History of the town of Haverhill, New Hampshire, Part 3

Author: Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Concord, N.H. : Rumford press]
Number of Pages: 838

USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Haverhill > History of the town of Haverhill, New Hampshire > Part 3

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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Captain Powers brought back glowing reports of the wonderful fertility and great resources of Coös, but the threatened French and Indian war soon broke out, and with New England frontiers exposed to the incursions of the French and their savage Indian allies, any plans which had been made for the occupancy of the new country were delayed.

In 1759, a portion of the command of Maj. Robert Rogers, who had been sent by General Amherst from Crown Point to destroy the Abenaki village of Indians on the St. Francis, a little above its junction with the St. Lawrence, fearing retreat to Crown Point had been cut off after the purpose of the expedition had been successfully accomplished, attempted to return by way of Lake Memphremagog and the Connecticut River. It had been arranged that provisions for his command would be sent up the river from Number Four. Reaching the spot designated, supposed to be the at mouth of the Ammonoosuc, with his men nearly perishing from hunger, he found that the relief party had come up the river, and after waiting a little had returned taking the supplies with them. The situation was desperate. Rogers with two others made his way down the river on a rude raft and returned with boats for his men, but many of them had wandered into the forests and perished. Of the one hundred and forty-two men who left St. Francis, no less than forty-nine died from starvation and exposure in the wilderness or were tortured to death by the Indians. Remains of some of these were found by the early settlers some years later on the meadows and nearby uplands.

In the early spring of 1760, Thomas Blanchard of Dunstable was employed by Governor Wentworth to make a survey of Connecticut River between Number Four or Charlestown and the mouth of the Ammonoosuc. At the end of each six miles in a straight line, he was to erect a boundary or mark a tree on each side the river, these boundaries marking the north and south limits of townships to be granted later. This survey was made in March, the surveying party going up on the ice. Boundaries were duly set each six miles, except for the northernmost pair of towns, these being about seven miles, the Ammonoosuc having been previously determined upon as the northern boundary.

All this was in anticipation of settlement, but the dangers threatening from the north had made the actual undertaking of settlement unadvisa- able. With the surrender of Montreal to the British in September, 1760, and the consequent downfall of French Empire on the American continent, these dangers were practically ended and the coveted Connecti- cut Valley region, especially the meadows and uplands of Lower Coos were open to occupancy.

CHAPTER III

THE CHURCH AND PROPRIETARY

JOHN HAZEN AND JACOB BAILEY IN COOS IN 1760-THE PROMISED CHARTERS BY GOV- ERNOR WENTWORTH-BEGAN SETTLEMENT IN 1761-CHARTER GRANTED MAY 18, 1763-HAZEN LOOKED OUT FOR FRIENDS-FIRST MEETING HELD IN PLAISTOW IN JUNE, 1763-TWENTY-FIVE MORE HELD-DIVISION OF LAND-GRANTS FOR MILLS-THE PIERMONT CONTROVERSY.

IN the spring of 1760 a regiment of New Hampshire troops, under command of Col. John Goffe of Bedford, was sent by Governor Went- worth to Canada to aid in the completion of its conquest. It took part in the siege of Montreal and was present at its surrender September 8, 1760. Four officers of this regiment were destined to have large influence in the settlement and early history of Coos, and especially of the towns of Haverhill and Newbury. Lieut .- Col. Jacob Bayley, Capt. John Hazen, First Lieut. Jacob Kent all of Hampstead, and Second Lieut. Timothy Bedel of Salem, on their return home, after the surrender passed through Lower Coös. The Oxbow meadows, on both sides the river, of which they had doubtless previously heard, attracted their attention, and they spent several days in the vicinity giving them and the adjacent uplands a somewhat careful examination.

They determined to secure, if possible, charters of two townships on opposite sides of the river, in which they might make permanent homes for themselves, and on their arrival home they lost no time in making application to Governor Wentworth for such charters. Bayley and Hazen had each rendered valuable military service which gave them favor with the governor, and they also had influential friends whom the governor wished to please. There is little doubt that they were given assurance by the governor that the desired grants would be made, since it is highly improbable that in the absence of such assurance they would have begun the settlement of the towns, as they did, two years in advance of the issue of the charters. Furthermore, it is known that in the summer of 1762 Maj. Joseph Blanchard and Oliver Willard made application to Governor Wentworth for charters of these same Oxbow townships, but the governor recognized Bayley and Hazen as having prior claims and, the application of Blanchard and Willard, though strenuously supported, was denied.

Settlement was begun in 1761, and vigorously pushed in 1762, but the desired charters were not given till May 18, 1763. They were each issued the same day. In the charter for Newbury the list of grantees is

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

headed with the names of Jacob Bayley and John Hazen (or Hazzen) and the list of Haverhill grantees is begun with the names of John Hazen and Jacob Bayley. This was in accordance with an understanding that Bayley was to lead in the settlement of Newbury and Hazen in that of Haverhill.

The Haverhill charter was couched in the following terms, and the spelling, punctuation, capitals and abbreviations in the original list are here followed:

PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

HAVERHILL

L. S.

GEORGE THE THIRD

By the Grace of God, Grate Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith &c &c.

To all Parsons to whom These Presents shall [come] Greeting-

Know yee that we of our special Grace Certain Knowlige and mere motion for the Due Encouragement of Setting a New Plantation within our said Province by and with the advice of our Trusty and well Beloved Benning Wentworth Esq Our Governor and Commander in Chief of Our said Province of Newhampshire in New England and Our Council of the said Province, Have Upon the Conditions and Reservations herein after made Given and Granted and by These Presents for our Our Heirs and Successors Do Give and Grant in Equal Shares unto Our Loving Subjects Inhabitants of Our said Province of Newhampshire and Our Other Governments and their Heirs and assigns for Ever whose Names Are Entered on this Grant to be Divided to and Amongst them into Eighty one Equal Shares all that Tract or Parcel of Land Situate Lying and being within Our said Province of Newhampshire Containing by Admeasurement

Acres which Tract is to Contain more Than Six Miles Square Out of which an allowance is to be made for high Ways and unimprovable Lands by Rocks Ponds Moun- tains and Rivers One Thousand and Forty Acres free according To a Plan and Survey thereof made by Our said Governors Order and Returned into the Secretary's Office and here unto anexed Budtted and Bounded as follows viz. Beginning at a Tree marked Standing on the Bank of the Eastern side of Connecticut river and on the southerly or south westedly side of the mouth of the Amonuck River Opposite to the South westedly Cornor of1 Bath from thence Down Connecticut river as that runs Till it comes to a. marked Tree Standing on the Bank of the River and is about Sevn (7) Miles On a straight Line from the mouth of Amonuck River aforesaid from thence south Fiftey Three De- grees East five Miles and Three Quarters to a Stake and Stones Thence North Twenty Five Degrees East about Eight Miles Until it Coms upon a line with the Lro Side Line of Bath Thence North Fiftey Five Degrees West as Bath Runs to the Tree by the River The Bounds Began at and that the Same be and hereby is Incorpor- ated into a Township by the name of HAVERHILL and the inhabitants that Do and Shall hereafter inhabit the said Township are hereby Declared to be Enfranchized with and Intitled to all and Every the Priviledges and Immunities that Other Tounds within Our Province by Law Enuse and enjoy and further that the said Tound as soon as thire Shall be Fiftey Families Resident and settled Therein shall have the Liberty of Holding Two Feares one of Which shall be held on the and the Other on the

annually which Fairs are not too Continue Longer then the Respect-

Following the said and that as soon as the said. ive

1 Bath was one of the towns chartered in 1761, though settled later than Haverhill.

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Tound shall Consist of Fiftey families a Market may be Opened and Kept one or More Days in Each Week as may be Thought most advantageous to the Inhabitants also that the first Meeting For the Choice of Tound Officers agreable to the Laws of Our social Province Shall be held on ye Second Tuesday in June Next.

Which sd meeting Shall be Notified by Capt John Hazzen who is hereby also appointed the Moderator of the said First Meeting which he is to Notify and Govern agreeable to the Laws and Customs of Our said Province and that the Annual meetings forever here- after for the Choice of such officers for the said Tound Shall be on the Second Tuesday of March annually-

To Have and To Hold the said Tract of Land as Above expressed together with all Privileges and appurternance to them and Thire Respective heirs and assigns forever upon the following Considerations viz-

1. That Every Grantee his heres or assigns shall Plant and Cultivate Five acres of Land within the Tern of Five Years for Every Fiftey acres Contained in His or Thire Shares or Proportion of Land in said Toundship and Continue to Improve and Settle the Same by additional Cultivation on Penalty of Forfeiture of his Grant or Share in said Toundship and of its Reverting to us Our Heres and Successors to be by us and them Regranted to Such of Our Subjects as shall Effectually Settle and Cultivate the same-

2ly. That all White and Other Pine Trees within the Said Toundship Fit for Mast- ing Our Royal Navy be carefully Preserved for that Use and not to be Cut or felled with Out our special Licence for so Doing First had and Obtained upon the Penalty of the Forfeiture of the Right of Sutch Grantee his Hiers and assigns to us Our hiers and Suc- cessors as well as Being Subject to the Penalty of an act or acts of Parliament that Now are or here after Shall be Enacted-

3ly That before any Division of the Land be Made To and among the Grantees, a Tract of Land as near the Centre of the sd Township as the land will admit of: Shall be Reserved and marked Out For Tound Lotts one of which shall be allotted to Each Grantee of the Contents of One Acre.

4ly, Yielding and Paying therefore to us Our heirs and Successors for the Space of Ten Years to be computed from the date hereof the rent of one Ear of Indian Corn only on the Twentey Fifth Day December annually if Lawfully Demanded the First Payment To be made on the Twentey Fifth Day of December: 1763.

5ly. Every Proprietor Settler or Inhabitant Shall Yield and pay unto us Our Heirs and Successors-yearly and Every Year forever from and After the Expiration of Ten Years from the above said Twenty Fifth Day of December which will be the Year of Our Lord 1773 One Shillings Proclamation Money for Every Hundred acres he so owns Settles or Possesses and So in Proportion for a Grater or Lesser Tract of the said Land: which money shall be Paid the Respective Parsons abovsaid thire Hiers or assigns in Our Council Chamber in Portsmouth or to sutch Officer or Officers as shall be appointed To Receive the Same and This To be in Lien of all Other Rents and Serviceses What- soever-

In Testimony whereof we have Caused the Seal of Oursaid Province to be hereunto Witness Benning Wentworth Esqr Our Governor and Commander in Cheaf of Our said Province the 18th Day of May in the Year of Our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Three and in the Third Year of Our Reign-by his Excellenceys Com- mand With the advice of Council

T. AKINSON Junr, Secry-

B. WENTWORTH

Province of New Hampshire May the18 1763 Recorded in the Book of Charters Page 397 & 398

T. ATKINSON Junr, Secry-

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

THE NAMES OF THE GRANTEES OF HAVERHILL

John Hazzen

Jaasiel Harriman

Jacob Kent

Eleazer Hall

Samuel Hubbard

John Haile Esq

Maxey Hazelton

Thomas Johnson

Thomas Emery

John Mills John Trusial

Benoney Colbourn Reuben Mills

Abraham Dow

Uriah Morse

John Hazzen Junr Edmond Copley Danil Hall

Enoch Hall

Jacob Hall

Lemuel Tucker

Benoney Wright

Edmond Moores Esq John White

John Page Josiah Little

Benjamin Moores

William Hazzen

Jona Foster

Moses Hazzen

Joseph Blanchard Esq

Richard Pittey

Moses Foster

The Honorable

James Nevin Esq

John Nelson Esq

Theodore Atkinson Junr

Nathaniel Barrel

Col William Symes

William Porter

John Hastings

Capt George Marsh

David Hulbart

Maj Richard Emery

Simon Stevens John Moores

Hon Henry Shorbern Esq

William Toborn

Maj John Wentworth

Samuel Wentworth Esq

David Page James White

Boston

Benj Merrill

Burfeld Lloyd Boston

Nathaniel Merrill John Church

And his Excellency Governor Barnard

His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq, a Tract of Land to Contain Five Hundred Acres as Marked B: W: in the Plan which is to be accounted two of the within shares. One Whole Share for the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts One Whole Share for a Glebe for the Church of England One Share for the First Settled Minister of the Gospel and One Share for the Benefit of a School in said Tound

Province of New Hampshire May the 18th 1763 Recorded in the Book of Charters Page 399 &c.

T. ATKINSON Junr Secry

Jacob Bayley Esq Ephraim Bayley James Philbrook Gideon Gould John Clark John Swett

Robert Peaslee

John Taplin Esq

Timothy Bedel John Spafford Enoch Heath William Page Joseph Kelley Aaron Hosmer John Harriman John Lambson Stephen Knight John Hall

Capt Nehemiah Lovell

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Of these grantees most of whom were selected by John Hazen, Jacob Bayley, Ephraim Bayley, Jaasiel Harriman, Jacob Kent, Samuel Hub- bard, Moses Hazen, Timothy Bedel, Simon Stevens, Theodore Atkinson, Jr., Col. William Symes and John Hazen were named also among the grantees of Newbury, and some of these, notably Jacob Bayley, Ephraim Bayley and Jacob Kent were among the first settlers of that town. Jacob Bayley became one of the most conspicuous men of Coos. The massive monument of stone and bronze on the Seminary park in Newbury, erected to his memory in 1912 by his descendants, bears testimony to his primary influence in his town and section in matters civic, religious and military in the settlement of Newbury, and during the Revolutionary and post- Revolutionary period. In selecting his grantees Captain Hazen named many who were not prospective settlers, among them friends and rela- tives whose rights in the new township he could doubtless secure for him- self at a fair price and without great difficulty. John Hazen, Jr., at that time not more than six or seven years of age was a grantee. Robert Peaslee, a brother-in-law, Moses and William Hazen, brothers, were others. His sister had married Moses Moores, and the names of Edmund, John and Benjamin Moores appear in the list. The name of Nathaniel

Merrill, his future son-in-law, also appears. Captain Hazen early acquired the rights of John Spofford of Charlestown, Thomas Emery, Gideon Gould, John Clark and Benoni Colburn of Hampstead; John Swett of Haverhill, Mass., and Maj. Edmund Moores. He also acquired the rights or parts of rights of David Halbart (Hobart) of Hampstead, Enoch Heath, Robert Peaslee, William Toburn and John Nelson. But ten of the grantees, aside from himself, settled in Haverhill: Jaasiel Harriman, Maxi Haseltine, Thomas Johnson, Uriah Morse, John White, Timothy Bedel, Nathaniel Merrill, John Page, John Taplin and William Porter, and of these Harriman, Johnson, Morse and Taplin remained but a short time.

Of the larger number of the grantees named in the charter, little or nothing is known. James Philbrook, Gideon Gould, Thomas Emery, Benoney Colburn, Eleazer Hall, David Hall, Samuel (or Lemuel) Hub- bart, John Mills, Stephen Knight and David Hulbart (Hobart) were of Hampstead, fellow townsmen of Captain Hazen. John Church was of Hartford, Conn., Enoch Hall and Jacob Hall were of Newbury, Mass. Joseph Blanchard was of Merrimac, and he sold his right to Samuel Ladd. George Marsh was of Stratham, Richard Emery was of Exeter, John Trusial and John Hall were of Plaistow (Hall sold his share to Joshua Haywood also of Plaistow). Joseph Kelley of West Nottingham dis- posed of his right to John Corliss; Simon Stevens, to John Hurd; Abra- ham Dow and John Wentworth, to Joshua Howard; Aaron Hosmer, to John Locke; Benjamin Merrill to Ezekiel Ladd; John Foster and Moses

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Foster to Samuel Way, and James Nevin to Moses Little. These pur- chasers, except Way and Little, became settlers, but these latter became prominent in the affairs of the proprietors, especially Little, who acquired large interests, the valuable governor's right (now Woodsville) passing into his possession.

The meetings of these grantees or proprietors of the town were held from time to time for a period of more than thirty years. They were entirely distinct from the annual meetings of the voters. An abstract of the proceedings of these various meetings can but aid in an understanding of the methods employed in dividing lands of the township among the proprietors and securing the permanent and successful settlement of the town.

First Meeting .- The charter provided that the first meeting of the proprietors should be held on the second Tuesday of June, 1763, for the choice of town officers, and John Hazen was authorized to call and govern said meeting. The proprietors met accordingly June 13, 1763, at the house of John Hall, innholder, in Plaistow. Though settlement of the town had been begun more than a year previously, few of the proprietors were in Haverhill, and meetings were not held in town till more than a year later. Officers chosen were: Town clerk, Jesse Johnson; con- stable, Stephen Knight; selectmen, John White, Jacob Bayley, Edmund Moores. These officers were chosen to serve until the voters of the town should choose their own officers, at the annual meeting the succeeding March.

It was voted, in order to facilitate settlement, that a part of the town- ship be laid out immediately in lots, and John Hazen, John White, Jacob Bayley, Robert Peasley and Benjamin Moores were appointed a com- mittee with discretionary power to bound out the township and lay out one lot of meadow and one lot of upland to each proprietor in a manner to commode settlers.1 They were instructed to proceed with the work immediately after the town of Newbury should be laid out, and John

1 In numbering and laying out the lots, thus authorized, the lots were numbered from north to south, except the meadow lots, and these were numbered according to the meadows in which they were situated. There were seven of these, designated as follows, beginning at the north: (1) Upper, (2) Horse, (3) Wheeler, (4) Oxbow, (5) Moores, (6) Bailey, (7) Hosmers-afterwards called Oliverian Meadow. The one-acre house lots were laid out along the high ground. When the division of the town into lots was com- pleted, there were three ranges of lots of 100 acres each, with 100-acre lots within ranges, then north and south divisions of 80-acre lots and south divisions of 40-acre lots. The owners of rights or shares obtained their holdings by drawing lots, except where by special vote. Captain Hazen, Colonel Bayley and a few others who had been instru- mental in obtaining the charter, or had specially aided in the settlement, were allowed to "pitch" their rights or to take their entire rights in meadow lots. Governor Went- worth's right of 500 acres was in the extreme northwest corner of the town, and the right of Secretary Theodore Atkinson, Jr., was next south.

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Hazen was appointed a receiver of the money to be collected to defray the expense of establishing boundaries and running lot lines.

Second Meeting .- Question arising as to the legality of some of the action of the first meeting, a second was called to meet September 26, 1763, at the same place as before, for the purpose of choosing proprietor's clerk, assessors, collector and treasurer; to ratify and confirm action taken at the previous meeting; to see if any part of shares deficient in paying expense already incurred shall be sold to meet such expense; to see what encouragement will be given proprietors making immediate settlement or who have already settled, and to provide for the drawing of lots.

At this meeting officers chosen were: Moderator, Jacob Bayley; clerk, Jesse Johnson; assessors, Edmond Moores, Timothy Bedel, James White; collector, Hezekiah Hutchins; treasurer, John Hazen.

"Voted to accept and confirm the report of the committee appointed at the previous meeting to lay out the township."

"Voted to sell part of the shares of the delinquent proprietors to pay the charges that have arisen."

"Voted that John Hazen take meadow lots numbered 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and house lots numbered 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, reserving the mill and mill yard priveleges for the use of the proprietors."

Mr. Whiting, the surveyor, was allowed 4s per day for services in laying out the town.

"Voted that proprietors who pay their proportion of charges as assessed by the Committee, heretofore appointed, at or before the next meeting shall be entitled to draw their lots at such meeting, and that all others be excluded until a further vote of the proprietors."

The expense of the meeting was made chargeable to the proprietary.

At an adjourned meeting held in the same place October 3, Major Edmond Moores was appointed a committee to conduct the drawing of "such lotts as may be drawn this day," and also "voted that Uriah Morse have for his pitch No. 1 Meadow lott in Moores Meadow and No. 44 house lott."

"Voted that the proprietors of Haverhill join with the proprietors of Newbury to look out and clear a road through Haverhill." John Hazen, Jacob Bayley and Jacob Kent were made a committee to do this work.

"Voted to join with Newbury in paying for preaching one or two months this fall."

A committee of five, headed by Jacob Bayley, was appointed to lay out 100 acre lots "as soon as may be."

At an adjourned meeting October 16, "voted that the committee that laid out the house and meadow lots be paid £5,10s, old tenor, they finding themselves and horses going and coming."

HISTORY OF HAVERHILL

Then proceeded to draw lots, which was continued at adjourned meetings, held December 14, December 27 and January 2, 1764, but there is no record of business transacted at these meetings.

Third Meeting .- This was also held at the house of John Hall, innholder, in Plaistow March 1, 1764. Jesse Johnson was appointed to draw the remainder of the lots, and adjournment was taken to March 13, when it was voted to sell the right to build two mills, and Jacob Bayley, Hezekiah Hutchins, Ebenezer Mudgett, Jesse Johnson and Joseph White were appointed a committee of sale. The charges of sale were to be paid down and the remainder within nine months. These rights were sold at public auction and were bid off by Capt. Hezekiah Hutchins for $520 at an adjourned meeting in Hampstead, March 27.

. Captain Hutchins evidently did not fulfill the conditions of the sale, since at an adjourned meeting, held April 2, the right to build mills was set up anew and was purchased by Jesse Johnson, John Hazen and Jacob Bayley in partnership. The drawing of the house and meadow lots was completed. An indication of the value of a proprietor's right is seen in the purchase at this meeting at vendue sale of the right of John Nelson for the sum of fifty one dollars.1

Fourth Meeting .- This was held at the house of John Marshall, Hamp- stead. John Hazen was chosen moderator, and it was "voted to assist the town and proprietors of Newbury in having preaching for the next next six months and that Timothy Bedel be a committee to join a like committee in Newbury to secure this result." Adjourned to meet October 16, at the house of John Hazen in Haverhill. At this adjourned meeting, the first held in town, Benjamin Whiting was chosen "extemper- ary clark."

"Voted that 200 acres of land be laid out next to the river for a par- sonage for this parish."

"Voted to give Glazier Wheeler one full right of land provided he give sufficient bond to set up a shop and follow the trade of blacksmith ten year's from date, by himself or some other person, and be obliged to work for the people of Haverhill before any others.2

At an adjourned meeting at Captain Hazen's, November 20, 1764, "voted to give Timothy Bedel and Elisha Locke the whole privelege of the lower falls on Hosmers (Oliverian) brook, with the land laid out for such privelege, provided they complete two mills by November 20, 1765, one a sawmill, the other a gristmill."

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History of the town of Haverhill, New Hampshire, Part 3

Author: Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: [Concord, N.H. : Rumford press] Number of Pages: 838

Author: Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Concord, N.H. : Rumford press]
Number of Pages: 838