USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hudson > History of Hudson, N.H., formerly a part of Dunstable, Mass., 1673-1733, Nottingham, Mass., 1733-1741, District of Nottingham, 1741-1746, Nottingham West, N.H., 1746-1830, Hudson, N.H., 1830-1912 > Part 35
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The names of these men-the number in each of the several wars, with other details-are mentioned elsewhere in this history. They were made up as follows:
Colonial Wars,
1745-1760, 51.
War of the Revolution,
1775-1783,
152.
War of 1812,
1812-1815, 18.
Mexican War,
1847, 1.
War between the States,
1861-1865, 104.
Spanish-American War,
1898, 1.
327.
For the library year ending February 15, 1910, six hundred and eighty-six books were added to the shelves, making the total number as shown by the accession list
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
at that time to be four thousand one hundred and fifty- three, which number included six volumes that had been lost or destroyed.
These six hundred and eighty-six new books were sub- stantially all donated by parties benevolently inclined, who have the welfare of the library at heart.
Dr. Hills presented about six hundred of this number, among which were many valuable works. Col. William A. Crombie, of New York, a friend of Dr. Hills, donated some very good books. Hermon F. Dane, of Nashua, a native of this town, and born near Hudson Center, May 12, 1840, gave a complete set of twenty-three volumes, bound in calf, of the "Journal of Proceedings of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, and the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows," from its founda- tion, February, 1821, to 1908. Also "Journals of Proceed- ings of the R. W. Grand Lodge of New Hampshire," 2 Vols. from 1844 to 1880.
Mr. Dane had previously given many other valuable books to the library of his native town.
CHAPTER XXXIV
SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS
NATIONAL GRANGE
The National Grange was organized at Washington, D. C., December 4, 1867, by several men connected with the Agricultural Bureau there.
The names of the seven founders of this order were: William Saunders, John Trimble, F. M. McDowell, J. R. Thompson, W. M. Ireland, O. H. Kelley and A. B. Grosh.
These men were all familiar with the condition and needs of the farmers and their families throughout the United States, and realized the great necessity of organi- zation among them for the promotion of their interests and the fuller development of their intellectual powers and so- cial conditions. The grange was designed to meet and ameliorate these wants.
GRANGE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the summer of 1873, the National Grange commis- sioned Eben Thompson, of Vermont, a deputy to organize subordinate granges in New Hampshire.
The first grange organized in this state was Gilman, No. 1, at Exeter, John D. Lyman, Master, which was insti- tuted by Mr. Thompson, August 19, 1873.
At the date of the organization of Hudson Grange ten subordinate granges had been instituted in New Hamp- shire, all by Deputy Thompson: Bartlett, No. 2, at Kings- ton; Amoskeag, No. 3, at Manchester; Merrimack River, No. 4, at Canterbury ; Lovell, No. 5, at Washington; Hales- town, No. 6, at Weare; Granite, No. 7, at Milford; Sulli- van, No. 8, at Newport; Claremont, No. 9, at Claremont, and Souhegan, No. 10, at Amherst.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
Hudson Grange, No. 11, was instituted in school house Number Six, on the evening of December 8, 1873, by Deputy Thompson, with twenty charter members-ten men and ten women.
NAMES OF CHARTER MEMBERS
Kimball Webster,
Mrs. Abiah Webster,
Tyler Thomas,
Mrs. Eliza A. Thomas,
Josiah K. Wheeler,
Mrs. Abbie A. Wheeler,
James B. Merrill,
Mrs. Persis A. Merrill,
Charles W. Spalding,
Miss Susan Spalding,
Joseph Fuller, Mrs. Belinda Fuller,
Lorenzo Fuller,
Mrs. Carrie S. Fuller,
Lucien M. Tolles,
Mrs. Emily T. Tolles,
Henry A. Merrill,
Mrs. S. E. Merrill,
Rossill Hills,
Miss Lizzie J. Webster.
The officers elected and installed at the organization meeting were:
Master,
Kimball Webster.
Overseer,
Josiah K. Wheeler.
Lecturer, Charles W. Spalding.
Steward,
Joseph Fuller.
Assistant Steward,
Lorenzo Fuller.
Chaplain,
Henry A. Merrill.
Treasurer,
Lucien M. Tolles.
Secretary,
James B. Merrill.
Gate Keeper,
Rossill F. Hills.
Ceres,
Abbie A. Wheeler.
Pomona,
Susan Spalding.
Flora,
Abiah Webster.
Lady Asst. Steward, Belinda Fuller.
A little later, Joseph Fuller and Belinda Fuller each resigned from office, and Tyler Thomas and Persis A. Merrill were elected and installed to fill the vacancies.
Hudson Grange participated in the organization of New Hampshire State Grange at Manchester, December
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SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS
23, 1873, at which date the state contained but seventeen subordinate granges.
Of the twenty charter members assisting in the organ- ization of Hudson Grange, three withdrew, seven were suspended for non-payment of dues, and six died as loyal members on the following dates: Emily T. Tolles, June 18, 1876; Rossill F. Hills, December 24, 1876; Tyler Thomas, November 24, 1887; James B. Merrill, May 9, 1901; Persis A. Merrill, January 4, 1905; and Josiah K. Wheeler, June 10, 1911; while four of the twenty-Kimball Webster, Abiah Webster, Abbie A. Wheeler and Lizzie (Webster) Martin-still continue as members at this writ- ing-April, 1912.
MASTERS
Kimball Webster, 1874, '75, '76, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97.
Lucien M. Tolles, 1877, '78.
Tyler Thomas, 1879, '80, '85, '86.
James B. Merrill, 1881, '82.
Josiah K. Wheeler, 1883,
Aldon E. Cummings, 1884.
William A. Andrews, 1887, '88.
George H. Abbott, 1889, '90.
Arthur L. Joy, 1898, '99.
Frank A. Connell, 1900, '02, '05. Charles A. McAfee, 1901.
Frances M. Cummings, 1903, '04.
Arthur S. Andrews, 1906, '07, '08, '09, '10.
Gerry F. Parker, 1911.
Allen B. Andrews, 1912.
PLACES OF MEETINGS
Subsequent to its organization, December 8, 1873, three meetings of the grange were held at the house of its overseer, Josiah K. Wheeler. From January 14, to May 1, it met at the house of the lecturer, Charles W. Spalding.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
Working tools, rituals, regalia and other paraphernalia were procured, and by-laws prepared and adopted. The first initiation of a candidate occurred on March 13, 1874.
From about May 1, 1874, until June 30, 1876, the grange occupied Carnes hall. This was a small, unfinished room in the second story of a building then owned by James Carnes, and which now forms the southerly part of the Baker Brothers' store edifice near Taylor's Falls bridge. This, after being plastered, made a comfortable home for a small grange.
At a meeting on January 19, 1876, it being impossible to arrange satisfactory terms with the owner about the rent of the hall, it was suggested that the grange build a hall, and thus have a home of its own. At this same meet- ing a committee was chosen to investigate and report as to a suitable location, and also a committee to procure de- signs.
During its occupancy of Carnes hall-a period of a little more than two years-the grange held seventy-four meetings and initiated twenty-eight candidates. It was fairly prosperous for those early days in grange history, when it was far more difficult to secure members than it is at the present time.
At a meeting held on February 16, 1876, the following resolution was passed.
Resolved that we build a hall provided there are sufficient funds raised by taking stock, the stock all to be owned by members of Hudson grange.
A little later this association was incorporated as "Hudson Grange, No. 11, Patrons of Husbandry," of Hud- son, N. H.
Subscriptions for stock were secured, a building com- mittee chosen and all necessary arrangements perfected for building a "grange home" for the use and benefit of Hudson Grange.
A location on the land of James B. Merrill, a little south of the Methodist church, was secured, and building
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SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS
operations were begun in the early spring of 1876; it was completed and occupied by the grange for the first time, September 6, 1876.
The building consisted of a basement and two small tenements-a grange hall with two ante-rooms. The attic was used as a banquet room. The grange room was not large, but of sufficient capacity to accommodate the num- ber of members comprising Hudson Grange at that time- a little less than fifty. It was moderate in size, and easy of access, pleasant and admirably arranged, and was a model "grange home."
It was the headquarters of Hudson Grange for a little more than fourteen years, during which period it held two hundred and seventy-three meetings and received by initia- tion thirty-four members.
From various causes the number of members became somewhat reduced, and as early as the spring of 1890, sev- eral of the stockholders, dissatisfied with the amount of dividends received from their investment, advocated the sale of the property. Others, including some of the largest stockholders, were desirous of retaining it for the benefit of the grange.
In the fall of 1890 this property was sold at auction to Lucien M. Tolles, in accordance with a majority vote of the stockholders.
This was a very serious and discouraging blow to the loyal and devoted members of the little grange.
At a meeting on November 5, a communication was received from Nashua Grange-which had also become considerably depleted in membership-suggesting a plan of consolidation of the Nashua and Hudson Granges. This project was almost unanimously rejected by this grange.
During these fourteen years the grange membership included a number of able and interesting debaters, and at nearly every meeting when the time was not devoted to some necessary grange work, a debate or discussion was held on some interesting theme of the day. As a result
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
nearly all the practical questions of the farm, the house- hold and the home, and all the live subjects relating to the town, state and nation, were discussed with interest and ability.
The first of December, 1890, the grange removed to the house of James E. Merrill on Central street, and there occupied a room in the second story of the ell, where it re- mained for five years.
Those five years included the darkest and most dis- couraging period in the history of Hudson Grange. Its membership had dwindled to a number less than twenty. Fifteen meetings, only, were held, and one candidate initi- ated, in all that time. A few of the members became de- sirous of surrendering the charter, and the prospects for the future looked dark indeed.
Yet, officers continued to be elected and installed an- nually, the dues to the State grange were paid regularly and promptly, the Pomona grange by invitation was enter- tained several times at the Methodist vestry, and all neces- sary expenses promptly paid by a loyal membership deter- mined to preserve the charter with its original number, and to await patiently for the dawn of a new and enduring prosperity.
The realization of these hopes began in 1895. In the summer of that year George G. Andrews, a merchant at the Bridge, erected a storehouse thirty by sixty feet, ground dimensions, and two stories high. By fair prospects of fu- ture rental he was induced to make the second story of the structure into a hall, twenty-nine by thirty-eight feet, with two convenient ante-rooms. A banqueting room with a small kitchen was installed in the attic.
This hall was of moderate size, but was well arranged and convenient for a "grange home," or a lodge room.
Hudson Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 94, was instituted about the time this building was completed, and occupied the hall for a lodge room.
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SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS
Hudson Commandery, No. 139, United Order Golden Cross, organized May 27, 1881, also occupied the above quarters.
November 16, 1895, twenty-one applications for mem- bership in the grange were received and referred, together with two requests for reinstatement. These applications were from many of the most substantial citizens of Hudson.
The last meeting at the house of Mr. Merrill was held on December 4. Two more applications were then re- ceived, increasing the number to twenty-five.
On December 12, 1895, the new hall was occupied by the grange for the first time, and the first and second de- grees of the order were then conferred upon twenty candi- dates. Two days later three other candidates were given the same degrees.
From then until the present writing Hudson Grange has enjoyed an almost uninterrupted season of continued prosperity, and has steadily, and at times rapidly, increased its membership.
Soon after the new Odd Fellows building was com- pleted the grange removed from Andrews hall to that place, which it occupied for the first time February 23, 1903.
It had remained at Andrews' hall eight years and two months, where it had held one hundred and sixty-five meet- ings, and at its removal it had a membership of one hun- dred and sixty.
At the date of this writing-April, 1912-it is still oc- cupying Odd Fellows' hall, where it has held about one hundred and six meetings, not including any such as were convened exclusively for the purpose of receiving and as- signing proposals for membership.
The total number of meetings held by this grange since its organization is about seven hundred and forty- eight.
Thus Hudson Grange, after an existence of more than thirty-eight years, appears to be in a prosperous condition,
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
and we believe it will continue to increase in influence and usefulness as well as in numbers.
On September 1, 1911, its membership, as returned to the secretary of the State grange, was three hundred and twenty-six, which has since been increased.
Its present master, Allen B. Andrews, its fifteenth consecutive master, is an energetic young man, born in Hudson, October 18, 1889, the son of Arthur S. and Lin- nie F. (Butler) Andrews. He is the third master of Hud- son Grange bearing the name of Andrews.
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN HUDSON
Prior to 1895, two lodges of Odd Fellows had existed in Nashua for many years. Quite a considerable number of the young and middle-aged men of Hudson became members of these lodges.
For several years previous to the above date the or- ganization of a lodge in Hudson had been discussed by these members, but no decisive action had been taken.
Hudson Lodge, No. 94, was instituted October 15, 1895, in the new Andrews hall by officers of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, in answer to sixteen petition- ers, fourteen of whom were present and became charter members. The names of these were: Charles C. Leslie, Charles A. Daniels, Henry F. Lund, Joshua W. Jones, William Hutchinson, Walter R. Coombs, Elmer D. Clem- ent, Charles A. McAfee, George H. Abbott, John C. Groves, Horace A. Martin, Charles H. Bachelder, Walter F. McQuesten and Willis L. Fuller.
In the evening of the same day twenty-six candidates were elected to membership and initiated into the order, the entire number thus becoming forty.
Charles C. Leslie was installed Noble Grand, Joshua W. Jones, Secretary and George H. Abbott, Treasurer.
As the membership of the lodge increased the build- ing of an Odd Fellows hall was agitated, which agitation continued for several years without any practical result.
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From Photo by C. E. PAINE
ODD FELLOWS' BUILDING, 1895
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SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORDERS
In 1902 an association was organized and incorporated for this purpose. Many members of the lodge, as well as many outsiders, became stockholders, a lot was purchased on Central street, and a commodious and convenient build- ing erected upon it. This building contained a large and well arranged "lodge room," with suitable ante-rooms and other necessary accommodations, as well as a spacious ban- queting room, with kitchen connected, in the basement.
Another large hall, called Association hall, was fitted up in the first story, with a roomy stage and other needed appointments.
This building was finished, furnished and the lodge room dedicated ready for occupation, early in 1903, to which the lodge removed in February of that year, and which it has since occupied as its home.
It is a living and vigorous organization, with a mem- bership of about one hundred (1912), and by its brotherly aid in sickness, and the liberal appropriations from its funds to the "widow and orphan," is quietly diffusing its genial influence in Hudson.
ECHO REBEKAH LODGE
Soon after the organization of Hudson Lodge, No. 94, I. O. O. F., in October, 1895, the formation of a Rebekah Lodge was suggested and advocated. Several meetings were held to discuss the venture, which were addressed by some of the grand officers. These efforts bore fruit in the institution of Echo Rebekah Lodge, No. 73, in Andrews hall, on May 29, 1896, by G. M. Clinton Collins, assisted by other grand officers.
There were twelve petitioners, eleven of whom pre- sented themselves and assumed obligations as charter members of the new lodge. Their names were: Charles A. Daniels, Willis L. Fuller, Adelia E. Fuller, Lilla J. Woodward, Helen M. Lund, H. F. Lund, Susie E. Mc- Afee, S. Rose Nason, Lucy A. Joy, H. Lizzie Blodgett and Frances M. Cummings.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
At the evening session fifty-four candidates received the degree, making a membership for the new lodge of sixty-five. Frances M. Cummings was installed Noble Grand, E. Drusilla Walker, Secretary, and Hannah E. Con- nell, Treasurer.
It continued to hold its meetings twice each month, at Andrews hall, until February, 1903, when it removed to the new Odd Fellows hall, where it still remains.
It is a vigorous organization and has a membership of one hundred and fifty-seven, (1912).
HUDSON COMMANDERY
Hudson Commandery, No. 139, United Order of the Golden Cross, was instituted May 27, 1881, in the Grange hall.
It is purely a beneficiary order, and notwithstanding that it had a fair number of charter members when organ- ized, and for some years afterwards, and added many mem- bers by initiation, owing to deaths and withdrawals its membership has become very much depleted.
It still exists (1912) and has always paid its death ben- efits fully and promptly, but its future outlook is not en- couraging.
CHAPTER XXXV
HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS
Previous to its charter, and while Nottingham re- mained a part of Dunstable, there is no evidence found of any highways being laid out on the east side of the Merri- mack, now in the town of Hudson.
The first tax list for the town of Nottingham, made by the selectmen in 1733, contained the names of fifty-five persons, of whom twelve at least were residents in that sec- tion of the town which now forms a part of Tyngsborough, Mass., eight, in what is now Litchfield, and about seventeen, within the present limits of Pelham.
This would show that at that time the population of what is now Hudson, did not exceed twenty families, nearly all of which were settled a short distance east of the Merri- mack, between the town line of Hudson and Litchfield on the north, and the state line on the south, a distance of about seven miles.
No roads had been laid out and constructed for the accommodation of these pioneer settlers, and they traveled from house to house by paths that had become worn by common usage. With few culverts or bridges, these crude roadways wound over many rough places, but served a very good purpose for their horse-back riding, and for the small amount of traffic that was done by ox teams.
The first attempt to lay out a public highway by the town of Nottingham, as found recorded, was February 15, 1734, a little more than one year after the incorporation of that town.
The selectmen laid out a highway four poles wide from Dracut line, near Long Pond, to Natticook, (Litchfield) line. It passed below Musquash dam, and to the north- east side of Davenport meadow.
483
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
At the annual meeting, of the same year, the town by vote refused to accept the road as laid out. A second high- way was laid out by the selectmen, March 26, 1746-7, from Litchfield, southerly through the town. At this time the province line had been settled and adjusted, so the road ended at the Tyngsborough line.
It began at Litchfield line near the house of John Robinson, and was laid out southerly, passing near the fol- lowing residences: Nathaniel Hills, John Marsh, Eleazer Cummings, John Marshall, Deacon Samuel Greeley, Thom- as Pollard, Lieut. Joseph Winn, Samuel Burbank, Samuel Huston, and to the province line. The road was three rods wide.
At a town meeting, June 8, 1747, "it was voted not to accept the highway as laid out."
As a large percentage of the inhabitants of the town lived near this road as laid out, and would seem to have been well accommodated by it, it is hard to understand at this time why it should have been rejected.
March 19, 1744, when Nottingham was a district, a road was laid out at the east side by the selectmen, three poles wide. This road began near the house of Rev. Mr. Merrill, and ran easterly over land of Fletcher, Col. Tyng and part of Kimball's farm, to Samuel Butler's land and to land of Henry Baldwin and between Baldwin's farm and Kimball's farm to highway leading to Londonderry. Thence partly easterly and all on Kimball's farm to Baldwin's bridge over Beaver brook, and partly easterly through Baldwin's farm to Dracut line. October 24, Joseph Hamblet and John Marshall, selectmen, laid out a highway at the east side of the district of Nottingham, from Dracut line to Joseph Hamblet's, and Deacon Butler's house, "and so across his farm and up Beaver creek to Londonderry line. The high- way is three poles wide from one end to the other."
It will be remembered that at that time the district of Dracut bounded the district o Nottingham on the east, and Pelham as incorporated two years later was made up,
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HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS
about one-third from the east part of Nottingham and about two-thirds from that part of Dracut that fell into New Hampshire on the settlement of the province line in 1741. This highway, or so much of it as has not been dis- continued, is now principally in Pelham.
March 26, 1747, a road was laid out three poles wide from "the Little bridge, so called, to Hardy's ferry."
The same was again laid out, or changed, December 5, 1757, from Lieut. Winn's field, westerly over the Little bridge, so called, and so to "the road that is now trod to Hardy's ferry." "Derry Lane" was laid out March 26, 1747, two poles wide, from the road that eads to Litchfield to Londonderry road. In 1749, it was voted by the town to change the above mentioned road "between Roger Chase's and Edward Spalding's by the Farms burying ground; running between Ezekiel Greele's and Reuben Greele's and Samuel Hills'." In 1791, November 6, the town again changed this road as follows: "beginning at the north-east corner of the Farms burying place, and from thence north-easterly two poles wide to the Derry road."
March 27, 1747, a road was laid out three poles wide from the highway that leads to Litchfield, near the Blod- gett cemetery, and running easterly by the Chase hill and over Bush hill to Pelham line.
The Searles, or Spear road, north of Bush hill was laid out three poles wide, March 27, 1747, and began at the road last described. It thence ran easterly over land of Glover, and at the south side of his house and on Glover's land, and on land of Searles, and at the north side of the house of Ebenezer Blodgett, and at the north side of the house of James Marsh; thence easterly on Marsh's land to land of Benjamin Frost; thence running on land of said Frost and land of Onesiphorus Marsh to Pelham line.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
PART OF DERRY ROAD
May 12, 1747, " A road viewed and laid out three poles wide. Beginning upon Derry line near Nathaniel Hills Jr's. From thence running by Thomas Marsh's dwelling house, and so running by John Marsh's house and James Hills' and Joseph Pollard's, and Ezekiel Hills' and Henry Hills' and so running between Ezekiel Greele's house and barn; Thence running to John Marshall's land, running on said Marshall's land and on Dutton's land to a pine tree."
ROAD OVER MUSQUASH BRIDGE
This road was laid out May 21, 1747, and seems to have been a piece of the same highway laid out February 15, 1734, and rejected a little later.
COUNTY ROAD, 1749
After a road had been twice laid out by the selectmen, through the town of Nottingham, north and south, and had been twice rejected by a vote of the town, a petition by the selectmen was presented to the Court of General Quarter Sessions at Portsmouth in 1748, for the appointment of a committee to lay out such highway. The court appointed as a committee, John Goffe, Joseph Blanchard and Joseph French, who were among the most able men in the prov- ince. The report of the committee was dated February 9, 1749. It was given in detail, with all the bearings and measurements included. A great part of this detail will be omitted here, but many of the more important landmarks will be noted.
The committee said, "that we have attended to the service, and have laid out a highway from Litchfield through Nottingham West, southerly, to the province line; as near the river as we apprehend is of most convenience for the public and for the best advantage of the inhabitants of said
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HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS
town of Nottingham West." They began at a pine tree in the northerly line of said Nottingham West. They ran from thence to the westerly side of a house William Taylor built. Thence southerly to Samuel Hill's house; thence southerly to a stake near Roger Chase's house; thence to Josiah Cummings' corn barn, and to Mr. Marsh's fence near his house; thence the committee ran easterly across the meadow fifty-two rods, which was but two and one-half rods wide; thence south-easterly to near John Marshall's barn; thence to the east end of Abraham Page's barn; thence to an oak by Benjamin Whittemore's house; thence to an oak near Samuel Greeley's house; thence to a stake east of Joseph Winn's barn; thence south through said Winn's orchard, 18 rods, which 18 rods was but two and one-half rods wide; thence to a stake near Joseph Winn, Jr.'s corn barn; thence to Stephen Chase's fence; thence to a stake four rods west of Burbank's barn; thence four rods west of Burbank's house; thence to a stake four rods west of Samuel Merrill's house; thence to a dry pine tree marked south of the "Great" bridge; thence to the prov- ince line. The road was laid out three rods wide with the exceptions before noticed.
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