USA > Vermont > Orange County > Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888 > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Tobin George W., of Thetford, age 33, private Co. A, 15th Regt., Aug. 29, '62 ; Sergt., Oct. 22, '62 ; 2d Lieut., Jan. 12, '63 ; mustered out of serv- ice Aug. 5, '63 ; re-enlisted ; 2d Lieut. Co. I, 17th Regt., July 6, '64 ; killed in action before Petersburg, Va., Sept. 30, '64.
Tubbs LaMarquis, of Topsham, age 32, Ist Lieut. Co. B, 6th Regt. Oct. 5, '61 ; Capt. Co. G, June 14, '62 ; resigned June 5, '63.
WAR OF THE UNION.
Vance Martin V. B., of Bradford, age 23, private Co. D, Ist Regt Cav., Oct. 21, '61 ; Corp., Sept. 30, '62 ; re-enlisted Feb. 24, '64; Co. Qr .- M .- Sergt., July 1, '64 ; Ist Sergt., Dec. 1, '64; 2d Lieut. Co. D, May 9, '65 ; transferred to Co. C, June 21, '65, by reason of consolidation of regiment ; mustered out of service Aug. 9, '65.
Waterson Joseph C., of Chelsea, age 21, private Co. D, 4th Regt., Feb. [2, '62 ; Corp., Nov. 21, '62 ; re-enlisted March 29, '64 ; Sergt., June 12, '64; wounded Aug. 21, '64; Regt. Qr .- M .- Sergt., March 25, '65; 2d Lieut. Co. B, June 4, '65; mustered out of service as Qr .- M .- Sergt., July 13, '65.
Webster Harvey, of Randolph, age 38, Chaplain 6th Regt., Nov. 13, '64 ; mustered out of service June 26, '65.
Welch James, of Randolph, age 33, private Co. G, 8th Regt., Nov. 20, '61 ;. Sergt., Feb. 18, '62; 2d Lieut., May 5, '63 ; honorably discharged as 2d Lieut .. Feb. 17, '65, for wounds received in action, Oct. 19, '64; re-enlisted ; Qr .- M., March 27, '65 ; mustered out of service June 28, '65.
Weston Edmund, Jr., of Randolph, age 31, Capt. Co. F, Ist Regt. U. S. S. S, Aug. 5, '61 ; resigned Aug. 2, '62.
White Thomas H., of Topsham, age 24, private Co. G, 10th Regt., Aug. 6, '62 ; Corp., Sept. 1, 62 ; Sergt .; Ist Sergt., Feb. 26, '65 ; 2d Lieut. Co. C, March 22, '65 ; mustered out of service June 29, '65.
Whitney Lucius C., of Tunbridge, age 28, Ist Lieut. Co. E, 2d Regt., May 21, '61 ; resigned Jan. 8, '62.
Wilkey Alexander, of Brookfield, age 19, private Co. G, 10th Regt., Aug. 8, '62 ; Corp. ; Sergt. ; Ist Sergt., May 21, '64 ; 2d Lieut. Co. C, Aug. 9, '64; deserted Jan. 10, '65.
Wood George E., of Bradford, age 21, private Co. B, 6th Regt., Sept. 19, '61 ; Sergt., Oct. 15, '61 ; 2d Lieut. Co. B, June 14, '62 ; Ist Lieut. Co. B, July 23, 63 ; Capt. Co. B, Oct. 29, '64; transferred to Co. A., by reason of consolidation of regiment, Oct. 16, '64 ; mustered out of serv- ice June 26, '65.
Worthen Harry N., of Bradford, age 26, Major rst Regt., April 16, '61; mustered out of service Aug. 15, '61; appointed Lieut .- Col. 4th Regt., Aug. 15, '61 ; resigned July 17, '62.
Wright Edward B., of Bradford, age 20, Ist Lieut. Co. C, 8th Regt., Dec. 23, '61 ; resigned June 6, '62.
Of the 5,022 men discharged, 317 commissioned officers resigned ; sixty- one commissioned officers and 3,865 enlisted men were discharged for disa- bility; forty-four commissioned officers and 596 enlisted men, for wounds received in action ; eleven enlisted men were paroled prisoners ; and twenty- eight commissioned officers and one hundred enlisted men were dishonorably discharged. Among the whole number of troops it is to be expected that some were not true ; and the records show that 2,219 men (mostly if not all of whom were substituted) deserted.
It may be well to state that the War Department accredited to this state 35,242 men; this being one thousand and four more than are shown by the state
1.6040
ORANGE COUNTY.
records, and gives the state credit over the agregate quota under all calls, of fifteen hundred and thirteen men. " This discrepancy may be, and probably is to be accounted for," says Adjutant-General P. T. Washburn, "by enlist- ments in organizations of other states, to the credit of this state, which ap- pear upon muster-rolls of these organizations and were not reported to the state."
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
-
B RADFORD occupies a beautiful position on the west bank of the Connecticut river, opposite Piermont, in New Hampshire. It lies about the center of the eastern border of the county, and is also mid- way between the north and south limits of the state, in latitude 44° and longitude 4° 46',* and is bounded north by Newbury, east by the west bank of Connecticut river, south by Fairlee and West Fairlee, and west by Corinth.
The topography of this township is, in the main, like that of most others in the Connecticut valley. The intervals are abundantly productive, and the highlands easily cultivated, and good alike for grass and grain. The tracts of forests are charmingly variegated with birch, beech, elm, maple and ever- green trees. Wright's mountain occupies the northwestern corner of the town, and its summit is about 1,700 feet above Connecticut river, some three or four miles distant towards the east, and 2, 100 above tide water. The sides of the mountain, west and south, are precipitous, consisting of almost perpen- dicular ledges of argillaceous slate, from which, especially on the south side, where there is a deep ravine, huge fragments of rocks in ages past have fallen down, one on another, forming various cavities, the largest of which has been called " Devil's Den."
The township is well watered, not only by innumerable springs and rivulets, richly refreshing the hillsides, but by larger streams. On its eastern border flows the Connecticut ; through its northeastern corner Hall's brook, from Newbury, passes quietly along ; then as you go south, Roaring brook comes dashing down over its rocky precipices to mingle with the others at its conflu- ence with the Connecticut; and from the southwest comes Rowell's brook to reach the principal stream which from west to east runs through the town and is dignified by the name of Wait's river. The two main branches of this stream, soon after entering Bradford, unite, and constitute a respectable river, which, at Bradford Center, and on passing through a narrow rocky channel about half a mile above its entrance into the Connecticut, affords many fine mill privileges.
* As the whole county is in north latitude, and longitude is reckoned east from Wash- ington, the words north and east will be omitted.
11*
162
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
In 1880 Bradford had a population of 1,520. In 1886 the town had twelve school districts and thirteen common schools, with an attendance of 331 scholars, taught during the year by one male and seventeen female teachers, to whom was paid an average weekly salary, including board, of $25.40 and $5.47 respectively. The entire income for school purposes was $2,938.06, while the total expenditures were $3,640.79, with F. E. Hiland, superintendent.
BRADFORD, an enterprising and thrifty post village, is located in the- easterly part of this town. The situation is on a moderately elevated plateau, about a mile west of the Connecticut river, and on the pretty little stream, Wait's river. This village contains about 1,000 inhabitants, is noted for its invigorating and healthful climate, and has become, to the full extent of its ability to provide accommodations, the resort of summer board- ers. The youth of the village and in the surrounding country are furnished ample opportunity to acquire a good academic education at the well managed academy. Its intelligent inhabitants support two good churches, which are under the pastoral care of able preachers. Wait's river passes over a suc- cession of falls on its way through the village, which affords power rarely equalled, in proportion to its volume of water, and turns all the machinery of the place. The village streets are nicely shaded, adorned with well built and neatly painted dwellings, and with many elegant residences. About a dozen stores of all kinds are located here ; also three physicians, five lawyers, a general insurance office, with the usual complement of trades and artisans.
BRADFORD CENTER (p. o.) is located near the center of the town, on Wait's. river, which furnishes power for a number of manufactories.
Bradford Academy .- This institution was chartered by act of the legis- lature of Vermont, on the 2d day of November, 1820, under the name of Bradford Academy, and William Trotter, Rev. Naphtoli Shaw, Benjamin P. Baldwin, John H. Cotton, Oliver Hardy, George W. Prichard, Thomas Ta- bor, Israel Willard, James Wilson and Alfred Corliss are incorporated under the name of the Trustees of Bradford Academy, with the usual powers of corporations. The above named incorporators met on notice given by Ben- jamin P. Baldwin, John H. Cotton and George W. Prichard, as provided in the charter, at the academy, which was then nearly finished, on the 2 1st day of November, 1820, for the purpose of organization, and a quorum being present they chose Naphtoli Shaw, moderator, George W. Prichard, clerk pro" tem., and Moses Chase, John H. Cotton and Benjamin P. Baldwin, a committee to draft a code of by-laws. They also authorized the same committee to hire a teacher, and to adopt ways and means to pay him. It will be noticed that Moses Chase was not one of the corporators, but he was a lawyer in town, and was undoubtedly made one of the committee for the benefit of his . legal knowledge. The committee made their report at a meeting held at the store of John Wheeler, December 16, 1820, and the trustees then and there adopted a code of by-laws of twelve articles. At the same meeting they
163
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
filled the board of trustees to the number of fifteen, as provided by the char- ter, by electing Silas McKeen, Samuel McDuffee, John Rand, Jonathan Jen- niss, of Topsham, and Moses Chase as additional trustees. But John H. Cotton and William Trotter declining to serve, William Spencer, of Corinth, and Jesse Stoddard were chosen in their places. They then completed the permanent organization of their body by electing Rev. Silas McKeen, presi- dent ; James Wilson, vice-president ; Moses Chase, secretary ; Oliver Hardy, treasurer; and Benjamin P. Baldwin, Samuel McDuffee and Moses Chase, an executive committee. It was then voted that the committee hire a teacher and commence the school as soon as may be convenient.
The first regular annual meeting was held on the third Wednesday of December, 1820, and the same officers were elected except that Naphtoli Shaw was put upon the executive committee in the place of Moses Chase.
At a meeting held at the dwelling house of Arad Stebbins, on the 12th of March, 1821, it was voted,
" Ist. That the president assist Mr. Nesmith, the preceptor (who has this day commenced teaching in the academy), in the organization of the school, and in case of any difficulty, that they call on the executive committee for assistance.
"2d. Voted that the president, preceptor and executive committee prepare a set of rules for the regulation of the school."
The Mr. Nesmith spoken of above was the first teacher of the school, and is now (1888) the Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Franklin, N. H., who has been one of the judges of the supreme court of New Hampshire, and is now vigorous in mind and body in his eighty-eighth year.
He began to teach in this school in March, 1821, before he was twenty-one years of age, having graduated at Dartmouth the year before. He continued as principal of the academy until the middle of July, 1822, when he was compelled by ill health to give up the position. This was not Mr. Nesmith's first experience, as he had taught at Antrim, Peterboro and Concord, N. H., before coming here.
Mr. Nesmith was succeeded by Mr. Adams Moore, then of the senior class in Dartmouth college. How long Mr. Moore taught does not appear. He was from Bradford, N. H., and after he graduated, was tutor at Dartmouth for a year, then studying medicine, he settled as a physician at Littleton, N. H.
It is not certain who immediately followed Mr. Moore, but Judge Nesmith names E. P. Harris and a Mr. Cleveland from Salem, Mass., but Mrs. A. P. Newton thinks that Mr. Harris came later, and Mr. Jona. Johnson believes he was here twice. Mr. Cleveland was afterward an author to some extent.
Boyd Hopkins Wilson, who graduated at the University of Vermont in 1824, was the preceptor in 1826, and probably from the time he graduated.
Mr. F. Coggswell took charge of the school probably in September, 1826, but for how long a time cannot be ascertained. On the 17th of August, 1827, the trustees voted to pay him $8.80 for fuel and $100 towards services.
164
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
Cyrus Lancaster, as principal, and George Stone, as assistant, had charge of the academy in 1829. A catalogue published during that year shows but one change in the trustees, viz .: John Rand is dropped out and Naphtoli Shaw, 2d, is elected in his place, and one hundred and twenty-six pupils, forty-nine girls and seventy-seven boys, but whether for a single term or for the year does not appear.
Mr. Charles Wingate succeeded Mr. Lancaster in the fall of 1831. Mr. Hobart came next. Mr. Edward P. Harris came next after Mr. Hobart, according to the recollection of Mrs. Newton.
Joel Blackmer, who graduated at Dartmouth in 1834, and received the degree of Master of Arts at the University of Vermont in 1837, probably taught two years, from September, 1834, to July, 1836.
Franklin Butler, who graduated at the University of Vermont in August, 1836, began to teach the Bradford academy in September of the same year, and taught until July or August, 1839. Miss Adeline Prichard was precep- tress under Mr. Butler. The catalogue of 1837, when these teachers were in charge of the school, shows one hundred and one students in all.
Moses P. Case, who graduated at U. V. M. in 1839, succeeded Mr. Butler in September, 1839, and was assisted by Miss Martha A. Rogers. They were both here as late as the summer of 1842.
J. S. D. Taylor, also a graduate of U. V. M. in 1840, succeeded Mr. Case in September, 1842, and remained three years. He was assisted by Miss Martha A. Rogers and her sister, and also by a Miss Chase.
William C. Belcher, who graduated at U. V. M. in 1843, taught from Sep- tember, 1845, until July, 1849, when, owing to some trouble with the trustees, he opened a select school in the village, which he taught several terms. While in the academy he was assisted by Isaac S. Belcher, his brother, and by Miss Mary J. Belcher, his sister, and some others.
Justin W. Spaulding, a graduate of Dartmouth, succeeded Mr. Belcher, and taught two years. Miss Fidelia Wellman was preceptress, Miss Mary Ann Brackett, associate preceptress, and Mrs. Caroline H. Peckett, teacher of music, with Mr. Spaulding as principal.
Mr. Charles Cutler, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1852, taught in 1852 and 1853. He was assisted by Miss Marcia L. Pierce, preceptress, Miss Mary D. Sawyer, Miss Marcia A. Cutler and Mrs. Caroline H. Peckett, teacher of music the first year, and by Miss M. Elizabeth Denny and Miss Fidelia Well- man, preceptresses, Miss Marcia A. Cutler and Mrs. Caroline H. Peckett, teacher of music the second year.
Benjamin M. Reynolds, a graduate of Dartmouth of the class of 1852, taught the winter and spring terms of 1854, assisted by Miss Fidelia Well- man, preceptress ; Miss Phebe McKeen, assistant; and Miss A. E. Eastman, teacher of music and painting.
Roswell Farnham, a graduate of U. V. M. of the class of 1849, taught from the beginning of the summer term 1854, until the end of the summer
165
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
term 1856, assisted by Mrs. Mary E. Farnham, preceptress and teacher of music and painting ; Miss Mary J. Belcher, Mrs. Caroline H. L. Peckett, teacher of music; and Miss Ellen P. Woodward, teacher of painting.
Edward E. Herrick, a graduate of U. V. M. of the class of 1856, taught two years, from September, 1856, assisted by Mrs. Mary E. Farnham, pre- ceptress, and by Roswell Farnham, assistant teacher and teacher of French.
George A. Low, a graduate of Dartmouth in the class of 1857, taught one year, from September, 1858, assisted by Miss M. J. Carleton, preceptress, and Miss S. J. Hardy, teacher of music.
Edward R. Ruggles, a graduate of Dartmouth in the class of 1859, taught two years, from September, 1859, assisted by Miss Mary M. Closson and Miss L. Jennie Mason, preceptresses, and Miss Lucy A. Strickland, teacher of music, French and drawing.
George A. Low returned and taught three years, from September, 1861, assisted by Mrs. Marcia C. Low, preceptress ; Miss Lucy A.Strickland, teacher of French, and Miss Martha A. R. Low, teacher of drawing and painting.
Earl W. Westgate, a graduate of Dartmouth in the class of 1860, taught two years, from September, 1864, assisted by Miss Charlotte E. Strickland and Miss L. W. Johnson, preceptresses, and Mrs. Julia M. Westgate, teacher of music and painting. Miss Smiley taught during this term.
Mr. Westgate was the last preceptor of the academy, proper. It had been gradually becoming evident that the institution could not support itself if the instructors must depend upon the tuitions received for their wages. It was also very desirable that the pupils in the village of Bradford should have the advantages of education in the higher branches without paying tuition. An arrangement was finally made between the trustees of the academy and the prudential committee of the Union district, which included the whole village, by which the Union district might have the use of the academy property, including the building, library, apparatus and income of the general funds on the easy condition that they keep the property in repair and have a man at the head of the school of liberal education, thus affording an opportunity . to the poorest scholar within the district, to fit himself for college without the payment of tuition. The arrangement was entered into in 1866, and has continued now for twenty-two years, greatly to the advantage of the village and the town.
The teachers under the Union were as follows, viz .:
Francis F. Farrell, a graduate of the University of Vermont in the class of 1866, taught one year, assisted by Miss Sophia B. Woodward, preceptress. James W. Palmer, a graduate of Dartmouth class of 1867, taught three years, assisted by Miss Woodward, preceptress. T. R. Grow, preceptor, 1870-71 ; Miss N. M. Wing, preceptress. Watson T. Dunmore, graduate of Middletown, Conn., preceptor, 1871-73 ; Miss Lydia White, preceptress. Thomas Martin, Dartmouth, 1871, preceptor, 1873-74; Miss Lydia A. White, preceptress. Mr. Martin was compelled to give up the school before the close of his last
166
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
year, and Mr. Cudworth taught the last term. Frank P. McGregor, Dart- mouth, 1875, preceptor, 1875-77; Miss Martha B. Powers, preceptress. Benj. M. Weld, Middlebury, preceptor, 1877-79; Miss Martha B. Powers, preceptress. Wm. H. Cummings, Dartmouth, 1879, preceptor, 1879-1884; Miss Martha B. Powers and Miss E. F. Morse, preceptresses during different years, and Miss Abbie F. McLane, Miss Edna N. Elliot, Miss Lucy E. Nel- son, Moses L. Brock and W. E. Earle, assistants at different times. Will- iam E. Sargent, Dartmouth, 1884, preceptor, 1884-87 ; Miss Fida H. Smith and Mrs. L. E. Wilson, preceptresses ; Miss Tillie A. Lowell, Miss Mary Grace Woodward and Miss Sue S. Worthen, assistants. David B. Locke, Dartmouth, 1882, preceptor, 1887-88; Miss M. Grace Woodward, precept- ress ; Miss Lucy E. Nelson and Miss Mary E. Smith, assistants. At the time of this writing (March, 1888) Mr. Locke, Miss Woodward and Miss Nelson are the teachers of the school.
The institution is in possession of a well selected library of over sixteen hundred volumes, due to the generosity of Mrs. Elisha C. Merrill, who gave by will $2,090 to the trustees of the academy, the income to be used for the purchase of a library and apparatus for the use of the scholars. The principal is now increased to $2,500. Mr. Nicholas W. Ayer also gave to the school $1,000. The trustees also have $450, which was given by the Masons, and annually receive from $75 to $roo from the county grammer school fund.
In 1865 the trustees were Rev. Silas McKeen, D. D., John Poole, M. D., Col. Roswell Farnham, Dea. Geo. W. Prichard, George Prichard, Hon. Horace Strickland, Asa Low, Esq., John B. Woodward, Esq., Hon. George P. Bald- win, Dea. Thomas C. Shaw, James McDuffee, Esq., Zeeb Gilman, M. D., Jonathan Johnson, Esq., John B. Peckett, Jr., Esq., and Abner A. Doty, M. D., thus but two of the original trustees were in the board. At the present time not one is left. They are as follows, viz .: Dea. Geo. L. Butler, prest. ; Capt. P. S. Chamberlin, vice-prest. ; Wm. B. Stevens, sec'y .; Roswell Farnham, treasurer ; H. G. Day, J. H. Sawyer, H. C. McDuffee, J. W. Lees, J. H. Watson, Geo. F. Morris, J. B. W. Prichard, J. C. Stearns, H. A. Winship, E. H. Allen, W. E. S. Celley.
The original building was built by subscription, and until the union of the two schools it was mainly kept in repair in the same way.
The following letter will show how the academy became the possessor of a bell :-
"ORFORD, Dec. 4, 1822.
" Mr. President of Bradford Academy.
"SIR :- In passing by the house built and appropriated for the use of your public school, I noticed there was no bell, and knowing the utility and great convenience of one ; and as I have ever felt in duty bound as under Provi- dence I should be prospered, to appropriate a part for the support of public and private schools, being fully sensible that thereby the peace, order and harmony of all society, civil as well as religious, would be greatly promoted, I
167
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
therefore have purchased a Bell for said house, and, Sir, hereby present the -same to you and through you to the corporation. Have the goodness to receive the same and oblige your friend and well wisher for the prosperity of your school.
" JOHN B. WHEELER."
The appropriate present was duly accepted and the generous donor notified thereof by a letter under the hand of the president, Rev. Silas McKeen.
Bradford Mills, built by Asa Low,, about 1847, and now owned by Peckett & Co., are located on Wait's river, about half a mile west of its con- fluence with the Connecticut. They are operated by water-power, and have been in the possession of the present company since 1854. These mills manufacture flour and feed and do general custom grinding. They are furnished with five runs of stones and have a plaster mill attached. Their capacity of grinding is 1,000 bushels per day. The saw-mills in connection manufacture dimension lumber from pine, spruce, ash, hemlock and hard wood, and turn out about 500,000 feet per annum. About one-fourth mile above they have another mill where are manufactured lumber and shingles. The whole concern gives employment to about ten men.
Wait's River Paper Company, Warren Moore and Albert F. Colburn, pro- prietors ; Warren Moore, manager; A. F. Colburn, treasurer ; has mills located in the flourishing village of Bradford, on Wait's river, which furnishes ample power. This company was organized October 1, 1886, and occupies the stone structure erected for paper making over forty years ago by Hon. Asa Low. The company now runs three 500-pound engines, one 44 inch cylinder machine, and manufacture tissue and manilla paper. The capacity of these mills is 2,000 pounds in twenty-four hours. They employ about fifteen hands,
The J. W. Bliss Co., H. A. Winship, manager, manufactures sash, doors, blinds and round butter boxes, in Bradford village, on Wait's river, which furnishes the power. The company was organized in the spring of 1887, and occupies spacious and convenient buildings previously built and used for the same purpose. The present company has the best modern machinery, employs skilled workmen, and is turning out goods of the first quality.
To detail the circumstance, etc., which led to the granting of the charter under which the titles to the land now comprising the township of Bradford are held, one must go back to the very beginning of settlements in this section. The first settler within the limits of the present town was one John Osmer, or Hosmer. He located upon the north side of Wait's river at its confluence with the Connecticut, in 1765. During the succeeding five years he was fol- lowed by others, so that in 1770 the land-holders amounted to thirty. The locality took to itself the name of " Wait's River Town," or " Waitstown." These settlers had the character of squatters or adventurers, as they had no valid or legal title to the land, simply holding it by a system of "pitches " among themselves. By this time, however (1770), it was deemed expedi-
-
168
TOWN OF BRADFORD.
ent by them to seek for some legal title to their lands, and to have the sec- tion between Newbury and Fairlee constituted a township. For this pur- pose they jointly commissioned Samuel Sleeper, one of their number, to go to New York, and agree, if practicable, with one William Smith, an influen- tial man of that city, to obtain for them a royal charter, with a distinct under- standing between them and him, that on his procuring the desired charter, he should give them a good title to the lands they had begun to cultivate, one hundred acres to each, and that he and such proprietors as he should engage with him, should hold as their own all the rest of the township. That this was accordingly done is manifest from the following extract from the original charter of Moore Town, granting to the persons therein named thirty thous- and acres on the west bank of the Connecticut, as therein set forth, viz .:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.