History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 60

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 60

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DALTON.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Grantees-Name, Apthorp-Dalton-Tristram Dalton-Petition for a Division-Moses Blake Petitions for a Ferry-Recommendation of Bloss-Petitions for Taxing Non-Residents-Petitions for Tax for Repairing Roads-Petition of Walter Bloss for a Ferry-First Settlers.

D ALTON was formed in this manner. Moses Little & Co., who had purchased most of the rights in Chiswick. (granted November 17, 1764,) discovered that a large tract of unclaimed land lay adjoining on the north. This was the 10,000 acres vacated by Lancaster when it changed its boundaries. These gentlemen, by the aid of Col. John Hurd, of Haverhill, who was influential with Gov. Wentworth, secured a charter, January 18, 1770, for Apthorp, which covered the greater part of Chiswick and the 10,000 acres of unclaimed land on each side of John's river. The Apthorp proprietors soon quit-claimed the 10,000 acre tract to Col. Hurd for a nominal sum. He sold this to Dalton & Tracy, who purchased 6,000 more acres from the Littles, and, November 4, 1784, these 16,000 acres were incorporated as the town of Dalton: the remaining part of Apthorp being made the town of Littleton on the same day. (The lower line of Lancaster originally ran near the old Cushman tavern, and its southeast corner was near Round pond in Whitefield. )

Tristram Dalton, born in Newburyport, Mass., June, 173%, graduated at Harvard college when but seventeen, and became a lawyer. He was speaker of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, a member of the state Senate, and a senator in the first United States Congress after the adoption of the Federal constitution. After a long life of wealth and luxury, he was reduced to poverty by a villainous partner in Washington. and returned to Newburyport, where his last years were spent as surveyor of the ports of Boston and Charlestown. He died in 1817. He was a most lovable character. an earnest Christian, and a gentleman of the purest type. He lived in habits of intimacy and friendship with the first four

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TOWN OF DALTON.

presidents of the United States, and was honored by their confidence and sympathy.

The first settlers were Moses Blake and Walter Bloss: Coffin Moore was the third settler. In 1773 the whole township, comprising what is now Littleton and Dalton, contained but fourteen inhabitants.

PETITION FOR A DIVISION OF APTHORP.

" To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives of the State of New Hamp- shire in General Court assembled-

" IFumbly shew the Subscribers owners of the Town of Apthorp in the County of Grafton within the said State, that the said Town of Apthorp is large and capable of making two Towns bv a proper division of the same; that in its present undivided situation the settlement and culti- vation thereof must be attended with very great difficulty if practicable; that the subscribers are greatly desirous to settle and improve their lands there as well for the benefit of the State & the country adjacent as for themselves-That Tristram Dalton and Nathaniel Tracy Esquires two of the subscribers own in fee simple in severalty from the other proprietors of that Town the follow- ing part thereof that is to say beginning at the Easterly corner of said Town, thence running South fifty-six degrees west eighteen hundred rods adjoining on the South East side line of said Town thence running North twenty six degrees west about six miles or be the same more or less until it comes to Connecticut River; thence by Connecticut River Easterly till it comes to the Northerly corner of said Town then North twenty-six degrees East adjoining on the North Easterly side line of said Town about five miles until it comes to the Easterly Corner of said Town. That your petitioners apprehend that the lands owned by said Dalton & Tracy are sufficient to form one Town & that the residue of the lands in said Apthorp are sufficient for another Town-and that a division of the Town in that manner into two towns would be exceedingly beneficial to the pro- pri tors and the public-Wherefore the Subscribers humbly pray that your honours would in your wisdom and goodness divide the said Town as aforesaid and of the lands therein owned by the said Dalton and Tracy erect and incorporate a Town by such name as shall be agreeable to your honours; and of the residue of the lands in said Apthorp your honours would erect and incorpo- rate a Town by the name of Apthorp. And as in duty bound shall ever pray.

" June 1783.

" Tristram Dalton, Nat Tracy."

The word " Franklin " was pasted under the word Apthorp, signifying that they had that name under consideration.

PETITION FOR FERRY.

" State of Newhampshire Grafton ss

" To the Hon'l General Court to be convened & holden at Portsmouth on the last wednesday of November 1791.

" Humbly sheweth Moses Blake of Dalton in said Dalton, a convenient place for keeping a public ferry across the River Connecticutt, & that the keeping thereof will very much commode the public. Therefore he prays your Honors to Grant him his Heirs & assigns forever the Sole & exclusive privilege of opening & keeping a ferry over said River, beginning at the head of the fif- teen mile falls, so called & so far up said River as may appear proper to your Honors & he as in duty bound will ever pray &c " Moses Blake

" Dalton Sept. 23d 1791."

Recommendation of Selectmen of Littleton .- " State of New hampshire County of Grafton ss We the subscribers Selectmen of Littleton in the County aforesaid-hereby certify-that we have been informed that Mr. Moses Blake of Dalton petitioned the General Court of this State at there last Session, for the Grant of a Ferry over Connecticut River at the place where the said Blake lives in Said Dalton-and we are of the opinion that a Ferry at said place would accomodate the public,

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

and further that he is the most proper person to attend a Ferry at that place-and pray your Hon- ors (in behalf of the Public) to grant the prayer of Said Blake-

" Dated at Littleton the 27th day of April 1792

"Eben'r Pingree -

" Eph'm Bayley Select

" James Williams men "

Recommendation of Selectmen of Lancaster .- " State of New hampshire County of Grafton ss We the Subscribers Select of the Town of Lancaster in the County aforesaid hereby Certify-that Information has been given that Mr. Moses Blake of Dalton, adjoining said Lancaster, Petitioned the General Court of said State at their Session at Portsmouth last winter, for a Grant of a public Ferry over Connectiontt River at the place where the Said Blake lives in said Dalton, and it is our opinion that Granting the prayer of said Petition would be of public utility-and said Blake is the most proper person to attend to, and take care of the Same,-therefore pray Your Honors that a Grant be made accordingly

" Lancaster the 26th day of April 1792

" Emmons Stockwell ) Selectmen of

" John Weeks

" Jeremiah Willson

Lancaster "

Recommendation of Walter Bloss .- " State of New-hampshire County of Grafton ss

"This may certify that Information has been given that Mr. Moses Blake of Dalton Petitioned the General Court at their last Session for a Grant of a Ferry over Connecticutt River, where the said Blake lives in said Dalton, and it is my opinion that the said Blake ought to have the privi- lege, and that he is the most proper person to attend the Same-and pray Your Honors to Grant the Prayer of sd Blake

" Dalton April 27th 1792

" Walter Bloss "

The ferry petitioned for was granted June, 1792.

Petitious for Taxing Non-Residents .- "To the Honorable Senate and House of Representitives in General Court convened and now sitting this 12th day of February 1791-

" The petition of the Selectmen of Littleton in said state Humbly shew that an act passed the General Court January 1789 -- directing the Selectmen of said Town for the time being to assess and cause to be collected all publick Taxes due there from prior to the first day of January 1789 on the lands of the proprietors of said Town in one tax bill in way and manner as taxes by Law are col- lected of Non, resident proprietors in other Towns in this state which act your petitioners would most chearfully complyed with had it been in their power but said Littleton together with a Town or part of a Town known by the name of Dalton, was first granted by the name of Chesuwich afterward by the name of Apthorp then divided into Littleton and Dalton to partienlar Gentle- men and not in proprietory shares as is usually the custom in other towns in this state-your peti- tioners would further Sugjest that the act for taxing Lands in said Littleton and Dalton for the purpose of making and repairing roads therein is under the aforesaid Imbarisments-

" Your petitioners would therefore pray your Honors to pass an act Impowering the Selectmen of said Littleton for the time being to assess and cause to be collected all publick taxes due from said town in one tax bill on the lands therein not confining them to any particular rights but to sell as mich of said Lands in one body as will pay said tax with Incidental charges also in the same way and manner to sell as much land as will compeat said road throug said Town as also that they may be Impowered in the same way and manner to sell as much land in Dalton as will complete the road leading through the same and give a reasonable time to levy and collect said Taxes or grant such other relief in the premises as to your Honors may appear reasonable and Just and stay the extents against said Littleton untill a final determination be had and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray- " Sam'l Young

"in behalf of the Selectmen of Littleton & Inhabitants of Dalton."

Petition for Authority to Assess a Tar for Repairing Roads. - " To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hampshire to convene at Exeter the third Wednesday of Nov'r next.

" The petition of the Inhabitants of a Place called Dolton, and others of a Place called uper

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TOWN OF DALTON.

Coos Humbly Sheweth-That about four years past the Honorable General Court granted a Small land Tax on all the lands in said Dolton Public Rights Bridges in said Dolton. That by some un- foreseen fatallity the business was not Accomplished but a Considerable part of the road through said Dolton from what is called uper Coos to our nearest Shire Town (viz Haverhill) is yet almost unpassable, That the principle part of the Township of Dolton is now own'd by persons unknown to us who do very little or nothing to the Roads and only two Families living in said Townshipf the repairs of the said Roads and Bridges are almost entirely neglected to the almost incredible hardship and distress of those who are obliged to travil through the same-Wherefore your Pe- titioners pray that your Honors would grant a tax of three pence on each Acre of land in said Township of Dolton for the purpose of making and Repairing Roads Bridges &e in said Dolton in such way and manner as your Honors in your wisdom may think proper, and that a Com- mittee may be appointed in or as near said Township as may be to Superintend said Business with full power to Collect said Tax-and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray " Walter Bloss of Dolton

"October ye 4th 1792

" Inhabitants of Uper Coös

" Daniel Spaulding Jonas Wilder

" Elisha Wilder

John Wilder

David Page

Isaac Darby

" Jonas Baker

Joshua Lamkin

Benj'a Twombly

" Walter Philbrook

Abijah Darby

John Rosbrook

" Asaph Darby

John Rosbrook Ju'r

Jer'h Eames Titus O Brown

" Fortunatus Eager

Jonathan Cram

Charles Rosbrook

" Abr'm Gile

John Holmes

Silvanus Cheesman

" Jeremiah Stickney

Isaac Mann

David Stockwell

" Nathan Lovewell

Robert

Zadock Samson

" Elisha Gustin

Edw'd Spaulding

Moses Page

"Joseph Brackett

Will'm Johnson

Dennis Stanley"

Walter Bloss for a Ferry. - " To the honorable the General Court of the State of New Hamp- shire to be convened at Concord on the first Wednesday of June A. D. 1799

" The petition of Walter Bloss of Dalton in said State humbly shows

" That at a place called Stillwater in Connecticut river about two miles from the head of the fif- teen mile Falls is a suitable place for a ferry, he therefore prays the privilege of keeping a ferry any- where from the head of said Stillwater down said river the distance of two miles to be granted to him under such regulations as the Legislature shall think proper, and as in duty bound he will ever be duly thankful- " Walter Bloss."

This petition was granted December. 1799.

First Settlers."-Moses Blake, the first settler of Dalton, was born in Milton, Mass., about the year 1744. He married Lucy Goodrich, of Lunen- burg, Mass., and after the birth of two daughters. Sally and Lucy, he removed to New Hampshire about 1782. Moses Blake became acquainted with Dalton and Tracy, who felt much interested in having roads and bridges built for the accommodation of people that were disposed to visit this new country to make themselves homes. An offer was made by them to give two 160-acre lots to any one who would cut away the trees and bushes on the most direct route between Haverhill and Lancaster, a dis- tance then supposed to be about fifty miles, and make a road passable for

*By Nahum Blake.

Emmens Stockwell

Will'm Moore

" Joseph Wilder

" Asahel Biglew

Benjamin Orr

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

a one-horse wagon with two persons. This offer was accepted by Moses Blake, and in due time the work was done, and two lots of his choice were accordingly given to him. They were the two lots nearest the mouth of John's river. He at first built a log house on the upper lot half a mile above the mouth of John's river, where the ferry is now kept. colonized only by wild animals. Blake's family consisted of himself, wife, and two small children. Here they lived, for sometime, the only inhabitants of the town.

Probably not more than two or three years later. Walter Bloss came and settled just above the Sumner House. He lived on this place many years and raised up a family, and, in course of time, built quite a respect- able sized two-story framed house on the east side of the road, a short dis- tance above the "Sumner house." This house stood for many years after the property passed out of the hands of the Bloss family. Ever since my recollection it was used for a kind of tenement house for the town's people who had no other home, and for new-comers to stop in until they could secure permanent homes. I can remember many families who occu- pied it, among them were Peter Fuller, Thomas Fuller, the father of Sheppard Knights, Willard Harding, Jehial H. Dodge, Edmund Holmes, Lewis Messure, Francis Messure, Robert Crandall, Asahel Wallace, Ahira Wight, John Somers, Jesse Underwood, Drake. Daniel Banfield,

Rolfe. It also was used many years for a school-house. The first school that I ever attended was kept in it. Oliver P. Brooks was teacher.

The Blake and Bloss families were the sole inhabitants of Dalton for quite a number of years. It was here Blake's three younger children were born, viz. Bathsheba, Ruth and Dalton. Lucy married Jared Barker. They lived on the O. M. Brook's place on the hill, afterwards on the farm where John Tenney lived for many years. Barker sold each of these after a short residence and bought a lot on the south side of John's river nearly opposite Scotts He sold again, and moved a little further up the hill near Alvin Brooks. He sold this place and moved to Moriah, N. Y., about 1834. Sally married John Blakeslee, who settled on a farm on the hill adjoining the Barker Tenney farm, where he lived until his death. His first wife. Sally, died about 1513 or 1814. He afterwards married her sister, Bathsheba: with her he lived until she died about 1840. He lived to a good old age on the place he first took up in Dalton, and has many descendants. His son John is living on the old farm. Ruth, the young- est of the three daughters, married William Ewen, Jr., son of William Ewens, who emigrated from England, came to Dalton and took a farm in the northwest corner of the town lying on the Connecticut river, where he lived until his death. His son that married Ruth Blake, William, Jr., occupied the place for many years, but finally sold out to a Mr. White. Mr. Ewen then moved to his hill lot (the Hutchinson lot) where he died a

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TOWN OF DALTON.

few years since. His surviving children are all inhabitants of Dalton. Daniel Ewen lived on and owned the old place where his father and mother died, and where he died October 12. 1887.

Dalton Blake was the youngest child and only son of Moses Blake. He was born in Dalton about 1792 or 1793. The honor of being the first male child born in Dalton must be awarded to Aaron Bloss, who for a long time lived in Lunenburg. Vt. The first female born in Dalton was Celia Bloss. She died young, and was buried in the field thirty or forty rods east of the old Bloss house.

Moses Blake, after some time living in his log house, built a one-story frame house of considerable size for the purpose of entertainment, and for a long time it was known as Blake's tavern. This was the house in which my father, Dalton Blake, was born, and it was the same in which I was born on the 2nd of December, 1811, and also one of my own children. Deborah L. Blake, February 9, 1849. There were families of three gener- ations born in that house. In early days, while Moses Blake was living, this used to be a very noted place.

Moses Blake used to attend to his ferry in connection with his tavern. This ferry has always kept in operation, excepting thirteen years while the Sumner Company had a bridge. My father relinquished his privilege in this charter to the Sumner Company for the paltry sum of $45 in order to have a bridge. The bridge was built, and stood about thirteen years, and was carried off by the ice and logs in the spring of the year. Moses Blake died March 18, 1818, and was laid in the burying-yard a short dis- tance above the mouth of John's river. His wife survived him thirteen years, or until June 8, 1831.

Dalton Blake continued on the old place, came in possession of the northern lot of the two that his father formerly owned, and continued to live on it until his family of ten children had either died or grown to man and womanhood. He then sold his farm to Daniel Ewen. Dalton Blake and his wife, after some years, moved to Peterborough where they died. Five of their ten children now survive: Nahum, Paschal, Mrs. Julia A. Cook, Mrs. Deborah W. Hunt, Mrs. Mary J. White.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLIX.

Act Authorizing First Town Meeting-First Town Meeting-Dalton-Lands and Live Stock, 1809-Town Officers-Town Expenses-First Three School Districts-John's River Bridge-Ex- tracts from Town Records, 1810-1884.

CT Authorizing First Town Meeting .- "State of Newhampshire. In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight. An act authorizing Paul Cushman to call the first town meeting in Dalton.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened that Paul Cushman of said Dalton, be and hereby is authorized to call the first meeting of said Town of Dalton, for the purpose of organizing the same and the said first meeting may be holden at such time and place within said Town of Dalton, as the said Paul Cushman shall direct and it shall be the duty of the said Cushman to notafy and warn the inhabitants of said Town to meet for the pur- poses afforesaid, by a warrant under his hand and seal to be posted up in some Publiek place in said Town fifteen days prior to the day of meeting, and shall insert in such warrant the articles necessary to be acted upon at said meeting, and the said Paul Cushman shall Preside over said meeting until a Moderator be chosen.

" And be it further enacted that the inhabitants of said town may at their first meeting, warned as afforesaid procead to Chuse a Moderator to govern said meeting, Town Clerk, and selectmen who when Chosen and sworn shall be invested with all the power by Law appertaining to their respective offices. -

"State of Newhampshire.

" In the House of Representatives June 7th, 1808.

"The foregoing Bill having had three several readings pased to be enacted, sent up for con- currance.

" Charles Cutts Speaker.

" In Senate June Sth, 1808

" This Bill having been read a third time was enacted

"Samuel Bell President

"Approved June 8th, 1808

"Johu Langdon Governor

" A true Copy

" Attest Phillip Carigain Secretary

" A true Copy, " Attest Agrippa Warren Town Clerk."

First Town Meeting .- Met July 26, 1808, "at the dwelling house of Joshua Whitney, innholder," for the purpose of organizing the town, and chose Joel Crandal. moderator; Agrippa Warren, town clerk; Agrippa Warren, John Blaksley and Paul Cushman, selectmen. July 28th Agrippa Warren was sworn into office as town clerk and selectman by Richard C. Everett, J. P., at Lancaster.

Agrippa Warren appears to have died soon after, as August 29, 1808, Joel Crandal acts as town clerk, and Amos Kidder was chosen selectman in place of Agrippa Warren. The number of votes cast at the August meeting was thirty.

Much of the individuality of the people of Dalton is shown by traces.

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TOWN OF DALTON.

clearly defined to the historian, but unnoticed by the careless observer of events until pointed out. We have permitted the little " footprints on the sands of time" contained in the records to tell their own story. generally in the quaint language of the advocate of the action in town meeting, or in that of the clerk, gleaning for this purpose enough to portray visibly the politics, life and manners. Year by year the "Inventory " grows visibly and rapidly larger; year by year items are added which show the growth and prosperity of the town; the annual expenditure for roads and bridges attains proportions which would have seemed a colossal fortune to the hardy pioneer. The necessities of to-day would have appeared to him un- called for, extravagant, superfluous (if not sinful) luxuries not to be toler- ated. And yet the people have not deteriorated. Firm in principle. they have kept true to their political affiliations, Democratic by a large majority ; a firm minority has steadily responded to the roll call at election with as unwavering a column as if it were marching to victory. The habits of prudence, industry and economy so essential in the early days have de- scended to the present generation, and resulted in a general condition of competency. The era of speculation and inflation of necessity gave its im- press, but those most affected only existed for a time, and it left no lasting deleterious effect. None are millionaires, but the Dalton of to-day is com- posed of unassuming, worthy people, owning their own homes, cultivating their own lands, and independent in their circumstances. The large war debt causes the rate of taxation to be high, but, as one of its worthy citi- zens remarked to the writer. "We seem to pay our taxes, and get along as well as neighboring towns with much lower taxes." With a generous hand the town has taken care of the unfortunate poor within its borders. The young men who have sought a broader field of activity than the town of their birth have inherited the worthy traits of their ancestors, and have won prosperity and honorable positions, and reflect credit upon their native town.

Lands and Live Stock, 1809 .- In 1809 the live stock owned was thirty- four horses and colts, fourteen yokes of oxen, sixty-nine cows over four years old. and forty-three steers and heifers under four years of age. The only inventory of "arable land " in the first tax list (issued this year) was one acre in the possession of Moses Blake. He had. also, eight acres of mowing land, two acres of pasture, two hundred and twenty-nine acres of unimproved land, one horse, one colt, one yoke of oxen and two cows. Paul Cushman had one acre of mowing land, one hundred and 'eighty-four acres unimproved land, two horses, one yoke oxen, and three cows. William Wallace had one acre mowing land, ninety-four acres unimproved land, two horses three cows, and two "three-year-olds." Joshua Whitney had seven acres "mowing." three acres pasture, two hundred and thirty-eight acres unimproved land, one horse, one colt, one.

.514

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

yoke oxen, three cows, and three young cattle. John Blakslee had two acres of meadow, one of pasture, and ninety-seven unimproved, with one horse, one yoke steers and two cows. William Cram had two acres mow- ing, ninety-eight acres unimproved, one horse, two cows, and one young creature. John Cram had two acres mowing, one hundred ninety eight acres unimproved land, one horse and one cow. Robert Cram had one acre meadow, sixty-five acres of unimproved land, one horse, one cow and two two-year-olds. Richard Taylor has one hundred acres unimproved land, one yoke steers, two cows and three heads of young stock. William Ewen, Jr., had two acres of meadow, one hundred ninety-three acres un- improved land, one horse, one yoke oxen, four cows, and four young cattle. Amos Kidder owns five acres meadow, two of pasture, one hun- dred sixty-seven acres unimproved land, two horses, one yoke oxen, four cows, and two young cattle. Joel Crandall has fifty acres of unimproved land, one horse, one cow, and one two-year old. Ashur Evans has four acres meadow, two of pasture, ninety-four unimproved land, one horse, one yoke of oxen, two cows, and seven young cattle. Abraham Frisbee owns two acres meadow, one of pasture, fifty-seven acres unimproved land, one horse, two cows and one heifer. Jared Barker has one acre mowing land, one hundred thirteen unimproved, one horse, one yoke oxen, two cows, and one two-year-old. Roswell Evans one acre mowing, one acre pasture, forty-nine acres unimproved land, one yoke of steers, one cow, and a two-year-old. Levi Osgood has four acres meadow land, one acre of pasture, one hundred forty acres unimproved, two horses, three cows, and four three-year-olds. Isaac Osgood has three acres of mowing land, one of pasture, eighty acres unimproved, two horses. two oxen, three cows, and one three-year old. Moses Buck has one acre mowing land with ninety - one unimproved, one yoke oxen and twocows. Nathaniel Brown has four acres mowing land, one of pasture, and one hundred unimproved, with one horse, one yoke oxen, four cows, and two heads of young stock. Thomas Fisher has two acres mowing land, two of pasture, and one hun- dred thirty-one acres unimproved, with one horse and one three-year-old. Jonathan Fisher has one hundred and thirty acres unimproved land, one horse, and one cow. Samuel Atherton has one acre mowing land with eighty-two acres unimproved, one horse, two cows, and one three-year-old. David Hall has three acres mowing land, one hundred and ninety-seven unimproved, one horse, one cow.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 60

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194