^mn f apw,
DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
RELATING TO
TOWNS m NEAV HAMPSHIRE;
WITH AN APPENDIX
EMBRACING THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS OF 1778-
1779; AND OF 1781-1783; AND THE STATE
CONSTITUTION OF 1 784.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
VOLUME IX.
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
NATHANIEL BOUTON, D. D.,
Corresponding Secretary of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
CONCORD, N. H. :
CHARLES C. PEARSON, STATE PRINTER.
1875.
NOTICE.
Joint Resolution, passed bj the Legislature of New Hampshire.
Resolved by ike Senate a7id House of Representatives, in General
Court convened, That His Excellency the Governor be hereby author-
ized and empowered, with the advice and consent of the Council, to
employ some suitable person, and fix his compensation, to be paid out
of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to collect,
arrange, transcribe, and superintend the publication of such portions
of the early State and Provincial Records, and other State Pa-
pers of New Hampshire, as the Governor may deem proper: and
that eight hundred copies of each volume of the same be printed
b}' the State Printer and distributed as follows : namely, one copy
to each City and Town in the State, one copy to such of the Pub-
lic Libraries of this State as the Governor may designate, two
hundred copies to the New Hampshire Historical Society, and the re-
mainder placed in the custody of the State Librarian, who is hereby
authorized to exchange the same for similar publications issued by other
States.
Approved July 6, 1866.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
The special value of this volume consists in the information
which it contains and communicates, relating to Towns in
New Hampshire. It will be found indispensable in every
Town History. We are little aware, at this period, of the sac-
rifices, trials, dangers and absolute sufferings which man^' of
the early settlers endured in planting Towns in the interior of
the State; where, literally, they often suffered "from savage
beasts and more savage men." The border Towns were, for
years, open to the incursions of Indians from Canada. Their
earnest petitions to the Governor or to the General Assembly
for help, clearly reveal to us their dangers and distresses. Be-
sides this source of trial, others arose from disputes about
boundary lines, the location of meeting-houses, the settling of
ministers, irregularities in town meetings, &c. The volume
is of great value, as giving the names of many, and in some
cases, all the male inhabitants of the Towns, from which pe-
titions were sent. These will enable descendants to trace
their connexion with the early settlers.
The volume, also, has an important value, in that, in the
Appendix, it gives in full, all known facts relating to the
Constitutional Conventions in 1778-1783, which resulted in
the establishment of the first Constitution after the Revolution,
1784. The Editor is not aware that the facts herein have
ever before been published, in connexion. He asks attention
to the Note subjoined to the first and second articles of the
Bill of Rights, on pages 896-89S.
In examining these "Town Papers," readers will often do
well to refer to the Provincial and State Papers in preceding
volumes, of corresponding date, from which, in some cases,
additional information will be obtained.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
The contents of the several MS. Volumes from which the following
printed pages are transcribed, are noted and kept distinct herein as in
the original. Thus :
VOLUME I.
ACWORTH TO CHICHESTER, pp. I-I27.
ACWORTH.
Pages.
Memorial of Sampson Stoddard and Jona. Blanchard 1-2
Petition of Jona. Blanchard for extension of the charter
of Acworth, 1772 ...... 2
Gov. Wentworth's warrant to inspect the settlement in
Acworth, May, 1772 ^
List of families and settlers in Acworth, according to
report of inspectors 4
ALSTEAD.
A true list of the inhabitants settled in Alstead, 1771 —
names r
Petition in relation to an extension of the charter . :;-6
AMHERST.
Request of the inhabitants of Souhegan West for a
guard to defend them from the French and Indians,
1744
VI GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pages.
Memorial of Rev. Daniel Wilkins for like aid, 1744 . 7
Petition for protection against the Indians, 1747 — sign-
ers' names (i) . . . . . . . S
Petition for aid from inhabitants of Monson (after-
wards incorporated, in part, with Amherst) —
names, 1747 ....... 9
Petition of Monson for annexation of a tract of land to
them — names, 1754 • • • • • • 10
Petition of Monson to be exempt from taxes, 1 753 . 1 1
Petition of certain persons for annexation to Monson
— names . . . . • . . • 12
Petition of selectmen of Amherst for extension of its
charter. 1761 .......
Petition for pay for taking inventory of Lyndeborough,
1762 13
Proposals of accommodation between Monson and Am-
herst, 1763 ........ 14
Letter of Rev. Daniel Wilkins, relating to Amherst
for a shire-town, 1767 . . . . . . 14, 15
Vote of Monson for a division and annexation to Am-
herst and to HoUis, and Petition for the aforesaid
division ........ 16
Petition to be disannexed from Amherst, 1771 — names 17
Petition against division of the town, 1771 — names . 17-19
Vote of Amherst in favor of annexing Monson, 1766 . 30
Petition of John Shepard, jun., town clerk, in behalf
of Amherst, 1771 20
Petition for a road from Charlestown to Amherst, 1773 21
Petition of inhabitants of Hillsborough county in rela-
tion to John Holland, 1774 ..... 31-24
Petition of Monson to be restored to its original char-
ter— names. 17S3 ....... 34-26
(i) Readers are reminded that names of persons in the same town,
which arc frequently repeated, as signers of petitions or otherwise, are
not uniformly noted by page in the Index; but are indicated by a -
mark between the pages where they arc found ; but every name in a par-
ticular town will be found in the Index once or more. Ed.
GENERAL CONTENTS. VI 1
ATKINSON AND PLAISTOW (i).
Pages.
Petition from Plaistow, relating- to difficulty of attending
public worship, 1766 — names .... 36. 37
Petition relating to a site for a meeting-house — names.
1764 28
Petition to be set ofl' as a parish — names, 1766 . . 29
Reasons of Daniel Hadley and Joshua Emery against
a division ........ 30
Memorial of inhabitants of Haverhill to the people of
Plastow. 1767 — names . . . . . . 31
Information from Plaistow. to the Governor. &c., 1766
— names . . . . . . . . 32
Joseph Page, Eben'' Eaton and Joseph Parker, against
a division, 1767 ....... 32, 33
Petition of inhabitants of Plaistow. with reasons for be-
ing set off' in a distinct parish — names . . . 33-35
Petition of sundry persons to be polled oft" from Atkin-
son to Plaistow — names ..... 36
Memorial of inhabitants of Plaistow against a new town.
&c. — names ........ 37
Report of a committee of Plaistow, about the meeting-
house, 1766 ........ 38
Persons in Plaistow who desire to have the town remain
undivided . . . . . . . • 3S, 39
Asa Haseltine against a division of the town . . 39
Number of people in Atkinson and in Plaistow . . 39
James White ; reasons for wishing to remain in Plaistow 40
List of Baptists in Plaistow — names .... 41
HARRINGTON.
List of the original proprietors of Barrington . . 41-45
Peti^on for power to raise money . . . . 45, 46
of Thomas Shepard ..... 46
of John McMath and Thos. Shepard . . 47
of selectmen of Barrington, for a representative 48
(i) The papers relating to these towns are intermixed. Ed.
via
GENERAL CO.NTENTS.
Pages.
Petition of Garland and I^rewster for a Congregational
Parish ......... 48, 49
BEDFORD.
Petition of people in Souhegan-East for protection-
names of families, 1744 ....
Petition of Presbyterians in Bedford, 1750 — names
Petition of people in Bedford, for a Proprietors' meet
ing
Petition for a tax on their land, for a meeting-house, &c
Petition of James Caldwell, for a town meeting, &c
Petition of Selectmen and Committee of Safety, against
John Houston's taking an oath, 1778
50
52
5-
53
54
.-6
BENNINGTON.
Mr. Samuel Robinson's petition for a tax, 1763
56. 57
BOSCAWEN.
Petition of Contoocook, Penacook and Canterbury fo
protection against the Indians, 1747
Contoocook petition for aid, 1744 — names .
Petition for appointment of military officers — names
for a land tax for support of a minister, 1747
for authority to collect taxes .
for a Justice of the Peace, 1766 — names .
S8.
60,
59
59
60
61
62
BOW (O.
Bow remonstrance against against Rumford petition for
incorporation, i749-!^o .....
Perambulation of Bow town lines
Petition of Selectmen of Bow, 1753 .
Warrants relating to taxes, &c., 1753 .
(i) By error, the head-line on pp. 63-76 is
should be Bow. Ed.
Boscawen.
62
63
63.64
6s, 66
which
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of agents of Bow for a loan of money, 1754
Vote for a loan to Proprietors of Bow .
An act relating to Bow, taxes, &c., 1755
Petition for a new survey of lots .
Inventory of Bow and Canterbury, 1761
Petition of Edward Russel and others, 1764
Petition of Joseph Baker and Philip Eastman, 1764
Petition of Selectmen of Bow, not to be rated with Con
cord, 1767 .......
Pages.
67
68
68
-70
7''
r-
73'
74
74'
75
IS
76
BRENTWOOD.
Namesof persons in Brentwood desiring a Parish, 1743 • 76, 77
Petition of inhabitants in the North part of Brentwood
about a meeting-house, 1743 — names . . 77~79
Petition of Elisha Sanborn, in relation to Brentwood,
1745 ^o
Remonstrance against Keeneborough patent . . 80-S3
Charter of Keeneborough 83, 86
Petition of Selectmen of Keeneborough, 1748 • • 84, 85
Petition of inhabitants of Brentwood, to be set oft' as a
Parish, 1764 — names . . . . . . 85, 86
CANTERBURY.
Vote of town meeting, 1738 ..... 86
Petition of proprietors of Canterbury, about a road, 1 741 87
of proprietors of Canterbury for a bridge, 1743 88, 89
of Canterbury men for wages, 1754 . . 90
of Canterbury for remission of tax, 1754 • 91
of Selectmen for remission of taxes, 1756 . 92
relating to the original charter . . -92,93
Petition of Archelaus Moor and others to be set oft' to
Canterbury, 1764 ....... 94
Petition of Abiel Foster about Town Records, 1774 . 95
CHARLESTOWN, No. 4.
Letter to Cols. Willard and Hinsdale, 1743 — names . 96, 97
Petition of John Spatlbrd, &c., for aid, 1744 . • 97
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Selectmen for a road, 1768
of Timothy Lovell about an island, 1770
of Benjamin Page for a Ferry, 1771
Petition of John Nott, and of Simeon Alcott for
Ferry, 1771 ......
Pages.
98
99
CHESTER.
Petition in behalf of the Proprietors of Chester, 1726,
with Minutes of Council thereon
Petition of Selectmen, relating to town bounds, 1726
Report on petition for a road, &c., 1743 .
Petition of Chester in relation to salary of ministers,
&c.. 1740 .......
Petition for aid of soldiers ....
Petition of John Talford and Tho' Wells, for protec
tion, 1748 .......
Minutes of Chester Town meeting, 1 753 .
Petition of Andrew Craige, in relation to taxes
1757
Advertisement of town meeting, &c., 1763
Petition of North Parish, to be set off, &c., 1763—
names .......
Petition for a new Parish, 1763 — names .
Petition to confirm bounds of Long Meadow Par
ish, 1 771 .......
Meeting of freeholders and inhabitants — names
Memorandum of agreement, 1772 .
Answer to a petition for a Parish being set off, 1772
Bounds of Long Meadow Parish, 1772
Further petitions, relating to the same, 1773 — names
Petition of Daniel Foster for a Ferry
t03,
102
103
104
105
106
107
107
108
109
no
III, 112
114
116
117
1 17-120
120
CHESTERFIELD.
Memorial relating to the estate of John Wheelwright,
of Boston . . . . , . , . 120, [21
Petition of Josiah Willard about the same . . 122
GENERAL CONTENTS. XI
CHESWICK, NOW LITTLETON.
Pages.
Petition of Moses Little and associates for extension
of charter ....... 123
CHICHESTER.
Charter of Chichester
Petition for extension thereof — names
confirmation of charter .
liberty to assess taxes
Note by the Editor. •' Coulerain"
133
126
136, 127
127
VOLUME IL
CONCORD TO EXETER, pp. 1 28-274.
CONCORD.
Petition from Ebenezer Eastman for protection from
the Indians, 1746 .....
Copy of Rumford petition for defence, &c.. 1744
Petition for aid by Benj. Rolfe, Esq., 1745
Petition of inhabitants for like purpose, 1747 — name
Petition of Capt. Ebenezer Eastman for same .
Petition of Joseph Pudney, for service
Letter of Rev. Timothy Walker to Archibald Stark
Petition of Ezra Carter in behalf of Rumford .
Letter of Jere. Stickney, Esq.. relating to Bow
Petition of Rev. Tim" Walker in behalf of Rumford i
of Selectmen, relating to taxation, &c.
to be annexed to Hillsboroug^h countv .
130,
128
129
133
133
134
34- 135
35' 136
36, 137
13S
139
CONWAY.
List of original Proprietors of Conway — names, &c. 141, 143
List of settlers that have families, &c. . . . 144
Memorial from Fryburg, Brownfield and Conway,
1776 144' H5
GENERAL COXTENTS.
CORNISH.
Pages.
Petition of Jon'' Chase for a grant of Hart Island,
1772 145' 146
DEERFIELD.
Petition of inhabitants in relation to a tax — names . 147
for a tax, with reasons therefor, 1773 . . 147, 148
Petition for appointment of a Justice of the Peace,
1774 — names ....... 149
Petition of southerly part of Deeriield for a Parish,
1774 — names . . . . . . , 150
DERRYFIELD.
Note 151
Petition of inhabitants rchiting to town meeting,
1766 — names ....... 152, 153
DOVER.
Extracts from the Records of Dover, 1643 . . 153, 154
Petition for bridging Cochecho and Lamprey rivers 154
Letter to the selectmen of Dover and Exeter about a
bridge ; Accts. of pretenders to land at Cochecho
Point ........ 155
Petition about a Grammar School at Dover (i) . 155, 156
of Selectmen, relating to a bridge, 1723 . 156
Petition and complaint against Richard Waldron,
Esq. 157. 1 58
Petition of inhabitants of the N. E. part of Dover for
a Parish, 1729 — names . . . . . . 159, 160
Petition of Eleazer Weare in behalf of inhabitants in
N. E. part of Dover, 1729 . . . . 160
Petition of Paul Gerrish and others relating to frauds
and forgeries, 1729 — names .... 161. 162
(i) By error, the date, 1772, should be 1722. Ed.
GENEKAL CONTENTS. xHl
Pages.
Action of General Assembly, and Report of Com-
mittee thereon, 1729 ...... 163, 163
Report about frauds in Dover Town book, 1731 . 163-167
Petition of Proprietors of Hilton's Point, 1731 —
names ........ 167, 168
Petition of people in Dover and other towns for a
Township, 1733 — names ..... 1 68-1 71
Petition for a grant of land, 1754 — names . . 171, 172
List of the training men under Capt. Tho' Millet.
1740 173' 174
List of the second foot company of Dover, 1740 . 174, 17c
List of the troopers under Capt. Tristram Coffin, in
Dover, 1740 . . . . . . . . 176
Petition against a new Parish, 1744 — names . • I'J^-, i^J
for leave to have a Lottery, for a bridge, 1760 177
Petition for a bridge to cross Bellamy's Bank, 1756
— names 178, 179
Petition in relation to being set oft' in a separate
county, 176S 180
Petition relating to a bridge, 1770 — names . . iSi, 183
Petition relating to bridges, 1773 — names . . 184, 185
Petition relating to rocks in Salmon-falls river, 1779,
names 185-1S7
DORCHESTER.
Petition of John House for extension of time to make
their settlement, 1771 ..... 187
Petition for a new charter, 1772 .... 188
DUBLIN.
Petition to be incorporated into a township, 1771 . 188
DUNBARTON.
Petition of Capt. Caleb Page, of Starkstown, 1763 . 189
Petition in relation to a school lot, 1774, with resolve
of General Assembly 190, 191
Petition of Caleb Page relating thereunto, 1774 . 191-193
GENERAL CONTENTS.
DUNSTABLE.
Petition of Inhabitants of Pine Hill, 1763
Votes at a town meeting in Dunstable, 1763
Petition of inhabitants of West Parish of Dunstable
for a garrison and men, 1744 — names
Petition for protection against the Indians, 1744
in relation to a certain tract of land
Copy of an Indian Deed, 1671
Petition relating to conflicting town meetings, 1748
Petition for dividing the Province into Counties, 1754
— names .......
Warning for a town meeting, proceedings, &c
1760 ........
Samuel Hobart, attorney for Dunstable, 1763 .
Answer to a petition of inhabitants of Dunstable to
be set off to HoUis, 1763 ....
Petition of Zacheus Lovewell and Joseph Blanch
ard, 1758 (I)
(i) By error, 176S. Ed.
Petition of Joseph Blanchard, 1762 .
Wm. Brown's letter and power of attorney
Proceedings at Town meetings
Letter to Hon. Henry Sherburne
Papers relating to the settlement of Rev. Samuel
Bird .......
List of qualified voters in Dunstable
Names of persons who voted for Rev. Mr. Bird
Names of those who voted against him, &c.
Votes at Town meetings, &c. ....
Petition relating to an illegal Town meeting
Sundry names, in Dunstable ....
Minutes of Town meeting ....
Assent to Jos. Blanchard's petition, and Remon
strance against it .... .
Petition of Jon'' Lovewell, in answer to Jos. Blanch
ard's ........
Petition to send a Representative
Petition of people in the west part of Dunstable to
be annexed to Hollis .....
1760
Pages.
193
194
194
196
196, 197
202
203
204-206
206
207
208
20S-210
210
211
21 1
213
213-214
215
216
219
219-221
222
224
126, 227
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition relating to another hearing .
Petition against annexation to Hollis
Proceedings at town meetings .
Pages.
228
229-23 I
^31-234
DURHAM.
Petition for incorporation as a town .
Ecclesiastical document, 1723 ....
Petition of aggrieved inhabitants of Oyster River
Petition of Francis Mathes and others for a new
Parish
Names of soldiers in Durham under Capt. John
Smith .......
Petition of Daniel Meader, 1745 ■ ' ■
Petition of Joseph Thomas and others, about a fraud
ulent election ......
Petition for a highway .....
234
235
237
238
240
241
242
243
EPPING.
Petition of inhabitants for protection
245, 246
EPSOM.
An Act to invest Proprietors of Epsom with town
rights ........ 246
Petition of John Weeks ...... 247
Petition for abating the Province tax . . . 248
Proceedings at town meetings ..... 249-250
EXETER.*
Combination at Exeter, 1639 •
Elders' or Rulers' Oath ....
Oath of the people .....
Request for a town meeting and a new Parish
Petition for a Parish — names .
See Note hy the Editor, at the close of General Content
250
251
252
252
253-257
xVi
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Counter petition — names .....
Petition for Parish privileges — names
Remonstrance against
Warrant for town meeting — other remonstrances
Report on location of a meeting-house
Brentwood petition about Parish lines
Petition of Andi'ew Gilman and others — names
Brentwood to pay Province tax to Exeter .
Report of a Committee about Brentwood meeting
house ......
Joint petitions, &c., (relating to Brentwood)
Remonstrance — names ....
Agreement of parties (in Brentwood)
Survey of a Parish in Brentwood
Pages.
257
258
260
261-26^
26"^
266
267
268
269
270-273
273
280
290
VOLUME III.
EXETER TO JEFFERSON, pp. 275-43O.
EXETER— CONTINUED.
Petition of Andrew Gilman and others about a meet-
ing-house, 1743 — names .....
Petition of sundry persons in Exeter for support of a
minister among themselves ....
Petition to be exempted from support of a minister
not of their choice — names ....
Petition in answer to that, praying for exemp-
tion, &c. ........
Replication to the foregoing
Petition of sundry inhabitants of Exeter, to be incor-
porated into a new Parish — names
Answer of the Town Committee of Exeter to the
foregoing ........
Result and advice of an Ecclesiastical Council in
Exeter, 1755
Acceptance of the foregoing Result and Advice
275
277
27s
2S0
284
291
293
295
297
GENERAI, CONTENTS.
.if^tition of John Odlin and others for power to call
Parish meetings ......
Pages.
297
FRANCESTOWN.
Petition for a land tax to build a meeting-house —
names ........
FRANCONIA.
Petition of John Wendell, agent for the town of
Franconia .......
Petition of Alexander Phelps and others relating to
forfeiture and re-grant of Franconia and Lin-
coln
299
300
301
GILMANTON.
Petition for power to levy a tax, &c.
30a
GILSUM.
Vote of Westmoreland to set off a part of the inhab-
itants to Gilsum ; vote of Gilsum to set off the
west end of the town ; assent of inhabitants of
Gilsum to be set off ..... .
Petition for a new town — names ....
303
304
GOFFSTOWN.
Petition of Archibald Stark for soldiers to gua
garrison at Amoskeag
Votes at town meetings in Goflstown
Petition for a Presbyterian Society — names
Petition of inhabitants, 1772, relating to town dis
putes — names .....
A town meeting called, Proceedings, &c.
Petition for an emission of paper money .
A Bank of paper currency
ii
d the
306
307
307 ' 308
308
310. 311
311
313
XVni GENERAL CONTENTS.
GOSPORT.
Petition to be exempt from paying taxes .
Petition of Selectmen for remission of taxes
Petition for a Lottery, for protecting the harbour-
names .......
Pages.
3H
316
GRANTHAM.*
Petition of John Sargents for a new charter
of Abel Stevens, for same
3i»
319
GREENLAND.
Petition of inhabitants for privileges
Petition of sundry persons to be joined to Greenland
parish .....
Petition for a grant of certain powers
for a township
Portsmouth votes relating to Greenland
Petition of inhabitants of Breakfast Hill
for extension of boundary lines
relating to tax warrant
for representation in the General Assembly
321
320
321
322
322
323
324
325
326
327
GROTON, FORMERLY COCKERMOUTH.
Petition of John Hale and Samuel Hobart for a re-
grant ........
Memorial of James Gould and others
328
329
HAMPSTEAD.
Petition for a Parish ...... 331
Vote of Kingston against setting ofl' a Parish . . 332
Petition of Richard Hazzen about support of Rev.
James Gushing ....... 333
Petition of Edward Flint and others to be annexed,
&c 334
By error, head-line, "Gosport," p. 319, should be Grantham. Ed,
GENERAL CONTENTS.
HAMPTON & HAMPTON-FALLS.
Pages.
Petition of Selectmen about taxes .... 335
Petition of Abraham Drake and others about a tract
of land, &c 336
Certificate of Nathaniel VVeare — of Jabez Smith . 337
Petition for leave to make a separate tax . . . 338
Request relating to highways ..... 339
Petition relating to a Parish ..... 340
Petition of inhabitants of Hampton-falls for a tavern 341
Petition for a new Parish ...... 343
Concurrence therein — objections thereto . . . 345
Petition of Hampton-falls for a Fair — grant thereof . 345-346
Agreement relating to Rev. Ward Cotton
Petition adverse to setting off a new Parish . . 347
Reasons against the same ..... 348
Names of persons in different towns who petitioned
to be annexed to Massachusetts, 1739. viz., in
Hampton, Kingston, Hampton-falls, Chester,
Stratham. Exeter, Kensington, and^ Greenland* 349-356
Reasons ofiered against a new district, and Remon-
strance against the same ..... 356, 357
Petition of persons formerly of Massachusetts to be
annexed to Hampton-falls ..... 35S
Petition of inhabitants of N. E. part of Hampton to
be exempted from minister's tax . . . 359
Petition of sundry persons to be annexed to Hamp-
ton-falls 360
Petition of persons in Haverhill not to be joined
with Kingston ....... 361
Notification of a Parish meeting to set off those who
call themselves Presbyterians .... 362
Petition for a Presbyterian Society .... 363
Petition in answer to the foregoing petition . . 366
Petition for a Presbyterian Society renewed . . 370
An Act dividing Hampton-falls into two Parishes . 372
Report of a Committee to fix the line between the
two 373
• The said names are not repeated in the Index. Ed.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pagbs.
Petition of the Parish of Hampton-falls in relation
to delinquent tax-payers ..... 374
Petition of Selectmen of Hampton-falls, to make a
rate ......... 376
HANOVER.
Petition of John House about Islands in Connecticut
river ......... 37^
HILLSBOROUGH.
Petition in relation to roads in Society-land . . 379
Petition for an Act of Incorporation . . . 380
Petition of John Hill for protection from the Indians 331
HINSDALE.
Petition of Ebenczer Hinsdale in behalf of North-
field 38a
Petition of Proprietors and claimers of land in North-
field south of the Province line .... 383
Petition of Ebenezer Hinsdale for protection against
the Indians • . . . . . , 385
Petition of Daniel Jones for remission of taxQS . 386
Province rate for the tov^m of Hinsdale, 1764 . . 388, 389
Names of inhabitants of Hinsdale, classed according
to location, with amount of tax, on the West side
of Connecticut river, and on the East side of
Connecticut river, those of the East side, who
live in other towns ...... 390-392
Petition for a new County [Important] . . . 393
Petition of Doct. Josiah Pomroy, for permission to
inoculate in Hinsdale for small-pox . . . 394
HOLDERNESS.
Petition of Samuel Livcrmore for two rights of land ;
deposition of Samuel Eaton ; deposition of
Thomas Vokes ....... 394, 395
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pages.
Petition of Proprietors for extension of their grant ;
to send a Representative ..... 396
MOLLIS.
Petition for a Committee to locate the meeting-house 397
Petition of Samuel Cummings for protection against
the Indians 399
Petition for a tax on non-residents' lands . . . 400
for dividing the Province into two counties . 401
of people at Pine Hill to be set oil' from Ilollis 402
HOPKINTON.
Petition for an Act of Incorporation .... 404
Petition for power to lay a Tax on 4-5""" of the land,
&c 405
Petition relative to Province tax .... 406
for power to sell common land . . . 409
of sundry persons for an Act of Incorporation 410
for Incorporation — reasons for . . . 411-4*2
for a Tax on non-residents .... 414
HUDSON, FORMERLY NOTTINGHAM WEST
Petition for a new Parish .....
for town privileges ....
for a Parish ......
of vSelectmen for a hearing — names
Vote on the question of incorporation
Petition of John Marsli for a land-tax, &.c.
Petition for Nottingham W. to be included in the west
division of counties — names
Petition relating to fish in the Merrimack river
AViother petition relating to the same
Depositions of Thomas Pollard ; Benj. Marshall
416
418
420
422
423
424
425
427
428
XXll GENERAL CONTENTS.
JAFFREY, FORMERLY MONADNOCK, No. 3.
Certificate to Mr. Josiah Willard
Pages.
429
JEFFERSON, formerly DARTMOUTH.
Petition to extend the'tinie for making a settlement
430
VOLUME IV.
KINGSTON TO NEW BOSTON, pp. 43I-556.
KINGSTON.
Original Grant or Charter
Petition for re-settling of Kingston .
to be clear of public charges
to be discharged from cost of road
for abatement of Province tax ; for a township
« another for a township
of East Parish about di\"ision of lines
Remonstrance against a new Parish .
Petition of Jedediah Philbrick for partition of real estate
for a further hearing on Haverhill petition
relating to the Basford land grant
Petition of westerly part of Kingston for town privi
leges ......
Petition for a Justice of the Peace
for soldiers to keep the Fort
to remain in the old Parish .
for a new Parish .
relating to boundaries .
Report of Committee on the same .
Petition about small-pox .
43 »
432
433
434
435
437
439
441
443
443
446
447
448
449
450
45 »
453
454
KENSINGTON.
Petition to send a representative
455
GENERAL CONTENTS. XXIII
KINGSWOOD.*
Pages.
The Charter of Kingswood — names of grantees, pro-
ceedings, &c. ....... 456-463
LANCASTER.
Minutes of Council, relating to a road . . . 463
Petition for soldiers ....... 464
LANDAFF.
First granted to James Avery and others . . . 464
Petition of Trustees of Dartmouth College, — and
Minutes of Trustees ...... 465
LEMPSTER.
Petition of Capt. Joseph Spencer for extension of
charter ........ 466
LITCHFIELD.
Oranted by Massachusetts, and known as Brenton's
farm ; Petition for a township .... 467
Petition of inhabitants of Litchfield and Nottingham
West, for a township — names .
Petition relating to support of a minister .
relating to the settlement of a minister
relating to the payment of a minister .
for men and military stores — names
468-469
470
472
473
of Nathan Kendall relating to boundary line 473
for a Parish on the East side of the river . 474
relating to the same, as above . . . 475
Petition to be included in the West division of Coun-
ties ......... 476
Petition of Isaac Cummings to be taxed in Notting
ham-west ........ 477
Petition for a grant of a ferry, by Lucy Read . . 479
• Kingswood was probably never settled under that name. Ed.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
LONDONDERRY.*
Originally called Nutfieltl, 1719
Petition of Inhabitants for a Charter
for Bills of credit. Sic. — names
Charter of Londonderry .....
Schedule of names of proprietors of Londonderry
Petition about running the lines
relating to common lands .
Oaths to be taken ......
Names of persons who took the oaths
Petition about division of town lands
Differences about lands adjusted, and Petition for
redress of injustice — names
Petition respecting aggressions, of Haverhill people
against Haverhill people
relating to minister's tax, &c. — names .
Counter petition to foregoing — names
Answer of Selectmen of Londonderry
Votes relating to the places of public worship .
Petition of 2'' Congregation relating to Presbyterial
authority .......
Act for incorporating a new Parish in Londonderry
Petition for a new Parish — bounds .
of Samuel Barr . . . , .
Petition for division of land, &c., of heirs of Rev
Thomas Thomson .....
Petition of inhabitants of old and new Parishes
of Selectmen respecting Parish bounds
to be taxed in Nottingham- west .
Counter petition ......
Petition relating to a military company
Thanks to the Legislature for an Act relating to tav
erns .
Petition, 1759,
names
for discontinuance of a^ highway-
Pages-
479
480
481
483
484
486
4S9
491
492
493
494
495
498
499
500
501
502
504-505
506
507
508
510
5"
513
515
516
• Readers will please take notice, that names in Londonderry which
a'fe of very frequent occurrence, are noted by a - joining the pages in
which they are found. Ed.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition for a law regulating fishing .
relating to fish in Merrimack river — names
Petition about irregular proceedings in town meet
ing — names ......
Petition of Londonderry West Parish
of inhabitants of Londonderry, 1773 .
Agreement of Committees ....
Pages.
521
528
53.3
LYME.
Petition for a ferry over Connecticut river
for a half-shire town
533
534
LYNDEBOROUGH.
Petition for protection against the Indians
Grant of Salem-Canada ....
Schedule annexed to charter, names, lots, &c.
Petition for an Act of Incorporation
535
536
540
541
MADBURY.
Petition for a Parish — names .
Call for a town meeting in Dover
Bounds of the West end of Dover — names
541
543
544
MARLOW.
Heads of families, single men, &c. .
Petition for extension of charter
Original proprietors and proprietors by purchase
546
547
548
MERRIMACK.
Petition for a tax on non-resident lands . . . 54^
Petition for dividing the State into Counties — Merri-
mack names ; Bedford names .... 550
Petition to be attached to Col. Gofie's regiment —
names .....-.• ^5'
XXVI GENERAL CONTENTS.
MONADNOCK, No. 7.
Petition for an Act of Incorporation
Pages.
NEW BOSTON.
Petition about minister and school lots — names
for a tax on certain lands — names
to raise taxes to finish the meeting-house
553
555
556
VOLUME V.
NEW CASTLE TO PORTSMOUTH, pp. 557-687.
NEW CASTLE.
Petition relating to tax, &c. ..... 558
against a bridge at New Castle — names . 559
New Castle's answer to Sand}' -beach petition — names 561
Petition of inhabitants of New Castle and Rye —
names ........ 563
Petition for aid in behalf of the ministry . . . 563
of Rev. John Blunt 564
Account of persons who voted for representative —
names ........ 566
Petition relating to a Lottery to build a bridge . . 566
for a Lottery to build a bridge — names . 567
NEW DURHAM.
Proprietors' meeting — Petition .
569
NEWMARKET.
Papers relating to Newmarket bridge — names .
Petition of inhabitants of Nottingham — names .
of inhabitants of sundry towns — names
An act for erecting and maintaining a bridge, &c.
Answer of Exeter to petitions ....
570
57'
572-574
576
577
GENEUAr, CONTENTS.
Pages.
Reply to Exeter's objections ..... 5S0
Petition of Stratliam against the bridge — names
of Kensington against the bridge — names . 582
of Hampton Falls against the bridge — names 583
of Epping against the bridge — names . . 5S4
Vote of Kingston against said bridge . . 5S5
Vote and petition of East Kingston against it . . 586
Offer of land adjacent, by Philip Fowler and Rob-
ert Smart ........ 587
Petition for a Lottery to build said bridge — names . 588
Petition of inhabitants of sundry towns to build a
bridge at Newfields — names .... 590
Another similar petition — names not. repeated in
the Index ........ 593
Petition of inhabitants of Newmarket — names not re-
peatcd in the Index ...... 596
Act to raise money by Lottery for a bridge . . 598
Petition of inhabitants of New Market, Stratham,
&c. — names not repeated ..... 600
Report of Committee relating to a highway in New-
market ........ 602
Petition of Selectmen, <S:c., for a highway — names . 603
NEW IPSWICH.
Votes at a town meeting in New Ipswich .
Petition for a Committee to settle a plan for a meet-
ing-house— names ......
Account of the pay of petitioners and non-petition-
ers .........
604
605
606
NEWTOWN.
Petition of sundry inhabitants of Amcsbury — names
of inhabitants of Almsbury Peek — names .
Petition of Newtown — names in Almsbury district —
of those in South Hampton ....
Report of a Committee ......
Petition of inhabitants in west part of Almsbury
607
608
609-611
611
6ia
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pages.
Petition of Sam' French and others against a new
parish — names ....... 613-619
Petition of inhabitants of South Hampton, east end . 619
of Thomas and Joseph Fowler . . . 620
Petition of sundry persons against a new Parish —
names ........ 621
Petition of Selectmen of South Hampton against the
same ........ 622
South Hampton, setting otf 28 per.sons to a new
Town ; and 2 more polled oft' . . . . 624
Petition from South Hampton for a surveyor . 625
Jona. Watson and Roger Eastman, poll oft' . . 626
Petition of Selectmen of South Hampton, about high-
ways ........ 627
Draft of an Order in Council for polling oft', &c. . 628
Supplemental charter of Newtown .... 629
Petition from Almsbury district .... 630
NOTTINGHAM.
Original charter of Nottingham .... 630
Note by John Farmer, Esq. ; Shem Drown of Boston,
I^etitioners request for a road — names . . 632
Petition of Capt. Pcirce and Dr. Nath' Rogers, for a
road ......... 633
Petition for a tax on non-residents, for support of a
minister ........ 634
Petition for protection against the Indians . . 635
Vote to set off a Parish, &c 636, 637
Petition to be eased of the Province tax . . . 637
Petition of inhabitants in the South-west of Notting-
ham for Parish privileges ..... 638
Petition for a separate Parish — names . . 639
to elect an Assembly-man — names . . 642
Statement relating to original rights — names . . 643
GENERAL CQNTENTS. XXIX
ORFORD.
Pages.
A list of inhabitants in Orford with their families
and ages — names ...... 645
Single men — persons to whom Col. Monlton wrote
to settle, &c 646
Mem° of the settlement and improvement of land in
Orford — names 646, 647
Names of all the men, women and children in Or-
ford ; names and ages of the children . . 64S, 649
Petition of William Simpson and others . . . 650
PELHAM.
Petition of Henry Baldwin in behalf of the town
of Pclham 652
Petition of selectmen of Pelham, to tax non-resi-
dents ........ 653
PEELING.
Petition of Nathaniel Cushman ; and memorial of
Nath' Cushman and others for a re-grant of the
township — names ...... 655
PEMBROKE.
Petition and memorial of Moses Foster . . . 657
of Benjamin Holt, for a guard, &c. . . 659
Town meeting relating to Rev. Aaron Whittcmore . 659
Petition for a Justice of the Ptace — names . . 660
of John Bryant, agent for the Presbyterians 661
for leave to send a representative — names . 663
PETERBOROUGH.
Petition of the town of Peterborough, for town privi-
leges . 665
Petition for a new county — names .... 666
XXX GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pages.
Petition relating to Peterborough Slip, for annexa-
tion, &c 667
Petition relating to Rev. John Morrison — names . 668
for a division of Peterborough — names . 669
against a division — names .... 671
PLAISTOW AND ATKINSON.
Petition of selectmen of Plaistow, about a constable 673
Vote of Haverhill district to set off Timberlain, and
a letter from Rich** Waldron, &c. . . . 674
Petition for a town or parish — names . . . 675
against being set off as a new parish — names 676
Petition of inhabitants in the west part of Haverhill
district, not to be incorporated — names . . 676
Petition not to join with Richard Hazzen's plan —
names ........ 677
Sanborn, Palmer and Weare's report of Haverhill
district 678
Petitionof Haverhill districtfor a new Parish — names 678
Petition for a Special Act (against thieves, &c.) —
names ........ 6S0
Memorial of Col. James White and others . . 681
Petition of sundry inhabitants of Plaistow . . 682
for release from support of Hugh Potter . 6S3
PIERMONT.
Petition of the Committee of Piermont to the Gov-
ernor ........ 684
PLYMOUTH.
Petition for leave to send a representative — names 685
for a re-survey of land, &c. . . . 686
for a representative — names . . . 687
GENERAL CONTENTS.
VOLUME VI.
PORTSMOUTH TO VVOLFEBOROUGH, pp. 688-824.
PORTSMOUTH.
Pages.
Original name — orders relating to a school, &c. . 688
Petition for a grant of land, and Request to the se-
lectmen of Portsmouth ..... 689
Petition in relation to a meeting-house at the Plains
— names ........ 690
Petition relating to dividing the common land, [see
Note; and for ''General and Hist. Reg. 1870,"
read N. E. Hist. Gencal. Reg. July, 1870, pp.
264-266] ........ 693
Petition of the South Parish in Portsmouth . , 695
Remonstrance of Portsmouth selectmen . . . 697
Answer to a petition relating to the choice of James
Clarkson as representative .... 698
Deed from Theodore Atkinson and others, of their
Rights in certain townships .... 703
Petition of Portsmouth selectmen about a Pest-house 704
Answer to a petition of Clement March, &c. . . 705
Petition for a Lottery to pave streets in Portsmouth . 707
Petition of Portsmouth against a bridge at New
Castle 708
Memorial for a bounty on fish, wheat, hemp, &c. . 709
Petition of Selectmen, &c., to hold town meetings in
the State-house . . . . . . 712
Another petition on the same matter . . . 713
Portsmouth petition in regard to election returns . 714
POWNALL, IN Vermont.
Petition
7^5
PUTNEY, IN Vermont.
Petition for a Grant of land
716
XXXII GENERAL CONTENTS.
RAYMOND.
Pages.
An act for erecting a new Parish, &c. . . . 717
Petition in relation to a meeting-house . . . 718
RINDGE (I).
Certificate — and copy of the Grant to Rowley-Canada,
now Rindge, 1738 ...... 720
ROCHESTER (i).
Meeting of Proprietors ...... 721
Petition of Rochester rehiting to the gospel ministry 723
Petition of Wm. Chamberlin and John Jenness, for
relief ........ 723
Petition for a guard of soldiers, 1746 . . . 725
Petition for further relief and for a guard of sol-
diers ........ 726
Letter of thanks and petition for further aid . . 727
Petition of John Dam in relation to roads . . 728
RUMNEY.
Petition of sundry inhabitants, against Daniel Brain-
erd ......... 730
Petition of Daniel Brainerd and others . . . 732
Rev. Thomas Niles .... 733
RYE.
Petition for a new District or Precinct, 1721 . . 734
to be set ofl' as a new Parish or District, 1724 735
Vote and Remonstrance of Portsmouth against, 1724 737
Petition from Little Harbour, Sandy Beach, and
Hampton, 1725 ...... 737
Another petition from the same source, 1735 . . 739
(i) By error, the heading, "Rindge," extends over pages 721-729;
it should be Rochester. Ed.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition from the Parish of Rye, 1739
Petition from selectmen of Rye, relating to a vio-
lent storm, 1754
Petition for a Lottery to build a road, 1764
Pages.
740
742
743
SALEM.
Petition of inhabitants of Methuen, 1741 .
for redress of grievances as to taxes
Letter from Theo. Atkinson to Selectmen of
donderry and Windham, 1742 .
Petition for a Parish, 1743
of a part of Methuen to be a Township
in relation to taxes, 1746
for a Townshij), 1749 .
Letter from Daniel Peaslee to Thomas Packer
Petition for redress of grievances, 1756
Certificate of former Constables ; List of the
that served as Constables since it v^^as first
porated, till the year 1752 .
Another petition for redress, &c.
Lon
1746
Esq
men
ncor-
744
745
746
746
748
749
749
750
751
IS--
752
SALISBURY.
A guard of soldiers provided for tliis as a frontier town 753
Petition for aid in settling Salisbury . . . 754
SANBORNTON.
Petition to be exempted from taxation . . 755
for incorporation ......
for the appointment of a Justice of the Peace 757
SHELBURNE.
Petition of Daniel Rindge
75S
SOCIETY-LAND.
Petition for incorporation
iii
759
GENERAL CONTENTS.
SOMERSWORTH.
Pages.
A true List of all the train soldiers in Somersvvorth,
under command of Capt. Thomas Wallingford,
1746 760
Petition for Town privileges, 1743 .... 761
SOUTH HAMPTON.
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be set off, &c. . 763
Petition of John Page and Benjamin Baker to be
set off . . . . . . . . 764
Answer to the foregoing petition by the selectmen
of South Hampton ....
Memorial of inhabitants of South Hampton
Petition in relation to a highway
relating to a Province tax
to be annexed to Newtown .
Petition for settling the line between South Hamp-
ton and Newtown ...... 775
765
767
772
773
774
STRATHAM.
(Originally a part of the Squamscott or Hilton's Point Patent.)
Petitions for a Township ...... 777
Petition to be set off into a Township . . . 778
Counter petition ....... 7S0
Petition of selectmen in relation to a meeting-house,
and of Jonathan Wiggin for a Ferry . . . 781
Summons to Richard Hilton, and Petition of Strat-
ham relating to divisions about a minister . . 7S2
Another petition relating to the same matter . . 7S4
SWANZEY.
(Called Lovjcr Ashuclot.)
Petition of WiUiam Sims, of Winchester — names . 7S5
TAUNTON.
(On West side of Connecticut River.)
Petition relating to No. i, or Taunton-town — names 7S7
GEXFRAL CONTEXTS. XXXV
WAKEFIELD.
Packs.
Petition for Incorporation 788
WARNER.
Petition of No. i, or Essex Almsbury, 1742 . . 789
Bounds — Meeting of Inhabitants — Petition for Incor-
poration, by Francis Davis .... 790
WEARE.
Petition of inhabitants of Hale's town, now VVeare —
names ........ 791
WENT WORTH.
List of those who had original Rights — names . 793
WESTMORELAND.
(Called Great Mcado-MS.)
Petition of Inhabitants ...... 793
WILTON.
(Called No. 2.)
Deed from Joseph Blanchard, Esq., 1749 . . . 794
Petition for Incorporation — names . . - . 797
of Nathan Hutchinson and Benj. Kenrick . 797, 798
WINCHESTER.
Petition for Incorporation ; Note relating to Dart-
mouth College 798
Petition for relief ....... 799
WINDHAM.
Petition of James Reid and William Parker . . 800
Incorporation of Windham as a Parish . . . S02
XXXVl GENERAL CONTENTS.
Pages.
Deposition of James Gilmore — Certificate . . 803
Petition in relation to an irregular town meeting —
names 804
Town votes ; Paper relating to an order of Court —
names ........ 806
Windham's Caveat against Methuen — names . . 807
Warrant for a town meeting ; votes, &c. . . . 808
Petition for an alteration in their Charter — names . 809
Petition against the proceedings of said meeting —
names . . . . . . . . 812
Deposition of Henry Sanders ; Certificate — names . 813
Town meetings ; votes, &c 814
Petition in relation to a disturbance in the Parish —
names 816
Answer of Selectmen to the foregoing petition . . 818
Deposition of Robert Hopkins ..... 819
Deposition of Samuel Barr, and Petition relating to a
Meeting-house — ^names ..... 820
Petition of Oliver Saunders ..... 822
Deposition of John Dinsmoor, &c. ; List of men in
Salem, formerly of Windham .... S23
WOLFEBOROUGH.
Petition for Incorporation ...... 824
ADDENDA.
TOWNS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FOREGOING PAGES, pp. 825-83O.
Alexandria ......... 825
Allenstown 825
Andover ......... 825
Antrim ......... 825
Barnstead . 825
Bath 825
Bradford 825
Bridgewater 825
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Brookline
Benton
Campton
Canaan
Candia
Centre-Harbour
Chatham
Claremont
Colebrook
Coventry
Danbury
East Kingston
Effingham
Ellsworth
Enfield
Errol .
Fitzwilliam
Gilford
Grafton
Gi-eenfield
Hancock
Haverhill
Hawke
Henniker
Keene .
Langdon
Lebanon
Lee
Lincoln
Loudon
Lyman
Manchester
Marlborough
Mason
Meredith
Middleton
Milford
Mont Vernon
Moultonborough
Nelson
New Chester
New Hampton
Newington .
New London
North Hampton
Northumberland
Pages.
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
826
8 26
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
827
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
GENERAL CONTEXTS.
Northwood
Orange
Plainfield
Poplin
Richmond
Sandown
Sandwich
Seabrook
Springfield
Stoddard
Stratford
Surry .
Sutton
Tarn worth
Temple
Thornton
Tuftonborou
Unity .
Walpole
Warren
Washington
Wendell
Whitefield
Wilmot
gh
Pages.
828
829
829
829
S29
829
829
829
S29
829
829
829
829
S29
829
829
830
830
830
830
830
830
830
S30
APPENDIX.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, pp. 83I-877.
Decl
Notes by the Editor .
List of Delegates to th
Constitution proposed in 1779
Plan of Government
Constitutional Convention, 17S1
gates ....
An Address of the Convention
Proposed Constitution — Part I. Bill of Rights
Form of Government, Part II
The Genei-al Court
Senate ....
S33
S34-837
837-838
83S-842
842-844
845-852
852-858
85S-877
859-860
860-863
GENERAL CONTENTS.
House of Representatives
Executive Power — Governor
Council .....
Secretary, Treasurer, Commissary General, County
Treasurer .....
Judiciary Power, Clerks
Delegates to Congress
Encouragement of Literature .
Oaths, Subscriptions, &c., &c.
Pages.
S63-S66
S66-S70
870
871
871-S72
872
S73
873-S77
Second Address of the Convention, 1782 . . . 877-8S2
The Bill of Rights— Note by the Editor ... 882
Constitution or Form of Government, Part II. . 8S3-895
Note by the Editor 895-S96
Constitution, as adopted, 1784
Fart I. Bill of Rights. [See Editor's Note.*]
Part 11. Form of Government .
896
896-903
903-919
ERRATA.
Page 3, Elijah " King" should be Thing.
Pages 63-75, '^he head-lines should be Bow, not "Boscawen."
Page 156, Aug. 29, 1772, should be 1722.
Page 319, head-line, "Gosport," should be Grantham.
Page 510, Hugh "Milson," should be Wilson.
Page 543, Thomas " Willet," should be Willey.
Page 551, Thomas " Rickere," should be Vickere.
Page 693, Note, '* General," should be "Geneal." and Hist. Reg.
Pages 722-729, head-lines should be Rochester, not "Rindge."
Page xli, Note, Hon Charles Doe, late Judge of the Supreme Judi-
cial Court, not "Superior."
* In the reference to Hon. Charles Doe, in this Note, it should read,
late Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court, not " Superior." Ed.
THE WHEELWRIGHT DEED.
THE WHEELWRIGHT DEED.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
On pages 56-60, Vol.1. Prov. Papers, the "Wheelwright Deed,"
as it is called, is printed in full. In a Note on that Deed, p. 56, the
Editor says, "That in the course of the following records particular
facts will be noted, that may enable readers to form an opinion respect-
ing the validity of the Deed." In this Volume, the Editor deems it
proper to state, in brief, the conclusion which he has himself reached
on that matter; — reserving his argument, in full, for publication in
some other form.
The conclusion which the Editor has reached from all the facts which
have come before him, is, that the said Deed is a forgery.
This Deed bears date, May 17, 1629, and purports to be a
conveyance by four Indian Sagamores, of a tract of land equal
to about forty miles square — between the Piscataqua and Mer-
rimack rivers — to John Wheelwright, " late of England, of
the Massachusetts Bay, and a minister of the Gospel," with
four associate grantees, " all of the Massachusetts Bay."
The following are among the proofs that said deed is a for-
gery:
I. Aside from this pretended Deed, we have no evidence
that the Rev. John Wheelwright was ever seen or heard of in
this country till his arrival. May 26, 1636 ; not one of the asso-
ciate grantees was here before that time ; and one of them.
William Wentworth, was a boy only fifteen years of age then,
at Alford, in England.
II. The settlement of "the Massachusetts Bay" proper
was not begun till more than a year after May, 1629, i. e.,
not till June, 1630.
III. The deed purports to be signed and sealed in the pres-
ence of two English witnesses, one of whom was certainly in
England on the nth of May, — six days previous — and the
other was on shipboard on the Atlantic Ocean, and did not
arrive in this country till June 29, 1629.
IV. Of the seven witnesses to the delivery of the deed, it is
certain that only one, Edward Hilton, was in this country at
that time ; and if he signed the deed, he signed away all his
right and title to the plantation on which he lived.
V. The above seven witnesses are said to be governors or
stewards of plantations, called Laconia, Sawco and Squams-
cott or Hilton's Point ; but not one of the said plantations was
granted till six or nine months after May, 1629.
VI. The deed purports to have been made by the Indians
" with a desire to have the English inhabit amongst them." But
THE WHEELWRIGHT DEED. xH
Passaconaway, the chief Sagamore, explicitly denies this, and
declares " he did all he could to prevent their settlement, and
fought against them."
VII. The date of the deed, May 17, 1629, proves to be the
Sabbath, and therefore false to the principles and character of
Rev. John Wheelwright.
Vltl. On April 3, 163S, John Wheelwright and his associ-
ates made an actual bona fide purchase, of Indians, at Squams-
cott — now Exeter — paid for the same and began a settlement;
— which is inconsistent with the pretence that he bought in
1629, paying twice for the same land.
IX. The deed of 1639 occupies three and a half octavo
pages, or one hundred and forty-two lines, while all the real
Indian deeds of that early period are no more than sixteen or
twenty-four lines ; and therefore it betrays itself as belonging to
a later period.
X. One condition or proviso in the deed is that the settle-
ment, when begun, should be under' "the government, laws
and order of the Massachusetts Bay." But John Wheelwright
came to Exeter, in 1638, as an exile, banished out of the terri-
tory and jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay, and immedi-
ately set up an independent government.
XI. The pretended deed of 1639 antedates the grant of New
Hampshire to Captain John Mason, which is dated Nov. 7,
1639; and the evident intent and object of the deed was to
head oft" a claim made by Thomas Allen, of title and possession,
founded on said grant to Mason ; the trial of which was be-
fore the Superior Court of New Hampshire, August 13, 1707.
Then, for the first time, was the pretended deed brought to
light — seventy-eight years after the date of it; and even then,
only a -'copy" of the pretended original was brought into
court. This '' copy," now on the files of the Superior Court,
at Exeter, is the only evidence that Dr. Belknap quotes for
the validity of the deed.* [See Prov. Papers of N. H., Vol.
II., pp. 533-538.]
* The first discovery and exposure of this forgery was made by the
late Hon. James Savage, of Boston, President of the Massachusetts
Historical Society, about 1S20: his views were re-affirmed, with addi-
tional evidence, by the late John Farmer, Esq., Corresponding Secre-
tary of the New Hampshire Historical Society, in 1S31. The opinion
above expressed by the Editor is the result of'an original investigation
of the facts that relate to the case. It is but just, however, to add,
that the late Samuel G. Drake, Esq., of Boston, maintained an oppo-
site opinion, as does also the Hon. Charles H. Bell, of Exeter [See
Winthrop's History of New England, 1853, Vol. I., App. H, pp. 486-
514; Farm. Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Vol. I., pp. 6-13;
brake's History of Boston, 1S56, pp. 56-60, notes.] Ed.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
EARLY TOWN PAPERS
VOLUME IX.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
The "Town Papers" contained in this volume are copied from
separate MSS. volumes, six in number, now in the office of the Secre-
tary of State. They were arranged by authority of the Legislature, by
the late John Farmer, Esq. The contents of each volume are copied
as arranged, with a very few exceptions, (in which an error was dis-
covered,) and are distinguished as labeled on the MSS. volumes bv the
towns which they severally include; e. g. Vol. I, "Acworth to Chi-
chester;" Vol. II, "Concord to Exeter," &c. In the General Cox-
texts also, the volumes are kept distinct. Ed.
VOLUME I.
ACWORTH TO CHICHESTER.
ACWORTH.
[This town was incorporated 19 September, 1766. An extension of its
Charter was granted 30 May, 1772.]
Memorial of Sampson Stoddard andyoii^ Blanchard.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'" Cap' General Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hamp' — the Hon'''*^ his ]Majestys Council for
said Province —
The Memorial of Sampson Stoddard & Jcjnathan Blanchard
for themselves & others part of the Grantees in the Town of
Acworth in said Province —
Humbly shews that your jSIemorialists have Done Some-
thing Very Considerable Towards Bringing forward the Set-
tlement thereof, have now a Considerable Number of Familys
well Settled there, have a Good Set of Mills there have Cut
2 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Cleaved & in a Great Me'asure well finish'd a Road thro' Said
Town Mark'' & Lay'd out by a Committee appointed by an
Act of the General Court ;
That it has not been in your Memorialists power Strictly to
fulfil the Several Conditions in Said Grant Stipulated That the
Time Limited in his Majestys Grant of Said Town for Doing
the Duty of Settlem* Expird the Last Month
Your'Memorlalists therefore pray that they may be Indulg'd
a Little While to Compleat the Settlem* afores"* & your Memo-
rialists as in Dut}' bound Shall Ever pray &c
Sampson Stoddard
Jon-' Blanch ard.
Petition fo7- the Extensiojt of the Charter of Acxvorth, \*]*]2,-
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Cap* Gene' Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of Hamp'' the Hon''''' his Majestys Council for
Said Province
The Petition of Jonathan Blanchard of Merrymac in Said
Province humbly shews —
That your Petitioner is Considerably Interested in the Town
of Acworth in Said Province under his Majestys Grant^thereof,
hath with Co' Sampson Stoddard been making Large Im-
provements there b}- Persons under them much to the emolu-
ment of Said Town That the Time Limited for Doing the
Duty Condition'' in the Grant aforesaid Expir'd the 19*'' Day
of September 1771, that a Number of the Origipal Grantees
have Neglected to Perform the Several Conditions in Said
Grant Express'' much to the prejudice of the Settlem' of Said
Town, Namely David MacGregore, James MacGregore,
Thomas Craige, James MacGregore Jun'' Alexand' Clark,
James Miltimmer, Jonathan Gilmore, Daniel Macfee, Robert
Adams, Ephraim Adams, Samuel French, Oliver Farwell,
Oliver Farwell Jun', Thomas Davis, the Rev'' Ebenezer
Bridge, Edward Goldstone Lutwyche, Samuel Wentworth
Esq'', Peter Levins Esq'', Col'' Jonathan Greeley, William
Symes, Maj"" John Wentworth, Wiseman Clagget Esq'', Sam-
uel Cumings & Robert Fletcher :
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly Prays that your Excel-
lencv & Honors woud Take the Premises into Consideration
Grant your Petitioner & his as'ciate Col'' Sampson Stoddard a
further Time to Compleat the Duty Enjoyn'd upon their Inter-
est which is Nearly Done & otherwise Dispose of the Delin-
quent Prop'" Interest & Shares to such of his INIajestys Good
Subjects as \Vill Eflcctually Settle & Cultivate the Same &
your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
JoN. Blanchard.
TOWN PAPERS ACWORTir. 3
Gov. Woiivjort/i's Warrant to inspect the Settlement in Acziort/i,
May, 1772.
Province of \ By his Excellency John Wentworth Esq" Captain
New Hampshire J General Governor i Command' in Chief in and over
His Majesty's Province aforesaid & vice Admiral of the same.
To Simeon Olcott Esq' Capt. Benjamin Church Esq" M'' Elijah King
and M'' Thomas Sparhawk, Greeting. —
Pursuant to an order of Council of 30"^ April ult" you, or any three
of you, are hereby authorized and Impowered to Survey and Inspect
the township of Acworth in this Province : and return into the Secre-
tary's ofTice, upon Oath, the exact State of Settlement & Cultivation
upon each Lot or Share therein, together with the number of F'amilies
& Settlers actually resident with the Roads and Buildings in said Town-
ship which Business you are desired to enter upon immediately, so as
to make your Return, as aforesaid, by or before the 25"' day of May Ins*-
for which this is your full and sufficient warrant.
Given under my hand at Portsmouth the First day of May in the
Twelfth year of His Majesty's Reign Annoque Domini 1772.
J'Wextwortii.
By his Excellency's Command
with advice of Council.
Theodore Atkinson Sec'?
Pursuant to the within warrant we y*^ subscribers have sur-
veyed and Inspected the Township of Acworth with the
Settlements Cultivation on each Lot or Share of Land therein,
and also the Families, Settlers Buildings & Roads in y ' same,
& find the State thereof as represented in- the Schedule hereto
annexed, and make return of y*^ same accordingly
SiMEox Olcott
Elijah Thing.
May y'^ i6"' 1773.
XEW HAMPSHIRE
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SETTLERS IN ACWOBTH.
FAMILIES AND 8ETTLEHS.
o
>5
S5
u
^^
«
H^
K
10
6
IS
2
10
5
1-2
+
11
+
12
G
11
5
11
2
9
5
1,1
a
U
2
u
;!
7
2
a
'J
•i
n
1
4
12
3
9
n
IS
H
5
5
5
«
U
7
n
7
12
7
12
1
11
()
9
0
7
5
ORIGINAL GBANTEE8.
EjJhraim Keyee
Wllliiim Keyes
D«an Cai-lton
Samuel Harper
Same
Capt. Henry Silsby. .
Same
Jonas Keyes
Samuel Smith
David Cross
Sam. Smith, junr
Elijah Parker
John Rogers
Same
Same
Edward Keyes
Joseph Chatterton. . .
James Pease
Robt. Davidson
Solomon Bigelow
William Farwell junr
Joel IMsrelow
Thos. Putnam
Same
Behuman Stebbins —
Jonathan Silsby
William Farwell
Fradric Keyes
Ephraim Keyes
Same
Joseph Webb
John Hardy
James Blauchard
Reuben Gould
William Pierce
David Burge
Ebenezer Gould
Samuel Thin^jf
Stephen Powars
Moses Eaiilerhrooks..
Augustus Bianchard.
Sand Barvon
Reuben Killecut
Benjamin French
Ye same
Oliver Farwell
Natbl Garfield
William Thompson
William Robie
Same
John Parker
William Stacy
Thos Bianchard
Sampu Stoddard, junr.
John Ryan
Samuel Th'n;^
Oliver Peirce
Jonathiin B'anchard ..
David Rrown
Sampn Stodda'-dEsqr.
James Rogers
1 & Bam
1
1
isB&s.mill
good I'd
The within is an exact State of ye settlement & Cultivation
on each Lot & Share of Land in ye Township of Acworth in
the Province of Nev/ Hampshire, with ye families & Setlers
therein and about four miles of the main Road leading from
Charlestown to Boscawen, at ye westerly End made passable
for Carriage and ye Remainder of ye same Road Cut about
one Rod wide and so far leveled that Carriages might pass
with Uificulty Also one other Road from ye said ISLun Road
to the Mills, about two Miles in length well made tS: fit for
Carriages, which with some few private Roads made passable
only for man & horse is all the Improvement & Cultivation we
could find in said Township : which is humbly submitted.
Pr SiMEOx Olcott
Elijah Thing.
Cheshire ss May iS"" 1772 Then Mr. Elijah Thing personally ap-
pearing made Oath to y" Truth of _V above Report by him Signed
before me
Si.MEOX Olcott Just' Pai"
TO.VX PAPEUS ALSTEAD. 5
ALSTEAD.
A True List of the Inhabiti-mts iio'V Settled in tJic To-vn
of A/stead, with their familys, and those that have begun to
settel, and single men, that have worked on their Land Viz :
Twenty five Families now Inhabiting in said Town, also
ten Single men, at work on their Land that are now resident
also nine men more that have been and made Considerable
Lnprovcment on their Land some of which have ten, twelve,
and some near twenty acres, under Improvement, and are all
coming into Town with their families in the Spring as soon as
the Season will admit of it, also Sundry Persons to the number
of Eight that have made Considerable Improvement on their
Land some have ten acres others near twenty and one about
Thirty acres imder Impro\'ement which are moved off and
Expect to have others on in their room directly. All which is
a True account of what is done Toward the Settelment of said
Town of Alstead. Taken by us the Subscribers this 23 day of
December 1771.
Samuel Chandler I s^l^^^,^^^^
JasoxWait Lf Alstead.
Oliver Siiepard J
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Captain General
and Commander in Chief in and over His Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire &c : and to the Honorable His
Majestys Council in said Province &c
The Plumble Petition of the Proprietors and Inhabitants of
the Township of Alsted in said Province Humbly Shcwcth
That whereas the Charter of said Alsted is out and thereby
some of the rights or Shares are become forfited : But we do
rely on Your Excellency and Plonors Clemency and Mercy
when you shall see the account of what Persons is already set-
tled and settling in said Town, and as by the Providence of
God our Crops has been for these four years past much short-
ened by frost Dearth and worms and the last year liy Blast
which has caused Provision to be very scarce, and as that
many of those People that Settle new Towns have but littel
money to help themselves with and as the Scarcity of Provision
has been such had People moved in much faster than what
they have they must have Suffered for want of Provision as it
could not have been Procured with money had they had it.
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that Your Excellencv
and Honors would take it into Your wise Consideration and if
Consistant with your Wisdom to Lengthen out the time to
those that have been Delinquent in doing their Duty would
take it as a great favour, If Your Excellency and Honors should
D NEW HAMPSHIRE
think it not Proper to Grant any further time to those Delin-
quent to do their Duty in we Your Petitioners the Inliabitants
pray that it may be Granted to us for our Children that have
endured the many Fatigues and Hardshi2:)S in bringing forward
the Settelment of Said Town, and Your Petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall ever pray
Jeneuary the 13"' 1772.
Jonathan Shepard Edward Waldo
Shubel Waldo Daniel Waldo
Samuel Chandler Gideon Delano
Jason Wait Elias Brown
Oliver Shepard Barnabas Delano
Andrew Beckwith Elijah Cone
Joseph Brown Philip Wordner
John Thomson
Those Names above Is What of the Inhabitants that has
signed & those below Is men that Live out of town that have
Land in s' District :
B. Bellows Jon*"! Chase
Joshua Hide James Richardson
Abishai Delano Moses Brown
AMHERST
[Amherst was granted by the Government of Massachusetts, 26 April,
1733, and was cafled Narraganset No. 3, which name was afterwards ex-
changed for Souhegan West, which it retained until the charter was
granted, 18 January, 1760, by Gov. B. Wentworth. It was not under
the government of New Hampshire until 1741, when the establishment
of the line separated it from Massachusetts. — Ed.]
PAPERS RELATING TO AMHERST (INCLUDING MONSON) .
Request of the Inhabitants of Souhegan West for a
stfitable Guard to defend them from the French & Indian
Etiemy^ i744*
Att a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Settlement or Plan-
tation, called Souhegan West in the Province of New Hamp-
shire at the house of Dan' Wilkins ye 16*'' of June 1744.
Unanimously agreed that Dan' Wilkins of this place in the
name and behalf of the Settlers here Represent to the Gov-
ernor and Council of New Hampshire our destressed Circum-
stance on account of our being Exposed to the French and
Indian Enemy our Low Condition & Inability to subsist here
unless a Suitable guard may be had to defend us when about
our work ; and that he make suitable application that these
things may Immediately be obtained.
witness to the vote
Solomon Hutchinson (i)
JONATIIxVN TaRBELL
John Vene.
(1 ) Mr. ITutcliinson was the first Town Clerk when Amherst was incorporated.
He died in Maine, at the age of 90 years.— Ed.
TOWN PAPERS AMHERST. 7
To his Exelency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Capt. General
and Governor in chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England the Honorable the Conn-
cil and House of Representatives in General Court con-
vened.
The Memorial or Petition of Dan' Wilkins in the name and
behalf of the Inhabitants of the Township or Plantation called
Souhcgan West No. 3 in the said Province —
Humbly sheweth the said Town has been settled by his
Majesties subjects about nine years and a Gospel Minister
ordained almost three years that the Settlers had an Eye at
enlarging his Majesties Dominions by going into the Wilder-
ness as well as at their own Interest, that some thousand of
pounds has been spent in clearing and cultevating the Land
there and vast sums in building Houses Barns & fences beside
much time and expence in building fortifications by his Excel-
ency the Governers order.
That the Breaking up the Settlement will not only ruin the
Memorialists but greatly dissei-\-e his Majesties Interest by
encouraging his Enemies to Encroach on his deserted Settle-
ments and be also hurtful to the Province by Contracting its
borders and drawing the war nearer the Capital :
That it was by a long and importunate Intercession of this
Province, (and not of the Memorialists Seeking) that tlicy are
cast under the immediate care of this Government which they
conceive give them so much the better Right to its protection :
That as war is already declared against France and a Rup-
ture with the Indians hourly expected your Memorialists unless
they have speedy help will soon be obliged to forsake their
Town how diser\'isable soever it may be to the Crown dishon-
orable to the Government hurtfull to the Province & ruinous to
themselves :
Wherefore,
Your Memorialists most humbly supplicate your Exelency
the honorable Council and House of Representatives to take
the premises into your wise and mature Consideration and to
grant them such seasonable relief as may enable them to sub-
sist in the war and secure against the Ravages and Devastation
of a blood thirsty and merciless Enemy and your Memorialists
as in duty bound will ever pray.
Dax' Wll.KlXS.
Dated at Portsmouth
June ye 22'' 1744.
8
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition for protection against the Indians, i747*
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Gov. &:c The
Hon. his Majest3-s Council & House of Representatives in
Generall Assembly Convened May 13"' 1747.
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the New
Plantation called Souhegan West Humbly She-veth That there
is Settled and now remains in this plantation thirty five fami-
lys in which is about Fifty eight men upwards of sixteen years
old. That when we began our Setlement, we apprehended no
Danger of Our ever being a frontior, there being at that time
so many above us begun and obligated to fullfiU the Conditions
of the Massachusetts Grants, which occasioned us to setle
scattering, only Regarding the Advantages of Good and Com-
pact farms. That the ditliculty of War happening so early on
our Settlements, and the Defenceless Condition they was in,
has oblidged tliem all viz : Petersborough Salem-Canada New
Boston & Hillsborough (so called) Intirely to drawofl'as well
as the Forts on Connecticut River left naked. Whereby we
are now left as much exposed as any of the Frontiers on ]Mer-
rimack River
That the First year of the present war we was Favoured
with a Scout from Thi* Province (which we Thankfully ac-
knowledge) and Salem-Canada with an other which was
Equally Serviceable to us Since that time, both Salem-
Canada and this Place has had a guard from the Massachusetts
till the Winter passed together with our Inhabitants keeping a
constant Scout (Tho much Impoverished thereby) That this
encouragement has occasioned our venturing here till now
That as we are now left without either Scout or Guard — Ap-
prehend we are in Imminent Danger, Yet Loath to yield
Ourselves Such an easy Prey to Our Enemies or Sutler Ruin
by leaving our Improvements wast, One W^hereof we have no
Reason to Think, but must unavoidably be our lot, unless this
Government Compassionately Grants us Protection.
Wherefore Your Petitioners most Humbly Pray that your
Excellency & Hon" would so far Comiserate our Present Dif-
ficult Circumstances as to Grant us so many Soldiers as your
Excellency & Hon'"^ may Judge of Necessity for Our Defence
and ycur Peti" as in Duty bound Shall Pray &c.
Daniel Wilkins William Howard
John Shepard Jacob Wellman
his his
Joseph X Wilkins David X Hartsorn
mark mark
Bcnj Cheevcr Andrew Bixbe
John Davis Andrew Seeton
James Cofren William Bradford
Samuel Walton Ebenezer EUinwood
William Peabodv Thomas Clark
TOWX PAPERS AMHERST, 9
Solomon Hutchinson John Seetown
Daniel Wilkins Jun"^ Ebenezer Lyon
Benjamin Cheever Jun"" Caleb Stiles.
Israel Towne
In Council May 13''' 1747 read & ordered to be sent Down to the
Hon'''^' House.
Theodore Atkinson Seci'.
Petition from Monson. ( i )
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Gov"" &c The
Honb his majes'tys Council & House of Rep''^^" in Gen"
Assembly convened May 13"' 1747-
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Alonson,
Hereunto Subscribers Humbly Shc-jcs That the Said town is
Lately begun to Setle & but about Fifteen Familys there.
That they are one of the Frontier Towns w^st of Merri-
mack River, & the most northerly One, already incorporated,
Lving Between Hollis & the New Plantation Called Souhegan
West.
That could we be assisted by Souldiers Such Competent
number as might Enable us to Defend our Selves Shall Chear-
fully Endeavour to Stay there by Which we Shall Serve as a
Barrier in part to Holies Merrimack and Dunstable.
That last year we was Favoured by Souldiers From the
Massachusetts, that Prevented Our Drawing oft'.
That Should the War be pursued by the Enem}' as vigor-
ously as Last year, (unless we are Favoured by some assistance
from Y" Government) We Humbly apprehend 'twoukl be too
great Presumption to venture our Selves & Familys there
That it will be very Ruinous to your Petitioners To leave
their Settlements & the Frontier Widned, k. for a Necessary
Defence will Require a Greater number of Souldiers than to
assist us there
Wherefore your Petitioners most Humbly Pray tliat your
Excellency & Hono" would be pleased to Take the Premises
into your Consideration & Grant us a Guard for two Garrisons
& a small Scout on Our Front Or Otherwise Releive us in the
Premises as in your Great Wisdom Shall Seem meet & y""
Pet'^ as in Duty bound .Shall ever Pray.
James Wheeler Abraham Leman
William Ncivens Thomas Neivens
William Colburn Benjamin Hopkins
Robert Colburn Isaac Farwell
Jonathan Taylor Stephen Haslton
Samuel Leman John Burns
Samuel Leman Jun'' Thomas Mordow
In Council May ij"" 1747 read & crdred to be Sent Doun to the
Hon'''" House.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
(l)Thc town of Monson lav adjacent to Amherst, and was afterwards incorporated
wilh it in part — Ed.
lO NEW HAMPSHIRE
TT ] ■ ., j-In the House of Representatives 15"' May 1747.
Voted That in answer to y" two annexed Petitions Viz : that of Sou-
hegan West & that of Monson, His Excellency be desired to give orders
for inlisting or impressing fifteen good executive men to Scout & guard
under proper oficer or oficers s" Souhegan West & Monson 'til j*
twentjeth of octC next if need be & that s'' men be shifted once a month.
D. Peirce Clk.
EQdm j)jg jn Coun'' read and Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Eo''"' Die Assented to '
B Wextworth.
Petition of JMonson^ for annexation^ t&c.
Province of New ") To His Excellency Benning Wcntworth
Hampshire j Esq Gov'' &c & To the Hon^"' His Majes-
tys Council the day of 1754-
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town
of Monson Plumblv Shezus
That there is a tract of Land of about the Contents of seven
Thousand acres Lying on the North of Monson and adjoyning
Included by the following Bounds, viz i, to begin at Monson
Northeast Corner and to Run North by the Town of Merry-
mac Two miles and the next Station to begin at the North
west Corner of Monson & to Extend north two miles and from
thence a Strait line to the end of the aforementioned Two
mile, and to Bound Southerly on Monson afores''. On Which
Sundry Familys are Settled & would be of accomodation &
Convenience to Monson to have them annexed and Incorpo-
rated with Monson and would with that addition make it but
about five miles and an half in Breadth one place with the
other that Sundry of the Inhabitants of the s' Tract hath
together with this Petitioned your Excellency & Honors to be
annexed and Incorporated with us. (And as we apprehend
would be of Great Convenience to them, & help to us.)
Wherefore we most Humbly Pray that your Excellency and
Hon" would be pleased to annex and Incorporate the s' Tract
with the Inhabitants Thereon to the town of Monson & your
Pet" as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray
Bexjamix Hopkixs ")
Robert Colburn > Selectmen.
Benjamin Farley )
Elisha Tov>-ne William Colborn Jun
William Neuens Ebenezer Ball
Benjamin Kenrick Williftm Colborn
Secur Farwell John Burns
Thomas Neucns Josiah Crosby
James Whelcr Nathan Hutchinson
Thomas Powers Benjamin Hopkins Junr.
Thomas Woolley
few more that has not sin'd
TOWN' PAPERS AMHERST. I I
Petition of j\/onso?i to be exempt from taxes.
Province of New | To His Excellency Benning Wcntworth
Hampshire j Esqr Gov"" &c. the Hon'*-" his !Majcstys
Councill & House of Repres'*^^ Convened In Gen" Assembly
Humbly Shews The Pet" of the Inhabitants of Monson
That Whereas they Have Reed a late Order to render into the
Secretarys OfHce an Invoice of their poles & estates in order
for apportioning the taxes Which we have done, and Woud
Further beg leave to Remonstrate Our Infoncy & Inability to
bear any part of the publick Charge at present.
That there is but thirty six poles in the Whole, Severall of
them transiently hired for a short space to Labour or other-
ways there without any Estate : but twenty one Houses Cheifly
Small Cottages only for a present Shelter the Charge of
Building yet to Come on.
Tliat they are all plain men Dwelling in these tents. Hus-
bandry their Employment their Improvements very small,
their Lands yet to Subdue. The Progress much Retarded by
their Necessity to work out of town the prime of the year or
at Other Business to procure provision Tho the town is part
of Old Dunstable it has always till now bin a frontier and
Remained a totall Wilderness till within a few years the
Owners under no Injunction of Settlement the Land very
antiontly Granted to Gent^ in farms, & part of the Divisions
of Dunstable Comon who still hold the Greatest part and
Continue unimproved by Which means the few setlers are
scattered all ab' the town much Labour has & must be spent
in Opening and making Roads & Bridges Causes &c that are
of Present Necessity, a burthen of it self too Heavy for the
Strength of the small weak nomber that is there, in the late
war at the expence of Garisoning Scouting & Defending
themselves Besides many Other charges they have & must go
thro so therefore apprehend themselves utterly unable to Bear
any part of the publick taxes as yet, but hope their Small
Beginiag in time may become usefull if they may be nurssd &
favoured now In their Infancy
Wherefore your Pef' Humbly pray that they may be Con-
sidered in this their Infont & Chargable State & that they may
not be taxed, till they are of ability to go thro their own neces-
sary charge and when that shall be they will Chearfully
Contribute according to their Power & shnll ever pray &c
In behalf of y" Inhabitants
Bexj'" Hopkins ") Selectmen
Robert Colbl'un j of Monson.
ProV N Hamp' April 25 1753.
The within Petition read & ordered to be Sent Down to the Ilonb'"
House of representatives.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
12 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition for an7tcxation.
Province of ] To His Excellency Benning Wentwoith Esqr
New Hamp j Governour &c the Honorable his Majestys Coun-
cil
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of a tract of
Land north of and adjoining to Monson Lying with no Incor-
poration of any town or District Humbly Shews —
That the Town of Monson in this Province is situated in
Length East & West near eight miles & in Breth but about
four miles & is Bounded on the Northerly Side by Souhegan
River Both Sides of Which River is in the General Fruitfull
& Profitable Land for Corn and Grass
That if the Limits of the Town of Monson afores'' Were
Inlarged on the North so as to add & Include the Following
tract viz, to begin at the Northeast Corner of Monson on
Sowhegan River & extend North by the line of Merrymac
Two Miles, & to begin the next Station at the Northwest cor-
ner of Monson afors' & to Run thence North two miles and
strait line from thence to the two mil's end first menshioned
and to Bound to the old Bounds of Monson Which will be an
addition of about seven thousand acres and v/ill Make the Said
town of Monson In the Genereal about five miles & an half In
Bredth.
That the said River is Small and many Bridges are New
and must Continue to be kept in Repair so that the Said River
is of no 111 convenience to the uniting the Incorporation as
afors'' & will be for the Accomodation of Monson ; Severall of
us has for many years ben Settled there & at Heavy Expence
made Our Improvements
That we have not had the benefit of any Incorporation in
any Town, nor see any Present Prospect unless wee are anexed
to Monson
That Monson then will be upwards of seven Miles the North
Line and Lands to the North of them not Incorporated, so that
it Can be noPredjiduce to any Incorporation of any number of
people for the Future the Land Generealy alike and Chiefly
Good.
Wherefore your Petition" most Humbly Pray That your
Excellency & Hon" woud take ye premises into Consideration
and be pleased to annex & Incorporate the tract afore^'' with
the Inhabitants to Monson as one Corporate Town & your
Petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
John Shepard William Peabody
Andrew Bradford Israel Towne
his Thomas Williams
Achelaus x Wilkins Richard Gould
mark John Edmonds
John E\crsden Edward Beming?
John Hutchinson
Edward Beming (?) junr
TOWN PAPERS — AMIIEUST. 13
Petition of Atnhcrst for an extension of its CJiarlcr 1761.
To His Exelency Bening Wentworth Esq' Governor in chief
in and over His Majesties Province of New Haaip.>hi'e and
to the Honorable the Coiinsell.
The Memorial of us the Subscribers the Select Men of the
Town of Amherst in the Province aforesaid. Humbly shew-
eth that we with the Lowest Submission Sollicitously pray
that vour Exelency and Honours would leng'Lhcu out the life
of the Charter of our Town and we doubt not but your Ex-
elency and Honours in your Great wisdom & Clemency will
do it during the Kings pleasure and so your Memorial sl.s as in
Duty bound will ever jDray.
Reuben Mussey ~\ Sc'.ccimen
Tho'' Wakefield )- in behalf of
William Peabody 3 the Town.
Amherst Dec' y* \
15th 1761. ;
N. B. We the Subscribers vSelect men of the Town of Am-
herst Nominate and appoint Col. John Goss Esqr to represent
to his Exelency the Governor and the Honorable Connsil our
Memorial above specified to prolong our Town Charier.
Province of) To the Gentlemen of the House of Representatives for
New Hamp j said Province —
There was a vote in the House of Representai.ivcs January
28'-' 1 761 That the Selectmen of the Oldest adjoining Town
to anv Town Parish or District where no Select men were
should take Inventory of such Town &c and be paid by the
Province Pursuant thereto We took Inventory of Lyndebor-
ough and sent the same to the Sec''- as Directed by the afore-
said vote — The taking of which Inventory took us Two Days
of hard Service (there being Considerable of Snow on the
Ground at the time when we were obliged to do it) And
there is Justly Due to Each of us New Ten'' one Pound Ten
Shillings per day To' £9:0:0 which we doubt not but you
will Immediately Grant & allow.
Decem' 30"' 1762. William Peabody"^ Selectmen
Robert Read [- of
Jx ' SiiEPARD junr 3 Amlierst.
Province of \ In the house of Representatives Jan'y 20'' 1763.
New Ihimps J This Ac'ct being Read
Voted that there be allowed nine pound new Tenor, and paid to Se-
lectmen of Amherst or their order Out of money in the Treasury for
Contingances.
A Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concur'd
T Atkinson junr Secry
Consented to B Wextwortii.
14 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Memorandum of some proposals for an Accommodation Be-
tween the Selectmen of Monson & Amherst Viz. the Town
of Amherst to take or have Annexed the following extent or
part of Monson Namely begining at the Northeast Corner of
Monson & Running Southerly on the East Line of said Mon-
son Two miles then Running a Line paralell with the North
Line of Amherst to the west line of Monson Then northerly
on the westerly line of said Monson to the northwest corner
thereof Provided the Town of Holies will take or have an-
nexed the residue of said Monson.
April y* 20th 1763. We the subscribers consent to the
above proposal
Benj^ Kenrick "] Selectmen
Daniel Kenrick \ of
JosiAii Crosby j ISIonson
Holies April 28"' 1763
Samuel Cumings ~\ Selectmen Robert Reed ] Selectmen
Francis Worcester \ of Samuel Stenard I
Stephen Webster J Holies Tho' Wakefield - of
Daniel Campbell |
Jn" Shepard jun'' J Amherst
Letter of Rev. Daniel WiUcins of A?nherst relating to a
Shire town in the proposed division of the Province into
Counties.
I Oct. 1767.
To the Hon''''^^ George Jaffery Esq'' in Portsmouth
Hon'i ^ De^^r gj.
After due salutation, I beg leave to inform your Hon'' that
the proposal of the General Court that Merrimack be the Shire
Town of the County on the West side of Merrimac River
has raised a general uneasiness throughout the whole County
evin many thinking men in Merrimac itself (as I have been
credibly informed) are well satisfied that if the Proposal be es-
tablished it will be greatly to the Town Damage in general, as
they are small in Number, consisting of seventy odd Families
no more and them exceeding much scattered and many of the
number on New Places and no ways accommodated to enter-
tain a Court especially with ILay & Pastoriiig, neither do they
ever expect to be well accommodated with the Primeses as
great Part of their Land is poor and clothed with shrubs the
uneasiness of the People arises from the said Proposals not
being for Amherst rather than Merrimack Not only as Am-
herst has l)een talked of for a Shire Town evin from Its Infancy
thereby fixing the minds of tlie People upon it, but for its sit-
uation Nearer the Hart of the County so that many Towns can
come from Home in the Morninu- and return Home in the
TOWN PAPERS — AMHERST. O
Evining that cant possibly do the like if the Court be at Mer-
rimac, and thereby save a great deal of Charge to poor People
and now S'' I beg leave to give a Discription of Amherst in a
few Words: It is Situate about Eight ^Miles from ^Mr Lut-
wvtche's Ferrv on Merrimac River the contents of which is
about six miles Square containing about one Hundred and
sixty Famelies and accommodated according to men of tlie
best Judgment to settle an Hundred Families at least, more
than is already settled, and near an Hundred of them good
Country Farms Well accommodated with fields and Pastures
and chiefly all good Husbands the Middle of the Town pleas-
antlv situated, a good coach Road to it from the Eastward and
Southern Parts of the Province and all Roads centering there
The People in general knowing the situation and accommoda-
tions of Amherst to entertain tlie Court suppose that the Gen-
eral Courts proposal for Merrimack sprung from a mis-Repre-
sentation.
The occasion of these lines to your Hon"" was the cries of the
People and to beg leave to subscribe your humble sen-t.
Daniel Wilkixs.
Amherst Oct y^ i'' 1767.
P : S : S"" I must beg leave to tell your Plon^ that ]Mr. Wil-
lard a son of Coll Willard of Winchester and one Mr. Hall
was at my House the Last Evening as agent for Keen and
other towns towards the great River to desire that the Shire
Town might be x\mherst and likewise that there is a general
uneasiness of its being at Merrimack and also Walepole as that
every town save two would be greatly Discommoded if the
Court was had at Walepole and not at Keen and also beg the
favour of its being established at Keen as Keen will much best
commode the People in General or at least that his Exelency
with your Hon" would grant them Liberty to bring Down the
minds of the People.
D. : W
Vote of Monson for a Divisiou^ <&c.
Province of ")
New Hampshire. /
At a Legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Monson
in said Province held on monday the ninth day of april 1770
Voted that Nathan Hutchinson and Will'" Nevins be a Com-
mittee to petition the Governor and Counsil of said Province
for the following Division of the Town of Monson viz. Be-
gining att the northeast Corner of ]Monson then extending
South by the Town of merrimac two miles then dew West to
the West line of said monson then North to Souhegan River
then down Said River to the Bounds first mentioned to be an-
jg NEW HAMPSHIRE
nexed to Amherst and the Remainder of said Town to Hollis.
Benj^^ Kexkick Town Llarlc
Copy Attest Benj^^ Kenrick Town Clark
Petition for a Division and Annexation.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq-" Cap' General and
Comander in Chief in & over his Majcstys Provmce of New
Hampshire and To the Honorable his Majestys Council ot
said Province
The Subscribers being a Committee duly appointed by the
Inhabitants of the Town of Monson in said Provmce to i eti-
tion your Excellency and Honors to divide said 1 own of Monson
as hereinafterwards Expressed viz: Begining att the North
East Corner of Monson then Extendmg South by the Town ot
Merrimac two miles then dew West to the \yest Ime of said
Monson then North to Souhegan River then down said River
to the bounds first mentioned to be annexed to Amherst and
the Remainder of said Town to Hollis Humbly beg leave to
sugo-est that the Lands in and about the Center of said Monson
is so very poor Baron Brooken and uneaven as cannot admit ot
many Settlers so that those Families that are in Town are al-
most^ all planted in the Extreem parts of it We therefore
conceive that if a Division were made as above mentioned tne
Interest and good of the people in it would be much promoted
thereby Especially as we have no prospect of ever building a
Meeting House in the Center or else where any ways to ac-
comodcrte us bv which difficulties we think the Gosple will
not be settled among us while in the present Situation we
therefore pray that the above Division may be made and we as
in Duty bound will pray
- Nathan Hutchinson
William Nevens.
Petition to be disannrxed from Amherst.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq^ Captain General
Governor and Commander in chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, And the Honorable his
Majestys Councill.
The Peti'don of the Subscribers, being Inhabitants of the
Southwardly part of Amherst in said Province most Humbly
sheweth. . -i • i ^u /'k,.
That the town of Amherst is about nine miles m length (bv
reason that about half the Town of Monson was ot late an-
nexed to it) and is capable of being Divided into two Imyns
or Parishes, without Prejudice to or Spoiling the same ; i hat
many of the Subscribers live in that part ot Amherst, which
TOWX PAPERS AMHICllST. 1 7
was lately Monson, & our being annexed to said Amherst was
contrary to our desire &; Interest ; that wc are so remote from
the Center of Amherst, that it is (& ever will be) with great
Expence inconvenience Sc difficulty to us and our Families, to
attend publick worship, by reason of the distance. That many
of our Estates are not so valuable by reason of our being an-
nexed to Amherst, for before that, our Situation was nigh the
Centre of Monson, & on that account purchased our Land, at
a dear rate, & Monson being Annihilated, our Situation (many
of them) is now more inconvenient than before, unless we can
obtain your Excellency's, & Honors Interposition.
Wherefore we humbly Pray, that your Excellency and
Honors would set us off from said Amherst, and Invest us
with Town Priviledges, by the following Bounds & lines, viz,
beginning at the Southwest Corner of what was formerly Am-
herst, thence Northwardly by the west line of Amherst one
mile and an half, Thence East untill it comes to the East
line of the Town of Amherst. Thence Southwardly by said
East line of Amherst untill it comes to the North line of the
Town of Holies, Thence Westwardly by the Noi'th line of the
Town of Holies, untill it comes to the North west corner
thereof. Thence Northwardly, by the West line of said Am-
herst untill it comes to the Bound first mentioned, or Grant us
any other Relief, that your Excellency & Honors, in your
Wisdom & Goodness shall Judge most convenient, & your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Amherst Jan'y 26'" 1771.
Benjamin Hopkins James Hopkins
William Wallace Stejihen Williams
Benjamin Hopkins jun'' Gardner Gowen
Joseph Gould William Jones Jr
John Burns junr Nathan Tuttle
Ebenezer Hopkins Benjamin Jones
George Burns Joseph Farnum
Richard Gould John Burns
Caleb Jons Jonathan Towne
Thomas Towne Amos Whittemore
Abner Hutchinson David Duncklee
Robert Parker Josiah Burroughs Jun
William Taylor Isaac How jun
Jonathan Button Jonathan Grimes
Isaac Powers Bartholomew Towne
rctition of Amherst agaiust the division of the town.
Filed Feb 4"' 1771
1771 To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain
General Governor &c. of the Province of New Hamp-
shire— And to the Honorable His Majesty's Council of
said Prorince
The Subscribers Inhabitants of Amherst in said Province.
2
15 XEW HAMPSHIRE
Humbly Shew that for more than twenty years last past a
Number of persons living on those Lands lately known by the
Name of Monson, but more lately Joined to said Amherst not
having a Minister settled among them, nor accommodations
sufficient for that purpose (as they said) very constantly at-
tended the worship of God with us in said Amherst not Doing
anything Avith us towards our Meeting House nor towards the
Support of our minister except some Small private Donations
made to our minister. However they Repeatedly Requested
our Town to Consent to Receive them. Promising to meet at
any place that the maj"' part of the People should fix to Build a
House on, whereupon our Town after Repeated SoUicitashons
to Receive them gave their Consent — And your Exellency &
Honors some time in July last saw fit to Aggregate about one
half of said Monson To said Amherst, soon after our Town
Saw it necessary to Build a Meeting House and voted to Do it
(our Present Meeting House being Small and insufficient for
the old Town & said new Addition) the most of the People of
the New Addition were present some voted in the Aftermative
some in the Negative, but they began to think that the Charter
Subjected them to the same Duties with us of the old Town,
that they must Defrey some part of the Charge in Building and
so forth and not only so but must Do something towards sup-
porting our minister, these Reflections aflected some of them
very Sensibly ; they had not been acquainted with anything of
the kind, they were Ready to Construe it as a Degree of Per-
secution & the like. And to Remedy this evil they are about
Petitioning to have our Town as it now lyes Divided into two
Parishes which we think cannot be Done without a manifest
Injury to more than three Qiiarters of the Town, a very con-
siderable Qiiantity of Land in our Town is barron and Poor
and will not admit of two Parishes ; besides it lyes in Such a
Situation by reason of a River & Hills that the whole of the
People may more conveniently meet at one Place, the place
Pitched upon than at any two Places in the Town (of which
the Gentlemen that Exhibit this will inform,) we would only
add that if the Town is made into two Parishes it will tend
very much to the Ruin of our minis'' Therefore pray that if
sucli tlieir Petition should be prefered the prayer thereof may
not be granted And y'' Petitioners as in Duty bound will Pray.
Benj" Taylor Daniel Wilkins y« 3d
John Davis Jacob Ilildreth
John Smith Isaac Weston
Will'" Walton David Ilildreth
Jonathan Lamson Nathan Kendal
Ephraim Ilildreth James Clark
Jacob Curtice John Secombe
Daniel Campbel Hez'' Lovejoy
Benj* Shepard Amos Flint '
TOWN PAPERS AMHERST.
19
John Burns
fohn Wilkins
Jn" Shepard jun'
Israel Towne
Enos Upton
Enos Bradford
Sam' Stuart
Eze' Holt
Je'' Cuinings
Benj* Ellinwood
Reuben D Mussey
Benjamin Clark
Stephen Peabody
Thomas Avarel
Thomas Avarel Junr
Jedediah Ellinwood
John Hartshorn
Jacob Standly
Isaac How
Eben^ Holt Jun''
Reuben Mussey
Francis Lovejoy
Nathan Fuller
Amos Green
John Washer
Stephen Washer
Bray Wilsen
Amos Truel
David True!
John Shepard
Hezekiah Duncklee
Joseph Duncklee
Robert Read
Moses Nichols
Jonathan Wilkins
Joseph Lovejov
Jn" Averil
Timothy Mackintire
James Woodbury
Peter Woodbury
Joshua Abbott
Acha' Towne
W"' Bradford
James Seetowne
Hugh Ross
Joseph Small
John Michell
Sam Wilkins
Sam Lamson
Asa Farnum
Moses Towne
Eben Ellinwood J''
Rolandson Ellinwood
W"' Small
Josiah Kidder
Ebenezer Weston
Sam' Dodge
Kendal Boutwell
David Williams
John Steward
James Gage
Samuel Lamson Junr.
John m'Clenche?
Benj" Wilkins
Nathan Phelps
Francis Eliot
Thos. Carlton
James Hartshorn
George Wiley
Ebenezer Holt
Reuben Holt
Will'" Steward
Will"' Melendy
Tho^ Wakefield
Joseph Bouttell
Benj" Davis
Tho' Clark
Jonathan Small
Andrew Bixebe
Samuel McKeen
Nahum Baldwing
Andrew Davis
Elisha Felton
Joseph Ellinwood
James Cochren
Joseph Bouttel
Reuben Bouttel
Thomas Bouttel
Amos Bouttel
Jonathan Lund
Simson Steward
Sam' Stearns
Timothy Smith
W-n Odell
John Dunckle'
Joseph Prince
Moses Walton
John Seetown
Josiah (?) Petingill
Benj ' Kenrick
Eben'' Ellinwood 3d
Eben'' Ellinwood
Bart'' Dodge
Thomson Maxwell
Timothy Nichols
Peter Goss
David Hartshorn
William Hogg
John Hartshorn
127 Signers
20 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Vote of Amherst Relative to JMonson April \o 1766.
At a Legal Meeting of the Town of Amherst in the Province
of New Hampshire Held on the Tenth day of April A. D.
1766,
Voted that the following part of the Town of Ivlonson, with
the People thereon, may be annexed or joined to this Town,
and enjoy all Priviledges and imunities in comon with the same
viz Begining at the Northeast Corner of said Monson from
thence South by the Town of Merrymack two Miles from
thence due West to the West Line of said Monson, then
North to Souhegan River so called, then Down said River to
the bounds first mentioned. Upon the following Condition
and not otherwise, that is to say they the People of said Mon-
son to be at the Expence of Geting the Thing Done
John Shepard jun. Town Clerk.
Copy Attest John ShejDard jun Town Clerk
Petition of yon. Shepard J7(nr in behalf of A^mhcrst
yan 26, 1 77 1.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Capt. Gen' Gov-
ernor &c of the Province of New Hampshire To the Hon-
ourable his Majestys Council of said Province.
The Selectmen of Amherst in the same Province, Beg leave
to inform your Excellency and Hon" that a Number of those
persons that Inhabit those Lands formerly Called Monson but
lately joined to said Amherst have lately signified their inten-
tion of Prefering a Petition to your Excellency & Honors, in
which they should pray to have said Amherst Laid into two
parrishes And some of them are so Sanguine about it as to
suppose the thing may be Done at first asking without Noti-
fying the Town of it, if so it must be submitted to, but the
Petitioners are Humbly of Opinion that such a iDroceedure
must be very Detrimental to by far the greater part, even more
than two thirds of the People, and being bound to think that
your Excellency & Hon" cannot be prevailed with to do any
thing Tending to hurt the Civil and Religious Polity of any
Licorporation Therefore in behalf of said Town Pray that if
such their petition should be prcfered as aforesaid that previous
to granting the Prayer thereof The people of said Amherst
may be Notified and heard thereon And your Petitioners will
Pray By Desire of said Selectmen.
Dated 26''' January 1771.
John Shepard Jun Town Clerk.
TOWN PAPERS AMIIKUST. 21
Petition for a Road J^rom CJiarlcstown to A/n/wrst 1773.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over His Majestys Province of New
Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same
To tlie Hon''' His Majesties Council, and to the Hon^''' His
Majesties House of Representatives In General Assembly
Convened
The Petition of Jotham IJlancliard In Behalf of Himself
Reuben Kidder Esq' and Others Humbly Sheweth that your
Petitioners are at great Inconvenience as to roads from Charles-
town (in said Province) to this Metropolis, that Your Petition-
ers Humbly Conceive a Road mav be made from Charlcstown
Through the Towns of Acworth, Lemster Campden Monad-
nock number seven to that Tract of Land known by the name
of ^Masons Proprietors Reservation, or Society Land, that the
same road maybe Continued toPetersborough, «& Lyndsborough
to Amherst where there is sufficient roads to any Part of this
or the neighboring Governments, and your Petitioners Pray
Your Excellency and Honours to Cause an act of said Province
to be made and Passed, for the said road to be surveyed alid
made Passable Through said Town in the most direct manner
Possible and that Your Excellency and Honours would ap-
point a Committee of Two or more Men Capable of surveying
and making said Road at the Cost and Charge of the Proprie-
tors that owns and Holds the Land in the said Towns, and that,
shoud those Proprietors Refuse to pay said Cost and Charge
that the Lands within said Towns may be subject to be sold in
such Proportion as may pay the same or in some other way
which may appear to Your Excellency and Honours to be most
Conducive to the facilitating the Settlement of those New
Towns which are in their Infancy as to their settlements, and
Pray that Your Excellency and Honours To Take the forgoing
Petition into Your Wise Consideration and Grant such Relief
as Your Excellency and Honours in Your Great Wisdom shall
think Best and Your Petitioners shall ever Pray.
JoT]IAM BlAXCHARD.
May 13'^' 1773.
Petition of the County of Hillsborough i774-
To the Hon'''<= The Justices of His Majestys Court of General
Sessions of the Peace Holden at Amherst within and for said
County on the 17"' Day of August A D 1773 by adjourn-
ment from the first Thursday next following the first Tuesday
of July 1773—
The Petition of us tlie Subscribers Freeholders of the Respec-
tive Towns of Amherst, llollis. New Ipswich. Nottingham
22 NEW HAMPSHIRE
West, Dunstable, Litchfield, Merrymac, Bedfoi'd, Derryfield,
Goftcs Town, Dunbarton, Hopkinton, Weare, Mason, New
Boston, Lyndsborough, Wilton, Temple, Peterborough, Bos-
cawen, Salisbury and Hennikar all in said County which said
Petitioners are Agents Legally Chosen and Constituted for the
said Towns, Whereof they are Freeholders and Inhabitants
Humbly Shews That in the Month of Septem'' 1772. an ac-
tion was brought by John Holland of Amherst aforesaid
Yeoman (a Deputy Sheriff for said County) against one Joseph
Kelley of Nottingham West in said County- Gentlemen. Re-
turnable at the then next Inferior Court of Common i'leas to
be Holden at Amherst aforesaid for said County in October
A D 1772 who for want of Bail was Committed to his Majes-
ty's Goal at Amherst aforesaid That the said Inf "" Court action
came on to be tryed at Ocf Court aforesaid at Amherst, and
the said Kelly then a prisener Moved by One Air. Stephen
Searles his attorney that he might either have Liberty to be
present at the Tr^^al of that Cause and some others then and
there pending wherein he the said Kelley was a party, or that
said Causes might be Continued until he could be present.
Notwithstanding which their Honours the Justices of the
said Inf Court Ordered tlie said Kelly to be Defaulted, and
enter'd Judgment against him in favor of said Holland for the
sum of £83 Lawful Money or thereabouts, Damages & Costs,
and the said Kelley being confind in said Goal by Virtue of a
Writ Issuing out of s*^ Court was under the protection of the
same That to call him Out without giving him the power of
being present was Requiring an Impossibility and that the said
Cause ought to have been Continued by the said Court officially.
That on the 14*'' Day of October a D 1772 said Kelly with
one John Thom who was confined in said Goal for Debt, made
their Escape out of said Goal
That this Hon*^'*^ Court at their adjournment in June last
upon application by s'd Holland, made a Grant to him of £83
Lawful Money or thereabouts for s'd Judgment Obtained as
aforesaid as your Petitioners Humbly conceived to be paid out
of the Monies of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of s'd
County That s'd Kelly before the s'd 14* Day of October
had nearly Eflected his Escape That the Sherifi' of said
County accepted of a Guard (Order'd by this Hon'''' Court)
for the greater safety of the Prisoners that he had from time to
time placed a guard as your Petitioners are informed Dismissed
s^ Guard on the evening of the 13'^ of the s^ October.
That your Petitioners are Likewise informed that s'^ Kelly
frequently gave out that he Intended to make his Escape on
the s'* 14"* Day of October.
That your Petitioners apprehend that the s'' Sherift'was very
negligent of his Duty not attending th^Goal himself, and suf-
TOWN PAPERS AMHERST. 23
fering all his Deputvs & Servants to be out of Town on s '
Day.
That the Towns your Petitioners have the Honour to Repre-
sent with the lesser Ones, have very cheerfully borne the charges
& Expenses of the County afors'' hitherto ; which have amounted
to Divers Large Sums of Money, and are still willing to bear
the Necessary Charges & Expenses of s'' County and even for
the Escaped aforesaid, were they not apprehensive that some
unfaithfulness or undue Practice was the sole cause of said
Escape.
That the good and Wholesome Laws of this Province give
to AP Holland and other Claimants other good Remedvs for
Recovering their Demands without Burthening the County,
Wherefore Your Petitioners as Agents for the several Towns
afores'd which make the greatest part of the County aforesaid
Plumbly Pray that your Ilonours would suffer your Petitioners
to State with Evidence the Notorious Facts before hinted at,
and be heard by Council on the Premises — And that youi
Hon"^ will be pleased to reconsider the Grant aforesaid made
to s'd Holland and direct the Treasurer of s'd County not to
pay the Same and be Tendcd{ ?) of making further Grants on
account of s*^ Kelley & Thorns Escape — and your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Amherst aug*' loth 1773
Dtnid^Campbell } Committee from Amherst
William Xevens "j
Nath' Ball |- Committee from Holies
Elnathan Blood J
Isaac How "I ^ -^^ c t • 1
Tim'^ Farrar / Committee from Ipswich
Abraham Pasre "I ^ -^^ r -kt ^^- , ■..r .
Nehemiah Il^dley | Committee from Xottingh. West
James Blanchard "j
Jon* Lovewell V Committee from Dunstable
Joseph Whiting )
John Parker ) ^^ .,, ^ t •. i /- i j
Daniel Kendall | Committee from Litchfield
Jon. Blanchard 1
fohn Xeal > Committee from Merrvmac
William Alld j
James Martin Committee Man from Bedford
James McCalley Committee Derryfield
lio^el Lrtt"e}^°'^'^'"^"' ^'■"'" ^"'^'^ '^°""
Caleb Page Committee from Dunbarton
Stephen Harritnan ) ^ -..^ c n 1 • .
z-i • .. u /- u ^Committee from Hopkinton
Christopher Gould j *
Ton" Dow ) ^^ .^. c -.,,
Samuel Philbrick K^'"'"'"^'^ '^^°'" ^^^'^''^
24 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Abijah Allen
David Blodgett }■ Committee from Mason
Reuben llosme
Archibald McMillan ") ^ ■.. r xt t> ^
James Caldwell | Co'"'^>"ee from New Boston
John Stephenson ") ^ •.. /• t j i
Nath' Phelns 1 ^oi"'"ittee from Lyndsborough
Jon" Martin I Chosen by the Major part of the Freeholders
William Abbott Jr J of Wilton
&ud 'iSwaid } Committee from Temple
William Smith! ^ -^^ r r, ^ ,
John Young | Committee from Peterborough
Henry Gerrish ") ^ .^^ ^ „
Peter Kimball | Committee from Boscawen
Jonas Bowman Committee from Hennikar
Ebenezer Webster! ^ v^ r c i- i
Joseph Bean | Committee for Salisbury
Copy Attest
J. Holland.
Aug y" iS"' AD 1773 at his Majestys Court of General Ses-
sions of the Peace held by adjournment the Qiiestion was put
whether the Court would Issue an order to the treasurer to
revoke the former order and it passed in the Negative Ordered
therefore that the petition be Dismissed.
Copy Attest J. Holland.
This Petition is Dismiss'd.
Petit io7i 7'elathig to Monsoyi.
To the Honerable Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convein'd for the State of New Hampshire
the second Tuesday of June 1782.
The Petition of the subscribers Humbly She^vs
That your Petitioners Inhabitants on a tract of Land Lying
between Sowhegan River and the town of Hollis (according
to its first Charter) which tract was once incorperated into a
Township by the name of Monson but at the time such incor-
pation took place, the inhabitants thereof were but few in
number and unable then to Suport the Charge of a town and
Comonly attended public Worship at Hollis and Amherst.
That about the year 1770 a proposal was set on Foot for
Monson to be devided and by new Charters anexed to the said
towns, but notwithstanding the same was considerably opposed
by many of the Inhabitants Both of Monson and Amherst the
same has taken place and your Petitioners have been at much
Public Expcnce in said Towns by reason of being anexed to
them.
TOWN PAPERS AMIIEKST. 2^
That the Contents of Monson are at least five miles Square
and the Land as good as Land Generally is in this part of the
Coinitrv and is now become considerably settled and increases
dayly in Improvement and inhabitants, and are now able to
Reap the Benefit of an incorporation if they might Obtain such
a favour as they now consist of at least eighty five Familys.
That vour Petitioners are not unacquainted of a certain Peti-
tion's Now being before this Assembly Signed by a number of
pei'sons residing in what was formcrlv ^lonson, Join'd bv a
Number Living in Amherst (according to the first Charter)
Praying for Certain matters as in the said Petition is Mentioned
and as the Matters Contained in these Petitions are of much
importance to both setts of Petitioners a Consideration of this
their request Previous to a final determination of the Petition
above abided to may Produce such a Law as will reconcile all
parties and promote their Weal, Peace and Concord. Your
Petitioners therefore most Humbly pray that your Iloncrs will
Take the Premises (in all its parts) under your wise Consider-
ation and Give them Leave to bring in such a Bill as will Place
the Antiant Town of Monson in its former Situation as to
Boundaries, and invest them with such Priviledges and imuni-
•iies as other Towns in this vState hold and do Lnjoye Your
Petitioners can't think a Motit)n of this kind will be opposed
hv either of the Towns of Ilollis or Amherst as they are large
bcth as to extent and inhabitants, & should your Petitioners be
sofortimate as to have a Bill passed in their favour as to an
inorporation they will be Willing still to pay towards suport-
ingthe Gospel in the respective 1'owns they now belong to till
tlic; shall ]\Iaintain Preaching among themselves a very Con-
sidoable part of the time and as tiiis Ilonerable Assemfjly can
havt no other thing in view but the Peace and good Order of
all pirts of the State they represent your Petitioners arc en-
counged to hope for a grant of their Request in such a way
and nanner as shall seem best to your Honers and your Peti-
tione-s as in Dutv Bound shall ever prav &c
D;ted Amherst May 23d 1782.
Jfsiah Kidder juner Jonas Shattuck
Nthemiah French Ebner Gibson
Beij' Messer Eleazer Usher
Joeph French John Stearns
Jocph Wood Timothy Emerson Junr.
Iv<ry Hovev Jonathan Lovejoy
^\'iliam French David Duncklee
Olicr Bowers David Wallinj,'rord
Jenthineei Colburn Simeon Blood
NN'iliam French j' Joiin Stearns Jun'
^^'i!iam Fatten juner Edward Foster
Rolert Perkins Stearns Noedham
Tiiiothy Emerson Joshua Clark
Sila Spaulding John Whiting
26 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Josiah Kidder John Dutton
Daniel Kidder Abraham Leman
Jonat'' Dantbrth Jonathan Spaulding
Jotham Stearns \Villiam Peacock
Thomas Emerson Benjamin Emerson
We the Subscribers think the foregoing requested incorpo-
rations will be more for our and the public good than the
privileges asked for in a former petition now depending before
this Honorable House to which we were subscribers, and
therefore humbly request that the same may be granted in
preference to the matters contained in the said former petition.
Stephen How
Samuel How.
Dated May y" 23d 17S2.
ATKINSON AND PLAISTOW.
[For a number of papers relating to these towns see Plaistow, on subsequent papes.
Atkinson was one of the lirst towns incorporated under the administration of Gov.
John Went\yorlh. The charter bears date ;id September, 17G7.— Ed.]
A Petitioti from Plaistow.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander in Cheaf in and over his Majesties Province jf
New Hampshire in New England, and to the Honourable
His iMajesties Councill, and to the Honourable House of
Representatives in Generill Court assembled &c.
the Humble Petition of us the. Subscribers inHabitancc of
the North West Part of the town of Plaistow in s'^ Provmce
Humbly sheweth that we are so Remote from the Place of
the Publick worship of God in said town of Plastow thrt we
cannot attend the same without Great Difeculty and wh:reas
we are very convenient to the Place of the Publick worsHp of
God in the town of Hampstead, we therefore Humbly Pray
your Excellency and Honours to take our Dificult Case mder
your wise Consideration and if in your wisdom you siould
think Proper to Set of s'^ Northwest Part of s*^ town" of Pastow
the Line to Run from the Pine in Cloughs meadow (so called)
South westerly to a white oake tree near Cornet John ngalls
barn thence on the Southerly side of his Land to his Soithwest
Corner bounds and from thence Still South westerly to the
Bridge over Providence brook near John Curriers Idusc at
Salem Line and so by Salem Line to Hampstead Line \: so to
the first Bounds and Annex us to the s'* town of Hampst ad you
will Greatly oblige your Humble Petitioners and they hall as
in Duty bound Ever Pray &c.
Dated Plastow april y"^ 11 m^-^GG.
TOWN PAPERS ATKINSON. 27
John Kellv Benjamin Philbrick
Nathan Watts Thomas Little
Benjamin Richards Jun. John Ingalls
Mic'aiah Moriol Reuben Mills
Joseph Brown Ezekiel Belknap
Joseph Chandler James Little
John Morrill Moses Kelly
Thomas Chaney junr. Moses Brown
Moses poor Thomas Whitakcr
Benjamin Emery Moses Whitaker
Province of ) In Council June 26"' 1766 Read & Ordered to be Sent
New Hamp J down to the Hon'"'" Assembly
T. Atkinson Jun' Sec'y.
Province of \ j the House of Representatives June 26<'" 1766.
New Hamps" j f j 1
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on the within Petition the second
Day of the siting of the General Assembly After the first Day of Sep-
tember next and that the Petitioners at their Own Cost Cause the
Selectmen of Plastow to be Served with a copy of this Petition and
order of Court that they may shew Cause if any they have why the
Prayer thereof Should not be Granted
M. Weare Clk.
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurr'd T. Atkinson Junr. Secry.
To the Selectmen of the town of Plastow : — Gcnt^
We the Subscril^ers Desire that you would Put into the
warning of our Next Town meetin<^ To See if the Town will
Joyn with that Part of our Parish that Live on the South Side
of the Province line to Chuse a Committee to fix a place for a
meeting House To Stand that shall be most convenient for the
s* town & Parish in so Doing you'll much oblige your Humble
Petitioners.
Aug lo"' 1764
John Knight Benj" Hale
Abel Merrill Joseph Knight
William Bradly Enoch Noyes
Abel Merril ju"" Oliver Knight
John Merrill Stephen Knight
Nath' Knight Joshua Knight
It is by the Desire of Several that hav'nt yet signed.
28
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Request of the Inhabitants of Plalstow to the Selectmen, 1 764.
To the wSelcctmen of the Town of Plastow, Gents.
We the Subscribers Desire that you would forthwith warn a
meeting of the Inhabitants of s*^ town & Put into the warning
of s"^ meeting to see if the Town will Joyn with that Part of
our Parish that live in Haverhill & vote that the meeting
House for our s'' Parish Shall Stand in the Center of the same :
if not voted ; 2 To see if our town will vote to Sett a meeting
House in the Center of s'^ town : if not voted
3 To see if the town or Parish will Chuse a committee to
Place the meeting House for us according to their Discretion
In so Doing you'll greatly oblige your Plumble Petitioners
Moses Belknap.
Sep^ iS"' 1764
Tristram Knight
James Little
'EzokiiaJ) Belknap
Moses Kelly
Stephen Dole
John Ingalls
Reuben Mills
Joshua Kellv
Benjamin Emery
John Stevens
Nath ■' Watts .
David Currier
Josepli Hale
Jesse Page
Benjamin Richards
Daniel Richards
Benja Richards Jun
Benj Stone Jun''
Aaron Copp
Robert Greenough
Rbert ( ?) Morrill
Joseph Knight
John Merrill
Tristram Knight
Oliver Knight
John Kelly
Enoch Noves
Benja Hale
Benj Stone
John Trusell
Jonathan Hunt
Stevens Merrill
Joseph Smith
Abner Plumer
Peter Harriman
John Harriman
Closes Greenough
Joshua Knight
John Dow-
Stephen Whittaker
John Morrill
Rlicajah Morrill
Thomas Whitaker
Stephen Knight
John Dow Jun'
Ebenezer Knight
Richard Brown
William Brown
Samuel Little
Joseph Little
Leonard Harriman
Nehemiah Heath
Edmund Page
Thomas Whitaker
Stephen Whitaker
Benj ' Richards Jun.
John Morrill
Miciah Morrill
Jon" Poor
Daniel Poor Jun.
Stephen Knight
Oliver Knight
Asa Page
Joseph Noyes
Samuel Little
John Dole
TOWN PAPERS ATKIXSOX.
29
Pet it 10)1 to be set off as a Pa risk.
To His Excellency Bcnninj2;Went\vorth Esq : Captain General
and Coniniander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire ; To the Honourable His Majesty's Council, and
the Honourable House of Representatives.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Westerly part of the
Town of Plastow vSheweth, that by reason of the many & great
difficulties they undergo in attending the Publick Worship of
God, at the Meeting House where it now stands, through the
great distance of their dwellings therefrom, and that Meeting-
House is not large enougli to Acommodate more than One
Half of the Inhabitants of said Town —
And as it would be greatly to the Benefit of your Petitioners
and prevent Strife and Discord among the Inhabitants, and also
tend to the advancement of the Gospel, your Petitioners humbly
request that the Westerly Half of said Town may be set ofi' as a
Distinct Town, or Parish, the Dividing Line to run as follow-
eth, Viz. Beginning at the North East corner of Benjamin &
Ebenr Hale's Land, from thence running a straight Line to the
Bridge near Ebenezer Eaton's, from thence running by the
Brook unto the Road near David Bryant's and from thence
running by said Road unto the Province Line. Your humble
Petitioners desire your Excellency and Honours to take our
Case into your wise Consideration and grant us that Relief and
Benefit which to your Wisdom Shall Seem meet. And your
Humble Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever Pray
Plastow May y"^ 20 1766.
N. Peabody
Joseph Parker
Ebenezer Eaton
James Xoves
Mary Hale
Daniel Richards
Moses Belknap
Nath'' watts
John morrill
^licajah Morrill
Josep hill ordway
William Brown
Joshua Emery
Jonathan Whittaker
Eben- Hale
Tristram Knight
John French
John Dow
John Dow Jr.
Jesse Page
Benjamin Richards
Edmund Page
Thomas Whittaker
David Currier
Stephen Knight
Nathaniel Page
Ebenezer Chaplin
Joseph Page
Asa Haseltine
Joseph Noycs
John Knight
Thomas Xoves
Nath Knight
Benj' Hale
Joseph Knight
John Merrill
Joshua Knight
Samuel Little
John Brown
Enoch Xoves
Richard Brown
Ebenezer Knight
John Knight Jr.
Oliver Knight
Stephen Dole
Moses Whittaker
Daniel Hadley
30 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Prov" of ) In Council June 26"' 1766 read & ordered to be Sent
New I lamp" j down to the Hon'''" Assembly
T. Atkinson Junr. Secy.
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives June 26''' 1766 The
New Ilamp'^*' j within Petition being Read and Considered
Voted That the Petitioners be heard thereon the Second Day of the
Siting of the General Assembly after the first Day of September next
and that the Petitioners at their Own Cost Cause the Selectmen of
Plastow to be Served with a Copy of this Petition and Order of Court
that thev may Shew Cause if any they have why the Prayer thereof
should not be Granted
M. Weare Cl^
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred T. Atkinson Secy.
At a Legal Town meeting Holden at the meeting house in
Plastow October y^ 9, 1764 Capt. Jonathan Carlton was
Chosen moderator
Then Voted That the meeting house Should Stand Whare
it Now is Ten 3'ears
A True Coj^py Taken out of the Town Book of Records
Jonathan Kimball Town Clerk
Plastow November y"^ 3, 1766 .
Daniel Hadley against the division of Plaistow^ 1766.
To the General Court for the Provence of New Hampshire
I would Inform your Honours that it is very much against my
mind that the town of Plastow Should Be Derided or made
into two Towns or Parishes for the Petition that was Entred
with your Honnors the 26 Day of June Last that I signed I was
over Persuaded to sign the Constabel Promising me that if I
would signe said Petition he would [wait] a Grate while one
me for my Rates which I then owed to him.
Plastow December 12"^ 1766.
Daniel Hadley.
yos/iua Emery against the division of -Plaistozv.
To the General Cort for the Provence of New Hampshire :
I would inform your Honnors that it is my mind that the town
of Plastow should be cept to Gether as it is at this Day and
the reason of my signing a pettition that I signed that was
Entred in the Cort June 26 Last past was Because they told
me that a part of our town was a Going to be Enexed to Ham-
sted which I am very much a Gainst. But I should be very
willing that they that Have Signed to Go to Hamsted might
have Liberty to pay their minester Rate at Hamsted for eight
or ten year if it is their Desier.
Joshua Emery.
Plastow Jenucry i, 1767.
TOWN' PAPERS ATKINSON', 3I
New Hampshire. In the House of Representatives Aug 26, 1767
The Petitioners being heard on this Petition and also the Objections
heard and Considered.
Voted That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted and that the Peti-
tioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
M. Weare CI'
In Council, August 28^ 1767
Read & Concurred T. Atkinson Jun' Secy.
Memorial or letter of sundry inhabitants of Haverhill to
the tozvn of Flalstow, '^7^1-
BuETHEREN — though By ye Devition Line Between the
provinces we were Sepcrated from you yet By indul^'ence from
ye masechusets we have continued to worship with you &
cherfully to pay our proportion ^towards the maintainance of
3'e Gospel & after the Death of our former minister we united
with vou in the Settlement of another whom we Justly Esteem
& Venerate and in considisention to a Number who apeared
uneasy about the Situation af the meeting House we united
with you in the choice of a committee & were at considerable
Expence in Hopes to Give them Satisfaction. They Not Being
Easy Have obtened a Devition af your Town Taking away By
farr the Best Part of the Land your Numbers Being hereby
Greatly Deminished many of those Left Being of a Scctarien
Spirit, these and many other things Being considered we cant
But Earnestly Entreat that as you value the interest of Religeon
you would In' Every proper method seek Imediate Rcleaf from
those who we trust will Delight to promote Both your Civill &
Sacred interest. Otherwise we fear you will be So Devided
that we shall be obleged to Seperate from you & seek to be
united to Some other Neighbor Sosiety the most Distant tho't
of which we heartily Deplore Being perfectly Satislied with
our Beloved pastor who has Devoted Himself to y- work of
y - Gospel ministry among us Sc in whose ministry you & we
have Enjoyed the utmost Satisfaction & Delight.
We are your sincere & aft'jctionate well wisher.
To y" Town clerk for plastow to be comuncate to y""
inhabitants of plastow.
Haverhill North parish Decembr lo"' 1767
Benja" Clement William Bryant
Isaac Snow Richard Harriinan
Caleb Cushing James Russell
Nathanel Johnson William Attwod
Mark Emerson Moses Cushing.
Nath'' Rolfe
Jonathan Eatten
32 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Inforrnat loll from Plaistow.
To his Excclcncy Bcnning Wintworth Esq"" Govenour & and
to the Ilonoiu'able his majesties Councill and to the Hon-
ourable House of Representatives in generall Court as-
sembled &c.
this is to Inform your Excelency and Honours that \ve the
Subscribers Inhabitance of the town of Phistow do Judge it
highly Reasonable and we think it will be for the peace of s''
town of Plasto\v to set of our brethren at the northwest Part
of s'' town and annex them to the town of Hampstead the Line
to Run from the pine in Cloughs meadow (so called) South
Westerly to a white oak tree near Cornit Ingalls Barn thence
on the Southerly Side of his Land to his South West Corner
Bounds, and from thence still South westerly to the bridge over
Providence Brook near John Curriers house agreeable to their
Petition as witness our hands
Dated Plastow April y'' 1 1 : i "^dG
Nicolas White John Chaney
James Wliite James Clianej
Tliomas Follamsbe Aloses Stevens
Abraham Chase John Bradly
Nathaniel Cheney Joseph Harriman junr
William Folensbe John Heath
Nathaniel Bartlet Abner Harriman
Josiah Copps Moses Jackman
Samuel Heath Benjamin Kimball
Thomas Stevens Humphery Noyes
Samuel Kimball John Hall
Thomas Chaney Aaron Copp
Ephraim Emerson Jonathan Stevens
Jonathan Eatton ISIoses Page
Stephen Woodward Daniel Whitaker
Peter Clement Daniel Hadley
Daniel Heath Jacob Heath.
Dustin Chaney
yoscpJi Page against the division of Plaisto'V i']G'j.
To the General Court for the Province of New hampsher
I would inform your Honers that it is my Desier that the
Town of Plastow might Be cept to Gether as it is at this Day
for the Reasons of my signing a Pcttition that I signed that was
Entered in the General Court June 26 Last Past was Because
thay told me that a Part of tlic Town of Plastow was a Going
to Be Enncxed to the Town of Hampsted which I am very-
much a Gainst my Desier is that it may Be left to Gether as it
is at this Day
Joseph Page.
Plastow february 16, 1767.
TOWN PAPERS ATKINSON'.
33
Ehcn^ Eaton against the division of Plaistotv 1767.
To the General Court for the Provence of New hampsher —
I would inform your Honours that it is my Desier that the
Town of Plastow might be cept to Gether as it is at This Day
for the Reason of my signing a Pctton that was Entred in
the Gineral Court Last June was Be cause I was over Per-
suaded, After Consideration I se it will be Grately to the
Towns Damage there fore I Desier your Iloners that vou
would not Grant said Pettons : not the suner for my signing
s'' Pon But my Desier is that the Town of Plastow may
Be cept to-Gether as it is at this Day.
Ebenezer Eatton.
1767.
Province of New Ilamshire —
To the Honorable Generill Court
May it please your Honores that whereas Some time past I
Signed a petition that the Town of Plastow Might be Divided
being then Misinformed this therefore is to Desier your Plon-
ores Not to take any Notice of My Name in that petition for I
am of the opinion tis Best for the Towai to remain as it is at
present
Your Honores Humble Servant
Joseph Parker.
Plastow Aprill 13'^ 1767.
Petition of inhabitants of Plasto-v for a?inexatioit.
Province of "1
New Hampshire J
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'" Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesty s Province of New
Hampshire kc to the Honourable his Majestys Council and
House of Representatives of said Province in General Court
Assembled : the Memorial of a Number of the Inhabitants
of Plastow in said Province Humbly shezveth
That whereas by an act of the general Court Part of the
Town of Plastow hes Lately been Set off, and made a new
and Destinct Parish, and whereas Several Persons included in
Said New Parish Have Petitioned to be annexed to the Town
of Plastow : we the Subscribers Lihabitants of said Plastow
beg leave to inform your Excellency <S: Honcjurs of the Rea-
sons why we Pray their Petition may be granted.
We beg Leave"to acquaint you that if Said New Parish docs
Not Contain a greater QiiantiV of Lands than is Left in said
Town of Plastow, as we are not Certain but it does, yet it is
very well Known that the Lands in y former taking a just Es-
3
34 NEW HAMPSHIRE
timate of Qiiantity and Qiiality together arc by far more valu-
able then Those of the latter, upon which account we in this
Town are certainly laid under xevy great Disadvantages. Per-
mit us further to observe to your Excellency & Honours that
near one-half if not y* Majority of the Inhabitants of Said
Plastow are either Professed Babtists or so far favourers of
them as usually to Concur with them in opposing and Coun-
teracting every necessary Measure Respecting either the Sup-
port of our Minister or y" Peace & good order of y*" Town
so that without Some Helps, we see no Probable or even pos-
sable way in which either the one or y'^ other can be Contin-
ued among us in any tolarable Degree.
We ask leave moreover to inform the Honourable Court that
the North Parish in Haverhill in ^Massachusetts Province have
hetherto ever Sence our first Incorporation into a Town
Shared with us in Ministerial Charges and Privileges and ap-
pear willing to Continue with us in Case the fore said Petition
be granted, so that their may be a better Prospect of Peace &
order in Said Plastow ; whereas if we Continue in our Present
weakened and Devided State we have the greatest Reason to
fear they are fully Determined to Seperate from us ; in Conse-
quence of which Seperation we are at once irrecoverably De-
prived not only of their Proj^ortion of y'- ministerial Tax, but
Dispossessed of y'' Parsonage Buildings & land, the greatest
Part by far of which lies in Said North Parish, and which we
have hitherto enjoyed only by Vartue of our Connection with
Them we Therefore earnestly Pray your Excellency and
Honours to take the affair under Consideration and grant Such
Relief for the Said Petitioners and for us as you in your wis-
dom Shall Think best and we as in Duty bound Shall ever
Pray
Plastow Dec' y*^ 3, 1767.
John Hall Ephraim Emerson
"Thomas Follamsbe Dustin Chaney
Nathaniel Bartlet David Brvant
Ezekiel Gile Nicolas White
Peter Dow Jonathan Kimball
Abraham Chase Benjamin S. Pettengill
Josiah Copp Benj Hale
Isaac Heath Jacob Trussel
Nathanel Smith Nathaniel Knight
Daniel Gile Joseph Knight
Benj'' Kimball John Kniglit
Benjamin Davis Abel Mirrill
Nathan Gile Abel Mirrill Jun
David Carleton John Mirill
John Heath Humphrey Noyes
John Bradley Humphrey Noyes Jun
'Moses Bartlett Robert Greano\igh
John Chancy Moses Greanough
rows PAPERS ATKINSON'.
35
Richard Greanough
Ebenezer Eatton
Aaron Coop
James Little
Nathaniel Peabody
Stephen Noyes
Jonathan Stevens Jun
John Brown
Samuel Little
Nathaniel Little
John French
Joseph French
Ebenezer Knii^ht
Joseph Knight Jun
Joshua Knight
Mical Chaplen
Enoch Noyes
James Nojes
Robert Heath
Joseph Noyes
Thomas Noyes
Caleb Noyes
Asa Page
James White
Ebenezer Johnson
Joseph Parker
Sam'' Lowel
John Lowel
Richard Brown
Daniel Poor
William Brown
Benj Philbrek Jun.
Eben' Chaplen
Jon""' Poor
Josiph Daves
Tristram Knight
John Knight Junr
Jonathan Stevens
Oliver Knight
Elipalet Knight
Stephen Knight
Jonathan Whitaker
John Dow-
John Dow Jun.
Moses Dow
Jonathan Page
Daniel Page
Benj Richards
Daniel Richards
Joseph Richards
Bradley Richards
Edmund Page
Jesse Page
Nath"' Page
Benj Emorv
Eldad Inga'ls
John Ingals
Joseph Hills Ordway
Stephen Dole
John Dole
Richard Heath
Thomas Little
Thomas Little Jun.
John Kelly
Moses Kelly
William Kelly
Reuben Mills
Jonathan Eatton
John Webster
Israel Webster
Daniel Poor
David Poor
Jeremiah Poor
Daniel Merrill
Moses Page
James Page
Joseph Page
John Webster Jun.
Jonathan Webster
Timothy Page
William Webster
Samuel Webster
Daniel Whittaker
Daniel Hadley
David Currier
Joseph Hale
Timothv Page Jun.
Eb^ Page
Natha Wats
Nath' Burpey
Jeremiah Burpey
John Morrill
Micajah Morrill
Stephen Whittker
Moses Whittker
Thomas Whittker
Benj Richards Jun.
Joseph Emerson
Benj Philbrick
Josep Philbrick
Joseph Parmer
Thomas Chaney
Asa Harriman
Joseph Chanler
Moses Poor
Joshua Kelly
Moses Belknap
Ezkiel Belknap
Jacob Page
Mical Tinney
John Emorson
Joseph Little
Joshua Emory
Benj Emory
James Mirrill
Timothy Ladd
Asa Haseltine
Currier
36 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Thare is 130 mens Heads above sixteen in the west end of the town
of Plastow.
Thare is Eighty Seven Fameivs in tlieWest of tlie Tov.n of Ph\stow.
Petition of Szindry Persons to be Polled fro7n Atkinson to
PI as tow.
Province of \
New Hampshire J
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Capt. general
Governor and Commander in Cheaf in and over his ]SIajes-
tys Province aforesaid &c and to the Honourable his
Majesty s Coimcil and House of Representatives in general
Court assembled at Portsmouth
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Shews whereas
there has been Latly Part of Plastow set oft' and made a New
and Seperate Parish Bounded according to Cartain Lines
which goes by the Name Atkinsonton in which we with our
Estates falls into y* Said New Parish our Prayer and Request
to this Honourable Court above mentioned is that whereas
we have heretofore assisted in Building a meeting house a
Pasonneg house and have Now a minister Settled in Plastow
according to our Principles and jNIinds Therefore our Desier
and Request is that we with our Estates may be set o(T from
Said New Parish and be anexed to the old Parish or Tov.'n of
Plastow that we might be and Remain as heretofore
we therefore Pray that your Excellency and Honours will
Take The mater under Consideration and grant such Relief
for those who Desier to be set oft' as afore said as you in your
wisdom Shall Think best and we as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever Pray
Plastow Sept. 1767.
James White Moses Page
Moses Greenough Daniel Poor
Jonathan Eatton Jonathan Page
John Webster John Webster/.
Israel Webster Daniel Poor Junr.
Jonathan Webster Stephen Novse
William Webster Samuel Kimball
Daniel Whitaker
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Sep. 24"' 1767
New Hampshire J The within Petition being Read and Considered
Voted That the Petitioners be heard thereon the third dav of the
Siting of the General Assembly after the first Day of November next
and that they serve Mr. Thomas Noyes who is appointed to call the
first meeting in said Atkinson with a Copy of this Petition And Order
That Objections may be made to granting" the Prayer of the Petition if
any there be " M. Weare.
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurr'd
T. Atkinson, Secv.
TOWN PAPERS ATKIXSOX. 37
Province of \ j^ , ^ ^f Representatives Feb. y 12, 176S
New Hampshire i ' .''/•-'
The within Petition being Considered and the Parties fiiUv heard
thereon
Vo/cd Tiiat the Petitioners James White & Samuel Kimball have
liberty to Poll ofY they and their Estates to belong to the Town of Plas-
tow and the other Petitioners have liberty to Poll off they i^ their Es
tates to belong to the Town of Plastow respecting Ministerial alVairs
only t*v: the Petitioners have libertv to bring in a Bill accordinglv
M Weare CV
In Council Feb'y. 1768
The above read and the Parties being heard
Voted a Concurrence with this amendment That all the s<* Petitioners
Excepting James White and Sam' Kimball remain to the Town or Par-
ish of Atkinson as tho' no petition had been preferred
Geo. King Depy Secy.
New Hampshire}^" *^^^ "°"'^' °^ Representatives Feb 26t=- 176S
The above Vote of Councill Read and Concur'd and the Petitioners
White and Kimball have libertv to bring in a Resolve accordinglv.
M. Weare ' CV
Memorial of Staidry Inhabitants of Plaistow agai?ist hav-
ing a tozv?i set off from that, 1767.
To Excellency bening wintworth Esq"" governor and com-
anclcr in cheaf in and over his madgstes Provence of new
hampshirc in new ingland and to the Honorable his mad-
gesties council and to the Honourable house of Representa-
tives in gencrall court assembled
To the humble Petition of us the Subscribers in Habitans
of the Town of Plastow Humbly Pray your Excelencv and
oners to Tak our Dificelt Case under your wise considerateon
and we Petioners Humbly Pray that your honners would not
grant the Petition that was sent in order for a town or Parish
to be taken out of the said town of Plastow the Reason why
is because there is great quantity of wild Land in s' town that
is oned by other Towns People and a great quantity of wild
Land oned by Said town wherefore we arc no waics able to
be a parish by our Selves and in So Doing you will greatly
obblige your humble Petitioners and they shall as in Duty
bound Ever Pray &c.
Deted Plastow febuary ; 13, 1767
Benjamin Philbrick Joseph Palmer
Benjamin Emery Thomas Chancy Tuner
Joseph Ciiandler Moses Poorc
Joseph Kimball W"\(l. Mary Little
38 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Report of a Committee of the toxvn of Plaistow abt. this
meeting hotise^ 1766.
We the Subscribers having been Chose a Committee bv the Inhab-
itants of the Town of Plastow in his Majesty's Province of New Hamp-
shire and the Inhabitants of the north Parish in Haverhill in the Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay who Congregate with the Said Inhab-
itants of Plastow to State the Place where Their meeting House Shall
Stand for the Future Have attended that Service, by Viewing the Sev-
eral parts of Said Town and Parish agreeable to the Desire of the In-
habitants of both, and heard the Respective Parties with Respect to the
Premises ; and after Serious Consideration of the aftair with a train of
Circumstances attending the Same too long to enumerate, Do Report
that our opinion is that the most Suitable Place for the meeting House
to Stand at present, is where their meeting House now Stands being
fully of the mind. That the Startingor Determining any other Place for
that purpose, will be attended with worse Consequences to Said Inhab-
itants than that we have Reported
Plastow Mar'' 2o"> 1766.
Thomas RowellI
Sam' Emersox
Eben'' Stevexs |- Committee
Joseph Frye
Clem' March
To the Town Clerk of Plastow to be Communicated to the Inhab-
itants of said Town at their meeting by adjournment on the first
Wednesday in April next
Mar. 20'", 1766
Com''^"' Report.
Sundry Perso7is of Plastow Desire to have the Toxvn Still
remain ufidivided.
Plastow Decern'' 30"' 1 766
To the General Court of the province of New Hampshire
These are to inform your Hon" That whereas there was two
petitions Sent to the general Court the twenty sixth of June
Last past in order to be considered at the next setting one to
have the town Divided the other to anex a part to Hampstead,
we the Subscribers Living- within the Limits of s'^ petitions,
are Desirous that Neither of them may be granted inasmuch
as we think that it will very much Damnify the town at pres-
ent for we Look on ourselves and the inhabitants of this town
unable at present to maintain two ministers of the Gospel but
inasmuch as there is a considerable Qiiantity of unsettled Land
in this part of the town which is chiefly own'd by men belong-
ing to other towns we are in hopes that in a few years we may
be able and in the mean time we are willing that those that
have petitioned to be anexed to Hampstead should attend the
Publick worship of God and have Liberty to pay their minis-
ter Rate there for the term of Eight or ten years till we are
TOAVX PAPEHS ATKINSON. 39
able to be two parishes and credibly to maintain two minis-
ters for these Reasons we Desire that things may Continue
as they are at present and in granting this our Request you
will greatly oblige us and we think greatly benefit this town
and as bound in Duty shall ever pray.
Israel Webster Robert Greenough
John Webster Moses Greenougli
William Webster Daniel Poor Jun
Daniel Whittaker Jonathan Page
Jonathan Eatton Jonathan Poor
John Webster Jr. Daniel Page
Moses Page Humphrey Noyes
James Page Daniel Poor
David Poor Aaron Copp
Jonathan Webster James Little
Stephen Noves
Asa Hazel tine against the division of the town of Plaistozv.
-V- J I u- > To the Honr'*" General Court for Said Province.
^»ew Hampshire j
Whereas I the Subscriber Did sine a Petetion to The General
Court to Have the Town of Flastow Divided into two Towns
(s'' petition bars Date June y' 20"' 1766) I was over per-
swaded by one of the Petitioners To Do it He Told me if we
Did Not Git Divided part of the Town would Sartanly be set
otVto Hampstead and would spoyl the Town from Ever mak-
ing Two it is not mv mind Xor Never was to have the Town
Divided at Present only for the above Reasons and Pray that
it may be kept together
Asa Hazeltine
Plastow Jan' y I, 1767.
No. of People in Atkinson and Plastow.
1767 or S.
Plastow Hath 576 People Atkinson Hath 476 People
Rateble Heads 143 Rateble Heads 118
Rateble Land 421 Acres Rateble Land 401 Acres
Province of It,,!, r t, . .• r i. n. /'o
New Hampshire / ^" ^^^ House of Representatives February 27"' 176S.
U]>on Reading & Considering the Petition of James White & Samuel
Kimball both of Atkinson in Said Province with Several others to have
leave to Poll off from said Parish of Atkinson to the Parish or Town of
Plaistow both the Polls & Estates — after fully hearing the Parties con-
40 NEW HAMPSHIRE
cerned and duly Considering^ all Circumstances Resolved and Voted
That two of the Petitionei-s Only Viz. James White and Samuel Kim-
ball have Liberty to Poll off from said Atkinson to Plaistow aforesaid
with their famillys & Estates both Real & Personal and shall hereafter
be Estimated taken & adjudged to be part of & to belong to the said
Town of Plaistow and shall be adjudged Liable & Subject to all duties
Taxes and orders of Said Town as much as and in the same manner as
other Inhabitants of Said Town in Proportion to their Estates Saving
that their future Purchases of Real Estate shall belong to the Town or
Parish where they lay
P. GiLMAN Speaker
In Council March i6 1768
read & Concurred
George King Dep. Secy.
Assented to
J. Wentworth.
jfaines Whitens Reasons for ivishing to 7'emain in tJie tozvn
of Plaistoiv.
The Subscriber for the folowing Reasons prayes that he
may not be set of from The Town of plastow
for that I have Been at a Considerable cost for the Building
of the meeting house Thare and Lately In Repairing of it.
That my land layes near the one half of It In haver' north
parish the land where my Buildings Stands comes within
about half a mile of ^^lastow meeting house
James White.
List of Baptists in Plaistoiv. (Supposed)
Those that Profess themselves of y" Baptist Perswation
which in all Parrish afairs have appeared against y"' Peace &
welfair of our minister and his society are as follows :
Joseph Flint Joseph Welch
Daniel Emerson John Copp
Nehcmiah Heath Moses Orway
Abner Plummer Enoch Johnson
Job Eatton John Stevens
Bartholomew Heath Stevens Merrill
Joseph Harriman Ebenezer Noyes
Joseph Harriman Jun. Selvenes Noyes
James Bly Moses Stevens Jun.
Joseph Smith Stephen Flandei-s
Jonathan Smitli Samuel Welch
John Pollard James Huse
Daniel Aver Samuel Dow
Simon Eollansbe John Trusel
Edmond Pilsbury Widow Dow
The Hole of ye Inhabitcnce Besides the above mentioned which was
Rated in y" Last minister Rate which has Ben made are 70 Seventeen
of which "has ben taken Notice in Town meetings to joyn with y- Bap-
tists in voting 4 of which arc widows & some stands as Nuters.
TOWN PAPERS BARRIXGTOX. 4I
BARRINGTON.
[This town was incorporated 10 May, 17J-2.— Ed.]
A List of the original Proprictorsof the Town of Barrington
with the Rate which each man Paid &. by which the Qiiantity
of Acres each man had is ascertained at the rate of two Pence
pr acre & also the number of Each Lot as the Same was
drawn by each Prop' or his Constituent
■
The Pkopkietoiis Names
Acres
Rods
wide
rate
£
S
1
Henry ICeese
270
1.35
2
5
Thos Hamniett
(iO
30
10
3
John Moor
7'2
36
12
4
Francis Hand
(iO
.30
10
5
Benja Ganiblin
3;50
100
2
15
(!
Kloazr Russell
yi>
48
16
Widiw Hatch
(JO
30
10
H
Kdv.ard Cater
120
60
1
!)
Wni White .
ilO
45
15
10
Rcvd Koprcrs .
3i;o
180
3
11
J:iines Eihhv .
l-.'O
CO
1
n
Saml Allcock.
210
105
1
15
13
Jno Hobcrts .
210
105
1
15
14
Saml Hart
ISO
90
1
10
15
Jno Shackl'onl
210
105
1
15
1(5
Joseuli Hnlnies
Wni warren .
1.50
75
1
5
17
CO
30
10
18
lit
20
Jno .Sliores
GO
30
10
DoctrP.aley .*
98
48
1R(?)
21
Wm Bridghani
90
48
IG
22
Agnis Rus-;oll
30
15
5
2:j
Thos Phips .
3U0
150
2
10
24
IJich.i Wibird
(iCO
3o0
5
10
2:)
Thos We<tl)rook
300
i.-.o
2
10
-'1
WniCottfii Junr.
120
60
1
Peter (.reeicv
120
60
1
h
Kplnu DcniK't
:{(iO
180
3
20
Widou- llunkin-
108
5-i
18
30
Hen Shcrniini Jun
!,'0
45
15
31
192
!HJ
1
12
32
Jno Plai~ted .
414
207
3
9
3:5
Jii.-ci)h Moses
72
36
12
34
Uenja Lanpley
91)
48
16
35
Jno savasre '.
72
36
12
3(5
Kobert Armstrong
210
120
2
37
Bishop
72
36
12
38
Joseph Pitman
7S
39
13
31»
Tho., C'otten .
, 90
45
15
40
Tlios Barns .
9fj
48
1(J
41
Mi. -Ill K.-nnard
180
90
1
10
42
Wm Knight .
330
165
2
15
4.!
Jno Clark
84
42
14
41
Thos Lan<iell
120
CO
45
IM Pcndexter
96
48
16
4*;
Jno I. oar
108
54
18
47
JetluM Piirbrr
72
3<)
12
4S
Stephen t.rocnleaf
120
60
40
Stciihcn Lang
120
60
50
51
UirhilCllU .
WiMow Walker
48
36
24
12
8
52
53
Widow .J.-i.'kson
Win l;rad.h'ii
!)0
72
45
36
15
12
54
Wid,)w Tapley
120
60
fw
Benja Akerman
120
60
50
Sanil Hinks .
72
:j«
12
42
XEW HAMPSHIRE
PiJOPRiETOus Names
Acres
Rods
wide
rate
£
1 S
57
Henry Slooper
276
138
90
36
39
60
60
90
60
• 75
36
75
1 ^
10
58
59
Thomas Sibsou
Thns Main .
180
72
78
120
120
180
120
150
72
150
150
60
120
2
1
CO
Thos Crocket
12
13
61
62
James Spinney
Edward Cate
1
1
1
1
1
63
Kichd Waterhouse
C4
Hiclid Cross .
10
65
Thomas Ayre
66
Keuhen Abbott
5
67
Capt Wni Cotten
1
1
1
12
68
Jno Brewster
75
30
60
36
48
72
54
90
5
69
70
Jno. Hooper
Jo.>iah Clark
5
10
71
Wni Amoss .
72
Jno Hill
90
144
108
180
150
132
96
120
84
54
70
12
73
74
Edw^ird Toogood
Saml Hewett
1
16
4
7.3
Alex Dennet
1
18
76
,A!atliew Nelson
10
78
Natlil Tuckernian
Tim Davis .
75
66
48
60
42
1
1
5
2
79
Jonathan Stoodlv
1
16
80
Geo. BaniiU . "
14
9
13
15
81
Ed Phillips .
Jno Deverson
82
36
45
36
90
27
30
120
120
63
S3
Joseph Fannin
90
84
Abraham Libby
85
Saml Banlield
180
54
1
12
86
Charles Browu
10
9
12
87
Thos Greely .
88
Wm Parker .
240
2
2
1
1
89
Sampson Babb
240
90
91
Jno Lang
Tim VV^aterhouse
126
150
1
92
Henry Beck .
36
78
30
15
72
36
30
75
5
93
Saml Ham
150
60
1
13
94
Abialmm Barns
6
10
5
4
13
12
5
15
10
95
Widow Almary
30
114
79
96
Jno Koberson
1
97
Antlionv How Jnur.
98
(ieo Walker .
73
150
90
216
150
120
120
99
Edward Cate Jun.
1
100
Joseph Miller
45
108
75
60
60
36
84
45
36
15
30
120
101
102
Kichd Waldron
Thos Harvey
1
103
Saml Sherbuni
1
1
1
5
104
\\ alter M'arreu
105
Wm Cross
10(;
107
lOS
T.isAlleock .
riios Beck .
Jacob Eavia .
168
90
70
1
13
8
15
109
Caleb Grafton
30
13
5
110
Ino Churchill
60
240
111
112
113
114
115
Doctor Pike .
2
1
1
1
10
Ambs Sloojicr
Jos Moulton .
Mum Jones .
rii.s ISerk Junr
180
138
150
78
90
69
75
39
36
105
45
42
36
36
45
75
10
3
5
13
12
15
lii;
\lirin I'.aitlett
72
117
Mi.l. Wl.i.ldcn
Jan>es Moses
210
90
84
72
72
90
150
1
119
Ino Abbot
15
120
i'hos Moore .
14
121
122
12:; ,
124 ,
125
VVm Frost
Vm Lewis .
{no Savage .
1
12
12
15
Jno I'everlv Jun.
■Solomon Cotten
•
96
72
38
36
15
16
126
Villiam Hunking
30
13
5
TOWN PAPERS BARUIXGTOX.
43
ruoruiEious Xames
Acres
Rods
Wide
ra
te
£
S
127
Saml Sliackford
210
105
1
15
128
Jiio Cotteii
144
72
1
4
121)
Doctor Uoss .
!K5
48
16
130
Jno Ham
48
24
8
131
Michl Whi<Men Jr
84
42
14
132
r^aml Brewster
90
45
15
133
Jno Davis
120
60
1
134
J 110 Libby
144
72
1
4
1*-)
Rojrer Swnin .
84
42
14
13G
Willow Briarcl
:!(i
18
6
137
Jno Alniarv .
120
60
1
138
Tobias Langdon
240
120
2
139
Rioh.l Kllioi .
96
48
16
140
lien I'.lckionl
iH)
48
16
141
01);!.liali M.irto
48
24
8
142
Nailil <J(iionie
108
.54
IS
143
<;i'()JanVev .
(;oo
300
5
144
Mallu'W James
120
60
1
14.1
Jos Shurburn
3,54
177
2
19
146
Jno Jones
1.32
60
1
2
147
Jno Grinilal .
72
36
12
148
Natlil Peverly
90
45
15
14<1
Tlios Packer .
648
324
5
8
150
James Jeffrey
240
120
2
151
Jei-. Seal
90
45
15
152
David Gardiner
120
60
1
153
Xathl Lang .
1-iO
60
1
154
Pliilip Gammon
36
18
6
155
Peter Ball .
120
6ii
1
15(!
Jo.-liua Peirce
720
3gO
6
157
Jno Hooker .
!K!
48
16
l.-)8
Tlios Sherburu
iO
48
16
159
Zac Lead) .
90
45
15
160
Kichd Pashley
144
72
1
4
161
Ricbd Tobrv .
144
72
1
4
1«52
Widow Marahall
90
4.5
15
mi
Jno Cutt
1,50
1
5
VA
Moses Caverly
120
do
1
lfi.i
Jno Mardin .
66
33
11
IG'J
Jno llardeson
180
90
1
10
107
Saml Penliallow
720
360
6
168
Uiclid Jose .
120
60
1
169
Wm Fairweather
72
36
12
170
Epiini Jackr-on
168
84
1
8
171
CdoHunking
210
105
1
15
172
Widow Martin
120
CO
1
173
Wm Peverly .
120
60
1
174
Beuja. EucC- .
96
48
10
175
Hobtrt Alinary
Wi
48
16
17H
Gov. Wentworth
720
360
6
177
Cha Bannil (1)
00
30
10
180
Alex Roberts
180
90
1
10
181
Cai)t. (ieo Walker
300
150
2
10
182
.Siml Pitman
90
45
15
18a
Geo Townsend
108
■M
18
184
Siiw\ Snell .
36
18
6
18,i
Saml Watcrliouse
24
12
4
180
Jno Sparks .
36
12
187
Jno Davis
iiO
45
15
188
Jno Cross
30
15
5
189
Benja CiosH .
Natbl Mendam
210
105
1
15
l'.)0
210
120
2
191
Robert Pickering
72
36
10
1}«
Anili Maipliadris
600
300
5
19.1
Moses Paid .
210
105
1
15
194
Jno Bradford
96
48
16
195
Neheiidab Partridge
-.1
36
13
liHj
I'eter Moore .
84
42
14
197
Thos Wilkinson
TO
30
10
108
Philip Babb .
72
."6
12
(1) First lot otli range.
44
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Propuietors Names
Acres
Rods
Mide
rate
£
s
199
Benja Gotten ....
90
45
15
200
.Jos Buss
96
48
16
2;H
SaialWinldey
240
120
2
20-2
I'.cnja IMilkT .
120
(iO
20:i James I'itman
00
30
15
204 < 'liristr Noble
96
48
16
205
Thos Wright .
150
75
5
20G
IJobert Ward
9ii
48
10
207
Widow Pitman & Son Jabez
30
15
5
208
Ji'.o Ford
72
36
10
209
George Peircc
210
105
15
210
Colo Vaiighau
240
120
211
AVm Cotieu .
210
105
15
213
Wm Barns
72
36
13
2U
Kiclid Swain .
72
36
12
215
Jno Cowel
81
42
14
216
W'm lioss
72
36
12
217
James Slierburn
90
45
15
218
Jno Sherburn
120
(;o
219
Nathl Melcher
72
36
12
220
Tiioe Peirce .
210
105
15
221
Peter Abbot .
60
30
10
222
Jno Edmonds
84
42
14
223
Thos Walden
150
75
5
224
lien Shcrbmn
l!hJ
9:;
12
225
Alex .^liller .
180
90
10
2>(i
Aiitlionv Hoe
60
30
10
227
Capt. Tobias Langdon
300
150
10
228
KzeU- Pitman
120
60
229
James Stootly
30
15
5
230
Clenit Iluglis
180
90
10
231
Jno Drew
120
60
232
Jos Berry
60
30
10
233
Jacob Tash .
90
45
15
235
Daniel Quick
90
48
16
23(i
Jer Libby
180
90
10
237
Jno Preston .
120
60
238
Wm Fellows .
240
120
239
Saml Brown .
36
12
240
Jno Pray
138
69
3
241
Capt Hen Sherburn .
552
276
12
242
Jno Peverly .
96
48
16
243
Wm Terret" .
24
12
4
244
■!no skiliuitrs
93
48
10
Ki.hil .-aulrid.L'e
10.S
54
12
24'; !i;<l A vers
210
105
15
247
Saml.M'nson
120
60
248
Daniel Jaclvson
72
3(>
12
249
Xatli llobcrtson
60
30
10
250
Moses Ingraliam
120
60
251
Janie>i Leai-li
90
45
1.5
252
Jona Partrid;;o
72
36
12
253
Jno Shcrburn's widow
24
12
4
25 _t
Kd AWlls
. 120
60
90
45
12
■_'.,,; , ,.; ■ ■., , ,1 ,;,_,
60
30
10
■_;,■, ' ■ '. 1 i : ; 1 ■ t. .
120
60
2.> i!.,i ', -luar.r
120
60
Thos J.an-abv
120
60
'jiib
Nathl Fellows
70
3()
12
261
Mary Moore Alis Leach
30
15
5
262
(ieo Avers
96
48
16
26;i
Arch Hunking
7''
36
12
264
Hugh BanliU
1(18
.54
18
265
Amos Fuinell
150
75
5
206
Abrabrni Dent
6
3
1
21)7
Sand Pinnies
96
48
16
268
Saml C lark .
132
66
2
26!)
Widow Nelson & Son
1.50
75
5
270
Francis Dittv
60
30
10
TO\VX PAPERS BARRIXGTOX.
45
~ —
rUOPKIETOUS XAME3
Acres
Roda
Mlde
rate
£ 1 S
•JTl
Jos Mc'1.1 ....
103
5t
18
'21-
.Jno( .'llinfrs ....
(iO
30
10
273
•lofoi"!! sibfou
1^20
GO
1
•274
Laz Nc.hle ....
60
30
10
•27-)
Laz IlDliues ....
4-2
7
•27(i
Al.rali.tin Center
m
48
]G
277
.lerCalf ....
T2
3ii
1-2
lit
Not drawn ....
178
Not drawn ....
17!t
Not .hawn ....
Not drawn ....
234
Not drawn ....
No 38: 30: ]4'2: 143: 234: 2.3.5 are the Northci-nmost rights in the six ranges of the
Town ol Rarrinjrtou & 1 : 88 : 80 : 189 : 100 with 277 are near if not t!ie most southern
Lotts ot said town.
Petition f 07- po'^vcr to raise money ^ d-c.
Province of \
New Ilamp. j
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander In Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire in New England the Hon'^'''^^ His Majesty's
Council and House of Representatives for Said Province in
General Court Convened
The Humble Petition of Thomas Wright Mercht & Dan-
iel Jackson Shop keeper both of Portsmouth in said Province
being the Surviving Agents of the Proprietors of the Town-
ship of Barrington in the Province aforesaid Shews —
That : the Laws of this Province Respecting Proprieties of
Townships or other Common & undivided Lands are very De-
fective & Insufficient in many Regai'ds to Enable the Proprie-
tors as a Distinct Body from the Inhabitants of the Towns
where tliey Live to Transact & carry on the Business of Such
Proprieties But in Particular with respect to the Speedy Col-
lecting Sc levying wSuch Sums of Money as have at any time
been Granted & Voted by the Propriety which very much
Clogs & Embarrasses their afVairs & Greatly Retards the Set-
tlement of New Town ships and thereby in a Great Measure
Defeats the Good Purposes of Granting Such Townships
Since there is no making a Settlement without raising money
and many Persons get in to be Proprietors who will not Vol-
untarily pay their proportion of the Charges
That: the Proprietors of the Said Township of Barrington
are Involved in the same Difficidtics of other Proprieties in the
aforesaid Regards and in Special with Respect to that Impor-
tant Article of Raising- Monev having Several Sums in
46 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Arrearage which tho' they have assessed & apportioned
upon the Proprietors are not paid in but Either Remain uncol-
lected or are in the Constables hands and that thro' a Defi
ciency of the Laws upon which the Propriety is formed
Wherefore your Petitioners in behalf of their principals
most Humbly Pray that an act may be now past to Enable the
Collector or Constable of the Said Propriety to Collect & Levy
their arrearages in the same Summary way the Constables of
Towns may do and give the said Proprietors the same Remedy
against their Delinquent Collectors or Constables and also to
make Effectual Provision for Raising & Levying money upon
themselves for the future in such an Expeditious method as the
nature of their affairs Require & Your Petitioners as in duty
Bound Shall Ever Pray &c
March 4*'' 1 741 Thomas Wright
Dan' Jackson
In the House of Representatives March the 12"^'- 1741. the within Pe-
tition Read and
Voted, That the Prayer of the Petition be so far granted, That for the
future, the Proprietors be Enabled to make Notes & Raise money on
themselves and that the Collectors & Constables be enabled to gather
the same, and that the Proprietors Shall have the same Remedy against
their delinquent Collectors c*c Constables as other Towns have and that
the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
James Jeffrey CI'' assem
In Council March 20"' 1741
The above Vote read & Concurred
Theod Atkinson Secy.
March 22 Assented to.
B. Wextworth
Petition of Thomas Shcpard.
To Flis Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq"" Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire, The Honorable his Majestys Councill and house
of Representatives in General Assembly convened —
The Petition of Thomas Shepherd in Behalf of himself and
the other Lihabitants of the Two mile Streak (so called) in
the Township of Barrington in said Province most humbly
shews That there are sixteen fiimilies settled within the said
Two mile Streak, containing upwards of ninety Persons in
all That the Situation of the Same is such that the Inhabitants
are very nuich exposed unto the Lidian Enemy
That the summer past the laboring People there were obliged
to leave their wives and children at home naked & defenceless
whilst they went out about their business of husbandry having
no Soldiers there to guard and protect them
TOWN PAPERS BAURIXGTOX.
47
That they are in great fear that the Indians will destroy some
of them the approaching Spring and Summer, if they tarry
there, unless the Government Allows them Some Protection.
That in Case the said Inhabitants move in, it will give the
Enemy an advantage besides that thereby your Petitioners
Plantation where they raise Considerable Provision will lay
iniiniproved
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly Pray your Excel-
lency and Honours to take their Case under Consideration and
to allow them such a number of Soldiers & for such time as
you shall judge reasonable, and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray, &c.
Fcb^>- 23'' 1747
Thomas Siiipherd.
In Council March 8''" 1747-
read & ordered to be sent Doun to the Hon''''' House.
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Petition 0/ jfo/in Macmath & Thos. Shcpard.
^lay it please y"" Excel lance wee make bould To Truble y""
Excellance & y'' honourable Council taking into Consideration
our Dangerous Condition of our Enimys the Want of what
men you shall tiiink proper to Steate One the two Garrcsons
at Twomill Streik In Barrington being Oblidged to Leave our
Wemen & Children Exposed in Said houses Otherwise our
Cropes must Suffer Our Dependence Is One y'' Excellance &
that you will Not lett us be any longer in Such a Condition be-
ing the Needfull and are ever y'' Excellances humb' Servants
J. W^. Macmath
Two ]Mill Streak Tho** Sheephard
In Barrington
Jan the 15 1747.
Petition of Select mc7i of Barrington^ if-c.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governcr &
Commander in Chief of his majestys Province of New
Hampshire &c &c
Barrington Feb. io"= 1763
Sir
^^'hcreas The Town of Barrington has for Some years past
paid a Considerable Province Tax and has upwards of 120
Poles in it, which we humbly hope Intittles us to ask the favour
That we may Chuse one Assembly man to Represent Said
Town in y*^ General assembly
4S NEW HAMPSHIRE
Therefore Pray your Excellency would Vouchsafe to Grant
the Town of Barrington a Liberty to Chuse such a Represen-
tative to appear for us in y'^ General assembly of this Prov-
ince ; W^hich favour we shall soe duely Esteem and as in Duty
Bound ever pray for the Supporters of our Privelidge
John Garland ") Paul Hayes
Eleazer Young [-Selectmen. John Hayes
W" Gate j Hezekiah Hayes
Mark Hun king
Francis Winkley Jun
Portsmouth Feb. 19"" 1763
Upon the within Petition I have thought it for His Majestys Service
to Incert in the Kings writ the Town of Barrington which please to fill
up that they thereby may send a precept to the Select men in
time to make Choice of a proper person to represent them in the next
General assembly
I am Sir Your hum Ser\t
B. Wextworth
To the Hon»''^- The Atkinson Esq
At our Anual Town meeting held at The meeting house In Barring-
ton on Wednesday The 28''' day of march 1770 our Petition Relating
to Parish orders has Been Notified and Read in Said meeting.
Barrington March the 29"' 1770.
James Harden
Toun Clerk,
At a Tovv^n meeting held at the meeting house in Barrington on
Thursday The first Dav of march 1770 according to Notification Then
Voted Deacon John Garland & Liutenant Samuel Brewster as a Com-
mittee or agents to Pertition Tlie General Court for Paresh Powers to
Transact our affairs Relating to a minister Seprate from otlier afl'airs of
The Town and trom other Sosieties Now Subsisting in Town
Barrington, March the 19"'', 1770.
Attest James Marden
town Clerk
Garland S Brezvsters Petition hi behalf of the toxoi of
Barrington^ March 1770.
To Plis Excellency John Wentworth Esq"", Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in & over the Province of Xew Hampshire
the Hon^''^' his Majestys Council & House of Representatives
in General Assembly convened. March 23 1770
The Humble Petition of John Garland and Samuel Brews-
ter both of Barrington in said Province as agents for Barring-
ton aforesaid Shews
That there are in said Town a number of the Inhabitants who
call thcnisclvcs (Quakers a number who are Separatists from
all Denominations of Christians and also a niunber of mem-
bei's of the Church of Engfland besides the Common Denomi-
TOWN PAPERS BARRIXGTOX. 49
nation called Congregationalists, That there is no settled min-
ister of that order nor any other in said Town at Present but
frequently Lay Teachers come there and Encourage Separa-
tions & Divisions and as they all belong to the Town when-
ever there is a Town meeting to consider of Settling a minis-
ter as the Law of the Province Directs, they all attend &
Sometimes out Vote the others &. Introduce the greatest disor-
der & Confusion
Wherefore Your Petitioners humbly Pray that they whose
sentiments are in the Congregational way & such others as will
join them may be erected into a Parish & Authorized to Trans-
act all aflairs relating to Settling & maintaining a Minister of
the Gospel & other atlairs relative thereto according to Law
by themselves exclusive of all others who will not join with
them as members of the Same Parish or Society and that they
may have leave to bring in a bill accordingly and your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Joiix Garland
Samuel Brewster
New Hampsl/ire}^" ^^^ "°"'^ °^ Representatires March 22'^ 1770
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on Friday the
thirtieth Day of March Instant if the General assembly be then Sit
ing and if not Then on the Second Day of their siting next after And
that they Cause the Substance of the Petition and Order to be Posted up
at the fleeting house in said Barrington and if a Town meeting Shall
be held in said Town before that Day then the same to be read at said
meeting that any person may Shew Cause why the prayer thereof
Should not be Granted
M. Weare Cl^
In Council eodem Die
Read cV Concurred
Geo. King D. Sec
New Hamns 1 ^" ^^^ House of Representatives March 30, 1770
The Petitioners being heard on this Petition and no Objection made
by any Person and the Prayer of the Petition appearing to be Reasonable
Voted That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted and that the Peti-
tioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
M. Weare CI'
In Council Apr. 12, 1770
Read & Concurred
Geo King D. Sec
50 NEW HAMPSHIRE
BEDFORD.
[This towTi wasgranbedby JIassachueettsin 1733, and continued under the gov-
ernment of that Province until 1741. It was Urst called Narraganeet, Xo. 5, after-
wards Souhegan East. It was incorporated by the name of Bedlord, VJ 3Iay, 1750.
—Ed.]
SouJiegait People's Petition for aid, &c.
(Now Bedford.)
Souhegan East June i3 1744
We the Inhabitants of Souhegan East Apprehending our
selves Exposed to Immenent Danger both from the French &
Indian Enemys & being in no capacity to make a proper Stand
in case of an assault from do constitute & appoint ^Nlr. John
Chamberlin our Delegate requesting him in y' capacity with
all possible speed to repair to Portsmouth & to represent our
Deplorable case to his Excellency our Governor and y" gen-
eral assembly and request of them such aids both in respect of
men & military stores as to their great wisdom may seem meet
and which may put us in a capacity to repel all attempts of
our s'' enemies
John Riddel Sam' Woods
John Riddel Jr. James Walker
Forges Kenn*' Benjamin Kidder
Hugh Ridell William Patterson
Ritchard McAllister John Moor
James Kinnock Robert Gilmore
John McDugel Thomas Chandler
Moses Barron Samuel Patten
James Moor Matthew Patten
John Burns Jonathan Lyon
John Toms John Orr
James Moor James Linn
I
ohn Morehead John Durgee
leazer Lyon Ale-V Walker
John Roby William Calwell
John Carr Jas Little
Thomas Vickere John Patten
Thomas Vickere Sen Robert Walker
A List of the names of the families of the Inhabitajits of
Souhegan East upon Aferrifnack Rive?-.
Timothy Corlis Samuel Woods
John More Ephraim Bushnel
Robert Gillemore Thomas Worthley
Robert Little Lev' Moses Barns
John Gofte Thomas Vickers
William Pateson Elizer Lion
Thomas Chandler Robert Gilmore
John Blare John Robe
Benjamin Smith Jun Thomas Farmer
John MacDugel Thomas Farmer Jun
James Walker Benjamin Smith
TOWX PAPERS BEDFORD. 5 1
John Taylor Gom ( ?) Ridle
Cap. John Chamberlin Wid MacQiiado
Canada Robert Walker
John Tom Hugh Ridle
Morehead Forges Canada
William Patison Jim John Ridle
James More Jun Jonathan Lion
Thomas Barn James Little
James More James Ljnn
James Mathews Elexander Walker
Benjamin Smith third John Bell
John Orr Samuel Pattin
Joseph Canada Matthew Patten Jr.
John Quig Kiders family.
John Burns
To Liable the Inhabitants on a Tract of Land on the West Side of
Merrimack River, to raise a reasonable Tax for the Support of a Min-
ister of the Gospel &c & to make choice of fit persons to collect tlie
Same
It is ordered by His Excelency with the advice of His Majestys
Council That on day of April next Capt John Goffe holds the
first Town meeting giveing Ten days Notice thereof to the Inhabitants.
Petition of Presbyterians in Bedford.
To His Exell'y Beiining Wcntwoith Esqr Governor & Com-
ander In Chief of His IMajesty's Province of New Hamp-
shire and to the Honoiuable His Majestys Counsil as-
sembled at Portsmouth May y^' lo"' 1750.
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of
Souhegan East so called S/iexveth
That your Petitioners are the Major part of sd. Souhegan
that your Petitioners as to our particular persuasion in Chris-
tianity are Generally of the Presbyterian Denomination That
your petitioners through a variety of Causes having been Long
Destitute of the Gospel are now Desirous of taking the proper
steps in Order to have it Settled among us in the way of Dis-
cipline which we judge to tend most to our Edification That
your Petitioners not being incorporated by Civill authority are
in no Capacity to Raise those Sums of money which may be
needfull in order to our ^jroceeding in the above Important
affair.
May it therefore Please your Excell'y & Hon''' to take the
Case of your Petitioners under Consideration and to Incorpo-
rate us into a town or Dcstrick or in Case any part of our In-
habitants should be takenolV By any Neighbouring Destrick to
Grant that those of our persuasion who are Desirous of Ad-
hering to us may be Notwithstanding Ex'cused from support-
ing any other Parish Charge than where they Consciencously
cja NEW HAMPSHIRE
adhere we Desiring the Same Liberty to those within our
Bounds if any yet be and yo' Petiti" shall Ever Pray &c
Samuel Miller Robert Gilmor sen.
William Moor James Mathis
John Riddell Forges Kennedy
Thomas Vickere John McLaughlin
Matthew Little William Kennedy
James Moor Forgious Kennedy
John Tom David Thomsond
James Kennedy James McNight
Robert Gilmor Hugh Riddel
Richard McAllister John Burns
John Moor Daniel Moor
Thomas Chamb'rl'n James Moore
John McDugle Gerard Rowell
Samuel Patten John Clark
Alex' Walker James Walker
Gan (?) Ridell John McQiiige
Ben Smith Robert Walker
John Goffe John Bell
John Orr Patrick Taggart
John Morehead Matthew Patten
James Little John McLaughlin Sen-
These are to certifie that we the above Subscribers Do Commission
John Gotle Esq'' and Mr. samuel patten to present this petition in or-
der to obtaine Incorporation tor us according to their Instructions from
us the subscribers
James Little, Cleark.
Daited May the lo'-' 1750
Bedford PetitioJifor the revival of their propriety.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Gov"" &c.
The Hon^'' his Majesties Councel And house of Represe''''*
in General assembly Convened at Portsmouth the thirteenth
day of July 1756
The Inhabitants of the town of Bedford in the province of
New Hampshire Most Humbly Sheweth
That the proprietors of Narragansett Township No. 5 Alias
Bedford and part of Merrymac have not had a prop" meeting
for several years and that the Clerk of said propriety has been
Dead some space of time and there is no Comitee in the pro-
priety to Call proprietors meetings The Consequence whereof
tends much to your petitioners Damage
That there was Land Reserved by the prop" in their Survey
of the said town for highways and inasmuch as roads Cannot
be made on all the said land so reserved we are obliged to Lay
out roads Elsewhere and for want of a j^rop" meeting Legally
Called, The power of Disposal of said reserved land Cannot
be given to the town which if it were we might change with
TOWN PAPERS — BEDFORD.
53
those persons who have their land Cut with town roads who
ou<i^ht to have a proper Satisfaction for their hinds so taken
and would thereby i^rcvent the towns paying a Considerable of
money yearly
Wherefore we pray that your Excellency and hon""^ would
take the premises in Consideration and Grant us an order to
Call a prop'^ meeting of Narragansett Township N" five
and your petitioners shall ever pray
Math'"" Pattex
by a vote of the town.
In Council July 15 1756
read & ordered to be sent Doun to the Hon''" House
Theodore Atkinson Secy
This Petition being read ordered that it be Dissmissed
A. Clarksen Clerk
Bedford Petition for a tax on tJicir land.
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Govr. &c. The
Hon' his Majesties Councel And house of Represent^''" in
General assembly Convend at Portsmouth the thirteenth
day of July 1 756
The Inhabitants of the town of Bedford in the province of
New Hampshire would most humbly Remonstrate That the
fewness in number of oiu" Inhabitants with the Expences
which Necessarylv arises for us to pav and the Deficultvs at-
tending the performing the settlement of a new Town That a
large Qiiantity of the town Lying unsettled and vacant of any
Inhabitants and have Rec'' no help to Defraying any of our
Necessary Charges from the proprietors of any such unsettled
land, for the space of twelve or fourteen years in which term
we (being a Fronteer) Endured the hardship of the late Indian
war for which Reasons yom- Petitioners is rendered very ima-
ble to Carrie on the building a house for the publick \\'()rship
of God or a house for the use of the ministery in said town
Wherefore we humbly jjray that yoiu' Excelency and hon"^*
would take our case in Consideration, and Grant us a tax on
all the land in the town (Exclusive of Ministery Ministerial
School and highway Lands) for the term of two years at six-
pence pr. acre Each year or so much as you in your wisdoms
Shall think SufHcient for the piu'poses aforesaid and your pe-
titioners shall ever prav
Matthew Pattex Agent for the town
54 NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council July 15"' 1756.
read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''' House
Theod Atkinson Sec
Province of ~l j j^ House of Representatives July 15*1- 1756
The above Petition being read
Ordered That the Petitioner be heard thereon y" 2'' Day of the Sit '
ting of the General assembly next after the i'" day of sept next Ensue-
ing <l!C Yt in y* meantime y' petitioner at his own Cost & Charge Cause
this order of" Court with the Substance of s'' Petition to be advertised
in some publick print for three weeks successively
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council July 15 1756
The within vote read & Concurred
Theod Atkinson Secy
Province of \ j^^ ^j^ House of Representatives Dec^ 16, 1756
I\ew Hamps J ^ > < ^
This Petition being read
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted, & that the petitioner
have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
Andrew Clarkson Clk.
In Council Eodem Die
read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Petition of yames Caldxvell.
To His Excellency Benning Wentwoith Esqr Captain General
Governor & Commander In Chief In & over his Majesty's
province of New Hampshire the Hon''''" his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives In General Assembly Conv''
the 30"' day of Nov'' 1763
The Petition of James Caldwell of Bedford In said province
Humbly Shews that your petitioner being one of the Select-
men of Said Town for the year 1763 together with Mr. John
GotFe & Mr. James Lions did agreeable to their usual form &
Custom & agreeable to Law (for calling Town meeting) put
up a notification for calling the free holders &: other Inhabitants
of said Town together at the usual place forChusing selectmen
Constable & other Town ofHcers for said Town as the Law Direct-
ed, agreeable thereto the Inhabitants of said Bedford met and at
said meetingmade choice of M Jn" Bell to be theirModerator &
then proceeded to the Choice of the Select men & other Town
officers, when the Moderator Declared that by the Votes
Brought In they had made choice of Mr. James Little, Mr.
Sam' Pattin & your petitioner for their Select men & Mr. Rich-
ard M Allester as Constable for Said Town to Collect the
Taxes, so it hapned that at said meeting there was no Justice
present to sware s'' officers & no Refusal from any one of them
rows PAPERS BEDFORD. 55
at that time that they would not serve, but since it so happens
by some misunderstaiidinji^ or other that ISI"" Sam' Pattiu who
was Chosen as a Select man refuses, as well the Constable Mr.
Richard M Allester they calling it an Illegal meeting for what
Reason is best known to themselves, as your petitioner is
Qiiite Ignorant of any Illegality & your petitioner with Mr.
James Little another of the Selectmen of said Town (being
Ignorant of the Law in such Cases) did put up one other no-
tification for calling a meeting In Said Town for Chusing
Town Officers which meeting was held on the 24 ultimo
when other officers were chosen in their stead, but by
our charter we find we can hold no town meeting, Only
on the last Wednesday of jMarch for choice ot Town offi
cers which we did agreeable to said Charter & the sev-
eral officers was Chosen as before mentioned, & expecting
they would take the oaths as usual, the Moderator Dissolved
the meeting by which means we are notable to Call any Town
meeting for this Year Chusing proper officers to Levy tS: Col-
lect the province Tax laid on said town of Bedford & if not
Leevy'd & Collected this present year, the Burthen the next
would then of Consequence be double the sum its this year,
which would make it very difficult. Wherefore your petitioner
Humbly prays the aid of this honorable Court touching the
premises, & that you'd be pleased to Grant such Releif as you
in your great wisdom Shall think proper & your petitioner as
in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &c
James Caldwell
In Council December i 1763 read & sent down to the Hon'*'' assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Province of "I t .^i_ 1 ,- r^ • t^ ^
New Hamps ) hause ot Representatives Dec\ i, 1763.
This petition being Read Voted that the prayer thereof be s,n-anted &
that the petitioner have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Assented to B. Wentworth.
Petition of the Selectmen d' Committee of Safety of
Bedford.
To the Honourable the Committee of .Safety of the State of
New Hampshire.
The Petition of us the .Subscribers .Selectmen and Commit-
tee of Safety for the Town of Bedford in the County of Hills-
borough in said state Humbly shews That your Petitioners are
56 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Informed that M'' John Houston of said Bedford Intends to
make application to your Honours to have Liberty to Take the
oath of Fideh'ty to the State — to serve a Secular Interest as
we apprehend we Humbly Pray that you would Defer His
Taking it or giving him any Recommendation in his Favour
as being Friendly to the Cause of America untill the Town of
Bedford shall be Notified to appear at a Convenient Time as
you Shall think Proper to shew cause why he ought not to be
admitted to said oath which we Conceive They are Capable to
do and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever Prav
Thomas Boice '\
James Vose y Selectmen
William White j
Bedford, Sep^ ye 24''' 1778
We the Subscribers appoint Capt. Samuel Patten to Pre-
sent this our Petition
James Caldwell'
Sam' Patten /-,
John Goffe I Conimittee
Sam' Vose | ^^ ^''^^^^^
John Bell
BENNINGTON.
[This town is in Vermont. It was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth, 3d
January, 171!), and from him derived its name. Eu.]
J\/r. Sam^ Robinson! s petitio7i^ Ded 9"', 1763.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governor and
Commander in chief in & over the Province of New Hamp-
shire The Hon^''^ his Majesty's Council & House of Repre-
sentatives for said Province in General Assembly Convened,
Decemb' 8"' 1763
The Humble Petition of Samuel Robinson of Bennington in
said Province Esq"^ as agent for & in behalf of the Inhabi-
tants of said town Shews
That there are about fifty Families Settled in Said Town
and a minister of the Gospel settled among them, and the said
Town is in a Good forwardness & Prosperous condition con-
sidering the time of the Grant and the distance from other
Settlements,
That the burden of Supporting the usual Town Charges is
heavy upon new Settlements especially till they have the
necessary Public Buildings finished and the Building a Con-
venient Meeting House for Public Worship and a Convenient
School house is at present too Great a Charge for the said Inhab-
TOWN PAPERS — BOSCAWX. 57
itants but as those houses being built & duly Improved j^neatly
Encourages Settlers & raises the Value of the Lands Your
Petition' humbly Prays That they may be authorized to lay a
Tax for a Limited time on the Lands in said Township for so
much annually and for such a time as will be SufHcient to de-
fray the Charge of Building sucli a Meeting house &. School
house within said Township and they will ever Pray &c
Sam' Robinson
In Council December S'"' 1763
Read iv: Sent down to the Hon''* Assembly
Province of) In the house of Representatives Dec'' 9"" 1763
New llanipj This petition being read.
I'otcd That the petitioner be heard thereon the second day of the sit-
ting of the General Assembly next after the first day of Feby next &
that he Cause the substance of this petition & order of Court thereon
to be advertised three weeks successively in the New Hampshire Ga-
zette that any persons concerned may appear & Shew Cause if any they
have why the prayer thereof should not be Granted
A Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. Secy
BOSCAWEX.
[This town was granted by Massacluisetts, and was called Contoocook, until in-
corporated by New Hampsliire, '22 April 1700. Eu.]
Petition of Contoocook, Pcnacook and Canterbury yor pro-
tection from the India7is, ^747*
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"" Captain Gen-
eral and Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his
^Majesty's Province of New I lamp'' To the Honorable his
^Majestys Council and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened the twelfth Day of November ]7-|7
The petition of Phineas Stevens, (i) Ebenezer Eastman
and Jeremiah Clough in Behalf of themselves and the Inhab-
itants of Contoocook, Pennycook and Canterbury, in said Prov-
ince, most humbly shews
That the said Places are frontiers and lay open and exposed
unto the French and Indian Enemy. That they arc not able to
protect and defend themselves in Case of a Vigorous attack
from tlie Enemy which they have Reason to fear may be the
Case as soon as there Shall be Snow Sufficient to travel with
Snow Shoes That unless they are protected, the Inhabitants
Will be under a Necessity to break up and leave their habita-
tions and so Consequently the frontier will be bro't nearer.
(1) He was the first minister of Boscawen. Ed.
58 NEAV HAMPSHIRE
That vour Petitioners humbly conceive it will be much better
for the Province to have those Places Protected than to have
them broke up. Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray
your Excellency and Plonoin-s to take this Petition under your
wise Consideration and be pleased to Grant such a number of
men for each of the before mentioned Places and for such time
as to your Excellency and Honours shall seem meet and reason-
able and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Phineas Ste%'ens
Ebenezer Eastman
Jeremiah Clough
In Council Nov I2"» 1747 read & sent down to the I Ion'''" House.
Theodore Atkinson Secj
Contoocook Petition for aid.
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"" Captain Gen-
eral & Govonner in chief in and over his Majestie's Province
of New Hampshire In New England
The Petetion of y'^ Inhabitants of a Plantation called Con-
toocook in y*^ sd. province of New Hampshire Humbly
Showeth
That where as your Humble Petitenrs being Certtainly In-
formed of a Declaration of war Between y"^^ King of England
and France and Tharefore Looking UDon our selves as Exposed
contenualy to y*^ atacks of y'' Indians who are subjects or al-
lies to y" King of France and we would Beg Leave Humbly
to Lay our Case before your Excellency
May it Pleas your Excelency we have Been at Great Ex-
pence and Labour in Bringing to y*-' settlements in y*^ planta-
tion so far as thay are att this time by setteling a gospel min-
ister erecting Houses subduing Lands and Bringing too a
cosidable Qiiatity of Wilderness and in erecting proper Forti-
fications for Defence in case of an Indain war one of which
was Built in y' year 1739 a building of considerable Expense
to y'' proprieters and of great conseqence to y"' Inhabitants being
100 feet square and all this to advance y'' Kingdom of Christ in
the world and farther to enlarge and advance his majestie's
Dominions in the american continent we have Like wise been
att great expense and cost in erecting houses to Dwell in and
in moving from our habitations the most of us into sd Fort
in order for our security till proper help shall arive to us for
want of which many persons have Removed and more are
Removing from us to the Great Discouragement of those that
tarry behind and all tho we might Defend our selves in our
Fortification yet we cant support our selves becaus we have
TOWN PAPERS BOSCAWEX. ^Cf
none to gard us in our Busness and more over the command-
ing ofcccr ill the phicc has so far neclected the people that thay
are very uneasy he never having caled them to Gether since he
Reed his commission Refusing to Repair to the fort or to tak
any care of it or the people in it never seting any watch or
ward so that the Inhabitants are without a Leader yet they
have consantly Keept a watch and ward in said fort or gareson
Those with many others are the Difecultys we Labor under
two many to be hear enumerated of which we Humbly Beg
Redres of your Excelence in such wav and maner as your Ex-
celency in wisdom shall think Best and your Humble petisions
as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
Contoocook June y*^ 5"' 1744
Ricliard Flood William Emery
Richard Jackman Moses Burbank
John Cowin Samuel Emery.
Josepli Easman Nathaniel Meloon
John Fowler Ezekiel Flanders
Andrew Bohonan Josiah Bishup
Jacob Flanders Jorge Jackman
Daniel Rolfe
Petition from Siaidry Persons at Contoocook^ Praying for
military officers.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq
Honored S"' we the Subscribers Being Souldiers of Contoo-
cook Do Humbly Desire your Excellency to Grant to M""
John Rollins of said town a Captins Commission and Like-
wise a Lcf' & Lisins Commishon to two other men of said
town whome he the said Rollins shall nominate the Perform-
ance whereof will Grately oblige your Humbel and Dutiful!
Sarvants
Contoocook November y- 39"' 1743
Jacob Flanders Edward Fitchgaull
Ambrus Goold John Flanders
Josiah Bishup Moses Call
Enos Bishup Sinkler Been
John EUet * Daniel Rolf
Thomas Cook Ezekiel Flanders
Benmore Dudy Richard Flood
Thomas Estman John Johnson
Nathanel Danford Willan Peters
William Corser Andrew Bohonon
Jesse Flanders David Barker
Thomas Manuel William Danford
William Dogiden John Call
John Boin Nathanel Maloon
Jacob Flanders Junior Sam' Emmery
John Fowler William Emmery
6o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Contoocook Petition foi- a land Tax for sitpport of a
jninister.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Govci-nor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire To the Honorable His majestys Council «fe
House of Representatives in General assembly Convened
the twelfth day of November 1747
The Petition of the Proprietors of the Plantation calld Con-
toocook in the Province of New Hampshire most humbly
Sheweth — That your Petitioners have had a minister of the
Gospel Setled among them for about the space of seven years
That notwithstanding the Difficulties arising from the War he
hitherto has continued at said Plantation and would still con-
tinue there if supported and maintained by the Proprietors
That for want of a Law to enable and Impower the said Pro-
prietors to Raise money and Collect the same for the support
of the ministers there The Burden thereof lyeth on a few
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray your Excellency
and Honours, That by a special act they may be authorized
and Impowerd thereunto and that not only the Lands of the
Residents but also of the non Resident Proprietors may be
rated towards the support of the Ministry there for such time
and in such Proportion as shall be judged reasonable by your
Excellency and Honours and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever Pray &c
Joseph Coffix, for and in
behalf of the Committee of Said Proprietors.
Nov 13"^ 1747 In Council
read & concurred orderd to be sent down to the Hon''''" House
Theodore Atkinson secy
Petition for Authority to Collect Taxes.
Province of )
New IIami-)shire j
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Captain Gen-
eral and Governour in Chief in and over said Province And
To the Hon**'^ his Majesties Council and House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court now Assembled
The Petition of us the subscribers Humbly Sheweth that
the Proprietors of the Town of Boscawen have at their meet-
ing from time to time Voted sums of money as they thought
needful to carry on their publick affiiirs <!v: particularly a sum
of money to purchase a Right of land in said Town of Bos-
cawen for the Encouragement of the settling a gospel Minister
inthc Town The Right have been purchased and given to the
TOWN- PAPERS — BOSCAWEN-. 6l
Rev. Mr. Robie Morrill The money have been Assessed and
such original Right was proportionately Taxed And now for
want of Legal power to Collect said money some part of said
proprietors (notwithstanding their forwardness in voteingsaid
money) neglects or Refuses to pay their Equal part thereof &
for want of said money's being Collected and paid in there is
an action in Law Commenced against said proprietors in order
to recover said money which is greatly to the prejudice and
Damage of the rest of said proprietors whoe have paid their
ful part of said money & tends greatly to hinder the propaga-
tion and Settlement of the Town Therefore We Humbly prav
your Excellency &; Honours to Livest said proprietors with ful
power i*v: legal authority to Collect what money hath alreadv
been or Shall hereafter be voted by said proprietors for their
use by makeing sale of the Delinquent proprietors Land or in
any other way your Excellency & Hon" in your great Wis-
dom Shall think best and your petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever prav
Dated Boscawen august 24"' 176^
George Jackmax Jun \ Com*'^ for said
Thomas Carter J Proprietors.
New HTmns T ^" ^'^^ House of Representatives Sep'' 9"' 1767
The within Petition being Considered
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on their Petition the third day
of the Sitintr of the General Assembly after the fifteenth day of Octo-
ber next and that the Petitioners at their own Cost Cause the Sub-
stance of _v Petition and order of Court to be printed three weeks suc-
cessively in the New Hampshire Gazett and Boston Gazett That any
Person may appear and Shew Cause why the Prayer thereof should not
be Granted
ISI. Weare CI'
In Council Septem' 11"' 1767 Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun Secy
New H-xmo 1"^" ^^^^ House of Representatives Feb. y-" 19"' 176S
The within Petition being Considered and appearing Reasonable
and no Objection made against it
Voted That the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a Bill to answer
the Pravcr of the Petition
M. Wearo CI'
In Council P'eb. 24'-' 176S
Read iN; concurred
Geor King Dep Sec.
SZ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition fof a yustice of the Peace.
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esq"" Governor &
Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire
Whereas the Town of Boscawen in said Province has ever
since it's first Settlement been destitute of a Commissionated
Justice of the Peace, Such an officer being often needed (more
especially since our Late favourable Incorporation by your
Excellency) we the Subscribers & Inhabitants of said Town
Pray Your Excellency to Commissionate Mr. George Jack-
man Jun' of said Town to be Justice of the Peace he having
deserved well for several years Last past in the acceptable dis-
charge of public Trust to him Committed And your Petition-
ers Shall as in Duty bound ever Pray
Boscawen January 29"' 1766
Ezra Carter John Webster
Petitioner tho' not an Inhabi- John Flanders
tant of Boscawen William Emery
Moses Foster John Coser
Petitioner tho' not an Inhabi- Thomas Corser
tant of Boscawen Ephr" Woodbury
John Fowler Jesse Flanders
Thomas Carter Stephen Call
BOW.
[Bow was incorporate.! 20 May 1727, by New Hampshire.— Ed.]
Bov: Remonstrance against Riivifofd Petition^ i749-
Province of |
New Hamp j
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esq Capt. General
Governour & Comander in Chief in & over his jMajestys
Province afores" & To the Hon''''' his Majtys Council for said
Province
Humbly shew the Selectmen of the Township of Bow in
the Province aforesaid in behalf of the said Town & the Pro-
prietors thereof that they have been Informed that a Petition is
Preferred to your Excelency & Hon'" Desiring therein that the
Inhabitants on a Tract of Land called Pennycook may be In-
corporated and Infranctizcd with Town Previledges &c & that
the bounds mentioned in the said Petition (as your Petitioners
are Informed) makes great Infringement on Land belonging to
& within the Charter of the s'' Town of Bow Wherefore your
Petitioners Humbly Pray that the said Petition from tlie People
at Pennycook may not be granted as asked for and that the
TOWX PAPERS — BOSCAWEN'. 63
Proprietors of Bow may have opportunity to shew to your
Excelency & Hon" The unreasonableness of the said Petition
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever Pray iVc
George Vexseygur (?) I Selectmen
AlJRAM TlLTON j of BoW.
februry y 7''' Day 1749-50
Perambulation of tJic lozvn lines of Boxv.
The purambleation of the Lines of the town of Bow as surveyed by
me the Subscriber on or about the year 1749. I began at the Reputed
Bound of the town of Chichester "at the head of Notingham & from
thence Run north west four miles to the head of Epsoin then there
marked a maple tree with the word Bow & Sundry Letters and from
said tree which I Called the East Corner of said Bow I Run north west
four miles to the west Corner of Chichester y ' north east one mile to
Canterbury South corner then north west five miles on said Canter-
bury V'' South west nine miles which Runs to North west of Rattle
Snake hill and most of the pond that Lays on the north west side of
said hill and said Line Crosses Ilopkinton Road so called and takes part
of said town in then we marked a tree & Run South East five miles and
marked a tree y" one mile South west then South East four miles y"
north East nine miles to where we began
Walter Bryant
P. S. I Crossed marrimack River within two mile of Canterbury
Line an found all the Inhabitance to the South of Canterbury tSi East
Marrimack which are in Rumford to be in Bow
Petit io7i of the Toxvn of Botv^ '^l^to'
Province of)
New Hamp j"
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Capt General
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over sd Province
and to the Honourable his Majesties Council & House of
Representatives of the aforesd Province now convened in
General assembly at Portsmouth in said Province as they
stand Prorogued to the 30" Day of October A. D. 1753
We the Subscribers Humbly Beg leave to inform your Ex-
cellency and Honours that att a meeting of the Free holders
and Inhabitants of the town of Bow in sd Province held the
25^'' Day of July last past persuant to a special act of this Gen-
eral Assembly for the calling sd meeting we were chosen
Selectmen for sd. town for this currant vear ; And that since
that time we have Received two Several 1 warrants from this
Province Treasurer the first Dated May 30*'' 1753 and the other
Dated the 26'' Day of July 1753 by the first of which we are
commanded in his Majesties name to assess the Sum of sixty
Pounds on Said Inhabitants and by the other the sum of thirty
64 NEW HAMPSHIRE
one Pounds four Shillings. And tho' wc arc Ready, (and that
with cheerfulness) To obey Every order of government yet
that we are at a loss as to the Boundaries of sd. Bow and con-
sequently Dont Know who the Inhabitants are that we are to
assess sd sums upon, that the Prop' - of Bow in Running out
the Bounds of sd town have as we conceive altered their Bounds
several times, and further that one of those Gent" that pur-
chased Capt. Tufton Masons Right to the Lands in sd Prov-
ince has given it as his opinion that sd Prop''' have not as yet
Run out the Bounds of sd town agreable to their charter But
that their South East side line should be carried up about three
quarters of a mile further toward the northwest and there is
lately (by his order) a fence erected a long some miles near
about sd place Designed (as we suppose) as a Division Fence
between sd Bow and land yet claimed by s"^ Purchasers and
that on the other hand the Inhabitants of Penycook formerly
Erected into a District by a special act of the General As-
sembly of this Province (Tho they object nothing against
submitting to order of Government) Refuse to give us An In-
voice of their Estates (That is such of them as we have asked
for the same) aledging that they Dont lay in Bow and that this
sd assembly did as good as declare in sd District act So that
upon The whole we humbly conceive (unless the pleasure of
this Courtis first made known Relating to the aforesd. affairs)
that should we proceed to assess the afores'' sums on such as we
may have coucei'' are the Inhabitants of sd Bow that many
would Refuse to pay the Sums that should be so assessed on
them and consequently that we should be thrown into so many
Law suits as would in all probability Ruine us as to our
Estates. Therefore we humbly crave that your Excellency &
Honours would take the afores'' affairs under your wise and
mature consideration and fix the Boundaries of sd Bow or oth-
erwise give us such directions as you shall think proper and so
submitting the whole afiair to your Excellency & Honours to
do as you in your great wisdom shall think fit not doubting
that you will give us such directions as if followed by us we
may obey the commands laid on us by this court without the
lest detriment to ourselves
And your Petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray
Moses Foster ^
Bow Octob''y- 26"' 1753 John Coffix
'Richard Easmax |- Selectmen
David Abbot j
William Moor J
TOWN PAPERS — BOSCAWEX. 65
Prov. N. Hamp. Jany 10"' 1754
In Council read & concurred ct ordered to be sent Down to the Ilonble
assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secy
rovince o I j^ ^^j^^ house of Representatives January the 12 1754
Voted that the Petitioners be heard on the within Petition on the
Thirty first Day of January Instant if the General assembly be then
Sitting if not then on the third Day of the Sitting of the General as-
sembly next after the first Day of february next and that the Petitioners
at their own Cost serve Moses Leavit Esqr Clerk of the Proprietors of
Bow with a Copy of this Petition & of the Orders thereon that the s**
Proprietors of Bow if they see Cause may appear & Shew Cause if any
they have why the prayerof the Petition should not be Granted
Matthew Livermore Clerk
In Council July 12"" 1754
read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy
New^Ham^s}^" the House of Representatives feby 20"' 1754
One of the Selectmen of Bow bringing This Petition into the House
and suggesting that there had not been convenient opportunity' to serve
the Clerk of the Propriety of Bow with a Copy of the Petition &c. &
praying that the Petitioners might have a further time appointed for
being heard
Voted that the Petitioners be heard on their Petition on Friday next
if the General assembly be then sitting if not then on the third day of
the sitting of the General assembly next after & that they serve the Se-
lect men of the Proprietors of Bow with a Copy of this Petition & of
the order thereon that V s ' Proprietors of Bow if they see Cause may
appear & shew Cause if any they have why the prayer of the Peti-
tion" should not be granted
Matthew Livermore Clerk
Eodem Die,
In Council read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Warra7it from the Treasurer of the Province., i753'
Province of I To the selectmen of Bow in the Province of New Harap'
New Ilamps J for the Current year of our Lord (1753)
Pursuant to acts of General assembly of said Province pass'd in the
Current year of his Majesties Reign, namely " To an act entitled an act
for granting unto his most Excellent Majesty a Tax upon the Polls k.
Estates within this Province for raising the sum of twelve Tiiousand
five hundred pounds new Tenor for the ends iS: purposes in this act
mentioned and to an act entitled an act for a new proportion of the Prov-
ince Tax, to each Town & Parish within this Province of New Hamp'
hereafter mentioned," —
You are therefore in his Majesty's name hereby required by an equal &
impartial assessment, to raise & fevy upon the Polls & Estates (Rate-
able by law) within said Bow, the sum of sixty pounds in new tenor
Bills of Credit, on this Government, and Committ a list thereof to the
Constable or Constables of said Bow; Requiring & directing the said
Constable or Constables to Collect & pay the said sum in said Bills Of
66 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Credit to the Treasurer of said Province for the time being, on, or be-
fore, the hist day of December next (viz) 1753 You are also Required
some time before the last day of December aforesaid, to make a Return,
to the said Treasurer, of the name or names, of the said Constable, or
Constables, to whom you shall committ said List & the sum or sums, by
him or them, Respectively to be paid, as aforesaid.
Dated at Portsmouth, this thirtieth day of May, in the twenty sixth
year of his Majesty's JReign Annoque Domini 1753
Geo. Jaffrey Treas'
Warrani to the Selectmen of Boiv^ ^753
Province of \
New Hamp J
To the Selectmen of Bow in the Province of New Hampshire :
Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of said Province pass'd
in the eighteenth year of his Majesty's Reign Entitl'd "An act for
granting to his most Excellent Majesty the sum of thirteen thousand
pounds for promoting an Expedition against Louisbourg, and for put-
ting liis Majesty's Province in the best posture of Defence in the pres-
ent war — " You are therefore in his Majesty's name hereby required, to
make an equal & impartial assessment on all Polls & Estates, Rateable
by law, within said Bow, amounting to the sum of Thirty one pounds
four shillings. Bills of Credit, Emittedby virtue of said act, and Committ
a list thereof to the Constable or Constables of said Bow, requiring and
Directing the said Constable or Constables, to Collect & Receive from
the Inhabitants of said Bow their Respective assessments of said sum,
the payment whereof may be made by said Inhabitants (if they see fit)
in said bills of Credit, according to their Several Denominations, or in
coined Silver at six shillings & eight pence pr ounce Troy weight of
Sterling alloy, or in Coin'd Gold at four pounds eighteen shillings pr.
ounce, or in the following sorts «& species of Goods, being of the
produce or manuf^ictures of s<i Province at the price to each sort & specie
herein Respectively affixed (namely)
Merchand'' Hemp per ct. £2 : 15
Winter & first fare Isle Sable Cod fish per qtl " 15
Barr Iron per cw' 2 "
Barley pr. Bushell •' 4
Indian Corn pr Bushell " 4
Beef per. lb. " 0:3
Merch" white pine Boards per M 2:5
Beeswax pr. lb. 1:6
Pitch pr Barren i : 5
Bay berry wax pr. lb 1:3
Tar br Barrel i
Flax per lb i
Rye pr Bushell : 5 :
Wheat pr Bushell : 6 :
Peas per Bushell : S :
Pork per lb. 4
£
Joyst pr M 2 ( ?)
White oak 2 inch plank pr M S : o : o
Y" same proportion for thick
Turpentine per Barrell i :io
Tannd sole leather per lb. 1:6
You are also to Require the said Constable or Constables to Collect
TOWN PAPERS BOSCAWEX. 6*]
and pay the said Assessments unto the Treasurer of said Province for
the time being, by the Twenty fifth day of December next ensuing the
Date thereof and sometime before the said 25''' day of December, make
a Return to said Treasurer of tlie name or names of the Constable, or
Constables, to whom you shall Committ a List of said assessments, and
the sum or sums by him or them Respectively to be paid as aforesaid —
Dated at Portsmouth the 26''' day of July in the Twenty seventh year
of his Majesty's Reign annoque Domini 1753
Goo JaftVej- Treas'
Petition of the Agents of Bozu for Loan of Mo?tey, 1754.
Province of) ^ , ,v
NewHamp|J"l^^-5'''754-
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capn. Gcw^^
Governor & Comander in Chieft' in & over his majestys
Province of N. Hampshire afores' The Honble his maj'ty
Council & the General assembly of sd. Province
Humbly Shcweth Clem' March Daniel Pierce & Zebulon
Giddings as agents to & in behalf of the Proprietors of the
Township of Bow in said Province That the s'' Proprietors
Comenced an action of ejectment against one Merrill for the
recovery of about Eight acres of Land Lying within the said
Township of Bow that the said action was carryd thro' the
Law here that your memorialist recovered judgment at the
►Superior Court of Judicature here on the review That the
said Merrill had complained to his maj'ty in Council of his
haveing been deny ' an appeal from the said Judgement upon
the review that his Maj'ty in Council was Pleased to order a
hearing of the said action before him in Council sometime in
the month of October next at which time The said Proprie-
tors are ordei-'d to appear &c and as the Getting of Sterling
money either by way of Bills of Exchange or silver is at Pres-
ent very Difficult if to be obtained from Private Persons they
Humbl}' Pray that they may obtain a Vote of the Governour
Council and assembly for Lending of one hundred Pounds
Sterling money to Defend their Title to the said land and they
are ready to give such seciuity to repay The same as The
General assembly shall Please to order or accept of and your
Petitioners as in Dutv Bound shall ever Prav
Clem< MXrch ^ j^
Zeh GiDmxGs -f^^"j3
D. Peikce. )
Prov. N. I lamps.
In Council July 25'^ 1754
read & ordered to be sent Down to tlic Honb'^' the Gen' Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secy
68 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Vote for lc7iding JCioo Sterling to the Proprietors of
Boxu, 1754.
New Han°/}^" ^^'^ "^"''^ °^ Representatives July 25 1754
Whereas Clement March Esqr. Daniel Peirce Esqr and Mr. Zebulon
Giddings as agents for the Proprietors of Bow have Petitioned the Gen.
assembly of this Province to lend them the sumof one hundred Pounds
Sterling money to enable them to carry on a suit before his Majesty in
Council, now depending there between one Merrill and the s'' Proprie-
tors and signifyd in their Petition that they are ready to give such se-
curity for the Repayment thereof as the Gen"' assembly shall please to
order Therefore Voted That Theodore Atkinson Richard Wibird and
Meshech Weare Esqs and Mr. Henry Sherburne Junr. be and hereby
are appointed a Committee they or the major Part of them to draw a
Bill in favour of the s' Petitioners on John Thomlinson Esqr. agent
for this Province at the Court of Great Britain for the sumof one hun-
dred Pounds Sterling of the Interest in the hands of the sd. John
Thomlinson Esqr belonging to this Government and that the s'' Clem-
ent March Daniel Pierce and Zebulon Giddings Give security unto the
s'* Committee for the payment of the sum of three hundred pounds
Bills of credit new Ten'' on this Province within one year from the
date of sd Bill to be by them drawn as afores' with six pr. cent Interest
in like Bills and that the sd. Committee put the s' Principal and Inter-
est when rec'd into the Treasury of this Province (taking a Receipt for
the same) and that the same be burnt to ashes in the face of the Gen'
assembly in order to sink so much of the Bills of Credit of this Prov-
ince, emitted for carrying on y Intended Expedition against Canada
Matthew Livermore Clei'k
In Council July 25"' 1754
The foregoing vote read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy
In Council July 25' Assented to
B. Wextworth.
An act relating to Bozv.
Province of "(^
New Hampshire J Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi Magna* Brit-
tain;e Franciae et Hibernite Vicessimo nono.
An Act For assessing and Collecting the Province Tax due from the
Town of Bow within said Province
Whereas the General Assembly of this Province have Proportioned
the Province Tax for the several Towns Districts and Parishes in this
Province to pay as was thought most Just and Reasonable into the
Province Treasury for several years past and have Directed the Province
Treasurer from time to time to Issue his warrants Directed to the Select-
men of the said Towns, Districts & Parishes to Assess their respective
Towns, Districts and Parishes according to said act and the Laws and
usage of this Province in such Cases and the said Selectmen to make
out'warrants to the Constables of such Towns Districts and Parishes
to Collect the same as usual in the Province iv: pay the same into the
Province Treasury to answer the several ends & purposes for which the
said Taxes were Granted — But notwithstanding the care of the General
Assembly in Providing a Supply for the Treasury in Season The Town
TOWN PAPERS — BOSCAWEX. 69
of Bow in said Province have endeavoured to prevent the assessing and
Collecting the Taxes aforesaid by neglecting or refusing duely to Elect
Select men Assessors & Constables or Collectors to assess and collect
their proportion of the Province Taxes aforesaid and when the General
assemblv made a special act for calling a Town meeting and choosing
Town officers in said Town of Bow in the year 1755 The said Town in
Contempt of the Law and in Defiance of the Government Refused to
meet at the time and place appointed by authority as aforesaid; By
means whereof No officers were chosen and no Taxes are assessed in
said Town of Bow nor have been for several years past and the Treas-
ury of the Province Destitute of that just proportion of the Taxes
which the said Town of Bow ought to pay into the Province Treas-
ury : For Remedy whereof and for the speedy assessing Collecting
and paying into the Public Treasury of said Province the sum and sums
which the said Town of Bow ought to pay into the same;
Be it enacted Bv his Excellency the Governour Council and Assembly
That Ezra Carter & Moses Foster Esqrs and John Chandler Gentleman
all of said Bow they or the Major part of them Be assessors to assess
the Polls and Estates within the said Town of Bow as the Bounds and
Limits of said Township were Run by Walter Bryant Surveyor in the
year 1749 in a just and equal Proportion Agreeable to y" Laws & usage
of this Province, The sum of Five Hundred and eighty Pounds andsix-
teen Shillings New Tenor Bills of Public Credit of this Province being
the sum ordered to be paid by them into the said Treasury and in order
to the said assessors obtaining the Best account of the Polls and Estates
in said Town of Bow & to their making a Just proportion according to
their Best skill and Judgment — The said assessors or the major part of
them are hereby directed to Post up Notifications in some public place
or places within the said Town of Bow Ten days before they proceed to_
make the Said assessment that all persons may have opportunity (if
they think fit) to give a True list or Inventory of their Polls and Rate-
able estate within said Town to said assessors which if they or any of
them shall neglect or refuse to do within that time the said assessors or
major Part of them are hereby Impowered and directed to doom such
Person or Persons in such sum and sums as the said assessors or major
part of them shall Judge they ought to pay as their Proportion of the said
Tax & of the Cost arising in about and concerning the assessing Col-
lecting & Paying the Same which the said assessors or major part of
them are hereby Directed and impowered to assess in Proportion toand
with the said Tax or assessment and the said assessors are hereby Di-
rected to be sworn to the faithfull Discharge of theiroffice & Speedily to
proceed in and make the said Tax or assessment with a Sufficient over-
plus for costs and abatements and Deliver Lists of said Rates or Tax
with proper warrants to the Collectors hereafter named within this act
and certifie the sums in each respective list to y Treasurer of said Prov-
ince within two months next ensuing and the said assessors in their
warrants are to Direct the said Collectors to Collect and pay in unto the
Province Treasurer the aforesaid Sum of five hundred and Eighty
Pounds & Sixteen Shillings New Tenor Bills of said Province at or be-
fore the Last day of December next and account with the said assessors
for y overplus (if any be) and the said assessors to report their doings
herein to the Gen' Assembly as soon as may be
And be it further enacted bv the authority aforesaid, That Timothy
Walker and John Noyes both"of said Town of Bow shall be and hereby
are appointed the Collectors of said Tax or assessment and that they
Collect and pay in the sum & sums in their respective lists in time and
manner aforesaid on Penalty of forfeiting and paying into the Province
Treasury for his Majesty's use the sum in their respective lists men-
70 NEW HAMPSHIRE
tioned And in collecting the same & anv part thereof The said Col-
lectors are hereby Authorized to use and exercise all V Powers and
Authoritys in the Law Given to Constables in this Province for their
Collecting y" Publick Taxes and if any of said Collectors meet with
any opposition in y" executing their office or if the persons rated or any
of them shall secreet their Goods and chattels or use any means to pre-
vent the Collecting of this Tax in manner aforesaid it shall be Law-
full for such Collectors respectively to sue the person or Persons so re-
fusing before any Justice of the Peace in Said Province and any Jus-
tice of the Peace shall & may hear & Detennine the same give Judgm'
therein & award Execution thereon in which no essoin Protection or
wager of Law shall be allowed & no other Evidence Necessary than
the list of rates under the hands of said assessors or major part of them
to Convict & y* oath of y" Collector that the same has been Demanded
four days & not paid and which Demand may be made by asking the
same of the Person or Leaving an acco't of the sum of each respective
Persons rate in such list at the usual place of the Abode of y Person rated
four Days before any Distress or Suit made for y same in manner afore-
said
And be it further enacted by the Authority afosesaid that if the
said assessors shall neglect or refuse to Do their Duty in making said
Rate or Tax and refusing their acc't of the same as aforesaid Thet Prov-
ince Treasurer is hereby authorized required and Directed to issue his
Warrant of Distress Directed to The Sheriff of said Province his under
Sheriff or deputy to Levy said sum of Five hundred and eighty Pounds
sixteen shillings upon the Goods, Chattels or Lands of said "assessors
& in want thereof on their bodies & y" Sherift" under Sherifl" or Deputy
is hereby authorized Impowered and directed to execute the same ac-
cordingly and pay y" said sums into the Treasury
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if any Per-
son giving in to y" said Assessors a list or'inventory of their rateable
Polls or Estates shall be guilty in the Judgement of the said Assessors
or Major part of them of giving in a false list or Inventory of the Rate-
able Polls & Estate the said Assessors or Major part of them are hereby
Impowered and Directed to add to the Rate of Such Person as a fine
not exceeding twenty shillings to be collected with said Rate or Tax for
and towards Defraying y charges attending the same which fine shall
be over and above what the said assessors shall think reasonable to
Doom such persons as their Proportion to said Rates and for the service
of the said assessors in Doing their Duty as in this act is required they
cC Each of them, shall be entitled to have and receive out of what they
shall so assess the sum of seven Pounds & Ten shillings New Tenor
each of them and each of the said Collectors to be allowed out of said
assessment by them to be Collected the sum of fifteen Pounds New
Tenor each of them for such their Service; and to prevent any Incon-
veniency by said Town of Bow their not choosing Town otHcers for
several years past, Be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid that the
said assessors or major part of them are hereby Impowered and Directed
to Notifiethe Free holders and Inhabitants of said Town of Bow Qiiali-
fied according to Law to Vote in Town affairs to meet at such time and
place in said Town of Bow as they shall order and direct some time in
y month of March next in the year 1756 to choose selectmen Consta-
bles & all other Town officers & to pass any vote or votes as they Law-
fully might at any town meeting regularly warned and their votes acts
& choice of officers Shall be as good & effectual in Law to all intents &
purposes as if they had not neglected to choose officers in times past.
TOWN PAPERS — COSCAWEX. ^I
Pursuant to an act of the Gen"' Court of the Prorince of New llamp'
I the Subscriber Warned a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants
of Bow for the choice of Town OfHcers and attended the same as Mod-
erator at the Place and time appointed for said meeting which was y"
22d of April last but there was but one Inhabitant of said Bow that at-
tended the Place and time of meeting by which means no Town Officers
are chosen for the present year to assess the said Inhabitants their pro-
portion to the Province Tax agreeable to Law
JOX' LOVEWELL
Portsmouth May y" 25"' 1755.
Petition for a new survey of Lots.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"^ Gov'' & Com-
mander in Chiefe in & over his majes* Prov. of New Ilamp
The Hon''^ his Majestys Council ifc House of Representatives
for sd Prov. in Gen' Assembly convened Jan. the ihst day
1757
The Humble Petition of Daniel Pierce Esq'^ Tho^ Wiggin
& Daniel Marston Gent" Will"" Pottle Blacksmith & Benj"
Norris Yeoman as a Committee of the Prop"" of y' Town of
Bow in s** Province Shews That there are many Persons who
claim a Right to Lands in Said Township by Titles not de-
rived from s' Proprietors & some who have made considerable
Improvements there with whom the said Pi^oprietors liave had
many expensive Suits at Law which has much impeded the
settlement of said Township — That many of the said claim-
ers & settlers particularly those who hold under the Proprie-
tors of Suncook (so called) are desirous (as they say) of an
accommodation & settlement of these Disputes & to be-
come not only Inhabitants of said Bow but to hold their Title
under that of s' Bow & no more to call it into Qiiestion which
the Proprietors of Bow are as desirous to have effected & have
taken man}' steps to that Purpose being sensible that these Dis-
putes will ihially prove more detrimental to themselves if ended
by y Law tho' in their Favour than any reasonable Conces-
sions That notwithstanding the amicable & peaceable Disposi-
tions of y" Parties conccrn'd there are Impediments which
prevent the good effects that might be expected to result from
such a temper which however willing they are not able to re-
move which your Petitioners beg Leave shortly to represent.
That the Home Lots or first Division in s' Township of Bow
which were laid out for forty acres each by some mistake fall
short as to some of them which contain not much more tlian
half that Quantity and y"" hjts laid out by the Prop'^ of Sun-
cook run across these oblikely so that one of those interferes
with several of these in manv Places That bv this means one
72 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Person has to agree with several for his particular Lot & some
of those are minors with whom no valid agreement can be
made & the Proprietors of Bow are willing those who have
made any considerable Improvements there (tho' they have done
it in Judgment of Law in their own wrong) should enjov the
Fruit of their Labour That quieting the Possessors (who
have improved as afores'') on equitable Terms will tend much
to promote the Settlement of said Township raise y^ Value of
of the Land & save the great Expense which inevitably attends
Contention which desirable end cannot be obtained by anyway
that your Petitioners can discover unless the laying out of
some of sd. Home Lots by the Prop''^ of Bow should be an-
nulld & vacated which seems to be necessary to do Justice to
some of the owners by reason of the mistake aforesaid as well
as for the other Ends before proposed
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that the laying out
of the said Lots the Return & Record thereof as done by y*^
said Proprietors of Bow (or so many of them as may be neces-
sary for y*^ ends aforesaid) may be entirely annulled, & vacated
that your Petitioners or some others may be enabled to lay out
other unimproved Lands in said Township sufficient to be a
just equivalent to the owners of s'' Home Lots under the said
Proprietors That the Land so laid out for said Home Lots
may be taken, deemed & adjudged as common Land so far as
relates to them or those claiming under them that they may be
authorized to dispose thereof as they might have done if it had
not been by them laid out as aforesaid in order for the proposed
accommodation & agreement or so far as is Necessary to answer
y*^ desirable Ends proposed and that your Petitioners may
have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly and they shall as
in Duty bound ever pray &c
Benj' Norris D. Pierce
William Pottle Thomas Wiggin
Daniel Marston.
In Council July 6, 1757
read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''® Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secv.
Province of "|^In the House of Representatives Jan 7, 1757.
New Hamps j The within Petition being Read
Ordered that the Petitioners be heard thereon the second Day of the
Sitting of the Gen"' Assembl}- next after the first Day of February
Next & That the Petitioners at their own Cost tS: Charge" cause the sub-
stance of this Petition with this order of court thereon to be published
in the New Hamp" Gazette two weeks successively that any Person or
Persons may appear at said Hearing & shew Cause if any they have
why the praj-er thereof should not be Granted
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec.
TOWN PAPERS BOSCAWEX. 73
Province of "I
New Ilamps J In the House of Representatives Feb 3' 1757
This petition being read I'v: its appearing that the order of Court had
been Complv'd with. No person appearing against said Petition, & Bow
Committee the petitioners being fully heard thereon therefore
Voted That the prayer of the petition be granted & that the Petition-
ers have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred
R. Wibbird Sec v.
Inventory of Bo-M and Canterbury 1761,
An Invoice of the Polls, Stocks and improved Lands in the Town-
ship of Bow, (i) taken by us the Subscribers according to the best of
our knowledge
Polls
154
Cattle 3 years old
85
Houses
91
Do 2 years old
90
Planting
Groun
id 341 acres
Do I Year old
103
^Mowing
Land
49S acres
Horses
77
Orchard!
"g
16 acres
Do 3 years old
12
Oxen
160
Do 2 years old
13
Cows
221
Do I year old
Pasture Land
ID
150 acres
Negroes
6
6 mills vear
Iv income £125
loRRiLL \ Selectmen
LOUGH J for Canterbui
Thomas Clough /for Canterbury
(1) The township of Bov\-, at this time, includeil a large part of Uumford. See
Hist, of Concord, pp. 21!i, 220.— Ed.
An Invoice of the Polls, Stocks and improved Lands in the Town-
ship of Canterbury taken by us the Subscribers according to the best
of our knowledge.
Polls 57 Cattle 3 years old 22
Houses 33 Do 2 years old 29
Planting Land 62 acres Do i year old 37
Mowing Land 1S9 Do Horses 35
Orchard Land 4 Do Do 3 years old
Pasture Land 146 Do 2 years old 4
0.\en 52 Do i year old 6
Cows 98
One Negro 2 Mills yearly income £20
EzEKiEL Morrill \ Selectmen
Thomas Clough v for
Ephraim HackettJ Canterbury
Caittcrbury
Polls £1026
Land 200 : 10
Horses 105
Oxen 156
Cows 1 96
3 vr old 3^
2 ' Do 33
Bow
Polls
£2770
Land
502
Houses
231
Oxen
480
Cows
444
3 vr old
145
2 Do
103
74 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Boiv.
I Do
Slaves
^6 : lo
96
4S2S : 10
1000 Doom
I Do
Slaves
Canterbury.
21 : 10
16
1787
300 Doom
£5828 : 10
£2087
Petition of Ed''''^ Russcl <& others.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain Gen-
eral, Governor & Commander in Chief In and over his
Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, To the Hon'''^ his
Majesty's Council and House of Representatives for said
Province, Convened in General Assembly June 13*'^ ^7%
The Petition of Edward Russell, Solomon Heath and
Thomas Chandler all of Bow in said Province Humbh^ Shew-
eth That the Petitioners have lately Settled themselves on
some of the Uncultivated Land in said Town of Bow where
they still remain Hardly able to support themselves and Fam-
ilies
That the Petitioners understand there is a Very Great Prov-
ince Tax laid on the Inhabitants of Said Town of Bow the last
year, this Present year & the next year for their Delinquency
for the space of seven or Eight years last past a Proportion of
which Tax if Laid on the Petitioners would almost Ruin them
and oblige them to Qiiit their Said Settlements. Wherefore
the said Petitioners Humbly pray your Excell'y & Hon''** to
take their Circumstances under Consideration and Relieve
them from paying any Pi-oportion of the said Tax In such
manner as Your Excell'y & Hon"* shall in your Great Wisdom
& Clemenc}'' see fit. And your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray &c
Edw*^ Russell for Himself
and Behalf of y^' Rest
Province of) In Council June 14"' 1764
New Ilamp/Read cV Ordered to be i^ent down to the Hon'''* House
T. Atkinson Jun Secy
Province of | In the house of Representatives June 14"' 1764
New Ilamps J Upon Rcad'g the within petition
Voted that the petitioners be heard thereon the Second Day of the
sitting- of the Gen' Assembly after the first dav of Aug. next t^ that the
petitioners at their own Cost Serve the selectmen of Penibrook Ezra
Carter Esq'' & Capt. Jn" Chandler of said Bow who are bv Act appointed
to make the Assessments for the Tax Referred to in the within petition
with a Copy of this petition & order of Court thereon that they may
appear & Shew Cause if any they have why the prayer thereof should
not be Granted and further 'it is Resolved that the Collectors appointed
TOWN PAPERS — noSCAWEX. 75
for Collecting said Tax shall forbear Collecting the proportion assessed
on the within Petitioners untill the time herein appointed for a hearing
H. Sherburne Speaker
In Council June 15, 1764 read iS: concurred
T. Atkinson Jun Secy.
Province of "> In the house of Representatives Jan v« 9, 1765, A. M.
New Hamps j This petition being Read
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted & that the petitioners have
leave to bring in a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Jany 10 1765
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun Secv.
Petition of yoscph Baker cC- Philip East7nan.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" governor and
Commander in Chief in & over his majesty's Province of
New Hampshire The Hon'''^^ his majestys Council and house
of Representatives for said Province in general Assembly
Conven'd the First Day of May A. d. 1764.
The Humble Petition of Joseph Baker & Philip Eastman
Sence it has Pleas'd your Honours to Appoint us the Sub-
scribers to Collect the Tax that was Appointed for the Inhab-
itants of Bow to Pay into The Treasury we would inform your
Honours That we Have Taken the utmost Care to Collect the
money but we have not as yet Collected The whole and we
would Beg your Patience a Little while Longer and we will
assure your Honours that we will Do our utmost Endeavor to
to fulHll yom- command, furthermore we would Inform your
Honours that there is within the Lines of Rumford about
Twenty Poles who say that They are without Esq'' Bryent's
Line that he Ran in the year forty Nine & for that Reason
They Refused to give in their Envoises Gentlemen we Conceive
that we Shall be very much hurt By Neglecting our own
Business and we should be very glad if your Honours would
Take it into your wise Consideration and order the Assessors
to Put them into our Lists and Bestow it upon us or help us in
any other way which your honours in your grate wisdom Shall
Think Best and your Petitioners Shall Ever Pray
Joseph Baker
Philip Eastman.
Prov. of New Hamps
May 2' 1764.
read & sent down to the Hon'''" Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secy
76 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Selectmen of Boxu to be eas'd fron being Rated
ivith Concord^ Azeg 2S, 1767.
To His Excelency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General
Governor and Commander In Chief In and over His majes''''*
Council and House of Representatives Convened in General
Assembly
The Petition of the Selectmen of Bow in Behalf of themselves
and Inhabitants of s'' Bow Exclusive of such as are Set of into
Parishes ; Humbly Sheweth that we Have Town officers agree-
able to Bow Charter and are Ready and willing to assess Col-
lect and Pay our Proportion of Publick Charges with other
Towns In this Province your Petitioners Have Been and are
Now Greatly abused by being Rated with Concord for Their
Select men are y- major Part of the assessors and they make
the Rate as they see fitt.
Wherefore the sd. Petitioners Humbly and Earnestly Prays
your Excelency and Honours to take their Distressed Carcom-
stances under Consideration and Releave Them From Being
Rated any Longer with Concord in Such manner as your Ex-
celency and Plonours Shall in your Great wisdom and Clem-
ency see Fitt and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever Pray
Samuel Rogers ") o 1 ♦.
o 117- ( Select men
Samuel Welch V ^ r>
T^ ,, i ot bow
Ephraim Moony )
In Council August 28"' 1767
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''' House
T. Atkinson Jun. Secv
BRENTWOOD.
[Brentwood, formerly part of Exeter, was incorporated 26 June, n-1'2.
For various other Papers relating to this Town, see those under Exeter. Ed.]
Names of persons in Brent-vood desiring a Paris/i.
Brintwood, July II, 1743.
We the Subscribers Do hereby signifie that we Rcaly Ex-
pected and also Desired to stand by the Act of the General Court
in making of us a Parish But yet we perceive that the hon'*'"^^
Corte have bin Enformcd by Sundrv Parsons that the major
Part of the Parish are Dissatisfy'd in what is done in that
afair this is to Shew it is not so.
TOWN PAPERS IIREXTWOOD.
77
John Roberds
Joseph Leivett
Thomas Gorden
John Marsh
Roberd Voung
Edward Stevens
Daniel Giles
Israel Smith
John Been
Nicholas Gorden
John Folsham
Ithial Smith
Moses Filield
David Bean
Samuel Roberds
Samuel Jones
Charles Young
Benj' Vesey
Jeremiah Bean
Biley Harvey
John Giles
Benj ' Roberds
John Roberds
l)avid Smith
Jonathan Smith
John Smith
Josiah Moodv
Zackiriah Jude (?)
Nath ' Folsham
James Dudley jun
Joseph Gose
Benj ' Scribner
Ebenezer Hutchison
Elisha Sanborn
James Young
Benj' Fifield
Bridget Smith
Thomas Scritchet
Abraham Smith
Gorg Roberds
James Dudley
Joel Judkins
Roberd Brown
Joseph Atkinson
Jacob Smith
Jabez Clough
James Glord
"Nicholas Dollof
Alexander Roberds
William Granby (?)
Daniel Sanborn
Jon ' Roberson
William Smith
Ton^' Tailer
Nath' Prcscott
Jon" Cram
Jeremiah Row
Jedediah Prescott
James Robenson
Daniel Tilton
John James
Joseph Giles
Henery Marsh
Job Kenistone
John Mudgit
Petition of the inhab"^^ of the North part of Broitivood
about a t?iceting-honsc.
To his Excell'y Benning Wentworth Esq'" Gov' & Comaiul 'in
Chief in & over his ^laj'* Province of New Hampshire And
to the Hon'"'' his Maj'-*^^'' Council, & Representatives In Gen"
Court assembled
We the Subscribers Freeholders & Inhabitants of the North-
erly part of the parish of Brintwood in tlie Province aforesaid
Do Humbly crave leave of y' Excell'y & hon'^" to lay this our
humble Remonstrance of our distressed circumstances before
your Excell'y & Hon""^ as follows viz.
ISIany of us Living four or five Miles Distant from Exeter
meeting House, have attended the Puhlick Worship of God at
that House for many years past, with great Diihcidty, & our
Family.s Encreasing' made it mi:ch more dilhcidt especially in
the Winter Spring and fall of theyeare Wherefore About eight
'^S NEW nA:MPsniRE
years ago we with Several of the Southerly part of said Parish
Erected a House for the Publick Worship of God in the most
suitable place as they then tho't and we now do think to Carry
on the Publick Worship in And accordingly at our own charge
have Carryed on the Same in the Winter, Spring & fall of the
yeare ever since as we had for four years, or thereabouts before
Erecting said House carryd on the Publick Worship in a
Private House Standing neare our Publick Meeting House
And about last February was twelve month, the Freeholders
and Inhabitants of the Southerly part of Brintwood aforesaid
Petitioned the Town of Exeter aforesaid to be set off as a
Parish contrai-y to the will & desire of most of us, & said Town
af Exeter Granted their said Petition, notwithstanding many
of us Disented therefrom. And their said Petition being
Granted, they afterwards applyed to your Excell'y & Hon'^for
a Charter for said Parish, which was granted them Contrary
to our Desier, and greatly to our hurt. And we also having
Earnestly Petitioned your Excell'}^ & Hon" that we might be
permitted to Continue to Carry on the Publick W^orship of
God in our said House, and to be set off by such Boundaries
as your Excelly & Hon'" Should think meet, & to be Exempted
from all Charge towards the meeting and ministry in the South-
erly p' of Said Parish &c, as by our Petition lying before y''
Excelly & Hon" in your Honb'"' Court may appear. Which
Petition the Hon''''' House of Representatives have seen meet
to Dismiss And also your Excell'y & Hon" having appointed
a Comittee of four Gen*^ two out of Each House to Prefix the
place where the meeting House ought to Stand, Three of said
Gen' have been and made Return but is accounted voyd by
your Exell'y & Hon'"" For that the Comitee did not all Joyn
in their Return &. for which Reason our Petition was also
Dismist. Wherefore our case at present Seems very hard &
DitTicult, we having been at such cost to Erectour said House
and to maintain Preaching in it hitherto & the Minister also
who hath hitherto preached to us beingatour Earnest desire wil-
ling to Continue with us in the Ministry. If your Excelly &
Hon'" will in your great Wisdome take this our Remonstrance
of our Difhcult Circumstances in our Present Meeting House
not being Established & our aforesaid Petition not being
Granted & the great Charges and Difficulties we hitherto have
and still do Labour under, under your Excelly & Hon'* wise
Consideration & be pleased to grant us Relief herein as in
your Great Wisdom you shall se meet And as in Duty Bound
we your Excellys & Hon'"'' most obedient Humble servants
shall ever Pray &c
Dated at Brintwood June 27" Anno Dom 1743.
TOWN PAPERS — HRENTWOOD.
Andrew Gillman John George
Wilson Edw' Thing
Edw' Coicord Dan' Qiiimby
Nich'" Dudley Sarrah Gorden
Antipas Gilrnan John Leavit
Tim' Leavitt James Stephens
Benj' Gillman Joseph Iloit
Sam' Edgerly Joshua Bean
Sam' Dudley John Mogridge
Jon" Thing"' John Hilton
Stephen Levit Ithiel Clifford
Jonsia Thing Sam" Smith
Jon' Wadley Dan' Wormal
Nich"' Dudley Jun"" Marthy Bean
79
erem' Bean Haley Stephens
ohn Dudley Jer " "Gillman Junr
In the House of Representatives July i"' 1743. The within Petition
read & considered on iS: Voted That Eleazer Russell Esqr Mark Lang-
don Gen- <Sz Noah Barker of Stratham be a Committee to Joyn Such as
the Hon'''"' the Council shall app' to go to the Parish of Brentwood, and
view the Situation of said parish and see whether it will be most con-
venient for the Inhabitants thereof to be Divided into two Parishes, or
whether the whole shall meet at the meeting House already Built for
some Limitted time, or to Conclude upon some other method that they
shall think to be for the best good of the said P's'h. In order for their
being Settled in Peace, and that they make Report to the Gen" ass'"
the third day of the Sitting of the Gen" Ass'" at their next Sessions and
that the Petitioners be at the charge of the Comittee and that the Peti-
tioners Serve the Select men of Brentwood with a Copy of this Petition
& Votes, that tiiey may Notife the Parish of these proceedings and that
those that will dispute? what is acted may appear at the day above said.
James Jeffry Cle'' Ass'"
Eod'" Die In Council Read and Concurr'd & the above said Comittee
hereby Established & Impowered for the End above said
Eod'" Die Assented to B. Wextworth Theodore AtkinsonSecy.
Copia Examined Theo'' Atkinson Secy.
Province of Hamp' Sep. 22' 1743.
Pursuant to the within order wc have been to the Parish of Brent-
wood & viewed the same, & Considered the Circumstances thereof &
think it best to Continue them at the old meeting House for the tearm
of four years.
Eleazer Russell
Mark Laxgdon
Noah Barker
In the House of Representatives j'"' the 23"* 1743
The above Return read And Voted That the Return be accepted, and
that they Continue at the old Meeting House for the Space of four
years and at the Expiration thereof, The Major Part of the legal Voters
in said parish at that time Shall set the ^ieeting House for Publick
Worship where they think Proper.
James Jeffry CI'' Ass"'.
In the House of Representatives Decem" 3' 1743-
Voted That this Petition and all the Proceedings thereon be Dis-
missed.
James Jeffry CI' Ass""
8o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Elisha Sanbor7t about Breiitwood 1745
To the Honb'- the House of Representatives for the Province
of New Hampshire in General assembly conven'd April 2*^
1745:
The Petition of Elisha Sanborne of the Parish of Brintwood
In Said Province Yeoman as agent for said Parish Humbly
Shews
That the Said Parish was made & Incorporated by an act of
the Gen' Assembly made & passed in y'^' Sixteenth Year of His
Majestys Reign by Metes & Bounds Set forth in said act being
before part of the old Parish or Town of Exeter. That Since
the Said Parish was so Incorporated His Excellency the Gov-
ernor has been pleased (by cS: with the advice of the Council)
to grant a Charter for Erecting and Incorporating part of the
afores'' parish of Brintwood Into another Parish by the name
of Keeneborough whereby great part of the Inhabitants of
Brintwood Conceive themselves Discharged from paying
Taxes & Doing any other Duty within the Parish of Brint-
wood & Claim the powers authoritys& Priviledges of a Parish
within the Limits given by the said Charter the consequence
of which is many persons are doubly tax'd & great Debates
& strifes have & are likely to arise. That the Parishioners of
Brintwood apprehend that not only their powers authoritys &
priviledges are made null if the said Charter be good, but the
act of Incorporation aforesaid is also Defeated & Superseeded
which greatly affects the Rights & Priviledges of this House
& in them all the King's subjects in this Province That the
said Parishioners foresee a wide Field of Law opening before
them hereby (one of their Number having been already Im-
prisoned for Rates made in Consequence of the afores' Char-
ter) which they Should be glad to avoid if it could be without
giving up their Just Rights Wherefore your Petitioner in be-
half of his principals prays the advisement of this Hon^''**
House in the premises that some scheme may be Pursued In
Conjunction with the other Branches of the Legislature as may
settle these Disputes (but just beginning) upon such a founda-
tion as is agreeable to the Constitution & on which a lasting
peace ma}^ be built & Your Petitioner In behalf of his Constit-
uents Shall Ever pray &c
Elisha Saxborx.
Remonstrance against Keenhoro2{gh Patent.
Province of)
N. Ilamp^ /
To His Exc'> The Gov^ and the Hon '^' the Council May it
Please your Ex & Honors
On the 2' Day of the last month Elisha Sanborn of y<^ par-
TONVX PAPERS BRENTWOOD, 8l
ish of Brentwood in s' prov. Yeoman as agent for said Parish
represented to this House in way of Petition that the said Par-
ish &c (here recite the Petition at hirgc) * * * ♦
Which Petition of the said Elisha in Part above recited we
have taken into our most mature Consideration together with
authenticated copys of the said act and Charter mentioned in
said Petition with such other Evidence as the Petitioner has
thought ht to hiy before this House in support thereof, by
which it manifestly appears to us, that there was an act or
Law made and past by the Gov'" Council and represent'"' of
this Province dated the day of 17 by which a Part
of the Town of Exeter was incorporated into a Parish named
of Brintwood by metes and Bounds, and that the Inhabitants
within said Bounds, were to duty Parish Duty^ ? and receive
parish privileges in said Brentwood, and were exonerated from
parish Duty in the Parishes whereto they belonged before the
Date of said Law : That Discontent soon arose among the
Parishioners of s'' Brentwood about the Place of fixing their
meeting House, which occasioned a new Petition to the Gov-
ernor Council and Gen. assembly dated the day of 17 ,
for a minor Part of said Parishioners prayer, to have the said
Parish divided into two Parishes but that which was offered in
support thereof appearing frivolous to the General assembly,
the said Petition was by them ordered to be dismissed : That
afterwards (viz) on the day of 17 The discontented
Party petitioned anew to His Exc'>' and Council regardless of
the General assembly (one Branch of the Legislature) pray-
ing again for a Division of s' Brentwood into Two Parishes,
which your Ex. and Council (without the Gen' assembly)
were pleased to take Cognizance of, and on the day of
17 to grant a Charter under the Province Seal to the said
Petitioners, incorporating another Parish named Keenbor-
ough by metes and Bounds and exonerating the Inhabitants of
said Keenborough from their Parish Duty in Brentwood
which they were obliged to do and perform there by Law,
wdiich charter so far This House looks upon as an attempt to
abrogate and supersede a Law in Part, and thereby an open
Usurpation of a Power appertaining to the Gen assy in Con-
junction with the Gov' and Coun. and a manifest invasion of
the Just rights and Privileges of the People whom we repre-
sent, and an Infringem't on the rights of the Parishioners of
Brentwood, and an oppression of them in particular, which
we think ourselves obliged to take notice of in Duty to His
IVlajesty, in faithfulness to our Constituents and in Justice &
Honour to ourselves and to remonstrate against it. \Ve do
therefore earnestly request your Ex'> and Honours, seriously
to reconsider this matter, and to recall the Keenborough Grant
82 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and thereby put an end to the Strifes ah-eady commenced, and
a stop to otlicrs ready to break out in consequence thereof and
also to save this House the Trouble of saying or acting further
on upon it, for as we are the representatives of a free protes-
tant People and as such the Guardians of their Privileges, we
esteem ourselves obliged to make a stand ag'' every attempt made
to deprive them of their Just Rights, and particularly we shall
think ourselves inexcusable in case your Ex'"'* and Hon" should
not relieve us if we should not apply to His most Excellent
majesty who is graciously pleased to esteem his own Preroga-
tives and his Subjects Privileges equally dear to him for a
remedy, and we esteem ourselves moi^e especially obliged to
take this step (if your Ex & Hon'* don't prevent it) as it is
not the first Instance wherein your Excellency has attempted
to invade our rights Witness your Endeavours to get the pro-
vincial Records of Deeds into your Hands, or at least to have
the Disposal of them, which are no other than the People's
Evidences of their Titles to their Land Estates and therefore
according to the rules of common sense and Reason, ought to
be in their own several keepings if it could be, but as it can't
they ought to be disposed of by them who are the Proprietors
of their Evidences as well as of their Estates. Another In-
stance was your Excellency's Endeavor to augment the num-
ber of members of this House by your own mear arbitrary
Power, without any Law enabling you so to, or any colour of
authority from His majesty for your so doing that was ever
made known to us, to which may be added your Excellency's
causing a number of men to scout on y® west side of merri-
mack River lastsummer before A Grant was made for their Pay
and Subsistance, and which we humbly apprehend vour Excel-
lencv could not rationally expect ever would be and the scout-
ers remain to this Day without wages and those that subsisted
them without their pay for it whether this is not oppressive
we leave to the wisest Judges to determine. Proceedings of
this nature will cast no blame on us, but it gives us Concern,
that any office must bear the Records of such Conduct were it
possible for us to entertain so dishon'''-' a Thought as that a
Vote could be past at the Council Board, and the Voters not
be fully apprised of your directions without maturely delib-
erating on the materials it was built with we should have at
Once concluded, that the Vote for Keenborough Charter was
such an one. May it please y'' Ex and Hon""' we crave Leave
to repeat our request to you for a reconsideration of the Keen-
borough aflair and tliat you will be pleased to do what is just
and right therein to quiet the minds of the People to stay the
Strifes already begun and to prevent other Divisions that are
like to arise — we are Zealously concerned that Love and Peace
TOWN I'AI'ERS BRENTWOOD. S3
may be cultivated in the Province and a Harmony in the ad-
ministration, that the Prerogative may always rest secure that
the Infractions made on our Privileges may be healed, and
that they may ever hereafter remain safe and inviolate.
Charter of Keenborotcgh.
Province of "(^George the Second by the grace of God of Great Britain
New Hamps j _ France and Ireland" King Defender of the Faith &c.
To all to whom these Presents Shall come Greeting For as much as
it hath been Represented to us by Capt. Andrew Gilman and other In-
habitants of the parish of Brentwood that great disorders have arisen
in said Parish Respecting their parish affairs in general, And that all
proposals hitherto attempted have proved ineffectual to Restore peace
and good Order amongst them Wherefore, the said Capt. Andrew Gil-
man in behalf of himself and others Humbly Prays That a new parish
may be erected in said Parish of Brentwood And to the end that peace
and good Order may be Established Know y" therefore of our Especial
Grace certaine Knowledge & meer motion By ^v with the advice of our
Trusty & well beloved BenningWentworth Esq"^ our Capt General Gov-
ernor and Commander in chief of our Province of New Hampshire in
New England and of our council of said Province have Incorporated,
ordained declared and appointed And by these presents for us our Heirs
& Successors Do Incorporate ordain declare and appoint out of the
Parish of Brentwood all that Tract or parcel of Land Situate lying &
Being in y Parish of Brentwood in our Province of New Hamp'^ afore-
said containing by admessurement twelve thousand five hundred Ninety
five acker cS: one Qiiarter of an acre according to a plan & Survey- made
by order of our Said Governor by George Mitchel Esq"" and Cap' Dud-
ley Odlin hearunto annexed abutting & Bounding as by y said Plan or
Survey may appear And we do hearby ordain And appoint that the re-
spective Inhabitants that now are or that shall hereafter be in posses-
sion of the Lands within the Plan or Survey aforesaid shall [be] one
Society Corporation and Body Politick to have continuance forever by
the name of Keenborough and that they and their Successors shall by
that name be able and Capeable in law to call Parish Meetings The
first of which is to be called within thirty days from the date hereof by
Capt. Andrew Gilman and Humphrey Wilson & Benjamin Gilman And
the meetings hereafter shall be on the first Monday of April annually
And we do hereby give and grant unto the said society or Corporation
full Power and authority to make choice of proper Officers to Levy Taxes
on the Inhabitants for the Supportof the Society agreeable to the Laws
of our Province of New hampshire made for regulating Town and Par-
ish affairs. And we do further give and grant to the said society full
Power to call & settle a Regular and Orthodox Minister of the Gospel
and to Levy Taxes on the Inhabitants conformable to the Laws affore-
said of our Province afforesaid for his support Reserving only the
Reommending the first minister to the President and seinour Fellows
of Harvard Colledge in New England, to the Reverend Jabez Fitch &
the Reverend John Odlin. And we do also hereby Reserve to his most
Sacred Majesty his heirs & successors all white Pine Trees growing
standing or be'ing within the plan or survey Above mentioned the Pres-
ervation whereof for his Majesties Royal Navy is theTennure by which
you hold and enjoy your Corporation. And lastly we do declare and
84 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ordaine, That these our Letters Patent & every clause Sentence and ar-
ticle herein contained shall be in all things firm and vallid & etfectual
in the Law unto the Said Society & their Successors according to the
Purport & Tennure hereof
Provided, that these our Letters Patents be recorded within one
month from the Date hereof in our Recorder's Office appointed for that
purpose in our said Province of New Hampshire
In witness whereof we have caused the to be made Patent
Witness our [torn off]
and Commander in Chief of our Said Province the twenty seventh day
of October in the year of our reign Annoq Domine 174 —
Pr his Excellency's
Command with B. Wentworth.
advice of Council
Theodore Atkinson Sec'y
Copy Ex'' Theodore Atkinson Sec'y
Petition of the Selectmen of Keeneborough.
To his Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esqr ; Governor &
Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire in Council
The Humble Petition of the Selectmen of Keenborough in
the behalf of y*^ Inhabitants of sd Parish Humbly sheweth
Whereas your Excellency in Conjunction with the Honour-
able his Majesties Council was pleased to take compassion
on us under our former Difficulties and Grant us a Parrish by
ourselves ; For which we looked upon ourselves greatly
oblidged to your Excellency, and the Honoured Council and
hoped to have enio3'ed great peace & quietness and by virtue
of the Charter given us, we have acted ever since, and accord-
ing to Charter have proceeded to settle a Gospel Minister
amongst us viz : The Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Trask, which by
Charter we supposed we had full power to do, and to Raise
money for his Settlement & Support, and accordingly have
raised a Tax upon y'^ Inhabitants for y* end, but some Dis-
contented persons amongst us, Influenced by some of y^' Par-
ish of Brentwood, and by others in other places, who informed
them that your Excellency and his Majesties Council, had no
power to make us a Parish, and y' your Charter was good for
nothing, and being likewise encouraged by v" Gentlemen of
y® Law, have refused to pay their Taxes, and being seized and
Imprisoned by y*^ Constable, has brought the Case into y* Law ;
and to our great Surprise, Judgment went in their favour, at
y* last Superior Court, So y' now we are in a Deplorable Con-
dition ; Having a Minister Settled and money to pay both for
his Settlement & support, and no power to raise any Money in
a Legal way, or to gather in any Tax, already raised, and hav-
TOWN PAPERS — BRENTWOOD. 65
ing been at great Expense in vindicating y" Charter, and see-
ing no hopes of a Reconciliation with y" Parish of Brentwood,
their Demand being so imrcasonable, nor of Relief in any
other way. In this Deplorable Case we humbly crave pitty of
your Excellency & the Honourable his Majesties Council, and
that you would advise us what to do, and would be pleased to
find out some way for oiu- Relief, for otherwise we shall run
into V'' greatest Confusion, Religion will Die amongst us, and
both Civil & Ecclesiastical authority be trampled upon ; So
hoping that your Excellency & y" Hon'''' his iSIajesties Council
will artbrd us relief, under these pressing Difficulties and pre-
vent our Ruin, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever Prav &.c
Timothy Leavit )
Edward Colcord I Selectmen
Nicholas Dudley |- of
Keeneborough Septem- Jeremiah Bean Kceneborough
ber y*" 20"' 174S. John Dudley J
Petition of a monber of the Inhabitants of Brintwood^
fraying to be set off as a parish.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Governor & Com-
andcr in chief in and over his Majestys Province of Xew
Hampshire the honorable his Majesty's Council iS: House of
Representatives in General Assembly conven'd 13"' day of
June 1764
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth that
whereas we who are of the Parish of Brintvvood in said Prov-
ince are exposed by being at a great distance from Meeting for
the public worship of God Therefore pray your Iloners to take
our Case into your wise Consideration and set us ofi'as a Par-
ish with all Parish privileges one half of the aforesaid Parish
of Brintwood for quantity on the westerly end, Beginning at
the northwesterly Corner of said Parish running Easterly on
Epping Line so far as to contain one half of the length ot said
Line. Then beginning at the South westerly Corner of said
Parish running Easterly on Kingston Line one half of the
Length of the said South Line then to run a Straight Line
across said Parish of Brintwood so as to contain full one half
of the Land of said Brintwood agreeable to a Vote of said
Parish reference hereto being had may make fully appear.
And your Petitioners in duty bound Shall ever pray
John Taylor Zachcus Cloiigh
Joshua Kimball John Kiinball
Benj" Kimball Nathan Kimball
S6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jonathan Brown James Merrill
Joseph Hoyt James Merrill Jun
Jonathan Ring John Kenison
James Tucker Nathan Brown
Daniel Brown Enoch Brown
John Ilojt John Hojtjun.
Abel Morrill Samuel Hoyt
John French Joseph Taylor
JoJin Glidden Daniel Kimball
Israel Smith Samuel Clough
Robert Glidden John Clough
Ephraim Brown David Kimball
Benjamin Cram Richard Clough
Abraham Sanborn David Hoyt
Elias Swain Samuel Moody
Jonathan Hoyt Clement Moody
Benjamin Hoyt Nath" Whittier
Reuben Hoyt Nathaniel Whittier Jun
John PrscotLovren ? Benjamin Clough
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives June 14"' 1764
New Hamps J This petition being read
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted & that the petitioners have
leave to bring In a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council June 15* 1764
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Sec.
At a Parish Meeting held at the meeting house in Brintwood the fif-
teenth Day of May 1764
Voted Deacon Jeremiah Bean moderator of said meeting at the same
meeting it was Put to Vote to see if the Parish would maintain Two
ministers in said Parish & it Past in the Negative
Voted the Inhabitants of the Westerly End of the Parish be setoff to
be a Parish by themselves that is to come one half the way Down on
Epping Line & Run such a Point a cross to Kingston Line as to con-
tain one half y' Land in Sd Parish
Elisha Sanborn Clerk
A copy Examd.
CANTERBURY.
[This to^yn was incorporated 20 May, 1727.— Ed.]
At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Town of Canterbury holden
by announcement the 16 Day of May 1738, Then Voted that Sam'
Smith Thomas Young & Sam' Adams are and shall be a Comittee to
Represent The Town of Canterbury at the General Court by (a peti-
tion ?) to be Enabled by an act to make the Proprietors pay their Pro-
portion of the charge that hath arisen and shall hereafter arise in the
management of the affairs of said town
Sam' Smith Town CU
TOWN PAPERS — CAXTERBURY. 87
Petition of the Proprietors of Canterbury about cutti)!g a
road^ &c.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire the Hon''"-" His Majesty's Conncil & House
of Representatives in General Court Convened
The Petition of Thomas Young of New ISIarket in said
Province Innholder & Samuel Adams of Durham in said
Province Physician as Agents for & in behalf the Proprietors
of the Township of Canterbury in said Province & in behalf
of the Inhabitants of that place Humbly She-cs —
That the said Proprietors have for some few years last past
applied themselves more closely than at first to the pursuit of
proper measures for Settling the said Township, & among
other things tho't proper for that end have built a meeting
house & from time to time hired a minister to Preach to the
Inhabitants, which has encouraged the Settlement so that
there are about thirty Families now upon the spot.
That the said Proprietors have with considerable expence
cut a way from Durham up into the Country upwards of
twenty miles towards the said Township of Canterbury, wliich
if cut thro' will be of Great advantage not only to that place
but to the Province in General and which they are not able to
Effect, & must (with other designs formed for the End afore-
said) fall thro', for want of Proper Laws to Compel such Pro-
prietors as neglect to pay their proportion of the Charge k. of
such necessary taxes as have from time to time been laid upon
them
That it is Evident beyond Contradiction that such designs
cannot be executed without Considerable cost & Expence &
that every Proprietor ought to bear his proportion of the
Charge which has not been done in this case, but the Burthen
has been borne by such as were voluntary in the atVair & so
Reasonable as to do what they Knew they could not be Com-
pelled to by Law Relating to the good of the Propriety
That there are several years taxes not fully paid but arrear-
ages due from Sundry of the Said Proprietors the want of
which has been SuppHed by others advancing such sums as
were necessary and as occasion call'd for them which is a great
grievance & a most unreasonable thing that the Charge of car-
rying on a settlement should be defrayed by some & the advan-
tage be reap'd by all, or that some should be exempted from
the charge & yet be equally Intitlcd to the Profits with those
who have born it
That the said Township is a valuable Tract of Land & the
settlement thereof (as your Petitioners humbly conceive) de-
serves the Countenance of the Government as much as & per-
SS NEW HAMPSHIRE
haps more than any new Township in the Province upon more
accounts than can be here Enumerated & without which the
Settlement will necessarily go on heavily & Slowly as it has
hitherto done
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly Pray that an Act
may now be passed to Enable the said Proprietors by their
Select men or other officers to Compel such Proprietors as
have not paid their proportion of the Rates which have been
assessed, to pay them forth with & in detault thereof to Dis-
pose of so much of their land, or anything thereon that will
Raise the Money as was lately done for the Proprietors of
Nottingham or to Levy the same as the Constables of Towns
do the Town & Province tax and that Effectual Provision may
also be made to Enable them to Raise money upon themselves
for the future & Enforce the payment in such a Summary &
Expeditious method as may answer the Ends of the Propriety
& promote the Settlement & thereby the General good and
your Petitioners in behalf of their Constituents as in duty
bound Shall ever pray &c
Thomas Young
Sam' Adams
Feb'y 35'^ 1741.
Feby the 27"> 1741
In the House of Representatives
Voted That the Prayer of the Petition be granted &. that the Petition-
ers have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly the act to Continue five
years and no longer
James Jaftry Cl^ ass'"
Same day assented to
B. Wextworth.
In Coimcil March 9'^ 1741-2
Read & Concurred
Rich'' Waldron Sec'^y
Petition of Proprietors of Ca?iterbu7y for a Bridge.
To His Excellency Benning Wentwordi Esq'' Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over His IMajestys Province of
New Hampshire. The Hon''''^ His ISIajestys Council &
House of Representatives for said Province in General as-
sembly Convened the 22'' Day of Feb in y^ 17*'' year of His
Majesty's Reign.
The Humble Petition of Samuel Adams & Joseph Drew
both of Durham in said Province as the Major part of a Com-
mittee of the Proprietors of Canterbury Chosen to find out c*v:
clear a Way or Road from Durham to said Canterbur}^ Shews
That yo'' Petitioners with Benj ' Smith of said Durham were
TOWN PAPERS CANTERRURV. 89
chosen & appointed for the bushiess aforesaid and liave with
Considerable Expence found out tS: Clear'd a Place for a Road
from Durham to Canterbury which may be made with little
farther expense (Saving the building a Bridcfe over Sun Cook
River over which the said Way must unavoidably run) a very
good Road
That your Petitioners Conceive the Public advantage of
good Roads Especially in a time of War for flight or other
occasions are so obvious that nothing need to be said on that
head and that as every Town is in some Degree bencHted
thereby where there is a call for an Extraordinary Charge it
ought not to be the burthen of the town to which it leads only
but of every Town and in this Case the Charge coidd not be
born bv that Town
That in order to make the said way answer all the good
purposes designed therein* there mustbeagQod Strong Bridge
Built over the said River & the Proprietors of Canterbury hav-
ing been at a very great expence already in Clearing Said Way
and carrying an end other affairs to promote their Settlement
are not able to Build the said Bridge at their own Cost
Wherefore your Petitioners Pray that a Bridge may be built
at the charge of the Province over the said River at the place to
Avhicli the Way Cleared as afores' leads That the same may
be forthv,'ith proceeded upon before the Ice breaks up because
of the advantage of working upon it And that as the said
Way is not opend by any authority of Law it may be Estab-
lished by the authority of the General assembly for a Publick
Road and your Petitioners In behalf of the Proprietors of
Canterbury and all others concern'd as in Duty bound Shall
ever pray &c
Sam' Adams
Joseph Drew
In the House of Representatives Feb 23'' 1743-4,
The within Petition Read & Voted,
Provided the Proprietors of the Town of Canterbury Build a Bridge
this year Suficient for carts & carriages to pass and repass on over Sun-
cook River where the way is Now Cutt to to Travell from Durliam to Can-
terbury & will Warrant to Maintain the Same Bridge for ten years That
there be paid the said Proprietors the Sum of fifty pounds Bills of
Credit out of the Interest Arising on the twenty five thousand pounds
Loan out of that part of said Interest appropriated for Cutting Roads
&c when So much shall be in the Treasury
In Council Feby. 24"' 1743 James Jaffrey CI" Assm
read & concurred
Theod. Atkinson Secy.
Eodem Die assented to ' B. Wentworth
Prov. New Hanip
90 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Canterbury men for xvages.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Captain Gen-
eral, and Governor in chief in & over his Majestv's Prov-
ince of New Hampshire To the Hon"''- his !Majestv's Coun-
cil of said Province And to the Hon"^'''' House of Representa-
tives, in General Court assembled at Portsmouth, v^-ithin &
for the Province of New Hampshire aforesaid 1754
The Petition of Jeremiah Clough, Philip Call, Samuel
French, Thomas Clough, Ezekiel Clough, Henry Elkins, Sam-
uel Moor, Samuel Shepherd & James Shepherd humbly
sheweth :
That whereas your humble Petitioners, by Order of his Ex-
cellency the Governor, Kept the Garrison at Canterbury in the
Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, as follows viz
Jer. Clough ") bqgin with y'^ 5th of Jan 1747 — to y- 20"' of
Philip Call )- November following
Sam' French j
Thorn** Clough ] beginning with y'' 5"' of Jan 1747 to y' 8'*' of
Ezek Clough j May following,
Henry Elkins beginning with the 5"' of Jan 1747 — to the 12"'
of August following
Sam' Moor \ beginning with the 9"' of May 1 747 to y"^
Sam' Shepherd j 20"' of November following :
James Shepherd beginning with y'' 13"' of August 1747 to the
20"' of Noveni"" following.
And faithfully & effectually performed all necessary Duties
in said Garrison, according to our respective stations so that
the Enemy never took any advantage to the Damage & Hurt of
said Garrison, or of any that belonged to it, during the whole
time above mentioned. And yet your humble Petitioners have
never as yet been allowed any Wages, or Billeting for our
Service, except <£ioo new tenor toward Billeting, received pr.
Cap' Clough, tho' other Soldiers who served since we did have
been paid both Wages & Billeting. Therefore we your humble
Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency & your Honours to
take our Case into your wise Consideration, & to grant us
wages and Billeting, for the time which we have served, as
afores'd. For which Goodness, 3'our humble Petitioners for
your Excellency & your Honours, as in Duty bound shall ever
pray.
Jeremiah Clough Henry Elkins
Philip Call ' his
Thomas Clough Samuel X French
Samuel Moor mark
Samuel Shepherd Ezekiel Clough
James Shepherd
TOWN PAPERS CANTERBURY. gi
In Council March 2' 1754 read & ordered
to be sent down to the Hon'"''' House of represen"'
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Province of "1 In the House of Representatives March 2' 1754 upon
New Hamp'' j Reading the witliin Petition
Voted that it be dismiss'd.
Attest Matthew Livermore Clerk
Pctitio7i of Canterbury for ronisslon of Ta\\ i754-
To his Excellency Bennine^ Wentworth Esqr. Captain general,
& Governor in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire. To the Hon'''" his Majesty's Council ; And to
the lion'''' House of Representatives in General Court as-
sembled.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Canterbury in the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire aforesaid humbly shezvetk
That whereas your humble Petitioners (whose Names are
hereunto subscribed) are reduced to great Difficulties, &
Charges by the threatening Aspect of a War, we humbly pray
your Excellency & your Honours to consider & compassionate
our distressed Circumstances ; & to remit our Proportion of
the Province Tax for this year 1754 & till the pressing Danger
& Ditficulties of War are over. For which Goodness your
humble Petitioners for your Excellency & your Honours as in
Duty bound shall ever pray
Jeremiah Clough James Gibson
William Miles James Lindsey
Thomas Clough Samuel Shepherd jun.
Josiah Miles James Shepherd
John Bamford Joseph Simons
Samuel Shepherd Joseph Elis
Solomon Copp James Scales
Benjamin Blanchard Ezekiel Morrill
John Gibbons William Moor
John Dolloff Henry Elkins
Province of \ In Council July the 24''' 1754
New Hamp'' | read & ordered to be sent Down to the Hon'''"-' House of
representatives
Theo' Atkinson Secy.
92 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Pet it to fi of Selectmen for j- emission of taxes.
Province of )
New Hampr j
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire The Honorable his Majestys Council and
House of Representatives in General Assembly conven'd
December the fourteenth 1756.
The Petition of the Selectmen of Canterbury in the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in behalf of the Inhabitants of said
Town Most humbly Shews —
That by reason of the few Inhabitants in said Town, its
being a Frontier and so more exposed to the Incursions and
depredations of the Enemy and by Reason of the war this and
the last year with the Indian Enemy your Petitioners and oth-
ers the Inhabitants of said Town are rendered unable to pay
the Provincial Taxes laid upon them the last and the present
year. That it is with great difficulty under their present cir-
cumstances, that they can maintain and support themselves,
should they pay no provincial Taxes at all — Wherefore your
Petitioners most humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours
That you will be pleased to Ease the said Inhabitants of the
Provincial Taxes laid upon them the last and this present year
and for such further time as to your Excellency and Honours
shall seem just and reasonable and in such way and manner as
you shall Judge most suitable and proper and that your Peti-
tioners may have opportunity to enforce the pra3-er hereof and
your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
John Moor ^
Archelaus Moor \ Selectmen
Nov. 30th 1756 Thomas Clough J
Province of "I Read in Council & ordered to be sent down to the Hon*"'*
N. Hamps / House
Theod. Atkinson Secy.
Petition relating to the Original Charter.
Province of "(^
New Hampshire J
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esqr. Captain Gen-
eral Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his
Majesties Province of New Hampshire, And the Hon^'''^
His Majesties Council
Humbly Sheweth Josiah Miles Yeoman and Thomas Clough
House Wright both of Canterbury in said Province & a Com-
TOWN PAPERS CAXTERnUUV. 93
mittee appointed by the said Town to apply to your Excel-
lency & Honours on the Following acc't. viz : That the Town-
ship of Canterbury was Granted by the Late Hon''' John
VW'ntworth Esq'' Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief in
and over said Province dec'd to a Number of persons whose
names are in a Schedule herewith presented attested bv the
Late Scc'y Richard Waldron Esq'' dec'd as Clerk of that
Council and said Grantees procured a Copy of the said Char-
ter and Recorded the same in their Town book of said Can-
terbury, a Copy of which Charter attested by the Town Clerk
of said Canterbury is herewith also presented, And as the In-
habitants of the said Township have been at Great Trouble &
pains in Settling said Township and have been a (ireat part of
the time since the obtaining the Charter aforesaid Labouring
under an Indian War (and nianv Rumors thereof when it was
not an actual Warr) and said Township being a frontier the
Inhabitants had as much as they could Subsist under to main-
tain their Respective familys without making any Enquiry into
their Charter priviledges. But at Length Some people among
them making Enquiry about the said Charter found a Tran-
script thereof in their Town Book but without any attesta-
tion and on further Enquiry Could not find the Original
Charter nor any attested Copy thereof any where ncn" any
Record thereof in the Sec-'* office and as the aforesaid Secy
Waldrons house was burnt with many publick papers of the
Province they are apprehensive the said Original Charter was
then biu'nt
Wherefore the said Josiah and Thomas as aforesaid prav that
the said Ci:)pvs aforesaid mav be Recorded in the Secy's office
and they confirmed in their Respective Estates as tho they now
had the aforesaid Original Charter, and they as in Duty bound
shall Ever pray
Portsmouth Jany i6, 17^6.
TosiAH Miles ] r^
Vp r^ )■ Committee
1 IIOMAS ClOUGM )
In Council Jany 17, 1756.
The Within Petition read Sc ordor'd that the Secy, record the Copy
said Charter & Schedule it appearing to the Council that the Copysare
Genuine.
Theod. Atkinson Secy
94 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Inhabitants of Canterbury to be set offfroin Bozv.
Province of)
New Hamp /
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq"" Captain General
Gov'' & Comm'' in Chief in and over His Majestys Province
of New Hamp"^'', The Hon''''^^ His Majestys Council and
House of Representatives in General xVssembly Convened
June 14^'' 1764.
The humble Petition of ArchelausMoor Gent. Henry Elkins
W"' Gault, Enoch Webster, William Curry, W'" Moore Joseph
Mann Husbandman Ann Curry widow & Stephen Gerrish
Gent. Sheweth
That your Petitioners are Settled on a Tract of Land in form
of a Gore which until lately was deemed a part of the Town
of Canterbury in said Province, and lays between that and
Bow ; But upon running the Canterbury Line about 12 years
ago, the said Gore was found to be Land in right of Mason's
Patent, And Thereupon the Proprietors of the said Town of
Canterbury have Chosen a Committee to Treat with Mr.
Mason's Representative, about the Purchase of the said Land
That your Petitioners are very desirous of being annexed to
the Town of Canterbury, rather than Bow, as they are within
Two miles of Canterbury Meeting House, and are distant six
Miles from that of Bow, and also as they have several Family
Connexions in Canterbury
Your Petitioners therefore humbly Pray your Excellency
and Honours That the aforesaid Gore of Land may be by An
Act of the General Court annexed to and Incorporated with
the said Canterbury & partake of all the Priviledges thereof
And your Pet'^ shall Ever pray &c
W. Clagett for Petrs.
In Council June 14"' 1764
Read \; Ordered to be sent down to tlie Hon'"'"-" House
T. Atkinson, Jun. Secy.
Province of)
New Hamp /In the house of Representatives jfidy [June?] 14"' 1764.
This Petition being Read
Ordered That the petitioners be heard thereon the Second Dav of the
Sitting of the General Assembly after the first Day of July next c^ that
they at their own Cost put up notification at all the public places In
Canterbury & Bow, Incerting therein the substance of this petition, &
order of Court thereon that any persons Concerned therein may appear
& Shew Cause if any they have why the prayer thereof should not be
Granted
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council June 15"' 1764
Read iv: Concurred ^
T. Atkinson Jun. Secy
Province of)
New lianip / In the house of Representatives Jan>' 23'' 1765
This petition being Read
TOWN PAPERS CAXTERHURY
95
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted & the petitioners have leavi
to brinsf in a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Jany. 23' 1765
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Junr. Secy.
Petition of Ablcl Foster about Toxvn records.
Province of)
New Hamp' /
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Governor in chief
in & over said Province The Honourable the Council and
House of Representatives in General Assembly conven'd
The Humble Petition of Abiel Foster of Canterbury in the
County of Rockingham Clerk, as agent for & in behalf of the
Proprietors of Canterbury aforesaid vSheweththat avast Number
of Papers containing the Votes and Proceedings of said Pro-
prietors touching their most important Concerns as Proprie-
tors, and by which, many Estates in said Canterbury have been
conveyed and are now held by some Neglect or Omission of
the Clerks of said Proprietors, have not been recorded.
Upon the Discovery of which said Proprietors appointed a
Committee to collect, inspect, examine and see that the same
should be recorded in the Proprietors Books. The said Com-
mittee according to their appointment carefully examined said
Papers and found them to l)e in the hand writing of the former
Clerks of said Proprietors most of them among the files of said
Proprietors to have all the Marks of original fair & Genuine
Minutes and Entries some made thirty years ago, which Papers
the Committee have within six months past caused to be re-
corded in the Books of said Proprietors, the Record of which
Papers contains Eighty Pages in folio or more.
And as the same Papers were not attested by any of the
former Clerks of said Proprietors, tho' they appear to be truly
made as aforesaid, Your Petitioner humbly conceives that
the Interposition of your Excellency and Honors will be nec-
essary to authenticate the Same. VVhercfore he humbly prays
in behalf of said Proprietors that a Committee of the General
Court may be appointed to inspect and examine s' Papers and
Records lately made and to report thereon, and that s' Papers
and records may be authenticated by your Excellency and
Honors either by act or Resolve of the General Assembly or
in any other way that your Wisdom may suggest And your
Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Abiel Foster.
January 19th 1774.
96
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of \Tn the house of Representatives Jan 19"' 1774,
New Ilampsr j Upon Reading this Petition
Voted that the Petitioner cause the substance of said Petition to be
printed in the New Hampshire Gazette three weeks successively and
that any party having any Objection may be heard thereon the' third
day of the sitting of the Gen' Assembly after the 20''' of February next
W"' Parker Clr. Assembly
In Council Jan>' 19 1774.
Read and concurd
Geo'' King D. Sec>'.
Note. This Petition was renewed April oth, 1774, and acted on as follows. [Ed.]
Province of 1 t i.i n r n ^ .• » -i .i.
New Hamps'-j ^" ^^^^ House of Representatives April g'" 1774
Voted, That the Petitioner be heard on this Petition on the second
day of the Siting of the General Assembly after the tenth Day of May
next and that he Cause the Substance of this Petition and Order of
Court to be Printed three weeks Successively in the New Hampshire
Gazett that any Person may Shew Cause why the Prayer of the Peti-
tion Sliould not be Granted
M. Weare CI''
In Council eodem Die
Read & concur'd
Geo King D. Secy
Province of \In the House of Representatives May 13"' 1774
New Hamps /The within Petition being Consider'd and the Parties
heard thereon by their Council
Voted That Samuel Cutts Esq'" Col"* Christopher Toppan and John
Giddings Esq"" be a Committee of this House to Joyn with Such as the
Hon'''" the Councill Shall appoint to inspect and Examine the Papers
and Records mentioned in the Petition and Report thereon to the Gen-
eral Assembly
M. Weare CI'
In Council May 14"' 1774
Read and concurd after hearing the Parties.
Geo King D. Sec>'
CHARLESTOWN,
[Originally Xumber-Four, was first granted by Maasachusetts, Deer, ?A, 173."). It
was incorporated by Charter durini^ the admiuiatration ol" Gov. Banning Went-
worth, '2 July, 1753. Eu.]
Letter from No. 4 to Colonels Wlllard and Hinsdale.
No. 4. October 19"' i743«
Hon''^'' Gentlemen
We the Inhabitants of this Township being apprehensive
that we are very much Exposed and in hazard In case of a
War between y^" nations and are Sensible that we are not Ca-
pable of Defending our selves in Case of a rupture by Reason
TOWN PAPERS CIIARLESTOWX. 97
of y'' smallness of our numbers and Distance From Neighbor-
ing Plantations and places of Defence are in Continual Fear
Lest wc should be Surprised by y'' Heathen and although we
are makeing y^' best Preparation we Can to Secure ourselves
yet we are Fearfull we shall not be be able to Stand our
Ground but must be obliged to Leave our Habitations and
Repair to places of more security If we Cannot be Sup-
ported by y^ Government. — We therefore Earnestly Desire
yo"" Hon''' that you would Improve yo'' Interest with y'' Gov
ernours Either of y^' Massachusetts or N. Hampshire (which
you shall think most Proper) that we may have such a supply
of men posted here as they shall think Necessary for our De-
fence to be Employ'd Either in Scouting or otherwise as they
shall Judge most proper. Lieu"' Witherby is Willing to Come
among us with a Company of Men, If he Can obtain order
and Encouragement from the Government. We pray you
would Write to Either Governour as your Discresion shall
Direct you on our behalf and In our names submitting our
Case to yo' Prudence praying you would do what you can for
us and as speedily as may be and thereby will oblige
Yo' jSIost Humble & Obedient servants
Benjamin Willson David Farnsworth
Isaac Parker John Averv
Charles Ilolden Ebenezer Putnam
Job Spatford John Hastings Jr.
Isaac Parker Jun. Simeon Sartvvell
Abraham Parker Benoni Woolcott
Jn" Hastings John Spafard
Superscribed, &c.
Petition of JoJui Spaffo7-d.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governour and
Commander in Chief in & over hisMaj''''* Province of New
Plampshire and to his Maj'"^* Council for said Province &
the House of Representatives now Conven'd in General
Assembly
John Spaftbrd for himself and about thirteen familys Lately
Settled on the East Side of Connecticut River being known by
the name of No. 4 humbly Shewcth —
That your Petitioners have lately made a Settlement there
and at tlieir own Charge hath Built a Large & Strong Garri-
son and have tsventy five men or thereabouts, and have good
plantations there and a good prospect of a Considerable p'cll
of Graine now growing on the Land. But so it is theire Settle-
ments being so much exposed to the Indians, and not above
Eighty miles from the French Fort on the Lake where the
7
98
NEW HAMPSHIRE
French may soon and Easyly annoy them & the Indians tells
them that they must fight for the french and tells them to take
Care of themselves. Your Petitioners being so Exposed to
the Enemy and so far fi'om any English Settlem' they cannot
pretend to stand on their own Defence, and therefore humbly
prays your Excels and honours of the Gen' Ass " that they
may have some assistance of Men to assist them in Keeping
their Garrison and presen-e their Cattle and Graine, or as in
your Wisdom you shall think fitt. And if no assistance
of men may be obtained Then to let the People Know it,
That your Petitioners may use Some Speedy means for the
preservation of themselves & families and your Petitioners as
in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c
John Spafford.
July the 24"' 1744.
Petition for a road.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his iSIajestys
Province of New Hampshire &:c The Honourable his
Majesty's Council & House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened this Eighteenth Day of October 1 76S
The Petion of Simon Sartwell, William Heywood and
Elijah Grout as Selectmen of the Town of Charlestown in s'd
province to your Excellency and Honours humbly s/icweth.,
that the Inhabitants of said Charlestown with those of the ad-
joining Towns, have Looked out and marked a Road, and in
part Cleared the Same, between said Charlestown & Boscawen
and are of opinion the same may be made a good Carriage
Road, which if effected, is humbly conceived might be of Great
utility & Benefit to many Towns in this Province by having a
much nearer & easier Communication with the Metropolis
than has as yet been found out which is tho't would greatly
Fecilitate the Settlement of many new Townships, hitherto
much retarded for want of good Roads.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency &
Honours would be pleased to indulge them with your appro-
bation of said Road and that y' same may be confirmed as the
Main Road or Highway from said Charlestown to Boscawen
and that such Regulations and orders for farther opening and
Clearing said Road may be made as by your Excellency Sc
Honoins may tho't best or othcrways to Grant such Relief to
your Petitioners, in the Premeses as to this Hon'' '^ Court vShall
TOWX PAPERS CHARLESTOWX. 99
in wisdom, be Judged best and your rctitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray
SiMOx Sartwell
W" Heywood
Elijah Grout.
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Ocf 26 176S
New Hamps"^ j The foregoing Petition being Read & Considered
Voted That the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill to Oblige
the Proprietors of the Several Towns through which said Road Marked
out as mentioned in the Petition passes, to Clear and make Said Road
Passable
M. Weare Cl^
In Council October 28— 176S
read & concurred
T. Atkinson Jiin Sec'y
Petition of Timothy Lovell about a7i island opposite Charles-
to-x'ti.
Province of "I
New Hampshire J
To his Excell*^^' John Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in & over his Maj'^^ Prov-
ince afores'' In Council.
The Memorial & Petition of Timothy Lovell of Rocking-
ham in said province Humbly Shews
That your Memorialist is now the owner of & in possession
of a certain Island in Connecticut River, nearly adjoining to
Charlestown containing about Nine acres, that the said Island
was always deemed part of the said Township of Charles-
town, & so alotted to & among the Proprietors, who with those
who hold under them have cultivated & mowed the same for near
seventeen vears last past, & never heard the Title controverted,
till within a very little time past y'' Men'''' has been informed
that some persons are about to make application to Y"" Excel-
lency & Hon"^' for a Grant thereof, which might be productive
of much Trouble & inconvenience &c. Your Mem''"' there-
fore humbly prays Y' Excell' ■ and honors would be pleased
to suspend your Determination of this matter, in case applica-
tion Should" be made, imtill y' Mem'^*' might have an Opp'^'
to prove what he alledges relative to his Right of property &
possession as afores'' And y' Memorialist as in Duty bound
shall Ever Pray &c
Timothy Lovell.
Portsm" 6"' April 1770
NEW IIAMPSIIIRE
Petition in behalf of Benj^ Page for a Ferry.
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over His Majestys Province of New
Hampshire, and to the Hon'''"' His Majestys Council
The Humble Petition of Benjamin Page of Charlestown in
said Province of New Hampshire Yeoman Humbly vSheweth
also the Petition of the Selectmen and other of the Inhabitants
of said Charlestown — praying that the said Benjamin may have
the benefit of the Ferry that leads from Charlestown to Crown
point (as he is settled at the Ferry as near as is convenient for
a Ferry man) he is a sober well disposed person and we think
he will attend the Business and be f.ithfull to oblige those that
Travel the road, there is no house that is within half a mile of
said ferry on this side the river and we Your Excellency's Peti-
tioners Humbly pray that he may have a Charter of the same
if Your Excellency and Honours shall think fit to Grant the
same to him as we Judge him to be suitable for the business
and Your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
T rv th ^^ T Tj T r Sclectnien
Jan'> lo"' 1 771. John Hastings Jr j
Nath'^'' Powers William Jacobs
James Farnsworth Sam" Hunt
Osmon Baker Silvanus Hastings
Timothy Putnam Enos Stevens
Simon Powers Lem' Hastings
Elijah Parker Stephen Atworde
Benoni? Spafford Willard Stevens
Rich"' Holdin David Taylor
Peter Page Abel Walker
Petition of John Nott.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Governor &
Commandor in Chief in & over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire and to Plis Majestys Honb' '^ Counnicel That
Whareas it Hath Bin Pleaseing to the People of Charlestown
to Sign and Send to the Governor & Cownsel desiering that
Ben'"'^" Paige Should have the ferey Grantted to him it is also
my desire that it Should be grantted to him and Pray your Ex-
cellency & the Oner '' Counsel to grant it to him on this Side of
the River the humble Request of John Nott who hath main-
tained the ferey with a good Booat on my own Cost six years
John Nott.
January the 14 1771.
TOWX PAPERS CHESTER. lOI
Petition of Simeon 01 cot t for a Ferry.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire &c.
In Council
Humbly Shcweth Simeon Olcottof Charlestownin said Prov-
ince that there being no Ferry legally appointed and Established
on Connecticut River between saidCharlcstown and SpringHeld
on the opposite side of said River, bv reason whereof his
Majesty's Subjects are often obstructed or delayed in passing
said River or exorbitant sums demanded for the same — Where-
fore your Petitioner praj-s that he may be appointed and author-
ized to set up & Keep a Ferry on said River between said
Charlestown and Springfield under such Orders and Regula-
tions as in your wisdom shall be tho't fit and your Petitioner
shall ever pray cS:c
Simeon Olcott.
Portsmouth 19"' March 1771.
CHESTER.
[Cliei5ter was an original township of ten miles square granteil Aug. 2fl, 17J0, and
was incorporated 8 May, 1722. Ed.]
Petition in beJialf of the proprietors of Chester.
To the Hon'''' John Wentworth Esq"" Lieut. Gov. Governor
and Command"' in Chief in and over His Majesties Prov-
ince of New Hamp' and to the Hon"'"^' the Council for said
Province.
The Humble Petition of Henry Sherburne Sam' Ingalls.
John Sanborn & Tho'' Packer in Behalf of the Propriet ' of
the Town of Chester In said Province Humbly Sheweth
That the Proprief' of the Town of Chester afores' about
two years since Chose a Comittee to Join w''' a Comittce of
the Town of Londonderry to run the Line between the two
Towns, which the said Comittee accordingly Begun «& made
some Progress in it but did not Compleat the same, by reason
that the Comittee for Londonerry would not consent to allow the
usual allowance (of Eleven Chains for ten for windfalls & in
y*^^ woods) in the measure on the W. N. W. or Side Line, and
would allow only bare measure which was unreasonaVile and
never Practiced before the reason of their being so Exact is
Because the Proprief^ of Londonderry have Artfully contrived
to have it so in their Charter as to Ingrose to them selves the
102 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Fishing place at Ameskeegg by taking into their Town a small
gore of Land at the head of Chester, running so far between
the river of Merrymack and the head of Chester untill it takes
in the said Fishing place, they having measured it beforehand
for that purpose, their Ingrossing to themselves y'^ s'' Fishing
place will not only be greatly prejudicial to Chester but also to
the other New Towns. Y'' Petitioners therefore Humbly pray
That yo"" Honours will be pleased to appoint a Committee to
run the said Lines and Settle the bounds between the said
Towns in such a manner as is Customary and yo'' Petition" as
in duty bound Shall ever pray
Jan'>' 6'" 1725-6 Hen Sherburne | committee
Thomas Packer | *-o™n^ittee
For themselves and in behalf of
Sam' Ingalls
John Sanborn
In Coun. JaiT-y 8"> 1725-6.
The Petition of Chester Committee this day Presented to j'' board by
M"' Thom'* Packer Praving the lion'''" y L' Gov'' & Council to appoint
a Committee to run out & Settle y" Divisional lives «& boundaries be-
tween that town & Lond ' Derryfor the reasons therein set forth, being
read It is Ordered That the hearing upon the said Petition be on Tues-
day y-' 25 Inst, at y" Coun Chamb. in Port" and that the Petitioners
serve y" Selectmen of the s'' Town of Lond" Derry w''' a Copy thereof
& of this order in the inean time that they may have an opportunity to
shew y" Reasons (if any they have) why the Prayer of s"* Petition may
not be granted.
R Waldron Clark Con.
To be heard a Tuesdav fortnight.
Chester Co7nmittee Petition — Mimttcs of Coiuicil thereon^
Jan 25, 1725.
r>„^ . TvT xi„„,„r I Present in Coun. Tan 2C, 172 ^ 6
P'^"^- ^- "^"^P JLt. Gov^ Mark Ilunking- K.Wibird Esq'
The Committee of Chester appearing to prosecute their Petilion for
a Committee to settle y« divisional line between y Town cV London-
Derry which was filed y"^ Sth Instant & Messrs Cargil & Rob' Boyes
appearing in behalf of y" s'' Town of London Derry & both partys being
fully heard It is ordered That the Prayer of y' Petition be granted &
that Mr. Janies Stevens be y" Surveyor to lead y" Course & j'' AP Benj"
Barker Jn' Calton be y " Persons to carry y" chain & that Capt. Jn"
Gillnian & Mr. Edward Hale go on w"' one chain man & y" other w'''
y" other & keep y" Tally who are likewise to take care & see that due &
just allowance be made in y measure in all cases where they shall Judge
it requisite and that this busyness be performed between this time & y"
middle of June next & reported into y" secretarvs office immediately
after y- Completing thereof & y' y" Charge oi y Committee be paid by
y" 2 ToAvns Jointly & y' y" s'' Committee be sworn to y' faith' discharge
of y" Duty of y' respective ti-usts according to y"' form annexed
TOWX PAPERS CHESTER. IO3
Petition of Selectmen of Chester 15 Oct. 1726.
To the Hon''''' John Wentworth Esq'" Lieut" Goven'' Comand""
in Chief in & over Ilis Maj"'^ Prov"^^ of New Hamp' And
to the Hon'''' the Council for Said Province.
The Humble Petition of Clem' Hughes, Rob' Smith and
John Sanborn Selectmen of the Town of Chester Humbly
Sheweth
That Cap' Tobias Langdon, Cap' Tim" Gerrish & John
Smith appointed by yo' Hon" sometime Since to be a Comittee
to run y Head Line of Exeter (w'' is the Dividing line be-
tween s^ Exeter & Chester afores') did not attend the Direc-
tions of y"^ Honours in that affair but followed the Directions
of y'' Select men of said Exeter therein, and having run s**
line to y s' Selectmens mind, made their return to y' s' Se-
lectmen instead of doing it to yo"" Hon" so that that line is as
yet unsettled to the great prejudice of the afores' Town of
Chester
Yo' Petition" Therefore Humbly pray yo"" Hon" to appoint
a Comittee to run the two miles that Exeter is to run upon a
W by N. point above Dover and from thence upon a Straight
line to a Beach Tree (on Kingston Side Line) appointed &
marked in the year 171S to be y" bounds for Exeter on y' side,
by the Grand Comittee appointed by the Gen'' asscmblv to
fix y ' bounds of each Town within this Province which
Straight line is y*' Dividing line between Exeter & Chester,
And that yo' Hon" would please to Direct Said Comittee to
run said Line with all Convenient Speed and yo*" Petition'^ as
in duty ])ound Shall Ever pray
Clement Hughes
Rob"^' Smith
Portsm" Ocf 15"' 1726. John Sanborn.
Report on Petition for a road.
Province "I
New Hainpshire j
Pursuant to a Vote of the General Court Bareing Date May 26"" 1743
To us the Subscribers a Committee appointed by the General Court to
go up to Chesterand Londonderry to View a highway formerly Laidout
by Chester and Londonderry and recorded in Each Town and also a
Nother way Petitioned tor by Chester, and to make Report of our
Doeings therein to the Gen"' Ass'" att their next sessions
Wee haveing been up and Viewed Both Ways and Doe find that the
way formerly Laid out from Londonderry to Chester, Between the lands
of Mess'" James Colwell and Patrick Duglass to Derry Northeasterly
line And then on a Straight line through the land of Brown of
Chester to meet the Road, that leads by Deacon Dearbourns to Chester
Meeting house is the Most Convenient way foraccomniodationof Both
I04 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Towns aforesaid and for Travellers in General Dated this 22*^ Day of
Sept. 1743.
John Downing Jr.
Geo Walton
Richard Jennes
In the House of representatives May 26''' 1743.
The within Petition read & a former Petition of the Select men of
Chester read relating to the same affairs and the Petitioners & the Select
men of Londonderry respondents heard by the Council and
Voted That their be aComittee Sent to View the highways Viz That
which is Laid out & that which is Petitioned to be Laid out and the s'^
Comittee to make returne to the General Assembly at their next Ses-
sions which place is most proper for a high way and upon the Comittees
returne to Consider who Shall pay the Charge And that George Wal-
dron & richard Jennes Esq be a Comittee from this House to Joyn
such as the Hon'''*^ the Council Shall appoint to do the Service above s'^
James JafFrey ClC Ass'"
Eodem Die
In Council read & Concurrd & Joseph Sherburne & John Downing
Esq"" added to the Comittee above s'^
Eodem Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth
Copy Ex"
Theod Atkinson Secy.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
In the House of Representatives 7'"' 23'^ 1743
The within Return read, and accepted And
Voted That the Highway, as therein mentioned & Described, be the
Kings High way, and that all obstructions in or on said high way be
Removed, and that the same be allowed to be a Publick Road, and that
the Petitioners of Chester pay the Charg of the Comitee that went on the
Spot Each pson thirty Shillings (old Tenor) prDiem for their Labor &
Charge, And that the said Petitioners of Chester pay the said Charge
to some or one of the said Comitee within thirty days after the Date
hereof.
James Jeffrey CI' Ass"*
In Coimcil September 23d 1743
read. & Concured
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Eodem Die
Assented To B. Wentworth
Memorandum the High Way Laid out and Recorded from Chester to
Londonderry by Sam' Browns the length is one mile and a Half and
sixty Rhods
The way by Kars mills as was showed to us but not Laid out was two
miles and fifty two Rhods
Sam" Emerson \ Chare men
dated at Chester Thomas Cochran j upon oath
August y 23'' 1743
The Highway that is Laid out and Recorded, Avent acrost Samuel
Browns Land as we measured; He Promised to give said Land for a
High way to the town of Chester without any other Satisfaction than
not to Have s'' High way goe by his house
The M'ay by Karrs mills as we measured went first acrost James Col-
TOWN PAPERS CIIESTEU. IO5
wells Land (3'y acrost Capt Morses Land — 3'>' acrost John Karrs Land
(4'>' acrost John Karr Junr's, Land (5'>' acrost Rob' Gillcreast Land (6'y
acrost John Karr Junr's Land.
Chester Petition in relation to the Ministry.
To his Excellency Jonathan Bolcher Esq' Governour & In and
Over His Majesties Province of New Hampshire. The
Hon ■'able His Majesties Council and House of Representa-
tives in General Court now Assembled at Portsm '
The Petition of the Town of Chester Humbly Shevveth That
whereas after the Rev" M' Eb'" Flagg was settled in said Town
by Vote according to y*^ directions of the Law to be the Gospel
Minister, A considerable number of persons Petition '• the Gen-
eral Court for an explanation of the law of Liberty .Supposing
they being Presbeterians were exempted from paying to Mr
Flag which was then explain'd in their favour. Since which
they have accordingly proceeded in a cordial manner, and have
endeavoin^' to take the best method the present Circumstances
will admit to Rais money for the Respective ministers, as fol-
lows at a Town Meeting warn'd for that purpose when met
they \'oted Separately AI' Flaggs Salary ; and the Presbetery-
ans voted a Salary for the Rev" Mr. Jn" Wilson their Minister
the Selectmen Sign'd the Respective warrants to y' Constable
or Collectors to collect the Same if this Method be agreeable
we Humbly pray yo' approbation. But if anything in our
proceedings hitherto is short of what is Necessary in the Law
we humbly entreat a favourable construction and pray that the
presbeterians may be Qiialify'd Lawfully to proceed for the
future. Also if it be Necessary for M'' Flags hearers to pro-
ceed in any other method than hitherto pray for particular
direction as to yo'' Excellency and Honours shall appear need-
ful Also we pi'ay that y" day of the annual meeting may be
altered to som other day of y*^^ week to escape interfering with
the Fast.^ which will oblige yo'' Humble Petitioners
John Calfe ~]
Joiix ToLFORD [ Selectmen
Epiikaim Hasseltine ( of Chester
ExOCir COLEBY J
Province of "1 In the House of Representatives
New Hampshire J the within Petition Read &
"Vot'i That the Prayer of the within Petition be granted in the follow-
ing manner Viz.
"Vot' That the Two Congregations in Chester viz: that are called
Congregationalists and those that are called Presbyterians have power
to act Seperate in Raiseing money for Support of y'' Ministers Respec-
tively for Defraying the Charges of building & Repairing their meeting
I06 NEW HAMPSHIRE
houses and that they have power to Chuse Wardens Seperate to assess
all persons and their Estates belonging to their Respective Congrega-
tions as aforesaid Toward Defraying Such Charges as shall be Raised
for the aforesaid uses Seperate in Just & Equall Proportion, to suc:hTax
& Taxes as thej shall Vote from time to time at their Respective Meet-
ings And that they have power to Choose Collectors Seperate to Col-
lect the said Taxes and that they have Liberty to bring in a bill accord-
ingly and that John Calf, Eph Hazilton Enoch Coleby, be impow-
eredto call the first meeting for the Congregationall'* and that Cap'
Sam' Ingolls John Tolford John Carr be impowr'd to call ther fist meet-
ing for Presbetering meeting
James Jeff'rey CI" Ass"*
August 6th 1740
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred
Ric'i Waldron Secy
Same day Assented to
J. Belcher
Petition for aid of soldiers.
To the honourable Captins of Chester Greeting
Whereas there is a Considerab'* number of famelis scattered
in the wilderness in the out skirts of Chester Some lives four
miles and a half some three and a half (& 6 from any help)
we are so scattered that we think we are very unfit to live as
we have dund nevertheless we would be willing to imitat some-
thing of the spirit of the people of Zebulon and Naphtleen
who Joperded their lives in the high places of the held and
whereas we have a velow for our loss and libertise we Earn-
estly beg that your honours would look upon us in our Des-
trees and help with some suldiars a certain number we are not
willing to name your selves Knowing our surcumstances and
how it is with us believes you will help us this way more then
we with prudence could name and in so doing your Poore
pettioners will ever Pray if no help Coms we must leave our
houses and homs and goe lik scattered Sheep.
James Besford Jonas Clay
David McCluer John Clay
John Precut David McClure
Jebesh French Jacob Basford
To the IIon'« Cap" of Chester, greeting.
Whereas we y^ Subscribers live Remote from the town and for some
years past have been obliged to leave our places for want of a sufficient
number of men to Keep a garrison which has been greatly to our damage
and we being desirous to live here if we can have three or four men to
help support a garrison
We Remain yours to serve,
Ithamar Cary Philip Grifen
Zachariah Biitterfield Joshua Hall
Stephen Webster Allet Bary
Aaron Buttcrfield
TOWN PAPERS CHESTER. IO7
To the Captains of Chester :
We the subscribers earnestly Requests your Aid and assistance in
pettioning the General Court for some help yourselves Knowing how
we are scattered And how far a Distance from the metting house some
7 some 8 some 9 miles from it Gentle men we are your humble ser-
vants
William Ollcot? William McClintok
Walter Macfarlan Nathaniel Bovd
William Grinel Micheall McClintok.
Tolford & Wells' Petition.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Captain Gen-
et'al Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the
Province of New Hampshire the Honourable his Majestys
Council and House of Representatives in General Assembly
Convened the Tenth day of ISIay 174S
The Petition of John Tolford and Thomas Wells of Chester
in the Province of New Hampshire in behalf of the Inhab-
itants of s' Chester most humblv Shews That the s' Town of
Chester is exposed to the Indian Enemy and sundry of the
Dwelling houses in s' Town so exposed that unless there be
more men to defend them than the Town itself can atlbrd they
will unavoidably be obliged to leave thein and their lands also
That therebv the Enemv will gain an advantage and the Fron-
tier be bro't nearer the Center That Sundry Persons who live
in the outskirts of said Town have pray'd for help as by their
respective Petitions hereunto annexed and herewith presented
may more fully appear. Wherefore your Petitioners Most
humblv pray your Excellency and Honours to allow such a
number of men for the Defence and protection of s' Town as
in your great wisdom shall be tho't reasonable
John Tolford
Tho^ Wells.
In Council May 11 1748,
read >1\: Sent Down to the Hon'''"' House
Theo. Atkinson Secy
Minutes of Chester tozun meeting- Mar. 29, 1753.
At a meeting of the free holders and Inhabitants of the Town of
Chaster held at Chaster the Jig"" Day of March 1753 Capt. Abel mors
being moderator for said meeting amongst otlier things
Voted that the after mentioned tract of Land may be Incorporated
into a Parash Beginning at Londonderry Line at a Stake and stones
being the South west Bound of Land Sold to Thomas Cochran by the
proprietors of said Chaster and run strate to a pitch pine tree being the
io8
XEW HAMPSHIRE
South west bound of Nathnniel Halls Land by penicook path than
north north East By sad Halls Land as far as that gos and then Strata
to the South East Corner of the 39"' Lote in the Second part of the sec-
ond division than North 29 Degrees East to the north east bound of the
43'' Lote in the afforesaid devision then west north west to tower hill
pond and then strate to the north Est Corner of Darefeld then South
by Derryleld to Londondary Line to the first Bound mentioned
A true Coppy Taken from Chaster town Book of Record as ates to
Samuel Emerson
town Clark
' Petition of Andi'etv Ci-aige of Chester^ 9 Mar. 1757.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor &
Commander In Chief in & over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire the Hon''''' his Majesty's Council k. House
of Representatives for saide Province in General x\ssembly
Convened the Ninth Day of March 1757
The Humble Petition of Andrew Craigge of Chester in said
Province One of the Select men of said Town for the Year
1756 In behalf of himself & the other Select men of said Town
for said Year Shews
That by the Treasurers Warrant to the said Select to Levy
the said Towns Proportion of the Province Tax for said year
Several Different Sums are mentioned & ordered to be Levied
and Paid into the Treasury at Different times and there are also
two Sums Each of £ 203 :2 which the said Select were ordered
as aforesaid to Raise which they by mistake took to be the
same sum only twice mentioned in said Warrant by which
Mistake the said Sum therein Last Mentioned is Omitted & no
Tax has been made for Raising the same whereby the Said
Town Falls so much in arrears to the Treasury
That the time Limitted in said Warrant for Paying in the
Said sum is Past & the Omission so Lately Discovered that the
said Selectmen could not make a New Tax & Comite the
Same Seasonably to be Collected before the annual ]Meeting
at which new officers may be Cliosen and the Present Town
Officers Superseded besides that it would have Perhaps Occa-
sioned Some Disputes & Differences in said Town, ^\'here-
fore your Petitioner most Humbly Prays That as this Omission
is the Effect of Inadvertence «S: not of Design the said Select-
men may be Excused & Exempted from the Penalty of the Law
in such Cases Provided That tlie Treasurer may be ordered
to suspend Issuing an extent against them for this arrearage
but that the said Town may have further time for the Pay-
ment thereof that the Selectmen that may be Chosen for the
Present Year may be authorized to Levy the Same with the
Tax for this Year in the Same manner as it Ought to have
been done in the Year Past and that a Resolve of the whole
TOWN PAPERS CHESTEU. IO9
Legislature may be PaSt for this Purpose or if that should be
tho't Insuflicicnt That your Petitioner may have Leave to bring
in a Bill accordingly or that you would be Pleased to Grant
Such other Relief in the Premises as in Your Great Wisdom
& Goodness you shall judge Expedient and your Petitioner as
in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray &c
And'"' Craige.
In Council March 9"» 1757
read ^: ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''" Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Sec.
Province of \ In the house of Representatives March 10''' 1757
New Hamps /This Petition having been read & the Petitioner being
fully heard thereon
Resolved That the prayer thereof be granted iJC that the Petitioner
have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read J'j Concurrd
Theod. Atkinson Secy.
Consented to
B. Wentwortii.
Advertisement.
These are to notify and warn the free holders and Inhabitants of the
Town of Chester Qualifved for Voting to assemble and meet at the old
Meeting house in Chester upon Wednesday the Twenty si.\th Day of
this Instant January at one of the Clock in the afternoon of s' Dav
I" To chuse a moderator for said meeting 2'>' To see if the Town will
Vote of that part of the Town called the north Parish or freetown so
called to be a Town or Parish by themselves or to act and Do what shall
be Thought proper in that aflair
John Webster "j Selectmen
Dated at Chester January 12"' 1763 Bradbury C.\RR > of
Matiiew ForsaithJ Chester
At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of
Chester held at Chester January 26'^ 1763 agreeable to the fore going
Warning
Voted Deacon Ebenezer Dearborn moderator for said meeting
2'> Voted Sam' Robie Clerk pro tempore for said meeting
Voted That That part of the Town of Chester Called the north Par-
rish or freetown as much as was Laid out in Parrish forme shall be set
of as a Town or Parrish
A True Copy Taken from Chester Town Book of Records
Attest Sam' E.merson Town Clerk
no NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Petit Ion of the Inhabitants of*the No7-th parish in
Chester^ June 14, 1763.
To His Excellency Benning Wintworth Esq"" Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New hampshire The Hon"^''*^ his Majesties Councill and the
Honourable House of Representatives in Generall Assembly
Convcn'd ;
The Petition of us The Subscribers Inhabitants of that part
of Chester Call' The North parish or freetown, Humbly
Shewcth
That your Petitioners Living at such a great Distance from
the Town, That they have no advantage of the Ministry nor
Schools notwithstanding they have for many years Paid There
proportion, To the Support of Boath and the Town being
sensable That It would be Just for us To be freed from that
Charge have at a meeting held at Chester Jan>' 26 ; 1763,
Voted That, that Part of the Town of Chester call'd The
North parrish or freetown, as much as was Laid out in parrish
form, shidl be Sett of as a Town or Parrish the bounds of s''
North Parrish so call'd are as foP beginning at the north East
Corner of Chester upon the head line of Exeter at a beach or
maple Tree being the bounds between Chester and Notting-
ham, So Running South ab. 29 Degrees west bounding on
Exeter head line five miles to the South East Corner of the
Lott N" 30. then west north west five miles or so far as to con-
tain all the old hundred acre Lotts then North 29 Degrees
East Five Miles To Notting'-' Line then on s' Line to the first
bound
We therefore Pray That all the Land Included in s' Bound,
with all the poles & Estates therein Containd may be Incorpo-
rated into a distink Parrish from the Town of Chester and be
Invested with Same powers and Priveledges That Towns in
This Province are by Law Intitled To and That we may have
Liberty to bring in a bill accordingly and your Petitioners as
in Duty bound shall ever Pray
March \^^ 1763.
Daniel Gordin Daniel Clay
Daniel Holman Stephen Marden
Elisha Towle Obidiah Grifen
Jonat'.ian Brown Moses Sanborn
Simeon Bery Caleb Row?
Noah Moulton Robart Page
Wadligh Cram John Sweet
Joseph Giles Daniel Robie
Daniel Lane Jonas Clay
Ezekiel Lane Stephen Wesson
David Lane Jethro Bachelder
Nathan Moulton Benj" Whittier
Josiah Fogg Clemant Dollof
TOWN PAPERS CHESTER.
Daniel Gordan Jr. Paul Smith Marston
John Cram Benjamin Prscut
Ale>:' Melvin John Fullonton
Stephen Fogg John Wells
Benjamin Smkh John Prscot Jiur
James FuUenton William Todd
'Samuel Cram Timothy Clough
John Stevens Ezekiel Smith
Jonathan Dearborn ])avid Bean
Benia Bean Alexander Smith
? Moody Barten Pollard
Benjamin Brown David Been Jun"
Miles Bean Nathaniel Ethridge
Isaac Cliftbrd Enoch Fogg.
In Council June 14"* 1763
Read ^: Sent down to the Hon''-"' assembly'
T. Atkinson Jun. Secy.
Province of") In the house of Representatives Dec' i'' 1763
New Hamp j This petition being read
Voted That the petitioners be heard thereon the second Day of the
Sitting of the Gen. Assembly Next after the 25"' Inst & that they Cause
the Substance of this petition cV order of Court thereon to be adver-
tised In the New Hamps-^ Gazzette two weeks successively that any per-
son concerned may appear & Shew cause if any they have why the
prayer thereof should not be Granted
A. Clarkson Clerk.
In Council Eodem Die
read ..V concurred
Theo Atkinson Secy.
Province of "I In the House of Representatives Apr. 12, 1764,
New Hamps J This Petition c^ order of the Court thereon being read
Voted That the prayer thereof be granted & that, the petitioners have
libertv to bring in a Bill accordinglv.
A. Clarkson Clerk
Petition for a Parish.
Province of 1
New Hampshire J
To his EKcellency Beiining Weatworth Esq'' Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ties province. of New Hampshire in New England and to
the Honourable his Majesties Council and house of Repre-
sentatives in general Assembly convened
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of
the Northwesterly part of Chester in the province afores'
Most humbly Sheweth that the Situation of the place where
we live is such that we cannot without Much Difficulty attend
the publick worship of God with our familys in good Weather
and at many times in the year not at all. And the Town of
Chester being Sensible of our Diihcullies have pass'd a Vote
112 XEW HAMPSHIRE
in their Annual Meeting the 35"' of INIarch 1762 that we should
be set off from them as a Distinct parish about five miles and
a half in Length and about four miles in Breadth as followeth,
viz) Bounding Northerly upon Nottingham line Easterly on
the old Hundred acre lotts so called, Southerly on the Long
Meadow parish as that is voted otl' already, and westerly on
the forty acre lotts. Wherefore we pray that we may be In
corporated into a parish agreeable to the above mentioned
Bounds and be Invested with all those privelidges that other
parishes have within this province The granting of which we
Humbly Concieve will be a great benefitt too your Humble
petitioners and our familys And your petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall ever pray
Chester March 22' Anno Dominie 1763
Benja" Batchelder James M'Clure
Sam' Mooers Nicklus Smith
William Piitned? Jonathan Towle
Winthrop Wells Phineas Towle
Jonathan Hills Stephen Palmer
Samuel Towle Nath' Ingalls
John Clay Abraham Fitts
Moses Baker Jacob Sergant
Thomas Sargent Theophilus Clough
Stephen Webster Sherburne Rowe
Joseph Smith Ichabod Robie
Jeremiah Bean John Karr
Zebed Barev Asel Qiiimbey
Enoch Coleby Elisha Been
Moses Sweet? Thomas Chretchet
Natha' Emerson Oilman Dudley
John Sargent David Hills
Jonathan Been Samuel Eastman
Benj" Smith Zachariah Cleftbrd
In Council June 3* 1763
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon'*'" House
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Province of ) In the house of Representatives June 2'^ 1763
New Hamps /This petition being read
Ordered That the petitioners be heard thereon the second Day of the
Sitting of the General Assembly after the first Day of Aug. next & that
they cause the substance of this petition & order of Court thereon to
be advertized In the New Hampshire Gazette three weeks successively,
that any persons concerned may appear iS: Shew Cause if Any they have
why the praver thereof should not be Granted
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Province of ) In the house of Representatives Dec z"" 1763
New Hamp J This Petition being Read
Voted that the prayer thereof be granted c^ that the petitioners have
liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
Eodem Die in Council
read & Concurred Theod Atkinson J'' Sec.
TOWX PAPERS CHESTER. 1 13
Petition to co)iJirm boioids^ tC-c.
Province of New Ilampshcar
Chester Dec'^ 1771
To His Exclency John Wintworth Esq'" Captain Gcnerall Sc
Governor in & over His Majesties Province of New Hamp-
shear &c To the Honourable his Majesties Councill "&
House of Representatives Now assembled
• The Petition of us the Subscribers Being in Number the
Greatest Part of a Destrict or Parish Commonly Called the
Long iSIeadows Humbly Shcweth that being by a Vote of this
Town in the Anuel Meting in the month of March .\ D.
1753 Voted of for a Parish By Certain Limited Bounds More
Clearly set forth in said Vote the Coppy of Which Being
Ready to Be Produced, Humbly Prayeth that Your Exclency
& Honours would be Pleased to Confirm & Establish said Vote
& Bounds, and Grant Unto Us all Parish Privelidges with full
Power to Hier a Gospell ]\Iinister to Preach Unto us, or to
Settle & Ordain one Over us for the Better Conveniency of our
attending the Publick Worship of God, and your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
John Patten Thomas Fowler
Nathaniel Linn Thomas Fowler Junr.
John Orr Hugh McAtiee
Robert Craig Nathaniel Presbury
Samuel Dinsmor Mark
Wells Chase James X Horn
Barnard Brickett His
Stephen Derbon Benj Peirce
Nathaniel Wood? Samuel Peirce
Joseph Calfe Robert McKinley
Sanniel Blunt Stephen Merrill
Man-field McDoffy William McMaster
Daniel Weatherspoon Moses Underbill
Sam' Aiken Hugh Crombie
Rob' Calfe Robert Patton
Anthony Stickney Thomas Sharlay
Robert Witherspoon James Sharlay
David White Samuel Sharlay
Will'" Litch Robert Gilcrest
Joseph Linn Joseph Dearben
Caleb Hall xMoses McFarland
Moody Chase William Grimes
Moses Hills John Grimes
David Wetherspoon Adam Willson
Peter Aiken James Grimes
James Weatherspoon W"' Brown Junr.
In Council DeC^ 19"' 1771
The foregoing Petition was read and ordered to be sent down to the
Hon'''" Assembly.
Geo. King Dep. Sec.
In the House of Representatives Deer 19, 1771
S
114
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Voted that the Petition" at their own cost Serve the Selectmen of
Chester with a Copy of this Petition & order of Court thereon that
they may be heard & Shew Cause if any they have why the Praj'er
thereof shoud not be granted on the third day of the sitting of the
Gen' assembly after the lo"' day of February next
Attest W" Parker Clr.
In Council Dec 19"' 1771
. Read & Concurrd
Geo. King D. Sec.
Chester Dec. the 24. 1771
We the Selectmen of Chester Have this Day rec'd this Petition
John Robie \ Selectmen
Nathan Webster J of Chester
[The following is a copy of the Vote above referred to :]
At a meeting of the free holders and inhabitants of the Town of
Chester, the 29"' day of March 1753, last. Capt. Abel Morss being moder-
ator for said meeting; — amongst other things.
Voted, That the after mentioned tract of land may be in corporated
into a Parrish, Beginning at Londonderry Line at a Stake and stones
being the South West bound of Land sold to Thomas Cochran by the
Proprietors of said Chester, and run straight to a pitch-pine tree being
the south west bound of Nathaniel Halls Land by Penicook path, then
north north-east by said Halls Land as far as that goes, and then
straight to the south-east corner of the 39"' Lot in the second part of
the second Division; then North 29 Degrees east to the North-east
bound of the 43'^ Lot in the aforesaid division, then west norwest to
Tower Hill pond, and then streight to the north-east corner of Deri-
field, then south by Derrifield to Londonderry Line and so by London-
derry Line to the first bound mentioned.
A true copy taken from Chester Town Book of Record, as Attests
Sam' Emerson, Town Clerk.
[The following names appear to be connected with the foregoing. Ed.]
Nath' Linn Hugh Crumble one son
Capt. Anth Stickney John Patten
Rob' Calfe Tho^ McMaster one
Joseph Linn David Dickey
James Wetherspun W'" Gillcrest
Alex Sawyer W"' McMaster
Thomas Fowler i son Rob' Patten
Arch' McDuffee Stephen Mori
Dan' Wetherspoon Alex Kinecom
Hugh McDuftee 2 sons And"' McFarlin one
Janies Harne Moses McFarlin
Nath' Presbey one son W"> Grimes & one son
Benj Parce & one Son John Grimes
W" Brown James Grimes
Jer Coner Joseph Calfe
Sam' Akin one son Moses Hills
Peter Akin W'" Litch
David Wetherspoone Jesse Harriman
Rob' Craig John Macfarlin
Math Tempelton Tho' Sharlow 4 sons
Rob' Mekinly Dea Adam Willson 2 sons
David Dinesmoor & 3 sons John Crafford
William Miller Moses Underbill
TOWN PAPERS CHESTER.
James Iliden one son John Orr
Barnard Brickct Rob' Wetherspone
Alex Beery Sam' Desmoer
Alex Sevey David White
Joseph Dearborn Joshua Blunt
Caleb Hall Sam' Sucsedr?
Cap. Stephen Dearbon Mansfield McDuffee
Modey Chase Rlical Gordon
Welles Chase James Akin
Nath' Woods W-" McNeil j
W'" Underbill W"' Vance
David Underbill W'" Miller
W'" Craii? Hugh & James Miller
Rob' Cran James Litch
John Craig
Famelys 72 — Poles 22
Me7nora)idnm.
Agreed upon by the Subscribers Chosen as a Comitee for the Presbe-
train Parish in Chester part from y Lower End of y" town and part
from y Long Meadow so call'd viz : that y Long Meadow part so
call'd is to have have y* one half of 3"" Preching for Nine months from
y first of March to y" first of December During y time that the Rev'
John Wilson is able to Preach and y- Remainder to the Lower End of
y® town, and that y*" Long Meadow party is to pay y Sum of twenty
pounds Lawful money yearly During the Rev' John Wilsons minestry
and Colect y' part of y money them selves and y" Lower End of y*
town to pay twenty five pounds, and Colect there one money them
selves.
Chester April y« 20"' 1772.
N. B. — Each party Bound in Bonds to preform y above agreement or
apply to the Generl Cort to Establish the agreement according to y"
above themselves.
Math"' Forsaith
Thomas McMaston
Rob' Wilsox
Henry Moore
Joseph Linn
Ans-j:cr to the Petltio7ifoi' a Parish helug set off.
Province of "|
New Hainps're \
Rockingham Ss j
To his Excellency John Wenhvorth Esqr. Capt. Gen' Gov-
ernor & Comm'' in chief in & over s' Province. The Hon"*'
his Majesty's Council, & House of Rei^resentativcs in Gen'
Assembly Conven'd May 9"' 1772
The Answer of Andrew Jack, Henry Morse, & Robert Wil-
son Gentlemen, a Committee in behalf of the Presbyterian
Il6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Parish in Chester in said County to the Petition of John Pat-
ten & others, petitioners for a Parish to be set off in said Ches-
ter as by their Petition dated Dec"^ ii"' 1 771, will more fully
appear Humbly Sheweth, That whereas the Parishioners of
said Presbyterian Parish have been cited to Shew cause why
the prayer of said Petition should not be granted — We, in be-
half of said Parish appear, and beg leave to suggest to your
Excellency & Honors that s'' Petitioners Join'd with the rest
of said Parish in the Choice of the Rev'' John Wilson for their
Minister and voted him a certain Yearly Salary and have been,
and still are well satisfied with his life and Doctrines, but for
other Reasons they desire to be set off as a distinct Parish,
altho' they are convinced it is their duty to perform their con-
tract with said Minister, & in Consequence thereof did, at a
legal meeting held at s'^ Chester, mutually agree with the rest
of said Parishioners in the lower End of the Parish to have
one half the Preaching for nine months yearly from the first
day of March, to the lirst day of December during the time
that the said Minister was able to preach, and the remainder of
his Preaching should be to the People of the lower end of said
Parish and that the said Petitioners pay the sum of Twenty
pounds lawful money yearly during the ministry of the said
John Wilson, and collect that part of the money themselves,
and the Parishioners at the lower End of said Parish Then
agreed with said Petitioners to pay to s'^ Minister Twenty five
pounds like money Yearly during said Term, and to collect
the same themselves. Now we in behalf of the lower End of
said Parish have no objection to the prayer of said Petition
being granted so far as it respects their being set off as a dis-
tinct parish, provided they continue to fulfil their agreement
before mentioned by j^aying to s ' jVIinister duly the said sum
by them agreed to pay him. But inasmuch as the lower end
of the Parish are utterly incapable of maintaining a Minister
themselves they pray that said Petitioners may not be freed
from paying the sum aforesaid agreeable to their before ment*^
contract
■] Committee in
And''' Jack ( behalf of the
May 21 1772. Henry Moore [ Presbytercan
J Parish in Chester
The Long medowParrish ought to be Bounded thus : Begin-
ning at Londonderry Line at a Stake and Stones Being the South
West Bound of Land sold to Thomas Cochran by the Propri-
etors of Chester and Run Streight to a pich pine tree being the
TOWN PAPERS CHESTER. II7
South west bound of Nathaniel Halls Land by Penicook path
then north north east by said Halls' Land as far as that goes
and then streight to the South East Corner of the 39''' Lot in
the second part of the second Diviseon, then north 29 degrees
East to the North cast bound of the 43'' lot in the atforesaid Di-
vision and then west nor west bounding on Candia Crossing
Tower Hill pond, to a Stake and stones being the wSouth West
Corner of Candia then north 29 Degrees East Bounding on
Candia to Nottingham Line, and then west nor west upon the
Northerly Line of the Town to Merrimack River, then South
upon the Westerly Line of tlie Town to Derrilicld So Bound-
ing on Derrificld to Londonderry Line and so on that to the
first bounds mentioned We the Subscribers the Present Select
men for the town of Chester have no objection to make as a
town a Ganst a parish being set of agreeable to the aBove
Bounds or so as to Enclude all the Land Belonging to Said
town Laying above what was voted of as a parish So that the
town may not be obliged to Cross Said parish in order to trans-
act bisness as a town so Remote and Ilconveniant
Sam' RoiuE ) Selectmen
Chester May y'' 20 1772
Joseph True j of Chester
Further Pctitio7t.
Chester Jan. 7 1773
To John Wintworth Esqr. Capt. Generall and Govenor in and
over his Majesties Province of New Hampshere &c To the
Honourable his Majesties Counsell and House of Represen ■
tatives now Assembled
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Shcweth that
whereas we the Last year Pctioned your Exelency and Hon-
ours to be Incorporated Lito a Parish by a Line Voted by this
Town at their Anuel Meeting in ALirch A. D. 1753 or by any
other Line or Destrict your Exelency & Honours Shall think
Best for the Better Inabling us to attend and Provide for the
Publick Worship of God but still finding Ourselves Labouring
Under Create Dificultys in that Respect by Reason of the Dis-
tance we are at from the Lower ivieting House where our
Rev' Teacher Mr. Wilson Oificiates his age and Infermity of
Bodv being such that for three months in the year we are
wholey without a Teacher the other part of time having but
about half the Teaching which occasions us to Rcpeate this
our Humble Petition Praying that your Exelency and Honours
would be Pleased to here us and Relevc us out of our said
IlS NEW HAMPSHIRE
Dificuellys and your Petitioners will as in Deuty Bound Ever
pray
Anthony Stickney Sam' Aken
Timothy Lunt W"' Brown
Edmund Stickney Nathaniel Presby
Peter Akin James Home
David Wctherspoon his ><; mark
Joseph Linn
Nathaniel Linn James Wetherspoon
Hugh McDuffee Sam' Aken Junr.
Joseph Blanchard Mansfield McAflfee
Moses Underhill Robert Gilcrest
Caleb Hall William Litch
James Hidder Joseph Calfe
John Patten Hugh Miller
Robert Patten Daniel Wetherspoon
Robert Calfe Archibald Mackafee
Benj. Peirce* Moses McFarland
New^Hamps}^" ^^^ House of Representitives Jany 23 1773
Voted that the Petition" Serve the Select men of Chester with a Copy
of the Petition & oi'der of Court thereon & that they may be heard
thereon the third day of the setting of the Gen' Assembly after the first
day of April
William Parker Cler Ass-"
In Council eodem die
Read & concurd
Geo King D. Sec
In the house of Representatives May 13 1773.
the Petitioners were heard to Enforce this Petition and a part of the
Inhabitants heard in Answer and considering the circumstances of the
People
Voted that the Petition be Dismiss'd
William Parker Cler
Chester March y" 23 1773
This day scrv'd with y within Petition greeable to order of Cort
Sam' Robie \ Selectmen
Joseph True j of Chester
imble Petition to the Great & General Court
Province of | ^ Humble Petition t
New Hampshire V ^j ^^^^j ^A^^^iA
II Mar. 1773 J -^
That whereas, a petition has formerly been presented unto the
great and General Court of this province by a number of the
inhabitants of that part of Chester commonly called the Long
meadow, and that the said petition settcth forth the great in-
convcniency the inhabitants labour under by being at such a
distance, from the two several meeting Houses belonging to
the said town of Chester, and that they the said inhabitants
are thereby often prevented from hearing the word of God
preached & therefore they have presumed to Pray the Great &
TOWN PAPERS CHESTER.
19
General Court to Incorporate them into a separate parish by
themselves. At a late public meeting of said inhabitants of
said part of the town of Chester, they convened and almost
voted unanimously a positive resolve, that the former said peti-
tion should be dormant ; for they the inhabitants maturely con-
sidered the great hardships they already laboured under (tho'
considered as part joined with the whole Town) and that if
such a plan was put in execution, they would be rendered un-
capable of answering the intention of said former petition, and
at the same time lay themselves under man}- more difficulties not
only of being deprived of hearing the word of God preached
amongst them (which is at present faithfully done twice every
Month by the Rev ' Mr. Wilson) but the small probability of
being unanimous in their choice which at present they are hap-
pily united And further as the said former Petition was clan-
destingly propagated amongst the inhabitants by designing
men whose aim was only self interest, consequently enemies
to the body politic, when they consider themselves if seperated
from the rest of the Town of the aforesaid Chester not to ex-
ceed above fifty or sixty famelys, and those (most of them at
least) in circumstances very uncapable of bearing such taxes
as they must necessary undergo under such a scheme.
Therefor, the Several Inhabitants, deliberating upon the
many circumstances there anent Hereby Humbly sublicatcs
that the Great and General Court, will be pleased to view the
former presented Petition as propagated by a few persons dis-
senting from the community purely to gratify their own hu-
mour and that the above said Great and General Court, will
deliver us from being imposed upon by such who are enemies
to our happv constitution and Your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray
Chester jSIar. 11, 1773
James Sharley Samuel Blunt
John McFarland William Craig
James Litch John Craig
Mausfield McAfi'ee Thomas Sharley
John Craford Jerimia Coner
Moses Underhill David Dinsmoor
John Orr Arthur Dinsmore
William Vance Robert Dinsmore
Mathew Templeton Thomas McMaster
Robert Craige Thomas McMaster Jr.
Robert McKinley William McMaster
Stephen Merrill David Dickey
Stephen Derben Aron Rollings
Moody Chase William Gilcrest
Nathanael Wood William Miller
Joseph Dearben James Miller
Moses Hills Michael Gordon
David Underhill Andrew MacFarland
David Cunningham James McFarland
I20 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Chester April j* 24"> 1773
To the Wardens of the presbeterian parish in Chester, Gentlemen
the Request of jour humble Subscribers is that you Would be pleased
as soon as posible to call a parish meeting that the Disputes Concern-
ing the Sitting off" of the long meadow May be laid before the parish in
General for to see If the Lower part of the parish will assist anything
in Keeping the parish Conected as It now is pray Gentlemen Dont
Neglect and in so Doing you Will oblidge your humble Servants
David Dickey William Miller
Thomas Sherly Hugh Miller
Mathew Templeton William Gilcrest
Robert McKinley Thomas McMaster
David Dinsmore Willam McMaster
To His Exelancy John Wintworth Esqr. Capt. general! and
governor and Comander in Cheaff of His Majesties Px-ov-
ince of New Hampshire &c
Thee Humball Pertion of Daniel Foster of Chester, in New
Hampshior Sheweth that your Humball Pertioner Doath Pray
That your Exelancy would Be Pleased to Grant me your Hum-
ball Pertioner The Privoledge of a Ferry over Merrimack
River aGainst my Dwelling Howes in Chester and against the
upper end of Goftstown there Being No Ferry Below Their
while we cum to Amasquage Falls which is Six Mills Below
and their is no Ferry Above their for above four Mills which
is against Pembrock Town and This Place is Citewate where
it will greatly acomidate the People That Travill to or from
gofstown Dunbarton Bowtown and HopKingtown and many
other Towns above Their
I should be glad to serve the Publick in this Thing as your
Humball Pevtioner in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Daniel Foster
CHESTERFIELD.
[ClieslcrfleM was granted February 11, 17.r2; the first settlement was made Nov.
1"), ITUI. Ed.]
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Cap''^ Gen' and
Govern'' in chief &c and to the Hon''^ His Majesty' Coun-
cil of said Province
By this Memorial —
Humbly shews Joseph Warren of Boston in the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay Physician Administrator of Nathaniel
TOWN PAPERS — CHESTERFIELD. 121
Wheelwright late of said Boston merchant dec' and which said
Nathaniel was sole Execntor of the Testament of the Hon
John Wheelwright late of Boston aforesaid Esq"" dec''
Your Memorialist humbly begs leave to make mention to
your Excellency and Hon"" that very lately he by the greatest
accident was informed that one Mr. Willard had petitioned
your Excellency & Hon** to Grant him a certain large Qiian-
tity of Land heretofore Granted to John Wheelwright and
others, and for reasons in said petition mentioned which your
Mem" conceives of to be more specious than real, y' Ivlemori-
alist after mentioning a fact or two, will without saying a word
more submit it to your Excellency's & Ilon^ Just determina-
tion. In the first place it is since this Mr. Willard's prefering
his Petitions that your Memorialist knew that his Intestate or
his Testator ever had any Land, in your Excellcncys Govern-
ment (lying if your memorialist is rightly informed at place
call'd Chesterfield or else where) be that as it may, your Ex-
cellency cS: Hon''' will view him as the administrator of an Ex-
ecutor. And how the afiairs of M"" Nathaniel Wheelwright the
Intestate were circumstanced at his puting oft" and death, is
not a thing unknown to almost every body in the five? prov-
inces— and that there are many heavy demands made upon
your Mem" as administrator of the said Nathaniel Wheel-
wright to the amount of a Great Many Thousand pounds ster-
ling is too obvious to be disputed even by Mr. Willard himself —
And your jSIem" begs leave to assure y"" Excellency & Hon-
ours, that he will make a point of it, and most punctually
comply with the Conditions of the Grant of said Lands or the
charter as it is otherwise called with all convenient speed (or
as your Excellency & Honours shall direct) in order to make
payment of the vast sums (as far as these Lands will go) to
the multitude of the said Nathaniels creditors in proportion, for
which reasons, if the said Mr. Willard has not the native mod-
esty to pray that his most extraordinary misconceived
pt" may be \iy him withdrawn, your Mem ' has the Modest
assurance to hope that your Excellency & Hon'^'' will dismiss
the same as groundless & unreasonable
Your Mem' is also attorney to Mr. Joseph Wheelwright one
of the sons & heirs of the afores' Jn ' Wheelwright dec'd and
which s' Joseph has amply paid a person in New Hampshire
Governm' to do the needful and to which your Mem 'will have
a pecidiar regard & care &c which said Joseph \\'heclwright is
now in London
All which is submitted by .Saml'EL Swift attorney to s'
Jo' Warren Adm'
Boston July 3'' 1771.
122 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Col. yoslah Wlllard''s Petition for sujidry rights in Ches-
terjicld.
Province of \
New Hampshire J
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General
Governor and Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's
Province aforesaid and vice Admiral of the same In Council
The petition of Josiah Willard of Winchester Esq'' Humbly
shews
That there are sundry Grantees (viz) John Wheelwright,
Joseph Wheelwright, Jeremiah Wheelwright, Nathaniel
Wheelwright, Thomas Paine John Annes & Oliver Butler of
a Tract of Land, charter'd and granted by the Governor of the
province aforesaid with advice of his Majesty's Council and In-
corporated into a Township by the name of Chesterfield and
which said Tract was by Charter to be held and enjoyed in
severalty and divided to and amongst the Grantees in equal
shares and upon their separate performance of sundry condi-
tions and reservations particularly mentioned and stipulated in
the said Grant, and tho' the Time prefixed in the said Grant
for the performance of the said Conditions has been elapsed,
y\n so it is that at this Time neither the residence of the
Grantees above mentioned nor the cultivation of the Lands,
have been as yet performed but only such part as hath been
done at the expence of your petition' Wherefore he humbly
Prays that the forfeiture of the said Lands may be exacted and
the said Shares regranted to him or that he may be reimbursed
the charge he hath been at in paying the rates and Taxes &
clearing some parts of the said Land. And your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
Portsm" 26"' March 1771.
Josiah Willard.
CHESWICK— now LITTLETON.
[This town was first granted b}' the name of C/iesrvick, Nov. 17, 1766;
regranted by the name of ^////<?;-/, Jan. iS, 1770; the territorv was
divided, Nov. 4, 1784, into tlie towns of Littleton and Dalton. Ed.] ^
Petition of Moses Little and Associates.
Province of \
New Hampshire j
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General,
TOWN PAPERS CHICHESTER. 1 23
Governor «fc Commander in Chief of the Province aforesaid
& to the Honorable his Alajestys Council for said Province
The Memorial of Moses Little of Newbury in the Province
of the Massachusetts Bay and his Associates humbly Sheweth
that your Memorrialists having for a valuable consideration pur-
chased a Certain Tract of Land by the Name of Cheswick be-
ing in said Province of New Hampshire, and formally Granted
to a Number of Persons by the Honorable Benning Went-
worth Esq- late Governor of said Province of New Hamp-
shire by Charter under the Great Seal of said Province, which
Charter has very lately Expired, And that Your Memorialists
have already at a verj' Great Expence begun a Settlement on
said Tract of Land, which they were Determined to Prose-
cute, but apprehending it necessary for their future security,
that said Charter be extended which your jNIemorialists are
willing to Surrender would most humbly pray that said Char-
ter may be extended and that the Bounds of said Cheswick,
which in said Charter are not fully Ascertained, may be now
made Certain, and may be the .Same as are mentioned in the
Plan of Survey herewith Exhibited which include a much less
Qiiantity of Land, than was by your Memorialists, aty*' Time
of their said Purchase, Suppos'd to be Contained within said
Township of Cheswick, your Memorialists therefore Relying
on the wonted Goodness of your Excellency and Honors most
humbly pray that s'd Charter maybe Extended the usual Time
and that the Bounds as pray'd for may be Established, and as
in Duty bound shall ever pray
Moses Little.
Portsmouth Jany 15"'' 1770
CHICHESTER.
[This town was incorporated 20 May 1727. A Copy of tlie Charter is the first paper
uuder this head. Ed.]
CHARTER.
Georg by the Grace of God of Great Britaine France and Ireland Kinge
Defender of the faith &c.
To all People to whom these Presents shall Come GreettinGf Know
y*' that wee of our Speciall Knowledge and mecr motion, for the Due En-
couragement of.Settling a new Plantation By and with the advice and Con-
sentofour Council! have given and granted and bv these Presents as far as
in us lies do give and Grant in Equall Shares unto Sundry of our be-
loved Subjects whose names are Enter'd in a Schedule hereunto annexed
that Inhabitorshalllnhabitwithin thesaid grant within our Provence of
Newhampshire all that Tract of land within the following bounds vi.: :
124 NEW HAMPSHIRE
to begin on the South West side of the Town of Barnstead and from
thence Running South Westerly on the head of the Town Notting-
ham untill Eight miles be accomplished and then NortliAvest Eight
miles then North East Eight miles. Then South East by the said Town
of Barnstead to the Place where it first begun and that the same be a
Town Corporate bv the name of Chichester to the Persons affore said
for Ever To Have and To hold the s' land to the s'' Grantees and their
heirs and assigns for Ever and to such associates as thay shall adinitt
upon the following Conditions (i) That the Proprietors within three
years Buld or cause to be built Sixty Dwelling houses and settle famil-
lies in the same and Cleane three acres of Ground fitt for Planting or
Mowing and that Each Proprietor Pay his Proportion of the Town
Charges when and so offten as occasion Shall Require the same (2)
that a Meetting house be Built for y"-' Publick Worship of God within
the Tearm of fore years
3d that upon Default of any Particular Proprietor in Complying with
the Conditions of this Charter upon his Part Such Delinquent Propri-
etor shall forfeit his share of the s* land to the other Proprietors which
shall be Disposed of according to the major Vote of the s' Proprietors
atta Legall Meetting
4. That a Proprietors Share be Reserved for a Parsonage and another
for the first Minister of the Gospell that Shall be their Settled and or-
dained and another Proprietors share for the Benefitt of a Schoole in
the s'' Town Provided nevertheless that the Peace with the Indians
continue for the Space of three years but if itt Should happen that a
Warr with the Indians should Commence before the Expiration of the
aftbres' Tearm of three years that then the s'' Term of three years shall
be allowed the Proprietors aft'ter the Expiration of the warr for the Per-
formance of the aftbre''^ Conditions Rendering and Paying therefore to
us our heirs and Successors or such officer or otficers as shall be ap-
pointed toReceve the samethe Annuall Qi^iit Renttor acknowleigement
of one Pound of Hemp in the s'' Town on the Last Wednesday in march
yearly for Ever if Demanded Reserving also unto us our heirs
and successors all Mast Trees growing on s' Tract of land according to
acts of Parlyment in that Case made and Provided and for the better
order Rull and government of the s'' Town Wee do by these Presents
for our selves our heirs and successors Grant unto the s'' Men and In-
habitants or those that shall Inhabit sd. Town that yearly and Every
yeare upon the Second Wednesday in March for Ever shall meett to
Elect and Chuse by the major Part of the Proprietors then Present Con-
stables Select men and other Town officers according to the laws and
usages of our affors'd Provence with Power Preveleidges and au-
thority as other Town officers within our afforesaid Provence have and
Injoyand for the Notifiing and calling of the first Town meetting wee
do hereby appoint Petter Weare Esqr. John Sanborn and Jacob P'reese
to be the first Select men and thay to Continue in s'' Respective oflice
as Select men untill the second Wednesday in the month of march
which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
twenty Eight and untill other Selectmen shall be Chosen and appointed
in their stead in such manner as in these Presents Expressed. In Tes-
timony Avhereof we have cased the Seale of our said Provence to be
hereunto afixed Witness John Wentworth Esq'' our Lieutenant Gov-
ernor and Commander in Chiefe in and over our said Provence att our
Town of Portsmouth in said Provence of New hampshire the Twenty-
eth Day of May in the thirteenth yeare of our Reigne Anno Domine
1727.
John Wentworth.
TOWN PAPERS CIIICIIESTEK. 12 =
By order of his Hon'' L' Gov with advice of y" Counsell
Richard Waidroii
Clark of the Counsell
A True Coppy of Chichester Chartter Examined b_v me
^\■ill'" Staniford Clark of Chichester
CJil Chester Petition.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Commander in
chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire
and to y'' Honourable the Councell of the s' Province
The Peticion of the Proprietors of the township of Chiches-
ter in the Province afores' Humbly Sheweth
That your Peticioners In y year 1727 had a track of Land
Granted to them ; Now called by y'' name of Chichester ; in
order to erect a township and make a settlement thereon, upon
such Conditions and Limitations as are mensioned in ye Char-
ter of said township ; But your Peticioners meeting with more
truble & Dificulty in Runingy Bounds and Clearing A Road
up to the said town than was Expected have Not as yet Been
able fully to Comply with the Conditions afores'. Your Pe-
ticioners therefore Humbly Pray that your Excellency and the
Honourable Board Would Be pleased to Grant them a further
term of time in order to their being Enabled fully to Compleat
y* settlement of said township and your Peticioners shall ever
pray &c
May y'' 6"' 1731.
In Coun Mav 6'' 1731 Read
Voted that the Petitioners have
one year more added to the term al-
low'd for performance of the Con-
ditions of the Charter
R. Waldron Secj
I assent to j"= above vote of Coun-
cil
J. Belcher
May7'ni73i
Nath' Weare
Benj" Gambling
John Gilman
Joshua Winget
Barth" Thing
Richard Jenncss
Theodore Atkinson
John Saniburn
Ebenezer Stevens
Tho» Peirce
for y-" selves & In behalf of the rest
Petition of the Tozvn of Chichester, 2S Feb., ^IjZO'^'' ^^«-
frfnation of charter
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Governor andCom-
ider in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire in New England and Vice-admiral of the same
man(
And to the Honourable His Majesty's Council of said ProV'
ince of New Hampshir
The Petition of the Proprietors of the Township of Chiches-
126 NEW HAMPSHIRE
ter in the Province of New Hampshire afores'' Most Humbly
Shewcth
That in the year of our Lord 1727 there was granted a Char-
ter of a Certain Tract of land in New Hampshire afores'd by
the name of Chichester unto a Number of Persons whose
Names are in the Schedule unto said Charter annexed and that
the Proprietors of s' Township not having complyed with the
Conditions mentioned in said Charter some time since Peti-
tioned to your Excellency and the Honourable the Council for
a longer time than mentioned in said Charter, to perform what
was therein required of them to do, which your Excellency
and the Honourable Council were joleased to Grant, and that
by reason of the distance of said Township, and the Difficul-
tys that attend Settling and Cultivating Wilderness land your
Petitioners have not as yet in all things complyed with the
Conditions of said Charter tho' they have done considerable
towards it and been at a great Charge for what they have done
and are daily endeavoring to comply with the whole and that the
Meeting house in said Town of Chichester together with sun-
dry dwelling houses were the Summer past accidentally con-
sumed by fire
Now your Petitioners most humbly beg that your Excellency
and the Honourable His Majestys Council for the reasons above
mentioned would in your gi^eat Wisdom and Goodness be
pleased to confirm the afores" Charter unto your Petitioners and
also to grant him further time for the fullfillingthe Conditions
thereof and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray
&c
to") Committee
JABEZ Smith ( .^^ ^^j^^j^ ^^•
Th" Pierce j ^j^^ p,oprietors
Petition for liberty to assess taxes.
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"" Govei'nor and
Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire the Hon''^ his Majesty's Counsel & House
of Representatives in General Assembly Convened the 27'^
Day of March Anno Dom. 1760
The Humble Petition of Thomas Westbrook Waldron and
Francis Jenness as a Committee of tlie Proprietors of Chiches-
ter in said Province Shews
That for want of a Proper General Law for Enabling Pro-
prietors of unsettled Townships to transact their afiliirs Relat-
ing to making said Settlem'^ (the said Proprietors not having
obtained a Particular Act in their favour) the Business of said
TOWN PAPERS CHICIIESTEn. 1 27
Settlement is very backward many of said Proprietors not hav-
ing Drawn their Lots others in arrears for past Taxes and .Some
Resting on their Oars leave the burthen of settling said Town-
ship to those wdio are Voluntary in doing the duty Knowing-
that their Estates there will be Raised in Value by the Settle-
ment tho' they Contribute nothing towards it.
That such a Situation of atlairs is not only a Prejudice to
Particular Proprieties &. Townships but to the Province in
General by Retarding many Settlements which long since
would have been made and much more Land Cidtivated than
there is at Present in this Province had there been a General
Law by which such backward Selfish Proprietors who would
Gladly Raise Estates at other Peoples Expcnce might have
been Compelled to have done their duty towards making the
Settlem'" in a Summary way as the aftairs of I'owns are Trans-
acted Especially Respecting the Payment of Taxes
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that they may have
Liberty to bring in a Bill Enforcing the Payment of Taxes in
arrearage duly assessed as also such as shall hereafter be so made
obliging also such as neglect to Draw their Lots to do it & in
Default of that or neglecting any other matters which sliall be
Granted & agreed upon at any Legal Meeting of said Propri-
etors the Lands or part sufficient for tliis Purpose of such De-
linquent Proprietors be subjected to sale and also that there be
a Tax of three — Pounds on Each Right for three years if
needed to carry on and make the said Settlement without any
further Delay but what is unavoidable by the War and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray &c
Tiio' W" Waldron
Francis Jennes.
In Council March 27 — 1760
read iS: ordered to be sent down
to the Hon'''"" Assembly
Theod. Atkinson Secy
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
On the last page of MS. Vol. I. "Town Papers" is a Paper, labeled
"Draught of a charter for Coulerain, Dec. 1726." The bounds given
by the Charter, are as follows : " Begin — at Rochester northerly Corner
bounds, at or near Salmon-fall river, running along Rochester head
line, keeping the course of that line till twelve miles be accomplished,
and from each end of the said twelve mile line to run north west half a
point northerly ten miles, and then to run a straight line from the end of
one ten mile line to the end of the other, which will be parallel to Roch-
ester head line, first mentioned, and that the same be corporate by y«
name of Coulerain."
The editor is not aware that any such town ever existed in New Hamp-
shire.
VOLUME 11.
CONCORD TO EXETER.
CONCORD.
[This town was first visited by the English in 163S or '39' It was
granted by Massachusetts, 17 January, 1725-6, and was settled in 1727.
It was then called Pexy Cook. It was incorporated by the Province of
Massachusetts in 1733, by the name of Rumford, and remained under
that government until 1741. It received the name of Concord by the
Charter which was granted during the administration of Benning
Wentworth, 7 June, 1765. Ed.]
Petition from Ebcnczer Eastman for protection from the
Indians.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governoi- and
Commander in Chief and Captain General in and over his
Majestys Province of New Hampshire The Honorable his
Majesty's Council for said Province and the House of Rep-
resentatives met on the twelfth day of March 1 746 upon a
special Convention
The Petition of Ebenezer Eastman of Peniiy Cook so called
in s'' Province in behalf of himself and the other In habitants
there ISIost humbly Shews —
That they are in great danger of and much exposed unto the
Indian Enemy and are in daily fear that they shall be attacked
by them and such a number as will be too many for them unless
they have some help —
That the Inhabitants there, are about to quit the Place unless
they can be protected That on Saturday night last being y*^
Eighth day of March Inst, there was a discovery of an Indian
near Canterbury Fort, which has caused much fear and an ap-
prehension that there is a Body of the Enemy waiting an op-
portunity to do mischief
Wherefore Your Petitioner most humbly Prays your Excel-
lency and Honours to consider of this Petition and to Grant
such Relief as in your great wisdom you shall judge meet and
proper and your Petitioner as in dutv bound Shall ever pray
&c
Ebexezer Eastman.
March 12"' 1746
TOWN PAPERS — CON'CORD. 1 29
Province N. Hamp. March 12"* 1746.
In Council at a Special Session of Gen' Assembly
read ^S: ordered to be sent down to the Convened members
Theodore Atkinson
Copy of Riiviford Petitioi., yiine 21, 1744, for defence
against the Indians.
To his Ex--^ B. W. Esqr. Capt. Geti' and Gov'" in chief, in and
ovei- His ]Maj'>' Province of X. 11. in N. Engl. The lion ;
the coLin and House of Represcn'^'* in Gen' Court Convened
The memorial & Petition of y" Inhabitants of the town of
Rumford in s ' Prov. Humbly She-vcth That y- s' Town has
been settled by His Majesty's Subjects abt. lyyrs. and a Gospel
Minister ordained there ab' 12 — That the Settlers had an eye at
enlarging his Majesty's Dominions by going into the Wilder-
ness as well as at promoting their own Interest; That many
Thous' Pounds have been spent in Clearing and Cultivating
the Lands there, and many more in erecting mansion houses
out-Houses, Barns and Fences besides a large additional sum
in Fortifications lately made, by His Ex^'-' the Gov" order ;
That the Buildings are compact, and properly form'd for De-
fence, and well situated for a Barrier, being on Merrimack
River, abt. 15 miles below the Confluence of Winnipishoky
and Pemissawpset Rivers, both w '' are main Gang Ways of
the Canadians, to the Frontiers of this Province ; That the
breaking up of the Settlem' will not only ruin the Memorial-
ists, but in their humble opinion greatly disserve His Majes-
tys Interest, by Encouraging his Enemies to Encroach on his
derelict Dominion, and be also hurtful to the Prov; by con-
tracting its Borders, and drawing the War nearer the Capital ;
That it was by a long and importunate Intercession of this
Province and not of the Memorialists seeking that they are cast
under the immediate care of this Gove"*^ w'-' y-' apprehend
gives them so much the better right to its j^rotection that they
have hitherto cheerfully paid their proportionate Part of the
public Taxes, assigned 'em by the General Court even without
being priviledged with a Representative in the Said Court ;
That as War is already declared Ag"*^ France and a rup-
ture with y*" Indians hourly expected, your Memorialists unless
they have Speedy help will be soon obliged to evacuate y"
Place, how disserviceable soever it may be to the Crown, dis-
honorable to the Goverm" hurtful to the Province and ruinous to
themselves. Wherefore they most humbly Supplicate your
Ex >■ the Hon. Coun'' and 1 louse of rcpresen"-' to take the
Premises into your wise and mature Consideration and to grant
them such seasonable relief as may enable 'em to maintain
9
NEW HAMPSHIRE
His Majestvs Dominions in so well situated a Barrier and so
ancient and well regulated a Settlem' as well as to secure
their own Lives and Fortunes ag'' the Ravage and Devastation
of a blood-thirsty and Merciless Enemy- And y"^^ IMemorialists
as in Duty bound will Ever pray —
Petition yor aid, by Benjanibi Rolfe, Esq.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Capt. General
and Governour in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire in New England the Hon''"'' the Council
and House of Representatives in General Court convened
The Memorial and Petition of Benjamin Rolfe in the Name
and Behalf of the Inhabitants of the Town of Rumford in
said Province Humbly Sheweth That the said Town has been
Settled by His Majesty's Subjects about Eighteen Years and a
Gospel Minister ordained there upwards of Fourteen
That the Settlers had an eye at enlarging His Majesty's Do-
minions by going into the Wilderness as well as at their own
Interest That Many Thousand Pounds have been spent
in clearing and cultivating the Lands there and many more in
erecting Mansion Houses Fortifications, Out Houses, Barns
and Fences. That the Buildings are mostly compact and
properly form'd for Defence and well situated for a Barrier,
being on Merrimack River about a Days mai'ch below the Con-
fluence of Winipishoky and Pemissawasset Rivers both which
are main gang Ways of the Canadians to the Frontiers of this
Province and within a Weeks march at farthest from a very
strong Fort built within these few years by the French at Crown
Point which will be a Place of constant Retreat and Resort for
the French and Indians in all their Expeditions against the
English Settlements. That the breaking up of the Settlement
will not only ruin the Memorialists but in their humble Opin-
ion greatly disserve His JNIajesty's Interest by encouragin His
Enemies to encroach on His derelict Dominions and be also
hurtful to the Province by contracting its Borders and drawing
the War nearer to the Capital. That it was by a long and im-
portunate Intercession of the Province (and not of the Memo-
rialists seeking) that they are cast under the immediate Care of
this Government, which they apprehend gives them so much
the better Right to its Protection That as War has been de-
clared against France for some Time and a Rupture with the
Indians has been hourly expected, many of the Inhabitants of
said Town, by Reason of their being so exposed to imminent
Danger from their Enemies have already moved from said
Town and the Season of the Year being such as to give the
TOWX PAPERS COXCORD. I3I
Indians an opportunity of disturbing the Frontiers and tlie
Dutch Mohawks having lately given occasion to tear that they
■would Joyn in a Warr against His Majestys settlements as
mentioned in some late News Papers your Memorialists unless
they have speedy help will be soon oblidged to Evacuate said
Town how disserviceable soever it may be to the Crown dis-
honorable to the Government, hurtful to the Province and ruin-
ous to themselves — Wherefore your memorialists most humbly
supplicate your Excellency, the Honourable Council and
House of Representatives to take the Premises into your wise
and mature Consideration and to grant them such constant and
seasonable aids both with Respect to men and Military Stores
as may enable them to maintain His Majesty's Dominions in
so well situated a Barrier, and so ancient and well regulated a
Settlement as well as to secure their own Lives and Fortunes
against the Ravage and Devastations of a Blood thirsty and
]Merciless Enemy and your Memorialists as in Duty bound
will ever pray
Benjamin Rolfe.
Portsmouth April y'- 30*'' 1745.
Petit iofi of Inhabitafits of Rzimford, 1747.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Capt. General
& Governour of His Majesties Province of New Hampshire
in New England To the Honourable the Council & House
of Representatives of s' Province.
The Petition of y*^ Subscribers Inhabitants of Rumford in
s' Province Humbly sheweth That we have great Reason to
fear a Speedy attack from the Enemy with a force too great to
be match'' by us with what Assistance we att present (thro
your Exccllencys &: Honours great , Goodness) have from y""
Province — That the plain and Evident tracks of a Considera-
ble Number was discovered by our Scout y' last week. That
Guns have been heard both here and att Contoocook upon y''
Sabbath & other Times & Places where it is certain no English
were. That y*" News of a Formidable Armament sent from
Canada to Crown Point obtained such credit witlithc Govern-
ment of y Massachusetts Bay' as Induced tliem to provide a
prodigious Reinforcement to strengthen their Western Bar-
rier— That such is our vSituation that as y*^ Rivers Hudson &
Connecticut lie most exposed to Incursions from Crown Point
so ours is y" next, and the experience of this whole war has
Taught us that whenever any Smart attack has been made upon
any of y'' Settlements on Connecticut River the Enemy have
never Allied of sending a considerable Number to visit our
133 NEW HAMPSHIRE
River — That while our ordinary business was Hoeing we could
work in such large companies as not be in Such Imminent
Danger of being massacred by y'^ enemy, which now Haying
and EngHsh Harvest comes on will be Impracticable with out
vast Detriment to y'' whole & utter Ruin to some. We there-
fore beg of your Exxellency & Honours to take our deplorable
case into Consideration & extend your compassion towards &
grant us such a further Reinforcement as you may think in
your great wisdom our case requires & your Petitioners shall
as in Duty Bound Ever pray &c
Rumford July 13, 1747.
Ebenezer Hall Nath" Abbott
Jeremiah Sticknev Joseph Easman
John Chandler Samwill Easteman
Abiel Chandler Abraham Kimball
George Hull Samuel Grej
Edwai-d Abbott George Abbott
Benjamin Abbott John Merrill
Joseph Ordwaj Joseph Hall
Samson Colbe David Foster
Aaron Stevens Obediah Foster
Timothy Bradley Hanerj Pudney
Joseph Farnum Patrick Garving
Isaac Walker Jun. James Peters
James Abbott Zebdiah Farnem
Amos Abbott James Farnum
Ephrnam Faram James Osgood
Joseph Pudney Lot Colbe
Ebenezer Eastman Moses Merrill
Henry Lovejoy William Pudney
Joseph Eastman Isaac Wakler
Jeremiah Eastman Timothy Walker
Nathaniel Eastman David Evens
Amos Eastman Richard Haselton
Ebenezer Eastman Jr. Jacob Shut
Samuel Shepherd Samuel Putney
Joseph Simonds Nathaniel West
Ebenezer Virgin Abraham Colby
Philip Eastman Matthew Standly
Ephraim Carter John Putney-
Ezra Carter Daniel Chase
Stephen Farington Daniel Chase Junr.
In Council July 15"' 1747.
i-ead & ordered to be sent Down to The Hon'''"' House
Theodore Atkinson Sec.
PetltioJi of Capt. Ehof Eastvian.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governor and
Commander in Chief and Captain General in and over the
Province of New Hamp' The Hon'"'' his majestys Council
& House of Representatives in General Assembly conven'd
The memorial and Petition of Ebenezer Eastman for him-
TOWN PAPERS — COXCOUD. 1 33
self and in behalf of the Inhabitants of Rumford So called
most humbly Shews — That your Memorialist in a most gratc-
full manner owns and acknowledges the Goodness and Kind-
ness of your Excellency and Honours in the late allowance of
thirty men in Guarding and Defending the Inhabitants of s**
Rumford and other places thereabouts. That the timeforwhich
s'' thirty men were allowed is expired and thev have been dis-
miss'd some days — That your Memorialist humbly conceives
that the time of Indian Harvest drawing nigh will be a time
of considerable Danger from the Indian Enemj'^ (if not from
the French also) wherefore he prays if it may be tho't neces-
sary by your Excellency and Honours that there may be a
further allowance of a number of men for the Safe Guard of
the s' Inhabitants and such a number and for such time as
to your Excellency and Honours shall seem meet and your Pe-
titioner as in duty bound Shall ever pray &c.
Ebenezer Eastman.
Sep^ 23" 1747.
Joseph Pudney^s Petition.
Prov. of \
New Ilamp /
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Gov- &c. The
Hon''' His Majestys Council & House of Rep '^^ in Gen''
Assembly conven'd at Ports" May 174S.
The Petition of Joseph Pudney of Rumford most Humbly
Sheweth That your Petif the Last Summer at Rumford
afore''' While in his Majesty's Service was Wounded by the
Indians, who by their shot Broak his arm & the bones much
Shattered. That altho the Wound is healed up yet he is un-
able to do any Work to Earn his Livelyhood, & his arm so
weak, that he's unfit for scouting &c. That he is able to do
the duty of a Garrison Souldier, and as such are wanted in the
s' Town of Rumford he humbl}^ Conceives in that way he
might be so far serviceable as to earn his living.
Wherefore your Pef most humbly prays that he may be held
in his Majesty's service and posted at the s' town as a Garrison
Souldier And y"" Pef as in Duty Bound Shall e\er pray
Ebenezer Eastman
in Behalf of y'^ Pef
In Council May 17, 1748
read recommended &
ordered to be sent Down to the Hon' •" House
Theo. Atkinson Secy.
134 NEW HAMPSHIRE
New HTn°pshii-} ^" ^^^ House of Representatives 28"' May 174S.
Voted That in Answer to y" within Petition mentioned Joseph Pud-
ney be posted as a Soldier at y"-' garrison at s"^ Rumford til y" last of
September next
D. Peirce Clk
In Council Eodcm Die
read & concurred
Theo. Atkinson Secy.
Eodem die
Consented to
B. Wentwortii.
Rev. Tim'' Walker's letter to Archibald Stark.
Sr. Yours without Date I received last Night Nine o"' clock, In-
forming me that you had a visit from a committee of y° Honourable
Assembly of y Pi-ovince respecting y^ Road thro Mr. "McNeals Field
desiring that our People would sign a Petion for y" s'' Road to the s'^
Assembly as they had already to y" General Sessions and send it to Ports-
mouth by next Monday Ten of y' clock, now altho I am fully of opin-
ion that y^ want of y' Road will in a few years Time be of vastly- more
Damage to y Publick tlian the whole of McNeals Field & that every
Person up this w^ay who is at all acquainted therewith will readily sign
such a Petition representing y* same in y strongest light possible yet
the Notice is so short that no such thing can be prosecuted to any effect
therefore y"^ only way left you is to pray for Longer Time w' " is so
reasonable that I cant think one word can be objected ag*' it & if that
be granted I shall be ready to doe any thing within vny power not only
to serve you & y* Publick but my self also in y" affair I remain your
hearty Friend &. Oblidged Serv'
Timothy Walker
Rumford July 7"' 1753.
Mr. Archibald Stark.
Petition of Ezra Carter in behalf of Ritinford.
To His Excellency Benning- Wentworth Esq"" Captain Gen-
eral Governor and Commander in Chief in & over His
Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, The Hon'''' His
Majest3''s Council and House of Representatives in General
Assembly Convened July 14''' 1756
The Petition of Ezra Carter on behalf of himself & the In-
habitants of the Late District of Rumford so called in said
Province Humbly sheweth. That the said Inhabitants appre-
hend that since the expiration of said District Act, they have
not had the Privilcdges which other Towns in this Province
enjoy. That they could not Raise money for the Support of
their minister, their Poor, the Repairing of High ^Vays, or
maintaining a School (which the youth there much need) or
to act in any Political manner whatsoever for want of which
TOWN PAPERS — CONXORD.
'35
Priviletlgcs the said Inhabitants think they have been great
Suflers.
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays your Excellency &
Honours would Compassionate our Case and Incorporate said
Plantation by its Boundaries or grant such other Relief as in
your wisdom you may see meet & your Petitioner Shall as
in duty l)ound ever pray
Ezra Carter.
In Council July 15"' 1756
read i; ordered to be sent Down to the Hon'''" House
Theod. Atkinson Secy.
Lettci- froii jc/'cniiah Stickizc\\ JEsq., relating to dijjicul-
ties ivith Bo-i\
Rumford March 19"' 1761.
Sir.
I have received the Order from his Excellency & General Assembly
Appointing An Inventory to be taken of the Poles & Rateable Estate
in the Province endorsed' to the Select men of Bow by the hand of M'
Carr tojjether with a verbal Order to deliver it to me in Case he could
find no Such Select men & have conferred with those of my Neighbors
that I could handily come at upon the purport & design thereof (^ I find
them all concurring with me in a deep sense of manifold dirticulties we
labour under for want of Power to regulate Society according to man-
ner of other Towns & Districts, which if was offered us we should readily
Embrace as well for our own Sakes as an Inclination to pay all dutifull
regard to the Orders of the Government — we never understood that we
had power to Act to Ordinary Purposes of Regulating society under
the Incorporation of Bow in which if we were mistaken twas our un-
happiness which admit to be the Case we apprehend ourselves at pres-
ent utterly destitute of any such Power for want of a Legal Meeting
which we know no possible way of obtaining without an Express Order
of the Honourable Court whicli if they should see meet to issue we
shall pay all ready obedience iSc proceed to Carry into Execution the
Design of this Order if time be allowed for it, which if should be the
Case would humbly suggest a necessitj' of ascertaining the Limits by
\vhich we are to be Circumscribed if we might Choose we should much
incline to be bounded as the district of Rumford was whilst it subsisted
— but if that be not Granted & it is the Pleasure of the Court that we
Should act as the Town of Bow we apprehend that the same necessity
Occurs not only because Pembrook is Lately taken Partly out of Bow
but also for that their Line as we have been informed, has been Run
very differently by their own Committees & I believe that no one of us
Knows either of the Lines in all the parts of it & however we may dis-
pute any or all these Lines whilst we are defending our Properties in
the Civil Courts of Judicature (which we mean still to reserve to our-
selves the right of Doing) Yet we never did or shall dispute the Power
of the Government to make Bow Lie where they please to whose Reso-
lution we shall pay ready Obedience when we Know it. Witiiout which
we Know of no way in our Power at present wherein we can contribute
to carrying into Execution this order Unless the Honourable Court
should" see Cause to appoint some Person or Persons to take the pro-
posed Inventory amongst us or the Select men of Canterbury shall ap-
136 NEW HAMPSHIRE
doint some Persons to said Business which is in their power as we Con-
strue the Order in either of which Cases we shall all suitable Compli-
ance. S' please to Communicate this Letter if jou see fit to the Hon-
ourable Assembly not only as my private sentiments by so far as I know
the united sense of all our people.
I am with all due regards
Yr. Obed' Hum. Serv'
Jeremiah Stickxey.
P. S. if the Hon. Court should see Cause to put us in a way of Reg-
ulation, among the Reasons against any of the Lines of Boav being Our
limits, this is the Principal that etheir of the Said Lines would leave
some few of our Inhabitants without oin- Incorporation which we would
be glad to have & who would Choose to belong to us & which no other
Society wants, but would take a much larger Number of the Inhabitants
of New Hopkinton which they Can very ill spare & which we don't
Avant & would be against the inclination of the People
Sr. Yrs.
J. S.
Capt. Thomas Parker, Litchfield.
Timothy Walker-'' s Petition in behalf of Riimford.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Capt General
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire. The Hon'ble his Majestys
Council & house of Representatives in General Assembly
Convened, Aj^ril 11"' 1764
The humble Petition of Timothy Walker on behalf of him-
self and the Inhabitants of Rumford (so called) in said Prov-
ince.
Shewcth, That the Aflairs of the said Inhabitants (so far
as relates to Town matters have been in great confusion Ever
since the year 1749 for want of the Power which they had till
then enjoyed ever since the year 1741 by the District act (so
called) which this Hon'ble Court say in July 1746 when it was
reviewed had been found Convenient both for the Government
of this Province in General and also the Inhabitants incorpo-
rated thereby in particular.
That altho' it has been pretended that they might still have
Enjoyed the same priviledges (as Inhabitants of Bow) yet they
never understood matters) in that light. And for this their opin-
ion and Practice consequential thereupon they humbly conceive
they would give reasons which would be satisfactory to this
Court were they permitted — But to pass over all this — This
Power or the Exercise of it has been lost to them (if ever they
had it) ever since March 1756 for want of a first meeting.
That by the year 1760 they were so heartily tired of such an
unsettled state that they would have been glad to have acted
Even under the Incorporation of Bow, if they could altho
TOWN PAPERS CON'COUD. I37
highly inconvenient for them as it blended part of three towns
togetner whose interests had always been separate & would
Consequently be apt to create strife and contention That this
Court was apprized of their utter Incapacity of doing Corpo-
rate act (even as Bow) by a Letter signed Jeremiah Stickney
in behalf of himself and others now on file togcather with
their dutiful & ready disposition to Comply with every motion
of this Court to the utmost of their Power.
That the said Inhabitants conceive themselves greatly ag-
grieved by a late act of this Government imposing a heavy
Tax on the Inhabitants of Bow as arrears &c a Tax which No-
body had Power to assess and collect at y" time when y^" s'd
arrearages became due and which if now done must be laid in
many Instances on wrong Persons ; That what they suflered
for want of the Powers [they] had enjoyed b}- the first men-
tioned District act was unspeakably more to their Damage than
to have jDaid their Proportion of the Province Expence.
That the incapacity complained of all along still continues
and yet the People are subjected to pay their part of the Cur-
rent Charge but no body has power to assess or Collect it.
They therefore most humbly Pray that your Excellency and
Honors will take the matters complained of under Considera-
tion and either revive the said District Act so far as relates to
Rumford or (which wo'd be much more satisfactory to the said
Inhabitants) Incorporate them by a standing act and by their
former Known Boundaries that the said Inhabitants may be
abated at least one half part of said arrearages. And that with
respect to their part of the Current Charge of the Province
they may be subjected to pay no more than their just propor-
tion with the other Towns in this Province & Grant them such
other Relief as in your great wisdom and goodness you shall
see meet. And your Petitioners as in Dutv bound shall ever
pray &c.
Timothy W'ai.kek.
In Council April 13"' 17G4
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Ilon'ble Assembly
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Province of ") In the house of Representatives May 3', 1764.
New Hampshire /This Petition being read,
Voted That what the said town of Bow is now in arrears for the
Province tax be collected agreeable to an act passed the second of June
1763 that the Inhabitants settled on the lands between said Bow. Can-
terbury & New Ilopkinton (except such as are already polled of!" to Pem-
broke & New Ilopkinton) be taxed & pay their proportion thereof &
that the inhabitants of Bow with the inhabitants on ail the lands be-
tween said Bow, Canterbury Boscawen & New Ilopkinton except such
as are already Polled oft' to Pembroke t^ New Ilopkinton meet together
some time in the month of June next at Bow i!v: (choose all necessary offi-
cers for assessing & Collecting the annual province Tax & for trans-
NEW HAMPSHIRE
acting all other town affairs Si afterwards some time in the Month of
March annually untill further orders of the Gen' Assembly & that he
have libert\- to bring in a bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk.
Petition relating to taxation^ &c.^ i7^4-
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor &
Commander in Chief of His Majesties Province of New
Hampshire, To the Hon. His Majesties Council of said
Province, & General Court Convened Octo1)cr the second
day Anno Dom. 1764
Whereas Edward Russel & others have petitioned your Ex-
cellency & Honours to be freed from paying any part of those
arrearages of Taxes ordered to be assessed upon Bow &
vfhereas so much Notice was taken of said Petition as that the
Petitioners were ordered to serve us the Subscribers with a
Copy thereof, in order that we may shew Cause, if any we
have why the prayer thereof should not be granted
These are therefore to inform your Excellency & Honours
that there are Forty one Poles with the Estates which they pos-
sess within the Limits of Bow as described in the Act of Tax-
ation referred to in the said Petition which are exactly similar
to these Petitioners, and also Sixty or more Poles with the
Estate which they now possess which were Minors & so not
liable to be Taxed when the Rates were supposed to be due
for which this Tax is Ordered, but have since come of age &
so Rated as fr " the List aj^pears.
To Ballance which increase there has been a yearly drain of
Inhabitants from us it is out of our Power to ascertain the
Number Init wc are well persuaded from what we Know of
the aflair that if it could be done it would bear some near
proportion to the advance — These have all left the Town, &
many of them the Province in each of which Cases they are
equally exempt from our power of Taxing them. And we
humbly submit it to your wise determination whether there is
not the same reason that these other persons should be freed
as that the petitioners should Which if the Case, we are well
assured that it will be absolutely impossible for the small re-
mainder to pay the whole of said Tax.
We are Your Exccllencvs k. Honours most Humble Ser-
vants.
Ezra Carter | Assessors
John Chandler J of Bow
Ephraim Blunt '\ Selectmen
William Moor >■ of
Isaac White ) Pembroke
TOWN PAPERS CON'CORD. I39
Petition of Concord to be annexed to Hillsborongh Comity.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Cap' General Gov-
ernor and Commander in chief in and over his IVIajestys
Province of New Hampshire the Hon'' "^ his ]Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives in General Assembly con-
vened the iS''' day of Jan* Anno Domini 1774
The Petition of Andrew iSIcMillan Esqr. Agent For the In-
habitants of the Town of Concord in the County of Rocking-
ham and Province aforesaid. Humbly sheweth
That said Town of Concord is Forty miles from Exeter and
Fifty five miles from Portsmouth where the Courts of Justice
are held for said County of Rockingham, and the Inhabitants
of said Concord very little if any thing benefited by the late
Division of this Province into Five Counties.
Secondly that many of the Inhabitants of the Towns in the
north part of the County of Hillsborough have applied to your
Petitioner's Constituents and earnestly desired that the incon-
veniences they labour imder may be represented to your Ex-
cellency and Honours by a Petition which they say arc
First as there is but one Superior Court of Judicature in a
year held in said County of Hillsborough and Prisoners com-
mitted for capital Crimes must lay in Goal sometimes Eleven
nine or six months according to the time they are committed
before it can be known whether they are or are not guilty ; and
in case they should be acquitted your Petitioners constituents,
humbly apprehend it a great Pity that they have sutVercd so
long and if found guilty they thing it a grievous burthen to
maintain such bad Subjects so long at the expense of poor,
honest industrious beginners in the Wilderness.
Secondly Creditors in General in said County of Hillsbor-
ough v/ho incline to sue at any time except July term in said
County are obliged to indorse their notes &c over to Persons
who live in the County of Rockingham or other Counties &
some to the Alassachusetts and the expense is as great as be-
fore they were a County. Thirdly the place where the Courts
are held in said County of Hillsborough is at such a Distance
from them that they are of opinion that the Inhabitants of the
south part of said County will not oppose their having Justice
done in that respect.
Fourthly that the situation of the Town of Concord is such
that it will accommodate all the Inhabitants of the upper or
Northerly part of the said County of Hillsborough and give
them general satisfaction
Therefore the said Inhabitants of the Town of Concord by
their said Agents humbly pray your Excellency & Honours
that said Town of Concord may be annexed to the County of
Hillsborough and that there may be annually held there one
t4o
NEW IIAAIPSHIRE
Superior Court of Judicature one Inferior Court of commou
pleas one Court of general Sessions of the peace for said
County or otherwise act in the premises as your Excellency &
Honours ^Visdom for the benefit of his Majesty's Subjects
shall direct and your Petitioners by their said Agents as in Duty
bound will ever pray &c
And'"' rvIcIMiLLAN
Portsm" Jan'>' i8"' 1774.
In Council Jany. 19, 1774.
Read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''" Assembly
Geo King D. Sec^
In the House of Representatives Jan>' 19'"' 1774
Upon reading the foregoing Petition
Voted that the Petitioner be heard thereon on the third day of the Sit-
ting of the General Assembly after the first day of March next and that
in the meantime the Petitioner cause the Substance of this Petition and
order of Court thereon to be printed three weeks successively in the
New Hampshire Gazette that any person may have opportunity to ap-
pear & Shew cause why the prayer of said Petition Shou'd not be
Granted
J. Wentworth Speaker
In Council Jan^' 20, 1774.
The within vote was read & concurrd
Geo King, D. Sec.
CONWAY.
[Conway began to be settled in 1764; the grant of the township was
made, Oct. i, 1765. Ed.]
TOWN PAPERS CONWAV
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144 NEW HAMPSHIRE
A List of the Settlers that have Familys In Co?ixuay, and
by vjho77ie Introduced.
3 Settlers by Col. Frj'e, John Webster, David Page, Samuel Smith
2 at the mills, Timothy Walker, Ezekiel Walker
9 Settlers bv Conway Proprietors, Joshua Kellev Ebenezer Burbank,
Tho^ Russell, Tho^ Merrill Esqr. Richard Eastman, Enoch Web-
ster, John Willson, all own rights, Joseph Kilgore, Tennent to Cap"
Walker, Anthony Emery, Tennent to Andrew McMillin Esq''
7 Familys by Brown, John Osgood, Leonard Ilarveman, Joshua Heath,
John Dolloff Jun. John Dolloff, James Osgood, Benj'' Osgood.
I Family Nath'' Harriman, settled on a lot with his Father not agreed
with Brown or Conway
22 Total
8 Improvements mark'd with the letter A worked on their land last
year went away in the Fall to Return in the Spring.
March 21 1771 A True State of Conway according to my best
Knowledge
Pr. Hexry Youxg Browx.
JMemorialfrom Fryebtirg., Brozunjield ajid Conzoay^ i77^"
To the Hoii'''*^ General Court of the Colony of New Hamp-
shire.
The memorial of the Committees of Conwav in the County
of Grafton, Frycburg and Brownfield in the County of York,
and Colony of Massachusetts Bay united humbly Sheweth that
the above said New Plantations Consist of about one Hundred
and Thirt}"^ Families are Situated at a Place called Pigwacket
Upon Saco River which nearly Unites with a Branch of An-
droscoggin River, about thirtv miles northerly from other Set-
tlements, and lay Greatly Exposed to Excurtions of the Sav-
ages ; by the following natural Communications as frequented
by the Indians that come to these Places : one from Chaudire
River into Umbagog lake, which Empties itself into Andros-
coggin river ; another from St. Francois River into a branch of
Coimecticut River ; and by that into Androscoggin River ;
another from Kennebunk River by the way of Muselahme-
contucook into Androscoggin River that these Several ways
are by water, except a few short Carrying Places, which bring
them within twenty miles of these Settlements, that the Great-
est part of this twenty miles is water Carriage, that Andros-
coggin River runs Further to the Northward than the head of
Connecticut River. That a party the Last year were sent out
from Coos to Reconnoiture the woods over to Umbagog Lake,
which Empties into St. Francois River ; from thence, they set
out Eastwardly in Order to Strike Connecticut River but headed
it, and struck Androscoggin River ; Come down that River and
TOWN PAPERS CORNISH. 1 45
come into these vScttlemcnts. that Last fall Three men from
Col Arnolds Partv come into these Settlements by the way of
Androscopfgin River, four or five Persons from (Quebec Last
Mav Come in here by the way of Androscoggin River, from
the Above, it appears that when Ever the frontiers are exposed ;
these Settlements are in danger, that from the Alarming ac-
counts we have lately Received from Canada we think it Nec-
essary to make Preparation for Defence and as it is not likely
we can provide ourselves with arms and ammunition without
the aid of the Hon*^''^' Court, therefore the memorialists intreat
the favour of the Hon''"'' Court to the applications that may be
made for the above purpose and for Protection if the Time
should come that the frontiers are in Danger, and we as in Duty
bound Shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Fryeburg this 7''' Day of July 1776
Richard Kimball, Chairman of s'' Com'^'*
N. B. Last Night came in here one family from the upper
Coos and all the Rest of the Inhabitants are Removing as fast
as possable.
CORNISH.
[Cornish was granted June 21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel McClintock of
Greenland, N. H., and 69 others. Ed.]
Petition of yon^ Chase of Cornish for a grant of Hart
Island. Jan. 15, 1772.
Province of 1^
New I lamps /
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Governor &
Commander in chief of said Pi^ovince & to His ^Majesty's
Council for the Same
The petition of Jonathan Chase of Cornish humbly sheweth —
That your i^etitioner having purchased of Col Nathan Stone
of Windsor an Island known by the Name of Hart Island con-
tain'g about twenty two Acres lying in Connecticut River be-
tween the Lower Corners of Hertford & Plainfield & the upper
Corners of Cornish & Windsor which was first laid out to the
proprietors of Hartford in Several Divisions as interval and as
such purchased by Major Oliver Willard of said Ilartfortl who
afterwards dispos'd of y" whole to Col' Stone tVom whom it
has come into said Chase's hands having all along been in-
formed that they the said Willard & Stone had a proper right
to hold or dispose of the Same which lying so contiguous To
the West Bank of the River was supposed to be part of the
10
146 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Town of Hartford aforesaid — But since finding it otherw' de-
termined—
Your Petitioner humbly prays your Excellency & Honours,
in Consideration of the Improvements made by the former
Claimers and the valuable purchase he has been innocently led
into, the said Island may be confirmd to him by a Grant upon
the usual Conditions & resen^ations — And your Petitioner as
in duty bound will ever pray &c
Jonathan Chase.
Portsmouth 15, Jan^' 1771.
Province ot "I
New Hampshire J
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Governor &
Commander in Chief of said Province and to His Majesty's
Council for the Same —
The Petition of Jonath" Chase of Cornish humbly sheweth —
That your petitioner has made Improvements on a small Island
lyin? in Connecticut River between Cornish & Windsor con-
taing about seven acres which was at first laid out as part of
the Interval appertaining to the said Town of Cornish, as such
assigned to him by the proprietors, and so improv'd for several
years past but since understanding, that being an island tis
necessary to obtain a distinct Grant of the same He humbly
prays Your Excellency & Honors that he may be considered
for the Improvements made there and favor'd with a Grant of
the Same upon the usual Conditions & reservations & your pe-
titioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray Sec
Jonathan Chase.
Portsmouth 15 January 1771
DEERFIELD.
[This town was incorporated 8 January, 1766. Ed.]
Petition of Sundry inJiabitants of Deerfield in reJatioJi to
a tax, <£•€.
Province of "^
New Hampshire j
To the Honorable house of Representatives, the vSubscribers
being owners of land in Deerfield And understanding that the
Inhabitants of s'^ Deerfield By their Committee have Petitioned
the General Court for a Tax To be laid on all the land in s'^
Parish of two pence pr. Acre for the Term of three years, the
TOWN PAPERS — DEERFIELD. 147
one half for the Parsonaj^c y'' other half to be laid out on the
Roads, we beg leave to oflcr a few Reasons why their petition
or prayer Should not be Granted
J sly ^^y^^ think it would be grievous to compel any whether
they live in or out of the Parish to pay any thing towards the
support of a Minister of a Different persuasion from themselves
& we think any other Sosiety for publick worship of A differ-
ent persuasion, have as good right to assistance in this way as
they — 2'"> to subject the uncultivated lands in that parish to pay
any part of public charges, we think would be grievous, as
they yield no profit to the owner &. it would be repugnant to
the late valuation Act where woodland was exempted although
in many Towns wood is of great value.
3'^' if a tax was to be laid on the uncultivated lands for any
part of publick Charges it would not be Just to lay it equally
on all, as many lots now they Are robbed by the Inhabitants (or
others) of the valuable timber that grew on them are of little
value
4'-' the parish is Considerably well Settled & with People of
Substance — As it is unlikely s' Petition will be Granted it may
be needless to mention the greatness of the sum Pray'd for but
we beg leave to mention that although s' parish is Called six
miles square it contains about Twenty Seven Thousand aci^e
according to Nottingham plan as the lots are mai'ked (if we are
not mistaken as to how the lines of Deerfield run) we doubt
not But your Honours will dulv consider & way the matter &. do
what seemeth to you right. In the mean time we are your
Honours Humble Servants
Josiah Sawyer Ebenezer Brown Jun.
Samuel Barnard Jonathan Ward
Nathaniel Currier Henry Lampre
Mirioin French Nehemiah Ordway
James French Ephraim Wadleigh
Phillips White Benjamin Wadleigh
Benjamin Brown John Woodman
Ebenezer Brown Onesiphorous Page
Deerjield Petition for a Tax.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Captain General
Governor Commander and chief in and over His Majesty's
province of New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same.
The Honorable His Majestys Council and House of Repre-
sentatives for s' Province Convened
The Humble Petetion of us the Subscribers (being A Com-
mittee Chosen by the Inhabitants of Dearfield to Petetion this
148 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Court for A Tax to be laid on all the Lands in Dearfield for
the following Reasons) Humbly shews
i^tiy Whereas the s'' Inhabitants have Lately Settled a Min-
ister in s'' Dearfield very much to the acceptance of the Inhab-
itants and have Engaged to build him A Parsonage house &
barn & clear a quantity of land on s'' parsonage Lott and Sett
out an orchard for him and Pay A yearly Salary &c.
2^1' y Wee have three Main Country Roads laid out through
g(i Parrish which are Greatly used by His Majestys Subjects to
Pass and Repass in, to A Great numberof towns Settled above
us and frequent Complaints are made that they are not in So
Good Repair as they ought to be & wee have Likewise many
other highways Laid out for the accommodations of the Set-
tlers of the Parrish in Length of the whole of s'' ways Do
amount to upwards of forty miles And as the Settlement of A
Minister and haveing Good Highways in A New town or Par-
rish is verry much to the Proffitt of the Non resident Proprie-
tors as well as the resident and as the Present Inhabitants are
Mostly new Settlers which will make it Exceeding Difficult for
them to Perform their Engagements
Therefore Xour Petitioners Humbty Prays that in Your
Great Wisdom and Goodness You would take this our prayer
under your wise Consideration and order a Tax to be Laid on
all the Lands in s'' Dearfield for three years Next ensuing of two
pence uppon the acre the one Half to be Laid out uppon the
Parsonage house and Land the other Half on the Highways
and that prudent Persons be appointed to manage s'' business
or other ways order with Regard to the Tax as you in your
Great Wisdom and Goodness may think proper and your Peti-
tioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray &c.
RiCH*^ Jenness
Tho'* Simpson.
Province of \ In Council Febj' 2 1773.
New Hampr. j The within Petition was read & ordered to be sent doAvn
to the Hon'^''- Assembly
Geo King D. Sec.
NewH;;^"shire}l" '"^^ ^^°"^^ ^' Representatives Feb. 3.> 1773-
Voted that the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on the third day
of the Sitting of the Gen' Assembly After the first day of May next, &
that the Petitioners at their own cost, cause the Substance thereof to be
published in the New Ilamp' Gazette, three weeks successively and also
to put up notifications in said Dearfield that any person may show cause
why the Prayer thereof should not be Granted.
William Parker Cler Assembly
In Council Feb. 3'' 1773.
Read & Concurred
Geo King D. Secy.
TOWN PAPERS DEERFIELD. I49
In the House of Representatives May 13, 1773.
Voted that the Petition"" be heard on this Petition on the third day of
tlie Sitting after the 15 day of June next and that the Petitioners Cause
the Petition to be printed as above directed
William Parker Cler.
In Council eodem Die
Read & concurred.
Geo King D Secy.
Province of\ j,^ ^, pj ^ RepresentManuarv 20"' 1774
Voted That the Petitioners may lay a Tax on all the lands in Deer-
field of one penny per acre for the Term of three years for the use of
the Repair & making highways only & that the Petitioners have leave
to bring a bill accordingly
W-' Parker Cler Assembly
In Council Jany 26, 1774
Read & non Concur'd
Geo. King D. Sec
of 1
;hire |-
Petition for a yiistice of the Peace.
Province of
New Hamps
Rock"
To his Excellenc}' John Wcntworth Esqr. Capt. General Gov-
cnor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire in New Enghxnd ; and to y*^
Hon''' his Majestys Council of y'' Province afore^''
The Petition of a Number of y'^ freeholders and Inhabitants
of y"^^ Paresh of Deerfield in sd. Province and County humljly
sheweth that whereas there is a Large number of People in y''
South part of Deerfield and much ]3usiness to be done and no
Justice near so we think that such an office would be verv ad-
vantageous to y"' Place not only for y"^^ Preservation of y Peace
but for y'' transacting of other business which otherwise would
be expensive to your Petitionars and others The Parson our
Eyes are upon is Mr. Daniel Ladd of this Parish who appears
to us a Very honest man and one Qiialified and Disposed to
do Justice — Thus hoping y"^ your Excellency and y Hon'''*^
Council will take this our petition under your wise Considera-
tion and grant us oin- Request and as in Duty bound your Pe-
titioners shall ever Pray
Deerfield Jany. y' 29"' 1774
Josiah Prcscott Junr. Neniiah Cram
Joshua Leavitt Thomas lierley
Jonatlian Philbrick Levi Harvey
Enos Sanborn Ithiel Smith
Nathaniel Philbrick Peter Sanborn
Benjamin Folsom Wadleigh Cram
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ilenij Tucker John Eastman
Josiah Smith Joseph Merrill
Tristram Sanborn John Merril
William Graves Nathan Sanborn
Joseph Graves David Haines
Ephraim Brown Samuel licit
Josiah Sanborn John Philbrick
James Philbrick Joel Cram
Nathan Philbrick Joseph Hoit
Petition of Inhabitants of y'^ Southerly fart of Dccrfela
to be made a Parish.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain Generall
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his INIajes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire in New England. To the
Hon''^*^' His Majestys Coimcill and House of Representatives
for said Province Convened in General Assembly. Most
Humbly Sheweth
The Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants of the South-
erly Part of the Parish of Deerfield in the Township of Not-
tingham in the County of Rockingham in said Province That
the said Parish of Deerfield is Principally Settled at & near
the Two Extreme parts of it viz : the Northerly End and the
Southerly End which makes it very Difficult to meet All to-
gether for Publick Worship or for Transacting the Pub-
lick business of the Parish
That there are Two Meeting houses in said Parish for the
Publick Worship and Two Ministers Regularly Called & Set-
tled there and Also Two Military Companies in said Parish
viz one at each end also Two Constables and but one sett of
Selectmen which are Annually Chosen in the North Part of
said Parish
That your Petitioners have for some years Past been at the
Charge of Building a Meeting house Settling & Supporting a
Minister in the saicl South part of said Parish and have had no
Benefits by the North Part of said Parish. Wherefore and for
many other reasons which on a hearing shall be given to your
Excellency and your Hon''^ Your Petitioners Humbly Pray
your Excellency & hon'" To Incorporate the said South Part of
Deerfield into a Distinct Parish so as to take in the First three
Ranges and one half of the Range highway between the Third
and the fourth Ranges of Lotts, with such Privilcdges & Im-
munities as other Parishes in said Province Have and Do En-
joy and under Such Restrictions and Limitations as to Your
Excellency and hon'" Shall Seem Most Mete — And your Peti-
tioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &C
Deerfield April 7*'' 1774
TOWS PAPERS DEURVFIELD.
John Robinson
James Young
Jonathan Roljinson
David Robinson
Jedediali Prescott
Israel Clifford
William IMooers
Jedidiah Prescott Junr.
Josiah Prescott Jun.
Sanborn Cram
Samuel Pulsfer
Josiah Sanborn
Jonathan Judkins
John Lauranc
Tristram Sanborn
Samuel Winslow
Thomas Berley
Daniel Lad
Moses Marshall
Joseph Judkins
David Haines
Benjamin Judkins
John Morj^ain
Jonathan Philbrick
Wadleiijh Cram
James Philbrick
Benjamin Folsom
Henry Tucker
Ithief Smith
Ezekiel Oilman
Joseph Graves
Nemiah Cram
John Gidden
Nathan Sanborn
Samuel Hoit
William Haines
John Thursten
John Jones
John Philbrick
William Mudget
Caleb Morss
Levi Harvev
Nathan Philbrick
Ephraim Brown
Josiah Smith
John Merril
Joseph Merrill
Asaph Merrill
Nathaniel Lad
John Prescott
John Robinson Jun.
Province of ) In the House of Representatives May ii"' 1774
NewHamps. J The within Petition being Read and Consider'd
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on the third Day
of the Siting of the General Assembly next after the twentieth Day of
June next and that the Petitioners at their Own Cost Serve the Select-
men of Deerfield with a Copy of this Petition and Order thereon and
also that the Petitioners Cause the Substance of this Petition and Order
to be Published in the New Hampshire Gazett three weeks Successively
that any Person May Shew Cause why the Prayer of the Petition
should not be Granted
M. Weare, CI'
In Council eoden Die
Read and concur'd
Geo King D. Secy.
DERRYFIELD.
[Note. The following Papers relating to Derryfield are found in
MS. \'()1. IV, "Towns," — pp. 307-309, being there misplaced. They
should be examined in connection with Papers relating to Bedford and
Londonderry. Ed.]
To his excelency Benninrj Wiiitwoith Esq Governor &
Commander In Chief of His Majestycs Provence of New
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hampshir the honnorable his Majestys Councell and House of
Re2:)rescntatives In General Assembly Conven'd —
The jDcttetion of a number of the freeholders & Inhabitants
of the Town of Derry field Humbly Sheweth that the first
Monday of March annually is appointed by Charter to be the
day for chusing of Town officers for the currant year and the
usual costoni of s'' town hes ben to warn the Town of time
and place and design of holding said Meeting with the several
articles to be acted upon on s' day of posting up a coppy of
Warrant at three several places in said town viz. one at John
Gofle Esq one at John Hall & one at Mr Russes at Xameskeeg
which was a vote of said Town for warning Town meetings
in said Town but so it was that neither of the places had any
notification set up and one of them particularly Nameskeeg
had no coppy set up in that part of the town so that they knew
not the time of Day the meeting was to be held yet notwith-
standing two of the select men and town clarke did contrary to
former custom with about ten or a dozen of the Inhabitants and
boys & unqualyfied persons did enter and in about five minutes
time chouse all the principal offi cersers for the town Notwith-
standing one of the select men & the constable & several of the
Inhabitants opposed them and told them it was not fair to hold
the meetin before the Inhabitants came and that it was not the
usual time of day that the meeting use to begin & that the In-
habitants that must pay the greatest part of the Taxes that shall
come vipon the town were not present — that they would be
here presently yet they proceeded as aforesaid and at five min-
ute's after eleven of the clock a considerable number came & in
halfe an hour the Inhabitants chiefly came & upon hearing that
the principal officers were chosen by a small number of Voters
and many of them notquallified they concluded as that was the
day by charter to chuse town officers, they being the largest
part of the Qiiallified Voters belonging to said town maid proc-
lamation that they were going to hold the town meeting & all
were desired to attend and they went to the Meeting house and
maid choice of a Moderator & Town dark & select men & all
town officers & they were sworn to the faithful discharge of
their duty as the Law directs so that their is two set of officers
in said town which makes confusition we most Humbly there-
fore pray your Excellency & Hon'^ To Take our case under
your wise consideration and grant that there may be a Regular
town meeting in said town & that we may have town Officers
chosen as the law directs and that our confusion may be
brought into order and might be enabled to Raise the province
taxes & mend high ways & do the necessary business of the
town and that your Petitioners mav bring in a bill for that end
— & your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Dated at Derryfield first of May 1766.
TOWN PAPERS DOVER. 1 53
John Gofie James McCalley
William McClintock Samuel Stark
David Starrctt Daniel McNeall
Samuel Bovd Tho- Russ
Nathaniel Boyd John Rand
Charles Emerson John Hervy
William Nutt Samuel Moor
John Griften John Moor.
John Stark
Province of) t ^1 1 r o ,. ..• t r,,-r
New Hirno \ house of Representatives June 26"' 1766.
The foregoing Petition being Read and Considered —
Voted — That the Petitioners be heard thereon on fryday the fourth
day of July next if the General Assembly be then siting" And if not then
siting thereon the second day of their siting nextafter And that the pe-
titioners at their own cost cause the selectmen and Town Clerk who
served for Derry field for the year 1765, to be served with a Copy of this
petition and Order of Court that they may appear and show Cause if
any thev have whv the praver thereof should not be granted
■'M. Weare, CIr.
In Council Eod'" die
Read & Concurrd —
T. Atkinson Jr. Secy.
New H-imn i ^'^ ''^^ House of Representatives July 4"' 1766 —
The foregoing Petition being Consider'd And the Parties heard
thereon —
Voted — That the prayer of the Petition be granted And that the pe-
titioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly —
M. Wcarc, CIr.
In Council Eod'" Die
Read & Concurr'd
T. Atkinson Jr. Secy.
DOVER.
[This was one of the first settled towns in New Hampshire, Ports-
mouth being the other. It was settled in the Spring of 1623, by Ed-
ward and William Hilton, brothers, from London. It was first called
Pascataquack, as was also Portsmouth; afterwards Cocheco. and
North.im. It has borne the name of Dover for more than 200 years. Ed.]
Extracts from tho. Records of Dover.
Att a Town meeting 30"" of the 6 m" '43.
30"' 6 m" '43
It is this day ordered that William Pomfrett Shall have the Neck of
154 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Land between the] Mouth of Cochecha River and Nechewanick River
with the Marsh thereupon to the first Narrow
March y« 19"' 1693-4
By the Comitte Chosen by the freeholders of the Town of dover for
granting Land given and granted unto Ephraim Tebbetts hisheirrsand
assigns for Ever Twenty Acres of Land on fresh Creek Neck to butt on
Nechewanick River next to Saint Albonds cove. Test william Ferber
Clark of s'' Comittee
This Above grant voated and Confearmed in generall Town Meeting
the Second day of April! 1694.
Vera Copia. Test John Tuttle Towne Clerk
Laid out to Ephraim Tebbets according to grant Tw-enty acres of
Land on fresh Creek neck and bounded it as followeth viz at a white
oak Tree markt E T from thence South an be west 40 Rods to a white
oak markt E T Then west an be north 4 score Rods to A Pich Pine
markt E T then north and be East 40 Rods to a Pich Pine markt
E T then on a straight Line to the first markt Tree the River is the
bounds at the East End Laid out and bounded by us this tenth day of
July 1694
Sam' Heard
EZEKIEL WeNTWORTH
Thomas Downs
Petition fo7' bridging Cochecho and Lamprey River.
To His Excellency Samuel Shute Esq. Capt. General and
Gov "' in Chief of His Majestys province of New Hamp-
shire, and to the Honourable the Council and house of rep-
resentatives now Sitting in General Assembly
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Tovv^i of Dover Most
humbly Sheweth
The heavy burthen 1} ing upon your petitioners, in building
and renewing the many bridges in The said town, over and
above the ordinary annual repairs of High ways through the
same whereby your petitioners have stood charged w' ' a much
greater and more grievous tax than any other Town in the
province more especially for the Erecting and maintaining
Two very large Bridges over the river of Cochecho and Lamprey
river; exclusive of which two rivers, your petitioners are more
than even w"' the Inhabitants of any Neighboring town in y*^
Costs of bridging and whereas the last years floods floated away
the boom at Cochecho with 3 piers and the Standing bridge at
Lamprel river which are now to be rebuilt your petitioners Do
therefore humbly pray that the bridging of The Said Two
rivers may be made a province Charge to be defrayed out of the
publick Treasury As is usual in other Goverm'=* & y'" petition''^
shall Ever pray &c
R. Waldron ^
Step. Jones v Committee
Paul Gerrisii )
TOWN PAPERS — DO\ER. I55
Copy of letter to the Selectmen of Dover and Exeter
ab^ bridge.
Gentlemen
I am commanded by the Hon'"''^' y* L' Gov"^ & Council to let you know-
that it is their direction to you that you have a suitable bridge built
Pursuant to V foregoing reports (which y" Gen' Assm have accepted)
with all possible dispatch and that it is their Expectation that you will
improve every opportunity in forwarding so necessary a work and that
there be no failure on any part (or by any means) in" Complying with
this order I am Gent"
Y' Most humble Serv'
R. Waldrox Cler Con
Jany 20"' 1723-4
To the Selectmen of
Dover l^ Exeter
ylcct" of pretenders to Land at Cochecho Point.
W'" Stiles bought of Ephraim Libbey
Jones
Dan' (jordon
Nath Tarbox
Tho. Cole, Shackfords by execution grant to Watson &
sold to Nat Young
L' Hatevil Roby
Tho ^: Xat Roberts 30 acres ap's
Daniel Jacobs
Capt. Tuttle 2 g:3i
Tho Rob'" w'' had for wives portion
Capt. Libbey Thorn Ben Marsh ?
Sam' Cosen from his Father
Howard Henderson w'' Cook had
Old Mr. Henderson
Blackstone
Jos Canney of which Clark 4 acres gran.
grant
.:o
grant
20
Do
20
Do
20
&
Do
20
ot Laid out
30
grant
60
Do
20
Do
60
Do
20
Do
20
Do
20
Do
20
No grant
40
ab'
10
20
420
Petition ab^ Grammar School at Dover.
Province of |
New Hanips J
To the hoiv'''^' John Wcntworth Esq"" Lieu' Govo- & Com-
mander in chief for the Time being of s' Province & to the
hon'''^ theCouncilland house of Representatives Conven'd in
Gen' Assem'''^'
The humble Petition of the Representatives for tlie Town-
ship of Dover in Behalf of s' Town humbly sheweth
That wiicreas the said Town is one of the most exposed
Towns in this Province to the Insults of the Indian Enemy
And also whereas by an Act of the General Assembly of this
156 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province Entitled An act for y'' Settlem' & Support of Gram-
mar Schools, the said Town of Dover (amongst others) is
obleidged by s' act to keep and maintain a Gramere School.
And whereas the Circumstances & Situation or Settlements
of the Inhabitants of s'' Town lying and being in such manner
as it is, the houses being so scattered over the whole Township)
that in No one place six houses are within call. By which in-
convenicncy the Inhabitants of s'' Town can have no benefit of
such a Gramar Schoole, for at the times fit for children to go
and come from schools is Generally the chief Time of the In-
dians Doing Mischief, so that the Inhabitants are afraid to send
their children to Schoole, and the children Dare not venture so
y^ y*" Sallary to s'' Schoole Master is wholly Lost to s' Town.
So that your Petitioners at the Request cK: in behalfe s '• Town
humbly prays y'' hon"" & Generall Assembly that there may be
an act of this Generall Assembly Past that the s' Town of
Dover may be Exempted from keeping a Gramar School Dur-
ing the war with the Indians, as formerly they were so prays
your humble Petitioners
James Davis
Sam' Tebets
August 29"' 1772 Tim. Gerrish
In Council.
Voted That The prajer of This petition be granted for the reasons
Therein Mentioned and That The petitioners have leave to bring in a
bill accordingly
Rich'' Waldron Cler Con.
August y- zg''^' 1722
In the house of Representatives, read and lies for Consideration
August the 30''' In the house of Representatives read and Concurred
with Provided they keep a Schoole for reading and writing & Arith-
metic
James Jeffrev
Clerk Assembly
SelectDien of Dover s petition and votes thereon.
Pro. N. Hamp
To the Honourable The Lieu* Governour and Command'" in
chief of said Province and to the Ilon'''"^^ y'' Council and house
of Representatives convened in General Assembly.
The Petition of the Selectmen in behalf of the Town of
Dover liumbly Shexveth
That whereas y'' late bridge over Lamprey river has been
carryed away by a freshet for want of a firm foundation and a
passage over that river being so necessary and useful Especially
at this time
We Therefore most humbly pray that a Committee May be
TOWN PAPERS DOVER. I57
appointed to view the said river and the hindln<;son Each side
in order to finding a more onvenient place to l)uild anew so as
to prevent the like Misfortune w"' v'' former and Make a reoort
of their doings at y next Sessions and yo' petition'^ vShall ever
pray &c
Rich' Waldron ~\
l^ENj' Wentwortii [- Selectmen
June r' 17-3. Nicolas Harford )
In Coun June i"' 1723.
Voted That Six Indifferent Persons be chosen a Committee To survey
lamprey Ri\er and Report to His Honour the Lieu' Gov'^ and Council
as soon as conveniency will permit y" Most commodius place for build-
ing a brid.ije a Cross said River and that Col" Walton M E\v' Ayres t\:
Mr. Benj ' Thomas be three of y- Committee to Joyn w"' y Gentlemen
whom y house shall appoint
Rich Waldron, Cler Con.
Eoden Die In the house of Representatives
Voted a Concurrence with the above vote (with this Proviso)}'' y*
Petitioners pay y" Charges of the Comittee and that Coll Peter Weare
Coll John Plaistow Esq'' and y' W'" More be three of y-' Comittee fory*
end afores '
James Jeffrey CI' Ass"".
Petitioti and complaint against Richard JJ'a/dron Esq.
Pro\iiice of "I
New Hampshire j
To Ilis Excellency William Burnet Esq"" Governour and Com-
ander in Chief in and over His Maj'''^^* Province of New
Hampshire tS:c and to the Hon'''"' His Majesties Council for
said Province
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the s"*
Province Most humbly Shexveth That divers of your Pet"
for upwards of Forty years, others for Thirty, have been Set-
led upon a certain Tract or Neck of Land in Dover in the
Province afores' being duly put into possession thereof by the
Freeholders of s'' Town as by their Votes will appear ; all
which time was partlv spent in Subduing the Indian Enemy
and partly in Subduing and Cultivating the wild Land so given
and granted to them, That after such a length of time when
your Petitioner had with much blood and Labour reduced the
Former to reason, and the latter to profit, and expected to en-
joy the vSweet of all their Encounters and pains in the year
1 719 Richard Waldron Esq' as Adm' to the Estate of his
Father Richard Waldron formerly of s' Dover Esq' dec'ed
brought his action against your Petitr'' and others for the Re-
covery of one Moiety of said Neck of Land pretending one
half thereof was granted to him by the Selectmen of that
Town so long ago as the 5"' of the 10"' ^Month 1652 and the
I5S NEW HAMPSHIRE
other half to William Furbur and others, whereas it's Evident
from the Votes of s' Town many years after that William Fur-
bur and the whole Town Esteemed that Grant when the said
Town was under the Massachusetts Government of no Validity
For the s^ William Furbur in 1693-4 attests to Votes and
Grants of the Freeholders of Dover afores'' of part and parcels
of the s' Land ; however at a Superior Court the s ' Waldron
Recovered the s" Moiety and upon an appeal before the Hon'''*"
the Lieut. Governor and Council the appellants making De
fault the Judgement of the Superior Court was Confirmed ;
the reason of such Default is easily accounted for so that by s"
Judgement the s"^ Waldron was to hold in Common one Moiety
of s"^ Neck with y'' Pet" and others ; That some time after the
s'' Waldron brought his writ of Partition to hold his part in
Severalty, and accordingly the 12''' day of April 172S a Jury
went on the s*^ Neck and divided the same, giving the upper
part thereof to s'^ Waldron and your Pet" the lower half where
their Settlem''' Orchards and Impi-ovements were made, as by
their return imder their hands and vSeals will appear, v/hicli was
most equal & Just, & virtually agreingwith the Judgementof the
Hon''' ' the Lieut. Governour and Council upon the appeal that the
s'' Waldron might not be profited by your Pet" buildings ; but
the s*^ Waldron being thus in part defeated of his Expectation,
by management under the coloiu" of Law & practice, but not
warranted by cither, as upon a hearing before your Excellency
and Hon" will evidently appear, procured another Jury in Sep-
tembcrFollowing to make the Division De Novo, who without
making themselves acquainted with the Tract and the Survey
thereof as the Former Jury had done, at once and without any
trouble Confirmed the Divisional lines the Former Jury had
made and Established the Same, but gave the lower half
where vStood your Petr^ Houses Barns Orchards and all their
clear Land to s*^ Waldron and gave them the upper half which
the Former Jury had given to Waldron so that your Pet" after
upwards of thirty years labour and the Expence of much blood
and the sweat of their Brows are thereby with their wives and
Children drove into the wild wilderness, and all this so done
under the Shew of Justice and Equity within a civilized Gov-
ernment.
Your Pet" therefore persuade themselves from your Excel-
lencies .Superior and most distinguishable abilities and vertues,
and from the Experienced Justice and Equity seated in Your
Excellency and Hon", that they shall have a short day assigned
them to be heard by their Coimcil on the premises, and that
they shall receive Such redress and relief as to Law Justice
and Equity shall appertain
TOWN PAPERS DOVER. I59
And the Pet'' as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Eeisiia Clark
James Weelmet
April 4'' 1729. Howard Henderson
Joseph Canne
Abigail Blackstox
Petition of the Iiihab. of the N. E. fart of Dover for a
Parish.
To his Excellency William Burnet Esqr. Captain General
and Governour in Cheif in and over his Majesties province of
New Hanip'" the Honourable his Majesties Council and the
Representatives of the s** jorovince in General Assembly Con-
vened
The Petition of tlie Subscribers Inhabitants of the North
East part of the Town of Dover, humbly shezucth — That the
Dwelling places of yo'" Petitioners are at a great distance from
the houses of the Public Worship of God in the Town of
Dover where your Petitioners live by which their attendance
thereon is rendered very difficult more especially to the women
and children of their families and that in the Winter Season
and in Stormy weather So y^ they cannot pay that Honour
and Worship to God in publick as it is their hearts desire they
could, therefore for the advancing the Interest of Religion and
for the Accomodation of yo" Petitioners It is humbly prayed
by them that Your Excellency and the Honourable Assembly
will please to sett them off as a Parrish for the Maintaining the
Public worship of God amongst themselves and that they be
dismissal from the Town of Dover as to the Supporting of the
Settled Minister there, And that the Bounds of that their Parish
may begin at the Gulfs a place so called atCochecho river, and
from thence to run to Varnev's Hill and from thence the Town
bounds on a North West point of the Compass & Your Peti-
tioners Shall ever Pray as in duty bound &c
Paul Wentworth John Roberts
Thomas Alden Samuel Randall
Elazar Wjer? Samuel Cosen
Lowe Roberts ? Ricker
Jeremiah Rawlings Ephraim Ricker
Silvanus Nock Jos Ricker
James Hales Joshua Roberts
Thomas Hobbs 'fohn Hall
William Streley? Moses Tebbcts
George Ricker William Downs
Tho 'Downs John Tebbets
Philip Yetten "iJenj* Peirce
Thomas Nock Mahonan Recker
l6o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Zacheriah Nock Thomas Tebbets
Philip Stacpole Benjamin Stanton
Thomas Miller Ebe^ Wentworth
Nath Perkins Jim. Samuel Jones
Samuel Roberts Joseph Peney
Benjamin Wamouth Philip Pappon
John Conyer? Jemes Gupev
WilamChesle? Josiah Clark
Joseph Ilusej John Mason
Ichabd Tebbets Benjamin Twomble
James Stacpole William Jones
Benj" Varney Daniel Plinner
Ebenezer Garland Jabez Garland
Samuel Downs Hugh Connor
Richard Wint\yorth Job Clements
Joseph ^^'int^vorth John Roberts
John Connor Edward Ellis
Tho* Wallingford Samuel Ally
Moris Hobbs William Tompson
April the 25^'' 1729 In the house of
In the house of Representatives. The within Petition being read
Voted the Petitioners serve that part of the Town of Dover that they
Desir'd to be set off from with a Copy of this Petition toappeare at the
General Assembly Wednesday next "the Show Cause (if the can) why
the prayer of the Petition Should not be Granted
In Council Eod" die
Read and Concurred with
R. Waldron Cler Con
Petition of Eleazer Weaj'e in behalf of Inkab^^ of iV. E.
part of Dover.
To His Excellency William Burnit Esq"" Goven'' and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hamp' & to the Honourable the Council and Representa-
tives in Gen' Assembly convened.
The Humble Petition of Eleazer Weare in the behalf of the
Inhabitants of the North East part of the Town of Dover
She-i'cth
That the Inhabitants of the afores*^ North East part of
the Town of Dover upon their Petition by them Subscribed
presented to vour Excellency and to the Honourable Assembly
that thev might be set off as a Separate Parish did obtain an
order that their Petition Should be heard on Wednesday the
Ninteenth day of April last and that the Inhabitants of the
Parish of Dover should be notitied to attend the Same on the
s** day, yet so it happens that the s'* day is past and yet the In-
habitants of Dover not notified nor any hearing of the s** Peti-
tion had. ^'our Petitioner therefore prays that your Excel-
lency and this Honourable Assembly would please to appoint
TOWX PAPERS DOVER. l6l
a Day that so the afores'^ Petition May be heard and that the
lown ot Dover be notified to make answer if any Your Pe-
titioner shall shall ever pray as in duty bound
T^ , , Eleazer Wyer
Dover i May, 1739
In tlie House of Representatives—
Dm°.l^h7''rr^f,P''Y''' °f ^his petition be granted & the Town of
nfthl p%"°'"'f V' ^'^f petitioners Serving the Selectmen with a Copv
of the Petition A: that the Town be Directed to Send some person or
S?a?°nf Ih '"?p'!'."' ^''f" ,^ ^'''^ '"^^^^"^ if ^"3' they have why the
praj of the s' Petition should not be granted & to appear the Eighth
fhY^ !^ 5 ""^^ °/ u *o^ Assembly be not then sitting then to appeare
the Second day of the Sitting of next Gen' Ass"' ^^
May i^' 1729 J^"^"-' ^^^'^y Cl^ Ass-
In Council Mav 2'^
Read & Concurr'd
R. Waldron Cler. Con.
Petition of Paul Gerrish and others of Dover, relating to
fratids and forgeries.
To the Honourable John Wentvvorth Esq-- U Gov^ Comand'
In Chief in and over His Majestys Province of New Hamp-
shne To the Hon^''^' the Council and House of Represen-
tatives convened in General Assembly for Said Province
The humble Petition of Paul Gerrish of Dover in New
Hamp'^' aforesaid and several of the principal Inhabitants of
said lown
Most humbly Sheweth That for these two years last past the
said Paul Gerrish has been Clerk of the said Town of Dover
and since the books of the said Town have been in the said
Gerrish's hands, he has discovered a Great deal of Corruption
(or forgery as he apprehends acted and done in the said books)
as he supposes by those persons (or their permission) whose
hands they formerly have been in, and that said principal In-
habitants of said Town are Stil of opinion that there are now
tlirough the ill actions formerly done a great many forged
grants stil produced and bro't to the lot layers of said Town to
be laid out who with great reason suspecting them refuse to lay
them out and on their refusal those persons who have got those
grants apply to the next Town Lot lay--^ who lay such grants
out, whereby the Town of Dover is very greatly damnilied
and set in confusion and if some remedy cannot be found out
for their relief will be almost ruin'd— They Therefore most
humbly Pray That yo^ Hon"^ and the Gen' Assem will take the
premises under your mature Consideration and make such
NEW HAMPSHIRE
orders thereupon as may (if possible) rectify the horrible In-
justice that has been done the Town by such false entrys and
Efiectually j^rcvent the Confusion which the Town will other-
wise unavoidably be in and yo' petition" as in duty bound shall
ever pray &c
Dec' 15'" 1729
Paul Gerrish
Paul Wentworth
John Cannie
John Waldron
John Waldron Jun''
Ezra Kimbal
John Hammock
James Cheslej
Eph* Wentworth
W"' Forst
W™ Welland
Eben'' Varnej
Eben"" Varnej Jun''
Thom" Pinkham
Nath' Young
Israel Hogsden
Mark Gyles
Tob' Hanson Jun'
Edward Ellis
Gersh'" Wentworth Jun.
Israel Hogsden
Trist Coffin
Benj'' Hanson
Moses Winget
Tho» Millit
John Young
Rich'* Plumer
Jos Hanson Jun''
Tob' Hanson
David Watson
Hobs
Tho^ Alden
Joseph Conner
Daniel Goodin
W"' Styles
Sam' Dam
Sam' Styles
John
Nath' Varny
Eleaz'' Wyer
El'' Wyar Jun''
Sylv^ Nock
James Hobs
Thom^ Wallingford
Eben'' Wentworth
Eben'' Garland
Sam' Jones
Josh" Roberts
John Thompson
Jon'> Merrow
James Guppy
Nath' Perkins
John Rickar
Eph"" Rickar
George Rickar
Gersh'' Wentworth
Sam' Wentworth
John Wentworth
True Copy
Rich'* Waldron Cler. Con.
In the House of Represent''' Dec. 16 1729.
The annexed Petition of the Town Clerk of Dover and others of said
own was read and
Voted Thereon, That the Clerk of the said Town of Dover for the
time being be hereby prohibited entering any of those old Comittee
Grants that are Suspected not to be legally obtained and to enter only
such Grants as have or maj be allowed by said Town or the Select Men
thereof until the next Siting of the General Assembly and that there be
a Comittee chosen by the Gen' Assembly to go to the Town Clerk for
the Time being who is hereby required to shew unto such Committee
such Entrys Matters and things as he or any of the Said Town suppose
to be done by ill practice and the said Committee shall by Virtue hereof
summon before them all such persons that can give any light in Ex-
plaining any matters or things they may see occasion to Examine for
discovery of trutli and detecting such vile practices and to give such
person or persons their oaths and to make returns of their doings
therein to the General Assemblj- next session
And that Nath' Weare Esqr. and TheC Atkinson Esq" be a Commit-
TOAVN PAPERS DOVER. 1 63
tee of this House to Joyn such as shall be appointed above for that end
and that the Petitioners pay the Charges
James Jeffrey Cler Assm
In Council Dec' iS'"' 1729
Read and Concurr'd and Joth Odiorne cS: Henry Sherburne Esq'* ap-
pointed for the Service above
Richd. Waldron Cler Con.
True Copv Examined,
Rich' Waldron Cler Con-
Province of")
New llamp J
We whose names are underwritten being of tiie Comittee for the
Ends within mentioned have been at Dover c^ upon a Strict enquire of
all persons that we tho't or suspected could give us an\' Information as
also we haveing searched the Town Book do report thereon as follow-
eth we do finde by the s' Town book that great forgery & fraud hatli
been used i*c frequently practiced by Entering grants Many years back
in the Inter Spaces of the Book & that the I3ook hath often been ex-
posed & Lay open to many persons to enter what Grants they saw
proper therein & that we found many of the s' Originall Grants in the
former Town Clerks hand which appeared to us to be fraudulent & Deceit-
ful wiiich have been Entered in s' bookas afore"' — that Great Qiiantities
of Land hath been Laid out by Virtue of the s'' Grants by which we In>-
agine The Town hath been Striped of at Least fifteen Thous'' pounds
worth of Land as wittness our hand this 24"' March 1729-30.
JoTHAM Odiorne "j
Hen Sherburne >- Comtee
Theodore Atkinson I
Report ahotit Dover Toxvn Book.
Whereas the General! Assembly of this his Maj' Province upon read-
ing the report of the Comittee formerly appointed by s'^ Assembly to
Examine Dover Town book: Wee whose names are hereunto Sub-
scribed were appointed by the Gen'"' Assembly to make a more exact &
particular Inquiry into the Seve" Grants & returns in s'' Book supposed
to be Vicious lS: Corrupt as pr. s' Vote of the 30''' of Decem'"' 1730 will
appear .Si: having Strictly examined s' Town Books & files as alsoe the
the former Town Clerk & other Persons from whom we could receive any
Insight or Information & Do report that all the Grants & returns men-
tioned in this report we Imagine to be fraudulent Corrupt & Vicious for
the reasons mentioned with Each record herein recited as
I'' In the old Book Page (120) a grant made in the 10"' of the 11"'
month (59) & A return made .S: ent'red by Cap" Tho" Tibbets the Late
Clerk ii. in a space amongst the record' made many ^-ears before he was
Clerk & the time of his recording it was entered with the s' Grant & re-
turn & afterward erased & the Clerk acknowledged he recorded it, beside
we viewed the originall & finde it all of one hand and sighning
2"> In the New book Page (9) a grant made by a Committee whereof
William Furbur was Clerk for 60 acres of Land made to the reverend
Mr. John Pike Dated the 23' June 1701, & confirmed by the Town the
23' march 1702 This Capt Tho' Tibbets swears he doth not know how
it came upon record & that Doctor Pike had been with him to get the
s' Grant &c recorded but he refused to Enter it being as he believed not
good. Notwithstanding 'tis ent'red in a Vacancy Left in s'' book for-
merly & in a Different hand from the records of that Time & some ob-
literations
164 NEW HAMPSHIRE .
3' In s'' Book Page (16) a grant made bj s' Comittee for (30) acres
of Land to Cap' Tho' Tibbets on the 3' of June 1701 because ent'redby
Capt Tibbets son Sam' as he himself Declares upon oath amongst the
records made by Cap^ Tuttle & we observed that the Date of the record,
in the same page both before & after were in the year (1694) but we
could not obtain any originall.
4''' In page 19 a grant made to Nich" Harrison for (60) acres on the
19"' 1693-4 & confirmed by the Town In the month of April following
Ent'red in a Space amongst the records made by Cap' Tuttle Si. not in
his hand and Differing from his s ' Tuttles method
5*'' In y" (27-'') a grant made by s'^ Comittee to Cap* Sam' Tibbets in
the j'ear 1694 recorded in an unusuall hand & crowded in a Vacancy
amongst the records the originall Sam' Carle Swears he had of one
Burnham & Cap' Tho* Tibbets Swears he refused to record it believing
it not to be good yet we find it recorded
6 Page (32) a Grant made to Nath' Tibbetts for 30 acres Dated the
11'" April 1694 by s'' Comittee & Confirmed the 16"'' of the same month
by the Town Crowded in between Tuttles record in an unusuall hand
& by the originall it appears that Furbur the Clerk of the Comittee's
name neither wrote or spelt as he used to Do & the grant & confirma-
tion of the same hand writing
7"' In Page (57) Grant to Francis Pittman by The Town of April
the 6''' 1702 for forty acres crowded in with Tuttles records in an unu-
suall hand Tho' Tibbets Swears that he doth not know Aveither he re-
corded it or not but that he did enter some Grants & returns in Cap'
Tuttles vacancy in s'' book
S"' In Page (62) June the 23^ 1701 a grant by s'^ Comittee to Jere-
rhiah Barnum for 50 acres ent'red in one of Tuttles Vacancys c^ by Tib-
bets himself as he swears but tis not signed by any Clerk.
9"' In Page (75) June 23'' 1701 a grant to Nath' Landers by the s'^
Committee <Si Entred by Tibbets in the Bottom of a Leaf with Tuttle
records as appears by the hand writing & his acknowledgement & the
Difterent Inck & the originall appears not to be the writing of Furbur
the Clerk of the Comittee which we rec'd from Tibbets
10"' Page (76) grant to Roger Vose for Three score acres of Land &
meadow by s'' Comittee the 19''' march 1693-4 & confirmed by the Town
the 2' April 1694 crowded in amongst Tuttles Entries in a Difterent
hand and difterent Collerd Inck from the Entry before & after
II'*' 86''' Page grant to Eli Dimerrest for 30 acres of Land the 11"'
April 1694 & Confirmed the 16''' April 1694 Tibbets acknowledges he
entred in a Vacancy Left by Tuttle since he was Clerk
12'' 91 Page a grant by the s' Comittees to John Tuttle & Ezek'
Wentworth for 30 acres of Land by s' Comittee June 23' 1701 entred
by Cap' Tibbets at the Bottom of Tuttles entres not Confirmed by the
Town nor signed by the Clerk of the Comittee for Town.
13"' 93^ Page a grunt to Jere Barnum for 40 acres april 11''' 1694
crowded in at the Bottom of Tuttle's record & supposed to be Vicious it
being in an unusuall hand writing
14 Page 94 a grant by s' Comittee for 40 acres to Jere Barnum & not
confirmed by the Town This Tibbets Upon oath says he recorded in a
Vacancy of Tuttles record about 7 years since
i^th Page 95 a grant made by the s'^ Comittee to Tho" Roberts the
ii"' April 1694 & confirmed the 16''' April following^ we find the Grant
was made to Tho' Roberts Tertius which is Left out in the record & Tib-
betts swears he entred it himself James Hanson swears he got the orig-
inall of Eben' Young who told him s'' Hanson if he would get it re-
corded he should have half of it and accordingly the s' Hanson swears
he went to Cap' Tibbets & gave him Two gall"* rum <S; ord"''' Abner
Young to pay him Twenty Shillings in money for recording it
TOWN PAPERS DOVER, 1 65
16 Page (9S) granted by s' Comittee fifty acres to Rich"* Husey &
Confirmed the 16 april 1694 crowded among* Tuttles writing in an un-
usiiail hand Different Coullord Inck.
17 Page loi granted to Abraham Clark the 23' June 1701 & Con-
firmed the 6''' of April 1702 Tibbets swears he recorded about Tliree
years since v*c the s' Clark swears that Mishack Drew & William Hill
asked him about that time if he would sell him his grant of Land if they
could finde it upon record & promised them they should have itiV: some
time after they told him it was recorded «!s: then bargained with him for
Ten pounds c*c about this Time the s'' Clark asked Cap' Tibbets if he had
any Grant i\: he Told him he did not love to enter such falce things
iS''' 103 Page a grant by s'' Comittee to PumphretWhitehouse June
23 1702 for 50 acres entred amongst Tuttles records & Tibbets he re-
corded it himself and by the original it appears not to be furburs writ-
ing it being different from his hand & his name not spelt right
19 Page 104 a grant by s'l Comittee for 50 acres of the 19'' of March
1693-4 confirmed the ii'''"of april 1694 made to Bryant Higgins This
Tibbets swears he recorded amongst Tuttles records & that Tho' Davis
Bro't to him about 5 years past to have it recorded
20 Page 105 a grant by s'' Comittee to Rob' Allen in the j'ear 1701
& confirmed 6"' april 1702 for 40 acres Tibbets swears he recorded
amongst Tuttles records about four years past.
21 Page 113 11"' 1701 a Grant b}' s<i Comittee for 40 acres of Land
This Tibbets swears he enteredabout 5 or 6 years since & in a Vacancy
in Tuttles Entries the original appears to be altered & not writ by Fur-
bur the Clerk it differing IBoth in writing & spelling.
22 Page 120 June 3'' 1701 granted by s^ Comittee to George Chesley
& Confirmed by the 23'' March 1702 — 50 Acres of Land entred by Tib-
bets as he swears about 5 years Since & the originall it appears that the
Grant & Confirmation to be both of one hand & yet neither Furbur's
nor Tuttles writing.
23 Page 130 In the year 1699 & no Day nor month a grant made by
the Select men to Jo' Jenkins 40 acres which Tibbets Swears he Entred
himself l^ amongst Tuttles records & swears he signed the originall
not as a Select man but as a witness he remembering the grant to have
been made about the year above s'i which Induced him to write the
Grant «.\: record it.
24 Page 131 April 11"' 1694 Granted by s** Comittee to Joseph
Smith Jun' & Confirmed the 16'" Day of April 16''' April 1694 Tibbets
swears he recorded amongst Tuttles records & that the original was al-
tered & obliterated before he entred it from 60 acres to 40 acres
26 132 Page granted June 23'' 1701 by the Committee afores<l 30 acres
to Nath' Pittman Tibbets entred amongst Tuttles record about 5 or 6
years since Sc the original appears not to be Furburs writing & much
Interlined
27 Page 136 June 23'' 1701, granted by s^ Comittee to John Rand
forty acres of Land which is not Confirmed by this Town This Tib-
bets Entred 10"' Tuttles records about 5 or 6 years since
28 Page 139, June 23"* 1701, a grant to Joseph Jenkins by said Com-
ittee Tibbets swears he entred about seven years ago
29 Page 144 May 28''' 1701, a grant to John Pinkham for Twenty
acres the original appearing not to be the writing of the said Furburnor
his signing his name not being spelt Right
30 Page 147 April 11 1701, a grant by the Comittee to John Hanson
for 60 acres not confirmed by theTown i: y originall neither wrote nor
signed by the Clerk.
31 Pa'ge 149, April ti 1694 granted by the Comittee to Joseph Joanes
40 acres who savs that he had "the originall from Barnum and that he
l66 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Got it allowed bj the Selectmen since & had it recorded for the com-
mon fees
32 Page 157 a grant by the Comitteeof the 11"' April 1693-4 to Rich-
ard rendall for 30 acres This grant Nath' rendall Swears he had of Bur-
num & Cap' Tibbets swears he recorded it but the originall appears not
to be the hand writing of Furbur nor signed by him
33 Page (152) June 23d 1701. Granted to James Davis 60 acres of
Land Entred by Tibbetts the originall grant being much irrteritfied &
scratched Coll Davis says upon oath that Burnum asked him what he
should give him for a grant of Land & s'' Davis answered he knew of
no Grant but what was upon record & that his son Some time after went
to Burnum & got the grant and carried it to Capt. Tibbets to record
34"' Page (153) granted by s'J Comittee to Sam' Chesley 40 acres
April n, i694butnot confirmed Entred by Tibbets butthe originall not
furburs writing nor signing —
35 Page (154) June 23J 1701 Granted by the s'l Comittee to Rich-
ard Clark not Confirmed nor wrote nor signed by the Clerk of s*^ Com-
ittee
36 Page 154 — April 16"' Day 1702 granted at a Town meeting to Sam'
Perkins 30 acres of Land the originall not wrote or signed by the Com-
ittee
37 Page 153 June 2^*^ 1701 granted by the Comittee to Ely Demer-
ret for 10 acres under the same Circumstances as the above grant to
Perkins
38 Pag 155 June 23'i 1701 granted by the Comittee to Amos Pink-
ham 40 acres not confirmed by the Town & the originall not signed by
the Comittee or any Clerk and yet in the record willim Furbur is En-
tred as Clerk.
39 Page 155 June 23^' 1701 a grant by the Comittee to James Nute
of 40 acres not wrote or signed by Furbur the Clerk
40 Page 156 March 19"' 1693-4 a grant by s*! Comittee to Tristram
Heard for 30 acres Vicious for reasons mentioned in James Nutes grant
afores<l
41 Page 157 May 2'! 1701 granted by the Comittee to Jo' Ham 20
acres vicious for the same reasons
42 Page 158 April 11 1694 granted by the Comittee to Rob' Hig-
gins 30 acres the originall Interlined & otherwise vicious for the reasons
above s<i
43 Page 15S June 23'! 1701 a Grant by the Comittee to Josh Rich-
ards for 6oacres confirmed the 23 March 1702 both Grant & Confirmation
the same hand Si neither Furburs nor Tuttles
44 Page (158) March 29"' 1693-4 Granted by the Comittee to Thomas
Stevenson Thirty Acres of Land Vicious because not signed nor wrote
by the Clerk
45 Page (162) June 23'! 1701 a grant by the Comittee for 30 acres
of Land to W"' Hill & Confirmed tlie 23^1 of March 1702 because inter-
lined & altered & the Grant & Confirmation both of one mans writing
& neither of them of Furburs or Tuttles writing
46 Page 162 April 11. 1694 a Grant to John Davis by the Comittee
for 30 acres no Confirmation of the Town & not of Furburs writing nor
Signing
47 Page 124 June 23'! 1701 a grant to David Kinckad by the Com-
ittee & confirmed the 6''' April 1702 both of the Same hand writing &
it appearing by the records that the s'' Kincad had a grant of the Same
Date & Qiiantity of Land recorded before
48 Page 164 March 19, 1693-4 a Grant made by the Comittee to
Tho^ Drew & Confirmed the 2'' Day of April 1694 Tibbets swears
Mishack Drew bro' the Grant to him to record but Drew Denies he ever
carryd any grant to him to record
TOWN PAPERS DOVER. 167
49 Page 165 March I9"> 1693-4 a grant made to Elias Cretchctt for
3 Score acres of Land not confirmed Because wrote upon a new p** of
paper appears to have been cut off from a p' of paper on which we find
a Grant made to Abraham Benneck Seven years after the Stamp of the
paper being partely on one & partely on the other & not of the
Clerks writing
50 Page 165 June 23'' 1701 a Grant of s'' Comittee to Abraham Ben-
nick wrote on the p" of Paper above mentioned & wrote by the Same
except the Date of the Grant & Some few words besides
51 June 23'! 1701 In Page (167) a Grant by s'l Comittee to Ichabod
Rollings for 50 acres Confirmed 23'' March 1702 because not Signed by
the Comittee nor their Clerk & by the Town Clerk
52 Page 121 A grant by the s'' Comittee for 30 acres to Nich'^ Har-
ford no date & the Grant & Petition for s'' Grant being on the Same p'*
paper & wrote by the Same hand & Differs from the record because the
record is Dated ijc the originall not
53 Page 106 March I9>'> 1693-4 a grant by Comittee to the estate
Joseph Fteld for 10 acres Confirmed the 16 April 1694 because all wrote
by one hand & neither of them the Clerk either the Comittee or the
Town
54 Paga ( ) June 2;^'^ 1701 a grant by the Comittee to Cap' Tho^
Tibbets for a small Gore of Land The originall was all of his own
writing & Furburs name alsoe & he s'' Tibbets hath Entred in the records
a Confirmation of the Town & on the originall there is no Such thing.
We alsoe reporte that many things appear Very Dark by the record
which we have omitted because we could not come at the originall
Grants nor finde any particular Inform.ation about them we alsoe by
James Barnums own oath report that he purchased a bundle of these
Grants from the wido of the s** Furbur the Clerk & since that hath sold
them to many persons & they have got them recorded
April 30 1731
Hen Sherburne
Nath' Weare
Theo*! Atkinson
Petition of Proprietors of Hilton! s Pointy Dover.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esqr. Cap*^ Gen' and
Commander in Chief in and over his ISIaj'''^^'' Province of
New Hampshire to the hon'''*-" the Councill and house of Rep-
resentatives Conven'd in Gen' Assembly
The humble Petition of the Proprietors of the neck of Land
in the Town of Dover on the Point Commonly called Ililtons
Point on Dover Neck most humbly Sheweth That whereas the
high way from Bloody Point ferry Goes through the said neck
of Land and altho' the said Neck is al Fenced up (only the
Rhod way) where1)y the Proprietors by reason of the way be-
ing open the proprietors of the Said neck of Land can have no
Benefit thereof
Therefore y'' humble Petitioners Prayes that they may have
an act to empower them to set up a Gate at the Entrance into
the high way that Leads up from the Waters side by Cap" Mil-
1 68
NEW HAMPSHIRE
lets over huclebery Hill (as has been usual) and whereby no
obstruction can be to the High way and y"" Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
April the 30"' 1731.
Thos Millet
Richard Plumer
Thos Canney
John Clements
Thomas Tibbets
Ephraim Tibbets
Joseph Roberts
Thomas Roberts
Otis Pinkham
In Cond May 3'^ 1731
The Petition on the other side Read and ordered that the Petitioners
Serve the Selectmen of the Town of Dover vf^^ a Copy of the s^i Peti-
tion and this order That they may appear on thursday next at 10
o'clock A, M. to Shew cause if any they have why the Prayerof the said
Petition should not be granted — and ordered to be sent down for Con-
currence
Rich'l Waldron Secretary
Eodem Die In the House of Representatives
The above order read & concurr'd with
James Jeffrey Cle^ Ass™
Cap' Mathes a Select man of Dover appearing & not objecting
In Coun May 6 1731
Voted That The Prayer of the w'^^in Petition be granted and that the
Petitioner have leave to bring In his bill accordingly
R. Waldron Sec^
May 6"» 1731 In the house of Representatives
The vote of the Council Read & Concur'd
James Jeffrey Cle'' Ass™
Petition of People in Dover and other Toxv7ts for a Tozvn-
ship.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esqr. Captain General
and Comander in chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshii-e in New England and to the Honourable
His Majesties Council for s'' Province
The Humble Petition of divers of his Majesties Loyal Sub-
jects Residing w^ithin the Province aforesaid Humbly
sheweth that whereas there is a considerable Tract of land very-
commodious for Settlement lying nigh Winnepissocay Pond
and we the Subscribers Your Humble Petitioners not having a
competency of land to aflbrd us a comfortable Subsistance Do
Humbly Pray that Your Excellency and Honours would be
pleased to grant unto us the Said tract of land for a township
consistine: of such dimentions & with such limitations restric-
TOWS PAPERS DON'EU.
169
tions & Conditions as yoii in your great wisdom shall think
proper and your Humble Petitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever pray
Dover February 6'' 1732-3
Sam' Emerson
William Twombly
John Horn
AVilliam Hanson
Samuel Carll
Joseph Hanson Jun'
John Cook
Sam' Young
Nathan' Garland
Stepiien Otis
Maul Hanson
John Canny Jun""
Ichabod Kenny
Joseph Tebbets
John Demedy
John Lay ton
Sam' Drown
Solomon Drown
Edward Tebbetts
John Twombly
Joseph Estes
Sam' Carll Jun'"
Nath' Carll
Benj-' Roberts
James Bunker
Thomas Canny
Benj-' Hanson Jun''
Benj" Hanson
Sam' Smith
Sam' Smith Tertius
Timothy Emmerson
Daniel Jacobs
James Layton
Derry Pittman
John Tasker
John Brown
John Roberts Tertius
Isaac Watson
Timothy Roberts
Nicholas Tuttle
John Home Junior
James Nute Junior
Benj" Bodge
Thomas Miller
Joseph Varney
Tobias Hanson
Tobias Hanson Junior
Isaac Hanson
John Mellons
John Hanson
Ben j" Tebbetts
Paul Tebbetts
William Stiles Junior
Moses Varney
James Hobbs
"ichabod Hayes
Zechariah Nock
Pomfret \\'hitehouse Jun''
Benj-' Ham
Eleazer Ham
Benj^ Frost
John Garland
William Lord
Sam' Starboard
Henry Hill
Nathan' Lynn
John Pearl
John Tebbetts Junior
John Tebbetts Tertius
John Follitt Junior
Solomon Perkins
John Hayes
John Haj'es Junior
William Whitehouse
Bannedictus Farr
Thomas Home Junior
Ichabod Home
Sam' Perkins
Thomas Layton
Sam' Chesley
Solomon Emmerson
John Daniel Junior
Joseph Tebbetts Junior
Nicholas Meader
Sam' Meader
Joseph Richards Jun.
John Roe
Joseph Bunker
John Woodman
John Woodman Jun''
Joshua Woodman
Edward Woodman
Archelus Woodman
Nath' Varney
Jonathan Young
William Home
Richard Ward
James Pinkham
John Field Jun''
Daniel Meader
Thomas Drew Jun'^
John Ham Jun"'
Joseph Roberts Jun*"
James Nute
70
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Gage
Job Clements
John Carter
Sami Nute
Eli Denierritt Junr
William Horn Jun''
John Bowdy
Richard Pinkham
Henry Tebbetts
William Demerritt
Timothy Tebbetts
Job Denierritt
Henry Bussy
Thomas Tebbetts Jun""
Thomas Varney
Sami Varney
Joseph Conner
Stephen Varney
David Watson
Dudley Watson
Sami Davis
Joseph Hicks
Thos Bickford
Benja Demerritt
Will"' Hill Jun'-
NatW Lummocks
Thomas Ash
Thomas Willey
Stephen Willey
John Ran
Thomas Willey Junf
John Ham
Ephraim Ham
Sam' Ham
Nathi Ham
Ichabod Tebbetts
Sam' Lamb
Benj=' Pierce
Benj"^ Pierce Juti''
Jerem. Tebbetts Jun'.
James Clark
Zecheriah Bunker
James Bibard
Timothy Moses Jun''
Joseph Daniel
John Hammock
John Layton Jun''
Hatevil Layton
Nath' Hanson
Caleb Evans
John Winget
Rich's Hammock
Sam' Merrow
Jonathan Merrow
Sam' Merrow Junior
Stephen Roberts
Ebene/.cr Varney
Ebenezer Roberts
Benj'i Roberts Jun''
Ebenezer \'arney Jun"^
James Kellcy
Joseph Libbv
Otis Pinkham
John Williams
Dan' Mis Harvv?
John Miss Harvy?
John Demerritt
Vincent Farr
Edward Evans Cooper
Zech-'' Pittman
Jonathan Brew
Ephraim Tebbetts
John Church
Joseph Evans Jun'
Paul Hays
Micah Emmerson
Arthur McDaniel
Joseph Harfard
Benj'i Evans
Jacob Allen
Benji Allen
Thomas Wallingford
Henry Bickford
Joseph Jackson
Ralph Twombly
Joseph Curtis
John Perkins
Joseph Tebbetts Tertius
Robert Hanson
Thomas Hanson
Timothy Hanson
Daniel Miss Harvey Jr.
Jabez Garland
John Varne^'
Nath' Aston
John Tuttle
William Jenkins
James Tuttle
"Reuben Chesley
William Hill
Robert Evans
James Drummond
Ichabod Hill
John Jenkins
Sam' Hays
Isaac Hanson Jun""
Joseph Hall Junior
Matthey Pcavy
Thomas Millet
William Twombly Jun''
John Gerrish
Peter Hays
Rich'' Plunimer
Sam' Beard
William Frost
Sam' Walton
TOWN PAPERS DOVER.
171
John Iluckins
Sam' Jones
Joseph Rankins
Sam' Aston
Will'" II ussy
Sam' Willey Jun''
Dover
Joseph Pierce
Joseph Aston
Sam' ilolden
Francis Drew-
John Drew-
James Hanson
Jonathan Church
Elijah Tuttle
Paul Cannej
Joseph Jones
Benj'' Ila^vs
Joseph Recker
Benj" Aston
John Young
Solomon Clark
John Canny
Maurice Hobbs
Hugh Conner
Thomas Mason
Joshua Perkins
Henry Tebbetts Jun''
William Shepherd
Ephraim Tebbetts
Sam' Wentworth
John Bickford
Joseph Bickford
Ciershom Downs
Gershom Downs Jun.
Sam' Canny
Sam' Canny Jun''
Joshua Canny
Daniel Home
John Cromwell
Job Hussy
Joseph Hussey
Richmond Henderson
Noel Cross
Joseph Canny
March 3'', 1732- Order'd to ly(
Thomas Waits
John Mason
John Bampton
Rich'' Hus-,ev
Sam' Herd
Sam' llevd Junr
John Herd
James Chesley
Matthew James
Benj" Merrow-
Daniel Young
Thomas Nock
Thomas Perkins
Joseph Perkins
Nathaniel Roberts
Thomas Dowens
Benjamin Mason
John Tebbets
Sam' Tebbets Junf
Jeremiah Rolings
Eleazer Wire
John Tebbets
Timothy Carrl
Daniel Ham
Lowe Roberts
Phi Ion Ye ten
David Daniel
Ezekiel Wolonford
Thomas Tebbets Son John
Howard Henderson
Timothy Roberson
Timothy Roberson Jun.
Jacob Hanson
Nicolas Brock
James Guppy
Paul Roberds
Ebenezer Downs
Joseph Twombly
John Waldron
John ^\'aldron Junr.
Richard Waldron
Joshua Guppy
Sam' Cromett
Nicolas Hartford
James Davis, tertius
for consideration.
PetUloii for a grant of Ia?id.
To His Excellency Jon* Belcher Esqr. Gov'' & Commamd'' in
Chief in & over His majesties Province of New Hampshire
in New England and to the Hon'''" His Majesties Council in
Said Province
The Petition of Sundry Persons Inhaliitants of Durham,
Dover, Exeter & Xewington most Humbly Shcivcth
That whereas your Petitioners are men who have been bro't
172
NEW HAMPSHIRE
up to Husbandry & farming, but want Lands to exercise their
faculty on to their advantage none of them having any share or
Propriety in any of the New Townships ; they did about six or
Seven years agoe Petition the Hon^''^ the then Lieut. Gov"^ &
Council for a grant of a Tract of Land to yo"" Petition'"' & that
they might be Incorporated into a Township — And whereas
nothing was then done upon it but yo' Petition""^ prayer neg-
lected they most humbly pray that yo'' Excell^' & the 11 on''' ^ the
Council in yo'' great wisdom & goodness would be pleas'd to
grant yo'' Petition'''* a Tract of Land where you shall think
proper in this Province Since they have endur'd the brunt &
hardships of the Late war have been entirely left out in all
former Grants and are all men who are able & willing to settle
& Cultivate Land if they had it — and yo'' Petitioners shall as in
duty l)oimd ever pray &c
Jany. 3" 1753-4.
Francis Mathes — in behalf
of the other Petitioners
A List of
Hugh Adaius
Juo Edgerly
Josepli Edgerly Jimr.
Jno Kent
Joseph Edgerly
Moses Khnniin
Zebulon Dam
Jno Drew
Benja Daniel
Steph. Willcy
Tiios Footman
James Langley
Thos Langley
Jno BicklVinl Junr
Joseph Thomas
Xathan Kennistou
Jno Crimmet
Jno Burss
Thos Bickford Jan.
Solomon Sias
Joseph Bickford
Saml Willey
Zach Edgerly
Abra Stevenson
Christopher Keonistoa
Jona Kenuiston
Jno Fox
Edwd \Vakham
Thos Shepherd
Joseph Simons
Joseph Drew
Joseph Wormwood
Wm Willey
the Petitionej's^ names.
Jacob AVorniwood
Beaja Durgan
Steph Jenkins
Francis Drew
Jno Jenkins
Joshua Cliesley
Joseph Jackson
Anthony Jones
Saml Jones
Richd Jones
Jdo Dam Jiinr
Hatevil Leighton
Benja Eicklord
Jno Leighton Jun.
James Gurdy
Richd Deubow
Jaaies Smith
Sampson Doe
IsichsDoe
Jno Palmer
Hopely Aji-es
Benja Eennet
Eleazcr Bennet
Joshua Crimmet
Edwd Hdion
Joshua Crocket
John Crocket
Hezekh March
Wm Durgan
Wm Durgan Jun.
Jno Durgan
Joseph Durgan
Jona Durgan
TOWX PAPERS— DOVER.
73
Abra Kennet Junr.
Francis Diirgan
Jno Lasky
Abednoico Leathers
Jiio Doe Jiin.
Jno Harbor
Jno Footman
Joseph Footman
JnoFoUet
Clemt Sias
Danl Doe
Benja Doe
Jost-ph Chesley Jun.
Solo Davis
Alexander Hodgdon
Jno Daniel
Lemuel Bickford
Doilovah Eickford
Wm Sliephenl
Alex Hodgdou Jun
Jno Hodgdon
Jno Mason
Joseph Doe
Paul Chesley
Lemuel Chesley
Thos lluckins
Joseph Stevenson Jun.
Saral Chesley Jun.
Theodore Willey
Jeremy Pinner
Ordered to be suspended til n
Bonja Burdit
Saml Adama
SlephBur:j8
Ezekl Hilton
Stej.h Jenkins Jun.
Danl Rogers
Joseph Smith Jun.
Jno Laugley
Charles Hilton
Moses Edgerly
Trowortliy Durgan
Joseph Sias
Thos Chesley
Winburn Adams
Jno Adams
Joseph Kent
Thos Chesley
Job Langley
Caleb Wakehnm
Thos Willey
James Drisco
Thos Drew
Elijah Drew
Miles Randall
Benja Mathews
Thos Laighton
Gershom Mai thews
Francis Footman
Benja Ben net
Philip Crimraet
;xt Session.
A List of the training
Sergt Daniel Titcomb
Ser. Thomas Laighton
CorplJohn Clemants
Cor! John Young
Corl .John Bickford
Corl John Laighton
Joshua Perkins
Paul Cenney
Ephraim Tebbetts
Thomas Ash
Joshua Cenney
Samuel liolden
Joseph Bickford
Timothy Kobinson
John Ciomwel
Solomon Perkins
John Perkins
Richard Plummer
Thomas Cenney
men under T/w" Millet^ Cap' of
Dover.
Thomas Cenney Junr
Oatis Pinkham
Thomas Waits
Joseph Crumwel
Abraham ><ute
John Pearl
Nathaniel Aston
Joscpii Aston
Thomas Drew Junr
Mo.-es Vainey
liatevil Hall
James Jackson
Timothy Moses Jun.
John lluckins
David Daniel
Samuel Chesley
StepheTi Willey
Anthony Jones
Joicph Daniel
174
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Daniel
Henrj' IJussey
Eli Demenat Juii.
James Clark
Job Deinerrat
John Ham Jun.
Daniel Bunker
Zechariah Bunker
Henry Tibbitts
John Field Jun.
Samuel Starboard
John Starboard
John Tuttle
James Tuttle
Thomas Tuttle
Nicholas Tuttle
Samuel Hays
Joseph Tibbetts
Shadrach Hodgdon
John Giles
James Laighton
Trustrum Pinkham
William Allen
Joseph Allen
Paul Nute
Thomas Pinkham Jr.
Hatevil Laighton
John Harvey
Nathaniel Roberts
Thomas Roberts
July je 21 1740
Joseph Dam
Joseph Hall, Jun.
Howard Henderson Jun.
Samuel Roberts
Ebenezr Tattle Jun.
Joseph Hubbard
Tobias Randol
Charles Bickford
Ichabod Tibbitts
Stephen Hawkins
Aaron Roberts
Thomas Ransom
Amrous Bantoni
Isaac Allen
Clemant Ham
Benjamin Bodge Jun
Vincent Torr
Stephen Pinkham
James Pinkham Jun.
Jonathan Daniel
Jacob Daniel
Jonathan Harriman
John Randol
Joseph Drew
John Follet
Solomon Pinkham Jun
Robert Wille
Benjamin Wille
Clement Harvey
Total 97
A List of y" Second foot
Seargants John Horn
Jonathan Young
Epherem Ham
John Tasker
Corporals Ezera Kembel
Natha. Young
John Demerit
Drumers John Carter )
John Marden \
Daniel Plumer
Job Clement
Saml Clement
Saml Dam
Sand Alley
John Alley
John Muckelaroy
William Wliitehouse
James Withrel
John Hanson Jun.
Company of Dover ^ Jah' the 34,
1740.
William Horn
Natlil Horn
Ezekel Wentworlli
Epherem Wentwortli Jun.
Joseph Connor
James Chesley
John Varney
Nemiah Kembel
Thomas Hanson
John Horn Jun.
John ^VaIdron
Nathn Varney
Stephen Varney
Elihu Heays
John Tebits
Nathn Ham
Daniel Ham
Daniel Horn
Peter Haves
TOWN PAPERS DOVER.
175
John Hayes Jiin.
Saml Varney
Thomas lleays
Ezekiah Heays
Mark Goils
Icbobod Heays
Jolin Tebbits Jiin.
Jeremiah Tebljils
Isaac Twonibly
Thomas Young
Isaac Young
Robart Euens Jun.
John Eucus
Nathl Hanson
15enjn Evens
Robart Hanson
John Cook
Henry IJickford
Xathn Garland
William Twombly Jun.
Saml Young
Stephen Oats
Isral Hodgdon Jun.
John Hanson
Timothy Hanson
James Kelley
Joseph Hanson Jun.
Ichobed Cenney
John James
Moses Winget
Joseph Hall
Richard Scammous
Jona Church
Isaac Watson
Saml Hoge
Henry Marshal
Richard Pinkera Jun.
Ebenezer Pinkem
James Uiber
Maul Hanson
John Twombly Jun.
Benja Allen
Saml Davis
Saml Alley Jun.
William Hill
Saml Williams
Jonth Ham
William Percy
Joseph Hix
Francis Dru
Solenion Emerson
William Tasker
Thomas Bickford
[EzariahlJudey
Derey Pitman
Zechariah Pitman
Zechariaii Edgerly
William Oemeret
Daniel Harvey
John Bussell
William lUissell
James Huokens
Nathl Davis
John Fay Jun.
Ralph Hall
Joseph Perkins
Benjn Hall
John Brown
Joseph Jackson
Clement Dru
Meshack Dru
Elezir Davis
Daniel Clement
Richard Cleark
Jonth Hanson
George Hearn
Joseph Hiisings
James Young
Jabez Garland
Saml Heard
James Richard
Isaac Horn
Joseph Hani
Ruben Heays
Joseph Heays
Saml Hanson
Daniel Evens
Kathn Hanson Jun.
Ezekiah Cook
Elezer Young
Benjn Young
Joseph Hanson third
Joseph Esteurs
Isaac Hanson
George Hanson
Elisha Esters
Jonth Cluising Jun.
Saml Gcrrish
John Winset Jun.
Saml Win;ret
John WhighthouBO
Benjn Thrasher
Saml Watson
Saml Davis Jun.
Saml Tasker
Thomas Harris
David Dru
Joseph Evens third
Solomon Hanson
Benin Pinkem
Benja Heays
Job Clement Jun.
176
NEW HAMPSHIRE
A True Conpey pr. Me William Welland Clark
A true Coppey attested by the Clark under oath
Total 153.
John Winget Lef
TJiis is the Listof tJie Ti
Trustraiu Cojfui
Corpll Bcnja Ham
Corpll Jos Records
Corpll Jos Thomas
John Young Jnr
James Nute Jnr
Isaac Lebbey
Paul Gei-rish Jnr
Saml Heard Jnr
Ralph Twombly
Benja Hanson Jnr
Dudley Watson
Benja Wamouth Jun.
John Tebbetts Jun.
Richard AValdron
Ebenezer Nock
William Styles
William Home Jun.
Thos Tebbets Jun
Moses Stevens
Shedi-ech Walton
oopcrs under the Command of Cop^^
in Dover, yuly y'^ 29, 1740.
Benja Robarts Jun.
Eleiah Tuttell
Sponsor Wintworth
John Drew
John Heard
Jonathan Durgeu
John Drew Jun.
Richard Jones
Joshua Stagpole
Daniell Rogers
Jonathan Watson
Dodefor Ham
Ambros Bamptom
Daniell Home Jun.
Jos. Drew
Nathaniel Rendall Jun.
Jonathan Hanson
Stephen Jankins Jun.
Benja Jackson
Samuell Stagpole
Stephen Robarts Clark
Petition a O'er. ins t a iiczv Paris//.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Cap* General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
lys Province of New Hamp'" in New England Together with
The Hon''''^ his Majestys Comicil & House of Representa-
tives in general Assembly Conveaned
Wee your Humb'*-' Petitioners without a due Consideration
having heretofore Signed a Petition carried into the general
Court in order to be set off a Parish by our selves which Peti-
tion if Granted Wee find will be greatly to our disadvantage
and verv hurtful to ourselves and Families for the time to come
first Because that after a due Consideration wee find that
our part that have Petitioned are but few in number and
many of iis under such poor Circumstances that wee apjore-
hend that at present we are in no wise able to Support our-
selves Ik. Families and to pay what we shall be obliged to do in
order to the settlin,^^: & mentainin<j: an Orthodox INIinister
TOWN PAPERS — DOVER. I 77
amona^st us. Secondly Because that whenever it may be
thought there may be another Parrisli the meeting house ought
to be set up in the Center of the Parish and not y'' Parrisli to
be Established in manner & form as Petition'' for. The meet-
ing house now at Madbury standing almost home to Durham
line and will by no means accommidate Many of us Neither
many other out settlers who dont live within the Parrish Peti-
tion'd for. Wherefore we your humb'"-' Petitioners beg that
your Excellency Sc Plonours would in your great wisdom and
Goodness take this atlair into your wise Consideration and put
an end to the whole proceeding thereof all which Wee your
Hum'"^^ Petitioners in duty Bound shall ever pray
Dover May y"" 8"' 1744.
Ileury Biekford Isaac Twombly
John Evens Joseph Evens
Jonathan Hanson Joseph Twombly
Robert Evens Stephen Piukham
Abraham Clark.
Petition for leave to have a Lottery.
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq' Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire — The Hon''''^ his Majesty's Council &
House of Representatives for said Province In General As-
sembly Conven'd the 3'' Day of January 1 760
The Humble Petition of John Gage Escf Howard Hender-
son & Dudley Watson Gentlemen all of Dover in said Prov-
ince as Committee of said Town for this purpose Shews
That the said Town by divers ways & means is as your Pe-
titioners apprehend more burthened with Charges of One kind
or other than any other in the Province in Proportion to the
Polls <S: Estates Subjected to Discharge them Among which
the Bridges maintained at the Public Expense is not Inconsid-
erable But especially the well known & now much us'd
Bridge over Cochecho River (which is gone much to Decay)
is a Great & Standing Expence — That it is now necessary the
said Bridge should be Rebuilt for which a considerable sum of
Money will be wanting the Levying of which in the Common
Way will be too Grievious to be sustained at Present notwith-
standing the Urgency of the Demand
That as there are at Present many Examples of Raising
monc\- for Public uses by way of Lottery that the money
Risk'il by Individuals who' wilT where opportunity Favours be
adventurers may be of General advantage the said Town have
upon Consultation Judg'd they might make a Good use of this
12
178 NEW HAMPSHIRE
way for the End aforesaid and directed your Petitioners to ap-
ply for liberty accordingly — An as this liberty is a matter of
mere grace and favor and not of Justice and right your Peti-
tioners beg leave Humbly to suggest that Considering it in that
view the Town of Dover seems to be a proper Subject for that
favour not only in Regard of the Burthen aforesaid but also of
the Principal Share it has Sustained of all the Calamities Af-
flictions Troubles & Burthens with which the Province in Gen-
eral has been Concerned from the Beginning — Wherefore your
Petitioners most Humbly Pray that they may have the Liberty
afores*^ Granted to said Town & leave to Bring in a Bill accord-
ingly and they will as in duty bound ever pray &c
John Gage ) ^ ...„„
-(t ri TT r Committee
Plow'' Henderson J
In Council Jan'rv 4"^ 1760
read &; ordered to be send
down to the Hon'^i'J Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Sec v.
Province of "^ In the House of Representatives Jan 4, 1760.
New Hamps j This Petition being read
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted and that ye petitioners
Have Liberty to Bring In a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk.
In Council Jan'ry 5*'i 1760
read cV Concurr'd
Theodore Atkinson Sec'y.
Petition of Su?idry I)ihabitants of Dover for a Bridge to
cross Bellamys Bank.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire The Hon"^ His Majesty's Council and
House of Representatives in General Assembly Convened,
Oct. 12"^ 1756
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Dover
in said Province Shews That there is a Public High Way laid
out in Dover aforesaid from the Road that leads from Coche-
cho thro' Littleworth so called to Barrington to the Main Road
that goes thro Madbury which Highway crosses Bellamy's
Bank Freshet or Brook A little above Capt. Paul Gerrishes
saw mill over which Freshet or Brook there is no Bridge for
want whereof at certain times there is no Passing & thereby
the Good Ends proposed in laying out Said way are in a Great
Measure Frustrated and is also a standing Grievance to the
Owners of the Contiguous Lands by Passengers throwing
TOWN PAPERS DOVER.
179
Down the Fences for Convenient Passage, when thcv cannot
pass said Freshet which wou'd be prevented by a Bridc^e
That tiic Way aforesaid is Really nsefi.l & Necessar/which
was the Reason why it was laid out and tho' this matter has
been Represented to the Town and the Necessity of having a
Bndge there urged to make said Way Serviceable without bein-
liijunous to Particular Persons and the Town Requested to
Build It at their General Expence Yet they Cannot be Pre-
vail d upon to do it.
That Every Town is by Law Obliged to Provide for and
Keep in Repair all Roads or High Ways Passing thro' them
and there is the same Reason that they should Build Bridges
where they are Necessary or the High Wavs leading to Such
Places would be useless tho' as the Law Relating to the Lay-
ing out High Ways is Silent as to this matter & it is a Case
omitted your Petitioners are Necessitated to make this appli-
cation. ^ ^
\Vherefore they Plumbly Pray the Premises may be Consid-
ered and the Said Town of Dover Enjoined to Build a Con-
venient Bridge at the Place aforesaid to Render said Way use-
tul or Provide Such other Relief herein as in your Great Wis-
dom c\: Goodness you shall Judge proper and your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c.
James Young
Jonathan Evens
John Kielle
Eli Demeret
Paul Gerrish
John Tasker
Tlios Davis
Paul Pinkham
Job Demeret
John Roberts
Samuel Roberts
Solomon Demeret
Ebeuezer Tasker
Isaac Buzzell
Joseph Jackson
John Tasker Jun.
Ebenr Demerit
Thomas BickCord
John Bickford 3d
liis
Tristram ^^ Pinkham
mark
John Molony
Daniel Young
Samuel Daniels
Josepli Daniels
William Demerit
Joseph Lebbey
William Gleden
James Davis
Samuel Young
Isaac Twombly
John Hanson
Ebenezer Varney Jinier
Israel Hodgdon
Samuel Davis
Thomas Davis Junr.
Moses Waymoth
Joseph Hicks
James Jackson Junr.
Jolm Huckins
John Huckins Junr.
Samuel Chase
Anthony Jones
Richard Jones
James Jackson
John Demeret Jun.
Zackriah Pitman
Coner Pitnian
John Demerit
Samuel Drew
Daniel Meader
Benja Evens
Zacriah Boody
Nathicl Tebbets
Daniel Evens
Jonathan Hanson
Daniel Cook
l8o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Silas Hanson Ichabod Caney
llichard Cook Samuel Davis
John Cook Joseph Twombly
Hezekiah Cook Paul Twombly
Joseph Young .John Buzzell
his John Wingett
Xath M Hanson Timothy Perkins
mark his
Stephen Hanson Will X Buzzel
James Hanson mark
Joseph Evens Thomas Evens
Benjamin Evans Benjamin Bussell.
Meshach Drew
Prov. N. "I In Council October 13"' 1756
Hamps J read & ordered to be sent to the Hon^'e Assembly
Theo Atkinson Secy.
^f°N"\^'^l^" the house of Representatives Octob 141" 1756.
°TT ^^^ j The within Petition having been read
Ordered That the Petitioners be heard thereon the fourth day of the
Sitting of the General Assembly next after the first Day of No vem' Next
Ensuing & that the Petitioners at their own Cost & Charged cause the
Selectmen of Dover in said Province to be serv'd with a Copy of s^
Petition & this order of Court thereon to appear & Shew Cause if any
they have why the prayer thereof should not be granted
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem die
read & Concurr'd
Theo. Atkinson Sec.
Petition in 7-elation to being set off in a separate county.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain General
Governor & Commander in chief in & over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire — To the Honourable his
ISIajesties Council and to the Hon''''' House of Representa-
tives in General Court convened this ii''^ Day of March 176S
We the Subscribers being Agents legally appointed by the
several Tow^ns hereafter mentioned beg leave to present our
humble Petition unto this Hon""-' Court, and in terms of the
utmost Deference & respect to shew forth — that as your Excel-
lency and Honours are about Dividing this Province into Sep-
eratc & distinct Counties your Petitioners in their s'' Capacity
Humbly Hope that as the s'' Towns have long since been incor-
porated and are now become very jDopulous tv: may reasonably
be supposed still more to increase and as some of them have
been indulged with certain Priviledges & Franchises & as the
adjacent Towns are also settling & greatly improving : Your
Excellency and Honours will condescend to confirm a Vote of
this Hon''''' Court passed at their last Fall sitting for Dividing
TOWN PAPERS DOVER. Ibl
this Province into three Counties so far as said vote relates to
these Towns with regard to the boundary Lines only And
your Petitioners humbly pray y"" Excellency and Honours would
indulge them with a Hearing on this important Subject when
we presume to Hope we shall offer to this Hon''''' Court such
Reasons as they may Judge suflicient to induce them to grant
us the Prayer of our Petition t*v: to set otT the s** Towns into a
distinct & Seperate County with such Towns as were then an-
nexed in the aforesaid vote And your Petitioners as in Duty
bound in their said Capacity shall ever pray
Tohn Ga','e \ For Tho' Wallini?ford \ «. „,,,..„,,u
V\^- T) 1 ^-Tk T „ \\T ,. -u V bomersworth
Otis Baker j Dover Jn" Wentworth J
Daniel Rogers ] John Plumer \-p„^u„^(„-
Volintine Mathes | j^^rham J°''" McDufee / ^ocnesier
Jeremii' Riirnum | "■" ^^'^ p^ul Hayes It, . ,
John Smith J Samuel ISrewster } Harrington
Pctitlo7i relating to a Bridge.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Governor and
Commander in chief in and over his ISIajestys Province of
New Hampshire the Hon'''" his ^Majesty's Council & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly
convened the 13th day of November 1770
The humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Dover in said Province Shews
That the Inhabitants of said Town were divided in senti-
ment about the place of building a new Bridge over the Co-
checho River at the Falls and tho' there was a Vote of the
Town for placing it below the Falls your Petitioners apprehend
the Vote would not have been pass'd had the meeting been
general (many persons being then absent in the Woods) or
cou'd they have obtained a Second fair meeting so that those
who were for having the Bridge placed below the Falls pro-
ceeding on the authority of said Vote have built a Bridge be-
low and the Place where the old Bridge stood being on an an-
cient Highway and most convenient for Travellers tlic Inhab-
itants who were for having the Bridge there supposed the Town
to be under a necessity of building one there Also which was
done in the Course of the last Summer & there are now two
Bridges at said Falls which your Petitioners apprehend to be
needless.
That the lower Bridge is not so convenient for Travellers
nor so well approved of by them nor can the Town dispense with
the Duty of maintaining a Bridge above where there has been
one for near one hundred years past and therefore a Vote for
lS2
NEW HAMPSHIRE
changing or altering and placing a new Bridge so far out of
the way or at such a Distance from the old place was utterly
illegal and had it been ever so fairly obtained cou'd not have
been valid without a greater authority than such a Vote.
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray that the whole
proceeding in this Case may be examined by the legislative
Authority and the following Questions resolved viz whether
the Town had a right by their Vote to change the place of
building a Bridge so as to be exempted from building and
maintaining one where it used to be — Whether their proceedings
have been fair and legal upon supposition they had a right to
determine the matter by the agreement of the Town. Whether
the Bridge below or that above will be of the most general
Service & best answer the public Good. Whether there is any
necessity of maintaining both said Bridges and if not which
the Town shall be at the expense of building & maintaining
for the future with such other matters and things as in your
great Wisdom & goodness you shall find incidental and neces-
sary to be determined in order to the regular proceeding of
said Town in making their Rates which is not yet done and
for the settling peace & good order in said Town and your Pe-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Howd Henderson
Joseph Clements
Timothy Clements
John Cenney
Timo Robinson Jr
Jno Waldron Jr
Silas Hanson
John Waldron
Xehm Kimball
Thomas Hanson
James Varney
Thos Hanson Jr.
Ephm Kimball
William Hussey
William
John Kimbal
Paul Husey
Daniel Varney
Jos Varney Jr
Tobias Varney
Stephen Varney
Ephm Wentworth
Spencer Wentworth
Reuben Wentworth
John Whitehouse
Samuel Anibroa
Tom Heard
John Heard
^Moses Roberts
Aaron Roberta
Joseph Roberts
Stephn Varney Jr
John Harford
Nathan Varney
Moses Horn
John Horn
Wm Robinson
John Pinkham
James Chesley
Paul Kimbal
William
Tobias Kimbal
John Hoyt
Joshua Varney
Jacob Sawyer
Jethro Heard
John Horn
Benja Horn
Zacheus Purinton
Nathaniel Horn
Paul Wclland
Elijah Coffin
Paul Varney
Daniel Heard
Thomas Varney
Benja Hanson Jr.
Saml Varney Jr.
Solomon Varney
Jedediah Varney
John Horn Jun
TOWN' PAPERS DOVER.
'S3
Isaac Horn
Tirao Kobinson
Elijah TiUtle
James Tutlle
William Horn
Elijali Varney
Samuel Kicker
Moses Rand
Ebenezer Horn
Thomas Cioudy
Joseph Peasley
Jeremiah Tibbets
George Young
Timo Uussey
Elislia Purinton
Joseph Waldrou
Nicolas Harford
David Kand
Willm Waldron
Amos Varuey
Stephen Horn
George Horn
■\Villiam Gage
Phiueas Ricker
Jonathan Door
Daniel
Thos Shannon
John Gage 3d
Jno Varuey Jiin.
Ichabod Varney
Isaac Horn Jan.
John Varney
Ebenezer Varney
Timothy Varney
liichd Waldron
Richd Kimbal
Mordecai Varney
John
Josiah Wille
Thomas Horn
Samuel Mills
Daniel Heard
John Varney
Ezra Kimbal
Samuel
Ephm Tibbets
Puslcr Downs
In Council Dec. 14, 1770
The enclosed Petition read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon*''"
Assembly
Geo King D. Sec.
Province of \ j^ ^.^ House of Representatives Dec. 14"' 1770.
New Hampshire J ^ t 1 1
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on Wednesday
the second d^y of Jan'y next if the General Assembly be then sitting
and if not then on the third Day of their sitting next after and that they
serve the Selectmen of Dover with a Copy of this Petition and order of
Court that they may shew cause why the Prayer thereof should not be
granted
M. Weare CI.
In Council Dec 15, 1770
Read and concur'd
Geo. King D. Sec.
Copy of so much as is legible examined by
Geo King Dep. Dec.
Provirice of I j j ^j ^ Representatives JanV 16, 1771
New Hamp. / * j ^ 1 1
The within Petition being Considered. It appearing that there was
a Town Vote for Building the lower Bridge it is tho't to be just that the
Charge thereof should be paid by the whole Town— But it appearing
that the upper Bridge is not usefull for the Publick Wherefore
Voted that the said upper Bridge shall hereafter be maintained at the
charge c^ Expence of said Town and that the Petitioners have Leave to
bring in a Bill accordingly
M. Weare Cler.
In Council Jan 17, 1771.
Read .S: concurr'd
Geo King D. Sec
184 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Another Petition relating to Bridges.
Province of)
New I lamp J
To his Excellency the Governor the Honorable his Majestys
Council and House of Representatives of s' Province May
it please
Whereas b}^ misunderstanding & a party Spirit prevailing
among the Inhabitants of Dover in said Province they have
built two Bridges over the River one above the other below
the Cochecho falls in Dover (so called) the one by vote of the
Town the other by your Petitioners & the dispute running so
high which shou'd be the Kings and Countrys Bridge each
Party strenuously contending for their own they having the
Town Vote in their favor and we Antiquity & conveniency on
ours to end or determine which we petitioned your Excellency
and Honors to say which shall be the established Bridge for
the use of his Majesty's Subjects which you were pleased to
determine in our favor which we gratefully acknowledge and
return our sincere acknowledgements for said favor but by your
act or determination you enabled the Selectmen of Dover to
assess the Polls and Estates in said Dover as for other Town
charges to pay the charge of the lower Bridge which has been
done and paid and no provision is made by said act or other-
ways for payment of the established Bridge. We petitioned
the Selectmen but they deny'd then we petitioned two Justices
unus Quorum to call a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of
Dover to see if they would Vote to pay for the building the es-
tablished Bridge a Meeting was called by said Justices and the
Town voted in the negative. Therefore we pray you will direct
& enable the Selectmen of Dover to assess the Polls and Estates
in the same as for other Town Charges for payment of said
upper Bridge above the falls on their receiving a true and
reasonable account of the charge of the same and we as in duty
bound shall ever pray. Dover 23*^ May 1773 Signed by us
Inhabitants of said Dover.
John Heard Daniel Heard Jim.
Paul Varney John Hayes
William Fobs Samuel Hurd
Daniel Heard John Ham
Timotliy Varney John Varney
Silas Hanson Richard Waldron
Jno Waldron Ezra Kimbal
John Kimbal John Horn
Ephm Kimbal Thos Hanson
John Withouse John Waldron
Timothy Roberson Jr. Joseph Roberts
Ebenezer Horn Stephen Hussey
Kathaniel Horn Timothy Hussey «
Samuel Ambroa Jno Varney Jr.
TOWN PAPERS DO\i:«. 1S5
Jediah Varney Thos Hanson Jun.
Nathan Varney Xehm Kinibal
Moses Uand I'au] Kimball
Ephraiiii Wentwoith Josupli Peaslee
Reuben 'Wcntworlli Isaac Horue
Jonas (Joiuly Isaac Horn Jun.
Elisli:i Purinton William Horn
Joshua barney Timo Robinson
Thomas Varney Elijah Tuttel
Paul Welland James Varney
Stephen Varney Ichabod Varney
Juo Conner Elijah Varney
Jethro Heard Mordecai Varney
John Waldron 3d Moses Koberts
Paul Hussey Timothy Clemens
John Harford John Pinkham
13en Hanson Junr. James Tattle
James Ciiesley Samuel Tuttel
Joseph Waldron
In Council May 27, 1772
This Petition was read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''
Assembly
Geo. King Dep. Sec'
Ne°v Hum?/ J^ ^" *^^ "°"^^ °^ Representatives May 2f^ 1772
Voted that the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on the 5"' day of
June next and that they serve the Selectmen of Dover with a Copy of
this Petition and order thereon but if the General Assembly be not then
sitting then on the third day of their siting next afterwards
William Parker
In Council eodem die
Geo King D. Secy.
Read and concurd
Copv examined bv
Geo King Dep? SecO'
Petitioii relating to removal of Rocks from Salmon Falls
river.
State of ]
New Hamp- \
shire. j
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State.
The Subscribers hereto ''most humbly Shew That for many
years past a considerable Trade as beneficial to the Commu-
nity as to Individuals hath been carried on by the people liv-
ing on what is called Salmon fall River which Trade has ever
been attended with the greatest Inconveniences on accoimt of
manv verv large pointed Rocks which lay scattered in the Bed
of said River for near a Mile below what is called C^uamphe-
iS6
NEW HAMPSHIRE
gan Landing — That all [attempts to raise Money by Subscrip-
tion or otherways for the purpose of removing said Rocks have
hitherto proved unsuccessful the charge of that Business hav-
ing been deemed too heavy to be borne by the few when the
many were as closely interested — That to the obstructions
aforesaid your Petitioners conceive it is in part owing that the
Trade of said River hath lately very much declined but which
they hope will soon revive on their removal.
Your petitioners are anxious as well for the good of the Com-
munity as for their own private Emolument, to have the said
Rocks removed, and therefore in a Design so benevolent and
useful Do prav the aid and Interposition of your Honors so far
only as to enable them to raise by a Lottery about five hundred
pounds which sum with what they can furnish in Labour and
material they apprehend will be sufficient to effect the above
purpose — And as in duty bound }'our Petitioners will ever
pray &c
Feb. 23'' 1779
Jacob Shorey
Elip Ranilall
Jedeiliah Goodwin
Samuel Bracket
James Bracket
James Roberts
Humphre.v Cliadbourn
Steplien Hodsden
S. Hill
Jacob Lord Jr.
Gilbert AVarren
Aaron Stackpole
Humph. Cliadbourn 3d
Ebenezer Lord
Joshua Grant
John Hamilton
Jno Stanley Jr
Samuel Ricker
Isaac Morrill
Joseph Fogg
Paul Lord
Nathan Lord Jun.
Ichabod Goodwin Jr.
Dominicus Goodwin
Jona C. Chadbourne
Joseph Pray Jr.
Samuel Butler
Kathaniel ?
Jonathan Tebbets
Thomas Butler
Clark Garrish
Robt Twombly
Moses Carr
Benja Warren
John Roberts
Zacheus Vai-ney
Ebenezer Ricker
John Tebbets
Jacob Quimby
Benja Quimby
William Chadwick
Daniel Pike
Robert Rogers
Daul Woods
John Tucker
Alexander Gerriih
John Haggens
Wm Rogers
Joseph Prime
Jona Hamilton Jr.
Kathaii Lord
Danl Haggens
William Pearny
P. C. ILnrt?
J. Brackett
Thomas Sheafe
Joseph Simes
Rich Champncy
Saml Sherburne
Jeremiah Libley
Mark Nelson
John Noble
Jonathan Varney
John Cutts
George Dame
Jeremiah Hill
Saml Cutts
Tol)ia8 AValkcr
Stephen Paul
I. Rollins
TOWN PAPERS DORCHESTER. 1S7
TI108 Wk WaUlron Thomas Shanuou
Geo WaUiron
DORCHESTER.
Petitlo)ifor exiensiofi of time to make their settlement.
To His Excellency John ^Vent\vorth Esq. Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire in Council
The Petition of John House of Hanover in the County of
Grafton in the Province aforesaid Esqr. in behalf of Himself &
the Proprietors of the Township of Dorchester in the Said
County of Grafton unto your Excellency & the Hon'''"' Council
humlily Shews
That bv Reason of the many Difficulties attending the Set-
tlement of New Townships v' Petitioners have not been able
to perform the Setling Duties required by Charter, That there
are Several families now setled there and more soon to remove
that they have cutt a Road & laid out most of .the Township,
and are in hopes of Performing the Setling Duties if your
Excell • tS: Plonours will indulge them with an extension of
the Time for making their Settlement. Wherefore your Peti-
tioners humbly prays y' Excellency & Honours Favours to
them in granting them such further Time for Setling as in your
wisdom vou may think proper And your Petitioners beg Leave
to assure y' Excell > & Honours that they will be Solicitously
attentive "to fulfill their Duties required by the Charter of s''
Township and as in Duty bound y' Petitioners will ever pray
John House.
Ports'- Dec. 3" 1771.
Petition for a new Charter.
[New Charter was granted May i, 177^- Ed.]
Province )
of New Hamp /
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Governor and Com-
mander in Chief of said Province in Council —
The Memorial of John House And his Associates humbly
shewcth.
That your Memorialists having lately prcfcr'd a petition for
an Extens-ion of the Charter of the Township of Dorchester
iSS NEW HAMPSHIRE
now under forfeiture which Extension they since find will be
attended with insuperable Difficultys, as many of the late pro-
prietors will neither prosecute their Settlements nor be per-
suaded to pay their necessary Taxes.
Your INIemorialists are now desirous of withdrawing the said
Petition & wou'd pray y'' Excellency & Honours that they may
be favor'd with a new Charter of said Township engaging to
admit with them all Such of the late proprietors as will ap-
pear to do the necessary Dutys And immediately to bring into
said Township a Number of good Settlers — to clear the Road
thro' the Same leading to the College & comply with ev'ery
other Condition or Reservation which your Excellency & Hon-
ors ma}^ seem meet to direct — and your Memorialists as in duty
bound shall ever pray —
John House For himself &
his associates
Portsmouth 28*^'' april 1772.
DUBLIN.
[Originally called Monadnock, No. 3, was granted November 3, 1749.
Ed.]
Petition to be incorporated into a To-vns/iip.
Province of ~l
New Hampshire j
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain General
Governor and Commander in chief in and over his ]Majes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire aforesaid & Vice admiral
of the same. In Council.
The Petition of Josiah Willard J' agent for and in behalf of
the Inhabitants and Settlers of a Tract of Land in said Prov-
ince commonly called & known by the name of Dublin (or
Monadnock No. 3) Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner is Impowered and authorized to inform
your Excellency that the Said Dublin is rated among the Towns
and Parishes in this Province for the prov'*^ Tax and that the
said place is not legally qualified to raise and collect the said
Taxes whereby they may be construed delinquents if the same
should be omitted ; He also begs leave to suggest to your Ex-
cellency that the said Dublin is presumed to be sufticiently in-
habitccl and convenient for Incorporation He therefore humbly
Prays in behalf of his Constituents as afores'. That they may
be erected and Incorporated into a Township and that they
TOWN PAPERS DIN15ARTOX.
I $9
may be invested with tlie priviledgcs and powers usually en-
joyed by Towns in this Province. The power given your pef
with the several signers, being herewith presented, and your
petitioner in his said Capacity will ever pray &c.
JOSIAII WiLLARD Jr.
Portsni ' 25''' March 1771.
DUNBARTON.
[This town was formerly called Starks-Town, and was incorporated
10 August, 1765. Ed.]
Petition of Capt. Caleb Page of Starkstozvfi.
Prov of \
N. I lamp. /
To his Excellenc}' B. W. Esq. Govern'"& Command' in Chieftc
in and over s' Province & to his Maj ■■' Council & General
Assembly.
Humbly sheweth Caleb Page in behalf of himself & other
the Inhabitants of a Place called Starks Town in this Prov-
ince that by order of the General assembly he was Directed by
a particular Warrant from the Treasurer of the Prov ' to assess
a Certain Sum from the Petitioners as Inhabitants of Starks
Town afores' and also the Petitioner received at the same Time
one other Precept Directed to the Select Men of Starks Town
for the assessing & Collecting the Pr' Tax for the Curr' year.
The Warr'^ Directed to your Petitioner for arrears of the Pr^'
Tax for former years in these affairs your Petitioner begs Leave
to Inform your Excellency & Hon" that the Inhabitants are by
no means able to Pay such sums Sc that if their ability was
equal to the Demand they are in no Capacity to assess the In-
habitants as they are not incorporated nor Entitled in any way
to Town Priviledges therefore Prays to be admitted to explain
before your Excellency & Hon""* the Precise Circumstances &.
Condition of the s' Inhabitants & your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound shall ever Pray.
Calkb Page.
Province of ) In the house of Representatives Dec' 7"' 1763
New Hampshire J This Petition being read
Voted That Col" Sam' Barr & Col" John Goffe Esqr*= be & they are
hereby appointed to take an acco' of ail the Polls and Rateable Estate
In said Town c\: make Report to the Gen' Assembly as soon as may be
under oath
A. Clarkson Clerk.
190 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of \ In Council December 7"! 1763
New I lamps, j Read cC Concurr'd
T. Atkinson Jun. Secy.
Province of } r^ ^j^^ j^^^^^ ^^ Representatives May 4.^^ 1764
New I lamps. J ^ j -r 1 t
The Committee appointed to take an Inventory of Starks town made
their Report vesterday which Report is on file and
Voted That the petition be Dismissed
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council May 5"' 1764
read & Concurr'd
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec^
Petition in relation to a school lot.
Province of \
New Ilamp. /
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain general
governor & commander in chief in & over his Majestys prov-
ince of New Hampshire and the honourable his majestys coun-
cill & house of Representatives for said Province. The peti-
tion of James Stinson of Dunbarton in said province most
humbly Sheweth that the Inhabitants of said Dunbarton at a
legal meeting for that purpose on the 25"' day of October 1773
voted that this petitioner should have the school lot in said
town which is the lot number twelve in the fourth range in ex-
change for fifty acres of the easterly end of the lot number
eleven in the third range and the half off the easterly end
of the lot number twelve in the same range. Wherefore as it
is thought said exchange would accommodate the School in
said town as well as the petitioner — The petitioner therefore
prays your Excellency & Honours by a resolve or act of As-
sembly for that purpose would confirm said town vote and
your petitioner as in Duty bound shall pray &c
Sam. Livermore, for the petitioner.
January 11''' 1774.
In Council Jan>' iS, 1774
Read and ordered to be sent down to the IIon''ie Assembly
Geo King D. Secy.
Province of \ j,^ ^^^^ jj^^,^^ ^^ Represent. Jan-v iS 1774
New Hampshire J ' • "^
Voted that the Prayer of this Petition be granted & that the Petition-
ers have leave to bring in a Resolve accordingly
William Parker Cler assembly
In Council eodem die
Read and concur'd
Geo King D. Sec>'.
At a Leaugel Meeting of the Inhabitants of the town o fDunbarton
assembled October y^ 25''» 1773 And Voted that James Stinson Should
TOWN PAPERS— DLXBARTOX.
!b'urM!''Rn^'''°°' ^°^t'" ^""H '°'V" ^^'hich is the Lote N-' twelve in the
I Of. V^Pi' "\?''',^o"^^ ^°'" ^''^-^' '''^'■^^ °ff the Easterly end of he
^weTv;^n^':;d'"RS ^^'"'^ '^"' ''' '"^"" °"" ^"^'^ ^'^^'^■••^' ^"^ ^^ ^'
A true Copp y Attest ^V- Stark P. C.
I^cso/ve to exchange the School Lot in Dunbarton
Province oi \ , , „
New Hamps. j -^'^ '"^ House ol Representatives Jan.v jo'i' 1774
Prnv^f? '"'^'"■'^ ^'\^ ^^,^'''°" "^ J''^'"'^^ Stinson of Dunbarton in this
fh! c -^ r ■ into Execution a certain vote of said Town vi/ : tliat he
Nnn^h I""?' S.''"f ".should have the School Lot which is t le Lot
for fS 7 '" "^ S" 'ourth Range of Lots in said Town in Exchange
fhln / "'^ °? ^^' Easterly end of the Lot Number Eleven in the
K ^^':^"-^j^"d tlie half off the Easterlv end of the Lot Xumber
Twelve in said third Range. All which having been heard and^on
s.dered and it appearing that said Exchange wifl be for the Ad anta"e'
?anl°. ^. "■""~^'^'^'''-''°''" '^ '^ Resolved^V Voted That upon the .^d
iK?own"nTn "Y^'^'r^^""/'"'^"^*"^ ^° '''^ Selectmenfir"heuse 0I-
snfd Fi I I^""barton aforesaid a good and valid Deed of the afore
pJn -^ tT",°'l/^^ ^^** '^"^' °^the L°t Number Eleven in the third
Range and the half of the Lot Num.- Twelve in said third r1„4 for
Th f H^ '"l'^ ^"'■^\°'^ °^ «"PP"'-ting a school in said Dunbarton bTever
lafr. f "'' '-"o ^°^^'" °*' l^""barton be and herebv ai^ I, powjred
T^^^' Q."^ ^oine Person or Persons to make and Execute to hi3ie.Sd
SorS^ntd LoTn " ^e.rs and assigns forever a Good & Valid Cd of" e
aforesaid Lot Number Twelve in the Fourth Range which deed shall h^
esteemed good & authentic to all Intents and purposes ^^
r„ ^ ., ^ J- Wentworth, Speaker.
In Council Jan> 25, 1774
Read and concurd
_ Geo King D. Sec>-
Consented
J. Wentworth
Petition of Caleb Page relating to school Lot.
Province of)
New Hamp j
To His Excellency John Wenhvorth Esqr. Governor in chief
in cV over said Province The Honourable Council and House
ot Representatives in General Assemblv convened M-iv
ri"' 1774 - • ^'^>
The Humhlc Petition of Caleb Page of Dunl)arton in the
County ot Hillsborough Gentleman in behalf of himself and a
numlK^rof the Inhabitants & Freeholders of said Dunbarton
bheweth That when the Lands in said Town were allotted
Lot number nme in the third Range was laid out for the use of
the School forever. Afterwards on the Tenth Day of Tune
1761 the Proprietors of said Dunbarton voted to exchancre the
193 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Schoot Lot with William Stark of said Dunbarton if he would
IDurchasc Lot number twelve in the fourth Range for the use of
the vSchooI. Which Lot number twelve the said Stark after-
wards purchased for his own use, but hath never conveyed the
same for the use of the school according to the Condition of
said Vote. Afterwards at a suppos'd Meeting of the Inhab-
itants of Dunbarton afores"* (which meeting was called within
Six Days after the Warrant therefor issued and the same War-
rant put up in a very private Place) it was voted by a few of
the Lil;abitants that James Stinson of said Dunbarton should
have the Lot Number Twelve called the School Lot in Ex-
change for fifty acres off the Easterly End of Lot Number
Eleven Li the third Range and the half of said Easterly End
of Lot Number Twelve in the same Range In Consequence
of which Vote obtained in an unfair and private manner The
said Stinson petitioned your Excellency and Honors setting
forth the purport of the same vote and that an Exchange of
said Lots would be a mutual Benefit. Wherefore your Excel-
lency and Honors Resolved that upon the said Stinson's making
and Executing to the Selectmen for the use of the Town of
Dunbarton afores'' a Deed of the afores'^ fifty acres of the east-
erly End of the Lot Number Eleven in the third Range and
half of Lot Number Twelve in the same Range for the use and
support of a school in said Dunbarton forever, that then the
Town afores'' should be empowered to appoint some person or
Persons to make to said Stinson his Heirs and Assigns forever
a good and valid Deed of the said Lot Number Twelve in the
fourth Range Since which said Resolve the Inhabitants of
said Town have at two legal Meetings voted not to exchange
said Lot N" I3 as they apprehend they have no legal Title to
the same but that the Lot number nine in the third Range re-
main the School Lot in said Town as it was laid originally for
that purpose and that if they were Owners of the Lot Number
twelve in the third Range called the School Lot would not ex-
change the same because it is much better situated and of double
the Value of the Land proposed to be given by said Stinson in
exchange. But as every Method is and hath been taken to per-
suade and terrify the People of said Dunbarton to vote in ex-
change of said Lot agreeable to said Resolve whereby the
Peace of the Town hath been much disturbed and if the In-
habitants should make a Deed thereof to said Stinson they
must necessarily expose themselves to a suit. Wherefore your
Petitioner humbly prays that the same Resolve may be made
null and void that an order may be passed hereon to stop any
further Proceedings upon the same Resolve untill your Excel-
lency's and Honors final order herein and your Petitioner as in
Duty bound will ever pray Sic.
Caleb Page.
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTADLE. in->
Province of "I In Council May I2»> 1774
New Hamp > This Petition was read .^- ordered to be sent down to tlie
Hon""- Assembly
Geo King D. Sec^
Province of \ In the House of Representatives May i2t" 177 .
New Hamp j The foregoing Petition being Read.
Voted That the Petitioner be heard on this Petition on the Second
Day ot the b.tmg of the General Assembly next after the tenUi da> of
June next and that the Petitioner Serve the Selectmen of Dunbarton and
nfZ h^^t they may have Opportunity to Shew Cause whv the Prayer
ot the 1 etition Should notbe Granted, and further Voted that -ill Pro-
ceedmgs on the Resolve mentioned in this Petition be staved in the
mean time. ■' ^
T ^ •, >, , ^^- Weare CI'
In Council May 13"! 1774.
Read & concur'd
Geo King D Sec^.
DUNSTABLE.
[This town was granted and settled under the authority of Massachu-
setts and remained under that Government until the divisional line be-
tween .New Hampshire and Massachusetts was established in 1741 The
original grant embraced a large tract of territory, including Dunstable
in Massachusetts, parts of the towns of Tyngsborough, Ms., Hollis
Hudson, Litchfield and Merrimack in New Hampshire. The name of
nnc ^"T^^""^ changed to Nashua by an act of the Legislature, which
passed S December, 1836. The date of its incorporation by New Hamp-
shire IS I April, 1746. Ed.] i- J '""P
Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Pine Hill, Dutistadlc.
Province of >
New Hamp J
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Westerly part of Dun-
stable called Pine PliU, Have Bought the Several Places or
i-arms that we now Possess, Since the Said luhabitance Peti-
tioned IIisExc>- &c to be annexed to Holies and the Several
Persons we Bought of Sign'd said Petition, which Petition we
hiuiibly pray may be granted (as we expected it would be)
when we purchased our Farms
Joseph Taylor
Dunstable Nov. y<^ 33" 1763 James Hill
James Taylor
Abrh"' Keyzer
13
[94
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Extract fro77i the Votes of a towfi meeting in Dunstable.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable in the
Province of New Hamp'' Regularly Assembled on monday y« ^"^ of
December 1763
An extract from the Vote of said meeting. Whereas John Willoughby
Benj'i Parker, Elnathan Blood amos Philips Jonathan Hubbard Ger-
shom Hubbard & Daniel more Complain that they have no Benefit of
the money they pay for Preaching in this Town by Reason of the Dis-
tance they live from the meeting House Therefore Voted that they be
released froin Paying any money that shall be raised for Preaching in
this Town for Three years from this day for their polls & Estates if they
continue to own their Real Estate where they now live Except the Town
should move the meeting house to the Center of travel & Provided the}"
attend Af Emersons ministry at Holies during said Term
Copy from Dunstable Record,
Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Exam^l &c
Dunstable Dec. 6 1763.
PetitioJi of inhabitants of West Parish of Du7istable for a
garrison and men.
Province of \
New Hamps. j
Dunstable June iS-'-' 1744.
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the West Parash in the District
of Dunstable do hereby authorize & desire AP James Stewart in our
Names and Behalf to make proper application to the Governmant of
New Hampshire Setting forth our being Situated on the Frontier and
Exposed to the Enemy and the Necessity we are in of a Guard i.*c pray
for a Sutable & Seasonable Relef thare Viz : at meeting of the Inhab-
itance of the west in Dunstable Regularly assembled and Voted & chose
Samuel Cumings moderator. Voted & chose James Stewart to Repre-
sent the parish at New Hampshire
Voted to Request six garrisons and five and twenty soldiers.
Capt. Peter Powrs
Lieut Benj-' Farley
Ens. Jerathmell Cominj
Samuel Comings
Joshua Wight
James }
Peter ?
Stephen Haris
Stephen Hasaltine
David Nevens
Samuel Farley
James Stewart
Jonathan Danford
Josiah Brown
John Brown
Nathaniel Blood
Samuel Parker
Benj" Blanchard
Benj" Blanchard Jun.
Nichlas French
Jonathan Lougey
Benj" Parker
Amos Philips
Josiah Hobard
Will-" Hartwell
Thomas Peck
Will'" Colburn
Thomas Neuens
Daniel Wooster
John Boyntn Jun''
Henery Bonton
Will"' Blanchard
Zerubable Kemp
Will'" Adams
John Phelps
Elathen Blood
Josiah Blood
Joseph Chesley
Stephen Anisj
Moses Procter
Joseph McDaniels
James McDaniels
"i McDaniels
Jonathan Melnan
Enoch Hunt
Daniel Emerson
TOWX PAPERS DUNSTABI.E. I95
Petition for protection against Indians.
To his Excellency Bcnning Wentvvorth Esq' Capt. General
and Govenor in chief in «S: over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England — The Honourable the
Council & House of Representatives in General Court con-
vened.
The Alemorial and Petition of James Stuart in the Name
and behalf of the Inhabitants of the West Parish and District
of Dunstable in the said Province Humbly Sheweth the said
Parish has been Settled by his Majesties Subjects about four-
teen years and a Gospell Minister ordained above a year that
the Settlers had an Eye at enlarging his Majesties Dominions
by going into the Wilderness as well as at their own Interest
that many Thousand of pounds has been spent in clearing and
cultivating the Land there and some thousands more in build-
ing houses Barns & fences the breaking up of which Settle-
ment will not only ruin the Memorialists but greatly diserve
his majesties Interest by encouraging his Enemies to encroach
on his discrted Settlements and be also hurtfull to the Province
by contracting its borders and drawing the war nearer the
Capital
That it was by a long and Importunate Intercession of this
Province (and not of the Memorialists seeking) that they are
cast under the immediate care of this Government which they
conceive gives them so much the better right to its protection
that as war is already declared against France and a Rupture
with the Indians hourly expected your Memorialist unless they
have spedy help will be soon oblidged to forsake their Settle-
ments how Discervicable soever It May be to the Crown Dis-
honourable to the Government hurtfull to the Province and ruin-
ous to themselves
Wherefore your Memorialists IMost humbly supplicate your
Exelency the Honourable Council tS: House of Representatives
to take the Premises into your wise & mature consideration
and to grant them such Seasonable Relief as May Enable them
to Subsist in the War & secure against the Ravage & Devasta-
tions of a blood thirsty & Merciless Enemy and your Memo-
rialists as in duty bound will ever pray.
James Stewart.
Dated att Portsmouth
June y^ 22, 1744.
196 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petitio7i in relation to a certain tract of land.
To his Exccllcnc}^ BeningWentworth Esqr. Governour&Com-
ander in Chief in & over his Majestys province of New
Hampshire in New England, and to the Ilono'" his Majes-
tys Council for said Province
Humbly Shew the Inhabitants of the Town of Charlestown
in the County of Middlesex in the province of the Massachu-
setts Bay That in the Year Sixteen hundred and Sixty by Ver-
tue of an order of the Generall Court of the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, There was laid out a Tract of Land on the
western Side of Merrimack River for the use .of the School of
Charlestown aforesaid Containing One Thousand Acres More
or Less at a place Call'd by the Lidians Souhaganack and
within the Bounds of old Dunstable a Coppy of which Laying
Out and the Bounds thereof is hereunto annext. That in the
Year Sixteen hundred & Seventy one The Town of Charles-
town obtained a Deed for the Same Land from three Lidians
Then Lihabitants near Merrimack River a Coppy of which
Deed is Also hereunto Annext. That by the late Burning of
the Boundary line Between the province of the Massachusetts
Bay and New Hampshire the Said Tract of Land falls within
the province of New Hampshire
Wherefore the s' Inhabitantspray your Excellency and Hon-
ours That when you shall ])e pleased to Take Lender Consider-
ation the making any Grants of Confirmation the Said Tract
of Land may be Confirmed to the Proprietors or at least no
ways Lifringed Upon by any New Grants that the Proprietors
May be held in their Just Rights that the Needless Expence of
Law Suits may be prevented and Your petitioner as In Duty
Bound Shall ever pray &c
John- Foye In the be-
Aug. 4, 1742. half of the said Inhabitants
Indian Deed.
To all People to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. Know
y"^ that we Nimrod alias Ohkohhan Son of Robin Indian and Wunnun-
togin Son of Pahphomo-hammunt Indian and John, Indian alias Jah-
kananimguiss son of wassarmemit, now Inhabitants of Naamcock on
Merrimack River near Patucket, for and in consideration of a valuable
sum of money to us and to each of us well and truly paid by the Select-
men of Charlestown in the behalf of their Town, the receipt whereof
we do by these presents acknowledge and therewith to be fully Satis-
fied contented and paid and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof
do fully clearly and absolutely acquit release and discharge the said Se-
lectmen and Town of Charlestown their heirs and assigns forever by
these presents have granted bargained and sold aliened enfeofte'' and con-
firmed and by these presents do fully clearly and absolutely grant bar-
gain and sell alien enfeoffe and confirm unto the said Selectmen and
Town of Charlestown one parcel of Land containing by estimation one
TOWN PAPERS DUXSTABLE. 197
hrn.n!;'"'' '''f r ''-^ 'r 0'°'"'' ^^ '^''' "'^"^^^ Ijingand being within the
S^rnnH IT" °^^o"f >^J.'-^""ck land lying near the upper end of the
Itf2i^Tu Tf.".'''^ °" ^''' ^°"^'^ '''^'' t'^"^ '^^'■d Ri'-^^'- beginning
atagieath,! called Dram-cup-hill and so extending down the river
about two miles and so to ly in every respect and particular according
rerorrirf ° ?*/u''' .^'^^^^^^^ ^c'"^* (abiding yet on file in the County
Srhnnflf /'r ? ^■' ^''^ ''°^ ^^"^'■•'^' ^'""""t "^ ^he Massachusetts to the
Linfn 1 ^'^'-^'"l^^^*'^^'"- To have and to hold the above granted and
HpL^ , premises and every part and parcel thereof with all the priv-
lege^ and appurtenances to the same appertaining or in any wise be-
hrofL"^' both upland Meadow Interval-land Swamps Rivers, Brooks
broke up land hsh.ngplaces with all the benefits profits and Commodities
therpor'"", " [\"'-''\'^ ^''''" ''^"'^ ''^'^^^^ of Charlestown and Selectmen
nron?; . K 7'' ^'?""' """"^ ^'''°"-' forever and to their and theironly
nn?fn . "^ ^"''behoof and we the said Nimrod alias Tash-kobham Wun-
nuntoj,nn and John alias Pakana-nunguiss for us and each of us our
fo.nH f T 11 ■'''^°'"i ^"'^ ="'"="' *o'-ever do covenant promise and grant
hP.-nl . / said Town and Selectmen of Charlestown for the time
being and so from time to time that we the said [Indians] (i) now are
?he nro'"'""^^ ""'' ^^^'" ^""" ^y °"^ fo'-efathers and near Relations
tiff/n, '^'" """t J""^ °'''"^'"' °^ "'^ aforesaid Land, according to the best
be rPn I f^'-^'if ''"^'''''" '''^""' =^"dthat we have (And hereafter shall
tiMe Tli ^ J!,^° '^° '" '^^'^ °^ "^^^^ "^^'^•^ °"t our just right and
S, n T """. ."'""'^° ^"'^ ^''''^* ^^'^"^ ^^'-^ &°°d '•'g'^t full power and
a%Mul authority to grant bargain and sell all Indian right Title and In-
tmvn . I m"\°u'''^u*'^° ""^^ ^^'^ ^^'^ Selectmen and Town of Charles-
fn7; ' .1 '^''' '^' '.^'^ Selectmen and Town of Charlestown shall
l^tZu] ' r?^ ""'"^ ^'"°'" *'""' ^° time forever hereafter quietly and
peaceably have hold occupy possess and enjov the above granted and
bargained premises with all the profits and CSmmodities privileges and
appurtenances to the same appertaining or in anywise belongin- as
ni ir^f 'l, '°"Vrf '."•"^"' ^"" hindrance trouble molestation' or^ de-
m,ni .- f '^'"^-^^""^'^"'^ °' either of us our heirs Executors Ad-
m initiators or assigns of us or either of us or of any of them or of any
Wn'f P- T. ?r-.?'"''°r' "'h'^tsoever lawfully claiming and having any
eith r r ^ ^ °' Interest therein or thereto bv from or under us or
whPrLf "' f.'" -'' -^"r"; ^l^^" ^''^y^ °'" '"^^=^"« whatsoever. In witness
his fourth f ''"? f ^"^1''^"';] have hereunto set our hands and seals
umir.TfnH -'' ° ^""^y '" ^^' y^""' °^ °"'" L^'-^ God one thousand six
hundred and seventy one. Ximrod alias Tash x kohan, his mark and
(1) Xames as before. Ed.
and'!' f,'ii'^"'i" ^ ^- '"" L"'" ^^r^ ^"^ ^ ^^^^ Wunnuntogin X his Mark
Tosenh w,' .,.^^^\f'»"ed' ,^;^led and delivered in the presence of us
mfrk Tn! Vi^'"S^ 'f ^'Y' ^I°"oqtiasson Jacob alias Patatuck y, his
mark Jonathan Danforth.
vJf'.'i' '•?' ^^-^'^ /y^n^tintogin and Pakana-nenguiss Indians late of
n.. T"^"T °i^^^'?'"esit freely acknowledged this writing to be their
act and Deed. Daniel Gookin Assistant.
m-!!^l% ^-K 'u^"' Nimrod Alias Tashkohhan acknowledged this Instru-
mcMit to be his act and Deed before me. Edw' Tvng Assiss'
fro,^t. ''1^°'''".°'^^°."^^"' '^95- Entred by Sam> Phipps Record^ Copy
from the Registry of Deeds for middlesex" Book 10, page 425-6
Exanid. by
Fras. Foxcraft Reg'
Oaobef^SS'^ Sessions of the General Court held at Boston y'' 16''^ of
I9S NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bj Virtue of an Order of the Generall Court laid out for the use of
the School of Charlestown, One Thousand Acres of Land more or
Less in the Wilderness on the Western Side of Merremacke River at a
place comonlj called by the Indians Souhaganucke beginning at the
foot of a great hill and so extending Eastward about Two Miles down
the said River & bounded with the River North and by Land laid out
for Mrs. Anna Cole on the East. The Wilderness "elsewhere Sur-
rounding according to marked Trees all which are Sufficiently bounded
with C. and is more fully Demonstrated by a Plat taken of the same by
Jonathan Danforth Surveyor
The Court doth allow and approve of this Return
A true Copy as of Record
Attest J. WiUard Secy
Petition in i-elation to conjiicting tovjn meetings.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Capt. General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over His majesty's
Province of New Hampshire the Hon''^" His majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province in General
Assembly convened the 10'" Day of May 1748
The Humble Petition of Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable in
said Province in behalf of himself & other Freeholders & In-
habitants of the said Town Shews
That on the 1 2"' Day of March last past the Selectmen of
Dunstable afores"^ Issued a Warrant Directed to the Constable
of said Town Requiring him to Warn all the Inhabitants of
said Town Vv'ho were Qiialified to Vote in the choice of Town
officers to meet the 30"' Day of the same month to chuse Town
officers for the Current Year. &c. That the Inhabitants of the
said Town accordingly met & after some Debate Concerning
the Qiialifications of Voters in such affairs they proceeded to
the Business of the meeting & fifty three then assembled who
were Qiialified according to the Laws by which they had here-
tofore been Govern'd who Divided into two parties thirty six
in one & Seventeen in the other & each chose a moderator
Select men & all other Town oflicers who arc all sworn to the
faithful Discharge of their Respective Offices -^vhereby there
are two or a Double set of officers for every office in the said
Town the Evident Consequence of which is the utmost con-
fusion— That there is an absolute necessitv for Officers in the
said Town Legally chosen & Qiialified whose Authority there
may be no Just Grounds to Dispute as well with Regard to
the Province tuxes as to those matters & things which more
Immediately Concern the Town the Decision of which in the
Common Course of the Law would be both tedious & Expen-
sive and not answer the Exigencies of the Town. That these
Inconveniences to the said Town are in a great measure owing
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 1 99
to their particular Circumstances being but Lately Incorpor-
ated can have no Custom to Govern their proceedings in such
cases And to the Defect of the Province Laws Relating here-
unto. For your Petitioner cannot find there is any Law of
this Province that Determines the Qiialifications of Voters in
such Town meetings for the Choice of Town Officers the only
Law that Relates to that matter Says That the Free holders &
other Lihabitants of Each Town Ratable at twenty Pounds
Estate to one Single Rate besides the Poll &c. Shall Vote
But there being no Law that Distinguishes what Estate is Rata-
ble and what is not (which vet the very Term Ratable Estate
supposes) the Directions of this Law in this case are Intirely
useless
That it would greatly Contribute to the Peace and Dispatch
of such meetings if the Law was Express &; Clear who should
Govern them till a moderator is fiiirly chosen for in matters of
Importance & when the People are Divided every man having
an Equal Right to Govern they dispute as hotly about that as
any matter they have to do In which point the Law is Intirely
Silent and with Respect to Towns newly Erected no customs
can have Existence (as was before hinted) But such as can
have no operation that Such Places Especially must Labour
under Insuperable Difficulties unless aided by the General
assembly or the Standing General laws of the Province in
this Particular amended
Wherefore your Petitioner most Humbly Prays that the
Premises may be consider'd with all Convenient Dispatch —
That the Choice made by the majority of the Votes afores*^
may be confirmed and declared valid or that the whole pro-
ceedings may be nullified and a new meeting called under the
Direction of the General assembly — and some Law Enacted
that may Prevent the like Inconveniences for the future. And
your Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c
Joseph Blanchard,
In Council May 17, 174S
road li ordered to be sent down
to j« Hon'^le House
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Ilamnshirr M" ^^^ House of Representatives ly"" May 174S
Voted that y" Petitioner be heard on this Petition y" next Thursday
come seven night & that he (at his own cost) serve both sets of Select-
men & both Town Clerks that were chosen on s' thirtyeth of March
with a copy of this Petition & this order of Court between this Day &
y next Fryday night that they may shew cause if any they have why
y" Praver of y" Petition should not be granted
D. Pierce Clk
200 NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurred
Theo Atkinson Secy
Eodem Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth.
May 26"' 174S
Voted That j« whole Proceedings of y" Town of Dunstable at their
meeting on y'- thirtieth of March last be nullified & made void and it
is hereby order'd that a meeting be held by the Freeholders & Inhabi-
tants of s' Town of Dunstable qualified to vote as is herein after men-
tioned on the third Wednesday of June next at ten o'clock in y" fore-
noon at y meeting House in s'' Dunstable to choose a Town Clerk
Selectmen & all other Town officers as Law Directs which meeting
shall be warned by posting up a Copy of this order of Court attested
by y" Secretary at two publick Houses in si* Town ten Days at least be-
fore y^ Time appointed for holding s'^ meeting and Capt Thomas Cole-
burn of Nottingham West is hereby appointed to be the moderator of
s'' meeting & to be paid for his Trouble therein by said Town of Dun-
stable and it is resolved that all Freeholders being Inhabitants & all
other inhabitants ratable at twenty Pounds Estate according to y* last
year's Invoice of s"* Dunstable have a Right to Vote at s'^ meeting &
that y" Petitioners have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
D. Pierce CU
In Council May 27"' 1748
read Si concurr'd
Theod. Atkinson Secy
Eodein Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth
In Council May 27"' 174S
read & non concurrd and Voted that the Several Votes Past at the
meeting within mentioned of which Magr. Zacheus Lovwell was mod-
erator be & hereby are ratifj'ed & Confirmed & that the respective
officers ellected at the said meeting be Deemed the Lawfull officers of
the town for the year Insueing «& that the other meeting mentioned
above, held in s'' Town at the same time of which Mr. Jonathan Lov-
well was chosen clerk and all the votes actions & Transactions thereof
be & hereby are made Void & of none Effect and Tis hereby further
order'd & Directed that all Parties in the s' Town conform themselves
accordingly
The" Atkinson ScO'
Sent down for Concurrence
N^vTlam }^" *^^ House of Representatives 2f^ May 174S
Voted That the foregoing Vote of the Hon. Council be nonconcur'd
& that y House adhere to their former Vote
D. Pierce CI'
TOWN' PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 201
Pctitio)} for dividing tlic Province into Counties.
To His Excellency Beniiing Wentworth Esqr. Govr. <S:c. the
Hon''^ his Majestys Councill & House of Representatives in
Gen' Assembly Conveined. Portsmouth y'' 9' ' day of Apr.
1754-
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Province of New
Hamp"" on the West side of Merrymack River Would most
Humbly Remonstrate That the Extent of the Settlements of
this Province is upward of One Hundred Miles Westward
from Portsmouth the Place where all the Courts in the Prov-
ince are held.
That the Great Difficulties of Travill & Expence to and
from the Court on all County Emergencys Lays the Western
Inhabit''-' under Insuperable Difficultys as well as Occasions
Great delay to the Partys & Jurors whose Business Calls them
to the Courts of Judicatory to the Great Impoverishing of the
Government. That wee Humbly apprehend that these Griev-
ances might be in Some Good measure Redressed by Dividing
the Government Into two Countys and will be a means of a
Great Increase of Inhabitants & Improvements in the western
parts of this Province
Wherefore your Petitioners most Humbly Pray That your
Excellency & Hon'' would take the Premises into Considera-
tion & Grant Relief by Dividing the Province into two Countys
by such a Dividing Line & with Such Powers and authoritys
as in your Great Wisdom you shall Judge Convenient and
your Pet'' as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray.
Joseph Blanchard Oliver Woods
Zach' Lovewell Jonathan Lund
Thomas ilarwood John Huston
Jonathan French Medad Combs
William Cox Charls Butterfield
George Lyons Isaac Powers
Nath'' Perkins Jonathan Powers Jun
Edward Cox John Snow
Samson French ?
Eleazer Farwell John Roberson
John Saris James Sawyer
Zach' Lovewell jun. John Honey
Benjamin French William Harris
Joseph French Tho" Kellecut
Joseph Eayrs Jonathan Powers
Samuell French Samuell Perham
Charles Cox Giddon Honey
Winkall Wright Jonathan Combs
James Jewit James Taylor
David 'demons William Lancey
William Lund John Butterfield
Henry Parker John Alld
Samuel Kennej "Thomas Buttcrfeld
Thomas Lund John Butterfeld Jun.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John AIM Jun
Thomas Lancej
James Combs
Nehemiah Lovewell
Ephraim Lund
John Pirkin?
Ephraim Butterfeld
Thomas Mane
Ephraim Butterfeld Jr.
Stephen Butterfeld
Jeems Ilerwood
John Herwood
Jeams Herwood Jun.
William Blanchard
John Phelps
Amos Phillips
Jonathan Phelps
Benj" Parker
Elnathan Blood
Daniel Moor
David Ilobart
Gershom Hobart
Joseph Still
Daniel Merrill
Henry Kinne
Jeremiah Colburn
Samuel Huston
Daniel Searles
John Combs
Joseph Winn Jun.
Phineas Lund
Peter Honey
Jo^ Hale
Salvanus Whitney
Thomas Heall
Thomas Blanchard
Banjaman Davis
Tho> Davis
John Aven
Jonathan Cram
Thomas Pollard
Ephraim Adams
James Searles
Warning- for a Tozvn meeting.
Province of "I
New Hamp /
Whereas the General Court by Law have Impowered Eleaz' Tjng,
Zacheus Lovewell and Joseph French Esqr. to call a meeting of the Pro-
prietors of the Common and undivided [Land] in Old Dunstable for
Choosing a Clerk and for agreeing on Som meathod for calling meeting
of said Proprietors for the future in s' Law it is Pi-ovided that no Per-
son shall appear or Vote as an attorney for more than one original
Share. These are Therefore to Notilie and Warn the proprietors afore-
said that they meet at the House of M'' Benjamin French Molder in
Dunstable in the Province afore"' on the Thirtyeth Day of April Next
at nine of the Clock in the morning Then and there
1 To Choose a Clerk to said proprietors
2 to agree on som method for Calling meeting of Said proprietors for
the future.
Eleaz'' Tyng
Dunstable March i8, 1760. Zacheus Lovewell
Joseph French
New hampshire Dunstable april 30"' 1760 the above haveing ben
Posted and Published according to Law, The proprietors mett at time
and place agreeable to the above Notice and made choice of JNP John
Tyng for their ISIoderator by a majority of the Interest Present
Eleazer Tyng
Zacheus Lovewell
Joseph French
Att a meeting of the Proprietors of the Common and undivided Land
in old Dunstable held at the house of M' Benjamin French Inholder in
Dunstable in New Hamps April 30, 1760
The proprietors haveing been called upon to give in their votes for a
Clerk and Their Votes Colected Sorted and Counted it appeared that
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTABLE.
203
Joseph French Esq' was Chosen by a Majority' of the Interest Present
who was sworn to the faithfull Discharge of his Office by M' Justice
Lovewell
Then the following method for calling meeting for the future was
agreed on and Voted that upon application of five of the said Proprie-
tors to the Clerk of s' proprietors in writing under their hands desire-
ing a meeting of s' Proprietors he is directed and Impowercd to call a
meeting of the s'' Proprietors by Posting up a Notification at some Pub-
lick place in Dunstable in Newhamp'' and in Dunstable in the Province
of the Massachusetts Bay and Notifying the same in the Boston Gazatt
fifteen Days before the said meeting Expressing in the s' Notification
all such matters and things as are desired to be Transacted at s' meet-
ing the s' meeting or meetings to be appointed and held in Dunstable
in New Hampshire as the Clerk shall appoint and in Case of the Death
of the Clerk or his Refusell to Call a meeting or meetings as aforesaid
then and in such case Co" Tyng and Leutenant Robert Fletcher or
either of them upon such application are Directed and Impowcred to
call such meeting or meetings as aforesaid.
Attest John Tyng moderator
A true Copy atest pr. Joseph French Proprietors clerk
Att a meeting of the Proprietors of old Dunstable at the House of
Mr. Benjamin French inholder in Dunstable in the Province of New
Hampshire on Thursday y - 24 day of July 1760 Voted and Chose M'' Jo-
seph Blaney moderator Then voted that this meeting be adjourned to
the Wednesday the 15 day of October next ensuing to the House of Tho*
Harwood Inholder in Dunstable to meet again at two of the Clock in
the afternoon in order to acton the articles in the notification for this
meeting.
October}- 15 1760 the Proprietors of old Dunstable being meett ac-
cording to the above adjournment at the house of M' Thomas Harwood
Inholder in Dunstable in the Province of New Hampshire and the mod-
erator did not attend the meeting and the said Proprietors waited until!
the evening of said day and then the Qiiestion was put to the said Pro-
prietors whether they would proceed to go on with the Business of said
meeting and it was answered in the negative by the majority of the s*
Proprietors present and then the said proprietors Dispersed "
A True Entry of all the Votes and Proceedings of s'' meeting
pr. Joseph French Prop' Clerk
A True Copy attest pr. Joseph French Prop'' Clerk
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable Regularly
Assembled y 3'' day of Feb> 1763.
Extracts from the votes of said meeting.
A \'ote Proposed as followeth
That Jonathan Lovewell Esq'' Capt. Nehemiah Lovewell Jv: Lieu'
Robert Fletcher be a Com' '■ to make Answer to the Petition of John
Willoughby & others who Pray that they may be set oft' to Holies and
that they or either of them attend the General Court and opose said Pe-
tition as it is unreasonable and there shew reason why it should not be
Granted:
Passed in the Affirmative
A True Copy pr Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Feb'y3'i763
Saw^ Hobart as attorney for the tozvn of Ditnstablc.
We the Subscribers of Dunstable in the Province of New Hampshire
204 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Constitute and appoint Sam^ Ilobart of holies in the Province afore-
said Gent" our Lawfull attorney in the matter of Gitting a Part of Said
Dunstable annexed or Joined to holies aforesaid to Carrv on a Petition
of us the Subscribers in the General Cort wherein we Signify our De-
sire of having a part of Dunstable annexed to holies aforesaici to do all
we ourselves might or could Lawfully do in or about the premises if
Present by virtue hereof as Witness our hands and seals this fourth
Day of march A. D. 1763
David Hobart
Signed Sealed & Deliver'd Daniel Mesam
in Presents of James Hobart
John Willoughby Jr. Elnathan Blood
W'" Cumings Amos Phillips
Gershom Hobart
Benj" Parker
Jonathan Hobart
Oliver Lawrence
Ansxver to the Petit ioit of sundry inhabitants of the town
of Dunstable.
Province oi^
New Hamp j
To his Excellency the Governor & the Hon'*= his majesty's
Coiuicil and assembly of said Province.
Whereas sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable have
Petitioned your Excellency &; Hon""^ Complaining that they are
unjustly used by Dunstable and Praying that they may be
Fread from Supporting the Gospel where they can have no
beniflt thereby and be added to Holies Therefore we the Sub-
scribers by order of the Town of Dunstable Beg leave to an-
swer said Petition and shew that the Comp" is groundless &
the Prayer unreasonable as to Dunstable meeting house which
they complain of its being at so Great a distance from them if
it is unjustly fixed it is owing to them Selves for many of them
voted to have it there and non of them Voted against it for
after the Timber was drawed to the place a Vote could not be
obtained to Raise it where it is before the Petitioners agreed to
it and they can have the meeting house moved where it will be Just
and equal to have it where they please for when ever they
have endeavoured to have it moved there has been enough of
the Town to Join them in it so as to obtain a vote for it as
appears by the votes herewith and when such votes have been
passed they have failed pursuing it for fear it should be done
and so they jDrevented from being set ofl'to Hollisas thev have
in time past so it seems they are now stired up by some of
IloUis people to bring this Petition in order to uphold the un-
just proceeding of Ilollis in setting their meetinghouse where
it now is for in the year 1756 Hollis joined these Petitioners in
TOWX PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 205
a Petition of like kind with this and had a day appoynted to
be heard on the same and by order of the Gen' court the se-
lect" of Dunstable were notified of it and when Ilollis & the
Petitioners Inhabitants of Dunstable found that Dunstable was
determined to answer that Petition and shew the unjust design
of it the Petitioners were either afraid or ashamed to appear
in defence of their own Petition. And now Ilollis are En-
deavouring to have the South part of Monson anexed to them
and should that be don and also the westerly half of Dunsta-
ble anexed to them then their meeting house where it now is
will be aboute Right so that could it now be obtained to
breake up and ruin two Towns it may hereafter be sumthing
of a cover to hide the Iniquity of Iloilis and help the private
Interest of some mercenary persons but can't possably promote
the Publick Good nor help the Interest of these Towns. In
order to Incorporate these Towns so as to promote the Pub-
lick Good & the peace and hapiness of the Inhabitants (which
by Ruiiing the Province line fell in to this Province) and to
prevent the Truble of after Divisions the Governor and Coun-
cil t'>i)k "a very wise and Parental ceare by sending a Com"'^
of Disinterested Gent" to veiw and examin in to the Situation
of tlie Inhabitants that so they might know what lines would
best answer that Good end and after said com'"*-' had taken
such view and heard all parties and made their Report to the
Gov' & Council these Towns were incorporated as the lines
now stand and in our Charter the Governor & Council have
Reserved to themselves their heirs and successors the Power
of Dividing said Town when it shall appear necessary and
convenient for the benefit of the Inhabitants which at present
is not nor cant be and the Petitioners having Prayed the Gov-
ernor and Council to divide them from Dunstable and finding
that tlie Gov' & Council are Imovably set to defend the Pub-
. lick Good and the Inhabitants of Dunstable in the Injoyment
of those Privi ledges Granted to them by their Cliarter so that
from them they can tobtain their unreasonable Request They
now Pray the Hon'*^^ assemblv to give them sum aide as the
Gov and council unresonably denighed or neglected to re-
leave them in their dificulty as they pretend but we don't
doubt they will meet with same Repulse from the Hon"" as-
sembly as they have from the Gov. & Council in such an un-
reasonable and unjust request for shoidd Mollis move their
meeting house where it ought to be and the Petitioners act
Peacal>ly with their own Town they will then be much nearer
to their own meeting in Dunstable than they can be to Ilollis
meeting as appears by the Plan of each Town and by what
they sav themselves in their own Petition aboute the distance
they are now from Hollis meeting and as to what they urge of
206 NEW HAMPSHIRE
their once belonging to Hollis and helping to settle a minister
there is not true if it is they did not live on the places they do
now for many if not all the Petitioners have settled in Dun-
stable since Mr. Emerson settled in Ilollis and for them to
urge such false please can never answer the end they Expect
so as to excite the pity of this Great and Hon'"' Court who
can't but abhor the designs of those who try to destroy the
peace and ability of Towns to advance sum private Intrcstand
when the reason they offer is not true and in behalf of the
Town of Dunstable we prayy'' Excellency and Honours would
dismis said Petition which is so Groundless & unreasonable
and we as in duty bound shall ever pray
Ton ' LovEWELL ") .-,
TVT T f Com
Nehemiah Lovewell |-
RoBERT Fletcher )
Dunstable Feb^" y^' 4''' 1763
Petition of Zachcus Lovezvell and yoseph Blanchard,
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Gov"" and Com-
mander in Chief in & over his majesty's Province 'of New
Hampshire The Hon'''*' his majesty's Council & House of
Representatives for said Province in General assembly Con-
vened May the 4"' 1768
The Humble Petition of Zacheus Lovewell & Joseph Blan-
chard Esqr'' as two of the Proprietors of Dunstable and in behalf
of said Proprietors Shews
That the Proprietors of the Common & undivided Land
laying in Old Dunstable so calld live & their Lands now l3'e
in the Province of the Mass Bay as well as in this Province
and by the method they had Established, their meetings were
to be called by their Clerk who was the Late Joseph Blan-
chard Esq"" Deceasd, whereby that method is Impracticable
& your Petition''^ are advised that the standing Laws of the
Province do not Direct to any method of Calling meetings in
Such Cases.
That as to those Proprietors who live & the lands which lay
in the Massachusetts there is no Difficulty, because there is a
Law Providing in such Cases but as they are but a Part and
as to the Lands the Lesser Part a meeting by virtue of the
Law there would not answer the General advantage, nor au-
thorize a meeting of the whole which is the View they have
& which the Situation of their affairs Demand, there being a
Present necessity of Transacting Some Business at such a
meeting. Wherefore they Pray that the Said Proprietors may
be Convend in this Province by the Same method they maybe
there, that all may be called together in the Same way & at
the Same time in both Provinces & when they are met they
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 207
may unite in One Body & Settle the future method of Calling
their meetings, and that your Petition''* may have leave to
bring in a Bill accordingly and (if should be formed a General
act it may Prevent the like application hereafter but which
they Humbly Submit) they shall as in duty Bound ever
Pray &c
Zaciieus Love-\vell
Joseph Blanchard
In Council May s"- 175S
read & ordered to be sent down
to the Hon'''--" House
Theo Atkinson Secy.
Province of } j ^ j^ ^ Representatives May 6"' 175S
New Hamps j ' j u
Voted That the Petitioner have Liberty to bring in a General Bill
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read and Concurrd
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Consented to
B. Wentworth
Petition by yoseph Blanchard.
Province of)
New Hamp /
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Gov &c. of the
Province of New Hampshire the Hon''''^ hisMajcstys Coun-
cil & Assembly of said Province
the Petition of Joseph 151anchard Esq in behalf of himself
and Sundry others of the Prop'' of the Common & Undivided
Lands in the Township of old Dunstable Who Humbly Shews
That on the 15"' day of Octo"" last said Proj^" had a meeting
which was held by adjournment and among other things it
was Inserted in the Warning of said Meeting to Choose a Clerk
for said Prop""' But the ^Moderator that was Ciiosc at the first
[Meeting did not attend the Adjournment. Therefore a Qiies-
tion An^se Whether the Prop'^ Could Legally Proceed in the
Choice of another Moderator and Proceed in the Business of
said meeting. But after some Debate Some of the Prop" did
Proceed and Choose a Moderator and a Clerk Who has since
Commenced an action against the Former Clerk for the Rec-
ords of said Prop'- and your Petitioner is advised that the Dis-
put is of such a natiue that a Determination in the Common
Law will be attendedwith many Difficultys which will Greatly
hurt the Interest of said Prop". Wherefore y' Petitioner
humbly prays that y"' Excell> & Hon""' will take the Premises
2o8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
under Consideration and appoint Some Suitable Person to Call
and Govern a Meeting of said Prop""^ for the Choice of a Clei^k
or grant Such other Relief as in your Great Wisdom you shall
see meet and y' Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray
&c
Joseph Blaxchard.
May 2^' 1762.
Ne°rHam°^}-^" ^'^^ House of Representatives June 25, 1762
This Petition being read The parties Concerned appeared & after
being fully heard thereon
Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted & that Col" Meshach Weare
Col " Peter Oilman & John Phillips Esq''" be & hereby are appointed to
Call &. Moderate Said Meeting & that the petitioners have Liberty to
bring In a Bill accordingly
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read ilv: concurred
jy-m Proven Esq^^ letter and Power of Attorney.
Sir.
Being informed by Col" Brattle that a Proprietors meeting of the com-
mon & Undivided Lands in Dunstable was to be held there the 4''' In-
stant in order to remove M' French from being Proprietors Clerk & to
place in his room young Blanchard ; I herein inclose you a power of
Attorney to appear & vote for me at said meeting hopeing you will use
your utmost endeavor to prevent the records belonging to this Propriety
from returning into the hands of a family that the Proprietors in gen-
eral have I believe but little Cause to thank them for the use they have
already made of them. My late Brother Benjamin had 4 original Rights
in the Town of Dunstable and I am his surviving administrator Brother
Samuel & myself haveing Letters of Administration on his Estate. I
heartily wish you Si the injured part of the Proprietors a good Issue of
this affair & remain Sir
Your most Humble Serv'
W. Browne
Beverly June 2' 1760
Mr. John Tyng
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable at the
meeting house in Said Town on the sixth day of October 1760 Voted
and Chose Jonathan Lovewell Esqr. moderator Voted that Zacheus
Lovewell Esquire hire preaching untill the Last of November Next and
that he Draw money out of the Treasury to pay the saim and that Two
Hundred pounds old Ten'' be raised and assessed on the Inhabitance of
this Town for that End
Voted that the Meeting house be moved and that Messrs. Joseph
Fletcher Joseph Danford and Abraham Kindal be a Comitte to fix a
place where will be Just and Equal and that Elathan Blood and John
Serls be a Comittee to wait on said Comittee and Git them to attend on
said Business and that a Survaor be Provided if need be and all the Cost
be paid by the Town
And then it was Voted that the meeting Should be adjourned five
TOWN PAPERS— DUXSTAGLE. 200
aay y bixth Daj of October next att Two of Clook nf
ernoon i to see if the Town will agree that John WH
obj and others att pine hill be sett oif to Hollis wi h
^^4 to ra.se any sums of money for Town Chardges as shall be agreed
Dunstable Sen y» 17th i-Qq f •^?"''^'^ Lovewell
^ ^ ' '^"° Jonathan- Lovewell
Province of 1 Joseph French
New Ilamp"-/
a.d P,ace ,v.H,„ ,„e"Z^d'i'„d'S;"HrB"^S ^^'l"- r./e'J.tL?""'
A True Copy Examd °'"'*''" ^''^''^^^'^^^'-'^ Constable
Jon' Lovewell Town Clerk
2IO NEW HAMPSHIRE
hundred pound old Ten*^ to the Town if theaj were sett off and a Vote
was Proposed to se if the Town would sett off said Inhabitance to hollis
and it Passed in the negative. A vote was proposed to se if the town
would except the Com'ttees report about the meeting house place. It
passed in the negative
Voted — the Vote Passed y" 6 of October last to move the meeting
house be reconsidered a Vote was Proposed the Inhabitance of Pine Hill
should be Excused from paying to the men raised for hireing Preaching
Passed in the negative
Voted that the Messrs Joseph Fletcher Abraham Kimbel Joseph Dan-
forth be alowed fifty six pound old Tenor in full of Iher account for the
Service for fixing the meeting house Place and Zacheus Lovewell Es-
quire Twenty four pound old Ten" his account Entertaing the Comittee
and Benj" French his account for Ditto three pound six Shillings old
Tenor and Benj" Parker his account for Ditto Twelve pound old Tenor.
Tho' Harwood his account for Ditto Twenty four Shillings old tenor
Elathan Blood and John Serls for waitting on the Comittee and git-
ting them to attend the Business Twenty six pound Ten Shiling old
Tenor and the saim be asesed on the Inhabitance of this Town and paid
out of Tresuary to the Several Persons as alowed above and then the
meeting was Dismised.
A True Entrey of the Votes of said meeting
Jonathan Lovewell ToAvn Clerk
A Copy true from Dunstable Town Book of Records
Exam'd pr. Jon'* Lovewell Town Clerk
Dunstable Nov' y" 26, 1760.
Letter to Hon. Henry Sherbtirjze.
Sir We the Subscribers Proprietors in Dunstable having
this clay seen a Copy of a petition of M'' Jo' Blanchard for
himself & Sundry others wherein we think facts are misrepre-
sented there was a meeting of the proprietors at the desire of
Mr. Blanchard who was desirous to have his brother Clerk
the Proprietors in general are well pleased with Coll ' French
their present Clerk, the question put at that meeting was
whether they would proceed any further in the' business of s''
meeting and Determined in the negative the meeting dismissed
and after most of the Proprietors and Clerk gone the petitioner
late at night as we hear attempted to go on with the meeting
& chose himself moderator and his brother Clerk which at-
tempt we think unworthy of a Gent'" and his brother has
since brought his action at Law against Coll. French the Clerk
which action is now pending and we think it will tend to the
peace of the proprietors to have it there Determined and this
petition dismissed & had there been time to call a meeting we
rows PAPERS— DUNSTABLE. 211
doubt not but it would be the mind of the proprietors-wc are
your Honours most obedient
Humble Serv'^
Eleazer Tyng
John Tvxg
Thomas Harwood
r»„ f 1 1 T ^ Thomas Luxd.
Dunstable June 33 1763
To the Honoiirable Henry Sherburne Esq. Speaker of the
Honourable House of Representatives to be Communicated.
J'apers relating to the Settlement of Rev. Samuel Bird
of Dunstable^ 1 744-1 749.
List of the Qualified voters in the Tozvn of Dunstable.
Col. Joseph Blanchard John Alld
Thomas Harwood jon" Bowers
qnnMv'>'°" Henrv Parker
Sam' V^h.tmg JohnSearles
Jonas French i^hj^s L,,„d
Jon Prench Tho« Cowen
te P°:?'^^' Neh- Lovewell
Tho' Patch Tho^ Hale
Isaac Beauchamp W> Lancey Jr.
Henry Adams jo.jah Butterfield
fosenf r'-]!" '« ,^ ^^"J" Richardson
Joseph Butterfield Sjlvanus Whitney
?v?"t "^J"^ Jabez Davis ^
S Lund Benj. Parker
Jon' Snow John Willauby
Thomas Blanchard John Butterfield
Eph Adams Eh- Butterfield
FnT t"^^ J°hn Huston
Eph" Lund Benj' French
John Lovewell Jun. John M' Clenche
Joseph Farley Sampson French
DTnsfableT-?H7v''V^'"'f^'"^.°^4,'^" Inhabitants of the Town of
is the nnm tl .f.t '"^n"^ rlf.^'' '7^^- ^^^'^ ^^'"^'^es that the above lis
Lnln . i-*^^ Qi.al.hed voters in said Town and all therein men
tioned have a R.ght to rote in the affaires of said meeting
Dunstable March y 2'' 1746. ^
Jonathan- Lovewell I Selectmen
Thomas Harwood / of Dunstable
This is to certifie that the town meeting in Dunstable the ^o"' dav of
march Last past at a motion of Sundry of the freeholders ami ofV?
Inhab.tants ,or the Choice of a Person^o Sort the \'^Hes of a ode f
tor. a vote was proposed by Joseph Blanchard bv Poleing Previous f^
fi^r ^^';'°''1 ^^.,^ -'■'^''^^ "^=^'°'-'*>' "-^'^y ^^'°"'d and that tthltv
five votes Joseph Blanchard Was Chosen for that Purpose A mnr^
afdrr^"'^' t"'' "^''''^^^'^ ^° ^""^ ^" ^'^^i'- votes K a moder to"
and that Zach' Lovewell by thirty five votes Was chosen moderaSor
213 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and that by the same number of votes Joseph Blanchard was chosen
town clerk &: Joseph Bhmchard Zacheus Lovewell & John Butterfield
was chosen Select" and did further Choose Other Town Oflicers.
Atf^ JosKPH Blaxchard.
May 26"' 1747
those votes was Certified by major Zacheus Lovewell as moderator
after he was Chosen
J. Blanchard T Clerk
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable in the
Province of New Hampshire Assembled at the House of Jonathan Love-
Avell (Inholder) in said Dunstable according to Law on Monday the
sixth day of July 1747
Extracts from the votes of said Meeting.
Voted and Chose Joseph Blanchard Esqr. Moderator of said Meeting
it was then voted that this meeting should be adjourned to the last Mon-
day of August next to meet again that day at the same place at two of
the Clock in the afternoon the meeting was accordingly adjourned. The
Freeholders & other Inhabitants of said Dunstable being meet again at
the House of Jonathan Lovewell in said Dunstable on monday y 31='
day of August 1747 Pursuant to the aforesaid adjournment y'-" 6='' day of
July 1747 a vote was then Proposed whether a Minister Should be chose
this Meeting or not and it was voted in the affirmative that a Minister
be chose this Meeting.
Then a Vote was proposed as followeth —
Where as the Church of Christ in this Town of Dunstable in the
Province of New Hampshire on the sixth day of July last made Choice
of the Rev. M'' Samuel Bird for their Pastor and Teacher and having
presented their vote to this Town with a desire that this Town would
Concur with them in their Choice and make choice of the said M" Sam'
Bird for the Settled Minister of this Town Now there fore be it voted
and agreed that the said Churches Choice be Concurrd with an that the
Said M' Samuel Bird be Chose for the Settled Minister of this Town
voted in the affirmative (& declared by the Moderator
A true Copy Exam'' pr.
Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk
We the Subscribers Inhabitants & Freeholders of the Town of Dun-
stable hereby Desire & Impower Joseph Blanchard Cap' Joseph French
& M'' Jn" Butterfield or either of them in Our Names &: Behalf to Rep-
resent to the Gen" Assembly of this Province the Unreasonableness iV:
illegal Proceeding of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Dunstable in their
town meetings the Sumer past and Particularly the Town meeting July
the sixth 1747 and the votes at the adjournment of that meeting.
And all votes Relating to the Choice or Settlement of Samuel Bird
as the Minister of this town and pray that they may be made void or
Otherwise Relieve us in the premises.
Province of "(
New Hamp. J
Jason Russell Gideon Honey
John Lovewell Jun. Samuel Sarles
Benjamin French Henry Adams
Phinehas Lund David Hobart
Thomas Patch ?
Ephraim Butterfield Simeon Blood
Amos Phillips Josiah Swan
Joseph Farley Jon" French
Joseph Swallow Joseph Butterfield
rows PAPERS — DUXSTABLE.
213
Joseph French
Jonathan Comes
Thomas Blanchard
John Huttor field
Elnathan Blood
William JLund
the names of those persons ^
battled minister of the Town y
Noah Johnson
John Lovewell
Tho' Harwood
Jon" Lovewell
Jon" Snow
Sampson French
John Shed
John Searles
Jon a. Searles
Sam' Kennej
Jon" Lund
Tho' Lund
Epli"' Lund
Sam' Whiting
W" Johnson
Benj= Thompson
Y« names of those that voted
Joseph Blanchard
Joseph French
Josiah Swan
Daniel Searles
W- Lund
Jon" French
John Lovewell Jun.
Phin' Lund
Tho-- Blanchard
Eph"' Adams
Sjlvanus Whitney
Phinehas Adams
Ephraim Adams
Thomas Adams
Gershom llohart
John Willoughby
' voted for j" Rev^ Sam' Bi
• 31 of Aug' 1747.
John Buck
Gideon Honey
Henrv Parker
Nehemiah Lovewell
John Alld
W'" Alld
Tho^ Heale
Tho'' Cowen
Tho'' Kellecut
W'" Lancej Jun.
John McClenche
Josiah Butterfield
Benj" Richardson
John Huston
John Honey
Jabez Davis
in the negative.
Tho' Adams
Phin' Adams
Sylvanus Whitney
Jon" Combs
John Combs
Richard Straton
John Butterfield
Elnathan Blood
Amasa Parker
rd beinir v
^ Compare with the Invoice
lo^el^l Blanchard ^"^t'^oT
Jonathan French '?? ° °
Joseph French t^ ° °
Tho- Patch Jg
Daniel Searles
Joseph Butterfield 'Z
Tho' Blanchard Jg
Ephraim Adams -^
John Lovewell Jun f^. „ _
Samuel Searles o ° °
Joseph Farley ! . ° °
Jonathan Combs « r. ^
Phineas Lund , ° °
Gideon Honey Coo
214
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Honey
Silvanus Whitney
Elnathan Blood
Jn" Willowbe
Phillip Clerick
Jn« Butterfield
Eph. Butterfield
Benj" French
Joseph Swallow
Simeon Blood
James Harwood
David Hubbard
Amos Phillips
Jasen Russell
Benj*^ Parker
Gershom Hubbard
Josiah Swan
Zacheus Lovewell
Tho' Adams
Jn° Phelps
Jonathan Phelps
William Cumings
Isaac Beauchamp
John Beauchamp
Henry Adams
W-" Lund
Jonathan Bowers
15
583
60
25
30
IS
tending Stock
On his wife & children
on his Father's Land
On his Father's Land
130
A list of the Freeholders in favor of M"" Bird and the Sum of y* val-
ine of the yearly encome of the Real Estate
Noah Johnson 18
Tho* Harwood 50
Samuel Whiting 4
Jonathan Lovewell 37
Tho' Lund 6
Jonathan Snow 5
Ephraim Lund 2
John Aid 8
Henry Parker lo
John Searls 4
Nehemiah Lovewell 15
Tho' Hale 4
W" Lancy
Josiah Butterfield 4
Benj ' Richardson 6
John Huston 10
Sampson French lO
Benj ' Thompson
193
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable in the
TOWN PAPERS— DUXSTACLE. 215
r;°:'l?,^f °^,^*^'^ Hampshire on Tusday the fifteenth day of September
174/ Extract from the votes of said meeting a vote proposed as follow-
Whereas this Town of Dunstable at their meeting yMi't of au-ust
of thT To?°"',°^r'^ ^''"' ^^'- S^^'""^' ^•'•^ for the^Settled mSer
of thu. Town and did not at the same meeting settle any sum to be
pa.d h,m for h,s vearly salary-Therefore it is "voted and Agreed tha?
vei. h sl'"r "'' S^"""'^' f °"" '^""^'•'^'^ °""^^« of coin silver Trov
rrJ^^i\ T'^ ^"°-r, "^ *''" f^'" ^-'-^'"^ there of in Bills of Publick
Credit be paid annually to the said M' Samuel Bird for his Salarv and
Lts of tM T ^""^j'-^'^l^j^^d that the same be assessed on the Inhabi-
tants of th s Town and paid to him annually so Ion- as he shall con-
tmue m said office. Unanimously Voted in the affirmative
A true Copy Exam^ Att^ Jon^' Lovewell Town Clerk
Prtvincroftv^ u *^' Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable in the
W tI^ A u "''^•"Psl^'-e on Tuesday the fifteenth day of Septem-
ber 1747 Assembled according to Law ^ -^cpiem
Extracts from the votes of said Meetin"-
then a vote was proposed as followeth—
and cW v^'rIJ v'^"'" ""r^'fl' "" the 31-- of August last voted
t^A T u T51 . .^i™"*"' ^""^ fo"" the Settled minister of thisTown
Fron-Rrr ?''^"'^'^''^';^ Esq^ Henry Adams John Lovewell Ju^ Toseph
French Jon' French Jon' Combs Josiah Swan Svlvanus WhitSv
^F'::^!"^ J'T'^^'^'IJ'''''''''' Blanci!ard Joseph Butterfie d R chard
ISr£ AXn!]-;''T ^^T' Sl^^"^'"^^ ^^^'"' Phinehas Adams Samuel
;f^ f H H • ^ ^■""'^ •"'■• Phineas Lund & John Combs havin- man-
kt Mi ]:;' ;-^"r'''''°"/:;''''^ ^^ ^'^"■^^ ^^^ unwimngness to°at"end
his Minis rj therefore voted and agreed that said Persons and their
?°'h:!°.L 'V'"^^ ^^'",? ^-\^ble by Law to be rated and such TenanJs
fr.,- »i,.f;.,V V- ? ,,',. ^ - -^'''^ ^° °^ '■^'^ed and such Tenants
fo. the time bemg as shall hve on their Estates unless such Tenants
shall give their attendance at said M' Birds meeting be and hereby are
Excused and discharged from all rates and Taxes v^iatso ever that^shaU
be raised and assessed on the Inhabitants of this Town for the Se tfe
Re.l , ; p'-' °'" -^^'IfO'-tof the said M^ Bird and all other theirState
Real and Personall while in their Possession Pnnnll. Hic.i,., '.J IT,!
Kea and Personall while in their Possession equally discharged also
h. 1 Pre'ch TiTU'^'r ""'""^' ' ''^f^'"^" '^°"^^ ' h-^ the saidtl bI d
tw i D Y-' Reserving as the Condition of this Grant or vote
hat the Persons discharged as afore said do not vote in any affiir r2
O d"?in°/or lui'fd''^ Birds Settlement Salary or Supportorll^e placing
Urdenng 01 Building the said Meeting house and in case any of them
for the future do thus act in any of the affixirs as afore said^then th^
afore going vote to be void as to such person also provided that when
Mi-nis rt"thr7°"' '^'" ^'''' l^'''' ^^"'^'•^11 attendance on said M B ids
^iic" , eVsnn ^'l f^'^^ ^^te where by they are excused to be void as to
Where" thi^T;wn"n^T'^'■'lA"'^''^^'■^■°'^ ^''-^P^^^^ --^^^ '■oHo-'-^th
of v^ R^f-iM' J of Dunstable y 31- of August last made choice
l[-: ^^y,^^ ?^"?"'^' ^"•'^ <^or the Settled Minister of this Town and
God ife^r ?rr'^'°''^'?>^^^.^^'"-^'^°"^<^ ^-' the Publick Worship of
Ro.u/H,nVi ^°T'":;" Road of passing through said Town viz.'the
Th« V Pnf.''?' hy Thomas I larwood to Nashua River Bridge and
ihon as Patch Joseph I-arlcy David Ilobart Amos Phillips BenTa Pir-
ker Ela han Blood John Willoughbv Jason Russel Simeon Blood Gar
sham Ilubart ^: John Butterfieldhavin^grepresentedtheirarcu^^^^^^
to this Town VIZ. their liveing near the Westerly line of this Town so
that If the Meeting house should be Built near slid road they say twH
3l6 XEW IIAMPSIIIRE
in no meashure accommodate them and that thej cannot with any Con-
venience attend the Meeting also that they have lately before they ware
Incorporated in this Town paid their proportionable part in Settling y^
Rev' M'' Daniel Enierson now in Hollis where they can now attend with
much More Convenience then they can at a Meeting in this Town pro-
vided it be near said Road said Persons therefore desire that they may
be Excused from paying any thing towards Building a Meeting house
near said road and from paying anything towards Settling and Support-
ing said M'' Samuel Bird so long as he preaches near said road and pro-
vided they Constantly attend at said M^ Daniel Emersons Meeting on
Lords days and pay their proportion to his Salary and make the Same
appear to this Town and that if this Town of Dunstable Should at any-
time agree upon a place and Build a Meeting house near the Center of
this Town or if a Com'«'' from the Gen'i Court should settle the Place
for said House that then they be not any longer Excused from paying
as aforesaid
Now therefore this town of Dunstable having Considered the Reasons
offei-ed by said Persons moving them to Desire to be Excused from pay-
ing as aforesaid it is Voted Sc agreed that said Tho** Patch and the other
persons beforementioned by Name be Excused from paying anything
towards Building a meeting House and Settling and Supporting Said
M'' Samuel Bird in case the said House be Built near Said Road and that
so long as he continues to preach there and no longer and it is provided
that if at any time this town agree upon a Place and build a meeting
House near the Center of this Town or that when ever the Place Shall
be Settled by the Gen'i Courts Com'e« that then this Vote whereby said
Persons are Excused be Null & Void
and it is further provided that said Persons Constantly attend said M^
Emersons meeting on Lord's days and pay their proportion to his Sal-
ary and bring Certificate from the Officers of the Church in Holies and
the Select men of that Town that they have thus done and Deliver the
Same to the Select men of this Town" for the time being from time to
time whenever there shall be any money raised for the Building a meet-
ing house or the Support of the'Minister as aforesaid and that they &
they only of said Persons who thus do be Excused as aforesaid and it is
further provided that Said Persons do not act in any afiair relating tO'
the Meeting house or the Minister in this town and when ever they or
either of them do, this Vote whereby they are Excused to be Void as to
the Persons that Shall thus Act.
Unanimously Voted in the affirmative
A true Copy Exam'J pr.
Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk
Petition relating to an illegal town ?neeting.
To His Excellcnc}' Benning \\^eiit\vorth Esq'' Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over the Province, of New
Hampshire. To the Honourable His Majestys Councill for
said Province & House of Representatives in General As-
sembly Convened
The Petition of Joseph Blanchard, Joseph French John But-
terheld Jason Russell John Lovewell Jun. Benjamin French
Phinehas Lund Thomas Patch, Ephraim Butterfield Amos
Phillips Joseph Farley Joseph Swallow, Gideon Henry Sam-
I
1
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 21 7
uel Sarles, Henry Adams Josiah Swan Jonathan French, Jo-
seph Butterfield, Thomas Bhmchard, Ehiathan Blood, WiUiam
Lund, Sylvanus Whitney, Phinehas Adams, Ephraim Adams
Thomas Adams, Gershom Hobart, John Willoiighby David
Hobart, Phillip Woollen and Simeon Blood most humbly
Sheweth That your Petitioners are Inhabitants and Freeholders
in the Town of Dunstable in the Province of New Hampshire.
That on the twcntvcth day of June 1747 Jonathan Love well
and Thomas Harwood, Two of the Selectmen of said Dun-
stable issued out and granted a Warrant in writeing under their
hands unto John Alld Constable of said Town therein and
thereby requiring the said Constable to Notify and Warn all
the freeholders & other Inhabitants in said Dunstable Qiialified
to Vote in Town atlairs to Convene and meet at the House of
Jonatiian Lovewell Inholdcr in said Dunstable on iSlonday the
sixth day of July then next at one of the Clock in the atter-
noon, among other things To make Choice of a Minister for
the Supply of the said Town and to Give the Minister that
should be chosen such encouragement as should then be agreed
on or do any thing in order for the Setling a Minister in said
Town as should then be agreed on.
That the s' Constable made his Return of said Warrant and
that he had notifyed and warnd all the within mentioned to
meet at time and place and for the occasions within mentioned
That in Consequence of the Said Warrant and Notification
There was a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the said Town of
Dunstable at the House of the Said Jonathan Lovewell in Dun-
stable aforesaid on the said sixth day of July afores'' That at
said meeting a Moderator was chosen — And then it was voted
that the said meeting Should be adjourned to the last Monday
of August the7i next to meet again at the same Place at two of
the Clock in the afternoon and the said meeting was accord-
ingly adjourned. That on the said last Monday in August
afores'' at a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of said Dunstable at the place aforesd. in Consequence of the
said Adjournment one Mr. Samuel Bird was chose for the
Settled ]^.Iinistcr of said Town
That at a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dun-
stable afores'" on the fifteenth day of September 1747 (Tho'the
warrant for calling said meeting was to warn all the freeholders
and other Inhabitants in said Dunstable to meet) among other
things it was voted that the said Mr. Samuel Bird his yearly
Salary as Settled Minister of said Town should Be one hun-
dred ounces of Coined Silver Tro}- Weight Sterling alloy or
the full value thereof in Bills of public Credit and to Com-
mence at the Day he shall be ordained Pastor of the Church of
Christ in Dunstable That sundry Persons not freeholders ins''
2l8 NEW II A:\IPSniRE
Town voted in & for the Choice of said Minister & for said
Salary.
That your Petitioners humbly Conceive that the said Meet-
ings and the Votes past at said Meetings relating to the Choice
of the said Mr. Bird to be the settled Minister of said Town
and also to the fixing and Setling of the afores' Salary on him
as ISIinister aforesaid are contrary to an act of this Province
Entitled An Act for the Maintenance and supply of the iMinis-
try within this Province. That nigh Two thirds of the free-
holders in said Town are against the said Mr. Birds being the
minister of Said Town That the said Two Thirds of said Free-
holders own near three fourths of the Estate in said Town that
must Support and maintain him the s'' M'' Bird upon an assess-
ment. Thatyour Petitioners look upon themselves to be under
great difficultys at present and that they shall be still under
greater if the Said Votes are allowed and held to be lawfull
valid and binding — Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly
Pray your Excellency & Honours that they may have a hear-
ing on the Premises and that in the mean time the said Town
of Dunstable may be ordered and enjoined not to do or act any
thingfarther inConsequenceof the said Votes And thatyour Ex-
cellency and Honours will make and declare the said jSIeetings
& the Votes afores*^ to be illegall null and void or grant your
Petitioners Such other Relief as you shall see meet and reason-
able and your Petitioners As in Duty bound Shall ever Pray &c
Joseph French for himself
and Behalf of the other Petitioners
Nov. 31'* 1747
In Council Nov 21, 1747 read cSi
ordered to be sent Down to the IlonW*^ House
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Ne°^''H'^^rnn I "*"" ^^^^ House of Representatives 21^' Nov. 1747
Voted That y" Petitioners be heard on this Petition y^ Second Day of
y« Setting of y*= Gen' Assembly after the first of Jun" next & that the Pe-
titioners at their own Cost serve y^ adverse Party with a Copy of this
Petition & this order of Court that they may have Liberty to shew Cause
if any they have why the Prayer of y<^ Petition should not be granted
D. Pierce Clr.
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec>'
Nov. 21. Consented to
B. Wentworth.
NeAvTlam } ^" *^° House of Representatives g'" March 1747-S.
Voted That the farther Hearing of ye annexed Petition be deferred 'ti 1
ye Second Day of y'' Sitting of y" Gen' Assembly after y'= tenth of April
next
D. Pierce Clr.
TOWN PAPERS DUNSTABLE. -IQ
In Council March lo"' 1747-S.
read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Eodem Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth
New nlnfp^}^" the House of Representatives i^^^ May 174S
Voted that the Prayer of }-^ annexed Petition be granted & that y'
meetings & y« Votes mention'd in s** Petition be & hereby are declared
illegal null 6c void
D. Pierce Clr.
In Council May 141" 174S
the above Vote of the House read & Concurred.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
In Council May 17, 174S.
Consented to
B. Wentworth
[It is uncertain to what paper or petition the following names belong.
The}' seem to stand alone. Ed.]
Joseph Blanchard Gideon Honey
Jonathan French John Honey
Joseph French Silvanus Whittney
Tho'* Patch Elnahan Blood
Isaac Beauchamp by his son or At- John Willowbe tenant to Joseph
torney Farley
John Beauchamp Phillip Clerick
Henry Adams John Butterfield
Daniel Searls Benj^ French
Joseph Butterfield David Hubbard
W'" Lund Simeon Blood
Tho'' Blanchard Amos Phillips
Ephraim Adams Jason Russell
John Lovewell Jun^ Benj» Parker
Sam' Searles Gershom Hubbard
Joseph Farley Josiah Swan
Jonathan Bowers Zacheus Lovewell
Jonathan Combs Tho'' Adams — Attorney to Judith
Phinehas Lunde Adams
Nottingham West Marcli y'^' ^v' 1748
this may Certifie that Joseph Blanchard Esq"" was sworn to the faith-
full Discharge of the office of Town Clerk and assessor in the town of
Dunstable for the Current year before me
Ezekiel Chase J. P.
Muiutcs of Toxcn Meeting in Dunstable ■Sfarch 30"' 1748.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants Qiialified to vote in tlie Choice of
320 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Town Officers in the Town of Dunstable in the Province of New Hamp"
being Regularly Assembled at the House of Jonathan Lovewell in said
Dunstable je 30"' day of March 1748 in order to make Choice of Town
Officers.
Voted and chose Jonathan Lovewell moderator of said meeting
Voted and Chose Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk.
Voted and chose Jonathan Lovewell William Lancey Thomas Har-
wood Noah Johnson & Jonathan Lund Selectmen.
voted that the said Selectmen be assessors.
voted and chose Ephraim Lund Constable.
voted and chose Josiah Butterfield & Sami Kenney tithing men.
voted and chose John Searls & William Lancey Jun. surveyors of
high way.
voted and chose John M''Clenche & Thomas Murdough Field drivers.
voted and chose John Huston & Sampson French fence vewers.
voted and Chose Benj^ Richardson William AUd & Benj^ French Hog
constables.
a True Copy from Record of the whole of said meeting respecting
Town officers Examfl
atf Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk
This Certifies that we the Subscribers Inhabitants & Qiiallified voters
in the Town of Dunstable voted in the Choice of the above said officers
the day above said
Jonathan Lovewell Thomas Harwood
William Lancey Sampson French
Thomas Lund Jonathan Lund
Ephraim Lund Josiah Butterfield
John AUd John McClenche
John Huston John Searle's mark X
Samuel W^hiting William Lancey Jun.
Noah Johnson Thomas Cowen
Benjamin Richardson William Johnson's mark X
Henry Parker William AUd.
we the Subscribers certifie that Nehemiah Lovewell was present &
voted in the above said meeting but being out of Town when the others
Subscribed this paper had not opportunity to Subscribe.
Jonathan Lovewell
John Alld
Province of \
New Ham p. )
This Certifies that the Inhabitants that ware Quallified to vote in the
Choice of Town officers in the Town of Dunstable in said Province
being Regularly Assembled for that purpos the 3o'ii day of March 174S
did Choose the" Persons here after mentioned in to the respective offices
as is here after Expressed.
Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk.
Jonathan Lovewell, William Lancey, Thomas Harwood, Noah John-
son t^ Jonathan Lund Selectmen.
voted that said Selectmen be assessors.
Ephraim Lund Constable.
Josiah Butterfield iv; Sam' Kenney Tithing men.
John Searls & William Lancy Jn'' Serveyors of highways.
John McClenche & Tho" Murdough Field drivers.
John Huston Sampson French Fence vewers.
Benj^ Richardson William Alld & Benj* French Hog Constables.
Att Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk.
TOWN PAPERS — DUNSTABLE. 221
Province of ")
New Hamp. j
Nottingham March ye ^i^t 1748
the afore said Jonathan Lovewell and Tliomas Ilarwood were Sworne
to the faithfiill discliarg of their Re:>pective offices where they were
chose as above before me
Ezekiel Chase J** Pais
Prov of 1
New I lamp/
Nottingham Vs^est april y" 2, 174S
The aforesaid William Lancey Noah Johnson Jonathan Lund Josiah
Buttertield Sam' Kenney John SicClenchc Tho'' Murdough John Hus-
ton & Benj^ Richardson were sworn to the faithfull discharge of their
Respective offices where to they were Chose as above, before me,
Ezekiel Chase Js. Pais
Province of")
New Hamp j
Nottingham April y« iS''' 174S.
Jon'"^ Lovewell of Dunstable in said Province was Sworn to the faith-
full discharge of the office of Sealer of all weights and measures in the
said Town of Dunstable where he was Chosen.
before me Ezek^ Chase J"* Pais
yoJui PJiclps and others^ assent to yo^ Bla}ic/iard''s petition.
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants and Freeholders of the town of Dun-
stable do hereby Signifie that we are not for the Setling M'" Sam' Bird
as minister of this town ^^ should if Opportunity had permitted Joyned
with Jo" Blanchard Esq'' .^ Others in Petitioning the Gen' Assembly for
making null & void the vote ^^'ilereby he was Pretended to be Chose
and are Still desirous that the Same may be done
Jonathan Phelps
Dunstable Ma\- 3<i 174S John Honey
Jonath" Bowers
William Cuming
John Phelps.
RenioJistrance.
To His Excellency Bcnning Wentvvorth Esq'' Governour &c
The lion, his majestys Council & House of Representatives
in Gen' Court assembled at Portsmouth May y" 19''' 174S
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable
would Most Humbly Remonstrate
That Inasmuch as a Representation of our Circumstances
has bin made to this Hon' Court Relating our Last March
meeting f jr the Choice of Town Oliiccrs, on the 30"' of said
month 1)}' Joseph Blanchard Esq"" praying that the choice made
by the majority of Voters mentioned might .'' the Town
officers by them Chosen be Confirmed or the whole jDrocecding
nullified cS: a new meeting Called &c
That we are in necessity for Redress in those things and in
232 NEW HAMPSHIRE
as much as the Choice of officers made by the said Thirty Six
Whereof Major Zacheus Lovewell was Chosen Moderator &
the s'' Joseph Blanchard Town Clerk Were agreeable to the
Town in Gen' & in which choice two thirds at least of the free-
holders & Inhabitants in s*^ town of any proffitable Estates or
such as had bin Costomary to Rase did vote in the affirmative,
and should a new meeting be called We Imagine it would be
only to chose the same persons over again that the Scarcity of
Laborers and the Season of the year so much Demand our at-
tention to our business, our Habitations are so scattered that
Warning and holding such meeting at this Season would be
very Chargeable.
That if it might be the pleasure of this Hon. Court to estab-
lish and Confirm the s'^ officers it would free us from these as
we apprehend unnecessary Charges, & Qiiallify us Imediately
to do anything necessary for the Publick aflairs of s*^ Town
Which is ver}^ Humbly Desired &c
Joseph Butterfeld Josiah Swan
Henry Adams Benjamin French
Jonath'' Bowers Joseph French
Ephraim Butterfield Zacheus Lovewell
Benjamin Davis Phineas Lund
Gershom Hobart his
Elnathan Blood Thomas x Blanchard Jr.
Thomas Patch mark
David Hobart his
his Joseph y. Swallow
Joseph X Farly mark
Mark Jason Russell
Amos Phillips Simeon Blood
John Willoughby William Cumings
Benj' Parker his
John Phelps Samuel X Saris
John Butterfeld mark
James Harwood Sj'lvenus Whitney
Thomas Blanchard Thomas Adams
William Lund Gideon Honey
Isaac Waldron Ephraim Adams
John Beauchamp Jonathan French
} Jonathan Combs
John Combs Daniel Searles
Petltioji of Jo)V*- Lovezvell in ansxuer to jfoseph Blanchard' s
petition.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"' Capt. Gen^ &
Governour in chief in & over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire & the Hon''' his Majesties Council & House of
Representatives for y'= Province in Gen' Assembly Convened
May lo"' 1748
Jonathan Lovewell of Dunstable in said Province for him-
TOWX PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 223
self and other freeholders and Inhabitants of Said Town in
answer to a Petition of Joseph Blanchard Esq' for himself &
others (now lying before this Hon' Court) Humbly Shew —
That in vSaid Petition is Shewn forth that y" Selectmen of
Dunstable by their Warr' cal'd a Town meeting in Dunstable
to be of Persons Qiialifyed to vote on y'' 30 '' day of March last
for 3" Choice of Town officers for y'' Current year that y^ In-
habitants Met accordingly and after some Debate about y''
Qiiallifycations of Voters they proceeded toy Business Sc that
53 Men assembled who were (=^uallifyed according to y" Laws
by wliich they had heretofore been Govern'd who divided into
two parties 36 in one & 17 in y other that each party chose a
Moderator Select men & all other Town officers — a Double set
chosen and Sworn for every office — the evident Consequence
of which is the utmost confusion &c
By this state of y ' Case in their Petition they Grant y" au-
thority of the Selectmen to call the Meeting but don't mention
who Guvern'd the Parties ^Mentioned who took their Votes &
Determin'd y'' Choice or whether there was any officer to Enter
& record y votes or show how the meeting was managed —
representing y'^' case as if one party had as good right to act as
y"^^ other in any manner when the truth of the matter is That
the Petitioners in a very Disorderly uncivil manner took y- Se-
lectmens warrant from them and went out of y house ap-
pointed by y" Selectmen to hold y" meeting in and Gathered
a Party together some qualified Voters & Some not so and
acted like a mobb of madmen in such a manner as never was
done in this Province Since it was a Government — the Select-
men all the while proceed to take votes at the time & place
appointed to hold y Meeting when & where a Moderator was
the Voters present orderly chosen & y'^ business of y ' Town
orderly carved on all town officers chosen & duly Entered by
y- clerks Duly Sworn as y'' Laws & custom of all Towns in y'^
Government have time out of mind used — which officers your
respondents conceive to be y officers regularly chosen for y*
Town iS; that they ought to Serve in their respective offices —
Tiie Petitioners Knew that what they had done was Disorderly
yet they did the same with Design to Disturb y' peace & good
order of the Town for if they were y Major part of y^ voters
Qiialifyed they might have chosen who they liked best into of-
fices without Snatching up y warrant and runing out of doors
& holding a meeting abroad in the fields where they were not
cal'd In- their warrant to hold it the necessity of having officers
regularlv chosen is evident but the question is whether these
Petitioners have right to Complain of y'' Proceedings of y°
Town in General when they themselves tS: no others have made
all y Disturbance & Disorders they mention in ^/ic/r Com-
plaint.
224 ^'EW HAMPSHIRE
They further say in their Petition that their circumstances
are Particuhir that they were latel}^ Incorporated can have no
Customs to Govern their Proceedings in such cases — and that
y*^ Province Law is Defective & does not say what Estate is
ratable therefore Intirely useless That every man has an equal
Right to Govern in Town meeting till moderator is fairly
chosen y* Law silent about it & that they must Labor under
insuperable Difficulties unless aided by the assembly or y^
Standing Laws amended & so they pray that their own partys
choice (which they call y' major part but was not nearly so)
may be Established or that those Votes which were Lawfully
passed may be made null as well as theirs
In answer to which y* respondents say that the Petitioners
lately Incorporated having no Customs to Govern Begin with
very bad precedents to make Customary that any man may
Set himself up to Govern in town meeting against y" authority
that caled y"^ same It is such a Practice as was never known
in this Government nor in any of the neighboring Govern-
ments all y*^ towns in this Province have always made that
their Practice that y^ Selectmen who call y" meeting Govern
y*^' same till a moderator is chosen they take the Votes & de-
clare who is chosen moderator & then y'^ moderator takes his
place and Governs That there is Defect in y'^ Laws of y*^
Province & that y'-' Laws are useless is a bold and Dareing af-
front to y"^ Government for that in all & every town of y"^
Province the Laws have been understood & all the towns have
been Qiiietly & regularly ordered & Governed and will be so
still notwithstanding y- Disorderly Practice of The complain-
ants who have violated the Laws & Good customs of y*-' Towns
in all y'' Governments & to cover their Riotous Si bad behav-
iour complain that there is no Law to Govern them.
At a Legal meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town
of Dunstable on the'iS''' Day of April A. D. 1774
Voted that Jonathan Lovewell Esq'' be agent for the Town of Dun-
stable to Petition those that are in proper authority that the s' Town
of Dunstable may have the Priviledge of Sending a Person to Repre-
sent them in the General assembly of this Province
A true Copy attest
■^ Jo* Whiting Town Clerk
Dunstable may y^ 6"" 1774
Dunstable Petition to send a Representative.
To His Excellenc}' John Wentworth Esq"^ Cap' General Gov-
ernor and Comander in chief in and over his majesties Prov-
ince of New Ilamp. & the Hon''''^ his majesties Council.
The Petition of Jonathan Lovewell of Dunstable in County
TOWN PAPKllS DUNSTABLE. 225
of Ililsborough and Province afore said on Behalf of the Free-
holders of said Town of Dunstable in their Town meeting
assembled ap' y' iS"' 1774 pursuant to their vote for this Pur-
pose
Humbly Shews That the said Town of Dunstable is a very
ancient vSettlcment and so long ago as the year 16S0 there was
Thirty Families settled there and a learned orthodox minister
ordained amongst them —
That the Inhabitants wer repeatedly distressed by a Bar-
barous Indian Enemy and with great Difficulty kept Posses-
sion of the Ground. That they were then under the Jurisdic-
tion of the Province of the Mass' Bay and for very many years
were priviledged by that Province to send a Person to repre-
sent them in the General assembly anualy Convened at Bos-
ton untill the Divisionall line between said Province took
place.
That in the year 1746 the said Town of Dunstable falling
within this Province the Inhabitants of said Town wer by Plis
majesty's Letters Patent under the seal of this Province Incor-
porated in to a Body Politic and Corporate to have continu-
ance forever by the name of Dunstable with all the Powers &
authorities Priviledges & Franchises which other Towns in
said Province or any of them by Law then had or enjoyed
and to their Successors forever.
That for several years since the said Town of Dunstable en-
joyed the Priviledge of voting for a Person to Represent them
in the General Assembly for this Province
That for about Twelve years last past the Freeholders of said
Town have for reasons to them unknown been Excluded from
their ancient Priviledge altho they are not only conscious of
their Loyalty and attachment to His Majesty King George the
Third and all in authority under him and determined on every
occasion to Testify their Duty.
Wherefore your Petitioner on Behalf of the aforesaid Free-
holders of Dunstable and in vertue of the vote aforesaid Most
Humbly Prays your Excellencv and Hon""" that they may be
restored to their ancient Priviledges and be properly repre-
sented in Future and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall
ever Pray
Jonathan Lovewell.
May y^ lo"" 1774
15
2 26 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Papers
relating to the annexation of the West part of Dunstable (now Nashua)
to the Town of Hollis :
Containing
Petition of the Inhabitants of the West part of Dunstable ,
Remonstrance of the Selectmen of Dunstable,
Answer of the Agents of Dunstable,
Plan of the territory to be disannexed (i)
Warrant for a Town Meeting in Dunstable,
Proceedings of said Town meeting.
Extracts from the Records of Dunstable.
1756 and 1757.
Petition of People i?ithe West part of Dunstable {nozv part
of Hollis) to be annexed to Hollis.
Province of ^
New Hampsh J
To His Excellency Benning Weutworth Esq"" Governor and
the Hon'*^ his Majestys Councill
The Petition of a nomber of the Inhabitants in the westerly
Side of The Town of Dunstable in said Province and the Town
of Hollis Joyning with them Humblv sheweth,
That your Petitioners that live in Dunstable live in the west
side of the Town next to Hollis and are so far from the meet-
ing House that it is all most Empossible for us to attend the
publick worship of God there for some of us live seven and a
half miles and the nearest five and half from the Meeting House
so that we Cant nor Dont go to meeting there and we receive
no privi ledges with them for they have sot the Meeting House
to acommodate them Selves and seem not in the lest to Regard
us only to get our money our Difficulties are so exceeding great
that make us Dispare of haveing any Comfortable Reeving
gospcals Previledges unless we can obtain the aid and Assis-
tance of your Excellency and Honnors
Wherefore your Petitioners most Humbly pray that your Ex-
cellency and Honnors Would so for Compassonate our Cir-
cumstances as to Relieve us in the Premises by seting us of with
our Land to Hollis to which we once belong'd and help settel
our Minister and now go to attend the publick worship of god
and must if we ai'e Continued as we be the furdcst of us from
Holies Meeting House is not more than three Miles and a half
or four miles and the bigcst part about two miles and a half
and three miles to the which we can go with some degree of
Comfort Wee therefore pray that your Excelency and Honors
would be plesed to annex us to Holies with about 2500 acres
(1) Tho Plan is found in the original MS. Papers Vol. II. p. 267, in scprotnry'sol
flee, but omitted in this volume. Ed.
TOWN PAPERS — DUNSTABLE. 227
of Land as we have Discrebd in a plan Which will gratly Re-
leve us from our present Difficulties and help us to a Comfort-
able Injoyment of gosplc prevelidges
Wee your Humble Petitioners therefore pray that your Ex-
cellency and Hon" would Releive us as in your great Wisdom
Shall Seem Meet and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
ever pray.
John Willoughby William Cumings
Elnathan Blood Joseph Farley
John Phelps Anna Patch
Daniel Mooar
Benj' Parker
Nicholas Youngman Sam' Cumings "j Selectmen
Gershom Hobart Sam' Goodhue >- of
Jonathan Hobart Enoch Noyes J Holies
Amos Phillips
Sam' Hobart
David Hobart
Nehemiah Woods
In Council December i6, 1756
read Si. ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''" Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Secr>'
Province of 1
New Hamp j
This Petition being read
Ordered That the petitioners be heard thereon, the third Day of the
Sitting of the General Assembly next after the 15''' day of Jan^^■ next
Ensuing tV that the Petitioners at their own Cost & charge Cause the
Select men of Dunstable to be Served with a Copy of s'' Petition &this
order of Court thereon to appear tji: Shew Cause if any they have whj'
the prayer thereof should not be Granted
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council December ly'"" 1756.
read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson.
New Himn ( ^" ^^^ house of Representatives Jan 21'' 1757
This being the day appointed to hear the within Petition and the
Select men of Dunstable by their Petition to the General Assembly of
the 14"' Instant desireing that the hearing thereof might be put of to a
further Day for the Reasons in s' Petition mentioned & the petitioners
making no objection
Resolved that the hearing thereof be put off till the 2' Day of the Sit-
ting of the General Assembly next after the first Day of April next &
all persons Concerned are hereby Required to Govern themselves ac-
cordingly
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
New Ham°p^}^" the House of Representatives May iS^'' 1757
William Cumings Representing to this house that he was not duly
Notified of the time appointed for the hearing this Petition & praying
that further time may be appointed for a hearing thereof Therefore
Voted that the Petitioners be heard thereon tlie Second day of the
228 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sitting of the General Assembly Next after the 20* day of June next &
that the petitioners Serve the Selectmen of Dunstable with a Copy of
this order of Court
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read & concurred
Theo. Atkinson Secy.
Petition relating to anothei- hearing.
Province of")
New Hamp j
To His Ex'=>- B. Wentvvorth Esq"- Gov'' &c. The Hon'Miis
Maj"" Councill & House of Representatives in Gen* Assembly
Conveined at Ports" &c.
The Remonstrance of the Select" of Dunstable in Answer To
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Dunstable and the
Select" of Holies for setting of Certain Lands with the Pef*
that Belong to Dunstable to the Town of Holies
Plumbly Sheweth
That Tho the Order of Court pass'd in Councill ly**"
of Dec'' Last Directing That the Select' of Dunstable Shou'd
be Served with a Copy of the Pet" & Order of Court thereon
Nottwithstanding the Pet" have delayed to lett y*^ Respond'*
know any thing of Such Pet" and Order untill the Eleventh
day of this Instant Jan'' and the hearing to be the third day af-
ter the 15*'' Instant, if the Court vShou'd be then Sitting (the
contrary of which we cou'd not know) The time being so short
the Select" Could not by Lawfull Warning Assemble the
town to know their minds before the time of Hearing which
we Humbly Conceive they ought b}' no means to be abridged
oft'.
Wherefore we Humbly pray (that unless Their peti" be with-
drawn or Dismissed without day that there may be a fin-ther
day for Hearing thereon, and Inasmuch as 'tis probable if the
town Resolve to appear and make answer there will be Occa-
sion of Sundry Surveys and Measures to be taken, the clerer
to descover the Truth of the facts alledged in their pet" which
cannot with convenience be done till the Spring & besides the
Hardship it would be for Such a Scattered town to Assemble
vSoner than march meeting Since that is so near, & in the mean
time y'' Pet" can Suffer no great 111 convenience) That the
Hearing may be assigned Some time after the first of may next
Which is Humblv Submitted bv y' Ex >' c^ Hon''" most
Obed"' Serv'*
J. BLA^XHARD '\ Select"
Jox' Love WELL )■ of
JoN^ Lund j Dunstable
Dunstable Jan''^' 14"' 1757.
i
TOWX PAPERS — DUNSTABLE. 229
Pcfition against annexation to HolUs.
To His Excellency B. Wentworth Esq' Capt. Gen' Gov'' of the
Province of New Ilamp'' &c & the Hon'*^ His Majestys
Council.
Whereas Simdrv Inhabitants of Dunstable & the town of
Holies Joyning with them have Petitioned y"" Excellency &
Hon""* Praying the s' Inhabitants that are Petitioners may be
with Their Lands Sett to Holies, and afterwards in the same
Petition pray that they may be annexed to Holies with about
3500 acres of Land (as they say they Have described in apian)
and further pray for Relief as to you shall seem meet
And shew as the Grounds of their Compl' their Distance
from our meeting house that it was not sett to accommodate
them & that seemingly they arc Only Regarded to get their
money
OiT which the Selectmen of Dunstable had notice by Order
of His jSIajestys Councill <S: the Hon''' The Assembly to shew
cause if any they had Why the prayer Thereof Shou'd not be
granted.
Therefore the Subscribers Agents of the Town of Dunstable
Begg Leave to answer & Shew
That by the Charter of Incorporation a Reservation is made
to his majesty his Heirs & Successors, of the Power of Divid-
ing the same when it shall appear necessary and Convenient
for the Benefit of the Inhabitants — accordingly their applica-
tion was to y'' Ex'-' & Hon'"^ — How that Petition came to drop
down to the Lower house, or they order in a Thing they had no
Lawfull cognizance of W^ee cannot tell — that in the present
case nothing can lye before them to Determine and in this an-
swer Shall address our Selves to y"" Ex'-' & Hon" only —
Waving our not being Notefied by Prop"" authority if y"^ Ex*^'"
tS: Ilon'^ think meet to sustain their Petition Beg Liberty to
State the facts & y' Indulgence to hear them thro'.
That the town of Dunstable ab' 1736 was b_v act of theMass'''
Divided into two Parishes Reserving for the first Or .Standing
part (being then ab' to build a meeting house) Such parcell
Only as wou'd Continue & not probable to be sub-divided af-
terwards — The Remainder of what Was then old Dun-
stable (now Holies monson and part of Merrymac & part of
Dunstable.) was made the Second Parish — which then Consisted
of ab' 70000, acres had an annuall tax of two pence an acre for
four years On all the Non-residents Lands to Enable them to
Build a meeting house ann settle a minister with an after Tax
of near the Same Sum Greatlv Exceeding the necessary use
for which the Grant was Intended, however they disposed or
divided the money That the first Parish 173S Built & finished
a Meeting house at a Large exj^ence.
230 NEW ha:mpshire
That 1 741 the Province line was Run & left of the first par-
ish about two thirds of the Inhabitants & Estates on the Mass'^
side.
That 1746 y"" Ex''^' with advice of his Majestys Councill ap-
pointed a Comittee to Enquire into the Situation & Circum-
stances of this Western Acquisition in Order for its Incorpora-
tion into towns
That the Settled part of the Second Parish (since Holies)
was present before that Comittee and the dividing line between
that town & Dunstable was then fixed, after a full hearing of
all partys. Tho Dunstable by that line was a quantity Suffi-
cient for a town, yet the Habitable part so small (not more than
five thousand acres. Scarce worth Improving) and that so scat-
tered, viewing their past Burdens & Misfortunes with Great
Reluctance took out their Charter — On the South the Province
line On the East the Great River On the north the Poverty
of the land wou'd make no advantage, by an addition Exclusive
of the present Pete" & they Cheifly on the westerly Side Thus
Shut up
Tho Holies would admit five times the Settlers & Better
Land as Their first Entry was at the Easterly end.
Dunstable for their accommodation only Submitted to the
line as it now stands when they Ought to have advanced a mile
further West at the least.
On examination we find that Holies on True measure is ab*
eight miles in length East & west And about four miles & half
north & South promiscuously Settled at Each end. Sometime
after their Incorporation Holies set up a meeting house with
part of the money we & others had paid for that use & sett it
about a mile an half from their East line Regardless of the
Comp"* of the Inhabitants & prop" on the westerly part so
that many of them now are eight miles as they must travil from
their meeting much further than any of Dunstable are from
Our meeting house. Had measures in Equity been taken as
was in Dunstable to place their meeting house the present Pet"
wou'd be many miles nearer to ours (& doubtless will soon be
the case)
Wee are Sencible that this vexatious Petition is Stirred & en-
couraged by Holies purely to prevent Justice to their Western
Inhabitants which they foresee will Obtain unless they can
Cloack it by Ruining Dunstable.
The Reasons as to Distance & accommodation might much
Stronger be urged — Exclusive of the province tax, in favor of
the .South part of the town.
That the familys in Dunstable able to Support themselves &
bear any part of Our charge does not Exceed Forty, the Peti-
tioners Included & shouM they be Indulged it must end in their
disappointment & be fatal to us.
TOWX PAPERS DUNSTABLE. 23I
As to their treatment in the town Setling the meeting house
Useing the money &c we wou'd not trouble you With the Ar-
guments Just in Our favour — Only Refer to the votes wc here
annex. Demonstrations of their good usage.
Had not the Depth of Snow and bad weather prevented we
had shown their fallacious pretences to their distance from each
meeting house all the aforegoing facts are Ready to veryfie
What Genius had Given them front to mutter out this Mot-
tley Petition is Difficult to Guess.
The pretentions both of IIolles»S:the Pet"' are totally Ground-
less.
Wherefore we pray that their Petition may be Dismissed
Joseph Blanxhard ^ .,, ^^^
Zacheus Lovewele V t^ 4. 1 1
-r T- I Dunstable
Joseph French. j
[Here follows a plan of the hind petitioned to be annexed to Ilollis,
about -500 acres — which is omitted. Ed.]
Province of \ To John Searles One of the Constables of Dunstable
New Hamp / In said Province Greeting.
Seal In his Majestys Name you are hereby Required forthwith To No-
tify it Warn alfthe freeholders & Other Inhabitants In said Dun-
.stable QiKilified to Vote in the following Town aftairs that the}' As-
semble c\: Meet at the meeting house in Said Dunstable on Monday
the 21-' Day of March next at one of the clock afternoon,
i" To Chuse all Town Officers for the Ensuing Year Required by Law.
2'' To hear the Town accounts & Do anything Relating the Same as
Shall then be agreed on.
3"> To See if the Town Will Do any thing to Shew Cause why the
Petition of William Cumings & Others should not be Granted who have
Petitioned the General Court to be annexed to Holies & Do any thing
Relating the Same as shall then be agreed on
4"''y To see if the Town Will Do any thing to Prevent the Common
Being Over Stocked & act as shall then be agreed on & see that you
make Due Return hereof & fail not at your Peril.
Dated at Dunstable February 28''' 2757
Joseph Blanchard ")
Jon ' LovEvv^ELL j- Selectmen
JoN' Lund J
Province of \
New Hamp j
Pursuant To the Within Warrant I have Notifyed & Warned all the
freeholders .S: Other Inhabitants Qiialified to Vote In the within Town
affairs to meet at the Time «!« Place iS: for the Occasions as are Within
mentioned.
Dunstable March y" 2r' 1757
his
John X Searles Constable
mark
Dunstable April y* 2'^ 1757
A true Copy taken from Dunstable town Book pr
Jonathan Lund, Town Clerk
232 NEW HAMPSHIRE
At a Town Meeting of the freeholders & Other Inhabitants In Dun-
stable Qi_ialified to Vote In Town affairs assembled at the meetinghouse
In Dunstable On Monday the 21" Day of Sepf 1757
Extract of the Votes
The Qiiestion Was Put if the Town of Dunstable Wou'd set off the
Inhabitants & Land as Petitioned for by William Cumings & Others to
be annexed to Holies or any Part thereof & Voted In the Negative
then Voted that Joseph Blanchard & Zacheus Lovewcll Esqrs. & Cap'
Joseph French be agents In the Behalf of the Town of Dunstable
Joyntly or Severally or any two of them to Shew Cause Why the Prayer
of the aforesaid Petition shou'd not be Granted
A True Copy pr. Jonathan Lund town clerk
Dunstable April 2'^ 1757
A True Copy Taken from Dunstable Town Book pr
Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Choice of agents March 21'' 1757
At a meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabitants of the ToAvn of
Dunstable Regularly assembled at the house of Thomas Ilarwood In
Dunstable the 5"" Day of March 1754
Extracts of the Votes
Voted that all the Inhabitants on the Place Called One Pine Hill viz :
those to the West of Sampson Frenches & John Butterfield making a
strait Line be excused from all charges In fitting Raising & finishing
the old meeting house.
Dunstable apri! ye 2' 1757
A true Copy taken from Dunstable town Book
Pr. Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable held at
the house of M'' Jonathan French On the 24"' Day of July 1749 Law-
fully Warned for the following Purposes
Extract of the Votes
Also voted To hire a School for Eight months & that three months
part thereof be Improved the North side Nashua River In two places.
One the Most Convenient place at One pine Hill & that two months be
Kept In the middle of the Inhabitants Between Nashua River & the
Province Line & that the Other three months be kept the One half at
the South End c<c One half at the North End to be Determined by the
Committee to be Chosen the Most Convenient Places for that Purpose
Dunstable April y 2'' 1757
A true Coppy taken from Dunstable town Book.
Pr Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
N. B. Y" Petitioners Live at a place called One pine hill
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable Assembled
on Wednesday the 30"' Day of April 1746
Extract of the Votes of said meeting
Also Voted that the Inhabitants that bv the Charter Was Incorporated
With this Town of Dunstable Who Was by any Other Act or Law
While Under the Jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Government Incor-
porated With anj- Other Town or Parish & have Continued to Pay
Rates to the Respective Ministers of thoie Places be & hereby are Voted
and Excused from the Tax or Rates Due to M'' Swan to Compleat his
Salary Down to the Last Day of March Last
TOWN PAPERS — DUNSTABLE. 233
Dunstable April y' 2'' 1757
A true Coppj taken from Dunstable town Books
Pr. Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable assembled
according to Law on Monday the Second Day of March 1746-7
Extract of the Votes of Said Meeting.
Whereas it has been proposed by the Inhabitants of this Town of
Dunstable at Several Town Meetings to agree upon a Place Where to
Erect a Meeting house for the Pubiic Worship of God In this Town Sc
no place being agreed upon iS: it Being Necessary that a place Should
be fixed or agreed upon for Said Use & to Prevent the Charge of a Courts
Committee ni Settling the Same & that the Same May be Don Just &
Equal it is Proposed that a Committee of three Judicious men hereafter
to be Named be chosen (Belonging to some Other Town or Towns) &
that they be fully Impowcred to meet & agree upon or fix a Certain place
for Erecting a jileeting house In this Town of Dunstable I'v: that they
View the Land in Settling the Same & that the Said Committee or the
Maj"' Part of them Certify to the Clark of this Town (In Writing by
them Signed) the Place thev Shall agree upon or fix for Said use &that
In their^Judgment it is a place that is Just & Equal & Will Best acom-
odate the Inhabitants of this Town of Dunstable & the Clerk is hereby
Ordered to Record the Same Which Being Done shall be & Remain the
Place for Building a Meeting house In this Town for the use aforesaid
if the Land Can be had for the Same & that the Select men Desire Said
Committee to Meet In this Town & agree upon a Place as aforesaid
upon the Cost & Charge of this Town —
Voted In the affirmative
Dunstable April y" 2' 1757
A true Coppy taken from Dunstable town Book
Pr. Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Province of New Hampshire
We the Subscribers Being Chosen a Committee By the Town of Dun-
stable In said Province at their Meeting the 2' Day of March 1746-7 to
fix & agree upon a place to Erect a house for the Public Worship of
God In Said Dunstable according to the Directions in said Vote given
us having Viewed the Land Sc hearing all Parties fully thereon So far
as they See Cause have fixed c*c agreed That the Place for Build- the said
house on be cV hereby is stated (as In our Judgments most Just c^ Rea-
sonable to be all Circumstances Considered) By the high Way on the
Easterly Side thereof about four Rods from said Way at a small Pine
Marked" against M'' Samuel Whitings New field (so called) Near the
Place Where the Road Comes from Phineas Lunds.
as Witness our hands this 23' Day of May 1747
Joseph Fitch
John Chamberlain
Robert Fletcher
A true Copy Attes
Jon ' Lovewell Town Clerk
Dunstable April y» 2* 1757 A true Coppy taken from Dunstable town
Book pr. Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable In the
Province of New Hamp' Being Regularly Assembled at the house of M''
Thomas Harwood the 21" Day of December 1753
Then Voted the Place Whereon to set up a house for Public Worship
234 NEW HAMPSHIRE
on Lords Daj be at the Crotch of the Roads as Near as Can be With
Convenience (Near the house where Jon Lovewell Now Dwells) Voted
that the old Meeting house be Took Down Moved & Set up on the Place
this night Voted for that Purpose & that tlie Same be forthwith Done
& that the Hon''''-' Joseph Blanchard Esq'' Zacheus Lovewell Thomas
Harwood Joseph French John Butterfield Jonathan Lund Ephraim
Adams Jon" Lovewell & amasa Parker be a Committee to Effect the
Same & that the Necessary Charges be paid by this Town
Dunstable April y 2"* yr 1757
a true Cop" taken from Dunstable town Book
Pr- Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Then Voted that Joseph Fitch of Bedford Capt. William Laurance
Esq'' of Groton & Capt. John Chamberlain of Souhegan East be the
Committee to settle the Meeting house Place as afores'^ Si. that they
make Report Within three Montlis
Voted that Capt. Rob' Fletcher be Chosen to Serve In the afores*
Com'''" in Case Either fail
Dunstable April 2'' 1757
A Copy Taken from Dunstable Town Book
[Here follows a plan of Pine Hill on the west part of Dunstable,
which is omitted. Ed.]
DURHA^I.
[This town was originally part of Dover, and long had the name of
Oyster-River. It was incorporated during the administration of Gov.
Belcher, 15 May, 1732. Ed.]
Petition for Incorporation as a To-vn.
To the Hon''''' John Usher Esq- Lev- Govern'' Comand' in
Chief of his Majes'" Province of New Hampshire and to the
Hon^'« the Councill.
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of Oyster River Humbly
Petition and Pray
That whereas, his Moste Sacred Majesty King WilHam has
been pleased through his grace and favor to grant unto yo''
Hon"" by his Royall Commission with y"^ Councill full Powers
and authorities to Erect and Establish Towns within his ]Majes-
ties Province and whereas now y'' Petitioners have by divine
providence settled and Inhabited that Part in this his Alajes**
Province Comonly Called Oyster River and have found that by
the scituation of the place as to Distance from Dover or Exe-
ter butt more Especially Dover now being forced to wander
through the Woods to y* place to meet to and for y*^ manage-
ment of our aflaires are much Disadvantaged for y*^ Present in
our Business and Estates and hindered of adding a Town and
People for the Hon'' of his Majesty in the Inlargement and In-
TOWX PAPERS DURHAM.
^35
creas of his Province Wee humbly Supplicate that yo"" Ilon""^
would take itt to yo'' Consideration and grant thatwe may have a
Township confirmed by your honours which we humbly offer
the bound Thereof may Extend as followeth. To begin at the
head of Rialls his cove and so to run upon a North west line
seven Miles and from thence with Dover line Parrelell untill
we meet with Exeter line that yo' Hon"^ would be pleased to
Grant this Petition which will not only be a great benefitt Both
to t!ie Settlement of our Ministry The Population of the
place the Ease of the Subject and the strengthening and ad-
vantaging of his majest^ Province butt an Engagement for yo''
Petitioners Ever to pray for the Safety & Increase of yo' Hon"
and Prosperity
John Smith
Joseph Jones
James x Bunker Sen.
John Williams
Thomas Williams
William Willyoums
Henery Vines ?
Nathaniell Meder
John Meder Sener
John Meder Jn
William Faster x his mark
James x his mark
Philep Dudy. x his mark
Demeret x his mark
Joseph Jengens x his mark
James Bonker x his mark
James ?
Joseph Meder
Joseph Smith
Edward Wakeham
Thomas Wille
Thomas Chesley
Philip Chesley sen
Francis Pittman
Thomas Chesley Jr
George Chesley
William Jackson
Joseph Bunker
John Woodman
Stephen Jones
? Davis X mark
Samson Doe
John Doe
Jeremiah Cromen
James X Durgin mark
\Villioum X Durginn ina :
Elias Critchett
Phi Hup Cromel - mark
John Cromel
Jeremiah Burnnum
John Smith
Thomas Bickford
John Meder
Francis Mathes
Henry Nock
John Willy x mark
Thomas Edgerly
John Edgerly
Edward x Lethers his mark
Henry Mash
William x Durgin his mark
Ecclesiastical dociimcjit rclatbig to Dar/.am^ ^1~?i-
Rev^'"* Hon. & beloved.
understanding Col. Davis & his wife are ab' to Joyn in full
com" w''' yo'' church this is y" by virtue of y^ communion of
churches to enter my objection ag^' y'" for scandalous crimes
untill their publick confession & reformation
V^ crime ag" him is his liipocrisy in pretending he could
not w''' our church on ace" of Cajit. Jones who (as he said)
had taken a false oath ab' Capt. Hills land at y*" falls w'" Jos
236
NEW HAMPSHIRE
meader also when he Considered not the beam in his own eye
relating to another oath he himself took concerning Wheel-
wrights pond
2" crime is his Sacrilegious fraud in his being The ringleader
of the point peoples first rase of my first years sallary retain-
ing 1 6 pound thereof now almost sixteen years
3'- crime is his Sacrilegious covetousness of the parsonage
land for his son Daniel acting thereby like Ahab coveting &
forceable entry upon Naboths Vineyard
4"' his late wresting the Law of this Province in his partial
Spite ag** his own legal minister for so innocently playing at
nine pins at a house noways license for a Tavern & also for re-
proaching & defaming s'' minister as being in drink or dis-
guised there"*^'' besides his the s'' Jas. Davis being so desper-
ately & notoriously wise in his own conceit his pretending to
have so much religious discourse in his mouth & yet live so
long (40 years) in hatred unto contempt of & stand neuter
from our crucified Saviour & his honouring his sons & his
wife also above the Lord of Heaven by his hearkeing to them
more & rather than to him i sam' 2 : 29
in the second place ag' her the s'' Elizabeth his wife.
I*' crime is her railing ag*' the s'' minister publickly at the
church meeting in the meeting house by saying that the s^
minister told a lie in the pulpit ab' Sobriety Thomas &c
2 crime is her profane mockery at Christ's ordinance of a
church meeting for discipline by her saying in a way of de-
rision theres going to be another caball now i e a horse race-
ing from caballas the starey constellation or else a secret coun-
cil for some mystery of iniquity
3'' crime is her being disorderlv as a busv body at every one
of her husbands Courts to be his advisor or intermedlcr in his
passing judg'"' in any case as if he sh'' regard her more than
his oath the Law or evidence if these criminals will have these
crimes to be proved at any church meeting to hear the Same
w'*" y'" reverend pastor Mr. Jona Cushing may please to ap-
point. Then as the Hon'^''^ Col. Richard WaldronEsq. is one
of the members of yo- Church in full comunion & a chief Jus-
tice of peace for the Province as a Subject I desire but as an
ambassad' for Christ I demand of his Hon'' aforesaid a blank
sumons & notification seasonably as a complain' to sumons ev-
idence for the confirmation of y"^ premises as witnesses [two
Hebrew words] (i) Pastor.
the woman's 4"' crime is her so evidently insnaring her son
Thomas into so many denials of any such concern' w '' Sobri-
etv Thomas in all that Scandalous business. For which cum
imiltis aliis &c as baptized Children of the covenant by their
(1) This was widoubteillv written by Rov. Hush Adams, of Duihain. See Prov
Pap. Vol. IN", and V., "Adaine." Eu.
TOWN PAPERS DURHAM. 2-7
prop^ minister they are both of y» laid under y Censure of his
pastoral rejection as unbaptized heathen man & woman as War-
''"t-'V/V r'''^^//^''''^ "^ Titus 3 no I Tim- i : 20 Titus
- _. ^ Math 16 : 19 Mai 2:71 Sam' 15 : 33 Math 3 : 10. Acts
^ . 13 : 21 : 23 untill thir publick Confession & amendm' of life
-concernm.G: whom therefore I must suppose in charity for
}o church by the receiving,, such among you w^' not dare to
tiansgresse these written orders in the Apostolick Law of Christ
I L.or. ^ : 1 1 ^ Sundry other Scriptures.
Petition of sundry aggrieved in/iabitants 0/ Oyster River
To the Honorable John Wintworth Esq- Lieu' Govenor and
Comn^.nder m Chief in and over his Maj'- Province of
New Haiupshn-e in ^ew England and to the Honorable his
Majs Counciel and Representatives for said province
thP^n?v-^f""'n' ^;^t'^°" °f Sundry aggreved L.habitance of
the palish o. Oyster River Alost humbly Shevveth Whereas
we the Subscribers In Habitance of said parish Have allwr's
been Constant hearers and Paid our Rats to the Minister of
said Parish as by the Rait List of assessment Will make ap-
pear and Likewise Sundry of us have Been at a Consederabel
Charge in Bulchng a Meating House in said parish it beint
^'^'- '?"^^ 7';:f Conv-enent for us to attend upon the Publick
Uoiship of God at Oyster River Meeting House then at Co-
checho Meeting House which is a great way further for us to
go tho^ ever the Less as we understand we are in Danger of
Being Excluded from our said Priviledges by such an Unequal
Line of Boundary between the parish of Oyster River and Co-
checho which ,f being so stated will be Greatly to the Dama<^e
of yo' Petitionors. -^ 'uuaj^e
ure
We do therefore Humbly Cra^•e Liberty of the More Matur
and Superior Judgment of your honours in the General A.s
scmbly praving yor honours to take it in Consideration that
there may be a more Equael Line of Bound'ry Set so that yo''
aggrieved petitionars may not be under such Grat hard shins
and yor petitioners shall ever pray, ^ '
Joseph Jones in behalf of the
A\.Il>am Broun William Glines ^
James Jackson Samuel Daves
Thomas Lethers Joseph Hiks
John lasker y^^es Busell
wT' nS 'f '^ Morres Fouller
Joshua Chasley John Busell
238 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Joseph Parkins Eli Demerett
Thomas Bickford William Demerett
Ralph Ilorll John Demerett
Samuall Parkins John Huckins
Joseph Jones Jun' Job Demerett
Benj. Jones Derrv Pitman
John Jones Thomas Willey Jun.
John Rand Joseph Daniel'the third
John Remiss Noel Crose
Timothy Moses John Daniel
Thomas ? Benjamin Evens
Samuel Chesle Harvej Euswell
John Allan William Buswell
Dec. 10, 1729.
Petition of Francis Alathes and others for a neiv parish in
Dnrham.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Governor and Com-
mander In Chief in & over His Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire in New England, the Hon^'''^ His Majesty's Coun-
cil and House of Representatives for said Province In Gen-
eral Court Convened Jany. 31^' ^739
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Durham in Said Province Humbly Shews,
That the Inhabitants of the Said Town are divided Into two
parties Respecting their Ecclesiastical aftairs, the One such as
adhere to the Reverend M'' Hugh Adams the late Minister of
the Said Town & who Continues so to the said party, the other
(who are much the Greater) are such as have Oppos'd his
Standing in that Relation to them, & still Continue so to do.
That notwithstanding it was the opinion & Result of the late
Ecclesiastical Council held there that it would not be Expedi-
ent for him to be any Longer the Minister of the said Town
yet considering his former Services his advanced years and the
unhappy Circumstances of himself & Family they Earnestly
Recommended and prcss'd it upon the said Inhabitants that
they should Liberally make Provision for his Support during
the Stay of himself & Family among them — which is what
would be highly agreeable to your Petitioners
That altho Several propositions have been made touching
that matter yet nothing has been agreed on nor any care taken
to Secure the performance thereof in the manner Recommended
as aforesaid.
That your Petitioners apprehend it would be a great Inde-
cency if he who was once & so long the ^Minister of the said
Town should have no other provision made for his Support
than what the Law Provides for one of the poor of the Town
TOWN PAPKKS DURHAM. 239
and that he should be Reduced to a Necessity of Depending
upon such a Subsistence
That your Petitioners are desirous Still to Sit under his ^Min-
istry and are willing to support him & his Family Suitable to
his character & Station among them, and conceive that his
being Comfortably Supported would have a good Tendency &
be the Means of making peace in the Town (respecting Eccle-
siastical matters) and would keep all parties quiet A: Easy.
But your Petitioners however willing are notof ability to afford
such Support while they are Subject to & pay towards the
Maiitenance of another Minister, in the Town.
Wherefore they most Humbly pray that they with Such oth-
ers of the Said Town as will associate with them (not Exceed-
ing the one half) may be Exempted from paying toward the
Support of any other Minister & May be discharged from all
charges of that nature laid on them by Law by their Oppo-
nents from the time of the aforesaid Result and may be Incor-
porated as a Parish during the Life of the Said M'' Adams in
order to ^Maintain him &. his Family & to Enjoy the Benefit of
his Ministry.
Or that the Town in General may be Obliged to afford him
a Comfniablc vSubsistencc during his abode there Or that Such
other Mctliod may be pursu'd as this Hon''"^ Court in their Great
Wisdo;n & goodness Shall think proper for the peace of the
Town & the Ease of that aged Gentleman — and your petition-
ers as In duty bound Shall ever pray &c.
Francis Mathes
Tliomas Footman
Thomas Drew
Joseph Wheeler
William Lord
John Edgerly
Stevephen Wille
Joseph Stevenson
John Footman
Joseph F'ootman
Benjamin Pender
John Durgen
Benjamin Durgen
Benjamin Finder Junr.
Frances Durgen
Joseph Drew
John Ivant
Moses Edgerly
John Ivant Junr.
John Drewe
Benjamin Benet
James Durgain Jun.
William Durgain
James Durgain
Will" Durgain Jun.
Joseph Durgain
Towerthey Durgain
Joshua Durgain
Hazekiah Marsh
Joseph Duda
Joseph Duda Jun.
Benmor Dnda
John Cromut
Phillip Cromut
David Davis
Jacob Tash
Isacc Mason
Nathanael Watson
Nathaniel Frost
John Smart
John Mason
Benjamin Burdet
Pumfret Whitehouse
Vallitin Hill
Sam" Adams
Sam' Willey
Joseph Bickford
Abraham Banneck
Benjamin Banneck
Jonathan Durgain
William Wormwood
Joseph Edgerly
240
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Thomas Bickford William Accason
Abraham Stevnson Joseph Edglv
John Bickford
February the 15"' 1739-40. In the house of Representatives.
The within Petition read and Voted the Petition be dismissed.
James Jeflry Cler. Ass""
In Coun' feb 21"' 1739-40
Read and the Q^icsLion put whether tlie Council Concurr'd with the
representatives vote.
four voted vea & four nav W^*" were all that were present.
R. Waldron Secv
Durham July y« 24"' 1740
A list of Names of all the Soldiery that Is under my Comand from
Sixteen years old and upward as the Law Directs.
John Smith Jun'' Capt"
Sai-gt Thomas Stevenson
Sarg Samuel Willey
Sargjohn Crummet
Sarg- John Edgerly
Cor. Joseph Wormwood
Cor Joseph Davis
Cor. Joseph Edgerly
Cor. John Durgain
John Footman
Joseph Footman
Samuel Smith
Eenja. Smith
Joseph Chasly
Ebenezer Smith
Benj'^ Pender
Francis Durgain
Eliphalet Daniel
Reuben Daniel
John Kent
John Kent Jun.
Abraham ^lathews
John Drew
Elijah Drew
Tho Bickford
Robert Kent
Tho. Langley
William Lord
Steplien Willey
Benja Mathews
NolinLin Mathews
Abraham Mathews Jun
Joseph Stevenson
Abraham Stevenson
Caleb Wakham
Francis Footman
Daniel Davis
Tho Footman Jun.
John Genikins
Benja Genikins
Robert Burnham Jun.
John Burnham Jun.
Richard Dunmore
Benja Davis
Jabez Davis
Jeremiah Davis
Solomon Davis
Ebenezer Davis
Samuel Meeder
James Burnham
Ichbod Denmore
Joi-eph Bickford
John Langly
Jobe Langley
Hezekiah' Marsh
Willm Willey
John Mason
Daniel Doo
John Doo
Joseph Doo
Benja Doo
Will'" \\^ormwood Jun.
Will"' Jncks
Joshua Crumet
Abraham Bennet Jun.
James Durgain Jun.
Will" Durgain
Phillip Crommet
Benja Bennet
Isac Mason
David Davis
Samuel Joy
Joshua Davis
Joseph Dudy
Joseph Dudy Jun.
Benmore Dudj-
Tho Willev
Theodor Willey
James Smith
i
i
TOWN PAPERS DURHAM. 241
Joseph Smith Joshua Woodman
Tho Yorke John Cretchet
Samuel Watson John Willej
Joseph Gleden James Burnham Jun
A true Coppv of the List Rool taken y" Last Training Day and Cop-
pjed out July "y' •^9'*' 174° Total 86
Joseph Drew Clerk
Daniel Meader^s Petition^ Feb. ii, i745-
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Govenor& Com-
mander In Chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire the Hon"' His Majestys Council & House of
Representatives in General Assembly Convened the ii*^" Day
of Feb>' 1 744-5
The Humble Petition of Daniel Meader of Durham in the
Province of New Hampshire in behalf of himself & the People
called Qiiakers Inhabitants of Durham afores'^ Shews
That your Petition' was Chosen Constable of the Said Town
at their annual Meeting in March 1743 for that year & at the
«ame time One Isaac Clarke was chosen a Constable or Col-
lector of the Minister Rate thereby Intending to Exonerate the
Constable of the Town (properly so called) from that service.
That since that Choice M' Hugh Adams has Recovered a
Judgment ag' y" s'' Town at the Court of Appeals for a consid-
erable sum of Money w'"' the Town was obliged to Raise, a
Meeting was called & a vote was past for Raising a sum of
Money but Expres'd in a Covert disguised manner purposely
concealing the use & design to which it was to be applied with
an Intent as your Petitioner Conceives both to oblige him to
Collect it & the Qiiakers to pay a part of it who are Exempted
by law from paying any part of money Raised to the use for
w'' this was Really designed — And pursuant hereto a list of
Rates was made wherein all Denominations were taxed to-
wards the sum voted as aforesaid & artifice & contrivance used
to get it into the hands of your Petitioner & to oblige him to
Collect the money.
That as the Laws of the Province do not oblige any man or
men to pay towards the Support of any way of Worship but
that which he or they attend much less will they Compel any
man to Collect money for the Support of that mode of worship
from which he dissents and the money adjudged to M' Adams
aforesaid & which has been Collected (with other money) and
since paid to him Comes within the meaning of the Province
Laws granting Liberty of Conscience & other Privileges re-
specting Religious worship as any sum to be raised for any
ministers yearly Salary.
16
242 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Wherefore y' Petition' Humbly prays that as the Quakers
have not yet paid the part of said Rates which they were as-
sessed they may be Exempted & discharged from paying the
same and he Exonerated from the burthen of making such Col-
lection And farther as your Petioner conceives the Collecting
any part of Said Rates was an unjust Imposition on him he
Prays that he may be paid by the Said Town a Quantum
Meruit for that Service and he will as in Duty bound Ever pray
&c
DANrp:i. Medkk.
Petition of Joseph Thomas and other inhabitants of Dur-
ham.
To the Hon''''" the House of Representatives for the Province
of New Hampshire in General Assembly Convened Nov""
1755-
Humbly Shows. Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Durham in Said Province That they apprehend themselves ag-
grieved By the Return made by two of the Select men of Said
Town of the Person said to be Chosen to Represent the Said
Town in the Last Election for That they Conceive upon a fair
Examination of the Facts Relative thereto, it w'ill be found
That Joseph Thomas their Late Representative was really the
Person Legally chosen & Ought to have been so Returned.
That the true State of the Case is thus, upon Reading &
Counting the Written Votes put in it appeared that Lieut
Stephen Jones had one more Vote than Said Thomas upon
which there appeared a Sufficient Number (who being Doubt-
ful whether it could be so upon a fair Examination) Desired a
Poll to Put the matter beyond Dispute which was accordingly
Granted the Event of which was that there were thirty nine
Polls in favour of said Thomas h. thirty two Polls in favour of
said Jones — whereupontheModeratorDeclared the said Thomas
the Person Elected & Directed the Clerk to make the Entry
accordingly — Yet so it is that the said Jones is Returned as the
Person Elected & said to be Notified to attend accordingly all
which upon an Impartial Inquiry \\\\\. Turn out as your Peti^-
tion"^ apprehend to be a Misrepresentation & a bold Infringe-
ment upon the Rights & Libertys of the Electors & worthy of
Inquiry & Exami ' wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray
the Premises may be taken under Consideration by this Hon"'"
House & Such a Resolution form'd thereupon as shall be found
upon Examina to be agreeable to the Truth of the Diflerent
TOWN PAPERS DURHAM. 143
facts & allegations Produced & made by the Ditferetit Parties
Concern'd and your Petition Shall Pray &c.
jos Thomas
Ei.ipnAi.KT Daniel
Jonathan Durgain
Bknj Jenkins
Petition for a highway.
Province of 1
New Hamp. |
To his Excellency John VVentworth Esq Captain General and
Governour in chief in and over his Mujest Province of New
Hampshire & To the Honourable his Majesty' Councill &
House of Representatives in General Court Convened This
Eleventh Day of February A. D. 176S
The Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants and
Freeholders of Durham, Newmarket and Towns adjacent
Most Humbly Sheweth That at his Majesty's Court of General
Sessions of the peace begun & held at Portsmouth within and
for the said Province of New Hampshire on the first Tuesday
of September last, Your Petitioners humbly Petitioned said
Court of Sessions for a " High way of two Rods wide to be laid
out from the Bridge at Lamprele River To the Road leading
from Durham Point to Durham Falls in The following manner
viz. beginning at the County Road at said Lamprele River near
Joseph Hams Dwelling House & to Run as the Path now
Runs through lands of Walter Bryant Esq' and Abraham Ben-
nett To lands of Samuel Smith at the Gate at the Head of said
Smiths Pasture from thence running between said Smith &
Bennitts Land to the afores' path at the Head of said Smiths
lane and Down said Smiths Lane To the End thereof. Thence
running between said Smith & Bennitts land & Through Said
Smiths land as The path now goes To Lands of Joseph Chesle
Thence Through the Several Lands of Said Chesley The heirs
of Ebenezer Smith Esq' Deceased and John Smith to lands of
Thomas Stevenson & through said Stevensons land between
his House & Barn To lands of Joseph Footman & through said
Footmans Land to lands of Dependancc Bickford & John Dur-
gin and through said Bickford & Durgins land To & through
Lands belonging To tlie said Heirs of Ebenezer Smith To
Mathes' Creek (so called) near the Mill and over the said
Creek between lands of the Honourable Peter Levins Esq and
John Kent To Lands in possession of John & Joseph Drew
Thence running between said Levins & Drews Land To a
Road Leading from Durham Point to Lamprele River" — and
244 NEW HAMPSHIRE
at the Court of General Sessions holden at said Portsmouth in
December last The Petitioners prayed for a Committee To
view the Several Lands Through which said Road was In-
tended to be laid out and To Report To the said Court of Ses-
sions Thereon but the Court refused To send a Committee or
to grant the prayer of the said Petitioner and accordingly the
Petition was Dismissed by means whereof your Petitioners are
much aggrieved as the said Way if laid out would much Com-
mode your Petitioners as well as his Majestys Subjects in gen-
eral. Wherefore your said Petitioners Most humbly pray that
your Excellency & Honours would Take The matter under
your Consideration & Cause the said place to be viewed & if
the said way should appear to be necessary & Convenient Then
To order the Said Way to be laid put and opened in such way
& manner as your Excellency and Honours shall in your great
wisdom Think fit and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
Ever pray
Feb. ii"' 1768.
David Davis James Cram
Moses Edgerlj Jr. Tho» Stevenson
Truworthy Durgin Jun Joseph Drevr
Stephen Wille Jun John Drew
Nath' Norton Joseph Wormwood Jr.
George Bickford Dep. Bickford
Volentine Mathes Francis Mathes
John Mead John Edgerly
Ede Hull Bergin John Smith
Zcbulon Doe^un. George Tuttel
Jonathan Doe Tim° Murray
Edward Smith John Mundro
Bradstreet Doe
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Feb iS'" 1768
New Hamp. / The within Petition being Read
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition the third Daj
of the Siting of the General Assembly next after the tenth Day of
March next and that they at their own Cost Serve the Selectmen of
Durham with a Copy of this Petition and Order of Court that they
May Shew Cause why the Prayer thereof should not be Granted
M. VVeare Clr.
In Council Feb> 19'' 1768
Read & concurr'd
Geo. King Dep. SecJ"
Province of ) In the House of Representatives March 15"' 1768
New Hamp. j The Parties being heard on this Petition and the matter
Considered —
Voted That Andrew Wiggin Esq' Capt. Eliphelet Merrill and Capt.
Ezekiel Worthen be a Committee to View the Road Petitioned for to
hear what any Persons Concern'd may oft'er and make Report to the
General Assembly as soon as may be. The Cost of the Committee t»
be Paid by the Petitioners
M. Weare CI'
TOWN PAPERS KPPING. Z^^
Province ) At a Town meeting of the Free holders & other Inhab-
of New Hamp. / itants of Durham held at the Meeting House in s"* Dur-
ham on Monday the y"* day of March 1768 at 3 o'clock
P. M.
Voted that Capt. Thomas Chesley shall be an agent in behalf of the
Town to answer to a Petition signed by Thomas Stevenson & others,
Directed to the Governor, Council and representatives of s' Province
requesting a High Way To be laid out from the Bridge at Lampereel
River To the Road leading from Durham Point to Durham Falls. And
to shew cause why the Prayer of s' Petition should not be granted.
A True Copy— Attest John Smith S. Cler pro tempore
EPPING.
[Epping was incorporated 12 February, 1741. Ed. J
Petition of the Inhabitants of Epping for men to protect
thetn.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampsliirc and the Hon'' His Majesties Council and
House of Representatives for said Province in General As-
sembly Convened
Humbly Sheweth the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Epping
in s' Province that your Petitioners are Sensible of the weak
and Defenceless State of the Town of Nottingham which Lies
on our Border — That the Inhabitants there Seem very much
Discouraged Insomuch that Some are Removed and others are
about Removing out of Town. That if that Settlement should
Break up this Parish with Part of New Market and Durham
will become Frontiers which we of ourselves Shall not we fear
be able to Defend and the Enemy who will be much Incour-
aged will have near access to the veryBowells of the Province
which may Possibly have very Fatal Consequences.
We Do therefore by these Presents Humbly Request your
Excellency and Honours to take the Premises with otiier Rea-
sons that may occur into your wise Consideration and if it ap-
pear Proper make Provision for and send to said Town of
Nottingham to be Kept there for their Safeguard and Defence —
Such a number of Men as may be needfull for that Purpose
and as that Town is very much Exposed we IIuml)ly Presume
that a much Larger number will be necessary for that End than
has been allowed them in years Past, and as the Common Road
between Red Oak Hill so called and Nottingham is very Dan-
246 NEW HAMPSHIRE
gerous to Pass we Would Request that a Small Scout of Men
Maybe sent to the named Garesonon Pantuckaway road to scout
from thence to Sanborns Garrison when not wanted for that to
Guard the People at s Garrisons May it Pleas Your Excel-
lency and Honours it appears to us that our Safety in a Great
Measure Depends upon the Safety of Nottingham which we
Hope you will Eifectually Provide for and we shall Esteem it
as an Instance of your Paternal Care not only of Nottingham
but of your Petitioners also who as in Duty Bound shall Ever
Pray &c.
Edward Stevens
Jonathan Foulsora
Benjamin Rawlings
David Page
Richard Samborn
Nathan Samborn
Jonathan Keesey
Joseph Goodhue
Onisipherous Page
Joseph Edgerlj
John Elkins
Daniel Elkins
Samuel Elkins
Robert Hinkson
John Hinkson
John Dudley
Moses Hoyt
James Chase
Jacob Freese
Elias Smith
Jeremiah Present
William Prescut
Abraham Brown
John Rowell
John Page
Epping March 5'^' 1747
In Council March 8-'' 1747
read & ordered to be sent down to v' Hon''
James Whidden
Joseph Emery
Joseph Cass
Ezekiel Brown
Abraham Folsom
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan Rundlet
Eleazer Elkins
Jeremiah Elkins
Is'rel Blak
Joseph Blak
Jediah Blake
Jeremiah Prescot
John Prescut
William Eaton
Jonathan Gliden
Joseph Noris
Moses Noris
John Noris
John Manten
Daniel Manten
Ebenezer Manten
Caleb Gillman
Israel Gillman
fohn Morison
House
Theo' Atkinson Sec'
EPSOM.
[This town was incorporated 18 May, 1727. Ed.]
An Act to invest Proprietors of Epsom ^ with town rights^ <S:c.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi Magnae Britannia; Franciae & Hi-
berniie Decimo Septimo.
An Act to Invest the Proprietors of the Township of Epsome with
TOWN PAPERS EPSOM.
247
the Powers 3i Privileges of anj other Proprietors of Township!" in this
Province.
Whereas the said Proprietors have Represented that they were not
Enabled to proceed in the Settlement of their Township so EtTectualljr
as they iniyht do for want of sutBcient powers and authorities of Law
to Enforce iS: Expedite the payment of such Sums of Money as should
be aj^reed & voted by the said Proprietors to be Raised for the promot-
ing iv: Carrying on the Settlement aforesaid — And as the making such
Settlements are of General Benefit to the Province as well as for the
Interest of the Particular Proprietors
Be it therefore Enacted by His Excellency Govern' Council & Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly Convened & by the authority of the
same That the said Proprietors of the Said Township ol Epsome shall
be & herebx are Invested with all the Powers Authorities & Privileges
given by Law to the Proprietors of any Town ship within this Province
Respecting the voting Assessing Raising & Collecting or Levying any
Sum or Sums of Money that have been or shall be agreed upon & voted
by the Majority of the said Proprietors at any Legal meeting for defray-
ing the charge of the Gospel Ministry in the s' Township and for the
future may Lawfully use & Exercise the same Powers, Authorities &
privileges in all other respects as occasion shall serve as fully & amply
to all Intents & purposes whatsoever as the Proprietors of any Town-
ship in this Province & in the same manner as if the same had been
herein particularly mentioned and in Like manner may proceed to call
or notify any future meeting of the said Proprietors & to order Govern
& manage their proceedings & affairs at such meeting This act to Con-
tinue & be in force for the Space of five Years <& no Longer.
In the House of Representatives apr 18''' 1744.
The above Bill Read three times & past to be Enacted
And Wiggin Speaker
Petition of jfokn Weeks.
Province of 1
New Hamp f
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governor and
Commander in chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, The Honorable His Majestys Councill and
House of Representatives in General Assembly Convened
the Third day of March 1761
The Petition of John Weeks of Hampton in Province of
New Hampshire Esq in behalf of and as agent for the Propri-
etors of Epsom in said Province Most humbly shevveth Phat
a Considerable part of the land in Said Epsome is owned by
Non Residents. That there is no law in this Province whereby
Proprietors of Common and undivided lands can raise Money
by Taxes and Cause the same to be Collected. That the In-
habitants of said Epsum are unable to build a meeting house
for the Public Worship of God or to support a Minister of the
Gospel among them That the Proprietors of Epsom aforesaid
at a meeting oi said Proprietors held at Epsom aforesaid by
248 NEW HAMPSHIRE
adjournment on the tenth day of September 1760 voted that the
Proprietors of land in said Epsom Should pay two Shillings
old Tenor per acre for every acre of land which then was laid
out in Severalty in Said Town To be paid within one year from
the said Tenth day of September afores*^ Partly to pay for the
perambulating the Several lines of said Town and for laying
out the undivided lands in said Town and the Remainder to be
applied towards building a meeting house and maintaining a
Minister in said Epsom — Also That the Proprietors aforesaid
should pay one Shilling old Tenor per acre per year for five
years next after the said one year should be expired, to be ap-
plied towards the building a meeting house and maintaining a
Minister in s' Epsom and at the same meeting voted your Peti-
tioner agent for said Proprietors to prefer a Petition to the
General Assembly for a Confirmation of said Vote :
Wherefore your Petitioners in the Capacity afores'^ prays
your Excellency and Honours by an act to Ratify and Confiroa
Said Vote And to Authorize & Impower the said Proprietors
to tax all the lands laid out in Severalty in said Epsom on the
said Tenth day of September afores'' at two Shillings old Tenor
per acre for one year for the use and purpose aforesd. And to
enable the said Proprietors to Collect the Same also to tax for
five years next after the said one year every acre of land that
shall then be laid out in Severalty in said Town at one Shil-
ling old Tenor per. acre each year for the use and purpose afor-
said and to enable the said Proprietors to Collect the Same.
John Weeks Agent
In Council March 3' 1761
read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'"''" Assembly.
Theod Atkinson Secy
TTie Petition of the Inhabitants of Epsom for abating
the Province Tax.
Province of 1
New I lamp /
To his Exelency Penning Wentworth Esq' Cap' General Gor-
ernour & Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire and to the Honable Counceill
& house of Representatives now Convened in General As-
sembly at Portsmouth
the Petition of his Majestys Good Subjects Inhabitants of the
township of Epsom in Said Province Humbly Sheweth
We the Poor Inhabitants of the township of Epsom in Said
Province humbly Beg Leave to Remonstrate our Very Poor
Distressing Curcumstances to your Compassion & Most Earn-
1
TOWN PAPERS EPSOM.
H9
estly Crave your Pity and pray your Honours to Relieve us front
the unsuportable Burden of Province tax under which we are
made to Grone and Which we think we Cannot Possibly Sur-
vive under unless your Honours Will be Pleased to Mitij^ate
and free us from. Gentlemen our Numbers are Very small ft
we are very much Exposed to Losses our young Cattle Sheep
& Swine are often Destroyed by Wild beasts and further we
have Lately Seteled a minister among us which we are affraid
we Shall not be able to Sup^^ort by Reason of the Poor Cir-
cumstances we are now under we are not able to Build a Meet-
ing House but our Minister is obliged to Preach in Some of
our Dwelling houses the tax which was Laid on us the Last
year many of us were obliged to hire the money to Pay our
Necessities are very Grate by Reason of the Scarcity of Pro-
visions we have been obliged to Lay out all that we have got
for years Past & are now much in Debt this is to Entreat your
Honours to take of the heavy tax which we now Labour un-
der & Restore us the money we Paid Last year & your Peti-
tioners Shall Ever Pray as in Duty Bound
John McCIary Isaac Lebbee Jun.
George Walles Reuben Lebbee
Nathan Marden Amos Blaso
John Black Samuel Beckford
Ephraim Lock Samuel Black
Reuben Sanborn Jun. Thomas Ilins
Eliphalet Sanborn John Blaso
Reuben Sanborn Ephraim Berj
James Wood William Blake
Abraham Lebbee Benson Ham
Abraham Walles John McGafTej
Benjamin Blake Andrew McClerj
Thomas Blake Abner Evens
Isaac Lebbee
In Council June 24'^ 1762
Read & Order'd to be sent down to the Hon''''' Assemblj
Theodore Atkinson Jun. Sec^'
Province of )
New Hampshire 1^
Epsom May the 26, 1760
these are to notifie the propriters of the town of Epsom to meat at
the house of Cap^ Andrew McClarey inepsom on wensday theeightenth
of June next at ten of the clock in the fore noon then and their to see
if the proprietors will asist the inhabilance in bulding a meating house
and asist the inhabitance about the hiring a minister orany other thing
that may be thot proper for the benefit of s' town and to see if the pro-
pritors will devide the undevided Land in epsom and likewise see if
they will preamblate the several lines in s'' P2psom.
A true Copy atest by N Marden proprietors Clark
John M Clary ) o 1 »
Thomas Blake }S^'^^^'"^"
350 VBW HAMPSHIRE
At a Legal meeting of the Proprietors of the town of Epsom held at
the house of Cap' Andrew McClarj on wensdaj the iS day of June 1760
I voted M'^ Isaac Lebbee to be moderator for the present meating.
3 voted that the meeting be adjorned untill the tenth day of Septem-
ber next at ten of the Clock Before noon to be held at the place afores '
A true copy atest by
Nathan Marden proprietors Clark
September the 10, 1760
1 voted Nathan Marden be propritors Clark for the propriters ot
Epsom untill another be chosen.
2 voted that the proprietors pay two Shillings pr. Acre old tener for
all and every acre of Land which is laid into Severelty in the town of
Epsom within one year from this Date partly to pay for the perambe-
lating the Lines of s' Epsom Si. laying out the undevided Land and the
remander to be applyd towards Building a meating house ii mantain-
mg a menester in s- Epsom and also that the propriters pay one Shil-
ling old tener pr. acre pr. year for five years next after the s ' one year
is Expir'd to be applied towards building a meating house and maintain-
ing a minister in s' Epsom.
3 voted that John Weaks Esq" be an agent for the propriters of Ep-
8om to prefer a petition to the general Court for a confirmation of s '
votes and also for an act to enable the s ' propriters to colect s ' sum.
4 voted that Capt. John McClary be a Committee to peramblate the
Lines of Epsom & to Divide the Undevided Land in Epsom.
5 Voted that Nathan marden be a Committie man for the Same.
6 voted that Ephraim Lock be a Committie man for the Same
Isaac Lebbee Sen moderater
A true Copy atest by
Nathan Marden propriters Clark
We whose names are under writen Desir the select men of Epsom to
insert the follong and Call a propriters meating Viz.
John Weeks 1 „
Bracket Johnson K'-«P"*"*
William Bery William Blaso
Leve Dearborn Isaac Lebbee Sen'
John Lebbee Georg Walles
Ephraem Lock Nathan Marden
John McClary Benjamin Holt
Andrew McClary Isaac Lebbee Junr.
EXETER.
[Exeter was purchased of certain Indian Sachems by Rev. John
Wheelwright and others, 3 April, 1638. The purchase embraced thirty
miles Square. Under this purchase, the settlement was made. J
Combination at Exeter^ 1639.
[See and compare copy from Ancient Record of Exeter. Prov. Pap.
Vol. I. pp. 131— 133 ]
i
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER. 251
Combination for government at Exeter, with the forms of
oaths for rulers and people.
Whereas it hath pleased the Lord to move the heart of our
dread Sovereign Charles by the grace of God King &c to grant
license and liberty to sundry of his subjects to plant themselves
in the western parts of America — We his loyal subjects, breth-
ren of the church in Exeter, situate and lying upon the river
Pascataquacke with other inhabitants there, considering with
ourselves the holy will of God and our own necessity, that we
should not li\~e without wholesome laws and government
among us, of which we are altogether destitute, do in the name
of Christ and in the si^ht of God combine ourselves together
to erect and set up amongst us such government as shall be to
our best discerning agreeable to the will of God professing our-
selves subjects to our Sovereign Lord King Charles, according
to the liberties of our English colony of the Massachusetts,
and binding ourselves solemnly by the grace and help of Christ,
and in his name and fear, to submit ourselves to such godly
and christian laws as are established in the realm of England
to our best knowledge, and to all other such laws which shall
upon good grounds be made and enacted amongst us according
to God, that we may live quietly & peaceably together in all god-
liness and honesty.
Mo. 5 D. 4, 1639.
John Wheelwright Robert Smith
Augustine Storer Ralph Hall
Thomas Wright Robert Seward
William Wentworth Richard Bulger
Henry Elkins Christopher Lawson
George Walton George Barlow
Samuel Walker Richard Morris
Thomas Petit Nicholas Needham
Henry Roby Thomas Wilson
William Winborne George Rawbone
Thomas Crawley William Cole
Christopher Helme James Wall
Darby Field Thomas Leavitt
Robert Read Edmund Littlefield
Edward Rishworth Tolin Cramme
Francis Matthews Philemon Purmot
Godfrey Dearborne Thomas Wardhall
William Wardhall
The Elder's or Ruler s Oath.
You shall swear by the great and dreadful name of the high God
maker and governor of heaven and earth and by the Lord Jesus Christ
the prince of the kings and rulers of the earth, that in his name and
fear you will rule and govern his people according to the righteous will
of God, ministering Justice and judgement on the workers of iniquity
a5a NEW HAMPSHIRE
and ministering due encouragement and countenance to well doers, pro-
tecting of the people so far as in you lieth by the help of God from for-
eign annoyance and inward disturbance that they may live a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. So God be help ful and
gracious to you and yours in Christ Jesus.
Oath of the people.
We do swear by the Great and dreadful Name of the High God,
Maker and Governor of heaven and earth, and by the Lord Jesus Christ,
the King and Saviour of his people, that in his Name and fear, we will
submit ourselves to be ruled and governed according to the will and word
of God, and such wholesome laws and ordinances as shall be derired
therefrom by our honored Rulers and the lawful assistants, with the
consent of the people, and that we will be ready to assist them by the
help of God in the administration of justice and preservation of the
peace, with our bodies and goods and best endeavours according to God.
So God protect and save us and ours in Jesus Christ.
Exeter Sept. 26"^ 1738
To the Gentlemen Selectmen of Exeter : We the Subscribers
pray you wou'd forthwith call a town meeting and we pray you
Insert the following in your s'' warrant for a town meeting. —
To the town of Exeter — The Petition of us the Subscribers In-
habitants of the western part of the first parish in Exeter,
Humbly Sheweth — That we your Petitioners have for diverse
years Labour'd under inexpressible Disadvantages & Difficulties
on many accounts More particularly by reason of our Great
Distance from the publick Meeting House, so that Even in the
Summer Season we and our Families cannot attend Rcgularlj
& Constantly on the publick worship of God as we would doe
and in the winter Season for Diverse ^^ears past have thought
it Best to be at the Expence of Supporting preaching amongst
us without any abatement of our Rates to the Support of the
ministry in this Parish, and Having made some Provision &
Been at some Cost toward Building a Meeting House among
us —
Being now Desirous of Being a Parish by ourselves and as
soon as may be Conveniently to Settle an Orthodox Gospel
Ministry among us — we therefore pray that you wou'd consider
our Circumstances and pass a vote to set us of by ourselves, to
be in all respects a Distinct parish as the Parish of New Mar-
ket is now set off from the first parish in Exeter and we pray
if you sec Good to vote the Bounds of our Parish as follows.
Beginning at old Pickpocket upper Saw-Mill and from thence
running South to Kingston line, thence west and by North by
Kingston Line four miles, thence north four miles, thence
Easterly to New Market South west corner Bounds and So
Bounding by New Market South Bounds So far till a South
TOWN PAPERS EXETRR.
253
Line will Strike Pickpocket mill, and then to run from new
Market Line South to s' Mill the Bounds first mentioned.
Andrew Gilman Daniel Sanburn
Edward Colcord Nicholas Dollofe
Nicholas Dudley Nicholas Gordon
Stephen Leavit Amos Dollofe
Benjamin Veasey Elisha Sanburn
Jonathan Robinson Jonathan Smith
Jeremiah Bean John Marsh
James Robinson Charles Young
Solomon Smith John Roberds Jun.
Jonathan Cram Ezekiel Smith
Antipas Gilman Thomas Gordon
Daniel Rundlet Josiah Moody
Joshua Bean Samuel Roberds
John Mudget John Bean
Thomas Mudget James Dudley
Humphrey Wilson James Dudley Jun.
Ephraim Robinson Joseph Atkinson
John Morgan Nathaniel Foulshom
John Holland Benjamin Scribner
Maverick Gilman William Graves
Benjamin Fifield Moses Fitield.
A true copy attest
Elisha Odlin town clerk.
Exeter May 5"" 1739.
According to y' Desire (by Mr. Russell) I have hear Sent A List of
ail The military officers In Exeter with The Date of There Commissions
under Gov' Belcher. My one Comission bares Date May y"^'' 173 1.
Capt. Peter Gilman Capt. Sam' Gilman, Capt. Thomas Dean, Capt.
Edw^ Hall, Lieut Daniell Gilman, Lieut Isreall Gilman Ens" Rich''
Mattoon. All These Comissions bares Date July 12''' 1731.
Leut. Dudley Odlin Cor" Ezek' Gilman Qiiarter Mast Jon" Connor,
Leut Theophilus Smith, Ens" John Gilman, Ensign James Levit.
These Comissions Bare Date Oct. 21"' 1737.
I am with Respect s' Your
very Humb'" Sarv'
John Gilman.
To The Hon"' Rich' Waldron Esq'
Petition for a Parish.
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esq' Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over His Majcstys Province of
New Hampshire in New England, The Hon'''^ His Majes-
ty's Council & House of Representatives in General Court
Convened.
The Humble Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the North
Westerly Part of the Town of Exeter in said Province Shews.
That your Petitioners being Settled in the aforesaid part the
said Town Labour under Great Difficulties in attending the
254 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Public Worship of God by Reason of the Distance & badness
of the Way to the Meeting House Most of em living More
than seven milesfrom it, & some above nine, so that many Persons
in their Families can attend the Public Worship but seldom.
That being most of them new vSettlers (tho' upon good land)
are not able to maintain a Minister among themselves while
they are Subjected to & actually pay their proportion to the
maintenance of the Gospel & other Charges in the Town.
That a considerable Parish might be set ofl' from the said
Town by the following Metes & Bounds v'z. Beginning at
the North West Corner of Exeter & from thence running South
29 Deg. W. partly by Nottingham & partly by Chester line
four miles and an half & from thence to extend carrying that
breadth of four miles and an half East & by South till it comes
to the head line of New Market Parish being bounded North'ly
partly by Nottingham & partly by Dover Line and Easterly
partly by New Market & partly by Exeter the said four miles
& an half being something Broader than New Market & so ex-
tending a little beyond it upon Exeter which would Compre-
hend your Petitioners Estates & yet leave a Large and able
Parish at the Town below 'em (which would hardly miss 'em)
And tho' they are but few & Poor in Comparison of the rest of
the Town yet they would Gladly bear the charge of Support-
ing the Gospel among themselves were they Exonerated from
that & other Town Charges & duties in the other part of the
Town — But as the aforesaid Bounds Comprehends a Tract of
very Good Land they have reason to think from that as well as
by experience that they shall Increase in number every year &
Especially when accommodated better with respect to the Pub-
lic Worship.
That a Parish Incorporated by the aforesaid Boundaries with
the usual Privileges & Immunities would be a Considerable
ineans of Cultivating & Improving a large Tract of Land
which is now unsubdued, inasmuch as People will be thereby
Encouraged to go out & Settle there, & the Public in General
as w^ell as the said Town in Particular Benefited thereby.
Wherefore your Petitioners Pray This Hon'*' Court would
Please to take the Premises under Consideration and Grant
that they may be Incorporated into a Parish with the usual
Parish powers & Privileges by the Mttes & bounds aforesaid
& Exonerated from paying to the Support of the Minister of
the Town & other Town charges & duties that so they may
support & Maintain the Gospel a school &c. among themselves
with more conveniency for themselves & Families — Or in such
other manner as this Hon'' ' Court in their Great Wisdom &
Goodness shall think proper & your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray &c.
TOWN PAPERS EXKTKR. 255
{acob Smith Theophilus Wodlej
)avid La'irens Jeradiah Blacke
James Norris Jun. Joseph Blake
Samuel Elkins Jun. Benjamin Rolings
Elias Smith George Been
ohn Elkins Nathan iloight
t"
)anie! Elkins Samuel Norris
Jonathan Morris Jun. Samuel Elkins
James Rundlct Elezar Elkins
John Rowell Jeremiah Elkins
Joseph Avery Caleb Gillman
Joseph Norris Israel Gillman
Jonathan Rundlet Jacob Sanborn
Joel Judkitis John Sear
Nathan Samborn Israel Shaperd
Samuel Smith Hezakiah Swain
Jonathan Smith James Chase
Ithiel Clifford Daniel Lad
Joseph Gorden Joseph Malora
"ohn Cartv i" Beni'amin Poter
^
mothv Morgen Jonathan Foulshani
Jeremiah Prescut Ebenczer Marden
Richard Sanborn John Norris
Simon Garloii Jonathan Norris
Job Rowell John Folintown
James Norris Jeremiah Prescut Jun.
Jonathan Gidden Joseph Edgley
John Hall Moses Rolings.
In the House of Representatives Jan 15' ■ 1741 The within Petition
Read and Voted That the Petitioners forthwith Serve the Select Men of
Exeter with a Coppy of the Petition and the Votes thereon — That the
Town of Exeter maj appeare at the Gen '■ Court or Assembly next Tues-
day fortnight to Shew Cause (if any they have) why the prayer of the
Petition may not be granted — And if the General Court or Ass'" Shall
not be then sitting, Then to appeare the Third day of the Sitting of the
next Sessions of Gen' Assembly.
James Jeffry Cle A.ss"
In Council Jan 21 1741-2
Read Si Concurrd
Rich' Waldron Sec
Jan 21 1741-2.
Assented to B. Wentworth
In the House of Representatives Feb. the 2' 1741 The within Peti-
tioners were heard and the dellegates from the Town of Exeter and they
agreed that the Bound shall be as followeth viz. to begin at Durham
Line at the North West corner of the p'ish of New Market and from
thence Bounding on the head Line of said New Market to the South
west Corner of the same, and from thence to run South ab twenty
nine degrees West parallel with the head Line of the Town of Exeter
Extending to half the breadth of the Township of Exeter from Dur-
ham Line aforesaid and from thence to run West & by north to the
Midle of the head Line of the Town of Exeter and from thence to bound
upon Chester and Nottingham to the North West corner of Exeter and
from thence bounding East & by South on Nottingham & Durham to
the first bounds.
Therefore Voted that the prayer of the Petition be granted & that they
bt set off by the Bounds aforesaid and have all powers within themseUes
356 NEW HAMPSHIRE
a8 any Town within this Province Keeping & supporting an Orthodox
Minister to preach among them (excepting the Choice of Represent"")
and untiil thej shall have liberty to have one among themselve thejf
have liberty to Joyn with the Town of Exeter in the choice of Men to
Represent the Town as usuall and that they pay their Proportion of the
charge of such Representatives and that they be not Exempted from pay-
ing any charge of the Town of Exeter that has already been assest upon
them and that they have Liberty to bring in a Bill Accordingly.
James Jeffrey Cler. Ass"
In Council Feb. 3, 1741-i
Read and concurred
Rich'' Waldron Secy.
Feb. 3, 1741-2
Assented to
B Wentworth
Whereas there is a Petition preferred to the General Court by the
northwesterly part of this town to be incorporated into a Parish & s"*
Court have Ordered s' Petitioners to Serve the Selectmen with a Copy
of s'' Petition that the town of Exeter may appear at the General Court
on Tuesday the Second of Feb'^ next to Show Cause if any they
have why the Prayer of s' Petition may not be Granted — These are
therefore to Notify all the Freeholders and other Inhabitants belonging
to the town of Exeter to assemble themselves together at the town house
in Exeter on Monday the first day of February next at one of the clock
afternoon then and there to choose two or more fit persons to represent
this town in General Assembly if they see fit to make answer to the
above Mentioned Petition in Behalfe of the town of Exeter.
Dated at Exeter Jan> y ' 23' 1741-2
Thomas Deane 1
Nath'' Webster j- Selectmen
Josiah Gilman J
A true Copy Attest Elisha Odlin town clerk
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of
Exeter holden at the town house in s-^ Exeter Feby i^' 1741-2
1 Voted Samuel Oilman Esq"^ Moderator of s"^ Meeting
2 Voted That two men be chosen to make answer to the Petition pre-
ferr'd to the General Court or assembly by the Northwesterly part of the
town with power to act before s'' Court on behalf of the town as they
shall think proper.
3 Voted That Samuel Gilman Esq' & Lieut Theophilus Smith be thee
two men for the End afores'
A true Copy Attest Elisha Odlin town Clerk
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of
Exeter held at the town house in s' Exeter Feb>' 8"" 1741-2
Voted Lieut Daniel Gilman Moderator for s^^ meeting
Voted That the meeting be adjourned to this day fortnight one of the
clock in the afternoon to meet again at the town house.
The meeting being again met according to adjournment this 22'^ day
of Feby 1 741-2
Voted Thomas Deane Clerk for s*' meeting.
Voted That the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Southerly & South-
i
TOWN PAPERS EXETER.
257
westerly part of the town of Exeter be granted and that they be set off
to be aParish by themselves and that they have setoff to them and their
successors the one llalfe of the Breadth of the Land in s' town Lying
at the westerly End thereof for a Parish and that it be Bounded as fol-
loweth viz : Beginning at the head of New Market Line then running
on a South line to Exeter Great Fresh River and then halfe a Mile up
s'' river, & then South to Kingston Line and so to the head of the town-
ship Provided that the above s' Parish doe settle an Orthodox Minister of
Christ and maintain & support the same and all other Parish Charges
within the same of themselves.
A true Copy Examin'd this 23' day of Feb> 1741-2
nr. Me Elisha Odlin town Clerk
Counter Petition.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq" Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire and to the Hon"' his Majesties Coimcil &
Representatives now in General Court assembled.
Humbly Sheweth your Petitioners (Subscribers hereto) Free-
holders and Inhabitants of the South westerly part of the Town
of Exeter that your Petitioners for Several years past have with
Some of our Neighbors erected a house for the Publick wor-
ship of God in the inost convenient place as we then and now
think for the ease and benefit of the Inhabitants of that part of
the Town in General and have in the winter time carry'd on
the Publick worship in it but Several persons of that part of
the Town haveing of late without our Privity or Consent Peti-
tioned the Town to be set oft' as a Parish within Particular
boundaries as Mention'd in their Petition and the Town hav-
ing met to consider their Petition adjourned the Consideration
of the said Meeting to a further day and untill New Market &
Eppin Parish lines were run but the Time of the meeting on
the adjournment happening before the runing of New Market
and Eppin lines your Petitioners and also Sundry of the In-
habitants of the Town Expected that the said meeting would
have been further adjourned till the said lines had been runand
that nothing would have been acted at said Meeting but being
press'd on by the said Petitioners who themselves then unjustly
voted for the Petition's being Consider'd and Granted by which
means it was then consider'd & granted as afores by which
Means if your Excellency with this hon' '' court shoulcl confirm
the afores' vote then pass'd it would Greatly Injure your Peti-
tioners and therefore yoiu- Petitioners luunbly move your Ex-
cellency and this hon '' Court that the Consideration of any
Petition that is or may be preferr'd to your Excellency and this
hon ■ Court for confirming the afores' vote may not be heard
and pass'd upon untill some convenient time be given your Pe-
17
2^8 XEW HAMFSIUKE
titioneis tc; appear and shew cause wheiefuie the Said Vote
ought not to be confirmed. And your Petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall ever humbly pray &c
Dated at Exeter March ii' 1741*
Andrew Gilman Ebenezer Colcord
Timothy Lenvitt Nicklas Dudley-
Daniel Jels ? John Dudley
Joseph Leavitt Samuel Dudley
X)avid Smith Jonathan Thing
Josiah Thing John Ilolond
Benjamin Gilman Moses Juitt
Jonathan Wadleigh, Jr. Nicklos Smith
John Roberts Samuell Edgle\-
Will ' Bean Job Judkings
Humphrey Wilson Natinel Thing
Jeremiah Been Edward Colcord
Daniel Wormall John Dudley Juner
Nicolas Dudley John Gorge
Edward Stevens Jearimear Gilman June
^ Stephen Leavitt Haley Stephens
' Sarah Jorden wid John Odlin Jun.
Samuel Smith ? Jonathan Gilman Junr.
John Conor , ■■'' Nicklis Gordon
Edward Colcord -^ ' John Gils
In the House of Representatives June ^2 ' 1742.
the within Petition Read and Parties Heard A Voted That the Peti-
tion be Dismissed
James Jeftrey Cler Ass"
* In these dates reader* will bear in mind tluit the old stvle is followed— March
11, 1741, being Maich 11, 17-H-2. Ed.
Petition for Parish privileges.
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esq' Goven' & Com-
mander in chieff in & over His ]Majestys Province of New
Hamp "" The Hon'' His Majestys Council & House of rep-
resentatives for s' Province in Gen Court Convened.
The Humble Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants on the
Southerly or South Westerly paite of the Town of Exeter in s'
Province Sheweth.
That their Estates & habitations are so far from the meeting
House where they usually attend the Publick Worship as makes
it very Inconvenient for them, most of them living above five
miles Distant therefrom Considering of which & the Large
Congregation that belongs to the meeting house afores & their
abillity The Town at a Publick meeting on the 32 ' day of
Feb' last have voted a new Parish sliould be Errected by the
Bounds set forth in the Vote (if the Gen Court Saw meet)
which will comprehend your Petitioners Estates & habitations
.& if a Parrisli was Errected there will have a Tendency t(^
Promote the settlements of the Lands in that Parte of the
TOWN FAPKRS— EXETER.
259
:ulio\ nino- which vote is liercwith 1*
Town A: of the Tow
-sen ted.
That your Petitioners Hnde a number of Persons of the v;
lownliavealh-eady Petitioned this Court that this Petition
may not l)e Granted untill thev are heard against it but have
not set rorta any reason they have against it but Proposed to
Do ,t (as It seems by their Petition) ore tenus upon the hear-
ing wherein- your Petitioners will be under this Disadvantage
that tliey cannot Inform their Council of those facts which wtll
be necessary ni answer to what shall be alle^-ed
VVheretore your Petitioners most Humblv Pray that the\
may be errected ^ Incorporated into a Parrish by "the Bouncl-
anes m the s' Vote_& that if this Hon' - Court think Proper
that the afores Petitioners Should be first heard that the^•
xvould order that they file their objections in Some Publick
othce m writing some reasonable time before the Dav of hear-
swe,W V -'"'7 ^'"''^'r"'' "^"^ ^'''''^ '' ^^^"- oi^POitunitv of an-
pNenngthem& your Petitioners as in dutv Bound shall ever
James Dudley
Rob- Young"
Darby Kelley
Benja Veasey
Elisha Sanburne
Jeremiah Bean
Tames Robinson
Benja Fifield
James Dudlev Junr.
Jn" Roberts jun'
Moses Fifield
Ja- Morgan
Jos' Bean
Maverick Gillman
Tho" Gordon
Dan' Sanborn
Charles Young
Xich~ Gorden
]r\ Smith
Jn Bean
Josiah Moodv
Jn Brown
Rob' Brown
Sam Jones
Xathiel Foulsum
W' Smith
Shobel Sanburne
In the House of Representatives, March 17^' 1741 ■
Ex?te'rTnVh '''l'°V'^-'^'^'^"°^'^^'- Petition of Andrew Gillman of
PeYiSnVe'grlntld." """'" '° '^ ""'^'^ ^^^^^ '"^^ Prayer of the withm
An^d°rew r -n '"""^ °.u""^;?*" ^''^ ^'^^^■^ or within Petition- Serve the Said
fortt'^\lP^'r,?;K'''^p\?°P^' °^ '^' P^titi°" "^^ Court order the. eon
torthu.th .^ that the Parties appear the third Dav of the Sittin- of the
Jon ' Crane
Tho' Mudget
Joseph Thing
Antipas Gillman
John Folsham
Jn" Levit Jun
George Roberts
Jon' Smith
Jeremiah Row
Jon ' Taler
Zach' Judkins
John Levet
Ithiel Smith
Ale.x ' Roberts
Benj' Scribner
Sam' Dudley
David Bean
Joseph Atkinson
Sam' Roberts
Ezekiel Smith
Jacob Smith
Ebenez Hutchinson
Daniel Hilton
Jn ■ Midget
W"' Gra^■es
Jon' Robinson
Nich^' Dolloff
z6o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Gen' Assembly next Sessions to be heard & that the Contrary party may
shew Cause (if any they have) why the Prayer of this Petition may not
be Granted & that Andrew GiUman tSi others file their objections in the
Secretarys office Ten Days before the next sitting of the Gen' Assembly
James Jeffrey Cler Assembly
In Council March 22'^ 1741
The above vote read & Concurr'd
Theo'd Atkinson SeO'
Vera Copia
Theodore Atkinson Sec>'
In the House of Representatives Jun 22- 1744 The within Petition
Read and the Parties heard thereon and those that desired to be heard
against it, and voted
That the Prayer of the Petition be granted they maintaining an or-
thodox minister & that Ichabod Roby & Richard Jenness Esqrs. be a
Committee of this House to Joyne Such as the Hon"^''- the Council
shall appoint to go on the Spot and View where it is most Convenient
that a new meeting House may be placed, So as to be most Convenient
for all the Parties Concern'd & that to be Conclusive and the Petition-
ers have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
James Jeffrey Cler. Ass"
Remonstra7ice.
Whereas a Number of the Inhabitants of y' Southerly or
South westerly part of the town of Exeter By a vote pass'd at
a meeting held by adjournment at the town house in Exeter
Febry. 22' 1741-2 were set oft" to be a parish by meets and
Bounds Express'd in Said vote which they have Since Peti-
tioned to Court to Confirm we think ought not to be confirmed
for y following reasons.
1 Because as we apprehend the s ' vote was illegally ob-
tained the meeting Being before adjourned, to have the Line
run which was not done, and y-fore many Inhabitants not
present thinking the meeting would be further adjourned, and
the s' Petitioners Being the maj' Part of the voters forc't it on
and voted it and it Being a particular favour to themselves we
Esteem it illegal & y fore not to be Confirmed
2 Because we with some of our neighbors a niunber of the
Inhabitants of the s' Southerly &c. Part of the town have
been at considerable charge in Erecting and Building a house
for the worship of God and the meets and Bounds by which
they are set of is contrary to what was ever Proposed by s'
Inhabitants on y* part of the town and was without our Knowl-
edge or Consent and has a manifest tendency to destroy our
Labours and to overthrow or at Least Greatly Disturb the wor-
ship of God amongst us.
3 Bee : The Line of s ' Parish includes or takes in many of
us & Great part or all of our Estates altho' we timely entre'd
TOWN PAPERS EXETEK. 261
our Protests against any such thing under present circum-
stances & y'fore &c.
4 Bee : of our inability we being not yet ripe for a Parish,
under our present Divided circumstances having Got nothing
in any forwardness therefor, & most of y'" Petitioners Exceed-
ing poor, and scarcelv able to live now Even as we may say
y*^ Biggest part of them and having a meeting house to Build
a Minister to Maintain & settle and a school to maintain to-
gether with y Largeness of Provinces taxes and we Being
also m.ich Divided amongst ourselves, it would as we appre-
hend if confirmed be to the utter ruin of many familys an im-
poverishing of the place, a Damage to themselves & families
a Laving a voke upon us all which we shall not be able to
Bear
5 Bee: the Confirming of the same under our Present Cir-
cumstances would as we apprehend be but confirming of con-
fusion and disorder amongst us and instead of advancing and
Enlarging y Kingdom and Interest of x' would tend to in-
crease intestine Jars and animosity s amongst us Even as fear
to our entire over throw at last, & y fore not to Be confirmed.
6 Bee : we would further Give as a reason the unpresidency
of the thing to be Set of to be a Parish Before agreed w " to
set a House & even whilst quarreling about the same y Like
Instance not to be Given we Believe in New England y'fore
pray y' it may not be confirmed.
Wa>- rant for y tueetijig the i^- of May.
Whereas upwards of thirty of the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the
town of Exeter have Desired us the Subscribers, Selectmen of the s''
town forthwith to Issue a warrant to w^arn a meetinjT of the Freeholders &
Inhabitants of the said town to take into consideration the vote that
was on the 22' day of Feb last by adjournment as they think illegally
obtained bv the Petitioners of the Southerly <!« Southwesterly part of
the town of Exeter for being set oft" as a" Parish within particular
Boundarys as set forth in their Petition which vote the s' Petitioners
have since preferr'd a Petition to the General assembly of this Prov-
ince to get a Confirmation of- and for asmuch as the said thirty Inhab-
itants & freeholders afores' think said vote was Illegally obtained and
that themselves as well as the town in General shall be Greatly injured
in Case said vote is Confirmed : These are therefore to notify the free-
holders and Inhabitants of this town of Exeter to meet at the town
house in s' town on Monday the 17'' day of may Currant at two of the
clock in the afternoon to consider of a vote if they think fit first if they
think the said vote was Legally obtained or not. J^'> if the Confirma-
tion of said vote will not be of a manifest Injury to the town in Gen-
eral. 3> if the town will then Choose some person to represent the
same at the next sitting of the General Court in June next and to doe
262 NEW HAMPSHIRE
what else they shall then think proper to be done about the Premises.
Dated at Exeter afores' the third day of may anno Domini 1742.
Jonathan Connor John Odlinjr.
Xath' Webster "Robert Light
a true copy attest Josiah Gilmon
Elisha Odlin town clerk Selectmen
Re7)ionst)-ance.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esqr. Governour &
Commander in Chief in and over his Maj''''' Province of
New Hampshire in New England and to the Hon'' His
Majesties Conncil for said Province & House of Representa-
tives when Conven'd in Gen' Assembly.
Whereas Sundry of the Inhabitants of the vSoutherly &
Southwesterly part of Exeter in New Hampshire at the Last
Sessions preferred a Petition to this Hon''"^^ Court to be set off
a Parish (from the old meeting House in Exeter aforesaid
where they usually attended the Publick Worship) by meets
and Bounds as set forth in the Said Petition. And whereas
after the Intent of the above Petitioners was known by us the
Subscribers who never Consented to the said Petition we did
also Prefer a Petition to this Hon'' ' Court Dated at Exeter
March II, 1 741 Praying that the above Petition might not be
granted until we were heard, upon which the Court on Con-
sidering both Petitions Ordered that we should file our an-
swers in the Secy office ten days before the Siting of the As-
sembly in their next Sessions- In obedience to which order —
for answer why we may not be included within the said Peti-
tion and set off from the old Town with them Petition'- Is
that we do not nor never desired it and that our Estates are
parted by the Line proposed. None of us Living within the
Body of the new Precinct Proposed but on the Lines on the
East and South Sides and that the s ' lines proposed will be
very injurious to us & therefore we Humblv Pray that our
Poles and Estates may still be Continued to the old Town of
Exeter, and we are hiniilDly of opinion that it would be a very
great hardship to set off so great a number of us, the Sub-
scribers from the Place we now belong to against our Wills
and Interests and which wou'd prove so Great Damage to
us on all accounts and that if this Hon' Court think Proper to
sett off that new District, we humbly pray y' we may be
polled of to the old Town with our Estates within the s' boun-
darys and as in Duty Bound we shall Ever Pray &c.
May 24"' 1742
TOWN PAPERS EXETEl?. 363
Andrew Gilmaii Samuel Dudley Jr.
Timothy Leavitt Jonathan Thing
John Roberts Ebenezer Colcord
Nicholas Dudley Edward Stevens
, Benjamin Oilman Jonathan Wadleigh
Daniel Worniall Daniel Qiiimby
Edward Colcord Andrew Downer
Humphrey Wilson Abraham Smith
Biley Lytbrd Samuel Smith Copp
Haley Stevens Josiah Thing
Jeremiah Bean ? Xickelas Dudley Jun.
Joseph Leavit Sarah Gordon widow
William Bean John Yonge
Edward Thing Xath Webster
Nicolas Smith John Evinly
Daniel Giels John Dudley
Moses Juet Stephen Leavit
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town
of Exeter held at the town house in s'' Exeter May 17"' 1742
Voted Mr. Daniel Thing moderator for s'' meeting. At the same
meeting it was put to vote whether the town would act any thing on
the warrant and it pass'd in the Negative
A true Copy attest Elisha Odlin toun clerk
Remoiistraticc.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Goveniour &
Comaiuler in chief in and over his Majesties Province of
Xew Hampshire in New England & to the Hon'' ' His
Maj''' Council for Said Province & House of Representa-
tives w Convened in Gen' Assembly
Whereas Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Southerly &i
Southeasterly part of the Town of Exeter in New hampshire
aforesaid at the last Sessions Preferred a Petition to this Hon ''
Court to be set ofi' a psish. (from the old Town of Exeter
where they usually attended the Publick Worship) Setting forth
therein that the Town at a Meeting held the 22' day of febru-
ary last past voted a new psish should be errected by the
bounds set forth in the vote of the 22 ■ of Feb (wdiich would
comprehend the Petitioners and their Estates) as pr. their
Petition.
And by a Petition dated at Exeter the 11" day of March
last past by Sundry Persons who signed the Petition so dated
Andrew Gillman & others Presented the Same to the Gen'
Court praying that the Petition Hrst above referred to might
not be granted till they were heard, the Hon " Court ordered
that the said Petitioners should serve the said Andrew Gill-
man w" a Coppy of the said Petition and Court older thereon
and a day of appearance at the sitting of the next Gen' Ass'"
264 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and also to file answers ten days before the sitting of the next
Gen Ass' in the Secretaries office (to show cause &c)
And in obeyance to Said order, and for Answer (besides
w' is in the said Andrew Gillinan & others Petition) they beg
leave to say i' That they are humbly of opinion what was
acted at the meeting held on the 23 ' Fe' last was not done in
conformity to the intent of the Town at the first meeting which
was held the 8 '' of Fe & y' on y' 22" of Fe was by adjourn-
ment, the Reason of which adjournment was (That New
Market & Epping Parrish Line might be run and until it was
run) that the Town & People might the better know what &
whose pssons & Estates would fall in. But the da}' of the said
meeting on y' 22'"' of Fe' fell out, before either of the Said
Lines were Run and your Respondents Supposing the meet-
ing would be againe adjourned until the Said Lines were run
they were not at the meeting nor did Several of them know
whether their houses or Estate would fall within or without
the Said Line of the proposed new pssish The Petitioners
for the new Parish took the advantage of so thin a meeting
and would not adjourn againe to have the aforesaid Lines run
But obtained a vote for setting themselves off (they being y''
Majority) and gave themselves bounds- all which manage-
ment we think to be ag" Law or Equity- <S: therefore not to be
regarded or Confirmed.
2' By the Bounds Set forth in the vote of y" 22' of Feb.
the Estates of Several of your Respond'^ are split & Divided
so as some of their houses are in the old Town & their im-
proved Land within the bounds proposed for the New Pre-
cinct and Severall of their homsted Lands divided some one
side of the Line and some on the other which may be very
prejudicial to them.
3'"> they ai-e taken In by said Line of y proposed precinct
against their wills or knowledge (by the vote of y' 22 ' Feb.
afforesaid being past before the Lines afc)resaid was run accord-
ing to the intent of the Town) or that many of them knew
how the Lines of the proposed Parrish would fall & none of
them being Petitioners.
4'' the Great Confusion & heart Burning it will Raise by
& with Som (if not amongst the whole) to be forced ag' their
wills to that they never desired, and will So greatly prejudice
them and their Estates.
5""> The Respondents under their present circumstances &
the Circumstances of the Petitioners think they are not yet
able to support and maintain the necessary Charges of a psish.
Wherefore they humbly Pray the Prayer of the Petition
may not be Granted. But if the Hon' Court Shall see good
to indulge the Petitioners with a Grant of a new Precinct ac-
cording to the Bounds in said Vo .e of y' 22' Feb.
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 265
Tlien voiir Respondents Most humbly Pray the Hon ' Court
that their Poles & Estates may be Polled oft' to the old Town
of Exeter, untill further order and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall Ever Pray <!v:c
May 20' 1742
Andrew Oilman for him-
self and the other respondents afores''
Rec'd into the Secv's office for the Province of New Hamp • the 27"'
May 174::.
In the House of Representatives June 24"' 1742
Upon Reconsidering the Votes on the Petition of the Inhabitants of
the Soiith\ve>^t part of Exeter for being set off a Parrish- And upon
Considorini;- tlie Within agreement of the Several Parties Voted That
Richard Wibird & Geo Walton Esq'~ li: M Jon' Thomson be a Comit-
tee to go tV View the places agreed upon by the Parties as within men-
tioned for the placeing the New Meeting House And to fix the place
where said Meeting House Shall Stand and that to be a finale Conclu-
sion And that the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly
for parish Powers and also that the charge of the Comittee be borne
and paid by the whole Society- the Committee to make their Return
into the Secretarys oflice.
James Jeft'ry Cler. Ass'"
In Council June 26''' 1742
Concurrd & John Douning Esqr.
aded to the above Comittee.
Theo. Atkinson Secy.
Eod" Die
In the House of Representatives the Council vote of addition Read
and Concurrd
James Jeft'ry cler ass"
Eod' Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth
Report 071 location of a meeting house.
We Elisha Sanburn in behalf of the Petitioners for a Parrish in the
Southwest part of Exeter And John Dudley on behalfe of the opposers
of said Petition (excepting those Persons that live on the South Side
of Exeter River) do agree That two places are proposed where to place
a new meeting House for Said District viz : one place to be at the
North East Corner of David Robinsons Land in said District Joining
to Jon ' Robinsons Land the South Side of the way that goes to Craw-
leys falls mill Above Deer Hill mill, the other place at the South East
Corner of Cap. James Levits Mowing Lot by a Gully on the North
Side of the above Road and that Each party makes Choice of a man
Indifferent and a third person be chosen by both parties i: if they can-
Tiot agree upon the third person, Then the two persons first chosen
shall make choice of a third person, and that they three prsons Say at
which of the above places the Meeting House shall Stand or at any
convenient place between the above two places inentioned. In Witness
266 NEW HAMPSHIRE
of the above said agreement the parties above named Each for the par-
ties he Represents have hereunto Set their hands this zt;'^ June 1742
Elisha Sanborn
John Dudiev
J:>7'/ni-i.uood's Petition about the Li>ies of the Parish.
To His Excellenc}' Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire The Hon'' His Majestys Council & House
of Representatives in General Assembly Convened vSeptem-
ber the 14''- 1742.
Humbly Shews
Joseph Leavit & Elisha Sanborn both of the Parish of Brint-
wood in the Province of New Hampshire & as Agents for
Said Parish.
That the Inhabitants of said Parish Are in an unsettled
Condition & Labour imder Considerable difficulty notwith-
standing the favour & Indulgence of the General Court in
making them a Parish which arises from the uncertainty of
the Boundaries on the Lower part of said Parish next to Exe-
ter Town. For as the Line which Divides said Parish from
said Town is to begin at the Head of New Market Line &
then to Rial South to Exeter River making near a Right An-
gle with new market Line and the head of that Line is not
sufficiently Ascertained it makes the said Dividing Line uncer-
tain and the Said Parish of Brintwood will be Longer or
Shorter according as the said Line shall be Settled which
Considerably affects the Inhabitants thereof & the affairs of
the Parish and Especially with Regard to fixing the Meeting
house & other matters Relating thereunto. That the Parties
Interested cannot agree of themselves in the Premises Where-
fore the said agents Humbly Pray that a Committee may be
appointed by the General Assembly with sufficient authority
to ascertain the said Boundaries of the Said Parish of Brint-
wood as soon as may be by fixing & Running the Said Line
of New Market and all other Lines necessary to the end
aforesaid for the better Regulation of the affairs of said Par-
ish & preventing Differences & Disputes between the said
Parishes & the Town of Exeter atas ' or that the same may be
done in such other method & as soon as to the Wisdom &
Goodness of the General Assembly shall seem meet.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Joseph Leavit
Elisha Saxborn
In the House of Representatives Sept. 17"' 1742
The within Petition Read : and Voted That the Praver of the Peti-
TOWX PAPERS EXETER. 367
tion be Granted in the following manner viz: That Capt. Icabod Rob\
M' John Sanborn and Cap' Nathaniel Ealy be a Comittee to Run &
mark out the Boundary Lines Between Exeter old Parrish and New
Market and Between Exeter Old psi.sh And Brentwood and that thev
make Return of theire doing therein & present a Plan of the Lines they
Run how they have Markt out the Boundarys to the General Assembly
next Thursday if the Assembly be then Sitting (if not) then on the
third day of the Sitting of the Gen' Assembly at their next Sessions,
for acceptance and that all the Parrishes aforesaid shall have Liberty
to be heard (to shew Reason if any they have) why the Lines Shall
not be Settled Agreeable to the Report of s'' Comittee before it be Con-
firmed by the Gen' Court. And that in case Mr. John Sanburn & Capt.
Ealy or Either of them will not accept & go with Capt. Roby to Run
said" Lines, That then Capt. Roby Lnploj- two good understanding
men to be chaine men on oath to go with him c's: that he make Retura
as aforesaid the Petitioners paying the Charge.
James JetYry Cler. Ass''
September 17, 1742
In Council read & Concurred.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Eodem Die
Assented to B. Wentworth
Pciitiofi of Andrew Gil/nan and others.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governoiir and
Cnmniander in cheif in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire and to the Hon' ' his Majesty's Council &
Representatives in General Court assembled
Himibly vSheweth the Subscribers hereunto Inhabitants of
the Parish of Brintwood having for some years past Erected
a meeting house for the Public worship of God in the most
Suitable place for us that live on the North Side of the river
and have also Carry'd on the Publick worship in it at oiu"
own Cost and in as much as the moving said house or our
being obliged to move the Same or pay towards the Erecting
a New Meeting house further up into said Parish would be a
great hardsliip as well as cost unto us Several of us Living
two miles & upwards tVotn the present meetinghouse, Where-
fore we humbly pray your Excellency and this hon'' Court
will in your Great Wisdom take our Case under your wise
Consideration and Grant us Liberty to Continue to Carry on
the worship of God in the present meetinghouse that we may
be free from all cliarges and Duties to any other house that
Shall be built and that we may be set off as a particular Dis-
trict with such other priviledges and by Such boundaries as
your Excellency and this hon'' Court in your Great wisdom
shall see meet to Grant us, And your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall ever pray &c.
Dated at Brintwood Nov' i6'^ 1742.
268
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Andrew Oilman
Nicholas Dudley
Timothy Leavit
Daniel Wormall
Bangaman Gilman
Jonathan Gilman
Samuel Stevens
Jmereh Gilman
Thomas Mudget
vSamuel Edgerlj
Humphrey Wilson
Stephen Leavit
Tho^ Dudley Junr.
Nicklous Smeth
Darby Kallv
Will'" Bean
Edward Colcord
Edward Thing
Andrew Donner
John Mudget
Moses Jewett
John George
Jeremiah Bean
Jonathan Thing
Samuel Smith
John Morgin
Edward Colcord Jr.
Nicklous Dudley. Juner
John Quimby
Jonathan Dudley
Haley Stevens
Sarah Gorden
John Leavitt
Joshua Bean
Ithiel Clifford
Mavrick Gilman
Jonathan Stevens .'
Antipas Gilman
Masey Dudley
Samuel Dudley Jun.
Mathes Bean
John Odlen Jun.
John Qiiimbe Jun.
[742.
Josiah Thins
John Dudlej'
In the House of Representative.'-
the within Petition Read and Voted that the Petitioners (at their own
cost) serve the Selectmen of Brentwood with a Coppy of this Petition
and the votes thereon and y' they appeare the 3'' day of the Sitting of
the Gen' Ass " after the 25''' day of December next to shew cause (if
any they have) why the prayer of the Petition may not be granted
James Jeffry Cle- Ass '
Prov. N. Hamp —
Nov. 23" 1742
the above vote of the House read & Concurred
Theod Atkinson Secy.
Prov New
Hamp''
Nov. 24"' 1743
Assented to
In the House of Representatives May the 24"
B. Wentworth
1743
the within Petition and their opponents heard by their Council the
House having Considered thereof, Voted That this "Petition and also a
Petition signed Joseph Thing & Peter Thing & ten others Desiring to
be admitted to Joyne with the within Petitioners be both Dismissed
James Jeffry Cler Ass'"
Brintijoood to fay Prov ' Tax to Exeter.
Whereas the new psish of Brentwood in the Town of Exeter has
been Set off from the old Town of Exeter Since the Proportioning the
Towns &c. in this Province has been made — And the Warrant from the
Treasurer came directed to the Select men of Exeter for the Prov. Tax
w '' Included the Poles & Estates of those persons & Estates in Brent-
wood and since they have been sett off they Refuse to pay Exeter Con-
stables their Proportion of the Prov Tax which is like to cause a dif-
ference between the Town and parrish — For prevention whereof Voted
That the Poles & Estates belonging to said psish of Brentwood pay
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 269
their Proportion of the Province Tax as they are already Assesed by
the Select men of Exeter for the Present yeare, To the Constables who
have the Warrants to collect the same and for the future that Brent-
wood Joyn with the Town of Exeter in making their Province Rates
till otherwise ordered by the Gen' Assembly and that an act be drawn
up accordingly.
James Jeffrv Cler Ass'"
J5-9'hmoi74i
In Council Nov 25"' 1742
read & concurrd
Theodore Atkinson iSecy
Eodem Die
Assented to B. Wextworth
Copy of a report of a Comittee ab' Brintzvood meeting
House.
Prov New "j Persuant to an act of the Gen' Court Bareing Date
hamp" I the 26"' Day of June 1742.
Portsm ■ Feb Wee the "Subscribers being appointed by s'' act as a
I-' 1742-3 J Committee to Survey and View the parrish of Brintwood
in the Town Ship of Exeter in the province aforesaid To See where
the Most convenient and Comodious place is for the Erecting of a
Meeting house tor the accomidation of the aforesaid parrish. according
to the power and authority given us by the aforesaid act Wee have
yeiwed all parts of said parrish as was shew'd by the Committee ap-
pointed by Vote of the parrish aforesaid to attend and shew us the
Several parts of said parrish and Inhabitants. Wee doe therefore ad-
judge i: Determine that a Certain peice of Land call'd or known by the
Name of Capt. James Levitts Lott that Lyes upon the North side of
the Road or high way that Leads from Deer hill mill to Crawlys Falls
Mill upon the Westerly side of the Gully att the Easterly Corner of
said Lott is the most convenient place according to the best of our
judgm' and shall be the spott for the setting the meeting house on,
Which wee give as our Judgm' and Determination under our hands
the Day above Said
John Downing \
Geo. Walton \ Comittee
Jonathan Thompson J
At a Legal parish meeting held at Brintwood on Mondav February
the 19'' 1742-3 Voted Mr. timothy Leavitt moderator of s'*^ meeting at
the same meeting it was voted that Jeremiah Bean & Joseph Leavit be
chosen to agree with the man that owns the Land where the Commit-
tee hath Determin'd a place for a meeting house in s^' parish iv: also to
take a Deed of s'' Land tor the use of the parish of the afores'' man If
he see fit to give a deed at the same meeting it was voted that John
Roberdsjohn Marsh Jeremiah Rowe James Roberdson Daniel Sand-
burn be Chosen a Committee to Imply men to procure timber for a
meeting house in s'' parish iV: all other Stut^' that is necessary for build-
ing s*! house in s'' parish, at the same meeting it was voted that the
meeting house in s*^ parish be builded by way of Rate sixty feet long«&
forty feet wide, at the same meeting voted that the same Committee
have power to agree with Carpenders & other Labouring men in s"!
parish to build the frame of the 5*^ meeting house upon the lot that the
said committee hath appointed for setting said house, at the same
S70
NEW HAMrSHIRE
iiieetiiij4 voted that the frame ot' said meeting house be Compleated
workman Like fit to Raise by the tenth day of June next Insuing,
at the same meetinsf voted that Every Labouring man & yoake of
oxen have Seven Shillings pr. day Each & find himself for every days
work he is out about s'' frame or house.
A true Copy taken out of Brintvvood parish Record
Attest Joseph Leavit parish Clerk.
Joint Petltio)i. d-c.
Province of \
New Hampshirj
To His Excellency Benuing Wentworth Escp-. Captain Gen-
eral and Goveinour in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire aforesaid. To his Majesties Cotmcill and
house of Representatives in General assembly Convened.
Whereas there is a Petition of Andrew Gilman and others
now lying before your Excellency and the Hon Court Pray-
ing that yoin- Excellency and the Hon' Court will in your
great Wisdom take their Case under your wise Consideration
and Grant them Liberty to Continue to Carry on the Worship
of God in the Present Meeting house that they may be free
from all charges and Duties to any other house that shall be
built and that they may be set oft' as a Perticular District with
Such other Priviledges and by Such Boundaries as your Ex-
cellency and this Hon Court in your Great Wisdom Shal 1
see meet to Grant them. To which said Petition our names
are not afiixed and we being Freeholders or Inhabitants within
the Parish of Brintwood and are Desireous to have the Prayer
of the said Petition Granted (if Consistant with your Excel-
lencys & your honours Pleasure) Do Earnestly pray that we
may be Received as Joynt Petitioners with them and Deemed
as Such- And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
pray &c.
Dated at Brintwood May lo' 1743
Sameuel Thing
Nicolas Gordon
Joseph Thing
Nath' Webster
Jona Dudley
Joseph Hoghit
John Holan
Calep Brown
Ebenezer Towle
Daniel Quimbe
Joseph Thing Tun
Peter Thing^
J
TOWN- PAt'IiKS EXETEK. 37I
Province of \
New IlampshiiL' )
To his Excellency B Wintworth Esqr. Capt. Governor in and
over liis maj" ~ Provence New hampshire. To his maj' "
Council antl house of represent ~ in General Assembly
Con\enecl.
Whereas there [is] a Petition of Andrew Gilman and oth-
■ers now Lyingf before your Excelency and the Hon ' Coun-
A:il Praving cS:c & Bearing Date Deseniber the lo 1743 to
which our names are not in Intfixed & we being Free holders
or Inhabitants within the Parish of Brintwood and are Desire-
ous to have the Prayers of the s' Petition Granted if Consist-
ant with your Excellency and your Hon'' Council and house
of represent Pray that we may be Rec'd as Joynt Petition-
ers with them and Deemed as such & your Pititioners as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
John Leavitt Miw' Gilman
Ithiel Cliford Nrfclos Smith
Province of \
New Hampshire j
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in cheif In and over His majesties Province of
New Hampshire And to the Hon • His Majesties Councill
and House of Representatives In General Court Assem-
bled.
Humbly Shews The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Parish
ii Brintwood in the Province aforesaid That they having at
their own Cost and Charge Erected a house for the Publick
Worship of God in said Parish- Do Therefore Humbly Re-
quest your Excellency and The Hon ■ Court To Enable us
by an act of the Hon''' Court To Poll otV ourselves our Fami-
lys and Estates and such others as shall Think meet to Joyn
with us in Carrying on tlie Publick Worship in said house
And that they may be Exempt from Charge towards Support-
ing any other house or Minister in said Parish besides their
•own, And your Petitioners as in Duty Boimd Shall ever Pray.
Dated December 10"' 1743
Andrew Gihnan Wido Mare Dudley
Daniel Wormall Widow Sarah Gorden
Benj Gilman Josiah Thing
Nicolas Dudley Timothy Leavitt
Nicola-i Dudley Junr. Thomas Flanders
Samuel Stevens John Yonge
Jerem'' Gilman Edward Colcord
Jonthan Gilman John Dudley
JIaley Stevens Stephen Leavitt
272 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Edward Thing John Holon
Daniel Qiiimbe Martha Been
Humphrey Wilson Jonathan Modget
Jonathan Qiiimbe Joshua Been
Samuel Dudley John Morgon Junr.
Samuel Smith Darbe Kely
Jeremiah Bean Jonathan Thing
Samuel Edgerly Antipas Oilman
Caleb Brown Joseph Hoit
In the House of Representatives X'' the 15'^ 1743
The above Petition Read and Voted that the Petitioners at their
proper Cost & Charge Serve the Select men of Exe' and the Select
men of Brentwood with a Coppy of the Petition and Votes thereon-
to appeare the third day of the Sitting of the Gen' Assembly after the
first day of April next to show cause if any they have why the Prayer
of the Petition may not be granted
James Jeffrey Cler. Ass'"
In Council Eodem Die
read & non concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec.
And voted That the Prayer of the Petition be granted and that any
Rateable Person or Persons that are now Inhabitants within the s''
Parish of Brintwood may Joyn with the Petitioners Provided they en-
ter their name with the Clerk of the Parish on or before the 25"' Day
of Feb'^ next & that any Person that shall settle in thes'' Parish within
Three years may alsoe have the Liberty of Joyning with the Petition-
ers by Entring their names with the Clerk of that Parish and that an
act be Drawn up accordingly
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
In the House of Representatives Xr 16"' 1743
the above vote of Councill Read & non concurred & Voted That the
Petitioners at their proper Cost and charge Serve the Select men of
Brentwood with a Coppy of this Petition and the Votes thereon, to ap-
peare the week after next (if the Gen' Ass'" be then sitting) if not then
to appeare the third day of the Sitting of the Gen. Ass'" after that
time to shew cause why the prayer of the Petition may not be granted-
James Je'ftry Cler. Ass'"
Dec 17"' 1743.
In Council Read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec
Eodem Die
Assented to B. Wentworth
In the House of Represen"*^* Xr 30"' 1743
■ the Petitioners and the Respond'' heard & the House having Con-
sidered thereof Voted That the Said Pet' be Dismist
James Jeftrey Cler. Ass"'
Remonstrance^ <&c.
Province of "1
New Hamp'' J
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Maj'' " Province of
New Hamp" And to the Hon''' his Maj'^ Councill And
House of Representatives In General Court Assembled.
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER, j^l
T.'p^'^'l''?"''' Inhabitants Of the Parish of Brentwood
V^'^l^::?:^^'^'^^:^'-^dii^y^nghoen Sowed with a Copia
itwood
- .^y ^ , ' •-'v^wv.v^ H1J3 iiuu -^ Court
families .>:^a^.&^V ""/ ' \ ^ourt to Poll off themselves &
of^^Pe^tion of a Numbe;. o/'fei;^:;;;.^. ^^ sal^^^^^^d
.ili^and Estiats & such oth.^ a^ JLu .link m ^^l^^;
ththemm carrying on the Publick Worship of God at a
Cos;'and rf' ^h^>'^---,--ected in s' Parrish^.t thei own
Peti io ^ T'^"~ "^"^ ^'"V^ ^"^^^ ^i^h the Votes on s"
Petition <Sc to appear in s' Court to show Cause whv the
wh??'-fp\'v' ^^''''°" '""^y "«^ be granted our Reasons
why said Petition may not be granted are as followeth
I If their Petition should be granted it would be verv dis
the P' 1 r°f\V^-^'"^ ^ "^ ^'^'^^' «f "« being able t? Pay
he Publick & Private charges Nessisarily Ari^ng in s Pa7
ish the which we should be able to Do should tlfe krish i"
Inhabitants be Kept together. ''^' ^
iJL M """^'^ ^^T'- ^^^^*'°" b^ ^^'^"ted It would Put the Par-
ish to More confusion and Dihculty about seting the Meednl
houses than ever has been yet & besides should^their Reauesf
offerecl'T- ''''' ^' ^^^^^^^ objections and What may be further
oue.t A ;'\P" ^T ^°"°"^^ ^^'^" Pl^^sto deny there Re
Dated Dec"- 26^' 1743,
John Roberds r;,„ ,, ,
Jr^Ur. AT.,„„u •Dilev Harde
John Marsh ^'-Y, ^^""'^^^
Nath'FoIsham Nicklas Gordon
d
Thomas Gording
Nath' Folsham t.h"^ , o "°"
Benjamin Fifield &''^} P""^^^""
John Brown fr,'"^' ^ °""&
18
274
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jeremiah Bean sen.
Moses Fifield
Williman Graves
Jeames Robinson
Hanary Marsh
John Folsham
David Bean
Benjamin Veazey
John Roberds Jun.
Baniman Roburds
Ezekiel Smith
Robert Brown
Job Keniston
James Dudley Jun.
Daniel Sanborn
Geog Robt : s
Elisha Sainborn
Joseph Leavitt
Daniel Gorden
Daniel Giles
Daniel Giles Jun
John Giles
David Smith
Jeames Marsh
Biley Lyford
Jonathan Smith
Benjamin Rogers
Thomas Critchett
Isaac Cleftbrd
Jacob Hobs
Joel Judkins
Jehial Smith
Zechriah Judkins
Samuel Rogers ?
Robert Young
Ambros Hinds
Charles Young
John James
Nichelas Dolloff
Jeremiah Row
John Mudget
Jonathan Robinson
Jonathan Talen ?
Samuel Young
John Bean
Benja Scribner
Joseph Moody
Edmund Roberts
Nicholas Gorden Jun.
VOLUME III.
EXETER TO JEFFERSON'.
EXETER— (continued) .
Petitiofi of A?idrew Gihnan and others about a meeting-
house^ 1743'
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over His Majesties Province of
New Hampshire-
And to the Hon"'' his Majesties Council! and Representatives
In Generall Court assembled —
We the subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Northerly part of the Parish of Brintwood in the Province
aforesaid Do Humbly Crave Leave of your Excellency and
honours to Lay this our Humble Remonstrance of our Dis-
tressed Circumstances before your Excellency and honours as
follows Viz :
Many of us Living four or five miles Distant from Exeter
Meeting house have Attended the Publick Worship of God at
that house for many years past with Great difficulty and our
families Encreasing made it much more Difficult Especially
in the Winter Spring & Fall of the year —
Wherefore about eight years ago we with several of the
Southerly part of said Parish Erected a house for the Publick
worship of God in the most suitable place as they thought,
and wc Now do think to carry on the Publick Worship in and
accordingly at our own Charge have carry'd on the same in
the winter, Spring and fall of the year ever since as we had
for four years or thereabouts before Erecting said house car-
ry'd on the Publick Worship in a Private house Standing near
our Present Meeting house —
And about Last February was twelve month the Freeholders
& Inhabitants of the Southerly part of Brintwood aforesaid
Petitioned the Town of Exeter aforesaid to be sett ofl' as a
Parish Contrary to the will and Desire of most of us, and
said Town of Exeter Granted their said Petition Not with
standing many of us Dissented therefrom. And their said
Petition being granted they afterwards Apply'd to your Excel-
lency and honours for a Charter for said Parish which was
Granted them Contrary to our Desire and Greatly to our hurt-
And we also having Earnestly Petition'd your Excellency &
376 NEW HAMPSHIRE
honours that we might be Permitted to Conthiue to Carry on
the Publick worship of God in our said house and to be set oft'
by such Boundaries as your Excellency & honours should
think meet and be Exempted from all Charge towards the
meeting house and ministry in the Southerly Part of said Par-
ish &c : as by our Petition Lying before your Excellency and
Honours in your hon''''' Court may appear which Petition the
hon'''' House of Representatives have seen meet to Dismiss-
And also your Excellency & honours having appointed a Com-
mittee of four Gentlemen two out of Each house to prefix the
place where the meeting house ought to Stand — Three of said
Gentlemen have been and made return, but is accounted voy'd
by your Excellency & honours, For that the Committee Did
not all joyn in their Returne and for which Reason our Peti-
tion was also Dismisst. wherefore our Case at Present seems
very hard and Difficult we having been at such cost to Erect
our said house and to Maintain Preaching in it hitherto, and
the minister also who hath hitherto Preached to us being at
our Earnest Desire willing to Continue with us in the Minis-
try. If your Excellency & honours will in your great wisdom
take this our Remonstrance of our Difficult Circvmistances in
our Present meeting house not being Establish'd and our afore-
said Petition not being Granted and the great charges and
Difficulties we hitherto have and Still do Labour under, under
your Excellency and Honours wise consideration and be
pleas'd to grant us Releif herein as in your great wisdom you
shall see meet &
As in Duty Bound we your Excellencies & honours Most
Obedient, Humble Servants shall Ever Pra}' Ac-
Dated at Brintwood June 37"' Anno Domini 1743.
Andrew Gilman John George
Humphry Wilson Edward Thing
Edward Colcord Daniel Qiiimby
Nicholas Dudley Sarah Gordon
Antipas Gilman John Leavitt
Timothy Leavitt Samuel Stevens
Beniamin Gilman Joseph Hoyt
Samuel Edgerley Joshua Been
Samuel Dudley John Morgin
Jonathan Thing John Holon
Stephen Leavitt Zekil Claford
Josiah Thing Samuel Smith
Jonathan Hadley Daniel Wormall
Nicolas Dudley'jun Marthy Been
Jeremiah Bean Haley Stvens
John Dudly Jeremy Gilman. Jun
In the House of Representatives July i"' 1743.
The within Petition Read & Cons"idered on & Voted That Eleazer
Russel Esq Mark Langdon Gen' Sc Mr. Noah Barker of Stratham be a
comitee to Joyne such as the Hon''''' the Council shall appoint to go to
the Parish of Brentwood and View the Situation of said Parrish, &
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 277
see whether it will be most convenient for the Inhabitants thereof to be
Divided Into two Parrishes or whether the whole shall meet at the
Meeting Mouse already Built for some Limited time or to Conclude
upon some other metlicd that thej shall think to be for the best good
of the said p'ish, In order for their being settled in Peace, and that
they make Report to the Gen' Ass'" the third day of the sitting of the
Gen' Ass'" at their next sessions And that the Petitioners be at the
charge of the Comittee and that the Petitioners serve the Sellet men of
Brentwood with a Coppy of this Pet^ & Votes that they may Kotifie
the p'ish of these proceedings - and that those that will dispute what
is acted may appeare at the day above said.
James Jeffry Cler"^ Ass'''y
Eodem Die
In Council read & concurrd & the Above s' Comittee hereby estab-
lished & Impowerd for the End Above s'
Theod. Atkinson, Secry
Eodem Die
Assented to. B. Wentworth.
Petition of sundry persons in Exeter about support of a
Minister among- themselves. — 1744.
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq. Govornov and
Comander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in Council,
Humbly Sheweth. Andrew Oilman Nicholas Dudley and
Humphry Wilson, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the North-
erly part of the Parrish of Brentwood on Behalf of themselves
and theire distressed Neighbours, and friends Living within
the Northerly part of said Parrish, who have once and againe
been supplicating v' Excellency with the other branch of the
General Assembly for our being sett off from the other part
of said Parrish, and that wee might Injoy the liberty of carry-
ing on the Publick Worship of God in our present Meeting
House free from any Charge to be Laid on us by the other
part of Said P'ish, and in as much as our Grievances Still re-
maine unredrest, and fearing the daily approches of Greater
by unreasonable Taxes &c —
We your humble Petitioners, for our selves and our dis-
tressed Brethren and Neighbours, would therefore humbly
crave Leave from y' Excellencie once more to lay our dis-
tressed circumstances under your wise consideration and hum-
bly pray that your Excellency will be pleased to think of some
speedy way to set us otT from the other part of said Parish,
and from the charges thereof. That we may still continue the
Publick Worship of God in our own Meeting House, and not
be forced to go to the Meeting House, which some of the
other part of the Parrish would have us, ^vhich we could not
do (in time of war) without the utmost hazzard of the Lives
378 NEW HAMPSHIRE
of our Selves & Famillyes. The place where their meeting
House is i^ropos'd to be sett, being in the midst of a Great
Swamp, and verry hazardous and also difficult to go to either
in Spring or Fall of the yeare — We your humble Petitioners
most humbly leave our selves and our distressed circumstances
to the Pitty and compassion of your Excellency, humbly pray-
ing your Pitty and Compassion and the heareing and Granting
this our Petition, as in your Wisdome you shall see most
meet-
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
Dated May 26^^ 1744.
Andrew Gilman
Nicholas Dudley
Humphry Wilson
In behalfe of the rest that have now a Petition lying before
the Gen' Ass"
Petit io7i to be exempted from support of a minister not
of their choice.
1744 To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor
and Comander in Cheif in and over his Majesties
Province of New Hampsh' &c, and to the Hon^'*
His Majesties Councill and House of Representa-
tives, in Generall Assembly Conven'd —
The Humble Petition of a Number of the freeholders and
other Inhabitants of the Town of Exeter, Humbly Sheweth
that att the Annuall Meeting held in Exeter in the year 1 743 :
The Town did att s'' Meeting proceed (in a hasty and resolute
Manner as wee Conceive contrary to the mind of most of your
Petitioners who timely enterd their dissents) to chuse a Com-
ittee, Absolutely to agree with, and Settle Mr Woodbridge
Odiin as a Colleague with his father in the Ministry which
was effected by s' Comittee, and the Gentleman soon settled :
which being very greivous to us & wee most of us apprehend-
ing that neither wee nor our households would be likely to
proffit under his Ministry therefore could not receive him as our
minister and have for our own and households Spirituall Edifi-
cation supported a Gospell Minister to preach to us upwards
of a year, and have been Obliged to pay our proportion toward
the Settlement, and Salary of S' Gentleman, notwithstanding :
and as most of us have tho't it our duty so to do, wee still look
upon it our dutv for our own, and our households & others
Spirituall Edification to settle a Gospell Minister amongst us
and in order thereto have erected a meeting House for the
Publick worship of God att our own cost, and having already
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER.
279
made application to the town for leleif, but they granting o
us none : wee tho't it our duty to make application to this
Hon**''' Court for relief, therefore wee humbly pray that your
Excellency, and Hon" will take our case under your wise con-
sideration, and grant us relief in the following manner Viz.
by exempting us our households and Estates, and all those
persons and familys with their Estates, whose hearts the Lord
shall Incline to join with us, within a linimited time to be
prefixt by your Excellency, and your Honours from paying
any thing to the further support of the now settled ministers,
or those that may Succeed them ; provided wee support a
Gospell Minister amongst ourselves : or to grant us relief in
any other way that you in your great Wisdom shall think best ;
And if your Excellency and Hon'~ should think it reasonable
That wee have some allowance made us for the money wee
have already paid, toward the settlement and support of s''
Gentleman, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray &c-
Exeter July iS
John Lord
Sam" Gilman
Nehemiah Gilman
Daniel Smith
Josiah Gilman
Daniel Thing
Benj'' Thing
Jonathan Gilman
John Leavitt
Wadleigh Cram
Daniel Gilman
Josiah Ladd
Dudlej- James
James Dudley
Peter Gilman
Daniel Folsom
Trueworthy Gilman
Moses Gilman. Jun
John Gilman 3''''
Samuell Dalloff
Jon' Jiidgskins
Charles Rundlet
John Sloper
James Thosten
John Dudley
Theophilus Smith
John Phillips
1744.
Thomas Lord
Samuel Noris
Nich" Gilman, Jr
Thomas Dean
Abnar Thustin
Moses Swett
Robert Lights
Sam" Gilman, Jr
John Dean
Richard Smith
Nicholas Gordin
Jonathan Gilman, Jr
John Light
Stephen Thing
Jeremiah Bean
Richard Smith, Jr
John Looge. Jun
John Haines
Eben' Sinkler
Jon ' Young
Benjamin Lary
True Dudley
Joshep Smith
Abner DoUof
George Dutch
Joshua Foulsham
John Robinson, Jun
5^
In the House of Representatives July 19"' 1744.
The within Petition, Read, and Voted that the Petitioners at their
own cost and Charge Serve the Selectmen of the Old Town of Exeter
with a Coppy of this Petition, and the Votes thereon. That the said
Selectmen may call the said Town togeather to choose Agents (if they
see cause) to appear the second day of the sitting of the General Ass"'
28o NEW HAMPSHIRE
after the Last day of July curr' to shew Cause (if any they have) why
the Prayer of the Petition may not be Granted.
James JeftVy, Cler. Ass'"
In Council July 20"' 1744.
read i\: Concurred
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Eod"' Die-
Assented to- B. Wentworth.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town
of Exeter holden at the town house in Exeter
July 30"' 1744,
Voted, "Maj"' Nich" Oilman mod'"' of said meeting
Voted, that their be agents chosen to Repersent the town in General
Court or Assembly
Voted That M'' Nich" Peryman, Mr James Gilman Sc Zebulon Gid-
ding be agents for that end
Voted That they or either of them to appear in General Court at the
next seting to shue cause why the Petition of a number of this Town
should not be Granted and to Defend the town against the same-
A Copy- Zebulon Giddinge, Town Clerk.
Agreetnent of parties.
October y^ 15"' 1744.
Acording To the advice of His Excelencey we a number of Booth
Peartie in the Parish of Brintwood have Descorsed on our afair Con-
searning an agreement-
And the upper People Desire stall to standby the first Act in making
the Parish. Notwithstanding they whose Names are under written are
willing Rather than to be devided that the meeting house should be sit
by way of Rate Viz, As Near the Senter of the width of the Parich
on the Middle Rode as may be and as Near the Botim Line as that one
half the money accordingto the Rate this year shall be Raised Above
it-
Reuben Smith Elisha Samborn
Benj" Veasey Benf' Fifield
James Young Daniel Samborn
Jeremiah Bean John Roberts
Jon" Robinson Jerr'' Rowe
James Robinson Moses Jewet
Petition in Answer to that praying- for exe?nption^ &c.
To His Excellency Bennlng Wentworth. Esq' Governor and
Commander in Cheif in and over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, and to the Hon"'' his Majestys Council &
Ploiise of Representatives in Generall Assembly Convened-
The Agents for the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town
of Exeter in the Province aforesaid Legally Chosen at their
meeting held at Exeter aforesaid on the thirtieth day of July
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER. zSt
1744 to make answer to and Shew Cause why the Prayer of
the Petition of a Number of the Freeholders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Exeter- Prefeared to your Excellency
and tliis hon"'"' Court (on the iS"^'' day of July 1744.) may not
be Granted.
. . . The said Petitioners have been Guiltv of a very
imprmiis ^^.^^^ Mistake in setting forth in their Petition the
Hasty & Resolute maimer (as they conceiv'd) of chusing a
committee absolutely to agree Avith and Settle M'' \Voodbridge
Odlin as a Colleague with his Father in the Ministry, which
they Say was Etlected by Said Committee and the Gentleman
Soon Settled — We Humbly Crave Leave to Reply and Say
that the said meeting (being on the 28"' day of March 1743.)
was carried on by the Freeholders and Inhabitants (Except-
ing the Petitioners) in as Moderate & Deliberate a manner as
annual meetings have been usually carry'd on in, and the
choice of the said Committee was made after a mature consid-
eration and Deliberation of the Voters then Present (as we
apprehend) by a very Great Majority and sometime after one
of the said committee (viz) Mr Benjamin Thing refusing to
act and the others not thinking it Safe to act without him (be-
ing chosen to Act Joyntly) upon their Representation of it to
the Selectmen of said Town another Town meeting was called
on the thirteenth day of June then next to see if the Town
would proceed in Chusing another in his room or give power
to the Remainder of the said Committee or the Major part of
them to act in the Premisses — At which meeting after Due
consideration of the Voters then Present they Voted that the
Remainder of the said committee or the Major part of them
should have full power to act in and about the Premises : And
the Gentleman was not ordain'd untill the Twenty Eighth of
vSeptcmber following Waiting that time in hopes that many
of the Principal men of the Now Petitioners would have been
Reconcil'd to the Gentleman whom they by their request, with
Sundry others on the 4' ' of January 1741 by a paper under
their hands approv'd of and Pray'd his assistance with his
hon' • Father in the ministry and thereby prevail'd with him to
refuse a call that was about to be made him at the Town of
Biddcford, where he had for some time preached to the Great
Satisfaction of that People, and also at many other Places as
well as in our Town too well known to be Denied by the Pe-
titioners, and his Life and Doctrine being agreeable To us the
Town Proceeded as before — And what moved many of the
Petitioners to be prejudiced against him we know not. — For
at the ordination there were Twelve Churches by their Elders
and Delegates Call'd to advise and Assist in the ordination be-
fore whom many of the now Petitioners made their Objec-
282 NEW HAMPSHIRE
tions in writing against their Proceeding to said Ordination
and were Patiently heard by the said Elders and Delegates,
who after serious Deliberation on the said Objections Judged
the same to be Insufficient and so Proceeded to the Ordina-
tion since which several of the Petitioners have joyn'd in
Communion with our Church and two of them (viz:) Mr:
Benjamin Thing and Mr John Light, neither they nor their
Familyes have forsaken the Ordinances, and Major Thomas
Deane, another of the Petitioners who had for some time left
the Communion of the Church upon his Declaring that he
was Convinced that it was his Duty to Returne to the Ordi-
nance of the Lords Supper and to Joyn in communion with
this church hath been Lately Re admitted to and Partaken of
the Ordinance
2'i'y We Crave Leave to Observe that some of the now Pe-
titioners Joyn'd with others in a Petition to the Select men for
their Incerting in their warrant for the annual meeting to Con-
sider of and Vote if they tho'' meet the Choice of a Committee
to call and agree with the said M Woodbridge Odlin to assist
his hon- Father as a colleague in the ministry with him &c-
3'''-' We would Crave Leave to Observe that the reasons
that Several of the Petitioners who were church members
Gave by a paper under their hands Dated May 14^'- 1743, for
their w^ith drawing at first was "That they had Observed with
Grief the Conduct of our Rev'd Pastor Mr John Odlin with
regard to the work of Gods Glorious Grace in the Late out-
pouring of his Spirit Amongst us of which they Trusted many
of them had been the Subjects, and their being Convinced in
their Consciences that our said Pastor and Church Did not
treat the same as a work of Soveraign Rich Grace, but that
the method of their Late Conduct, the Petitioners apprehended
had been, and Continued in Opposition thereto- in as much
as the Instrument it had pleased God to make use of in carry-
ing it on and the Subjects of it are Discountenanced" they
meaning as we apprehend thereby, that our Rev'^' Pastor and
Church Refused to allow such of the Itinerant Preachers to
Pi'each in the meeting house, who did not first wait on our
rev'' Pastor and give him Satisfaction as to their Principles and
Doctrine, & also that he did not comply with the Irregularities
of the Times, and also as to the method of the Settlement of
Mr Woodbridge Odlin which wee apprehend was Right-
4*'"^' We further Observe that (as we humbly Conceive) the
calling & Settlement of M Woodbridge Odlin was agreeable to
the Laws of this Province, & the usage of the churches in this
Government : much the Greater part of the Town being Sen-
cible of their need they Stood in of an assistant to his hon'
Father by reason of his age as well as his bodily Infirmitys
TOWN PAPERS EXETER.
2S3
and also having had full and Satisfactory proof of the Said
M- Woodbridge Odlins Life Conversation and Doctrine-
^uiiy y^-Q Humbly Conceive that the Prayer of the Petition
if Granted Will Tend Greatly to the Prejudice not only of this
church but also of all the other churches of this Government
and \vill be a manifest breach of the Law of this Province
and Contrary to the Constitution of the churches in the Coun-
try for any small number of Persons who through unreason-
able Prejudice shall desire this Hon " Court to Exempt them-
selves, their Familys and Estates from paying toward the
support of the Present settled ministers or those that succeed
them when the Law of this Province in that case already
made & provided obliges them so to do, unless the Petitioners
should so change their Principles in Religion that the Act of
Parliament would Free them from the same which we appre-
hend is not the Case of the Present Petitioners — Neither
have the Petitioners, Either before the Council Present at the
ordination, or the Council Lately call'd by this church sup-
ported their Objections against the calling & ordaining of Mr
VVoodbridge Odlin. And the offence Taken at the settlement
of the Rev. Mr : Woodbridge Odlin under the Notion of his
being an opposer of the work of God- the said Last Council
in their Result say that therein they tho' they (meaning the
withdrawing brethren, some of the Petitioners) had cast an
undue Reflection upon him — And as to the Validit}' and
Regularity of his Settlement, they found it was agreeable
to the majorit}- both of Town and Churcli and approv'd and
ratified by a Venerable Councill of Churches call'd by this
church — and the said Councill Further adjudg'd that the
agriev'd brethrens calling a Council at the Time and in the
manner they did, was an uncommon Step of Proceedure, and
that this church have been in the way of their Duty and have
Done no more than they had a right to do in calling them as
a Councill without the agrieved brethren, They being Desir'd
to joyn in calling them —
6'> We Humbly Conceive that the conclusion of the Prayer
of the Petitioners is absurd imreasonable and unjust in Desir-
ing to have some allowance made them for the money they
have already paid towards the settlement and support of the
said Gentleman, meaning (as we suppose) our Present ^Nlinis-
ters- as to the settlement of the Rev' Mr John Odlin very few
if any of the Petitioners paid anv thing towards it. and as to
the settlement and support of the Rev ' Mr Woodbridge Odlin,
Several of the Petitioners having Lately come into the Town
have paid Little or Nothing towards it and some of them not
in the Rates untill this year-
Lastlv- We Humblv Crave Leave to Observe to vour Ex-
284 NEW HAMPSHIRE
celleiicy and honours That the Principal motives (as we con-
ceive) that the Petitioners have used in their Petition in order
to Induce this hon"'*^^ Court to grant the Prayer of their Peti-
tion are these two (viz) "First that they have vSupported a
Gospel Minister to preach to them upward of a year" and
2*"-' that they "have at their own Cost Erected a meeting
house" —
And as to the first we humbly conceive that they will be
under Some Difficulty to prove that they have Supported a
Gospel Minister and we conceive that their Separating from
the Established Ministry of The Town without Just cause was
Evil in itself and the Evil Example thereof has Drawn Many
belonging to the Neighbouring Towns & Parishes away to their
Separate house and to Leave their own Ministers which thing
if Countenanced by this Hon''' Court will be a Leading Ex-
ample to Others, and be a means of bringing this Province
into the utmost Confusion both by Dividing Familys and Sep-
arating friends and Christian Societies-
And 2"'^ as to their Erecting a meeting house (as they say
in their Petition) at their own cost, We humbly Conceive that
any number of Gentlemen may build an house at their own
Cost if they please ; But for this Hon'' "" Court who have the
Religious as well as Civil Interests cf this Province under their
wise Care, to set it apart for the Publick worship of God, to
the Disturbance and breaking up of the Neighbouring Churches
and the Publick peace of the Government, we humbly Con-
ceive v\^ould be a Great Grief and burden to the people in
General and bring the Province into Such confusion as will
Render the Inhabitants unable to Support the Charge of the
Government.
For These reasons with what others we shall crave Leave to
Lay before your Excellency and Honours, We Humbly hope
This Hon'' ' Court will be Induced not to Grant the Prayer of
the said Petition but to Dismiss the same-
NicH. Ferryman
James Gilman
Zebulon Giddingk
RepUcaiion to the foregoing.
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq. Gov & Com-
and' in Chief in & Over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire the Hon''''" his Majesty's Council & House of
Represen' in Gener'' Assembly Conven'd —
The Reply of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of y'
Town of Exeter who have Petitioned to be Exempted from
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 285
paying towards the support of the ministry in said Town &c.
to the answer of the Agents of s ' Town to their Petition
May it please your Excellency & the other the Hon'''''
Branches of the Legislature The fav"^ granted your Petition'''
with regard to an opportunity of making a written Reply to
the answers made to their Petition in behalf of the Town
gives them Encouragem' to hope for success in the matter
under Debate as the merit & Weight of w' Shall be offer ' can
in this way be much better Consider'd
Your Petition'' would beg leave Humbly to Observe in
General, that in this affair as they are not Influenced by sinis-
ter views, corrupt or vicious Principles nor any but Conscien-
cious motives their Case claims the closer attention & greater
tenderness — and as they are Sincere in their Principles which
relate to this matter so tliey would be just in their Reasonings
upon it : & should therefore have been glad to have avoided
entering into the consideration of several points & matters of
fact moved in the said answer because they will be a Diver-
sion & a Digression from ;he Main Qtiestion- but could not
prevail with the Agents to wave them. To come then to the
s' answer t\: Reply in as brief & clear a manner as we can
by following the Several Articles thereof. We must Observ^c
their first begins with charging the Petition" with a mistake
in Representing that the Town in Setting Mr Woodbridge
Odlin proceeded in a hasty & Resolute manner, & then they
go on to give an acco' of y' affair, the Substance of w'' is that
it was carried on w" great deliberation & every step Maturely
Considered : That every Person Concern'd acted their part
from y fullest Evidence & Strongest Conviction of the Expe-
diency of the thing &. the Legality of the means, <S: the Like —
But in this ace' there is nothing said of the Art used first to
prepare matters by prevailing on near Seventy Persons to sign
a Petition to the vSelect men praying a proper Clause might be
Inserted in the warrant for the Annual meeting 1743 & so
working up the minds of the Petiti(jners to favour the thing
before it came to be considered in Public — They also have
omitted to Observe that when the Town was met & about to
proceed on this affair : the Non-Petitioners or most of them
made the strongest Remonstrances ag' desiring it might be
suspended for some time at least offering to supply the Desk
if necessary by Subscription as the}' had done y' year before
hoping that a little time as it would have given greater Oppor-
tunity to have advised &. proposed so it would have produced
a greater unanimity of Opinion, if not terms of union & peace
— They dont say a word of the Contempt w"' w-'' this was
Rejected. & how Resolutely they proceeded as well to Vote
the Raising money as chusing a Committee to Effect & carry
286 NEW HAMPSHIRE
these designs into Execution which had been Contrived before,
nor how their proposals at the second meeting were Rejected
— nor that a church Com"" was chosen to call assistance for
the Ordination before the agreement made w"' the Gentleman
to be Ordain'd w''' with many other transactions too tedious to
Recite, prove the thing to be Contrived & determined before
it came to be Voted, and that those who asserted their free-
dom & Liberty had Reason to be dissatisfied, the whole being
done before the Deacons & Standing Church committee had
any notice of it only as Inhabitants of the Town, and after the
Town had determined the matter & a com^" chosen to agree
the Terms a Proclamation was Issued under the ministers-
hand, appointing a Day of fasting & prayer in the Town to
seek Direction, now these proceedings & much more of the
like nature were Just Causes of Dissatisfaction with this Set-
tlement, & that we might well say it was Resolute if not hasty
Especially if we Consider that the Towns Committee (men
chosen no Doubt with good Policy) was Impower'd to com-
pleat this agreement without making a report to the Town for
their Confirmation or Approbation which is the usual way,
for we think a precedent like this cant be found w ■' th" by
virtue of a Particular Law may be barely called Legal can by
no propriety be term'd prudent & w'' if ever it was done be-
fore was only done, as we Conceive it was here to serve a
Sinister End-
But as to what is objected to us, that we had a hand in Call-
ing or Inviting the Gentleman to preach in Town we Con-
ceive there is no weight in it, for such Invitation is always
understood to be in order to chusing, w''' necessarily Imply's
Refusing — When a Congregation Invite several Candidates,
they are often call'd from other places, where they are upon
probation But it was never suppos'd that such Invitation car-
ried in it an obligation to chuse the Person Invited for where
more than one Preaches before the choice, all cant be chosen,
and if but one Preaches, where can be the choice — unless it
be that which we have all heard of —
But we pass on The second article of the answer
we conceive is of no Consequence in this Debate, if admitted
to be true, for it only proves that some of the Petitioners are
not of the same mind now w '' they once were of in this
Particular affair —
Nor is the third more to the point ; for it only shows the
Respondents have assum'd a power of Judging the hearts of
those they there speak of — And as to the 4"' we would only
observe, that if this settlement was Legal, it will be very
Difficult, if not Impossible to prove it to be agreeable to the
usage of the churches in this Government.
TOWN- PAPERS EXETER. zSf
In their 5"' Article we conceive the Respond'^ proceed on
fallacious principles & take for granted propositions which
cant be proved — as that if this Petition is granted, not only
this church, but all the churches in the Goverm' will be
greatly prejudiced — Now where is the prejudice to the church
as such if these Petitioners were dismissed — there will be a
church still left, of a competent Number, Invested with the
same powers & enjoying the same Privileges as they now
enjoy — and if the Number desiring to be Dismissed be so
small as is Represented the objection is still of Less wight-
and as to Churches in General how are they like to be atlected
by it- no other ways than they always are by gathering a new
church, when the members belong'd to any other before ; and
if this is of any weight it will always be an Objection, in that
case as well as in this : & so there must never be but one
church in a Town tho ever so Large — and the same argum'
may be always made ag erecting new Parishes, for the old
must be hurt by the Loss of any of its Parishoners by an in-
crease of charge on those that Remain — Again when tis
said the granting this Petition would be a manifest breach of
the Laws of the Province the Objection Implies that this court
are to proceed only on Laws already in force that they are Re-
strain'd by them, & arc only to put such Laws in Execution —
which is not the case, the petitioners ask for a new Law, &
apply to those who can make it- the doing of w • will no
more be a breach of tlie old, tlian the making any other new
Law & the same argum lies with Equal Reasoning ag' mak-
ing any new Law, for every Instance of that Kind in some
sense alters those before in force — The Qiiestion tlierefore
ought not to be whether the Law ask'd for will be a breach
upon other Laws. Put whether the End propos'd by it be
good, whether it is R &. Reasonable to be done, & in order to
discover that we beg leave to observe that we take it for un-
doubted Truth in w' all Christians are agreed That the end
of all Public worship is the Hon' of God & the Edification of
the Worshipers, that is, the Improvem' of their minds in all
christian Graces & virtues that these two are never separated,
& therefore the edification of the worshipers alwa\s implies
the former ; That assemblies worship & care only means to
attain the End. Viz die Edification of those who attend them.
That this cant be done where the worship is not voluntary, for
it must be in Spirit and in truth, free & sincere- That there is
a great variety in the fitness of means arising from many cir-
cumstances particularly the diferent Capacities & tempers of
Persons w '' may make means very fit & useful to one Person,
not so to another, and that in these cases the right of Private
Judgment is to be maintained more than in any, for here every
388 NEW HAMPSHIRE
man must Judge for himself, & tis impossible another can
Judge for him, and that hereupon he ought to follow the Dic-
tates of his own Conscience — That tis every mans duty to
pursue this end, as tis the Noblest & highest that can be pro-
posed by the fittest & best means — from these principles w'''
are indisputable, it evidently follows, that when a man appre-
hends he can obtain the afores' end better in one Congregation
than in another, he ought to Join to that w '' he Judges the
better for that purpose. & when a number sufficient to embody
in Church order have the same Judgm* as to that point they
ought to sepai-ate & embody ; it then becomes their duty for it
is certainly a duty to use those means we Judge fittest, for ob-
taining the best end : & the omission of it is the omission of
a Known duty, for which Conscience will Inevitably Con-
demn— he that denies this must with the same breath condemn
the Reformation for upon these & such like principles the Re-
formed Chuixh Separated from the church of Room, who
condemnd them for it, for she mortally hated Separations- He
therefore that will not allow of it in the cases here put, must
if he will be consistent in his principles. Return to the mother
Church from which the first Reformers separated — Now the
civil Magistrates Ought to be the minister of God for good to
the People, & where their greatest good is concernd ought to
give them the greatest Countenance. If it be said tis enough
for such separatists to enjoy their Liberty of Separating with-
out being Eas'd of their taxes — the answer is that would be
making them purchase their Liberty of those who enjoy their
own freely & is not Liberty Equally every mans right who has
not forfeited it ? If so no man should be oblig'd to purchase
it at a dearer Rate than his neighbour, and where such a sep-
aration is made from an apprehension of dut}' & in Obedience
to Conscience it is so far from being Just matter of Reproach
or blame to the party or of oftence to others, that it ought on
the other hand to Receive that Countenance & approbation
justly due to those who have a sense of duty & tenderness of
Conscience sufficient to put them upon the performance of it-
The Respond" indeed say the Petitioners are a small number
of Persons, who separate thro' unreasonable prejudice & here
again they suppose that true w^'' we den}', namely that we
have no Reason for separating — for it appears to us to be duty
upon such principles & arguments as have been before men-
tioned & therefore think ourselves free from the just imputation
of prejudice, & they have no Right to judge our hearts & con-
demn us for Hypocrites — Beside how easy it is to charge,
& to Return the charge of unreasonable prejudice. Every
party in Politicks as well as Religion is exceeding apt to think
all the opposition to their measures proceeds from unreason-
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER. 389
able Prejudice, & if men would but open their eyes they must
needs see things as they do and none more apt to run Riot in
this opinion than that party which is uppermost, which always
supposes it self in the Right — But here it seems in this case
it is quite plain there is the opinion & Result of a Council —
But we cant think it proper to trouble this Court with those
affairs, a particular detail & Consideration of w'-' would be
more than could be done in a wee!;s time, nor are they at all
proper to be discuss'd here- and after all should it be done it
would amount to no more than this — Two men differ each
calls in his friend to advise which they do, but advise differ-
ently according to their Different Apprehension & thereupon
each man follows & applauds the advice he likes best — In
short whenever a sufficient number agree to go off from a
church or churches, & Embody by themselves & by their out-
ward actions or the General course of their lives in a Judgment
of charity there is Reason to think them sincere in their
pretensions, if they are willing to support the preaching of the
gospel & other ordinances among themselves & especially
when their Separation does not break up the churches they
leave, we humbly Conceive, & with great deference & submis-
sion would say they have a right to demand of the authority,
that protection. Exemption & Countenance whereby they may
Enjoy their Opinions & Sacred Rights on as Cheap & Easy
terms as their neighbours so far as the Circumstances of their
case will admit —
The Sixth & Last Article begins with charging the Peti-
cion"^" with absurdity &c In desiring some allowance for w'
they have paid towards the settlem*^ of the minis'^^' &c- As to
the settlem' of the ReV' Mr Odlin the Elder, tis out of the
Question, but as to the other we see no such absurdity, for
many Reasons, but especially considering this was purposely
made as chargeably, even to us, as it could be, by making that
a Public charge which might have been otherways defrayed,
as to Other parts of this Article tis comprised in the foregoing
there being no great difference between saying, men Separate
from tinreasonable prejudice^ & saying it is evil in self, that
it is of Evil Example & draivs others to do the like differs
little from saying it would be of Dangerous cojiscquence to
the Chitrches^ all which is only beging the thing in Qiiestion
— for we think it for the good of the churches, if by Churches
we understand the People of the churches & not the Minister
only, & if by good, is meant their Spiritual Edification &
not the great point of maintaining the minister in Affluence &
Ease — But this they say if done will be a leading example &
we say all the better, if it be a thin'g which ought to be done,
which is our apprehension of it, & that not only in this case
290 NEW HAMPSHIRE
but all others so circumstauc'd ; as to other fearful conse-
quences mention'd they are merely chimerical : & Deserve na
Answer- But here it is worth considering whether force,
Compulsion or Restraint is a likely way to promote the Inter-
ests of pure religion, whether to compel to Conformity is a
likely means Ever did or ever will Make a sincere Conformist,
& what Interest is such a Conduct likely to promote, unless
that of the purse of the parishioners & the more comfortable
Subsistence of the Parson for the Larger the Parish, the higher
the Salary is no false Logick — But those who are ag" their
neighbours Spiritual Benefit from Lucrative or frugal princi-
ples do not do as they would be done by^ they do not Exercise
that charity which sceketh not her oivn^ and he is Effectually
ag"^ such benefit who prevents or Endeavours to prevent his
neighbours from using those means he judges his duty to use.
St Pauls Exhortation in this case is for every man to please
his neighbours for his good to Edification — As to other mat-
ters taken notice of in this Article of the answer we cant
think them of so much consequence in This debate as to need
a particular Reply — The Building a meeting house or not is of
no farther moment in this affair than as it argues those who
have done it to be in Earnest & That they think it to be a
matter of Some Consequence or they would not have been at
that Charge — Upon the whole it is Humbly Submitted
whether the Interest of Religion will not be more promoted —
whether any such pernicious consequences are like to follow
as are Suggested & whether the Interests of a Considerable
number of good & faithful Subjects to the Government will
not be advanced by granting this Petition? and Lastly whether
the Consequences are not likely to be more pernicious which
must follow from a Denial —
„ o [1 f^ ^ In behalf
By- Sam'' (jilman f ^ ^1
Peter Oilman \^^,-,-^Zvs
October y" 8''' 1744.
We whose names are under written having by chance heard that
his Excelency & the Hon''" Councel heath sent a Survaier (i) to
the Parish of Brintwood in order to Devide the same, and we being
taking into the Lower Part and have bin at Grate Charge in Getting
the Parish, We Pray that we may not be Conbin'd therin for we are
sencible that their is not a sufficient number in it be at the Nessuarj
Charges of a town Parish on Preseint. but that we may have a years
Liberty for consideration on what His Excelency shall se fit to Give
us —
(1) In the original MS. volume, pp. 27-31, iire surveys or plans of the proposed
distinct Parishes. Ed.
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 29!
Jonathan Cram John Mudgett
Jeremiah Row Thomas Mudget
Jonathan Eayer ? Nichloss Smith
Jonathan Robenson William Been
Moses Jewett Jonathan Wodley
Jonathan Thing John James
Petition of sundry inhabitants of Exeter to be incorporated
into a new Parish.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Captain Generall.
Governor and Commander in Chief In and over his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire and To the Hon"' His
Majesties Conncil and House of Representatives Convened
in Generall Assembly
The Petition of a Number of the Freeholders and Other
Inhabitants of the Town of Exeter in Said Province —
Humbly sheweth
That there has been a Minister settled in said Town of Exeter
Contrary to the Minds of many of your Petitioners who
Timely Enter'd their Dissents against it-
That your petitioners have hitherto (Contrary to their
Minds) been compell'd to pay Taxes for the support of the
said Minister (who carrys on the Publick Worship in the Old
Meeting house in said Town) Which your Petitioners Humbly
Conceive is unreasonable and Unjust-
That your Petitioners have Erected a Meeting house & Set-
tled a Minister at their own Cost, and with the Help of Some
Valuable Donations appropriated to the use of the Church
Have supported the Gospel and Carry'd on the Publick Wor-
ship of God in the Said New Meeting house For about Twelve
years last past with Peace and Concord amongst themselves —
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray Your Excellency
& your Honours to Take the case of your Petitioners under
your wise Consideration and Grant us Relief, By Freeing
your Petitioners with their Estates, & such other Persons (and
their Estates) as shall joyn with us (within a time to be Lim-
ited by your Excellency & your Hon"^^) From paving any Tax
for the support of the ministry in the said Old meeting house
for the Future ; And by Incorporating us and Such Persons,
and Investing us with Such Powers iS: vSccuring to us such
Privilctlges or otherwise Granting us such Aid or Relief as
your Excellency & Honors In your Great Wisdom shall Think
best-
And your Petitioners as in dutv Bound shall ever Pray &c-
AprilS"' 1755-
292
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Peter Oilman
Sam' Oilman
Thomas Deane
Theophilus Smith
Daniel Thing
John Lord
Robert Light
Josiah Oilman
Sam' Oilman. Jr
John Phillips
Daniel Oilman
Nich' Oilman
Thomas Lord
Benj* Thing
Abner Thurston
John Dean
Nath' Folsom
Summersbee Oilman
Josiah Ladd
Richard Smith
Richard Smith, Jr
Sam' Smith
Josiah Barker
Abner Dollof
Sam" Dollof
Joseph Dollof
John Robenson Jr
Peter Robenson
John Haines
John Oilman, Jr
widow Mary Oilman
Province of N. Hampshire —
In Council April 9"^ 1755
Read & ordered to be sent down to
Theodore Atkinson-
John Lougee, Jr
Edward Colcord
Nicholas Smith
Jonathan Judkins
Joseph Mudget
Jerimiah Folsom
Thomas Nealej
Joseph Acres
Jonathan Ambrose
Robert Lord
Eliphalet Lord
Stephen Thing
Joseph Stacej
Jon" Young
Benjeman Rogers
Stephen Palmer
John Leavitt
Joseph Smith
Wodley Cram
Edmund Lougee
Nathaniel Ladd
Joseph Swasej
John Bojoden
Dudley James
Trueworthj Oilman
Thomas Piper
Elias Ladd
Daniel Oilman
Nehemiah Oilman
James Thurston Jr
William Harris
the Hon*"'" Assembly
-Secrr.
New^Ham°s } ^" ^^^ "°"^^ °^ Representatives April 10'" 1755.
Upon Reading the within Petition, voted that the Petitioners be
heard on the said Petition in the third day of the sitting of the Oen'
Assembly next after the twenty eighth day of April Ins' and y' the Pe-
titioners'at their own cost serve the Selectmen of Exeter with a copy
of this Petition and of the orders thereon to shew cause if any they
have why the Prayer of the Petition should not be granted
Matthew Livermore, Clerk.
In Council, Eod"^ Die —
Read & Concurred —
Theod' Atkinson — Secry.
NewHam"^}^" the House of Representatives, Sept 6'" 1755
Upon hearing the Petitioners of the within Petition and the Respon-
dents Voted that the Petitioners be set off as a Distinct and Separate
Parish from the old parish in Exeter with the Estates they do or shall
own in s' Town for the time being and for the future that when any
person or persons shall come into s'' Town to settle or any Person or
Persons in s'' Town shall arrive to the age of twenty one years such
persons shall have the liberty of three months to determine to which
Parish such Person will belong to gether with the Estates they then do
TOWN PAPERS — EXETER. 293
or afterwards shall own as afores* such Determination to be by giving
notice thereof in writing unto the clerk of the new parish within the
s^ three months and in default thereof to belong unto the old parish —
That the petitioners be exempted from paying any Taxes unto the old
parish for this present year or to the support or maintenance of the
minister in the old parish or any thing relating to the ministerial Tax
that a'^ New parish have power to choose all officers necessary for man-
aging parish affairs or to raising money for y" support and maintenance
of the ministry, and that the petitioners have Liberty to bring in a Bill
accordingly —
Matthew Livermore
Clerk.
In Council, September 9''' 1755
The within Votes of the House read & concurr'd
Theod' Atkinson Secry
AnsTL'er of the Town Cominittee of Exeter to the foregoing.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Captain General
Governour and Commander in Cheif in and over his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire and to the Honourable
his Majesties Council and House of Representatives con-
vened in General Assembly.
We being chosen by the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Town of Exeter to represent said Town, and on the behalf of
our Constituents to make answer to a petition preferred to this
Honorable Court by a number of Freeholders and Inhabitants
of said Town praying that they and their Estates may for the
future be exempted from paying to the support of the ministry
in the old meeting House seeing they represent in their peti-
tion, that a minister was settled contrary to the minds of many
of the petitioners- In Answer to which, We humbly beg
leave to reply as follows —
i" Many of the petitioners especially those that entered
their Dissents against the settlement of our Minister the Rev*^
Mr Woodbridge Odlin were those that first invited him to
preach in this place and were the Cheif Instruments of his
being called from a remote place to labour among the people
here, Who had he not esteemed their invitation to Him a call
from God might now have been serving the Interest of the
Redeemers Kingdom in a distant part, But the said Gentle-
man being Induced by the Importunities of the said petition-
ers and others in the Town accepted of the Invitation to
employ his Labour among them for a considerable Time, of
the expiration of which the Church & Congregation being
sensible of the Infirmities of their aged pastor, tho't an assis-
tant with him in the ministry and pastoral care of their souls
would be for his & their comfort & having had a long
294 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Tryal of our present minister by a considerable majoritj' were
well satisfied with Him and made choice of him in a way
agreeable to the Laws of the province. The Town proceeded
at their annual meeting march 28, 1743 To Chuse a Commit-
tee to agi-ee with and settle the said Mr Odlin by a consider-
able Majority, And this Committee was further confirmed in
their office by said Town, at a meeting of the Freeholders &
Inhabitants June 13: 1743. Those petitioners that entered
their Dissents being present and voting with the Town at said
meetings, as to the Validity and Regularity of the Settlement
it was agreeable to the Majority of Town &. Church approved
of and ratified by a venerable Council called by this Church-
2. Those who dissented against the settlement of the said
minister among the petitioners are many of them such as rent
themselves of from the Church Counter to their Covenant
Engagements or Church Relation, & Contrary to the Plat-
form of Church Discipline, and their setting up is disallowed
ofl' as being contrary to the Known order of our churches, and
a Council of ten churches have in their Judgment upon the
case declared their disallowance of those Brethrens withdraw
as being very unjustifiable and reproachful to Religion.
3. Those petitioners do not profess themselves to be of any
different persuasion from the Church they belonged to, but
acknowledge they are settled upon Congregational principles
and that they could hold occasional Communion with our
minister & Church, and if so why not stated? What need of
supporting a Seperate Interest to the prejudice of Religion
and the peace Interest of the Town.
4. We would inform the Court that there is but about
twenty five of the petitionei's that entered their Dissents against
the settlement of our Minister the rest of them consisting of
such persons as have moved into Town or come of age many
of which posses no Estates in the Town and some that were
forward for the settlement at that Time have for what Reasons
we Know not been prevailed with to Join with Them-
5. The Town has already been divided into so many parishes
that we conceive it is unreasonable & what would render it
very inconvenient & detrimental to the Town, for a number of
persons that dwell in the midst of us (which have no propect
of being better accomodated than they might be at the old
Meeting house) to be exempted from supporting the charge of
the public ministry, where they with their Families might
conveniently attend, and we apprehend that we are not at
present more than sufficient to support the charges of one
parish with other public charges —
6. We apprehend it is unreasonable that the petitioners their
TOWN PAPERS EXETER. 295
Families and Estates should be exempted from paying to our
Minister, in that several of their Families attend public Wor-
ship at the Old Meeting House and there is no prospect of their
being inclined to alter their Sentiments-
7. We concieve that the countenancing a Number of persons
in setting up for themselves without suflficient Reasons that
.are not of dillerent persuasions from those they went of from
-will be a tendency to the subversion of all Order in Towns &
Churches-
Wherefore from the consideration of the ill Consequences
of Countenancing them in their irregular proceedings the
great Disorder & Confusion that may thereby be introduced
into Towns & Churches, we conceive will have a Tendency
to the destroying of all order and running all into the utmost
difficulty, if their petition shou'd begranted. Things being
in such situation we cannot but apprehend that fixing them on
a civil Establishment will be encouraging unw^arrantable
seperations and destructive to the peace and Order of the
Churches in the province-
For these & other weighty reasons that might be oftered
(which w^ill occur to your minds) We humbly Pray. That
your Excellency & Honours in your great wisdom would dis-
miss so unreasonable a petition which we conceive tends to
the Subverson of Religion.
Zeb° Giddinge
John Rice.
Result and advice of an Ecclesiastical Cou?icil, in Exeter.
We the Elders & delegates of the third church of Christ in Ipswich,
the two Churches in Cambridge i the third in Glocester Convened in
Council July 29'" 1755 in Exeter at the Mutual request of the Pastor &
the first Church in s ' Town and a Number of the brethren called the
New Gathered Church to Judge of all matters of difference subsisting
between them in order to lead them into a happy Reconciliation &
restoration to Christian Comunion and fellowship — After humble
Supplication to God for direction in this Important aiTairand full hear-
ing the parties came to the following Result :
I" Notwithstanding any Greivances the Brethren of the New Gath-
er'd Church (so called) may liave met with or apprehended they had
met with from their late Rev'd Pastor and the brethren of the Church
yet we Judge their manner of withdrawing Comunion from the Church
was disorderly, And that such a conduct tends to destroy the peace
and order of these churches, but we Apprehend some Charitable allow-
ances are to be made in favour of these brethren Considering the Cir-
cumstances of those times and their plea of unacquaintedness with the
order of these Churches.
2"> We Judge the Reflections of the Separating Brethren upon the
late Pastor & the Other brethren of the Church (Calling them oppos-
296 NEW HAMPSHIRE
ers of the work of Gods Soverain Grace &c) to be unbecoming Expres-
sions, savouring of an uncharitable Spirit or of too great abounding in
their own sense and opinion of things, and we should have been glad
if they had been more full and Express in Acknowledging the warmth
& Severity of their Expreseions.
jdiy With respect to receiving to Comunion the members of other
churches who are under admonition : we declare that such a practice is
utterly inconsistent with the order and peace of these churches, and
that if this New Gathered Church (so called) retain any such members
it is Just matter of offence to the churches of Christ, and in order to
any reconciliation with these churches it is our Judgment that they
deny such members any further fellowship in Special Ordinances till
they are restored to the Charity of the Churches to which they respect-
ively belong or regularly dismissed.
^thiy Provided the New Gathered Church (so called) shall manifest
their consent to and acceptance of the Judgement of this Councill as
above and their readiness to Practice agreably hereto, wee advise the
Pastor and first Church in this Town to forgive their brethren whatso-
ever has been offensive in their late Transactions and not withstanding
the Exceptionable stepps they have taken towards their being formed
into a Church State, Yet that they own them as a Church of our Lord
Jesus Christ and their Pastor (so called) as a minister of Christ and
receive them to Christian comunion in all Ordinances and acts there
of as they do other Churches.
^thiy And upon their Complying as above we recomend them also to
the fellowship & comunion of all the other churches in the land walk-
ing in the faith & order of the Gospel : At the same time Earnestly
recomending it to the New Gathered Church (so called) to pay all due
respect to the churches of Christ, and to Exercise great caution that
they avoid every thing which may greive or offend them : And now
dear brethren of the New gathered church (so called) we have pro-
posed such terms for your being accepted into comunion with the
churches as upon a Mature Impartial weighing matters we think highly
reasonable for you to comply with, and such as we Judge necessary, to
secure the Interest of Religion, the honour of Christ, and the peace
and Safety of these churches. We therefore cannot but hope that God
will convince you of your duty here in And incline you to a hearty
complyance herewith — And as to the Rev' Pastor and beloved breth-
ren of the first church, we cannot but hope, that considering the times
which have pass'd over us, and the present Circumstances of yourSep-
erating brethren, you will upon their Submitting to and accepting of
our Judgment & advice forgive them in whatever has been b_v them
Greivous or offensive to you & receive them, (together with the person
whom they acknowledge for their Pastor) in their respective capacities
and treat them accordingly b^' all propper acts of Christian Fellowship
& Comunion, And now ReV* Hon'' & Beloved it will be to us matter
of Joy and thankfullness to see the people of God in this place thus
united in holy fellow ship : And we Earnestly Exhort & beseech you
in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive one another as you
hope that God for Christs sake will forgive you, and that you would
Embrace one another as in times past in the Arms of Love & Charity,
And that there be a friendly interchange of all acts of Christian, broth-
erly Comunion as occasion .nay Call for. And that there be a carefull
avoiding Everything in Speech or behaviour, that may grieve or offend
Each other, and if there should be some different sentiment as to some
particular points, that there be a careful precerving the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. Finally brethren farewel, be perfect be of Good
TOWN PAPERS-»-EXETKR. 397
Comfort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of Love and peace
shall be with you, Amen,
Exeter Aug" i" 1755. Voted unanimously
Sam' Wiglksworth,
Moderator-
A true copy. Attest Cam Cook. Scribe
Acceptance of the foregoing Result and Advice.
At a meetin;^ of the New Gath'' Church of Christ in Exeter — August
4'" 1755.
Voted- That Tre consent to and accept of the Judgment and Advice of
the Council mutually chosen by us and the first church of Christ in
said Town — as is contained in their result dated August i" 1755 — and
sign'd by the Rev<^ Samuel Wigglesworth as moderator — and we hereby
manifest our Readiness to practice agreeably thereto.
Voted likewise — That a copy of the above be sent to the Rev^ Wood-
bridge Cdlin, to be communicated to the first Church of Christ in
Exeter.
Samuel Gilman "| Ruling Eld" in
Daniel Thing \ behalf of the
John Phillips j Church.
Province of "I To the Hon*"'' Kis Majesties Councill For the Prov-
New Hampsh' J ince of New Hampshire —
These certifie that the sum which was voted by the Town of Exeter
to the Rev* Mr. Woodbridge Odlin this Present year was for his Sal-
ary only, & not for any Arrearages due to him from the Town. But
as there was something due to him from the Town at that time. The
same is Included in the Town Rate for the Current Year and not in the
Ministers Rate.
All which is Humbly Certified by your Hon" most Hum'* Servants —
Exeter Sept' S"" 1755.
Concurred, but care must be taken in the act to have Provision that
the Town may choose officers to make the ministerial rate — and also to
repair the churches reciprocally That all arrearages if any be paid by
both as if not separated. The act will not Pass without these articles
are Inserted.
Petitioyi of yohn Odlin and others for po'joer to call Parish
meetings., <&c.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in Cheif in and over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, the Hon''- his Majesty's Council & House
of Representatives in General Assembly Convened Dec. 6"*
1763.
Humbly shews John Odlin, Josiah Sanborn and Sam'
Brooks, all of Exeter in said Province :
That by an Act Pass'd in the tvventy ninth year of his Late
298 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Majestys Reign a new Parish was incorporated in that part of
Exeter Remaining, (commonly called the Town) after the
Parishes of Brentwood & Epping were set off which was
called the new Parish & Invested with the Powers usual in
such Cases, and the remaining part of said Town was made a
Parish & authorized to manage their affairs Relating to the
support of the Gospel ministry. Separately and for that pur-
pose was authorized to chuse assessors of the Parish Taxes
Collectors &c which were to be chosen at the annual Town
meeting for as to Town affairs there was no alteration by said
act and this was the only matter that could be transacted at
the Town meeting respecting said Parish as may at
large appear by reference to said act.
That your Petition'' suppose it was the design of said Act
that such assessors should be authorized to call such meetings
of said Parish as there should be occasion for without any re-
gard or matter to be done by the select men of the Town, but
that power is not given (unless by a very remote Implication)
so that as to any special Business to be done by said Parish as
repairs additions &c to their meeting house they have no
method of consulting and Determining but what is drawn with
Qiiestion & Dispute upon the Doubt about calling the meeting
nor can they obtain a meeting for the Select men refuse to call
it and the assessors doubt their authority
That there is a necessity of repair^ their meeting house
purchasing a Bell & transacting other Parochial affairs which
are all suspended by the ambiguous Language of said act
Wherefore your Petitioners pray the advisement of the
General Assembly thereon and that by a Resolve they would
Declare that the said assessors have Power to call such meet-
ings of said Parish, if it appears to be within the Intention of
said Act, or to put said Parish or remaining part of said Town
under a new Regulation, & that no officer of the Town as
such may have any thing to do with said Parish and that your
Petitioners may have Leave to Bring in a Bill accordingly
and they shall ever Pray &c.
John Odlin,
Sam' Brooks.
TOWN PAPERS FRANXESTOWN. 299
FRANCESTOWN.
[This town was settled about 1760 by John Carson, a Scotchman, and
was incorporated S"" of June, 1772. Ed.]
Petition for a land tax to build a Meeting ho7ise^ d'C.
Province of ^ To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq.
New Hampshire I Captain Genneral and Governer in Chief
County of [ in and over his Majestys Province of
Hilsborough J New Hampshire and to the Hon^''*^ his
Majesties Council & House of Repre-
sentatives and general Court Assembled —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth :
That Whereas Frances Town in the Province and County
aforesaid hath no Land left or laid out by the Original Pro-
prietors for the Encouragment of the first Gospel Minister to
settle amongst us we your Humble Petitioners humbly desire
your Excellency and Honnours to make an Act To Collect or
raise a Tax of a Penny half penny per acre for two yeais or
more or less as your Excellency and Honnours shall see fit
upon all the land within the Town afibresaid for the settle-
ment of our first Minister and Building a Meting House your
Excellency and Honnors Complience herewith will vcrry much
serve our Intrest and PZncourage the vSettlement of the Wilder-
ness : And vour Humble Pettitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray —
Francestown Aprile 23' AD : 1773.
Thomas Qiiigly OHver Hohnes
John Qiiigly Asa Lewes
Thomas Quigly, Jr Nathan Clough
James Hopkins Samuell Nicolas
Robert Fulton, Jr William M' Master
John Dickey Hugh M'Gumery
William Lee Robert Morel
William Starrett John Carson
Sam" Nutt John Brown
Adam Dickey David Lewis
William Holmes Ilenrv M farson
Joseph Dickey Charles Mellon
Benjamin Seleper Samuel Gregg
Samuel Marten John Hopkins
William Butterfield Robert Hopkins
William Butterfield. David Gregg
Nathan Fisher
Province of New Hampshire-
In Council May 13"' 1773-
Read & Order'd to be sent down to the Hon'"'- Assembly.
Geo : King Dep> Sec>
In the house of Represen' May 14, 1773.
On Reading the foregoing Petition Order'd that the Petitioners at
their Own Cost cause the Substance of said Petition to be printed in
300 NEW HAMPSHIRB
the New Hampshire Gazzette three weeks successively & that the Peti-
tioners may be heard thereon the third day of the sittingof the General
Assembly after the 15"" day of June next —
William Parker, Clerk.
In Council Eodem die,
Read and Concur'd.
Geo : King, D. Secy.
^'HimVhirf }l" ^he House of Represen- Jan. 14- 1774-
Voted that the Prayer of this Petition be granted that the Petition"
have leave to bring in a bill for laying a tax on the Lands mention'd in
said Petition for the term of two years of a One penny half penny an
Acre Each year
W- Parker Cler.
In Council Eodem die,
Read and Concurr'd with this amendment, that the Lands in said
Frances Town belonging to the Purchasers of Masons Patent be ex-
empted from the above mention'd tax.
Geo King, D. Secry.
NewH^?'^}^" ^^^ "°"^ °^ Represent- Jan 16'^ 1774.
The Above vets of Council read Si non concurred & Voted that the
House adhere to their former Vote.
W-" Parker, Clerk
In Council Jan^ ig"" 1774.
Read and nonconcurred.
Geo. King, D. Secry.
In the House of Representatives Jany 19'*" 1774.
Voted that the Prayer of this Petition be granted, that the Petition-
ers have liberty to bring in a bill, for laying a Tax on the lands men-
tion'd in said Petition for the Term of Two years of one penny half
penny pr acre Each year. Provided it shall not Interfere with or make
void any former agreement made between the Grantors, or any of them,
& the Grantees of Said Francestown
William Parker, Clerk, Assembly
In Council Eodem die.
Read and Concur'd.
Geo. King, D. Secy.
FRANCONIA.
[Franconia, which was originally called Morristown, was granted
February 14, 1764, to Isaac Searle and others. The first permanent
settlement was made in 1774. Ed.]
Petition of yohn Wendell^ agents for the toivn of Fran-
conia.
Province of | To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'
New Hamps'' ) Captain General Governour & Commander
in Chief in & Over His Majestys Province
of New Hampshire and Vice admiral of the Same in Coun-
cil—
The Petition of John Wendell of Portsmouth in the County
TOWN PAPERS FRAKCONIA. 3OI
of Rockingham in the Province aforesaid Esq"" in behalf of
himself and as Agent to the Hon''''^ John Temple Esq. Sir
Francis Barnard Bart., Thomas Hubbard Esq. and Benjamin
Akerman unto your Excellency and the Hon'''*' Council Hum-
bly Shews —
That your Petitioner & the aforementioned Gentlemen claim
Lands by Purchase & as Grantees in the Township of Fran-
conia, and tliat he applied to his Excellency before the Expi-
ration of the Charter for a renewal thereof in behalf of the
former Grantees who was pleased to grant him a Warrant to
the Surveyor General to procure a survey thereof: who there-
upon issued out Orders to Benj. Whiting Esq' as his D'-^" Sur-
veyor, to return a survey thereof, and the Said Whiting and
others have made Several attempts for that Purpose at a con-
siderable Expence to your Petitioner but has not been able to
effect it by reason of impassable Mountains & has informed
your Petitioner that one half of said Township is so moun-
tainous & Rockey as not to be inhabited. And your Peti-
tioner in behalf of himself & those he represents humbly begs
leave to represent unto your Excellency & Honours, that they
are the Only Persons who have been at any Expence upon
this Service or have any way regarded the Township as worth
their Notice, as also to pray your excellency & Honours to
grant so much of said Township, as may be found Inhabita-
ble on a survey thereof, to your Petitioner and his Associates,
& so much of the Township of Lincoln adjoining thereto as
will make a full Township on which your Petitioner & his
associates may make a settlement of the same : or otherwise
to relieve them on the Prayer of this Petition as your Excel-
lency & Honours in your Wisdom think proper, & your Peti-
tioner as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray —
John Wendell.
Portsm" Jan'' 22, 1772,
Petition of Alexander Phelps and others^ relating to forfeit-
ure and re-grant of Franconia and Lincoln.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General,
Gov' and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire, In Council
The Petition of Alexander Phelps and his Associates hum-
bly sheweth that there is a Tract of Land in Said Province,
Containing about forty six Thousand Acres without any allow-
ance for highways &c, formerly Granted by the Names of
Franconia and Lincoln, which Land has been hitherto wholly
neglected by the former Grantees and thereby become for-
302 NEW HAMPSHIRE
feited, which lands altho much broken may answer for a Set-
tlement, for a Small number of Inhabitants — Whereupon your
Petitioners most humbl}' pi'ay your Excellency to Grant and
Confirm to them their Heirs and Assigns the whole of said
Lands, Except Six Thousand acres, butting westerly two
miles wide, on y*^ Town of Landafi' and Southerly five miles
on y'^ Southerly Line of said Tract — Subject to usial & Cus-
tomary Restrictions & Limitations and they as in Duty bound
shall ever pray.
Alex Phelps.
Portsmouth, May 31, 1772.
GILMANTON.
[This town was granted May 20, 1727, to twenty-four persons by the
name of Oilman, and 152 others. Ed.]
Province of ) To His Excellency Penning Wentworth
New Hampshire j Esqr. Captain General Governor & Com-
mander In Chief In & Over his Majes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire — To the Hon'^'" His
Majesty's Council & House of Representatives Convened in
General Assembly.
The Petition of Theophilus Smith Esq' Capf John Odlin,
& Doct" Josiuh Gilman a Comittee for and in behalf of the
Proprietors of the Township of Gilmantown in said Province,
Humbly Sheweth
That the Settlement of the Said Township has been long Re-
tarded by Reason that no Provision hath yet been made for a
Legal Taxation to be made & levyed on the said Proprietors
to Defray the Charge of said Propriety which Have already
arisen or may hereafter Arise in Settling Said Township —
That if such Provision be made by An Act of this Hon'''"'
Court, the said Petitioners believe that a Settlement of the Said
Township may be soon Effected —
That Such Settlement of said Township will be not only a
great Benefit to the Said Proprietors, But to the Province In
General- : —
Wherefore the Petitioners Humbly Pray That your Excel-
lency & Hon'"'' will take the Matters of this Petition Under
your wise Consideration and Pass such Act or Acts to Enable
the said Proprietors to Raise such Sum or sums of money by
Taxing the said Proprietors (as they shall find necessary^ from
TOWN PAPERS OILMAN rOX.
303
time to time to Defrey the charges aforesaid) as your Exccl-
lencv & Hon""* In your Great Wisdom shall see fitt.
And vour Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &'
May 15"' 1760.
Theo. Smith
John Odlin
JosiAH Oilman.
In Council May 16, 1760.
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''^^ House
Theod' Atkinson Secry.
New^ Harn^^s } ^" ^^^ house of Representatives Feby 12"' 1761
This petition being Read — Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted
& have Liberty to Bring In a Bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council Feb. 13''' 1761
Read & Concurrd.
Theodore Atkinson, Secrv.
GILSUM. ■
[This town was incorporated July 6, 1763. Ed.]
Vo/c of Westmoreland to set off a part of the hihabitants
to Gil sum.
1766. Att a Meeting of the free holders and the Other Inhabitants
of the Town of Westmorland holden on March the Twelfth Day 1766,
Voted to set of the people to Gilsum that Belong to the North East
corner of this Town from Walpole Corner to Keen Line —
A Trew Coppy as Recorded on the Town Book.
Isaac Butterfield [-Town Clerk
V^ote of Gilsum to set off the ivest end of the town.
Province of New Hampshire.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Gilsum meet at the
House of Mr Jonathan Smiths in s' Town on Tuesday the 26"' of Au-
gust 1766 being meet and duly formed Mr Joseph Spensor Being chose
Moderator to Govern S' Meeting Sd Inhabitants Voted to sect off the
West End of S ' Towne as far East as the Mountain Range —
A True Coppy of the Vote as it was then past
Test pr. me, Tobadiah Willcox,
Town clerk.
Gilsum Sep"" y" i'' 1766.
Assent of inhabitants of Gilsum to be set off.
This may Certifie the Honerabell General Cortof this Provence, that
304 NEW HAMPSHIRE
we the Subscribers Inhabitince of the East parte of the Town of said
Gilsum Do Agrea and give our free Concente that the West pearte of
this the Said Town of Gilsum shold be sett off to be one Intier Town
Pearish or presink with a part of Westmoland and to Extend as fear
East as is here Disscribed (viz) To Begin at the South Line of said
Gilsum 80 Rods East of the South East Corner of Westmoland Ledg
(So cald) and to Run North by the neadel 260 Rods then Makeing a
seatt off 80 Rods East, and then Running North by th£ Neadel a cross
the said Town —
In Conformacion hereof we Subscribe
Josiah Kilburn, Henry White
Ebenezer Kilborn Pelatiah Pease
Jonathan Adams John Chapman
Medad Thornton Obediah Willcox.
Petition for a new toivn.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General,
Governour &c in and over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire — The Hon'"*' His Majesty's Council and House
of Representatives for said Province —
The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the West-
erly Part of the Township of Gilsum and the Northwesterly
Part of the Township of Westmoreland in said Province
Humbly Sheweth :
That said Westerly part of Gilsum being seperated from
the Easterly Part of the Same Township by a long and im-
passable Mountain almost thro the Township of said Gilsum
Dividing the Same so as leave about one third part of the
Lands of the Township of said Gilsum on the Westerly side
of said Mountain, and no convenient Communication can be
had with the Easterly Part of Said Township, so very neces-
sary for the well Regulating and management of Town affairs ;
and the Westerly part of said Gilsum being too Small in Con-
tents of Land for a Seperate & Distinct Town, Parish or Pre-
cinct, And whereas the Northwesterly part of said West-
moreland being that part of said Town Called Westmoreland
Leg Lying at a Great Distance from and very dificult Passage
to the main Body of y' Town and Inhabitants of said West-
morland and also Paying large Taxes for the Support of the
Ministry & other Town Charges, without being able to Re-
ceive any Benefit or advantage therefrom And being adjoining
to and conveniently Situate to be joined and incorporated
with said Westerly part of Gilsum therewith to make one
Seperate and Distinct Town &c.
Now your Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency and
Honour that Said Westerly part of Gilsum and Northeasterly
part of Westmoreland : (viz begining at the Southeast corner
of Walpole thence running Southerly on a Straight Line to
the North West corner of Keene thence running Easterly on
TOWN PAPERS GILSUM. JQ^g
the Line of said Keene to tlie Southeast corner of Westmore-
land Leg so called and continuing the same Line Eighty Rods
East of Sd (last mention'd) corner thence runing North two
Hundred and Sixty Rods, thence East Eighty Rods, thence
on a North Line to the North Line of said Township of Gil-
sum thence West on the Line of Said Gilsum to the North-
west Corner of the Same thence South on the Line between
said Gilsum & Walpole to the first mentioned Bounds that
part of said Westmorland & Gilsum included in the afore-
mentioned Lines, may be taken off from y*^ aforesaid Towns
of Westmoreland & Gilsum, and be Erected made and Incor-
porated into one Seperate & Destinct Town, Corporation &
Body Politick with all the Powers, Priviledges and immuni-
ties that any town hath or by Law ought to have in said
Province or otherways as to your Excellency & Honours seam
fit and as in Duty bound shall Ever pray-(i)
Dated Gilsum July the 4"^ AD. 1768.
Obadiah Willcox Benjamin Wheeny ?
Samuel Hall Joshua Fuller
Job Gleason Joseph Mack
Joseph Spencer Jonathan Pareish
Moses Field Peter Ilaj^svard
Thomas .Smith William Barns
Ichabod Smith Charles Rice
Eliphalet Darte Nathaniel Darte
John Marvin Jonathan Smith
Abel Allen Jonathan Smith, Jr
Woolston Brockway
(1) A plau of the proposed new town is found in the original MS., volume III., p.
77. Ed.
In Council October 22'' 1768.
Read & ordered to be sent down to Hon*"'" Assembly
Geo : King, Dep> Secry.
New^HampI^ } ^" ^^^ House of Representatives Oct^ 25'" 1768.
The foregoing Petition being Consider'd and the Votes of Each
Town Shewing their willingness, also a Plan Produced,
Voted That the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a bill for Incor-
porating said Town Pray'd for the Bounds to be Agreeable to the said
plan
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council Eodem Die —
Read & Concurrd —
Geo. King, Dep>' Secry.
20
306 NEW HAMPSHIRE
GOFFSTOWN.
[This town was originally granted b}- the Province of Massachu-
setts, and was incorporated June i6, 1761. Ed.]
Petition of Archibald Stark for soldiers to guard the
garrison at Amoskeag.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Capt General,
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over His Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire the Hon''' His Majesty's
Council and House of Representatives for said Province in
General Assembly Convened March the 9*^'' 1747.
The Humble Petition of Archibald Stark of a place called
Amaskege in said Province Shews —
That your Petitioner has lived at said Place for the term of
ten years last past and has at his CAvn cost Built a Garrison
there of Considerable Strength & Conveniency by which the
Place may be Defended against the Common Enemy with the
assistance of a Competent number of Soldiers :
That there are upwards of twenty families that are settled
there which have been Encouraged by your Petitioners Reso-
lution hitherto to Stand their Ground & maintain their Settle-
ments who must inevitably leave them if the said Garrison
should be broken up — That the Situation is such as make
it a place of Importance to be Supported being a Common
Stage between Londonderry Chester and Pennycoke Suncoke
& other Settlements & in the Course of Business there very
Convenient for Travellers to Stop at, k. proves a necessary
means of Communication between the settlements as well as a
Barrier & cover to many Settlements & families between that
and Londonderry — That as your Petitioner has been at great
charges to bring his Plantation there, to the Condition it is
now in & laid out all his substance for that purpose (whereby
he Conceives he may justly be Esteemed a Public Benefactor)
it is not only of the utmost Importance to him that the Place
be Defended, but also gives him some claim to ask it, and as
his Fortune Depends upon it, and it may be his Life as well
as others. He most Humbly Prays that a Competent Number
of Soldiers may be allowed him to be Posted at said Garrison
& to Guard & Defend him and others in Performing the nec-
essary Labours of the Ensuing season, that their Husbandry
may not be Dimminished and your Petitioner as in Dut}^-
bound Shall Ever pray &c.
Archibald Stark.
In Council March 9"' 1747.
Read & Order'd to be sent to the Hon*"'" House.
Theodore Atkinson, Secy.
TOWN PAPERS GOFFSTOWN. 3O7
Vo^es at a toxvn tnccting in Goffstoivn.
County of Hillsborough \ A meeting legally warned and
in Province of New Hampshire j held at the meeting house in Goffs-
town on munday the 15 Day of
July 1771-
Votted, Capt James Karr Moderator.
Votted, That the meeting be carried on by Poleing.
Votted, That there be a comittee chose in order to treete with Mr
Joseph Currier in order for settlement —
Votted, That there be seven men chose for sd committee.
Votted, Samuel Blodget EsqT
Capt James Karr
lotham Tuttle u „ -j r-
Job Dow |- be said Committee.
Tho^ Sherla |
Alex'' Gilcrest J
Votted, Fifteen pounds Lawfull money to Descharge the Debt of
said Town.
Votted, To throw up the Road from Jonathan Martins, to Capt
Ladds and e.vcept of the Road that was laid out by the selectmen last
year, and that Capt Ladd is Satisfyed for the same.
Votted, That the Town will prosecute those that have trespassed on
the ministers and school lots.
Votted, That the meeting Stand adjourn'd until Monday the 29 Day
of July at four oclock in the after noon.
The Inhabitants being met according to said adjournment July 29,
177^
Votted, To Receive the Report of the Commitee, viz
Sam*"' Blodget Esqr
Capt James Karr
Jotharn Tuttle
Job Dow
Tho' Shirla
Alex"^ Gilcrest
Votted, That the meeting be Dismissed
A True Coppy of Record attest pr
Alex. Walker, Town Clerk.
Petition for a Presbyterian Society.
To His Excellency, John Wentworth Esq. Cap'' Gen' Gov-
ernour and Commander in Chief, in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, In N. England — And to the
Honourable his Majestys Council & House of Representa-
tives In General Assembly Conven'd.
The humble Petition of his Majesty's Subjects, Inhab'" of
GofFs Town and Province affors''
Sheweth-
That your Petitioners most or all of them have been educated
in the Presbyterian Persuasion and look on themselves as
bound in conscience still to adhere to the same persuasion ;
That your Petitioners generally inhabit one part of said
3^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Goffs Town which renders their associating together for pub-
lick worship more convenient —
That your Petitioners have had some supply of preaching
from the Presbytery to which we are connected and expect
more from time to time, and soon to be in a Capacity (through
Providential Smiles) to build a meeting House, and settle a
Minister of their own persuasion.
May it therefore please your Excellency & Honours impar-
tially to consider the Premises, and by your authority to enact
that your Petitioners may be a distinct Society Cloath'd with
Parish powers that so they may be in a Legal Capacity of
Levying Parish Charges, and your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c —
Dated at Goftstown,
November 2'^ 1771-
William Madole Tho' Kennedy
Thomas Shirla Robart Kennedy
John Dinsmoor Samuel Kennedy
Alex'' Gilcrest Wilam M'ferson
John Dunlap John M'^ferson
Robert Sherly ( ?) James Moor
John Gillmor William Dunlap
George Addison John Butterfield
Sam' M'Farland George Cunningham
John Orr James Barr, Jr.
James Marr Antipas Dodge
Ma' Kennedy Joseph Kennedy
Daniel M'farland David M' Clure
James M'ferson, Jr Jn'" Little
James M'ferson Daniel Allen
Tho' Miller Silas Walker
Danell Marr David Currier
James Barr Alexander M'^Cay
Petition of the hihabitants of Gofstozvn, 1772, relating to
toivn dispzites.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Capt. Gen^ Gov. &
Commander in Cheef in and over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, & Vice admiral of the same. The hon*^'*
His Majestys Council & House of Representatives for said
Province to be conven'd at Portsm" in said Province on
Tuesday the 19"' day of May Current.
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Goffestown in the County
of Hillsboro' in said province, humbly Complains —
That the Inhabitants of said Goffes Town at their last an-
nual march meeting having some disputing on the business of
the Day, after which the Select men published who were Legal
TOWN PAPERS — GOFFSTOWN. 3O9
Voters, according to the Law of said province, after which
the Votes were bro't in for a Moderator, The Votes were 25
for the hon'"' Sam' Blodget Esq & 26 for Alex'' Gilchrist, on
which said Mr Blodget said one John Fattie was not a legal
Voter, (who had voted for said Gilchrists being Moderator)
the select men said he was, but Mr Blodget insisted he was
not, & that his Vote should be thrown out, w"'' was done.
Then the Votes stood 25 for one & 25 for the other, after
which Mr Blodget pulled a power of Attorney out of his
pocket, & read it, given by one Job Rowell (who is since
dead) to his son Jonathan Rowell a minor &. who had never
been rated, Impowering said Jonathan to Vote at said meet-
ing & Mr Blodget insisted That said Jon' had a Legal Right
to vote in Said Meeting by virtue of said power which said
Jon* did & voted for Mr Blodget to be Moderator, w'^' turned
the vote in Mr Blodgets favour & that said Pattie was not al-
lowed to Vote, & the said Jonathan's voting & Pattie being
deprived, caused diflerent men to be chose Town Officers, than
would have been, by which Means we humbly conceive we
are much injured and deprived of our just & Legal Rights,
Wherefore we your Complainants & petitioners humbly prays
your Excell • & Honours to take our Case into your Consid-
eration & grant us such relief as in your great wisdom shall
seem meet, & your petition" as in Duty bound shall ever
pray—
Dated at Goffe's Town the 18"' day of May, AD. 1772.
David Currier John Dinsmoor
George Hadley Sam' M' farland
Alex' Gilchrist Robert Speer
John Little Will'" Dunlap
Tho' Miller Thomas Shirla
Daniel Marr Antipas Dodge
James Marr John Clogston
James Moor Daniel Allen
James Barr Silas Walker
Ja' Barr, Jr John Butterfield
Alex' M' Cay Ja' Pearson
Samuel Kennedy Dan' M Farland
Thomas Kennedy William Fearson
Phineas Hadlej James Ferson
George Cunningham John Orr
Robert Kennedy David M Clue
George Addison John Dunlap
Joseph Kennedy Asa Patie
Matt' Kennedy William Madole
In Council May 21-' 1772.
Read tSi order'd to be sent down to the hon'''" Assembly —
Geo King, D> Secry.
May 22'' 1772. In the house of Representatives — Upon Reading
this Petition
Voted — that the pet" be heard on the said petition on the firstTues-
3IO
NEW HAMPSHIRE
day in June next & that they serve the said Mr Blodget & the former
select men with the copy of said petition & order of Court thereon.
W'" Parker, Cler.
In Council Eodem die,
Read & Concurrd.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry —
Copy Ex* Theodore Atkinson Secry.
May 30*'' 1772. We the Subscribers bein present an saw Mr Jn"
Pattey Rase his name which was granted at his Request.
Thomas Saltmarsh
Jonathan Martain
A to-wn meeting called.
Province of ] The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town
New Hampr ( of Goffs Town Qualified as the Law Directs, are hereby
County of ( notified to meet at the meeting hous in s'^ Town on
Hillsborough J Wednesday the fourteenth Day of this Instant January,
at one oclock afternoon, then and there to act on the
following artickles
1*' To Choose a moderator
2'*'y To see if the Town will chuse one or more meet Persons to be
Conjoynt with Capt James Karr one of the Selectmen of this Town, to
make answer agreeable to a citation from his Excelency the Governor
and Council and house of Representatives to a petition of a number of
the Inhabitants of this Town, who are praying His Excellency the
Governour and Council and house of Representatives to sett them off
in a Distinct Parish, by themselves, and that the person or persons
chosen as above be Impowered to transact any Other matter wherein
the Town is concerned at the General Court
3<"y To see if the Town will raise any Monies to defray the charges
arising in attending the General Court and how much
^thiy Tq Chuse a Committee to Sash and glass the Meeting house
5'Wy Xo Chuse a committee to settle the accounts with Sam" Blodget
Esq and see whether the Town will allow him Intrest for the moneys
Due to him
5tiii,v Xo see if the Town Excuse Capt Alexander Todd from paying
Rates to the Minister he being a Presbyterian
Dated at GolTstown January i"' 1772
To Sam" Richards, Constable,
Tames Karr) o„i„ , „
Alex^ToddjS^'^^^'"^"
Pursuant to the within warrant I have warned all the persons within
named to meet at time and place.
Sam" Richards, Constable
Goffs town January 15, 1772
A true Coppy of Record,
Attest pr. Alex'f Walker— Town Clerk.
TOWN PAPERS — GOFFSTOWX. 3II
Proceedings at a town meeting.
At a meeting Legally warned and held at the meeting house in Gotfes
Town on Wednesday the 14 Day of January 1772,
Votted Saimiel Blodget Esq Moderator,
Votted That Sam" Blodget Esq. and Sam' Richards be a committee
conjoynt with Capt James Karr one of the select men to make answer
to the citation from his Excelency the Governour and Council andhous
of Representatives to a petition of a number of the inhabitants of this
Town who are praying his Excelency the Hon^''' his Majestys Court
and house of Representatives to set them of a parish by themselves
and that they are Impowered to transact any other matter Concearning
the Town of Goffes Town
Votted Twelve Pounds Law full money be raised to Defray the
•charges arising in attending the Generall Court
Votted To Chuse a committee to sash and glase the meeting house
Votted That this said commitee consist of three men
Capt Joseph Little "j
Votted Tho" Saltmarsh j-be said Commitee
Aaron Wells J
Votted That there be a commitee to settle with Sam" Blodget Esq
Votted. That said commitee consist of three men.
Benjamii? Stevens "j
Votted vSamuell Richards >■ be said Commitee
Capt Joseph Little)
Votted That Sam" Blodget Esq Shall be allowed Intrest for his
Votted That the meeting be Dismissed
A true Copy of Record
Attest Pr. Alex^ Walker Town Clerk,
Petitio7i for an c?nissio7i of paper inoney.
The Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire to be Conven'd on the first
Wednesday in September 1786.
The Petition of the free holders and other Inhabitants of
GotVs-Town
Humbly Sheweth —
That we your Hon'' Petitioners, perceiving the declining
condition of our Country and of this our State of New Hamp-
shire in particular the Stagnation of Trade and Commerce
amongst us as well as the slow progress of Agriculture and
Mechanichism, together with the additional Calamity of an
enormous debt incurred by the late unhappy War ;
Prevails with us your Honours Petitioners to present you,
with these our Grievances as we apprehend they j^roceed In-
tirely from the Scarcity of Cash amongst us through the want
of which we cannot discharge either our publick or private
<iebts — Conduct Trade or Commerce, Neither can the needy
purchase the necessary articles of Sustainance — As we presume
-every thinking person who has the care of the Welfare of his
3lt NEW HAMPSHIRE
Country at heart, plainly discerns the several causes from-
whence these our grieviances proceeded, as also the many
Glaring and impending Calamities that are likely to ensue
them (unless timeously remedied) we think it needless therefore
to point them out to your Honours :
But to redress our Grieviances we would humbly pray your
Honours forthwith to emitt a Qiiantity of paper Currency suf-
ficient to discharge this States Domestic debt for which the
subjects are oppress'd by paying the Interest, and to be a Cir-
culating Medium of Trade within this state — Let said cur-
rency be put into Circulation by establishing it a Lawful tender
in payment for all Contracts of a publick or private nature
within this state — likewise by redeeming this States Securities
for Domestick Debts, of every Kind and description :
And by requiring the possessors of these Securities imme-
diately after the publication of said Currency to come and re-
ceive their principal, and all such possessors who shall not ap-
pear within three Months and receive their pay, shall forfeit
their Interest, and those who shall not appear in twelve months,
and receive their pay to forfeit their principal & Interest, And
that it may Circulate the better we reccommend it to be made
without Interest, And in such Bills as may be Easier changed
for the benefit of Trade :
And furthermore we would reccommend to your Honours,
that every method possible be taken by the Legislative Author-
ity for preventing its depreciation and Counterfeiting — by suit-
able punishments — let the punishment of Counterfeiting be
death without respect of persons and also their accomplices,
and Exorbitant extortioners, and those who would refuse to
take it in pay for debts, or contracts of any kind, within this
State, be punished by forfeiting the debt or article exposed for
sale — The method by which this Currency shall be redeem'd,
and the time when, we refer to your Honours wisdom or some
future Assembly to determine. Knowing that Time will Solve
what we cant foresee, and as we dont think that either debtor or
Creditor can be in any wise Injured by this our Plan, but on
the contrary much benefited, we therefore desire to harmonize
with our fellow Subjects of this State in their similar pro-
posals.
Hoping this our Remonstrance will meet your Honours kind
reception, we solace ourselves in the prospect of the future
happiness which shall accrue from your Honours Compliance
— wishing that the blessings of Heavens may always Rest upon
your Honours just Resolutions, your Honours Petitioners,
shall for ever pray.
TOWN PAPERS — GOSPORT. 313
A Bank of pafer currency.
At a Legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the
Town of Gotles Town held August 2i»' 1786 — It was unanimously
Voted to have a Bank of paper Currency made and at the adjournment
of said Meeting held Sept 4''' Current, Voted that this their Remon-
strances for the same be accepted, and To be presented by their Deli-
gate as such.
Signed in behalf of the Town.
Alex^ Walker, Clerk.
GOSPORT— otherwise Star Island.
[This place was incorporated 24th Dec, 1715, under the administra-
tion of Lieut.-Governor George Vaughan. Ed.]
Petition to be exempt from paying Province tax.
To his Excellency Sam" Shute Esq. Captain Generall, Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesties Prov-
ince of New Hamp. &c.
To the Honourable the Council & Representatives Conven'd
in Gen" Assembly now Sitting in Portsm" in s' Province:
The petition of Richard Yeton one of the Selectmen of
Starr Island upon the Isles of Shoales in behalfe of the Inhab-
itants thereof most humbly sheweth —
That the selectmen of the s"* Island have not Expressed any
contetnpt to the Authority by their omitting to make an assess-
ment on the people thereof pursuant to the {}) or
warrant & therefore humbly prays that Your Excellency and
the Honourable Assembly would pass a favourable construc-
tion thereon & also prays that Your Excellency & this Hon-
ourable Assembly would be pleased to consider the following
pleas in favour of their being Excused from the Province
Tax:
The people are very few in number & most of them are
men of no Substance, live only by their daily fishing and near
one third of them are single men and threaten to remove and
leave us, if the tax be laid which will prove our utter ruine if
our fishermen leave us.
The charge and expence which they are at in the supjDort of
the ministry is as great as the people can bear at present it
having cost them but lately the siun of Two Hundred pounds
for that end in building a Meeting house — which is not yet all
paid.
The Government have here tofore encouraged them that
314 NEW HAMPSHIRE
they should be exempted from paying Province Taxes whilst
they Exprest their forwardness in so good a Service.
Though the Inhabitants have been very much richer and
more numerous and their Trade greater than at present yet
they were not then rated, nor the Inhabitants on the Island, in
the Massachusetts Government. They live on a Rock in the
Sea and have not any priviledge of right in common Lands, as
other Inhabitants in the respective Towns have.
They have defended themselves in the time of Warr Ag^'
the publick enemy at their own Expence both for forts and
souldiers whose wages they have paid, and finally all other
Towns in this Province have been larger and more numerous
before they were taxed to the province rate.
I do with a Humble Confidence assure your Excellency and
the Honourable Assembly that we shall ever express a Loyalty
to his Majesty and a ready obedience to the command of the
Government, but considering our poverty with the foregoing
pleas in our favour, I do humblv pray that you will please to
excuse us from the present tax, and when we shall be better
capable shall readily bear our proportion of the publick charge
— & So yo' Petitioners shall ever pray — as in duty bound &c
& Subscribes
Rich'' Yeton.
22' April 1 721.
Petition of Selectmen for ref72issio?i of taxes.
Province of ) To his Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hampshire j Esq"" Captain General Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over the said
Province, The Hon*^'* his Majestys
Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Conven'd Jan'y 4,
1760
Humbly shew, Henry Carter, Richard Talpey and Charles
Miller all of Gosport within said Province in behalf of them-
selves and the other inhabitants of said Gosport That the said
Inhabitants have allways chearfuUy paid their Province Tax
with Great Willingness and pleasure, so long as they were of
ability and untill the four last years when their Circumstances
in life became so low (being only a few poor fishermen) and
the necessaries for living being Excessively dearer at the place
of their aboad one half more than at any other part of the Prov-
ince with the Great DiflSculty of Transporting the same there
togeatherwith their other great charge. Supporting the Gospel
Ministry among them the fewness of the Inhabitants & their
TOWN PAPERS — GOSPORT. 315
poverty and their few within four years last past being Greatly
Reduced they having had thirty Two Ratable poles within that
time left them to serve the King or Removed to other places,
Six of which had familys and tlieir is but few very few young
men among them and the neighbouring islands in the Mass-
Bay altho Very short of our number have on accont of their
povertv been Exempted from tax for Twenty years last, and
altho Warrants from the Treasurer have come to the Select-
men of said Gosport to assess the inhabitants for their part
year after year yet the select men did only the first year assess
them and on finding that was not paid, the poverty of the In-
habitants and some Great Incouragement from some of the
Hon''"' General Court That on shewing forth the Difficulties
Aforesaid the same might be Remited and since they have not
made any assessm' for Province Tax and that that was made
was never colected, and now the same amounts to a Very Con-
siderable sum and if their very poor and few Remaining In-
habitants should be Oblidged to pay the same it would Greatly
tend to their Ruin for the few Remaining young men would
remove from them rather than Pay any part to such back taxes
as were due before some of them were Oblidged by law to
pay any, and their would be none but a few old helpless per-
sons left. And We would here beg leave to observe to this
Hon'''' Court that had we had a Representative in Court at the
time the proportion was made Gosport might not have been
Tax'd but altho we were always inform'd that We were allow'd
the Liberty of Sending one member to Represent us in said
Court yet we never ask'd it Knowing it would be a great Cost
to the Province, More than any advantage of Tax that could
possibly be expected from the Inhabitants, for which Reason
we never made any Enquiry into that matter.
Wherefore We humbly pray the Consideration of this Hon'''*'
Court on the premises — and that you will be pleas'd to pass
such act or Resolve to take of the said Back taxes and that we
may be exempt for the time to come, or grant such other Re-
lief tlierein as in your Great Wisdoms shall Seem meet unto
you — and then We from such Incouiagement shall have Great
Reason to hope that instead of our few becoming fewer we
shall increase in our numbers and be able to pay Province Taxes
with Great Willingness when we shall have it in our ability —
And by being heard in this our Request We shall as in Duty
Bound Ever Pray —
Henry Carter ^
Richard Talpev y Selectmen
Charles Miller J
31 6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Jany 4''' 1760—
Read & ordered to be sent Down to the Hon^'« Assembly
Theodore Atkinson, Secy.
Ne\v Hamps. }^^ *^^ House of Representatives June 5'" 1761.
This petition being Read — Voted — That the prayer thereof be
granted & that the sum of five hundred & Twelve pounds Eight shil-
lings & one penny New Tenor that appearing to be the sum due from
Gosport for the province Tax be Remitted, & that the Treasurer be
hereby Intitled to Charge the said sum to the Province —
£512 „ 8 ,, i'^ New Tenor—
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council June the 16"' 1761,
Read & Concurr'd
Theo'' Atkinson Secry
Consented to B. Wentworth.
Petition for a Lottery^ for protecting the Harbor.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, The Hon'''*^^ his Majestys
House of Representatives for said Province in General As-
sembly conven'd the 25"' day of June
Anno Domini 1766.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Gosport in the
Province of New Hampshire and others whose Interest is
Concern'd Shews
That the situation of the Road & harbour at Gosport Afore-
said is well known to be exposed to the Violence of Winds &
seas in many cases & Events which frequently occur by which
they often sustain much Loss & Damage which they would
gladly Prevent it by any means Feasible :
That it has been Judg'd a Pier or Bason might be so con-
trived and Built as to be in a Great Measure a security in this
Case and a means of great saving to your Petitioners & Preser-
vation of their Property
That to make such a work Effectual a Larger Sum woud
be demanded than your Petitioners by any means coud raise
but as it woud be of very General Utility in its Consequences
they flatter themselves the scheme for carrying on such a
Building woud meet with suitable Encouragement from many
other Persons besides your Petitioners & those who have con-
nections with them.
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that they may
have leave to set up & carry on a Publick Lottery to raise
money for the End aforesaid and for that Purpose to bring in a
bill containing such Limitations & Restrictions as shall be
TOWN PAPERS — GOSPORT.
317
tho't necessary but with such extent & Authority as shall be
Sufficient to effect the Design & your Petitioners in Duty bound
shall ever Pray &c.
Jno Tuck
Henrv Carter
Richard Talpey
John Varrel
Wilfiam Michamore
William Holbrook
Henrv Shapley
Richard Talpey, Jr
Henrj Talpey
Daniel Rindle
James Hickey
Samuel Varrel
Samuel Varrel, Jr
John Down
John Down, Jr
Samuel Downe
Jeremiah Lord
Jos. Damrell
Peter Robinson
John Walpey,
Ambrose Perkins
John Barter
W'" Sanderson
George Walpey
Josiah Sanderson
Henry Shapleigh, Jr
Ja' Ward
Rich' Langford
W'" Bickam
Sam' Healy
John Puriell
Sam' Currier
Samuel Muchmore
Gregory Puriell
Sam' Cutts
Daniel Rindge
Geo. Boyd
Nath' Adams
Jonathan Warner
Thomas Wentworth
John Sherburne
D. Sherburne
Sam" Warner
Titus Salter
Abraham Trefethen
Hugh Hall Wentworth
W"' Knight
Temple Knight
Samuel Sherburne
Geo: Janvrin
Sam' Dalling
John Flagg
Joseph Whipple
James Stoodly
Rich. Hart
John Moflfat
W"' Whipple
Jno Parker
H. Wentworth
John Penhallow
Thos. Bell
Samuel Moftatt
D. Pierce
Paul March
Joseph Muchamore
Elamuel Muchamore
Benj" Muchamore
Sam' Muchamore
Arthur Rendle
Arthur Rendle, Jr
George Rendle
John Rendle
Edw' Bowdey
Henry W. Andrews
S. Mathews
Jn" Newton
Stephen Pierce
Province of "1 In Council June 28"" 1766.
New Hamp j Reed & order'd to be sent down to the Hon'''' Assembly.
T. Atkinson Jun. Secry.
New Himn'sh'^ ( ^" ^^^ House of Representatives, July 3'* 1766.
Voted — That the Petitioners be heard on this petition the second day
of the sitting of the general assembly after the first of September
next and that the Petitioners at their own cost cause the substance of
this Petition and Order of Court to be Published three weeks success-
ively in New Hampshire Gazett that any Person may appear and Shew
cause why the Prayer thereof should not be Granted
M. Weare, Cler.
3lS NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Eodem die
Read & Concurred.
T. Atkinson Jun. Secry.
Ne\v Ham°s} ^" ^^^^ House of Representatives Aug' 28"^ 1767.
The foregoing Petition being Read & Considered appearing Reason-
able 4& no objection made,
Voted — That the prayer of the petitioner be granted and that the
Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
M. Weare, Cler.
In council Eod"* Die —
Read & concurr'd —
T. Atkinson Jun. Secry
GRANTHAM — formerly called New Grantham.
[This town was first granted, July 11, 1761 ; but the conditions not
being fulfilled, it was re-granted in 1767, to William Symmes and 63
others. Ed.]
Petition for a new charter.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq, Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire & Vice Admiral of the Same
in Council —
The petition of John Sargent of Norwich in the Province
of New York, Yeoman by his Attorney, Israel Morey Esq.
vmto your Excellency & Honours humbly shews :
That your Petitioner has setteld in said Norwich under
New Plampshire Grants with a large Family, That being
disatisfied with his living under the Government of New York
he hath purchased the Original rights of John Hawks Esq,
Rufus Wells, Rufus Fields, Simon Alexander, Elisha Alexan-
der in the Township of New Grantham, with the sole Views
of making immediate settlements thereon for himself and sons,
but as he has not been able yet to effect it, and the charter
being expired he is apprehensive he may meet with Difficulty,
wherefore he hunibly prays he may be quieted in his said
Rights either by the Extension of said Charter to the former
Grantees or being made Grantees in a New Charter of said
Township, as your Excellency & Honours in your Wisdom
may think best for y' Petitioner and as in Duty bound he will
ever pray
John Sargents by
Israel Morey, his Attorney.
Portsm'' June 21'* 1772.
TOWN PAPERS GOSPORT. 319
Petit lo7i of Abel Stcvc7is for the same.
Province of New Hampshire-
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General^
Governor & Command' in Chief in and over his Majestys
said Province of New Hampshire in New England and Vice
Admiral of the same. In Council —
The petition of Abel Stevens in behalf of himself and other
Grantees and proprietors of the township of New Grantham
in the Province aforesaid, Humbly Shews
That the said Township of New Grantham was granted by
Charter bearing date the 8''' day of June Anno 1767, under
certain Conditions of Culture &c. &c — The Form of Culture
being particularly express'd to be performed in 5 years vizt,
five acres for every fifty contained in each share on penalty of
the forfeiture of every delinquent share — to be regranted to
others and the Time aforesaid being now elapsed, and the duty
above mentioned not being fully done on any one Right or
share in the said Township — Whereby, according to the strict
construction of the condition aforesaid, the whole of said
Township is forfeited to his Majesty to be regranted as afore-
said— and the petitioner begs leave further to represent
That there are some considerable Improvements already
made in the said Township, aud that they have been prevented
from complying with the Terms aforesaid on account of theii
remote situation from any Inhabitants, and the Impossibility^
for want of Roads of getting up provisions &c. for their neces-
sary Support and subsistence, with such utensils as were need-
ful to make the required Cultivation — The petitioners there-
fore humbly pray your Excelh- and Honours would not take
advantage of the breach of said Condition, but that you would
be pleased to Extend the Charter of said New Grantham to
the present Grantees for such longer Time as your Excell ^' and
honours may think convenient to complete the duty enjoined
by their said Grant — The prospect not being so discouraging
as when they received the former Grant, the said Grantees are
determined to proceed immediately to fulfill the conditions re-
quired by their said Charter, provided Your Excell ■ and hon-
ours will be pleased to indulge them in their above said Re-
quest And they as in Duty bound will ever Pray &c.
Abel Stevens
In behalf of the
Grantees &c of
New Grantham.
Portsmouth July 4"' 1772.
320 NEW HAMPSHIRE
GREENLAND.
[Greenland was originally a part of Portsmouth. Ed.]
Petition of the Inhabitatits of Grec7iland for frivi-
ledges — 1705.
To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq — Govern'' and Com-
ander in Chiefe in and over his Majesties province of New
Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same —
The humble Petition of John Johnson Abraham Lewis and
Samuell Weeks on behalfe of themselves and the Inhabitants
of Greenland, belonging to the Town of Portsmouth
Humbly Sheweth
That there are about three hundred & Twenty persons ; men
women and Children in Greenland who are Oblidged to come
to the Bank to meeting, and the distance being five and six
miles and the season of the yeare occasioning bad travelling as
alsoe the danger of the Enemy makes it very difficult and
Tedious to gett to the said meeting, or to send their children
every day to school being not able to Table them abroad ; Soe
that your poor petitioners are almost deprived of publickly
hearing the word of God or getting their children Educated
with Reading and writing And your petitioners have desired
at a publick Town meeting to have the Liberty of a minister
and schoolmaster among themselves. They paying their sallary
and to be Exempted from paying to the minister and school-
master at the Bank but there is noe care taken about itt by the
Town who continues Silent in the matter.
May it therefore please y'' Excellency to Consider the
premise, and to order as you in your prudent Judgment shall
see meet relateing to the same whereby yo' petitioners may ob-
taine the priviledge of a minister and schoolmaster among
themselves as aforesaid, And they as in duty bound shall ever
pray &c
John Johxson
Abraham Lewis
Samuel Weeks
S"- May 1705
This Petition is referred to the Select men of Portsm" to make answer
and objections if they have any to myselfe in a months time.
J. Dudley.
TOWN I'APERS GKEKNI.ANI).
321
Petition of sufidrv persons to 6e Joined to Greenland parish.
17 '' January 1716.
To the Honourable George Vaughan Esq. L' Governor of his
Majesties Province of New Hampshire and the Honourable
his Majesties Counsel —
The Humble petition of the Inhabitants That live on the
Pattin adjacent to Greenland who are on this side of the line
which was formerly Rim between Portsmouth and Exeter be-
gining att Walls Crick & running to Hampton bounds —
Humbly Sheweth
That we the subscribers would humbly pray that we maybe
joined to Greenland Parrish because we there commonly at-
tend the worship of God, which is abundantly more conven-
ient for us than any other place of publick worship and have
diverse of us been helpe full in building an house to worship
God In tliere att s' Parrish.
We Likewise the Inhabitants of Greenland being a poor &
small Parrish Humbly pray your honors to Grant that all the
Inhabitants which are within the afore s'' line from Walls crick
to Hampton bounds May be aded to us — We therefore humbly
crave your Honours Grant of these our request & yoor peti-
tioners as In Duty bound shall pray &c.
Ebenezer Johnson 1
John Gate, Assesors I
James Berrey j
Nathanell Wright
Richard White
Jud. Allen
Sainuell Folsom
iMikel Hicks
Joseph Hill
Walter Philbrick
John Evenj
Isaac Foss
Jonathan Weeks
Th" Letherbe.
Petition of Greenland for a grant of certain -po-jcers^ 1720-1.
Province of ] To y' Hon''' John Wentworth Esq Ltt, Govern''
New Hamp' j and Command-in Chief for y'^ time being, &
to y" Hon'''^' y" Councill of his Majestv'
Province afores''.
The petition Jam" Johnson, Sam' Weeks A: Josh Weeks of
Greenland in behalfe of s'' Parrish — Plum- vSheweth —
That on y'' 15"' Instant att a Parrish meeting Law fullv con-
ven'd we your Petition''" were elect'' a comitte to address your
Hon"* & this Hon''''' Board in behalfe of our s'' Parrish for
323 NEW HAMPSHIRE
some further liberty" & Priviled' to be granted in & amongst
ourselves for y' y' Petition'^ have now only y'^ liberty of Rais-
ing money on y Inhabitants there for y support of y' minis-
try schoole & poor w'''in y' District: & y Province Tax being
Raised by the Selectmen & assessors of Portsm" who living
Remote canot posibly be apprized of y perticular Capacity of
y'^^ several Inhabitants there — Whereby y' Tax is many times
very unequal- Wherefore your Petition''^ Hum- Pray, y' your
Honours in your Great Wisdom wil see cause to order y*^ we
may be dismissed from y' Bank from having any tax laid on
us there ; & y'^ we may be freed from y charge and Trouble of
attending y'^^ Publick Town meetings there & y' a Comittee be
By your Hon'^'' chosen to Proportion Greenland in y"^ Province
Rates & y' y*" same may be Rais' in Equal Proportion by our
own assessors & y'^ Mr Treasurer be Direc"* to issue forth his
Precept to our Parrish for y' End & y* we may choose a con-
stabl amongst our selves to collect y' assessments y"^ are from
time to time made & y*^ we may be allow' y' Privilidge of
choosing one assembly man in our Parrish to Represent us in
Gen" Assem'^' we paying him out of the Parrish stock which
Grant" y' Petition''' shal as in Duty bound ever pray &c.
Jam'' Johnson
i8, Mar, 1 730-1 Sam" Weeks
Josh. Weeks.
March 21'* at a Council —
Psent y" Lt Gov'' Wentworth, Sam' Penhallow Esq. Rich' Wibird,
Coll" Walton Esq. Tho^* Wastbrook, Esq. George Jaffrey—
The above Petition Read, and Granted and Ordered that a com'ittee
upon Oath take an account of y Rateable Estate of y« District of
Greenland by w^'' y" Proportion of the Prov. Tax, is to be Settled who
are to make Return to this board, that the Treasurers warrant be made
out accordingly.
Petition of Greenland for a Tcwnship.
To His Excellency Samuel Shute Esq' Capt Gen" & Com-
'and' in Cheif & Over His Maj'>'' Prov. of New Hamp' and
to the Hon'' ■ the Council of s' Province —
The Humble Petition of Sam' Weeks James Johnston &
Mathias Haines of Greenland Parish in the Town of Portsni"
in y' Prov. of N. Hamp" afores' for themselves & in behalf
of s' Parish, Humbly Sheweth.
That yo' Petitioners are a district of Portsm ' and always
have been accounted Part of s' Portsmouth, and have paid
Rates in s' Town accordingly, and but very Lately have been
made a Separate Parrish, and the Town of Portsm afores''
having obtained a grant of yo' Excellency & Hon'" for a Town-
ship.
TOWN PAPERS GREENLAND.
323
Vo' Petitioners Humbly pray that yo' Excellency & Hon"
would be pleased to Ord"^ that yo' Petitioners, as they all along
have paid their part of the charges & help to support the
warrs against the enemy as inhabitants of Portsni ' afore^*^
That they may now Reap the benefit of the aforesaid Grant
of Land in proportion w'" their neighbours — the other inhab-
itants of s' Portsmouth or that yo'^ Petitioners may have an
Equivalent of Land adjoyning to the afores'' Grant, Granted
unto us.
And yo"^ Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray :
Sam" Weeks,
James Johnston,
Matthias Haines.
Portsm" May 10" 1732.
PortsmotUh votes relating to Greenland.
Att a Gen" Town meeting held in Portsm" y<' 4"" June, 1705 :
Where as y" Town of Portsm ' paves £100 p Annum for y" support
of their minister in s' Town — Att the Request of y inhabitants of
Greenland part of s'' Town considering y Distance of Ground y num-
ber of persons & y Danger of passing to Public worship,
Voted, That y "inhabitants of Greenland be paid out of the Town
stock their proportion of s' £100 During y Maintenance of an able
Minister amongst them and no longer & y' s'' Proportion be yearly,
Proportion ' by the selectmen for time being y Bounds of Greenland
to be on y south side of coll Packers farme.
Pr Sam" Keais, Town clerk.
True Coppy out of y' third Book of Records for Portsm" : foil. 12 :
p Josh. Peirce,
Town cler.
15 Mar. 1719-20
, Att a Gen" Town meeting in Portsm" v" 8"' April], 1706,
' ■ Voted. That y' Inhabitants of Greenland in this Town being
freed from paying y' proportion of Rates for y Ministrye fix'd att
Straberry Bank in consideration of their maintaining a minister
amongst themselves y s' Inhabitants of Greenland having procured
y' they may have 150 acres of land out of y comons lying & being att
Greenland : Bounded to y Sow west End of y Great Swamp & y« s'^
150 acres to be taken out or Deduct' from w' may fall to y" share of s"*
inhabitants of Greenland of s' comons whenever there shall be a Di-
vision of all y Towns comons y s' 150 acres to be laid out by y Lott
layers where it may be most convenient for y" ministry & school for y"
use of that part of y Town.
Sam" Keais, Town Cler.
True coppy from y' 3' Book of Record for Portsm" foil : 13"'
Josh : Peirce, Town Cler.
i.s"' Mar. 1719-20.
324 NEW HAMPSHIRE
And That the Parish of Greenland be bounded upon the Great Bay
iy the farm of y" widow Jackson, Joshua Peirce, & Israel March : & so
to Packers bridge, and thence to Joshua Hainses, M' Gates & EdW*
Ayras's farm and from thence southwesterly to Hampton bounds : and
that these Present Inhabitants with the lands and estates they live
upon & whosoever shall live upon them hereafter or build & Inhabit
within the limitts aforesaid, shall pay their Parish Taxes to Greenland.
The Above is an Extract out of y"= Council book pass'd by the Gen"
Assembly y^ 28"' of July, 1714.
Attest.
Rich' Waldron, Cler. con.
Petition of inhabitatits of Breakfast Hill (i).
To the hon''^' John Wentworth Esq. Liut Govern'' & Com-
ander in Chief in and over his Maj*'' ' Province of New
hampshire to v' hon'''' the Council & house of representa-
tives Conven'd in Gen" Assembly.
The humble Request of us the Subscribers inhabitants about
Breakfast hill & owners of Land neare Greenland meeting
house, humbly Desires, That whereas we are soe neare said
meeting house & have paid oiu" part towards the maintenance
of y Ministry there Ev' since it hath been built, Y' for the
future wee may be by act of Government set of towards pay-
ment of the ministry to y' place It being most convenient for
us by many miles — & your Petitioners shall ever pray &c.
May 25'-" 1725.
his mark
Thomas O bery James Whidden
Jo" his O mark, bleak James Johnson
Isaac his § mark, foos R. Wibird
James fooler desires to pay to John Wheden
Greenland & Sande-bech be a
parish of themselves.
(1) So called I'rom the circumstance that a party of Indians in 1696, after an early
attack on inhabitants ol' Portsmouth, and the slaughter of fourteen persons, hastily
retreated, and stopped on tlie declivity of a hill, (now in Greenland) and took break-
fast; ever since it has retained the name of Breakfast Hill. See vol. ii, Prov. Pap.
p. 189, note. Ed.
Petition for extensio7i of boundary lines.
Province of | To the hon''^' John Wentworth Esq. Liut
New Hamp' j Govon' & Comander in Chief in and over his
Maj''^'' Province of New Hampshire and to
the hon"'''' the Council! & house of Represent-
atives Conven'd in Gen" Assembly for s**
Province.
The humble Petition of Capt vSamuell Weeks, Capt Josliua
Weeks & Mr John Cate.
TOWN PAPERS — GREENLAND.
325
In the belialte of the Poore panisli of Greenland as they are
Inipowered by said parrish to represent the same witli the select
men of Greenland.
humbly Sheweth.
That whereas by a vote formerly of the Town of Ports-
mouth (of which the said Greenland is a part) It was voted
that Greenland Bounds should be on the South side of Pack-
ers farm (which supose is now Doctor Marches) and Whereas
by a Vote of the Gen'' Assembly 28'" July 1714, Its said that
Greenland bounds to Packers Bridge and thence to Joshua
Haineses M' Gates & Edw'' Ayerses farm, The Same isverry
Ambiguous Whether these are included or Excluded and alsoe
Mr Edward Ayers at that time had two fiirms Southwest of
s'- Packers or Marches farm — & it is not mentiou'd which —
And Whereas Cap' Langdon &: the comittee that made the last
return : run the line from said Marches farm to Edward Ayres
Southwesterly farm, Exclusive of said Farm ; which line
comes to Northward of Berry Brook in the Rhoad to Sandy
Beech, which is not above a mile from Greenland Meeting
house, and Excludes fifteen families that live about Breakfast
hill from y' s*^ Parrish of Greenland that used to pay there
towards maintenance of the ministry & lyes most convenient
for them to come there. The loss of so many families is verry
Great & Grievious to your verry poore petitioners :
Therefore your humble Petitioners Humbly prayes (That
considering your said parrish of Greenland consists chiefly in
verry poore Inhabitants) and Containes a verry small Qiian-
tity of Ground ; Great Part of said Parrish being not three
Quarters of a mile Deep & In the Deepest or Widest place
verry little above a mile — That they containe a small Compass
of Grond & no probability of Increasing themselves — humbly
prayes your consideration & order that theire line betwixtthem
and Portsmouth may Extend Due south from Marches farm to
y'' farm M' Edward Ayers Bought of the Adm' of Richard
Jose Esq Deceas'd and thence South East to New Castle line
which line will take in the fifteen fixmilies afore s'' and suppose
the line formerly Intended — But if it should seem meet to your
hon'^ to take these fifteene families from said Parrish it would
occasion theire Breaking up not being able of themselves that
remaine to support the charges of the Ministry witli the other
contingents on them.
All the Comittees that Ever made any returne relating to a
Divissionale line being all of Portsmouth they made it as much
in theire favor as possible by all Strain'd construction — There-
fore if your hon' se not meet to Grant us the line Desier'd,
That then y' hon ' will appoint a Comittee of som other Towns
(wholly Indiflerent) to make and settle a line as they sh.dl see
326 NEW HAMPSHIRE
convenient, accordin to Portsmouth Town Voate, in 1705 and
in Greater Certainty than hath as yet been Don. And your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
May 19"' 1725.
John Gate
Joshua Weeks
Ebenezer Johnson
Mathias Haines
Sam" Weeks
May y' 26"' 1725.
In the House of Representatives
read, and ordered that the Select men of Portsm" be serv'd with a
copy of the petition and they to notifie the town of Portsmouth, To
Appeare the second day of the setting of the next Gen" Assembly to
show cause (if any they can) why the Prayer of the Petition may not
be granted.
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass""
In coun' Eod" die.
Read and concurred
Rich'' Waldron
Petition relating to tax ■warra?tt.
Pi-ovince of | To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
New Hamp'' j Gaptain General Governor and Gommander
in Ghief in & over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, The Hon'"'*^^ his Majesties Gouncill and
House of Representatives in General Assembly Convened
— Jan. 12"' 1763.
Humbly Shews — James Bracket & Simon Dearborn both of
Greenland in said Province yeomen and two of the selectmen
of said Greenland for the year 1762 the Maj. part for them-
selves & in behalf of the Inhabitants of said Greenland that
the selectmen of said Greenland for said year Raised a Tax
on the said inhabitants and gave a list thereof to Joseph Pick-
erin Constable of said Greenland for said year with a warrant,
and the hands of the Majour part of the said selectmen, in
consequence thereof the said constable hath made distress on
sundry of the said Inhabitants of said Greenland who refused
to pay their Respective Taxes and for which sundry actions
are brot against him to the Inferior court to be held in March
next, and on examining the warrant aforesaid, it appears that
the Selectmen have neglected to seal the same, which is
thought necessary by Law, and if so will greatly hurt said In-
habitants, for altho most of them may not dispute it, yet there
are many that do & so pay no Tax this year. Besides bringing
a great charge on the said Inhabitants for the suits allready
commenced & others that may be, wherefore the Petitioners as
TOWN PAPERS — GREENLAND. 337
aforesaid Humbly pray the advisement of this Hon*''*^ Court
on the Premises — and that you will be pleased to pass such
Order thereon as to make the said Warrant good & Valid
The want of seals notsvithstanding or grant such other Relief
thereon as to you shall seem meet. And your petitioners as
aforesaid shall as in duty bound ever pray.
T T5 ") Selectmen
James Brackett ( r
Simeon Dearbon t r- i j
) Greenland
Province of \ In the house of Representatives Jan> 19, 1763. This
New Hamps' ) petition being Read
Voted That they be heard thereon on frvday next, & that they
Cause the sundry persons who prosecuted the constable for Illegally
making Distraint to be notified thereof that they may be present if
they see cause.
A. Clarkson clerk.
In council Eod" Die.
Read & concurred.
T. Atkinson Jr Secry.
Province ot \^^ ^j^^ House of Representatives Tany 21, 1763
iSew Hamps J ' j > / o
The party being heard on the within Petition — Voted & Resolved
that the Warrant Referr'd unto in the within Petition is a good &
Lawful! Warrant, the want of seals notwithstanding, and also resolved
that all the warrants given by any selectmen or assessors singly or con-
junctly within this Province for the Collecting of any Rates or Taxes
for the year 1762 shall be Looked upon and accounted legal and Valid
the want of seal or Seals notwithstanding
H. Sherburne Speaker.
In Council Jan' 22' 1763
Read & concurr'd with this addition (viz), That if the Plaintiffs men-
tioned in the within Petition, shall withdraw their suits & not prose-
cute them, that in that case no complaint be Receiv'd for cost in such
actions from the constable or other Defendant in any of the actions
aforesaid
T. Atkinson, Jun' Secry.
New HamV}^" ^^^ ^""'^'^ °^ Representatives Jan>- 35'!' 1763.
Read and Concurrd
H. .Sherburne .Speaker
Consented to B. Wentworth.
Petition for representation in the General Assembly.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Capt. Gen" and
Commander in cheif in and over his Maj""' Province of
New Hampshire, the hon'''"^^ the councill & house of Repre-
sentatives conven'd in Gen" Assembly.
The humble Petition of Capt Joshua Weeks Ebene// John-
son & Matthiae Haines, Select men for the parrish of Green-
land in s' Province In behalfe of the said Parrish, most hum-
bly Sheweth —
328 NEW HAMPSHIRE
That the Parrish of Greenland for severall years past since
they have been set of from Portsmouth have not had the Ben-
nefit of having a voat in makeing choice of any person to sit
in the Gen' Assembly, and therefore are humbly of opinion
that they are much Grieved in not having any person to Rep-
resent them in Gen" Assembly nor any Vote in the choice of
any other :
Therefor y'"' humble Petitioners most humbly prays For
themselves anM in Behalfe of said parrish of Greenland That
your excellencie & hon" &c will as in y'' wisdom you shall see
meet to make such order act or Law so that your Petitioners
may have the liberty of other Towns or precincts to have the
choice of some one of their Freeholders to Represent them in
the Gen" Assembly & your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever pray
Joshua Weeks
Ebenezer Johnson
Matthias Haines
May the 10"' 1732.
In the house of Representatives.
Voted, that the prayer of the Petition be answered and that his Ex-
cellencie be desired to Issue out a precept for an assembly man to ap-
peare at the next sessions in the fall —
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass"
May the 12"' 1732.
In council May 13, 1732
Read & Concurred
R Waldron, Sec'y
I assent to the foregoing vote, May 15, 1732.
J. Belcher
GROTON — formerly Cockermouth.
[ Groton was incorporated 7th Dec, 1796. It was granted by tlie name
of Cockermouth, Nov. 22, 1766. Ed.]
Petition of John Hale and Samuel Hobart fo7- a re-grant..
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General.
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire.
In Council December 4"' 1771.
The memorial of John Hale & Samuel Hobart, for them-
selves & a number of Others his Majestys subjects, Purchasers
from the Grantees of a Tract of Land in the Province afore-
said of the Contents of about six miles square, which was
TOWN PAPERS GROTON. 329
granted 22' Novemb 1766, by the name of Cockermouth on
Certain Conditions therein specified, and the said Grantees
have not been able to comply therewith, for sundry Reasons —
The great Difficulty the first settlers have undergone, for want
of Roads through other Towns adjacent & the discoui-age-
men'~ they have met with, by a long & expensive Law suit
with the Proprietors of Plymouth &c and the time of settle-
ment being now elapsed whereby part of the said Town be-
comes Forfeited & reverts to his Majesty
Your memoriaP humbly Pray that they may be favour'd
with a Regrant of said Tract of Land & further time to settle
the same in such manner as your Excellency & Honours shall
see fit, & to Exclude such delinquent Proprietors of the P'ormer
Charter as have not done their proper share of Duty, and upon
the usual conditions and your Memorial^'- as in Duty Bound
shall ever pray.
John Hale
Sam' Hobart
Memorial of yames Goold and others about a Petition of
Safnuel Liver more.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Cap-
New Hamp^ j tain General Governor & commander in chief
in and over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire and the Plonourable his Majestys
Council, most humbly sheweth —
That your petitioners are Inhabitants in the Easterly part of
Cockermouth that most of us have lived there a considerable
number of vears, with our families — that we have been at great
cost & Expence in clearing and cultivating the land, building
houses making Roads, Bridges &c all w^hich we chearfully per-
formed, and sundry of us have made such Improvements that
by the produce thereof with a common blessing we are able to
Git a comfortable support — That when we first Began our set-
tlement we proceeded in a Regular manner having in the first
place (most of us with the other proprietors) Purchased a
Charter of his Excellency the late Governor of the Township
of Cocker mouth, which Town ship sundrey years before that
time had been sui-vey' and Lay' out as by a plan by which we
purchased said Town will appear and many of which Bounds
According to said plan are plainly to be seen to this day, which
bounds are Agreeable to the Late plan or map of the Province
made by Docter Langdon and Major Blanchard, which are
plainly to be seen to this day. &. that we are all settled fairly &
clearly within the old lines tV: Boundaries of said Cocker
330 NEW HAMPSHIRE
mouth where we Expected to enjoy the Benefit of our Labour
peaceably and Qiiietly, and with an Encorragement and ex-
pectation of having the Gospel settled amongst us & as Good
and Loyal subjects to our King having as far as in our power
complyed with his Royal Instructions with Respect to the set-
tlements that we have made where we now dwell — And
Whereas Samuel Livermore Esq has Petitioned your Excel-
lency & Honours praying that the Westerly line of Plymouth
may be Extended westerly to a place called Fletchers corner
which is a mile or more farther west than the antient & proper
Line of Plymouth and which would be Takeing oft' a mile of
Cocker mouth and is the Land where we all Live : If the
prayer of said Petition should be Granted and by which means
we and our Houses and all our Improvements would be taken
oft" from Cockermouth, and by that Means we should loose all
that we have in the world & we & our familys be Reduced to
poverty, We Humbly Conceive that Granting the prayer of
Mr Livermores Petition is only to Serve the Particular Inter-
est of a few Individuals who are Interest ' in the Common Land
in Plymouth, Who cannot by any Means have any Just Right
to our Land foi they have already much more land than is
Given them by their Charter without this addition, and Ply-
mouth as a Town Do not appear to be Benefitted b}^ the addi-
tion, and are not Desirous of any such Thing, and Whereas
M' John Fenton appears to joyn with Mr Livermore in said
Petition, by Consenting that it should be Granted setting forth
that he is a patintee of Three Thousand acres in the Land Pe-
titioned for &c. We humbly Conceive that they have been lay-
ing their schemes to gether in order to injure and hurt us and
to Take away from us our Substance, which we humbly con-
ceive we are Justly Intitlcd to by virtue of our fulfilling his
Majestys Instructions.
No Doubt but Mr Fenton has a just Right to Three Thou-
sand acres of his Majestys un Cultivated ungranted Land, but
not any Right to our Houses and Improvements, any more than
he has to our persons to be slaves to him — Wherefore we most
humbly pray your Excellency & Honoiu's attention & Consid-
eration on this matter which is of Great Importance to us and
that you would be pleased to Interfere and protect us in the
peaceable and Qiiiet Enjoyment of our Infant settlement in the
Wilderness and that you would not Grant the prayer of that
Petition, nor put it Into the Power of Mr Livermore or Mr
Fenton or any other person to Molest or Destress us and we as
in Duty bound shall ever pray
James Goold, Ebcnezer Melven Jr
Simeon Lovejoy Jacob Lorejoj
Nathaniel Ball Jonas Hobait
Ebenezer Melven Thomas Neven Jr
Thomas Nevens Samuel Farley
£No date.]
TOWN PAPERS HAMPSTEAD. 33I
HAMPSTEAD.
[This town was incorporated 19 of January, 1749. Ed.]
Petition for a Parish.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in Cheif In and Over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England, And to the Honour-
able His Majesties Council and house of Representatives in
General Court Assembled. Jan i, 1743-4
The Humble petition of the subscribers Inhabitants in the
Province aforesd, Sheweth.
That the greater part of your Petitioners are Inhabitants of
the Land in Controversie between Kingstown and Haverhill —
That one part of us hold our Land of Haverhill and the other
of Kingstown. That However the Right of the soil may
be disputed, we are without Dispute of New Hampshire Gov-
ernment. Tliat your Petitioners are at such a Distance from
every Parish Meeting house as Renders our attending publick
Worship upon the Sabbath in any of our Neighbouring Con-
gregations Exceeding DifHcult. and to many of us quite Im-
practicable. That we are therefore obliged to procure some
person to preach to us or else to live without the Benefit of that
Ordinance. May it therefore please vour Excellency and Hon-
ours to take our case under your Wise consideration, and either
Vest us with Parish Powers with the following bounds viz.
Begining at a Crocked red oak tree standing in London Derry
line from thence runing Eastwardly three miles on Bryants
line Thence Northwardly to a bridge called Capt Ingalls
Bridge thence westerly so as to comprehend the Dwelling
house of one Jacob Wells from thence to the Corner l^each
tree on Chester line and from thence upon London Derry line
to the bounds first mentioned, Or If this may not at present
be granted at least to pass an Act to Impower us for a time to
assess and Levie Taxes upon the inhabitants within the bounds
above sd for the support of the Gospel and other Incident
Charges and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray.
Subscribers.
John Hoog Samuel Worthen, Jr
William Moulton George Little, Jr
William Stevens Samuel Watts
Peter Easman Beniamin Philbrick
Michell Johnson Jonathan Kimball
Hugh Tallant Ezekiel Little
John Atwood Jeremiah Eatton
Israel Huse Sam" Stevens, Jr
Nathaniel Harriman John Johnson
332 NEW HAMPSHIRE
William Eastman David Heath
David Copps William Heath
John Muzzy Robert Ford
Joseph Stevens, Jr John Kezar
Daniel Roberds George Kezar
Daniel Roberds, Jr Otho Stevens
Ebenezer Gill James Johnson
Nathaniel Heath Obediah Davis
Joseph Stevens Josiah Davis
Daniel Johnson Joseph Little
Thomas Croford Moses Tucker
James Mills John Bond
Zecheriah Johnson Jonathan Bond
William Hancock Daniel Hebberd
James Heath James Graves
Steven Emerson James Cook
Beniamin Emerson Jonathan Gile
Caleb Heath Samuel Stevens
In the House of Representatives Apr iS'^ i744- The within Petition
Read and Voted that the Petitioners (at their own charge) serve the
Selectmen of Kingston with a Coppy of this Petition and the Votes
thereon that thev may appeare the third day of the sitting of the Gen-
eral Assembly after the first day of May next.
James Jeffrey Cler. Assm
Voie oj Kingston^ setting off certain persons for a nexv
Parish^ &€.
Prov. of New Hamp.
At a Legall meeting of the Inhabitants & freeholders of Kingstown
held the 24"' of September, 1746,
I*' Lev' John Swett was chosen moderator of that meeting.
2'' Voted, That we do hereby as far as in us lieth sett off
Moses Tucker John Straw
Israel Huse Jonathan Colby
James Huse Daniel Hibbard
James Graves Daniel Kidd
John Bond Jacob Gurdy
Jacob Wells David Straw
Meshach Gurdy Reuben Clough
John Straw Jr Israel Huse, Jr
William Straw John Pressey
Philip Wells Benjamin Tucker
Jacob Tucker John Hogg &
Joseph Dow Orlando Colby
of Kingstown above 'sd with a certain Tract of Land in s' town
for a Distinct Parish or Precinct Bounded as followeth viz: be-
gining at the Beach tree which is the Dividing Boundary between
London Derry and Chester s' Tree standing on y west line of
s*" Kingstown and Running Southerly on s' Kingstown said Line as
heretofore settled between s' London Derry & s' Kingstown to the Isl-
ands Pond (so called) then Running East and B South three miles.
Then NortherlvTill a North & B West Course will strike s'' Kingstown
TOWN PAPERS — HAMPSTEAP. 333
line where it crosses the mill Brook (so called) as heretofore settled
between s' Kingstown & s' Chester «& from thence viz where s'' Line
Crosses s' mill Brook to run Southerly on s"* line to the Beach tree
first mentioned.
This is a true copy taken out of Kingstown Book of Records.
Attest
Jed. Philbrick, Town Clerk.
Petit ioti of Richard Hazze7i^ cBc, abotit support of Rev.
James Cushing.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Goveniour &
Commander in Cheif in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire in New England & to the Hon''"' his Maj-
esties Councill i^ House of Representatives in Generall
Court assembled at Portsmouth for s' Province. Ma}' 1748.
Humbly vShews.
Richard Hazzen for himself and in behalfe of the Inhab-
itants of that Part of Haverhill district commonly called Tim-
berlane,
That the Inhabitants of said Timberlane have for the great-
est part of fifteen years past at a verry great cost and charge
hired a minister to preach amongst them and at the same time
been Excused from paying any thing towards the support of
the Rev ' Mr James Cushing.
That the Rev' Mr Cushings Hearers (Exclusive of said
Timberlane) live about two thirds of them on the North Side
of the Boundary Line and in this Province and the other third
on y' other side on which side lyes also the greatest part of his
Personage or Glebe Lands
That at a meeting of the District in November last Pursu-
ant to the selectmens warrant It was agreed & Voted that the
inhabitants living on this side of y ' line (meaning those who
lived out of Timberlane limits) should pay the Rev'' Mr Cush-
ing Two Hundred pounds for his support this year. Old Tenor
on consideration of the Depreciating of the money &c which
would have been a small matter more than what they paid last
year.
That some time afterwards at a Legall meeting of the afore
s' Districts. The inhal)itants of Timberlane were by vote set
oft' from Mr Cushings Parish and near the same lines which a
committee Sent By your Excellency & the Hon'" Council
thought proper to be done as appears by their Report.
That notwithstanding the meaning & intent of the afore s''
Vote respecting M' Cushings Support by which the Inhabi-
tants of Timber lane ought to have been excused from paying
any thing thereto & after they were set oft' from Mr Cushings
334 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Parish as much as the District had a power to do, The assess-
ors have rated us to Mr Gushing and thereby made their own
Taxes much less than last year, & taken away our money
from us which we should have had to pay our own minister
That we have been thereby necessitated to make a Rate
amongst Our selves to pay our minister but as we had no le-
gall power to do it some refuse to pay, so that we are now in
a verry deplorable Condition unless your Excellency & Hon-
ours will Interpose on our behalfe.
We therefore Humbly & Earnestly request your Excellency
& Honours to compassionate our circumstances & give Such
Orders that we may be excused from paying to y" ReV' Mr
James Gushing & at the same time that he may not be cheated
and defrauded of his honest due, & that we may be Impowered
to raise a Tax amongst our Selves to pay our own minister or
that you will afford us Such other Relief as to your Excel-
lency & Honours shall think best for us.
And for your Excellency & Honours your Humble peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Richard Hazzen
for himself & in behalf of y*^ Inhabitants of Timberlane.
May 12"' 1748-
Petition of Edward Flint and others to be annexed to
Ha7np stead.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governour &
Commander in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England & to the Hon'" the Coun-
cill of said Province,
Humbly Shews,
The petition of Edward Flynt, Samuel Stevens & others the
Subscribers that your petitioners Liveing in that part of Ha-
verhill District commonly called Timberlane have always
together with the other Inhabitants chearfully paid their Taxes
& when a petition was preferr ' by the said Inhabitants to your
Excellency & Honours to be incorporated into a Township,
your petitioners signed y" said petition & hoped that when the
Township was incorporated that not only your petitioners
Houses but their estates also would have been taken within
y" charter being much more for the Interests of your petition-
ers than to be put any where Else.
But so it is may it please your Excellency & Honours that
by the Charter of Hampstead lately Granted, your petitioners
Estates are so Divided that near one half lye within the Town
of Hampstead & the other half is left out notwithstanding
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 335
their Lands have for many years past been fenc' in and im-
proved & being so Divided & Split by the said Lines it is to
the verry great damage of your petitioners
We therefore earnestly request your Excellency & Honours
to annex our whole lands to Hampstead according to our first
petition.
And for your Excellency & Honours your Humble petition-
ers as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Edw'' Flint
Sam' Stevens
Nehemiah Stevens
David Stevens
Sam-^ Stevens
W' Stevens
Joseph Stevens
Hampstead,
February 14"' 1749.
HAMPTON and HAMPTON FALLS.
[Hampton belonged originally to Massachusetts, and was settled by-
people from that Colony, in 163S. In 16S0, it was separated from Mas-
sachusetts and joined to New Hampshire. Hampton Falls was incor-
porated as a Parish in 1712. Ed.]
Petition of Selectmen about taxes.
To the Honorable y' Lieut Governer and Counsell &c : with
the Assembly now sitting att New Castle
The humble petition of us y' Select men of Hampton
Sheweth
That y' petitioners by warrant from y Treasurer to make an
assessment of 230 ' '^ and y' through a mistake in making y*"
Rate have made it 04 ' ' short of s'' Sums and y time being now
out according to s' Warrant and yo"" petitioners not having
power to Asses y"' Remainder Humbly pray yo' Honors to im-
power y' Treasurer to Grant a warrant to us y sd select men
& Commissio" ' and yo"^ petition"^^ will forthwith Make y"^ Rate
for y' Remainder, & yo' petitioners will by y blessing of God
never be wanting to pray for your Hon^
John Moulton Tugs Philbuick
Abka. Green Philemon Dalton
Jn' Deeubarne Jn Tucke
Peter Weare Selectmen of Hampton
May y*^ 20"' 1695.
Voated, That y Selectmen are Impowered to make assessment on
336 NEW HAMPSHIRE
their Inhabitants according to there petition for adjusting that Rate past
by y" Assemble
John Pickerin, Clark
Past by the Councile
W" Bed ford Dept Secry
Petitio7i of Ab)-ahain Drake a?id others aboiit a tract of
land in Kingstozv7i.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Capt. Generall and
Governour in Cheif in & over Her Majestys province of
the Massatusetts Bay & New Hampshi'' &c
The petition of y- selectmen of y'' Town of Hampton in
New Hampshire in behalf of y" freeholdei's & Comissioners of
y'' s'' town Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners this last sumer had Judgment given in
favour of Mr Peter Wear at two Courts the Charge where of
cost them more than 50 pounds, for not laying out a Tract of
land at a place formerly called New-plantation since called
Kingstown which s' Grant was to John Marston who sold all
his Rights in Hampton unto one Deacon Page more than 40
years since which s' Page hath ever since enjoyed his Rights
& devisions of lands in Hampton above s' untill this last sumer
y** said Peter Weare produced a pretended deed of conveyance
from y'' s"' John Marston Writen & Signed at Andover & y"
same day acknowledged by his Father Nathaniell Wear Esq.
in New Hampshire by s'' John Marston, which Deed is much
to be suspected for a fraudilent Deed, for y' if y^ said John
Marston were living at y*^ time of y*" Date of s'' Deed which is
much questioned, yett certainly he was dead before any such
instruments appeared, and it is farther evident by testimonies
of y'' Reaverent Mr Barnard minister of y* town togeather with
other principle men of Andover, y* y'^ s'' John Marston by
Reason of age had not been able for some years before his death
to go to y" publick worship not of a disposeing mind & mem-
ory much less able to travill in so short a time to acknowledge
a deed in New Hampshire when there were so many justices
in his way thether, besides severall other testimoneys who are
of y* s' John Marstons neer Relation who heard him say y'
Mr Wear had been at him to sell him a piece of land at New
plantation, but he would not do it. Wee therefore lay this our
humble petition before your Excellency, together with y'
Above mentioned Evidences and prav y' as y'' said Nathaniell
Weare Esq is in publickc place of trust, and whose signingan
acknowledgment is of more valine than two creadable Witnes
& without which no Deed bv Law can be executed nor Re-
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 337
•corded, we pray y' y" said Esq. Weare may answer possitively
whether he ever saw y" said John IVIarston of Andover in this
province of New Hampshire since y' Date of y" said Deed
made to his son Peter Wear bys'Marston, that so y^ truth
may appear, it being y' truth of all Testimony or Record y*^
makes them vallued, and y" said Esq. Wear hath been sum-
moned to y* Court & paid his charge, yet will Say nothingbut
puts to prove possetively y" Marston did not grant to his son
Peter or y' he was not in y" province of New Hampshire to ac-
knowledge it &c. The proceeding to y'^ finding out y' truth
wee have no cause to dought but your Excellency will Justly
•do & your petitioners shall ever pray as in duty bound
Abraham Drake "^
JohnMoulton ls,,,,t^en
Peter Johnson j
Samuel Dow J
Dated 13" of November 1708.
Certijicate of Nathaniel Weare.
16 November 1708.
Nath' Weare Esq. bein^ Exam' before his Excellency the Governor
and Council Whether he took the acknowledgment of one John Mars-
ton, formerly of Andover dec' to a Deed of Conveyance from the said
Marston to Peter Weare dated the thirteenth da\' of May one thousand
seven hundred and seven and now produced in court, and where the
said Marston was when he acknowledged the said Deed and at What
time.
Mr Weare Answered that he being at Andover the 13'' dav of May
1707 he went to the House of the said John Marston about noon and
exhibited the above said Deed to the said John Marston since dec** he
being then in his Right senses and the said Marston did then & there
of his own free & voluntary Will acknowledge the same to be his act
and Deed.
Exam*! before publick Councill the 16"' Nov"" 1708.
Chas. Storj', Secretary.
Certijicate of yabez Smith.
Ham"°.May 17"' 172 1.
Mr Greenough Sir. We Received y' Order of Assembly & in Obedi-
ence to s'' Order We Gave Notis to y Freeholders In said town to meet
this Day att three of y" Clock After Noon & accordingly thay did meet
& the Order of Assembly was red to them & y" Constable Desired them
■to Bring in there Vots, but thay Brought none in.
Sir I am yours to Sarve,
Jabcz Smith in behalf of y" Select men.
22
338 NKW HAMPSHIRE
Petition for leave to make a separate tax.
To His Honour John Wintworth Esq. L' Governour and
Comander in Chief in & over his majesties Province of New
Hampshire and the Honorable the Members of the Councill
& Representatives Now sitting in Generall Assembly.
The hiunble address & Petition of his Majesties Loyall and
Deutifull Subjects Inhabitence of the falls or South Parish in
hampton most humbly shevveth
That as there was formerly an act past that the Whole Town
of Hampton should Raise thair Province & Ministars Rates
to gether, wee of the falls parish finding many disadvantages
in not having power to raise those Rates singly by our selves-
and in particular wee want to make an alteration & addition to
our Ministers Sallery which wee cannot well doo by reason of
our being obliged to Raise our Rates in Generall to gether in
the whole town we have no Power to Raise for any addition
by our selves.
Wee therefore Pray that wee may be freed from that act and
may have power given us in our Parish to raise our province
and ministry Rates by our selves, that whatsoever wee have or
shall agree with our minister for — wee may have power to per-
form and doo therein as the Law gives power to a town, as in
all other Rates wee are single by our selves wee may be so in
the province and ministers Rates likewise.
As in your wisdom you shall think fit and your petitioners
as in duty bound shall ever pray.
In behalf and by order of the Inhabitants of s' Parish.
Nath' Weare
IcHABOD RoBiE \- Selectmen.
Nath Heai.ey
In Council Apr ii"' 1726
Voted, upon reading j" above Petition That y'-' selectmen of y" first
Parish of Hampton be served forthw''' with a copy of s' Petition by the
Petitioners & be notifved that the hearing upons* Petition is appointed
to be on Thursday next at 10 oclock A. M. that they may convene the
s'' Parish to chuse an Agent or agents to appear before the Gen' As-
sem'J at y ' s<i time to shew cause if any they have why the Prayer of
the s*^ Petition should not be granted.
Rich'' Wafdron, Cler. Con.
Eodem Die
In the house of Representatives.
The within Petition was Read and the Vote thereon and the vote*
concured with this amendment (that whereas in the within vote for the
first p"ish to be Notified to appeare next thursday) Voted — That the se-
lectmen of V first p'ish in Hampton be served with a coppy of the Pe-
tition and to appeare (& shew cause if any they have) why the prayer
of the Petitioner may not be granted the next sitting of the Gen"
Assm, the second day of theire sitting
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass"
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 339
In Coun. Eod. Die
Concurr'd w''' the amendm'
RichJ Waldron, Cir. con.
Province of New Hampshire, 9'" 2;^'^ 1726
After hearing the deputies for each of the Parishes in Hampton re-
lating to the Petition In the house of Representatives 9'" 23'* 1726,
Voted — That tlie prajcr of the petition be granted so farr, viz. That
the south parrish of Hampton called the falls parrish be impowered
fully & Seperately by themselves to make a Rate on all p'sons & Es-
tates within said p'ish for the payment of theire ministers sallaryat all
Times hereafter, and be utterly free from haveing anything to do with
the first p'ish, or the first p'ish in Hampton with them, relateingto the
ministers sallary.
James Jeffry Clr. Ass""
Read and Concurred.
In Coun Eod. die
Read 6i Concurred
R. Waldron cler. con
Request relating to highways.
Request being made to us the select men of Hampton falls or south
Parish by sundry of the Inhabitants of the northwest part of s'l Parish
Theire Request to us is that wee would perfect the highways where
theire was Land Left for high ways between the Ranges of Lots in the
first West devision so called and parfect other high ways where thay
are wanting to be perfected accordingly we have dune as follows
The first high way wee Layd out is begining at the deviding Line
between Hampton and Kings town, & so Runing Esterly at the north
Eand of the Lots in the 5''' Rang in the first west devision, so called s**
high way to be 2 Rods wide northerly from the bounds of s"' Lots
through s ' division and from thence as the way now goeth to John
Presents and from thence as the way now Goeth to the top of
the hill by Jonathan Sweets s' highway to be 2 Rods wide and from
thence as the way now goeth to Grapvine Run, this part of s' high-
way to be 3 Rods wide and from thence as the high way now goeth to
y° Contrey Road by Co ' Wears 2 Rods Wide
2'*'>' And have lay'd out an other high way begining at S'' deviding
Line and Runing Easterly at y north Eand of the Lots in the 6 Range
of lots in the afore s' division as s' Lots are bounded to Lay northerly
of s"* bounds 2 Rods wide to the way that goeth from Richard San-
burns by James Sanbuns except it be at a great Rock in s' way against
Stephen Hobses Land and theire s' high way to Lay one Rod to the
Northward of s'' Rock.
3'">' And have Laved another high vr&y from the deviding Line be-
tween Hampton & Exeter Runing Southerly at the side of the Ester-
most Lot in the 7''' Range in s** devision to the way Last mentioned 3
Rods wide
4'>' And have Layed out another high way from s<* deviding Line be-
tween Hampton & Exeter Runing south aty" Esterly Eands of the Lots
in the S'" Rang of Lots in s'' devision through s*^ devision 2 Rods
wide
5'>' And have Lay'd another high way from s** deviding line between
Hampton & Exeter near Wadly Crams Runing Southerly at the Est-
erly Eands of the Lots in the 9'' Range of Lots in s"* devision as the
34<^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Lots in St* devision are bounded to the highway at John Prescuts afore-
mentioned 2 Rods wide and this wee make our Return this 20*'' day of
Feb. 1733-4
Moses Blake ] Select
imen of
Hampton
falls or
South Parish
Vera Copia. attest,
Jon" Fifield Parish Clerk
Petition relating to a Parish.
To the Honourable hous of Representatives of this his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire Greeting.
Gentlemen we your honours humble petitioners humbly
sheweth that whereas his Honour y"^ Governor with his Majes-
tys Counsel in answer to a petition from hampton did Grant a
parish at North Ende of said town as shall apcar by a Coppy
of s ' grant, but it did not com to the honrable hous of Repre-
sentatives for their concurranc thearwith Thearefore we your
honours humble petitioners humbly crave your concurrance
theare with, and in so doing you will much oblege us your
humble Servants As in duty bound we shall ever pray,
Hampton November 30, 1730.
Simon Marston John Wedgwood
Maurice Hobbs Edmund Chapman
Timothy Dalton Ebenezer Godfrie
David Pag Ruben Darbon
Simon Darbon Job Chapman
Joshuay Brown William Palmer
John Godfre John Darbn
Thomas Marston John Marston
Joseph Dearbn Joseph Chapman
Daniel Sanborn Benj ■ Thomas
Widow Sarah Samborn Sam' Darbon
John Shaw William Godfree
Jonathan Page Sam' Marston
Richard Tayler Sam' Bachelder
John Johnson Benimin Johnson
Jolin Radman John Smith
Thomas Marston Samuel Dearbon
Benj" Roby
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 34I
Petition of the In/iabitants of Hampton Falls for a tavern
licefise.
To his Excellence Jonathan belcher Esq. Capt Gen-
'732-3- erall and Commander in Chief in and over His
Maj^' ' province of New hampshire &c and to the
Hon'''' the Counsell and House of Representatives
conveaned in Gen" Assembly.
The humble petition of us y Subscribers Inhabitants of
Hampton falls parish most humbly sheweth,
That for three or four years Last past wee have had Sundry
Divisions and parties made which has cosd much distraction
and trouble amongst y peojDle of this parish upon y account
of y tavern. The hous formerly Bult by Co'' Peter VVeare
at y* Corner where two streets met was Bult with Logs after
y*^ manner of a Garrison and on purpose for a publick hous of
Entertainment for travelers &c and was veary sarvesable for y^
Security of Travelers and y*" Lihabitants in y"' troublesum
time of war, upon y'' consideration of so good service to y°
publick y*^^ Generall Assembly of this province made it a Li-
cenced Hous as wee have been Inform'd and it has been Im-
prov' for y' use ever since, till about a twelve month since,
and now By the consideration and order of his Maj' ** Gen"
Qiiarter sessions of y* peace for s ' provence held at Dover the
fourth of Sept 1732 a Licence was Granted to another man
whos hous is not so convenient and against y'' Desire of most
of the Inhabitants of this parish the Selectmen of our parish
Did at y*" sessions aflbre said approbate Mr Daniel Colins, y"
present owner of y"" old Hous y"^ usually had ben tlie tavern
who has substance by him and well suplied to keep y" house
with sutable nessasaries for entertaining Strangers and trav-
ellers and since he has had y'^ s' Hous he has Laid out Con-
siderable upon it in altering and makeing new additions to
make y" Hous more convenient and fitt for such Bussness.
Therefore wee your most humble petitioners most humbly
prays that as y*" said House was a Licenced Hous formerly as
By Liveing Evidence it can be proved that it was so and for
That it will prevent making parties amongst us by Striveing
every year which shall get y'' approbation, that the same Hous
may again be made a Licenced House tlie person keeping it
allwais giving Bonds from time to time for keeping Good or-
ders and your petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
Daniel Weare Jonathan Fifield
Samuel Daves Mot^^es Dlack, Sen
Robart Qiiiiiby Jon Chr'.piv.an
John French " John .Sti'.nvan
Her.rv Lamp re Shadrick Warde
Edward Wevt Joige Ccnar
Joseph Cass Jr Isac Fales
342
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jerem'' Browne
John Halle
Tim° Blake
Henry Grene (?)
Benj' Moody
Ralp Butler
Enoch Sanburn
John Gove Sen'
Winthrop Dow
Joseph Worth
Jacob Brown
Ephraim Hoyt
Nathan Hoyt
Ephraim (?)
Jeremiah Easman
John Chase
Joseph Nortin
Ebenezer Dow
Samuel Page
Jonathan Chase
John Philbrick
Nathan Sanborn
Jesreal Clii^'ord
John Clifford
Beniamin Prescut
Samuel Tilton
John Cram Jr
Joseph Pearkins
John Ware
Samuel Healey
Nath' Healey
Jonathan Green
Jonathan Bachelder
Joseph Tilton
John Cram
Jonathan Cram Jr
John Browen
James Moulton
Samuel Matshun
John Matson
Jacob Garland
John Green
Jacob Stanyan
Thomas Gi'll
Amos Cass
Sam" Emons
Benjamin Green
Jedjah Blake
Nathan Clough
Joseph Cass
Jonathan Cass
Sharon Blake
Jon" Philbrick
Benj ' Pearkins
Thomas Cram
In Coun. Feb. 28"' 1732-3-
Read and unanimously Voted to be
R. Waldron Secry.
William Thomson
Ichabod Robie
Jethro Tilton
Jonathan Nason
Jonathan Bachelder
Samuell Lane
Richard Sanborn
James Sanburn
Joseph Tilton
Shurbun Tilton
Josiah Tilton
David Sanborn
John Page
Ebenezer Prescutt
Stephen Hobs
Israel James
Abra ■ Moulton
Timothy Huchesun
Joseph Wadleigh
John Swain
Philemon Blake
Robert Row
John Bachelder
Wadlev Cram
Daniel" Kelley (?)
John Green Sen.
Lenamin Cram
William Evans
Jonathan Tilton
Jonathan Prescutt
Jonathan Row
Thomas Leavit
Elisha Prescut (?)
EHshcr Prescut Jr
Benj Prescut
Edward Tuck
Sam" Blake
Nathaniell Prescutt
Joseph Draper
Richard Nason
Beniamin Sanbon
James Prescutt
Jeremiah Green
Jonathan Prescut
Benj' Sweet
Benj. Hiland
Tim" Hiland
Calub Browne
Thos. Philbrick
Jeremy Gove
Jonathan Dow
Jn ' Harvy
John Gove, Jr
Calub Swan
dismissed.
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 343
Petition for a ?zexu Parish.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq Governor and Com-
mander in chcif in and over His Majestys Province of New
Hampshire in New England
And To the Honourable the Council for said province and to
the Gentlemen of the house of representatives now sitting
in Gen' ass" for said province,
The humble petition of the Inhabitants in that part of kings-
town called the East part of kingstown and the west part of
the inhabitants of the falls parish in Hampton
Humblv s/iezuct/i
That there being fifty familys & upwards within the precincts
above named who having for a long time lived at a grate dis-
tance from any meeting house where the publick worship of
God has been carryed on and most of us having great familys
which very Rare above one or two of a family can go to the
house of God y*" greater part of the time by reason of the
great distance we live from any meeting house and thereby
the greatest part of our familys have been deprived of the dis-
pensation of y'^^ Gospel and there has been almost a famine of
y" word and worship of God amongst us thear being near four
hundred souls whereof not above y" sixth or seventh part can
attend said worship which is very prejudicial to the Glory of
God and destructive to our eternal wellfare for the Greatest
part of us thus to be brought up in ignorance which is a
greater Grief to us than we can herein express and y'' only
cause of addressing your Excellency and the hon'''' Council &
assembly herein and for preventing the difficultys and hard-
ships which we have for a long time laboured under, and for
the advancement of the glory of God and good of souls we the
subscribers hereof humbly pray your excellency & y" Honnor-
able the council that we may be set of a particular district or
precinct for the maintaining a Minister with the priviledges of
carrying on the affairs of town or parrish according to the
bounds hereafter expressed or as your Excellencie and the
Honorble the council & house of Representatives shall in wis-
dom see fit the bounds of y'' precinct herein petitioned for we
desire it may run two mile and a half on Almsbury line, west-
ward into Kingston from y'" line v' divides Hampton and Kings-
ton & one mile and halfe on Exeter line and from y"" same di-
viding line to run Eastward by Almsbury & Salisbury line
Eastward towards Hamjiton two miles, 1-2, and to carry that
same breadth of twt mile and a half to Hampton north line
upon a north line parallel to the dividing line afores'' and if
your Excellency & y*^^ hon'' y'' council & house of Representa-
tives in your wisdom shall see meet to grant your Petitioners
-SO reasonable a request, we most humbly pray if possible it
344 NEW HAMPSHIRE
may be so y*^ we may be able to build a meeting house this,
summer and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
&c
John Darling Isaac Fellows
Joseph Greele Ebenezer Collins
Joshua Prescutt Ebeneza Sleeper
Nathan Bachelder Samuel Amons
Phinehas Bachelder John Weare
Richard Clifford Samuel Clifford
William Smith Jonathan Palmer
Isick Gresen (?) Beniamin Brown
Abraham Smith John Graves
Benj' Swett Josiah Bachelder
Daniel Darling Ebenezer Bachelder
Edward Fifield Joseph Shaw
Joseph Berry (?) Gideun Shaw
Samuell Look Philip Dow
Beniaman French Edward Lock
Jonathan Dole Ezekiel Dow
"Jonathan Greelj Nathan Prescut
Ebenezer Fellows Joshua Prescut Jr
Ichabod Clough Josiah Tilton
Jeremy Webster James Tapin
Isaac Godfrey Ruben Currier
John Clifford Henry Currier
Benjamin Morrill Ezekiel Morrill
Jeremiah Prescutt Abner Morrill
Elihu Chase Richard Fites
In the House of Representatives May 9"'' 1732
The within Petition Read & ordered that the Parrish of Hampton Falls
& the town of Kingstown be served with a copy of this Petition, & or-
dered to appear the Second day of the next fall sessions to shew rea-
sons if any they have why the prayer of petition should not be granted^
This to be at the charge of the Petitioners
James Jeffry cler. Assm.
In Council May 13^'' 1732
Read and Concurrd
R. Waldron, Secry.
I assent to the above vote.
May 15 : 1732. J. Belcher
In the House of representatives March i»' 1732-3
The within petition being read & the pleas and allegations on both
sides being heard & considered tis Voted that the s<* petition be dis-
missed
George Walton, Clr. protem.
Concurrence in foregoittg -petition.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq & Gov'' & Coman-
der in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of New
Hamps in New England & to the Ilonnourable Council &
to the Gent" of the House of Representatives now sitting in
General Assembly for s'' Prov.
This is to Signifie to y Excellency & to the Hon'* Council
TOWN PAPERS — HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 345
& to the Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, That
Whereas we the Subscribers of Hampton Living whithin y"
Limits or Bounds of this Petition for a Precinct or Parish out
of Hampton & Kingstown, we are willing to Joyn with them
& Desire to be Received & accepted as Petitioners with them
and so we Rest with them in our Capacity his Majcstys most
dutiful Subjects & Humbly hopcing for a Gracious answer to
our Petition.
Hezekiah Blake Andrew Webster
Ruben Smith ( Mary Longfellow Executrix to
Nathaniel Derbun ( Niithan Longfellow De''
Tames Perkins Jonathan Dow
Objections thereto.
At a Leaugual Meetting of the freeholders of Hampton New parish
held this 28'' day of August 1733.
i" Nathaniel Weare Esq. Chosen Moderator for said meetting
3'!'} Left Ichabod Robie Chosen a Commite man to Appeare at the
General Court to give in Reasons why the West part of the new parish
in Hampton may not be set of to the East part of Kingstown to be a
parish.
4'y Capt Nathaniel I lealys Chosen a Commite man for the Eand above
said.
Hampton February the 22; 1732-3
A True Copie as attest
Joseph Tilton Clerk.
At a Lagull town meting held agust y" 28 1732. 2'-^' Voted that we
wont not seet of the Est part of ouer town for a district or parish to
Joyne with y • West part of hampton and that there was not one voter
appared for y" sating them of att said meeting the Rason is Becase we
are sensaball it will Rueine our town.
3'y Captn Johathan Samborn and Mr Ebenezer Stevens are chosen
to Represent y'^ town at our Generall Cortt to give in our Rasins Why
we did not grant the petitionars thare petition for to be sat of for a dis-
trict or parish at y" Est End of our Town.
A True Coppy'by Mr John Swett Town Clerk.
Petition of Haynpton Falls for a Fair.
To His Excelency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province
of New Hampsh'" and to the Hon'" his Majestys Councel.
The Humble Petition of the Select men of the Parish of
Hampton falls in said province Most Humbly shewcth
That whare as in this our Parish and in the Toiuis and Par-
ishes Round about us, and to y* East ward of our Province
Thare are Raised a Bundance of Quick Stock which to geather
346 NEW HAMPSHIRE
with other Traffick Twill in a year we want to sell, and having
experenced Sumthing of benifet of a Time and place for Mar-
keting s** Stock and Traffick in our s^ Parish, which Benifett
not ondly our Parish but also our Province togeather with y"
eastward Touns have shaired with us in by Reason of the Seath-
uation of our Parish^ being y" most conveanient to accomodate
Boath Provinces. We your Petitionours Therefore most Hum-
bly pray
That his Excelency and y" Hon'''^ Councel order that y*
second Wednesday and Thursdays in May and y'' Third
Wednesday and Thirsday in October to be days of Fair for
Publick Traiding in this Parish att the now most noted Pub-
lick hous and Cuntory Road yearly and for ever, for the Beny-
fites above Expressed As in duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Tilton | Selectmen
Jonathan Prescutt of y"
Joseph Worth > parish
Israel Blak of
Benjamin Green j Hampton-Falls.
Hampton Falls Oct. 10"' 1734.
Grant of a Fair to Ha77ipton Falls^ 1 734.
George tlie 2<' by the Grace of God of Great Britain,
[Prov. Seal] France and Ireland King Defend' of y' faith & To all
to whom these presents shall come, Greeting — Know
yee that we of our Especial Grace certain knowledge and nieer mo-
tion for the due encouragment of Trade and Traffic within our Parish
of Hampton Falls in our province of New Hamp'^ in New England
and for the more effectual carrying on of the same there — Have Given
and Granted and do by these presents give and grant to the Inhabitants
of our Said Parish & their successors the privilege of having holding
& keeping two yearly Fairs in the s<l parrish forever, each to continue
2 day together & no more, The one To begin on the last Tuesday in
April, and the other on y" last Tuesday in October, Annually, To have
and to hold the said Privilege of keeping Two yearly Fairs as above-
said for the Ends and purposes above expressed to the said Inhabitants
and their successors forever In Testimony whereof we have caused
our Province seal to be hereunto affixed
Witness, Jonathan Belcher Esq. Our Gov" & Com^ In Chief in and
over our s** Province the twenty fourth day of October in y® 8"" y of
our reign, Anno'q Dom. 1734.
J. Belchbr.
By His Ex'-y Comand w""
the advice of y- Coun.
R. Waldron, Secy
TOWN PAPERS ItAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS.
347
Agreement relating to Rev. Ward Cotton.
Hampton 1733-4.
Att a Legall meeting of the freeholders of Hampton this la"" da/ of
March 1733-4-
8 y Wee the freeholders doe agree to settle Mr Ward Cotton he in the
work of the ministry with the ReVi Mr Gookins provided his proposals
be such as we can comply with and that three men be chose as a comit-
tee to Treat with Mr Cotton and to know his proposalls and make Re-
port to the Town at this meeting The comittee chosen are
Se° Christopher Page & Sam ' Palmer, Jr.
Capt Jonathan Marston
Vera Copia as attest
Sam" Dow Town Clerk.
Dissents.
Maj' Wingett Jonhn Wedgwood
Simon Marston Will Godfrey
Morish Hobs Tho Marston
Sam" Dearborn, Sen. Tim Dalton
Daniel Samborn.
Petition adverse to setting off a new Parish.
To his Excelency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over His Maj'""' Provence of New
Hampslier & and to y'= Hon^'" Counsell and Hous of Rep-
resentatives convean^ in Generall Assambly.
The humble petition of us who are Inhahitaiits of y" west
part of Hampton Falls parisli most humbly sheweth
That whare as tharc is a petition prefered to y*^ authority
afore s' by Sundry of y*" Inhabitants of y" est part of y° Town
of Kingston and sundry of y" Inhabitants of y"" west part of
Hampton Fall parish to be set of a perticular District or pre-
senct with preveledges and Limets as in s'' petition is Exprest
And we Inhabiting- in that part of s'' Destrict petitioned for
that Doos Belong to Hampton Falls parish do with submis-
sion Declare ourselves posatively against s"' petitioners pro-
ceedings and conduct in that afair and that s'' petition was
prefer** without our knovvledg or Desire and if s'* petition
shold be granted we fere it will caus Devisions and parties
amongst us on that acompt, which will be veary hurtfull both
to church and Comunwelth, And there fore we His Maj'^''
most Loial Subjects and your most humble su]:)pliants mo t
humbly pray that your Excelency y" Hon'" Councell and Gen-
tlemen of y" Hous of Representatives in your wisdom and
easiness will not suffer us to be carried away by constraint but
will see caus not to grant thair Request and wee your peti-
tioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
John Prescut John Bachelder
Robert Row Richard Samborn
348 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Abraham Moulen ? Beniamen Cram
Wadley Cram Samuel Blake
Jonathan Tilton Jonathan Row
Shurbun Tilton James Fos^g
Daniel Kclley Ebenezer Present
James Sanbun John Page
Steven Hobs Shadrach Ward
Edmund James David Samborn
Simon Batchelder Timothy Iluchison
John Tilton Israel James
James Prescut Phileon Blake
William Evens John Cram
John Tappen John Mellsher
Joseph Draper Joseph Romt
Reasons against the same.
Whare as thare is a pettion Exebeted to his Exelency and the Hon'''*
Councell and house of Representatives in the Provence of New
hamshcir by Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Est part of Kings town
and the west part of the Inhabitance of the Falles parrish in Hampton
to be sett of two miles and a halfe In to Kingstown and two miles and
a halfe in to Hampton as it is set forth in the petition for a peteckluer
destrict or precint for the maintaining a minister with priveledges of
cayring one the affairs of a town or parrish and your Excelency y"
Hon**'" Councell and house of Representatives in your grat wisdom
Clemency & Justess ordered y' y" parrish of hampton iTalles and the
town of Kingstown be sarved with a copy of y^ petition and to appeare
the second day of the next falle session- to Shue the Resons if thay
have any why v" prayer of petition should not be granted for which we the
Inhabitants of Kingstown are Inxpresably thank full for your gratt
wisdom prudence and Justess In this affaire and with your Leve give
these following Reasons why y- said petition should not be granted,
firstly those of our town that are pettetioners are all of them new
comers to setell In our town and som of them young men and no
famelyes and none or but one of them ware att any truble or charge
with us In the Long and Tedus wars that we indured in this town with
the heathen enemy nore in building our meeting house In Said town
for above twenty yeares agoe.
2'>' The meeting house which thay have Raised Is so neare to the
Sid of y destrict petitioned for thatgratc part of the ajasent inhabi-
tance which for a Long time have borne grate charges in y" Wars and
all other Charges In the plaseand It is more defecult and worse for
them to go to meeting there then where they now do.
3'> Many of y" petetioners are new comers from other plases to set-
ell neare the Line sume call it between the Masetusets and new Hamp-
sheir and so as ocasion sarves them shift and shrink and bare no charge
any whare if they cane help it the Line being not yett determened.
4'> Sume of the petetionrs Lives In the Provence of the Masetusets
about Seven of them sume of them In Nebury and Sume of them att
Salsbury and sume of them may heir the Salmes Sung at the meeting
house in the houses where thay now live, and Sume others of the peti-
tioners are amost as neare, If not quitt to a meeting house Thay have
raised and have moved from Salsbury and Amsbury and other plases
whare the Gospell is plentefuly preched and good orders Keept and for
them to say thare is allmost a famine of y word of God amongst them
Is very obsurd and Redekules.
5'> And to UK the Inhabitants of Kingston It is well known that we
TOWN PAPKI^S — HAMPTON AVD HAMPTON FALLS.
349
have been att grat charg and werry much exposed in y* war and since
ben att grate troubell and defrence about owr minister and are Justly
and Qiiietly setteled In a brave Christian and Loveing way with agood
worthy minister and if these petetionerscane have their desire In thare
petition will make agrate dele of trubell ainongest us againe and Prob-
abell all is Because thay will not be att a Litell charge with us In building
a meeting house In said town In the senter of said town whareby we all
may have Rome to Mett In Comonalty for to take of two miles and a
halfe from owr town of Kingstown will take allmost halfe y" Ratable
Estate of our town and Sundry of our first Setlers with us and have
caryed one with us In the ware and other charges that have arisen In
y"" town so that If thare petition should be granted it will have a gratt
tendency to Ruine the Pease Love unity among us, and Render us
very incapable of supporting owr Reverend Minister as we ought to do
as In duty we are bound to do, There fore we pray it may not be
granted.
6'>' They say for preventing the defecelty and hard sheps thay for a
Long time have Laboured under and fory^ advansment of y* glory of
God and the good of soules thay humbly pray which If they have La-
boured under such defecoltyes for a Long time it was and must be be-
fore they came heire whare they now Live for they have ben whare
thay now live but a very litell time and for y« gratcst part of them as
thay say to be brought up In Igronces we hope and dout not but if
thay will come to owr meetings and heire our minister they will grow
wiser and pull down thare meeting house
All which Considered with else may be said we your most dutifull
and obedent Servants dout not but your Excelencey and y' hon" Coun-
sell and Gentellmen of the house of Representatives In your gratt wis-
<lom Clemency and Justes will see casue not to grant thare petition
for which we shall ever Remain werry thankfuU and shall ever pray.
JoN' Sanijurn.
Ebenezer Stevens.
Najnes of peranns in different towns who petitio?ied to be an-
nexed to Massachusetts — 1739-
[See Prov. Pap., Vol. V., pp. 915-925.]
These names not repeated in the Index. Ed.]
Nathl Seargent
.Tabez Smith
Gershom Griffith
Henry Fifleld
James Johnson Jr
Danl Moulton
Wm Lock
Sam 11 Leavitt
Joshua Brown
ThoB Hand
Wm Staniford
Jacob Moulton
Charles Walker
Thom. Ward
James Johnson
John lioe?
In Hampton.
Nathl Drake
Philip Towl
Jno Slicrburne
Edmund Rand
Samll D.ilton
Jona Leavitt
Wm Gross
Thomas Lane
Benja Jumes
Seth Fogg
Jabez James
Ward Cotton
Benja Lomprc
Richd Sanborn
Caleb Towl
Ezekiel Moulton
35°
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Abner Sainbom
Isaac Libbe
Peter G;iil;ind
Thorns Bachelour
Joseph Moulton
Hampton, 42.
Joseph Seecomb
Simeon Brown
Jno Carter
Peter Tom son
Jos. Eastman
Tbeoph's Griffin
Orlando Bagley
James Wood
Jeremiah Currier
ThoB Eastman
his
Theoph. X Clough
mark
Joseph Bean
Ralp. Blasdel Jr
Jno Silaway
Thomas Carter
bis
Jno X Carter, Jr
mark
his
Moses X Blasdel
mark
Thomas Brown
Wm Whicher
Elipha. Griffin
Wm Stephens
Jno Griffin
Theos Griffin Jr
Danl Rowell
Samll Hunton
Enoch Blasdel
Wm Bagnel
Nathan Swett
Daniel Young
his
Benj. B. Wadly
mark
Benjamin Sawyer
Moses KichoUs
Ebenezer Stevens Jr
Joseph Sawyer
Samll Tucker
Joshua Woodman
Jeremiah Wheeler
Joseph Fellows
Joshua Webster
Jona Young
Thoms Brown
Jacob Brown
Nehemiah Hobs
Robert Drake
Shubel Sanborn Jr>
In Khiostown.
his
Jere X Quinby
mark
Epbraim Stephens
Benjamin ChoateJr.
Saml Webster
his
Saml X Bean
mark
Joseph Young Jr
his
Wm X Lovrin
mark
Jno Young
Saml Robey
Tristrim Sanbom, Js
Obedi.ah Elkins
Aaron Young
Edward Scribner
Robert Stuart
Elisha Sweet
Jacob Peasley
Benjamin Eastmao
his
Wm X Uobey
mark
Ebenezer Webster
Philip Huntoon Jr
Jno Darling
Wm Boyuton
Jachabod Clough
Phinra?* Bachelder
Ebenezer Sleeper
Nathan Bachelder
Isaac Godfrey
Jona Blasdel
Benja French
Samll Emons
Josiah Tilton
Ebenr Fellows
Ebenr Bachelder
Benja Clough
Ebenr Collins
Jacob Gale
Ebenr Blasdel
Jno Mar(;h
Benja Stevens
his
Samll X Welch
mark
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS.
35:
his
David F Qiiimby
mark
Jno Sweet Jr
Jno HuntooD
Danll Gilnian
Joseph Elkina
Jona Choate
James Bean
Danl Darling
Nathl Smith
Stephen Gilman
hia
Robert X Stockman
mark
Philip Welch
Henry Morrill
Jeremiah Hubbard
Richd Tande
Wm Silloway
Jabez Page
Ephraim Elkins
Jacob Flanders
John Jlorgin
Jona Stevens
Jno Clark
Samll Eastman
Jno Hilton
Joseph Bean Jr
Paul Sanborn
Jno Hubbard
Thomas Elkins
Jona French
Steplien Flanders
Wm Clifford
Kingetow-n, 146.
Kathl Wearc
Charles Treadwell
Benja Sanborn
Benja Sanborn, Jr.
Nath. Uealey
Ebenezer Shaw
Nathan Tilton
John Cram
Samuel Lane
John Hrown
Daniel Brown
John Brown, Tertiua
Jacob Green
Benja Preactitt
Jona Bachelder
Reuben Sanborn
Samuel Tilton
Abraham Brown
Jabez Smith
Benj. Swett
Jona Sanborn ters
Caleb Towl
Dyer Hook
Benjamin Sweet
Natlil Huntoon
Timothy Eastman
Daniel Bean
Elisha Winslo
Eben Esman
Benja Slcejier
Jno Thorn
Jno Sleeper
Daniol Moody
Wm Long
Ralph Blasdel
Jacob Morrill
Jona Blake
Benja Silla
Charles Hunt
Abraham Smith
Wm Smith
Jonathan Greley
James Tapin
Benja Morrill
Jno Fiflcl.l tors
Stephen Merrill
Philemon Wells
Caleb Olough
Isaac Griffin
Elly Bede
Samll IJuswell
Phillip Mooily
Jona Hobbs
Benony Long
Henry Bagly
In HAiUTON Falls.
John Stanyan
ThoniaH Leavitt
Caleb Swain
Samuel I'rescut
Philemon Blake
Joshua Blake
Abner Sanborn
William Buesel
Jonathan Fifleld
Samuel Shaw
Joshua Purinton
Winthrop Dow
Amoas (;as.s
Enoch <;ove
John French
Benjamin Dow
Jonathan Hoag, Jr
Ebenezer Blake
Ephraim Hoit
Jofeph Thrasher
352
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Thomas Brown
Jeremiah Pearson
Moses Stickncy
Ebcnezer Gove
Nathan Green
Daniel Swett
Jeremiah IJenct
John Flood
Jonathan Chase
Thos Silla
Archelas Lakeman, Jr
John Flood, Jr
Joh^eph Worth.
John Worth
Obadiah Worth
Daniel Chase
Hampton Falls, 72.
Jonathan Green
Benjamin Green
Jonathan Uoag
Henry Drewo
Job Haskell
Stephen Palmer
Philip Praverc
Jeremiah P>rowTi
Ebenezer Knowlton
Jno Knowlton
Rnlph Butler
Nathl Burrell
Nathan Cram
Thonia-i Cram
Meshcch Weare
Benja Hilyard.
John Calfe
James Norres
James Willi^on
Francis Towl
Moses Hills
Samuel Emeroon
Enoch Colby
Jonatlian Blunt
Stephen Webster
Daniel MacFarland
Ebenezer Dearbom
Chester, 22.
John Clark
Moses Thirston
John Thirston
David Stiniford
Samll Leavitt
Miles Leavitt
Nathan Taylor
Richd Sinkler
Sarall Leavit
Abrahim Stockbridge
John Stockbridgo
Charles llundlet
Satchwell Clark
John llundlet
James Robinson
John Robinson
Moses Leavit
Edward FiHcld
Ephraim Leavit
Nalhl Ambrose
Solomon Cotton
Jonathan Cliaso
Thomas Railings
Richd Calloy
Joseph Hoag
Ebenezer Flagg
Ebenezer Blunt
Benjamin Smith
John Kezer
James Vearnum
Jonathan Hall
John Hall
Jonas Clay
Ephraim Hasseltine
Ebenezer Carlton
Christopher Carlton
In Stuatham.
Joseph Mcrril
Benjamin Taylor
Richd Young
Matthew Tomson
Joshua Kennison
Owen Runnels
Joseph Larr.ince
Jonathan Fifield
John Veazey
Nalhll Piper
Jonathan Silley
Caleb Rawlings
Jonathan Chase Jr
Joseph Hoit Jr
Joseph Edgerly
John I'urmott
Richd Palmer
James Chase
William Calley
Benja Hoag
Enoch Merril
Abraham Morgan, Jr
John Avery
William Chase
James Keunison
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS.
353
Ebenezei- Folshani
Joseph Merrel
Samll Leavit, Jr
James Leavit
Benja Cotton
Tlicopliilus liundlet
Joseph Uo\ I
Stratham, G:i.
Moses Kennison
Joshua Neall
John Wadleiffli
Joshua Ilallings
Thomas Galley
Uudlej' Leavitt
Danie! Oilman
Jona Korres
John Burgin
Robert Light
Trueworthy Giluian
Peter liilmau
Benja Thiug
Nathl Webster
Daniel Gael
Jona Gilman
Simon Oilman
Josiah Oilman
James Leavit Jr
Samll Thing
Israel Oilman
John Kimbal
Andrew Oilman
John Light
Jacob Tilton
Samll Gilman
Nicholas Gilman
John Oilman
John Lord
John Odliu
Thomas Heane
Edward Hall
Moses Oilman
Nathl Bartlett
Thomas Lord
John Gilman 4th
John Leavit
Joseph Thing
John Marsh
Daniel Thing
Philip Connor
bis
Jona JJ Oliden
mark
bis
Jona X Foulsom
mark
Jona Foulsom
Abraham Foulsom
James Gordon
his
£ph & Foulsom
mark
23
his
ThoB X. Gording
mark
Benjamin Fifleld
his
Benj. B.. Judkins
mark
Joseph Thing, Jr
Peter Thing
Jeremiah Oilman, Jr
JMward Oilman
Darbey Kelly
Abner Coffin
Job Judkins
his
Benj. X Foulsom
mark
liis
Nicholas X Oorden, Jr
mark
John Quimby
James Gilman
Dudley Odlin
Ezekl Oilman
Nathl Bartlett, Jr
Joseph Scribner
Joshua Gilman
Abner Thirston
Peter Foulsom
John Haines
Samll Conner
Daniel Thurston
Benj 'a Conner
Nathaniel Gorden Hardy or
Benja Rollins, Jr
Stephen Gilman
Nathl Thing
John Foulsom, Jr
Saml Stevens, Jr
Jethro
John Gorden, Jr
James Leavit
Ebenezer Light
Moses Swctt
Samll Elkins, Jr
Jona Wadleigh
Dudley Leavit
354
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Benja Smith
Jeremiah Calfe
Jerema (Jalfe Jr.
Saml Edgeily
Daniel C:alfe
James Calfe
Benjamin Mead
Thomas Wilson
James Bean
Joshua Wilson
Nathl Ladd
Jabez Sanborn
Thomas Edgerly
Daniel Folsom
John Bowden
John Hutchinson
Eplu-aim Robinson
John Dudley
Edw. Colcord
Richard Preson
Daniel Elkins
Jeremiah Veasey
Jona Oilman, Jr
James Folsom
William Doran
Ellas Ladd
Coffin Thing
Abraham Folsom
Edward Thing
Jonathan Thing
William Lamson
Samll Lamson
Daniel Young
Joseph Gorden
Daniel Homan
Jeremiah Conner
John Looge
John Ciilman
John Oilman
Humphrey Wilson
John Rice
Thomas Lyford
Cornelius Conner
Samuel DoUof
Saml Stevens
Amos Dollof
Theophilus Hardy, Jr
his
Edward O. Stevens
mark
Ephm Philbrok
his
Jona X Dollof
mark
Henry Marshall
Bilcy Hardy
Kinsley James
Francis James
Charles Rundlet
Peter Folsom
Ben. Swain
John Baird
John George
Thomas ^^'ebster, Jr
Thomas Kimming
James Whidden
Nicholas Gorden
Henry Steel
his
Danl O Giles Jr
mark
Thomas Robinson
Nathll Folsom
Jno Smith
his
Ebenezer X Martin
mark
Davison Dudley
Francis Bracket
John Robarts
liis
Alex X Roberts
mark
Jonathan Young
Michael Bowden
Nicho (Jilman, Jr
Nehemiah Oilman
Johu Steel
Joseph Graves
his
Edward X West
mark
Edward Scribner
John Scribner
William Graves
Geo. Roberts
Stephn Loal
Timothy Gorden
Job Kennison
Joseph Louncan
John Lovcru
Joseph Giles
Ebenezer Colcord
Elijah Vickery
Nathan Taylor
James Dudley, Jr
Jonathan Smith, Jr
Daniel Lary
James Youug
Benj. Scribner
Daniel Giles
Samuel Dudley, Jr
Israel Smith
John Giles
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS.
355
Saml Young
James Dudley
John Brown
Josiah Moody
Zechariah Jiulkiiie
William Smith
Israel Smith
Daniel Gorden
John Roberts Jr
Nicholas Dollof
his
Joseph Z Atkinson
mark
James Robinson
Nicholas Dudley
Timothy Leavit
Stephen Leavit
Samll Smith Cooper
Samuel Roberts
Sealey Leavit
Benja Oilman
Daniel Warmall
Nicholis Dudley, Jr
Waley Stevens
Josiah Thing
Carter Oilman
his
Joseph X Taylor
mark
John Farrar
Jon.'itlian Dudley
Samuel Dudley
John Odlin, Jr
Philip Wadleigh
George Creston
Robert Young
Samuel Magoon
Benony (iorden
William Graves, Jr
Edward Ladd
John Lul'kin
James Gorden, Jr
Exeter, 2G2.
Nathl Present
Jon:. Prescut
Joseph Wadleigh
Saml Blake
Israel James
Jeremiali Batchelder
Richard Sambom
Stephen Ilobes
Edward Smith
Ebenezer Iluchens
John Green
Ebenezer Knoulton
Jona Brown
Samll I'age
Kensington, 27.
Israel Y'onng
Samll Dudley, Jr
Clement Moody
Jeremiah Beean
Samll Richardson
Jonathan Gorden
Joseph Leavit
David Smith
Ambros Hindes
James Norris
Daniel Lad
Josiah Lad
Caleb Oilman, Jr
Richard Dollof, Jr
John Leavit, Jr
Curtis Bean
David Dollof
Daniel Lary
Elisha Odlin
Peter Coffin
Jolm Gorden
Nicholas Peiryman
Theophilus Hardy
Jonathan Conner
John Canby
Stephen Lyford
Benjamin Dollof
Jona Oilman, ters
Moses Conner
Nathl Oilman
Trueworthy Dudley
Jeremiali Bean
John Foulsom ters
Robert Patten
Jacob Smith
Jona Smith, Jr
Samll Smith
Samuel Lary
John Norris
Dudley James
Francis James
In Kensington.
Benja Brown
Heni-j- Lampre
Jerenii.ih Green
George Conner
John Cram
William Evens
Abner Evens
Abraham Moulton
David
Benjamin Jarvis
John Prescut
Benjamin Page
Timothy Hucliens
356
NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Greenland.
Samll Weeks Wm Sympson
Joshua W'eeks Samll Bryon
Benja Maoris Jno Lang
Sainll Cliapman Jedediah Weeks
Fennel Chapman David Dearborn
Ebeni- Johnson Jno Weeks
Mattliias Hains Walter Weeks
Lewis Hains Mathias Weeks
James Johnson Benja Kennison
Samll Davis Joha Weeks
Jno Weeks, Jr James Gate
Ebenr Johnson, Jr Enoch Clark
Saml Weeks, Jr Bracket Johnson
Joseph Hill Samll Hiex (?)
John Johnson Henry Clark
George Kennison Elias Philbrook
his Benja Philbrook
Joseph X Melon Joseph Grant
mark Joua Weeks
Joseph Weeks Henry Clark, Jr
Sarnll King John Johnson
Joshua Macres Elisha Bryon
Robert Bryon, Jr Nathl Huggin
Jona Dockum, Jr Danll Allin Jr
Juo Dookuin Nathan Johnson, Jr
Robert Bryon Joseph Meloon, Jr
Jno Watson Leonard Weeks
Tucker Cate Wm Walles
Jno Rawlinggs
Total, 55.
Hampton 42
Kingston, 146
Hampton Falls, 72
Che.ster 22
Stratham 63
Exeter, 262
Kensington, 27
Greenland 55
Total, 689
Reaso7is offei'ed ag-ainsf a new district.
Whare as thare is a Petition Exhibeted to his Excelencj Jonathan
Belcher Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his
Majesties provinc of New Hampsher in New England and to yc Hon"*'®
Counsell and Gentelmen of v^ Hous of Representatives for sfi province
Bv Sundry of y Inhabitants of y^ Est part of y'' Town of Kingstown
and Sundry of y'^ Inhabitants of y"-' West part of Hampton Falls parish
to be set of" a perticuliar Destrict or precenct with Preveliges and Lim-
ets as in s'' petition is exprest, and your excellency y* Hon'J'"= Councell
and Gentleman of y« Hous of Representatives in your grate wisdum
Jiistes and Clemency has ordred y' y® parish of Hampton Falls and y"
toun of Kingstown shold be sarv'd with a copy of sfi- petition and to
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 357
appear y" secund Daj of y^ next Fall session to shew Reasons if any
they have why y^ prayer of s'' petition shold not be granted for which
we of s"' Hampton Falls are veary thankfull for your grate wisdom pru-
dcnc and Justes in that affair, and we under writen deligates for s"
Hampton Falls parish Leaveing our Neiburs at Kingston to spake for
themselves shall with submission give y*^ following Reasons why y®
prayer of s*! petition shold not be granted :
firstly — Becaus y' thare is but about twelve of y^ petitioners y' be-
longs to our parrish and sum of them 3'oungmen and has no Fammi-
lies and sum Dwelt in the other parish in Hampton when s*" petition
was prefered and not above three or four families y' we know of y' has
Long Dwelt in y' part of our parish and for y^ Reason cold not be for
a Long time under Defeculties & Deprived of y^ Despensation of y«
Gospell and be in such a famishing condition as they say they have
ben in.
2'"> Becaus Considering y<^ Grateness of y* number of y® Inhabitants
y' Dwels in y' part of our parish petitioned for y' has not petitioned
which we suppose to be about thirty and sum of them has dwelt
Longer in y" part of s'' parish than any of s^ petitioners has and has
larger families who are uterly avearce to s<' petitioners procedings and
Conduct in y' afair and for such a considerable number of our Inhabi-
tents as afore s'' to be carried away against their wills we humbly con-
seave to be a Intolerable hard ship and will Rither have a tendencv to
cans Devisions and anamosities then to advance y" Glory of God, &c.
3'>' Said petitioners Desirs y' their Request may be Granted for y*
Reasonablenes of it — But for such a miner part as a fore said to En-
deavour to Carv of such a Larg tract of Land from our parish as
Exprestin s^' petition, which is all most half our parish and y^ Inhabi-
tants with it against their wills we humbly conseave to be veary un-
reasonable and absurd — And for these Reasons and many others y^
might be given we Doubt not but your Excelency the Hon' Councell
and Gentlemen of y*? House of Representatives in your grate wisdum
Justes and Clemency will se Reason sufficient not to grant s'' petition-
ers thair Request for which we of Hampton Falls shall Ever Remain
veary thankfull.
Nath' Healey
ICHABOD RuBIE.
Re7ti07tstrancc against a new district.
We the subscribers His Majestys most duty full & Loyall subjects
dweling within y' destrict or precinct petitioned for In y^ East part of
Kingstown & ye west part of Hampton — Do with Humble submis-
sion declear ourselves positively against the thing as wrong & very
hurtfull to Church and common wealth supposing it to be hatched up
by two or three disafected persons without our knowledge and consent
& Humbly pray it may not be granted.
Shadrach Ward Jonathan Tilton
Benigman Bachelder Israel James
Simon Batchelder Joseph Draper
John Present James Fogg
Robrd Row John Page
Nathanel Prescut Thimothy Huchsien
John Bachelder Edmund James
Richard Sanborn Ebenozer Prescut
Beniaman Cram Jonathan Rowe
Wadley Cream William Cleves ( .')
Danel Kely James Prescut
358 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Philemon Blake Theofeolos Grifen
Abraham Moulton Thomas Easman
James Sanbun Dan" Rowell
David Sambun Moses Rouell
Shurbun Tilton Ralfe Blasell
John Tilton Thom' George
Stephn Hobbs Dan" Blasdell
Tristram Sanborn Jona. Blasdell
Nathanel French Theo Griifen Jr.
Joseph Eastman John Carter
William Taylor Peter Sanborn
Teremiah Qiiinbe Ben'"* Magon
John Webster Nathi Smyeth
Andrew Webster Ele Beede
Tho. Griffin Philip Modej
Moses Sleper Joseph Louern
Eben Easman Sam'i Been, Jr
Samuel French John Sleepr
Petitioji of persons formerly of Massachusetts to be annexed
to Hampto7i Falls.
To his Excelency BeningWintworthEsq. Governor and Com-
mander in cheif In and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire and the Honorable the Counsel now setting in
said Province.
The Humble address and Petition of His Majesties Legal
and deutifull Subjects whose names are hereunto .Subscribed
which did belong to the Esterly part of Salisbery but now by
the Settlement of the Province Lines Fall into New Hamp-
shire most Humbly sheweth that your petitioners are Liformed
that those which did belong to the westerly Part of Salisbury
and some of Almsbcry which by said Line falls into New
Hampshire Intends to Petition that all those Persons that did
belong to Salisbery and Almsbery & are now taken Into New
Hampshire might be made in to a twown ship or Parish by
themselves & not annexed to any other, and have Presumed
so far as to set up a frame for A ISIeeting House in the West-
erly Part which if it should be granted would be very Prege-
ditial to vour Petitioners who live most of us above six miles
from said meeting house so y' those of us that frequent y' way
of Worship Could not attend the worship of God with our
wifes and families as we out to doo and for all other affairs
belonging to a town or Parish of all things that are notified at
said meeting house we shall have no knowledge of them which
may be greatly to our Damage and a great Dificulty & Troble
to select men and Constables and all such affocirs.
We Therefore Humbly Pray that we may not be joyned to
them but may be An.iexed to Hampton Falls or some other
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 359
way as in your wisdom you may think meet and your Petition-
ers as in duty bound shall ever Pray.
Sam" Eaton Samuell Fowler
Joseph Page Samuel Walton
Jabez Eaton Jeremiah Wheeler
Jacob French Beniamin Hojt
Ephraim Eaton James Jackman
John True Elihu Dow
Beniamin Baker John Eaton
John Paige Noah Dow
Joseph Tucker Beniamin Collins
Richard Smith Bildad Dow-
Joseph Todd Judah Dow
Thomas Selly Benony Selley
David Fowler Samuell Selly
Trustrim Collins John Eaton, Jr
Petttioti of itihabita7its of N. E. part of Ha7npto7i to be
exempted from mi/a'ster^s tax.
To His Excellency Bennin Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in Chief In and over his Majesties Provence of
New Hampshire in New England and to the Hounorable
the Councel and house of Representatives of said Province
In General Assembly Convened — November y*" i6"' 1742
The Plumble petition of us the Subscribers Most Humbly
sheweth — that the houses and habitations of your petitioners
are in the north eastly part of the town of Hampton at or
near Littel Bores Head near Lettel River or near the Sea and
that we live most as near upon a Line to the meeting house at the
town as to that at North hill and that it is much easierfor usto go
to meeting at the town than to North Hill by reason of the
Goodness of the way to the town and there not being any way
for us to go to meeting at north hill nor ever like to be unless
we travil much farther than to go to the meeting house at the
town :
Your petitioners Humbly pray that your Excellency and
Honours would be pleased to take this petition into considera-
tion and in 30ur grate Goodness exempt us from paying to the
support of the ministry at North hill and that we may still
remain — and be taxed to the support of the ministry and the
other Publick charges of the town as we used to be and your
pititioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
John Batchclder Mosies Lampre
Thomas Hains Obadiah Marston
Jeremiah Page Stephen Brown.
In the House of Representatives 9'"', 25"" 1742
The within Petition Read and considered & voted to be Dismissed
James Jeffry Clr. Assm
360
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition 0/ siaidry persotis to be annexed to Hampton Falls
or other towns.
To his Excellency the Governer of New Hampshire &c
May it plese your Excellency : we namly John Paige, Ben-
jaiinin Baker, John True & Jacob French are in that Petiton
Prefer'd by those in the Easte Parte of that slip &c, and we
Desire we may be anext to Hampton Falls We our hairs and
estats ; and we
Benjamin Brown
Caleb Clough
Amos Paig-e
Nathaniel Maxfield
Abraham Brown
desire to be annexed to
tates.
Feb. y^ i8''* 1741.
Epharaim Brown, Jr
Benjamin Brown, Jr.
Samuel French
Jonathan Brown
Samuel Brown ir
Kingsinto — we our Hairs and Es-
Jonathan Kimball
Jonathan Watson
Jonathan Farran
Timothy Farran
David Gooden
Samuel Gooden
Philip Chaloss
Beniamin Kimball
Caleb Hobs
Roger Estman
William Sargent
Nathaniel Ash
George Marten
Robert Marten
Abraham Morrill
David Marten
Every Tooker
Orlondo Bagly
David Bagly
Benj Kimball
Caleb Hobbs
Roger Eestman
Phil Chaliss
Sam' Gooding
East part
for
Hampton Falls
Jacob French
John True
Jonathan Hoit
Benj^ Baker
Joseph Tucker
John Page
John Page T in the petition
Benj" Baker ( for the
Sam True " East part at
Jacob French J Hampton Falls.
Andrew Whittier
Timothy Whitter
Josiah Fowller
Thomas Fowller
David Elott
Thomas Carter
John Carter, ter"
Will'" Fowller
Thomas Carter
William Fowller
William Fowler jr
John Carter Jr
Joseph Fowler
John Carter
Jacob Carter
Samuel Carter
We desire to be anext to Kingstown
(within the petition)
Jon" Farran
Nath' Ash
David Gooding
Jon' Kimball — 9.
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 361
Pct/tion of persons hi Haverhill district not to be joined
ivith Kingstown.
Province of \ To his Excclency Benning Wintworth Esq.
New Hampshire j Governor and Commander in Cheif In
and over his Majisties Province of New
Hampshire In New England and To the honorable his
Majesties Councils of said province
The petition of Jeremiah Eaton, John Kezar and others —
The Subsciibers who live In Haverhill Destrict and on the
Norwest side of the Washpond brook.
Humbly shexveth :
That sometime agoe your petitioners together with others to
agreat number of Haverhill destrict and some of Amsbery
Humbly requested your Excellency and honors to Incorporate
them into a town ship according to the meets and bounds de-
fined in the petition
And your Exelency and honours so far Incouraged us as to
send a committee to view our situation and circumstances who
accordingly haveing attended that Service made their report,
But it so hapned thiit when, our committee waited upon your
Excelency and honours Expecting to receive a charter of In-
corporation acording to the return of said Committee the
sudden news of a french fleet on the coasts so alarmed the
Government that your Excelency and honers were obliged to
imply all your thoughts and powers for the defence of the
province and Lay aside that afair with all other Business to a
further day — That as we are informed the town of Kingstown
who have been of late indeavering to Extirpate us from the
Earth did on the 26 of September last set us of together with
some few others who call themselves Kingstown men into a
parish.
Thereby further indeavouring to vex grieve hurt and Iniure
us who had many of us much rather be lead into Captivity By
some Christian nation than be Joynd with them who are our
Greatest adversaries under a pretence that wee are part of
Kingston when in fact wee and our anchestors have possesd
our lands as part of Haverhill for more than one hundred
years past, and since the settlement of the line have allways
been accounted Haverhill destrict men and paid rates accord-
ingly.
Wee therefore humbly and earnestly request your Exelency
and Honers to compasenate our Surcumstances and not sufler
us to be rent and torn to peices by our inveterate Kingston
adversaries but will aford us releif by Joyning us with our
Dear Christian friends relations and neibeurs of haverhill Des-
trict according to our petition with them & as soon as may be
Incorporated Into a township — That so wee may have the
362 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Gospel setled amongst us and for your Exelency and honours
your humble petitioners as In duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Haverhill Uestrict October 13"' 1746.
David Heath Joseph Stevens
William Heath Michael Johnson
Joseph Stevens, Jr Tho. Stevens
Jeremiah Eatton William Easman
John Kezar Daniel Robands
Samuel Stevens John Mills
David Stevens Daniel Johnson
Benjamin Stevens John Atvvood
John Stevens Zachariah Johnson
Nehemiah Stevens Joseph Little
Wait Stevens John Chute
Stephens Johnson, Jun'' Daniel Little
John Muzzey Thomas Mills
John Hunkins Phillip M'Carrvgon
John Johnson Benjamin Philbrick
William Hancock James Mills.
Notification of a Parish meeting to set off those who call
themselves Presbyterians.
Province of "(^ These are to notify the Freeholders and Inhabi-
New Hamps / tants of the Parish of Hampton falls in said Province
who are by Law Qiialified for to Vote to meet at this
meeting house on the b"" day of Sep' next at one of the clock in the
afternoon for the following Purpose viz' — Whereas a Number of Per-
sons in said Parish have Lately Professed themselves of the Presbyte-
rian Perswasion, and have apply'd to some ministers at Londonderry
whom they call the Boston Presbytery Desiring to be under their care
Representing that they apprehend themselves able and are freely will-
ing to maintain a minister of the orthodox faith and that is united
with said ministers in the Presbj'terian Government and have made
some objections to paying towards the support of the settled minister
in said Parish — And altho there is no Just Reason that the above men-
tioned Persons should in any Respect be excused except that it may
Probably be most for the peace of said parish that the abovementioned
Persons and their estates should be set off to act in all Respects as a
Distinct Society or Parish by themselves, except paying their Propor-
tion of the Province tax untill a new Proportion thereof — Therefore
to see if the Parish will vote to set off the abovementioned Persons
and their estates to be Incorporated if they think Proper to apply for
it to act in all respects by themselves as a Distinct Society or Parish
Except Paying their Proportion of the Province tax untill a new Pro-
portion thereof, and to pay all other charges as usual untill they shall
be set off as above mentioned — The Line of said New Parish to be
fixed by a committee of the General Court with Liberty for such of
the above mentioned Persons as shall not fall within said New Parish
to Poll off with their estates and belong thereto, And for any who shall
fall wirtiin said New Parish who are not of the Presbyterian Perswa-
sion to Poll off with their Estates and belong to the old Parish and
for any who are not of the Presbyterian Perswasion who have or shall
have Lands within said New Parish to Poll off said Lands to belong to
the old Parish.
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 363
At a Leagel meeting of the Freeholders and inhabitants of the Par-
ish of Hampton falls held the Second day of Sep" 1765 — Col Meshech
Weare choosen Moderator for said Meeting
Voted That the people caled Presbyterians in this parish be set off
as a Distinct Parish by them selves according to the foregoing Notifi-
cation for the above meeting.
Hampton Falls December 31" 1765
Copy attested by Caleb Sanborn.
Parish Clerk.
Petition for a Presbyterian Society.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Captain General
Governor and Commander in Cheif in and over his majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire &c — To the Honorable
his Majesties Council and House of Representatives for
said Province Convened in General iVssembly — November
2i"% 1765.
The petition of the subscribers. Free holders & Inhabitants
of the Town of Hainpton Falls in said Province — Humbly
Sheweth.
That about Two years ago The Rev '■ Mr Pain Wingate in
the congregational way & manner was settled in the work of
the ministry in said Town, That the Religious sentiments of
and Doctrines preached by the said Rev ' Mr Wingate are very
different from those of your Petitioners — and disagreable to
them — That your Petitioners apprehended they could not be
profited by the peaching and ministration of the s' Rev' Mr
Wingate That the measures taken by the said Town in order
to the settlement & support of the said Mr Wingate are as
your Petitioners conceive unprecedented and Justly Grievous
to them, and that therefore your Petitioners and many others
Inhabitants of said Town (near one half thereof) constantly
opposed his settlement there and dissented therefrom :
That your Petitioners are conscientiously of the Presbyte-
rian Perswasion respecting Church Government, Doctrine
Discipline and Worship That they with others of their Breth-
ren of that Perswasion have for sometime past been regularly
formed into a church, built a meeting house in said Town for
the publick Worship of God, Called and settled a minister in
the Presbyterian way, namely The Rev Mr vSamuel Perley :
That your Petitioners conscientiously and constantly on the
Lords days and at other times occasionally attend the publick
worship of God there, according to their said Pcrs\v!ision ;
That the premises notwithstanding the select men of the said
Town of Hampton Falls for the last year asscsed and Rated
your Petitioners for the support of the said Mr Wingate and
364 NEW HAMPSHIRE
obliged them to pay the same, That the selectmen of said
Town for the present year have again assessed & Rated your
Petitioners for the same purpose, which your Petitioners ap-
prehend to he a Grievous & unreasonable Burthen upon them
— Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray your Excellency
and Honours to take their case under your wise consideration
And as they conceive themselves to be Intitled to his majesties
Grace & Favour in allowing to all his subjects Liberty of Con-
science— and that it is unreasonable for them to be compelled
to pay towards the support of a minister they do not nor can-
not hear and attend upon for the Reasons aforesaid When at
the same time they are at the expence of maintaining publick
worship among themselves in that way and mode they think
most agreable and nearest to the directions given in the Scrip-
tures by the Great head of the Church, and where the True
Doctrines of Grace & Salvation are preached according to
their Opinion of those things : They pray your Excellency &
Honours would grant them Relief in the premises by Exon-
erating them their Families and Estates and all others within
said Town of Hampton Falls who are of the same Perswasion
and attend the publick worship of God with them from all
ministerial Rates and Taxes in said Town (Excepting to their
own minister) and by setting them off as a distinct Parish for
ministerial affairs only, and by enabling the said Presbyterian
congregation to raise & Levy on themselves such Taxes and
assessments as they shall from time to time find necessary for
the support of the ministry and publick worship of God
among themselves — or grant your Petitioners such other Re-
lief as your Excellency and Honours in your wisdom shall see
fit, And your petitioners as in Dutv bound will ever pray &c.
&c.
Thomas Leavitt Samuel Sellej
Ebenezcr Knowlton David Eaton
Richard Smith Samuel Eaton
Jacob Smith Nath' Sinkler
Winthrop Gove David Knoulton
John Chase Jr Eliphe Merrill
John True Thomas Brown
Abener True Nathan Gove
Joshua Page Enoch Gove
Joseph Page Sam' Philbrick
Abel Page Jonathan Swett
Thomas True William French
Joshua Page, Jr Jacob French
Benjamin Eaton Jonathan Weare
John Eaten Isaac Brown
Thomas Eaten John Kennej
Wimon Eaten Elislia Brown
Joseph Norten Jonathan Walton
Joseph Eaton Job Haskell
John Selley Enoch Boid
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 365
Samuel Felch Daniel Chase
Joseph Falch Thomas Sellj
Henrj Roby John Eaton, Jr
John Chas Jonathan Iloyt
Abel Daves Elczer Gove
Simon Clough Paul Grinelf
John Robei Jonathan Chase, Jr
John Hunt Beniamin Leavit
Province of New Hamp' November 27"' 1765
The foregoing Petition read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''*
Assemblv
T. Atkinson. Jr Secry
Province of | j^ ^ j ^ Representatives Nov^ 271'' 1765.
New Hamp" J ^ 1 1 j
The annexed Petition being Read and considered,
Voted, Tiiat the Petitioners be heard thereon the second Day of the
siting of the General Assembh' after the first day of January next, and
that the Petitioners at their own cost serve the selectmen of Hampton
falls with a copy of the Petition and order of Court that they may ap-
pear and shew cause if any they have why the Prayer thereof should
not be granted.
M Weare, Clr.
In Council Nov 28''' 1765
Read & concurrd.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
New Ham°^'}^" the House of Representatives July 2'^ 1766.
The foregoing Petition being taken under Consideration and the
Parties heard thereon :
Voted, That the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a Bill for them
and their Estates to be set off from the Parish of Hampton falls to act
in all Respects as a distinct Society or Parish by themselves Except
paying their Proportion of the Province tax untill a new Proportion
thereof The line of said New Parish to be fixed by a committee of the
General Court with liberty for such of the Petitioners as shall not fall
within said new Parish to Poll of with their Estates and Belong thereto
and for an\' who shall fall within said new Parish who are not of the
Presbiterian Perswasion to Poll oflT with their Estates and belong to
the old Parish, and for any who are not of the Presbyterian Perswa-
sion who have or shall have Lands within said New Parish to Poll off
said lands to belong to the old Parish agreeable to the Purport of a
Vote of the Parish of Hampton falls the Second dav of Sep' 1765.
M. Weare, Clr.
Province of ) j , jj f Representatives July 9"' 1766.
New Hamps' ) ^ j .- ^ /
Upon a motion of the Petitioners for some alteration in the forego-
ing vote
Voted, That it be understood that any non Residents who have or
-hall have Lands in either Parish shall have liberty to Poll off their
said Land to that Parish which thev shall choose.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council Eod'" Die
Read & Concurr'd.
T Atkinson Jr. Secry.
366 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition in answer to the foregoing Petition.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General
Governour and Commander in Chief In and Over hisMajes-
tys Province of New Hampshire, The Honour '^ his Majes-
tys Councill and House of Representatives in General Court
Assembled.
Jany i-' 1766.
We the Subscribers, Chosen by the Parish of Hampton
falls a Committee on their behalf, to make answer to a Peti-
tion Exhibited to the General Assembly Nov' 21^^ 1765 By a
Number of Freeholders and Inhabitants of s** Parish Praying
to be Excused from Paying to the Support of the Rev" M"'
Paine Wingate Setled in the work of the ministry in said
Parish &c.
Beg Leave Humbly to Represent to your Excellency and
Honors That the Reasons assigned by said Petitioners are such
as ought by no means to Prevail for their being Exempted in
the manner They pray for. And this we trust will clearly ap-
pear from a true state of facts Relative to these affairs
We would therefore Inform your Excellency & Honors That
Mr Wingate Having Preached in the Parish for some months
before Mr Baileys Death and Afterwards to the General Satis-
faction of the People The Parish with the Advise of the Neigh-
boring ministers Proceeded to give him a call to Settle in the
work of the ministry there, which call was unanimous by the
Church, and General by the Parish, not more than three or four
Persons opposing his Settlement. But the terms of Settlement
not being agreed on he gave a Negative answer After which
the Parish heard some others on Probation and gave MrMicah
Lawrence a call to settle, which we mention because it has
been Represented as if the Parish were unreasonably set for
Mr Wingate's settlement and no other person. But the same
persons who opposed Mr Wingate's settlement opposed the
settlement of Mr Lawrence ; which made the Generality of
People think their opposition was more from a disposition to
make Difficulty in the Parish than from any Reasonable objec-
tion they had against Either of the Persons. But Mr. Law-
rence also gave a Negative answer on accompt of terms of set-
tlement. Whereupon the People in General Signified their
Desire to Renew their Call to Mr Wingate, and agreed to get
him to Preach for four Sabbaths, if he could be Procured. It
is true this was opposed by those who had all along opposed
his settlement, but this was then but three or four Persons Mr
Wingate was accordingly Procured for four Sabbaths ; after
which a meeting was called. Notice being up two Sabbaths
as usual, to see if the Parish would Renew their Call to Mr
Wingate to settle which we mention, because it has been Rep-
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 367
resented as if there had been some unfair Proceedings as to
this meeting, tho' in what Particulars we could never find.
At this meeting there was again a general Vote of the Parish
to Renew their call to Mr \Vingate, not more than six or seven
Voting against it, and he had also again a unanimous Vote
of the Church at the Same meeting also were voted terms of
settlement which being five Pounds Sterling more than had
been Voted before there were more Persons against the terms
of settlement than against the call, tho' we think not more than
ten or twelve at that time. But after wards many of these Pe-
titioners spoke of it as an Extravagant sum (the sum is 55 £
Sterling in the whole besides the Personage) and made this
the Ground of uneasiness, and of stirring up Persons against
Mr Wingates Settlement Representing that it was too much for
such a Poor Parish to Pay, and if that were taken oti' they
would be Easy ; this was their General talk and the whole
Ground of complaint then made. With what Propriety they
Desire to take off (as they say) near one half and to maintain
another minister when but a year or two ago the whole Parish
were not able to pay fifty five pounds Sterling yearly, we must
leave to themselves to Explain. The truth is the whole Parish
is not more than sutficient to support one minister Properly,
Tho' we think there was no Reason to find fault with what was
Voted Mr Wingate ; Thus matters Rested for some time and
it was Generally tho't that the uneasiness which had arose on
accompt of the Salary would subside. But sometime after
some of those Persons who had all along opposed our Settle-
ment went about, and in a very Private manner Procured a
Number of Persons to Sign a Paper to Signify to Mr. Win-
gate that there was a great Number of Persons in the Parish
against his settlement, in order to Discourage him from acept-
ing, which being accidentally heard of by one or two Persons
who were for Mr Wingates settlement, and of the time when
they Designed to carry the same to Mr Wingate it was tho't
Proper that some Persons should go and meet them at Mr. Win-
gates to Know what Objections there werfe, and Endeavor to
clear up any Difficulties that might be made, accordingly three
or four Persons went and met the Persons who had been Pro-
curing Signers, and informing them of what they heard
Desired to Know who were uneasy and what their Objections
were, that they might clear up the Matters if they could. But
they Reph'd that what they had to Say was to M' Wingate
they had nothing to say to anv Body Else, and after the other
Persons were with drawn they Delivered a Paper to Mr Win-
gate Signed by a considerable Number of Persons Signifying
that they were against his setling, without assigning the Least
Reason, and when thev were asked the Reasons Declined ":iT-
3 68 NEW HAMPSHIRE
ing any which not appearuig to Mr Wingate (after Enquiring
into all circumstances) to have Equal weight with the unani-
mous Vote of the Church and Clear Vote of the Parish at a
Legal meeting he accepted of the call. After this another
Paper was carried about to be signed to Request the selectmen
to call a meeting "to see if the freeholders Inhabitants of
Hampton falls will Vote that all the Votes has been Past Re-
lating to Mr Wingate call in tlie Work of the ministry Salary
and support in this Parish of Hampton falls be Repealed and
absolutely Revoked and made void &c." Which being De-
livered to the select men they Denied calling a meeting, look-
ing upon it altogether as Improper after matters had been fairly
and clearly determined at fair and Legal meetings to call a
meeting to Revoke the same as it would be after a minister had
been setled Ever so Long to have a meeting to Revoke all that
had ever been done. The absurdity and Impropriety of which
they tho't must be quite Evident, with several other Reasons
which they gave the Petitioners in writing in answer to their
Request, in hopes to satisf}^ them that their Request was un-
reasonable, However it had not this Effect But they Proceeded
to get a meeting called by two Justices at which meeting they
voted all the Pi-oceedings Relating to Mr. Wingates settlement
to be Null and Void. But not trusting to this when the coun-
cell was convened a Committee of the above Persons appeared
& Objected to Mr Wingates being Ordained ; But never made
the Least Objection against his Doctrine, life or Conversation
but on the Contrary, being asked by the Councill whether they
had any Objections of this sort, said they had not neither did
they make the Least Suggestion that they were of a Different
Perswasion.
We hope your Excellency and Honors will Excuse this so
long a Rehearsal of the Transaction of said Parish Relative to
these affairs as all the Objections hitherto made were against
the Proceedings of the Parish as Illegal and unfair — for that of
being Presbyterians had not yet come into their minds and
these Objections as in the Present Petition couched in General
terms without assigning a single Instance Wherein they were
unprecedented or justly Grievous which made it necessary for
to give a Particular accompt of the whole Proceedings that the
Instance wherein we have failed, may be Pointed Out, for we
never yet could tell wherein it was. From this state of facts
we apprehend it will appear clear to your Excellency and
Honours that the transactions of said Parish Relative to Mr
Wingate's settlement have been Regular and agreeable to the
Law and Practise in such cases That his call to settlement,
was as clear and Indisputable as Generally can be Expected
and that those who afterwards were Drawn in to oppose it had
TOWN PAPKRS — HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 369
no just cause for so doing. That at the time when Mr. Win-
gate was ordained, none of these Petitioners had the least tho't
of being of a ditlerent Perswasion, for if they had it must be
supposed they would have made that one objection before the
Councill. We are therefore fully Perswaded that they will
appear wholly Inexcusable in Rejjrcsenting as they do in their
Petition as if Mr Wingatcs Religious Sentiments, and the
Doctrines Preached by him were the ground of their uneasi-
ness, the contrary to which they themselves declared before the
Councill. Moreover from the best Information we can get one
Qiiarter part at least of these Petitioners, never heard Mr
Wingate Preach in tlieir lives and many others of them not
more than once or twice and not one in twenty of them ever
had the least conversation with him to Know any thing of his
Religious Sentiments, And they have put down the Name of
one at Least in their Petition who his own father has Repre-
sented as an Idiot so wanting of understanding that he ought
not to be taxed for his head and he has been accordingly omit-
ted and many of the Other Petitioners do not own one Inch of
Real Estate in the Parish. How fair these things are we leave
to be Judged, and of the like sort is their assertion that near
one half of the Inhabitants of said Parish Constantly opposed
Mr Wingates settlement and dissented therefrom, the Contrary
to which is Evident from the foregoing state of facts.
That these Petitioners as well as we are Intitled to his Majes-
tvs Grace and favour we have not the least doubt — and this we
look upon to be so great a Priviledge and favour, that it ought
never to be made use of to serve wrong Purposes, and here we
beg leave only to Remark, that if any number of Persons
without any the least pretence of being of a Different Per-
swasion or any the least Objection to the settled minister as to
his Doctrine, Life, or Conversation (which was the fact here)
may at any time Seperate and set up as a Distinct Society by
themselves, without any Countenance from authority, and
whether those they Seperate from Remain able to suj^port the
minister or not (whatever Denomination such may please to
assume afterwards) there evidently Can be no Certain support
for the Ministry at all, which is very far from being the Design
of the Act of Toleration, And plainly tends to Destroy Relig-
ion of all Denominations.
That these Petitioners have the true Doctrines of Grace and
Salvation preached to them according to their sense of these
things we have nothing to say to, and that they are so Preached
by Mr Wingate Even these Petitiuners themselves after all
their Endeavors, could never find the least Objection to make
to the Contrary, so that the Inuendo's and suggestions against
Mr Wingate's Preaching are put in as we conceive for no other
24
370 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Reason than that they tho't it necessary in Order to their hav-
ing any Colour for what they Ask, that there should have been
in Reality what they without the least foundation Suggest.
Such metiiods we think quite needless in a Good cause and tb.ey
will we trust be quite unavailable in any Other. Wherefore
we Humbly Pray, not only on behalf of the Parish of Hamp-
ton falls But of all Religious Societys in General that the Peti-
tion may be Dismissed. For we think that Encouraging Per-
sons in Methods such as these Petitioners have Practised will
have a direct tendancy to Destroy Religious Societys of every
Denomination.
But if it shall Appear Otherwise to your Excellency and
Honors, we Humbly Pray that they may be made a Distinct
Parish to act in all Respects by themselves, we being fully con-
vinced from what we have already Experienced how great will
be the Difficulties of being Connected in Civil matters while
there is a Seperation as to Others. For which Reason the
Parish were willing Notv\'ithstanding the unreasonableness of
all their Proceedings that they should go oft' as a Distinct
Parish and their not accepting of this we think Shews their
Disposition more to keep the Parish in Difficulties, than that
Religious Principles are the foundation of their Proceedings.
Meshech Weare
Richard Nason
Jonathan Tilton , ^
-/-, o ^ Committee.
Caeer Sanborn
Nathaniel Gove
Arner Sanborn Jr J
Petition for a Presbyterian Society renexued — (zvit/i slight
alterations^ .
1767
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain Gen-
ei
al Governor and Commander in Chief in and over
his Majesties Province of New Hampshire, To His
Honorable his Majesties Council and House of Rep-
sentatives for said Province Convened in General As-
sembly July 3'' 1767.
The Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the Town of Hampton falls in said Province, Humbly
Sheweth.
That about three years ago the Rev*^ Mr Pain Wingate in
the Congregational way and manner was settled in the work of
the ministry in said town ;
That the Doctrines Preached by the said Rev' Mr Pain Win-
gate are very diflerent from those of your petitioners and dis-
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 37 I
agreeable to them. That your Petitioners apprehended they
could not be Profited by the Preaching and ministration of the
said Rev' Mr Wingate. That the measures taken by the said
Town in order to the Settlement and support of the said Mr
Wingate are as your Petitioners Conceive unprecedented and
Justly Grievous to them, and that Therefore your petitioners
and many others (near one half thereof) constantly opposed
his Settlement there and Dissented therefrom. That your Pe-
titioners are Conscientiously of the Presbyterian Perswation
Respecting Church Government, Doctrin Discipline and Wor-
ship That thay with others of their Breathren of that said per-
swation have for some time Past Been Regularly formed into
a church built a meeting House in said Town for the Public
Worship of God, Called and settled a minister in the Presby-
terian way Namely the Rev' Mr Samuel Perley. That your
Petitioners Conscientiously and Constantly on the Lords day
and at other times occationally attend the Publick Worship of
God there according to their said Perswasion — That the
Premises Notwithstanding the select men of the town of Hamp-
ton falls for two years Past have Rated your Petitioners for the
support of the said Mr Wingate, which some of your Petition-
ers have been Imprisoned therefor, which your Petitioners
apprehend to be a Greivious and unreasonable Burthan upon
them. Therefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray your Excel-
lency and Honors to take their case under your wise consider-
ation, and as they Conceive themselves to be Intitled to his
Majestys Grace and Faviour in allowing to all his subjects Lib-
erty of Conscience and that it is unreasonable for them to be
Compelled to Pay towards the support of a minister whom
they do not hear and attend upon for the Reasons aforesaid
when at the same time they are at the Expence of maintaining
Publick Worship amonge themselves : Thay pray your Ex-
cellency and Honors would Grant them Relief in the Prem-
ises by Exonerating them their families and Estates and all
other within said town of Hampton falls who are of the same
perswasion and attend the Publick Worship with them from all
ministerial Rates and taxes in said town Excepting to tlieir own
minister and setting them oft" as a distinck Parish fur ministe-
rial affairs only and enabling the said Presbyterian Congregation
to Raise and Levy upon themselves such taxes and assessments
as they shall from time to time Find necessary for the support
of the ministry and Publick Worship of God amonge tham
selves : and as in duty bound shall ever pray &c &c.
Ebenezer Knowlton Abel Davis
Henry Robie Joseph Norten
Richard Smith Winthrop Gove
Jacob Smith John Eaton Jr
Samuel Selley Job Haskell
372 NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Chase Jr Jonathan Hoyt
Benjamin Eaton John True
Enoch Gove Jacob Freanch
Samuel Pearkins Simon Clough
Wimon Eaton Abner True
Thomas Seley ' Jonathan Walton
John Seley Ebenezer Gove
Thomas Eaton Samuel Eaton
Jonathan Weare Elisha Merrill
Joseph Page Samuel Felch
Thomas True Joseph Falch
David Knowlton William French
Elisha Brown Paul Greenleaf
Jonathan Chase, Jr Sam" Philbrick
Thomas Brown John Chase
Joseph Chase Isaac Brown
Joshua Page Benjamin Leavitt
Abel Page Nathan Gove.
John Eaton
Province of New Hampshire.
In Council Septem'^ 22'^ 1767.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''' Assembly.
T. Atkinson Jr Secry.
Province of New Hampshire { ^"/^he^^House of Representatives Sepr
Upon Reading the foregoing Petition Voted that the Petition" be
heard on the said Petition on the third Day of the sitting of the
General Assembly after the first Day of November next & that they
serve the select men of Hampton falls with a Copy of said Petition Sc
the order of the assembly thereon within fourteen days from this time.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council, Eodem Die
Read & Concurred.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
'Province of New Hamps'
In the House of Representatives Feb''>' 12"' 1768.
The within Petition being Considered, Voted that it be dismiss'd Re-
serving to the Petitioners Liberty to Bring in a Bill as heretofore
Granted to be set oft" as a Distinct Parish in all Respects.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council Feby 18'^" 1768.
Read & concurrd
Geo. King, Depy Secry.
An Act for dividing- Hampton Falls into two Parishes.
Anno regni Regis Georgii tertii Magnce Brittaniae, Franciie et Hiber-
niae Octavo.
An act for dividing the town of Hampton Falls into two distinct
Parishes.
Whereas a number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton
Falls have petitioned to be sett of into a distinct & New Parish for
reasons in their said Petition set forth and approved of.
Be it enacted by his Excellency the Governor Council & Representa-
tives in General Assembly Convened and by the authority of the same
it is herebv enacted
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 373
That on or before the day of next the aforesaid Town of
Hampton Falls shall be divided into two Parishes, each of which shall
enjoy all and every Priviledges common to other Parishes, distinct and
seperate from each other, under the following Exceptions and Restric-
tions vizt. A Divisional Line shall be drawn & setled by a committee
of the General Court for that Purpose and all such of the Inhabitants
who are of the Presbyterian Perswasion whose Estates shall not fall
within the new Parish shall be poll'd oiTand belong thereto, and any of
the Congregational Inhabitants whose Estates shall fall within the New
Parish shall be poll'd off with their Estates and belong to the old Par-
ish, and the Estates of all nonresident Proprietors that shall fall within
the New Parish shall be assessed for all Parish Taxes (excepting min-
isterial) by the said New Parish.
Report of a Cointuittec to fix the line between the said two
Parishes.
Province of 1 We the Subscribers being appointed by a vote of
New Hampshire j the General assembly to fix a Line in the Town of
Hampton falls in order to The southern Part There-
of Being Erected into a Distinct Parish accordingly we have viewed
the Premises Heard the Parties ii^ and agree to Report that a Line Be-
gining on Kensington Line near Joseph Browns Dwelling house at a
Road called Horsehill Road and Following said road Down to a Bridge
Below Weare mill then easterly on the North Line of Elisha Browns
Land to the North East corner Thereof by the Q^iaker Parsonage (so
called) Then following the Road that leads by Henry Thresher's house-
to the country road. Then following the Line Between Land of Abra-
ham Dow and Ralph Butler and Isaac Brown and between Said Dow
& Meshech Weare Esq. to the south East corner of said Weare's marsh
at Browns River (so called) then following said River to the western
End of the parsonage Island (so called) then Round on the southern
and Eastern Sides of said Island to the afors' River and to the mouth
thereof, shall be the Dividing Line between the two Parishes.
Hampton Falls April 37"' 1768.
John Giddinge
Josiah Bartlett J- Comittee
Ebenezer Thompsor
N^w^'lTam^s- }^" the House of Representatives May 24''' 176S.
The within Report being Read and no objection made
Voted, That the Report be accepted and that the Petitioners may
bring in a bill agreeable thereto
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council May 24, 1768
Read & concurr'd.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
.1
374 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of the Pai'ish of Hampto7i Falls in relatioTi to
delinquent tax-payers.
Province of '\ To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
New Hampshire >- Capt. Gen' Governor & Commander in
Rockingham ss ) cheif in & over said Province, The
Hon'"' his Majestys Council & House of
Representatives in general Assembly conven'd May. 1772.
The Petition of us the subscribers a committee in behalf of
the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Parish of Hampton
Falls in said County Humbly shcweth, that the selectmen for
the year 1770 of the said Parish assessed the Inhabitants &
Freeholders of the same in the sum of fift}- five Pounds ster-
ling money for their ministers salary and afterwards at a Legal
meeting of the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the same Parish
it was. among other things Voted that the selectmen for the
year 1770 should be Directed not to make any tax or assess-
ment on the Polls or estates in s' Parish for the support of
their minister (the Rev ' Mr Wingate) for that year and after-
wards at another meeting of the same Freeholders and inhab-
itants the said Vote was Ratified and confirmed in consequence
of which the selectmen aforesaid did not proceed to issue their
warrant to the Constable of said Parish Impowering him to
collect the taxes as they had before assess'd them but neglected
by which means none of the Taxes asses'd aforesaid were
that 3-ear collected — iVnd your Petitioners in behalf of s' Par-
ish of Hampton falls further shew that the Inhabitants & Free-
holders of the same Parish at their Legal meeting the follow-
ing year (viz the year 177 1) Passed a vote Impowering and
ordering the selectmen for that year to issue their Warant to
the Constable authorizin.; him to collect the Taxes for the pre-
ceding ye;\r as they were assessed by the then selectmen for
said Parish for the purpose of paying their s'' ministers salary.
They also Voted & appointed us a Committee to give security
to the said Rev'* Mr Wingate for the Payment of the Salary
before mentioned on or before the first Day of March then next
together with one years interest for the same & if not Paid at
that time to be upon interest untill Paid. Consequent upon
which last Vote, your Petitioners gave the Rev'' Mr Wingate
their Bond for Fifty five Pounds sterling for the Salary Due to
him for the year 1770 and the selectmen for 1771 issued their
Warrant Directly to the Constable impowering him to collect
the Taxes for the preceding year of Parishioners as before as-
sessed agreeable to said Vote, but afterwards Doubting the
Propriety & Regularity of the Vote impowering the selectmen
for one year to Rectify the mistakes and negligences of the
select men for a preceding year said selectmen forbid the Con-
stable Distraining upon any for said Tax (at lest for a time)
TOWN PAPERS — HAMPTON' AND HAMPTON FALLS. 375
but Still Requiring him to Collect the same as near as Pos-
sible without Destraint which accordingly he has done and has
collected the major part thereof, viz : about three fourths — and
we further shew that since the assessment of said tax which
was in 1770, many of the Parishioners have withdrawn from
said Parish & joyned themselves to the Presbvterian Society in
Seabrook & Elsewhere whereby to Exempt themselves from
ministerial Charges in said Parish which withdrawment was
in 1 77 1 before making of the assessments for that year therefore
looking upon themselves clear of being taxed to any ministe-
rial charges either for the present year or the arrearages for the
year preceding and the selectmen authority to impower the
Constable to collect said arrearages according to said Vote,
being frequently Disputed, whereupon those thus withdrawn
as aforesaid Refused to pay their proportion of said arrearages
(altho not Denying it justly Due) unless upon certain condi-
tions bv themselves proposed upon which they would Readily
Pay the same without Difficulty altho they could not be com-
pelled to do it which conditions were comply ed with by the
selectmen to whom they were by themselves proposed where-
upon the major part of said arrearages was immediately Paid
without Objection & continuing to be collecting untill after a
while one & another of those who were in the agreement as
aforesaid objects & Refuses to Pay & the number increasing
Whereupon others who before had nothing to object against
paying their proportion of the same have also Refused & still
Refuse untill all shall be compelled to do likewise. The names
of those who have not paid their Proportion of said ministers
Salary for 1770 are as follows, viz.
Ralph Butler Richard Nason, Esq
Philip Bmns Jonathan Nason
Christopher Blake Joseph Pervere
Richard Brown Lieut Sam Prescutt
Abraham Burnam Samuel Robie
Joshua Chase Nathan Rowe
John Davis Jonathan Stanyan
Joel Haskiel Enoch Sanborn
Zebulon Hilyard Malichi Shaw
Simeon Ililjard Dudley Sanborn
Benj' Hilyard Capt Caleb Sanborn
William Lang Jonathan Tilton, Jr
Stephen Lang Nathan Weare
John Lucy Capt Walter Williams
Amos Leavit Col Meshech Weare
Francis Mcrshall Chase Williams
Richard Mace Melcher Ward,
Josiah Moulton
(which were then Inhabitants in said Parish of Hampton falls those who
were not inhabitants having some Interest in said Parish are as follows
viz.)
Thomas Rand Col Jonathan Moulton
37^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Christopher Toppan Esq Francis Batchelder
Theo's Smith Esq Edward Sleeper
Joseph Sweesey Samuel Colkett
Ebenezer Barker Edward Tuck
Jeremiah Prescut Jesse Tuck
Wid' Elizabeth Blake Benjamin Brown
Wherefore your Petitioners in behalf of said Parish Humbly
pray that your Excellency & Honours would take the Premises-
into your serious Consideration and as it would be very hard
as well as inequitable that the whole burthen of Taxes should
fall only on a part of the Parish when all have been equally
Benifited & your Petitioners Doubtinj^ the Proprietv & Regu-
larity of the Vote as aforesaid & their own ability to compel
the Delinquents to a compliance therewith, your Petitioners
Humbly beg that your Excellency & Honors would order the
said Delinquents to pay the several sums they are Respectfully
assessed for the said year 1770, & your Petitioners as in Duty-
bound will ever pray.
Hampton falls May 29'" 1772.
Jeremiah Blake
William Davison
Jeremiah Lane
David Bachelder
Jonathan Burnam
Petition of Selectmen of Hampton Falls for leave to make
a rate^ (S:c.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq
New Hampshire | Governor in Chief in & over said Prov-
ince. The Honourable the Council &
House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened.
The Humble Petition of Benjamin Tilton, William Davison
and Nehemiah Cram Selectmen of Hampton falls in the
County of Rockingham & Provmce aforesaid, Sheweth. that
on the 22' Day of May last in the thirteenth year of hisMajes-
tys Reign, your Excellency & Honors past an actintitled. "An
act for dissolving the annual meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Parish of Hampton falls and authorizing the holding a new
meeting," and in k. by the same act (among other things) the
said annual meeting is declared illegal & the Proceedings
thereof wholly made null and void, and a new meeting of said
Inhabitants for transacting the annual Business of said Parish
ordered, and the Honorable John Phillips Esq. a member of
said house appointed to call and govern said last mentioned
meeting till the Business thereof be ended.
TOWN PAPERS HAMPTON AND HAMPTON FALLS. 377
By Virtue of which said act a new meeting was called and
held at said Hampton falls on the 28"' of June last at which
your Petitioners were duly chosen select men of said Hampton
falls and legally sworn to Execute that office, but your Peti-
tioners were chosen into that office after the time by Law fixed
for taking the invoice for the current year was expired and no
Power being given vour Petitioners after their Election to take
an Invoice they have hitherto been prevented from making any
Rates in said Hampton falls and must still be so without the
Interposition of the Legislative authority of your Excellency
& Honors in that Behalf. And whereas the selectmen chosen
at said annual meeting took part, and other persons appointed
by order of said house took the rest of the invoice for said
Hampton falls for the year 1773 the whole of which Invoice
so taken was Exhibited to the General Assembly for said
Province for the Purpose of assessing the Inhabitants of said
Hampton falls their proportion of the Province Tax :
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that they as select-
men afore's ' may be authorized to assess & Rate the Inhab-
itants of said Hampton falls according to the Invoice so taken
& Exhibited to your Excellency & Honours, and that the same
Invoice may be made good, as if the same had been seasonably
& properly taken or that your Petitioners may be impowered
to take a new invoice and to make the Rates in s"" Hampton
falls agreeable thereto, and your petitioners as in Duty bound
will ever pray &c
December 24"' 1773.
Benj Tilton
William Davison
Nehemiah Cram.
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Jan' 19, 1774, this pe-
New Hampsh )' tition was read «& Voted that the petitioners proceed
by the old Inventory as soon as may be, and that they
have leave to bring in a Resolve accordinijly
Win Parker. Cler.
In Council Eodem Die,
Read and Concurrd.
Geo. King, D. Secry.
2'j8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
HANOVER.
[Hanover was granted by charter July 4, 1761, to eleven persons of
the name of Freeman, and 52 others, principally from Connecticut.
The first settlement was made in May, 1765. Ed.]
Petition of John House about Islands hi Connecticut river.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and Over his Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire in Council
The Petition of John House of Hanover in the Province
aforesaid, Gentleman, unto your Excellency & the Hon*^'*
Council Humbly shews
That your Petitioner was one of the first settlers of said
Township with great fatigue and Expence, and has continued
to improve his Interest there to this Time, That he purchased
of James Hovey two certain Islands in Connecticut River at
an expence of twenty Pounds Lawfull money, which Islands
lies opposite to said Township and contains together about
twelve acres and have always been improved by said Hovey
and your Petitioner on a Presumption that they belonged to
said Townsliip & said Hovey claimed them in his Right of
Proj^rietorship & Prior occupancy, your Petitioner has been
since informed that all Islands in said River not Expressly
mentioned in Town grants still remain the Property of his
Majesty and for the considerations aforementioned. He hum-
bly hopes to obtain y'' Excellencys and Honours Favours to
him, in continuing him in his Possessions & Improvements of
said Islands & to grant him the Property of the same, or oth-
erways to relieve him on the Prayer of this his Petition as y"'
Excellency and Honours may Judge best, And your Petition-
ers as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
John House.
Portsm ' December 29"' 1770.
HILLSBOROUGH.
[A settlement was begun in this town in 1741, by James McCalley,
Samuel Gibson, and others ; but was broken up in 1744. It was re-
sumed not far from 1759; and incorporated by charter, Nov. 14, 1772.
Ed.]
TOWN PAPERS HILLSBOROUGH. 379
Petition in relation to roads in Society la7ids.
Province of 1 To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
New Hampshire ) Captain General. Governor & Command-
er in chief in and over said Province The
Hon'" his Majestvs Council and the Hon"'' the House of
Representatives for said Province in General Assembly to
be convened at Portsmouth in said Province on the 30 Day
of march next.
The petition of Divers of the Inhabitants of Hillsborough
in said Province Humbly sheweth that the Inhabitants of said
Hillsborough were obliged to cut and clear a road through a
Tract of Land call'd the Societys Land near eight miles in
Length which Road we have maintained on our own Cost
near seven years being the only way we could come to our
own Lands which road has cost us a great sum of money and
for two years past we have been obliged to pay province
Taxes — Wherefore we Humbly pray your Excellency and
Honours would please to make an act to oblige the proprietors
& owners of said Societys Land to maintain and keep said
Road in repair for the benefit of themselves the Inhabitants of
said Hillsborough & Inhabitants of the country around us,
3'our petitioners in duty Bound will ever pray.
Hillsborough Feby. 15"' 1770.
Samuel Bradford Samuel Bradford, Jr
Timothy Bradford William Williams
Henry Codd Isaac Andrews
Anthony Morin John Mead
Samuel Bradford Abijah Lovejoy
Peter Codd Benjamin Lovejoy
John M Galley Benjamin Lovejoy, Jr.
James Gibson Isaac Baldwin
John Gibson Nathan Taylor
Josiah CoUedge James Taggart
William Pope Archibald Taggart
Moses Steel Joshua Estey
Jonathan Durent William Taggart Jr
Daniel M Murphy Robert Taggart
Timothy Wilkins John Taggart.
Nehemyer Wilkins
In Council March 28''' 1770
The within Petition was read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''
Assembly.
Geo : King, D. Secry
New'l hl^mps' } ^" ^^^ "°"''^ °^ Representatives March 28"' 1770.
Voted, That the Petitioners be heard on their Petition on the third
day of the siting of the General Assembly after the first day of May
next and that they cause the Substance of their Petition and this Order
-of Court to be Published two weeks successively in the New Hamp-
shire Gazett that any person may shew cause why the Prayer thereof
should not be granted.
M. Wcare, Cir.
380 NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Mar. 29"' 1770.
Read & concur'd
Geo. King, D. Secry
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Janj i*' 1771. The
New Hampshr J within Petition being Considered and appearing
Reasonable
Voted, That the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a Bill for the
purpose mentioned in the Petition
M. Weare, Clr.
The Deposition of John M'^Calley of Lawful Eage testifyeth and
sayes, that to his certain Knowledge that the Road through the Society
Land so called leading to Hillsborough was cutout at the Cost of the
Inhabitants of said Hillsborough.
John M'Calley.
June the 18"' 1770.
Province of "1 June the iS"' 1770. Then the above named John
New Hampshire /M Calley Personally appeared and after Due Caution
and careful Examination made a solemn oath to the
truth of the above Deposition by him signed to be used at the General
Court of the Provence aforesaid in behalf of the Petition that the In-
habitants of Hillsborough has prefered to said General Cort, Praying
that the Road through the Society land may be made Good at the cost
of the owners of said land.
Before, William Clark, Jus. Peace.
The Deposition of John Gibson of Lawful Eage testifyeth and says
that he helped to clear out the Road through the Society land so called
that leads to Hillsborough and that it was done at the cost of the In-
habitants of said Hillsborough (i).
John Gibson.
June the 18"' 1770.
Province of ) June the 18'" 1770, then the above named John
New Hampshire J Gibson Personalley appeared and after Due caution
and carefull Examination made solemn oath to truth
of the above Deposition by him signed to be used at the General Cort
of the Provence aforesaid in behalf of a Petition that the inhabitants
of Hillsborough has prefered to said General Cort Praying that the
Road through the Society land leading to Hillsborough may be made
good at the cost of the owners of said Land.
Before William Clark, Jus. Peace.
(1) The above depositions were to be used in behalf of the foregoing petition for
roade. Ed.
Petition for an Act of Incorporation.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Captain General,
Governor and commander in chief In and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, And to the Honourable his
Majestys Council of said Province.
The Petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of a Township
TOWN PAPERS HILLSBOKOUGH. 381
called Hillsborough in the Province aforesaid, Humbly
sheweth, That we have been subjected to the payment of
Province & County Taxes as fully as the inhabitants of towns
in this Province, but have not enjoyed equal priviledges. We
are humbly of opinion that, Collectinjj of Taxes would be
facilitated to us, good order maintained, the culture of our land
Encouraged, and many inconveniences removed and good pur-
poses answered by an incorporation. Therefore we pray that
said Township Butted and Bounded as follows viz. Begin-
ning at the Southeast corner of a Beach Tree marked 7, from
thence South Eighty four degrees & 30 minutes west about six
miles by the Society Lands so called to a Beach tree marked
7 & 8, from thence north fifteen degrees West about six miles
by comon Land so called to a Beach Tree marked 7 & 8 from
thence North Eighty four degrees & 30 minutes East about six
miles to a Beach tree marked 7, from thence about six miles
by the Town of Henniker to the Bounds first mentioned may
be erected and incorporated a Body politic infranchised with
the same powers & Priviledges that other Towns in this Prov-
ince have & enjoy. And your Petitioners as in Duty bound
will ever Pray.
Jonathan Duren William Jones
Timothy Wilkins Benjamin Lovejoy Jr
Ahijah Lovejoy John Gibson
John Sargent William Pope
John Steel William Williams
Archibald Taggart Isaac Baldwin
James Gibson Daniel M Neall
William Taggart Joseph Clark
John M Calley Isaac Andrews
George Bemaine Alexander M Clintock
William Clark Samuel Bradford
Petitioti of John Hill m behalf of Hillsborough and
Peterborough^ for protection front the Indians.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt General &
Governor in Chief in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire, To the Hon''" his Majesties Council & House
of Representatives in General Court Assembled.
Jn ' Hill in behalf of himself & the other proprietors of a
Township N ' 7« ill the line of Towns commonlv called Hills-
borough & another Township called Pctcrl)orf)Ug!i both in the
Province of New Hamjjshire, humbly shews That your Peti-
tioners & the other s' proprietors have been at great Charge &
Expence in settling & bringing forward y' s ' Townships to their
present circumstances, there being near 40 familys that would
382 NEW HAMPSHIRE
now be in Each of s' Towns but are discouraged by the dan-
ger of an Indian War, & are now ready to go on if they can
be protected in their settlement. Wherefore your Petitioner
in behalf of himself & the other proprietors pray in Consider-
ation of the great Expence they have been at in these settle-
ments and the manifest advantage that will accrue to this
Province from them, that being Frontier Towns they may be
Defended & protected by this Government as Your Excellency
& Houn'"'' shall seem meet & vour Petitioners shall ever pray
&c.
John Hill.
Indorsed, '-John Hills, Petition 1744."
HINSDALE.
[This town was originally part of Northfield, Ms., from which it was-
separated when the boundary line was established in 1741. It was in-
corporated by charter, Sept. 3, 1753. Ed.]
Petition of Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale in behalf of Noi-thjield.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over His Majestys
Province of New Hampshire and the Honorable His Alajes-
tys Council for said Province.
The Humble Petition of Ebenezer Hinsdale of Northfield
in said Province Esq'' In behalf of himself & others Proprietors
of the Land in said Place a List of whose names is herewith
presented. Shews,
That they & those under whom they claim said Land have
possessed & Improved the same upwards of Seventy years
having first entered thereon under a Grant of the Government
of the Massachusetts Bay & have in that time Encounter'd all
the Difficulties of the Indian Wars & Struggled with other
hardships Incident to Frontier settlements begun in the wilder-
ness remote from cultivated Lands :
That they have Improv'd the same to a Considerable Degree
by reason whereof the said place is not only of great advan-
tage to the settlers but useful to the Government wherein it is
situate in many Respects too obvious to need enumerating,
whereby they have som Just pretensions to such Favours as
may be granted by the Government to any of his Majestys
Good Subjects & with regard to such as have relation to this
settlement to be prefer'd to any others :
That if no Legral title to the said Lands can be derived to the
TOWN PAPERS HINSDAKK. 385
Grantees under the Governm' of the Massachusetts, yet by
virtue of such a Long Seizin in a Country so exposed where
the Difficulty of Improving of Lands has been vastly beyond
what it is near other settlements where the settlers have with a
resolution & Courage scarce Parallell'd Maintain'd their Pos-
sessions against all Discouragements & made an useful settle-
ment now in a condition to succour the neighbouring Infant
Plantations they seem to have a Legal Right to hold the same
Exonerated from all (jther Duty, than what Loyal Subjects owe
to their Prince & the Government under which they live For
they have Purchased the Estates they claim here at a Dear
Rate upon a just Computation at Least they Humbly Conceive
it must be allow'd that in Equity they ought so to Enjoy them :
Wherefore they pray That your Excellency would be pleased
to Incorporate the settlers upon & the Lands called Northfield
within the Province of New Hampshire in consideration of
the Premises with other particular Tracts laid out for farms to
Particular persons (whose names are Distinguished in said
List) adjacent there unto, Into a Township & Invest them with
the Rights & Privileges which other Towns Enjoy in said
Province if your Excellency & Honours can by any means
grant the same But if not that you would be Pleased to grant
the said Lands & Farms to the said Claimers in Proportion &
according to their Respective claims with such other Lands not
claimed to such Persons as you shall Judge proper and Incor-
porate the whole as aforesd as that will greatly Facilitate the
Further Cultivation & Improvement of said Lands and your
Petitioners in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c.
Ebenezer Hinsdaee.
[No date.]
Petition of Proprietors ajid claimers of land in Northfield
south of the Province line.
Province of \ To Plis Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hampshire j Esq. Governour & Commander in Chief
in & over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire & to the Hon''' his Majesties Council for .s**
Province :
The Petition of the Proprietors claimers of Land lying
within his Majesties Province aforesaid heretofore Part of the
Propriety & Town of Northfield as the same was granted by
the Province of the Mass''' Bay but by the dividing Line of
the Province now falls to the North of the said Dividing Line,
Humbly shews that your Petitioners have long esteemed the s**
Tract of Land their own Property but being informed by your
384
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Excellcy andj Honours that the same is his Majesties to be
granted to such of his subjects as are desirous to take a grant
upon his Majesties Terms Conditions & Reservations, We
Humbly pray that we may have a grant of the same so as not
to interfere or destroy our former survey & laying out, which
we hope considering our long Possession & the great Charge &
cost we have been at in defending the same will give us the
Preference to any others of his Majesties subjects and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Aug' 29^'' 1753.
Ebenezer Alexander
Joseph Burt
Jonathan Balding
Samuel Hunt
Isaac Mattoon
Nathl Mattoon
Azariah Wright
Remembrance Wright
Ben on i Wriglit
Phineas Wright
William Wright
Willm Ilolton
AVillm Holton, Jr.
Ebenezer Severance
Benjn Rose
Benjn Brooks
Daniel Brooks
Saml Merriman
Samuel Smith
Jonathan Jones
Seth Field
David Field
Ebenr Field
Ebonr Field, Jr
Moses Field
Samuel Field
Paul Field
Rufus Field
Joshua Lyman
Sarah Petty
Alexr Norton
Benjn Miller
Philip Mattoon
Israel Warner
Ebenr Warner
Eleazer Patterson
Samuel Holton
Moses Kvans
Randel Evens
Lydia Dooliitle
Lucius Doolittle
Amzi Doolittle
Zeb'dh fitebbins
Thos Stebbins
Hezekiah Stratton
Ebenezer Stratton
Samuel Stratton
John Stratton
Eleazer Stratton
Hezekiah Stratton Jr
Nathl Dickinson's Heira
Moses Dickinson
Nathl Dickinson
Willm Orvis
Stephen Belding
Asahel Burts, Heirs
Aaron Burt
Abraham Elgar
Joseph Alexander
Philip Alexander
Saml Root
Simeon Alexander
John Hollon
Bildad Andras
Joshua Holtons, Heira
Joseph Pettys, Heirs
Margaret Petty.
Joseph Petty
Josiah Foster
Jonathan Morton
Timothy Nash
Gains Field
Saml Ashley
Hezh Elmer
Jacob Elmer
Daniel Elmer
John Avery
John Grundy
Beriah Grundy
Henry Kenney
Ped:iijah Field
Joseph Stebbins
Nehemiah Wright.
TOWN PAPERS — HINSDALE. 385
Petition of Ebenczer Hinsdale for frotection against the
Indians.
Hinsdale Deceinb"' 24^'' 1755
To His Excelly Bening Wentwortli Esq. Capt Gen'' & Com-
mander in Chief in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampsh"^ To the Honoui''' his Majestys Councill& House
of Representatives when In Gen" Court Assembled.
The petition of Ebenezer Hinsdale of Hinsdale in the
province of New Hampsh' In behalfe of himself & others of
said Town, Humbly Sheweth that the said Place is the first
Town above the Massachusetts line on Connecticut River a
part of which has been under Improvement for sixty or seventy
years past ;
That they have now made Considerable Improvements Even
above any Town Ship In the province of New Hampsh'' on
s' River ;
That they have been formerly Protected by the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay but have Lately been much Neglected
as not being within their Line of Jurisdiction ;
That of late we have been kindly cared for of your Excelly
& Honours which Imboldens us to pray to you for yo"^ further
care.
We look upon ourselves one of the most Exposed places in
these parts In as much as the desent from Crown Point by the
way of Otter Creek & down west River (out of the way of
our Forts at Lake George &c) Is as Easey by West River to
us as by Black River to Charles town the uppermost Settle-
ment on Connecticut River.
It is Evident from the Numerous attacks made on this place
at the close of the last Warr, and their Repeated strokes on us
the last Summer that we are a people much Exposed & Stand
in as special need of your Protection as any Place what so
ever, and without it we cannot long continue here.
I have Compleated the best fortification in these parts as
will be allowed by any who have seen it. It appears hard to
give it up to his Majestys Enemies, Never the less I must be
obliged to Resign it with out your assistance In the Protection
of it.
We are in Constant fear of an Enemy desending upon us
since the forces are drawn off in a great measure from Lake
George In as much as those Forts maintain'd there stand not
in the Way of the Enemies usuall Desent upon these frontiers.
We therefore Intreat you will afford us a speedy & Steady-
Protection & we as in Duty bound will ever pray.
Ebenez' Hinsdale,
In y° name of y'" rest.
25
386 NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Jany 2"^ 1756,
Read & recommended & ordered to be sent Down to the Hon'''' As-
sembly
Theod'' Atkinson, Secry.
Petition of Danitl "Jones of Hinsdale for remission of
taxes.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain Gener-
all and Governor in chief in and over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire and to the Honorable his Majestys
Council and House of Representatives in Generall Court^
Assembled, June 25"' 1766.
The petition of Uaniel Jones of Hinsdale within said Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in Behalf of the Inhabitants of that
part of Hinsdale which lieth within The province of New
Hampshire aforesaid, Humbly shews That by his Majestys
Order in Council of July 30''' 1764 Connecticut River is the
Dividing Line Between the Province of New Hampshire &
New York By which settlements Near one half of y Poles
and Rateable Estate within the Town of Hinsdale are taken
into the Province of New York. By which means the Inhab-
itants of that part of said Hinsdale which lieth wnthin the Prov-
inceof NewHampshirehavebeen obliged to pay for y year past
towards the province tax that whole sum of money or proportion
of the province tax that used to be Laid on the Inhabitants &
Rateable Estate of y*^ Town of Hinsdale on Both sides of
Connecticut River. Your Petitioner therefore in Behalf of
the Inhabitants of y*^ town of Hinsdale within said Province
of N. Hampshire Humbly prays your Excellency and Honors
woud remit to sa-d Inhabitants that part of the Province tax
that would have been laid on y"' Inhabitants of Hinsdale on the
Western side of Connecticut River had they have remained to
y*^ Province of New Hampshire for y ' year past & also to
assess them for the Future in the same proportion with other
Towns within said Province all which is humbly submitted by
Dan' Jones.
Jime 5"' 1766.
Province of New Hampshire,
In Council 4"" July 1766,
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon**'' house.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
At a Legall meetingof the Inhabitants of the Town of Hinsdale held
at Hinsdale on y"= 30'" day of October 1765, Voted, that Daniel Jones
Esq. Messrs Thomas Taylor »Si Daniel Shattuck the Selectmen of said
Town of Hinsdale or Either of them is hereby appointed and desired to*
TOWN PAPERS-^HINSDALE. 387
fhfS'/ ^^^•"'°" '° ^u^ Generall Court for the province of New Hamp-
sh:re des.remg an abatement of the province Tax for the present Y^Jr
Ih.t us'^H M ?%■■' 'L' Considerable part of said TownV Hinsdlle
Ih?r. i Tu •'"'^l'^'' ^^^ '"PP"-"' °^ t'^e Province of New Hamp-
shire :s Now within the province of New York "imp
th^Towh^of i^ "^Z? Copp.yof Record Extracted from the Records of
the Towh of Hinsdale within the province of New Hampshire.
Decern' 9"" 1767 ^''"' •^°"" '^°''" ^^''^' ^""^ ^^''^ Hinsdale.
388
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province rate for the town of Hinsdale^ ^1^'\i including
Polls ^ Real estate & Personal estate.
[The sum total of each only is carried out. Ed.]
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Qi-
Thomas Holton
lO
3
2
William Orvis
14
I
Eleazer Paterson
II
10
3
Samuel Stratton
I
6
3
Joseph Stebbins
I
8
2
Jacob Elmer
7
a
Jonathan Hunt
I
10
2
Capt. Orlando Bridgman
13
I
Orlando Bridgman, jr.
3
9
I
John Bridgman
12
7
Amos Tute
14
6
3
Daniel Sargeant
8
9
2
Rufus Sargeant
8
6
3
Isaac Barret
15
I
Capt. Nathan Willard
I
2
9
Wd. Lois Butler
3
4
3
Moses Rice
3
9
I
Benjamin Barret
9
3
Benj' Barret, jun.
5
5
Oliver Barret
5
7
3
John Barret
4
I
Thomas Rockwood
3
9
I
Daniel Jones, Esq''
I
2
2
Mrs. Abigail Hinsdale alias Hall
15
3
Daniel Shattuck
19
5
2
Peter Evans
I
9
II
2
Aaron Cooper
12
I
2
Ebenezer Cooper
6
2
Elijah Cooper
6
2
Col. Wm. Svmms
3
II
2
En. Thos. Taylor
I
4
Lt. John Evans
I
9
3
Hez- Elmer
12
10
2
Aaron Wright
7
2
3
Moses Belding
9
Samuel Orvis
3
7
Wm. Orvis, jun.
3
9
I
Sam' Friswell
6
Reuben Friswell
4
4
3
Benj. Emmons
4
I
Josiah Mirick
6
I
Israel Rowley
3
7
Joseph Prentice
3
7
Zur. Evans .?
3
II
1
D^ Sam' Mattoon
I
John Holton
Lt. Jon» Belding
9
7
TOWN PAPERS — HINSDALE. 389
Province rate for Hinsdale {continued).
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Or-
Lt. Josh. Lyman
I
9
Simeon Lyman
I
9
Seth Lyman
I
9
Giis. Thos. Alexander
10
2
Aaron Burt
8
3
Sam' Smith, jun
I
6
Elisha Smith
I
3
Reuben Smith
I
Joseph Stebbins
3
Zebadiah Stebbins
3
Josiah Stebbins
3
Ebenezer Stratton
10
2
Hezekiah Stratton
I
3
D' Medad Pomroy
I
D' Bildad Andrews
I
6
David Wright
9
Reuben Wright
9
£26
This Rate of the Province Tax is to be understood in Sterling or
Lawful money of great Brittain, made by us
John Evans "|
Wm. Orvis J- assessors
John Bridgman j
Nov' 27, 1764.
Province of New Hamp" May 29"> 1766.
Then Mr. Amos Tute appeared before me & made Oath that the
within is a true coppy of an assessment made for the Province tax for
y' year 1764, which was comniitted to him as constable to collect, and
it is y"> assessment by which y" Rate was collected.
Dan' Jones, Jus. Pacis.
Report of Committee.
We find by Examining into the state of Hinsdale by Reason of part
of said Town being Taken into the Government of New York there
ought to be Remitted to said Hinsdale the sum of Two pounds six Shil-
lings Lawfull money and the sum of thirteen pounds sixteen shillings
New Tenor of their Province Tax for the year 1765, & the sum of Two
pounds fourteen shillings & sixpence Lawfull money & the sum of
Eleven pounds thirteen shillings & six pence New Tenor for the year
1766; also the sum of three pounds Fourteen shillings & three pence
Lawfull money for the year 1767. And beg leave to Report the same
accordingly
f h" r'^nlrrfr'' I Committee
John Oiddmge J
^s^
'NEW- WAMPSHIRE
Names of Inhahiiants of 'Hinsdale^ classed according to
location^ with amount of tax.
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Qr.
Thomas Holton,
10
3
a
Wm. Orvis
14
I
Eleaz' Paterson
II
10
2
Samuel Stratton
I
6
2
Joseph Stebbins
I
8
2
Jacob Elmer
Jonathan Hunt
7
2
I
10
2
Capt. Orlando Bridgman
13
I
Orlando Bridgman, jr
3
9
I
John Bridgman
12
7
Amos Tute
14
6
•2
Daniel Sargeant
8
9
2
Rufus Sargeant
8
6
a
Samuel Orvis
3
7
Wm. Orvis, jun
3
9
-I
Samuel Friswell
I
6
Reuben Friswell
4
4
3
Israel Rowley
3
7
£9 1 15
I
The above are those' Persons that live on the west side of Connecti-
cut River within the Town of Hinsdale
Names of those who own land ifi Hinsdale on the West side
of Connecticut River^ who dwell in other Towns^ for
"vdhich they are-rated.
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Qr.
-Doct. Samuel Mattoon
I
.John Holton
9 1
.Lt. John Belding \
7
Aaron Burt
3
3
.Eben"^ Stratton
10
-3
• Hezekiah Stratton
I
3
Doct. Medad Pomroy
I
JJoct. Bildad Andrews
I
6
£0
16
■7
'3
TOWN PAPERS — HINSDALE. ^I
Names of those that live y''- East side of Connecticut River
in Hinsdale.
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Or-
Isaac Barret
15
I
Capt. Nathan Willard
1
9
Wd. Lois Butler
3
4
3
Moses Rice
3
9
I
Benja. Barret
9
3
Mrs. Abigail Hinsdale, alias Hall
15
3
Daniel Shattuck
19
5
'%
Peter Evans
I
9
n
'3
Aaron Cooper
12
I
3
Eben' Cooper
6
'z
Col. Wm. Svmmes
3
II
*3
En. Thos. Taylor
I
4
Elijah Cooper
6
3
Benj^^ Barret, jun
5
5
Oliver Barret
5
7
'3
John Barret
4
I
Thomas Rockwood
3
9
I
Daniel Jones, Esq.
I
3
Lt. John Evans
I
9
3
Hesekean Elmore
12
10
'3
Aaron Wright
7
2 ,
3
Moses Belding
12
9
Benj' Emmons
4
osiah Merrick
6
I
'oseph Prentice
3
7
Zur Evens
3
II
3
£14
10
2
Deduct one-third of Lt. John Evans Rate & one-third of Mrs. Abi-
gail Hall Rate for Land they own on y" West side of y" River, it being
14 ,, II, & add to y- West side.
392
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The following are those persons that live out of the Town of Hins-
dale who own land for which they are rated.
Natties of those who own Land on y'^ East side who live in
other Towns.
Names.
£.
S.
d.
Or-
Lt. Joshua Ljman
9
Simeon Ljman
9
Seth Ljman
9
Thomas Alexander
10
T
Aaron Burt
Samuel Smith
6
Elisha Smith
3
Reuben Smith
Joseph Stebbins
3
Zebediah Stebbins
3
David Wright
9
Reuben Wright
9
£o
17
10
2
An Assessment of £26 Sterling the
West side of Connecticut River, paid
& the East side
8: 81-2 Loss.
£11
14.
6,,
13 n
Vote to remit Tax, &c.
New°H!imps°hire } ^^^- ^3"' 1768 in the House of Representatives,
The house having taken under Consideration the Petition of Daniel
Jones in behalf of the Town of Hinsdale in this Province Representing
that part of said Town by his Majesty Late order had fallen into the
Province of New York & thereby near half of the Polls & Rateable
Estate of said Town were now in that Province by which the whole of
the Province Tax fell upon that part of said Town which remained in
this Province and praying that so much of the said Tax might be Re-
mitted as would have been paid by the Poles & Estates so taken off
from said Town and appointed a Com'"^ to Examine the Affair find that
for the cause aforesaid there ought to be remitted to said Town the sum
of two pounds six shillings Lawfull money & thirteen pounds sixteen
shillings, New Tenor bills of Cred' of said province their Prov Tax
for the year 1765 the sum of two pounds fourteen shillings & six pence
Lawfull money the sum of eleven pounds thirteen shill' six pence New
Tenor for the year 1766, and the sum of three pounds fourteen shills&
three pence Lawful money for the year 1767 which having been consid-
ered therefore. Voted,
That the said several sums be allowed remitted & discounted with the
said Town of Hinsdale of which the Treasurerof this Province is to take
Due Notice & settle with the said Town accordingly which shall be al-
lowed to him in his account with the Province.
And further as it appears that the proportion of Rateable Estate &
Polls so taken ofT from said Town is two fifths therefore it is Consid-
TOWN PAPERS HINSDALE. 393
ered & ordered that the Treasurer in issuing his future warrants Ob^
serve the same Si conform the same accordingly till a new Proportion
shall be made.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council Eodem Die,
Read & Concurred.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secrj.
Assented, J. Wentworth.
Petition for a ?ic-ju County.
15 Dec To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain
1767. General & Commander in Chief in and over His
Majestvs Province of New Hampshire &c. and
to the Honorable His Majestys Council and House
of Representatives in General Court Assembled
on the 15 Day of Dec', Anno Domini 1767 ;
Humbly shews Josiah Willard, Benjamin Bellows, Daniel
Jones, Samuel Chase Agents for the Towns of Hinsdale, Win-
chester, Richmond, Swanzey, Chesterfield, Westmoreland
Keene, Gilsum, Monadnock N" 4, N ' 5 & N" 6, Alestead,
Walpole, Alarlow, Charlestown, New Burnet, Claremont,
Newport, Cornish, Croydon, Plainfield, Lebanon, Hanover,
Canaan, & Lime that there are are about Eight Hundred Fam-
ilies in the abovementioned. Towns between the height of
Land and Connecticut River in said Province who continually
are at very great Expence in sending their Deeds to the pub-
lick Records for said Province, Prosecuti'g of suits at Com-
mon Law, proving of wills & settling intestate estates and
many other inconveniences your Petitioners labour under by
reason of their being so for distant from the several Courts &
Offices proper to settle the same. Your Petitioners therefore
in behalf of themselves and Constituents humbly pray that the
W^estern part of said Province of New Hampshire adjoining
to Connecticut River may be erected into a distinct County
with such Priviledges & Immunities as shall be necessary for
the well Regulating of the same, ik. that from Connecticut
River the bounds of said County may be extended East to the
Monadnock mountains & from y' Line of the province North
as far as the North Line of Lime or otherwise as your Excel-
lency & Honors shall think fit, all which is Humbly submitted
by
Josiah Willard
B. Bellows
Sam' Chase
Dan Jones.
I35I4 TiE-W HAMPSHIRE
^Petition of Doct. Josiah Pomroy for permission to inoculate
for small pox.
To His Excellency, John Wentworth Esq. Captain Generall
& GovernoLir in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire and to the Honorable his Majestys Council.
The petition of Josiah Pomroy of Hatfield in the County of
Hampshire, Humbly shews and gives your Excellency and
Honors to be informed that your Petitioner is about to remove
to Hinsdale in said Province of New Hampshire with a view
to perform the Office of a surgeon and Physician in its sev-
erall Branches and since Innoculation for the small pox has
been practised with so much success & with such advantage to
mankind, your petitioner is desirous of pursuing that Branch
of His Profession at Hinsdale aforesaid provided he can do it
under the protection of your Excellency & Honors, as Hinsdale
is a convenient place for the Purpose above mentioned and the
Inhabitants are willing to have it pursued Your petitioner
therefore Humbly prays that he may have Liberty granted him
by your Excellency and Honors to erect a Hospital for the
purpose of Innoculation under such restrictions as your Excel-
lency & Honors in Great Wisdom shall think proper. All
which is humbly submitted by your Excellency & Honors most
■Obe'' Humble Serv'
Josiah Pomroy.
[No date.]
flOLDEllNESS.
[Holderness Was first granted by charter, Oct. 10, 1751, to John Shep-
ard and others. Ed.]
Petition of Samuel Liver more for txvo rights of Land.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Captain Gen-
eral, Governour and Commander in Chief in and over his
Majestys Province of New Hampshire &c.
The petition of Samuel Livermore of Portsmouth in the
Province aforesaid Esq' Humbly sheweth, That in and by His
Majestys Grant or Charter of New Holderness in said Prov-
ince, There was given and Granted unto William Cammell
and William Garrow each of them a Right or share in said
Town under Certain Conditions in said Charter Mentioned,
which Conditions the said Cammell and Garrow Have Totally
TOWN PAPKRS HOLDERNESS. 395
Neglected to fulfill, Whereby They have Forfeited their said
Rights or shares and his Majesty is become Resiezed thereof
Your Petitioner Therefore prays your Excellency would
grant your Petitioner the said Two Rights or shares of Land
under such Conditions & Qiiit Rents to His Majesty as your
Excellency shall think fit.
And your Petitioner as he is in Duty bound shall Ever Pray
&c.
Samuel Livermore.
Portsmouth June iS"' 1770.
Deposition of Samuel Eaton.
The Deposition of Samuel Eaton of New Holderness who Testifies
& Says that he had Lived in New Holderness about Five years and has
been acquainted with said Town ever since the first settlement Thereof,
and that William Cammell and William Garrow both being Grantees
in said Township have not nor either of them Cultivated any land in
said Town nor done any thing Towards the settlement of their Rights
Therein or any part thereof and further this Deponent saith not.
Samuel Eaton.
Province of ) May 30''' 1770. The said Samuel Eaton person-
New Hampshire /ally appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of
the foregoing Deposition, Taken In perpetuam Rei
Memoriam Before us.
John Newmarch "I Justices of the
Reuben Kidder J peace, unis Quorum
Deposition of Thomas Vokes.
The Deposition of Thomas Vokes of New Holderness who Testifies
and says that he has Lived at said New Holderness about Three years,
and has been acquainted with said Town e\er since the first settlement
thereof and that William Cammell & William Garrow both being
grantees in said township have not nor Either of them cultivated any
land in said Town nor done anything towards the settlement of Their
Rights Therein or any part Thereof, and Further this depo' saith not
his
Thomas X Vokes
mark
Test. Richd Cutts Shannon.
Province of \ May 31" 1770. The Said Thomas Vokes person-
New Hampshire /ally appeared and made Solemn Oath to the Truth
of the foregoing Deposition, Taken In Pfirpetuatti
Rie memoriam. Before us,
John Newmarch 1 Just Peace
H. Wentworth / unis Q^oram
396 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Proprietors for extension of their grant.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire, In Council
The Petition of Hercules Mooney and divers others, Pro-
prietors of New Holderness, whose names are hereunto sub-
scribed. Most humbly shews :
That the said Proprietors have clear'd much land in the said
Township, and made considerable Improvement there, but
have not hitherto been able to comply strictly with the Terms
of the charter. That as the said Proprietors have nothing
more at Heart than to compleat the settlement of said Town,
and have already got twenty Families there and hope soon to
see it in a flourishing Situation, They most humbly pray your
Excellency (with advice of His Majestys Council) That such
further time may [be] given to your Petitioners and the rest
of the proprietors to compleat the said settlement as to you in
your great wisdom shall seem meet. And your Pet-^ as irt
duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Hercules Mooney Jacob Shepard
John Sheperd Charles Bamford
Thomas Ellison Charles Bamford Jr
Archelaus Miles Francis Drew-
Andrew Baker Daniel Evans
William M'Crillis
Portsmouth 22' Jan'y 1772.
Petition to send a Representative.
Province of | To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
New Hampshire ) Capt General Governour & Commander
in Chief of said Pi'ovince of New Hamp-
shire &c, &c.
The petition of the Subscribers being Freeholders & Inhab-
itants of New Holderness in the Coiaity of Stratford in said
province of New Hampshire, Humbly sheweth that no more
than four of the towns in said Countv send representatives to
the General Assembly & that none of those are situated in the
upper part of said County, That the upper part of said County
is increasing & has latjly increased, with Surprising rapidity
& that the Priviledge of sending representatives to the general
assembly always has been"& is Esteemed a great incourage-
ment to the inhabitants of this province, and as the said town
of New Holderness is likely to become the most considerable
town in that part of said county, your petitioners humbly pray
the said priviledge of sending a representative to the next
TOWN PAPERS HOLMS. 397
general assembly, may be extended to them, and your peti-
tioners as in Duty bound, shall ever pray &c.
New Holderness, January 31'' 1774-
Bryan Sweeney Thomas Shepard
William EUit John Shaw
Charles Cox, Jr Joseph Hicks
Will'" Blair Samuel Gains
John Blair Charles Cox
William Blair Jr Charles Cox y- 3'*
John Heron Joseph Cox
And" Smyth William Cox
Tho' Yokes Richard Shepard
William Moor Jacob Shepard
Sam' Wallis John Ennis
Sam' Liyermore Joseph Shapard
Samuel Sheperd William Pipar
Samuel Curry John Shepard.
HOLLIS.
[This town was originally a part of Dunstable, being, as early as
1743 the West Parish of that town. It was incorporated 3 April, 1746.
Ed.J
Petitiofi for a Committee to locate the Meeting-house.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov"^ &*= The
Hon "^^ His Majestys Council & House of Representatives
in Gen' Court assembled &c.
The petition of Stephen Aims of Holies in Behalf of him-
self and Sundry other of the Inhabitants of the said Town
Humbly sheweth : That the Inhabitants of that part of Old
Dunstable were by the Massachusetts about seven years ago
Incorporated into a parrish taking about three miles more east-
ward than tlieir town line now Runs:
That while under that Incorporation a meeting house place
was agreed on justly situated as was then apprehended tho' a
meeting house was not then Erected. The Settlement being
new the additional Inhabitants settled as near that place for
the sake of being in the middle of a town as they could :
That by the late Incorporations here about three miles of
the East end of the Parish is taken to Dunstable which Brings
the East line of Holies within one mile & an half of where
the meeting house place was agreed to as afores'
That the west line of the town is near upon Five miles to
the West of s' Place and some Inhabitants already settled to
398 NEW HAMPSHIRE
the Out Side ; And agreat deal of Land there good for settle-
ments that cannot be accomodated else where which as we
apprehend Renders that place very unequall & unjust, Not-
withstanding there is at present the major part of y ' Inhab-
itants accomodated to that place, there setling there occasioned
by the apprehension of it being the middle of the town (tho
Nothing in proportion to the selleable Land else where, who
have voted that same place again for that use and have agreed
to Raise a meeting house there next Wednesday that some of
us your Peti'~ with some Others since in the whole applyed
to the select" for a meeting Further to know^ the minds of the
town and to Consider of the unreasonableness of its being sett
in that place, but the Laws of this Province Requiring thirty
Subscribers (our town Consisting of but about fifty might
well be expected Impracticable) was refused and should the
meeting House be now Raised and finished it would be very
unequall much Discourage the settlement of the west part and
as soon as any considerable number more is settled must be
pulled Down, Many Changes in Hyways and w^e be Loaded
with great Charge as well as leave Room for much Contention
and disturbance.
Wherefore your Pete'^" most humbly pray that your Excel-
lency & Hon'' would consider of the premises, and appoint
a Committee att the charge of this town or as your Excellency
& Hon" shall order to view our situation and circumstances,
and to order where the Said House shall be Erected and in y"
mean time to Direct that the Raising y House now Framed
may be deflered till that can be done & your Peti'" as in Duty>
Bound shall pray.
Stephen Ames.
In Council read &c.
recommended Aiij^. j'" 11, 1746.
R. Wibird, pro Sec'"
Province of "I Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Hoi-
New Hamp' / les do hereby desire & Impower Stephen Aims in our
names & behalf to peti' the gov"^ & Council or whole
Gen" Court of the province of New Hamp'' <Si Represent our circum-
stances in erecting a meeting House in s' Town in a place we appre-
hend unreasonable tk, pray for Relief in the Premises.
Dated at Holies y 5''' of August 1746.
Joseph M Daniell Jasher Wyma n
Stepiien Ames Isaac Farran
William Admes Jonathan Melven
Sam' Parker John Melven
Moses Proctor James M Daniell
James Whiting Randel M Daniell
Samuell Douglass
TOWN PAPERS HOULIS.
399U
Petition of Samuel Cutnings for protection against the
Indians.
To His Excellency Beniiing Wentworth Esq. Capt General,
Governour and Commander in cheif in & over His Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire, The Hon' " His Majcstys
Conncil & Honse of Representatives for said Province in
General Assembly Convened the 2' Day of April 1747
The Humble Petition of Samuel Cummings of Hollis in
said Province yeoman in behalf the said Town of Hollis,
Shevys, That the said Town is a Frontier Town & much Ex-
posed to Danger from the Indian enemy and the number of
Eflective men belonging to the same not exceeding fifty who
have all or most of them families to take care of & being
mostly new Setlers have much Labour on their hands to sub-
due & cultivate their Lands &c ; That tlicir situation is such
that they dare not venture to work without a guard & their
work so great & disproportion^ to their strength Especially
Including their necessary care of Defending themselves that,
they are unable to perform it without assistance which if they
cannot have they must unavoidably neglect their Husbandry
& spend their time in watching & warding & in that case
many of their families must sutier for want of necessaries of
Life;
That they are apprehensive of the Great charge the Gov-
ernment is now at & tliat the case of the said Town is doubt-
less the case of other Places in this Regard & therefore would
desire nothing more than appears to them to be absolutely
necessary which is, and for which they Humbly Pray that
they may be allow'd a scout of ten or a dozen men for the En-
suing season till the Danger of the summer & fall of the year
is over & the harvest past who may be a guard to the People
of the Town while & where they may have occasion of work-
ing in places of Danger or to be otherways Imploy'd for the
safety of the People as the commanding officer or Officers of
the Town should Direct an I your petitioner shall as in duty
bound in behalf of his constituents ever pray
Sam" Cummings
Province of ) In the House of Representatives 14""
New Hampshire j Maj 1747.
Voted, That in answer to the annexed Petition the whole of the
Lands in s** Town of Holies be taxed annually for four years next en-
suing two Pence p' acre to be apply'd for the support of the ministry &
finishing y" meeting House & that they be enabled to collect y' same
and that they have Liberty to bring a Bill accordingly
D. Peirce, Clr.
400
NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the House of Representatives i6"' Ma}- 1747
It is farther Voted, That y" Inhabitants of s'^ Holies make it appear
by an account to be render'd annually to y" Gen' Assembly that the
nioney has been apply'd for y=" uses abovesaid on pain of refunding y»
same
D. Pierce, Clr.
In council Eod" Die,
read & concurrd,
Theodore Atkinson, Secry
Eod"" Die
Assented to
B. Wentworth.
Petition for a Tax on non-residents' lands.
Province of ) To His Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hami^shire I Esq. Gov'' &c. The Hon''"' his Maj'
Council & House of Represent^''^ in
Gen" Assembly Convened March 31*' I747-
The petition of Sam' Cumings in Behalf of the Town of
Holies Humbly Sheweth :
That the s** Town has Lately settled a minister and are now
a building a meeting House for the publick worship of God
there ;
That the Setlers of s*^ Town has but Lately entered thereon
and altho a considerable progress in agriculture has been
made (the only way we have for our support) yet find these
Charges very burthensome ;
That a Considerable part of the best Lands in s** Town be-
long to nonresident prop"* who make no Improvement ;
That by the arduous begining the settlement & heavy
charges by us already paid has greatly advanced their Lands,
& they are still rising in Value, Equal as the Resident prop"
tho the charges hitherto and for the future must Lye on y'^
Setlers only unless we obtain the assistance of this Hon*^'*
Court ;
Wherefore your Pet' most humbly Prays that y'' Excellency
and Hon'^'' would take the premises into your consideration
and grant the Whole of the Lands in s' township may be
taxed annually for five years next cuming two pence new ten-
nor p acre to be apply'd for the support of the minister & fin-
ishing y'= meeting house and by Law enabling us to collect the
same, & y'^ Pet'^'' as in Duty Bound shall pray &c.
Samuell Cumings.
In Council April i»' 1747.
read & Sent Down to the Hon'''' Hoase
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
TOWN PAPERS HOLMS.
401
Prov. of New1 In the House of Representatives
Hampshire / April i' 1747,
Voted. That y" Petitioner be heard on his Petition y' third Day of y*
setthig of y Gen' Assembly after y first mondaj in May next and that
y' Petitioner at his own proper cost advertise y publick two or three
weeks Successively between this day & y aforesaid third l^ay of y set-
ting of y Gen' Assembly in one of y publick News papers of y mat-
ter of y prayer of this Petition that every one may have opportunity
to Shew cause if any they have why y^ i'rayer of s' Petition should
not be granted.
D. Peirce, Clr.
In Council April 2' 1747.
Read & Concurr'd.
Sam' Solly Pro Sec'y
Eodcm Die.
Consented to
B. Wentwokth.
Petition for dividi)ig the Province into two Counties.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Gov'' &c, The
Hon "■ His Majestys Councill & House of Representatives
in Generall Assembly Convened at Ports'"" y' 9"' of April
1754-
Wee the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Province of New
Hamp- on the Western side of Merrimack River, Would
Humbly Remonstrate : That the Extent of the settlement of
this Province is upwards of One Hundred miles westward
from Portsmouth the Place where all the Courts are held.
That the Difficulties of travill and Expence to and from Ports-
mouth on all County Emergencies Lays the western Inhab-
itants under Insuperable Disadvantage, and Occasions Great
Delay to the Parties & Jurors who necessarily attend the courts
of Judicature and tends Greatly to the Impoverishment of the
Province : That we Humbly apprehend these (Grievances might
be in some good measure Redressed by Dividing the Province
into two Countys, which also would be a means of a great In-
crease of Inhabitants & Improvements on the Western
parts of this Government. Wherefore we humbly pray that
your Excellency & Hon"^* wou'd take the premises into Con-
sideration and Divide the Province into two Countys by
such Dividing line and with such Powers and Authoritys
as in your wisdom shall be Tho't best and as in Duty Bound
shall pray
Johu (Jiimiii|^.-i Ezekel Jewel
Zedekiali Drury Niclas French
William Satibo Daniel Eiuersou
Zechriah Lawrincc Francis Worcester
John liuyntou Jo.siali Conant
Samuel .Jewet Francis Worcester, Jr
26
402
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Hale
Saml Cummings
Nathl Townsend
Nathl Townsend, Jr
Phinehas Hardy
Step Jewet
William Tenuey
Benja Abbot
Christopher Lovejoy
Jacob Blanchard
John Brown
Francis Phelps
John Boynton, Jr
Samll Farley
Jonathan Melvin
Peter Powers
Saml Goodhue
Elias Smith
Saml Brown
Th08 Nevins
Abraham Leman
Peter Wheeler
Benja Blanchard, Jr
Enoch Noyes
Jonathan Lovejoy
Edward Carter
Whitcom Powers
Stephen Aimes
Stephen Powers
William Adames
Waldo Emerson
Abraham Densmoor
Saml Barret
Benja Blanchard
Nathaniel Blood
Moses Smith
Josiah Brown
Benja Aston
Thos Asten
John Asten
Moses Procter
Samuel 1 Leman
SamucU Leman, Jr
Stephen Hazelton
Thos Woulley (?)
Thomas Chamberlain
Samuel Borge
Peter Wheler, Jr
Stephen Harris
Robt Colburn
James Wheeler
Jonathan Taylor
William Colburn
William Colburn Jr
David Nervms
John Goodhue
Pine Hill {a part of Mollis) Petitioit relating to being set
off from Mollis .
May it please your Excellency ; The Honorable Council &
• House of Representatives ;
I am desir'd in behalf of a number of people at one Pine
Hill in Dunstable, to beg the prayer of their petition may be
granted Relating their being set of to Holies, & that Your
Excellency & Honoi^s may have a Just Idea of the matter, Rep-
resent it as follows, Viz : about the year 1747 a Com'*^^' consist-
ing of five persons were appointed by the Gov' &c (Two of
which belong'd to Dunstable) to view the Lands about Merry
mac River, to see in what manner it was Best to Bound them
in the Incorporation, & when they went on the Business, went
no Further westward than the Old Town of Dunstable, A
com"''' from Holies came down, & Desird the com*''' would go
& view the situation of Holies & Pine Hill, & urg'd it hard,
but the com'" could not be prevailed on to go any further that
way (the opposition we judge was made by Dunstable)
whether to Hinder an Impartial survey or not, we dont pretend
to say ; but in the conclusion we apprehend were greatly in-
TOWN PAPERS HOLLIS.
40s
jur'd by that Com"^'^^'-'' Determination, soon after Dunstable was
Incorporated they got into partys about settling M'' Bird Each
Courted Pine Hills assistance, promising to vote them off to
Holies as soon as the matter was settled ; and so Pine Hill was
fed with sugar Plums for a number of years till at length Dun-
stable cast off the mask & now appears in their True Colours
which was in the first place to get us Joyn'd & Incorporated
with them Tho' much to our disadvantage & Expectation when
we settled there For under the Government of the Massachu-
sett we belonged to Holies, & in consequence of which we
help'd Build a large meeting house, & it was set to accommo-
date us, &. help't to settle a minister, not in the least Doubting
but we should always belong their, & besides well knowing we
could never be accommodated by being Join'd with Dunstable,
but not withstanding all this ; we were put to Dunstable by this
committees Determination, (and all by reason we humbly con-
ceive of their not viewing our situation,) we have ever since
attended the worship of God at Holies & paid our Taxes to
Ihe minister there, Tho in the mean time we have ben call'd
upon to pay ministerial Rates with Dunstable in a full propor-
tion with the rest except some Trifling Abatements they
made us in order to keep us quiet.
We know of no other Real Objection that Dunstable has to
our going off, But Reducing them to too small a number to
maintain the Gospel, but if their Inclinations may be Judg'd
by their practice, it cant be tho't they have any Inclinations to
settle a minister, as for other Taxes we shall not be against
doing what is reasonable, but allowing it would hurt Dun-
stable, that ought not to hurt us, who when we settled there
never Expected to have any Concerns with them as a Town,
That for Dunstable, because they gain'd us in the Incorpora-
tion (and as we apprehend verry unjustly) now to hold us so
much to our prejudice, we think we have just cause of com-
plaint. Dunstable as it lys now Consists of about one hundred
familys, and all we ask to be set oft' is but about Twelve. That
After we are taken they will be more in number, & better able
to support a minister, than many Towns in the Government,
that dos it, That their opposition must arise from some other
Qiiarter, to keep us as whips for one party or the other to
Drive out every minister that comes their, for they are always
Divided with Respect to these things, ^ which ever side we
take must carry the day. All we want is, that the case may
be Impartially considered, & beg the favour that a committee
may be appointed who shall go up & view the places in their
circumstances that a Sincere representation may be made.
Sam" Hobart, attorney.
404 NEW HAMPSHIRE
PIOPKINTON.
[This town, originally called New Ilopkinton, was yranted by Mas-
sachusetts; it was incorporated January 11, 1765, under the adminis-
tration of Gov. Benning Wentworth. Ed.]
Petition of N^eiv Ilopkinton for an act of Incorporatioti.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain Gen-
eral & Governour in Chief, in and over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire and To the Hon'"'"' his Majestys
Council in the Province aforesaid :
The humble Petition of y' Inhabitants of the Place, or
Plantation called New Hopkinton in the Province aforesaid,
Whose names are here unto Subscribed, Sheweth,
That whereas your humble Petitioners are very desirous to
have Gospel Order & a Gospel Minister regularly settled among
us & maintained ; & to have proper Orders and in our secular
affairs, so that we may live and act in all our affairs as becomes
a Christian Society, and that every one among us may be
Obliged to bear his equal part according to his Ability of y*
charges of supporting such Regulations ; which we cannot at-
tain to under our present Circumstances : We therefore hum-
bly pray that your Excellency & your Honors would grant us
Relief by in corporating into a Township that Tract of Land
commonly known by y*" name of N" 5 of y^' Line of Towns
granted, & laid out by order of the General Court of y'= Prov-
ince of y'' Massachusetts Bay, or New Hopkinton, included
within the following bounds viz. Beginning at the southeast-
erly Corner at a Norway Pine tree, with stones about it spot-
ted on four sides and marked on the Easterly side with the
Letter R and on y-^ westerly side with y letter H. Then run-
ning West, five degrees south six miles, to a Hemlock tree
with stones about it, spotted on four sides and marked on y"^
Easterly side with y letter H, & y ' Figure 5 & on y Westerly
side with y figure 6. Then running North, fourteen Deg.
West six miles, to a white Oak tree with stones about it spot-
ted on four sides & marked with y" figure 6 on y' Westerly
side & with 3' numeral Letter V on y' Easterly side ; Then
running East five Deg. North, three miles, to a stake in a
Boggy meadow spotted on four sides and stones about it ; Then
running North, fourteen deg. West about 130 rods to a River
on which Almsbury men built a saw mdl, to a heap of stone.s
in the middle of the River a little way below the said Saw
mill, where it also joins to the southwesterly Corner of Con-
toocook. Then running east fourteen deg. north by a part of
Contoocook, three miles to a stake & stones, y"" stake spotted
on four sides, where it also joins to v" Northwesterly Corner
TOWN PAPERS — HOPKINTON. 405
of Rumford so called. Then running south fourteen Deg.
East by Rumford about Six miles & three quarters, to y"" first
mentioned Bound containing about 36 square miles and by put-
ting us into a Regular method to call Town meetings legally ;
so that we may injoy y Powers & Priviledges which other
Towns in this Province injo}-. For which goodness your
humble Petitioners for your Excellency, tS: Honours as in Duty
Bound shall ever pray.
Dated at New Hopkinton, October 27' i757-
Samuel Piidney Joseph Ordwaj
Joseph Easman Matthew Standle
Aron Kimball Abraham Colbe
Joseph Pudney David Woodwell
Enoch Easman Thomas Easman
John Putney Joseph Easman, Jr
Daniel Anis ( r) John Chadwick
Caleb Burbank John Ordway
Peter How John Burbank
Jonathan How
Petition of New Hopkinton for power to lay a tax on 4-5^'"
of the Land <&c 1757.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Captain General
& Governour in Chief, in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire ; To the Hon''''' his Majestys Council; &
To the Hon'"' Representatives of the several Towns in this
Province, in General Court assembled.
The humble petition of the Inhabitants of the Place, or
Plantation called New Hopkinton in the Province aforesaid,
whose Names are here unto subscribed, sheweth :
That whereas your humble Petitioners have ventured our
Lives, & been at a great Expence to settle cultivate and defend
a new plantation far in y' Wilderness & much Exposed to y*^
Indian Salvages, & have been destitute of Town & Gospel
Priviledges hitherto ; and when at any Time we have had y*
Gospel preached to us for a little while at a time, it has been
chiefly at our own Expense, with but ver>' little help from y
Non-resident Proprietors ; and yet y' value of their Land is
greatly increased by our living here, & defending it; and at y""
saine time, y*" Burden, Ilazzard and charge of settling a New
Plantation lies upon us chiefly while they have a greater share
in y Benefit than in the charge of said settlement; which
Things we think to be something hard, but are not able to re-
dress, under our present circumstances ; Therefore being En-
couraged by your goodness & Paternal care Extended of Late to
other new settlements or Plantations we himibly apply ourselves
.406 NEW HAMPSHIRE
to your Excellency, & your Honours praying that you will take
our case into your wise Consideration & remedy our difficulties
by impowering us to lay a Tax upon four fifths of y- Land in
our begun Plantation (so much of it as ought to be taxed to
publick charges) of three pence upon an Acre ; or so much as
you in your great wisdom shall think to be necessary & Suffi-
cient to defray y" Charges of settling & maintaining a gospel
minister, building a House for y*-' publick Worship of God,
& other necessary incident charges (The one fifth part of
said Plantation being reserved by y ' gentlemen Purchasers of
John Tufton Mason Esq. free from charge till improved) Also
your humble Petitioners pray that your Excellency & your
Honours would provide some Effectual Method to inable us to
collect y^' said Tax as well from nonresident Proprietors who
live in other Provinces, as from resident Proprietors. & who
live in this Province : For which Goodness, your humble Peti-
tioners for your Excellency & your Honours, as in Duty bound
shall ever pray.
Dated at New Hopkinton, October 27'-' 1757.
Samuel Pudnej Joseph Ordwaj
Joseph Eastman Matthew Standle
Aron Kimball Abraham Colbe
Daniel Anis David Woodwell
Joseph Pudney Thomas Easman
John Putney Joseph Easman Jr
Enoch Easman John Chadwick
Caleb Burbank John Ordway
Peter How John Burbank.
Jonathan How
Petition relative to Province Tax.
To the great General Court of the Province of New Hamp-
shire.
We whose names are hereunto Subscribed Inhabitants of
New Hopkinton in this Province humbly inform & repre-
sent to the Hon'"'^' General Court that whereas we understand
that an order was sent here sometime last summer or Fall, for
a Province Tax, directed to the selectmen of New Hopkinton,
and was carried back again because there were no such per-
sons to leave it with, And not because we are disobedient to
Authority or unwilling to do our Part to defray the Publick
charges of the Province.
But we are under two difficulties especially : One is with
Respect to those persons who are settled in that part of New
Hopkinton which is claimed by Bow ; For an account was
taken of their estates with the rest within New Hopkinton
TOWN PAPEKS IIOPKINTON. 4O7
claim, pursuant to an Order of the General Court, And last
year the Province Tax was'proportioned to them with the rest of
New Hopkinton, & paid by all together and that in season —
and thev are willing to pay so still, if that may be allowed, &
accepted for them ; & if the General court will be pleased to
join them with the rest of New Hopkinton, at least to pay
taxes with the rest, And if they should not be joined with the
rest to pay the Province tax, we humbly conceive that the sum
required of us would be a heavier burden upon the rest than
was designed by the court, when the Tax for New Hopkinton
was assigned. The other difficulty is our want of power to
chuse selectmen to assess, & a collector to collect the Tax, &
to oblige every one to pav their respective Parts of said tax.
If the Hon"''"' General Court will l^e pleased to take these
things into their Consideration and to apply a Remedy, In re-
gard of those that live within that part of New Hopkinton
claimed by Bow, either by joining them with the rest, so that
they shall be obliged to pay their part of Taxes as well as the
rest, or by Separating them from the rest, so as to have no
concern with the rest about paying taxes And then abating
from the rest so much of the tax as those would have paid, if
they had all paid together, as they did last year. Also if the
court will be pleased to enable us to assess & collect the Tax
either by appointing & impowering selectmen, & a collector
or giving us Power to chuse them, we are ready to pay all due
obedience.
And if the Treasurer sends his order again for the whole
Tax which he sent for last summer or for so much as is our
due to pay Exclusive of those that live in Bow claim, if they
should be separated from the rest in regard of paying Taxes
we will pay it to the Treasurer with all possible speed.
And we had rather pay our part of Taxes Every year yearly
than to have the Taxes of several years to pay at once.
The naines of those Persons the account of w'hosc Estates
was taken with the rest tho' they lived or owned land in that
part of New Hopkinton claimed by Bow, are as follows.
The widow Susanna Kimball William Peters
Abel Kimball Ilezekiah Foster
Timothy Kimball Jeremiah Kimball, Jr
Timothy Clement Thomas Jewell
Eliphalet Colby Reuben Kimball
Green French Daniel Watson
John Chadwick Obaciiah Perry
Abraham Kimball Joshua Bailey-
Jeremiah Kimball John Kimball
James Kimball John Jewell
Moses Straw Parker Flanders
Jonathan Straw Isaac Colby &
John Eastman Thomas Iloit.
468
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Reasons why an account was taken of the Estates oi
those that lived or owned hmd in that part of New Hopkin-
ton claimed by Bow are as Follows :
I-' Because the order sent by the General Court for taking-
account of Estates was left by the Sherrift' that brought it,
with one of the men that lived in Bow claimed.
2'^ Because one of the men that were impowered by the select-
men of Boscawen to take account of the Estates in New
Hopkinton was one of those men.
3 ' Because it was their own desire.
4'^ Because Canterbury selectmen who took account of Es-
tates in Rumford extended their accounts no further than Rum-
ford Claim.
We are your Excellencys & your Honours' Obedient & hum-
ble Servants.
Joseph Piidnev John Burbank
John Putney Jacob Straw-
Abraham Colbe John Blasdell
Matthew Standle Isaac Chandler
Enoch Eastman Jeremiah Kimball
Peter How Wid. Susanna Kimball
Jotham How Joshua Bajley
John Gage Abel Kimball
Isaac George Timothy Kimball
Thomas Eastman Moses Hill
Joseph Eastman John Chadwick
Caleb Burbank James Kimball
David Woodwell Moses Straw
Zebediah Watson John Easman.
Ezekiel Straw
New Hopkinton April 30, 1763
In Council June 3'' 1763.
Read »Sc ordered to be sent down to the Hon**''- Assembly.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
Province of 1 In the house of Representatives June 8"' 1763. This
New Hampsh' / petition being read, Voted,
That the prayer thereof be granted so far as that the petition" be al-
lowed to Bring In a Bill Impowering them to collect the province Tax
& obliging those persons mentioned as claimed by Bow to pay with,
them till there shall be a new proportion made for collecting thereof.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council June 8''' 1763,
Read & concin-red.
T. Atkinson jr. Secrv
TOWN PAPERS — HOPKINTON,
409
Petition fo7- power to sell common land.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor &
Commander in Chief in & of I lis Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, The Hon. His Majestys Council & Gen-
eral Assembly for & of said province :
The petition of us the Subscribers, Proprietors & Inhabit-
ants of New Hopkinton so called in said Province Humbly
vSheweth :
That a part of our said Township is covered by the claims
of the proprietors of Bow, That several of our said Proprie-
tors living within said claim, have already purchased of said
proprietors of Bow their claims within said Cover, that we
suppose it conmiunicative Justice that the whole charge of
Purchasing said Land as also the Charge of law suits respect-
ing and relating to said Lands be defreyed by our said pro-
priety in equal shares That by selling so much of our common
k. undivided Land in said Town would be easiest to us for
that purpose, That we suppose ourselves unable Validly so to
do, and therefore pray your Excellency & Honours to favour
& enable us with an act whereby we ma}^ be so capacitated,
or such other act or acts conducible to said end as your Excel-
lency & Honours in your great Wisdom shall see meet — And
your Petitioners shall as in Duty bound ever pray.
Hopkinton Feb'y 8, 1762.
Matthew Stanley Joseph Chandler
Enoch Easman Peter How
David Woodwell Jeremiah Kiinball
Joseph Easman Obadiah Parry
Joseph Putnev Timothy Clement
Ezekiel Straw John Chadwick
Jotham How Jonathan Straw
John Burbank John Easman
Isaac Ciiandlor. Jr. Tim" Kimball.
New Hopkinton, February 8"' 1762.
In Council January 19''' 1763,
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''e Assembly.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry-
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives
New Hampshire, j Jan' 19"' 1763.
This petition being read, Voted,
That the petitioners be heard thereon the first Wednesday In March
next if the General Assembly be then sitting if not then on the Sec-
ond day of their sitting next after, & that they cause the Substance of
this petition & order of Court thereon to be inserted three weeks suc-
cessively In one of the Boston news papers, & In the New Hampsh"^
Gazette, that any persons concerned may appear and shew cause if any
they have why the praver thereof should not be granted.
A. Ciarkson. Clerk.
In Council Eod"" Die.
Read & Concurrd.
T. Atkinson Jr. .Secry.
410 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of | In the house of RepresentativeR
New Hampsr j June 3** 1763.
This petition being read, Voted,
That the prayer thereof be granted & that the petitioners have lib-
erty to bring In a bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson Clerk.
In Council Eodem Die,
Read & concurred.
T. Atkinson Jr. Secy
Petition of sundry persons for an Act of Incorporation.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General
and Governour in chief in and over his Majestys Province
of New Hampshire And to the Honourable his Majestys
Council for this Province :
The petition of the Inhabitants of New Hopkinton (so
called) including the Inhabitants of that part of Bow which
covers a part of said New Hopkinton in the province afore-
said humbly shexveth :
That whereas your humble Petitioners are and have been
ever since we first began to settle this place, under great In-
conveniences and Difficulties for want of Town Powers &
Privileges whereby the settlement of this Place has been much
retarded & We therefore humbly pray your Excellency and
your Honours to take our case into your wise consideration,
and to Incorporate into a Town, with the Powers and Privi-
ledges of other Towns in this province, That tract of Land
which was granted by the gentlemen owners of the Right of
John Tufton Mason Esqr to Messrs. Henry Millen, Thomas
Walker & Thomas Millen, and their associates, commonly
called New Hopkinton ; & contained within the same
Bounds & Limits ; including that part of Bow which covers a
part of said Tract of Land, yet not affecting any man's Prop-
erty.
For which Goodness your humble Petitioners for your Ex-
cellency and your Honours, as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated at New Hopkinton aforesaid this fourth day of Jime,
Anno Domini 1764.
Moses Emerson Pelatiah Watson
Ezra Hoyt Moses Jewett
Jonathan Straw William Eastman
Joseph Judkins Joseph Pudncy
Roland Judkins Joseph Eastman
Hezekiah Foster Nathaniel Clement
Peter Sargent Caleb Burbank
Isaac Colby James Kimball
Benj" Jewett John Chadwick
John Jewett John Gage
£
TOWN PAPERS HOPKINTON.
Jacob Straw John Putney
Joshua Bayley Enoch Eastman
"oseph Chandler Abel Kimball
enjamin Merrill Peter How
Samuel Kimball Jotham How
Moses Gould Timotliy Farnum
Samuel Putney Isaac Chandler
David Woodwell Ezckiel Straw
Mark Jewett Timothy Kimball
Abraham Colbee Abraham Kimball
Moses Hills Richard Merrill
William Peters John Eastman
Matthew Standle Thomas Easman
Petition for Incorporation.
To his Excellency Bcnning Wentvvorth. Esq Captain Gen-
eral, and Governour in chief in and over his Majesties Prov-
ince of New Hampshire ; To the Honourable his Majesty's
Council, and To the Honourable Assembly of this Province,
in General Court convened :
The Petition of the Inhabitants of New Hopkinton (so
called) including the Inhabitants of that part of Bow which
covers a part of said New Hopkinton, in the Province afore-
said, humbly sheiveth :
That whereas your humble Petitioners are about to present
a Petition to his Excellency the Governour & to the Honour-
able his Majestys Council to incorporate into a Town, with
the Powers & Privileges of other Touns in the Province that
Tract of Land commonly called New Hopkinton contained
within the same Bounds & Limits which it was contained in
when granted by the gentlemen owners of the rights of John
Tufton Mason Esqr., to Messrs Henry Milieu, Thomas
Walker & Thomas Millen & their associates, including that
part of Bow which covers a part of said New Hopkinton,
without affecting any man's property : - We, therefore, your
humble Petitioners pray your Excellency & your Honours to
annex that part of Bow which covers a part of New Hopkin-
ton imto the saitl New Hopkinton, or that Tract of Land which
commonly is known by that name in such a manner as is
above expressed (if there be need of the Act & Authority of
the General Court in the case) so that it may be corporated
with the rest into a Toun (if his Excellency with the Council
should see cause to grant our Petition for a Corporation) that
so we may be in a Capacity to raise, assess hi. collect Taxes ;
botli our part of the Province Tax, & also, to Defray neces-
sary charges among ourselves in a rcgtdar it eflectual inanner ;
412
NKW HAMPSHIRE
For which Goodness, your humble petitioners, for your Excel-
lency & your Honours as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated at New Hopkinton
aforesaid, this fourth Day of
June, Anno Domini 1764.
Joseph Chandler Samuel Putney
John Eastman David Woodwell
Beniamin Merrill Peter Sargent
Samuel Kimball Benj'Jewett
Thomas Easman Mark Jewett
Moses Gould Abraham Colbee
Moses Emerson Moses Hills
Ezra Hoyt William Peters
Jonathan Straw Matthew Standlc
Joseph Judkins John Putr.ey
Richard Judkins Enoch Eastman
Hezekiah Foster Abel Kimball
Moses Jewett Peter Mow
William Eastman Jotham How-
Joseph Pudney Timothy Farnum
Joseph Eastman Isaac Chandler
Nathaniel Clement Ezekiel Straw
Caleb Burbank Timothy Kimball
James Kimball vVbraham Kimball
John Chadwick Richard Merrill
John Gage Isaac Colbj'
Jacob Straw John Jewett
Joshua Bayley Pelatiah Watson
Prov. of New Hamp In Council, Jan> 8''' 1765,
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'*''" Assembly.
Thco" Atkinson Jr. Secy.
New'H^mn' 1 ^" ^^^^ House of Representatives, Jany 9"' 1765,
This Petition being read.
Voted, That the Prayer thereof be granted & that the Petitioners
have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
[n Council eodem die
Read & concurred
Th"
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
Atkinson, jun. Secy
Reasoa.s for said Petition.
Reasons humbly to urge and intreat a speed\' Proceedureupon the pe-
titions prelerred to the Honourable General Court by the Inhabitants of
New Hopkinton without the formality of a public Notification.
I" That all differences between Bow Claimers cic New Hopkinton
Proprietors, or Inhabitants about Property are adjusted so far that the
claimers of that Part of Bow which interferes with New Hopkinton
sell or settle said Land without opposition or Molestation, The Gentle-
men who purchased M'^ Masons Patent having given to New Hopkin-
ton Proprietors out of their fifth Part of said New Hopkinton, acre for
acre for the land claimed by Bow Proprietors in said New Hopkinton.
2' The settlers on Bow Claim in said New Hopkinton are included in
TOWN HA'i'EUS — UOPKINTOX.
413
the Petitions. ;ind most if not all of" them have signed them, which
shows that it is tlieir Desire that the prayer thereof may be granted.
3'! The settlers upon Bow chiim in s<' New Uopkinton are incorpo-
rated with it by the District Act.
4''' Some urgent circumstances seem to necessitate a speedy Rem-
edy, as
(i'-) The out-standing Province Tax for the je.-jrs 1762. 1763 \: 1764,
for which the Treasurer says he must soon issue Extents unless a Rem-
edy be provided and some Favour and Indulgence be granted to the
people of Now Uopkinton And also arrears toward the support of the
Gospel in said New Uopkinton both together amounting to more than
£3000 Old Tenor, which if required all of it to be paid in a short time
in this time of Scarcity of Money would be a Burden very heavy upon
& discouraging to that People : Therefore a speedyRemedy seems neces-
sary. But if it be delayed for a formal Notification is not likely to be
done before next Miy or June.
(2) Tho" an Act was made, more than a year ago to impower the In-
habitants of New Hopkinton iSrc to assess & collect the Province Tax,
yet they never heard of the said Act: and consequently could not act in
Conformity to it.
(3) The said Act did not furnish said people with Power to raise, a.s-
sess and collect any arrear Tax either for the Province or to support of
the Gospel or any way to promote the settlement of the place ;
But if the Hon 1 Court think, upon the whole, that the Prayer of the
Petitions cannot be granted without a formal, publick, Notification,
Theyare humbly intreated, by their most humble and Obedient servant,
in Behalf of the Petitioners to Compassionate the case of the Petition-
ers (who dontat present know of their impending Difticulties) and to pro-
vide a speedy Remedy for them, either by an Act in addition to the dis-
trict Act already made, or any other way that they shall think best, so
that the Inhabitants may be invested with all the Powers & Priviledges
of a Town : and that the officers who shall be chosen in said district to
assess 6z to collect necessary Taxes there, may be impowered to Exert
& E.xecute their respective offices about any arrears of former Taxes, as
well as about future Taxes.
And where as said Inhabitants are in arrears of the Province Tax for
the year 1762, 1763, (S: 1764 it is humbly submitted to the wise consid-
eration of the hon''"? Court whether it would not be too heavy a Burden
upon the People to require them to pay itall inoneyear or intwo years,
besides the proper Taxes of those years, Or whether they may not be
indulged now, (seeing they had not Power to assess and Collect those
Taxes in the times when they ought to have been assessed Si collected)
so far as to assess & collect the arrear Tax for 1762 with the Tax for
1765. and the arrear Tax for 1763 with the tax for 1766, and the arrear
tax for 1764 with the tax for 1767 so that they may have no more than
two years Province Tax, to pay in a year till those arrears shall be fully
faid & that orders may be given to the Province Treasurer accordingly ;
t is also humbly requested that if the District act should be enforced
by an additi(jnal act, The Regulation made thereby may continue in
Force till the General .Vssembly shall order otherwise.
Also, it is humbly requested (Because sundry of the Men mentioned
in the District Act, as Settlers in the Township of Bow, either never
lived there at all, but only had Land there which they proposed to settle
on, .Sc did not or else removed to some other Place since) That instead of
mentioning those Persons by Name, there may be a clause which siiall
include all that part of Bow which covers a part of New Hopkinton,
with all the persons who do now or shall inhabit the same during the
•iTontinuance of this act.
414
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition for a tax on non-residents.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General,,
and Governour in Chief in, and over his Majestys Province
of New Hampshire, To the honourable, his Majestys Coun-
cil And to the honourable General Assembly of the Province
of New Hampshire, in General Court assembled.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Hopkinton in this Prov-
ince of New Hampshire humbly sheweth. That whereas we
your humble Petitioners have been at great cost & charge in
Settling a New Township, and settling the Gospel and main-
taining it among us, Paying the Arrears of the Province Tax
for three years which was not paid in proper season because
we had no Power during that time to assess & Collect it (pay-
ing said arrears in three years after said tax ought to have been
paid besides the proper tax of those years, in a Time of great
scarcity of money. And in building an house for the public
worship of God, with but a very little Help from the nonresi-
dent Proprietors & owners of Land in the Town) beside the
additional Difficulties & Dangers which many of us suffered
by living in a New Township at the outside of all the Towns
in the province, in the Time of the late War and settling a
Gospel Minister in that Time ; And by what we have done &
sufiered in these Times the Land of Nonresident Proprietors
and owners, which lies in the Town has been greatly increased
in Value with very little if any Cost to them ; and we your
humble Petititionei's cannot but think that they ought in Rea-
son & Equity to bear part of the charges of what has increased
the Value of their land as well as to enjoy the Benefit. We
therefore your humble Petitioners humbly and earnestly pray,
That your Excellency & your Honours would take our case
into your wise & compassionate Consideration and in Order to
making us some Relief under our heavy Burdens if you think
proper would pass an act to lay a tax of one Copper (or one
half penny sterling) per acre or so much as you shall think
proper upon all the uncultivated Land in this town belonging
to non resident proprietors & Owners for the space of five
years or so long as 3'ou shall think proper. Except what land
in the Town isOwncd bv the Masonian Proprietors and so long
as it is owned by them : the appropriated Rights for the Min-
istry and school and what is owned b3' the minister of the
Town.
And if your Excellency and your Honours shall be pleased
to Grant our Petition in laying a Tax upon the Land aforesaid,
We Humbly pray also that you would make Effectual Pro-
vision for us to assess said tax upon & to collect it from said
non resident Proprietors & Owners of Land in the said town
of Hopkinton. For which Goodness your humble Petitioners
TOWN PAPERS HOPKINTON.
4'5
for your Excellency & your Honours as in Duty bound shall
Ever pray.
Dated at Hopkinton Aforesaid
October r' 1767.
Voted, That Ens. Jonathan Straw prefer this Petition to the General
Court.
Names of the Subscribers.
Tim" Clement
Gideon Gould
Hezekiah Foster
Abraham Brown
Ruben Kimball
W"' Clements
Timothy Farnham
John Gaj^e
Joseph Standly
Stephen Hoyt
Thomas Clark
Moses Hills
Ezekiel Stanley ?
Peter How
John Hill
Moses Smith
Ezekiel Straw
Jotham How
Isaac Colby
Moses Straw
Isaac Chandler
Joseph Chandler
Eliphalet Colby
John Jewet Jr
Moses Sawyer
Tho» Jewell
Joseph Judkins
Nathanael Merrell
Elias Gould.
Richard Merrill
William Peters
Benj. Wii(gin
Timothy Kimball
Green French
Joshua Bayley
Zebulon Adams
Nathaniel Clement
James Scales
Samuel Putney
John Putney
Mark Jewett
Moses Gould
David Eaton
Abnar Gorden
Moses Eastman
Benj ' Rogers
Aaron Greeley
Jotham How
Samuel Hoyt
Sam Brackenbury
James Smith
David How
Enoch Eastman
Jeremy French
William Stevens
Benjamin Merrill
James Kimball
Joseph Putney
John Burbank
Moses Jewett
Abel Kimball
Polard Judkins
John Blasdell
William Davis
Jeremiah Fowler
Joseph Eastman
Caleb Burbank
David Woodwell
John Eastman
Tho" Eastman
Samuel Stanley-
Ezra Hoyt.
Voted, That the petitioners have leave to Bring in a Bill for Laying
a tax of one half peny sterling pr acre yearly for five years on all the
Lands of Resident and non resident Proprietors except that part which
was taken ofl" from the town of Bow
M. Wearc, Clr.
In Council March 16"' 1768
The above Vote of the House read & Concurred.
Geo. King, Dep> Secry.
Province of ) Feby 11"' 1768. In the house of Representatives
New Hampshire ) upon Reading this Petition voted that the Petition-
ers cause the substance of this Petition to be printed
in the New Hampshire Gazette as soon as may be & to continue it
there for three weeks successively with notice that any person who has
4i6
NEW HAMPSHIRE
anj objection against the prayer thereof may be heard thereon on
the third dav of the setting of the General Assembly next after the
Tenth of March next
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council 13''' February 1768.
Read & Concurr'd.
Geoe. King Dep. Secy.
Province of ) In the House of Representatives March 15"' 1768. The
New Hamps' J within Petition being Considered and the petitioners
and such as appeared to make objections heard there-
on, ,Voted,
HUDSON — formerly Nottingham West.
[Incorporated 5 July,
Massachusetts. Ed.]
[746, having previous to 1741 belonged to
Petitio7iers for a ?iew Parish.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Capt General
and comander in chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England,
May it please your Excellency, According to your Excel-
lencies direction, I hereby signifie to your Excellency that the
whole Number of Proprietors and Inhabitants in the Towns
of Nottingham and Litchfield within the Limits we petitioned
for are forty five ; and those who are willing and desirous to
be erected into a Township or Parish (according to your Ex-
cellencies pleasure) have hereunto Set their names.
Nottingham.
John Taylor
Eleazer Cumings
Nathan Cross
John Mash
William Cumings
Roger Chase
John Robinson
Edward Spaulding
James Barret
Moses Barret
John Marshall
John Parker
Josiah Cumings
Benjamin Greeley
Thomas Mash
David Lawrance
Litchfield.
Nathaniel Hills
Ebenezer Spaulding
Daniel Hills
Joseph Hills
Smith Hills
John Hopkinson
Henry Hills
James Hills
Joseph Pollard
Joseph Kedder
Joseph Kedder Jr
Robert Melven
Nath' Hills, Jr
John Huston
Ezekiel Hills
Henry Hills, Jr
Stephen Spaulding
TOWN- PAPERS ITl'DSON. 417
If your Excellency will be pleased to erect us into a Town
or Parish agreablc to our Petition you will exceedingly oblige
your most Dutiful! and most obedient Petitioners
Litchfield.
Nath' Hills
In the Name of some
of the Proprietors
& In habitants of tlie
Towns of Notting-
ham & Litchfield.
Petition for Toivn privileges.
P N H I ^° ^'^ Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
) Governour, The Hon''' His Majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives in Gen ' Court Assembled
at Portsmouth the 20" days of May 1743.
The Peti of us the .Subscribers Inhabitants & freeholders of
the District called Nottingham Humbly sheweth :
That in the year 1732, Wee were on application made to
the Gen Court of tlie Massachusetts Province sett oft' from
the town of Dunstable a Distinct and seperate township with
the Powers & Priveledges of a Town & thereby enjoyned &
Required to Procure and settle a Learned orthodox minister
amongst us & make provision for his Comfortable & Hon''*"
support, which in the year 1737 the town fuUfilled but so it
Happened contrary to our Knowledge or Expectation, The
Running of tlic Line Between the Governments according to
his Majestys Late Determination has taken considerable part
of our Town into this Province, by means whereof, we are
without the Power to manage our necessary aflairs as a Body
corporate & more especially to Raise and collect money for
the support of the Rev ' Nathaniel Merrill our Minister, ac-
cording to our Contract with him ;
That before the Running of the line assessments was made
for the Ministers Rates Many Delinquents (on the Running
the line) declared against paying, and continue to neglect it,
tho no complaint of being over Rated.
That thereby the minister lias suMered, & I'^ng been kept
out of his Just Due.
That we Have not since the running of that Line been able
in any Equal way to Raise his yearly Sallerv.
That so much of our Improvements being left in the Massa-
chusetts and our circumstances so Low Renders it of necessity
for all the Inhabitants in our District to assist in payment, or
it will be Impracticable for us to Subsist as a Society and
27
4i{
NEW HAMPSHIRE
many difficult circumstances attending these things presses us
Humbly to .Supplicate, and In as much as this Hon"'^^ Court
has been pleased to look upon us as Subjects of the Govern-
ment by Taxing us to the Support of it, which we Readily
& dutifully comply with, we doubt not but Wee shall be
owned as the children of the Same & obtain the Priviledges &
protection other Inhabitants Enjoy :
Wherefore we most Humbly pray your Excellency & Hon"
to take the premises into your consideration & Invest the s**
District of Nottingham (that is to say that part of Notting-
ham that Lyes in the province of New Hampshire) with the
Powers & priveledges of a Town & enable us to Levy & collect
the former Delinquent Rates or make some speciall Law that
shall Relieve us in the Premises as in your great Wisdom shall
be tho best, & as In duty bound shall pray.
John Butler Hezekiah Hamblet
Henrv Baldwin Samuel Grele
Thomas Colburn William Hamblet
Joseph Winn Samuel Grele
Henry Baldwin Jr Zacheus Woodwell
Joseph Hamblit Sam ' Huston
Tho* Pollard Joseph Blodget
John Pollard Jonathan Hardy
Joseph Blodget John Marsh
George Burns Ezekiel Chase
Joseph Snow
Petition for a Parish.
To his Excellency Bening Wintworth Esq. Captine General
& commander in chief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England.
Your Excellency with the rest of the Honourable Court may
well remember that we your humble Petitioners a considerable
time since put in a petition to y^ General Court for a distinct
town or parish v^diich the Honourable Court shall judge most
convenient & we still remain earnest in our desires that s' pe-
tition may have a hearing, and that it maybe acted upon when
your Excellency with the rest of the Court shall think con-
venient, the reasons why wee desire to be a distinct town or
parish are contained in our former Petition :
We live at such a distance from our respective meetings,
that we look'd upon it that we were obliged to maintain y'
Gospel amongst us, which we have done for almost three
years, and from the encouragement that we had from time to
time we have lived in hopes that we should be freed from pay-
ing taxes elsewhere, but since the late act made by y' Hon-
TOWN PAPERS HUDSON. 41^
ourable Court to impower certain districts to raise money for
y' support of y*" ministry & other charges & our respective dis-
trict have had meetings, & have raised large sums of money,
not only for y present year but for several years past as ap-
pears bv their votes. And we look upon it as a Great hardship
that we should be obliged to pay s'' rate for three reasons
(Viz)
r' We live at such a distance fromy Places of Publick wor-
ship in our respective districts, that we cannot attend y'" worship
of God with our Families there.
2 ' We have had a minister with us and are obliged to him
for so much money from day to day, therefore we look upon it
a hardship to pay taxes elsewhere.
3'' Ami tliere are some of us that have moved into these dis-
tricts long since y money was due that they now rate us for,
this appears to be a hardship to such of us.
Therefore we your humble petitioners pray that your Excel-
lency with y others of y Honourable Court would take these
reasons into your consideration, & free us from these heavy
burthens laid upon us, we have many of us borne a heavy
burthen for a long time & we fear its growing h javier for we
find none amongst us in our respective districts that will move
it so much as with one of their fingers. Therefore as you are
our Fathers we humbly applv ourselves to you for relief, & if
in your great Wisdom think it not convenient as yet to erect us
into a town, we beg that we may be aquited from paying the
taxes that are served upon us, & that we may have the Privi-
ledges of other Parishes or districts, till such times as we maybe
further answered in our request that so we may able further
to maintain y Gospel amongst us ; these things we humbly ask
& rest your humble Petitioners.
Dated at the District called Nottingham
September y 19" 1743-
P. S. We that live in the district called Litchfield would ac-
quaint your Excellency that at y time of their settling a min-
ister in this district that we entered our dissents but they pro-
seded & settled a minister Contrary to our opinion, & we think
it a hardship, that we should be Obliged to pay taxes to a Min-
ister that is settled upon such a foundation that he is — which
is Presbvterianism. This is Contrary to what we was ever ac-
quainted with contrary to our opinion in matters of religion
and Contrary to our minds to set under him as such.
Joseph Kidder William Cumings
Josiah Cumings William Campbell
Josf.ph Kidder Jr Leonard Cummings
Robert Dorah Edward Spalding
Charles Dorah Ebenezer Spalding
George Burroughs Jr Nathan Cross
420 NEW HAMPSHIRK
Nathaniel Hills Robert Melven
John Marshall Stephen Spalding
James Hills Josiah Burroughs
Eleazer Cummings James Barret
Roger Chase Moses Barret
John Robinson David Lawrence
William Taylor Nathaniel Hills Jr
Henry Hills John Bradburj
Ezekiel Hills Bradbury Morgan
Joseph Pollard Josiah Dutton
Henry Hills, Jr John Huston
Petition of select?ne?i for a hearing.
Prov. of ) To His Excellency BenningWentworth Esq. Gov''
N. Hamp j &c. The Hon" his Majestys Councill & House
of Reprel " in Gen ' Assembly to be Convened
The S '■ of March 1747.
The subscribers selectmen of the Town of Nottingham
West, would most humbly represent in Answer to the Petition
of Josiah Cumings & Others Inhabitants of Nottingham West
afores' On the 3^* day of December 1747, Prefcred to this
Hon"' Court praying. That they might be Discharged both
poles and estates from paying any thing towards the Support
of the Ministry at s' Nottingham so long as they attended Else-
where &c. For the Reasons therein niDutioncd.
That notwithstanding the Order of the Hon'*'^ Court for a
hearing on s' Petition had fully pass'd on y ' Eleventh day of
December last past, and the Hearing on s Peti was granted
to be the second day of the sitting of the assembly after the
tenth day of January then next ensuing, and that the s ' Gen'
Assembly was adjourned unto the 23 ' day of this Instant Feb-
ruary to be the first day of their sitting after the tenth of Jan-
uary afores'', accordingly the 24''' of this same February had
they set as we Expected was the day appointed for the Hear-
ing afores '
Yett the Peti''^ (for ends to us unknown) did not serve the
selectmen or either of them with a Copy of the s ' Peti ' or or-
der of Court thereon nor any other ways Notifie them thereof
untill the 17"' day of this Instant February which left no more
than six days for the Selectmen to Assemble Notifie and hold a
town meeting & if the Town should think fitt to make answer
& Shew Cause &c. and within the same six days to gett to Ports-
mouth (Fifty miles & upwards) and by this the Neglect of the
Peti ' Rendered it Imposible for the Town whose proper Right
we conceive it was to make answer at the s' Expected time,
But we the select' have proceeded & Notified a meeting of the
s^ town to be held at Nottingham on the 7"' day of March
TOWN PAPERS HUDSON.
421
next; To see if the town will Impower an agent to answer to
the $'' peti'' if there should then be occasion, Since which we
are Informed that the s'' Court is adjourned from the s ' 23' day
of February unto the Eighth day of March next the day by the
aforesaid order of Court appointed for the hearing afores'', And
should the town proceed to appoint an Agent to make Answer
in their Behalf yet it will be Impossible for them at this diffi-
cult season in one night, (the only time we have) to gett to
Portsm and attend at the Hearing afores'' Wherefore we pray
that in case the Peti '~ should pursue their Peti ■ for a hearing
that it may be continued such Reasonable time that the town
of Nottingham may appear, if thev shall at their meeting De-
sire it to shew cause why the prayer of the Pet should not be
granted ^c.
Nottingluun, West. February 29'S 1747.
John Marsh ]
John Marshall 01 ^
•A ,^ > selectmen
Samuel Grele I
James Weson J
Nottingham Dis. Jan> 30''' 1745-6
We the Subcribers Inhabitents of the s' Distrect do hear by Sicknife
our desier to be incorporated into a Distinct Town according to the
Delineation which we now Lay in and shall for that prosicute any
thing which may be expediant in the affair.
Joseph Butler
Joseph Caldwell, sn
James Gibson
John Mitchell
John Huey
Joseph Caldwell, Jr
John Caldwell
John Baldwin
Robert Evens
Amos Richardson
Ebenezer Dakins
his
Thomas X Richardson
mark
Daniel Dugless
Daniel Merrill
Sam Merrill
Josiah Hamblet
his
Hugh O Richardson
mark
Jacob Butler
May yc 12'!' 1746.
C3n the above s^ Day a number of the propriators and other inhabi-
tants of the District of Litchfield being mett to gather Did then nomi-
nate and appoynt Jacob Hildreth and James Carr to measure the line
of Litchfield on the east side of meremack river from the uper end to
the lower end thereof.
Joshua Hamblet
Joseph Hamblet Jr
John Butler
Thomas Gage
Hezekiah Hamblet
John Butler Jr
Joseph Wright
Samuell Jewet
Phinehas Spanels
Benj' Frost
James Warner
Onesephorus Marsh
James Marsh
John Hamblet
Samuell Butler
Eph ' Cumings
Daniel Simonds
Ithbre Merrill
Thomas Burns
Samuel Gould
Richardson Cumings
422 NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hamp } Londonderry May ^ 13"^ 1746-
Jacob Hildreth and James Karr personaly appearing made oath that
they would take a true measure of the district of Litchfield upon the
east side of Meremack river, sworn before
John GofTe, Just Peace.
This may signifie the Earnest desire of us subscribers inhabitents of
Notingham within the Province of the Massachusetts Bay whose inter-
ests in Lands lay considerably within the Destrict of Noting™ in New
Hampshire
That the destrict may be continued to gether as a Town without the
addition of any part of Litchfield, that we may attend the publick wor-
ship of God where we have formerly Injoyed it Being intirely cut of
from all Privilege of injoying it other ways.
Capt Rob' Fletcher
Daniel Fletcher,
Zacheus Spaulding
Lt. Samuel Gould
John Woodward
Robert Fletcher, jun.
Noting™ April 4"' 1746,
May ye i6'*i 1746.
We the subscribers the within mentioned being chosen to measure
the Distance of way from the upper end of the District of Litchfield
to the Lower end, whereas according to our measure not allowing any
for sway of chain, we make it eight miles and one half.
Jacob Hildreth
James Karr.
Vo^e on the question of Incorporation.
Province of 1 The District of Nottingham being assembled to-
New Hampshire J gether at the meeting house this tenth Day of March
1745-6. By virtue of a Warrant Issued out by two of
his Majesties Justices of the Peace unus Qiiorum ; they past' sundry
votes, first made choice of Mr Thomas Gage Moderator, Secondly it
was put to Vote to see if the District will signifie by a vote that they
will be Incorporated into a Distinct town and it past in the firmitive.
John Hamblet yea Benjamin Tyng yea
John Hue yea Abel Merrill yea
Joseph Calwell yea Robert Nevens yea
Ephraim Cumings yea Joseph Hamblet jr yea
Joseph Wright yea Samuel Butler yea
James Gibson yea Thomas Gage yea
John Mitchell yea Josiah Hamblet yea
Samuel Jewate yea Daniel Dugless yea
Benjamin Frost yea John Baldwin yea
Thomas Burns yea Onesephorus Marsh yea
Thomas Richardson yea Jacob Butler yea
Hezekiah Hamblet yea Ebenczer Daken yea
Capt Henry Baldwin yea Joseph Gould yea
Phinchas Spaulding yea John Butler yea
Hugh Richardson yea James Wason yea
Daniel Merrill yea Joseph Caldwell jr vea
In the firmitive.
TOWN PAPEKS HITDSON. 423
Thomas Pollard nay Lie"' Joseph Snow nay
James Barret naj John Marsh nay
Robert Glaser nay George Burns nay
Joseph Blodget nay Ens" William Cumings nay
Eleazer Cumings nay Samuel Burbank nay
John Marshall nay Samuel Grele nay
Jonathan Mardy nay Capt Thomas Colburn nay
Lie"' Joseph Winn nay Joseph Winn, Jr nay
Jeremiah Blodget nay John Marshall Jr nay
Dct Ezekiel Chase nay Samuel Hustone nay
Samuel Grele Jr. nay
In the Negative.
Thirdly it was put to vote to see if the District will split the Town
partly North and south And the Vote Past in the negative that article
in the warrant to set of Hills farm was Dismissed by a Vote — fifthly
the District chose Mr Thoinas Gage Mr Ephraim Cumings and Mr
John Butler as a committee to treat with the Courts Committee and
Represent the circumstances of the District to them.
A true Copy from the District Book,
as attest,
Samuel Grele
District Clerk.
Petition of yohn Marsh for a land tax to build a meeting-
house.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth E.sq. Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire, To the Hon''' his Majesties Coimcil &
House of Representatives in General Assembly Convened
14'' July 1747.
The petition of John Marsh of Nottingham West, of said
Province, yeoman, in behalf of v Inhabitants of said Not-
tingham West as well as on his own Humbly Shews :
That by y late settlement of y Boundary Line between
this & y Province of y" Massachusetts Bay, a number of
y Ablest of y'= Inhabitants of s' Nottingham West are
taken of from us & so consequently we must loose their as-
sistance under y'' present heavy Burthen that is upon us, and
that by s settlement of s ' Line }■ present Situation of our
Meeting house is such that it is altogether useless unto us as a
Place for y publick Worship of God & therefore must be
obliged to build a New one and that your Petitioners live ex-
posed to y Indians whereby we are much taken otT from our
Daily Labour : Your Petitioner therefore most Himibly prays
your E.KCclIency & Honouis that you wou'd in your great
Clemency be pleased to Subject by an act all y lands in s'^
Nottingham to tax of two pence an acre P amumi for five years
next ensuing to help us in our present distress'd circumstances
424 NEW HAMPSHIRE
to build a New Meeting House, purchase a Parsonage & more
comfortably to support our present Rev' Pastor & to lay a
Foundation for y future Support of y- Gospel Ministry among
us and y Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
John Marsh.
In Council, July the 15'^' 1747.
Read & Ordered to be seiit Down to the Hon'-''' House.
Theod Atkini-,on Secry.
rov o ew I ^^^ ^^ House of Representatives i?"' luly 1747
Hampshire J ' j j j t-ri
Voted, That y" Petitioners be heard on their Petitions y'' Second Day
of y« setting of y Gen' Assemblj- After y«' first of Sep' Next & that y*
Petitioners at their Own Cost Advertise y ■ publick two or three Weeks
Successively in y" post Boy or Evening Post News papers so called of
y'^ Prayer of s^' Petition that so any one may shew Cause if any there
be why y" Prayer of s'' Petition should not be granted.
I). Pierce, Clk.
In Council July 15"' 1747.
The above Vote read & Concurrd.
Theod' Atkinson Secry.
Eod"' Die
Assented to B. Wentworth.
Prov of New | j ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ Representatives lo"' March 1747,
Hampshire J ' '^'
Voted, That y' Prayer of y^ within Petition be granted for one penny
Pr Acre & that y" peti" have Liberty to bring a Bill Accordingly.
D. Pierce Clr.
Eod'" Die. In Council
read & Concurr.
Theod' Atkinson, Secry
March 11"' Consented to,
R. Wentworth.
Prov of \j„ne r 8- 1747.
New Hamp j •' •' '^'
The town of Nottingham west made choice of Mr John Marsh to ap-
ply to Courts to get the Lands Belonging to this Town laid under a tax.
A true Copy as attest
Samuel Grele, Town Clerk
Petitioti for Nottingham W. to be included in the West
division of Counties,
To his Excellencv Penning Wentworth Esq & the Hon * his
Majesties Councill & house of Representatives in Gen ' As-
setnbly Convened at Portsm the 9 of April 1754.
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Nottingham West in the
province of New Hamp-'' would humbly represent that inas-
much as a large number of the Inhabitants of this province
have Remonstrated the necessity of dividing this Province into
two County s by such dividing line as shall be thought best &
in as much as this town of Nottingham West lys at such a
TOWN PAPERS — HUDSON.
425
great distance not less than fifty miles from Portsmouth & ad-
joining to merrimack river, & shall always be accommodated
with the western County & shall be under the utter most in-
convenience, if we have always to travel to the Eastermost
part of the Province for County Business, therefore we most
Humbly pray tliat when your Excellency & Hon'" shall see
meet to Erect this Province into two Countvs that the Dividing
Line may Include this Town in the west Division & Incorpo-
rated to do duties & Receive Priviledgcs there & your Petition-
ers as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
John Marsh
Edward Spalding
Thomas Lenard
Ezekiel Chase
Thomas Colburn
Joseph Winn
Steplien Chase
Samuel Grele
Sam' Grele, Jr
Ebenezer Blodget
Benjamin Taylor
William Taylor
William Cumings
Ebenezer Cumings
John Marshall
Josiah Dutton
Daniel Marshall
Henry Hills
Ezekiel Grele
Joseph Pollard
Samuel Marsh
James Hills
Jeremiah Hill
Jon" Blodget
Jon " Hardy
Sam' Page
John Pollard
Ebenezer Pollard
Tho' Pollard, Jr
Moses Grele
Isaac Waldron
David Dow
Joseph Blodget Jr
Samuel Hills
Josiah Cumings
Josep Lovel
Nathan Cross
Peter Cross
Eleazer Cuinings
Eleazer Cumings Jr
Thomas Keney
Abraham Page
Timothy Emerson
Joseph Winn Jr
Benj' Winn
Benjamin Whittemore
, Jeremiah Blodget
fames Blodget
Joseph Blodget
David Lawrence
Stephen Chase, Jr
Henery Chase
George Burns
Ebenezer Dakin
Samuel Merrill
Nathaniel Merrill
Daniel Merrill
Samuel Merrill, Jr
Thomas Brown
Samuel Burbank
Jonathan Hardy
Jonathan Blodget
Tames Wason
Petition of Nottinghafn relating to Jis/i in the Merrimack
river.
To his Excellency Penning VVentworth Esq. Governor &c of
the Province of New Hamp The Honourable his Majestys
Council and house of Representatives of said Province.
We the Subscribers being Inhabitants of Nottingham West
& Dunstable do Humbly request of your Excellency & Hon""'
426
NEW HAMPSHIRE
to make some addition to the act relating Restraining the
Fishing in Merrymac river as the Preservasion of the Fish is
of Considerable Consequence to us, we would be glad there-
fore That the utmost care might be Taken of them.
We beg Leave to Suggest to your Excellency & Hon"^" that
the Constant Fishing at the Falls with Pots weares Scoop or
dip nets should be restrained as well as Constant Fishing with
Seaves and that all obstructions may be Removed out of the
River the days Fishing is Prohibited and that proper water
courses may be left in the Dams that are made Cross the
Streams that Run into Merrymac river where Fish corn-
only pass and also that the Towns be directed to choose
Proper Persons to see the act is duly Observed and all offend-
ers Punished and your Petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever
pray &c.
Dated at Nottingham West, June y^ 4' ' 1764.
Nath' Men-ill Henry Hills
Josiah Duston David Larance
Amos Kinney Ebenezer Cumings
Nathaniel Davis Josiah Cumings
Jose Pollard Benj Kidder
Edward Spaulding Thomas Lancey
Daniel Marshall Tho Clark
Ezekiel Hills ' Benj^ Marchall
Joseph Kelly Samuel Pollard
Thomas Pollard John Bly
Jeremiah Blodget Amos Pollard
Reuben Spaulding Benj' Winn
Noah Lovcwell John Huey
Samuel Marsh Henry Huey
Oliver Hills Jn' Caldwell Jr
Thomas Marsh Eph'- Cumings
Ezekiel Grcle Peter Cumings
Benjamin Dutton Samuel Page
Ebenezer Pollard Ephraim Cumings, Jr
Thomas Campbell David Cumings
Ebenezer Blodet Peter Cross
Robert Stuard
Province of|In the House of Representatives June 14"" 1764, This
New Hamp' ) being petition Read, Ordered,
That the petitioners be heard thereon the Second day of the sitting
of the general Assembly after the first day of August next And that
the petitioners at their own Cost cause the Substance of this petition
& this order of Court thereon to be advertised three weeks successively
In the New Hampshire Gazette, that any persons concerned therein
may appear & shew cause if any they have why the prayer thereof
should not be Granted.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In council June 16''' 1764.
Read & concurr'd,
T. Atkinson Jr. Secry.
TOWN PAPERS HUDSON.
4«y
Another Petition relating to the satne.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov' &*-■ of the
Province of New Hamp'' the Hon''" his Majesties Council
& house of Representatives of s' Province
We the Subscribers Petitioners beinor Inhabitants of this
Province Humbly Sheweth that we greatly rejoyce that your
Excellency and Honours have taken the Preservation of the
Fish in Merrimack River into Consideration and have pass'd
an act to Restrain y" Practice of Fishing in s*^ River Con-
stantlv. But as we apprehend the act as it now stands is not
Qiiite Sufficient to answer the Salutary Ends propos'd to be
done by s Act.
We would therefore desire your Excellency and honours to
take the premises under consideration & by some additional
act to restrain the fishing with Dip or scoop nets at the falls
in s^ River where fish are usually taken with those nets, and
also that all obstructions may be removed from y'' passes in'
Falls where fish usually pass, so as those places may be clear
on the Days fish are allowed to pass, and that fish may not be
hindered by any ways or means whatsoever from having a
free course up y"" River, on the day prohibited to fish, and that
the Obstructi(jns may be removed that are now in Sundrey
streams that run into ISIerrimac River Where fish commonly
pass or Sufficient courses left for the fish to pass during the
Term of their Running both up and Down such Streams, and we
Further beg Leave to Suggest to your Excellency and Hon"
that the Towns adjacent to the River may be Directed to
choose proper Persons to see that the act is Observed and all
ofienders duly Punished.
June 4'' 1764.
Stephen Chase
Thomas Hamblet
John Bloget
Jonathan Bloget
Ebenezer Bloget
James Caldwell
John Glover
David Merril
Stephen Morss
Rowland Rideout
Benj. Rideout
Benj' Smith
Abraham Bailey
Thomas Colburn
George Burns, Jr
Andrew Sea\ey
Justis Dakon
William Cox
Edward Cox
Benj" French
Seth Johnson
Joseph Winn
Abiathan Winn
Jeremiah Bloget
Ebene;;cr Pollard
Ezekiel Chase
Sam' Greele
Benjamin Messer
Ezekiel Chase, Jr
Ilenry Deves .■*
Joseph Lovel
Tho Bla;icharii, Jr
Tho- French
Nathan Winn
Nathanael Merrill
Nath Merrill Jr
Jonathan Lund
William Li::k1
Phinehas Lund
James Taylor
Nehemiah Lovewell
Nathaniel Greele
428 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of | j^ ^j^^ House of Representatives June 14"' 1764.
NewIIatnpsf J ^ j t / t
This Petition being read, Ordered, That the petitioners be heard there-
on the second Da}' of tlie sitting of the General Assembly after the first
Day of Aug ' next & that the petitioners at there own Cost, cause y*
substance of this petition & this order of Court thereon to be adver-
tised three weeks successively In the New Hampshire Gazettee that any
persons concerned therein may appear & shew cause if any they have
why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
Depositions.
(i) Of Thomas Pollard.
Thomas Pollard of Lawfull age Testifyeth and saith that he was at
the house of Mr John Marshes in Notingham West upon the second
day of Oct'' Last past & he saw Capt Joseph Killeyand John Chase and
Joshua Beadel and Amos Pollard and sundry other persons there and
he heard Amos Pollard say their is nothing to be done here at this time
Let us go home upon his s<i Pollard saying so hear Capt Killey tell
John Chase and Joshua Beadel to take said Amos out of the house &
put him into the Brook upon which said Chase & Beadel fasned upon
said Amos Pollard and Draged him out of the house, and Capt Killey
followed them out of the House with a large stick and wip fastened to
the End of it, and brok the stafe or stick of said wip allto])eaces about
him said Amos, his head the said Chase holding him fast while said
Killey beat him said Amos, And After he broke his own stick he tAvicht
A large walking staff out of the hand of deacon Greeley and splintered
it all to peaces about said Amos' head & body till said x\mos Cryed
murder and After upon Examining the head & body of said Amos there
was large Gashes in his head Si,' and further saith not
And the Deponent further saith that these facts was not committed
upon a muster day.
his
Thomas x Pollard,
mark
(2) Of Benjamin Marshall.
Benjamin Marshall of Lawfull Age Testifieth and, that he was at the
hous of Mr John Marsh of Nottingham West at or near the 2' day of
Oct' Last past and that he came with Capt Joseph Killey to Said House
aforesaid and that as soon as Capt Killey came to the house of the said
Marshes there was a grate number of parsons their and as soon as he
came in he said to the Company present that if any man Gave him the
lye to Day he would Ilors wip them and their arose a dispute between
one Davise and Killey Upon which Capt. Davis aserted something said
Killey said was a lye Si. said Killey threatened him by holding and
shaking his whip over his head. Then Amos Pollard who was present
said com Daviss let us go along for their will be nothing don here to
Day, upon which Capt Killey ordered John Chase to take s' Pollard out
of dores, upon which said Chase fasned upon him and drew him out of
dores, upon which I told said Chase let Pollard go, dont burn yourown
fingers, upon which Chase let him go, then said Killey ordered said
Chase to take pollard and duck him in the brook & he would bear him
out in so doing upon which said Chase & Joshua Beadel fasned him
TOWN I'APKRS — ^JAFFHKY. 429
again and Capt Killey followed out and struck said Pollard several times
with the butt of his horse whip which broke and then he went to deacon
Greeley and took his walking statT out of his hand and struck s'* Pol-
lard over his head and broke the staft'all to peaces while the said Chase
& Headel held said Pollard, and further saith not. And the Dep' farther
saith, these facts was not on a muster day.
Benj^ Marchall.
N/„"H!,".".hir J Litchfield March the =■ ,,65.
Parsonally appeared the within and above named Thomas Pollard
Benjamin ^Iarc■hall and after due caution & cairt'ull examination maid
solemn oath to the Truth of the forei^oing- Deposition by them Re-
spectively sio^ned. and that it is the Truth concernins^ the things they
Relate too which affidavits were taken at the Request of a Number of
the Inhabitants af Nottingham west to be in perpeatuam Res memo-
rium.
Betbre us,
John Goi'e \ Quorum
James Underwood I unis
JAFFREY — formerly Monadnock, No. 3.
[This town, formerly known as Monadnock, No. 3, was incorporated
in 1773, by the name of JaftVey, for Hon. George JatiVey, of Ports-
mouth. Ed.]
To Mr Josiah Willard. Sir.
This may certefy that it is the Desire of Each of us Hereafter named
that you would Draw or cause to be Drawn a Suitable Petition for the
Incorporation of our town and Lay the same Before the Govenor and
Counsel with our names annext thereto.
Monadnock N' 3,
March 14, 1771.
Eli Morse Benj' Mason
Jos. Greenwood Moses Adams
Sam' Twitchel John Wright
W'" Greenwood Moses Mason
Jos. Adams Ebenczer Twitchel
Asa Norcross Thomas Morse
Josiah Greenwood Jo'i'i Muzzy
Elias Stone William Beal
David Morse Benj' Lerned
John Knowlton Robert Muzzey
Elias Knowlton Jos. Twitchel
Reuben Morse Ezra Twitchel
Daniel Morse Levi Partridge
John Barnstead Thades Mason
We are generally of the mind to have our town named Troy.
430 NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN PAPRS — JEFFERSON.
JEFFERSON— formerly Dartmouth.
[This town was first granted under the name of Dartmouth, Oct. 3,
17615; re-granted June 26, 1772, and first settled about the year 1775.
Ed.]
Petition to extend the time for inaking settlentent.
Province of New Hampshire :
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Governor & Com-
mander in Chief and The Honorable His Majestys Council.
The Petition of Josiah Willard & others humblv sheweth.
That your Petitioner having been favor'd with the Grant &
Charter of the Township of Dartmouth sometime since which
said Charter specifys the first Period of settlement of twenty
Families to be in the month of December 1773 ; but w '' they
apprehend was a clerical Error in filling up the Charter and
ought to have been as originally intended December 1775, a
compliance with the first Term being utterly impracticable in
that distant part of the province. They would therefore humbly
beg the s' Mistake may be rectifyed & the Time for bringing
on the first twenty Settlers be Extended to the month of De-
cember 1775. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
over pray.
Josiah Willard
Portsmouth xi" Febr3s 1774.
VOLUME IV.
KINGSTON TO NEW BOSTON.
KINGSTON.
[This town was incorporated, August 6, 1694, under the administra-
of Lieutenant-Governor John Usher; and comprehended what now
forms the towns of East Kingston, Fremont, and Sandown. Ed.]
Original grant or Charter.
William and Mary B3' the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France,
and Ireland King and Queen Defend' of the Faith &c.
To all people To whom these presents shall come greeting Know ye
that we of our Special Grace Certain Knowledge and mere motion for
the due Encouragement of settling a new plantation bv and with the
advice and Consent of our Council have given & Granted and by these
presents as far as in us Lies Do give and Grant unto our Beloved Sub-
jects,
James Prescott Senior Isaac Godfrey
Thomas Philbrook Jr. Gershom Elkins
Samuel Colcord Thomas Webster
Sam' Dearborn W'illiam Godfrey
Jacob Garland John Mason
Ebenezer Webster Nathaniel Sandburn
Benjamin Sandburi-. John Moulton
Daniel Moulton and Francis Toule
and Several others of their Majestys Loving Subjects that Inhabit or
shall inhabit within the >.aid Grant within our province of New Hamp-
shire all that Tract of Land to begin seven miles Westward of the
meeting house now Standing in Hampton from thence to run a Due
course West and By Nortii Ten miles into tlie Country for its Breadth
four miles. Northerly from the Head point of the West Line from the
said meeting house and Southerly within Three miles of the Norther-
most side of merrimack river and that the same be a town Corporated
by the name of Kings Town to the persons above named or other of
their Majestys Subjects that do and shall for ever, and we do b^' these
presents gi%"e and grant unto the said men and Inhabitants of our said
Town of Kingstown and to such others that shall hereafter inhabit all
and every the streets and Lanes & Highways within the said Town for
the publick use and ser\ice of the men and Inhabitants thereof iV Trav-
ellers there Together with full power License and authority to the said
men and Inhabitants and such as shall inhabit within the said Town
forever to establish, appoint Order & direct the establishing making
Laying out ordering amending and Repairing of all streets Lanes
Highways Ferries places and Bridges in and throughout the said Town
necessary needful and convenient for the men cV Inhabitants of the said
Town & for all Travellers and Passengers there provided always thatour
said License to as above granted for the establishing making & Laying out
of such Lanes Highways, Fences places and Bridges be not extended
nor Construed to Extend to the taking away of any per&on or persons
43^
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Rights or property without his or their consent or By Some Law of
our said province To have & to hold and Enjoy all and Singular the
premises as aforesaid to the said men & Inhabitants or those that shall
inhabit the said Town of Kingstown and their Successors forever Ren-
dering and paying therefor to us our Heirs and Successors or to such
other officer or officers as shall be appointed to Receive the same yearly
the annual Qiiitt Rent or acknowledgement of one pepper Corn in the
said Town on the 25'- of October yearly forever and for the Better or-
der Rule & Government of our Said Town Wc do by these presents
Grant for us our heirs and successors unto the said men & Inhabitants
or those that shall inhabit the said town that yearly and every year
upon the first Tuesday in march forever They the said men and Inhab-
itants and such as shall inhabit the said Town shall elect and chuse by
the Major part of them Two sufficient and able men Householders of
the said Town to be Constables for the year Ensuing which said men
so chosen and elected shall be presented to the next Qiiarter sessions
of the peace to be held tor said province there to take the accustomed
oaths appointed By Law for the Execution of their offices under such
penalties as the Law in our said province shall direct upon Refusal or
neglect therein and We Do by these presents Grant for us our heirs
and Successors unto the said persons and Inhabitants and such as shall
inhabit in said town. That yearly and Every year upon the first Tues-
day in March for ever, They the said men and Inhabitants or the Major
part of them shall elect and chuse Three Inhabitants and Household-
ers within our said Town To be Overseers of the poor & Highways or
select-men of our said Town for the year Ensuing with such powers,
Privilidges and Authoritys as any Overseers or select men within our
said Province have and enjoy or ought to have and Enjoy.
In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our Said province
to be hereunto affixed. Witness John Usher Esq. our Lieutenant Gov-
ernour and commander in Chief of our said Province at our Town of
New Castle the 6'' Day of August in the sixth year of our Reign an-
noque Domini 1694.
John Usher L' Gov'
William Bedford Depy Secry.
Copy Exam''
Theodore Atkinson, Secry
Province of New Hampshire March i" 1743
Entred and Recorded According to the Original.
Pr Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Copy Exam'
Pr George Jaffrey, Clerk.
Petition for the re-settling of Kingston.
To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Governour and Com-
mander in Chefe of Her Majesties Provinces of the Massa-
chusetts and New Hampshire, and to the Honourable the
counsell Now sitting att Portsmouth this 3' of May 1705.
The Humble petition of Thomas Philbrick and Jonathan
Sanborn in the Name and behalf of severall others who have
a desire to settell Kingstowne. Humbly .Sheweth.
TOWN PAPERS — KINGSTON. 433
That whereas the inhabitants that wassettelled attsay"* Kings
town fformerly did for some pretences or other withdraw and
Remove in a disorderly way from said Kingstown as we Now
find greatly to the Damage of the then Inhabitants, We hav-
ing taken a list of the names of those that have entered ther
names to goe and settell there in the Fall of the year We
humblv pray that we may Have orders for the Resettling of s''
Kingstown accordingly, and your poor petitioners as wee are
bound for a Blessing of God upon your proceeding shall for
Ever pray.
Thomas Philbrick
JoNA Sanborn
Upon reading the petition of the Inhabitants of Kingstown praying,
to whom ordered that the petitioners have liberty to return thither
at Mich;ehTias provided they be not less than thirty familys that they
lay out in the centre of this place a forty acre lott for y" parsonage and
that they settle an able orthodox minister within three years nextCum-
ing & they have leave to renew their Grant with these conditions.
Read in Councill the 2'
May and approved off
Cha. Story Secretary.
Prov. N. Hampsh
Voted, That the town of Kingston be Excused from sending a Repre-
sentative and paying any part of y" Province Charge for the present
year, Provided they assist the scouts with pilots at their own Charge
whenever Required.
May 9"' pr Order of y'^ House
Samu' Keais, Clerk.
Consented to by the Councill
Chas. Story, Secretary.
Petition to be clear of fublic charges.
To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq Capt Generall & Gov-
ernor in Cheife in & Over Her Maj""' Provinces oft' the
Massachusetts & New Hampsh"" &'^ And to the Honourable
the Council Now sitting at Portsm' together with the Repre-
sentatives in General Assembly.
The Humble Petition of the Poore Inhabitants of the Town-
ship of Kings Town within said Province of New Hampshire
Shcweth.
Whereas the Inhabitants of said Towne have hitherto on
acc''^ of the Warr been clear'd from all Publick charge and the
Enemy now insults us as much as Ever : And theire now
being a representative required of us, Our circumstances being
in a very low Condition and the Enemy like to be as trouble
some as Ever thev have been —
Yo'' Petitioners therefore Humbly prays yo"" Excell. & the
Hon'' able the Councill that wee may as vett stand on the Es-
28
434
XEW HAMPSHIRE
tablishm' wee did before till such time as yo' Petitioners are
better able wee humbly Submitt our selves to w' yo' Excell. &
the Hon'able the Councill shall Judge meet.
Soe prays yo Humble Petitioners
Jon' Sanburn,
In behalfe of y*" town.
Upon reading this petition the Council Declares, that they are very
sensihle of the good services of the inhabitants of Kings town and the
Hardshipps they labour under in and shall use all methods for their
Encouragem'
And therefore Recommend to the Representatives the prayer of being
Eased of the present tax and of the attendance of a Representative
Dureing the present distress untill further Order
In Council 8''' May 1712.
Cha : Story Secretary.
Petition to be discharged from cost of Road. <&c.
To the Honourable John Wentworth Esq \J Gov' & to the
Honourable The Councill & House of Representatives now
sitting in Gen' Assem. at Portsm ' for his Maj''*"' province of
N. Hamp^
The petition of Sam' Easman representative for y" Town
of Kings town in behalf of said Town sheweth.
That the Hon"'" The Court of Gen' Q sessions of the peace
held at Ports'"" The first day of march last were pleased to
make an ord' that the town of Kingstown afores ' should pay
half the Charge of Laying out a high road Through y* town
of Hampton w''' your petitioner does humbly conceive is not
to be supported or favoured by any laws or customs whatso-
ever but that the said Ord' of sessions is opposite to an act of
This prov. & past in May 1719. Entitled an act about high
ways &c
Whereupon yo' petitioners do humbly pray that the said
Order be made null & void as to the part of Kingston afores''
& that the said Town be discharged of that ord' & yo'' peti-
tioners shall Ever pray as in Duty bound.
Sam' Easman
Jon' Sanburn.
Voted, That y" Case between Hamton A: Kings town be brought on
again to y*^ next q' sessions for a second hearing between town & town
and that Each town be notified accordingly
Hen. Sherburne, Clk Asst
Jn Coun
Eod'" die Concurrd.
R. Waldron.
rOAVN PAPERS KINGSTON. 435
Petition for abatement of Province tax.
To the Honabell John Whitworth Esq our Lev' Governor and
Comander In Chefe In and Over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire In New England and to your honours of
His Majestycs Conncill, and to those gentlemen of y*^ house
of Representatives now Convened together att our Generali
Cortt held att Portsmouth in said province this i8 '' day of
May 1725.
The Ilumbell address of y" subscribers to these presents being
the selectt men for Kingstown In said provence for this yeare,
Humbly Sheweth.
That Whereas wee make bold to make this our humbell de-
seire and Request unto your hon'' yett we hope you will par-
don our Boldness In so doing and that your hon would Con-
sider our sad Surcomstances that wee live under by living In a
fronteer town and so small a town and so Exposed to y*^ Indian
Enemy and our Rates are so hevey upon us that we cannot tell
how to pay it, therefor we humbly pray your honnours to Con-
sider us and to medigatt sumthing of our provence Rates &
may it please your hon' wee have Latly lost Sundrey men of
Considerable Estates In our town some by the Enemy and some
by Sixness whare by we are the more unabell to pay so much
as we have done and we are so much y'' more weker as to men
In our going out to our worke dayly and we are so Exposed to
danger of y'' enemy dayly, that wee hope In your wisdom you
will Consider us as to the thing wee pray to your hon'^ for and
likewise that wee might not have any of our men Impressed
from us be cause we Lay so Exposed to y'' Enemys and Every
day whare ever wee goe to work we are as it ware upon duty.
All this things Considered by your honnours If your hon'"
see cause to help us as to those things above mentioned wee
shall Return your hon' Humbell thanks as in diitv we are
bound &
Kingstown May
y" 17'^' 1735.
Joseph Fifield i
Ebenezer Stevens ] Selectmen
Tristram Sanborn j> for
Joseph Grele Kingstown
Joseph Sleeper j
Petition for a township.
Wee the subscribers of Kingstown haveing gone through
many difficulties & Great & Long & Tedious Wars & very Ex-
436
NEW HAMPSHIRK
pensive & trouble some, so great that the greatest part of the
inhabitants of our Town were forced to sell their lands to sup-
port their families — But through the goodness of God we are
yet prcscrv'd & much Increased cS: have many sons to settle in
the world wc have not land for them because our inheritances
are in y"' hands of strangers, & inasmuch as y' neighbouring
towns about us have had a considerable priviledge by their
new township to them granted wee also desire an Inheritance
among our Brethren & Therefore present our Humble Request
to his Excellency the Governor & Councill & for a Town ship
as followeth, beginning att Ammoskeag Falls & to extend five
miles up the River & five miles down y'' River & Ten miles
wide five on each side & in so doing y' Honn'"' will very much
oblige us his Majestys subjects.
Mr Ward Clark
P2benezer Stevens
Capt Jonathan Sanborn
John Fi field
Joseph Fifield
Moses Elkins
Joseph Clough
Ebenezer Webster
Joseph Grelc
Samuel Tucker
Benjamin French
Jeremy Webster
John Darlin
Phinehas Batchelder
Samuel Welch
Ichabod Clough
Ebenez' Eastman
Joseph Eastman
Thom^ Eastman
Elisha Sweat
Ebenez' Collins
Theophilus Clough
Ebenezer Sleeper
Richard Clifford
Benjamin Wadlcigh
Samuel Robie
Nathan Batchelder
Elisha Windslow
John Ladd
John Webster Tcr*
Ralph Blasdel
John Young
Samuel Lock
Jacob Merril
Theophilus Griffin
Joseph Young
Joseph Bean
Jeremiah Quimbec
bcr V ii" 1730.
Elijah Blasdel
Samuel Bean, Jr
Moses Rowel
ThoTTias Webster, Jr
William Bussel
John Webster Jr
Cornelius Clough
Thomas Dente
Elias Renas
Benjamin Webster
Samuel Judkins
Joseph Sleeper
Jonathan Chote
Samuel Webster
Samuel Colcord
Aaron Sleeper, Jr
Isaac Griffin
Benjamin Sweat
Benjamin Eastman
Samuel Sanborn
John Gillman
Enos Johnson
Jonathan Sanborn,
John Huntoon
Samuel Fifield
Thomas George
Andrew Webster
Joseph Young, Jr
Daniel Ladd
Samuel Emmins
Philip Hovt
Daniel Blasdell
John Carter
Samuel Eastman
John Osillawav
Nathanael French
Isaac Griffin
TOWN' I'AI'KKS KINGSTON. 437
Another J^ctition Jar a T^ozc/ts/i/p.
To Mis Exccllcv Jonathan Belcher Esq. Capt Generall and
Commander in Chcif in and over his Maj- ~ Province of
New Hampshire in New Enghuid and to the Hon '' His
Maj'"^ Councill for s'' Province.
The Humble petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Kingstown in said Province whose names are annexed here-
unto in a Schedide bv their Order most humbly sheweth.
That voiM' petitioners haveiuLj thro' Great Expence and
many Difficulties Subsisted «!v: held their 'I'owns Possession in
a Long and Tedious warr with the Indian enemy yet a great
many of them to subsist themselves and families hath been
Obliged to sell y*" greatest part of their Lands and some their
Stocks of Cattle, and haveing many Children now Grown up
and fitt to go out and setlc for themselves and many more grow-
ing up ; That will want the like setlem' and your Petitioners
the antient Inhabitants what with the sale they were obliged
(!t necessitated to make as aflbresaid, and the Incroachments of
the Province of Mass' on them, they have not any Lands to
setle their Children on or scarcely to Subsist their families
They therefor most humbly pray that as most of y' Towns in
this province have had grants of Townships to them and none
as yet granted toy' Petitioners that may have a Grant of a Tract
of Land at Amasceaug of about Eight Miles Square (or as y'
Excellcie & hon'' shall see most meet) and y' Petitioners shall
as in duty bound Ever pray.
Ebenezek S'lEVKNS. by order-
Read and Suspended till next session
R. W. Secrv.
Pel it ion of East Parish alwut division of lines.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Capt. Gen. ' <&
Governor in chcife in & over his majesties Province of New
Hamp- in New England and to the Hon" his Majesties
Council & Representatives in Gen' Court assembled Jan.
y'31" i739-4f>-
The Petition of the vSubscribers (a Committee Represent-
ng the East parish in Kingstown) Humbly sheweth.
Whereas it hath graciously pleas'd this great & Gen' Court
to set ort" sundry of the Inhabitants of the Easterly part of
Kingstown in s' Province themselves. Their families & estates
to be a distinct i'arish tVom the Town for which great Good-
ness we return our Humble & hearty thanks, But yet finding
many difficulties & Inconveniences in our present State viz :
438 NEW HAMPSHIRE
There haveing been sundry more Inhabitants Liveing among
our Inhabitants who have Petitioned the town that they might
be sett off to our Parish ; who accordingly granted their Re-
quest & in their capacity set them off to us yet we apprehend
that we have not sufficient Power to Execute the Law upon
them in case there should be occasion for it particularly in re-
gaj"d of our Taxes ; also there are others settled & a settling
among us who are far more Convenient to us than to
the town : & again there are considerable of Lands intermixed
with ours which is not inhabited & belongs chiefly to out
Town men, which we have no power to Rate ; further when
any persons come to settle as Tenants upon the Lands so inter-
mixed as above s' which may be Likely to be a publick
charge, & so may in time be a great Burthen to your s'' Par-
ish, we have no power to warn them off or Restrain them un-
der these Si other difliculties, which your Excellency & Hon*^'
in your wisdom may discover: Wee now again Humbly apply
ourselves to your Excellency & Hon "' praying that you will
be Dleased to perfect that which yet concerneth our full settle-
ment & sure establishment by fixing some line of division be-
tween our s' parish & the Town of Kingstown according to
your great Wisdom & Goodness & Justice, Respecting both
us & our Brethren & friends in the town.
And so shall wee as in duty Bound ever pray.
Joseph Grele Ralph Blasdel ) A com *■■ chosen to
William Boynton Jeremy Webster [ Represent the
Nathan Bachelder Beniamin Morrill [ East Parish in
John Webster J Kingstown
In the House of Representatives
Feb. 2' 1739-40
The within petition Read and Voted That the Petitioners serve the
selectmen of the West part of Kingstown with a copy of the petition,
at the petitioners charge & that thej- appeare to be heard the twelfth
of 3'- Curr' to Shew Cause why the Prayer of the Petition may not be
granted
James Jeftry Clr. Assm.
In Coun. Feb 6"' 1739-4"
Read and concurrd.
Rich' Waldron. Secry
Feb. 6''' 1739-40.
I assent to the above Votes J. Belcher.
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 13"' A D. 1739-40
The within Petition read, and the parties heard by their Council and
the House Having considered thereof. Voted, That'Mr Thomas Packer
& Capt Edward ilall be a committee of this House to Joyn with Such
as the Hon'''' the Council shall appoint to go & view Boath parts of
the Town of Kingstown, In the recess of the assembly and according
to the best of their Judgm to be where it will be most convenient for
a Line between the Easterly pish & the old pish (or westerly part of
the s'' Town) may be made the said Committee to make their return to
TOWN PAPP:RS KINGSTON. 439
the Gen" Ass"" the third day of the next sitting of the Gen" Assembly
& y' the petition" pay the whole charge.
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass'"
In Coun. Feb. 15"' 1739-40.
Read and concurrd & R. Waldron aud Eph* Dennet Esq. appointed
to Joyn in the service above.
Rich' Waldron, Secry
Same day Assented to
J. Belchkr.
Remonstratice against a neiv Parish.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Captain General
& Governor in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire the Honourable his Majesties Council &
Representatives in General Court assembled.
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers a Committee for
the first Parish in Kingston, Humbly sheweth
Whereas at the Last session of the Hon'"^^ Court a number
of the Inhabitants of the East part of Kingston did prefer a
Petition to the hon''' " House signifying their willingness and
ability to support the ministry' and a school & here upon were
set olV their families Persons & estates as a distinct Parish
Notwithstanding they were gratified in this thir Request they
have been Incessiant in their Demand upon the First Parish
Particular to run a line Between the Two meeting houses
which we understand by their explanation of themselves could
be no other way adjusted than by taking The Half Distances
Between the two said Meeting Houses on the Salisbury
Rhode thence running due north to Exeter Line and South to
Almsbury Bounds And to add thirteen men to their number
But conscious of oiu" poverty and Exposed situation we let
them know that we apprehended their Demands were very
unreasonable inasmuch as we had many more Poor Persons
amongst us then were with them who had bin Impoverished
by the warrs, Ilaveing bin obliged to sell the best of their
Lands to their fathers in their Extremity for very small con-
sideration To suppt'rt their familys and we have had great
Rumours of a war and are very much Exposed and must
be obliged to keep Garrisons which besides the Exposing of
our Lives and fortunes would be to us the loss of Each mens
Labours one Day in a week Nearly which would Something
Exeed Their Parish rates Besides the charges of supporting
the ministrv in our own Parish.
Nevertheless we ofi'red them Sutch a line as would circum-
scribe their Estates with the Estates of the thirteen above
mentioned and \\\\ tlK- \'acant lands intermixed with theirs
440 NEW irAMI'SHlKE
which upon their request we have set oiV to the said East Par-
ish. This grant we have made them in hopes they would
have been Easy the we are fully sencible that their might be
named some one farm in their Parish of Greater Income than
some twenty livings amongst us. If we speak of the petition
now lying before your Excelly And lion" we apprehend y' we
ouglit to Expose their Designs Tho not Exprest for a line to
Incompass their estates we do not oppose but vShould be free
to settle Imediately & would have done it without trouble to
the Hon' ' Legislature But to have Persons and famiiys torn
of from us or mens Estates torn to Peices and divided meerly
to gratify their unreasonable restless & insatiable desires is all
that we would humbly Remonstrate against and Earnestly Re-
quest your Excell' & Hon" in your Great wisdom and com-
passion prevent & fix such a line Between us as shall incom-
pass their estates and leave ours intire to this first parish and
your humble Pettioners shall ever Pray, &c.
Simeon Brown )
John Swatt j
Moses Sleeper \ ^-^
T 1 ip-^ 1 1 ( Committee
Joseph Fiheld j
Nath' Smith
Tho^ Webster J
A leagel meeting held by ajornment y'"26"' day of October voted that
those men her under writen both thay Si. theire Estates shall be set of
to the east Parish in this town to pay both ther town rate minister &
school Rate there which being according to there own petition & de
sire.
Joseph Bean Ralph Blasdel, Jr
Obadiah Elkins Henry Bagely
Ralph Blasdel sener Jeremiah Ciirier
John Grifien William Stevens
John Fifield Ebenezer Blasdel
Tho Grifien Jr. Edward IVescot
Joseph Sawyer
This is a true copy taken out of Kingstown book as ates by me
Tristram Sanborn
town clerk for Kingstown.
A Leagel anual town meeting held in Kingstown march y*' 6'" 1739
I'y Lcftenant John Sweet was chosen moderator for that meeting.
4'y It was put to voate to see wheather they wod set of the Est parish
of s'' town by a line and it went in the negative
This is a true copy Taken out of Kingstown Book of reacords as
atest by me^
Tristram Sanborn,
Town clerk for Kingstown
To Samuel Winslow Jedidiah Philbrick & John Huntoon Selectmen :
Kingstown Septemb' the i"' 1740.
Whereas the Gen" Assembly of this province have stated & Settled
he Boundary between the Parishes in this town establishing c^' fixing
TOWN PAP?:RS KINGSTON.
441
the persons & their estates or parts of their Estates, whose Estates or
part of them fall to the East of s** Boundary to the first Parish Provid-
ing they shall within one month Give under their hands to the select-
men their desire to remain with the s*! first parish.
These are to Certifie you the Select men that its our desire & design
to be accounted of & do duty and Enjoy priviledge in s*! first Parish as
witness our hands.
John Swett
Benj" Judkins
"Tristram Sanborn
Moses Sleeper
his
Benjamin Sleeper
William X Buswell
Joseph Clifford
mark
Jonathan Sleeper
Cornelius Clough
Samuel French
William I..ong
his
Simon French
John X Moodey
Samuel Eastman
mark
ICbcnezer P2astman
Thomas Sleeper
Isaac Cliflbrd
Nathaniel Smith
Elisha Swett
Joseph Young
Peter Sanborn
Nathanael French, Jr
Jidediah Philbrick
Samuel Fif^eld
Abraham Sanborn
Jonathan Sanborn
Ebenezer Stevens. Jr
Benjamin Magoon
William Buswell, Jr
Benjamin Stevens
his
David French
Philip X Moodey
John Sleeper
mark
Samuel Judkins
Jonathan Blake
John Judkins
Richard Long
Tristram Sanborn Tert.
lit-njamin Clough
his
Kly X Bedy
mark
This is a True Copy as witness
our hands.
September y 26'' 1740
Jedediah Philbrick ) Selectmen
John Huntoon j Kingston
A true Copie of the
pre mentioned Copie. Attest
Jeremy Webster
Just of Peace.
Petition of Jcdidiah Philbrick for partition of real estate.
To Ilis Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Governor &
Command in Chief in & over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire The Hon''"' His Majestys Council & House
of Representatives in Gen' Assemblv Convened Dec. i'^
'743-
The Humble petition of Jedidiah Philbrick of Kingstown in
s*^ Province as Agent or Attorney for Mary Sewall widow,
Jonathan Bradley & Susanna his wife & Samuel Bradley &
Mary his wife & Josiah Foulsam, Shews, That John Foulsam
Late of Exeter in said Province ^'coman Deceased Died In-
442 VEW HAMPSHIRE
testate Siezed of a Considerable Estate (the administrat of
w''*' was Gi'anted to the s° Mary Sewall being then the widow
Relict of the s ' deceased) & left issue the said Susanna, Mary,
Josiah, & another Child since Deceased. That three of the
said Children were young when their said father died & the s''
Josiah was born after wards the bringing up of which children
& the Debts Due from the s' Dec" with sickness funeral
Charges & other necessar}' Expenses Call'd for most if not all
the personal Estate But so it happens that the said Adm' is not
able to Render any Certain acco' of her Administra" Especially
as it is near twenty years since it was Granted. That by her
Industry & Labour she has preserved the Real Estate which
now Remains to be divided & which all parties are desirous to
have done but as y'- said Josiah is not of full age it cant be
done Effectually by their agreement and the Court of Probate
is of opinion that it cant be Legally done by the Authority of
that Court because by Law an acc^ must be Rendered before
Distribution can be made fortis the Surplus only that is to be Di-
vided. Besides tis also a Doubt whether that court can Inter-
meddle after administra" has been so Long granted wherefore
to Remedy all which your Petitioner in behalf of his Constit-
uents Plumbly prays that a Special Act may be passed Author-
izing Some indifferent persons to make a compleat & final Par-
tition of the said Real estate Among the said Interested par-
ties and to order that the same so made be Recorded in some
of the Public Records and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c.
Jedediah Phii^brick.
In the House of Representatives X'""' the first 1743. The within Pe-
tition Read and Voted that the prayer of the Petition be granted and
that Messrs Benj' Thing Capt Daniell Gihnan & Levt John GiUman be
a Comittee to make Division of said Estate according to Law and that
the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a Bill accordingly
James Jetfrey Clr. Ass'"
December 2'^ i743-
In Council, Read & Concurrd.
Theod. Atkinson Secry.
Eodem Die
Assented to B. Wentwokth.
Petition for a further hearing on Haverhill petition for a
new Parish.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in chief of his Majestys Province of New Hamp-
shire in Council.
The Petition of Eben Stevens & [edediah Philbrick Agents
TOWN PAPERS KINGSTON.
443
for the Town of Kingstown in the Province aforesaid. Humbly
shews.
That in Consideration of a Petition now laying before your
Excellency and the Hon^ His Majestys Council for a Parish
in the Western part of Kingston, and an Appeal now Depend-
ing for want of a Competent Qiiorum of his Majestys Coun-
cil to hear the same together with some other Essential papers
which we are not provided with, your Petitioners humbly pray
that a further Day may be appointed for the Town of Kings-
ton to Shew Cause why the Petition of Richard Hazzen. and
others for a Grant of Incorporation in the District of Haver-
hill so called may not be Granted, and your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall Ever Pray.
Eben' Stevens
Jed ' Philbrick
Portsmouth February 12' 1746.
February 7"' 1746 then Sirvaid the Parrish granted by Kingstown at
the West End adjoining upon Chester and Londonderry Agreement
Line and find it upon s'' Line three miles and a half and one hundred
and ten Rods : and three miles upon the East and by South poynt at
the End agreeable to Said grant.
Sirvid by nie. Sam" Emerson, Sirvaior.
[See plan of West Parish set off from Kingston 7"' February, 1746,
in MS. Vol. IV.. pp. 34, 35. Ed.]
Petition relating to the Basford latid grant.
D . ^ . To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
rrovMice ot /-../-. u /■ a r^ j •
^ _ TT ■ Capt Gen" Governour & Commander n\
^ ' Cheif in and over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire and to the hon''* his Majestys Council and
the hon"'' house of Representatives in Gen' Court Con-
ven'd.
Humbly Shews the Proprietors of the Common and unde-
vided Land in the Township of Kingston in said Province
that one James Basford of Chester in s ■ Province yeoman pre-
tending to have a right to lands in the s' town of Kingston
hath procur'd several persons of Chester afores ■ who stile
themselves Lott layers to make two several returns of lands in
Kingston afores' to him the s' James Bassford one of which
returns is said to be dated y 19'' of sept 1733. and the other
the 37'' of Sept' 1733, in both s' returns are contain'd two
hundred and fortv acres of Land which land is the right and
property of your petitioners and for which the s ' James Bass-
ford hath no Lawfull right or grant neither had the Lott lay-
ers any Lawfull authority to lav out the s' Land and they did
the same without acquainting your petitioners or any of the
NKW HAMPSHIRE
Proprietors therewith, And at his Maj'" ' Superiour Court of
Judicature held at Portsmouth within & for the Province afore
s'' on the first tuesday of August last past the s ' James Bass-
ford obtaind an order for a peremptory mandamus which ac-
cordingly Issued from the clerk of s"^ court dated August 15'"
1746 directed to the Town Clerk of Kingston for the time be-
ing, requiring him in his Maj''" name fortiiwith to Enter & Re-
cord thes'' returns in the record of s*^Town with the other returns
of the laying out of Land in the s'' Town, in tiie same manner
as other returns are enter'd and recorded, being presented to
him by the s'' James or any other person for him paying the
Legal fees for the same and the said Town clerk is therein
also required to make return of s"^ mandamus & his doings
therein inito the s'' Court on the first tuesday in February next
at his peril, By which mandamus if observed by s' Town
clerk your Petitioners humbly conceive they wil be greatly In-
jur'd in their Right to & Interest in the Land mentioned in s**
return, (namely) by s** returns being recorded in your peti-
tioners book of records against your petitioners leave or Con-
sent, the said James being neither Inhabitant of the s'^ Town
nor hath he anv legal right to the land mention'd in s"^ returns
as proprietor or other wais to your petitioners knowledge
wherefore the s'' James Bassford moving s'' Superiour Court for
a mandamus to the clerk to record said returns before a tryal
at the Common Law to Establish his right to the lands men-
tion'd in s'^ return if he had any as also s'' Superiour Courts
Issuing s** mandamus without notifying the Proprietors of s''
Kingston of s'' motion to be heard thereon and shew cause
why s^ motion should not be granted your Petitioners humbly
conceive to be impresidental as also very injurious to your
petitioners and the example hereof may be the like injurious
to the Proprietors of the other towns in this Province unless
your Excellency and hon'^^ interpose herein : Wherefore your
Petitioners most humbly pray that your Excellency and hon'^"
will interpose herein and order that the s'^ mandamus may be
stay'd and all proceedings thereon untill s"* James if he sees
fit make it appear by a tryal at the Common Law that he hath
a right to the land mention'd in the said returns and that your
Petitioners may have opportunity to defend their Just rights in
a due Course of Law and not to have s'' unlawful returns en-
tred and recorded in your petitioners book of records or other
wais grant yo' Petittioners Such relief in the Premises as your
Excellency & hon'" in your great wisdom shall see meet and
your Petition" as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
December 4" 1746.
John Sweett William Long
Benjamin Choat Nathanael French
TOWN 1»APKKS KINGSTON.
445
Joseph Youns Stephen Gilman
Joseph Fifield Benjamin Eastman
Cornelius Ciout^h Paul Sanborn
Simon French Thomas Elkins
Samuel Fifield Tristram Sanborn, Jr.
Joel Judkins Daniel Lad
Samuel Sleeper John Hunton
John Judkins Phillip) Iluntoon, jun
Tristram Sanborn Samuell Webster
Moses Sleeper Joseph Fellows
Benjamin Sleeper John Fifield Jr
Thomas Sleeper Benjamin Webster
John Sweett Jr Ebenezer Stevens, Jr
Samuel Sanborn Sam" Scribner
Elisha Sweet Nathan Baehelder
Sam' Winslo Elisha Winslee
Sam' Colcord Jonathan Sanborn
Nathan Swett Daniel Gilman
Benjamin Swett Jacob Gilman
Samuel Eastman Isaac ?
William Loverin Joseph Elkins
John Younij John Gilman.
In Councell Portsm' Sep" y*" 4''' 1746.
Read & Sent down to the Ilouse.
R. Wibird, pro. Secry.
In Council December 5"' 1746.
Read again & revived & ordered to be sent down to the House.
Theod' Atkinson Secrv.
Province of ) At a Lcgall meeting of the Inhabitants & free hold-
New Hampshire / ers of Kingstown held the Twenty fourth of Sep-
tember 1746. firstly Leiut John Sweat was Chosen
Moderator for that meeting
2'*'>' Voted that we do hereby as far as in uslyethsetoff
Moses Tucker Israel Iluse
John Straw James Husc
Jonathan Colbee James Graves
Daniel Hibard John Bond
Daniel Kid Jacob Wells
Jacob Gurde\ Meshech Gurdey
David Straw John Straw Jr
Reuben Clough William Straw
Israel Huse Jr. Phillips Wells
John Pressey Jacob Tucker
Benjamin Tucker Joseph Dow
John Hogg & . Orlando Colby
Of Kingstown abovesaid with a Certain Tract of Land in said Town
for a distinct Parish or precinct, bounded as followeth Viz' Beginning
at the Beech Tree which is the Dividing boundary between London-
derry .S; Chester said Tree standing on the West Line of said Kingston
and "running Southerly on said Kingston said line as heretofore setled
between said Londonderry ds: said Kingston to the Island Pond (so
called) Then running Easterly South Three miles then Northerly till a
North & by West Course will Strike said Kingston Line (where it
44^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
crosses the mill brook so palled) as heretofore setled between s-' Kings-
ton & said Chester and from thence Viz. where said line crosses s"* mill
brook to run Southerly on said line to the Beech tree first mentioned.
This is a true Copy taken out of Kingston Book of records
Attest Jed'' Philbrick, town Clerk.
Petition of persons in the zvesterly part of Kingston for
town privileges.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt. Generall,
Governour and Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire and to the hon'"'' his Majesty-s
Council of s'^ Province.
The Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the Westerly parts of the Town of Kingston in s** Province,
Humbly Shews, That your Petitioners living so remote
from the meeting house in s*^ town are not able to attend the
publick Worship there on the Sabbath and also by reason of
the distance we live from the Town our other duties & Services
have been for a long time past attended with great charge
trouble and difficulty and we having represented the same to
the s'' town they have at their late legal meeting sett us off as
farr as in them lay as a distinct Parish with land suitable for
the same as by the Votes of s'' Town herewith presented will
fully & plainly appear. Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly
pray your Excellency & hon'* will be pleased to Confirm the
votes of s'^ Town by Incorporating us & all others that do or
shall inhabit or dwell within the Limits of the land so sett off
by the Town into a Parish and that we may have all such priv-
iledges as other parishes have both for the setting up and main-
taining the publick Worship of God and all other duties & ser-
vices appertaining to a Parish. And your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray.
Dated Sep' 26 "' 1746.
Moses Tucker Daniell Kid
James Huse Orlando Colby
Israel Huse Paul Chase
James Graves Benjamin Tucker
Thomas Wells Jacob Tucker
Israel Huse, Jr John Pressey
John Hoog Rolen Clough
John Bond John Straw
Joseph Dow Jacob Wells
Philip Wells Jacob Gordy
Daniel Hebberd Mesheck Gordy
Jonathan Colby Daved Straw
William Straw John Straw Jr.
TOWN I'APKRS KINGSTON. 447
Petition for a jfustice of the Peace.
To Ills Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Goveruour and
Commander in Chief of His Majestys Province of New
Hampshire.
The Petition of His Majestys subjects in Kingston,
Humbly sheweth, That having long Experienc'd the good
Ertccts of the administration of the Civil Authority by a Jus-
tice of the Peace, as that ofHce was used among us by the
Hon' Ebenezer Stevens Esq. deceas'd : since the death of
that very worthv & good Gentleman, we are more Sensible of
our obligations to your Excellency for Establishing such
authority among us ; & affected with our Present disadvan-
tageous & uncomfortable State, for want of such Authority
here ; to prevent disorders, acknowledge Instruments of Con-
veyance, receive the Oaths of Town Officers & We there-
fore humbly Entreat your Excellency to reestablish such
authority in this Place, and having been advised that your Ex-
cellency has condescended sometimes to Enquire of leading
men in a Town who is most likely to support such Commis-
sion with Honour, in respect of the People, If the Governour
were to honour us with such demand we might with humble
submission propose Cap* Jedidiah Philbrick.
And if your Excellencv would further Indulge us we would,
but just say : that having been long disus'd to the Inconven-
iency of going out of Town for such officer. If your Excel-
lency tho't fit to grant such a Favour before our Annual Town
meeting ; we should esteem it an Instance of your great Con-
descention & Goodness to us. & it would afford this People a
Singular Satisfaction.
We humbly beg your Excellency's Pardon for the Freedom,
which your Paternal Concern for the Peace «St good order of
all under vour Government. Condescending Goodness this
People entirely your own and the Exigency of our Present state,
has Encouraged & urged us to take. And humbly ask leave
to add that, If your Excellency shall grant such Commission to
such Person or Persons among us. & in such Time as in your
great Wisdom vou shall think fit. Your humble Petitioners
shall ever pray.
Kingston Feb. 23' 1749-50.
John Fifield, Jr Samuel Fifield
Joseph Bean Elisha Winslow
Sani" Colcord William Calfe
Benjamin Stevens Nathan Swett
Paul Sanborn Tristram Sanborn, Jr
Elisha Sweet Joel Judkins.
John Huntoon
Little Harbour 28''' Feb. 1749.
Sir:
You are hereby desired to Place Capt Philbrick-^ name in the Com-
44^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
mission of peace & lo administer the Oath to him in order to Qualify
him for his Office.
Your hum. Serr'
B. Wentworth.
Coll. Atkinson.
Petition for soldiers to keep the Port.
Province of ) To his Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hampshire | Esq. Capt Gen' & Govern' & Commander
in Chief in and over his Majesties' of
New Hamp and to the Hon ''' his Majes-
ties Council & House of Representatives
in Gen Court Assembled.
The Petition of the Subscribers Humbly shews that, whereas
your Excellency & Hon" Petitioners with our associates Pro-
prietors of that Tract of land Called Maj"" Stevens' town in s**
Prov. out of a view, & Sincere aim of Settling & Encreasing
this his Majesties Govcrnm & thereby to make frontier yet a
greater distance from us. Have Exerted ourselves both in our
persons and Estates in Laying out our land & in Building many
Good Houses to Inhabit, & moveing up many families to dwell
in them and also have Built a goodly Fort for their Safety :
But the Indian Enemy having in the summer past made a
Breach upon us & Captivated several of our Inhabitants &
thereby lessen'* oiu- Number of Inhabitants & discouraged those
that are left and also discourages others from settling so that
we under these circumstances must be forced to move oft' our
s** Inhabitants & so break up our settlements, & Demolish our
Fort, which we humbly conceive may be a damage to this
Governm' Wherefore we humbly pray that your Excellency &
Hon"^ would Consider our Case & Grant us some help of sol-
diers to keep our s'' fort & keep our inhabitants there which w^e
humbly Conceive may be of advantage to this Governm- and
we shall still Exert our selves in promoting & Encouraging-
additional settlements by Encreasing our Inhabitants on s"*
Tract; and so we shall as in dut}'^ Bound Ever pray &
Kingstown January the 30" day 1755.
Jeremy Wehster
Elisha Sweet
Sam" Fifiei.d
Jacob Gale
John Webster
In Council, Jan. 30'' 1755
read & recommended
Theodore Atkinson, Secrv.
I
TOWN rAPP:RS KINGSTON.
449
Petition of sundry persons to re>nai?i in the old Paris/i.
Province of ) Kingston February the 4"' 1760.
New Hampshire ) To tlis Excellency Benning Wentworth
Esq. Captain General and Commander
in Chief of the Province afore's'', and to the Hon '' His
Majesties Council and House of Representatives in General
Assembly Convened.
The Petition of us, the Subscribers inhabitants of Kingston,
Humblv sheweth. That
Whereas a Petition Subscribed by a Number of the Inhabitants
of the Westerly Part of the old Parish in said Town has been pre-
rescnted to the General Court of said province Praying for aPar-
ish which according to the Limmitts Petitioned for will include us
the Subscribers and your Petitioners knowing that in Country
towns every Person cannot be accommodated with a meeting
House at his Door and that the Breaking into so many small
Parishes is (in our Humble opinion) so far from being for the
Intrest of Religion (which is the Pretence) that it is very much
injured by it By the great & needless charges that arise there-
by, and it is very unreasonable (as wee think) for us & our
estates to be laid under those unnecessary Burdens by being
Joyned with them contrary to our inclinations and Intrest.
Wee therefore Humbl}- pray That if your Excelly & Honor'
see Fitt to Grant the former Petitioners a Parish you would in
your great Wisdom & clemency take our Circumstances under
your Consideration and not compel us to Joyn with the former
Petitioners Butt allow uss and our estates to Do duty and en-
joy Priviledges with the old Parish as Before, and your Hum-
ble Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c.
Thomas Elkins
William Sleeper
Abner Whittier
Philip Davis
Eli Silver ?
Joseph Webster
Amos Easman
Isaac Webster
Richard Sargent
Jonathan Sargent
Francis Pollard
Jeremiah Hubbard
Richard Hubard
Thomas Dent
John Webster
llanah Dodge
Joseph Heath
Daniel Hurst
Daniel Sargent
his
William X Sargent
mark
29
Moses Welch
Joseph Heath, Jr
Benjamin Severance
Samuel Stewart ?
Samuel Daves
Ezekiel Davis
John Davis
Joseph Fellows
John Coser
Sam" Davis, Jr
Jacob Davis
Edward Eastman 3'
William Eastman
John Thorn
James Thorn
Benjamin Collins
Jonathan Collins
Ezra Tucker
Timothy Eastman
John Fifield, Jr
Jonathan Harve
Eben'" Severance
450 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sam" Fellows Isaac Flanders
David Flanders William Chales
John Bartlet
Petition for a new Parish.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain Gen-
eral, Governor & Commander in Chief in & over His Maj-
estys Province of New^ Hampshire, The Honourable His
Majestys Council And House of Representatives in General
Assembly Convened, the Second Day of January 1760.
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of that Part of
Kingston in Said Province adjoining on the Parish of San-
down, Humbly shews,
That whereas Providence hath placed us at a great Distance
from any place of stated public Worship in Town & so ren-
dered our Attendance thereon very difficult & our Families
often impracticable : We have built a meeting House among
us to accomodate ourselves & Families, That we & they might
more conveniently attend the public Worship of God & with
more ease & comfort enjoy the Word cS: ordinances necessary
for Salvation, And being disirious at our own cost & charge
to maintain the Worship of God among us, We petitioned
The Town to Set us off to be a Parish Separate from them,
But they (as we apprehend) not legarding our difficult Cir-
cumstances have unreasonably denied our Request : Where-
fore We humbly pray that we ma}- be sett oil" & incorporated
into a Parish distinct from them in the following manner viz''
bounding Westerly on Sandown East Line, thence to extend
Easterly carrying the whole Breadth of the Town till it comes
half way between our new meeting house & the old meeting
house in Town, And that wc may be discharged from paying
to the ministry & the School in the other part of the Town &
enjoy the Powers & Priviledges of other Parishes.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &^'
Samiiell Webster Benjamin Selly
John March Joseph Brown
Obediah Elkens William Brusel ?
Jonathan French Djer Hook
Israel Uirnond Humphry Hook
William Clifford Joseph VVorth
Daniel Brown Elisha Bachelder
Henry Morrill Jacob Hook
Anans Camell Edward Eastman, Jr
Jonathan Sanborn Reuben Bachelder
Beniaman Webster Samuel Sargent
Thomas Welch David Tilton
Joshua Webster Aron Quimby
TOWN PAPERS KINGSTON. 45I
Samuel March [eremiah Flanders
Jeremiah Quiinbj Ephraim Paige
Joseph Sweat Moses Quimby
John March, Jr Henray Hunt
Ezra Tucker John Collins
John Paige David Qiiimby
Samuel Quimbe Benjamin Darling
Elias Rano Joseph Clifford
Nathan Jones Joshua Webster, Jr
Ezra Jones Benjamin Webster Jr
Jonathan Blake Paul Pressey
Malachi Daves William Selley
Stephen Barnard John Sanborn, Jr
John Qiiimby Thomas Wadley
Thomas Eliot Colby William Morey
Elisha Clough Thomas Eastman
In Council Jan. 16"' 1760
The within Petition read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon*''*
Assembly.
Theodore Atkinson, Secy
Province of \ In the house of Representatives, Jan. 16"' 1760. This
New Hamp" / petition bein read, ordered,
That the petitioners be heard thereon the third day of the sitting of
the Gen' Assembly next after the fifteenth of Febry next, & that they
at their own Cost & Charge cause the select men of Kingston to be
served with a Copy of this petition & order of Court thereon, that
they may appear & Shew Cause if any they have why the prayer there-
of should not be granted.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council JanJ 17''' 1760.
Read & Concurr^
Theod" Atkinson, Secry.
Province of 1 In the house of Representatives Feby ig'^ 1760.
New Hampshire / This petition having been read, The parties on
Each side appear'd by themselves & attornej's &
after being fully heard thereon. Voted, that the prayer thereof be grant-
ed So far as to be agreeable to the minutes, on the Back of the plan, &
that the petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson, Clerke..
In Council Feby. 20'*' 1760.
Read & Concurred.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Petition relating to boundaries.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Governor &
Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire. The Hon''' His Majestys Council & As-
sembly of said Province
The Humble Petition of Benjamin Stevens and Elisha Swett
both of Kingston in said Province as Agents for the Proprie-
tors of the common Land there shews
That the Township of Chester lying next to Kingston &
452 NEW HAMPSHIHE
Principally on the Westerly Side thereof the Proprietors of
said Chester have lately Raised a dispute with the Proprietors
& inhabitants of Kingston about the Bounds there and would
Remove the said Westerly Boundary of Kingston, (which
your Petion'" apprehended was fixed & marked before the
grant of Chester) further Eastward & claim the Land between
the line which they give us, & that which we say is the true
Line, and in Consequence of this have bro't an action against
one Bean who holds a parcel of Land between these two
lines, in the Right of Kingston which action is now Pending
at the Infer Court.
That the land between these lines has been almost if not
quite all laid out by Kingston into lots of about forty rods in
Breadth & half a mile in length so that there is a prospect of
many suits at Law before this dispute will be ended in that
way, whicli will be Expensive & Burdensome many ways,
which the Proprietors of Kingston would gladly have settled
in a more Summary method, But that cant be done by the di-
rection of the Law to Renew and Perambulate Boundaries for
they will not agree to the place which we fix for that Renewal
of Perambulation, nor is there any Prospect of Compounding
for each party Claims & seems to be determined to have the
whole. That the foundation of their claim as yo'' Petitioners
suppose is a Supposition that Kingston has more Land than
the Exact admeasurement of their lines wou'd give them
which is no more than may be said of every Tract of Land
laid out in the woods & Especially so long ago as the grant &
Survey of Kingston.
W^lierefore voi:r Petition'^ in behalf of their Principals Pray
that this matter may be Exam'' and by a Resolve of the Leg-
islature Determined which of these two Disputed Lines, or
where the true boundary line of Kingston on the side afore-
said & elsewhere where Chester Disputes with them is, which
your Petition' humbly Conceive will Prevent many suits at
Law & thev will as in duty bound ever pray &'
o o ) for himself &
Benjamin Stevens J ^^.^ g^^^^
In Council Apr 2'' 1761.
The within Petition read & ordered to be sent to the hon'''^ Assem-
bly.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Province of) In the House of Representatives
New Hamp'' / April 2^ 1761.
This petition being read, ordered That the petitioners be heard
thereon the 23' instant, if the General Assembly be then sitting, If
not then on the third day of their sitting next after & thatthej at their
own cost and charge cause the clerk of y' proprietors of Chester to be
served with a copy of this petition & this order of Court thereon that
TOWN PAPKRS KINGSTON. ^3j
he or they mav appear & shew cause if anv thev have why the prayer
thereof should not be granted.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council Eod" Die
Read & Concurred.
Theod' Atkinson. Secry.
Province of) In the House of Representatives
New Hamp' i April 23, 176:.
The parties appearing and being fully heard thereon, Voted, that
Col. Joseph Smith Esq. Mr Zebulon Gidding & Mr Thorn' Wiggin be
a committee to joyn with such as may be appointed by the Hon'''®
Council to Repair to the place mention'd In s*^ petition & Examine into
the premises mentioned therein ii: make Report to this house as soon
as may be.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council Eod Die.
Read & Concurred and the Hon'''' Joseph Newmarch Esq. added on
the part of the Hoard.
Theod Atkinson, Secry.
Report of Committee on the same.
Province of ) May the 29''' 1761.
New Hampshire / Pursuant to the foregoing vote of theGenerall As-
sembly, We the Subscribers being appointed a Com-
mittee to Repair to the place mentioned in the foregoing Petition and
Examin into the Premises therein mentioned have accordingly so done
and for answer do Report and say from the evidences that appear'd to
us on the f^pot and from the Circumstances of the several Towns
Round about do adjudge & Say That the South west Corner of the
Town of Exeter at which stood a Beach Tree on the Stump of which
there is now a pile of stones from which pile of stones or Stump, in the
North line of Kingston at the head of s'' Exeter and from thence to run
westerly to a certain large dead pine tree now standing Marked with
Sundry letters which we Judge is the true Northwest Corner of Kings-
ton, and then from said pine southerly to a Beach tree which is the
South East Corner of Chester and the North East Corner of London-
derry Standing on Kingston's head line, which boundary so far we say
are the true bounds of Kingston and do therefore accordingly Humbly
Submitt the Same.
J. Newmarch 1
Joseph Smith ^,
■/t-, ' ,,r. . c Conmiittee
Thomas Wiggm (
Zebulon GiddingeJ
Province of ) In the House of Representatives
New Hamps / May 31'-' 1761.
This Report being Read, Voted
That it be Received, allowed & accepted & sent up for concurrance.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council June 2<i 1761.
Read & concurred.
Theod. Atkinson, Secrv.
454
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition about Small-pox.
Province of ") The petition of us the Subscribers unto the
New Hamp^ j Honorable the House of Representatives for
the Province of New Hampshire afores**
most humbly sheweth.
That Whereas John Davice and David Flanders both of
Kingston in the Province Afores*^ were enlisted in and went on
the Expedition against Canada In the year Past under the
Command of Cap' Jonson and on their Return home Thay
took the Infection of the Small Pox and falling sick of the
same they fell under our care and greatly to our Cost, And
with Great Confidence in and Reliance on your great Wisdom
and care for the good of the Several Towns and Parishes
within this Province we Do the more chearfully Present our
Petition unto you for your wise Consideration of the same,
humbly praying that you would order the Cost to Be paid out
of the Treasury of this Province And thereby we shall Be
Discharged from the heavv charge of such a Sickness which
was Brought on the persons By their volintaryly Serving
their King and Countary &
And We as In duty Bound shall Ever Pray.
Sam" Winsle '\ Selectmen
Samuei. Fifield V of
Samuel Stueart ) Kingston.
Kingston February the 17''' 1761.
The Account of the Charge of John Davice and David Flanders when
sick with the small pox in Kingston in December 1760, and January
1761, and
Provision and Wood
Nurses
For use of the house
Doctors Bill
Cleansing the house
Selectmens time in taking care of the sick under the
small pox . . . . . . lo 00 00
376 00 00
old Tenor.
The nurses asked £5 Old Tenor pr day.
Deduct for the Select mens Charge w'='' the house will
not allow any thing for .... £10
366
£366 old Tenor. Is Sterlg £14-12-9 Sterlg | £14-12-9 Sterlg.
Province of 1 April the 20"' 1761.
New Hamp'' J Then the men whose names are annexed to the fore-
going Petition Personally appeared and made oath to the
account following the Petition to Be True according to the Best of their
Knowledge Before me,
Eben'^ Stevens, Just. Peace.
£
S
D
114
10
00
201
00
00
10
00
00
15
10
00
-5
00
00
TOWN PAPERS KENSINGTON. 455
Province of "(^ In the House of Representatives
New Hamp' i Apr' 22' 1761.
Voted, That there be allow'd & paid to the Selectmen of Kingstown
or their order Fourteen pounds Twelve Siiillings & nine pence Sterlg,
in full of this petition ^: paid out of money that is or may be In the
Treasury for paying of the Forces last years Campaign.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
£14 ,, 12 ,, 9, Sterlg.
In Council April 25"= 1761.
Read & concurrd.
Theod' Atkinson Secry.
Consented to B. Wentworth.
KENSINGTON.
[Incorporated as a Parish of Hampton T9I'' August, 1737. Ed.]
Petition to send a representative.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over this his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England and to the honourable the
Council and the Gentlemen of the house of Representatives
Now Siting for said province.
The petition of the parish of Kensington, Humblv sheweth,
That
Whereas your Excellency with the honourable Court have
Indulg'd the Westerly part of Hampton falls with the Favour of
having a distinct parish with such privilcdges as other parishes
within this province have Excepting that of making Choice of
a man to Represent them in General Assembly, and we hav-
ing been without this priviledge for these two years past in not
having an opportunity to have our voice in Choosing of a Rep-
resentative, Notwithstanding we pay our proportion of the
Paovince Taxes we desire you would gr^mt us the liberty hence-
forth to choose a man from among our selves to Represent this
Parish in General Assembly, Depending upon the Wisdom
and Clemency of tliisCourt nothing doubtingbut that so Reason-
able a Request will be granted
Robert Row I Select
EzEKiEL Dow j men
And in behalf of the parish.
In the House of Representatives, the within Petition Read and Voted
y' y" prayer of the Pett" be granted.
James Jeffrey, Clr. Assm.
Aug. 6' ' 1740.
456
NEW HAMPSHIRE
At a Legal meeting of the freeholders of the Parish of Kensington
holden in said Parish on the 22'' da v of September 1742 then Voted, that
Robert Row and Ebenezer Brown (i) should put in a petition to his
Excellency and the Honorable Court of this province the next General
sessions for the priviledge of having a Representative.
As Attest Ezekiel Dow,
Parish Clerk.
(1) The same petilion as abovo, was renewed May, 1743, by Robert Row and Eben-
ezer Brown.
KINGSVVOOD.
THE CHARTER OF KINGSWOOD, AND THE PROCEEDINGS OF
THE PROPRIETORS.
[Kingswood was granted, as will be seen from the following charter,
20 October 1737, during the administration of Gov. Belcher. It appears
to have comprehended the towns of Middleton, New Durham, New
Durham Gore, and part of the towns of Gilmanton, Wakefield and
Wolfeborough. J. Farmer.]
C/iar^er.
x o 1' > Province of New Hampshire
George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France &
Ireland King Defender of the faith &'
To all People to whom these Presents shall Come, Greeting, Know
ye that we of our Especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer motioa
for ih^' due Encouragement of Setling a new Plantation for the En-
creasc of Naval Stores and for the better defence of our said Province
of New Hampshire by and with the Advice of our Council for the said
Province of New Hampshire have given & Granted and by these Pres-
ents as far as in us lies do give and grant unto Sundry of our beloved
Subjects Whose names are Entered in a Schedule hereunto annexed and
to their Associates in all to make up the number of sixty and to their
Heirs for Ever in the manner hereafter Expressed a certain tract of land
lying and being -within our said Province of New Hampshire bounded
as followeth viz' Beginning at t'.ie South Easterly Corner of Barnstead
and from thence to run upon the Same Course as Barnstead Easterly
side line runs to Winnipisioky Pond from thence upon a Right Angle
till it comes to the Boundary line between our said Province of New
Hampshire and that which was formerly called the province of Main
from thence on the said Boundary line runneth to the North Easterly
Corner of The Town of Rochester from thence by Rochester and Bar-
rington head lines to the bounds first mentioned and that the same be
a Town Corporate by the name of Kingswood to the Persons in said
Schedule mentioned and their associates as aforesaid and their Heirs for
ever, To Have and To Hold the said Tract of land unto the Persons in
said Schedule mentioned and their associates as aforesaid and their
Heirs forever, on the following Conditions viz'.
I"' That Each Proprietor build a dwelling house within the said Town
and settle a family therein within the space of Five years from the date
TOWN PAPERS KIXGSWOOD. 45^
hereof unless there should be a War and then the space of five years
from the End of such Warr to be allow'd for the same.
3'' '•' That a meeting house be built at the charge of the Proprietors
within the said Town within the space of Five years and an orthodox
minister setled in said Town within seven years from the date hereof
unless there should be a Warr and then the Term of five years from the
End of said Warr to be allow'd for the same.
3'i'" If any particular proprietor or proprietors should not complj
with the Terms of this Charter within the time limited as aforesaid
such delinquent Proprietor or Proprietors shall forfeit his or their
respective Interest Right or share in the said Town unto the rest of the
Proprietors, provided the rest of tlie proprietors do and perform within
Two years after the time limited as aforesaid shall be Expired, what
should have been done and performed by such delinquent Proprietor or
Proprietors Any thing in this Charter contained to the Contrary thereof
notwithstanding Provided nevertheless that there be three hundred
acres of land reserved in said Town for the first Ordained minister in
fee that shall be settled in said Town by vote of the said proprietors and
three hundred acres be reserved for the Second Ordained minister in
fee that shall be setled as aforesaid and six hundred acres for a Parson-
age or Parsonages for ever and three hundred acres for the use of a
school or schools in said Town for ever all to be laid out for the uses
Aforesaid, and the nine hundred acres last mentioned to be applyed for
the uses aforesaid by the Proprietors or Major Part thereof. The Pro-
prietors of said Tract of land Rendering and paying therefor to us our
Heirs and successors or such officer as shall be appointed to Receive
the same the annual Qiiit-Rent or acknowledgments of Ten Pounds of
Hemp upon the last day of October yearly and every year if lawfully
demanded in said Town Reserving also unto us our Heirs and succes-
sors all Mast Trees growing on said Tract of land. And for the better
order and Government of the said Town We do by these Presents for
us our Heirs and Succes ors Grant unto the said Town yearly & every
year to hold Town meetings and to transact all their Town Afiairs as
fully and amply to all Intents and purposes, as any Town in this our
Province of New Hampshire doth or ought to do" according to Law;
and to the said Proprietors to hold Proprietors meetings distinct & Sep-
erate from Town meetings in Any town in our Province of New Hamp-
shire and to choose such officers as they shall think necessary. The first
of which Proprietors meetings shall "be called by the Three Persons
first mentioned in the schedule hereunto annexed by a Notification in
writing by them signed and affixed to some publick place in the Town
of Portsmouth in said Province seven days at least before the holding
of such meeting and Afterwards the said proprietors meetings shall be
called by such persons of said Proprietors and in such a manner as shall
be agreed upon by Said Proprietors or the Major part of them at any
Proprietors meeting And it is hereby further provided that when soever
any sum orsums of money shall be voted to be raised by themajorpart
of the Proprietors at any of their meetings for the use of tiie said Pro-
prietors and any proprietor or Proprietors shall neglect to pay the
proper proportionable part of the same to the Person or Persons who
shall be appointed to Collect And Receive the same for the space of two
months after it ought to be paid according to the Vote for raising it,
The said Person or Persons shall be and hereby are impowered to make
Sale of so much land of any such delinquent Proprietor or Proprietors
that shall be in Severalty at Such times as shall Amount to five times
the Value of the sum or sums assessed on such delinquent Proprietor
or proprietors, The same to be sold at a publick Vendue by such Person
or Persons as shall be appointed to Collect and receive the Same after
458 NEW HAMPSHIRE
fifteen days publick notice thereof given in the Town where the Major-
ity of the Proprietors shall then live and then deducting the charges
that shall then have accrued upon such sale the Remainder shall be de-
posited in the Common proprietors Stock, and we do further by these
Presents for us our Heirs and successors Give and Grant unto the said
Town to Have Hold and enjoy Two fairs in said Town yearly and every
year for ever not Exceeding three days Each the one to begin on
the third Wednesday in May and the other on the third Wednes-
day in September and So de anno in annum for Ever. In Testimony
whereof we have Caused the Publick Seal of our said Province to be
hereunto affixed, Witness Jonathan Belcher Esq' Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over our said Province of New Hampshire the
twentieth day of October in the Eleventh year of our Reign Annoque
Domini one Thousand seven hundred and thirty Seven.
J. Belcher.
By His Excellencys Comand
with the advice of the Council
Richd Waldron, Sec'?
A true Copy from the Original Charter compared and transcribed by
Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
A Schedule of the Persons names to whom the within Charter is granted
viz.
Eleazer Russell W- Frost
Nath' Rogers Benj^ Miller
Matthew Livermore Dan' Moulton
Tho~ Peirce Benj. Gambling
W"> Parker Jn ' Pray
Benj ' Walton Solomon Pike
Sam'i Hart Nich" Whidden
Jos : Molton Jn<^ Fellows
Jn^ Cut Tho* Westbrook
Tho* Wright Dan' Rogers
Jn' Ayers Sam. Sherburn, Inhold''
Solomon Cotton Elliot Vaughan
Dan" Jackson Jr Peter Greley
Sam' Sherburn, Merch' Ichabod Plaisted
Henry Sherburn Jr. Ditto Tho** Newmarch
W'" King Jn" Kennard
Jn" Sherburn of little Harbour Henry Sherburne Jr of the
Jos. Sherburn, Son to Jos. Sher- plains
burne Esq John Dennet son of Eph" Den-
Nath' Mendum net Esq.
Geo. Rogers Moses Dennet
Jos. Whipple Jos Langdon
Jn" Ross Sam' White
Charles Frost N. Castle Geo. Peirco
Jn" Shacktord, Jr Joseph Jackson
Jn" Wood Moses Noble
A true Copy from the original Schedule transcribed & Compared by
Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
Pursuant to a Charter Granted to Sundry persons of a tract of land
lying in the province of New Hampshire called by the Name of Kings-
wood : These are to Notify the Proprietors thereof that they meet at
TOWN PAPKKS — KINGS WOOD.
459
the house of Mrs Ann Harvey Taverner in Portsmouth in New Hamp-
shire Aforesaid on monday the last day of October Instant at two of
the Clock in the Afternoon Then and there, first to choose a moderator
2'">' to choose a Proprietors Clerk 3'">' To admit and Vote in the asso-
ciates according to the Charter, 4>' To agree upon cV: prescribe a method
for calling proprietors meeting for the future till altered by the Propri-
etors, 5'>' To choose such Coinmittees as the proprietor? may think neces-
sary 6'"'-^' To choose a proprietors Tax Collector; as also any other
officer or olfice^^ for the Service of the said Proprietors and to do and
transact any other business relating to the said Proprietors.
Dated October
the 2i»' 1737.
Nath' Rogers ] Appointed by the Charter
Eleazer Russell |- to call the first Proprie-
Matthew Livermore j tors meeting.
A true Copy of the Original Notification transcribed and Compared
by Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
Province of 1 At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the town of Kings-
New Hamp"" (' wood lying in the Province of New Hamp"" at the House
of Mrs Ann Harvey in Portsm'Mn s^ Province on the last
day of October 1737 pursuant to Notification therefor First, Voted that
Nathaniel Rogers Esq"" be Mod'' of the meeting, 2'>' Voted that Matthew
Livermore be Proprietors Clerk who was Sworn to the faithfuU discharge
thereof by George Jaffrey Esq.
3<"y Voted that Shadrach Walton Esq be admitted an associate in
said town of Kingswood, That George Jaifrey Esq. be admitted an as-
sociate in s*' town, That Totham Odiorne Esq be admitted an associate
in s'' town. That Henry Sherburne Esq be admitted an associate in s<l
town, That Richard Waldron Esq. be admitted an associate in s'^Town,
That Ephraim Dennet Esq. be admitted an associate in s*' town, That
Joshua PeirceEsq. be admitted an associate in s<' Town, That Joseph
Sherburn Esq. be admitted an associate in s'^ town. That Ellis Huske
Esq. be admitted an associate in s*^ Town, That Theodore Atkinson
Esq. be admitted an associate in s"' Town That Mr Andrew Belcher be
admitted an associate in s'' Town.
4'.'' Voted that Eleazer Russell Esq. Nath' Rogers Esq. and Matthew
Livermore or the Major Part thereof be a committee to call Proprietors
meetings for the future as they shall see occasion till further Order.
5'> Tliat upon application of Ten whole share Proprietors or so
many as are Equivalent thereto made unto the afores' Committee for a
Proprietors meeting the said Committee or Major part of them shall
call a Proprietors meeting within the space of Twelve days after such
application made and give seven days notice thereof in writing under
their hands or the Major Part of them to be set up at some publick
place in Portsmouth in the Province of New Hampshire and that when
a Proprietors meeting is called upon such application made the said
committee shall insert in the notification for calling such meeting, who
they were that applied for, and the particular Business they would have
done and transacted at Such meeting.
6"' Voted that three persons of the Proprietors be a committee to
Consider of a proper method and agree for a number of Persons to set-
tle the Town of Kingswood according to the Charter and make their
Report thereof unto the Proprietors at a Proprietors meeting for con-
firmation and that the said Committee agree with a person or Persons
to run such lines as said Committee shall think necessary and make
Report thereof as soon as mav be.
4.6o NEW HAMPSHIRE
ytiiiy Voted, That Nathaniel Rogers Esq. Eleazer Russel Esq. and
Matthew Livermore be a committee for the business mentioned in the
Sixth Vote.
g.: y Voted that Henry Sherburne Esq. be Treasurer for the Proprie-
tors of Kingswood till further order
gtiiiy Voted that Mr John Fellows be Tax Collector for the Proprie-
tors of Kingswood till further order
jQihiy Voted that Each Proprietor pay the sum of twenty shillings to
the Tax Collector which he is impowered to collect of each Proprietor
by shewing a copy of this Vote and to be pay'd by Each proprietor to
s'' Collector within the space of fourteen days from the date hereof,
which moneys when collected, the said Collector is to pay i;nto the
Proprietors Treasurer for the use of the Proprietors.
ii'>' Voted, that the Committee mentioned in the seventh Vote be
impowered to draw out of the hands of the Treasurer of the Proprie-
tors such sum or sums of money as said Committee shall have occasion
for, for the use of the Proprietors and to render an account of their
disposition thereof to the Proprietors as soon as may be and s ' Treas-
urer is hereby impowered to pay such sum or sums.
I2'J' Voted That the Proprietors clerk be Impowered to purchase a
Book for the use of the Proprietors to enter the charter and Schedule
and all the Proceedings of the Proprietors in, and that s^ clerk draw
money out of the Proprietors Treasurers hands to pay for s' Book who
is hereby Impowered to pay the same.
I3i.^' Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Wednesday the Six-
teenth day of November next at the House of Mrs Ann Harvey in
Portsmouth in New Hampshire at two of the clock in the afternoon.
Nathi Rogers, Moderator.
A true cop3' trau'^rribed from the original minutes and compared by
Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
Novf i6"' 1737.
Proprietors met according to adjournment and the coinittee not hav-
ing finished their Report, it is voted that this meeting be further ad-
journed to Fryda_\ the Twenty fifth day of November Int.tant at two of
the clock in the afternoon at the house of Mrs Ann Harvey Taverner
in Portsmouth in New Hampshire.
Nath' Rogers, Moderator.
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
Nov^ 25"' 1737.
The Proprietors met according to adjournment, and the Committee
not yet having finished their Report it is Voted that this meeting be
adjourned to the first Monday in December next at two of the clock in
the afternoon at the House of Mrs Ann Harvey Taverner in Ports-
mouth in New Hampshire.
Nath' Rogers, Moderator
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore.
Proprietors Clerk.
December the 5"^ 1737-
The Proprietors met according to adjournment, and Voted that the
following Report of the Committee be accepted namely. That they had
conferred with Doct' John Ross in order to agree with him upon Terms
for settling the Town of Kingswood and that they had employed a
surveyor to run the Westerly side line of Kingswood and to coast the
TOWN PAPERS KINGSWOOD. 461
Pond from the upper Part thereof down to lower arm of it, and that
the said Surveyor had done according to their order and n)adea Return
thereof bv which it appear'd to the said Committee tiiat they could not
agree with any Person in order to a Settlement till some other line or
Lines were Run. Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Thursday
the fifteenth day of December Ins^ at the House of Mrs Ann Harvey,
Taverner in Portsmouth in New Hampshire at Three of the clock in
the after noon.
Nath' Rogers, Mod""
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore,
Proprietors Clerk.
December 15" 1737.
The Proprietors metaccording to adjournment And i^' Voted that the
Committee, namely Nathanael Rogers c^- Eleazer Russell Esq'^ &
Matthew Livermore Already appointed to agree with a Person or Per-
sons to run such line or lines of Kingswood as they should think neces-
sary be a committee to agree with a Surveyor or Surveyors to run such
other line or lines of the s'' Town of Kingswood as are not Already run
as said Committee shall think necessary and that they do the same
business at the Expence of the Proprietors of said Kingswood and that
they make their Report of their doing relating thereto to the said Pro-
prietors as soon as said Committee Conveniently Can.
2J'>' Voted that Each Proprietor of said Kingswood pay the sum of
twenty shillings to Mr John Fellows Tax-Coliector for s'^ Proprietors
that the same be collected by s<^ Collector in the method already pre-
scribed and Voted, and that the said Collector pay the same to Henry
Sherburne, Esq. Treasurer for s'' Proprietors to be drawn out of the
hands of s Treasurer by the 8"^ Committee for the use of said Proprie-
tors.
3'"T Whereas it is found by Experience that every meeting of the Pro-
prietors Afores<J is attended with an unavoidable Expence to those pres-
ent, it is therefore Voted that the Expence of Each respective meeting
of said Proprietors begining at this present meeting not Exceeding the
sum of forty shillings shall be born by the said Proprietors and that
the Moderator of said Meeting be and hereby is impowered to draw on
the Treasurer of s'^ Proprietors to pay said Expence not exceeding said
sum at each respective meeting and how much of said sum shall be
spent at each respective meeting shall be Voted at such meeting.
^tbiy Voted that the sum of forty shillings be Expended at this meet-
ing
^tiuy Voted that this meeting be adjourned to the thirteenth day of
January next at two of the clock in the Afternoon at the House of Mrs
Ann Harvey Taverner in Portsmouth in the Province of New Hamp-
shire.
Nath' Rogers, Mod'
A true Copy from the Original Minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore,
Proprietors Clerk.
Jan. I3«' 1737-8
The proprietors met according to adjournment, And i"'. Voted that
the sum of nine shillings be Expended at this meeting.
2i.^' The surveyor not being returned, Voted that this meeting be ad-
journed to Thursday the nineteenth day of January In"' at the House of
Mrs Ann Harvey Taverner in Portsmouth in the Province of New Hampf
at two of the Clock in the afternoon.
Nath' Rogers. Mod"-
462 NEW HAMPSHIRE
A true Copy from the original Minutes transcribed and Compared bj
Matthew Livermore,
Proprietors Clerk.
Jan. nineteenth 1737-8
The Proprietors met according to adjournment and !»' Voted that the
first settlement in the town of Kingswood shall be in the Southerly
Corner of said Town
2iy Voted that Col" Henry Sherburne, Richard Waldron & Matthew
Livermore Esqs shall be and hereby are appointed a Committee to agree
with such Person or Persons as they can to procure sixty families to set-
tle in the Town ship of Kingswood as soon as may be for the Interest
of the Proprietors and that the said Committee be & hereby are author-
ized and Impowered to ofter in the name of the Proprietors of said
Township, for the Encouragement of the settlers, a number of acres of
the land in the said Township not Exceeding three hundred at the Dis-
cretion of the s*' Committee for Each family to be laid out in such man-
ner and form as the said Committee shall think proper, agreeable to the
preceding Vote, and that each share of land which the said committee
shall cause to be laid out and appropriated to Each setler shall be good
& pass the Right of the Proprietors in said share, to such setler his
Heirs and assignees forever And that the said Committee shall cause to
be laid out besides, three shares of land of the same contents, one for
the first minister, his Heirs snd Assigns forever, one for a Parsonage
to the use of and in the first settlement or District in the said Township
forever, one for the use of a school in said settlement or District for-
ever and also three hundred acres more for each Proprietor in as Equal
a manner as They can for the mutual Interest of the Proprietors, and
further that the said Committee cause all the aforesaid one hundred and
twenty three shares of land to be laid out in so many and such Divi-
sions as they shall think proper (Each to be done in the same manner)
at the cost and charge of the Proprietors.
3ly Voted that forty shillings shall be Expended at this meeting.
4'3" Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Fryday the twenty seventh
day of January In"' at two of the clock in the afternoon at the House of
Mrs Ann Harvey Taverner in Portsmouth in the Province of New Hamp-
shire.
Nath' Rogers, Mod'
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore,
Proprietors Clerk.
January y« 27''' 1737-S.
The proprietors met according to adjournment, and first Voted, that
thirty three shillings and sixpence shall be expended at this meeting.
2l>' Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Fryday the tenth day of
February next at five of the clock in the afternoon at the House of
Mrs Ann Harvey taverner in Portsmouth in the Province of New
Hampshire.
Nathi Rogers, Mod"^
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livermore,
Proprietors Clerk.
Province of | At a meeting of the Proprietors of the town of
New Hampshire J Kingswood in the province of New Hainpshire on
the tenth day of February 1737-8 at the house of
Mrs Ann Harvey, Taverner in Portsmouth in the Province of New
Hampshire by adjournment,
TOWN PAPERS — LANCASTER. 463
!•' Voted that the sum of seventeen shillings shall be expended at
this meeting.
2'y Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to the sixteenth day of
March next to the House of Mrs Ann Harvev Taverner in Portsmouth
in the Province of New Hampshire at two of the clock in the after-
noon
Nath' Rogers Mod^
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Livcrmore
Proprietors Clerk.
Province of ) March ye i6"i 1737-8
New Hamp"" / The Proprietors met according to adjournment, and
voted I*' that forty shillings shall be expended at this
meeting.
2'y Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Fryday the Thirty first
day of March Instant at two of the clock in the afternoon at the usual
Place.
Nath' Rogers, Mod'
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed and compared by
Matthew Ltvermore
Proprietors Clerk.
Prov. of 1 March 3i« 173S.
N. Hampr j The proprietors met according to adjournment and
Voted I"' That the sum of fourshillings and three pence be expended
at this meeting.
2'y That this meeting be adjourned to Tuesday the Twenty fifth day
of April next at two of the clock in the afternoon at the usual Place.
Nath' Rogers, Mo<*
A true copy from the original minutes transcribed & compared by
Matthew Livermore
Proprietors Clerk.
LANCASTER
AND OTHER TOWNS BORDERING ON IT.
[Lancaster was granted to Capt. David P.ige and others, July 5.
1763. Ed.]
Min7ites of Council.
At a council held at Portsm" by his Excellency's Summons on Friday
March 13'' 1772, Present, His Excellency the Gov"^
Theodore Atkinson 1 ,-. , t„«-'„ ^
D„„ie}Ri„dge Es<,r« gS fcgS } ■^".-^
Daniel Pierce ) '=
The petition of the proprietors of Lancaster Northumberland, Shel-
burne, setting forth the utility of a Road from Conway to Connecticut
River on the East of the White hills, and praying his Excellency would
be pleased to order the Surv'^ General of Lands to mark out a proper
Road & Issue such further order thereon as will eflfectuatc the same:
464 NEW HAMPSniUE
Whereupon the council took under consid" the premises and the matter
therein contained appearing to be reasonable & tending much to ad-
vance Si. facilitate the settlem' of that part of the Country, as well as
for the general benefit & advantage of the province it istho't expedient
& his Excellency is accordingly advised, When he thinks proper, to
issue orders for the surv'' gen- to Enter on the Said Business : and that
this Petition be referr'd to the Gen' Assembly at their next meeting in
order that provision may be made to defray the Expence thereof.
Copy from the Minutes of Council.
Examined br
"Geo : King D. Sec>
Petitio7i for soldiers.
Whereas we the Inhabitants of Lancaster Northumberland,
Guildhall & Stratford are fully sensible of the Danger of being
attacked by the Canadians which are the Wors' of Enemys &
although some of our neighbours have Qi^iit the ground yet
we the Subscribers Do Jointly & sevcrly promis & ingage to
Stand our ground providing the Hon'" Counsell sees Fitt to
grant our request That is this, that you will pleasure us your
petitioners so far as to apoint Mr Jere ' Ames of Northumber-
land our friend and Neighbor, Commander of our fort which
with a great Deal of fetage we have almost acomplished and
Likewise for him the s'' Ames to have orders to inlist as many
men as the Hon' Cort in their Wisdom will see fit, we do in-
gage to inlist our selves and obey his orders as long as he is
stationed in the uper Coos and Commander of the fort.
Northumberland July 6"' 1776.
Thomas Blogget David Larned
Sam" Nash Samuel Page
Emmens Stockwell Abner Osgood
Ward Bailey Abel Larned
James Blake John Trickey
Nathan Casvi^ell James Curtiss
Archippas Blogget Abijah Larned
Josiah Blogget Moses Qiiimby
Dies Sawyer Joseph Barlow
Eliezer Rosbrook Abner Barlow
LANDAFF.
[Landaff was first granted, Jan. 3, 1764, to James Avery and others;
but failed for not fulfilling the' conditions. It was then granted to the
Trustees of Dartmouth College, 1774; but subsequently to the Revolu-
TOV\ I'APERS LANDAFF. 465
tion. the first grantees renewed their claim, in law, and the grant was
restored to them. Ed.]
Petition of Trustees of Dartmouth College.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"^ Captain General,
Governor, and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire & and to the Honorable
his Majestvs council in said Province.
The Petition of the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth Col-
lege, in said Province. Humbly Sheweth
That there arc ten Families settled & settling in the Town-
ship of Landaff in the county of Grafton and Province afore-
said, and a number of others are expected very soon to enter
and settle there. That the Inhabitants have already suffered
many disadvantages for want of an Incorporation of the same
and must soon sutler many more and greater Inconveniences
unless an act of Incorporation of said Township be soon ob-
tained.
We therefore earnestly request your Excellency and Honors
to take the matter into your wise and Judicious Consideration
and that you will please to incorporate said Township of
Landaft'. Granting to the Inhabitants of the same all such pow-
ers and priviledges as arc usual and Customary to be granted
to Incorporations of Townships, and any other privileges and
advantages as your Excellency and Honors in your great Wis-
dom shall Judge Expedient for the benefit of the same under
its peculiar situation and relation to this College. And your
petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
By order of the Trustees,
Beza Woodward, Clerk.
Dartmouth College Aug. 26"* 1774-
Names of Persons settling & Settled as heads of Families in Landaff.
Nathaniel Ilovev George Mineham
Elisha Cleveland Alpheus Hill
Joseph Warner Joseph Cleveland
James Ilovey John Phillips
John Bedel Darid Wodward
Minutes of Trustees of Dartmouth College.
At an Annual Meeting of the Trustees of Dartmouth College held
at said College Aug. 25' • 1774, Present,
The Reverend Eleazer Wheelock D. D. President.
The Honorable George Jaffrey, Esq.
The Honorable Peter Gilman Esq.
The Reverend Benj ' Pomerov D. D.
The Honorable John Phillips "Esq.
Bezaleel Woodward Esq'^
The Reverend Eden Burroughs
John Sherburne Esq'
Elisha Paine Esq'
30
466
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Voted, and resolved, To present a petition to his Excellency John
Wentworth Esq" Governor of this Province and to the Honorable his
Majestys Council for an Incorporation of the Inhabitants of the Town-
ship of Landaff and that the Clerk of this Board be directed to draw
and sign the same.
A true Copy of Record.
Attest
Beza Woodward, Clerk.
LEMPSTER.
[This town was granted by charter January 5, 1767. Settlements
were made about 1770, by immigrants from Connecticut. Ed.]
Petition of Capt. jfosepk Spencer for an extension of the
charter.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
New Hampshire ) Captain General, Governour & Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Prov. of New Hampshire aforesaid and
Vice Admiral of the same, In Council.
The petition of Joseph Spencer Esq'' in behalf of the Major
part of the Grantees and proprietors of the township of Lemp-
ster in the said province. Humbly shews,
That the Charter of the said Township of Lempster was
granted on the 5"' January 1767 on Certain Terms of Culture
&'' Expressed to be performed within 5 years from the date of
the Grant, and your petitioner begs leave to represent. That as
there are many difficulties which unavoidably attend the settle-
ment of a new plantation Especially one that is at a remote
distance from any Inhabitants many of the Petition'"' have abun-
dantly Experienced the discouragements arising therefrom,
particularly in being obliged to cut Roads thro' the woods to
their respective Lots at their ownExpence, which has principally
retarded their compliance with the duties of the Grant ; it has
been peculiarly hard upon them as sundry of the Original
Grantees have not to this day contributed in the least degree to-
wards the settlement thereof, whereby those who have used
their endeavours tho' not to full efi'ect are liable to share the
Fate of the (totally) delinquent, notwithstanding which incon-
veniences there are Eight Families actually resident on the
premises, and Eight more that have improv'd so as to able to
go on in the spring besides other Improvements, which affords
a fair prospect to settle the same without delay, but as the
TOWN PAPERS LEMPSTER. 467
Charter is so near expiring Your Pet' are thence induced to
request that your Excell & honours will be pleased to lengthen
out the said "Charter for the Term of Four years, In which time
the petitioners hereby promise & Engage to fulfill the Condi-
tions required by their said Grant, and to Exclude, if your
Excels & honours think proper those Grantees who have been
entirely negligent as aforesaid, whose Names are as follows,
Viz' Alexander Steward, Alex Steward Jr. Daniel Gates Na-
than Gates, Dudley Woodbridge, Oliver Woodbridge, John
Steward & John Steward Jr And grant them to such of his
Majestys Subjects as are willing to settle their respective Rights
or shares in the said Township or otherwise as to your Excell''^
and honors shall seem just and right.
And your Petition as in duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Spencer.
Portsm" 28"' Decemb. 1771.
Names to take the forfeted Rights in Lempster
Bozenger Salter Richard Sparrow
John Southmayd James Sparrow
James Dickison Peter Spencer
Nathaniel Sparrow
w , 1 1 r- , • /■ I- f These are right,
Leave one a blank Exclusive of above w, Wkntworth.
LITCHFIELD.
[This town was early granted by Massachusetts as a plantation to
William Brenton. and for a long period called Brenton's Farm. It was
afterwards included in the Old Dunstable Grant, and belonged to that
town until 1734, when it was set off and made a distinct Township, as
appears from the following Petition. It remained under the jurisdic-
tion of Massachusetts until i74i,when the establishment of the line be-
tween that Province and New Hampshire separated it from that Gov-
ernment. It was incorporated under the administration of Gov. Ben-
ning Wentworth, 5 June, 1749. John Farmer.]
Petition of the Inhabitants of Litchfield for a toxvnship.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General,
Governour and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire in New England and To the
Honorable his Majestys Council for said Province.
The petition of the Inhabitants of that Tract of Land lying
and being in the Province of New Hampshire by the late set-
tlement of the Boundary between the said Province and the
Province of the Massachusetts Bay by his Majesty in Council,
Called and known by the Name of Litchfield most humbly
468 NEW HAMPSHIRE
sheweth, That upwards of Sixty years past the town of Dun-
stable was Granted by the Government of the Massachusetts
Bay and laid out.
That in the year 1734 a part of Dunstable was set oif and
made a distinct township by the name of Litchfield, by the
Government of the Massachusetts Bay, That the inhabitants of
said town acted and Governed themselves by the Laws of the
Massachusetts till the settlement of the Boundary Afores'^
That they have latel}'^ settled a minister among them. That
they at present labour under Great difficulty for that they are
not in a capacity to act as a Town by any authority from the
Province of New Hampshire.
Wherefore your petitioners pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours in your Great Wisdom and goodness to take this petition
under Consideration and to Erect the said Tract of Land which
contains six miles square nearest into a township with such
Powers and Priviledges as other Towns within this Province
have and enjoy, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray Sl'^
, ^ ) In behalf of
lOSHUA CONVARSE Ki d ..■^■
the Petitioners
Feb. 16"' 1 741-2
Petitio7i of inhabitants of Litchjield and Nottingham-ivest
for the same.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt General
and Comander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England and to the Honourable
his Majesties Counsel and House of Representatives of said
Province in General Court Assembled, at Portsmouth the
The Petition of some of the Inhabitants of Nottingham and
some of the Inhab'tants of Litchfield humbly sheweth thatyour
Petition'" After a meeting house was built in Nottingham and
before any was built in Litchfield, erected a meeting
house for the publick Worship of God where both we and our
families might attend upon God in his house, and since that
another meeting house has been set up in Litchfield, so that
your Petitioners are put to the utmost difficulty to attend upon
the publick Worship of God, and it is almost impossible for
the rest of our families to weight upon God in his house, it
being five, & for many of your petitioners more than six miles
to the publick worship of God. so that we are obliged to leave
our families behind us which fills those of us who have small
Children with the Greatest distress imaginable lest some sore
accident should befall them in our absence. And the rest of us
TOWN PAPERS LITCHFIELD.
469
with the Greatest Grief and sorrow, that our families cannot
accompany us to the house of God Under these distressing
circumstances we have applyed ourselves, both to the town of
Nottingham and Litchfield for Relief, but they have done noth-
ing for our help, and your Petitioners have for some Consider-
able time maintained and Supported the publick worship of
God among us at our cwn cost and charge, and at the same
time paid our proportion toward building a meeting house,
both in Nottingham and Litchfield and towards supporting the
Ministry in both towns, and those of your petitioners that live
in Nottingham have don our part also towards settling a min-
ister in Nottingham. Your Petitioners Therefore do humbly
pray that we may be erected into a township there being a suf-
ficient tract of land in the North W'esterly part of Nottingham,
and Southeasterly part of Litchfield to make a compact Town
without any predjudice to the towns of Nottingham or Litch-
field only coming half way from Litchfield Line at the North
westerly End of Nottingliam To Nottingham meeting house
and going lialf wav from Nottingham line at the Southerly end
of Litchfield, on both sides of y' river, to Litchfield meeting-
house this would make a good township and would not be any
Disadvantage Either to the Town of Nottingham or Litchfield
And so we might all of us be accommodated for attending
upon the public worship of God, But if your Hon ' in your
great Wisdom sliall not think it for the best to Erect us into a
township then our humble petition is that we may be made and
inrested with all the priviledges of a parish with the Bounds
above mentioned or as much of the Lands within these Bounds
as your Honours shall think fit and that you would be pleased
to send a committee upon our cost and charge to View the
towns of Litchfield and Nottingham, and Report what they
shall think proper to be done for us and your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Nottingham. Litchfield.
John Tayler Nathaniel Hills
Nathan C'ross Henry Hills
William Cumings Ebenezer Spalding
Roger Chase Joseph Kidder
John Robinson Joseph Kidder Jr
Eleazer Cumings Ezekiel Hills
James Baret Joseph Polard
Moses Baret Henry Hills. Jr
John Carhan.? Robard Melurn
John Marshal Stephen Spalding
Edward Spalding John Huston
John Marsh Nath' Hills Jr
Thomas Marsh James Hills
Benjamin Greely Daniel Hills
Josiah Cumings Smith Hills
Joseph Hills
John Horkisson.
47© NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition relating to the support of a minister.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Cap' General
and Comander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England. December y'' 25'"
1742.
The petition of some of the Inhabitants of the uper part of
the District Called Nottingham and some of the Inhabitants of
the Lower part of the District Called Litchfield Humbly
sheweth, that whereas your Petitioners have made application
to your Excellency and the honourable Court of said Province
set forth by a petition in the year past to be erected into a town-
ship or parish agreeable to said petition, and it has not ben
your Excellency and Honourable courts pleasure to make any
Confirmation to your petitioners as yet and in as much as your
Petitioners circumstances is very difficult upon the acount of
our being such a great distance from the publick worship of God
in both places that it is almost impossible to attend the publick
worship of God especially in the winter season and difficult times
in the year that it is unaccountable to relate the difficulties and
hardships that we our selves and families undergo in all sea-
sons of the year, and your petitioners have for many years a
grate part of the time maintained the gospel among ourselves
upon our own cost and charge where we and our families May
with conveniency attend upon God in his house, and under
these distressing circumstances our humble petition is that
your Excellency would be pleased to free all of us who has
already made there application to your Excellency and the
honorable Court from paying any more or further Rates and
Town charges in Either of the said Towns Towards support-
ing y^ ministry for so long a term of time until your Excel-
lency and the honorable court shall further Determine in
Answering to s'' Petition"^' who have all reddy made there
application or for so long a terme of time as your Excel-
lency in your Honors Clemency and goodness shall seem most
meet.
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Nathaniel Hill Eleazer Cumings
Ebenezer Spaulding John Robinson
John Marshall Edward Spaulding
Josiah Cumings Nathan Cross
William Cumings Josiah Dutton
TOWN PAPERS LITCHFIELD. 47I
Petition relating to the settlement of a minister.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq. Capt Genral
and Comander in Chief in and over His Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England.
January y 34^" 1742-43.
We the Subscribers of the Districts called Nottingham and
Litchfield who are your Excellencies former Humble Petition-
ers Beg leave to acquaint your Excellency. That we are Re-
main united in our earnest Desires to be Erected into a parish
or Township Seperate, but in as much as your Excellency
Dont as yet see fitt to grant this our Petition we Rest your
Excellencies Contented Humble Subjects as to that but many
who knows the Difficulties we Labour imder upon the account
of going with our Families to the stated places of Publick
Worship of God in the Towns we Respectively Belong to and
also upon the account of the Difficulties and Disturbances that
seems to be Dayly arising in maney churches consarning the
points of Religion and your Petitioners are all unanimously
agreed as to that great and important affi^ir have advised us to
proceed in calling and settling a Gospel minister with us upon
this we chose a Committee to Take the advise of the Neigh-
bouring Ministers who Informed said Committee that they
look upon it that it might be for the Glory of God and that
intrest of Religion to settle one that might be able to Take us
bv the hand and Lead us in the way wherein we should go
but not^vithstanding we have had this advise and we united in
our Desires to proceed yet we thought it not consistent for us
to proceed till we had your Excellencies advise fearing we
should incurr your Excellencies Despleasure therebv which
we would Take all Lawfull means to avoid. Therefore we
your Humble Petitioners Do earnestly Desire that your Excel-
lency would stoop so Low as to Consider our circumstances
and advise us and if your Excellencv will give us liberty to
proceed or in any measure countenance us in our proceeding
so far "-hat wee should have Reason to think that we should not
incur ? your Excellencvs displeasure and vour Excellencv will
still Lay us your Humble Petitioners under the greatest obli-
gation. As in Dutj' Bound shall ever Pray.
Nathaniel Hills Roger Chase
Nathan Cross Eleazer Cummings
James Hills John Robinson
John Marshall Josiah Dutton
472 NEW JIAMPSIIIRE
Petition relating- to the payment of a minister.
To His Excellency Benning Wintworth Esq. Capt. General
& Governer in Chief in and over his Maf^ Province of New-
Hampshire.
Your Excellency May remember that part of the inhabitants
of Nottingham & Litchfield so called Refer'd a petition to your
Excellency & y'^ rest of y'' Hononible Court in Humbly pray-
ing- that we your humble petitioners with our respective Estates
might be Erected into a distinct town or Parish that so we
might have y Gospel preached among us with greater conven-
iency, & from y incouragement that we have had from time
to time from your Excellency, and others of y*" honourable
Couit, that we should be freed from paying taxes to our re-
spective tov/ns & also in due time to be made a town or Parish
that we have obligated ourselves to a minister one that has
been with us almost three years, and is still with us, & we
some time last winter gave him a unanimous invitation to set-
tle with us in the ministry, but your Excellency was pleased
to write to us and in your letter you sij,nified that it might be
proper to deferr the settlement of a ininister with us till May
last past & out of obedience we omitted what we have for a
long time wish'd for, we understand that y'' honourable court
is now rise ; and we your Humble Petitioners tho't it not im-
proper to write to your Excellenc}' not only to acquaint you of
our earnest desire to have a gospel minister settled with us. but
also to know of your Excellency, whether we are obliged by
the late act that was made by y honourable Court to impower
Several Districts Laying by y' province Line to raise money
to defray ti)wn charges to pay taxes to our respective Towns,
or whether your Excellency with y' rest of y Honourable
Court will Judge it sufficient for us to pay y' minister that has
been with us, we humbly pray your Excellency to think of us
in our dejected circumstances — so we remain part of your Ex-
cellencys former humble petitioners
Nottingham & Litchfield. August 8'' 1743.
Nathaniel Hills William Cumings
Henry Hills Nathan Cross
John Marshall Edward Spalden
Josiah Cumings Roger Chase
Ebenezer Spanlding Eleazer Cummings
James Hills Bradbury Morison
Petition for men and miiitary stores.
Litchfield June 12' 1744.
We the Subscribers, Inhabitants of y' town of Litchfield,
Apprehending our selves Exposed to Imminent danger both
TOWN PAPERS 1.1 ICHFIELD.
473
from the freiich & Indian Enemies, & being in no Capacity
to make a proper stand in case of an attack from them.
Do constitute & appoint Mr Jonathan Powers as our del-
egate requesting liim in tlie s' Capacity with all Convenient
bpeed to repair to Portsmouth &. to repreSv^nt ouv deplorable
case to his Excellency our Captain General & y- General As-
sembly & request of them such aid both with respect of men
^ military stores as to their great Wisdom may think meet &
which may put us in a capacity to repell all attempts of s' En-
emies.
James Hills
John Huchason
Joseph Pollard
John Robinson
Robert Maloon
John Taylor
Joel Dix
Jonathan Cumings
Sam' Moor
Robart Richardson
John Usher
Samuel Nahor
Johanis Karr
Jacob Hildreth
Phinehas Underwood
Nathan Kendall
Christopher Tempel
David Whitemore
John Stearns
John Harwell
Timothy Underwood
Amos Kindel
John MCluer
Henrv Hills
Ezekiel Hills
Henrv Hills, Jr
Steven Spaulding
Thomas Mash
Alexander Colwell
James Karr
Nathan Kendall jun.
John M Colestone
Benj. Blodget
Josiah Richardson
William Road
Thomas Parker
Robert Read
William Patterson
Peter Russell
Parich Richardson.
Petitio7i of Xathati Ke7idall relating to boundary line.
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esq. Capt. Gen' Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in cS: Over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire and the Hon''' His Majesty's Coun-
cil for said Province. August 22'* 1746.
The Humble Petition of Nathan Kendall in behalf of the
People Inhabiting a place called Litchfield on the Easterly side
of Merrimack River shews,
That the said Inhabitants desire to make a Grateful acknowl-
edgment of the favour which your Goodness has Inclin'd you
to grant them in giving them a Charter of Incorporation as a
Town & Enfranchising them with the usual Liberties Immu-
nities & Privileges of which the}' desire to preserve & Culti-
vate a just Estimation.
That notwithstanding the fatherly Care & Tender Regard
shown them in this Particular the good design & Intention is
Intirely defeated, for by some Mistake or Misrepresentation
474 NEW HAMPSHIRE
the Boundaries given in the said charter are different from what
the Intention was, as they Conceive, for part of that which
was called Litchfield on the Easterly side of the said River is
in fact taken into Nottingham & incorporated as parcel of that
Town and what is left of Litchfield is much too small for a
Town & cant possibly Subsist as such & there is no place to
which it can be join'd nor from whence any thing can be taken
to add to it.
That as these Charters have been lately made out it is likely
they may not yet be Recorded, and as there is a mistake it is
not Improbable that the Inhabitants of Nottingham may agree
to Deliver up their Charter & take a new one Agreeable to the
Bounds Originally designed Especially if they found it to be
your Excellencys & your Honours Pleasure to have it so.
Wherefore your Petitioner Most Humbly prays that the Prem-
ises may be taken under Consideration & such remedy Pro-
vided as is above suggested or such as to your Wisdom & good-
ness shall seem meet and your Petitioners as in duty bound
shall in behalf of his Principals Ever pray &c.
Nathan Kendall.
In Council August 23'' 1746.
The within petition read & ordered that the select men of Notting-
ham West be ordered to Appear before y Gov & Coun" on y» 3'! Tues-
day of September next to shew reasons if any they have why the prayer
of the Petition may not be granted & that, in Order hereto they be
served with a Copy of the within Petition & this Order.
Theod" Atkinson, Secry.
Petition for a Parish on the East side of the river.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt. General
and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire, March y*^ 28"' 1746.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the district of
Litchfield Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioners are about
forty familys being a part of Dunstable old grant living on the
North Easterly Corner of s*^ Grant That the center of our town
being about eleven miles from the Province Line we had not
the least apprehention of our being aflected by the fixing of
Towns near said Line and that your petitioners have Paid
above two thirds towards the support of the Gospel for many
years, and that we are not only forty families upon the Easterly
side of the River but that we have Land to accomodate a
considerable Number more that the Inhabitants of Litchfield
on the west side of the River dont exceed thirteen or fourteen
familys who we are very willing should be disannexed from us
In regard to the great Danger and Defficulty which we know
TOWN PAPERS LITCHFIELD. 475
they are Exposed to In Crossing the River in order to attend
the Publick worship of God Notwithstanding of all which
Either by our having been Inadvertantly over look'd or forgot
when Instructions were given to the Committee of the Honour-
able Assembly for settleing the Districts in these parts or by
some other means unknown to us we understand that it is In-
tended that we be annexed to that District upon the west side
of the River and that our Center and place of Publick worship
be on the westerly side which would oblige Above forty fam-
ilys constantly to cross the River to our great and unspeakable
danger and difficultv. In order to meet with about thirteen or
fourteen famelys. May it Please your Excellency to take the
Difficult case of your Petitioners under your wise considera-
tion and so to fix things that we may not be obliged to Cross
the River for although we have Lost a Number of familys on
the Westerly side o{ the River we have accommodations on
the East side that is now onsettled that is Likely in a few years
to Regain the Number Lost on the other side, so that Consider-
ing the Difficulty and Danger we must be at in case we were
obliged to cross s ' River to attend publick worship we think
that we can be much better accomodated to be Erected into a
town on our side and much greater satisfaction to the inhabit-
ants. Therefore your petitioners Desire to be Incorporated
with the Injoyment of all the Land on the East side of s River
in s' District and to be Invested with the Privilidge and Im-
munities as other towns in s' Province are, and your Petition-
ers as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray.
Patrick Taggart William Qesten
Parish Richardson John G^sten
Hugh Nahor James Nahor
John Butterfield John Taylor
Jacob Hildrcth John Orr
William Richardson Amos Kendall
Nathan Kendall Robo't Richardson
Peter Rusel John Huchason
Robeart Darrah William Bonner
Alexander Parker James Nickols
Robeart M' Keen James Darrah
Robert M Keen Jr James M Night
Alexander Calwell Garet Rowan
Thomas Karr David Whittemore
John M" Allester Daniel Kendall
Petition relating to the same, as above.
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esq. Capt General
and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire, Si May y" 17"' 1746.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the District of
476 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Litchfield who are your Excellencies former Petitioners Humbly
Sheweth That Whereas we have Requested to be Erected into
a Town with all the Lands within fhe Bounds of s' District on
the East side of the River and whereas there is a small Feeke
of land lying Above Brintons farme (so called) lying about
two miles on the river from the North line of said larmc to the
upper Corner of s ' peeke and not Exceeding six families and
not accomodations for many more, and the inhabitants in s''
peeke signifying their indefrency as to their being Incorporated
with us, and may it Please your Excellency in as much as there
is a Number of Lihabitants who are taken off on the other side
of the River your Petitioners Desire that the uper End of Not-
tingham Taking from Litchfield Lower Line down to the
mouth of Nashua River, mav be annexed to us the Inhabitants
in s'^ part of Nr)ttingham being well situateci and about twelve
or thirteen families and the farthest not Lying much more than
a mile from Litchfield Line and have frequently attended pub-
lick worship with us formerly and with the addition of that
part of s*^ Nottingham in case s'' Peeke should be Disannexed
from us we think we shall be well acomodated to make a
Township and to maintain the Gospel among us and not to Dis-
comode our Neighbouring Lihabitants. May it therefore Please
your Excellency to take the Difficult cause of your Petitioners
into your wise Consideration and fix things that we may be In-
corporated & invested with town Powers and priviledges as
other towns in s' Province are.
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound sliall ever pray.
Nathan Kendall in behalf of s Petitioners.
Jacob Hildreth Robert APKeen, Jr
Hugh Nahor Robert Doreh
James Nahor Amos Kendall
Alexander Park Daniel Kendall
Alexander Colwell Peter Russell
William Bonner James M Night
John Huchason Thomas Kan-
John Taylor Henry White
David Campbell Garet Rowen
John M'^^Allester William Questen
James Nickels John Questen
Robert M Keen TTavid Whittemnr
Petitio7i to be inchidcd in the west division of Couttties.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov' &c, The
Hon'' his Majestys Council & house of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened Portsmouth y*= 9' of April
1754-
Wee The Subscribers Inhabitance of Litchfield in the Prov-
TOWN PAPEKS LITCHFIELD. 477
ince of New Hamps having been Informed that sundry of the
Inhabitance of this Province on the westerly side of Merri-
mack River have remonstrated to this Hon ' Assembly the
necessity of this Province being divided into Two countysand
pray it may be done by such Dividing Line as shall be tho't
fit and in asmuch as the Town of Litchfield is situated and
very Comodious to joyn with the Western Division and are at
a great Distance from Portsm not less than fifty miles the
usual travelling roads, the Place where all the Courts arc held,
in case we should not be Included in the West division twill
lav us under very great difficulties, and no advantage to any
body, besides the necessary assistance in the charge of erect-
ing the necessary Buildings of a County.
Wherefore we Humblv Pray, That your Excellency and
Hon would please to grant that in stating the Dividing Line
between the Countys Litchfield may be Included in the west
Division and as in Duty Bound shall ever pra\'.
Tliomas Parker Josiah Richardson
William Read Peter Russell
Alexander Calwell David Whitteniore
William Bonner, Jr Paletiah Russell
David Kendall James Underwood
William Bonner John Parker
William M Keen Robert Darrah
William Karr Charles M'Clurge
Benjamin Blodget Arthur Darrah
James Nahor William Patterson
William M Qiiesten Andrew Cochran
Thomas Kar John Cochran
Nathan Kendall John Butterfield
Petition of Isaac Cutnmings to he taxed in Notti?igham-
XV est.
To his Excellency Bening Wentworth Esq. Governour kc the
Hon his Majestys Council & House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened at Ports New Hampshire, y"
3'' day of December, 1754.
The petition of Isaac Cumings of Litchfield Humbly shews,
That your Petitioner when Nottingham West was Incorporat-
ed by this Government As the town lines was then Run he
was Included and Taxed to all the Public Taxes of tliat Town,
& In vSpccial to the Building and finishing a meeting house
there.
That then and ever since he has attend the Publick ministry
There and is better comoded tlian he can be with any other
town.
That about three or four years after Notting West was Incor-
478 NEW HAMPSHIRE
porated, a Town adjoining was Incorporated by the name of
Litchfield, & some Time Afterward On Remeasuring the Lines
of Nottingham West and settlcing them with Litchfield they
left your Petitioner in Litchfield (his house and a small matter
of his land) the rest of his Lands in Nottingham. Whereby
your Petitioner is defeated in his Expectation & lost the Benefit
of the Heavy charges he paid for building the meeting house
to the necessary new Hyways as well as many other charges &
Greatly Incomoded if he must attend the Publick Worship at
Litchfield.
That when Nottingham meeting house was determined where
to be sett they had regard to your Petitioner & considered him
as one of that town & by which House he can be well accom-
odated.
Wherefore y' Peti' most Humbly prays That y' Excellency
& Hon" would be pleased to take the premises into Considera-
tion and grant that he & that part of his Homestead that Lyes
in Litchfield may be so far annexed to the town of Nottingham
West as that he may be taxed there for all ministerial rates &
Excused from the same in Litchfield & to Building & Repairs
of any meeting house in Litchfield & y' Petitioner as in duty
Bound shall ever pray.
In Council December 12''' 1764.
read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''' House.
Theod' Atkinson Secry.
December 12"' 1754.
We the subscribers of the Township of Nottingham, Testifies to the
truth of the with in petition as follows :
Ezekiel Chase
Thomas Colburn
Joseph Winn
James Hues
Stephen Clark
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Dec. 12'^ 1754, Upon
New Hamp' j the reading the within Petition, Voted that the Petitioner
be heard on the within Petition on the third day of the
setting of the General Assembly next After the first day of March next
and that he serve the selectmen of Litchfield at his own cost with a
copy of this Petition and of the orders thereon to shew cause if Any
they have why the Prayer of the Petition should not be granted.
Matthew Livermore
Clerk
In Council December 12"' 1754
Read & Concurred,
Theod'' Atkinson.
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY. 479
Petition for a grant of a Ferry.
To His Excellency John Wentwoith Esq Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majes-
W% Province of New Hampshire. In Council.
The humble Petition of Lucy Read of Litchfield in the
County of Hillsborough and Province aforesaid, Widow,
Sheweth, That your Petitioners late Husband Capt William
Read was in his Life time Siczcd and possess'd of a Consider-
able tract of land on the Eastward side of Merrimac River in
Litchfield aforesaid and did (without anv Grant from His
Majest}') improve a Ferry about three miles and an half Above
Col' Lutwyches, called & known by the name of Reads Ferry,
for about Twenty five years before his death, which happened
about 4 years ago.
That the said William Read in his life time, and the said
Lucy since his death have been at a Considerable Expence in
Boats & attendance to Expedite the same Ferry, & make it
commodious agreeable to Law.
Notwithstanding which premises your Petitioner is advised
That the s Title under the said William is precarious and
sho' Any stranger obtain a Grant thereof it wo' Embarrass and
greath' hurt your petitioner who has also six children by said
William all now under age to maintain.
She most humbly intreats your Excellency wise tender re-
gard of the premises to Confirm unto her the aforesaid improved
and accustomed Ferry by Grant from His Majesty.
And your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray &
LiTCY Read
Litchfield 18"^ May 1772.
LONDONDERRY.
[This town was originally called Nutfield, and was granted to a com-
pany of Presbyterians of Scotch origin, who emigrated from Ireland.
It was settled about the ii'- of April, 1719. by sixteen families, who
were accompanied by Rev'' James MacGregore, their first minister. A
new parish, which is now Londonderry, was incorporated 25 February,
1740. and a second parish, now Windham, was incorporated 12 Febru-
ary, 1742.
The town was divided in 1827, and the old parish was incorporated by
the name of Derry, while the second parish retained the name of Lon-
donderry. Ed.]
480 N'EW HAMPSiriKE
Petition of the Inhabitants of Londonderry for a. Charter^
21 Sept., 1719-
[This paper was restored to the Secretary's office in 1827. after bavinp
been out of it 86 years. John Farmer.!
The Humble petition ot the People late of Ireland now set-
tled at Nutfield to his Excellency the Governor and General
Court assembled at Portsmouth Sep' 23' 1719.
Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioners having- made appli-
cation to the General Court met at Boston in October last and
having obtained a grant for a Township in any part of their
unappropriated lands took incouragement thereupon to settle
at Nutfield about the Eleventh of Aprile last which is situated
by Estimation about fourteen miles from Haverel meeting
House to the North West and fifteen miles from Dracut meet-
ing House on the River merimack north and by East. That
your petitioners since their settlement have found that the said
Nutfield is claimed In' three or four ditierent parties by virtue
of Indian Deeds, yet none of them Otiered any disturbance to
your petitioners except one paity from Newbury and Salem.
Their Deed from one John Indian bears date March the 13"
Anno Dom : 1701 and imports that they had made a purchase
of the said land for five pounds, bv virtue of this deed they
claim ten miles square Westward from Haverel line and one
Caleb Moodv of Newbury in their name discharged our People
from clearing or any wais improving the said land unless we
agreed that twenty or five and twenty families at most should
dwell there and that all the rest of the land should be reserved
for them.
That your petitioners by reading the Grant of the Crown of
Great Britain to the Province of the Massachusetts bay, which
determineth their northern line three miles from the River mer-
rimack from any and every part of the River and by advise
from such as were more capable to judge of this Affair, are
Satisfied that the said Nutfield is within his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire which we are further Confirmed in, be-
cause the General Court met at Boston in May last, upon our
renewed application did not think fit any way to intermeddle
with the said land.
That your petitioners therefore imbrace this opportunity of
addressing this honourable Court, praying that their Township
may consist of ten miles square or in a figure Equivalent to it,
they being already in number about seventy Families & Inhab-
itants and more of their friends arrived from Ireland to settle
with them, and many of the people of New England settling
with them, and that thev being so numerous may be Erected
into a Township with its usual Priviledges and have a power
TOWN- I'APEUS I.ONDONDKIIKV. 481
•of making Town Officers and Laws, that being a frontier place
they may the better subsist by Government amongst them, and
may be more strong and full of Inhabitants :
That your Petitioners being descended from and professing
the Faith and Principles of the Establist Church of North
Britain and Lo\ al Subjects of the British Crown in the family
of his Majesty King George and incouraged by the happy ad-
ministration of his Alajesties Chief Governour in these prov-
inces and the favourable inclinations of the good people of
New England to their Brethren adventuring to come over and
plant in this vast Wilderness, humbly Expect a favorable an-
swer from this honourable Court and your Petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray & , Subscribed at Nutfield in the
name of our people Sep' v' 21^- X719.
By
James Gregg
RoBERTT Wear.
Petition for Bills of Credit^ &c.
To his Excellency the Governour and Honourable Council of
New Hampshire in General Court assembled at Portsmouth
Apr. iS'-' 1721.
The humble Petition of the People of Nutfield,
Humbly sheweth. That your petitioners are sensible of the
Goodness of God and Care and Protection of his Excellency
the Governour and Council of New Hampshire in supporting
and defending their plantation for which they render them un-
feigned Acknowledgments of duty and respect.
That your Petitioners are in a Growing condition having al-
ready Exceeded the number of three hundred and sixty souls
of which there are one hundred and thirty Eflective men capa-
ble to bear Arms for his Majesty King George, as his Excel-
lency the Governour and Council may think fit to Employ
them.
That altho' your petitioners have Exhausted their money in
Subduing the wilderness yet they are Carrying on all the parts
of good Husbandry and building a House for the worship of
God ;
That your Petitioners want to be incorporated, that the af-
fairs of their settlement may be managed with greater advan-
tage.
May it therefore please your Excellency and your Honours
to give order that our people which are already so numerous
may not be too much Confined in respect of room bv any
31
XEW HAMPSHIRE
newer settlement in our Neighbourhood, that Bills of Credit
May be lent out unto them upon due Security in some term of
years to be paid again without interest in Hemp and other
product of the land in such a summ as may iucourage their
Husbandry and especially their building of a meeting House,
and that they may be duly invested with town Priviledges by
Royal Authority, And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray &c.
David Cargill
Abram Blair
Rob" Wear
John Senter
James Nesmith
Samuel Moor
John Moor
Joseph Symons
Joseph Crosbee
Ronald Alexander
Abel Merrill
Thomas Bogell
Rob't Doke
James Nikels
Alex' Nickels
Williame Nikels
John Barnet
Ja : Archibald
James Alexander
Thomas Steel
Will. Wilson
Will. Thomson
Edward Aiken
Ramin Willson
John Richey
John Wallace
Andrew Todd
William Humphry
James I>indsey
Matthew Clark
James Clark
Rob' M'Keen
[o: Bar
Gabral .? Bar
Hugh Montgumery
Samuel Morison
Abraham Homs
John Blair
James Morison
John Morison
James Moore
Andrew Spavid ?
Arch : Clendinen
Alex Walker
Sainuell Allisone
Will. Campbell
Allen Andrews
John Coghran
Will Coghran
Alex' Macneall
William Cambell
David Morison
John Archbald
James Aiken
Will. Aiken
John Bell
Will: Caldwell
John Barnet
William Eayrs
Ja : M' Gregor
David Cargill
James M'keen
fames Gregg
Robert Willson
Samuel Graves
John M'Neall
John Mitchell
James Leslie
Silas Creyes
John M'Morphy
James Anderson
John Blair
James Blair
John Shilder
Beniamin Kidder
John Anderson
Robert Morisone
Stephen Peirce
Edward Proctor
John Goffe
John Goffe, Jr
Henery Green
John Cromey
John M' Conochey
( Seal ot ]
< Londonderry >•
( Charter " J
TOWN PAPERS I.ON'DONDERRY. 483
Charter of Londo?iderry.
George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France
Seal of 1 «& Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c.
To ALL People to whom these presents Shall
come, Greeting : Know ye, That we of our Especial
' ' ' Knowledge and nieer motion for the due Encourage-
ment of settling a new plantation by and with the advice and Consent
of our Council have Given and Granted and by these presents as far as
in us lyes, do give and grunt in Equal shares unto Sundry of our Be-
loved Subjects whose Names are Entered unto a Schedule hereunto an-
nexed That Inhabit or shall inhabit within the said Gi'ant within our
Province of New Hampshire all that Tract of Land within the follow-
ing Bounds Being ten miles square or so much as amounts to Ten
miles square and no more — Beginning on the North East Angle at a
Beach Tree marked which is the south East angle of Chester and Run-
ning from thence due South on Kingstown Line four miles and an half
and from thence on a West Line one mile and three Quarters and from
thence South six miles and an half and from thence West north West
nine miles and an half, and from thence North Eleven miles and an
half from thence north north East Three miles from thence East
South East one mile and from thence South South West to the South
West Angle of Chester and from thence on an East Line Bounding
on Chester Ten miles unto the Beach Tree first mentioned. And that
the same be a Town Corporate by the name of Londonderry to the
persons aforesaid forever, provided Nevertheless and the True Intent
and meaning of these presents is any thing to the contrary Notwith-
standing, that Nothing in this our said Grant shall extend to or be un-
derstood to extend to Defeat prejudice or make null and void any claim
Title or pretence which our Province of the Massachusetts Bay may
have to all or any part of the Premises Granted as afforesaid or the
Right Claim Property or Demand of any Private Person or Persons by
Reason and means of all or an}- part of the said Granted Premises fall-
ing within the Line as Boundaries of our said Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay. To Have and to Hold the said land to the Grantees and
their Heirs and assigns forever upon the following Conditions, Viz'
I ' Thtit the Proprietors of every share Build a Dwelling House within
three years and settle a Family therein and Break up three acres of
Ground and plant or sow the same within four years and pay his or
their proportion of the Town charges when and so often as occasion
shall require the same.
2' That a meeting House be built within four years.
jiU.v That upon Default of any particular proprietors in Complying
with the Conditions of this Charter on his part su'ch delinquent propri-
etor shall forfeit his share to the other proprietors to be Disposed of by
Vote of the Major part of the proprietors. And in case of an Indian
Warr within four years more after the said Warr is ended for perform-
ance of these conditions the said men and Inhabitants also Rendering
and paying for the same to us our Heirs and successors or to such offi-
cer or officers as shall be appointed to Receive the saine the annual
Qiiit Rent or acknowledgment of one Peck of Potatoes on the first day
of October yearly for ever Reserving also to us our Heirs and Sucessors
all mast Trees Growing on said Tract of Land according to the acts of
Parliament in that behalf made and provided and for the better order
Rule and Government of the said Town We do by these presents grant
for us our Heirs and successors unto the said grantees that yearly and
ever}' jear upon the fifth day of march for ever except upon the Lords
<iay and then upon the monday next foUouin j ili.\ shall meet elect and
404 NEW HAMPSHIRE
-choose bj' the Major part of the electors present all Town officers ac-
cording to the Laws and usage of the other Towns within our said
province for the year ensuing with such power privilidges and author-
itjs as other Town officers in our province aforesaid do Enjoy as also
that upon every Wednesday in the Week for ever they may Hold Keep
and enjoy a market for the buying and selling of goods Wares and
Merchandize and all Kind of Creatures, endowed with the usual privi-
ledges, profits and Immunities as other market Towns usually hold pos-
sess and enjoy and Two Fares annually for ever the first to be held or
kept within the said Town on the Eighth day of October next and so
De anno in annum for ever and the other on the eighth day of May fol-
lowing in like manner provided if it should so Happen that either of
the days tall on the Lords then the said Fares shall be held and kept
the day following, and that the said P^are shall have hold and possess
the libertys, Priviledges and Immunities that other Fares in other
Towns usually possess Hold Sc Injoy.
In Witness whereof we have Caused the seal of our said Province to
be hereunto affixed. Witness, Samuel Shute, Esq Our Governour and
Commander in Chief of our said Province, the 21'*' day of June Anno
Domini 1722, and in the Eighth year of our Reign.
Samuel Shute.
By advice of the Council.
Richard Waldron, Cler.
Copy Examined.
Theodore Atkinson Secry.
T'^e Schedule of the na?nes of
dcrr
John Moore 1. Share
Abel Morril i.
James Morrison i.
Robert Willson i.
Randel Alexander i.
John Mitchel i.
Samuel Moore i.
Robert Doake i.
Archibel Clandinins i.
John Archibels i.
Alexander Walker i.
John Barnet i.
James & John Doak i.
John Clark i
James M Keen, & Son 2.
Henry Green i.
James Anderson 1.
Jonathan Taylor i.
James Nickels i.
James Alexander i.
Alexander Nickels i.
William Nickols i.
Coll' John Wheelwright i.
David Morrison i.
William Humphry i.
Edward Procter i.
Samuel Morrison x.
the Proprietors of London-
y.
John Barr & Sons 2.
Benjamin Kidder i.
Abraham Holmes i.
David Crag & \ ^
William Gilmore J
John Gray i.
John Given i.
John Stuart i.
Joseph Kidder i.
William Avers i.
Thomas Steal i.
John Goffe i.
Thomas Bogel i.
Samuel Graves "1
John Crummy /
Elizabeth Willson & 1 ^^
Daughter Mary j
Samuel Allison i.
Martha Clark i.
Samuel Graves, Jr. i.
John Goffe Jr. i.
John Morrison i.
James Linscy i.
Stephen Pearce i .
Robert Wier i.
James Lesly i.
Andrew Spaldin i.
TOAVN PAPEKS LONnONPERRV
485
Allen Anderson i.
John Anderson i.
Alexander Mac Murphy (^
& James Leget " i ^'^■
Mr M Grc<<ore & Sons, 3.
James Blair i.
James M Gregore for 1
servant J
James Nesmith i.
John Blare 1.
James More i.
James Clarke i.
William Grage 1.
John Grage i.
James Grage & Sons 2.
William WiUson \
and John Rickcv / ''
David Cargil Jr. i.
William Tompson i.
Hugh Montgomery i.
Robert Morrison i.
Alexander M Neal i.
William Camill i.
Capt David Cargil i.
Robt Boyes i.
John M' Murphy i.
John M Neal i.
John Archibald Jr. i
James M Neal i.
Daniel M Doughty 1-2
Samuel Huston i.
John Shields 1-2
James Rodgers 1-2
Joseph Simmons i.
Elias Keves i.
John Senter i.
Robert MacKeen i.
Jenet, Samuel and John
M Keen
William Cochran i.
David Bogel 1-2
John, Peter and "I
Andrew Cochran J
James Grage
Samuel Graves I've;
Robert Boise
lames Ackin i
William Ackin i
Edward Ackin i.
John W'allace i.
Benjamin Wilison i.
Andrew Todd i.
John Bell i.
Capt Cargill for \
2 Servants j
George Clark 1-2
Thomas Clark 1-2
Nehemiah Giften 1-2
James M Glason 1-2
The parsonage Lot i.
John Barnet Jr. i.
John M' Coney i
John Woodbourn i
John Maclarge 1-2 ?
Benning Wentworth i.
Richard Waidron Jr. i.
Lieutenant Governor Went-
worth I.
Robert Armstrong 1.
Robert Auchmuty i.
John Roby i.
Memorandum over & above what is already given in this schedule it,
added to Mr M Gregore 250 acres, to Mr M'^Keen 250, to Mr David Car-
gil 100 acres to Mr James Grage 15O; to John Gotfe 100, for good ser-
vice and to the Two last mentioned, viz' Grage and Goffe a mill
Stream withm the said Town for their good Services in promoting the
settlement of the said Town.
Richard Waidron,
Clr. of the Council
Province of 1 June 21"' 1722. Admitted Proprietors and Common-
New Hampshire I ers in the town of Londonderry with the Persons
mentioned in the Schedule His Excellency Gov-
ernor Shute, a Home Lot and 500 acres. His Honour Lieutenant Gov-
ernour Wentworth a Home Lot & 500 acres Samuel Penhallow Esq. i
share. Mark Hunking i share, George JaftVey i, Shadrack Walton i
Richard Wibird i. Thomas Westbroke, i, Thomas Packer i, Archibald
M'pheadris i.
Richard Waidron
Clr of theCouncil.
E^nterd and Recorded according to the original the
IS'" Day of June 1743.
Pr. Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Province of
New Hampshire
Copy Examined.
P Theodore Atkinson, Secry
Copy Examin'd, p. Geo : Jaffrey, C.
486 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petitio7t abotit running the lines.
To the Honourable the Lieu' Governour and Council of New-
Hampshire.
The humble petition of James MacKeen and James Greg in
the name of the people of Nutfield, Humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitionei's are deeply sensible of the divine good-
ness in disposing the Honourable Lieu*^ Governour and Coun-
cil of this Province from time to time to father and support
our settlement.
That our Plantation is very numerous for the time, that our
first divisions are filled with Inhabitants, and that we are ready
to lay out and fill up vSecond divisions.
That we find ourselves too much confined in respect of room
by the lines of Dunstable and Haverill and having no other
way to enlarge ourselves but to the Northward, we did on the
eighteenth day of April last run a line from the most northerly
Angle or corner of Haverill a mile and half Westward, and
then turned Northward ; That the people of Cheshire have
lately run a divisional line too close upon us and have cut off
diverse of our homestedd divisions ; which was the more sur-
prising to us in regard it was done without our Knowledge.
Tho' the people of Cheshire were ordered by the honourable
Lieut Governour Wentworth, before they did run the addi-
tional line, which themselves had consented to run west North
west from the Peke of Haverill, to give us advertisement.
May it therefore please your honoui's to give orders for the
running of a West north west Line from the said Corner of
Haverill as a mean between our Line and that of Cheshire,
and that our second divisions which we are now ready to lay
out and fitt up along the said line may not be disturbed in
their settlement, And y Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray &'.
Petition relating to common lands.
Province of | To the Hon'"'' John Wentworth Esq. Lieut
New Hampshire ) Gov' & Comander in Chief in & over
his Maj"^-^' Province of New Hampshire
& to the Hon**'" y" councill & house of Representatives in
Gen" Court assembled.
7"'he petition of usy*" subscribers, Lihab''* & prop'' of London-
derry within his Maj''" Province Most Humbly Sheweth.
That in y* year 1722, By the special Grace & bounty of this
Gover'"', yo"" Pete'^ & Sundry others of his Majestys Most
Duty full Protestant subjects were embodied into a Township
& favoured with a Charter for y"" Town byy" name of London-
TOWN PAPERS LOXDONDKRKV. 487
<lerry and were thereby entitled to all y" Priviledges, Right &c
Imunitys v' other Towns in y'' s'* Province usually hold &: en-
joy, y' in May 1723 the s'' town voted y* three men should Lay
out y'' wants of homesteads and amendments & to y* David
Cargill, Wm Aiken & Jn MacMurphy were appointed y*^^ three
men, on y'^ 30 of Jany 1723-4 it was also voted y committee
before appointed to lay out wants of homestead & amendm'*
shall lay out y' same quantity, quality DistencecSt Conveniency
considered, y' on y'' 6"' of March 1726-7, Andrew Todd, W'"
Aiken & Jn M" Murphy were Chosen a comittee for laying out
y"-' wants of Homesteads, Highway Land & Amendm" tho y''
Petif' humbly observe there were some y' put in their disent
ag"*' yo same, y' y' s"^* committee with' taking any previous
oath to y'^ true & faithfull Dischai-ge of y'' trust reposed in them
as artbres'' proceeded in their work, but with what equality & jus-
tice will appear to y"'' hon'^ from very many Instances to long
to be enumerated in y" body of this petition ; but by a paper
here to annexed with reference thereunto being had more full}'^
will appear y*- after y"^ s'' Comittee had thus with' any regard
to proportion & Justice : but in so doing served not only y*" in-
terest of y™selves but of such others who were so happy as to
gain their fav"" at y"' Expence of Man}' of y"^ old prop- ' Interest
& Just Right & Title in such comon & undevided lands as
they thus imequally laid out \;* y' s'^ Lott layers with' even ac-
quainting y'^ s' town with these their s'"' proceedings for appro-
bation, or according to Law equity & Good Conscience they
ought to Do, gave to such persons as they laid out to Coppy"
of thair respective Lotts, who Imedately recorded y" same in y"
Province & Touu Records, v* most of y^ substantial & well
thinking prop' of y"" s'^ Town being Justly alarmed at these
extraordinary & unprecentall proceedings at a town meeting
Sometime in August last, Voted y" Actings & Doings of y""
s'' Comittee to be null & void as by s'' Vote more fullv will ap-
pear to y''' hon'' whereupon It was to be hoped y' y*^ same
would put an end to y" unhappy distractions & Divisions of s*
Town. But so it is : and so a prop' y* this Day had a part
Interest thro out y'' whole town, tomorrow has not half y*^^ In-
terest c*v: y" next Day regains his s'' Right & Interest & y" day
following is stript of y*" same & all this done with' any act of
his own but by a maj' Vote Pretended and thus Right & prop-
erty is evidently rendered uncertain & fluctuating & m/sera
est Servilusiibi yiis est vacuum & by y'' same doctrine& Rule
y'' Maj" vote may give or lay out all v"" right and propertv of v"
minority from them
That y"' petit ' endeavoiucd to Conciliate these diflercnces
by having y'' same determined bv InditVerent who should ex-
amine y'" Justice & equality of y' s'^ comittee in their several
4oO NEW ilAMrsIIIHV:
layings out as affore"' but y ' same were rejected & all other
overtures tho ever so reasonable that thus y'' Harmony peace
& prosperity of s' Toun Inevitably will be lost with' the inter-
position of "y" IIon'''« & this great & Gen" Court, for y*^ difier-
ences are of y', Gen" & publick nature y' y" ordinary proceed-
ings in y*" Common Law courts will be so farr from cureing y'
they will only put y" town into a greater flame by y" multi-
plicity of suits y' therein naturally must arise & w'''' will also
Tend to y'' great Impoverishm' of y"" s'* prop"^' wherefore it ha&
been y'' great wisdom grace & fervour of this great & Gen"
Court & y" g' & Gen" Court of y'' neighbouring province al-
ways to interpose in cases of so publick & complicated a nature
where y*" prosperity of a comunity is so nearly engaged &
either upon Publick hearings Imediately to enact & order
therein as to their Known Wisdom, & experienced Justice
seems most meet or either to appoint a committee to examine
& Inspect s'' Grievances & make a Report thereof for y'' Legis-
lature to pass thereupon, wherefore y"" distressed & Grieved
Petif^ are encoin'aged to approach y"'^ hon " to whose goodness
they owe their present Right & possession & from whence
they expect y'' same will be preserved imto them, & as it is
their bounden duty will ever pray &c.
(N. B. If lam mistaken as to facts, coircct the same.)
John Burnet John Barr
John Goffe Samuell Barr
Samuel Graves Archibald Clendenin
John Blarr William Umfra ?
James Blair Natiianiel Aiken
James MCartney John Morison
John Anderson John Mitchell
Gabrall Barr Daved Bogall
John Harvey Thomas Bogall
Thomas Siell Hugh Ramsey
Rob' Wear Thomas Cochren
John Barnet, Jr John Craig
Hugh Wilson Samuel Morison
John Stuart Abraham Holmes
Samuel Allison David Morison.
James Morison
Jan> 26"' 1727. In the house of Representatives.
The above Petition being Read, ordered that the Petitioners serve the
opposite parties concerned, with a copy of the petition and that they
appeare each partie the second day of the sitting of the Gen" Ass™ In
y Spring session & to be heard in the premises.
James JeiTrey Clr Ass™
In Cons' Eod Die.
Read and Concurred.
R. Waldron. Clr. Con.
TOWN I'AF};KS LONDON DHRK>'. 4S9
Oat/is to be taken.
I Do .sincerely promise and swear that I will be faitlifull and
bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the second.
I Do swear that 1 do from my heart abhor detest and abjure as
impious and heretical that damnable doctrine & position that princes
Excomunicated or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the see of
Rome may be deposed or mutherd by their Subjects or any other what-
soever. And I do declare that no foreign Prince Person prelate State
or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction power authority
preeminence or authority ecclesiastical or spiritual within the realm of
Great Brittain.
So help me God.
I do truly and sincerely acknowledge profess Testify & de-
clare in m\ conscience before God and the world, That our Sovereign
Lord King George the second is lawfull & rightfull King of the realm
of Great Britain and all other His Maj''" Dominions and Countrys
thereunto belonging, And I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I do
believe in my conscience, that the Person pretended to be Prince of
Wales during the life of the late King James, and since his decease pre-
tending to be and taking upon himself the Stile & title of King of Eng-
land by \' names of James the third or of Scotland by y<' names of
James y'^' eighth or the stile & title of King of Great Britain hath not
any right or title whatsoever to the crown of the realm of Great Britain
or any other the Dominions thereto belonging. And I do renounce
refuse and Abjure any Allegiance or obedience to him. And I do swear
that I will bear faith and true allegiance to His Majesty King George
the second and him will defend to the utmost of my power against all
traitorous conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made
against his Person Crown or Dignity : And I will do my utmost en-
deavour to disclose and make known to his majesty and his successors
all treasons & traitorous conspiracies which I shall know to be ag'' him
or any of them, And I do faithfully promise to the utmost of my power
to support maintain and defend the succession of the crown ag' him the
s^i James and all other Persons whatsoever, which succession by an act
Entitled an act for y further limitation of the crown and better se-
curing the rights and liberties of y" subjects is and stands limited to y*
Princess Sophia Electress & Dutchess Dowager of Hanover, and the
heirs 6f her body being Protestants, and all these things I do plainly
and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words
by me spoken and according to y plain & common sense and under-
standing of the same words without any Equivocations mental evasion
or secret reservation whatsoever. And I do make this recognition ac-
knowledgm', abjuration renunciation and promise heartily willing and
truly upon y- true faith of a Christian.
So help me God.
Names of persons ivho took the above Oaths.
David Cnrgill James Leslie
Jame.s jrcKeen John Goffe, Jr
James Ifarvey Solomon Hopkin
John <;i)fre James AdaiiiH
Husjh Montgoiuery James Tatjart
./ames Morison John Tagart
John Mitclipll Samuel ILaiston
Jesse Crietc Patrick Douglae
James Roilgers Robert Cotliran
490
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Arlames
Thomas Wilson
Jamea Wallis
Alexander Walker
James Reid
John Macmurphy
David Macdtillie
John Morisou
Jonathan How?
Alexander Macneall
Thomas Mackelme
Kobtt Wear
Archiball Clendenin
William Moor
John Baniet
Archibald Mac Murphy
Robert Kennedy
Moses Barnett
Samuel Morison
James Blair
James Taggsirt
John Ba;net
Andrew Ciendenin
Jou. Woodburn
Thomas Cochran
David Hunter
Allen Anderson
Petter Cochran
•James Gillmor
Robt ^[orison
Alexander Kelsoy
David Cargill
Andrew Todd
James Calwell
James Caldwood
Janie;* Alexander
William Gregg
John Uarr
John Cromey
William Nickell
John Gregg
John
J ames Xesmith
James Tiiompson
Matthew Clark
Robert McKean
Samuel McKeen
John Cochr;in
Charels McClarey
his
John£ Neale?
mark
his
Willm & Kellso
mark
William Tiiomson
his
Alexander -^ Renkinc
mark
John X Conahie
mark
Peter Coghran
Thomas Watte
John Blair
James Lindsey
John Douglas
John Archibald
Jolm ?
John McClourg
Rus. Buron
Kobt Thomson
Thomas Seiell?
Gab : Bar
James Kueys
Nath iniel Aiken
Jou. HoUms
Hugh W^ilson
Robert Arbuckel
John Uopkin
John Archibel
David Anderson
John Anderson
Samuel Renkin
Wilara Cochran
Wimen Coctoan
John Moore
William Aiken
James Clark
Jon Harvey
Abner Nickels
Sam.-Todde
James Moor
Samuel Allison
William Gilhiior
James Andrews
John Craig
William Eayrs
James Willson
Robert Gillmore
Samuel 1 Gregg
Angus Brown
his
Willm X Adams
mark
Benjamin Kidder
Thomas Bogall
Benjamin Willson
John Anderson
Abraham Holme
Alexander McMurphy
John Blear
Jame> Smith
TOWN' PAPEKS — LOXDONniiRKV. 49I
David McGregore David :Morisou
Christopher Airs .laines C:uni)bell
Samuel (Greaves Benjamin Chamberlain
Hugh Kogeis John McNeill
William Coghrau Sainuell Ban-
James Aiken Joseph Irrvine
Blair
William Eayrt"
Londonderry 7'"" 9''' 1727.
The severall persons above mentioned took their oaths according to
act of Parliament.
Petitio>i about divisioji of toivn lands.
To the Hon''' John Wentworth Esq. Lieut Govern' and
Comand' in Chief in & over His ISIaj "^ Province of New
Hamp' And to the Hon** '' the Council and represent' Con-
ven'd in Gen' Assembh' for s' Province.
The Humble petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants & Pro-
prietors of y town of Londonderry, Humbly sheweth,
That there has not been a Just & Equall Division of the land
Among the Proprietors, the Maj' part of said Proprietors hav-
ing taken their choice of y- land and also Voted to themselves
Large Tracts for Amendments and past severall other Votes to
y prejudice of the rest as pr the town book will appear.
And so yo' Petitioners altho' we have Equall right (by Char-
ter) w" the rest of the proprietors and have alwa3's paid our
full proportion of the Town charge and some of us were some
of the first settlers, yet we have been denyed y privilege of
drawing our lotts. So that y" Division is not only Contrary to
the Practice of y' other New Towns, but also against reason &
Equity tv: the Intent of the Charter yo Petitioners therefore
Humbly pray for relief and tliey will (as in duty bound) ever
pray.
Robert \\'iark ) being a Committee chosen
John Harr ) in behalf of ourselfs and others.
In Coun. May iS"' 172S.
Upon reading the within Petition ordered, That the hearing thereon
be on thursday next y • 23'' Ins' at 3 o'clock P. M. and That the Peti-
tioners serve the selectmen of Lond' Derry w ' a copy thereof and this
order in y mean Time.
R. Waldron, cler. Con.
Sent down for concurrance.
May iS"* 1728. In the House the above vote read A: concur'd.
James Jaffrey Clr. Ass"^'
492 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Differences about lands adjusted.
At a Proprietors meeting held at Londonderry April y" 15"' 1728-
Upon the above said day it is Vetted that all the Differences concern-
ing Mendinent land Highway land and want of 'nomestead land is
aggreed in the manner following viz :
That all persons that have allready Claim'd any land for the wants of
the above mentioned lands, shall hold their clairns having them viewed
or viewed over, by a Committee of three men one of which shall be one
that hath one of the poorest lots, and another of the men shall be one
of them that hath one of the midwa^y lots, and the third man of said
Committee a rnan that liath one of the good lots, and brought to the
method w " we shall hereafter Insert (viz). That the man that gets or
hath gotten said land above mentioned at one mile distance or under
shall have one acre of land, made as good as one acre of the president
the lots were viewed by, for evei-y acre they were allowed b}' the Com-
mittee chosen for viewing the home lots and so Gradually rising one
quarter of an acre, for each half mile, said land lieth distant from the
sundry lots which are to have said land above mentioned, until it come
to the Quantityof two acres made good as above for every acre that they
are Allow'd for the wants above said, which will be at the distance of
three miles, and so rise no more for any distance or consideration what-
soever, and they that have not yet got their above said land or claims,
shall have liberty to put in their claims, they that want most or allow'd
most claiming first and so on untill it come to the smallest quantity
which is allowed to any for the wants above mentioned said land to be
formed into ranges that so the commons may be laid out in order and
the land that is to be viewed over which is already laid out shall be done
at the cost of the town, and they that have bought any of the highway
land and arc not sattisfied with the method are to return said land and
take their money, which they paid for said land again, and when more
than one man is allowed an equal quantity of the above lands, they
shall come to the Division of a Lot who shall claim first and every pro-
prietor is to have twenty acres added to his claim or mendment, all Dif-
ferences and Debeats whatsoever in our town Concerning land is done
away in this vote. Vote, that the twenty acres above mentioned is to
be laid out Qiiantity and Quality only considered.
And it is also voted on the aforesaid Day that three men shall serve
and are chosen to lay out the lands above mentioned, the name of the
men are as foUowcth :
John Mitchell
John Archibald
foHN Wallace
Vera Copia
Pr. John MacMurphy
Town Clerk.
Petition for redress of injustice.
To the honourable John Wentworth Esq. Leii" Governor com-
ander in Chieff of the Prov. of Hampshr and Gcncrall As-
.sembly of both houses
The liumble petition of the Subscribers to this Honorable
Assembly, wee complean of wrons^ don to us and grivoos in-
TOWN PAPIiRS — I.ONDONDKKUV. 493
ustice in laying outt of our land bv unjust methods viz. that
. part of our proprietors have taken ther chois of all our
;omons and we are nott allowed nether lott nor chois and ren-
lered loishcKr of having our honi lotts made Equall with oth-
:rs, one inethod Dos not prc\ all hear to do as they wold be
lone by. Wee the Complenentt Desire and make requeastfor
. practicable reull that may yealld Saiftty to every party and
hatt a magor vott may nott cutte any } propriator outt of his
ight bv design or conning which shell further appear by a
japer annexed hereunto, which will make it appear mor fully
o have ben practised hear on propertie hurttofore another the
:omplainentt Seke for redress from this Honourable house
md your Pettitioners shall ever pray.
May the 15'' 1728.
John Barnet John Morison
Samuel Allison William Umfra
William Nickels John Barr
John Anderson Rob" Wear
James Morison Samuell Barr
Archiball Clendenin John Barnet
John Stuart Gabriall Barr
Petition of Londondei-r\' respecting- aggressions.
To his Excellency William Burnet Esq. Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties province of New
HamjDshire In New England & and the Honourable Coun-
cil now assembled att Ports '
The Humble petition of the Inhabitants of Londonderry
within said province Humbly sheweth.
That, Whereas your petitioners have had no molestation in
our setclment since we had a Charter from His excellency
Gov' Shute and the Honourable Council of this Province till
of Late IV Haverhill and mcthuine who have setled upon our
Land and by authority from the Massachusets province have
carried oft' Imprisoned and pn^secuted and condemned our
people in their Courts to our Detriment above two Hundred
pounds which hath greatly Impoverished y' poor petitioners
and notwithstanding the mutual agreem' made by y' Excel-
lency anrl the Honorable Councils of Both Provinces that no
setlement nor improvements should be made by any till the di-
vision of the Divisional Line, yett the people of y province of
the Massachusets are clearing and caryingon all manor of work
upon the River near which we know or township extends.
May it therefore please y'' Excellency and the Honourable
Council to consider the premises and grant Relief as soon as it
494 NEW HAMPSHIRE
can be agreeable and consistent with y' opportunity and y"" pe-
titioners shall ever pray.
April 30, 1729.
Allen Anderson ^ c 1 -.i
ToHN Archibald ,
T T3 I men.
James Reid
Petition against Haverhill people.
To His excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Govern and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesties province of New
Hamps to the Honourable the Council and Representatives
in Gen" ' Assembly Conven'd
The petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Londonderry
most humbly sheweth.
That in as much as the Inhabitants of the Town of Haver-
hill do often disturb sundry of your Petitioners in their quiet
possession of their Lands granted to them by their charter
under their pretensions of a Title thereto, we pray that the
government may help and assist us in the defence of our title
and possessions, or to take some method as in your wisdom
you shall think best to prevent our being impoverished, if not
ruined by Law Suits which are daily multiplied by them.
We pray that some act or order may be passed for the pre-
venting any Law Suits Concerning the Lands near the Line
until that be setled.
We pray that your Excellency and the Honourable Assem-
bly will please to relieve us either by clearing us from the
paying of Province Rates or to postpone our proportion
of the Province Rates already assessed upon us, that we
may be in some measure enabled to pay some Hundreds of
pounds which we already owe by reason of those many Law
suits in which we have been engaged and for the securing of
such sums of money wee are willing and ready to mortgage
our Lands.
So we shall ever pray as in duty bound &'^
27'" Aug' 1730.
James M'^Keen
John MacMurphy
In the behalfe of the rest of the Inhabitants of London-
derry.
TOWN PAPERS — I.ONDONDEUUV. 495
Petition relating to Minister s tax and a nexv parish.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq Governor & Com-
mander In chief in .Jc over His Alajestys Province of New-
Hampshire in New England, The Hon ' His Majestys
Council & House of Representatives for said province In
General Court assembled the 31"' day of January Anno
Domini 1739.
The Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants of the Town of
Londonderry in the province aforesaid Humbly Sheweth,
That the Inhabitants of the said Town at a Town meeting-
In the year 1736. thinking it most expedient for their accom-
modation & Satisfaction To have the Town divided into two
Parishes or Districts (as to their ecclesiastical affairs) accord-
ingly then Voted a Dividing Line setting forth the course
thereof in the vote and shortly after a Petition was Preferr'd to
the General Court by the principal part of the Inhabitants liv-
ing in the western part of the said Town praying that they
might be erected & Incorporated Into a New Parish agreeable
to the Boundaries mentioned in the said vote.
That altho the matter was not then fully effected yet so much
was Done Pursuant to the said Petition that the Petitioners-
with their associates then & ever since have maintained a Gos-
pel Minister among themselves & have look'd on themselves
as a distinct Church & Congregation from that in the other
part of the Town and as to affairs of that nature have acted
separately tho perhaps in strictness of Law not absolutely &
compleatly Disannexed and separated from the other part of
the Town.
That the constant standing Rule of Raising the ministers
Salary there ever since the settlement of the said Town has
been to Levy a tax on the pews or seats in the meeting house
which the Proprief-' or occupants under them have always
paid, so that those who could not be rank'd under one of those
heads paid nothing towards the said Salary.
That soon after the vote above mentioned the inhabitants of
the said Western part of the Town proceeded to settle the Rev-
erend Mr David Magregore as their minister who was accord-
inglv ordained to the Pastoral office amongst them and he being
a Gentleman with whose ministerial abilities and Moral Char-
acter your Petitioners (as well as all the said Inhabitants) are
well satisfied and under whose ministry they sit with Pleasure,
they arc therefore more .Solicitously Concern'd that he might
be supported Suitable To his Character & Station. That how-
ever desirous your Petitioners (& their associates) have been
to afibrd their said minister an Honorable maintainance they
have not yet been able but barely to allow him a comfortable
subsistence bv reason of the unsettled condition thev are in &
496 NEW HAMPSHIKE
of the unhappy disputes controversies & Law suits between
them & the otlier part of the said Town by whom they have
allways been (as they think unreasonably) oppos'd In matters
that Rehite to the Premises which situation of affairs has also
greatly disturb'd the peace of both societies & perhaps much
Impeded not only the discharge of Christian duties but even
the offices of Good neighborhood between them. That your
Petitioners & their party have however at one time & another
made all the overtures to their opponents that could in reson
be expected for adjusting & ending the said differences & Is-
suing all their Controversies in an amicable manner which have
hitherto prov'd fruitless & Ineffectual for that purpose, and
they are not only still Subsisting but seem to be carried to a
greater Length & are risen to a higher Pitch now than ever.
That notwithstanding the afore 's'^ rule & method of raising
the ministers Salary in the said Town the said party, your pe-
titioners opponents who are the Major part of the Town have
lately voted that the support of y" ministry among them (tho.
they have at present no settled minister) shall be by a tax
Levied on the whole Town in General without distinction
thereby subjecting Mr Magregore's Congregation to pay toward
the maintainance of the other minister or the supply of the
other desk at the same time they maintain their own of themselves
which seems to be a scheme projected purely to oppress & dis-
hearten that Congregation or at least their present minister.
That they are still willing to comply with any reasonable terms
of Terminating the said differences but as the said Contend-
ing parties are never like to fix on such terms themselves your
Petitioners in behalf of the said Congregation fly to thisHon^''*
Court for aid and therefore Humbly Pray that the said Con-
gregation with such others as are willing to join them (not ex-
ceeding the one half of the Town) may be freed & exempted
from paying to any other ministers salary than their own & all
other charges of y*^ nature of Parish charges & may have Par-
ish powers & authorities granted to them, or that both the min-
isters of the said Town for the time being may be Supported
by an assessment on the whole town in Common according to
the method of defraying Town charges in other Towns or that
such other Redress mav be Provided for your petitioners &
their associates as this Hon''^ Court in their great wisdom &
Goodness shall think proper & y' Petition' ' as in duty bound
shall ever pray &
James McKeen Daniel M'alee
John Creaiff James Grejrg
James Adams James Linilsay
Hugh IMoiingtroy Kobt Martin
John Jamisoa John IJlair
Nathaniel fikin James Blair
TOWN PAPERS I.ONOONDKRRY
497
~Jol)n Wallas
Matthew Keifl
Jiimes Willison
T honias Royd
AriliibfiM MacMurphy
lioljai t Arbuckell
John Mack
John Taget
John (irepg
William lircgg
James Adams, Jr
John Arc.liib.ild
John McKein
John Cohran, Senr
Thomas Gregs
Rob; Campbell
John Duncan
John Uitchy
RobLM t Xorria
Peter Tufft
Robt Anderson
Wiilm Aildams
David Hunter
Willm Robertson
James Moore
Tho : Jamison
Tho : Roies
James Nesmith
Hugli Brown
Edward Ackin
James T.igart
Allexr Patterson
James Nesmith Jr.
Willm Acldug
James Kodgers
John. MacMurphy
Willm Thompson
.Samll Gregg
William Craig
Hugh (iregg
Hugli Moore
Robt Morrison
Charles .Maclary
Willm Dickey
Eliaa Dickey
Samll Boyd
James Leslie
James Smith
John Anderson
Willm Smith
Samll Smith
Arthur Xesmith
James Anderson
Samll Anderson
Tho: Anderson
Robt Morrison Jr.
Adam Dickey
George Knox
Matt: 'Jaylor
Andw Cochran
Willm Nutl.
Willm Gilt
James Gait
David Dicky
John Wooiiburn
James McXight
Willm Gambell
John Craig.
John Anderson
Arch'd McCurdy
Robert McCardy
Samll B'lrr
James Anderson
Tho : Tippin
Alexr Macmurphy
Willm Jamison
John Cochran
George Duncan
John Stewart
Gabriel Barr
James Clark
Samll Grahams
Hugh Grahams
Robt Dinsmore
Robt Anderson
John Hoi)king
Samll Ranking
Samll McKeeii
Peter Pattyt- on
<ieorge Duncan, Jr
Willm Duncan
James Moore Senr
Nath Boyd
James .McKeen, Jr
Samll Huston
David Huston
Hendry Mountgomery
Jolm Dickey
Will. McNeal
David Kurnsides
Robt Hopkins
John Orr
John GofTe
James Reid
Arche McCorrauck
Jas Eyars. No. H4.
In the House of Representatives Feb. the first 1739-40. The within
Petition Read & Voted, viz'. That the Petition » serve tlie select men
of the Town of Londonderry with a copy of this Petition (at the Peti-
y-
498 NEW HAMPSHIRE
tioners Charge) And that thej appeare to be heard Tuesday the twelfth
Curr' to shew cause why the prayer of the Petition may not be granted
(if the Court is then sitting) if not then the third day of the sitting of
the Gen" Ass"' next sessions.
James Jeffry Cler. Asa".
In Coun. Feb. 6" 1739-40,
Rich ' VValdron Secry.
Feb. 6'^ 1739-40.
I assent to the above Votes.
J. Belcher.
In the House of Representatives Feb. 14^'' 1739-40
The within petition read, and the partys heard by their Council, the
House having considered thereof. Voted that there be an assessment
made on the whole Town in Common according to the method of de-
fraying Town Charges in other Towns for three years now next ensu-
ing for the ministers Rates and that the same be applyed and pay'd to
the ministers each his respective Salary already agreed for: and that
the Rate already made be gathered and applyed in the same manner,
and that the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
James Jeffry CI. Ass"
In Coun. Feb. 15"' 1739-40
Read and non Concnrred.
R. Waldron, Secry
Counter Pet it 1072.
We the under Subscribers being Inhabitants of L : Derry
and province of New Hampshire (viz) living in the South-
erly part of s'^ town, we are Informed that their are Sundry of
our Neighbours Petitioners your Excell' and Hon'^ for a new
parish in s'' Town, therefore we wod signify to your Excell. &
Hon'"" that we hope by the blessing of God in a fue years to
be fit to be Erected into a parish or precinct by ourselve their-
fore we pray your Excell. and Hon" not to hurt our yong be-
ginings in setting off a new parish in said town of London-
derry, as wittness our hands. Dated at Londonderr}- aforesaid
Feby the 9^" 1739-40.
John Killc John Vance
Jam" Gillmorc Janr Col well
Sam" Morison Jam* Colwell, Jr
Halbert Morison Jam- Dunlap
Ezekiel Morison David Greage
Tho' Morison William Greage
Wilf" Thorn Sam" M Addams
John Creige Nathanell Ilamphill
John Gillmor Charels Dourach. Jr
Jam" Bell John Stuart
Will"' Bolton John Aram Strong
John Bolton Jolin M Cay
Alex'' Richey Robart Thomson
John Merrow Alexander Dunlap
Thomas Quigley John Willson
TOWN PAPEKS LONDONDERRY. 499
AIcx"^ Park William Campbell
Robart Park Hendry Camdbell
Joseph Waugh John Cochron
Samuell Campbell Jon. Cochran Jr.
Ajisxver of Selectmen of Londonderry.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire, the Honourable his Majesties Council for s^
province and the House of Representatives in General as-
sembly Convened.
The Answer of the selectmen of Londonderry to a petition
of sundry of the Inhabitants of s'' Toun for a new parish, sliews.
That at the General Court held at portsmouth in and for said
Province in April 1736 there wasa petition preferred to the Gen-
eral Court of s ' province that there might be a parish set oft'in the
westerly part of s toun agreeable to a vote of s toun, that then the
General Court was pleased by a Vote to set off a parish in the
westerly part of s'' toun and that the meeting House or place
of worship should be where it then Stood in the westerly part
of said toun and that to the number of thirty five in s'^ west-
erly parish might Remain to the old parish, and also thirty
five of the old parish might go to the New parish, and that
Before the s ' Vote of the General Court was reduced to an
act the Secretary's House was consumed by fire the s*" Vote
among other papers was Burnt at which grant to our neigh-
bours by your Excell. & Hon'^ your answerers was fully satis-
fied and contented. But it hath so hajDued since the Destruc-
tion of s' papers that their is a party in the old parish friends
to the Rev'' M: M Gregore that has removed the publick wor-
ship of God from the Westerly meeting House Contrary to
your Excell. »S: Hon'^ orders and have Built another meeting
house within a mil and a half to the old meeting House which
we conceive will tend more to the fomenting of our present
Debets and the destroying of Religion than any thing Ells,
and have used all means & methods to tear our toun into
peaces and also they have tray'd all meathods to destroy our
mcathod in Rising our ministers Sallary in the old meeting
house which meathod was to Rise the ministers Sallary upon
the pews or seats in s ' House they still crying out that such a
meathod was unjust and also contrary to the Laws of s'' prov-
ince till this present year that they obliged the Town to pass
a vote to Rise s' Sallary by the poles and estats of s'' Toun
agreeable to the Laws and Custom of this Province. That a
number of the Inhabitants of s'' toun have Petitioned this
500 NEW HAMPSMIKE
Honorable Court (this present sessions) for a new parish in s'
toun. Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray that if
their be any new parish in s' town it may be agreeable to the
line agreed upon in the s' town and agreeable to the vote of
the General Court, Namely that the meeting House be where
it was first Built in the westerly part and that thirty five may
go from the westerly part to the old parish and as many from
the old parish to the westerly parish, and that the taxes already
assessed in s'' town for this year jDast ma}' be pay'd as assessed
by s' town.
Feb. 1 1"^'' 1739-40.
Andrew Todd '\ Selectmen
Hugh Wilson [■ for
Moses Barnett j London- Derry.
V^oies relating to the places of public zvors/iip, Sc.
Prov. of"! At a meeting of the proprietors freeholders i& Inhabitants
N. H. ) of Londonderry held at the old meeting House Oct. the 6"'
1739-
The Seventh article in the foregoing Warrant Being Read & consid-
ered by s'' Inhabitants It is Voted and agreed upon that the most west-
erly meeting House in the westerly side of s' Toun shall be the place
of publick Worship for that Parish when set off by authority and laws
of s'' province
A true copy taken out of the second Book of Records for London-
derry the 9'' day of Feb" 1739-40
Attest p. Jo" Wallace town Clerk.
It is also voted & agreed upon at the afore s'' meeting by s'' Inhabit-
ants that they will pay their Suppliers or Preachers of the Gospel in
the old meeting House according to the Law and Custom of s** prov-
ince
A true Copy attest p. Jo"' Wallace,
Town Clerk.
At a Toun meeting held at L : Derry Decb' y" 5*'' 1735.
Whereas at the aforesaid meeting after severall arguments and over-
tures made by the proprietors freeholders and Inhabitants where they
wo'd have the aforesaid line made for a new precinct in the westerly
side of this town in order to maintain a gospel ministry in that part of
Londonderry the Moderator Desired all those that were Qiialitied to
draw or form themselves up before the South side of the meeting
house in two parties those that was for having a line Determined to be
in one place and those that was not for having a line made to be in an-
other place upon which those that was willing and contented to have a
line Determined formed themselves together in order to be number'd
and the town clerk, (viz) John M Murphy Rekn'd or counted them one
hundred and twenty for having a line determined for a new precinct,
upon which the moderator desir'd all those that was not for s'' line to
form themselves also but they wo'd not and upon their refiisall the
moderator desir'd them to repair into the meeting House and either
bring in written votes or to put themselves in form so as they might
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY. 5OI
be Reckn'd or counted, it was answered it was not worth while for that
a great many was sjone away and none spoke to the contrary, which
line is voted as followeth tliat the Southerly line of our toun upon the
westerly side of Beaser Brook shall be the line upon that side and
from said line and by Beaver Brook upon the westerly side untill it
come to the Road that leads towards ammasceegg begining near the
old Saw mill upon the Southerly side of Will'" Cockrons lott thence
Riming as said Road as Highway leads to the foord way upon the
Brook known by the name of the twelve acre Brook and from said
foord way upon another line untill it come to Chester town line and
from said Chester line to the Southerly line first mentioned.
A true copy taken out of the second book of Records for London-
derry
Attest pr. John Wallace, town clerk
Petition of 2f^ Congregation relating to Presbytcrial aiitJior-
ity^ <&c.
To the Honourable Richard VValdron Esq Secretary of Ilis
Majestys Council in New Hampshire.
The Humble Petition of Sundry the members of the 2''
Congregation In Londonderry and Province aforesaid In be-
half of themselves and others, Sheweth,
'I'hat those of your Petitioners who dwell In the Western
side of the Town were disannexed as a distinct Parish by a
Vote of the Town in a legal Town meeting In the year 1736.
That those who dwell within y Bounds of the old Parish were
dismissed from said Parish by Prcsbyterial Authoritv all which
we can make appear by authentick Records. That the place
of worship where we now meet was agreed upon befoix' our
minister w^as ordained by a Great Majority of our Congreg' as
we can make appear by a written agreement to that purpose.
That we beg your Hon'' would hear our agent Mr Reid upon
this Head wiio can plainly demonstrate the necessity of our
place of worships being fixed where it is. That the vigorous
oppos' w has \iQii\\ made against us from time to time what
ever specious pretences it may be cloathed withall proceeds
from a rooted antipathy against oiu- Minister or rather against
his Father y' late Mr M Gregore whose memory is still clear to
us and we think ought to be to our whole Town. That had
we an opportunity of letting your Honor Into some passages
of the Secret History of our Town we coidd make it manifest
that this is no groundless inuendo. That the prayer of our
petition now before his Excellency and Council if Granted
cannot hin"t the old congregation whatever clamour of this sort
they may make they being still far more numerous and wealthy
than we and their meeting house as well or better situated for
the accomodation of their People. That we cannot help sus-
502
NEW HAMPSHIRE
pecting that we have been Secretly Stigmatized as persons dis-
affected to his Excellencys Governm'^ by some who make lies
their refuge. That if nothing be done for our relief at this
Juncture we are affraid our minister will be obliged to leave
us which will be exceeding heavy to us considering the great
love we have to him and the Edification and comfort we enjoy
under his administrations. That your Honours doing some-
what to extricate us from our present difficulties will lay such
an oblig ' to Gratitude upon us as will endear vou to us more
than eve^which we shall be ready to make appear by our
future conduct.
May it therefore Please your Hon'' since we flee to you for
Succour to use your Interest upon our behalf with his Excel-
lency & the other honourable members of the Council That
our Petition may be reconsidered and that somewhat may be
done for our relief that may be looked upon as reasonable and
Just and your Petit' as In duty bound shall ever pray.
Signed at Londonderry, this iS''' day of Feb. 1739-40 by
James Nesmith Sam. Gregg
Samuell Barr James Cleark
James M Keen Daniel Macduffee
John Archibald Nathan Mactarland
James Anderson Alexander M'^Neill
James Adams James Reid
George Duncan Matt. Reid
John Blair
By appointment
In Council Fcbi-uarj 21"' 1739-40
Upon reading the petition for a new parish in the Toun of London-
derry, "Voted that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a bill for
making a new Parish by the bounds mentioned in a vote of the said
town dated X'"^^ i" 1735, with a saving to forty persons to go over to the
new pish from the old and the like number" from the old to the new,
if there be so many on each side that desiers it Provided they make
their request Known to the select men within two months from the
date of the Act, and that what money shall be collected or has been
collected from the Petitioners the curr^ yeare for paying the Incumbent
at the old meeting house shall be refunded or pay'd to the selectmen
of the new Parrish that shall be chosen by Virtue of the act now to be
made towards defraying the Charge and Sallary of the New parish.
Richard Waldron, Secry.
Eod™ die. In the I louse of Representatives Read andConcurr'd with
this amendment, Viz that it be said, the like number from the new to
the old Instead of from the old to the new.
James Jeffrey. Cler. Ass™
In tlie Mouse of Representatives Feb 23'^ 1739-40
The annexed Bill passed to be enacted.
James Jeffrey Clr Ass"'
An act for erecting and Incorporating a New parish in the town of
Londonderry in the province of New Hampshire.
Whereas sundry of the Inhabitants of the said town have petitioned
the Generall Court setting forth that the number situation and other
TOWN PAPERS — LONDONDKURY.
503
circumstances of the inhabitants of the said town Rendered it neces-
sary to have Two parishes there, That the Inhabitants at a Town meet-
ing in the year 1735, Voted where a Dividing Line show'd Run in case
this Court should see meet to allow and confirm it and praying that a
New Parish might be incorporated with all the necessary and Common
Powers and Authoritys of Law.
Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governour Council
and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the author-
ity of the same, that there shall be and Hereby is a New Parish made
erected and Incorporated within the Township of Londonderry afore-
said by the following meets and Boundaries viz. the southerly line of
said Town upon the westerly side of the Brook Called Beaver Brook
shall be the line on that side and from said Line by Beavour Brook
upon the westerly side untill it comes to the Road that leads Towards
ammaskeag Beginning Near the old saw mill upon the southerly side
of William Cochrans Home Lotts thence running as said Road or
High way Leads to the fordway upon the brook Known by the Name
of the twelve acre Brook and from said fordway upon a North Line un-
til it comes to Chester Town Line and from said Chester line to the
southerly line first mentioned Being the same dividing lines that were
Voted by the inhabitants of the said Toun at a meeting there held on
the first of December In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun-
dred and thirty five for the Boundaries of a New Parish — And all Poles
and estates Living within and comprehended by the aforesaid Lines
except as is herein after excepted shall be disannexed from and Exemp-
ted and discharged of and from paying towards the support of the min-
istry school or schools and all other parish charges of and in the other
part of the Town or the old parish and are hereby erected and Incor-
porated into a New Parrish with full power and" Authority to Raise
Money on the said poles and Estates by way of Tax for the support of
the ministry school or schools and all other charges of the Nature of
parish charges within said Parish according to and in the way and
manner by Law directed for Raising and defraying toun Charges within
the Touns of this province.
Only excepting saving and Reserving a Liberty unto any number
Not exceeding fourty of the persons living within the limits "of the old
parish aforesaid to go over unto and to Become members of the said
New parish if they see cause and on the Contrary for any number not
exceeding forty of the Persons Living within the Bounds of the said
New Parrish to go over unto and become members of the said old par-
ish if they see cause — And in order To determine who are or shall be
the persons unto whom the said liberty is granted it is hereby ordered
and Directed that those who Incline to exchange to belong to the parish
in which they do not Live as aforesaid shall within the limits of two
months from the publication of this act give in their Names to the se-
lectmen of the town or old Parish for the time being signifying their
desire of Exchanging Parishes as aforesaid and all such persons who
shall give in their names not exceeding the number aforesaid on each
side with their families and estates shall be parishioners of and belong
unto the said Parishes respectively as they shall signify the same as
aforesaid — And to prevent Disputes who shall be of the' said Number
in case more of both or either side should desire it, the same shall be
determined by the order of entring the Names as aforesaid Beginning
with the first on each side Read three times and passed in the House
February 25'" 1739-40
Andrew Wiggin Speaker
Richard Waldron Secretary
Assented to Jonathan Belcher
504 MEW JIAMPSHIRE
Petition for a new Parish.
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq. Gov" and Com-
mander In Chief in and over HisMaJestys Province of New
Hampshire, The Hon "" His Majestys Council and House
of Representatives for said Province in (jeneral Court con-
vened.
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the South part
of Londonderry in said Province, Humbly Shews,
That your Petitioners by the Situation of their estates and
Places of residence in the said Town labour under considera-
ble difficulties unknown to others not in their circumstances,
more especially with respect to their Attendance on the public
worship. The greater part of them or rather all of them ex-
cept three living upwards of Seven miles from either of the
meeting houses in the said Town, the inconveniences of which
are self evident.
That the Inhabitants of the Parish in the said Town to
which your Petitioners principally belong sensible of the diffi-
culties attending your Petitioners in this regard have lately at
a public meeting voted what should be the boundaries of a
new parish if the Petitioners can obtain the authority of this-
court to incorporate them and that there will be no opposition
(as your Petition' conceive) from any part of the said Town
to the erecting a new parish by the boundaries voted as afores'*
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly Pray this Hon*^'''
Court to erect a New Parish in the said Town by the bounda-
ries aforesaid which will Comprehend a tract of land of near
six miles in length and four in breadth lying on the South side
at the Easterly gwA of the said Town and Take in your Peti-
tioners habitations & estates and that they may be invested with
such legal powers and authorities as may be sufficient to an-
swer the ends and purposes of such a precinct, and your peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Thorn : Morrison Henry Campbell
Halbert Morrison W'" Canipble
Jn ' Dinsmore The Camf)le
Rob' Hopkins Hugh Grimes
John Cochran W" Eamerson Jr.
Alcxand" Dimlap Jas Caswal, Jr.
Jn" (jilmoro Jn ' Mnrray
Jam* Dunlap Arthur Grimes
Rob' Tompson Jam" Bell
Jn" Wilson Sam M Adams
jn" M Kve Y" Bolton
Jos'' Waiigh Tho" Qiiigly
Jn" Stewart David Gregg
\V'" Bolton John Armstrong
Bolton Alexand' Park, Jr
S
avid Bolton Alexand"^ Park
W'^ Gregg Ezek' Morrison
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDHRKY.
505
Rob' Dinsmore Sam' Campbic
Sain Morrison Jam" Campble
W' Jameson Natb Hempliill
Jn Kvie Sam' Smith
Ja : Gilmore W ' Waiigh
Rob- Park Jn' Gilmore
Ja' Caswell Jn' Vance.
Jn" Kyle, Jr
Jan. the 2:"' 1741. In the house of Representatives.
The within Petition read and Voted, That the Petitioners serve the
Selectmen of the Town of Londonderry forthwith with a Copy of the
Petition and the Votes thereon, that the said town of Londonderry may
appear at the General assembly on thursday fortnight to shew cause if
any they have why the prayer of the petition may not be granted, and
if the General Court shall not then be sitting then to appear the third
day of the sitting of the next session of General Assembly
James Jeffrey, Cler. Ass"
In Coun. Jan. 27'^'' 1741-2
Read and concurred.
Rich'' Waldron Secrv.
Jan 27"' 174-12.
Assented to, B. Wentwokth.
The petition'- having bro't a certificate from the Selectmen of Lon-
donderry that excepting 3 or 4 persons they have nothing to object ag'
the prayer of the petition being granted, the Mouse having considered
thereon, Voted that the prayerof the Petition be granted (Excluding the
persons & estates of John Archibald James Clark, James Moore John
Hopdins & John Cockrane) that the}' be set off by the Bounds in the
Petition and have all powers within themselves as other Towns have
keeping c*v: supporting an orthodox minister to preach amongst them &
joyn with the Town of Londonderry and pay their proportion to hirr>
& all taxes allready made, and that they have Liberty to bring in a Bill
accordingly.
James Jeffry Clr. Ass""
In Council Feb. lo : 1741-2
Read & concurrd.
Rich' Waldron, Secry
Feb. id"' 1741-2
Assented to B. VVentworth.
[In the original is a plan of the said Parish. En.]
The Bounds of the Town of Londonderry as run out p me are as fol-
lows (viz). Beginning at a Beach Tree the south East Corner of Ches-
ter & from thence it runs South four miles & one half mile to a Read
Oak spotted on four sides .S: marked L. D. for Londonderry & Sundry
other Letters, then it runs West one mile & three Qiiarters of one mile
to an Oak stake standing three rodds & one half rod to the North of a
Bunch of maples Standing in a hollow & spotted & marked as afore-
said then it runs south six miles & one half mile to a Pitch Pine tree
standing about 25 rods to the South of hally hack meadow marked as
the first, then nine miles & half west North west to a Pitch Pine stand-
ing ninety two rods over a Brook marked as aforesaid, Then North
Eleven miles & one half mile to a Pitch Pine marked as aforesaid then
north north east three miles to a Red Oak marked as aforesaid then
E. S. E. one mile to a White Ash tree standing in a run of Water that
runs into a Pond, then strait to Chester Corner it being three Pitch
5o6
NKW HAMPSHIRE
Pines marked by a former committee & well spotted & marked with the
letters L. D. then East South East ten miles & fifty five rods to the
JBeach Tree first mentioned.
Dated at New market April y'^ 12'''' 1742.
Walter Bryant,
rec*^ into the Secry Office 15''' April 1742.
Attest Theod Atkinson
Copy P. Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Petition of Samuel JCarr.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt General
GovernoLir and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire in New England and to
the Hon"' his Maj''*^* Council for said Province.
Samuel Barr of Londonderry in said Province of New
Hampshire for himself and in the name and behalf of the Pro-
prietors of the said Town of Londondery Humbly Sheweth,
That your Petitioners for several years past has been verry
greatly disturbed and troubled and incroach'd upon in their
Possessions, & in defence of the same has Expended from
time to time in the Law near two thousand Pounds against
the Inhabitants of the Massachusets Bay and tho' some of
those persons that formerly made Incroachments upon the
Said Town of Londonderry, By the late settlement of the Line
fall within the Province of New Hampshire, yet still they
continue to Iiicroach ujoon s'' Town and carry off the smal
part of Timber that is yet growing there and other disturb-
ances There on pretence that the Bounds of said Town was
never yet Run out and assertained.
Wherefore, for assertaining the Bounds and limits of the
said Town and to prevent any further disputes or unesieness
about the Limits thereof, your Petitioners most humbly Prayes
your Exccllencie & the Hon''"' the Council to appoint a Proper
Person as surveyor and Cliaine men under oath to run and
perambulate the lines of said Town according to the Charter
on the east, south and west sides, and home to Chester Bounds,
(the Bounds between Chester and Londonderry having been
perambulated by consent of both Towns Several times already)
or otherwise as to your Excels and Hon"^^ shall seem meet.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &•=
Feb. 25"' 1741-2.
Samuell Barr.
In Council Feb. 26, 1741-2
The within Petition of Sam' Barr in behalf of the Proprietors of
London Derry read and voted thereon that a Surveyor and Chainmen
be appointed and sworn to perambulate and renew the bounds of the
TOWN rAPKKS LONDOiNDKKRY. 507
said Township according to the lines mentioned in their charter and
that the Surveyor make a plan of the same and return to his Excellency
the Goveruour to be lodu;ed in the Secretarys office and that the same
be done as soon as may be with conveniency and His Excellency is de-
sired to appoint the Surveyor and chainmen And that the Petitioners
defray the expence and also notify the selectmen of Kingston & Ches-
ter six days before the busyness is entered upon.
Rich'i Waldron, Secry.
Petitio7i for dhisioii of land^ <S;c.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov. Captain
General and Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire in New England to the Hon-
ourable his Majesties Council and Honourable house of
Representatives in General assembly Convened,
The humble petition of the Subscribers, Sheweth,
That there is a third Division of Land lying in the township
of Londonderry in this Province which Belongs to the
Heir of the Rev ' Mr Thomas Thomson Deceased and to
y'' Petition ', Mathew Taylor, John Archibald and James
Reid. That the said third division of Land never was Sub
divided between the foresaid parties.
That y Petitioners Matthew Taylor & are under an Indis-
pensible necessitv of selling their share of the same Land in
order to defray an incumbent debt they Laid themselves under
an obligation to pay at their Purchassing the same.
May it therefore Please y Excellency and Hon' to take our
Petition under your Consideration and acording to y' Wonted
Justice make such provision for y Petitioners as that the said
third Division or any other division of Land that may be laid
out in Common between the foresaid Heir and y Petitioners
for time coming may be divided So as each party may dispose
of their own share as need may be and y"^ Petitioners as in
duty Bound shal ever pray.
Matiiew Taylor
John Akciiibald
James Rkid
We the vSubscribers do consent to the pray' of y*" fore-
going Petition & its agreed by Both Parties That James
Rodgers, John Wallace, & Tho Coughran be appointed to
Divide s Land if the Pray' of s- Petition be granted. Given
under our hands att Londonderry this iS day of January
1741.
Will"" Davidson,
Frances Davidson.
5o8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Jan the 27"' 1741. In the house of Representatives.
The within Petition Read, and voted that the Petitioners serve the
Executors or adm' - of the Late Reverend M Thomson, with a coppy
of the Petition and votes thereon, that they may appeare at the Gen"
Assemhlj as soon as Possible (M bring a coppy of the said M' Thom-
sons will or letters of administration), and to shew cause (if any they
have) why the prayer of the Petition may not be granted, and if they
cannot appeare while assembly is now sitting, then to appeare the 3*
day of the siting of the next sessions of Gen ' Assembly.
James Jeffrey Clr. Ass"'
In Coun Jan 27, 1741-2
Read and concurr'd
Rich'i Waldron. Secry.
Jan 27, 1741-2 Assented to.
B. Wentworth.
In the House of Representatives March the 12' 1741-2. Upon Re-
considering the above vote of the House of the 27'' Jan. last past,
Voted that the Petitioners Serve the Ex'' or Adm'^ of the Late Rever-
end Mr Thomson (Late of Londonderry Cle" Deceased) with a coppy
of the Petition and the order of the Gen' Assembly thereon to notifie
the said Ex'- or adm ■ aiforesaid to appear at the Gen" assembly next
thursday at ten of the clock in the forenoon, to shew cause (if any he
or they have) why the Prayer of the Petition may not be granted, & if
the Gen'' Ass" shall not then be sitting then to appeare the 3' day of
the sitting of the Gen' Assembly next sessions.
James JeftVy
Cler. Ass'"
In the House of Representatives March the 10"' 1741-2
The within petition Read, The Petitioner James Reed appear'd &
Robert Boyce Esq adm' to the Rev' Mr. Tomsons Estate appeared the
Parties heard & Voted, That the Prayer of the Petition be granted and
that James Rodgers, John Wallace & Thomas Couchran be authorized
& Impowered to make Division of the Land mentioned in the Petition :
and that the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
James Jeffry Cler. Ass"
In Council Eod. Die
Read and Concurr'd
R. Waldron, Secry.
Eodem Die Assented to
B. Wentworth.
Petition of inhabitants of old and neiv Parishes of Lon-
donderry.
To his Excellency Bcnning Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in chief in and over his Maj"'^ province of New
hampshirc the Honourable his Majesties Councill for said
Province and the house of Representatives in Generall As-
sembl}' Convened.
The Petition of Sundr}' of the Inhabitance of Londonderry
in the province of New hampshire belonging to the old and
new parishes humbl}' Sheweth.
That whereas in february in the year 1739-40 there was a
TOWN PAPRRS — LONDONDKKRY. 509
new parish sett ofl' in this town by tlie Gcnerall Court, Grant-
ing Liberty to fourty fanielyes tliat lived within tl;c Bounds of
the said new parish still to Remain members of the old parish
with their estates and at the same time granted Liberty that
fourty famelys that lived within the Bounds of the old parish
Should become members of the new parish With their estates
if they saw cause.
Which accordingly was [jerformed and tliat still their was
some few famelys and single persons in Both parishes that was
not contented because they were obliged to pay there parish
Tax where they properly belonged and went to the contrary
parish to the publick wors'iip, and that whereas freedom and
Liberty is most to be Desired especially in Religious affairs
and wiiereas every christian ought chiefly to study those things
That will be most for the advancement of the Redeemers King-
dom out of a consious consern for those persons that they might
obtain their freedom and liberty as well as the Rest of the
people of this town the Two parishes chose each of them a
committee to see to accomodate that affair who is the Sub-
scribers to this petition and was legaly chosen for Said End,
and accordingly we meet and after some conversation about
the affair we came to a mutuall agreement that all persons who
had a mind to become members of the new parish should on
a certain day then appointed meet the two committees and
sign their names to said agreement which is two tedious here
tc Insert and those that had a mind to become members of the
old parish had the same liberty and accordingly at the Day ap-
pointed the people came and signed their names only their is
a saving clause in said agreement, that we did not Intend any
Infringment on the Covirt Act Relating to the fourty famelvs
belonging to each parish : Wherefore your petitioners humbly
prays your Excellency the Honourable the Councill and house
of Representatives that you would be pleased to pass an act to
establish this our agreement, & that those persons, with their
estates who hath already signed their names with us may be-
come members of the old and new parish as they have signed,
and that you would be pleased to Incorporate the new parish
into a town A: have jjriveledges as other towns except it be
about highway work and taking the Invoice for the payment of
the publick tax. Likewise that you would be pleased to ex-
plain the former act Relating to the fourty famelys that is to
sav whither on the sale of any of those fourty estates the pur-
chaser shall be obliged to pay his parish tax where the estate
was signed unto, or whither he may lie at his Lilierty to go to
the other parish if he sees good. Also that all trangent per-
sons who shall come to sojourn in this town shall have liberty
to sign there names in three months after there arrivall with
Committee
510 NEW HAMPSHIRE
the Selectmen of the parish where they design to Belong and
shall be oblidged to pay there taxes there and your petitioners
as in Duty bound ever shall pray.
James Grej^g llui^h Millson
Moses Barnett Robt Cochran
James Nesmith James Clark
Thomas Willson James Aiken
Samuell Barr Archibald M'Cormick
Jo" Wallace James Taggart
In the House of Representatives g'"" the first 1741. The within Peti-
tion Read and parties heard, and Voted that the Prayer of the Petition
be so far Granted as concerns the signers mentioned in the agreem'
mentioned in the Petition and that the new Parish be made a perticular
Precinct by the name of and v' they have the prevelidges
as other towns or Parishes have by the Laws of this Province excepting
the choice of assembly man which shall be chosen as formerly By the
whole Town, and as to the forty familys formerly Polled off in either
new or old pish, that their persons or estates stand as they are and like-
wise their successors in the several estates either by Descent or pur-
chase to Remaine the same having sign'' according as the Petition men-
tioned and as to any new Comers that is Tradesmen or ministers &' that
Shall Signifie to the clerk of the Town within 3 months after they come
there to live, where they will belong, and that all children & Servants
when thev become Rateable shall pay where their parents or Masters
pay, and "that the Petition''" have liberty to Bring in a Bill accordingly.
James Jeffrey Cler. Ass""
In Conn. March 13"' 1741-2
Read and Concurred.
R. Waldron
Same day Assented to,
B. Wentworth.
Petition of selectmen respecting Parish bounds.
To His Excellency Bening Wentworth Esq. Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Maj' Province of New
Hampshire and to the H^on " his Maj'~ Council of said
Province.
The Himible Petition of the select men of the town of Lon-
donderry in the province aforesaid most Humbly sheweth,
That vour petitioners Laying upon or near to the boundery
line of tlie province and so a grait part of our town always
disputed in the Law by which your petitioners yet labors in
enumerable difiquelty which is attended with large expence and
yet some of the desturbers of our peace and not our peace only
but of the peace of other towns and also of the province itself,
have as we understand petitioned for a part of our town on the
East part ot our town to be annexed to a new parish or town
of there own forming by which if granted would in a measuer
destroy our old parish and cut a grait many mens estates to
pieces.
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY.
5"
May it therefor pleas your Excclency and Honors to take
our case into your consideration and not to brake in on ourtown
in any ways \yhich if don will render our town for cyer miser-
able and your petitioners as in duty bound shal ever pray.
Deatted at Londonderry,
February y' lo'' 1746-7
Hugh Wii.i.son
Adam Ci.endixi:
Tiio* Horner
Select
men
Petitio7i to he Taxed in Nottingham- West.
Province of | To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
New Hamp j Governour & The Hon " his Majestys
Councill& House of Representatives in Gen"
Assembly convened, Jan. 1754.
The petition of Sundry Inhabitants now within the lines of
Londonderry whose names are entered on the Back hereof
most humbly shews,
That whereas by the unhappiness of the line formerly not
being Known and agreed to by this and the Massachusetts
Province the grant of Dunstable and Londonderry Interfered, by
which means wee and the chief part of our Lands fall within
Londonderry
That when we began our settlements there, we was part of
the town of Nottingham, and considei^ed as such both as to
Duty & Priviledge.
That by the late Incorporation of the lands adjoining to Lon-
donderry we were not considered in their Resettlement and
Building their meeting house' Neither is the settlement of
either of the meeting housen in Londonderry which are sett on
the Northeasterly part of that town ten miles from the greatest
part of us from some of us eleven and that none of us live
within nine miles the Road we pass to the nearest of their meet-
ing housen.
That upon our application to this Hon' "^^ Assembly some-
time since we obtained the favour to be Dismissed from the
Taxes Londonderry iiad then assessed us and in the future till
the further order of this assembly.
That altho Nottingham and Litchfield meeting housen are
under their last Regulation sett about three miles nearer than
Londonderry yet the travill is so far that it is very difficult for
us to attend their great part of the year, yett Nottingham has
been the place wee have attended the ministry when the season
was such we could travill.
512 NEW HAMPSHIRE
That the distance we ai"e from Londonderry renders it Im-
practicable for us and our famiiys to attend there on Lords days
and their Known numbers and Riches leaves no room for pre-
tending to need us to support that charge.
Nottingham has hitherto favoured us with Liberty to meet
with them and are still willing without our being taxed to the
support of their minister.
That we shall chearfully amongst our selves in the Winter
season hire as much as our abilities will admit till we may by
some future opportunity be Better accomodated.
Wjee justly expect and are Willing to pay to the support of
Government (an Invaluable priviledge) what our Equitable
part is 8i. shall be. That ever since we have been settled, have
& still do keep and maintain Good Hyways thro all that part
we claim where they have been found of convenience & are
Willing to continue so to do :
Wherefore we Humbly pray that your Excellency & Hon-
ours would be pleased to take these premises into your consid-
eration & to grant that wee may be altogether freed and not
subjected to any Tax or assessment in Londonderry, and that
wee may be so far sett of and annexed to Nottingham west as
to be taxed with them to the province charges ; and as in duty
Bound shall ever pray.
Ebenezer Spalding John Kidder
Isaac Page Thomas Mash
Joseph Kidder William Hill
Richard Marshall Samson Kider
George Burroughs Noah Kidder
Ezekiel Chase Benjamin Melven
Gorge Burroughs Jr James Barret
John Marshall, Jr Moses Barret
Millen ? Hills Reuben Sp-ilding
William Butterfield Moses Lowell
Ezekiel Page Nathaniel Hills
Leonard Cumings David Lawrence
Stephen Spaulding Stephen Lowell.
Joseph Kidder
Prov. New Hamps
In Council Jan. 9'" 1754, read &
Ordered to be sent Down to the Hon'''"-" House of Representatives.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry
N'^w^'Ha^m"^}^" the house of Represeniatives January the 9"' 1754.
Upon reading the within Petition Voted that the Petitioners be heard
on the within Petition on the third Day of the sitting of the General
Assembly next after the i*' day of March next «Sj that the Petitioners at
their own cost serve the select men of Londonderry with a Copy of this
Petition & of the order thereon that they may shew cause if any they
have why the prayer of the petition should not be granted
Matthew Livermore,
Clerk.
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY. 513
Province ofl j^ ^j^^ ^^^^^ ^f Representatives March 28, 1754.
New I lamp / '
Voted that the Petition herewith annexed be dismiss'd.
Matthew Livermore, Clerk.
Counter petition.
To his Excell' Benning Wentwoith Esq Gov"" & Comander
in Chief In & over his Majestys Prov of New Hamp. and
to the honourable his Majestys Counsel & house of Rep"**
in Gen' Court assembled March the 27'' 1754.
The humble Petition of the Town of Londonderry of the
«aid Prov. Sheweth,
That having been lately served by order of Assembly with
the copy of a petition Subscribed by a number of people liv-
ing at present upon some of our Lands in the Southwestern
part of the Town, wherein they request to be disannexed from
Londonderry, we crave leave to represent as follows : That
were we before a court whose Business it is to Judge of the
Right of the soyl we might say that as the land upon which
the Petitioners is settled did upon the determination of the
Boundary Line between the provinces fall within the province
of New Hamp. it thereby plainly appears that the assembly
of the massach"' had never any power to grant it that there-
fore their pretending to hold by Dunstable gives them no just
Title to the Land. That had' the Mass'^' obtained all that
they desir'd of his Majesty, viz. a curve line the case of the
petitioners with respect to Title would have been the same all
of them living above three miles distant from the River. That
the far greater part if not the whole of the Petitioners have
settled since the Determination of the line and some of them
very lately. But as it may be perhaps said that these things
are not a proper Subject to be laid before the honorable as-
sembly we insist not on them but proceed farther to say. That
the Town of Windham a part of Londonderry is so much
weakened by a considerable number of the Lihabitants being
freed from any obligation to support the Gospel ministry there
that the remaining part was left too weak to support the said
charge, in consequence whereof their minister has been
obliged to leave them and they are at present destitute of the
principal outward means of Grace without any rational pros-
pect of its being soon otherwise.
That the western parish of Londonderry is already consid-
erably weakened by the Incorporation of Derryfield that should
another large part be taken off on the South western side espe-
cially if that is done with a view and as a step towards a yet
33
514 NEW HAMPSHIRE
farther Incroach*^ the Conseq* is like to be soon the same with
the Western Parish as that with Windham above mentioned.
That the thing the petitioners ask of this honorable assem-
bly, viz. to be disannexed from Londonderry without being
incorporated either as a Town or Parisli is (as far as we know)
without example in the Prov"^ and it is left to the reasonable
consideration of this wise assembly whether (if granted) it
might not prove a bad precident. That as the petitioners Lo-
cality which renders their distance from both our places of
publick worship considerable is the only Plea enforcing their
Petition w" has any appear '' of weight So even in that Re-
spect we humbly appreh'' they have no reason to complain
since they have not been nor are like to be at any charge either
in Building a meeting house or supporting a min" with us.
May it therefore please your Excell' and Hon ' to take the
Premises under your wise and Impartial Consideration and at
least to delay the granting of said petition till the circums. of
the Petit"^ be so far altered as to give them some Just Reason
of complaint and your Pet '' shall ever pray.
Signed In our Name and at our App' at Londonderry this
26^^ day of March, 1754, by
Samuel Barr ")
John Humphry y Selectmen
Sam" Alison )
Petition relating to a military cojnpany.
Province of ) To his Excellency Benin Wentworth Esq.
New Hampshier | Captain Genarall and Governor In Chief
In and over his Majestys Provence of
New Hampshire
The humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of West
part Londonderry In said Province.
Your Petitioners Mos humbly Sheweth that we have for
severall years past Intende to Rais a new Compeny In this
Remot Pairt of this town if your Excellency will Gratifv us
so fare for the Rasons follov»ing to wit: that the nearest of us
lives more than four and some five, six,& Seven mills from the
comon Place of Peraid which is a great fetague to your Pe-
tishioners and besides severall of your Petitioners did formerly
Belong to Capt Gregg Compeny of which William Blair is
Insign whos name is famos all over the contrey for his man-
agmcnt with Jotham Odihorn Esq Leet of Portsmouth De-
seased, and notwithstanding of the aforesaid villeny the said
Blair was Permited to cary the collors last training day In the
TOW'X PAPERS LONDONDERRY
515
aforesaid Greggs Company soon after your Pctishioners meet
togetlier and drew this Petishon and chous for our ofesers the
following persons to wit, Mr Thomas Wallace for our Cap-
tain, Mr Joseph Senter for our Leftenant, and Mr James Airs
for Insign.
Therefore your Petishonars Most humbly prays that your
Excelency would be Pleased to Grant us Comishons to the
aforsaid ]\Iishors Wallace Senter and Ilcrs in the aforesaid
station and Set us of as a new company and we as Loyall sub-
jects shall Indeavour to serye our King and Contrey to the
outmost o. our power and your Petishoners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray. Subscribed at Londondery August the 20*''
1754
William White
Joseph Will son
William Willson
William Houston
Joseph Willison
Moses Senter
Benj^' Willson
Thomas Joans
Rubuan Senter
Stephen Spalden
Patrick Clark
Jon. Stewart
James M Cormack
William Gallt
William Stalender
William Dickey
John Thompson
Elise Dickey
David Houston
John Clark
Jo' Senter
Samuel Thomson
Andrew Thomson
Charles Melen
David M Calester
James M Calester
William M Calester
Jon Craige
James M Keen
Samuel M Keen
Samuel Senter
Charles M Cay
James Anderson
Edward Aiken
Samuel Dickey
Jonathan Aiken
James Tagert
George Adeson
William Anderson
James Anderson
William Mack
William Ayers
John Mack
Ase Stephens
William Alexander
Thanks to the Legislature for an Act relathig- to taverns.
To his Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq. Captain General
Governour k. Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, The Honourable his Majes-
tys Council & House of Representatives.
We the Subscribers Free Holders iS: Inhabitants in London-
derry & Province afore said Humbly beg leave to Return our
sincere & Hearty Thanks for the Late Gracious Act in which
it is Stipulated that Londonderry aforesaid shall have no more
Than three Taverns & Two Retailers for the present and four
ensuing years & we had rather the number was diminished
than Licreased.
Londonderry Sept 26''' Annoquc Domini 175S.
5i6
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Matthew Thornton
William Wallace
William Cox
Charles Cox
John M' Artney
William Cochran
John Cochran
Petter Cochran
Robert Cochran
Vincan Cochran
Jon Wallace
Nathaniel Aiken
Hug. Young
Randel Alexander
James Anderson
David Anderson
Samuel Moore
Alex- M Nutt
Thomas Gricrr
John Durham
Robert Moore
John Hopkin
Thomas Wilson
James Willson
James Willson
Mo'- Barnett
James Aiken
Samuell Miller
John Barnett
Robart Barnett
Samuel Allison
Sam" Allison Jr
David Steel
Thomas Creage
David Craige
Samuel Morrison
Mathew Ta_ylor
John Hogg
John Mitchel
Samuel Rankin
James Paul
Will'" Rankin
John Steel
Samuel Steel
Jn" Wiear
John M Keen
Ephraim Marsh
James Thomson
Hugh Thomson
William Humphre
William Orr
John Moor
Hugh Mungomery
David Mountgomerj
Robert Morrison
Robert Macmurphj
Sam'' Houston
James Houston
Daniel Leslie
Robert Patterson
Will" Eayrs
John Moor
Robert Moor
James Caldwell
Patrick Douglass
Alexi^ Renken
Daniel M'Duffie
Robert Adams
Ja^ M'^Gregore
John Ta_\ for
William Taylor
Petition of ///.habitants of Londonderry^ ^759? J"^'' discon-
tinuance of a higJnvay.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Captain General
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, The Honourable his Majes-
tys Council & House of Representatives in Generall As-
sembly Conven'd.
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of Lon-
donderry & Province aforcs' Humbly Shews,
That in or about the year 1746 the Selectmen of London-
derry afore s'^ Laid out a Highway Lengthways thro the land
belonging to one Joseph Boyes of the Town & Province afore-
said which Lands is the farm on which the said Boyes then did
& now dwells which Highway is within eight or nine rods of
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY.
5»7
the Line of said Farm tiic whole or near the whole length, &
In Oct"^ 13"' 174S, The selectmen of Londonderry afor's'' at
the request of s'' Boyes Laid out a Highway on the same Tract
of Land the whole Length of the afores'' line & the Highway
Laid out on the line in all respects accommodates the Publick
as well. & said Boyes much better then the first as may appear
by the Plan of both herowitli Exhibited & there is little or no
work Dun on the first road.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly pray that the first Laid
out Highway may be Disannulled ; & the latter established or
otherwise as in your great Wisdom you think best & your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Londonderry Oct' 2i' A D. 1759.
Samuel Barr.
John Coclnan
William Duucam
Joseph Hogg
James Aiken
Thomas I ly lands
John Keiil
John Duncan
John Duncan
Jame.s Coeliran
Neall Taggart
John Taggart
Joseph Cochran
Samuel Moore
John Aiken
Jon Wallace
Andr Todd
James Todd
Robert Logan
John Crombie, Jr
John Crombie
Robt Clark
Will. Clark
Tho. Willson
James Ramsey
Hugh Ramsey
John Ii.imsey
Samuel Fisher
James An<k'rson
Edward Akin
William Anderson
John Clarke
Nathaniel Aiken
James Aiken
James Steel
.John Wallace
William Kayra
James Eayera
John Wallace
Willni Ranken
Joseph Scober
AVillm Duncan
Samuel Kenkin
Samll Willson
James Wallace
John Pinkertown
David Steel
Pati'ick Dugles
Thos. Barnett
John Holmes
Saml Miller
Ninian Cochran
Willm Rogers
Arthur Boyd
Robt McNeill
John Humphry
Samll Houston
Daniel McNeill
James Blair
Arthur Archibald
James Cillmor
Benjamin Wilson
James Adams
Robert Adams
James MacGregore
James Adams, Jr
Jonathan Adania
Mathew Reid
David Montgomery
John Moor
Willm Rogers
John Hylands
Moses Watt
James Nesniith
John Moor
William Moores
James Boyes
Samuel Boyes
Ebenezer Coston
Adam Dickey
John Dickey
Abram Morrison
5l8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
John MoiTison John Mitchel, Jr
William Make Hugh Jemcson
George Duncan Gabriel Barr
John Duncan Jno Wiear
John Barnett Thomas Wallace
Robert Barnett James Wallace
John Barnett Jr. James Doacke
JamcB Rogers John Doacke
John Bell Capt John Mitchel
James Campbell John Mack
James Taggart Robert Mack
Thomas Taggart Samuel Dickey
Willm Wallace Adam Dickey
Thomas Gregg Edward Aiken
Samuell Gregg James Ewins
Jolm Patten Robert Parkson
David Anderson Samll Alison
James Miltemoer Saml Alison, Jr
John MacClorg James Wilson
Willm Miltemoer Robert Craig
Mehen Clark Hugh Young
ThoB. Morison John Gregg
Robt Clendinin James Gregg
Samuel Steel
In Council Jan lo"' 1760
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon**'" House.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Jan>' 11"' 1760. This
New Hamps j petition being read, Ordered That the petitioners be heard
thereon the third day of the sittingof the Gen' Assembly
next after the first day of March next & that the petitioners at there
own cost and charge cause James Murrow mentioned In said petition to
be Served with a copy thereof, and this order of Court Likewise that
they cause the substance of this petition & this order of court thereon
to be advertised In the New Hamps'' Gazette, three weeks successively,
that the said Murrow or any other persons whome it may concern may
appear & Shew cause if any they have why the prayer thereof should
not be granted
A. Clarkson, Clerk
In Council Jan. 11"' 1760.
Read & Concured.
Theod. Atkinson, Secry
Province of | ^^ ^ House of Representatives March 27'" 1760.
New Hamp'^ j ^ ' '
The partys to the within Petition being fully heard thereon & it ap-
pearing a reasonable Request, therefore Voted That the prayer thereof
be granted & that the said Boyes have leave to bring in a bill accord-
ingly.
Peter Gilman speaker, Pro Tern
In Council Eod'" Die,
Read & Concurred.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY. 519
Petition for a Laiv regulating fshing.
To His Excellency Bening Wcntworth Esq. Captain General
Governoiir & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire: The Honourable his jNIajes-
tys Council & House of Representatives in General As-
sembly Conven'd.
The petition of the Subscribers a committee chosen at a
Legal Town meeting HoUlen in Londonderry & Province
afore's'J& others Inhabitants of Neighbouring Towns Humbly
Shews,
That the Petitioners apprehend the Pnblick Interest makes
it necessarv To make a Law to regulate the following Articles
viz : First where as in Merrymac river in the Town of Derry-
field & Province afore s** there is certain rocks Known by the
name of Amuskeeg Falls at which place every Spring there is
great number of Salmon & Shad fish which we believe every
Inhabitant in the Province afore s'' has an equal right to, But
particular men Takes what they call possession of all the Con-
venient places to catch said tish & either by themselves or
agents prevents all others from catching & those possession
men sells at what prices & when & to whom they please which
makes Disturbances & Disorders Too many to be here enumer-
ated.
Secondly The rivers & Brooks That emt^s into Merry-
mac river are so filled with Mills & Dams that the passage of
the fish is Intirely obstructed & the Inhabitants especially the
poorer sort greatly Injured.
Thirdly, Fishing every day with scenes in Merry-Mac river
prevents the Increase & in time may Turn the corse of the fish
from the river ; wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray,
First That every Inhabitant in the Province afore s' if they
please to go to the above s' falls may fish their Turn & enjoy
their right peaceably.
Secondly, That every Impediment on any river or Brook as
above s'' may be removed at the expence of the Builders of s**
Impediment so that the fish may have free corse to the heads
of s'' rivers & Brooks.
Thirdly, That no persons be allowed to fish more than three
days in the week with Sienes in Merrymac river within the
Province afore s*^ In case Massachusetts Bay makes the same
Law or Otherwise In any or all the Above's'' Articles as in
your Great Wisdom you Judge most for the Publick Good &
your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray.
And"^ 'I'odd
Samuel Barr \ Comittee
Matthew Thornton
Londonderry December
22"* A D. 1759.
520 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Chester.
Eben' Flagg Sam' Emerson
John Webster Samuel Hills.
Bedford.
P'rancis Barnet Jo'm Qiiig
John Little James Lyons
John Wallace John M'"Allester
James Little James Patterson
William Holms James Kennedy
William Barnett Robert Walker
Hugh Riddle John Bell Jr
Matthew Little Samuel Patten.
Windha^n.
William Smiley "|
John Davidson ^Selectmen
Joseph Park j
In Council Jan. lo"' 1760.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon*"'*^ Assembly.
Theodore Atkinson Secry.
Province of ") In the house of Representatives, Jan 11'*' 1760. Or-
New Hampshir / dered That the petitioners be heard thereon the sec-
ond day of the sitting of the Gen' Assembly next
after the first Day of March next & that they cause the Substance of"
this petition & this order of court to be advertised In the New Hamps""
Gazette three weeks successively that those persons whom it may Con-
cern may appear & shew cause if any they have why the prayer thereof
should not be Grant'd
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council Jan. 11, 1760.
read & Concurrd.
Theod. Atkinson, Secry.
Province of ") In the house of Representatives May 16"' 1760 This
New Hampshire /petition being read the parties appeared by them-
selves & their attorneys & after being fully heard,
thereon, Resolved, That the prayer thereof be so far granted as that
no person shall be on the rocks at Ammuskeege fall from Sunsett Sat-
urday evening untill Monday next at noon — one evidence to convict
them before a justice of peace & his determination to be final that all
obstructions on the rivers & brooks therein mentioned be so far Re-
moved that the fish may have free course to the heads thereof that no
sceins be used In said River only on Monday, Wednesday & Fryday, &
further Resolved that no manner of Acts or Instruments shall be used
to distroy take or stop any of the young Salmon or Shad In said Rivers
or Brooks on the penaltys in a bill for that purpose to be prepared by
the petitioners accordingly
A. Clarkson, clerk
In Council, Eod'" Die,
read & Concurrd
Theod. Atkinson, Secry.
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDEHRY. 521
Petition relating to Jish in Merrimack river.
Province of I To his Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esqr
New Hamp. j Governor &C And to the Honourable his Maj-
estys Council and House of Representatives
for said Province.
The petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants of
Londonderry, Chester, Derryfield, Bedford, Gofiestown,
Starkstown, Pembrook, Pennykook & who are commonly
supplycd with Fish catched at the Falls in Merrimack River
Most Humbly sheweth
That whereas there hath been a Petition prefer'd to this
Honourable Court to Restrain the fishing at the Falls in said
River three days in each week as the fishing with Seanes is
Restrained by an act lately passed In Answer to said petition
we pray that the fishing at the Falls in said River may not be
restrained in anv measure but that the same may remain free as it
hath been hitherto, we being of opinion that the fishing with scoop
or dip nets docs not in any measure hurt or hinder the Increase
of fish so but that they may be always plenty as they have ever
been untill the fisliing with Seanes as long Experience Suffi-
ciently Evidences for the fish in said River were always ob-
served to Decrease as the number of seanes Increased and
provided nothing might be suffered to hinder or destroy the
Fry or young-fish coming down the River Provided also that
the catching Salmon from and after the first of July to the end
of the year were wholy stoped and that two or more persons
be chosen and Sworn in each town joyning on the River an-
nually to see that the Laws Relating to fishing be duly ob-
served not only within the towns where they are chose Re-
spectively but any where on said River and the lesser Rivers
that Run into the same — Wherefore your petitioners pray that
their said fishing at the Falls may not be Restrained and your
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
July 13 ■ 1764.
Ebenezer Costoii Robert Walker
Thomas Wallace Francis Uarnct
his Ebenezer Johnson
Matthew X McDuffee Jas Caldwell
mark Math Little
William Whites Jr John Moor
John Clagston John Moor Jr.
RfibtMcNight James Aiken
John Kidder David ?
William Holms Mathw Patten
Joseph Houston James Vose
Thomas Murroiigh Joseph McCartney
James Patterson William Barnet
John Diusmoor Richard McAll?ler
John Bell Sumll Richards
52?
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Benj. Smith
James Moore
William Nutt
Robert Gillmore
Ebenezer Hacket
Enoch Page
Daniel Moor
David Moor
Thos McLaughlin
Silas Walker
Benjamin I>avis
William McDougall
Joseph Thomas
Robert Mack
Jno Little
his
Alexr X Orr
mark
James Smith
Nathanel Petterson
David McCleary
Joshua Martin
Thomas Coffrin
Andrew Bunten
John ColBn
William Cochran
Samuel Gait
James Gay
James ColVin Jr
Stephen Svvett
John McDaniel
David McAllasler
Robert McDaniel
Willeam Merten
James Merten
James Mor
James Cocliran Jr
James Cocliran
Joseph Cochran
William Snow
Hubard Steand
James Lukes
Daniel Lukes
James Russ
Gain Ilemphil
James Moor
Samuel Connor
Jacob Fowler
Timothy Knox
Thomas Welch
Starlen Sargent
John Clark
Benja Noyes
William IJrown
Patrick Gait
Benjamin Ginkes
Samuel Smith
Isaac Whit
Nemiah Denel
Thomas Sanckler
Jacob Gay
Daniel Frezer
Daniel Knox
Joseph Brown
Samuel Mcfee
Samuel Brown
Jamks Caldwell.
Asa Foster
Timo Clement
Isaac George
Archd McDuffie
Henry Stevens
Willm Hoberlson
Daniel Merten
James McCaley
John Stark
Samuel Siark
Alexander McCaley
Edward Bery
John Hay
Georg When
John Lenaud
John Siusclir
John Fife
James Fife
John Fife, Jr
Willm Fife
Ephraim Blunt
David Conner
James Man
Samuel Man
S. Jonathan
John McConuel
Thomas McConnal
William Moor
James Moor
Andrew McAlaster
James Hoobard
James (iarven
John White
Abraham Merrel
Samuel Alexander
John Keneday
Robt Keneday
Thomas Merrel
John Merrel Jr
Thos. Robertson
Joseph Baker
Wilhn Robertson
Andw Robertson
Ebenezer Frie
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY.
5»S
Levi Carter
Joseph IJaker Jr
John Moor
Joshua Tylor
Lovewel Baker
Thomas 15aker
Steven McConell
Samuel McConell
Patrick Garven
John Moor Jr
Robert Moor
James Cunningham
lYances Dogau
Moses Conell
Willm Knox
Wilhn Man
Willm Moor
Daniel Moor
Francis McCay
Moses Garven
Samul Garven
John Garven
Bartholemy Stephans
John Man
John Man Jr
Thomas Kenady
Robert Kenaiiy
Joseph Kenady
Joseph Kenady Jr
George Adeson
Samuel Keunady
Paul Hurbeen
SaniU Noyea
John McN'eal
John Taggart
John McCurdy
Aron Wells
Mathw Flood
Jacob Caley
Jeremiah IJrowTi
Daniel Merten
Asa Puduey
Joseph Pudney
David Pope
John Pudney
Benja Iledly
David Rowel
Daniel Macurdy
Mo-scs Wells
Joseph Ordway
Elezer Wells
John ArdNvay
Job Rowel
Andrew Stone
John Millir
Samuel Rodgers
Mark Flood
Salvenis Emery
John Mearill
Caleb Emery
Hendre Pudne
Ebenezer Merten
Elezer Emerson
Francis F;irr
Ephraim Foster
Joseph Rodgers
Antonie Emanuel
Randal Alexander
Robt Miler
James Macurdy
Willm Stark
Thomas Jemeson
Alexr Jemeson
John Copey ?
Alexr Walker
Job. Kider
Benj. Norris
Richd Barllet
Asa Foster
Moses McConnal
Willn Folinton
Sia Alen
Moses Conner
Samuel Welch
Jonathan Merten
Elesr Alen
Punphret Whithous
Solomon Whithous
Daniel Eacens
Andrew Smith
Thomas Sinklir
Jeremiah Morgan
Charles McCoy
Francis McCuchran
Daved Conner
David Conner, Jr
John Coflran, Jr
Thomas Smith
Alexander McClintok
Hugh Crombie
John Hercn
Jeames Horner
Daniel McNeal
William Pirham
William Pirham jun
Eleazer Robblns
John Pirham
Micheal McClinto
Nathanel Blasdell
John Sargent
Thomas Flapg
Moses Underhilt
Hugh McAffee
David White
SH
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Samuel Aiken
William Aiken
James Aikeu
David Watherspoones
Robert Craig
Robert McKinley
Thomas Dinsinoor
Andrew (^rage
James Croset
Benjn Croset
Peter Aiken
William McClinto
Ephraim Robbina
Samuel Boyd
Epliraim Robbins
Adam Willson
Robert Calf
John Pa ton
William White
Moses Sergant
John Miles
Robt Paton
Jesse McFarlaud
John Brown
Joseph Calle
Thomas Coburn
Nathaniel Boyd
John McClinto
Jonathan Chamberling,.Jr
Jonathan Chamberling
Georg Person
Willm Hall
iVlexander Watherapoon
Thomas Karr Jr
George Duncan
John Duncan
James Todd
Isack Bruster
James Donaldson
Josiah Duncan
Alexander Todd
James Rodgers
John Cate
Joseph Oughterson
Thomas Newman
Nathanel Heriman
James Campbell
Eleazer Coston
John Cochran
James Campbell Jr
Parich Riclieaon
John Bell
Caleb Dolton
John Rodgers
Samuel Bell
Robert Jl'Cluer
Robert Davison
Joseph Bell
Thomas Milar
James Peirs
James McGregore
Henry Blaisdell
Robert Moreson
James Aiken
Robert Moor
William Belley ?
Samuel Cochran
Robert Willson
William Moor
Robert Macniurphy
William Eayrs
John Oughterson
James Gregg
William Gregg
Benja Nesmith
Nathl Aiken
Robert Hunter
Joseph Gregg
William Boyd
Robert Rogers
John Willson
James Oughterson
Jonathan Morel
Abram Merel
James Miltmbr
D.vid Mountgumery
Isack Cochran
John Craig
Robert Craig
John Senter
Moses Senter
James Gregg
John Thompson
Samuel Moor
Sanmel Senter
David Anderson
David Campbell
Samuel Renkin
John Gregg
John Night
James Cochran
John Mack
William Anderson
Steven Coburn
Steven Jouston
TOWN- PAPERS — LONDONDERRY. 525
Pciitlon ahojit irregular proceedings in town meeting.
To the honourable the Representatives of the province of
New Hampshire in New England in General Assembly to
be Convcn'd May y twenty Second A D. 1771
The humble petition of the Subscribers Freeholders of
Londonderry and Windham of the province aforesaid vShew-
eth,
That your Petitioners are a Great part if not the Majority
of the Qiialified Voters of said Londonderry and Windham
That )-our petitioners think they can make it evidently ap-
pear that in the choice of a Representative Last Tuesday they
were Treated by the Moderator of said meeting and his abet-
tors with manifest and Glaring partiality, that persons were
admitted by the Governing Party in said Meeting to Vote
who cou'' or won' ' Not Give suficient Evidence of their Being
Qiialified as the Law Directs, That altho' an express Law of
the province Provides in case any dispute shou'd arise upon a
written Vote a Poll if demanded shou'd be the final Decision
and altho the Moderator did Promise that said poll should Take
place in case it was Demanded and in consequence of said
Promise a Number did forbear Voteing by a written vote as
Thinking it wou'd Be soon enough when it came to the poll
yet when a disi:)ute did arise upon the determination by the
written Vote though the Moderator was call'd upon imediately
and Repeatedly by a great number of the members of the
meeting agreeable to his promise and to the Law to Bring the
matter to a final decision By poll yet he did in an arbitrary
and dispotic manner Refuse the same.
May it therefore Please your honours to consider and enquire
in to the case from w*^' we think it will evidently appear that
the matter was not fairly carried and to Give order that London-
derry and Windham may have another meeting in order to
have a fair choice and your Petitioners shall ever pray &' &L''
Sign'' at Londonderry May y- 16"' 1771.
Jno Wiear Jonathan Adams
Robert Hopkins Samll Houston
James Adnnis Willm Duncan
James Tagi^art Jolni Taylor
James ^Ic(iiegore Jamea MacMurphy
John Hunter George Duncan, Jr
Daneal Hunter Adam Taylor
John Aiken James Paul
John Hell John Hopkins
Thomas Taggart John Nesmith
Robert Adams Robt Hopkins
John Bariiett Saml Morison
James McKoen William Thorn
John Dinsmoor Wilhn Cunningham
Robt IMcNcill John Waddell
Thos Craige William Dinsmoor
526
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Robert Dinsmoor
John Cochran
James Cochran
John Tuft
James Jameson
Thomas Jameson
Isaac Cochran
Robert Park
Alexr Park
Jno Morison
James Hopkins
Jno Stewart
Charles Anis
Gain Armour
Aiulrevv Armour
Joseph Smith
Robert Smith
James Gait
John Cochran Jr
John Wilson, Jr
Alexr Wilson
John Kile
William Gregg, Jr.
Willra Gregg
Hugh Graham
Hugh Graham jun.
James Anderson, Jr
John Clark
John Armstrong
John Armstrong, Jr
David Armstrong
Saml Wilson
Robert Hemphill
Nathl Hemphill
Nathl Hemphill jun.
George Gregg
Samuel Campbell
Samuel McAdams
Andrew Todd
Isaac Brewster
Thomns Smith
Hugh Smith
John Smith
John Campbell
James Adams
Nathl Aiken
David Campbell
John Montgomery
John Creeag
Robert Mack
Jame-^ Gregg
John Woodhurn
James Anderson
John I'inkerton
Archibd INIcMiirphy
Robert ]5ird
James Campbell
Saml Graham
Saml Fisher
David Oughtersoa
Joseph Ougliterson
James Anderson 3d
Wm Anderson
John Duncan 3d
Saml Anderson
Robt Anderson
Jno Anderson
Moses Graham
James Anderson
Saml Anderson Jr
John Clark
John Scobey
David Pinkerton
Robt Wallace
Daniel McAffee
Jona Gilmore
Robt Morrison
Robt Hunter
Robt Archibald
Robt McMurphy
Richd Duston
Jno Chase
Saml Eley
Saml Taylor
Wm Orr
Jno Carr
Robt McFerland
Benole Plumor
Danl Cheney
Abra Page
Stephen Johnson
Charles Sargent
Wm Taylor
Simeon Morrell
Davd Taylor
Alexandr Houston
Jno Wallace
Jno Boyd
Isaac Tucker
Robt Smith
Saml Rankin
Wm Rankin
Arthur Archibald
Davd Clandinin
James Wilson
Jno Hopkins, Jr
Saml Wilson, Jr
Geo Clark
Geo Wdson
Saml Clarke
Jno Caldwell
James Wilson, Jr
Wm Miltmer
James Nesmith tertius
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY.
527
Jno Annis
Robt Annis
Sainl Mareh
Thos Chirk
Matthew Clarke
David Anderson
James Miltemoro
Benja Giegg
Jno Gregg
James Gregg, Jr
Isaac Cochran
Thos Anderson
Wm Boyd
James McCormick
David Paul
Jno McKene, Jr
Geo. Read
Jno McKene
Robt Mi-Kene
Jno Dunkin
Jno Dunkin, Jr
Robt Wilson
Joseph Bell
Jno Dickey
Matthew Dickey
Adam Dickay
James Donaldson
Robert Barnett
James Nesmith
Jno Barnett
Geo. Dunkin
James Nesmith, Jr
Jacob Chase
Hugh Mo.)r
Joseph Ayers
Robt McClure
Tho. McClure
Timo Ayer
Wm Smith
Abra Dunkin
Jno Wiar
Robt Hopkins
James Adams, Jr
James Taggart
Jamss McGrcgore
Jn3 Hunter
Jno Aiken
Jno Dinsniore
Jno Bell
Thos Taggart
Robt Adams
Jno Barnett
James McKene
RobtMcN'cal!
Thos Craig
Jona Adams
Saml Houston
Wm Dunkin
Jno Taylor
James McMurphy
Geo Dunken Jr
Adam Taylor
James Paul
Jno Hopkins
Jno Nesmith
Rrobt Hopkins, Jr
Saml Morrison
Wm Thorn
Wm Cunningham
Jno Waddcll
W^m Dinsmoro
Robt Dinsniore
Jno Cochran
Jno Tuft
James Jameson
Thos Jameson
Isaac Cochran, Jr
Robt Park
Ale.xr Park
Jno Morri.-on
David Hopkins
Jno Stuart
Charles Annis
Andrew Armour
Gain Armor
Joseph Smith
Robt Smith, Jr
James Gait
John Cochran
John Wilson, Jr
Ale.xr Wilson
Jno Keille
Wm (iregg
Wm Gregg, Jr
Hugh Graham, Jr
Hugh Graham
James Anderson 3d
Jno Armstrong
Jno Armstrong, Jr.
Saml Wilson
Robert Hemphill
Nathl Hemphill
Nath Hemphill, Jr
George Gregg
Samuel Campbell
Saml McAdama
[Some of the above names appear to be repeated. Ed.]
528 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of 1 December 13"' 1771 In the house of Representa-
New Hampshire |-tives upon reading the petition within written, Voted,
Rockingham J that the petitioners at their own cost Serve the select
men of Londonderry & Matthew Thornton Esq who
was the moderator of the meeting therein mentioned with a copy of said
petition and order of the house thereon by Reading the same to them
Respectively or leaving a copy at their Respective dwelling houses or
place of abode that they may be heard thereon to shew cause if any they
have why the prayer thereof should not be granted, on thursday the
26"' Day of December Instant at Portsm" aforesaid if the General as-
sembly be then sitting 8i if not then on the third day of the Assembly
next sitting after the said 26^'' of December.
William Parker, Clerk Ass™
Jany I, on the hearing dismist.
Petition of Londondeny West Parish.
To his ExcelP John Wentworth Esq. Cap' Gen' and Gov"" in
Chief in & over his Mujestys province of New Hampshire,
And to the honourable his Majestys Council and house of
Representatives ; In General Court assembled.
The humble memorial and Petition of the western Parish in
Londonderry and Pi'ovince aflbresaid Sheweth
That in the year 1739 your petitioners obtained an Act of
the Legislature of this province setting off by certain bounds
therein specified a parish in the Western side of Londonderry,
That a number of people in each Parish, unwilling to join
with or be of the Parish in which they were situated and
pleading Conscience & Liberty it was provided in said Act that
fourty Familys within the eastern side of the Town should
have Liberty to Incorporate with and he of the western par-
ish, and that an equal numberwithin the Bounds of the western
Parish should have the same libert3\ That by the means of
these vicissitudes to which in a long space of Time humane
Affairs are liable some of the exempted fourty Familys or their
posterity have by the transferring of property come to be liable
(as is alledged by some) to pay those ministers to whom they
never stood in any special Relation whose ministry they can-
not in conscience attend ; and who have the very same Plea
with the mentioned fourty Familys exempted in the parish act
as above said, That altho your petitioners have never taken
any advantage of the circumstances of such Persons as judging
that to do so would be contrary to the Principle of Liberty on
which the above mentioned exemption in the parish Act is found-
ed ; yet the Eastern Parish cainiot say so; they have (especially
of late) shewed a great avidity to avail themselves of such ad-
vantages. They have rated a considerable number and made
distress upon some who always belonged to the Parish of your
TOWN- PAPERS — LONDONDEKRV. 529
Petitioners, some of those rated are of the exempted fourty
Familvs and have been born under the present Ministry inso-
much that the Letter of the Parish Act is made use of by our
Neighbours in such a sense as to destroy the true spirit and In-
tention of the said act. and also to rob people of the lilierty
granted in religios matters by a gratious King and by the laws
of this province.
That there is often a wider diflerence between Presbyterians
and Presbyterians than there is between Presbyterians and
Congrcgationals or between Presbyterians and Episcopals as
such — Two persons may both of them be nomenally Presby-
terians and yet may ditler in some of the most important Doc-
trines of Religion whereas Presbyterians and Congrcgationals
or Presbvterians and Episcopals as such ditler only in things
of a comparatively lesser Nature. That if the Law provides
for people in the latter of these Cases where the ground of
dissent is Lesser, much more ought it to provide in the former
case where the ground of dissent is greater.
That as the two congregations in Londonderry are nearlv
Equal : As the people of the two Societys are living promis-
cuous all over the Town : as the meeting houses are about
^qualy well situated for the accommodation of the Town in
general And Finaly as the difference in religious matters be-
tween the two societys is of long standing and in the Judg' of
^our petitioners wide and of great Lnportancc. your petition-
ers are humbly of opinion that the Thing and the only Thing
that will Establish Peace and good Neighbourhood between
the two societys and prevent expensive Prosecutions in the
Executive courts will be an act of Assembly appointing that
every person in Londonderry should support the Gospel in
that Congreg' onl}^ where he constantly & conscienciously at-
tends— such an act (your peti'^ are fullv persuaded) as it is
most equitable in it self so it will be the most likely means to
:alm the spirits of people many of whom are at present much
exasperated by apprehended Imposition This will be the most
likely to keep the two societys nearly upon a levell ; And
to conclude this will make every Individual in the Town a
^•olunteer in the support of the Gospel
May it therefore please your Excelly &. Hon'^ to take this
weighty afiair which so nearly concerns the peace and hajjpi-
ness of this large town under vour wise and impartial Con-
sideration : And under proper limitations to enact that every
person shall be obliged to support the Gospel in that Congr"
Duly to which he conscientiously adheres: and where he ordi-
narily attends, and your peti'~ shall ever pray.
34
530 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Signed at Lon'- this 15''' day of May 1773.
John Hunter
John M' Keen
Sam" Fisher
James Paul ^ Committee
"George Duncan Ji
James M' Gregore
Will"' Duncan
Province of") In the House of Representatives May 18'" 1773, upon
New Hamp / reading this petition, Voted that the petitioners Serve the
selectmen or assessors of the first parish or as it is called
in this petition the Eastern parish with a copy of this Petition in this
manner: by reading the same to the majority & leavir^ the copy with
one of them and that the parties may be heard thereon on the third
day of the sitting of the general assembly after the 151'' day of June
either by prorogation or adjournment if either should happen in the
mean time : sent up
William Parker, Cler.
In Council Eodem die
Read and concurr'd
Geo. King, D. Secry
Petition of Inhabitaids of Londonderry^ I773-
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq Capt General Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in & over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire & vice admiral of the same &''
The Honourable His Majestys Council & House of Repre-
sentatives in general Assembly Convened.
The subscribers inhabitants in the East & West Parishes in
Londonderry in s' Province humbly shews, That in the year
A. D. 1739, said Londondeny, by an act of the Legislature
of s ' Province was divided into two grants called the East &
west Parishes, with liberty for a number not exceeding forty
Families in Each Parrish to Poll to the other the forty families
in the east that Poll'd to the west by the assistance of those
in the west that lived near the East line of said Parrish ob-
tained a vote to Build & did build a meeting house for said
Parrish near the east line thereof when s'' Parish then had a
meeting house near the center newly Built & is now Rotten
for want of use as the number of Inhabitants in the west Par-
rish increase the forty families in the East that Polled to the
West multiply & now are near (if not above) seventy families
& by the abovesaid assistance have from the time of passing
s'' act to this day obliged all the rest of s' West Parish to travil
to the meeting house near the east line except a few days in
gi'eat condescention they lately have had preaching in a third
New meeting House Built by said West Parrish near the cen-
ter which must suffer the tate of their first in case their minis-
TOWN PAPERS LONDONDERRY. 531
;r continues to live near the center of the east Parrish & all
lat Proceed from the forty fiimilles in the east that PoU'd to
le west be the number ever so great belong to & vote with
le west Parrish as they yet have done which two causes in
Lir opinion begun the flam of contention in Londonderry &
5 they have they will keep it alive while they continue when
-e are Distinct Parrishes without Pollers & not till then Lon-
anderry may reasonably expect peace take the cause & the
Tect will cease : relative to a petition lately Exhibited to your
ixcellency & Honours by a committee from the West Parish
; now under your consideration Shewing first the great dif-
irence between Presbyterians & Presbyterians : 3*"-' the pro-
liscuous situation of the Parishioners of each Parrish. 3'^'
le great diflerence in opinion between the people of the two
arrishes in the Important Doctrines of the Gospel. 4'^' that
'he meeting Houses are Equally well situated to accommo-
ixte the people of each Parrish ; Finally praying for what
ley call by the name of liberty for each Individual to joine
here he or they Please & pay where they joine.
We answer first as to the great diflerance between Presby-
rians & Presbyterians, we take it to be a Theological Dis-
nction when there is no difference ; that there is a wide dif-
rence between Real & nominal Presbyterians we are very
insible & leave it to the Impartial which they will call the
rst.
Secondly that the Parishioners are Promiscuously situated
true which is owing to the forty pollers & their ofspring : 3"^
there is that great difference in opinion set forth in said pe-
tion between the People of the two parrishes respecting the
nportant doctrines of the Gospel it must be in the minds only
r some private disputes between enthusiasticks unless they call
isputes about the Irregular conduct of some members of
resbyterys Important Doctrines of the gospel.
4"''' If by the Meeting Houses in each Parrish being
jually well situated to accommodate the inhabitants they
lean the new meeting House in tlie East Parrish and the last
jilt meeting House in the west it is true But if thev mean the
leeting house in the west Parrish near the east line where the
ublick Worship now is & has been ever since they were u
arrish (Except as above excepted) we leave it to your Ex-
jllency & Honours how well the inhabitants of the west Par-
h are accommodated & what Justice is done them in Gen-
■al ; Finally the Liberty prayed for in said petition if granted
e humbly apprehend will be pi'oductive of greater evils than
le Polling act Because in that case in all future time that
arrish which has the most Popular Preacher who is not the
isest man the best scholar nor the best christian will leave
532
NEW HAMPSHIRE
the other Parish unable to support the Gospel & we dont de-
sire to give or take such unjust advantage it is evident that
every Individual of mankind in our present state & circum-
stances are not to be free in every respect, Because that would
destroy the publick good. In all Bodys Politick Individuals
give up part of their Liberty & Properties to the Publick to
secure the remainder. In all societies Religious civil or Polit-
ical Individuals are to enjoy private liberty & property as far
as is consistant with the good of the community of which
they are a part & no further, from which it is evident that
whatsoever liberty one of any number desire or pray for incon-
sistant with the good of the community of which the}- are a
part, should be refused
And as the prayer of their Petition is evidently calculated
to destroy the future peace and good order of both the above
gd Panishes in Londonderry, Therefore your Petitioners Hum-
bly pray first that the prayers of said Petition may not be
granted. 2'''^ that the present dividing line between the two
Parrishes in said Londonderry may be examined by a com-
mittee appointed by your Excellency & honoui-s and if Just,
established & if not that s- committee may fix it so as to doe
Equal Justice to both Parrishes.
And that an act may be made that will oblige Every Indi-
vidual Presbyterian in all future time to pay his proportion
according to law of the Ministers Salary in the Parrish where
he dwells & Joine & Worship where he or they please which
we believe would produce peace & good agreement between
the Inhabitants of both Parrishes in general or reduce the
fort}' pollers to their primitive number & fix it so that they
never shall exceed that number & impower the west Parish to
meet for Publick worship where it will be most Just & Con-
venient for the Inhabitants of s'' Parish for the future the latter
will better our circumstances, the first will cause our distruc-
tions.
But we humbly submit all to your Excellency & Honours
& as in duty bound will ever pray &'^
Matthew Thornton James Ramsey
Samuel Anderson James Ramsey
Samuel Anderson Jr William Ramsey
James Eaj^rs
Londonderrv May 37, A D. 1773.
In Council Jan. 13, 1774.
Read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'^''^' Assemblj-.
Geo. King, D. Secry.
TOWN PAPERS LYME. 533
Agrccmoit of Comt)iittecs.
Whereas there is a Petition Exhibited to His Excellency
)hn Wentworth Escj Captain General, Governour & Com-
ancler in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New
'ampshire & The Honourable His jMajest}'S Council & House
' Representatives in General Assembly Conven'd signed by
committee appointed by the New parish in Londonderry in
id Province praying for the Redress of Certain greevances
entioned in said petition, It is mutualy agreed Between s'^
ommittee & a committee from the old or first Parish in said
ondonderry as follows, viz :
First that all the Rev'd M' David M Gregors Plearers that
•e rated by s** old Parish shall be erased out of their list for
le last tax & all former taxes not already paid.
2'^ That the ministers Salary (viz Eighty pounds Each pr
inum) shall be raised on the whole Inhabitants of Both Par-
hes that are obliged by law to pay to either of s** ministers
y- Pole & estate & each Parish shall Levie the money of their
:spective hearers by their own collectors.
3'"' That this agreement shall continue between s' par-
hes untill the death or incapacity of the Rev'^ Mr David
['Gregore or the Rev'' Mr William Davidson or for the space
' three years from this date.
Dated at Portsmouth, Jan. 15' A. D. 1774.
Signed pr
Matthew Thornton ^ Committee
Samuel Barr |- for the
Rob' Clark j old parish
James MacGregore^
George Duncan Jr Committee
Will'" Duncan [ for the
Samuel Fisher new parish
James Paul I
LYME.
[Lyme was granted by charter, July 8, 1761. Settlements began in
ay, 1764, by emigrants from Connecticut. Ed.]
Pet it i 071 for a ferry.
Province of } To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
ew Hampshire \ Captain General and Commander in
chief in and over his Majestys Province
of New Hampshire In Council.
The petition of Ebenezer Green of Thetford in the County
534 NEW HAMPSHIRE
of Gloucester in the Province of New York, humbly sheweth,
That there never has been any ferry by law established across
Connecticut River in Lime in the County of Grafton & that
of necessity for the Benefit of Travellers and others, your pe-
titioner has been at Considerable Cost and Trouble in provid-
ing Boats &' for the Benefit of Travel and that it will much
serve the Publick to have a ferry established in said Lime at or
near the place where your Petitioner has erected a House for
the purpose of Calcining Potash, whereupon your petitioner
humbly prays your Excellency to grant him the Privilege of
a ferry at s'' Place under usual Restrictions and Regulations
and as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
Eben' Greex.
Portsmouth May 27, 1772.
Petitio7ifor a Jialf-shirc To%v7i.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Governor and Commander in chief in and over his Majestys
Pi-ovince of New Hampshire. The Honorable his majestys
Council and House of Representatives in General Assembly
conven'd, Jan" 1773.
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Towns of Lime &
Orford in y'' county of Grafton bv their agents, Alexander
Phelps & Israel Morey, humbly sheweth that the number of
Families, living south of y*^ Town of Haverhill in v*" County
of Grafton are in proportion to the number living Northward
of said Haverhill as fifteen to one all which except about
twent}^ Families living in Piermont must pass through a cor-
ner of Orford in travelling to Haverhill, that no Inhabitant
living Southerly of a direct line drawn from the northern most
extent of Campton which is proposed to be annexed to said
Count}' to the Northemost extent of Orford can travel to Ha-
verhill but by traveling eight miles further than to go to Orford
or Lime ; that much the greater part of them must travel thirty
miles further to go to Haverhill than to Lyme and near
twenty further than to go to Orford. That there are now in
Lebanon the Southwestmost Town in said County at least
fifteen Families more than inhabit in said County Northward
of Haverhill, that the Increase of setlers southward of Haver-
hill has hitherto been and is still likely to be proportionably
greater than the Increase of setlers North of said Haverhill
as the present Inhabitants below are in Number greater than
above. That from the southermost part of the County it is
full fifty miles to Haverhill so that there can i ever be Room
for a new County between Haverhill and the southwa rd extent
TO\V\ PAPERS LVXDEnOROUGH 535
if said County, that the northerly & Southerly extent of said
ounty is not less than one Hundred & 40 miles which in regard
if extent, is full long for two countys and thereupon your pe-
itioners cannot but suppose s' Cou.nty will in future Time be
livided into two Countys as soon as the northern part shall be
ufficiently inhabited.
That your petitioners humbly conceive it cant be reasonable
o alter the place of holding the Courts after it shall be once
ixed y' the expence of building Court house, Prison, county,
5ooks & must principally be defray'd by the present inhabit-
nts That the good of Dartmouth College which we doubt
lot is an object of your excellencys & honors concern will
nuch depend on the publick Courts not being held at too
;reat a distance
Whereupon your Petitioners humbly pray that your Excel-
;ncy and Honors would be pleased in establishing the half-
hire Town next Connecticutt River to take into consideration
he Reasons and Facts abovementioned which they are ready
0 evince and enact that either the Town of Lime or the Town
if Orford be the place where half the Courts of Records in
'^ County of Grafton shall be held and as in Duty bound shall
ver Prav.
Alex Phelps \ Agents for
Israel Morey j Lime & Orford.
Portsmouth Jan. 15"' 1773.
ferHampI} I" Council >„. .o, ,773.
Read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''"' Assembly.
Geo. King D. Secrj.
LYXDEBOROUGH.
[Formerly Salem-Canad-a, was granted by Massachusetts and settled
irhilc under that Province. It was chartered by New Hampshire 23"'
^pril 1764. Ed.]
Petition for protection agaiiist Indians.
Po his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governour and
Commander in Chief of his ISLajesty's Province of New
Hamp"^
The petition of the Inhaliitants of Salem-Canada in said
Province, Humbly Shews
That your petitioners live in a place Greatly exposed to the
'ndians and have not men Sut^cient for to Defend us. Thattho'
53^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
there be but few of us yet we have hiid out our estates to begin
in this phice So that we shall be extremely hurt if we must
now move off for we have there by the Blessing of God on
our labours a fine crop of corn on the ground and tho' we have
a Garrison in the Toun Built by Order of Maj' Lovell yet we
have no body impowered so much as to set a watch among us
nor men to keep it ; we would therefore pray your Excellency
that wc may have some assistance from the Government in
sending us some souldiers to Guard and Defend us as in your
wisdom you shall think proper. Tho' we are but newly added
to this Government yet we pray your Excellency not to disre-
gard us but so to assist us that we may keep our estates and do
service for the government hereafter & your Petitioners as in
duty Bound shall ever pray.
Salem-Canada,
June 26^" 1744.
John Cram, Jr John Dale
Joseph Cram Jonathan Cram
Samuell Leman Ephraim Putnam
John Cram Benjamin Cram
David Stevenson Abraham Leman
John Stevenson
Grant of Salem - Canada^ d-c.
Province of "I Pursuant to the Power and Authority granted and
New Hamp J vested in me the Subscriber by the prop" of Land pur-
chased of John Tufton Mason Esq in the province of
New Hampshire at their meeting Reguhirly called for that purpose,
I do bv these presents on the terms and conditions with the reserva-
tions herein after Expressed give and grant all the Right title property
and possessions of the Prop" afore'sf^ according to the following pro-
portions of Interest (viz') to Benjamin Lynds Esq. four shares Benja-
min Pickman Esq three shares Rob' Hooper Esq. one share to the
Heirs and Assigns of Joseph Sweat Esq. Six shares To Joseph Blaney
Esq. two shares, Samuel Wells Esq. ten Shares, Daniel Epps, jun.
Esq. two shares, Major Joshua Hicks two Shares, Benjamin Goodhue
three shares, Thomas Fletcher two shares, Joseph Richardson two
shares, George Goold two shares, Ephraim Ingalls two shares, and
to the following persons viz'
Joseph Bowdage Esq Josiah Bowers
Stephen Pullman the heirs of James Lendall Esq
Jonathan Bowers late deceased
Major John Towle John Bickford
William Holt Moses Graves
Oliver F^letcher Esq Timothy Cummings to
Mrs Hannah Cobbit Joseph Clough
David Stinson Daniel Nicholls
Robert Swan and Jonathan Peal
to which Seventeen one Share each of in and to a tract of land in the
Province of New Hampshire afore's'^ containing by Estimation twenty
eight Thousand Acres, part thereof Heretofore called Salem Canada
TOWN PAPERS — LYNDEBOROUGH. 537
the whole tract Bounded as follows Begining at the Northeast Corner
of a tract of land called Duxbiiry School Farm and in the line of that
Tract or Township called Souhegun West, from tlience rnning West
by the needle one mile two hundred and Eighty rods to the east line
of a tract of land called Number two, from thence north by the needle four
hundred and ninety eight Rods to the northeast corner of s'' No. two,
from thence west by the needle by s'' N ' 2 five miles to a white ash
marked the corner of Petersborough Slip and of N' :: and from thence
west by the needle two hundred and Forty Rods by s' Peterborough
Slip to' a Beach tree marked from thence north by the needle six miles
A; three quarters to a tree marked for the corner of s'' tract from thence
East by the needle three miles and one quarter to a tree marked in the
western line of New Boston from thence south by that line one mile
and an half to the most South westerly corner of New Boston afore s'',
from thence east by s"' New Boston line three miles one Hundred and
twenty rods to a Black Oak marked still by said New Boston line &
run south two miles and an half To a Stump and stones, from thence
East One mile and Eighty rods to the North west Corner of that tract
called Souhegun west aforesd, from thence South by the line of said
Souhegan west four miles one hundred and twenty three rods to the
Bounds first mentioned, & to all the Bounds aforesd, lett either of the
lines afores<^ be more or less, which tract of Land or Township shall
from this time be called Lynde Borough the Premises afores'' under the
terms & conditions with the Reservation hereafter Express (that is to
say) that the grantees atbres'' according their respective shares except-
ing as hereafter excepted have twenty one thousand Sc thirtj' Acres
part of the afore's'' twenty eight thousand acres as the whole of the
grantees part of the premises in the following manner, viz that each
of the grantees named in the Schedule hereunto annexed Own and
Enjoy the severall and Respective lotts to their names Respectively
affixed as part of their shares. That the following severall Lotts (and
to be part of the grantees proportion atbres'') be granted as afores''
free from duty settlement or taxes in bringing forward or Compleating
the duty as the conditions of this grant to the severall Persons here-
after named as follows, To David Badger the Lott N" 117, To Francis
Densmore the Lott N' 106 To Bartholomew Jackson Lott N' too, To
John Shead the Lott N' 50, To Paul Raymond the Lott N" 99, Which
Lotts contain by Estimation one Hundred and thirty acres each and
is part of the second Division formerly laid out in s'' tract. To James
Twadle, in the Right formerly Edward Fladre the home lot called 24
East, with an addition Round about it of sixty four acres to compleat
the cpiantity of one hundred and thirty acres. To Deacon Nathaniel
Pullman, Peter Martin ^: George Dealands Heirs to each one Lott to
be lay'd out in the undivided lands which three lotts are to contain.
One Hundred and thirty acres each and to Benjamin Lynde as assignee
to John Dale sen" the home lott N' 21, and One hundred and Twenty
— acres to be layd out in the undivided lands which s'' persons in
their capacity as above shall be Intitled to no further partofy" premises.
Thatoutof the grantees proportion there be three shares more granted
One for the first settled minister and one for ministry, and one for the
jchole there forever which said shares shall be and contain the severall
and respective lotts entered in the schedule hereunto annexed as their
whole c^ respective Shares & shall be free of duty of settlement and all
taxes in performing the Conditions of this ^rant.
To have and to hold to them their Heirs H assigns forever under the
following conditions with v Reservations here after mentioned, viz
That there be reserved out of said Tract, one Farm of Five Hundred
acres at the South westerly Corner of said Tract and also One Hundred
538 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and Fifty acres adjoining on that corner of y" Township that Bounds
on New Boston West Line & One hundred and fifty acres as discribed
on ye plan of said Tract
And that there be further reserv'd to and for y" use of y* grantees
their Heirs and assigns Free of all charges & Incumbrance of settle-
ment or taxes until improved by the owners or by them sold, Six
thousand & six acres and laid out into nineteen Equal Shares at the
charge of y- grantees in y following manner, viz. That there be in y"
next best accommodations of y ' undivided Lands three Thousand six
Hundred & sixty acres laid out for the grantees aforesaid for Qiiantity
and Qiiality with y*"- Land alreadj' laid out in nineteen equal shares as
aforesaid and that there shall be next laid out in ye said undivided
lands, so much to each grantee who has not his full proportion, in y"
Lands already laid out, and set in y" Schedule as shall make their
respective shares equal with the rest.
And that the remaining part of the Land reserved for the grantors
aforesaid, being two Thousand Four Hundred acres be Divided for
Quantity and Qiialitj- with the rest of y*^ comon Lands into Nineteen
Equal shares. And the remainder of y^ comons or undivided Lands
to be to and for the use of y " grantees as they shall order the Divisions
thereof. And that where any lands was by the Proprietors claiming
under the Massachusetts grant formerly left within any lott for High-
ways the Owners of such lott shall have said Land thus reserv'd allow-
ing so much as shall be of equal Value out of his part in y" next divi-
sion of y^ comons.
That the respective Grantees, Owners of y'' Fifty Shares afores'i and who
are not excused from Duty and charge, bring forward and make settle-
ment in the following manner viz. That they laj' out y'^ s- Tract or Town-
ship and compleat the Division thereof as afore directed at or before
yo 20"' Day of November next ensuing and return a plan thereof certi-
fied under the Hand of their clerk on oath within two months after
such work shall be compleated to y" clerk of said grantors.
That y respective Owners for each respective share make one settle-
ment in the following manner viz. To clear inclose & fit for mowing
or plowing Two acres on some one Lott and have a comfortable dwell-
ing House built and fitted for comfortable dwelling in and a Family or
some Person resident there at or before the first day of december, one
thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty six and to continue Inhabitant or
Resident there for Four years then next coming and also for the same
four years annually on each of y" said Lotts, to have Two Acres clear'd
Inclosed and fitted as aforesaid. That there be a Meeting House for
Publick Worship in said Township within Five years from this Date
at such place as shall be agreed on by the proprietors both grantors
and grantees to be determined according to Interest and Ten acres re-
served there for publick use notwithstanding such Lott should be laid
out to any Particular person or persons. That the land in said Town-
ship belonging to grantors and grantees, be subjected to have all nec-
essary Highways laid through them as there shall be occasion for the fu-
ture without any pay or allowance for Damages that the aforesaid grantees
their Heirs or assigns not heretofore excused from charge by a Major
Vote in publick Meeting called for that purpose. Grant and assess in
equal proportion such Sum or sums of money as they shall think nec-
essary for carrying forward and compleating the settlement aforesaid
or for the support of the ministry as the Proprietors shall agree to and
every of the Grantees exclusive of three Publick Lotts or his assignee
whoshall neglect for the space of sixty days after such assessments
shall be granted to pay the same, so much of such delinquents Rights
shall and may be sold as will pay their respective Fines and all charges
TOWN PAPERS — LVNDEBOROUGH. 539
arising thereon by a committee to be appointed by the grantees or their
assignees for that purpose.
And in case any of the grantees or their assignees shall neglect or
refuse to perform any of the Articles, Matters or things aforesaid by
him respectively to be done lie shall forfeit his Right in said Township
and every part thereof, to those of the Grantees or their Imediate As-
signees who shall have comply'd with the conditions on their Part
herein Expressed and it shall and may be Lawfull for them or any per-
son by their Authority to enter into & upon the Right or part of such De-
linquent Owner, and any and every part in the Name and behalf of the
whole of the Grantees or their Imediate Assignees, who shall comply
as aforesaid to move oust and expell for the use of them their Heirs
and assigns, provided they settle or cause to be settled each such delin-
quent Right within the Term of one year at the Farthest from the
Periods that is by this Instrument Stipulated to be done as the condi-
tion of this grant, and fully comply with the whole Duty such delin-
quents ought to have done within One year from Time to Time after
the respective Periods thereof, and in case the grantees or their As-
signees fulfiling their parts as aforesaid shall neglect fullfiling as afore-
said the Duty of any delinquent Owner as aforesaid then such right or
part shall be Forfeit revert and belong to the Grantees their Heirs and
assigns to be wholly at their disposal, alhvays provided there be no
Indian Warr with in any of y terms aforesaid for doing the Duty con-
ditioned in this grant, and in case that should happen the same Time
to be allowed for the respective matters afores'd after such Impediment
shall be removed. That all white pine Trees fit for Masting His Maj-
esties Roval Navey growing on said Tract of Land be and hereby are
granted to his Majesty, His heirs and successors forever. Lastly the
said grantors do promise and engage to y" said grantees their Heirs
and assigns to defend through the Law, to King & Council if need be
one action that shall and may be brought against them or any Number
of them by any person or persons whatever claiming the said Land or
any part thereof by any other Title than that of the s ' grantors, or
that by which they hold and derive theirs from provided the said grant-
ors are avouched in to defend the same and that in case on Final Tryall
the same shall be recovered, against the grantors that such person or
persons shall recover nothing over against the grantors for the said
Lands, Improvements or Expence, in bringing forward the settlement.
To all which Premises I Joseph Blanchard Agent for and in behalf
of the Proprietors the grantors have hereunto set my Hand and seal
this fifth day of December A D. 1753.
Joseph Blanchard.
Signed, Sealed & DD
in presence of
Geo : Delond
Jn" Bowles
The aforegoing pages contain a true coppy of the charter signed &
Executed by Joseph Blanchard Esq as agent for & in behalf of the
Propriet ' of lands purchased of Jn" Tufton Mason Esq in the province
of New Hampshire delivered unto us the subscribers in behalf of the
grantees mentioned in this charter. And Whereas we were by the
afores' grantees Authorized & Impowerd to Setle agree «& compound
concerning the premises in the afore written charter with the s' Joseph
Blanchard Esq in his capacity above mentioned on such terms ^: con-
ditions ^c with such reservations as by both parties should be agreed
& concluded — Now therefore we the s"' Comittee in the name <i behalf
540
NEW HAMPSHIRE
of the grantees mentioned in tlie afore written charter, hereby accept
s"* Title & for s'' Grantees do acknowledge that we hold s'' Lands under
the s' grantor's Title iJc on the conditions & Limitations with the res-
ervations express'd in said charter Wittness our hands this 5"' De-
cemb' 1753-
Wittnesses Benf Lynde ]
T r,- , Benj-' Picknam VComtee
Lowe Pickman t^ ,-' ,,., f
I 1 XT i.^- T oshua ilicks J
John Nutting Jr. -' -'
Schedule to be annexed to Charter made to Benjamin Lynde Esq and
others of Salem-Canada now called Lyndeborough.
remon's Xames.
Xo. of home division Lotts.
No. of Second division
Lotts.
Benjamin Lynde Esq
27, .50, Jii
•J,-i2,-H
■^ S 37, 41, \i, 4i)
44,55,83,84,98,101,(55
53,00,80,83,111
[87, 94, 29, 103
34, 30 37, S'^ "3 48 49 108
Beui. I'iekmau Esq
Robert Hooper Esq & Mr
Swett's heh's
•50 . ....
30 41 .")4
20 58 fil
48 ()0 04 115 I'M 1-^5
Samuel Wells Esq
.54,57
71,75, 81
40,59
51, 11-' 119 123
Daniel Epes, Jr. Esq
Capt Joseph Ricliardson
19,31
1 ....
08, 89, 110, 118
81
Joseph Bowditch Esq
The Heiis of James Liudall
113 123
u:;:::::::::::::;::;::::::
John Bickfortl
1 (J
38, 42
Majr John Towle
15
45, 105
Hannah Cabot
Joseph Clough
42
45
120, 121
0.2, 90
Daniel Nichols ...
- ,
OS
,--
,, .
3") 61
School Lott ...
33 . .
67 12G
First iMinisters Lott
3 J . . ,
126 l-'7
The foregoing List is the Schedule referred to in the annexed Char-
[NoTE. — In the original MS. volume.
of the abovesaid township. Ed.]
Benj - Lynde
Benj. Pickman )■ com'
Joshua Hicks
lan > (
is J
p. 2S3, is a survey and plan
TOWX PAPERS MADBURY. 54I
Petition for a?i Act of Incorporatioti.
To His Excellency Bening Wentworth Esq Governor and
commander in chief in and over his majestys Province of
New Hamp"" & the Hon' his Majestys Council
The petition of a number of Inhabitants of said Province
Humbly Sheweth that they live on a Tract of land in said
province Bounded Easterly by Amherst southerly by Wilton
Northerly by New Boston and Westerly Near what was called
Peterborough and that said tract of land is not vet Incorpo-
rated into a Town & by reason of which thev labour under
many difficultys. Therefore your petitioners Humbly pray
that they may be Incorporated into a Body Pollitick and by a
charter be Invested with the Authority & Priviledges as other
Towns have & enjoy in this province and y' petitioners as in
duty Bound shall ever pray.
June y'" 28' 1763.
John Stephenson George Goold
Joseph Wilkins Robert Badger
"William Holt Moses Stiles, Jr
John Carkin John Kidder
Jacob Cram Joshua Hodle
Jonathan Cram John Ordway
David Cram John Johnston
Moses Ordway Jacob Wellman
Ephraim Powers Adam Johnson
Moses Steels William Carson
Ephraim Putnam John Ilutchason
Melchisedek Corfee Edward Reming Jr
David Badger
Having considered the within Petition I do hereby consent to the In-
corporation of the s^lTown of Lyndeborough & you are hereby directed
to prepare a charter of Incorporation accordingly
To M Secretary Atkinson.
B. Wentworth
MADBURY.
[Formerly a part of Dover; was incorporated 31 May, 1755. Ed.]
Petition for a Parish.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor &
commander in chief in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire The Honourable his Majestys Council & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly
convened the 10"' day of Mav 1743.
The petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants of the Westerly
542 NEW HAMPSHIRE
part of the Town of Dovei" & the Northerly part of Durham
in said Province Humbly Shews, That your Petitioners live at
such a distance from the meeting houses in their Respective
Towns as makes it difficult for them & their Families to attend
the Publick Worship there especially in the Winter & spring
seasons of the year, which Induc'd a number of your Petition-
ers some years since at their own cost to Build a meeting
House situated more conveniently for them where they ha\x
some times had j)reachin^. in those seasons of the year at their
own expence tho they were not Exempted from paying their
proportion at the same time to the standing Minister of the
Town.
That the Towns aforesaid are well able as your Petitioners
appi-ehend to bear their annual charges without the assistance
of y'' Petitioners and that they might be Incorporated into a
new Parish whereby they might be accommodated their chil-
dren & servants (as well as themselves) have more Frequent
opportunities of attending Public Worship and all of them
Reep the advantages of such an Incorporation which consider-
ing their present circumstances they think would not be a few,
and the Towns not Injured.
That your Petitioners conceive a parish might be erected
with out prejudice to the other part of the Town of Dover by
the Following boundaries viz. Beginning at the Bridge over
Johnsons Creek so called, where the dividing Line between
Dover & Durham Cross the Country Road & from thence run-
ning as the said Road runs until it comes even with Joseph
Jenkins his house & from thence to run on a North West &
by North course until it comes to the head of said Township
which boundaries would compi-ehend the estates & habitations
of y'' Petitioners living in Dover & the making a parish there •
will greatly contribute to the settling the lands within said
Boundaries & those that Lay contiguous as well as be very con-
venient for y'-' Petitioners. Wherefore they most humbly pray
that a parish may be erected & Incorporated by the Bounderies
aforesaid with the usual powers & Priviledges & that such of
y'' Petition" as live within the Town of Durham may have lib-
erty to Poll oft' into the same, or that such a part of the said
Township may be annexed thereunto wdiich would be the bet-
ter vv^ay as will accommodate the Remote settlers in said Town-
ship near the said Boundaries as well as your petitioners or
that they may be Relieved In such other way & method as this
Hon^'" Court shall see fit, & yo'' petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray &'
Thomas Wille John Huckins
John Roberts James Jackson
Samuel Davis Zachriah Pitman
Samuel Chesley El_v Demerit
TOWX PAPERS — MADBURY.
543
Thomas Bickford John Foay, Jr
Daniel M Hame Solomon Emerson
lames Huckins Jacob Daniel
Ralph Hall Joseph Rines
William Bussell Benjamin Hall
Azariah Boody William Demeret
Timothy Moses William Allen
John Demeret his
Zachariah Edgerly Nathiel O Davis
Joseph Daniel mark
Francis Drew Samuel Davis Jr
Daniel Young Jonathan Hanson
William Twombly Robert Evens
Isaac Twombly Jonathan Daniel
Joseph Evans junr. William Hill
John Evens Stephen Pinkham
Henry Bickford Beniamen Wille
Henary Bussell John Rowe
Joseph Hicks Hercules Moony
John Tasker Joseph Twombly
Derry Pitman Abraham Clark
Paul Gerrish, Jr Joseph Jackson
John Busskell James Clemens
Job Demeret William Dam Jr
David Daniel Morres Fowler
James Chesle Robart Wille
Reuben Chesle Abel Leathers
Henery Tibbetes
n the House of Representatives May 13"' 1743.
The within Petition Read and Voted That the petitioners at their own
ost serve the select men of the Town of Dover and also the select
len of tlie Town of Durham with a coppy of this petition and the
''ote thereon. That the selectmen of the Respective Towns aforesaid
lay Xotifie the said Touns to appoint psons to appear the third day of
he sitting of the Generall Assembly at their next sessions of Gen" As-
embly to shew cause if any why the prayer of the petition may not
e Granted.
James Jeffry Cler. Ass'"
The above Vote read & concurr'd
Theod'' Atkinson, Secry
iodem Die. Assented to,
R. Wentworth.
Call for a town meeting in Dover.
ro the Inhabitants of the Town of Dover such as are Legally qualified
to Vote in Publick Town meeting
This is to give notice of a publick Town meeting to be holden at the
leeting House at Cocheco in Dover on Monday the nineteenth day of
his Instant at three of the clock in the after noon to chuse a Constable
V And also to hear the Request of the Westerly part of the Town
ailed Madburry for Raising Money for the support of the Ministry in
hat part of the Town tor six months.
Tho- Willet 1
Jn" Winget [Select
)over July lo'i^ 174-- Jos. Roberts f men.
Ely Demeret J
544 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Pursuent to the foregoing Notification a publicke Toun meeting was
holden at the Meeting House at Cochecho in Dover July 19, 1742. And
Capt Tho" Willet Esq. was chosen Moderator of the s'' meeting &'"
And the Request of the Westerly part of the Town for Raising money
for the support of y" Ministry in that part of the Town for six months
as mentioned in the above notification was then heard considered & put
to Vote & it Passed in the Negative.
A true copy attested,
Pr. Paul Gerrish,
Dover May 5"' 1743. Town Clerk.
Bomids of the West end of Dover.
These may certify That the Bounds the Inhabitants of the West End
of Dover petitioned might be the bounds of a parish and Petitioned for
is as follows viz.
Beginning at the Bridge over Johnsons Creek so called where the di-
viding Line between Dover & Durham crosses the Country road & from
thence running as the s*' road runs until it comes even with Joseph
Jenkins his house & from thence to run on a north West & by North
course until it comes to the head of the s' Township which Boundarys
would comprehend the estates & Inhabitantsof your Petitioners Li^'ing
in Dover cS: the making a parish there will &■ &'
A copy of the Bounds mentioned in the above Petition
Attested Pr. Theodore Atkinson.
The Petitioners for a Parish in Madbury & what they paid in the year
1743-
Thomas Willey
John Roberts
Samuel Davis
Paul Gerrish
Samuel Chesley
James Chesley
James Jackson
John Huckins
Job Demerett
John Tasker
David Daniel
Zachariah Pitman
Solomon Emerson
Joseph I licks
James Huckins
Azariah Boody
Daniel Meserve
Francis Drew
Thomas Bickford
Ralph Hall
John Foy Jr
Henry Tebbets
Dery Pitman
John Bussell
William Bussell
William Demerett
Eli Demerett, Jr
s
17
3
16
16
2
10
II
iS
5
16
2
13
6
5
2
2
4
3
2
16
II
15
0
0
8
17
6
10
II
10
2
7
9
15
9
14
3
16
II
9
9
^7
6
13
9
14
3
ID
II
13
II
TOWX PAPKRS — MADBLKV. 545
Joseph Rines
Jacob Daniel
Timothy Moses
Benjamin Hall
John Demerett
Zachariah Edgerly
William Allen
Joseph Daniel
Nath' Davis
Daniel Young
Samuel Davis Jr
Jonathan Hanson
Robert Evans
William Tvvombh- 3'
Isaac Twombly
Joseph Evens, Jr
Jonn Evens
Henery Bickfbrd
Jonathan Daniel
William Hill
Stephen Pinkham
Henrj Bussell
Benjamin Willev
John Row
Herkules Mooney
Joseph Twombly
Abraham Clark
Joseph Jackson
James Clements
Reuben Cheslev
(1) Accompanyin}^ the foregoing le a li.~
0 a new Parish. Eu.
II
3
13
2
15
0
19
1 1
9
9
12
9
12
5
t5
0
13
2
0 0
0
II
3
ir
8
13
II
9
9
18
0
II
8
12
9
18
9
ID
II
12
0
7
6
7
6
8
3
II
3
0 0
0
12
9
7
6
12
5 (0
40 ID
I
of inhabitants of Dover and tax assessed
In the House of Representatives Aug. 24"' 1744. The within petition
read and the Parties on both sides heard. And the Return of the Com-
nittee appointed by the Gen' Ass'" for the viewing of the Town of
Dover, Read, and the House having considered thereon, Voted pro-
'ided the petitioners procure an Orthodox minister or ministers to
)reach to them at that part of the Town of Dover called Madbury, Six
Tionths or more in a yeare during y space of three years to comence
rom the first of y' next. That then there be Raised by the town
)f Dover «Si paid by the select men or Town Treasurer of the said Town
)f Dover annually to the said Minister or Ministers the sum of one
lundred Si twenty pounds (Old Tenor) after the Rate of twenty pounds
J month as the preaching is Performedannually for the said three years
ind that the petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
James JeftVy Clr. Ass"
;n Council Decemb. 21, 1744.
The parties heard on the within Petition & the Vote of the Houses
ibove Considered & non concur'd. Nemine contradicente.
Theod. Atkinson Secy
Prov New Hamp (i)
'•Wherefore to remedy the above Grievances your Humble petition-
ers Humbly pray That your Excellency & Hon" would be pleased by an
\ct of General Assembly to Invest us with the Privilidges and pow-
35
546
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ers of a Town, and a small matter to enlarge our Boundarys according
or near our first petition viz. to begin at a place in Qiiochecho river
called the gulf and from thence on a Straight Line to the Southern side
of Varneys Great Hill Sc from thence to run on a North West point of
the compass to the end of the Township and jour Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall Si'"
The above is Paragraph of a Petition signed Paul Wentworth& many
others free holders & Inhabitants of the Parish of Sumersworth, Dated
May the 19"' 1743 & then preferred to the General Assembly of the
Prov. afores'l
Attest,
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
(1) This paper apparently belongs to Somersworth. Ed.
MARLOW.
[Marlow was chartered Oct. 7, 1761. Ed.]
Province of 1 Marlow, January y'' 7"' 1772. These may Certifye
NewHampshire ( His Excellency the Governour & His Majesties Hon-
ourable Councel thefoloing a count are of the Names
of the Heds of famelys, Now dwelling in this Toun and of the Single
men now dwelling here.
Heds of famelys
Abel Beckwith
Selvenes Beckwith
Joseph Huntley
Solomon Gee
Nehemiah Royce
Elisha Rovce
Abisha Tubs
Titus Church
Epraham Brockway
Solomon Mack
Aseph Mather
Joseph Tubs
John Noyce Mather
Martin Wade.
Single fnen.
Asa Huntly
Thomas Gustin
Phedrack Tubbs
Simeon Church
Famelys made preparation to com on next Spring.
Abner Tubs Sam'' Comstock
John Mack Timothy Owen
Zopher Mack
Wee the Subscribers selectmen of the Town Marlow Do hereby cer-
tify that the names of the famelys above mentioned and singel men
Jasper Huntley
Loas Huntley widow
Elisha Mack'
Silvenus Huntly
Nathan Huntly
Eber Lewis
Richard Otes
Sam" Camfield
John Gustin
Abner Bingham
Sam' Gustin
Nicodemus Miller
Ruel Royce
Jonathan Royce
Ruphas Huntley
Isaih Huntly
Nathan Huntly
Josiah Gustin
TOWN PAPERS MARLOW. 547
re now Residents and dwelers here the others have been making prep-
ration to come on as above mentioned
Nathan Huntley "| Selectmen
Eber Lewis > of y" town
J of Marlow
Petition for extension of Charter.
Co his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Capt. General &
Commander In chief of his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire.
May it please you excellency,
Wee the Subscribers proprietors in the township of Marlow
a the Provence aforesd being Notefyed to appear byfore your
Excellency to shew Reasons why the delinquent Rights &
shares in said township should not be Declared forfet we
herefore Beg leave to Represent to your Excellency that we
oon begain the settlement in the said Township and lay'd out
onsidcrable Sums therefor & the same was in a hoopfull way
f being Spedely settled & the conditions of the grant com-
ilied with & that the proprietors or most of them lay'd out
part of their proportions or shares in the said Township &
hat sum time after the Laying out s** Township & the
)roprictors a settling & s'' town was in a flurishing state
nd likely Soon to be settled & the conditions fulfild the pro-
)rietors of a large Tract of land in the s'^ provence of New
Hampshire calH Masons patten caused their line of their pat-
nt to be Run & assertained whereby it appeared that more
han one mile in Breadth through said town ship was Included
n the pattent aforesaid whereby the proprietors of said Town-
hip were tlu'own into the uttermost consternation many of the
ettlements which were then begun falling within the afore-
aid pattent and the properly in the town much lessened and
nany of the Setlers went of & others who were going on
discouraged that we have been at grate Expence and endev-
red to settle with the proprietors of said pattent for the Lands
ncludcd in there grant but have been hitherto unsuccessful
lotwitlistanding which discurigcmcnts we have not given over
he thoughts of making our settlements in s'' Township and
ire prosecuing our settlements as fast as poseeble under which
liscouragements we hope the rights in s'' Township which are
lot settled will not be declared forfeit'' but humblv prav the
jrant & charter of said Township may be conHrmed to us &
he charter thereof extended & we shall do our uttermost In-
levours that the settlement shall be made according to the
;onditions of the said charter & grant & we as In duty bound
■hall ever pray
Dated december 30" 1771.
548
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Original Proprietors.
Jacob Canfield
Ephraim Brockwa^
Nehemiah Royce
William Matson
Geo : King
John Bettenhatn
Proprietors by purchase.
Nathan Huntly 2 Rites
Rufus lluntly i Rite
Sann" Canfield 2 Rites
Eber Lewis 2 Rites
Loes Huntly i Rite
Joseph Brown 1 Rite
Joseph Tubs 2 Rites.
Abijha Tubs i Right.
Ruel Royce i Right.
Jonathan Royce i Rite
Elisha Royce i Rite.
Sam'' Royce i Right.
Nicodemus Miller 2 Rights.
John Gustin i Right.
Solomon Gee i Right
Abel Beckwith i Right.
Simon Baxter i Right
Sylvanus Huntly i Rite.
Elisha Mack, i Rite.
Abner Bingham i Rite.
Sam'' Gustin ) Agent for
/ s' proprietors.
Ezra Selden
Abner Lee
John M'Curdy
Benjamin Hide
Samuel Comstock
Soloinon Mack
Thomas Sabin
Benjamin Lee
MERRIMACK.
[Incorporated 2 April, 1745. Ed.]
Petition for a tax on no7i-resident lands.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov & the
Hon'" his Majestys Council & House of Representatives in
Generall Assembly Convened at Portsmouth the 9'' of April
1754-
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Merrimack
Humbly Shews.
That their settlement is in its Infancy the greatest part of
the Inhabitants settled since the late war and have been at
Large Expence in clearing and making of roads that they have
Built & Have to maintain three great Bridges over Souheeg
River besides many over severall other large Streams in that
Town at the Expence of near a Thousand pounds besides
other necessary Town charges which has all been Loaded on
the few Inhabitants there settled and are now a going to erect
a meeting house in s' town the Burden whereof will be ex-
ceeding Heavy & a discouragement to persons settling there if
the tax must wholly be Raised on Poles and estates.
That theres a considerable quantity of unimproved Lands
in s'' Town owned by non-resident Gentlemen who has never
been at any expence in Bringing forward the settlement or
Otherways whereby the Inhabitants has been eased ; That the
TOWN PAPERS MERRIMACK. 549
sttlers by their Labour & Indiistry has Increased the Vallue
f siicli Lands more than four double to what they would have
een A: they must still ijrcatly increase on the Florishing of
ie s" Town.
Wherefore we Humbly pray that your excellency <S: Hon"
.'ould please to grant that all the lands Belonging to nonresi-
ent prop, in that town whereon settlement is not made may
e taxed at Sixpence per acre for one year to be Improved for
nd Towards building a meeting house and two pence per acre
)r tiic next four years for and towards the support of a minister
ad your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Phinehas UxDERwoon
William Aeld ^ ^^j^^^,
Chearitv Lunp
yosEPii Blanchari) jun
rov. N. Hamps. In council April i6''' 1754
Read & ordered to be t-ent down, to y" Hon'''' House of Represents.
Theod Atkinson, Secy.
X\ - In the house of Representatives April 16''' 1754.
Upon reading the within petition. Voted that the Petitioners be heard
n the within petition on the third day of the sitting of the Gen"
..«sembly after the last day of June next, and that the petitioners at
leir own cost Insert the substance of the s^ petition and orders thereon
1 two of the public papers viz' In the News Boy print and the Tues-
iys paper three weeks successively, that any person or persons may
lew cause if any they have, why the prayer of the petition should not
2 granted.
Matthew Liverniore, Clerk.
1 Council, Eod" Die
Read & Concurr'd.
Theodore Atkinson vSecry.
ewTHnip^ }^" the House of Representatives Dec 14}^ 1754.
Upon the motion of Mr Jonathan Lovewell that the foregoing within
;tition might be revived, Voted that the petitioners be heard on the
ithin Petition on the third day of the sitting of the General Assembly
ext after the twentyeth day of January next and that the petitioners
; their Own cost Insert the substance of the said petition and orders
lereon in one of the public news papers two weeks successivelj' that
ly person or persons may shew cause if any they have why the prayer
r the petition should not be granted.
Matthew Livcrmore Clerk,
lecember 14, 1754.
The above vote Read and Concurred.
Theod. Atkinson Secry.
ewTlamp^r I ^" ^'^^ """''^ °'" Representatives Jan. y' 23, 1755.
The within petition being read & the subject matter of the prayer
lereof being duly weighed Si considered,
Voted, That the prayer of s' petition so far as relates to the six pence
r acre to be Improved for & toward building a Meeting House be
ranted, that the Meeting House be built as soon as Conveniently may
550 NEW HAMPSHIRE
be & the ace"" thereof laid before the Gen' Assem'', & that the petition-
ers have Liberty to bring in an act accordingly.
Hen. Sherburne Jr. Clr. P. T.
In Council Eod'" Die.
Read & Concurr'd in appearing to the Board that advertizment agree-
able to vote had been issued.
Theodore Atkinson, Secry.
Petition for dividing- the State ijzto Counties.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Gov"" Si" the
Hon''*' his Majestys Council & House of Representatives in
Generall Assembly Convened at Portsmouth y" 9*^'' of April
1754-
Wee the subscribers Inhabitants of the Province of New
Hamp' on the West side of Merrymac River,
Would most Humbly Remonstrate, That the extent of the
settlements in this Province is upwards of One Hundred miles
Westward from Portsmouth the Place where all the Courts are
held.
That the Difficulties of Travill & expencc to and from Ports-
mouth on all County Emergencies Lays the Western Inhabit-
ants under Insuportable Disadvantage as well as Occasioning
great delay to the Parties & Jurors who necessaryly attend the
courts of Judicature, by which the Government is Greatly Im-
poverish*^
That we Humbly apprehend these Grievances might be in
some good meas" Redress'^ by dividing the Government into
Two Countys. Which also would be a means of a great In-
crease of Inhabitants & Improvements in the Western parts of
this Province.
Wherefore we Humbly pray That your Excellency & Hon-
ors would take the premises into consideration & Divide the
province into two Countys by such dividing Line & with such
Powers and Authoritys as in your wisdom shall be tho' Best,
and as in Duty Bound shall pray.
Merrimack Names.
Jon ' Cumings, Jr James Cowans
Samuel Spaulding Thomas Vickere Jr
William Patten James Moore
Zachariah Stearns, Jr David Thomson
Ebenezer Hills Thomas Barns
John Stearns Samuel Vose
Zachariah Stearns John Thome
Daniel Stearns John Hanry
William M'Cluer Joseph Farmer
John M'Clencke Thomas Farmer
Hugh Giles John Roby
Robert Murdough Ephraim Powers
TOWS PAPERS MERRIMACK.
55'
James Mathays
Tim" Tajylor
Reuben Grele
John Hutchison
Tho" Cowan
Moses Trull
Benj. Auger
James M Claer
James Kanadv
James Morr Jr
John Usher
Robert Usher
Benj. Hallatt?
Benjamin Baxter
Elaxander Anis
Eli Turrel
William Arbuckle
Robert M' Cormick
Samuel Miller
James Miller
James Mathay
Joseph Thomas
Thomas Rickere
Robert Nesmith
Samuel Barnet
James Gillmor
Robert M'Cluer
Phi Underwood
Jonathan Cumings
Simeon Cumings
William Usher
Jonas Barret
Francis Dimon
William Alld
William Howard
Bedford Names.
Rob' Gillmor
James Gillmoore
John Chamberlin
Joseph Blanchard, Jr
Patrick Tagard
William Henry
William Hastings
James Minott
Joseph Barnes
Mathew Thornton
William M'cluer jun.
Charity Lund
John M Laughlin
William Lund
James M^Clure
Petition of Inhabitants of Merrimack to be attached to Col.
Gome's Regiment.
To the Honourable John Goffe Esq' Col' of the ninth Regi-
ment of iSIelitia in r.he Province of New Hamp'
The Humble suplication of The Inhabitants of that part of
Merrymac formerly Souhegan East, Shczveth.,
That your suplicants are exceeding Desireous if it might be
granted to us to be under your Comand as our Col'no, & ap-
prehend that as souhegan River was formerly the bounds be-
tween old Dunstable and the Souhegans as may appear pr the
Plan &' and there is at Least thirteen or fourteen Companys
in Col Lovewills Regiment to the southward of said River,
And that if the attair were fairly Represented to his Excel-
lency our Governor your Honr might easely obtain our supli-
cation— would pray your favour and Interest in behalf of this
our Suplication with our Governor and shall as in duty bound
ever pray.
Benja Baxter William Alld
Thomas Vickere Jr James Cowan
John Stewart " James Thomas
Alexander M Caly Robert Griffin
James M Calley Samuel M Conihie
$$2 n:f:w Hampshire:
John M^Conihie William Henry
oseph Scobey John Henry Jr
James Moore" Daniel M Clear vjr
Sam' Caldwell William Alld Jr
John Cunnincfham Patrick Tae;gart
Robert Nesmith ? Joseph M' Clenche
John Jacobs John M' Clenche
James Moors Jr John Henry
John Thomes Robert MCormick
James Moor, Sr Samuell Miller
Joseph Farmer Mathew Miller
James Gillmor Samuell Gibson
Robert Gillmor Robert Gillmor Jr
Samuel Gillmor Thomas Vickere
John Gillmor Moses Vickere
Samuel Barnat
MONADNOCK NO. 7.
Petition for an Act of hicorporation.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Capt General Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in & Over the Province of
New Hamp'' The Hon''''' his Majesties Council for said
Province.
Humbly shew, Jonathan Blanchard & Oliver Parker agents
Legally chosen for the Freeholders & Inhabitants of that Tract
of Land in said Province Known by the name of Monadnock
number seven. That your petitioners Entred into and upon
the premises under a Title from the Proprietors of Masons
Right so called & have with great Toil & Labour form'd very
considerable settlements therein.
That the Tract of land afores' contains about six miles
square, & is well situated for a Township that they have built
a Meeting house & have had preaching occasionally for eight-
een months Last past that they Labour under difficulties for
want of an Incorporation which if obtained would greatly
Promote the Public good.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray they may be In-
corporated into a Body Politick to have continuance & be In-
vested with all the Powers Privilcdges & Immunities that other
Towns in said Province by Law Exercise & enjoy. And your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
John Blanchard
Oliver Parker
TOWN PAPERS NEW BOSTON. 553
NEW BOSTON.
[New Boston was granted bj Massachusetts, Jan. 14, 1736. Incor-
porated by New Hampshire, Feb. 18, 1763. Ed.]
Petition about jninister and school lots.
To His Excellency Jolin WenUvorth Esq Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire & The Honourable his Maj-
estys Council & House of Representatives in General As-
sembly convened.
The petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants, proprietors &
freeholders in the Township of New Boston in the province
aforesaid Humblv shew^s
That when the proprietors of said New Boston Drew their
Respective shares and the shares for publick use, The Lott
Number Sixty one was drawn, for the use of the first settled
minister & his heirs forever, & the Lott Number fifty three
was drawn for the use of school. Both Lotts in the Second Di-
vision. And whereas the said Lott N ' 6i is far from the Cen-
ter of said Toun, & yet the nearest of any Lott belonging to
said Ministers Right. & the Lott N' 53, tho one mile from said
Center is much more convenient, & your Petitioners having^
been long Destitute of the Gospel ministry & having now a
prospect of settling a gentleman to our great satisfaction, &
being exceeding, desirous to accommodate him in the best
manner possible, the Inhabitants aforesaid at a Legal meeting
Held in New Boston aforesaid the third day of Dec. Last past,
Voted unanimously to exchange said Lotts (viz) that the above-
said Lott N ' 53 shall forever hereafter be the property of the
first settled minister in said New Boston to him & his heirs &
Assigns forever. & that the Lot n" 61 shall forever hereafter be
for the use of the school there, this Vote on condition that your
Excellency & Honours confirm it & for the Reesons aforesaid
the petitioners Humbly pray your consideration on the prem-
ises & that either the abovesaid Vote may be confirmed or the
exchange made in such a manner as will secinc the property
to the minister & school forever & your Petitioners as in duty
Bound will ever prav
New Boston 25' Feb. A D. 176S.
Ninian Clark Rob^ Livingston
Mathew Caldwell John Gordon
William Caldwell James Hunter
Robert Boyd John M AUester
Rob' Clark Robert White
John M'Laughlin Daniel MAllester
Will-' Clark William Moor
Henary Ferson William Grag
554 NEW HAMPSHIRE
James Cochran Paul Person
Nethaniel Cochran James Ferson, Jr
William Boyce Thomas M'Colom
Allen Moor Thomas Cochran
George Cristj John Cochran
Jesse Cristy Peter Cochran
Robart Hogg Thomas Cochran Jr
James Ferson Abraham Cochran
In Council March 3, 1768.
Read & sent down to the Hon'''' Assembl.y
Geo. King Dep. Secy.
New^Hirn* ( ^" *^^ House of Representatives March 4"" 1768.
Voted, That the pray'' of this petition be Granted & that the petition-
ers have leave to bring in a Bill or Resolve for establishing the same
accordingly
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council Eodem die,
Read & concurred.
Geo. King, Depy Secy.
NelTlm^'ire } ^^ '''' "°-- ^^ Represent March 7- 1768.
The petition of sundry persons Inhabitants of New Boston was this
day again taken under Consideration by which it is Represented, That
when the Lots were sevcr'd belonging to the respective shares of the
proprietors of said Township the Lot numbered sixty one was drawn to
the share appropriated to the use of the first settled minister & his heirs
forever and the lot Numbered fifty three was drawn to the share appro-
priated to the use of a school which might be changed greatly to the ad-
vantage of the First Minister which was now likely to settle in said
Town whom they were Desirous to Encourage. The}' therefore Pray'd
that they might be authorized to make said exchange and that the Votes
they had passed for that Purpose be confirmed and it appearing that the
settling of a minister of the Gospel in any New Township to his & the
Peoples satisfaction tends much to the Increase of Inhabitants and the
property of such Town. Therefore it is considerd & hcrebj' Resolved
and Voted That the votes of the said Inhabitants for making said exchange
be & herebj' are confirmed for this purpose and that the lot Number
Sixty one in second division in said Township be & hereby shall be ad-
judged taken Si held as part of the share of land there belonging to said
school right & share, and the Lot numbered fifty three in the said divi-
sion in said Township shall be adjudged taken & held as part of the
share & right appropriated & belonging to the first minister of the Gos-
pel in said Township, each of said Lots so to be adjudged taken & held
to be given granted & so appropriated in exchange for the other to be
held to & for the Respective uses aforesaid forever.
P. Gilman, Speaker.
In Council Eodem die,
Read & Concurr'd.
Geo. King Depy. Secy.
Attested,
J' Wkntworth.
TOWN PAPERS NEW BOSTON.
555
PetitioTi for a tax on certain lands.
To his Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his majesties
Province of New Hampshire »St: Vice admiral of the same
&•= The Honourable his Majestys Council & House of Rep-
resentatives in Generall Assembly convened.
The subscribers Inhabitants of New Boston in the county
of Hillsborough in said Province, Humbly shews, That
when your petitioners settled the Reverend Mr Solomon Moore
all the Inhabitants on that tract of Land then called New Bos-
ton Addition, joined with us in calling, settling paying &' &
we expected would have done so for many years. But they
are now by your Excellency and Honours sett off by the name
of Frances Town & pay no more with us.
2'- The Roads in New Boston are very numerous & the
Land very hilly & Rocky & we have manv large Bridges to
build & support over large streams. Finally the Province tax
the ministers Sallary. the Roads & Bridges, oppress the few
Inhabitants many of which are new beginners & advances the
none Resident Land
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly pray your Excellency
& Honours that an Act may be made to tax all the Land in
New Boston. Improved & not Improved, Resident and None
Resident, The Land belonging to the purchasers of the Patent
of John Tufton Mason Esq. Excepted, at one penny Lawful
money pr acre pr annum, for six years next coming to be ap-
plied to the uses afores', and your Petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray &"
New Boston Oct 25'' A D. 1773.
William Booycs Robert White
Nath' Cochran Jo" Caldwell
John Cochran Jr Robert Boyde
John Graham Robert Campbell
Archibald MMillan James Ferson
James Cochran Paul Ferson
David Henderson James Ferson Jr
Thomas Cochran Robert Patterson
George Cristey John Smith
William Clark Alexander Willson
John M Laughlin John M'Allister
Jesse Cristy Daniel M'allister
James WilUon Ananias M'allister
Thomas Willson William Love
Peter Cochran Josiah Warren
William Moor James Gregg
John MMillan Robert Ilogge
Daniel M Millan, Jr Alex'^ Gregg
John MMillan Jr Hugh Gregg
William Keler Ni" Clark
Archibald M'^allester John Cochran
556
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Reuben Smith Abraham Cocran
John Gordon James Willson Jr
William Blair James Gregg Jr
We the above Subscribers authorize & appoint the Honourable Mathew
Thornton Esq our agent to present this petition to his Excellency John
Wentworth Esq Captain General, Governor & commander in chief in
& over his Majestys Province of New Hampshire & the Honourable his
Majestys councel & House of Representatives & get the prayer thereof
granted if possible and we the Petitioners Beg the Favour of the I lon^ble
Matliew Thornton Esq to ^Ajcept the trust we Repose in him.
In Council Jan. 13, 1774.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'^''' Assembly
Geo. King, D. Secry.
Province of New Hampshire.
In the house of Represent' January 14'''" 1774.
Voted, That the petitioners cause the substance of this petition to be
printed in the New Hampshire Gazzette three weeks successively that
any person having any Objections may be heard thereon the third day
of the sitting of the Gen' Assembly next after the 15"' of February
next.
William Parker, Cler. Assem
In Council Eodem die.
Read and concurrd.
Geo. King.
Petitio77 to raise taxes to finish the Meeting house.
Province of ) To his Excellencey Benning Wentworth
New Hampshir j Esq Governor &' The Honorable his Maj-
estys Council & House of Representatives
for said Province
The proprietors of the Township of New Boston in said
Province Most humbly Remonstrate,
That the said Proprietors have raised the frame of a house
for the publick worship of God in said Town and is not in a
capacity to Raise money to compleat and finish the same by
which Inability said f.ame remains uncovered and if it con-
tinues so any space of time imcovered will be damaged if not
wholy ruined wherefore thev pi'ay this Honorable Court to take
there case into their wise consideration and enable them to
Raise such sum or sums of money from time to time as shall
be judged necessary by a majority of votes of said proprietors
for the compleating and finishing said House, and any other
affairs of said Proprietors (for the benefit of the Inhabitants of
said town and proprietors) on each person or persons owning
lands in said Townships and to enable said proprietors to sell
so much of such delinquent owners of land in said Town (ex-
cepting those Rights owned by the purchasers of Tufton Ma-
son Esq claime in said Province) not as yet improved by said
TOWN PAPKUS NEW BOSTON. 557
purchasers and your petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever
pray
Septem 25, 1764.
John Hill i
James Halsey \ Com'"'
James Caldwell ( of s'^ Proprs
Thomas Cochran J
Province of ") Septem 35, 1764, at a meeting of the proprietors of
New Hampshir J New Boston held at the Dwelling House of Mr
Tho' Harwood in Dunstable in said Province,
Voted That M' James Callwell prefer the above petition in behalf of
said proprietors and attend the directions of the Generall Court there.
Attest Robt Jenkins, P. Clerk
Prov of New Hamp.
In Council Jany 8'" 1765
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'^'' Assembly.
T. Atkinson, P Secrj.
Province of)^In the House of Representatives
New Hamp | Jany 9"' 1765.
This petition being read,
Voted, That the prayer thereof be granted Except the Exception
made In the Latter end of the within petition & that the petitioners
have liberty to bring In a bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson, Clerk
Eod^ Die.
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Secry.
VOLUME V.
NEWCASTLE TO PORTSMOUTH.
NEWCASTLE.
To his Excellency .Samuell Shute Esqr. Capt. Generall Gov-
ernor in chief in & over his majesties Province of New
Hampshire & Vice Adm^' of the Same and to the Hon*^'*
the Councill & Representatives Now Conven'd in Generall
Assembly for s' Province.
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town ot
New Castle in s" Province Humble s/iezve^/i, .' -^ d
That Whereas It was Voted in this Generall x'Vssembly'-'on
the i8 day of May 1716 that the Isle of Sholes be obleidgedto
pay their province Tax in the Town of New Castle, But a
proportion for them to pay was not Set, and therefore your
humble Petitioners Never took upon them to tax or Lay any
Proportion on the Inhabitants thereof;
Your Petitioners being a Small number and a poore people,
Humblv prays the Same Vote may be renewed and that alsoe
this Assembly would Direct, & Say, what proportion the Isle
of Sholes Shall pay out of the Province Tax that Is Laid on
the Town of New Castle.
And alsoe that there may be Authority Given to Assess
And Gather the same, & your Petitioners Shall Ever Pray &c.
Gotham Odiorne I g^j^^^
JohnSherburn ^ ^^^^
John Leach j
Petition against a bridge at New Castle.
T3 TVT xj To His Excellency Sam' Shute Esqr. Capt.
Prov. N. Hamp General and Gov^ in chief in and over
His Maj"*^ Prov. Afores'' and vice admiral of the same,
and To the Hon'''' *■ the Councile, and house of represen'''*
now sitting in General Assembly.
The Petition of Sundry His Majesties good Subjects of the
town of Portsmouth and N. Castle w' in the Province afore"*,
most Humbly Sheweth^
That some years since, at the time of our late Gov' Col"
Dudleys administration, a projection was made, and a scheme
TOWN PAPERS — NEWCASTLE. 559
laid, for y building a brideje from great Island, over the main
river of little harbour, to the .Main land w '' project was no
sooner budded than nipt, w " prevented its growth, till now tis
Sprung up anew, and may if not timely prevented, ripen to a
head w" may be of lasting ill-consequence throughout y* s**
Province especially to the sea-faring part thereof. May it
please yo Excellency and y'^ hon''"^ Gen Assem'
We would take leave in y first place humbly to address
our selves to you by way of Qiiere, (viz :) Whether it be not
an infringement on y*" rights & priviledges of y Gen' Assem.
for any town w' in this province to make and pass any Vote
or Votes, for y" building any bridge, over any navigable river
w^'in y Same as New Castle hath done, and made a begin-
ing thereupon, as is above mentioned, that is to say, to build
a bridge from great Island to the main w in the afores ' town
of N. Castle w cannot be Justify-able either in law or equity,
w^'out a Special Act of Gen' Assem ' for so doing. The rea-
son is plain, for that every navigable river, tho' it may run
through any town yet is not y' peticular property of that town
but of the Prov. in Gen' wherein y' town lyes. So that tis most
evident, y' tis a matter y' ought to be before y Gen' Assem^'
& not to be proceeded on by y authority of a town vote, for
illustration, may we further humbly offer, that if such a pro-
ceeding upon Such authority is legale and Justifyable, that
then N. Castle & Kittery may as wele unite and joyn together
and build a bridge from s'' N. Castle to s' Kittery (if it were
practicable) across y mouth of the Great Harbour, because
one town lyes on one side, & tother on y*^ other, w '^ amounts
to just so great a weight of reason, as can be offered in the
other case and no more
And now we have plainly demonstrated that y" afore • town
of N. Castle, hath entered upon a matter quite out of its legal
reach. Now we will in y" next place as evidently sett forth,
that It is as much out of reason that a bridge Should be built
at y'' place aforementioned, as it is out of y*^ pow' of N. Cas-
tle to build it.
I There is a ferry stated over s' river, a high way laid out
through the first proprietors lands to said ferry, much money
expended in repairing a Cassway to s' ferry & the ferry house
all w are benefitts lost & money spent w'''out profitt if a
bridge be built.
z All y' Inhabitants of N. Castle pass & repass ferridge
free on Lords days and training days & all publick days.
3'' The want of a bridge will be a Security in case of a
warr.
4 Sundry persons living there and thereabout have Some
laid out y" most part, and some y' whole of their estates in
560
NEW HAMPSHIRE
fishery who must unavoidabl}' be ruined if s ' bridge be allowed
of, for stopping their passage is in Effect tying up their hands,
& haling their Shallops ashore.
5 If a bridge be built it will stop y" ice & cause it to Jamm
together in y*" winter season that there will be no passing for
y^ fishing boatts for three or four months in Winter w'^'' is y'
hai-vest for fishing, where as tis now never frozen over or
Jamed save two or three days together & that in very hard
weather.
6 Another unspeakable hardship w''' will attend a bridge is
y* transportation of Hay from y^ meadows and marishes where
the tides must be attended both by night and day and to
pass under a draw bridge or through anv such gap as their may
be w"' a gondela of hay in a dark night & a strong wind or in
any other vessel w^'' so strong a Current as there is beside must
needs be a danger too terrible to be thought on.
Whereupon we humbly pray no bridge may be allowed as
before mentioned and petition'' shall ever pray as in Duty
bound.
The foregoing petition being read In Councile it was voted
That The Hearing thereof shall be on Thursday next 10 o'clock
A. M. & y' y'' parties be notifved accordingly,
Rich<i Waldron Cler. Con.
of
Nath" Gerrish
Stephen Nole
John Leach
y" mark
of George X Walles
Richard Shortbridg
Nathaniel Lang
Stephen Lang
Robert Lang
V' mark
of Jn" X Lang
John Lang
y- mark
Jn" J E Dallof ?
Silvanus Scott
William White
Thomas Beck Jiin.
John Abbet
j^ mark of
Thomas X Barrens
Nicholes Hilliver ?
John Jackson Jun
y*-' mark of
Jno X Leear
William Addams
y mark of
Thomas X Maine
y- mark of
Jn" Shores
Jn° Hardeson
Benj" Foster
W"' Cotton
Thomas Cotton
William Warrnen
Henry Bickford
Jo" Sherburn
Paul Gerrish{
Hen Sloper
John Knight
Rich^ Cutt
John Sherburn
John Jackson
John Jackson Jun.
Peter Ball Sen.
Peter Ball Junr.
Will Braden
John Ham
y'' mark of
Jn" X Cross
Nathaniel Odiorn
Stephen Greenleaf
James Jeffry
Jeth" Furbur
John Pickeren
Tobias Lear
Will'" Seavey
Will'" Sevey Jun''
Ben Amaskeen
TOWN- PAPKRS — NEWCASTLE. 561
Joseph Seavey Mathew Nelson
John Davies " Ambros Sloper
Georg Banlill y" mark of
_v' mark of Jn X Peverlj sen
Sampson X Babb Jolin Peverlv
Phillip Pain Tobias Langdon
Hugh Banfill Geo Walker
Charles Banfiel Thomas More
y mark of John Abbott
jii ' Rowe Benj" Ackerman Sr
"Abraham Jones Ephraim Jackson
JVezv Castle^ s Ansivcr to Sayidy-heach Petition.
To the Honourable John \V^entworth Esqr. Lieut Governour
and Command' in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire and to the Honourable the Council &
Representatives in Gen" Assembly Convened at Portsin ' in
the Said Province.
Tlie answer of Hugh Reed, Jo' Simson and Daniel Green-
nough (in behalf of the Inhabitants of that part of New Castle
called the Great Island and others adjoining thereto) To a Pe-
tition prefer'd to yo' Hon'" by Sundry of the Inhabitants of
Little Harbour and Sandy beach & Your Respondents Humbly
pray that the Prayer of the afores"^ Petition may not be granted
for that it may prove to be of very ill Consequence not only to
yo' respond"" but also to the whole Province in Generall. The
Inhabitants of Great Island are Gen'-' poor and depend on die
fishery for a livelyhood, which is very precarious and uncer-
tain, so y' they are not able to maintain a Minister of the Gos-
pell among them without the assistance of the afores'^ Petition-
ers, the want of which will Discourage many of the said In-
habitants and oblige them to remove and go to live Elsewhere
and those that will remain will be oblidged to go ofl" of the
Island on the Lords day to attend the Publick Worship of God,
which in time of Warr will much Expose the Kings Fort on
s'' Island to the Surprise of an enemy the afores Petition'"
Saying that they are willing to Contribute to the Subsistance
of the ministry during the rev ' M' ShurtlefVs life or Contin-
uance among us (which is both alicke uncertain) will not
avail, for Should their Prayer be granted its very Likely Mr
Shurtleft' would be so Discouraged as to leave us, but admit
he should Continue w"' us as long as he lives, yet at his Death
(w ** we know not but may be before the year comes about) we
Shall be Destitute and so Exposed to the afores ' Inconveniences.
Yo"^ Respond ' therefore most Huml)ly Pray That if the
afores*" Petition""^ be Set ofl' by tliemselves That they be so in
all respects, and that one half of the Land in New Castle be
36
S6:
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Subjected to bear the Burthen of the Publick Charge for that
part Call'd Great Island and the other half to that Part Call'd
Sandy beach. Except Some other Expedient may be found
for the Comfortable Maintainance of our Minister for The
aforcs'' Petition'"^' are Possessed of some Thousands of acres of
the best Land in New Castle, and yo' respond" but of a few
Hundred and most of that so rocky as not fitt for Tillage, and
besides that yo" respond"^^ have a great many poor widows to
releave all which being Considered by yo" Ilon''^ yo'" respond*^'
doubts not of yo'' Hon'° doing therein according to Equity and
good Conscience and will as in duty bound ever pray.
Hugh Reed
April 13'" 1726 Joseph Simpson
Dan' Greenough
Joshua Foss John Lane o
Nath Foss William Lock o
Samell Sanders o Elijah Lock o
Nathaniel Berry o James Perkins
Nathanael Berry Jun' James Lock o
Robart Sanders o Joseph Brown
John Sanders o W'" Randall o
William Marden o Joses Philbrick o
Jothani Berry o Joseph Lock o
Ebenezer Marden o his
Amos Cross John X Lock
Jonathan Locke o mark
Oren Dowst ? o William Lock Junr. o
Jonathan Dolbuer o Joseph Philbrick
John Dolbuer o Richard Lock o
his John Pain o
Joseph X Brown o Nat' Sargent o
mark Hugh Reed o
Jethro Lock o Jo« Frost o
Thomas Shannon o
N. B. the Persons markt Thus o against their Names ware Present
att the Election and ten Persons more ware Present att the Elect^ v^^
voted for Wm. Frost & Jon'' Lock but ware not at home when this Peti-
tion was carried for them to Sign it.
Petition of Sundry of y' Inhabitants of New Castle &
Rye
To the Hon''*" the House of Represent'''^ of the Prov. of New
Hamp'^^ now Siting at Portsm'*
Yo"" Petition"" Humbly Shew,
That at a meeting of the Free Hold'" of the Town of New
Castle & Parrish of Rye at New Castle aforesaid on the Sec-
ond Inst, to Chuse two meet Persons to Represent the Said
TOWN PAPERS NliWCASTLE. 563
Town and Parrish in General Assembly — That Tho'' Bell &
Rich'' Jenness Esqrs. wei' chosen or said to be chosen for the
Purpose above mentioned w '' yo"^ Petition'^ Conceive was Ille-
gal for that Sundry Persons were admitted to Vote at said
Meeting which were not Qiialify'd as the Law^ Directs in Such
Cases together with some other Illegal Practices used In order
to obtain Said choice which may be made appear when the
Hon" House shall be pleased to order A Hearing thereon w*^^
we pray may be Granted as Early as will Suit with the Privi-
ledges and Interests of those Libertys of which your Plon' " are
the Guard, and yo"" Petiti" further pray y" upon the Proof of
this their Complaint y' the said Thomas Bell & Rich'^ Jenness
Esqrs. may be Dismist the House and y*^ the said Town of
New Castle and Parrish of Rye may have the Liberty of an
other Choice and yo'" Petit" ass in Dutv bound shall Ever
Pray.
Jany. 5' 1748
o W"' Frost o Jonathan Harden
o Will"' Sevey o Thomas Goss
his o William Berry
W'" X Rand o William Marden
mark Samuel Dwst
? Seavey Simon Knowles
William Seavey Jun. his
his John X Salter
o James X Shut mark
mark o James Marden
his o Zechariah Berry
Joseph X Sevea o Joseph Yeaton
mark Samuel Berry
o Joshua Rand his
Noah Shelburne Nehemiah X Berry
o Jonathan Goss mark
o Ebenezer Berry
Petitio7i for aid in behalf of the Alinisiry.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Capt. General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over His Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire the Hon''*^ His Majesty's
Council & House of Representatives for Said Province in
General Assembly Convened ]May 27"" 1748
The Humble Petition of Joseph Newmarch & Matthew
Livermore Esqrs. as agents for the Town of New Castle in
Said Province Shczvs
That by an Act made & pass'd m the twelfth year of His
Late Majcstys Reign Entituled an Act for the Settling & Es-
tablishing of two Parishes in the Town of New Castle,
Among other things it is Enacted that in Consideration the
564 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Meeting- house at the Island is Conveniently Situated for the
Soldiery Posted at his Majestys Fort William & Mary to Re-
pair to for the Benefit of the Gospel-Ministry that "there be
twenty four pounds paid annually out of the Excise towards
the Support of a Gospel Minister on the Said Island. That
the said Grant has not been duly ComiDlied with & paid which
as the said Town & the Minister there have had hopes Si Ex-
pectations of & Really wanted has been Detrimental to both
and having a just claim to by the said act think that a farther
Delay of the payment thereof will be keeping them ought of
their Right & Still a greater Injury as the Nominal Sum is not
a third part of the Real value it would have been if Seasona-
bly & annually paid. Wherefore your Petitioners in behalf
of their Principals Humbly Pray that the premises may be
considered that they may be heai^d thereon & have leave to
shew what is now justly due upon the said Grant & that the same
and all arrearages thereof & whatsoever is due may be paid
without further Delay and your Petitioners as in duty bound
Shall ever Pray &c.
Joseph Newmarch
Matthew Livermore
Coun' Eodem Die
read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon''''' House
Theodore Atkinson Secy
Prov of New \ In the House of Representatives 28'" May 1748
Hampshire J Voted That y" Petitioners be heard on this Petition on
Fryday next at three o'clock P. M.
D. Peirce, Clr.
June 3'i 1748
Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition y-' Third Day
of y" Setting of next Gen' assembly.
D. Peirce Clr.
I^ev. Mr. Blunfs Petition.
„ . r To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq''
PrOVniCe Ot ^ o r^ i • /--.i • r t p
■p^ TT, ,. Governor Sl Commander m Chier in & over
'*' ' His Majestys Province of New Hampshire
The Honorable His Majesty's Council and House of Rep-
resentatives for said Province in General Court Convened.
The Petition of John Blunt of New Castle in the Province
of New Hampshire Clerk Humblv Skews
That in the year of Our Lord 1726 a Law was pass'd by the
General Assembly of this Province wherein (among oth-
er things) it is Enacted that In Consideration that the
Meeting House on the Great Island is Conveniently Situated
for the Soldiers Posted at His Majesty's Fort William & Mary
TOWN PAPERS — NEWCASTLE. 565
that twentv four '• Pounds per nnnum be paid out of the Ex-
cise towards the Support of a Gospel Minister on tlie said Isl-
and," by virtue whereof & of your Petitioner's sustaining that
otiicc there, he humbly conceives he has a just claim to the
pavmcnt of the aforesaid Sum amnially from the time of his
vSettlement in that Capacity, & that no Legal or Rational ob-
jection has ever been or can be made to the payment thereof
so long as the Said Law Remains in being & full force which
he also Conceives to be the Case & consequently that the non
payment thereof yearly but much more the delay of doing it
for so long a time as it has been your Petitioners Right is mani-
festly a Great Injury to him.
Tliat your Petitioner thinks he has the same Claim to the
aforesaid Sum of money as he would have had to any Real
Estate Granted by the Same Authcrity which is no more
weaken'd because not paid as it became due than in the case
of a Real Estate because one that has no Right Keeps the
Possession a few years which no man would pretend to, And
that Denying a due Compliance with the acts of the Governm'
is not only a Breach of Public Faith, but of very ill Example
to those who are the subjects of the Good & wholesome Laws
of the Province.
That as vour Petitioner in his Settlement had some Regard
to the aforesaid grant it has been a Considerable Disappoint-
ment to him that it has not been punctually complied with as
every Gentleman upon the least attention to the Circumstances
of the said place must needs allow.
Wherefore your Petition"" most humbly Prays that Eflectual
Provision may now be made for the payment of what is in
arrearage & due to him agreeable to the aforesaid Grant, &
for the due & Seasonable payment thereof for the future, and
your Petitioner as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
Jn" Blunt.
March 1 74 1
In the House of Representatives March the lo"' 1741-2
The within Petition Read and Voted that the Petitioner be heard on
Thursday next at three of the Clock in the afternoon
James feftVy Clr. Ass'"
In Coun. March 11"' 1741-2
Be forenoon
Read and Concurred
Rich'' Waldron sec.
Same day A : M : assented to B. Wkntworth
An acco' of the Persons y' Voted at the Election of Representatives
566 NEW HAMPSHIRE
for the Town of New Castle and Parrish of Rye att New Castle on the
2'^'^ Day of Jan'y 1748 w"' the Petiti" annex'' to this Referd too as Persons
who Ware not Qualify'd to Vote in Said Choice and are as FoUoweth
Viz: ^ •"
Jn" Randall Nath' Batson
Jn» Simpson Mesheck or Benj" Bell
George ? Henry Dow
W'" Neele Francis Lock Jun""
Sam" Yetton Sam' Jinnins
Sam' Clark Jo* Jennins
Sam" Card Francis Jennins Jun'
]n° Card Jun' Jo'' Fuller
Edw^ Card jfames Philbrick
Henry Tredick Jn" Rand
And" Mace
Petition of Nexv Castle i-elating to a Lottery to build a
Bridge.
To his Excellency the Governour of New Hampshire. The
Honourable his Majestyes Council, and House of Represent-
atives, in General Assembly conven'd.
We being appointed a Committee by the Inhabitants of the
Town of New Castle in said Province, to Petition the said
General assembly for the Priviledgc of a Lottery in Order to
enable us to build a Bridge over Little Harbour River as set
forth in our Petition now before you, beg leave to offer these
following Reasons for the same viz :
I . The only Barrier or Forte, by Sea, belonging to this Prov-
ince is in New Castle, or on the Island called great Island, and
the onh' Place by vSea, which is in danger of being Attack'd
by a foreign Enemy.
3. We the Inhabitants of said Island, ordinarily, have not
more than Men enough to take care of our wives and Children,
and to convey them to a Place of Safety, in case of a Sudden
Invasion.
3. It will be really Necessary for the Safety of this Province,
more Especially for the Towns adjacent to said Island. That
we be so accommodated as that a Suficient number of men
from the main may with speed and Conveniency, come to us
for our defence and safety, in case we are suddenly invaded by
a foreign Enemy-
4. We have not a sufficient number of Boats neither can we
Expect that the Province will at their charge Provide and Keep
in repair such a Number as may be Necessary to convey so
many men to us as we shall need, in Case we are Distressed by
an Enemy. Therefore
5. It is absolutely necessary that a Bridge be builtover Little-
TOWN PAPERS NEWCASTLE. 567
Havbour-River from Saunders Point on the Main to said Island.
And then
2. With regard to us the Inhabitants of said New Castle or
great Island, We would obsen'e, The flourishing and Pros-
perous State of any Town in a Province more Especially of a
Barrier-Town, is for the good and wealfair of the whole Com-
munity.
3. Altho' said Island is a Barrier Town, yet, we, the Inhab-
itants, are but in low Circumstances considering our Long
Standing.
4. The only way which we can think of at Present to retrieve
our Circumstances, and to Enable us the better to bear a Part
in the Defence and Support of the Government, is that we may
have a free and Open Communication with the Inhabitants on
the Main
5. And this, appears to us, can only be effected by building a
Bridge over said River, and then the Inhabitants on the Main
can bring and sell to us the Necessaries of Life, which will
save us a great deal of time and expence ; and which must if
rightly improved b}' us increase our wealth and strength, and
be no ways detrimental to our Neighbors.
Therefore for the Reasons above said with what we have
suggested in our Petition novr before you we Earnestly desire
that the Prayer thereof mav be Granted.
-^-r o 1 Committee for
^•|r^^^^^^'^Uhe Inhabitants
Jo Frost j ^f ^ew Castle.
New Castle April y"* 25"^ i757-
Ne-w Castle Petition for a Lottery to build a bridge.
Province of | To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'
N, Hampshire j Captain General Govenoui' and Commander
in Chief in and over his Majestys Province
aforesaid. The Honourable his Majestys
Council and House of Representatives for
said Province.
The Petition of us the Subscribers^Humbly skezvetli.
Whereas your Petitioners for many years past have been
great sufferers for want of a better Conveniency of passing from
the great Island to the Continent and at some seasons of the
year it is almost if not quite impracticable to pass to the Main
and so for the People on the Main to come to us which is the
reason why the Country People bring not to us the Necessa-
ries of Life to Vend as otherwise they would do and our poorer
568 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Families and Widdows who are not able to go abroad to pro-
vide for themselves are sometimes thereby brought into the
greatest Straits and difliculties.
And inasmuch as the only Fortification of this Province by
sea is and ever will be for anything we can discern on said
Island, Therefore it is highly necessary for the safety of this
Province as well as for the Inhabitants of said Island that a
Bridge be Built across the River called Little Harbour River
to the Main so that help with Speed and Conveniency may
come to us in Case of an Invasion by a Foreign Enemy which
in time of War we have reason to fear may be our unhappy
Case, and also that our Wives and Children and others who
are unable to Endure the fatigues of War may with greater
Conveniency and Speed, Retreat to some place of safety.
Therefore your Petitioners most Humbly Pray that your Ex-
cellency with your Honours would consider our Petition and
the Reasonableness of our Requests and grant us the Privi-
ledge of a Lottery in order to raise money to build a Bridge
over said River.
Richard Yeaton Rich'' Kenney
Allcock Stevens William Trefethen
Benjamin Bell Robert White
Henry Langmaid Joshua Chase
Pete/Grant Jn ' Blunt
Robbart Neall W' ' Blunt
John Randle Paul Randall
"William Mordantt Sam Jackson
Nat Sargent Jun" Nathaniel Lear
Abraham Trefethen Robert Seldon
Jos Frost James Randall
Stephen Chase William Tucker
W'" Branscombe Daniel INIoulton Jun''
Samuel Sheafe Joseph Sargent
Stephen Barton Christopher Prichard
Meshach Bell Shadrach Bell
William Naal Benjamin Meloon his hand
Nath' Batson Solomon White.
John Neal
In Council Feb'^ 23, 1757
read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''* Assembly
Theo'' Atkinson Secy.
Province of\In the House of Representatives Feb'' 26"' 1757 This Pe-
New Hamp ( tition having been read
Resolved That the Petitioners be heard thereon the second day of the
setting of the General Assembly next after the first Day of April next
& that the Petitioners at their own Cost & charge Cause the Substance
of said Petition with this order of Court to be advertized In the Ne'W
Hampshire Gazette four weeks successively that any person or persons
may appear if they please & Shew Cause if any they have why the prayer
thereof should not be Granted.
Andrew Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurrd
Theo'' Atkinson Secv.
TOWN PAPERS NEW DURHAM. 569
NEW DURHAM.
[Incorporated 17 Dec. 1762. See Kingswood. Ed.]
At a public meeting of the Proprietors of New Durham in the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire legally notified, holden at the meeting house
at Durham falls in s^' province on monday the 30" day of Decemb'^ 1765 at
2 o'clock P. M. then & there the s<i proprietors made choice of Maj"'
Thomas Tash and Capt. Thomas Chesle as a Committee to apply to
the general Court of s' Province to see if s' Court will pass an act to
Impower the s' Proprietors to sell so much of the land of the delin-
quent proprietors as shall pay their proportion of the charges to be de-
frayed by s"* propriety
Tho^ Tash prop" Clark
A true Coppy
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire, the Honourable Councel and Representatives
of Said Province.
The Humble Petition of Thomas Tash and Thomas Ches-
lee. In Behalf of the Proprietors of New Durham Shc~vcth
That Whereas a Great Number of the Proprietors of said
New Durham have been Delinquent in paying their proportion
of the Necessary Charges that have already arisin on account
of the Settlement of Said Town, and it is highly probable s'^
Delinquents will be as unwilling to pay any Necessary Charge
that may hereafter arise ; Therefore the Burden must Conse-
quentlv Lay on such of said propriety as are most willing to
promote said Town and the Settlement thereof.
We therefore most Humbly Shewe, That at a Legal Meet-
ing of Said proprietors held on the 30''' Day of December A.
D. 1 765 it was Voted that we the said Thomas Tash k. Thomas
Chesley should be a Committee to apply to your Excellency
and your honours, in order to obtain an act to Impower the
said proprietors or their Collectors to Sell the Rights of Said
Delinquent proprietors or Such a Part thereof as shall be
Sufficient to pay their Respective proportions of Such Neces-
sary Charges.
Your Petitioners Earnestly hope your Excellency and Hon-
ours will Take our prayer into your wise Consideration and
procure Such a Remedy as your Excellency & Honours in
your Great wisdom Shall think proper, and your petitioners
as in Duty bound Shall ever pray.
TiioM" Tash
Thom Chesle
New Durham September 10' ' 1767
57° NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of | In the House of Representatives Sep' 12"' 1767
New Hamp'" / The within Petition being Considered and it appear-
ing Reasonable to grant Relief in such Cases
Voted That the Petitioners hav'e Liberty to Bring in a Bill for the
Purpose within mentioned
M. Weare, CU
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurr'd
T. Atkinson Jun Seov
NEWMARKET.
Papers relating to Newmarket & Newinarket Bridge.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over His Maiesties province of
New Hampshire in New england in America and the Hon-
ourable His IMajesties Council and the Honourable the
House of Representatives in General Court Convend.
We the Subscribers Conceiving it will be for the great ad-
vantage of this province in general as well as for our Perticler
Interest & for the Benefit of the inhabitants of the Several
towns to which we respectiveh^ belong that there Should be a
Bridge over the River which devides SLretham & New Mar-
ket where the Ferry is Now Kept or a little higher up the
River at the place cald the New field do humbly petition this
honourable Cort for license to Build a Strong & Substantial
Bri'gc thereon sufficient for teams to Pass & Repass laden,
and if your Excellenc}- and Honours will vouchsafe to take
the matter under your wise Consideration and permit us to
offer to your wise Consideration the Resons Inducing us to
offer this our petition we doubt not you will Readily grant us
the license for which we hereby make Humble Request, By
which grant you will greatly oblidge your most humble Sup-
plicants the inhabitants of this province of New hampshire as
in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray, we the Subscribers Sign
with that reserve that s' bridge be no hendrance to vesels &
Rafts of any kind Passing & Repassing up & down S' River
November 21'"' 1746
Richard Callej John Clark
Eforom Levett Solmon Cotton
Stephen Thusen John Thusten
Samuel Levett Benjamin Cotton
Jonathan Fifield Efrom Greean
John Levett Thomas Vcsey
Samuel Levett William Bruce of Durham
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET. 57]
Moses Thriston Henry Wiggin
Siini' Clark Josiah Piper
William Davis Jonathan Piper
Walter Wiggins William Borlev Jim'
Eliphalet Wiggins Richard Crockett
John Wille Jun Thomas Wiggin
Joshua Hill John Wiggin
Samuel Piper William French
Tarfien ? Wiggin Andrew French
David Haneford Bradstreet French
James Daves William French Jun'
Thomas Brier Thomas French
Daniel Mason Jr Samuel Wiggin
John Barker Eliphalet Wiggin
John Daves William Moores
Thomas Wiggin Jr.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampsnire in New England and the Honourable His
Majesties Coinicil and the House of Representatives for
Said Province.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Nottingham &c
Htunbly She~veth
That this and Several other Towns in this Province are ex-
posed to Great Difficulties being Seperated from the Metrop-
olis and the Main Body of the Settled Part of this Province
by a narrow River Running between Stratham and New Mar-
ket which Lais us under a Necessity' to travel many miles
Round the Head or Else Cross said River at a Ferry which is
often times Not Less Difficult and at Certain .Seasons of the
year is altogether Impracticable and is always so for Carte
and Teams.
We therefore Conceiving that it will be for the Great Ad-
vantage of this Province in General as well as for our Particu-
lar Interest and for the Benefit of the Several Towns Scituated
near said River that there Should be a Bridge over said River
where the Ferry is kept or a Little Higher up at the Place
Commonle Called the New Field Do Humbly Petition your
Excellency and Honours that there may be a Licence for a
Good Substantial Bridge there Sufficient for Teams to Pass
over Loaded. The many Great advantages which would
accrue to the Publick by such a Bridge will we Doubt not
Enduce this Hon'' '' Court to Grant us the Privilcdge for which
we hereby humbly make Request which will Greatly oblige
3'our most Humble Supplicants who Shall as in Duty Bound
Ever Pray &c :
Nottingham Nov. 21, 1746.
572
NEW HAJVIPSHIRE
Abraham Rowell
Daniel Elkins
Ebenezer Dow
John Pormort
Thomas Ford
his
William X Kennison
mark
John Mill
John Bartlett
Joseph Cally
Jon'' Longfellow
James Bean
Edward Bean Jun''
Jonathan Norris
David Lawrens
James Whidden
Jonathan Crosbie
Nathan Pilsbery
James Morrison
his
David X Morrison
mark
Joseph Beverlin
his
Andrew X Simpson
mark
Nathaniel Goodhue
John M'Cries
John M Cries Jun''
Frances IIar\ey
John McClearv
Israel Bartlett'
his
William X Morrison
mark
James Maxweel
Rob' Harvey
Matthew Neley
John Harvey
Thomas Harvey
Edward Bean
Simon Baird
John Redman
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'- Governor and
Captain general in Chief in and over his majestys Province
of New hampshire and to his majestys Council and the hon-
ourable house of Representatives in general Court Convened.
We the subscribers Conceiving it will be for the great ad-
vantage of this Province in general as well as for our own par-
ticular Interest and for the benefit of the Inhabitants of the
Several Towns to which we respectively belong that there
should be a bridge over the river which Divides Stratham and
New Market where the ferry is now kept or a little higher up
the river at the Place Called the New field Do humbly Peti-
tion this honourable Court for License to build a Strong and
Substantial bridge there Suflicient for Teams to pass and repass
Laden and if you will Vouchsafe to take the matter imderyour
Consideration and permit us to offer to your Consideration the
reasons Inducing us to offer this our petition we doubt not
you will readily grant us the Licence for which we hereby
make humble request by which grant you will greatly Oblige
your most humble Supplicants, the Inhabitants as in Duty
bound shall ever pray.
Dated Nov"" 3r' 1746
Rob' Smart Joseph Chapman
Sam' Miles Walter Neel
Jon" Colkit Sam' Neel
Jon" Colkit Jun-- Rich' Clark
Jon ' Colkit Caleb Clark
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET.
573
David Hanes
Jo' Jedkins
Josiali Persons
Tho- Youiiii: Sr.
Cliarlcs Smart
Joseph Smart
John Burley
Jam' Burlev
Jam" Burlev Jun"^
Josiah Buriey
Joseph Burlej
Isaac Maston
Andrew Burlev
W" Burlev
Edward IJilton
Josiah Hilton
Wentworth Hilton
Fitz W ■> Sergant
John Bennet
Joseph Burley Jan.
Jo Elice
Nath Piper
Peter Folsom
Rob' Pike
Charles Hilton
Thorn Oilman
Rob' Barber
Sam' Sinkler
John Sanborn
Nath' Pees
Sam' Stevens
Jon" Bachler
Ezekiel Sanborn
Joseph Sinklar
W'" Crocket
Jon' Robinson
Joseph Robinson
Joseph Oilman Jr.
Thom- Sinkler
Const Oilman
Joshua Sanborn
Tim' Oilman
Joseph Oliden
Abner Cofin
Nathan Folsom
John Meder
Ichabod Whidden
Thorn- Bennet
James Ooodwin
Jam" Ooodwin Jun.
Sam' Rolins
Jam' Rolins
Sam' Brecket
Hope Cheswill
Sam' Doe
Israel Folsom
John Kenneston
Francis Durgan
W" Durgan
James Kenneston
Sam' Dooly
Thom- Packer
Nicholas Doe
Daniel Hilton
Jacob Burley
Samson Doe
Benj ' York
Benj ' York Jun.
Thom- Young
Joseph Jedkins
Thom' York
John Neel
Abnez'^ Neel
Nathan Presby
Ephraim Sanborn
Jacob Tilton
John Wedgewood
John Pender
John Fose
Edward Fose
David Litefoot
Daniel Ames
Simon Ames
David Ames
Jacob Ames
Joseph Hall
Edward Hall
Arthur Slade
James Maston
Nath' Ames
Rob' Perkins
Jo' Miles
Benj' Smart
Oiles Burley
W" Perkans
Jon^ Hilton
Philip Herris
Jo' Hilton
Tim" Emerson
Bartes Metoon
Joseph Hilton
Joseph Young
Joseph Midcalf
John Birgan
Rich ' Matoon
Benj ' Thomson
John Hersey
James Hersey
John Perkans
John Perkans Jun'
John Folsom
Andrew Folsom
W" Folsom
Jo' Barber
John Barber Jun'
Andrew Wiggan
574 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Joseph Wiggan Jo" Palmer
Edward Fose Groth. Palmer
Benj ' Fose Ephraim Folsom
Sam' Chapman Ephraim Folsom Jr.
John Talor
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in Chief in over His Majestys province of new
hampshier in new England in America and the Honorable
His majestys Council & the Honorable House of Represent-
atives in Court Convened.
We the Subscribers Conceiving it will be for the Great ad-
vantag of this province in general as well as for our one Per-
ticlar Intreest & for the Benefit of the Inhabitants of the Sev-
eral Towns to which we respectively belong that there should
be a Bridg over the river which divides Stratham and new
market where the Ferry is now Kept or a little higher up the
river at the place called the new field wee do humbly Petition
this honorable Court for Leicence to Build a Strong & Sub-
stantile Bridg sufficient for tams to pass & Repase, to take the
matter under your Consideration & permit us to offer to your
Consideration the resons Inducing us to ofler this our petition,
we Doubt not you will readiely Grant us the Licence for which
we hearby make humble Request by which Grant you will
Greatly oblige your most humble supplicats, the Inhabitants
as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.
Joshua Brackctt James Johnson
John Brackett Anthony Pickrein
Nathaniel Brackett Nath' Doe
James Urin Nath' Grow
Joseph Jones Abithar Sanborn
Joseph Melune John Iloug Jun>"
Joseph Melime Jun. Nathaniel rite White
Henery Melune Samuel Haines
Enoch Clark Thomas Ains
Ebenezer Gates Charley ? Johnson
James Gates Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan Dockeni Stephen Gilman
Jonathan Dockcm Jun. Anthony Pickerin
John Dockem Abner Haines
Bengman Dockem Sam' Nutter
Robert Rolens Pitman Colbath
James Bracket James Berry
Daniel Lunt William Samson
Joseph Berry Robart Bryen
William Stevens John Allen
Joseph Haines Daniel Doues
John Haines John Johnson
William Haines
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET. 575
In Council December the 1746
read & ordered to be sent Down to the Hon'"'"' House togeather with
the three other Petitions for the same aftair here unto annexed
TheoiJ Atkinson Sec>'
Prov of ^ \in the House of Representatives Dec 6"' 1746
Voted That the within Petitioners be heard on their Petition y second
Day of y setting of y" Gen' Assembly after y" seventeenth Day of Jan.
next & that f Petitioner.s at their own expence advertise y publick three
Weeks successively bet^veen this Day & y« aforesaid 17'''' of Janu>' (iny"
Postboy & Evening Post News Papers so called) of y" Tenor of y"
Prayer of said Petitions (Viz) that there may Liberty be granted for
Building a good sufficient Draw Bridge over Exeter River at Wiggin's
Ferry so called or at y" New Field at y proper Cost & charge of y Pe-
titioners that any or every one may have opportunity to shew Cause if
any they have why y Prayer of s' Petitions should not be granted.
D. Peirce CK
In Council December 7"' 1746
read & Concurr'd
Theodore Atkinson Sec>'
December 11"^ 1746
Assented to
B. Wentworth
Where as Sum of the Inhabitence of Several townes within this Prov-
ence have Petitioned the Gen' Court to Grant Liberty for the bulding of
a bridge over Exeter River Betvveen Stratham and New market and the
Gen' Court having apointed a Day for the hearing of s<' Petitioners,
Leberty being Given for all persons to apear that are against said Bredge
being bult to Shew ther Resons against the same.
At a Leagal parish meeting held at Brintwood on Monday the 16''*
Day of March 1747 at the hous of Nicolas Gorden in s'' parish Voted
tha't_ there be no bredge bult between Stratham and Newmarkitby Reson
we apprehend it will be a Great Dammeag both to the trade and fishere
Copy Exam'd
Biley Hardie parish Clarck
May y« 18''' 1747.
Province of 1 In Pursuance of a vote of General Assembly of y©
New Hamp's / 4 Instant We the Committee Have been and VicAved the
places as mentioned in a petition for building a Sufi-
cient Draw bridge over the River between new market and Stratham
and we have unanemusley agreed that the bridge'be built over said
River to begin to be built about twenty foote below a white Pine tree
Standing about the ferry place on Wigginses land and so to Run as
straight over or across said River to Robert Smarts land as it can be
built for Convenienc}' of Setting Said bridge. The Distance between
the Peers under the Draw bridge to be twenty six foote and the Dis-
tance between the Pears for Rafts and other Necessary to be forty or fifty
foot and the tops of the Caps between these vacancies to be Seven foot
above high water mark in a middling tide the width of the aforesaid
bridge to be Eighteen foote wide between The rails of s'' bridge from
end to end.
This is our Report In this atfair of said Bridge
Sam' Smith I
John Downing
Richard Jenness }- Committee
Jonathan Chase
Joseph Wadleigh
576. NEW HAMPSHIRE
In Council Maj 27, 1747
The above report read & ordered to be sent to the Hon' '" House
Theo<J' Atkinson sec.
Province of "I In the House of Representatives 29''' May 1747
New Hampshire / Voted That j* within Report be received & ap-
proved with y following amendments, that y'- Draw
Part of s ' Bridge be twenty eight feet wide & ^v" Passage for Rafts forty
five feet wide that the Petitioners build y^ Bridge Keep it in Repair &
procure convenient Ways to & from y« Bridge & all at their own
expence.
D. Peirce Clr.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi magna; Britannise Franciae & Hi-
berniae Vicessimo.
An Act for Erecting and maintaining a Bridge over the River at New
Market.
Whereas Many of the Inhabitants of New Market Stratham and other
Places within this Province have Petitioned the General Assembly
Representing that the Passing over the ferry at New Market is attended
with Great Difficulty for a Considerable part of the year by Reason of
the frost, That a Bridge over the River there would be of Great use
to those Places and all the Neighboring Towns And Praying that they
might have Liberty to Erect a Bridge there accordingly which they
would do at their own Cost. Which Petition having Been Considered
and it appearing that a Good Bridge at the Said Place will be of Gen-
eral Service and Conveniency :
Be it therefore Enacted By His Excellency the Governor Council and
Representatives in General Assembly Convened and by the Authority
of the Same, That the Petitioners aforesaid and Such others as shall
join with them therein shall have Liberty to Erect and Build a Good
Strong and Convenient Bridge over the River at New Market and
Stratham to run from about Twenty foot below a white pine Tree
Standing a Little way above the Ferry place on the Land of Andrew
Wiggin strait a Cross the River to the Land of Robert Smart on New
Market Side on the following Terms and Directions that is to say that
it Run as Strait a Cross the River from and to the Place aforesaid as it
may be for the Conveniency of Setting and Laying the foundation
thereof in the River, that the Said Bridge be Built on Peers set at Con-
venient Distance form'd in the Best manner for passage Between them
that a Passage for Vessels Gundelos Rafts and other water Carriage
be Left where the Deepest water is of forty five feet wide Between the
Peers, that a part of the said Bridge be made to Draw in the most Con-
venient manner twenty eight feet wide for the Passage of Vessels That
the said bridge be built with Rails on the Top on Each Side and to be
eighteen feet wide between the Rails that the Tops of the Caps between
the Vacancies be seven feet above high Water in a Middleing Tide and
that all the said Bridge be Built in a strong workmanlike manner at the
Cost of the Petitioners and others as aforesaid and so maintained and
Kept in Repair and that they Procure and get Laid out all such Con-
venient Ways and Passages to and from Said Bridge as shall be want-
ing and Necessary and that the Draw Part of sad Bridge be made so
that it may Conveniently be Drawn by two men.
TOWN PAPERS — NEWMARKET. 577
Province of ) In the House of Representatives 3' June 1747
New Hamp" j Tiie foregoinj^ Bill having been Read three Times
Voted That it pass to be enacted.
John Sanborn Speaker pro Tempore
In Council June the 4"' 1747
The foregoing Bill Read three Times and past to be enacted.
Theodore Atkinson Sec>
Eodem Die
I assent to the enacting this Bill
B. Wentwortu
Cop^ Examined
Theodore Atkinson SecJ'
Exetcr\^ Ansivers to Strat/iarn a?id N'ezv ^farkct^s Petition
for a Bridge.
Province of ) To his Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hampshire | Esq" Captain-Generall, Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his
Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, To the Hon''" his
Majesty's Councill And house of Representatives Convened
in Gencrall Assembly.
Humbly S/iezvs
The Freeholders & Inhabitants of Exeter by their Agents the
Subscribers hereof That whereas Notice hath lately been
given in the Publick Prints That the Towns of Newmarket
Stratham & Towns Adjacent have Petitioned your Excellency
and this Hon'"^ Court Praying Liberty to Build a Strong Sub-
stantiall Draw Bridge over tiie river that Divides said Stratham
and New Market at the Ferry place in Said vStratham or a Lit-
tle above, And your Excellency & hon'^' having ordered said
Petitioners a hearing of their Petitions on the Second day of
the Sitting of this Court after the Seventeenth day of January
then next and that said Petitioners give Public notice Thereof.
Whereupon we the vSubscribers agents as aforesaid on behalf
of our Constituants as well as for our .Selves Most Humbly
Crave Leave to olTei- tlie Following reasons why the Prayer of
said Petitions Should not be Granted, (Viz :)
i" For that the building such a Bridge would in a Great
measure Stop the Course of the Fish Especially the Bass
which Providence has hitherto yearly supplyd us with great
Quantitys of to the Great .Support of our selves and Towns
above us, and many Poor Familys, if the Course of the Fish
be Stopped will be Likely thereby to be Great suHerers.
2'"-' For tiiat whereas the said river having been free Ever
since The settling the Town of Exeter (upwards of one hun-
dred years) for the passing and repassing of Vessels from
37
578 NEW HAMPSHIRE
hence to Portsmouth & Boston and other Ports, and there be-
ing Generally water sufficient for the passing and repassing of
any Vessell of one hundred Tons Loaden whereby this Town
as well as the Towns above it have reaped great advantages By
means of Transporting their Lumber and by having return'd
to them by the same Vessels, The Provisions and Necessaries
for the Support of Life & for Commerce and Trade with Each
other ; Which the building of the aforesaid bridge would
greatly hurt, if not Totally Stop, & also Prevent Carrying on
the building of Vessells in the Town of Exeter which they
have as Just a right to do as any other Towns in the Province.
3'''-' For that the Free use and Priviledge of That river to
the head thereofwasthe Principal reason and Cause of Peoples
settling so far into the Country and Defending their Settlements
in such Dangerous & Difficult times as have been since the
Settlement of the Same and was also an Incouragement to the
Inhabitants of Kingston and other Towns to Settle Farther
into the Country they hopcing to Enjo}' the Benefit of Trans-
porting their Lumber in this river without such an Incum-
brance as the Proposed bridge would be. And now if the
Prayer of the Petition should be granted Those invaluable
Priviledges which the respondents have so Long Enjoyed and
so highly Prised (more than any other part of their Estates)
would in a great measure if not Totally be cutt oif and would
be more Damage to the Town of Exeter and 'other Towns
above it Than to Maintain men and Boats forever to carry over
the Petitioners and Every thing they have as often as they
please to remove, and Cannot be of such Service to the Peti-
tioners as to Equal the Damage that would be consequent upon
it. Neither would the Petitioners themselves he willing that
any such Incumbrance should be made upon the river below
their Landing places to prevent the Free passage of Vessels to
them.
Neither is it likely if Possible for the Petitioners to make and
maintain & Duly attend Such a Bridge in such manner as to
Lett all Vessells pass and repass in said river For Vessels going
up & Down swiftly with a strong tide cannot come to anchor
and wait for any Persons to come and open the Passage for
them without great Difficulty & Danger and Damage more
than can be at Present Discerned.
^'1,1 y Pqj. j.{^.^(. (.j-jg building the aforesaid Bridge would be a
great Impediment to the Conveying Down to Portsmouth the
Mast Trees which are Yearly Procured in & brought to the
Town of Exeter for his Majestys use. and would also make it
very Dangerous to pass with Vessells rafts & Gundelows in
the Narrow Passage of Thirty foot. For the Straitening of
the river must of Consequence Cause the Current to run veiy
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET. 579
swift and Rapid and thereby Greatly Endanger the Lives of
the People as well as the Loss of their Vessels Lumber and
Giindelows.
5' > We humbly Conceive that the Granting the Prayer of
the Petition by this hon^ '' Court will not only be a Depriving
of our Constituants as well as the Towns above us, and oth-
ers, of their Lawfull right & Priviledge but also be a Leading
Example for other Injuries of the like nature and be a much
Greater Lijury to the Province in Generall Than Benefitt to
the Petitioners or others, in That it would cause the People of
this Town and the Towns above us Instead of Transporting
their Lumber to Portsmouth to Convey the Same to Haverhill
and Newbury and thereby very greatly obstruct the Trade of
this Province.
We do therefore Humbly Intreat That your Excellency &
this Hon ' • Court will duely Consider the foregoing reasons and
what we may Further Crave Leave to offer why the Prayer of
the said Petitions should not be Granted Considering the many
bad Consequences it might be attended with, and humbly hope
and Desire That Your Excellency and hon ~ will in your great
wisdom Prevent the Same by not Granting the Prayer of said
Petition.
EZEKIEL GiLMAN
Daniel Gilman
Nich' Perryman
Jedediah Philbrick Agent for and in behalf of the Town of Kingston
in said Province humbly craves Leave to present the foregoing answers
or reasons made in behalf of y' Town of Exeter as answers for and in
behalf of said Town of Kingston it being their Grievances & Dangers
triielj Expressed & for y same reasons pray that the Prayer of the Pe-
tition for building a Bridge over y" river betwixt Stratham & New Mar-
ket mav not be Granted
Jed Philbrick
At a Meeting of the free holders & Inhabitants of the Town of Exe-
ter holden at the Town house in s' Town Jan' 19''' 1746-7 Whereas no-
tice hath been Given in the publick prints that New Market Stratham
& several of the adjacent Towns have petition'd the Gen' Court of this
Province for Liberty to build a bridge Crost the River that parts New-
market & Stratham at the ferry or a Little above & that the s'' Peti-
tioners are to be heard on s'' petition on the Second Day of s'' Courts
next Setting & those that are ag' the Prayer of s ' Petitions being Grant-
ed are in s" Prints notifyed to appear to Show Cause ag' the Granting
the Prayer of s'' Petitions,
Voted M' Nich ■ Perryman Maj"" Ezekel Gilman & Cap' Daniel Gil-
man be agents that they or Either of them appear in behalf of the Town
to Shew Cause why the Prayer of the Petitions should not be Granted.
A true Copy
Zebulon Giddings Townclerk
5S0 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Reply to Exeter's Ohjectiotis.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt. Gen Gov''
& Command' in Chief the Hon "His Majestys Council &
House of Represen'"* for the Prov*-' of New Hamp"" .
The Reply of the Petitioners for a Bridge over the River at
New Marlvct to the Objections made by the agents of the Town
of Exeter.
i^*^ It is objected a bridge would stop the course of the fish
&c. This is w' the objectors cannot prove, it is Gratis dictum,
nor does it carry probability with it that an open Bridge as this
is proposed to be. should stop the passage of Fish only by hav-
ing a few Piers standing in the River, it. may with almost
Equal truth be said, that ships & Vessels in the River Stop the
Course of the fish, & so there should none of them be Sulter'd
to pass besides the advantage made by fishing at the head of
the River is too Inconsiderable to be put in the Scale against
the advantage of such a bridge.
2 their second Objection supposes that the building this
bridge would prevent all trade &c. it is not fair to suppose the
case other ways than it Really is, or will be. An open Bridge
will not prevent trade, passing & Repassing with Vessels &c.
a bridge may be so Contrived as to be very little Impediment
to that. Some Inconveniencys allways attend the building of
Bridges, and if none was to be built but only where there
should be no Inconveniency attending there will never be
another built & if that had been the Rule of judging concern-
ing those that have been done, there never would have been
one made over a River But in Such a Case the Greater Public
Benefit is to have the Preference if the building the bridge will
serve 100 People in the Course of a year to the Same Degree
it disserves or prejudices 99 the Bridge ought to be built, that
a bridge can be so made as to be very little Damage to the pas-
sage on the River, we need only to look abovit us, & see what
has been done in other places. Vessels of near 100 Ton pass
& Repass London bridge (as well as many other places) tho'
thev are forced to strike their Masts, yet the trouble was not
tho't Equal to the advantage of the Bridge. x\s to the Lumber
Trade tis well Known it Decreases every year at Exeter.
Lumber bi-o't out of the Country is carry'd to other places
more than to Exeter, & if this Bridge is built more will come
over it or to it, in one year than come down the River from
Exeter in three.
3 their third objection is but little different from the T' it
supposes that there could be no passing the Bridge, without
Insuperable difficulties, which is only beging the Qiiestion, the
Petitioners think a Bridge may be so contrived as to be no
other Imj^ediment in passing but only a few Minutes time & a
TOWN 1>APEHS NEWMARKET. 5S1
little care and they have the Examples of other places & Peo-
ple to support them In their Opinion, as to what they say
about the Induccm to Settle at Exeter it is a great mistake for
they settled there as soon as at Portsm for the sake of the
falls for Grist Mills & not for the Sake of transporting Lumber
to Portsm" when every man there might cut it at his own door
or within a few Rods of the River.
4 their 4th objection is still the Same only to make it a lit-
tle more formidable, the jSIast Trees are bro't in & His Majes-
tys name made use of, and is it more difficult for a Mast tree
to Swim under a Bridge than for a Gundeloo of wood or a
Raft of Boards, what may easily pass as the bridge may b6
contrived. But how many mast trees are bro't to the head of
Exeter River in a year, & those that are might with as Little
Difficulty be hal'd below^ this Bridge & would be so was the
bridge erected, but this objection was made only to fright
People with those Potent words ki's Majesty^ s use ^ and to carry
a more frightful idea they Suggest the Lives of the People
would be in danger which is nothing but suggestions.
5 The fifth Objection Relates to the depriving People of
their Privilege, this objection operates Equally in all other
cases of this nature & if attended to, no bridge had ever been
built nor tyde mills, nor any works upon Rivers which makes
the passage more difficult for they are always some disadvan-
tage to those whose Estates lay above such works, and 'tis al-
most impossible but that every Public work is a prejudice to
Particular Persons, the Repair of a Bridge that the Public
maintains, is a prejudice to the Owners of the Lands adjoining
& yet it shall be done & the Law will give them no Remedy
Because Private Right must give way to the Public advantage,
and if it is considered what a great advantage this Bridge must
be to two thirds of the People in the four old Towns, & all the
new settlem-^ above New jSLnrket Durham Dover &c. both in
peace & war what is the little dilficulty of the trading part of
Exeter & those concerned with them in comparison of the ad-
vantages of such a bridge which are so plain they need not be
mentioned the wisdom of all well ordered Governments have
Esteemed such Buildings a Great advantage & if it be fact that
more of the vessels which fetch Lumber from Exeter Stop at
the place proposed for this bridge & Raft it down which may
be easily prov'd, this Lessens the Difficulty to those that ob-
ject, as to many of the People brot in as objectors it is plain
they proceed only on this principle that it will be some charge
to them as they fear, upon the whole it is Humbly Submitted
whether the advantages will not abundantly over Balance the
supposed disadvantages, by
r " r, ) In behalf of
himselt & Petitioners
582 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Inhabitants of Stratham ag-ainst the bridge.
Pi'ovince of | To his Excellency Benning Wentworth
New Hampshire ) Esq''Captain General Governor and Com-
mander in Chief In and over his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire, To the
Hon''' his Majesties Councill & house of
Representatives Convened in Generall
Assembl}^
Humbly Sheiveth the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Stratham in Said Province
That Whereas we have Lately heard That a Number of
Persons have Petitioned This Hon''-'' Court for Liberty to build
a Bridge over the river at or near the Ferry place in Stratham
and New Market, We Humbly Conceiv^e that the building of
such a Bridge would Greatly obstruct the Trade and Fishery
of this Province in Genei'all as well as Damnify many Poor
People in their Private Interests. Wherefore we humbly Pray
that Your Excellency & Hon''' will not Grant the Prayer of the
said Petition.
Richai-d Sinkler Benjamin Palmer
Joseph Smitu Joseph Palmer
Richard Palmer Oweu Rennles
John Oole Thomas Rennles
Benja Norris Jonathan Clark senior
Jonathan Sibley James Robinson
Thomas Chase David Stevens
John Robinson Matthew Tomson
Stephen Leavitt Matthew Tomson Senior
William Tomson William Mead
James Leavitt John Clark
Joshua Row'linjrs Joseph Clark
Joseph Rawlings Joseph Iloit
Bradstreet Wiggin .Toseph HoitJr.
John Mead John Wadleigh
John Jlonneford William Chase
Edward Mason Joseph Smith
Jonathan Cldrk Jun. John Speed
Petition of Inhabitants of Kensington against the bridge.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Capt' Gen" Gov-
ernour and Commander in Chief in and over his Maj"*-^
Provinccof New Hampshire, To the hon ' " hismaj' "' Coun-
cil and Representatives in gen" Assembly Convened.
Humbly Shew the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Par-
ish of Kensington in s'' Province That we having heard of
Petitions being preferred to your Excellency and hon ° for
building a bridge Cross the river at or near Stratham & New
TOWN PAPKUS NEWMARKET.
5S3
Market terry, the buildiiig whereof we humbly apprehend will
greatly obstruct the trade and fishery of this Province as also
deprive many of his Majesties Loyal Subjects of their Just
rights and Priviledges.
Wherefore we most humbly pray your Excellency and Hon'^
that the prayer of s'^ Petition may not be Granted.
Jeremiah Fogg
Abraham liaclder
Hezekiah Swain
Simon Ratchelder
Benjamin Prescutt
Nathanael Prescutt
Abraliam Jlaskell
Abraham Jloulton
Jethro Baclielder
David James
John Shearbiinie
Benjamin liow
Caleb Shaw
Jonathan Huchinson
Johnson Hoshison
Timot'iy Hoshison
John Chapman ?
Moses Blake Junr
Jouaihan Pulsiler
Isaac Healmes?
Thomas Knoltcon
Samuel JJean
Isaiah Green
Philemon Blake
Jeremiah Green
Benjamin Cram
Joseph Pike
Jeremiah Easman
Ezekiel Wortheu
Jonathan Cram
Nehemiah Brown
George Conner
Moses Bleak
Joseph Tilton
Robert Row
Abraham Samborn
Joseph Wadleigh
John Been
Joseph Wadleigh jun.
Jonathan Prescutt
Jonathan Fellows
Samuel Clifford
Isaac Fellows Jun.
Abner Fellows
James Prescutt
Henery Sanborn
Benjamin Page
Jeremiah Fellows
Samuel Blake Jun.
Joseph Chase Hilyard
Shurborn Tilton
James Fogg
Moses Samborn
Benjamin James
Israel James
John Pajre
Jonatlian Garland
Joshua Gilmau
Stephen Hobs
Noah Hobs
Nathl Ilealey
Jeremiah Samborn
Edward Black
Petitioji of Inhabitavts of Hajuptoii falls against the
bi'idge.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Capt. General
Governour and Commander in Chief in and over his Maj"""
Province of New hampshire and to the hon''" his Maj*'"
Council and Representatives in Gen' Court assembled.
Humbly Shevjcth
the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants of Hampton falls
in s' Province that having heard or seen in the Newspaper
that Petitions have been preferred to your Excellency and
Hon""^ for building abridge Cross the River at or near Stratham
584
NEW IIAMl'SHIKE
& Newmarket ferry and wc Considering the many 111 conse-
quences of building Such a bridge by obstructing the trade
and fishery of the Province in general and also the depriving
of many of their Just rights & priviledges — We Humbly
pray that your Excellency and Hon- will dismiss the s' Peti-
tions and not grant them.
Amos Leavitt
Abner Sanborn
John (ireeu
Bradbuiy Green
Jonathan Chase
Saml Shaw-
Thomas Browu
John George
Benjamin Sanborn
Kalph Buth-r
Benjamin Moulton
Benjamin Cram
Daniel Brown
Jobn Brown
Saml Lane
Matthew Morton
Benjamin Swett
Joseph Bachekler
John Batchelder
Jotham Jiatchelder
Joseph Sanborn
Edward Sargent
Ruben Samborn
Reuben Sanborn Jr
Stephen Swain
Jethro Tilton
John Tilton
Benjn Tilton
James Prescott
John Brown
Jeremiah Benet
Caleb Shaw
Cliarles Stuard
Enoch Barker
Jonathan Brown
Benjamin Shaw
John French
Wni Stickney
Saml Melcber
Samuell Melcher Junr
Jcames Moulton
Richard Moulton
Benja Moulton
Jona Tilton
Nathan Tilton
his
SamllXFiflelrl
mark
David Tilton
Nath Healey
Samuel Tilton
Stephen Ilealey
Jacob Green
Jonathan Green
Joseph Prescott
Benjamin Present
Philemon Prescot
Jeremiah Prescot
Joseph Sanborn 3d
Benja Swett
Daniel Sanborn
Josiah Batchelder
Ebnezer Prescott
Nathan Sanborn
Petition of Inhabitaiits of Epping against the Bridge.
Province | To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq''
of New Hamp. ) Captain General, Governor & Commander
in Chief In and over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Hampshire, To the Hon"^^'' his Majestys Coun-
cil and house of Representatives Convened in Generall
Assembly
Humbly Shew
The Subscribers Freeholders & Inhabitants of tlie Parish
of Eppin in said Province That
Whereas we have heard that a Number of Persons have
TOWM PAPERS NEWMAKKKT.
585
Lately Petitioned this Hon""-' Court for Liberty to build a
Britlge over the river at or near the Ferry place in Stratham
(fc Newmarket,
We Humbly Conceive That the building of said Bridge
would be not only a great Damage to many poor people in
their Private Interests, But would also be a Grievous obstruc-
tion to the Trade and Fishery of this Province in Generall.
Wherefore we humbly Pray that your Excellency & Hon""'
will not Grant the Prayer of said Petition.
John -Marilcn
Edward Elk ins
John Robinson
Jcremiali Elkins
Joel Judkins
Timothy Mor,u:an
Jeremiah Preecot
Samuel Elkins
James Norris Juur
John Noiis
Jonathan Gliilcn
William Eten
Josepli Xorris
Moses Smart
Jediah Black
John Fulton
Obadiah Worth
Elexander Kobrison
Wilyam Present
Joseph Gordon
John Dudley
Collin Thing
Edward Thing
iJeningmen Uolins
Daniel Grant
Renja Phillbrick
Jonathan GihiKin Jui
Joseph Thing
Edward Stevens
John Drobsou ?
Simon Garland
Moses Norrie
Jnotham Norris
Daniel Ilomen
James Xoris
Isrcl Gilman
Nathan lloit
TlieophiUis Wadleigh
Jonathan Rundlct
Israel Blake
Samuel Smith
rthiel Clifford
Saml Connor
John Merridge
Josiah Noris
Abraham Folsom
Elias Smith
Ezekiel BroAvn
David Joy
John York
Abraham Brown
John Rowell
John Page
David Page
Jonalhai) Xorris Junr
Jonathan Folsom
Thomas Barley
James Alexander
Abner Been
Jonathan Smith
Coyy of a vote againsi the building of a Bridge over
Exeter River.
Province of 1 At a Legal Town meeting held by the freeholders of
New Hampfj Kingston in s'' Province March the third 1746-7
I'y Major Eben'' Stevens was chosen modderator for that meeting
Voted imanimously that we are not willing that there should be any
Bridge Built over Exeter River any where below the falls at Exeter
Town.
Jedidiah Philbrick was chosen to Represent Said Town at the Gen-
eral Court to object against the Building the above said Bridge,
this is a true Copy taken out of Kingston Book of Records
Attest" Jed. Philbrick Town Clerk
586 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Vo^e of the hi/iabitafits of East Kifzgston against the
bridge^ and reasotis for said vote.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Capt. Gen' &
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over his majesties
province of New Hamp''', & to the Hon''''^ his majesties
Council & House of Representatives in Gen^' Court assem-
bled.
The vote of East Kingston Concerning the Building a
Bridge over Exeter River with some reasons therefor are most
Humbled presented, as followeth viz :
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants & freeholders of the
East Parish in Kingston held y* 10''' day of march Anno dom
1746-7 voted that we are not willing there should be a Bridge
Built over Exeter River, and that William Boynton Phineas
Bachelder & Jeremy Webster are Chosen a Committee to
draw up some reasons for the above s'^ vote.
A true Coppie.
Jeremy Webster Clerk
Which are as followeth viz : Wee humbly apprehend that
If there should be a Bridge Built over s' River it would wholly
stop the course of the fish up the same, & so deprive these
towns of that benefit, and also.
That it would greatly obstruct the navigation of the River
& so Consequently the trade of Exeter which is by far the
nearest & most Convenient Market Town for us & the towns
above us (that is in our own Government) which Town of
Exeter is a very growing town, & gives Encouragement to
these up-Country towns, to hope in great priviledges by it,
which If this Bridge should be Built, it would so obstruct the
trade of the River & so of Exeter that all our hopes of these
things will be entirely quasht & so we must be obliged to
Carry all our Provisions & all our lumber into the neighbor-
ing Government, which we Humbly apprehend will not only
greatly hurt us in our Interests but also Exeter, & very nearly
affect the whole Government & even Portsmouth itself in par-
ticular, and further we are humbly of the opinion, that how-
ever earnest many may now be to promote the Building of
this Bridge, yet it may not be Long before they may see that
the profit will not countervail the Cost, & then this may jorove
(should it be Granted) a strong foundation laid to bring it into
a perpetual Provincial charge and so we pray that their Peti-
tion may not be Granted.
William Boynton ") In behalf
Phinkas Bacheldek >- of
Jeremy Webster ) East Kingston
Kingston East Parish
March y"-' 3r' day 1747
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET. 587
Prov of Ne>v \ In the Mouse of Representatives 14 May 1747
Hampshire j Voted That the Petitioners have Liberty at their own
Cost to build a Draw Bridge over s ' River for y« Pub-
lick use, the Bridge to be built in yc most convenient manner y' may be
for passing of Vessels Rafts or other things & at that Place that shall
be tho*t most convenient by a Committee to be sent for that Purpose &
Maintain'd at y Petitioners Cost said Com'«e ^ go & view the Circum-
stances & make Report to y^ Gen' Assembly as soon as may be, That
Rich' Jenncss Esqr Capt. Jonathan Chesley cS: Mr. Joseph Wadleigh
of Kensington be the Committee to join such as may (be) appointed
by ye Hon''- Council to go at y" Petitioners Cost for this Purpose & that
the' Petitioners have Liberty to bring in Bill accordingly.
D. Pierce Clr
In Council May i5**> 1747
read & Concurred & Sam' Smith & John Downing Esq. added to the
Committee above.
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
Eodem Die Assented to
B. Wentw(jrth
Province of | Whereas some years past there was Lyberty granted
New Hampr j By the General Court of Said Province for the Building
a Bridge over the Salt river from Stratham to Newmarkit
in said Province, and when ever the Same shall be Effected, We the
Subscribers Expecting to receive a Benefit by the Same and owning the
Lands from the said river where s' Bridge is ordered to be Built to the
Country road in New Market Do hereby promis & Ingage for our
Selves & our heirs to Give unto Stephen Bordman upon his request a
good Deed of a Way t^vo rods Wide through Each of our Lands for the
Benefit of the publ'ick. to pass & repass in with Lyberty of hanging
Gate or gates, the Said Way is to Begin at the Lower end or South
west end of M'' Philip Fowfers garden at the country road in New Mar-
kit and so running near upon a streight line to the foot of said Bridge
and for the true performance of What is above Written We the Sub-
scribers do herebv bind ourselves and our heirs in the penal Some of
five hundred pounds to Stand and abide by the Same as witness our
hands this 7'''' Day of January 1760
Philip Fowler
Robert Smart
Province of ) Stratham January n'^ 7"' 1760
New Hampshire / Then the within named Philip Fowler & Robert
Smart Personally appeared and owned the within
written Instrument to be there free act & Deed
Coram And' Wiggin Justis peace
To His Excellency Banning Wcntworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in Chief in & over I lis Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire The Hon' His Majesty's Council tv: House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly
Convened Jan y" 4' ' 1760
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of
Stratham & other Places in Said Province Shews
5»8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
That in the twentieth year of His Majesty's Reij^ni an Act
was pass'd Granting liberty for Building a Bridge over New
Market River a Little above the Place where the Ferry is kept
from the Land of Andrew Wiggin to the Land of Robert
Smart according to the Directions in said Act which Bridge
it was Proposed shou'd be Built by Subscription and about
two thousand Pounds O. T. accordingly subscribed but as the
Subscription was not to be paid before the Bridge was Built
there is no fund Provided for Defraying the llrst necessary Ex-
pence which must be Considerable and such a Building can-
not be coir.pleated merely on Credit. That the sum aforesaid
is far short of a sutficiency to Etlect the Design and very few
Persons now appear willing to join the Subscribers so that
there is no Prospect of Success in this affair by Subscription
Especially Considering all tuture Subscribers will expect the
Same Terms of Suspending the Payment.
That as there are Several Examples of Raising money for
such Purposes by Public Lotterys many have tho't it a very
feasible method & giving a fair Prospect of Success in this
Case and many Persons wou'd contribut in this Way who
wou'd Ref^Lise to do it in any other and as Building said
Bridge appears to be a Projection of very Considerable advan-
tage to the Public and is therefore on that account worthy of
Encouragement and much to be wished to be well Executed —
Your Petition''" therefore Humbly Pray that they may have
Liberty to Set up a Public Lottery for the End aforesaid and
for maintaining said Bridge all to be under Such Regulations
& managed by Such Persons as in your Great Wisdom yoa
shall I'uclge Proper and that the Petitioners may have Leave to
bring in a Bill accordingly and they will as in Duty bound
Ever Pray &c.
Samuel Lane Saml Doe Junr
Nathan Taylor Eph. Barker
Richd Rust Joseph Merrill Junr
Richd Young George Veaeey
John Avery William Pottle
Moses Boyuton Nathl Wiggin
Nathl Bracket Henry Wiggin
John Davis Danl Jackson
John Neal Joseph .Tcwet
Thos Otlel Jona Thompson
Wni Burley William Pottle Junr
Joseph Young Sanil Pevey
Nathl Leavit Abni Kennistoii
Thos Harvey lldbt Rawlins
Jona Hill Benja Smith
John Avery Benja MatJies
Josiah Allen Ebenr Smith
Henry Wiggin J0'<eph Sias
John Barker Joseph Smith
TO\VX PAPERS NEWMARKET.
589
Volontino Mather
Walter BriaiU
M08O8 Davis
Sanil Adams
John Shev)heid
Jereiii Fonlsom
Cliarles Uiinlet
Johu Foiilsoin
Winthrop Hilton
Chaso Wigffin
Saml Neal
Robt Pike
Caleb Clarke
Saml Tiltou
.losepb Tiltou
Jona Kobinson
Joseph Burley Junr
Saml Builey
James Cram
Wm Barley Junr
David Haine*
Nathl Pii er
John Smart
John Ttt^li
Arthur Bennet
Nathl Konuiston
Elisha Briant
Joseph Saudboro
Nathl Burley
Joseph Burley
Kichd Perkins
Theodore Tilton
Winthrop Hilton Junr
Ichd Marstnn
Daul Ililtou
Joseph Nornion
John Barl)or
Jereni Larey
WiDthrop Pickerin
Jona Piper
Charles Smart
John Berjrin
Zebxilon Doe
Jno Wedgwood
Antho Pickerin
Robt Smart Junr
Wm Perkins
Geo. Spratt
Byron Sweeny
Abra Yourin
Jno KcnnietOD
Jno Mead
Geo Dutch
Francis Follit
Elipha Wiggin
l!hoi Tash
Rlias Critchet
IJenja Bonnick'
Jno Crocket
Saml Burley
Andrew Folsom
>aral Harvey
Jno Bartlet
\Nm Welch
Ja Bracket
Ja Burley
Robt Rawlins
Hub. Matoon
Jacob Tilton
Ebenr Neal
Joseph Haley
Caleb Smart
John Perkins
Saml Chapman
Reuben Hill
Saml Wiggin
Andrew Wiggin Junr
Andrew French Junr
John Wiggin
Tho Wiggin
Saml Piper
Eleazr Allen
Saml Neal
Josiah Piper
Josiah Hilton
Natlil Pierce
Saml Wiggin
•James Piper
Jolm Piper
Josiah Parsons
Jolin Burleigh
Jolin Elliot
Benja Smart
D. Peirce
John Penhallow
Wm Johnson
Matthias Weeks
Zeb Duda
Stephen Bordnian
Mark H Wentworlh
John MoflVitt
Rob Archibald
Winthrop Smitli
Thos George
John Wedgwooii
Daiil Gilman
Hunkg Wentworth
Joseph Wiggin
John Hains Junr
Wm Pinell
Isaac Foss
Edwd Hilton
Lawrence Dowling
Gilman
59°
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Joseph Pickerin James Goodwin
Abraham Dearborn Jacob Burleigh
Abialher Sandborn Cutt Shannon
Joseplj Thomas David Lyt'ord
Joseph Joy James Xeal
Nicho Doe Thos Johnson
SamI Pickerin Saml llains
Tiuio Jones Thomas Huckins
In Council March the 13''' 1759.
read & ordered that the foregoing Petition be sent Down to the Hon''''^
Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Sec"'
In Council November 1759
The Within Petition read again & ordered to be sent down to the
Honi-'e Assembly
The" Atkinson SeO
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Jan 4, 1760. ThisPeti-
New Hamp"= j tion being read
Voted That the petitioners have Liberty to bring In a Bill accordingly,
Provided they give security that the Bridge prayed for shall be built &
Maintained as by an act of this Governm' passed in the Twentieth Year
of our Sovereign's Reign & also that it shall be free from any Expence
to Passers.
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Jany. 5'" 1760
read & concurred
Theo. Atkinson
Petition of stmdry Inhabitants of the Province relating to
Nexv Market Bridge.
To His Excellency Bcnning Wentworth Esq'' GoA'crnor & Com-
mander in Chief In and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire, To the Hon'"" his Majestys Councill & House
of Representatives for said Province Convened in Gen' As-
sembly.
The Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders & Inhabitants
within this Province,
Humbly Shezueth That whereas there was some years sence
a Grant made by the General Assembly of this Province to a
Number of Petitioners, for Leave to Build a Bridge over Ex-
eter River from New Market to Stratham near the Lower
Ferry place and whereas a Number of Petitioners for Leave to
set up a Lottery for the building of said Bridge have obtained
Leave to bring in a Bill Accordingly, and it appearing to us
that the building said Bridge at that Place will be a Much
Greater Expence to the builders and much Less Benefit to the
Publick than if the said Bridge should be built across said
River at a place called the New Fields We Pray your Excel-
lency & Honours to Reconsider the Votes Already Passed con-
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET
59'
cerning said Bridge and Grant that the said Bridge may be
built at the s' New Fields, For the Following Reasons viz :
For that since the lirst Grant for building said Bridge at the
lower Ferry place, The Country is Largely Settled back so as
to make the Trading & Travelling by the said New Fields
much more Convenient and Proffitable to the People in Gen-
eral than at the other place.
2'-' For that the Damage (if any) to the People that Trade
in Lumber at Exeter & other places above the New Fields will
be much Less if the bridge be built at New Fields than if it
be built below as the Rafts & Lighters which Come down from
thence, Commonly stop at the New Field to make up their
Load tfe Rafts bigger.
3' For that the River at the New Fields is at bottom Evener
and Firnier for making a bridge to stand fast than it is below
and Not so wide by Eight rods, so that the Charge of building
Said Bridge at New Fields would be Vastly Less than to build
it below.
4'-' For that there is already a high way laid open from the
Country road in New Market to the upper End of the Landing
at New Fields, and (if the bridge be built at New Fields) there
will be u highway given by the owners of the Land in Stratham
on the South side of said River From the said river to the
Country road in Stratham which will be much more Service-
able & Convenient for People that Travel into the Country
than the other way would be as also there will be a highway
given from the Lower End of the Landing at New Fields to
the Country Road in New Market near the Dwelling house of
riubartus Mattoon to Accommodate the People that live in the
lower part of New Market and in Durham, which will make
that way as Commodious for that people as if the bridge was
to be built below.
5 ' For that there is a Great Trade and business Carry'd on
at the Said New Fields (Particularly Shipbuilding) which (as
People are Frequently Settling there) is likely to Increase very
Largely in Case the Said Bridge be built there.
For all which Reasons and many more that may be oflcred
Your Petitioners Most Humbly Hope that your Excellency &
Hon""' will Take under your wise Consideration the Premises
aforesaid and Take Such order Concerning the vSame as your
Excellency & your Hon' In your Great Wisdom Shall think
Most Convenient and proper And Your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray &c.
New Market Jan. 30 ' 1760
Joii;i;'.i;iii Ch;isi5 .loh'i Palmer
Zebuloa King Closes Chase
Daniel Palmer John Levitt Junr.
Benjamin Morrill Samuel Levitt
592
NEW HAJMPSHIRE
Jolm Coker Roger Racklyeft
MoscB Clark John Davis. Junr.
Benjamiu Levitt Samuel Robinson
Simon Wigi^in Benjamin Jlolt
J5enjamin Barker Benja Jewett
Richard Gliden John Thirston
Abnei- Tliirston Edward HaU
William Badger Joseph Hall
Joseph Norman Israel Gilinau
Greenleal' Clarke Winthrop Hilton
Enoch Clarke Michael Shute
John Bean Joshua Mitchell
Robert Barber Eli as Tarlton
Edward Colcord Thomas Cotton
James Mavstou William Moore
James Marston Junr. Stephen Emerson
Caleb Marson John Neal
Jonathan Colcord Nathan Sanborn
Gideon Colcord Banjman Avery
Jonathan Colcord junr. Abner Clough
Joseph Chapman Thomas Rowe
Saml Baker Israel Blake.
Winthrop Hilton Jun. Saml Gilman
Ichabod Hilton John Manning
Jonathan Hill John Leavitt
Abnar Thurston Stephen Thir.^ton
Jonathan Piper John Stockbridge
Isile Marstou John Stockbridge Jr
Robert ("lOSS John Rundlet
Georg Hart Richard Galley
Jacob Tilton William Calley
Samuel Tilton Volintine Clark
Edward Presson Jonathan Robinson
Nathan Preson Chas Robinson
William Shute Saml Lane
Wm Odiorne Junr. John Clark
Theodre Hilton
• Prov. New Hamp. In Council Feb> the 6'''' 1760
read & ordered to be sent down to the assembly
Theodore Atkinson Sec>'
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esqr. Governor and
Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New
HaiTipshire, To the Honorable His Majestys Council and
House of Representatives for Said Province Conven'd in
General Assembly.
The Petition of the Subscribers, Freeholders and others
Inhabitants within this Province Humbly sheweth, That there
was formerly a Grant made by the General Assembly of this
Province to Builda Bridge over Exeter Riverfrom New Market
to Stratham near the Lower Ferry place ; But the same has
TOWN I'Al'KUS NEWMARKET. 593
never been improved ; nor is it likely that it ever will be im-
proved. That its well known that Great advantage to the
Publick would arrise from having a Bridge over said River
between said Towns a little higher up the River at the New
Fields landing Place so called ; a situation far superior to that
of the Place where Liberty was formerly Granted ; in respect
to tlie Convenience of Tnivelers throughout the Province, a
narrower Passage, Shoaler waters, and an evcner and firmer
Bottom, so that the cost of Building would be a great deal
Less than at the other place ; That these reasons are so flagrant,
that most if not all those who were formerly for haveing the
Bridge Below, have relinquished their opinion being Con-
vinced that a Bridge at the place now requested would be
much more for the Publick utility: besides a Bridge in this
place would be the least Impediment to the water Carriage,
of any other j^lace in the River and might easilly be contrived
so as to give little or no hindrance to the Transportation of
Rafts & Vessels.
Your Petitioners likewise Humbly presume that a Bridge
in this place may be built on any Plan vour Excellency and
Honours may see most proper to order, by private subscrip-
tions allowing as short a time as you may think sufficient to
Ericct the Same. Therefore for all these Reasons and many
more which may be oflcred, evincing the great public and
private usefulness of such a work, Your Petitioners Humbly
pray that Liberty may be Granted for Building a Bridge over
said River at the Place now requested. Your Petitioners
earnestly Hope that your Excellency and Honours will take
our prayer into your wise Consideration and give such orders
Concerning the same as your Excellency and Honours shall
think most proper and Convenient. And your Petitioners as
in duty bound Shall ever pray. "
New Market Jan 1766
James Ji)hiistou Robert PiUo
Josiah Hilton VVni Juluiston
John Dow John Johnston
Daniel Dow Tlios Johnston
Benja Dow .Jr. Joshua Pickerin
Noati Di)w John Huggcna
Stephen Clark Nathan Johnston
Daniol Siinborn Ebenezcr Seal
Job Parsona Francis Perry
James Cram David Knowlca
Ed. Hall Pergin John Piown
KobtThoniiison James Nudd
Joshua Woo Iman Janiea Berry
Chaa Wiggin Willm Haina
Caleb Mareton Abncr Hains Junr
Moaes Dalton Noah Hainea
Benja Hill Joshua Wingale 3d
38
594
NEW HAMPSHIRE
David Wiggen
Jos Johnstui Jiinr
Ebonr llaiuca
Paul Uraii
Tiniotliy Hainea
John Jiilinston Junr
John Haines Jun.
>lallian Burlej'
Joseph }'.urleigh
Timothy Jones
Hen.ia Jolnis on
John Jolinston
JosKih Page
William Pottle
Jonat'nan T.eavitt
Joseph M:isuu Junr
Richard Rust
John Avery Jr.
Andr \V iggin ye 3d
Stilman Tarllon
Simon Wiggeu
John Hill
Nathan Hoag
Samuel Potllo
John Clitrke
Saml Weeks
Thomas Nudd
Ichabod Weeks
Andrew Carter
John Avery
Ebenr Clarke
Cliace Taylor
John Hill
Jacob Jewett
John Piper
J(ina Wedgwood
John Randlet
Josiah Chu-ico
Enoch Clarke
Saiiil Nutter
r.enja Xudd
Simon Philbrick
Saml Marston
Jon a Huggens
Joscpli Pickcrin
Atulrevv French Jr.
Sauiucl Norton
Joseph Chandler
David Haines
Jona Elliott
David Burley
James Marston
Thomas Harvey
John Kimball
Ge rge lieen
Thos Wiggen 3d
Joseph Young
Ebcnezer Baiker
Noah Barker
Joseph Wiggen
Benja Wiggen
Cotton Dockum
Chase Wiggen
Thos French
Joseph Wiggen Junr.
Joshua Weeks
Thomas Tash
Caleb Clarke
Samuel Baker
James Hill
Elisha Bryant
John Smith
Thomas Young
Walter Bryent
Jeremy Bryent
Nicholas Duda
Benjamin Shepard
Samuel Shepard
Samuel Parsons
Colb'n Buzzell
Joseph Hall
Edward Hall
Nicho Shute
John Neal
Cotton Haines
Nathan Barker
Jona Taylor
Matthias Frcucli
Moses Clark
J( siah Allen
Jona Wcekes
David Bei-ry
Simon Loveran
Josiah Haines
R. Tufton Piiilbrick
John Haines
Nathl Clark
Josiah Hanaford
Benja Barker
John Thurston
Saml Lane
Thos Vea.'-ey
John Tuck
Geo Veasey
Jos. Young
J no Lea vet
Zebulon King
Saml Loavit
Jona Chace
Steph Thurston
Joua Wiggen
Ilic'.id Calley
Wni Pottle Junr
Saml Marble
TOWN PAPERS — NEWMARKET.
595
Cliace Robinson
BcDJa Lcavet
Jona Pliill)rick
Saml Mi^liels Jun.
Wm Crockett
Joseph Siinborn
Willm Wliipplo
Danl Kdgcrs
Dan I Kiinljjo
John Uiutlgo
AbraTilton
Wm Badger
Ebenr Stanwoocl
Henry Wi;,'gen
Eph. Barker
Ed. Chase
Gid. Colcord
Jona Colcord
Wm Shute
Elias Tarlton
Kichd Haley
John Shuto
Thos Barllutt
N. Hopkinson
Geo. Hart
Is. Mar^ton
Nathl Doe
Nicho Blasdlo
Ed Eastliam
Is: Blasdlo
James Coffin
Josepli Merrill
Prov of New ) In Council Jan^ 9"! 1766
Hampshire / Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''e House
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Jan> g"' 1766 The
New Hamps ( witliin Petition being Read and Considered
Voted That tlie Petitioners be heard thereon the third day of the Sit-
ing of the General Assembly next after the tenth Day of February next,
and that the Petitioners at their own Cost Cause the Substance of the
Petition and Order of Court to be Printed three weeks Successively in
the New Ilamps^' Gazett, That any Person may shew Cause why'tha
Prayer thereof Should not be Granted
M. Wear Cl^
In Council Jan> io"> 1766
read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. SccJ
Province of ) June 26I" 1766. Upon a motion made in behalf of the
New Hamp*^ / Petitioners that this Petition maybe Revised,
Voted That the Petition be Revised and that the Petitioners be heard
thereon the third Day of the Siting of the General Assembly after the
Last Day of August next and that the Petitioners at their own Cost
Cause the Substance of the Petition and this order of Court to be
Printed three weeks successively in the New Hampshire Gazette that
any person may Shew Cause why the Prayer thereof Should not be
Granted.
M. Wearc Clcr.
Joshua Wiggin
WalUr Neal
Israel Gilman Junr.
Benjamin Folsom
Stephen Gihnan
Israel Gihnan Senr
Kobrrt liaiber Senr
Robert liarber Junr.
David Oilman
Bradstreet Gilman
John Ciilman
Moses Coffin
Enoch Coffin
William Coffin
Joseph Smith
Klisha Smith
Ezekiel Gilman
John Migliell
Sanil Mi-hell senr
John Marstes
Hubnrtus MatLoon
George Dutch
Winthrop Hilton Senr
Winthrop Hilton Junr
Daniel ililton
Jonathan Folsom
John Lyl'ord
Richard Clarke
Richard Clark jun.
John Clai-ke
Thomas Ilaunirord
'^^6 NEW HAMPSHIUK
To the Hon'''e Henry Sherburne att Portsmouth Esqr.
New Market Jan> 7, 1766
Mr. Speaker.
Having seen a Petition which is to be prefer' to the General Assem-
bly for a Rcnioveal of the Bridge that was to be maid a Cross Exeter
River Near the Lower ferry (so called) between New Market and
Stratham and am doubtfull whether Ever a bridge will be built at the
place whare the act has Proposed tharefore hope the Generall Court
will adhear to the Petitionors and a nother Reson for the bridge to be
above is that Merss Shut and Mattoon has Given from under thire
hands to open a Road from the upper ferry to the inain Road which is
a Great advantage to the North End of New Market
furthermore as the back Settlements Increas the bridge is much more
wanting.
WithSubmiston I am your Hum"'" Serv'
Joseph Smith
P. S. What cased me to write you is to Let you know the Reson as
above why I Incline the upper place. J. S.
Sundry Inhabitants of Neio Market dec. Petition for a
Lottery.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire, The Hon'''' his Majesty's Council & House of
Representatives for said Province in general Assembly con-
vened Feb. 23' 176S.
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of New-
market Stratham & other Places in said Province Shews
That in the twentieth year of His late Majesty's Reign
George the .Second, an Act of this Province waspass'd, grant-
ing Liberty for Building a Bridge over New Market River a
litde above the Place where the Ferry is kept, from the Land
of Andrew Wiggin to land of Robert Smart, according to the
Direction in said act, which Bridge it was Propos'd should
be built by .Subscription, and about two thousand Pounds
old Ten"" accordingly was subscribed, but the Subscription
money was not to be paid before tlie Bridge was built, there
is no fund provided for defreying the first necessary Expcnce,
which must be considerable and such a Building cannot be
compleated merely on Credit. That the Sum aforesaid is
insufficient to etVect the Design and very few Persons now ap-
pear willing to join the Subscribers so that there is no Pros-
pect of Success in this Adair by Subscription especially con-
sidering all future .Subscribers will expect the same Terms of
suspending the Payment.
That as there are several Examples of raising money for
such Purposes by Public Lotteries many have tho't it a very
feasible method and giving a fair Prospect of Success in this
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET.
597
Case, and many Persons woii'd contribute in this way, who
wou'd refuse to do it in any other : as building said Bridge
will be a public Benefit, and is therefore on that account
worthy of Encouragement and much to be wished to be well
executed.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that they may have
Liberty to Set up a Public Lottery to raise money to erect and
compleat said Bridge and for the future mauitaining of the
same, under such Regulations and managed by such Persons
as in your great Wisdom you shall Judge proper, And they
will as in Duty bound ever pray &c
Th08 Wigfcen
Tho8 \Vi2rgin Junr.
Willm Weeks
WalUr Wig-in
Siiml Wis-in
Isaac, Foss
Jon a Wipgin
Kphrsim docket
Jno Crocket
Richrt Rust
Thos Fobs
Ezr.i P.arkcr
Ebenr Barker
Nathl Piper
Steplin Piper
Jacob Wigjjin
Moses Clark
Walter Wiggin
Tufton Wiggin
James Bracket
Josh Bracket
Nathl Bracket
Ebenr Bracket
Jona Dockiini
George Bracket
Nathn (ioss
Joslia Weeks
John Kt-nniston
Thos French
Jerh Avery
Jacob Jewctt
Wilhn French
Will French Junr
Danl French
John Avery
Josa Avery
Sainl Wiggin Junr.
Nathl Wiggin
Andr French, Jun.
Anilicw NVig-in jun.
Josa Mill
Josh Hill
Jona Piper
Elisa Piper
David Jewell
Danl Jewell
Thos Wiggin 3d
Jona Purkins
Nathn Hoag
Katlm Hoag
Nathan Barker
Jona Hill
John Hill
Josiali Allen
Nathl (ioss
Sainl Week^^
Stephen Bordman
Keuben (J. Dearborn
Danl Cl.irk
Enoch Clark
Will Jenkins
Ebenr Clark
Anilr Carter
Walter Weeks
Jchabd Week-.
David Simpson
Jolin Folsoin
Mark Wiggin
Willm Burleigh
Robt Smart
Jonh Smart
Jno Bartletl
Siinonds Fowler
Jacob Fowler
Jno. Perkins
Thos Perkins
Davd Sni.irt
HuIicrtusNeal
John P.ryent
Walt.r Bryant
Edwd Smith
Thos Robinson
Jam-< Burleigli
Miisrs Burleigh
Jno Purkins
Waller Bryant junr.
598 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Josh Young Saml Doc
Josli. Smart Zebiiln Doe Jur.
Icliiibd Jolinson Jolin Lava
Tlios SLevi-n-on Kplir Folsoni
Beiija Chapman Jona Fdgerly
Micah Emerson Jolm Folsom Jiin.
Josa Frost Nicholas Ilartl'ord
Winthp Smith Jolm Hartford
Benjn Mead Ebenv Durgiu
John Mead Jacob Foss
John Smart Winthrop Wiggin
Tiiny Murray Philip Pain
John B. M. Hanson Josh Glanvill
Josh Thomas Benjn Taylor
El)cnr Tasker James Cram
John Edgerly Jiinr Danl Sawyer
Danl Rogers Josh Ham
Bradstreet Doe PJnoch K'emmirk
Josa Crummet John Burleigli Juni .
John Smith Ichd Bracket
Jams Smith Juiir Philip Fowler
Stephn Jenkins Jeremy Bryent
Steplin Wille Jur. John Pickering
Province of ] In the House of Representatives Feb^ 23 176S The fore-
New Hamp"- / goinfT Petition being Considered
Voted That the Petitioners have Liberty to bring in a Bill for a Lot-
tery to Raise money for building the Bridge mentioned in the Petition,
to be subject to the Restrictions and Regulations Mentioned in the Act
for Granting Liberty for building said Bridge by Subscription Pass'din
the year 1747
M. Weare Cl^
In Council Feby 24 176S
Read & Concurr'd
Geo King Dep Sec^
Act to raise money by Lottery for a Bridge over Exeter
River.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii magna; Brittannia: Francis; et
liibernia; octavo.
An Act for granting Liberty To Set up & Carry on a Public Lottery
to raise Money for the Building & Maintaining a Bridge over Exeter
River so called from Stratham to New Market in This Province.
Whereas in & by an Act passed in The twentieth 3'ear of his late
Majesty's Reign Liberty was granted for the building a Bridge over
said River at a Place & in The Manner therein expressed which not
having been Carried into Execution many of the Inhabitants of this
province have lately petitioned the General Assembly setting forth the
great Benefit it would be to the province in general if that Design was
executed, which has hitherto been delayed for want of Money & pray-
ing Leave to raise Money by a public Lottery for that purpose, which
having been duly Considered & the Proposal appearing to be for pub-
lick Advantage
Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council & Assembly that
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKET. 599
the persons hereinafter named be & hereby are authorized & permitted
to set up & Carry on a publick Lottery to raise Money for the End
aforesaid in so many Classes & Drafts as they shall judge proper not
exceeding in the wliole the Sum of one Thousand Pounds Lawful m'
of said province provided the said Lottery be drawn <Si finished within
the Term of Two Years from the passing of this Act. And Andrew
AVigi;in & Walter Bryent Esq'^ DeaC Stephen Boardman, Cornet
Thomas Wiggin, Lieut Joseph Young & Lieut. John Burley, or the
major part of them are hereby appointed to be managers of said Lot-
tery who shall be under oath "to be administered by any Justice of the
peace to the fiiithful Discharge of that Trust & shall duly pay all ben-
efit Tikets according to the Tonor & True Meaning of their Scheme &
shall refund all sum and sums of Mone^' that shall be paid for Tickets
in Case the said Lottery shall not be drawn and Compleatod within
the Term aforesaid. And the said Managers or the Major part of them
are hereby appointed & authorized to apply the Money which they
shall so raise by Causing the said bridge to be built agreable to the
Act aforesaid with this Difference that The Passage of twenty eight
feet shall be where the deepest Water is instead of the Passage of forty
five feet as mentioned in said Act & the forty five feet to be in the next
birth on the side of New Market, and the Passage for Vessels may be
made in any manner that shall be more Convenient than that propos'd
in said Act & they shall Cause the said Bridge to be finished within one
year after the said Lottery .shall be finished & they shall be allowed
their reasonable Demand for their Time & Trouble as the General As-
sembly shall Judge proper to whom they shall render their Account of
their proceedings & all Charges & Demands Concerning the Premises
& if any money shall remain after the Bridge shall be finished it shall
be applied for the Support & Repairs thereof as the General Assembly
shall Order.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid that there be a
Convenient high Way each side of said Rivers from the Country Road
to said Bridge when built in the Town of Stratham. to begin where
the South East end of said Bridge shall be & from thence to run
South easterly Thro' the Land of Andrew Wiggin Esqr. to the Coun-
try Road as the Road now goes, & in New Market To begin where the
North West End of said Bridge shall be & from thence to run North-
westerly a straight Line to the Country Road near the Southerly side of
Philip Fowlers Garden, the said Road in both Towns to be three Rods
wide & to be under the same regulations as tho' it was laid by the
quarter Sessions.
The owners of the Land giving the Land for that purpose which
they have engaged To do provided they may have Liberty to hang &
Maintain Two Gates on each side which Libertv is hereby granted.
Province of \ln the House of Representatives February 26''' 176S.
New Hamp •• J This bill having been read three times it passed to be
Enacted
P. Gilman Speaker
In Council March 3" 176S
This Bill was read three times & pass'd to be enacted
Geo King Depy. Sec/
Assented to
J'WliNTWORTII
6oo
NEAV HAMFSHIKE
To His Excellency John VVentworth Esq" Governor & Com-
mander in chief in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire the Hon**'' His Majestys Council & House of
Representatives for said Province in General Assembly Con-
vened the 31 day of March 1773
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of New
Market Stratham & other places in said Province Skews,
That they lind by experience that the Plan for building- a
bridg^e of New Market Lower Ferrv place is not so well suited
for that Design as the upper ferry place called the New fields,
that the Tydes by reason of the Several points of Land runs so
much across the River that the Rafts will almost unavoidably
be thrown on to the Piers which will necessarily occasion
damage either to the Piers or the rafts add to this the Length-
of the distance to be built will occasion near double the cost
that wou'd he necessary to compleat the work above. That
your Petitioners humbly conceive that every advantage for Ef-
fecting Such a design, is so evidentlv on that side of the Q_ues-
tion which of the two places is the best in Preference of the
upper place, that your Petitioners are at a Loss what reasons
determined the case as it is. That as the place where it is be-
gun is fixed by an act. your Petitioners Suppose it cannot be
changed without another act for that purpose otherwise the
People concerned would have altered the design have erected
it at the New Fields & it is probable have finished it there by
this time. That it is supposed with the advantage of the ma-
terials already provided three hundred and fifty pounds will be
sufficient to finish it that they have Set on foot a Subscription
to Raise that sum which on the View of a Change of the Place
will be soon full that if Liberty shall be granted to Erect the
bridge at the Newfields there will appear a number of Per-
sons to give sufficient Securit}' that the whole work shall be
compleated within One Year after such Liberty shall be
granted.
Wherefore 3'our Petitioners most Humbly Pray that they
may have Liberty to Erect the bridge Proposed at the place
called the New Fields may have the Property of the materials
already provided as they are we suppose paid for or given
gratis to the Public for the use of the undertakers or those who
were to carry on the work and that they may have leave to
bring in a bill accordingly and they will as in duty bound ever
pray &c
James Hill John Ncal
A.TOii Moses Michael Shuto
lleiiry Wijrgen Robert Pike Junr
Nailin liogers Josiah Adams
Kbene/.ar atanwood Samuel Cilman Junr
Jonathan Colcord Edmund Chase
TOWN PAPERS NEWMARKKT.
60 1
Isaac Maraton
Joecpli Wiggen
Josepli Doe
Nathl i;ilman
Kdwanl CoU'ord
Walter Ncal
Jonathan Colcoril tlie Third
Gideon Colconl
Josoph Merrill
Caleb Clark
Giileon Colcord
Samuel HaUor
EliaeTalton
John Shute
John Sweesev
Naihl I-ord
Stileman Talton
John Colcord
John MarBtes
Samuel Ne;il
Joseph Sanborn
Samuel Weaks
Nathanl Cross
Peter Folanm
^Nicholas Hersey
James Gilman
Jacob Brown
Robert Harber Junr
John Stanwooil
William ColBn
Daniel 15arl)er
William Tyrrel
Stephen Clark
Enoch Coftin
Robertt Cross
William Haina
Benja IJutler
Joseph Morrell
Seih Fogg
Benjamin ClitTord
Simon Dearborn
Kzekiel Brown
Ebenezar Fisk
Jouathan Eliot
Benjamin Page
James Sanborn
Jonathan Philbrook
Jonathan Winslow
Barzellai French
John (iilman
Joseph Chandler
Jonathan Melloon
David Lawrence
Jeremiah Sanborn
Thomas Drake
Job Parsons
William :Mcrrel
Josiah Norris
Josepli Gale
Samuel l^angmaid
Josepli Smitli
Simon Knowles
James Pa.uc
David Kindrick
Josiah Sanborn
John Towlc
Ueubea Osgood
Levi Dearborn
John Langmaid
Jonathan (Hark
Joseph Mills
William Rowell
Anilrew Hanson
Benjamin Morse
Samuel Osgood
Moses Dalton
Joseph Smith
Josa Wingate
Benjamin Leavitt
ILarvey Moore
Thomas Wipgen
Simon Wiggen
Jonathan Wiggen
Moses Clark
Ei)hraim Barker
Benjamin Barker
Wm Whipple
Jos Whipple
Supply Clark
Josha Wentworth
James Stilson
Richard Hart
John Hard
Jacob Tn adwell
Samll Griiruh
Bonja Blade
David Griffith
George Janvrin
Samuel Cutt«
George Wentworth
Samuel Sliurburne
Daniel Shurburne
IL Wintworth
Robert Trail
John Moflatt
Grcgore PusscU
John Parker
John Lnngdon
Jacob Sheaf Junr
George Boy<l
Thomas Marl in
Daniel TowK-
6o3 NEW HAMPSHIRE
May 22 1772 In the House of Representatives upon Reading this
Petition
Voted that the Petitioners be heard thereon on the of June next
and that the Petitioners
Relating to a higJnuay in New Market.
Pursuant to a Vote of the General Assembly appointing us the Sub-
scribers to make Inquiry Relating a Certain High way in the Parish
of New Market as Set forth in a a Petition to the General Assembly &c.
We have on the 20 of March 1766 Viewed Said High way & fully heard
the Parties Concerned there on and do agree to Report as followcth
Viz : that the High way above Mentioned ought to be &i Remainc as
follows. Beginning at a Gate about twelve Rods to the North West of
Piscasnk Bridge then Running Northerly as the Way was formerly Laid
out and as it now goes through the Land of Joseph Hall Esq. and
through the Land of James Marston & through the Land of Edward
Colcorde as it noAv Goes to Joseph Lovering's Land then Beginning by
Lovering's Land on the west Side of Said way and Running through
the Same as followeth North ten degrees West thirty two rods then
north fourteen degrees west twenty two rods to Jacob Ames Land then
North forty degrees West thirty Rods to a Stone Bridge, over a small
Brook the way to be two Rods' wide and on the North Easterly side of
said Line through Lovering's land to the stone bridge then north eight
degrees east fifty eight rods to Stephen Lyfords land the way to be on
the westerly side of said line then North nineteen Degrees East thirty
four Rods as the way is now fenced out then North forty two Degrees
East twenty four Rods then North forty nine Degrees East thirty
five Rods to Nath Ames his Land then North forty five Degrees
East Sixteen Rods then North Sixty Seven Degrees Ea'st thirty Rods
then North twenty two Degrees East twenty two Rods as the way is
now fenced out to Jacob Ames Land then through Said Ames his Land
North twenty two Degrees East ten Rods then North thirty one De-
grees East Sixteen Rods then North fourteen I^egrees west twenty Rods
on a Strate Line to Josiah Hiltons South Corner Keeping the way as it
now goes till it Comes to a High way formerly Laid out the way to be
on the Westerly side of said Line throw Said Ames' Last mentioned
Land.
Never the Less since the Said Jacob Ames has by an agreement with
the Seleet men Partly fenced the Road from Said Last mentioned Bridge
on the Westerly Side of his orchard up a steep hill if the Said Jacob
Ames will within thirty days from the tenth day of July next Cause the
Said way on the Westerly Side of his orchard to be made Passable in the
Judgment of the Selectmen of Said New Market then we think it ought
to go on the west side and if not to go through his Land as above said
And also that there be paid unto the Person whose names here after
mentioned for their Lands by the Select men of the above Said New
Market.
To James Marston 3 : 4:9
to Edward Colcord 3 : 5:6
to Nathaniel Ames 2 : n : o
to Stephen Lyford 3: 9; 9
to Joseph Lovering 4 : 0:0
Lawful money
All which is Humbly Submitted by
Jn" Wentworth "i
And'"Wiggin I- Committee
Rich'' Jenness 3'' J
TOWN I'APKRS NKWMARKET. 603
Province of ) In the Mouse of Representatives July s'** 1766 Voted
New llamp " j and Resolved That the foregoing Report be accepted
allowed and Conlirmed
M. Wear Cl^
In Council Eo'""' Die
read 6: Concurred.
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Petitio7i of Selectmc7i of JVcxv Market and others for a
Jiighivay.
Province of | To His Excellency Bcnning Wentwoith E.sq''
New Hamp' ' j Capt' General, Governour. and Commander
in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire : The Hon '^ His Majes-
tys Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened 25 June 1765.
The hiuTible Petition of the Selectmen of New Market &
others shcxvct/i^
That the Selectmen of New Market aforesaid on the 18 Day
of August 1763 laid out a High Way Two Rods wide in New
Market aforesaid thro' the Lands of Several Persons ; and
made a Return thereof (which w^as recorded on the Towns
Records) to General Sattisfaction. But it has sence been dis-
covered that thro' the Inadvertency of the Surveyor there was
a Mistake made in several of the courses of said Way between
the Gate near Piscassick Bridge and Josiah Hiltons South
West Corner so that instead of the Returns Directing it in such
convenient Places as was then intended and agreed on it directs it
to such Places as are very Inconvenient and almost Inaccessi-
ble to the damage of some and great Dissatisfaction of others.
Wherefore your Petitioners Pray your Excellency and Ilon'^
to interfere in the Premises and appoint and send a Committee
to investigate the Inconveniency Thereof and Provide a Rem-
edy Therefor by determining the Particular Place or Places
where said Way shall go.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray.
John Buiu.kigii ")
LsRAKi. Gii-MAN Jk. /Selectmen
Waltkh Bryant )
Ilubartiis Mattoon James Marston
Daniel Hilton Hubartus Neal
Joseph Merrill Isaac Marston
Sam ' Hilton Winthrop Hilton
Theod " Hilton Winthrop Hilton Jun'
Thomas Young Sam' Pease
Benjamin Folsom Robart Barber Jr.
Peter Folsom Stephen Gilman
6q^ NKW HAMPSHIRE
David Gilman Joseph Doe
Zebulon Marsh William Perkins
Sam Baker VV ' Badger.
John Pike
Province of New Ilamp'^f' Jub' 3 ' 1765-
In Council
read & ordered to be sent Down to the Hon''''' The Assembly
Province of ) In the house of Representatives July 3' 1765 This peti-
New Ilamps / tion being heard
Voted That the petitioners be heard thereon nex fridaj if the Gen'
Assembly be then sitting if not then on the second day of their sitting
nex after & that he cause the Parties whose lands the said Road Runs
thro', to be Serv'd with a Copy of said petition & this order of Court
thereon that they may appear & Shew Cause if any they have why the
prayer thereof Should not be Granted.
A. Clarkson Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun"' Sec>'
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Nov^ 28, 1765 The Par-
New Hamp'fc / ties being heard on the within Petition
Voted That Col ■ John Wentworth Andrew Wiggin & Richard Jen-
ness Esq"^^ be a Committee they or any two of them to make Inquiry
Respecting the Highway mentioned in this Petition and the Return of
the same and where the same ought to be laid for the Publick benefit
and what satisfaction Ought to be made for any Lands through which
the same may Pass, and to make Report to the General Assembly as
soon as may be. The charge of the Committee to be Paid by the Parish
of New Market
M. Weare CK
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec>
NEW IPSWICH.
[Incorporated 9 September, 176a. Ed.]
Vo^es of a Town meeting in N. Ipswich^ Oct. 8, 1764.
Att a Town meeting held at the Meeting House in Ipswich in the
Provence of New Hampshier on Monday y Eighth Day of October
A. D. 1764
Voted to Set a New Meeting House on the Commonage Near
Whear the Meeting House Now Stands. Chosen to Bound the Meet-
ing House Spot Benjamin Adams Reuben Taylor and Reuben Kidder
Voted to accept the Spot as it is Markt out by Said Gentlemen.
Att a Legal meeting of the Town of New Ipswich in the Provence
of New Hampshire held in Said Town at the meeting House on the
twenty third Day of April A. D. 1767,
Voted to Buld a meetins House next summer.
TO>v N PAPICUS NKW IPSWICH. 605
Voted to Buld the Meeting House on the place where it was formerly
Stakte out by a Committee.
At a Legal Meeting of the Town of New Ipswich in the Provence of
New Hampshier held at the meeting House in s' Town on tlie twen-
tieth Day of Mav A. D. 1767
Voted to Confirm the Vots Past at the Last Town Meeting.
A True Coppy of the Vote past in New Ipswich Respecting a place
to Buld a meeting House on.
Attest pr. Isaac Appleton Town Clerk.
Petition of iJie iiiJiabitauts of New Ipsxuich for a Committee
to settle a plan for a meeting house.
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esqr. Cap' Gener' Gov-
ernor &; Commander In Chief In & over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Ilamp' the hon''^ his majesties Coimcil &
house of Representatives for said Province In General As-
sembly Convened.
The humble Petition of us the Subscribers freeholders &
Inhabitants of the Town of Ipswich in said Province Shews
That the Inhal^ilants of said Town are about to Build a meet-
ing house for the public Worship of God there & have Lately
had a meeting for that Purpose that it appears the said Inhab-
itants are no Ways Likely to agree on a suitable place to set
the same that may in any manner accomad'e a Very Consid-
erable Number of the said Inhabitants & best Land, that
much Uneasiness has already arisen on account thereof &
more Likely to Insuc and Shou'd that be the Case, May be
the Means of hurting or Preventing a further Settlement of
the Lands now Wild in said Town.
That your Petitioners under a Sence of the Great Benefit
Arising from a Peaceable Neighbourhood Now in the Infant
State of said Town, Most humbly pray that your Excellency
& honors wou'd Interpose & Take their peculiar Circum-
stances Into Consideration & that they may have a Committee
to repair to Said Town & View the Same & Report a proper
place which We pray may be final, or Give .Such Other Re-
lief as your Excellency and honors shall sec Meet and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray.
June 25 ■ 1767
Beni. Safford Abraham Bennet
Paltiali Whittemore Samuel Whitlemore
Joseph Pollard Ichabod How
James Chandler Benj ' Gibbs
Hezekiah Cory Allen Breed
VVido Mary Foster Zacriah Adams
John WelaV Thomas Heald
Simeon Wright Thomas Spaulding
6o6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Samuel Kenney Simeon Ilildreth
Joel Crosby Stephen Adams
Tom Walker Elu/.er Cummings
Reuben llosmer Jacob Gragg
Andrew Conn David Rumrill
Simeon Fletcher Samuel Iloldin
Stephen Adams Jr. Andrew Spaulding
Abraham Estibrook ? Robert Campbell
Samuel Wheeler William Hodgkins
Thomas Adams Josiah Walton
James Taler ? Thomas Brown
Jesse Calton Reuben Tailor
Province of \ In the House of Representatives August 19"' 1767
New Hamp'^' J Voted That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition
the Second Day of the Siting of the General Assembly
after the 20^'' Day of September next, and that the Petitioners at their
own Cost serve the Selectmen of said Ipswich with a Copy of this Pe-
tition and Order of Court, And also Cause the Substance of the Peti-
tion And Order of Court to be printed three weeks in the New Hamp-
shire Gazttt That any Person may appear and Shew Cause why the
Prayer thereof Should not be Granted
M. Weare CI--
In Council Augest 20''' 1767
Read and Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Province of l In the House of Representatives Sep'' 22'' 1767
New Hamps"' J Upon hearing the Petitioners on the foregoing Peti-
tion and also a Com""''^ on behalf of the Town against
the Petition it appears that Sending a Com'*"^ will be most likely to
Settle Peace in the town Tlierefore
Voted That Col' John GofTe John Hale and James Underwood Esqrs.
be a Committee to Determine the most Suitable Place for Erecting a
Meeting House in said Town and to make Report to the General As-
sembly as soon as may be.
M. Weare Cel^
In Council Sept" 24''' 1767
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec.
Agreeable to the Within Vote We have been at the Town of New
Ipswich have fully heard and Considered what has been offered by all
Concerned Examin'd the Town Votes and View'd the Situation of the
Town and from all Circumstances are fully Sattesfied that the place
■where the meeting House now is in said Town is the best situation for
it to be Continued in will best accommodate the Town and be most
agreeable to the Greatest part of the Inhabitants and accordingly we
beg Leave so to Report
John Goffc
John Hale
James Underwood
February iS •' 1768
Acc'i of the Pay of Pctitiotiers & Non Petitio7icrs.
In a Rate of three Hundred Pound the Petitioners with those that
Voted with them aganst Bulding a meeting House on the Spot where
TOWN rAI'EUS NEWTOWN. 607
the Town Voted to Build it Pay Eighty foure Pound one Shilling, the
other Inhabitance Pay two Hundred fifteen Pound nineteen Shillings
to the same Rate Exclusive of the Poles
Isaac Appleton 1
Nath' Stone >• Selectmen
Benja Hoar J
Province of "I In the House of Representatives Feb^' 19*^'' 176S
New Ilamp"^" 1 Voted That the foretjoinij Report of the Committee
be accepted and the Place for Setting the meeting House
in said Ipswich Established agreeable thereto, and further
Voted That the accomp' of said Committee for their time and Ex-
pence in that Business amounting to three Pounds sixteen Shillings
Lawfull money be allowd and Paid them by the Selectmen of said Ips-
wich, who are Directed to assess the Inhabitants for the Same.
M. Weare CK
In Council eodem die
Read & Concurr'd
Geo King Depy Sec?
Assented to
J'Wentwortii
Note. — On MS. p. 105, of Vol. 5, is a plan of lots in New Ipswich,
not here inserted. Ed.
NEWTOWN.
[Incorporated 6 December, 1749. See South Hampton. Ed.]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Govcrnour and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire in New England and to the Honourable
his Majestys Council for said Province.
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of that part of
the Town of Amesbury that lyeth to the Northward of the
Boundary line l)etwcen the Province of New Hampshire and
Massachusetts Bay by the late Settlement of the S ' Line and
to the Southward of Shapleys Line so called most humbly
shews That your Petitioners understand that about sixty per-
sons in Number who live in that ])art of Salisbury that lyeth
between the two afores' lines and that part of Amesbury aforcs'
have petitioned your Excellency and Honours for a Township
of seven miles in Length as mentioned in their Petition. That
your Petitioners are included within the bounds of said Town
ship. That the meeting house they have Erected for them-
selves is so situated as that it is no ways convenient for your
Petitioners. That many of those who signed their Petition
6o8
NEW HAMPSHIUE
now say they were deceived. That it will be a great Burden
to your Petitioners if they are under an obligation to be holden
by what their Neighbors have asked for themselves. That your
Petitioners desire they may have liberty to be annexed to such
Parishes as are most convenient for tliem till Sucii Time as they
shall be able to make a parrish among themselves.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray )'our Excellency and Hon-
ours to grant your Petitioners liberty to speak for themselves
before your Excellency and Honours and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Feb. i8 " 1741-3
Jonathan Kimball Orlando Bagly
Jonathan Wasson David Baglv
Jonathan Farron Andrew Whitt
Timothy Farron Timothy Whittier
David Gooden Josiah Fowller
Samuell Gooden Thomas Fowller
Philip Challess David Elott
Benjamin Kimball Thomas Carter
Caleb Hobs John Carter
Roger Estman "William Fowller
William Sargent Thomas Carter Junr.
Nathanel Ash Will'" Fowller Junr.
George Marstcn John Carter Jun''
Robert Marter Joseph Fowller
Abraham Marroll John Carter
David Marten Jacob Carter
Iverv Fooler ? Samuell Carter
The Inhabitants of Almsbury Peek petition.
Province of | To His Excellency Beiming Wentworth Esq""
New Hamp " j Governour & Commander in Chief in & over
his Majesties Province of New Hampshire &
to the Hon' His Majesties Council of s'*
Province in Court assembled at Portsmouth
Dec' 27''' Anno Domini 1743.
The Memorial of Peter Morse, John Webster & Samuel
Plummcr for themselves and in behalf of Sundry others Inhab-
itants of the North Westerly part of the Town of Almsbuiy
commonly called Almsbury Peek and within the Said Province
Humbly sJicwcth That your Petitioners Labour under inex-
pressible difficulties by reason of our being aimexed to the
Toun of South Hampton. That the most of us live near four-
teen Miles from the Meeting House in said Town and there-
fore cannot without great Cost as well as hazzard in passing
their rocky & dangerous paths ever attend the publick worship
of God there.
That lying at such a distance from them we have no Notice
TOWN PAPr.RS NKWTOWX. 609
of their meetings for transacting their publick aflairs So that
we have no liberty of voteing ; are Tax' & chosen into office
without our Consent or Knowledge which with humble sub-
mission we Cannot but think a very Great Grievance.
That vour petitioners also live near Eight miles from Kings-
ton meeting House So that it will be very difficult for us to at-
tend the publick worship of God there & we would further
humbly suggest that Kingston haveing of late Claimed Our
lands there is now such a discord betwixt us that will we fear
never be reconciled so as to sit easy together.
That we are unable to support the worship of God amongst
ourselves (tho we are willing and desirous to Contribute to it
according to our abilit}) and we livcing very near & Conven-
ient to Ilaverhill district have some of us attended the worship
of God at the Rev' M Cushings meeting others at Timber
lane for many years past through their lenity to us, unless some-
times in the winter Season we have at a very great Cost hired
preaching amongst ourselves Sc we apprehending that if we
were annexed to that district it might make Two good parishes
& woidd be agreeable and a very great Satisfaction to them as
well as ourselves we earnestly request your Excellency and
Honours to annex us to that district so that we may have y''
priviledges as they have. & for your Excellency & Honours
Your Humble petitioners as in dutv bound shall ever pray
&c
William Sawerd Amos Clark
Samuell Hunt Nathan Goodwin
Peter Morss Richard Goodwin
John Webster Beniman Hadley
Samuel Plummer Edmund Saver
Thomas Williams Nathan Hunt
Joseph Hadley Obediah Wels
A^cw Toivjt Pet it 1071.
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governour in
Chieff in & over his Majesties Province of New Hamp"^ in
New England and to the Hon''' his Maj'"'' Council.
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants that Live in Almsburv
District & in South Hampton in the Province aforesaid
Humbly SJic-L'cth That vScveral of vour Petitioners have for
many Years past been under very Difficidt & Melancholy Cir-
cumstances because of their Liveing three or four Miles from
any Place of Publick Worship which is very hard upon them
at any time of the Year and Especially in the W'^inter Season
when it is almost Impossible for them and much more for their
39
OIO NEW HAMPSHIRE
families to attend the Publick worship a Considerable Part of
their Time.
But in the midst of these discouragements your Petitioners
have for some years Past Pleased themselves with the hopes
that if a Kind Providence would sooner or later Provide for
their Better Accommodation. However these agreeable hopes
have in some measure been retarded by the Settlement of the Line
between the two Provinces and also by the Grant of the Town-
ship of South Hampton By Virtue of which Grant Several of
your Petitioners fall within that Township and are obleedged
to Pay their rates there Notwithstanding such your Petitioners
humbly Conceive that when the Meeting House was erected
there the Managers of that aftair had Little or no regard to their
accommodation but on the Contrary could not but be Senseble
that we could not Possibly attend the Publick worship in South
Hampton for a Great Parte of the Year because of the Extra-
ordinary DifBcultys in Passing over Powow river which is very
often overflowed by reason of Several Dams that are built
thereon which Deplorable Circumstances have Put your Peti-
tioners upon Prepareing to Erect a Meeting House in the Most
Suitable place they could find for that Purpose, and it is so sit-
uated that it will accommodate near sixty families and scarce
any of them be obleedged to Travel above Two Miles. Your
Petitioners therefore humbly hope that the Consideration of
their great hardships will so far prevail with your Excellencies
& your Honour as to grant them a Parish Bounded as follow-
eth : Beginning at a \Vhite ash Tree by Powows river which
is said to be a bound of Chapleys Line and so following said
Line to the West of Powows Pond so called so running South
West to Haverhill Line so called and so following Plaverhill
Line to the Province Line and so following the Province Line
Easterly to Powows river and so following the said river to our
beginning and your Petitioners are the rather encouraged to
expect some favour from your Excellency Because your Late
Hon' father was so remarkably famousfor l)enevolence& Con-
descention and we humblv Trust Si hope that those Paternal
accomplishments will Equally attend your Wise & just admin-
istration and we also flatter ourselves with some hopes of suc-
cess from the Honesty & Justice of our Case & Especially
when we beg Leave to affirm that this our humble Petition
Proceeds not from a Spirit of Strife & faction or for want of
Due artection to an}- of the Neighbouri. g Ministers but Purely
from a hearty Desire of haveing a Convenient Place to Wor-
ship God in constantly after the manner of our forefathers and
according to the usual Custom of the Established Churches in
this Country, and therefore your Petitioners Humbly hope that
your Excelency & your Hon' will Cirant them sucli rclicfl' in
TOWN PAPERS — NEWTOWN.
6ii
the Premises as shall be most agreeable to Equity & Good Con-
science.
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c.
The Petitioners Names tliat Live in Almsbiiry District.
Joseph Bartlet
William Rowell
Cutting Farrier
Thomas Bedle
Dan' Kellv
Henry Baifley
Andrew Whittier
Timothy Whittier
Samuel Jewel
Daniel Gould
Henry Flood X his mark
Gideon Bartlet
David Morton X his mark
Abraham Merrill
William Fowler
David X Elliot his mark
Thomas Carter
Daniel Sargent
David Sargent
William X Sergent his mark
David Bayley
Thomas X Greenfield his mark
Henry X F^lood his mark
Ezra X Tucker his mark
Sam' X Hadlev his mark
Peter Colbj
David Colby
Samuel X Jewel his mark
Moses X Colby his mark
John Challis
Those that live in South Ilainpton.
Jonathan Farren
David Goodwin
Robert Martin
Samuel X Goodwin his mark
Daniel Goodwin
Jonathan X Kimball his mark
Roger Eastman
Philip Challis
Nathaniel Ash
his
William X Sergent
mark
Nathaniel Asbery
George Master
Rogals X Colby his mark
Catcb Hobbs
Timothy P'arren
Jonathan Watson
Micah Hays
John Eliot
Jacob Colby
David X Colby his mark
Aron Currier
Caleb X Hobbs his mark
James X George his mark
Zacheus X Colby his mark
Benjamin Kimbal
Copy attes"^
Theodore Atkinson Sec^
Preferred the 18'' April 1744
In the House of Representatives Apr. 15I'' 1744- The within Petition
Read & Voted That the Petitioners serve the Select men of South Hamp-
ton with a Coppy of the within Petition & Votes thereon to appear the
3' day of the sitting of the Gen' Ass"' after the first daj' of May next,
to shew Cause if any they have why the Prayer of the Petitjon may not
be granted, the Charges to be paid by the Petitioner.
James Jeft'ry Cle'' Ass'"
Report oj" a Co?nniittcc.
Province of \ '"^^'ly -7"' '745
New Hamps. j" We the Subscribers being appointed by his Excellency
the Governor and the Hon'' Ilis Majesty's Council] a
Committee to goe and View the Land and Settlements mentioned in a
Petition of Joseph Bartlett & others Inhabitants of Almsbury District
6l2 NEW HAMPSHIRE
praying to be Incorporated into a Parish &c: and to take with us the
Petition & Vote of the Town of South Hampton and to Notify the
Select men of South Hampton &c.
Agreeable whereto we met at the House of Capt Joseph Bartlett
dn said District on the 15' ' Ins (Having Seven days Before Notified
the Select Men of South Hampton and the Select men of Kingston of
the time Place & Purpose of Our Meeting) where being attended by
the Select men of South Hampton and Maj" Stevens being present to
say for Kingston; we proceeded to Enquire Into the Circumstances of
the Petitioners and other Inhabitants thereabout and Having heard
and Consider'd the things offered and then Viewed the Situation and
Circumstances of the Places &c. We beg leave Humbly to Report that
it appears to us that the Circumstances of the Petitioners are Such
that they Cannot without Great Difficulty attend the Publick Worship and
other Publick affairs at South Hampton orbejoyned to any Neighboring
Place for their accommodation So that it appears to us Reasonable
that they Should be Incoi-porated into a Parish by Meets & bounds as
follows (Viz :) To begin at the white Ash Tree by Powers River
Mentioned in their Petition and from thence westwardly to follow
Shaple_ys line so Called till it comes to Powers Pond so Called and then
to follow the Pond to the South east corner of the long Cove so
Called, and from thence on a straight line to the Northwest End of the
Long Cassway on the Road from Kingstown to Swetts ferry, and from
^thence on a Straight line to John Peasley's juner. Barn and from
thence on a straight Course towards Timothy Einerson's house till it
strikes Haverhill line so called (allowing to any Inhabitants of Kings-
town the liberty of Polling with their Estates Into this Parish if they
Desire it and Give in their names to the Select men of this new Parish
w^ithin one year after they are Incorporated into a Parish) and from
thence to follow Haverhill line to the Province line then to follow the
Province line Eastwardly to Powers River, and so following said
River to the Bounds first Mentioned : Allowing to Cap"^ Jonathan Currier
Richard Currier & Larrance Straw liberty if they see Cause and their
Estates to Poll to South Hampton and as there are some of the Inhabit-
iints of South Hampton who own Some land that falls within the
Bounds aforementioned that those lands while they belong to the
Inhabitants of South Hampton pay taxes to South Hampton.
All which is Humbly Submitted By
Joshua Wingate
Eben^ Stevens
Meshech Weare
Petition of Inhabitants in West part of Almsbury respect-
ing- a Parish.
Almsbury Deastrick January 10 y 1745-6
To the honre'd Geanral Cort in Porchmoth
humbly Sueath we hous nams are under written Lyuing in
the west Eand of Almsbury Deastrick Lately heard that we
are Sourounded with a Pertition for a Parish without our
knolidge or Leave, it Being a Deficalt and Chargabel time on
account of the wars and sum of the Pertitioners Being But
lo in Estate which we humbly Conseave will not be abel
TOWN I'APEKS NEWTOWN. 615
to Scuport tlie Charge which will neasecary arise, Nither can
we think it will be tor the Glory of God to force any man tc^
do that he is not abel nor williufij to do, we humbly Pray you
the honrcd Cort that you Consider us and not force us aganst
our wills and ability.
John Martcii Robert Stuart
Thomas Davis Jeremiah Carleton
Samuel Davis Moses Carlton
George Hadlev Sargent Heath
Francis Chase Parrot Hadlev
Amas Davis Samuel Hadlev Junior
Moses Sanders Filip Sargant
Jacob Davis
fJie Petition of Sam PrencJi and others against a new
Parish.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq- Captain General
and Govcrnour in Cheif in and over hisMajsties Province of
New Hampshire in New England and to the hon''*-' his-
Maj'"' Council Jan y- 15 1745-6.
We the vSelect men of South Hampton have taken oppor-
tunity At this time to Express our loyalty to the Kings Majesty
and our Duty to your Excellency and Honours. We humbly
confide in your tender Regard for us and whereas we have set-
tled a church of our lord Jesus a Mongus that you will protect
us so that we Maybe able to Support it.
Whereas there has been appointed by his Excellency the
Governour and the Hon"''' his ^lajesties Council a Committee
to go and view the lands and Settlement Mentioned in y ' Peti-
tion of Joseph Bartlett and other Inhabitants of Amesbury
District and to take with them y- petition and y' vote of y'
Town of South Hampton (and we the Select men of South
Hampton being Served with a Copy of y Committee's Report
we Humbly begs leave to oppose the vote and y*-' Report of y"
Committee for y*" Reasons here after Mention ' first as to the
vote our Dissenting brethercn presented a petition to y" Town
at a legal Meeting Held at South Hampton September y' 39
1742 which is as followeth.
September y' 29, 1742. We whose Names are underwrit-
ten do petition to y town o South Hampton that they would
agree to pass a vote that that part of y town which Licth upon
y*" west side of powers River should be set ofi' as soon as they
are in order to settle a Minister that is More Convanant for
them that is as many as shall be willing to be set ofi' then we
will agree to holy support y^ Minister here till then If you will
finish y meeting house and settel a Minister upon your Charge,
6l4 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and lik'e wise to Releas us from doing anything toward the
meeting house that has been past.
Jonathan Farren Phillip Challish
Micaih Hoyt Samuel Goodwin
James George William Sargent
John Eliot Caleb Hobs '
Aaron Currier Daniel Goodwin
David Goodwin George Martain
David Martain Jon^ Kimball
Timothy Farren Benj" Kimball
Thomas Greenfield Roger Easman
John Sargent David Colbv
Abraham Merrill Jacob Colby
Robart Martain Zaccheus Colby
Nathaniel Ash Jon" Wotson
A true Copy of their petition.
Attest Reuben Dimond town Clerk
2ly we told our Dissenting brethren that we could not set them off
for we had no power to Encorporate our selves into a town so we had no
power to make any secession but we told our Dissenting brethren that
it was a time of Grate charge with us and if they would Joyne with us
in our Extraordinary charges that when they should be thought capable
by lawfull authority to maintain y ' Gospel of christ among them then
we would pay back all their part of y" Extraordinary charges that should
arise to them in finishing y Meeting house settelinga Minister and buld-
ing for him We Did not make our Dissenting brethren this offer be-
cause they Could Make any Majority upon us but we Did it for peace
we considering how good it is for brethren to Dweel to geather in love
and unity and that peace is the beauty of a society and it was so nessary
and so valuable that we ar Ready to sacrifice anything to procure it
Saving only a good conscience and so we proceeded to a Vote which is
as followeth.
At a meeting of y"^ Inhabitants of y' town of South Hampton Sep-
tember y" 29, 1742
Cornet Abraham Brown -w^as Chosen moderator for y'' Same Meeting.
At y*^ same meeting it was taken in to consideration that whereas there
are a number of Inhabitants of y^' upper or west part of this town that
live at a Considerable Distance from Meeting and have thought in time
to be better accommodated, then Constantly to Assemble with us and
we being Desirous to Exercise all Christian Regard and Kindness to
them, Votes first that all those persons that lives above or to y"^ West-
ward of Capt. Jon" Currier's that have a mind to go off and be a par-
ish shall have their Extraordinary Charge that they are now at among
us paid back again to them that is to say all their part of y'' Extraordi-
nary Charges that shall arise to them by finishing yc Meeting house
setteling a Minister and buldingfor him when they shall be thought ca-
pable by Lawfull authority to Maintain y** Gospel of christ among them
provided they do not molest or hinder us of y'' other part in our speedy
Seteling a Gospel Minister among us and that they pay toward his
support while they are of us or belong to us hopeing at y* same time
they will of their own free will be assisting to us.
2ly voted that we will make no opposition to them in their indeavour
to be a Regular town or parrish whenever they shall be thought Capa-
ble by lawfull authority
Voted in y affirmative.
A true copy
Attest Reuben Dimond town clerk.
TOWN I'APKHS NEWTOWN. 6l$
3ly We sent a Committee to the Association meetingof y Rev. Min-
isters at y" Rev. Mr. Coffins in Kingston lower parrish to ask advice
how wc should proceed in a Regular way to settle a Gospel Minister
among us and there appeared some of oiir Dissenting brethren and op-
posed y Vote and said we did that only for a Sham for we knew they
could not make a parish but we should say when they and their neigh-
bors could make a parish whereas we Drew y" vote according to their
petition and they never ask us to set them off to Joyn with their neigh-
bors for there is'not such a word in their petition as their neighbours :
4'> We call'd a town meeting which is as followeth At a Meeting of
the Inhabitants of y'' town of South Hampton November y 26: 1742
John Flanders was chosen Moderator for y*^ same meeting. At y"
same meeting it was taken into Consideration that whereas we y" In-
habitants of this town being in present want of a pious Larned orthodox
Minister of a good Con^'ersation to Dispense y word and y\dminister
y' ordinances of our lord Jesus among us and it being our Duty to look
up to Heaven for Divine assistance to guide us in all our affairs, there-
fore voted that thursday y"^ 2 day of December next is appointed to be a
day of fasting and prayer in order for y" calling and settling a Gospel
Minister among us.
Voted and past in y*-' Affirmative.
At a meeting of y Inhabitants of y town of South Hampton Feb. y*
15 1742-3 Joseph French was chosen Moderator, at y*" same meeting it
was put to vote wheither the town would Chuse the Rev Mr. Odlin and
the Rev. Mr. Gookins and their Messengers to be assistant in Council
with the other ministers for gathering a church and earring on y'= ordi-
nation among us and y" vote past in y^ affirmative.
A true copy
Attest Reuben Dimond town Clerk
8 > y Rev Council came to our assistance y"- day appointed and y«
Rev'i'Mr. Caleb Chusing was Moderator, and our Dissenting brethren
appeared in Council and objected against Some of the Council and y^
Moderator. Ask them who they wear and they said Mr. Joseph Parsens
Mr. Sam' Parsons and Mr. Fogg, the Moderator ask them what they had
against them men they said they were akend to v" man that was to be
ordained the Moderator ask them what they had against y*= man that
was to be ordained as to his life and Conversation or his Doctrine and
they Eledge nothing but they said y<^ province line would be Removed
and then they should lose the money they Expended with us and they
had not a Convenant way. the Moderator told them that could be no
bar against Seteling a minister if y^ province line' should be moved we
must petition to the Massachusetts Court for a parish and as to high
ways y'" law provides how they should get them so not withstanding all
their opposition and Allegations y^ Rev' Council see their way Clear to
proceed to the ordaining y' Rev. Mr. Pansons in y work of y'' Ministry
among us.
9'" we voted that we would pay back again to tiiem all their part of
the Extraordinary Charge that should arise to them by finishing y«
meeting house Setteling a minister and bulding for him but then there
was a Condition anexed to that vote, it was provided they did not mo-
lest or hinder us of y'- other part in our Speedy setteling a gospel min-
ister among us. Now some of our Dissenting brethren say they have
not hinder us in setteling a Minister but how came it to pass that they
did not liinder us, it was because they could not hinder us. they mo-
lested us and they op])osed us from place to place and from time to time,
they Entered their Contrary Dissents once and again against our reg-
ular proceedings in an orderly way to settel a minister among us and
6l6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
they did not enter contrary dissents only against the Rev Mr. Parsons
but against all the Candidates for ye Ministry so that if they could have
Got their wills, we had never had a Gospel Minister Setteld with us to
ye end of the world.
lo'v all these Molestations Enterruptions and oppositions we have
met with from our Dissenting brethren since we oftered them that vote
yet now they would skreen themselves under that vote when they never
Full-Fill'd y® Conditions of y vote in anyone Article. For if they had
Concured with us we had no need to have called so many town meet-
ing nor been put to such an Extraordinary Charge in Sending from
town to town and from one parish to another about y" Country to call
in that Grand Council for two or three y*^ neighbouring ministers would
have done our bissness in y"-' morning before y" ordination.
ii'>' After we offered our Dissenting brethren that vote we made them
another offer that whereas they had not then Rais'd their meeting house
that if they would set it one mile above y" upper end of our town and
then our meeting houses would stand four miles and a half apart and
then we would be willing they should have a midle line and that would
be but two miles and one quai-ter each way and we thought that could
not be hard for any to go to meeting.
At the same meeting Cap' Jonathan Currier and Joseph French jun.
was chosen a Committee to call in y'' assistance of ye neighbouring Min-
isters to Celebrate a day of Fasting and prayer among us.
Voted and past in y'- affirmative.
Nathaniel Ash Sam'- Goodwin
Jonathan Ferran John Eliot
James George David Goodwin
Daniel Goodwin Phillip Challis,
Jacob Colbv David Colby
enters their contrary Dissents against y'^' vote for y<^ last which was for
calling and Setteling a gospel Minister among us.
A true copy of y'' votes and all ye Dissenters that lives above or to y®
westward of Powers River.
Attest Reuben Dimond town Clerk.
5'>' the Rev. Ministers which we called to our assistance came up y»
Day appinted and our Dissenting brethren appeard and opposed the
Rev. Ministers which we had called to our assistance and they beat off
y fore noon Exercise yet notwithstanding all their opposition and alle-
gations the Rev ministers did see their way clear to proceed in y after-
noon to y work of ye day whereunto they were called
6'y At a meeting of y Inhabitants of ye town of South Hampton
December y 27, 1742, John Flanders was chosen Moderator for y*
same meeting, at y same meeting it was voted that we give y Rev.
Mr. William Parsons a call to settel in y*-' work of the gospel ministry
among us. Voted in y - affirmative at y- same meiting
James George Jon" Watson
Jon ' Ferran Sam'' Goodwin
Aaron Currier Rogles Colby
David Goodwin Roger Easman
David Colby Jacob Colby
Daniel Goodwin Robert Martain
Zacheus Colbv Micah lloyt
Philip Challis"
enters their contrary Dissents against y" vote f«r calling and seteling
y"" Rev. Mr. William Parsons or any other man in y ■ work of y*" minis-
try under their present curcomstances.
TOWN PAPERS — NKWTOWN. 617
the meeting was adjourned from y 27 Day of December 1742 tp j«
3 Day of Jan> 1742-3 the meeting was Readjourned tVom y"^ 3 Day of
Jan. 1742-3 to y 17 day of y presen Jan> at 12 of y clock.
At }"■' Readjournment of y" same meeting it was voted that the 23
Day of Feb.'nc.Kt is appinted to be a day of ordination among us.
Voted in y'" affirmative.
At y'' same meeting John Ordway Thomas Merrill Joseph French
and Abraham Brown was chosen a Committee to send letters to y^
Rev. ministers and messengers to be assistant in gathering a church
and in ordaining ye Rev. Mr. William Parsons in y" work of y*" minis-
try among us. Voted in y'^ affirmative.
At ve same meeting y'" Rev. Mr. Chusing Mr. Whiple Mr. Joseph
Parso"ns Mr. Sam' Parsons Mr. Fogg Mr.'Webster Mr. Coffin were
chosen a council to Carry on y'-' work of y"" ordination among us.
Voted in y^ affirmative.
A true copy of y" votes and all y'^- Dissenters that lives above or to y^
westward of Powers River.
Attest Reuben Dimond town clerk
7'> We Call the Rev. Council to set y*" day before y^ ordination and
we notified our Dissenting brethren that they might come and shew
Reasons if any they had why y" minister should not be ordained, but
before y'^' timeappointed Came we heard that our Dissenting brethren
had made Report that they would take of our Council for some were a
kind to y man that was to be ordained and others had given Judgment
before, "so we hearing of their Strategcm and not being Ignorant
of their Devices we considered it was eser to prevent a Desease then
to cure it or to Keep an adversary out while he was out than to git
him out when he is in, so we being forewarned we thought it best to be
fore armed, so we call'd the town togeather again to chuse other minis-
ters, but our Dissenting brethren was very Refractory and said What
must you appint a place for us to set our Meeting house? no thats what
we wont Do.
I2'> the Gent'men Committee that was appointed by his Excellency
Governour and the Hona''' " his Majesties Council to view the lands and
Scttelments mentioned in y petition of Joseph Bartlett and others
came by your houses to our Meeting house about a mile below Powers
River and they never vied y" situation of y ' east end of y^ town to see
the Difficult sircomstances that them people labours under in going to
ye Publick worship and so never considered whether we were capable
to make a parrish or not but say it appears Reasonable to them if y-'
petitioners should be Incorporated into a parrish by meets and bounds
and according to their boundarys they comes within a mile of our
meeting house and so they have taken of all y" inhabitants that lives
west of our meeting house saving four houses and so it appears to us
that it will brake up an old parrish to a new one.
I3'>' the petitioners petitioned for a parrish beginning at a white Ash
tree by Powers River and from thence to fowllow Shapleys line so
called" till it comes to the head or Westerly part of Powers pond so
called and then to Run South West to Haverhill line so called and
from thence to follow Haverhill line to the province line, then to follow
y province line easterlv to Powers River and so following s' River to
y first mentioned bound and y Gent"" Committee say they being
attend by y'- Selectmen of South hampton and Major Stevens being
present to "say for Kingston, In fact it appears to us that Major Stevens
said well to save Kingston for he or they have cut doun their petition
from y head or westerly part of powers pond so called to y" Southeast
corner of y'-' long Cove so called and not allowing y' petitioners to En-
6i8
NEW HAMPSHIRE
elude any land or Settelments within y" line of their petition that
Kingston claims but they have un Reasonably Entruded upon South
hampton a lettel poor parish at y« best are much Inferiour to Kingston
upper parish both as to men and Eastes.
14'' the Genfe" Committee say that it appears to them that y'^ Cur-
comstances of y" petitioners are such that they cannot without greate
Difficult}' attend y^ publick worship at South "Hampton, we answer we
had liberty to buld a Cassway on a mans land and accordingly we bult
a Cassway and bult a bridge and there are severl Famlies that lives to
J'® west of Powers River that have all ways attended y*-' publick worship
with us ever sence we have been Incorporated into a town and there
are some that come several times to our meeting y' lives above y*"- west
end and y"^ other Inhabitants might come as well as their neighbours
and we should have had a commodious highway before this time if
they had not opposed us and put it by but now we have laid out a new
highway from y" highway- y* leads from y« meeting house to a highway
or publick Rhoad that leads from Kingston through y' west part of
South hampton to Amsbury.
15 the gent'"" Committee say it appears to them that y^ petitioners
cant be Joyned to any neighbouring place for their accommodation but
it appears to us that they can or else where is that Inhabitants that
belongs to Kingston that they have given libity to pole to this new par-
rish if they Desire it, if y' petitioners had set their meeting house
higher up then there might have been some taken of y^ upper end of
South hampton and some of Kingston and have made a good parrish
and not have broken up South hampton.
16 ■' if our Dissenting brethren can git to Powers River for a Dividin
line to make them a parish it will sartainly break up ours and we shall
take it hard that an old parrish should be broke up for a new one for
they will come within a mile of our meeting house and take oft' all y^
houses most of our meeting house but foure and then our brethren at
y" east end of y« town say y" meeting stands at one end of y^ people
and there going oft" at y'^ west end of y^ town dont bring y " meeting
house any nearer to them but makes them a great Deal more Charge to
pay and they as fur from meeting as ever and they say if those men
which Avere petitioners for y« town May go off", s'urly they that were
non petitioners may go off also and so they will be annexed to Kings-
ton parrish and then there are some of our brethren that lives on y"
northerly part of the Town y" say if they goes oft" at both ends of y"
town then they will be annexed to Kingston lower parrish for it is Im-
possible that the middle part should support the Charges and then
there are a few families that lives next to y" Province line that can in no
wise Support the charges nor Do y"^ Duty of a town and we humbly
Conceive that this Hon '•■'"■ Court wont set them oft" to Joyn with Salis-
bury because this is a seprate Government and so them men are fitt for
no body and so they are in that aft"air of all men y' most misrable
I7'> if twenty men in this town should Divide this town they will
Encourage thirty in another town and them thirty will say if twenty
can Divide a town surly thirty can and so they willgoe on from bad to
worse till they Grows Incorrigible, if these Examples should be tol-
erated in these our Dissenting brethren they will Corrupt other and if
it should be followed by many it would prove y« Dissolution an Confu-
tion of touns parrishes and Churches for as sone as y" minor part sees
they cant make a majority upon y'' Major part they say we will have a
ineeting house and a minister of our own and so insted of having a
Great many meeting houses and ministers in a littel time there wont be
any for they cant possable be supported.
18'' if this lion'''''"-" court Should see fit in your Great wisdom set
TOWN PAPERS — NEWTOWN. 619
off these petitioners according to y« bounderyes of y''- Committee Re-
port Then we Humbly pray that we might be annexed to v* town that
we lays ajacent to for" we cant in no wise support y'-' charges nor Do the
Duty of a town.
19 We do Declear this Day to this Hon''''" court that we have not
willfully Endeavoured to take any Indirect way contrary to the law of
our province to Defraud any brother [we wish our Dissenting brethren
all well] we wish brotherly love might be with us and Continue, we
wish that Grace Marcy and peace might be multiplied among us that
the God of love and peace might Dweel with us, we wish all things
might be done with Charity, we wish we might have a Quiet and peace-
able Settlement ina Way'of Righteousness that we might all be built
to eternal life through Faith in Jesus Christ our lord.
2o'-'' by what has been all Ready offered we Doubts not but your Ex-
cellency and Honours in your great wisdom and Goodness will see Just
Cause to Reverse y' vote and petition of our Dissenting brethren and
accordingly Grant our Request.
Reuben Dimond ] Selectmen
et j- for
Sam French J South Hampton
South Hampton
Jan y" 14, 1745-6-
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Captain Gen-
eral and Govcrnoin- in chief in and over his Majesties Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in New England and to the Hon-
ourable his Majesties Council Jan y"' 15, 1745-6
the Petition of Sundry of y Inhabitants of South Hampton
living at y' East end of the town Humbly Sheweth^
Whereas in time past there was Sundry petitioners of y*"
Northerly part of Salisbury and Almsbury which by Runing
y* Province Line was taken into y" province of New Hamp-
shire which preferd a petition to this Honourable Court in
order to obtain a town or parish and we your Humble Peti-
tioners Did at y' Same time prefer a petition to this Honoura-
ble Court and Humbly ofterd that we could in no wise joyn
with them in any of their proceedings of that nature, but we
pctition'd that we might be annexed to Kinsington parrish
but tliis Honourable Court in their great wisdom Did not see
fit to grant our petition but Incorporated us with the other pe-
titioners into a town Called by y"" name of South Hampton
but now we understand that thei-e has been a Committee sent
by this Honourable Court to view y lands and vSettclmcnts of
those petitioners that lives at y" west end of our town and that
liave made Report that it appears to them Reasonable that
they witii others should be Incorporated into a parrish by
Meets and bounds and according to their butmcnt to Powers
River they comes within a mile of our Meeting house and
thev have taken of all v' Inhabitants that lives west of our
620
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Meeting house save four houses and so they have brought y*
Meeting house to one end of y^' people and there arc some
famlys at y east end of y town that lives as far from meeting
by y' Road as Most of them at y"^^ west end of y town and
their going olf Don't bring y^ Meeting house any Nearer to
us but it mal<es us a great Deal More Charge to pay and we
are as far from Meeting as ever And we Humbly Conceive
that if those men which were petitioners for y" town may go
off that those men which were non petitioners may go off
also.
Wherefore we yom- Humble petitioners which formily pro-
ferd a petition to this Honourable Court and some other of
our Neighbors Humbly begs leave to revive our former peti-
tion and pray that we may be annexed to Kinsington parrish
and there Do our Duty and there Injoy the priviledgs of towns
men, so shall we as in Duty bound ever pray &c.
>"'}" H' 1745-6
Sam'' French Jacob Fowler
Ephraim Brown Abner Fowler
Eliphilet Maxfield Daniel Carter
Asa Flanders Nathanel French
Samuel Flanders Caleb Clough
Abrahm Brown Humphrey Clough
Amos Page Benjamin Brown
Daniel Page
Petition of Mr. T/iofuas Fowler against a new parish.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqu Captain General
and Governour in Cheif in and over his Majesties province
of New hampshire in New England, and to the Honourable
his Alajesties Council Jan^ y'-' 15 1745-6.
The petition of sundry persons whose name are under Kit-
ten humbly sheweth whereas we your humble petitioners being
as we apprehend Encluded within y ' line of a petition of sun-
dry petitioners belonging to South hampton and there about
which are about to be Incorporated into a parrish and we your
humble petitioners humbly offer that we can in no wise joyn
with them in any of their proceeding in that nature, for there
are y^' best part of twenty of these petitioners that some are
moved out and others that are not able to Support y Charges
nor Do y ' Duty of a parrish and there are eaight families tliat
are Encluded within y" line of their petition that are Qiiakers
and y most of them y*" best livers in y line of their petition
and they are Exempted by law from Ministry charges and y*'
Meeting house Don't stand in y"' Right place it ought to be
TOWN PAPJ-.ns — NHwrowx. 621
moved furder up toward Kingston and there it would accom-
modate more people.
Jan' y' 10, 1745-6
Thomas Fowller
Joseph Fowller.
At a lasfual Meeting of y Inhabitants of V town of South Hampton
July y 7'' 174S John Paige Esqr was chosen Moderator.
At y^ same Meeting it was Consider'd that whereas there are a Num-
ber of persons that Lives at y^ west end of this town that thinks they can
better accommodate themselves by joyning with their Neighbours for a
Meeting house then Constantly to Assemble with us and we being will-
ing to shew them all Christian Regard and Kindness voted that all those
persons that lives at yc west end of this town that have a Mind to go off
shall have y** Liberty to pole of themselves and their Estates which they
now have and joyne with their Neighbours in y« District for a parrish
in all affairs provided they pole off or File a list of their Names
with his Excellency the Governor within thirty Days from y'^ Day of y«
Date hereof
Voted in the affirmative.
A true Copy
Attest Reuben Diniond town clerk
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esquire Capt. General
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties province of
New hampshire in New England and to y" honrable his
Majesties Council in General Court Assembled.
The petition of sundry whose Names are hereafter Subscribe
humbly sezveth that we your petitioners under stand that there
are Certain men of Almsbury District and some of South
Hampton that have in time past prefered a petition to this
Honourable Court praying to be Incorporated into a parrish by
mets and bounds begining at a white ash tree standing by Pow-
ers River and so to fowllor Shaples Line to y*^ west end of
powers pond so called and then to Run South west to haver-
hill Line and then to foller haverhill line till it meets y' prov-
ince line and then to foller y*^ province line Easterly to Powers
River and then to fowller Powers River up to y beginning and
we your petitioners apprehend that we are Included within y*^
lines and boundrys of their petition and we humbly oiler to
this Hon'" Court that we cant in any wise Joyne with them
for a parrish, for these Reasons. First their proceeding as to
a Parrish have been very privet as to our Knowledge ever
since y*^ year 1742 and they having given out word as we hear
y' we wear not worth asking to Joyne with them but if they
could git their petition granted then they would order us as
they see fit but God in his all wise Providence has furnished us
622 NEW HAMPSHIRE
with a place for his Publick worship more convenant than it
can be for us to be compcled to joyne with them we your pe-
titioners have been at charge to promote y" Gospel of christ
peaceably and it will be very prejudicial for us to stand in such
a Relation with them.
Dated July 29, 1748
James Davis Jonathan Carlton
Robert Stuart Thomas Johnson
Joseph Rogers his
Samuel Stuart Jonathan X Ordway
Moses Davis mark
Philip Davis Joseph Ordway
his William Collins
Thomas X Davis Francis Chase
mark . Peter Colb}*
Jacob Davis Jacob Challis
To his Excelency Benning Wentworth Esq' Capt. General and
Governour in Chief in and over his Majesties province of
New Hampshire in New England &c.
Whereas the Sec"' by your Excelency command Did Rec-
ommend a letter to us y' Select men of South Hampton Dated
June y*" 14' ' 174S Signifying that y'-" Inhabitants of Almsbury
District have set forth their unhappy Situation and they are
Desirous y' y^ town would Set off a sufficient Number of In-
habitants to their assistance or else they would be an next to
South Hampton &c that is what y" town cant in no wise agree
to y' y ' District should be an next to y'' town for y'^ Reasons
Fowlering. r""^ we apprehend that them men wont be Con-
tented without a Nother Minister and two Ministers is what we
cant possable Support among such a Small number of people
and upon such a Narrovv^ Strip of Land and we have several
poor people among us and we have for sevei'al years past been
involved in a soar and a greivious war w '' has Created a great
charge and what will be the Result there of we know not and
it has pleased Almighty God in his all wise providence tovisite
many families among us with a soar and Long sickness which
has caused great Expcnce for Physicians Nursing and other
Nesicaries.
2'^' there wear thirty men or there about among us who aty'^
first erected our meeting house and laid out between three and
four hundred pounds in that way and them men gave it up toy'
town for y ■ towns use to make peace, so our contending breth-
ren at y west end of y" town paid Nothing toward that charge
and we have built a passonage house and barn and fenced our
passonage and there were Cartain men among us that Duge
TOWN PAPERS NEWTOWN. 633
a well for our Minister and Stoned it and there wear other gen-
erous men built a pound and gave that to y' town for y'' towns
use, so our Contending brethren paid Nothing toward Either
of them and we have laid out a great Deal of money in pur-
chasing high ways in y"^^ town and we have got a high way that
Leads Directly from our meeting house up among y Inhabit-
ants at y" west end of y*" town and we have built a spacious
bridge over y"^^ River and made it a fine way and it is traveled
by many of his Majesties "good Subjects and our Contending
brethren have no Need to complain for want of a wav for they
may come to meeting with the neighbors if they would and
this may Inform your Excellency that these Extraordinary
Charges we have been Exposed to.
3'' if y'' District should be annext to South Hampton we
humbly Conceive that they will make a Majority and then they
will oblige us to help them and pay our proportion with them
in fuiisliing their Meeting house which is only a frame with a
few boards on it.
And build them a parsonage house and barn and Dig a well
and buy them a parsonage and fence it which will in this Day
Cost of our money near foiu" thousand pounds old tennur as
it has been Computed.
Now for these men of the District to Desire to be annext to
vSouth Hampton and make us bear such an Extraordinary
charge with them when they never paid y'' thousand'*' part of
a penny toward our Extraordinary Charges it appear to us to
be an actually cheat and a piece of oppression and it is very
unadequate and if your Excelency should be pleased to grant
them men their Disire in this thing it would make a prodigious
Qiiarrel and prove the Dissolution and Confution of our town
and our Latter end will be worse then our beginning for y" an-
nexing of them men to South Hampton cant be for the good
of y" town, it Directly and surely tends in y*" Natural Course
of things to our utter Ruin and Destruction, the .Subversion of
our Constitution and it Deprives us of our just Rights and it
lays Such a heavey yok upon our necks that we nor our chil-
dren Cant bear.
4'- our Contendirig brethren the Cheif men that oppose us
signed our petition with us and we never Intended to make
but one parrish and since they Retrograded and gon back from
what they sign'd with us and if they had set their meeting
house one mile or there about higher up in y'' District they
might have men enoufe to Joyn with them to make a good
parrish and not have broke up South Hampton, but our con-
tending brethren with some others of y'' District have set up a
frame of a meeting house just over y"^^ Line at y*" west end of
our town where it would sut them and they think we are bar-
624 NEW HAMPSHIRE
barous to Disire them to assemble with us and yet they would
talc of a Number from us against their wills who sets Down
easy with us and Count that no barbarity at all and if our
Contending brethren think it hard to joyn with us against their
wills then Consequently they may think it hard for our breth-
ren who set down easy at y'" first and went on chearfull}'^ with
us in all our Extraordinary charges to be forced to Joyne with
them against their wills and so we will force no man to go oft'
from us out give every man his liberty to go or stay and since
your Excellency has desired that we would set oft" a sufficient
number to their assistance we Know no Number more sufficient
to go off' than they that are willing
Richard Collins jun. ~\ Select men
Richard Currier y of
Benjamin Brown ) South Hampton
South Hampton papers Setting off 28 persons to a New
To-iVn.
p. .. r ■) South hampton July the iS-' 174S
Tv-r TT 1 • r To his Excelencv Bening Wentworth
New Hampshn-e \ r^ c - ^
' -' Governor &c.
Excelent Sir.
After Returning you hearty thanks for your care and kind-
ness toward us we once more make bold to trouble you with
a few lines &c.
And first of all wee woold mention to your Excelencv the
Late proceeding of South hamton in a meeting on the 7''"
instant at which meeting they past a voat as folloeth (without
the Least regard or reference to your Excelencys Direction in
your Late Letter) with a plasable pretence of Christianity
gieves Liberty to all persons that lieve att the west end of the
town to pole of within thirty days with their Estates that they
now have in which they have no regard to any Lands or Es-
tate own'd by any persons that are not inhabitants in the town
notwithstanding there is Considerable of Lands ownd by per-
sons that are not inhabitants who have been with us in all our
trouble and charg and we doubt not but that they woold be
yet with us had they the Liberty.
but however South hamton might flater themselves that few
or none woold pole oft' on such a footing as they put it yet by
the good provedcnce of God wee whose names are under
written by your Excelencys leave are resolved to pole oft' in
order to be incorporated in to a Parrish with those of the des-
TOWN PAPERS NEWTOWN. 625
trict within the Liinets or boundaries of the Com'"'-' Reportc
unless your Excellency Should provide better for us.
Jonathan Farren Robert Martin
Micali Hoyt James Gtortje
The Tiixbcry David Colby
Tho' Carter Zaclieus Colby
Benja Carter Jonathan Kimball
Orlando Carter Aaron Currier
Benj- Kimball Tho' Jewel
John Carter Phillip Challis
Sam Carter Daniel Goodwin
Jacob Colby Tho' Greenfield
Rotrles Colby Nathanel Ash
Nathan' Colby Abraham Merrill
Jonathan Watson David Goodwin
Roger Easman Zebu Ion Farren
Sam' Goodwin John Eliot
p -^T IT, These Certify that the List of the mens names above
P mentioned were cntred with his Excellency the Govern-
our & lodged in the Sec 's office the 2' day of Anjijust 174S.
Attest"" " Theodore Atkinson Sec?
On the Charter is to be Enter'd the Vote of South Hampton Jul/
7'" 174S
Polled off July 18 1748 28 persons
Polled off "Aug I 1748 2 more
30
To his Excellency IJcnning Wcnworth Esq Capt. General
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Provi
nee
of New Llanipshire in New Enj^la id and to the Honourable
his Majesties Council in General Court Assembled.
the petition of the Inhabitants of South Hampton humbly
She~xctJi that whereas it was voted at a Meeting held at South
Hampton July y ' 7 ' 174S that all y" Inhabitants that lives at
y" west end of this Town that have a mind to go ofl' shall
have y" liberty to poll ofl' themselves and their Estats and
Joyne with their Neighbors in y* District for a parrish in all
aflairs and there was no provision made in that vote for them
that polld olV to make and keep their proportion of y° high
ways in good Repair —
Wherefore we your humble petitioners humbly Addresses
this Honourable Court and pray that when ever this Honoura-
ble Court shall poll them men ofi" to Joyne with y"" District
that they may be orderd to make and Kcpair their proportion
of y'^ highways in y'' town as thev have Done in time past and
that y* new parrish may at their Election Day for chusing par-
rish oflbciers Elect one Surveyor or more to order that aflair
40
626 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and keep y* ways in good Repair from time to time as occa-
sion may Require.
So shall we as in Duty bound ever pray &c.
Richard Collins ") Selectmen
Benjamin Brown Jun. > for
Richard Currier ) South Hampton
Dated July y' 20''' 1748
Israel Dimond Reuben Dimond
Samuel Currier Henry Currier
Joseph Chandler Elijah Rowel 1
Thomas Merrill Nathanel Merril
John Flanders Joseph French
Sam' Barnard Eliphelet Merrill
Samuel French Er Colby
Jacob Fowler
yon'-' Watson & Roger Hasman pole off fro7n South Uafnp-
ton to the New Toxvit.
Province of \ South Hamton August i, 1748
New Hampshire | To his Excelency Bening Wintworth Gov-
ernor &c.
Excelente Sir
we having tak" into Consideration the ill sircumstances that
we mus be under in Case we should not take the Liberty to
pole of when we may, we Resolve with y Excelencies leve
agreable to the Liberty Granted us by the voate of South
hamton July 7''- 1748 to pole off and desire therefore that our
names may be rec'd on file vby your Excelency and youl yett
further oblig your humble Serv ''
Jonathan Watson
Roger Esman
Selectmen of South Hampton about Nexv Tozvn's Petition
{£ Charter^ (&c.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt. General
and Governour in chief in and over his Maj'esties province
of New Hampshire in New England and to the Honoura-
ble his Majesties Council
The Petition of Sundery of the Inhabitants of South PLamp-
ton Humbly Sheweth that whereas it was voted at a meeting
held at South ILampton Jidy the 7 174S that all those persons
that lives at y west end of this Town that have a mind to Go
TOWN PAPERS NEWTOWN. 627
off and joyn with their Neighbors in the District for a parrish
should have liberty and there being no provision made in that
vote for them polers to make and maintain their proportion of
their high ways. Therefore your petitioners aply them selves
to your Excellency and Honours and pray that if your Excel-
lency and Honours should see it Reasonable to set them polers
to New town that they make and maintain their proportion of
y'' high ways in this town and your petitioners pray that New
town at their Election Day for chusing town officiers may
chuse a Surveyor or Surveyors to see that their high ways be
kept in good Repair from time to time as occasion may Re-
quire and In as much as them polers had Liberty to file a list
of their names with his Excellency the Gouvernour within
thirty Days and they never served our Select men with a copy
and we Dont know that they have filde a list to this Day,
therefore we pray that they may pay to us two assessments,
One made in the year 174S and the other in y'' year 1749
So shall we as in Duty bound ever pray
Reuben Dimond "^ Selectmen
Joseph Frinch >- for
J South Hampton
Feb. 6, 1749-50
Abner Morrill in behalf of South Hampton says the s^' town is con-
tent that New toun should Comence Lower Down than their charter now
is by a Line from a School house that stands on a highway that leads
from South Hampton to Kingston from s^ School house to run South
to the curve line & from the school House Northly till it meets a high
way Leading to Powo river & then on the East side of y^road or high-
way to s" Powow river then to Shapleys line on y same Course.
Thomas Merrill Henery Currier
John Ordway Samuel Currier
John Flanders Nathanel Merrill
Sam' Barnard Prince Flanders
Semeon Morel Joshua Clojugh
Abner Morrill
Little Harbour 13"' Dec' 1749
Sir:
You are only to Indorse on the charter of New Town as a record
from your office
The Vote at South Hampton to poll off Such of their Inhabitants as
are returned 18"' July 1748 being zS Si Aug 1 ' 174S, 2 — 30 in all
This is an act of South Hampton to Enable Newtown to bear the
Charges of their town the better and The Act of Government to Incor-
porate S' Town has nothing to do with it, only to preserve the record
to prevent disorders hereafter.
You will take my fee £5 N. Tenor.
I am Sr.
Your hum Serv'
B WENTWORTFf
CzS NEW HAMPSniKli
Coll" Atkinson
The first ineetinc: is to be with thirty days after the date of the char-
ter and then annually For ever the last Wednesday March
jRo7igJi- Draft of an order in Council for PoUi7tg of 30
South Hampton ?nen to N. Tovjn as Voted in Council za**
March 1749
Province of ") George the Second by the Grace of God of Great
New Hampshire / Brittr.in France & Ireland King Defender of the
faith &c.
To all People to whom the Presents Shall come Greeting.
Whereas The Town of South Hampton within our Province of New
.Hampshire aforesaid for Diverse good & Laudable motives & Consider-
ations thereunto moving Did Voluntarily at a Town meeting held in Said
"Town by Inhabitants thereof on the 7 ''Day of July Anno Domini 1748
Pass a Vote in the following words viz : "That all those Persons that
JLive at the West End of this Town that have a mind to goe oft Shall
have the Liberty to Poll of themselves & their Estates which they now
have & joyn with their Neighbours in the District for a Parish in all af-
fairs Provided they Poll off or file a List of their names with his Excel-
ency the Governour within thirty Days from the Date hereof. And for
.as much as Jonathan Farren Michael HoitTho' Tuxbury Thomas Car-
ter Benj' Carter Orlando Carter B^nj' Kimball John Carter, Sam' Car-
ter, Jacob Colcby, Ruggles Colby Nath Coleby, Jon' Watson, Roger
Eastman, Sam' Goodwin, Robert Martin, James George, David Coleby
i^chcus Coleby, Jonathan Kimball, Aron Currier, Tho Jewell, Phillip
'Challis, Daniel Goodwin Theo Greenfield Nathaniel Ash Abraham Mer-
TiJl, David Goodwin, Zebulon Farren, & John Eliot all Inhabitants in
the West End of Said Town of South Hampton, Did file a List of their
names with B. Wentworth Esq. our Governor of our said Province &
the same was filed in the Secy's oflice of our afores'' Province on the
Second Day of August 174S within the thirty days in the above recited
Vote of the aforesaid Town of South Hampton meantioned, and agree-
able to the Intent & tenor thereof
Now know ye that for and in Consideration of the above mentioned
•vote & at the request of the Ssveral Parties therein Concerned We have
■tho't fit b}' further the advice of our Trusty & well beloved Benning
Wentworth Esq"^ our Governour & of our Council of our s'' Province of
3^}. Hamps. to order & ordain that the aforesaid Jonathan Farren
Michael <S:c with theirs & each of their Estates they now have in said
Town of South Hampton be iSc hereby are order'd Declared <S: ordained
to be Polled & set oft" from acting orVoting with the Town of South
Hampton afores' in anj' of their Town affairs excepting what does
or may relate to the repairing or mending the high ways within the I.,im-
5ts of the said Town of South Hampton afores' with respect to which
affairs they are to act & be governed as tho no Vote or order had Past
Ihereon and are hereby together with the Estates they have in
South Hampton as also all Persons that shall succeed them in any or
•either of them in the improving of said estates Declared to be Polled off
& annexed to Newtown within our Province afores* there to Vote & act
-with s ' Newtown in all their Town affairs as fully to all Intents & Pur-
poses as any other the Inhabitants of said Town can or may do except-
ing what dos or may relate to the mending or repairing the High-
ways within the Limits of Newtown which they and Each of them are
TOWN I'APEHS NEWTOWN. 629
hereby Exempt from they having the Liberty of Voteingwith & are Sub-
ject to the Legal Directions of the Town of South hampton afores'^ of
all which all Persons concerned are to take Due notice hereof & Gov-
ern themselves accordingly.
In Testimony whereof we have Caused the Seal of our Said Province
to be hereunto affixed. Witness B. Wentworth Esq' our Governour &
Comander in Chielf of our Prov. of N. Hamp aibres'' this 22' Day of
March in the Year of our Lord Christ 1749 &. in the 23^ year of our
reign
By his Excellencys com'^ with advice of Council.
Supplemental Charter of Neiv toxvn.
New Hampshire } George the Second by the Grace of God &c.
To all people to whom these presents shall come
Whereas by our Charter bearing data We have thot fit
by & with the advice of our Trusty & well beloved B. W — -Esq""
&c. to Incorporate Certain of our well beloved Subjects residing within
our Province of Now Hampshire on a tract of Land on the Eastern &
Southern boundary of our said Province by the name of South Hampton
& otherwise Call'd" & bounded as by the Charter of Incorporation May
more fully appear and whereas the Inhabitants of our said toun of South
Hampton for diverse Laudable motives ii Considerations, did Volunta-
rily at a Public toim meeting held in said town on the set
off Certain Inhabitants & their Estates within the Limits & Charter of
Incorporation of s' town of South Hampton the better to Enable a
Number of Inhabitants residing within our said Province & lately In-
corporated into a township by the name of Newtown, to maintain the
Gospel among them & support the other necessary Charges of a town
Provided the said Inhabitants did give us their Names into the Secre-
tarys office within days after such Vote & Inasmuch as A, B, C,
&c. have regularly given their Names into the s'J office within the time
Limited & agreeable to the said Vote of S. Hampton
Knov/ye that for tlie Considerations before mentioned, we have tho't
fit by & with the advice of our trusty & well beloved B. W. Esqr. & of
our Council of our s' Province to order & ordain that the said Inhabit-
ant.-! of South Hampton herein recited & Iheir Estates agreeable to the
vote of said town are & shall be Set olF to the town of Newtown.
And the said A. B. C. &c are hereby set off frotn Acting with South
Hampton in their toun alTairs, & annexed to Newton have full powers
^ to Vote & act with s'' Newton in their town affitirs as fully to all in-
tents & purposes as any of the other inhabitants, of which all persons.
Concerned are to take due Notice & Govern themselves accordingly.
Given Witness B. W. &c.
630 NEW" HAMPSHIRE
Petition from Almsbury district.
To His Excellency Bening Wintworth Esq' Cap^ General &
GovernoLir In Cheif in and over His Majesties Province of
Nevv^ Hampshire, To the Hon''' Councel In s'' Province.
May it Pleas your Excellency and Honors,
Whereas we the Subscribers Living In Ahnsbury District
on the Southerly side thereof and Nigh the Nor Westerly cor-
ner of Newton are Nigh Naibors to Capt Follinby & belong
to Haverhill feet company & live much better to Pay our taxes
with Haverhill District and attend the Publick W^orship at the
Rev*" Mr. Cushings meeting house than we are Like to be By
being Set of to Kingston or to Newton : In Removing the
Bounds of Newton further west to take us in may serve the In-
terest of sum But we are Humbly of the opinion that it will
Disoblidge more. Our Humble petition to your Excellency
& Hon""" is that we may by no means be In eluded In that Town
we haveing advised with Haverhill District and Considering
we are so much Handier to that Place then Else where theay
are willing to Receive us. We humbly & Earnestly Beg we
may with our Estates be joyned to Haverhill district When ever
you shall be pleas' to establish them In a toun or Re New
their District act and we shall Look on our selves In duty ever
bound to pray &c
Nathan Hale
Jonathan Calton
Aaron Stevens
Thomas Johnson
[No date.]
[Indorsed] — "The petitioners did belong to Amesbury district, and
were not as the bearer says, included in Newtown ; so care must be
taken not to exclude them, in Cushing's parish. B. W."]
NOTTINGHAM.
[Incorporated 10 May, 1722. Ed.]
Original Charter of Nottinghaj7i^ 10 May^ 1722.
George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland King,
Defender of the Faith &c.
To all People to whom these presents shall come Greeting, Know ye,
That we of our Special Knowledge and meer motion for the Due
encouragement of Settling a new Plantation by and with the advice &
Consent of our Council have Given and Granted and by these presents
as far as in us Lies do Give and Grant in Equall Shares unto Sundry
TOWN l'APi:US NOTTINGHAM. 63 I
of our Beloved Subjects whose Names are Entred in a Schedule here-
unto annexed That Inhabit or Shall Inhabit within the Said Grant
within our Province of New Hampshire all That Tract of Land wnthin
the Following Bounds viz : To begin at Dover Westerly Corner Bounds
Running along Exeter Northerly line West and by North two miles
then along Exeter Head Line South west half a point more Southerly
one mile and Three Qiiarters and from thence upon a West North
West point of the Compas Ten miles into the Countrey, Then to Be-
gin again at the afores^' Dover Westerly Corner Bounds and Run North
East half a point more Easterly Four miles and a quarter along Dover
Head line Then upon a North West point half a Point more North-
erly, Thirteen miles into the Countrey and from that Bounds upon a
straight line to the End of the aforesaid Ten Mile line And That the
Same be a Town Corporate by the Name of Nottingham, To the per-
sons afores'' forever, To have and to hold the said Land to the said
Grantees and their Heirs & assigns forever and to Such Associates as
they shall admit upon the Following Conditions.
That every proprietor build a Dwelling House within Three years &
Settle a family therein and break up three Acres of Ground and plant
& Sow the Same within four years and pay his proportion of the Town
Charge when & So often as Occasion Shall Require the Same.
2'> That a Meeting House be built for the Publick worship of God
within the Said Term of four years.
3''' That upon Default of any particular proprietor in Complying
with the Conditions of this charter upon his part, Such Delinquent
proprietor Shall forfeit his Share to the other proprietors which Shall
be Disposed of according to the Major vote of the said Commoney at
a Legal meeting.
4'> That a Proprietors Share be Reserved for a Parsonage another
for the first Minister of The Gospel, Another for the Benefit of a
School
Provided nevertheless that the Peace with the Indians Continue dur-
ing the afores'' Term of Three Years, But if it Should so happen that
a warr with the Indians Should Comence before the Expiration of the
afores' Term of Three years. The said Term of Three years shall be
allowed to the Proprietors after the Expiration of the warr for the
Performance of the afores'' Conditions — Rendering & paying therefor
to us our heirs & successors or such other officer or (Officers as Shall
be appointed to Receive the Same the Annual Qiiit Rent or acknowl-
edgement of one ear of Indian Corn in the Said Town on the Twenti-
eth day of December yearly forever, Resarving also unto our Heirs &
Successors all mast Trees growing on the Said Tract of Land (accord-
ing to the acts of Parliament made & provided) And for the better
Order Rule Sc Government of the said Town we do by these presents
for our selves our Heirs & Successors Grant unto the said Men <x Inhab-
itants or those that shall Inhabit the s' Town That yearly & Every
year upon the Last Tuesday in the month of March forever shall Meet
to Elect Sc chuse by the Major part of them Constables Selectmen and
other Town oflicers according to the Laws & usage of our afores' Prov-
ince for the year ensuing, with Power & Priviledges & authority of
other Towns and Town officers within our afores'' Province have &
Enjoy.
In Testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of our Said Province
to be hereunto annexed. Witness Samuel Shute Esqr. our Governour
and Command"^ in Cheeif of our said Province at our Town of Ports-
mouth the Tenth Day of May in the Eighth Year of our Reign, Annoque
Domini 172.;
Sam ' Shutk
By his Excellency's Command w'' advice of the Council.
Richd Waldron Cler. Con.
63a
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Note by yo/rii Parmer^ Esq.
This Charter of Nottingham I found among the Waldron Papers in
1828. It was sujjposed to be irrecoverably gone, as appears from a
Petition of Col. Peter Gilman to the General Asfeniblv 1783 wherein
he says "the Record of the original Grant of Nottingham being by
the act of God consumed when Secretary Waldron's office was burned
(and no attested copy thereof extant" &c. Now this is the original
having the autograph of Gov. Shute.
Whereas M' Shem Drown of boston one of the proprietors of Not-
tingham haveing obtained a grant of s' Propriatie of a priveledge for
building a mill and of the Previledge of the whole tails on the South
branch of North River near Bow Street and also a grant of fifty Acres
of Land adjoining to s' falls, which fifty acres of Land is Laid' out ac-
cording To grants, begining at the foot of the falls on the East Side of
s'l falls at a liemlock Tree marked S. D. from thence Runing East and
be South thirty rods To a hemlock Tree marked with S. D. from thence
running South Si. be East one hundred rods To a beach Tree marked
S. D. from thence runing west to the River to a Maple Tree marked
S. D. Then begining again at the foot of the falls on the west side at a.
hemlock Tree inark'd S. D. from thence running west and be north
fifty rods To a pine Tree Mark'd S. D. from thence running South west
and be South one hundred rods to a beach tree Markd S. D. from
thence runing East & be South to the river Laid out this fourteenth
Day of May one thousand Seven hundred &: thirty
bv us Jo.sEPii Hall \ ■, ,. , „„
•i, IT !■ Lott la\ers
EnwAKn Hall / -^
A true Coppy Taken from Nottingham Record
Attes' Peter Gilman Prop'' Cler.
Indorsed, "Nottingham Papers March 2''' 1732-3."
We the Subsciibers being interested in the Land thro' which it is
supposed the High way petitioned for, from Nottingham to New-Mar-
ket will pass do hereby Signify our Desire to have y® s' High Way
laid out <Si confirmed as a Publick High way Si our willingness to give
land Sufficient for s'' High way wherever it may be laid out thro' our
Lotts.
Joseph Hall Samuel Mighell
Moses Coffin Richard Clark
Robert Barber Isaac Marston
Christopher Robinson Winthrop Hilton
Sam' Sinkler John Perkins
Sm' Stevens Richard Sinkler
Benjamin Sanborn Fitz William Sargent
Theophilus Ilardie Nem Gilman
Jonathan Colcord Jun^ Gilman
Steven Liford Tho* Gilman
Richard Malloon ? Water Neall
James Maston Natlr Talycr
Sam' Hilton Nath' Pees
Robert Pike
TOWN PAPERS — NOTTINGHAM. 633
Petition of Capt. Peirce and Dr. Rogers.
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq' Gov' Si Comander
in cheif in <:c over his Majesties Province of New Hamps"^'
And to the Hon*^ ' the Councill & the Representatives of said
Province.
The Petition of the Proprietors of y Town of Nottingham
Humbly S/iczveth
That the Proprietors & Inhabitants of s' Town, are under
very great Difficulties & Disadvantages for want of :. Suitable
Road to a convenient landing Place For the High way already
laid out is not only much longer than is necessary, but, not-
withstanding a verv considerable expence, the Propriet have
been at in clearing & Bridging the same it yet remains impass-
able for loaded Carts unless when the Rivers are very low,
and for as much as there is already a pretty good cart way
(Comonly called Hall's way) four or five miles from the land-
ing place at New Market towards Notingham which if con-
tinued thro' that part of Exeter which is between Notingham
and y ' Parish of New Market, would be above three miles
nearer, & on every other acc't more convenient. They humbly
therefore pray that there may be a Highway allowed & laid
out thro' y" above s** part of Exeter & New Market, which
would be of great advantage not only to Notingham, but to
some of y" New Towns Settling above it, and your Petitioners
shall ever pray &c
Tiio 'Peirce ) ^ ,eo
■N.T T> r Com ■'
Nath Rogers j
Portsm' Sept. 23, 1731
In Council S^pf 23', 1731
Tlie within Petition R.-ad, and Voted that a hearing be h:id thereon
the third day of the next session of the Gan''' Assembly & that the Pe-
titioners serve The Town of Exeter w •' a copy thereof and of this order
a month before thediy of tlie hearinij by leaving the same w '' one of
the Select men of the Said Tow.i that so the said Toiin may ap-
pear i^ Shew cause if any they have vvhy the prayer of the s' Petition
Should not be granted
R. Waldron Sec-v
Eod^ Die.
In the house of Representatives,
the above vote Read and Concurred and likewise the Petitioners
serve those persons thro whose Land Said high way may goe with a
Copy hereof to appeare at the Day & Time above
James Jeffry Cle' Ass"
In Council Sept' 24''» 1731
Read & Concurred w ■ the amendment
R. Waldron Sec>-
The same day
Assented to
J. Belcher
634 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Motting-ham Petit io}i and Votes thereon.
In Counc' March 6^'> 1732-3
Upon the Petition of Nottingham Proprietors for a Higli Way &c.
Voted that the Prajer of the Petition be granted, and that the Town
of Exeter lav out the said Highway forthwith, as Commodiously as may
be for the Town of Nottingham & make a return thereof To the Town
Clerk of Exeter, to be recorded as usual in such Cases. Provided
Nevertheless that the Said Town of Exeter be at no Charge in building
or repairing the Bridge in said High way over Lamprey river, for ten
years next following, and Provided also that the Said Town of Exeter
be at no charge for purchasing any land for accommodating the said
Way below Lamprey River and that Nottingham be at no charge in pur-
chasing any land for the same above said river.
R. Waldron Sec>-
M"" 6* In house of Representatives
read and Concurred
George Walton CK pro tern
Same day Consented to
J. Belcher
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esquire Captain General
and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire and the Honourable his ^lajesties Coun-
cil and House of Representatives for said Province
The Petition of the Inhabitants and Resident Proprietors of
the Town of Notingham Humbly Sheweth
That whereas your said Petitioners have for Sundry years
Past Resided in said Town and have for a Great Part of the
Time been Destitute of a Preacher of the Gospel among
us the cause whereof being chiefly our Inability to aftbrd a
suitable Maintai nance for a Minister we being but a small
Number although the Proprietors were obliged to Settle a
family upon Each Right which if it had been Done would
have been a Number Sufficient to have Supported a Minister
for the Benefit of the Town, but since far the Greatest Part are
non Resident and many of them Live out of this Province it
cannot but be Highly Reasonable that as they have a Share in
the advance of the Common Interest of the Town and it being
Consistant with their Votes at Sundry Meetings and also the
Most Likely Method to advance the worth of their Lands that
they should bear som Suitable Proportion of the charge of a
Minister till such time as the Inhabitants shall be able to Bear
the Burden alone, we make bold therefore Humbly to Peti-
tion your Excellency and Honours to Pass an act to make the
lands of such non Resident Proprietors as neglect to Pay such
Proportion as to your wisdom shall seem meet to Lay upon
them Lyable to be taken by Destraint in Case they do not Pay
such assessments and seeing it may be for the Glory of God
TOWN PAPERS — NOTTINGHAM. 635
the Interest of Religion and the Benefit of your Petitioners we
humbly beg that this or some thing more Proper may be Done
as to your wisdom Shall appear moste Expedient for the Rem-
edy of the Difficulties we Labour under and your Petitioners
as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c.
From Notingham this 7'" Day of November Anno Domini
173S
John Harvey Simon Beird
Sam' Goodhue James Lukes
Moses Norris Frances Harve
Nathan Pilsbury William Kilce
Andrew Luckes William Morison
John Cralton David Morrison
Abraham ? Natt ?
Rice Rowel William Neall
Robairt Baird Rob' Harvev
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"^ Governor and
Commander in chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire and the Hon '' His Majesties Council and
House of Representatives for said Province in General As-
sembly Convened.
The Inhabitants cf Nottingham in said Province Take this
Opportunity Thankfully to acknowledge your Goodness in
Sending and vSupporting a Number of Men in Years Past for
our Safeguard and Defence in this Time of War. And altho'we
might from thence Infer your Good Disposition to Help us for
the future yet in order to your being more fully Informed of
our Circumstances we would Humbly oiler to the Considera-
tion of this Honorable Court some of the Difhculties and Dan-
gers we Hnd our selves Exposed to in this Time of War.
Our Settlements are Remote one from another in a Moun-
tainous and Broken Country our Fields are Generally Encom-
passed about with Trees and Bushes which Continually Ex-
poses us to the Danger of being Siuprized by the Enemy while
about our Daily LabourourCommon Roads and High ways are
no Less Dangerous to Pass ; We Live open to a Wide Wilder-
ness which surrounds us on all sides by which means the En-
emy may come undiscovered very near our Garrisons which
we have hardly men enough to Defend our Number being now
very Small many having already Rem )ved out of the Town
and others Seem so much Discouraged that we fear our Num-
bers will be mucli Less in the Ensuing Summer than they are
at present whicli has a Tendency to make our Burden Still the
Heavier wliich is already almost unsupportablc we have Never
Desired Needlessly to be a Burden to the Government Neither
636 NEW TIAMPSHIKK
have we Ever before in this manner apply'd for Relief but be-
ing now convinced more than Ever of the Danger we are
Likely to be Exposed to we cannot but think it Needful! for
us to be Importunate with Your Excellency and Honours to
grant us Such Large assistance as our Necessitous Circum-
stances may Require without which we fear we shall be obliged
to Retreat for the Safety of our Selves and Families tho' it
must be with the Greatest Regret that wc Leave our Settle-
ments which we have Cultivated with much Toil and Labour.
May it Fleas your Excellency and Honours to take the
Premises into your Wise Consideration and if it be Consistent
with your Pleasure and for the Benefit of the Province in Gen-
eral as well as your Petitioners in Particular to Keep this Town
we Humbly Pray that there may be Speedy Provision made
for the Support of Forty or Fifty Men to be sent up Early in
the Spring and Kept Here for the Safeguard and Defence of
the Inhabitants Here and that Such Stores as may be needful
for them may be conveyed up by sleding the Knowledge of
which as it would be Likely to Prevent some from Removing
out of Town So it would be a means to Encourage and
strengthen us all who are very Sensible that we cannot Long
Support our Selves Here without Such assistance from the
Government as Shall Enable us to Go about our Labour and
Business in some Degree of Safety which we Hope you will
Freely Provide for and your Petitioners Shall as in Duty Bound
Ever Pray &c.
Nottingliam Jan" 21' 1747
r r, ") .Selectmen of Nottingham
Israel Haktlett f . u 1 ir 1 u j
-D Ti r 1" Behalf and by order
RoBEiiT Harvey l r ^i ^p
) or the ioun
At a Meeting of the Freeholders :ind Inhabitants of Nottingham
Dec" y'' 8"' 1747 Voted that the Select men Draw up a Petition to be
Prefered to the General Court to Pray that there may be Suitable Pro-
vision made for our Relief under the Difficulties of the war and that
Joshua Peirce Esq' be Impowered and he is hereby Desired to carry in
s^" Petition and Do what may be need full to obtain s'' Relief
Israel Bartlett Toun clerk
A true Coppy pr.
At a Meeting o( y*^ Freeholders & Inhabitancc of Nottingham Held
March y'^ 27'^'' 1750
Voted that y« South westerly Corner of Nottingham be set off as a
Parish & Bounded as followeth Begining ataCartain tree between the
fifth & Sixth Range No. 21 being at y« Lower end of said Range thence
Runing South West to Chester line thence Runingon said Chester west
North West to a Pitch pine tree being y'^ Southwesterly corner of said
Notting" thence RunningNorth East & by North on y* head ol lid Not-
tingham to the Line between the 5''' & 6'" Range thence Running East
South East on said line to y= Bounds first mentioned & voted to y^ In-
TOWX PAPERS NOTTINGHAM. 637
hnbitance of said land all Privileges belonging to a Parish as much as
in us I^ves. The above vote past in y' afirmative
March y" 29"' 1750, a Ccppy Exam''
Rob' Harvey town Clerk
At a Meeting of y" freeholders & Inhabitance of Nottingham held
M:irch y 26 '• 1751 "
Voted that their be y° Sum of one Hundred pound old Tenor Raised
on y'^ Town Including all Ratable Poles & Estats within y" Bounds of
y" original Grant of y" Towne Exclusive of the church men to be Laid
out for y" Support of a Minister or Ministers of y" Gospel to be agreed
with by a Committee to be chosen at this Meeting to Preach in said
town is: y*^ Money to be Raised as afores' on those Living in that part
of y"^ town called y^' South west Parish to be Expended in Supporting
a Minister to Preach amongst them in Such Place as they shall agree
upon ; and y"" money to be Raised on y" Rest of y"= Town to be Ex-
pended in Supporting a Minister to preach at or near y« Block House
yet this vote is not to be construed or Intended to Extend Either to Re-
voke or alter y" validity or Insufficiency of the title or Grant of those
Avho Inhabit that Part of y" town which they apprehend to be set off a
Scperate Parish but that Matter to Remain in all other Respects as if
this vote had never been Past.
The above Vote past in y- affirmative
March y" 30"' 1751. A Coppy Exam''
Rob'IIarvev town Clerk
At a Meeting of y^ freeholders & Inhabitants of Notting'' held March
yc 31 '1752
Voted that Whatsoever shall be Raised on those who Inhabit that
Part of y'- Town Called South west Parish for y^' Charge of y" Meeting
house be Refunded or paid bake to that People at Such time as ther
shall Build a Meeting house there, to be Raised on y- other Part of the
Town lV paid them towards their meeting house with Reasonable
Interest
A Copy Att' Rob' Harvey town Clarke
Province of ] To His Excellency Banning Wcntworth Esq'
New Ilamp"^ f Governor and Commander in chief in and
over His Majestys Province of New Hamp''
To the Hon'''* His Majestys Coimcil and House of Repre-
sentatives in Gen' Assembly convened, July 25" 1754
Humbly Shews Thomas Simpson in behalf of the Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Nottingham in said Province and agent
for the said Inhabitants That by the fires in the woods the last
Spring great damage was done to Most of the Inhabitants
afores'', whereby they are much Impoverished That in conse-
quence of the /orc/i of war with the Indians the Spring past
and this Summer they have been much impeded in their Busi-
ness, That they apprehend they are overdone in the Propor-
tion to the Province Tax — Wherefore your Petitioner in be-
638 NEW HAMPSHIRE
half of s'' Inhabitants Pray that they may be eased this year
of the Province Tax or such part thereof as may be tho't Just
and reasonable and your Excellency and Honours will Indulge
your Petitioners with an oppertunity to enforce this Petition
and assign the Reasons for the granting the Prayer thereof and
your Petitioner as in Duty bound vShall every Pray.
Thomas Simpson
July 25'" 1754
Prov. N. Hamp'''' In Council July .25"' 1754
read & ordered to be sent Down to the Ilon^''^ the Gen' Assembly
Theodore Atkinson Sec>'
Province of ) To his Excelency Bening Wentworth Esqr.
New Hamp'' ) Governour in chief in & over the Province
aforesaid (in Counsel)
The Petition of the Inhabitance and freeholders of the Sow
west part of Nottingham Humbly Sheweth that your Petition-
ers wear set of by a vote of the Town of Nottingham as a
Parish in the year 1750 at their annual meeting and were
Bounded as followeth Viz : Begining at a Certain tree between
the fifth and sixth Ranges in the third Division of Lotts in s''
Towne No. 21 at the Lower end of said Ranges then Runing
S. West to Chester Line being about five Miles, thence Run-
ing on s'' Chester Line West North West to a Pitch Pine tree
which is the South westerly corner of Nottingham, thence
Runing north East and by north on the head of Nottingham
about five miles to the line between the 5''' & 6"' Range then
running East South East on s ' Line to the Bounds first men-
tioned. The aforesaid Tract of Land being about six Miles
square was voted of as a Parish to the inhabitance & freehold-
ers of said Land with all Priviledges belonging to a Parish as
much as in them Lyes.
And in March 1751 Their was money Rais'd on all the in-
hebetence of Nottingham Except the Church men and it was
then Voted that what was paid by those men that Lived in the
South West Parish (so call'd) should be expended in support-
ing a Minister to Preach the Gospel among them
And in March 1752 at the annual meeting there was a Large
sum of Money Rais'd and your Petitioners were to have the
money that was paid by your Petitioners to be expended among
us ; And money hath ben raised yearly ever since and we have
Receiv'd nothing for our Money Except one Days Preaching
and about three weekes schooling for six years, for your Peti-
tioners not being incorporated into a Parish only by the Votes
of the Town were not able to chusc any Parish officers to Re-
TOWN PAPERS NOTTINGHAM.
639
ceive the money and to lay it out altho' the Town are willing
wc should have it as soon as we are incorporated and as preach-
ing the Gospel and teaching the children are matters of Great
importance to all his Majesties Good Subjects and for many
other Reasons which you in your wisdom are sensible of that
will forward the Settleing and Promote Good order in a
Place,
We your Petitioners Earnestly Pray you would be pleas ' to
incorporate us and Grant us Parrish Priviledges.
Nottingham Feb'' 23" 1756
Jonathan Longfellow John Batchelder
Levi Dearborn Nathan Tilton
Nathaniel Batchelder David Tilton
Nathaniel Batchelder Jiinr. Timothy Sanborn
Thomas Brown Coffin Sanborn
Ephraim Pettengill Samuel Page
Isaac Mason Nath' Healeyjun.
Daniel Kelley Daniel Marslon
Ruben Masteen Jeremiah Dearborn
Theophilus Griffin Steven Batchelder
Green Longfellow Benj ■ Batchelder
Eliphalet Grifien Abraham Drake
Isaac Shepard
Petition Jtine 28 i7^5 J^^' ^ separate Parish.
To his Excellency Bening Wentworth Esqr. Captain General
Governour Commander & Chief in and over his Majesties
province of New Hampshire And Vice Admiral of the same,
The Honourable His Majestys Counsil & House of Repre-
sentatives for s Province Convened.
The humble petition of us the Subscribers being Freehold-
ers and Inhabitants of the South West Parish in Nottinghain
(so call'd) Humbly shczus, That whereas your petitioners
Lives many of them to the Distance of eight and Some ten
miles from the meeting house which makes it very Difficult
for us or our families to attend the public worship of God att
that place and as your petitioners apprehend their Number is
equal or above many Parishes that have been sett off in this
province Wc therefore humbly pray that you would please to
sett us off a distinct Parish invested with all the privileges of
other Parishes within this Province according to the following
bounderies (which bounderies is agreeable to A Vote of the
town of Notingham Held att the Meeting House in s' Noting-
ham on the third thursday of april 1765) viz beginning att the
bounds between the 9" & 10'" Lotts in the first Range of the
3'^ Division And to Extend to the head Line of Notingham
Joining to Allenstown (so call'd) then to begin att the bounds
640
NEW HAMPSHIRE
between the 21 ' & 23'' Lotls in the Second Range and to Ex-
tend to the s'' head Line and Likewise inchiding' the whole of
the 3'^ 4"' 5"' & sixtli Ranges of the s"* 3'' Division with all the
Lands on the westerly side of pleasant pond including the
whole of the farms in the 7"' & S"" Range that Joins to the
road that Leads from Notingham Meeting House to Epsom
Line. Also the whole of the Hundred Acre Lotts in Bow
street on the Southwesterly side including Josiah Sawyers Lott
being the original Lott of Archibald Macfadvix from thence to
the head of s'' Bow Street. Your Petitioners therefore Hum-
bly prays that in your Great Wisdom and Goodness you would
please to take this our prayer under your wise consideration
and act on it as you may think proper and your petitioners as
in Duty bound Shall Ever pray &c.
Notingham June y'= 17"' 1765
Sam' Leavitt
Obadiah Marston
Tho'' Simpson
Eliphelet Grifecn
Abraham True
Isaac Shepard
Samuel Tilton
Peter Batcheldcr
Robert Cram
Patten Simpson
Nathaniel liatchelder Jim.
Thomas Brown
John Batcheldcr
Moses Thomson
Sam' Hoyt
Peter Leavitt
Ephraim Pettengill
Eliphelet Marston
The" Griffin
Reuben Marston
Benjamin Cotton
Sam' Lcavit Jun.
Samuel Marston
Joshua Stevens
Jeremiah Sanborn
Joseph Marston
Reuben Brown
Nathan Grifen
Reuben Marston
Theophilus Griffin Jun.
Samuel Winslow
Nathanael Meloon
Benjamin Page
Daniel Page
Samuel Perkins
Josiah Chase
Moses Chase
John Gill
Nemiah Cram
Joseph Graves
Jcdediah Prescutt
David Batchelder
Josiah Prescott
Samuel Pulsifer
Josiah Sanborn
Daniel West
Benjamin Ililyard
Benjamin Bjachelder
Israel CliiTord
John Robinson
Joseph Roberts
Joshua Young
Jeremiah Glidden
Joseph Judkins
Richard Gliden
Andrew Glidden
John Young
Jonathan Glidden
Jonathan Hill
Daniel Lad
Joseph Lad
Nathaniel Smith
Benjamin Folsom
Moses Thirston
Jeremiah Folsom
Moses Clough
Josiah Smith
Samuel Elkins
Jude Allen
John Cram
Samuell Kellej
Wadleigh Cram
Thomas Robie
William Sanborn
Josepii Mason
John Mason
Jeremiah Easman
Owen Runnelia
TOWN IWl'KKS — NOTIINGHAM. 64I
liicrese Batclielder Josiah Sawyer
]5ctiiainin BalcheUier Daniel Marston
Nathan Batclielder
In Council June 28"' 1765
Read & (Drdcred to be sent down to the Hon'"'*' Assembly
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec>
Provmce ol I ^^^ ^^ House of Representatives June 2S. 176s
New H amp re 1 * j 1 .^
This Petition being Read
Voted That thev be heard (hereon the second Day of the sitting
of the General Assembly after the first dav of Sep' Next That
they give notice of the Substance of the Petition in the Public
News Papers of the Government three Weeks successively & that any
Person or Persons may appear against the Prayer thereof that are so
Disposed
H. Sherburne Spk^
In Council Eodem Die
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun Sec'
N^w^Ham s'^ \ ^" ^'^^ Ilous-e of Representatives Nov' 22-^ 1765.
The Petitioners being heard on the within Petition and no Person
appearing to make objection and the Praj'er of said Petition appearing
to be reasonable
Voted That the Prayer of said Petition be Granted and that the Peti-
tioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
M. Weare CI'
In Council Nov. 22' 1765
The above Vote read & concurred
T. Atkinson Jun Sec.
Att a Legal meeting of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Noting-
ham held att the meeting house in said Notingham on the third thurs-
day of April 1765,
Voted that the southwesterly Corner of Notingham (So called) be
sett of as a Distinct Parish according to the following boundaries viz.
to begin att the bounds between the ninth and tenth Lotts in the first
Range and to Extend to the head line in s<i Notingham then to begin
att the bounds between the 21' and 22'' Lotts in the Second Range and
to Extend to the $'' head line in Notingham and likewise to include the
whole of the 3' 4'^ 5'^ & 6'" Ranges of the third Division (so called) in
s'' Notingham with the Lands and settlers on the westerly side of
Pleasant Pond so far as the road extends to Epsom line including ail
the farms and settlers on s*i Epsom Road (so call*') to the head Line of
Notingham as Likewise the whole of the Hundred acre Lotts in Bow
Street on the Southwesterly side of s'' Street including Josiah Sawyer's
Lott being the original Lott of Archibald Macfadrix "to the head of
•s^ Bow street
A true Coppy Attest
Benjamin Shepard Town Clerk
4'
642 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Nottingham Petition for Liberty to Elect an Assemblyman
Province of ") To His Excellency John VVentworth Esq""
New Hampshire >- Governor in Chief in and over his Majes-
Rockingham ss. ) ties Said Province of New Hampshire.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Nottingham in
said Covmty of Rockingham Shews that said Nottingham is an
ancient Settled Town and Does at Present Consist of above
three Hinidred & Fifty Families. For a Long Time Past the
Inhabitants thereof have been Constantiv Taxed toward the
Support and Maintenance of theGovernmentof this His Majes-
ty's Province and have always freely and cheerfully Paid the
same tho they have Never Enjoy 'd the Inestimable Darling
Privilege and Liberty of Being Represented in the House of
Commons here which other Towns and Parishes Less Opulent
and Not so Numerous or ancient have been Indulg' with ; the
Liberty of sending Representatives. Your Petitioners would
humbly Submit their Case to your Excellencvs Wise Mature
Consideration, Whether they are not Intitled to the Privi-
leges and Immunitys of the British Constitution Equally with
Every other Subject thereof Whether the Lives Liberties and
Propertys of your Petitioners under their Present Circum-
stances may not be taken from them without their Consent to
the Law by which they may be Judged.
Wherefore your Petitioners Pray your Excellency Would
authorize and Impower them for the future to send a Repre-
sentative to the General Assembly of said Province That your
Petitioners may no Longer Be Virtually But Really Repre-
sented By a Person of their own Electing and Yoia- Petition-
ers as in Duty- IBound shall ever Pray
Nottingham April iS"^ 1774
John Mecrillis Joel (ram
Jcames Kelte his
William AlcCiillis Sam X Leavitt
John Hanfill m
Jolin Oiile Jethomy ? Gowiii
Enoch Page Ephraim Cram
Rice Kowell Stephen Chas
Patton Simpson Jonathan McClure
Robert Morrison John Trusten
Jacob Frost Jos Cilley Jr.
Joseph Morrill Thos Barllett
Abednejro Leatliers lleury Dearborn
.John Harvey John Randle
Nathaniel Avery John Morrill
Zebulon King: F?enjaniin Watson
John Methes Josiah Watson
Clement Jackson Jun. Will Clark
Nathl Batchel'Ur Jonathan Randel
Nath Batchelder Mof es Chase
Kben Til ton Jos Mills
TOWN PAPERS N0TTIN(;HAM.
643
Jno MillB
Cntten Cilley
Daniel Leathers
Nathaniel Gove
Samuel Gove
Peter Leavitt
Th08 Leavitt
Jona Leavitt
Benjamin French
James Page
Daniel Page
Samuel Winslow
Josiah Prescott
John Godfree
Jeremh Eaeman
Samuel McCluer
Joseph Cilley
Benjamin Butler
Saml Huntoon
Thos Fots
Joseph White
John Pills ?
Jona WiJley
John Morrill
Asa Guile
Nathl Randal
John Kiuston
Joshua Stevens
Jonathan Davis
Thomas llines
Josiah Bartlett
Jonathan Iluckins
Saml Leavitt
Thomas I?en-y
Simon Marston
Daniel Moor
Robey Marston
PhincasTilton
Jacob Doe
Thomas Rand
Saml Gate
Joseph Gorman
Jona Gove
Noah Barker
Jos Nelly
John Harvey Juu.
Thos Frost ?
Jona Rolings
John Simpson
.Josiah Presket Jr.
William Simpson
John Slieperd.
To the Hon"'e Peter Gilman Esq'
We the Subscribers Proprietors, or heirs & descendants of the Orig-
inal Grantees of the Township of Nottingham East (formerlj includ-
ing the Parishes of Deerfield & Northwood) now In the County of
Rockingham (State of New Hampshire) And also of Those who became
denominated Proprietors, by their purchasing whole & Entire Rights
throughout, of the said Grantees in their place & stead, Performing the
Conditions of the Grant on the first planting & settling of the Prem-
ises, who in their Day & Time (there being Scarce any of either Grantee
or Such Proper Proprietor now Surviving) not duly divided the whole
of the said Township but effectually rectified, certain Mistakes in the
first Settlers Sitting down, with respect to the Home Lotts adjusted, de-
termined & Fixed that & all other Matters and Things Relative to the
Propriety Here mentioned to Skew the Importance of Their records &
Plans, besides, as the said Township was a Grant to a number of Per-
sons, they never had any separate Instrument in hand Severally of any
such Grant. Their whole dependence as to the Original Title, being
contained in Said Records & Plans. Therefore that due (care) be Taken
thereof, and Vexatious Law Suits prevented
Whenever you shall see Cause to Resign as Clerk, your special care
of the same we hereby manifest our Freedom in joining with you in
address. Humbly Recommending the said Records i Plans to the Pat-
ronage of the Hon'' <• the General Assembly, to be by Them deposited
with the Records of the said County of Rockingham, there to Remain
(as complcated) Sacred d- Inviolate
Hunking Wentworth for Col Mark Hunking Esq^ Deceased r'g" .'
John Sherburne as Exec'' to the will of my Hon' father Henry Sher-
burne Esqr Deceas'd and for the original Right of Thomas Peirce Esqr
Dec-d.
644 NEW HAMPSIIIRH
Geo JaftVey adin' to Estate of Geo JatiVej Esqr. deceased.
Sam^ Penhallow for Sam' Penhallow Esqr. Dec'^ &
Benjamin Gambling Esqr. Deceased thirteen rights
Benji* Dolbeare — For 3 Rights viz. David Dolbeare, Jno. Calfe, Peter
Gibbins
Executor Shem Drowne — for 7 Rights, viz : Eben'' Burges, Jno.
Steel, Jno. Pratt Jos Powell Jno. Newton Thomas Drowne, Clem' Re-
nough
Tim" Newell — for Jn" Goodman & Eben'' Messinger two rights
Tho"* Parker — for Sam' Kendalls one i-ight
Sam Whitwell Jun' — for his Grandfather Sam' Whitwell dec'd one
right
Eliz Richards— for her father Edw<i Richards dec'' one right
Job Bradford — for W'" Creese one right
Samuel Green
Ezekiel Walker for my father Eq. Er. Walker Dec*! one right.
Thomas Drowne, as admin'' on the Estate of Francis Brinlej Esq"",
dec' for one Right viz Richard Heards
James Maltman for John Granger Dec'' one riglit. («•' Granger's son
in law)
Nathaniel Martain for n\y Father Nath' Martain Deceas'd one Right.
Eliza North For my fathers one right
James Pitson dec'' for W'" Pitson's one Right
Sarah Creese, Margarett Creese For their Father M' Thomas Creese
one right
Jonathan Warner for Arch''' M'^Phedris Esqr. Dec''
John Penhallow for Rich'' Wibird Esq'' Dec'' one right.
Russell for the right of his father E. Russell Esq' De-
ceased
Odiorne in behalf of her Late husband [otham Odiorne Esq''
Dec! his Right.
Jn" Jackson for the Right of Robert Pike.
Joseph Walton One of the heirs of Shadrach Walton Esqr. Dec'' For
his Right.
William Langdon Ex'' to the will of W'" Langdon Deceased in his
Right.
Nath' Peirce heir to my honored uncle Joshua Peirce for his right.
Hannah Hughes Daughter and onlv surviving heir of Clement
Hughes Dec' for his Right.
Thomas M'^estbrook 'SValdi-on For the Rights of Thomas Westbrook
Esqr. & Richard Waldron Jun.
Mich' Wentworth for Benning Wentworth Esq'deceas^ for his Right.
Benja Dearborn for Nath' Sargent Esq' Dec'' for his Right
Jonathan Warner as Executor to the Estate of Mary Pray Dec"* Heir
of Tho' Phipps Esq' DeC
Daniel Rindge
Daniel Rogers for tiic Right of Benning Wentworth Esq'^
Exeter June 12"' 1783
This may Certify that the within & foregoing is the address Referred
to In my Petition to the General Assembly of the state of New Hamp-
*5hir bearing this date
Peter (Tilman.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
After the foregoing papers relating to Nottingham were prepared for
the press, the editor received tlie following note, through Hon. B. F.
Prescott, viz. :
OWN t'AI'EUS
645
" Deerfield Center, Nov. 25. 1875.
Friend Prescott :
I have in myposscssion, ;i Phin of Nottingham, by John Brown — 173.,
sliowingon it (where legible) the names of the then owners of each lot of
land, the number of each lot, and the number of acres in each lot.
I think that there can be no doubt of its authenticity or of its cor-
rectness.
On the back is a Plan which I cannot make out. Much information
can be obtained from it. This Plan was drawn while Nottingham in-
cluded Deerfield, Northwood and a part of Raymond. Perhaps it would
not be amiss to inform Dr. Bouton.
Yours, &c., G. H. Stevens."
Reference to this Plan may be important to persons in investigating
titles to land, or in completing a history of Nottingham, and of towns
laid off from it. The editor would have been happy to have secured a
copy for an insertion in this volume. Ed.
ORFORD.
[Orford was granted 25 September, 1761, to Jonathan Moulton and
others. It was settled in June, 1765, and incorporated by charter when
granted. Ed.]
A List of the Inhabitants and others In the Tozvnship of
Orford zuith their Pamilys tS: ages.
Abel Sawyer & Wife 1!»
John " 1«;
Ruby Kichardrton an
hired girl 16
5 Benja Bulrtwin & wife
<; Benja Baldwin jun & Wi/o
.Vndrew Peters Vl
Lydia " '.'
Betty " 7
Benjii ■' 4
TheophiluK " i
7 Ebenezer Baldwin &, wife
Abigail " 7
Raynah " 6
Kbenezei- " S
I'atty an Infant \
<fe an hir'd woman
8 Icliabod PahniT i^ Wile
A 1 Son
;t Jno Woodwaril & Wife
1 Israel Morey Esqr.
Wife
Israel Morey
11 years
Samuel "
!)
MoulU.n "
6
Martha •'
4
Darius aniufunt
1
a John Man A: \Vi(e
Jno
<;
.Solomon "
:i
Jerrad "
'
3 William Marston & wife
lluldah
17
William
19
Jno
1,5
Peter
M
Deborah "
0
Betty
7
Ohve
.•(
Jogiah au Infant
J
4 Thomas Sawyer A xVife
IchalHjd "
'21
64
.6
XEW
HAMPSHIRE
Theodore Woodward
11
17
Samuel Phelps & Wife
Phebe
3
Oranda
6
Uriah
5
Samuel
5
Son
2
Bridget
Lydia an Infant
>
10
Noah Dewey & Wife
18
Jno Wood & Wife
11
Noah Dewey Junr & wife
Reuby "
16
Samuel "
13
Comfort "
14
Olive
10
Elias
8
19
Joel Phelps & Wife
Ezra
6
Charles "
4
20
Edward Sawyer & Wife
Alexander
2
Darius an Infant
12
Experience Cross & Wife
Hitty
11
12
James Calkins & Wife
Bethuel
6
Rhoda "
U
Oliver
1
Samuel "
8
rredrick "
6
22
Shubel Cross & Wife
CyniB
4
Joseph "
2
EnoB
H
Lydia an Infant
13 Constant Bliss & wife
23 Linsford Morey & Wife
u
Eldad Post & Wife
24
Jonathan Derby & Wife
Eldad
13
Jona " aged
18
Aaron
11
Ezra
14
Daniel
6
Levinah
12
Russell "
4
Lydia " "
9
Hannah "
15
Lucy " "
6
Sibbel
2
Elizabeth & Apollos
Mary an Infant
(Twins)
Samuel
4
u
16
Daniel Tillotson & Wife
Child
1
25
Jeremiah Post & wife
Hir'd child
9
26 Jonathon Sawyer & wife
16 Clement Emery & Wife
S/no-/e Me?2
Reverend Mr. Obadiah Noble 1
Abraham Palmer 2
Jacob Marston 3
Gillam Bliss (a Transient man) 4
George Wilson Do. 5
John Wright Do. 6
Daniel Rutterfleld Do. V
Jno Crosby for Jno Weeks 8
Giles Tiffany— a Transient man 9
Nathan Dewey 10
.Tno. Morey— In all U
TOWN PAPERS ORFORU. 647
Si4tidry persons to whom Coll. Moulton hath -wrote to Settle
on the folloxving Rights.
E. Cross on the Right of Samuel Blake
N. Dewey on '• " " Philip Towle
S. Morej " " " Jn ^ioulton 3'
I Wood" " " " Josiah Moulton Jun""
I. Morev " " " James Brown
1773
Mem of the Settlement & Improvement of Land in the
Toxvnship of Orford.
Viz. orig : Prop' Names — by whom settled & in what manner improved
Jonathan Moulton Esq"^ — ^John Wood has Settled for s*! Right
John Moulton 3'" — Constant Bliss settled on the back lot, 6 acres fell
John Nelson — Daniel Clark improving do. "j & Col Moulton making
Thomas Reed — Levi Dam do do. \ Improvements on the
j River Lots
James Brown — ^John Moray do do
John Moulton Esq"" — Moses Norton do do
John Wason — W"' Tarlton do do.
Jereh"' Marston — Improvements making by his Son 3 or 4 Acres fell on
the River Lot, about 10 acres more on the back
Lot 6 of which is sowed with wheat.
Sam' Blake — Experience Cross settled on the back Lot
Joseph Palmer — Ebenezer Bracket improving on the back Lot
Benning Wentworth —
Ward Cotton — Sam' Haines Jun'' improving on do.
The" Atkinson Esqr. — Linsford Morey do. do
Philip Towle — Nathan Dewy settled on the back Land
Jere'', Sanborn — Benj' Kate improving on the back Land
Josiah Dearborn —
Jon* Moulton Jun" — Theodore Dam do. do.
Jon" Philbrick — Ichabod Palmer Settled on River Lot ab' 5 acres under
good Improvement
Jerem'' Dow — Ichabod Palmer Jun'' on do. abt. 5 acres under good
Improvement.
Walter Neal — ^Jacob Marston Settled on back Lot.
Clem' March —
Sam' Perkins — Richard Haines improving on do.
Sam' Wentworth Esqr. — ^Joel Phelps settled on River Lot
Christ' Tappan Esqr. ]
Witham Wallace
Josiah Lane
Wiseman Clagget Esqr
Byfield Lloyd Esqr
Samuel Dow-
Cotton Ward
Joshua Towle — Dan' Tillotson Esq' improv'd on River Lot ab' lo acres
under good Improvement.
W'" Lane — Sam' Phelps settled do. ab' 10 acres under good Improve-
ment.
Worthing Moulton — Improvements on River Lot by Israel Morey
Esqr. ab' 10 acres under good improvement
Israel Morey Esqr. settled 3 mills near 100
acres of Land under good improvement.
64S NKW JIA.MPSHIRE
W^" Marston— Settled by himself
Benj" Staniford Randall \ John Mann settled abt. 20 acres under good
Nath- Showers j Improvements
Edmund Mason — James Calkins d' ab' 14 do. do. do
Nicholas White — Benj ' Baldwin Jun' do. 5 do. do
Meshech Weare Esqr. — Dan' Mason settled do.
Theo. Atkinson Junr. Esqr. — Daniel Tillotson Junr. do.
Mark H. Wentworth Esqr. — Benj' Baldwin do. (Potash) & jo acres
under good Improvement.
Ephraim Marston )
E;dward Moulton | Thomas Sawyer Settled, about So acres under good
Thornton Wason {' Improvement.
Thomas Nudd J
Jon" Towle — Eben' Baldwin Settled, ah- 17 acres under good Improve-
ment.
John Weeks Jun' — John Crosby improving
Jacob Brown — Thom^ Sawyer junr. ab' 16 acres under good Improve-
ment.
Joshua Lane Jun'' ]
W'" Smith I Jeremiah Post .Settled, 40 or 50 acres under good
Jo' Moulton 3' (' Improven ent'
Jon ' Sanborn Jun' J
Abrah'" P. Towle | Eldad Post settled, about 20 acres under good Im-
John Moulton Jun'' j provement
Simon Marston ^ j ^ 1 ■ , r^ , it li. 1 ..
Sam' CarHnl I Improvements makmg by Lol. Moulton, about 33
Jon'^ Marston 4'ii J ^*^'"'^^ *^'^ '"'^ about 13 of which is well cleared
Jon'^ Leavitt — Jon' Darbee Settled
Jon'^ Marston Jun'' \ Capt. Dewey Settled, 8 acres under Improvement
George March j thereabouts
Benjamin Batchclder — Noah Dewey settled, ab"t 6 acres under do.
Joseph Philbrick — Clem' Emer}- do. ab' 6 do. do.
Nathan Moulton lun' 1 r . j r /^ . m 1.
Philip Hooker f I'^P'-'^^ements made for Col. Moulton.
Names of all the Men. Women and Children in Orjord.
1773.
Married Mens Names Married IFonieiis Xiunes
Capt Linsford Morey Mary Morey
Israel Morey INIartha Morey
Ichabod Palmer Tabitlia Palmer
John Woodward Ciiitha Woodward
Constant Bliss Klizabeth Cli.=8
Sluibel Cross Ilipsebath Cross
Experience Cross Meliitabl Cross
Joel Pheljis Mary Plielps
Jolin Wood Hannah Wood
Jonath;in Sawyer Tabitlia 8awyer
Ebenezar Bracket
Benjamin Cate
Nathan Dewy
William Marston Mary Marston
Jonathan Darby .\bigail Darby
Thomus .Sawy;ir Hipeebath Sawyar
TOWN PAPERS — OKFORD.
649
•John iMan
Daniel Tillotson
Noah Dewey
Cajit Noah Dewy
Clemmeut Emery
Jeremiah Post
Edward Sawyer
Benjamin Bali i win
Benjamin Baldwin Jun
Ebenezer Baldwin
Eldad Post
Samuel Plielp.^
James Calking
Lydia Man
Mary Tillotson
Abigail Dewey
Abigail Dewey
Jlary Emery
Anna Poet
Hannah Sawyer
Elizabetli Baldwin
Lydi.i Brildwin
Abigail Baldwin
Hannah Poet
Lydia Phelps
Mar-ia Calking
y'onitg ^fetls Xames
Kevd. Obadiah Noble
Gillom Bliss
Jacob Marston
John Wright
William Marston
Abraham Palmer
Richard Haynes
William Tolton
John Ciosbie
Samuel Haynes
Ichabod Sawyer
Abel Sawyer 174
Jonathan Darby
John M'irey
Daniel lUittcrlleld
George Wilson
Giles Tiffeny
Young Woviens Xames
Ruby Coats
Comfort CoatB
Hulda Marston
Ruby Richerson
Rhoda Calkinge
Hannah Poet
Abigail Backster
Xames and ages of the children in Orford.
Male children <f age.
yrs.
mos.
Female children «f age
yra.
Ichabod Palmer
IG
Mehitabel Cross
12
OUver Cross
5
Martha Moiey
i
larael Morey
13
Pheby Woodward
s
Samuel Morey
10
Eurana Woodward
■'k
Moulton Morey
7
Lavina Darby
\1
Darias Linsford Morey
.■»
Lucy Darby
5
Theodoras Woodward
II
8
Elizabeth Darby
:!
John Woodward
I
8
Mary Tillotson
14
John Marston
15
+
Olive Dewey
10
Peter Mar.-ton
II
♦
Lydia Baldwin
i)
Josiah Marston
It
Elizabeth Baldwin
8
John Sawyar
ID
Mary Marston
0
Simeon Darby
h;
Deborah Marston
;t
Ezra Darby
u
Elizabeth Marston
7
Apollas Darliy
.5
Olle Marston
;;
Lemuel Darby
1
(J
Orenda Phelps
;
John Man
:>
8
Bridet Phelps
•>
Solomon Man
•?
8
Lydia Phelps
{
Jerod Man
I
.3
Abigail Baldwin
C
Lemuel Dewiy
\:\
Mary Poet
5
650 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Elias Dawey
8
Eurana Baldwin
4
Ezra Dewey
6
Martha Baldwin
1
Noah Dewey
0 1
Asinath Tillotson
18
Elaxander Dewey
'i
Benjamin Baldwin
5
Theophilus Baldwin
3
Samuel Phelps Jun.
5
Eldad Post
13
Aaron Post
11
Daniel Post
C
RuBsel Post
4
Ebenezer Baldwin
2
Samuel Calkings
y
Fredrick Calkings
7
Cyrus Calkings
5
Enos Calkings
■2
Joseph Cross
3
Andrew Peters
14
Note. — Readers will notice some discrepancj in the lists of names
above. Ed.
Petition of William Simpson d: others in behalf of the
inhabita?its of Orford.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"^
New Hampshr j Captain General, & Governor &c. in and
over the Province aforesaid and to the
hon^'^ his Majesty's Council & House of Representatives in
general Assembly conven'd on Tuesday the fifth Day of
Jan. A. D. 1773.
The Petition of William Simpson. John Man and James
Calkin, Inhabitants of the Town of Orford humbly sheweth^
that the Major Part of the Inhabitants of said Orford, by their
Agents Alexander Phelps and Israel Mowry prefer'd a Peti-
tion to the General Assembly, on the twelfth Dav of Decem-
ber A.D. 1 771 Praying that his Excellency and your honours
wou'd enact and order that a Tax of two Pence L Money to
be assessed on each and every acre of Land in said Orford
indiscriminately as well improved as unimproved Lands (the
Public Rights excepted) annually for the next four years, and
that they be impowered to levy and collect the same of the
owners of said Land to be by the Inhabitants expended Solely
for their Ministers Settlement & Salary as they shall become
due, And for building a House for divine Service, as in and
by said petition will more fully and largely appear. Now the
said Simpson, Man and Calkins your Petitioners beg Leave to
represent to your Exc^ & Honours, that the major Part of the
said Inhabitants of Orford are of the dissenting or Congrega-
TOWN PAPERS — ORFOKI). 65I
tiona! Profession, that there Ministers called and settled
there is of the same Profession ; but that your Petitioners are
of the Profession of the Church of England, as Established
by Law. that thev have possessions and Lands in the said
Town of Orford. that they claim by natural Right and Lib-
ert}', and upon the Principles of Religion an Exemption of
having their Lands or Estates taxed for the Maintainance,
Support or Charge either in Building or any other Manner,
for any Minister other than for the Profession of the Church
of England ; that it wou'd be illiberal and cruel to tax their
Lands & Estates against there Consent, to maintain and sup-
port the Ministers of other Professions while the)' maintain
and support their own ; that they have taken Measures, and
Contributed towards the Expence in Conjunction with some
of the Inhabitants of the Neighboring Towns, to procure a
Minister of the Church of England to settle among them ;
that they do not ask nor expect any one of a different profes-
sion to aid or assist in his Maintainance or Support in any
Manner whatever : Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly
pray your Excellency & Honours, that their Lands & Estates
in the Said Town of Orford, and the Lands & Estates of all
others in said Town, now of the profession of the Church of
England, may be exempted from all Taxes and Impositions,
for the Purpose of jSLiintaining & supporting any Minister,
other than of their own Profession, or if your Exc'y & Hon-
ours in vour \\"isdom shall think fit and proper to tax the
Lands and Estates of your Petitioners and others, they most
earnestly pray that the Monies arising on said Tax may be at
their own Discretion, appropriated to the use and Benefit of
supporting their own Minister, or for the Purpose of other
religious and Charitable Uses. And your petitioners, as in
Duty Bound will ever pray.
William Simpson
John Man-
James Calkins
Portsmouth Jan' 8' 1773
In Council Jan> 8'" 1773
Read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'"' A.seembly
Geo. Kin? D. Sec*-
652 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Pi: LI I AM.
[Incorporated 6 July. 1746. Eu.J
Province of "l ^ ,. ^ ^
At a Town meeting of the freeholder.s and other Inhahitants of the
town of Pelham Regularly Assembled, it was then voted to chuse Capt.
Henry Baldwin to apply to the General Assembly of said Province in
the behalf of this town in order to Get the Non resident land Taxed ly-
ing in this town ; to Enable them to support and maintain the Gospel
&c.
Feb. y 12, 1746 A true Coppy taken front Pelham town Hook ot"
Record
Attest Eleazer Whiting town Clerk
Henry BaUhcin's petitio7i in beJialj of the 7ozL'fi of
Pel ham.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Capt. General
Governour & Commander in chief in & over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire, The Hon'' his Majesties
CoiHicil & House of Representatives in Geiv Court as-
sembled.
The Humble Petition of Henry Baldwin of Pelham in said
Province Gentleman Shews Thaty' Inhabitants of s'- Pelham
are but few in Number & some of them not able to pay any
Tax at all and besides other Difficulties which they labour un-
der in their present needy Circumstances y" War makes their case
much more difficult & y' Support of y'' Ministry and their
other Necessary charges more intolerable.
That there are many valuable Tracts of Land owned by non
resident Proprietors which Lands are much meliorated by our
Improvements & at our Expence and we are verily perswaded
that some if not all of s ' non resident Proprietors would will-
ingly be subjected to pay something towards our Help. I
would therefore in y- name & on y Behalf of s • Inhabitants as
well as on my own humbly supplicate your Excellency &
Honours by an act to Subject said non residents Lands to pay
a Tax of one penny & an Halt annually pr. acre for five year.s
next ensuing & to impowxr a Collector or Collectors by us
lawfully constituted to collect y^ sanae or otherwise do what
your Excellency & Honours shall tliink best for us & consist-
ent with Justice.
Henry Hai-owln
Portsm ' Apr. 2- 1747.
Prov of Newl t .1 it en i. ..■ » 1 •
Hamnshir i rlouse of Representatives April i- 1747
Voted That the Petitioner be heard on this Petition v<' third Dav of
TOWN 1'A1'):ks — I'KI.TIAM. 653-
V' Setting of y Gen' Assembly after v*^ first Monday in May next & that
y'' Petitioner at his own proper Cost advertize }'^ publick two or three
weeks successively between this Day & y"" aforesaid third Day of the
setting of y"' General Assembly in one of y' publick News Papers of y""
Matter of y'' Prayer of s'' Petition & this order of Court that so every
one Jiiay have opportunity to shew cause if any they have why y Prayer
of s'' Petition should not be granted.
D. Peirce Clr.
In Council April 3'' 1747
Read & Concurrd
Sam Solly Sec protem
Eodem Die
Consented to B. Wentworth
X' IT , . ■ In the House of Representatives 14^' Mav 1747
New Hampshir i ' t . /t/
Voted That in answer to the annex'd all y Land of said Pelham resi-
dents as well as non-residents be subjected to a Tax of a Penny & an
half pr. acre for four years next ensuing & that a Collector or Collectors
be impowered to collect the same & that y Petitioner have Liberty to
bring in a Bill accordingly
D. Peirce CI'
In the House of Representatives 16'-'' May 1747
It is further voted that the Inhabitants "of said Pelham make it appear
by an account to be rendered annuallj^ to y' Geni Assembly that the
money has been apply'd for y" uses mentioned in the annexed Petition
on Pain of Refunding the same
D. Peirce Clk.
In Council Eod" Die
read & Concurr'd
Theodore Atkinson Sec-"
Kodeni Die
Assented to B. Wentworth
J^etitioi of SrlcctDicn of Pelham for power to tax iion resi-
dent lands.
To His Exccllenc\ Benning Wentworth Esqr. Ca])tain Gen-
eral Governor in chief in and over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire in New England, To the Honourable His
Majestys Council & House of Representatives of said Prov-
ince in General Court assembled at Portsmouth the four-
teenth Dav of July, 1756.
The Petition of Jaines Wilson John Haniblet & l^enjamiii
Barker Selectmen of the Town of Pelham in the Province
aforesaid in behalf of said Town.
Humbly Sheweth That the Inhabitants of said Town labour
under many Difficulties by Reason that about one half of the
Land in Said Town is owned by Non Resident Proprietors
(as vour Petitioners Humblv conceive) and the Taxes which
654
N'EW HAMPSHIRE
the Selectmen of the Said Town assessed on the lands in said
Town at one penny half penny per acre annually in years past
hath been applied and used as in and by the act for granting
the same was ordered and yet there must be further great Cost
and charge before the Meeting House in said Town be finished,
and moreover the Inhabitants of said Town (though few in
number) are desirous to promote learning among them and to
that end be at the Cost to Keep a School.
And further there is a certain River (called Beaver River)
Runs through the Body of the said Town which occasions
great charge for Building and maintaining five Bridges over
said River to accommodate people in passing over the same
from all which (and other circumstances) ariseth great Cost
and charge upon the Inhabitants of said Town. And the said
Non Resident owners of such lands are greatly benefited and
may be still by the performance of these things thereby raising
the value of such lands.
Your Petitioners therefore (being Desirous to act and do
such things as tend to the General Interest of the Town)
Humbly supplicate the serious Consideration and favour of
your Excellency and your Hon'' Praying that power and au-
thority may be granted to the Said Town to Tax all the Lands
of such Non-Residents lying within the said Town at two
pence per acre annually for such term as your Excellency &
your Hon" in your wisdom and Goodness shall think fit and
Judge meet — all which is humbly presented by
James Wili.son ) >>; i
[oiiN Hamblet y .- ^j ,,
-* ' tor relham
ictmen
Benjamin Barker )
In Council July 15. 1756
read & ordered to be Sent Down to the Hon*^'" House
Theo" Atkinson Sec>.
Province of ) In the House of Representatives July 15"' 1756 This
New Hamp'^'^ j Petition being read
Ordered That the Petitioners be heard thereon y' 2*^ Day of the Sit-
ting of the General Assembly next after y*^ i*' day of Sep' next Ensuing,
& y' in the meantime the petitioner at his own Cost & charge Cause
this order of Court with the Substance of s*^ petition to be advertized in
some publick print for three weeks successively-
Andrew Clarkson, Cl^
In Council Eodem Die
read & concurred
Theo"" Atkinson Sec>
Province of \ In the House of Representatives Dec"^ Z2'^ 1756 This
New Hamp" /Petition being read, & it appearing that the above order
of Court had been Conformed to and no person appear-
ing against the Petition the prayer of which appears reasonable There-
fore
Voted That the prayer thereof be granted & that the petitioners have
TOWN PAPERS — PEELING. 655
Liberty to bring in a Bill according subjecting the s"' Lands to the said
Tax for five years
Andrew Clarkson Clk.
In Council December 23'* 1756
read & concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec^
PEELING.
[Peeling was first granted Sept. 23, 1763, to Eli Demeritt: settle-
ments were begun about 1773. Ed.]
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq Governor of His
Majesty's Province of New Hampshire
The Petition of Nathaniel Cushman of Lebanon in Con-
necticut most Hnmbly shcweth
That he hath a Number of Sons disposed to remove into
the s' Province, & become .Settlers on the New & Unculti-
vated Lands within the same ; & that a Number of his
Friends are of the same disposition — in the whole A Number
fully Sufficient to settle an entire Township.
Your Excellency's humble Petitioner therefore Prays your
Excellency, to Grant to him & them A Certain Tounship of
Land, within s'' Province, called & known by the Name of
Peelings on such Terms, subject to such Settling Duties &
endowed with such Town Priviledges as the other Towns in
$'' Province have generally & usually been Granted upon &
Endowed with — & your Excellency's humble Petitioner as in
Dutv Bound shall ever Pray.
N.\THANiEi, Cushman
Lebanon 17' June A. D. 1771.
Afcmorial of Natli" Cushvian and otiiers for a rcgrant
of the Town of Peelhig.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Governor of the
Province of New Hampshire in New England in America.
The Memorial of Nath' Cushman & others .Subscribers,
Humbly Sheweth, That we are desirous of Settling a Town-
ship of Land, within the Province of New Hampshire.
That we understand that a certain Town formerly Granted
by the Name of Peelings is now Vacant & Ungranted & that
656
NEW HAMPSHIRE
your Excellency is willing to Grant that Town to People who
will settle the Same. — Whereujion We humbly Move your
Excellency to Grant the same to us in such Proportions as we
subscribe for. & by the Name of Fairfield, subject to Such
Duties & Penalties, & Endowed with such Priveledges, as
your Excellency has been accustomed to Grant other Towns,
within s ' Province. And your Excellency's memorialists as
in Duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Dated at Lebanon this 24"' day of November, A.D. 1771 &
in the I2''' year of his majesty's Reign
Henchman Bennet
Right
Rowland Swift 1
Pollecarpue Cuehiuan
do
lienja Eymau 1
Arteiuus Cushman
1 do
Jedediah Strong l
Wm CuBhmau
Ido
Jedediah Strong Jun. 1
Nathl Hatch
do
Ebr Garey 1
Jas Lassell ]
do
Asahel Clark Jun 1
John Crocker
1 do
Allerton Cushman Jun 1
Joshua Elderkin
Ido
Ambrose Cushman 1
Joehua Booth Ehlerkiu
do
Samuel Clark 1
Oliver Barbur
Ido
Simon Clark 1
Aaron Barbur
Consider Cushman 1
Obadiah Barbur
Joab Cushman
Abnei- Flint
Solomon Williams 1
John Crocker Juur
Alexander Phelps 1
Isaac CuBhniaii
Neziah Bliss 1
Nathaniel Cushman Jun.
Jehiel Rose 1
Caleb Abel! Jur
Samuel Clark Jr. 1
Rowland Swift J ur
Samuel Clark ;!d 1
.Silas Swift
Samuel Robinson J
.John Strong
John Hurd 1
Nathl Cushman
Samuel Roberson Jr. 1
William Williams
Ebenezer Lech 1
Thos Williams
Ilenery Burt J
Jona Trumbull Jun 1-
Benjn Cofrass 1
David Trumbull
Elijah Tisdel 1
Jas. Trumbull
Jacob Eliot I
•John Trumbull
William Sims 1
David Barbur 1
William Sims Jr. 1
Caleb Abel 1
George Sims 1
Jacob Sheaffe Junr
Supply Clapp
Dr Thompson Esq. of Durban
1
Jacob Tilton PorLemouth
Willni Toirey
John Sherburne Esqr.
David Boynton
Thomas Shannon of Dover
Thos Curtain Cheeverrt
TOWN PAPERS PEMBROKE. 657
PEMBROKE.
[This town was originally Suncook, and afterwards Lovewell's Town ;
and was granted b_v Massachusetts to the brave men who belonged to
the company of Capt. John Lovewell, and to the heirs of those who
fell in the memorable engagement at Pequawket. The first Settlement
was made about the year 1729, by some of the survivors of that engage-
ment. The Town was chartered by New Hampshire, i November,
1759. Ed.]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Captain Gen-
eral and Governor in chief in and over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in New England the Honourable
the Council and House of Representatives in General Court
Convened.
The memorial and Petition of Moses Foster in the Name
and Behalf of the Inhabitants of the Plantation of Suncook
in Said Province,
Humbly Sheweth,
That the Said Plantation has been Settled by His Majestys
Subjects about Eleven years and a Gospel minister ordained
there Several years.
That the Settlers had an eye at enlarging His A'lajestys Do-
minions by going into the Wilderness as well as at their own
Interest
That several Thousand Pounds have been spent in clearing
and cultivating the Lands there and in erecting Houses, Barns,
and Fences ; Vjesides a large additional Sum in Fortifications,
lately made by His Excellency the Governours Order.
That the breaking up of the Settlement will not only ruin
the Memorialists, but in their Humble Opinion greatly dis-
serve His Majestys Interest by encouraging his Enemies to
encroach on His derelict Dominions and be also hurtful to the
Province by contracting its Borders and by drawing the War
nearer to the capital.
That it was by a long and importunate Intercession of this
Province (and not of the Memorialists seeking) that they are
put under the immediate care of this Government which they
apprehend gives them so much the better Right to its Protec-
tion.
That as War is already declared against France and a Rup-
ture with the Indians hourly expected your memorialists initss
they have Speedy help will be soon oblidged to dissert their
Settlements how disserviceable so ever it may be to the Crown,
and this Province and ruinous to themselves
Wherefore your Memorialists most humbly Supplicate vour
Excellency the Honourable Council and House of Rcpre.sent-
atives to take the Premises into your wise and mature Con-
42
658
NEW HAMPSHIRE
sideration and to grant them such Seasonable Relief as may
enable them to maintain His Majesty's Dominions in so an-
cient and well regulated a Settlement as well as to secure their
own Lives and Fortunes against the Ravage and Devastations-
of a Blood-thirsty and Mercy-less Enemy and your Memori-
alists as in Duty bound will ever Pray.
Moses Foster
Portsmouth June 30, 1744.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr. Capt. General,
Commander & Gov in chief in & over his Majesties Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in New England, the Honourable
his Majesties Council & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened.
The Memorial & Petition of Benjamin Holt in the name and
behalf of a major part of the inhabitants of the New planta-
tion commonly known by the name of Suncook or Lovewells
Town in said Province Humbly vSheweth,
That the said plantation has been settled By his Majesties
Subjects about fourteen years, and a Gosple Minister upwards
of seven, that the settlers had an eye at enlarging his Majesties
Dominions by going into the Wilderness, as well as at their
own Interest
That many thousand pounds have been spent in clearing &
cultivating the Lands there, and many more in erecting Houses
Fortifications, Barns and Fenses.
That the Buildings are properly formed for defence, and
Well scituated for a Barrier being on Merrimack River about
a Days march below the Confluence of Winnipishoky and
Pemissawasset Rivers Both of which are gang ways of the
Canadians to the Frontiers of this province and within a
Weeks March at farthest from a very Strong Fort Built within
these few years by the French at Crown point, which will be a
Place of constant Retreat and Resort for the French and In-
dians in all their Expeditions against the English Settlements.
That the Breaking up of the .Settlements will not only Ruin
the memorialists, But in their humble opinion greatly disserve
his Majesties interest by incouraging his Enemies to Encroach
on his derelict Dominions and be also hurtful to the Province
by contracting its Borders and drawing the War nearer the
capital.
That it was by a long and importunate intercession of this
Province (and not of the memorialists seeking) that they are
cast under the immediate care of this government which they
apprehend gives them so much Better Right to its protection.
TOWN PAPERS PEMBROKE. 659
That as War has been declared against France for some time
and a Rupture with the Indians has been hourly Expected
many of the inhabitants of said Plantation by Reason of their
being so exposed to Eminent danger from their Enemies have
already moved from said Plantation The Season of the year
being such as to give the Indians an opportunity of Disturbing
the Frontiers.
And your memorialists unless they have sufficient & speedy
help will bee soon obliged to Evacuate said Plantation how
disserviceable soever it may be to (the) crown Dishonourable
to the government Hurtful to the Province and Ruinous to
themselves
Wherefore your Memorialists most Humbly supplicate your
Excellency the Honourable Council & House of Representa-
tives to take the Premises into your wise and mature Consider-
ation and to grant them thirty or forty soldiers to be posted at
said Plantation for scouting Watcliing, Warding & guarding,
with Sufficient Military Stores or otherwise to grant them such
aids Both with Respect to men &. military stores as your Ex-
cellencv & Honours shall think sufficient to secure your Memo-
rialists Lives & Fortunes against the Ravage and Hostilities of
our said Enemies. And your memorialists as in duty Bound
Shall ever pray.
Benjamin- Holt.
Portsmouth April the 30' 1745-
Tozvn meet big relating to Rev. A. W/iittcjnore^ c&c.
Notice is hereby given to all the freeholders and Inhabitance of the
Parish of Peinbrook to meet at the New Meeting house in s' parish on
Monday the fifteenth Day of November next at ten of the Clock in the
forenoon then and there when met,
firstly to Chuse a Moderator to Regelat s' meeting.
Secondly, to see if the Selectmen shall be Impowered by a Vote to
ses and Rais the money according to Law that the Rev' Mr. Aaron
Whitemore Recovered by Judgment of Court of the parish of Pembrook
if Not then
thirdly to see if they will vote to Rais any money to revew the action
and further withstand the Rev. Mr. Whitemore.
F'ourthly to see if they will vote that the Rev. Aaron Whitemore shall
be forbiden to Do any servise for the futter as a gospel minister for the
Parish of Pembrook by a Comittee Chosen for that Purpose.
fifthly to chose a Committee to forbid the Rev' Mr. Aaron Whitemore
to Do any service for the futter as a gospel minister for the parish of
Pembrook and to make a Return of tlieir Doings to tiie parish Clark to
be Recorded.
Dated at Pembrook in the province of New hampshire October y 30-
Day 1762
A true copy per. me
John CotTrin Parish Clark
Tliom' M Lucji
Will"' Knox ]■ Selectmen
David Conor
!'■
66o NEW HAMPSHIRE
At a Legual meeting held at Pembrook November y 15, 1762.
firstly voted Thomas Lucas Moderatore
the second Artickel in the warrant Past in the Nagittive.
the third Artickel in the warent Past in the Nagitive.
Fourthly voted that the Rev' Mr. Aaron Whitemore Shall be forbiden
to Do any Service for the futture as a gospel minister for the parish of
Pembrook by a Comittee chosen for that Purpose.
fiftly to chuse a Committee to forbid the Rev' Mr. Aaron Whitemore
to Do any Servise for the fatter as a gospel minister for the Parish of
Pembrook and to make A Return of their Doings to the Parish Clark to
be Recorded
A true coppy pr. me
John Coffrin Parish dark
We the Subscribers Being a Committee chosen by the Parish of Pem-
brook to forbid the Rev' Mr. Aron Whitemore to Do any service as a
gospel minister for sf^ Parish of Pembrook for the futter and accordingly
we have forbid the said Aaron Whitemore to Do any servise for the
futter as a gospel minister for said parish. Dated at Pembrook Novem-
ber y 15, 1762.
A true coppy pr. me
John Coffrin Parish dark
Robert White
Eleazer Allen
James Cochran
At a meeting held at Pembrook January y<^ 31 day, 1763
I'y voted Thomas M'Lucas Modrator
2': then the Coppy of our Petition was read by Thomas M'Lucas acord-
ing to the order of Court In the hearing of all that would atend after
being Posted two Publick days.
A true Copy Pr. me
John Coffrin Parish Clark
Petition for a Justice of the Peace.
Province of ) To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'
New Hamp-' | Capt. General Governour and Commander
in chief in and over his Majestys Province
of New hampshire and the Hono"" His
Majesty's Council of said Province.
Humbly Shews the Inhabitants of Pembrook In said Prov-
ince, Whereas your Excellency and Hono'' are furnishing the
Several Parts of your Government with Officers of Justice for
the Preserving the Ecconomy of Civil authority throughout
Your Government
We therefore Humbly Conceive Your Excellency and Hon"
will not think us Impertinent or acting more than our Duty in
oftbring This our Humble Request That we your Petitioners in
the Parish of Pembrook aforesaid may have a Person assigned
them to Keep the peace Throughout this Province and Con-
TOWN PAPERS PEMBROKE.
661
sidering your Excellency & Hon " have very Little personal ac-
quaintance with our Parishioners,
We further Beg Leave to recommend to Your Excellency
and Hon ~ Mr. John Brycnt of said Parish of Pembrook as a
suitable & capable person to be Litrusted with such Office,
which is of Great Importance as it is Relative to the Honour
of the Government & to the Peace and safety of Your Excel-
lency & Hon Most dutiful and Loyal .Subjects the Petitioners
who as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c.
Pembroke Sep' 3 ' 1767
John Xoves
Benja Xoiris
James Conner
Jolin Conner
Samuel .Jemes
David Gilman
Thomas McLucas
Daniel Mcl^ucas
James McLucas
lienja Jenkins
Joseph Sinkler
John Sinkler
Nathaniel Piper sen.
Nathaniel Piper
Willm Cochran
James Cochran Junr
Jame? C<jchran
Nathaniel Martin
Pomfrett Whiihouse
Kobert McUauiel
John Culliiiiore
Fraucic .McCoy
Soli>mon Whitehouse
Nehemiah McDanel
Robert McDaniel
.John Cochran
Josiah Allen
Ichabocl Clark
SamI M'Conel
•Tames Fife
Muses McConel
John Man
James Man
John Man Jim.
Nathaniel Walker
Decon James Moor
Robert Moor
■William Moor
Jacob Doj-ne
John Moor
Ambros Goold ?
William Robertson
Andw Robertson
Thos Robertson
Samuel Connor
James Martin
Andrew Tuiiten
Daniel Moor
James Cunningham
David Coumr
Saml Noyes
Benja Noyes
John Noyes Jun.
Saml KaiT
Kliphalet Connor
Willm Knox
Jamee Knox
Joseph Cochran
John (Jochran Jr.
John McDaniel
James Garey ?
Peter Gilman
Moses Mem ?
Pecition of 'jfn^ Bryent agent for the Presbyterians of
Pembroke.
Province of | To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq''
New Hampshire ) Governor and Commander in cheif in &
over said Province, The hon ■" His Maj-
esty's Council and The House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Assembly Conven'd Aug' za^ 1768.
The Humble Petition of John Bryent of Pembroke in said
662 NEW HAMPSHIRR
Province Esq'' agent for the Presbyterean Society in said Pem-
broke Sheiveih
That by An act of the General assembly of said Province
in the 4"' year of His Majestys Reign George the third among
other things it was enacted " that all Persons then living in
Pembroke belonging to the Presbyterian Congregation there
or that should be joined to that Society hereafter Shou'd be
exempted & exonerated from paying towards the Support of
the Congregational Minister, of said Pembroke;" excepting
only for three months, which was the Time of settling the
Congregational Minister before any Presbyterean Minister was
settled there ; for which time the said Presbyterean Society
were to pay their Proportion according to their Estates &
ability, as in other public charges. — And it was further Enact-
ed by the authority afores"* that the said Presbyterean Society
Shou'd pay the sum of Twelve hundred Pounds old Ten'" be-
ing a Sum voted in said Pembroke to defray the charges of a
Suit at Law bro'ght by the Congregational Minister there for
his Salary before due — And said Presbyterean Society were
then in & by the same act incorporated into a Separate Parish
as to their Church affairs and as to the SupjDort and maintain-
ing the Ministry in their own form as in and by said act it will
more fully appear. And your Petitioner's Constituents After-
wards by an Assessment made upon them for the Residue of
said Twelve hundred Pounds which they liad not paid before
the Passing said Act (the Major Part thereof being before
paid) under the hands and Seals of William Moore and Isaac
White Selectmen of and for said Pembroke for the year A.D.
1765 had the residue of said Sum collected from them for the
Payment of said Law Suit, And by Another Assessment under
the hands and seals of Ephraim Blunt Will" Moore and
Isaac W^hite Selectmen of said Pembroke for the year 1764
y'' Pet'^ Constituents were obliged to pay the other Sum
ordered in said act to be paid by said Constituents to the Con-
gregational Minister of said Pembroke for said three months'
Preaching That Isaac White in the Name of the Congrega-
tionals of said Pembroke after the Payment of said Sums by
the said Presbyterean Society to the said Congregationals in
Manner afores'' did Petition the said General Assembly ; set-
ting forth among other things contain'd said Petition, "That
the said Sums above mentioned were then unpaid and that
Particular Persons had given their Security for Payment of the
Same with Interest which Several Sums amoiuited to one hun-
dred and twentv Poimds lawful money besides several years
Interest, which ought to be assessed on Part of the Inhabit-
ants of said Pembroke only" Meaning your Petition" Con-
stituents. Your Petitioners Constituents As Soon as they
TOWN PAPERS PEMBROKE. 663
were served with a Copy of said last mentioned Petition they
chose Capt. Thomas Lucas as their Agent to appear in their
Name and oppose the Prayer of said Petition ; who attended
two Sessions of the said General Assembly and said Petition
not being acted upon at either return'd home at the third Ses-
sion of said Assembly the said Lucas was accidentally or
Providentially hindered from Attending at which Session the
Petition passd in favor of the Petitioners without any of said
Constituents being present to contradict and disprove the Cap-
ital facts therein alledged — In Consequence of which an Act
was passd thereupon to levy and collect of the said Constitu-
ents the same sum of money they had before paid in Manner
afore mentioned. The Committee impovvered by said Act to
Assess said Sums have assessed said Constituents for the
Same. Wherefore your Pef Humbly prays in behalf of his
said Constituents, That your Excellency and Honors would in
your great Wisdom exempt and exonerate them from the Pay-
ment of any Part of the Several and respective sums assessed
on them by said Committee. — That you would order y" the
Collection of said Tax might be suspended in the mean Time,
or any other Way relieve said Constituents from the grievous
and insupportable Burden they labor under. And your Petif^
as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Aug 25"' 1768
Jx ' Brvent, ) Agent for the
J Presbyterean Society
In Council Aug 27'" 1768
read & order'd to be sent down to the Hon'''e Assembl}-.
Geo. King Dep. Sec>
Petitio/t to send a representative.
To His Excellency John W^entworth Esq"^ Capt. General Gov-
ernour & Commander in chief in and over His Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire.
The Petition of the Freeholders and Others Inhabitants of
the Town of Pembroke in the County of Rockingham,
Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners in the aforesaid Town Sensible of the
right inherent tc English Men to be represented in General
Assembly according to the British Constitution and the many
Inconveniences attending the want Thereof Pembroke being
one of the oldest and best settled Towns within This Prov-
ince Humbly Pray that your Excellency would be Pleased to
grant a Precept to Enable them to send a proper person to
represent them in General Assembly as They Can by no
664
NEW HAMPSHIRE
means Think Taxation and Representation Can be Sever'd
without Committing a Palpable Breach in that Inestimable
Paladium of English Liberty,
Magna Charta
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray.
Dated at Pembroke April 12" 1774
Saml McConnel
James Head'
Thomas
Moses Tyler ?
Joseph Baker
Epliraim Blunt
Benja Holt
John Mann
Joseph Emery Jun.
Pomphret Whitehouse
Benjamin Norris
Joshua Tyler
J no Bryent
David Connor
David Oilman
Jonathan Dix
Richard Bartlett
Nathan Waite
Samuel Conner
Saml Noyes
Ebenezer Frye
Kathl Martin
Ichabod Robie
Aaron Wliittemore
Danieal Lucas
Robert Hastings
John Connor
Samuel Jennes
John Carlton
John Clark
John Ayer
Benja Piper
Joseph Emery
James Knox
Nathaniel Piper
Nathaniel Pypcr
Willm Cochran
James Cochran
James Cochran Jun.
William Martin
James Martien
Nehemiali McDaniel
Robt McDaniel
John Cochran
Solomon Whitehouse
Peter Robinson
Robert Cochran
Stephen Bartlett
Caleb Lovejoy
Joseph Swett
Samuel Follet
Mickel Kimball
David Kimball
Caleb Foster
Moses Foster
Nathan Holt
Willm Knox
Zebulon Robinson
AYilliam Marston Junr.
James Fife
David Farnum
Lemuel Stickney
James Cunningham
John Whittemore
John Fife
William Fife
James Robinson
William Mann
Isaac White
John Moor Jun
Robert Moor
Moses McConnell
Jonathan Eliot
Andw Robertson
Saml Danicll
Joshua Kimball
TOWN PAPERS — PETERBOROUGH. 66:
PETERBOROUGH.
[This town was granted by the Province of Massachusetts, in 1738,
to Samuel Haywood, and others. The first settlement was effected in
1739. by W"' Robbe. Alexander and William Scott, Hugh Gregg and
Samuel Stinson. It was incorporated, by the Province of New Hamp-
shire, 17 January 1760. Ed.]
Petitiotiof the town of Peterborough.
Province of ) To His Excellency Banning Wentworth
New Hampshire ) Esq. Commander in Chief in and over
his Majestys Province of New Hamp.
The Honourable his Majestys Council of said Province.
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Being Inhabi-
tants of a Tract of Land Lying in said Province on the West
side of Merr3-mac River of the Contents of about six Miles
square. Commonly Called and Known by the Name of Peter-
borough in Behalf of ourselves and others the Inhabitants of
saifl Tract of Land, Most Humbly shews, That about the year
of our Lord 1739 a number of Persons in Consequence of a
Grant of a Tract of land, had and obtain'd from the Great
And Gen Court, or Assembly of the Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay by Samuel Haywood and Others his Associates
Granting to them the s ■ Tract of Land on certain Conditions
of Settle' ' and in Pursuance whereof a number of People
Imediately went on to said Tract of land and began a Settle-
ment, (Tho then Very Far from any other Inhabitants) which
we have Continued Increasing ever since the s" year 1739,
Except Sometimes when we left said Township for fear of
Being Destroyed by the Enemy who Severall times Drove us
from our .Settle' soon after we Began, and almost Ruined many
of us. Yet what Little we had in the World, Lay there, and
we having no wheither Else to Go Return'd to our settle' as
soon as Prudence would addmit, where we have Continued
Improving Constantly Ever Since and have Cultivated a Rough
part of the Wilderness to a Fruitfull field, the Inhabitants of
said Tract of Land are Increas'd to the Number of forty five or
Fifty Famelys, and our Situation, with the Respect to the
Terms we at first Settl'd on are Such that we Cannot hold any
Propri'' meeting at all to pass any Vote or Votes that will be
Sufficient to 01)lige any person to do any part towards vSuport-
ing the Gospel Building a Meeting house and Bridges, Clear-
ing and Repairing Roads all which wou'd not only be a Ben-
efit to us Settlers to have it in our power to do but a Great
Benefit to People Travelling to Connecticut river and those
Towns settling beyond us. Therefore we Humbly Request of
Your Excell & Hon " to take the Premises under Considera-
666 NEW HAMPSHIRE
tion and Incorporate us that we may be Invested with Town
Priveledges and immunities as other towns are in this Province
And Your petitioners as in Duty Bound sliall ever pray &c.
Oct'- 3^' 1759
Thomas Morison
Jonathan Morison
Thomas Cunningham
Your Petition" beg leave to add as a matter of Considerable
Importance that the only Road from Portsmouth thro' this
Province to number four is thro' said Township of Peterbor-
ough & which makes it more necessary to Repair said Road
within said Township & to make many Bridges which they
cannot do unless Incorporated & Enabled to Raise Taxes &c.
Petition for a new County,
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain General,
Governour & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire & the Honoui-able His Majes-
ties Council & House of Representatives in General Assem-
bly Conven'd.
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Sundry
Towns to which our names are annexed, All in the Province
aforesaid Humbly vShews That by Reason of our Remote Sit-
uation from the Metropolis of the Government, where all the
Courts Legislative & Executive are held Our Expense time &
Trouble &c to Recover our Just Debts is Often greater than
our Debts, & if the Case Requires Evidences & the Def Ap-
peals & procures a few Continuances we had better let any
man with Hold a sum Large enough to Distress a poor family
than be quite Ruined according to Law, in Perticular our
Widows, Fatherless, tSc Orphans suffer, to settle an Estate
agreeable to Law leaves little or nothing to Suport the Survi-
vors. Some are so unreasonable that they Report when we
have a County' on Our side Merrimac River, the Shire Town
will be at that or Connecticut River & some are so weak as
to believe it will be so, Either of which is so absurd & unjust
it would be an affront to Common Sense & Impartial Justice
to Offer Reasons for or against either.
Our prayer is first that we may have a County
Secondly that a Committee of Judicious Impartial Gentle-
men may View all the Land & number all the Inhabitants,
Intended to be Included in said County and every Circumstance
being maturely Considered & every Reason Estimated at its
Proper Nature we doubt not (from your well Kno^vn Clemency
TOWN PAPERS — PETERBOROUGH.
667
& Impartial Justice) But we shall have a County & the Shire
Town Appointed where it will best Accommodate the Inhab-
itants that are or may be within its Bounds, Which is all our
desire &. your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever pray.
Dated Sep. 3'^ A D. 1767.
John Young
John Scott
Alexander Swan
Samuel Cunningham
Humpherv Emmory
James Houston
Samuel Willson
John Taggart Junr.
Hugh Willson
Thomas Cuningham
Gustavas Swan
Moor Stinson
Alexander Scott
William Scott
William Cochran
William Spear
Robert Willson
Isaac Mitchell
James Robbe
John White
Thomas Morison
John Morison Junr.
Robert Morrison
John White Junr.
Charles Stuart
Charles White
Jonathan Morison
John Goforth
Thomas Morison Junr.
Benjamin Esterbrook
James Willson
John Graggjunr.
John Willson
Joseph Hammbel
Neel Hammbel
John Gragg
Samuel Gragg
Matthew Miller
James Miller
William Miller
John Taggart v* 4"'
Hugh Gragg
Sam Gragg
James McDonlad
Williain Robbe Junr.
Sam' Mitchel
Samuel Stinson
John Robbe
Moore Stinson
James M' Coone
PetitioJi relatiftg to PeterLwrongh Slip.
To His Excellency John VVentworth Esqr. Captain General
and Governour in Chief in and over his Majestys province
of New hampshire and vice Admiral of the Same & the
Honourable his majestys Council.
The Mumble Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth
that whereas there is a certain part or Tract of Land in our
Said province. Known by the name of Peterborough Slip un-
incorporated and not enough to make a town or Destrick and
not imder any regulation whereby we can repair our Roads
which Lys unrepaired to the great Detriment of the Inhabit-
ants and the publick in general, we therefore humbly pray
your excellency and honours that said tract or parcell of Land
known by the Name of Peterborough Slip aforesaid may be
annexed to the town of Peterborough as the most Contiguous
Incorporate town tliat wc may Injoy every privilidge consistant
with our Infai^t State all which we Submit to your excellencys
and vour honours Clemencv and as our Distant vSituation is
66S NEW HAMPSHIRE
well known to you we from your well known candor cannot
fail to meet with Dispatch, we hope your compliance and we
as in Duty bound will ever pray
Peterborough Slip in the province of New iianipshire May
i8"'- 1770
John M Allaster ']
John Thorn | Inhabitance of s'
William McAllaster | Peterborough
Peter JVPAllaster V Slip and owners
William McNee of Land in the
David Moor | Same
John Swan Jun- J
Petition i-elating to Rev. yohn Morrison.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq-
New Hamps ' | Capt. General Governor & Commander in
chief in & over the said Province of New
Hampshire, To the Honourable his majes-
tys Councill & House of Representatives.
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Being Inhabit-
ants of The Town of Peterborough in the County of Hills-
borough & Province aforesaid Humbly Sheweth that about
five years since the Reverend John Morrison was Legally ap-
pointed to & ordained in the work of the ministry in said Town
since which Time he has been guilty various times of profane
swearing, Diamkenness, Lnmodest Actions & conversation &
other Lew'd wicked & Disorderly behaviour Qiiite unbecom-
ing the christian character by Reason of which your Petition-
ers Humbly apprehend that he is by no means Suitable to Ex-
ercise the sacred function, nor can they derive any Benefit or
advantage from his ministry or Lijoy any of the christian ordi-
nances under his administration
Wherefore your Petitioners most Humbly pray That your
Excellency & Honours would take the matter under your wise
consideration & Release them from the agreement En-
tered into by them at the time of said Morrison settlement
That they may have Liberty to settle & support some other
minister who shall better support the ministerial character or
grant them such other Relief as your Excellency & Honours
shall Think proper & your Petitioners as in Duty bound will
Ever pray.
Dated at Peterborough Novem 37-^' 1771
William M'Nee William Cochran
Samuel Miller Archibald Ciiidinor
James Cunningham John Willey
TOWN PAPERS — PETERROROUGH. 669
Mathew Miller James Taggart
James M'^Keen William NcNe Jun'
"William Miller Alexander Robbe
James Miller David Steel
Neall Hammel John Smith
Sam' Willson Robert Morrison
James Willson Joseph Hammill
John Gragg Junr. Sam' Cunningham
John Willson Thomas Little
Daniel Mack John Mitchel
Jasaniah Crosby Elijah Puffer
William Moore John Pufter
Hugh Willson Hugh Gregg
Sam' Mitchel Abraham Holmes
n Council Dec 14, 1771
The Petition was read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''' As-
emblv
Geo King D. Sec>'
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Dec' 16, 177 1.
^ew Hampshire /Upon Reading this Petition Voted that the Petition-
ers serve the said John Morrison with a Copy of this
'etition •& order of Court thereon that he may be heard thereon the 3*
3ay of the sitting of the General Assembly after the 15'" day of Jan-
lary next to shew cause if any he has why the Prayer hereof should not
)e Granted.
Attest W"' Parker Clerk
n Council Decern'^" iS, 1771
This Petition having been Read the above Vote was non concurred &
t is ordered that the Petition be dismissed.
Geo King D. Sec^
'n Council Decem. 20, 1771
This Petition was read & reconsidered and Concurred with this amend-
nent, that the Selectmen of Peterborough be also served with a Copy
)f this Petition by order of Court.
Attest Geo. King D. Sec>
[n the House of Representatives Dec 20, 1771
The above Vote of Council being Considered & the Qiiestion being
3ut it pass'd in the Negative, it was then proposed that this petition be
Dismissed Accordingly the Qiiestion being put it pass'd in the affirma-
:ive
Petition for a division of Peterboi-ough.
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Capt. Gen' Com" in
Chief in and over his Majestys Province of New Hamp-
shire & Vice admiral of the same, and to the Hon''' his
Majestys Coiuicil.
The Petition of us the Subscribers Freeholders of the Town
of Peterborough Incorporated by Benning Wentworth Esq"'
late Gov. of said province, the Free holders of that Tract of
Land called Peterborough Slip, the Freeholders of that Tract
of land called the Society, together with part of the Free-
670 NEW HAMPSHIRE
holders of the Township of Jeffrey, most Humbly Shews —
That your Petit" are at great inconveniencies as to the situa-
tion of said Vacant Tracts unincorporated, that the Tract
called the Slip on the Southerl}^ side of said Peterborough, &
the Tracts on the Northerly side called the Society is neither
of them near half sufficient to make a Corporated town or
parish, and y' petitioners pray your Excellency & Honours to
Divide the said Township of Peterborough into two parts by
a Westerly line extending from the middle of the East Bound-
ary to the middle of the West Boundary of said town, so that
the Southerly part of said Peterb ' may be annexed to the
aforesaid Slip, together with four teir of Lotts taken off from
the Easterly part of Jeffrey which will make one valuable
Township, and your Petit'^^ pr^y your Excellency & Honours
to add to the North part of Peterb" about Three miles north of
the now north Boundary extending by a west line from the
west Boundary of Francestown till it meets with a line ex-
tending North from the North- West corner of said Peterb ' so
that one other Compleat Township may be made, & your
petit" pray your Excellency & Honours to Incorporate said
towns by the lines aforesaid which will much Facilitate the
Settlement of the vacant Lands which now Ive uncultivated
in the aforesaid Towns and Vacant Tracts besides much con-
tributing to the Enjoyment of their Civil & Religious Rights
& Priviledges and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever
pray.
Peterborough Slip John Priest
Gilbert McCay Benjamin Dole
John McAllester Ebenezer Thompson
John Davis William McAllister
James McXee John Davidson
James Millikin Joseph Turner
Solomon Coleman
John Taggart Jan. Peterborough
David Moore William McNee
Andrew Baley William McN'ee Jun.
Jacob Burkhard John Kicliey
John Whiteman Jolm Taggart
Henry Sallanham Robert Smith
John Swan John swan Junr.
John Taggart Samuel Hogg
Josiah Crosby Thomas Morison Jun.
Andrew Conn John Morison
John Smith
Jeffrey. Thomas Morison
James Hejnvood William Smitli
Samuel Butters .lohn scott
Benjamin Nutting James Cunningham
Daniel Davis William McCoy
Ezekiel HiUlreth Samuel Miller
Alpheus Brighnm Samuel Miller Jun.
Phineae Spaulding Hugh Willson
TOWN PAPERS — PETERBOROUGH. 67 1
Seal nammel John White Jnnr.
Jotham Blanchard Robert Morrison
Samuel Gregg
William Scott Society
Samuel Willson Moees Morison
James WiUson John Graham
Abram Holmes George McCIorg
James McKeeu Jonathan Bainett
Thomas Cunningham
April iS " 1774
Petition agaiftst a divisioji.
To His Excellency John VV^entworth Esqr. Captin General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ties Province of New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the
same and also to the Honourable his Majesties Cowncil.
tlie Request of your Petitioners Humbly Sheweth
That whereas your Excellency and Honours Petitioners
(viz) Petterborrough and petterborrough Slip So called to-
gether with some of the inhabitants of the town of Jaftrey Are
Desirous of obtaining four hundred Rods off the East End
o. Jaffrey :
Now we the Subscribers your Petitioners are of the mind
that if Petterborrough Be Divided according to their Request
and added to the petterborrough .Slip it will Be accomo-
dated Both in quantity and qualaty for as Compleat a town as
the town of Jaffrey as it now Stands Likewise in the West
End of s ' Jaffrey there is a Number of Baptists are now Em-
bodyd into a Society and we Expect that they will Enjoy their
Prevelidges without interuption also in the north West part of
s''- town is included Most part of the Grand Monadnock Moun-
tain and some Great ponds and other uninhabitable Lands
(Viz) to the amount of Between two awyi three thousand
Acres.
Also Near the Center of s' town is Laid out ten acres of a
Common and some Considerable of Labour Done upon it and
a Burying yard laid out and Some people interred there also
the Roads arc opened By s'^ Center so as to accommodate a
Meetting House.
Now if Such a Division Should take place it will unavoida-
ble Deprive us of many Valuable priviledges Such as Main-
taining the Gospel and otherwise.
For Which Reasons aforementioned we your Humble Peti-
tioners Request your Excellency and Honours indulgence in
Letting us Enjoy the aforesaid Town of Jaffrey as it now
Stands Bounded, therefore trusting to your Excellency and
6^1
NEW HAMPSHIRE
honours fidelity we your Petitioners Shall as we are in Duty
Bound Ever Pray.
Jaftrey April y'' 8"-= 1774
William Mitchell
Francis Wright
Solomon Grout
Oliver Hale
John Gilmore
Oliver Procter
his
Dennis X Organ ?
mark
Samuele Sherwin
John Harper
Simon Warren
Peter Warren
Joseph Hodge
Willni Smiley
Mathew Wright
Jonathan Priest
Daniel Priest
Jon a Blodget
Samuel Milliken
William Jlilliken
Ebeuezer Ingalls
Stephen Adams
Peter McAUasler
Robt Dunlap
Joseph Wright
Roger Gilmore
William Turner
Elded Iletbreth ?
John Little
John Stanley
John Smiley
Jonathan Stanley
Isaac Baldwin
Jason Hemmenway
Thomas Adams
Isaac Wesson
Ellas Hathorn
Hiram Dean
Ebenerer Hathorn
Samuel Peirce
Ephraim Whitcom
John Borland
Jacob Peirce
William Hogg
William Fisher
Robert Gilmore
David Hunter
John Briante
Kendall Briant
Joseph Cutter
Joseph Thorndick
Joshua Thorndick
Samuel Woodberry
Baptists, Jefrey
Henry Cofl'een
Alexi- McNeall
Jonathan Jewett
David Goodell
John Henderson
Nathaniel Turner
David Allen
David Stanley
PLAISTOW AND ATKINSON.
[See Atkinson.]
Selectmen of Plaistow's Petition about a Co7istablc.
To His Excellency Bening Wentworth Esqr. Cupt. General
and Governor In chief In and over Plis Majesties Province
of New hampshire, To the Honor Council and Represent-
atives in said Provance, in Gen' Assembly Convened, y* 3"^
day of Dec' 1754.
The Petition of the Subscribers to vour Excellencv and
TOWN PAPERS PLAISTOW AND ATKINSON. 673
Hon'" Humbly Sheweth. that at the annuah Town Meeting
held in Plastow by adjornmcnt from the Laste Wensday of
March Laste in this Present year then and their Was chosen to
the offis of a Constabell for the year then Ensuing Moses Bel-
knap and also by Vote of the Town Samuel Kimbell who was
one of our Constabel for the year paste was excepted of to
serve as Constable Present year in the Roome of Benjamin
Pettingall who was chosen Constabel at our firste meeting, so
it Hapned our Town Clarke Lieu' Thomas Hale omitted Cum-
ing to meeting at our adjornment and Refuseth to Record these
men as Constabels Because there was no Clark chosen Pro'"'
for that Day to Return the Votes to him. As to their being Le-
gally chosen Zf.vcepted of by the Town and sworn it can be
attested to nc^t onely by the Moderator but by tlie Town then
present the 'J'own not Noing the Neseset}' of a Clerk it was
omitted and their arisesth a Disputein the Town that wee have
no Constabels Notwithstanding the Moderators giveing them
in to the Town Clerk upon oath and they have ofisiated in their
offis by sarving warrants and wee have Committed a Tax or
Assessment to them.
If your Excellency and Hon''' would Compassionate oner
Surcumstances and Releave us under ouer Present Deficulty
as in your Wisdom shall think beste.
Samuel Little ^ o , .
John Webster f/^^^f^"
Thomas Cheney r^'' Pl^^^°^
In Council December 12"' 1754
read & ordered to be sent to the Ilon'''^ House
Theodore Atkinson Sec^
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives Dec"" 12"' 1754 Upon
New Hamp'* / Reading the within Petition and hearing the partys, The
House are ot opinion y' the Town clerk of Plaistow ought
to Record the Votes refered unto in the within Petition and that he be
and hereby is directed to do the same.
Matthew Livermore Clerk
In Council Eodem Die
read & Concurred
Theodore Atkinson Sec>
Eodem Die Consented to
B. Wentworth.
Province of "( Hampstead November i" 1754. then the within
New Hampshire J named Nicholas White Esqr. made .Solemn oath that
on the Second day of April last past the annual Town
Meeting in Plastow in said Province was held by an adjornment at the
Meeting House in said Town at which time and place the within writen
voats was past.
sworn before Daniel Little Just, peace.
To Left. Thomas Hale town Clerk for Plastow, these are to desire you
43
674 NEW HAMPSHIRE
forth with to Record y' within written vote in the town Book — they be-
ing the true minnits of the town meeting.
Piastow Novemb'' j« i" 1754
XT- r iiT, „ ) Moderator for
Nicolas White} ,. ^^^eting
Province of \ Piastow Aprill y 2, 1754. At the annuall town meet-
New Hamp" J ing this Day hild by adjornment from y " Last Wensdajr
of March Last the meeting being opened at time and place,
By vote of the town Mr. Sam" Kimball is Except of to serve as Con-
stable this year Ensuing In the Place of Mr. Benjamin Pettengel who
waschosan Constabel at our Last meeting Past on the Last Wensday of
March.
By vote of the town Mr. Moses Belknapp is chosen Constabel for the
west part of y" town for the year Ensewing. Jonathan Page chosen tith-
ing man Steven Dole Hogreaf. the meeting adjourn to the 8-'' of Aprill
Instants at 2 of the clock in the after Noon the town Clark not present
Nicolas White. Moderator
Vo^e of Haverhill District to set off Timberlain.
At a Legal District meeting Holden at the old meeting House in said
District on february y 9"' 1747, on the behalf of a Petition from Tim-
berlane so called with their Desire to be set off into a Destinct Parish
by themselves as foUoweth viz : Beginning at Jonathan Stevens South
West corner bound near the Islande Pond then Running by the East-
erly Side of Clements Land to his South Easterly Bound then Running
by the Northerle side of Caleb Heaths and John Dustans Land to the
Brook that Runs from Emersons mill, then Running by the Southerly
side of Capt. George Littles and Thomas Littles Land to his Easterly
corner Bounds which is in Cloughs Medow, then Running to the North-
westerly corner of Thomas Hales Land and on the northerly side of
said Hale's land and from the North Easterly corner thereof to the near-
est Place in Almesbur^' Line. The said Timber lane ware set of by a
vote according to the Bounds above mentioned excepting Capt. George
Little and his Son Thomas and Joseph and their Lands to be kept on
the South of their Line.
A True Coppe Taken from the Book
Thomas Hale District Clerk
Portsmouth Feb. 13'' 1746
Sir.
I am directed by His ExcellencA' to acquaint you that in order to Sup-
port the Petition of Peter Petee & others of Haverhill district, it will be
necessary to have a plan taken of that district Including Mr. Cushings
Parrish & to mark on s ' Plan the Situation of each House. For which
service The Go\' has appointed Peter Pettee Richard Heath Joseph
Little & Thomas Little, who are to take the plan above mention'd upon
oath & retiun it into the Secretarys oflice, as soon as it can be conven-
iently done. The charge arising hereon to be born as shall be ordered
by the Governor & Council I am Sr.
Your hum'"''- Serv'
By His Exc>^ Command R. W. SeO'
To Mr. Thomas Little
in Haverhill district
TOWN PAPERS — PLAISTOW AND ATKINSON. 675
Petition for a town or parish.
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esqr. Governour and
Commander in Cheif in and over his Majesty's Province of
New Hamp" and the hon' ' his Majestys Council! for said
Province.
Humbly Shew Your Petitioners Inhabitants in the westerly
part of Haverhill District,
That your Petitioners live at a Great Distance from any
place where the Publick worship is maintained. That Our
Situation is such as is Convenient for a Township or Parish
But cannot conveniently be joyned with any other.
That there are already Sixty or Seventy families here setled
and more daily Setling who must be under very great Disad-
vantages with Regard to the Publick worship of God unless
we can obtain to have it Setled among Ourselves.
We therefore pray your Excellency & Honours that we may
be Incorporated into a Town or Parrish as you shall Judge
most proper by the following Bounds Beginning at the west-
erly corner of Jonathan Stevens' land by the Islandy Pond and
from thence to the Northwesterly Corner of Thomas Hales
farm and from thence Southerly to the Province line so as to
make this line half way between Mr. Cushing's Meeting house
and John Watt's at Pi-ovidence Brook or as near to half way
as may be tho't Reasonable, from thence westerly by y'^ Prov-
ince line to the head of the District then Northerly so far as
that an East line passing from the end of this Northerly line
to the lirst mentioned Bounds shall Include all the Land to the
Southward of Islandy Pond.
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c.
Jolin Watts Edward Carlton
Seth Pattee Joseph Little Jun""
Richard Patee John Currier
Michah Amey James French
Obediah Duston George Little
Caleb Duston Samuel Watts
Obediah Eastman Wjman Wise
Alexander Gordon Thomas Cross
John Watts Jun' Benjamin Wheeler
Caleb Heath Stephen Wheeler
Joseph Palmer Richard Heath
James Heath John Duston
Samuel Du--ton Philip Hite
Moses Helkuap Thomas Duston
Philij^ Nelson William Morrison
John Clements
We the Subscribers Consent to the Lines mentioned in the petition
of Daniel Little & others any thing mentioned herein to y'^ contrary
notwithstanding.
John Pecker
"joTiN Watts
676
NEW IIAMPSHIHH
Petition against being set off as a new Parish.
To His Excelency Bennen Wintworth Esqr. Capt. General
and Governor in chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire, and to the Hon'''"' Councill of the same.
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers in our own be-
half and others, belonging to the Westerly Part of Haverhill
District that now belongeth To the Rev. Mr. James Cushings
Parrish numbly Sheweth, that it is our Desier and Prayer that
we mav not be separated in to any other Town or Parrish (from
the Easterly Part) of the District but that we may all be In-
corporated in to a Town or Parrish (Excepting what has bin
voted ofi' by the District To Timber lane) so that we may In-
joy our Priviledge and Proprtics for us and our children that
we may have our meeting House and our Minister That we
have bin at Great Cost and charges for building Seteling
and maintaining for near Twent}' years last Past and if your
Excellency and the Plon'' Council! think it proper to mak us a
town with the Easterly Part of the District we Shall Leave that
to your Plon" Wisdom, other ways Pray that we may abide as
we are and In fullfilling our Desier and Humble Petition you
will Greatly oblig your Sarvants,
Who as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray.
Haverhill District December y^ 29"' 1749
Benj " Richards Moses Belknap
Jonathan Page Joseph Little Junr.
John Dow Eldad Ingalls
Timothy Page Edmund Page
Caleb Page Junr. Nath' Knight
James Noyes Abiel Knight
John French Robert Greenough
Samuel Little Humphrey Noyes
Jonathan Page Junr. Thomas Hale
Joshua Knight Timothy Ladd
Ebenezer Knight Caleb Page
Joseph Noyes John Webster
Thomas Noj'es Daniel Poor
John Knight Jonathan Nelson
Nathaniel Knigiit Jun. Israel Webster
Joseph Page Jonathan Clements
Daniel wiiitticker Moses Page
Petition of tlic Jniiahitants in the West part of Haverhill
District desiring not to he i7icorporated.
To his Excellency Bening Wentworth Esqr. Governor and
Comander in Cheaf in and over his Majesties province of
New hampshear in New England and to the Honourable his
Majesties Council &c.
W^e the Subscribers being inhabitance in the South west
TOWN I'AI'EKS — PI.AISTOW AND ATKINSON. 677
part of Haverhill District and Included within the Boundarys
of the Last Petition brought forward by Capt. John Pecker
and Mr. Johi. Watts Considerinj^- the small num])cr of Inliab-
itance and the Low Sircumstances that many of them Labours
under it is our Humble opinion that we are no ways able to
supporte the Gospell amongst ourselves at present therefore
we Desier your Excellency and Honours to take our case under
your wise Consideration and not incorporate us into a town or
Distinct parrish according to the prayer of the above s' Peti-
tion till we are better abell to bare the Charges for we are
obliged by Contract to the Rev. Mr. Cushen and are not as
yet set of from his Parish.
Dated ILiverhill District July y 24*'' 1749
Benj Richards John Corrier
James Noyes Eldad Ingalls
Jonathan Nelson Daniel Poor
Daniel Flood John Webster
Thomas Novse Jr. Jonathan Page
Caleb Page' Thomas Little
Joseph Noyes Edmund Page
Joseph Page
Hog dr others Petition not to Joyn with Mr. Hazzen accord-
ing to his Plan.
To his Excelency Bennin Wintworth Esqr. and Honrable
Counsel.
We your humble Pertisioners take Leave to Let you know
part of our Greavies Coused by Mr. Richard Hazzen Per-
tisions and plan if he obtains will Cut and Carve our Land &
privelage all to pieces who ware Orderly Settled on Kings-
town Property & have a Petition Lodg with the Select men
of our town in order to be set of as a parish. We pray that
we may have the opertunity to Let your Excelency and Hon-
rable Counsel know what the town docs for us who are Law-
full Setlars who can have now privelage in that Regard unless
we have part of what is in his Plan.
We subscribe ourselves yoor Humble Pertisinors.
Kings September i6'' 1740.
James Iluse Isral Huse
Jacob Gordy Daniel Iliberd
Mcbac Gordy Daniel Kid
Jonathan Colby Israel Muse Junr.
Orlando Colby William Straw
Moses Tucker ? John Pressey
James Graves John Straw Jun.
John Hog Philop Wells
Joseph Dow Jacob Wells
Reuben Clough Benjamin Tucker
John Straw Jacob Tucker
John Bond
Note.— A Plan of" the district is found in the MS. Vol. p. 2S4. Ed.
678 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sanborn, Palmer & Weares report of Haverhill District.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'
May it please your Excellency,
In Obedience to your Excellencys appointment we have View'd het
Situations of the Inhabitants of Haverhill District to see if said Dis-
trict may Conveniently be Incorporated into three Townships having
Regard to those People of Salisbury and Almsbury District above
South Hampton that they may be Provided for in one of the Town-
ships,
And Beg leave to Report
That upon the best survey we Could make and Information we could
have from the Inhabitants it appears to us that the Circumstances &
Situation of the Inhabitants of said District (as well as their Desire)
is such that they cannot at present Conveniently be Incorporated into
more than two Townships.
It appears to us that at the upper or Northwesterly part of said Dis-
trict the Inhabitants are Compact and Conveniently Situate for a
Township or Parish, The Bounds of which (in Our Opinion) may be
as follows. To begin at the North East Corner of Tyngs farm men-
tioned in Mr. Hazzens Plan and from thence to Run to the South west
Corner of Hales farm from thence to Woodbridges Corner Bounds
from thence to Morses Corner as mentioned in said Plan and from
thence to Run north to Shapleys line then to follow Shapley's line
westwardly till it strikes Haverhill Northwest line so called "then to
follow Haverhill Northwest line to the head of the District, And for
the Bounds on the other side to begin at the North East Corner of
Tyngs farm beforementioned from thence to run on the line of Tyng's
farm, half way to the Bounds on Hog Hill and from thence on a strait
Course to Clements Southwest corner bounds by Islandy Pond and
then as Described in the Plan to the head of the District. This we
think will conveniently make a Township and the other part of the
District we cannot find any way be Divided at present to be Incorpo-
rated into more than one Tounship to be so well for the Inhabitants as
they are now.
John Sandburn
Samuel Palmer
Meshech Weare
Portsm" Sep' 18''' 1746
Petition of Haverhill district for a new Parish.
To His Exelency Bening Wintworth Esqr. Goviner and Com-
mander in cheaf in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshear in New England and to the Honourahle His
Majesties Councill &c.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitance in Haverhill Des-
trict and Province afore s' Humbly sheweth, that we arc so
Remote from the Place of the Publick worship of God that
we cannot attend on it unless with Greate Difficulty and our
other charges No Less Difficult. May it therefore Please
your Excelency and Honours to take our case under your wise
Consideration and Incorporate us and all that Do or shall
TOWN PAPERS PLAlSrOW AM) ATKINSON.
679
Inhabit with us and a sufficient Parcell of Land Into a town
or Distinct Parrish so that we may sit up and maintain the
worship of God amongst us and Carry on Such business as
shall be Nessesary with the following Boundaries. Begining
at the Stake which stands in the Province Line near Jonathan
Clements Dwelling Flouse thence Runing noth notheast till it
strikes Haverhill norwest Line thence by s Line till it Comes
to the angle pond thence westerly to the wash Pond and so by
the Wash pond brook to the Islande pond and so westerly to
London Dary Line thence by s ' London dary Line till it
comes to Methuen Line thence South easterlv bv Methuen Line
till it comes to the province Line thence by the Province Line to
the first Bounds mentioned and you will Gratly oblige your Hum-
ble Petitioners and we shall as in Dutv bound for ever Pray
&c.
Petor Pattee
Rifhard Henth
Joseph Little
Thomas Little
Moses Page
Samuel Watte
Stephun Dole
Paul Duston
John Dustiu
Alexander Gordon
Richard Patee
John IngallB
Thomas Pope
Benja Rawlinga
Caleb Page
Benja Kichardt.
John Dow
Edmund Page
Jonathan Page
Joseph Page
Wyman WIpo
Daniel AVhitaker
Gershom Pike
Nathan Morss
Timothy Lad
John Corour
Henry Sargent
Abraham Annea
Timothy Page
Thomas Duetin
Obadiah Dustin
Obadiah Eastman
Jonathan Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler
Stephen Wheeler
Abncr Wheeler
Jonath;in Wheeler junr
John Coriier Junr
John Watts Jun
Nathaniel Watts
Daniel Poor
Moses Belknap
Joseph Gile
John Clement
Daniel Flood
.Jonathan Hutohins
Nathaniel Knight
George Little
John Watts
Joseph Noyes
Ehenezer Knight
Joshua Knight
James Xo\ea
Humphrey Noyce
Thomas Noyea
John Knight
Nathaniel Knight Jun
Selh Patee
Benjamin lleath
68o NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hazzen and others Petition for a Special Act, (£c.
Province of | To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esqr.
New riarnp'' ) Governour and Coininander in chief in &
over s' Province ^jf New Hampshire, The
Hon' His Majesties Council & House of
Representatives in General Court assembled
at Portsmouth August 1744
Humbly Shew the Subscribers That sometime in the months-
of September October or November last many persons liveing
in Haverhill District in s' Province or near to the same in the
Town of Haverhill had severall of their Cattle taken out of
their fields, or pastures and kill'd also Severall Swarms of
Bees were stolen & the Honey carry'd off by some thievish &
ill minded persons, as also axes Poultry of all sorts & other
things.
That severall of the hides were found in that part of s Dis-
trict which is Commonly called Rumford Parish cither hid in
barns under y hay, or in other dark holes with the head and
horns cut off for which reason with manv other evidences we
are well satisfied, the actors of these thefts & Robberies live
most of them in s ' District or Parish.
That forasmuch as these actions are for the most part com-
mitted in the dark where positive evidences can scarcely ever
be had, it is very hard & difficult to detect & convict the crimi-
nals in the Ordinary course and Method of the Law, by which
means the Guilty are become verry bold & daring in their evil
practices and the sufferers not like to have any recompense un-
less Some further provision in the law can be made.
We therefore Earnestly request your Excellency & Honours
to Compassionate our distressed circumstances and afford u*
releif eitlier by making Some act to bring suspected persons &
their aiders & assistants on their oaths which we humbly con-
ceive has been of Great Service in Trespass or Otherwise as
your Excellency & Honours in your known wisdom goodness
& piety shall think best & for your Excellency & Honours your
Humble petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Stephen HiiBe Edward Calton .Tun.
Daniel Bradley Benja Gale
James McHard liad stolen 3 (attCatl Henery Springier
& on IIorB & Cow Nathaniel Balcli
Samuel While .Inn. Solomon Springier
Uiihard Uas^eltine Daniel
Samuel Johneou Nathaniel March
Stephen Dow Jonathan Springier
Stephen Whetcaker James Wise
William Stevens Edward pees Hoit ?
Nehemiali Stevens Isaac Johnson
Peter Morse Jame- Black
TO-v\ HAI'EKS IM.AISTOW AND ATKINSON.
68 1
Kichard Hnzzcii
Joshua Bayk'v had stolen a swnrni ol'
Bees
Edwfti-d Flint
Edmund Greenleaf
Nathaniel Waiker
David Marsh
James Pears' 'n
Jno .Mitchel
James Uow Lost a bwarin of Uccb
Benja Grele
Jacob Chase swarm of bees.
John I'eeker »n cowe
Willm Folnsby
Nathan Heseltine
Natthau Merrill
Abner Kimball
Kichard Kciiereon
Abraham Kimb.lll
John Molton
Jonathan Sliepard
Nehemiah Emerson
James Emerson
Joseph Litel?
William John»on Juii.
Samuel Wontes
Henry Herring
Obadiah Parry
James Ayer oue swarm of beet
Abiel Foster
Samuel White
John White Juu.
Joseph At wood
Mof-es Uow
Jo-^eph I'atten
Jart Pecker
Nathaniel Knowlton
Isaac Dal ton
Obediah Emerfon
Thos Little
Jonatlian Webster
Oliver Sanders
Frink
Ebenr Belnap
John Osgood Jun.
Jonathan Leal'kin
Daniel Poor
Jonathan March
William Samson
Moses Ilazzen
Benjamin Richards
Daniel Davies
Nath Cogswell
Joseph Clement
Obadiah Hellknap
Wni Handcock
Thomas Follansbe
Timothy Emerson
Jonatlian Stevens
Job. Stewart, on lat cowe stolen
Alexandr Cambil on fat cowe
Meinurial of Col. James White a?id others.
Province of ) To his Excellency John VVentvvorth Esq'' Gov-
New Hamp"^- ) ernor the Honourable his Majesties Council
and Representatives of said Province in
General Court assembled.
The Memorial of James White and others humbly shevveth
Whereas by a late act or Law of this Province the Town of
Plaistow is Divided and part of it become a New and Sepa-
rate Parish, which Includes oiu" Houses and Lands, we ap-
prehend that our Situation and other Circumstances will render
it very Ditlicult for us to become members of the said new
Parish. And it being Just and reasonable to alow all men
freedom and Liberty with respect to the choice of a society
wherein to join in Public worship —
We therefore Pray that your Excellency and Honours will
accordin<j^ to yoiu" wonted favours Enact and order that we
with our Estates may be set off from said new Parish, be an-
nex'd and lielong to said Plaistow (old L'arish) in the vSame
682 NEW HAMPSHIRE
manner as heretofore. And we as in Duty bound Shall ever
Pray.
Sep' 1767
James White Daniel Whiticker
Joiin Webster Daniel Poor
Israel Webster Daniel Poor jun.
John Webster Jun. Jonathan Page
Jonathan Eatton Stephen Noyes
Moses Page Humphrey Noyes
Jonathan Webster Robart Greenough
{?;
lliam Webster
Petition of Sundry Ifihab'' of Plaistoiv.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Cap-
New Hamp''' )• tain General Governor & Comander in
Chief in and over his Majestys Province
aforesaid &c : & the Honorable his Majestys Council and
the House of Representatives in General Court Assembled
at Portsmouth.
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Shews,
Whereas there has been lately part of Plaistow set off and
made a new & Seperate Parish bounded according to certain
Lines which goes by the Name of Atkinson in which we with
Our Estates falls into the said new Parish, Our Prayer & re-
quest to this Honourable Court above mentioned is that
Whereas we have heretofore assisted in building a Meeting
House a Parsonage House & have now a Minister settled in
Plaistow according to our principles & minds Therefore Our
Desire & request is that We with our Estates may be set off
from said New Parish and be annexed to the Old Parish or
Town of Plaistow that we might be & remain as heretofore.
We therefore Pray that your Excellency and Honors will
take the matter under Consideration & grant such Relief for
those who desire to be set off as aforesaid as you in your wis-
dom shall think best. And we as in Duty bound shall Ever
Pray &c.
James White
Moses Greenough
Jonathan Eaton
Samuel Kimball
Plaistow Septemb" 1767
Province of \In the House of Representatives Septem' 14"' 1767
New Hamp"''/ The within Petition being Read & Considered,
Voted that the Petitioners be heard thereon the third day of the Sit-
ing of the General Assembly after the first day of Novem next & that
they serve Mr. Thomas Noyes who is appointed to call the first meet-
TOWN PAPERS PLAISTOW AND ATKINSON. 683
ing in said Atkinson with a Copy of this Petition & Order that Objections
mav be made to granting the Prayer of the Petition if any there be.
M. Weare Clr.
In Council Eod'" Die
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson Jr. Sec.
Vera Copia
T. Atkinson Jun Sec
Petition for release from support of Hugh Potter.
Province of 1 To His Excellency the Governor to the Hon'"'"
New Hamp' ) His Majestys Council, and the House of
Representatives of said Province in Gen-
eral Court assembled May y" 18" A Domini 1774
In behalf of the Town of Plaistow in the County of Rock-
ingham in said Province — the Petition of the Selectmen and
Overseers of the Poor of said Town of Plaistow Humbly
Sheweth,
That abt)ut Twenty years Since one Hugh Potter, a very
aged man. without leave or liberty orderly had, or obtained,
from Said Town, or the Selectmen thereof. Did come into and
Obtrude himself upon the said Town of Plaistow by takeing
residence therein. & dwelling there to this day — That accord-
ing to the best accounts from the said Potter he was a native
of Great Britain & had never gained a legal settlement else-
where.
That from Early life till near the time of his Coming into
said Plaistow he the said Potter had been in his Majestys Ser-
vice both by sea & land, and that he had been in several
Fights as long ago as in y- Reign of Queen Ann &c. and that
by reason of y ' s' Hughs account of & about himself he was
not legally warned to depart out of the Said Town of Plais-
tow. That the said Hugh Potter has been unable to support
& maintain himself ever since his residence in said Town.
That tor Seventeen years last past the said Plugh Potter hath
been maintained & supported at the Public Cost & charge of
y* s ' Town of Plaistow, that the Cost & charge thereof has
not been less than Eleven pounds lawful money p"" an'" for
several years past, and is now increasing So as greatly to Dis-
tress, & burthen the s' Town &c.
Wherefore the petitioners in behalf of said Town of Plais-
tow Humbly pray yr. Excel' & Hon" to take y' premises un-
der consideration and in your great goodness Grant and make
an order that the s' Hugh Potter may for the future be main-
tained. & supported at the Cost & charge of this, his Majes-
684
NEW HAMPSHIUE
tys Province of New Hampshire & that the said Town of
Plaistow be no longer Chargeable with his support and like-
wise favour us on accojut of y ' charges we have been at in
time past or such other way & manner as your Excel • &
Hon"' shall think best to relieve y" s' Town & the Pet " as in
duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Plaistow May y*^ ly"'' 1774
JosKHH Wp:lch ^ Selectmen &
David Stevens V Overseers of y'
EzEKiEL GiLE ) Poor of Plaislow
In Council May iS, 1774
The Petition was read and ordered to be sent down lo the Hon"'"
Assembly
Geo. King, Dep. Sec.
In the House of Representatives May 19''' 1774
The within Petition Read & Considered and Voted that it be Dia-
missed.
M. Weare, Clerk
PIERMONT.
Petition of the Cotn}'"'' of Piermo7it to the Governor.
Province of | To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"^ Cap-
New Hamp' ' ) tain General Governor and Commander in
chief in and over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire.
The Petition of us the Subscribers being a Committee of the
Proprietors of Piermont in said Province, Humbly Sheweth
That in the year 1765, The said Proprietors had a Grant of said
Township under certain conditions of settlement to be performed
in Five years from the date of said Grant, and that your Petition-
ers have laid out and expended Large sums of money in Cul-
tivating said Town & have settled Fourteen Families Thereon,
but nevertheless. Through badness of Roads, and the Impos-
sibility of obtaining Provision in that part of the Country and
also by means of the said Petitioners being Employed a Con-
siderable part of their time in Transacting the Publick busi-
ness of the Province, they have not been able fully to comply
with the conditions of the charter of said Town, and There-
fore Humbly Pray your Excellency would Grant a further
Reasonable Time to the said Proprietors, to P\illill the same
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c.
Portsmouth December 22'"' 1770
TOWN PAI'KKS PLYMOL Til
685
Mark H. VVentworth
Jonathan Warner
John Tuften Mason Esq
Geo. JatTrev
Ricli' Jenncss
Jon" Moulton
D. Warner
D. Peircc
John GofFe
Clem' March
William Parker
Christo Toppan
PLYMOUTH.
Petition for leave to send a Representative.
Province of ~) To his Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq
New Hampshire V Captain General Governor and Com-
Grafton ss \ mandcr in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire &c.
The Petition of the Free holders of the Town of Plymouth
within the County of Grafton aforesaid, Humbly wShewcth
That your Petitioners some months past preferred a Petition
to your Excellency praying for the privilege of a Representa-
tion for said Town of Plymouth, in the Legislative Authority
in said province. Agreeable to the Right inherent in them, as
Englishmen and Freeholders.
That said Petition by some means or other was dismissed.
That your humble Petitioners again earnestly Pray your Ex-
cellency would take this petition under your wise consideration
and grant them that privilege they think their Just Due by is-
suing a Precept for the choice of a proper person to represent
them in the General Assembly Their Interest now suffering
much for want of that most invaluable Privilege And your
humble Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c.
Sam Emerson
James Harvell \ Selectmen
Thomas Lucas
John Fenton
Abel Webster
Gersm Fletcher
Fmncis Worcester
Joeiah Hrown
Stephen Webster
John \Villoughby
Davitl Webster
James IJlutlget
David Ilobart
<ieorKe Hull
Benja (iooUl
Jacob Merrill
David Nevens
Ebcnezer Hartshorn
William Nevens
Jonas Ward
Edward Evans
William Simpson
Moses Dow
Onesiferous Marsh
William Grecnough
Elisha IJcan
Samuel Marsh
Joseph Smith
Saml Dcrben
Thomas M'Cluer
Jonathan Blodget
686 NKW HAMPSHIRE
Joseph Brown Zebediah Richardson
GerBhom Ilfibart George Pattereon
James Barnes Zacliariah Parker
Phineas Lovejoy Solomon Wheeler
Peter Stearns Joe eph Wheeler
Jotham Curainga James Ryan
Stephen Webster Jun. Ephraim Kelse
Jonathan Blodget Nahum Powers
Peter Dearborn Jacob Marsh
Paul Wells John Webber
Benjamin Wells
Petition for a re-survey of land (&c.
Proviiace of ) To His Excellency John Wentworth Esqr.
New Hamp'^ j General Governor and Commander in chief
in and over his Majesty s Province of New
Hampshire, The Honourable his Majesty's
Council and house of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened.
The Petition of us the Subscribers being a Committee
chosen by the Proprietors of Plymouth Humbly Sheweth, That
the Corner boundary of Four Townships viz : Plymouth,
Campton, Rumney and Cockermouth depends upon a certain
Point or End of a Line, Nineteen Miles in Length, upon a
Certain Point of Compass from a Certain Tree at Connecticut
River. That the Severall Partys have at their own Private
Cost made Several Surveys but do not agree one with another,
Either in Length of Line or point of Compass, which throws
the said Townships into Great Confusion and uncertainty.
Concerning their Boundaries, and Greatly Retards the Settle-
ment of the Land. Wherefore your Petitioners pray the ad-
visement of This Honourable Court and that a Committee may
be appointed to survey the said Nineteen miles and thereby to
Establish the said Corner Boundary.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever pray &c.
Portsmouth December 3o '' 1770
S. LivERMORE ) Committee
Moses Little ) for Plymouth
Province of t In the House of Representatives Dec' 22' 1770
New Hamp'''' J Voted that the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on
the fourth Day of the Siting of the General Assemblj
after the first Day of March next and that the Petitioners Cause the
Substance of this Petition and Order of Court to be Published in the
New Hamps"^ Gazett six weeks tiuit any person may shew Cause whj
the Prayer of the Petition should not be Granted.
M. Weare CI'
In Council Jan' 18"" 1771
Read and concurred
Geo King Dep Sec.
TOWN PAPERS — PLYMOUTH.
687
Province of \ In the House of Representatives March 36 1771.
New Hampsliire ) The Within Petition Considered and Voted that
it be Dismissed
M. Weare Clr.
Petition for a representative.
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Captain general
governor & commander in chiel" in & over said province of
New Hampshire &c. &c.
The petition of us the Subscribers freeholders & inhabitants
of Plimouth in the county of Grafton in the Province afore-
said,
Most Humbly Shew^eth
that the said town of Plimouth is one of the best inhabitted
towns in said County and one of the towns appointed by y°
law of this province for holding the courts of Justice in, and
that no representative hath hitherto been chosen within the
said Count} to sit in the General Assembly of this province.
They therefore pray your Excellency's consideration of the
premises, and that the said petitioners may be admitted to the
privilege of sending a representative to the next General As-
semblv & vour Petitioners as in Dutv bound shall ever pray
&c. " '
January 19"' 1774
William SimiJ^on
Peter Emerson
Sam Kmersou
David llobart
Abel Webster Town clerk
James Harvel
Da\ ill Webster
John Willouprhby selectman
William Nevene
Daniel Wheeler
Peter Hobart
Thomas Mcluer
Joseph Smith
Jacob Mar.~h
Amos Webster
Jainc-s llobart
Francis Woriester
Joseph Brown
Josiah IJiDwn
Benjamin Dearborn
Amos i'hillips
Joiham (^umings
Phineas Loyejoy
Ebenr Hartshorn
Stephen Webster
Solomon lUood
Peter Stearne
Silas Brown
Eleazcr Parker
Solomon Wheeler
James Ryan
Gersni Fletcher
John Webster
Stephen Webster Jun.
Benja Derben
Ebenr Blodget
James Blodget
Edward Evans
Zebediar Richardson
David Nevens
Renjamin Goold
Samuel Derben
James Marsh
Winthrop \Vell8
Elisha Bean
Thomas Lucas
Abijah Wright
Jonas Ward
Henry I'help*
George Hull
Nathl Hull
John Calfe
Gershom Hobart
VOLUME VI.
PORTSMOUTH TO WOLFKBOROUGH .
PORTSMOUTH.
[This is one of the oldest towns in the State, having been settled in
the year 1633. Its Indian name was Pascataquack, and the first Eng-
lish name was Straivberry Bank. It was incorporated by the name ol
Portsmouth, 28 May 1753, by the Colony ot Massachusetts, under
whose government the people of New Ilitmpshire then were. The
inhabitants in their petition for incorporation say, "the name of this
plantation at present being Straberry Banke, accidentally so called
by reason of a banke where strawberries w«5 found in this place":
They humbly desired "to have it called Portsmouth, being a name
most suitable for this place, it being the river mouth and good harbor
as any in this land." fonN Farmer, Esq.]
Orders relati7tg to a School.
Portsm" 16 Nov' 1708.
Notwithstanding the pious care of the Governor Council and Assem-
bly of this Province in Raysing a free Gramar Schoole for the prov-
ince to be kept in the town of Portsmouth being the head of the Gov-
ernment & their good provision for the maintainance of the master:
The Council are now Informed that there is no provision made by
the Toun of Portsmouth for a Schoole house for the receipt of the
master and schoUars : — •
Ordered, that the selectmen of the toun of Portsmouth be notifyed
of their neglect herein, and that they forthwith provide a suitable
house for the said schoole to be kept, that the schollars may not lose
their time within three days next coming upon the penalty of fort^
pounds to be levyed upon their persons & estates as other fines «Sf
charge ? into the treasury to be expended in the building of a good
schoole house for the future service, that the aforesaid good and relig-
ious Act of the Assembly be not evaded & eluded.
May &c (as early as 1709).
Upon the vacancy of the School by Mr. Gambling's desire to be dis-
charged, the Council have taken it into Consideration of calling a new
school ma"" who would very gladly si:bmit to yo'r Exce ' Recom-
modation of M'" Dudly Broadstreet; but fearing he would not be
every way soe agreable have therefore by the good character they have
had of Mr. Dan' Ringe of Ipswich, to give him a call and agree with
him for 4 years According to the Act — humbly desiring y' ExcelU
concurrence therewith.
[See Act referred to, Prov. Pap., Vol. III. pp. 364, 365. Ed.]
TOWN I'APEHS PORTSMOUTH 689
Petition for a grant of land.
To his Excellency Sam Shute Esq^ Capt. Ge.V & Comander
in Lhict in & over his Mai'ties Province of New Hamo^
and to the Hon ' the Council for said Province : '
The humble Petition of the selectmen of the Town of
Po.tsm w.thin the Prov of New Hamp'-Humbly sheweth :
1 hat the lornier belcct men for the s" Town of Portsm'^
sometime since Petition'd to your Excellency and Hon^^ to
have a small tract of land granted to the Inhabitants of s^
Portsmouth at the head of Dover, w ' was granted, and upon
view of the s^ tract of land and mature consideration theS
SeUlemln?"' '^ '''" """* ^"''^'''' ^'^'' *''"" "^tended
Your Petitioners therefore humblv pray to have the liliprfu
to withdraw the s^ Petition and to hav'e a^ract^f land granted
for a Township to the Inhabitants of Portsmouth whom we
repicscnt of SIX miles front and eleven miles back into the
vvoods to be divided among the s'' Inhabitants in proportion to
their rates agrcablc to a vote past at a Town meeting of the s'^
from Do" V 1"'''^ ^''^ P''^'L' beginning four milc^s and half
from Dover North east corner bounds upon Dover head line,
then to run from the s' head line upon a South west point half
a point northerly two miles for the depth of the Land granted
to the Iron works ; Then the said Tract to begin at U.e end
of the s Uvo miles and run upon the Same point Eleven
w'' Dover h' Tl'^''' •'"^'•f"'^ ^^'"'^^ "1^"" ^ P--''^"^^!! li"e
Tn^ y^'^^'^^^'-^'^^ "^^ «>-^ miles to New Boston northerly corner,
and rom the end of the two miles afores' six miles upon a
paral ell line w- Dover head line to New Boston easterly line
which makes an oblong or Long square tract of Land'as "s
la d down in a plot hereannext: And your Petition" as in
duty bound will ever pray.
Tiro" Peirce
John Cutt
Joseph Moulton
Selectmen for the toun of Portsm '
The prayer of the petition granted.
May 4, 1722.
R. Waldron, Cler. Con.
Request to the Selectmen of Portsmouth.
To the Select men of the town of Portsm" in New Hampshire •
Gentlemen : Whereas in an Act of this Province (of v ^i.' year of
h.s Majesty Km.cr George) entituled an Act for y better reiihS ^
Town and Proprietary Meetings, amon- other thin^« n "^^^"''^''"f ?^
the words following / .< That\Jhen an^dlo^ofS;"!:' J^n'ofX'tee"
44
690
NEW HAMPSHIRE
" holders of any Town shall signify under their hands to the select-
" men their desire to have any matter or thing inserted into a warrant
" for calling a town meeting, the Selectmen are hereby required to
" insert y" Same in the next warrant they shall issue for y calling a
" Town meeting " —
And Whereas at a thin meeting of the said Toun held bj adjourm'
in said Toun, the 7"' of September, 1724, several votes were past as we
conceive w"' out due consideration, respecting the three nooks & gores
of land mortgaged to Maj' Wm. Vaughan, which votes (in our opin-
ion) are unreasonable & unjust, and to us a great greivance, & (as we
are given to understand) verj disagreeable and * * * contrary to
y8 mind of y' toun in general :
Therefore, We the subscribers & freeholders of y" said Town, do
now by these Presents signify to you y' it is our desire to have y« said
votes reconsidered at y" next town meeting, in order to have y subject
matter thereon more maturely & deliberately discussed & repass'dupon
to y ■ end that strict justice may be done, our grievance removed & y'
town contented touching y^' premises ; and accordingly do earnestly
pray that the same be inserted into the next warrant (alias notifica-
tion) which you shall issue for y" calling a town meeting Pursuant to
the afores'^ (in part recited) Act.
In testimony of our desire as aforementioned we have hereunto set
our hands.
y» 26"' of Feb" I7-H-?-
(Copy)
Petitioti in relaticm to a meethtg house at the Plains.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire in New England, and to the Honourable the
Council and House of Representatives convened in General
Assembly. —
The Petition of Sundry his Majestvs loval Subjects, Free-
holders & Inhabitants of the Southwesterly Part of the town
of Portsmouth in said Province :
Most humbly sheweth : That about seven years agoe several
of your Petitioners with some others (at a vast expence)
erected a House for the Publick worship of God at the Plains
(so called) in said Portsmouth ; and from the month of Janu-
ary 1725 to March 1727, defray'd the charge of constant
preaching in the said house, paying their full Proportion of
the Parish Tax for the support of the Gospel Ministry at the
Bank at the Same time : But that Burthen bearing a little too
heavy, the Proprietors of the said house and others commodi-
ously situated for attending the Publick worship there, at
length requested the Parish to which they belong'd to exoner-
ate them from any further levys towards the subsistaiice of the
Reverend Mr. Fitch, which they (like well-dispos'd & true
Christian brethren) by a unanimous vote dated the 4 '' of
TOWN PAPERS — PORTSMOUTH. 6^i
March 1727, in a full Parish meeting readily comply'd with;
in order to enable the said Proprietors and others to maintain
the Publick worship of God with the greater cheerfulness &
more ease amongst themselves, which they have done with the
utmost alacrity (for the most part) ever since, and found un-
speakable comfort therein. But forasmuch as the method for
defraying the charge aforesaid hath hitherto been by a free
subscription, which has had considerable Inconveniency attend-
ing it — some paying much more & some much less than their
due Proportions, and Some few nothing at all, either there or
elsewhere ; and moreover your humble petitioners (upon seri-
ous consideration) earnestly desiring a full enjoyment of the
Gospel ordinances amongst themselves, from a sinccreaim atthe
glory of God and the Health of their immortal souls, do now
most humbly supplicate your Excellency and Honours to grant
them an Act of Incorporation for a Parish by the metes and
Bounds mention'd in the aforesaid Parish Vote ; — an exempli-
fication of which properly authenticated is hereunto annex'd,
with the full powers and authoritys of a Parish — excluding all
those that belong to the Mill dam Parish by Law (that desire
to be excluded) if by Law any such Parish there be.
Your Excellency and Honours are so well acquainted with
the common arguments in such Petitions (viz.) The great dis-
tance from the Meeting-house ; the vast difficulty of travel
(especially for women & childi'en ; & more especially at some
seasons of the year) that not more than one in five or six can
go up to the house of God, and that therefore they are in dan-
ger of perishing for lack of vision ; labouring under a Famine
of the word, &c. that your Petitioners dont think it proper to
essay any Illustrations on those common themes, but humbly
take leave only to offer an observation or two for tlie further
enforcing their request, viz.
!"■ That tliere are to the best of their knowledge Eighty
families, (besides the Familys of six widows) one hundred &
eight ratable heads & four hundred and fifty souls ov there-
about within the bounds mentioned in the aforesaid vote.
N. B. There are half a dozen Famil)s or more consisting
of thirty souls at least (not comprehended in the bounds above-
said,) more commodiously situated to attend the Publick wor-
ship at the Plains Meeting-House than any where else.
2. That in the year 1737 (as they are informed) there was
at Greenland but 92 ratable Polls, tho' that has been a Parish
between 20 lS: 30 years; at Ncwington but 92 which has been
a Parish near 3o years, at New Castle but Sz ; at New Market
but 78 ; and at Rye but 72 : By which it appears that the
Reasons for making a Parish in the Southwest Part of I'orts-
mouth are much gieater with respect to numbers, than they
692
NEW HAMPSHIRE
were for incorporating either of the Parishes aforesaid, & on
all other accounts the same ; and therefore as your Petitioners
cannot in the least doubt of your Excellency's & Honours re-
ligious disposition to promote the glory of God & good of
souls, so neither can they suspect the success of a prayer sup-
ported by weightier Reasons, when so many Petitions of like
sort, but with much lighter Reasons have so often prevailed.
VVe are your Excellency's & Honours most dutiful & obedient
servants and shall ever pray as in Duty bound.
P. S. May it consist with the wisdom of the Legislature, to
put the Petitioners on the same footing with the Parish of
Greenland in Regard to an Assembly Man & the Province Tax
without further concern with Portsmouth.
Nathanel Peverlj
Thomas Snell
James Libby
"Samson X Babb, his mark
John Bruster
John Marshal
Hen. Sherburne, jun.
Joseph Nelson
Summers Clark
Thomas Sherburne
his
John X Ham
mark
John Tomson
Israel Hight
Sampson Babb
his
Ricard X Babb
mark
James Rowe
John Hight
Charles X Brown, his mark
Miek. Abbot
John Brown
James X Benson, his mark.
Joel X Wisem? mark
Jams X Worsen, mark
Sam' Sherburne
Jos X Moroson, mark
Nathaniel Sherburn
Matthew Nelson
John Langdon
Henry Benet
William Lang
John X Simons, mark
Holms, mark
John Peaverly
Richard X Honywal? mark
Joseph Langdon
Samuel Homes
Thomas Cotton
Henkman X Fose, mark
Cesfo? X Noble, mark
Nath' Tuckerman
Nicholas Norris
Noah Sevy
Thomas Read
Jn" Walker
Anthony Rowe, mark
Sam' Bruster
Sam' White
Joshua Bruster
John Sherburne
James Wood
Henry Benson
John Langmd
Phillip Babb
Jerimiah Holms
John Holms
Benjamin Holms
Lazarus Nobel
Israel Hunewell
Sami Row
Charles Frost
[Several names appear to be
cutoff.]
Margaret Nelson
Grace Row, widow,
Wid. Sarah Tomson.
In Council March 8'^ 1732-3-
t "Read and unanimously voted. That the Prayer of the Petition be
granted & that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a bill accordingly.
R. Waldron, Secy.
TOWN PAPKRS PORTSMOUTH. 693
In the House of Representatives, March 9, 1732-3.
Read and Voted, that the within petition be referred, until the 3' day
of the next Sessions of the General Assembly, & that the Upper and
lowor Parrishes in the Town of Portsm ■ be served with a copy of the
Petition, and that so they may appear at the time above s'' then to shew
reason if any they have why the prayer of the petition should not be
granted.
George Walton, clr. Pro temp""
March 10. 1732-33, Concurred
R. Waldron, Secy.
Same day consented to
J. Belcher.
Petition relating to dividing the Coin7no?i land in Ports-
7iiouth.
To his Excellencie Jonathan Belcher Esq' Capt. Generall &
Commander in Chief, in and over his Maj" ' Province of
Newhampshire, and the Hon''' his Maj ' ^ Councill for
said Province :
The humble Petition of Henry Sherburn Esq'' Ephraim
Dennet Esq foshiia Pierce Esq' and Mr. William Cotton for
themselves and others, a Committee for the dividing the Com-
mon Land of the Town of Portsmouth, In behalfe of the Pro-
prietors of the said Common Land, most humbly Shexveth :
That in the yeare 1699, The' was at a legall Town meeting
held at Portsmouth a vote Past for the dividing the common
Land of the said Town amongst the then Inhabitants, and per-
sons as a Committee for Doing the same then appointed, and
from Time to Time continued of which Com' '' the above are
the Major part: which Committees from Time to Time ever
since (when not obstructed by the Indian Warr, ) has continued
to lay out the said Comon lands to all such as had Right, and
such Rights quietly enjoyed untill the year of our Lord 1716 ;
Since which yeare Sundry of the Proprietors of the Comon
land about Greenland adjoining to the town of Streatham have
been molested and hindered from improving their Rights
by the Inliabitants of said Town of Stretham, and several Law-
suits commenced which is the cause of great trouble & charge
&c. all which happened by the misaplying the Grant or Char-
ter of the Town of Stretham, as y'^ Pettition'^ humbly pre-
sumes, which they humbly shewcth happens as hereafter ex-
prest :
On the 10 day of January i7it;-i6, sundiv persons calling
themselves the Inhabitants of Squamscot Pattent (Tho' there
never was any such * Pattent) Petitioned the t/ie Hon"*'
* This ia incorrect; unleee there is a confusion of terms— making m tlistinction be-
tween tlie Squaniscott and Hilton's Point Patent. See and coniiuiie I'rov. P;ip. Vol.
I. pp. 221-2-i4, and General and Hist. Ilcg. Ib'O, wla-re the Hilton's Point Patent
alias Squaniscott, is printed in full. Eu.
694 NEW HAMPSHIRE
George Vaughan Esq' then Liv' Governor and Comander in
Chiefe in and over this Province of Nevv^ hampshire to be set
ofl' as a Township ; and therein prcscribs bounds ; The said
Liu*^ Governor with the advice of his Maj'''^^ Councill did, on
the twenty''' day of March then next following, grant the Peti-
tion and gave them a Charter according to the Bounds pi-e-
scribed (with the exceptions of fower families,) asby the Char-
ter may be seen.
Now those persons that called themselves the Inhabitants of
Squamscot Patent Did live upon a tract of land that its usually
said was granted by the Councill of Plim toone Edw ' Hilton
and his Associates three miles into the Country from the Maine
river going up to Exeter, and as such the Towns round about
acknowledged them, and none ever interfered or claimed within
the three miles from the Maine River south east into the coim-
try ; and tho' all their land fell within the auntient bounds of
the Town of Portsmouth, yet the Town Voted that three miles
that Mr. Andrew Wiggans claimed should still be to him &
his heirs &c. And the grandfather of the familly of the pres-
ent Wiggans (upon the marriage of Son to the Daughter of
Gov- Bradstreet) made a Deed of Gift of that part of the said
Hilton's Patent which he claimed (being three miles square)
and called it Squamscot, the bounds of which Deed were only
three miles south-east from Exeter River, and no Dispute h;ip-
pened till since the grant to the Town of .Stretham as aforesaid.
In running the Bound of which according to the said Charter
(at the West end of the Wiggan's grant) by an advantage of a
Southerly turn of Exeter River, the south bound of Stratham
(against the Wiggan's Grant is fower miles very neare upon a
South east point) at the west end of Portsmouth bounds and
they claimc that land between the Charter line and the afores"*
Wiggan's Riglit and so to a Gore at the easterly end, and say
that it was confirmed to them by virtue of the Grant by Liv'
Governor Vaughan to Stretham aforesaid ; Which notion had
and Dos govern much with our country juries , So that those
persons that have their Comon Rights laid out between the
lines aforesaid are in a perpetual controversie and law suits.
For Remedy whereof
Your Petitioners for themselves and the others of their Soci-
ety as a Comittee and in behalfe of the Proprietors of the
Comon Land of Portsmouth, most humbly prays your Excel-
lency & the Hon Councill, That as the Grant for the Town
of Stretham was made only by that Hon'' Board, That an Ex-
planation be made of Stretham charter (that as Wee humbly
presume) that this Board in that Grant, Did not att all media
or pretend to alter the Right of the soile ; and alsoe Wee pray
that this Hon Board would alsoe appoint a Comittee of In-
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOUTH. 695
different persons to nine the Dividing line between Portsmouth
and that Deed of Thomas Wiggans Esq' to his son Andrew
Wiggans ; The Town having no Dispute beyond the Bounds
of that Deed which Deed is conformable to the Fatten of Ed-
ward Hilton and associates aforesaid ; And your Petitioners as
in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
Hen : Shkrburxh
Ephr"" Dennet
Josh : Peirce.
Portsmouth, Jan. 3', 1733-4.
Petition of t/ic South Parish in Portsmouth.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Governor & Com-
mander in chief in & over His Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire in New England, the Hon** his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province, in Gen-
eral Court convened, the 31 ' Day of January, Anno Dom.
1739-
The Petition of James Clarkson, Esq' Thom Wright & Dan-
iel Pierce Merch"" all of Portsm" in said Province, a Commit-
tee of the South Parish in Portsm afores . and as agents for&
in behalf of the said Parish :
Hu?nbiy shcweth :
That there has been for some consideralile time a difTerence
subsisting between the North and South Parishes in said Town
respecting the settlement of their Parishioners and the removal
of certain persons from one Parish to the other & the Taxes to
be paid by such persons toward Parish charges :
That sundry persons that have removed from the attendance
of the Pul)lic worship in the North Parish afores ' and have set-
tled themselves or constantly attended the said worship in the
South Parish afores' for some considerable time past, have not-
withstanding been rated or taxed toward the charges of the said
North Parish, & so in consequence of such removal have been
obliged to pay both ;
That the greater part of those who have so removed have
been induced thereto by a Prospect oi' Better accommodations
for themselves & families in the meeting-house they have re-
moved to, and think it a hard case that they must purchase
those accommodations by paying a double Tax ;
That those persons have not been able (tho' it has been sev-
eral times requested) to obtain a regular dismission from the
said North Parish, nor have the Parishes at any meetings,
or by their delegates (tho' Essays have been made) been able
to come to any terms of composition relating to the Premises ;
696 NEW HAMrSIlIRE
That the said South Parish conceives the Rule & Method by
which new parishioucrs have been & still are to be settled in
said Parishes, is such as gives the said North Parish (which is
much the superior for numbers & riches of its Inhabitants)
greatly the advantage, and that therefore it is highly reasonable-
that a new and more equitable Rule for that purpose should be
establish'd & the former suspended.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray that a Law maybe
now enacted agreeable to a Vote of the Honorable the House
of Representatives for said Province, of the 15'^ of Nov'' 1738,
Respecting the premises (and herewith exhibited) excepting
only a clause in said vote Relating to such young men as should
settle on the Estates of their fathers &c. But that the settle-
ment of such persons should be determined by the same Rule
therein proposed for the settling of other young men in the said
Parishes & strangers that shall come to settle in the said Town ;
or that such other methods or Rules of fixing Parishioners in
the said Parishes may be established as this Hon • ' Court in
their great Wisdom & Goodness shall think equitable & just
between the said Parishes.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
James Clarkson
Thomas Wright
D. Pierce.
Feby. the first 1739. In the House of Representatives :
The within Petition Read & voted, that the Petitioners serve the
Wardens of tlie North Parish in Portsmouth with a copy of this Peti-
tion at the Petitioners charge, and that the}' appear to be heard Tuesday
the 12"' Curr'" to shew cause why the prayer of the Petition may not be
granted, if the General Court is tlien sitting; if not then to appearethe
third day of the sitting of tlie Gen' Assembly next Sessions.
James Jeffry, Cler. Ass"'
In Council. Feb^ 6''' 1739-40.
Read and concurr'd.
Rich^i Waldron, Secy.
I assent to the above votes,
Feb> 6, 1739-40. J. Belcher.
In the House of Representatives, Feb> 7"^ A. D. 1739-40. Upon re-
considering the above Vote of the House : Voted, That the Petitioners
serve the Wardens of the North Parish in Portsmouth with a copy of
this Petition, and the above order.
James Jeftry, Cler. Ass"*
In Council, Feb> 8'" 1739.
Read & Concurred.
Rich^ Waldron, Secy
Feb>' 8"" 1739-40. Assented to
J. Belcher.
In Council, Feb> i5"*> 1739-40,
Read, and on motion made by the Respondents, and the Petitioners
being heard in answer to the s'' motion.
TOWN PAPERS — PORTSMOUTH. 697
Voted That the consideration of the Petition be suspended till y" next
session of the general Court
R. Waldron, Secy.
Remo?tst ranee of Portsmouth Selectmen.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq. Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire, the Hon'" his Majesty's Council & House of
Representatives for said Province, In General Court Con-
vened, Jan 31, 1739.
The Remonstrance of the selectmen of the town of Ports-
mouth in said Province, Htuiibly Shezvs
That the Laws of the Province that relate to the admission
of new Inhabitants into any of the Towns in this Province &
the removal of such persons as obtrude themselves upon the
Towns, are very defective in many Respects, so that the good
purposes that were even designed bv those Laws cannot be
attain'd :
That the said Town of Portsmouth from its situation is
greatly exposed to the entrance of strangers by sea, from
which Qiiarter many enter & become Inhabitants even in spite
of all opposition & often a charge to the town ; for the pre-
vention whereof there is no effectual Provision in the said
Laws :
That Laws well calculated to remove or Prevent the said
Inconveniency would certainly be of general Benefit & would
serve the Interest of every town in the Province & the larger
Towns in a inore especial manner :
Wherefore your Remonstrants beg leave humbly to propose
that the Laws already in force Relating to the premises might
be perus'd by this Hon ' Court, or such as they shall appoint
to that service & such an additional Act speedily enacted as
will be necessary for the purposes afores '
Your Remonstrants beg leave further to observe :
That the Town of Portsm ' afores ' in many places of it
being built in a compact manner and in some places there are
old houses with broken chimneys, ovens &c. and the dwellino^
in these houses especially in the winter season greatlv exposes
them to the danger of lire, by which, if they should be con-
sumed whole streets might meet with the same fate.
Wherefore they humbly pray that a Law may now be made
authorizing some officer or officers upon request to view such
old houses & to determine whether they are in a condition fit
to be occupied as Dwelling Houses: and if not to order the
698
NEW HAMPSHIRE
repair thereof at the expense of the Proprietor (so far as shall
be necessary for the common safety) or to remove the occu-
pants of such houses, or to take such other measures as this
Hon'''^ Court shall in their great wisdom & goodness think
proper in a case of such Importance ; for which your Remon-
strants, as in duty bound (in behalf of their Principals) will
ever pray &c.
Wm Parker
Sam Brustek
Wm Bennet y Selectmen
Tho' Wibikd
D. Peirck
In the House of Representatives, Feb^ the 14''' 1739--40.
The within Mem" read, and Voted, That Mr. Honking Wentworth
& Capt. Edw' Hall be a Coinittee of this House to joyne with such as
the Hon''''i Council shall appoint to draw up an act relating to the ad-
mition of Town Inhabitants; and appointing Committees (or officers)
relating to old defective Houses & Chimneys; and for regulating the
poor, and putting out such children apprentices as are likely to become
chargeable to any town or precinct, or whose parents do not take due
care of them.
James JefFry, Clr. Ass"
In Council Feby 19, 1739-40.
Read and Concurred, and Joshua Peirce & Theo' : Atkinson Esq" ap-
pointed to joyn in the service above.
Rich'l Waldron, Sec>.
Same day assented to,
J. Belcher.
Answer to a Petition relating- to the choice of James
Clarkso7t^ Esq.^ as representative.
To the Hon •" the House of Representatives for the Province
of New Hampshire, met in General Assembly, Dec' 31^*^
'745-
The Answer of the Selectmen of the Town of Portsmouth
in said Province, to the Petition of sundry persons respecting
the late choice of James Clarkson Esq' to be one of the Rep-
resentatives of said Town in General Assembly : —
May it please this Hon^'^' House — As it was the order of
the House that we should be served with a copy of the Peti-
tion afores'- we presume 'twas with Design to hear what we
had to say in answer to it, tho' not express'd in the order, &
therefore beg leave to answer the said petition in the following
method, viz : First, to represent the case as we apprehend
the truth of the facts to be. & then to shew why the prayer of
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOIFTH. ^$if^
this petition ouj2[ht not to be f^jranted, for which we pray the
patience, attention, & impartial consideration of this Hon*"'
House.
The case was thus : — Pursuant to a precept to us, Wee gave
notice to the voters in the usual manner of the time, place &
occasion of holding a meeting, which was duly attended ; a
moderator chosen & then the votes in writing bro't in for a
Representative, which were fairly put into a Box standing be-
fore the moderator & clerk, by the voters passing by man by
man. When all were bro't in, the votes were turned out on a
table & counted by the moderator & Clerk. It appeared there
were only two candidates, viz. James Clarkson & Joshua
Peirce Esq" In conducting the whole affiiir thus far, there was
not the least appearance of any disorder or unfair practice.
When the counting of the votes was finished & the number of
votes for each candidate was known to some, tho' not declared
by the Moderator, some of the voters on the side of the Low-
est number being dibappoiutcd in their expectation, declared
their Dissatisfaction, that there was some mistake, & there-
upon a Poll was demanded. Here we must observe, all was
quiet & still, not the least Dissatisfaction expressed till it was
plain how the vote was, &. indeed the disparity left no room
for doubting, for one of the gentlemen had 114, the other but
8i votes. When the Poll was demanded, the Moderator had
recourse to the Law, which gives it. Upon which every person
present hadfree liberty of reasoning&constructingas he tho't fit,
& after much reasoning and consultation upon it, the Modera-
tor declared his opinion, That he apprehended the Demand-
ants had no right to a Poll upon the Law & Circumstances of
the case & therefore denied, for which he gave his reasons
with the denial. This is a brief but true State of the case as
we apjjrehend ; antl whether this or that made by the Petition-
ers is Right, will best be discovered upon the evidence.
We come now to the prayer of the Petition, & say it ought
not to be granted tor the following reasons : First — Because
it has neither Law nor Reason to supjjort it ; and therefore in
the next place, the granting of it would be an infringement
upon the legal Rights of the voters & deprive them of tlieir
just Liberties Sc Privileges ; And Lastly, It would be an act
of Injustice — all which maybe easily evinced to the satisfaction
of every unprejudiced Judgment.
To the first of these — that the prayer of this petition has
neither Law nor Reason to support it: — This is a direct nega-
tion of what the Petitioners say, and may be made out very
clearly as we conceive by considering of the only Law they
can be supposed to refer to, which is an Act entitled, ^'- An
Act for the better regulating l^ozcn d: Proprietary meet-
700 NEW HAMPSHIRE
ings^ of the Province Laws" : By which this controversy
ought to be determined ; and if this Law is not with the Peti-
tioners, they have none of their Side in this case. In order
to know this, every reasonable man will think it necessary to
find out the true Intent & meaning of this act ; for it is a
maxim, — an indisputable Rule — in such cases, That the
mea7iing <& intention of the Lau\ is the La"jj itself ; and to
find out that it is a certain & undisputable rule among those
whose business lays this way &L who are thoroughly versed in
the Interpretation of Acts & Laws, That the Preamble of an
Act is always first to be consulted ; as it is declarative of the
reasons of making of it, & the mischief designed to be rcme-
dyed or prevented by it, & therefore is compared to a Lanthorn
hanging in an Entry of an House by which we discover the
rightwa}' in. Now the Preamble of this Act says, By reason
of the Disorderly carriage of some persons in such
meetings the Business thereof is much retarded & obstruct-
ed: for preventing whereof it is enacted that a moderator
shall be chosen to govern & regulate the Business of the
meeting ; and, xvhen it shall happen that any matters remaiti
doubtfill after a vote^ the /Moderator is directed to Decide
it by the PoU., if seven or more desire it : This is all that
relates to this atiair in the whole Act. Now this being the
first paragraph in the Act it must in reason be supposed the
Preamble contains a special reference to the things mentioned
in this Paragraph ; for to suppose a preamble to an Act which
has no refterence to any thing thereby enacted, and to suppose
it has none to the first & principal paragraph, is equally ab-
surd : And therefore we can't but think that by the disorderly
carriage mentioned in the Preamble was intended such as ren-
dered the vote when passed Doubtfull & uncertain, for the
removing of which a Poll might be had ; — and if this be just
reasoning, the consequence is, When there is no disorderly
carriage or none detected, no disturbance or interruption given
to the afi'airs of the meeting; when there is no apparent cause
of doubt nor Rational cause of suspicion, no Poll was to be
granted. But to come to the enacting clause: To find out
any meaning we ought always to consider the mark he aims
at, the main point he has in view. This is also given As a
Rule to find out the mind of the Legislature & to apply it in
the case before us : — What was the point the Legislators had
in view in forming this clause.'' It is plain if we take their
words in the same sense which otlier people use them, it was
to take away all cause of Doubt how a vote was carried ; &
the restraining Disorders was with a special view to that, as
they give Occasion of Doubting; for the words arc, & tvhen
it shall happen that any Matters remain Doubtful after
TOWN PAPKHS PORTSMOUTII. 7OI
a vote, then a Poll is to be had &c. The words are express
IP. case of Doubt: Do thev mean also that there shall be a
Poll where there is nu doubt? when the thing is already as
plain as it can be by polling: Smely this Law did not design
every thing should be Determined by the Poll, if that had
been intended it would have said so. But as the Petitioners
would have it, it must be in all cases if required, for the
thing is always either plain or doubtfull ; the Legislators men-
tion & limit the Remedy to a particular case only : But this
way of interpreting supposes they intended something directly
contrary to the import of their expressions, and the design
they had in view, that is, to comprehend all cases. By such
a method any law may be made to mean any thing its inter-
preters would have it mean ; — and the consequence of con-
struing this Act in this manner, is to make Polling necessary
in all cases at every Town or Parish meeting, where there are
seven persons against the vote, which is an inconveniency
which the Petitioners are not well aware of, & is greater than
any man would readily imagine: — for by the juggle & con-
trivance which designing & disat^ected persons might then
practice, this very scheme for making things certain would be
a means of destroying itself, embarrassing all such aliairs &
introduce occasions of perpetual jangle & controversy. But
we take the truth of the case here really to be this : This law
was designed to reduce the usual method of voting by lifting
up the hand, to a more certain method of decision when there
should be occasion, viz. by Polling & was never designed to
be used where the voting is by Ballot or writing, which is a
Modern way not used among us when this law was made & is
much more certain than polling ; and to correct that by this
would be like correcting a man's countenance by his picture,
or to make an original pcice more certain by a copy, — that is,
in plain English, to amend the better by the worse.
We humbly conceive it will not be said, or if said will not
be regarded, that this law was intended to satisfy everybody's
doubts who should pretend to them, tho' they could shew no
Rational grounds for them, or because they may suggest a pos-
sibility of deception without pointing out any thing in partic-
ular ; these are such wild and loose objections as deserve no
reply ; for by the same way any thing may be made doubtfull,
& to argue from possibility to reality, deserves no attention ; —
those who do it claim pity, but no answer. As to the reason
of the thing or the nature of such affairs, we can't think reason
would ever have directed to the tryal of voting by writing, by
Polling the voters. We have the more reason to think so
because we don't find that among other people no less reason-
able than ourselves when they determine matters by written
702 NEW HAMPSHIRE
votes, they have not lit upon this happy method of polling to
try the other by in case of dispute ; At this day the Jurys at-
tending the Courts in Westminster Hall are elected by Ballot,
but no Polling in case of Dispute. If they cant tell what is
done, the way is to do it over again until they can ; so in choos-
ing of Parliament Men, the regulation of corporation affairs,
&c. which is done by Voting but no Polling : & to come nearer
home in the neighbouring Goverm' Jurys, Registers, Repre-
sentatives, 6ic. are chosen by ballot, but there is nothing of the
way we are speaking of in doubtfull cases. Now if Reason
or the nature of the thing directed to this way, it is strange that
other peoples Reason had not lead them into it ; but as we
don't find it has, we conclude it is not a dictate of Reason but
an instituted metliod introduced & subsisted by the Provincial
Law. Reason would have directed to several methods more
certain than Polling, as writing down the voters names, setting
their names to their votes &c. And if this be so, & that Law
does not reach the case of the meeting now under considera-
tion, then it necessarily follows, that to grant this Petition
would be an infringement upon the Legal Rights of the votei'S
& deprive them of their just Libertys and priviledges in this
affair. This is so plain & so necessarily follows, that little
need be said to it ; for if the Law don't teach nor Reason oblige
to it, then to vacate what the people have legally done is an in-
fringement upon those Rights by which it was done, to deny
them of the man that was chosen to represent them is depriv-
ing them of their Liberty in that respect, which is to choose
for themselves, & taking away a valuable privilege of keeping
the man they have once chosen ; & hence it follows that it
would be an Act of Injustice ; these things which would be
thus broke in upon & taken from the people, are of moi-e con-
sequence really to them than a part of their substance. It has cost
Englishmen dear every body knows to purchase & maintain
these <Sl such like privilidges, & therefore to deny the free ex-
ercise of them, which is a Denial in effect, is the highest In-
justice. It is no answer to say the people have a new choice ;
for besides the loss of time spent in this case, when a new
choice is made may not that be set aside in the same manner
& so on till they choose, not according to their own inclina-
tion, but the man they might be directed to. This would be
like sending out a Jury till they find such a verdict as the court
likes. Upon the whole we humbly conceive, to grant the
prayer of this Petition signed by twelve persons only out of
eighty-one, & one of those not an inhabitant of the town, to set
aside an Election honestly, fairly & Legally made, upon such
grounds, because a motion was denyed that was made out of
season, after those who made it saw the affair was determined
TOWN PAPERS — PORTSMOUTH. 703
contrary to their desire and which was made not from any
cause of doubt but only dissatisfaction, & which they would
never jhave made, had every thing but done just as it was,
only the vote been as they would have had it ; Nay, but would
rather have cryed out upon it as unjust, illegal & absurd, should
such a motion have been made ; We say to make void this
election under all these circumstances, wc apprehend would
have a very extraordinary eflect & is what the wisdom & jus-
tice of this Hon''"^ House will not suffer us to fear.*
Sam' Hart
Nath' Mendum J- Selectmen
Mark Langdon
Portsm' Dec' 31, 1745 :
Deed from Theodore Atkinso7i and. Others of their Rights
iti certain Townships <&€.
To ALL People, to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:
Know ye, That we, Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, John Mof-
fat, Mark Hunking Wentworth, Samuel Moore, Jotham Odiorne jun.,
Joshua Pierce, Nathaniel Meserve, George JefFrj, Jun., and John Went-
worth, jun., all of Portsni in y Province of New Hampshire in New
England, tS: Thomas Wallingford of Somersworth & Thomas Packer of
Greenland, both of si^ Province aforesaid, Diverse good causes & con-
siderations us hereunto moveing, have remised, Released & Qiiit claimed
& by these Presents for ourselves each and every of us & all & each &
every of our heirs, Executors & Administrators Respectively, Do Re-
mise, Release & forever Quit claim unto y Inhabitants & proprietors of
y' severrall Towns, Precincts, Parishes, Villages hi. Districts hereafter
named, lying hi. being within y^ Province aforesaid, viz. Portsmouth
Dover, Exeter, Hampton, Gosport, Kingstown, Derry, Chester, Not-
tingham, Barrington, Rochester, Canterbury, Bow, Chicester, Epsom,
Barnstead, with all & every of y- Districts. Parishes, Precints & vil-
lages within y- s' Tounships, any & every of them, & to their success-
ors, Heirs & Assigns forever Respectively in their seisin and Posses-
sion now being as the s Townships, Parishes, Districts, Precincts &
Villages are limited, bounded & described by y" Ax;ts, orders, customs
& usages of y s- Province, with all & singular y Estate, right, title,
Inheritance, claim & demand of us &each & every of u- of in & untoy'
same & every part thereof to us in any manner belonging. Either to
Houses, Lands, Rivers, woods, mines, minerals & appurtenances What-
soever, Excepting & Reserving to ourselves & such of us & each of us
our Respective Heirs & assigns, all & each of our several tV Respective
rights, Titles, Inheritance & Possession which we heretofore had in
common or in severalty as Inhabitants or proprietors of houses & Lands
within any of the Towns, Precincts, Parishes, Districts Ar Villages
afore s'' in the same manner as tho' the above Release had never been
made : To have <& To hold, the above Remised & Released Prem-
ises with all y« Privilidges & appurtenances to y^ same in any manner
belonging, to them, y said Inhabitants & proprietors, their several &
respective successors. Heirs & assigns for ever, according to their sev-
• See Proceedings of the House on tlii^ case in Prov. Pap. Vol. V. pp. 394, 395
704 NEW HAMPSHIRE
eral & respective Tenures, Grants, Priviledges & possessions, excepting
as before excepted.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals y*^ Thirty
first day of July, Anno Domini, 1746, in y" twentieth year of y^ reign of
King George y" Second' &c.
Sign'd, Seal'd and delivered, after the words (of us & each & every of
us) were interlin'd.
In Presence of us, executed by all except Tho' Packer Esq. before
Joshua Gilman
Noah Emery.
Sign'd, Seal'd and deliver'd by Thomas Packer, Esq' in presence of
Richard Hart
Noah Emery.
Thco' Atkinson
(S)
Josh^' Peirce (S)
R. Wibird
(S)
Nath' Meserve (S)
ohn Moftat
(S)
Geo. JefiVey, Jun. (S)
"Vlark M'g Wentworth
(S)
John Wentworth, jun (S)
Sam' Moore
(S)
Thomas Wallingford (S)
J. Odiorne, Jun.
(S)
Tho^ Packer, (S)
Prov. of I Portsm' July 31"^ 1746- Then Theodore Atkinson,
New Ilampr /Richard Wibird, John Moffatt, Mark Hunking Went-
worth, Jotham Odiorne jun., Joshua Peirce, Nath' Me-
serve, Geo. Jaftrey, Jun. John Wentworth, Jun. & Thomas Wallingford,
above named acknowledged the foregoing Instrument to be their free
act & Deed before me
Pierse Long, Just. Peace
Prov. of New Ilamp''
Portsm ' August 23, 1746. Then personally appeared Sam^ Moore &
Thos. Packer Esqr- & acknowledged the above Instrument to be their
free Act & Deed.
Before Pierse Long, Jus. Peace
Prov. of New Hamp""
A true Copy from Lib. 31, Fol. 175, Exam'd this 30'h June 1756.
D. Peirce, ReC'^
Petition of Portsmouth Selectmen about a Pest-house.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Capt. General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire, the Hon'' his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province, in Gen-
eral Assembly convened the 23" day of Feby. 1747.
The Humble Petition of the Selectmen of Portsmouth in
said Province for the current year, shews :
That your Petitioners in thesummerpast have had the Build-
ing of a i*ublic Pest House under consideration and had fixed
upon a certain Island near the Pool commonly called Antho-
ny's Island as the most convenient place near to which Vessels
might conveniently jDerform (Quarantine, & Persons sick with
any infectious Distemper might be safely kept both with re-
spect to themsjlves & others.
TOWN PAPKItS — PORTSMOUTH. 705
That the property of the said Ishiiid could not be purchased
but at more than double the real value, as your Petition' con-
ceive, advantaore being taken of the supposed necessity of the
case, whereby the grant of the sum made by the General As-
sembly would have been expended (or near it) only for the
land : 'i'hat the necessity of such an house grows greater every
year, & the charge of purchasing a proper place & building
suitable places for the reception of the sick & those whom it
may be necessary to remove, will be considerably more than it
appear'd to be when the said grant was made ; and as such
places are for the Henelit of the whole Province, Yoiu' Peti-
tioners pray that a furtlier grant may be made for that purpose ;
That (as the owners of the Land which may be fixed upon, will
probably raise their demands upon the occasion) three or more
indiilbrent suitable persons may be appointed to value and ap-
praise the said Island, or other place that may be chosen, un-
der Oath, & to make Return to some Magistrate or Judicatory,
who shall admiiiister Oath, & that the owner or owners
thereof may be obliged to take the sum so stated, and the ap-
praisors ordered to make Return describing the Place so ap-
praised & that being recorded in the Province Records with
the Oaths of the appraisers, may vest the fee of the Land so
appraised & described in the Province, & Divest the owners
thereof, (without the formality of Executing a Deed or Deeds,
which may be attended with difficulty ;) and your Petitioners
as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Sam' Hart ^
Nath' Mendum >- Selectmen
Mark Langdon j
In Council, March the S'-' 1747.
Read & voted, That a Committee of both Houses be Imediatcly ap-
pointed to take under consideration the subjects matter of the within
petition & report thereon as soon as may be.
Theodore Atkinson. Secy.
Ordered to be sent down for concurrence.
Answer to a Petition of Clement March for annexing cer-
tain lajids to Grcenla7id.
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Capt. General,
Govern'' & Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire, the Hon'''- his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives in General Assembly con-
vened. May 10' 174S.
The Answer of the Town of Portsmouth to the Petition of
Clement March of Greenland in said Province, Esq" praying
45
7o6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
to have certain Lands purchased by him, lying in said Ports-
mouth, annexed to Greenland aforesaid :
First, There is no reason for diminishing the Rateable Estate of
said Town & lessening the Extent thereof, to enlarge the Par-
ish of Greenland, but quite contrary, for the Annual charges
of said Town for Schools, Poor &c. is more than Double in
proportion to the Polls & Estates, than the annual charge of
Greenland.
2'>'. The Reason given by the Petitioners for Annexing the
Lands mentioned, to Greenland, is, that they lye contiguous to
his other Lands which are in Greenland, & so most convenient
for him to have it so ; But why most convenient? There is no
Reason but only the Rates in Greenland are not so high as in
Portsmouth, for as to any other advantage it is not conceiva-
ble : the situation of the Land & all other circumstances will
be just the same, whether they belong to Greenland or Ports-
mouth, excepting the article of Rates ; and if that is the mo-
tive to ask this favour, that alone shows it ought not to be
granted ; because it shows that Portsm " has greater charges in
proportion than Greenland, & therefore more need of Rateable
Estate. Besides, what is there in the Petitioner's case that is.
peculiar, & will not be every man's case who shall ever pur-
chase Lands in the Town if he lives near or upon the line in
another Town or Parish all around : or indeed, which will not
happen in any other Town thro' the Province. For, may not
every purchaser under like circumstances, ask the same favour
to have his lands annexed that place which pays the lowest
Taxes ; and where will this end .-* There is one Dearborn who
owns Lands in Greenland, Stratham & Hampton, which lye
contiguous, as the Petitioner's does : May not he witli equal
Reason come & pray that all his lands may be annexed to that
place he likes best, & will there not be the same conveniency
to him as in the case of the present Petitioner.^ and so of many
others. It is a rule to be observed with respect to Petitioners,
that when any thing is asked which makes way for every per-
son, or an indefinite Number to ask the like, — when the thing
ask'd is a mere matter of favour, and no principle of justice or
equity to enforce it, — There, in such cases it ought not to be
granted. The present Petition is rather against Justice &
Equity ; it amounts really to no more than this: that the Peti-
tioner may hereafter be exempted from paying half or some
part of the Taxes which the Law imposes on him ; and there
are many others ready to ask the like favour ; and then some
others must pay the more : and can it be said to be just and
right to grant a favour to one to the prejudice & Injury of
another.^ Wherefore as the Town of Portsmouth is a Sea
Port continually exposed to strangers & many extraordi-
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOUTH. 707
nary charges, the extent ought by no means to be lessened ;
and as several others are in like case of the petitioner who will
in all probability follow his example in case he succeeds,
whereby the cliargesof said Town will fall so much the heavier
on those who remain, 'tis humbly hoped you will see cause to
deny the prayer of this Petition,
" behalf of the
e ITT m behalt ot
Sam' Hart, } Selectmen
Wm. Parker
agent tor
s" Town.
Petition for a Lottery to pave the streets in Portsmouth.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander-in-chief in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, the Hon'''' his Alajesty's Councill & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly
conven'd, the i6'" day of Octob' 1759.
The Humble Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of Ports-
mouth in said Province Sheivs : —
That your Petitioners apprehend it to be very necessary that
the principal Streets in said Town (which are now much us'd
& are narrow) shou'd be Pav'd, especially where the Public
Business occasions the greatest concourse of People : That
this wou'd be a work of very considerable expence, and con-
sidering the annual charges of the town for support of the
Poor (which by the situation it is often oblig'd to receive) more
than any other Town in the Province, with other incidental
charges, the Inhabitants cou'd not well sustain a Tax for this
purpose at Present ; —
That works of this & the like nature are annually carried*
into execution in other Places by Public Lotteries, and much,
money from this as well as other places in the Province is by
the adventures of Particular persons carried away & made con-
tributory to the Designs of those Lotteries ;
Your Petitioners therefore think it may be prudent to take
advantage of this disposition of the People & Direct it to some
Public use & General service among ourselves.
Wherefore, they Humbly Pray that they may have leave to,
set up a Public Lottery to raise a sum of money for paving the-
Streets aforesaid, to l)e under the Regulation & managementof'
Persons to be stated & appointed in a Bill for that end, and that
they may have leave to bring it in accordingly ; and your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
H. Wentworth John Moffat
D. Peirco .fohn Slierburno
r7.0S
NKW HAMPSHIRE
John Ncwniarch
Daniel itoireri
Ch:irlc3 Treiuhvell
Jacob Trt-adwcll
John Tcnli How
Saml Penhailow
SamlSlitrbumo
Ck-nit Jackson
Saml Wentworth
John (irifftith
Richard Cliampn^y
John Gardner
John Grant
John Deck
George Uoyd
Danl Jackson
.Sam Griflet'i
Nathl Mcndiim
W. Ghigctt
James Sloodlcy
Benjamin Welch
Tho: Wibird
Joshua Brackett
Joseph Allcock
William Pearson
Henry llust
Charles Banfill
Solomon Loud
Gregory Pursell
Geo : Jaffrey
Will. Tenifile
Jno. Nelson
Danl Fowle
Nathl Treadwell, jun.
Jotham Rindge
S. Livermoro
XathI Adams
Nathl Peircc
John AVentworth
Damaris Wheelwright
Jonathan Warner
George Libbe
Danl Rindge
George Meserve
Saml Hart
Benja Mackay
Thomas Parker
.Saml Frost
Jno. Parker
Jo>ei)hBaB8
John Cult
Humpy Furnell
TliosHart
Charles Hight
Hy Apthorp
Petei Man
Tho.s Laudell
John Hart
Saml Cutt
E.Russell, jr
James Dwyer
Jolni Wendell
Theo. Atkinson, jnn
John Ley
William Parker, &c. &c. &6
Thos Packer
Matt'tiew Livermoro
In Council Octo' 30'' 1759.
Read & Concurr'd & sent down to the Hon''' Assembly.
Theodore Atkinson, Sec>'
Province of ) In the House of Representatives, Ocf 31, 1759.
New Hamp' ( This Petition being read,
Voted, That the Prayer thereof be granted & that the Petitioners
have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council, Eod. die, read & concurr'd
Theodore Atkinson, Sec>.
Petition of Portsmouth agaitist a Bridge at New Castle.
To his Excellency Bcnning VV^entworth, Esq' Governor &
Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, the Hon '' his Majesty's Council & Housfr
of Representatives for said Province, in General Assembly
convened, the 15'''' Day of Feb^ 1760.
The humble Petition of the Selectmen & agents of the
Town of Portsmouth, shews: —
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOUTH. 709
That your Petitioners have been informed that there is now
lying before the Assenibly a Bill for granting liberty to the
Town of New Castle to set up a Lottery to raise money for
building a Bridge a cross that Branch of Piscataqua River
call'd Little Harbour, which your Petitioners apprehend if it
should be elfected will greatly Prejudice the said Town of
Portsmouth, especially if done in the manner we are inform'd
is design'd & begun ; and as your Petitioners have been so
lately inform'd of the said Bill they have not time to Reduce
the Objccti(jus to be made to writing, and especially as there
was no Public notice nor Liberty given for that purpose, they
could not be prepared therewith, they humbly pray that they
may in behalf of said Town be heard, to shew cause why the
eaid Bridge shou'd not be built, especially in the unlimited
manner proposed ; — and they shall as in duty bound Pray &c.
Sam Peniiallow
A. Clarkson
William Knight '
John Sherburne
John Grifeeth.
Memorial for a bounty onjis/i^ iv/ieat, kempy &c.
To his Excellency Benning Went worth, Esq"" Governor and
commander-in-chief, in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, the Hon ' • his Majesty's Council & House
of Representatives in General Assembly convened, June 6^"
1763.
rhe Memorial of Sundry Inhabitants of Portsmouth and
other places in said Province shews : —
That as the Business of taking, curing & carrying on the
Fishery in this Province wou'd be of great advantage to the
Province in general, and especially to the landed Interest, per-
haps nothing cou'd sooner & more sensibly encourage & Pro-
mote that Business than the favour and regard of the Govern-
ment, not only countenancing but granting a bounty on the
same, in such manner & proportion as in their wisdom shall
be judged convenient ; for as that Business has been in a great
measure neglected for some time & preparing for it is attended
with considerable expence, cS: the issue & event not certain,
most People who heretofore were ingaged in it, will be back-
ward to resume it on the bare prospect of the advantage aris-
ing by it :
That it has been done in many instances by the wisdom of
the British Parliament not oidy for introducing a new Branch
7lO NEW HAMPSHIRE
of Trade, or a new kind of Manufacture, but also for reviving
& giving spirit to any thing of that Nature useful to the Public
not wholly disus'd but much decay'd, as in particular on the
Whale Fishery an additional Bounty of twenty shillings a Ton
on the admeasurement of the ship, by Stat. 22 Geo, 2, was
granted to the owners of the ships, on a preceding bounty of
twenty shillings, before granted by the Stat, of 5 & 6 Geo. 2,
&c. And many other instances might easily be given ; For it
is now become a maxim from long experience, that the Gen-
erality of the world must be counted to pursue their own In-
terest ; And it is a well known Fact, how greatly the State of
Ireland has been raised & improved within thirty years last
past, by giving bountys & premiums to those who excelled in
every kind of manufacture in use there, — which raised a spirit
of emulation, in that way bro't arts & industry into credit &
reputation & promoted the trade & wealth of the kingdom.
The reason is so clear & strong in such cases that even in the
New Province & settlement of Nova Scotia, the Government
there has granted a Bounty of twelve pence sterling per Qiiin-
tal on all Cod fish cured there ; and in every Government en-
couragements in this way have not been wanting ; That there
is perhaps more necessity for such an encouragement in this
Province, than in any other place that can be named, to raise
something to ballance the large Importation annually made for
some of the necessaries of life ; — it appearing by the Custom
House Book, that between March i 761 & June 1763, 180,865
Bushels of corn had been duly Entered imported here, besides
adventures & small quantities not observed, by Coasters, &c.
Add to this, the prodigious quantities of flower & great quanti-
ties of other provisions, by which means all the silver & gold
which used to be current here is gone, or at least the greatest
part, and the Bills of credit now current Depreciated as they
wou'd not purchase our daily Bread, for it is certain the more
limited any currency is & the fewer demands it will answer,
the more the value will sink.
That a sufficient sum for the purpose aforesaid might be
easily raised by an Excise on Spirituous Liquors, more es-
pecially on that enormous Quantity of rum imported, which
by the entries aforesaid, it appears that more than three
thousand eight hundred & twenty hogs heads have been in lit-
tle more than two years, besides smaller parcels, tho't too in-
considerable to be entered, private adventures, — and many
hogsheads annually of New England rum, carried up Merri-
mack & consumed in this Province; and it is well known to
every one, that almost all the Profit of this trade is made by
the Importation and consumption here ; and how prejudicial
to the substance, morals and health of the People such a large
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOUTH. 71I
•consumption of spirit is, no one can readily conceive ; and
therefore it seems as necessary to prevent or lessen this grow-
ing mischief, as it was in time of war to Defend the people
against the common Enemy, by whom perhaps fewer lives
were annually destroyed ;
That wheat, Hemp, Flax & other kinds of the Produce of
the Field, wou'd doubtless be soon raised and bro't to such a
<legree of perfection, as would at least lessen our Importations
& bring our Trade nearer to a ballance, if not turn it in our
favoiu-, if the Husbandman was suitably encouraged and some
method taken to introduce a more profitable way of cultiva-
tion and Agriculture, than has yet been practised here, the
Public wou'd soon lind the advantage ; And from the experi-
ence of others, we learn that nothing will prove more eftectual
to advance & promote such like improvements than Bounties
and premiums given at first till those concerned find their ac-
count & encouragement from the Profit of the Business.
Wherefore your memorialists Pray you wou'd take the
Premises under consideration and do therein as in your wisdom
& goodness you shall upon the whole Judge will be best for
the public advantage & emolument — and we shall ever pray,
&c.
John Sherburne ^. R. Cutter
Wilf" Torrey Tho' Parker
Wm. Parker Tho' Parsons
D. Peirce John Wentworth
Geo. Meserve Tho' Wibird
Daniel Rogers Nul Lamont
Benj' Odiorne Jn ' Parker
John Moflat Mark Ilunking
Thomas Packer, jun. Ichabod Clark
J. Wentworth Philip Hooker
Dan' Rindge Samuel Moffat
Wm. Whipple James McDonough
Thos. Martin Tho' Tash
Hugh Hall Wentworth Peter Pearse
Jonathan Warner Jona. Lovewell
George Boyd John Penhallow
Geo. JaftVey Nath' Adams
Wyscman Clagett John Clark
Joss. Frost Tim. Pope
Hubartus Neal Paul March
In Council, June 8"" 1763.
Read 6i ordered to be sent down to the Hon'''" Assembly.
T. Atkinson, Secy.
Province of I , h ../-,
v Ti - Mune 10 '' 176V
ISew Hamj) J -' ' ^
The Committee appointed to consider the subject matter of the fore-
going Petition, beg leave to Report as follows, viz. That when the
Excise .\ct Pass'd by this House and Now before the Council shall be
pass'd by the Hon^'" Council and Assented to by his Excellency We
7^3 NKW JIAMFSHIKE
think it adviseable that then a Bounty be given on fish, hemp, flax &
wheat, to be paid out of the money Rais'd by s* Excise.
Meshech Weare, on behalf of the Cora'""
This Report Entered June 15, 1763, & the House was prorogued
the same day.
[Note. The MS. Papers which next follow, relate to an attempt
to establish a Play Housii in Portsmouth, in June, 1762; — all which
are printed in full, in Prov. Pap. Vol. VI. pp. 831-S35, to which read-
ers are referred. Ed.]
Petition of the Selectmen^ <^c., of Portsmouth, to hold Town
meetings in the State House.
To his Excellency Banning Wentworth, Esq' Governor and
commander in chief, in and over his Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire, The Hon'' his Majesty" Council &
House of Representatives for said Province in General As-
sembly convened, Decem" 15'-' 1763.
The humble Petition of the vSelect men of Portsmouth in
said Province & the Wardens of the first Parish in said Town,
shews :
That it has been the usual practice to hold the meetings of
said Town in the meeting House in said Parish, which has
been long complained of by many in the Parish, not only as
injurious to the property of particular Persons, bv breaking
down the seats, dirting the Pews and benches, & carrying away
cushions & other injuries, but as a very indecent thing to make
an house appropriated & consecrated to the worship of God,
the scene for public civil aflairs, where the warmest Disputes-
& Contentions often happen ; and woul'd be so estimated by
serious Persons of any Religion whatsoever; But especially
since a very Large & commodious addition at a great expence
of the Parish, has been lately made, the article of Injury is
more evident & more frequent; and as the number of parish-
ioners increase the complaint of indecency and Impropriety in-
creases ; Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray, that leave
may be granted by a Resolve, that the said meetings of the
Town of Portsmouth for the Purpose aforesaid, may be held
in the State House, from time to time, and any damage occa-
sioned thereby shall be repaired or made good bv the Town —
and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
H. Wentworth ) John Langdon 1
Chani,ee Tkeaowell f -i^"^ JENNET ' Select-
,,7- ] { Sa.m' Penmallow I njcn.
Wardens. ) v,, ,-
^ William Knight j
TOWN PAPERS PORTSMOUTH 713
Another Petition on the same matter.
Province of \ To his Excellency Bennin^ Wentworth,
New Hampshire j Esq Capt. General, Governor & Com-
^^ mander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ty's aforesaid Province of Nevv^ Hampshire, The lion'' his
Majesty's Council for said Province, Si Hon' House of
Representatives in General Assembly convened, April ii*''
1764.
The humble Petition of the Select men of Portsmouth in
the Province aforesaid, whose Names are hereunto subscribed,
She-vcth—
That the annual and otlier Town meetings for the said Town
of Portsmouth have (for many years last past) been held in
the Nortli Meeting house there, which hath given offence to
many of the Parishioners, who by means thereof have had
their Pews dirtied and spoiled and who are also of opinion
thai the said Meeting house ought to be wholly set apart for
the worship of Almighty God ; and this hath lately produced
no.^niall contention :
That with a view to quiet the said contention and prevent
any future oflence. It was at the last annual meeting for the
said Town, Voted, as follows, viz.
" That the vSelectmen be desired to Petition the General
" Court at their next session for leave to hold their Town
" meetings in the State House. And if the Prayer of their
" Petition be granted, that the said selectmen be and are here-
" by desired, to appoint their next Town meeting (the next
" annual meeting included) to l^e held in said State House;
" And if they cannot obtain leave of the general Court as
" aforesaid, Then to meet at the North meeting House as
" usual."
Which vote occasions this application to your Excellency
and Honours; And your Petitioners to Pray that for the rea-
sons aforesaid, the .Selectmen of the said Town of Ports-
mouth for the time being may have leave, and be legally
authorized by the General Court to hold their future Town
meetings in the State House.
John Langdon
A. Clakkson
John Denxet
Sam' Penhali.ow
WILI.IA^r Knight.
Province of 1 In the House of Representatives, Mny 8-' 1764.
New Hamp J This Petition being read
Voted, That the prayer of the within Petition be granted in the fol-
lowing manner; Viz. That the Town of Portsmouth have liberty of
714 NEW HAMPSHIRE
holding their Town meetings for the future, in the lower room of the
State House, provided the Town at their own Expense will finish in a
decent and hansome manner the Room upon the lower floor of the
State house finding all the materials for plastering, ceiling and what-
ever is necessary that the same maj be finished in a workmanlike man-
ner, and cause the same to be so finished in a Reasonable time.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
Porfsfnoutk Petition in regard to certain election returns.
Province of 1 To the Honourable House of Representa-
New Hampshire j tives for said Province in General As-
sembly conven'd ; — May 4"' 1775.
The humble petition of the subscribers, freeholders in Ports-
mouth, in s' Province, Sheweth : —
That before the last election of Representatives for this
Province, Writs issued to several new Towns in said Prov-
ince, which had not heretofore sent Representatives, to choose
persons to represent them in General Assembly ; — in conse-
quence of which Writs, these towns did elect Representatives ;
And as there is no Legal Authority vested in any seperate
Branch or Branches of the Legislature of this government to
issue such writs, we apprehend the exercise of such authority,
therefore, not only unwarranted by the British Constitution &
the Laws of tliis Province, but in its consequences subversive
of both, and pregnant with many alarming evils (i).
Wherefore we being deeply sensible of the great importance
of preventing so unconstitutional a procedure, most humbly
pray that the honourable House may take into their wise and
immediate consideration, whether the persons so chosen, are
entitled to a seat there.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.
H. VVentworth Caleb Currier
Danl. Peirco Xali. Ward
John Newmarcli Kichd Sailer
Thos Hart Edmund Coffin
David Griffith John Marshall
George (jaina James Clarkson
George Hart William Fuincll
Elisha Hill SamI Bailing
Mark Seavey Saml Hale, jun
Jeremiah Libbey Jno Furiiald
Wm. Langdon Wm. W'liipplo
Benjamin Slado Willm Pearny
■Temple Knight J. Brackett
Benja Akcrman H. Sherburao
Saml Heck John Grant
n) See "Journals of the House," on iho foregoing, in Prov. Pap. Vol. VII. pp.
873, 378, 383- J85. Ed.
TOWN PAPERS POWNALL, IN VERMONT.
7^5
Jo8. Allcock
Williiim Cotton
Peter Man
Mark Nelson
lienja Mackay
Jacob Sheafc, jun
fiarol Bowlea
David Call
John Gregory
Thos Prince
Saml Ja«rk~on
Jolin Pcirco
Alexr Monson
<Jile3 Seaward
E. BuUcr
John Furbiir
Benj. Patridge
Reuben Snell
Ephni Ham
Geo. Turnar
Peirse Lonp
Joseph Bass
James (Jrouard
Robert Ham
Joseph Akcrman
Saml Moses
Theodore Moses
Noah Peircc
Nathaniel T. Griffith
POWNALL, IN Vermont.
Petition.
Province of | To his Excellency Benjamin Wintworth,
New Hampshire j Capt. Generall and Commander in Chief
in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampsher in Newengland, and to the
Hon' his majesties Council in the Same.
The Humbell petition of the Inhabitants of the township of
PowxALL, slieivcth : That we your petitioners mete the sac-
ond tusday of Jenerwarey Instant, In order to hold our An"
Meting, to chues town officers and to do as derected by Char-
tor ; But Esq'" Samwell Robinson's reading our Charter at the
opening of s meting, he being Moderattor, we found we had
maid A mistake throo Ignorance ofl' the day ; therfore Durst
not proceed to do the business of blie day ; so your humble pe-
titioners pray, that this fault mav be forgiven, and that for
this ])rcsent year your Excellency & Honours would be
graciously plesed to appoint us the fortenth in febu"" or such
a day as in your grate Wisdom and Goodness you shall see
best, promising for the time to com to fidly observe and walke
by your Charter orders ; And your petitioners shall as in duty
bound ever pray. Dcated powncll the iS''' Jenc A. D. 1763.
Witness,
Isaac Vanarenem
John Vanarenem
Jabuz Worran
Robert Watson
Asa Alger
Silas Pratt
Noah Pratt
James G rover
Elieser Mash
Thomas Train.
7l6 NEW HAMPSHIKE
Province of New Hampshire, Jan y. 3' 1763.
The within Petition read & considered, & the Prayer thereof granted
& ordered that the second Tuesday in March be appointed the time for
the Annual Town Meeting for the within mentioned town of Pownal
for the choice of Town officers &c. agreeable to the Laws of this Prov-
ince, and that the Charter for said Town & the record there;>f be ac-
cordingly altered.
Read & concurred
T. Atkinson, Jun. Secy
Note. — There is an evident discrepancy in the above dates. Ed.
PUTNEY, IN Vehmont.
Petition J'or a Grant of Land.
To his Excellency Benning Wentvvorth, Esq" Capt. General
and Governor in chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New^ Hampshire &c. And to the Honorable his Majesties
Council of s' Province:
The Petition of Josiah Willard and others humbly sheweth ;
That your Excellency's Petitioners are desirous of having his
Majesties Grant of a Township of Land of y* contents of six
miles square on y'' westerly side of Connecticut River, at a
place called y' Create Meadow adjoining to y Township of
Westminster at y" Northerly End of the Land called y ' Equiv-
alent Land in the Province of New Hampshire, as your Ex-
cellency's Petitioners shall in duty bound ever pray,
Josiah Willard.
Josiah Willard Thomas Hill
Moses Wright, jun. Henry Ilill
John Armes James Ilews
Nathan Willard James Hews, jun.
Lois Butler Francis Bowls
John Teirce Isaac Bowls
Joseph Ashley John Howls
John Moor .James Tilston
Wilder Willard John Xewel
Oliver Willard Samuel Sparhawk
Thomas Whitiuij Samuel Sparhawk, jun.
Daniel Adams Jeremiah Hall
Joseph Baker Samuel Hall
Timothy Baker William Smeed
Isaac White Prenctice Willard
John White Joseph Ashley (1)
Benja Whit^; Thomas Chamberlain (1)
Jamea ClenimenB Thomas Prentice
(1) These two names have n X before them Ed.
TOWN I'APEUS — FUTNEV, IN VERMONT. 'Jl'J
Jamcrt Alei), jun Josiali Willard, jr.
.lonathaii II:iiiiiiioml Robert Uslier
Elnathiin lilooil Joliu Usher
Amnsa J'arker Juuathan Cunitningj
Ephraim Adania Tliouias I'arker
I-aao Powera Elias Alexander
Kubert Fletclier Richard VVibird
Jooatban Jlubbard Theodore Atkinson.
RAYMOND.
[Raymond, formerly belonging to the town of Chester, was incor-
porated as a Parish, 9 May, 1764. Ed.]
Anno Rcgni Regis Georgii Tertii Magna* Brittania;, Francia; & Hiber-
niie Qi^iarto.
An Act for Erecting a Ncvj Parish ivithin the TotvnshiJ) of Chester
in this Province :
Whereas at a Town meeting held at Chester on the twenty-Sixth day of
January 1763, it was granted & Voted that a part of said Township
commonly call'd Free Town described in said Vote, might be incor-
porated into a new Parish (asiar as their consent was necessary) and
it appearing to be convenient considering the situation of the Inhab-
itants ;
Beit therefore Enacted., by the Governo'^ Council and Assembly, That
there be and hereby is a new Parish constituted. Erected and Incorpo-
rated there, by the following Bounds namely. Beginning at the North
East corner of Chester upon the head line of Ejiping at a maple tree
being a boundary between Chester and Nottingham, then runs south
twenty nine degrees West, bounding partly on said Epping & partly on
Brentwood, to the South East corner of the Lot Number'd thirty in said
Chester, as may appeare by Records of the Proprietors of Chester, then
West North West so far as to contain all the old Hundred Acre Lots so
called in said Township, then North twenty Nine Degrees East to
the South East corner of Candia, then by & joining upon Candiatothe
Line of Nottingham upon that side & by tiiat Line to the Maple Tree
where it begins; and that the same Parish be called, Incorporated &
Named the Parish of R.wmond; And all the Polls and Estates within
the limits aforesaid are hereby exonerated and Discharged of & from all
Duties, Taxes & Assessments (excepting what is hereafter mentioned <S{
excepted) in & to any other place or part of said Town and are hereby
Invested & Enfranchised with all common Privileges which other Par-
ishes have & legally hold, & likewise with all the Legal powers ii author-
ities of other Parishes in this Province, and may raise money for the
necessary uses of the said Parish as any Town or Parish may Legally
do, To have succession and continuance forever : And Samuel Emer-
son Esq' of Chester, is hereby authorised to call the first meeting of
said Inhabitants for the choice of the necessary Parish Olticers and any
other affairs they may judge proper at said meeting, giving due notice
7l8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
of the time, place & Design of such meeting, in the usual & customarjr
manner in said Town.
Provided, & Excepting, that the Polls & Estates of & within said
Parish shall continue to be taxed & assessed to the Province Rates as
they have usually been until a new Proportion of said Rates shall be
made among the several Towns & Parishes in this Province.
New Ham"*^^- } ^" *^^ House of Representatives, May 4^'' 1764
This Bill having been read three times, Voted, that it pass to be En-
acted
H. Sherburne, Speaker.
In Council, May g^'' 1764.
This Bill read a third tim & Past to be enacted.
Theo. Atkinson jun. Secy.
Consented to B. VVentworth.
- Province of 1 To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq^
New Hampshire ) Captain Generall, Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire, to the Honourable his
Majesty's Council and House of Representatives for said
Province in General Assembly convened :
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers, freeholders and
Inhabitants of the Parish of Raymond in said Province,
Sheiveth :
That the Said Parisli was Incorporated in May A. D. 1764^
and have ever since been Destitute of a Meeting-house for the
Publick Worship of God in said Parish ;
That the Parishioners cannot agree where to set a Meeting-
house, altho they have had sundry meetings for that purpose ;
but the Major part of the Inhabitants Living in the North
Easterly part of said Parish, have Voted to set the Meeting
house about a mile from the North Easterly side line of said
Parish, which will greatly discommode many of the Inhabit-
ants of the upper part of said Parish, which is likely in a
short time to be the best part of s' Parish.
That your Petitioners humbly conceive that if the meeting-
house was to be placed as near the Center of the Parish as
possible. It would Accommodate all the Inhabitants that now
are or hereafter may be settled there. And as some of your
Petitioners live almost live miles from the place proposed &
Voted to set the said House, which is to your Petitioners a
great grievance, & if so done will be to them a heavy burthen ;
your Petitioners therefore humbly pray the Interposition of
your Excellency & hon'^ in this matter, and that a Disinterested
Committee may be appointed to view the said Parish & Report,
where they shad think most proper for said House to Standi
TOWN PAPERS — RAYMOND. 719
to accommodate the Inhabitants in the best manner, and that
such report may be established, or that your Petitioners may
be otherwise relieved in such way Sc manner as your Excel-
lency & Ilon'^ in your Wisdom shall see fit. And your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall Pray Sec.
Raymond, Octo"" 1768.
Ezekiel Lane John Leavitt
Daniel Lane Oilman Dudley
Ezekiel Morss William S. Healey
William Todd Daniel Richardson
Samuel Healey Christopher Richardson
David Lane John llains
Obadiah Griffen Stephen Thirst"
Daniel Clay Samuel Brown ?
Jonathan Palmer John Wells
James Row Stephen Gale
Jonathan Palmer (jun) James Bean
Joseph Giles Benjamin Prescott
Jonas Clay Nicholas Gilman
Ephraim Currier Stephen Dudley
Alexander Smith Joseph Smith
Joseph Giles, jun. Samuel Cram
Clement Dollof Alexander McCluere
John Leavitt, jun John Sweat.
Province of ) In the Mouse of Representatives Octob' 20"' 1768.
New Hamp" j Upon reading this Petition, voted, That the Petitioners
serve the Selectmen of Raymond with a Copy of this
Petition & order of Court thereon that they may be heard thereon, on
Friday the 28-' Instant, if the General Assembly be then sitting, and
if not then on the third day of the sitting of the Assembly after the
first day of November next.
Sam' Hobart, Clk. Pro Temp.
In Council, Eodem Die.
Read & concurr'd.
Geo. King, Dep. Sec>.
Province of ) In the House of Representatives, Octo' aS"", 176S.
New Hamp" / The parties being heard on this Petition and agreeing
on a Committee to be appointed,
Voted, That John Webster, Col' Ebenezer Stevens, Esq""^ and Capt.
Eliphalet Morrill be a Committee for the purpose mentioned in the Pe-
tition, to proceed therein and make Report to the General Assembly a»
soon as mav be.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council, eodem die.
Read & concurred
Geo. King, Dep. Sec'.
720 NEW HAMPSHIRB
RINDGE.
[This Town wiis granted b_v Massachusetts in 1738, to John Tyler,
Joseph Pike and others, officers and soldiers in the Canada expedition
in 1690. It was called for many years Rozvlcy -Canada, and sometimes
Monadnock No. i. It was incorporated by charter, August 11, 1768,
John Wentvvorth being then Governor of the Province of New Hamp-
shire. John Farmer, Esq.]
Certificate.
Francis Peabody & Huberd Gould boath of Lawfull age testifyeth &
saith, That in y" year 1742, we went to work at Rowley Canada & we
kept our horses on Able Plats is hay in mado whare y trespas is said
to be done & paid him for y^ same, & y« s' Plats hath bin in possession
of s' meado ever since till he gave it to his son Joseph, y ' defendant,
who hath ben in possession ever since 4S: as to y^ upland whare y'' tres-
pass is s ' to be done wc se Able Platts in y ' year 1742 y- 29 & 30 days of
September cut wood & Timber on the Lot whare y trespas is said to
be done & y'-' s'' Able Plats hath ben in possession ever sence till he
gave it to his Sun Joseph Plats the defendant & he hath ben in pos-
session to this day.
Francis Peabody
Hubbard Gould.
Essex SS. January yo twenty seventh day 1752 Then the within
named Francis Peabody and Hubard Gould both being strictly casuned
to the truth of what is above written and then made oath to the same,
^-the adverse partys not Notified living more than thirty miles Dis-
tance : before me the subscriber :
Atf Thomas Lambert, Jus. of Pec.
Copy of the grant to Rowley -Canada., nozo Rindge^ '^Th^-
At a Great & Gen' Court or Assembly for his Majesties Province of
the Mass' Bay in New England begun ic held at Boston upon Wednes-
day the 31' day of Mav 173S & continu«' by prorogation to Wednesday
the 29''' day of Nov' following & then met: January 23' a plot or Tract
of Land ot y ' Contents of six miles square laid out by Nathan Hayr
wood Surveyor & chainman on oath to satisfy a grant made by this
Court to John Tyler, Joseph Pike & others officers & soldiers in y"
Canada E.xpedition in the year 1690, Lying to the Southward of the
mountain called the Grand Monadnock & adjoining to y Township
granted to Sam' Haywood & others, Beginning at a maple Tree y*
northeasterly corner of Dotchester-Canada Township, from thence
Runing north 32 dcg' East two miles <i one hundred poles to a heap
of stones, Thence north 22 deg"* East four miles, Thence North one
mile till it meets with y' said Township granted to Samuel Haywood
&c. Thence West four iailes by y" s'' Township to the southwesterly
corner thereof. Thence north by y" s' Township three miles & two
hundred bl twenty poles. Thence west 30 deg " South five miles & one
hundred & eighty poles to a wild cherry Tree on the Southward of y*
Grand Monadnock afores". Thence Soutli one thousand & eighty poles,
Thence East 41 deg' South two thousand five hundred perch to a heap
TOWN PAPERS UINDGE. 721
of Stones, then North 12 deg' East one mile to y' northeasterly corner
of Dotchester-Canada Township, being y maple first mentioned, with
the allowance of one rod in Thirty for uneven Land & Swag of chain
& a further allowance for ten large ponds & a large shrub Swamp
about four miles in length & a mile in Bredth.
In Council Read & ordered that five thousand Acres only be allowed
for Ponds & that the Committee be Directed to reform the plot upon the
Spot accordingly at the charge of the Grantees, & Report to this Court
at the next May session.
In the House of Representatives, Read and concur''.
Consented to. J. Belcher.
Copy examined, pr. Tiiot-. Perley Pro. Clerk.
Taken from a copv attested bv
j' Willard, Sec>
Andover, April 3'^. 1750.
We y Subscribers being appointed by a Committee chosen by y^
Proprietors of Rowly-Canada Township to go in y- capacity of survey-
ors <Si run a line fiom three miles North of Black Rocks in Salisbury,
sixty miles Due west, have so done iJc find that Sixty miles extends one
mile .i a half into s' Canada Township.
Sam' Johnson jun
Moody Bridges.
N. B. We have neither of us any interest in s'' Township.
ROCHESTER.
[Rochester was originally granted by Massachusetts to a number of
Proprietors in 127 shares, and contained upwards of 60,000 acres of
land. The town was incorporated 10 May, 1722. Ed.]
Meeting of Proprietors.
At a Publick meeting of y Proprietors of the Town of Rochester
legally warned and holden at y Meeting house in said Town of Roch-
ester on y tenth day of July 1732
Voted, That the Rev' Mr. Joseph Adams (i) be y'^ Moderator of the
present meeting.
Voted, That the Proprietors of the Town of Rochester with the In-
habitants of s'' Town support a Gospel Minister in said Town During
y term of seven years longer than was exprest in an Act of y ' Gen'
Court Dated May y 10"' 1731, Beginning at y« Expiration of said Act
and so continuing till y seven years be expired, each one paying
according to their Intrest.
Vera Copia, as on Rochester Town Book.
Attest, Paul Gcrrish, Proprietors Cler.
(1) Ucv. .To-eph Adama wnsa na'ive of Br.iintree, Ma'^s ; born 118!); gr.Thiatccl
fr.im Harvar.l ColhRc, 1710; ordained ns niiiii-lt:r of Ncwinpton, N. H., Nov. Hi.
171.'>; continued in the luiaistry there Uj yuursi and died ^itith May, l/eii, aged 05
years. Ed.
46
5[22 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Rochester., relating to the Gospel Ministry,
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq' Governor & Com-
mander in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of Nevt
Hampshire, in New England, and to the honourable hi»
Majestyes Council with the honourable house of Represent-
atives in General Assembly conven'd at Portsm ' in said
Province :
The Petition of your humble Petitioners Inhabitants of the
Township of Rochester in the Province afores' humbly shew-
eth :—
That we, the Inhabitants of Rochester, being persuaded that
the Gospel & Means of Grace is a rich & invaluable privilidge,
for which reason we can't but much lament our sad State^.
while we live without s'' means ; & seeing no Rational Pros-
pect of obtaining them for some considerable time to come,
without the help & assistance of the non-Resident Proprie-
tors, especially considering our own poverty & the DifHcul-
tys in subduing a wilderness, and hopeing it may not be
deem'd unreasonable to Desire some assistance from them, in
order to our Injoying the Gospel among us, since 'tis too evi-
dent to need any proof that their temporal interest is greatly
advanced by us ; that is, by our settling in s' Town ; and with-
all, persuading ourselves that this honourable Court will Re-
consider our State & now doe some what for our Relief; — We,
whose names are underwritten doe once more humbly Request
the Legislative Power to pass an Act whereby to oblige the
Proprietors of said Rochester to assist us the Inhabitants in
supporting the Gospel in said Town of Rochester for the space
of six or seven years ; till, 'tis likely we may be able to doe it
of our selves ; or for such a term or Time as this Honourable
Court should think fit: As also that the honourable Court
would appoint two or three persons for calling the Inhabitants
of the Town together for this present year for the choice of
Town officers &c. And your humble Petitioners shall ever
pray as in Duty bound.
Benjamin Merrow Jonathan Cops
Sam' Richard Stephen Berry
Robhard Knite Joseph Richards
Joseph Heard John Wentworth
Josejih Miller William Chamberlin
John Jennes William James
Mark Jennes John Mac fiee ?
John Bickford Zebulon Dam
Jonathan Yong John Bickford jun.
James Lock Samuel Marrow
Timothy Robberte Ebenezer Bruster
Joseph Richards Benjamin Fosst
Clem" Dearing John Garlen
Ebenezer Place Elezar Ham
fe
TOWN PAPERS RINDGE. 723
John Allen Joseph Richards jun.
^aul Tibbets Benj'' Tebbets
Solomon Clark Philip Dorr ? jun.
William Elis William Stiles.
Stephen Harford
April 29, 1736, In the House of Representatives,
The within Petition was read, and considered of, and Voted, That everj
Proprietor of a full share of Lands in the town of Rochester, pay the Sum
of fifteen shillings pr Annum to the Inhabitantsof the said Town (or such
person or persons as they shall appoint to receive the same), towards the
support of a Gospel minister amongst them During the full term of
seven years, and so in proportion to the sum of fifteen shillings pr an-
num according to their Propriety, be the same more or less, during the
term aforesaid. Provided & the Petitioners are hereby obliged to keep
an orthodox minister during said term, and that the Rev'' Jos. Adams &
John Jennes & Wm. Chamberlaine be impowered to call a Town meet-
ing to choose town officers, as the Law directs, for the present year, and
y' all such ofiicers so chosen shall have full power & authority as other
"town Officers have by Law & that the Peti'* have liberty to bring in a
Bill accordingly.
James JeftVey, Cler. Ass"
In Coun' eo. die.
Read & Concur'd.
Rich'i Waldron, Sec^
Assented to
J. Belcher.
[An Act was passed agreeably to the foregoing vote (i). Ed.]
(1) See copy of eaitl Act in MS. " Town Papers," Vol. VI. p. 115. Ed.
Petition of William Chainberlin and John Jenness^for
Jtirther relief.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, tlie Hon''''' his Majesty's Council & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Court con-
vened.
The Humble Petition of William Chamber' [Chamberlin]-
and John Jcnncss both of Rochester in the Province of New
Hampshire, as a Committee for the sai.i Town, s/ie'ws :
That the said Town of Roclicster being an Infant settlem'
the Inhabitants thereof Labour under many hardships & In-
conveniences unknown to Places come to maturity and that are
able to supply with all the necessaries of life.
Tiiat the General Court in consideration of the Indigent cir-
cumstances of the said Inhabitants past an Act some few years
since subjecting the non-resident Proprietors to the payment of
fifteen shillings upon every whole Right or share, aiul in pro-
portion for a Lesser part towards the support of the Ministry
7^4 NEW HAMPSHIRE
& other charj^es of the said Town ; — which Act was tempo-
rary & expires in March or April next.
That the said Inhabitants have hibored under the frowns of
Providence in a peculiar manner for the two last years, by cut-
ting short their crops of Indian Corn (their chief support) with
early & unseasonable Frosts, which has greatlv distrest them
& made them more Indigent than when the Court granted
them the aid above mentioned ; especially too considering
there is no Grist Mill in the said Town & that they suffer many
other inconveniences too numerous to be here particularly men-
tioned : — Wherefore your Petitioners in behalf of their constitu-
ents most humbly Pray this Hon'' " Court to Revive the afore-
said Act for such time as shall seem meet or to grant them leave
to bring in another, drafted in such manner as this Court shall
think to be a proper support & succour to the said Inhabitants,
or give them such other Relief as in your Great Wisdom &
Goodness you shall think proper ; — and your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound (in their said capacity) shall ever pray, &c.
William Chamberlin
John Jen.xks.
Feby 13' 1741
In the House of Representatives :
The within Petition read and the Petitioners heard and som of the
Proprietors p'sent at the hearing :
Voted, That the Prayer of the Petition be thus far granted, viz. That
the non-resident Proprietors shall pay ten shillings annually for one
whole share & so in proportion to their interest in s'' Town, for & to-
wards the support of the JNIinistry in said Town, and that the Petition-
ers have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly: the Act to continue for
three years & no longer.
James Jeffry, Clcr. Ass^
Feby i8'» 1741-2.
In Council Feb-' 19. 1741-3.
Read and non-concurred unanimously.
R. Waldron, Secy.
In Coun' Feb. 20'" 1741-2.
The within Petition read & voted. That the Proprietors (both resi-
dent and non-resident) of the first and second divisions of land in the
Town of Rochester and the Proprietors of any part or parts of the said
first or second divisions be subjected hy a special Act to pay annually a
tax of five shillings for a home lot and five shillings for a "second divi-
sion, and pro rata for a part of a first or second division, for & towards
the support of the Gospel ministry in the said Town, for and during the
space of three years next coming and that the Petitioners have leave to
bring in a Bill accordingly. It is to be understood that the five shillings
abo\-e mentioned is to be according to the value of our present current
Province Bills.
R. Waldron, Sec-V.
February the 23'' 1741—
'in the House of Representatives.
The above Vote of Council Read cS: concurr'd & the Petitioners have
liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
James Jcffrv, Cler. Ass"
Feb. 23, 1741.
Assented to, B. Wentworth.
TOWN PAPERS UINDGE. 725
Petition for a guard of soldiers^ 1 746.
To his Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq Capt. Gen And
Governor-in-Chief, in & over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire, in New England, and to y Honourable Coun-
cil ik Representatives, in Gen' Court assembled :
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Rochester in y'' Province afores humbly ShezvetJi : That
whereas your Petitioners are few in number & under Indigent
circumstances, living in a wilderness, where we are continu-
ally liable to y Assaults of y Barbarous Indian Enemy who
have killed four of our men already & taken one man & a
Boy in y week past & have killed & wounded a considerable
number of our Cattle that we have found already (more being
missing) and they are continually Lurking about our Houses
and Fields (being seen by some of us almost every day) so
that we cannot go out or come in without being liable to Fall
by them, & our Families are suflering & we not able to go
out to our labour, and we have no soldiers in the town at this
time ; — Therefore, we humbly Pray & Intreat your Excellency
& your Honours to take our Deplorable circumstances under
your wise consideration & to extend your paternal care &
aflection to us. By allowing us a suitable Number of soldiers
to Guard us in our Garrisons & about our necessary employ-
ments from time to time ; and your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall ever Pray, &c.
Rochester July i, 1746.
Tim" Roberts Stephan Berey
Edward Tebbetts Joseph Walker
John Laighton James Rodger
John Jennes Daniel McNeall
William Jennes James Rodger jun
Jonathan Yoimg John Heard
James Lock Ruben Heard
Henerv Allerd Matthew McFee
Thomas Drew Abram Pearce
John Hammock Beniman Richards
James Plleace ? Ichabod Coson
Clement Deeren Ebenczcr Plaice
Ithema Sevey Tiionias Young
James Busey" Ele/.ar Ham
John McFee Solomon Clark
Joseph Richards John Garlon
Beniman Heays William Chamber'"
Zebolon Damm Solomon Perkins.
Jonathan Hodgen
In Council, July 2'' 1746.
Read & sent down to the Hon*"'* House.
Theodore Atkinson, Scc^.
726 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition for further relief and for a guard of soldi ers^\'j\*l.
Province of ) To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'
New Hamp' | Captain General. Governor and Commander-
in-chief of his Majesty's Province aforesaid,
The Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Rep-
resentatives :
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Rochester in the Province aforesaid Humbly sheuoeth :
Whereas the circumstances of your Petitioners by Distress
of the Enemy, a Frontier Town, Whereby are much exposed,
and suffered by the Inrode of the Enemy in the year past,
with the loss of the Lives of five men, the Inhabitants of this
Town, and many of our Brethren not less than Twenty, en-
iisted in his Majesty's service for the Canada Expedition, sev-
eral families moved oft' by Distress and fear of the Enemy,
whereby we are unable to Defend and protect the settlement
and Improvements made here :
Wherefore your Petitioners humbl)^ Pray you will take our
Distressed Circumstances into consideration, and grant us such
a stated number of men as may be sufficient to Defend and
protect this settlement and improvements and preserve the
lives of the Inhabitants of this town. We humbly acknowl-
edge and return our hearty thanks for Relief sent us the
year past.
Our Improvements and further Improvements of our sev-
eral settlements Depends upon the succour and relief of this
Province, otherwise must unavoidably move in and leave our
several settlements for the destruction of tlie Indian Enemy :
Therefore your Petitioners again would entreat to grant our
Petition :
Which is the Prayer of your Petitioners.
Rochester, March 3"^ 1746-7.
Tim " Roberts Sam' Whithouse
Edwarii Tcbbets Robert Knight
John Alan Jo" Libbj
& for his sons. Benj ' Richards
William Allen James Place
Nathan Allen John McFee
John Wallingfar Ebnezer Place
& son, Peter Wallingford Joseph Walker
John Young Reuben Heard
John Bickford Richard Winford
Thomas Perkins Stephen Berry
Jonathan Young Zebulon Dam
Samuel Richards Alexander Hodgdon
James Loock Jonathan Hodgdon
Ichabod Horn John Heard
John Laighton Beniamen Hayes
Samuel Laighton Daniel McNeall
Samuel Twombly Ithamer Sevey
TOWN PAPERS RINDGE. 727
Richard Bickford Joseph Egcr\f
William Jenncs Thomas Young
Aaron Tibbets John Garlend
Isaac Miller Aleazer Ham
James Merrow
[n Coimcil, April i, 1747.
Read & order'd to bo s-ent down to y° Hon**'" House.
Theodore Atkinson, Sec^.
Inciter of thanksy and petition for further aid.
To his Excellency Benning Wentwoith Esq' Capt. Gen' and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of
New-Hampshire ; and to the Hon'' Council and House of
Representatives in General Court Conv '
May it please your Excellency and your Hon'': — This,
agreeable to a Vote in a Publick Town meeting holden in
Rochester October 19"', 1747, is to Return the greatfull ac-
knowledgment of the said Town to your Excellency and Hon""*
for the Paternal care you have taken of us in the spring and
summer past by sending Maj Thomas Davis to us with the
soldiers under his command ; Who by his prudent, dilligent
and carefull managm' under the Divine Providence, hath been
instrumental of Defeat' the Enemy in their attempts against
us and so of Preserving our Lives and the Lives of our Fami-
lys ; and we think it a Reasonable Dutv for us to Render our
thanks to your Excellency and the Hon General Court in this
Publick manner.
And we pray your Excellency and your Hon'' if in your
wisdom shall think it necessary and convenient to favour us
with a few soldiers a while longer to scout about the Town
upon the Discovery.
And inasmuch as we are unable of ourselves to support the
Gospel Ministry amongst us, We pray your Excellency and
your Hon' to lay a Tax upon the First and Second Division
Lots of Land in Rochester belonging to the non-resident Pro-
prietors to be paid annually towards the support of the CJospel
Ministry in said Rochester, and your humble Petitioners shall
ever pray &c.
The f(jregoing Articles were Voted in a Publick Town
meeting holden in Rochester, October 19"' 1747, and Voted
that they be preferred to his Excellency the Gov'^ and to the
gen Court of this Province in manner aforesaid.
Attest, Jno- Bickkoud, Town Clerk.
In Council, Nov. li"' 1747.
Read and sent down to the Hon''' House.
Theodore Atkinson, Sec^.
7'28 NEW HAMPSIIIRK
Prov. of New) In the Hoii.se of Representatives, 13''' Nov"" 1747.
Hampshire j Voted. Tliat y Petitioners be heard on this Petition
V'' second Day of }"■' setting of y Gen' Assembly after
the first of January next, & that y Petitioners at their own cost adver-
tise y publick two or three weeks successively (between this day & y**
afores'' Second Day) in y'-' Post Boy & Evening Post News papers (so
called) of y« Prayer of y" s ' Petition & this order of Court, that every-
one ma3- have opportunity to shew cause if any there be why y^ Prayer
of s" Petition should not be granted.
D. Peircc, Clk.
In Council, Eod. Die.
read & concurred.
T. Atkinson, Secy.
Nov. 19. Consented to
B. Went WORTH.
Petition of John Dain^ in relatio?i to Jioads, i?z Rochester .
Prov. of ] To his Excellency the Gov the rion"'= his Maj-
New Hanip"' f esties Council, and the Hon ' House of Rep-
resentatives of said Province :
The Petition of the Town of Rochester in said Province
Humbly s/i excel h:
That by reason of the unwearied Diligence of a Number of
Gentlemen in Settlin the Wilderness Country to the Northward
of us, and the abundance of Land-carriage and Travelling
which is Daily or yearly increasing and Likely so to continue»
Makes it Necessary to have a good Road or Roads to Encour-
age so essential a Plan for promoting the Bringing the improf-
itable Wilderness to be serviceable to the Province and En-
creasing his Majesties subjects in the same, and by Reason of
our Natural situation the Roads must run a great length
through our Town which is but a little part of it settled at one
end in comparison of what is unsettled, so that the Road to New
Durham Runs 7 or 8 Miles through said unsettled Land, and
the Road to Water Town much further, and the Inhabitants
Dont own one 16' ' if the 20 part of said wild Land, which
is yearly increasing in value by settling the country above, and
we have don between five and six hundred days work on the
Road to New Durham, which is found .'nsufhcient, and we
have had one Presentment already for said Deficiency and are
liable to more when any disafiected Party shall see cause :
Therefore we pray that your Exc' and Honours will pass an
Act to lay a Tax on the settled and unsettled Land through the
whole Town to defrav the cliarge of clearing and rcpairingthe
Roads through the unsettled Land from time to time as there
may be occasion or so long and Recoverable in such a way as
your Honors in your wise Penetration may judge Reasonable.
TOWN I'Al'EUS UINDGE. 729
We trust you will consider our circumstances as a People, that
in peril of our Lives from the sword of the wilderness, have
Defended this frontier from which we are but just Relieved,
60 that our condition mav well be thought to be otherways
than if we had had our Liberty ; for many or the most of us
are not in a capacit}' to take our Packs and travel sixteen or
Eighteen miles into the country to Do so much Labour as is
needful on said Roads, and our families not suffer at home ;
Therefore we hope your Parental affections are such that you
will lay the Burden where it Properly Belongs ; and we
as in duty Bound will ever Pray,
Signed in and on behal. of said Rochester
Per JoNA. Dam, Agent.
Rochester, 13' ' Feb , 176S.
In Council, Feb 17 " 1768.
The above Petition read & ordered to be sent down.
Geo. Kiii<,s Y)epy Secy.
In the House of Representatives, Feb>' iS, 1768.
The within Petition bcinj,' considered, voted, That the Petitioners be
heard thereon the third day of the liting of the General Assembly next
after the tenth day of March next, and that in the mean time, he cause
the substance of this Petition to be printed in the New Hampshire Ga-
zette three weeks successively, and give notice that any Person may then
shew cause why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
M. Weare, Clr.
Eodem die. In Council,
read & concurr'd
Geo. King, Dep. Se""-'"
Province of \ j^ ^j^^ House of Representatives, March 17, 1768.
New Hamp ' ) ' » > «
The within Petition being considered and the Petitioner and such who
appeared to make Objection being fully heard : —
Voted, That the Petitioner have leave to bring in a Bill for laying a
tax of one half penny pr Acre yearly for two years on all the Lands in
said Township belonging to Residents and non Residents for making
and Repairing the highways in s'' Town, under the care of the Select-
men who are to Render an account of their Proceedings herein to the
General Assembly : and any Person shall have liberty of paying his
Proportion of said tax by Labour at two shillings pr Day finding him-
self and observing the Direction of the said Selectmen.
M. Weare, Clr.
In Council, March iS •' 1768.
Read & concur'd.
Geo. King, Dep. Secy.
73© NEW HAMPSHIRE
RUMNEY.
[Rumney was Cfranted first to Samuel Olmstead, afterwards to Daniel
Brainerd, Esq., i8"' of March, 1767. A settlement, however, was begun
there in October, 1765, hy Capt. Jotham Cummings. The first minis-
tor. Rev. Thomas Niles, was a native of East Iladdam, Ct. ; graduated
Yale College 175S; ordained 2i Oct. 1767, and settled in Rumney; left
Feb. 10, 17S8. He was a Congregationalist, but itdoes not appear that ft
church was organized there. Eu.]
Petition of sundry Inhabitants of Rumney against Daniel
Brainerd^ Esq.
Province of \ To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq""
New Hampshire j Governor and Commander in chief in and
over the Province of New Hampshire
afores'' and to the Honourable Council
and Assembly of said Province :
The Petition of the subscribers bein«f Proprietors and In-
habitants of the Town of Rumney most humbly sheivcth :
That Daniel Brainerd of said Rumney, Esq' is owner
and according to the Province Laws has Right (as your peti-
tioners suppose) to vote for a considerable number of Propri-
etors shares or Rights in said Town, and that he takes upon
him in the meeting of the Proprietors of said Town to vote for
sundry others Rights or shares therein, under color of Power
and Authority from the owners of the same, which owners do
not attend said meetings ; — by which he is enabled to carry the
vote and to decide all aftairs in such proprietors Meetings ac-
cording to his own pleasure, to the introducing much confu-
sion and uncertainty in the publick & common affairs of said
Proprietors (as your Petitioners apprehend) and which Power
the s' Brainerd uses in such manner as to injure and oppress
your Petitioners particularly in the following Instances : as
First — That the monies Voted by the Propriety are not laid
out for the Proprietors use or to answer the purposes for which
they were granted by s' Propriety, by which means the settle-
ment of this Town is much retarded and your Petitioners
greatly damaged.
Secondly — No Rate or Tax has been duly assessed upon the
said Proprietors since the Grant of their Charter, till within a
few months past, and the Rate now asscss'd does not amount
to the whole of the Proprietors Debts.
Thirdly — No settlement has been made with the Rev ' Mr.
Niles the minister of said Rumney since he has been the min-
ister of s' Town, nor any part of his Salary paid whereby he
has been obliged to commence a suit in Law for the Recovery
of his Sallary, and the said Brainerd by means aforementioned
TOWN PAPERS nUMNEY. 73I
has procured a vote of said Proprietors to chars^e themselves
without justice or necessity (as your Petitioners Imagine) with
twelve sliillinors Lawful money upon each Right to defend said
suit. The Rev. Mr Niles before s'^ vote was pass'd having
publicly offered to withdraw said suit at Law, and also to abate
of his Salary forty Dollars, if the Proprietors would come to
settlement with him according to said Proprietors vote.
Fourthly — Sundry of your Petitioners having paid divers
sums to the Rev'' Mr. Niles and laboured for him with expec-
tation that the same should be set oft' against their Respective
Rates or Taxes to his Sallary, no Tax was for a long time as-
sess'd, and now but a p:Ut of the money due to Mr. Niles is
assess'd, and that comprised in y' same general sum with the
other taxes ; and no ways distinguished from them therein ; so
that though Mr. Niles is willing to discoimt the same yet your
Petitioners cannot come to the knowledge of the particular
sums due to him in y'' Tax assess'd as afores'd.
Fifthly — Some of your Petitioners having requested of the
s" Braincrd that he could make a just assessment and procure
a Rate bill combining the whole of y'^ money due to Mr. Niles
according to vote of y Propriety, y s' Braincrd refuscth to do
it, and refuseth to accept of Receipts from Mr. Niles for the
whole which is due to him as afores'' and by means of the said
Brainerd's conduct and arbitrary use of his Power, your Peti-
tioners Lands are exposed to be sold and will be sold as we are
publickly notified on y a^'' of this Instant July, unless your
Petitioners pay the money, tho' thev have paid the same in
Labour: — Wherefore your Petitioners humbly' Pray your Ex-
cellency and the Honourable Council and Assembly to take
their case under consideration and to grant them such relief in
the Premises as to the wisdom of your Excellency and the
Honourable Council and Assembly shall seem meet; and par-
ticularly that such order may be made thereupon that your Pe-
titioners mav have the full benefit of what they have paid the
Rev Mr. Niles and the labour tliey have done for him. by the
same being set oft to pay Mr. Niles, and that they may not be
liable to pay over again those sums wliich they have already
paid as afores ' nor be liable to have their Land sold for the
non-payment thereof nor be driven to their Action in Law to
recover a due allowance for their labour : And your humble
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Rumney, July y" 5' A. D. 1771.
Elilui Johnson Joseph Clark
Barnabas Niles Matt. Ramsey
Charles Clark Hugh Ramsey
Isaac ClilTord, Trcas. or asses. Thomas Ramsey.
Pelatiah Watson
732 KEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Daniel Brainerd and others.
Province of \ To his Excellency John VVentvvorth, Esq*"
New Hampshire, >- Capt. Gen' Governor & Comninnder in
Rockingham ss. j chief in and over his Majesty's Province
aforesaid, and the Hon'' his Alajesty's
Council tor said Province :
The Petition of Daniel 13rainerd of Rumney in s' County
& Province, in beh;ilf of himself, and Mathew Grissell of
Lime, David Day & Henry Cliampion of Colchester, & Jo-
seph Spencer of East-Haddam, all in the Colony of Connecti-
cut, Humbly shexveth : —
That your Petitioner and the afore mentioned persons are
considerably interested in said Town of Rumney, under his
Majesty's Grant thereof, and have with Jeremiah Clough Esq''
Sam' Moore & others been making Large Li)provements
therein by persons under them greatly to the Emolument of
said Town :
That the time limited for doing the Duty conditioned in the
grant aforesaid Expir'd the i8 ■ day of March last: That a
number of the original Grantees have neglected to perform
the several conditions in said Grant express'd, much to the
prejudice of the Settle of said Town, namely, Humphrey
Colby, Jabez Chapman, Miles Wright, Thomas Mosely and
others :
Wherefore, your Petitioner humbly prays that your Excel-
lency & Honours would take the Premises into consideration
and grant your Petitioner and the said Matthew Grissell, David
Day, Henry Champion and Joseph Spencer such further
Time to complete the duty enjoyn'd upon their Interest, as in
your great Wisdom shall seem meet: and also to dispose of
the Interest and shares of the delinquent Proprietors to such
of his Majesty's good subjects as will effectually settle & cul-
tivate the same ; and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall
ever Pray.
Portsm" May 4''', 1772.
The Names of the other Grantees, who are delinquent in
Rumney, referr'd to above, viz. Thomas Niles, Clerk,
Ephraim Rand, Aaron Brainard & Jabez Chapman : There
is one family settled on these two original Rights, but on
which particular one is uncertain, as they remain undivided.
Danikl Bkainerd.
TOWX PAPERS — RUMNEY. 733
Petition of JCcv. Thomas Nilcs.
To his Excellency John VVentworth, Esq' Captain General
and Goveinor-in-chief of his Majesty's Province of New
hampshirc, and to the Honorable his Majesty's Council of
said Province :
The Petition of Thomas Niles of Rumney in the County
of Grafton in said Province, Clerk, humbly shevjcth: —
That your Petitioner was ordained about five years ago and
has endured all the hardships attending the Beginning of a
new Township as the first minister of said Town of Rumney,
that he owns three Rights of Land in s' Township, viz. one
as the proper Right of the first ordained Minister, another
which was originally drawn to Ephraim Rand, by the free
gift of the Proprietors of Rumney as an additional encourage-
ment to him to settle so early in the Town among the first
inhabitants, and a third granted to him the said Thomas Niles
by Name in the new charter of s' Township: — all which
Rights the Proprietors voted to be exempt from all Taxes
while in the Possession of your Petitioner and during his
Ministry in said town. That on the Right originally drawn
to Ephraim Rand, your Petitioner has expended considerable
money and labor, and has inclosed about twenty acres which
he improves for pasturage, and is making Preparation for the
settlement of a Family there as soon as possible ; That on the
Right granted him by Name in his Majesty's charter of the
Township, your Petitioner has erected a House & Barn and
mows several Tons of good English hay, and has other valua-
ble articles of produce ; That your Petitioner would have
proceeded much farther in his improvements of all the above
mentioned Rights if he had not been injuriouslv kept out of
the greater part of his Salary due to him from the afores' Pro-
prietors since his settlement in the Township: Your Peti-
tioner therefore earnestly Requests that the Rights afores ' may
be continued to him notwitstanding any Representations which
may have been made to your Excellency and Honors, <jf his
having forfeited any of them ; and relies on your Wisdom and
goodness that said Rights will still be confirmed: And your
Petitioner shall ever pray. &c.
Rumney, June 19' 1772.
Thomas Nh
734 NEW HAMPSHIRE
RYE.
[Rye was formerly called Sandy Beach, and was appurtenant to
Portsmouth. After New Castle was constituted, Sandy Beach became
a Parish of that place; and was incorporated as such in 1726, and
allowed to send a representative to the General Assembly. Ed.]
Petition fo7- a new District or Preci?zct^ 1721,
To his Excellency Samuel Shute Esq*" Capt. Gen' & Governor
in chief in and over his Maj"*'^ Province of New Hamp-
shire &c. To the Hon ' the Council & House of Repre-
sentatives, now conven'd in Gen' Assembly in & for s'*
Province :
The humble Petition of sundry the Inhabitants living about
Sandy Beach, partly in New Castle, Hampton & Portsmouth,
humbly shexueth :
That your Petitioners, the subscribers hereof, have for these
many years past lived under great inconveniencies as to their hav-
ing the free benefitof thegospell, most of us Livingat great Dis-
tances from our Respective meeting-houses, especially those
belonging to New-Castle ; — for that besides the great Distance
wee live from thence, there is the great Inconvenience of a
Ferry, by the Reasons of which for neare half the yeare. Wee
the Masters of families that are best able cannot but now and
then attend upon the publick worship of God (as in Duty wee
are bound) and when wee Doe, It is many times late within
Night e're wee can reach our habitations : And besides this
great inconvenience to ourselves, there is a much greater hap-
pens to the greatest part of our families (viz.) our women
and children, who can rarely attend at all or not above two or
three times in the yeare, and then but those that are groun to
years ; for our younger children that should imbibe in the pre-
cepts of the gospell with their milk, cannot attend untill groun
to some years : Wee having four, five & some more than six
miles, besides the Ferry ; And wee can now count amongst
us above two hundred and forty or fifty souls, and not one
third capeable to attend as wee are now circumstanced : And
we think ourselves capeable to maintain a minister of the
Gospel, and to giv'e a Competent Liveing, as our neighbour-
ing Pa'shes & precincts do :
Therefore wee, your humble Petitioners prays that we may
be set oft" a p'ticular precinct (from Mr. William Seveys and
westward by the sea-side as far towards Hampton as the little
Boars head or Little River, and back into the Country about
three miles & a halfe or soe far as in your wisdom shall see
meet) and that wc may be impowered to make and raise all
TOWN PAPERS RYE.
735
our own Taxes & gather them
tioners.
John Lock
William WalliB
John Brackctt
TliomaB Kan<l
Joshua Kos8
Edward Lock
Beniamcn Scvey
William Lock
Nicolas Hodge
James Fouler
Samuel Scavey
Samuel Lock
Isack Libo
Jacob Libe
James Lock
John Giirland
Ebenezer /'Ai/brick
William Seavey
James Seavey
Philip J'ain
Samuel Rand
Samuel lirackett
Joseph Seavey
Thomas Knnd
Bcniaiuen Seavy, jun
Hoses Seavy
So prays your humble Peti-
William JIarden
Kemiah Heary
Natlianel Heary
William Beary
Samuel Heary
Samuel Dovost
James Mardon
Richard Goss
Ebenezer Berry
Joseph lirowu
Francis Lock
Jethro Lock
Stephen Beary
John Kiiowlcs
Uezekiah Jennes
Tims Jennes
John Jennes
Chris : Palmer
Samuel Sevey
Richard Jannes
John Lock, jr
Joseph Lock
Nathanel l{and
Samuel Dovst
Samuel Wallis
Willm Sevey jun.
Petition to be set off as a nezv Parish or District^ 1724-
To the Hon''" John Wentworth, Esq' Liv' Gov' and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Maj''" Province of New
Hampshire in New England, and to the Hon"'^ the Coun-
cil for s' Province :
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants living in that part
of New Castle called Little Harbour and Sandy Beach, and
the Inhabitants living at the Eastward of the Little River
comonlv so called, att the Easterly end of Hampton, next
Sandy Beach, and sundry others of Portsm" Living near the
s' Sandy Beach humbly Sheiveth:
That there being sixty familys or upward within the Pre-
cints above named who having for a long time lived att a
great Distance from any meeting house where the publick
worship of God has been carried on, and most of us having
great familys which very Rare above one or Two of a family
can go to the House of God for the greatest part of the time
by Reason of the Distance we live from any meeting house,
and thereby the greatest part of our tamilys have been De-
prived of the Dispensation of the Gospell, and there has been.
736 NEW HAMPSHIRE
allmost a famine of the word and worship of God amongst us,
theire being near four hundred souls whereof not above the
sixth or seventh part can attends' worship which is very
Predutiall to the glory of God, and Destructive to our Eternall
wellfare, for the greatest part of us thus to be brought up in
Ignorance which is a Greater Griefe to us than we can herein
Express, and the only cause of addressing y- Hon^ and the
Hon'' the Council herein.
And for preventing the Difficulties and Hardships which
wee have for a long time labour'd under, and for the advance-
ment of the glory of God and good of souls, wee the sub-
scribers hereof humbly prays your Hon' and the Honourable
the Councill that wee may be sett off a Particular District or
Precinct for the maintaining a minister with the Priviledges
of carying on the affairs of a Town or Parish according to the
Bounds hereafter Exprest or as your Hon' in wisdom shall
see meet, viz. To Begin att Samj^sons Point and Run south
west to the Road from Seaveys to y Bank and then on the
Soutiierly side of the Road by Capt. Walker's and Capt.
Langdon's to the Road that goes to Breakfast (i) Hill (Ex-
clusive of that part of Capt. Walker's and Capt. Langdon's
Land that now lyeth in Portsmouth,) and on the southerly
side of the Road from between Capt. Langdon's and Slopers
farms to Breakfast Hill to the Road from s'' Sandy Beach to
Greenland, and then on a South west line untill it meet with
Little River in Hampton Bounds, and then on tlie Easterly
side Little River to y'' Sea, and tiien round by the Sea Side to
y*" Place where itt Began, and that all the Land that Elias
Tarlten and Jeremiah Jorden and Abraham Libby enjoy may
be poled off to s ' Town or Parish herein mentioned, wee hav-
ing been at the charge of Building a Meeting house by the
consent and att the charge of most of the Inhabitants within
the Bounds herein mentioned : hopeing your Hon will grant
so Reasonable a Request lor so good End, and your Petition-
ers shall ever pray &c.
Jotham Odiorno Nalhl Rand
Wm. Seavy Wm. Lock
\Vm. Wallis Wm. Maiden
Hczh Geiinina Jos. Look
Tho. Hand James iSeavy
Phillip Payiio Wm. Berry
Jno. (ieniiins Ez. Nwles
Kiclid Gciinius Joslia Fobs
Itichd Goes Jamts Lock
Saml Seavy James Fuller
(1) So called from the circnnistancc that a pnrty of Indians, nrcr nn Mttnck upon
tho people on the "Plains" at I'.irisinoiith, -iTjune, ItJiXi, encanipeil and to>lc
breaiifasL on tiie declivity of a hill near t\u: hounds of (ireenlaiid and Kye. Thd
hill retains the name to tliia day. — Breicater's Itum. Ports. Vol. 1. p. 73. Ei>.
TOWS PAPERS RYE.
737
Saml Rand
Tho8 Rami, jiin.
Jos. Scavy
Elias Tarlton
Jeremi :\h Jordcn
Ele.x Sillies
IJenja Seavj-, Jiiu.
Nalhl Berry
Francis I>ock
Steplicn IJerry
Jonathan Lock
Saml Doust
Eben IJe.ry
Saml llr.ickett
Saml Scavy, Jun.
Jno Nolea
Jno Lock
Jno Lock, jun.
James Miirdcn
Solomon Doust
Christ Panicr
The. Uennina
Ilez. Gcnnins, Jun.
Saml Wallis
Nehcmiah IJcry
Richd Itand
Thos Edmunils
Edwd Lock
Jno Moor
Benja Seavcy, jun
James Randall
Isaac Liby
Jacob Liby
Ebcn Plulbrick
Saml Lock
Ab'm Liby
Wm. Seavy. tertiua
Wm. Webster
James Sliute
Wm. Seavy, jun
Saml Berry
Wm. Gammon
Stephen Mardcn.
CJ.
VoU and Remonstrance of Portsmouth against the Petition
froin Sandy Beach, 1724.
Att a Publick Town Meeting held in Portsm' the 20''' Ap' 1724,
Vot'd That y' Prayer of Sandy Beach so far as it Relates to this
Town is highly unreasonable & y^ Coll. Plaisted & Capt. Phipps Esq'
& Mr. Wm. Fellows be a Coinittcc in behalfe of s' Town to appear be-
fore y° Gov & Councill upon y'' hearing of y" s'' Petition & Remon-
etiate against y' Same ik Implead y^ Petition" generally so y' there
may be no further curtailing or Dividing of y- .s"' Town; which is
already Reduc'd to very narrow limits, by Ne»v Castle, Greenland &
Newington, <S: y' y Committe be Impower'd to imj>ly an Attorney in
y- Premises if there be occasion.
True Copy — Test. Josh. Pcircc, Town Clr.
21'' Ap-- 1724.
Pctitio7i from sundry Inhabitants of Little Harbour, Sandy
Beach a?id Hampton, 1725.
To the Honourable John Wcntworth Esq Lieut. Governor
and Commander-in-chief in & over his Majesties Province
of New Ilamp ; To the Honourable the Coimcil And Rep-
resentatives in Gen' Assembly conven'd at Portsmouth in the
6"* Province :
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Little Harbour and
Sandy Beach in the Town of New Castle, and sinidry of the
47
7S8
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Inhabitants of the East end of the Town of Hampton, and
some of Portsm" or Greenland, most humbly sheweth :
That the dwelling-places of y' Petitioners with their Families,
which consist of the number of more than Four hundred Souls,
are very far distant from the setled Meeting-Houses in the re-
spective Towns to which they belong and thereby their at-
tendance on the publick worship of God on the Lord's Days-
is rendered extremely difficult, and at some times impossible
in stormy weather and in the winter season, especially, to their
Women" and children, so that they cannot pay to God the
Honour of Publick worship on his day, which Religion and the
good Laws of the government demand of them ; and your Pe-
tition'' with their wives and children are brought up in Igno-
rance of his word ; Which evil cannot be remedied but by the
favour of your Honours and the Honourable Assembly in con-
stituting them a separate District or Precinct from their re-
spective Towns, to which they now belong, and enabling them
to carry on the Publick worship of God amongst themselves ;
and therefore yo" Petitioners most humbly pray that your Hon-
our and this Honourable Assembly would please to set off that
part of New Castle called Sandy Beach & Little Harbour, with
such of Hampton, Portsm' or Greenland as to you in your
Wisdom shall seem proper to be a District or Precinct for the
carrying on the worship of God and maintaining a School
therein according to Law, and your Petitioners shall ever pray.^
as in duty bound, &c.
Samuel Seavy hia
Joseph Lock William X Miirden
John Lock, jiin. mark
Thomas Jeflfry ? William Maiden, jun.
James Fuller Solo Doust, jun.
David Smith Samuel Rand
Ezekeel Knowls Solomon Dowst
Wm. GcnninffS ? William Barry
Stephen lleary Nehemiah Berry
William Lock James Seavey
Jethro Lock Samuel Wales
Thos Jennes Orem Dowst
John Jennes, juu. Willm Sevey jun
Saml Lock James Shute
Phillip Pain John Lock
Richard Jennes Hezekiah Jennes
Samuel Gove William VVallis
Francis Lock Samuel Brackett
Isiak Lybe William Lock
Alexander Sims John Jenes
John Knowles James Lock
Jonathan Lock John (iarland
Joshua Fobs Beneamcn Lamprey
Bbenezer Berry Ghristofar Palmer
TOWN PAPERS RYE.
739
Ebenpzer Phtlbrick Nathil Rand
James Berry Thomas Rand
Joseph Sevey William Rand
Benja Sevey Simon Knowles
Eiiwd Ran.lle Jacob LIbbe
Isaac Dow Kathaniel Bary
James Marden Daniel Ilasley
Thorns Rand Wm. Gammon
John Pain Edward Locli.
X' y" 29, 1725. In the House of Representatives.
The within Petition being read : Ordered that the Towns of New-
Castle, Portsmouth, Hampton & Grecnhmd be notified by the Petition-
ers to appear on the second day of the sitting of the Spring Sessions
next, to shew cause (if any they have) why the Prayer of the Petition
may not be granted.
Jas. JefTry, Clr. Ass"
Another Petitioti from the same source^ ^T^S-
Whereas wc the subscribers did formerly Petition to the Gov-
ernment of this Province to be set off for a Precinct or Dis-
trict, which wc hiunblv conceive was denyed, because it was
thought that if the prayer of the Petition were j^ranted, the
Great Island could not subsist to maintain a Minister there
without the assistance of a great part of the subscribers ; — now
to take of that objection, and in order that the Gospel may be
continued both at the Island and Sandy Beach , we the subscribers
consent that Twenty Pounds annually during the Rev'd Mr.
Shurtliff's life, or continuance in the Ministry at the Island, be
allow'd as follows : viz. That whereas Little Harbour side
with Sandy Beach used to pay near one third part of Mr.
Shurtlelf 's Salary, and there being five persons on Little Har-
bour side that do not desire to join with us, the Petitioners,
viz. Lieut. Jno. vSherburn, Tobias Lear, Jno. Odiorne, James
Randle, and the Widow Wallis who used to pay about six
pounds annually towards the minister's Rate, We the subscrib-
ers do promise and engage to make that sum Twenty pounds
annually as afores** ; — Provided that we may be cleared from
all other Parish Taxes to the several places where we do now
belong.
December 14"' 1725
In Province of New Ilamp"^
We also will quit o' right to the Twelve Pounds paid by the
Isle of Shoals.
William Seavey Edward Lock
William Walles Benjamin Seavey
Thomas liand Samuel Walles
Samuel Brackett Joshua Fens
John Lock Samuel Beiry
Jamea Lock Joseph Lock
740
NEW HAMPSHIRE
William Lock
Kichiinl G088
Nathimnel Rand
William Mnrdcn
Ezekiel Knowles
Solomon Dowst
Rcnj iinin Scavcy, jun
Samuel Hand
Philip Pain
James Fuller
M'illiam Gammon
William Seavey, tertiua
Jelliro lioss
Amos Hand
Jo.-hua Hand
William Mavden jun
William Lock.jr
John Pain
Thi)ni8 Rand, jun.
James Shute
William Hand
Zach : IJpi-i y
William Berry
Sand/ Beach, Petition, Dec. 29, 1725.
James Marden
fSaml Dowst
Ebcnr Berry
Orem I)ow8t
Samuel Seavey, jun.
Francis Lock
Jethio Lock
Samuel Lo:;k
Christopher Palmer
John Garland
David Smith
Ebenr Pliilbrick
Joh Knowles
Stephen Be;ry
Jontithan Lock
Jolin Lock, jun.
Samuel Scavcy
Hezekiah Jenes
Richard .Jenncs
John .lennes
Ncheniiah Berry
Thonifl Jennes
Kathl Berry.
Pet itio7i from the Parish of Ryc^ 1729.
To his Excellency William Burnet, Esq" Capt. General &
Governor in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of New
Hamps- in New England & To the Hon''' the Coiuicil &
the Hon"''- House of Representatives in General Assembly
now setting,
The Humble Petition of the Parish of Rye in New Castle,
in the Province of New Hamp""
Hu7nbly sheweth :
That whereas this Parish was established by a Special Act
of General Assembly Apr. 30, 1726, and near one half of the
freeholders & other Inhabitants of the same being Poled off to
s' Parish from other Towns, a considerable number of which
did before belong to Hampton Town, tS: having no line fixed Sc
settled between s' Parish & Hampton, the s' Parish arc under
ill conveniences respecting their Parish affairs, some moving
out & Leaving the I3urden of Taxes heavier upon the Rem-
nant left, and some others moving in among us & settling in
that part of the Parish that did belong to Hampton, which we
f.re not impowered to Levy Taxes upon, nor to obledge to at-
tend military exercises, nor to help in Repairing his Majesties
High-ways in this Parish nor to assist in managing our other
Parish aiVairs ; — We, labouring under these & many other ill
TOWN PAPERS RYE. 74I
conveniences, humbly prnvcth yom- Excellency, the Hon"'' the
Council & the lion House of Representatives to make choice
of a Committee of indillerent men to fix & settle a Line be-
tween us lSc Ham])ton Town.
So shall your Hum ' Petitioners ever Pray, &c.
Rich" Goss ") Selectmen
John Knowles (- of s"*
John Garland ) Parish.
Dated at Rye
May 12, 1729.
In th House of Representatives.
Voted, That the hearing this Petition be suspended untill the fourth day
of the next Session of the General Assembly and that a Copy of the
Petition & this Vote be sent to the Select men of Hampton atchargeof
the Petitioners.
James Jeft'ry, Cler. Ass"
May 14''' 1729.
In Council, cod. die
Read & Concurr'd.
R. Waldron, Cler. Coun.
In the House of Representatives,
Voted, That the prayer of the within Petition be so far granted y' a
Committee of indilferent p'sons be chosen & goe upon the spot & that
a Plot be made and Bro'tin to the Ass" bys' Committee of the old P'ish
of Hampton, with a Division of the North Hill part, aLsoeof the whole
P'rish of Rye, and alsoe of that part that belongs to Portsmouth &
Greenland that is Powl'd off to Rye; — and make theire Return to the
Gen' Assembly next session for further consideration ; and that the Pe-
titioners pay the charges.
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass'"
X'-y-i3" 1729.
Cant, foshua n\ ii)<rate 1 . ,, • t,- ^ ., ^. u ^
jtr xf r u c r Renters their Dissent ag' the above vote.
01 Mr John banburn j '^
X"' the 16. 1729. In the House of Representatives,
Voted, That Mr. Speaker Wiggans and Maj' Paul Gerrish, Mr. Bar-
tholomew Thing and ?vhij' Nicholas Gillman (k Lieut. Wm. Moore of
Stratham or any three of them be a Comittee for the ends above men-
tioned, to make Draught and that the old P'ish of Hampton iv: that part
of Hampton called North Hill be alsoe notified of the time of Run-
ning the Lines, and that the Return be ir.ade to the Gen' Assembly y'
third day of the sitting of the next Sessions of the Ass"' and all parties
then to appeare to make their objection (if any they have) why such
Return may not be rec'
James JcflVy, Clr. Ass'"
In Council, Dcc'^ 17, 1729.
Read & concurred, w '' both y" above votes
R. Waldron, Cler. Con.
74* NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition fro7n Selectmen of Rye, 7' elating to the effects of a
violent Storm ^ i754-
Province of 1 To his Excellency Benninc^ Wentworth,
New Hampshire ) Esq'. Governour and Commander in
Chief, in and over his Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire, and the Hon''''' the Honse of Represent-
atives for said Province now in General Court siting :
Hinnbly shews — James Marden and Joses Philbrick two of
the Selectmen of the Parish of Rye in the Province aforesaid
(being the major part thereof) in behalf of the said Parish:
That on or about the Nineteenth day of June last past there
was a Violent Thunder Storm and there fell a very consider-
able quantity of Rain & Hail which reach'd through the said
Parish and Damaged all the Inhabitants of the said Parish
(three or four familys only excepted) very much by shattering
their houses and barns, breaking the glass windos almost the
one half thereof through the said parish ; shattered the meet-
ing-house and Parish house and Broke the glass thereof, that
one hundred pounds old tenor will not be sufficient to repair
the said Meeting and Parish house ; Destroy'd almost all the
apples in the said Parish, with almost all the English and In-
dian corn then and there standing and growing, of one half of
the said Inhabitants : By means whereof the said Inhabitants
are reduced to Miserable circumstances, with Regard to the
fruits of the earth this year, And it will be as much as the said
Inhabitants can do (and will be beyond the capacity of many)
to repair their buildings and provide sustinence for themselves
and cattle this year ; and as the said Parish is but a poor place
and the said Inhabitants are at considerable charge among
themselves over and above the Province Tax, which in itself
is very heavy, and considering the circumstances of the said
Parish will be insupportable as their dependence is on the
fruits of the earth (which are now destroy'd.) Wherefore the
said James Marden & Joses Philbrick pray in behalf of the said
Parish that your Excellency and Honours will take the case
of the said Inhabitants into 3'our wise consideration, antl Re-
leive the said Inhabitants by abating the whole or so much of
the said Province Tax as your excellency and Honours in your
great Wisdom shall think expedient, and your Petitioners in
behalf of said Inhabitants as in duty bound shall ever Pray.
Jam lis Marden
Joses Pihj.bkick.
July 24, 1754.
Province of ) t 1 »/: w.
NewHamp.- } J"'>' ^6, 1754-
In Council, read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon'^i'= _y"= Gen'
Assembly.
Theod. Atkinson, Sec^.
TOWN PAPERS RYE. 743
Petltioti for a Lottery to btiild a road, 1764.
To his Excellency Benniiig Wciitwoith, Esq' Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampsliire, the Hon'"' his Majesty's Coun-
cil & house of Representatives in General Assembly con-
ven'd, this 8"" day of May 1764.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Rye, & of
the Inhab"' of the South West end of Portsmouth ; Humbly
S/iezvcth : —
That it would not only be very beneficial to them, but to all
other Travellers, who pass from Portsm" to Rye, or from Rye
to Portsmouth, provided a Road might be had & obtain'd
across the woods from or near Mr. Thomas Cotton's Farm in
Long Lane so called, to the highway in Rye near to Mr.
Wallis Foss's, which would make the travelling from Portsm"
to Rye or from Rye to Portsmouth much more convenient,
as it will save eight miles in travel to & from nearer than the
road now goes, as there is no highway from said Rye to Ports-
mouth except at the North East End or at the .South West end
of said Rye, both of said highways being at the cxtream lim-
its of said Parish of Rye, & being five miles distant from each
other, which makes it difficult for your petitioneis to send
their wood &c. to market ; which Road if obtain'd they think
would be a General Good, & your Petitioners humbly con-
ceive it might be had & obtain'd at the Cost & charge of seven
hundred & fifty pounds new Tenor, but that your petitioners
are not at present able in & of themselves to purchase said
highway altho' so beneficial; Wherefore your petitioners
humbly prays your Excellency & Honours, to grant them
leave to bring in a Bill for a Lottery to enable them toeflcct
the same & to be under such direction & Regulation as you in
your great wisdom may think proper, & if anv overplus arises
thereby, to be disposed of as may be ordered by your Excel-
lency & honours, & your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray &c.
Joseph Jenness Joseph Philbrick
Sam'Jennes Joseph Lock
Joseph Rand Nathan Goss
Timothy Berry Benj' Garland
Nathancl Jennes Jonathan Lock, jun.
Chris*^ Gold Stephen Marden
Jonath" Brown Benj'' Marden
Job Jennes Ruben Motion
Peter Johnson Sam' Mcscrvy
"oseph Brown RobercJ
*eter Johnson, jun. Job Vo
Joseph Brown Roberd Sanders
Peter Johnson, jun. Job P'oss
Jonathan Fowl Joshua Weeks
Elijah Lock Joseph Yeaton
Bickford Lang Noah Sevcjr
744 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Thomas Cotton Joseph Edmonds
John Furnuel Benginon Edmonds
John Tarlton Thomas Cotton
Richard Tarlton Elias Tarlton
James Tarlton Thomas Clark
Elias Tarlton, Jun. Samuel Norton
Jeremiah Berry John Norton
Richard Lock Nathan Norton
Samuel Wells Benjamin Tarlton
Joshua Rand Thomas Mardcn
Wallis Foss Israel Marden
Ebnezer Marden Thomas Cotton, jun.
James Marden John Bennett
Nathaniel Berry jun. Stephen Bennett
John Sevey Elias Tarlton, Sen.
Nathaniel Cotton Joseph Langdon
John Edmonds
Province of New Hampshire :
In the House of Representatives, May lo, 1764. This Petition being
read. Voted, That the prayer thereof be granted & that the Petitioner*
have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
In Council, Jan>' 18''' 1765.
Read & Concurred
T. Atkinson, jun. SecJ'.
SALEM.
[This Town formerly belonged to Methuen District, and appears ta
have been incorporated as a District in 1741-42, but not as a Town un-
til II May, 1750 (i). It was cut oft", when the line was established, from
the Towns of Methuen and Dracut.]
Petition of Iithabitants of Methuen^ "^lA^'
To his Excellency Rcnning Wentworth, Esq"" and the lion''''
Cour.cil of the Province of New Hampshire.
This Prayer of your humble Petitioners skozv, That,
Whereas there has been a Petition lodged with your Secretary
by Messrs. Henry Sanders and Benjamin Corning for a Town-
ship in that jDart of Methuen which has lately fallen into New
Hampshire, with the westerly part of Haverhill as described
in said Petition : This is the prayer of your Petitioners that
said Petition be granted.
Jan> 28"' 1 741-3.
Samuel Currier Joseph Rite
Richard Kimball Richard Carlton
Samuel Parker Edward Carlton
(1) See rrov. Pap. Vol. V. p. 183, &c., and Vol. VI. pp. 13, 131, Ac. Ed.
TOWN PAPERS — SALEM.
745
jun
Daniel Curev
Bengaman Hilton
Benony Rowl
John Rowl
Samuel Rowl
Benony Rowl
Josiah Rowl
Timothy Swan
Seth Pa"tey
Richard Fatey
David Sanders
Israel Youn<^
Jonathan Wheeler
Abraham Ames
Bengaman Wliecler
Stephen Wheeler
Nathan Wheeler
Jonathan Wheeler
John Gilimor
John ColTran
John Amy ?
John Lou!
Richard Dow
David Louel
Daniel Pensha
Richard Kally
Abiel Kaliy
jun
Timothy Johnson
William Johnson
David Dow
Nathaniel Dow
Josiah Clough
Abel Asten
Jonathan Corlis
Peter Youring
Joseph Pesely X mark.
Isaac Clough
Ebnezer Aver
John Hall "'
Robert Ellenwood
Jonathan Woodbery
Nathaniel Woodbery
Samuel Giles
Ebenezer Woodbery
John Giles
John Ober
John Ober, jun
Oliver Sanders
Joseph Sanders
John Page
Samuel Sanders
William Sanders
Timothy Sanders
Petition of Mcthuen for redress of grievances as to taxes.
To his Excellency Benning Wcntworth Esq"" Captain General
and Governoin-in-chicf in and over his Majesties Province
of New riampshire,
May it please your Excellency : —
The humble request of vour Petitioners, Shc~j.'elh — That
whereas your Excellency and Counsel have been pleased to
erect a District in that part of Methuen and Dracut lately
fallen into New Hampshire, according to which the Inhabit-
ants of said District as Incorporated by your Excellency have
assembled and chose officers according to your Instructions,
and levied the Province taxes; and inasmuch as your Peti-
tioners who live in that part of said Methuen which is adja-
cent to Londonderry or Windham, are likewise taxed by said
Derry or Windliam officers and s' Derry or Windham consta-
ble or Collector has forci'oly taken awav a considerable quan-
tity of our valuable goods and carried them oil' under pre-
tence that it was for our Rates towards support of the govern-
ment, though we have paid our Proportion of Province taxes
already to oin- Constable, therefore yoiu" Petitioners humbly
pray that your Excellency would be pleased to take some ellect-
ual method to prevent such disorders for the time to come
746 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and to redress our grievances, and likewise that your Excel-
lency would be pleased to take some care that we may be put
into a capacity for the support of the Ministry which is in
Danger of being obstructed b}- reason of our unsettled pos-
ture ; and likewise that we may be enabled to carry on our
other affairs.
Thus Pray your Petitioners.
Methuen, Desember y'' 25 : 1742.
Henrj Sanders Malachi Corning
Eben" Woodbery Robert Ellenwood
Nath' Woodbery John Hall
John Giles Jonathan Woodbery
Timothy Sanders William Sanders
John Ober Oliver Sanders.
Benj' Corning.
Letter yrojn Theo. Atkinson Esq. to Selecttnen of London-
derry & Windham .f i742-
Portsmouth, Dec. 28^'' 1742.
Gentlemen —
It has been represented by some of the Inhabitants on the District of
Methuen, as settled by Act of the Gen' Assembly that the Constables
of London Derry have levied the Province taxes on s^ Inhabitants,
who had before paid their Province tax to the officer chosen by said
District; — a copy of said repi"esentation you have herewith sent you for
your Government :
I am therefore by his Excellency's order to advise you to return the
said Taxes so levied to the respective persons, from whom they have
been taken, unless they have heretofore been rated to your Town or
Parrish, as the contrary behaviour may tend to create disorder & con-
fusion in the Government.
TuEo' Atkinson, SecJ.
To the Selectmen of Londonderry
or the Parish of Windham.
Sent by Mr. John Ober,
the day above s'.
Petition for a Parish., '^lA'h-
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governor & Com-
mand' in chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New
Hamp' the Hon''"' his Majesty's Council & House of Repre-
sentatives in Gen' Assembly convened, June 25, i743'
The Humble Petition of John Ober & Daniel Pcasely as a
Committee in behalf of the Inhabitants of a place called Me-
thuen in said Province, Shews: —
That the said Inhabitants are in an unsettled state & condi-
tion, not being within any Parish or Town, nor having anjr
Power or authority to raise money for the support of the Min-
TOWN PAPERS SALEM. 747
istry, Schools &other necessary charges among them, for want
of whicli they are involved in many Difficulties which are too
obvious to need a particular enumeration :
That what was done by this Government as to making of
Districts having relation to the Province tax only, could be no
Relief to the said Inhabitants in Regard of the Difficulties
above referr'd to, had that regulation continued, and as they
have & shall always cheerfully contribute their proportion to-
wards the support of the Government to which they belong,
they are encouraged to hope for Si depend on the justice of
this Government to grant them those aids which are necessary
to their subsistence & well being, & by virtue whereof they will
be the better Enabled to pay their part of the Public Taxes:
That they have been now a long time in this uncomfortable
situation and can't possibly any longer support y Gospel Min-
istry among them under their present circumstances, &live too
remote from any Town or Parish to enjoy it with them.
Whehefoke, your Petitioners in behalf of their principals
most humbly pray that they may be Incorporated into a Parish
or Precinct by the following Boundaries : viz. Beginning at
the East End of a Pond commonly called & known by the
name of the Captain's Pond, & from thence to Run to the late
dwelling house of one Richard Petty now deceased, upon a
strait line, and from thence to the North part of Pollicy Pond
80 called, & so running by said pond to the South West part
thereof, and then on a West course until it comes to Dracut Line
& then by Dracut Line till it comes to the Province Line Si so
running by that till it comes to the place first mentioned : and
invested with the usual Parish Powers & Privileges within this
Province, and your Petitionors, as in duty bound shall ever
pray, &c.
John Ober
Daniel Peasely.
In tlie House of Rcprefentativep, June 25, 1743.
The within Petition rc:id, & Voted that the Petitioners serve the Se-
lectmen of Windham (forth with) with a coppy of this Petition and the
Votes thereon, and that they appeare Thursday the Seventh of July next
(to shew cause if any, why the Prayer of the Petition may not be
granted) and if the GcnerafAssembly be not then sitting, then to ap-
peare the third day of the sitting of the Gen' Assembly at their next
sessions; and that the Constables & Collectors of Windham do not
make distress for any Rates or Taxes : Except for the Province tax, un-
til after the hearing above intended.
James Jeffrey, Cler. Ass"
In Council, July 2, 1743.
Read & concurr'd.
Theodore Atkinson, Sec'.
Eodem die — Assented to
B. Wentworth.
74^^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition of Part of Methnen to he a Toxv7iship^ i746-
To his Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council
of the Province of New Hampshire:
The humble Petition of us the subscribers, s/iczuct/i :
That wliereas the Inhabitants of the District of Methuen,
viz. those wiio are included within the following lines, that is
to say, Beginning where the Line between the Province of
New Hampshire and the Massachusetts Bay crosses the Ancient
line between Haverhill and Methuen, from thence Northwest-
erly upon s' Line to about 2\ miles, to a Red Oak tree marked,
from thence westerly to the North East end of Pollicy Pond,
so called, from thence thro' s' Pond to the westerly end of s'^
Pond, from thence westerly to Dracut Line so called, from
thence Southerly upon Dracut Line to the above s' Line be-
tween the Provinces, from thence upon s' Province line to the
bounds first mentioned; Those Lihabitants included in the
abovs ' Lines have been at charges in erecting a meeting House
and settling a Minister, and are commodiously situated to at-
tend the worship of God in s ' District : And whereas the In-
habitants included in s' Lines consist of but about Forty-five
Families, who are of a dilTerent Perswasion from the Inhabit-
ants of Windham, they being Presbyterians and we being Con-
gregationalists —
We therefore your Petitioners pray that there may be a
Township erected according to the above mentioned bounda-
ries which boundaries are inclusive of us the subscribers and
your Petitioners shall ever pray.
Meth" District,
April 4, 1746.
Peter Merrill Nath' Dow
Eben'' Woodbery Abiall Pittman
William Sanders Nathaniel Woodbery
Josiah Clough Richard Kimball
Moses Morgan Samuel Currier
John Hall Samuel Parker
John Hill Oliver Kimball
Jonathan Woodbery Rapha Hall
Robert Corgel ' Josiah Emerson
Isaac Clough John Merrill
John Ober Isaac Clough, jun.
Joseph Peaslee Henry Sanders
Oliver Sanders Robert Elmwood
Benj' Corning John Ober, jun.
Sam' Sanders. John Giles.
Daniel Peaslee
TOWN' PAPERS — SALEM. 749
Pet it 1071 171 relation to taxes ^ 1746.
Province of "I To his Excellciicv Bennins; Wentworth, Esq''
New Ilamp'' ) Governor and Commander in chief in and
over his Majestv's Province of New Hamp-
shire, tlie Ilonorahle his Majesty's Council &
House of Representatives in General As-
sembly convened, the second day of Decem-
ber, Anno Domini 1746.
The Petition of Daniel Peasley Esqr. & John Ober, Inhab-
itants f)f that part of Methuen so called, that lyeth in this
Province in behalf of sundry Inliabitants therein, most humbly
shezvs : That by virtue of tlie District Act so called, they have
rated sundry Persons and their Estates to pay their Province
Rates there, and also that the same Persons and their estates
are claimed by the Parish of Windham in s' Province, and
there rated to pav their Province Rates ; — whereby they are
twice rated ; which lays such persons under a j:^reat burden
and difficultv, and that the s' persons and their Estates pay all
their other Rates to jMethuen afore s' : Wherefore your Peti-
tioners most humbly pray your Excellency and honours to
order that such persons and their Estates may pay their Prov-
ince Rates to Methuen only, & your Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray, &c,
Daniel Peasle
JoHx Ober.
In Council, December the 5''' 1746.
Read & ordered to be sent down.
Theo'J Atkinson, Seer
Petition for a Tozvfiship, 1749.
To his Excellency the Governour, the Honourable his Majes-
ties Council of the Province of New Hampshire :
The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of the Dis-
trict of Mcthi:en, s/iczvcth —
That notwithstandin_2j the care of this Government in form-
inj^ of us into a District, and notwithstanding; those Inhabit-
ants of Windham who used to pay Taxes to Methuen are by
special Act of Court obliged still to do it; yet since a Num-
ber of of those win were formerly of our Society continue in
the Massachusetts-Bay Government, and since the Act of form-
ing us Into a District is but temporary, it appears to us im-
practicable for us to fix a settled support upon the Rev'' Abncr
Bayley our Minister for the time to come, both upon account
of our small number and upon account of our District
being but a temporary settlement; which makes him in-
750 NEW HAMPSHIRE
dulge tho'ts of a removal from among us ; for having
carried on the work of the Ministry among us for near ten
years past without any such fixed support, now calls upon us
to settle affairs with him, which we ought to do, otherwise
must expect that he will remove from among us. Further,
that siiice a number of the Inhabitants of the westerly End of
the District of Haverhill are very conveniently situated to joyn
with us, from which considerations your Petitioners humbly
pray — That a Township may be incorporated out of the Dis- •
trict of Methuen with such an addition out of the Westerly
end of the District of Haverhill as may be sufficient to support
the Gospel among us and carry on our other Town affairs.
And your Petitioners shall ever pray.
Meth. District, Jan. i, 1749.
Daniel Massey Richard Kimball
Israel Young John Page
Barney Rowell, jun. Jacob Beetel
John Rowell John Beetel
Josiah Rowell Timothy Beetel
Joseph Sanders John Merrill
Sam' Sanders John Ilastinges
Samuell Rowell Nathaniel Merrill
Joseph Peaslee Robert Corgil
Ebenezer Ajer Joshua Bajley
Richard Kelly Josiah Emerson
Daniel Peaslee Samuel Currier
John Bayley Rapha Hall
Peter Merril Josiah Clough.
Letter Jrom Daniel Peaslee to Thomas Packer^ Esq^
Sir — When I was at your House I desired that you would represent
our difficult cirumstances to his Excellency and Council and endeavor
to obtain a Township by taking part of Haverhill District and that the
Line should be Southeast from the South Easterly Corner of London
Derry being a Red Oak near the widow Patee's Corn Mill; however
having more fully examined that Line find that it will extend too far
Easterly upon the Line between the Provinces, for having drawn a
Plan which I herewith send you, the Easterly line of which is South
Twenty three Degrees East from the above said Tree, but upon scaning
this Plan find that this is as much too little as the other was too much»
and accordingly should be oblig'd to you if you would use your endeav-
ours that the above said Line should be from the above said Tree,
South Thirty four Degrees East. What we aim at and desire to have
are those Inhabitants that were by the settlement of the Massachusetts
Bay Government, but are cut off" by the Province Line, of Mr. Bach^
ellers Parish.
Sir — I herewith transmit to you a Petition of Sundry of the Inhabit-
ants of Methuen District to be laid before the Governour and Council
and as this represents our small number so we desire that all those who
have been of late years obliged to pay taxes to the support of the min-
istry &c. to Methuen District, whose number is but small, together
TOWN PAPERS SALEM. 75 I
with those Inhabitants on the westerly end of Haverhill as above
specified should be incorporated into a Township : Sir, we are ignorant
whether any thing further will be necessary; for which reason we
ehould be obliged to you, if you will send up if any thing is. Sir, —
Excuse this Trouble, Your endeavors to serve us will lay a fresh obli-
gation upon this People and more especially upon
Your Humble Servant,
Daniel Peaslee.
Methuen District,
Jan. 24, 1749.
To Thomas Packer, Esq.
[The Plans above referred to may be found in MS. Town Papers, Vol.
VI. pp. 173-183. Ed.]
Petition for redress of grievances^ i75^'
To his Excellency the Governor, The Honourable his Majes-
ty's Council, & the House of Representatives in General
Court assembled :
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers, SJiezvcth —
That your Petitioners formerly Inhabitants of the District
of Methuen now of Salem were included in Windham & s**
District at the same time, and accordingly were taken in both
valuations for Windham & Methuen District but obliged by
Act to pay Province taxes to Windham, which we did pay in
the yeans^ 1743, 1744, 1745, 1746, 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750,
1 75 1, 1752, for which years there are arrears due from the
District afores' to the Province which by Act of Court are to
be paid in the years 1755 & 1756; but no arrears due from
Windham, — but we being since included in Salem are taxed
to s"* arrears due from the District afores'*, by which means
your petitioners are greatly injured in the Premises.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly pray that the aboves**
difficulties may be removed «& your Petitioners redressed in
8** grievances & your Petitioners shall ever pray.
Salem, Feb. 2, 1756.
John Ober Eben' Woodbery
John Dinsmoor Andrew Balch
Robert Spear Samuel Armor
Oliver Kimball Joseph Merrill
Israel Ober Gerg. Corning
Timothv .Sanders John Corning
John Hall Joseph Hull
John Ober, jun. John Hall, y" third.
Robert Ellinwood
In Council, Feb>' 25"' 1756.
Read & order'd to be sent down to the Hon^' House
Theod. Atkinson, Sec'.
^52 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of ) In the House of Representatives, Feb>^ 26, 1756.
Nev? Hamp^/ This Petition being read, Voted, That the prayer of j*
Petition be granted, <Si That the Petitioners be exempted
from paying any arrears of Province Tax to Salem before the year
1753, it appearing they had paid their Province Tax to Windham.
Andrew Clarkson, Clk.
In Council, Feby 271'' 1756.
Read & concurr'd
Theodore Atkinson, Sec'
Eodem Die, consented to.
B. Wentworth.
Certificate.
Province of "I Windham, Jan> 2S, 1756.
New Hampshire J These may Certify whom it may concern that we
the under subscribers having been Constables for the
Parish of Windham from its first incorporation untill the year 1752,
and have in our several terms of serving Received the Province Tax
from every person assessed in the Lists committed to us that then lived
within the original Bounds of Windham, as witness our hands.
James Gilmore, in 1743
David Gregg, in 1744
Alex"" Park, in 1745
John Kyle, in 1746
John Vance, in 1747
Joseph Waugh, in 174S
Francis Smylie, in 1749
William Thorn, in 175J
A List of the jnen that served as Co7istablcs i7i Windham^
since it tvas first Incorporated rent ill the year 1752.
Nath' Hemphill, in
James Gillmorc, in
David Gregg, in
Alexander Park, in
John Kyle, in
John Vance, in
Another Petition for redress^ <£:c.
To his Excellency the Governor, the Hon' his Majesty's
Council & house of Representatives in General Court
assembled.
The Humble Petition of us y ' subscribers, shezvcih
That your Petitioners Inhabitants of Salem paid our Pro-
portion of the Province 1\ixes to Windham in those several
years in whicli the District of Methuen were not taxed to the
Province, & that the Selectmen of Salem for the year past
taxed us to the said District Province Rate laid upon s'' Dis-
trict upon Ace' of arrears due from them, by which means
1743
Joseph Waugh, in
174S
1743
Francis Smylie, in
1749
1744
Daniel Clyd, in
1750
1745
Joseph Clyd, in
175 1
1746
William Thorn, in
175^
1747
TOWN PAPKUS SALISBURY. 753
your Petitioners are iniurcd in the Premises; your Petitioners
therefore pray that you will be pleased to give order that your
Petitioners should be eased in the Premises & your Petitioners
shall ever pray.
Salem, July 5'-, 1756-
Sam' Crowel If-rael Woodbery
Jon" Morgan James Twoddel
Nath' Woodberry Joshua Thorndike
Edward Bayley John Ashby
"on' Woodbery William Sanders
^'
illiam Leech Abial Barker
John Giles Hugh Campall
Council, October 13, 1756.
Read & Ordered to be sent down to the Hon*^'' House.
Theo. Atkinson Sec>'.
Province of \ In the House of Representatives, Octo"" 14'', 1756.
New Hamp' j The within Petition being read. Ordered, That the Pe-
titioners be heard on said Petition on the third day of
the oitting of the General Assembly next after the first day of Nov'
next ensuing & that the Petitioners at their own cost & charge cause the
Selectmen of Salem in said Province to be served with a copy of said Peti-
tion & this order of Court thereon, to appear 6i. shew cause if any they
have, why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
Andrew Clarkson, Clk.
In Council, Eod" die
Read & concurr'd (A true copy)
Theodore Atkinson, Sec>^.
SALISBURY.
[Salisbury wa<? originally granted by Massachusetts and was known
by the name of Bakers-Town. It was afterwards granted by the Maso-
nian proprietors, 25''' October 1749, and was then called Stevens-Town
from Col. Ebenezer Stevens, a distinguished citizen of Kingston, many
years a representative of that Town. It was incorporated by Charter
from the government of New Hampshire, March i^i 1768, when it took
the name of Salisbury; it originally included that part of Franklin
which lies west of the Merrimack river. Ed.]
A guard provided for Salisbury as a frontier town, (i)
Province of "1 At a Special Convention of the members of the Genl
New Hampf / Assembly at Portsmouth on the 22' day of Aug' 17154
in pursuance of an order from his Excellency the Gov-
ernor, to the Sheriff of s'' Province to summon the Members to Meet
as on file :
Whereas his Excellency the Governor by his Message of the twenty-
first Instant takes notice of sundry Hostilities committed upon sundrj
(1) See Prov. Pap. Vol. VI. pp. 2C, 27, 29C-309. ED.
48
754 NEW HAMPSHIRE
of his Majesty's subjects at a place called Stevens-Town within this
Province by Indians (suppos'd to be of the St. Francis Indians) and
that the Inhabitants on the Frontier are much exposed and so put in
fear, that they stand in need of Protection and help : — Therefore it is
agreed upon by the members of the House of Representatives that
there be the number of sixty men enlisted or Impress'd (and his Excel-
lency is hereby desired to give orders for the enlist? or Impres- y' num-
ber) for the protection and defence of the Frontiers, not exceeding the
space of two months, and that the allowance for their pay subsistance
and amunition be the same as at the latter end of the last Indian War,
and in order for a fund therefor, it is further agreed that there be so
much of the Bills of Credit of y" Interest of the Twenty-five Thous-
and Pounds loan in the hands of the Treasurer, borrowed as will be
sufficient for the same; and that for the Replacing the same in the
Treasury it is further agreed. That there be a tax laydon the Polls and
Estates within this Province agreeable to the last proportion to be payd
by the 30"' day of Decembr 1755, and that there shall be a Tax Bill for
that end as soon as the Gen' Assembly shall be in a condition to act in
a legislative capacity.
Meshech Weare, Speaker.
Petition for aid in settling Salisbury .
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq"" Capt. General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire, and to the Hon''''' his Majes-
ties Council and House of Representatives in General court
Assembled :
The Petition of the Proprietors & Settlers of a Tract of
Land in the Province afores*^^ comonly called Stevetis-To'von^
humbly Sheweth :
That the s'^ Proprietors have been at great cxpence in set-
tling s'^ Tract & encourageing the same, and in the late Wars
have been at consideralile cost to defend the same by Building
a fort thereon & paying soldiers to keep the same, even at our
own private expence ; and there are now many families settled
and many more settling ; We have also Built a Saw Mill &
ai^e building a grist Alill, & yet there are costly duties to be
performed, such as the building a Meeting-house, settling a
Minister &c. And the s'' Petitioners being in no capacity to
raise money for the Defraying these & other incidental charges ;
We, therefore Humbly pray that your Excellency & Honours
will be pleas'd to add to our cost & labour this further encour-
agement to settle the waste lands, viz. To make a»i Act ac-
cording to y(?ur Excelly's & Honours Wisdom that will enable
the s** Proprietors »& settlers to raise moneys for the carrying
on their settlement & defraying other Necessary charges that
TOWN PAPERS SAXBORXTON. 755
may arise for the future ; And so your Petitioners shall as in
duty bound ever pray. &c.
True WORTHY Lad,
In behalf cSt by order of the Proprietors and settlers.
June the 12"' day, 1765.
In Council, June 2o"i 1765.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'^''* Assembly.
T. Atkinson jun. Secy.
Province of | j^^ ^ j^ ^^ ^ Representatives, June lotn 1765.
New Ilamp' ) ^ ■' ' '^
This Petition being read. Voted, That the Prayer thereof be granted
so far as that the Petitioner have liberty to bring in a bill accordingly.
A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council, Eod"> die
Read & concurr'd.
T. Atkinson, jun. Sec^.
SANBORNTON.
[Sanbornton was granted by the Masonian proprietors, in 1748, to
several persons of the name of Sanborn, and others; and was settled
in 1765 and 1766 by John Sanborn, David Duston, Andrew Rowen and
others. It was incorporated, March i, 1770. Rev. Joseph Woodman
was ordained their minister in November, 1771, when there w-ere about
fifty families in town. Ed.]
Petition to be exempted yroin taxation.
Sanborn Town, January y'^ 8"^'^ 1768.
To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq. Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief, in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire, in New England :
The Humble Petition of y*^ Inhabitants of vSanborn Town :
We, the Inhabitants of this Town, Promicing our selves
your Excellency's Protection, Both in our Public & Private in-
terests, Humbly beg y*^^ Liberty of Declaring to your Excel-
lency, y"^^ Present Condition of this infant Town, which is as
followeth, viz : We have thirty-two Familys in Town, & a
luniiber more we expect will sone move in, & we doubt not
But that in a few years we shall if Prospered, be a flourishing
Town, able to support our familys, and be a help to y" Pub-
lick, But at Present we are under a necessity of going to other
Town^ for meny things to support our selves and our Cattle
which are but very few, y' time Being so very short since we
moved into Town, there lieing no more than seven familys
75C» NEW HAMPSHIRE
that have Been in Town so long as two years, & they were
Poor People that mov'd in for y' sake of Cetching a few fish to
support their familys ; many of us have Been here But one
year & some not so long, our Land is very heavy to clear &
after it is clear'' & affords us a considcrahle Crop of Indian
Corn it is next to imposable to Plow the Land for some years
by Reson of y' stumps & Roots ; there hath Been But a very
few acres ever Plow*^ in Town, not more then six or seven men
that have Plow'' any & on y whole it is not without a great
deal of Difliculty that we Bring y" year about, Being obliged
to spend on the Store we had Before we moved up, those that
had any & those that had not, to Run in debt many of us or be
beholden to friends, which cant we humbly conceive be thought
strange considering that this was all a wilderness so very
lately.
Now with submission to your Excellency's Pleasure, our
humble Petition is, that your Excellency would Consider our
Sircumstances & Release us from paying any tax for a Little
time : — vour Excellency granting which we llimibly con-
ceive will be an advantage, not only to 3'our humble Petition-
ers But also to the Publick as it will enable us to make the
greater Progress in clearing our farms & so of consequence to
Pay y ' greater tax which at present could be but very small,
having but a Little to pay for.
We remain your Loyal humble servants
James Gates Edward Kelly
Thomas Sender Daniel Samborn
John Gale Benjamin Samborn
John Samborn Eben' Morrison
Josiah Samborn Thomas Gilman
Winthrop Hoit Benjamin Darling
William Kineston Nath' Burley
Satchel Clark John Folsom
Gele Weeks Jon" Larj
Daniel Lary Solomon Cope
Aaron Samborn Sam' Shcpard
David Diistin Moses Danforth
Jonathan Smith Andrew Roen
Josiah Kentfield John Gipson
Jacob Smith Sam' Smith
Jonathan Thomas Philip Hunt
Thomas Lyford Dan' Fifield.
[Note. The above names are mostly written by one hand : which
may account for the spelling of SuMhorn, uniformly with an m. Ed.]
TOWN PAPERS — SANBORNTON. 757
Petition for hicorporation.
Province of New Hampshire.
To his Excellency, Jolin Wentworth, Esq' Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief of the Province afore-
said, In Council.
The Petition of Joseph lloit of Strutham & his Associates,
humbly s/icxvct/i :
That your petitioners being agents for, & interested in the
Township of Sanborn (so called) in which there are upwards
of Forty Familys settled, who are very desirous of being in-
corporated into a Town, fur many good reasons, humbly re-
quest your Excellencv & Honours to grant them that privilege
by a Charter of Incorporation as usual, and your petitioners as
in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
JOSKPH HoiT
JOSIAH SanBURN.
Portsm ' I March 1770.
I
Petition for the appointment of a Justice of the Peace.
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq'
New Hampshire j Captain General, Governor & Commander
in Chief in & over his Majesty's Province
of New Hampshire, In Councill.
The humble Petition of the Subscribers, Proprietors of the
Town of Sanbornton in said Province She~Ji'cth : —
That your Petitioners humbly conceive that it would be
greatly for the Benefit of the Inhabitants as well as the Pro-
prietors of said Town to have one of the Inhabitants of said
Town Comissionated as a Justice of the Peace there, and hav-
ing understood that the Inhabitants have already petitioned
your Excellency that Daniel Sandborn Esq' of that Town may
be Appointed hy your Excellency to that honourable Place,
We begg Leave to join them in the said request and Pray your
Excellency to appoint him accordingly (and do heartily recom-
mend him as the most suitable Person for keeping and Pro-
moting Peace & Concord amongst the said Inhabitants). And
your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
July 10"' 1771.
Sam' F'olsom Abraham Perkins
Joseph IFoit David Fosjg
Theophilus Ruiidlet, jun. Jonathan Rawlings
Jethro Person Joseph Smith
Edward Tavlor William Chase, jun
Josiah Folsom Samuel Fogij
John Kogg Jeremiah Sanborn
758
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Taylor
David Burly
Joseph Clark
Ezra Barker
Josiah Sanborn
Josiah Dearbon
John Dearbon
Daniel Hoit
John Folsom
Eben"^ Samborn
Jonathan Jewett
Jacob Jewett
John Sanborn
Joseph Hoit, jun.
John Hopkinson.
SHELBURNE.
[As early as 1775, David and Benjamin Ingalls commenced a settle-
ment at Shelburne, and not long afterwards several families were added.
The town was not incorporated until December 13, 1820. Ed.]
Petition of Daniel Rindge^ Esq''
Province of New Hampshire :
To his Excellency, John Wentworth, Esq'' Governor in
Chief in & over said Province The Hon*^' his Majesty's
Council in s*^ Province, in Coinicil convened 25'" May,
1770-
The Humble Petition of Daniel Rindge of Portsmouth in
said Province, Esq' in behalf of himself and the other Propri-
etors of Shelburne in said Province, Shexveth :
That the Township of said Shelburne is very mountainous
and Rockey, by means whereof a considerable Part of the
same is and ever will be useless to the said Proprietors.
Wherefore, your Petit'"' humbly prays, in behalf of himself and
said Proprietors, that your Excellency and Honors wou'd be
pleased to make them an additional Grant of Land agreeable
to the Plan herewith exhibited, or in any other manner thought
advisable, and your Petition'' shall ever pray.
Daniel Rindge.
Granted 4" of July, 1770.
TOWN PAPERS SOCIETV-LAND. 7S9
SOCIETY-LAND.
[Incorporated 14"' January, 1774 (i). Ed.]
Petition for Incorporation.
To his Excellency John Wentworth. Esq. Captain General,
Governor & Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire & Vice Admiral of the same
&c. the Honourable his Majestv's Council & House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly convened.
The Petition of the subscribers. Inhabitants on that part of
that Tract of Land known bv the Name of the Society Land,
Humbly Shew : — That we are Purchasers from the Purchas-
sion of John Tufton Mason Esq ' Patent, and have not Legal
Authority to oblige any person to support the Gospel, Nor to
Build Mills or Bridges, or clear Roads &c. & must either Live
without all these great Privileges, or a few men beat the whole
expence, which will ruin their families.
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray your Excellency &
Honors to Incorporate the Tract of Land hereafter described
into a Township, with Town privileges, (viz.) Beginning at
the North West Corner of Francestown, from thence East to
the Township of Weare, from thence North to the Township
of Henniker. from thence West Bounding partly on Ilenniker,
& partly on Hillsborough six miles, from thence South to the
first bounds mentioned : & your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
will ever pray, &c.
Society Land, April 26"' 1773.
William Forsith Ephraim Abbot
James Grames Neniah Aiken
Asa Dresser William McKeen
David Wilson John Wiley
Benj' Bradford William Robson
Thomas Aiken John Bayls
Joseph Mills Francis Grames
William Aiken John Lvon
Robert Mills Sanuief Paten
William Farson Alexander Hogg.
Nathanel Sweeter
(1) See Prov. Pap. Vol. VII. p. -21. Kn.
76o
NEW HAMPSHIRE
SOMERSWORTH.
[Somersworth was formerly a part of Dover; it was made a Parish-.
Dec. 19, 1729, and incorporated April 22', 1754. The settlement was
probably be^un as early as 1650, by William Wentworth, John Hall,.
Wm. Stiles and others. Ed.]
July 23,
1746.
A true list of all the Train Souldiers in the
Parish of Stanersivorth^ under cojn'd of Thd^
Wallingford^ Capt. are as folloiueth^ viz.
Ser^t. John Kicker
Berg. Pliiiip Stnckpolo
Ser^. Thomas Tcbbets
Sers. William Wentworth
Coi po Ebenezer Garland
Corpo Samuel .Joanos
Corpo Samuel HendaU
Thomas Stcvuns i ^
_. , , ,, , 1 Drumi'B
Richard tiordcn >
Samuel Downs
Ebcur Wentworth
Joseph Wentworth
John JMason
Joseph Hussey
John Hall
Daniel Goodin
Samuel Hall
James Hall
Benja Wentworth
Ephniim Rickers
Mclurin Rickers
Abram. Mimmey
Samuel Nock
Eleazr Wyer
Henry Nock
Thomas Tebbets jun
Benja Twombly
Ezckiel Wentworth
Ebenr Rolierls
Thomas Wentworth
George Rickers, Tor.
James Kiney
Robert Cole
Benja Stanton
James Clements
Moses Tebbets
Saml Wentworth
John Vickcr
John Lebiock
Samnl Austin
Benja Austin
Edward Eliot
Geori,'^e Rickers, Jun.
Samuel Wentworth, jnn
Jonathan Wentworth, jua
Nathl Nock
Jonathan Alerrow
Ebenr Heard
John Wentworth
Hatevil Roberts
William Hanson
Beiij:i Roberts
Lemeul Perkins
Drisco Nock
William Stackpolo
James Foy
Joseph Varney, jun
Elipha. Cromucl
Daniel ."^mith
Meturin Rickers
Benjji Heard
Jamc- Stackpole
John C.illand
Isaac Hanson
Daniel Hanson
Richard Philpott
John Su levant
Saml Allien
Edwaril Allien
John IMuzert
Samuel Waymouth
James Nock
I.ane Roberts, jun
Icliabod Rawlins
Ebenr Downs, jun
John Rickers, jun
Joshua Roberts
Tcrah Sprage
Daniel Libbee
Ncal Vickers
Dodepher Garland
Richard Goodin, jun
Benja Wairen
Samuel Roberts
Francis Roberts
Saml Downs, jun
Saml. Jones, jun.
Jofceph Hussey, jun.
TOWV I'APEUS SOMERSWOKTH. 761
Ebenr Roberts, jun. Tristram Heard
Job Clements jun William Chaihvick
John Ferall William Downs
Zebn Coason Peter Cooke
Klipha. Randall John Downs
Mark Wenfwortli Noah Croes
Joseph KiehardBon
A true List as Attest^ by me. Total loi.
Petit io7t for Town Priv Hedges^ I743'
To his Excellency Beniiing Wentvvorth Esq"^ Captain General
and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Hampshire in New England, and to the Hon-
ourable his Majesties Coimcil and the Honourable the
House of Representatives for the Province afores' in Gen-
eral Assembly convened :
The Plumble Petition of the Freeholders & Inhabitants of
the Parish of vSummcrsworth within the s Province humbly
she-jceth : —
That the s' Parish being sett olF a seperate Parish by an Act
of the General Assembly made and passed in the third year
of his present Majesty's Reign whereby the Inhabitants of s**
Parish are invested with all the Powers and Priviledges of a
Parish as to maintain an Orthodox Gospel Minister their poore
and School and to choose all Parish officers, now the growing
charge of maintxining the minister, poore and school and
other necessary charges arising insomuch that the Rates for
this present year are six shillings & Eight pence on tiie head
or four pence per pound in the new 'Penor which makes the
taxes very high, and our Numbers being small, also the Land
not taken up is so mean that there is but little probability of
our numbers increasing, as also that when we have chosen a
Collector to gather the Parish Assessment & he having served
in that troublesome office hath beene Re-chosen by the Town
of Dover as Constable, which office he hath been Obliged to
serve in or otherwise to j5ay his line, and also if any person
that was chosen by s ' Parish as Collector and Refused to serve
there was no Law to compel him to pav his fine : — Wherefore
to Remedy the above Grievances your Humble Petitioners
Himibly Pray that your Excellency and Honours would be
pleased By an Act of General Assembly to Invest us with the
priviledges and Powers of a 1'own, and a small matter to en-
large our Boundaries according or near our first Petition : viz.
To begin at a place in Qiiocheco River called the Gulf and
from thence on a Straight Line to the southern side of Var-
ney's Great Hill, and from thence to run on a North West
762
NEW HAMPSHIRE
point of the Compass to the end of the Township and
Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Dover, May 19"' 1743.
Paul Wentworth
Gershom Wentworth
William Wentworth
Moses Stevens
Thomas Miller
Sanil Kandal
Ezekiel Wentworth
John Wentworth
Loue Koberts
Philip Yetton
Lane Koberts
Joseph Ricker
John Ricker
Samuel Wintworth
Jeremiah Rawlings
James Clement
Jolm Sullivan
Ephi-aim Wentworth
Garshom Doweus
Thomas Doweus
John Downs
John Drew
Moses Carr
Thomas Nock
Nathanel Nock
Renja Twombly
John Ricker
Nathaniel Ricker
IMiinias Ricker
John Robertes
Daniel Smith
Ebenezer Robearts
Alexander Robarts
Richard Downs
Silvanus Nock
Samuel Nock
Benja Wamyorth
Daniel Goodin
James IIobb»
Richard Goodin
Jonathan Merrow
Daniel Plumer
Benja Mason
John Mason
Saml Walton
Joshua Stakpole
George Ricker
William Staki)0le
Joseph Wentworth
Samuel Stakpole
Joshua Robards, junr
Philip Stakpole
Samuel Downs
In the House of Representatives, December i, 1743.
The within Petition read, and voted That the petitioners at their cost
serve the Select men of Dover with a coppy of the Petition and votes
thereon, and that they appeare before y' General Assembly y' 2 ' day
of Jan> next, if y" Ass'" be then sitting ; if not, on the third day of the
sitting of the Gen' Ass'" at their next sessions, to shew cause (if any)
why the prayer of the Petition may not be granted.
James Jeft'ry, Cler. Ass'"
In Council, Dec"^ 2, 1743.
Read & Concurrd.
Theo. Atkinson, Sec>.
Eodem Die, assented to
B. Wentworth.
TOWN PAPERS SOUTH HAMPTON. 763
SOUTH HAMPTON.
[Was incorporated by Charter. May 25, 1742. Ed.]
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be set off^ &c.
To his ExcelP' Bening Wentworth Esq' Capt" Gen" and Gov-
ern"^ in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire in X. England and to' the Hon''''' his Majesties
Council and Representatives in Gen' Court assembled Sep-
tem*"" 14''' 1742.
The Petition of sundry of y* Inhabitants of the Est part of
Salisbur}- which by the runing the new Line fall into the Prov-
ince of Xew Hampshire and (as we are informed) are includ-
ed in the late charter granted for y* Township of South
Hampton. Humbly She-jceth : — That "we the subscribers being
comprehended in the afores*^ Charter and by reason thereof
exposed to greater hardships and unreasonable difficulties as
to all Parish and Town affairs, being six miles or more distant
from their Meeting house, we cannot with our families attend
y* publick worship there, neither can we have y^ privilidge of
voteing in their publick affairs respecting Town or Parish, for
if their meetings are warned in the usual Method we shall
have no knowledge of them, or if by chance we hear of any
of them, such is the distance that we can't attend theni : and
therefore it will be ver\' prejudicial to us to stand in such rela-
tion to them with whom we can neither do our duty nor injo\'
our just Rights and Privileges : — We therefore pray that (as
the rest of our Neighbours) we may be set off' as to our per-
sons & Estates from the said Town of South Hampton and
annexed to Hampton Falls there to do dut\- and injoy y" priv-
ilidges of Townsmen, so shall v"^ Petition" ever pray. &c.
John Collins Jonathan Walton
Sam' Collins Joseph Norten
Samuel Smith Jacob Smith
David Norten Eliphaz Dow (i)
Province of New Hamp^
In Council September the 16. 1742.
The above petition read & Voted thereon that the selectmen of South
Hampton be served with a copy of this Petition & the vote thereon, by
the Petition^^' & at their expence ; & that they appear on the 3'' day of
sitting of the Gen ' Assembly next, to shew cause if any they have why
the Prayer of the Petition should not be granted.
Theod. Atkinson, Sec>'.
Eodem Die.
In the House of Representatives, the above Petition Read & -f"
(1) A note in the margin by the late .lohn Fanner, Esq. says, " Eliphaz Dow mur-
dered Peter Clough in IT.M, and was executed 8 3Iav 17*5." .See Prov. Paii. Vol. VI.
pp..3;}#, 3^. Ed.
764 NEW HAMPSHIRE
vote of Council thereon, and voted a concurrence w'*' y^ Vote of Coun-
cil.
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass™.
September y" 17'h 1742. The within vote
Assented to, B. Wentworth.
In the House of Representatives g'"' 19'^ 1742.
The w^ithin Petition read and voted, That the Praver of the Petition
be granted & that the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill accord-
ingly.
James Jeffry, Cler. Ass"
Prov. New Hamp' November 23'' 1742.
In Council.
the above vote read & Concurrd.
Theod. Atkinson, SeO.
In the House of Representatives, q*"" the 24"' 1742.
Mr. Sec^ bro't down the within Petition to be Reconsidered, 9^'' y"
25"" 1742. The within Petition Read cS: the House having reconsidered
the affair Voted, That a Line be extended from the dividing Line be-
tween Hampton Falls P'ish &y'^^ P'isii of Kensington to the Province Line,
being south four degrees West, and that all the Inhabitants & their Es-
tates to y Eastward of y' line that did belong to South Hampton shall
be annexed to Hampton Falls P'ish, And y" Petitioners have Liberty to
bring in a Bill accordingly.
James Jeffry, Clr. Ass"
In Council, Nov: 25, 1742.
Concurrd with this amendment, viz. After the words Hampton Falls
Parish, be added,— to all Intents & Purposes except the Dutys of repair-
ing & mending highways below the above s<^ Line, & paying their Prov-
ince Tax which is to be paid as usual till a new Proportion or the further
order of the Gen' Assembly
Theod. Atkinson, SecJ'.
Eod. Die. In the House of Represen" the above vote of Council for
amendm'' Read & Concurrd.
James Jeffrey, Cler. Ass"
Eod'" Die. — Assented to
B. Wentworth.
Pstiiion of yo/in Page ai7d B.enjatyiin Baker ^ to be set
off, dc.
[Compare the papers which follow, with those pertaining to New-
town, pp. 637-630. Ed.]
To hi.s Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq' Cap, Gen' and
GovernoLir in Chief in & over his Majesty's Province of New-
Hampshire in N : E: And to the Honouraljle his Majesty's
Council and Representatives in General Court Assembled:
November — 1742.
The Petition of John Page & Benjamin Baker late of Salis-
bury, now incorporated with the Inhabitants of South Hamp-
ton, Humbly Sheiveth :
That by Reason of our great Distance from the Place of Pub-
TOWN PAPEKS — SOUTH HAMPTON. 765
lick Worship in s'^ Town of South Hampton, We cannot with-
out great difficulty with our Families attend the Publick Wor-
ship there, nor attend other publick meetings for the manage-
ment ot" Town ati'airs : And therefore pray that We may be
polled oft" to Hampton Falls as to our Persons and Estates,
there to do duty & enjoy Priviledges as sundry others of our
Neighbours, in like circumstances with our selves, have been.
So shall your Petitioners ever j^ray <&c.
John Page
Benjamin Baker.
South Hampton, Sepf 27 ■ 1743.
In the House of Representatives g^' y" ig"" 1742.
The above petition read and \oted, That the Petitioners serve the Se-
lectmen of South Ilamjiton with a Coppy of this Petition and Votes
thereon, & that they appeare the third day of y sitting of the Gen' As-
sembly at the next sessions to show cause (if any) why the Prayer of
the Petition may not be granted.
James JefFry, Cler. Ass'-'
Prov. of New Hamp' Nov" 20''' 1742.
The within Vote of the House read & concurrd at the Council Board.
Theod. Atkinson, Sec.
Nov. 24 '' 1742.
Assented to, — B. Wentvvorth.
In the House of Representatives, May 25'" A. D. 1743.
The within Petitioners heard & the Select men of South Hampton:
The House having considered thereof, Voted that the Petition be dis-
missed.
James Jeffry, Cler. Ass™
Answer to tJie foregoing Petition by the Sclectme?i of
So7ith Ilainpton.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Captain Gen-
neral and Governour in Chief in and over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire in New England, and to the
Honourable his Majesties Council and Representatives in
General Court Assembled, May y' 10 " 1743.
We the Select men of South Hampton have taken oppor-
tunity at this time to express our loyalty to the King's Maj-
estic and our Duty to your Excellency and Honours and to the
Representatives: We hmnbly conHde in your tender Regard
to our holy Religion that whereas we have setteled a Church
of our Lord Jesus among us that you will protect us so that
we may be able to maintain it.
We have been served with a coppy of a Petition that Doc.
John Page and Mr. Benjamin Baker have prefered to this
Honoinable Court in order to pole oft' from us, which we
oppose for these Reasons following.
766 NEW HAMPSHIRE
I . Every man cant have an equal priviledge in going to y*^
publick virorship, in all Towns and Parishes there is some
without as well as some within and since Doc. Page and Mr.
Baker's lines are fallen to them without we think they ought
to be content.
2''iy We laid out a drift way from y'^ high way that leads
from Doc. Page's house a cross to our Meeting house and we
made gats and some of ovu- brethren came to us to meeting
but they found some difficulties by Reason of y"' Gats so they
were desirous that we would lay it out an open high way and
we being willing to shew them all Christian Regard and kind-
ness layd it out an open high way and have agreed w'" y*^'
owners of y Land and y way cost y Town about one hun-
dred and -ourty pounds and we have made y' way so conven-
ant to pass & Repass that som of our brethren comes to us to
meeting and Doc. Page and Mr. Baker may come with their
neighbours.
2'iiv \Ye have laid out a high wav from y'' mouth of a high
way y' leads from our meeting house to Powers River a cross
Richard Curriers land to a high way y' leads from Almisbury
through South Hampton to Kingstown to oblige our brethren
at y' West part of y"-' Town, and we have built a Bridge over
Powers River and we have been at an Extraordinary charge
in building a long and high Cassey over a Great water y' is
flow'd by a Dam a ci-oss y" River and we have made it con-
venant to pass and Repass And several familys come to us to
meeting.
4'^ If Doc. Page and Mr. Baker should be polled oft' there
are some aty' west end of y' Town y' lives furderof y'' Meet-
ing house then Doc. Page and Mr. Baker, and they will say
there is more reason y' they should poll off then Doc. Page
and Mr. Baker, because they lives furder of. Doc. Page and
Mr. Bakers polling ofl' Dont bring them any nere y'' Meeting
house, but makes them more charge to pay and they as far
from meeting as ever and so they will be for polling oft' too
and so it will threaten y Dissolution and confusion of our
Town.
5'J Your Excellency and Honours was pleased to grant us a
Town calld by y^ name of South Hampton for which we
thank you and you wear pleasd in your greate wisdom to send
us a Committee of very judicious men and they came
along by Doc. Pages and Mr. Bakers houses and so came
across nere where we laid out our new high way to our Meet-
ing house and viewed y*" Town to y"" Extent, and they judged
that all y" Inhabitants that lives above or to y westward of
Kinsington line that was Run by Capt. Robie out to y' Prov-
ince line should stand with us, and we stantls bv their judg-
TOWN PAPERS — SOUTH HAMPTON. 767
ment, and we shall take hard that one or two privit men
should spoil a Publick Intrest.
6' Doc. Page and Mr. Baker have set forth in their Peti-
tion that they cant come to y' publick worship with us by
Reason of the great Distance therefrom nor attend other pub-
lick meetings for y*" management of Town aftairs, whereas we
think they are nearer to our Meeting house than they are to
Hampton Falls Meeting house, and we think it cant in Rea-
son be thought that ever Doc. Page and Mr. Baker will or
intend to make any constant practis in going to Hampton
Falls to meeting for they make it their constant practis in
going to Salisbury to meeting, and will have their priviledge
w''' them, and we think it reasonable that they should stand
with us because there is about thirteen families that lives at
the North west End of Salisbury that constantly Assemblys
with us.
7 • By What has been offered we doubt not but your Excel-
lency and Honours will se just cause in your great wisdom to
revers Doc. Pages and Mr. Bakers petition, and accordingly
grant us our Request.
Your humble Servants,
Reuben Dimond ~) Selectmen
Joseph French, jun > for
Ephraim Brown j South Hampton
Memorial of Inhabitants of South Hampton.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain General
and Governour in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England and to the Honourable
his Majesties Council.
After our Duty expressed we find ourselves constrained to
make our humble acknowledgment of your Goodness extended
toward us, and Return you thanks for granting our Petition
and Incorporating us into a Town called by y'' name of South
Hampton. We have been credible informed that some of our
Dessenting brethren that lives at y*" upper or west part of our
Town have preferd a petition to y' Honourable Court to be set
off from us and we hear all so that they have presented a copy
of a vote to your Excellency & Honours that we are willing
they should be set off, which Vote we oppose for y Reasons
hereafter mentioned. Our Dessenting brethren Did at a Town
meeting present us a petition which is as followeth :
September y" 29'1> 1742. We whose names are under written Do Peti-
tion to the Town of South Hampton that they would agree to pass a
768 NEW HAMPSHIRE
vote that that part of y*" town which lyeth upon y' west side of Powers
River should be set off as soon as they are in order to Settel a minister
y^ is more convenant for them that is as many as shall be willing to be
set off, then we will agree to help support y" minister here till then ; If
j^ou will finish y meeting house and settel a minister upon your charge
and like wise Release us from doing any thing toward y meeting house
that has been past: Jonathan Farren, Micah Hoit, Jarnes George, John
Eliot, Aaron Currier, David Goodwin, David Martain, Timothy Farren,
Thomas Greenfield, John Sargent, Abraham Merril, Robert Martain,
Nathaniel Ash, Philip Challis, Samuel Goodwin, William Sargent, Ca-
leb Hobs, Daniel Goodwin, George Martain, Jonathan Kimball, Benja-
min Kimball, Roger Eastman, David Colby, Jacob Colby, Zacheus
Colby, Jonathan Wotson.
A true Copy Examined by me,
Reuben Dimond, town Clerk.
Now we had no power to set our Dessenting brethren off,
for as we had not power to Incorporate ourselves into a Body
so we had no power to make any secession and it is not for us
to arrogate that to ourselves which belongs to the Honourable
Court ; but we told our Dessenting brethren that it was a time
ot great charges with us and if they would I'oyne with us in
our extraordinary charges, when they should be thought capa-
ble by lawfull authority to maintain y" Gospel of Christ among
them y" we would pay back again their part of y*" extraordi-
nary charges that should arise to them in finishing y ' meeting
house, setteling a minister and building for him : now wc did
not make this offer, because they could make an}' majority
upon us, but we did it for peace, we considering how good it
is for brethren to Dwell to gether in Love and unity, and that
peace is y' beauty of a Society and it is so necessary and so
valuable that we were Ready to sacrifice any thing to procure
jt, saving only a good conscience, and so we proceeded to a
vote which is as followeth :
At a meeting of y" Inhabitants of y^ town of South Hampton, Sep-
tember y'^ 29, 1742, Cornet Abraham Brown was chosen Moderator for
y° same meeting. At y'= same meeting it was taken into consideration
that. Whereas there are a number of Inhabitants of y" upper or west
part of this town y' lives at considerableDistance from meeting and
have thoughts in time to be better accommodated than constantly to as-
semble with us, and we being Desirous to exercise all Christian Regard
iind kindness to them, Votes first, That all those persons that lives
above or to the Westward of Capt. Jonathan Currier's that have a mind
to go off and be a Parish shall have their extraordinary charges that
they are now at among us paid back again to them : — that is to say. All
their part of y extraordinary charge that shall arise to them by finish-
ing y" meeting house, setteling a minister and building for him, when
they shall be thought capable by lawfull authority to maintain the Gos-
pel of Christ among them, Provided they do not molest or hinder us of
y« other part in our speedy setteling a Gospel minister among us, and
y' they pay toward his support while they are of us or belong to us,
hoping at the same time, they will of their owe free will be assisting
to us.
2'^ Voted, That we will make no opposition to them in their Indeav-
TOWN PAPERS — SOUTH HAMPTON. 769
•ours to be a Reg'lar town or parrish whenever they shall be thought ca-
pable by lawtLill authority — voted in y« affirmative.
A true Coppy —
Attest, Reuben Dimond, Town Clerk.
Now after this Vote was oflered to our Dcsscntiiig brethren
we chose a Committee to go to y Association meeting of y°
Rev Ministers at y^ Rev. Mr. Coffin's in Kingston to ask ad-
vice. How we should proceed in Reg'htr way to settel a Gos-
pel minister among us, and there appear'd two of our Dissent-
ing brethren and Declared that they would not joyne with us
in setteling a minister for they s' that vote was only a sham for
we knew that they could not make a parrish ; but they said
that we shoidd have put into y'= vote y' when they and their
neiglibours could make a Parrish ; — whereas we drew y- vote
according to their petition, and they never ask us to set them
■oif to joyne with tlieir neighbours for there is no such a word
in their petition as their neighbours.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of South Hampton, November y" 26,
1742, John Flanders was chosen moderator for y same meeting. Aty«
fiame meeting it was taken into consideration, that Whereas we y In-
habitants of this Town being in present want of a pious, larned ortho-
dox minister of a good conversation, to dispense y word and Adminis-
ter y" ordinances of our Lord Jesus among us, and it being our Duty
to look up to Heaven for Divine Assistance to guide us in all our af-
fairs, therefore. Voted, That Thursday y 2' day of December next is
appointed to be a day of Fasting and Prayer in order for y calling &
setteling a Gospel minister among us, voted and past in y- affirmative.
Nathaniel Ash, Jonathan Farren, James George Daniel Goodwin, Jacob
Colby, Sam' Goodwin, John Eliot, David Goodwin, Piiilip Challis, Da-
vid Colby, enters their contrary Dessents against y ' Vote for ye fast
which was for calling and setteling a Gospel minister among us.
A true Copy of y vote and all y'^ dissenters that live above or to y»
westward of Powers River.
Attest — Reuben Dimond, Town Cler.
At the same meeting Capt. Jonathan Currier and Joseph French jun.
was chosen a Committee to call in y Assistance of y neighbouring
ministers to cellebratc a day of Fasting and prayer among us — Voted
& past in y affirmative.
A true copy,
Reuben Dimond, Town Clerk.
Now when y'' Rev. Ministers was come, which we called to
our assistance, our Desenting brethren appeared and opposed
them and beat off y'' forenoon exercise, yet notwithstanchng all
their oppositions and Alegations the Rev. Ministers Did not
see but y way was clear to proceed to y'= worship of y*" day
where unto they were call'd.
At a legal meeting of y' Inhabitants of y" Town of South Hampton,
December 27, 1742, John Flanders was chosen Moderator y Same
meeting. At y same meeting it was Voted, That wc give y^ Rev' Mr.
"William Parsons a call to settel iny work of y Gospel ministry among
us. Voted in y affirmative. Aty same meeting, James George, Jon-
49
77© NEW HAMPSHIRE
athan Farren, Aaron Currier, David Goodwin, David Colby, Daniel
Goodwin, Zachciis Colby, Philip Challis, Jonathan Wotson, Sam' Good-
win, Rogles Colby, Roger Easman, Jacob Colby, RobartMartain, Micah
Hoyt, Enters their contrary Desents against y Vote for calling and set-
teling the Rev. Mr. William Parsons or any other man in y" work of y»
Ministry under their present curconistances. A true Copy of y*^ vote
and all y'' Dessenters that lives above or to y" westward of Powers River.
Attest, Reuben Dimond, Town Clerk.
At y" same meeting it was Voted that y'' 23 ' Day of February next is
appointed to be a day of ordination among us & at y'^ same meeting-
Joseph French, John Oixlaway, Thomas Merril and Abraham Brown
were chosen a Committee to send Letters to y Rev. Ministers and
Messengers to be assistant in gathering a Church and in ordaining the
Rev. Mr. William Parsons in y" work of y' ministry among us. Voted
in the affirmative.
A true Copey. Attest, Reuben Dimond, Town clerk
Now y' ministers wc calld to our assistance were the Rev.
Mr. Chusing, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Joseph Parsons, Mr. Sam'
Parsons, Mr. Fogg, Mr. Coffin, Mr. Webster : These wear
chosen a Council to carrey on y'^ work of the ordination among
us, and to set y'' day before y'' ordination, and so we notified
our Dissenting brethren to come at y'" time appointed and
shew Reasons if any they had why y' minister should not be
ordained ; but before y^ time appointed came, we heard
that our Dissenting brethren had made Report that they
intended to take of our Council, for some were akin^/ to
y'' man that was to be ordain'd and others had given judgment
before : So we, hearing of their Stratagems and not being
ignorant of their Devices, we considere'' it was easier to pre-
vent a Diseas than to cure it, or to keep an adversary out when
out, then git him out when he was in, and so being forewarnd
we thought it best to be forearm'd and so we calld y*^ town
together to chuse other ministers.
At a meeting of y" Inhabitants of y<^ town of South Hampton, Jan'^
y is"" 1742-3, Joseph French was chosen Moderator. At y'- same
meeting it was put to vote wheither the Town would chuse the Rev.
Mr. Odlin and the Rev. Mr. Gookin and their messengers to be assist-
ant in Council with y other Ministers for gathering a Church and
carry on y ordination among us, and y° vote was past in the affirma-
tive.
A true copy. Attest, Reuben Dimond, Town Clerk.
We voted that we would pay back again all their part of y'
extraordinary charges that should arise to them by finishing
y'' Meeting house, sctteling a minister and building for him
when they should be thought capable to maintain y' Gospel of
Christ among them : but then there was a condition anncxt to
that vote : it was provided they did not molest or hinder us
in our specdv setteling a Gospel minister among us ; but now
they have opposed us from place to place, and from time tO'
time they have entered their contrary desents once and agen
TOWN PAPERS SOUTH HAMPTON. 77 1
against our Regular proceedings in an orderly way to settel a
Gospel minister among us, and then put us to a great deal of
trouble and to an extraordinary charge in calling in that
Grand Council which set at y ' time appointed, and the Rev.
Mr. Caleb Chusing (i) was moderator, and our Desenting
brethren appeared in Council and objected against some of y®
Council ; and y moderator ask them who they were and they
said Mr. Joseph Parsons, Mr. Samuel Parsons and Mr. Fogg :
the Moderator ask them what they had against them men ;
they s they wear akend ; and y'' Moderator ask them what
they had against y' man that was to be ordained as to his life
and conversation or his Doctrin, and they eledge nothing ; but
they said v" Province line would be moved and then they
should lose the money that they had expended with us, and
they had not a convenient way : The Moderator told them as
to y"^ removing y" line that could be no bar as to settcling y'
minister, for if y*" lines should be moved then we must peti-
tion y* Massachusetts Court for a Parrish, and as to a way,
their law provids how they should get high ways ; so notwith-
standing all y" objections and allegations they could make the
Rev. Council did not see but y" way was clear to settel a min-
ister among us.
All these molestations, interruptions and oppositions we
have met with from our Desenting brethren since we oflerd
them that vote ; yet now they would skreen themselves under
that vote, that we are willing they should go oft' when \hey
have never t'ulliilld y' conditions of y*^ vote in any one article ;
for if our Desenting brethren had agreed with us, we should
have had none occasion to have been at so much trouble and
at such an extraordinary charge in sending from town to town
and from one Parish to another about y'' country to call in that
Grand Council, for two or three of y" neighbouring ministers
would have done our business in y"^ morning before y*^ ordina-
tion.
South Hampton
March y" 29, 1745.
Daniel Brown Reuben Dimond
Nathanel Morrill Joseph Chandler
Daniel Carter Samuel Straw
Abner Morrill Ephraim Carter
Henry French Nathan Gould
Joseph Jewit ? Samuel Barnard
Joseph Gould Elezer French
Josiah Flanders Joshua Clow
Joseph Jones Jonathan Jewet
Samuel Morrill Jonathan Flanders
Ephraim Brown Joseph French
Elijah Rowell Samuel French
John Ordway Henry Currier
(I) Probably this was liev. Caleb Cushing.
7512. NEW HAMPSHIKE
Daniel French Ezekiel Hoyt
Joseph Morrill Ephraim Carter
Richard Fitts Orlando Weed ?
Moses Richason Paul Morrill
Petition in relation to a higk-ivay.
To his Excellency Bcnning Wentworth Esq. Capt. General
and Governour in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province
of New Hampsheir in New England, and to the Honoura-
ble his Majesties Council And to the Gentlemen of the House
of Representatives in Gener d Court assembled :
The Petition of the Town of South Hampton humbly
sheiveth : —
That the Town finding thare was Occasion of a highway
from the Meeting-house Southward to a highway whicli w^as
laid out by Alms bury, accordingly Voted a way should be laid
out on the East side of the Parsonage unto Powes River, and
throw sundry mens Land unto the said high-way, and the se-
lectmen being met to lay out s' way and finding a more con-
venient way might be had else where made Request to the
Town, who Voted, That the former Vote should be reconsid-
ered, and a high way should be laid out across the Parsonage
and over the River whare it dos meet the high way which was
laid out by Almsbury Direct, and thare it is laid out and Re-
corded.
Notwithstanding this way is moste for the common good,
thare are sum persons who arc uneasy because the way first
Voted is not laid out and have applyed themselves to the Gen-
eral Sessions of the Peace who have ordered a Committee to
lay that way out also : which if Don the Town must make and
maintain two ways and two bridges within about twenty five
or thirty Rods which will be a very great and useless charge.
Therefore your Petitioners do most humbly apply to this
Honourable Court and Pray that a Committee may be ap-
pointed to view those ways and to judg which will accommo-
date moste people and is best for the Towns use in general that
it may be established and the other prevented : So shall we
as in duty bound ever Pray &c.
South Hampton, April the 8, 1746.
John Paige, Agent,
for South Hampton.
In Council, May 6'' 1746.
Read and sent down to the House
Theod'' Atkinson, SecJ'.
[Note. A hearing was had on the foregoing petition, when — ]
In the House of Representatives, May 13, 1746, Voted, thatthe within
Petition be dismissed.
D. Pierce, Clk.
TOWN PAPERS SOUTH HAMPTON. 773
Petition 7-clatitig to a Province Tax.
To his Excellency Bcnning VVentworth, Esq' Capt. General
And Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New Hampshire in New England, and to the Honoura-
ble his Majesties Council, and to the Gent men of the House
of Representatives in General Court assembled :
The Petition of the Select men of South Hampton, humbly
she~Joeth :
That whereas George Jaflrey, Gent. Treasurer and Receiver
General for his Majesties Province of New Hampshire, did in
the year past send a Prcceptto the Selectmen of South Hamp-
ton to Raise the sum of Ninety seven Pounds and ten shillings
in bills of Credit Emitted by virtue of an Act of the General
Assembly of said Province passed April y'' ii'" 1755, Entituled
an Act for granting unto his most excellent Majesty the sum of
thirty thousand pounds for and towards building a Fort near
Crown Pint, and the Select men in the year past omitted the
Raising the Sum of Ninety seven pounds and ten shillings
which was set Down in the preceipt, by Reason of an over-
sight or miss under standing, and we the Select men of South
Hampton for the present year. Do therefore humbly apply our-
selves to this Honourable Court and pray that this Honourable
Court would be pleased in your great wisdom and goodness to
compassionate our Difficult case and pass an Act to impower
and authorize us the present select men to assess the Polls and
Estates within said South Hampton lyable to be tax' by Law,
and give us a Reasonable time to do it in, so shall we as in
Duty bound ever pray, &c.
Rich Collins ) Selectmen for
Benj. Brown ) South Hampton.
Dated March the 21
Day, 1757.
Prov. New Hamp'
In Council March 23' 1757.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon'"' House.
Theodore Atkinson. Sec>.
Province of \ In the House of Representatives, March 23, 1757. This
New Hamp' / Petition being read
Voted, That the Prayer thereof be granted & that the petitioners have
Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly.
Andrew Ciarkson, Clerk.
In Council, March 23', 1757.
Read & concurrd.
Theo. Atkinson, Sec.
774 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition from su7idry inhabitants of South Hampton to be
annexed to JVewtoivfz.
nTw HamM^°"*'' Hampton, July 14, 1768.
To his Excellency the Governor, the honorable his Majesties
Council & House of Representatives for the Province afore-
said in General Court Assembled :
Wc subscribers Inhabitants of South Hampton do humbly
request that we and our Estates may be annexed to Newtown
for the Reasons following, viz.
We were originally of the Almsbury District which is now
called Newtown :
We can attend public worship there with more ease, the way
to it being much better & the place of worship nearer ; some
of us live within half a mile of Newtown Meeting House &
four Miles from our own.
The most of us do constantly attend public worship at New-
town and enjoy special religious privileges there but are denied
the satisfaction of paying our money where we have our
favors, and to those to whom it seems of riglit due, and the
mortification of paying it to such as do us no good.
We are ill accommodated in regard to schooling for our
children. Newtown School we have no right to : South
Hampton is so distant that we cannot send to it ; indeed South-
hampton hath in some instances left our proportion of the
School money to our own disposal, but the sum is so small that it
will not maintain a School long enough to be of any consid-
erable benefit, & even while it does support a school among us
we live so scattered & at such a distance from one another that
the School cannot be so placed as to well accommodate us all
at once.
Our condition is really in our account Very unhappy ; — we
therefore humbly beg that your Excellency & Honors would
take it under your consideration and grant such relief as in
your wisaom you shall think jDroper.
Jonathan Currier, i M. north. Nathan Currier
Samuel Kimball Charles Coolens
Phillip Currier James Currier
Challis Currier Aaron Sargent, sou. r-2 mile.
Thomas Currier Sarah Currier
Ne^'HTnf^' } ^" ^^'^ House of Representatives Jan> la'^- 1770
The within Petition being read & considered
Voted, That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition on Thursday
the twcntv-fifth Daj of January instant, if the General Assembly be
then sitting, and if not then on the second day of their sitting next af-
ter, and that the Petitioners at their own cost serve the Selectmen of
TOWN PAPERS — SOUTH HAMPTON. 775
South Hampton with a Copy of this Petition & order that they may
shew cause why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
M. Weare, Clk.
In Council, Jan> 12, 1770.
Read & concurred.
Geo. King, D. Sec^.
New^Ham"'' } ^" the House of Representati%'es March 22'' 1770.
The Parties being heard on this Petition and the Petitioners request-
ing that a Committee may be appointed to view the circumstances of
the Petitioners at the cost of the s ■ Petitioners :
Voted, That Capt. John Giddings & Doctor Ebenezer Thompson be
^ Committee of this House to join with such as the Hon''' Council shall
appoint to make enquiry respecting the circumstances of the Petition-
ers and make report to the General Assembly as soon as may be — the
■cost of the Committee to be paid by the Petitioners.
M. Weare, Clk.
In Council, March 23' 1770.
Read & concurred & the Hon**' Daniel Pierce Esq"^ added on part of
the Board.
Geo. King, D. Sec>.
Pursuant to the foregoing appointment we the Subscribers have
view'd the situation of the Petitioners, heard & considered what the Par-
ties concern'd thought fit to offer relative to the Premises :
And although we think that some of the Petitioners might be better
accommodated by being annexed to Newtown, yet really think their
difficulties not greater than what usually happens in almost every town :
And their being so annexed would (as we conceive) increase the diffi-
culties occasioned by the former liberty of Polling in said Towns, which
-we now think need redress : Therefore we beg leave to recommend the
dismissing said Petition. Witness our hands at Portsmouth the 21" of
December, 1770.
D. Peirce
John Giddinge
Ebcn'' Thompson.
In Council, Dec. 21"' 1770.
In pursuance of the above report it is ordered that this Petition be
•dismissed.
Geo. King, D. Sec>-.
Petition for settling the line between SoittJi Hampton a?zd
Neivtozvn.
Province of | To his Excellency John Wentvvoith, Esq""
New Hainps ' j Captain General, Governor and Commander
in Cliicf in and over the Province of New
Hampshire, the Honourable his Majesty's Council and
house of Representatives in General Assembly convened.
The Petition of us the Subscribers being a Committee
•chosen for the Town of South Hampton, Most humblv shcw-
eth .—
That the said Town of South Hampton suflcr great incon-
fy6 Ni£W HAMFSillKE
veniences for want of a Line settled and established, between the
said Town of South Hampton and theTown ofNew Town, there
being more than Twenty persons in said South Hampton, which
claim to belong to Newlown, part of whom might be as well
accommodated by being joyned to South Hampton, and a
number more of South llampton that might be as well accom-
modated by being joyned to Newtown. Your petitioners,
therefore pray a Line may be settled between the said Towns
in such a manner as not to enlarge the one at the expense of
the other, but to make both equal to which they now are, and
that a Committee may be appointed to inquire into the circum-
stances of the case and Report such a Line as may effect the
purposes aforesaid : and your Petitioners as they are in Duty
bound will ever pray, &c.
Piiii.ips White
Abel Bkown
Moses French
South Hampton, Dccem"
icj' 1770.
Province of \ln the house of Representatives
New Hamp" j Dec. 30, 1770.
Voted, That the Petitioners be heard on this Petition, on Thursday
the third day of January next, if the General Assembly be then siting;
and if not then on the third day of tlieir siting next after: And that
the Petitioners serve the Selectmen of Newtown with a copy of this
Petition and order of court that they may shew cause why the Prayer
of the Petition should not be granted.
M. Weare, Clk.
In Council, eodem die.
Read & concurred.
Geo King, D. Sec?.
Province of |^ In the House of Representatives
New Ilamps'^j Jan^' 3' 1771.
The within Petition being considered and the Parties heard thereon,
and consenting that Daniel Pierce Esq'' Capt. John Giddinge and Doct'
Ebenezer Thompson be a Committee to settle the line between the said
Towns in such place as shall appear to them proper, after hearing both
parties, said Com'tee also to Determin by whom the cost of the Com'tee
be paid : —
Voted, Tliat the said Daniel Pierce, Esq'' Capt. John Giddinge and
Doct' Ebenezer Thompson be a coinmittee for the purpose abovemen-
tioned.
M. Weare, Clk.
In Council, eodem die.
Read and concur'd
Geo. King, D. Sec^
TOWN PAPERS— STKATHAM. 777
STRATHAM.
[Stratham was originally a part of the Squamscott Patent, and was
laid off from Exeter, and incorporated as a distinct town, March 14,
1716. Ed.]
Petition for a Toivns/np.
To the Honourable the Lef^ Governour, Councill and Repre-
sentatives conven'd in General 1 Assembly :
We the subscribers hereof inhabiting in and about Swams-
cott, not lying in any Township and living att a considerable
Distance from the publiquc worship of God, not haveing the
benefitt of instructing our youth, besides many other great
inconveniences which we labour under. Being now by the
Providence of God att peace in our severall Dwellings and
being no less tlian thirty five familys all well disposed to main-
taine the publique ministry and defraying of all other neces-
sary charges to the best of our abilities, and hopeing that
within a little time we shall increase to a far more considera-
ble number. Doe most humbly pray that your Honours would
please to settle and confirm us tlie severall Inhabitants extend-
ing from Wheelwright's Creek downwards to Sandy-Point as
a distinct Township of ourselves, Empowering all such officers
among us as your Honours in your great wisdome and pru-
dence shall judge most meet : We crave leave to subscribe
your Honours most humble and most obedient servants.
- Andrew Wiggin, sen' Richard Downes ?
Isaac Cole Thomas ?
-^Simon VViggin Jonathan Norris
- Andrew VViggin, jun. Mark Stacey
Thomas Vesy Richard Mongen Sen. R. mark
Bradstreet Wiggin James Rimdlet
William French Charles Rundlet
- Nathaniell Wright - Sam' Lcavett, sen''
Jonathan Wiggin Sam' Leavitt, jun
Thomas Read Ed" Gramon X mark
Tho. Wiggin Stephen England
~ William Moores Sen'' Edward Masry Z mark
William Moore, jun' Thomas Spild. sen X mark
Oen Rencls, his mark 3 Richard Mongen, O mark
George Vasay
Petition for a Township.
To the Hon'' Geo: Vaughan, Esq. Lt. Gov' & Commander
in Chief of his Majesties Province of N. Hamp' & to^ his
Majesties Council of y Prov : aforesaid :
The Petition of his Maj '^'^ good subjects sundry the Inhab-
itants of y"^ town of Exeter : Most humbly sliewiih : —
77^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
The great hardships & Inconveniences which we (y"" Hon"
Petitioners) are made the subjects of by a late order from the
Hon'''* Board: — (viz.) — y^ all y*" Inhabitants of Exeter to y"
eastw ' of west creek line should be joyned to y^ Parish of
Greenland, in answer to a petition presented bj' Mr. Josh:
Weeks subscribed by sundry the inhabitants of the town of
Exeter afores'', praying to be added to y* s*^ Parish of Green-
land, for that we y*" subscribers who are on y" east side of s^
line never had any knowledge of s'' Petition till after 'twas
p'sented & then not seasonably enough to counter Petition
before y'' ord'
May it Please y"" Hon'" :
We have once & again Petitioned to be made a township :
y^ is, y*^ Inhabitants of Swampscutt Patent w of we are some
and Intend one address more to y"" Hon'^ on the same head,
tho' were that nothing at all we cannot but represent to yo''
Hon""" the g' hardship we labour under on ace' of y° ord''
afores' inasmuch as there is a maj"" numb'^ y' never knew of s*^
Petition (that are joyned to y' Parish of Greenland by y'' ord""
made upon it) than those that signed it. W^hereupon we can-
not l)ut humbly pray for a Counter Ord' to the Order afores^
at least for so long a time as till both p'titions may have a
hearing w '' will be a plain means to a final determination of
the matter. However all is submitted to yo"" Hon" by yo""
Hon"^ most obed"^ serv'^
Andrew Wiggin
Thomas Wiggin
Jonathan Wiggin
Will"' French.
Jan>' 4*'' 1715-16.
Petition to be set off into a township.
To his Honour George Vahan Esq"^ Lieu*^ Governour and
commander in cheif in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire in New England, & to his Majesties hon-
oured Counsell for s' Province :
We the InhabitanceofQiiamescuk patent, \\\\\w\Ay shcweth :
— The very bad circumstances we lay under by reason of our
great distance from the publick Worship of God and haveing
no bcnifitt of any School, notwithstanding we have ever paid
our proportion to the School of Exeter, and are now by the
Providence of God increased to shuch a number as we hope
we are able of ourselves to maintain a Minister & a school &
other town charges as shall nessesarily fall upon us, with our
TOWN PAPERS STKATHAM.
779
proportion of publick assessments : Therefore we your peti-
tioners does humbly pray that your Honours would pleas to
set us of from all other Towns and Parishes and grant us a
Township by ourselves & bound us as followeth : viz. Begin-
ning at Sandey Point bounding upon Exeter river untill it
comes into Wheelwrights Creeks mouth & from thence upon
a southeast line three miles into the land ; from s' Sandey
point to run three miles into }''" land upon a southeast line with
an head line according to y" s'' Patent, which will be greatly
to the joy & sattisfaction of your petitioners whose names are
under writen.
We your Petitioners does further humbly beg leave to inform
yours honors of our ill convencnces, being laid some times to
one town & some times to another & all wayes a great distance
from the Publick worship of God ; with submission we would
pray your honors to consider which is most reason — Whether
those men which lay near Greenland should joyn with us your
petitioners, or all we availl to them : We submitt to your hon-
ors pleasure.
Dated this tenth day of January Inst. 17}^
Simon Wiggin
Andrew Wiggin
Thomas Vezey
William French
Jonathan Wigens
Moses Leavitt juner
Richard Calley
Stephen England
John Haniford
William Powell
Owen Runals, senor
Ovven Runalls, juner
James Palmer
Edward Maservy
Benjamin Palmer
Moses Rallins
Aaron Rallins
James Robison
Sam" Green
Edward Fi field
Thomas Rallins
David Robison
Joseph Rallins
Arthur Benitt
Joseph Iloitt
John Mead
Matthew Tomson
William More
George Veasey
Thomas Wigins sen"^
Thomas Wigens, jun''
John Wigens
Daniel Moody
John Mason
John Searll
James Keniston
Richard Crockett
John Satchell
John Sinkler
Joseph Mason
"Samuel Piper
Gilles Brier
Thomas Toms
John Pett
Thomas Brier
William Seamen
Satchell Rundlett
Jonathan Clark
Nathaniel Folsoin
Richard Morgan
Nathaniel Stevens
John Robarts
James Dorety
Daniel Leavitt
Abraham Stockbridge
John Jones
Widow Leavitt
Israel Smith
Benj ' Leavitt.
^8p .NEW IIAMPSJIIKK
Counter Petition.
To y'' honorable George Vaighan Esq' Left. Governor andCora-
ander of his Alaigistys province of new hanipshar and the
honorable Counsel! now sitting at Porchmouth.
The petition of us whose names are under written, humbly
skeweth :
That wheras your petitioners air informed that your honors
intend to incorporate that tract of land called the Pattcnte into
a township within the precintes of which your petitioners now
dwells, we your petitioners have ever been of opinion and now
are well assured that the peopell inhabiting within y* Limits
above s'^ are not capiable of supporting such a townd charg as
will be needful, neaither did we ever send away such
petition, naither dare we prcsum so to do unless we
should desire the ruining of our familys by Removing oil from
thes small tracts of land we are now settiled upon, we there-
fore pray your honnors that we may continue as we are until]
beter inabled to perform such a charg, lest men mock us and
sa3-e. These men have laid a foundation before they have con-
sidered they ware not able to finish it ; and we ycur petish-
ors that ha\ e never consented to petition to be a townd shall
ever pray whilst
James Sinkler Ephreham Levitt
Benjiman Gones Abraham Stockbrig
James Rundlit John Speed
Jonathan Norris Daniel Smith
Ithiall Smith Je'hrow Parson
Joseph Larans Ebenezer Fouisham
Phillip Spcndelow Beanjaman Taylor
Thomas Sped Samweall Leavitt
John Clark
And we your honors petitioners whos names are under writ-
ten who un advisetUy and witiiout consideration sined the pe-
tishon that a township mite be granted, haveing since beter
considered of that matter are sensible of our unadvised-
ness and inabillity to perform such a charg as must of
nessessity follow upon our being a township unless we impov-
erish our familys and frcly now goine with the first above sub-
scribed petitioners : And that we may not be a township for
the afor s' Resons but may continue as we are now settled un-
till beter Inabled to bare such a charge and your petitioners
shall ever acknowledge your honors fafore herein — and sub-
scribe our selves your honors dutifull and obedient servants.
Isreil Smith Sachill Rundlit
Joseph Hoyt Nathaniel P'oiilsham
Benjamin Levit Benjamin Palmer
Matthew Tompson Mary Levitt — widow
Jan. 14"' 1715-6.
TOWN PAPERS — STRATHAM. 7S1
Petition of Select mc7i in relation to a meeting house.
Stratham May the i6, 1716.
To his Honor George Vahn esquire Lef Govcrncr and com-
andcr in chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
hanipshaire in New Enghmd and to his Majesties honoura-
ble Councill for said Province :
We your humble petitioners Selectmen for the town of
Stratham : \\' e are sorry that we are forced to trouble your
honors with a petition ; — for the inhabitants of our town are
unhappily divided about a place where to set our meeting
house and we iiave had severall town meetings in hops to agree
among oiuselves but all the proposalls that has been made
could never obtain that happy end and for these reasons we
would pray your honors that in your wisdom you woidd see
meet to appoint a Committee of indiHerent men that are un-
concerned for to measure the town and so fix a place for the
meeting house according to the patine. So we arc your hon-
ours humble petitioners in behalf of the town.
Simon Wiggin
Jonathan Wiggin
Will'" Frknch,
Selectmen.
Petitio'ft of fojiathan Wiggin., relating to Hilton's Ferry.
To his Excellency Sam' Shute, Esq"" Captain Gen' Govern"" &
Command' in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of New
Hamp' &c. To the Honourable the Council & Representa-
tives convened in Gen Assembly in Portsm" in s'' Province.
The Petition of Jonathan Wiggin of the town of vStratham,
most humbly SJiezveth :
That Capt. Rich' Plilton of Exeter was formerly favored by
the Gen' Assembly in this his Majesties Province with a Grant
of the Ferry over Exeter river, which Grant was attended with
a particular condition that he should procure a way to the
Ferry, so that the Publick should not be charged therewith ;
but tho' he has had the improvement of the Ferry for the space
of near Thirty years yet never procured any way thereto on
the southerly side of tlic s' river, but all Travellers have tres-
passed on yo' Petitioner by passing over his pasture, meadows
and fields, for the space of one full mile in one part of his farm
& almost iialfe a mile in another part thereof, extremely to yo'
Petitioner's damage, who cannot obtain any redress from the s'
Hilton, altho' his Grant is thereby forfeited to the Govern-
ment.
And the afores'' Capt. Hilton doth live at so great a distance
782
NEW HAMPSHIRE
from the river that Travellers are oftentimes hindred in getting-
over and necessitated to burden your Petitioner with themselves
and horses for entertainment in the night, which is expensive
to yo' Petitioner and an hindrance to them in their journey,
many of whom have oftcntimesput your Petitioner upon pray-
ing for the Ferry on that side of the river adjoining to his land.
And if your Petitioner should stop up the afore s" ways, Trav-
ellers would be extremely prejudiced.
Your Petitioner therefore most humbly prays that your Ex-
cellency and this Honourable Assembly will please to grant to
him the privilege of the Ferry on the southerly side of the s*
River, with the liberty of Keeping or hanging Gates through
his own farm & the liberty of the Ferryman keeping an house
of entertainment for Travellers free of Excise : So yo' Peti-
tioner shall ever pray as in duty bound &c. & subscribes,
Jonathan Wiggin.
22** April 1 72 1.
Summons to Richard Hilton.
Pro. N. Hampr
To the Sheriff of the said Province, his under SheriiT or Deputy,
Greeting:
By order of his Hon' the Lieut. Governour, and the Hon''''' the Coun-
cil, jou are hereby required in his Majesty's name, forthwith on receipt
hereof, to Summon Rich'' Hilton of Exeter Esq. to appear at y' Coun-
cil board to morrow at 3 o'clock afternoon, to show cause if any he hath,
why the ferry on the South side of Exeter river ag'' your house should
not be granted to Mr. Jon-' Wiggin of Stratham, according to his peti-
tion, &c. Dated at y<-' Council board y 11"' of July, 1721.
Richard Waldron, Cler. Con.
Make return of this writ, at y" time aforcs''
R. Waldron, CI. Con.
July 12, 1721. Then summoned Capt. Richard Hilton, Esq. to ap-
pear at time & place, by me
Benj. Leavitt, Dep. Sheriff.
Petition of Stratham relating to divisiofzs about a Minister.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq'' Captain Gener-
all Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Maj-
esty's Province of New Hampshire ; To the Hon''" his
Majesty's Councill and house of Representatives convened
in General Assembly.
The Petition of the subscribers Freeholders & Inhabitants
of the Town of Stratham in the Province aforesaid. Humbly
shews :
That your Petitioners having for some years past been under
very Difficult circumstances both as to their Church and Town
TOWN PAPERS STRATHAM. 783
affairs occasioned by the unhappy and unscriptural separation
of a great number of tiic Principal members of the Church
who by their example have influenced others of the Church
and Congregation to follow them into the same separation and
thereby have made themselves the major parte and have for
some time past carry'd on the Publick worship in a separate
house and are got to such a height as to call a Town meeting
to choose a Committee to Apply to Mr. Joseph Adams their
present minister to take on him the pastoral care & charge of
a Church in said Town, and to cast hiiiiself on the Lord and
Depend on him for what he shall Incline the People to give
him for his support, which your Petitioners expect will be lib-
eral enough inasmuch as we must bear our part of it unless re-
lieved herein by your Excellency & Hon'"' ; And inasmuch as
their separations and proceedings thereon is so unjust and un-
warrantable and we have just reason to fear willfull, and our
circumstances will not admit us without impoverishing our Es-
tates to maintain more than Mr. Rust our present ordained
Minister (with whose doctrine and conduct we are well satis-
fi'd) who was principally call'd and settled by the Principal
Gentlemen in the present separation, who then made a great
show of Respect for him and his Ministry ; and inasmuch as
this imhappy separation and proceeding thereon greatly tends
to an unnatural Behaviour towards each other, and to root out
our Holy Religion, and also to Destroy that Love, Peace and
Unity that ought to be kept and maintained amongst us as the
Professors of Christ, as also to the Destruction or wasting of
our Estates : Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly Pray
that your Excellency and hon" will take our Deplorable case
under your wise consideration, and redress our present Griev-
ances in such way as to your Excellency and hon ' shall seem
most for the glory of God and Real wellfare of this Place.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Dated at Stratham, August 12"' 1746.
William French David Jewill
Thomas Wiggin Samuel Piper
Jonan Dearbun Samuel Piper, jun.
Edward Fifeald Nathaniel White
Thomas Wrolings Thomas Wiggin, jun
Isac Foss Josiah Parsons
Walter Wiggin Samuel Wiggin
John Speed Eliphalet Wiggin
Benjamin Jones Benjamin Cotton.
Richard Palmer John Stockbridg
Richard Scamun Thomas More
William French, jun. Ebenezer Foulsum
Thomas French Thomas Reonals
Bradstrcet P'rench Owen Reonals
Joseph Mason Edward Mason
Richard Wichar Benjamin Mason
784 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Thomas Veasai John Dearbun
Joseph Jewit David Robinson
Caleb Rowlings Ephraim Green
Joseph Lawrance Jeames Kenison
Benjamin Taller Andrew French
Joseph lloil John VViggin
Jonathan Chase John Wiggin jun.
Benjamin Palmer William Burly
Josiah Smith Richard Crokit
Abraham Morgin Thomas Foss
Tufcin Wiggin Isac Foss, jun
William Corly John Avery
John Brackett Moses Kennison
Jonathan Jones Solomon Cotton
Matthew Tomson David Haneford
Satchell Clark Richard Crocket, jun.
Joseph Fifeald
^°Hamp°^}^" the House of Representatives, Aug- 22' 1746.
Voted, That y Petitioners be heard on their petition y- second day of
the Setting of y ' Gen' Assembly after y" fifteenth Day of Sep' next at
ten O'clock A. M. & that y" Petitioners at their own cost serve yc Se-
lectmen of Stratham with a copy of this Petition & this order of Court,
that they may shew cause if any they have why y« Prayer of the Peti-
tion should not be granted.
D. Peirce, Clk.
In Council, Eod" die
read & concurr'.
Theod'' Atkinson, Sec^.
Eod' die. Assented to
B. Wentworth.
Another petitio?i relating to the same matter.
To his Excellency Benning: Wentworth, Esq. Capt. Gen'
Govern & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of N: Hampsher, To the Hon''" his Majesty's
Council & House of Representatives conven'd in Gen'
Assembly :
The Petition of y*' subscribers & Inhabitants of the Town
of Streatham In the Province aforesaid, W\x\Vi\Ay sho-ws : Y'
your Petitioners, &c.
[Note. — This Petition is word for word the same as the preceding,
until the closing sentence, which is in the following words, viz.]
"Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray y' your Ex-
cellency & Hon ^ would take our deplorable case under your
wise consideration & bear due testimony against such Disor-
derly settlements, or exempt us & our Posterity from support-
ing s ' Joseph Adams, or from any charge y shall arise in any
shape whatsoever from his being a Preacher among them :
TOWN PAPERS SWANZEY. 785
However, we, y* s"" Petition'" leave our case with y"" Excel-
lencv & Hon'^ humbly praying y' you'd please to redress our
present Grievances in such a way as to your Excellency &
Hon' shall seem most for the glory of God, & the real well-
fare of this place, & y' Petition' in Duty bound shall ever
pray, &c."
Dated at Streatham, Dec' 3' 1746.
[Note. — The above petition is signed by the same persons as the
former one. A hearing on it was granted; and then, in the House
of Representatives, 15 July, 1747, is the record: "The agents for y*
Petitioners appearing & acknowledging that they were satisfied, there-
fore voted, That this Petition be Dismissed."]
SWANZEY
[This town, which was first called JLozver As/iueloi, was granted by
New Hampshire, July 2' 1753. Ed.]
To his Excellency Benning VVentworth, Esq' Capt. General,
Governor and Commander in chief in and over his Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire and the Hon"" ' his Majes-
ty's Council for said Province :
The Humble Petition of William Sims of Winchester so
called in the Province of New Hampshire on behalf of the
Proprietors or claimers of that Tract of Land within said
Province called the Loiver Askuvclot, a List of whose names
is herewith presented, Shews,
That the said proprietors or claimers have been improving
the land at the place aforesaid near Eighteen years last past &
have made considerable progress therein: Apprehending
when tlicy first entered the Land was within the Province of
y Massachusetts Bay, and by countenance of the Gf)vennncnt
of that Province they entered upon the Lands & carried on
their settlement so far as to make a Proportion & Division of
said Lands to & among the Persons aforesaid, who have been
at very considerable expence in making the said settlement
and Defending of it.
That in order to carrying of it to greater Perfection & mak-
ing of it a more useful Place it is necessary the settlers & In-
habitants should be Incorporated & vested with the Riglits &
Privileges of Towns which it is well known is a very neces-
sary aid & support of such a Design, and as the persons
already there have done so much to make it a useful settle-
50
786
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ment they seem to have a claim to your Excellency's favour in
this respect prefex-able to any others : Wherefore your Peti-
tioner Humbly prays as aforesaid that your Excellency would
be pleased to make a Grant of the s ' Lands to the Persons
afores"^ in i^roportion & according to their Respective claims
& the Proportion & Division made as aforesaid, and that the
same may be incorporated by the Name of Swansey & Inti-
tled to the Rights and Privileges of other Towns in said Prov-
ince of New Hampshire, and your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c.
VVm. Symes.
Portsmouth, June y* 27''' 1753.
Nath' Hammond
Abraham Graves
William Grimes
Benjamin Grant
Thomas Crison
Thomas Crison, jun.
William Hill
William Crison
William Car
Elijah Graves
Samuel Belding
Eliakim King
Jonathan Woodcock
Joshua Graves
Abner Graves
David Belding
Timothy Brown
James Heaton
James Heaton, jun.
William Heaton
Sam' Hills
Nathi Hills
Jonathan Woodcock, jun.
Jonathan Hammond
Thomas Nuten
Ebenezer Hills
John Prat
Timothy Prat
Sam' Prat
Joseph Hammond
Thomas Hammond
Seth Gay
Asa Grant
Christopher Grant
Daniel Arms
Ebenezer Arms
Nath' Gun
Wiget Gun
Daniel Gun
Ebenezer Sprag
Ebenezer Sprag, jun
Joseph Marchants
Noah Bodman
Ben" Sheldin
Mark Ferry
Jonathan Frarey
John Frarey
Phinehas Frarey
Jonathan Armes
Jonathan Bordvvel
Oliver Wit
Oliver Hammond
Joshua Prime
Joseph Write
Ben" Brown
Simon Davis
Sam' MacClennen
Zebulon Balord
Stephen Nuten
Caesar Freeman
Sam' Gaylord
James Blood, jun.
63.
TOWN PAPERS TAUNTON.
787
TAUNTON.
Petition relating to No. One or Tatinton town {i) on the
Wsst Side of CoJinecticttt river. 1 75 1 .
Province ot
New Hampshire
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth
Esq' Gov"^ in & over said Province and
to the Hon'''" his Majesties Council
within the same :
The Petition of the subscribers humbly sheiveth : That
your Petitioners or most of us owned under a grant of the
Massachusetts each of us one Right or share in a Township
on the West side of Connecticut River commonly called &
known by y*^ Name of JVo. One or Tauntoti Town., on y'
west side of said River, but since the Running of the Line
between y'' Provinces it lyeth in y* Province of New Hamp-
shire ; and are desirous of making a speedy and eflectual set-
tlement there : — Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray,
that your Excelency & Honnours would be pleased to grant
to each of us a Right in s' Township upon the conditions that
your Excellency and Honnours grants others the King's Sub-
jects, and vour Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray,
&c.
February 7 '' 1751-
John H albert
Josiah Willard
William Willard
Valentine Butler
Joseph Alexander
Nathan Willard
Susannah (juilson f
Oliver Willard
John Arms
Wilder Willard
John Moor
John M<jor, jun.
Daniel Whittmore
William Willard, jun
Prentice Willard
Eph ■ Dean
Elijah Cady
Asa Douglass
Samuel Ashley
John Alexander
Samuel Greele
Jethro Wheeler
Jonathan Thaver
Joshua Welds"
Submit Foster
Nathan Willard, jun.
Joseph Hubbard
Joseph Ashley
Nathaniel Maloon
John Hunt
John Taylor
John Peirce
Andrew Gardner, jun
Anthony Peirce
James Jewell
Manassah Devell
Simon Hunt
William Wilson
Jonathan Hubbard
John Arms, jun
Solomon Willard
Eben^ Field
Sam' Allen
Billy Willard
Caleb How
Jonathan Willard
James Hills
Josiah Willard, jun
Benj" Far we 11
Robert Usher
Samuel Cummings
Josiah Brown
(1)
Town Papers, Vol. VI. pp. 385, 38(5, inverted. Ed.
7^8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Peter Powers The Governor 500 acres,
John Chamberlain shares
Jonathan Cuming Theodore Atkinson
Robert Fletcher, Jun. John Wentworth, jun
John Usher Henrj Sherburn
Jonathan Cummings jun Richard Wibird
David Stearns Sam' Smith
Timothy Latherbee John Downing
Byfield Loyd Sampson Sheafe, &
3 Publick. Lotts.
WAKEFIELD.
[Formerly called East-Town; incorporated by its present name,
August 30, 1774. Ed.]
At a Proprietors meeting Leagely warned and held at the house of
Capt. David Copp in East-Town so called by the proprietors of said
East-Town, the 28''' day of June, Anno Domini, 1774; And the propri-
etors at said meeting,
Voted, That this Tract or Township of Land comonly called East-
Town be Incorperated, and the said proprietors at said meeting, Voted,
That Capt. David Copp, Capt. James Garvin & John Gage be a Com-
mitee or agents to wait on the Governor & Counsel to gite the said
Township Incorporated.
A true Coppy — Attest,
John Gage, Pro. Clark.
Petition for Incorporation.
Province of \ To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'
New Hampshire j Capt. General, Governor and Commander
in Chief of said Province and the Hon-
ourable his Majesty's Coinicil : Humbly
shews,
David Copp, James Garvin and John Gage that at a Pro-
prietors Meeting held ai East-Town so called on the 28"- day
of June last your Petitioners were Voted a Committee to Peti-
tion your Excellency and Honors for an Incorporation of said
Tract or Township :
Your Petitioners therefore Innnbly pray that the said Town-
ship beginning at the North-East corner of the Township of
Rochester at Newichwanick River, and from said River run-
ning westerly by the head line of Rochester five miles, and
from that extent upon a strait Line parallel with the General
Course of the said River as a strait line may be run at the said
River & continuing the breadth of five miles adjoining said
TOWN PAPERS WAKEFIELD. 789
River & bounds of the Province so far northwardly as to make
equal to six Miles square in such form as that the head or north-
erly Boundary shall be a Line paralell with the head line of
Rochester, and the westerly side Line to be strait from Roch-
ester Line to the head Line of said Tract of Land, may be in-
corporated and invested with such powers & Privileges as other
Towns in this his Majesty's Province usually have & enjoy ;
and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
David Copp
Jame.s Garvin.
Portsin 39' August, 1774.
WARNER.
[Formerly No. I, or New Amesbury, generally written NewAlmsburj,
was granted by the Province of Massachusetts, in 1735, but incorpo-
rated by New Hampshire, September 3', 1774. Ed.]
Petition of No. i, or Essex Almsbury^ now Warner, ij^z.
To his Excelli Benning Wentworth, Esq' Gov' in Chief in &
over his Majesty's Province of New hampshire ; To the
hon**' his Majesty's Council
The humble petition of Capt. Thomas Rowell & Joseph
Jewell in the name &: by order of the proprators of a Town-
ship called X ■ One, in the Line of Towns from Rumford to
Connecticut River, Humbly shelving: That where-as the
Province of the Massachusetts in the year 1735. granted sev-
erall Townships & laid them out from Rumford to Connecticut
River, among the Rest your Petitioners for services done, ob-
tained a Grant of a Township of six miles square: Since
which time your petitioners have laid out Two Divisions of
Lots ik. Built a Saw mill thereon h cleared considerable of
their Lois & done considerable in order for settling: But so it
is, that by the determination of his Majesty in Council upon
the Boundary Line between the Province of the Massacliusetts
& New Hampshire, the said Township lieth to the Northward
of the s Boundary Line, & in the Government of New Hamp-
shire :
Wherefore we your Excely" & Hon' most Humble Petition-
ers looking upon ourselves as suitable objects of favour & com-
passion as any of his Majesty's subjects, would therefore humbly
pray your Excel & Honors to take our case into your most
wise & just consideration & alow & confirm unto your most
79° NEW HAMPSHIRE
Humble petitioners the afores'' Town ship & give us such suit-
able & convenient time for bringing forward the setelment as
your Excel> & Hon''" in your great wisdom shall judge most
fitt & convenient : And your petitioners as in Duty bound shall
ever pray .
Thomas Rowell
Joseph Jewell.
Essex Almsbury, May
the 12 : 1742.
Bounds.
The Bounds of a Township, called New Almsburj', granted Decem-
ber 24|!' 1767, To Jonathan Barnard, &c. Viz.
Beginning at a place called and known bj the name of Contoocook,
thence running North fifteen degrees West six miles, then running from
each end of this line west five degrees South six miles, then crossing
and running over on a strait course from one end of these last men-
tioned lines, at the end of the said six miles to the other, so as to make
up the Qiiantitj of six miles square and no more
Attest, Geo. JaiTrej', Prop* Cler.
Aleeting of Inhabitants.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of New Almsbury, so called, legalj
worn'd and held at their meeting house on Tuesday y*^ 29''' day of March
A. D. 1774, at one of the clock in the afternoon. Voted at the above said
meeting that wee should be glad to have the town incorporated.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of New Almsbury so called legalj
worn'd & held at the meeting liouse on Monday y*-' 25 day of July A. D.
1774; at one of the clock in the afternoon, Voted at said meeting that
Capt. Francis Davis should go and gitt the town incorporated.
Atrue Copy taken of the | , ^^^^^
Society book ot Records \ ^^,^;^ ^^^. ^^;^ gociety.
Petition for Incorporatioii^ by Francis Davis.
Province of
New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esquire, Captain Gen-
eral, Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Maj-
esty's Province of New Hampshire And to the Honorable
his Majesty's Council :
The Petition of Francis Davis humbly shews : — That at a
legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Township of New
TOWN PAPERS VVEARE. 791
Ainisbtiry on the 35"' day of July last, a vote passed impow-
erin<2^ your Petitioner to make application to your Excellency
& Honors for an Incorporation of said Township.
Your petitioner therefore hmnbly prays that the said Town-
ship of New Almsbiirv may be incorporated by the following
Bounds, viz.
•' Beginning at a Place called & known by the Name of Con-
toocook, thence running north fifteen degrees West six miles,
then running from each end of this line West five degrees South
six miles, then crossing & running over on a strait course from
one end of these last mentioned lines at the end of the said six
miles to the other, so as to make up the Qiiantity of six miles
square and no more."
Your petitioner begs leave to suggest to your Excellency and
Honors that the said Township consists of upwards of fifty
Families & settlers, that they have had a Minister settled &
have paid Province taxes two years, and that their Roads are
in want of repair. He therefore most humbly prays that your
Excellency & Honors will grant the Prayer of this his Petition,
and as in duty bound he will ever pray.
Francis Davis.
Portsm ' 3^ Septem' 1774.
WEARE.
[This town was incorporated September 21, 1764, and received its
name in honor of Hon. Meshech Weare. Ed.]
Petition of Inhabitants of Hale's Town, now IVeare.
Province of \ To his Excellency Bening Wintworth Esq'
New Hampshire j Capt. General and Governor and com-
ander in Cliief in and over this his Maj-
esty's Provence of New Hampshier. the Honnourable his
Majesty's Coimsel.
the Humble Pettition of the Inhabitants of that Tract of
land known by the name of Hails Town^ otherwise called
Col" Weares Town, Hinnbly shewith :
That your Pettitioners are under grate disadvantages for
want the Prviligs of other Towns in this Provence in chusinge
Town otlicers and laying out and manding High-Ways, git-
ting and supporting a Minister and maney otlier things that
are Netsetry for the good and Bennfit of the Town : Where-
792
NEW HAMPSIIIRK
for your Pettitioners Humbly pray your Excelency and Honors
to in Corprate us into a Town granting us all the Prebilidgs
and Immunitys of other Towns in this Provence, and your
Pettitioners as in Dutey Bound shall ever pray.
Dated at Hailes Town this 3 day of April, 1764.
Asa Heath
Stephen George
Caleb Emorv
Thomas Worthly
Nathaniel Corliss
John Mudget
Jeremiah Corlles
yavon ? Q^iinbe
William Ilutchins
Josiah Brown
John Jewell
Jeremiah Allen
Stephen Emerson
Stephen Emerson,
Benonv Coben
Bond Little
Jacob Jewell
Abraham Johnson
Jonathan Atwood
John Simons
William Darling.
WENT WORTH.
[Wentworth was granted Nov. i, 1766, to John Page, Esq. and others.
The paper which follows was found in a mutilated state. It appears to
be a List of those who had original Rights in the Township of Went-
worth and made improvements thereon. See MS. Vol. VL p. 393.
Ed.]
Owned by Wm. Hacket & Joseph Page.
♦ * * Those original Rights in the Township of Wenlworth
♦ * is improvement made on, viz.
Rev' Mr. Webster.
Page owned by the Rev^ Mr. M'^Clintock
March, owned by the Rev^ Mr. Noble.
am Parker Esq
athan Bachel —
Elijah True
Eliphalet CofTin
David Greeley
Stephen Edmands
William Hacket
Jacob Bayley Esq.
Parker Cooper
Samuel Palmer
John Colman
Phillips White
Capt. Nathaniel Bachelder
Peter Russell
Sam' Page
Sam' Page jun.
Ephraim Page
Jonatlian Greeley jun
Enoch Page
Dier Hook
Joseph Eastman
John White
Wm. White
Daniel Fogg
Henry Merrill
Isaac Brown &
Capt. Thomas Elkins
Stephen Scales
Josiah Bartlet, Esq
Thcophilus Stevens
Jonatlian Evans
Wm. True
Owned by
■Phillips White
Sons.
Owned by
Samuel White
Esq'
TOWN PAPERS WESTMORKI.AND. 793
WESTMORELAND.
[Formerly called Great Mcado-vs ; was settled in 1741. Ed.]
Petition of Inhabitants.
The Petition of the Inhabitants now resident at the Great
Meadozvs on Connecticnt river with other the inhabitants be-
low on the said River, to tlie Gentlemen Petitioners for the
Equivalent Land lying on the western side of the said River,
conven'd at Worcester May the 13' 1752.
Gentlemen — We have made this place the constant and
settled place of our abode for several years before the last
French and Indian War and have sustained many distressing
losses from the French and Indian enemy during the time and
continuance of the s' war; Particularly our houses were
burned, our cattle kill'd, some of our persons captivated and
others put to death ; we were confined to the small inclosure
of a Garrison or Fort in which we were harried with the con-
tinual Incursions of the Enemy ; wee were deprived of the
advantage of our cropps by reason of the constant lurking of
the Enemy, and not having souldiers sufficient for so small a
number of Inhabitants to remain unmoveable were obliged to
withdraw and desert our habitation which we enjoy'd Dcaca-
bly not as tenants to any gentlemen whatsoever, but in free-
hold as others of his Majesties faithful and loyal subjects ; and
upon our leaving our Fort immediately the Enemy burn'd the
same down to the ground to our greater Damage with near the
one half of our goods then present on the spott. After our
departure we remained in the warrs for subsistance for our-
selves and familys who was then without habitation.
And now we are informed of the goodness of the Gentle-
men Petitioners for the said Equivalent land in which we
abide, that there is room left for such as wee to come in with
them as proprietors to the said land, and hereupon wee send
that we may have the same conferr'd on us, which we do now re-
questand petition for hoping asthis is seasonably seiitto the pro-
prietors by thefirstoppoitunity wee had, do hope you will please
to take into deep consideration these our past difiiculties afore
mentioned, and but just hinted at, you'll do by us accordingly^
as also, inasmuch too, as we were absent but part of the
space of two years from tlie said land ; and wee do also Cer-
tify you, gentlemen, that wee were at the entire cost and
expence of our Fort ourselves without the help of any person
or persons whatsoever, but particularly Major \\' illard or any
of his Relations whatsoever, wliich we are ready further to
confirm by our Oaths ; and forasmuch as some of us hath
794 NEW HAMPSHIRE
been settled on the spot for near fourteen years past without
molestation or hindrance, and some of us hath lost three
houses past and now live in the fourth house, to our further
Expence ; — Therefore wee humbly Leave the same with you
Gentlemen and hope to hear an answer from you to our satis-
faction, wishing and praying you the full and perfect grant
according to your petition, and conclude ourselves. Gentlemen,
your most Humble and Obliged Petitioners & ser ■
These now living TJoseph Perry
at the Great ] Stephen Davis
Meadows. ( Phillip Alexander
Dwelling ( John Alexander
on the < MicHAL Gibson
Land ( Moses Wright,
To the Gentlemen Petitioners for the Great Meadows.
Great Meadows, May 4, 1752.
WILTON.
[The first settlement in this town was made in 1738, by three families
from Dan vers, Ms., two by the name of Putnam, and one by the name
of Dale. The town was incorporated, June 25. 1762, and derived its
name from an ancient borough in Wiltshire, Eng. Before incorpora-
tion it was called No. 2. Ed.]
Deed from Joseph Blanchard^ Esq.
Province of \ Pursuant to Power and Authority granted & vested
New Hampshier / in me by the Proprieters of Lands purchased of
John Tufton Mason Esq' in the Province of New
Hampshier by their votes passed at their meeting
held at Portsmouth in said Province the 16 Day of
June A : D. 1749:
I DO, Bj' these Presents, on the terms and conditions hereafter ex-
prcss'd, Give and Grant unfo Thomas Read, Esq Rob' Fletcher, Jun.,
Joseph Blanchard, Jun., Oliver Colburn, Oliver Ferwel, John Usher,
Thomas Spalden, John Lovel, jun. Peter Powers, Humphrey Hobs,
John Combs, Joseph Blodget, Sam' Fowl, Josiah Swan, Ezra Carpen-
ter, Jonathan Cumings, Thomas Parker, jun John Farnum, Will" Fos-
ter, Rev' Mr. Thomas Parker, Josiah Butterfield, Anthony Emery, Ben-
jamin Parker, jun. Nehemiah Abbot, Sam' Greeley, Benjamin Ferwell,
Oliver Whiting, Joseph Richardson, Benj" Ferley, John Kindall, Abra-
ham Kindal, David Adams, Joseph French, Elizur Blanchard, Zacheus
Lovwel, Sam' Ferley, Will ' Cumings, Jonathan Powers, Sam' Cum-
ings, Archelus Dale, Jacob Putnam, Nathan Putnam, John Dale,
Stephen Heriman, John Shed and Ephraim Putnam: — all the rights
title and property of the Grantors aforesaid, of, in, and to all that part
TOWN PAPERS WILTON. 795
of a Township or Tract of Land in the Province of New Hampshier
afore s', containing Five miles square, Lying on the branches of
Soiiliegan River, between Peter-Borough & Monson, Bounded as fol-
lows : " Beginning at the South West Corner of the Premises at a White
Pine Tree which is the North West Corner of the Township No. i, and
runs from thence North Five Miles to a White Ash mark'd; from thence
East Five Miles to a Stake and Stones : from thence South five miles to
a Chestnut Tree Mark'd; from thence West Five miles to the white
Pine tree first mentioned : Which s' Township is laid out & Drawn for
61. ascertained to each Grantee respectively; Also, two Lots for encour-
agement of or Building of Mills, and three shears for Publick use, Viz.
one for the first settled minister, one for the Ministry, and one for the
School there forever : which said shares and Lots to be the same as
drawn and allready entered in the Schedule and Plan hereunto annexed,
unto tliem respectively & to their heirs and Assigns; To have and to
HOLD, on the following terms and condition and Limitations, and on
them only, — that is to say, That a Meeting-house be built on the Lot
No. II in the Fifth range, and that in the South West Corner of s' Lott
there be six acres of Land in a square for me Reserved, & apropriated
for the Publick use of those who Do or shall hereafter Inhabit in s**
Township; that the remaining lands not entered to the Grantees in the
Schedule iV Plan as afore specified in the Bounds of the Township,
be and hereby are reserved to & for the use of the Grantors of the Prem-
ises, their Heirs & assigns forever, free and clear from all charges, tax
or Incumbrance of settlement, untill their or any of their Parts arc im-
proved respectively by their or some some holding under them ; the
aforesaid named Grantees exclusive of their Publick Lotts, shall carry
on, perform and make settlement at their ofie expence in the following
manner, viz. That there be all Necessary High ways laid out in said
Town vvheie they will be most convenient, without any pay or allow-
ance to those Grantor, Grantors or Grantees, through whose Land the
same shall go, that the Grantees build a convenient house for the pub-
lick worship of God there, and finish the same at or before the last day
of Nov 1752 for the use of those who shall then or afterward inhabit
there : that they the s ' Grantees after Five years from the Date hereof
maintain P-eacliing there; that there be on some one Lot of each of
Forty of said Grantees shears, 3 acres of Land cleared enclosed and fits
ted so far as is Profitable for mowing or Tillage, at or before the las;
Day of November 1751, and each of the said Lotts to be cleared a-
afores to be settled, having a House of sixteen feet square at the least,
and seven feet stud or more, with a chimney and a cellar finished and
fitted for a comfortable dwelling therein, at or before the last day of
May 1752, & some family or person inhabiting or Residing in s'' dwell-
ing" House, ^: they or some other in each of their stead continue resid-
ing there untill the last of May 1755; that the owners of the said Forty
settling shears have on each of their Rites respectively three acres of
land more in like manner fitted, at or before the last day of November
1752; and the like quantity anually for two years next coming; that
the remaining Five Rights or shears of the' Grantees aforesaid, viz.
Oliver Ferwell, Benjamin Ferwell, Joseph Blanchard. jun. Elizur
Blanchard, and one Right of Robert Fletcher jun. Excused from the
duty of building improving or settling untill the last day of Nov' 1755,
and then to have the whole performed as others at that time; that each
of the s' Grantees at the executing this Instrument, pay their thirty
Pounds cash old Tennor to Defray the Necessary charges arisen & aris-
ing in bringing forward the settlement, to be Disposed in the hands of
such person as they shall apoint, being a Resident and Freeholder in
said Province; that the aforesaid Grantees or their Assigns, Assess such
796
NEW HAMPSUIKE
further sum or sums of money equally in proportion to their Rights, on
the share of each Grantee, exclusive of the three Publick Lotts, as may
be necessary carryinjj on & compleating any of the Publick matters in
making the settlement aforesaid, and on the failure of the Payment for
the space of three months after such Tax or assessment is agreed upon
& Posted up at such place or places as the Proprietors, the grantees
aforesaid, shall appoint, to Give Notis for calling Proprietors Meetings,
shall so much of such Delinquents Rights respectively be Disposed of
by a Committee chosen by the Major part of the Grantees for that pur-
pose, as will pay the s^* Tax & all charges arising thereon, and in case
any of s' Grantees shall Neglect or Refuse to pay or perform any of the
articles aforementioned, he shall forfeit his shear and Right in said
Township to those of the Grantees who shall not then be delinquent in
the Performance of the condition enjoined, and it shall and may be Law-
ful for them by their agent or agents appointed by the major part of
those not Delinquent, for that purpose enter into & upon the Right of
such Delinquent Owners and him to amove out and expel for their heirs
and assigns. Provided they settle such Delinquents Rights within the
term of one year after the' Period that is by the Indenture stipulated as
the condition of the Grant, and fully comply with tne whole of the Dutj
such Delinquent ought to have done, within the term of one year trom
time to time after the lespective period thereof; in case they omit com-
plying as afors' in that term as afors', that all such Dehnquents Right
shall evert and belong to the Grantors, their heirs & assigns for ever,
free from all incumbrance of settlement or charge, always Provided
there be no Indian War within any of the terms and Limitations afors'',
for doing the Dttty conditions in this Grant, and in case that should
hapen, the same time be alowed for the respective matters afors', after
6uch impediment shall be removed; That all White Pine Trees fit for
masting his Majesties Royal Navy, be & are hereby granted to his Maj-
esty his heirs & successors forever.
Lastly, The said Grantors do hereby Promise to the Grantees, their
heirs & assigns, to Defend through the Law to the King & Council, if
need be, one action that shall and may be brought against them or any
number of them by any person or persons whatsoever claiming the s>^
land or any part thereof by any other title than that of the s-' Grantors
or that by which they hold and derive theirs from. Provided the said
Grantors are avoutched in to Defend the same and that in case on Final
Tryal the same shall be Recovcr'd against the Grantors, the Grantees
shall Recover nothing over against the Grantors for the said Lands,
Improvement or Expence in bringing forward the Settlement.
In witness whereof, I, the subscriber, Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable,
have hereunto set my Hand c^ Seal this First Day of October 1749.
Joseph Blanch.\rd.
Seal.
Note, by tiik Editor. The Plan and Schedule above referred to,
containing the Names of the Grantees and the lots drawn by them, is
annexed to the above Deed of conveyance, but it is impracticable to
print it in form, without engraving. "'[See said Plan on MS. p. 302 of
Town Papers, Vol. VI.]
TOWN TAPERS VVII-TON. 797
Petition for Incorporation.
To his Exell> Bening Wentworth, Esq. Gov"^ &c. in the Prov-
ince of New Hamp and the Honourable his Majesty's
Council of said Province :
The Petition of us the subscribers being Inhabitants of a
Tract of Land in said Province of the contents of five miles
square called and known by the name of Num' 2 ; which
Township bounds Northerly on Lyndeborough westerly &
Southerly on Peterborough Slip and Num' i, Easterly on y*
Mason's Grant not taken up — which Tract of land is consid-
erably settled & Improved, and is this year Taxed to the Prov-
ince with other Tc^wns :
We would tlierefore Humbly request of your Excell- &
Hon that we may be Incorporated into a Township and be
invested with such Privileges and Immunities as other Towns
have and do Enjoy in this Province, for y~ more easy carrying
on our Public affairs &c. and that the said Corporation maybe
Bounded according to the Grant of the said Township, and
your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
June i8, 1 761.
James Man Henry Snow
John Cram William Gibson
Jonathan Stevens Samuel Kinkeed
Heaziah Hamlet William Mansur
Elexander Milicen Robert Smith
John Deale William Vance
John Burton Robert Renken
Philip Putnam David Barker
Jacob Putnam Samuel Mansur
Ebenezer Perry John Daveson
Jonathan Grele Benjamin Thomson.
Hugh Smylie
Note. — The Town was incorporated, next year, by the name of
Wilton. Ed.
Province of I To the Gen' Assembly of the Province of New
New Hamp' j hamp''
Humbly shcweth us the Subscribers, that in the year 1761,
we were selectmen for the Town of Monson, and as such took
an Inventory of the Poles and Estates of the Inhabitants of
the Township of Number two, and Returned it to the Sec-^'
office in Ports according to tiie Direction given us in the Or-
ders from the Assembly relating tlie same, which service took
us two days each, for which we charge sixteen pounds old
79^ NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ten' and beg the same may be allow'd & paid to Joseph
Blanchard — which much oblige y' most ob' Serv'^
Nathan Hutchinson
Bexj' Kenrick.
Octo' 8. 1764.
Province of ) In the House of Representatives, Feb> y"" 1765.
New Ilixinp' / The above Petition being read,
Voted, That it be allowed and paid to their order Joseph Blanchard,
Esq. sixteen shillings proclamation money out of the Treasury.
165. A. Clarkson, Clerk.
In Council, March 6'" 1765.
Read & concurred.
T. Atkinson, Jun. Sec^.
Consented to B. Wentworth.
WINCHESTER.
[This town was originally granted and settled under Massachusetts,
and first was called yI;'//«^/'o«. It was chartered by New Hampshire
July 2, 1753, to Josiah Willard (i) and others, who had effected a set-
tlement as early as 1732. Ed.]
Petition for /f/co?-poration.
Province of ( Portsmouth, Feb. 29, 1750.
New Hampshire j To his Excellency Benning Wentworth,
Esq Captain General & Commander in
Chief in & over his Majesty's s' Province, and to the Hon"
his Majesties Council of said Province :
The Petition of Josiah Willard Esq' in behalf of himself &
others Inhabitants & settlers of a Place called Winchester^ bor-
dering on Connecticut River within this Province, humbly
sheiveth :
That your Petitioners were induced about eighteen years
ago to go into the Wilderness to settle & improve the afore-
said Tract of Land, being told it was within the Mass' gov-
ernment, which Government made them & Predecessors a
Grant of the Land, as by a Plan herewith exhibited the
Bounds may appear, & also invested them with all the Powers
& Priveleges of a Town within the said Government of the
Massachusetts aforesaid ; That in consequence hereof about
(1) There ia a tradition that .losiah Will.irrt, one of the principal grantees,
refused to have Dartmouth College located in Wincliester, on the prouud that it
would have a tendency to depreciate the value of his posBcseionsI Ed.
TOWN PAPERS WINCHESTER. 799
fifty Families have at sundry times settled & made Improve-
ments there, that above forty dwelling Houses were built on
the same & a meeting House for the publick Worship, & a
minister settled there (i): But so it happened that by ascer-
taining the divisional Line between this government & that
of the Massachusetts, the said Town fell to y Northward of
y'' said Line & consequently within this his jNIajesties Govern-
ment ; in consequence of which we had no Power of trans-
acting any Town atiairs such as clioosing Town officers, mak-
ing iv: collecting assessments for defraying the charge of the
Ministry, school. Poor, making & clearing Roads &c : That
they have once had all their private Buildings & meeting
liouse burnt by the Enemy & were forced to retire with ex-
ceeding great loss ; that since the Peace they are collected &
got upon the Premises again &. have many Houses built &
more building, but for want of Town Privileges as above, are
in a most unsettled & uncomtortable situation.
Wherefore Pray, that your Excellency and Honours would
be graciously pleased to grant them a Charter of Licorpora-
tion (with all such Town privileges as are usuallv granted to
other Towns in this Province) agreeable to the Bounds de-
scribed in the Plan herewith exhibited (3), which are the
same as heretofore they imagined to be their Bounds: — &
your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
JOSIAH WiLLARD.
Petitio7t for relief.
Province of > To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq""
New Hamp' j Gov"" &c. in & over his Majesty's Province of
New Hamp' the Hon'' his Majesty's Coun-
cill & House of Rep"^ in Gen' Assembly convened:
Josiah Willard of Winchester in the Province of New
Hamp in behalf of himself & tlie Inhabitants on Connecticut
River & towns adjacent within this Province wou'd most hum-
bly remonstrate : —
That there is began and a considerable progress made in
settlement of the Towns on that river for near forty miles to
the Northward of the Massachusetts line, as well as severall
other settlements about ten miles distant from said River:
That they are left exposed to the cruelty and depredations
of the Indians — late instance thereof they have had — and
(1) The tlrst minister was Kev. Joseph Ashley, a frradu;iteof Yale College in 1730;
was ordainetl Nov. I-.', 173i!; removed in 1747, on account of the Indian war. Ed.
(2) The Plan is not found by the Editor, in this connection.
8oo
NEW HAMPSHIRE
apprehend themselves in the utmost hazard of suffering by
their hands, unless some p:oper defence can be made by this
Govern' :
That in the French war the greatest part of those Towns
were left defenceless, drove of, their forts & Buildings & much
of their Estate destroyed by y* Indians, besides the Slaughter
& captivation of y'' Inhabitants :
That they have vigorously renewed their settlement since
that war, and are now upwards of two hundred familys, the
greatest part of whose Estates are wholly there, and if con-
strain'd (for want of Defence) to make that part of the Prov-
ince a dereliction, they will be left in very distressing circum-
stances as well as the Frontier much increased :
That the contiguous parts of the Frontier of the Massachu-
setts are amply Defended by a number of their troops em-
ployed there, so that we at present are the only easy prey the
Indians can have : —
Wherefore 'tis most humbly requested, that y' Excellency &
Hon'" wou'd consider of the Premises & grant them necessary
& speedy Relief: — which is most humbly submitted by y- Ex-
cellencys & Hon'' most humble and most obedient serv'
JOSIAII WiLLARD.
Fortsmo', Jan"" 3'' 1755.
In Council, Jan>' 16, 1755.
Read & ordered to be sent down to the Hon''' Assembly recommend*
Theodore Atkinson. Sec>.
WINDHAM.
[Windham formerly belonged to Londonderry, and was incorporated
as a Parish February 12, 1742. It was the third Parish of London-
derry. Ed.]
Note. — Sundry papers relating to Windham, with Mr. Brj-ent's Plan
of the Parish, may be found among the Londonderry Papers — which
see. Ed.
Petition of yatnes Reid and William Parker.
Province of 1 To his Excelency Jonathan Belcher Esq"^ Gov-
New Hamp"" j ernor & Commander in Chief in and over his
Majestys Province of New Hampshere in
New England, the Hon'' his Majesty's Council & Plouse of
Representatives for said Province in General Court con-
vened, the 31^'^ Day of July Anno Dom. 1740.
Humbly shewy James Reed of Londonderry in the Prov-
TOWN PAl'EUS WINDHAM. Soi
ince of New Hnmpshire, yeoman & William Parker of Ports-
mouth in said Province, GcMit. as agents for and in behalf of
the new Parish in said Londonderry: —
That at the last vSession of this Hon'' Court sundry of the
Inhabitants of Londonderry afores' exhibited a Petition pray-
ing that they (with others) might be erected & incorporated
into a new Parish with the usual Powers & authorities granted
in the like cases :
That accordingly an Act was past by which a new Parish
was erected & incorporated within said Londonderry by cer-
tain metes S: bounds set forth in the said Act with the usual
powers & authorities of a Parish, by which Act the first meet-
ing of the said Parishioners was to have been in March last;
But so it happen'd that no Persons were named & appointed
to call the first meeting in & by said Act, tho' a blank is there-
in left for the names of such Persons as this Hon' Court
should sec meet to appoint; Whereby the ends & purposes of
the said Act are intirely prevented and can in no measure take
eflcct until something farther shall be done in the premises.
Wherefore your Petitioners in behalf of their principals
most humbly pray that proper persons may be appointed to
call the first meeting of the said Parishioners, and that they
may be enabled to call the same fortlivvith, and that when the
saitl Parishione"s are assembled they may have the same
power and authority as if their meeting had been held in
March last, & the officers that shall be chosen at the same as
fully impower'd to discharge the duty of their respective of-
fices for the remaining part of the curr" year & until new ones
shall be chosen as if they had been chosen in March last pur-
suant to the said Act ; — And y"' Petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray, &c.
Jamks Reid
William Parker
In the House of Representatives, Aug'''y' 5"' 1740.
The within Petition was read and voted, that the prayer of the Peti-
tion be granted, and that John McMurphy, Geo: Duncan, jun. &
James Akins be the p'sons to call the lirst meeting on the first Wednes-
day in September next: and that the Petitioners have liberty to bring
in a Bill Accordingly.
James Jeffrey, Clk. ass"
In Council. Eod^' die.
Read & concurred.
Rich'' Waldron, Sec^
Same day, Assented to. J. Belcher.
51
802 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Incof'poraiio?z of Windham as a Parish.
Anno Resrni Regis Georgii Secundi Magnae Britanioe, Franciae and
Hibernise, Decimo Qj^iarto &c.
An Act for Incorporating a New parish in the Township of London-
err y in the Province of New Hampshire.
Whereas sundry of the Inhabitants of the Southern part of London-
derry aforesaid have petitioned this Court representing their circum-
stances to be such as made it necessary to Incorporate them into a new-
parish & that the other part of the Town was willing they should be so
Incorporated by the Boundaries particularly set forth in their Petition,
and praying that it might be accordingly done : — which Representation^
having been examined by this Court and found true as to the substance
thereof:
Be it therefore Enacted, By his Excellency the Governour, Council
and Representatives in General Court Assembled, and by the authority
of the same It is hereby Enacted and ordained, that a new Parish shall
be erected in the said township of Londonderry and hereby incorpo-
rated and made by the name of Windham, and is comprehended within
the following metes and Boundaries, (viz.) Beginning at the Dwell-
ing House of one John Hopkins of said Londonderry, yeoman and
from thence running on a due west course to Beaver brook so called:
then beginning again at the said house at the place where it began be-
fore (so as to have the said house to y Northward) and from thence to
run on a due East course till it Comes to y- Easterly line of said Lon-
donderry, thence to run as said Line runs till it comes to the southerly
boundary of said Londonderry, then to run to Westward as the said
boundary runs till it coines to the said Brook, and then to run as the
said Brook runs untill it comes to the place on the said Brook where
the said West line runs across the same : — Excepting out of these lim-
its the polls and estates of John Archibald, James Clark, James Moor,
John Hopkin, and John Cochran and their respective families : And
the said Parish shall be and hereby is invested with all the powers and
Authorities that y severall Towns in this Province are invested with,
and likewise shall have, hold and enjoy the same priviledges, immu-
nities and liberties that the said towns hold and enjoy by the Laws and
customs in use and force within the Same : Saving only the chusing
of a Representative in the General Court, in which matter the Inhab-
itants of s*! Parish are to joyn with the other Inhabitants of said town;
as also in what concerns the Common Lands in the said township ;
And the Inhabitants of the said Parish and the Estates within the same
(saving those before excepted — ) are hereby exonerated & discharged
of and from all duties, services and burthens; — and the pajment of
all taxes, rates and charges to any other part of the said town, Except-
ing what relates to sending and supporting a Representative at the
General Court, the dividing or managing the Common Lands aforesaid
and such taxes, rates and charges as are already proportioned, assessed
within the said town.
And Be it further Enacted, by the authority aforesaid. That Robert
Dinsmoor, Joseph Waugh and Robert Thomson are hereby authorized
and appointed to call the first meeting of the Inhabitants of the said
Parish on the eighth day of March next; in the performance of which
as also in the management and Regulation of the said meeting. The
laws relating to such matters and the customs in force in said Province
are to be attended and observed : And the officers that shall be chosen
by the said Inhabitants at the said meeting regulated as aforesaid, shall
be and hereby are authorized and impowered, being first qualified Ac-
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. S03
cording to Law, to execute, observe, do and fulfill all and singular the
authoritys, powers and dutys, and hold and enjoy the privileges, profits
and iiniTiunitics apperlaining to their respective ofilces, that such offi-
cers in the several towns aforesaid execute, hold and enjoy and as
efi'ectually to all intents and purposes; — provided that the inhabitants
of the said Parish shall from time to time provide, maintain and sup-
port an orthodox minister of the Gospel among them :
Febuary, y'^ 10, 1741. In tiie house of Representatives the above Bill
read three times and past to be enacted.
Andrew Wiggin, Speaker.
Feb>' 12, 1741-2. Read three times at y^ Council Board and past to
be en.icted.
Richard Waldron, Sec>.
Feby 12, 1741-2. I assent to the enacting this Bill.
B. Wentworth.
(A true Copy — Attest —
Sam' Campbel, Clerk.)
Deposition of James Gilmore.
The Deposition of fames Gilmore of lawful age, doth testify & say
that he being Constable in Windham for the year 1743, collected the
Province tax of all the Inhabitants within s** Parish in its original
bounds, committed to his List.
James Gilmore.
Certificate. [A rare specimen.]
Province of 1 Sallam, January the 19th, year 1757.' than the a bove
New hamp' J named Jemes Giflmor apeard Before me and Being care-
fully Eaxamind to and casined to tastify the holl truth mad sollam oth
to the truth of the above writen Dickclarison By him him subscribed
it Being taken at the Request of Oliver Sanders to Be yousd in the Jen-
eril! A Samble of said Province Realting to a patision loged with the
said a sambly Relating to the Destrickt Raats of Methuen for an ax-
amshun from said Rates.
Sworn Before me this Day and Dat above menshuned.
Daniel Peaslee, just of the pece.
[A similar Deposition was made by John Vance, constable, of col-
lecting taxes, in 1747; which was also certified by Daniel Peaslee, in
form as above, Jan^ 20, 1757. Ed.]
804 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition in relation to an irregular Parish meetijig.
To his Excellency Benning Wentvvorth, Esq"" Capt. General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire, the Hon'''" his Majesty's
Council & House of Representatives for said Province in
General Assembly Convened, the ii"* day of Decemb' 1746.
The Humble Petition of sundry of the Freeholdei's & In-
habitants of the Parish of Windham in said Province, shews:
That the selectmen of said Parish for the current year, by
their Warrant or Notification dated the zo"* of June last, called
a meeting of the Inhabitants & Freeholders of the same, to
have been holden on the 7'" day of July following, but held in
September last by adjournment, for the following purposes,
viz. First, to see what Encouragement they would give for
the settling of a Gospel Alinister among them & what yearly
salary. 2'"->' to consider what sum might be proper to be raised
for the maintenance of the Gospel among them according to
their former way, or whatever else they might then think nec-
essary.
Pursuant to which the meeting was afterwards held by
adjournment as aforesaid & Voted on the first article of
the Warrant to give Mr. Wm. Johnson (a gentleman who has
preached there) the sum of three hundred pounds Old Tenor
settling money, & two hundred pounds yearly salary. 2*"^,
Voted on the last article of the Warrant, not to raise any
money according to their former manner.
That there would not have been a majority of the Votes in
favour of those Resolves had more been admitted to Vote but
such as were qualified, but by admitting of disqualified Per-
sons matters were carried against the majority, or at least an
equal number of qualified voters:
That the said Meeting being a special or particular meeting
nothing should have been transacted there but what was ex-
pressly mentioned in the warrant for calling of the same ; and
your Petitioners humbly conceive that neither of the articles
mentioned in the said warrant could authorize the voters at
that meeting to make choice of a man to be their minister, nor
to give an invitation to any particular person to settle among
them in that relation & whenever a meeting is call'd for that
purpose being a point of great weight & Consequence ought
always to be expressly set forth in the warrant as part of the
intended business of the meeting «& not to be comprised under
any general expressions whatsoever.
That your petitioners apprehend, should such a design be
fairly Notified & the meeting Regularly conducted, there
would be a majority of the Votes against the choice aforesaid
& in order to obtain such a meeting more than twenty-five of
TOWN PAPERS WIXDIIAM. S05
the Inhabitants & Freeholders of the said Parish have since
petitionM the select men atores' for that purpose & mention'd
in their petition sundry articles they would have inserted in
the Notification for calling the jNIeeting: But the Selectmen
have refused & utterly denied to do it: — all which Avith many
other matters respecting the managem' of said meeting too
tedious to be here inserted }our petitioners conceive to be just
matter of :jrievance & complaints Wherefore they Humbly
pray that the meeting held as aforesaid may be declared to be
irregular & illegal & the proceedings thereof Null & Void;
that a new meeting may be called for the purposes mentioned
in the Petition to the selectmen afores'' (a copy of which shall
be produced.) and some indilferent suitable person be appointed
to govern the said meeting, that so the minds of the Parish
may be truly known relating to the matter in Dispute, and
thereby a variety of Law-suits prevented : And your petition-
ers as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
William Jameson William Jameson jun
Samuel Armour William Gregg
Daniel Clyde John Kyle
Henery Campbell John Dinsmoor, jun.
Franci's Smiley Hugh Graham
Robert Dinsmoor John Waddell
Robert Hopkins Thomas Campbell
William Campbell Authur Graham
Joseph Clyde John Willson
Hugh Clyde Samuel Smith
Robert Spear John Armstrong
Francis Dinsmoor John Campbell
Samuel Campbell John Mckay
John Dinsmoor David Gregg.
In Council, December ii'" 1746.
Read & ordered to be sent dov/n to y"= Hon''"-' House.
Theod. Atkinson, Sec.
Prov. of Newl r .1 ir .- t, ... t^
Hamoshire 1 House of Representatives, Dec. 11, 1746.
Voted, That the within Petitioners be heard on the within Petition
the third day of thcsittingof the General Assembly aftery seventeenth
day of January next & that s'' Petitioners at their own cost serve the
select men of s' Windham with a Copy of this Petition & this order of
Court, that they may appear & shew cause if any they have why the
prayer of s' Petition should not be granted.
In Council, December 13I'' 1746.
Read Si concurrd.
Thcod« Atkinson, Sec^.
Eodem Die, Assented to
D. Peircc, Clk.
B. Wentvvortii.
806'
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Province of 1 „r- lu t .^i .1,
New Hampshir r^'"^^^^"^' J^^^'^^Y the 4'" i750.
Agreeable to a voate of the town att their meetting the zv^ of De-
cember last, att whicli meetting it was voated to have an alteration of
the line between Windham and Salem, and said Line having been Run
to the content of both towns and no person having been chosen att said
meetting to have the line confirmed between both Towns, we the sub-
scribers being select men of Windham do appoint our trustj friend Sam-
uel Campbell to act in the town of Windham's Behalf in our place to
have s- Line confirmed by the Governor and Councel of s^l Province as
witness our hand the day & year above.
John Wilson
Joseph Clyd,
Selectmen.
Province of 1 ,,,. ,, . .,
New Hampsh' r^mdham, Apnl 30 ■■ 1750.
By virtue of a Warrant Granted by the Selectmen of Windham afore-
said, and directed to the Constable of s' Windham, to call a meeting of
the Inhabitants & freeholders of s' Parish, bearing deat Noveinber the
5, 1747, to be held the twintith day of s' month the said meatting Being
lawfully caled and held at Windham, afores-* and after consideration of
6'* warrant
Voated to petition the General Court of s'* Province to have the In-
habitants liveing on the South East side of Policy Pond so caled to Bear
and pay their equal part of all publick taxes with the other Inhabitants
of s'' Parish, or to have them disannexed intirely from us and an addi-
tion mead to us else where as it shall be thought most proper.
A true copy, Pr.
William Gregg, Town Clark.
Paper relating to an Order fro7n Court.
Province of ) ,,,. ,, ,, ,,
New Hampshire} Windham, May 7^" 1750.
Pershuant to an order from his Excelency Bcnning Wentworth, Esq'
and the honarable his Majestes Councel to" the parish of Windham, to
appear at Portsmouth the ninth instant to shew cause if any they had
why the prayer of a petition preferred by Joseph Peasly Esq>' and "other
Inhabitants of Methuen district should not be granted, We the sub-
scribers Being inhabitants and freeholders of Windham afore"' do hereby
manifest our willingness that the prayer of s' Petition should be granted,
But not to have the said petitioners /ozf/crf from us By any means Be-
cause of the evel consequences that have subsisted amongst us about the
place of the meetting house and other affairs.
David Gregg Hugh Smith
Henry Campbell Sam' Smith, jun
Thomas Ricky John Graham
Sam' Campbell John Waddcl
John Camball John IM Cay
Henry Cambell, jun 'Wm M Cay
John "Boyd John Kvll
John Gregg Will" Gregg
Hugh Graham John Armstrong
Thomas Campbell Hugh Clyde
Sam Smith Daniel Clyd
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. 807
John Clyd Samuel Clyd
Hugh Brown John Kann
Joseph Waus^h Georg Davison
Will'" Waugh Robert Hemphill
Nathincl Hemphill James Gait
James Dunlap Peter Daveson
James Caldwell Clcvi' ? Dunlap
James Caldwell, jun John Wilson.
Windham^ s caveat against MetJnic7i.
To his Excellency Bening Wentworth, Capt. Generall and
Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
Newhampshire, and the Honorable his Majesties Coun5a/
now sitting in Portsmonth.
The humble suplication of lis the Inhabitants of Windham,
humbly sheweth —
Tliat whereas your Exc' & Honors have established the
Bjinids and under God has prevented the alteration of the
shape of our town or Parish when a ^uc disaliected persons
who were uneasy by Reason of the Sate for a meeting house
not being to their liking, did endeavour to make a shism and
destroy our little parish, and now hearing as the story came
yesterday to be publick that some such Desine is aflbot to the
alteration of the shape of things with us, and that one of our
disartected bretherin with the consent of some others of his
taste is gon Down to Portsmouth clandestinely on this afl'air,
and if he appears before your Excell and Honours knowing
the man we expect nothing else but that there will be a mis-
representation of our town and the present sircumstances of it
made : Therefore to prevent his ill natured satisfaction and
to preserve the shape and Christean liberty and property of
our town or parish we shue to your Excell' and Honours who
are and have been able under God to preserve the being and
order of it in spite of shismaticks who disturb the peace and
unity of Sociateas ; and be it known to your Excellency and
Honours that our Desirs in this is not in the least to oblidge a
Congregationall Brother to pay to the suport of our Presbyte-
rian Minister but chearfully allowing as was some time since
represented to your Excellency and Honours, the same Liberty
to the Congregationallsin Windham as is to the Presbyterians in
Chester, (viz.) to pay our own Minister, and so your petition-
ers relying on your Excell and Honors care and goodness in
these things, as you are the being we are to flic to under our
Diiiiculties in preserving our town in its form and proper
order : So as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Alexander Park Robert Park
Alexander Park, jun. Robert Spear
8o8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Francis Dinsmore William Adams
John Dinsmore Alexander Simpson
James Brown David Bolton
Will" Jamison Adam Templeton
Sarr.ell Armor Francis Sm ylie
Gain Armour William Bolton
Jonathan Morison John Morrow
Thomas Jamison Samuel Kinkeed
James Brown Nathan Man
Sam' Morison James Gillmor
John Cristy Hugh Smylie
John Vance John Steuart
John Cochran William Tliomb
Samuel Adams William Smylie
John Dauson (i) William Jameson.
Warrant for a Tow7i meetmg at Wlndhain.
New Hampshire :
To the Constable of the Parish of Windham in said Province, Greet-
ing:
Whereas complaint is made to us the subscribers two of his Majesties
Justices of the Peace for the Province aforesaid, bj upwards of thirty
of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Windham" aforesaid. That the
Selectman of said have unreasonably denied and refused to
grant a parish meeting in the Distre'st circumstances that the parish
are in at present and the said petitioners having applyed to us for Re-
lief as the law directs, &c.
These are therefore in his Majesties name to command you forthwith
to notifie and warn the freeholders and inhabitants of Windham afore-
said qualified by Law to assemble and meet at Samuel MacAdams Barn
in Windham aforesaid upon Friday the eighth day of June next at ten
of the Clock in the forenoon, then and there,
\^^ To chuse a Moderator for said meeting.
2"">' To see if the parish will prefer a petition to his Excelency our
Governor and to the Honourable his Majesties Council for the Prov-
ince aforesaid in order to have our parish restored to its former bounds
and to act thereon as they shall see cause.
3"y To see if they will chuse some fitt person or persons as an agent
or agents to prefer said Petition and prosecute the same before his Ex-
celency and Honours, and for your so doing this shall be your suHi-
cient warrant. Given under our hands and seals at Londonderry in
said Province this twenty sixth day of May in the twenty third year of
his Majesties Reign Anno Dom. 1750.
To Mr. Daniel Clyd, Constable
for Windham aforesaid.
John Mac Murphy 1 Unus
Robert Boyes J (Riorum
I have published the above warrant according to Custom, Pr me»
Daniel Clyd, Constable for Windham, this eight day of June 1750.
Attest — A true copy pr. William Gregg, town clerk.
(1) This name may bo Davison. Eu.
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. 809
By virtue of the foregoing Warrant granted by tv.o of his Majesties
Jiistices of the Peace for said Province for holding a parish meeting in
Windham, the freeholdeis and Inhabitants of Windham, aforesaid met
at Samuel MacAdams Barn on the day appointed for said meeting,
and after opening the meeting,
Voated on the first article of the above Warrant Robert Dinsmoor,
for moderator of said meeting.
Voated on the second article of the above Warrant to petition the
Governor and Council of this province for the things contained in said
article.
Voated on the third and last article of the Warrant for agents to pre-
fer a petition to the Governor and Council of this Province and prose-
cute the same, Samuel Morrison and John Dinsmoor.
A true coppy from the minetts of said meeting.
Coppy examined William Gregg, Town Clerk.
At a Parish Meeting held in Windham the sixteenth of January last,
Voated on the third article of the foregoing Warrant not to make
any addition to the Kev*^ Mr. Johnston's Sallary at this time.
A true Coppey of said Voate.
William Gregg, Town Clerk.
[Tbia seems to refer to another occasion of town meeting. Ed.]
Petitio7t for a7t alicration in their Charter.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Capt. Gencrall
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of New hampsliire, and to the Honourable his Maj'" Coun-
cil for said Province, conven'd.
The humble Petition of us the subscribers being Inhabitants
and freeholders of Windham in s'' Province, humbly Shew-
eth :
That whereas on the sixth day of June Instant we, with a
Committee of the Inhabitants of Salem, both parties being
present with surveyor and chain-men sworn, have rune the
several courses mentioned in Salem Charter and Plan of the
town, and finding that they will not be convenient to both
Towns if they Stand as tiicy are: — We the subscribers there-
fore humbly prays that your Excelency & honours would con-
sider us on that account and make an alteration in the Charter
and plan which will tend to the Benifite and peace of both
towns, and in so doing your huuible petitioners will be in duty
ever bound to pray ;
The alteration to be made in manner following ; that is to
say — To Run from the Angle of Londonderry line South on
said Line till it comes to the north Corner of Hitty-tity Pond
so called, and there to erect a bound betwixt both towns ;
from thence south 39 degrees west to a Stake and Stons that
was sett this day by both parties standing on the south west
OIO NEW HAMPSHIRE
corner of Pollicy Pond so called ; thence South till it
comes within sixty Rhods of John Obcrs, jun. dwelling house ;_
thence South 23 degrees west to Felham line ; thence by Pel-
ham line to the Province line.
Signed by us and dated this eighth day of June, Anno Dom.
1750-
And further your petitioners prays that John Dinsmore,
Robert Spear and Samuel Armoore and their femilys may be
exempted oute of Salem to Windham where they did belong.
David Gregg John Armstrong
Henry Campbell Nathaniel Hemphill
John Kjll Alex' Dunlap
John Waddel Sam Campbell
Thomas Richardson George Davidson
Daniel Clyd Hiigli Clyd
Joseph Waugh John M Cay
James Dunlap Thomas Campbell
Hugh Brown Hugh Graham
James Caldwell John Campbell
James Caldwell, jun John Gregg
Joseph Clyd John Willson
Will" Gregg James Gait
Will'" Waugh Peter Patison.
Petitlo7i of Samuel Morrison and yohn Dinsmoor^ Jun.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Capt. General,
Governor & Commander in chief in & over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire and the Hon'''^ his Majesty's
Council for said Province :
The humble Petition of Samuel Morrison & John Dinsmore
both of Windham in said Province, yeomen, as Agents for
said Windham S/n'zus : —
That Windham is a Parish within the Township of London-
derry incorporated about the year 1742, which was done for
the conveniency of the Inhabitants with regard to their attend-
ing the Public Worship of God, as they were situate at a
great distance from each of the meeting-houses in said Lon-
donderry, tho' they were scarcely able to support the charges
incident to a separate Parish ; yet as the Parish was of stitli-
cient extent they were willing for the conveniency afores*^ to
bear the bin-then which at first lay on tliem (tho' heavy) in
hopes it would grow lighter every year by the addition of new
Parishioners.
That a great part of the Northerly side of said Parish is
very poor land uncapable of any kind of Improvement so that
the Parish would never have been rich & able like the other
Parishes in said Town, had it remain'd of the same extent as
TOWN PAPEKS — WINDHAM. Si I
at first: But bv the Incorporation of the Town of Salem
lately made, near a liiird part of the said Parish is cut ofl", &
comprehended within that Tf)wnsliip, & the best huid. which
with what was excepted out of said Parish w '^ fell within the
bounds, by the Act of Incorporation and the unimprovable
Land, not only renders the Parish impotent at present, but
puts it beyond all hopes of Recovery ; — so that there can be
no rational prospect of its continuance under such a situation
in any respect but havinj^ an empty useless Name.
That this would have been truly and seasonably represented,
But by the desio;ned or careless management of one of the
Selectmen, to whom the order or notice of Council that the
Parish might be heard on Petition for the Township of Salem
was delivered, they had no notice till it was too late, for the
Selectmen could not undertake to make an answer without
consulting the Parish & taking their orders thereon & they
were so far from having the opportunity for that, that two of
them knew nothing of it till the day appointed for the hear-
ing, or near it, and then represented to be the week after.
And had a just representation of all circumstances been
made, your Petitioners humbly conceive your Excellency &
the Hon''''' Board would not have granted the said Petition so
much to the prejudice of said Parish, since as it now stands
the case in effect is the Ruining an old corporation to erect a
new one : Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that they
may be heard in behalf of the said Parish upon the premises
and that the Charter of Salem aforesaid may (so far as it inter-
feres with the said Parish) be vacated, or that the said Parish
may in some other way be relieved & prevented from being
broken up & they be obliged to dismiss the minister they have
settled ; and your Petitioners in behalf of their principals shall as
in duty bound ever pray, &c.
vSam' MORISON
JoiiNf DiNSMooR, jun.
Portsmouth, June 29" 1750.
[Note. By virtue of a Warrant issued by John Wilson and Joseph
Clyd, Selectmen of Windham, another Town mcetinsfwas called which
met at Samuel McAdams Barn, on Frid.ay the 21' of December, 1750,
and agreeably to the warrant, acted on the articles specified. Ed.]
012 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Petition against the proceeditigs of said Meeting.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq"" Capt. General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire, and the Hon"- his Majesty's
Council for said Provir.ce :
The Hnmble Petition of .Sundry of the Inhabitants & free-
holders of the Parish of Windham in said Province, sheivs :
That the Selectmen of said Parish for the current year by
their warrant or Notification dated the sixth of this Instant
Dec% called a meeting of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the
same, to be held the twenty first day of the same for the fol-
lowing purposes, (viz.)
First, to see if you will make any alteration in the late Line between
us and Salem.
2^'-^' To see if you will begin at the westerly Angle of Londonderry
East line, and so running South to Hjti-tity Pond, thence to Policy
Pond, thence to the south-west Corner of the" Same, thence to Pclham
Line, so as to leave out the English people and include John Dinsmoor,
Samuel Armour, Gaan Armour and Robert Spear and their families.
3^'y To see if you will Reconsider a vote pass'd on the third article of
a warrant granted last June S'"
4'y To see if the Town will allow the agents chosen at s' meeting to
prosecute the Business for which they were chosen any further.
Pursuant to which the meeting was held as a fore s' and
voted on the first article to alter the line afores'^
2}-' Voted on the second article to run a line as set forth in
said Warrant. 3'"^ Voted to reconsider the vote pass'd on the
warrant afors''. 4'> Voted not to allow the agents chosen as
afores' to prosecute the Business for which they were chosen
any further in behalf of Windham.
That there would not have been a majority of Voters in
favour of those Resolves, had all those who we apprehend are
qualified to vote been admitted, But by refusing such and ad-
mitting disqualified persons, matters were carried against a
majority or at least an equal number of qualified Voters.
That the affairs of this Parish is in a very uncomfortable sit-
uation from the success which those who are at present the of-
ficers (with others of the same temper) have obtained by their
underhand dealing, which leads to the utter ruin & Destruc-
tion of a ])oor i'arish, unless your Excellency & the Hon''"
Board (who are the only beings that can relieve us) redress
our grievance.
Wherefore we humbly Pray that tlie meeting held as afore-
said may be declared illegar& irregular, & the proceedings
thereof null and void, that thereby a Variety of Law-suits may
be prevented, which are as moaths to a Society, and our ad-
verse party frustrated in their exorbitant & unreasonable De-
mands & designs, and that what was done at s ' meeting may
TO\V\ PAPEUS WINDHAM. 813
not be confirmed by your Excellency and Honours. And your
Petitioners as in duty bound shall
Subscribed atWiiulhani the 22'
Francis Sniilev
James Gilmer
Alcxaiuier Park
John X Vane — mark
John X Mor-e — mark
John Dinsmour
Robert Spear
Sain Armore
Gain Armour
Fran Dinsmore
John Dinsmore, jun
Allax. Simpson
Adam Templton
John Davidson
Sam' McAdams
Will - iMcAdams
John Cristj
William Bolton
James Brown
Jonathan Morion
ever pray.
' Dec 1750.
Francis Smith
Thomas Qiiigly
William Thorn
Alex' X Richy — mark
John Stuart
Robert Park
David Bolton
Tho- McConnell
Will" Jamison
W'ill" Jameson, Jun
Thomas Jameson
John Dinsmoor, jun
Rob' Hopkins
Sam' Morison
Hugh Smylie
Alex' Parkins
Nathan Man
Joseph Park
John Kyll
Certificate.
Salam Dscmbr y" 24''' 1750.
At a Town meeting held on Monday y 24" Mr. Hanery Sanders
chosen modratr for s" meeting then their was a Vot to have en altra-
tion of y line betwen Salam and Windham according to y<' agreement
of each party Now as foloweth begining at y' angle of Londan Darry
line then wroning to hitty Pond so col'd then over to y soutii west angle
of Policy pond so col'd I'rom thence a straight lin to Palham line so as
to tak all the inglish inhabitnc to Salam.
A true copy taken out of Salam townd book.
Exam'i as
a tast Nath" Dow Town'' Clerk
Deposition of Henry Sanders.
i the Deponent of Lawfull Age tastify and saith that the parsons hoas
nams are hear aftr menscnd are included within Provants line of Lond-
dary and within the Parrish of Wandham so called and father saith that
he was fomily a inhabiter their and paid his provance tax to s'' Whind-
ham.
Henry Sanders.
Names.
Joshua Thorndick
Isrell Woodber)'
Wm. Leach
Jonathan Morgan
Nath Woodbery
Abiall Pitman
John Hill
John Greie
Edward Baley
Joseph //«// ?
Benj. Corning
Georg Corning
John Corning
Eben' Woodbery
John Ober, Esq""
Robert C7/V; ' ?
Jonath" Woodbery
John Hall
8l4 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Olover Kimbel Timothy Sanders
Jolin Ober jun Olover Sanders
John Dinesmore John Ashley
Robert Spear Isrell Ober
Samuel Armor Hugh Camell
Andrew Balch Archer Churchwood.
[Sworn to January 31, 1757, before
Daniel Peasle Just, of the Pece.J
Warrant for a Towti Meeting.
Province of \ To Mr. Joseph Clyde Constable for Windham, Greet-
New Hampshire j ing:
You are hereby Required to warn the freeholders & Inhabitants of
Windham duly qualified By Law to assemble and meet at James Dun-
laps Barn on Munday the ninth day of March next at ten of the clock
before noon then and there to act on the following particulars :
i^' To chuse a moderator to govern said meeting.
2'>' To chuse Selectmen and town Clark and Constable for the follow-
ing year.
3'J' To chuse assessors and Collectors for the inshuing year.
4'y To chuse all other officers as usewall for the Inshuing year.
And when you have preformed the service herein Required of this
make Return and of your doings therein and this shall Be your War-
rant. Given under our hands this iS"^'' Day of feberoary A D 1751-2.
Hugh Brown \ Select
George Davidson j men
The above written Warrant was
published according to custom
by me, Joseph Clyde, Consta-
ble for Windham.
A true Copy, Will-" Gregg, Clark to the Parish.
Windham, March y° 9''' 1751-2.
By vertue of the above warrant from the Selectmen to the Constable
of Windham for calling the annual meeting of the Parish, the freehold-
ers and Inhabitants meet the time and place appointed in s^' warning
meeting, and after opening the meeting the following persons chosen
to their respective offices, viz.
For moderator John Armstrong
For Selectmen ( Hugh Brown
James Dunlap
James Caldwell, jun
For Parish Clark Will'" Gregg
For Constable John Campbell
For Assessors r Will"
fHu|
-^Jam
(.Jam
Wil
Jo hi
r Will'" Gregg -
-j Joseph Clyde
(james Caldwell, jun
For collector of Ministers salary Nathaniel Hemphill
For surveyors of high ways fjohn Kerr
Alex' Dunlap
Sam' Campbell
.Sam' Archibald
John Dinsmoor*
[John Morrow*
For taking an Invoice James Dunlap
James Caldwell, jun
For Stewards? John Kyll jun*
Alex' Rickey*
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. Si 5
For counters with the constable
& collector, Hugh Clyde
John Gregg
For fence viewers & prisers of
damage, David Gregg
Daniel Clyde
For tything men Peter Patison
Samuel McAdams*
♦Those men with this mark refused to take the usual oaths.
Coppj Examined, Will'" Gregg, Town Clerk.
A Tow7t Meeting <$: Votes.
[NpTE. A town meeting called by warrant, met in James Caldwell's
Barn, July 15'" 1752, and acted on the following articles, viz.]
!«'■ To see if you will chuse a Committee to settle the Town accounts
with Rev^' Mr. Johnston.
2^ To see if you will chu.se a committee to take up our Call or Calls
from the ReV* Mr. Wm. Johnston (i)
Signed by James Dunlap \
Hugh Brown >■ Selectmen.
James Caldwell J
At which meeting chose Joseph Clyde, moderator.
I'" Voatcd For a Committee to settle accounts with the ReV' Mr.
Johnston, viz. Will'" Gregg, Sam' Campbell c^ John Dinsmoor.
Voated and Chose for a Comite to gett the Call from the Rev^ Mr.
Johnston, viz. Hugh Brown, James Caldwell jun & Tohn Vance.
Copy E.\amJ Will"' Gregg, Town Clerk.
Vote passed at another Touon Meeting.
[Note. A warrant was issued for calling a town meeting, at James
Caldwell's Barn, January 16, I753-]
i^' To see what method you will take to have the gospel preached
amongst us this winter.
2<i 'To see what you will allow the Committee that was chosen to
take care of the ministerial Lot to do with the Logs lying cutt on it
and the other fallen timber.
3'' "To see what you will allow the Constable to do with them that
will not pay up their Reats." signed by
James Dunlap "j
James Caldwell \ Selectmen
Hugh Brown J
At which meeting, chose Alexander Dunlap Moderator.
Voated and chosen for a Committee Nathaniel Hemphill and Joseph
Waugh to go to the Rev'i Messrs Davidson and MacGregore of London-
derry and Willson of Chester to see if each of them will preach a day
for us : and further
Voated that James Caldwell, Treasurer is Impowered by this Voat to
pay those ReV^ Gentlemen if they preach to us out of the money that
is Colected and in the Constables hands
Voated on the second article of the Warrant That the Comitee that
(1) Rov. Wm. Johnston, minister of the Presbyti-rian Church in Windham, was
Installed there in 1747; be was dismissed in July, 1762. £0.
8i6
NEW HAMPSHIRE
was chose to tak care of the ministerial! Lott ai-e impovvered by this
Voat to sell the Logs and fallen timber on s'^ Lott at publick Vendue to
the highest bidder
Voated on the Last article of the warrant not to consider of it this
time.
Copy Examfl
Will"' Gregg, Town Clerk.
Petition relati7zg to a disturbance in the Parish,
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq"" Capt. General,
Governor & commander in chief in & ov-^er his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire the Hon''' ' his Majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives in General Assembly con-
vened :
The Humble Petition of sundry of the Inliabitants of Wind-
ham in said Province, shews:
That at the last Annual meeting of said Inhabitants for the
choice of Town officers a diiTcrence arose an:ong the said
Inhabitants concerning the Right of voting : The Selectmen
suffering sundry Persons expressly excepted in the Act for
incorporating of Windham to vote there and sundry others
who did not belong there & were not Inhabitants & only Occa-
sionally in the Parish.
That a great Number of the Inliabitants then objected
against such Proceedings, but to no purpose, they still pro-
ceeded ; whereupon the objectors seperated & held a different
meeting whereby there were two sets of officers chosen &
sworn ; but being doubtful of their authority on both sides
neither party has acted in their offices and the whole Business
of the Parish in consequence thereof has been neglected to
this time.
That this is a great injur}^ to the Minister & all others who
have any concern with the Parish as well as to the Inhabitants
in general and to leave the affair to the decision of the Law
in the common course would be much more so not only by the
expence but the delay which will be occasioned in that way,
and as there is no Prospect of a Reconciliation the breach is
likely to grow witler. for it all rests till the next annual meet-
ing; the same Dispute will in all probability again arise with
an additional controversy about calling the meeting.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray that the circum-
stances of the said Parish may be considered and that in your
great wisdom & goodness you wou'd interpose & reduce their
affairs in this regard into order; That you will make void
both the said proceedings, appoint a proper person to call &
govern a new meeting, that all grounds of Dispute respecting
TOWN I' A IM: Its — %V I N )) 1 1 AM .
817
the premises mav be taken away or that yon will relieve the
Buid Parish in any other method which you shall judge best, —
and vour Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
Feb. 3' 1753.
Alexander Park
John Dinsmore
John Morrow
William Thom
Thomas Qviijjly
Will •' Thompson
John Stewart
Nathan Man
Alexander Simpson
Alexander Richy
John Cristy
Robert Spear
George Spear
Will Jeamson
James Gillmore
Sam Armour
James Brown
Will ■ Smylie
Francis Dinsmore
Hu<jh Boidc
John Kyll
John Kyll jun.
Francis Smylie
Sam' Morrison
Rob= Park
Joseph Park
John ]3olton
lames Twadell
"Wm. Bolton
Samuel McAdams
Andrew Armour
Gain Armour
John Dinsmore
Thomas Jamison
William Jamison
James Janieson.
John Tufft
Adam Templeton
Samuel Thompson
Andrew Thompson
Samuel Kinkead.
[On the foregoin'^ Petition a hearing was granted "on the third day
of the sitting of the General Assembly next after the 10'' of February
inst.," and George Davison, Hugh Brown and Sam' Cambell, selectmen
for 1751, were summoned. Ed.]
Pro\ince of Ncwl In the Mouse of Representatives February 32''
Hampshire. ( 1753.
Upon hearing the within Petition of Alexander Park and others and
the Respondents, and considering the evidence produced by the Partys —
Voted, That the choice of both sets of officers made at the annual
meeting referred to in said Petition was illegal, and that the said choice
be and hereby is declared to be null and void : And that there be a meet-
ing held in the said Parish of Windham on the first Tuesday of March
next for the choice of Parish officers for the year 1752, and that Peter
Gilman, Esq' be and hereby is appointed & authorized to call the s"*
meeting and to bo the moderator of said meeting, and that the said Peter
Gilman Esq' put up or cause to be put up a notification of the time and
place of meeting at the meeting house in said Windham and also at the
dwelling house of John Christy Innholder in s'' Windham, at least four
days before the time of holding said meeting.
Matthew Livcrmore, clerk.
In Council, Feb- 23, 1753.
read & concurred.
Theod. Atkinson, Sec".
In Council 26 '• Feb' Consented to —
B. Wentwortii.
53
8l8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ansxvcr" of Sdectnicii to the foregoing Petition.
To his Excellency Bening Wentwoith, Esq' Capt. General,
Governor and Cominancler in chief in and over his Majes-
ty's Province of New-Hampshire, the honorable his Majes-
ty's Council and house of Representatives in General As-
sembly convened.
Samuel Campbell, George Davidson, Hugh Brown inhabit-
ants of Windham in s'' Province, (who was Selectmen of the
perrish of s'^ Windham in the year 1751) who was by this hon-
orable Court ordered to be served with a copy of a petition of
some of the Inhabitants of s' parrish, Dated the 2' of Febru-
ary Instant to appear Before this honourable Counsel to shew
cause if any they have why the prayer of the s'* Petition should
not be Granted &c. The Respondents humbly shevj — That
the said petition is not genuin but groundless and fallacious in
Divers Respects ; as first, It is therein shown forth that at y*
last aiuial meeting of s ' j^arrish there arose a Dispnt Relating
to y'" Right of Voting in s"" meeting and that y Selectmen suf-
fered sundry j^ersons expressly exempted in the Act for y'' In-
corporating of Windham to Vote there ; which ascrtion is in-
tirely groundless and without any foundation — there being only
five persons w'ith their respective familys and Estates that were
exempted in s' Incorporation, and nether of them were present
at s' meeting.
2'*'5' There Asertion in s'^ petition that there was sundry oth-
ers that were not Inhabitants nor Did not belong there, But
were only occasionally there were alowed to vote there : which
6' asertion we utterly Deny.
3'"> Whereas they set forth that a great number of y° Inhab-
itants there objected against such proceedings but to no pur-
pose : Whereas there was not any that made any Legal or
methodical objection against s'^ meeting in any Respect, nor
protested against the same in writing, tliat we might then have
known what there objection was and Redrest their grivinces if
in our power : which we humbly conceive they ought to have
done.
4^-'' As to tlic separat meetings there held as mentioned in
s' Petition, Wc understood it onely that a number being Dis-
aOected that they could not carry there point in Voting, cav-
iled at v° proceedings to embarras y" busnisc of s'^ parrish «&
in a heddy mabash way without any warrant held a scpperate
meeting when they plainly see that a majority of y° Qiialifed
voters of s' Parrish was against them, and after a number of y"
s' officers was chose declared and sworn they presumtously
chose and Swore another set of officers as we humbly conceive
with a design to render y- Busnesee of y'" Day abortive by pe-
titing to have both meetings Destroyed as illegal, knowing
there own to be so.
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. 819
^<i>i7 Whereas y' s'' petitioners set forth that they was doubt-
ful on both sides as to their authority and that nether parties
has acted in there offices, and the whole Busness of y perrish
in consiquence tliereof hath been neglected to this time to the
great Injury to y ' minister and all other who have any concern
with s' perrish as well as the Inhabitants : To which your Re-
spondents in fact say that indeed and in truth they Never knew
that any was doubtful of there authority as to y*-' officers on the
Respondents side except y" petitioners, and they onely on there
own side, that that representation is so far from being truth,
that the Busness of s' perrish hath been carred on as usueal,
and that there hath since s' annual meeting been sundry meet-
ings of the S-' perrish called by y*^ officers of y° opposite side
from y petiaon"^' and that there hath been Comitees chose for
y"-' s perrish in Busness since then, of which some of the peti-
tion""- hath been appointed and officiated therein, and that a
Comitee was at a meeting since s'* anual meeting chose to settle
ace ■ with our minister, of which one of s' petitioners wasone
and served in that trust and the s'' minister is paid his dues in
full by S' parrish, and that y"" Selectmen have since asesed y'
Inhabatants of s'- parrish and that a considerable part of s- as-
sesment is paid :
That y" petitioners ten of them Belongs to Salcm and that
some of s'^ petitioners are minors.
And that in the Number of the whole of the oposites there
is not above eleven qualifycd Voters as we conceve of y" Law
in that Respect: of all which your Respondents are reddy to
aver : Wherefore your Respondents humbly j^ray ; That your
Excelcncy and honners would in your clemency and goodness
take y" premises into your wise consideration and grant thaty*
s' petition be no further sustained, and that y'' s' parrish be no
longer disturbed and Distresed by such imnesary & unreason-
able Disputs, and yuur petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray, &c.
Sam' Campreli.
Geouge Davidson
Hugh Buown.
February y* I3 ', 1753.
In Council, Febv 14" 1753.
Tne annexed petition read and ordered to be sent down to the lion""'
House of Representatives.
Theodore Atkinson, Sec.
Depositio7i of Robc7-t Hopkins.
Robert Hopkins of Windham in the Province of N<'w Hampshire, of
lawful age, testifies and says, That the same day of the Annual meeting
for 1752, of Windham in the Province of New-Hampshire, after s^
meeting, David Archibald shewed me a Bond which David Gregg & two
820 NEW HAMPSHIRE
moor Inhabitants on the West side of the Pond, had sipjned as Princi-
ple, with a large penal sum, that if he the s'' Archibald would vote for
them & pay Province & Town Taxes with them, that the_y vvould paj
for ban or kcop him clear from Minister Taxes for twenty years to come.
Robert Hopkins.
[Sworn to before Matthev/ Thornton, Justice of the Peace, Februar/
20 • 1753. Ed.]
Deposition of Samuel Barr.
Samuel Barr of Londonderry in the Province of New Hampshire of
lawful age, testifies & says
That on or about the ninth of March A. D. 1752, he with many oth-
ers, being at the annual meeting of Windham in the Province of New
Hampshire & a dispute arising betwixt the Inhabitants and the Select-
men for the year 1752, the said Selectmen & clerk Refused the votes of
Samuel Armer, Gaan Armcr, John Dinsmoor, Prancis Dinsmoor, Rob-
ert Spear, John Bolton, Andrew Armer, John Dinsmoor, jun. Michal
Ferguson, James Twadwell, they being Inhabitants of the Town of
Windham, incorporated by the three branches of the Legislature : The
Selectmen & clerk afores' excepted as voters, David Archibald, Samuel
Archibald, James More, David More, they being inhabitants of the sec-
ond Parish of Londonderry to which they pay Rates, & was exempted
when s' Windham was Incorporated : Also excepted as Voters Samuel
M'^Master, Charles Mellin, Joseph More, James Alexander, the last eight
thii In'iabitants of the easterly side of the Pond then urged were not le-
gal Voters : David Archibald above s' after the meeting told me that
Bome men of the westerly side of the Pond gave him bond that if he wa«
Rated in Windham they would pay his Rates; also that he was ashamed
of what he had dun & v»-are it to do again he vvould not do it for his
oxen.
Samuel Barr.
[Sworn to before Matthew Thornton, Just of the Peace, Febx 2o''»
«753- K»-]
Petition relating to a Meeting-house.
To his Excellency Bcnning Wentworth, Esq Governor and
Commander in Chief in h over his Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire, The Hon'''" his Majesty's Coimcil &
House of P^cpresentatives for said Province, in General As-
sembly Conven'd, Feb'' 20"' 1754.
The Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of the Westerly
Part of the Pnrisli of Windham in said Province humbly
sheivs : That the Parish of Windham aforesaid was made by
an Act of Assembly in or about the year 1743, by certain
Boundaries set forth in the Act — a Part of which was after the
Incorporation of the Township of Salem set off & made a
part of that Township.
That before that was do;ie, or the Line (Ixt between Salem
& said Parish, the Inhabitants of said Windham not agreeing
where they had best place their meeting house, they finally
TOWN PAPERS WINDHAM. 82I
agreed to chusc a Committee of indifferent Persons to Deter-
mine that uiiittcr : — which they did accordin^^ly & the Comittee
Resolved upon a proper phice after iiaving view'd the Parish.
& Declared the same.
That the said Comittee determined the matter before the
said Line between Salem & Windham was nxt as it now
stands, as above mentioned, and tho' it mi^^ht have been well
with Respect to the wliole of what was \Vi idham by the said
Act, yet by the taking ofr& annexing to Salem those Polls &
Estates by the Last Line, that place which was near the cen-
ter of the Parish before, was very ex-centrical afterwards.
That after all this a number of said Parish in a private way
erected a meeting house at the place agreed upon [by] the said
Comittee without regard to the Line last stated, and have
lately obtain'd a vote (after it had been rejected at one meet-
ing) that the Parish shou'd take or receive the said house &
pay the charge of building the same.
That the said meeting-house is by no means conveniently sit-
uated as it now stands for the majority of the Parishioners
considering the present extent of the Parish, but especially if
it be considered tiiat the greatest part of the future settlements
in the Parish must be at the remotest part of the same from
said house, and as it is likely there will be much contention in
said Parish (already almost ruined by Divisions and Debates)
about the place wlierc said house had best be finally fix'd for
it can't be that tlie majority shou'd long agree it shall stand
where it is at present. Your Petitioners humbly pray that
this matter may be put out of the power of said Parishioners
to contend about, and for that purpose that a comittee of dis-
interested impartial persons may be appointed by the General
Assembly to view said Parish & consider it in all circiunstan-
ces as it now stands with respect to boundaries, as also with
respect to the situation of the present Inhabitants Si the Pros-
pect of future settlements & additional inliabitants, and to
determine upon the whole matter w'nere it is proper the said
meeting-IIouse shou'd be placed and to make Report thereof
as soon as maybe: And the said House or another (if the
Parish sliall chusc rather to build a new one than Remove this
which may be easily done) may be placed accordingly, and
your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
David Grcgi; Wm. Waucrh
John Kvll JohnWaddel
Win. Gresfcr John Knrr
Hugh Gravham Joseph Corning
Tho« Cnnipboll John Gra-
John Davidson Hugh Clyde
Arthur Grayham John Kyi
George Davidson John Clyde
John McCoy Hugh Montgomery
,?22 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Joseph Wa'^h Rob' Hemphill
Hu^^rh BcU" John Wilson
Joseph Cijda Alexander Dunlap
Samuel Clyde Henrj Cambel
James Alexander Thomas Richardson
David Gregg Samuel Campel
James Dunlap James Betton
Hugh Brown Henry Campbell, jun.
Peter Patison Samuel M Master
Nath' Hemphill
[Note. On the above petition a bearing was granted : When, April
iiiii 1754, "Votjd in the House that this Petition be dismissed." Ed.]
Petition of Oliver Saunders.
To his Excellency Bennin<^- Wcntwoitli, Esq' Governor &
Commander in chief in & over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire, the Hon''*^ his Majesty's Council & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly
Convened, Jan-^' 25"^'' 1757.
The humble Petition of Oliver Saunders of Salem in snid
Province, yeoman, 5-/^^id'.y ; That your petitioner on the 13"*
day of October 1756, exhibited a Petition to your Excellency
& Honours relating to the Rates supposed to be wrongfully
assess'd on sundry of the Inhabitants of said Salem in the
manner set forth in said Petition, signed by himself & others
aggrieved, on which a time was appointed for hearing of the
Petitioners on their Petition, which they mistook and so lost
the opportunity whereby the merit of their case has not been
considered : Wherefore your Petitioner most Humbly prays
That the said Petition may be revived that the Petitioners may
be heard thereon and such measures pursued relative thereto
as in 3'our great Wisdom & Goodness you shall judge to be
Right and your Petitioners in Duty bound shall ever pray (tc.
Oliver Sanders.
Note. — On the foregoing petition a hearing was granted, "on the
second day of the sitting of the Gen' Assembly next after the i "^ day
of February," when, In the House of Representatives
Voted, That the prayer of this petition be granted & that the peti-
tioners be exempted from paying any arrears of Province Tax to Salens
before the year 1753, it appearing they had paid their province taxes to
Windham from tlie year 1743 to 1752 (i).
(1) Sco Salom Town Papers. Ed.
TOWN I'APEUS — UINDIIAM. 823
Deposition irf jfo/m Dinsvioor.
The Deposition of John Dinsmoor of Lawful Ajre, doth testifie &
paj that the persons hereafter named, were and are Inhabitants dwell-
ing within the bounds of Londonderry According as Mr. Bryant run
the Lines, viz :
John Ober, jun. John Ober
Robert Spear "William Sanders
Timothy Sanders J"lin Ashby
Samuel Armour Oliver Sanders
Andrew Balch William Leach
John Dinbmoor Nath' Woodbury
Oliver Kimbal Israel Woodbury
Israel Ober Joshua Thorndike
Ebenezer Woodbury Moses Morgan
George Corning Edward Baylcy
John Corning Jonathan Woodbury
John Hall Wid. Judith Corning
John IIiill3i Samuel Crowd
Rob' Ellcnwood Hugh Campbell
Abial Pitman James Twaddell
John Giles Jonathan Morgan
Attest, John Dinsmoor.
[Sworn to before Daniel Peaslee, Just. Peace. Jan> 20'', 1757. Ed.]
[Similar Depositions were made by Samuel Moran, Daniel Dow,
Alexander Park and Francis Smiley and Sworn to before Daniel Peas-
lee, Just. Peace, Jan^' 19''', Jan' 20' ', Jan>' 31 ', 1757. Ed.]
A List of those men that now live i:i Salem which formerly lived in
the Parish of Windham and paid their Province Tax to s*! Wind-
ham : viz.
Samuel Armor John Mall
Robert Spear Oliver Kinibel
John Dinsmoor Edward Baley
Francis Dinsmoor Jolin Giles
Wm. Sanders Wm. Leach
John Ashby John Hill
Eb' Woodbury Naih' Woodbury
George Corning Abiall Pitman
Oliver Sanders John Ober. jun
John Ober Moses Morgan
Israel Ober Jon" Morgan
John Corning Joshua Tliorndikc
Robert Eiinwood Andrew Balch
John Woodbury
A true Copy given under my hand at y' Parish of Windham, Jan'
J* 19^'' ^757- ^y '"c,
Francis X Smiley,
mark.
824 NKW HAMPSnilfE TOWN PAPERS.
VVOLFEHOROUGH.
[Was incorporated in 1770.]
Petition for Tncorporatioit.
Province of New [ To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"'
Hampshire \ Capt. General, Governor and Commander
in Chief in and over the Province afore-
said, and the Honorable his Majesty's
Council for said Province :
The Humble Petition of Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, Fiiysician
and John Parker, Merch both of Portsmouth in said Province
as a Committee of the Proprietors of Wolfeboroiigh in said
Pi-o v i n c c sh ezus : —
That there are in the Township of Wolfeborough upwards
of Thirty Families settled and more comini^ to settle there,
which makes an Incorporation necessary in order to transact
their common affairs with case & dispatch, and in that case
many wou'd be induced to settle there, who would be back-
ward without that advantap^e.
That the Proprietoi's aforesaid arc desirous of obtaining- this
Privilege as it will enable them to carry on the settlement with
more Regularity and enable them to carry into Execution any
of their Resolutions in which all are concerned, with Justice as
well as with dispatch, and have therefore chosen your Petition-
ers with another person now absent to apply to your Excel-
lency & the Hon"''' Council for this purpose.
Wherefore they humbly Pray that the said Inhabitants &
Proprietors may be Incorporated with the usual Franchises,
Privileges & Emoluments: that they be authorized & Intitled
to use the Powers with which other Corporations are In-
vested, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall pray (Src.
A. R. Cutter ) ^ .„„
T o T3 ( Comm"^".
Jn° Parker j
Portsmouth, July 9'^ i77o-
Alimitcs.
9">Ju]y 1770 To call i^' Town meeting
Wolfeboro' Petition for Mr. Jonathan Rindge.
Incorporation, i*' Meeting 21*' Sept.
Granted. Annual meeting
Accepted on my part, J'W. last Tuesday in M'ch.
Charter to be prcpar'd
Annual Fair or Mart
!»' Tuesday following 21^' Sept.
ADDENDA.
NOTB BY THE EDITOR.
Readers of the foregoing; Papers relating to Towns, will have noticed
that no mention is made of a very considerable number of Towns in
the State, some of which hold an important place in our history. In
relation to some of the towns thus omitted, the reason may be, that
thej never had occasion to make application to the Legislature by peti-
tion or otherwise; or that making such application, the Papers were not
preserved or have not been found : Other towns are of modern date,
i. e. subsequent to 1784, and therefore not properly included in this vol-
ume. The Editor, however, has carefully printed every paper which he
has found on file or on record, relating to early towns. The following
notices of towns omitted, are given as supplementary; — the facts stated
being derived from such authorities and documents as were accessible to
the Editor (i).
To-jona not included among the foregoing Papers,
Alexandria, granted March 13, 1767; incorporated, Nov. 23, 1782;
its first settlement was made in December 1769, by Jonathan, John M.
and William Corliss.
Allexstown, so named from Gov. Samuel Allen, the purchaser of
Mason's claim ; the tract was reserved for Allen's children. (See Prov.
Pap. Vol. 4, p. 42.) A settlement was begun by John Wolcutt, An-
drew .Smith, Daniel Evans, Robert Buntin and others, about 1740.
Andover was granted by the Masonian proprietors in 1746, to Ed-
mund Brown and others, and was called New Breton in honor of the
capture of Cape Breton, 1745. It was incorporated, with its present
name, June 25, 1779.
Antrim derives its name from a county of that name in Ireland —
the original settlers being mostly of the Scotch-Irish stock that settled
Londonderry in 1719. The first settlement was made by Dea. James
Aiken, about 176S; it was incorporated, March 22, 1777.
Barnstead was granted May 20, 1727. Settlements commenced in
1767.
Bath. The original charter of Bath was granted Sept. 10, 1761, to
Rev. Andrew Gardner and 61 others. It was re-chartered to John
Sawyer and others, in March 1769, on the ground of the forfeiture of
the first charter; settlement was made in 176^, by John Harriman, from
Haverhill, Ms. " '
Bradford was granted to John Pierce and George Jaffrey, in ?
Settlement was made in 1771, by Dea. William Presbiiry or Presby. In-
corporated Sept. 27, 17S7.
Bridgewater formerly comprised the whole of New Chester (now
Hill), Bridgewater and Bristol ; the first settlement was made in 1766,
by Thomas Crawford, Esq. Bristol was taken from Bridgewater and
(1) Much reliance h.ia linen placed on btatements found in tlio N. II. Gazetteer, bj
Parmer & Mocre, 18-23. Eu.
836 NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Chester; first Kcttlcmcnt, about 1770, by Col. Peter Sleeper, Benj.
Emmons and others.
Brookline was formerly a part of old Dunstable. It was incorpo-
rated Marcli 30, 1769, by the name of Raby. The name was altered in
November, 179S.
Benton was granted Nov. 6, 1766, to Clement March, Joseph Senter
and others. -,
Campton was granted in Oct., 1761', to Capt. Jabez Spencer of East
Haddam, Ct. ; first settlement made in 1765, by two families of the name
of Fox and Taylor; it derives its name irom a cainp built by the first
surveyors of the town.
Canaan was granted by charter, July 9, 1761, to 62 persons, mostly
from Connecticut, and took its name from Canaan in that State. The
cettlement was begun in the winter of 1766-7, by John Scofield, who, it
is said, drew his elfects from Connecticut river by hand-sled, 14 miles,
over a crust of snow.
Candia was originally a part of the township of Chester, incorpo-
rated Dec. 17, 1763; said to have been named by Gov. Benning Went-
worth, who was once a prisoner on the island oV Candia (the ancient
Crete). A settlement was begun as early as 1748, by William Turner;
and in 1755, by John Sargent and a few others.
Centre-Harbour, or rather Sctitcr Harbour, so named for Col. Jo-
seph Senter, a prominent man, who settled there in 1767.
Chatham was originally granted to Col. Peter Livius and others,
Feb. 7, 1767.
Claremont was granted October 26, 1764, to Josiah Willard, Sam-
uel Ashley and 68 others; it received its name from the country seat of
Lord Ciive, an English general; a settlement was begun in 1762, by
Moses SpolTord and David Lynde; in 1767, new settlers came in from
Connecticut. The early settlers were about equally divided as Episco-
palians and Congregationalists.
CoLEBROOK was Originally granted to Sir George Colebrook — and
hence the name; incorporated 1790.
Coventry was granted January 31, 1764, but not settled till after the
commencement of the Revolutionary war.
Danbury was first settled in Nov. 1771, but not incorporated till
June iS, 1795.
East Kingston was incorporated Nov. 17, 173S. Among the early
settlers were William and Abraham Smith, who settled near the center
of the town.
Effingham, formerly Lcavitfs-iozvn, was settled a few years before
the Revolution.
Ellsworth, formerly called Trccotkich^ was granted May i, 1769.
Enfield, formerly called lielhan^ was incorporated by charter,
granted to Jedediah Dana and others, July 4, 1761.
Errol, granted Feb. 28, 1774.
Fitzwilliam, formerly Monadnock, No. 4, incorporated May 19,
'773i !i''"^' took its present name from tlie Earl of Fit/.wiUiam, Eng.
Gilford was formerly a part of Gilmanton ; it was settled in June,
1778, by James Ames and S. S. Oilman, but not incorporated until
June 16, 1812.
Grafton was granted Aug. 4, 1761, to Ephraim Sherman and others ;
first settlement was made in May, 1772, by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, from
*/
TOWNS ADDENDA. 827
Poplin. Capt. Alexander Pjxicj and wife were the second family
which settled there.
Greenfield wa?; first settled in 1771, by Capt. Alexander Parker,
Major A. Whitteinore, Simeon Fletcher and others ; and was incorpo-
rated June 15, 1791.
Hancock, so named in honor of Hon. John Hancock, of Boston,
who was one of the original proprietors, was incorporated Nov. 5,
1779. A settlement was begun there by John Grimes in May, 1764.
Haverhill was known in early times by the name of the Lozvcr
Co/ios. It was granted by charter May iS, 176^, to John Hazen and 94
others; Mr. Hazen began the settlement the same year on what is
called Little Ox Bow. The first court was held there Oct. 21, 1773;
Rev. Peter Powers, from Hollis, was settled as the first minister in
Hawke, now Danville, derived its name from Admiral Hawke of the
British navy; was incorporated Feb. 22, 1760; but settlements were
made by Jacob Hook, Jonathan Sanborn and others, as early as 1735-
1739-
Hexniker was first granted by the Masonian Proprietors under the
name of Number 6, to James and Robert Wallace and others from
Londonderry; settlement commenced in 1761; incorporated Nov. 10,
176S, and called Henniker, by Gov. John Wentworth, in honor of his
friend, John Henniker, a merchant in London and member of the
British parliament. This town was formerly classed with Hillsbor-
ough.
Keene, whose original name was Upper Asliuclot, was incorporated
April ir, 1753, by its present name, in honor of Sir Benjamin Keene,
British minister in Spain, and contemporary with Gov. Benning Went-
worth, who in early life visited that country. Settlements were begun
as early as 1736; being a frontier town, it was repeatedly attacked by
Indians.
Langdon, so named in honor of Gov. John Langdon of New Hamp-
Bhire, was first settled by Seth Walker in 1773; by Nathaniel Rice and
Jonathan Willard in 1774; but it was not incorporated until Jan. 11,
1787.
Lebanon was granted July 4, 1761, to sixty-two proprietors from
Norwich, Mansfield and Lebanon, Ct., — friends and ."^ome of them par-
ishioners of Dr. Eleazer Wheelock; this was the first town settled on
Connecticut river north of Charlestown, No. 4. A Congregational
church was formed in 1771, and Rev. Isaiah Potter installed in 1772.
Lee was originally a part of Durham, and was incorporated Jan. 16,
1766.
Lincoln was granted Jan. 31, 1764, to James Avery and others, but
not settled till after the Revolution.
Loudon was formerly a part of Canterbury ; was incorporated Jan.
23, 1773; biiL stttLnients had been made in 1760, by Abraham and
Jethro Dachelcler and Moses Ordway. It derived its name fiom the
Earl of Loudon, Eng.
Lyman was granted to Daniel Lyman and others, Nov. 10, 1761.
Manchester, formerly known as Derry-Jlcld (which was incorpo-
rated S-'pt. 3, 175 1,) was formed from a part of Londonderry and a
part of Chester. It was famous in early times for a fishing place at
the Amoskeag Falls; was incorporated by its present name in 1810,
and is now distinguished as the most populous and opulent city in
New Hampshire.
S2S NEW HAMPSHIRE
Marluorougii, formerly Monadnock, No. 5, wasj;granted by charter
April 2CJ, i-j:,i, to Timothy Dwight, Esq., of Northampton, M.s., and 61
others ; thi charter wa^ renewed Sept. 2r, 1764. Settlement was begun
about 1763 by a Mr. McAlister, William Baricer, Abel Woodward, Benj^
Tucker and Daniel Goodeuough; and tlie town wapiiicorporated Dec.
13. 1776.
Mason, formerly known as Ntimber 1, and settled as early as 1751,
was granted by charter Aug. 26, 176'S.
Meredith was iirst called Nazv Salam, and \vas incorporated Dec.
30, 1763.
MiDDLETON was incorporated March 4, 1778; the first settlers vvcre
from Lee and Rochester, N. H.
MiLFORD was lormerly known as the South West Parish of Amherst.
It was not incorporated with its present name till Jan. 11, 1794.
MoxT Verxon was originally a partof Amherst; its settlement com-
menced early, but it was not incorporated as a distinct town till Dec. 15,
1S03.
MouLTONBOROUGH was granted bj' the Masonian proprietors, Nov.
I7i 1763, to Col. Jonathan Moulton and 6i others, principally from
Hampton ; settlements commenced the next year.
Nei,son was formerly known as Moitadnock, JVo. 0 ; it was graiited
by the Masonian proprietors, and chartered Feb. 22, 1774, by the name
of Packcrsjield. from Thomas Packer, who owned about one half of it.
It took the name of Nelson in June, 1S14.
New Chester (now Hill, in honor of Gov. Isaac Hill,) was granted
Sept. 14, 1753. to 87 proprietors ; the first settlement was in 1768, and
incorporated Nov. 20, 1778.
New Hampton was incorporated Nov. 27, 1777, and called Ne-i»
Hampton at the desire of Col. Jonathan Mouiton, an original proprie-
tor from Hampton. There is a tradition that Col. Moulton, in 1763,
having an ox weighing 1400 pounds, fattened for the purpose, hoisted a
flag upon his horns and drove him to Portsmouth as a present to Gov,
Benning Weiitworth, asking only of the Governor as a favor, to have
a grant of a Gore of land lying near the town of Moultonborough —
which, the record shows, was granted.
Newington is one of the old historic places or parishes of the State.
It was embraced in what is called the Sqtiamscut or Hilton s point
Patent; and in it was was the Bloody Point. A part of Newington
was claimed to lye in Dover and a part in Portsmouth. The name
Newington was given by Gov. Dudley May 12, 1714; its bounds were
settled July 28, 1714, at which time it was called a Parish. It had
town privileges as early as 1737; but when incorporated, is not siefi-
nitelv ascertained. The late John Farmer, Esq., said it was in Julv, 1764.
[See'Prov. Pap. Vol. 3, pp. 562, 574, 5S6, 5S7, Vol. 4, pp. S24-826.]
New Lonuox, first called Dantsick, was incorporated June 25, 1779;
a settlement, however, was begun by Nathaniel Merrill and James
Lamb, Eliphalet Lyon and Ebenezer Hunting, probably as early as
1775-
North Hampton was formerly a parish in Hampton, known as
North Hill. Settlements w^ere early begun, and it was incorporated as
a distinct township, Nov. 26, 1742.
Northumberland was first settled about 1767, by Thomas Burnside
and Daniel Spaulding; it was incorporated Nov. 16, 1779.
NoRTHWOOD, originally a part of Nottingham, was settled March 25,
TOWNS ADDKNDA. 829
*763, by Moses Godfrey, John Bacheldcr, Increase Bacheldcr, from
Xorth Ilanipton; and Solomon Bickford from Durham, in December,
the same year.
Orange was granted by the name of Cardigan, Feb. 6, 1769. to Isaac
Fellows and others. It.<; settlement commenced in 1773-4. by Silas Har-
ris, Benjamin Shaw, David Fames, Col. Elisha Bayne and Capl. Joseph
Kenney.
Plainfield was granted August 14, 1761, and was .settled in 1764, by
L. Nash and J. Russell. The name is derived iVoni a town in Con-
necticut whore the proprietors held their first meeting.
Poplin, now called Fremont, was incorporated June 22, 1764.
Raymond was originally a part of Chester, called Charming-fare. It
was jnade a distinct parish in 1762, and incorporated as a town, May 9,
'765-
Richmond was granted to Joseph Blanchard and others, Feb. 28,
175:, and settled within five or six years afterwards by people from
Massacluisetts and Rhode Island.
Sandown was originally a part of Kingston, and was incorporated
April 6, 1756.
S.\NDWicn was originally granted by Gov. BenningWentworth, Oct.
25, 1763, six miles square. On the 5'-' Sept. 1764, an additional grant
was made to the territory on the cast aiid soutli, called Sandwich Addi-
tion.
SEAr.ROOK was formerly a part of Hampton Falls. Settlements com-
menced here in 163S. by Christopher Ilussey, Joseph Dow and Thomas
Philbrick. It was granted June 3, 176S, to Jonathan Weare, John
Moulton and others. A Presbyterian society was formed here in 1764.
SpRiNfJFiELD was granted Jan. 3, 1769, by the nair.e of Profccixuorf/i,
to John Fisher, Daniel Warner and 58 others. Its first settlement was
made in 1772, by Israel Clifford and son, Nathaniel Clark, Samuel
Stevens and others. It v>-as not incorporated by its present name till
Jan. 24, 1794.
Stoddard was formerly called Limerick ; a settlement begun in June,
1769, by John Taggard, Reuben Walton. Richard Richardson, Amos
Butterfield, Joseph Dodge and Oliver Parker. It was incorporated
Nov. 4, 1774. by the name of Stoddard, in honor of Col. Samson Stod-
dard of Chelmsford, Ms., an original grantee.
Stratford was incorporated Nov. 16, 1779.
Surry was originally a part of Gilsum and Westmoreland; was in-
corporated March 9. 1769, deriving its name from Surry in England; a
settlement was begun by Peter Hayward in 1764.
SuTTf)N was granted in 1749, by the Masonian proprietors, and first
called Pcrrys-tovjn, from Obadiah Perry, an original and principal
proprietor; a settlement was commenced in 1767, by David Peaslce.
Tamwortit was granted Oct. 14, 1766, to John Webster, Jonathan
Moulton and others, and was settled in 1771, by Riihard Jackman, Jon-
athan Choate, David Philbrick and William Eastman.
Temple is the easterly part of what was called Peterborough Slip —
incorporated Aug. 26, 176S.
Thornton is understood to derive its name from Hon. Matthew
Thornton ; it was granted July 6, 1765, to Matthew. James and Andrew
Thornton and others; sctllement made in 1770, by Benjamin Hoyt;
and it was incorporated Nov. S, 17S1.
830 NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWNS ADDENDA.
TuFTONBOROUGH was granted to J. Tufton Mason, from whom the
name; was settled about 17S0, but not incorporated till Dec. 17, 1795-
Unity was granted by charter Julj 13, 1764, to Theodore Atkinson,
Meshech Weare, and 45 others — called Utiity from the termination of a
long dispute between claimants in Kingston and llampr-tead. Settle-
ment was begun in 1769, by John Ladd and Moses Thurston.
Walpole was first known by the name of Great Fall ; its first set-
tlement was made in 1749 by Col. Benjamin Bellows; it was granted
to Col. Bellows and 6i others, Feb. 16, 1752. For some time it was a
border town exposed to the attacks of Indians, but was bravely
defended.
Waruen was granted by charter July 14, 1763.
Washington was first known as Mo7!advock, No. 8; was granted
by the Masonian proprietors to Reuben Kidder of New Ipswich, who
began a settlement in 176S, and was called Camden till Dec. 13, 1776,
when it took the name of Washington.
Wendell, now Sunapce, was granted by the name of Savillc, Nov
7, 176S; settled by emigrants from Rhode Island in 1772, and incor-
porated April 4, 17S1, deriving its name from John Wendell, a princi-
pal proprietor.
WiiiTEFiiiLD was granted July 4, 1744, to Josiah Moody and others,
and soon after settled by Major liurns and others — the name, probably,
for Rev. George Whitelield, who preached in New England about that
time.
WiLMOT. The greater part of Wilmot was originally included in a
grant made by the Masonian proprietors in 1775 to Jonas Minot, Mat-
tiiew Thornton and others. It was not incorporated till June iS, 1807.
FINIS.
APPENDIX.
GONSTITUTIONxlL CONVENTIONS
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,
177S-1783;
WITH THE
CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHED IN 1784.
APPENDIX.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
NOTES BY THE KDITOR.
The Editor is happy to hiy before the people of New Hampshire, in
this closing volume of Provincial and Stata Papers, — which he has had
the honor to compile, edit and publish, by authority of the L;;i^isla-
ture, — a connected statement of the facts, with all the documents which
he has been able to find, relating to the Conventions which were suc-
cessively called, and which resulted in the adoption of a State Consti-
tution, October 31', 17S3, that was carried into full effect, June lo"",
1784.
The flr^t Constitution of Naw Hampshire was adopted soon after the
Revolution began, January 5", 1776; it was not designed or under-
6tood to be permanent, but •' to continue during the present unhappy
and unnatural contest with Great Britain." A copj- of this is printed
in full in Volume VHI. of the Provincial and State Papers, pages 2-^,
to which reference may be made. The Constitution then adopted is
believed to be \.\\^ first adopted by any Colony or State in the Union.
It was to continue in force ihrough the war; or until superseded bv a
new Constitution. In December ^7, 1777, the IIou'^c voted to recom-
mend to towns and parishes in the State, to instruct their Representa-
tives to call a Convention " for the sole purpose of forming and laying
a permanent plan or system for the future Government of the State."
This vote does not appear to have been concurred by the Council ; but
February 20'', 1778, The House voted to resolve themselves into a Com-
luittee of the whole, to join the honorable Board, if they see fit, to con-
sider ''of the calling a full and free representation of all the people of
this State for the .sole purpose of forming a permanent Plan or system
for the future government of this State:" and February 25 ', 177S, the
Assembly, in Committee of the whole, Hon. Mishech Weare in the
Chair, agreed to report, "That a full and U-c(^ representation of all the
people of the State be called, for the purpose above expressed, to meet
in Convention at Concord, on the second Wednesday (10'') in June; "
that when the said Convention have formed such plan of Government,
they lay the same before their constituents for their approbation : and
that it should not go into effect until three quarters of the people of
this State shall consent thereto. On the next day, 26 •' February, tlie
abovesaid Report was adopted ; and the Convention of delegates chosen
by the respective towns and parishes, for the abovesaid purpose met in
Concord, on the day appointed, June lo'", 177S (i).
(1) For tbc facts here stated, eco State Papers, Vol. VIII. pp. TOT, 7J3. 77i, 775. Eo.
53
834
NEW HAMPSHIRE
It is much to be regretted, that the Journal of that Convention can-
not any where be found. Search was made in vain for it by the late
John Farmer, Esq., and by Mr. G. Parker Lyon, as also by the Editor
of this volume : Mr. Lj'on was at the great pains, however, of collect-
ing the names of the Delegates to that Convention from the Town
Records, respectively, throughout the State. The following is the list
of names as thus collected by him (i).
Portsmouth,
Exeter,
LIST OF DELEGATES
ChoscM from the several tovjns^ classed to-vns^ and places in
Nezu Hampshire^ in 1778, io meet at Concord^ June xoth^
for the purpose of forming a. nevj Constitution.
TovjHs. Delegates.
("John Langdon
George King
-! George Gaines
Samuel Cutts
William Whipple
(Nathaniel Folsom
Samuel Hubbard
John Pickering
f Matthew Thornton
t John Bell
Samuel Emerson
Ezekiel Worthen
j Benjamin Barker
\Mark Wiggin
Voted not to send
Samuel Philbrick, deceased, and
Josiah Bartlett was chosen.
Levi Dearborn
None sent
( Enoch Cofiln
\ Simon Dearborn
Nath'l II. Dodge
None sent
William Weeks
Londonderry,
Chester,
Kensington,
Stratham,
Brentwood,
Kingston, &c..
North Hampton,
New Market,
Epping,
Hampton Falls, 5:c.,
Hampton,
Greenland,
Sandown and
Hawke,
South Hampton and
Newtown,
Nottingham,
Rye,
Newington,
New-Castle,
Hampstead,
Raymond and
Poplin,
Atkinson and
Plaistow,
Dccrfield and
Northwood,
Candia,
Salem, .
(1) Sec N. U. ne-i6ter, 13,")2, pp. 12-21.
[•Jethro Sanborn, probably.
I Robert Stewart
Voted not to send
Jose-ph Parsons
Richard Dame
Information not received
None chosen
ijohn Dudley
I Joseph Welch
1 Simon Marston
] Richard Jenness
John Sargent
Moody Morse
Ei).
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
835
Epsom, &c., &c.,
Windham,
Pel ham,
Canterbury and
Loudon,
Pembroke,
Concord,
Bow and
Dunbarton,
Litchfield and
Nottingham West,
M-'rrimack and
Bedford,
Derryfield and
Goftstown,
Dunstable,
Amherst,
Hollis,
riopkinton,
New Boston and
Francestown,
Weare,
Wilton, Lynde-
boro', <S:e.,
Mason and
Roby,
New Ipswich,
Temple and
Peterborough,
Henniker and
Hillsborough,
Salisbury and
Boscawen,
New Bretton,
Warner,
Perrvston, and
Fisherfield,
New Durham, &c., and
Wo If bo rough,
Durham,
Lee,
Madbury,
Dover,
Somersworth,
Rochester,
Barrington,
Gilmanton and
Barnstead.
Wakefield,
Middleton, and
Leavittstown,
Meredith and
Sanbornton,
John McClary
None sent
James Barnard
I Archelaus More
j Samuel Daniell
t Richard Bartlftt
Timothy Walker
i Jeremiah Page
\ W^illiam Burns
/John Parker
V Solomon Hutchinson
> None sent
< Benjamin French
t William Hunt
) Reuben Mussey
\ Moses Nichols
j Enoch Noycs
t Noah Worcester
Stephen llarriman
I Archibald McMillcn
Samuel Caldwell
y Moses Putnam
I David Blodgett
Timothy Farrar
I Francis Blood
I Isaac Andrews
I George Jackman
1
J- None sent
I Voted not to send
Ebenczer Thompson
Information not received
James Davis, Jr.
rjohn Gage
^ Caleb Hodgdon
Town Rec. burnt, iSi3
Information not received
Information not received
ijoscph Badger
None sent
Ebenczer Srhith
836
NEW lIAMPSHinE
Sandwich,
Tamwortli, and
Moil 1 ton borough,
Rindge,
Jai^rey, and
Peterborough Slip«
Dublin,
Marlboroughj
Stoddard,
Packers field, &c.,
Keene,
Swanzej and
Fittzvviliiam,
Westmorland,
Richmond,
Winchester,
Walpole,
Hinsdale and
Chesterfield^
Marlow,
Surrv, and
Alstl'ad,
Charlestown<
Claremont,
Acworth,
L-impstsTj
Savill,
Croj-don,
Unity, and
Newport,
Cornish,
Protectworth,
Plainfield, and
Grantham,
Phmouth,
Cockermouth,
Alexandria, and
New Chester,
RuH^.ney,
Holderncss,
Campton, and
Thornton,
Orford,
Havcrhillj
JLyman,
Gtinthwait,
La n da if,
Bath, and
Morrristown,
Lancaster,
Northumberland,
Apthorp,
Stratford,
Colburn,
Cockburn,
Conwav,
Shelburnc, iScc,
-None sent
Enoch Hale
Phineas Spauldin;
-None sent
Jeremiah Stiles
I Calvin Frink
Information not received
Oliver Capron
Daniel Ashley
IBenjamin Bellows
i None sent
J-Nonc sent
Samuel Hunt
None sent
Samuel Silsby
Benjamin Giles
None sent
J- Francis Worcester
1
l"- William Baker
None sent
I- None sent
None sent
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVtNTIONS. Syj
1
Inc
Hanover,
Canaan, and }■ None sent
Cardigan,
Lebanon,
Relham, and } None sent
Grafton,
Wentworth, )
Dorchester,
Lyme,
Warren, and
Piermont,
Obadiah Clement of Warren,
(probably)
Note. The next meeting of this Constitutional Convention was at
Concord, June 5', 1779: — at which time, a Constitution was agreed
upon and sent out to the people for their adoption. The copy of the
Constitution, from which this i-, transcribed, is jjrinted on both sides of
a half-sheet of large size, and issued from the Press of Zechariah Fowle,
in Exeter, 1779. It is the only copy of the original print which the Ed-
itor has found, and is as follows (i) :
[THE CONSTITUTION PROPOSED IN 1779.]
A DECLARAnON OF RIGHTS, AND I'LA.V OP GOVERNMENT FOR
THE STATE OF NEW H AMI'SIIIIJ E.
Whereas, by the tyrannical administration of the govern-
ment of tiie King and Parliament of Great Britain, this State
of New Hampshire, with tlie other United States of America,
have been necessitated to reject t!ie Britisli government, and
declare themselves Independent States — all which is more
largely set forth by the Continental Congress, in their resolu-
tion or Declaration of the foiuth of July, A. D. i77^'
And whereas, it is recommended by the said Continental
Congress to each and every of the said United States to estab-
lish a form of government most conducive to the welfare
thereof: We the delegates of the said State of New Hamp-
shire, chosen for the purpose of forming a permanent plan of
government subject to the revisal of oin- constituents, have
composed the following Declaration of Rights and Plan of
Government : and recommend the same to our constituents for
their approbation.
A Declaration of the Rights of the People of the State of
New Hampshire.
ist. We declare, that we the people of the Slate of New
(1) Sec a copy also in Coll. of X. H. Hist. .^oc. Vol. i, pp. IJC-l(il. Ed.
838 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire, arc free and independent of the Crown of Great
Britain.
2d. Wc the people of this State, arc entitled to life, liberty
and property ; antl all other immunities and privileges which
we heretofore enjoyed.
3d. The common and statute laws of England, adopted and
used here ; and the laws of the State (not inconsistent with
said Declaration of Independence) now are, and shall be in
force here, for the welfare and good government of the State,
unless the same shall be repealed or altered by the future leg-
islature thereof.
4th. The whole and entire power of government of this
State, is vested in, and must be derived from the people there-
of, and from no other source whatsoever.
5th. The future legislature of this State, shnll mnke no laws
to infringe the rights of conscience, or any other of the nat-
ural, unalienable Rights of Men, or contrary to the laws of
GOD, or against the Protestant religion.
6th. The extent of territory of tiiis State, is, and shall be
the same which was under the government of the late Gov.
John Wentworth, Esq. Governor of New Hampshire. Re-
serving, nevertheless, our claim to the New Hampshire
Grants, so called, situated to the west of Connecticut river.
7th. The right of trial by jury in all cases as heretofore
used in this State, shall be preserved inviolate forever.
A PLAN OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1st. The State of New Hampshire shall be governed by a
Council, and House of Representatives, to be chosen as herein
after mentioned, and to be styled the General Court of the
State of New Hampshire.
2d. The Council shall consist for the present of twelve mem-
bers, to be elected out of the several counties in the State, in
proportion to their respective number of inhabitants.
3d. The numbers belonging to each county for the present,
according to said proportion being as followeth, viz. — To the
county of Rockingiiam, fiv.- — to the county of Straftbrd, two —
to the county of Hillsborough, two — to the county of Cheshire,
two — to the county of Grafton, one.
4th. The number for the county of Rockingham, shall not
be increased or diminished hereafter, but remain the same, and
the numbers for the other counties shall be increased or dimin-
ished as their aforesaid proportion to the county of Rocking-
ham may chance to vary.
CONSTITUTIONAL COXVKNTIONS. 839
5th. The House of Representatives shall he chosen as fol-
lows. Every town or parish, ciioosing town officers, amount-
ing to one huiulred families ami upwards, shall send one rep-
resentative for each lunidred families they consist of. (or such
lesser number as they please) or class themselves with some
other towns or parishes that will join in sending a representa-
tive.
6th. All other towns and parishes under the nimiber of one
hundred families, shall have liberty to class themselves together
to make the number of one hundred families or upwards, and
being so classed, each class shall send one representative.
7th. The number of Counsellors belonging to each county
shall be ascertained and done by the General Court every time
there is a new proportion made of the State tax, which shall
be once in seven years at the least, and oftener if need be.
Sth. All male inhabitants of the State of lawful age, paying
taxes, and professing the protestant religion, shall be deemed
legal voters in choosing counsellors and representatives, and
having an estate of three hundred pounds, equal to silver at
six shillings and eight pence per ounce, one half at least
whereof to be real estate, and lying within this State, with
the qualifications aforesaid, shall be capable of being elected.
9th. The selectmen of each respective town and parish,
choosing town officers cotitaining one hundred families or up-
wards, and also of each respective class of towns classed
together as aforesaid, shall notify the legal voters of their
respective towns, parishes, or classes, qualified as aforesaid,
in the usual way of notifying town meetings, giving fifteen
da\s notice at least, to meet at some convenient place on the
last Wednesday of November amiually, to clioose counsellors
and representatives.
loth. And the voters being met, aiul the moderator chosen,
shall jjroceed to choose their representative or representatives,
required by this constitution by a majority of the voters pres-
ent, who shall be notified accordingly, and a return thereof
made into the Secretary's office, by the first Wednesday of
January then next.
iith. And such representatives shall be paiO. their wages
by their constituents, and for their travel by the State.
1 2th. And in the choice of counsellors, each voter shall
deliver his vote to the moderator for the number of counsel-
lors respectively required, with the word counselhjrs written
thereon, and the voters name endorsed to prevent duplicity.
13th. These votes shall be sealed up by the moderator, and
transmitted by the constable to one of the justices of the Infe-
840 NEW HAMPSHIRE
rior Court of Common Picas for the county, before the second
Wednesday in December next following.
14th. And the said justices of the Inferior Court shall meet
together on the said second Wednesday of December annually^
to count tlie votes, and the persons that have most votes to the
number of counsellors required, shall be declared duly elect-
ed, and shall be notified by the said justices accordingly, and
a return thereof shall be made by them into the secretary's
office by the first Wednesday in January annually.
i!^th. And in case any two persons shall have alike number
of votes, t!ie said justices may determine the choice in favor
of which they please.
16th. The Council and House of Representatives so chosen
and returned as aforesaid, shall meet on the first Wednesday
in January next after their being chosen, at such place as the
present, or future General Court may from time to time ap-
point: and being duly sworn, shall hold their respective
places until the first Wednesday in January then next.
17th. The council s'nail choose their president, vice-presi-
dent, and Secretary ; and the house of representatives shall
choose their speaker and clerk.
iSth. The council and house of representatives respectively,
shall determine all disputed elections of their own members^
regulate their own proceedings ; and on any vacancy, order a
new election to fill up such vacancy.
19th. The said General Court elected and constituted as
aforesaid, shall be invested with the supreme power of the
State. And all acts, resolves, or votes, except grants of
money, lands, or other things mav originate in either house;
but such grants shall originate in the house of representatives
only.
20th. The said council and house of representatives re-
spectively, shall have power to adjourn themselves from day
to day, but not longer than two days at any one time, without
concurrence of the other.
2 1 St. The President of the council shall hold public corres-
pondence with other States, or persons; call tlie council to-
gether when occasion shall require ; and witli advice of three
or more of the council shall from time to time call the General
Court together if need be, before the time they were adjourned
to; and also point out the principal business of their session.
22d. The military and naval power of the State shall be
regulated, and all proper officers thereof appointed, as the
legislature by law shall direct from time to time.
23d. The judges of the superior and inferior courts, judges
COXSTITUTION'AL CONVKNTIONS. 84 I
of probate, indgcs of adniiraltv, judge of the maratimc court,
justices of tlic peace, slicriHs, coroners, attorney j^cneral,
treasurer of the state, and delegates to the Continental Coii-
giess, shall be appointed by the said General Court, and com-
missionated by the president of the council.
24th. The appointment of registers of deeds, county treas-
urers, clerks of courts, registers of probate, and all other civil
officers whatsoever, not before mentioned, shall be regulated
by the laws that now are, or that hereafter ma\- be enacted.
2^th. All civil officers of the State, shall be suitably com-
pensated by fees or salaries for their services.
26th. No member of the General Court shall be judge of
the superior court, or inferior court, judge or register of pro-
bate, or sheriff of any county, or treasurer of the State or at-
torney general, or delegate at the Continental Congress.
27th. And no member of the council, judge of the superior
court, or sheriff, sliall hold a commission in the militia, army,
or navy of this State.
28th. No member of the house of representatives shall hold
any salary under the government.
39th. The president of the council, with advise of council,
may grant reprieves not longer than six months, but the Gen-
eral Court only shall have power to pardon oflcnses against
the State.
30th. A quorum of the council, and a quorum of the house
of representatives, shall consist of a majority of each house.
31st. This Declaration of Rights and Plan ot Government,
shall have the force of law, and be esteemed the fundamental
law of til is State.
32d. The General Court shall have no power to alter any
part of this Constitution ; but in case thev should concur ia
any proposed alteration, amendment, or addition, the same
being agreed to by a majority of the people, shall become
valid.
State of Nc'C Hampshire. In Convention., jfitne., ^t/i^ i779-
Voted, that the foregoing Bill of Rights, and Plan of Gov-
ernment, be printed, and dis])erse<l throughout this State, for
the people thereof, to give their opinion thereon.
Voted, that Colonel Thornton and Colonel Bartlett, be a
committee to get this plan (^f government printed, and trans-
mit two or more copies of the same to each and every town,
parish and place in this State, to which precepts for this con-
vention were sent, and publish the same in the New Hamp-
shire newspapers.
S43
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Voted, Thnt tlic selectmen of the several towns, parishes,
nnd districts in this State, upon the receipt of the same, are
desired to notify and warn the legal inhabitants paying taxes
in such town, parish, or place, to most at some suitable place
therein, giving them at least fifteen days notice, for the pur-
pose of taking said plan under consideration ; and make re-
turn of the number of voters present at such meeting, and how
many voted for receiving said plan, and how many for reject-
ing the same, unto this convention at Concord, in this State,
on the third Tuesday in September next.
By order of the Convention,
John Laxgdon, President, P. T.
E. Thompson, Secretary.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
The fore2:oinjj Constitution, v/hich, according to order, was sent out
to the people, was rejected : The stats of the vot^s upon it, the Editor
has not been able to iind.
THE SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
note.
On the 23 ' of ISIarch, 17S1, the House of Representatives voted to call
another Convention to " settle a Form of Governinent," and that a Com-
mittee be appointed, to join a Committee of the Board, to form and
issue a suitable Precept to the towns, for that purpose; which vote was
concurred by the Board ; and on the 6 " of April, 17S1, a joint Resolve
was adopted tliat the said Convention should meet at Concord, the first
Tuesday of June, next (i).
Tiie Journal of that Convention has not been found; but fortunately
the late Mr. G. Paricer Lyon obtained a list of Delegates, which is pre-
sumed to be correct: (see N. II. Reg. 1S52, pp. 2J-25). The names of
the Delegates chosen are as follows :
To-V7:s.
Portsmouth,
Exeter,
I>ondonderry,
Chester,
Hampton Falls,
Brentwood,
Strathani,
(1) See Stite P.ii). Vol. VIII. pp. sni-8.17.
Delegates.
George Atkinson
John Langdon
Ammi Ruhanii Cutter
John Pickering
Jona. Mitchell Sewall
Nathaniel Folsom
John Tajlor Gilman
Archibald McMurphy
None sent
Nathaniel II. Dodge
Voted not to send
Mark Wiggin
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
S43
North Hampton,
Kensiiii^ton,
Ihinipton,
New Market,
Eppin;;,
So. Hampton,
Kinsjston,
E. Kingston,
Greenland,
Nottingham,
Hawke, and
Sandown,
Newington,
Rve,
Atkinson, &
Plaistow,
Hampstead,
Rajjuond, &
Poplin,
New Castle,
Deerfield,
Northwood,
Salem,
Candia,
Epsom &
Chichester,
Pelham,
Windham,
Pembroke,
Concord,
Canterbury Si
Loudon,
Bow, &
Dunbarton,
Durham,
Lee &
Madbury,
Dover,
Somersv/orth,
Rochest-r,
Barrin'^ton,
Wakefield,
Gilmaiiton,
Meredith &
Sanbornton,
Wo If bo ro',
Sandwich,
Conway,
Gof^^town,
Merrimack,
Nottingham,
West. c^'c.
Dunstable,
Hoilis,
Amherst,
Hopkinton,
Abraham Drake
Voted not to send
None sent
None sent
Voted not to send
Voted not to send
None sent
None sent
Voted not to send
Joseph Cilley
j Robert Collins
Ephraim Pickering
Joseph Parsons, or
Nathan Goss
I Nathaniel Pcabody
Voted not to send
Ijohn Dudley
>■ Voted not to send
None sent
Voted not to send
jjohn McClary
Jacob Butler, jr.
None sent
Joshua Kimball
Timothy Walker
I Jeremiah Clough
V Voted not to send
John Sullivan (clios. 17S2)
-James Davis
Otis Baker
Joshua Wingatc:
None sent
Joseph Badger, Sen.
;• Ebenezer Smith
Voted not to send
James Brewer
None sent
Simeon Cummings
I Timothy Smith
Jonathan Lovewell
None sent
None sent
Joshua Bailey
844
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Salisbury, &
Boscawen,
Weare,
Wilton, Sic.
New Boston,
Andover,
Warner, &c.
Mason, <!\:
Roby,
New Ipswich,
Temple, &
Peterborough,
Dublin, cS:
Marlborough &c.
Lyndeborough,
Hillsborough,
Litchfield, &c.
Rindge, &
Jaffrey,
Keene,
Packersfield,
Swanzey, &
Fitzwilliam,
Hinsdale, &c.
Westmoreland,
Walpolc,
Richmond,
Surry, &
Alstead,
Newport, &c. &c.
Unity,
Acworth, &c,
Winchester,
Charlestown,
Claremont,
Cornish,
Plainfield,
Plymouth, Sic. &c.
N. Holdcrness, &c. &c.
Lancaster, &c. &c. &c.
Haverhill,
V Ebenezer Webster
Voted not to send
Jonathan Martin
None sent.
{•None sent
i Bcnjaman Mann
Timothy Farrar
I John Cragin, jr.
\ Reuben Morse
j Amos Emery
None sent
James Underwood
j- William Smiley
Daniel Newcomb
None sent.
I Edward Goddard
None sent
J Thomas Sparhawk
(John Bellows
Oliver Capron
J- None sent
Benjamin Giles
William Markham
Daniel Grant
J-None sent
None sent
Francis Worcester
Samuel Emerson
Moses Baker
David Page, by Tradition Irom
Conway
None sent
COXSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 845
AN ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION
FOR FRAMING A NKW COXSTITUTION OF GOVICRNMEXT, FOR
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO THE INHABITANTS OF
SAID STATE.
[sent out, 17S1.]
Friends and Fellow Citizens, —
The General Assembly of this State havinj^ thought proper
to issue precepts to the several towns within the same, for
choosing delegates to form a Convention for the purpose of
framing a civil Constitution for the people of this State ; and
the Convention having met in consequence of such choice,
after maturely deliberating on the important subject, agree to
report the following plan, which witli the humblest deference
is submitted to your impartial consideration.
The task of forming a Constitution, adapted not only to our
present situation, but to the probable situation and circum-
stances of remote posterity, is an arduous one indeed ! How
far we have succeeded in it you are the sole judges. It is
your interest as well as duty, to examine it with the most
critical attention, and it isyour unquestionable right to propose
such alterations as 3'ou may judge necessary, to approve and
establish it as it now stands, or wholly to reject it.
A perfect system of Government is not to be expected in
the present imperfect state of humanity. But could a fault-
less one be framed, it wouhl not be universally approved unless
its Judges were all equallv perfect. Much less then, may wc
presume to Iiope that the plan here ottered to view will meet
with universal apj^robation. Unanimity of sentiment is sel-
dom to be found in any case; there are many reasons for
despairing of it in the present. Besides the common sources
for variety of oj^inions on points in general, there are new and
particular ones in the case before us. There is notiiing which
our ope?!, avowed cncf;ncs more dread than to see the several
States each formed int) a jjermanent and well-constructed
body-politic; as nothing, under God, can more contribute to
the stability of their coimcils or the success of their exertions.
Nor Iiavc we any reason to doubt but that our secret, internal
cncmi'^s are equally averse tlicreto. Every artifice will be
devised, every eflbit trictl, to frustrate an event equally dreaded
by both. Let us guard against their machinations.
Nor is it our enemies only we have to dread. Wc have
much to fear from our friends ; from those who wish well to
the common cause, atid are equally opposetl to the common
enemy.
846 NEW HAMPSHIRE
The love of Power is so alluring, we had almost said infat-
uating, that few have ever been able to resist its bewitching
influence. Wherever power is lodged there is a constant pro-
pensity to enlarge its boundaries. Much more then, will
those with whom it is entrusted, agonize to retain all that is
clearly delegated to them.
When the people of tliis state first thought proper to assume
government for themselves, it was a time of difficulty and
peril. That form wliich was the simplest, and iirst presented
itself to their view, in the perturbation of spirits that then
prevailed, they adopted without that thorough discussion and
calm deliberation which so important an object required. It
was not intended to be lasting. It w^s cxpressl}' declared by
themselves to be temporary.
In this imperfect form, the legislative and executive powers
of government were vested in one body, to wit, in a General
Court, consisting of two branches, a House of Representa-
tives and a Council. Nor was any provision made therein for
the exercise of the executive power in the recess of the Gen-
eral assembly. So great a defect was soon discovered and felt ;
and the Court thus established by the Constitution, without
any ncv/ authority derived from the people, or without even
consulting them, patch'd this flaw by delegating to a number
of persons, whom they termed the "Committee of Safetv,"
the executive power to be by them exercised in the recess of
the General Assembly : which mode has been since continued,
and the Committee have made an important part of the gov-
ernment.
A further defect among innumerable others, is the want of
an Exci,i.:siox-BiLi. : In consequence of which, many of the
individuals who compose the aforementioned body, assist in
enacting laws, in explaining and applying them, and in carry-
ing them into execution.
Can it seem strange then, that such persons, and indeed all
who arc vested with the aforementioned powers, should be
backward in receiving and approving a Constitution that sa
remarkably retrenches them.'' that sets out in direct opposi-
tion to the present one, witli tliis position, that the three essen-
tial powers of government ouglit ever to be kept totally inde-
pendent of each other.? It is not strange, it is perfectly nat-
ural ; and the fact is fully verified by the length of time which the
present form of u'overnment has been permitted to continue.
But we trust you will with a manly and becoming firmness,
oppose every interested adviser, reject every .selfish motive,
and with a noble independency of spirit, "even of yourselves
judge what is right."
Having premised tliesL" things, we will proceed to consider
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVKNTIONS. S47
ns critically as the limits of our time will admit, the
frame of government herewith exhibited to your view ; its
principles, and some of the motives that induced us to prefer
it to anv other system which occurred to us.
Availing ourselves of the various theories and forms of gov-
ernment we could meet with, whether new or old, examining
tlicir principles, and comparing them, as far as we were able,
with experience, the surest touchstone, and most infallible
comment, we collected suiiicient, and we hoped the best, ma-
terials for the political building now presented to 3-our view.
The three powers of government, before hinted at, to wit,
The Legislative, or power of making laws, — The Judicial, or
power of expounding and applying them to each particular
case — And the Executive, to carry them into efl'ect, and givo
the political macliine life and motion: These three important
powers we have thought proper to keep as separate and dis-
tinct as possible, for the following reasons.
If they should be all united, the government, would tlicn be
a complete system of tyranny. The same party would be leg-
islator, accuser, judge, and executioner.
If the Legislative and Judicial powers should be united, the
maker of the law would be the interpreter thereof, and might
make it speak what language best pleased him, to the total abo-
lition of justice.
If the Executive and Legislative powers should be vested in
one body, still greater evils would follow. This body would
enact only such laws as it wished to carry into execution, and
would, besides, entirely absorb and destroy the judicial power,
one of the greatest securities of the life, liberty, and property
of the subject; aTul in fine, would procure the same system of
despotism first mentioned. And lastly, should the executive,
and judicial powers be combined, the great barrier against op-
pression woidd be at once destroyed : The laws would be made
to bend to the will of that power which sought to execute them
with the most unbridled rapacity.
These several powers should also be independent; in order
to which they are formed with a mutual check upon each other.
We shall proceed to consider them distinctly.
The Legislative power we have vested in a Senate and
House of Represent-itives (with the reserve hereafter men-
tioned) each of which branches is to have a negative on the
other; and either may originate any Bill, except for the grant
of monies which is always to originate in the house. Any al-
terations or amendments may be proposed by either branch, in
all cases. We have given the supreme executive power the right
of revising and objecting to all the acts passed by the legisla-
ture, for reasons hereafter to be mentioned. The manner ol
84S NEW IIAMPSIIIUE
electing the second branch, or House of Representatives, as it
is new, requires a particuhir discussion.
Experience must have convinced every one who has been<
in any de_2:rce, conversant with the transacting of business in
public bodies, that a very hirge assembly is not the most con-
venient for the ]:)urposc. There is seldom so much order, and
never so much (hspatch, as is to be found in a smaller body.
The reason is obvious. This has given birth to the mode of
chusing committees out of the whole body ; and experience
hath demonstrated its utility. The Convention, therefore,
were of opinion, that the confining this second branch to the
number of fifty, which appeared to them sufficiently large for
cverv purpose, would be attended with the following salutary
consequences.
Firsts There would be, ]>robnbly. a greater proportion of
suitable men, than in a larger body. The manner of their
choice, they being twice sifted, would likewise greatly promote
this. The debates, would of course, be conducted with more
wisdom, and unanimity. From their numbers, merely, there
would be much less confusion, and infinitely more dispatch.
This would of itself, produce an amazing saving in the ex-
pense, independent of tlie (hiTerence between paying (ifty, and
three times that number. For these and many other reasons,
the reducing and confining this branch to a small number, was
surtly an achievement devoutly to be wished ! But how was
it to be effected.-* Siiould the mode hitherto practised of chus-
ing members be continued, scarce three towns in the state,
would be each entitled to elect one. Should several towns be
joined together till a number sufiicienlly large was collected to
choose a representative, this would be abriclging the privileges
of towns, confounding them with each otlier and destroying
their independences. This has been practised in some fjw in-
stances, but has been the source of much complaint, and many
heavy evils.
The Convention therefore, after revolving the matter with
the utmost attention, could hit upon no method that appeared
to them in all respects, so unexceptionable as the one here of-
fered. Bv allowing every town and parish having fifty ratea-
ble polls to elect one member to compose a certain body, out
of which the people's representatives are to be chosen, almost
every town and parish within the State that would wish to ex-
ert the privilege, is included, and even such as have less than
fifty rateable polls are permitted to join another. Besides, in
a few years, tis probable, there will be no towns which liavc
not fifty families at least within the State. The larger towns
being permitted to choose in the same proportion renders the
representation as equal as the nature of things will admit.
CONSTITUTIOXAI, CONVKNTIONS. S^9
These bodies thus chosen, one in each county, after dividinTf
the districts as inentioncd in the Constitution, are respectively
to choose from anionj^ themselves the representatives of the
people to sit in the General Court. This mode will be found,
perliaps, as free, equal, and perfect, as any that can be de-
vised. The objection, that in this way each town will not
know, nor have the power of desig-nating its own representa-
tive, will, perhaps, on examination, be found one of the strong-
est arguments in its favor. Those interested views, that party
•spirit, and zeal for rivalry, which too often takes place
in towns on such occasions, will be hereby in a great
measure destroyed; and tlie people will be under a necessity
of acting upon higher and better principles.
The provision for publishing the journals of both Houses at
the close of each session, supersedes another objection that
might be stated against the want of information among the
people, that the smallness of the Representative body might
otherwise occasion. The only remaining objection of any
weight, is the consequences that may arise from tlie assembling
s ' large a number of people together at tlic Coimty Conven-
tions. To this it is replied, that the County Delegates thro'
the State, will be divided into five separate and distinct bodies
— that all will sit on the same day, — and probably not more
than one dav, unless upon extraordinary occasions — that they
will be the chosen ones of the people, a most respectable body,
with too much business on their hands to allow them time for
dissipation, and too much of the people's welfare at their
hearts to permit them to sow sedition. And even allowing
some of the inconveniences hinted at really to follow, they must
be less than if all should unite in one General Assembly, and
sit, not one or two days only, but half the year, in the propor-
tion of a huntlred to one.
We have been thus particular upon this head of representa-
tion, partly on account of the novelty of the mode, and partly
from a full conviction of the vast importance of the thing. And
we leave it for your faithful discussion; observing as we do
it, that it is what many great, wise, and learned men of our
own, and other days, have wished to see put in practise, and
ha\c not seen it.
The choice and powers of the Senate, having less of novelty
and being sufficiently explained in the Constitution we shall
pass ever with a bare mention, and proceed to the Executive
Power.
'i'his Power is tlie active principle in all governments: It is
the soul, and without it the body-politic is but a dead corpse.
Its department is to put in execution all tiie laws enacted by
the legislative botly. It ought therefore, to have t!ic appoint-
54
S^O NEW HAMPSHIRE
mcnt of all the civil ofliccrs of the State. It is at the head of
the militia, and therefore should have equally the appointment
of all the military olhcers within the same. Its characteristic req-
uisites are secrecy, vigour, and dispatch. The fewer persons,
therefore, this supieme power is trusted with, the greater proba-
bility there isthat these requisites will be found. The convention
therefore, on the maturest deliberation, have thought it best to
lodge this power in the hands of one, whom they have stilcd
the GovjiuxoK. They have indeed, array'd him with hon-
ors, they have armed him with power, and set him on high.
But still he is only the right hand oi your power, and the mir-
ror of your majesty. Every possible provision is made to guard
against the abuse of this high betrustment and protect the rights
of the people.
The manner of his choice is such, that he is the most per-
fect representative of the people. He can take no one step of
importance without the advice of his privy-council ; and he is
elected annually. But, as if this was too little, no one person
is capable of being elected oftener than three years in seven.
Every necessary and useful qualification is required in liim, in
jioint of age, religion, residency, and fortune. In addition to
all which, he is liable for every misconduct to be impeached,
tried, and displaced, by the two legislative branches ; and is
amenable to the laws besides, equally with the meanest subject
of the State. Thus controlled and checked himself the Con-
vention thought it reasonable and necessary, that he, in turn,
should have some check on the legislative-power. They there-
fore gave him the right of objecting to and suspending, tho*
not the absolute control over the acts of that body ; which they
thought indispensably necessary to repel any encroachments
on the executive power, and preserve its independency.
The Judicial department falls next under our consideration.
This comprehends the Judges of the several courts, and the
Justices of peace tliroughout the State. These arc all ap-
pointed by the Governor, with the advice of Council, but not
removable by him in case of malconduct, but by the legisla-
ture, and in no case without the intervention of that body.
The Judges all hold their offices during good behavior ; the
only proper term, especially for the Judges of the vSuprcme
Court of Judicature, as they ought, in a peculiar manner, to
feel themselves independent and free, and as none would be at
the pains to qualify themselves for such important places, if
they were liable to be removed at pleasure. As another in-
ducement for persons so to qualify themselves as an encour-
agement to vigilance, and an antidote to bribery and corrup-
tion ; adequate, honorable, and permanent salaries to the
Judges of the Supreme Court in a particular manner, we
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. S5I
have made essential in the Constitution, and do now most
strongly recon.mcnd.
The alteration of Justices' commissions from life to five years,
is to guard against age, incapacity, and too large a number ;
to secure the appointment of the best ; and to prevent too
frequent addresses and impeachments. You will judge of the
propriety and expediency of this innovation, and cither give
it your sanction or not, as appears to you best.
The reasons for the Exclusion Bill are too obvious to be
pointed out. Sad experience has evinced the necessity of
such a provision. Besides the interference of several offices
held by the same person, in point of tlme^ which vvc have
often seen ; and the difficulty of one man's giving his attention
to many matters sufficioitly to understand them all, whicli wc
have too often felt ; liiere is still a stronger reason, which is
the difficulty of a man's preserving his integrity in discharging
the duties of each unstained — at least by suspicion.
F)-om the deepest impression of the vast importance of
LiTKRATUKE in a free government, we have interwoven it
with, and made its protection and encouragement a part of the
Constitution itself.
The Bill of Rights contains the essential principles of
the Constitution. It is the foundation on which the whole po-
litical fabric is reared, and is consequently, a most important
part thereof. VVe have endeavored therein to ascertain and
define the mobt important and essential natural rights of man.
Wc have distinguished betwixt the alienable and unalienable
rights: for the former of which men may receive an equiva-
lent: for the latter, or the rights of Conscience, they can
receive none ; The World itself being wholly inadequate to
the purchase. " For what is a man profited, though he should
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.''"
The various modes of worship among mankind, arc founded
in their various sentiments and beliefs concerning the Great
Object of all religious worship and adoration. Therefore to
him alone and not to man, are they accountable for them.
Thus the Convention have endeavored to explain as particu-
larly as they could without trespassing on your patience, the
reasons and principles upon which they have labored to form
this Constitution. They have done it in integritvand faithful-
ness. They conceived themselves as part of the community
for whicli the Constitution is intended, and therefore equally
interested with tiie c)tlier meml:)ers in franiing the best. What-
ever latent defects there may be in it, time will discover them
— and, at the end of seven years, jjrovision is made that they
may be amended. Confiding therefore, in your candor, and
humbly imploring on your behalf, that assistance which the
C53 NKW nAMPSIURE
fountain of Wisdom sees you need, wc leave it in your liands,
and wait with chcarful acquiescence, your decision.
In the Name and pttrszia/ii to a Resolution of the Co7i-
vc7ition.
George Atkinson, President.
Attest. [ONA. M. Sewall, Secretary.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF 17S1
A COXSTITUTION OR FORM OF GOVERNMENT, AGREED UPON BY
THE DELEGATES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE IN CONVENTION,
Begun and held at Concord, on the second Tuesday of June,
17S1, and continued by adjournment, to the second Tuesday
of vSeptcmber following: To be submitted to the PEOPLE
for their revision, in order to the completing of the same, in
conformity to their amendments, at a session to be holden
for that purpose, on the fourth VV^cdnesday of January next.
A Constitution or Fori\i of Government for the State
OF Nevv' Hampshire.
PART I.
A Dcclaratio7z of the Rights of the People of Nevj Hamp-
shire,
article I.
All men are born equally free and independent, therefore all
govcrm-nent of right originates from the people, is fou!ided in
consent, and instituted for the general good.
ir.
All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights
among which are, — the enjoying and defending life and lib-
erty— acquiring, possessing and protecting property, — and in a
word of seeking and obtaining happiness.
III.
When Men enter into a stale of society, they surrender up
some of their natural rights to that society in order to secure
the protection of others, and without such an equivalent the
surrender is void.
COXSTITUTIONAL CONVIiNTIOXS. S53
IV.
Amoiifij the luituial ii_<;lits, s )inc arc in their very nature
unalienable, because no equivalent can be j^iveu or received
for them. Of this kind arc the Rights of Conscience.
V.
Every individual lias a natural and unalienable right to wor-
shij) (Jou according to the dictates of his own conscience, and
reason, — and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restiained
in his person, liberty or estate for worshipping God, in the
maimer and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own
conscience, or for his religious profession, sentiments or jjer-
fiuasion ; provided he doth not disturb the public peace or dis-
turb others in their religious worship.
VI.
As morality and ]jiety, rightly grounded on evangelical
principles, will give the best and greatest security to Govern-
ment, and will lay in the hearts of men the strongest obliga-
tions to due subjection ; and as the knowledge of these is most
likely to be projjagated through a society by the institution of
the ))ublic worsliip of the Deity and of public instruction in
morality and religion ; therefore to promote these important
purposes, the people of this State have a right to impower,
and do hereby fully impower the Legislature to authorize
from time to time, the several towns, parishes, bodies corpo-
rate or religious societies within this .State to make adequate
provision at llieir own expence, for the support and mainte-
nance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion and
morality ;
Provided notwithstanding. That the several towns, par-
ishes, bodies-corporate or religious societies, shall at all times
have the exclusive right of electing their own public teachers,
and of contracting with them for their support and mainte-
nance. And no person of any one particular religious sect or
denomination, shall ever be compelled to pay towards the
euppoit of the teacher or teachers of another persuasion, sect
or denomination.
And every denomination of christians demeaning them-
selves quietly and as good subjects of the State, shall be
equally under the protection of the law; and no subordination
of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be
established by law.
And notl.ing herein shall be understood to aflcct any former
contracts made for the support of the ministry, but all such
contracts siiall remain and be in the same state as if this Con-
stitution hud not been made.
S54 NEW IIAMPSIIIKE
VII.
The people of this State have the sole and exclusive rij^ht of
governing themselves as a free, sovereign and independent State,
and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise, and enjoy every
power, imisdiction and right pertaining thereto, which is not,
or mav not hereafter be by them expressly delegated to the
United .States of America in Congress assembled.
VIII.
All power residing originally in, and being derived from
the people, all the magistrates, and officers of government, arc
their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to
them.
IX.
No office or place whatsoever in government shall be hered-
itary— the abilities and integrity requisite in all, not being
transmissible to posterity or relations.
X.
Government being instituted for the common benefit, pro-
tection, and security of the whole community, and not for the
private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class
of men, therefore whenever the ends of government are per-
verted, and public libert}' manifestly endangered, and all other
means of redress are inetlectual, the people ma}^ and of right
ought, to reform the old, or establish a new government ; the
doctrine of non resistance against arbitrary power, and oppres-
sion is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happi-
ness of mankind.
XI.
All elections ought to be free, and every inhabitant of the
State having the proper qualifications, has equal right to elect,
and be elected into oflicc,
XII.
Every member of the community has a right to be protected
by it in tlie enjoyment of his life, liberty and property — he is
therefore bound to contribute his share in the expencc of such
protection, and to yield his personal service wlien necessary, or
an equivalent. But no part of a man's property shall be taken
from him. or applied to public uses, without his own consent
or that of the Representative body of the people. Nor arc
the inhabitants of this State controllable by any other laws
than those to which they or their Representative body have
given their coisent.
XIII.
No person who is conscientiously scrupulous about the law-
CONSTITUriONAr- COXVlilNTIONS. S55
fulness of bcarinf^ arms, shcM be coiii])cllecl thereto, provided
he will pay an equivalent.
XIV.
Every subject of this state is entitled to a certain remedy, by
havinjj recourse to the laws, for all injuries be may receive in
his person, property or character, to obtain right and justice
freely, without being obliged to purchase it ; completely, and
without any denial ; promptly, and without delay, conforma-
b'y to tlic laws.
XV.
No subject shall be held to answer for any crime, or oiTencc,
until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and formally,
(lesc'.ibed to him ; or be compelled to accuse or furnish evi-
dence against Iilmself. And every subject shall have a right
to produce all proofs that may be favorable to himself; to
meet the witnesses against him face to face, and to be fully heard
in his clefciicc by himself, and Counsel. And no subject shall
be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his prop-
erty, immunities, or privileges, put out of the p.otection of
the law, exiled, oi- deprived of his life, liberty or estate, but by
the judgment of his i^eers, or the law of the land.
XVI.
No subject shall be liable to be tried, after an acquittal, for
flny crime or offence whatsoever. Nor shall the Legislature
make any lav/ that shall subject any person to a capital pun-
ishment, excepting for the government of the army and navy,
and the militia in actual service, without trial by jury.
XVII.
In criminal prosecutions, the trial of facts in the vicinity
where they happen, is so essential to the security of the life,
liberty and estate of the citizen, that no crime or offence ought
to be tried in any other county than where it is committed.
xvni.
All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature of the
oflence. No wise Legislature will alHx tlie same punishment
to tile crimes of theit, forgery and the like, that they do to
those of murder and treason ; where the same inidistinguish-
ing severity is exerted against all olfences, the people are led
to forget the real distinction in the crimes themselves, and to
commit the most flagrant witli as little compunction as they
do those of the lightest dye ; for the same reason a multitude
of sanguinary laws are both iinpolitic and unjust. The true
design of all punishment being to reform, not to exterminate,
mankind.
856 NEW HAMPSHIRE
XIX.
Every subject hath a right to be secure from all unreason-
able searches and seizures of his person, liis houses, his papers,
and all his possessions. All warrants, therefore, are contrary
to this right, if tlie cause or foundation of their., be not previ-
ously suported by oath, or afHrmation ; and if the order in the
warrant to a civil officer, to make search in suspected places,
or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to seize their
property, be not accompanied with a special designation of the
persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure ; And no war-
rant ought to be issued but in cases, and with the formalities
prescribed by the laws.
XX.
In all controversies concerning property, and in all suits be-
tween two or more persons, except in cases in which i* has
been heretofore otherwise used and practised, the parties have
a right to trial by jury ; and this method of procedure shall be
held sacred, unless in causes arising on the high seas, aud such
as relate to Mariners wages, the Legistature shall find it neces-
sary hereafter to alter it.
XXI.
In order to reap the fullest advantage of the inestimable priv-
ilege of the trial by Juky, great care ought to be taken that
none but qualified persons should be capable of serving, and
such ought to be fully compensated for their travel, time and
attendance.
XXII.
The liberty of the Press is essential to the security of free-
dom in a State ; it ought therefore to be inviolably preserved.
XXIII.
Retrospective laws are highly injurious, oppressive and un-
just. No such laws therefore should be made, either for the
decision of civil causes, or the punishment of offences.
XXIV.
A well regulated militia is the proper, natural, and sure de-
fence of a State.
XXV.
Standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to
be raised or kept up without the consent of the Legislature.
XXVI.
In all cases, and at all times, the military ought to be under
strict subordination to, and governed by the civil power.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. S57
XXVII.
No soldier in time of peace sliall be quartcr'd in any house
without tlie consent ot" tlie owner, and in time of war such
quarters ou^ht not to be made but by the civil magistrate in a
manner ordained by the Lcgishiturc.
XXVIII.
No siibsidv, charcfc, tax, impost or duty shall be established,
fixed, laid, or levied, under any pretext whatsoever, without
the consent of tlie people or their Representatives in tiic Leg-
islature or authority deiived from that body.
The power of suspending the laws, or the execution of
them, ought never to be exercised but by the Legislature, or
by authority derived therefroiii, to be exercised in such partic-
ular cases only as the Legislature shall expressly provide for.
XXX.
The freedom of deliberation, speech, and debate, in cither
House of the Legislature, is so essential to the rights of the
people, that it cannot be the foundation of any action, com-
plaint, or prosecution, in any other court or place whatsoever.
XXXI.
The Legislature ought frequentlv to assemble for the redress
of grievances, for correcting, strengtiiening, and confirming
the laws, and for making new ones, as the common good may
require.
XXXII.
The people have a right in an orderly and peaceable man-
ner, to assemble in order to consult upon the common good,
give instructions to their Representatives; and to request of
the Legislative-l)ody, by way of petition or remonstrance, re-
dress of the wrongs done them, and of the grievances they
sutler.
XXXI 11.
No magistrate or court of law siiall demand excessive bail
or sureties, impose excessive fines, or inflict cruel or unusual
punishments.
xxxi\-.
No person can in any case be subjected to law-martial, or to
any pains, or penalties by virtue of that law, except tlicso per-
sons employed in the army or navy, and except the militia in
actual service, but by the authority of tlie Legislature.
S5S NEW IIAMrsniRE
XXXV.
It is essential to the preservation of tlic rights of every indi-
vidual, his life, liberty property and character, that there be an
impartial interpretation of the laws, and administration of Jus-
tice. It is the right of every citizen to l.'>e tried by Judges as
impartial as the lot of humanity will admit. It is therefore
not only the best policy but for the security of the rights of
the people that the Judges of tiie Supreme (or Superior) Ju-
dicial Court should hold their offices so long as they behave
well ; and that tliey should have honorable Salaries, ascer-
tained and established by standing laws.
XXXVI.
Economy being a most essential virtue in all States, more
especially in a young one, no person ought to receive any
stipend, or salary, but as an equivalent for actual services,
and the Legislature ought to be exceeding cautious of grant-
ing pensions, cs^Decially for life.
XXXVII.
In the government of this state, the three essential powers
thereof, to wit, the Legislative, Executive and Judicial, ought
to be kept as separate from and independent of each other, as
the nature of a free government will admit, or as is consistent
with that cliain of connection that binds the whole fabric of
the Constitution in one indissoluble bond of union and amity.
XXXVIII.
A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the
Constitution, and a constant adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, industr}-, frugality, and all the social virtues, are
indispensably necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and
good government ; the people ought therefore, to have a par-
ticular regard to all those principles in the choice of their offi
cersand representatives: And they have a right to require of
their law givers and magistrates an exact and constant ob-
servance of them in the formation and execution of the laws
necessary for the good administration of government.
PART II.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
The people inhabiting the territory formerly called the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire, do hereby solemnly and mutuallj
agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sove-
reign and independent Bodv-politic or State, by the Name of
the STATE OF NEW IL\MPS1IIRE.
COXSTITUTIOXAL COXVEXTION'3. 859
THE GENERAL COURT.
The siipvcnic legislative power within this State shall be
vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, each of
which shall have a negative on the other.
The Senate and House shall assemble every year on the
first Wednesday of June, and at such other times as tliey may
judge necessary, and shall dissolve, and be dissolved, seven
da\ s next preceding the said lirst Wednesday of June, and
Bhall be stiled the Gexeual Couut of New Hampsjiiue.
No bill or resolve of the Senate or House of Representa-
tives, shall become a law, and have force, as such, until it
shall have been laid before the Governor for his revisal : And
if he, upon such revision, approve thereof, he shall signify his
approbation by signing the same. But if he has any objec-
tion to the passing of such bill or resolve, he shall return the
same, together wMth his objections thereto, in writing, to the
Senate or House of Representatives, in whichsoever the same
shall have originated; who shall enter the objections sent
down by the Governor, at large, on their records, and proceed
to reconsider the said bill or resolve : But if upon such recon-
sideration, three quarters of said Senate or House of Rcprc-
ficntatives, shall notwithstanding the said objections, agree to
pass the same, it shall, together with the objections, be sent to
the other branch of the Leg'slature, where it shall be also
reconsidered, and if approved by three quarters of the mem-
bers present, it shall have the force of a law : But in all such
cases, the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas
and nays ; and the names of the persons voting for, or against,
the said bill or resolve, shall be entered upon the public rec-
ords of the State.
And in order to prevent unnecessary delavs, if any bill or
resolve shall not be returned by the Governor within eight
days after it shall have been presented, the same sliall have
the force of hnv.
The General Coin-t shall forever have full power and au-
thority to erect and constitute Judicatories and courts of rec-
ord, or other courts, to be holden in the name of the .State,
for the healing, trying, and determining all manner of crimes,
oilences, pleas, processes, plaints, actions, causes, matters and
things, whatsoever, arising, or happening within this .State, or
between or concerning persons inhabiting, or residing or
brought within the same, whether the same be criminal or
civil, or wiiether the crimes be capital, or not capital, and
whet!icr the said pleas be real, personal or mixt ; and for the
nwaidiiig and issuing Execution tliereon : To which courts and
judicatories are hereby given and granted full power and au-
86o
NEW irAMPSIHRE
thority, froin time to time, to administer oaths or affirmations
for the better discovery of truth in any matter in controversy,
or depcnchng before them.
And farther, full power and authority are hereby given and
granted to the said General Court, from time to time, to make,
ordain, and establish, all manner of wholesome and reasona-
ble orders, laws, statutes, ordinances, directions, and instruc-
tions, eitlier with penalties or without ; so as the same be not
repugnant or contrary to this Constitution, as they may judge
for the benefit and welfare of this vState, and for the governing
and ordering thereof, and of the subjects of the same, for the
necessary support and defence of the government thereof ; and
to name and settle annually, or provide by fixed laws, for the
naming and settling all civil officers within this State; such
officers excepted, the election and appointment of whom, are
hereafter in this form of government, otherwise provided for;
and to set forth the several duties, powers and limits, of the
several civil and military officers of this State, and the forms
of such oaths or aiKrmations, as shall be respectively admin-
istered unto them for the execution of their several offices and
places, so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this
Constitution ; and also to impose fines, mulcts, imprisonments,
and other punishments ; and to impose and levy proportional
and reasonable assessments, rates and taxes, upon all the
inhabitants of, and residents within the said State ; and upon
all estates within the same: to be issued and disposed of by
warrant under the hand of the Governor of this State for the
time being, with the advice and consent of the Council, for
the public service, in the necessary defence and support of the
government of this State, and the protection and preservation
of the subjects thereof, according to such acts as are or shall
be in force within the same.
And while the public charge of government, or any part
thereof, shall be assessed on polls and estates \a the manner
that has hitherto been practiced, in order that such assess-
ments may be made with equality, there shall be a valuation
of the estates within the State taken anew once in every five
years at least, and as much oftener as the General Court shall
order.
SENATE.
There shall be annually elected by the freeholders and other
inhabitants of this State, qualified as in this Constitution is
provided, twelve persons to be Senators for the year ensuing
their election ; to be chosen in and by the inhabitants of the
districts, into which this State may from time to time be di-
vided by the General Court, for that purpose: And the Gen
CONSTITUTIOXAL CON'VKNTIONS. 86l
cral Court, in assigninor the luimbcr to be elected by the re-
spective districts, shall govcni tiieinsclvcs by the proportion
of public taxes paid bv tiie said districts; and timely make
known to tlic inhabitants of the .State, the limits of each dis-
trict, and the number of Senators to be elected therein ; ]:)ro-
viiled the number of such districts siiall never be more than
ten, nor less than five. And the several Counties in this
State, shall, until tlic (General Court shall order otherwise, be
districts for the election of Senators, and shall elect the fol-
lowinj^ number, viz,
Rockingham, Five.
StraiVord, Two.
Cheshire, Two.
Hillsborough, Two.
Grafton, One.
The Senate shall be the first branch of the Legislature; and
the vSenators shall be chosen in tiie following maimer, viz.
every male inhabitant of eacli tow'n antl parish with town-
privileges, in the several counties in this State, of twenty-one
years of age and upwards, having a freehohl estate in his own
right, of tiie value of One hundred pounds ; situated in this
vState, or other estate to that amount, shall have a right at the
a'unial or other meetings of the inhabitants of said towns and
parishes, to be duly warned and holdeu annually forever in the
month of March, to vote in the town or parish wherein he
dwells, for the senators in the county or district whereof he is
a member.
And every person, qualified as the constitution provides,
shall be considered an inhabitant for the purpose of electing
and i)eing elected into any oHice or place within this state in
that town, parish or plantation where he dvvcllcth and hath
his iiome.
The Selectmen of the several towns and parishes aforesaid,
shall, during the choice of senators, presitle at such meetings
impartially, and shall receive the votes of all the inhabitants
of such towns and parishes present and qualified to vote for
senators, and shall sort and count the same in the meeting,
and in presence of the town clerk, who shall make a lair rec-
ord in presence of the .Selectmen, and in open meeting, of the
name of every person voted for, and the number of votes
against his naine, and a fair copy of this record, shall be at-
tested by the Selectmen and town clerk, and shall be sealed up
and directed to the Secretary of the State, with a superscrip-
tion expressing the purjjort lheref)f, and <lelivered by tlie said
clerk to the sherill" of tlic comity in which such town or par-
ish lies, thirty days at least, lieforc t!ie first Wednesday of
863 KEW HAMPSHIRE
June ; and the sheriff of each county or his deputy, shall de-
liver all such Cwn-tificates by him received, into the Secretary's
office, scventccu days, at least, before the first Wednesday of
June.
And the inhabitants of plantations & places unincorporated,
qualified as this constitution provides, who are, or shall be, re-
quired to assess taxes upon themselves towards the support of
government, or shall be taxed therefor; shall have the same
privilege of voting for senators in the plantations and places
wlierein they reside, as tlie inhabitants of the respective towns
and parishes aforesaid have : And the meetings of such plan-
tations and places for that purpose shall be holden annually in
the month of March, at such places respectively therein, as the
assessors thereof shall direct; which assessors shall have like
authority for notifying the electors, collecting and returning the
votes, as the Selectmen and town clerks have in the several
towns by this constitution.
And that there may be a due meeting of senators on the first
Wednesday of lunc annually, the Governor and three of the
Council for the time being, shall as soon as may be, examine
the returned copies of such records ; and fourteen days before
the said first Wednesday of June, he shall issue his sum-
mons to such persons as appear to be chosen senators by a
majority of votes, to attend and take their scats on that day :
Provided, nevertheless, that for the first year the said returned
copies s'.iall be examined by the president and five of the
Council of the former constitution of government ; and the
said president shall in like manner, notify the persons elected,
to attend and take their seats accordingly.
Tiie senate shall be final judge of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of their own members, as pointed out in the con-
stitution, and shall on the said first Wednesday of June annu-
ally, determine and declare, who are elected by each district
to be senators by a majority of votes: And in case there shall
not appear to be the full ninnber returned elected by a majoi"-
ity of votes for any district, the deficiency shall be supplied in
the following manner, viz. the members of the house of rep-
resentatives and such senators as shall be declared elected,
shall take the names of such persons as shall be found to have
the highest number of votes in each district, and not elected,
amounting to twice the number of senators wanting, if there
be so many voted for; and out of them shall elect by joint
ballot the number of senators wanted for such district: And
in this manner all such vacancies shall be filled up in every
district of the state, and in like manner all vacancies in the
senate, arising by death, removal out of the state, or otherv/isc,
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, S63
shall be supplied as soon as may be, after such vacancies hap-
pen.
Provided nevertheless^ That no person shall be capable of
beings elected a senator, who is not of the Protestant Religion,
and seized of a freehold estate in his own right of the value of
four hundred pounds, clear of debt, lying within this state,
and who is not of the age of thirty years, and who shall not
have been an inhabitant of this state for seven years imniedi-
ately preceding his election, ai,d at the time thereof he shall be
an inhabitant of the district for which he shall be chosen.
The senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, provided
Guch adjournment do not exceed two days at a time.
The senate shall choose its own president, appoint its own
officers, and determine its own rules of proceedings. And not
less than eight members of the senate shall make a quorum for
doing business.
The senate shall be a court witii fidl power and authority to
hear and determine all impeachments made by tlie house of
representatives, against a'-v officer or officers of the State, for
misconduct or mal-administration in their offices. But previous
to the trial of any such impeachment, the members of the
senate shall respectively be sworn, truly and impartially to try
and determine the charge in question according to evidence.
Their judgment, however, shall not extend further than re-
moval from office, disqualification to hold or enjoy any place
of honor, trust or profit under this state ; but the party so con-
victed, shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judg-
ment and punishment, according to the laws of the land.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
There shall be in the legislature of this state, a representa-
tion of the pcojile, consisting of fifty members, apportioned
upon each county, as follows, viz. for the
County of Rockingham, twenty;
Straffijrd, eight \
Hillsborough, ten ;
Cheshire, eight ;
Grafton, four ;
and elected in County-Conventions.
In order that the rcprescntati>;n of the citizens of this state,
may be as equal as a large political society will admit; every
Cf)rporatc town, and parish, having town privileges, contain-
ing fifty rateable polls, may elect one delegate for such County
Convention, wherein such town or parish lies; every such
town, or parish, containing one hundred rateable polls, may
elect two such delegates, and so proceeding in that manner,
making fifty the mean increasing number for every additional
664 NEW IIAMPSIIIKE
delegate. And if after the fifties arc deducted, there should
remain twenty five, or more such rateable polls, that remain-
ing; number shall entitle such town or parish to elect another
delegate therefor. And every corporate town, or parish with
town privileges, which now, or hereafter, shall not contain
fifty rateable polls, shall have a right to join, or associate with
some town or towns adjoiin'ng, for the election of delegates ;
and in such cases, the votes thus united, shall have the right to
elect the same number of delegates, as they would have done
were they inhabitants of one corporate town ; which delegates
may be elected out of either of the associated towns, or par-
ishes, indiflerently. And the legislature, from time to time,
shall determine what towns or parishes shall thus associate,
the manner of their association, and the method of calling and
conducting the meetings of such associated towns and par-
ishes, for the election of delegates to the county conventions.
The delegates for the county conventions shall be elected by
a majority of written votes, and no person shall be a delegate,
unless he be of the Protestant Religion, and for two years next
preceding his election an inhabitant of the town, parish, or
association, for which he may be chosen ; and shall have an
estate of the value of two hundred pounds clear of debt, one
half of whicli, shall be a freehold whereof he is seized in his
own right, situate in the town, parish, or association, for wliich
he may be elected.
The meeting of the several towns, parishes and associations,
for the choice of such delegates, shall after being duly warned,
be holden in the respective towns, parishes & associations in
the month of March annually.
The Selectmen of the several towns, parishes and associa-
tions, shall preside at such meetings, receive the votes of the
inhabitants thereof present, and qualified to vote for such del-
egates, in presence of the clerk tliereof, who shall make a fair
record in said meeting, in presence of the Selectmen, of the
names of the delegates chosen by a majority of votes, and of
the number of votes for each against his name; and a fair
copy of this record shall be attested by the Selectmen and
clerk of the meeting, and timely delivered to each delegate.
The conventions for tiie choice of representatives for each
county shall be holden at the following time and places, viz.
on the third Wednesday of April amuially, At Chester, for
and in the county of Rockingham ; At Rocliester, for and in
the county of Stratlbrd ; At Amherst, for and in the county of
Hillsborough ; At Walpole, for and in the county of Cheshire ;
At Haverhill, for and in the county of Grafton.
The places for holding such conventions, may be altered by
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 865
he legislature, for others more convenient within the respect-
ive counties. A quorum of each convention for doing busi-
ness, shall never be less than two thirds of its members.
Each convention shall be the judge of the returns, qualifica-
tions, and elections of its own members as pointed out in the
constitution, shall choose their own president and clerk, and
settle rules for their own proceedings.
Each county shall contain as many districts, as the same
shall have representatives, and each district in each county,
shall be so divided by the respective annual conventions, as
each shall contain equal number of rateable polls, or as near
as may be.
The several counties in the State shall be so divided into
districts by the conventions of each county, at their first an-
nual meeting; and forever after at every fifth annual conven-
tion. Which being done, each convention, shall elect by a
majority of written votes out of the members who arc chosen
to compose such convention, a representative for each district;
and living within the district for which he may be chosen.
And the president of such convention, with the clerk, shall
sort and count the votes, and declare who are chosen repre-
sentatives by a majority of votes for each district within such
county, and the clerk shall make a fair record of the names of
each representative, and of the number of votes for each
against his name, in open convention ; and deliver a copy of
the record attested by the president and clerk, to each repre-
sentative, as soon as may be.
Each convention shall have power to adjourn themselves
but not longer than two days at a time. All intermediate va-
cancies in tlie house of representatives, may be filled up from
time to time by the convention of the county wherein the
same may happen, agreeably to the writ from the house of
representatives for that purpose ; which occasional conven-
tion shall be holden at the same places appointed for the an-
nual ones, and at such times as the writ sh;Ul direct; and such
representatives shall be elected and returned, in like manner
as those at the annual conventions.
The house of representatives shall be chosen annually, and
shall be the second branch of the legislature.
The wages and travel to the General Court, and returning
home, once in every session, shall be paid out of the public
treasury, to every member, who in the judgment of the house,
shall attend seasonably, and not dejiart without leave.
The house of representatives shall be the grand inquest of
the State, and all impeachments made by them, shall be
heard and tried by the Senate.
55
866 NEW HAMPSHIRE
All money bills shall originate in the house of representa-
tives, but the senate may propose or concur with amendments
as on other bills.
The house of representatives shall have power to adjourn
themselves, but not longer than two days at a time.
Two thirds of the members of the house of representatives
elected, provided the said two thirds do not amount to a less
number than thirty, shall make a quorum for doing business.
No member of the house of representatives or senate shall
be arrested, or held to bail on mean process, during his going
to, returning from, or attendance upon the court.
The house of representatives shall choose their own speak-
er, appoint their own officers, settle the rules of proceedings
in their own house ; and issue writs to fill up any interme-
diate vacancies therein. They shall have authority to punish
by imprisonment, every person who shall be guilty of disre-
spect to the house in its presence, by any disorderly and con-
temptuous behaviour, or by threatening, or ill treating any of
its members ; or by obstructing its deliberations ; every per-
son guilty of a breach of its privileges in making arrests for
debt, or by assaulting any of its members during his attend-
ance at any session, in assaulting or disturbing any one of its offi-
cers in the e'xecution of any order or procedure of the house,
in assaulting any witness or other person, ordered to attend
and during his attendance, of the house, or in rescuing any
person arrested by order of the house, knowing them to be
such. The Senate and Governor, and Council, shall have the
same powers in like cases, provided that no imprisonment by
either for any offence, exceed ten days.
The Journals of the proceedings of both houses of the Gen-
eral Court, shall be printed and published immediately after
every adjournment, or prorogation ; and upon motion made
by any one member, the yeas and nays upon any question,
shall be taken and entered in the journals.
The legislature shall once every five years from the com-
mencement of this constitution, apportion the representatives
anew to and for each county, according to the number of rate-
able polls each may contain.
EXECUTIVE POWER.
GOVERNOR.
There shall be a supreme executive Magistrate, who shall
be stiled, the Governor of the State of New Hampshire ;
and whose Title shall be His Excellency.
The Governor shall be chosen annually ; and no person
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 867
shall be eligible to this office, unless at the time of his elec-
tion, he shall have been an inhabitant of this state for seven
years next preceding, and unless he shall be of the age of
thirty years, and unless he shall, at the same time, have an
estate of the value of one thousand pounds, one half of w^hich
shall consist of a freehold, clear of debt, within the state ; and
unless he shall be of the Protestant religion.
Those persons qualified to vote for delegates to the county
conventions, within the several towns, parishes, and planta-
tions, of this state, shall at a meeting to be called for that pur-
pose, some day in the month of March annually, give in their
votes for a Governor to the select men, who shall preside at
such meeting, and the clerk in the presence and with the as-
sistance of the select men, shall in open meeting sort and count
the votes, and form a list of the persons voted for, with the
number of votes for each person against his name ; and shall
make a fair record of the same in the town books ; and a pub-
lic declaration thereof in the said meeting ; and shall in the
presence of said inhabitants seal up a copy of said list, attested
by him and the selectmen, and transmit the same to the sheriff
of the county, thirtv days at least before the first Wednesday
of Juno, or bhall cause returns of the same to be made to the
office of the secretary of the state, seventeen days at least, before
said day : who shall lay the same before the seriate and bouse
of representatives on the first Wednesday of June, to be by
them examined : And in case of an election by a majority of
votes thro' the state, the choice shall be by them declared and
published : But if no person shall have a majority of votes,
the house of representatives shall b}' ballot elect two out of four
persons, who had the highest number of votes, if so many
shall have been voted for ; but if othei-wise, out of the number
voted for ; and make return to the senate of the two persons so
elected, on which the senate shall proceed by ballot to elect one
of them, who shall be declared Governor.
The Governor, with the advice of Council, sliah have full
power and authority in the recess of the general court, to pro-
rogue the same from time to time, not exceeding ninet}- days
in any one recess of said court ; and during the session of said
court, to adjourn or prorogue it to any time the two houses
may desire ; and to call it together sooner, than the time to
which it may be adjourned, or prorogued, if the welfare of the
state should require the same.
In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with re-
gard to the time of adjournment, or prorogation, the Gov-
ernor, with advice of Council, shall have the right to adjourn
or prorogue the General Court, not exceeding ninety days, at
any one time, as he mav determine the public good may re-
868 NEW HAMPSHIRE
quire. And he shall dissolve the same seven days before the
said first Wednesday of June. And in case of any infectious
distemper prevailing in the place where the said court at any
time is to convene, or any other cause whereby dangers may
arise to the healths, or lives, of the members from their at-
tendance, the Governor may direct the session to be holden at
some other the most convenient place within the State.
The Governor of this State for the time being, shall be com-
mander in chief of the army and navy, and all the military
forces of the State, by sea and land ; and shall have full power
by himself, or by any chief commander, or other officer, or of-
ficers, from time to time, to train, instruct, exercise, and gov-
ern the militia and navy ; and for the special defence and safety
of this state, to assemble in martial array, and put i:i warlike
posture, the inhabitants thereof, and to lead and conduct them,
and with them to encounter, expulse, repel, resist and pursue
by force of arms, as well by sea as by land, within and with-
out the limits of this state : and also to kill, slay, destroy, if
necessary, and conquer by all fitting ways, enterprize and
means, all and every such person and persons, as shall at any
time, hereafter, in a hostile manner, attempt or enterprize the
destruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance of this-State;
and to use and exercise over the army and navy, and over the
militia in actual service, the law martial in time of war, inva-
sion, and also in rebellion, declared by the legislature to exist,
as occasion shall necessarily require. And also from time to
time, to erect forts, and fortify any place or places within the
said state, and the same to furnish with all necessary ammuni-
tions, provisions and warlike stores for defence and otlcnce, and
to commit, from time to time, the custody and government of
the same, to such person or persons as to him may seem meet:
And in time of emergency, the said forts and fortifications to
demolish at his discretion : and to take and surprize by all
ways and means whatsoever, all and every such person or per-
sons, with their ships, arms, ammunition, and other goods, as
shall in a hostile manner invade, or attempt the invading, con-
quering, or annoying this State : and in fine, that the Gov-
ernor be, and hereby is intrusted with all other powers inci-
dent to the office of Captain-General and Commander in Chief,
and Admiral, to be exercised agreeably to the rules and regu-
lations of the Constitution, and the laws of the land. Pro-
vided, that the Governor shall not at any time hereafter, by
virtue of any power by this constitution granted, or hereafter
to be granted to him by the legislature, transport any of the in-
habitants of this state, or oblige them to march out of the lim-
its of the same, without their free and voluntary consent, or
the consent of the general court; nor grant commissions for
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 869
exercisiii_2^ the law martial upon any of the inhabitants of this
state, without the advice and consent of the council of the
same.
The power of pardoning of ofl'cnces, except such as persons
may be convicted of before the senate by the impeachment of
the house, shall be in the Governor, by and with the advice of
the Council. But no charter of pardon granted by the Gov-
ernor, with the advice of Council, before conviction, shall avail
the party pleading the same notwithstanding any general or
particular expressions contained therein, descriptive of the of-
fence or oflences intended to be pardoned.
All judicial officers, the Attorney-General, Solicitor-Gen-
eral, all Sherills, Coroners, Registers of Probate, and other
civil officers, except such as are to be otherwise elected or ap-
pointed by this constitution, or the laws of the state, and all
officers of the militia and navy shall be nominated and ap-
pointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent
of the Council ; and every such nomination shall be made by
the Governor, at least seven days prior to such appointment.
No officer, duly commissioned to command in the militia,
shall be removed from his office, but by the address of both
houses to the Governor, or by fair trial in court martial, pur-
suant to the laws of the state for the time being.
The commanding officers of regiments shall appoint their
adjutants and quarter-masters ; the brigadiers their brigade
majors ; the major-generals their aids ; the captains and sub-
alterns their non-commissioned officers.
The Governor, with the advice of Council, shall appoint all
officers of the Continental army, whom by the confederation
of the United States it is provided that this state shall appoint,
as also all officers of forts and garrisons.
The division of the militia into Brigades, regiments, and
companies, made in pursuance of the militia laws now in force,
shall be considered as the proper division of the militia of this
state, until the same shall be altered by some future law.
No monies shall be issued out of the treasury of this state,
and disposed of, (except such sums as may be appropriated for
the redemption of bills of credit or treasurers notes, or for the
payment of interest arising thereon) but by warrant imder the
hand cf the Governor, f)r the time being, by and with the ad-
vice and consesit of the council, for the necessary support and
defence of this state, and for the necessary protection and
preservation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts
and resolves of the general court.
All public boards, the cominissary-general, all superintend-
ing officers of public magazines and stores, belonging to this
870 NEW HAMPSHIRE
State, and all commanding officers of forts and garrisons within
the same, shall once in every three months officially, and with-
out requisition, and at other times, when required by the gov-
ernor, deliver to him an account of all goods, stores, pro-
visions, ammunition, cannon with their appendages and small
arms, with their accoutrements, and of all other public prop-
erty under their care respectively ; distinguishing the quantity,
and kind of each, as particularly as may be ; together with the
condition of such forts and garrisons : And the commanding
officer shall exhibit to the governor, when required by him,
true and exact plans of such forts, and of the land and sea or
harbor or harbors adjacent.
And to prevent an undue influence in this state, which the
first magistrate thereof may acquire, by the long possession of
the important powers and trusts of that office, as also to stim-
ulate others to qualify themselves for the service of the public,
in the highest stations, no man shall be eligible as governor of
this state, mure than three years in any seven.
And as the public good requires, that the Governor should
not be under the undue influence of any members of the two
houses, by a dependence on them for support, that he should
in all cases act with freedom for the beneht of the public ; that
he should not have his attention necessarily diverted from that
object to his private concerns ; and that he should maintainthe
dignity of the .State in the character of its Chief Magistrate ; it
is necessary that he should have an honorable stated salary of
a fixed and permanent value, amply sufficient for those pur-
poses, and established by standing laws ; and it shall be among
the first acts of the general court after the commencement of
this constitution, to establish such salary by law accordingly.
Permanent and honorable salaries shall be established by
law for the Justices of the Superior Court.
Whenever the chair of the Governor shall be vacant, by
reason of his death, absence from the state, or otherwise, the
President of the Senate, for the time being, shall during such
vacar.cy,have and exercise all the powers and authorities which
by this constitution the Governor is vested with when person-
ally present ; and whenever the President shall fill the chair,
he shall have no voice in the Senate.
COUNCIL.
There shall be a Council for advising the Governor, in the
executive part of government, to consist of five persons, whom
the Governor for the time being, shall have full power and
authority to convene from time to time, at his discretion, and
the Governor, with the Counsellors, or three of them at least,
shall and may, from time to time, hold and keep a council, for
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 871
ordering and directing the aflairs of the State, according to the
laws of the kind.
Five Counsellors shall be annually chosen from among the
people at large, on the first Wednesday of June annually by
joint ballot of the Senators and representatives in one room as-
sembled. The qualifications for counsellors, shall be the same
as those required for senators.
The resolutions and advice of the Council shall be recorded
in a register, and signed by the members present, and the rec-
ord may be called for at any time, by cither house of tlie legis-
lature, and any member of the Council may enter his opinion
contrary to the resolution of the majority.
And whereas the elections appointed to be made by this con-
stitution, on the first Wednesday of June annually, by the two
houses of the legislature, may not be completed on that day,
the said elections may be adjourned from day to day until the
same shall be completed. And the order of the elections shall
be as follows: the vacancies in the senate, if any, shall be first
filled up ; the Governor shall then be elected, nro\'ided there
should be no choice of him by the people : And afterwards the
two houses shall proceed to the election of the Counxil.
SECRETARY, TREASURER, COMMISSARY-GENERAL, &C.
The Secretary, Treasurer, and Commissary-General, shall
be chosen by joint ballot of the senators and representatives in
one room : and no man shall be eligible as Treasurer or com-
missary-general of this state, more than five years successively.
The records of the state shall be kept in the office of the
secretary, who may appoint his deputies, for whose conduct he
shall be answerable, and he shall attend the governor and coun-
cil, the senate and representatives, in person, or by deputy, as
they may require.
COUNTY-TREASURER, &C.
The Countv-Treasurers. and Registers of Deeds shall be
elected by the inhabilants of the several towns, in the several
counties in tlie state, according to the method now practised,
and the present laws of the state : And before they enter upon
the business of their offices, shall be respectively sworn faith-
fully to discharge the duties thereof, and shall severally give
bond, with sufficient sureties, in a reasonable sum for the use
of the county, for the punctual performance of their respective
trusts.
JUDICIARY POWER.
The tenure, that all commission officers shall have by law in
their offices, shall be expressed in their respective commis-
872 NEW HAMPSHIRE
sions. All judicial officers, duly appointed, commissioned"
and sworn, shall hold their offices durin'^ good behaviour, ex-
cepting those concerning whom there is a diflerent provision
made in this constitution : Provided nevertheless, the Governor^
with consent of" council, may remove them upon the address
of both houses of the legislature.
Each branch of the legislature, as well as the governor and
council, shall have authority to require the opinions of the
justices of the superior court upon important questions of law^
and upon solemn occasions.
In order that the people may not suffer from the long con-
tinuance in place of any justice of the peace, who shall fail in
discharging the important duties of his office with ability and
fidelity, all commissions of Justices of the peace shall expire
and become void, in the term of five years from their respect-
ive dates ; and upon the expiration of any commission, the
same may if necessary, be renewed, or another person ap-
pointed, as shall most conduce to the well-being of the State.
The judges of probate of wills, and for granting letters of
administration, shall hold their courts, at such place, or
places, on such fixed days, as the convenience of the people
may require. And the legislature shall from time to time,
hereafter appoint such times and places, until which appoint-
ments the said courts shall be holden at the times and places
which the respective judges shall direct.
All causes of marriage, divorces and alimony, and all ap-
peals from the respective judges of probate, shall be heard
and tried by the superior court, until the legislature shall, by
law, make other provisions.
CLERKS OF COURTS.
The Clerks of the Superior Court of Judicature, Inferior
Courts of Common Pleas, and General Sessions of the Peace,
Shall be appointed by the respective courts during pleasure.
And to prevent any fraud or unfairness in the entries and rec-
ords of said courts, no such clerk shall be of counsel in any
cause in the court of which he is clerk, nor shall he fill any
writ in any civil action whatsoever.
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.
The Delegates of this State to the Congress of the United
States, shall sometime between the first Wednesday of June
and the first Wednesday of September annually, be elected by
the senate and house of representatives in their seperate
branches, to serve in congress for one year ; to commence on
the first Monday in November then next ensuing. They shall
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 873
have commissions under the hand of the governor, and the great
seal of the state ; but may be recalled at any time within theyear,
and others chosen and commissioned, in the same manner, in
their stead. And they shall have the same qualifications in all
respects, as by this constitution are required for the governor.
No oerson shall be capable of being a delegate to Congress,
for more than three years in any term of six years ; nor shall
any person being a delegate, be capable of holding any office
under the United States, for which he, or any other for his
benefit, receives anv salary, or emolument of any kind.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE, &C.
Knowledge and Learning, generally diffused through a com-
munity, being essential to the preservation of a free govern-
ment, and spreading the opportunities and advantages of edu-
cation through the various parts of the country, being highly
conducive to promote this end ; it shall be the duty of the leg-
islators and magistrates, in all future periods of this govern-
ment, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and
all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and
public institutions, rewards and immunities for the promotion
of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufac-
tures, and natural history of the country ; to countenance and
inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence,
public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and
punctuality in their dealings ; sincerity, sobriety, and all social
affections, and generous sentiments, among the people.
Oaths and .Subscriptions ; Exclusion from Offices ;
Commissions ; Writs ; Confirmation of Laws ; Habeas
Corpus ; the Enacting Stile ; Continuance of Offi-
cers ; Provision for a Future Revision of the Consti-
tution, &c.
Any person chosen Governor, Coimsellor, Senator or Rep-
resentative, accepting the trust, shall before he proceeds to
execute the duties of his office, make and subscribe the fol-
lowing declaration, viz.
/, A. I), do truly and sincerely acknoxvlcdge^ frnfcss^ tes-
tify and declare, that the State of New Hampshire is, and
of rigJit ought to be, a free, sovercigjz, and indepe7ident
State; and do svjear that I will bear faith and true alle-
giance to the same, and that I will defend it against all
treacherous conspiracies and hostile attempts whatever ; and
that I do refiounce anv subjection and obedience to the sov-
ereign, or government of Great Britain, and every foreign
power whatsoever, and tJiat no foreign prince^ person, pre-
874
NEW HAMPSHIRE
late, state or potentate Jiath^ or ought to have^ any jurisdic-
tion^ superiority, pre-eminence^ authority dispensing or
other poijoer^ in any matter civile ecclesiastical., or political
within this State, except the power and authority whicJi, is,
or may be vested by their Constituents in the Congress of the
United States : And I do further testify a?id declare, that
no mail or body of men, hath or can have, a right to absolve
me from the obligation of this oath, declaration or afirma-
tion ; and that 1 do make this acknowledgement , profession,
testi7nony, declaration, denial and rejiunciation, honestly
and truly, according to the common acceptation of the fore-
going words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or
secret reservatioti whatsoever.
So help me God.
I A. B. do solemnly and sificerely swear and affirm, that
I will faithfully ajid impartially discharge and perform
all the duties iitcutnbent on me as according to the
best Of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations
of this Constitution, and the laws of the State of New
Hampshire. '■''So help me God."
Provided always, When any Person chosen or appointed as
aforesaid, shall be of the denomination called Quakers, or
shall be scrupulous of swearing, and shall decline taking the
said oath, such shall take and subscribe them, omitting the
word "• Swear" and likewise the words " So help me God,"
subjoining instead thereof. This I do under the pains and pen-
alties of perjury. And the oaths or affirmations shall be taken
and subscribed by the Governor, before the President of the
Senate in the presence of the two Houses of Assembly ; and
by the Senate and Representatives first elected under this
Constitution, before the President and three of the Council of
the former Constitution, and forever afterwaids, before the
Governor and Council for the time being : and bv the residue
of the officers aforesaid, before such persons, and in such man-
ner as irom time to time shall be prescribed by the Legisla-
tuie.
All commissions shall be in the name of the State of New
Hampshire, signed by the Governor, and attested by the Sec-
retary, or his deputy, and shall have the great seal of the State
affixed thereto.
All writs issuing out of the clerk's office in any of the courts
of law, shall be in the name of the State of New Hampshire ;
shall be under the seal of the court whence they issue and
bear test of the chief, first or senior Justice of the court; but
when such Justice shall be interested, then the writ shall bear
test of some other Justice of the court, to which the same
shall be returnable, and be signed by the clerk of such Court.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. S75
All indictments, presentments and information shall con-
clude against the peace and dignity of the State.
The estates of such persons as may destroy their own lives,
shall not for that offence be forfeited, but descend or ascend in
the same manner, as if such person had died in a natural way.
Nor shall any article, which shall accidentally occasion the
death of any person, be henceforth deemed a deodand, or in
any wise forfeited on account of such misfortune.
All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, read and
approved, in t!ic Province, Colony or State of New Hampshire,
and usually practised on in the courts of law, shall still remain
and be in full force, until altered and repealed by the Legisla-
ture ; such parts there off only excepted, as are repugnant to
the rights and liberties contained in this Constitution.
The priviledge and benefit of the Habeas Corpus, shall be
enjoyed in this State, in the most free, easy, cheap, expeditious,
and ample manner, and shall not be suspended by the Legis-
lature, except upon the most urgent and pressing occasions,
and for a time not exceeding three months.
The enacting stile in making and passing Acts, Statutes and
laws, shall be — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives in General Court convened.
No Governor, or Judge of the Superior Court, shall hold
any office or place, under the authority of this State, except
such as by this Constitution they are admitted to hold, saving
that the Judges of the said Court may hold the offices of Jus-
tice of the Peace throughout the State ; nor shall they hold any
place or office, or receive any pension or salary, from any other
State, Government or Power whatever.
No person shall be capable of exercising at the same time,
more than one of the following offices within this vState, viz,
Judge of Probate, Sheriff, Register of Deeds : and never more
than two offices of profit which may be held by appointment
of the Governor, or Governor and Council, or Senate and
House of Representatives, or Superior or Liferior Courts ;
military offices and offices of Justices of the Peace excepted.
No person holding the office of Judge of the Superior Court,
Secretary, Treasurer of the State, Judge of Probate, Com-
missary General, Military Officers receiving pay from the
Continent or this State ; excepting officers of the militia occa-
sionally called forth on an emergency, Judge of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas, President, Professor or Instructor of
any College, ShcrilV or officer of the Customs, including naval
officers, shall at the same time have a scat in the vScnate or
House of Representatives or Council ; but their being chosen
or appointed to and accepting the same shall operate as a resig-
876 NEW HAMPSHIRE
nation of their seat in the Senate, or House of Representatives
or Council, and the phice so vacated shall be filled up.
No person shall ever be admitted to hold a Seat in the Legis-
lature, or any office of trust or importance under this Govern-
ment, who in the due course of law, has been convicted of
bribery, or corruption in obtaining an election or appoint-
ment.
In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this
Constitution, the value thereof shall be computed in silver at six
shillings andeight pence perounce. Audit shall be inthe power
of the Legislature to increase such qualifications as to prop-
erty of persons to be elected to office, as the circumstances of
the State may require.
To the end that there may be no failure of justice or danger
arise to this State from a change of the form of Government,
all civil and military officers, holding commissions under the
Government and People of New Hampshire, and other officers
of the said Government and People, at the time this Constitu-
tion shall take eftect, shall hold, exercise and enjoy all the
powers and authorities to them granted and committed, until
other persons shall be appointed in their stead. All courts of
law in the business of their respective departments, and the
Executive and Legislative Bodies and Persons, shall continue
in full fcrce. enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts and em-
ployments, until the General Court and the supreme and other
Execr.tive officers under this Constitution, are designated and
invested with their respective trusts, powers and authority.
This form of Government shall be enrolled on parchment,
and deposited in the Secretary's office, and be a part of the
laws of the land, and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed
to the books containing the laws of this State, in all future edi-
tions thereof.
To preserve an eflcctual adherence to the principles of the
Constitution, and to correct any violation thereof; as well as
to make sucli alterations therein, as from experience may be
found necessary, the General Court shall after the expiration of
seven years from the time this Constitution shall take effect,
issue their precepts to the selectmen of the several towns, and
to the assessors of unincorporated places within this State, di-
recting them to convene the qualified voters therein, for the
purpose of collecting their sentiments on the necessity or ex-
pediency of revising the Constitution in order for amendments :
And if it shall appear by the returns made, that two thirds of
the qualified voters through the State who shall assemble and
vote in consequence of said precepts, are in favor of such re-
vision and amendments, the General Court shall issue precepts,
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 877
or direct them to be issued from the .Secretary's office, to the
several towns and im incorporated places to elect delegates to
meet in Convention for the purpose aforesaid : The said dele-
gates to be chosen in the same manner and proportion as the
delegates to the annual County Conventions, are by this Con-
stitution.
In Convention, September 14, 17S1.
Resolved that this Convention be adjourned to the fourth Wednes-
day of January next, to meet at Concord; and that seven hundred cop-
ies of the Plan of Government, which is aj^reed upon, to be printed,
including such as shall be ordered to each member of the General
Court, and of the Convention, be sent to the selectmen of each town,
and assessors of each plantation, under the direction of the Committee
appointed for that purpose : And that the selectmen and assessors be
requested as soon as may be to lay the same before the inhabitants of
their respective towns and plantations. And if the major part of the
inhabitants of said towns and plantations disapprove of any particular
part of the same, that they be desired to state their objections distinctly
and the reasons therefor. And the selectmen and assessors are desired
to transmit the same to the Convention on the fourth Wednesday of
January aforesaid, or to the Secretary of the Convention before then,
in order for the revision and consideration of the convention at the
adjournment; with the nimiber of voters in said towns and plantations
meetings, on each side of the question : That the Convention may be
able to collect the general sense of the people of this State on the sev-
eral parts of the proposed Constitution : And if there should not ap-
pear to be two thirds of the people in favor thereof, that the Conven-
tion may alter it in such manner as may be most agreeable to the senti-
ments of two thirds of the voters throughout this State.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
On the fourth Wednesday of January, 1782, the Convention met ac-
cording to adjournment; and on examination of the returns of votes,
found the Constitution was rejected. The Convention then adjourned
to the third Wednesday in August following, at which they agreed on
another Plan of Government, which was sent out to the people with
another Address.
SECOND ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION
FOR KRA.MING A NEW CONSTITUTION OR FORM OF GOVERNMENT
FOR THE STATE OF NEW-IIAMPSUIKE, TO THE INHABITANTS
OF SAID STATE.
[Sent out in 1782.]
Note. — This Address, though very similar in many points to the
first, is evidently modified by the '^^ reasons" which the people assigned
for rejecting the first Constitution. Ed.
878 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Friends and Fellow-Citizens,
The General-Assembly of this State having thought proper to issue
precepts to the several Towns within the same, for choosing delegates
to form a Convention for the purpose of framing a civil Constitution
for the people of this State; and the Convention having repeatedlj
met in consequence of such choice, maturely deliberated on the impor-
tant subject, collected as nearly as possible the sentiments of the Inhab-
itants of this State from their returns laid before the Convention in
June last, agree to report the following plan, which with the humblest
deference is submitted to your impartial consideration.
The forming a Constitution, adapted not only to our present situa-
tion, but to the probable circumstances of remote posterity, is truly an
arduous task I How far we have succeeded in the attempt, you are the
sole judges. It is your interest as well as duty, to examine it with the
most critical attention ; and it is your unquestionable right to propose
such alterations as you may judge necessary, to approve and establish
the plan as it now stands, or wholly to reject it.
A PERFECT system of Government is not to be expected in the pres-
ent imperfect state of humanity. But could a faultless one be framed,
it would not be universally approved, unless its judges were all equally
perfect. Much less then, may we presume to hope that the plan here
offered to view will meet with universal approbation. Unanimity of
sentiment is seldom to be found in any case; there are many reasons
for despairing of it in the present. ^ Besides the common sources for
variety of opinions on points in general, there are new and particular
ones in the case before us. There is nothing which our open, avoived
enetnies more dread than to see the several States, each formed into a
permanent and well-constructed body-politick, as nothing under GOD,
can more contribute to the stabilitv of their councils, or the success of
their exertions. Nor have we any reason to doubt but that our secret,
internal enemies are equally averse thereto. Every artifice will be de-
vised, every eftbrt tried, to frustrate an event equally dreaded by both.
Let us guard against their machinations.
When the people of this State first thought proper to assume gov-
ernment for themselves, it was a time of difficulty and peril. That
form which was the simplest, and first presented itself to their view, in the
perturbation of spirits that then prevailed, they adopted without that
thorough discussion and calm deliberation which so important an ob-
ject required. It was not intended to be lasting. It was expressly de-
clared by themselves to be temporary.
In this imperfect form, the Legislative and Executive powers of gov-
ernment were vested in one body, to wit, in a General Court, consist-
ing of two branches, a House of Representatives and a Council. Nor
was any provision made therein for the exercise of the executive power
in the recess of the General-Assembly. So great a defect was soon
discovered and felt ; and the Court thus established by the Constitution,
were compelled to attempt a remedy by delegating the executive-power
to a Committee of Safety in the recess of the General-Assembly ; which
mode has since been continued, and this Committee has made an
important part of the government.
A further defect, among many others, is the want of an Exclu-
sion Bill : In consequence of which, some individuals assist in en-
acting laws, in explaining and applying them, and even in carrying
them into execution.
While we forbear to mention a variety of other imperfections, per-
mit us to suggest, that the great expence incurred by frequent meetings
of the Committee of Safety, and the delaj' necessarily occasioned by
the business of the executive department being intrusted to so great a
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 879
number of persons, have been too sensibly felt to require arguments on
our part, to convince you that an alteration in this respect, will pro-
mote the interest of every individual in the community.
Having premised these things, we will proceed to consider as criti-
cally as the limits of our time will admit, the frame of government
herewith exhibited to your view, its principles, and some of the mo-
tives that induced us to prefer it to any other system which occurred to
us.
Availing ourselves of the various theories and forms of government
we could meet with, whether new or old, examining their principles,
and comparing them, as far as we were able, with experience, the sur-
est touchstone, and most infallible comment, we collected sufficient,
and we hoped the best materials, for the political building now pre-
sented to your view.
The three powers of government before hinted at, to wit — The legis-
lative, or power of making laws — The judicial, or power of expound-
ing and applying them to each particular case — And the executive, to
carry them into effect, and give the political machine life and motion :
These three important powers we have thought proper to keep as sep-
erate and distinct as possible, for the following reasons.
If they should be all united, the government would then be a com-
plete system of tyranny. The same party would be legislator, accuser,
judge and executioner.
If the legislative and judicial powers should be united, the maker of
the law would be the interpreter thereof, and might make it speak what
language best pleased him, to the total abolition of justice.
If the executive and legislative powers should be vested in one body,
still greater evils would follow. This body would enact only such
laws as it wisb.ed to carry into execution, and would besides, entirely
absorb and destroy the judicial power, one of the greatest securities of
the life, liberty, and property of the subject; and in fine, would pro-
duce the same system of despotism first mentioned.
And lastly, should the executive and judicial powers be combined,
the great barrier against oppression would be at once destroyed : The
laws would be made to bend to the will of that power which sought
to execute them with the most unbridled rapacity.
These several powers should also be independent; in order to which
they are formed with a check upon each otiier. We shall proceed to
consider them distinctly.
The legislative-power we have vested in a Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives (with the reserve hereafter mentioned) each of which
branches is l(} have a negative on the other; and either may originate
any Bill, except for the grant of monies, which is always to originate
in the House. Any alterations or amendments may be proposed by
either branch, in all cases. We have given the supreme executive
power the right of revising and objecting to all the acts passed by the
legislature, for reasons hereafter to be mentioned.
The mode of representation is not only the best we could devise, but
is conformed to the sentiments of a very great majority of individuals
in the State, as appears by the returns which they have been pleased to
lay before us; and doth not materially dift'er from that which has long
been practised upon in this government: consequently not likely to
produce those dangerous evils, which too often flow from the adopting
systems not recommended by the voice of experience. Every town,
parish, or place, however inconsiderable, may be represented by being
classed with some other; and where this cannot be done without incon-
venience, the General-Assembly is impowered to grant relief. And
should any defects be discovered in the present mode of representation.
8So NEW HAMPSHIRE
a revision at the end of seven years, will afford sufficient opportvmitjr
to apply a remedy.
The choice and powers of the Senate being sufficiently explained in
the Constitution, we shall pass over with a bare mention, and proceed
to the executive-power.
This power is the active principle in all governments. Its depart-
ment is to put in execution all the laws enacted by the Legislative-
body. Its characteristic requisites are secrecy, vigour, and dispatch.
The" fewer persons therefore, this supreme power is trusted with, the
greater probability there is that these requisites will be found. The
Convention therefore, on the maturest deliberation, have thought it
best to lodge this power in the hands of o«c, whom they have stiledthe
Governor. They have indeed cloathed him with the necessary pow-
ers, while every possible provision is made to guard against the abuse
of this high betrustment, and protect the rights of the people. — The
manner of his choice is such, that he is the most perfect representative
of the people. He can take no one step of importance without the
advice of his privy Council; and he is elected annually. Every neces-
sary and useful qualification is required in him, in point of age, relig-
ion, residency, and fortune. In addition to all which, he is liable for
every misconduct to be impeached, tried and displaced, by the two leg-
islative branches; and is amenable to the laws besides, equally with the
meanest subject of the State. Thus controlled and checked himself,
the Convention thought it reasonable and necessary, that he, in turn,
should have some check on the legislative power. They therfore gave
him the right of objecting to, and suspending, tho' not the absolute
control over the acts of that body; which they thought indispensably
necessary to repel any encroachments on the executive-power, and pre-
serve its independency'.
As the strength and safety of this State will greatly depend on the
keeping up a well regulated inilitia, we have been particularly attentive
to this important object; and after the most mature deliberation have
adopted a mode for the appointment of militia officers, which wc Hatter
ourselves will receive your approbation. Experience has sufficiently
convinced the Americans in general, and some of our neighbouring
States in particular, of the ill consequence, resulting from the method
adopted in their Constitutions of the Captains and Subalterns being
chosen by the soldiers, and the field officers by the Captains and Subal-
terns. This not only renders every superior officer dependent on his
inferior, but opens a dangerous avenue to division, discord and ani-
mosity in every corps ; where the election of an officer is not unani-
mous, vv^hich cannot be always rationally expected, indolent and un-
qualified persons, who know how to gain an ascendency over the
minds of the soldiers, by art, and address, will probably be preferred
to those who by a strict attention to the duties of their office, would
render the militia respectable in the minds of our friends, and formida-
ble in the eyes of our enemies.
At the commencementof the present war with Great-Britain, the want
of experience necessarily induced many, if not all the States, to adopt this
mode of appointing their officers to serve in the Continental army,
which method would have continued to this day, if experience had not
sufficiently demonstrated, that subordination, harmony, and regular
discipline, could not exist, where such appointments were tolerated.
To avoid these, and many other evils, too tedious to enumerate, we
have vested the Governor & Council, with the power of appointing the
General and field-officers ; and have given the field-officers the power
of nominating their Captains and Subalterns.
Persons quilifi:d to fill th3 important posts of General and field-
officers, will undoubtedly bj sufficiently known in the State; and a
I
CONSTITUTIOXAL CONVENTIONS. 88 1
knowledge of their talents may be acquired by the Governor and
Council, without that didiculty, which would attend an examination,
respecting the abilities of persons qualified to serve as Captains and
•Subalterns.
The Governor and Council will have every inducement to be partic-
ular in the appointment of proper persons, as General & field officers,
& the field officers must feel their honor too nearly concerned, in the
nomination of their under otficers. to recommend any, without first
availing themselves of every necessary information and advice. We
Jiave been thus particular upon this head on account ol its great impor-
tance to the State, our own observations, and the opinion of every
person versed in the art of war, concur in persuading us, that our
safety, and yours, as well as that of unborn posterity, will depend upon
you/rejecting the ill-judged method of electing officers by the voice of
tumult, dissention, and party spirit, and adopting the natural, and
rational mode of appointment which we recommend.
The judicial department falls next under our consideration.
This comprehends the Judges of the several courts, and the Jus-
tices of the peace throughout the State. These are all appointed by
the Governor, with the advice of Council, but not removable by him
in case of mal-conduct, but by the Legislature — and in no case with-
out the intervention of that body.
The Judges all hold their offices during good behaviour; the only
proper tenure, especially for the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judi-
cature, as they ought, in a peculiar manner, to feel themselves inde-
pendent and free, and as none would be at the pains to qualify them-
i-elves for such important places, if they were liable to be removed at
pleasure. As another inducement for persons so to qualify themselves,
as an encouragement to vigilance, and an antidote to bribery and cor-
ruption ; adequate, honorable, and permanent salaries to the Judges of
the Supreme Court in a particular manner, we have made assential in
the Constitution, and do now most strongly recommend.
The alteration of Justices commissions from life, to five years, is
to guard against age, incapacity, and too large a number; to secure
the appointment of the best; and to prevent too frequent addresses
and impeachments. You will judge of the propriety and expediency
of this innovation, and either give it your sanction or not as appears
to you best.
The reasons for the Exclusion-Bill, are too obvious to need point-
ing out. Sad experience has evinced the necessity of such provision.
Besides tlie interference ot several offices held by the same person, in point
of time, which we have often seen; and the difficulty of one man's giv-
ing his attention to many matters sufficiently to understand them all,
which we have too often felt; there is a still stronger reason, which is
the difficulty of a man's preserving his integrity in discharging the
duties of each unstained — at least by suspicion.
From the deepest impression of the vast importance of Literature
in a free government, we have interwoven it with, and made its protec-
tion and encouragement a part of the Constitution itself
The Bill of Rights contains the essential principles of the Consti-
tution. It is the foundation on which the whole political fabric is
reared, and is consequently, a most important part thereof.
We have endeavord therein to ascertain and define the most impor-
tant and essential natural rights of men. We have distinguished be-
twixt the alienable and unalienable rights: For the former of which,
men maj' receive an equivalent; for the latter, or the Rights of Con-
science, they can receive none : The world itself being wholly inade-
56
SSZ NEW HAMPSHIRE
quale to the purchase. " I^or tv/iai is a 7nan projited, though he should'
'^ gain the zvhole ivorld, and lose hts ozvn soul?"
The various modes of worship among mankind, are founded in their
various sentiments and beliefs concerning the GREAT OBJECT of all
religious worship and adoration, — therefore to Him alone, and not to
man, are they accountable for them.
Thus the Convention have endeavored to explain as particularly as
they could without trespassing on _vour patience, the reasons and prin-
ciples upon which they have laboured to form this Constitution. They
have done it in integrity and faithfulness. They conceived themselves
as part of the community for which the Constitution is intended, and
therefore equally interested with the other members in framing the
best. Whatever latent defects there may be in it, time will discover
them — and, at the end of seven years, provision is made that they may
be amended — Confiding therefore in your candour, and humbly implor-
ing on your behalf, that assistance which the fountain of wisdom sees
you need, we leave it in your hands, and wait with cheerful acquies-
cence, your decision.
In the natnc, and pursuant to a Resolution of the Convention.
GEORGE ATKINSON, President.
Attest. JOHN SULLIVAN, Secretary P. T.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
The Bill of Rights, included in this second Constitution, is word for
word exactly like that sent out with the first (and hence need not be
repeated) — except in the following articles, which readers will please
notice; — the difference being marked by parallel lines, thus 1|.
Article XVI. No subject shall be liable to be tried after an acquit-
tal, for l|the same crime or offence. II Nor shall the Legislature make
any law that shall subject any person to a capital punishment, — except-
ing for the government of the army and navy, and the militia in actual
service, — without trial by Jury.
Article XVII. In criminal prosecutions, the trial of facts in the
vicinity where they happen, is so essential to the security of life, lib-
erty and estate of the citizen, that no crime or oftence ought to be tried
in any other county than where it is committed; ||except in cases of a
general insurrection in any particular county, where it shall appear to
the Judges of the Superior Court, that an impartial trial cannot be
had in the county where the offence may be committed, and upon their
report, the Assembly shall think proper to direct the trial in the near-
est county where an impartial trial can be obtained. 1|
Article XX. [The last line.] the Legislature shall ||think|| it nec-
essary hereafter to alter it.
Article XXXVI. Economy being a most essential virtue in all
States, llmore especially in a young one, no person ought to receive
any stipend or salary, but as an equivalent for actual services ; and the
Legislature ought to be exceeding cautious of granting pensions, es-
pecially for life. II
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 883
A CONSTITUTION OR FORM OF GOVERNMENT
FOR THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
PART II.
The People inhabiting the Territory formerly called the ProTince of
Nexv-Hamps/iire, do hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each
other, to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent Body-*
politic or State, by the Name of the STATE of NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The GENER^VL COURT.
The Supreme Legislative power within this State shall be vested in
a Senate and House of Representatives, each of which shall have a neg-
ative on the other.
The Senate and House shall assemble every year on the first Wed-
nesday of yune, and at such other times as they may judge necessary,
and shall dissolve, and be dissolved, seven days next preceding the said
first Wednesdav in Jufte ; and shall be stiledTaE GENERAL COURT
OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
No bill or resolve of the Senate or House of Representatives shall
become a law, and have force as such, until it shall have been laid be-
fore the Governor for his revisal : And if he, upon such revision, ap-
prove thereof, he shall signify his approbation by signing the same. —
But if he has any objection to the passing of such bill or resolve, he
shall return the same, together with his objections thereto, in writing,
to the Senate or House of Representatives, in which soever the same
shall have originated ; who shall enter the objections sent down by the
Governor, at large, on their records, and proceed to reconsider the said
bill or resolve : But if upon such reconsideration, three quarters of the
said Senate or House of Representatives, shall notwithstanding the said
objections, agree to pass the same, it shall, together with the objections,
be sent to the other branch of the Legislature, where it shall be also
reconsidered, and if approved by three quarters o( the members pres-
ent, it shall have the force of law: But in all such cases, the votes of
both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays ; and the names of
the persons voting for, or against, the said bill or resolve, shall be en-
tered upon the public records of the State.
And in order to prevent unnecessary delays, if any bill or resolve
having been presented to the Governor, shall not be returned by him
within the next eight days of the sitting of the General-Assembly, at
the same session ; or if it shall not so long continue, then on the sec-
ond day of their next session, the same shall have the force of a law.
The General Court shall forever have full power and autliority to
erect and constitute judicatories and courts of record, or other courts
to be holden in the name of the State, for the hearing, trying, and de-
termining all manner of crimes, offences, pleas, processes, plaints, ac-
tions, causes, matters, and tilings, whatsoever; arising, or happening
within this State, or between or concerning persons inhabiting, or re-
siding, or brought within the same, whether the same be criminal or
civil, or whether the crimes be capital, or not capital, and whether the
said pleas be real, personal, or mixt; and for the awarding and issuing
execution thereon. To which courts and judicatories are herel)y given
and granted full power and authority, from time to time, to administer
OO^ NEM"- HAMPSHIRE
oaths or affirmations, for the better discovery of truth in any matter in
controversy, or dependinc^ before them.
And farther, full power and authority are hereby given and granted
to the said General Court, from time to time, to make, ordain, and es-
tablish, all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes,
ordinances, directions and instructions, either with penalties or with-
out; so as the same be not repugnant, or contrary to this Constitution,
as they may judge for the benefit and welfare of this State, and for the
governing and ordering thereof, and of the subjects of the same, for the
necessary support and defence of the government thereof; and to name
and settle annually, or provide by fixed laws, for the naming and set-
tling all civil officers within this State; such officers excepted, the elec-
tion and appointment of whom, are hereafter in this form of govern-
ment otherwise provided for ; and to set forth the several duties, pow-
ers, and limits, of the several civil and military officers of this State,
and the forms of such oaths or affirmations, as shall be respectively ad-
ministered unto them for the execution for their several offices and
places, so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this Constitu-
tion; and also to impose fines, mulcts, imprisonments, and other pun-
ishments ; and to impose and levy proportional and reasonable assess-
ments, rates and taxes, upon all the inhabitants of, and residents within
the said State; and upon all estates within the same; to be issued and
disposed of by warrant under the hand of the Governor of this State
for the time being, with the advice and consent of the Council, for the
public service, in the necessary defence and support of the Government
of this State, and the protection and preservation of the subjects thereof,
according to such acts as are, or shall be in force within the same.
And while the public charges of government or any part thereof,
shall be assessed on polls and estates in the manner that'has heretofore
been practised ; in order that such assessments maybe made with equal-
ity, there shall be a valuation of the estates within the State taken anew
once in every five years at least, and as much oftener as the General
Court shall order.
SENATE.
There shall be annually elected by the freeholders and other inhab-
itants of this State, qualified as in this Constitution is provided, twelve
persons to be Senators for the year ensuing their election ; to be chosen
in and by the inhabitants of the districts, into which this State may
from time to time be divided by the General Court for that purpose:
And the General Court, in assigning the number to be elected by the
respective districts, shall govern themselves by the proportion of'pub-
lic taxes paid by the said districts ; and timely make known to the in-
habitants of the State, the limits of each district, and the number of
Senators to be elected therein ; provided the number of such districts
shall never be more than ten, nor less than five.
And the several Counties in this State, shall, until the General Court
shall order otherwise, be districts for the election of Senators, and shall
elect the following number, viz.
Rock{7igha7n, five.
Strafford, ttuo.
Hillsborough, two.
Cheshire, two.
Grafton., one.
TiiE Senate shall be the first branch of the Legislature : And the
Senators shall be chosen in the following manner, viz. Every male in-
habitant of each Town and Parish with town privileges in the several
Counties in this State, of twenty one years of age and upwards, paying
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 885
for himself a poll tax, shall have a right at the annual or other meet-
ings of the inhabitants of said Towns and Parishes, to be duly warned
and holden annually forever in the month of March; to vote in the
Town or Parish wherein he dwells, for the Senators in the County or
district whereof he is a member.
And every person qualified as the Constitution provides, shall be con-
sidered an inhabitant for the purpose of electing and being elected into
any office or place within this State, in that Town, Parish and Planta-
tion where he dwelleth and hath his home.
The Selectmen of the several Towns and Parishes aforesaid, shall,
during the choice of Senators, preside at such meetings impartially, and
shall receive the votes of all the inhabitants of such Towns and Par-
ishes present and qualified to vote for Senators, and shall sort and count
the same in meeting, and in presence of the Town Clerk, who shall
make a fair record in presence of the Selectmen, and in open meeting,
of the name of every person voted for, and the number of votes against
his name ; and a fair copy of this record shall be attested by the Select-
men and Town Clerk, and shall be sealed up and directed to the Secre-
tary of the State, with a superscription expressing the purport thereof,
and delivered by said Clerk to the Sheriff of the County in which such
Town or Parish lies, thirty days at least, before the first Wednesday of
June ; and the Sheriff" of 'each County or his deputy, shall deliver all
such certificates by him received into the Secretary's office, seventeen
days at least, before the first Wednesday of Jtnie.
And the inhabitants of plantations and places unincorporated, qual-
ified as this Constitution provides, who are or shall be required to as-
sess taxes upon themselves towards the support of government, or
shall be taxed therefor, shall have the same privilege of voting for Sen-
ators in the plantations and places %vherein they reside, as the inhabit-
ants of the respective Towns and Parishes aforesaid have. And the
meetings of such plantations and places for that purpose shall be holden
annually in the month of March, at such places respectively therein, as
the assessors thereof shall direct; which assessors shall have like author-
ity for notifying the electors, collecting and returning the votes, as the
Selectmen and Town Clerks have in their several Towns by this Con-
stitution.
And, that there may be a due meeting of Senators on the first Wed-
nesday of yune, annually, the Governor and three of the Council for
the time being, shall as soon as may be, examine the returned copies of
such records ; and fourteen days before the said first Wednesday of
yune, he shall issue his summons to such persons as appear to be
chosen Senators by a majority of votes, to attend and take their seats
on that day : Provided, nevertheless, that for the first year the said re-
turned copies shall be examined by the President and five of the Coun-
cil of the former Constitution of govtrnn.ent; and the said President
shall in like manner notify the persons elected, to attend and take their
seats accordingly.
The Senate shall be final judge of the elections, returns, and quali-
fications of their own members, as pointed out in this Constitution, and
shall on the said first Wednesday of yuuc annually, determine and de-
clare, who are elected by each district to be Senators by a majority of
votes : And in case there shall not appear to be the full number returned
elected by a majority of votes for any district, the deficiency shall be
supplied in the following manner, viz. the members of the house of
Representatives and such Senators as shall be declared elected, shall
take the names of such persons as shall be found to have the highest
number of votes in each district, and not elected, amounting to twice
the number of Senators wanting, if there be so many voted for: and
Si6
NEW HAMPSHIRE
out of these shall elect bj joint ballot the number of Senators wanted
for such district : And in this manner all such vacancies shall be filled
up in every district of the State, and in like manner all vacancies in the
Senate, arising by death, removal out of the State, or otherwise, shall
be supplied as soon as may be, after such vacancies happen.
Provided »evcri/icless, That no person shall be capacle of being
elected a Senator, who is not of the Protestant Religion, and seized of
a freehold estate in his own right of the value of i2i.'o hundred Pounds,
lying within this State, who is not of the age of thirty years, and who
shall not have been an inhabitant of this State for seven years imme-
diately preceding his election, and at the time thereof he shall be an
inhabitant of the district for which he shall be chosen.
The Senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, provided such
adjournment do not exceed two days at a time.
The Senate shall choose its own President, appoint its own officers,
and determine its own rules of proceedings. And not less than seven
members of the Senate shall make a quorum for doing business. Pro-
vided, that when less than eight Senators shall be present, the assent of
five at least shall be necessary to render their acts and proceedings valid.
The Senate shall be a court with full power and authority to hear and
determine all impeachments made by the House of Representatives,
against any officer or officers of the State, for misconduct or mal-admin-
istration in their offices. But previous to the trial of any such im-
peachment, the members of the Senate shall respectively be sworn,
truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in question ac-
cording to evidence. Their judgment, however, shall not extend farther
than removal from office, disqualification to hold or enjoy any place of
honor, trust or profit under this State; but the party so convicted, shall
nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment,
according to the laws of the land.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
There shall be in the Legislature of this State a representation of
the people annually elected and founded upon principles of equality:
And in order that such representation may be as equal as circumstances
will admit, every Town, Parish or place intitledto town privileges, hav-
ing one hundred and fifty rateable male polls, of twenty one years of
age, and upwards, may elect one representative; if four hundred and
fifty rateable polls, may elect two representatives ; and so proceeding in
that proportion, making three hundred such rateable polls the mean in-
creasing number, for everj' additional representative.
That such Towns, Parishes or places as have less than one hundred
and fifty rateable polls shall be classed by the General Assembly for the
purpose of clausing a representative, and seasonably notified thereof.
And that in everj' class formed for the above mentioned purpose, the
first annual meeting shall be held in the Town, Parish, or place wherein
most of the rateable polls reside; and afterwards in that which has the
next highest number, and so on annually by rotation, through the sev-
eral Towns, Parishes or i>laces, forming the district.
That whenever any Town, Parish, or place intitled to town privileges
as aforesaid, shall not have one hundred and fifty rateable polls, and be
so situated as to render the classing thereof with any other Town, Par-
ish, or place very inconvenient, the General Assembly may upon appli-
cation of a majority of the voters in such Town, Parish, or place, issue
a writ for their electing and sending a representative to the General
Court.
The members of the house of representatives shall be chosen annu-
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVKNTIONS. 887
ally in the month of March, and shall be the second branch of the Leg-
islature.
All persons qualified to vote in the election of Senators shall be in-
titled to vote within the Town, District, Parish, or place, where they
■dwell, in the choice of representatives. Every member of the house of
representatives shall be chosen by ballot ; and for two years at least next
preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of this State, shall
have an estate within the Town, Parish, or place which he may be chosen
to represent, of the value of one hundred founds, one half of which to
be a freehold, whereof he is seized in his own right; shall be at the
time of his election an inhabitant of the Town, Parish, or place he may
be chosen to represent; shall be of the Protestant Religion, and shall
cease to represent such Town, Parish, or place immediately on his ceas-
ing to be qualified as aforesaid.
The travel of each representative to the General Assembly, and re-
turning home, once in everv session, and no more, shall be at the ex-
pence of the State, and the'wages for his attendance, at the expence of
the Town, Parish, or places he represents; such members attending
seasonably and not departing without licence. All intermediate vacan-
cies in the House of Representatives, maybe filled up from time to
time, in the same manner as annual elections are made.
The House of Representatives shall be the grand inquestof the State,
and all impeachments made by them, shall be heard and tried by the
Senate.
All money bills shall originate in the House of Representatives, but
the Senate may prop>ose or concur with amendments as on other bills.
The House of Representatives shall have power to adjourn themselves,
but not longer than two days at a time.
That a majority of the members of the House of Representatives
shall be a quorum' for doing business : Provided, that when less than
two thirds of the representatives elected shall be present, the assent of
two thirds of the members shall be necessary to render their acts and
proceedings valid.
No member of the House of Representatives, or Senate shall be ar-
rested or hold to bail on mean process, during his going to, returning
from, or attendance upon the Court.
The House of Representatives shall choose their own speaker, ap-
point their own olUcers, and settle the rules of proceedings in their own
house. They sliall have authority to punish by imprisonment, every
person who shall be guilty of disrespect to the house in its presence, by
any disorderly and contemptuous behavior, or by threatening, or ill
treating any oY its members; or by obstructing its deliberations; every
person guilty of a breach of its privileges in making arrests for debt, or
by assaulting any of its members during his attendance at any session,
in assaulting or disturbing any one of its officers in the execution of
any order or procedure of the house, in assaulting any witness, or other
person, ordered to attend by and during his attendance of the house,
or in rescuing any person arrested by order of the house, knowing
them to be such. The Senate, Governor, and Council shall have the
same powers in like cases; provided that no imprisonmentby either for
any ofience, exceed ten days.
The Journalsof the proceedings of both houses of the General Court,
shall be printed and published, immediately after every adjournment, or
prorogation ; and upon motion made by any one member, the yeas and
nays upon any question, shall be taken and entered in the journals.
OOO NEW HAMPSHIRE
EXECUTIVE POWER.
GOVERNOR.
There shall be a supreme executive Magistrate, who shall be stiled,
The governor of the STATE of NEW-HAMPSHIRE; and
whose Title shall be His EXCELLENCY.
The Governor shall be chosen annually ; and no person shall be eligi-
ble to this office, unless at the time of his election, he shall have been
an inhabitant of this State for seven years next preceding, and unless
he shall be of the age of thirty years; and unless he shall, at the same
time, have an estate of the value o'i Jive hundred Pounds, one half oi
which shall consist of a freehold in his own right, within the State ;
and unless he shall be of the Protestant Religion.
Those persons qualified to vote for Senators and Representatives,
shall within the several Towns, Parishes, or Places, Avherein they dwell,
at a meeting to be called for that purpose, some day in the month of
March annually, give in their votes for a Governor to the Selectmen, who
shall preside at such meeting, and the Clerk in the presence and with
the assistance of the Selectmen, shall in open meeting sort and count
the votes, and form a list of the persons voted for, Avith the number of
votes for each person against his name, and shall make a fair record of
the same in the town books, and a public declaration thereof in the said
meeting; and shall in the presence of said inhabitants, seal up a copy
of said list attested by him and the Selectmen, and transmit the same
to the Sheriff of the County, thirty days at least before the first
Wednesday of jl-une, or shall cause returns of the' same to be made to
the office of the Secretary of the State, seventeen days at least, before
said day, who shall lay the same before the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives on the first Wednesday of June-, to be by them examined :
And in case of an election by a majority of votes through the State,
the choice shall be by them declared, and published; but if no person
shall have a majority ot votes, the House of Representatives shall by
ballot elect two out of the four persons -who had the highest number
of votes, if so many shall have been voted for; but if otherwise, out
of the number voted for ; and make return to the Senate of the two
persons so elected, on which the Senate shall proceed by ballot to elect
one of them, who shall be declared Governor.
The Governor, with advice of Council, shall have full power and
authority in the recess of the General-Court, to prorogue the same from
time to time, not exceeding ninety days in any one recess of said Court;
and during the session of said Court, to adjourn or prorogue it to any
time the two houses may desire, and to call it together sooner than the
time to which it may be adjourned, or prorogued, if the welfare of the
State should require the same.
In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with regard to the
time of adjournment, or prorogation, the Governoi-, with advice of
Council, shall have a right to adjourn or prorogue the General Court,,
not exceeding ninety days at any one time, as he may determine the
public good may require. And ho shall dissolve the same seven days
before the said first Wednesday of yune. And in case of any infectious
distemper prevailing in the place where the said Court at any time is to
convene, or any other cause whereby dangers may arise to the healths
or lives, of the members from their attendance, the Governor may di-
rect the session to be holden at some other the most convenient place
within the State.
The Governor of this State for the time being, shall be commander
in chief of the army and navy, and all the military forces of the State,^
by sea and land; and shall h:jve full power by himself, or by any chief"
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 009
commander, or other officer, or officers, from time to time, to train, in-
struct, exercise and govern the militia and navy; and for the special
defence and safety of this State, to assemble in martial array, and put
in warlike posture, the inhabitants thereof, and to lead and conduct
them, and with them to encounter, expulse, repel, resist and pursue by
force of arms, as well by sea as by land, within and without the limits
of this State; and alsoto kill, slay, destroy, if necessary, and conquer
by all fittin<;f ways, enterprize and means, all and every such person and
persons as shall, at any time hereafter, in a hostile manner, attempt or
enterprize the destruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance of this
Stite; and to use and exercise over the army and navy, and over the
militia in actual service, the law-martial in time of war, invasion, and
also in rebellion, declared by the Legislature to exist, as occasion shall
necessarily require : And surprize by all ways and means whatsoever, all
and every such person or persons, with their ships, arms, ammunition,
and other goods, as shall in a hostile manner invade, or attempt the in-
vading, conquering, or annoying this State : And in fine, that the Gov-
ernor be, and hereby is entrusted with all other powers incident to the
office of captain-general and commander in chief, and admiral, to be ex-
ercised agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution, and
the laws of the land. Provided, that the Governor shall not at any time
hereafter, by virtue of any power by this Constitution granted, or here-
after to be granted to him by the Legislature, transport any of the in-
habitants of this State, or oblige them to march out of the limits of the
same, witiiout their free and voluntary consent, or the consent of the
General Court, nor grant commissions for exercising the law-martial
in any case, without the advice and consent of the Council.
The power of pardoning of offences, except such as persons may be
convicted of before the Senate by the impeachment of the house, shall
be in the Governor, by and with the advice of the Council : But no
charter of pardon granted by the Governor, with advice of Council, be-
fore conviction, shall avail the party pleading the same, notwithstand-
ing any general or particular expressions contained therein, descriptive
of offence or oft'ences intended to be pardoned.
All Judicial officeis, the Attorney-General, Solicitor-General, all
Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Probate, and all officers of the navy,
and general and field officers of the militia, shall be nominated and ap-
pointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the
Council : and every such nomination shall be made by the Governor at
least seven days prior to such appointment. The Captains and Subal-
terns in the respective regiments shall be nominated and recommended
by the field officers to the Governor, who is to issue their commissions
immediately on receipt of such recommendation.
No officer, duly commissioned to command in the militia shall be re-
moved from his office, but by the address of both houses to the Gov-
ernor, or by fair trial in court-martial, pursuant to the laws of the State
for the time being.
The commanding officers of the regiments shall appoint their adju-
tants and quarter-masters ; the brigadiers their brigade-majors ; the
major generals their aids; the captains and subalterns their non-com-
missioned officers.
The Governor, with advice of Council, shall appoint all olTicers of
the Continental army, whom by the confederation of the UNITED
STATES it is provided that this State shall appoint, as also all officers
of forts and garrisons.
The division of the militia into brigades, regiments and companies,
made in pursuance of the militia laws now in force, shall be considered
as the proper division of the militia of this State, until the same shall
be altered by some future law.
8go
NEW HAMPSHIRE
No monies shall be issued out of the treasury of this State, and dis-
posed of, (except such sums as may be appropriated for the redemption
of bills of credit or treasurers notes, or for the payment of interest aris-
ing thereon) but by warrant under the hand of the Governor for the
time being, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, for the
necessary support and defence of this State, and for the necessary pro-
tection and preservation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts
and resolves of the General Court.
All public boards, the commissary-general, all superintending offi-
cers of public magazines and stores, belonging to this State, and all
commanding officers of forts and garrisons Avithin the same, shall once
in every three months officially, and without requisition, and at other
times, when required by the Governor, deliver to him an account of all
goods, stores, provisions, ammunition, cannon with their appendages,
and small arms with their accoutrements, and of all other public prop-
erty under their care respectively; distinguishing the quantity, and kind
of each, as particularly as may be; together with the condition of such
forts and garrisons : And the'commanding officer shall exhibit to the
Governor, when required by him, true and exact plans of such forts,
and of the land, and sea or harbor or harbors adjacent.
And as the public good requires, that the Governor should not be
under the undue influence of any members of the two houses, by a de-
pendence on them for his support; that he should in all cases act with
freedom for the benefit of the public; that he should not have his at-
tention necessarily diverted from that object to his private concerns;
and that^he should maintain the dignity of the State in the character of
its Chief Magistrate ; it is necesssary that he should have an honorable
salary amply sufficient for those purposes, granted him at the first meet-
ing of the Assembly annually.
Permanent and honorable salaries shall be established by law for
the Justices of the Superior Court.
Whenever the chair of the Governor shall be vacant, by reason of
his death, absence from the State, or otherwise, the President of the
Senate, for the time being, shall during such vacancy, have and exer-
cise all the powers and authorities which by this Constitution the Gov-
ernor is vested with when personally present; and whenever the Presi-
dent shall fill the chair, he shall have no voice in the Senate.
COUNCIL.
There shall be a Council for advising the Governor in the Execu-
tive part of Government, to consist of five persons, whom the
Governor for the time being, shall have full power and authority to
convene from time to time, at his discretion, and the Governor, with
the Counsellors, or three of them at least, shall and may from time to
time hold and keep a Council, for ordering and directing the affairs
of the State, according to the laws of the land.
Five Counsellors shall be annually chosen from among the people at
large, on tlie first Wednesday of ^une annually, by joint ballot of the
Senators and Representatives in one room assembled. The qualifica-
tions for Counsellors, shall be the same as those required for Senators.
The resolutions and advice of the Council shall be recorded in a
register, and signed by the members present, and this record may be
called for at anj- time, by either house of the Legislature, and any
member of the Council may enter his opinion contrary to the resolu-
tion of the majority.
And whereas the elections appointed to be made by this Constitu-
tion on the first Wednesday of yune annually, by the two houses of the
Legislature, may not be completed on that day, the said elections majr
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 89I
be adjourned from day to day until the same shall be completed. And
the order of the elections shall be as follows; the vacancies in the Sen-
ate, if any, shall be first filled up; the Governor shall then be elected,
provided there sliould be no choice of him by the people; And after-
wards the two houses shall proceed to the election of the Council.
SECRETARY, TREASURER, COMMISSARY-GENERAL, &c.
The Secretary, Treasurer, and Commissary-General, shall be chosen
by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives assembled in one
room.
The records of the State shall be kept in the office of the Secretary,
who may appoint his deputies, for whose conduct he shall be answera-
ble, and he shall attend the Governor and Council, the Senate and
Representatives, in person or by deputy, as thej' may require.
COUNTY-TREASURER, &c.
The County-Treasurers, and Registers of deeds, shall be elected by
the inhabitants of the several towns, in the several Counties in the
State, according to the method now practised, and the present laws of
the State : And before they enter upon the business of their offices,
shall be respectively sworn faithfully to discharge- the duties thereof,
and shall severally give bond with sufficient sureties, in a reasonable
sum for the use of the County, for the punctual performance of their
respective trusts.
JUDICIARY POWER.
The tenure, that all commission officers shall have by law in their of-
fices, shall be expressed in their respective commissions. All judicial
officers, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, shall hold their offices
during good behaviour, excepting tliose concerning whom there is a
different provision made in this Constitution : Provided nevertheless,
the Governor, with consent of Council, may remove them upon the
address of both houses of the Legislature.
Each branch of the Legislature, as well as the Governor and Coun-
cil, shall have authority to require the opinions of the justices of the
Superior Court upon important questions of law, and upon solemn
occasions.
In order that the people may not suffer from the long continuance
in place of any justice of the peace, who shall fail in discharging the
important duties of his office with ability and fidelitj', all commissions
of justices of the peace shall expire and become void, in the term of
five years from their respective dates; and upon the expiration of any
commission, the same may if necessary, be renewed, or another per-
son appointed, as shall most conduce to the well-being of the State.
The judges of probate of wills, and for granting letters of adminis-
tration, shall hold their courts at such place or places, on such fixed
days, as the convenience of the people may require. And the Legisla-
ture shall from time to time, hereafter appoint such times and places,
until which appointments the said Courts shall be holden at the times
and places which the respective judges shall direct.
All causes of marriage, divorce and alimony, and all appeals from
the respective judges of probate, shall be heard and tried by the Supe-
rior Court, until the Legislature shall, by law make other provision.
CLERKS OF COURTS.
The Clerks of the Superior Court of Judicature, Inferior Courts of
Common Pleas, and General Sessions of the Peace, shall be appointed
892
NEW HAMPSHIRB
by the respective courts during pleasure. And to prevent any fraud
or unfairness in the entries and records of said Courts, no such Clerk,
shall be of counsel in any cause in the Court of which he is Clerk, nor
shall he fill any writ in any civil action whatsoever.
DELEGATES to CONGRESS.
The Delegates of this State to the Congress of the United States,
shall some time between the first Wednesday of June^ and the first
Wednesday of September annually, be elected by the Senate and
House of Representatives in their separate branches ; to serve in Con-
gress for one year, to commence on the first Monday of A'oz'e/w^e/- then
next ensuing. They shall have commissions under the hand of the
Governor, and the great seal of the State; but may be recalled at any
time Avithin the year, and others chosen and commissioned, in the same
manner, in their stead : And they shall have the same qualifications,
in all respects, as by this Constitution are required for the Governor.
No person shall be capable of being a delegate to Congress, for
more than three years in any term of six years ; nor shall any person
being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the United
States, for which he, or any other for his benefit, receives any salary,
or emolument of any kind.
ENCOURAGEMENT of LITERATURE, &c.
Knowledge, and Learning, generally ditYused through a community,
being essential to the preservation of a free government, and spreading
the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts
of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end ; it shall be
the duty of the Legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this
government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and
all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public insti-
tutions, rewards and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts,
sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures and natural history of the
country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and
general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and CEConomy,
honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety and all social affections, and
generous sentiments, among the people.
Oath and subscriptions ; exclusion from offices ; commissions ;
writs; confirmation of laws; habeas corpus; the enacting
STILE ; CONTINUANCE OF OFFICERS ; PROVISION for a future revision
of the constitution, ilsrc.
Any person chosen Governor, Counsellor, Senator or Representa-
tives, military and civil officers (Town officers excepted,) accepting the
trust, shall before he or they proceed to execute the duties of his or their
office, make and subscribe the following declaration, viz.
/, A. B. do truly and sincerely acknoxvlcdge^ profess^ tes-
tify and declare,^ that the State of New Hampshire is., and
of right ought to be, a free, sovereign, aiid indepe7ident
State ; and do swear that I tuill bear faith and true alle-
giance to the same., and that I will endeavour to defend
it against all treacherotis conspiracies and hostile attempts
whatever : And I do further testify and declare, that
710 7nan or body of 7nc7i, hath or ca7i have, a right to absolve
me fr 0771 the obligatio7i of this oath, declaratio/t or afiri7ia-
tio7i ; and that I do 77iake this ack7ioxvledge77ie7it, profession.,
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 893
testimotiy^ and declaration^ ho7icstly afid /;v//y, according-
to the coiunio7i acceptation of tJie foregoing ivords^ ■witliout
any equivocation, /ncntat evasio?i, or secret reservation
ivhatever.
So help me GOD.
/, A. B. do solemnly a7id sincerely sivear and ajffir7Ji^ that
1 'vill faithfully and impartially discharge and perform
all the duties incumbent on me as according to the
best of mv abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations
of this Constitution, and the laws of the State of New
Hatnpshire. So help nie GOD.
Provided ahvayss When anj person chosen or appointed as aforesaid,
shall be of the denomination called Qiiakers, or shall be scrupulous of
swearing, and shall decline taking the said oaths, such shall take and
subscribe thcin, omitting the word " 5tt'f?«r" and likewise the words
" So help mc God," subjoining instead thereof, T/ii's I do under the.
pains and fcnaliies of perjury.
And the oaths or affirmations shall be taken and subscribed bj the
Governor, before the President of the Senate in the presence of the two
Houses of Assembly; and by the Senate and Representatives first
elected under this Constitution, before the President and three of the
Council of the former Constitution, and forever afterwards, before the
Governor and Council for the time being; and by the residue of the
officers aforesaid, before such persons, and in such manner as from time
to time shall be prescribed by the Legislature.
All commissions shall be in the name of the State of New-Hamp-
shire, signed by the Governor, and attested by the Secretary, or his
deputy, and shall have the great seal of the State affixed thereto.
All writs issuing out of the Clerk's office in any of the Courts of
law, shall be in the name of the State of New Hampshire ; shall be un-
der the seal of the Court whence they issue, and bear test of the chief,
first, or senior Justice of the Court; but when such Justice shall be in-
terested, then the writ shall bear test of someother Justice of the Court,
to which the same shall be returnable, and be signed by the Clerk of
such Court.
All indictments, presentments and informations shall conclude against
the peace and dignity of the State.
TffE estate of such persons as may destroy their own li\'es, shall not,
for that oflcnce be forfeited, but descend or ascend in the same manner,
as if such persons had died in a natural way. Nor shall any article,
which shall accidentally occasion the death of any person, be hence-
forth deemed a deodand, or in any wise forfeited on account of such
misfortune.
All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, used and ap-
proved, in the Province, Colony, or State of New-Hampshire, and
usually practised on in the Courts of law, shall still remain and be in
full force, until altered and repealed by the Legislature; such parts
thereof only excepted, as are repugnant to the rights and liberties con-
tained in this Constitution. — Provided that nothing herein contained,
when compared with the twenty third article in the bill of rights, shall
be construed to eflect the laws already made respecting the persons, or
estates of absentees.
The privilege and benefit of the Habeas Corpus, shall be enjoyed
in this State, in the most free, easy, cheap, expeditious, and ample
manner, and shall not be suspended by the Legislature, except upon
894 NEW HAMPSHIRE
the most urgent and pressing occasions, and for a time not exceeding
three months.
The enacting stile in making and passing acts, statutes and laws,
shall be — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened.
No Governor, or Judge of the Superior Court, shall hold any office
or place, under the authority of this State, except such as by this Con-
stitution they are admitted to hold, saving that the Judges of the said
Court may hold the offices of Justice throughout the State; nor shall
they hold any place or office, or receive any pension or salary, from
any other State, Government or Power whatever.
No person shall be capable of exercising at the same time, more than
one of the following offices within this State, viz. Judge of Probate,
Sheriff, Register of deeds ; and never more than two offices of profit
which may be held by appointment of the Governor, or Governor and
Council, or Senate and House of Representatives, or Superior or Infe-
rior Courts ; military offices and offices of Justices of the Peace ex-
cepted.
No person holding the office of Judge of the Superior Court, Secre-
tary, Treasurer of the State, Judge of Probate, Attorney-General,
Co'mmissarj'-General, Judge of the Maritime Court, or Judge of the
Court of Admiralty, military Officers receiving pay from the Continent
or this State, excepting officers of the militia occasionally called forth
on an emergency, Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, Reg-
ister of deeds, President, Professor or Instructor of any College,
Sheriff, or officer of the customs, including Naval Officers, shall at the
same time have a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives, or
Council ; but their being chosen or appointed to, and accepting the
same, shall operate as a resignation of their seat in the Senate, or
House of Representatives or Council, and the place so vacated shall be
filled up.
No person shall ever be admitted to hold a Seat in the Legislature,
or any office of trust or importance under this Government, who in
the due course of law, has been convicted of bribery or corruption in
obtaining an election or appointment.
In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this Constitu-
tion, the value thereof shall be computed in silver at six shillings and
eight pence per ounce.
To the end that there may be no failure of justice or danger arise to
this State from a change of the form of Government, all civil and
military officers, holding commissions under the Government and Peo-
ple of New Hampshire, and other officers of the said Government and
People, at the time this Constitution shall take effect, shall hold, exer-
cise and enjoy all the powers and authorities to them granted and com-
mitted, until other persons shall be appointed in their stead. All Courts
of law in the business of their respective departments, and the Execu-
tive and Legislative Bodies and Persons, shall continue in full force,
enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts and employments, until the
General Court and the Supreme and other Executive officers under this
Constitution, are designated and invested with their respective trusts,
powers and authority.
This form of Government shall be enrolled on parchment, and de-
posited in the Secretary's office, and be a part of the laws of the land,
and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the books containing
the laws of this State, in all future editions thereof.
To preserve an effectual adherence to the principles of the Constitu-
tion, and to correct any violations thereof, as well as to make such
alterations therein, as from experience may be found necessary, the
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 895
General Court shall at the expiration of seven years from the time this
Constitution shall take effect, issue precepts, or direct them to be issued
from the Secretary's office, to the several Towns and incorporated
Places, to elect delegates to meet in Convention for the purpose afore-
said : The said delegates to be chosen in the same manner and propor-
tion'd as the Representatives to the General Assembly. Provided that
no alteration shall be made in this Constitution before the same shall
be laid before the Towns and unincorporated Places, and approved by
two thirds of the qualified voters present, and voting upon the ques-
tion.
GEORGE ATKINSON, President.
Attest, JOHN SULLIVAN, Secretary P. T.
Ix CONVENTION, August 21, 1782.
HE SOL VED, that this Convention be adjourned to the last Tuesday
of December next, to meet at Concord ; and that eight hundred copies
of the Plan of Government, zvhich is agreed upon, to be printed, in-
cluding such as shall be ordered to each member of the General-Court,
and of the Convcntioti, be sent to the selectmen of each tozvn, and as-
sessors of each plantation, under the direction of the Committee ap-
pointed for that purpose : And that the selectmen and assessors be re-
quested as soon as may be, to lay the same before the inhabitants of their
respcctii'e toxvns d- plantations. And if any part of the inhabitants of
said to-vns and plantations disapprove of any particular part of the
same, that they be desired to state their objections distinctly and the rea-
sons therefor. And the selectmen and assessors are desired to transmit
the same to the Convention on the last Tuesday of December aforesaid,
or to the Secretary of the Convention before then, in order for the re-
vision and consideration of the Convention at the adjournment ; -with
the number of voters in said to-vns and plantations meetings, on each
side of the question : That the Convention may be able to collect the
general sense of the people of this State on the several parts of the pro-
posed Constitution : And if there should not appear to be tvjo thirds of
the people in favor thereof, that the Convention may alter it in such
manner as may be most agreeable to the sentiments of ttvo thirds of the
voters throughout the Stale.
GEORGE ATKINSON, President.
Attest, JOHN SULLIVAN, Secretary, P. T.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
Agreeably to adjournment, the Convention met in Concord, the last
Tuesday in Dec", 1782; and found that the second Constitution was
rejected. They then adjourned to meet in Concord the first Tuesday
in June, 1783; when they met and agreed upon a third form for a Con-
stitution, which, as before, was sent out to the people for their ratification
or rejection. The Convention then adjourned to October 31", 1783,(1)
(1) SeeN. H. Reg. 1852, p. 26. The whole time from the beginning of the Urct
Convention, June 0, 1781, to the declaration of the Constitution, Oct. 31, 1783, wa*
two yeare, four months, and twenty-six days,— with seven seisions. En.
Q^b NEW HAMPSHIRE
and met accordingly. On examination of the votes returned for and
against the said tAi'rd Constitution, thej found it was accepted by the
people.
In order to facilitate a comparison of the Constitution finally adopt-
ed with the first and second which were rejected ; and to enable persons
who have not other means of information on the subject, to trace the
process and progress in the "task" of forming a Constitution which
the people approved and accepted ; the Editor, with advice, has judged
it expedient to print the whole Constitution, with the Bill of Rights
entire, as the closing matter of this Volume — venturing to submit his
opinion, in the form of a Note, on the first and second articles of said
Bill, touching the application of the principles therein to the subject
of Slavery in New Hampshire.
A CONSTITUTION,
CONTAINING A BILL OF RIGHTS, AND FORM OF GOVERNMENT,
Agreed upon by the Delegates of the people of the State of
New-Hampshire, in Convention, held at Concord, on the
first Tuesday of June, 1783 ; submitted to, and approved of,
by the people of said vState ; and established by their Dele-
gates in Convention, October 31. 17S3.
PART I.
The Bill of Rights.
ARTICLE I.
All men are born equally free and independent ; therefore,
all government of right originates from the people, is founded
in consent, and instituted for the general good.
XL All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent
rights ; among which are — the enjoying and defending life and
liberty — acquiring, possessing and protecting property — and in
a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness.*
* The Editor respectfully submits the opinion, that the first and sec-
ond Articles in this Bill of Rights virtually, and in effect, abolished
slavery as it existed in New Hampshire. This is evident from the fol-
lowing considerations and facts :
(i) As preliminary, it should be understood that slavery was never
legalized in New Hampshire, /. c. never established by authority of
law; but as it existed in other Colonies, it gradually crept in and was
tolerated and regulated from time to time, here ; so that Indian and
negro servants or slaves were owned and held as property. — Laws of
N. H. 1771, pp. 52, 53, loi; Prov. Pap. Vol. IV. pp. 245, 301, 305, 497,
499.
(2) Whether the first and second articles in the Bill of Rights, were
originally designed to abolish slavery, and were voted on and adopted
by the people generally with that understanding, may be a question;
CONSTITUTION 1 784. S97
III. When men enter into a state of society, they surrender
up some of their natural rights to that society, in order to in-
Tiut that this was the effect of their adoption cannot be doubted, for the
followins:^ reasons, viz. :
1. According to the census of New Hampshire taken in 1767. the
number of ''slaves" in the Province was 633; according to the census
of 1775, the number of "negroes & slaves for life" was 657. — See
Prov. Pap. N. H. Vol. VII. pp. 16S-170 and 724-780; Comp. Coll. N.
H. Mist. Soc. Vol. I. pp. 231-235. Bv the U. S. census, 1790, only six
jears after the adoption of the State Constitution, the number of
" slaves" in New Hampshire was returned as 15S; but by the census
of iSoo, onlvS; of 1810, o; of 1820, o; in 1S30, 3 were returned; in
1840, I ; since which, none has been returned. The proper explana-
tion of these incompatible returns, the Editor conceives to be : That
although bv the State Constitution adopted in 17S4, slavery was in fact
terminated, and a very large proportion of those held as slaves availed
themselves of their liberty, or were discharged; yet as a portion of them
etill remained in the families where they had lived, and perhaps did not
<iesire a change; they were inadvertently reckoned by the census-takers,
under the head of "Slaves"; no discrimination being made in regard to
their condition, though in reality free. No other supposition can ex-
plain the inconsistency of the census returns at different periods : that
is, 158 "slaves," in 1790; 8, in iSoo; o, in iSio and 1S20. We cannot
suppose that in the first decade, 150 slaves died, or otherwise changed
their condition, leaving only 8, in 1800; and that of these, not one was
left in iSio and 1820, and yet there were 3 in 1830, and i in 1840.
2. But a still higher proof that the Bill of Rights abolished slavery,
is found in the fact that previous and up to the adoption of the consti-
tution, slaves had been for many years rated and taxed to their owners
as horses, oxen and other kinds of property were taxed. See this point
fully confirmed in Prov. Papers N. H.. Vol. IV. pp. 301, 305. 497; Vol.
VI. p. 175; Vol. VII. p. 143: Vol. VIII. pp. 849 and 966. " This prac-
tice of assessing and taxing slaves, it is conceded, extended even a few
years beyond 17S4. But the reason or explanation of this is wholly
consistent with the fact which we allege as to its proper termination :
the explanation is this : That previous to the adoption of the consti-
tution, preliminary steps were taken, Feb. 21, 1783, for a new proportion
and inventory of all ratable estate, for ta.xation : A committee was ap-
pointed to prepare and bring in a bill for that purpose; which however
was not completed, reported and passed till the June session, 1784.
That bill like former ones included a tax " on male and female negroes
and mulatto servants from 16 to 45 years of age;" this act continued in
force until a new proportion was made, Feb. 8, 17S9. See Prov. Pap.
K. II., Vol. VIII. p. 966; also MS. Acts 1780-1784, pp. 562-572, in Sec-
retary's office, and printed Journals of the House, 1788-9, in library of
the N. H. Hist. Soc. ; during which period, some who remained in
families as servants were taxed to their owners — at least it so appears
from town rates, as paid in Portsmouth, Dover and other places.
3. But as conclusive and final proof on this subject, it appears that
when a new proportion was proposed at the fall session, 1788, on the
30 " December, " The House took under consideration the Act for es-
tablishing an equitable method of making taxes," &c. and "after con-
siderable debate, Voted, That polls in the said proportion be estimated
at ten shillings {male and female servants cxfungcd) horses and oxen
four years old and upwards, at three shillings," &c. This vote was
concurred by the Senate, and when the Bill was finally passed
57
090 NEW HAMPSHIRE
sure the protection of others ; and. without such an equivalent,
the surrender is void.
IV. Among the natural rights, some are in their very nature
unalienable, because no equivalent can be given or received
for them. Of this kind are the RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE.
V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to
worship GOD according to the dictates of his own conscience
and reason ; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or re-
strained in his person, liberty or estate for worshipping GOD,
in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his
own conscience, or for his religious profession, sentiments or
persuasion ; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or
disturb others in their religious worship.
VI. As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical
principles, will give the best and greatest security to govern-
ment, and will lay in the hearts of men the strongest obli-
gations to due subjection ; and as the knowledge of these, is-
most likely to be propagated through a society by the institu-
tion of the public worship of the DEITY, and of public in-
struction in morality and religion ; therefore, to promote those
important purposes, the people of this state have a right to im-
power, and do hereby fully Impower the legislature to author-
ize from time to time, the sev^eral towns, parishes, bodies-cor-
porate, or religious societies within this state, to make ade-
quate provision at their own expence, for the support and
maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion
and morality :
Provided uotwilhstanding-^T\\aiihe several towns, parishes,
Feb. 8, 17S9, and received the consent and signature of the governor^
slaves ceased to be known and held as property in New Hampshire.
No after legislation recognized the existence of slavery. The institu-
tion was dead.
In this conclusion, the Editor is happy to have the opinion of the
Hon. Charles Doe, late judge in our Superior Court, who says, in a
letter, Dec. 6, 1875 : "It seems to me that a statement of the two facts
that slaves were included in the Act of 17S4, and were by an erasure of
the MS. omitted in the Act of 1789 — ititeniiotially omitted — and the
third fact, that they were taxed as property to their masters for several
years under the Act of 17S4, and probably every year until the Act of
1789; will throAv more light on the i/i'tefitton of New Hampshire to
abolish slavery, than anything else there is in print: That expunging
of 'male and female servants ' in the MS. of 1789, seems to me very
significant as showing an intention to treat slavery as a dead institution."
4. With the above statements and facts, it is manifest, that Dr. Bel-
knap was mistaken in the opinion which he seemed to favor, that the
Bill of Rights had only the effect to give freedom to those who should
be born after the adoption of the constitution. [See Belk. Hist. N. H.,
Vol. 3, pp. 211, 212. 1812.]
For facts in illustration and confirmation of the foregoing opinion,
see Bouton's Hist, of Concord, pp. 250-254.
CONSTITUTION 17S4. S99
bodies-corporate, or religious societies, shall at all times have
the exclusive right of electing their own public teachers, and
ot contracting with them for their support and maintenance.
And no person of any one particular religious sect or denom-
ination, shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of
the teacher or teachers of another persuasion, sect or denomi-
nation.
And every denomination of christians demeaning themselves
quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally un-
der the protection of the law : and no subordination of any
one sect or denomination to another, shall ever be established
by law.
And nothing herein shall be understood to affect any fonner
contracts made for the support of the ministry ; but all such
contracts shall remain, and be in the same state as if this con-
stitution had not been made.
VII . The people of this state, have the sole and exclusive
right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and inde-
pendent state, and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and
enjoy every power, jurisdiction and right pertaining thereto,
which is not. or may not hereafter be by them expresslv dele-
gated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.
VIII. All power residing originally in, and being derived
from the people, all the magistrates and officers of govern-
ment, are their substitutes and agents, and at all times account-
able to them.
IX. No office or place whatsoever in government, shall be
hereditary — the abilities and integrity requisite in all, not be-
ing transmissible to posterity or relations.
X. Government being instituted for the common benefit,
protection, and security of the whole community, and not for
the private interest or emolument of any one man, family or
class of men ; therefore, whenever the ends of government are
perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all
other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of
right ought, to reform the old, or establish a new government.
Tlie doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrarv power, and
oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and
happiness of mankind.
XI. All elections ought to be free, and every inhabitant of
the state having the proper qualifications, has equal right to
elect, and be elected into office.
XII. Every member of the community has a right to be pro-
tected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty and pro]jerty ;
he is therefore bound to contribute his share in the expence of
such protection, and to yield his personal service when neces-
sary, or an equivalent. But no part of a man's property shall
be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own
900 NEW HAMPSHIRE
consent, or that of the representative body of the people. Nor
are the inhabitants of this state controllable by any other laws
than those to which they or their representative body have
given their consent.
XIII. No person who is conscientiously scrupulous about the
lawfulness of bearing arms, shall be compelled thereto, pro-
vided he will pay an equivalent.
XIV. Every subject of this state is entitled to a certain rem-
edy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries he may re-
ceive in his person, property or character, to obtain right and
justice freely, without being obliged to purchase it ; completely,
and without any denial ; promptly, and without delay, con-
formably to the laws.
XV. No subject shall be held to answer for any crime, or
offence, until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and
formally, described to him ; or be compelled to accuse or fur-
nish evidence against himself. And every subject shall have a
I'ight to produce all proofs that may be favorable to himself;
to meet the witnesses against him face to face, and to be fully
heard in his defence by himself, and counsel. And no subject
shall be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his
property, immunities, or privileges, put out of the protection
of the law, exiled or deprived of his life, libert}', or estate, but
by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.
XVI. No subject shall be liable to be tried, after an acquit-
tal, for the same crime or oflencc. — Nor shall the legislature
make any law that shall subject any person to a capital punish-
ment, excepting for the government of the army and navy, and
the militia in actual service, without trial by jury.
XVII. In criminal prosecutions, the trial of facts in the vi-
cinity where they happen, is so essential to the security of the
life, liberty and estate of the citizen, that no crime or offence
ought to be tried in any other county than that in which it is
committed ; except in cases of general insurrection in any par-
ticular county, when it shall appear to the Judges of the Su-
perior Court,that an impartial trial cannot be had in the county
where the offence may be committed, and upon their report the
assembly shall think proper to direct the trial in the nearest
county in which an impartial trial can be obtained.
XVIII. All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature
of the offence. No wise legislature will affix the same punish-
ment to the crimes of theft, forgery and the like, which they
do to those of murder and treason ; where the same undis-
tinguishing severity is exerted against all offences, the people
are led to forget the real distinction in the crimes themselves,
and to commit the most flagrant witli as little compunction as they
do those of the lightest dye : For the same reason a multitude
CONSTITUTION I7S4. 9©!
of sanguinary laws is both impolitic and unjust. The true de-
sign of all punishments being to reform, not to exterminate,
mankind.
XIX. Everv subject hath a right to be secure from all unrea-
sonable searches and seizures of his person, his houses, his
papers, and all his possessions. All warrants, therefore, are
contrary to this right, if the cause or foundation of them be
not previously supported by oath, or attirmation ; and if the
order in the warrant to a civil officer, to make search in sus-
pected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or
to seize their property, be not accompanied with a special des-
ignation of the persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure ;
and no warrant ought to be issued but in cases, and with the
formalities prescribed by the laws.
XX. In all controversies concerning property, and in all suits
between two or more persons, except in cases in which it has
been heretofore otherwise used and practised, the parties have
a right to a trial by jury ; and this method of procedure shall
be held sacred, unless in causes arising on the high seas, and
such as rchite to mariners wages, the legislature shall think it
necessary hereafter to alter it.
XXI. In order to reap the fullest advantage of the inestima-
ble privilege of the trial by jury, great care ought to be taken
that none but qualified persons should be appointed to serve ;
and such ought to be fully compensated for their travel, time
and attendance.
XXII. The Liberty of the Press is essential to the security
of freedom in a state ; it ought, therefore, to be inviolably pre-
served.
XXIII. Retrospective laws are highly injurious, oppressive
and unjust. No such laws, therefore, should be made, either
for the decision of civil causes, or the punishment of otlences.
XXIV. A well regulated militia is the proper, natural, and
sure defence of a state.
XXV. Standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought
not to be raised or kept up without the consent of the legisla-
ture.
XXVI. In all cases, and at all times, the military ought to
he under strict subordination to, and governed by the civil
power.
XXVII. No soldier in time of peace, shall be quartered in
any house without the consent of the owner; and in time of
war, such quarters ought not to be made but by the civil mag-
istrate, in a manner ordained by the legislature.
XXVIII. No subsidy, charge, tax, impost or duty shall be
established, fixed, laid or levied, under any pretext whatsoever,
without the consent of the people or their representatives in
the legislature, or authority derived from that body.
902 NEW HAMPSHIRE
XXIX. The power of suspending the laws, or the execution
of them, ought never to be exercised but by the legislature, or
by authority derived therefrom, to be exercised in such partic-
ular cases only as the legislature shall expressly provide for.
XXX. The freedom of deliberation, speech, and debate, in
either house of the legislature, is so essential to the rights of
the people, that it cannot be the foundation of any action, com-
plaint, or prosecution, in any other court or place whatsoever.
XXXI. The legislature ought frequently to assemble for the
redress of grievances, for correcting, strengthening, and con-
firming the laws, and for making new ones, as the common
good may require.
XXXII. The people have a right in an orderly and peace-
able manner, to assemble and consult upon the common good,
give instructions to their representatives; and to request of the
legislative body, by way of petition or remonsti^ance, redress
of the wrongs done them, and of the grievances they suffer.
XXXIII. No magistrate or court of law shall demand ex-
cessive bail or sureties, impose excessive fines, or inflict cruel
or unusual punishments.
XXXIV. No person can in any case be subjected to law mar-
tial, or to any pains, or penalties, by virtue of that law, except
those employed in the army or navy, and except the militia in
actual service, but by authority of the legislature.
XXXV. It is essential to the preservation of the rights of
every individual, his life, liberty, property and character, that
there be an impartial interpretation of the laws, and adminis-
tration of justice. It is the right of every citizen to be tried by
judges as impartial as the lot of humanity will admit. It is
therefore not only the best policy, but for the security of the
rights of the people, that the judges of the supreme (or supe-
rior) judicial court should hold their offices so long as they be-
have well ; and that they should have honorable salaries, as-
certained and established by standing laws.
XXXVI. Economy being a most essential virtue in all states,
especially in a young one ; no pension shall be granted, but in
consideration of actual sei-vices, and such pensions ought to be
granted with great caution, by the legislature, and never for
more than one year at a time.
XXXVII. In the government of this state, tlie three essen-
tial powers thereof, to wit, the legislative, executive and judi-
cial, ought to be kept as separate from and independentof each
other, as the nature of a free government will admit, or as is
consistent with that chain of connection that binds the whole
fabric of the constitution in one indissoluble bond of union and
amity.
XXXVIII. A frequent recurrence to the fundamental prin-
CONSTITUTION 1 784. 9O3
ciples of the Constitution, and a constant adherence to justice,
moderation, temperance, industry, frugality, and all the social
virtues, are indispensably necessary to preserve the blessings
of liberty and good government ; the people ought, therefore,
to have a peculiar regard to all those principles in the choice
of their officers and representatives : and they have a right to
require of their law-givers and magistrates, an exact and con-
stant observance of them in the formation and execution of the
laws necessary for the good administration of government.
PART II.
THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
The people inhalMtingthe territory formerly called the Prov-
ince of New-Hampshire, do hereby solemnly and mutually
agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sover-
eign, and independent Body-politic, or wState, by the name of
the STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
THE GENERAL COURT.
The supreme legislative power within this state shall be
vested in the senate and house of representatives, each of which
shall have a negative on the other.
The senate and house shall assemble every year on the lirst
Wednesday of June, and at such other times as they may judge
necessary ; and shall dissolve, and be dissolved, seven days
next preceding the said first Vv^ednesday of June : and shall be
stilcd THE GENERAL COURT OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The general court shall forever have full power and author-
ity to erect and constitute judicatories and courts of record, or
other courts, to be holden in the name of the state, for the
hearing, trying, and determining all manner of crimes, offences,
pleas, processes, plaints, actions, causes, matters and things
whatsoever, arising or happening within this state, or between
or concerning persons inhabiting or residing, or brought within
the same, whether the same be criminal or civil, or whether
the crimes be capital or not capital, and whether the said pleas
be real, personal, or mixed ; and for the awarding and issuing
execution thereon. To which courts and judicatories are hereby
given and granted full power and authority, from time to time
to administer oaths or affirmations, for the better discovery of
truth in any matter in controversy, or depending before them.
And farther, full power and authority are hereby given and
granted to the said general court, from time to time, to make,
ordain and establish, all manner of wholesome and reasonable
904 NEW HAMPSHIRE
orders, laws, statutes, ovdiiiatices, directions and instructions,
either with penalties or without : so as the same be not repug-
nant, or contrary to this constitution, as they may judge for the
benefit and weUare of this state, and for the governing and or-
dering thereof, and of the subjects of the same, for the neces-
sary support and defence of the government thereof; and to
name and settle annually, or provide by fixed laws, for the
naming and settling all civil officers within this state ; such
officers excepted, the election and appointment of whom are
hereafter in this form of government otherwise provided for ;
and to set forth the several duties, powers and limits of the
several civil and military officers of this state, and the forms of
such oaths or affirmations, as shall be respectively administered
unto them for the execution of their several offices and places,
so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this consti-
tution ; and also to impose fines, mulcts, imprisonments, and
other punishments; and to impose and levy proportional and
reasonable assessments, rates and taxes, upon all the inhabit-
ants of, and residents within the said state ; and upon all es-
tates within the same ; to be issued and disposed of by war-
rant under the hand of the president of this state for the time
being, with the advice and consent of the council, for the pub-
lic service, in the necessary defence and support of the govern-
ment of this state, and the protection and preservation of the
subjects thereof, according to such acts as ai"e, or shall be in
force within the same.
And while the public charges of government or any part
thereof, shall be assessed on polls and estates in the manner
that has heretofore been practised ; in order that such assess-
ments may be made with equality, there shall be a valuation of
the estates within the state taken anew once in every five years
at least, and as much oftener as the general court shall order.
SENATE.
There shall be annuall}' elected by the freeholders and (jther
inhabitants of this state, qualified as in this constitution is pro-
vided, twelve persons to be senators for the year ensuing their
election ; to be chosen in and by the inhabitants of the districts,
into which this state may from time to time be divided by the
general court, for that purpose : and the general court in as-
signing the number to be elected by the respective districts,
shall govern themselves by the proportion of public taxes paid
by the said districts; and timely make known to the inhabit-
ants of the state, the limits of each district, and the number of
senators to be elected therein ; provided the number of such
districts shall never be more than ten, nor less than five.
And the several counties in this state, shall, until the gen
CONSTITUTION 1 784. 905
eral court shall order otherwise, be districts for the election of
senators, and shall elect the following number, viz.
Rockingham, five. Strafford, two. Hillsbokough,
two. Cheshire, two. Grafton, one.
The senate shall be the first branch of the legislature : and
the senators shall be chosen in the following manner, viz.
Every male inhabitant of each town and parish with town priv-
ileges in the several counties in this state, of twenty-one years
of age and upwards, paying for himself a poll tax, shall have
a right at the annual or other meetings of the inhabitants of
said towns and parishes, to be duly warned and holden annu-
ally forever in the month of March ; to vote in the town or
parish wherein he dwells, for the senators in the county or dis-
trict w^hereof he is a member.
And every person qualified as the constitution provides,
shall be considered an inhabitant for the purpose of electing
and being elected into any office or place within this state, in
that town, parish and plantation where he dwclleth and hath
his home.
riiE selectmen of the several towns and parishes aforesaid,
shall, during the choice of senators, preside at such meetings
impartially, and shall receive the votes of all the inhabitants of
such towns and j^arishes present and qualified to vote for sen-
ators, and shall sort and count the same in the meeting, and in
presence of the town clerk, who shall make a fair record in
presence of the selectmen, and in open meeting, of the name
of every person voted for, and the number of votes against his
name ; and a fair copy of this record shall be attested by the
selectmen and town-clerk, and shall be sealed up and directed
to the secretary of the state, with a superscription expressing
the purport thereof, and delivered by said clerk to the sheriff'
of the county in which such town or parish lies, th'rty days at
least, before the first Wednesday of June ; and the sheriif of
each county, or his deputy, shall deliver all such certificates by
him received, into the secretary's office, seventeen days at least,
before the first Wednesday of June.
And the inhabitants of plantations and places unincorporated,
qualified as this constitution provides, who are or shall be re-
quired to assess taxes upon themselves towards the support of
government, or shall be taxed therefor, shall have the same
privilege of voting for senators in the plantations and places
wherein they reside, as the inhabitants of the respective towns
and parishes aforesaid have. And the meetings of such plan-
tations and places for that purpose, shall be holden annually in
the month of March, at such places respectively therein, as the
assessors thereof shall direct ; which assessors shall have like
authority for notifying the electors, collecting and returning the
906 NEW HAMPSHIRE
votes, as the selectmen and town-clerks have in their several
towns by this constitution.
And, that there may be a due meeting of senators, on the
first Wednesday of June, annually, the president and three of
the council for the time being, shall as soon as may, examine
the returned copies of such records ; and fourteen days before
the said first Wednesday of June, he shall issue his summons
to such persons as appear to be chosen senators by a majority
of votes, to attend and take their seats on that day : Provided^
nevertheless^ that for the first year the said returned copies
shall be examined by the president and five of the council of
the former constitution of government ; and the said president
shall in like manner notify the persons elected, to attend and
take their seats accordingly.
The senate shall be final judges of the elections, returns,
and qualifications of their own members, as pointed out in this
constitution, and shall on the said first Wednesday of June an-
nually, determine and declare, who are elected by each district
to be senators b}- a majority of votes ; and in case there shall
not appear to be the full number returned elected by a major-
ity of votes for any district, the deficiency shall be supplied in
the following manner, viz. The members of the house of rep-
resentatives and such senators as shall be declared elected, shall
take the names of such persons as shall be found to have the
highest number of votes in each district, and not elected,
amounting to twice the number of senators wanting, if there
be so many voted for ; and out of these shall elect by joint bal-
lot the number of senators wanted for such district: and in this
manner all such vacancies shall be filled up in every district of
the state, and in like manner all vacancies in the senate, aris-
ing by death, removal out of the state, or otherwise, shall be
supplied as soon as may be after such vacancies hajDpen.
Provided nevertheless^ That no person shall be capable of
being elected a senator, who is not of the protestant religion,
and seized of a freehold estate in his own right of the value of
two htindred pon?ids^ lyi'ig within this state, who is not of the
age of thirty years, and who shall not have been an inhabitant
of this state for seven years immediately preceding his elec-
tion ; and at the time thereof he shall be an inhabitant of the
district for which he shall be chosen.
The senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, pro-
vided such adjournment do not exceed two days at a time.
The senate shall appoint their own officers, and determine
their own rules of proceedings. And not less than seven mem-
bers of the senate shall make a quorum for doing business ;
and when less than eight senators shall be present, the assent
of five at least shall be necessary to render their acts and pro-
ceedings valid.
CONSTITUTION — I 784. 9*^
The senate shall be a court with full po\vcr and authority to
hear and determine all impeachments made by the house of
representatives, asjainst any officer or officers of the state, for
misconduct or mal-administration in their offices. But previ-
ous to the trial of any such impeachment, the members of the
senate shall respectively be sworn, truly and impartially to try
and determine the charge in question according to evidence.
Their judgment, however, shall not extend farther than re-
moval from office, disqualitication to hold or enjoy any place
of honor, trust or profit under this state ; but the party so con-
victed, shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judg-
ment, and punishment, according to laws of the land.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
There shall be in the legislature of this state a representa-
tion of the people annually elected and founded upon princi-
ples of equality : and in order that such representation may be
as equal as circumstances will admit, every town, parish, or
place intitlcd to town privileges, liaving one hundred and fifty
rateable male polls, of twenty-one years of age, and upwards,
may elect one representative ; if four hundred and fifty rate-
able polls, may elect two representatives ; and so proceeding
in that proportion, making three hundred such rateable polls
the mean increasing number, for every additional representa-
tive.
Such towns, parishes or places as have less than one hun-
dred and fifty rateable polls shall be classed by the general-
assembly for the purpose of chusiug a representative, and sea-
sonably notified thereof. And in every class formed for the
above-mentioned purpose, the first annual meeting shall be held
in the town, parish, or place wherein most of the rateable polls
reside ; and afterwards in that which has the next highest num-
ber, and so on annually by rotation, through the several towns,
parishes or places, forming the district.
Whenever any town, parish, or place intitled to town priv-
ileges as aforesaid, shall not have one hundred and fifty rate-
able polls, and be so situated as to render the classing tliereof
with any other town, parish, or place very inconvenient, the
general-assembly may upon application of a majority of the
voters in such town, parish, or place, issue a writ for their elect-
ing and sending a representative to the general-court.
The members of the house of representatives shall be chosen
annually in the month of March, and sliall be the second
branch of the legislature.
All persons qualified to vote in the election of senators shall
be intitled to vote within the town, district, parish, or place
where they dwell, in the choice of representatives. Every
908 N/iW HAMPSHIRE
member of the house of representatives shall be chosen by bal-
lot ; and for two years at least next preceding his election, shall
have been an inhabitant of this state, shall have an estate
within the town, parish, or place which he may be chosen to
represent, of the value of o}ie hundred pounds . one half of
which to be a freehold, whereof he is seized in his own right j
shall be at the time of his election, an inhabitant of the town,
parish, or place he may be chosen to represent ; shall be of
the protestant religion, and shall cease to represent such town»
parish, or place immediately on his ceasing to be qualified as
aforesaid.
The travel of each representative to the general-assembly,
and returning home, once in every session, and no more, shall
be at the expenceof the state, and the wages for his attendance,
at the expence of the town, parish, or places he represents ;
such members attending seasonably, and not departing without
licence. All intermediate vacancies in the house of represent-
atives, may be filled up from time to time, in the same man-
ner as annual elections are made.
The house of representatives shall be the grand inquest of
the state, and all impeachments made by them, shall be heard
and tried by the senate.
All money bills shall originate in the house of representa-
tives, but the senate may propose or concur with amendments
as on other bills.
The house of representatives shall have power to adjourn
themselves, but no longer then two days at a time.
A majority of the members of the house of representatives
shall be a quorum for doing business : but when less than two
thirds of the representatives elected shall be present, the assent
of two thirds of those members shall be necessary to render
their acts and proceedings valid.
No member of the house of representatives or senate, shall
be arrested or held to bail on mean process, during his going
to, returning from, or attendance upon the court.
The house of representatives shall choose their own speaker,
appoint their own officers, and settle the rules of proceedings
in their owni house. They shall have authority to punish by
imprisonment, every person who shall be guilty of disrespect
to the house in its presence, by any disorderly and contempt-
uous behaviour, or by threatening, or ill treating any of its
members ; or by obstructing its deliberations ; every person
guilty of a breach of its privileges in making arrests for debt,
or by assaulting any member during his attendance at any ses-
sion ; in assaulting or disturbing any one of its officers in the
execution of any order or procedure of the house, in assault-
ing any witness, or other person, ordered to attend by and dur-
CONSTITUTION 17S4. 909
ing his attendance of the house, or in rescuing any pei'son ar-
rested by order of the house, knowing them to be such. The
senate, president and council, shall have the same powers in
like cases ; provided that no imprisonment by either, for any
offence, exceed ten days.
The journals of the proceedings of both houses of the gen-
eral-court, shall be printed and published, immediately after
every adjournment, or prorogation ; and upon motion made by
any one member, the yeas and nays upon any question, shall
be taken and entered in the journals.
EXECUTIVE POWER.
PRESIDENT.
There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall
be stilcd, The PRESIDENT of the STATE of NEW-
HAMPSHIRE : and whose title shall be HIS EXCEL-
LENCY.
The PRESIDENT shall be chosen annually; and no per-
son shall be eligiljle to this office, unless at the time of his elec-
tion, he shall have been an inhabitant of this state for seven
3'ears next preceding, and unless he shall be of the age of thirty
years ; and unless he shall, at the same time, have an estate of
the value of Jive /iu?td?-ed potuids^ one half of which shall
consist of a freehold, in his own right, within the state ; and
unless he shall be of the protcstant- religion.
Those persons qualified to vote for senators and representa-
tives, shall within the several towns, parishes or places, where
they dwell, at a meeting to be called for that purpose, some
day in the month of Alarch annually, give in their votes for a
president to the selectmen, who shall preside at such meeting,
and the clerk in the presence and with the assistance of the
selectmen, shall in open meeting sort and count the votes, and
form a list of the persons voted for, with the number of votes
for each person against his name, and shall make a fair record
of the same in the town books, and a public declaration thereof
in the said meeting; and shall in the presence of said inhabit-
ants, seal up a copy of said list attested by him and the select-
men, and transmit the same to the sheriff of the county, thirty
days at least before the first Wednesday of June, or shall cause
returns of the same to be made to the office of the secretary of
the state, seventeen days at least, before said day, who shall
lay the same before the senate and house of representatives on
the first Wednesday of June, to be by them examined : and in
case of an election by a majority of votes through the state,
the choice shall be by them declared, and published ; but if no
person shall have a majority of votes, the house of rcpresenta-
9IO NEW HAMPSHIRE
tives shall by ballot elect two out of the four persons who had
the highest number of votes, if so many shall have been voted
for ; but if otherwise, out of the number voted for ; and make
return to the senate of the two persons so elected, on which
the senate shall proceed by ballot to elect one of them who
shall be declared president.
The president of the state shall preside in the senate, shall
have a vote equal with any other member ; and shall also have
a casting vote in case of a tie.
The president with advice of council, shall have full power
and authority in the recess of the general court, to prorogue
the same from time to time, not exxeeding ninety days in any
one recess of said court ; and during the session of said court,
to adjourn or prorogue it to any time the two houses may de-
sire, and to call it together sooner than the time to which it may
be adjourned or prorogued, if the welfare of the state should
require the same.
In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with re-
gard to the time of adjournment, or prorogation, the president,
with advice of council, shall have a right to adjourn or pro-
rogue the general court, not exceeding ninety days, at any one
time, as he may determine the public good may require. And
he shall dissolve the same seven days before the said first Wed-
nesday of June. And in case of any infectious distemper pre-
vailing in the place where the said court at any time is to con-
vene, or any other cause whereby dangers may arise to the
healths or lives of the members from their attendance, the presi-
dent may direct the session to be holden at some other the most
convenient place within the state.
The president of this state for the time being, shall be com-
mander in chief of the army and navy, and all the military
forces of the state, by sea and land ; and shall have full power
by himself, or by any chief commander, or other officer, or of-
ficers, from time to time, to train, instruct, exercise and gov-
ern the militia and navy ; and for the special defence and safety
of this state to assemble in martial array, and put in warlike
posture, the inhabitants thereof, and to lead and conduct them,
and with them to encounter, expulse, repel, resist and pursue
by force of arms, as well by sea as by land, within and without
thelimitsof thisstate ; and also to kill, slay, destroy, if necessary,
and conquer by all fitting ways, entcrprize and means, all and
every such person and persons as shall, at any time hereafter,
in a hostile manner, attempt or enterprize the destruction, in-
vasion, detriment, or annoyance of this state ; and to use and
exercise over the army and navy, and over the militia in actual
service, the law-martial in time of war, invasion, and also in
rebellion, declared by the legislature to exist, as occasion shall
CONSTITUTION 1 784. 9I I
necessarily require : and surprize by all ways and means
whatsoever, all and every such person or persons, with their
ships, arms, ammunition, and other goods, as shall in a hostile
manner invade, or attempt the invading, conquerinij, or annoy-
ing this state : and in tine, the president hereby is entrusted
with all other powers incident to the office of captain-general
and commander in chief, and admiral, to be exercised agree-
ably to the rules and regulations of the constitution and the
laws of the land : provided that the president shall not at any
time hereafter, by virtue of any power by this constitution
granted, or hereafter to be granted to him by the legislature,
transport any of the inhabitants of this state, or oblige them to
march out of the limits of the same, without their free and vol-
untary consent, or the consent of the general court, nor grant
commissions for exercising the law-martial in any case, with-
out the advice and consent of the council.
The power of pardoning offences, except such as persons
may be convicted of before the senate by impeachment of the
house, shall be in the president by and with the advice of the
council : but no charter of pardon granted by the president
with advice of council, before conviction, shall avail the
part}' pleading the same, notwithstanding any general or par-
ticular expressions contained therein, descriptive of the olience
or offences intended to be pardoned.
All judicial oliicers, the attorney-general, solicitor-general,
all sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, and all officers of the
navy, and general and field-officers of the militia, shall be nom-
inated and appointed by the jjiesident and council ; and every
such nomination shall be made at least seven daysprior to such
appointment, and no appointment shall take place unless three
of the council agree thereto. The captains and subalterns in
the respective regiments shall be nominated and recommended
by the lield-officers to the president, who is to issue their com-
missions immediately on receipt of such recommendation.
No officer duly commissioned to command in the militia,
shall be removed from his office, but by the address of both
houses to the president, or by fair trial in court-martial, pur-
suant to the laws of the state for the time being.
The commanding officers of the regiments shall appoint
their adjutants and quarter-masters ; the brigadiers their brig-
ade-uiajors, the major-generals their aids ; the captains and
subalterns their non-commissioned officers.
The president and council, shall appoint all officers of the
continental army, whom by the confederation of the United
States it is provided that this state shall appoint, as also all of-
ficers of forts and garrisons.
The division of the militia into brigades, regiments and
912 NEW HAMPSHIRE
companies, made in pursuance of the militia laws now in force,
shall be considered as the proper division of the militia of this
state, until the same shall be altered by some future law.
No monies shall be issued out of the treasury of this state,
and disposed of (except such sums as may be appropriated for
the redemption of bills of credit or treasurer's notes, or for the
payment of interest arising thereon) but by warrant under the
hand of the president for the time being, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the council, for the necessary support and
defence of this state, and for the necessary protection and
preservation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts
and resolves of the general court.
All public boards, the commissary-general, all superintend-
ing officers of public magazines and stores, belonging to this
state, and all commanding officers of forts and garrisons within
the same, sliall once in every three months, officially, and with-
out i-equisition, and at other times, when required by the presi-
dent, deliver to him an account of all goods, stores, provi-
sions, ammunition, cannon, with their appendages, and small
arms, with their accoutrements, and of all other public prop-
erty under their care respectively ; distinguishing the quantity,
and kind of each, as particularly as may be ; together with
the condition of such forts and garrisons : and the command-
ing officer shall exhibit to the president, when required by him,
true and exact plans of such forts, and of the land and sea,
or harbour or harbours adjacent.
The President and council shall be compensated for their
services from time to time by such grants as the general court
shall think reasonable.
Permanent and honorable salaries shall be established by
law for the justices of the superior court.
Whenever the chair of ti:;e president shall be vacant, by
reason of his death, absence from the state, or otherwise, the
senior senator for the time being, shall, during such vacanc}',
have and exercise all the powers and authorities which by this
constitution the president is vested with when personally pres-
ent.
COUNCIL.
Annually, on the first meeting of the general court, two
members of the senate and three from the house of representa-
tives, shall be chosen by joint ballot of both houses as a coun-
cil, for advising the president in the executive part of govern-
ment, whom the president for the time being, shall have full
power and authority to convene from time to time, at his dis-
cretion, and the president with tlie counsellors, or three of
them at least, shall and may from time to time hold and keep
CONSTITUTION — I 784. 913
a council, for ordering and directing the affairs of the state ac-
cording to the laws of the land.
The qualifications for counsellors, shall be the same as those
required for senators. The members of the council shall not
intermeddle with the making or trying impeachments, but shall
themselves be impeachable by the house, and triable by the
senate for mal-conduct.
The resolutions and advice of the council shall be recorded
in a register, and signed by the members present, and this
record may be called for at any time, by either house of the
legislature, and any member of the council may enter his opin-
ion contrary to the resolution of the maiority.
And whereas the elections appointed to be made by this con-
stitution on the first Wednesday of June annually, by the two
houses of the legislature may not be completed on that day, the
said elections may be adjourned from day to day until the same
shall be completed. And the order of the elections shall be as
follows: the vacancies in the senate, if any, shall be first filled
up ; the president shall then be elected, provided there should
be no choice of him by the people : and afterwards the two
houses, shall proceed to the election of the council.
SECRETARY, TREASURER, COMMISSARY-GENERAL. AC.
The Secretary, treasurer, and commissary-general, shall be
chosen by joint ballot of the senators and representatives as-
sembled in one room.
The records of the state shall be kept in the office of the
secretary, who may appoint his deputies, for whose conduct he
shall be answerable, and he shall attend the president and
council, the senate and representatives, in person or by deputy,
as they may require.
COUNTY-TREASURER, &C.
The County-treasurers, and registers of deeds shall be
elected by the inhabitants of the several towns, in the several
counties in the state, according to the method now practised,
and the present laws of the state : and before they enter upon
the business of their offices, shall be respectively sworn faith-
fully to discharge the duties thereof, and shall severally give
bond with sufficient sureties, in a reasonable sum for the use
of the county, for the punctual performance of their respective
trusts.
JUDICIARY POWER.
The tenure, that all commission officers shall have by law
in their offices, shall be expressed in their respective com-
missions. All judicial officers, duly appointed, commissioned
58
914 NEW HAMPSHIRE
and sworn, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, ex-
cepting those concerning whom there is a different provision
made in this constitution : Provided nevertheless^ the presi-
dent, with consent of council, may remove them upon the
address of both houses of the legislature.
Each branch of the legislature, as well as the president and
council, shall have authority to require the opinions of the
justices of the superior court upon important questions of
law, and upon solemn occasions.
In order that the people may not sutler from the long con-
tinuance in place of any justice of the peace, who shall fail in
discharging the important duties of his office with ability and
fidelity, all commissions of justices of the peace shall become
void, at the expiration of five years from their respective
dates; and upon the expiration of any commission, the same
may, if necessary, be renewed, or another person appointed,
as shall most conduce to the well-being of the state.
The judges of probate of wills, and for granting letters of
administration, shall hold their courts at such place or places,
on such fixed days, as the convenience of the people may re-
quire. And the legislature shall, from time to time, hereaf-
ter appoint such times and places, until whicii appointments,
the said courts shall be holden at the times and places which
the respective judges shall direct.
All causes of marriage, divorce and alimony, and all ap-
peals from the respective judges of probate, shall be heard
and tried bv the superior court, until the legislature shall. In-
law make other provision.
CLERKS OF COURTS.
The clerks of the superior court of judicature, inferior
court of common pleas, and general sessions of the peace,
shall be appointed by the respective courts during pleasure.
And to prevent any fraud or unfairness in the entries and rec-
ords of said courts, no such clerk shall be of counsel in any
cause in the court of which he is clerk, nor shall he fill any
writ in any civil action whatsoever.
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.
The delegates of this state to the Congress oi the United
States, shall some time l)et\vecn the first Wednesdav of June,
and the first Wednesdav of September annually, be elected
by the senate and house of representatives in their seperate
branches ; to serve in Congress for one year, to commence on
the first Monday in November then next ensuing. They shall
have commissions under the hand of the president, and the
great seal of the state ; but may be recalled at any time within
CONSTITUTION — 1 7S4. 915
t)ie year, and others chosen and commissioned, in the same
manner, in their stead ; and they shall have the same qualifi-
cations, in all respects, as by this constitution are required for
the president.
No person shall be capable of being a delegate to Congress,
for more than three years in any term of six years ; nor shall
any person being a delegate, be capable of holding any office
under the United States, for which he, or any other for his
benefit, receives any salary, or emolument of any kind.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE, iC.
Knowledge, and learning, generally diffused through a
community, being essential to the preservation of a free gov-
ernment ; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of
education through the various parts of the country, being
liighlv conducive to promote this end ; it shall be the duty of
the legislators and the magistrates, in all future periods of this
government to cherish the interest of literature and the sci-
ences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage
private and public institutions, rewards and immunities for
the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades,
manufacturesand natural history of the country ; to countenance
and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence,
public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and
punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, aiid all social affections, and
generous sentiments, among the people.
OATH AND SUBSCRIPTIONS ; EXCLUSION FROM OFFICES ; COM-
MISSIONS ; WRITS ; CONFIRMATION OF LAWS ; HABEAS COR-
PUS ; THE ENACTING STILE ; CONTINUANCE OF OFFICERS ;
PROVISION FOR A FUTURE REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION,
AC.
Any person chosen president, counsellor, senator, or repre-
sentative, military or civil officer, (town officers excepted,)
accepting the trust, shall, before he proceeds to execute the
duties of his office, make and subscribe the following declara-
tion, viz.
/, A. B. do truly and sincerely ac knowledge^ profess^ tes-
tify and declare, that the state of New- Hampshire is. and
of right ought to be, a free, sovereign and independent
state: and do swear that J xvill bear faith, and true alle-
giance to the same, atid that I xvill endeavor to defend it
against all treacherous conspiracies and hostile attempts
whatever : and I do further testify and declare, that no man
or body of men. hath or can have, a right to absolve 7nc from
the obligation of this oath, declaration or affirtnation ; and
that I do make this acktiowledgemcnt. profession, testimony.
9l6 NEW HAMPSHIRE
atid declaration^ honestly and truly ^ according to the com-
mon acceptation of the foregoing words ^ -without any equiv-
ocation^ mental evasion^ or secret rese7'vation -whatever.
So help me GOD.
/, A. B. do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm., thai
I will faith filly and impartially discharge and perform all
the duties incutnbent on 7tie as
according to the best of my abilities., agreeably to the rules
and regulations of this constitution., and the laxvs of the
state of Nezv- Hampshire.
So help me GOD.
Provided aliuays, When any person chosen oi" appointed as
aforesaid, shall be of the denomination called quakers, or shall
be scrupulous of swearing, and shall decline taking the said
oaths, such shall take and subscribe them omitting the word
'•'•swear.," and likewise the words '■'■So help me God" sub-
joined instead thereof. This J do ttnder the pains and pcji al-
lies of perjtiry.
And the oaths or affirmations shall be taken and subscribed
by the president before the senior senator present, in the pres-
ence of the two houses of assembly ; and by the senate and
representatives first elected under this constitution, before the
president and coimcil for the time being: and by the residue of
the officers aforesaid, before such persons, and in such manner
as from time to time shall be prescribed by the legislature.
All commissions shall be in the name of the state of New-
Hampshire, signed by the president, and attested by the secre-
tary, or his deputy, and shall have the great seal of the state
affixed thereto.
All writs issuing out of the clerk's office in any of the courts
of law, shall be in the name of the state of New-Hampshire ;
shall be under the seal of the court whence they issue, and
bear test of the chief, first, or senior justice of the court ; but
when such justice shall be interested, then the writ shall bear
test of some other justice of the court, to which the same shall
be returnable : and be signed by the clerk of such court.
All indictments, presentments and informations shall con-
clude against the peace and dignity of the state.
The estates of such persons as may destroy their own lives,
shall not for that ofience be forfeited, but descend or ascend in
the same manner, as if such persons had died in the natural
way. Nor shall any article which shall accidentally occasion
the death of any person, be henceforth deemed a deodand, or
in any wise forfeited on account of such misfortune.
All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, used and
approved, in the province, colony, or state of New-Hampsliire,
and usually practised on in the courts of law, shall remain and
CONSTITIJTIOX — 17S4. 917
V)e in full force, until altered and repealed by the legislature ;
such parts thereof only excepted, as are repugnant to the rights
and liberties contained in this constitution : Provided that noth-
ing herein contained, wlien compared with the twenty-third
article in the bill of rights, shall be construed to afibct the laws
already made respecting the persons or estates of absentees.
The privilege and benefit of the habeas corpus, shall be en-
joyed in this state, in the most free, easy, cheap, expeditious,
and ample manner, and shall not be susjjended by the legisla-
ture, except upon the most urgent and ]:)ressing occasions, and
for a time not exceeding three months.
The enacting stile in making and passing acts, statutes and
laws, shall be — Be it enacted by the Senate and house of rep-
resentatives^ i?i General Court convened.
No president or judge of the superior court, shall hold any
office or place under the authority of this state, except such as
by this constitution they are admitted to hold, saving that the
judges of the said court may hold the offices of justices of the
peace throughout the state : nor shall they hold any place or
office, or receive any pension or salary, from any other state,
government, or power whatever.
No person shall be capable of exercising at the same time,
more than one of the following offices within this state, viz.
Judge of probate, sherirt", register of deeds ; and never more than
two offices of profit, which may be held by appointment of the
president, or president and council, or senate and house of rep-
resentatives, or superior or inferior courts ; military offices, and
offices of justices of the peace, excepted.
No person holding the office of judge of the superior court,
secretary, treasurer of the state, judge of probate, attorney-
general, commissary-general, judge of the maritime court, or
judge of the court of admiralty, military officers receiving pay
from the continent or this state, excepting officers of the mili-
tia occasionally called forth on an emergency ; judge of the in-
ferior court of common pleas, register of deeds, president,
professor or instructor of anv college, sher^ft', or office of the
customs, including naval-officers, shall at the same time have a
seat in the senate or house of representatives, or council ; but
their being chosen or appointed to, and accepting the same,
shall operate as a resignation of their seat in the senate, or
house of representatives, or council : and the place so vacated
shall be filled up.
No person shall ever be admitted to hold a seat in the legis-
lature, or any office of trust or importance under this govern-
ment, who in the due course of law, has been convicted oj-
bribery or corruption, in obtaining an election or appointment
In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this con_
9IO NEW HAMPSHIRE
stitution, the value thereof shall be computed in silver, at six
shillings and eight pence per ounce.
To the end that there may be no failure of justice or danger
arise to this state from a change of the form of government, all
civil and military officers, holding commissions under the gov-
ernment and people of New-Hampshire, and other officers of
the said government and people, at the time this constitution
shall take effect, shall hold, exercise and enjoy all the powers
and authorities to them granted and committed, until other per-
sons shall be appointed in their stead. All courts of law in the
business of their respective departments, and the executive,
and legislative bodies and persons, shall continue in full force,
enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts and employments,
until the general court, and the supreme and other executive
officers under this constitution, are designated, and invested
with their respective trusts, powers and authority.
This form of government shall be enrolled on parchment,
and deposited in the secretary's office, and be a part of the laws
of the land, and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the
books containing the laws of this state, in all future editions
thereof.
To preserve an effectual adherence to the principles of the
constitution, and to correct any violations thereof, as well as
to make such alterations therein, as from experience may be
found necessary, the general court shall at the expiration of
seven years from the time this constitution shall take effect, is-
sue precepts, or direct them to be issued from the secretary's
office, to the several towns and incorporated places, to elect
delegates to meet in convention for the purposes aforesaid : the
said delegates to be chosen in the same manner, and propor-
tioned as the representatives to the general assembly ; provided
that no alteration shall be made in this constitution before the
same shall be laid before the towns and unincorporated places,
and approved by two thirds of the qualified voters present, and
voting upon the question.
IN CONVENTION,
HELD AT CONCOHD, THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER,
1783-
Thh Returns from the several towns being examined, and
it appearing that the foregoing Bill of Rights and Form of
Government, were approved by the People ; the same are
hereby agreed on and established by the Delegates of the
People, and declared to be the Civil Constitution for thk
State of New-Hampshire, to take place on the first Wed-
CONSTITUTION 1 784 9I9
nesday of June. 1784 ; and that in the mean time the General
Court under the present government, make all the necessary
arrangements for introduchig this Constitution, at that lime,
and in the manner therein described.
NATHANIEL FOLSOM, President, P. T.
Attest.
J. M. Sewall. Secretary.
INDEX OF NAMES.
Beailirs will please take notice, that in this Index, names which very frequentlj'
occur in the same town, arc not always noted page by page, but designated by a -
joining the pages on w hicli tliey arc found. Hence, when the residence of a partic-
■lar name is once ascertained, it may be well to look for its repetition on every
page of the town thereto related. It will be seen that the same name is often cpelt
in different ways. The nanies ol (iovemors. Clerks, Secretaries, &c., which are
officially signed, occurring more or less on every page, are not rei)eated. Errors
will probably be found, but tlie Index has cost the Kditov immense labor, to make it
accurate.
Abbot or Abbott, 19,24, 42, 44, (5 1, i.^-.',
I41,4(h>, 5;o,«;L', T.W, 7!I4.
Abell lini!
Accjison '.i to
Ackerman 5G1
Acres iiti
AOWORTH 1
AdaniH, 2, 87, 88, 172. 173, 194, 202, 211,
212, 213, 214, 2.i4,2:l6, 238, 239, 241,
304, 31 ;, 398, 402, 415,429, 48i)-.'J3;5;
5t:0, .589, G04, t;05, G72, 708-715; 710,
72I-72'.i; 78;{, 794, 808.
Addison or Adeson 308, 309, 515, 523
Aiten. 113,114, ll.i, 118.482,485-532;
759,801-823; 825.
Akerman 41, .301,714
Alcock or Olcott 41, 42, 708-715
Alden 159, 1G2
Alexnniler. 319. 384, 389, 302, 482, 484-
.1:13; 585,717,78-7,791.
A LEXA.NURIA 825
Alger 715
A lid 23, 201, 211, 213, 214, 220, .>19, 551
Allen, 24, 165, 170, 174, 2;i8, 305, 308, 309,
:WI . 52;!. 543, 545, 574, 588, 040, GGO-
6C»; (!72, 717, 723-729; 700, 787,
71.2, 825.
ALLES8TOWN 825
Allcrd TIT)
Allison IH2, 4*1-532
Ally 160, 174,175
Almary 42, 43
Alsi KAt) 5
Amaskecn 560
Ambros 182, 184, 292
Amert or Kaine-i, I'M, 397, 402, 4(J4, 573,
(i02, 74.')-752 ; 826.
Amcy 675, 745
Amuekst 0, 13-26
Amors 42
A nderson 482, 481 -.-533
Anhoveu 825
Andras 384
Andrews, 317, 379, 381, 389, 390, 482,
Anis or Annee. . . 122, 405, 406, 52(!, 551, 679
ANTRIM 825
Appleton 005, 607
Apthorp 708
Arbiickel 490-533 ; 551
Archibald or Archibel, 482, 484-533;
589, 802-823.
Armes 716, 78«, 787
Armour 52(5, 751, S0.')-823
Armstrong 41, 4S.')-533; 805-82:$
Asbery 611
Ash 170, 173,360,608-630; 768,709
Ashby 753
Ashlev :184, 716, 787, 799, 814, 820, 836
Aston or Austen, 170, 171, 173, 402, 745,
7(10.
Atkinson. Theodore, Secy— passim, 68,
77, 125, 141, 112, ir.2, K 3, 167, 153,
259, 459, 463, 647, 70.3-715 ; 717, 746,
788, S.;(), 842, S'rl.
Atkinson & I'i.astdw 2C-4i>
Atwood nr Atwordc, :)1, 100, 331, :W2,
081,792.
Auchmuty 4X5
A uger Wl
Aven 202
Averill 1»
Avery, 97, 2.55, :1&I. 4(i4, 688, 592, 642,
784, 827.
Ayer or Ayres, 40, 42, 44. 141, 142, 143,
172, 325, 458, 491, 615, 0«U, 081,
746-75:1.
922
Babl) 4-2, 43, r)(;l, 092
Uaclielder or Uatcheldor, 110, 112, 310,
:m, 344, 347, 357, 35'^, 376, 43fi, 438,
44.-., 4.50, 573, 583-58G ; 639-y45 ; 648-
651 ; 7*2, 827, 829.
Badger 537, 541, .W2, 604, 8.35, 84:5
Bagley 360, 440, 608
Baker, 7.'"., 100, 112, 181, 359, 360, .Sl)6,
.')22, 592, 664, 716, 704,836. 843, 844.
rsalch .680, 751, 814
Baldwing or Baldwin, 19, 379, 381, 418,
421,422,64.5-6151; 652,672.
Baley or I'.ailey, 41, 407, 411, 412,415,
427, 464, 611, 670, 681, 750, 792, 813,
843.
Ball 10, 23, 43, 330, 560
Balord 7»6
Bamford 91, .396
Bampton 171, 176
Banlil or Banfleld, 42, 43, 44, 561, 642,
708.
Bantom 174
Barbor, 173, .'573, 589, 5<)2-603; 632-644;
656.
Barker, .5!), 79, 102,276,292,376,571, .584,
588, rm, 648, 653, 753, 758, 797, 828,
834.
BarloM' 251, 464
Barnard, 147, ;501, ;i;)6, 451, 626, 771, 790,
835.
Barns. ...41, 42, 44, 50, 51, 305, 550, 551, 686
Barnstead 429
Bakn,stead 825
Barnet 482, 484-533 ; 551 , 552, 671
Barnum 104
Barr 189, 308, 309, 482, 484-533
Barrel 143
Barret, 388, 391,402, 41(;, 420, 423, 469,
512, 551.
Bakrington 41-49
Barron 4, 50, 560
Barter 317
Bartlett, .32,34, 42, 373, 450, 523, 572,589,
611-fJ30; 6;i6-645; r!64, 792, f<H, 835,
841.
Barton 568
Basford or Besford 106, 443
Batu 825
Batson rm, .568
Bayls 759
Bavne 829
Baxter 548, 551, 649
Beadel or Bedell 428, 465, 611
Beal 429
Bean or Been, 24, .59, 77, 79, 85, 86, 111,
112, 2.53, 2.55, 258, 259, 263,268, 269,
273, 270,280. 291, 3.58, 436, 440, 447,
572, 583, 5.S5, 5i)2, 685, 687, 719.
Beard or Baird 170, 572, 63,5-f;44
Beauchanip 211, 214, 222
Beck 42, 560-588; 708, 714
Beckwith 6, 546, 548
Bedford 50-56
Bedford 432
Bcede or Bedv :558, 441
Bcetel 7.50
BELCnuu, 106, 125. 171, 2.53, 327, 341,
.344, 346, 437, 455,4.58, 459, 498, 503,
633, 690, C92, 696.
Belding 384, 388, 390, 391, 786
Belknap 27, 28, 29, 35, 673, 674-684
Bell, 51, .52, .54, .56, 317, 482, 48.5-.5.53; .563,
566, 568, 834.
Belley? 524
Bellows 6, 393, 830, 8;36, 844
Bemaine 381
Beming 12
Bennet, 44, 142, 172, 173, 239, 240, 243,
573, 584, 589, 005, 056, 692, 744, 77'.)-
785.
Bennick or Bannick 167, 239, 589
Bennington 56
Benson 692
Benton ^6
Bergiu 241, .573, 689
Berrv or Bary, 44, 106, 110, 112, 11.5,
249, 2.50, 321, 324, 344, .522, 562. 563,
574, 643, 722-729: 735-741.
Bettenliam 548
T'.everlin 572
IMbard or Biber 170, 175
Bickam 317
Bickford, 43, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175, 177,
179, 235, 239, 240, 243, 244, 249, .5.36,
SIO, 542, .544, 560, 722-729; 829.
Bigelow 4
Bingham .546, 548
Bird 212-217 ; 221 , 526
Bishop 41, 59
Bixbe 8
Black 249, 255, 341, 583, 585, 680
Blackston 159
Blair or Blare -50, 397, 482, 485-533 ; 556
Blake, 246, 249, 2.55, 334, :340, 342, 345.
346, ;548, 357, 375, 376, 441, 451, 464,
583, 585, .592.
Blanchard, 1, 2, 4, 21,23. 91, 118, 194.
198, 201, 206, 208, 210, 211, 212-234;
402, 427, 539, .549, 551, 5.52, 671, 794,
796, 798, 829.
Blaney 203, 536, 540
Blasedel 358, 408, 415, 436, 438, .523
Blaso 2-49,250
Bliss 646-651
Blodgett or Bloget, 21, 307, 309, 310,
418, 423, 425, 426, 427, 464, 473, 477,
(i72, 685, 687, 794, 835.
Blood, 3:5, 25, 194, 202, 204, 208, 210,
212, 222, 227, 402, 687, 717, 786, 835.
Blunt 113, 119, 138, .522, 504, .568, 664
Bly 40, 426
Bodge 109, 174
Bodman 786
Bogell 482, 484-533 ; 647
Bohonon .59
Boice or Boye.-^, 56, 102, 485-.533; .554,
555, 808.
Boin or Bowen 59
Bolton 498, 504, 808-823
Bond 332, 44.5,446,677
Bonner 475, 476
Boodv .543. 544
Bordman .5^9-599
Bordwell 786
Borland 672
Bosc.^ WEN 57-62
Bouttel 19
Boutwell 19
Bow(l) 62-76
Bowdage or Bowditch .5;J6, 510
9M
Bowde 170, :m
Bowers -.T., ill, 214, -221, 322, WO, .'540
Bowles 639,715,716
Bowman 24
Boyd. 107, 153, 317, 364, ."iSa, S-W, (M)l,
708-715; am.
Boyden 292
Boynton or Bouton, 194,401, 4;tf>, 580.
58i*. 656.
Brackenbiirv 41.'>
Bracket, ISs", 327, 574, 588, 047-r.:.l : 708,
714, 73.'>-744; 784.
Bradbury 420
Braddcn 41
Braden 560
Bradford 8, 12, 19, 4;J, .379, 381, o+l, 7.'»9
Bradford 825
Bradly or Bradley. 27, 32, 34, 132, 441,
680.
Braffg 142
Bralnard 730-73:1
Branecombe 56,s
Brattle 20s
Breed 005
Brenton 467
Brentwood 7(i-80
Brew 170
Brewer SV^
Brewster or Bruster, 42, 43, 48, 181.
.524. 52 i, 092-715; 722-729.
Briant or Brvant, 29, 31, .34, 63, (i9, 243,
.500. .5s:»-.j'.i9 : 003, 0(;i-604; 072.
800.
Briard 43
Brickett or Brccket 1 13, 1 15. .573
Bridge 2
Bridges 721
BRIDfiEWATKi: 825
Bridgham 41
Bridgman 388, 389, 390
Brier .571, 779-78;5
Brighain 670
Brinlev 614
Broadstreet or Bradstreet 688
Brock 171
Brockwav 305, 546,548
Brook line 826
Brooks 297, .384
Brown, 4, 6, 27, 28, 29, ;«, 42, 44, 77, 80,
103, HO, 113, 114, 118, 141, 144,147,
150, 1.51, 109, 175, 194, 208, 237, 240,
259, 270, 272, 299, 3l(Mf»2, 415, 425,
440, 4.50, 4.50, .liK)-53.; ; .^48, .502, .5S3,
(XM), 614-0;10; 038-044 ; 047-651 ; IkS5,
087, 692, 719, 7:55, 743, 707-770 ; 780,
787,792,807-823; 825.
Bruce S70
Brusel «0
Brven 574
Buck 213
Budey or Boody 175, 179
Bulger 251
Bunker 109, 170, 174, 2.35
Buntingor Buntin. . .143, 522, 601-604 ; 82.'5
Burbank, 59, 141. 144, 405, 406, 409, 410,
412, 415, 423, 425.
Burbeen 523
Bunlit 173,239
Burge or Borge 4, 402
Burgee 644
Burkharil 670
Burlev or Berley, 141, 149. 1.51, 571, 573,
585, 588-599; 003, 756, 784.
BURNET 49:J, 740
Burns, 9, 10, 17, 19, .50, .51, .52, 375, 418,
421, 422, 425, 427, 830, 8.35.
Burnsides 497, 828
Burnum or Barnum, 160, IKl, 2:55,210,
375, 376.
Buron 490
Burpey 36
Burrou.ghs 17, 419, 405, 518
Bursa 172,173
Burt 384, 3H9, 390, 392, 666
Burton 797
Bu>^hnel 60
Bupkell 54:1
Bussel or Buzzel. 175, 179, 180, 237, 436,
543, 544.
Bu.os 44,708,715
Bussy 170, 174, 725
Buswell 238.441
Butler, 122, 186, 342, 373, 375, .388, 391,
418, 421, 422, 584, 043. 715, 710, 787,
843.
Butterfield, 106, 201, 211,212, 214, 220,
2:52, 231, 299, 303, 308, 309, 475, 477,
512. 040-651 ; 794, 829.
Butters 670
Button 17
Cabot 540
Cady 787
Caldwell or Galwell, 24, 50, .54, .50, 103,
104, 421, 422, 420, 427, 473, 475, 47(!,
482, 498-.5.33 ; .552, 553, .5.55, 557, 807-
823; 855.
Calcy or Galley, 523, .570-572; .592, 77!)-
785.
Calf or Calfe, 4.5, 105, 113, 114, 118, 447,
624, 044, 087.
Calkins tMtM>.51
CaU .59, 62, 90, 715
Calland 700
Camficid 54o. fAS
Campbell o; Camell, 14, 18, 23,419, 426,
450, 47 i, 482, 485-5:13 ; .5.55, 805-823;
60., 081,7.53.
CAMPrON 826
Canaan 820
Canada orKaniida 51, 54
Canoia 820
Canney or Cenny, 155, 1.59. 161, 108, 109,
171, 173, 180, 182.
Canterblry 87-96
Capron 836, 844
Card 586
Cargil 102, 482, 486-5,'M
Carlinn 469
Carkin 511
Carles or CiMll 164. 169, 171
Carlton or Ciillton, 4, 19,:i0, 34, 102,000,
013, 022-4530 ; 635-6J5 ; 061, 675-084 ;
744-752.
Carpenter 794
Carr or Knrr, .50. 105, 109, 112, 142, 143,
IS'i, :507, 310, 421, 473, 475,470, .524.
061, 702, 786, 814.
Carson 299,'Ml
924
Carter or Cator, 41, 01, 62, 6'J, 74, i:w,
13.5, lAH, 142, 170, 174, 314, 317, .i-W,
300, 402, 436. 523, 608-639; 771,776.
Carty -255
Cary 106
Cass 2't;j, .Ml , 342
Caswell 464, 504
Cate or Cates, 42, 18, 321, 324, 524, 574,
643, 047-651 ; 756.
Caverly 4.">
Center or Sentt-r 15, t.2(;
<>entki;-Hakhuii: 826
Chadboui n 186
Chadwick, 186, 105, 406, 107, 10!', 410,
412,761.
Chaloss or Clialiss, 360, 450, 608-630;
768-776.
Chamberlain, 51, 52, 233, 234, 402, 491-
5;i3; ,551, 716, 722-729; 788.
Champion 732
Champney 186, 708
Chandler or Chanler, 5, 6, 27,35. 37, 50,
69, 74, 132, 138, 408, 409, 411, 412,
415, 601, 605, 626, 771.
Chaney or Cheney, 27, 32, 34,35, 37, 526,
673.
Chaplin 29,35
Chapnum, 304, 340, 341, .572, 574, 5S3, 589,
5i)2, 732.
Charlks, King 251
Charlestown, Ko. i 96-101
Chase, 6, 32, 34, 113, 115, 119, 132, 14.5,
146, 179, 219, 220, 246, 255, 342, 344,
364, 372, 375, 393, 416, 429, 446, 469,
471, 472, 478, 512, 526, 568, 575, 582,
584, 591, 613, 622, 640-645; 681, 757,
784.
Chatham 826
Chatterton 4
Cheever 8, 9, 653
Chesle or Chesley, 160, 162, 16.5, 166, 1(59,
170, 171, 172, 174, 182, 185, 194, 235,
237, 238, 240, 24:^, 245, 542. 544, 569,
586.
Chester lOl, 120, 352
Chesterfield 120-122
Cheswick, now Littleton 122
Cheswill 573
Chicheste r 123-127
Choate 829
Church 3, 170, 171,175,546
Churchill '. 42
Church wood SU
Chusing 175
Chute or Chote 362, 436, 444
Cilley 642, 643, 813
Cindinor 668
Claprgett 2, 94, 647, 708-715
Clapp (i56
Clakemont 826
Clark, 2, 8, 18, 19, 25, 41, 42, 44, .52, 1.59-
177; 241, .379, .381, 415, 426, 436,
478, 482, 484-533; 543, 545, 553, 5.55,
566, 571-604; 632-615; 656, 661-
664; 692, 711, 722-729; 731, 756-
7.58; 779-785; 802.829.
Clarkson, A., passim 615, 709-715
Clay 106,110, 112,719
Clements, 31, 32, 160, 168, 170, 173, 174,
175, 182, 185, 407, 409, 410, 412. 415,
522, 543, 515,675-684; 716, 760, 837.
demons 201
Clendinen 482, 484-533 ; 813
Clerick 214
Cleveland 465
Clevee 357
Clifl-ord, 79, 111, 112,151, 25.5,268,271,
274, 270, 342, 344, 436, 441, 450, .W5,
640-6-45; 731,829.
Clive ^^
Clogston 309, fiiX
Clougb, :■, ■ J. -, ::-. :"- ": -' ' ; Ml,
I'J . .,.'., J, . -1, :- ',:■ :.,.;72,
'. ; , ' ■r.5'.--2,
1:. , J,. ■;.: ■;;:-: :::- ■ 1 ; 7 ^, 745-
7.^2; 7:;:;, S43.
Clow 771
Olvd 7.52,80,5-823
Coats 1549
Cobbit .536
Coben 792
Coburn 524
Cochran or Ci)ghran, 19, 104, 107, 116,
142, 477, 482, 485-533; 554, 5,55,557,
661-664; 667, 668, 802-823.
Codd 379
Coffin, 60, 64, 176, 182, 522, 573, 615, 632-
615; 672, 714, 769, 770, 792.
Cofran 8. 522, 523, 660-664; 745-7.52
Cofrass 6.56
Cogswell 681
Coker 593
ColbaUi 574
Colbe or Colby, 105, 112, 132, 332, 405,
406, 407, 410, 412, 415, 44.5, 446, 451,
611-630; 677,732,768-776,
Colburn, 9, 10, 11, 25, 194, 200, 202, 402,
418, 423, 425, 427, 478, 794.
Colcord, 79, 85, 2,53, 258. 2(>3, 268, 271, 276,
292, 431, 436, 445, 447,593, 602, 6;>2-
644,
Cole 1.55, 251, 582, 760, 777-785
CO LEIUJOOK 826
Coleman 670, 793
Colkctt 376, 572
Colleilge 379
CoUings or Collins, 45,341,344,3.59, 436,
449, 451 , 622, 621-630; 763, 773, 774,
843.
Combs 201,213,222,794
Comings, Cummins, or Cumings, 2, 14,
19, 194, 204, 214, 221, 227, 231, 399,
400, 401, 416, 419, 421, 422, 425, 426,
469, 470, 472, 473, 477, 512, 536,540,
550, 606, 686, 687, 717, 7.30, 787, 794.
843.
Comstock 546, .548
Conahie 490
Coiiant 401
Concord 127-140
Cone 6
Conn 606,670
Connel 525
Conner, 114, 119, 160, 162. 170, 171, 174,
\S'), 253, 258, 262, 341, 522, 583, 585,
65!)-i;64.
Contoocook 58
Converse 468
Con W.4.Y 140-145
Cook 59, 169, 17.5, 179, 297. 332. 761
Cooper 170,388,391,792
Cope 758
Copey .525
Copp or Copps, 28, 32, 34, S5, 3.t, 40, 91,
3.32, 722, 788.
Coifee .541
Corgel 748, 7.50
Corlis ,50,745,792,825
Corly 784
Corning 744-752,813
Cornish 14.5-148
Corser or Coser 69, 63 U9
925
Cory G05
Coseii 15,% l.V>, 725, 760
Coston 517. 521 , 524
Cotten or Cotton, 41, 42, 4:^, 44, S47, 458,
560, 570, 592, 6 W-e44 ; 047, OiCZ, 715,
743, 744, 78;{-7a').
Cori.i; AIN 127
COVKNTKY 82(>
Cowel 44
Cowin 01- Cowans.. 51), 311, 21S, 230, a^O.-Wl
Cox 201,397, 427, 51(!
Cralord or Crawford 1 19, 332, 825
Craj?in 34,844
Oraige 2, IDS, 113, 114, 115, 1!9, 484-5;J2
Cram, 77, 8fi, 110, 149, J.-iO, 151, 202. 244,
251, 2.-);{, 279, 291, 29-3, 342, .■$48,3.57,
377, X'S, 541, 58!, 584, 589, 1)40-045;
719, 797.
Cnm 115, 259
Craw 1 ey 251
Cre:i8e or Creyce 482, (M4
Crenimet 172, 173
Cretchetl 112, 1G7, 23.5, 241, 274, .589
Crison 78(>
Criste 489, 554, 555, 808-82:5
Crockci- 65B
Cro -kett 42, 172, 571, 573, 589, 779, 784
Crombie 11.:, 114, .517, 5>M
I'ronien 2:i5
Cronicy or Orummev 4.S2, 4W4-533
Ci omniett or Crummet. . ..171. 239, 240, .598
Cromwcl) 171 , 173, 235, 760
Crosby, 10, 14, 482, 572, (;05, (J46-«5I ;
W!9-S73.
Croset .524
Cros.4, 1, 4, 42, 43, 171, 238, 410, 419, 426,
42i;, 4»59, 470, 471, 472, 500, .562, 592,
WC.-651; 675, 7';i.
Crowd 7.5;i
Cullimore 6C1
Cunningham, 119, 308, 309, 522, 525, .527,
.552,661,661,660-672.
Currier, 20, 28, 29, .32, 35, 147, 307, 308,
309, 317, 344, 440, 611-630; 67.5-C84,
714, 719, 744-7.52; 708-776.
Currr 94, .397, 745
Curtice or Curtis 18, 170, 464
CushinpT, 31, 236, 333, 609,615,676-084;
770.
Cushman 6.55, 656
Cutt or Cutis, 41, 43, 96, 186, 317, 458,
001,089-715; 734.
Cutter 072, 711,824,842
D
Dikins 421 , 422, 42.'; 427
Dalp .530, .537, 794
Dallin? 317,714
Diilton 335, 340, ;;47, 001, 681
Dam or I lanie, 102, 1?J, 174, 18(i, ,545,
647, 722-729; 834.
Danirell 317
Dana 826
l>A.Mu;uY 820
Danlortli or Danford, 26, 59, 194, 198,
208, 3(19, 7.56.
Daniel or Daniels, 109, 170, 171, 172,
173, 174, 179, 237,238,240, 243, 513,
.544, 8 15.
Darliee or Darby 648
Darlin;,' 344, 43*:, 451, 7.5C, 793
Diirrah 419, 475, 47(>, 477, 498
Dai t.- 305
Dauson 808
Davis. 2. 8. 18, 19. 34, .35, 42, 43. 15f;,186,
2(V>, 233, 235-244 ; .3.'.2, 341, 3';.5,371,
37.5, 415, 42;, 427, 449, 4r,4, .522, .542,
.544, .501), .570, 588, .592, 013, 622, 613,
670,081, 727, 78 :, 790, 791, 8;{5, 813.
Davison or Davidson, 4, .370, 377, 507,
520, .524, .535, 070, 797, 807-833.
Day 7.32
Dealaiid .537, .5.39
Doalc 797
Dean or Deane, 25s;, 279, 282, 292, 672.
Dfirinp or Deerin 722-729
Dkkkmkld 140-151
Delano 6
De;i.clv 109
1 )c:n.ri't 3:5.5, 2.38, .542, .543, .544
Dcnb>\v 172
DencI .523
])cnnct....41, 42,4:59,4.53,4,59, 09.5, 71-2-715
Dent 44, 43 ;, 449
Derbon or Deirborn, 105, 109, 111, 11:!,
1 15, 1 19, 251, 251 . 327, ;t55, 310. ;.4.1,
347, 431, f>y0.6J9-S15; 680, 087, 783,
83i.
Derbv (>4<>-651
DEUJiYFlKLI) 151-1.53, 827
Devell 787
Deverson 42
Dewev 61.5-6,51
Dickev 119, 120, 299
Dickinson 384, 467
Diraerest or Deraerett, 164, 166, 170,
174, 175, 179.
Dimourt 4.50,-551, 614-0.30; 707, 708-776
Dinsmoor. 113, 114, 11.5, 119, 120, 308,
309, 403, 497-533; .5;i7, 751, 802-823.
Ditty 44
Dix 473,664
Dockem 574, 594
Dodge 19, .308, 309, 449, 829, 834, 842
Doe 172, 235, 2-10, 244, 573, .574, 588, 643
nojran 523
Dogiden 59
Doke 482, 484-,532
Dolbuer ,502, 644
Dole 28, 29, 35, 344 , 670, 674-684
DoUof, 77, or, 110, 144, 2.53, 259, 274, 279,
292, 560, 719.
Dolton 524
Donald.^on 531^ 527
Doolittle ;{g4
I^ooly 573
J^""''---; 1S3
Dorchester 187-188
I>i'iety 771)
DoiT 7-23
1 >oue8 574
DOVKIt T " ;-l,S7
Dovostor Doust .<
Dow, 23, 28, 29,31, 3.5, .'
3l2;:544,.f45, .^59, (.
.560, .572, 59 !, 076-<;-
7.53, 763, 777-786; siv.
W^>^-^ 317
Downer 3^3 g^j
Downing lOJ, 2fi9, .575 ' 788
Downs, 1.54, 1.59, 100, 171, 183,760-762-
777-78.5.
926
Doyne 661
Drake 3:55, 001, (i39, 842
Draper ;M2, 318, :i-)7
Dresser 769
Drew or Dru, 44, 88, 165, 100, 169, 171,
172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 179, 339, 240,
241, 243, 244, 39(i, M3, 544, 725, 762.
Drisco 173
Drown 169, 632, (;44
Drummond j 70
Driir3' 101
Dublin 1S8
Dufllev, 77, 79, 85, 112, 240, 253, 258, 259,
203, 205, 268, 270, 271, 274, 276, 277,
320, 330, 432, 433, 558, 585, 719, 834,
84;!.
Diulv or Duda 59, 235, 239, 240, 589
Du^iass 103, 398, 421, 422, 489, 787
DUXBARTON 189
Dunkin or Duncan 497, oSS, 801-823
Duncklv or Duncklee 19,25
Dunlap". 308, 309, 498-532 ; 672, 807-823
Dunmore 240
Dunstable 193-234
Durent 379,381
Durgan, 172, 170, %i5, 239, 240, 243, 244,
573.
Durgee .50
DUKHAM (Oyster River) 234-245
Durham 516
Duston 426, 526, 674-084 ; 7.55-758
Dutch 279, 589
Dutton 26, 420, 425, 426, 470, 471
D Wight 828
Dwver 708
E
Eacens ? .523
Eames. [See Ames.] 829
Easman or Eastman, .")7, 59, 64, 75, 112,
128, 132, 141-144; 1.50, 331, 342,358,
360, 362, 405-416 ; 434, 436, 441-453 ;
.583, 608-630 ; 640-045 ; 07.5-084 ; 768-
770; 792,829.
Easterbrooks 4
East Kingston 820
Eaton,29, 31,32, 33, 34, .36, 39, 40, 246,
331, 359, 362, 364, 371, 395, 415, .585,
682.
Eayi-8 or;Ayres 201, 291, 482, 484-533
Edgerlv, 79, 172, 175, 235, 237, 239, 240,
344, 240, 308, 372,276, .543, 545, 598,
Edgley' '.". 255, 2.58
Edmonds 12, 44, 737, 744, 792
Effingham 826
Ekin. [See Aiken.] 49()
Elderkin ; 650
Elgar 384
Blkins, 90, 91, 94, 246, 251, 2,55, 431-450 ;
572, 585, 640, 792.
Ellinwood 8, 19, 745-752
EUlot or Eliot, 19, 43, .59, 300, 397, 589,
608-630; 056, 664, 760, 768-776.
Ellis or Elice 91, 160, ,573, 723
Ellison 396
Ellsworth 826
Blmer or Elmore 384, ms, 390, 391
Kly or Kaly 267,.520
Emanuel .523
Emerson, 25, 20, 31, ,32, 34, .35, .38, 40, 104,
108, 109, 112, 114, 153, l(i9, 170, 175.
194, 306, 210, 332, 401, 402, 410, 412,
425, 443, 504, 520, .523, 543, .544, 573,
.592, 681-084; 085, 687, 748, 792,834.
844.
Emery or Emory, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 37,
.59, 62, 144, 246, 523, 640-051 ; 004,
007-672; 704,792,794,844.
Emons, Emmons or Amons, .342, .344.
388, 391, 436, 82f!.
Enfield s2o
England 777-785
Ennis 397
Epping 245-240
Epps 536, 540
Epsom 246-250
Ep.rol 826
Estes or Estears 169, 175
Estey 379
Estibrook 606, 667
E thridge Ill
Evens, 132, 170, 175, 177, 179, 238, 249,
342, 348, 384, 388, 389, 391, 396, 421.
543, .545, 685, 687, 792, 825.
Eversden 12
Evenly 263, 321
Ewins .518
EXKTER 2.50-298. 353
Fairweather 43
Fales 341
Fannier 42
Farlev, 10, 194, 211, 212, 213, 222, 227,
330, 402.
Farmer, 1, 50, 467, 480, .550, 552, 6.32, 688.
720, 763, 834.
Famum 17, 19, 132, 411, 412, 415, 664
Farnsworth 97, 100
Farr 169, 170, 523
Farran 360, 398, 608-630 ; 768-776
Farrar 23, 611, 835, 844
Farrington 132, 142
Farson 7.59
Farwell '2, 4, 9, 10, 201, 787, 794
Fay 175
(1) By error, Fitchgaul. Ed.
Felch 36.5, 372
Fellows, 44, 344, 445, 449, 4.50, 4.58, 460.
.583, 737, 829.
Felton 19
Fenton :«0, 685
Ferall 761
Ferrv or Frarey 786
Fersbn 5.5:i, .554, .556
Field. . . .167, 169, 174, 251, 305, ,>18, 384, 787
Fife .522, 661-(i04
Fifield, 77,2,53, 259, 273, 280, 341. 344,
435, 430, 440, 441, 445, 447, 448, 449,
454, 570, 584, 756, 779-785.
Fisher 299, 517, .526, .530, 5.33, 672. 829
Fitch 233,234
Fitchgerill (1) 55*
927
F ittB or Kites Hi, Mi, 77'2
FITTS WILLIAM »2G
Fladre SS;
Fliigg 105, :;i7, 5-20, W3
Flanders, 40, 59, G2, 271, 407, 450, 4.")1,
4.>», 615-<!30; 769-776.
Kletclier, 2, 203, 20(5, 20S, 209, 2:3;!, -lU,
4'.>2, 536, r>40, 60fi, 685, 687, 717, 788,
7'.'4, 827.
Flint 18, 40, 335, 056, 681
Flootl 59, 52.'5, 611, 677-(i84
FoKg, 110, 111, 186, 348, 357, ■)83, 615,
757, 770, 792.
Koliutown 2.55, 523
Foll:un:^be or Folensbe..32, 34, 40, 6.30, 681
FoUet 109, 173, 174, .■)89, 664
Footman 172, 173, 239, 2-10, 243
Ford 44, 332, .")72
Forsaith 109, 115, 759
Foret 162, 169
Fobs, 184, 3-.>l, ;!24, 562, 573,. i89, 64;i, 092,
722, 7:;5-744 ; 783, 784.
Foster, 2.->, • 2, in, 69, 95, 120, i:;2, 141, 142,
1 13, •:".", :;-^l, 407, 41( , 412, 415, 522,
52.;, "- ' , '•., '■:.:- ;iii; cai, 787.
Foiilsaiii, ; l-Olsom, 77, 149,
i:.!. -I . -' :. , -'".9,273,279,292,
:i21 , I I . . : ;. ..-. , :.^9, (540-64.") ; 7.')6,
7.57,7711-7-%-.: s;il, 842, 919.
Fowle 708, 743, 794, 837
Fowkr, 59, 62, 113, 114, 2.37, 359, 360,
415, 522, .54.3, .587, 597, i;0S-<i30;
735.
Fox 1 72, 826
Foxcratt 197
Fove 1 96, 543, 544, 760
Francestow.n 299-300
FiJAXCONIA 300-303
Freeman 786
Freese 124, 246
French, 2, 4, 25, 29, 35, 86, 90, 106, 147,
194, 201-2;i4; 341,377. 401, 407, 415,
427, 436, 441, 444, 450, 571, 584, Ol.'j-
630; 643,675-684; 767-776; 777-785;
794, 83.*).
FrczGi* •- 52iJ
Frie or Frve.. !.38, iisj 144, 522,'664
Fi ink ". 681, 83(;
Friswell 388, 390
Frost, 42, 170, 239, 421, 422, 458, .562, 563,
.567, .568, C42, 692, 708-715.
Fullenton Ill
Fuller 19, 305, 566, 736-744
Fulton 299,585
Furber 41 , 1.54, 1.58. 1&3, 560, 715
Fnmell 44, 708, 714, 744
G-
(.age, 19, 170, 177, 181, 183, 408, 410, 412,
41.5, 421, 422, 788, 835.
Gains 397, 714, 834
Gale 448, 601, 680, 719, 750
Gamble 497
Gamblin or Gambling 41, 125, 4.58, (i44
Gammon 4;J, 737, 7.39-744
Gardner 43, 708, 787, 825
Garey 6.56, (iol
Garfield 4
"Garland or Garlin, 48, 100, 162, 169, 170,
175, .342, 431,. 583, 648, 722-729: 7.35,
738-744 ; 760.
Garvin i:i2, .522, 788
Gault 94, 497-5.33 ; 807-823
(iay 522
Gavlord 786
Gee .54(!
Genkes .522
Gennikins or .Jenkins 240
Gennins. [See JenninsJ
George or (iorge, 79, 2.58, 268, 276, 408,
4.36, .522, 58.3,5.89, 61], 614-6:50; 768-
776; 792.
Gerri&h, 24, 94, lu.3, 154, 1.56, 161 , 170, 175,
176, 179, 186, 543, .544, 560, 721, 741.
(iibbons 91 , 044
Gibbs 605
(iibson, 25,91, .378, 379, 380, 381, 421,422,
.552, 7.56. 794, 797.
Gidden 151,2.55
<;idding8, 67, 68, 9<;, 280, '284, 295, .373,
389, 453, .579, 775.
(iile 34, 3.32, 642-015 , 679, 6S4
GUes, 77, 110, 174, 175, 258, 26.3, 274, .ViO,
719,745-7.53; 836, )M4.
<il LFORD 826
Gill :»2, 342, (AO
«;illchri9t. . . .105, 113, 118, 120, 307, .308, 309
Gilniau, 40, 79, 83, 102, 125, 151, 208, 246,
2.53-298; 302, 436, 442, 445, 465,573,
574, 579-581 ; 583, 585, 592-60;{ ; 632-
645; 661-664; 704, 719, 741, 756,826,
812.
GiLM ANTON 302-303
Gilmore, 50, .52, ,308, 484-533; .551, .552,
672,74:5-7.52; 803-815.
GILSLM .3a3-:}05
Given or (iifl'en 484, 4*5-532
Glan vill 59s
Glaser 423
(jleason ;i05
Glidden, 8(!, 179, 241, -'IC, 573, r)S.5, .592,
640-645.
Glines 237
Glooi 1 427
Glovd 77
Goddard 844
Godfrey 340, .344, .347, 431, 643, 829
Gofl' or(;oire(l), 13, .50, 51, .52, .54, 56,
1.52, 1.53, lrt», 422, 42!l, 482, 4.'S4-.5;i3,
606, 685.
GOFFSTOW'N .306-313
Goforth 667
Goodell 072
Gooden or<ioodwin, 162, I.s6, .3«iO, .573,
590, 60tM>.30 ; 760, 762, 768-776.
Goodenougli s28
Goodhue, 227, 246, 402, 5.36, .540, .572, 63.5-
645.
Goodman 644
Gookin .!47,615, 770
Gorden, 77. 79, 110, 115, 119, 1.55, 2.5.3,
255, 258, 2.59, 2(a, 2(;8, 271, 273, 276,
279, 415, 5.53, .5.56, 575, 5H5, 675-(;(+l;
760.
Gordy (177
Gorman tU3
(1) By erior, (;os8. Eu
928
Goee 77
GOSPOKT -.iU-^ilH
Goes 563, 735-744 ; 843
Goudy 183, 185
Gould or GooUl, 4, 12, 17, 23, 59, 330,
411, 412, 415, 421, 422, 586, 540,541,
611, 631, 685, C87, 720, 743, 771.
Gove S42, 3«4, 370, 371, 643-645 ; 738
Gowen 17, 642
Grafton 42
Grafion 826
Graham 407, 526, 555, 671, 805-823
Gramon 777-785
Granby 77
Granger 644
Grant 186, 538, 585, 708, 714, 786, 844
Grantham (1 ) 318-319
Graves, 150, 151, 2;J3, 259, 273,332,344,
445, 446, 482, 484-533 ; 536, 540, 640,
677, 786.
Gray or Grey 132, 484
Green, 19, 335, 342, 316, 482, 484-533;
534, 570, 583, 584, 644, 779-785.
Greenfield 827
Greenfield 611, '■:'.. rr-, t'S
Greenland ,.. : : ; "
Greenleaf. i ; . -I
Greenough . . 28, 34, 36, 39, 5) 1 1 , : : 7- ; . ■ , - :>
Greenwood 1-"J
Gregg or G rage, 299, 481, 482, 485-533;
553, 555, (i06. 685-672; 752, 805-823.
Gregory 715
Grele or Greelev, 2, 41, 42, 344, 415,416-
427; 435, 436, 438, 4.58, 469, 551,
681,787,792,794, 797,813.
Greaen ? "iH
Grierr 51G
Grlfen, 106, 110, 1.53, 358, 436, 440, 551,
639-645; 719.
Griffeth 601, 708-715
Grimes or Grames, 17, 113, 114, 504,
7.59, 786, 827.
Grinelf 3'-5
Grinell 107
Grissel 7:«
Groon 715
Groton 328-330
Grouard 715
Grout 673
Grow 574
Grundy 384
(Juildhall 464
Guilson ? 7S7
Gun 783
(iupey I'O, 162, 171
Gurdy or Gordy 172, 332, 445, 416
Gustin 546
Gj'les 163
H
Hackett 73, .522, 792
Hadley, 23, 29, 30, 32, m, 276, 3j9, !>23, 609
Haggins 186
Hainea, 150, 151, 279, 292, 322, 325, 328,
359, 573, 574, .589, 647, 719.
Halbert 787
Hale, 27, 28, 29, 34, 102, 1.59.202,209, 211,
214, 329, 342, 402, 606, 630, 672-084;
714, 836.
Hall, .32, 34, 106, 108, 113, 114, 115, 116,
118, 132, 1.52, 159, 170, 173, 174, 175,
251, 253, 2.55, 305, 388, .391, 4.38,
,524, 542, 514, 573, 592, 632-645;
698,716, 745-752; 760,813.
Hallett 551
Halsev 557
Ham,>3, 43, 166, 169-18,!; 243, 249, 560,
598, 692, 715, 722-729.
Hamblet 418-427 ; 6.53, 797
Hamilton 1 S'>
Hammel 667-672
Hammett 41
Hammock 162, 170, 717, 725, 786
Hamuioid 786
Haniphill or Hemphill, 498, 505, 522,
752, 807-823.
H AMPS lEAD 331-335
Hampton' and Hampton-Falls, 335-
378, (Names) 349,351.
Hancock 332,362,681,827
Hancock 827
Haneford 571 , 582, 779-785
Hanovek 378
Hanson, 163, 164, 165, 169, 170, 171, 174,
176, 177, 179, 182, 184. 543, 545, 598,
760.
Hardeson 43, .560
Hardy 4, 273, 402 418, 4-23, 425, 632
Harford, 1.57, 167, 170, 171, 182, 183, 185, 723
Uaris or Harris, 194, 201, 292, 402, 573, 82,)
Harper 4, 673
Harriman, 23, 28, 31, 32, 3.5, 40, 114, 144,
174,331,521,794,82.5,835.
Harrison 1''4
Hart 41, 186, 317, 458, 5;f2, 601, 703-715
Hartford 5!i8
Hartshorn 8, 19, 68.5, 687
Harlwell 194
Harwell 68.1, 687
Harvev, 42, 77, 149, 151, 1.53, 174, 17.5, 342,
449, 459, 460, 488-533; 572, 588, 635-
645.
Harwill 478
Hanvood. 301, 202, 203, 210, 211,213, 214,
215, 217, 220, 221, 232. 233, 234, .5.57.
Haselton or Ha«eltine, 9,29, 35, 39, 105,
132, 194, 402, 680.
Haskell 364, 371, 37.5, .583
Hasley 739
Hastings 97, 100, 551, 66 1, 7.50
I latch 4 1 , 6.56
Hathorn 672
Hav'erhill 827
Hawke 827
Hawkins 174
Hawks 318
Hayes, 48. 189, 170, 171, 174, 181, 181,
611, 725-729.
Havwood or Hayward, 99, 103, 305, 663-
672 ; 720, 829.
Hazzen 3 53, 443, 677, 681, 827
Head 664
Heald C05
Ileall or Healev, 202, 213, 317, 3 f8, 342,
345, 3.57, .58,1, 534, .58 ', 639-645; 719.
Heard or Hurd, 151, 166. 171, 175, 176,
182,184,644,722-729; 760.
Hcarn 175
Heath, 28, 32, 34, 35, 40, 74, 141, 143, 144,
332, 362, 449, 613, 674-681 ; 792.
(1) By error, "Gosport," p. 319, sliould be Grantham. Ed.
Heafdn 7^6
ll.'hiienl or Hibbird ;J32, 445, 44 ;, i;77
Helnic 'SI, "iS.!
Iloiiiinenwav all
llcii.lerson/lV), i.v.t, 171, 174, 177, 182,
550, G7.'.
HENNIKKK 827
Henry 5.-.n,o->l
Hi ri>n or Horning :!:'7, .")-' '., (Wi
Herscv •")7 !
He l)n>ih ? r.l-i
He\ve:t 42
H .v.s 7U;
Hiclev .517
Hick-,' 170, 17y, 2.J7, ."21, 397, 5:50, 5 It),
5«, 544.
Hide (i,.-.l.s
Hide 1 or Hidden 1 1."«, 1 lf<
Hi','-iiiri I(:5, l';i;
Hiarlit rM, 708
Hil.ind :!I2, 517
Hildretli H, 42! , 47S, 475, 47':, (»(!, (i70
Hill or liilK-, '-'. ll->, V;. II". I'.".. !■ !i.
:^r:, -' , ... :..i, - . i; - i .; V! !,
710, ilfi, /.-G, ;Mi, M.i, SJH.
Hilli ve;- 5^0
H 1 M,.si!OUOU(i H 8, :i7S-3S2
Hilton, 7;', l.V!, i'i7, 172, 17:i, 251), .57:^,
589, 5'J2, »;;J2, 6J4, 745-752; 781,
782.
Hilyard 375, 585, 640
Hinks 41
Hmks >n 24G
Hins or Hinds 2U>, 271. (!4:5
HiN.sUALIo 382-394; 38.i, 3S5, 388, Sill
Hite (!75
Hix 142, 175
Hoar 6t)7
Uobart or Hubard, 1!14, 302, 20!, 201,
212, 214, 222, 227, 329, 330, 403, 085,
<>S7, 7 1 '.I.
Uobb.';, l.V. -171: 274. ."^O, 312, 317, 348,
Xu, ::>H), .')83, t>08-G.iO; 7C2, 7(i8, 791,
835.
Hodgdon or HoRsden, 162, 173, 17J, 175,
17i), 18ii, 725-729.
Ilodie 672, 735
H >d.i?kin8 i:06
Hodle 511
Hogc or Hojr?, 17.5, 331, 332. 4)5, 4 Ki,
5ir..Vi;!; 55!.n-.-,; 57', <r-l.-- i : ::-,-).
Uoit or IFovt, 71. ■ . li r.! I :,■,':';,
372, 4i)7-l|i;; ; . . .■.-:,
(«0;f;4U-'45; rsii, 75G,
77Vt-785 ; 826, 829.
Holhraok
Holden
HoLUEUM-.SS..
97,100, 171, 173,1
391-
EX. 929
Holland or Holond, 22, 23, 2t, 2.')3, 258.
271), 272, 276.
Holms 397-403
HoUoii 384
Holinnn hq
Holmes, 41, 44, 29.), 482, 484-531 ; 669-672:
G'.y.
Holt 19, 2.50, 536, 540, 5H, 592. 6.5S.664
'['"•" 3ai,388,390
llMucn .^83
Homy 201, 212, 213, 21i-, 221, 222
HoL>)v ifyj, 7',i'j, b27
Hool-ior 4::, tA^', 7il
Hooper 42, 5, U. 640
Hopkins, :), lo, 11, 17, 299, 489, 49v)-.jy.i;
81)2.
nop\in on m;, ."ia"), 758
Hoi Ki\n».\ 40J-41G
Ilorkistion 4(i<)
Horn .23S
UorUdrHorno, 113, 114, 118, 169,170,
171, 174, 175, 176, 1S2. 184, 72i.
Honur .511, 5-23
Hosmer zi, 606
Hou-e IS7, 378
Houston .-)(;, 4si), 667
Hovey -i;-), ;;7t<, 4^5
How or Howe, 17, 19, 23, 26, •'(•."., '()(;
4()9, 411, 412, 415, 490, 605, (,M, 7.-7.
How. 1(1 y,'ii,rm
Hubbard, 174, 191, 301,449,522,717,787,
8.>4.
Huckins, 171, 173, 175, 179, 238, .542, 544,
5!)0, (;43.
HuD.SO.v 41G-429
Hiiey 421 , 422, 426
HiiKlies 44, 103, 644
Hull 132, (185, t87, T-W
liunipiirey or Umtra, (which see,) 482.
48I..532.
Ilune wv 1 693
lliinkins, 41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 102, 485, 643,
711.
Huiikln.^ 368
Hunt, 2.-', 100, 194, 3(:5, liHS, 390, 451, 609,
75(;, 787, 8.{5, 836.
Huntir 490..533; .5.53, 673
Hunting 828
Huntley 546
Hunloon 43li, 440, 445, 447. 643
Hurd 601, (»6
Hurst 449
Husc 40, 331, 332, 445, 446, 677-6tH
Huslngs 175
Huske 4.19
Hub8e\ ..160,'l!;5, 171, 182, I8i, K^4. 7t;0,829
Hiist h 201 , 211, 21 1. 214, 220, 41(;, 418
Hutcliin.s (;,;t, 793
Hulcliinson or HiicheS'in, 6, 9, 10, 12,
1.5, 16. 17. 77, 251), ;J42, 348, 3.-.7, 473.
475, 476, .'J41, 551, 58J, 7i)8, 835.
Indian names 19.'!, 197
Ingall ir In-alls, 2 :, 27, 28. 32, 35, 101,
112, 14', U2, 14.;, 5i6, 510, 672.676-
684; 758.
59
Infcrabnm.
Irviue
930
Jack 115
Jackraan 32, 59, Gl, (J2, S.V.>, 829, 835
Jackson, 41, 43, 44, 45, 170, 172, 173, 175,
176, 179, 235, 237, 458, 537,542, 544,
500, 5(J8, 588, G42, 641, 708.
Jacobs 100,169,552
JAFFKEY 429
Jaflfrey, 14, 43, 66, 322, 429, 459, 463, 465,
485, 560, 644, 6&5, 703-715 ; 738,773,
825.
James, 77, 171 , 175, 274, 279, 291, 292, 342,
348, 357, 583, 722.
Jamison 496-533 ; 805-823
Janvrin 317, 601
Jedkins 573
Jefferson 430
Jemes? [see James.] 661
Jencks 240
Jenkins, 165, 170, 172, 173, 176, 235, 243,
557, 661-664.
Jennes, 104, 125, 126, 148, 260, 563, 575,
587, 602, 664, 685, 7^2-729; 735-744;
834.
Jennens or Genuins 566,^736-744
Jewel|, 407, 415, 611, 025, 628, 783, 787,
Jewit or Juit, 2158, 263, 280, 291, 401,402,
410, 412, 415, 421, 4^2, 588, .592, 672.
7.58,771,784.
John, Indian 480
Johnson or Johnston, 31, 35, 40, 59, 141,
142, 211, 213, 214, 220, 320, 321-328;
331, 337, 340,362, 427, 436, 454, .541,
.574, .589, 622, 630, G80-684; 721, 731,
743, 745-7.52; 792, 804, 809, 815.
Jones, 17, 42,77, 151, 154-179; 23.5-238;
242, 259, 381, 384, 380-393; 451, 515,
.561, 574, 590, 760, 771, 779.7&5.
Jorilen or Gordeu 258, 736-744
Jose 43,325
Joy 240, 585, .590
Jia"de 77
Judkins, 77, 151, 255, 258, 259, 274, 279,
292, 410, 412, 415, 436-447, 573, 585.
Juvit 201
K
Kann 807
Kant or Kent 173, 173, 239, 240, 243
Karn 23
Kate 647
Keenboroush 80, 83, 84
Keene 827
Keesey 246
Kelleciit 4,201,213
Kelley, Kalley or Kyle, 22, 27, 28, a"),
141, 144, 170, 175, 179, 259, 268, 272,
342, ,348, 3.57, 426, 428, 526, 555, 611,
639-645; 745-7.52; 756,805.
Kelsey 490,635,642,686
Kemp 194
Kendall, 18, 23, 208, 473, 474, 475, 47G,
644, 791.
Keniston or Keneson, 77, 86, 172, 274,
572, 573, 588, 643, 756, 779-785.
Kennard 41, 458
Kennedy 308, 309, 490-533 ; 551
Kenny or Cenney, 169,173, 175, 201,202,
213, 220, 364, 384, 425, 426, 568, 605,
760, 829.
Kenrick or Kendrick, 10, 14, IG, 19, 23,
601, 798.
Kensingt< >N •■J55, 455-456
Keyes or Keese 4, 41, 323, 433, 485
Key ser or Kezar 193, 332, 362
Kidd 332.445,446,677
Kidder, 19, 21,25, 26, 50, 51, 395, 416,
419, 426, 469, 482, 484-533; 604, aSO.
Kilburn 304
Kilgore 144
Kille or Kyly 497 [see Kelley] 805-823
Kimball, 24, 30-39, 85, 86, 132, 141, 143,
145, 162, 174, 182, 184, 209, :}31, 360,
405,406-415; 608-630; 664,673-684;
744-752 ; 768-776 : 814, 843.
Ivimmin 172
Kinckad or Kinkeed 166, 797, 808
Kinecom 114
King (1), 3, 4. Dep. Sec, passim, 300,
458, 4G4, 548, 591, 642, 786, 834.
KlXGSTOWN- 350, 431-455
KiNGSWOOD 4,56-463
Kinnock 50
Knight, 27, 28, 29,34, .3,5,41,143,317,676-
684; 709-715; 722-729.
Knowles or Noles .563, 601, 7.35-744
Knowlton 364, 371, 372, 429, ,583, 681
Knox 497, 522, 6:59-664.
Ladd, 35, 14.3, 149, 151, 2,55, 279, 292, 307,
436,445,640-645; 67G-684; 755,830.
Lamb 170, 828
Lambert 720
Lamont 711
Lanipre or Lanipry 147, 341, 359, 738
Lamson 18, 19
Lancaster 4G3-464
Laneev 201, 211, 213, 214, 220, 126
Landaff 4(1 1- IGG
Landell 4 1 , 708
Landers 1G4
Lane, 110,342, 376, 562, 584, 588, 592, 647,
719.
Lang 41, 42, 43, 142, 375, 560, 692, 743
Langdaff 464-466
Langdon 827
Langdon, 43, 44, 79, 103, 276, 4.58, 561,
644, 692, 705-715; 744, 827, 834, 842.
Langford 317
Langley 41, 172, 173, 240
Langmaid ,568, (501, 692
Larncd 464
I.arraby 44
Ivary 279, 589, 756
Lasky 173
Lassil 656
(1) Ry error, "Thing." Ed.
93'
Laaranc, Larans or Lawrence, 151,
2(M, 209, 234, S.'Vi, 3t;G, 401, 410, 420,
426, 4-20, 512, 572, 780, 784.
Lavis 42
Lawson 251
Layton or LeiKhton, 169, 170, 172, 173,
174, 72j-72'.>.
Leach 43,44,558,500,753,813
Leaf kin or Lui'kiu 681
Lear 41 , 560-508
Leathers or Lethers, 173, 255, 237, 542,
642.
Leavitt, 65, 77, 79, 85, 149, 251, 253, 258,
259, 203, 265, 260, 268, 269, 271, 274,
276, 27J, 2'.)2, 342, :«U, 372, 375, 570,
582-588; 591, 040-W5; 648-651; 719,
777-785.
Lebanon 827
Lebrock 7ii()
Lech (in()
Lee ^2 7
Lee 299, 'AS
Leget 484
Leman 9, 26, 402, ■5:{6
LeMPS TER 466-4(i7
Lenard 42."), 522
Lendall 536, 540
Lerned 429
Leslie 482,484,788
Letherbe 321, 788
Lewis 42, 29it, 320, 546, 548
Ley 708
Libby or Lebbee, 41, 42, 43, 44, 155, 170,
176, 179, 186, 249, 250, 692, 708-715;
726,735-744; 760.
Light 262,279, 282, 2<,2, 297
Lincoln 827
Lindsey 91, 482, 484-532
Linn or Lynn, .-)0, 51, 113, 114, Uri, 118,169
Litch 113, 114,115,118, 119
Litchfield 467-479
Litefoot 573
Little, 23, 27, 28, 29, 35, 37, 39, HO, 51, 52,
.54, 123, 308, 309, 310, 331, 3u2, 5-20.
.531; 669-672; 67.3-684; 6S6-792.
I.ittlefleld 251
LiiTLETON, formerly Chestcick 122
Liverniore, 65, 68, I'.IO, 292, 329,394, 397,
458, 4.')9, 402, 549, 563, 673, 68<i, 708-
715.
LiTingstou &53
Livius 2, 143,243,826
Lloyd 647
Lock, 249, 250, 344, 436, 662, 506, 722-
729; 735-744.
Logan 517
Londonderry 479-533
Long 441,444,704,715
Longfellow 345, 572, 639
Lord. . . .169, IbO, 239, 240, 279. 292, 317, 601
Lot 143
Loudon 827
Lougee 194, 279, 292
Love 555
Lovejov, IS, 19, 25, 141, 142, 330, 379, 381,
4i2, 661,68.;, 687.
Loveren or Lovering, 86, 358, 445, .594,
6(>2.
Lovewell or Lovell, 23, 71, 99, 200, 234,
425, 426, 427, .549, 657, 711, 794, 843.
Lowde or Loud 41 , 708
Lowel or Loul 35, 512, 745
Loyd 788
Lucas 685, 687
Lucy 4;j, 37.5
Lukes 522, 635
Lummocke 170
Lund, 19,:i94, 201, 209, 211, 212,213, 214,
220, 228, 234, 427, .>t9, 551.
Lunt 118,574
Lutwyche 2, 479
Ly ford 263, 274, 590, 602, 632, 756
Lyman 827
Lvinan 384, 389, 392, 6.56, 827
Lvndo 536, 537, 826
L V M K 53.3-536
Lyndkborovgh 535-541
Lyon or Lion, 9, 50, 51, .54, 201, 520, 759^
834, 842.
M.
MacAdams 498, 504, 809-823
Mac.\ffee 113, 118, 119, 496, 523
MacAllister, 50-54; 475, 476, 515, .520-
515; .5.>3, .55.5, 668-672; 828.
MacCalley . . . .23, 153, 378, 379, 380, 381, 551
MacCarrygon 362
MacCartney 488- .532
MacCav or MacKay, 308, 309, 498-513;
6^0,708-715; 80.5-823.
MacClary, 249, 250, 490-513; 552, 572,
8:J5, 84:5.
MacClenche 19, 211, 213, 220, 550, .5.52
MacClennen 78<i
MacClinto .523
MacClintock 107, 1.53, 381 , 523, 7i»2
MacCluer, 106, 112, :{08, 309, .550, 551,
642.W5; fi8.).687; 709.
MacCIurge 477, 485
Mai'Colestone 473
MacColoin .5.54
MacConcv 48.5, .551
MacConnel 522, 6(Jl-664 ; 813
Mac( 'onoihey 482
MacCoone . .' t;67
MacCormuck 497, .510, .551
MacCoy 661-6';i
MacCries 572
MacCrillis .3i»6, 642
MacCurdy 497, 523, 548
MacDaniel 170, 194, 398, 522, 661-664
MacDoulad 667
Mac Donoiigli 711
MacDoughtv 485
MacDuffec 113-118 ; 181, 490-53S
MacDugel 50, 62, .522
Mace .375, .566
MaoElme 490
MacFadrix 610
MacFarlin or Farland, 107, 113119;
308, 309, 502, .524.
MacFarson 2!»9, 308, 300
MacKoi- 299, 308, 309
MacGaffey 249
MacGleaoon 485-533
Mac(ircgore 2, 479, 482, 484-533; 815
MacG uniery 299
.MacHanie 54*
MacIIurd 680
Maclntire 19
Mat-Keen, 19, 476, 476, 482-533; 668-672;
759.
MacKinley 113-120 ; ,524
932
MacKniglit 52, 475, +7R, 107, fi:i
MacLaujjlilin 52, o22, 551, ;').>;, / ;.')
Mncl.ucas (;.")'.)-';(; i
Mac^rasler l]3-!20 ; 2'.;'.)
MacMaslon 115
M ac >1 a til 47
MacMillan 21,139. I4M44; 555, SW
MacM lirpli}'. . 379, 4S2, 481-533 ; 801-82.; ; 842
MacNoe 008-872
MacXeil or Neal. . 115, 153, 381, 482, 485-5.J2
TJacNutt 516
Macl'hadris 43, 485, 044
WacQuarte 51
MacQuige 52
Ma I)B[K< y 541-545
Madole 308,309
Wagoon 358, 441
Main or Mane 41, 202, 500
M . 1 1 0 m 2 -.5, 473
Maloon 787
Maltnmn G 14
Mancmestkk 827
Mann,94,522, 045-ail; (;01-'J64; 708,715,
797, 844.
Manning 51)2
Mansur 797
Man ten 240
Marble 594
March, : 8, 07, C8, !42, 172, 317, 450, 047-
651 ; 680, 085, 705-715; 826.
Marcliants: 7SG
Marden,48, 110, 174, 249, 250, 255,502-
585; 735-744.
Markham 8U
M.VKLUOKOUGU N2S
Mahlow 510, .■)47
Man- 308, 309
Marrol 008
Marsh, 77, 239, 240,253, 209,273, 418-428;
409, 604, 681, 085, 687.
Marsliall, 43, 151, 175, 375, 410-428; 4iiS-
472; 512,602,092,714.
Marstes 601
Marston or Mastwn, 71, 111, 141, 330,
340, 347, 359, 573, 589, 592, 608, 632-
645; 004,834.
Martcr 608
Martin, 23, 24, 43, 299, 307, 310, 300, 496,
522, 537. 001, 6U8-I)30; 644,601-604;
711,708-776.
Marvin .305
Mash 23.5,416.473,512,715
Mason, 142, 160, 171, 173,239,240,40;,
410, 411, 429, 431, .530, 539, .550, .571,
.582. 03!;-6l4; 048, 08.5, 758, 70O,7('2,
779-785 ; 829.
Mason 828
Masrv (.see Jleseivy] 777
Mas-^ev 7.50
M a s ter Oil
Mather 540
Mat -on or Mutslmn 342, .548
MatLlK-ws or Matlies, 51, 52, 172, 173,
181 , 23r)-244 ; 251, 317, 551 , 5s8, 642.
Maxflflil 300
Maxwell 19, .572, 020
Mcail 45, 241, ,379, .582, 589, 779-785
Mealier or Mcder, 169, 179, 235,210, 241,
573.
M elchcr or Mel sher 44, 34 8, 584
Melendy 19
Mellon or Mellons 109, 299, 515
Melnan 1!)4
Melon y 1 79
Jleloon or Maloon 59, ,508, .574, 010
Meliirn 469
Molviii 1 II, 3,30, 398, 402, 410, 420, 512
MoniUini 43. 458, 703-715
Merridtre , .585
MbUKIMACK
Men ill or Miirill, 27, 2.S, 29, 34, 3.5, 40,
<;<", ' , n :. iiii, i r.:, 1,1,1 :_, it3.
Merriman 384
Merrow oi- Miirrow, 102, 170, 171, 498,
51S, .521, 722-729; 760, 762.
Mesani 204
Meserve or Meservej', 514, 7i)3-715; 743,
779-7.^.5.
Messenger 644
IMesser 25, 427
Michell, Mighel or Mitchell, i:;, 83, 421,
422, 482, 481-533; 59i, 032-045; 007-
072; 0.S1.
Midcalf 57,5
MlDliI.IiTON b28
M idget 259
Miles 91, l/2,3y(;, 524,572
MiLFoKi) 828
Mill or Mills, 27, 28, 3.5, 183,332,362,572,
612, 759.
Millen 410,411
Miller, 42, 44, .52, 114, 115, 118, 119, 120,
100. 109, 308, 309, 314, 38-1, 458, 516,
.523, 540, 548, 551, 607-072; 722-729;
762.
Millet 162, 168, 17.3
Milliken 670, 672, 797
iMiltemcr or Miltemore 2, .518, .524
Mimmey 700
Mineham 405
Minot 551,830
Mirick or Merrick 388, 391
Mishaivy [;ee Meserve] 170
Mofl'ets 143, 317, .589, 601, 703-715
W ogridge or IM ngridge 79
MoNAi..N(KK, No. 7 .5,52
IMongen [see Morgan J 777
MuNSON 0, 9, 10, 11-25
Monsnn 44, 715
Montgomery 482, 48.5-.5;«
M<iNT Veu.nO.v 828
Moody, 77, 8.;, Ill, 2.:3,259, 274,342, 358,
441,480, 779-785; 830.
Moony 76, 396. 54S, 545
Moor, Moore or More, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50,
51, 52, 6J, 90, 91, 92,94. 115, 138,
1.53, 191, 202, 227, 308, 309, 3;i7, 473,
48-', 48I-5;«; 550, .551, .5.53, .'■w5,.560,
592, i!^, 061-604; 608-672; 703, 710,
732, 737, 741, 777-785; 787, 802, 835.
Moorcs 112, 151,571
Mordantt 50«
Mordow 9
flloreliead 50, 62
Morev 318, 451, 535, C45-051
Morgan, 151, 2.53, 2.55, 2.5!t, 2;8, 272, 270,
i-lO rrl-',. ■-•:", 7'-.7."v;; 779-78(i; 813.
Moriel (r .ion ',.,:, _■ ,.35,61, 73,
,^'', '. i, I i ', , , - M, :iO(), 438,
4.^0, 1M-, .; .,: ., ... I.:.', 719, 771.
Morin 379
Morris 251,265
Morneon. 210, 472, 482,484-533; 572,6;{5.
645; 606-672; 675, 0!(2, 750, 808-823.
5Iori ow
933
Morse or Morss, <•?, 105, ISI, 427. -l-iO;
(W>'.fHjO; ii79-&*4; 719, Si:i, K;4, «4I.
Morton :>S4, 581, 611
Mosolv 73->
Moses, 41, 42, 170, 17;{, 23S, 543, 545, (iOO,
715.
Motion 743
Moulton, 4-.', 110, 3:51, 3:55, 337, 342, 3 IS,
358, 375, 431, 4.>s\ 5(J!*, rm.im ; (;15,
681, C8.-), 089-714; fiiS, 8i'J.
MofMON BOROUGH 828
M ucliai.ioi e 317
Muckelnrov 174
Muclget, 77', 151, 253, 259, 208, 272, 274,
2i»l, 292, 792.
Slunrtro 244
Murdough 220,550
Murray 244,504,598
^lus^'ey 13, 1!>, 332, 362, 429, 835
Aluzert 760
isr
Njihor 473, 475, I7t;
Narraganset, No. 3 6
Nash .Wl, 464, 820
Kason 342, 370, 375
Neal, 2:5, l:J, 5J8, 572, .■)88, 5;)2, U32-G44 ;
W7, 711.
Kealley 292, 5!;(i, 572, 573, C43
Needhain 25, 2.51
Nklson 828
Nel.'^on, 42, 41, IStJ, 5(J1,C47, 075-684; 692,
Nervins 402
Nesmitli 4S2, 49.)-.'i33 ; 551
Kevins, 9, 10, 15, Ki, 2:5, 194, :«0, 402, 422, ,
685, 687.
New Boston 8, 5."i3-r)57
New Castle .t.^i8-.'j68
New CiiKsricK 828
Newcombe 814
New Dukh am 50!)-i70
Newell 6U, 7li;
New Hampion S2rt
Newington 82H
New Ipswich 60l-i;07
New Lon DON 828
Newman 52 1
Newmarch 395, 45.3, 458, 5 :3, 708-7 1 5
NEWHAKKEr .")7o- :;oi
Newton 317, <;+t
Newtow n <:07-fi:j0
Nichols or Ni;;ell8, M. 475, 476, 482, 484-
533 ; .536, 540, 835.
Nicolas 299
Night 5-24
Niles 7:i0-733
Noble 44, 45, 186, 4.5S, 64O05I ; t>92, 792
Nock or Nox, 142, 1.59, 160, 162, 109,
171,176,2.35,760,762.
Nole or Knowl 560
Norcross 429
Normor. 589, 592
Noiris, 71, 21<1, 2."i5, 279, 497, 523,572,
.582, 58.5, 63."Hi44 ; 6iil-i;61 ; 092, 777-
785.
North 644
NuirniFiELD .383
Noktii II ami-ton 828
Northuniberl.ind 464
Noi:thij.mberland 828
NoKTiiwooi 823
Norton.. 244, 342, 304, 371, 384, 647, 744, 763
N..tt 100
NorriNGH AM a50-645
Noyes, 27-tO; 69, 227, 402, 522, 661-661;
676-<>84; 835.
Niidd .59.3,048
Niite 16<;, 169, 170, 173, 174, 176
Nulen 786
Nntt 153, 299, 497, 522
Niittr 574
Nutting 540, 070
o
Oatep 175
Ober 745-7.52; 8l:{,814
OilellorO'lle 19, 142,588
Odioine, 4:i. 10!, 459, 514,5.58-500; 592,
644,703-715; 736.
Odlin 8:1, 253-298 ; :302, 015, 770
Olcott 3,4, 101, W,
Olmstead 730
Orange 829
Ordway, 29, :«, 40, i:f2, 147, 405, 40 ;, .52:5,
541, 017. 0>2. 627, 770-776; 827.
OKFORI) &i5-651
Organ? 672
Orr. .50, 51, .52, 113, 115, 119,:50S,:{09,47.5.
497-^2.
Orvis .384, .388, .389, 390
Osgood....: 132,141, 143, 144,601,081
O'Sillaway 4.36
Otir< 1' 9. 546
Ougliterson 52-4, .526
Owen 546
Packer.. 101, 4.^^, 48.5, .573, 704-715; 7.V>, K2H
Pa<;kei{ski km ) 828
P.igeorPaigo, ii, 2>..39; KiO, no, 141,
143, 144, 117, Ih:», 11>1, 2I'I, .3:,6-:;72;
42.5, 42';. 451, 4't!, 512, .522, .'..*{, .IRj,
020,039-045; 071-084; 745-75:J; 7ii4,
772, 792, 8;{5, 844.
Paine 122, 465, 561, 5(52, 735-744
PappoD KK)
Parish 305
Park
I'arker, 1, 17, 23, 2:i. .^3,
141, I'M, 201-254; ;'."' I \ ::.- s,
41i;, 4.5.S. 173, i75, 17 •. ', 1. • -■.,
087, I '.'8, 707-715; 7iT, '. '■ ■ . :. T'J,
794, 800-823; 824, .s2i, -•-.'.>, .-.,.-.
Parkson 5
Parmer or Palmer, .3i>, M, 112, 172, 292,
•i40,344, 347. 571, .582, .591, 64.5-651 ;
675-084; 719, 7:M-745; 779-785; 792.
934
r.irsons, 589, 015, 711, 7«9, 770, 780, 7a-},
834, 843.
Partridge 43, 44, 429, 715
Pashley 43
Patch 211, 21-2, ^IS, 210, 222, 227
Patten, 25, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 50, 113, 114,
118, 518, 520, 524, 550, 081, 759.
Patterson or Pateson, 50, 51, 384, 388,
390, 473, 477, 497-533 ; 555, 086, 810,
814.
Pattie or Patey 309, 074-684 ; 745-752
Paul 43, 180, 510, 525, 530, .MS
Peabody. . .8, 12, 13, 19, 29, 35, 143, 720, 843
Peacock 26
Peal ,530, 540
Pearle 109, 173
Pearuy 186,714
Pearse 711
Pease or Pees 4, 304, 573, 003, 632
Peasley 183, 185, 74.5-7.52; 803-823; 829
Peavy or Pevey 170, 588
Peck 194
Pecker 675, G77-68t
Peelixg 05')
PELHAM Col-i^M
Pembroke o.i7-'.i04
Pender 239, 240, 573
Pendexter 41
Penllallo^^. . . .43, 321, 48.5, .589, 044, 708-715
Pensha 745
Peny or J'enny 160
Perhani 201, 523
Perkins, 25, 160-180; 201, 238, 317, 342,
345, 372, 5(i2, 573, 589, 632-644; 647,
725-729; 7.57,700,813.
Perley 143, 303, 371, 721
Perry or Perey, 175, 407, 409, 081, 794,
797, 829.
Person, Pei'sons or Pearson, .0-.'4, .573,
'•■81, 708,757.
Pervere 375
Peryman 2S0, 284, .579
Peterborough 8
PETEItBI )U01;GH 005-072
Peters 59, 132,407,411,412, 41.5,650
Petinjfill lO, 34, 639-684
Petit 2.51
Pelt 779
Petty 381-
Peverly 42, 43, 44, .561, 092
Phelps. 19, 24, 194, 202, 214, 221, 222, 227,
301,402, .535, 64ti-6.}l; 687.
Philbrick, 23, 27, 35, 37, 149, 150, 151,
321, 331, 333, 335, 342, 302, .364, 372,
431, 432-447; 562, 566, 579,585, 647,
735-741; 829,834.
Phillips, 42, 194, 202, 204, 208, 212, 214,
222, 227, 279, 292, 297, 370, 405, 687.
Philpot 760
Phips or Phipps 41, 644, 7o7
Pickering, 43, 326, 336. 560, 574, 589, 834,
842, sm.
Pickm.in .536, .540
Pierce or Peirce, 4, 43, 44, 67, 08, 71,
113, 114, 118, 125, 120, 1.59, 170, 171,
317, .323, 4.58, 4.59, 403, 482, 484-533;
.589, 033-045; 672, 085, 089-715; 710,
725-72J; 77.5, 787, 8-2.J.
PlERMOHT 68*
Pike, 42, 163, 186, 458, 573, 583, 589, 604,
(32-045 ; 679, 720.
Pills? 64S
Pillsburv 40,572,635
Pinell 589
Pinkerton 517, .526
Pinkham, 162, 165, 100, 108, 170, 173, 174,
175, 177, 179, 182, 185, 543, 545.
Pinner 17S
Piper, 292, .397, .571, 573, .589, 592, 661-
664; 779-785.
Pitman, 41, 43, 44, 164, 105, 109, 170, 175,
179, 235, 238, 542, 544, 748, 813.
Pitson C44
Pixley 827
Place 722-729
Plaisted 41,4.58,737
Plaistow & Atkinson 672-084
Platts 720
Plumer, 28, 40, 160, 162, 108, 170, 173,
174,181,526,608-029; 762.
Plymouth 685-687
Pollard, 40, 111, 202, 410, 418, 420, 42.3,
425, 426, 427, 428, 449, 469, 473,605.
Pomlret 153
Poinroy 389,390, 394, 405
Poor 27, 28, 35, 36, 37, 39, 676-084
Pope 379,381,523,079,711
POPLT N 829
PORISMOU J 11 088-713
Post 046-651
f oter or Potter 255, 683, 827
Pottle 71 , .588
Powell 044,779-785
Powers, 4, 10, 17, 100, 194, 201, 402, .541,
550, 080, 717, 788, 794, 827.
Pow>:a ll 715
Pratt 044,71.5,786
Pray 1 i , 18r;, 4.58, 044
Prentice 388, 391, 716
Presbury or Presby..ll3, 114, 118, 573, 826
Prescott or Prescutt, 77, lOO, 111, 149,
151, 246, 255, 273, 340-376; 431, 440,
583-604; 640-645; 719.
Pressey 332, 445, 446, 451, 677
Preston or Presson 44, 592
Prichard 5i:8
Priest 670,072
Prime 180, 78C
Prince 19, 715
Proctor 194, 398, 402, 482, 484, 072
Puffer 669
Pullman 536, 537
Pulsifer 1.51, 583, 640
Puriell 317
Purinton 182, 183, 185. .340
I'unnot or Pormort 251, .572
Pursell 708
Pussell GOl
Putnam, 4,97, 100, 536, 540, 541, 794, 797,
835.
Putney 716
Putney or Pudney, 112, 132, 133, 405, 400.
409, 412, 415, 523.
935
H
Queslen 475, 470 I Quimby or Quinby, 79, 113, 18(i, 263, 268,
Quick 14 2i0, '271, '270, 341, 35.S, 4;!0, 450, 4t;4,
y uig 61 , 620 7!>2.
Qitiffly 290, 498, r,04, 813 |
H
Uabt t
Kacklyett !
Railman or Kedmau 340, .'
Kamscy 188, 517,532, ;
Rami, 41, 153, 165, 183, 185, 238, 375,503,
5;t;, 643, 732, 733, 7:l.%7!4.
Randall, 159, KiO, 186, 5(.-2, 560, 508, 642,
':4S, 737-744; 760, 762.
Rankiiisor Renkin 1"1,4!)0, •;
Rano
RanHDin
....451
174
RilV
R A VM< )NU
717-
IS); 829
537
;ie:idor Heed, lo, 14, 19, 251
479,490-533; 561,502.647
:s'); 794,809-823.
473
,f;92
477,
777-
lUii;i(k
5')8
541
Kemis.^
....238
436
i;eiinels, Reuols oi Uuniiels,
777-7ai.
582,
040,
644
Hli vinos
44
lUce 295, 305, 388, 391, t
Kichavds, 27, 28. 29, 35, KiO, V-'X 175, 310,
311, 521, <i44, 670-084; 722-729.
Richard on, ( , 211,213,211,220, 121, 122,
473, 475, 477, 524, .530, 540, 049, 080,
OS", 719, 7(;0, 772, 794, 810. S29.
Klchey 482, 48.5-532 ; 070, S00-!
K'cin:<\i> >
Kicker 159, 102, 171, 183, 18';, 700, ■;
Uiddt'l .10, 51, 52, ;
Hide lilt 4
Kindle.
Uindii..
Kineis...
720-721
317, 403, 644, 688, 708-715, 7.58
317
.543, .545
■ n« .
Uitc [bci- Wright]
I ;■ )b:iiids or Robbhis 30'2,
; :ubbe (,6.1.
Kobersou, Robertson or Robinson, 42,
14, 5;, 77, 151, 171-184; 201, 2r>3-292;
317, II' , ijn, h,:i 17:!; 497-5.«; 573,
.-)8-.>, - . ;2-6i4; 05';, 661-
o<ii : ;i .. ; • ', 'i , •',!•">.
Roberts oi- ! .!■ :■'-, ii, i:;, 77. 1.55-18(;;
2,53, 2.>-JM»; ;;;;•.', 51-,J, ,543, .544, 640-
645; 7-.'2-729; 700-7i;2; 779-78.5.
Robie or Roby, 4, 50, 109, 110, 112,114,
Hi;, 1.V),21, 200, 207, o.ib, 310, ;!42,
345, 357, 305, 371, 375, 436,485,550,
04u-;45; r.t\i.
ROCHKSTKU (1) 721-729
1 Jock wood ;;88, 'Ml
Roe 44,169
Rogers, 4, 41, 70, 173, 170, 181, 18;, 274,
292, 415, 458, 459, 4(«, 4a5, 489-533;
.598, 6J:;-045 ; 708-715; 725.
Rolfe 31,59,130
Rollings, Rawling.'i or Rollins, 119, 1.59,
107, 171, 1S6, 240, 2.55, .573, .574, .582,
585, 588, 043, 679, 757, 779-78^.
Root 384
Robbrook 464
Rose .'W4,<i.56
R066 19, 43, 44, 458, pa
Row, 42, 77, 110, 112, 259, 269, 274, 280,
2:)1, 342, 347, 348, 357, 375, 455, 543,
545, .5i;l, .58:4, .592, 092, 719.
Rowan 475, 476, 755, '.56
Rowell, :!S, .52, 246, 2.5.5,309,358, 430, .523,
572, .585, Oil, 026, 03.5-045; 74.J-752;
771,789.
Rowley •■;S8, 3!K)
Rowk v-Cauada 720
Roycei 540, 548
I.'uevs 490
R:.m.m.y 7.30-733
RiiniriU 606
Ruudlel, 246, 2.J3. 2.55, 279, 297, .585, 089,
5!r2, 757, 777-785.
Russ 152, 15.3,522
Russell,3],41,74,79, l:;.--, 141, 144, 212,
214, 222, 270, 458, 459, 473, 475, 476,
044, 708, 792, 829.
Rust 588, 708, 7ai
Rviin •; l,i;8i;, <87
RVe 7.34-744
-abin 51K
Safford 0a5 I
■- ^ t.l-M 744-752
Saleni-Canada 8
Saiisiui.v 7.5:}-7.55
.Sallaiihani (i70
.•^iltcr :;17, 4(;7, 5iu3, 711
.Saltm.arsh 310, 311
^.•iiiiboni or Saiib irii, 77, M\, M, loj,
103, 110, 121, 125, 149, 1.50, 151, 240,
249, ira, 2.55, 2.5;i-297; .MO 375; 431-
4.50; 573. 574, .583-'K)4; 632-044; 1
078, 741, 75.5-758; 827, 834.
Samson .574,681
Sanbn 401
^ A.N nuKN TON 756-758
Sanders. .502, 013, 681, 743, 744-7.52; 803-828
.Sanderson 317
S A NDI > WN 829
SANI>WK-Il 829
Sirpent, 112. 318, 360, :W1, .388, 390, 410,
412, 449, 4.50, 522, 523, .50-2, 5(>7, 5(aj,
57:!, .-.S4, C08-r:}0; &)2-fM5; 679, 76b,
774, 82C, 834.
.Sartwcll 97,99
Satchel! 779-785
Saulridge 44
Savage 41, 42
(1) The heading on pp. 721-728 should be Rochester, inslcail ol " Rindgc." Eu.
936
Sawver, J14, Ul, 182,201,415, 440,464,
■ (i09, (ill, 645-001; 825.
Scales 91, 415,
.Scanimone or Scaniun 175,
Scobev 517, 52(i,
Scofiel.i ...
Scott 5 :(), (,(i5.
Scribner 77, -.'5:;, 25:1, 271,
Scrltchel
rSEAHUOOK
Keamen 77!i-
Sear
Searle
Searles or Siirlcs, 22, 20i, 208, 210, 211,
212, 213, 214, 220, 222, 2;il, 779-785.
Seavcy or Sevey, 115, 427,5(50, 563, Gtt2,
711, 725-729; 734-744.
ScaAvard 44, 251 , (;09,
Secombe
Seeton or Seatoun s, 'i
.5I>
359, 3(;4, 371,
182, 4!>5-.-
141
Seleper
Selley or Seley.
Senter
Severance
Sewall
Shackford U, 4:;,
Shannon 183, 187, 502, 5tj0, (
Shapley 5
Sharley, Shirla or Shirly, 113, 114, 119,
120, 307. :!08, 309.
Shattuck 25, 38d, 388, '
Shaw 340, 34 J, 397, 583, 584, i
Sheaie 18U, 508, tOl, (i5U, 71.5, '
Shed 213, .537, :
Sbelbiirne i
Shelbu hne
Sheldin :
Shepherd or Shepard, 5, 0, 8, 12, 13, 14,
18, 19, 20, 4ti, 47, 90, 91, l;W, 171,
172, 2.55, .!'.)(!, 397, .58!', (;39-(il5; 081,
75;.
Shcrliurnc, 41-14; 101, 104, 143, 103, 107,
IHO, 210, 317, 458, 4.59, 462, 405, 558-
5;il; .-.83,043,050,092-715; 788.
Sherman !
Sherwin (
Shields
Shilder
Shores or .Shorey 41 , 18(i, :
.Shortbridge ;
Shutk, Gov., 1.54, 31S, 322, 484, 485,493,
031, 734, 781.
Shu te 132, 5C3, 592, 089, 737-'
Showers i
Bias 172, 173, i
Sibley J
Sibson 4-2,
Siel 48>,
Silsby 4, f
Silver
SimoiiB or Svmonds, 91, 132, 172, 421,
482, 48.5-i)32 ; 092, 792.
Simp.son, 14s, .v;i, 5';(;, ,572, 038-045; 050,
Sims [>,''. -'ni, I .';'.' (
SinkU r, J,: , . ,, .^j, 523, .573, 579, 032-
Oii; I,., 14,(11, 750,779-78.5.
Skilli
Slade ,573, (iO',
Sleeper 344, 358, 359, 370, 4:j5-449 ;
Slooper or Sloper 42, 279,
Small
Smart 239, 572, 570, ,585, .587,
Smeed
Smiley .520, 074
Smith, 4, 18, 19, 21, 28, 34, 40, .50, .52, 77,
80, 88, 103, 111, 112, 12ii, 144, 149,
150, 1
•1-1 ',
.1, 105, 109,
172, 173,181,23.5-
'2 3 5.340-370;
- 1 ! '., 427, 440,
, . . >2, .588.040-
K .'7,719,738-
744; 750, 757,701.; ■ . 7 : , 77: -7^5;
788,797,80.5-823; 7 . ,7, m:;,
Smylie 7 :, . 7, . -2:;; 814
Sucll 1:;, 092, 71.5
Snow, 31, 201, 211, 213, 214, 418, 423, 522,
797.
SOCIETY-LAND 7.5&
SoMEKSwor.TH 700-703
Souhegiin Eafat .50
.Soidiegan West 6, 8
S. 1 r ni-IlAMFTOx 703-776
^l,alro,d
.97, 98,
.3,710','
)\V.
>l>aulding or Spiilding, 2.5, 20, 416-420;
4t 9, 470, 472, 473, 484-5:53 ; 550, 605,
(<70, 794, 828, 830.
Spavid 482
Speed • 582, 780-786
Speer 309, 607, 751, 805-823
Spendelow 780
Speusor or Spencer, .".03, 305, 466, 467,
732, 820.
Spild [see Sped or Speed] 777
Spinney 42
Spoflord 826
Sprage 700, 786-
Sjiralt .58!)
Springfield 829
Springier 680
Stackpole or Stagpole, i:>'.), 176, 186,
7(iO-762.
Stacy 4, 292, 777-785
Staleniler 515
Standlv or .sianlev, 19, 132, '.80, 405,
I'OJ. 409, 411,412,415,072.
Stanton 160, 760
.stan\A ood — 000
Statiyan 341 , 342, 37.5
.■Starboard 169,174
Star-Isla.M) 313
Stark or Starks. .134, 141, 153, .306, .522, 523
Stakks-Town 189
Stanet 1.53,299
S t ea n d ? .522
Ste:a-ns .... 19, 25, 26, 473, 5.-.O. 6«.i, 087, 778
Stebbins 4, 384, 388, 389, 390, 392
Steel or Steal, 379, 3sl, 482, 484-533;
.541,644,069.
Stenard 14
Stephenson or Stevenson 24. 166. 172,
173 239 240, 243 244. 245. 536. 541.
Stevens "V Stephens, ■'.><.iri: .-.;, 77, 79,
nn,
.70S,
719, 753, 760, 762, 779-785; 7!i2, 797,
8-29.
Steward 19,194,19,5,
Sticknev 114, 118, 132, 135. 584,
Stiles or Styles, 9, 155, 102, 169, 176, 541,
723, S,!0.
Still
937
StilBon COl
Stineon 100, 191, 102, 536, 5 JO, (!r>S.67i
Stockbridge 5l«, 77U-7S")
t lock well 4(i4
todilard 1, 2, 4, 8-2!)
Stoddakd 829
Btone 28, 14.'), 429, 523, (>07
Stoodly or Stootlcv 42, 44, 317, 708
Storer or Storv. . .". 251, 337
Stratford ....." HVl
Stratfoud 829
Strath am 777-78.">
Stratton 213, ;J84, 388, 390
Straw 332, 407-415 ; 44.-), 41i;, 677, 791
Streley ? 159
Strong 498, 656
Stimrt or Stewart, 19, 42i!, 454, 48I-53.3;
584, 613, 022, tMi7, («1, 808-823; 834.
Siic.=cdcr? 115
Sulevant or Sullivan 760, 843
SUKKV 829
.«;iirrON 829
Swain 43, 44, 86, 25.J, ;i42, SSJ, 584
Swallow 212, 214, 223
Swan, 212, 213, 214. 222, 232, 242, rm,
540, 667-672; 745-752; 794.
S-WANZEY 7a'>, 786
Swasev or Sweesey 292, 376, 601
Sweeney? 397,589
Sweet or Swett, 110,112,279,342, 314,
315, 3W, 430-4.52; 522, 536, 584,664,
719.
Sweeter T.W
Swift 121,650
Symes or Simee, 2, 186. 388, 391, 6.^6,
738-741; 785.
Taggart, .V2, 379, ;581, 475, 489-.'>33; .551,
6»J7-672; 82'.>.
Tailer or Taylor, 9, 17, IS, 51, 77. 85, 86,
100, 195, 201, 259, 340, 357. 379. 386-
391; 402,416-427; 4f.9, 473, 475, 476,
4S4-;13:5; 551, 574, 588, 604, 606, 6:52-
*i45; 7.17,780-785; 787,826.
Tallant 331
Talc;n ? 274
Talpev .lU, .JW
Tamwou III 829
Taplev 41
Tarbeil 6
Tarbox 155
Tarlton .V.r2, 647-651 ; 7:«3-744
Tash 44, 239, .509, 589, 711
Tasker. . I(i9, 174, 175. 179, 2.57, 513, .544, 598
Tauntov 787, 788
Tebbels or Tibbets, 154, l.')<;, 1.59, 160,
1»«-188; 513, .544, 7il-72'.» ; 7(iO-762.
Temple 142,301,473,708
Tkmi'le 829
Templeton 114, 119, 120,808-823
Tenney or Tinncy 35, 402
IViret 44
Thaver 787
Thing, 7.1. li"., 2:18, 2.59, 263, 268, 270,
•271, 272, 2T>;, 279, 281, 291,292,297,
4t2, :.<.-., 711.
niom ..r ro;n-, 22, .50, 51, .52, 52.5, 5.50,
.5.52, 'H.h, 77'.», .S08-823.
Thomas, 172, 176, 2.36, 242, 241, 340, 522,
.551. .574, .5;iO, 7.5(;.
Thompson or Thomson, 1,6, 160, ]f;2,
213, 214, 2'U>, 269, 312, .T '.. I -v:.V; ;
.5.50, .573, .582, .588, <; I" n ; ■ , 7",
692, 775, 779-7&5;7'.i7, - J :: -..
Thorn H , r--, ".J7, 7.">2
Tliorn<lick 672, 7."i '., 813
TlKntNTox 829,830
Tliorntou, .304, 516, 519, 528, .5.32, 5:«,
.V.1,.556, 829, 8.34,811.
Thrasher 175, .373
Thur-U^'ii or Thosten, 151, 279, 292, 570,
r><.H, 642, 719, 830.
Tiffrin V (M6.i;51
TilliL-6n orTilston 616-651; 716
Tilton, b3, 77, 342, 344,. -54.5, .34(!, 318, .•$.'.7,
370, 375, 377, 4.50, 573, .583, 584. 589,
592,639-645; 056.
Tippin 197
Tisdel (VJ6
Titcomb 173
Tobey 43
Todd Ill, 310, 3.59, 482, 485-.5:50 ; 719
Tollord ia5, 107
Toogood 42
Tooker 360
Toppan or Tappin,96, 3W, 348,376, 389,
647, 685.
Ton- 174
Torrey 6.")6, 711
Towle"...110, 112, 270, 431, 536, 510, 601, 647
Towne 9,10, 12,17, 19
Townsend 43,402
Trail 601
Train 715
Trask 84
Treadwell 601, 708
Tredick 566
Trelethen 317, 568
Trickcy 464
True 1 16, .3.59, 360, 364, 372, 640, 792
Truel 19
Tnill .551
Trumbull <;5G
Trus^el 28, :i4,40
Tubs .546, 548
Tuck 317, 335, 342, 37(i, 594
Tucker, 86, 1.50, 151. 186, 3.32. 359, .fOO,
43;, 44.5, 446, 449, 451, 526, 568, 611,
677, 828.
Tuckei man 42, 093
TUFPONBOROfGII 829
Turn 497, .526, ,527
Turner 670, 672, 715, 826
Turrel .551
Tulc 388, 389, 390
Tullle. 17, 151, 1.5.-), 161, 169, 170, 171, 174,
176, ISJ, 18.5, 241, 307.
Tuxburv 02.5, 628
Twadle or Twoddlc .537, 7.53
Twit«.hel 429
TwombleorTwomblv,l<iO,169, 170, 171,
175, 176, 177, 179, 186, 513, .545, 7-2<!,
7<iO, 71 y.
Tyler 5*2, 601 , 720
Ty ng 2<J2 , 2 1 1 , 4 22
Tyrrel 001
938
INDEX.
XJ
Umfra or Umphrey 488, 532
Underbill 113, 114,118, 119,523
Underwood. .429, 473, 477, 549, 551, COG, 844
Unity 830
Upton »r
Urin or Yourin 574. 58»-
Usher, 25, 234, 430,432,473,551, 717, 787,
794.
Vanarenem 715
Vance.... 114, 119, 498, 505, 752, 797, 803-823
Vane [see Vance] 813
Vanseygur 63
Varney, 160, 162, 169, 170, 173, 174, 179,
182, 184, 760.
Varrel 317
Vaughan 44, 313, 321, 458, 090, 694, 777
Veasey or Vezey, 77, 253, 259, 274, 280,
570, 588, 777-7&5.
Veno «
Vickere or Vickers, 50, 52, 550, 551 (1),
552, 760.
Vines 235
Virgin 132
Vokes 395, 397
Vose 5f>, 164, 521, .550
yv
Waddel 525, 527, 806-823
Wade 546
Wadley or Wadleigh, 79, 147, 255, 258,
263, 291, 342, 436, 451, 575, 682, 583,
585, 587.
Wait or Waits 5, 6, 173, 664
Wakefield 788, 789
Wakefield 12, 14, 19
Wakham 172, 173, 235, 240
Waldo 6
Waldron, Waldren or Walden, 42, 44,
93, 127, 154-187; 222, 236, 253, 425,
439, 459, 462, 485, 501, 644, 782.
Walker, 41, 42, 43, 50, 51, 52,69,100, 1.32-
137; 141, 144, 186, 251,307,308,309,
313, 410, 411, 482, 484-533; 561, 605,
644, 6'il, 681, 692-715; 725.729; 736,
827, 835, 843.
Wall 251
Wallace or Walles, 17, 249, 250,397,482
485-533; .560,647,735-744; 827.
Walliugford, 25, 160, 162, 170, 171, 181,
704, 726.
Walpey 317
Walpolk 830
Walton, 8, 18, 19, 104, 170, 176, 251, 265,
269, 322, 359, 364, 372, 458,459, 485,
606, 644, 7b2, 763, 829.
Ward, 44, 147, 169, 317, 341, .357, 375, 647,
685, 687, 692, 714.
Waidhall 251
Warnen 560
Warner, 141, 142, 317, .384, 421,465, 644,
685,708-715; 829.
Waknek 789-791
Wan-en... 41, 42, 120, 186, 555, 672, 715, 760
Wakken 830
Washer 19
Washington 830
Wasson 608, 647-651
Walerhouse 42, 43
Watson, 162-177; 239, 241,360, 407, 410,
412, !;ll-630; 642, 715, 731, 768-776.
Watts or Watte, 27, 28, 29, 35, 142, 171,
331, 490, 675-684.
Waugh 498, .504, 752, 802-823
Waymouth 160, 176, 179, 760, 762
(1) By eiTor, " Rickers."
(2) The name, as Governors, appears on almost every page. Ed.
Weare 791, 79»
Weare, 27, 30; clerk, passim ; 36,61,68,
124, 125,208, 335, 336, 337, 338, 341,
342, 344, 345, 363, 364, 365, 370, 372,
373, 375, 612, 648, 678, 754, 791, 829,
830.
Webb 4
Webber .686
Webster, 14, 24, 35, 36, 39, 62, 94, 106-114;
141-144; 256, 262, 263, 270, 344, 345,
358; 431-454; 520, 586, 608-629; 673-
684; 685,687, 719, 737, 770, 792,829,
844.
Wedgwood 340,347,573,589
Weed 773
Weeks, 247, 250, 320, 321, 322, 324, 328,
589, 597, 648, 743, 756, 834.
Welar 605
Welds 787
Welland 162, 176, 182, 185
Wellman 8, 541
Wellmet 159
Wells, 44, 107, 111, 112, 311,318, 332,44.5,
446, 523, 536, 510, 609, 677,686, 687,
719, 744.
Welsh or Welch, 40, 76, 436, 449, 450,
522, 589, 684, 708, 834.
Wendell 830
Wendell 300, 301, 708, &30
WeM WORTH 793
Wentworth, 2, passim (2), 143, 154, 157,
159, 160, 162, 164, 171, 174,176,181,
182, 185, 191,251, 255, 263, 317, 393,
395, 448, 466, 485, 546, 589, 601,643,
644, 647, 685, 698-715; 722-729; 760-
702 ; 788, 826.
Wesson or Wason, 110, 421, 422, 425,
672, 692.
We?t 132, 341. 640
Westbrook 41, 322, 458, 485
Westmokeland 793, 794
Weston 18,19
VVetherspoon 113. 114, 115, 118, 521
Wheeler, 9, 10, 239, 359, 402, 606, 675-684 ;
686, 687, 745, 787.
Wheelock 465. 82T
939
TVheehvright 121, 122, 351 , 484, 708
Wheeney 305
When 522
MHiidden 42, 43, 24«, 324, 458, 5?i, 573
Whipple, 317, 458, GOl, 617, 711, 714,
770, S34.
Mhitaker...37, 28, 29, 32, 35, 36, 39, 076-684
Whitoom 072
White, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 56,
113, 115, 138, 143, 147, 304, 321, 458,
476, 515, 521, 553, 555, 560, 568, 574,
643,648, 660-664; 667-072; 674-684;
692, 716, 776, 783, 792.
WHI TEFIELD 830
Whitehouse, 165, 169, 174, 175, 182, 184,
239,523,661-664; 7-26.
Whiteman 670
Whitiiig, 23, 25, 213, 214, 220, 224, iXi,
301, 398, 716, 794.
Whitney 202, 211, 213, 222
Whitt.." 608
Whitteniore, 17, 425, 473, 475, 476, 605,
658-664; 787, 827.
Whirtier 86, 110, 360, 449, 608-611
Whitwell 644
Wibinl, 41, 68, 102, 265, 322, 324, 485,
644, 698-715; 717,788.
Wichar 78;i
Wiggin, 71, 244, 247, 415, 453, .571, 573,
576, .582, 588, .592-599; 602, 694, 741,
777-785; SM, 842.
Wight 194
Wislesworth 297
Wiley or Willey, 19, 170-183; 235-244;
542-544; 571,643,668,759.
Wilkins, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 18, 19, 379,
381, .541.
WiUdnson 43
Willard, 15, 121, 122, 145, 188, 198, 388,
391, 393, 430, 716, 787, 798, 799, SOO,
826, 827.
Willcox 303, 304, 305
Williams, 12, 17, 19, 170, 175, 235, 375,
379, 381, 609, 656.
Willi Ail & Mary 430
WUloughby, 194, 204, 209, 211, 213, 214,
222, 227, CS5, 687.
WiLMOT 830
Wilsen or Wilson, 19, 79, 83, 97, 105,
113-119; 144, 2.51-277; 482, 484-533;
.•)55, 646-651 ; 653, 667-672; 7.59, 787,
805-823.
W I LTON 794-798
Winborne 251
Winchester 798-800
Windham 800-823
Winford 726
Winget or Wingate, 125, 1(^2, 170, 175,
176, 180, 347, 363, 366, 370, 374, 543,
.593,601,612,741.843.
Winliley 44,48
Winn 202, 418, 423, 425, 426, 427, 478
Winslow or Winsle, 151, 436, 440, 445,
447, 4.54, 640-645,
Wise 675-684
Wisem? 692
Wit 786
Withrel 174
WOLFEBOROUGH 824
Wood or Woods, 25, 50, 115, 119, 186,
201, 227, 249, 4.58, 646-651 ; 692.
W^oodard or Woodward, 32, 422, 465,
64,5-0.51; 828.
Woodburn 485-533
Woodbiuy 19, 62, 672, 753, 813
Woodcock 786
Woodman 147, 169, 2:J5, 241, .593, 755
Woodwell 405, 406, 409, 411, 412, 418
Woolcot 97, 824
Woollen 217
Woolley 10, 402
Worcester or Wooster, 14, 194, 401, 685,
(i87, 835, 836, 844.
Wordner 6
Wormal 79, 258,263, 268, 271, 276
Wormwood 172, 239, 240, 244
Worran 715
Worth 342, 346, 4.50, 585
Worthen 2«, 331, 583, 834
Worthlev 50, 792
Wright, 44, 45, 201 , 251, 321, 384-392 ; 421,
422, 429, 458; 605,646-651; 672,687,
695, 716, 732, 777-785; 786, 794.
Wver, Wier or Wear, 1.59, 160, 102, 167,
171,481,482,484-533; 760.
Wyman 398
Yetlon or Yealon, 159, 171, 313, 563, 566, I
.568, 743, 762.
Vor k e 24 1 , 573 , .5a5
Youngman 227
Youring [see Urin] 745
Young, it, 48, 77, 87, 151, 162, 164, 169,
171, 173, 174, 176, 179, ia3, 253, 259,
2(3,271, 273, 274, 279, 280, 2<)2, 436,
441, 445,^16, 518, .543, 545, .573, 588-
599; 640-645; 667-672; 722-729; 745-
752.
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