Our History Part I

Early Settlement of the Region and Property

Settlement and development of Claremont moved at a somewhat slow pace during the period immediately following the 1764 grant for the town, issued by Governor Wentworth. As with much of northern New England, the years leading up to the Revolution were dominated by the question over which government held sway over the so-called "New Hampshire Grants"- the name given the territory located roughly between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers. The precise boundary of the grants was hotly contested, and the disputed lands carried over to the east side of the Connecticut River (where Claremont is located today). Settlers on these lands frequently found themselves caught in the struggle between New Hampshire and New York for ownership rights, the most numerous group of whom vehemently opposed all of New York's claims. Tensions between the settlers and the "Yorkers", as they were called, were at a fever pitch when all attention was suddenly focused on the opening shots of the Revolution at Lexington in 1775. Further disputes over land claims would have to be postponed until after the conclusion of the war.

After the Revolution a renewed interest developed in attracting settlers to the Upper Connecticut River Valley- but the former disputes between New Hampshire and New York erupted again, leaving the fate of the region very uncertain. Most inhabitants of the "grants" were now fully pledged to creating a state of their own, apart from any influence by neighboring governments. Residents of Claremont became an integral part of this movement, and desired to be included in the newly proposed territory (as did many neighboring communities on the east side of the river). In the end, the federal government was forced to step in and settle the dispute, admitting Vermont to the union in 1791. To the chagrin of those in Claremont, however, Congress also resolved that the Connecticut River should serve as the boundary between the two states. Claremont would remain part of New Hampshire.

After the initial hard feelings between the town and the state had subsided, Claremont's residents set about developing lots in the town for purchase by the ever-increasing number of families moving in. In 1774, lots had been drawn up covering all acreage within the town limits- ranging in size from 3 acres in the town, to 100 acres for the more rural areas. Now, with the Revolution over, these lots were gradually purchased and occupied.

One of the 100-acre lots, number 52, was located just to the north of town along the road leading to Hanover. Residential development had yet to reach this portion of Claremont, and lots in this section were still heavily forested. Although the earliest land records have not survived, among the first owners of lot 52 were the Parmelee family, who in addition to Claremont owned a considerable amount of land in the town of Newport. It does not appear that the Parmelee's actually resided on lot 52, likely choosing to log the property in preparation for its use as farmland.

Lot 52 remained in the possession of the Parmelee family until 1829, when a prominent Acworth landowner named Amos Keyes purchased a 52-acre portion from Ziba Parmelee. In 1837, Mary Parmelee sold the remaining 48 acres to Mr. Keyes, who commenced the construction of a small farmhouse and outbuildings on the property.

Amos and his wife Jane resided on the property for many years, during which farming was their chief occupation. As years passed and Claremont grew, it became necessary to extend Elm Street further northward to accommodate more house lots. Amos Keyes sold portions of his property to different individuals as opportunities presented themselves, and by 1860 the Keyes farm had been greatly reduced in size. Amos died shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, and his remaining property passed to his son, George A. Keyes. George maintained the farm only a little while longer before selling a portion of it to his neighbor George S. Thompson (who already owned a substantial portion of what had been lot 52), and the remainder of the property to Marshall Rossiter. It wasn't long before George Thompson began to parcel off his share of the Keyes farm, selling his share to Henry Noyes in 1880. Noyes stay was brief however, and in 1886 he sold all interest to one Robert B. Lull.

By this time, the former Keyes farm was limited to the portion of land situated between Hanover Street (on the east) and Elm Street (on the west). Residences and smaller farms now occupied the area surrounding it, beyond which rough terrain and bad soil stymied further growth. The farmhouse and outbuildings erected by Amos Keyes had survived the intervening years, and the parcel on which they now stood contained slightly less than 30 acres.

Robert Lull called the Keyes farm home for a mere six years before he too found cause to relocate. Though the nature of the circumstances that caused him to do so are not known, 1892 found the former Keyes farm up for sale once again. Fortunately for Mr. Lull, an unlikely buyer was eyeing his property, and farming was the furthest thing from their minds.