Landaff, New Hampshire 250th Anniversary

Floor Speech

Ms. AYOTTE. Madam President, I wish to honor the town of Landaff, New Hampshire, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding next month. I am proud to join citizens across the Granite State in recognizing this special milestone.

Landaff, a town in Grafton County, lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed, with the Ammonoosuc River to the northwest and the Wild Ammonoosuc River to the south. The southern half of the town is part of the magnificent White Mountain National Forest.

The town of Landaff has a rich history. It is named after the Bishop of Llandaff, chaplain to King George III. After the town's first 60 settlers failed to meet the requirements of the King's original grant, the territory was re-granted to Dartmouth College in 1770.

The college contributed to the town's development by building roads, a school and a saw mill. In 1773, however, the original owners desired a return of their land and petitioned the Governor to revoke the Dartmouth grant. The issue of the ownership of Landaff was drawn out in the courts for the next 17 years. When the American Revolution concluded, changes in the American legal system prompted the college to give the town back to the people.

Today, Landaff's population remains around 360, with the patriotism and commitment of its residents reflected in part by their longstanding record of service in defense of our Nation.

One distinguished Landaff resident, Harry Chandler, was born in Landaff in 1864 and moved to Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Chandler eventually became the editor of the Los Angeles Times, but he never forgot the little town that raised him. He was said to have offered a job at the newspaper to anyone from Landaff who showed up at his door.

Resident sage of Landaff, Moor Noyes, once made this observation about the history of the town: ``Things ain't now as they use to was been and people don't do as they use to did then.'' Truer words have never been spoken.

Landaff has contributed much to the culture and spirit of the State of New Hampshire. I am pleased to extend my warmest regards to the people of Landaff as they celebrate the town's 250th anniversary.

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