The Life of Joseph Howard Cheyney
ELAM - The tract of land on which the Hamlet was first granted to Francis Chads and contained one hundred and thirty and a half acres of land. It was resurveyed April 9, 1702 and April 19, 1708, it was sold to John Willis.
The road that runs northerly through it was laid out in February, 1705. At the place now called Elam, formerly known as Pleasant Hill, James Smith lived, and in 1819, he petitioned court for a license, which was not granted to him until 1823.
A full account of his troubles will be found in the account of the licensed houses. Subsequent to 1832, the property was sold as the estate of James Smith to Edward Hoskins.
It passed from Hoskins to Joseph Cheyney and later to William May, whose heires are in possession of the land. In 1848 there was at the place a store, post-office and tavern.