PROPRIETORS PETITION FOR A FIRST MEETING--JOHN GOFFE--FIRST MEETING HELD IN GOFES TOWN--COMMITTEE CHOSEN TO LAY OUT HIGHWAYS--AUDITORS APPOINTED--COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO GIVE ORDERS ON THE TREASURY--TRESPASS UPON CERTAIN LANDS, AND WASTE AND STRIP COMMITTED--CAPT. JOHN GOFFE ORDERED TO SEIZE CLAPBOARDS AND SHINGLES MADE FROM THE PROPRIETORS LOT ABOVE AMOSKEAG--COMMON LANDS TO BE PROTECTED--RIGHTS EQUALIZED--HIGHWAYS LAID OUT--COMMITTEE TO BUILD A MEETING HOUSE APPOINTED AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN
Of the number of those who drew lots, it does not appear that more than fourteen or fifteen of them ever made settlements upon their grants. With the names of many of those who drew lots we are familiar, as they are often found in the early records of the state and Hillsborough County, where they appear as grantors conveying land to the early settlers.
There were other men who soon followed in the occupation of the wild lands, erecting huts and effecting clearings, to whom the inhabitants are greatly indebted for the part they bore in the early settlement and history of Goffstown. The proprietors now realized that the development of the grant in a great degree, and the future weal or woe of the township depended upon them. They further realized that with no environment save the forest, and with no source of supply of food except fish and wild game and what could be procured in the way of crops from their four acres of land, if the same was cleared and under cultivation, there must be work--not a mere struggle for existence, but actual effective labor, that future generAtions would look upon with pride. Immediately after the drawing of lots the proprietors found that no committee had been appointed to call the first meeting of the proprietors. Accordingly a petition was circulated. John Goffe, Robert Gilmore, John Goffe, Jr., Caleb Dalton, Jotham Tuttle, Samuel Patten and John Smith signing the same, and directed to the clerk of the proprietors of Goffstown.] This petition was dated at Bedford the 6th day of August, 1750, and marks an important event in the history of Goffstown. This was probably the first date in any historical record where the name Gofestown was applied to the township. The town was named in honor of Col. John Goffe--a sketch of his life is here submitted:
Col. John Goffe1 was born in Boston, Mass., March 25, 1701, son of John and Hannah (Parish) Goffe. Two of his mother's sisters and their mother were massacred by the Indians about 1691 at Dunstable, now Nashua. His mother and her youngest sister hid under a hogshead in the cellar, and thus were saved.
Colonel Goffe moved from Londonderry to Derryfield in 1734, and built his cabin near the mouth of Cohas Brook, where he resided his whole life except from 1738 to 1748 when he lived on the west side of the Merrimack in Bedford.
In early life Colonel Goffe was a hunter and in some old deeds he is called "Hunter John." This mode of life with which he was familiar from early years, and which at that time was common among the hardy youth of New England, qualified him for the services of after life. It brought him in frequent contact with the Indians, and gave him a knowledge of their language, manners and customs, besides making him an excellent marksman. Colonel Goffe was a man of marked character and ability; for sixty years he was identified with all the stirring scenes of the most exciting periods of our country's history. Colonel Goffe went with the famous Capt. John Lovewell on his march to Pequawket to fight the Indians.
In 1745 during King George's War he commanded a company of scouts to protect the Merrimack Valley from Indian incursions, and also marched companies into the wilderness in 1746, '47 and '48.
In 1755, upon the breaking out of the French War, he was captain of a company in the First New Hampshire Regiment sent to the scene of action. He was a major of the New Hampshire Regiment in the Crown Point Expedition of 1756; lieutenant-colonel 1757, '58 and '59, and colonel in 1760. He was in all the engagements about Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Was at the terrible massacre of Fort William Henry, where he barely escaped with his life, and was present at the surrender of Montreal. In 1765 he received the grant of the town of Jefferson, in consideration of his public services. When the war was over he was colonel of the ninth New Hampshire militia until the Revolution. He was a member of the provincial legislature, and the first judge of probate for Hillsborough County, holding the office from 1771 to 1776.
At the time of the American Revolution Colonel Goffe was too old to take active part as a soldier, but the country was not deprived of the benefit of that long experience in arms which he had acquired.
Colonel Goffe was a religious man. For many years when there were no meetings in town he held services at his own house, and thither persons from all neighboring towns resorted for worship. It was said "he was apt in exhortation and prayer." He was generous, paid freely toward building and repairing the meeting-house, for preaching, and no worthy person went from his door without experiencing his hospitality.
He married October 16, 1722, Hannah Griggs of Roxbury, Mass. They had eight daughters and one son, Maj. John Goffe of Bedford, an officer both in the French War and the Revolution.
Colonel Goffe died October 20,1786, in Derryfield. In the old graveyard in Bedford there rests side by side the mortal remains of John Goffe, Esq., Col. John Goffe, and Maj. John Goffe. At the right hand side of each, repose the ashes of their wives.
Matthew Patten agreeable to supplication calls a meeting of the proprietors upon Tuesday the 28th day of August, 1750, to meet at Lot No. 7 in the sixth range of lots upon the north side of Piscataquog River in said Goffes town. This was probably the first town meeting ever held in town, and the location was an approximation to the center of the town. Lot No. 7 in sixth range is opposite of Greggs Falls, and the meeting was probably at some point between Cyrus Hammond's and George M. Eaton's plain.
The subject matter embraced in the warrant for this meeting was: to lay out a place for a bridge over the Piscataquog River, a highway from Bedford to Starkstown and a highway from Merrimack River to New Boston, and to clear the same, so as to make it feasible passing; also to see what encouragement the proprietors will give to any person who shall build a sawmill, Capt. Thomas Follansbee neglecting the same; to choose all necessary officers in the propriety, and do all other things necessary.
John Goffe, Esq., was chosen moderator.
It was voted that there should not be a committee "chose" to lay out a place for a bridge over Piscataquog River.
Voted that Matthew Patten, Alexander Walker, and Benjamin Richards be the committee for laying out highways in said Goffstown.
Voted unanimously that the committee have full power to lay all roads or highways through any lots or in any part of lots where they shall judge it necessary for such highways to go, and wherever lots shall be cut by such roads or highways, the owners shall have the land that is reserved in said lot for a highway.
And it was further voted that the purchasers of Medford two rights or farm should have an equivalence of land out of the common land joining to the said two rights or farm for what land shall be taken out of said two rights or farm by any road or highway through the same, and Jotham Tuttle, John Smith, Ezekiel Walker and Seth Ditson, the purchasers of Medford two rights, appeared and assented to the foregoing, and expressed full satisfaction for the land so taken.
The article in relation to the construction of a sawmill was dismissed, and the meeting adjourned to meet at the house of James Walker in Bedford on the 18th day of September at ten of the Clock in the forenoon.
The committee previously appointed for examining the account of charges in procuring the grant and other affairs of the proprietors, and also the account of the disbursements of the 6� paid by each proprietor to James Walker, reported that they had examined the accounts and recommended that they be allowed. And it was voted to allow them, and the clerk keep the bills on file.
They also voted that Caleb Page, Joseph Blanchard, Jr., and Peter Morse, the committee before mentioned, have 3� each old tenor for their services. Matthew Patten was continued proprietors' clerk until further orders. John Goffe, Esq., James Walker and Caleb Page were a committee for giving orders on the treasury, also empowered to call proprietors' meetings, and to manage any affairs of the proprietors, virtually a prudential committee. Likewise authority seems to have been given them to lay out all the land in town that is to be laid out when required by the proprietors.
The committee previously named to examine the accounts was likewise authorized to audit the treasurers' accounts. The committee elected to lay out the highways have full power granted them, to let out the clearing, and construct necessary bridges; the contract to be let by them to that person in or out of the propriety that will do the work the cheapest. A salary of 26s per day each old tenor was voted the committee for their services.
The following leads one to infer that the committee for approving orders to be drawn on the treasurer, might have been somewhat dilatory in their approval of orders, "as soon as the Said Committee or any of them for himself Shall Demand and Order from the Committee for giving of Orders on the treasurer for their Service of Laying out the highways and for the cost of Clearing Such highways by them laid out Shall have it to Draw their wages from the treasurer." The next of importance that seems to occupy the attention of the proprietors was the trespass upon certain lots probably upon those reserved by the grantors, and they issue a warrant to Capt. John Goffe setting forth that sundry persons with force and arms have entered upon the tract of land which they granted to Rev. Thomas Parker and others and have "Committed great waste of the Timber there & manufactured and Converted a Considerable Quantity thereof into Clapboards & shingles and have removed the Same off from the Said tract of land on other lands within our Claim nigh the river above amaskege falls which we apprehend has been done in Defiance of our Said Claim. You are therefore impowered & Authorized by us to take the Said Clapboards & shingles where you may find them upon any of our lands & dispose thereof to the best advantage for our Use and render us an Account thereof the first convenient Oppertunity."2
Captain Goffe was also authorized to make settlement with the person or persons on the most advantageous terms for the grantors and render an account of his doings. Signed by George Jaffrey, Jr., and eleven of other grantors.
The next meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of Mr. James Walker the 26th day of June, 1751. John Goffe was chosen moderator.
Col. Joseph Blanchard, James Walker and Matthew Patten were chosen a committee to lease out the common land and the timber, and the rental shall be used for the propriety. The lessee was not allowed to make any strip or waste of the timber, and if any person should cut, fell or destroy any timber on the common land they shall be prosecuted at the expense of the propriety. This action was made necessary on account of certain persons previously cutting and carrying away the timber on the common lands. And from the evidence found in the records this timber stealing had become qulte common.
At this meeting Joseph Blanchard, Esq., Caleb Page and Alexander Walker were made a committee to confer with the town of Bedford relative to the construction of a bridge across the Piscataquog River near the Merrimack River, and the proportional part each town should bear. This matter seems to be made contingent upon a proviso that "There be a County road laid out through Bedford to said Piscataquog River." The record says in case they treat upon that subject, "That they report to the propriety at their next meeting what is proper for to be done thereon."
In the running of the line between Goffstown and Starkstown a certain lot of land granted to Andrew Tood, James Lafley and others, by the Charter of Starkstown, was found to be within the limits of Goffstown, and the propriety voted: "That that part of the lot of land belonging to Andrew Tood, James Lafley and others be granted to them in the same manner as if the whole had laid in Starkstown they paying to the treasurer of this propriety their proportion of the rates."
The next matter that engrossed the attention at this meeting was the delay of Capt. Thomas Follansbee in the building of the sawmill upon Harry Brook. With this long delayed proposition upon the part of the said Follansbee the people had become impatient and he was given until the last day of August to complete a mill. Caleb Page, Samuel Patten and James Walker were appointed a committee to watch and wait, and if upon the last day of August Follansbee's mill was not in operation, the committee were directed to contract in behalf of, and at the charge of the propriety, with certain person or persons to build a mill. The committee need not locate the mill upon Harry Brook, but in the most convenient place in said township, to be completed by the last day of October. And in case they could not let it out, they should build one themselves, at the charge of the propriety to be paid for on demand. The propriety for one so youthful was evidently quite forehanded.
Out of the remaining undivided land it was voted to lay out to Jonathan Martin one share, "Equal for Quantity and Quality with the Other Shares in General in Said Township," and no part of the share should be in that part of the common land located between Blodgett's farm and the land recently granted to Tood, Lafley and others.
Robert Gilmore, James Kennedy and Robert Walker had complained that their rights were not equal to the other rights, consequently the committee, that laid the lots, were empowered to go and view such rights, and if they found that one or all of them were deficient to lay out enough common or undivided land to bring the lots up to equality.
Samuel Patten was authorized and directed to sell the clapboards now lying at Captain Goffe's mill in Bedford, which were brought out of the township of Goffstown, and the avails of the sale to be appropriated for the use and benefit of the propriety. Evidently the propriety on account of complaints of inequality of lots, the non-construction of the sawmill, and the appropriations of timber from the common lands by others, had troubles to partially occupy their attention.
On June 12,1752, two of the committee appointed at the meeting held August 28, 1750, made a report of the lay out for two highways upon the northerly side of the rlver. The report is signed by Matthew Patten and Benjamin Richards. Alexander Walker did not act, probably inasmuch as the highways were laid through his land.
As these were the first roads laid out by the committee and the first ever described in the township, we submit the description, and those familiar with the lay of the land can trace the routes, a part if not all of the way, notwithstanding the entire absence of courses and distances. The description of the first is as follows:
"Beginning at the North line of Said Gofestown in the fourth Rang of lots on the North Side of Piscataquog river towards the East Side of Said Rang at the End of the road that leads to the meet house Place in Starks town So Called and thence Leads South easterly by Marked trees to a Small Run of water thence assending up a hill more Southeasterly to the toop thence along on the toop on the Easterly Brow of the hill Crossing the Rang line Between the fourth and fifth Rang into the fifth Rang of lotts thence along east of Job Kidders house Between twenty and thirty Rods Distance and thence Leading Still South easterly by Marked trees angleing across Said fifth Rang crossing the Rang line Between the fifth and Sixth Rang Southwesterly of Alexander Walkers house thence Selanting up the hill South of Said Walkers house to the toop of the hill leading on the westerly Brow of the hill East of herry Meadow thence by the house that Caleb Emery lives in on the west Side of Said house thence Over the Brook that Comes out of said herry Meadow Southeasterly of Said Emerys house on the west Side of marked trees thence Leading on the Easterly Side of herry hill Near the Bottam of Said hill thence Southeasterly to the meeting house place Said Road is four Rods wide."
The place of beginning was at the "End of the road that leads to the meeting-house place in Starkstown, so-called." The road had evidently been previously laid from the north line of Goffstown to Dunbarton, and the point mentioned was in the present highway northerly of the house of John Perley.
The small run of water is well known at the foot of the hill north of Henry Blaisdell's. Job Kidder's house was in the field in the angle of the roads south of Mr. Blaisdells house.
Alexander Walker lived upon the farm of George E. Waite, and the road passed southwesterly of his house, thence passing to the west side of the house of Caleb Emery across the brook, and so on to the meeting-house place. The meeting-house place must have been somewhere near where Charles A. Davis now lives.
The description of the second highway is as follows:
"Beginning where the leading Road that goes from the meeting house place to Starks town So Called by Alexr Walkers house where the Said Road Crosses the line Between the fifth and Sixth Rang of Lotts on the North Side of Piscataquog River in Said Gofee town a little Distance South westerly from Alexander Walkers house and thence South westerly on the Northerly Side of Marked trees over a valey peice of Ground to the Bottam of the Next hill thence Southerly by marked trees on the westerly Side of Said trees Between the hill and herry Meadow to the line Between the fourth and fifth lotts in the Said fifth Rang Said Road is two Rods wide."
The next meeting was warned by Matthew Patten Proprietors' clerk, to meet at the house of Caleb Emery in said Goffstown on Thursday the 30th day of November 1752, and the important matters which they were called to act upon was relative to satisfaction for land taken for highways and reconsider a former vote concerning the committees laying out highways, and also to see if they will grant Matthew Patten the right to put up a corn-mill on the Piscataquog River, and transact other business, etc.
Matthew Patten was chosen moderator.
Lieut. Caleb Page, John Dow and Thomas Hall were chosen a committee "to view the roads and make a Satisfaction to the Owners of Lotts that are cut by the highways" according to the foregoing vote:
"That the Comitee for Laying highways Shall lay out a highway to Each mans Settlement as fast and as Soon as he Settles Into a leading Road Said Comitee is to lay out Said Roads as Near or on the Land Reserved for highways as they can." The committee for laying out highways were entirely deprived of their power of awarding damages, the same being granted to the committee consisting of Lieut. Caleb Page, John Dow and Thomas Hall.
Evidently the matter of restitution of land taken for highways or as it is commonly called land damage became early known in Goffstown, and has seemingly outlived many other ancient customs.
At this time the building of a meeting-house was discussed and Alexander Walker, Benjamin Richards and Matthew Patten were chosen a committee to build the same.
The house should be forty-five feet long, thirty feet wide and twenty feet post between the "Cell and plate."
The committee were instructed to "Sett up a Frame agreeable to the Dementions before," by the last day of May next, timber should be cut in suitable season and they should procure boards, shingles, clapboards and nails and workmen to board, clapboard and shingle the house; window frames should be put in, and double floor laid, and the whole completed by the last day of November, 1753. Having gone so far in the construction of a meeting-house, they seemingly realized that their spiritual wants were to be so well supplied that they need take no further thought of what they should eat, for they dismissed Matthew Pattens request to build a cornmill as the record says, without acting upon it. Although it is not improbable, that he built a cornmill upon Piscataquog River since he owned the place where Sylvanus B. Gilcist now lives.
1History of Bedford, p. 933; History of Weare, p. 131; Potter's History, p. 518. Return
2S. P., Vol. XXVII, p. 317. Return
Chapter 8