USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire,1735-1905 > Part 6
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And that the remaining part of the Land reserved for the Grantors aforesaid, being Two Thousand Four Hundred Acres, be Divided for Quantity and Quality, with the rest of ye com'on Lands into Nineteen equal shares. And the remainder of ye Com'ons or undivided Lands, to be to and for the use of ye Grantees as they shall Order the Divisions thereof. And that where any Lands was by the Proprietors, claiming under the Massachusetts Grant formerly left within any Lott, for High- ways, the Owners of such Lott, shall have said Land thus reserved, allowing so much, as shall be of Equal Value, out of his Part in ye next division of ye Com'ons
That the respective Grantees, Owners of ye Fifty shares aforesd and who are not excused from Duty and Charge, bring forward and make set- tlement, in the following manner Vizt That they lay out ye sd Tract or Township and compleat the Division thereof as afore directed, at or before ye 20th Day of November next ensuing, and return a Plan thereof, certified under the Hand of their Clerk on Oath, within Two Months after such Work, shall be compleated to the Clerk of said Grantors
That ye respective Owners, for each respective share, make One settle- ment, in the following manner Vizt To clear inclose & fit for Mowing or Plowing Two Acres on some one Lott, and have a comfortable dwell- ing House, Built and fitted for comfortable Dwelling in, and a Family or some Person resident there at or before, the first Day of December, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Six, and to continue Inhabitant or Resident there, for Four Years, then next comeing and also for the same Four Years Annually, on each of ye said Lotts, to have Two Acres cleared, Inclosed and fitted as aforesaid
That there be a Meeting House for Publick Worship in said Township, within Five Years from this Date, at Such Place as shall be agreed on by the Proprietors, both Grantors and Grantees, to be determined according to Interest, and Ten Acres reserved there for Publick use notwithstand- ing such Lott should be laid out to any Particular Person or Persons
That the Lands in said Township belonging to Grantors and Grantees, be subjected to have all Necessary Highways, laid through them as there shall be occasion, for the Future without any Pay or Allowance for Dam- ages, that the aforesaid Grantees, their Heirs or Assigns not heretofore
51
SALEM-CANADA
excused from Charge, by a Major Vote in Publick Meeting called for that Purpose, Grant and Assess in Equal Proportion, Such Sum or Sums of Money as they shall think necessary for carrying forward and compleat- ing the Settlement aforesaid or for the Support of the Ministry as the Proprietors shall agree to, and every one of the Grantees exclusive of the Three Publick Lotts, or his Assignee who shall Neglect for the Space of Sixty Days after such Assessment shall be granted, to pay the same, so much of such Delinquents Rights, shall and may be sold as will Pay their respective Taxes and all Charges ariseing thereon by a Committee to be appointed by the Grantees or their Assignees, for that Purpose. And in case any of the Grantees, or their Assignees shall neglect or refuse to perform any of the Articles, Matters or Things aforesaid by him respectively to be done, He shall Forfeit his Right in said Town- ship, and every Part thereof, to those of the Grantees or their Imediate Assignees who shall have complyed, with the Conditions on their Part, herein expressed, and it shall, and may be Lawfull for them or any Person, by their Authority, to enter into & upon, the Right or Part, of such Delinquent Owner and any and every part in the Name and behalf of the whole of the Grantees or their Imediate Assignees, who shall comply as aforesaid, to amove oust and expell for the use of them their Heirs and Assigns, provided they settle or cause to be settled each such delinquents Right, within the Term of one Year at the farthest from the Periods, that is by this Instrument Stipulated to be done as the Condi- tion of this Grant and fully comply with the whole Duty, such delin- quent ought to have done, within One Year from Time to Time after the respective Periods thereof and in case the Grantees or their Assignees, fulfilling their Parts as aforesaid shall neglect, fulfilling as aforesaid the Duty of any delinquent Owner as aforesaid then such right or Part shall be Forfeit revert and belong to the Grantors their Heirs and Assigns and be wholly at their disposal
Allways Provided there shall be no Indian Warr, within any of ye. Terms aforesaid for doing the Duty conditioned in this Grant, and in case that should happen, the same Time to be allowed for the respective matters aforesd after such Impediment shall be removed
That all White Pine Trees fit for Masting His Majestie's Royall Navy growing on said Tract of Land, be and hereby are Granted to his Majesty, His Heirs and Successors forever
Lastly the said Grantors, do promise and Engage to ye said Grantees, their Heirs and Assigns, to defend through the Law, to King & Council, (if need be one Action that shall and may be brought against them or any Number of them, by any Person or Persons whatsoever, claiming the said Land or any part thereof, by any other Title than that, of the sd Grantors, or that by which, they hold and derive theirs from, provided the said Grantors are avouched in to defend the same and that in Case on Final Tryall, the same shall be recovered, against the Grantors, that such Person or Persons, shall recover nothing over against the Grantors for the Said Lands, Improvements or Expence, in bringing forward the Settlement
To all which Premises, I Joseph Blanchard Agent for and in behalf of
52
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
the Proprietors, the Grantors, have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Fifth Day of December A D. 1753.
Signed Sealed & Joseph Blanchard [seal]
D D in presence of Geo: Delond Jnº Bowles
The aforegoing Pages contain a True Copy of the Charter signed & Executed by Joseph Blanchard Esq" as Agent for and in behalf of the Proprietors of Lands purchased of Jnº Tufton Mason Esq' in the Province of New Hampshire delivered unto us the Subscribers in behalf of the Grantees mentioned in this Charter And whereas we were by the aforesd Grantees Authorized & Impowered to setle Agree & Compound, con- cerning the premises in the aforewritten Charter, with the sd Joseph Blanchard Esq' in his capacity above mentioned, on such terms & Con- ditions & with such reservations as by both parties should be agreed & Concluded, Now therefore we the sd Com'itee in the name & be- half of the Grantees mentioned in the aforewritten Charter, hereby Accept sd Title & for sd Grantees do Acknowledge that we hold sd Lands, under the sd Grantors Title & on the conditions & Limitations with the reservations expressed in said Charter
Witness our hands this 5th Decembr 1753
Witnesses Love Pickman John Nutting Jr
Benja Lynde Benja Pickman Comte Joshua Hicks
(Copied by D. Donovan, Feb. 26, 1902.)
53
SALEM-CANADA
[Draft of Lots 1753] [ Farmer's MSS. Town Papers, Vol. 4, p. 281 ]
Schedule to be annexed to Charter made to Benjamin Lynde Esq' and others of Salem-Canada now called Lyndeborough
Persons Names
No. Home Division Lotts
No of Second Division Lotts
Benjamin Lynde Esq™
27, 50, 23,
44, 55, 83, 84, 98, 101, 65,
Benja. Pickman Esq™
9, 22, 44,
53, 66, 80, 83, III,
Robert Hooper Esq' & Mr.
2, 8, 37, 34, 36, 37, 92, 93, 48, 49, 108, 87,
Swetts Heirs
41, 43, 49, 94, 29, 103,
Joseph Blaney Esq™
3, 6,
30, 41, 54,
Maj' Joshua Hicks
28, 47
52, 97, 102, 114,
Benjamin Goodhew
20, 58, 61, 48, 60, 64, 115, 124, 125,
Thomas Fletcher
18, 35,
56, 57, 82,
Samuel Wells Esq™
54, 57,
71, 75, 81,
George Gould
24, 46,
69, 70, 74,
Ephraim Ingalls
40, 59, 51, 112, 119, 123,
Daniel Epes Jr. Esq™
51,53, 40, 73, 104, 107,
Capt Joseph Richardson
19, 31,
63, 89, 116, 118,
Josiah Bowers
I,
81,
Joseph Bowditch Esq"
4,
86, 95,
The Heirs of James Lindall Esq"
7,
77, 78,
Stephen Putnamı
113, 122,
Jonathan Bowers
14,
47, 79,
John Bickford
16,
38, 42,
Moses Graves
38,
109, IIO,
Maj™ John Fowle
15,
45, 105,
Oliver Fletcher Esq™
39,
72,
Hannah Cabot
42,
120, 121,
Joseph Clough
45,
62, 96,
Daniel Nichols
52,
68,
Robert Swan
55,
Jonathan Peele
60,
35, 61,
Timothy Cummings
26,
31, 32,
William Holt
25,
46, 76,
School Lott
32,
67, 126,
Ministry Lott
33,
90, 91,
First Ministers Lott
34,
126, 127,
The aforegoing List is the Schedule refferred to in the Annexed Charter, Dec™ 5: 1753.
Benja Lynde -
Benja Pickman
Comtee
Joshua Hicks
(Schedule copied Feb. 26, 1902, by D. Donovan.)
Such was the result obtained by the committee appointed to negotiate with Col. Joseph Blanchard, agent of the Masonian proprietors.
As citizens of Lyndeborough, we assume a position in regard to the mutilation of our ancient town, the correctness of which it may be difficult to establish by positive proof. Yet, we be- lieve that the division of old Salem-Canada was as distasteful
David Stimson
48,
58, 59,
54
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
to those severed from the old grant as to their old neighbors who still retained the original name. We cannot believe with- out better evidence than any documents public or private ex- hibit, that the Putnams and Dales and Burtons and Stileses and the rest had any grievance against their old town, or signed a petition to be severed from it, without being subjected to a species of intimidation amounting to coercion. Straws indicate the direction of the current. So, in the conduct of those who were parted from us by the new line, we think there is good evidence that the construction of No. 2 was neither by their contrivance nor connivance.
That the portion of the old town which remained should be aggrieved by their loss was of course to be expected. But what cared the agent for that ? The damage done to the resi- due of the old town was far-reaching, and so rankled in the hearts of Lyndeborough's selectmen a quarter of a century later that they spelled the word damage strongly, using two m's. Indeed, traces of the injury then done continue, even to the present day.
And here it may not be amiss to make a few words of response to the allusion of the Wilton History to this very matter .* The History recites, that " Some feeling has been expressed of late as if Wilton had encroached on Lyndeborough, and taken away a part of its territory. But Lyndeborough as a grant to Benja- min Lynde and thirty others did not date till December 5, 1753, t four years after Badger's settlement and that of others in Salem-Canada." "That about one-third of Wilton was once a part of Salem-Canada no one will deny, but Salem-Canada was not identical with Lyndeborough any more than it was with Wilton." Now, that so large a part of No. 2 was torn away from the old town, is Lyndeborough's precise grievance; and furthermore Lyndeborough inclines to the notion, that it is at least 12,000 acres more nearly identical with Salem-Canada than was Wilton. "But," continues the history, " We con- fess that our good neighbor, Lyndeborough, since she became Lyndeborough and not Salem-Canada, has suffered mutilation." Our acknowledgments are due for the confession, so far as it goes. But it is too partial. For it ostensibly commiserates Lyndeborough, while it consents with the spoliation of Salem- Canada.
The kindly author of those sentences was a man whom it was
* Wilton History, p. 23. t Likely a misprint for fourteen.
55.
SALEM-CANADA
a benediction to know. We believe that he was incapable of an intentional unfairness. We can therefore account for such a decision of the case in hand, only by his failure to obtain and thoroughly sift the evidence.
The Lyndeborough people feel as the good Doctor did not, that "Salem-Canada suffered mutilation," and to this day, they regard themselves as sufferers from the effects of it.
The history again proceeds, " We cannot with any advan- tage rake over the embers in the old ashes of past grievances to kindle new regrets and jealouses. Let bygones be bygones ! What is written is written, and what is done is done and can- not be reversed or undone."* Our heartiest sympathy is on the side of every proper effort to allay ill-feeling between the two towns. To kindle anew the dying embers of jealousy and re- gret is surely an unworthy part to act. The towns are too closely akin, too intimately allied by intermarriage, too much interested in each other's material welfare, too highly endowed, let us believe, with a genuine, dignified manliness, to yield their conduct to the sway of ill-feeling. They were for many years classed together, alternating in sending representatives to the General Court, the same man serving the common interests of both. It were therefore unseemly to nurse imaginary grievences or to revive dying strife. But these will be more readily dissipated by candor and fairness than by a partial or one- sided view.
Now Salem-Canada was not a mere unoccupied tract of land opened for free appropriation of its territory by either town. It was as much a regularly chartered town as New Boston, or Narragansett No. 3, or Dunstable. Its grant bears date of 1735; No. 2's of 1749. John Cram, Senior, was in Salem- Canada in 1737, two years before John Badger entered the town in 1739. Salem-Canada was, therefore, fourteen years old, be- fore No. 2 was constituted ; and it kept its old name more than four years afterwards. But, according to the Wilton His- tory's mode of reasoning, Badger never lived in No. 2, and much less in Wilton. It required the partially settled frag- ment of land called "Groton Gore," and the tract rent from Salem-Canada, to constitute No. 2. Did, then, the old name and traditions as naturally belong to the new town as to the old ? To ask this quesiion is to answer it. The Wilton His-
* Wilton History, p. 24.
56
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
tory seems as ready to assume Salem-Canada's good name, as to enjoy its valued territory.
It is quite possible, that Lyndeborough people may have un- duly blamed Wilton for the mutilation of the old town. If so, they were wrong. Blame should rest where it belongs. We sometimes receive injury without perceiving clearly the source whence it springs. Lyndeborough may have thus erred. But reliable records now indicate that the chief blame should rest neither on Number two, nor on its successor, Wilton, but rather on Col. Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable and the Masonian Pro- prietors who both permitted and authorized their agent to effect the great and lasting injury. But many of the Lyndeborough people may say that "Wilton profited by the injury and so shared in it." This may have been true, and yet more unjust than we know ; for her share may have been very small. Fre- quently, and we fear too truthfully, is it said that " Corpora- tions have no souls." Incorporated Wilton, therefore, would have shown an extraordinary, and unlooked for degree of un- selfishness in rejecting an addition so valuable and important to its material interests. Our good neighbor Wilton should not be harshly censured. Better say with her kindly historian, " Let bygones be bygones," as the best lenitive with which to ally irritation; though it fails to heal the sore. A man, well en- dowed with the virtue of self-control, may accustom himself to gaze calmly upon goods which have been wrested from him and lodged irrecoverably in the possession of another man. But the sight will seldom awaken such enthusiastic emotions of joy as will make him toss up his hat and shout. The holder of the goods can more easily shout and "let bygones be bygones" than the loser of them, who is compelled to bear the loss and feel the rankling hurt. Rest the blame where it rightly belongs, and crush contention and strife between hands clasped in fra- ternal peace and friendship.
CHAPTER IV.
LYNDEBOROUGH UNDER THE MASONIAN CHARTER DECEMBER, 5, 1753.
It is interesting to observe conditions under the new charter. There were fewer limitations under the old. The entire broad domain was the property of the Salem-Canada proprietors. A great change came when the Masonian proprietors took posses- sion. In the first assault they took away 4800 acres to aid in forming town Number two. Then, 6660 acres were reserved from the remainder for the new owners of Mason's claim, beside a few parcels for the agent, 500 acres at the southwest corner of the town, 150 at the northeast corner adjoining New Boston, and still another farm of 150 acres, more nearly central. In addition to all this there was the legal expense of a new charter (a costly thing). We feel little surprise, after thus raising a corner of the curtain, at the difficulty the old Salem-Canada committee experienced in its effort to agree upon a settlement. The exaction was "rank," and those who were compelled to endure it, doubtless felt, that "it smelled to Heaven ! "
But, having got off with "the skin of their teeth," the old landholders and proprietors assume a new name, and face the future with admirable determination to advance. Benjamin Lynde Jr. Esq., who not only inherited large wealth, but also possessed rare legal and judicial talent, and added to all this, had an unsullied reputation for honesty and integrity, became about that time the principal owner of the real estate of the town. He became such by honest purchase, not by any process of pressure or extortion. Not a stain of this kind rests on his name. Under the new charter the town was, therefore, Lyndes Borough ; or as we now write it, Lyndeborough. But many of the old proprietors disappear, while the old organization and its records are continued. Under the new auspices the building of a meeting-house was as indispensable and imperative as under the old. The completion of the former structure was seriously interrupted by the outbreak of the French and Indian War, and then by the panic and uncertainty connected with the decision in regard to Mason's claims. The changed conditions de- manded readjustments. The site first selected for the meeting-
58
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
house, generally accepted as central, is no longer acceptable. The line of the new town, Number 2, is less than two miles from the former centre. A new and more central point must now be chosen. Some of the citizens live north of the moun- tain. Many of them built their homes along the east side of the town, adjoining Amherst and New Boston, while other homes were situated along the west side and well upwards toward the Peterborough mountain. The interests of the differ- ent sections of the town conflicted. It was, indeed, a difficult matter to fix upon a new site for the place of worship, which would give general satisfaction. This new bone of contention disturbed the town for a number of years ; and failing to agree among themselves, it became necessary finally to submit the matter to the decision of a special commission.
Meantime the preaching of the gospel was maintained as best it could be, under such discouragements and disadvan- tages. The services were held in private dwellings. A com- mittee was appointed Oct. 28, 1754, to " view the meeting-house and see in what manner it can be made suitable for public wor- ship." This indicates that their obligation to provide a place of public worship was not dormant. But so far as the records show there was no attempt made to finish the house begun before the late war. A new house, however, seems to have been built, and " located in the field east of where Mrs. Benja- min Dutton " lived, " on the road from the present centre of the town to Johnson Corner."*
Thus the preaching of the Gospel continued to receive their attention. At the first meeting of the Lyndeborough proprie- tors after their acceptance of the new charter, they agreed " to allow two dollars per day towards procuring preaching for the next six months," to be drawn from the treasury, the number of days to be certified by the preacher. Oct. 29, 1754, it was agreed that "Mr. Stephen Putnam & Mr. Samuel King be desired & appointed to do as much this fall as they can" toward preparing the house; and further that "Mr. Putnam be desired to give such directions about the finishing of the meeting-house as will be attended with least cost to the pro- priety and make it comfortable for public worship."t
In 1755, the inhabitants petitioned the proprietors that they might have a settled minister, or pay for preaching granted them. After duly considering the request, the proprietors in-
* Clark's S. C., p. 43. t Proprs. Rec'ds, 1754.
59
SALEM-CANADA
structed their clerk, Benjamin Lynde, to write the following letter :
"To the Inhabitants of the Township of Lyndeborough,
The Committee of the Propriety met together on your petition for having the Preaching of the Gospel continued among them, & consider- ing your earnest request, (with which they are well pleased ) & the advantage it may be to the spiritual & temporal interest of the Town, have resolved to allow to such Gospel minister as you shall get to preach for the three following months, Six Pounds, ten shillings, Old Tenor, for every Sabbath after the 25th, of the instant month,
I am in the name Your Assured Friend,
B. Lynde.
SALEM 25, Dec. 1755.
Again, at a meeting of the committee May 16, 1756, it was agreed to write and send the following letter to the inhabitants :
" I am desired by the Proprietors' Committee to acquaint you that at their meeting at your request of the 13th. instant, they have resolved to continue the {6 10 shillings our Old Tenor, for the preaching the Gospel among you for 26 Sabbaths from the 25th. of March last -which is what they conclude best, considering the difficult circumstances of affairs at present in New England."
I am Your Assured Friend, B. Lynde.
At the proprietors' meeting on the 4th of January 1757, Daniel Epps Jr. Esq. was chosen Clerk, and Benjamin Lynde Esq. treasurer for the " Propriety." Voted also that " there be a committee of 5 persons to manage the affairs of the Township ; " and that they or a majority of them "call future meetings of the Propriety." The members of this committee were Hon. B. Lynde, Esq., Hon. Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Deacon Jnº. Bickford, Daniel Epps, Jr. Esq., and Mr. B. Goodhue.
The meeting was adjourned to the next day, at which time they took into consideration the petition of John Johnson and others, a committee appointed by the society at Lyndeborough to make application for the settlement of a gospel minister among them. It was voted "That for the encouragement of an Orthodox Minister'settling among said people, there shall be paid out of the Proprietors' Treasury, the sum of Forty Pounds, Lawful Money, in the following manner, viz., Thirteen Pound six shillings & eight pence the first year after his ordination ; & the like sum the second year; and the remaining sum of 136-6s .- 8d. at the expiration of the third year ; He continuing in said capacity, with said people so long." "Also voted, that
60
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
as a farther encouragement, there be paid to the order of the said Society the sum of Forty Pounds annually, for and towards such minister's yearly salary."*
The proprietors were generous in their appropriations to en- courage and assist the town. They were careful, not churlish, in expending their money. They aimed to develop it and pre- serve its unity of interest and friendly intercourse. Hence, although ready to contribute liberally toward the erection of the required and much desired house of public worship, we find them reluctant to expend money while heated disputes existed as to the site most convenient and suitable for its location. They therefore voted again that the sum appropriated " toward the building of the meeting-house be not paid until three- quarters of the settlers of the township have agreed on the same place, and the committee be certified of the same by a writing from under their hands." Thus their funds were given to promote harmony, not to foster contention. These appropria- tions were voted when the people were preparing to settle their first pastor, Mr. John Rand. He remained with them but a few years. But after his departure, the proprietors' committee, Nov. 17, 1762, agreed "that Mr. Rand be paid his third or last year's settlement ; " and also " that his salary be allowed him to the 7th of April last." Thus year after year they continued to aid and encourage the settlers.
"In October, before Rev. John Rand was settled, the society voted, - 1
"That the meeting-house shall be set on the road that goes from the beaver pond bridge to Jonathan Cram's, Jun., on a place called the Rocky Hill not further from a place called Rocky ledge, on the road to the lower corner of the town so called, than the bridge is."
The next year, December 7, 1758, the society record reads :
" Bound ourselves to build a meeting-house on Rev. John Rand's lot lying east of Jonathan Cram's Jun., not exceeding forty rods from the southwest corner of said lot."
"According to these votes, the second meeting-house was located in the field east of where Mrs. Benjamin Dutton, a granddaughter of Rev. John Rand, now lives, on the road from the center of the town to Johnson Corner."#
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