USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Sutton > The history of Sutton, New Hampshire : consisting of the historical collections of Erastus Wadleigh, Esq., and A. H. Worthen, part 1 > Part 15
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Meshech Weare, Hampton Falls Philips White, South Hampton Joseph Moulton, Hampton Pierse Long, Portsmouth Timothy Walker, Concord
Rockingham Co.
Benjamin Barker, Stratham Joseph Dudley, Raymond Ebenezer Thompson, Durham Otis Baker, Dover Strafford Co.
John Smith, Durham
Matthew Thornton, Merrimack Hillsborough Co. which
Wyseman Clagget, Litchfield included what is now
Matthew Patten, Bedford Merrimack Co.
Nathaniel S. Prentice, Alstead, Cheshire Co.
234
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
In 1788 a convention was called to act upon the federal constitution for the government of the United States, which met at Exeter the second Wednesday of February. After discussing the sub- ject some nine or ten days, the convention adjourned to the third Wednesday of June, then to meet at Concord. At the adjourned session the greatest anxiety prevailed, and discussion was continued un- til Saturday, when the question was taken upon the adoption or rejection of the constitution. During the call of the members the stillness of death pre- vailed in the house, and anxiety was depicted on every countenance.
At length the president announced the state of the vote, fifty-seven having voted for the constitu- tion and forty-six against it, leaving a majority in its favor. According to a provision in the constitu- tion, it was to go into operation when nine states should adopt it, and the action of New Hampshire, she being the ninth, was awaited with the greatest solicitude. She adopted it, and the result was hailed with delight throughout the state and country.
It is said that this result was attained by a pleas- ant artifice of Col. Walker, of Concord, one of the friends of the constitution. The colonel invited a number of the enemies of the measure to dine with him, together with some of its friends. Some little management was used, good wines being passed around after the cloth was removed, and the dinner was continued until after the vote was taken in the convention, thus securing a majority in favor of the constitution.
235
GOVERNMENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
THE END OF THE OLD AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT.
December 2, 1776, taxes were collected in the name of the government and people of the state. The last warrant for Province tax was dated 9 June, 1775.
The question is sometimes asked, What power was it that bridged the chasm between the cessa- tion of the royal government and the commence- ment of the people's government ? Was it a power acting without any warrant except the needs of the occasion ? By no means. As early as 1774, a Committee of Correspondence was appointed by the assembly, and when, for this act, the royal governor dissolved them, it was an easy thing for this Com- mittee of Correspondence to reässemble the repre- sentatives when necessary. The representatives addressed circulars to the several towns in the province, instructing them to send delegates to a convention to be held at Exeter, for the purpose of selecting deputies to the Continental Congress, which was to meet at Philadelphia the ensuing September.
The province had been governed by a governor and council appointed by the king, and an assembly chosen by the people. By the prudent foresight of this assembly, in choosing and appointing the Com- mittee of Correspondence, their authority could be exercised and made to hold over till all the people could be reached and brought into concerted ac- tion.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
FIRST IN THEIR SPECIAL BUSINESS OR CALLING.
Ezra Jones made the first grist-mill and saw-mill.
Ebenezer Keyser was the first blacksmith.
Benjamin Wadleigh first shoemaker and tanner.
Samuel Ambrose, first settled minister.
William Martin, first settled doctor.
Benjamin French, first settled lawyer.
Robert Hogg, first school-master, probably.
Olive Whitcomb, school-mistress.
John Eaton, store-keeper.
Matthew Harvey and Caleb Kimball first tavern-keepers. It is not certain which was first.
The first brick-makers were Jeremiah Davis near the present Tilton farm, and Samuel Peaslee, near the Nathan Burpee place.
First mail-carrier, - Dimond, probably.
First maker of earthen ware, - - Dimond probably.
First fiddler, Anthony Clark.
First dancing-school teacher, Henry Carleton.
First carpenter, Capt. William Pressey.
Wooden ware first made by Cornelius Bean and Ezra Jones.
First female physicians, Mrs. Ebenezer Keyser and Mrs. William Pressey.
First printer, Elder Lothrop.
First hatter, Aaron Sargent. Afterwards Hunt and Noah Pea- body.
First captain, William Pressey.
First lieutenant, Joseph Wadleigh.
First ensign, Phineas Stephens.
First singing-master, Capt. Matthew Buell, of Newport. He taught here many years in succession, perhaps as many as ten.
237
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Was teaching here in 1799, and before that time and afterwards. He used to teach three afternoons and three evenings in a week, one day at Matthew Harvey's tavern, one day at Enoch Page's tavern, and one day at Caleb Kimball's tavern. The recess between the afternoon and evening schools afforded a fine opportunity for the young men to display their gallantry by treating the girls to such good things as the taverns afforded. On one occasion Capt. Buell's Newport school, by special invitation. came down to visit the Sutton school :- had a supper together, and a fine entertainment every way.
TAVERNS.
Caleb Kimball, on Kimball hill.
Matthew Harvey, in the north part of Sutton.
Capt. James Taylor, foot of Kimball hill.
Joseph Greeley, at the south, on the Fishersfield road. Capt. Enoch Page, South Village.
All five of these were in operation at the same time, at some part of their existence.
Capt. William Kendrick. at South Village. Morris Sargent, N. A. Davis, James Eastman, Ezra Corson-the four last named at the tavern owned by Dr. Robert Lane.
Joseph Harvey. North Sutton.
John Reddington on the Warner road.
Langdon Littlehale, South Sutton.
CARPENTERS.
William Pressey.
Fred L. Howe.
Enoch Page.
George Chadwick. John F. Chadwick.
Joseph Jackson.
Moses Pillsbury.
Jacob Bean.
William Hart.
Stephen Woodward.
Israel Andrew.
Daniel Woodward.
Joseph Bean.
John Harvey, Sen. Aaron Russell.
David Moody. William Howe.
John Harvey, Jr.
Ransom R. Wheeler.
John Pillsbury.
David Woodward.
Adrian V. Williams. Thomas Cheney.
John Persons.
238
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Joseph Kezar.
Leonard H. Wheeler.
Horace M. Howe.
William H. Chadwick.
Edmund Blood.
Benj. Wells.
Gage Woodward.
STORE-KEEPERS.
John Eaton.
Greeley & Pressey.
Dea. Joseph Greeley.
Capt. James Minot.
Benjamin Evans.
Philip S. Harvey.
Nathaniel Ambrose.
Isaac, Lewis & Enoch Bailey.
Hemphill & Armstrong.
Daniel Carr.
Joseph Pike.
Elbridge McCollom.
John Taylor.
David Brown.
Joseph Harvey.
Alfred Richard.
Nathaniel A. Davis.
Carlos G. Pressey.
Albert & Lewis Richards.
Benjamin Burpee.
Truman Putney.
Joseph Greeley, Jr.
Perley & James M. Sargent.
David Cooper.
Levi Ferrin.
Joseph P. Nelson.
Hiram Davis.
Francis M. Richards. James B. & Frank A. Richards. Jacob S. Harvey.
Johnson & Harvey.
McAllaster & Johnson.
Carroll & Haile.
George Robertson.
James B. McAllaster.
E. F. Eastman.
George Wells.
Dell P. Fifield.
Fred Putney.
James Taylor.
Mrs. J. M. Sargent, millinery and dry goods.
BLACKSMITHS.
Ebenezer Kezar. Simon Kezar. John Keyser. Joshua Flanders.
Gordon Huntley.
Enoch Colby. Edward Dodge. Daniel Sargent. James Fifield. Frank Lane.
J. Harvey Merrill. John Wheeler. Dearborn Wheeler.
James Knowlton.
Albert E. Chadwick.
Bradbury Bailey.
Hiram Watson.
239
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
William L. Morgan.
Daniel Whitcomb.
William Andrews.
Benjamin P. Sargent.
Charles Couch.
Benjamin Fifield.
William Pressey.
Walter P. Sargent.
John Hazen.
Albert Durgin.
Frank Turner.
Frank Andrews.
N. Chase.
Daniel Hazen.
Joel Stone.
Aaron Small.
James Buswell.
Lorenzo F. Howe.
Micajah Pillsbury.
Asa Gee.
Dea. Joseph Greeley.
Stephen Hoyt.
Reuell Miller.
Morgan.
Jonathan Fifield.
HONORABLE WOMEN.
While speaking of the first settlers, justice demands some mention of their wives.
The wife of Capt. William Pressey is remembered still as pre- possessing in appearance, social, intelligent, and agreeable, even in old age, and noted for piety and goodness.
Mrs. Abraham Peasley was social, kind, and cheerful, and might be called a living encyclopedia. She had a wonderful remembrance of all events connected with the first settlements and everything else.
Mrs. Moses Quimby was noted for her care and interest for the sick and distressed. She performed most of the duties appertaining to a physician, and assisted at most of the births for twenty years.
Mrs. Cornelius Bean, who lived to be nearly 100 years of age, was always ready to assist the sick. She was cheerful and happy to the last ; possessed a very strong memory.
Mrs. Benjamin Wells lived happy and contented to a great age.
Mrs. Samuel Bean had a family of eight sons and three daughters. All have had issue. Joseph moved to Canada, and lived to be more than ninety years of age. Reuben moved to Bangor, Me., where he died.
Mrs. Jonathan Davis, Sen., was remarkable for her patience, pru- dence, piety, and industry. She lived to a great age, and finally died from the effects of an accident.
240
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Mrs. Josiah Nichols was a woman of strong mind, and a devoted Christian.
Mrs. Jesse Fellows lived almost a century ; was remarkable for industry and cheerfulness.
OWNERS OF LOTS.
From a map of the town of Sutton, made in 1817, by Jonathan Harvey, the names of the owners of the following 160-acre lots were taken.
No. 8. Jonathan Bohonan.
9. Amos Felch.
20. Jonathan Harvey.
21. John Felch.
39. Nathaniel Todd & Joseph Chadwick.
40. Ezekiel Knowlton & James Morgan.
22. Samuel Keyser & Benjamin 44. P. Stevens. Wells. 46. Thomas Wadley, B. Philbrick & S. Russell.
23. Isaac and Joseph Bean.
24. Amos Pressey.
25. Moses Hill.
47. Thomas Wadley.
48. Daniel Page.
26. John King. 50. P. Andrew.
27. J. Chadwick & J. Woodward. 51. J. Johnson.
28. David Woodward & John 52. Jos. Johnson. Manahan.
29. E. Parker.
54. Wright & Martin & D. Weeler.
30.
35. J. Shepard. 60. J. Youring.
36. J. Emerson. 61. J. Adams.
37. Josiah & Enoch Nichols. 62. J. Adams.
38. James Todd & D. Butterfield. 63. N. Andrew.
100-ACRE LOTS.
No. 30. W. Wadley. 37. A. Peaslee. 31. 38. - Peaslee.
32. S. Ambrose.
39. - Nelson.
33. D. Woodward.
40. - Nelson.
34. D. Andrew.
41. T. Peaslee.
35. D. Andrew & M. Nelson. 42. J. Brocklebank.
36. A. Nelson. 43. «
53. N. Cheney.
211
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
44. J. Pressey.
72. P. S. Harvey.
45. S. Ambrose.
73. Jonathan Davis.
46. J. Davis.
79. J. Pillsbury & J. Challis.
60. E. Page & C. Lewis. 80. J. Pillsbury & T. Challis.
61. E. Eaton. 81. D. Page & A. Robertson.
62. Andrew Robertson & M. 82. M. Harvey. Harvey. 83. M. Harvey & M. Nelson.
68. Benj. Wadley.
THIRD DIVISION.
No. 2. Henry Dearborn.
16, 18, 20. - Wright.
5. O. Eastman. 17, 19, 21. M. Wadley.
14. D. Savory. 23, 24, 25, 26. I. Peaslee.
51, 52, 53, 54. Daniel Wheeler.
LORD PROPRIETORS' LOTS.
No. 1. Nathaniel Eaton &. Jona. 16. B. Fowler.
Rowell.
BUILDING THE POUND.
March 14, 1803. Voted, to build a pound of stone 30 feet square, 7 feet high, 4 feet thick at the bottom, on the ground, with a hewed pine log on the top thereof, which shall be to the value of 12 inches square, with a good gate, and a good lock and key,-and said wall to be 18 inches thick on the top.
Voted, that said pound shall be built on the hill northerly of Capt. Ephraim Hildreth's barn, as near said barn as it can conven- iently be set.
Voted, to set said pound up to vendue, to be struck off to the lowest bidder.
Voted, that nothing short of 20 cents shall be considered a bid.
Capt. James Taylor bid off said pound at 19 dollars and 50 cents, and agreed to build the same agreeably to the dimensions before named.
Samuel Bean and Phineas Stevens chosen pound-keepers.
16
242
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
CHENEY AND THE BEAR.
BY CHARLES A. FOWLER.
Between 1820 and 1830 there lived on the cross road, east of the present residence of the family of the late Sylvester S. Felch, a famous hunter, Isaac Cheney. He had 9 sons,-Harrison, Curtis, Marden, William, Daniel, Caleb, Benjamin, Isaac, and Stephen. The only daughter, Sarah, married Stephen R. Swett.
As my father's family were Cheney's nearest neighbors, I knew them well; I also distinctly remember Bose, their strong-limbed, heavy-bodied dog.
Mr. Cheney was a good-looking man, six feet tall, athletic and spry, and in a rough-and-tumble " set-to" usually came out first best.
But this tussle with the bear was the great event of his life. Early one morning,-I think it must have been in the winter of 1827-'8,-he rode up to our house on the old black mare, and ac- costed my father.
"Captain, I killed a bear yesterday on old Kiarsarge, sir. He bit my thigh, and I want to get some camphor to put on it."
It seems that bruin was discovered, backed partly under the roots of an up-turned tree, whereupon Cheney fired a charge of shot into his face.
The bear, apparently unhurt, started to run, when Cheney grab- bed him by the hind legs. Bruin right about faced, raised himself on his haunches, and " pitched in."
"Now, Isaac, hold thine own ! No maiden's arm is round thee thrown : Together, down they came."
We never heard the bear's version of the case, but Cheney always maintained that the reason he fell was that his foot tripped in the brush.
Old Bose now valiantly tackled his bearship in the rear, and Cheney regained his feet.
At this juncture Ira Phelps came on the scene, with an axe. With much difficulty Cheney succeeded in getting hold of it. The bear was soon finished.
The next day he was drawn on a hand-sled to Nathan Phelps's shed, where he "lay in state" till all the inhabitants of all the re- gion round about had found opportunity to view the remains.
I rode on the crupper behind my mother to see the bear.
2-13
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
INVENTORY OF ESTATE OF EBENEZER KEZAR.
It has been thought best to copy this paper, first, because of the interest connected with all that concerns this man, so prominent in the early years of the town, and, second, because it gives some idea of the estimated value of various articles of personal property at the time of his decease, in 1793. He was a blacksmith as well as farmer.
£ s d
£
s d
One saddle, 1 10 0 The red mare, 00 0
0 9 0 The blacksmith tools, 3 9 6
1 old side saddle,
090 2 cows £3 each, 600
2 bridles, 0 2 0 6 sheep, 1 13 1
14 pounds chain, 070 1 colt, 4 4 0
1 set horse traces, 0 6 0 Horse Traces, 0 90
Axes, 0 3 6 Old iron dung-fork,
1 calf,
1 0 0 and pitch-fork S 0 18 6
The black mare, S S S
90 0
One saddle 15, collar and tackling 6, 1 gun 12, 1 13 0
S S
Pair boots 9, pair hosen 5, 0 14 0
S 1 18 0
Great coat 1, straight bodied coat 18, S S S 1 17 0
Blue coat 14, 2 pair breeches 17, 2 jackets 6,
Leather breeches, old coat, 2 shirts, two pairs stockings, 1 16 0 S S S
1 hat 15, 1 kettle 6, the pewter 15, and 1 desk, 1 40
S S
1 12 0
0 15 0 S The other bed, S S S
1 pig 15, 1 side-saddle 15, small bell 1, 1 11 0
Large bell 6, augers, chisels 2, and chaise tackling, 12, 1 0 0 S S S
S
S
Saddle-bags 6, steelyards 3,
090
The sum total of the real estate, two hundred and eighty-seven pounds, ten shillings.
1 case drawers, 1 6 £ d 0, 1 table 4, chest 2, £ S d
1 bed and bedding 2 15 0 66 2 5 0 5 15 0 1
244
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
NEW LONDON PETITION FOR A CORONER, 1794.
To his excellency the governor and honorable council, in general court to be convened, at Concord, on Tuesday, the sixteenth day of December, 1794. We, the petitioners of the town of New London, humbly showeth, that we labor under a great disadvantage by not having a coroner in said town, having been obliged to send several times for one at a considerable distance.
Therefore, we humbly pray your honors would take the matter into your wise consideration, and remove such difficulty by appoint- ing Mr. Joseph Colby to be coroner for said town, and your peti- tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
[Folded in with the above paper was found what was evidently the first draft of the same, and is much like it, and of the same date. It contains the following sentence, pointing a little more plainly to the immediate occasion of their exigency. "We have been obliged to send two times out of town for an officer on this occasion of late."]
The petition for a coroner is signed by
Jedediah Jewett.
Josiah Brown.
Caleb Seegar.
Peter Sargent.
Jeremiah Pingry.
Ezekiel Sargent.
John Sargent.
Jonathan Everett.
Abner Whittier.
John Adams, Jr.,
Benjamin Woodberry.
John Adans.
Zebedee Hayse.
Peter Sargent, Jr.
Levi Everett.
Jeremiah Everett.
John Slack.
James Brocklebank.
John Ide.
Nathaniel Emerson.
Ebenezer Hunting.
Joshua Wright. Anthony Sargent.
Ebenezer Shepard.
Jesse Shepard.
Nathan Goodwin.
Seth Gay.
Ebenezer Sargent.
Ebenezer Shepard, Jr.
Amasa Sargent.
[Some numbers of " Curtis' Pocket Almanac," of date 1800 to 1806, show that in 1800 Samuel Messer was a coroner in New London, and so continued several years. In 1805 Samuel Messer and Benjamin Woodbury were coroners in New London.]
215
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
OWNERSHIP OF FARMS.
Farms owned in 1792 which were in 1870 owned by the sons of the owners.
Abraham Peaslee, by son Abraham Peaslee.
Jona. Davis, by son Elisha P. Davis.
Jesse Fellows, by son Harrison Fellows.
John Eaton, by son John Eaton.
Moses Wadleigh, by son Thomas J. Wadleigh.
Jona. Johnson, by son Jona. Johnson and grandson Howard Johnson.
Reuben Gile, by daughter, wife of Daniel Mastin.
Farms owned in 1792, which were in 1870 owned by their grandchildren.
Oliver French, by Cyrus French.
Green French, by George S. French.
Matthew Harvey, by Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Knowlton.
Dudley Kendrick, by granddaughter Rhoda, wife of P. Harvey Wadleigh.
Caleb Kimball, by grandson John Eaton.
Jacob Mastin, by granddaughter Eliza. wife of Moses Moody.
Asa Nelson, by widow of his son Asa, and grandchildren.
Capt. William Pressey, by grandson William Pressey.
Silas Russell, by grandsons Aaron and Seth.
Benjamin Wadleigh, by grandson Erastus and great-grandson Milton B. Wadleigh.
One farm owned in 1792 was in 1870 owned by great-grandchildren.
Daniel Messer, by children of Moses Hazen, whose wife was a grandchild.
FARMS OWNED IN 1792, OCCUPIED IN 1870.
Samuel Andrew, by Nathan Burpee and others.
Cornelius Bean, not known.
Samuel Bean, by Milton B. Wadleigh and John Pressey.
216
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Isaac Bean, by James Brocklebank.
William Bean, by Harrison Fellows and Leonard H. Wheeler.
Nath'l Cheney. by Johnson Colby and Moses S. Blaisdell.
Theophilus Cram, by Nicholas Rowell and son.
Abner Chase, by Safford Watson and son.
Leonard Colburn, by J. P. Nelson, Erastus Wadleigh, and others.
Jona. Colburn, by James C. Eaton.
David Colburn, by James C. Eaton.
Ebenezer Crosby, by John Blaisdell.
Joseph Youring, by Daniel Smith.
Jacob Davis, by M. B. Wadleigh.
Jona. Davis and son David, by P. N. Little.
James Eaton. by John Felch.
David Eaton, by Moses Pillsbury and John Huntoon.
Daniel Emery, by T. W. Nelson (near the Ichabod Roby farm).
Obadiah Eastman, by Nath'l Clay.
Benjamin Fowler, by Ichabod Hazen.
Ezekiel Flanders, by the heirs of Joseph Barnard (near Daniel Mastin).
Ephraim Gile, by Dr. Robert Lane.
Reuben Gile. by Daniel Mastin.
Ephraim Hildreth, by George Tilton.
Matthew Harvey, by descendants.
James Hutchins, near Francis Richards.
Philemon Hastings, by Moses Peaslee.
Moses Hills, by Erastus Wadleigh and S. Morgan.
Ezra Jones, near Luther Dresser.
Joseph Johnson, by Francis Robbins. James King, by John M. Pressey.
Simon Kezar, by Daniel Hardy and John Huntoon.
John King, by A. Morgan and N. Columbus Knowlton.
Samuel Kendrick, by John Colby.
Lot Little, by John Blaisdell.
William Lowell. Isaac Messer. Thomas Messer. John Messer. Jonathan Nelson-Mill Lot.
Philip Nelson, by E. and J. B. Nelson, grandchildren.
247
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Josiah Nichols, by his son Josiah's widow, and grandchild Ruth, wife of John C. Little.
Amos Pressey, by Ervin Nelson and Parker Blodgett.
Benj. W. Philbrook, Jr., by Converse Gage.
David Peaslee, by John Eaton.
Samuel Peaslee, by F. Currier and son.
Peter Peaslee, by John Eaton.
Isaac Peaslee, by heirs of L. Cheney and others.
John Peaslee, by M. Peaslee and others.
Hezekiah Parker, by heirs of Samuel Felch.
Widow Hannah Roby, probably part of the Ichabod Roby farm.
James Roby, part of the Jona. Roby farm.
Ichabod Roby, by Sanborn Wadleigh and others.
Jona. Roby, by J. Morgan and others. Jona. Rowell, by Mr. Sawyer and son.
Philip Sargent, by Isaac Fellows and W. A. Chase.
William Scales, supposed to be near Carlos Eaton's.
Phineas Stevens, by Moses P. Cheney and others.
Stephen Woodward, by John Huntoon and Moses Pillsbury.
Daniel Whittier, by E. Bailey and James Merrill.
Francis Whittier and Francis Whittier, Jr., by Moores Merrill. Benjamin Wells, by Bean, Leach, and Kesar.
Joseph Wells, by Asa Bean and son.
Benj'n Wells, Jr., by T. B. Lewis.
Joseph Wadleigh, by Russell, Blanchard, and others.
Thomas Wadleigh, by Aaron Russell and others.
Ephraim Wadleigh, by Asa Sargent and others.
George Walker, by Levi Cheney.
Plummer Wheeler, by Thomas Morgan and son.
VALUE OF LOTS.
Price of a whole right, or proprietor's share, in Perrystown, being the one originally granted to Jolın Barker.
The Lots belonging to said Right that are already drawn (in 1774) are No. 41 in the 1st. Div., and No. 20 in the 2nd Div.
248
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
This right was conveyed, as shown by the deed of the same, by Flanders to Matthew Harvey, for the consideration of 42 pounds, lawful money.
Another deed, Marshall to Harvey, dated March 15, 1775. The right originally granted to Asa Kimball, the consideration being 13 pounds, 15 shillings.
Another deed, Matthew Harvey to William Lowell, dated 1796, conveys No. 57 in the third division, the consideration being 42 dollars. Origi- nally drawn to John Ayers.
OBLIGATION TO SETTLE UPON AND IMPROVE A LOT.
Know all men by these presents that I Joshua Quimby of Courcy Sarge [Kearsarge] Gore, so called, in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, yeoman, am justly indebted and firmly bound unto Matthew Harvey of Sutton in said County and State, in the just and lawful sum of Fifty Pounds. Lawful money, the payment whereof I the said Joshua Quimby, my heirs, Ex'rs, and Adm'rs, and Assigns, do hereby oblige myself unto the said Matthew Harvey, his heirs, Ex'rs, Adm'rs, and Assigns. in seven months from this date. As Witness my hand and seal, this 15th day of June, 1786.
The condition of the obligation is such that notwithstanding what is above written, so long as the above named Joshua Quimby, or his heirs, Ex'rs, Adm'rs, or Assigns, or any other, by or under them, shall continue to settle, dwell or live upon, and improve on, a certain Lot of land lying and being in Courcy Sarge Gore, so called, which Lot is No. 73, as set forth in the Plan of said Gore, I say so long as the said Joshua, his heirs etc., shall continue to set- tle, dwell upon, and improve as above, that the said Matthew Har- vey, his heirs, &c., do hereby oblige themselves that the above Bond or obligation shall never be put in execution, or improved to the hurt of said Joshua his heirs &c.
And upon the consideration of the said Joshua, his heirs &c.,
249
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
their fulfilling the settlement of improving said Lot as aforesaid, for the space of the seven ensuing years, the above obligation is to be void and of none effect, otherwise to stand in full force and virtue. As witness my hand this 15th day of June Anno Domini 1786. Joshua Quimby
Witness present : Thomas Kennedy Philip Sargent
BOND FOR DEED.
It was not uncommon in the early years of the settlement of Perrystown, for the owner of a lot to give away one half of it to an actual settler upon it; first, perhaps, because he desired to have a neigh- bor, and second, because the settlement of one half raised the value of the other half, which he reserved for himself. Daniel Messer's deed of the northerly half of the 1st Div., Lot No. 49, was given by Enoch Marsh, and was a part of the origi- nal right of his father, David Marsh. The follow- ing copy of the instrument which put him in pos- session of the half of another adjoining lot is a curious specimen of orthography. The man who took these surprising liberties with the King's Eng- lish was not an inhabitant of Perrystown.
At Kison [i. e., Atkinson] Nov. the 28 day, 1779.
This day greed with Daniel Messer of Perrystown to settle my Hunderd Deaker Loot that lays bounded on the north end of said Messer's lot.
Said Messer is to settle said lot according to Charter, and said Messer is to have the one half of the lot on the south end of said lot that jines on to said Messer's.
And I Blige myself to give said Messer Warnt tea [i. e., Warran- tee ] Deed, after said lot is settled. J. P. jr.
John Currier Dudley Currier S
250
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
COPIES OF RECEIPTS OF AN EARLY DATE. COUNTY TREASURER.
Amherst, Oct. 8, 1778.
Received of the Selectmen of Perrystown 1-0-02, it being their proportion of a County Tax raised Jan. 7, 1778.
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