Orford's History
The 18th Century
- 1761
- Town of Orford chartered by King George III
- 1765
- Thomas Sawyer, Daniel Cross and John Mann arrive from Hebron, Connecticut and settle in Orford. They built their homes (one-room cabins) along the Connecticut River - on the west side of Route 10 - south of Route 25A - near Sawyer Brook
- Sawyer returned to Connecticut during the first winter and the Crosses left Orford after a few years - for this reason, John Mann is considered the first permanent settler in Orford
- 1766
- Israel Morey arrived and built his home near Jacobs Brook where he established saw and grist mills. He became one of Orford's prominent citizens and later donated land to the town (one section of the East Common)
- John Mann Jr. was the first child born in the town of Orford
- 1770
- Combination schoolhouse, church and meeting house - on the West Common - behind the present Masonic Hall
- John Mann established a brickyard.
- 1771
- Obadiah Noble became Orford's first minister
- 1773
- Obadiah Noble built the first house along what is known as The Ridge
- 1785
- Orford's second schoolhouse was built in Orfordville - a wooden structure used until 1829
- 1788
- John Mann built a frame house - later enlarged (in 1809) and still in use today
- 1795
- Meeting house built on Dame Hill
- Population - about 600
- 1797
- Third schoolhouse started as a "private" academy - south of the meeting house near the present Masonic Hall - became a public school in 1799 - until it burned down in 1850
- West Meeting House built
- During the Revolutionary War
- Israel Morey commanded the Orford Military Company
- Local troops gathered arms and funds
- Townspeople sold food and supplies for the troops
- During all this time, settlers arrived and built beyond the environs of the Connecticut River. By the approach of the 19th Century, there were about 600 residents in Orford.
- Important historical names in the early history of Orford:
- Thomas Sawyer
- John Mann
- Israel Morey
- Obadiah Noble
- Samuel Morey