USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > Willey's book of Nutfield; a history of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old township of Londonberry, from its settlement in 1719 to the present time > Part 8
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GUN USED BY REV. JAMES MACGREGOR.
HON. GEORGE C. HAZELTON.
ON. GEORGE C. HAZELTON, of Wash- beginning of the sophomore year. Sometimes he
H ington, D. C., was born in Chester, at the old homestead on Walnut hill, being one of six children, four brothers and two sisters. His father, William Hazelton, was of English, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mercy J. Cochrane, of Scotch descent. John Cochrane, his maternal grandfather, spoke the vernacular dialect of Scot- land and was quite familiar with the history and literature of that country, being especially fond of Scott and Burns, many of whose poems, it is said, he could recite from memory. From their mother the children largely derived their love of learning and the ambition to acquire it. Their schooldays fell within the latter part of the first half of the nineteenth century, a period when the district school furnished very meagre cducational facilities, and when those who would avail themselves of greater advantages had to resort either to private tutorage or to the academy. Under such circum- stances Rockingham county was especially for- tunate in the opportune establishment of two great institutions of learning, Phillips Academy at Exeter and Pinkerton at Derry. The latter, not less than the former, appeared at the right time and was located in a community from which it has eom- manded a liberal patronage, and to which it has always been an inspiration and a great force in the development of the cause of education. The district school advanced but little beyond the rudi- ments of the common English branches ; the academy, well organized, with ample eurriculum, was competent to qualify the student for the busi- ness pursuits of life, to educate him in the higher English branches, and in the classics for admission to any college. It was distinguished for its train- ing and discipline in the art of composition, of public deelamation, and especially for the lyceum, or forum of debate, which it always maintained - all of which gave culture, development, and strength to the student's mental powers and laid the foundation for the discharge of public duties in after life of the highest value and consideration.
Mr. Hazelton began his course of study at Pinkerton Academy in 1849, leaving the institution in 1855 to enter Union College, New York, at the
was engaged during this period in teaching a dis- trict school in the winter, and he spent one year of the time, under Professor Henshaw, in the study of the classics at Dummer Academy in Massachu- setts. Chester, of all the surrounding towns, was at that time the most generous patron of Pinkerton Academy. Notable among others who prepared there for their college course were Charles, the son of Hon. John Bell, and George, John, Louis, and Charles, sons of Senator Bell ; also the sons of Dr. Kittridge, the three Hazelton brothers - Gerry Whiting, George C., the subject of this sketch, and John Franklin,- M. W. Tewsbury, Franklin Greenleaf, Timothy Hazelton and others. To these the academy was accessible, and they were accustomed to return to their homes over Sunday, which somewhat lessened the expense of attend- ance upon the academy, a matter of careful con- sideration in those economical days. During this period, following Mr. Hildreth, the pioneer princi- pal, Emcry, Parker, Row, Humphrey, Glassy, Po- land, Professor Henshaw, and John W. Ray offi- ciated as teachers of the academy. Under their instruction it took high rank, but especially so under the guidance of Professor Henshaw, who possessed rare skill and ability as a teacher of the classics and of higher mathematics in qualifying students for admission to colleges and universities. He was called from his academie chair of useful- ness here to take charge of Dummer Academy, and thence became one of the leading professors in Rutgers College, New Jersey, where, after a career of distinguished service in the cause of edu- cation, he died.
Among the contemporaries of Mr. Hazelton at the academy were the Folsom brothers, the Briekett brothers, Paul and George, Aiken, Ben Warner, whose untimely death was a public calam- ity, Wallace W. Poore, with whom Mr. Hazel- ton has ever sinee maintained intimate friendly relations, J. G. Woodbury, nephew of Judge Levi Woodbury of national fame, Goodwin of the Craw- ford House in Boston, Tewsbury, a graduate of Dartmouth and one of the leading teachers of Massachusetts at the time of his death, the Chases
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
of Derry, Roberts of Massachusetts, and, in 1855, while under the instruction of John W. Ray, Har- riet Prescott Spofford, who has attained promi- nence in American literature, and many others.
Mr. Hazelton early began to participate in the debates in the lyceum, and with Woodbury, Poore, Roberts, and others, is still remembered as onc of its leading spirits. He often recurs to this expc- rience as among the most valuable of his educa- tional advantages, to which his success in his profession and in public life is largely indebted.
Few of the sons of Pinkerton Academy have been more devoted to their alma mater than he. He returned to take part in the dedication of the new building, erected upon the foundation of the old, around which many of his tenderest memories clustered, and was at that time elected president of the Alumni Association of the Academy.
His life has been a most successful one. He was graduated at Union College, was admitted to the bar in the state of New York, practised his profession in Schenectady for a time, and in 1863 moved to Wisconsin, to enter upon its practice there, which state was his residence until 1884, when he made his permanent home in Washington. While a citizen of Wisconsin, her people honorcd him with such public trusts as district attorney of Grant county, as state senator for four years, and as member of the national Congress for six years. Since his residence in Washington he has held the office of attorney for the District of Columbia, under an appointment conferred by President Harrison. Mr. Hazelton's political career has bcen so well described in the Encyclopædia of Eminent and Representative Men of Virginia and the District of Columbia, a volume of rare merit, published in 1893, that permission has been sought and obtained to reproduce herewith an extract from that work. It is as follows :
Mr. Hazelton was elected to the Wisconsin state senate in 1867, and was chosen president pro tempore of that body. He was again elected to the senate in 1869. At the expiration of his last term in the state senate he gave five years of close and diligent attention to the practice of law in the United States and state courts. Here he soon became known as one of the leading lawyers of Wisconsin. His success as a jury lawyer was most marked, and soon gave him an extensive practice and a wide experience. If he was anything he was an active and ardent republican. Each recurring canvass found him vigorously
engaged. The result was that he was again called upon to represent his fellow-citizens, this time in the national legislature, being elected to the Forty-Fifth Congress in November, 1876. He entered Congress at a time when he found himself numbered among the republican minority, when the democratic majority controlled legislation, and when their speaker denied the new mem- bers of the house a just and fair recognition upon the floor in de- bate upon pending measures. But he was not thus to be repressed. Wherever opportunity offered, his readiness and ability to state a point with rare terseness and force soon began to command the attention of the house. Such was the state of affairs when he was renominated in 1878, and at once took the stump on the republican financial platform. Both greenbackers and democrats united to beat him, and it was only by the most persuasive speeches and untiring labor that he overcame the majority and was re-elected to the Forty-Sixth Congress. In the first session of this Congress he had the first opportunity to show the real quality of his intellect. April 24, 1879, when the majority were threatening the immediate repeal of the reconstruction measures, he delivered a speech in the house of representatives on the "Powers of Government," in which he not only exhibited a thorough knowledge of the legal and political phases of the ques- tion, but a boldness of thought in applying principles. that clearly showed that he had been a close student of our political history. And when the majority were attempting to impede the resump- tion of specie payments, at the same session, on Feb. 22, he spoke on the subject of the national banks and their resumption of specie payments. This speech, made in favor of honest money and national good faith, was one of his best efforts. It attracted much attention at the time and was widely published and commented upon in the daily press. His efforts during this session ranked him among the best orators in the house, and in the autumn of that year he was invited to go to California and assist in the canvass in that state. The election was for members of Congress, and it was regarded as a test election of the coming national campaign of 1880. The repub- licans carried the state, and it was conceded that no man from outside of it contributed more to that success than Mr. Hazelton. He delivered an oration at the famous Arlington cemetery on Decoration day, May 29, 1880. This speech was also published in the daily press and in pamphlet form, and the Union soldiers all over the land spoke of it in the warmest terms. He has ever been their energetic and faithful friend. In 1880 he was renom- inated for the third time and was most triumphantly re-elected, his majority ranking among the highest ever given in his con- gressional district for any man since the close of the Rebellion. . . . . In December, 1890, he was appointed attorney for the
District of Columbia, of which office he is still the incumbent. He is admitted to practice in all the New York courts, the United States Supreme court, and the courts of Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
There is, thereforc, no doubt that Mr. Hazel- ton, as a representative, student, graduate, and alumnus of Pinkerton Academy, is fairly entitled to the place that has been assigned to him in the present work.
TITULARY LITIGATIONS.
PRIOR to the arrival of the colony that settled in Nutfield, various grants of land in New England had been issued by the Crown covering the period of a century. In addition to the owner- ship of lands obtained by the possession of royal charters, as some of the settlers were particularly conscientious about depriving the peaceable In- dians of their natural heritage without reasonable compensation, numerous deeds were obtained from the Indian chiefs, so that it became extremely difficult to ascertain the extent of occupied terri- tories, and consequently impossible to assign new territories that should be entirely free from former owners or claimants. There were these two sources of titulary possession and ownership, royal grants and Indian grants, and those who emigrated to New England on account of alleged persecutions and dis- criminations in the old country, generally preferred to obtain their lands in the new country without seeking farther than was absolutely necessary the assistance of that royal government whose author- ity to them had appeared partial and oppressive. Before arrangements were made for embarking with all their possessions to New England, a large number of men in the north of Ireland signed and forwarded a petition to the governor of these colonies asking preliminary questions relative to the plan of emigration and a portion of unoccu- pied land on which to settle with their families. As this petition may be of interest hereafter in tracing families who came to Londonderry and other parts of New England or this country, a copy is here inserted :
To His Excellency the Right Honorable Colonel Samuel Shute, Governor of New England.
We, whose names are underwritten, inhabitants of the North of Ireland, do in our own names, and in the names of many others
our neighbors, gentlemen, ministers, farmers, and tradesmen, com- missionate and appoint our trusty and well beloved friend, the Rev. William Boyd of Macasky, to His Excellency the Right Honor- able Colonel Samuel Shute, Governor of New England, and to assure His Excellency of our sincere and hearty inclination to transport ourselves to that very excellent and renowned planta- tion upon our obtaining from His Excellency suitable encourage- ment. And further to act and do in our names as his prudence shall direct. Given under our hands th's 26th day of March, Annoque Domini 1718. James Tratte, V. D. M. ; Thomas Cob- bam, V. D. M. ; Robert Houston, V. D. M .; William Leech, V. D. M. ; Robert Higginbotham, V. D. M .; John Porter, V. D. M. ; Hen. Neille, V. D. M .; Tho. Elder, V. D. M. : James Thomson, V. D. M. ; William Ker, Will. McAlben, Jahon Anderson, George Greye, Andrew Dean, Alexander Dun- lop, M. A. : Arch. M. Cook, M. A. : Alex'r Blair, B. Cochran, William Galt, Peter Thompson, Richard McLoughlin, John Muar, William Jeameson, Wm. Agnew, Jeremiah Thompson, John Mitchell, James Paterson, Joseph Curry, David Willson, Patrick Anderson, John Gray, James Grey, Alexander McBride, Bart., Samuel McGivorn, John Hurdock, Geo. Campbell, James Shorswood, John McLoughlin, George McLoughlin, James Hune, Thomas Ramsay, Francis Ritchie, James Gregg, Robert Boyd, Hugh Tarbel, David Tarbel, John his X mark Robb, Jeattes Fulltone, Robert Wear, Alexander Donnaldson, Arch'd Duglass, Robert Stivin, Robert Henry, James Pettey, David Bigger, David Patterson, David (illegible), John Wight, Joseph Wight, Robt. Willson, James Ball, Andrew Cord, James Nesmith, John Black, John Thompson, Samuel Boyd, Lawrence Mclaughlin, John Heslet, George McAlester, Thomas Ramadge, James Campbell, David Lindsay, Robert Givern, James Laidlay, Ben- jamin Galt, Daniel Todd, Robert Barr, Hugh Hollmes, Robert King, John Black, Peter Christy, James Smith, James Smith, Patrick Smith, Samuel Ceverelle, James Craig, Samuel Wilson, M. A, Gawen Jirwen, Robert Miller, Thomas Wilson, William Wilson, James Brice, Ninian Pattison, James Thompson, John Thompson, Robert Thompson, Adam Thompson, Alexander Pattison, Thomas Dunlop, John Willson, David Willson, John Moor, James McKeen, John Lamont, John Smith, Patrick Orr, Bonill Orr, William Orr, John Orr, Jeams Lenox, John Leslie, John Lason, John Calvil, Samuel Wat, James Crawford, David Henderson, Mathew Storah (?), David Widborn, Luk Wat, Robert Hendee, William Walas, Thomas Walas, Thomas Cecoch (?), William Boyd, William Christy, John Boyd, William Boyd,
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
Hugh Orr, Robert Johnston, Thomas Black, Peter Murray, John Jameson. John Cochran, Samuel Gonston. Thomas Shadey, William Ker. Thomas Moore, Andrew Watson, John Thonson, James McKerrall, Hugh Stockman, Andrew Cochran, James Carkley. Lawrence Dod, Sandes Mear, John Jackson, James Curry, James Elder, James Acton, Samuel Smith, Andrew Dody, James Forsaith, Andrew Fleming, Gorge Thomson, James Brouster. Thomas (illegible). James Beverlan, Peter Simpson, Thomas McLoughlin, Robert Boyd. Andrew Agnew, James King, Thomas Elder, Daniel Johnston, Robert Walker, David Jonston. James Steuart, John Murray, Thomas Blackwel, Thomas Wilson, John Ross. William Johnston, John King, Andrew Curry, John (illegible), Samuel Code. James Blak, Thomas Gro, Thomas Ouston. Jame Gro, John Clark, Thomas McFader, David Hanson, Richard Acton, James Claire, Jacob Clark, Abram Baberley, Steven Murdock, Robert Murdock, John Mur- dock, William Jennson, James Rodger, John Buy- ers. Robert Smith, Adam Dean, Randall Alexander, Thomas Boyd. Hugh Rogers, John Craig, Wm. Boyle. Benj. Boyle, Ja. Kenedy, M. Stirling, Samuel Ross, John Ram- say, John McKeen. James Willsone, Robert McKeen, John Boyd. Andrew Dun- lap, James Ramsay, William Park. John Blair, James Thompson, Lawrence McLoughlin, Will. Campibell. James Bankhead, Andrew Pat- rick, James McFee. James Tonson (?), George Anton, George Kairy, Thomas Freeland, Thomas Hunter, Daniel his X mark McKer- rell, Horgos his X mark Ken- edey, John his X mark Suene, Adam his X mark Ditkoy, Alexander Kid, Thomas Lorie, Thomas Hines, Will his X mark Holkins, George Anton, John Colbreath, Wil- liam Caird, John Gray, John Woodman (?), AndrewWatson, Wil- liam Bleair, Joseph Bleair, Hugh his X mark Blare, William Blare, Samuel Anton, James Knox, Robert Hendry, John Knox, William Hendry, William Dunkan, David Duncan, John Muree, James Gill- mor, Samuel Gillmor, Alexander Cochran, Edward McKane, John Morduck, Samuel his X mark McMun, Henry Calual, Thomas Mc- Loughlin, Robert Huoy, John Millar, Hugh Calwell, William Boyd, John Stirling, Samuel Smith, John Lamond, Robert Lamond, Robert Knox, William Wilson, Wm. Patterson, James Alexander, James Nesmith, David Craig, Weall. McNeall, Thomas Orr, Wm. Caldwall, James Moore, Jr., Sam. Gunion, Matthew Lord, Robert Knox, Alex. McGregore, James Trotter, Robert Roo, Joseph Watson, Robert Miller, John Smeally. James Morieson, James Walker, Robert Walker, William his X mark Calwall, William Walker,
Samuel his X mark Young, Alexander Richey, James Morieson, Jo- seph his X mark Burrlan, Robert his X mark Crage, John Thompson. Hugh Tomson, James Still, James his X mark Hoog. Thomas Han- son, Richard Etone, James Etone, Thomas Etone, Samuell Hanson, James Cochran, James Hulton (?), Thomas Hasetone (?), John Cochran, William Cochran, Samuel his X mark Huntor, John Huntor.
The accuracy of this list cannot be fully and clearly established, as it is the copy of a copy. The manuscript is very old and illegible in many places, but the value of the document lics largely in the proof it affords of the original spelling of proper names in the signatures, and in this respect it is superior to the authority of the public records where the clerk is responsible for the orthography and is not always correctly informed.
CRYSTAL AVENUE, DERRY DEPOT (1894).
The encourage- ment offered by the governor was so fa- vorable that the col- ony of Nutfield was informally organized on the 11th of April, 1719, under the belief that the territory had not been appropri- ated. As the party arrived, full of hope and ambition, and began to cut timber and erect log cabins along Westrunning brook, it was soon discovered that other civilized white people were scattered through the wilderness, and claim- ing lands by reason of certain deeds and papers. Claims were challenged. The controversy aroused opposition and investigations that led to the find- ing of several Indian decds, or claims founded on such deeds, in the possession of earlier settlers. Some of these settlers were easily induced to part with their lands for small sums of money, being persuaded that these titles were conflicting and doubtful. There was onc deed dated March 13. 1701, covering so exactly the territory desired by the new colony, that it was deemed expedient to investigate no further, but proceed immediately to
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WILLET'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
find the party to whom the original grant had been not within the limits of the province of Massa- issued, or his living representative with the largest claim, and come to some agreement with him whereby the people of Nutfield might be allowed to remain, and occupy and acquire legal possession of the land. The largest owner was located, and the town records, commonly called the Proprietors' Book, furnish the following particulars of the Wheelwright purchase :
September 23, 1719. The town ordered James Gregg and Robert Wear to present a petition to the court of New Hamp- shire to obtain a power of government and town privileges. The said petition was presented and the answer of it delayed until the next spring session. The town understanding that it was need- ful to make an agreement with Col. John Wheelwright of Wells about the sale of Nutfield, ordered October, 1719, Rev. James MacGregor and Samuel Graves to wait upon Col. Wheelwright for that end : they accordingly obtained a deed from Col. Wheel- wright and came to an agreement with him. The copy of the Deed is as followeth :
These presents witnesseth that I, John Wheelwright, of Wells, in the county of York, in the province of Massachusetts Bay, do for me myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, by virtue of a deed or grant made to my grandfather, a minister of the Gospel, and others named in said grant, by sundry Indian Sagemores, with the consent of the whole tribe of Indians between the rivers of Merrimack and l'iscataqua, to them and their heirs, for- ever, full power for the laying out, bounding and granting these lands into suitable tracts for townships, unto such numbers of people as may from time to time offer to settle and improve the same, which deed beareth date May the seventeenth, one thousand six hundred twenty-and-nine, and is well executed, acknowledged, and approved by the authority, on the day, as may at large more fully appear ; pursuant thereunto I do by these presents give and grant all my right, title, and interest therein contained unto Mr. James MacGregor, Samuel Graves, David Cargill, James MacKeen, James Gregg, and one hundred more mentioned in a list, to them and their heirs, forever, a certain tract of land bounded as fol- loweth ; not exceeding the quantity of ten miles square, beginning at a pine tree marked which is the southwest corner of Chester, and running to the northwest corner of said Chester, and from the northwest corner running upon a due west line unto the river Merrimack, and down the river Merrimack until it meet with the line of Dunstable, and then turning eastward upon said Dun- stable line until it meet with the line of Dracut, and continuing eastward upon Dracut line until it meet with the line of Haverhill, and extending northward upon Haverhill line until it meet with the line of Chester, and then turning westward upon the said line of Chester unto the pine tree first mentioned, where it began. In witness whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and nineteen.
JOIIN WHEELWRIGHT. [L. S.] Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of DANIEL DUPEE, JOHN IIIRST.
Suffolk, ss., Boston, Oct. 20, 1719. John Wheelwright, Esq., personally appearing, acknowledged the above instrument to be his voluntary act and deed. Coram WM. WELSTEED, Just. Peace.
In the meanwhile a new discovery was made of more serious import to the little colony at Nut- field, that the grant of ten miles square so much desired by reason of its situation and fertility, was
chusetts Bay, but included in the boundaries of the province of New Hampshire. While attacked on every side by the indignant possessors of other and older claims, and hustled about, and having their goods damaged in ejectments from the more heree claimants, the town had informally organized and appointed officers and committees to attend to the very important matters of title and occupancy. The town had not been incorporated, nor even the right to occupy fully or legally established. The officers applied to the general court of New Hampshire in the expectation of securing an act of incorporation, Sept. 23, 1719. The petition represents the people of Nutfield, at that time humbled by the accumulation of obstacles, and quite willing to accept some assistance from King George in furtherance of their plan for permanent settlement, and especially set forth the claim, that they were deseended from, and professed the faith and principles of the established church, and were loyal subjects of the British crown. George, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, ctc., was graciously pleased to grant to his beloved subjects the ten miles square tract of land on certain con- ditions. But the name of Nutfield was sacrificed, and the township really and truly incorporated by the name of Londonderry.
The date of this royal document was June 21, 1722, and attached to it was the schedule of the names and shares of the proprietors of the township of Londonderry. Nutfield existed in hypothetical anticipation of being legally incorporated either in the province of Massachusetts Bay or the province of New Hampshire, under some delusive titulary conveyance from Indian, adventurer, immigration agent, or pioneer, for three years, and during those three years all the business of town mectings, and actions of officers and committees were anticipatory of legal justification.
After more than three years of struggling against misfortunes and much importunate be- seeching, through the intervention of influential officers of the crown, the precious document was brought to town, not to Nutfield, but to London- derry, and not in the province of Massachusetts, but in the province of New Hampshire. The copy
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