Home-lot No. 9 shares a similar history with the preceding lot. It was drawn by Ebenezer Berry and he sold his title and all rights to Richard Sanborn. It was then sold to Samuel and John Libbey, with John living on this lot after his marriage to Eleanor Berry. They remained on the lot until about 1760 according to John Mark Moses. His father was Isaac Libbey, who was one of the earliest members of the church in Epsom, being head of the committee to build the meetinghouse. He bought, home lot No. 8 from Samuel Libbey (son of Jacob and Sarah Marston Libbey), being of Rye, in 1759. The church records also record his son Isaac Jr. and first wife Anne, with son Reuben who has a child baptized in Epsom. Isaac lived until about 1774, with his son succeeding on the property. John Mark Moses gives the following in his Early Settlers of Epsom: “Isaac, Jr., lived a little to the east of the Center village, where he had a grist-mill on the Little Suncook; also a lathe, on which he turned out the old-fashioned wooden dishes that were in use. He lived to be eighty-five years old, and died in Epsom, August 28, 1810. His son Nathan had the homestead and lived there till 1814, having married Abigail, daughter of Symonds Fowler of Epsom. By deed the family owns home lot No. 8.
There are no deeds showing the disposition of home lot #9 after it is settled by John Libbey. He sells lot #12, the 30 acre out lot he drew as proprietor of the home lot, to George Wallace in 1760, and probably disposed of the home lot shortly thereafter. It would appear that Isaac Libbey Jr. may have assumed ownership of the lot. Isaac’s father, Isaac was a brother to John, and may have received it in an unrecorded record. This could be supported in part when Isaac Libbey buys from the town, 22 acres of common land, lot No. 2 “laying upon the northwesterly side of the home lots.” This lot No. 2 is not numbered on the re-created plot map of the town, but is clearly at the western end of the home lots, and therefore would border home lot #9. It would make sense for Isaac to buy the lot if it indeed bordered property he already owned, and perhaps allowed his son Isaac to settle on that home lot. The plot map, though incorrect in assigning some of the names, shows part of lot No. 9 in possession of a Jonathan Pearson.
Isaac Libbey Junior, (who would be the third generation of the name, Isaac, his grandfather, died about 1774. Isaac Jr.had 8 chidlren by his first wife, and 6 by his second, all of whom left town except son Nathan. Isaac Junior died in 1810, and in 1790 deeded three parcels of land in his will to son Nathan, one, the lot he now lives on, being one of the home lots; two, the 22 acres of common land bought from the town; and three, 13 acres of lot No. 57, bought of Ephraim Locke. Unlike most of the houses, which were erected off East and or West Street, the Nathan Libbey homestead was on the northern end of his lot, across the Little Suncook river, near his Grist Mill.
Isaac Jr. sold land to James Gray in 1778 “whereon I now live, which is one of the home lots” with a privilege for a mill and the dam “on the north side of the aforesaid grist mill.” Four years later, Gray sells to Jonathan Pearson “being part of one of the lots whereon Isaac Libbey of Epsom now dwells". It is described as ‘one of the lots’ where Isaac was living, perhaps a reference to 2 home lots (8 & 9). The deed from Gray to Pearson included a fulling mill along with the privilege, being that purchased of Isaac Libbey. Neither deed (Libbey to Gray nor Gray to Pearson) gives the size of the lot, but John Mark Moses gives additional information: “From Byfield (Mass) came also members of a Pearsons family; among them, Jonathan, clothier, who was of Epsom in 1782, had a large family in 1790, died in 1821. He bought the east side of Isaac Libby's lot and had a fulling mill near Libby's gristmill.“ If this was indeed a part of home lot No. 9, then it would border the western end of home lot No. 8. Pearson at least gave some description of the property when he put it up for sale, the newspaper ad read as follows:
NH Gazette 12-23-1800
A GOOD BARGAIN FOR A CLOTHIER.
THE subscriber offers for sale in the town of Epsom, within one hundred
rods of the meeting house, and on the main road leading through said town,
about thirty acres of good land, with a good House, thirty three feet
by thirty, and one story high, with a convenient shop for a clothier,
with press, shears, &c. complete, and two convenient barns, a good
well, and pretty orchard thereon - also a new fulling mill in complete
order, standing on an excellent stream, with one half acre of land adjoining
the same.
Also, six acres of good wood land, within one mile of the dwelling house
– for further particulars inquire of the subscribers on the premises.
JONATHAN PEARSON
The lot was sold by Pearson, equally divided to Ephraim Currier of Loudon and Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom. After a time, Merrill and Currier came to an arrangement with James S. and David Batchelder for the property.
It would appear that home lots 8 and 9, less the 30 acres for the fulling mill, were the property of Nathan Libbey, Isaac Jr.’s son, by will when his Isaac died in 1810. Nathan became ill, writing a will in 1813 leaving the property to his son Nathan when he turned 21, to be managed by his wife Abigail until that time. When son Nathan turns 21, his wife to receive her one third part. The widow Abigail pays taxes on the property in 1815.
John Libbey drew the out lot, #12 in the third range and sold it to George Wallace in 1760. In 1779 Wallace sold it to Reuben Locke, after which no deed was found.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY DEEDS HOME LOT #9
21-486 January 28, 1735/6
Ebenezer Berry of Rye, yeoman to Richard Sanborn of Greenland,
All my right to land in Epsom, reference being had to sundry grants of
ye freeholders. – Ebenezer Berry
29-176 October 16, 1742
Richard Sanborn of Epping in Exeter, blacksmith, to Samuel Libbey and
John Libbey,
Land in Epsom as it was granted unto Ebenezer Berry of Rye, reference
being had to deed; AND a lot of 50 acres of land and a lot of 30 acres
of land in Epsom I bought of Jethro Goss of Rye, reference being had to
said deed. – Richard Sanborn
37-130 March 21, 1747 An Agreement
This agreement between Samuel Lebbe and John Libbe both of Rye, do one
and enjoy two certain pacals of land in Epsom;
the first originally laid out to Jethro Goss, 50 acres, taking it beginning
on the north side of East Street and runs W.N.W. 50 rods by said street
then N.N.E 160 rods then E.S.E. 50 rods then S.S.W. 160 rod to the place
where it first began and is No. 8.
The second lot originally laid out to Ebenezer Berry, 50 acres, taking
its beginning on the north side of East Street and laying as the lot aforesaid
and is No. 9.
So that a division may be made to the said lots of land by and between
each of the partners, it is agreed that ye said Samuel Lebbe shall have
that lot originally laid out to Jethro Goss and is No. 8; John Libbe shall
have that lot originally laid out to Ebenezer Berry, and is No. 9. –
Samuel Lebbe and John Libbe.
104-3 August 7, 1765
John McClary, George Wallis & Ephraim, Committee appointed for the
sale of Common land in the town of Epsom to Isaac Lebby of Epsom, yeoman,
A tract of land in Epsom containing 22 acres, laying upon the northwesterly
side of the home lots being Number 2 as by the plan of said lot may appear.
John McClary, George Wallis, Ephraim Locke.
MERRIMACK COUNTY DEEDS HOME LOT #9
(M) 28-234 November 8, 1831
Nathan Libbey of Epsom, husbandman to Benjamin L. Locke of Epsom, Esquire,
Two parcels of land in Epsom the first being one of the home lots so called
in said Epsom lying on the north side of the road leading through said
Epsom, whereon I now live and where my Grist Mill privilege is, the other
tract being 22 acres, lying northwesterly of said tract and adjoining
the same being so much of the same land which was conveyed to my father
Nathan Libbey late of said Epsom deceased by Isaac Libbey by deed bearing
date May 14, 1790, and was willed to me by my said Father in his last
will and testament with all the buildings thereon. – Nathan and Savallia
Libbey
(M) 41-379 May 4, 1835
Benjamin L. Locke of Epsom, Esq., to Samuel B. Knowles, joiner,
A parcel of land in Epsom bounded on the turnpike road so called, west
on the pound, north by land of B. L. Locke and east by land of B. L. Locke’s,
formerly belonging to Nathan Libbey containing about 20 square rods being
the same more or less, together with the building standing thereon. ALSO
another tract of land being a part of the farm of Nathan Libbey formerly,
taking its beginning on the south side of the turnpike road so called,
on the line between Abel Browns farm and B.L. Locke farm, running south
34 degrees west seven rods to the River, thence 18 rods and 20 links to
a large white pine stump, thence N 15 degrees E to the turnpike above
mentioned 9 rods thence by said road 16 rods to the first mentioned bounds
to contain about 140 square rods. – B. L. Locke and H. P Locke.
(M) 50-424 March 27, 1837
Samuel B. Knowles of Epsom, to Newell Brown of Pittsfield, blacksmith,
A piece of land in Epsom bounded southerly on the turnpike road so called,
westerly on the pound, northerly by land of B. L. Locke and easterly by
land of B. L. Locke, formerly land of Nathan Libbey containing about 20
square rods with all the buildings standing thereon ALSO another parcel
of land being a part of the farm formerly belonging to Nathan Libbey,
beginning on the south side of the turnpike road on the line between said
farm and Abel Brown and running south 34 degrees and 7 rods to the river,
thence by the river 18 rods and 20 links to a large white pine stump,
thence north 15 degrees E nine rods to the turnpike road, thence westerly
by said rod 16 rods to the first mentioned bounds containing about 140
square rods more or less, ALSO a barn standing on land of Abel Brown adjoining
the aforesaid premises. – Samuel B. and Olive Knowles.
(M) 52-447 February 13, 1838
Newell Brown of Pittsfield, blacksmith to John C. Hall of Dracut, MA,
joiner
Land in Epsom bounded as follows: southerly on the Turnpike road so called,
northerly by land of B. L. Locke and easterly by land of B. L. Locke formerly
land of Nathan Libbey containing 20 square rods with the buildings thereon,
also one other piece of land being part of the farm formerly owned by
Nathan Libbey, beginning on the south side of the turnpike road, on the
line between said farm and land of Abel Brown and running south 34 degrees
west 7 rods to the river, thence by the river 18 rods and 20 links to
a large white pine stump thence north 15 degrees east 9 rods to the turnpike
road, thence westerly by said road 16 rods to the first mentioned bound,
containing about 140 square rods . Also a barn standing on land of Abel
Brown adjoining said premises. - Newell and Mary T. Brown.
(M) 49-432 February 21, 1838
John C. Hall of Dracut, MA, housewright, to Thomas Rand of Chichester,
hatter, a piece of land in Epsom,
Land in Epsom bounded as follows: southerly on the Turnpike road so called,
northerly by land of B. L. Locke and easterly by land of B. L. Locke formerly
land of Nathan Libbey containing 20 square rods with the buildings thereon,
also one other piece of land being part of the farm formerly owned by
Nathan Libbey, beginning on the south side of the turnpike road, on the
line between said farm and land of Abel Brown and running south 34 degrees
west 7 rods to the river, thence by the river 18 rods and 20 links to
a large white pine stump thence north 15 degrees east 9 rods to the turnpike
road, thence westerly by said road 16 rods to the first mentioned bound,
containing about 140 square rods . Also a barn standing on land of Abel
Brown adjoining said premises, being the same conveyed to me by Newell
Brown 13th instant, all the above said land formerly owned by said Libbey.
– John C. Hall and Martha Hall.
(M) 92-460 July 9, 1842
John R. Rand of Epsom to Benjamin L. Locke of Epsom, gentleman,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded beginning at a maple tree on the northerly
side of Sanborn’s Mill Pond and running northeasterly to a stake
and stones standing on the southerly side of the Turnpike Road, so called,
being 8 rods and 10 links from the line between the Libbey farm and the
land formerly owned by Ebenezer Gove, thence south 62 degrees west by
said road four rods and 12 links to a stake and stone, thence south 34
degrees west to said Mill pond at high water mark, thence by said mill
pond to the bounds first mentioned to contain about 20 square rods together
with the buildings thereon and a lot of split stone and all the lumber
lying near said house. – John R. and Rebecca S. Rand, wife of said
John R.
(M) 71-39 September 30, 1842
Thomas Rand of Epsom, yeoman, to B. L. Locke of Epsom, Inn Keeper,
A piece of land bounded southerly by the turnpike road, so called, westerly
by the pound, northerly by land of B. L. Locke, formerly Nathan Libbey’s,
containing about 20 square rods with the buildings thereon, ALSO one other
piece of land being a part of the farm formerly Nathan Libbey’s,
and bounded northerly by the turnpike road, easterly by B. L. Lockes and
the southeasterly corner being a pine stump, standing on the north side
of little Suncook river, thence southerly by said river to land of Ebenezer
Gove’s, thence on land of said Gove’s to the turnpike road,
to contain about 140 rods, also a small barn standing on land of Ebenezer
Gove’s adjoining said premises and the hogs pen that is on said piece
of land. – Thomas Rand
(M) 78-301 November 16, 1844
B.L. Locke of Epsom, yeoman, to Lewis Brown of Epsom, machinist,
A piece of land in Epsom bounded southerly by the turnpike road so called,
westerly by the pound, northerly by land of B. L. Locke and easterly by
land of B. L. Locke, formerly Nathan Libbey’s, containing 20 square
rods with the buildings thereon, also one other piece of land being a
part of the farm formerly Nathan Libbey’s, and bounded northerly
on the turnpike road, easterly by land of B. L. Locke and the southeasterly
corner being a pine stump standing on the north side of Little Suncook
River, thence by said river to land of Ebenezer Gove or the heirs of said
Gove, thence on land of said Gove’s to the Turnpike road, to contain
about 140 rods with the buildings thereon, also a small barn standing
on land of the heirs of Ebenezer Gove adjoining said premises. –
B. L. and H. P. Locke
(M) 89-9 May 11, 1847 Mortgage
(for sale see M 100-261)
Lewis Brown of Epsom, machinist to Edward H. Goodhue, blacksmith,
A tract of land in Epsom on the northerly side of the turnpike road, so
called, bounded on the west by the pound, north and east by land of B.
L. Locke, on the south by said road with the dwelling house on the same,
being the house now occupied by me, also another tract of land in Epsom
on the southerly side of said road opposite the first named tract, bounded
on the east by land of B. L. Locke, south by Sanborn’s mill pond,
west by land of J.C. Hall, north by said road containing three fourths
of an acre. – Lewis Brown.
(M) 100-261 May 16, 1850
Edward H. Goodhue of Epsom, blacksmith, to Alonzo Wallace of Epsom, cordwainer,
A tract of land in Epsom on the southerly side of the turnpike road and
bounded westerly by the pound, north and east by land of B. L. Locke,
and southerly by said road with the buildings thereon, also another tract
of land in Epsom on the southerly side of said road bounded on the east
by land of B. L. Locke, south by Sanborn’s mill pond, west by land
of B. L. Locke and north by said road, to contain one acre. – E.
H and Mary H. Goodhue.
(M) 184-478 January 26, 1868
Alonzo Wallace of Epsom to Ellen A. Ayers of Epsom,
Two tracts of land in Epsom, the first bounded northerly by the turnpike
road, easterly by the pound and land formerly owned by Benjamin L. Locke,
southerly by the Mill pond and westerly by land formerly owned by said
Locke. The other tract being bounded southerly by said road, westerly
northerly and easterly by land formerly owned by said Benjamin L. Locke,
containing one half acre together with the buildings
thereon. - Alonzo and Statira B. Wallace
(M) 646-477 October 28, 1927
We, John W. Yeaton of Concord, Waldo A. Holmes of Concord, Carl Y. Holmes
of Concord, Eliza J. Sherburne of Concord, and Alvah L. Yeaton of Epsom,
to Albert F. Yeaton of Northwood,
One tract bounded northerly by the turnpike road so called, easterly by
the pound and land formerly owned by Benjamin L. Locke, southerly by the
Mill Pond and westerly by land formerly owned by said Locke. The other
tract bounded southerly by said road, westerly, northerly and easterly
by land formerly owned by said Benjamin L. Locke, containing one half
acres together with the buildings thereon…meaning to describe the
same tracts conveyed by Alonzo Wallace and his wife Statira B. Wallace,
to Ellen A. Ayer in 1867. Title of the grantors in this deed are the heirs
at law of Ellen A. Ayer, late of said Epsom, deceased, intestate. (plus
one other tract) – John W. Yeaton, Rovena J. Yeaton, Waldo A. Holmes,
Emma C. Holmes, Carl Y. Holmes, Mary J. Holmes, Eliza J. Sherburne, Horace
B. Sherburne, Alvah H. Yeaton.
PEARSON AND CURRIER'S MILL
110-373 March 12, 1778
Isaac Libbee Junr. of Epsom, yeoman to James Gray of Epsom, gentleman
A parcel of land in Epsom, being part of the lot whereon I now live, which
is one of the home lots in said town and bounded as follows: beginning
at a stake fixed by a pine root above my grist mill and from thence running
north 41 degrees east about seven rods to a pine stump, thence running
No. 61 degrees west about 12 rods to a large stump pine, thence running
S. 38 degrees west to the edge of the stream below said mill, thence upon
a straight line to the bounds first mentioned together with a full privilege
for a mill and the dam as it now stands upon the north side of the aforesaid
grist mill and upon the aforesaid stream. – Isaac Libbee
120-65 May 7, 1782
James Gray Esq. and Susannah Gray, seamstress, both of Epsom to Jonathan
Pearson of Epsom, clothier,
A parcel of land in Epsom being part of one of the lots whereon Isaac
Libbey of Epsom now dwells and which I purchased of said Libbey the 12th
day of March 1778, bounded as follows: beginning at a stake fixed by a
pine root above said Libbey’s Grist mill, from thence running N 41
degrees East about 7 rods to a pine stump, thence N 61 degrees West about
12 rods to a large pine stump, thence south 38 degrees west to the edge
of the natural stream below said mill, thence upon a straight line to
the bounds first mentioned together with a fulling mill. Also the privilege
for a mill which I purchased of said Libbey by deed dated as aforesaid.
197-314 September 17, 1811
Jonathan Pearson of Epsom, yeoman to Ephraim Currier of Loudon, clothier,
A parcel of land in Epsom being part of the lot which I purchased of Capt.
James Gray and which he purchased of Mr. Isaac Libbey Junior, being part
of the lot which said Libbey lived upon, reference to said deed being
had, together with a full privilege for a mill and the dam as it now stands
upon the north side of the aforesaid grist mill and upon the aforesaid
stream, with a fulling mill standing on the above described land together
with the implements and tools which I am in possession of. – Jonathan
Pearson
212-418 March 14, 1817
Ephraim Currier of Epsom, clothier to Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom, trader
A parcel of land in Epsom and all the land I purchased of Jonathan Pearson
of said Epsom in the year 1814, reference thereto being had – together
with a full privilege for a mill and the dam as it now stands upon the
north side of the grist mill, and all the buildings on the same, together
with all the implements belonging to the clothing mill thereon. –
Ephraim Currier
218-184 June 20, 1818
Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom, trader and James S. Batchelder of Epsom, clothier
For 600 dollars which payment well and truly to be made, I bind myself
– the condition of the obligation that whereas the said James S.
Batchelder has this day given to Thomas D. Merrill a note in hand for
the sum of 300 dollars – now if the said Batchelder pays the said
Merrill the amount of said not and interest in one year, then Merrill
shall give to Batchelder a quitclaim deed for the full one half of the
premises lately owned by Ephraim Currier, being the other half of the
property that Currier has this day sold to David Batcheler consisting
of a fulling mill and the implements belonging thereto. – Thomas
D. Merrill
218-184 June 20, 1818
Ephraim Currier of Epsom, clothier holden and bound unto James S. Batchelder of Epsom for the penal sum of 1500 dollars, said Batchelder has given his note for 800 dollars payable in yearly payments of 200 dollares, the first by the middle of October 1819. If the said James S. Batchelder pays the above mentioned and the interest thereon, then said Currier is to give the said Batchelder a warrantee deed of the full one half of the premises which he purchased of Jonathan Pearson, together with half of the buildings and carding and clothing utensils now in use thereon, same ehich was deed to said Currier this day by David Batchelder of Loudon. – Ephraim Currier
219-68 June 20, 1818
Ephraim Currier of Epsom, clothier to David Batchelder of Loudon, yeoman
The undivided half of a tract of land in Epsom being the same land which
I purchased of Mr. Jonathan Pearson. Boundeded beginning at a stake fixed
by a pine root above the widow Abigail Libbey’s Grist mill, etc etc.
(see prev. deeds for reference)– Ephraim Currier
232-430 January 27, 1823
Ephraim Currier of Epsom, clothier to Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom, trader,
A tract of land in Epsom meaning the one undivided half of the land I
purchased of Jonathan Pearson of Epsom, deceased, together with half of
all the buildings, the carding and clothing tools and machinery of every
description thereto belonging; the other half of said premises having
been heretofore deeded to the said Merrill from Pearson dated Sept. 17,
1811. – Ephraim Currier
(M) 10-462 March 21, 1825
Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom,
Esq., to Douglas M. Heath of Epsom, clothier,
A parcel of land in Epsom being part of one of the house lots bounded
as follows: beginning at stake fixed by a pine root above Libbey's Grist
Mill from thence running north 41 degreees east about 7 rods to a pine
stump, thence north 61 degrees west about 12 rods to a pine stump, thence
south 38 degrees east to the edge of the stream below said Mill, thence
upon a straight line to the bounds first mentioned together with a full
privilege for a ___ and the same as it now stands on the north side of
the aforesaid Grist Mill and on the aforesaid stream together with all
the buildings thereon, also the dye house, barn and shed standing on the
westerly side of the cross road leading by said mill and all the barking
and clothing tools and machinery which was sold by Ephraom Currier to
me the said Merrill, meaning all the privilege which has lately been occupied
by said Ephraim Currier. - Thomas D. Merrill.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY DEEDS OUT LOT #12 third range
61-266 May 27, 1760
John Lebbe of Epsom, husbandman, to George Wallas of Epsom, husbandman
A parcel of land in Epsom containing 30 acres as it was laid out it being
the whole of a 30 acre lot No. 12 in the third range of lots in Epsom.
– John Lebbee
114-401 May 17, 1779
George Wallace of Epsom, husbandman to Reuben Locke of Epsom, yeoman,
A lot of land laying in the third range in Epsom being part of Lot. No.
12 in the thirty acre lots, takes its beginning at the easterly end of
said lot on the second range from thence running westerly as far as great
Suncook river carrying the full width of the same said tract, contains
about 30 acres more or less. – George Walles.
PHOTO: Albert F. Yeaton
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