History of Gilmanton
Written by: Daniel Lancaster
Published in 1845
On the 12th of the following March, 1767, the first annual town meeting was held at the dwelling house of Orlando Weed, on lot No. 10, second range of 100 acres, now owned by Samuel and Thomas Potter. At this meeting, Stephen Dudley was chosen Moderator, Joseph Badger, Town Clerk, and Joseph Badger, John Sanborn and John Mudgett, Selectmen. It is said that, at this meeting all voters could stand on one plank.
The year 1767 was also marked by the addition of several important families to the settlement. On the 13th of February, Lieut. Jeremiah Cogswell arrived with his family from Haverhill, Ms. Among the other families who came this year, were those of Thomas Flanders, David Elkings, Abner Evans, David Edgerly, Samuel Avery, and also John Gilman, the first house-joiner, who moved in October. Lieut. Cogswell settled on lot no. 1, second range of 100 acres, John Gilman on the 1st gore, Mr. Flanders No. 21, Mr. Elkings No. 18, 2d range of 40 acres, David Edgerly No. 11, 1st range of 100 acres, and Mr. Avery No. 3, 2d range.
On the 9th of June, the Committee who were appointed to lay out the 8 lots on the North East corner of the town, made their return to the Proprietors, and it was accepted.
POPULATION IN 1767
There were now 45 families in town. The whole population amounted to 250 souls; 139 males, 111 females. one were over 60 years of age, 47 married men, 44 married females, and 1 widow, 18 unmarried men between 16 and 60, 73 boys under 16, and 67 girls and unmarried females.
The inhabitants having now become sufficiently numerous to hold town meetings in Gilmanton, the Proprietary History will, from this time, be combined with the Civil History; as it embraces only a few incidental acts in the subsequent years. Occasional meetings, only, of the Proprietors were held after this time, as the police affairs and the annual business were managed by the inhabitants themselves. A few summary notices are all that will be added to this portion of the History.
SUMMARY OF THE SETTLEMENT BY THE PROPRIETORS
* Colored for easier visual
Benjamin Mudgett,

Dec. 26, 1761

No. 4, 2, low. 100 ac.
John Mudgett,


Dec. 27, 1761

No. 4, 2,
"
Orlando Weed,


Jan. 10, 1762
No.10, 2,
"
Lemuel Rand, 


1762

No. 5, 2,
"
Samuel Gilman, Brentwood,

1762

No. 8, 3,
"
Jonathan Edgerly,



1762

No. 8, 2,
"
Thomas Edgerly,




1762

No. 8, 2,
"
Thomas Taylor, 




1762

No. 4, 2,
"
Joseph Smith,




1762

No. 3, 2,
"
John Kimball,





1762
No. 4, 3,
"
Jeremiah Conner, Exeter,
Jan. 18, 1763

No. 5, 3,
"
Joshua Bean,


March 1763

No. 2, 2,
"
Jeremiah Richardson, Exeter, March 1763

No. 6, 2,
"
John Fox, Exeter

March 1763

No. 6,2,"
Ithiel Clifford,





1763

No. 14, 3,
"
Joseph Badger, Haverhill, Ms July
1763

No. 16 and 17,"
Rev. William Parsons,
Aug.1, 1763

No. 4, 1,
"
Jude Bean,





1763

No. 4, 2,
"
Samuel Parsons, Exeter,


1763

No.1, 1,
"
Stephen Dudley, Exeter,


1764
Richard Sinkler, 




1764

No.1, 1,
"
Summersbee Gilman, Exeter,
1764

No. 33, 1,
"
John Moody, Kingston,


1764

No. 5, Upper 100 ac.
John Sanborn, New Market,

1764

No.16, 1, 40 acres.
Samuel Morrison,




1765

No. 2, of lower gore
Nicholas Gilman, Brentwood,
June 1765

No.1, 3, low. 100 ac.
Joseph Philbrook, Exeter,


1765

No.26, 1, 40 acres.
Ephraim Morrill, Brentwood,

1766

No.9, 1, low. 100 ac.
Dudley Young,





1766

No. 13, 2,
"
Winthrop Gilman,



1766

No. 13, 2, 40 acres.
Joseph Badger, Jr., Haverhill, Ms.
1766

No. 7, upper 100 ac.
Jeremiah Cogswell, 

Feb. 13, 1767

No. 1, 2 low. 100 ac.
Thomas Flanders,




1767

No.21, 2, 40 acres.
David Elkins,





1767

No.18, 2, 40 acres.
Samuel Avery,





1767

No.3, 3, low, 100 ac.
David Edgerly,





1767

No. 11, 1,
"
John Gilman, Exeter,



1767

No. 3, 1st gore.