Alton History
History through maps and deeds
When surveyors do a boundary survey we research the property at the county registry, the archives in Concord and at the town.
What is already known
Alton was originally called New Durham Gore. In 1794 the citizens asked that it might be called Roxbury, but finally called Alton.
History books have said It was first settled about 1770 by Jacob Chamberlain and others.
many of the town histories were written in the late 1800's early 1900's.
Alton's neighboring towns were granted earlier than Alton. Gilmanton and Barnstead were granted 1727. New Durham was granted in 1762. Wolfboro 1770, and Tuftonboro (yes Tuftonboro) 1795.
What we want to do here
We want to share what we have found as surveyors doing research.
We want to build an online history map where people can look for there land and see who owned it first.
We will always be adding to the map.
What we have found
When surveyors do the research on your property we take it back as far as we can. We are supposed to take it back to the first survey. If you live in a resent subdivision we don't have to take it back to far. But if you have an old farm it may not have been surveyed at all.
As far as I know the first plan of Alton was done in 1764. It's the Lotting plan drawn by Walter Brient Royal Land Surveyor.
When I do research not only do I look at boundary information in the deed but also who the people are. Doing research today compared to 20 years ago is totally different. The internet has everything. I have a subscription to Ancestry. Sometimes there is a dead end when following the deed chain of title. When that happens we look at probate records. If nothing shows up there we research the family.
The interactive map has the lotting plan on it. under map legend click on Alton first subdivision.
Find your lot you can put your address in and it should find it. Unless its vacant and doesn't have a number.