Landmarks in Ancient Dover, New Hampshire by Mary P. Thompson, Durham, N.H. ©1892, Printed by the Republican Press Association, Concord, N.H. LANDMARKS: Franklin City NAMES: COGGSWELL, Nathaniel; PINKHAM, Thomas; THOMSPON, Ebenezer; SMITH, Ebenezer; ATKINSON, William KING; Franklin City. This name was given to a projected settlement or town, laid out in Durham, at the end of Pascataqua bridge, towards the close of last century, by a company of men belonging to Dover, Portsmouth, Durham, etc., two of whom-- Nathaniel Coggswell and Thomas Pinkham, in behalf of themselves and their associates -- petitioned the New Hampshire legislature in 1796 to be incorporated under the name of Franklin Proprietary, to "continue a body politic and corporate by that name forever." The act of incorporation was passed Dec. 15, 1796, and approved the next day. This bill authorized Ebenezer Thompson of Durham to call the first meeting of the proprietors, or, in case of his failure, Ebenezer Smith of the same town. Thomas Pinkham of Durham, Dec. 30, 1797, conveyed to Wm. King Atkinson of Dover all right, title, and interest, in fourteen lots in "Franklin Propriety, so called," in Durham, also three lots in the flats, and "one third of all the land at Tittle, or Tickle, or Trickle Point, so called, in said propriety, not laid out and drawn, and one third of the flats not heretofore conveyed, lying near Pascataqua (river) and one third of any common land of said Franklin," etc. Each of these lots contained one fourth of an acre. PG 76 LANDMARKS: Franklin City NAMES: ATKINSON, William K.; SIMES, Mark; Franklin City. The Portsmouth Gazette, of April 11, 1801, gives notice of a meeting to be held by the proprietors on Thursday, May 7, of that year, among other purposes, to see what should be done about the New Hampshire turnpike road passing through some of their lots, and to renew the boundaries. This notice is signed by eleven of their number, among whom are Wm. K. Atkinson of Dover, Mark Simes of Portsmouth, etc. PG 76-77 LANDMARKS: Franklin City NAMES: SIMPSON, Andrew; PINKHAM, Ballard; PINKHAM, Thomas; PINKHAM, Timothy; Franklin City. The founding of Franklin City was projected by men specially interested in trade and shipping. In the first quarter of this century many vessels were built, not only on the wharves in Durham village, but at Pascataqua bridge. The embargo and the war of 1812 were a great check to this business, but mention is made of two privateers built at this bridge by Andrew Simpson of Durham during that war, the contracts for which are in the writer's possession. The decline of shipping was a serious blow to the settlement of the proposed city, and the idea was gradually abandoned. Ballard Pinkham, administrator of the estate of Thomas Pinkham, advertised the sale of "seventeen lots in Franklin city," Jan. 2, 1812. the "Winkley estate in Franklin city, so called," is mentioned in the Strafford Register (Dover) of Feb. 15, 1820. mention is made of the owners of 36 lots in 1825. and May 28, 1829, Andrew Simpson sold 25 lots. But their decrease in value is shown by the abatements in the rate-lists. The Durham records of 1821 mention an abatement of $3.15, on Timothy Pinkham's "land in Franklin City." PG 77 LANDMARKS:Franklin City NAMES: COGGSWELL, Nathaniel; PINKHAM, Thomas; DEARBORN, Benjamin; ALLEY, Mrs.; CHUZZLEWIT, Martin; SCADDER, Zephaniah; Franklin City was laid out by Nathaniel Coggswell and Thomas Pinkham. The plan was drawn by Benjamin Dearborn, one of the proprietors, who was a teacher in Portsmouth, and a man of much mechanical genius.¹ This plan, beautifully executed, is still preserved, and in the possession of Mrs. Alley, the present owner of the site of Franklin City. But no one can behold it, with its wharves, streets, and house-lots, all marked out in imposing array, with out being reminded of that which yourng Martin Chuzzlewit found adorning one side of Mr. Zephaniah Scander's office, and like Eden City, with nothing yet built, and in nearly as low and unpromising a situation as that renowned settlement. (See Meader's Neck and Tickle Point.) ¹Benjamin Dearborn is mentioned in 1786 as an inventor of a certain balance or scales, and an engine for throwing water. (N.H. State Papers, 18:779.) PG 77 - Submitted by C. 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