Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-05-01
OLD DOCUMENT.
OLD TIMES IN WOODSTOCK.
Communicated by J. F. Pratt. !

Of Representatires in General Court As
sembled-
We the undersigned beg leave to repre-
sent that we are Settlers land the only
Settlers) on that part of Township No.
belonging to Gov't-adjoining the Town
of Paris in the County of Cumberland We
began our settlement at time when this
part of the Country was an entire Wilder
ness and at time when we could not as
certain who were the real proprietors ana
true owners OF the Solve were poor
and unable to purchase lands in any of the
Settled parts of the Country-ln fixing
upon this place we had it not in contem-
plation to defraud the real owners, or the
Government under which we live, and
which we admire, and mean TO support 10
the utmost of our ability-It was wholly
through poverty that we were. induced to
adventure into this Wilderness Of woe aud
afiliction-We now find ourselves on the
property OF the Commonwealth, on whose
clemency and moderation and justice we
rely with the utmost confidence. We have
been exceedingly alarmed lest tie tract
should be purchased by some rich specu-
lating land Jobber, who might deal with
US with too much rigor and severity and
deprive us of the hard earned fruits OF in
dustry and labor-But We have been hap
PLY assured that all such have been frus-
trated In their attempts; and that we have
yet an opportunity 20 purchase Of the Govt
We are not unmindfull that some will be
ready 10 exclaim that we are trespassers
upon the property of the publick and as
such not lit subjects of favor, with such
this may be a plausible argument-But II
ought 10 be remembered that those who
adventure into Wilderness Country, and
first begin its cultivation, are by no means
to be compared with wanton trespassers
upon lands-Under the immediate occupa-
ton and improvement OF the owner=We
are so far from iDjuring proprietors that
we do them essential service We enhance
the value Of the adjacent lands, We pave
the way for the introduction of other Set
tlers-We encounter every danger and ev-
cry hardship, not for our own emolument
only but for the advancement & emolument
of the community II is well known TO AZ
least some of your houors, that the suffer
ings, the fatigues and wants, TO be endured
by the first settlers In every New Country
are extreme-Some person must however
make the beginning, and those who do it,
are certainly not the most undeserving OF
the community
We humbly conceive that to deprive US
OF our possessions, and give them TO 9TH
ers, would be extremely hard and unjust
We are willing to pay for them to the ut
most extent OF what would be conceived
to be their value in a State Of Nature
Under such circumstances we can but be-
lieye. that our Governor and civil fathers
and guardians, will be induced TO show US
all the lenity aud benignty in their power
We pray your Honors to take our situation
into your wise Observation-Disclosures
YOU NAV think proper TO do with US we
must cheerfully acquies-If you should IN
ally think proper to grant us our settle
ment and Improvements, we are ready to
make compensation and acknowledgment
may be deemed just and equitable III II
should be inconsistent with your views
and nclinations to be employed with the
disposal Of so small portion OF the Town
ship as that wherein we are settled we
stand ready to negotiate for the whole oil
that part that remains unapproprlated ana
undisposed of-Whatever we may be una
BILE to pay for ourselves We can dispose OF
so as to satisfy the Commonwealth, pro-
vided short credit should be given-We
would beg liberty to state however tha'
considering the remoteness OF our situa
ton from Sea port, and from the thici
settled and cultivated parts of the country
and considering the quality of the land
being mostly mountainous and billy an'
considering our Indulgence & fewness, yon
Honors will not be OF opinion that high
err price ought to be set upon the Who'll
e tract-The most valuable (and the onl
e valuable half of the Township has a
+, ready been granted to the Trustees G
: Dummer Academy-There is but sma
s part of the remaining half that will attrac
d the attention Of settlers for many year
/ yet to come.
e Plantation No. Three Jany'y - 1902
$ Jerathmiel Colburn
e Joshua Besse jr
i Ebenezer Hutchinson il
&c Charles Reneif
y Abraham Walton
Benjamin Fobs
I Jonathan Walton