Cemetery: Proprietor's Cemetery, Portsmouth New Hampshire

"1657: On the 27th day of August, the town empowered Brian Pendleton, John Cutt, Richard Cutt, William Seavey, and Henry Sherburne, the Selectmen, to build a new meeting-house; which they accordingly erected two or three rods southward of the mill-dam, on the crotch of the roads, leading to the pound, and Frame-point." 10

"1659: February 21st. The selectmen granted 'to Mr. John Cutt full liberty to set up a saw-mill and corn-mill on the creek leading up to the fresh marsh. He had the privilege of cutting timber on the common, for the saw-mill, both pine and oak, or any other timber. He was to grind corn for the town at all times, when required; and he was allowed the term of five years for building of said mills.' Mr. Cutt erected a saw-mill and grist-mill at the head of the creek within the limited time. The saw-mill stood below the bridge, west of the place where Mr. Ham's house now stands, and the awter was brought to it across the road. Gondolas could come to the foot of the mill to take away the boards and lumber. The grist-mill was built at the dam, which was made across the fresh stream just above the place to which teh tide flows. The remains of the dam are very apparent at this day." 10

"1671: There were nine persons, who entered into covenant and composed the first church, namely, Joshua Moody, John Cutt, Richard Cutt, Elias Stileman, Richard Martyn, Samuel Haynes, James Pendleton, John Fletcher, and John Tucker". 10

"1676: In consequence of the opinion of the Attorney and Solicitor-General upon Mason's petition, the lords of trade and plantations, sent Edward Randolph, a relation of Mason, to New-England, to examine into the state of affairs there. After having delivered to the government of Massachusetts, a citation to send over agents to answer to Mason's complaint, he came to Portsmouth in July, and published the letter from Mason to the inhabitants, claiming the territory of New-Hampshire as his property. This letter excited great alarm among the people, and on the 1st of September they held a town meeting, at which they appointed John Cutt and Richard Martyn, Esquires, and Captains Daniel and Stileman, to draft a petition to the King for a redress of their grievances." 10

"1679: Randolph returned to England after a short residence in this country, and confirmed the several articles of Mason's complaint against the government of Massachusetts, with many exaggerations. Whereupon it was determined by the King, in Council, to erect New-Hampshire into a separate government under the jurisdiction of a President and Council to be appointed by the King. Accordingly, on the 18th of September, a commission passed the great seal appointing John Cutt of Portsmouth, President, to continue in office one year, or until another should be appointed to succeed him. Richard Martyn, William Vaughan, and Thomas Daniel of Portsmouth, John Gilman of Exeter, Christopher Hussey of Hampton, and Richard Waldron of Dover, were to be of the Council, with power to elect three others to be added to their number. The President had authority to appoint one of the Council his deputy, to preside in his absence. The President, or his deputy, and five counsellors, to be a quorum." 10

"1681: President Cutt, being considerably advanced in years, and very infirm, died on the 5th of April. He was a native of Wales, and with his brothers, Robert and Richard, came to this country previous to the year 1646. John settled in this town, and became a very respectable and opulent merchant. Richard settled at the Isle-of-Shoals and carried on the fisheries there. He afterwards removed to this place, and lived in the Great House at the bottom of Pitt-Street. Robert went first to the Island of Barbadoes in the West-Indies, and after a short residence there, he came to this town, and lived at Great-Island. He afterwards removed to Kittery where he established a ship-yard, and carried on the business of ship-building very extensively. During the life of President Cutt, the inhabitants of this town were chiefly settled at the South-End near the Point of Graves. The upper part, which was the Bank, was principally owned by him, his brother Richard, Major William Vaughan, and Richard Waldron, jr. who were the first persons in the province, both in point of wealth and family connexions. This large space of ground, which is now so thickly inhabited, contained then but ten or twelve dwelling houses, and about as many warehouses, which belonged to the above gentlemen.
President Cutt in his last will, made a short time before his decease, says 'I commit my body unto a decent burial in my orchard, where I buried my wife and children that are deceased.' This spot has been inclosed and kept as a family burying ground by some of his descendants, and is now thickly surrounded by buildings.
President Cutt was esteemed by all who knew him. He had been much engaged in public business, and had filled some of the most important offices under the government of Massachusetts, before he was appointed President of New-Hampshire.
As he had been active and useful in life, his death was universally lamented.
Major Richard Waldron succeeded Mr. Cutt as President, and appointed Elias Stileman his deputy." 10