USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 28
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FIRST SETTLERS .- Nathaniel Ladd, John Bancroft, Gershom Beach, Jonathan Dike, Solomon Taylor, Nathaniel Nelson, Oliver Bogue, Zeb Green, John Cowe, Jacob Wal- ton, Asa Farrar. The Town was originally 6 miles square. In 1816 one half of the town of Philadelphia was annexed to Chitter " -
There are two rivers in town, East of his and Furnace River; two small ponds Aug. named-two beds of iron ore and one of " ** : ganese. The town was organized Mare 1789; the officers, Ebenezer Drury, mo , move tor ; Nathaniel Ladd, clerk; Nathan Neagain Nathaniel Ladd, Solomon Taylor, selectie we Camp
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Nathan Nelson, treasurer ; Jeffrey A. Bogue, constable; Oliver Bogue, John Bancroft, Moses Taylor, listers.
TOWN CLERKS.
Nathaniel Ladd was the first town clerk, from March 1789 to 1790, Nathan Nelson, the 21 from 1790 to '93; then John Cowe, from 1:43 to 1813-20 years ; David Wardsworth, from 1814 to 16; Warren Barnard, 1316 to '18; Wolcott H. Keeler, 1818 to 1822 ; Jonas Wheeler, 1822 to 1824; Wolcott H. Keeler, 1824 to 1828 ; Moses Randall, 1828 to 1843; the 14th of Nov. when he died ; Moses and Alvin Randall 16 years; Alvin Randall served as Clerk till March, 1844; Capen Leonard, Jr., till March 1847, three years ; Chauncy Taylor from 1847 to 1854; Alvin Randall 1854 to 1856; Reuben Harris, 1856 to 1871, fifteen years; H. F. Baird to the present time. (Feb. 1873.)
REPRESENTATIVES.
In 1797, John Cowe was chosen representa- tive, and is the first on record. In 1801, and in 1804, Cowe was again chosen representative. I tind no record of any one being chosen from 1804, till 1810, when Thomas Manley was chosen and there is no other record till 1817, when Thomas Manley was chosen. In 1818, Howard Mitchell was chosen ; in 1819, Jonas Wheeler ; 1820 and '21, Wolcott H. Keeler ; 1.22, Jonas Wheeler: 1823 and 24, Wolcott H. Keeler ; in 1825, Warren Barnard ; in 1826, W. H. Keeler; in 1827, there is no record of any one being cho-en ; 1828 and '29'30, Jonas Wheeler was chosen ; in 1831, John Wood- bury; in 1832, no record of any being chosen ; 1833, John Woodbury was chosen ; in 1834, Jonas Wheeler ; 1835 and '6, Thomas J. Leon- ard; 1837 to '41, Capen Leonard ; 1842-'3-'4, Dan B. Bogue ; 1845, Capen Leonard; in 1846, Thomas Manley ; in 1847, Wm. H. Harrison ; in 1848, Reuben Harris; in 1849, Wmn. II. Harrison ; in 1850, Samuel W. Ilarrison : in 1851 and 1852, Joseph Parker ; in 1853, Mil- ton F. Manley; 1854 and '55, Joseph Wetmore ; | 1856 and '7, George W. Barnard ; 1858 and '9, H. F. Baird; 1860 and '61, Linus Edmonds ; 1$62 and '3, Milton F. Manley ; 1864 and '65. Lewis I. Winslow; 1866 and '7, Hiram Baird ; -- 1568 and '9, Charles Hewett ; in 1570, Hiram F. Baird was elected for 2 years ; in 1872, Roy. al W. Barnard elected for 2 years. I believe Nathaniel Ladd was the first representative but I cannot find any record of it.
Nathaniel Ladd was the first settler and Anson Ladd, son of Nathaniel, was the first child born in town. I cannot find any record of the names of persons who have served in any of the wars. I am informed that Jona- than Wood & Josiah Pearson served in the Revolutionary War, Thaddeus Baird & Israel Hewett served in the war of IS12. I am un- able to give the names of all of those who served in the war of '61, Wallace Noyes and Cyrus Whitcomb died at or near Vicksburg. Arza P. Noyes was killed near Richmond in Kilpatrick's Raid. Martin Clark, C. P. Bar- nard. Lewis Martin, L. L. Baird, Valorous Bump, and Wilbur F. Freeman died in the army.
I send you copy of a portion of the proprie- tors' records previous to the organization of the town, the first and last part of the record is gone. You can obtain the names of some of the first settlers from them if nothing more.
[ The first part of the Record being lost.]
9thly, Voted that five pounds be given to Mr. Gershom Beach for charter fees and other incidental charges.
10thly, Voted that this meeting be ad- journed to the 2nd Wednesday in April cex:, to be holden at the dwelling house of Mr. Dan Barnard, in Chittenden, at Ten o'clock in the Morning.
Attest, SAM'L HARRISON, pr's clerk.
April 13th, 1755. The Meeting is opened according to ad- journment that was made from Lt. Barns, Innholder in Rutland, Feb'y 9th, 17:5. 10 the House of Mr. Dan Barnard, in Chitten- den, second Wednesday in April, at Ten o'clock, A. M., opened and adjourned to 12 o'clock when said meeting opened and pro- ceeded and
Firstly, Voted that there be an addition of fifty-five acres to be laid to the second divi- sion which was voted to be pitched, of any acres for those that come to settle. the same as voted at the meeting at Lt. Barns, the method of pitching to be that the settlers an 1 those that will come and settle by the 1st of Jan'y may have liberty to choose their 21 div Lot after they are laid out.
2dly, Vored a committee of 4 men to lay out 20 Div'n.
3dly, Voted that Thaddeus Fitch, Esq .. Messrs. Elisha Adams, Jabez Olmsted and John Cowee be a committee to lay out sa.d Division.
4thly, Voted that Joseph Harrison and Moses Bartlett go on to improve and peace- ably possess their respective Lots that they have laid out and made improvements there- on and that they enjoy the same.
5thly, Voted that the above committee go
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on to lay out the second Division so that they make returns to the clerk if Possible by the 1st of July next ensuing.
6thly, Voted that there be a committee to lay out the road in said Town.
7thly, Voted that the above committee that is to lay out the 21 div. be the commit- tee to lay out Roads.
8thly, Voted that the committee begin to .lay out a road at the East line of Chittenden and continue the same Westerly so far as they shall think proper, then to divide into two branches, one to come out at or near Mr. Nath'l Ladd's, the other to come out at Mr. Dan Barnard's.
Uthly, Voted that the same committee lay out any other Roads that may accommodate the settlement of said Township.
10thly, Voted that there be five dollars raised on each Right to defray the charges that may arise in laying out Roads Second division lots cutting and making said roads together with the charter fees and other in- cidental charges, &c., &c.
11thly, Voted there be a collector to col- lect said tax.
12thly Voted that the collector be the un- der bidder.
13thly, Voted that Mr. Nathaniel Ladd collect said Tax at one penny per Pound, he being the under bidder.
14thly, Voted that Capt. Seth Keeler be the Surveyor for the cross roads.
15thly, Voted that Messrs. Nath'l Ladd and Jona. Dike the surveyors for the roads to be cleared from Pittsfield to where the roads part, then, Mr. Lad I to take the South- ern part and Mr. Dike the Northern part of said Roads.
16thly, Voted that this meeting be ad- journed and hereby adjournel to the 21 Wed- nesday of July next ensuing to be holden at the dwelling House of Mr. Solomon Taylor in Chittenden at 10 o'clock A. M.
SAM'L HARRISON, Proprietors clerk.
Chittenden, July 13th, 1785.
This meeting opened according to an ad- journment made from Mr. Dan Barnard's, April 13th, to the dwelling house of Mr. Soll'n Taylor, proceeded and
Firstly, Voted that the accounts of the committee concerning the roads be accepted and allowed according to the instructions of a vote in April 13th.
2lly, Voted that the tax which was voted on the 13th of April last be paid by the 15th of Sept next ensuing.
3dly, Voted that the committee for to lay out the Roads and 2d divisions, &c., be al- lowed one Dollar per day exclusive of Liq- uors.
4thly, Voted that the surveyors for the roads be allowed 5 shillings and the men that work Is 61 per day.
Stlily, Voted that the time for settling the 21 div. be lengthened until the 15th of Sept., 1786.
6thily, Voted that Sixteen dollars be al-
lowed Liquors already expended and to be expended in laying out 2d Div: Road, &c.
7thly, Voted that Messrs. Nath'l Ladd, Sam'l Harrison and Capt. Seth Keeler be a committee to receive and adjust accounts with the committee for laying out Roads 2d Divisions, &c.
8thly, Voted that the clerk shall procure a Book for to record the business of Propri- ety Deeds, &c., at the Proprietor's cost.
9thly, Voted that this meeting be adjourn- ed until the last Wednesday of Sept., 1736, to be holden at the now dwelling house of Mr. Nathaniel Ladd in Chittenden at one of the clock, P. M.
SAM'L HARRISON, pr's clerk.
Whereas the meeting that was holden at Lt. Wm. Barns, Innholder, in Rutland on Feby, 9th, 1785, on which the other. meetings were held by adjournment proved abortive by reason of its not being advertized in the Windsor paper, which according to the laws of this State ought to have been done. there fore application was made by a number of the proprietors unto John Strong, Esq., who sent out the following advertisement which was published both in the Bennington and Windsor papers three weeks successively viz., Whereas application has been made to the subscriber by more than one sixteenth part of the proprietors of the township of Chit- tenden in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont to warn a meeting of sail Pro- prietors, these are therefore to warn said proprietors to meet at the dwelling house of Nathaniel Ladd, Innholder, in said Chitten- den on the fifteenth day of Dec. at one o'clock P. M. then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
Ist, to choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2d, A clerk.
3.1, A treasurer.
4th. to see if the proprietors will accept and ratify the surveys and drafts of the first and Second Division.
5th, to see if the proprietors will grant a tax to raise money to defray the costs of Lot- ting the First and Second Division, and like- wise for laying out and clearing roads in said Township and when met as aforsaid to transact any business that is proper to be done at said meeting, Addison, Oct. 11th, 1735. John Strong, Justice of Peace.
Dec. 15th, 1785, at a meeting of the Pro- prietors of the Township of Chittenden, Le- galy warned and holden at Mr. Nath. Ladds, in Chittenden, proceeded and Firstly
Voted that capt. Seth Keeler be the mod- erator.
2dly, Voted Sam'l Harrison, Clerk.
3dly, Voted Mr. Nath'l Ladd, Treasurer.
4thly, Voted that there be a committee for to inspect into the former proceedings of Chittenden meetings.
5thly, Votel that Messrs. Nath'l Ladd, Sam'l Harrison and Nathan Richardson be I the committee. The said Com. brought in
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the following report, voted unanimously that we as a committee have inspected the former proceedings of this proprietry, and think that the ninth vote passed at Lieut. Barnes worthy of reconsideration, the meet- ing then proceeded to reconsider said vote when after mature deliberation and confir- tuation of what had formerly passed,
othly, Voted that the whole of the former proceedings be ratified in full.
7thly, Voted that as the former Tax of Five dollars proves inadequate for the pur- pose it was voted that there be a tax of fif- tren shillings raised over and above the said Five dollars.
Sthly, Voted that there be a committee to inspect into the affairs of the former Com- mittee for laying out the 1st Division to make report unto the adjourned meeting.
9thly, Voted That Messrs. Sam'l Harrison, Gideon Cooley and Zeeb Green be the above Committee.
10thly, Voted that the fifteen Shilling tax be paid by the first of July next.
11thly, That the former committee be the committee to inspect into the lots, No. 21 and 49 first Div., and try to do justice to the proprietors.
12thly, Voted Esq. Rowly be allowed 4 shillings for swearing proprietors' officers.
13thly, Voted That the public roads that run through the Town be four rods, and the cross roads three Rods wide.
14thly, Voted That Mr. Ladd be allowed 5 dollars for his cost and trouble in bringing to life this present Meeting.
15thly, That this meeting be adjourned to the First Tuesday of May to be held at the dwelling house of Mr. Jona. Dike at 10 o'clock A. M.
'N. B. The Surveyor Committees and Chair- men took their Oaths before Thos. Rowley, Esq., that they have performed their respect- ive duty faithfully in the presence of this Meeting.
Attest, SAM'L HARRISON, prs. clerk.
May 2, 1786. At a meeting of the propri- etors of Chittenden met at the House of Mr. Jonathan Dike in said Chittenden according to adjournment made from Mr. Nathaniel Ladd. Dec. 15th, 1785, proceeded and Firstly, Voted that Mr. Nathaniel Ladd be allowed 5 dollars more in addition for his trouble ' in bringing to life this present Meeting, which meeting was first held at his house, Dec. 15th, 1735, and likewise for his trouble in advertising the sale of land &c., &c. (2dly) voted that the outlines of this township be run. 3dly, voted that there be a Comitte for the above purpose. 4thly, voted that Messrs. Gideon Cooley, Elisha Adams and Jabez Olmsted, be said Committe. 5thily, voted that there be another man added to the com- mitte for laying out roads. 6thly, voted that Mr. Gideon Cooley be added to that committe. 7thly, voted that # 30 be allowed out of the fifteen shilling tax, for cutting, cleaning and bridging roads, and the rest laid out in ascer- taining the bounds of the Town laying out
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more highways for the accomodation of the settlement of said township, and the rest, if any there be, lie in the treasury for necessary uses. 8thly, voted that thare be ten dollars laid out for laying, cutting and clearing the new road to accomodate the new settlers in the north-west part of the 'lown. 9thly, vot- ed that the £ 27 reserved for the roads be disposed of in the following manner, viz., from Mr. Dan Barnard's to Mr. Solomon Taylor's, then from the Town line near Jona- than Dikes, to Mr. Solomon Taylor's, thence east to meet the roads that come from Rut- land and Pittsford, by Mr. Ladd's, likewise the roads from Pittsford line by Mr. Ladd's, thence easterly to where the road meet then to continue in conjunction to Pittsford also the road from Mr. Sollomon Taylor's to Mr. N. Ladd's.
10thly, voted that Mr. Nathaniel Ladld en- joy and peaceably possess a tract of land which lieth between Nos. 4 and 5 first Divisions as a third Division lot, it containing between 50 and 60 acres. 11thly, voted that Messrs. Ja- bez Edgerton and Amnasa Ladd who drew the lots Nos. 21 and 49 1st Div. have each of them a chance to pitch a third Division lot to com- pensate them for their first Div. lots as the committee reported.
12thly, voted that those who lived in this Town at the first life of this present meeting shall have the privilege of pitching and hold- ing their lots according to the tenor of the vote passed on Feb'y, 9th, 1785, without be- ing obliged to settle the same. 13thly, vo- ted this ineeting be adjourned until the 19th of Sept. next to meet at this house of Mr. Jonathan Dike at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Attest, SAMUEL HARRISON, Pr's Clerk.
Chittenden, Sept. 19th, 1786, At a meeting of the proprietors of the Township of Chitten- den, met at the House of Mr. Jonathan Dike according to an adjournmient made on 21 of May, 1786, to this date at 10 o'clock, A. M. opened and firstly voted that Capt. Seth Keeler be the Moderator. 2dly, voted that the Road voted for the accommodation of the settlers at the north-west corner of the Town be established as it is now surveyed.
3dly, voted that Messrs. Elsha Adams, John Bancroft and Gershom Beach be a com- mittee to adjust accounts with Mr. N. Ladi the collector of the first tax. 4thly, voted t .at thare be a committe to make a draught of the second Division, and to determine wi.o have settled according the former votes 5thly, voted that Messrs. Nathaniel Ladd. Zeb Green and Samuel Harnson be the sail cominitte. 6thly, voted that Mr. Wilhams who hath done work on No. 21, 2d Division be reconed as one of the settlers. 7thly, vor- ed that the draught made by the above com- mitte here in open meeting of the 2d Divis- ions be confirmed.
Sthly, voted that the Great Meadows be out in an equal manner as to quantity, and the lots be drawn for.
Othly, voted, Messrs. Gideon Cooley, Zeb
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Green and James Cowe be a committee to lav out the tracts cf land called the Great Mead- ( ws. 10thly, voted that this meeting be ad- jou. nel and is hereby adjourned to the first wednesday in April next at 10 o'clock A. M. to be holden at the dwelling house of Mr. Jonathan Dike.
Attest, SAMUEL HARRISON, Clerk.
Chittenden 4th of April, 1787, at a Meet- ing of the proprietors of the Township of Chittenden met at the House of Mr. Jona- than Dike according to an adjournment made Sept. 19th, 1786, to the day of this date at 10 o'clock A. M. opened and firstly voted that as Mr. Green had his House burnt and Mr. John Cowe the surveyor that laid a con- siderable part of the roads in this township lost his papers containing part of said sur- veys by the aforesaid, by reason of his Boarding at the said Mr. Greens that thare be a committe of three men lay out the roads to be laid out and likewise to see whether it is best to alter them from whare they were formerly surveyed by said Mr. John Cowe. 2ndly, voted that Messrs. Gideon Cooley, Jabez Olmsted and Jonathan Dike be the above mentioned committe. 3dly, voted that the 4th Division lots be pitched. 4thly, voted that the 4th Division consist of one hundred acres. 5thly, voted that who ever Pitches a lot and can ascertain the same and brings it for record to the Clerks Othice, the first so brought shall hold the land if not actually surveyed.
6thly, voted that the three 21 Division lo's upon the south line of the Town viz., Nos. 56, 57 and 58 are supposed to be part of them out of Town if in case any considerable part of them proves out, the men that own, may throw them up and make a pitch in any oth- er part of the Town not yet laid out, not to interfere with the Great Meadows or any other 4th Division lot that may be Pitched before.
Tthly, voted that this meeting be ad- journed and is hereby adjourned until the 2d wednesday of November, 1787, to open at 10 o'clock A. M., to meet at the dwelling house of Mr. Sollomon Taylor, in Chittenden.
Attest, SAMUEL HARRISON, P. Clerk.
Chittenden, Nov. 14th, 1737, At a Propri- etors meeting holden by adjournment from the house Mr. Jonathan Dike, April 4th, 1787, to the House of Mr. Sol omnon Taylor, proceeded and firstly voted that the surveys run by Mr. Whitney, surveyor, be accepted. 2ily, voted that Capt. Seth Keeler hold and peaceably possess the 55 acres laid out at the south end of No. 3. 21 Division 3dly, vot- ed that the 1st [00 acres that was laid be called a first Division, the 24 hundred av a 2d Division, the Great Meadows as a 34 Di- vision, and the Divisions which is already Pitched and to be Pitched. a 4th Division and that those Pitchel Divisions recorded as a third Division, shall be changed into a fourth. 4thly, voted that Nathaniel Chip- man hold the lot as a first Division that'
was drawn to Thomas Spring as a fir-t Di- vision, upon this discovery that said Chip- man had no first Division lot drawn ,and Spring had two by reason of the committees not knowing which of the two was an addi- tional Proprietor. 5thly, voted that Mr. Jesse Burk be allowed to pitch his 21 Di- vision his lot which was drawn to him being laid uppon 49, Ist Division and this meeting has allowed his Pitch that is surveyd to him as a second and third. 6thly,, voted that Mr Nathaniel Chipman's 21 Division be taken up, it interfering upon 48 first Div. and that Mr. James Berry the present owner be al- lowed to Pitch another lot and it be laid out uppon the proprietors cost. 7thly, voted the money to be raised be laid out in the follow- ing manner, viz., £60 to be laid in coninnc- tion upon the great road from Mr. Ladds to Pitt-forJ, and from Mr. Barnards to Pittsford line, and ten pounds Betwene the great roads, ten pounds south of the great roads and Ten pounds North of the great roads, and that there be surveyors appointed to lay out the saine money. Sthly, voted that Messrs. Nath'l Ladd and Jonathan Dike be surveyors for the great roads. Mr. Nathaniel Ladd for the road south of the great road and Lieut. Reu- ben Cooley for the middle road and Mr. Dan. Barnard on the road north of the great roal. 9thly, voted that 4-6 per day be allowed for work on road till it reach the height of land, 5 shillings per day for those that work over the height.
10thly, voted that thare be a committe to adjust accounts with the committe to lay out the Great. Meadows and to draw the same and that Capt. Seth Keeler. Messrs. Gershon Beach and Samuel Harrison be the said committee.
1lthly, voted that Capt. Joseph Craty draw a complete Plan of this Town upon a parchment if it can be procured upon the Proprietors cost. 12thly, voted that this meeting be adjourned to the 21 Wednesday of December at this present place to open at ten o'clock, A. M.
SAMUEL HARRISON, Proprietors' Clerk.
CLARENDON.
BY H. B. SPOFFORD, ESQ.
This township is an agricultural region without villages, the inhabitants being de- voted almost exclusively to farming. The population in 1860, was 1,237, 211 less than it was in 1791. There are five post-offices within the town, viz .: Clarendon, Claren- don Springs, East Clarendon, Chippenhook Springs and North Clarendon. The town is divided near the center by Otter Creek, which runs through from south to north. West of the Creek a range of hills extends through the town called West Mountain, to the west of which is Furnace Brook, which also runs
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through the town from south to north. Clarendon is a beautiful township. If to- day you stand upon West Mountain and look to the east, at your feet Otter Creek rolls his dark waves through the broad in- tervals," Mill River, bursting through the deep gorge below Kingsley's mill, enters the creek on the south, while the crystal waters of Cold River come dashing down from the mountain heights of Mendon and Shrews- bury to mingle with those of the creek on the north. Beyond the intervals gently rise the loamy uplands, and yet further east rise Bald and Round mountains, and above these rise Pico and Mendon and Shrewsbury peaks, while Killington as monarch of the mountains, crowned with clouds, overlooks the scene. On the south, the White Rocks of Wallingford picture the landscape, and on the north the spires and domes of Rutland glitter in the sun, while on the Rutland road you see the iron-horse dashing through the sand-hills of East Clarendon as it pursues its northern course; and the line of smoke along old Otter's flowery banks shows where another train is flying over the Bennington Road. All the landscape before you is diver- sified by hill and valley, with forest and meadow and fields of waving grain ; dotted completely over with farm-houses; with school-houses on the hills and in the valleys, and church spires pointing heavenward, pro- claiming the abode of a civilized, intelligent and Christian people.
Now if you turn back again the leaves of time, one century and a quarter, you behold an unbroken forest that for uncounted ages had covered this valley. One hundred and twen- ty-five years had passed away since the Puri- tan placed his foot on Plymouth Rock, and the English colonies had extended along the At- lantic from Maine to Georgia. More than a century had passed away since the English had settled at Springfield on the Connecticut, the French at Montreal, the Dutch at Albany ; and as yet no white man had made his cabin in this solitude. Even the red man made it not his home ; here no Indian built his wig- wam, no tribe lit their council fires. This was rather part of the common hunting and battle-ground of the fierce Pequods of the South, the warlike Iroquois of the West, and the bloodthirsty Algonquins and Coos-
suks of the North-east. What bloody battles have been fought upon this soil between those warlike and hostile tribes, no pen can ever tell. You gaze on this solitude and the years roll by, you hear the thunder of cannon come echoing over the forest from fort William Henry, Crown Point, and Ticon- deroga, proclaiming that the battle flags that ages before had been drenched in blood on the red fields of Cressy, of Poicters, and Agincourt had again met in deadly hostility in the solitude of the wilderness. You see the hunter soldier with his knapsack and gun on his shoulder, as he passes through this valley on the old Crown Point road by East Clarendon through the Strong farm to the field of battle, look with longing eyes on these fertile lands; yet no settlement was made-for this remained disputed and dan- gerous ground, until Wolf scaled the rock of Quebec and mingling his blood with that of Montcalm on the plains of Abraham, decided the contest between England and France for the empire of this western world in 1759.
When the white man came With steel and with flame, And the forest of gloom Turned to gardens of bloom.
The township of Clarendon was claimed under three different titles, Ist the Lydius title, from Col. John Henry Lydius an In- dian trader of Albany, who claimed to have purchased a tract of land extending 60 miles southerly from the mouth of Otter Creek, by 21 miles in width, of the Mohawk Indians in 1732, which was confirmned to hin by a grant of Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts in 1714. Lydius in the year 1760, divided the tract (on paper) into 35 townships of 36 square miles each, numbering and giving names to each township. No. 7, which is supposed to be nearly identical with the present town of Clarendon, he called Durham .*
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