USA > Vermont > State papers of Vermont, v. 2 > Part 19
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Thomas Tolman Depy. Secy
3
170
CHARTER RECORDS
*THE CHARTER OF ROCHESTER THE GOVERNOR, COUNCIL, & GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREEMEN OF VERMONT.
L. S. To all People, to whom these Presents shall come, GREETING:
KNOW YE, that whereas Asa Whetcomb Esquire, and Mr. Dudley Chace, and their Associates, our worthy Friends, have, by Petition, re- quested a Grant of a Tract of unappropriated Land within this State, in order for settling a New Plantation, to be erected into a Township; We Have Therefore Thought Fit, for the due encouragement of their laudable Designs, and for other valuable considerations us hereunto moving,-AND DO, by these Presents, In the Name, and by the Authority of the Freemen of Vermont, Give and Grant the Tract of Land here- after described and bounded unto the said Asa Whetcomb and Dudley Chace, and the several Persons hereafter named their Associates, viz'; John Whetcomb, Chapman Whetcomb, Anthony Whetcomb, Joshua Hazen, John Hopson, Ebenezer Sparhawk, Henry Sparhawk, John Mandeville, Joseph Tucker, Elijah Tucker, Silas Hamilton, Ammi . Currier, David Ashley, Israel Clark, jun. Thomas Emerson, Samuel Thatcher, Ephraim Miles, Bezaleel Barton, Solomon Aiken, Simeon Belknap, James Aikin Moses Belknap, David Belknap, Caleb Chace, Peter Barton, Isaac Puffer, Abner Brigham, Ezekiel Brigham, junior, Dennis Darling, Enoch Emerson, Stephen Partridge, Jacob Hall, David Currier, Willis Hall, Asa Emerson. Ezekiel Emerson, Daniel Emerson, Ebenezer Rawson, Salmon Chace, Ithamar Chace, Simeon Chace, Heber Chace, Dudley Chace, junior, Daniel Corbet Chace, Baruch Chace, John Sangar, William Page, Ephraim Briggs, David Warren, Joseph Loveland, Moses Brigham, Philocletes Whetcomb, John Ray- mond, John Strong, James Page, Phineas Sanger, James Lawton, Moses . Davis, John Morse, Moses Ashley, Benjamin Lewis, Stephen Child and Simeon Jacobs which, together with the five following Rights, reserved to the several Uses in manner following, include the whole of said Township, vizt; one Right for the Use of a Seminary or Colledge; one Right for the Use of County Grammar Schools in said State; Lands, to the amount of one Right, to be and remain for the purpose of Settlement of a Minister and Ministers of the Gospel in said Township forever; Lands, to the amount of one Right for the support of the social worship of GOD in said Township; and Lands, to the amount of one Right for the support of an English School or Schools in said Township. Which said two Rights, for the use of a Seminary or Colledge, and for the use of County Grammar Schools as aforesaid, and the Improvements, Rents, Interests & Profits arising therefrom, shall be under the Controul, Order,
*Recorded [Ms.] Vermont Charters, Vol. I, pp. 118-122. Another copy of this charter recorded on pp. 381-384 of the same volume, is printed on pages immediately following this copy. These charters are substantially duplicates except as to the dates.
I71
ROCHESTER
Direction, and Disposal of the General Assembly of said State forever. And the Proprietors of said Township are hereby authorised and em- powered, to locate said two Rights, justly and equitably, or quantity for quality, in such Parts of said Township as they or their Committee shall judge will least incommode the General Settlement of said Tract or Township. And the said Proprietors are hereby further empowered to locate the Lands aforesaid amounting to three Rights, assigned-for the Settlement of a Minister and Ministers-for their Support-and for the use & Support of English Schools, in such, and in so many Places as they or their Committee shall judge will best accommodate the In- habitants of said Township when the same shall be fully settled and im- proved, laying the same equitably, or quantity for quality. Which said Lands, amounting to the three last mentioned Rights, when located as aforesaid, shall, together with their Improvements, Rights, Rents, Profits, Dues, and Interests, remain unalienably appropriated for the uses and Purposes for which they are respectively assigned; and be under the Charge, Direction, and Disposal of the Inhabitants of said Township forever. Which Tract of Land, hereby given and granted as aforesaid, is bounded and described as follows, vizt; "BEGINNING at the North Westerly Corner of Bethel, then Southerly in the Westerly Line of Bethel, about Six Miles, to the South Westerly Corner thereof; Then North 61º West, so far, that, turning North 33º East, until, turning South 61º East will strike the Bound began at, and contain the Contents of Six Miles square." And that the same be, and hereby is incorporated into a Township by the Name of ROCHESTER. And the Inhabitants that do, or shall hereafter inhabit said Township, are declared to be in- franchised, and entitled to all the Priviledges and Immunities that the Inhabitants of other Towns within this State do, and ought, by the Laws and Constitution of this State, to exercise and enjoy. To HAVE AND TO HOLD the said granted Premises, as above expressed, with all the Priviledges and Appurtenances thereto belonging and appertaining, to them & their respective Heirs & Assigns forever, upon the following Conditions and Reservations, vizt, That each Proprietor of the Town- ship of Rochester aforesaid, his Heirs or Assigns, shall plant and cul- tivate Five Acres of Land, and build an House at least Eighteen Feet square on the Floor, or have one Family settled, on each respective Right, within the Term of Three Years, next after the Circumstances of the War will admit of a Settlement with Safety: on penalty of the Forfeiture of each Right of Land in said Township, not so improved, or settled; and the same to revert to the Freemen of this State, to be, by their Representatives, regranted to such Persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same. That all Pine Timber suitable for a Navy, be reserved for the Use and Benefit of the Freemen of this State. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the Seal of this State to be affixed, this Thirtieth Day of August, A. D. 1781. And in the 5th year of our Independence.
THOMAS CHITTENDEN.
By His Excellency's Command.
Tho. Tolman Depy Secry.
172
CHARTER RECORDS
[*CHARTER OF] ROCHESTER
THE GOVERNOR-COUNCIL & GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREEMEN OF VERMONT-
To all People to whom these presents shall come GREETING:
KNOW YE-that Whereas Asa Whitcomb Esq' and Mr Dudley Chase and their Associates our worthy friends have by petition requested a grant of a tract of unappropriated lands within this State in order for settling a new plantation to be erected into a Township-We have therefore thought fit, for the due encouragement of their laudable de- signs, and for other valuable considerations us hereunto moving-And do by these Presents, in the name and by the authority of the Freemen of the State of Vermont-give and grant the tract of land hereafter described and bounded unto the said Asa Whitcomb Dudley Chase and their Associates-Viz-John Whetcomb, Chapman Whetcomb, An- thony Whetcomb, Joshua Hazen, John Hopson, Ebenezer Sparhawk, Henry Sparhawk, John Mandevitte, Joseph Tucker, Elijah Tucker, Silas Hamilton, Ammi Currier, David Ashley, Israel Clark Jun', Thomas Emerson, Samuel Thatcher, Ephraim Miles, Bezaleel Barton, Solomon Aiken, Simeon Belknap, James Aiken, Moses Belknap, David Belknap, Caleb Chase, Peter Barton, Isaac Puffer, Abner Brigham, Ezekiel Brigham Jun, Dennis Darling, Enoch Emerson, Stephen Partridge, Jacob Hall, David Currier, Willis Hall, Asa Emerson, Ezekiel Emerson, Daniel Emerson, Ebenezer Rawson, Salmon Chase, Ithamer Chase, Simeon Chase, Heber Chase, Dudley Chase Jun', Daniel Corbet Chase, Baruch Chase, John Sangar-William Page, Ephraim Briggs, David Warren, Joseph Loveland, Moses Brigham, Philocletes Whetcomb, John Raymond, John Strong, James Page, Phinehas Sanger, James Lawton, Moses Davis, John Morse, Moses Ashley, Benjamin Lewis, Stephen Child, and Simeon Jacobs, which together with the five following Rights reserved to the several uses in manner following include the whole of said Township, Viz, one Right for the use of a seminary or Colledge, one Right for the use of County Gramar Schools in said State, Lands to the amount of one Right to be and remain for the purpose of settlement of a Minister and Ministers of the Gospel in said Township forever, Lands to the amount of one Right for the support of the social Worship of God in said Township, and lands to the amount of one Right for the support of an English School or Schools in said Township-Which said two Rights, for the use of a seminary or Colledge, and for the use of County Grammar Schools as aforesaid, and the improvements, Rents, Interests, and Profits arising therefrom, shall be under the controul, Order, direction and disposal of the General Assembly of said State forever-
*Recorded [Ms.] Vermont Charters, Vol. 1, pp. 381-384. Another copy of this Charter, recorded on pp. 118-122 of the said Volume, is printed on pages immediately preceding this copy. These charters are substantially duplicates except as to dates.
173
ROCHESTER
And the proprietors of said Township are hereby authorised and em- powered to locate said two rights Justly and equitably or Quantity for Quality in such parts of said Township as they or their Committee shall Judge will least incommode the general settlement of said tract or Township-and the said proprietors are hereby further empowered to locate the lands aforesaid amounting to three rights assigned for the settlement of a minister and ministers for their support, and for the use and support of English Schools in such and in so many places, as they or their Committee shall Judge will best accommodate the Inhabitants of said Township when the same shall be fully settled, and improved, laying the same equitably, or Quantity for Quality-which said lands amounting to the three last mentioned Rights, when located as afore- said, shall together with their improvements, Rights, Rents, Profits, Dues, and Interests remain unalienably appropriated for the uses and purposes for which they are respectively assigned-And be under the Charge, Direction & Disposal of the Inhabitants of said Township forever-
Which Tract of Land hereby given and granted is described and bounded as follows-Viz-BEGINNING at the Northwesterly corner of Bethel then Southerly in the Westerly line of Bethel about six miles to the Southwesterly corner thereof, then North Sixty one Degrees West, so far that turning North thirty three Degrees East untill turning South sixty one Degrees east will strike the bound began at, and contains the contents of six miles square-
And that the same be and hereby is incorporated into a Township by the name of ROCHESTER-and the Inhabitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the said Township are declared to be enfranchised and entitled to all the priviledges and immunities that the inhabitants of other Towns within this State do, and ought by the Law & Constitution of this State to exercise and enjoy-
To HAVE AND TO HOLD the said granted premises as above ex- pressed with all the Priviledges & Appurtenances thereto belonging and appertaining to them and their respective heirs and Assigns forever- upon the following conditions & Reservations-Viz-that each pro- prietor of the Township of Rochester aforesaid his heirs or Assigns shall plant and cultivate Five Acres of land and build an house at least eighteen feet square on the floor, or have one Family settled on each respective Right within the term of three years next after the Circum- stances of the War will admit of a settlement with safety-on penalty of the forfeiture of each Right of Land in said Township not so improved or settled, and the same to revert to the Freemen of this State, to be by their Representatives regranted to such persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same-That all Pine Timber suitable for a Navy be reserved to the use and benefit of the Freemen of this State.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of this State to be affixed. In Council this Thirtieth Day of
174
CHARTER RECORDS
July Anno Domini-One thousand seven hundred and eighty one-And in the fifth year of the Independence of this State
THOS CHITTENDEN
By His Excellency's Command Thos Tolman Dep Secy.
Recorded Nov-2ª-1808 --
Att. Th. Leverett Secy.
C
THE CHARTER OF ROXBURY
THE GOVERNOR, COUNCIL, AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OF THE FREEMEN OF THE STATE OF VERMONT
L. S. To all People to whom these Presents shall come GREETING:
KNOW YE, That whereas the HONORABLE BENJAMIN EMMONS ESQUIRE & HIS ASSOCIATES our worthy Friends have by Petition re- quested a Grant of a Tract of unapropriated Lands within this State, in order for Settling a new plantation to Erected into a Township, WE have therefore thought fit for the due encouragement of their laudable de- signs, and for other valuable Considerations us hereunto moving, and do by these Presents in the name and by the authority of the Freemen of the State of Vermont, give and Grant the Tract of Land hereafter dis- cribed and bounded, unto him the said Benjamin Emmons, and to the Several Persons hereafter named his associates, vizt John Throop, Bryant Brown, Mastin Cabbot, Capt. Edward Aikins, Hezekiah Thomp- son, Asa Whitcomb, Samuel King, John Cook, Solomon Withull, Steel Smith, Reuben Smith, Joseph Kimball, Isaac Morgan, Roswell Smith, Asa Taylor, Eliakim Spooner, Joseph Tidd, Eldad Brownson, William Lyon, Eben' Curtis, Edward Smith, Whitman Jacobs, Edmond Hodges, Joel Butler, John Ransom, Jedediah Strong, William Birch, Zelotes Gates, Paul Brigham, Thomas Brigham, John Marcey, Henry White, Henry Aynsworth, Abel Davis, Thomas Chittenden, Seth Hodges, William Powers, Jonathan Hall, Paul Spooner, Joshua Dodge, Thomas Lawton, Bethuel Cross, Jonathan Burnet, Daniel Gilbert, Jonas Board- man, Solomon Strong, William Gallup, Elisha Gallup, Samuel Dutton, Simon Davis, Daniel Rix, Ebenzer Parkhurst, Shubal Cross, Elias Stevens, Benjamin Wait, Josiah Dunham, Elisha Hawley, John Ranger, Robert Hunter, John Ranger Jur, William Chaplain, Phinehas Parkhurst, Jonathan Chase, and Lathrop Thompson, Which Together with the five rights or equal Shares reserved to the Several uses in manner follow-
175
ROXBURY-ROYALTON
READ
ing, include the whole of said Tract or Township vizt READ which Tract the of Land hereby Given and Granted as aforesaid is bounded & discribed as follows Vizt BEGINNING, at the Northwesterly of Brookfield, then South thirty three Do West about Six Miles in the line of Brookfield to an Angle thereof, then carrying that breadth back North 61 Do west so far as that a Line being extended North 33 Do East across Sd Breadth, will encompass the Contents of Six Miles Square, And that the same be & hereby is In- corporated into a Township by the name of ROXBURY. and the Inhabi- tents that do or shall hereafter Inhabit said Township are declared to be infranchised and Intitled to all the Privileges & Immunities that the Inhabitents of other Towns within this State do and ought by the Law and Constitution of this State to exercise & Enjoy
To HAVE AND TO HOLD, the said Granted Premises as above expressed with all the Priviledges & appurtenences thereto belonging & apper- taining unto them and their Respective Heirs and assigns forever, upon the following Conditions & Reservations vizt That Each Proprietor in the Township of ROXBURY aforesaid his heirs or assigns shall plant and Cultivate five acres of Land and build an House at least Eighteen feet square on the floor, or have one Family Settled on each Respective Right or Share of Land in said Township & the same to revert to the freemen of this State, to be by their representatives regranted to such persons as Shall appear to Settle and Cultivate the same; That all Pine Timber suitable for a Navy be reserved for the use and Benifit of the Freemen of this State. IN TESTIMONY whereof we have caused the Seal of this State to be affixed In Council this 6th day of August AD. 17SI, & in the 5th year of the Independence of this State
By His Excellency9 Command. Thomas Tolman D. Secy.
THOMAS CHITTENDEN
---
THE CHARTER OF ROYALTON
THE GOVERNOR, COUNCIL, AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREEMEN OF THE STATE OF VERMONT.
L. S. To all People to whom these Presents shall come GREETING:
KNOW YE that WHREAS COMFORT SEAVER, EsQ., and his associates our worthy Friends have by Petition requested a Grant of a Tract of unappropriated lands within this State in order for Settling a New Plantation to be Erected into a Township, WE have therefore thought fit for the due encouragement of their Laudable Designs, And for other
Charter f Riptown which is in the same words of this for disposing of the 5 public Rights.
176
CHARTER RECORDS
Valuable Considerations us hereunto moving, And do by these Presents, In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen of the State of Vermont, give and grant the Tract of Land hereafter discribed & bounded unto him the said Comfort Seaver, & unto the Several Persons hereafter Named his associates in equal Shares vizt, Elias Stevens, Elisha Kent, John Kent, Elisha Kent Jur, John Hibbard, James Hibbard, Jedediah Hyde, (of Royalton) Ebenezer Dewey, Ebenezer Church, Nathan Fish, John Safford, Benjamin Parkhurst, Simon Shepard, Reuben Parkhurst, Daniel Gilbert, Daniel Rix, John Kimbal, Garner Rix, Ebenezer Parkhurst, David Fish, David Brewster, Robert Havens, William Blackmer, Heman Durkee, Ebenezer Brewster, Medad Benton, Nathaniel Morse, Robert Handay, Benjamin Day, Timothy Durkee, John Jillet, Adan Durkee, John Billins, Joseph Fish, John Hibbard Ju', John Willcox, Samuel Benidict, Calven Parkhurst, Josiah Wheeler, Joseph Parkhurst, Elias Curtis, Joseph Havens, Johnson Safford, John Stevens Jur, Isaac Morgan, Zebulon Lyon, Nathan Morgan, Daniel Tuller, William Joiner, Martin Tuller, Daniel Havens, Benjamin Day Jur, John Evans, Jeremiah Trescott, Israel Wallow, William Jones, John House, Tilley Parkhurst, Phinehas Parkhurst, Jabez Parkhurst, Samuel Clap, and Joel Mash (of Sharon) which Together with the five READ following rights reserved to the Several uses in manner following vizt The (READ) which said Tract of Land hereby given and Granted as aforesaid is bounded and discribed as follows vizt BEGINNING at Sharon Southwest Corner, then North 40 Do East 496 chains to Tunbridge, thence North 60 Do West 456, chains to Bethel, Thence South 40 Do west 496 chains on Bethel Line to Barnard, Thence South 60 Do East 456 Chains on Barnard Line to the Place of Begining Containing Twenty Two Thousand three hundred and Twenty Acres, (22,320) AND that the same be and hereby is in- corporated into a Township by the name of ROYALTON, AND the In- habitents that do or shall hereafter Inhabit said Township are declared to be Infranchised and entitled to all the Priviledges & Immunities that the Inhabitents of other Towns within this State do & ought by the Law and Constitution of this State to exercise and enjoy. To HAVE AND TO HOLD, the said Granted Premises as above expressed, with all the Privi- ledges, and appurtenances thereto belonging, and appertaining unto them and their respective Heirs and assigns forever, upon the following Conditions, and reservations viz That each proprietor in the Township of Royalton aforesaid his heirs or assigns, shall plant and cultivate five acres of Land, and build an House at least Eighteen feet square upon the floor, or have one Family Settled on each respective Right or share within the Term of Eighteen Months from the date hereof, on penalty of the Forfieture of each Respective right of Land in said Township, not so improved or settled, and the same to revert to the Freemen of this State to be by their representatives regranted to Such persons as shall appear to Settle and Cultivate the same, That all Pine Timber suitable for a Navy be reserved for the use and Benifit of the Freemen of this State; IN TESTIMONY, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Charter of Newark which Disposes of the 5 public Rights in the same ords with this.
177
ST. JOHNSBURY
seal of this State to be affixed in Council this 20th day of Dec", 1781, and in the 5th year of the Independence of this State.
THOMAS CHITTENDEN By His Excellency& Command Thomas Tolman Dy. Secy.
L. S.
THE CHARTER OF ST. JOHNSBURY
To all people to whom these presents shall come GREETING:
WHEREAS Jonathan Arnold Esquire and his Associates our worthy friends have by petition requested a grant of a tract of unappropriated lands within this State in order for settling a new plantation to be erected into a Township.
WE HAVE THEREFORE thought fit for the due encouragement of their laudable designs, and for other valuable considerations Us hereunto moving, and Do by these presents, in the name and by the Authority of the Freemen of VERMONT, give and grant the Tract of Land herein after described and bounded unto the said Jonathan Arnold and the several persons hereafter named his Associates namely, Samuel Stevens Esquire, John Innes Clark, and Joseph Nightingale, Joseph Lord, Ebenezer Scott jun' David Howell Esquire William Page Esquire, Thomas Chittenden Esq' John Bridgman Esq' John Crawford Arnold Joseph Fay Esquire Ira Allen Esquire Simeon Colle, Benjamin Doo- little Josiah Nichols James Adams Martin Adams, Jonathan Adams James Callender Adams Thomas Todd, William Trescott and Jonathan Trescott, in the proportions annexed to their names respectively as follows To the said Jonathan Arnold Thirteen Seventy first parts and one third of one Seventy first part, to the said Samuel Stevens Eighteen Seventy first parts to the said Clark & Nightingale six Seventy first parts Joseph Lord seven seventy first parts, Ebenezer Scott jun' three seventy first parts, David Howell four seventy first parts, William Page two seventy first parts Thomas Chittenden one seventy first part John Bridgman two seventy first parts, John Crawford Arnold one seventy first part, Joseph Fay three Seventy first parts, Ira Allen one seventy first part, Simeon Colle one seventy first part and one third of one seventy first part, Benjamin Doolittle one two hundred and tenth part, Josiah Nichols, one two hundred & tenth part, James Adams one two hundred & tenth part Martin Adams one two hundred & tenth part, Jonathan- Adams one two hundred and tenth part, James Callender Adams one Two hundred and tenth part, Thomas Todd one two hundred & tenth part William Trescott one two hundred & tenth part, and
178
CHARTER RECORDS
Jonathan Trescott one two hundred and tenth part, which together with Six seventy first parts reserved to the several uses in manner follow- ing vizt. One seventy first part for the use of a Seminary or College, one seventy first part for the use of County Grammar Schools, within said State, Lands to the amount of One seventy first part for the purpose of Settlement of a Minister and Ministers of the Gospel in said Town- ship, Lands to the amount of one Seventy first part, for the support of the social Worship of GOD in said Township, and Lands to the amount of One Seventy first part for the support of an English School & Schools in said Township which said two Seventy first parts for the use of a Seminary or College, and for the use of County Grammar schools as aforesd and the improvements, rents, interests and profits arising there- from, shall be under the Controul, Order direction and disposal of the General Assembly of said State forever, and the proprietors of sd Town- . ship are hereby Authorized And empowered to locate said Two seventy first parts, justly & equitably or quantity for quality in such parts of said Township as they or their committee shall judge will least in- commode the general settlement of said Township. And the sd Proprie- tors are hereby further empowered to locate the lands aforesd amount- ing to three seventy first parts, of sd Township, assigned for the settle- ment of a Minister and Ministers, for their support, and for the use and support of English Schools in said Town in such and in so many places as they or their Committee shall Judge will best accommodate the In- habitants of said Township, when fully settled & improved laying the same equitably and quantity for quality, which said lands amounting to three seventy first parts, of said Township when located as aforesd shall together with their improvements, Rights, rents, profits, dues & interests, remain unalienably appropriated for the uses & purposes for which they are respectively assigned, and be under the charge direction and disposal of the selectmen of said Township in trust to and for the use of said Town forever, And the remaining lands in said Township the proprietors are hereby empowered to dispose of in such manner as they shall judge best for the encouragement of erecting the first Gristmill & Saw Mill in sd Township. And whereas it is necessary that early pro- vision should be made for accommodating said Township, with Lands sufficient for public roads and Highways which cannot [be] particu- larly assigned until the said Township be fully surveyed and under some improvement, therefore by virtue of these presents there is hereby reserved, Nine Acres in each Seventy first part and in the same propor- tion in every lesser part to be appropriated from time to time for the purpose of opening public Roads or Highways and remain unalienably for that purpose to be assigned as the Selectmen or other legal Authority shall from time to time direct in & throughout said Township forever. Which said tract of Land given & granted as aforesaid is bounded & described as follows BEGINNING at a Hemlock tree mark'd Barnet Corner-March 23rd 1784. being the most Northerly Corner of said Barnet and running North Six degrees and twenty minutes West seven Miles and
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