USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 4
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15
S. W.
S.P.G.
5
--
1
/
7
4
Westmoreland Leg
ASHUELOT RIVER
w
THE BRANCH
25
CHARTER AND PROPRIETORSHIP.
West of Mountain.
East of Mountain.
Lot.
Range.
Lot.
Range.
Lot.
Range.
Lot.
Range.
Lot.
Range.
Lot.
Range.
30
Jonathan Leevitt,
4
8
9
7
9
8
14
1
32
Eliphalet Yongs,
10
6
10
7
10
8
15
1
33
James Spenser,
10
1
9
1
8
1
15
2
34
Benjamin Maan,
10
2
9
2
8
2
14
2
35
John Starling,
8
6
8
5
8
4
15
3
36
Joseph Mack,
8
1
9
4
10
4
12
4
37
Jonathan Mack,
7
1
10
5
9
5
14
3
12
3
39
David Taylor,
5
1
8
3
7
2
9
4
4
1
7
4
6
1
41
Joseph Mack,
1
1
2
1
3
1
6
4
42
Wolston Brockway,
4
1
5
1
7
1
7
2
12
2
44
Joel Kilbun,
45
Joseph Mack,
3
2
4
2
1
2
6
2
1
3
47 48
Nathanill Dart,
2
3
7
3
8
3
49
Samvell Lord,
3
3
4
3
14
4
50
Jonathan Smith,
1
3
8
1
51
Seth Holl,
2
4 4
6
3
2
5
53 54
Joseph Ransun,
2
7
5
6
5
5
55
Clement Sumnor,
3
9
2
9
8
9
56
Seth Hays,
4
9
11
1
4
5
57
Joshua Dart,
3
7
8
7
11
2
58
Josiah Kilbun, Jur,
4
7
6
7
12
1
59
Allin Wille,
2
7
7
7
13
1
60
Joshua Dart,
2
8
2
8
4
8
4
5
63
Danill Dart,
3
5
5
9
6
9
64
Pasanage Loot,
6
8
5
9
4
4
The spelling is given as in the earliest record of the " draw." In three different records, No. 41 is given to Joseph, John, and Josiah Mack. No. 45 in a later record is given to John Skinner. The map has been constructed from four different sources. First, the record of the drawing just referred to. Second, a parchment map with the following inscription : -
A Plan of the Township of Boyle or Gilsum laid out according to the Charter of the same. By Caleb Williard. There are 4 Acres allowed to every 100 Acres for a Road and so in proportion to Every parcel of Land laid out. JONATHAN SMITH.
Third, an ancient copy of the same on brown pasteboard with the numbers much more distinct than on the parchment ; and, Fourth, a map of the same owned by Silvanus Hayward, who was surveyor in this town for so many years. This map bears the following inscription : -
A plan of Gilsom as drew by Caleb Willard a trew Coppy from the original & Contains Gilsom & Surry & part of Sullivan & is laid down at 160 rods to an Inch : this Coppy taken Jan' 14th 1796
. A true Coppy from the original
atest
OBADIAH WILLCOX Proprietors Clerk
46
Josiah Kilbun,
Thomas Sumnor,
2
2
8
2
5
2
2
5
3
1
4
12
7
5
4
52
Nathanill Warnor,
1 2
4
3
6
2
6
4
6
5
7
4
7
6
7
3
4
61
Abner Mack,
5 5
7
8
8
8
62
Stephen Griswold.
8
9
2
9
3
1
1
40
John Starling,
4
2
43
Jonathan Levitt,
2
1
13
11
3
38
Joseph Wille,
6
1
10
3
10
2
10
1
31
Thomas Sumnor,
9
6
S
2
3
James Cox,
2
No. of Right.
2
26
GILSUM.
This contains also the lots at the east end of the town, in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ranges, as surveyed by Breed Bachelor, October, 1763, and shows " the Gore " where the Wil- lard and Bachelor surveys failed to meet. . The river courses have not been verified, but are given as on the old map. table
It cannot be expected that the pas here presented is entirely free from errors. The an- cient data disagree in many particulars. In some cases these discrepancies have been reconciled, but in others no explanation has been found, save that there must be an error in the old records. For instance, half of the fifth lot in the ninth range was drawn to the " Minister Lot ;" but, in 1794, a decd from Rev. Elisha Fish, as recorded, conveyed to Samuel Seward, for £48, the cast half of the fourth lot, ninthi range, " originally granted to the first minister."
The lots on the west of " the Mountain " were intended to contain fifty acres each, - those on the east, one hundred. As measured on the map, by the scale, those on tlie cast are one hundred and sixty rods east and west, and one hundred and four north and south. But in mneas- uring these old lines now, there is found a difference frequently of from ten to twenty rods. A lack of accuracy is also manifest upon the map itself. It will at once be noticed that the third lot on the cast of the mountain is only about one-half as wide as the rest, and the second lot is wider. Of this no explanation is given. In old deeds the third lot is sometimes called fifty acres, and sometimes seventy-five. This inaccuracy occasioned trouble very early. In 1771, one article in the call for a meeting is : -
to See if the proprietors will agree to make new Bounds and New Lines Between pertickelor Lotts whare their is manifest Earor in the Lines Run by Caleb Willard.
The same year, Jeremiah Stiles, surveyor, was employed " to measure the Town of Gilsumn exclusive of What Westmoreland takes off." He was also employed, two years later, to lay out the undivided land at the northeast corner of the town, including two hundred and fifty acres in " the Gore " to Samuel Wadsworth on the right of " Rubin Sumner." Nov. 5, 1771, Thomas Harvey, Stephen Griswould, and Ebenezer Kilburn were appointed "to Run Round those Lotts that are not Run and make Division between man and man." They employed William Russel as surveyor. Other committees for a like purpose were chosen from time to time as late as 1789, when Moses Hale was the surveyor.
It will be seen from the map, that Gilsum originally extended more than a hundred rods beyond the east line of Sullivan. At the northeast corner it was cut off by the " Curve " or " Patent Line," so called, which is the present boundary between Gilsum and Stoddard. This was the' most western of the different lines run by the Masonian proprietors, and was intended to be run in a curve sixty miles from the sea. Parts of this line are still preserved in the west lines of Fitzwilliam, Marlborough, Stoddard, Washington, and other towns. It cut off from Gilsum a large tract, including the Governor's lot and the lot for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
This " Curve Line " evidently occasioned the proprietors considerable trouble. Though they laid out and drew lots east of this line, yet it seems doubtful whether they ever realized much profit therefrom.
July 13, 1768. Sampson Stoddard & Jonathan Blanchard for themselves and others, Proprs of a Tract of Land Called Monadk No. 7.
Petitioned, that as a considerable part of the land granted to Samuel Gilbert & others, by the name of Gilsum, in July 1763, was (as we apprehend By mistake) laid out within Masons Patent So Called Long Since granted to us & associates. That the Grantees of Said Gilsum have failed making any Settlement on any part So falling within Masons Claim, that to prevent Disputes Between his Majestys Good Subjects, We pray that we may allowd to Improve our Lands as far West as the Patent Line aforesaid &c.
27
CHARTER AND PROPRIETORSHIP.
Jan. 9, 1772, Jonathan Smith was chosen to represent to the governor that certain shares had not been settled according to the provisions of the charter, and to ask that they might therefore be regranted. He was also instructed to " make application to his Excelle the Governor & Counsil to make up to the Proprietors the Compliment of Land which our Charter contains." That this application refers to the part cut off by the " Curve Line," is seen not only by the subsequent action of the proprietors, but in the fact that, otherwise, instead of less they had much more land than was specified in the charter. June 10, 1773, they voted " to Pay Samuel Gilbart and others that had Demands on the Proprietors in Common and undevided Lands East of the Ninth Range not yet Laid out as far as the Pattent Line So Called," reserving certain rights to Samuel Wadsworth and John Byenton. That they received no satisfaction from the governor and council is apparent from the proposition in the warrant for a meeting May 16, 1774. " to write home also to his Majesty for the Confirmation of our Charter." The same thing is seen by the charter of Stoddard, which was granted in November, 1774, making " the Pattent Line so called " its western boundary, beginning at the northwest corner of Packersfield, thence running seven miles to a stake and stones. This cut off not only the east part of Gilsum but of Marlow also, and occasioned considerable trouble between these towns. It is not strange that the proprietors were persistent in pressing their claims, as it involved the title to more than four thousand acres.
In May, 1788, it was voted to divide the common land at the east end of the town, "to Each Right their Equal Share," and Capt. Thomas Harvey, Col. Jonathan Smith, and Capt. Ebenezer Kilburn were appointed to lay out and make a plan of the same, for which service they were to receive fifty acres of land. Several adjourned meetings were held, at which nothing was done, apparently owing to the negligence or unwillingness of Col. Smith. as we find that on December 10th he was summarily dismissed from the committee, no cause being assigned, and Levi Fuller chosen in his place. At the next meeting, June 2, 1789, the committee reported, and the lots were drawn as shown on the map.
At the annual town meeting in 1794, Gilsum " Voted to Opose the Town of Stoddard in their Petision to the General Cort that there jurisdiction Linc may Exstend to the Curved Line." Op- position, however, was of no avail, and the present boundary between Gilsum and Stoddard is that same " Curved Line." This was established by an act of the legislature passed June 20, 1797, and approved the next day, giving to Stoddard -
All that strip of Land claimed by said Stoddard lying on the Easterly side of the curved line of Masons Patent as run by Major Joseph Blanchard which strip is included in the grants of said towns of Marlow and Gilsum (excepting what is included in the Corporation of Sullivan) with the inhabitants living thereon.
At a meeting of the proprietors Oct. 2, 1804, Lemuel Holmes, Esq., was chosen to attend the Genrl Court and Exammin the Records of the State Respecting the Mason Clame and the Settlement Between the Committies Chosen by the State and the Masonian Committee and there Report and the Gent Courts Proceedings thereon. The next March, 1805, they Chose John Chaberlin agent to attend the Gen" Court in June Next for which they promis to pay him thirty Dollers also Voted to Chuse a Committee of three to Procure the Necessary Evidence to Carry to the Gent Court Chose Ebenezer Kilburn Clement A Sumner * & Lemuel Holmes for Said Committee.
About the same date the town " Voted to rais $15 dollars to help the proprieters of Gilsom to Support their pitetion in the General Court respecting the Masonian Claims."
At a proprietors' meeting in July of the same year, the committee chosen to " Look up and take Care of the unlocated Land " was " impowered to Commence a Suit at Law if Necessary against those that now Clame Sª Land." In June, 1806, " Voted to Carry on the action now pending in Court Respecting the Last Division in Gilsum Township." March 1, 1808, " Chose Col. Jont Smith to attend at Charleston at Court to assist Capt Kilburn in Defending the Suit in
* Son of Rev. Clement Sumner.
28
GILSUM.
favour of the Proprietors " Feb. 2, 1813, " Voted that Lie" L Fuller be a Committee to defend the Lawsuit now pending."
In December, 1782, it was voted to sell " all the undevided Land at the North End of the Mountain in Surry that is not already Drawn'" This was estimated at 258 acres, and was sold for fifty pounds to " Elisha Briggs of Keene Millrite."
After " the last Division " of 1789, no meetings were held for nine years, when the only business was to choose a new elerk, and a committee " to Transcribe the Proprietors Book and Record what of the doings of the Proprietors that is not yet Recordid : Only Enterd on paper as minits : " At the next meeting, Feb. 18, 1799, Lemuel Holmes, the new clerk, was allowed " 13 Dollers for Transcribing the Book & Other Servises." This copy is the one we now have. The original is in the town clerk's office at Surry.
The remaining history of the proprietors is mostly the looking-up of undivided lands, and prosecuting claims to such corners and gores as could be found left out of their former eareless surveys. Men who supposed they had a clear title to the lands they had occupied, every now and then found themselves confronted by a claim of the proprietors to some strip not described in the deeds they held. The proprietors evidently took much pains to look up such cases. Some things seem to be easily read between the lines of the record. The meetings were generally held at some tavern ; Robinson's or McCurdy's in Surry, or Grimes's, afterwards Smith's, in Gilsum. A frequent record after the organization is " adjourned one hour." Usually no business was transacted after this adjournment ; but sometimes, matters which had been hanging. along for months or years before, were disposed of with great facility. Knowing the habits of the times, we can have no doubt of the festive nature of the recess taken, or the cause of the facility with which business was sometinies closed up after it. A man on whose land they levied a claim, if he understood how to manage the matter, could apparently settle without difficulty after an adjournment of this kind, during which he, of course, was the host. In short, if the man treated freely, he could settle easily ; but if not, he would have to pay a round sum. These things are not, indeed, recorded, but the clue is given by which they may be fairly inferred. In 1814 their records come suddenly to a close. They had apparently made good and sold all the claims they could establish, and their " occupation was gone." Jan. 11, 1814, the committee reported having sold lands for $271. One item is, " Sold the Colpit lot So Cald to Calvin Lock for $100."
A meeting was held February 8th, at which various accounts were allowed, and a piece of land " that Esqr Robinson pretends to own under the mountain," was sold to Samuel Robinson by his " giving his Note to Edo Kilburn " for sixteen dollars. The meeting was adjourned to " the first tuesday in may Next to meet at L, L. Fullars." They seem to have failed to come to time, for the only subsequent record is as follows : -
1814 May 5 I the subscriber took ten Dollars of Lieu Calvin Lock of Sullivan and 6th of May payd it over to Lieu L. Fullar by Request. of Sd Fuller & Sd Lock- Sam1. Allen
EXEUNT PROPRIETORS.
29
FORMATION OF SURRY AND SULLIVAN.
CHAPTER V.
FORMATION OF SURRY AND SULLIVAN.
THE natural features of the town, as originally chartered, were such as to render a division almost a necessity. Scarcely a year had elapsed from the giving of the charter, when in the call for a proprietors' meeting, July 16, 1764, was inserted an article " to See if Said Proprietors will Vote and Set off the west End of Said Town of Gilsum as far East as the top of the Moun- tain." It was, however, dismissed without action. The settlers in what was called " West- moreland Leg " lying between the west end of Gilsum and Keene, were as anxious as any for the formation of a new town ; and the next action of which we find record was that of West- moreland, March 12, 1766, when it was " Voted to set of the people to Gilsum that Belong to the North East corner of this Town from Walpole Corner to Keen Line." This seems to have hastened the movement on the part of Gilsum people, as among the papers sent to the provin- cial assembly with the petition for the new town are the following : -
Province of New Hampshir
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Gilsum meet at the House of Mr Jonathan Smiths in sd Town on Tuesday ye 26 of August 1766 being meet and duly formed Mr Joseph Spensor Being chose Moderator to Govern Sª Meetting Sd Inhabitants Voted to seet off the west End of Sd Towne as farr East as the Mountain Range -
a True Coppey of the Vote as it was then past
Test pr. me,
OBADIAH WILLCOX, Town Clack
Gilsum Septm ye 1st 1766,
Province of New Hampsh Gilsum, July the 1st A D: 1768
This may Certifie the Honerabell General Cort of this Provence, that we the Suscribers Inhabitince of the East parte of the Town of said Gilsum Do Agrea and give our free Concente that the West pearte of this the Said Town of Gilsum shold be sett off to be one Intier Town or Pearish or presink with a part of Westmoland and to Extend as fear East as is here Disscribed (viz) To Begin at the South Line of said Gilsum 80 Rods East of the South East Corner of Westmoland Ledg * (So cald) and to run North by the neadel 260 Rods then Makeing a seat off 80 Rods East, and then Running North by the Neadel a cross the said Town -
In Conformacion hereof we Subscribe Josiah Kilburn Ebenezer Kilborn Jonathan Adams Medad Thornton
Henry White Pelatiah Pease John Chapman Obediah Willcox t
The following is the petition : -
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General, Governour &c in and over his Majestys Province of New Hampshire - The Honble His Majesty's Council and House of Representatives for said Province -
The Petition of the Suscribers, Inhabitants of the Westerly Part of the Township of Gilsum and the North- westerly Part of the Township of Westmoreland in said Province Humby Sheweth :
That said Westerly part of Gilsum being seperated from the Easterly Part of the Same Township by a long and impassable Mountain almost thro the Township of said Gilsum Dividing the Same so as to leave about one third part of the Lands of the Township of said Gilsum on the Westerly side of said Mountain, and no conveni- ent Communication can be had with the Easterly Part of said Township, so very necessary for the well Regulating and management of Town affairs ; and the Westerly part of said Gilsum being too Small in Contents of Land for a Seperate and Distinct Town, Parish or Precinct, And whereas the Northwesterly part of said Westmoreland being that part of said Town Called Westmoreland Leg Lying at a Great Distance from and very dificult Passage to the main Body of ye Town and Inhabitants of said Westmoreland and also paying Large Taxes for the Support of the Ministry & other Town Charges, without being able to Receive any Benefit or advantage therefrom And
* Doubtless intended for Legg.
t Not the proprietors' clerk, who lived in Surry, but his cousin, of this town.
30
GILSUM.
being adjoining to and conveniently Situate to be joined and incorporated with said Westerly part of Gilsum therewith to make one Seperate and Distinct Town &c.
Now your Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency and Honour that Said Westerly part of Gilsum and Northeasterly part of Westmoreland: (viz beginning at the Southeast corner of Walpole thence running South- erly on a Straight Line to the North West corner of Keene thence running Easterly on the Line of said Keene to the Southeast corner of Westmoreland Leg so called and continuing the same Line Eighty Rods East of Sª (last mention'd) corner thence running North two Hundred and Sixty Rods, thence East Eighty Rods, thence on a North Line to the North Line of said Township of Gilsum thence West on the Line of Said Gilsum to the Northwest Corner of the Same thence South on the Line between said Gilsum & Walpole to the first men- tioned Bounds that part of said Westmoreland & Gilsum included in the aforementioned Lines, may be taken off from ye aforesaid Towns of Westmoreland & Gilsum, and be Erected made and Incorporated into one Sep- erate & Destinct Town, Corporation & Body Politick with all the Powers, Priviledges and immunities that any town hath or by Law ought to have in said Province or otherways as to your Excellency & Honours seain fit and as in Duty bound shall Ever pray -
Dated Gilsum July 4th A D. 1768.
Obadiah Willcox Ichabod Smith
Joshua Fuller
Charles Rice
Samuel Hall Eliphalet Darte
Joseph Mack
Nathaniel Darte
Job Gleason
John Marvin
Jonathan Pareish
Jonathan Smith
Joseph Spencer
Abel Allen
Peter Hayward
Jonathan Smith, Jr
Moses Field
Beniaman Wheetney
William Barns
Woolston Brockway
Thomas Smith
Most of these are recognized at once as original Surry names. Peter Hayward was the first settler in Westmoreland, near the northeast corner of " Westmoreland Leg." Samucl Hall, Benjamin Whitney, and Jonathan Parish probably belonged to " the Leg." Benjamin Whitney was at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Leave was granted " to bring in a Bill for incorporating said Town prayed for, the Bounds to be agreeable to the said Plan." The bill was enacted March 2, 1769, and from that date Gilsum included only what lies cast of the division between the first and second ranges of hun- dred-acre lots.
The notch, 260 rods long and 80 wide, described in the petition, belonged to the Kilburns, and it is probable Joel Kilburn resided there. It was doubtless their wish to be included in Gilsum, according to the petition. It will be noticed, however, that tlie act of incorporation made the bounds agreeable to the plan and not to the petition. On the plan accompanying the papers, no such notch is found, but the line accords with the present town boundary.
INCORPORATION OF SULLIVAN.
Eighteen years after Surry was formed, Gilsum lost another large portion of territory out of thic southeast corner of the town. At the time Surry was set off, there were probably 110 inhabitants east of the present Sullivan line. Afterwards, when the farms east and south of the Bearden hill began to be settled, the people found it burdensome to cross "the gulf" for Sabbath meetings and town gatherings. It was impossible to locate the meeting-liouse where all parties would be satisfied. The only solution of the difficulty seemed to be the formation of a new town. The following petition was sent to the legislature : -
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened.
Humbly shew, your Petitioners, the subscribers, Inhabitants of the Towns of Keene, Packersfield, Gilsum and Stoddard. That they live remote from the centres of their respective Towns and by reason of distance and bad roads are deprived * town privileges. That they cannot enjoy the conveniences of public worship - That some of their duties as members of their several towns are by their situation very burdensome - That if they might be incorporated into a separate and distinct township it would be highly advantageous to them, and no detri- ment to the towns to which they now belong - That they are encouraged to hope that no objections will be made to their being thus incorporated unless by the town of Gilsum, and that those objections may be easily obviated -
The prayer of this their humble Petition therefore is - That the tract of land marked out upon the plan
* Illegible.
FORMATION OF SURRY AND SULLIVAN.
31
herewith exhibited may be set off from the several towns aforesaid into a distinct township by the name of Orringe, and the Inhabitants of it incorporated as aforesaid - and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Roswell Hubbard
Zadock Nims Erastus Hubbard
Joshua Osgood
Keene
August 22ª, 1786.
Grandal (?) Keith
Oliver Carter
Jonathan Burnam
Ezra Osgood
Nathan Bolster
Sam1 Seward
Josiah Seward
Elijah Carter
William Burnam
Samuel Wyman
James Rowe
James Pratt
Timothy Dimnock
Jesse Wheeler
Joseph Ellis
Lockhart Willard
William Cory
Jonathan Baker
Samuel Cory
John Dimick
Joshua Cory
Ebenezer Birdit
Jonathan Heaton
John Row
Gilsum
John Chapman
Benja Ellis
Benjamin Chapman
Simeon Ellis
John Chapman Jr
Nathan Ellis
James Locke
James Locke Junr
Timothy Dewey
Thomas Morse
Inhabitants of Stoddard
Other papers show that Gilsum made no objection to the division. Packersfield objected, as it " would be a means of removing the present centre and frustrate our Design in Building a House for Public Worship and thro the Town into the uttermost confusion imaginable." The legislature appointed a committee to view the premises, the chairman of which was Lemuel Holmes of Surry. They doubtless reported in favor, as the act of incorporation was passed Sept. 27, 1787.
This left Gilsum substantially in the same form as at present. A few acres, however, on the north side of the river were taken from Sullivan and annexed to Gilsum in 1873. The south bank of the Ashuelot now forms the town line, from a few rods below Collins's factory till it strikes the west line of Sullivan.
In 1846, an effort was made to annex the northeast part of the town to Marlow, but an article in favor of the project was dismissed.
In 1874, a portion of Alstead, including what is known as " South Woods," petitioned to be annexed to Gilsum. As Alstead was burdened with a large debt, and Gilsum would be obliged to assume a share of the same, the town dismissed the article.
Inhabitants of
Inhabitants of
-
32
GILSUM.
CHAPTER VI.
THE VERMONT TROUBLES.
GILSUM, with other towns west of the " Curve Line," was drawn into the triple controversy between New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Both New York and New Hampshire laid claim to what is now Vermont. From 1749 to 1764, Gov. Wentworth granted the territory for more than one hundred and twenty-five towns west of the Connecticut River. When the royal decision was given against New Hampshire, New York refused to recognize the claims of the settlers to these lands. But the sturdy " Green Mountain Boys" would not be driven from their homes, and in 1777 published a declaration " that they would at all times consider themselves as a frec and independent State," and petitioned Congress to receive them into the Union. Having adopted a constitution, representatives assembled for the first time at Windsor, Vt., in 1778. Sixteen towns from the cast side of the river sent a committee to ask that they might be included in the new State of Vermont. They claimed that New Hampshire was originally a grant to Mason, and extended no farther west than the " Curve Line "; that all towns west of that line had been granted by authority of the royal governors, and, therefore, since the royal authority had been overthrown, they " were not connected with any State," and were " at perfect liberty to determine for themselves what jurisdiction they would be under."
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