USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 25
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NOYES, EDWARD F. Priv. Co. B .; b. Plaistow; age 20; res., and cred.
to H .; enl. Sept. 25, and must. in Oct. 23, '62; must. out Aug. 20, '63.
ROBBINS, FRANCIS W. Priv. Co. B; b., res., cred. to H .; age 27; enl. Sept. 19, and must. in Oct. 23, '62 ; died Aug. 9, '63, Cairo, Ill.
ROBERTSON, GEORGE H. Priv. Co. B; b. Boston, Mass .; age 20; res. and credit to H .; enl. Aug. 30, and must. in Oct. 23, '63; died Aug. 22, '63, Mound City, Ill.
RUMRILL, OBADIAH F. Priv. Co. B; b., res., cred. to H .; age 24; enl. Sept. 3, and must. in Oct. 23, '62, as Sergt .; dis. to date Aug. '63 ; died at Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 10, '63.
SANBORN, RUSSELL. Priv. Co. E; res. and cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Nov. 10, '62 ; des. Nov. 10, '62.
SARGENT, FRANK B. Priv. Co. B; b. New London; age 18; res. New London; cred. to H .; `enl. and must. in Nov. 10, '62; app. Corp. June 19, '63 ; must. out Aug. 20, '63. See Ninth N. H. V.
STRAW, WALTER P. Priv. Co. B .; b., res., cred. to H .; age 44; enl. Sept. 20, and must. in Oct. 23 ; must. out Aug. 20, '63.
WATSON, HENRY W. Priv. Co. B; b., res., cred. H .; age 32; enl. Sept. 4 and must. in Oct. 23, '62, as Corp .; app. Sergt. Apr. 16, '63; must. out Aug. 20, '63.
WILEY, EDWARD J. Priv. Co. B; b. Francestown ; age 44; res. and cred. to H .; enl. Sept. 13, and must. in Oct. 23, '62 ; must. out Aug. 20, '63 Volunteered for storming party at Port Hudson, La., under G. O. No. 49, Headquarters Dept., of the Gulf June 15, '63. See Seven and Twelve of N. H. V.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. (Nine Months.)
Mustered into the service of the United States November 13, 1862, to January 10, 1863, by Charles Holmes, Captain 17 Inf. U. S. A. Organization not completed on April 16, 1863, the officers and non-com. officers were mustered out, and the re- mainder of the men were transferred to the Second Regiment, N. H. V. Inf.
ROLL.
CASEY, RICHARD. Priv. Co. A; b. Ireland; age 31; res. Concord ; cred. to H .; enl. Nov. 17, and must. in Nov. 22, '62 ; tr. to Co. H 2d N. H. V., Apr. 16, '63 ; wd. July 2, '63, Gettysburg, Pa .; must. out Oct. 9, '63.
LEWIS, CORNELIUS. Priv. Co. A ; b. Cork, Ireland ; age 40; res. Concord ; cred. to H .; enl. Nov. 21, and must in Nov. 29, '62; tr. to Co. I; 2 N. H. V., Apr. 16, '63 ; disch. disab. May 16, '63.
287
OTHER BRANCHES OF THE ARMY.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. (One and Three Years.)
The Eighteenth Regiment was mustered into service Septem- ber 16, 1864, to April 6, 1865, and mustered out during the summer of 1865. Hillsborough had only four men in this regiment, and one of these a substitute.
ROLL.
ARLING, CHARLES. Corp. Co. A; b. Barrington; age 18; cred. to H .; enl. Sept. 5, and must. in Sept. 13, 1864, as Corp .; disch. June 16, '65.
FOSTER, SILAS E. Priv. Co. H; b. in H .; age 37; cred. to Bradford ; enl. and must. in Feb. 15, '65, for 3 years ; must. out July 29, '65.
JONES, THOMAS. Priv .; must. in Nov. 11, '64; sub. for C. R. Gould. As there is no further record of this man, it is doubtful if he per- formed service.
WALLACE, JOHN. Priv. Co. A .; b. Henniker; age 23; cred. to H .; enl. 'Sept. 2, and must. in Sept. 13, '64; must. out June 10, '65. Rem. to Deering.
OTHER BRANCHES OF THE ARMY.
Hillsborough was represented by men in the following branches and division of the U. S. Army other than the Infantry :
NEW HAMPSHIRE BATTALION.
In 1862 was organized the First Regiment New England Volunteer Cavalry, composed of three battalions. The First and Third were enlisted in Rhode Island; the Second in New Hamp- shire.
ROLL.
ROBBINS, GEORGE A. Corp. Co. I; b. and res. in H .; age 21; enl. Oct. 11, '61; must. in Dec. 17, '61, as priv .; app. Corp. July, '62; app. Sergt. Aug. 8, '62 ; reported missing June 18, '63, near Middleburgh, Va .; regained from missing ; app. 1st Lieut. Co. C Oct. 1, '63; 1st Lieut. Co. L (1 N. H. Cav.) July 15, '64; disch. Dec. 17, '64, time expired. See 1 N. H. Cav.
FIRST REGIMENT N. H. VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
In February, 1864, the four companies of cavalry from New Hampshire which had been attached to the First Rhode Island Cavalry, returned to Concord to recruit a regiment, and as soon as the old battalion and Companies A, B, and C were mustered,
288
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
the seven companies were ordered to Washington, reaching there April 25, 1864, going into camp at Camp Stoneham, Giesboro Point. This regiment experienced a lively career, and during the year or more of its existence it took part in thirty engagements.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
AMBROSE, GEORGE. Priv. Co. H .; b. Allenstown, Pa .; age 25; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 1, '64; des. at Camp Stoneham, D. C., Sept. 1, '64; appreh. Sept. 5, '64, and reported in muster roll as under arrest, where all records stop.
BATES, GEORGE. Priv. Co. A ; b. Derby, Vt .; age 19 ; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Mar. 11, '64 ; killed while on picket at Cox's Hill, Va., July 18, '64.
BELL, JOHN. Priv. unas'd ; b. Ireland ; age 21; cred. H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 2, '64 ; des. while en route to regiment.
CLARK, ANDREW J. Priv. Co. D; b. Nottingham; age 19; res. Notting- ham; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 3, '64; must out July 15, '65 ; ret. to Nottingham.
HOWARD, ARAMEL A. Priv. Co. A; b. in Massachusetts; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Mar. 11, '64 ; died at Readville, Mass., of dis. Oct. 19, '64.
HOWARD, WILLIAM. Priv. Co. D; b. St. John, N. B .; age 24; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 1, '64 ; des. at Camp Stoneham, D. C., Sept. 7, '64.
LANDARBUSH, AKIN. Priv. Co. D; b. Canada; age 39; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in for 1 year Feb. 21, '65 ; must. out July 15, '65.
LYONS, JOHN. Priv. unas'd; b. Ireland; age 34; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Nov. 16, '63 ; no further record, supposed to have des.
McALLISTER, JOSHUA H. Priv. Co. I; b. in H .; age 43 ; cred. to Rumney ; enl. and must. in Feb. 29, '64 ; must. out July 15, '65 ; died Oct. 18, '74, Nat. Home, Togus, Me. See 4th N. H. V.
ROBBINS, GEORGE A. Corp. Co. L; b. and res. in H .; age 25; enl. and must. in Mar. 27, '65; app. Capt. Co. K, Mar. 28, '65; must. out July 15, '65. See 1 N. E. Cav.
ROGERS, JAMES. Priv. unas'd; b. Camden, N. J .; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Nov. 16, '63 ; no further record.
SMIT, JOHN. Priv. unas'd ; b. Holland; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Nov. 16, '63 ; sent to regiment but no further record.
WOOD, HENRY. Priv. unas'd ; b. England; age 30; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 2, '64; des. at Camp Stoneham, D. C., Aug. 27, '64.
WOOD, SYLVESTER. Priv. Co. D; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Jan. 18, '63; disch. for disab. Dec. 2, '63; Ayling did not include him in Register of N. H. Soldiers, and the record is vague.
MAPLEWOOD FARM. HOMESTEAD OF WALTER E. GAY.
:
BATTERY AND ARTILLERY.
289
FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER LIGHT BATTERY.
New Hampshire furnished only one light battery during the war which was recruited wholly in Manchester by Frederick M. Edgell and Edwin H. Hobbs in the autumn of 1861. It was mustered into the service of the United States September 26, 1861, by Lieut. Ingham, U. S. A., for three years. It served its full term of enlistment, and fought in 28 engagements, including Rappahannock Station, Va., Aug. 22, '62; Bull Run, August 30, 1862; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15, 1862, May 2, 1863; Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 4, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 3, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864; siege Petersburg, Va., Ist, 2d and 3d, 1864-1865.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
GRIFFIN, MICHAEL. Priv .; b. in Ireland; age 19; cred. to H .; enl. and and must. in Sept. 6, '64; must. out June 9, '65.
RICHARDS, HENRY. Priv .; b. Goffstown; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 5, '64 ; must. out June 9, '65.
WILLIAMS, JAMES. Priv .; b. Liverpool, Eng .; age 37; cred. to H .; enl.
and must. in Sept. 5, '64 ; must. out June 9, '65.
SECOND COMPANY NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. (Three Years.)
This division was mustered into service August 18, to September 17, 1863, for three years. It became known as Co. B. Hillsborough had no men in the first company and only two in this.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
BACON, LEVI. Priv. Co. B; b. Canada; age 37; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 6, '64; must. out Sept. 11, '65. Died in Rumney, Jan. 23, '91.
FURNHAM, JOHN S. Priv. Co. B; b. Boston; age 20; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 6, '64; must. out Sept. 11, '65.
FIRST REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The organization of this regiment was completed October 17, 1864. For a full detail of the changes made in effecting this regiment the reader is referred to Ayling's "Register of New Hampshire in the Rebellion."
290
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
BACON, LEVI. Priv. Co. H. See & Co. N. H. H. Art.
FURNHAM, JOHN S. Priv. Co. B. See 2 Co. N. H. H. Art.
SPAULDING, WARREN F. Priv. Co. F; b. H .; age 23; cred. to Nashua ; enl. Aug. 29, '64 for 1 year ; must. in Sept. 6, '64 ; disch. May 26, '65.
FIRST REGIMENT UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER SHARPSHOOTERS. (Company E. Three Years.)
Mustered into the service of the United States September 9, 1861, at Concord, by George T. Ingham, Ist Lieut. II Inf. U. S. A. The original members who had not re-enlisted were mustered out Sept. 9, 1864. Hillsborough had one man in this division.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
BURTT, EDWIN A. Priv. Co. E; b. Bennington; age 27; res. H .; enl. Sept. 4, and must. in Sept 9, '61; disch. for disab. Feb. 9, '62 ; Wash- ington, D. C .; died at Hinsdale, Ill., Dec. 28, '83.
VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Under the provisions of General Orders an Invalid Corps was organized to consist of such officers and enlisted men of commands then in the field as were unfit for active field service by reasons of wounds or disease contracted in the line of duty, and such officers and men as had been honorably discharged by reason of wounds or disease contracted in the line of duty who desired to re-enter the service, they being physically qualified and able to do garrison or other light duty, the term of enlistment being for three years or during the war. These men served until the close of the war.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN.
AUSTIN, WILLIAM H. H. Priv. Co. B, 24th Reg .; b. Exeter, Me .; age 22; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 17, '64 ; disch. Nov. 13, '65; died May 10, '87, Suncook. See 4 N. H. Vol.
FOSTER, ROBERT E. Priv. Co. D, 24th Reg .; b. Newmarket ; age "27"; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 2, '64; disch, Dec. 2, '65. See 3 N. H. Vol.
Fox, JOHN F. Priv. Co. F, 13 Regt .; b. Milton, Pa .; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 3, '64; disch. Nov. 14, '65. Prior service in Co D, 150 Pa. Inf.
291
DARTMOUTH CAVALRY.
MURPHY, JOHN. Priv. Co. E, 24 Regt .; b. Ireland ; age 34; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 1, '64 ; disch. Nov. 14, '65. Prior service in Co. A. 16 Mass. Inf.
POOR, GEORGE M. Priv. Co. G, 24 Regt .; b. Hooksett; age 22; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 17, '64; disch. Nov. 15, '65. See 5 N. H. V .; killed by accident Sept. 25, '89, at West Henniker.
ROWE, JAMES C. Priv. Co. G, 24 Regt .; b. Boscawen; age 22; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Aug. 1, '64 ; disch. Nov. 15, '65; rem. to Hop- kinton. See 16 N. H. V.
TUCKER, EDWARD M. Priv. Co. I, 44 Regt .; b. Springvale, Me .; age 25; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 8, '64; tr. to 1 Independant Company, V. R. C .; disch. Dec. 18, '65, to re-enlist as Hospital Steward, U. S. A. Prior service in Mass. Battery.
WINSTON, JAMES. Priv. Co. I, 24 Regt .; b. Ireland; age 42; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 2, '64 ; disch. Sept. 5, '65.
WOODBURY, CHARLES F. H. Priv. Co. I, 24 Regt .; b. Haverhill, Mass. ; age 31; cred. to H .; enl. and must. in Sept. 2, '64; disch. disab. Jan. 1, '65. See 7 N. H. V. Rem. to Warner.
UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS.
New Hampshire had no regiment of colored troops, but nearly three hundred men were enlisted, credited to the quota of the state, and sent to the proper recruiting rendezvous. In addi- tion to these more than one hundred officers and enlisted men of New Hampshire regiments received commissions in the United States Colored Troops. The records of these troops are very incomplete, but Hillsborough furnished at least one man in the last-named class :
ROBBINS, JOHN G. Co. H, 14 Inf., Corps d'Afrique (became 86 U. S. C.
Inf.) ; b. in H., and res. in H .; age 31; must. in Sept. 28, '63, as 1 Lieut. ; must. as Capt. Co. C, Nov. 9, '64; disch. Apr. 12, '66. Died at H., Sept. 8, '67. Served in other branches of the army.
WATSON, FRANK. Unas'd, 21 Inf .; sub .; b. Halifax; age 22; cred. to H .; enl. Dec. 19, '64 ; must. in as Priv. Dec. 19, '64 ; name on muster roll Dec. 20, '64, but no further record.
DARTMOUTH CAVALRY.
Dartmouth was the only college that furnished a body of troops from among its students during the Civil War. This company was united with the Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry as Company B, Seventh Squadron.
292
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
UNITED STATES NAVY.
The records of New Hampshire men in the navy is very incomplete, and it is not only likely but quite probable that others than those recorded here served to the credit of the town.
GARDNER, WILLIAM. Sub. for J. M. Wilkins; b. Germany ; age 21; cred. to H .; enl. Nov. 22, '64, for 3 years, as a Seaman ; served on U. S. S "Vandalia," "Ohio," "Potomac," and "Kickapoo," des. from last May 23, '65.
WALL, MARTIN. B. Ireland; age 24; sub. for J. M. Curtis; cred. to H .; enl. June 22, '64, for 3 years, as an Ord. Seaman; served on U. S. S. "Vandalia," and "Shawmut"; des. Mar. 28, '65, from "Shawmut." CARDENA, JUAN J. Sub. for C. W. Conn; b. Ecuador, S. A .; age 22; credited to H .; enl. Dec. 6, '64, for 3 years, as an Ord. Seaman; serv. on U. S. S. "Vandalia"; des. Sept. 20, '65.
WATSON, JAMES. Sub. for Henry C. Morrill ; b. Canada ; age 36; cred. to H .; enl. Dec. 9, '64, for 3 years; as 2d class Fireman; serv. on U. S. S. "Vandalia," "De Soto," "Wyandotte," "Vermont," and "New Hampshire"; disch. Jan. 19, '67, from receiving ship, Boston, Mass. ; furnished a substitute.
HILLSBOROUGH MEN WHO SERVED IN OTHER STATES.
The compiler is aware that this list is far from complete, owing to the difficulty in securing the records from the scattered rolls, and it is offered with this understanding.
ROSTER.
ANDREWS, CHRISTOPHER C., having recruited part of a company, was mustered into service Oct. 11, 1861, at Fort Snelling, Minn. On the filling up of his company, he was commissioned as Captain of Company I, Third Reg. Minn. Vol. Inf., Nov. 4, 1861. He saw much active service and rose by promotions to Brig .- General and brevit Major-General U. S. Vols. Mustered out Jan. 15, 1866, and during his nearly four years of service was not off duty over ten days, except during the period when he was a prisoner. See sketch, Vol. II.
BRODEUR, JOSEPH. Priv. Co. M., 3 Mass. Cavalry ; age 20; res. in H. ; enl. and must. in Nov. 30, '61; disch. disab. Sept. 2, '63.
CLEMENT, JOHN H. Priv. Co. L, Mass. Cav .; b. in H .; age 22; res. in H .; cred. to Roxbury, Mass .; enl. and must. in Mar. 14, '64; died at New Orleans, July 14, '64.
COOLEDGE, WALTER SCOTT. Served as Captain of 7th Californian Inf.
FLETCHER, LESTER. Priv. Co. M, 2 Mass. Cav .; b. in Roxbury, Vt .; age 21; res. in H .; cred. to Lynn, Mass .; enl. for 3 years, and must. in Feb. 20, '65; must. out July 20, '65.
293
HILLSBOROUGH IN THE CIVIL WAR, SUMMARY.
GRIMES, JAMES F. Major 17th Inf., U. S. A .; b. in H .; age 26; res. H .; app. Captain Aug. 5, '61; tr. to 26th Inf. Sept. 21, '66 ; to 10th Inf. May 19, '69; unas'd June 2, '70; disch. Dec. 31, '70. Bvt. Major to date Aug. 1, '64, for gallant service at Spottsylvania and during the campaign before Richmond, Va. Bvt. Lt. Col. Mar. 13, '65, for gallant and meritorious conduct during the war.
ROBBINS CHARLES T., 13th Mass. Reg.
ROBBINS, JOHN G. Sergt. Co. D, 26 Mass. Inf; b. H .; age 29; res. in H .; enl. and must. in as Priv., Sept. 17, '61; app. Corp. Aug. 25, '62 ; Sergt. June 5, '63 ; app. 1st Sergt. disch. to accept promotion. See U. S. C. T.
ROYLEIGH, HIRAM B. Priv. Co. E; b. Pittsburgh; age 21; res. in H .; enl. Mar. 12, '62, for 3 years; disch. Mar. 11, '65. Rem to Antrim.
WARD, JOHN C. Priv. Co. F, 1st Mass. Cav .; b. Bangor, Me .; age 18; res. in H .; cred. to Roxbury, Mass .; enl. for 3 years and must. in Mar. 24, '64; disch. to date Nov. 16, '64.
YOUNG, THOMAS. Priv. Co. F, 1st Batt'l, 17th Inf., U. S. A .; b. in Maine ; age 30; res. in H .; enl. Mar. 25, '62 ; tr. to Co. A, 1st Batt'l, 17 Inf., U. S. A .; disch. for disab. Feb. 14, '63, Baltimore, Md.
In summing up the part Hillsborough acted in the Civil War we find that at the breaking out of the conflict the town had 272 men capable of bearing arms. From these there entered the ser- vice during the struggle, terms running from three months to three years or during the war, 43 who were natives of the town and lived here at the time ; 94 who were born elsewhere but were residents of the town or served to its credit ; 31 soldiers who were born here but served to the credit of other places. This makes 168 men who performed war duty on sea or land, who were directly connected with the town. Besides this number certain individuals furnished substitutes to the number of 41 men. This makes a total of 209 persons. Of this number II were killed; 17 died of wounds or disease; 27 were discharged for disability. At least 25, most if not all of them substitutes, deserted.
The Rev. Frederic W. Burrows, in a memorial sermon, said those who sacrificed their lives for the cause "lie in graves scattered all the way along the line from New Orleans and Jack- sonville to Petersburg and Richmond. Nine of them came home to die." There are living in town to-day eight veterans and the year is not far away when the last will have answered the final roll call and the tap of the drum shall be silenced.
294
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Quoting from Mr. Burrows again: "Every great movement in its last analysis is a list of names, so is every great duty at the sacrifice of lesser and apparent duties. The cause sanctifies the individual and neither a nation or an individual can be devoted to a great cause without undergoing a profound moral and spir- itual change."
So every great war brings its changes in the lives and habits of a people. Not only does it leave memories of sorrow in its path, but it leaves new ideas and different methods of living among its survivors. Hillsborough experienced her part. The closing of the great Civil War witnessed the beginning of the decline of rural life in New England. Drawing largely from the country, the young and the strong, and returning but a remnant of them grown prematurely aged in the service it could not be otherwise. From that day, for good or ill, a new element came into the life of the Republic, an element which had an influence that was felt in every town and every hamlet in the country.
CHAPTER XV. HIGHWAYS, BYWAYS AND BRIDGES.
When Roads Were Bridle Paths-Cost of Early Road-"Society Land" Roads-Petitions in Relation to Roads in Society Lands-First Bridge Built, 1779-Other Bridges-Establishment of Post Offices -Methods of Distribution of Mail-First Building of Post Roads -Rapid Growth of Highways-Hillsborough's Two Post Roads- Petition for a Turnpike Road-"The Turnpike Craze"-Stimula- tion of Trade As Result of Two Turnpikes-Accomodation of Stage Coaches-Building of Taverns-Roads Benefit to Public- Not Profitable to Builders-Routes Surrendered to Towns, 1837- "New Road to Keene," 1831-Noted Stage Road-Gradual Increase of Roads-The Ox Team and Stage Coach Things of the Past- Oldtime Bustle Replaced by Automobiles-"Old Roads and Trails of Hillsborough."
The roads in town before the Revolution were little better than cart paths and none of them had been built with anything approaching the modern idea of road construction. There was very little teaming to be done between towns and comparatively nothing to market. So far the inhabitants had been busy felling the trees and breaking the new land so it could afford the sustenance of life. There were no carriages, the nearest approach being an ox cart, so why should roads be leveled and graded? The more ambitious rode on horseback, the rest went on "shank's mare." There was a beaten path to Litchfield and Merrimack, and another to Amherst. New Boston and Henniker were reached by bridle paths. Over these primitive roads the pioneer settlers of old Number Seven, and the earlier comers in the Second Settlement during the long, bitter winters dragged on sleds the provisions or whatever was needed, while at other times and seasons the horse or the slower moving oxen were made to accomplish this task. With the river frozen over this became a highway of travel, so on the whole men came and went perhaps as well satisfied with their simple ways and means as we of to-day who ride behind the iron horse or the automobile.
295
296
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Previous to the incorporation of the town, the inhabitants improved such unfinished roads as they had opened up by travel without any apparent disagreement among themselves, but out- side elements gave them cause for complaints. So before any records were made by the clerk in the Town's Book the proceed- ings of the legislature and the courts contained petitions and claims that showed the grievances of the people. These troubles came mostly from the scattered settlers of a considerable tract of country lying to the west and southwest and denominated "Society Land." This territory consisted of sections that had not been included in the township grants and were held by a certain company of gentlemen, with one exception, living in Portsmouth. These holdings were considerable at one time, which is shown by the fact that the town of Bennington, and a portion of Hancock were taken from this territory. It was known at one time as Cumberland. Prior to the early stages of the Revolution it was dignified with the term of Royal Society Land. So burdensome had the expense become in the matter of roads leading into or through this district, that five years before the Revolution we find the inhabitants of Hillsborough making the following appeal to the Governor and Council for relief :
PETITION IN RELATION TO ROADS IN SOCIETY LANDS.
Province of
New Hampshire.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General, Governor & Commander in chief and over said Province The Honble his Majestys Council and the Honble the House of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly to be convened at Portsmouth in said Province on the 20 Day of march next.
The Petition of Divers of the Inhabitants of Hillsborough in said Province Humbly sheweth that the Inhabitants of said Hillsborough were obliged to cut and clear a road through a Tract of Land call'd the Societys Land near eight miles in length which road has cost us a great sum of money and for two years past we have been obliged to pay province Taxes-Wherefore we Humbly pray your Excelency and Honours would please to make an act to oblige the proprietors & owners of said Societys Land to maintain and keep said Road in repair for the benefit of themselves the Inhabitants of said Hills-
297
ROADS IN SOCIETY LANDS.
borough & Inhabitants of the country around us, your petitioners in duty Bound will ever pray.
Hillsborough Feby, 15th 1770.
Samuel Bradford
Samuel Bradford, Jr
Timothy Bradford
William Williams
Henry Codd
Isaac Andrews
Anthony Morin
John Mead
Samuel Bradford
Abijah Lovejoy
Peter Codd
Benjamin Lovejoy
John McCalley
Benjamin Lovejoy, Jr.
James Gibson
Isaac Baldwin
John Gibson
Nathan Taylor
Josiah Colledge
William Pope Moses Steel
James Taggart Archibald Taggart Joshua Estey
Jonathan Durent
William Taggart Jr
Robert Taggart
John Taggart
Daniel McMurphy Timothy Wilkins Nehemyer Wilkins In Council March 28th 1770
The within Petition was read & ordered to be sent down to the Honble Assembly.
Geo : King, D. Secry
Province of In the House of Representatives March 28th 1770.
New Hampsr
Voted, That the Petitioners be heard on their Petition on the third day of the siting of the General Assembly after the first day of May next and that they cause the Substance of their Petition and this Order of Court to be Published two weeks successively in the New Hampshire Gazett that any person may shew cause why the Prayer thereof should not be granted.
M. Weare, Clr.
Accompanying this petition were depositions signed by John McCalley and others showing that the town of Hillsborough built the bridge mentioned, but I have not found any record to show that the inhabitants were reimbursed though the considerate reception given the petition would indicate favorable action.
If not fully successful, the petitioners obtained the authority of the legislature to demand that the settlers of Society Land maintain a road granted April 16, 1770. Still the parties in question evidently were indifferent to their duty, for January I, 1771, another petition to the General Court was made asking for power to compel them to maintain roads.
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