Activity: Orford's ProprietorsEra: The Colonial Era (1607 – 1763)Type of Document: Town Record Theme: Early Settlement, Town Government Proprietors records are often the first official town records. They record the first meetings of the men who wished to settle the town. These proprietors were more often investors than actual settlers. In order to make their investments worthwhile they needed to divide up the land, get it cleared and roads built. Often the Governor would also require that five acres of every fifty acre share be planted and cultivated within five years, that all the pine trees be preserved for masting the royal navy, and that a “proclamation” tax be paid. Resize and move the "magic lens" around the Proprietors' document below to view a transcription of the text. Then look for the answers to the questions in the transcription. To see if you have answered correctly, click on the plus sign to reveal the answer. |
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 Where was this document written?Hampton, the Province of New Hampshire
When was this document written? December 16, 1760
Why were the men meeting?They wanted to form a new town called Sugar River. It would be located on the east side of the Connecticut River.
Who did they have to ask if they could form a new town?They had to petition the Governor, Benning Wentworth
Who signed the petition and how much money did they have to pay? One person from each family signed the petition. They needed to pay 40 shillings.
Where was the meeting held?
Jonathan Leavitt’s inn. The same place they held the very first meeting in Hampton, NH.
How many years has it been since the proprietors first met? Do they live in Orford? It has been five years. No, they are still in Hampton.
What were the first things the Proprietors wanted built?They were anxious to have someone build sawmills and gristmills. They needed to divide up the land, get it cleared, and build roads.
Why do you think they were willing to pay extra if the miller would cut timber for the Proprietors? Proprietors were often investors rather than settlers. They were anxious to make money.
What else did they want to have done? They wanted the settlers to build bridges and clear the woods.
What were the priorities for Proprietors as they settled a town?They needed to make enough money to pay Governor Wentworth. This was possible by selling the land and harvesting timber. In order to do this, they needed to make the land attractive to settlers. Sawmills, gristmills, roads, and bridges were all key to settlers being able to begin new lives in Vermont and New Hampshire.
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Historical Context: meanwhile....the French and Indian War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, in which France surrendered its North American possessions. Timeline of French and Indian War |
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