USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 64
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1866. Lorenzo Farr. Lucius Bond, John F. White, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treas- urer; Arnold Bolles, representative.
1867. Daniel Ewen, Thomas J. Smith. Thomas J. Ruggles, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk: Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Arnold Bolles, representative.
1868. Daniel Ewen, Thos. J. Ruggles, Ancil C. Hall, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, elerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Lucins Bond, representative.
1869. Thos. J. Rnggles, James Bolles, Bert A. Taylor, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Thomas J. Rng- gles, treasurer; Lucius Bond, representative.
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538
. HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1870. Daniel Ewen, James Bolles, Wm. L. Smith, selectmen; M. H. Rix, clerk; M. H. Rix, treasurer; Lorenzo Farr, representative.
1871. Daniel Ewen, William L. Smith, Hiram Aldrich, selectmen; M. H. Rix, clerk; M. H. Rix, treas- urer; Lorenzo Farr, representative.
1872. Bert A. Taylor, Hiram Aldrich, Thos. J. White, selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; Henry Bacon, representative.
1873. Bert A. Taylor, Thos. J. White, Jona. M. Lang, selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Henry Bacon, representative.
1874. Jona. M. Lang, Lucius Bond, Warren L. Gilman, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; James Bolles, representative.
1875. Lucius Bond, W. L. Gilman, Abraham W. Hubbard, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; James Bolles, representative.
1876. B. A. Taylor, Ira C. Carleton, Geo. C. Weston, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treas- urer; James B. Sumner, representative.
1877. Jona. M. Lang, Ira C. Carleton, George We ston, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; James B. Sumner. representative.
1878. John Blakslee, Lucius Bond, Herbert Blakslee, selectmen; Franklin P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; Hiram Aldrich, representative.
1879. B. A. Taylor, Lucius Bond, Joseph W. Kelso, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treas- nrer; Hiram Aldrich (biennial elections), representative.
1880. B. A. Taylor, Jeremy Dexter, George Carpenter, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; Hiram Aldrich, representative.
1881. B. A. Taylor, George Carpenter, Wm. S. Crouch, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treas- urer; Jonathan M. Lang, representative.
1882. Wm. S. Couch, George Carpenter, Frank R. Powers, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; Wm. S. Crouch, treasurer; J. M. Lang, representative.
1883. Wm. S. Crouch, Lorenzo Farr, Jeremy Dexter, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; Wm. S. Crouch, treasurer; Frank P. Bond, representative.
1884. Wm. S. Crouch, George E. Wallace, Joseph W. Kelso, selectmen: F. P. Bond, clerk; W. S. Crouch,
treasurer; Frank. P. Bond, representative.
1885. John Blakslee, Joseph W. Kelso, George A. Wallace, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; Ora A. Mooney, representative.
1886. Jona. M. Lang, Joseph W. Kelso, Geo. E. Wallace, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; Ora A. Mooney, representative.
1887. Jona. M. Lang, Geo. E. Wallace, J. W. Kelso, selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk; Bert A. Taylor, treasurer; Bert A. Taylor, representative.
NORTHUMBERLAND.
BY EDWARD F. BUCKNAM, EsQ.
CHAPTER LIII.
Origin of the Name "Northumberland "-Township first Granted-Regranted-Incor- porated-Soil-Rivers-Cape Horn Mountain-Scenery-Early Population-Early Buildings- Charter-Names of Grantees-Difficulty with Woodbury.
ORTHUMBERLAND is, in England, land north of the Humber. "The Humber was a Cimbric river; and Northumberland was called of old, North Cumriland, where the Cymri were driven from the plains before they settled in Wales."
The township was first granted, October 20, 1761, by the name of Ston- ington, to John Hogg and others. Settlements were made in June, 1767, by Thomas Burnside, with his wife and three children, and Daniel Spauld- ing, with his wife and son Edward. It was regranted January 25, 1771, by its present name. and incorporated by the legislature November 16, 1779, with full town privileges.
The land on the Connecticut in this town was originally covered with a growth of butternut wood. The soil is free from stone and gravel, and is easily cultivated. A large portion of the upland is good for pasturing and tillage. There are several good farms, producing excellent corn, oats and barley. The Connecticut river washes the western border, and it is watered by the Upper Ammonoosuc river, which passes through the town in a southwesterly direction. Near the center of the town is an abrupt. and rugged elevation called Cape Horn, of an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet. The scenery around the mountain is wild and picturesque. Its north base is separated by a narrow plain from the Connecticut river, and its eastern side is washed by the Upper Ammonoosuc. The spring freshets sometimes overflow the meadows at this point, and give them the appearance of a. large lake.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
Northumberland is bounded on the north by Stratford, east by Stark, south by Lancaster, and west by Vermont. At Groveton village on the Grand Trunk railway there is a vein of hematic iron ore. Although agri- culture is the principal employment of the people, manufacturing is an important factor in the business interests of the town. In 1872 there were, at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton there were manufactories producing leather, clapboards, shingles, timber, etc. The population in 1775 was fifty-seven; in 1790, 117; 1800, 205; 1810, 281; 1820, 205; 1880, 1063. In 1820 the town had one church, three school-houses, one saw-mill, two grist-mills, one cloth-mill.
Charter of Northumberland: -
" Province of George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland, King Defender of the Faith &c
New Hampshire
" Know Ye, that we, of our Special grace certain knowledge & mere motion, for the due encour- agement of Settling a new plantation within our said Province, by & with the advice of our trusty & well beloved John Wentworth, Esquire, Our Governor & Commander in Chief in & over our said Province of New-Hampshire, & of our Council of the said Province, Have upon the consider- ations & reservations herein-after made. given & granted, & by these presents for us, our heirs & successors, do give & grant unto our Loving Subjects, Inhabitants of our said Province of New- Hampshire & our other Dominions who have petitioned us for the same setting forth their readi ness to make immediate settlement; & to their heirs & assigns, forever, whose names are entered on this Grant to be divided to & amongst them into Serenty two equal shares, all that tract or parcel of Land Situate, lying, & being within, our said Province of New Hampshire called & known by the name of Stonington, being about six miles Square, & containing by admeasurement twenty three thousand and fifty-three acres, out of which an allowance is to be made for Highways & un- improvable Lands by rocks, Ponds, mountains & rivers, one thousand & forty acres free (accord- ing to a plan & survey thereof exhibited by our Surveyor General of Land for our said Province, by our said Governor's order, & returned into the Secretary's Office of our said Province, a Copy whereof is hereto annexed), butted & bounded as follows: Videliect. Beginning at an Ash Tree standing on the Easterly side of Connecticut River, being the North westerly corner bound of Lan- caster, from thence running up said river as that tends to an Elm Tree standing on the Southerly side of the mouth of a small Brook that runs into the said River, being nine miles in a Straight line from said Ash tree. From thence South, fifty five degrees East, four Miles Sixty eight chains & seventy five Links to a Spruce Tree; From thence South, Seven degrees West, nine miles to a Spruce Tree; From thence North, fifty five degrees West, four Miles Sixty eight chains & Seventy five Links to the Ash tree began at. To have & to hold the said tract of Land as above expressed, together with all the priviledges & appurtenances to them, the said Grantees & to their respective heirs & assigns, forever, by the name of NORTHUMBERLAND, & upon the following conditions, viz:
" First, that the Grantees, at their own cost, shall cut & clear, Bridge & make passable for carriages of all kinds, a Road of eight rods wide through the said tract hereby granted, & this to be completed within two years from the date of this Grant; in failure of which the premises & every part thereof shall be forfeited & revert to us, our heirs & Successors, to be by us & them re- entered upon & re-granted to any of our Loving Subjects.
"Second, That the said Grantees shall settle, or cause to be settled, twelve families by the twentieth day of March, 1772, who shall be actually cultivating some of the land, & Resident thereon, & continue to make further & additional improvement cultivation & Settlement of the premises so that there shall be actual resident & settled thereon Sixty families by the first day of March 1776, on penalty of the forfeiture of any & every delinquent's share, & of such shares re- verting to us, our heirs & Successors, to be by us or them entered upon & regranted to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle & cultivate the same.
541
TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
" Third, That all White & other Pine Trees within the said Township fit for Masting our Royal Navy, be carefully preserved for that use, and that none be ent or felled without our Special License for so doing first had & obtained, upon the penalty of the forfeiture of the Right of such Grantee, his heirs & assigns to us, our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or acts of Parliament that now are or shall be hereafter enacted.
"Fourthly, that before any division of the Land be made to & among the Grantees, a tract of Land, as near the center of the said Township as the Land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked out for Town Lots; one of which shall be allotted to each Grantee of the contents of one acre.
" Fifth, Yielding & paying therefor to us, our heirs & successors, on or before the first day of January 1772, the Rent of One Ear of Indian Corn only, if Lawfully demanded.
"Sixth. that every Proprietor, Settler, or Inhabitant, shall yield and pay to us, our heirs & successors, yearly, & every year forever, from & after the expiration of one year from the first day of January (which will be in the year of our Lord, 1774), One Shilling Proclamation Money, for every one hundred acres he so owns, settles, or possesses, & so in proportion for a greater or less tract of the said Land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons aforesaid, their heirs & assigns, in our Council Chamber iu Portsmouth, or to such Officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, & these to be in Lieu of all other Rents & Services whatsoever. In testimony whereof, we have caused the Seal of our Said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness our aforesaid Gov- ernor & Commander in Chief, the 25th day of January, in the Eleventh year of our Reign, A. D. 1771.
" By his Excellency's Command with { Theodore Atkinson, Secretary. advice of Council.
" Names of Grantees .- David Warner, Esqr., John Penhallow, James Burnside, Thomas Burn- side, Samuel Burnside, Daniel Spaulding, Wm. Moulton, Benj. Sawyer, Edward Ayres, George Gains Daniel Fowle, Joseph Peverly, John Noble, Jacob Treadwell, Joseph Shillabear, John Shillabear, jr., Mark Seavy, Nehemiah Wheeler, Daniel Lunt, Jacob Tilton, Jon'a Shillabear, Nath Treadwell, Ammi R. Cutter, Daniel R. Rodgers, Tho. Martin, Leverett Hubbard, Sam'l Lean, Will Stanwood, Isaac Williams, Will'm Brewster, Peter Porter, Mark Rogers, Daniel Brewster, Capt. John Parker, Daniel Davis, John Redin, Will'm Simpson, Richard Miles, Jacob Sheaffe, Jun., Nathaniel Stanly Parker, Clement March, of Portsmouth, Math'w Treadwell, Jr., Moses Bartlett, Eben'r Noise, Sam'l White, Peter Morse, Benj. Currier, Will'm Marshall, Caleb Marshall, Edmond Morse, Jeremiah Eames, Benj'n Kimball, John Cannadey, Reuben Harriman, Caleb John- son, John Webster, Esyr, Joseph Webster, Enoch Moulton, Joseph Moulton, Jr., of Newburyport, Mass., Caleb Tappen, Edmund Moulton, Joseph Moulton, Jr., of Newburyport, Jesse Johnson, James Jewet, James Pease, James Flanders, Phineas Sargant, Jon'n Dustan, James Paul. 69 Rights above.
" One Right for the benefit of a School in said Town.
"One Right for incorporated Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts.
"One Right for the first Settled Minister in said town.
" Province of New Hampshire, March 4th 1771
"Recorded in the Book of Charters, Lib. 4, Fol. 555657.
" Theodore Atkinson, Secretary.
"J. Wentworth, [P. S.]"
Difficulty with Woodbury .- Woodbury was chartered June 26, 1762, and Stonington, now Northumberland, was chartered March 4, 1771, and by the change of boundaries (see Lancaster) covered some of the land granted to Woodbury. At a meeting of the proprietors of Northumber- land holden at Jacob Tilton's inn, in Portsmouth, N. H., the following votes were passed :-
"That Messrs. Jacob Treadwell, William Moulton, William Marshall & Joseph Peverly be a
542
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
committee to enquire of Woodbury Proprietors, or any other persons, their design in attempting a Settlement in the township of Northumberland, & to warn them in due course of Law to depart. "That Daniel Rogers, Esqr, & Mr. A. R. Cutter be a committee to get extracts of the Ston- ington & Woodbury Charters with their several extensions, & to advise with some Learned Gentle- man in the Law how to conduct respecting any trespasses, or what steps should be taken properly to warn them off."
A trespass suit was commenced against the proprietors of Woodbury, but while this was pending, on the 5th day of May, 1773, at a proprietors' meeting holden at Jacob Tilton's, in Portsmouth, N. H., it was "Voted, that Messrs. John Penhallow, A. R. Cutter, Thomas Martin, Jacob Tread- well, and John Herd, or the major part of them, be a committee to settle all disputes now pending between the Proprietors of Woodbury, and the Proprietors of Northumberland, also with full power to refer the same to any person or persons in order to a final adjustment of the same." The aforesaid committee, with Agur Tomlinson, John Wendell, and Joseph Holbrook, committee of Woodbury, agreed to withdraw their actions from the courts of law, and submit all disputes to the sole judgment and de- termination of John Wentworth, Esq., Governor. This submission was signed by both committees on the 13th day of May, 1773, and on the 15th day of May, 1773, Gov. John Wentworth made his decision. [See Strat- ford.]
CHAPTER LIV.
Early Settlers-Thomas Burnside-Daniel Spaulding-Capt. Jeremiah Eames-Early Pro- prietors-Proprietors' Meetings-Action of the Same-First Bridges-Last Meeting of the Proprie- tors, 1810.
IRST Settlers .- The sun was shining brightly, one lovely June after- noon in 1767, on the rippling waters of the Connecticut and the emerald foliage of the tangled forests and luxuriant bits of meadow of what is now Northumberland, then Stonington. A strange sight met the eyes of the feathered warblers and scared away the prowling beasts of prey. Two stalwart men, clad in buckskin, with rifles in hand, were penetrating the wilderness to create a home for themselves and fami- lies, who accompanied them. They came here to stay, and that night Thomas Burnside and Daniel Spaulding made and occupied-the first per- manent settlers-a rude camp which their axes hastily cut, and they as hastily constructed. Passing up the Connecticut until they reached the great bow below the "Falls," they there made their "pitches " and settled.
543
TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
Thomas Burnside, an original grantee, "pitched on the bank of the Connecticut, on the farm now owned by W. W. Hendrick. The stones he brought from the higher ground for a fireplace in his rude cabin now mark the site of its location. This spot was so low that the first freshet covered the floor of the cabin, and tradition says that, as becomes a thrifty ·" Yankee, " he " swapped " his "improvements" for an overcoat and a barrel of New England rum, and, moving up the river, pitched on lot 35 and made his home there during his life of many years. (This lot constituted part of the farm lately owned by Charles H. Rich.) His pitch was con- firmed to him, March 5, 1771, at the first proprietors' meeting, held at Portsmouth; and, at the same meeting, he was exempted from paying his proportion of the tax of $90 assessed upon the " propriety " for the pur- pose of paying for a new charter and making a re-survey of the out-lines of the town. Mr. Burnside came from Londonderry. His wife, Susan, was a daughter of Rev. James McGregor, the celebrated spiritual leader of the Londonderry colony. They had a number of children. " His oldest son, James, settled on the farm next south of Spaulding's, where he passed his life. Two other sons were educated, one, Samuel, became a lawyer in Worchester, Mass .; Alexander, after studying medicine, settled in Toronto, Canada, where he died, unmarried, leaving a large fortune to the Church of England; a daughter married Chauncey Curtis, a member of Gen. Wash- ington's body-guard." Mr. Burnside was no ordinary character, coming of the strong Scotch-Irish stock, he showed their characteristics plainly. He was one of Rogers's famous "Rangers " in the French and Indian war, and was highly esteemed and trusted by his commander. He had little fear in his composition, and little veneration or respect for those in author- ity. One or two anecdotes concerning him will indicate the nature of the man. January 20, 1757, a fight occurred between the " Rangers" and In- dians at the foot of Lake Champlain. Several " Rangers " were wounded so badly that they could not be carried off the field. The nearest point from which to obtain succor was Crown Point, forty miles away. Burn- side (himself wounded) and John Stark, started for aid. They travelled to Crown Point through the snow and on the ice in about twelve hours, and in less than twenty-four hours their disabled comrades were being conveyed by teams to a place of safety. Some years after the settlement of Northum- berland, Mr. Burnside became desirous of official honors, and, taking as a present to Gov. Wentworth a firkin of butter and a roll of linen cloth, he journeyed to Portsmouth and waited upon the governor. After presenting his gifts he told the governor that the people of his town could no longer live peaceably without a magistrate. Gov. Wentworth enquired how many inhabitants there were in the town, and whom Mr. Burnside would recommend for the office. "My dear Governor," said Burnside, "there is but neighbor Spaulding and meself living in the town, and he is no more
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
fit for a justice of the peace than a chestnut burr is for an eye-stone" "Then I think I shall have to appoint you," laughingly said the governor, and drew up a commission for him. "Esquire " Burnside was duly qualified; and, putting the commission in his pocket, he said, " Governor, when I get home to me folks, what shall I tell 'em that the governor gave me that was good to drink?" "Some brandy," answered the governer, bringing a . decanter from a sideboard. 'Squire Burnside drank his health, and re- turned in official dignity to his home.
The descendants of Mr. Burnside possessed the stern, unflinching na- tures of their forefathers, and several were noted for their acquisition of wealth.
Daniel Spaulding, a descendant of Edward Spaulding, an early settler of Chelmsford, Mass., came from Londonderry to Northumberland. He, like Burnside, was one of the grantees of the town. He settled on lot 66. and his "pitch" was confirmed at the same proprietors' meeting, and his taxes exempted. (This farm is now owned by J. A. Smith.) His log house was built on the first ridge back from the river, and the site is now shown by the cellar and stone chimney. He was a bold and resolute man, and his wife, Phebe, was even more energetic and fearless. Tradition has handed down differing versions of her almost solitary journey from her down-country home through a trackless wilderness, guided by "blazed " trees, bearing her baby, Edward, in her arms along the perilous way. This she accomplished, while brave men would have shrunk from the fear- ful task. But she came of brave ancestry, and carried the blood of the celebrated Hannah Dustan in her veins. Northumberland lay on the war trail of the Indians, and frequently demonstrations of a hostile nature were made by them. Mrs. Spaulding never was in fear of them, and even when they were searching for her husband to kill him, she treated them as friends, and, after they had convinced themselves that he was not at home, they departed, leaving the family unmolested. Her strong charac- ter attracted their admiration, and aided much in the safety of the little colony. Their descendants are quite numerous in this county and town. Among those resident here is James B. Spaulding, who has held important town offices, etc.
Captain Jeremiah Eames was one of the early settlers and an original grantee. He was of an impetuous mold, and a prompt and decided actor in all important matters. He "pitched" upon lot 53, which was con- firmed to him at the first proprietors' meeting. He held numerous offices of civil and military trust, and the town meetings were often held at his house. Jeremiah Eames, Jr., was a surveyor, and was employed to survey and make plans of several towns to be recorded in the office of the secre- tary of state. The homestead was transmitted to another son, Seth Eames, Esq., who held important offices -- selectman, treasurer, and clerk ;- the:
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TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
town clerkship he held for thirty years. His son, John Eames, now owns and lives in the home of his ancestors. He has enjoyed largely the confi- dence of his townsmen as selectmen, and in other offices. His family is the only one in this town living upon the same homestead from the first settlement until the present time. The following anecdote is related of Thomas Eames: On one of Col. Carrigain's explorations and surveys he was belated, and night overtook him in the woods, where he discovered two apparently deserted tents. He took possession of one of them. Hear- ing voices not long after in the other. he listened and found the sounds proceeded from two persons, evidently a white man and an Indian, argu- ing very warmly the question as to the superiority of the Indians or the whites in the matter of hunting, fishing, and trapping. The Indian adduced. in support of his position, many admitted instances of adroitness and skill. The white man in his argument referred mainly to one individ- ual, -- the well-known Thomas Eames, of Northumberland. He thought this would be a poser for the Indian. It was. so far as any argument was concerned; but he at once got over his difficulty by the prompt reply: "Tom Eame! Tom Eame! why he Indian, and more too."
The original grantees or proprietors nearly all lived in Portsmouth, where their "propriety meetings" were held. But few of them ever made any improvement or settled upon their lands. The long distance (nearly 200 miles), over bad roads, in a wilderness beset with savage In- dians, without mills to grind their grain, or anything to shelter them and their families from the storms and the winter's cold, save the logs and bark of the trees of the forest, deterred them from the undertaking. It is not surprising that so few of the original owners came here to settle, but a wonder that any should have courage to brave and bear the suffer- ings of the new settlement.
At the first proprietors' meeting in Portsmouth, March 5, 1771, Jona- than Dustan engaged to build a saw and grist-mill. Before the mills were completed they were burned, and, at the proprietors' meeting. December 4, 1771, they voted to pay him " £41-5 shillings Lawful Money," for his mill (as per agreement), and confirm to him lots 60 and 61 in consideration of his loss by fire.
The "first Division " of seventy-five acre lots lies upon the Connecti- cut river, and was surveyed by Edmond Morse, who was one of the orig- inal grantees and pitched upon lot 16. He returned a plan of the survey to the proprietors at their meeting at Portsmouth, December 4, 1771- "fifty-eight lots, No. 16 to No. 73, inclusive." At one meeting of the proprietors it was voted "to give fifty acres of land and twenty dollars as an encouragement to a good blacksmith to settle in town, " and John Herd, Ammi R. Cutter and Jacob Treadwell were chosen a committee to agree with the blacksmith.
546
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
First Bridges .- The first bridge across Mill brook was built in 1789, and the first bridge across the Ammonoosuc was built in 1790 and 1791, at a cost of $130 "lawful money." Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly, Esquires, and Mr. Thomas Peverly were chosen a committee to build the bridges.
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