Simon
Knowles drew this home lot. Later the land was in the hands of a Thomas
Berry, but no record of how he received it has been found. In any event,
the 50-acre home-lot was sold from Thomas Berry of Greenland to William
Blazo of Epsom, the ‘original right of Simon Knowles.’ John
Mark Moses in his ‘Early Settlers of Epsom’ mentions that William
Blazo acquired land in Epsom as early as 1746, and that Jonathan Curtis
in his history of Epsom, mentions William Blazo, a Frenchman, as a pioneer
settler in the town. The fact that he was ‘of Epsom’ when he
bought the land of Thomas Berry would seem to substantiate that claim.
William deeded the property to his sons Amos and John – land, house
and barn…a home lot in Epsom… the lot where I now live. William
died in 1761, supposedly the first person to be buried in ‘the burying
place.’ His sons left town for Pittsfield and sold the home-lot to
Andrew McClary. He in turn sold the property the same year to William
Wallace Jr. of Greenland.
This William Wallace of Greenland was the son of William Wallace of Greenland who drew home lot No. 12. The elder William of Greenland had a wife Martha baptized there, and is later seen as Mary in Epsom records, along with her husband, as original members of the Epsom church in 1761. Deeds do not show exactly where they lived at the time, or how long they stayed, as he died in Greenland about 1772, based on the writing of his will. His son William, who bought lot 15 from Andrew McClary in 1767, sold it to Icabod Weeks in May of 1768, and Weeks sold it back to him August of the same year. At the end of 1768, Wallace sells the home lot to Ebenezer Taber (Tabor) with buildings. This is the first mention of a building on the lot. During this period he and his wife had two children baptized in Epsom, Jane Moses Wallace and Simeon Wallace, on January 1, 1769; and another child in August of 1770, after the property was sold. He would have been familiar with the property as his father’s sister, Abigail, was the wife of William Blazo. Records also indicate besides children William and Abigail, that a Samuel Allen Junior be allowed to be a guardian of a minor child, Furnald Wallace in 1772, son of Nathaniel Wallis, late of Epsom. The eldest sibling of William, Abigail (Blazo) and Nathaniel was the Samuel Wallace who bought home lot #12. Samuel’s family largely settled Black Hall Road.
Moses Locke of Kensington, a distant relative to the other Locke family already in Epsom, bought the property in April of 1769 from Ebenezer Tabor, and with his wife, was admitted to the Epsom church. The homestead stayed in this family passing from Moses to his son Jonathan in 1793, with the provision he take care of Moses (and his wife) Mary for the rest of their natural lives. Jonathan appeared to try and sell the property before he died in 1803, as seen in the following ad:
NH Gazette 10-5-1802
TO BE SOLD
On reasonable Terms,
A FARM
IN Epsom, containing about one hundred and twenty acres with good buildings,
well wooded and watered, within fifty rods of the Meeting House, in said
Epsom, for further particulars apply to JONATHAN LOCK on the premises.
- Epsom, Sept. 27.
The house instead passed to his son David Locke 3rd, who moved to Hopkinton selling it to Isaac Towle who had married his sister Rebecca in 1818. Isaac and family also left Epsom selling the property back to David Locke 3rd who in 1831 sold the 60 acres and buildings to Benjamin M. Heath. The lot passed to his brother Andrew M. Heath who sold it to Thomas D. Merrill in 1834. Thomas D. Merrill sold it within a few weeks to William McMurphy (recorded Murphy). William McMurphy sold the land and buildings to Abraham D. Swain in February of 1841.
Swain broke up the lot, selling the building and 13 acres to John C. Morrill in 1847. Morrill sold this same piece to George W. Swain, brother to Abraham, late in 1849. The property continued to have different owners including Frederick Sanborn (1850), Joseph W. Rand (1855) and Alexander B. Forbes (1865). Forbes married Susan Elizabeth Parsons Brown in 1859 and they moved to Byfield, Massachusetts, perhaps allowing his fathe-in-law the use of the house. In September 1889 Alexander Forbes sold the property to his wife’s brother Charles J. Brown. Ten years later Charles J. Brown sold the 13 acres and buildings to Charles McClary Steele and his wife Helen E. P. (Yeaton) Steele. Charles McClary Steele had earlier changed his name from Michael McClary Steele, and was still in town referred to as ‘Mike’. The “Mike Steele’ house stayed in the family until 1961.
ROCKINGHAM C OUNTY DEEDS HOME LOT #15
57-509 December 22, 1758
Thomas Berry of Greenland, husbandman to William Blaso of Epsom, yeoman,
A lot of land in Epsom containing 50 acres as it was laid out to ye original
right ____ Knowles, bounded as follows: beginning on ye south side of
East Street in Epsom, ESE 50 rods then WNW fifty rods then NNE one hundred
and sixty rods, then NNE one hundred and sixty rods to ye place where
it first began. – Thomas (his mark) Berry
61-116 March 26, 1759
William Blaso of Ipsom unto my son Amos Blaso, blacksmith,
About 32 acres of land, is a part of that House Lot (so termed) on which
my now dwelling house now stands, to be on the westerly side of said lot
and extends from end to end if said lot and to be 32 rods wide from end
to end together also with one half part of all the other land that I am
entitled to in Epsom, excepting that part of said house lot hereby not
granted and further I do except and reserve to myself one half of my dwelling
house and of the barn standing on said thirty two acres. And to pass and
repass to and from the said half of the house and barn. – William
(his mark) Blazo
63-169 March 26, 1759
William Blaso of Epsom, yeoman, unto my son John Blaso of Epsom, blacksmith,
About 18 acres of land and is part of that home lot on which my now dwelling
house in said Epsom stand, to be on the easterly side of said lot and
extend from end to end of said lot and to be 18 rods wide from end to
end together also with one half part of my said house and of the barn
on said lot with suitable privileges to pass and repass from one said
half part of said house and barn together also with one half part of all
my other lands in Epsom, excepting the remaining part of said house lot
hereby not granted. – William Blazo
79-482 January 28, 1767
We John Blaso of Chichester, blacksmith, Amous Blaso of Epsom, yeoman,
to Andrew McClary of Epsom,
A certain home lot of land in Epsom laying on the south westerly side
of the main road that leads thro said town, lot No. ….. viz: the
easterly side of said lot bounding upon John McClary Esq, and the westerly
side bounding on the school lot, containing 50 acres. – John Blazo
and Amos Blazo (his mark)
September 11, 1767 C-14 copied
from original, (not in Rockingham Deeds)
Andrew McClary of Epsom, Gent., to William Wallas Junior of Greenland,
husbandman,
A parcel of land in Epsom, laying on the south westerly side of the main
road that leads thro the town, the easterly side bounding upon John McClary
Esq., the westerly side bounding on the school lot, said lot containing
50 acres of land, be the same more or less as it was laid out. –
Andrew McClary.
79-498 May 7, 1768
William Wallis (junr.) of Epsom, yeoman to Ichabod Weeks of Greenland,
Physician,
A tract of land in Epsom being one of the home lots lying on the south
westerly side of the main road that leads through the town, bounding eastwardly
on land of John McClary Esq., westwardly on the school lot, containing
50 acres be the same more or less as it was laid out. – William Wallis
Junr.
August 5, 1768 (copy of non-recorded
deed)
Ichabod Weeks of Greenland, to William Wallis of Epsom, husbandman,
Quitclaim a parcel of land in Epsom, being one of the home lots, it being
the same tract of land which I the said Ichabod bought of ye said Wallis.
– Ichabod Weeks.
97-172 December 16, 1768
William Walles of Epsom, husbandman, to Ebenezer Taber (Tabor) of Greenland,
cordwainer,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows: northerly on East Street,
so called, easterly on land of John McClary Esq., southerly on land Reuben
Sanborn, westerly on the school lot with all the buildings thereon standing.
– William Walles
97-229 April 21, 1769
Ebenezer Taber of Greenland, cordwainer, to Moses Locke of Kensington, cordwainer,
Fifty acres of land in Epsom bounded as follows: Northerly on East Street, so called, easterly on land of John McClary, Esq., southerly on land of Reuben Sanborn, westerly on the school lot, with all the buildings and edifices thereon. - Ebenezer Taber (Tabor)
117-107 December 10, 1783
Moses Locke of Epsom, husbandman, to Jonathan Locke of Epsom, yeoman,
A piece of land in Epsom being a part of the home lot I now live on and
No. 15 of said home lots and drawn to the original right of Simon Knowles,
said land to take its beginning at the northwesterly corner of Col. McClary’s
land on the main road near Major Morrills, then running southerly on the
line between Col. McClary’s and said home lot 70 rods then westerly
73 rods, then northerly to the main road before mentioned, then on said
main road to the place first mentioned, said land to contain 10 acres
be it more or less. – Moses Locke.
138-377 May 3, 1793
Moses Locke of Epsom, yeoman to Jonathan Locke of Epsom, yeoman,
A parcel of land in Epsom, the same being the land I now live on being
a part of one of the home lots in said town lying on the westerly side
of the main road and adjoining the land now the parsonage in said town,
to contain all the land in said home lot, except what I have sold before
to the said Jonathan Locke to include all the buildings thereon. –
Moses Locke and Mary Locke, wife of said Moses Locke quitclaim and relinquished
dower.
150-328 May 3, 1793
Indenture – Jonathan Locke of Epsom, yeoman, in consideration of
a Warrantee deed to me by Moses Locke of Epsom, being of even date, this
indenture of the buildings and land of the said Moses Locke owns and now
lives, that the same privileges belonging to the said Moses Locke and
Mary Locke his wife during the tern of their natural lives; at the decease
of either of the said Moses or Mary, then the surviving one to enjoy one
half of the aforesaid premises during the term of her natural life, etc.
– Jonathan Locke, Alice Locke.
224-115 January 18, 1819
David Locke 3rd of Epsom, husbandman to Isaac Towle of Epsom, husbandman,
A parcel of land in Epsom being one half of the homestead of Jonathan
Locke, late of Epsom, deceased, with the buildings situated thereon, consists
of 84 acres be the same more or less. – David Locke 3rd
224-116 March 15, 1819
David Locke and Florinda Locke, his wife of Lyman, NH, to Isaac Towle
of Epsom, husbandman,
All right to the estate of Jonathan Locke, late of Epsom, together with
the widow’s dower of said estate. – David Locke, Florinda Locke.
224-112 December 10, 1818
Greenleaf Brackett and Naomi Brackett of Epsom to Isaac Towle,
All title and claim we have in the real estate of Jonathan Locke, formerly
of Epsom, deceased, meaning all the right to the real estate of the deceased
that accrued to the said Naomi Brackett, daughter of the said Jonathan,
deceased, including her right in and unto the widow’s dower. –
Greenleaf and Naomi Brackett.
224-116 July 1, 1819
John Locke Junior of Epsom, yeoman to Isaac Towle of Epsom, husbandman,
All title I have to the estate of Jonathan Locke, late of Epsom, deceased,
together with the reversion of the widow’s dower in said estate.
– John Locke Jr.
MERRIMACK COUNTY DEEDS HOME LOT #15
(M) 4-178 March 15, 1824
Isaac Towle of Epsom, yeoman to David Locke the Third of Epsom, yeoman,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded northerly on the main road leading through
Epsom, easterly on the land owned by Michael McClary Esq., southerly on
the gore lot, and westerly on land now owned by David Locke the third,
being part of one of the home lots No. seven and formerly owned by Jonathan
Locke of said Epsom, deceased, together with the buildings on said lot,
meaning all the right I have in said buildings – reserving to myself
the right of a drift or passage way to pass with team from the main road
to the gore lot, on the path which is generally trodden or in such place
as shall least injure the cultivated field, said tract to contain 30 acres
– also one half of the garden in said lot. – Isaac and Rebecca
Towle. [note home lot given as #7, should be #15]
(M) 6-512 April 20, 1826
Isaac Towle of Canaan in Grafton County, NH, hushandman, to David Locke
the third of Epsom, husbandman,
A parcel of land in Epsom on the northerly side of the Sanborn lot, so
called, in Epsom, bounded easterly by land owned by Mary McClary, northerly
by the home lot formerly owned by Jonathan Locke, late of said Epsom,
deceased, and land owned by Jonathan Curtis Jr., westerly on land owned
by Dea. Ira Sanborn, southerly on land owned by the said Isaac Towle,
the whole to contain 6 acres. – Isaac Towle.
(M) 26-232 March 4, 1831
David Locke 3rd, yeoman to Benjamin M. Heath,
Land in Epsom being all that part of the homestead farm formerly owned
by Jonathan Locke, late of Epsom, deceased, which I now own, together
with 6 acres of wood land which I purchased of Isaac Towle April 20, 1826,
the whole being bounded as follows: northerly on the main road through
said town, easterly on land owned by the heirs of Michael McClary, deceased;
southerly on land owned by Thomas D. Merrill, westerly on land owned by
Ira Sanborn and on land of Jonathan Curtis, and on land of Thomas D. Merrill,
said land to contain 60 acres with all the buildings thereon. David and
Betsey Locke, relinquishing dower.
(M) 30-108 May 30, 1832
Benjamin M. Heath to Andrew M. Heath, yeoman, both of Epsom,
A tract of land being part of the homestead farm formerly owned by Jonathan
Locke, late of Epsom, deceased, bounded northerly on the main road leading
through said Epsom – easterly on land owned by the heirs of Michael
McClary, deceased – southerly on land owned by Thomas D. Merrill
– westerly on land owned by Ira Sanborn, and on land of Jonathan
Curtis, and on land of Thomas D. Merrill, said tract to contain 60 acres
together with all the buildings thereon. – Benjamin M. Heath and
Rachel D. Heath, wife, relinquishing dower rights.
(M) 37-26 April 18, 1834
Andrew M. Heath of Epsom, yeoman, to Thomas D. Merrill,
A tract of land in Epsom being part of the homestead farm formerly owned
by Jonathan Locke, late of Epsom, deceased, bounded northerly on the main
road leading through Epsom, easterly on land owned by the heirs of Michael
McClary, deceased; southerly on land owned by said Thomas D. Merrill;
westerly by land owned by Ira Sanborn and on land of Jonathan Curtis and
on a 2 acre lot adjoining the above named road formerly owned by James
H. McClary, deceased, to contain about 60 acres together with all the
buildings situated thereon and all the manure on the land and about the
buildings. – Andrew M. and Jane C. Heath, wife, relinquishing dower.
(M) 37-119 April 18, 1834
Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom, Esq., to William Murphy (McMurphy) of Epsom,
A tract of land in Epsom, part of the homestead farm formerly owned by
Jonathan Locke of said Epsom, deceased, bounded northerly on the main
road leading through Epsom, easterly on land owned by the heirs of Michael
McClary, deceased, southerly on land owned by said Thomas D. Merrill,
westerly on land owned by Ira Sanborn and on land of Jonathan Curtis,
and on a two acre lot adjoining the above mentioned road, formerly owned
by James H. McClary, deceased, to contain about 60 acres, together with
all the buildings thereon and all the manure now on the premises. –
Thomas D. Merrill and wife Nancy G. relinquishing dower.
(M) 64-451 February 8, 1841
William Murphy (McMurphy) of Epsom, yeoman to Abraham D. Swain of Chichester,
cordwainer,
A tract of land in Epsom being part of the homestead far formerly owned
by Jonathan Locke, late of Epsom, deceased, bounded northerly on the main
road leading through said town, easterly on land owned by Jonathan Steele,
Esq., southerly on land owned by Thomas D. Merrill, westerly on land owned
by Ira Sanborn and on land of John Chesley Jr., and on land of Hanover
Dickey and on a 2 acre lot adjoining the road aforesaid, formerly owned
by Thomas D. Merrill, together with all the buildings thereon – the
same to contain 60 acres. – William McMurphy and Sally his wife relinquishing
dower.
(M) 87-507 June 2, 1847
Abraham D. Swain of Epsom to John C. Morrill of Concord,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows, beginning at the north easterly
corner of land owned by Rufus A. Putnam on the main road through Epsom,
thence running easterly on said road to land of Jonathan Dolbeer, thence
southerly and westerly by said Dolbeer’s land to land of John Chesley,
thence northerly on said Chesley’s land and on land of the heirs
of Hanover Dickey (formerly the Parsonage lot) and on land of Rufus A.
Putnam, aforesaid, to the bound first mentioned, to contain 13 acres together
with all the buildings situated thereon. – Abraham D. Swain and Margaret
K. Swain. [note that the house lot has been separated from most of the
land]
(M) 99-258 December 11, 1849
John C. Morrill of Epsom to George W. Swain of Epsom,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows, beginning at the north easterly
corner of land owned by Rufus A. Putnam on the main road through Epsom,
thence running easterly on said road to land of Jonathan Dolbeer, thence
southerly and westerly by said Dolbeer’s land to land of John Chesley,
thence northerly on said Chesley’s land and on land of the heirs
of Hanover Dickey (formerly the Parsonage lot) and on land of Rufus A.
Putnam, aforesaid, to the bound first mentioned, to contain 13 acres together
with all the buildings situated thereon. – John C. Morrill and Emeline
Morrill relinquishing dower rights.
(M) 100-526 August 15, 1850
George W. Swain of Epsom to Frederick Sanborn of Epsom,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows, beginning at the north easterly
corner of land owned by Rufus A. Putnam on the main road through Epsom,
thence running easterly on said road to land of Jonathan Dolbeer, thence
southerly and westerly by said Dolbeer’s land to land of John Chesley,
thence northerly on said Chesley’s land and on land of the heirs
of Hanover Dickey (formerly the Parsonage lot) and on land of Rufus A.
Putnam, aforesaid, to the bound first mentioned, to contain 13 acres together
with all the buildings situated thereon. – George W. Swain and Mary
C. Swain.
(M) 127-523 August 29, 1855
Frederick Sanborn of Epsom to Joseph W. Rand of Deerfield,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows, beginning at the north easterly
corner of land owned by Rufus A. Putnam on the main road through Epsom,
thence running easterly on said road to land of Jonathan Dolbeer, thence
southerly and westerly by said Dolbeer’s land to land of John Chesley,
thence northerly on said Chesley’s land and on land of the heirs
of Hanover Dickey (formerly the Parsonage lot) and on land of Rufus A.
Putnam, aforesaid, to the bound first mentioned, to contain 13 acres together
with all the buildings situated thereon, it being understood that the
crops now growing on said land are the property of Abraham D. Swain and
to be removed by him or order when matured. – Frederick and Lucy
L. Sanborn.
(M) 179-242 March 7, 1865
Joseph W. Rand of Deerfield to Alexander B. Forbes,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows, beginning at the north easterly
corner of land owned by Rufus A. Putnam on the main road through Epsom,
thence running easterly on said road to land of Jonathan Dolbeer, thence
southerly and westerly by said Dolbeer’s land to land of John Chesley,
thence northerly on said Chesley’s land and on land of the heirs
of Hanover Dickey (formerly the Parsonage lot) and on land of Rufus A.
Putnam, aforesaid, to the bound first mentioned, to contain 13 acres together
with all the buildings situated thereon. Joseph W. Rand
(M) 179-242 September 28, 1889
Charles J. Brown from Alexander B. Forbes
The house with 13 acres.
(M) 333-414 November 16, 1899
Charles J. Brown of Epsom to Helen E.P. Steele of Epsom,
A tract of land in Epsom bounded as follows: northerly by the highway
from Deerfield to Epsom. Easterly and southerly by land of Hannah P. Steele
and westerly by land of the heirs of John Chesley, Amanda S. Hall and
Hannah P. Steele, containing 13 acres with the buildings thereon, being
the same premises that Joseph W. rand conveyed to Alexander B. Forbes
by his deed dated March 7, 1865 recorded in the Merrimack County Records
Lib. 179 Vol. 242 and by the said A.B. Forbes to me the aforesaid C.J.
Brown, Sept. 28, 1889. – Charles J. and Anna M. Brown