Grants-Second Charter -Petition - In- corporation - Record of First Town Meeting - Names of Voters - Roads - Bridges - Taverns - Residents, Polls, Stocks and Improvements in 1812.
J EFFERSON was formerly called Dartmouth, but when it was incorpo- rated it assumed its present name in honor of Thomas Jefferson. It embraces the original territory of Dartmouth, and a part of Kilkenny. The first charter of Dartmouth, granted October 3, 1765, to John Goffe, Esq .. and fifty-seven others, among them David Page. of Lancaster, was forfeited; and June 26, 1772, it was again granted, but to different persons from the first. excepting four, whose names appear as grantees in both charters. Theodore Atkinson. Daniel Ward. Mark Hunking Wentworth and Stephen Holland. There were seventy shares and seventy grantees named in the second charter, which granted "something more than six miles square; twenty-four thousand, five hundred and eighty-one acres," bounded thus :-
"Beginning at a white pine tree (marked I G. October 1765-6) standing on the westerly side of Israel s River, so-called, nearly opposite the second crotch from Connecticut river, and running west one hundred and sixty-three rods to Lancaster easterly line: thence south 69º west one hun- dred and sixty-eight rods by Lancaster, from thence south six miles, two hundred and sixty rods to a rock maple tree (marked V. R. 1771), then turning off and running East five miles and an half mile, thence west four miles and one half mile to the bound began at."
Among the conditions of the charter all white pine suitable for masting the Royal Navy was reserved to the Crown: certain improvements were to be done: and all the reservations and specifications of the formal charter of that day were presented.
PETITION FOR INCORPORATION.
" State of New Hampshire.
" To the honorable Senate, and house of representatives convened in general assembly.
" The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of a place called Dartmouth, in the County of Grafton, and State of New Hampshire, humbly sheweth, that said Dartmouth is inhabited by
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
twenty four families, which labor under many inconveniences for want of legal authority to con- duet town business, in consequence of which, they suffer much on account of highways being neglected, which not only injures the inhabitants, but has a tendency to retard further settlement: wherefore your petitioners pray this honorable court to consider their case, and incorporate them into a town, that they may be vested with such authority as other towus within said State by law exercise and enjoy. And your petitioners shall ever pray
" Dartmouth 29th May 1793.
" John Marden John holmes
" Samuel Hart Samuel holmes
" Richard Stalbird
Elijah Moulton "
" James Rider
In House of Representatives, June 12, 1793, a hearing was ordered for the second Thursday of the next session. This petition was not granted, and another was presented by Col. Joseph Whipple, as agent for the town, dated May 20, 1796, which was granted.
Incorporation .- By an act of legislature approved December 8, 1796, the territory of Dartmouth was incorporated as the town of Jefferson. "John Marden (or in case of his death, other disability or refusal, Jonas Baker,) is hereby authorized to call the first meeting of said inhabitants to choose all necessary and customary town officers, giving fourteen days notice of the time, place, and design of such meeting."
Town Records .- As early as March. 1798, we have the first record of a town meeting, in which John Marden was chosen moderator, Samuel Plaisted, town clerk, and Benning Simes, James Hight and Samuel Plaisted, selectmen. John Ingerson was collector "at five pence per pound," and James Hight and Benning Simes were his bondsmen. Will- iam Hewes, Richard Marden and Capt. James Rider were surveyors of highways, and William Summers and William Moulton tythingmen." Benjamin Hicks and Daniel Moulton, "hog reeves." Daniel Moulton was engaged to get a copy of the "charter of the town" "for eight dollars and eighty-two cents" and it was voted to raise two hundred dollars to be "laid out " on the roads, men's labor "four shillings and six pence per day," and "oxen work " three shillings per day. It was also voted to raise thirty dollars to support a school, (in cash, or wheat at one dollar per bushel,) and also to raise "nine pounds" to pay for the charter, and to defray necessary charges. The chairman of the selectmen received two dollars for his services, and the town clerk one dollar for the year.
There were at this time about twenty voters and the tax list contained the names of Joseph Whipple, Richard Marden, James Hight, John Mar- den, William Hewes, John Ingerson, William Ingerson, Samuel Marden, William Moulton, George Holmes, Samuel W. Hart, Samuel Hart, Sam- uel Plaisted, Benning Simes, Ezekiel Moulton, John Holmes, Benjamin Hicks, Lazarus Holmes, John Garland, John Holmes, James Rider, Rich- ard Stalbird, Thomas Whittam, William Shores, Daniel Moulton, William
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
Summers, F. K. Foster, James Twombley, Benjamin Twombley, Reuben Haywood, James Wentworth, and Joseph Bachelder.
Roads and bridges, schools, and the care of the poor engaged the atten- tion of the people. One lame widow was cared for many years by differ- ent families in turn, for a small sum per week or month. But little money was in circulation. Wheat was sometimes used instead, and taxes were not easily collected.
Roads and Taverns. - The "old turnpike" for years was the principal road in Jefferson. It was the great thoroughfare between "the Upper Coos" and Portland. It was on this road at the Meadows that the Whip- ple farm was located, and, probably, the first public house opened. Here, on a wild mountain stream, were erected a saw-mill and a mill for grinding provender. Soon after mills were erected on Israel's river, at "Jefferson Mills," by Mr. Whipple, and in 1804 a good bridge was built across the river at this place, and rebuilt in 1826.
The old county road from Gorham, on the Androscoggin, through Ran- dolph, over Jefferson hill to Lancaster, was in use at an early date; and, May 26, 1820, a road from Jefferson hill to "Whipple's" on the turnpike was "laid out " and surveyed by Jonas Baker, Esq. This road was so straight that you could look from one end and see the other, distant about four miles, through heavily timbered woods. No engineering instruments were used; nothing but a true eye served as guide.
In 1799 Eleazer Dennison, Esq., kept a public house situated down the river about four miles from the Whipple place, at what is now known as the Howe farm. From this point on the turnpike a road was "laid out " to Whitefield line, June 7, 1820. This place is, perhaps, a mile up the river from Jefferson Mills. Dennison's license was signed by John Mar- den, James Rider, William Hewes, selectmen of Jefferson: Reuben Hay- wood, town clerk.
Samuel Plaisted was also licensed as a "tavernor " September 5, 1811. Mr. Plaisted was an agent for Mr. Whipple, and probably opened the first public house in town. His son, B. H. Plaisted, Esq., kept the old "Red tavern " many years. and in 1860 built a part of the famous " Waumbek Hotel," now occupied by Charles Hartshorn, Esq. In 1574 B. H. Plaisted built the "Plaisted House," now owned by his son Philip C. Plaisted.
Residents, Polls, Stock and Improvements. 1812 .- Jack Stocks, one poll, one horse, one cow, one two year old: George Holmes, one poll, one cow, one head young stock, three acres arable land, six acres mowing, and seven acres pasture: William Summers, one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, two acres plow and six acres mowing land, and one acre pasture; Thomas Willson, one poll. two horses, two steers, one acre tillage and two acres mowing land; Samuel Plaisted, Jr., one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, three young cattle, one and one-half acres arable and nine
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
acres mowing land: Ezra Foster, one poll, two oxen, two cows, one young creature; Joseph Whipple, Esq., seven horses and colts, six oxen, twenty cows, ten young cattle, ten acres arable, forty-five acres mowing and twenty nine acres pasture; Samuel Plaisted, Esq., one poll, one colt, four young cattle, five acres mowing land: William Denison, one poll, one horse, three cows, two young cattle; Abner Flanders, one poll, two oxen, two cows, four acres mowing land and four acres pasture; Jabez Garland, one poll, two oxen, five cows, three young cattle, one acre arable land and six acres mowing; Benning Simes, one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, six head young cattle, two acres tillage, thirteen acres mowing and two acres pasture land; Isaac Sawyer, fifteen acres pasture; Richard Per- kins, one poll, one cow, two young cattle, two acres tillage and nine acres pasture: Richard Perkins, Jr., one poll, two horses, four oxen, ten acres mowing land; William Chamberlain, one poll, two horses, two oxen, five cows, nine yonng cattle, three acres tillage, ten acres mowing, and ten acres pasture land: John Hart, one poll, one horse, two oxen, six cows, four young cattle, three acres tillage and twelve acres mowing land; Nich- olas Stillings, one poll, one horse, two steers, one cow and one young creat- ure, one half acre tillage and two acres mowing land; George Ingerson, one poll, one horse; Lazarus Holmes, one poll, one horse, two oxen, five cows, three young cattle, two acres tillage. seven acres mowing, one acre pasture; Mehitable Hight, one heifer; John Garland, one poll, two horses, two oxen, four cows, two acres tillage, four acres mowing land; Nathaniel Stalbird, one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, two young cattle, two acres tillage and six acres mowing land: John Ingerson, one poll, one cow, two acres tillage and five acres mowing land; William Ingerson, one poll, one colt, two oxen, four cows, six young cattle, two acres tillage and five acres mowing land; Ephraim Drew, one poll, one horse, one cow; James Rider, one poll. one horse, two oxen, three cows, two young cattle, three acres tillage, twelve acres mowing and five acres pasture land; James Holmes, one poll; James Holmes, Jr., one poll, one cow, one young creat- ure, one acre mowing land: John Holmes, one cow, one calf, two acres mowing land: Nath. Holmes, one poll, one cow, two young cattle; Daniel Deshong, one poll, one cow, one acre tillage, two acres mowing land; Daniel Moulton, one poll, one horse, three cows, one heifer, one acre till- age, five acres mowing land; Samuel Marden, one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, three young cattle, one and one half acres tillage, six acres mowing and one acre pasture land: John Marden, three cows; Jabez Gar. land, Jr., one poll: George Simes, one poll, one horse, two oxen, one cow, two young cattle; William Summers, Jr., one cow, one calf, one acre mow- ing land; Benjamin Hicks, one poll, one cow; David Perkins, one poll, one horse, one cow: Ebenezer Grant, one poll, one cow: Thomas Marden, one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, one calf, one and one half acres tillage
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
and six acres mowing land; Paul Nute, one poll, one horse, two oxen, six cows, two calves, one acre tillage, ten acres mowing, three acres pasture land; Thomas D. Bailey, one poll, one horse: Bailey Dennison, one poll, three young cattle; Noyes Dennison, three cows.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Population in 1775-1790-1800-Scenery-Jefferson Hill-Traditions-Early Proprietors-Col. Joseph Whipple-Early Settlers-First Child-Pond of Safety-First White Woman-Deborah Vicker or "Granny Stalbird "-First Communication-First Cows-First Barrel of Rum-Adino N. Brackett's Description of Jefferson in 1821-Boundaries-Population-Valuation.
D R. DWIGHT says of Jefferson at the commencement of this century, " Jefferson contained four inhabitants in 1775; in 1790, 111: in 1800, 112. The reason why the population increases so slowly. is said to be the reluctance of the proprietor to sell the lands. The prospect in this val- ley is very noble. On a rising ground upon the road, about two miles southeastward of Lancaster, we were presented with one of the most interesting scenes, which ever met the eye. From Lancaster a vast basin, somewhat more than twenty miles in length, and twelve in breadth, opens to the southeast. Jefferson lies in the bottom of the great basin. At the distance of ten or twelve miles on the southern side of the basin, two mountains, spurs from those of Littleton, intrude finely into the valley. From the apparent summit of the farthest, descended a stream, till it was hidden by the summit of the nearest. On this, from the highest elevation also, flowed another, somewhat obliquely to the course of the first, but so nearly coinciding with it, that for some time we thought it a branch of the same, for we did not, at first, take notice of the fact, although suffi- ciently obvious, that there were two mountains. A moment's attention, however, presented the whole scene in its true light. The nearer stream came from a southwestern direction, until it reached the point of vision, in which it joined the course of the other. Both appeared to the eve, when loosely attentive, as a single cascade, parted from the summit of the nearer mountain, descending a vast length down a steep precipice, and glittering in the sunbeams like a torrent of liquid silver. The effect was magical; and the objects seemed more like the visions of fairy land, than the coarse realities of this rude world. Our company consisted of five, and whatever diversities of taste we might experience, they were all harmonized here, in a single gaze of astonishment and delight. Even the White Mountains were forgotten."
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
Jefferson Hill cannot be surpassed for mountain scenery, as at no other point in New Hampshire can the " White Hills" be seen in such majestic splendor. The little village lies on the high slopes of Mt. Starr King, and has the entire Presidential range in full view. Madison with its lofty peak. and Mt. Adams in all its grandeur are first seen; then Jefferson's steep sides and sharp summits are shown, and next, Mt. Washington towers above them in all its stately proportions, while farther on is Munroe, flanked by the smaller hills. But Jefferson's attractions are not limited to those of the Presidential range. Franconia range is within easy reach, and near at hand is Pliny range of which Starr King is the monarch. The top of Starr King is easily attained, and from there is a view only excelled by that from the summit of Mt. Washington. Within a short distance is Cherry mountain, with its famous slide. Then there are Jef- ferson meadows, which are drained by Israel's river, into which numerous brooks pour their waters, and these brooks are all trout streams. Cherry pond is the principal body of water. The drives are numerous, and over good roads. It is one of the best farming towns in the state; and the pure air and general healthfulness of the place make it justly celebrated as a summer resort.
Traditions .- The early settlers of Cohos found relics of the ill-fated Rangers, and tradition keeps green their memory in many a tale, which almost indicates the exact spot where the silver image, weighing eight pounds, which they brought from the church at St. Francis, and the long rolls of guineas, and other spoils were buried. Here is one which has so often been told as to be by many as implicitly believed as if it were true. A party of nine Rangers trusted themselves to an Indian guide on the Connecticut near the head of the Fifteen-mile falls, who agreed to take them through the Great Pass (Notch) of the mountains to the settlements below. They had the silver image, which in their weakened condition was a heavy load. Their guide led them up the Connecticut to Israel's river. and up this to the deep snow-laden gorges at the foot of the great White Hills. Pretending a fear that the Great Spirit would kill him if he ventured on the region of Agiocochook, the Indian made a rude map on birch bark, and gave it to one of the Rangers, at the same time, appar- ently accidentally, scratching his hand with a poisonous fang of a rattle- snake. Toiling on through the deep snows over the steep rocks, the poison did its fatal work, and, under the resulting madness, the Ranger flung himself over a precipice to death. The survivors, after a hasty consulta- tion, concluded to bury their treasures in a cave where the fear of the Indians would prevent their discovery, and save themselves. The false chart of their guide misled them, and they wandered many days, suffer- ing extreme hunger, and, one by one, succumbed to the fatigue and cold. Only one, it is said, survived, and he was crazed by his fearful exposure
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
and suffering. Years after some hunters found a barkless spot on a pine tree at the mouth of a wild ravine, on which were many half-obliterated characters engraved by some rude tool. Near this were rusty buttons, rotting cloth, a small copper kettle and the metallic parts of a gun. At the foot of a steep bank six rusty gun-barrels were found with what might once have been a pile of knapsacks. An old hunter, exploring for this hidden treasure, sought shelter from a terrible storm under a projecting cliff. Here he discovered in the farther corner of the cave several stones forming a symmetrical pile. Beneath was found a hatchet deeply en- crusted with rust and a roll of birch bark covered with the wax of wild bees. In the roll was an Indian-tanned fawn skin covered with mysterious characters. Many searches have been made for this hidden treasure, and yet the rocks preserve well the secret of the truth or falsity of this strange story.
J. H Spaulding gives this legend in his work on the White Mount- ains :-
" Among the defiles to the southeast at the head of Israel's river tradi- tion locates the destruction of a detachment of Roger's Rangers, under circumstances weirdly horrible. The church plate, candlesticks, and a massive silver image were carried away by the conquerors of St. Francis. But large Indian forces rapidly gathered and hung on the line of their retreat, while heavy snows impeded the march. The Rangers soon broke up in small parties, each of which made its independent way southward. Nine of them attempted to carry the silver image to civilization, but were led astray by a perfidious Indian guide, who piloted them up Israel s river into the gloomy labyrinths of pine in the trackless gorges near its head, and then eluded them. after having poisoned one with a rattlesnake's fang. Bewildered among these dark ravines they sank, one by one. under terri- ble deprivation, and but one reached the settlements, bearing a knapsack partly filled with human flesh. The golden candlesticks were found near Lake Memphremagog in 1816, but the most earnest quest has not yet availed to discover the silver image.
" Numerous legends have been developed on this romantic background. among which are those of the hunter and the fawn-skin and parchment. the skeleton Indian in the speaking storm, the magic stone, the fortune- teller and the midnight quest, and the screeching of lost spirits. The most beautiful of these traditions is that of a lonely hunter, camping at night far up towards Mt. Adams, before whose astonished vision the mountain mist rolled back and showed a great stone church, and within this was an altar, where from a sparkling censer rose a curling wreath of incense smoke, and around it lights dispersed a mellow glow, by which in groups before the altar appeared a tribe of savages kneeling in profound silence. A change came in the wind: a song loud and long rose as a voice offering to
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
the Great Spirit ! then church spire, church and altar vanished, and down the steep rock trailed a long line of strange looking men, in solemn silence. Before all, as borne by some airy spirit, sported a glittering image of silver, which in the deep shadows changed into fairy shape, and, with sparkling wings, disappeared in the rent rocks."
Col. Joseph Whipple, for years the leading man in this section, came in 1773, and obtained the ownership of the whole town, as follows: Feb- ruary 17, 1774, he purchased of Josiah Willard, of Winchester, three- sevenths of the town, being twenty-six of the original rights, paying therefor $400. April 12. 1774, he purchased of John Hurd, of Portsmouth, for $400 "proclamation money," the rights of twenty-six other grantees. September 29, 1774, for $45 he bought of John Hurd the rights of three other grantees. February 11, 1775, he paid John Hurd £30 for two more rights. Col. Whipple was for many years collector of taxes for the proprie- tors, and under this authority, he sold five shares for taxes about June 1, , 1785. Each share was sold for £6, except one which brought £6-5-0. By June 31, 1785, Col. Whipple had bought them for exactly the sums for which they were sold. He had now purchased sixty-two of the seventy shares. paying £905-5-0 (about $4,023). We cannot find any record of a transfer to Mr. Whipple of the remaining eight shares; but, at a sheriff's sale held November 9, 1796, by David Webster, sheriff of Grafton county, at the house of Capt. Joseph Bliss, in Haverhill, Col. Whipple bid off the whole township for $181.62. This sale was made by reason of non-pay- ment of state taxes for 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790. He had now acquired title to the whole town for about $4,200, an average of $60.07 per share. The town was divided into eleven ranges with twenty four lots in a range, each lot containing 100 acres. The price at which the first lots were sold was one dollar per acre. It was customary, however, for the Colonel to give settlers fifty acres, and sell them the other half of the lot. This was ostensibly done to induce settlers to come here, but it was not infrequently the case that the recipient of the gift had to pay $100 for the other fifty acres of the lot. But notwithstanding all that tradition says against Col. Whipple, he was more than a common man and active in the early im- provements. Largely by him, and through his influence, roads were made, mills built, taverns opened, stores, civilization introduced, and the wilder- ness reclaimed for thriving homes. Many years ago, however, he ceased to own any portion of the town.
During the Revolution Col. Whipple was here captured in his own house by a party of savages headed by a white man. He asked leave to go into another room to change his apparel, and to get some necessary articles for his march to Canada. This was granted, and he seized the opportunity to jump out of a back window and escape into the woods, where he eluded their pursuit. A Mr. Gotham, who lived with the Colonel,
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
escaped at the same time, and running directly for the river. he was shot at while crossing it on a log, but the ball cut down an alder instead of the man, and he escaped without any harm but a sad fright. The party plun- dered the house, supplied themselves plentifully with provisions, and departed without further injury.
Early Settlers .- James Hight, a ship carpenter from Portsmouth, came in 1797 as Whipple's agent to take charge of his business. He paid, Novem- ber 10, 1797. $100 for one half of lot No. 3, range 5, the other half of the lot being given him. Mr. Hight's house was nearly opposite " The Sunny Side " cottage. His daughter Mehetable, afterwards Mrs. John Garland. was the first child born to the settlers in town. The "old pound" was built in Mr. Hight's garden. Eleazer Dennison was Mr. Whipple's next agent. Samuel Plaisted was his third agent, and settled on lot 13, range 10. which was deeded to him, September 20, 1792, "said Plaisted to settle on the same, carry on the blacksmith trade, and pay $15." November 2, 1797, lot No. 9, range 7-100 acres -- was deeded to John Holmes. One half was given him; for the other he paid $50. The " Waumbek Cottage" stands on this lot. John Marden settled on lot S, range 6. Hle paid $100 for his land, November 11, 1799, and a second deed was given after Col. Whipple received his deed of the township from the sheriff. William In- gerson. Samuel Hart, Marden, and Holmes came together from the navy yard at Portsmouth in the fall of 1797, with their families. They all lived in one small log house during the winter, and settled on four contiguous lots, which were as good ones as were in the town.
Among other early settlers were Benjamin Hicks, Capt. James Ryder, William Danforth and Lazarus Holmes. While serving in the Revolution they were captured by the British and paroled. Their officers did not rocognize their parole on their return, and, on their refusing to serve until exchanged, pronounced them deserters. Being warned of approaching arrest and court martial. they fled to Jefferson. and were secreted at " Pond of Safety " in Durand (Randolph) until the close of the war. This gave the name to the pond. After the war closed they all settled in Jefferson and ranked among the best citizens. Peter and Nicholas Stillings were also early settlers. While some of the settlers knew much about pioneer life, many were entirely unacquanted with its hardships. None, however, an- ticipated what they were to experience. With many, the first few years were absolute struggles for life. The severities of winter, scarcity of clothing, scantiness and lack of variety of food, rudeness and inconvenience of their poor log houses, remoteness from mills and markets, lack of money and of means of getting it. the cold summers and short crops, combined with the barren educational facilities and destitution of religious privileges would have utterly discouraged any but the boldest and most resolute. The lack of salt was one great evil. A form of goitre, or swelled throat.
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